Technology

• A new leak suggests the ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally will launch on August 20
• This is the same date it will be available at Gamescom 2025 at the Xbox booth
• A Hollow Knight: Silksong demo will also be available at Gamescom 2025...

Microsoft and Asus' ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally handhelds were announced earlier in June, with an anticipated late 2025 launch date. However, that may not be as accurate as initially expected.

According to reliable leaker Billbil-kun via Dealabs, both ROG Xbox Ally models will launch on August 20, with pre-orders going live during Gamescom 2025. The new leak also corroborates the previous price rumors; the ROG Xbox Ally X will reportedly be priced at $899, and the ROG Xbox Ally at $599. Pricing in other regions could vary due to factors such as inflation and tariffs.

It's worth noting that Microsoft will be present at Gamescom in August, with hands-on opportunities for fans at the Xbox booth, so it lines up well with the leak suggesting an August 20 launch date. The long-anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong will also be available to test at the popular large-scale game expo.

If this leak is legitimate, it could mean that Silksong will also launch on August 20, as Xbox President Sarah Bond previously confirmed that the title will be available on Game Pass at launch of the new handhelds. Essentially, it may act as a shadow drop, which Microsoft has done before with The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, and August may be the month to look forward to for Xbox and PC fans.

While we still need to await Microsoft's full confirmation, it appears as though the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds will rival the MSI Claw A8, which has also been rumored to launch in August – and Microsoft and Asus may have the edge in that battle with a less expensive option.

(Image credit: Team Cherry)Analysis: The ROG Xbox Ally X's price is a huge dealbreaker, but at least there's a cheaper alternative

I've been highly critical of handheld gaming PC manufacturers lately due to the huge leap in pricing for new devices, and we can see the same thing happening here with the ROG Xbox Ally X. However, I'm pleased to at least see that there is an inexpensive alternative – which is one aspect some mainstream handheld makers like MSI consider with new releases.

Having seen the underwhelming performance leap from AMD's Ryzen Z1 Extreme to the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, I don't think I could recommend the ROG Xbox Ally X at $899. While it's using a slightly different Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, I don't expect that to be too different from its standard version, at least when it comes to game performance.

As I stated in my previous piece, I'm not pleased to see prices nearly reach $1,000 for handheld gaming PCs, but gamers aren't necessarily being completely priced out here, with the Ryzen Z2 A ROG Xbox Ally model at $599. Of course, we still need official confirmation on pricing, but if the latter model's price is this low, I'll have to give credit where credit is due.

Let's just hope there's enough availability, and prices don't suddenly spiral out of control.

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• UK's science secretary ensures there are no plans to ban VPNs
• The government is, however, looking "very closely" at how VPNs are being used
• VPN demand soared in the UK starting from Friday, July 25, 2025, as Brits look for ways to avoid new age checks

VPN demand in the UK has soared overnight since new age verification checks were enforced, as Brits look for ways to bypass new requirements. This has sparked concerns that authorities could end up banning their use.

The UK's science secretary, Peter Kyle, asserts there are no plans to ban VPNs. Kyle confirmed, however, that the government would be looking "very closely" at how the best VPN apps are being used.

"Some people are finding their way round [the legislation]. Very few children will be going actively out there searching for harmful content," said Kyle during an interview with Sky News today, July 29, 2025 – The Guardian reported.

A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet connections, while spoofing you real IP address location. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Starting from Friday, July 25, 2025, all platforms displaying adult-only or harmful content must enforce robust age verification checks under the Online Safety Act.

As Ofcom explains on its website, "Just ticking a box to say you're over 18 will no longer be enough."

This means that all websites reserved for users over 18 must ensure minors never access their services via ID checks. Crucially, social media, dating apps, and gaming platforms are also expected to verify their users' age before displaying them potentially dangerous materials.

These new requirements have thus far sparked concerns regarding data privacy, security, free speech, and access to information.

A petition to repeal the UK Online Safety Act has already reached over 340,000 at the time of writing.

Reform UK's leader, Nigel Farage, is also strongly pushing to scrap what he described as a "borderline dystopian" legislation – The Guardian reported.

VPNs and age checks – what to know

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VPN services are a popular way to bypass geo-restrictions, like those imposed by streaming platforms. That's because a VPN spoofs your real IP address and assigns you a new, temporary one based in the same place as the VPN server you join. This makes it possible to trick the sites you visit into thinking you're in a different country.

Considering the sudden spike in VPN usage across the country, people in the UK are likely familiar with this.

A popular provider, Proton VPN, recorded an hourly increase of over 1,400% starting from Friday at midnight. AdGuard VPN also confirmed to TechRadar that sign-ups grew by 2.5 times in just a few days. Data from Top10VPN shows an ongoing surge in VPN demand of over 500% since Friday.

At the time of writing, using a VPN in the UK is completely legal, and using one to bypass the new age checks should not be considered a crime.

The UK's regulator body for online safety, Ofcom, however, is strongly suggesting against their use. Clearly, without much success so far.

Will the government find a way to prevent people from bypassing the new Online Safety Act's measures via VPNs?

It's too early to know for certain, but a ban seems to be off the cards – for now, at least.

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While it has no release date, Netflix’s upcoming Pride and Prejudice adaptation now has a fully confirmed cast. Olivia Colman and Rufus Sewell will lead the Bennet family, with Emma Corrin, Freya Mavor, Hopey Parish, Holley Avery and Rhea Norwood as the infamous Bennet women. Jack Lowden will be our Mr. Darcey, with Daryl McCormack as Mr. Bingley. The names don’t stop there, though, with Fiona Shaw playing Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Jamie Demetriou joining as Mr. Collins.

However, none of these characters are who I actually have an issue with. You might have noticed that there are a lot of Jane Austen adaptations that have graced our screens over the years. From the infamous Pride and Prejudice movies that helped give the tale the cultural capital it has today, to Netflix’s previous take on Austen’s Persuasion that got absolutely battered online, there’s been more than anyone could count. So, surely if you’re going to add yet another title to the pile, it has to be pitch perfect.

While the Bennet women totally hit the mark, it’s the casting of Mr. Wickham that has got my back up. Take one brick out of the pile and it all falls down, and much like a lost game of Jenga, Louis Partridge’s casting announcement is the one that spoils it all for Netflix.

Louis Partridge isn’t the right age fit for Mr. Wickham in Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice remake

Louis Partridge in The Lost Girls. (Image credit: Amazon Prime Video)

If you’ve read the original book – and just about every bookish girl in their 20s and 30s will be watching Dolly Alderton’s take with a scathing eye – you’ll know Mr. Wickham is an abhorrent man. A manipulative militia officer who (in 2025 terms) is a total wasteman, Wickham is best known for predatory behaviour, lying and gambling. In short, this means he needs to be a little older and more strung-out than the rest of his cast.

Enter 22-year-old Patridge, who is at least seven years younger than the majority of his immediate co-stars. While his long locks and chiseled jaw are objectively ideal for a period drama, his baby face and sweet eyes don’t match the abusive personality he’s been assigned. Even though he’s an incredibly promising actor, I’m not entirely convinced he’ll be able to pull this one off.

Of course, none of this is Partridge’s fault. It’s more of a testament to just how lazy the supposed best streaming service in the world is being when it comes to their adaptations. Considering how Persuasion went down the last time Netflix attempted Austen, it can’t even guarantee a healthy amount of viewers to make production worthwhile. So, what does the streamer think it can add to the value of one of the most famous fictional IPs? My guess is it doesn’t think it needs to, it’s merely riding on the coattails of a well-known story very few people dislike.

Netflix and Partridge, prove me wrong. If we really do stand to benefit from another Pride and Prejudice adaptation, I’m prepared to eat my bonnet. But If I’m right, and I suspect I am, no casting announcement in the world could save me from riding off on my high horse.

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• Warner Bros. Discovery will soon be Warner Bros. and Discovery Global
• HBO Max and Discovery+ will be split under the new corporate entities
• TNT Sports, Bleacher Reports and CNN will move to Discovery Global

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will soon be Warner Bros. once more. Following the announcement in early June that the media company would separate into two, WBD has revealed the new corporate names of its new businesses.

Like it did with HBO Max at the start of the month, which changed back to HBO Max after a two-year stint as Max (who could forget the Spider-Men meme that HBO Max's chief marketing officer Shauna Spenley shared during the rebrand's announcement), WBD is reverting back to the name it's most commonly known as.

V2 approved by legal. pic.twitter.com/uUhH3RU4T6May 14, 2025

The change will take effect in mid-2026 and will see Warner Bros. become the home of Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max and Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, as well as the studio's legendary movie and TV content.

Meanwhile, the newly formed Discovery Global will include the TV networks CNN, TNT Sports in the US, Discovery, and some free-to-air channels across Europe such as Quest and Food Network as well as streaming services such as the Discovery+ and the Bleacher Report (B/R).

Effectively, the split means that Warner Bros. will house all of WBD's main streaming services and studios, while Discovery Global will become the place for premier entertainment, sports and news networks.

The decision to split Warner Bros. and Discovery Global is similar to Comcast's plan to spinoff NBCUniversal's struggling cable portfolio into a new company called Versant. Just like Warner Bros., NBCU will be the new home for its studios, the streaming service Peacock, and the networks NBC and Bravo.

What does the Warner Bros. and Discovery Global split mean for subscribers?

The decline of linear TV is no secret. Since the introduction of the best streaming services, on-demand content has grown significantly in popularity, particularly for its accessibility, flexible pricing and convenience.

That's left cable networks scrambling to tempt back viewers, and as a result many media companies have launched streaming services of their own to counter the decline in profits and help balance the financial strain.

One way to help offset that debt is to restructure a business, which is exactly what WBD has done, splitting off its burdened cable networks from its most profitable assets, including its streaming service HBO Max.

However, the move also means that its other streaming platforms, Discovery+ and CNN (not the service that was shut down in 2022 but the new one launching later this year), will now be part of Discovery Global. While the platform – which is known for real-life entertainment and includes content from networks such as Magnolia Network, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel – will remain independent, subscribers can expect some changes to the content they see.

The biggest potential change is that HBO Max will likely no longer be the home for sports content from its TNT Sports and Bleacher Reports networks in the US. That will likely be the same for CNN content that's currently available on HBO Max, too (although WBD has said that CNN Max will remain, despite the launch of its new standalone service).

However, while that's not yet confirmed for those in the US, a WBD spokesperson has reportedly told RXTV that TNT Sports will be available on HBO Max when it eventually launches in the UK sometime in 2026.

It's not yet clear how the split will impact the content you see on HBO Max and Discovery+, but considering that both platforms have been merging some of their content together in the years since WarnerMedia merged with Discovery, there's bound to be some changes to subscribers next year as the two companies separate.

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• Gemini could automatically run certain commands that were previously placed on an allow-list
• If a benign command was paired with a malicious one, Gemini could execute it without warning
• Version 0.1.14 addresses the flaw, so users should update now

A security flaw in Google’s new Gemini CLI tool allowed threat actors to target software developers with malware, even exfiltrating sensitive information from their devices, without them ever knowing.

The vulnerability was discovered by cybersecurity researchers from Tracebit just days after Gemini CLI was first launched on June 25, 2025.

Google released a fix with the version 0.1.14, which is now available for download.

Hiding the attack in plain sight

Gemini CLI is a tool that lets developers talk to Google’s AI (called Gemini) directly from the command line. It can understand code, make suggestions, and even run commands on the user’s device.

The problem stems from the fact that Gemini could automatically run certain commands that were previously placed on an allow-list. According to Tracebit, there was a way to sneak hidden, malicious instructions into files that Gemini reads, like README.md.

In one test, a seemingly harmless command was paired with a malicious one that exfiltrated sensitive information (such as system variables or credentials) to a third-party server.

Because Gemini thought it was just a trusted command, it didn’t warn the user or ask for approval. Tracebit also says the malicious command could be hidden using clever formatting, so users wouldn’t even see it happening.

"The malicious command could be anything (installing a remote shell, deleting files, etc),” the researchers explained.

The attack is not that easy to pull off, though. It requires a little setting up, including having a trusted command on the allow-list, but it could still be used to trick unsuspecting developers into running dangerous code.

Google has now patched the problem, and if you’re using Gemini CLI, make sure to update to version 0.1.14 or newer as soon as possible. Also, make sure not to run it on unknown, or untrusted code (unless you’re in a secure test environment).

Via BleepingComputer

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• Razer has revealed a new line of BlackShark V3 Pro headsets
• There are dedicated versions for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
• It's part of the brand's wider push into the console space

Gaming hardware brand Razer has unveiled the new Razer BlackShark V3 Pro line, with dedicated options for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox gamers.

A successor to the already excellent Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, a hugely popular headset that we awarded four and a half out of five stars in our review, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro introduces hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) for the first time in a BlackShark headset.

It features four microphones to detect and help filter out background noise, plus comfortable memory foam ear cups to provide an ideal fit.

It's also the first Razer headset to benefit from the brand's new Gen-2 HyperSpeed Wireless technology, reducing audio latency as low as a claimed 10 milliseconds. That, according to Razer, puts it well ahead of the competition and makes it an ideal choice for professional gamers.

In addition to a slightly revised overall design, there have been substantial changes under the hood. The headset now has Gen-2 Triforce 50mm drivers with bio-cellulose diaphragms, completely redesigned for more precise audio and spatial accuracy.

The microphone has also been upgraded, with a whopping 48kHz sample rate that puts it in competition with some of the best microphones for streaming right now.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro launches in three variants, each tailored to its distinct platforms. The PC version supports THX Spatial Audio, while the PlayStation variant is fully compatible with Tempest 3D Audio. The Xbox options, then, are designed with Windows Sonic spatial sound in mind.

All three cost $249.99 / £249.99 each, and come in either Black or White colorways. While the Xbox and PC versions are available now, the PlayStation variant will hit shelves at a later date.

They release alongside the more affordable Razer BlackShark V3 and entry-level Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed. Both of these models also come in distinct PC, PlayStation, and Xbox flavors.

Razer goes all-in on the console space

(Image credit: Razer)

The launch of these new headsets represents something of a shift for the traditionally very PC-focused hardware brand, which is now aiming to become a major player in the console space.

"So I think in the past, we had really worked as very separate entities as far as PC and console were concerned," explains Razer senior product evangelist Paige Sander.

"We took a step back and realized that, as we have so much credibility and innovation in the PC space, why not take some of those iconic things, like BlackShark V2 Pro or like our mouse click switches, and bring them to our console products?"

In the end, "it's about bringing those innovations to console gamers so that they get the same level of performance and esports-focused features", though Sander admits that there are some special considerations when designing a console product.

"The most important thing is making sure that it's really optimized for the platform that it's built for. That's why we do driver tuning specifically on the platforms, to make sure that the audio is really dialed in," she says. "Also, things like the 3.5mm jack. We know that many console gamers like to plug headsets directly into their controllers, so we made sure that that feature was present."

Razer is also carefully considering feedback from pro players, a formula that has proven successful for its PC products.

"We also worked specifically with pros in the console space 'Snip3down' on Xbox, 'Shotzzy' on PlayStation," Sander reveals.

"These are their preferred platforms when they're gaming, and so we made sure to work directly with them on the development of their FPS profiles, on some of the design elements like the subtle Xbox and PlayStation stitching that you'll see on our headsets."

According to market research firm Circana, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is currently the most popular PC gaming headset in the US.

Will Razer find similar success in the console market? Only time will tell, but I'm certainly looking forward to taking these new models for a spin.

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• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be removed from Call of Duty HQ today
• Both games will need to be reinstalled as standalone downloads
• Legacy content related to Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3 modes will be automatically removed from the main Call of Duty install on August 7

Activision has announced new changes to Call of Duty HQ that will see the removal of two games.

As detailed in a new Steam blog post, starting today at 9am PT / 5pm BST / 12pm ET, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be removed from the Call of Duty HQ game launcher and main install to become standalone downloads.

When the change goes into effect, players will be required to redownload each game separately to access them.

The publisher also said that legacy content related to Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3 modes within the main Call of Duty install will be automatically removed on August 7, "to free up storage space", but operators and weapons for Warzone won't be impacted.

Activision didn't give a reason for the latest change, but it was likely made in anticipation of Black Ops 7, which is planned to be released later this year and be part of Call of Duty HQ.

Last year's Black Ops 6 will remain on the launcher, so the decision could be down to simply wanting to free up hard drive space for players.

Black Ops 7 was announced last month during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and will be released for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, the latest entry will return to a futuristic setting and be set in 2035, 10 years after the events of Black Ops 2.

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I'm writing this Windows 10 tribute on a MacBook Air, which tells you exactly how well my relationship with Windows is going. Even so, back in the day, Windows 10 was a broadly good iteration of Microsoft's venerable platform, and it was also a showcase for one of Microsoft's most quixotic efforts: Cortana.

Microsoft and Windows were my jam, and I spent decades covering every version of Windows from Windows 3.1 to Windows 11, but Windows 10 was special. It fixed so many missteps, all while taking a rather huge digital assistant and other swings.

Now, though, we celebrate Windows 10's tenth birthday with the specter of its demise looming in October. That's when Microsoft will officially stop supporting Windows 10. Until quite recently, it was overwhelmingly Microsoft's most popular Windows version. Windows 11, its adoption held back in part by stringent TPM 2.0 security requirements that many still-new PCs could not meet, has in recent months surged to essentially match the Windows 10 install base.

According to StatCounter: Windows 10 is falling and Windows 11 is on the rise. (Image credit: Statcounter)Some of the best stuff

Windows 10 was one of the upgrades that introduced bold new furniture without redesigning the whole house. The platform felt familiar, but I remember bumping into a cluster of new ideas, some that stuck and others that were dropped by the time Windows 11 arrived.

This was the update where Microsoft finally shoved aside the much-maligned Internet Explorer in favor of Microsoft Edge. Over time, it grew into my favorite web browser, one I loved for its vertical tabs, speed, and stability. It's still a distant third in browser market share, behind Safari and Chrome, even though it uses the same Web engine, Chromium, as Chrome.

Windows 10 introduced Windows Hello, a biometric security system so new that most PCs at the time didn't fully support it. The face ID system relied on 3D scanning, which used standard and IR cameras to map a face. Even the laptop I tested Windows 10 on in 2015, a Surface Pro 3, couldn't fully support Windows Hello, though subsequent Surfaces would all ship with it as standard equipment. I loved how easy it was to unlock my PC and that it was virtually impossible to fool.

There were other nifty bits like the Action Center, which thankfully replaced Windows 8-style Charms, and the Xbox App, which brought the console's profile management and other gaming features to the Windows platform.

Like most of the best platform updates, Windows 10 remained fantastically familiar with unchanged Printer menu, Device Manager, File Manager, File Folders, and Recycle Bin. Some might argue, as I did at the time, that Microsoft was still struggling to go more than skin deep with its Windows updates. After all, the inscrutable Registry was still a thing. But to know and love Windows is to understand that it's still the world's most widely used platform. Fundamental changes to the core of the OS risk breaking Windows for millions of users and, possibly, rendering some of their trusted hardware and systems incompatible. I always appreciated the care Microsoft took in not severing these critical connections.

Not all the great ideas

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

There were still vestiges of Windows 8 oddities living on in Windows 10, like Continuum, which could transform Windows into a touch-first interface for use on tablets like the Surface Pro. I know, no one uses Surface devices without keyboards, but Microsoft always positioned the convertibles as, well, convertibles. They thought the Surface Pro could ably compete with both the iPad and the MacBook Air. In the end, all Surface devices, those with or without detachable keyboards, mostly compete with traditional laptops. Continuum's disappearance in Windows 11 is mourned by no one.

This brings us to Cortana, Microsoft's biggest Windows 10 idea.

Cortana was not, in and of itself, new. After all, Microsoft took the name and modeled the digital voice assistant on Master Chief's helpful (and occasionally murderous) AI companion in the company's popular Halo console game series.

In Windows 10, Cortana occupied critical real estate next to the start button. It essentially replaced Search. You could talk to it and ask it to manage some system tasks. It was even a bit conversational. That's right, years before ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, Microsoft had us talking to our computers.

Here's how, in 2015, I described an early interaction with Cortana:

"Cortana can be smart and sassy. When I told her to "turn on Bluetooth," she perfectly interpreted my speech and, because she has access to system-level tools, told me (in her Halo-esque Cortana voice) that she had turned on Bluetooth. And when I asked Cortana, “Flights in Denver,” she correctly interpreted it and launched a webpage featuring MSN Travel results for flights. Later I asked her if she would marry me and she responded: "Among a handful of challenges, I don't think the Supreme Court would approve just yet." She's such a card."

Some things never change.

Cortana was as adept at written queries as she was at spoken ones and could even launch a Bing search for web-based queries, which is ironic since Bing's big ChatGPT-powered AI glow-up marked the end of the line for Cortana. Microsoft ended Cortana's standalone app existence in 2023, right around the time it introduced Bing AI, which was built on ChatGPT, and that eventually became Copilot.

What Windows 11 got wrong

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11, which arrived roughly six years after Windows 10 is arguably a better version of Windows, ushering in one of the platform's most radical redesigns, including a divisive, centered task bar, finally redesigned core app icons, and a deeply integrated Copilot that is riding the AI interrest wave to a prominence Cortana could only dream of.

Still, Microsoft's insistence on requiring TPM 2.0 support when it knew that vast numbers of consumers owned PCs that didn't include that was the opposite of the classic Windows big-tent approach: support everyone, make everyone happy. To be fair. Better security is better for everyone, but if Microsoft knew it was going to do that, it should've given Microsoft customers five years' notice and worked with Windows system partners to sell them all TPM 2.0-ready PCs.

I celebrate and will ultimately miss Windows 10. It's the bridge between the iconic Windows many of us grew up with and all that it would become in the 21st century. In it, Microsoft was willing to try big ideas, all while still holding its arms open for a deep embrace of all Windows PC owners. Windows 11 never felt like that, and now, as everyone is herded onto the Windows 11 and soon, Windows 12 train, it's worth taking one last look back at maybe the best Windows there ever was or will be.

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• Google Home devices keep on failing
• A smart light voice control bug has been acknowledged
• Now Google might face a lawsuit

Last week, we reported on a growing number of complaints about Google Home devices, with the smart home gadgets failing to deal with commands properly or throwing up other bugs. This week, it seems the problem is getting worse rather than better.

Google did respond to the initial wave of reports by saying that fixes and upgrades are on the way. However, Android Police spotted a Reddit thread saying that voice controls for smart lights were now completely broken and not working at all.

The fact that the official GoogleNestCommunity account on Reddit acknowledged the problem shows it's a real issue, which isn't something you want to see when Google has already promised to take action to remedy the situation.

Have a browse through the whole Google Home subreddit, and you don't have to scroll far to find reports of bugs – in fact, most of the posts are about malfunctions across doorbells, thermostats, smart speakers, and just about every other device type.

This could mean a lawsuit

Google Home devices aren't being particularly helpful (Image credit: Google)

The situation has gotten so bad that there are rumblings of a lawsuit, because Google clearly isn't delivering the smooth and integrated smart experience you might expect if you've picked up one of its Google Home or Google Nest devices.

US law firm Kaplan Gore has announced it has "begun investigating a possible class action" against Google, because so many users are now reporting broken functionality – despite most of these devices having worked fine in the past.

"Reports further indicate that, rather than fixing these issues, Google is allowing the issues with Google Home to increase in scale and frequency nationwide, and is not providing the service it promised users," says Kaplan Gore.

Kaplan Gore is now asking affected users to fill out a form explaining the problems they're having with Google Home, as it explores possible grounds for a lawsuit. It seems Google's neglect of its smart home ecosystem might come with a significant price to pay.

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• AMD's CEO indicated that chips made in TSMC's US factories will be pricier
• Lisa Su says they could be 5% to 20% costlier than chips produced in Taiwan
• Su argues that the cost is worth it in terms of diversifying the supply chain

AMD's CEO has admitted that the company's chips will be a fair bit pricier when they are produced in TSMC's factories in the US (as opposed to Taiwan).

Bloomberg reports that it will be more expensive to source chips from TSMC's new Arizona plant than its Taiwan factories. TSMC is the chip maker that AMD uses to manufacture most of its processors and GPUs, and AMD is set to start receiving chips from the Arizona plant before the end of 2025).

At an AI event, CEO Lisa Su said that US chips will be "more than 5% but less than 20%" costlier compared to "similar" parts produced in Taiwan. The chief executive also observed that yields in the US plant are comparable to TSMC's Taiwanese facilities. (The yield is the percentage of chips that make the grade to be used in a finished product – not every piece of silicon does, and chips in that category are often repurposed for lower-tier hardware).

In an interview with Bloomberg that followed the event, Su argued that any extra expense was worthwhile in terms of diversifying where AMD is outsourcing its production. The chief executive said: "We have to consider resiliency in the supply chain. We learned that in the pandemic."

Su also underlined that the demand for AI chips, wherever they are produced, isn't going anywhere and remains massive – which isn't news to anyone, of course.

Analysis: It's still early days for TSMC US

(Image credit: AMD)

While yields may be similar (or so we're told), what Su doesn't mention is that TSMC's most advanced processes are exclusive to its production facilities in Taiwan. Arizona only goes as far as the N4 node, which is 4nm – whereas the cutting-edge production process for TSMC is now 2nm.

Eventually, though, the plan is to manufacture those more advanced products in the US – the investment in Arizona is a huge one, after all – but for now, this is simply about adding diversity, as Su indicates.

Still, all the pieces of that diversity puzzle aren't in place yet, at least according to recent reports, which observe that AMD still has to send some US-made chips back to Taiwan for finishing (if they need advanced packaging applied).

Tthe plan is for that to happen in the US eventually – but for now, there's seemingly this clunky and rather impractical workaround in place as part of the rush to get more chips out of the door (to meet AI demand, which is, as mentioned, huge).

That could be one of the reasons why costs may be inflated, alongside potentially higher costs for being based in the US in the first place (such as labor, perhaps).

Su's estimate is quite wide-ranging here, and a price jump of 5% to 20% is a wide gulf. The former seems relatively trivial, the latter represents a much less palatable hike – slapping 20% on the cost of a typical Ryzen workhorse CPU would stick $50 on top, or thereabouts (going by the MSRP of the Ryzen 9600X, which admittedly is selling for a lot cheaper now).

Okay, so you can't boil this scenario down to that outcome – there are a lot more factors to consider here, including that Su's estimate is rather vague – but the higher end of the scale provided for the potential cost increase is somewhat concerning, for sure.

As is the fact that this isn't just some rumor floating down from an anonymous source somewhere in the supply chain, but that it comes from the CEO herself.

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• Antigravity's Insta360-powered first drone is focussed on simplicity
• 360 drone with 'immersive flight' is set for August launch
• It will shoot 8K video and weigh under 250g

There’s a new player entering the drone game, and I couldn’t be more excited. This week’s announcement (or should that be “pre-announcement”?) from Antigravity teasing its forthcoming 360 drone means that market leader DJI is about to get a major rival.

The Antigravity drone, developed by Insta360 and some unspecified third parties, isn’t a straight-up competitor to DJI’s range; it’s instead taking things in a different direction. By offering 8K 360-degree capture of everything around it – like a flying version of the superb Insta360 X5 camera – this is the first ever drone to offer immersive all-around capture out of the box.

Details are scant at the moment, but Antigravity’s press release promises to “replace the technical complexity inherent in both drone flying and 360-degree videography with expressive, story-first experiences that are easy to master yet exceptionally powerful.”

Ease of use is clearly going to be a major marketing point of this first Antigravity drone, with the release going on to mention intuitive, family-friendly operation aimed at people who don’t have time to learn “complex flight controls and aerial content creation”. And that focus on simplicity and ease of use is hugely exciting to me.

The upcoming Antigravity drone will be unveiled in August (Image credit: Antigravity, Insta360)Simply does it

Don’t get me wrong – I love the power and advanced capabilities of DJI’s premium drones like the Mavic 4 Pro, and learning how best to use them to create impactful aerial photographs and videos. As someone who has been reviewing drones ever since the original DJI Phantoms were released over a decade ago, I’ve had plenty of time to master quadcopter flight. And, let’s face it, it’s not like DJI’s drones are particularly difficult to fly, thanks to their plethora of built-in safety features, wind resistance and automated flight modes.

But the idea of an ultra-focussed, low-complexity drone designed purely for 360 video is also compelling – even if it’s, for now, all just marketing talk with few concrete details. Antigravity is making some bold claims – and it has to, if it wants to attract attention in a market absolutely dominated by DJI.

However, I can already spot two key areas in which the Antigravity drone keeps things simple. The first is its weight, which we know will be under 250g. That means it’s free from many of the restrictions and rules governing drones. In the US, drones under 250g are exempt from FAA registration for recreational use, while in the UK they don’t require a Flyer ID, can be flown closer than 50m to uninvolved people and can be flown at residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites. Less paperwork and more scope for flying are always welcome.

The DJI Mini 4 Pro's sub-250g weight is a key part of its appeal – and one that Antigravity's debut drone will also possess. (Image credit: DJI)

You might be thinking, “but DJI makes sub-250g drones too” – and you’d be right. The DJI Flip, DJI Neo and the DJI Mini range of drones all fall into the ultra-lightweight category, so this isn’t an area where Antigravity can differentiate itself. Where it can, however, is with 360 video.

Because the Antigravity drone’s camera design captures everything around it, all the time, the user doesn’t need to point the camera at a particularly subject when flying. The user just flies, lets the 360 camera do its thing and then, later on, can reframe the video to ensure that it’s pointing in the right direction. You’ll never miss a shot. This isn’t something we’ve ever seen integrated into a drone before, and truly sets the Antigravity apart from its competitors.

If I can forget about restrictions and forget about camera control, then all I need to worry about is putting the Antigravity drone in the right places. That’s a huge win in my book – and I can’t wait to take this new drone for a test flight.

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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, July 29 (game #513).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #514) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… You've got that right

NYT Strands today (game #514) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• CHEESE
• MESS
• BRIEF
• BLESS
• LISTEN
• TILE

NYT Strands today (game #514) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 12 letters

NYT Strands today (game #514) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 3rd column

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #514) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #514, are…

• LIFE
• VOTE
• SPEECH
• LIBERTY
• ASSEMBLY
• COUNSEL
• SPANGRAM: CONSTITUTION

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I think today's Strands concerns words found in the United States Constitution, but I will admit that I'm not an expert in this regard, given that I'm based in the UK. What I do know is that the words here represent a selection of human rights that we often take for granted, but that are constantly worth reminding ourselves of – especially if we feel they are under threat.

As far as my gameplay went I saw the two shortest words first before the spangram confirmed the theme and opened up the board.

Unlike most days I barely had to cock my head sideways to work out the game words and unusually had to go hunting for non-game hints after completing the board.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, July 29, game #513)

• EXACT
• STRICT
• PRECISE
• ACCURATE
• PERSNICKETY
• SPANGRAM: TAKING PAINS

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, July 29 (game #1282).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• A

• F

• U

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1283) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1283, are…

• DEBAR
• ADMIN
• FOLIO
• USAGE

After getting ADMIN and USAGE pretty quickly I stalled over the final two words.

Needing to think of a word containing R, A, E and D I struggled to conjure anything that didn’t end with a D (dread, bread…) before taking a chance with DEBAR.

Meanwhile, guessing polio instead of FOLIO was a 50/50 situation that thankfully wasn’t on my last go.

Daily Sequence today (game #1283) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1283, are…

• MERGE
• TIMER
• DROLL
• OLIVE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
• Quordle #1281, Monday, 28 July: CANDY, TRYST, SHIRT, FORGO
• Quordle #1280, Sunday, 27 July: TRAWL, BALER, PIANO, MINCE
• Quordle #1279, Saturday, 26 July: MUDDY, SAINT, KINKY, POLAR
• Quordle #1278, Friday, 25 July: BONUS, RESIN, CEDAR, MADAM
• Quordle #1277, Thursday, 24 July: AGONY, VERVE, GLEAN, MINUS
• Quordle #1276, Wednesday, 23 July: OZONE, PENCE, ROOMY, WIDER
• Quordle #1275, Tuesday, 22 July: OPTIC, GIDDY, VOCAL, ADULT
• Quordle #1274, Monday, 21 July: KNEED, SNAIL, PINTO, FEAST
• Quordle #1273, Sunday, 20 July: GRACE, COUNT, EGRET, GIANT
• Quordle #1272, Saturday, 19 July: EARLY, CLICK, TRITE, SPREE
• Quordle #1271, Friday, 18 July: CINCH, FOYER, FUDGE, TAFFY
• Quordle #1270, Thursday, 17 July: CRESS, TABOO, POWER, HATER
• Quordle #1269, Wednesday, 16 July: UNCLE, NADIR, REMIT, BROOM
• Quordle #1268, Tuesday, 15 July: VILLA, FLECK, TIGER, CRANE
• Quordle #1267, Monday, 14 July: SURGE, PIZZA, PAPER, POPPY
• Quordle #1266, Sunday, 13 July: KAYAK, DECRY, RUDDY, HATER
• Quordle #1265, Saturday, 12 July: WREAK, NANNY, CLASP, STAIN
• Quordle #1264, Friday, 11 July: LAPEL, DRAIN, FROND, GROSS

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, July 29 (game #779).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #780) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MONORAIL
• VOILA
• ORGAN
• TRIANGLE
• GROAN
• TRAIN
• ABUT
• VEHICLE
• MEDIUM
• BULGE
• COACH
• TETRACYCLINE
• DIRECT
• DIOXIDE
• INSTRUMENT
• GUIDE

NYT Connections today (game #780) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Show them the way 
• GREEN: You’ve got a platform
• BLUE: Begin with an ancient language 
• PURPLE: Jumbled orchestra 

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #780) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: INSTRUCT 
• GREEN: MEANS
• BLUE: STARTING WITH GREEK NUMERICAL PREFIXES 
• PURPLE: ANAGRAMS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #780) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #780, are…

• YELLOW: INSTRUCT COACH, DIRECT, GUIDE, TRAIN
• GREEN: MEANS INSTRUMENT, MEDIUM, ORGAN, VEHICLE
• BLUE: STARTING WITH GREEK NUMERICAL PREFIXES DIOXIDE, MONORAIL, TETRACYCLINE, TRIANGLE
• PURPLE: ANAGRAMS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ABUT, BULGE, GROAN, VOILA

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

Some days every group could be yellow, today they could all have been purple.

I felt very smug for getting STARTING WITH GREEK NUMERICAL PREFIXES – the trigger was seeing nothing else medicinal to connect with TETRACYCLINE, so I figured it had to do with the start of the word.

INSTRUCT came next – although initially I did think the connection was transportation, but then I hit the buffers and was left with eight random words and no discernible link between any of them.

All I had was that GROAN was an anagram of ORGAN. Then after a couple of mistakes I saw the others. Quite the struggle.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, July 29, game #779)

• YELLOW: DISCOUNT DEAL, PROMOTION, SALE, SPECIAL
• GREEN: IRRITATE BUG, NETTLE, RUFFLE, STEAM
• BLUE: POKER ACTIONS CALL, CHECK, FOLD, RAISE
• PURPLE: THINGS YOU CAN PUMP BRAKES, FIST, GAS, IRON

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

• Microsoft finds macOS security bug which could allow threat actors to pull sensitive data from Apple Intelligence
• "Sploitlight" revolves around Spotlight plugins
• It was fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.4, so users should upgrade now

Microsoft has revealed details of a security vulnerability in macOS which allowed threat actors to steal sensitive information from the Apple Intelligence AI tool.

In a blog post, Microsoft said it found a bug that bypasses Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) mechanisms found on macOS devices. TCC is a security and privacy framework that restricts access to sensitive user data and system features.

The bug, tracked as CVE-2025-31199, could allow hackers to access files in the Downloads folder, as well as caches utilized by Apple Intelligence. Microsoft dubbed the vulnerability “Sploitlight” since it abuses Spotlight plugins, but says it is more dangerous than previous TCC bypasses such as HM-Surf, or powerdir.

"Severe implications"

“The implications of this vulnerability are more severe due to its ability to extract and leak sensitive information cached by Apple Intelligence, such as precise geolocation data, photo and video metadata, face and person recognition data, search history and user preferences, and more,” Microsoft explained.

“These risks are further complicated and heightened by the remote linking capability between iCloud accounts, meaning an attacker with access to a user’s macOS device could also exploit the vulnerability to determine remote information of other devices linked to the same iCloud account.”

Spotlight plugins are used to index files for macOS search. Despite these plugins running in a sandboxed environment, they still have privileged access to scanned files, meaning attackers can modify plugin metadata to target specific file types.

By logging file contents during indexing, attackers can exfiltrate data without needing TCC permissions.

Apple says fixed the flaw in March 2025, through patches for macOS Sequoia 15.4. On NVD, the patch is described as providing “improved data redaction”. Microsoft said that Defender for Endpoint now detects “suspicious” .mdimporter installations, and unusual indexing of sensitive directories.

Via BleepingComputer

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If you’re a Mac gamer, you can’t have missed the recent news that Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red (CDPR) had brought its futuristic dystopia to Apple’s macOS. It’s been the biggest Mac gaming news in an already productive few years, and signals that Apple’s platforms are an increasingly attractive destination for game developers.

Since CDPR’s announcement, I’ve been testing Cyberpunk 2077 on my MacBook Pro with M1 Pro chip, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the results. The game’s default “For this Mac” custom settings opt for medium texture quality and a 1800x1125 resolution, with a locked 30fps frame rate. But once I turn on AMD’s FSR frame generation tech in the settings, my frame rate hits the mid-70s in the in-game benchmark.

Night City has looked better than it does on a 2021 MacBook, but it still runs shockingly well. (Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

That feels remarkably smooth for an integrated GPU on a chip from 2021, and it’s certainly better than most Mac gamers would expect from a game like Cyberpunk. It’s clear that Apple has worked hard with CDPR to give Mac gamers a tailored experience, and that’s paying dividends.

Sure, we’re not talking ultra settings and 100 fps or more, but the results are satisfactory enough for people on older Mac hardware. For Macs with more powerful components, the results will be even better – as my colleague Jacob recently learned when he tested the game on an M4 Max MacBook Pro.

This got me thinking about what’s coming next for the best MacBooks. While beefier chips would of course be very welcome, the results from my testing suggest they’re not the most vital upgrade that Apple’s laptops need when it comes to gaming. No, there’s something else that’s crying out for a change: the Magic Mouse.

Apple’s gaming weakness

Even M1 Macs are now capable gaming machines - but there's a hole in Apple's hardware approach. (Image credit: Future / CD Projekt RED)

Apple’s mouse has remained all but unchanged for the past 16 years. The latest revision, the Magic Mouse 2, is ten years old now and is really starting to show its age. Apple’s decision to bring USB-C to the device last year is nowhere close to what’s needed.

Indeed, people have been complaining about the Magic Mouse almost since the day it launched. Its low profile and smooth top surface can lead to hand and wrist discomfort, and I know at least one person who has had to switch to an ergonomic mouse, such was the pain of using the Magic Mouse. Don't even get me started on the fact that you have to flip the whole thing over to charge it.

But the situation is especially bad for gamers. The mouse’s slimline shape and slippery surface make it hard to grip in tense moments. Its lack of clearly defined left and right buttons can lead to misclicks. And there are no additional buttons for macros and extra functionality. It’s not a good choice for all but the most basic of Mac games, and it trails far behind all of the best gaming mice by virtually every metric.

It strikes me that improving the Magic Mouse could make far more of a difference to Mac gamers (and Mac users more generally) than an even better chip. Apple’s signature Mac chips are already some of the best in the industry. Its signature mouse, though? That lags far behind.

Yet if Apple fixed up its wayward features and gave it the treatment it deserves, Mac gaming could finally step up to the next level. Sure, you could still buy a third-party alternative, but you might not want to if Apple’s offering can actually do the job, particularly if it came bundled with your Mac. It feels like a glaring omission from Apple, but it’s not too late for the company to correct course if it truly is serious about making macOS a legitimate gaming platform.

A new mouse for a new era

Look at this thing. I don't like it, and I'm certainly not the only one. (Image credit: Majed Khan / Unsplash)

The good news is that Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman has previously said that Apple is working on a “full overhaul” of the mouse with improved ergonomics, but we don’t know much beyond that. I’m not asking for a Razer-esque decked-out gaming mouse with blinding RGB lights and seven hundred buttons, but something that’s more ergonomically shaped would benefit gamers and non-gamers alike.

I’m also aware that this is probably a fairly low priority for Apple. After all, gamers can use their own third-party mice instead – that’s what I do already. The Magic Mouse is currently only bundled with the iMac and the Mac Pro, and while you can buy Apple’s mouse separately, I suspect that not everyone does that. It’s likely that relatively few Mac users actually experience the Magic Mouse, making a serious overhaul less of a pressing need for Apple.

Still, it remains an awkward dud for Apple, and improvements in this area would bring benefits to many of the company’s customers, regardless of whether they play games or not. Apple wouldn’t even have to mention its gaming benefits if that didn’t fit the company’s narrative, but gamers would certainly feel the difference.

When – and if – any of this happens is another matter. But I’m hopeful that Apple is at least considering it, given the Magic Mouse’s age and the lukewarm reception it continues to receive. In the new age of Mac gaming, this is the company’s chance to put things right.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong does not currently have a release date, after being delayed out of its last window. Thankfully, we did get a short update during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event which let us know that it'll come out sometime in 2025.

So far, Team Cherry has revealed a fair bit of gameplay, a couple of trailers, and provided an update on the development of Hollow Knight Silksong nearly two years ago. In terms of upcoming games, Silksong is easily one of the most highly anticipated, so hopefully we see more of it sooner rather than later.

There's still plenty to learn about Hollow Knight Silksong, namely whether or not it can measure up to the lofty legacy of its predecessor. Here's what we know about the upcoming sequel so far, including a look at gameplay, all of the latest news, and what's been said about when Hollow Knight Silksong is coming out, and on what platforms.

Hollow Knight Silksong - Cut to the chase

• What is it? The sequel to Hollow Knight, a modern-classic metroidvania game
• When does it come out? TBC 2025
• What can I play it on? PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
• Who is making it? Team Cherry

Hollow Knight Silksong platforms

(Image credit: Team Cherry)

Hollow Knight Silksong is currently being developed for PS5, PS4, XSX|S, XBO, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch. Given that it's been quite a while since we had an update about the game, this is subject to change. If platforms for Silksong do change, we'll update this page.

What we do know is that it'll arrive sometime in 2025, according to a short glimpse during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event.

Hollow Knight Silksong trailers

The most recent trailer we've seen from Hollow Knight Silksong arrived as part of the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase event in late 2022. This trailer, which you can view below, shows off gameplay, as well as a look at the new protagonist and setting.

There have been a few more trailers released for Hollow Knight Silksong over the last four years or so. We've included some of them throughout this article, but to see all of them you can head over to the game's official YouTube channel.

Hollow Knight Silksong story and setting

Hollow Knight Silksong is set in the haunted kingdom of Pharloom. Visually, it is a gilded, gloomy sort of area, not dissimilar to the deepnest setting of the first game. Hornet will start at the very bottom, having been brought there after being captured. From there, she must climb higher and higher, hunting down foes and ultimately determining the fate of the world around her.

Much like in the first game, Silksong looks likely to convey most of its story via NPC dialogue and lore found in the environment. A story is definitely there if you want to and it, but perhaps takes less of a spotlight when compared to other facets of the game. What we do know is that there will once again be a variety of bosses to take down, friends to meet, and subtle choices to decide on while you play. There's still a lot to learn about the story in Silksong, but we're betting most of it will be kept a mystery, right up until the game is in the hands of players.

Hollow Knight Silksong gameplay

(Image credit: Team Cherry)

Players will play as Hornet in Hollow Knight Silksong, who is a pretty stark contrast when compared to the Knight from the first game. She is much more agile, able to dart and grapple around the world, with her needle weapon in hand. Once again, players will be able to find new abilities as they progress, giving them options for customizing Hornet.

So far, we've yet to see too much gameplay for Silksong, but what's been shown looks to be a continuation of the platforming/boss fighting of its predecessor. You'll explore different zones, slowly unlocking the map. It's a Metroidvania game once again, meaning that certain areas are locked behind ability upgrades, with lots of backtracking involved. Boss fights look to be a big part of Silksong, with the gameplay trailer released last year having shown off a couple of the main foes we'll be taking on.

Generally, if you played Hollow Knight, it seems as though you'll be right at home with the gameplay in Silksong. We'll have to wait and see just how many new bells and whistles are included this time around, but, for now, the action is looking like more Hollow Knight - which is certainly not a bad thing.

Hollow Knight Silksong latest news

Hollow Knight: Silksong will actually be playable at Gamescom 2025
Xbox has unveiled its plans for Gamescom 2025, which will include the opportunity to play a Hollow Knight: Silksong demo. The game will be playable on the upcoming Asus ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds at the Xbox booth.

Hollow Knight: Silksong will be out 'before' the holidays
One of the most surprising parts of the recent Xbox Games Showcase was the reveal of new Xbox handheld PCs, the Xbox Asus ROG Ally and Xbox Asus ROG Ally X, and the confirmation that Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available on them at launch. This means it'll be out before the holiday period.

Hollow Knight Silksong confirmed for 2025
During a sizzle reel that was shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event, Hollow Knight Silksong is planned for 2025.

Hollow Knight Silksong delayed out of 'first half of 2023'
In a Tweet, Team Cherry's Marketing Director announced that the game will no longer hit its release window of the 'first half of 2023'.

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• Data continues to go back to Chinese servers even with telemetry off
• Hardware and OS specs, mouse/keyboard activity and more
• Trae memory usage is 3x higher than Cursor

A developer has taken to GitHub to warn that ByteDance's Trae AI-powered IDE has been collecting data from users and sending it to the Chinese company's servers.

A report found extensive network activity continues despite users disabling telemetry in settings, with around 500 network calls observed in seven minutes, equating to around 26MB of data being transferred.

The data was being routed to ByteDance servers on the byteoversea[.]com domain, with a broad range of system and project information potentially at risk of being collected by the company.

ByteDance's Trae IDE could be collecting data

According to the report, ByteDance was collecting system information like hardware specs and OS details, usage patterns, performance metrics, project and file path information, unique persistent identifiers and mouse/keyboard activity, among some other elements.

The developer also found ByteDance has the potential to enable/disable feature or modify functionality remotely without pushing updates.

Marketed as a free alternative to the likes of Cursor, Trae uses GPT-4o and Claude-3.5-Sonnet to help users boost productivity, but the app was found to use around three times as much memory as Cursor (and 6.3x VS Code).

The biggest privacy and security concerns center and data sovereignty, with major alarm bells ringing about ByteDance's persistent collection of information even after users change their preferences. The developer was also concerned about the amount of unnecessary system information collected in those logs, and the fact that it was all being sent to Chinese infrastructure.

ByteDance customers also share transparency concerns, with the IDE failing to properly disclose the data collected and the telemetry toggle appearing to be non-functional.

TechRadar Pro has asked ByteDance to respond to these allegations, but we did not receive an immediate response.

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