News

Agentic AI adoption will rise by 327% by 2027, boosting productivity by 30%Workers will need to share their roles with AI agents soon, Salesforce claimsMany workers could be reassigned roles, report says

AI agents are here to stay, with new Salesforce research claiming agentic AI adoption is projected to grow by 327% by 2027, with the company calling the trend a revolution of "digital labor."Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) are expecting to keep 61% of their existing workforces in their current roles, however employees are set to be working alongside AI.Most CHROs (88%) surveyed added the redeployment of human resources alongside tech can be more cost-effective than external hiring, suggesting workers' jobs could be more secure than they think, but that the change they're subjected to could also be greater.

Combining workers with AI

In line with the projected growth of AI agents, Salesforce believes an increase in productivity of 30% could be realized. The figures also forecast a 19% reduction in labor costs.With AI literacy identified as the top skill needed in the modern workplace, four in five (81%) CHROs are reskilling or planning to reskill employees for future roles, including reassigning many to technical roles like data scientists and technical architects.Among the teams expected to see the biggest growth are IT, research & development, and sales. Customer service, operations and finance are expected to shrink.Fortunately, workers seem to have plenty of time to get their affairs in order and to embark on their training journeys, because 85% of organizations have not yet implemented agentic AI.Unprepared workers don't have unlimited time, though, because 86% of CHROs believe integrating AI will be a critical part of their role within the next five years, with four in five believing that AI agents and humans will coexist in this timeframe."Every industry must redesign jobs, reskill and redeploy talent – and every employee will need to learn new human, agent and business skills to thrive in the digital labor revolution," explained Salesforce Chief People Officer Nathalie Scardino.

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In today’s digital-first world, citizens naturally expect that public services should be as quick and easy to use as their smartphone apps.In Britain, we are at a turning point in our approach to artificial intelligence, particularly in the public sector. Governments are increasingly recognising that upgrading the ‘citizen experience’ by investing in cutting-edge technology will be vital to delivering tomorrow’s public services.Earlier this year, in the Government’s new ‘AI Opportunities Plan’, the Prime Minister highlighted how AI tools can “transform” public services and deliver seamless experiences similar to how we manage money or book flights online. Most recently, the Prime Minister’s announcement to “reshape” the state offers a huge opportunity to reinforce the UK’s ambitions to be an AI leader across the public sector.

AI adoption starts now

At ServiceNow, we are working with hundreds of public sector bodies and can see how AI is already helping to cut through challenges, such as the 13.5 million hours doctors lose annually to outdated IT. Virtual assistants and advanced triaging systems are now helping to cut through the ‘8am rush’ to book a GP appointment. We are seeing similar impacts in other departments such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).For public services, the impact of technology is not some futuristic fantasy: it is here, now, today. The key to implementing this successfully is partnerships between the public and private sector. The Government’s plan calls for the public sector to become a “great customer” of AI services. And yet analysis by GDS suggests that almost half of Government IT spend is dedicated to ‘keeping the lights on’ maintaining legacy systems. In the private sector, businesses are implementing AI to drive productivity and enhance the customer experience. It is vital that the public sector does so too.

Delivering for citizens

The first step for government is replacing patchwork legacy systems with an AI platform to speed innovation, scale business processes, and forge a solid foundation. Analysis by the Social Market Foundation suggests that at HMRC and the DWP alone, eight million hours of staff time could be saved every year by using technology to streamline routine tasks. Moving away from legacy systems, siloed departments and patchwork IT is also crucial to delivering citizen experience, making it easier to connect to government services.Rather than waiting for working-hours call centers and having to work out who the ‘right’ department is to speak to, digital channels and generative AI are offering real-time answers to citizens. Not only that, but AI’s capacity also to process large stores of data are making digital services more effective and accessible.

AI in public service

Forward-thinking government organizations have already adopted generative AI to deliver better service for citizens, as well as increasing efficiency and offering instant access to data. Large Language Models (LLMs) trained on domain-specific data are already helping government organizations respond rapidly, either by empowering agents with the information they need which might previously have been inaccessible, or by offering citizens direct access to data.

The future of government

From managing risk to delivering improved citizen experience, cutting-edge technology is the key to overcoming many of the hurdles seen in previous government attempts at digital transformation. Ripping out the siloed legacy systems, which are all too often seen in the public sector and replacing them with a single AI platform connecting all data across the organization, will not only drive efficiency, but also pave the way for more wholesale innovation.The addition of AI, and of its latest evolution with Agentic AI, is a stepping stone towards a new era of innovative, automated services – with citizens able to access personalized experiences, where and when they want.

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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

Andor season 2 episode 9 finally sees Mon Mothma's infamous Senate speech brought to lifeGenevieve O'Reilly said she was "so nervous" about doing justice to the iconic momentFans have waited years for it to be depicted in a live-action or animated project

Full spoilers immediately follow for Andor season 2, up to and including episode 9.

Genevieve O'Reilly has revealed why she was "so nervous" about finally delivering Mon Mothma's famous Senate speech in a Star Wars project.Before Andor season 2 was released in late April, I sat down with O'Reilly to discuss the scene that's not only a landmark moment for the Chandrilan Senator but also for O'Reilly.O'Reilly is renowned for portraying Mon Mothma in Andor on Disney+, but she's actually played the character in multiple projects since 2005's Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.Throughout her 20-year (and counting!) career as part of Lucasfilm's legendary sci-fi franchise, O'Reilly has never had the opportunity to bring her character's hugely significant speech to life before. That's changed now, though. To the delight of Star Wars fans who've waited years for this moment, Mon Mothma finally gets on her proverbial soapbox to denounce Emperor Palpatine for his autocratic rule of that iconic galaxy far, far away.

Benjamin Bratt's Bail Organa is the only Senator who agrees with Mon Mothma's stance on the Empire (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)

It's a hugely pivotal moment for Mon Mothma, the nascent Rebel Alliance, and the galaxy as a whole.Indeed, while Mon Mothma has been part of Luthen's quickly evolving, galaxy-wide rebellion for years at this point, she's largely operated in the shadows to keep herself and her family safe from the Galactic Empire's prying eyes.All of that is thrown out the window in this season's ninth episode. The emotionally devastating events in season 2 episode 8, which depicted the Ghorman Massacre in all of its harrowing glory – an event Andor season 2 has laid the groundwork for since its first episode – Mon Mothma decides to take a public stand against the Emperor and those who follow his every whim.

Mon Mothma's speech has been 20 years in the making for Genevieve O'Reilly (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)

Addressing the Senate in one of the best Disney+ shows' latest episodes, Mon Mothma not only condemns Palpatine for the slaughter of innocent and largely peaceful protestors on Ghorman, but outright rejects his tyrannical leadership.Vilified by her fellow Senators (aside from Bail Organa, anyway, who silently supports her) and knowing that the Empire will come for her, Mon Mothma quickly flees the scene.With the aid of Cassian Andor, who's been sent by Luthen Rael to get her to safety, Mon Mothma escapes Coruscant. Off-screen, she's passed onto the crew of The Ghost, aka the heroes of Star Wars: Rebels, in season 3 episode 18, titled 'Secret Cargo', of that animated program. A couple of Rebels characters appear in another live-action series Star Wars: Ahsoka, too, which further highlights the connective tissue between numerous Lucasfilm productions.

Now we know who delivers Mon Mothma to the crew of the Ghost in Rebels' 'Secret Cargo' episode (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)

But I digress. Andor has been building towards this significant Mon Mothma moment ever since we were reintroduced to her in mid-2022. O'Reilly has also harbored ambitions of giving this speech for almost two decades, too, so how did it feel to finally deliver it in one of 2025's new Star Wars shows?"The opportunity to give that speech, as well as the lead up to it, was everything I could have hoped for," O'Reilly replied."I was so nervous that, because it's existed previously in canon, we might not get to visit it. But what [showrunner] Tony [Gilroy] did, which was so clever, is carve a space to allow us to see that moment.

I was so nervous that... we might not get to visit itGenevieve O'Reilly

"I think it makes sense of everything about her," O'Reilly continued, "And not just her. It makes sense of our show. If sacrifice is at the cost of everyone, Mon has to understand and be at peace with what she has to sacrifice."I also think it's important to mention that a voice can be powerful. It's not about the fact that we pick up weapons, but perhaps a voice can shift things, and that speaks to everything that is why I think Mon Mothma is valuable to the rebellion."Andor season 2 episodes 1 to 9 are out now on Disney+. The final three chapters will air on May 13 (US) and May 14 (UK and Australia).

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Microsoft has revealed some smart new features for Copilot+ PCsWindows 11 is getting an AI agent to help you easily adjust settingsThere's a bunch of other features coming (in testing), including powering up Narrator, the Photos app, and Snipping Tool

Copilot+ PC owners are getting some very useful introductions for Windows 11, including functionality that Microsoft has been promising for a long time now – the ability for AI to change settings for you in the operating system.Microsoft covers all the introductions it’s making in a blog post – note that these additions will all be in testing only (for now) – as well as recapping a bunch of other features that have already been seen in testing.The key introduction for many (coming off the back of the full release of Recall, finally – and more besides) will be the change for the Settings app which brings in an AI agent.This takes the form of a bar at the top of the Settings panel into which you can type natural language queries. The idea is to take all the pain out of tweaking the various settings in Windows 11, of which there are a ton (and a half).So, as an example, if you wanted to make the mouse cursor larger, rather than searching for ‘mouse’ in the normal Settings search bar, you can ask the AI instead, and just type a query: “How do I make my mouse pointer bigger?”You can phrase it any way you want (within reason), and the AI should surface the option you need so you can click to enable it. Or it might go even further and make suggestions as to what setting you might want to pick (like a recommended size for the pointer in the example above). When it comes to such recommendations, the obvious caveat that AI can be wrong is included.The ability for AI to make sweeping changes in Windows 11 has been something Microsoft has been talking about since it first introduced Copilot to the OS. And while these are smaller tweaks, rather than big swathes of options being adjusted, it’s still a very nifty move – and likely a safer way to work (for now, certainly) given the propensity for AI to make mistakes at times.

Check out the YouTube video above to see the feature in action. However, do note that this functionality is coming to Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X chips only to begin with (in testing, as mentioned), but it shouldn’t be long before it arrives for devices with AMD or Intel processors.There are a few other notable features being brought in for Copilot+ PCs here (also in testing), and I’ll take a look at them next.

1. Relight your photos

The Photos app in Windows 11 is getting dynamic lighting controls which are facilitated by AI (and the NPU on your Copilot+ PC).This allows you to correct poor lighting in an image, or just play around with different (or even oddball) lighting effects, using up to three light sources.Check out the example tweaking shown in the above video (where another feature, object select in Paint, is showcased too).

2. Easy screenshots with AI doing the heavy lifting

The Snipping Tool is getting a new ‘Perfect Screenshot’ feature. Invoke this and you can roughly frame an area of the screen that you want captured, and AI will crop it down to the key part that (it assumes) you want to screenshot.Check it out in the above sample video clip – this could be another substantial timesaver. Should the AI get it wrong, there are handles to adjust the errant crop, too.

3. Narrator gets powered up

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11’s screen reading tool is getting a boost, as Microsoft explains: “Narrator now offers rich image descriptions, which provide detailed context for visuals including charts, photos and UI elements.”What this means is that where web content doesn’t have alternative text provided – words that can be read out to describe an image for those who can’t see it – Narrator can do this itself.This should be a major step forward with accessibility for blind (or low-vision) Windows 11 users. As with the Settings AI agent, this functionality is coming (in testing) to Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X chips before other models.

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The use of contractors is vital in facilitating necessary software development projects for companies small and large. Development teams are forced to justify the cost of this additional support, meaning returning a clear return on this investment is crucial.In banking, government and automotive industries – which are highly regulated - there are a wealth of additional security requirements, which are often coupled with a hugely fragmented technology stack.As such, onboarding of third-party contractors staff and contractors has become unnecessarily complex and expensive, and can often cause weeks of delays, which is particularly problematic when these developers are on short-term, 3-6 month contracts.Just four weeks of slow onboarding, with siloed systems and the need to constantly reconfigure machines, can cost enterprises as much as £11,000 per contractor. These delays are a huge wasted investment and are preventing contractors from excelling in the roles they’ve been hired to fill. Not only is this a source of frustration for companies, who can see the wasted resources and slower returns or delays on projects, but this can also frustrate contractors, who are keen to hit the ground running and maximize their output in order to complete work.

The hidden cost of onboarding delays

Onboarding delays represent a hidden, but often expensive additional cost for businesses. Rarely are they factored into the timelines of projects – creating significant pressure points for contractors as they battle to complete projects on time. Businesses are also paying salaries for little forward movement and may need to extend the period of time a contractor is hired for to ensure projects are seen through to their conclusion. For third-party contractors, it can be as much as 12-weeks before they actually start coding, making the onboarding processes as it stands hugely inefficient.It's important that companies are both aware of this hidden cost and are actively exploring methods in which they can reduce onboarding time and lower the financial impact of a slow onboarding process. This requires a strong focus on developer experience, and creating the right environment which empowers developers to begin contributing to projects from day one. A stronger onboarding process can encourage up to 50% faster project completion overall.

Managing Developer Environments

On average, a developer could be brought in to work across 10-15 different projects at once. Without the right environment, each of these projects may require unique sets of tools, configurations and security measures, meaning switching between these projects can take hours.Coder’s 2025 State of Development Environments report highlights that only 16% of organizations were using the same standardized tools across teams. For many organizations, new developer hires are often required to configure their own machines with the libraries and IDEs, and chase for licenses for the tools that they prefer.Ensuring the correct set-up on each of these projects is a significant time burden and ultimately a net productivity loss – particularly crucial when talent has been brought on for a limited time period. In fact, getting this process wrong can cause high levels of developer attrition, with talent refusing to wait until onboarding has been completed before they contribute any code.A managed, cloud-based workspace can help to reduce onboarding times from weeks to the same-day, with developers able to use familiar tools within the context of a standardized environment. With the right cloud development environment, new developers can gain immediate access to fully configured workspaces that are already integrated with company tooling.This creates a dramatic reduction in overall onboarding time, and improves the morale of new hires who are able to make immediate contributions to projects. According to Gartner’s Software Engineering Survey for 2024, more than a third (36%) of engineering leaders have seen CDEs increase developer productivity in their organizations.

Industry specific challenges

Industries that have high levels of sensitivity – including governance, defense and finance – face a unique set of additional onboarding challenges. This is due to the heightened level of security protocols and the regulatory requirements they face in sorting and holding data, and the often disparate nature of employee location. Onboarding staff in a way that meets security requirements, and ensuring all tools used are approved for use – while facilitating cross-country and sometimes cross border work, can create a significant logistical challenge.This highlights the importance of standardized developer environments – to ensure that staff can quickly be onboarded and satisfy the strict regulatory and security requirements necessary. The right managed environment allows teams to use their preferred tools, but within an environment that includes configuration guardrails for how infrastructure is provisioned, and source code is managed. This maximizes the balance between freedom for developers and the security needed in sensitive industries.

Conclusion

Fixing onboarding delays for contractors is a crucial step in maximizing the financial investment made for additional support. The existing onboarding process, whereby developers themselves are configuring devices, could create weeks of delays. By implementing standardized, cloud development environments, organizations can ensure that contractors are providing code on day one – improving productivity, reducing costs and ensuring employee engagement.

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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

We’ve long considered Apple’s iPads to be the best tablets on the market, but determining exactly which model you should buy isn’t always straightforward. Do you just want a big screen for streaming and web browsing? Do you want to use it like a pseudo-laptop? Do you care about Apple Intelligence at all? If you’re not sure, allow us to help. We’ve tested every iPad available today and broken down which ones should best fit your needs below.

Table of contents

The best iPads for 2025

How we test the best iPads

iPad FAQs

Recent updates

The best iPads for 2025

How we test the best iPads

The top edge of the iPad mini.

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Much like we do for our guide to the best tablets overall, we spend several days with each iPad to see how they feel and perform with different tasks: watching videos, web browsing, playing both casual and graphically intense games, editing 4K photos and video, running multiple apps side-by-side, making FaceTime calls and the like. To better measure performance specifically, we use benchmarking tests like Geekbench 6, 3DMark and GFXBench Metal, plus we measure how long it takes for each tablet to boot up and open various apps. We also check how well each tablet holds up long-term, whether it’s with a review unit provided by Apple or an iPad model that’s owned by a member of the Engadget staff.

To help compare the color performance and brightness of the displays, we play the same videos on different iPads, side-by-side, at equal brightness levels. We use each tablet in direct sunlight outdoors to see how well they hold up to glare, and we play a handful of the same musical tracks to evaluate speaker performance. For battery life, we keep track of how long each tablet generally lasts before it needs a recharge, but we also play a 1080p movie on a loop at roughly 70 percent brightness with power-sapping background processes off. We also test each device with an Apple Pencil and note how responsive the stylus feels. Finally, we carefully pore over spec sheets and software updates to keep track of which features are available on certain iPads but not others.

iPad FAQs

The iPad (A16) on top of an 13-inch iPad Air.

Jeff Dunn for Engadget

How long do iPads typically last?

If history is any indication, expect Apple to update your iPad to the latest version of iPadOS for at least five years, if not longer. The iPadOS 18 update, for example, is available on iPad Pro models dating back to 2018 and other iPads dating back to 2019. How long your iPad’s hardware will last depends on which model you buy and how well you maintain it. (If you’re particularly clumsy, consider an iPad case.) A more powerful iPad Pro will feel fast for a longer time than an entry-level iPad, but each model should remain at least serviceable until Apple stops updating it, at minimum.

What’s the difference between the iPad and the iPad Air?

Compared to the 11th-gen iPad, the iPad Air runs on a stronger M3 chip (instead of the A16 Bionic) and has 2GB more RAM (8GB total). Both come with 128GB of storage by default. The Air is also available in two sizes, 11 and 13 inches, whereas the 11th-gen iPad doesn't offer the larger screen option. The M-series SoC gives the Air better long-term performance, plus access to certain iPadOS features such as Apple Intelligence and Stage Manager. Its display supports a wider P3 color gamut, has an antireflective coating and is fully laminated. The latter means there’s no “air gap” between the display and the glass covering it, so it feels more like you’re directly touching what’s on screen instead of interacting with an image below the glass. The Air also works with the newer Pencil Pro stylus and more comfortable Magic Keyboards, and its USB-C port supports faster data transfer speeds. It technically supports faster Wi-Fi 6E, too, while the lower-cost iPad uses Wi-Fi 6.

Starting at $349, the 11th-gen iPad is $250 less expensive than the iPad Air. It has a similarly elegant design with flat edges, thin bezels, USB-C port, and a Touch ID reader. Battery life is rated at the same 10 hours, and both devices have their front-facing camera on their long edge, which is a more natural position for video calls. The cheaper iPad works with the first-gen and USB-C Apple Pencils – which are more convoluted to charge – and a unique keyboard accessory called the Magic Keyboard Folio.

How do I take a screenshot on an iPad?

As we note in our screenshot how-to guide, you can take a screenshot on your iPad by pressing the top button and either volume button at the same time. If you have an older iPad with a Home button, simultaneously press the top button and the Home button instead.

Recent updates

April 2025: We’ve lightly edited this guide to ensure all details and links are still correct. We’re also keeping an eye on how the Trump administration’s tariff policy affects the pricing and stock of the iPad lineup (and every other tech category). All of our picks are still available at normal prices today, but we’ll update this guide if that changes.

March 2025: We've reviewed the iPad (A16) and named it our new budget pick, removing the discontinued 10th-gen iPad in the process.

March 2025: The recently-launched iPad Air M3 has replaced its predecessor as our top overall recommendation. We’ve also made a note regarding the new iPad (A16), which we plan to test in the near future and expect to become our new budget pick. We’ve made a handful of edits elsewhere in the guide to reflect Apple’s latest hardware.

January 2025: We’ve lightly edited this guide for clarity. Our recommendations remain the same.

October 2024: We've updated our guide to include the new iPad mini 7.

June 2024: We’ve touched up this guide to reflect some of the new iPadOS features Apple announced at WWDC, though our picks remain the same.

Nathan Ingraham contributed to this report.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/best-ipads-how-to-pick-the-best-apple-tablet-for-you-150054066.html?src=rss

AWS study finds 90% of businesses use AI, with spend now surpassing securityThree in five have already appointed a Chief AI OfficerBudgets and uncertainty could hinder training efforts

Spending on generative AI has surpassed cybersecurity, with financial services, ICT, manufacturing and retail all looking to adopt the technology, new research has claimed.As a result, three in five organizations have now appointed a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) or similar to oversee their strategy, the latest Generative AI Adoption Index from cloud computing giant AWS found.According to the report, almost all (90%) organizations are using GenAI in some capacity, with 44% already having moved from experimentation to full implementation.

GenAI spending has surpassed security spending

AWS's report explores the different ways companies are planning to go about deploying AI, with half as many companies again planning to build their own custom apps using existing models (58%) as those using off-the-shelf tools (40%).An equally high number of businesses will also use fine-tuned models based on their own proprietary data. (55%), but on the whole, a hybrid of building and buying AI tools appears to be favored.Over half (56%) or the companies surveyed also noted that they already have internal AI training programs, but that figure is expected to jump by 19 percentage points to 75% by the end of 2025. However, with constrained budgets and uncertainty about how to go about defining precise AI skillsets, it's clear that companies will be spending time finding their feet before workers might feel fully supported.Still, 92% of companies are requiring AI skills during recruitment in 2025, demonstrating a huge opportunity for workers to upskill and prepare for an evolving workplace.An additional one in four (26%) also plan to adopt more AI over the next year, showing how leadership roles are developing to handle AI as well as humans – a sentiment felt by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who believes the current and next generations of CEOs will need to manage AI agents alongside humans.

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be just 3.9mm thick when unfoldedIt might also have new battery and charging techWe're also hearing again that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could have a bigger battery than its predecessor

We’ve heard from several sources that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be impressively slim, but a new claim suggests it will be even thinner than we’d previously heard, at least when unfolded.According to @UniverseIce, a leaker with a solid track record, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be just 3.9mm thick when unfolded – that’s even slimmer than a 4.5mm claim we’d previously heard.When folded, it’s a slightly different story, with this source claiming the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be 8.9mm thick, which would actually be thicker than the 8.2mm we’d heard elsewhere. Either way though, that’s exceptionally slim for a foldable phone.

According to some exclusive information, the next direction of Samsung flagship machine is still to be thin and light, and the battery will be thin and thin, and the body will continue to be thin. The Galaxy Z Fold7 will be the thinnest folding machine in the world at that time,… pic.twitter.com/uAs3NzAf8jMay 7, 2025

@UniverseIce also shed some light on the battery, echoing previous leaks in saying that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will have a 4,400mAh battery, just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, but intriguingly also claimed that it will use new battery and charging tech.It’s unclear what they mean by this, but it could mean the battery will last longer than the battery in the Z Fold 6, despite apparently being the same capacity, and it may also mean we see higher charging speeds than the 25W of the Z Fold 6.

From the Fold to the Flip, and the S26

Moving away from the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the same source has also claimed that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will have a 4,300mAh battery. That would make it bigger than the 4,000mAh battery in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, and this is something we’ve heard from multiple sources, so there’s a good chance it’s accurate.Finally, @UniverseIce claims the Samsung Galaxy S26 “will continue to be thin”. For reference, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is 7.2mm thick, so this suggests its successor won’t be much thicker, and could possibly be thinner.Of course we’d take all of this with a pinch of salt, but as far as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 go we should know all about them soon, as they’re likely to be unveiled in July. The Samsung Galaxy S26, though, probably won’t land until early 2026.

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Garmin released its new subscription service in MarchIt has proven extremely unpopular with usersCEO Cliff Pemble says the response has been positive, and says the company will likely reserve some premium features for it going forward

Garmin claims the response to its Connect+ subscription service "has been positive," but it's also hinted at a future where premium features are reserved for behind the paywall, in what is likely to be seen as another blow to loyal users.During its recent Q1 2025 earnings call, Garmin announced earnings of $1.54 billion, up 11% year on year, and a record $330 million in operating income.Naturally, questions and concerns revolved around the impact of tariffs on Garmin's business. However, CEO Cliff Pemble also touched on the launch of its controversial Garmin Connect+ service, with some news that users of the best Garmins devices won't want to hear.In the opening Q&A, Pemble was asked about Garmin's decision to launch Connect+ when it did, given the company's previous reservations about charging its customers for more features."I think we've been saying for a while that we are evaluating opportunities to have a premium offering on Garmin Connect," Pemble responded. "I think the developments of AI and particularly around AI-based insights for our users was one of those things that we felt was important to recognize the value for the investment that it takes to do."He added that "we felt like it was the right time," and echoed previous sentiments that Connect+ isn't a requirement for users, and that the company hasn't taken away any previously free features from users.

A positive response?

(Image credit: Garmin)

Pemble claimed the response to Connect+ "has been positive," despite widespread user outcry over the principle of a subscription service and specific complaints about the extremely thin offering Connect+ currently gives users.Active Intelligence insights, in particular, are woefully basic, and mocking them has become something of a sport over on the Garmin Subreddit.In passing, Pemble also dropped a very quiet bombshell. Noting the broad range of features available to users currently, he said, "certain ones, we will likely reserve for premium offerings." It's the clearest confirmation yet that Garmin plans to introduce future premium features to its lineup that will only be accessible to Garmin Connect+ subscribers.The news is a double-edged sword, of course. Garmin is under fire in part because the Connect+ offering isn't fantastic, so adding more features to it is a key part of improving the product. However, that will mean some features aren't accessible to users who don't pay, a fact that goes to the heart of why Garmin users seem so opposed to a subscription service in principle.Garmin users' worst fears, that a growing subscription service will eventually see more and more features hidden behind a paywall, are quickly being realized.That's not such a burden if you've spent a relatively small sum on a Garmin Forerunner 55, but for those who've spent the best part of $1,000 / £1,000 on a Fenix 8 hoping for Garmin's most premium experience, it could prove a bitter pill to swallow.You can read the transcript of the earnings call, or listen to a recording on YouTube. Pemble's Connect+ remarks can be found beginning at 19 minutes and 40 seconds.

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ServiceNow is adding agentic AI to its CRM platformThe company criticized the market for being "outdated" and "overbuilt"AI agents promise contextually-aware resolutions for happier customers

ServiceNow is looking to take on industry giant Salesforce with its next-generation CRM platform, enhanced with agentic AI, in a bid to help significantly improve efficiency across the board.ServiceNow's agents will connect with third-party tools and systems using open source protocols like Google's A2A and Anthropic's MCP to make the platform even more powerful.Referring to the CRM industry as one, "dominated by outdated, overbuilt systems," the company says its updated platform will enable it to make better use of data that was previously siloed, such as "spreadsheets, shared inboxes, and human middleware."

ServiceNow criticizes CRMs

In a press release, the company revealed CRM is its fastest-growing workflow, reaching $1.4 billion in annual contract value and growing 30% year-over-year. In fiscal 2024, the company made $10.98 billion in revenue, marking a healthy 22% growth compared with 2023."ServiceNow is delivering a groundbreaking new vision for CRM that transforms the entire customer experience around the powerful capabilities of AI," explained John Ball, the company's EVP and GM of CRM and Industry Workflows.The company added customer service has evolved in recent years, and customers are now expecting "personalized, proactive experiences that anticipate their needs and resolve issues without friction."ServiceNow also compared next-generation agentic AI with existing automation solutions, detailing how AI agents can dynamically determine the best course of action while taking into account broader context for quicker and more accurate resolutions."Far beyond rebranded chatbots, we’re enabling our customers to orchestrate end‑to‑end sales and service on a single AI‑powered platform, helping organizations manage the entire customer lifecycle with greater efficiency," Ball added.

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