Technology

• Windows 11 has finally overtaken Windows 10 for market share
• 52% of those using Microsoft's desktop operating systems are now on Windows 11
• That's a hefty swing of almost 10% away from Windows 10

At long last, Windows 11 is present on more PCs globally than Windows 10, at least according to one set of figures from an analytics firm.

StatCounter provided fresh statistics for July which show that Windows 11 has accelerated to account for 52% of all Windows versions worldwide, leaving Windows 10 in its wake on 44.59%.

That's quite a shift from the previous month where Windows 10 remained just in the lead on 48.76% with Windows 11 on 47.98%. So, Windows 11 was not far off a full percentage point behind in June, but is now in the lead by 7.4%, a swing of near 10%.

Could this be the start of a mass exodus of Windows 10 stalwarts fleeing for the shores of Windows 11? Well, that can't be ruled out, and it's clear that time is running short when it comes to the looming deadline for the end of support for Windows 10, which is October 2025 - which is only three months away now.

However, I'm not convinced that there will be a stampede of migrators, because while I've argued in the past that you should be making the upgrade to Windows 11 early - assuming you can (due to your PC's spec) - there's no longer quite the same sense of urgency in this matter.

Why not? Let's go over that next.

Analysis: Support and scrapheaps

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Something changed with Windows 10's extended support program for consumers recently, and it's worth recapping in case you missed it. Microsoft decided to offer an alternative to the $30 fee that was previously required to get an extra year of security updates for Windows 10 (through to October 2026).

So, instead of stumping up that cash, you can now elect to have the Windows Backup app sync all your PC's settings to the cloud. If you allow that to happen - via signing in with a Microsoft Account - then you can get the extra year of all-important security updates at no cost. This gives you a lot more breathing space to work out what you might want to do next, which is great for those who can't upgrade to Windows 11 due to its loftier system requirements (or those who simply refuse).

Of course, 'free' is not usually completely free, and the cost here, as it were, is allowing your settings to be synced. Due to this, some online commenters have accused Microsoft of almost a kind of 'blackmail' in terms of getting access to your data. However, I should note that the wording of Microsoft's offer is important here, and you're not syncing all your personal data to OneDrive or anything - all you have to sync are your Windows settings.

And having those settings synced should help in the future, too, if you want to make the transition to Windows 11 (or the following version of Windows) at a later date on a new PC. Microsoft's hope, it seems, is this will make that transition easier, and so folks are therefore more likely to tread that path.

I don't think there's any underlying motive from Microsoft here to get its claws into your personal data as some are suggesting, so in my book, this all seems fair enough. If you're not convinced, however, that's equally fair - you don't have to take Microsoft up on this option. You can pay instead (or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, if you have them, which is another alternative), or just go ahead and switch from Windows 10 come its End of Life in October 2025.

Whatever you do, don't stay on Windows 10 without security updates - never mind worrying about Microsoft's nose potentially being in your data, a hacker could really make your life a misery by compromising your PC due to an unpatched vulnerability because your system doesn't have security updates.

Taking a broader perspective, I've half-convinced myself that Microsoft may even offer more than a year of additional support to consumers (in the same way it treats businesses).

Mainly because this new Windows Backup-related offer has come in at the last minute, largely I suspect to assuage some of the fears of the 'towering scrapheap of Windows 10 PCs' activists who are (rightly) concerned about the environmental impact of Microsoft's Windows 11 system requirements. (Those that prevent a lot of would-be upgraders from moving to the newer OS, due to having an older CPU, or the lack of a specific security feature, TPM 2.0).

And so I don't think it's unimaginable that Microsoft might offer a second year of extended support for consumers, and I very firmly believe the company should do so. We shall see, but for now, with an extra year of support on the table for free (effectively), there's no need to rush to abandon Windows 10 for many folks. Not unless your trust in Microsoft is particularly low, or you don't have a Microsoft account and don't want to sign up for one (to sync your settings).

There are, of course, other options aside from Windows - the main one being a switch to Linux. Of course, in that case, you need to be prepared to leave Microsoft's ecosystem and put up with some of the limitations that one of the best Linux distros will come with (mainly around compatible software, particularly PC games).

Meanwhile, we can expect further spikes in adoption for Windows 11 in the near future, although perhaps not to the same extent that some people might expect, given those extra choices Microsoft has just introduced.

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The best Netflix movies often get a sequel, but that’s not gone down too well for 2020’s The Old Guard. Its sequel is part of everything coming to Netflix in July 2025, but after arriving on the platform last week, critics and fans alike have given the superhero action film a big thumbs down.

If you’re not familiar with the plot, Charlize Theron plays Andy, who leads a group of immortal mercenaries that are able to heal themselves. In the sequel movie, they face off against a new enemy in the name of protecting humanity, all the while dealing with a long-lost immortal’s return.

Unfortunately, many have highlighted problems with the film, including an undeveloped script and a cheap overall look, which have been cited as reasons not to bother with The Old Guard 2. Still, the sequel has managed to make it into Netflix’s top 10 most-watched movies, and I think there’s an overlooked reason for why it should stay there.

Why I recommend watching The Old Guard 2

Spoilers follow for The Old Guard 2.

Two words: Charlize Theron. More specifically, four words: Charlize Theron’s leading romance. Cut through the noise of reviews and enraged social media posts, and you’ll find a deserved appreciation for the will-they-won’t-they love at the movie’s centre. Andy has an unspoken connection with Quỳnh (Veronica Ngô), an immortal who used to be connected to The Old Guard. We met the pair during the first film, but the sequel brings fans ever-closer to a potential Andy-Quỳnh kiss.

It doesn’t happen, but that’s almost not the point. The Old Guard 2 might not be hitting all the beats of a well-crafted film, but it’s playing this particular storyline to its advantage. By taking the time to develop what’s between them in the background, there will be a more satisfying payoff in the long run – and that means the increased possibility of The Old Guard 3.

Even if that doesn’t happen – Andy and Quỳnh clearly only have eyes for each other even after 500 years alive. Netflix should be praised for exploring a different kind of vulnerability and representation .It’s not an outright LGBTQ+ film, but the new Netflix movie is giving us range in its love, and we can all get something from that.

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• The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could be far slimmer than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
• However, not all sources agree on how thick Samsung's phone will be
• Samsung's upcoming flagship might also have more RAM than its predecessor, among other spec changes

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max are arguably two of the most highly anticipated upcoming phone releases, but while they’re both sure to excel in most areas, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may have the edge in at least one way.

According to @UniverseIce – a leaker with a good track record – the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will be under 8mm thick, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be 8.76mm thick.

We’ve heard roughly that thickness for the iPhone 17 Pro Max before, with another source saying it will be 8.75mm thick, but this is the first we’re hearing of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s thickness.

The designs of iPhone16 Pro max and Galaxy S25 Ultra are the closest at the moment, and their length, width and thickness are basically the same.However, iPhone17 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra will be the beginning of two completely different designs. The thickness of iPhone 17…July 6, 2025

If this latest leak is correct then the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will be significantly slimmer than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and – as the source points out – this could also be a sign of diverging design philosophies for these two brands, as while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max are almost identically thick, at 8.2mm and 8.3mm respectively. This change would see Samsung slimming down its flagship, while Apple goes in the opposite direction.

This source also claims that the weight difference between these phones will be even greater, though they don't specify how much each handset will weigh.

However, while the source of this leak has a good track record, we would take it with a pinch of salt, especially as another Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs leak suggests the phone will instead be 8.1mm thick.

This comes from leaker @PandaFlashPro (via NotebookCheck), and while they don’t have quite as much of a track record to go on as @UniverseIce, they have correctly leaked Samsung information in the past.

A new chipset and more RAM

This isn’t the only Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra detail @PandaFlashPro leaked, as they also claim it will have a Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset, and a similar 6.9-inch screen to the current model, just with different (presumably smaller) bezels.

Additionally, they state that the number and layout of camera lenses will remain the same, just without the large camera rings found on the S25 Ultra, and that there will once again be a 200MP main camera, but that this will be packing a new lens.

There will also apparently once again be a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a 50MP 5x telephoto, and a 3x telephoto lens that may or may not have a new sensor.

In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra the 3x telephoto has a 10MP sensor, but supposedly the company hasn’t decided whether to replace this or not. The front-facing camera though will apparently be improved, with new features like 4K 120fps slow-motion video recording.

@PandaFlashPro also claims that storage will remain unchanged, with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations set to be offered, and all of these are said to come with 16GB of RAM, while in the case of the Galaxy S25 Ultra they come with 12GB.

Other listed specs include a 20% larger vapor chamber, and the return of a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging. As with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra it’s also said to support Qi2 magnetic wireless charging – but only with the addition of a magnetic case.

But with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra not likely to land until early next year, we’d take all of this with a pinch of salt, as it’s still very early for leaks and rumors. Before that though, we're expecting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, both of which will probably land on July 9.

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• Oracle will offer the US government 75% off certain software packages
• It will also offer "substantial" cloud service discounts
• The company has close ties with the government

Oracle is reportedly offering the US federal government a huge 75% discount on license-based software and further "substantial" discounts on cloud services until November.

The news, reported by Wall Street Journal, follows several weeks of discounts by tech giants trying to win big government bids, in response to cost-cutting efforts driving by the Musk-founded Department of Government Efficiency.

However, this marks the first deal to offer a government-wide discount on cloud infrastructure, including data storage, computing and networking, according to the report.

Oracle discounts to the US government

As part of the cost-cutting initiative, the General Services Administration aims to use government-wide purchasing power to negotiate better tech deals, removing siloes and cutting out middlemen to drive the biggest savings.

Salesforce has already offered the US government a staggering 90% discount on Slack, while Google and Adobe also form part of a growing list of tech companies dropping prices.

Besides reducing costs, the US government is also undergoing a pretty big transformation to modernize outdated IT systems.

With the US government already working closely with Oracle, the 75% software discount and further cloud discounts could secure a large chunk of revenue for the Texas-based tech giant. It recently launched a new program to help smaller vendors sell to the Defense Department, and is also a major partner for OpenAI's Project Stargate which aims to expand AI infrastructure across the US.

Oracle CEO Safra Catz explained: "We remain steadfast in our commitment to the US government and are thrilled to work with the GSA to help every department and agency modernize their technology and gain the benefits of Oracle Cloud and AI."

Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum welcomed the discounts, adding that transparency around tech acquisition could tackle "waste, fraud and cost takeout."

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• The EU has published a database of smartphone battery life
• It suggests Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra offers excellent battery longevity
• There are plenty of other interesting revelations found in the data

If you’re looking for the phone with the best battery life overs its lifetime, the European Union (EU) has just made your job a little easier. That’s because it has published a database of battery ratings (via Android Authority) for a huge number of the best smartphones, and there are some fascinating revelations buried within.

Searching through the EU’s new European Product Registry for Energy Labelling database isn’t particularly straightforward – you need a phone’s model identifier number rather than just typing in something like “Google Pixel 9a” – but once you’ve got that, you can get info on battery life, ingress protection, drop resistance, and more.

That makes it a useful way to put phones up against each other and see which has an advantage. For instance, in the eternal battle between Samsung and Apple, we’ve compared the battery ratings of the flagship iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Here, something interesting emerges: the S25 Ultra is rated for twice as many battery charge cycles as the iPhone.

Specifically, the EU reckons the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is rated for 2,000 charge cycles, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro Max sits at 1,000 cycles. That would appear to give Samsung a significant win in the battery department, on paper.

However, it’s not quite as clear cut as that. The S25 Ultra’s “battery endurance per cycle” rating sits at a hair under 45 hours, which the EU says means “how long a smartphone's battery lasts from a full charge to when it needs to be recharged again.”

For the iPhone 16 Pro Max, its battery endurance per cycle is higher at 48 hours. So, the iPhone might last a little longer per charge, but the S25 Ultra is rated for more charge cycles in total.

Comparing the best smartphones

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

What about the charge cycles of other popular phones? We’ve found the database entries for the top devices in our list of the best smartphones and entered them into the chart above for easy comparison.

Looking at the data, it’s clear that the OnePlus 13 offers by far the longest charge per cycle at 61 hours and 36 minutes. The iPhone 16 Pro, meanwhile, is bottom of the pack at 37 hours. But both phones are rated for 1,000 charge cycles.

The total number of charge cycles isn't an estimate of how many a phone's battery can take before it dies, but rather the number of complete charges until you start to see degradation in its performance. So the figures above aren't necessarily an estimate of a phone's overall life cycle.

How do we know how reliable all of this is? The information is almost certainly self-reported, which – you would think – could lead to dodgy scenarios and an incentive to fudge the numbers. There might be some reliability, though, as the EU has set out regulations on how battery endurance should be measured. Providing those are being adhered to, we can put a little trust in the numbers, although we can’t be 100% certain.

Besides needing to take these figures with a healthy degree of skepticism, there’s also much more that goes into deciding which phone to buy than just looking at its battery capabilities. You need to consider its chip, cameras, software, durability, and much more. But if you prize battery life over a phone's lifetime above all else, the EU’s database could be a helpful resource indeed.

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• Louis Vuitton Korea confirms cyberattack and data theft
• No financial data was taken
• Luxury fashion brands are being actively targeted these days

Cybercriminals broke into the Korean subsidiary of luxury brand Louis Vuitton and stole sensitive files, the company has confirmed.

"We regret to inform that an unauthorized third party temporarily accessed our system resulting in the leak of some customer information," the company allegedly said in a statement published on its local website.

The company notified government authorities, and moved to secure its infrastructure and data, confirming some information was taken in the breach, but financial files were not among them.

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Scattered Spider's fingerprints

Other details of the attack are scarce - we don’t know when the attack happened, how the miscreants breached the company, or what they were looking to achieve. We also don’t know if they demanded any ransom in exchange for the stolen files, or if an encryptor was deployed.

However, we do see a pattern in cybercriminals targeting major luxury brands. In early June 2025, French luxury brand Cartier warned customers some of their sensitive personal information was stolen in a data breach.

Two weeks prior, in mid-May 2025, Dior experienced the same thing, after finding an unauthorized third party accessing some of the data it holds for Dior Fashion and Accessories customers. Around the same time, Victoria’s Secret, another major fashion brand, filed a new form with the US SEC confirming restoring systems after a breach.

Although unconfirmed in most cases, there were some reports attributing all three of these to Scattered Spider - a loosely tied organization of cybercriminals known for targeting specific industries at any one time. The FBI recently warned about Scattered Spider shifting focus towards US retailers. Although most of these are not US companies, they are major retail brands and as such are likely targets for Scattered Spider.

Via Reuters

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I wear my Bose QuietComfort headphones so often that I'm not sure why I still waste time picking out pretty earrings in the mornings. They’re a little on the expensive side at their full price of $359 / £349, but they pay it back in the form of fantastic ANC and great sound, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a nice price drop this Prime Day.

Last year Amazon US knocked a massive 45% off the list price, taking the Bose QuietComfort headphones down to just $199, which is the cheapest they’ve ever been, so we're hoping they'll go even lower this year. In the UK, they dropped as low as £259 last Prime Day, and we're already seeing them on sale for £249 this year, so again we'll be looking out for even cheaper deals when Prime Day officially gets underway.

True to their name, the QuietComforts are super-comfy to wear, and continue to be a great fit despite my petite size, which has proven a disadvantage with some other headphones. Bose seems to have gotten the ear cup padding just right with the QuietComforts, ensuring that they feel good to wear without overdoing it and compromising the seal, which is something I’ve experienced with cheaper alternatives, where excessive padding has affected the fit, leading to gaps, and a rush of ambient noise when I turned my head.

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve found I get a great seal with the QuietComforts thanks to the snug design, so there’s barely any sound leakage, which enhances the already good ANC performance. These headphones do a great job of cutting out the loud rumblings of trains and buses on journeys, and dampening down ambient sounds in louder environments, so they’ve been a real game-changer for me on commutes.

While the large push-button controls may be a little old-school for some, I’m a big fan of the controls on the QuietComforts. I often find touch controls on audio headwear to be hit and miss (literally), but the push buttons on my Bose mean I can locate the button I need quickly. I also appreciate the slider format of the power switch, as it makes it really easy to turn them on and off on the go.

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of sound, I'm really happy with the balance even without fiddling with the EQ settings, so I’ve had no problems when swapping from podcasts to power ballads. There’s a fantastic level of depth and detail when playing instrumentals like All This Time by From Somewhere Quiet and Adam Dodson, and listening to songs like Smoke by Willyecho is particularly enjoyable, as the QuietComforts are well-versed in delivering deliciously dynamic beats and booming bass without sacrificing vocal clarity.

(Image credit: Future)

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones may have overtaken the standard QuietComforts as one of the best noise-canceling headphones, but having tried out both pairs, I’m actually happy to compromise on the sound quality for these best budget Bose headphones, especially when the ANC performance is pretty similar, and I find the simple button controls on my QuietComforts much easier to use.

I really adore these headphones, and though I may occasionally find myself lusting after prettier alternatives, they just haven’t compared to my trusty Bose. Before you buy, I’d recommend reading through our full Bose QuietComfort headphones review for the full run-down, and holding fire until Prime Day, just in case there’s another big discount on the way.

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• Some Pixel owners are reporting Android 16 lock-screen issues
• They say the screen can be laggy and unresponsive
• So far, Google hasn't issued any official advice about the issue

The official Android 16 rollout got underway last month, with the best Pixel phones first in line for the update – but it appears that the software is causing lock-screen issues for a significant number of Pixel owners.

A variety of problems have been reported, as per 9to5Google. These include the lock screen not waking up when tapped, and not responding to a press of the power button, as well as fingerprint ID issues and extreme variations in brightness.

"I've been experiencing a significant and frustrating delay when trying to wake my phone," writes one user on the Pixel Phone Help forums. "I often have to press multiple times before the phone finally reacts. This issue is occurring one to two times daily."

For that particular user, there was a fix: booting into Safe Mode (see here) and then rebooting normally. If you're experiencing something similar then that fix is worth a try – but even with a possible workaround available, it's not something Google will be pleased to see.

Trouble waking up

Android 16 launched in June (Image credit: Google)

"Has anyone else noticed issues where the screen does not wake up when tapping the screen or trying to use lift to wake?" asks another user on Reddit. "Also pressing the power button has a long delay waking up the screen."

That user reports that their issues are with a Pixel 9 Pro XL, and that the problem has been logged with Google. If you are having difficulties with Android 16, the Google Help portal is a good starting point for getting some assistance.

As yet, Google hasn't said anything officially about the issues – perhaps because the bugs being reported are so numerous and so varied. The types of problems being mentioned are the sort that could well be fixed with a future Android 16 software update.

It's tricky to assess how widespread these issues are right now – they're definitely affecting some Pixel users, but not all Pixel users. Even if only a small number of people are hit though, it's disappointing that we're still seeing bugs like this after several months of beta testing.

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• Amazon Prime users are being hit with fake renewal emails designed to steal login details
• Clicking fake “cancel” links could expose your banking info to professional online fraudsters
• Scammers are mimicking Amazon to trick shoppers before the four-day global Prime Day event

With Amazon Prime Day upon us, and set to run in twenty-six countries, the company is urging customers to be wary of a growing wave of cyber scams.

The company has sent out emails informing the over 200 million Prime members it has seen a sharp rise in fraudulent activity, especially impersonation attempts using fake emails, texts, and calls, ahead of the event.

These scams often target unsuspecting users with misleading claims about their Amazon Prime membership or account security, attempting to extract sensitive data or login details.

Phishing scams use fear tactics to defraud unsuspecting victims

Sample of a fake email (Image credit: Avast)How to spot a fake email

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Fake emails often try to trick you into revealing personal details - look out for tell-tale signs such as:

• Starting with generic greetings such as “Dear customer”
• Using urgent or threatening language to pressure for quick action
• Coming from strange or misspelled email addresses
• Suspicious links or unexpected attachments
• Typos or poor formatting throughout
• Asking for passwords or financial information
• Being sent from unknown or unofficial sources

Amazon says Prime members are being targeted by emails which falsely claim their subscriptions are about to renew at a new price.

These emails sometimes contain personal information and may include a "cancel subscription" button that redirects to a fake login page.

"We've recently noticed an increase in customers reporting fake emails about Amazon Prime membership subscriptions," Amazon said in an email to Prime members.

The aim is to trick users into revealing login credentials or banking information.

Amazon warns clicking on links in these fake emails can lead to compromised accounts and stolen payment details.

The company says such activity is not limited to email, as between February and March 2025, Amazon recorded a 71 percent surge in scam phone calls in the UK alone.

Impersonators typically warn users about false order issues or claim urgent action is needed.

“Scammers rely on urgency and fear,” Amazon explained, noting they often pretend accounts will be locked or charged unless immediate steps are taken.

In one notable case from Prime Day 2024, there was an 80 percent spike in impersonation scams in the US, a trend that is already repeating this year.

Although Amazon fights these scammers, and says it shut down over 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 fake phone numbers in 2024 alone, the volume of new threats remains high.

The company says that 94% of impersonation scams globally arrive via email, text, or phone.

In a March 2025 update, Amazon also revealed social media scams had risen by 33 percent since December 2024, as fraudsters responded to customer complaints using counterfeit profiles.

How to stay safe

To avoid falling for scams, always access Amazon through the official app or by typing the website address directly into your browser.

Check the Message Center in your account for real messages, and enable two-factor authentication to block unauthorized access.

Never reuse passwords across sites, as stolen credentials can be used elsewhere.

Be cautious with messages that demand quick action, and think before clicking any link.

Confirm that items are “Shipped and sold by Amazon” for stronger protection.

If you mistakenly click on any suspicious link, monitor your debit or credit card closely for any unauthorized transactions and report the same to your bank.

The best antivirus helps to detect phishing attempts, while the best malware protection blocks data theft and can help you stay safe in this shopping season.

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• A threat actor claims to have stolen 106GB of sensitive files from Telefónica
• Telefónica says the files were old, stolen from a previous incident
• A sample was shared with the media, with the full batch soon to follow

A cybercriminal is threatening to release more than 100GB of sensitive data stolen from Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica.

In January 2025, the company suffered a data breach at the hand of the Hellcat ransomware operation. At the time, the group broke into the telco through an internal Jira development and ticketing server.

Among the members of the group is a threat actor with the alias Rey, who said that while Telefónica was addressing one flaw, it created another, giving them 12 hours of uninterrupted data exfiltration. During that time, which Rey claims was in late May 2025, they allegedly stole 106GB of sensitive files, counting more than 380,000 files of internal communications, purchase orders, logs, customer records, and various employee data.

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Old incident, or a new one?

The hacker has released a small 2.6GB sample, and are threatening to release the whole thing unless a payment is made.

But Telefónica is downplaying the incident. Speaking to BleepingComputer, a Telefónica O2 employee said the data is old and that there was no new breach.

To prove the authenticity of the data, Rey shared a sample with BleepingComputer, including a file tree.

“Some of the files included invoices to business clients in multiple countries, including Hungary, Germany, Spain, Chile, and Peru,” the publication said.

“In the files we received there were email addresses for employees in Spain, Germany, Peru, Argentina, and Chile, and invoices for business partners or customers in European countries.”

While the data found in the sample is from 2021 and older, the publication did state that some of the emails it saw belonged to “active employees”.

“Since Telefonica has been denying a recent 106 GB breach containing data from its internal infrastructure, I am releasing 5 GB here as proof. Soon, I will publish the full file tree, and over the next few weeks, if Telefonica does not comply, the entire archive will be released. ;)” - Rey said.

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• Netflix is planning to increase its output of live shows and celebrity interviews
• A potential partnership with Spotify could see more live music broadcasts on the platform
• Star Search is being rebranded as Building the Band, starting July 9

Netflix is looking to continue its success with live streams and reality shows by doubling down on the content it’s already producing in the space – and that’s thanks to a potential partnership with Spotify, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal.

The partnership is set to help Netflix take its unscripted shows to the next level. Unsurprisingly, Netflix already has plans in motion for what we’re likely to see over the coming months and years, and it all comes back to being family-friendly.

Indeed, over the last few years, some of the best Netflix shows to binge have been reality TV. From guilty pleasure shows like Love is Blind to nail-biting spinoffs like Squid Game: The Challenge, the streaming service is slowly but surely building up a solid back catalog of unscripted content. But for the best streaming service on the market, that’s not enough.

More live shows and celebrity interviews

What a Netflix and Spotify team up would mean is more coverage of live music and awards shows. The streaming service has already been live streaming events including WWE and the Screen Actors Guild Awards, so moving into the music industry seems like a sensible move.

However, just how many live streamed shows we’re set to see remains up in the air. While sports and film events have largely gone ahead without a hitch, the streamer has occasionally run into technical difficulties, including the infamous Love is Blind reunion show in 2023. “We don’t want to do live for live’s sake,” executive Jeff Gaspin told The Wall Street Journal. “If we are going to do live, we should have a reason.”

On top of this, Netflix executives have also suggested that an increase in celebrity interviews is likely too. A pilot with The Daily Beast is reportedly being developed, leaning into “buzzy, non-political” events rather than fully-fledged news programming. Again, Netflix has already experimented with this, launching its first-ever celebrity sit-down talk show Everybody's Live with John Mulaney in March 2025.

The next great music competition could soon arrive

What Netflix doesn’t have, however, is its own music competition. The Voice and American Idol rule the TV roost in the US, and it’s a popular area the streaming service can certainly compete in. While untitled contests are currently in development, Netflix’s immediate plan is to reboot Star Search, rebranding it as Building the Band.

Back in the 1980s and 90s, the popular music contest was responsible for launching the careers of stars including Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. This time around, it’s set to have the same feel as X Factor UK in 2010 (which was, of course, the series that created One Direction). Building the Band will be hosted by Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean, following promising musicians auditioning to be in multiple new bands.

However, there’s a twist: acts won’t see each other until they begin the band rehearsal process, taking a leaf from The Voice’s audition format. Unlike its rivals, Building the Band will be entirely on-demand, though this could be changed if it gets picked up for a second season. Vice president of non-fiction series and sports Brandon Riegg confirmed season 2 would have a live finale, with viewers allowed to vote for their favorites in real time.

Building the Band streams from July 9, though it’s currently the only proposed unscripted content expansion with a set release date. We might be waiting a while to get these new live content while shows, such as Neil Patrick Harris’ trivia game show What’s in the Box, are in development.

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Foundation season 3: key information

- Launching on Apple TV+ in mid-July
- Contains 10 episodes
- Trailers unveiled in May and June
- Key cast members set to return
- Other actors confirmed to have joined the cast
- Plot synopsis revealed
- Draws from Isaac Asimov's 'Foundation and Empire' and 'Second Foundation' books
- Fourth season reportedly in development with a new showrunner

Foundation season 3 is just days away from airing on Apple TV+. The critically-acclaimed space opera returns on July 11, so you don't have long to read up on everything we know about it.

Before you proceed, check out my Foundation season 3 review to see what I thought of its first five episodes. Once you've done that (or bookmarked it for later), you can read on to learn more about Foundation's third season, including more on its confirmed cast, story specifics, trailers, and the sci-fi series' future.

Full spoilers follow for Foundation season 2. Potential spoilers also follow for this season and Isaac Asimov's book series namesake.

Foundation season 3 release date

A post shared by Apple TV (@appletv)

A photo posted by on

Foundation season 3 arrives TV+ on Friday, July 11. It'll debut with a one-episode premiere and new chapters will drop every Friday until the finale on September 12.

Initially, its cast and crew declined to comment on the sci-fi series' season 3 renewal when I asked them about this in July 2023. Thankfully, Foundation season 3 was confirmed to be in the works by Apple later that year.

Development didn't always go as planned, though. Last February, Foundation season 3 faced an agonizing filming delay amid multiple issues, including apparent disputes over its budget. Less than two weeks later, things seemed rosy again, with principal photography starting up again on Foundation's next installment.

However, one week later, rumors quickly spread that showrunner David S. Goyver had stepped back from the Apple TV+ sci-fi series, with fellow executive producer Bill Bost reportedly stepping in to fill the gap. Suffice it to say, the road has been a bumpy one for Foundation's third season.

Foundation season 3 trailer

Foundation season 3's official trailer was released on June 11, and it not only revealed the Apple TV+ show's most dangerous villain yet, but also teased an unexpected alliance between the show's main factions.

Missed season 3's first teaser, which arrived in mid-May? Check it out below:

Foundation season 3 confirmed cast

New versions of Brother Dawn, Brother Day, and Brother Dusk will appear in season 3 (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Major spoilers follow for Foundation season 2.

Here's who we'll see in Foundation season 3:

• Jared Harris as Hari Seldon
• Lee Pace as Brother Day
• Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick
• Laura Birn as Demerzel
• Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn
• Terrence Mann as Brother Dusk
• Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn
• Alexander Siddig as Doctor Ebling Mis
• Troy Kotsur as Preem Palver
• Pilou Asbaek as The Mule
• Cherry Jones as Foundation Ambassador Quent
• Synnøve Karlsen as Bayta Mallow
• Cody Fern as Toran Mallow
• Brandon P Bell as Han Pritcher
• Tómas Lemarquis as Magnifico Giganticus
• Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing as Song
• Leo Bill as Mayor Indbur

The first seven actors return from seasons 1 and 2, while the rest are all newcomers for the latest 10-episode installment. That includes this season's villain, aka The Mule, who'll be played by Pilou Asbaek after a season 3 cast shake-up last year. Speaking to me ahead of this season's launch, Asbaek explained why The Mule "needs to be [seen as] a big threat" to both Empire and The Foundation.

Flashback sequences notwithstanding, it's incredibly unlikely that we'll see any other actors return from season 2. Its follow-up is set over 150 years after the series' sophomore outing, so the likes of Ella Rae Smith's Queen Sareth and Kulvinder Ghir's Poly are surely dead by this point.

One major character who definitely won't return is Leah Harvey's Salvor Hardin. She sacrificed herself to save Gaal in 'Creation Myths', aka season 2's final episode. Foundation's universe has the potential to bring people back from the dead – we're looking at you, Hari – but, considering Salvor was cremated, she's officially dead and gone.

Foundation season 3 story synopsis and rumors

Gaal has been in cryosleep for 150-plus years by the time season 3 begins (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Major spoilers follow for Foundation season 2.

Here's Foundation season 3' story synopsis: "Set 152 years after the events of season 2, The Foundation has become increasingly established far beyond its humble beginnings while the Cleonic Dynasty’s Empire has dwindled.

"As both of these galactic powers forge an uneasy alliance, a threat to the entire galaxy appears in the fearsome form of a warlord known as The Mule whose sights are set on ruling the universe by use of physical and military force, as well as mind control. It’s anyone’s guess who'll win, who'll lose, who'll live, and who'll die as Hari, Gaal, the Cleons, and Demerzel play a potentially deadly game of intergalactic chess."

That's just enough to go but, if you want on where this season could go narratively, my Foundation season 2 ending explainer looks at the possible storylines and subplots that could set up this season. If you don't want to click away from this page, though, I'll give you an in-depth, spoiler-filled breakdown from this point on.

In season 2 episode 9, we learned more about Demerzel's backstory and how she's the Empire's shadow ruler (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Let's start with Empire. Season 2's incarnations of its three Emperors – Dawn, Day, and Dusk, all clones of Cleon I – no longer sit on the throne (or thrones, if you will). Day suffocated in space, Dusk was killed by Demerzel, and Dawn fled with Queen Sareth after Demerzel threatened to execute Sareth for her alleged failed assassination attempt on Day in season 2's opening episode.

Demerzel hired the Blind Angels to murder Day because he wanted to marry Sareth and father his own children, which would've ended the Cleonic Dynasty. This plan went against the directives Cleon I gave Demerzel – remember, she's a robot – centuries earlier, which included maintaining his clone-based blood line. Long story short: Demerzel planned to set up Sareth as Day's would-be murderer and execute her to preserve the status quo.

With season 2's Emperors deceased or on the run, Demerzel had to decant new versions of all three clones – something she's never had to do before. With season 3 set over a century later, these new iterations aren't the current incumbents on the throne, though, so she's had to carry out the process once more since.

Meanwhile, in season 2 episode 9, aka 'Long Ago, Not Far Away', the Vault-based version of Hari Seldon – you didn't forget there were two of him, did you? – showed Demerzel how to operate the Prime Radiant. Essentially a data storage device, the Prime Radiant contains all of Hari's psychohistory-based math, which is being used to help guide humanity through its darkest age yet.

The Prime Radiant also exists in a state of supposition, allowing it to exist in two places at once. That means the living Hari (the one working with Gaal) possesses one and, unfortunately for The Foundation, the other is now in Demerzel's hands. Once she can read Hari's math, she'll be able to use it and get a reading on how the galaxy's future is supposed to play out.

Toran and Bayta Mallow reluctantly become embroiled in events throughout season 3 (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Speaking of the Vault, 'Creation Myths' revealed that the mysterious 4D structure survived the destruction of Terminus. Expect it to continue playing a big role in Foundation's overarching plot.

The Foundation's survival isn't the only thing Empire has to contend with.

For starters, Dawn and Sareth's absconsion is a worrying prospect – Sareth is pregnant with Dawn's child, meaning their firstborn has a claim to the Empire's throne. With Foundation season 3 featuring a major time jump, we could see their child's next of kin make a play for the royal seat if this particular narrative is followed up on. After all, in the second half of 'Foundation and Empire', the second novel in Asismov's Foundation book trilogy, the Empire is engulfed by civil war. This plot point could be adapted for a showdown between Dawn and Sareth's bloodline and the Cleonic dynasty.

Elsewhere, Gaal and Hari's successful recruitment of the Mentalics, a race with psychic abilities, means The Foundation is stronger than ever. Add the Mentalics to the Foundation's seven planetary bodies, plus the Empire losing the ability to hyperjump – the genetically engineered Spacers are no longer enslaved by them – and, as this season's story synopsis points out, the playing field is more level than ever before.

Ignis is our home: a world worth saving. We’ll fight for its future. Will you do the same for yours? pic.twitter.com/MFVqs5DJwlJune 5, 2025

Hari, Gaal, and company shouldn't expect to walk all over Empire now, however. The emergence of The Mule – a powerful Mentalic who begins conquering worlds in Asmiov's book series – will surely give rise to the Third Seldon Crisis.

These crises are fixed points in humanity's existence that determine whether The Foundation succeeds or fails. So far, The Foundation has navigated two potential calamities: surviving in the galaxy's outer reaches and bypassing a full-blown war with the Empire.

The Mule, though, will pose the biggest threat – and that's saying something – to The Foundation's existence. To combat him, Gaal and Hari have entered cryosleep on the Mentalics' sanctuary of Ignis. That way, they can reawaken when The Mule shows up and help lead the fight against him. The rest of the Mentalics will hone their abilities and learn about psychohistory in the interim 150-year period so they're ready to battle The Mule and his forces when the time comes.

Is Foundation season 4 in the works?

Jared Harris, who plays Hari Seldon and Doctor Seldon, doesn't know if season 4 is in the works (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Not officially. However, a fourth season is reportedly in the works with a new showrunner in Fear the Walking Dead alumnus Ian Goldberg.

For what it's worth, Llobell and Harris told me they don't know if Foundation season 4 has been secretly greenlit. However, by the time season 3 ends, Foundation will have only covered the first two main novels in Asimov's book series – 'Foundation' and 'Foundation & Empire', plus the first half of the third novel titled 'Second Foundation'. There are two prequel novels and two sequel books that expand on Foundation's unique universe, too, so there's plenty more storytelling ground to cover.

Ahead of the first season's launch, Goyer (per Decider) revealed he had an eight-season outline for the series. It's deviated somewhat from the story told in Asimov's books so, alongside adapting parts from the wider source material, a more complete narrative could be told in the seasons to come.

As long as Foundation continues to draw in a big enough audience to justify its financial outlay, Apple should continue to bankroll its development. If this season struggles to draw to do that, though, the tech titan has shown it isn't afraid to cancel shows before their time. The jury is out on whether Foundation season 3 will be the show's latest or final chapter, then.

For more Apple TV Plus-based coverage, check out our guides on Presumed Innocent season 2, Severance season 3, Ted Lasso season 4, and Slow Horses season 5.

• Dull office design is now a reason to resign, not just a minor complaint
• Mental health issues are being linked to poor visual and ergonomic workspace conditions
• Remote work offers freedom, but bad tech setups kill creativity and focus fast

The modern workplace is undergoing a silent crisis which isn’t solely about productivity, but also the mental well-being of employees, new research has warned - and it could be due to boring office design.

The latest Art of Productivity report from Kinly has found uninspiring and dull workplaces are not just hurting morale, but also making employees question their long-term futures with employers.

Among UK workers aged 24 to 35, nearly half (46%) said they would consider leaving their jobs due to unattractive or poorly designed office spaces - and more worryingly, 21% said such environments are actively harming their mental health.

Mental health takes a backseat to design flaws

This growing concern is prompting a new wave of collaboration between AV and HR departments, the report found, with over two-thirds (69%) of AV teams now working closely with HR to support employee well-being through the smarter use of technology.

Over half of businesses surveyed already use digital signage and visual tools to improve the day-to-day office experience, showing a shift in how workplaces are being designed and managed.

Rather than relying on generic perks or policy changes, companies are turning to creative AV-driven design strategies.

Tom Martin, CEO at Kinly, noted, “office design is no longer just an aesthetic choice, it’s a strategic one,” stressing modern office environments should empower and inspire.

“The office has become a second-choice experience for many employees, but implementing technology creatively can and will make a difference,” he said.

This view is shared by visual artist Ben Sheppee, who warns that remote work, while flexible, can stifle creativity if not properly supported.

“It’s vital that businesses provide the technology to help ideas flow freely, no matter where their teams are.”

These solutions are not just about visual appeal; they focus on inclusivity, with 31% of enterprises actively using AV to support neurodiverse staff.

Sensory-friendly features and accessibility-focused tools are becoming part of the broader toolkit for creating healthier workspaces.

Also, 71% of AV professionals believe these technologies play an essential role in maintaining a sense of community across hybrid work environments.

That said, digital displays and emotion-sensitive design may offer novelty, but their long-term impact remains uncertain.

Some people argue that no amount of immersive AV can substitute for ergonomic essentials such as standing desks.

Many believe workspace tools like one of the best office chairs or best office desks are fundamentals that directly affect comfort or focus, and these should be the priority.

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• An Xbox executive suggested that laid-off employees use AI for emotional support and career guidance
• The suggestion sparked backlash and led the executive to delete their LinkedIn post
• Microsoft has laid off 9,000 employees in recent months while investing heavily in AI.

Microsoft has been hyping up its AI ambitions for the last several years, but one executive's pitch about the power of AI to former employees who were recently let go has landed with an awkward thud.

Amid the largest round of layoffs in over two years, about 9,000 people, Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, suggested that AI chatbots could help those affected process their grief, craft resumes, and rebuild their confidence.

The gesture was meant for support, but it left many game developers feeling outraged.

Turnbull took his possibly well-meaning but definitely poorly phrased and timed message to LinkedIn. He shared ideas for prompts to give an AI chatbot that he claimed might help laid-off colleagues navigate career uncertainty and emotional turbulence.

The backlash was swift and angry, leading him to delete the post, but you can still read it thanks to Brandon Sheffield's Bluesky post below.

Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing - after the Microsoft layoffs - suggesting on Linkedin that may maybe people who have been let go should turn to AI for help. He seriously thought posting this would be a good idea.

— @brandon.insertcredit.com (@brandon.insertcredit.com.bsky.social) 2025-07-07T07:54:06.534Z

Turnbull urged colleagues to lean on AI to reduce the “emotional and cognitive load” of job loss in his post, along with the prompt ideas for 30-day recovery plans and LinkedIn messages. Probably the most eyebrow-raising suggestion was suggesting a prompt to help reframe impostor syndrome after being laid off.

“No AI tool is a replacement for your voice or lived experience," Turnbull wrote. "But in times when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help you get unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.”

Even the most charitable interpretation of his post can't overlook just how condescending and poorly timed the advice is. And angry game developers flooded the comments, likely leading to the deletion of the post.

To put it mildly, they don't agree that being laid off is an emotional puzzle best solved with an algorithm. Instead, perhaps a human might understand the career and life upheaval it represents, and how that requires human compassion, support networks, and tangible help, like, say, an introduction to someone who can help you get a new job.

AI therapy

This incident is even worse in the context of Microsoft spending billions building AI infrastructure while dramatically shrinking its gaming teams. Urging laid-off developers to lean on AI right after losing their jobs is more than hypocritical; it's telling people to use the very technology that may have caused their job loss.

To be scrupulously and overly fair to Turnbull, using AI could help with some mental health concerns and might be useful in improving a resume or preparing for a job interview. Making AI part of outplacement services isn't a horrible idea. It could boost the internal coaching and career-transition arm Microsoft offers already, adding to the recruiters, résumé workshops, and counselling it offers. But it can't and shouldn't replace those human services. And having one of the people who let you go tell you to use AI to find a new job is the opposite of supportive. It's just an insult on top of injury.

Microsoft’s dual approach of laying people off and doubling down on AI infrastructure is a test of its company culture as much as its technical ability. Will we see a new standard where layoffs come with AI prompt packages instead of counseling and severance? If the message is, “Feel free to use chatbots to help you after we fire you,” expect plenty more outrageous, tone-deaf nonsense from executives.

Perhaps they should ask those chatbots how to interact with human beings without angering them, since it's a lesson they haven't learned well.

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Data centers are the backbone of the digital age; however, many are stuck in the past. Legacy facilities, which were built for a different era, are now struggling under the weight of modern computing demands. With ageing infrastructure, poor energy performance and rising operational costs, these outdated environments are quickly becoming a liability in a world that demands speed, scalability and sustainability.

In light of this, forward-thinking organizations are taking action and migrating their core applications from traditional on-premise infrastructure to the cloud. Such a move achieves modernization of a bank’s IT environment whilst also positioning it to be more agile and cost-efficient when it comes to customer-centric innovation in an ever-evolving digital economy.

Despite this, transforming legacy data centers is not the undemanding cure-all that banks and other financial organizations might be vying for, or even economically viable for that matter. For some, the path forward means shutting down outdated facilities altogether. For example, Singaporean telco Singtel announced last year the closure of five of its legacy data centers in Singapore as part of its plans to pivot towards sustainable, AI-focused facilities, reflecting a wider shift to a more measured and strategic approach to IT infrastructure investment.

The growing need for data agility and cloud-native platforms

Organizations are therefore under growing pressure to respond at speed, often forced to relocate critical data with little notice when closures or capacity shifts occur. It's a logistical challenge, but one that underscores a broader truth, which is that data agility is no longer optional. Rather, it has become a critical need for financial organizations to be able to access, process and act on data, especially in an era where the priorities for technology in an organization can shift overnight.

With ESG standards now central to the tech industry’s agenda, traditional data centers that overheat, guzzle energy and leave a heavy environmental footprint are increasingly out of step with where the sector is headed. But the challenges go far beyond sustainability. Legacy infrastructures create operational drag given the fragmented systems, inconsistent data quality and rigid architectures that hinder fast, informed decision-making.

Cloud-native models provide real-time insights and the ability to scale on demand, which in itself stands as a sharp contrast to outdated data infrastructures that require significant upfront investment based on predicted needs. This often leaves businesses stuck with inflexible systems and delays whilst waiting for hardware. Security is another growing concern.

Whilst cloud providers constantly update and strengthen their defenses, many on-premises teams struggle to keep up. Add to that the rising pressure of data sovereignty regulations and escalating energy costs, and the need to modernize becomes not just compelling, but critical.

A smart migration starts with a clear strategy

Given its elastic scalability, precise cost controls and robust, built-in security, it is certainly no surprise that many organizations are turning to the cloud. However, whilst the benefits are clear, the journey isn’t instantaneous. Successful cloud adoption requires a well-thought-out roadmap. The first step is crafting a strategy that’s tightly aligned with business objectives.

This translates to assessing workloads based on their impact, prioritizing mission-critical applications and selecting the right deployment model, whether it is public, private, or a combination of the two. Multicloud is increasingly gaining traction as it helps avoid vendor lock-in and gives businesses the freedom to leverage the unique strengths of different providers.

But moving to the cloud must be done with precision, especially in complex, legacy-heavy environments such as those that can be found in traditional banks. A rushed migration can have the opposite effect of what financial organizations may hope for when undertaking mass data migration to cloud-native platforms.

Cloud adoption affects multiple parts, if not every part of the business, be it applications and data architectures or operating models and governance frameworks. Missteps in timing or execution can lead to budgets being stretched too tight, unplanned downtimes and costly inefficiencies. Mitigating this risk requires financial organizations to approach migration as a deliberate, end-to-end transformation that reshapes how banks operate, innovate and ultimately deliver value to their customers, instead of a quick fix or a reactive measure.

At the same time, integration of robust governance at every stage of the journey is critical, with security, compliance and data protection ensured from the very outset. With cloud environments demanding continuous optimization, it is a key consideration that the work does not stop at the point of migration. Performance and cost efficiency must be reviewed regularly to ensure systems are running as expected and delivering value.

Recent advances with generative AI and AI tools can also help to accelerate the migration from on-premises legacy data centers to cloud environments by automating discovery, dependency mapping and workload classification. These tools analyze infrastructure and application behavior to identify optimal cloud targets and architectures. AI coding products also assist in refactoring legacy code, creation of testing and documentation, predicting migration risks, and simulating performance in the cloud, reducing migration time and enhancing planning accuracy.

The symptoms of ageing infrastructure in banking

This imperative for cloud migration is especially acute in the banking sector, where traditional institutions are locked in a race against digital-first challengers that can deploy new features in a matter of weeks, whilst legacy banks remain reliant on ageing mainframes. The cost of inaction is no longer hypothetical.

Earlier this year, more than 1.2 million UK customers were hit by banking disruptions on payday, marking a critical moment for individuals and businesses alike. Major high-street banks reported service failures ranging from login delays to hours-long customer service waits.

These outages weren’t isolated incidents, but symptoms of deeper systemic fragility tied to ageing IT systems. In contrast, cloud-native organizations are built for resilience, scalability and real-time responsiveness, which are qualities that legacy setups struggle to emulate.

These failures were not just unfortunate, but predictable and more importantly, preventable, further highlighting the point that embracing cloud-native infrastructure is no longer a long-term goal, rather an urgent priority for maintaining customer trust and securing future competitiveness for incumbent banks.

Data agility as a means of being future-ready

Ultimately, data agility is the engine of faster decision-making, operational flexibility and innovation, whilst cloud-native platforms make that agility possible. By using a fully cloud-native core, financial institutions can sidestep the constraints of traditional infrastructure allowing them to focus squarely on customer needs and accelerate time to market in ways that legacy banks simply would not be able to through traditional channels.

Achieving these results requires organizations to invest not just in modern cloud platforms, but in a data-driven culture that treats information as a strategic asset. Real-time data streaming paves the way to immediate insights, rather than lagging by hours or days. And as market demands continue to evolve, success depends on ongoing integration and innovation.

Cloud transformation isn’t a one-off milestone; it’s a continuous journey of aligning strategy, technology and execution to stay ahead of what’s next.

We've listed the best cloud storage.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Akaso 360 price starts at $199.99 / £199.99 / AUS329.99 – a record low for 360 cameras
• It was launched worldwide on July 7, 2025
• Prime Day deals for rival models crash the party

Insta360 may have cornered the 360 camera market in recent times, but it's under threat from a rumored DJI Osmo 360 and now a surprise entry to the market, the new Akaso 360.

Akaso is a proven alternative to leading action camera brands such as GoPro, Insta360 and DJI, with an impressive lineup of low-cost models. Now it has entered the 360 camera space with the Akaso 360, and it's super impressive for the money – check out our in-depth Akaso 360 review.

The all-new 360 camera shoots crisp 5.7K video with total 360 degree coverage through its twin lenses, complete with the software smarts we've come to expect from the best 360 cameras, such as seamless stitching and selfie stick removal.

Perhaps what's most impressive, though, is the price point at which the Akaso 360 enters the market – it's so much cheaper than any other current model.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Akaso)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Akaso)Lowering the bar for 360 camera prices, but is the Akaso 360 the best value?

The launch price for the Akaso 360 starts at just $199.99 / £199.99 / AUS329.99 for the Standard Combo, or $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.99 for the Creator Combo, which adds two additional batteries, a battery charging case and a 120cm selfie stick. It's available at Amazon US and Amazon UK, or directly from the Akaso store.

For price, no other 360 camera comes close – the Insta360 X5 is well over double, while the GoPro Max (2025) is around $150 / £150 / AU$200 more (and that's following a new price point from the original Max model from 2019, which was a similar price to the X5).

But just because the Akaso 360 is the cheapest model available, should you get it?

The comparison between the Akaso 360 and Insta360 X5 is hardly fair – the latter is the best 360 camera on the market, and it beats Akaso's model in almost every respect, including its 8K video and low light image quality.

The X5's twin lenses can be swapped out in case of damage too, with cheap replacement lenses available. In the long run, this feature alone could make it better value than any other 360 camera. After all, break a lens while recording with any other model, which is a likely eventuality for filming outdoor pursuits, and the whole camera needs a pricey repair or replacing. Not so with the X5.

For features and performance, however, I think the older Insta360 X3 is the closest Akaso 360 rival.

It doesn't help Akaso's cause that it unveiled its first 360 camera during Prime Day week, at a time when there are huge price cuts for the X3. You can get the Insta360 X3 for $249.99 at Amazon US (original price $449.99), or £259.99 at Amazon UK (original price £459.99) or at the Insta360 store for the same price, with other bundles available.

The X3 is still a little pricier, then, but I think it has the edge over the Akaso 360 in two ways. First, it's waterproof up to 33ft / 10m, while Akaso's model is not, and second, the X3 also shoots HDR video.

If your wallet stretches that little bit further, the X3 deal is superb value. Otherwise, the cameras are pretty similar, and if the two points above don't put you off Akaso's new model, then a full-price Akaso 360 is still excellent value. It's a super impressive 360 camera for the money.

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Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 7, No. 287

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 7.

El Tri face off against Mauricio Pochettino's USMT in Houston.

It's no surprise that fitness companies love the subscription model: it guarantees them income long after the initial purchase of a smartwatch or a fitness tracker.

Most of the big names in the business now give you the option of paying a monthly fee to unlock extra insights from your health data, and extra features for your apps and devices.

Comments made by Samsung's Head of Digital Health, Dr Hon Pak, have revealed that a health subscription is an idea Samsung is "exploring" as well, and it's perhaps something that will be announced alongside the Galaxy Watch 8 or the Galaxy Ring 2.

This would, of course, have knock-on effects for the best Samsung phones and all the other devices where you'll find the Samsung Health app.

While I feel like I'm right up to the limit as far as digital subscriptions go, there are a few specific ways that Samsung could tempt me to sign up for another service – but it has to make it worth my while.

1. Tools that actually improve health and fitness

The Galaxy Watch 7 is great – if you know what to do with it (Image credit: Samsung)

I'm keen to improve my health and fitness, but I don't really know where to start: from YouTube videos and how-to articles, to AI coaching and social media influencers, there's an overwhelming amount of advice out there. What I really need is a trusted source that will help me with everything from workout plans to nutrition advice.

If that's something Samsung Health can offer, I'd consider paying for it. Whether it's through the form of videos, personalized guides, or something else, I need some clarity around what I should be doing to lead a healthier life.

I'd want to see real progress as a result of my subscription though, whether it's being able to run faster for longer, or bouncing out of bed with extra energy – otherwise what am I paying for? At least if it's a month-to-month subscription, I'll have the option of cancelling it if nothing seems to be changing.

2. Features that actually save me money

Subscriptions have to be worth the cost (Image credit: Strava)

There are a handful of digital subscriptions that I happily pay money for, and what they all have in common is they help me do my job better and more efficiently. Subscriptions that save me time or mean I can work smarter are effectively paying for themselves, or even saving me money overall.

Take YouTube Premium, for example. YouTube can of course be used for free, but paying means I save a lot of time watching and clicking through ads, and means I don't have to pay for Spotify (because YouTube Music Premium is included).

So what would that look like for a health subscription? Perhaps one that has features comparable to paid-for running app, meditation app, and nutrition app subscriptions, and can consolidate them all.

To sweeten the deal even further, how about money off Samsung wearables? Surely a win-win for Samsung.

3. Data insights that are actually insightful

The Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Enduro 3 (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

It's become cliche for health subscriptions to offer more advanced insights into your data: often, it's a vague promise that often doesn't really amount to much. Garmin Connect+, for example, promises something called "Active Intelligence" that apparently gives users "personalized insights and suggestions" (powered with the help of AI, of course).

I'd very much welcome genuinely insightful insights, though no one seems to have quite solved this problem yet. Fitness trackers amass a wealth of data each day, much of which never gets properly looked at, like reams of photos backed up to cloud storage.

Give me tips and advice that are actually useful please, Samsung. How much is each 5-a-side game boosting my fitness? Which days of the week do I need more motivation to exercise? Do I drink more water if I get to sleep earlier? Help make sense of the stats I'm accumulating, and I may well sign up.

What Samsung has to avoid: trapping users

We're yet to see a subscription as nightmarish as the ones in Black Mirror (Image credit: Netflix)

Something that makes me wary about signing up for yet another digital subscription is the fear that I'll be locked into yet another product and another ecosystem – unable to leave unless I want to throw away years of data and features I've come to rely on.

It's something you may have seen in the most recent series of Black Mirror: a couple trapped in a subscription that gradually adds more and more advertising (is that you, Netflix?) and removes more and more features. The experience becomes truly awful – but not subscribing is even worse.

Samsung Health already supports services such as Android's Health Connect, and data from any extras that a subscription offers shouldn't be locked away – but available to export and use elsewhere, and in other formats.

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