News

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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One UI 8 should bring new features to the Now BarThe software may also fix a problem with the Secure FolderOne UI 8 assets for watches have also leaked

With One UI 7 (based on Android 15) only just making its way out to older Galaxy handsets, Samsung is already prepping One UI 8 (based on Android 16) – and there are some key upgrades in the pipeline for both phones and watches.We know that Google is planning to push out Android 16 very soon, ahead of the Pixel 10 phones, and it looks as though Samsung is keen to catch up. There have been rumors that One UI 8 could launch with the next Galaxy foldables sometime in July.Let's start with the Now Bar, the dynamic lock-screen widget added in One UI 7. As per @Topraks9plus on social media (via 9to5Google), the One UI 8 version of the widget will add the ability to show phone calls and 'do not disturb' modes.Both would be useful additions. Right now, the Now Bar can show live updates from apps such as Samsung Health and Google Maps, but the more information that's available on the lock screen the better.

Phones and watches

Updates are also on the way for the Galaxy Watch 7 (Image credit: Samsung)

Separately, a social post from @DevOfIpos (via Android Authority) suggests the Secure Folder in One UI 8 will be based on the Private Space feature in Android 15. This would be a small change, but it would fix one of the few privacy issues with Secure Folder.Right now, the apps and files in Secure Folder can be exposed in certain scenarios. Samsung hasn't publicly acknowledged the problem, but it seems it might be about to fix it.We've also seen assets for One UI 8 Watch leaked, again leaked by @DevOfIpos (via SamMobile). There are new system sounds, refined app icons, and more hints that Gemini will soon be appearing on Galaxy Watch devices.Samsung hasn't yet updated any of its Galaxy Watches to One UI 7, and it looks almost certain that wearables like the Galaxy Watch 7 will jump directly to One UI 8 instead. We can expect more leaks in the near future, and hopefully some official news fairly soon too.

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Screen Time is set to gain new parental controls in iOS 18.5Other changes include tweaks to Mail, Settings, and moreiOS 18.5 is expected to launch as soon as next week

Apple is on the brink of releasing the iOS 18.5 update, and it’ll come with a bunch of useful new features that could enhance all the best iPhones when it arrives. And judging by Apple’s release notes for the update, there’s a particularly useful change coming to Screen Time.According to Apple, parents will soon be notified when their Screen Time passcode has been successfully entered into a child’s device. That should immediately let parents know that their offspring have found a way past the restrictions on their device.Screen Time can be used to limit how long a person spends in a specified app, block inappropriate content, and confine device access to predefined times. If a child finds a way around these restrictions, they might be able to change or disable them.Parents will also be able to get similar notifications in macOS once they’ve installed the macOS 15.5 update. The release candidate builds of both iOS 18.5 and macOS 15.5 were released yesterday, with the full versions expected to be launched next week.

More changes coming to iOS 18.5

(Image credit: Future)

Improved parental controls are not the only changes coming to Apple’s next operating system updates. There are minor tweaks like Apple bundling a new Pride Harmony wallpaper to support LGBT rights, but some wider changes are coming too.The Mail app now has options to show or hide contact photos in your inbox, while you can also disable the Group by Sender view. In the Settings app, meanwhile, it’s now easier to view your AppleCare+ information and find out more about the service. These updates were previously spotted in the iOS 18.5 beta in early April.The changes aren’t just focused on the latest iPhones. Users of the iPhone 13 will also benefit, with carrier-provided satellite services available to all models in the iPhone 13 range. That doesn’t refer to Apple’s own satellite services – like Emergency SOS via Satellite – but rather those provided by carriers, such as T-Mobile’s collaboration with Starlink.With iOS 18.5 on the brink of launching to the public, it won’t be long until everyone will be able to try out these new features. That should set us up nicely for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, where iOS 19 is expected to be unveiled to the world.

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Security researchers have seen a bug in Samsung MagicINFO 9 Server abused in the wildIt is being used to deploy malwareThe bug was fixed in August 2024, so users should patch now

Cybercriminals are abusing a vulnerability in Samsung MagicINFO 9 Server that was patched almost a year ago.Cybersecurity researchers SSD-Disclosure published an in-depth analysis and a proof-of-concept (PoC) of the threat against the company's digital signage content management system (CMS).It is used to manage, schedule, and monitor multimedia content across Samsung smart displays, and is a popular solution in different industries such as retail, or transportation.

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PoC and abuse

In August 2024, Samsung announced fixing a remote code execution vulnerability. It described it as an “improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability allowing attackers to write arbitrary files as system authority”. It was tracked as CVE-2024-7399, and was given a severity score of 8.8/10 (high).BleepingComputer described it as an ability to upload malware through a file upload functionality intended for updating display content. Samsung addressed it in version 21.1050.Despite being fixed almost a year ago, threat actors are finding unpathed endpoints to target. SSD-Disclosure said attackers are uploading malicious .jsp files via an unauthenticated POST request.In addition, security firm Arctic Wolf noted how, several days after the PoC was released, it observed the flaw being leveraged in attacks."Given the low barrier to exploitation and the availability of a public PoC, threat actors are likely to continue targeting this vulnerability," the researchers said.We don’t know how successful these attacks are, who the threat actors are, or how many organizations fell victim. We also don’t know if the threat actors are focusing on any specific industry, or if they are simply casting a wide net.In any case, organizations using Samsung MagicINFO 9 Server are advised to apply the latest patch, or at least bring their software to version 21.1050 to mitigate the risks.Via BleepingComputer

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Electric bike manufacturer Cowboy is recalling its C4 ST MR EditionThe voluntary recall is due to a frame problem, after cracks appeared in some models after 2,500kmCowboy will provide a replacement frame free of charge

Electric bike manufacturer Cowboy is recalling the MR Edition of its step-through C4 bikes, after identifying an issue with cracks forming in the frame after the bikes have been ridden for an extended period of time.The Cowboy 4, now named the C4, is on our list of the best electric bikes you can buy in 2025, but some owners of the step-through (ST) MR Edition version of the bike have noticed cracks appearing in the bike's frame, as described in the Reddit post below.Cowboy has said this is a frame problem that occurs after the bike has been ridden for around 2,500km, stating on its website that "these bikes, welded by one manufacturing partner, may develop fatigue cracks at the joint between the headtube and downtube."This issue stems from a production deviation and does not reflect the standards we uphold. As rider safety is our top priority, we are taking proactive measures and have initiated a voluntary recall of the affected frames."Cowboy will be contacting registered riders likely to be affected, and will be replacing frames free of charge. If you own a C4 ST MR Edition but haven't yet been contacted, you can check if your bike is eligible for recall here.

What happens when a bike is recalled?

Do you think I had a lucky escape? from r/cowboybikes

Cowboy has asked users whose bikes are likely to be recalled to not use their bike for the foreseeable future, in case the frame breaks completely while it's being ridden. Or, as one Reddit user put it, "this is some Final Destination level bull****".Cowboy does have the ability to disable your bike using its anti-theft measures, but it has decided not to do so in this instance – so the onus is on owners to not use their bikes.Eventually, all owners will be contacted by Cowboy, and their frame will be replaced free of charge.Cowboy states: "Cowboy is committed to completing each frame replacement as quickly and safely as possible. Bikes with the highest mileage will be given priority, as they carry a higher risk."Cowboy has committed to replacing all affected frames this year. However, if you've got an affected bike that's relatively low in mileage, you might be waiting a while to get a replacement, so it may be worth looking at our best cheap e-bikes list for a temporary fix.

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The Sony WH-1000XM6 are expected to launch this month, May 2025They're likely to be significantly more expensive than the current modelSpecifications have leaked and now there's a photo too

Sony's latest flagship headphones are leaking all over the place. Over the weekend, The Walkman Blog reported that the Sony WH-1000XM6 were slated for a May release; two days later a listing for the new headphones accidentally appeared on Amazon Spain with some key specifications. And now there's another leak that appears to be a photo, which we've included below.The news comes via Notebookcheck.net, which spotted that the image (below) had leaked on Reddit. And while it's hardly hi-res, it does show enough detail to corroborate one of the key details of the Amazon Spain link: a return to the foldable hinges of the XM4, which Sony dropped for the WH-1000XM5.

WH-XM6 from r/SonyHeadphones

The lack of a foldable hinge was something we noted in our Sony WH-1000XM5 review, which concluded that this makes them "a bit large when it comes to storing them away" and that if you wanted a "truly on-the-go pair of headphones" you should consider Sony's WF-1000XM4 in-ears (now succeeded by the WF-1000XM5, and perhaps one day this year by the XM6s) as an alternative.Well, it seems the incoming WH-1000XM6 flagships could again offer a more travel-friendly design than their predecessors, alongside some other new features...

Sony WH-1000XM6: what we know so far

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones could bring back some foldable hinges like the ones last seen in the XM4 model (above). (Image credit: Aakash Jhaveri)

The Amazon leak included a price of €470 including tax; without, it's about €439. That's roughly $499 / £439 / AU$770, which tracks: rumors suggested we'd see a price hike with this new version. The current model launched at $399 / £380 / AU$649.The Amazon listing detailed a new QN3 processor, more microphones for the noise cancellation and a new magnetic case. It also listed a 10-band equalizer, 30-hour battery life and 30mm drivers – smaller than the ones in the XM5. The listing also promises 360-degree audio upmixing to create surround sound.The marketing text from the Amazon listing, as screenshotted by The Walkman Blog, also includes some handy details. We can apparently expect that "new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 and 12 microphones", a "new headband" that's "even more comfortable and secure than the previous model" and "six Al-powered microphones" that use Al noise reduction to filter out unwanted sounds.So while the rumored price rise isn't great news, it sounds like the Sony WH-1000XM6 could still deliver some worthy upgrades – and we should hear about them all officially during their launch this month.

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DJI sets the Mavic 4 Pro launch date for May 13It looks like a rotating gimbal is on the wayWe might also see upgraded cameras

After months of rumors and leaks, we're going to see the successor to the DJI Mavic 3 Pro in the coming days: DJI has posted a new teaser to social media that sets the launch day for Tuesday, May 13, while promising that this drone will "spin your world".You can see the teaser over on X or on the DJI website, and while the DJI Mavic 4 Pro name isn't mentioned, it's clear that this is the device that's on the way, as we get a full look at the expected triple-camera system, led by a 100MP Hasselblad wide camera.As for the "spin your world" tagline, it looks very much as though this new drone is going to have a spinning gimbal that can rotate independently of the drone itself, opening up a wealth of new filming possibilities.Understandably, DJI hasn't released any more details about the Mavic 4 Pro. The launch event gets underway at 1pm BST in the UK, which works out as 5am PT / 8am ET / 10pm AEST, and we will of course be covering the whole thing for you.

The leaks so far

Spin Your World13 May 2025 | 12 PM (GMT)Notify Me 👉 https://t.co/ko4z8BMVax pic.twitter.com/yuz5JrRDJnMay 6, 2025

DJI may be keeping most of the Mavic 4 Pro details under wraps for now, but we've seen plenty of leaks up to this point. In fact, they go back almost a year – that's when we got our first look at the triple camera on the front of the drone.At the start of the year we got another look at the camera module, which is apparently larger this time around (hopefully pointing to better image quality). However, the thinking is that this new drone may miss out on LiDAR functionality.More recently we've seen unofficial renders of the drone design in full, and it looks more or less the same as the Mavic 3 Pro. There have also been rumors of 52-minute battery life, and a starting price of $2,250 in the US.As our DJI Mavic 3 Pro review will tell you, that drone started at $2,199 / £1,879 / AU$3,099. We also awarded it five stars out of five, and a high spot on our best DJI drones list, so we're very much looking forward to seeing its successor.

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Proofpoint observes notable spike in phishing emails targeting Japanese businessesThe emails are being sent out via a kit called CoGUIThe researchers attributed the attack to a Chinese-speaking threat actor

Threat actors are flooding Japanese businesses with phishing attacks, and are using a unique phishing kit framework called CoGUI to do it.Cybersecurity researchers Proofpoint say they have observed a “notable increase” in high-volume Japanese language campaigns using CoGUI in the wild in October 2024, before starting to track it in December of the same year.“The campaigns typically include a high-volume of messages, with counts ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions per campaign, with an average of approximately 50 campaigns per month campaigned by our researchers,” Proofpoint explained.

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Millions of messages

The campaign peaked in January 2025, when 172 million messages were sent out.The attackers were mostly pretending to be Amazon, PayPal, or Rakuten, but other brands were abused, as well. Japan was, by far, the most targeted country, but Proofpoint also said that there were victims in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.The goal of the campaign was to steal people’s login credentials, and system information. That data includes the geographical location of the IP address, language configuration of the browser, browser type and version, monitor height and width, OS, and the type of device used (mobile, desktop, laptop).Proofpoint added the kit cannot grab 2FA code, but still described it as “sophisticated”, with advanced evasion techniques such as geofencing, header fencing, and fingerprinting.These allowed the threat actors to focus on specific geographies, while evading most of today’s security measures.The researchers attributed the attacks to a Chinese-speaking threat actor that mainly targets Japanese language speakers in Japan.The best way to defend against these attacks remains the same - to use common sense, and slow down when reading and responding to email messages.

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Sonos and IKEA have announced they are parting ways after a six year collaboration Current inventory of Symfonisk bookshelf and lamp speakers is being phased out, but existing products will continue to receive software updates This comes after news of the proposed US tariffs, leading Sonos to think rationally about the future of the company

After a six year run of audio homeware innovation, Sonos and IKEA have suddenly decided to end their Symfonisk partnership which saw the release of some of the best wireless speakers. IKEA’s Symfonisk range of lamp and bookshelf speakers proved to be a popular, affordable choice for enhancing home cinema setups and audio systems, so this news comes as something of a surprise.Sonos and IKEA’s parting was first reported by The Verge, who announced that the companies confirmed the news on Tuesday May 6. The outlet also revealed that Symfonisk’s current inventory of products is being phased out globally at all IKEA locations, with no plans to release future products.In an email sent to The Verge, Sonos spokesperson Erin Pategas wrote the following; “Over the past eight years, we’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Ikea and are proud of what we’ve achieved”. She also gave an insight to Sonos’ plans for its exiting Symfonisk products, adding “Although our work together has largely wound down and we won’t be releasing new products as partners, we’ll continue to support every existing Symfonisk product so customers can keep enjoying great sound in their homes for many years to come”.

(Image credit: IKEA)

Why so sudden, Sonos?

To say that this is the end of an era is an understatement, especially since we’ve been pleasantly satisfied with the Symfonisk range of speakers - notably its popular Symfonisk Table Lamp Speaker with WiFi, and even its Symfonisk Picture Frame Speaker. But it’s not just us that have enjoyed IKEA and Sonos’ contributions to the world of audio tech, its range has also made quite the impression on both audiophiles and the average consumer alike.According to The Verge’s initial report on the news, the announcement of the partnership’s conclusion comes just before Sonos prepares to unveil its quarterly earnings today (Wednesday May 7). Sonos also told The Verge that it was in the midst of “closely monitoring developments related to the proposed tariffs and actively assessing potential implications for our business, customers, and supply chain”.With that said, it seems as though Sonos haven’t made the decision to part from IKEA lightly and by the sounds of it, have had to carefully consider the effects the possible new US tariff laws could have on the rollout of its products. But this isn’t the first shake-up the company has experienced this year however.Back in March, Sonos reportedly canceled its streaming video player which was designed to provide a new wireless home theater experience with Sonos speakers. This came after CEO Patrick Spence stepped down from the company following a bad 2024. We have our fingers crossed that better things are on the horizon for Sonos, but only time will tell.

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Nvidia has announced its RTX 5060 arrives on May 19The GPU has an MSRP of $299 and comes with 8GB of VRAM (which remains controversial)With AMD rumored to reveal its rival RX 9060 XT on May 21, the week after next could be a huge one for gamers seeking a more affordable GPU

Nvidia has announced that its RTX 5060 desktop graphics card will go on sale on May 19, as will the laptop version of this GPU.VideoCardz caught wind of the date being announced on X (formerly Twitter). It was a launch day that had been previously rumored, with the price tag on the desktop GPU being $299, and the specs already revealed by Nvidia previously (when its sibling, the RTX 5060 Ti, was launched).

Starting May 19 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time, GeForce RTX 5060 graphics cards, desktops, and GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPUs will be available from our partners and retailers worldwide.#GeForceRTX50 pic.twitter.com/VLA9bZUWRWMay 6, 2025

The RTX 5060 Ti arrived in both 16GB and 8GB flavors, but the RTX 5060 will only debut with the latter loadout of video RAM (VRAM), and that has already proved controversial among PC gamers.Again, like the RTX 5060 Ti, there will only be third-party versions of this graphics card, meaning Nvidia isn’t producing its own Founders Edition model.To recap on the (already revealed) specs, the RTX 5060 has 3,840 CUDA Cores which is a 17% drop compared to the core count of the RTX 5060 Ti. Clock speeds and other specs are in the same ballpark, but as mentioned, there’s no 16GB spin on the vanilla RTX 5060.Power usage is also lower with the RTX 5060 at 145W compared to 180W, which could be a consideration for folks who have a lesser power supply and not much room to maneuver when it comes to the overall wattage that their gaming PC can cope with.

Analysis: Lane drain and other VRAM complications

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Not to bang on about it, but the obvious problem with the RTX 5060, as I discussed at length yesterday, is Nvidia’s choice to run with 8GB of VRAM. I won’t go over the same ground I’ve already covered (see yesterday’s piece for the full lowdown), but there are some further points to consider now the launch date is primed and ready to go.The arguments in favor of accepting 8GB (as a pricing compromise) might include ‘it’s fine for 1080p gaming’ meaning those running at Full HD resolution should be more or less okay with this helping of VRAM. However, various third-party tests have illustrated that with some games and graphics settings, 8GB is a bottleneck at 1080p now, slowing down frame rates substantially.Yes, Nvidia does have its bag-of-AI-tricks in the form of RTX Neural Texture Compression as revealed with the Blackwell generation, which helps VRAM go much further. But the trouble is, nothing’s happening quickly to bring support in with games for that tech. It could be a long way down the road before texture compression makes a meaningful impact (though it may indeed be a big piece of the puzzle for Nvidia eventually).As things stand in the here and now, that 8GB loadout is looking plain shaky. The central tempting factor for the RTX 5060, then, is that it’ll be a much more affordable outlay – we hope. With that MSRP of $299, if third-party graphics cards are available at that price level, this GPU could be seen as a decent shot at an affordable gaming card with some limitations that you’ll just have to live with.At least for those with a motherboard that supports PCIe 5.0, because if you have a PCIe 4.0 motherboard, you’ll experience additional slowdown in scenarios where the 8GB of memory isn’t enough, as evidenced with the RTX 5060 Ti. Why? Because when the on-board VRAM can’t cope, the graphics card taps the main system RAM, using that PCIe 4.0 interface to reach it – and it’s a lot slower than PCIe 5.0.This gets a bit complicated because it’s worsened by the decision made by Nvidia that all RTX 5060 models, Ti versions included, only support half the available PCIe lanes, and so half the bandwidth. Now, PCIe 5.0 is fine because it’s so fast, halving its bandwidth still leaves plenty of room to pipe data through. However, this becomes a real stumbling block with the slower PCIe 4.0 standard, and even more of a problem with PCIe 3.0 should you have a motherboard running that even older take on the interface.I should note that the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is okay, because it has that much larger helping of VRAM, and so doesn’t need to run off to grab additional system RAM. And the RTX 5070 above it is fine, too – even if it only runs with 12GB of video RAM, which is arguably still light on the memory – because Nvidia didn’t hamstring that GPU by closing off half the PCIe lanes. The RTX 5070 has the full 16 lanes, rather than just eight as with the RTX 5060 models.The long and short of it is that those without a new PCIe 5.0-toting motherboard will suffer the more outrageous slings and arrows bogging down performance with any RTX 5060 8GB (Ti, or non-Ti) graphics card. Pricing could also end up being higher than MSRP, too, as we’ve seen with the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, which is currently selling for something like 10% more than its recommended price (that’s the cheapest model at the time of writing in the US).So, we could end up looking at $330 (around £250 / AU$510) for the RTX 5060 in the US realistically, or $350 upwards for beefier models of this graphics card (and in line with that elsewhere). At which point, given the mentioned shakiness around performance, would-be buyers may have more pause for thought.Traditionally, the xx60 series has been a big seller for Nvidia, but maybe that won’t be quite as clear cut this time around – especially given the irony that you need a cutting-edge motherboard to most effectively run your affordable-level Blackwell GPU.Furthermore, we also need to see what competition AMD’s RX 9060 XT will be – although that may also have an 8GB spin (as well as a 16GB model), we don’t know that for sure yet, or how the full specs will pan out. A lot of eyes are watching this lower-mid-range battle, that’s for sure, with the 9060 XT expected to be revealed just after the RTX 5060 goes on sale.

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Amazon has deployed over 750,000 robots to its fulfillment centers over the last decade or so, but now there's a new, shall we say, more sensitive addition. The company has announced Vulcan, its first robot with a sense of touch. It's one in a series of new robots introduced today at Amazon's Delivering the Future event in Germany.

Vulcan uses force feedback sensors to monitor how much it's pushing or holding on to an object and, ideally, not damage it. “In the past, when industrial robots have unexpected contact, they either emergency stop or smash through that contact. They often don’t even know they have hit something because they cannot sense it.” Aaron Parness, Amazon director, applied science, stated in the release. "Vulcan represents a fundamental leap forward in robotics. It's not just seeing the world, it's feeling it, enabling capabilities that were impossible for Amazon robots until now."

Of course, there's an AI component, with Amazon training Vulcan's AI on physical data around touch and force. Vulcan also uses algorithms to determine what it can handle, identify different products and find space in the fulfillment center. The machine has "tackled thousands" of objects and tasks, like moving electronics and picking up socks. The system can also learn from its mistakes, with Amazon stating the robot will become more capable as time goes on.

Amazon, which has faced continual reports of endangering worker safety, also claims it's introducing Vulcan for efficiency and worker safety. The robot should focus on inventory in the top rows of storage pods, about eight feet in the air, and just above floor level. Theoretically, this means less time employees need to spend on ladders or crouching down, and more time working with product at their level. Amazon says the robot is already in use in Spokane, Washington and Hamburg, Germany. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazons-newest-fulfillment-robot-has-a-sense-of-touch-120050449.html?src=rss

Making your first apartment after college a little smarter doesn’t have to cost a ton of money — and it shouldn’t take a lot of effort, either. If you’re just getting settled in your new place or are ready to give your long-term digs some automated tricks, this list can help.When we test smart home devices for an Engadget guide, we always look for budget options as well as picks that are good for newbies, both of which you’ll find here. Combine a smart speaker with a smart plug and you’ll never have to fumble with a lamp in the dark again. Set your robo vac to clean up while you’re gone and you’ll come home to sparkling floors. We included our favorite streaming stick for a lifetime supply of free TV content, and of course there’s a mini air fryer pick, because every kitchen needs an air fryer, no matter how small.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/smart-home-gadgets-for-your-first-apartment-153006018.html?src=rss

Netflix is redesigning your TV homepageGenerative AI is entering the search spaceThere'll also be some vertical video for mobile

The Netflix you see on your TV today was built for streaming movies and TV shows, and for more than a dozen years, that's been enough.Now, though, the platform is not only overloaded with hard-to-find content, it's also host to games and, increasingly, buzzy and highly-watched live events like NFL games and boxing matches between aging legends and annoying social media stars.The Netflix of old is no longer purpose-built for the task – but that's changing today with the introduction of Netflix's most radical home screen update yet.After two years of design work, months of development, and time testing internally and with some customers, Netflix is ready to, as Netflix Chief Product Officer Eunice Kemp described it, take "a giant leap forward."Kemp told us the new Netflix interface is more flexible, intuitive, responsive, and elevated – and yes, those initials spell 'FIRE'. Subtlety has never been Netflix's thing.Describing the interface as "a more flexible canvas," Kemp said the new look offers better support for the aforementioned live events, so you know better when to tune in to "catch the action the moment that it happens". The real-time updates might also help with Netflix gaming, letting people join the action "at exactly the right time."Netflix has a multi-layered plan for helping users find the right content. "Our members do a lot of eye gymnastics when they're scrolling down and right and back and forth between rows and to title details on the homepage," said Kemp.The visual update seeks to put streaming decision-making content front and center. For example, you'll see 'Emmy Winner' or 'Number One in TV Shows' overlayed on top of the title image.There's also been some re-sorting of screen elements, such as moving shortcuts for Search and My Lists so they're more visible. Some users might balk at Netflix, which tops our list of the best streaming services, moving classic interface elements, but Netflix told us the feedback it's gotten thus far is all positive.

A touch of AI

(Image credit: Future)

Netflix already uses machine language and AI to suggest the next best streaming experience for you based on your previous viewing, but this update takes AI use to the next level.Arguably the biggest change, and one that might significantly shorten your next hunt for a movie or show, is the introduction of Generative AI in search. Based on OpenAI's Large Language Model (LLM), the new search feature will let you ask natural-language questions.Netflix's Chief Technology Officer, Elizabeth Stone, said conversational phrases like "I want something scary but not too scary and also maybe a bit funny but not like 'ha ha' funny" will now yield useful results. Stone told us Netflix fused OpenAI's baseline model capabilities with Netflix's own context about members.Even without generative AI, Netflix is improving how the platform recommends fresh streaming content. Responsive recommendations will pick up trailers you're watching and searches you're making to refine the recommendations you see on the fly."For example, let's say you give Wednesday a thumbs-up. A few rows down, you may see similar titles to Wednesday, or if you're searching for Rom Coms and Glen Powell, we'll subtly adapt your homepage to show you more titles that are related to both," said Stone.

(Image credit: Future)

Netflix is also making some changes to its mobile experience, in particular, the introduction of vertical videos. No, this is not Netflix turning into a social video app; it's just a recognition that this is how people like to consume video on their phones. The videos will be trailers for Netflix shows and movies, and you can watch and scroll, or watch, tap, and open the show in the full Netflix experience.While the vertical videos are rolling out "in the coming weeks," the TV interface updates are arriving now globally.All in all, this may be Netflix's most significant interface update to date. "Our redesigned TV homepage is simpler, more intuitive, and better represents the breadth of entertainment on Netflix today," said Kemp.What do you think of your new Netflix home page? Is it an improvement, or do you prefer the old look? Let us know in the comments below.

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Netflix is giving its TV user interface a major overhaul. Alongside a fresh, cleaner look, you'll see recommendations that adapt to your activity as Netflix tries to better gauge what you might be in the mood to watch. The company plans to roll out the update over the coming weeks and months.

It seems that the aim here, as has long been a goal for Netflix, is to help you find something you want to watch faster. That way, you won't spend an eternity scrolling through the various options while struggling to figure out what to start streaming.

Netflix originally designed its TV user interface for shows and movies, but it had to evolve to better handle new entertainment offerings, such as live events and cloud gaming. The company has been working on the new TV experience since last year, according to Eunice Kim, Netflix's chief product officer. "Our redesigned TV home page is simpler, more intuitive and better represents the breadth of entertainment on Netflix today," Kim said on a call with reporters.

The new tiles for each show, movie and so on are much larger. Rather than having information about a highlighted title appear at the top of the screen, the redesign brings everything together.

Each tile includes more at-a-glance contextual details as to why you might want to watch something. It might indicate that a show or movie was recently added, is in Netflix's top 10 list of the most-watched titles, has won awards or is leaving the service soon. Otherwise, Netflix might believe that you'll love the suggestion.

As you move between tiles, the animations will look snappier and more fluid than at present, Kim said. The new UI also makes it easier for Netflix to highlight live events — such as Christmas Day NFL games, WWE programming and Everybody's Live with John Mulaney — at the top of the home screen.

The main navigation bar is now at the top of the screen, with tabs including including home, shows, movies, games and My Netflix (where you'll find your "continue watching" row, My List, reminders and so on). The search function, which is where you can still browse through categories, is up there too. Handily, you'll be able to switch to the top navigation bar by simply tapping the back button on your TV remote.

As you browse, Netflix will adapt its recommendations on the fly. So, if you happen to give Squid Game a double thumbs-up to indicate you love the show, Netflix might on the fly add a row filled with similar titles a little further down the home screen. Trailers you watch and your searches will affect these responsive recommendations too. This all happens behind the scenes in the hope of making everything feel seamless.

Netflix has long integrated factors like viewing habits into personalized suggestions. "What's new about the responsive recommendations is active browsing behavior," Elizabeth Stone, the company's chief technology officer, said. "It could also include things like time of day, as one example. It may also, over time, include situations where a member's able to give an explicit input in terms of what they're looking for."

Netflix

Elsewhere, Netflix recently started testing a generative AI search feature powered by OpenAI. The idea here is to let you search for titles depending on your mood. So, you might ask for something that's both a little scary and a little funny, but not too much of either (horror comedy is the best film genre after all), and you'll get some relevant suggestions. Some users in Australia and New Zealand were the first to get access to this tool. Netflix is rolling it out to more subscribers starting this week as an opt-in beta.

The company will also start a global test of a vertical video feature on mobile in the coming weeks. The feed will include clips and trailers, and it will be accessible from a row on the app's home screen. You'll be able to tap to watch the show or movie right away or add it to My List. There's an option to share the clip too. Netflix has tried similar feeds of comedy clips and snippets from kids shows over the last few years.

Meanwhile, when asked if Netflix will follow the likes of Spotify in allowing signups from its iOS app after Apple was forced to change its App Store payment policies, Kim said the company is keeping a close eye on the situation but didn't have any updates to share for now. In the meantime, Netflix will "continue to abide by the App Store policies until we hear more about how to best implement any changes going forward."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-overhauls-its-tv-app-with-a-fresh-ui-and-responsive-recommendations-121511958.html?src=rss