News

Tesla has scrapped its plans to sell a range extender for the Cybertruck, the automaker has notified customers who have previously paid a $2,000 reservation fee for the $16,000 add-on. Based on copies of the email people have been posting on social networks and forums, Tesla will be refunding their deposits in full. It didn't say why it's no longer planning to sell the accessory, but the emails come a month after the company quietly pulled the option to add it to the vehicle from its website configurator.

The range extender is a battery pack that was supposed to be installed on the bed of the Cybertruck. It was Tesla's answer to releasing vehicles that had shorter ranges than it originally promised. When the company first unveiled the model, it said different versions would have different ranges, including one that has a 500-mile range. Instead, the long-range Cybertruck, which has the longest range, can only last for 350 miles on a single charge. As Electrek noted late last year, the battery pack was supposed to start shipping in early 2025, but Tesla pushed back its release to mid-2025 and also reduced its promised range from 470 miles to 445 miles.

Elon Musk previously said that he expects Tesla to sell between 250,000 to 500,000 Cybertrucks a year. However, a recent recall showed that the automaker sold fewer than 50,000 units over a 15-month period. It's unclear whether the company decided to pull the plug on the range extender because it's not worth manufacturing a new product for a model that's performing far below expectations, or if it has another reason altogether. Either way, the Cybertruck's battery add-on has been cancelled and won't be seeing the light of day.

BREAKING: Tesla has cancelled the Cybertruck Range Extender.“We are no longer planning to sell the Range Extender for Cybertruck. As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full” pic.twitter.com/yb1xOqecX2— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) May 7, 2025

fffThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-will-no-longer-release-the-cybertruck-range-extender-004809209.html?src=rss

Many organizations are finding it difficult to move Generative AI projects beyond the pilot stage into full-scale production, largely due to concerns around privacy, quality, and cost. As a result, there is a growing shift towards ‘AI agent systems’; a trend that is set to accelerate this year.An AI agent system enables businesses to build and operationalize an AI agent (an intelligent application designed to automate and enhance human productivity) or set of AI agents that can perform complex tasks by combining multiple interacting components.An AI agent system goes beyond using a single, stand-alone model to integrate a myriad of components, such as large language models (LLMs), classical machine learning (ML) models and business data and tools, to achieve very specific goals more efficiently.The rising interest in AI agent systems is no coincidence. Businesses require more than just general intelligence. They need ‘data intelligence’: a new standard of relevance, governance, precision, and trust in their data.

The rise of AI agent systems to deliver tailored solutions

Unlike general-purpose AI models that aim to answer everything (and sometimes miss the mark), AI agent systems rely on multiple underlying components to deliver a better performance for users, allowing them to simplify or entirely automate very specific tasks and objectives.The AI agents in the system have a distinct role and are created using specialized LLMs and pre-configured functions. For example, a customer support agent can collaborate with a financial forecasting agent within the same system, but each of them is performing optimally because they’re purpose-built for their domains.This approach ensures enterprises get solutions tailored to their workflows, customers, and industries—something general models struggle to deliver well. With AI agent systems, it’s not about being ‘all-knowing’; it’s about ‘exactly knowing’.

Eliminating AI uncertainty

Many UK businesses may still fear rolling out new AI projects because of errors, bias, or unpredictable outputs. AI agent systems tackle this head-on by integrating human oversight and AI-based validation mechanisms. Many organizations opt for ‘human in the loop’ grading systems combined with tools that evaluate, cross-check, and refine AI outputs before they’re deployed.These layers of validation create more trust. For enterprises, this means smoother adoption, greater confidence, and better outcomes.

Laying the groundwork for AI

To build such trusted systems, a robust data foundation is essential. Data is the lifeblood of any AI agent system - we hear this time and again. Enterprises today are racing to become data and AI companies, but the journey isn’t without challenges.There is pressure to adopt AI, with all stakeholders wanting ‘in’ but few knowing where to start. Data is everywhere, and with fragmented datasets, unifying assets becomes a headache. And lastly, governance and security become paramount as more data can often equate to greater risks.But despite these challenges, organizations are making strides, often starting with pilot projects that demonstrate ROI before scaling. This iterative approach is a strategic way to build the people, processes, and technology needed to sustain long-term AI transformations.A key part of successful AI transformations is bringing data intelligence to the forefront. Organizations can do this through modern data architectures—such as data intelligence platforms—which unify, govern, and operationalize data in one place.With natural language interfaces and private data integration, organizations can build custom models that truly understand their specific needs. These systems empower non-technical employees to more easily interact with data, democratizing AI and accelerating adoption across teams.In fact, in a recent Economist Impact report, almost 60% of those surveyed anticipate that, within three years, natural language will become the primary or sole method for non-technical employees to engage with complex datasets.

The future of AI is agentic

The future of Enterprise AI lies in building integrated systems of specialized AI agents rather than simply developing ever-larger, standalone models. This shift towards a more interconnected approach enables organizations to address complex challenges with greater trust and precision.With the right data platform, businesses can design AI agent systems tailored to their specific needs. By leveraging their own data, organizations can create domain-specific AI solutions that deliver reliable, high-quality results. This is made possible through the integration of key technologies, such as vector databases for precise data retrieval, fine-tuning and prompting for specialized reasoning, and monitoring frameworks to ensure safety and compliance.The AI industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with AI agent systems redefining what’s possible. These systems go beyond solving problems; they enhance confidence, create value, and expand AI’s potential. For businesses ready to embrace this transformation, the future of AI is not just about ‘general intelligence’ but a new era of ‘data intelligence’.

We've compiled a list of the best business intelligence platforms.

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

It is not unusual to bring some of your own tools to work. Most chefs want to use their own knives, musicians use their own instruments, and so it would not be unreasonable to expect knowledge workers to have the same predisposition when it comes to software. Regardless, enterprise IT departments take a dim view of rogue software, or Shadow IT as it is also known.To be fair to enterprise IT departments, software works best when it is integrated although integration is itself a spectrum. As a rule suites of software (Adobe, Microsoft) will all work together but often picking a team means organizations are sacrificing the very best options. For example, Excel is the king of spreadsheets but Google Docs is quickly becoming more popular than word.

Pick and choose

Instead of having to pick and choose, organizations can work around the limitations of software suites and invest in composable solutions which can be pulled together from the best in class tools. The large software vendors despise this solution because it underlines their ability to capture large sections of the market but the tide is already turning with initiatives such as open office and open analytics.Integrated solutions allow for sharing documents, deriving statistics for business analysis and so on; it also means that files are transferable and interoperable. Overall, it reduces friction for the organization, even if there is a learning curve at the user level. Aside from convenience, the vast increases in ransomware attacks and corporate targeted scams mean running a tight ship is essential for businesses that operate at any kind of scale.

Shadow IT

With that in mind, shadow IT remains a thorn in the side of enterprise, with ChatGPT being the number one offender. Locking down laptops to try and stop unauthorized tool use is a mistake because it tends to encourage users to be crafty. But here’s a revolutionary idea, but why not give users what they want?Interestingly, outside of the most technical roles it isn't really the bones of apps that most users take exception to, it is the interface. Very few users wish their software was coded in Rust to prevent memory leaks, or is optimized to run on ARM vs x86 architecture. Instead, users want to be able to find the information they need and for the buttons to stay in roughly the same places between versions so at a critical moment they aren't rifling through menus trying to find a function.This user focus on interfaces means there’s an opportunity for developers to build products that are ‘universal’ (or that at least appear that way to users). This requires leveraging AI features to amplify the user experience with deeper analytics and customizations rather than watering it down.Most developers are already adhering to software design philosophies like MACH, and any SaaS vendor that expects to be successful will adopt headless architecture in places so the solution can integrate with the kind of large suppliers that tend to buy capabilities from smaller developers for their own platforms.

The puzzle of AI

The last part of this puzzle is AI. This is a little more sophisticated than a ChatGPT plugin, and as a result it creates more value for customers. This isn’t to talk down rudimentary AI plugins, adding a ChatGPT interface for some data management and natural language processing capability is an effective way for businesses to dip their toe into the AI pool. That is why almost every business has their own version, but it doesn’t deliver on the potential of the technology of AI tools and leaves a lot on the table.In terms of customer experience (CX) and user experience (UX), this is especially true because it limits AI to a small section of the interface. Instead by integrating AI throughout the interface it can become something much more effective, even revolutionary because with AI as a composing layer and AI products on the backend you can quickly iterate and deliver on new features because the solutions can interoperate more effectively.AI is capable of something we’re loosely calling hyperpersonalization. Current efforts to personalize apps are limited to user profiles, a night and day mode for the interface, and maybe some limited language naturalization, but it's all out of the box and fixed in the application. This customization isn’t just at the user level but the business level. Instead of buying the best CRM on the market, buy a CRM that feels like it was purpose built for your business, even if your industry has only existed for a few weeks. That’s how quickly AI accelerates the speed to market of products.Even the basic features above are far from guaranteed. Night mode is a hugely popular feature because it mediates the brightness of modern displays and despite requiring minimal effort to implement, it still isn’t standard. With AI, vendors can configure the ‘last mile’ of the interface based on data collected and stored with an AI agent's memory, which can include feedback on what tools or data points the user might need.

Consequences

The consequence of this, is that the AI is customizing the UI in ways that simply aren’t possible with traditional tools. Programs can respond to user level and environmental requirements, factors like time of day, colloquializations and adapting visualizations to account for data literacy. Imagine how much easier it would be to get things done if your sales platform knew when it was reporting season and reconfigured to highlight the KPIs you needed for a report. It is these smaller changes that save a few minutes each day and which in aggregate make a big difference.‘Enterprise’ used to mean something that was better than the basic, consumer-facing option. Consumer apps have massively upped their level and now pro tools need to play catch up by offering something more sophisticated and elegant. Taking risks in integrating AI to interfaces and analytics will change the way we interact with computers, creating applications that are better than the old ones and delivering on the promise of enterprise grade tooling is the path to killing shadow IT.

We've highlighted the best CRM for small business.

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

Justified or not, Apple’s AirPods have become the default choice for most iPhone owners in the market for new wireless earbuds. If you’re shopping for an Android phone, however, the options aren’t so obvious. That’s where we can help: We’ve tested dozens of wireless earbuds over the years, so we’ve broken down our top recommendations for Android users below. Whether you want powerful noise cancellation, a pair that’ll survive in the gym or just something that works particularly well with a Galaxy or Pixel phone, here are our favorite AirPods alternatives for Android.

Table of contents

The best Android earbuds for 2025

What to look for in wireless earbuds for Android devices

How we test Android earbuds

Recent updates

Best Android earbuds for 2025

What to look for in wireless earbuds for Android devices

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

For the most part, the features you want from a set of “Android earbuds” are the same as what you want from any headphones. Pleasing sound quality, a comfortable fit and sufficient battery life are still the foundations. Adequate water resistance is good for workouts, and nobody wants a crummy mic for making calls. Once you approach the $100 range, features like active noise cancellation (ANC), wireless charging, an ambient sound mode (which lets you better hear outside noise without turning off your music) and multipoint connectivity (the ability to pair with multiple devices simultaneously) should be expected.

For Android devices specifically, there are a few extras to consider. A dedicated app that makes it easy to switch sound modes, customize the audio profile, locate your earbuds if they ever get misplaced or adjust other settings is strongly preferred. Features like Google Fast Pair or NFC-based pairing, which can help you avoid having to dig through your Bluetooth menu to connect your earbuds for the first time, are also nice perks. Some Android devices can also utilize higher-quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX Adaptive or Sony’s LDAC — these aren’t nearly as important to audio quality as the actual architecture of your earbuds, but they can help wring out a little more detail if the buds are capable enough and you’re streaming lossless files. AptX Adaptive can also help reduce latency, which is good for streaming video or gaming.

Diversity is Android’s greatest strength, but it also means that some wireless earbuds play nicer with certain devices, typically those made by the same company. Recent Samsung earbuds, for instance, come with a few perks that are only available if you use a Galaxy phone. We have a couple of recommendations related to this idea above.

How we test Android earbuds

Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget

The best way to test earbuds is simply to wear them as much as possible, so that’s what we do. We typically do this over a one- to two-week period, though embargo times occasionally force us to finish our review process a bit faster. We listen to a test playlist that includes several musical genres and podcasts, paying close attention to how each pair approaches the bass, mid and treble frequencies to get an accurate sense of its sound profile. We also test at high and low volumes to check for consistency in the tuning. We do not have access to a dummy head to take more objective measurements, but we’ll sometimes look to sites like Rtings, SoundGuys and others that do just to ensure our impressions are not wildly off-base. If a model supports custom EQ, we’ll tinker with that and use the available EQ presets to see if one sounds dramatically better than the others — though in general we base most of our impressions on the stock tuning each pair uses by default.

To assess microphone quality, we record our own audio samples and take multiple calls with a partner both indoors and outside. For battery life, we play our test playlist on a loop with the volume around 75 percent and measure how long it takes for each set to drain. Where applicable, we do a thorough review of a pair’s companion app and test each available feature. While comfort is ultimately subjective, we take note of how secure each pair feels while we’re on the move. We also use certain pairs in especially crowded public spaces to get a better sense of their passive and active noise cancellation, as well as their ability to maintain a consistent Bluetooth connection.

Recent updates

April 2025: We’ve checked this guide to ensure our top picks still stand and noted a couple alternatives to the Noble Fokus Rex5, since that pair has had stock issues of late. We’re also keeping an eye on how the Trump administration’s tariff policy affects the pricing and stock of our recommendations (and the consumer tech industry as a whole). All of our picks are still available in their normal price ranges today, but we’ll update this guide if that changes.

February 2025: The Noble FoKus Rex5 is our new "best for sound quality" pick, replacing the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4. Our other recommendations remain unchanged.

December 2024: We’ve lightly edited this guide for clarity and ensured that our current picks are still accurate.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-earbuds-for-android-devices-120015765.html?src=rss

The OttoKit plugin was vulnerable to a critical flaw that allows the creation of new admin accountsIt was patched in late April 2025, so users should update nowThreat actors are looking for exposed websites

OttoKit, a popular automation WordPress plugin, is vulnerable to a critical-severity flaw that allows threat actors to take over entire websites.The bug is described as an incorrect privilege assignment flaw in Brainstorm Force that allows privilege escalation. It affects all older versions of the website builder plugin, up until version 1.0.83, which was released on April 21, 2025. It is tracked as CVE-2025-27007 and has a severity score of 9.8/10 (critical).In theory, threat actors could send a crafted POST request to a vulnerable REST API endpoint exposed by OttoKit, containing automation data that mimics internal plugin logic. Due to missing validation, OttoKit would fail to properly authenticate the request, and since the automation logic runs with elevated privileges, the threat actors are ultimately allowed to create a new user account and assign it the administrator role.

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Chats leaked

OttoKit, formerly known as SureTriggers, is designed to connect websites with various third-party services and enable workflow automation without coding.It supports integrations with platforms like WooCommerce, Mailchimp, Google Sheets, and CRMs, allowing users to run tasks such as sending emails, updating user roles, or syncing data across apps.The plugin has more than 100,000 users, but most of them have applied the patch already. Still, security researchers Patchstack said they observed attacks in the wild, starting almost immediately after the flaw was publicly disclosed."It is strongly recommended to update your site as soon as possible if you are using the OttoKit plugin, and to review your logs and site settings for these indicators of attack and compromise," Patchstack said.This is the second major vulnerability in OttoKit found this month, after CVE-2025-3102, another authentication bypass flaw, which was given a “high” severity score of 8.1/10.Via BleepingComputer

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Three new Galaxy Watch features coming with One UI 8 Watch have leakedThey include Gemini AI, a Shortcuts app, and One UI 7's Now BarGalaxy Watch will purportedly skip One UI Watch 7 to synchronize branding with its phone software

Samsung Galaxy Watches will get a major upgrade with the advent of One UI 8 Watch – which we could see as soon as June or July – which looks set to include Google Gemini, a Shortcuts app, and Samsung's Now Bar.Following reports that Samsung will skip One UI 7 Watch in favor of One UI 8 Watch – a move that will align the branding of Samsung's watch software with its best Samsung phones – One UI 8 APKs have leaked, giving us a look at the new features coming to Galaxy wearables.As reported by Android Authority, Gemini AI is indeed coming to Samsung watches as well as its own Pixel lineup, with some exciting new features in tow. Findings indicate new 'Gemini Actions' will bring many of the same great Gemini features for Android phones to your wrist, with code strings hinting at several exciting actions.References include Gemini Actions that can move your meetings, summarize emails, and tell you the weather, as well as an input that can quickly mute Gemini AI with a simple tap of your screen.

One UI 8 Watch: What else is new?

We reckon Samsung One UI 7's Now Bar is one of its best features (Image credit: Future)

As noted in a separate report, AA has also uncovered a new Watch app dubbed Shortcuts, which will let you add apps to your Galaxy Watch home screen as either 2 x 1 or 2 x 2 tiles, making them much more easily accessible.Finally, the outlet reports that Samsung is bringing One UI 7's Now Bar and Now Brief to the Galaxy Watch. Samsung's Now Bar displays information, including live notifications, music, and more, on your Galaxy smartphone's home screen. According to AA, users will be able to choose between a simple icon and a larger display with an icon and text.Users will also reportedly be able to double-pinch to open the Now Bar, and enable other actions if there's no content in the bar."Essentially, the Now Bar on Galaxy Watches will serve as a widget system, surfacing contextually relevant data without needing to navigate away from the watch face," the report explains, specifically noting contextual suggestions, maps, media controls, Now Brief, tips, and Sports on Google (live sports scores).There are no doubt other big features hidden under the surface that will come to light as we move towards the official release of One UI 8 Watch. Suffice it to say, customers can expect a pretty hefty software upgrade on devices like the Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.Naturally, these changes will also feature on the expected Galaxy Watch 8, expected later this year.

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Death Stranding 2 was revealed at The Game Awards 2022 and is set to follow on from what we think is one of the best PS4 games ever. Thanks to a new presentation on the game, we now know exactly when it'll launch.A new trailer for Death Stranding 2 is also available for Kojima fans to pick apart. In it, we see returning characters Fragile and Sam 'Porter' Bridges - though not exactly how we last left them. There are new villains in the mix, and some very beautiful visuals, making Death Stranding 2 one of the most exciting upcoming PS5 exclusives we have on the calendar.Here's what we know about Death Stranding 2 so far, including a look at the confirmed platforms, the initial trailer, and all of the latest news. As more details come to light, no doubt drip-fed over the next few weeks or so, we'll be sure to update this page.

Death Stranding 2 - cut to the chase

What is it? The sequel to 2019's Death StrandingWhen is it coming out? June 26, 2025What can I play it on? PS5Who's making it? Kojima Productions

Death Stranding 2 release date

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Death Stranding 2 is currently only confirmed for PS5, and will launch June 26, 2025. Death Stranding, one of the best PS5 exclusives you can play right now, actually one originally launched on PS4. It was originally published by Sony for PlayStation 4, before later seeing a PC version later on, published by 505 Games. It's possible that a similar thing could happen with Death Stranding 2, but, for now, it's only confirmed as a PS5 exclusive.

Death Stranding 2 trailers

At SXSW 2025, a detailed new trailer was revealed for Death Stranding 2. It announced the release date for the game, and gave a new look at the story. You can view it below:

We received a new Death Stranding 2: On the Beach trailer in 2024, and it was quite the showing. It confirms the true name of the game (Death Stranding 2: On the Beach), and lasts around 10 minutes. There's a puppet, lots of bridges being blown up, and a fight that involves a weaponized guitar. See for yourself, below:

There's only been two Death Stranding 2 trailers released so far. The reveal trailer is four minutes of classic Kojima misdirection, with plenty of big names thrown in. Check it out below:

In terms of what it all means... well, the Death Stranding 2 reveal trailer definitely raises more questions than answers. For one, Sam 'Porter' Bridges is grey now, and Fragile appears to be cured. Not only that, but she has a baby, which she later fails to protect from unknown enemies. There's a creepy-looking BB, a giant ship rising from tar, as well as a new villain wearing a very familiar red mask. We'll have to wait and see how it all pays off and develops into a fuller narrative.It could be a while before we see more about Death Stranding 2, though it's still penned for later this year. Until then, it's worth keeping an eye on the official PlayStation YouTube channel for new trailer drops.

While not a proper trailer per se, there is a full PlayStation Presents presentation on Death Stranding 2. It was released during Tokyo Game Show, and features some new footage from the game, including a look at photo mode.

Death Stranding 2 cast

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

As expected, Death Stranding 2's main cast features some big names from the worlds of both movies and gaming. You can check out the confirmed cast below:

Norman ReedusLéa SeydouxElle FanningShioli KutsanaTroy BakerGeorge Miller

Death Stranding 2 gameplay

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Thanks to the latest Death Stranding 2 trailer, we've gotten our first extended look at gameplay. Things look similar to the first, with players hiking across open areas, encountering ghostly enemies along the way. The main differences here appear to be in the terrain, which seems much more treacherous. Landslides, flash floods and tougher enemies present more of a challenge, with much more of a focus on action this time around.We see Sam using bikes to get around, and weapons to dispatch enemies. Whether or not we'll be delivering packages in the same way as in the first game remains to be seen, but given Fragile's new Drawbridge network filling in for the UCA, we're betting there'll be plenty of bridge-building, albeit across larger and more detailed environments.

Death Stranding 2 early access - how to play early

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

You can play Death Stranding 2 48 hours early by pre-ordering the Collector's Edition or Digital Deluxe Edition of the game. This will give you a whole host of bonuses and goodies. Full info in the PS Blog.

Death Stranding 2 latest news

Hideo Kojima shows 9 seconds of Death Stranding 2 title screen footageIn a Tweet, Hideo Kojima has shared a first look at Death Stranding 2's loading screen, though he has warned that it is "very temporary".Death Stranding 2 has a release date, but Hideo Kojima isn't ready to share it yetDuring a recent PlayStation presentation for the Death Stranding sequel, the director revealed that the game already has a decided release date but he was unable to announce it at the event due to "unforeseen circumstances" (via VGC).Death Stranding 2 will launch in 2025We now know that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will arrive at some point in 2025. Beyond that, there's been no indication of a release window. Stay tuned!Hideo Kojima rewrote Death Stranding 2 completely following the pandemicSpeaking to the Japanese outlet Natalie, Kojima has outlined exactly what changed with the sequel's story in the wake of COVID-19. In the interview, the Metal Gear Solid and Snatcher creator explained that the plot for Death Stranding 2 was written before the pandemic, which surged in Asia in late 2019 before going global in early 2020.Hideo Kojima shares a picture of Keanu Reeves and Norman ReedusHideo Kojima has sparked an online furor by posting pictures of Death Stranding star Norman Reedus with Keanu Reeves, kicking off speculation that The Matrix star may appear in Death Stranding 2.

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The first images for the Asus Xbox handheld have been leakedAsus is developing two versions of the ROG Ally 2 that will come in white and blackThe black Xbox edition will sport a dedicated Xbox button

Images of Microsoft's long-rumored Xbox handheld made by Asus have leaked online, offering the first look at the partnered device.As reported by VideoCardz, the photos were mistakenly leaked by the United States FCC, which inadvertently revealed two versions of the ROG Ally 2, including the Xbox-branded device codenamed "Project Kennan".One model is white, but the other, Project Kennan, is all-black and features what appears to be a dedicated Xbox button in the top left of the device.It's said that Microsoft will officially reveal Project Kennan in the coming months, likely before the end of 2025, which means we could see an announcement during its annual summer showcase in June or July.Both models offer a large screen, analogue sticks, D pad, and X, Y, B, and A buttons. Notably, they also sport handles that are fashioned after a controller, offering what looks like a more chunky grip.They look a lot like the first ROG Ally handheld PC, which, to be honest, is quite underwhelming. Focusing just on the Xbox version, I expected a lot more in the design department aside from a barely visible branded button; nothing about it screams "Xbox gaming handheld" to me.Project Keenan was leaked in March and was reported to be a partner device with some sort of Xbox branding, green highlights, and an Xbox Guide Button. The latest images do seem to corroborate these newly leaked images, but they are clearly a work in progress, so hopefully the design will get updated before its release.It also appears that this new partnered device is not the Xbox handheld that Microsoft's gaming CEO Phil Spencer said is years away from release. In November 2024, Spencer confirmed that the company is working on handheld prototypes and said that he had asked his team to look at the current market to develop its vision of a handheld based on what it learns.

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The Galaxy G Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 7 could share some featuresHinges, speakers, and flatness may match across both handsetsWe're expecting to see both these phones show up during July

We shouldn't have to wait too much longer for the launch of the Samsung tri-fold phone – quite possibly called the Samsung G Fold – and a new leak suggests it's going to borrow significantly from another upcoming handset, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.According to well-known tipster @PandaFlashPro (via Wccftech), the speakers and the way they're incorporated into the chassis will be the same across both foldables. Presumably, this won't be too different from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 either.What's more, the hinge mechanism is apparently going to be similar on both handsets, and both should feature a "full-flat body" – we're assuming that means the bumps and creases will be minimal, which is something that's already been rumored.No doubt this is going to save some money for Samsung, because they can use more of the same components across the Galaxy G Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 7, even though the former is going to have an extra hinge and a third screen panel.

What we think we know

Samsung Tri-Fold "Confirmed"The Speakers Drivers are the Exact Same as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and have the Same Design Cut-Outs.Hing Mechanism also Similar as New Hing of Upcoming Z Fold 7.Full-Flat Body Like Z Fold 7.May 7, 2025

Samsung has previously teased a tri-fold handset, so we know it's on the way, but we don't know much else about it, officially. Brightness and wired charging speeds seem set to match the current models, at 2,600 nits and 25W respectively.Unlike the Huawei Mate XT, the Samsung tri-fold is rumored to fold inwards, which means an outer screen is needed as well as the main display. The displays are apparently going to measure 6.49 inches (outer) and 9.96 inches (inner), corner to corner.The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 are widely expected to launch sometime in July, and it seems the Galaxy G Fold will be fully unveiled at the same time. However, it may not go on sale until later in the year – and availability could be limited.Whenever it shows up, don't expect it to be cheap. It'll certainly be more expensive than the standard Galaxy Z Fold model, and as our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review will tell you, that phone launched at a starting price of $1,899.99 / £1,799 / AU$2,749.

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Lenovo's 10th-generation Legion 9i has a novel wrinkle that complements its powerhouse specs. The 18-inch gaming laptop can be fitted with a 2D / 3D screen that switches between standard (flat) graphics and glasses-free 3D. It's available first in China and will come to the US "sometime this fall.” To be fair to Lenovo, that vague-ass window is about as much clarity as an overseas company could realistically offer in this tariff-infused climate.

The Legion 9i has an 18-inch display that supports up to 4K resolution in 2D. But through a combination of eye-tracking and lenticular lenses, the optional configuration supports 2K 3D without any need for special glasses. The effect works with side-by-side and top-down arrangements and supports 30 (as yet unnamed) games. Although it supports viewing video, images and streaming in three dimensions, Lenovo is pitching the machine to designers who work with 3D modeling.

For 2D viewing, the laptop's screen has a dual-mode feature that switches between a 240Hz refresh rate at up to 4K and a 440Hz one at 1080p. The Legion 9i has a 93-percent screen-to-body ratio.

Lenovo

The laptop’s chassis is made from eight layers of aviation-grade carbon fiber. Lenovo says this makes it lighter and stronger than aluminum, and the forging process makes each one unique. (Just like you, champ!)

Elsewhere, the specs include up to an NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU, Intel Core Ultra 275HX processor, 192GB of dual-channel DDR5 RAM and an 8TB SSD. Its cooling system combines a vapor chamber and a quad-fan system. Although Lenovo hasn't announced pricing yet, its specs (and the 9i's history as a top-of-the-line device) leave no room to doubt that it will cost at least several thousand dollars, even before accounting for whatever tariff madness we're caught in come fall.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-18-inch-lenovo-legion-9i-can-switch-between-2d-and-3d-without-glasses-100002661.html?src=rss

Sony has revealed that it will announce the Xperia 1 VII on May 13The company has also teased that it will be "powered by Alpha"This likely means a real focus on camera improvements

Sony’s Xperia 1 phones are among other things known for quite impressive cameras, but oddly – despite Sony also making a range of popular and capable ‘Alpha’ cameras – the company hasn’t used ‘Alpha’ branding on its Xperia phone cameras before. But it looks like that’s about to change.In a teaser video on YouTube, the company has revealed that the next Sony Xperia 1 – likely to be dubbed the Sony Xperia 1 VII – is landing on May 13.This teaser doesn’t give much away, but it does mention that the phone is “powered by Alpha”, and then goes on to show an Alpha camera, followed by images of people taking photos with what’s likely the Xperia 1 VII.So, if nothing else this tells us that photography is likely a major focus for the Sony Xperia 1 VII, but what exactly it being “powered by Alpha” means is less clear, with that potentially referring to software, hardware, or both.Still, based on our Sony Xperia 1 VI review we can say that we hope night image quality and dynamic range optimization are improved, as they were weak links in that phone’s photography performance.

A trio of sensors, likely with upgrades

Assuming the phone pictured in the video is the Sony Xperia 1 VII it has a similar design to the Xperia 1 VI, complete with a flat back and three rear lenses. We have some idea of what those lenses might be too, with leaks pointing to a 48MP main sensor (with optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP telephoto, with a focal length that can range from 70-200mm.That’s broadly similar to what you’ll find on the Sony Xperia 1 VI, except the telephoto camera there is limited to 85-170mm.Still, even if these leaks are correct, it’s possible we’ll see other changes to justify the 'Alpha' branding, such as larger sensors, better lenses, or software improvements.Away from the cameras, it has also been reported that the Sony Xperia 1 VII will have a 4K, 120Hz screen, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, and a battery of at least 5,000mAh.So, this could be a highly capable handset, but with the current model costing £1,299 / AU$1,899 (with no US availability) it’s also likely to be extremely expensive. We should find out for sure very soon.

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Google Maps has a new location-scanning feature for your screenshotsIt searches screenshots for places, then adds them to a private listThere could be privacy concerns with this new feature

If you frequently find yourself screenshotting locations and then looking them up afterwards, there’s a new feature in the Google Maps iOS app that could help save you time.In a blog post, Google detailed the feature, which is available now (although it had been revealed about a month ago). The feature sees Google use its own Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) to scan your screenshots and add any locations mentioned in the images to a new private list in Google Maps.Right now, it appears that Google Maps scans your images for text mentioning a place name, rather than looking up the location data itself that's been saved to the pictures or using image recognition. That's a bit limiting for now, but it's surely the first step towards more powerful version.You can find the new private list in the You tab in the Google Maps app. Provided you have the latest Google Maps update, you’ll find a private list labeled Screenshots, alongside a tutorial on how to use the new feature.The Screenshots folder will show a list of recent images that contain location names. You can then tap a Review button to see the place that Google has detected in the image. If you’re happy it has the right place, you can tap Save; otherwise, tap Don’t Save. The app will then show you the saved location on a map.There’s also an auto-scan aspect to this. If you grant Google permission, the app will be able to scan all of your screenshots in order to detect locations. Or you can add images manually, if you prefer.

Privacy concerns

(Image credit: Google)

Given Google’s arguably shoddy record when it comes to user privacy, the idea of allowing the company to scan my library of screenshots and log my location information feels pretty uncomfortable to me.Chances are this location data will be sent to Google’s servers, where there’s the potential for it to be processed, sold, and used to profile you – all things that Google’s business model is built upon.Beyond the privacy concerns, I wonder how much utility a feature like this would add in the first place. On iOS, you can tap and hold on any text and then look it up on the web, which applies to things like addresses and place names. That means it’s already quick and easy to find information on places you’ve screenshotted, without Google Maps’ latest update.Still, just because I’m not sold on it, that doesn’t mean that no one else will find Google’s latest idea useful. If you want to try it out for yourself, make sure you download the latest Google Maps version on iOS – the feature will apparently come to the best Android phones at a later date.

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Gartner report finds 77% of CEOs believing AI will define the future of their businessHowever only 44% of CIOs are seen as being AI-savvyCompanies should support worker upskilling

Not even half (44%) of CEOs consider their CIOs to be up to speed when it comes to AI, according to a new report by Gartner, despite these workers being considered as the most tech-savvy (64%).In fact, although CIOs are seen to be the most tech-savvy, they rank second in terms of AI savviness, with 2% more CEOs seeing their CISOs as having the right skills and knowledge (46%). Chief Data Officers ranked in third place (40%), with the next in line (Chief Strategy Officers) several steps behind, at 24%.All of this is despite the fact that more than three-quarters (77%) of CEOs acknowledging that AI will define the future of their business.

CEOs don't see many of their workers as being AI-savvy

Exploring the C-suite in particular, it's clear that chief execs don't have a lot of confidence in their high-level management when it comes to artificial intelligence. In fact, they have varying but low levels of confidence (7-18%) for the likes of the CRO, CFO, CMO, COO, Chief Sales Officer, CSCO, CLO and CHRO."We have never seen such a disproportionate gap in CEOs’ impressions about technological disruption," noted Gartner Distinguished Analyst David Furlonger.Gartner's report not only demonstrates the need for AI upskilling, but it also highlights a lack of sufficient upskilling in recent years. The 2019-2020 Gartner CEO Survey also described execs' tech saviness as "suboptimal.""A significant implication is that, if savviness across the C-suite is not rapidly improved, competitiveness will suffer, and corporate survival will be at stake," Furlonger continued.Gartner noted hiring for AI skills might not be so simple, adding that supporting the existing workforce with learning and development opportunities could offer a more sustainable long-term approach to business growth.More broadly, CEOs aren't just concerned about their inability to hire the right talent – there's also an apparent block when trying to calculate value and outcomes.

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Sony has revealed a new limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller inspired by Death Stranding 2: On the BeachIt launches on June 26, 2025, to coincide with the release of the gameSome PlayStation fans have expressed disappointment as its basic design, however

Sony has unveiled a new limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller to celebrate the upcoming release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.The controller is set to launch on June 26, 2025, alongside the PlayStation 5 release of Death Stranding 2. Pre-orders for it will begin on May 22, 2025, and it will cost $84.99 / £74.99. It will be available via PlayStation Direct in limited quantities.The controller looks like the standard Midnight Black DualSense with some small decals applied. Both grips have a basic orange pattern on them, with futuristic numbers and a barcode-like graphic. There's also a patch on the controller's touchpad, with a 'Drawbridge' logo in addition to the text "both stick and rope, to protect and connect. Together, for tomorrow."The only other other thing of note on the front is a subtle print of a ring connecting the controller's face buttons, giving it a marginally more futuristic look. The back of the controller then has a barely noticeable Death Stranding 2: On the Beach logo.Honestly speaking, it's not the most exciting limited edition controller I've ever seen. I could certainly think of a few ways in which I could have been made more interesting without pushing the envelope out too far. A dual-tone design, like the one found on the recent The Last of Us Limited Edition controller, perhaps in orange and black would have been a lot more eye catching.Given the asking price, it's not unreasonable to expect more than a few small prints on a standard colorway. I'm not alone in this assessment either, as some PlayStation fans have taken to the PlayStation Blog comment section to express their disappointment with the design."Could’ve been much better than just some some small patches of images. Sony should learn from Microsoft on how to design limited edition controllers," said one."How is it possible for a company this big to become so greedy and lazy? How do you go from making a controller like the Death Stranding PlayStation 4 one, or the Astro Bot PS5 controller, to making this? Why are you treating your biggest IPs and fans with such disrespect? You literally just took an existing black DualSense, slapped some ugly stickers on it, and called it a 'Limited Edition controller'," another replied."There is nothing about this controller that screams 'Death Stranding 2; when you’re looking at it. Is this all the creativity and effort you’re willing to put into a Limited product? Huge disappointment, and hard pass.

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Broadcom said to be sending out cease-and-desist letters to perpetual license holdersThey can use the products, but they mustn't use updatesLegal action is being used as a threat

Broadcom is reportedly sending out cease-and-desist letters to VMware perpetual license holders whose support contracts have expired.The news comes around 18 months after the company acquired VMware, when one of the first big changes it made was to end perpetual licenses in a bid to transition to more lucrative subscription-based models.At the time, users reported seeing considerable price hikes, with many opting to leave the new Broadcom-led VMware.

Broadcom is addressing VMware perpetual licenses, again

Users can continue using existing software under their perpetual licenses, however they cannot access updates or support unless they had a pre-existing contract, Ars Technica explained.Now, customers are receiving letters demanding that they stop using any updates, patches or releases issued after their support packages had expired, with the exception of zero-day security patches.Customers are even being asked to uninstall updated if they've already had them applied. The continued use of such updates is being framed as a breach of contract and intellectual property infringement, therefore Broadcom has expressed a willingness to explore legal options."Any such use of Support past the Expiration Date constitutes a material breach of the Agreement with VMware and an infringement of VMware’s intellectual property rights, potentially resulting in claims for enhanced damages and attorneys’ fees," an extract from the letter reads.According to the report, letters are also mentioning the possibility of audits for non-compliance, while some have been received by customers who are not in breach of Broadcom's policies, including those who have moved away from VMware altogether.The decision to press on with ending perpetual licenses for good doesn't come as a big surprise, but Broadcom has reversed some of its controversial changes to pacify customers after some of its execs came online to respond to disgruntled customers.TechRadar Pro has asked Broadcom to confirm details of the letter and to offer further context, but the company did not respond to our email.

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