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Windows 11 has a new power-saving feature in testingIt kicks in when you leave your laptop for a period of timeWhile you’re away, power management settings ensure a minimal amount of battery is used – and when you return, things instantly return to normalWindows 11 is set to receive fresh capabilities to preserve the battery life of your laptop with the introduction of a new feature in testing recently.Windows Latest picked up on this one, with the power-management feature being revealed in a preview build from a couple of weeks back (which the site missed at the time, and I did, too).Microsoft rather clunkily calls this functionality ‘User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management’ but to be fair, that does describe how it works.The idea is that when you leave your laptop to go and do something else, and maybe get distracted, Windows 11 will notice that you’ve gone and are no longer interacting with the device.In these cases, after a set period of time Windows will apply power-consumption reduction measures to extend battery life, because while you’re not using the laptop, you’re not going to be worried about what that might do to performance (obviously).When you return to your device and start using it again, Microsoft promises that “full performance [is] instantly restored” as you’d hope.Analysis: Promises and caveats(Image credit: Shutterstock/Ham patipak)There’s no downside here, then, at least if what Microsoft is maintaining here is true – that as soon as you come back to use the notebook, full performance is instantly back at your fingertips. If there’s a bit of lag in terms of responsiveness returning, that might be annoying, depending on how much, really – but we’ll take Microsoft’s word at face value here that this won’t be an issue.The company does mention a caveat, though, which is that the power savings Windows 11 users benefit from will vary. They’ll depend on the power plan chosen in the OS, and whether your laptop is plugged in, and also processor power management settings as defined by the manufacturer. In the latter case, this means there may be factors that the notebook maker has implemented that affect how much battery life the feature will preserve.If you don’t want this functionality there will seemingly be a way to turn it off, presumably under Windows 11’s power management settings. I can’t see why you wouldn’t want extra battery savings to happen in this way, though, providing the feature works as seamlessly as the picture Microsoft paints.With this new power management trickery in testing now, it seems like there’s a good chance it’ll arrive with Windows 11 25H2 later this year. This is an area Microsoft has been working on quite a lot in recent history, including bringing in the revamped Energy Saver with Windows 11 24H2.You might also like...macOS Tahoe rumored to follow Sequoia – here are 3 things to expect from Apple’s next desktop OSCan’t upgrade to Windows 11? This Linux project wants to save your old PC from the scrapheap when Windows 10 support endsBeen hiding from Windows 11 24H2 due to the fuss about all the bugs? There’s nowhere to run now as Microsoft’s made the update compulsory

Stranger Things season 5: key information- Will be the main show's final entry- Releasing in three volumes- First part arrives in late November- Core cast set to return- Major characters could die- Episode titles revealed in November 2024- Will answer big questions about the Upside Down- Animated spin-off series will be fully revealed at Annecy Film FestivalAt long last, Stranger Things season 5 has an official release date – three, to be exact.Indeed, the hugely successful Netflix show's final chapter will be released in three parts, with volume 1 set to debut on the best streaming service on November 26 (US) and November 27 (UK and Australia). You'll need to read on to find out when its follow-up volumes will air on the platform.I promise you'll learn even more about Stranger Things' fifth and final season if you do. There's plenty more information on one of the best Netflix shows' final hurrah from this point on, including its first-look footage, confirmed cast, and plot specifics. Full spoilers follow for Stranger Things season 4 Possible spoilers for season 5 are also discussed.Stranger Things season 5 release datethe fight isn’t over yet. get ready for the epic series finale of STRANGER THINGS.VOL 1 — november 26, 5pm PT*VOL 2 — christmas, 5pm PT*THE FINALE — new year’s eve, 5pm PT**releasing worldwide all at once, date may vary based on your local timezone #TUDUM pic.twitter.com/vv78eN0LRzJune 1, 2025Stranger Things season 5's release dates were revealed at Netflix Tudum 2025. As I mentioned, it'll arrive in three parts, too, with the first five episodes, which comprise volume 1, due to launch on November 26 in the US, and November 27 in the UK and Australia. You can see when the volumes 2 and 3 will be released via the X/Twitter post above.Before those dates were publicly announced, Netflix previously confirmed Stranger Things 5 would debut sometime in 2025. That came as a relief as we were worried that season 5 wouldn't arrive until 2026. That was despite the fact that principal photography wrapped on Stranger Things 5 last December, too.Stranger Things season 5 trailer: is there one?Sort of. A teaser was unveiled during Netflix Tudum 2025, but it mostly contained footage from the series' first four seasons.That said, there are clips from Stranger Things season 5 towards the end of this sizzle reel-style video. We see Joyce wielding her trusty ax, Karen Wheeler looking terrified as she holds Mike and Nancy's younger sister, Lucas watching over a comatose Max, and Steve and Dustin teaming up once more.Other quick cuts include a brief shot of Eleven holding her ears, Mike holding back some of this season's new cast additions, soldiers watching a doorway to the Upside Down opening up, and a close-up of a scared Will who screams "Run! Ruuuuuun!"Take it all in, nerds…we’ve hit the halfway mark of filming the final season and wanted to give you all a look at what we’ve been up to pic.twitter.com/RdQsZvoPYwJuly 15, 2024Ahead of that teaser's debut, Netflix released a behind-the-scenes look at season 5 in mid-2024. The video represented our first proper look at Stranger Things season 5 – one that reveals new characters, fan-favorite team-ups, and a possible time jump, but didn't feature any actual footage.It could be a while before an official trailer is revealed, too. Netflix doesn't release proper teasers until one or two months before a new TV Original, or a new season of a popular show, launches. So, it could be September before Stranger Things 5's first actual teaser is with us.Stranger Things season 5 cast: confirmed and rumoredMike (center) will be joined by some new characters in Stranger Things 5 (Image credit: Netflix)Major spoilers follow for Stranger Things season 4.Here's the confirmed cast for Stranger Things season 5 thus far:Winona Ryder as Joyce ByersDavid Harbour as Jim HopperMillie Bobby Brown as ElevenFinn Wolfhard as Mike WheelerGaten Matarazzo as Dustin HendersonCaleb McLaughlin as Lucas SinclairNoah Schnapp as Will ByersSadie Sink as Max MayfieldNatalie Dyer as Nancy WheelerCharlie Heaton as Jonathan ByersJoe Keery as Steve HarringtonMaya Hawke as Robin BuckleyPriah Ferguson as Erica SinclairBrett Gelman as Murray BaumanJamie Campbell-Bower as VecnaCara Buono as Karen WheelerAmybeth McNulty as VickieNell Fisher as Holly WheelerJake Connelly as Derek TurnbowAlex Breaux as Lieutenant AkersLinda Hamilton as Doctor KayOutside of those returning from season 4, the biggest casting news is that Terminator star Linda Hamilton has joined the Stranger Things 5 ranks. Netflix has confirmed she's playing a new scientist called Doctor Kay.She isn't the only cast addition. As revealed in July's behind-the-scenes teaser and confirmed by a Netflix press release, Fisher (Evil Dead Rise), Breaux (Waco: The Aftermath), and up-and-comer Connelly are also part of proceedings. Fisher will play Holly Wheeler, aka Mike and Nancy's younger sibling, while Connelly and Breaux have been cast as Derek and Lieutenant Akers.Nell Fisher ("Evil Dead Rise"), Alex Breaux ("Waco: The Aftermath"), and newcomer Jake Connelly have joined the cast of #StrangerThings5! pic.twitter.com/aBI6bIVqHqJuly 15, 2024As for other returning characters who might show up, Ted Wheeler (Joe Chrest), Lieutenant Colonel Jack Sullivan (Sherman Augustus) and Suzie (Gabriella Pizzolo) should be back. Doctor Sam Owens' (Paul Reiser) fate is unknown after he was left handcuffed to a pipe in the subterranean Nina Project in season 4, but I'd be surprised if he doesn't feature.On the no-shows front, Eduardo Franco has confirmed (per IGN) he didn't receive the call to reprise his role as fan-favorite season 4 character Argyle. Joseph Quinn's Eddie Munson won't be back, either, following his death in last season's finale. Other season 4 characters in Dmitri Antonov (Tom Wlaschiha) and Yuri Ismaylov (Nikola Duricko) are unlikely to appear as well.Stranger Things season 5 story synopsis and speculationEveryone's favorite double-act are back together in season 5 (Image credit: Netflix)Full spoilers follow for Stranger Things season 4. Potential season 5 spoilers are also discussed.Here's the official plot brief for Stranger Things season 5: "The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But, he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown."Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming – and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone – the full party – standing together, one last time."Who’s *really* looking for Jane Hopper? You’re not ready for what’s to come in Stranger Things 5 #NextOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/ziLC04qEe0January 30, 2025Given this season marks the end of one of Netflix's earliest TV Original smash hits, the show is set to go out with a bang.To that end, Stranger Things 5 will test our runtime limits, with Maya Hawke revealing that "basically, eight movies" have been filmed. Season 5's 12-month shoot yielded 650-plus hours of footage, too, which had to be whittled down for its "blockbuster movie" episodes, too, according to co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer.Furthermore, we know what this season's episode titles are. The season 5 premiere title, aka 'The Crawl', was unveiled in mid-2022 – here are four big theories on what Stranger Things 5's first episode title could mean – while the others were unveiled last November.Episode 1 – The CrawlEpisode 2 – The Vanishing Of [Redacted]Episode 3 – The Turnbow TrapEpisode 4 – SorcererEpisode 5 – Shock JockEpisode 6 – Escape From CamazotzEpisode 7 – The BridgeEpisode 8 – The Rightside UpInterestingly, the Duffers confirmed they rewrote parts of season 5 (per Netflix Tudum) based on fan feedback, which means the show will end in a different way than they originally intended. Thankfully, nothing about season 5's concluding chapter has appeared online, even after Netflix reportedly suffered a major Stranger Things 5 leak in February. For now, then, its biggest secrets are still being kept under wraps.Before the end credits roll for the final time, our heroes must join forces to try to stop Vecna – the show's primary antagonist – for good."Our characters are going after Vecna from minute one," Ross Duffer told Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 unlocked episode in July 2022. "We have a lot to do, in terms of a few more revelations, and also we need to make sure we give our characters time to make these final arcs."Vecna will return as the TV show's primary villain (Image credit: Netflix)So, what happened last time out? In the season 4 finale, Vecna was severely injured by Nancy, Steve, and Robin at Creel House. However, when they go looking for Vecna's body, it's gone, so the series' main villain appears to crawled away to recover from his wounds.He was technically victorious in season 4, though. Max, his final victim, died for a whole minute after he attacked her. That caused four rifts to the Upside Down to open in the center of Hawkins, thereby allowing it to start merging with the real world. So, Vecna will want to finish what he started – i.e. destroying everything that our heroes hold dear.mother has her axe again!!!! pic.twitter.com/EuQWgm878ZJune 2, 2025To put a stop to his world-ending plan, the show's main characters are already assembled in Hawkins so, while they might break into smaller groups to cover as much ground as possible, they're still effectively working together. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Matt Duffer said that was an intentional creative decision, adding: "We want to go back to a lot things we did in season 1 and a lot of the original groupings and pairings that we had."But back to Max. She's in a medically-induced coma following her near-fatal encounter with Vecna in the Stranger Things season 4 finale. When Eleven went searching for Max in the Void in said finale, though, she couldn't find her, so nobody knows if Max will ever wake up.Before filming on season 5 began, Sink said she was in the dark about Max's fate, but you can read our thoughts on how Max's story could go one of two ways in Stranger Things season 5. However, in images posted from the season 5 set (see the below Instagram post's third photograph), Ross Duffer teased Lucas will try to coax Max out of her unconscious state using music – and, in particular, her love to Kate Bush.A post shared by Ross Duffer (@rossduffer)A photo posted by on Elsewhere Noah Schnapp, who plays The Upside Down's most notable victim in Will Byers, dropped a big hint to Vogue about his season 5 character arc, saying: "There’s a lot in store for Will. It ties back to where it begins, full circle. I’m excited for fans to see where we wrap his character. I think they’ll be really pleased, but also shocked."Schnapp also told US magazine that Will is the "center point" of Stranger Things 5, before revealing (via Forbes) that the whole show "end with Will". Based on the X/Twitter post below, it could begin with a flashback showing us a de-aged Will or, as seen in a video from Schnapp (post on Ross Duffer's X/Twitter account) showed, a present day Will revisiting Castle Byers, aka his self-erected childhood hideout.Season 5. Chapter 1. Scene 1. pic.twitter.com/TIkf1DNipuNovember 7, 2023Ross Duffer corroborated Schnapp's comments in conversation with Variety, adding: "Will really takes center stage again. This emotional arc for him is what we feel is going to hopefully tie the whole series together. Will is used to being the young one, the introverted one, the one that’s being protected. So part of his journey, it’s not just sexuality – it’s Will coming into his own as a young man."As for potential character deaths, Stranger Things season 5 sounds like it'll be the deadliest yet, which implies some main characters will perish. Place your bets on who'll make it out live now.Will, err, Will make it out of season 5 alive? (Image credit: Netflix)Teasing what else fans can expect, Matt Duffer told TVLine that season 5 will likely feature a time jump. The final few episodes will, as he told the Happy Sad Confused podcast, be like The Lord of the Rings in its design, too."It [the season 5 finale] is going to be Return of the King-ish with eight endings," he said. "If you just watch Return of the King, it feels like too many endings. [But] if you watch all of them back-to-back, which I’ve done multiple times, it’s exactly right. If it were any shorter, it would feel cheap and wrong."As for other subplots that need resolving, we should find out why the Upside Down is seemingly stuck in 1984. We still don't have all the answers about what this realm actually is (outside of snippets revealed in prequel stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow), why it's spookier and more dingy than the realm Henry Creel first traveled to, or what The Mind Flayer is exactly. Ross Duffer (per Stranger Things season 4 volume 2's unlocked episode) claims those queries will be answered.A post shared by Ross Duffer (@rossduffer)A photo posted by on There's also the loose end concerning number eight – aka Kali Prasad. We haven't seen Kali since season 2 and, unlike every other test subject under Doctor Brenner's supervision (who had telekinetic abilities), she had different powers. Why was she the odd one out? And will we see her again?It's possible Stranger Things season 5 won't answer these questions. After all, the Duffers have retconned some early season plot points in later instalments (via Variety). Maybe Kali's story is just one of those lingering mysteries we'll never get closure on.And what of the show's official ending? Understandably, we have no idea how it'll wrap up, but Matarazzo told NME that fans can prepare to see a "satisfying" and "cathartic" final chapter, while Wolfhard told People.com that he was "satisfied... confused... and sad" about how the show ends. David Harbour also told THR that the series' last-ever episode is "the best episode they [the Duffers] have done" before teasing how tear-jerking it is. Have a box of tissues at the ready, everyone!The future of Stranger ThingsSeason 5 of Stranger Things is the end of the mainline show, but there are other projects in the works at Upside Down Pictures, the Duffers' production company.The first of those – the stage play that's titled Stranger Things: The First Shadow – made its debut at London's Phoenix Theater in December 2023. Since March 2025, though, it's been available to watch on Broadway in the US.For the uninitiated: The First Shadow is set in 1959 and tells the tale of the Creel Family's arrival in Hawkins. It also shows us Jim Hopper, Henry Creel, and other notable characters in their teens.Fantastic though that sounds, we think this spin-off of Stranger Things season 5 will hit the big Marvel and Star Wars problem. Based on a huge plot point it'll contain, The First Shadow's big lore reveal will need addressing in season 5 for anyone who doesn't get the chance to watch the play, too.As for other Stranger Things-Verse projects currently in the works, an animated spin-off called Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is due out on Netflix at some point. Its first footage will be unveiled at Annecy Film Festival 2025, which takes place in France between June 8 and 14. Hopefully, we'll learn about its launch date during said presentation, too.For more Netflix-based coverage, read our guides on Bridgerton season 4, Squid Game season 3, Wednesday season 2, and Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2.

An official Wicked: For Good trailer has droppedThe movie's release date is November 21, 2025The first Wicked is available to stream on Peacock in the USWicked: For Good has a magical new trailer and it's made me want to relive the Oscar-winning first movie all over again. Thankfully I can, as Wicked is now available on Peacock, one of the best streaming services.Wicked, one of the 2025 Best Picture nominees, ended up walking away with two Academy Awards – Best Costume Design and Best Production Design – and if this new trailer is anything to go by, Wicked: For Good could sweep even more awards in the future.According to Universal, Wicked became "the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time", so it's no surprise fans have flocked to watch the new trailer which is trending at #1 on YouTube at the time of writing.Take a look at the trailer everyone's talking about below, ahead of its global release on November 21, 2025.What is the plot of Wicked: For Good?(Image credit: Universal Pictures)Expanding on the first movie, Wicked: For Good's juicy story makes it one of my most anticipated new movies of 2025.Wicked: For Good will follow Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) as they "grapple with the consequences of their choices and the events of the Wizard of Oz", once again told from the perspective of the witches.Their friendship is put to the test as Elphaba is now demonized as "The Wicked Witch of the West", while the other is hailed as "Glinda the Good". The movie switches focus, depicting the land of Oz both before and after the arrival of Dorothy Gale.Many of Wicked's original cast reprise their roles alongside Erivo and Grande, including Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum.Will Wicked: For Good defy gravity and soar to even greater heights than the first installment? We'll have to wait to find out, but at least this trailer will keep you going in the meantime.You might also likeWicked is a blockbuster hit with 91% on Rotten Tomatoes – here are 6 more movie musicals on Netflix, Max, and morePeacock subscription price: how much does each plan cost?5 of the best free movies to stream on Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, Plex, and more this week

Sony has just unveiled the first wireless fight stick designed by the company itself. It doesn't have an official product name yet, but it's currently codenamed Project Defiant. The arcade-style controller uses the PlayStation Link wireless technology to connect to the PS5 and the PC. Sony says the technology provides an ultra-low latency connection that enables "precise in-game response" to every press on its buttons and every movement on its joystick. Players can also plug the device into their PC or their console via a USB-C connection if they want to ensure that there's no lag

The company said it custom designed its controls and used "toolless interchangeable restrictor gates (square, circle, and octagon)," as well as mechanical switches for its buttons. Sony also used the same touch pad on the fight stick as the one found on the DualSense wireless controller. In addition to being able to control the action on screen, the stick has the ability to wirelessly wake up the PS5 by pressing the PS button in the same way a DualSense controller can.

The fight stick has a storage compartment for its restrictor gates and the PS Link USB adapter. It also sounds like the device will ship with a sturdy carrying case, so you can take it safely with you when needed. Sony has yet to announce Project Defiant's pricing and release date, but it's planning to make the fight stick available for purchase sometime in 2026, perhaps in time for players to be able to use it to play Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls. The tag fighting game, which is also coming out next year, was developed by the studio behind the Guilty Gear franchise.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/project-defiant-is-sonys-first-wireless-fight-stick-for-ps5-and-pc-113009444.html?src=rss

Eufy has launched its first lawnbots: the Eufy E15 and (US-only) E18They're visual full self-driving bots, which use cameras and AI algorithms to navigateThey don't need to use boundary wires or RTK receiversRobotic lawn mowers have come a long way in recent years. Boundary wires are gradually becoming a thing of the past, with most modern lawnbots using RTK receivers to navigate neatly and accurately using satellite signals. But Eufy's new models take things a step further, and operate without either of those.The new Eufy E15 and E18 are V-FSD (visual full self-driving) robot lawn mowers, and find their way around using a combination of binocular cameras and AI algorithms – it's a similar system to what you'd find in a self-driving car.Aside from not having to deal with the extra hassle of setting up a separate RTK receiver, this could be an ideal solution for those who have a lot of overhead obstacles in their garden – satellite navigation relies on a direct line of sight to multiple satellites in the sky.(Image credit: Eufy)These are Eufy's first ever lawnbots – the brand is better known for its robot vacuums, smart locks and security cameras. Given that a Eufy model is currently sitting at the top of TechRadar's best robot vacuum ranking, I'm intrigued to see if it can take some of that indoor magic outside.Eufy promises an effort-free setup process: simply connect the bot up to your Wi-Fi, pop it on your lawn, and it'll automatically map the area. The V-FSD 1.0 tech is designed to accurately identify lawn edges and paths, as well as spotting any obstacles to avoid. There's the option to add no-go zones (via the app, without having to drive the lawnbot over as you would usually have to) and to map multiple lawn zones.The system might sound a little too good to be true, but based on our early tests things are looking very promising. So far, our reviewer has been impressed by his E15's navigation, reporting largely accurate auto-mapping and reliable object avoidance for anything the size of a tennis ball or larger. We'll get a full review live as soon as we've had a chance to put it through its paces properly.(Image credit: Eufy)The Eufy E15 is available in the US and UK, and is designed for yards up to 0.2 acres / 800m², while the E18 is currently US-only, and can tackle larger spaces up to 0.3 acres / 1,200m².Like a satellite-based lawnbot, both of these V-FSD models can cut in uniform lines. You can adjust desired cutting height between 1-3in / 2.5-7.5cm, and there's also a 'Ride On Edge' feature where the bot will straddle the perimeter of paths so you don't need to bother trimming the edges manually.The bots come equipped with a GPS+4G anti-theft system, backed up with the option of remote visual camera viewing.In the US, the E15 and E18 are available to buy now direct from Eufy US, at a list price of $1,799.99 and $1,999.99 respectively. In the UK, the E15 is available direct from Eufy UK for £1,499.You might also like...How do robot lawn mowers navigate without a boundary wire?Should I buy a robot lawn mower? Pros and consHow exactly do robot lawn mowers work?

macOS 16 (or macOS 26) could drop support for some Intel MacsRumors suggest these will include my 2018 MacBook ProBut it likely won't be the end of the road for all Intel-powered Macs yetMy trusty 2018 MacBook Pro has served me well over the years, processing thousands of photos and more without complaint – but the latest macOS 16 rumors suggest its days are, like most Intel-powered Macs, very much numbered.WWDC 2025 is now just days away and, according to a report from Apple Insider, macOS 16 – or macOS 26 Tahoe, as it seems likely to be named – will drop support for many Intel Mac models, including (sniff) mine.Apple Insider says that "people familiar with the matter" have told it that only the Macs listed below will be able to run macOS 16. Notable by their absence are the 2018 MacBook Pro, 2020 Intel-based MacBook Air, 2017 iMac Pro, and 2018 Mac mini, all of which currently support the current macOS Sequoia.Rumored macOS 26 compatibility listMacBook Pro 2019 or laterMacBook Air M1 or lateriMac 2020 or laterMac Pro 2019 or laterMac mini M1 or laterMac StudioThere are two other things to note about this list. One is that, if it is indeed accurate when Apple announces macOS 26 on June 9, it wouldn't yet mark a significant end for all Intel-powered Macs.The 2019 MacBook Pro, 2020 5K iMac, and 2019 Mac Pro would all soldier on until 2026. Next year, macOS 27 may presumably then become the first desktop OS to exclusively support Apple Silicon-powered Macs, which would be a big moment if so.Secondly, those four Intel-powered Macs that are seemingly on the chopping block for macOS 26 wouldn't necessarily be obsolete. Apple typically continues to provide another two years of security-only updates for machines in that position, so I wouldn't necessarily have to wave goodbye to my 2018 MacBook Pro.And yet, macOS 26 will likely be the excuse I've been looking for to do just that...My next MacBookWe're expect to see Craig Federighi (above) present macOS 16 to us at WWDC 2025 on June 9, though it may well be called macOS 26 (Image credit: Apple)Moving to an Apple Silicon MacBook has been on my wishlist for a few years now, but buying one isn't exactly a $20 challenge. Still, if Apple does announce on June 9 that my 2018 MacBook Pro isn't invited to the Tahoe party, it'll likely be the nudge I need to make the leap – the other being that my MacBook is now very much showing its age.There's all the usual seven-year-old laptop signs, like needing to be constantly connected to a charger and the fan going into overdrive at the merest hint of anything more taxing than three Chrome tabs. And yes, it does also have the much-maligned Touch Bar, which I've grown to like despite it being largely useless.But it's really photo and video editing where my MacBook Pro is showing its advancing years. Adobe Lightroom's AI-powered noise reduction, for example, is very impressive, but applying it to one photo can take several minutes and makes the base of my laptop feel hot enough for cooking a steak dinner.The question for me will likely be whether to get a MacBook Air 13-inch M4 or wait for the M5 MacBook Pro, which is expected to land later this year alongside M5 chips (possibly in "the fall" of 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman).With the former sitting at the top of our best laptops guide and likely offering everything I'll need (Liquid Retina display with P3 color gamut, 10-core Apple M4 chip and all-day battery life), I'm leaning towards that – particularly as it starts at a pretty reasonable $999 / £999 / AU$1,699. Which will somehow double when I add more RAM and storage.There are also the rumors that this year's MacBook Pro M5 might be a slightly disappointing upgrade. The real fireworks are likely coming with a redesigned MacBook Pro M6 that's been tipped to land in 2026 with an OLED display, according to rumors at least.So while my tired 2018 MacBook Pro isn't completely obsolete yet, the switch to an M4-powered MacBook would likely feel like a night-and-day difference – and those are now pretty rare.You might also likeI've used iPads for 10 years – here are the iPadOS 19 features I want to see from WWDC 2025How to watch WWDC 2025: get ready for new Apple Intelligence features, iOS 19, macOS 16 and morewatchOS 12: 3 things I expect to see Tim Cook announce at this year's WWDC 2025

OM System OM-5 II rumored to land this monthIt could become the cheapest mirrorless camera with a stacked sensorOther details are scant, but expect USB-C in a new modelRumors courtesy of 43rumors suggest that the OM System OM-5 II could be unveiled later this month, coinciding with the Bild Expo in New York, which takes place on June 17-18.Such a model would succeed the OM-5, which remains in top spot of our best travel cameras guide, despite being almost three years old. That's thanks to its compact body, retro styling, superb lens choice, and competitive price.OM-5 II details are scant at this stage, which leaves me skeptical about such an imminent announcement. However, there's one potential tasty upgrade being touted for the second-gen model – a stacked sensor.Recent OM-System cameras have tended to be minor upgrades, but a stacked sensor would represent a huge boost in performance from the original model.The likely downside is a big price hike. That's because stacked sensors are much pricier than the regular kind, as used in the OM-5.Currently, the OM System OM-3 is the cheapest mirrorless camera available with a stacked sensor, but it still costs a lot more than the OM-5.A potential OM-5 II needs a sensible price gap from the OM-3, and if it materializes with a stacked sensor for less, it could be a bargain, cementing the OM-5 series' position as a top pick for travel.That said, the competitive price of the OM-5 is a key factor for its top position in our best travel cameras guide, and utilizing a stacked sensor will inevitably push up the price.Could an OM-5 II inherit the same stacked sensor as found in the stylish OM-3? (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Beyond potentially inheriting a stacked sensor, we know precious little about the potentially forthcoming OM-5 II.One update I can be sure of, should the OM-5 II land, is USB-C charging. After all, the EU's new common charger directive mandates USB-C as the universal charging port standard, and the current model was one of the last cameras to launch with micro USB connectivity.What do you think, is a stacked sensor a good idea for an OM-5 successor? What new features would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below.You might also likeThe best travel camera for 2025: the finest choices for your adventuresOM System OM-3 vs OM System OM-5: is the OM-3 really worth upgrading for?I can't believe I'm saying this – OM System's new OM-3 is my dream retro camera, but I won't be buying it

The Sennheiser BTD 700 is a USB-C wireless dongleBluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive and Auracast, and a USB-A adapter£44.99 / $59.95 / €49.90 (about AU$94)If the Bluetooth audio from your computer or device is disappointing or laggy, or if you want to use aptX Adaptive headphones with Apple gear, Sennheiser has just the thing for you.Its new BTD 700 Bluetooth dongle brings high quality wireless streaming at up to 24-bit/96kHz as well as a low-latency mode for gamers. It’s a tiny dongle that delivers a big audio upgrade to a wide range of devices when connecting to the best wireless headphones and best wireless earbuds.The dongle is extremely small and extremely light, and it has USB-C for wide compatibility. There's an equally small USB-C to USB-A adapter included for older hardware.(Image credit: Sennheiser)Sennheiser BTD 700: key features and pricingThe BTD 700 is Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast transmission, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless. It's a class-compliant USB audio device that should work happily with a huge variety of hardware.The dongle can't upgrade your accessories – if your headphones don't support aptX Lossless or aptX Adaptive, it can't stream to them with those codecs.The presence of Auracast is really useful, because that enables you to stream to multiple devices simultaneously (provided they're Auracast-compatible, of course). That means your laptop or other device can become a home streaming hub, streaming to multiple compatible speakers or headphones.It's particularly interesting for Apple owners: Apple hardware such as iPhones and iPads don't support aptX Adaptive or Lossless, so you can't get the best wireless audio quality from them and your high-quality Apple Music subscription. With the BTD 700, you can.You might also likeThe best wireless earbuds, all real-world testedThe best wireless headphones 2025, chosen by our expertsBluetooth Auracast explained: 3 big reasons to upgrade

Intel's Nova Lake S desktop processors are rumored to utilize two separate iGPU architectures Xe3 will reportedly be used for graphic workloads, while Xe4 will be used for media-related tasksIt could be another sign of processors with powerful iGPUs replacing budget discrete GPUsAMD and Intel are on the frontlines battling it out in the CPU market for mobile and desktop platforms, and Team Blue's upcoming Nova Lake processors may offer a unique and rare architecture setup.As reported by Wccftech, Intel's Nova Lake S desktop processors will reportedly feature a hybrid iGPU architecture, using Xe3 for graphics and Xe4 for display and media-related tasks, according to the reliable leaker @jaykihn0 on X. The rumor suggests that Intel intends to utilize Xe3's full potential in graphical workloads, while Xe4 could be essential for power efficiency.It will be interesting to see whether the Nova Lake S processors will have the same effect as AMD's Ryzen AI Max processors (which are actively making their way to desktop systems), in terms of their iGPU capabilities. Notably, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 provides great performance at both 1080p and 1440p in games like Cyberpunk 2077.Regardless, if this rumor is legitimate, it looks like Team Blue is taking a big stride with GPU power across the board, especially with rumors of a new Arc B770 16GB GPU. It also raises the question once again; if Nova Lake S and Panther Lake both provide great iGPU performance for desktop and mobile platforms, respectively, could we be seeing the beginning of the end for discrete GPUs?Analysis: Maybe it's almost the end for budget discrete GPUs...(Image credit: Intel)Now, let's pump the brakes a little here. There's almost no way any SoC or iGPU will be able to match high-end GPUs like the RTX 4090 or RTX 5080, at least not any time soon.However, we've already got AMD's strongest APU that has surpassed the likes of the RTX 4060 and even the RTX 4070 in some gaming scenarios – so at the very least, I think budget low-end discrete GPUs are in danger.Perhaps the only factor saving them is that they are indeed budget GPUs, but the proposition of a PC without a discrete GPU taking up space may be a tempting one for gamers.It's worth noting that Strix Halo APUs were reserved for laptops and other mobile platforms, but have gradually made their way to desktops, specifically present in mini-PC builds.It's also no secret that some of the budget GPUs like the RTX 5060 (based on reviews), aren't good enough for consumers with their 8GB configurations – so if desktop processors, SoCs, or AMD's APUs can continue to match or outperform them, I wouldn't be surprised to see a decent portion of low-end discrete GPUs fade away...You may also like...Intel's Computex 2025 Panther Lake demos showcase power efficiency focus – and also hint at strong gaming performanceIntel is seemingly preparing a huge Battlemage GPU reveal at Computex 2025 – and it's expected to be a higher-end offeringIntel's Arc B770 GPU could go head-to-head with Nvidia's RTX 5060 – and it's expected to be revealed at Computex

Anthropic has started a new blog called Claude Explains, discussing the capabilities of its AI models and written by that self-same AI model. The educational posts are “written” by Claude to explain how to use Claude. It's like an AI's personal diary, but with debugging tips instead of romantic exploits.The blog is pitched as a “corner of the Anthropic universe where Claude is writing on every topic under the sun,” but that's not quite accurate. Claude may draft the pieces, but a team of human experts and editors sand and polish the rough outline to make sure they are readable and accurate, or as Anthropic calls it, a “collaborative approach."Now, this idea isn't terrible on its face. This kind of AI-human tag team makes a lot of sense, at least when the AI is writing about itself. An article about how Claude can design a website or organize a financial report is well within Claude's wheelhouse. It's just explaining its own abilities. But a technically reasonable explanation and a few useful examples aren't a full blog post. Claude’s best work still won't always result in a coherent article, or one that a real person would want to read.Anthropic is honest about how humans are part of the process throughout blog post production. Claude may start the car, but humans are at the wheel and navigating, lest it drive the article right into a ditch full of hallucinations and mixed metaphors. Anyone who’s used AI without guardrails knows this scenario isn’t far-fetched. AI is excellent at saying things that sound right until you try to actually apply them.(Image credit: Anthropic)AI ghostwritingCollaboration is certainly an efficient approach. Claude can crank out thousands of words without breaking a sweat, and if you’re using it to explain the same concepts it was trained on, it’s got a decent shot at getting things mostly right. Problems arise much more quickly when AI writers are left unsupervised, especially on subjects outside of the AI model's abilities.The blog doesn’t proclaim the human element, so a casual reader might assume Claude is doing all the writing. That’s a branding choice, and not a neutral one. It creates a kind of halo effect, subtly bragging about how the AI breaks down data analysis and sounds like a real writer. Except it isn’t human. It’s a word blender that gets better results when someone else chooses the ingredients and adjusts the settings. And that distinction matters, especially as more people begin to trust AI-generated information in contexts far beyond technical blogs.There's a steady stream of stories about media outlets embarrassing themselves by believing AI can replace entire content teams. The Chicago Sun-Times published AI-generated book recommendations for titles that didn’t exist, and multiple outlets have published AI-written features full of errors. And that's not even counting Apple's attempts at news summary headlines.Claude Explains feels downright reasonable by comparison. If you’re going to use AI to produce content for public consumption, maybe keep to what it knows best. And don't leave out the humans.You might also likeAnthropic's new Claude 4 models promise the biggest AI brains everHow Claude’s 3.7's new ‘extended' thinking compares to ChatGPT o1's reasoningI tried Claude's new Research feature, and it's just as good as ChatGPT and Google Gemini's Deep Research features

It’s hard to be a new parent, we know. And it’s even harder to take care of yourself while trying to keep a new human alive. Thankfully, there’s a lot of tech out there that helps ease the burden for moms and dads — from tablets and earbuds to a rattle that could help avoid an infant meltdown. Tech won’t help with the mountains of dirty diapers – at least, not until robotic diaper nannies are a thing – but it can at least help new parents stay sane.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-gifts-for-new-dads-110049541.html?src=rss

Giant Squid has announced that it's latest game, Sword of the Sea, will come to PlayStation 5 and PC on August 19. It'll also appear on PlayStation Plus from day one for Extra and Premium Subscribers. The fantasy adventure game marries surfing mechanics with the atmospherics of the developer's previous games like Abzû and Journey.

Giant Squid showed off more gameplay in a new trailer as part of PlayStation's June 4 State of Play. "At its core, Sword of the Sea is all about surfing," the developer wrote. "You’ll be carving your way across mysterious moving waves of sand on the ancient and powerful hoversword." Other scenarios include dreamy ice-scapes and oceans full of flying dolphins.

Giant Squid again teamed with creative director Matt Nava and composer Austin Wintory, who also worked on Abzû and Pathless. "As a surfer and snowboarder myself, I have felt the rush of movement and seen the beauty of nature in a way that only these extreme sports can deliver," Nava wrote about Sword of the Sea. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/sword-of-the-sea-launches-august-19-120037636.html?src=rss