Technology

Light spoilers follow for Lanterns episodes 1 to 7.

DC Studios probably didn't expect to have so much riding on Lanterns prior to its debut. But with Supergirl flopping at the box office and fans openly worrying about how much green they'd see in its Green Lantern TV show, DC and HBO executives have likely been sweating ahead of launch.

James Gunn, Peter Safran, Casey Bloys, and company can breathe a collective sigh of relief. While it stops short of being a TV masterpiece, Lanterns is the strongest DC Universe (DCU) entry yet — and, if future DC Studios movies and shows are this good, the cinematic franchise's brightest days may still lie ahead.

In brightest day, in blackest night...

Meet John Stewart and Hal Jordan, everyone (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max)

Spanning storylines in 2016 and 2026, Lanterns introduces us to Aaron Pierre's John Stewart and Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan. As of 2016, Jordan has spent 30 years keeping vigil as Earth's first Green Lantern.

But his tenure is nearing its end. That's because Stewart is selected to be Jordan's replacement by the Guardians of the Universe, a group of omnipresent superpowered extraterrestrials that founded the intergalactic space cop agency known as the Green Lanterns Corps. The group asks a reluctant Jordan to take the new recruit under his wing.

Lanterns suggests that the DC Universe's brightest days still lie ahead

Two months into Stewart's training, a mysterious high school murder draws the pair to Rushville, Nebraska. What starts out as a local investigation, though, soon unspools into a far-reaching, mass cosmic conspiracy that impacts both plotlines.

Sheriff Kerry Kane (left) helps and hinders Stewart and Jordan's own murder investigation (Image credit: HBO)

Naturally, the 2016 narrative directly influences events in 2026, with the latter particularly focusing on the consequences and repercussions of the duo's actions 10 years prior.

I'm not allowed to reveal how these dual timelines interact, or how the wider seasonal structure and time jump operate. What I can say, though, is that I was surprised by how the episodic format frames its dual storylines.

The 2026 storyline occasionally feels like Lanterns season 1.5

In fact, the 2026 storyline, which takes place in the DCU's present, occasionally feels like Lanterns season 1.5 — and that's my biggest critique. I haven't seen this season's eighth and final episode yet, so I still hold out hope that the finale will tie everything together seamlessly. Right now, though, the present-day plot feels like an overly drawn-out epilogue to the 2016 events and a foundational layer to the DC comic book show's already in-development second season.

Sometimes, Lanterns' tension-breaking jokes undermine its more serious moments (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO)

None of this means Lanterns is predictable. Sure, given its source material, its superhero flair and 'new weird' sci-fi sensibilities are expected. At its core, though, it's a grounded, rural crime drama — albeit with cosmic stakes — that unapologetically wears its True Detective influences on its sleeve.

Narrative curveballs, then, are par for the course, even if they're hurled with varying degrees of success. Indeed, while I decoded one of the 2016 storyline's biggest mysteries early on, I was completely blindsided by a game-changing plot twist that redefines its dual timeline structure. No spoilers, but it's a bold storytelling pivot guaranteed to upset Green Lantern fanatics and ignite debate among DC purists.

Lanterns' game-changing plot twist is... guaranteed to upset Green Lantern fanatics

Given the deliberately slow-burn nature of its unfolding story threads, the DCU Chapter One show's action largely takes a backseat to character work and its police procedural tendencies. Small-scale skirmishes and chase sequences, rather than constant spectacle, are largely the name of the game.

When Lanterns decides to go full throttle, though, it does so with aplomb. Again, I'm not at liberty to talk extensively about specific episodic events, but one entry completely usurps the space cop murder-mystery vibes for emotionally heavy, big-budget set-pieces — and the show is all the better for it.

Passing of the torch

Despite Hal Jordan's prominence in proceedings, Lanterns is very much John Stewart's story (Image credit: HBO)

Ultimately, Lanterns wouldn't be as blindingly brilliant without its talented co-leads — and Pierre and Chandler are certainly a match made in heaven.

Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler are a match made in heaven

Barely five minutes into episode 1, their utterly absorbing buddy cop relationship bears fruit, too.

Balancing humor and gravity in equal measure, Stewart and Jordan are unmistakeably two sides of the same courageous coin from their very first interaction. It's an opening exchange that instantly validates their perfect casting, and highlights the pair's natural, magnetic rapport that only deepens as the series progresses.

Hal Jordan isn't going to give up his ring without a fight (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)

Their bond is only strengthened by their individual and collective complexities. Between Hal's unconventional mentorship, backstories that unexpectedly tie their pasts together, and a deep-seated yet unspoken mutual respect, the veiled hostility that punctuates their dynamic has an electrifying push-and-pull that you can't take your eyes off.

Stewart and Jordan's dynamic has an electrifying push-and-pull you can't take your eyes off

Green Lantern traditionalists might balk at certain character tweaks, such as the obsessive drive imbued in the DCU's Stewart.

For the most part, though, both actors capture the true essence of their characters — Pierre embodying the stoic, disciplined, and measured Stewart to a tee, while Chandler delivers a flawless portrayal of Jordan's brash, reckless, intentionally aggravating, and stubborn persona.

With these polar opposites both believing themselves uniquely worthy of wielding Earth's sole Green Lantern ring, their powder-keg rivalry heightens with every episode, which eventually erupts into a conflict that leaves their already fragile relationship irrevocably scarred. Suffice it to say, Lanterns' buddy cop bond is the best I've seen in a long, long time.

Are you afraid?

Kelly Macdonald's Kerry is a crucial component of Lanterns' dual storylines (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max)

Beyond its leads, Lanterns boasts an exceptionally strong ensemble. Kelly Macdonald is terrific as the HBO Max show's primary supporting character, Kerry Kane, Rushville's no-nonsense sheriff with a mysterious history of her own, who dovetails with Stewart and Chandler as part of a captivating triumvirate.

Beyond its leads, Lanterns boasts an exceptionally strong ensemble

Macdonald is far from the only standout. Garret Dillahunt is the subtle, creeping menace and intriguing ranch owner, Will Macon, whose wider antagonistic role isn't exactly subtle with regard to Lanterns' thematic exploration of white privilege, racial discrimination, and injustice.

Elsewhere, Poorna Jagannathan imbues the enigmatic Zoe with charm and complexity, and Laura Linney commands the screen as Lianna, aka one of the Guardians of the Universe.

Will Macon is a hard man to read for much of Lanterns' first season (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max)

Furthermore, J. Alphonse Nicholson and Jasmine Cephas Jonas shine as Stewart's parents — primarily during a flashback-heavy, Stewart family-focused episode, but also now and then during the 2026 plot. Special credit to Nathan Fillion's guest-starring role as the wonderfully obnoxious Guy Gardner, too, whose fiery interactions with Stewart are, like the latter's fraught dynamic with Jordan, worth the entry fee.

If there's a downside, it's that a few talents are disappointingly underused — namely, Jason Ritter's Billy Macon and, given his weight in Green Lantern mythology, Ulrich Thomsen's Sinestro. With the latter, though, the trajectory heading into this season's finale suggests the show might still set things right.

The mysterious Zoe has a big role to play in DC Studios' latest TV venture (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max)

Beyond the characters, Lanterns leans heavily into its source material's lore, thereby honoring DC's rich history rather than just skimming the best bits off the surface.

Refreshingly, its deep-cut fan-service doesn't come at the expense of accessibility. Indeed, with Stewart serving as the audience's entry point to the Green Lantern Corps and wider mythos surrounding this fictional institution, newcomers can easily grasp the cosmic mechanics without feeling lost.

Meanwhile, long-time fans have a treasure trove of Green Lantern Easter eggs and wider comic book references — a couple made it into Lanterns' initial teaser and Lanterns' first official trailer — to pore over. But regardless of your familiarity with this particular corner of the DC comic book universe, seeing Stewart and Jordan flex their creative muscles with the latter's power ring is pure joy, especially when they use it for the most basic tasks.

My verdict

Recency bias aside, Lanterns is unequivocally the finest DC Studios production so far. Driven by an absorbing, twist-filled narrative, anchored by heavyweight performances, and extremely faithful to its literary roots, this is prestige television nearly firing on all cylinders.

And I say "nearly" because a few minor missteps, which I've already covered, mean it falls just shy of absolute perfection. Even so, Lanterns is a shining example of a comic book adaptation done right — and a much-needed beacon of hope for the DCU at the end of what's been its most challenging period to date.

Lanterns launches with a one-episode premiere on August 16/17, with new episodes airing weekly. Ahead of launch, find out everything we know so far about Lanterns.

This is a major steal if you're looking for a webcam for work from a trusted brand, with the Lenovo 310 webcam dropping to $30 (was $40) at Amazon.

It's a full HD webcam, but what I think makes this ideal for business use is the physical privacy shutter. Slide it over the lens and you're protected.

In my experience, Lenovo knows what makes a laptop camera usable, and that experience shows in a simple, well-built accessory that'll beat most built-in laptop webcams hands-down. I can't argue at this price.

310 FHD Webcam: was $39.99 now $29.99
1080p Full HD video at 30fps, two integrated microphones for clearer call audio, a sliding privacy shutter, and a 1.8m USB-A cable for plug-and-play setup on Windows or Mac. No drivers required, works out of the box with Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, and most conferencing software.View Deal

Why we recommend it

A lot of budget webcams in this price range come from brands with no history in computing hardware, which makes driver support and build quality a gamble. Lenovo has been building laptops, monitors, and accessories for decades, and the 310 FHD Webcam reflects that experience: it is a straightforward, no-fuss device rather than one trying to compete on gimmicks.

The dual integrated microphones are a genuine plus at this price. Many webcams in the sub-$30 bracket include a single mic or skip audio hardware altogether, pushing you toward a separate headset. Having two mics built in means clearer capture for calls without extra cables or a second device to manage.

The sliding privacy shutter is a small but meaningful inclusion, and one that some competitors still charge extra for or omit entirely. Being able to physically block the lens when the camera is not in use is worth having, especially for anyone working from a shared space.

Setup is genuinely plug-and-play. There are no drivers to install, and the 1.8m USB-A cable gives enough slack to position the camera on a monitor or external display without needing an extension. It is a webcam built for people who just want it to work.

Price Context & Historical Value

This is the lowest price for the Lenovo 310 webcam that I've seen, matching the $29.99 it was back in March this year. I wouldn't expect it to drop any lower, although it has been sold at over $41 via Amazon before.

It is not a blowout deal, but $29.99 is a genuinely competitive price for a 1080p webcam with dual microphones and a privacy shutter from a recognizable brand, especially compared to similarly specced webcams from unknown sellers at a similar price.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Lenovo 310 FHD Webcam if...

You want a dependable 1080p webcam from an established PC brand, you rely on video calls and want built-in dual microphones instead of a separate headset, or you need a simple plug-and-play upgrade over a laptop's built-in camera.

❌ Skip the Lenovo 310 FHD Webcam if...

You stream or record content and need 4K or 60fps footage, you want autofocus or AI-driven framing, or you are after a webcam with a companion app for manual image adjustments.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

This is a 1080p/30fps webcam, not a 4K or high-frame-rate model, so it is not the right choice for streamers or content creators who need sharper footage or smoother motion. There is no autofocus, no AI-based framing or background effects, and no companion software for image tuning. For everyday video calls and meetings, none of that matters much, but it is worth knowing before you buy if you had something more advanced in mind.

• See all webcam deals at Amazon.

• The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has released security requirements for VPNs under the Cyber Resilience Act
• NordVPN and Surfshark are among the industry players collaborating to help shape these security baselines
• The new rules ensure that all VPNs sold in Europe adhere to auditable standards for encryption, authentication, and vulnerability management

The European Union is fundamentally changing how privacy tools are regulated, introducing an official security standard for VPN services on the market. Crafted under the sweeping Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), the new framework sets strict, auditable cybersecurity requirements for any virtual private network sold in Europe.

Until now, users looking to protect their digital footprint have largely had to rely on a provider's own marketing claims or third-party audits to verify encryption strength or no-logs VPN policies. Now, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has stepped in to establish a unified legal baseline known as EN 304 620.

This comprehensive standard was not drafted in a vacuum. Major industry players, like Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, Airbus, and Google, alongside industry heavyweights NordVPN and Surfshark, have actively contributed to shaping these security parameters to ensure they are both operationally feasible and technically robust.

For everyday users, this legislation is a massive win. It ensures that any VPN software you download complies with mandatory European benchmarks for data confidentiality, authentication, and secure key management.

Miguel Fornes compares this shift to the arrival of seat belts and airbags in cars. "Before crash tests and seatbelt laws, drivers simply had to hope their car was safe. Once official safety standards existed, every car had to meet them. Surfshark is helping do the same thing for VPNs."

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Surfshark – the best cheap VPN
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Setting a new benchmark for VPN security

Draft standard EN 304 620 specifically targets VPN clients, servers, and gateways. It dictates exactly how these products must encapsulate and encrypt your traffic to protect data integrity as it travels across untrusted networks.

Whether a provider uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption, cutting-edge WireGuard protocols, or RAM-only VPN servers, they will need to demonstrate deterministic and testable security controls.

The standard is a vital pillar of the broader Cyber Resilience Act, which by the end of 2027, will fully require manufacturers of digital products to meet essential cybersecurity requirements.

New rules also mandate rapid incident reporting for actively exploited vulnerabilities, keeping providers strictly accountable if their infrastructure is ever compromised.

For anyone wondering, "Are VPNs safe?" this EU-wide standardization effectively guarantees a much higher baseline of protection, forcing potentially shady free VPN apps to either step up their security engineering or face removal from the European market entirely.

Not just VPNs: A wider net for software security

VPNs aren't the only software getting a major regulatory upgrade. Alongside the VPN guidelines, ETSI recently launched the approval process for 17 European standards supporting the CRA.

The expanded list covers everyday digital essentials, including password managers, antivirus software, smart home assistants, connected toys, and wearables.

As these proposals move through public enquiry and final approvals, the end result is clear: European consumers are about to benefit from a much safer, more resilient digital ecosystem by default.

• Insomniac Games says the X-Men don't exist in Marvel's Wolverine since mutants aren't safe in this world
• Narrative director Walt Williams says mutants are outsiders, and Logan's POV is the perfect fit for this story
• Williams says, "We wanted to bring players back to that mindset of that these are characters who exist on the outside"

Insomniac Games has finally explained why the X-Men don't exist in Marvel's Wolverine, and it's all about telling a story where mutants aren't safe.

In the upcoming superhero game, Logan, aka Wolverine, is a former member of the mutant black ops unit, Team X, which also includes Sabretooth and Mystique, meaning the X-Men haven't been established in this world.

"So Team X is canonical. It is Logan's first team in his history," narrative director Walt Williams said in an interview with IGN. "It was a black ops team from the '70s made up of wetworks mutant workers. So in telling Wolverine's story, we wanted to bring it back to the beginning of where his story really began in that long string of teams. Because as we know, he's been a member of many teams by this point in his 50-plus year history.

"But really what we were looking to do is, because superheroes have become so mainstream at this point in just pop culture and everything through TV shows, comics, movies, and everything, that even especially with our own Spider-Man games, these are characters with superpowers that a lot of the world has accepted, that they are celebrated. They have parades, they are honored and stuff. But mutants at the core are outsiders, even within the Marvel universe. And we have not really had that aspect of them be brought out a lot lately in the stories that we get in the bigger mainstream."

According to Williams, the studio wanted to tell a story where mutants are still outsiders and don't have a safe place to go, such as the X-Mansion. Logan's point of view, he explained, is the "perfect" way to get that across to the player.

"We wanted to bring players back to that mindset of that these are characters who exist on the outside," he continued. "They are not superheroes. They don't have a safe space. They are people who are living in shadow. They are people who are hiding their powers from the world because they are afraid of what would happen if people would discover them.

"And so if we had started this story with the X-Men in existence, there would already be that aspect of a safe place for them. And we wanted to remind people that existence for a mutant is not safe. It's hard. It's scary. And entering that world through Logan, it really felt like the best POV possible."

Williams goes on to describe Logan as an "incredibly complex, layered character that has so much potential to write," but he's also "an outsider's outsider," even among other mutants.

"He was that perfect POV for us to be able to enter into that mutant world and begin to understand just how much mutants do not feel as if they belong anywhere," he said.

Marvel's Wolverine launches exclusively on PS5 on September 16, and its Performance Mode will run at 60 frames-per-second (fps) with ray tracing enabled on the base PlayStation 5.

• Huntress uncovers Shopify refund scam using fake orders and app notifications
• Attackers embed contact details in shipping addresses to trick victims into paying
• Users advised to ignore suspicious info, verify refunds, and report fake stores

Hackers are targeting businesses and individuals running Shopify stores with a highly sophisticated fake refund scam, experts have warned.

Security researchers at Huntress outlined how the fake refund scam works: first, a victim gets a notification that they received a refund. It could be for a returned iPhone, or a canceled service or order. The “refund” can be anywhere from a few hundred, to a few thousand dollars. Soon after, the scammers call (or mail) the victim, say they work at the company that gave the erroneous refund, and convince the victim to return the funds.

If the victim complies, they are actually sending their own money to the victims, since the “refund” part never happened.

Abusing Shopify's infrastructure

There are a couple of ways to pull this attack off: sometimes the scammers really make the initial transaction, but are able to cancel it and return the funds; in other scenarios, they create spoofed pages showing the transactions, tricking those slightly more gullible.

In most cases, fake refund scams can be spotted relatively easily, which is why they are not that popular nowadays. However, this new campaign comes with a sinister twist that will make even hardened veterans wince.

Huntress’ report notes the attackers start by creating a Shopify store of their own (or use a compromised one). The one the researchers observed was called “My Store” and was later deleted before it could be further scrutinized. Then, the attackers make a fake order themselves, setting their targets as the recipients using their phone numbers, or email addresses.

This type of information isn’t that difficult to come by these days. There are hundreds of email and phone number databases leaked on the dark web, which can be picked up for free (or for a handful of dollars). When they submit the purchase order, a notification appears in the victim’s Shop apps.

Yes, that’s right. In the Shopify app itself. Coming through Shopify infrastructure. As such, it can easily be confused for an authentic notification. It is even worse for users that enabled push notifications on their mobile phones, since they’ll see a notification with the Shopify logo, next to all the other notifications on their phone.

But the attackers still need to pull off the hardest part - getting the victim to “return” the money. In this case, instead of calling or messaging them, they leave their contact information in the shipping address, hoping victims would panic and reach out themselves.

In one shared example, the shipping address was listed as: Owen Nolan “2856 If You Didnt Place This Order Call Us at 1_888_690_3420-”, Albany NY United States 1_888_690_3420.”

For those treading carefully through the internet’s wastelands, the message included in the shipping address is an immediate red flag. Grammar mistakes, all letters capitalized, and a phone number completely out of place should be quite an obvious sign of an attempted fraud. However, since these kinds of scams bet on people being fast, reckless, overworked, and afraid, it might just work.

Huntress did not say if the scam made any meaningful impact among the Shopify’s community, or if it targeted a specific subgroup of users.

Defending against fake refund scams

To protect against such attacks, the researchers advise users never interact with phone numbers, email addresses, or links contained in an order that aren’t recognizable. They also advise users concerned about the security of their SHop account or personal data to contact support, and stress users should check their bank accounts to confirm whether they were actually changed. If they weren’t, they can report the order as “Not my order” in the shop app.

Finally, when purchasing from a store on Shop in general, users should check the store and its product reviews to learn about other customers’ experiences. If users are concerned that a product or store could be fake, it can easily be reported. Many of the shops in this scam were brand-new, with some using a "coming soon" description, as well.

Corsair HS35 v3: One-minute reivew

The Corsair HS35 v3 wireless gaming headset is an underdog in the mid-range category. It doesn't feature a huge number of flourishes to help set it above its competitors, but instead hones in on what really matters: audio quality and microphone performance.

It delivers crystal clear audio no matter what you're using it for, whether that's gaming, calls, or getting some tunes in while you work. There's no software to fiddle around with, and barely any buttons to get used to. If you need something that's good to go as soon as it's out of the box, this headset definitely suits.

Comfort is also clearly key with the Corsair HS35 v3. Between the floating headband design, the soft, cushioned earcups, and the lightweight design, at no point did I have to readjust the headset, my glasses, or take a break from wearing it. Again, for a mid-range headset, it feels surprisingly high-quality.

Although I appreciate its simplicity, there are definitely a few things that are bound to put a competitive gamer off, and most of that comes through its lack of customisation. It's great that the headset is good to go as soon as it's out of the box, rather than having to worry about downloading any more software, but if you want to make the most of its full audio capabilities, the lack of these features might be make-or-break.

(Image credit: Future)Corsair HS35 v3: Price and Availability

• Priced at $79.99/£69.99/$124.99AU
• Available via Corsair and major retailers
• White and black versions available

The Corsair HS35 v3 will set you back a reasonable $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$124.99, so it's by no means a premium headset. But it's certainly not a budget pick either. Fortunately, it manages to justify its price through the quality of its audio and microphone, making it a worthy option for anyone looking to upgrade their current setup, or looking to stray from the typical features of a wireless gaming headset.

In fact, the only reason the headset isn't more expensive is probably due to its lack of additional software, and the fact that there are no typical flourishes you'd usually find on a gaming headset like an input switch button, a microphone that tucks away on the headset itself, or a separate mic mute button. Despite these "missing" features, though, the core expectation of the headset, providing high-quality sound during gaming, is definitely met.

Corsair HS35 v3: Specs

Corsair HS35 v3

Price

$79.99 / £69.99 / AU$124.99

Weight

8.8oz / 250g

Compatability

PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

Connection type

Wireless 2.4GHz / Bluetooth 5.2 / USB Wired

Battery

30 hours

Software

None

(Image credit: Future)Corsair HS35 v3: Design and features

• Incredibly lightweight design
• Doesn't look as bulky as other gaming headsets
• Sleek, all-black design

Straight out of the box, the Corsair HS35 v3 doesn't look too dissimilar to the vast majority of wireless gaming headsets available. Its entirely black design is sleek, with subtle Corsair logos in a black gloss on each ear cup, alongside branding in white across the top of the headband. This is definitely my preferred style, rather than having any RGB flair for the sake of it, just because it feels like something you can use for everything, rather than having to swap out your rather garish gaming headset when you want to listen to music or attend a meeting.

In fact, there aren't any flourishes at all on the Corsair HS35 v3. Aside from the incredibly subtle branding, the only thing that offers a pop of colour is two yellow bands that connect the ear cups to the headband. The rest of the headset maintains the stylish black appearance, and it's certainly better for it. If I didn't spend so much time tethered to my PC or console, I'd definitely be content in taking this headset out on a commute rather than a pair of earphones. It's definitely one of the simpler headsets I've ever used. Not only in terms of design, but also how simple its layout is.

One thing that immediately stood out was the lack of wheels or dials to control your volume. I didn't realise how much of a make-or-break this was to me, but as it turns out, I actually like being able to tune my audio volume to the decibel. The Corsair HS35 v3 exchanges the wheel I know and love in favour of a little toggle/lever which takes your audio up or down two at a time. It's such a small frustration, but it definitely felt like I had less control over exactly how I wanted my audio to be. Especially after using the Razer Blackshark V3 for so long, alongside other similarly priced headsets such as the JBL Quantum 360X wireless.

(Image credit: Future)

In fact, the ear cups are surprisingly bare. Alongside the aforementioned toggle, you've got the power button, alongside the USB-C port on the left ear cup. On the right, you've got absolutely nothing. There's not even a separate mic mute button; you just push in the volume toggle. It's great for someone like me who always takes an embarrassingly long time to get used to the layout of a new headset; this definitely felt like a blessing in disguise. As a result, the headset feels incredibly straightforward to set up and use. Though this does feel like you're sacrificing some of the customisation you'd usually get.

Additional software which helps you to customise your listening profiles, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, definitely feels like a more premium add-on. Since the Corsair HS35 v3 is a mid-range headset, it's not surprising that it doesn't boast the same features. But if you're looking to replace your headset for a slightly cheaper model, this lack of complete control and customisation definitely might put buyers off.

(Image credit: Future)Corsair HS35 v3: Performance

• 30-hour battery life
• Comfortable for long sessions due to floating headband
• Fantastic audio quality

I've been using the Razer Blackshark V3 for well over a year now, so "downgrading" to a more reasonably priced headset definitely raised some concerns about overall audio quality. However, the Corsair HS35 v3 delivers clear audio with no issues, and even though it's by no means a premium headset, it still boasts impressive audio quality. When gaming, you can pick up on all the more subtle sound effects, be that enemy footsteps or audio cues in horror games like The Outlast Trials.

The only time the audio feels low quality is when you switch the headset on, and the muffled, not-quite-human "power on, toggle connected" line plays. Aside from that, it's really easy to block out external noise to focus on your game, which is especially impressive given the headset isn't noise-cancelling in any way. Which, is actually a feature I found with the JBL Quantum 360X too, the design itself feels noise cancelling rather than the actual hardware.

This is massively helped by the 30-hour battery life of the set, which I pushed to its absolute limit in my testing. For several weeks, I used this headset for everything in my daily life: meetings, gaming, and listening to music in between. And it's safe to say that the 30-hour battery life really does help to keep you immersed in whatever you're playing, or locked in on whatever you're working on.

(Image credit: Future)

It also only takes three hours to fully charge. Sure, that's not the rapid 15-minute charge for two hours of play that the Razer Blackshark V3 offers, but for the price you're paying, it's definitely worth it. Plus, the cable provided with the headset is long enough for you to still be able to continue playing without feeling constrained by the cable. A nice design touch is that the interior of the USB and USB-C is the same yellow colour as the bands linking the earcups to the headband too, but that'll probably go unnoticed to the average gamer.

It's also an incredibly comfortable headset to wear for long sessions. The lightweight frame and cushioned earcups feel much looser without ever feeling like it'll slip off your head, rather than the usual firm padding and pleather-esque material we're used to seeing in slightly cheaper headsets like the Turtle Beach Stealth 500.

The microphone quality is where this headset really shines, though. Nothing about the mic when you pull it out of the box screams premium quality. It's got no foam muffler or pop filter, so I expected the audio quality to be pretty lackluster. But when testing across Google Meet and Discord, the audio is genuinely astounding for a mid-range headset. It's crystal clear and picks up incredibly quiet talking without any of the annoying background noises like chewing, breathing, or keyboard clicks. It never peaks when speaking loudly either, which is a huge plus.

(Image credit: Future)Should you buy the Corsair HS35 v3?Buy it if...

You prioritise comfort over customisation
The Corsair HS35 v3 is one of the most comfortable headsets I've ever used, which is incredibly high praise. If you prefer something that's comfortable over something you can get into the nuts and bolts of to create a more niche listening experience, then the Corsair HS35 v3 definitely prioritises this.

You need a headset primarily for meetings or calls
There are no faults with the Corsair HS35 v3 when gaming, but the audio quality of the microphone is definitely wasted if you're not using it for calls. Even if you're just playing games with proximity chat, like R.E.P.O or Big Walk, you'll still be making the most of the biggest selling point of the set.

Don't buy it if...

You like tailoring your audio profiles to your gaming preferences
Between the lack of a volume scroll wheel and no software to help you create custom audio settings, for an extreme gamer it might seem like there's a lot of customisation missing for a mid-range price tag. It's not a complete bust, as there are still so many positives for the headset, but I can still see why this would put a competitive gamer off.

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless headset? Here's how it compares to two similar wireless gaming headsets.

Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless headset

Turtle Beach Stealth 500

JBL Quantum 360X wireless headset

Price

$79.99 / £69.99 / AU$124.99

$79.99 / £79.99 / AU$139

$64.95 / £63.99

Weight

8.8oz / 250g

8.22oz / 233g

8.9oz / 253g

Compatibility

PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

Connection type

Wireless 2.4GHz / Bluetooth 5.2 / USB Wired

Wireless 2.4GHz / Bluetooth 5.2 / Wired (3.5mm)

Wireless 2.4GHz / Bluetooth 5.2 / Wired

Battery

30 hours

40 hours

22 hours

Software

None

Swarm II

JBL QuantumENGINE

Turtle Beach Stealth 500
The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 is a decent wireless headset available at a similar price point, and despite its shorter battery life, it's still got a few impressive features such as powerful spatial audio and variable mic monitoring. With the addition of the Swarm II software, you've also got the wiggle room for a more personal listening experience, unlike the Corsair HS35 v3.

For more information, check out our full Turtle Beach Stealth 500 review

Also consider the JBL Quantum 360X wireless headset
If you're after a headset which feels more specialised for gaming, the JBL Quantum 360X might be just that. Not only does it have a more gamer-esque appearance courtesy of its black and green design, but it also blocks out background noise thanks to its ear cup design, and has a pretty decent sound profile considering its mid-range price tag. You also have the option to alter your audio with the JBL QuantumENGINE software, too.

For more information, check out our full JBL Quantum 360X review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Corsair HS35 v3

• Tested across six weeks
• Used for PC and PlayStation gaming
• Used for Discord and Google Meet calls

I tested the Corsair HS35 v3 wireless headset across the course of six weeks, abandoning my beloved Razer Blackshark V3. Throughout that time, I used the HS35 v3 for all my daily duties, whether that was jumping in and out of meetings, listening to music throughout the day, or hopping on Discord with my friends in the evening. The long battery life meant I never had to worry about my headset switching off mid-session, and the mic quality guaranteed my audio would never cut out.

When gaming, I also made sure to test the headset in games where in-game chat is essential, like Big Walk and Content Warning. I also played several hours of The Outlast Trials with friends to test the full depth of the headset's capabilities, and even the quietest footsteps and audio cues came through clearly.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2026.

Astronomers may have discovered a bizarre new type of star with a black hole at its center.

• Trump levies huge tariffs on 'sensitive' drones, such as those heavier than 25kg
• Tariffs have also been applied to a range of other countries, such as the EU, UK, Japan, and Taiwan
• Trump says the tariffs will help strengthen national security while also bolstering the domestic drone market

President Trump has levied a new set of tariffs against imported drones and their components for national security reasons.

For ‘particularly sensitive’ drones, such as those over 25kg, those with docking stations, or those with thermal imaging capabilities, the tariffs are 100%.

“President Trump’s drone tariff program will protect the national security of the United States and its defense and defense-adjacent industrial base, supporting and creating American jobs,” the White House fact sheet said.

Strengthening US industry through national security

Drones below the 25kg threshold will still be subject to a 25% tariff, with drones imported from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan subject to a 15% tariff. The United Kingdom has a lesser tariff of only 10%.

The intended consequence of these tariffs is to strengthen the US domestic drone construction industry and the wider domestic drone market.

Outside of outright upping the cost of drones in the US as vendors pass on the costs of drones to consumers, the tariffs will also likely increase the costs of an already constrained supply of specialized drones in the US market.

Many drones imported from abroad, particularly those from China, are used for specialized purposes such as search and rescue and power line inspection. As the US does not have the dedicated industries and resources to quickly begin manufacturing these drones, there will likely be a huge increase of demand for a very limited supply.

The new tariffs also close a loophole allowing Chinese parts to be assembled into a drone in the US. The fact sheet states that drones for commercial and US military purposes “rely on foreign sources for critical Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) components, which poses significant risks to U.S. national security and creates cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”

The tariffs are due to kick in on September 3 2026, giving the US drone market just 21 days to adjust or pay massively inflated import costs.

A small business owner receives a call from a customer.

An email that appeared to come from the business led the customer to a fraudulent website, and their personal information may have been compromised.

What makes situations like this so damaging is that the owner never knew the risk existed.

The domain used in the attack had been registered for a campaign years earlier and left quietly active, sitting outside anyone's management, until someone else found a use for it.

Situations like this rarely begin with a major security breach. More often they start with something small: a forgotten domain, an outdated email configuration, or a digital asset nobody realized was still active.

AI makes finding those unnoticed weaknesses all too easy for attackers. According to KnowBe4's 2025 Phishing Threat Trends Report, 82.6% of phishing emails now show some use of AI, a 53.5% increase year-over-year. Attackers are adopting the same automation businesses use to improve efficiency, and the speed advantage has shifted. The good news is that businesses can use the same advances in AI to identify many of these risks before attackers do.

But the speed of detection is only part of the challenge. The harder problem is visibility. You can't secure what you don't know you own.

More and more, small businesses manage domain names, websites, email systems, social channels, and third-party tools, and as those layers expand, the gaps between ownership and oversight become easier to miss.

Forgotten domains are a common example. Domains created for promotions, campaigns, or discontinued services often stay active long after their purpose disappears. Left unmanaged, they become blind spots that attackers exploit through phishing, impersonation, and brand abuse, and they can quietly erode credibility well before any breach, since a domain that no longer resolves correctly signals neglect to customers and machines alike.

Simply put, many business owners no longer have a complete view of the digital assets they own or the vulnerabilities that come with them.

Security needs to be embedded, not bolted on

Small business owners are focused on serving customers, growing revenue, and running their businesses. They are not thinking about DNS records, certificate renewals, or dormant subdomains during their day. Nor should they have to.

But many do not have the option. According to VikingCloud's 2026 research, 84% of SMB owners manage cybersecurity themselves, often without dedicated training or expertise.

The most effective security strategies are built into the infrastructure which businesses depend on every day, rather than added after problems arise. There are three layers where this matters most: the domain, which serves as a business' identity online; the website, where customers form opinions about credibility and trustworthiness; and email, which remains one of the most important channels for customer communication and one of the most common targets for impersonation and fraud.

Embedding security into the solutions businesses already use helps them maintain visibility and confidence without constant manual oversight of all of those moving parts.

Trust is now measured by both people and machines

Today’s cybersecurity conversation always comes back to trust. That’s what SMBs want to win by securing their online business. It is the engine of their success.

We know that trust is one of the most important competitive advantages a business can have: according to McKinsey reporting on digital trust, 40% of consumers have completely pulled their business from a company after discovering the organization was reckless with customer data, and 10% of consumers will cut ties with a brand immediately upon learning of a data breach, regardless of whether their own personal information was actually compromised or stolen.

For years, trust online was primarily a human judgment. Customers visited a website, received an email, or interacted with a brand, and decided whether it appeared credible. Today they still make those decisions, but they are no longer the only ones making them.

Search engines, AI assistants, and automated systems increasingly evaluate trust signals on behalf of users. Roughly two-thirds of Google searches now end without a click, according to Similarweb clickstream data analyzed by SparkToro. Trust is no longer just a customer's perception; it is becoming part of how businesses get discovered.

Credibility is no longer determined solely by what customers see. Domain resolution, certificate validity, email authentication records, and the consistency of businesses’ online presence all feed into the assessments that influence search rankings, AI-generated recommendations, and discovery across the platforms customers use every day. A business that doesn’t deliver on these fronts may be overlooked long before a customer ever decides whether to trust it.

Trust and security are now competitive infrastructure

For decades, businesses viewed security as a defensive function, meant to reduce risk and respond to threats. That perspective is changing.

Trust and security now influence customer acquisition, retention, reputation, and long-term growth. In the AI era, trust is no longer just a security outcome. It is a business strategy. As AI accelerates both innovation and risk, customers have become more selective about who they engage with and where they share their information. Credibility is difficult to earn and almost impossible to buy back once lost.

At Network Solutions, we have spent decades helping businesses establish and protect their digital identities. One lesson remains consistent: investing in trust early creates advantages competitors struggle to replicate.

Businesses that stand out in the years ahead won't simply adopt more AI. They'll build trust into every layer of their digital presence. The business owner who took that call from a customer deserved a better security infrastructure, not a better incident response after the fact.

Technology will continue to evolve, and so will the threats. Trust will only become more valuable. The businesses that thrive won't simply adopt more AI; they'll build stronger foundations for trust. That's where our industry needs to go next.

We've listed the best free website builders.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to 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/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

Now that Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has been out in the wild for several weeks now, many of us die-hard AC fans have devoured every corner of its world and hoovered up every collectible and secret to dive deep into the lore once again.

It's a fantastic remake of one of the best Assassin's Creed games, and also has plenty going on in its stories, lore, quests, characters, and world that can be fun to test your knowledge on.

So I've built this quiz to do exactly that! Featuring questions on Black Flag and the Resynced remake, below are 15 questions that cover characters, the setting, links to other games, and more!

I've tried to make this Assassin's Creed Black Flag and Resynced quiz a bit tricky in places, and going a little deeper into lore here and there, so I hope it's the right balance of a test of knowledge combined with a few intriguing melon scratchers — including one that can't be confirmed, but for the life of me I am convinced is correct.

Good luck!

How did you find the quiz on Black Flag? A bit niche in places or a good test? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to let me know what other quizzes on games we could try!

Lanterns will aim to bring back brighter days for DC Studios after the DC Universe's (DCU) darkest period. Indeed, with Supergirl being the first major flop of the comic giant's rebooted cinematic universe, all eyes are on its forthcoming Green Lantern TV show to see if that was a minor blip or not.

Thinking of tuning in to see the new comic book-inspired sci-fi crime drama? You'll want to know when and where its first episode, titled 'Pilot', will arrive. Read on to learn more.

When can I watch Lanterns episode 1? And what is its runtime?

#Lanterns premieres this Sunday at 9pm ET on @hbomax. pic.twitter.com/lsm6Up5UbXAugust 11, 2026

Lanterns will premiere in the US and Canada on Sunday, August 16 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

The DCU Chapter One TV series' first episode, which clocks in at 57 minutes including its end credits, will also be available to watch in other nations, but it won't air until Monday, August 17. Here are the launch times you need to know about if you live in the following countries:

• US — Sunday, August 16 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Sunday, August 16 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Monday, August 17 at 2am BST
• India — Monday, August 17 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore — Monday, August 17 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Monday, August 17 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Monday, August 17 at 1pm NZST

Where can I watch Lanterns episode 1?

HBO Max is the primary streaming home for all DC Studios projects, so you'll need to sign up to one of the best streaming services if you don't have an account to watch Lanterns.

That said, HBO Max hasn't launched in every territory yet, so some of you will find it on another streaming platform or TV network. Luckily for you, I've compiled a list of the places it'll be available to watch below, so scroll on to see where it'll drop in your neighborhood:

• US — HBO and HBO Max
• Canada — Crave
• UK — HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and Now TV
• India — JioHotstar
• Singapore — HBO Max
• Australia — HBO Max
• New Zealand — HBO Max

Lanterns full release schedule

You might be able to catch Lanterns episode 1 at your local bar, but I wouldn't advise watching it there... (Image credit: HBO)

Like most other HBO TV Originals, new episodes of DC Studios' Green Lantern TV show will be released weekly once its first chapter has dropped. That means viewers in North and South America will need to check back in every Sunday evening for new entries, while the rest of the world can watch them every Monday.

Here's a rundown of the all-important launch dates to be aware of:

• Lanterns episode 1 — August 16/17
• Lanterns episode 2 — August 23/24
• Lanterns episode 3 — August 30/31
• Lanterns episode 4 — September 6/7
• Lanterns episode 5 — September 13/14
• Lanterns episode 6 — September 20/21
• Lanterns episode 7 — September 27/28
• Lanterns episode 8 — October 4/5

What is Lanterns about? And who's involved?

Initially, Lanterns sees Stewart and Jordan investigate a rural town murder in America's heartland (Image credit: HBO)

Here's the series' official logline: "Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery with cosmic ties as they investigate a murder in the American heartland."

As the above synopsis notes, Pierre and Chandler will play Lanterns' co-leads in Stewart and Jordan. The Rebel Ridge and Friday Night Lights alums are joined on the official cast roster by Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Laura Linney, Jason Ritter, Ulrich Thomsen, Nathan Fillion, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Jasmine Cephas Jones.

TV veterans Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen) and Chris Mundy (Ozark), plus comic book writer Tom King (Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow) are its creators and some of its executive producers. Mundy also holds the position as its lead showrunner.

For more ahead of the show's debut, find out everything else we know so far about Lanterns. Then, check out my near-full season review of Lanterns.

• Marvel's Wolverine's Performance Mode runs at 60fps with ray tracing on PS5
• Insomniac Games says this is the default mode
• Senior project director Jess Reiner-Reed says, "The game feels super smooth"

Insomniac Games has confirmed Marvel's Wolverine's Performance Mode will run at 60 frames-per-second (fps) with ray tracing enabled on the base PlayStation 5.

That's according to senior project director Jess Reiner-Reed, who told IGN that the team wanted to make 60fps with ray tracing the default mode on PS5, something the studio has never offered before in games like Marvel's Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2.

"From early on in development, we knew we wanted to make this 60fps, working on the base PS5 in performance mode," Reiner-Reed said. "And we've definitely been able to accomplish that. The game feels super smooth."

Insomniac's head of technology Mike Fitzgerald continued, saying the studio has always had these fidelity and performance modes in previous games, and always "sort of last minute" added the performance mode with ray tracing.

"So for this game from the start, we said, ‘You know what? We know we're confident we can ship this now," Fitzgerald said. "This is going to be a 60 frames per second game with ray tracing as the PS5 should have. We're going to build the game around this and towards this.’ And it's the default mode for the first time for us in one of our games. It’s important for the presentation.”

Marvel's Wolverine launches exclusively on PS5 on September 16 and will be "fully playable" on disc.

Elsewhere, Insomniac Games has explained why Logan's suits regenerate after combat, with Fitzgerald explaining that there are "some practicalities to it" and "you can’t play through most of the game wearing just shredded rags on his body."

Apple has a hidden certified refurbished store that offers the popular MacBook Neo for $100 off.

Earth’s neighbor still has secrets that science is trying to figure out, and one of them is potential signs of life.

• Flock is making it harder for its systems to be abused
• Its CEO says the company's priority is public safety
• You can now 3D print a Flock Sock to disable cameras near you

Flock knows that its license plate readers and other surveillance tech are facing a substantial backlash from citizens and privacy groups, and it's now rolling out upgraded safety guardrails to protect against its systems from being misused — while CEO Garrett Langley says "we're not Big Brother".

That line comes from an interview with Bloomberg, in which Langley says his company's cameras are built to improve public safety and reduce crime. They're also now going to be subject to tighter restrictions, including more controls over the information that Flock's customers can share with other agencies.

Data logged by the license plate readers will now be kept for 7 days rather than 30 by default, Flock says, while the recently introduced Audit Assistance tool — which watches out for "abnormal activity" on Flock systems — will be made compulsory rather than optional. Accounts involved in this activity will be automatically suspended, too.

In addition, specific case codes will be required for law enforcement searches, and Flock is improving the security protocols around its data. The company also says it's committing to making its privacy policies easier to understand, and being more transparent about how its systems are being used.

In a separate interview with CNN, Langley said "I'm sorry the system has failed you" in response to a question asking him for his message to people who feel they've been victimized by the company's technology. "I'm sorry that you no longer trust the police department that's job is to protect you" he added.

Unlawful tracking

Meet the Flock Sock (Image credit: Squidlink/Maker World)

As highlighted by rights organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Flock cameras have previously been used for purposes outside their approved remit: to track protestors, for example, and women seeking abortions. Police officers have also used the tech to stalk people they've been in a relationship with.

Whether these latest changes will help remains to be seen. Flock's 120,000 license plate readers are now being used by some 6,000 law enforcement agencies and around 1,000 private companies (including FedEx), and the company is also making moves into other areas, such as drones for first responders.

Meanwhile, a sizable number of the general public aren't too happy at having their license plates scanned and logged automatically. There have been numerous reports of Flock cameras being smashed up or otherwise disabled in protest, amid worries that the surveillance capabilities of this network go way beyond crime prevention.

One enterprising inventor has even gone as far as making a 'Flock Sock', a 3D-printed design that you can pop over a license plate reader to stop it from recording anything. Rather cleverly though, it's marketed as a way of protecting these cameras from sunlight: "The very least you can do is help protect these valuable civil servants from getting a bad sunburn."

Google says the new Quick Share feature is an “instant, two-way exchange” for sharing.

• iFixit opened up Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable phone
• It found the device’s hinge was vulnerable to dust and sand particles
• Apple’s upcoming iPhone Ultra might be similarly susceptible

If you’re considering getting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 — or any of the best foldable phones, for that matter — you might want to check out iFixit’s teardown of Samsung’s flashy new device. Because it looks like the foldable has a fatal weakness that could swiftly ruin your expensive investment, if you're not careful.

The handy folks at iFixit noticed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has an ingress rating of IP48, meaning it can resist water but not smaller dust particles. With that in mind, iFixit decided to give the foldable a light sprinkling of sand, complemented by UV-reactive dust that showed where the particles ended up — and how they affected Samsung’s phone.

The results were not pretty. With the dust in place, iFixit said that the phone’s hinge “started making truly awful crunching and grinding noises, and the phone stopped opening normally.” That’s a pretty disastrous result — after all, most phones will encounter dust particles on a very regular basis.

Although Samsung says the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has an IP48 rating, this only protects against particles 1mm in size or larger. Yet that might not be enough for ordinary usage, as the everyday sand iFixit used in its testing featured particles measuring 0.16mm. As we saw from the results, it doesn’t offer much in the way of defense.

The problem is that the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s hinge contains a lot of moving mechanical parts, all of which provide an opportunity for small particles to “cause trouble,” in iFixit’s words. While Samsung’s internal seals did a good job of keeping dust out of the batteries and main electronic components, they couldn’t ensure the safety of the hinge. And without this component, a foldable phone loses its entire raison d’être.

A warning for the iPhone Ultra

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 teardown isn’t just interesting for Samsung fans — because Apple’s long-awaited iPhone Ultra is expected to take on a similar form factor, it could provide a few hints (and warnings) about what might arrive at the Cupertino firm’s upcoming September launch event.

And it’s not like dust ingress is something Apple will automatically be immune to. As iFixit put it, Samsung’s device “still has one enormous liability: it folds.” It’s near-impossible to keep dust away from a phone in everyday use, and since folding is the entire point of the iPhone Ultra, it could well be beset by similar problems, unless Apple has an ingenious solution.

A clue to the iPhone Ultra's ruggedness will be in its specs, or more specifically its IP (Ingress Protection) rating. This tells you how well it repels dust and dirt — on the scale from zero to six, iFixit says the Galaxy Z Fold 8 only scores four.

Ultimately, we won’t find out if Apple has found a way to beat this score until the company launches its iPhone Ultra, which is expected to land this September. But considering it’s Apple’s first foray into the foldables market, the stakes are already high.

• The Grand Theft Auto 6 Ultimate Edition is reportedly leading pre-order sales by 89%
• Digital intelligence firm Sensor Tower says 90% of players on Xbox are spending the extra cash for the Ultimate Edition, compared with 88.5% on PlayStation
• Karl Kontus, SVP and GM of Video Game Insights at Sensor Tower, predicts GTA 6 could reach around 25 million pre-orders when the game launches

According to digital intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the $100 Grand Theft Auto 6 Ultimate Edition is leading pre-order sales by 89%.

Last week, Take-Two Interactive reported earnings of $1.39 billion during GTA 6's pre-order period, with CEO Strauss Zelnick saying that the game "had an exceptional start to pre-orders", but he couldn't disclose specific sales numbers.

"I can say that the level of pre-orders is unprecedented and astonishing, and we’re very grateful for that,” Zelnick said at the time. “But they are so unprecedented that we just don’t know how it’ll translate into sales, which is a question I answered earlier. We genuinely don’t, and we just don’t believe in claiming victory before it occurs."

While the publisher is not disclosing specific sales figures to avoid misleading investors, the CEO also told CNBC that they're "skewing more to the premium edition," and suggested it was due to die-hard fans pre-ordering it.

Now, Karl Kontus, SVP and GM of Video Game Insights at Sensor Tower, also reported something similar (via GamesIndustry.biz), saying that 89% of preorders for GTA 6 are for the more expensive Ultimate Edition, rather than the $80 Standard Edition.

Kontus also said the percentages are similar for both versions of the game, with 90% of players on Xbox spending the extra cash for the Ultimate Edition, compared with 88.5% on PlayStation. He also told GI.biz that preorders for GTA 6 could reach around 25 million when the game launches on November 19, which would amount to “unprecedented preorder performance" and translate to $2 billion in revenue, which would cover GTA 6’s development cost and the majority of marketing spend.

As Zelnick suggested, Kontus said special editions "always tend to perform well during the preorder period," because the games are typically preordered by dedicated fans who want a premium edition.

"That being said, I have never seen a 90% premium share before," he added. "A 50% premium share during preorders is a great number. Typical premium shares for games tend to be at around 10–20%."

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

However, he expects the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition sales percentage to decline over time as more casual players buy the game, "but it's likely it'll stay significantly above the industry standard," adding that the split between the $80 and $100 versions will be determined by how effective the marketing campaign will be.

Since the full marketing campaign hasn't kicked off yet, Kontus expects most pre-orders will come in the last week of pre-launch, but the split will be "much closer to 50/50."

Unlike the Standard Edition, which comes with the base game, the more expensive Ultimate Edition has a ton of extra features, including premium and exclusive content like missions, Vice City shops, locations, and outfits. While the latter is more expensive, Kontus doesn't believe the difference is "that big," and reckons the move was smart.

"The difference between $80 (already higher than the industry standard $70 we see today) and $100 isn't that big, and the $100 SKU comes with a lot of additional content," he said. "

"Sometimes the premium SKUs are just filler content to justify a higher price, but the GTA 6 premium SKU comes with a meaningful amount of vehicles, weapons, and even a custom mod shop that you wouldn't get otherwise. For a lot of people, this is the one 'must buy' game this year, and they will want to make the most of it. I'm actually kind of surprised they didn't do a $150 SKU – feels like money left on the table (but also fewer players being angry as a result)."

It won't be long before fans can get a proper look at the game, as the 'Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look' premieres on Netflix on August 27.

• Epic's launcher is being ported over to Linux
• This is happening just as Nvidia's GeForce Now streaming app came out of beta and officially launched on Linux
• This year is getting better and better for Linux gamers, as GOG is also porting its Galaxy client over too

Epic will be making a native version of its launcher for Linux, and on top of that, Nvidia's GeForce Now app for Linux is also official, having emerged from beta.

The delivery of the Epic Games Store for Linux will be a big win for Steam Deck owners, and other Linux gamers who want to access Epic's gaming platform with no fuss, and as Steam Deck HQ reports (via VideoCardz), that native incarnation is coming.

An Epic employee (@onepercentnachos) was questioned on this subject at an AMA ('ask me anything' session) on the Discord server for the Epic Games Store community. They replied that a native version of the store is coming "soon" albeit not in the next preview build. The staffer noted that "we need to do more than simply have a build of the launcher that can run natively on Linux".

Nvidia also just announced that the Linux app for its streaming service, GeForce Now, is no longer a beta. The officially released full version of the app "focuses on performance, stability and polish while continuing to support Ubuntu 24.04 and later", we're told.

And while it's not related to gaming, OpenAI's release of a ChatGPT app for Linux is another milestone for the platform. As TechCrunch reports, the Linux app for ChatGPT is still a preview, but it gives users a native app experience for a number of different distros. Those include Ubuntu 24.04 and 26.04 LTS, Debian 13, as well as Fedora 43 and 44.

OpenAI said: "Linux has been one of the most-requested platforms for the desktop app, and this launch extends ChatGPT and Codex across every major desktop operating system."

Analysis: a rosier future for Linux gamers — but Fortnite remains a bone of contention

(Image credit: Future/Epic Games)

The Epic Games Store arriving natively is great news for gamers running Linux — including SteamOS — as it means a much more convenient way of playing games from the store, as opposed to the current situation with fudging and workarounds (using a third-party app such as the Heroic Games Launcher).

It's worth noting that the distros which will be supported remain unconfirmed, but presumably the gaming-focused SteamOS will be one of them. Also, there will still be limitations even with this native implementation, notably games with anti-cheat. Indeed, Epic's own Fortnite doesn't work on Linux (and that's down to Epic actively blocking the game from running due to issues around cheating, which remains a source of controversy).

Given the apparent changing attitude here with its launcher being ported over, maybe Epic will reverse course on Fortnite eventually. Some gamers on Reddit are highly skeptical about that possibility though, and as one doubting Redditor put it: "I wouldn't hold my breath."

Another went just a touch further than that, observing: "I wouldn't be shocked if Tim Sweeney [Epic's CEO] would rather die than let Fortnite run on Linux, honestly."

At any rate, the Fortnite controversy aside, with GOG also working on a native Linux spin on its Galaxy client, there are some considerable strides being taken for gamers – and Nvidia's GeForce Now becoming official for Linux is another useful step forward to boot.

There are plenty of ways to get rid of ads online, but ChatGPT has come up with an unusual approach to the bargain for its own ads. Free ChatGPT users can give up some of their messaging quota to make advertising inside ChatGPT disappear.

As OpenAI expands advertising on ChatGPT's Free tier (ads launched in the several countries, including the UK, this week), users can choose an Ads-Free version without upgrading to a paid subscription. The catch is that choosing it means accepting lower usage limits and potentially losing access to some features. It all depends on whether you value an uncluttered chatbot conversation or more opportunities to actually use it.

I was curious about what that trade actually amounted to in normal use. An ad appearing underneath a ChatGPT response sounded mildly irritating, but running out of useful interactions halfway through a conversation sounded considerably worse. OpenAI is evasive about precisely what the trade-off is, so I decided to experiment on my own.

Ad options

(Image credit: ChatGPT)

I wasn't going to just spam ChatGPT with meaningless prompts until it finally refused to answer. I came up with a fairly common use for the AI and decided to see if having the advertising toggle on or off made much of a difference.

To set up the experiment, I started a Free account, opened Settings and the Data menu where the Ads options live. You can see the choices above. ChatGPT encouraged signing up for a subscription to avoid ads, but the ad-free experience “with reduced usage” is right there.

I started with ads enabled and asked ChatGPT a bunch of questions about potential purchases, activities to do on the weekend, and other mundane queries, with plenty of follow-up questions as part of it.

(Image credit: ChatGPT)

The ads barely interfered with any of the conversation. OpenAI currently places ads below responses and keeps them visually separate from ChatGPT's answer, as you can see above. They're easy to ignore and never made an answer harder to read. It felt more like a sponsored Google result than an unskippable video in terms of annoyance levels.

Still, I never had to wonder whether ChatGPT itself was recommending the advertiser. That's good for OpenAI since it's a particularly awkward environment for advertising. When a chatbot is telling you what restaurant to visit, which laptop to buy or how to plan a vacation, even the suggestion that money could influence its answer would undermine the entire experience

The price of silence

The ad-free option felt pretty similar to the version with sponsored posts. You'd have to actually be watching for the ads to have much of an impact. OpenAI only says Ads-Free users receive fewer messages per day, may run into rate limits more often, and can lose access to tools like deep research or its image-making options. I noticed the reduced feature option, but multiple attempts to reach the ad-free limit had mixed results. It took nearly 40 messages to get a warning from ChatGPT in one instance, and another experiment crossed 60 messages without a peep from the chatbot.

The rate limit may matter a lot more for people using ChatGPT professionally. But when it comes to regular conversations that aren't as extensive, I didn't really feel constrained. Not to mention, even if you do hit the ad-free ceiling, you can always turn the ads back on to get more access.

My verdict? As much as I might prefer an ad-free ChatGPT conversation, I'd rather deal with the easily forgettable sponsored links than having to start all over with the toggle flipped back on. Slightly more clutter around the conversation beats possibly having to start over because I hit the rate limit.