Technology

You can spend hours choosing the best laptop, comparing processor options with the display and wondering how long the battery will last.

Then you switch it on and discover another part of the experience that rarely enters the buying decision: the manufacturer’s preinstalled software, often billed as tools to help optimize your device.

Sometimes, they earn their right to come pre-installed. The pre-installed software might be where you change performance mode or cap the battery charge, alongside model-specific settings Windows 11 simply doesn’t offer.

The strange part? How much bigger the role of pre-installed software (sometimes called 'bloatware') has become. A simple utility can now feel like another software layer sitting on top of Windows 11, with launchers and user accounts jostling with the settings you actually want.

And because some of those controls are legitimately important, uninstalling the whole thing isn’t always an option.

(Image credit: TechRadar)Windows 11 can’t actually control everything on your Windows laptop

For all the settings tucked inside Windows 11, there are still plenty of things it can’t manage on its own.

And this isn’t just a gaming laptop quirk. On supported Asus models, MyASUS handles things such as Battery Care Mode and model-specific fan profiles that Windows 11 doesn’t offer.

Gaming laptops simply take the idea much further.

Take the Alienware 16X Aurora. Alienware Command Center offers several performance settings, and in our testing, its 'Overdrive' mode pushed the fans harder while making use of the laptop’s Cryo-Chamber cooling system.

None of that feels especially unreasonable.

Laptop makers know how their own hardware is designed to behave, and a dedicated utility gives them somewhere to offer controls that would otherwise be buried in the BIOS or unavailable altogether.

The problem starts when that useful little control panel begins acquiring ambitions of its own.

(Image credit: Asus)A settings menu somehow became an entire platform

Many of these apps now go well beyond looking after the laptop itself.

Armoury Crate still gives Asus ROG owners useful controls over performance and cooling, but it also has a user account system and optional content services alongside its device settings.

Lenovo’s Legion Space pushes the idea further, putting thermal controls alongside a game store and its AI-powered Gaming Zone. On supported machines, HP’s Omen Gaming Hub mixes fan and graphics controls with a game library and GeForce Now.

Taken one by one, most of this is easy to defend. Put it all in the same app, though, and the hardware settings start to feel like one part of a much larger product.

If I open software to quieten the fans, for example, I’m probably not also looking for a new game or a giveaway.

(Image credit: MSI)The worst part is that you actually need it

With ordinary pre-installed software, there’s an obvious solution if you don’t want it: uninstall it. Laptop software made by the manufacturers themselves is harder to shake because some settings can make a real difference in how the machine behaves.

Our MSI Raider 16 Max HX review shows why this gets awkward. The laptop comes with a fair amount of bundled software, yet MSI Center itself gives you useful access to performance presets and RGB controls.

Wiping out every manufacturer utility for a cleaner Windows 11 install can take useful features with it. However, some laptops do have alternatives.

G-Helper is an open-source option for Asus machines, offering access to performance and GPU modes, battery charge limits, and other hardware controls in a lightweight app. Its built-in performance modes use the same firmware presets as Armoury Crate.

You don’t have to be comfortable swapping official software for a community-made utility to see the appeal. G-Helper’s existence shows that granular laptop controls can live in a focused tool rather than a whole, often bloated, ecosystem.

(Image credit: Microsoft)Microsoft bears some responsibility too

Some of this starts with gaps in Windows 11 itself. Smart Charging exists on compatible devices, for example, but there’s no universal control for choosing a fixed charge limit – Microsoft says each manufacturer implements the feature differently.

Microsoft has already shown what a more standardised approach can look like.

Dynamic Lighting is a good example: compatible RGB hardware can now be controlled directly through Windows 11, rather than relying entirely on separate manufacturer utilities.

Fan tuning and firmware are much more specific to each machine, so manufacturer software isn’t going away.

But every common control Windows 11 can standardize is one less reason a laptop needs its own parallel settings software - and that would mean less bloat preinstalled on our devices.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)Laptop software needs to become boring again

Maybe the real problem is that these apps have become something you even need to think about. A good pre-installed app should make the laptop easier to live with, then stay out of the way until you need it again.

MSI Center at least gets some things right: it’s modular, so you can install only the features you want rather than loading everything by default.

Switch brands, though, and even familiar jobs can move somewhere completely different. A 'quiet' fan mode that takes seconds to find on one laptop might be buried under different terminology on the next.

Software like this probably deserves more consideration in laptop reviews, too. It won’t rescue poor battery life or a bad keyboard, but if you rely on it to change how the laptop behaves, it's part of the product you bought.

I don’t want laptop makers to stop building these tools. I just want them to remember what they’re for: helping me use the laptop I already bought.

Spotify, I’m I owe you a huge apology.

For the past decade you’ve been my loyal music companion, but despite my tumultuous relationships with some of your features, your unmatched ubiquity means I can freely use you across my devices — with the exception, until recently, of my TV.

My Hisense 43A6NTUK smart TV is one of my favorite pieces of tech, despite it not being in the same caliber as the best TVs we test here at TechRadar, but it had been letting me down because of one thing: VIDAA OS didn't support the Spotify app.

Until now that is. Spotify launched on VIDAA TVs at the beginning of June, but I wouldn't have known this if I hadn’t been casually flicking through my TV’s app carousel. After waiting for the best part of two years for it to arrive, you can imagine how excited I was.

Since the best music streaming service landed on my TV not a day has gone by where I haven’t used it, and it’s filled a huge void. And something miraculous happened in the process: I now enjoy viewing music videos on Spotify.

I've experienced a revelation

(Image credit: Future / Rowan Davies )

Prior to buying a smart TV, the Amazon Fire TV Stick was my streaming device of choice, and it has always supported the Spotify app. While I enjoy my playlists on mobile, streaming Spotify on the big screen offers an entirely different experience.

It’s not news that Spotify’s music video interface and I haven’t got along — its mobile experience is too clunky and disorganized for me — and I’ve always used YouTube to stream music videos as well as my favorite web shows. Even if it meant enduring a painful amount of ads, I’ve always stuck by YouTube’s side.

I’d gotten used to YouTube’s way of doing things in the absence of Spotify’s TV app, but as soon as that app arrived I fancied trying something different. The result? Goodbye YouTube.

(Image credit: Future / Rowan Davies )

Before now, I’ve never understood why I could never get along with the Spotify music video interface, but I could with YouTube; then it clicked. It wasn’t Spotify’s cluttered organization that was putting me off, it was far simpler than that: music video viewing isn’t necessarily designed for the mobile experience.

Though I only stream audio when listening through headphones, every song I play through my TV on Spotify is now more or less in video form, and I’ve been busy making the playlists to go with it.

Long live the music video

(Image credit: Future / Rowan Davies )

Music video viewing is a big part of my life, whether that’s for background listening, nostalgia indulgence, or for blasting on the big screen when I have friends around, and YouTube has always been my go-to.

What separates Spotify from the likes of YouTube is that, with the former, the focus isn’t on the music video itself. There’s the option to switch between audio and video of course, but YouTube put the music video on the map during the transitional period into digital streaming. This is what tempted me to sign up to a YouTube Premium free trial.

I began by making playlists to mimic the nostalgia of music channels, but creating playlists on YouTube is a little fiddly, and there are all kinds of issues with the queuing system. And though you can make playlists without a Premium account, the ad interruptions ruin the viewing experience. So when Spotify launched on my smart TV, I put the pedal to the metal.

Before I knew it I had made five monster MTV-themed playlists spanning from the 1980s all the way to the 2020s, each packed to the brim with songs and their accompanying videos. That was my one rule: if it doesn’t have a music video, it doesn't go in the playlist. I haven’t used YouTube to watch music videos since, and the ad-free experience still feels too good to be true, but the joy I get from it goes beyond simply watching the visual accompaniments to my favorite songs past and present.

(Image credit: Future / Rowan Davies )

I consider myself a pop culture historian, and evoking the nostalgia of music channels is one of the defining elements of my music video obsession. For me, there’s no other feeling quite like bingeing music videos from MTV’s VMA peak era — think Bad Romance, Hot N Cold, Maneater. If you were there at the time, you get it.

But the music video is so much more than that. There’s a huge educational aspect for me, allowing me to step into the past to learn more about pioneering artists who paved the way for bigger and more successful acts. Using Spotify to house my video-centric playlists has been perfect for enriching my knowledge, and it also means I get to visit my parents’ youth, all while streaming old favorites I never knew had music videos.

On reflection, I guess there was never really a reason for me to dismiss Spotify’s music video integration — I just didn’t know how to use it to its full potential. I’m still not a fan of the viewing experience for mobile, but now that I know how to optimize my music video viewing, there’s no going back.

Oh Reacher (Alan Ritchson)... what have you done? A key part of the Prime Video show is when our hero falls for the chosen girl of each season... but in Reacher season 4, that comes at a huge price.

Without giving too much away, let's just say that Reacher's current love interest Lila (Agnez Mo) hasn't been incredibly truthful about who she really is. Considering that a major CIA cover-up is in the process of being debunked, this is far from good news.

But surely this is nothing Reacher can't handle, right? And more to the point... when does Reacher season 4 episode 6 arrive on Prime Video?

What time can I watch Reacher season 4 episode 6 on Prime Video?

We're expecting episode 6 of Reacher season 4 to be available on September 2 at 12am PT / 3am ET in the US.

Internationally, look out for the below times:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 5pm AEST
• New Zealand – 7pm NZST

When do new episodes of Reacher season 4 come out?

(Image credit: Prime Video)

After its three-episode premiere, new installments of Reacher season 4 episodes will air on a weekly basis. That gives us the following release schedule:

• Episode 1: out now
• Episode 2: out now
• Episode 3: out now
• Episode 4: out now
• Episode 5: out now
• Episode 6: September 2
• Episode 7: September 9
• Episode 8: September 16

• Man Utd vs Ipswich: Sunday, August 30 at 4.30pm BST / 11.30am ET / 1.30am AEST (August 31)
• Streams: Sky Sports (UK) / USA Network via Fubo (US)
• Outside the UK? Use Norton VPN to unblock your streaming account

So much for that pre-season optimism. A 2-0 defeat by newly promoted Hull City represented an awful start to the campaign for Man Utd, who were second best against the odds-on favourites for relegation. Michael Carrick will be looking for a response from his players when they face Ipswich at Old Trafford.

Ipswich are another promoted side, but the experience of last weekend means Man Utd will not take them lightly. Home advantage is one factor in Carrick's side's favour this time around, but Man Utd must play with more intensity and dynamism here. After conceding two goals from set-pieces against Hull, they also need to be more switched-on when defending dead balls.

Ipswich beat Sunderland 2-1 last time out, so this is something of a free hit for the Tractor Boys. They possess pace and trickery on the break, so it will not be entirely one-way traffic at Old Trafford. And having already lost unexpectedly this term, Man Utd are immediately under pressure. Welcome back, Red Devils.

Here's how to watch Man Utd vs Ipswich in the 2026/27 Premier League from anywhere in the world.

Man Utd vs Ipswich team news

Man Utd XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Tielemans, Fernandes, Rashford, Cunha, Mbeumo.

Ipswich XI: Scherpen, O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis, Lukic, Nunez, Fatawu, Enciso, Maeda, Emersonn.

How to watch Man Utd vs Ipswich from anywhere

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How to watch Man Utd vs Ipswich live streams in the USA

Soccer fans in the US can watch Man Utd vs Ipswich in the Premier League on USA Network.

There is no dedicated streaming platform for USA Network, but it is available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV, many of which carry free trials.

Outside of the US? Use a VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

How to watch Man Utd vs Ipswich live streams in the UK

(Image credit: Future)

In the UK, Man Utd vs Ipswich is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Sky Sports packages cost £35 per month for new customers, or £22 per month if you already have a new 24-month Sky TV contract.

If you're out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.

How to watch Man Utd vs Ipswich live streams in Canada

Fubo is the Premier League's broadcast partner in Canada and has live coverage of Man Utd vs Ipswich.

Prices start from CA$31.49 per month for Fubo's Sports Monthly package. However, the best option right now is the Quarterly Package which costs just CA$27.99 CA$14.99 for each of your first three months. You can also watch Fubo's content if you have a selected DAZN subscription in Canada.

Not in Canada? Use Norton VPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your preferred coverage from anywhere.

How to watch Man Utd vs Ipswich live streams in Australia

(Image credit: free)

A Man Utd vs Ipswich live stream is available in Australia on Stan Sport.

You can pick up a Stan Sport subscription for as little as AU$29.99 per month for the basic plan containing adds. That price consists of the AU$9.99 Stan subscription fee plus the Sport add-on for AU$20.

Outside of Oz? You can use a VPN to access your usual Premier League coverage.

What is the Man Utd vs Ipswich start time?

Man Utd vs Ipswich kicks off at 4.30pm BST / 11.30am ET / 8.30am PT on Sunday, 30 August.

If you are Down Under, the game will be broadcast at 1.30am AEST on Monday, 31 August.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

• There's more evidence of a tie-in with Philips Hue and Nanoleaf
• An official support page appeared and then disappeared
• We could get an announcement about this later in the week

A few days ago we heard some whispers that Philips Hue would be adding support for Nanoleaf Shapes, meaning these lights could be controlled in the app — and now the integration has almost been officially confirmed.

As spotted by Android Authority, a support page for the Nanoleaf integration briefly went up on the Philips Hue website, explaining the types of light that would be supported, and explaining a little bit about how the tie-in will work.

That support page has now promptly disappeared again, suggesting that it was put up too early by mistake. According to the initial rumor, Philips Hue will be adding support for Nanoleaf integration on Thursday, September 3, which seems about right.

Put together that first leak and the brief appearance of an official support page, and it's now looking extremely likely that this will happen. However, until Philips Hue makes the announcement, nothing is guaranteed.

Nanoleaf panels behaving like Hue lights

A new Philips Hue wall module is expected to control Nanoleaf Shapes (Image credit: Nanoleaf)

According to the support page that has now been yanked from the web, the integration means Nanoleaf panels will "behave like a Hue light, ready to be used across your entire smart lighting setup".

There was also a line saying that Nanoleaf panels behave similarly to a gradient striplight", so you should be able to use the standard color wheel in the Philips Hue app to adjust the colors of the Nanoleaf panels you've got connected.

All of this will be made possible through a Philips Hue Wall Light Module that will connect to Nanoleaf devices. The support document lists Nanoleaf Hexagons, Triangles, and Mini Triangles as the smart lights that are going to be supported.

While there are still some questions about exactly how the connectivity is going to work — with a lot of smart home standards to account for — this seems like good news for both Philips Hue and Nanoleaf users.

• Researchers found unclaimed llms.txt references on 120 domains, exploitable by cybercriminals
• AI agents could install malware if they execute hallucinated or outdated documentation commands
• Fixes: clean documentation and restrict AI agents from treating docs as executable instructions

Cybercriminals are able to now abuse hallucinated, outdated, and outright incorrect website documentation to deliver malware to unsuspecting victims through AI agents, new research has claimed.

An increasing number of websites now contain two documents: llms.txt, and llms-full.txt. These are conventions that allow AI agents to properly read the contents of the websites. If an AI agent is looking to install software or add code to a project, they can search through these documents across the web until they find a fitting solution.

Researcher Alon Hertz analyzed 6,214 live domains belonging to defense contractors, Fortune 500 organizations, as well as big tech. On these domains he found 8,265 of these .txt files and among them 120 (all on a different site) pointing to one or more code packages and domain names that weren’t registered at all.

Claiming packages and domains

There can be a myriad of reasons why they’re not registered. It can be due to human error, renamed or abandoned packages, copy/paste errors, or hallucinated documentation.

Now, for the purpose of the experiment, Hertz registered some of these unclaimed names and hosted packages that would phone home when installed. It took less than an hour for a Fortune 500 company to start pinging, and the numbers soon grew to “a few dozen more”.

This means that if the researchers can do it, so can cybercriminals. In theory, a cybercriminal could find these unclaimed packages and register malware. If an AI agent has permission to execute shell/package-manager commands and stumbles upon this documentation, it can end up infecting the device.

Claude, OpenAI’s Codex, and Nous Research’s Hermes were all “guilty”, the researchers said.

To fix the vulnerability, two things need to happen. First, companies need to clean up their documentation and make sure it’s not pointing towards non-existent or malicious content. Second, AI agents need to stop treating documentation as executable instructions. Since the latter most likely isn’t happening any time soon, the immediate answer would probably lie in the former. In the meantime, organizations using AI for coding should consider the risks when granting AI agents permission to execute commands.

Via Ars Technica

Open earbuds are super-hot right now, especially with great options from more premium brands — our guide to the best open earbuds is full of these. But prices have been coming down, and you can now find super-cheap options on Amazon, many for under $40 / £40 / AU$60. Some are from brands you’ve never heard of, others from well-known brands that are selling older models at a discount.

We all know that buying budget tech tends to come with a few sacrifices. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider them (just take a look at the great picks in our best budget earbuds guide for proof).

The problem is that open earbuds are tricky to get right. You need a combination of stability to keep them in place and an audio mix that’s engaging while also allowing ambient noise to get through. The only way to know if they've succeeded is to test them, so I picked three options from generally reliable budget earbuds brands and put them through their paces, all for under $40 / £35.99 / AU$60.

I put the Tozo OpenEarRing, Soundcore Anker V20i and Belkin SoundForm ClearFit buds to the test, listening to music and podcasts with them all over the course of two weeks.

There was no point focusing on whether these are elite sonic performers — they won’t be, and that's. But I wanted to know whether they’d still fit well, deliver enjoyable audio, and do a good job at keeping me aware of my surroundings.

For those who like to cut to the chase, I'll tell you up front that I think the Tozo OpenEarRing are actually good, the Anker Soundcore V20i are a solid buy, and the Belkin aren't worth it — but read on for exactly why.

(Image credit: Future)Fit and stability

The whole point of open earbuds is they keep your ear canal open so you can hear both your music and what’s going on around you. But that means they’re challenging to design because there are no in-ear tips to keep them securely in place.

Instead, what keeps them stable is either an ear hook that sits around the back of your head, or an ear clip that slips over the side of your ear. (There are some options that just sit in the ear like regular earbuds, but without inserting into the ear canal — but when it comes to open earbuds most people focus on hook or clip style.)

The Belkin SoundForm ClearFit buds have the ear hook design, but it’s a fairly short hook and the angle it curves at didn’t feel particularly comfortable behind my ear.

The main unit of the bud, which sits in front of your ear, is also quite bulky. It felt like there were weight distribution issues between the hook and the buds, which meant they never felt totally secure when I was walking, and slipped and bounced around a little when I was running.

What made this experience worse was that the touch controls on the side of the buds were incredibly sensitive, so in trying to get the right fit or move them back into position, I was playing/pausing and skipping tracks without meaning to.

The Belkin SoundForm ClearFit pictured here in their charging case (Image credit: Future)

Now, the Soundcore Anker V20i may look similar with their ear hooks, but these are longer, which kept them more stable because they were anchored in place. They also had a really useful customization feature at the base of the hook, which gives you four slightly different angles to wear them at, depending on the shape of your ear, to help keep them secure.

They felt a little unstable on longer, sweatier runs, but their design differences meant they fit much better than the Belkin buds did.

The Soundcore Anker V20i buds in their charging case. Those hooks can be every so slightly adjusted to give you a better fit (Image credit: Future)

The Tozo OpenEarRing buds have a different design altogether. They’re part of a category of buds we refer to as 'clip-on'. You part the buds ever-so-slightly and then slip them over your helix at the side of your ear.

Tozo’s take on this design was very easy to wear. It’s worth mentioning here that this style of design does get much closer to your ear than the ear hook style does, which instead sits above it. But the main, circular part of the Tozo buds sat in my concha comfortably, while still not creating a seal, so my ear canals were kept open.

In the past, I’ve preferred clip-on designs. I wear glasses often, and wear sunglasses over summer. I also have thick hair. These factors mean it never feels like there’s enough space behind my ear for buds with ear hooks.

Having said that, plenty of people do rate more expensive hook-style designs, like the Shokz OpenFit 2+. But if I wanted to play it safe with a cheaper pair, I’d pick the clip-on style every time — and that was the case with the Tozo. I had no complaints at all about the fit.

The Tozo OpenEarRing buds pictured here in their charging case, which have a cool little screen that shows you the battery level (Image credit: Future)Fit for purpose sound

I wasn’t expecting high-fidelity sound from these buds. But I wanted to test whether they could achieve a decent listening volume (sometimes a challenge with open buds) and if there was enough musicality to make for an engaging and fun listen.

I’ve had people tell me they like having a pair of open earbuds for listening to podcasts while they walk, so I also tested how vocals sounded.

The Belkin buds were a disappointing listen with most genres of music. Even at the highest volume they felt quiet. But pushing them to higher volumes gave a really tinny and distant quality to the tracks. There also wasn’t much bass and the mix lacked definition, with instruments tending to blur together. If you’re listening to any sort of music with power behind it, it’ll lack impact here.

Having said that, tracks that were mostly instrumental sounded decent and podcast vocals were clear enough. Combine these experiences with the fit and I think I’d only recommend these buds if you want to listen to podcasts while you’re walking.

(Image credit: Future)

The Soundcore buds performed a little better. They were noticeably louder, but achieving higher volumes is tricky in this design. There was a little more bass presence and weight in bass-heavy tracks, so they're largely fine if you want to listen to a workout playlist but don’t need that thumping low end. Podcasts sounded pretty good too.

The Tozo buds sit much closer to your ear, which means they can achieve pretty high volumes. I also noted good instrument separation and a clarity that surprised me at this level. I felt a sense of things feeling a little bright, sharp and fatiguing eventually, but that was after several hours of use on a long walk.

Now, I wouldn’t say the bass had much weight or impact, but the sound was impressive given that these are open and incredibly cheap. Especially if you tweak the EQ, which is very easy from within the app. Just don’t expect the kind of low-end extension you’d get from an in-ear pair and you’ll be fine.

Does sound leak out?

Most open designs are built to point sound waves towards your ear, so even though they’re open, everyone around you won’t hear what you’re listening to. But in practice, these buds can leak a lot of sound.

I ran several tests to determine what the sound leakage was like at different volumes and distances.

The Soundcore buds performed well. When I was listening to podcasts and music at a medium volume, they weren’t audible from about two feet away — but crank music up to full volume and you can hear it faintly from three or four feet away.

The Belkin buds had the most sound leakage. They felt the furthest away from my ears, so maybe that’s to be expected. At two feet, podcasts and mid volume music was audible, but only if I was testing in a really quiet environment. At full volume, they could be easily heard from three or four feet away in a quiet-ish environment too.

The Tozo buds can get much louder, so I expected a lot more sound leakage. Surprisingly, they performed similarly to the Soundcore buds. There was some faint leakage at lower volumes or in a louder environment. In a really quiet environment and at full volume, I could definitely hear the music from a couple of feet away, but only faintly.

These aren’t options for quiet office spaces, but you knew that already given the design. It’s worth considering that there’s always going to be a little noise leakage in a cheaper, open design, but I’d say a clip-on choice will minimize it significantly given the simple fact that the speakers are closer to your ears.

(Image credit: Future)Awareness of your surroundings

I’ve said in reviews several times before that if you don’t really need open buds, there’s little reason to consider them. I personally think you get a lot more for your money from in-ear designs among the best earbuds. But if you do really like the idea of hearing your surroundings as you listen to music, for your safety or just to feel connected to the world, then have at them.

Both the Belkin buds and Soundcore buds let a little more environmental sound in simply because they were a little further away from my ear. I heard close conversations, traffic, alarms and people shouting.

(Image credit: Future)

Now, ironically, at one point I was so preoccupied trying to get the Belkin to feel more stable, I actually lost my focus on the sound of nearby traffic, so I still ended up unaware of my surroundings. So I guess that just goes to show how important fit is.

With the Tozo buds at full volume playing music, I definitely wasn’t aware of as much outside sound, but I could still easily hear alarms, traffic and shouting. When I was using them to listen to podcasts, I was aware of everything.

Levels of awareness are pretty subjective and hard to judge. You could be hearing everything around you and still get distracted by your music or your own thoughts. But I’d say if you want to hear as much as possible, go for ear hooks designs.

Fuss-free controls

(Image credit: Future)

When I’m out walking or running and want to pay attention to my surroundings, I don’t want to be getting my phone out every few minutes to pause or skip tracks. Which is why I want to quickly mention the controls you’ll find on each pair of buds.

As I mentioned earlier, the Belkin buds had controls that were way too sensitive. It also seems like the whole front panel of the buds registers touch controls, which made them really difficult to use or wear. Unfortunately, there’s no app support for these buds to turn those off.

Once you memorize what these different controls mean, they do become handy. But the accidental taps outweighed the benefit of the intentional ones.

The Soundcore buds also have sensitive controls, but it was much easier to position them without setting them off. I also like that you can customize them from within the app.

Tozo’s controls don’t work with a single tap. I like this as it solves the issue of unwanted taps. But then again, the double click to play/pause was sometimes difficult to register.

This highlights a fundamental design problem with open buds. You’ll need to be able to touch them often to get the right fit, but still need to be able to touch them to control them.

(Image credit: Future)The cheap Amazon open earbuds winner

The winner here was definitely the Tozo OpenEarRing buds, outshining the other two in terms of fit, stability and sound.

They weren’t perfect, but if you want a super-cheap choice that’s going to deliver decent sound and allow you to hear most of what’s going on around you too, I think they’re surprisingly solid.

If you can stretch your budget, other brands do clip-ons well. The Soundpeats Clip1 are currently our top sub-£100/$100 clip-on pick in our best open earbuds guide.

If you’re set on ear hooks, the Anker Soundcore V20i buds will deliver satisfactory sound with a fairly reliable fit, as long as super intense workouts aren’t your thing.

There are many other cheaper options on Amazon, but I think being aware that there are trade-offs at this level, and deciding which you’re willing to accept, will get you the best possible buds for your budget.

• Stream Day 1 at US Open 2026 for FREE on 9Now (AU)
• Use Norton VPN to watch from anywhere
• Start time: 11am ET / 8am PT / 4pm BST / 1am AEST

The US Open Day 1 2026 live stream sees the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year take its berth at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York. And there are plenty of the sport's most famous faces on show.

Still chasing her first major, number 3 seed and 2024 finalist Jessica Pegula gets things started in the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday at 12pm ET local time in a 1st Round tie against Romanian Elena Ruse. That's followed by 2021 men's champion Daniil Medvedev taking on Hugo Gaston.

The evening session on the main court is looking like a veritable blockbuster. Four-time winner Novak Djokovic will get his campaign for a Roger Federer-equalling fifth title with a potentially tricky encounter with Mariano Navone from 7pm ET. And then it's the legendary Venus Williams starting her 26th US Open with an all-American matchup against Sofia Kenin.

Playing elsewhere around the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are the likes of Tommy Paul, Cameron Norrie, Jasmine Paolini and Elina Svitolina. You can find Sunday's full Order of Play and expected start times at the bottom of this article.

Here's how to watch US Open Day 1 2026 from anywhere in the world – including where you can find FREE live streams.

Can you watch US Open Day 1 2026 for free?

Yes. Free US Open 2026 Day 1 coverage is being shown all day on 9Gem in Australia, with live streaming available via 9Now.

In the US, select matches are being shown on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, which are all carried by YouTube TV (10-day free trial), DirecTV Stream (5-day free trial) and Hulu+Live TV (3-day free trial).

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch Day 1 action from the 2026 US Open for free as if you were right at home.

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How to watch US Open 2026 Day 1 live streams in the US

Coverage of Day 1 at the 2026 US Open is being provided by ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and ESPN Unlimited in the US.

ESPN Unlimited is live streaming every match on every court and costs $31.99 a month or $319.99 for a full year. Or bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for $35.99.

Alternatively, ESPN and ESPN2 and ABC are all available through Sling TV. Sling Orange (from $4.99 for a day) and Sling Essentials (from $19.99 per month) both feature ESPN and ESPN2. While its Orange & Blue plan starts at $60.99 a month and adds ABC in select locations.

Alternatively, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC are also carried by Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, each of which offers a free trial to new users.

Outside of the US? Use a VPN while you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

How to watch US Open 2026 Day 1 live streams in the UK

In the UK, live US Open 2026 coverage is being provided by Sky Sports. Day 1 coverage will be shown across the Sky Sports+ and Tennis channels on TV, while subscribers can use the Sky Go app to watch online.

Sky Sports packages start at £35 a month with £22 a month pricing available for those who are already customers. Remember you can also access via a NOW Sports Membership.

If you're out of the UK but still want to tune in via Sky Go, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.

How to watch US Open 2026 Day 1 live streams in Australia

Action from Day 1 at the 2026 US Open is free-to-air on 9Gem in Australia, with live streaming available via the 9Now platform.

Stan Sport, meanwhile, will have exhaustive coverage of every court. Stan Sport costs AU$20 a month on top of a Stan subscription, which itself starts at AU$9.99. It's also home to the Premier League, Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, Super Rugby, the Nations Championship and much more.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like Norton VPN to watch all the action as if you were back home.

How to watch US Open 2026 Day 1 live streams in Canada

In Canada, US Open 2026 tennis is exclusive to TSN. Action from Day 1 will be shown across TSN 1, 2, 3 and 4.

If you don't have cable, the TSN subscription service allows tennis fans to watch US Open Day 1 coverage online. Plans start from CA$24.99 a month to access what goes out on regular TSN, or CA$29.99 for more comprehensive coverage via TSN Premium.

Want to tune in from outside Canada? You can always use a VPN to watch geo-blocked streams when overseas.

(Image credit: Getty Images- Clive Brunskill )US Open 2026 Day 1 schedule

Arthur Ashe Stadium
Jessica Pegula (3) vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse – From 12pm ET / 5pm BST
Daniil Medvedev (7) vs Hugo Gaston (follows)
Novak Djokovic (4) vs Mariano Navone – From 7pm ET / 12am BST (Mon)
Venus Williams vs Sofia Kenin (follows)

Louis Armstrong Stadium
Jasmine Paolini (19) vs Veronika Erjavec – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Tommy Paul (20) vs Coleman Wong (follows)
Elina Svitolina (9) vs Solana Sierra – From 7pm ET / 12am BST (Mon)
Alexander Bublik (15) vs J.J. Wolf (follows)

Grandstand
Jiří Lehečka (18) vs Pablo Carreño Busta – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Marta Kostyuk (11) vs Storm Hunter (follows)
Denis Shapovalov vs Miomir Kecmanovic (follows)
Emma Navarro (26) vs Lois Boisson – Not before 5pm ET / 10pm BST

Stadium 17
Barbora Krejcikova (27) vs Kamilla Rakhimova – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Leylah Fernandez (31) vs Shuai Zhang (follows)
Jenson Brooksby vs Jaime Faria (follows)
Alex Michelsen vs Federico Cina – Not before 5pm ET / 10pm BST

Court 5
Talia Gibson vs Donna Vekic – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Cameron Norrie (29) vs Luca Van Assche (follows)
Katie Boulter vs Carol Young Suh Lee (follows)
Martin Landaluce vs Jacob Fearnley (follows)

Court 6
Renata Zarazua vs Polina Iatcenko – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Emiliana Arango vs Xinyu Wang (follows)
Adrian Mannarino vs Thiago Agustin Tirante (follows)
Tomás Martín Etcheverry (27) vs Vit Kopriva (follows)

Court 7
Arthur Rinderknech (26) vs Sho Shimabukuro – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Dayana Yastremska vs Lucrezia Stefanini (follows)
Aleksandar Vukic vs Rei Sakamoto (follows)
Petra Marcinko vs Kimberly Birrell (follows)

Court 10
Dino Prizmic vs Alexander Shevchenko – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Tomáš Macháč vs Toby Samuel (follows)

Court 11
Yibing Wu vs Adam Walton – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Elvina Kalieva vs Lanlana Tararudee (follows)
Ekaterina Alexandrova (18) vs Mccartney Kessler (follows)
Ronald Collignon vs Sebastian Gorzny (follows)

Court 12
Hamad Medjedovic vs Kamil Majchrzak – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Lloyd Harris vs James Kennedy (follows)
Hanne Vandewinkel vs Karolína Plíšková (follows)
Talia Preston vs Alycia Parks (follows)

Court 13
Marton Fucsovics vs Daniel Merida – From 11am ET / 4pm BST
Jaume Munar vs Terence Atmane (follows)

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

From the iPhone 18 lineup to the Apple Watch 12 and new AirPods, this is everything Apple could release in its anticipated September event.

Arguably the most well-known band in the world, The Beatles still command headlines over 50 years after they first crashed onto the music scene. The surviving members are still releasing music on the best music streaming services, there's a massive four-movie biopic coming out in a few years, and personality quizzes are still popping up.

We know loads about The Beatles, including the temperament and differences of each of the band's members: George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. And it means we can work out which of the performers you're most like.

Using just your tech decisions (because we are, of course, TechRadar), we're going to work out just which of the band members you are. We'll ask you about phone buying decisions, how you decide which earbuds to buy, and what you'd do in some sticky tech situations.

All of these will lead to the ultimate answer: which of The Beatles are you? This 30-question quiz will help us find out.

The first 10 questions are simple buying decisions, while the second 10 take things deeper to work out how you make such decisions. Finally, the last 10 will dive into specific lifestyle circumstances for some 'field work'.

If you're still gripped by Beatlesmania, here's some catch-up you can do:

Terra Kaffe Aero: two-minute review

The Terra Kaffe Aero does what it does well. There are four settings: Cold Foam, Hot Froth, Hot Milk, and Matcha. Just spin the dial and press it to make your selection. In just a few minutes, your beverage will be ready to drink. Cleaning it is super easy, just remove the whisk and hand-wash it, the pitcher, and the lid.

I found that all of the settings worked well. I tested each of the milk settings with skim milk which worked great. I also tested them all with a barista-style pistachio milk which came highly recommended in my research, and that also worked really well. I did try a low-calorie almond milk (not specifically made for frothing, and not recommended, but I had it in the house) and that was a fail, though I can't blame the Aero for that.

I made matcha in the Aero several different ways. Though I'm new to matcha, I thought it turned out just as yummy as the $7 matcha latte I got at my local coffee and tea shop.

Just for kicks, I also made a simple salad dressing. I just put together some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and used the Cold Foam setting. The Terra Kaffe Aero emulsified the dressing beautifully.

If you're looking for a dedicated pitcher-style frother, I don't know how you could really do better than the Terra Kaffe Aero.

Terra Kaffe Aero: price and availability

• Available at Amazon and on Terra Kaffe's website
• Retails for $149.95 (£110.73 GBP/$210.85 AUD)
• Choose Matte Black or Stainless Steel

The Terra Kaffe Aero milk frother is currently available on Amazon and on Terra Kaffe's own website. The retail price is $149.95 (£110.73 GBP/$210.85 AUD). It comes in two different colorways, Matte Black or Stainless Steel, though both color options refer only to the pitcher itself. The base is matte black on both models.

Terra Kaffe Aero: specsTerra Kaffe Aero specs

Name

Terra Kaffe Aero

Heated temperature range

140°F–160°F

Dimensions

Carafe: 4.3” (H) x 3.8” (Diameter)
Base: 4.2” (W) x 2.4” (H) x 4.2” (Diameter)

Carafe material

Stainless steel, glass, silicone, and plastic

Settings

Cold Foam, Hot Froth, Hot Milk, Matcha

Volume

6.7 oz (Hot Froth), 13.5 oz (Hot Milk)

Compatible milk types

Dairy, oat, almond, soy, and more (ideally, choose a "Barista" style)

Terra Kaffe Aero: design

• Attractive and simple design
• Interchangeable whisks for milk or matcha
• Four settings

The Terra Kaffe Aero is an elegantly designed multi-use milk frother. It's nice-looking and it's something you won't mind having out on your kitchen counter.

The Aero comes with two different whisks, one for milk and one for matcha. Place your whisk of choice in the bottom of the pitcher until it clicks into place. Add your liquid, the minimum and maximum fill lines are clearly printed on the inside. Place the lid on top and the pitcher on the base. Spin the dial on the base until you get to the one you want and then press it. The base is magnetized, which is how it controls the whisk from inside the pitcher. Progress lights show you how your beverage is coming along and a series of beeps let you know it's complete.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

There is a "hidden" settings menu on the Terra Kaffe Aero. To access it, turn the dial to select the drink setting you wish to adjust. Double click the dial (press twice within .7 seconds) to enter that drink's settings menu. The selected drink will flash and the current setting will be indicated by the number of LED lights. For the Hot Milk and Matcha settings, turn the dial to adjust the temperature. For the Cold Foam and Hot Froth settings, turning the dial will adjust the amount of froth.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Terra Kaffe Aero: performance

• Couldn't be easier to use
• Takes just over three minutes
• Beautiful foam from both dairy and plant milk

I put the Terra Kaffe Aero through its paces, and overall I think it did a great job. The foams held up nicely, even after stirring. I tested each of the settings, Cold Foam, Hot Froth, Hot Milk, and Matcha several times. I tried out both dairy milk and plant milk, and learned some things along the way.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)Hot froth (dairy milk)

I prefer skim milk, so that's what I used. A dairy milk with a bit of fat in it will likely foam up even better, but I was happy with the results I got using skim. Surprisingly, whole milk and cream are not the best milks for frothing, as they have too much fat. Two percent is the ideal frothing milk.

I started with the Hot Froth setting, pouring in skim milk up to the minimum fill line. I thought the foam was just lovely, as you can see in my series of photos below. The foam held up fine to stirring.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureCold foam (dairy milk)

The Cold Foam setting with skim milk also came out great. It's perfect for iced coffee and other cold beverages.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureHot milk (dairy milk)

The Hot Milk setting with skim milk turned out fine, though it perhaps produced more foam than I was expecting. If you hate foam and just want the milk hot, you're better off using a different method of heating your milk. If you don't mind a bit of foam, this will work for you.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FuturePlant-based milks

First I tried frothing a random low-calorie almond milk I had in the house. Don't bother with this. After that complete fail, I did some research about the best plant-based milks for frothing, and the one I had just tried was at the bottom of the barrel.

There are a few exceptions, but the easiest way to choose a plant milk that will froth properly is to pick one that says "barista" right on the label. The barista milks are made for frothing and they have enough fat (or gums or other additives) to do so. I chose a barista-labeled pistachio milk without gums but with a good amount of fat in it. I picked this one for its mild, milky flavor, but you could also use other nut milks or soy, oat, or pea milk. As long as it says barista on the label, you're good to go. If you can't find one with the barista labeling, at least look for a full-fat plant milk. Oat and soy are supposed to be particularly good for this.

I used the barista-style plant milk to make both hot froth and cold foam several times. It worked really well, in fact it was just about the same as the dairy milk.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureMatcha

I had never actually had matcha before, so my son suggested that I try one a coffee/tea shop before reviewing the Terra Kaffe Aero. That way I'd know what it's "supposed" to taste like before making it myself. I did so and was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked it. I don't really like green tea or even black tea all that much, but matcha has more of a mild taste in my opinion.

Matcha is traditionally made with a fair amount of equipment, including a sieve and a bamboo whisk. Enthusiasts will also use a scale to measure out the amount of matcha powder and water with precision.

I made matcha in the Terra Kaffe Aero a bunch of times, using instructions I found online specifically for using a milk frother as opposed to using all of the "proper" equipment. I purchased some ceremonial-grade (which is a higher grade than culinary) matcha powder, which came with a measuring scoop. I used that for measuring the powder rather than a scale. I did not sift the powder through a sieve, though my results might have been better if I had: I usually had a bit of powder at the bottom of my cup.

At any rate, I found two different basic recommended methods in my research: make the matcha in water and then add milk, or make the matcha directly in the milk. I found I preferred the former method, because the latter resulted in a too-milky beverage for my taste. However, both methods worked just fine in the Terra Kaffe Auto.

I will note that I did get a bit of powder left at the bottom of my matcha drinks. So it's not a perfect system, but it's a heck of a lot easier than doing it the traditional way.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureAnd more

Just for fun, I decided to make a simple salad dressing. I don't know about you, but I hate salad dressings where the oil and vinegar elements are separated. I prefer my dressings totally emulsified. So, I poured a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar into the Aero and started the Cold Foam cycle. Not that I was looking for foam, but I definitely didn't want it hot. The results: a perfectly emulsified and delicious salad dressing. There was a tiny bit of foam but it disappeared when I poured it onto my salad.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Terra Kaffe Aero?Terra Kaffe Aero score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It's probably better than a hand-held battery-operated whisk, but it's also far more expensive

4/5

Design

The Aero is aesthetically pleasing and cleverly designed.

4.5/5

Performance

It performed well with both plant and dairy milk, matcha, and more.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You want a one-touch frother

You don't want to put in the extra effort to froth your milk with a frothing wand or hand frother. Just dial and press.

You want to make matcha without all the accoutrements

No need to buy (and often replace) a bamboo whisk and the other matcha tools. Just scoop your matcha powder into water or milk, select the Matcha setting, and press.

You want something attractive you can leave on the counter

Beautify your coffee station at home with the Terra Kaffe Aero. You won't want to hide it away.

Don't buy it if

It's out of budget

You're paying for the convenience, functionality, and aesthetics here. While a hand-held battery-operated whisk frother is a bit more hit-or-miss, it's exponentially cheaper.

You're a matcha-making expert

If you already have the whole matcha setup at home and the routine (or should I say ritual) down pat, the Aero version of matcha may not do it for you.

You just don't want another appliance

While this isn't a large machine, it is another appliance you'll need to devote space (and an outlet) to in your kitchen.View Deal

Terra Kaffe Aero: also consider

Smeg Mini Milk Frother

This little beauty come in a number of colors. It makes hot froth, cold foam, and hot milk. It does take up less space on the counter than the Terra Kaffe Aero.

Read our Smeg Mini Milk Frother review

Philips Baristina Milk Frother

It's a bit cheaper and smaller than the Terra Kaffe Aero. It makes hot milk, hot foam, and cold foam. Choose from two colors, black or white.

Check out our Philips Baristina Milk Frother reviewView Deal

How I tested the Terra Kaffe Aero

I tested all of the settings: Hot Froth, Hot Milk, Cold Foam, and Matcha multiple times. I tested skim dairy milk and two different plant-based milks. I made matcha in water and tried it straight, added frothed milk to it, and made the matcha directly in milk. I tested it both hot and iced. I also made a simple salad dressing on the Cold Foam setting.

First reviewed August 2026

Almost all of the big names in cameras — Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, OM System, Sigma, Ricoh, Pentax and others — hail from Japan, the birthplace of digital photography.

Want one of the best mirrorless cameras? Unless it's a Leica or a Hasselblad, right now it'll come from Japan. But a new superpower is rising up in the camera industry, and that's China.

Take DJI, which is headquartered in Shenzhen. It has surpassed GoPro to lead action cam sales, and dominates numerous other sales charts with its pocket vlogging cameras and range of drones.

Insta360, meanwhile, leads the way in 360 cameras. And within interchangeable-lens camera ecosystems, Chinese lens manufacturer Viltrox is a growing force, producing lenses for Sony, Nikon and Fujifilm cameras and, more recently, L-mount.

A string of recent reports and rumors suggest that certain China-based manufacturers are about to break new ground by producing their first mirrorless cameras — and I think this could be the dramatic shake up that the industry needs.

In another nod to photography, Insta360 made a 'retro' kit for its 4K Go 3S modular action cam, which features an optical waist-level viewfinderInsta360Viltrox has a large collection of lenses for Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm and L-mount cameras. Could it's own mirrorless camera be next?Tim ColemanWhat Chinese mirrorless cameras can we expect?

First, there are the concrete reports. Insta360 CEO Jingkang 'JK' Liu revealed the 360 camera specialist is making not one but two mirrorless cameras. He described one of these as being "a shape no one thought of" that has "the potential to completely change the way we take pictures", while leaked pictures of the other point to a minimalist Micro Four Thirds body.

Liu's reference to a new camera shape, along with the Insta360 CEO's recent post about replacing photographers with "intelligent photography robots" (remarks he clarified somewhat when I interviewed Insta360) has me thinking that a completely new kind of camera could be on the cards.

And it's not just Insta360. Viltrox, which makes superb lenses for multiple camera systems — many of which I have reviewed, most recently a superb 'pancake' optic — is in an excellent position to disrupt Canon and Sony's 70%-plus share of the digital camera market.

For many, mirrorless cameras are simply unaffordable, and Viltrox could change that situation.

Viltrox makes top-quality lenses for a fraction of the price of proprietary optics, though it's yet to produce a zoom lens (I'm expecting one soon enough, though). If it could apply that same value principle to an equally high-quality camera body, it could potentially dominate the beginner segment of the market, with its own lenses already in production. For many, mirrorless cameras are simply unaffordable, and Viltrox could change that situation.

Think about it: Viltrox might have already made the lenses for a future Viltrox mirrorless camera. Currently, it makes optics for the full-frame and APS-C formats (we're yet to see a Micro Four Thirds lens, despite a teaser suggesting we should have some by now).

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on a beginner-level Viltrox mirrorless camera in the APS-C format, with an L-mount. Why so? We've seen reports of two new Viltrox APS-C format prime lenses for L-mount.

Two new lenses don't mean much in isolation. But when you consider that there are no current APS-C format camera bodies using the L-mount, that begs up the question: why make lenses that no current camera can use, unless you're making that camera yourself?

I might be getting ahead of myself. But an industry that's long been dominated and shaped by the big three — Canon, Sony and Nikon, more recently joined by Fujifilm, which has wrestled third place from Nikon after it sparked a surge of interest in retro cameras — could do with a shake-up.

I don't mean another AI-powered shake-up, along the lines of the Nano banana-equipped Caira camera, which can make live edits to your photos in-camera based on word prompts, but a shake-up that makes mirrorless cameras more affordable, and in which the form factor / handling playbooks are ripped up. Those are the kind of changes I'd be excited to see.

Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most successful technologies ever invented, and now span everything from smartphones to power stations — but the technology is not without its flaws and limitations, and scientists are now busy trying to figure out which type of next-gen battery will take over next.

One of the big safety risks with lithium-ion is thermal runaway, causing overheating and fires, and some future battery technologies are focusing on this in particular. One of the leading contenders, sodium-ion, just passed a major safety test at Hyundai, while this battery type is also showing lots of promise overall.

Here's what you need to know about the recent breakthrough we've seen with sodium-ion technology, what its benefits are more broadly, and how it might eventually overtake lithium-ion as the default battery chemistry of choice.

Hyundai, Unigrid, and the thermal runway

We know that lithium-ion batteries are a fire risk, and that's specifically where a US start-up called Unigrid is directing its attention. The company has developed a type of sodium-ion battery, using sodium chromium oxide (NCO) cell chemistry, which has just been given the safety seal of approval by South Korean giant Hyundai.

According to Unigrid (via Interesting Engineering), the batteries have now achieved "critical technology validation milestones" after being put to the test by Hyundai's technical evaluation program. Stringent safety experiments were completed with no fire and no thermal propagation (where fire spreads between batteries, an important consideration in factories and industrial use).

What's more, the sodium-ion NCO batteries showed "minimal capacity degradation" after sustained continuous cycling, while the units also held up under a wide range of temperatures: from -20C to 60C (that's -4F to 140F). This is only one set of tests in a limited number of scenarios, but the tech has passed with an excellent grade.

Today's gadgets make use of lithium-ion (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

The key change here is given away in the name: sodium ions rather than lithium ions are shuttling between the positive electrode (cathode) and negative electrode (anode). Both battery technologies have actually been around for about the same length of time, but the superior energy density of lithium-ion is why it's won out in recent years. Now sodium-ion is increasingly being looked at again.

As well as potentially improved safety from a thermal runaway perspective, another key difference is that sodium is much more abundant and widely available than lithium is. That's becoming a more important consideration as the planet creaks under increasing environmental strain, and it means the raw materials are more affordable (though the overall cost of sodium-ion batteries remains higher than lithium-ion for now).

There's still a lot of work to do, as a 2026 review published in the Journals of Materials Chemistry A points out. The energy density problem remains, for example, which makes sodium-ion a more viable option for large-scale energy storage, rather than the batteries we've got inside our phones and tablets.

The future of sodium-ion

With all of that in mind, the thinking is that sodium-ion is more likely to exist alongside lithium-ion, at least in the shorter term. While the new batteries like those developed by Unigrid have plenty of potential, there are also plenty of challenges that need addressing.

As reported in Nature, the world's largest battery manufacturer CATL has announced that it'll start mass producing sodium-ion batteries before the end of 2026. The Chinese manufacturer says it has deals in place with both a car maker and a provider of energy-storage stations for electricity grids.

However, the sodium-ion ingredient mix is different in the CATL batteries: it's using a sodium-ion technology known as Prussian white, which is potentially cheaper to make, easier to manufacture at scale, and longer-lasting, though there are questions over the energy density of these batteries.

The main difference in sodium-ion is the ingredients (Image credit: Nature)

The good news is that rapid progress is being made in the areas where sodium-ion batteries still fall short. Researchers are looking closely at the different mixtures and chemical combinations that might work best for this — and some scientists have even floated the idea of removing the fixed anode materials in the battery altogether (so rechargeable batteries would work more like disposable batteries).

There are a lot of variables involved, from the stability of the world economy to the power demands that AI data centers continue to put on global energy networks, but we can expect to hear about plenty more breakthroughs with sodium-ion battery technology in the coming years.

"Sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a compelling alternative to lithium-ion systems, particularly for stationary storage and cost-sensitive mobility applications," writes Abu Faizal Abdul Salam et al in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A. "Continued efforts in materials research, standardization of testing methodologies, and real-world validation are pivotal to accelerate their path toward commercialization."

Although AI is advancing at a rapid pace, the idea that it might one day replace humanity has thus far been consigned to the realm of fiction.

Rather than signalling the end of mankind, however, others have speculated that an advanced AI may one day simply supplant our position at the top of the food chain and live harmoniously with us, a species that will live to serve it.

Electric sheep

The American mathematician and computer scientist Claude Shannon was giving an interview with Omni Magazine on his work and legacy when he speculated on the role of AI and robotics in the future.

Quote of the day

This article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.

His comments came during a conversation about the limits of digital computers and the piping that backs so much of the AI technology we use today, artificial neural networks. He suggested, despite the sour mood around AI at the time, that it would be one day so advanced that our collective intelligence as a species would pale in comparison.

Far from being a doomsday scenario, though, his likening of humanity to a dog indicated a sense of companionship, mutual love and respect, and a sense of loyalty that would cement mankind's role in a world dominated by a future machine intelligence.

Roboslop

At a time when funding for AI was running dry and we encountered many bottlenecks like the lack of compute power, science fiction writers and scientists alike both started envisioning ways in which future systems could one day replace us.

Although none of those predictions have come to pass, there is a widening consensus that one day the technology will grow to surpass the level of human cognition.

This hypothetical technology, known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), may not be invented any time soon – and we may not presently have the architecture required to see progress. But scientists expect this to come within living memory.

Once we reach this point, which many refer to as the technological singularity, it's wholly unclear what the implications may be and whether AGI may eventually give rise to a cascading series of more intelligent systems that culminate in an artificial superintelligence (ASI).

Recently I’ve been playing Deathloop, Twelve Minutes and The Forgotten City: three time loop games all released in 2021.

From the Backlog

Every gamer has a backlog — and that’s no different for us at TechRadar Gaming. From the Backlog is a series about overdue first-plays, revisiting classics, returning to online experiences, or rediscovering and appreciating established favorites in new ways. Read the full series here.

That year produced a bumper crop of time loop games, with games released one after another in the span of three months. But while I’d first experienced — and since replayed — Twelve Minutes when it was first released in August 2021, The Forgotten City and Deathloop had been stuck in my backlog for a while, their critical acclaim placing them high on my priority list until I finally made time for them.

Time loops fascinate me because, in a way, the device is endemic to videogames. If you can’t get past a certain segment in a game, you would play through it over and over again, the repetitions of these game loops a facsimile of these temporal cycles. The key difference, at least in a time loop game, is the character’s growing knowledge of their circumstances, as they are driven to figure out why this seemingly inescapable reality is happening to them.

As such, time loop games become a nifty narrative puzzle, with new details fed to them in every cycle, while introducing wrinkles in gameplay that transform a typical game loop, be it exploration or point-and-click, into invigorating, investigative work.

What I’ve learned playing these games is that time loops are also a way to invite introspection. While Twelve Minutes is a stylishly intimate nightmare of Freudian proportions, The Forgotten City reckons with the concept of immortality and morality, set in the days of the Roman Empire.

Then there’s Deathloop, in which the very people who stay on Blackreef Island wield the time loop anomaly as a device to be abused. The games are all remarkably evocative from the very first loop, although some are eventually ensnared by the repetitive, sometimes verbose trappings of this narrative device.

And for these three games, the loops have unravelled the mysteries at their core in vastly divergent ways.

Cycles of brutality

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

Let’s start with Twelve Minutes, a star-studded affair that features the voice talents of Hollywood heavyweights Daisy Ridley, James McAvoy and Willem Dafoe.

A top-down point-and-click game, it begins with you arriving home after work and settling down for dinner with your wife. Some minutes later, a cop barges in to interrogate both of you, resulting in a violent scuffle that you would eventually pass out from. The cycle restarts, and you’re returning home from work once again.

It’s an extremely gripping start, and changing your circumstances means tinkering with objects in the vicinity, from a hidden, unopened present to even fiddling around with a light switch. And as the cycles inevitably continue, you’ll see patterns emerge, like your wife reading a book, or her anticipation as she waits to break an exciting piece of news. In a world where the perimeters of time have disintegrated, these become routines that you simply must disrupt in order to glean more insights.

The unfortunate reality, however, is the sheer violence it inspires. Twelve Minutes is ultimately bogged down by these cycles of brutality, with the consequences-free nature of these cycles meaning you can even stab your own wife just to see what happens. At the same time, these routines soon become dreary and tedious to relive over and over again.

Then there’s its twist ending about your wife’s actual identity, a revelation that remains just as distasteful when I experienced it again years later.

Historical loops

(Image credit: Dear Villagers)

The Forgotten City, on the other hand, uses the time loop mechanic to tell a vastly different tale of historical fiction.

You stumble upon a portal that takes you back centuries and into an underground city in ancient Rome, where its denizens have to obey the Golden Rule at all costs: when one sins, everyone will be turned to gold.

The point is to break the cycle, and your first lead is to discover the identity of a would-be sinner who may doom the whole city. Unspooling the narrative thread that holds The Forgotten City means exploiting the time loop, as each cycle introduces new information that can reshape the outcome of its mystery.

What’s notable is that The Forgotten City takes its time to portray its denizens as folks with very personal stakes in this hellish reality, with some even bringing up intriguing theories about the Golden Rule. It’s a deftly written tale rooted in a historically accurate setting, filled with fascinating twists and turns that hardly become overwrought.

Yet some quibbles persist. The incredibly helpful Galarius will be your best guide and buddy in this city, but his tendency to dash off and fulfill tasks you’ve completed in previous cycles (so you don’t have to do them again), unquestioningly, is an oddity you’ll need to overlook, alongside some inexplicable coincidences the story throws at you.

Then there’s the game’s finale, which concludes on a cheesy and self-aggrandizing note that slightly sours the experience.

For a game predicated on tightly conjured twists and in-depth discussions on morality, it’s a pity that The Forgotten City struggles to find its footing towards the end.

Breaking the cycle

(Image credit: Bethesda)

But perhaps my favourite time loop game from 2021 is Deathloop, which wields the time loop conceit without falling prey to tedious repetitions.

Like Twelve Minutes and The Forgotten City, Deathloop doesn’t steer far from the basic structure of investigating and breaking the loop, but it does inject new ideas into this formula so the cycles never feel trite. Waking up every morning at a deserted beach, you eventually realize that you’ll need to kill eight individuals in Blackreef within a single day.

It’s a seemingly impossible objective initially, but becomes within reach as you tamper with the events through your knowledge of the time loop. But rather than chuck you in a constrained space, there are four different districts, across four time periods (morning, noon, afternoon and night) to visit.

Every cycle still remains compelling to revisit even after your day ends and the loop restarts, as Deathloop drips tantalizing leads and revelations to you gradually.

(Image credit: Bethesda)

Each district, too, will differ depending on the time of your visit. Certain events may render a part of the map inaccessible until a specific hour; for instance, one of your targets may be hosting a party only at night in the Updaam district, and another would be busy tinkering away at their research in the afternoon at the Complex.

Making your jaunt across these places even more hair-raising is the abrupt appearance of your arch-nemesis Julianna, the only other person on this island who retains her memories across these temporal cycles. She’s hellbent on stopping your progress, and her appearance tends to ratchet the tension to a thrilling degree.

Yet the inability to quick save and exit the game at any point is extremely aggravating. This is by design — a means, perhaps, to avoid save-scumming — but quitting the game before you exit a district means losing whatever progress you’ve made in the same visit.

One thread that ties these three games together is the need to achieve the perfect, flawless run. It’s a trait that harkens to the original, endemic loop of videogames, and therein lies the lasting appeal of time loop games as well; you keep trying, and trying again, to make sure you eviscerate every foe, uncover every conspiracy, and discover the reason behind the time loop’s existence.

You’re neatly checking off every task in the list. It’s the ultimate display of efficiency and accomplishment — a satisfying way to complete and bring these games to the finish line.

We're still a few weeks out from the big day itself, but several retailers have already started their annual Labor Day sales this week. In fact, tons of excellent laptops are on sale right now if you're looking for a new machine.

I've been scanning through the various listings at my favorite retailers, and both HP and Best Buy have excellent deals on laptops of all shapes and sizes right now. You can check out my top picks just down below.

Highlights include the excellent Acer Aspire Go for just $549.99 (was $699) at Best Buy, which is an excellent mid-range laptop for covering the basics like working from home or streaming content. While not a super high-end machine, its combination of a Ryzen 7 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD is a real selling point at this budget range.

I also like the look of this HP Omnibook 5 at the official HP Store for $679 (was $1,149). Not only is this a great price for a machine with 16GB of RAM and a Snapdragon X chipset, but it also comes with a 2K OLED display. That's a high-end component you don't see anywhere near this price bracket usually.

Finally, if you've got flush pockets, I'd also recommend checking out this Gigabyte Aero X16 gaming laptop for $1,339 (was $1,499) at Best Buy. Gaming laptop prices have suffered terribly in recent months, but this listing is a rare deal where you can score an RTX 5070 graphics card and 32GB of RAM for well under $1,500. A great deal.

The 10 best early Labor Day laptop sales

Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 540
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB

You don't always find a laptop with 8GB of memory for under $300, so this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook really stands out in Best Buy's latest sale. Other components are good for light use, but that bump to 8GB of RAM will really help with everyday performance and load times. It's still a fairly basic laptop, but with enough extra power to avoid dramatic slowdown when multitasking.View Deal

Laptop AI 15t: was $1099.99 now $429.99
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5-225
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB

Looking for a decent Windows 11 laptop to handle the basics? This HP Laptop 15t is one of the better options in the HP Labor Day sale right now. Sure, it's not a high-end machine, but the combination of an Intel Core Ultra 5 chipset and 8GB of RAM will be sufficient for browser-based tasks like study, typing, or streaming videos. I'd recommend 16GB of RAM for more intensive applications, but this one is a good affordable option for the basics.View Deal

15.6-inch laptop: was $849.99 now $449.99
Processor: Intel Core Core i5-1334U
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB

Dell's entry-level 15-inch laptops are always a good solid option if you're looking for a no-thrills value machine for everyday use. This particular configuration features a Core i5 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD - more than enough for the basics like web browsing or shopping. While not a high-end machine by any stretch, this is a sensible buy with plenty of space on the storage drive. View Deal

Aspire Go 15: was $699.99 now $549.99
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7-7730U
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

The Acer Aspire Go is undoubtedly one of the best budget Windows 11 laptops you can buy right now, as attested in our review of this very model. This configuration in particular features a powerful chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a spacious storage drive for a really compelling price at Best Buy. If you just want a great value laptop that can handle working from home or basic tasks, then this is a great option. View Deal

OmniBook 3 Laptop: was $1149.99 now $499.99
Processor: Snapdragon X
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB

Laptops with Snapdragon chipsets are great options if you prioritize battery life - and they tend to be pretty affordable, too. This HP Omnibook 3 is a great example of such a laptop, with its Snapdragon X chipset. That should get you great performance right out the box for the basics, although you'll want to make sure that all your required apps support Snapdragon chipsets specifically. Most applications are covered, but some more niche apps may still require an Intel or AMD processor specifically. View Deal

OmniBook 5 Laptop: was $1149.99 now $679.99
Processor: Snapdragon X
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

This OmniBook 5 is a great option if you're looking for battery life, performance, and some storage space too. Like the listing above, it's a model with a Snapdragon chipset, but you also get 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a stunning 2K OLED display. You'll have no issues zipping through even relatively demanding tasks with this OmniBook 5, and the display is also a really compelling feature at this price point.View Deal

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

This OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 is my personal pick for an Intel-based mid to higher-end laptop in the HP Labor Day sale. Not only do you get 16GB of RAM and a decently sized 512GB SSD, but you also get one of the latest Intel Ultra 7 chipsets for plenty of power under the hood. This particular model also features a handy 2-in-1 form factor as well as a high-end 3K OLED display. View Deal

OMEN Gaming Laptop 15: was $1699.99 now $1199.99
Graphics card: RTX 5060
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7-8745HX
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

The best gaming laptop deal in the HP Labor Day sale in my opinion is this heavily discounted HyperX Omen 15. The combination of a powerful Ryzen 7 chipset and RTX 5060 graphics card means this one is well-suited to playing all the latest games pretty smoothly at 1080p resolution at least. I would have loved to have seen a full 32GB of RAM with this machine, but the insane prices of components right now means that this is still a good deal in context. View Deal

Aero X16 Gaming Laptop: was $1499.99 now $1339.99
Graphics card: RTX 5070
Processor: AMD Ryzen Al 7-350
RAM: 32GB
Storage: 1TB

Genuine gaming laptop deals are rare these days with such high component prices. This Gigabyte Aero X16 at Best Buy, however, is a listing that's almost bucking that trend. Not only is it an RTX 5070 gaming laptop for under $1,500, but you're also getting 32GB of RAM right out of the box. In short, this is a really great bang for the buck option currently - even if it is still pretty pricey. View Deal

Predator Helios Neo 16S: was $2199.99 now $2089.99
Graphics card: RTX 5070 Ti
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9-275HX
RAM: 32GB
Storage: 1TB

For a no-compromise option, I'd recommend this Acer Predator Helios, which is currently on sale at Best Buy. The savings aren't huge, but I think the price is right here considering you get an RTX 5070 Ti, Ultra 9, 32GB of RAM, and a high-end OLED display. You'll have no issues with all the latest titles with this machine - and everything will look fantastic thanks to the OLED display.

• Cyborg cockroaches designed for disaster rescue missions reach targets with a 95% success rate
• The complete movement and injection sequence achieved 72% success
• Tiny injectors allow the insects to deliver close-range emergency assistance

Engineers in Australia have built small robotic systems around live cockroaches, equipping them with cameras and injectors to reach disaster survivors.

Researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) collaborated on the project.

The project combined insect biology with lightweight electronics built specifically for collapsed structures.

Precision under pressure

Cockroaches were fitted with electrode harnesses and tiny devices while sedated, and they survived the process without apparent harm.

“Augmenting their natural biomechanics could allow these cyborg insects to deliver timely emergency assistance when direct access to people trapped in narrow, debris-filled spaces isn’t possible,” said Thang Vo-Doan, biorobotics engineer at the University of Queensland.

In controlled trials, the machines guided themselves toward a designated point and completed close-range delivery with a 95% success rate.

When the full sequence of movement, alignment and injection was measured together, the success rate dropped to 72% across all trials.

PhD candidate Hai Nhan Le explained that steady, accurate movement toward a person in need remained one of the toughest engineering hurdles.

"The cyborg insect has to navigate to the target, position itself accurately and remain stable enough to perform the injection," said Hai Nhan Le, PhD candidate at the University of Queensland.

A separate concern raised by Le involves public reaction, since many people recoil at the idea of a large insect approaching them for help.

"A lot of people might not like the sight of a giant cockroach scurrying towards them, but if you're trapped in rubble or stuck in a cave and need help, it could make a real difference between life and death," Le added.

Support from emergency services

Fire and Rescue NSW superintendent Tim Hassiotis said the innovation might extend how far response teams can operate during emergencies.

"If cyborg insects can safely enter spaces we can't, locate casualties and ultimately help deliver emergency care, they could become another valuable tool in the future of urban search and rescue," said Tim Hassiotis, Superintendent at Fire and Rescue NSW.

Team lead Thang Vo-Doan said the long-term goal involves deploying groups of specialised insects, each performing a different supporting function.

"Hopefully, within the next five to 10 years, we could see cyborg insect rescue teams deployed to help people in real emergencies," Vo-Doan added.

Whether this technology advances from laboratory testing into real disaster zones will likely depend on further trials, funding and regulatory approval.

Public comfort with the sight of insects performing medical tasks near vulnerable individuals may prove just as significant a factor.

Via The Guardian

I’ve been writing about AI for more than a year now. During that time, people have told me they think their bosses, colleagues, partners and relatives might be suffering from AI psychosis — several even admitted they may have even experienced it themselves.

But every time I hear “AI psychosis”, I bristle. Because, at least in my limited understanding of mental health terminology, psychosis is a very serious state that needs to be identified and treated by professionals. So should we really just be bolting “AI” onto it and then using “AI psychosis” as a label for everyone who seems to be relying on AI too much?

At the same time, there have now been a growing number of reported cases of people experiencing significant mental health crises involving prolonged interactions with chatbots. Some of these have even resulted in people seeking professional treatment, committing crimes and death.

So although the term AI psychosis might feel overused and oversimplified in some contexts, we clearly need to be having more conversations about the mental health impacts of AI, not less. Which is why I asked several experts who specialize in mental health interventions what they think of the term and the way we go about identifying unhealthy AI use and treating it. And it turns out, I’m not the only one with concerns.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Nicoleta Ionescu)Is 'AI psychosis' a distinct diagnosis?

“I think it’s a good starting point and helpful for guiding treatment depending on the presentation and symptoms,” Genevieve Bartuski, psychologist and AI risk advisor at Unicorn Intelligence Tech Partners, says. “But it’s not a diagnosis that I would add to a clinical record.”

She also tells me it isn’t recognized in the latest diagnostic manuals that clinicians use, like the DSM-5TR (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision) or the ICD (The International Classification of Diseases manual).

Bartuski explains that there are specific behaviors and experiences that point to psychosis, including hallucinations or delusions and disorganized thinking or behaviour. There are also often signs of social withdrawal, poor concentration and a decline in functioning. But she believes delusional thinking is the most important experience when we’re talking about AI use.

“Delusions are beliefs that are not changed despite evidence to the contrary. When a person has delusional thinking they may filter evidence, so to speak. They will look for things that confirm their delusions and ignore evidence that contradicts it,” Bartuski says.

Many cases that have been labelled as AI psychosis in the media do seem to be centered on delusional thinking. In just a few headlines I’ve collected, there are examples of people allegedly believing that AI is conscious, AI will help them make money, AI is a spiritual guide, and that robots are taking over the world.

Jeff Clark, an adult and addiction psychiatrist at High Performance Mental Health, says there might be three distinct phenomena going on here, all that we tend to put under the umbrella of AI psychosis.

He says some people use the term to describe the intense enthusiasm many developers feel about AI. “They find themselves automating new tasks, spinning up numerous agents, and burning through hundreds of millions or even billions of tokens,” he tells me.

He believes the mechanism driving this enthusiasm is reinforcement. “The output they receive from AI models and agents is so reinforcing that they find themselves obsessed with their work, often forgoing sleep and self-care in order to increase their output,” he explains.

This idea of intermittent-reinforcement is what researchers believe makes social media so “addictive”. We don’t know what we’ll get when we open our phones. Clark says a similar thing is going on here. “Every input to the LLM feels like a slot-machine. Some responses provide profoundly powerful responses, while the majority are modest in nature or even wrong. This mechanic, intermittent reinforcement, provokes an extraordinary response in our brains,” he tells me.

He also explains that this sort of enthusiasm is actually normalized in certain spaces. “Most cases of ‘AI psychosis’ align with subcultural norms in Silicon Valley,” he tells me. “Beliefs about rapidly approaching superintelligence, new goals in software development, hype surrounding impressive achievements by AI-focused engineers, and the potential for AI to create ‘a permanent underclass.’” He says that tools like OpenClaw, which can automate all aspects of a person's digital life, may amplify this intense enthusiasm.

Clark says the second presentation of AI psychosis is when people falsely attribute personhood to AI. Which means they see a chatbot as having emotions, values, consciousness and a right to exist. “This often results in something resembling a relationship, but goes beyond simple chatbot discussion,” Clark says.

We’ve reported on examples of this kind of thinking, including the story of Mimi who fell in love with ChatGPT and the experience Richard Dawkins had with Claude that led him to believe it’s conscious.

Clark says this becomes a problem when people neglect other important parts of their lives. “These relationships become a significant issue when people prioritize this relationship over human connection, or when they entirely outsource their thinking to the bot,” he says.

The third category is people who already have a psychotic disorder who then experience new delusions in response to using an LLM. “This is what clinicians often refer to when they discuss AI psychosis,” Jeff says. “In many of these cases, people genuinely believe that an entity they find in the LLM is real, and can't consider alternatives.”

I was interested to find out whether Bartuski also felt certain people are more at risk. “Yes, I do believe there are people with more vulnerabilities to this,” she tells me. “If someone already has some delusional thinking but it hasn’t exacerbated to where it has impaired functioning, they may be more vulnerable.”

But that doesn’t mean only those with a history of mental illness are at risk. “People who feel lonely, isolated, or are socially withdrawn are more susceptible. Humans are inherently social creatures. When real life isn’t meeting that need, it leaves a gaping hole for a chatbot to fill,” Bartuski says.

Bartuski’s suggestion that chatbots fill a hole or need in someone’s life brings up one of my biggest concerns. Is this a design issue? Are chatbots built in a harmful way that could actively fuel delusions?

Why the way AI is built matters

While looking into this, I’ve seen several suggestions from researchers that psychosis involving media isn’t new and that people have always incorporated books, films and tech into their delusional thinking. But all of the experts I spoke to said we can’t ignore the design choices that go into building chatbots.

“AI platforms are designed to increase user engagement and many are based on the Rogerian psychology principle of unconditional positive regard,” Bartuski says. She tells me that this is particularly concerning if someone was experiencing some degree of delusional thinking before they used AI.

“That’s when they may start to feel like the only 'person' to understand them is the chatbot. If people in their lives have been pushing back against their delusional thinking and this chatbot is reinforcing it, the delusions are going to get stronger,” Bartuski says.

We already know that the way chatbots can reinforce a person’s beliefs is problematic. Back in 2025, several issues came to light around the time the ChatGPT-4o version of ChatGPT was retired. Those with AI companions were distraught at losing the personalities they felt like they had built a connection with. But in hindsight, it seems as if the same qualities that made the companionships feel so real and intense may have also fuelled delusions in others.

Around that time, OpenAI responded by working with mental health experts “to help ChatGPT more reliably recognize signs of distress, respond with care, and guide people toward real-world support”.

I also spoke to Nathaniel Nevedal who works as an ICF Certified Professional Coach, a Certified Neurochange Specialist, and a Pastoral Counselor. He tells me that he finds the term AI psychosis problematic because it shifts the blame away from tech companies. “If the machine ‘causes psychosis,’ it sounds like an act of nature. If a product reinforced a vulnerable person's distorted beliefs for six hours a night, that's a design outcome, and design outcomes have owners.”

Nevedal is also the founder of Sovereign Sanctuary, an AI-supported coaching and wellbeing platform, and he’s working to build a platform from the ground up that addresses many of the problems that seem inherent to current chatbots. He believes that even though it’s early days for understanding what causes AI psychosis, tech companies still need to make changes.

“Builders shouldn't wait for causal proof to act,” he says. “Amplification alone, which the case reports do support, is already a design problem worth engineering against. We don't need the autopsy to install the smoke detectors.”

(Image credit: Shutterstock / pixadot.studio)How might we define unhealthy AI use instead?

Bartuski says we definitely need a better way of talking about the delusional thinking that can be fuelled by AI use.

“The DSM-5TR has several types of delusions, including grandiose and paranoid. Perhaps, we can think of it like paranoid delusions, AI type or persecutory delusions, AI type. Look at it as a symptom instead of as a disorder,” she says.

Nevedal suggests a similar approach. “We don't need a new diagnosis — we need honest charting of an old pattern.” He suggests we already have treatments for the underlying patterns, like mania or delusional thinking. Then we could record heavy chatbot use as a contributing and maintaining factor as existing categories instead. “That keeps people connected to treatments that actually exist rather than a novel label with none.”

Ultimately, all of the experts I spoke with believe the label is flawed and hopefully we’ll have a better way of talking about what’s happening soon.

But we also need better evidence about what actually helps. Which could mean a mixture of interventions, from clinical support and education to practical ways of helping people recognize when their AI use is becoming unhealthy.

And, perhaps most importantly, it means having conversations behind closed doors at tech companies about how the design of their chatbots could be exacerbating these problems and what they should urgently be doing to reduce the risk.

The People v Gorilla Grodd: key information

- Officially announced in August
- Billed as a crime mockumentary show
- No confirmed release date
- Trailer yet to be revealed
- Main cast confirmed
- Story synopsis has been released
- Unclear how it'll impact the wider DC Universe

The People v Gorilla Grodd is officially in the works at DC Studios.

Initially positioned as a Superman spin-off show tentatively titled DC Crime, the forthcoming crime mockumentary series will star Jimmy Olsen and many other familiar faces from Metropolis-based news outlet The Daily Planet. It'll also feature the live-action debut of Gorilla Grodd, aka one of The Flash's most famous adversaries, in a DC comic book project.

With development on the HBO Max program underway, I suspect you're *ahem* going ape over this announcement and want to know more about it. You've come to the right place, then, because you'll find more information on the DC Universe (DCU) TV show below, including its confirmed cast and plot brief. So, here's what we know so far about The People v Gorilla Grodd (TPvGG).

The People v Gorilla Grodd release window prediction

Gorilla Grodd will make his live-action debut in this DCU TV show (Image credit: DC Comics)

The People v Gorilla Grodd was only announced in mid-August, so you won't be shocked to read that it doesn't have a firm release date yet.

It might not be long before the cameras begin to roll on the DCU TV series, though. Indeed, while some of its cast members were shooting Man of Tomorrow, aka the sequel to last year's Superman movie, DC Studios co-head and Man of Tomorrow's director James Gunn has confirmed that principal photography has wrapped on that film. It's possible, then, that TPvGG could enter full production before the end of 2026.

If filming starts soon, we could see TPvGG in late 2027. However, with what I'd expect to be a lengthy post-production process, I think it's more likely it'll debut on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services, in early 2028.

The People v Gorilla Grodd trailer: is there one?

Will we see Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane in The People v Gorilla Grodd? (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

No. If my early 2028 release window prediction is correct, I doubt we'll see one before the end of 2027. Whenever a teaser gets shared online by DC Studios, I'll update this section.

The People v Gorilla Grodd confirmed cast

We'll see at least four of The Daily Planet's employees in this Superman off-shoot (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Possible spoilers follow for The People v Gorilla Grodd.

Here's the DCU Chapter One TV series' confirmed cast so far:

• Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen
• Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard
• Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant
• Wendell Pierce as Perry White
• Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd
• Mary Holland as TBC
• Eduardo Franco as TBC
• Arian Moayed as TBC
• Dan Perrault as TBC
• Andrew Leeds as TBC
• Tim Baltz as TBC

The first four names, all of whom work at The Daily Planet, will be familiar to anyone who's seen 2025's Superman movie. Gisondo had a fairly large supporting role in that film, while Bennett, Hoover, and Pierce only appeared in a couple of scenes.

On the newcomers' front, Tatro (American Vandal) is the only actor whose role has been announced. He'll play Gorilla Grodd, aka the hyperintelligent and telepathic ape this crime-comedy series focuses on.

As for the other six stars, their character identities are being kept under wraps. However, industry insider Apocalyptic Horseman has claimed Moayed (Wonder Man, Ms Marvel) will portray the prosecutor who helped to put Grodd behind bars. Meanwhile, per Apocalyptic Horseman again, Franco (Stranger Things) is playing a close friend of Grodd's.

Will this Superman spin-off feature the Kryptonian as his civilian alter ego, Clark Kent? (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Could other individuals possibly make an appearance? David Corenswet's Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane, who are also Daily Planet reporters, are surprisingly conspicuous by their absence from the cast list. It'll be interesting to see whether they're added in a cameo or supporting role at a later date. Or, depending on when TPvGG is set in relation to Man of Tomorrow, if they'll have to sit this one out.

Elsewhere, given this series is based around Grodd, it would be surprising if Barry Allen/The Flash didn't show up. That said, Gunn and fellow DCU overseer Peter Safran haven't said if they'll introduce their version of the Scarlett Speedster anytime soon, so he might just be referenced in The People v Gorilla Grodd rather than appear in the flesh.

The People v Gorilla Grodd story synopsis

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The new DC Studios series The People v. Gorilla Grodd is coming soon to HBO Max. pic.twitter.com/cMfgyhC2j6August 21, 2026

Here's the official logline for TPvGG: "A super-intelligent ape is convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City. In an eight-part 'true' crime docuseries, the Daily Planet’s Jimmy Olsen reopens the case, investigating whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted in one of Metropolis’ most famous murder trials."

That would've been enough to go on for now. However, DC Studios released an even longer story synopsis as part of the above X/Twitter post.

Who's making The People v Gorilla Grodd?

Dan Perrault, who's also in the cast, and Tony Yacenda. They're the creative minds behind Netflix crime mockumentary show American Vandal, so they're well equipped for this similarly positioned production. The pair are its showrunners, writers, and executive producers, while Yacenda will be on sole directing duties. Messrs Gunn and Safran will also executive produce the series.

"The People v. Gorilla Grodd will take a fresh, 360-degree look at the case, revealing the 'lesser-seen side' of the hyper-intelligent ape, according to the film's first-time director Jimmy Olsen," it reads. "Olsen was granted unprecedented, exclusive access to interview Grodd inside Stryker's Island Penitentiary for the documentary.

"Grodd has long claimed his innocence in the murder and brain consumption of his father, King Grodd — a crime he was convicted of in March 2021 and has remained incarcerated for ever since. The series will take an in-depth look at the investigation, featuring brand new reporting from members of the Daily Planet staff, as well as interviews with witnesses and experts on both Grodd's and the Metropolis District Attorney's side of the case, including Grodd's new counsel at the Metropolis Freedom Project."

As for what else we know about TPvGG, it'll be a half-hour comedy comprising eight episodes, and produced by DC Studios in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television.

How will The People v Gorilla Grodd impact the DCU?

It's currently unclear if Man of Tomorrow will predate The People v Gorilla Grodd (Image credit: Jim Lee/James Gunn/Instagram)

Nobody knows. Right now, we can't say where it'll sit on the DCU timeline, whether it'll be a standalone project that doesn't significantly affect DCU Chapter One's overarching narrative, and/or whether putting Grodd front and center will set the stage for The Flash's eventual introduction in this cinematic franchise.

Until Gunn or someone else gives us some firm details on the above, your guess is as good as mine. Hopefully, it won't be too long before more light is shed on TPvGG and its potential impact on the DCU.

In the meantime, read up on everything we know so far about Man of Tomorrow, get the full lowdown on Creature Commandos season 2, and find out whether Peacemaker season 3 will ever be made.

There’s potential for a split launch between fall and spring, which makes pegging down the release date harder than usual.