Technology

In a new proposed class action lawsuit against Amazon [via The Hollywood Reporter], the company has been accused of “bait and switch" (a type of fraudulent activity) on Prime Video. This means they are allegedly misleading consumers into thinking they’ve purchased content when they’re only getting a license to watch, which can be revoked at any time if Amazon loses the rights to a title.

The potential lawsuit claims: "violations of California unfair competition, false advertising and consumer legal remedies laws. It seeks unspecified damages, including disgorgement of profits and punitive damages for allegedly intentionally malicious conduct." Filed in Washington federal court on August 22 2025, the proposal claims that Amazon is "misrepresenting the nature of movie and TV transactions during the purchase process".

In case that's not clear, let's take the unwatched digital version of Conclave I 'bought' on Prime Video so my parents didn't miss out on this year's Oscar hype as an example. I have a digital copy, but if Prime Video's licensing agreements were to change, so too could the version of Conclave I have access to. If Amazon were to no longer have the rights to the title, my parents would lose the movie.

As the complaint points out, “you receive a license to the video and you agree to our terms," meaning that what you actually get for parting with your money is written in the small print. But should Prime Video be allowed to tell subscribers that they've "bought" a movie, and what does this mean for us users in the long run?

Prime Video’s new class action lawsuit proves we need to invest in more physical media

Prime Video has a huge back catalog, but are we really buying it? (Image credit: Amazon)

Before we go any further, let's not forget that this isn't the first lawsuit of this kind Prime Video has had against it. In 2020, a separate lawsuit alleged "unfair competition and false advertising over the practice". While Amazon has not yet publicly commented on the new class action, it claimed in 2020 that using the word "buy" isn't deceptive to subscribers because consumers already understand that their purchases is subjective to license agreements. Five years later, and I'd say that likely isn't the case.

Back in 2023, a Californian legislature brought the problem to the forefront again. Gamers found that their access to The Crew would be stopped after Ubisoft shut down the game's servers, inspiring the 'Stop Killing Games' movement that took aim at publishers destroying previously-bought consumer titles.

However, it's changes to Californian legislature this year work to our new lawsuit's advantage. Essentially, a state law has barred the use of the word 'purchase' in a transaction unless "it offers unrestricted ownership of the product." Obviously, our Prime Video small print doesn't fit into this, and Amazon can hardly afford to lose such a huge profit share as California (if it was its own separate country, California would be the fourth largest economy in the world).

We don't yet know what any of this means for streamers with a Prime Video subscription on a wider level, but to me, it's an incredibly stark reminder that we need to keep investing in physical media as much as possible. Yes, it's more expensive than paying a flat fee every month for all the content you can possibly want. But it's like dating: if you become more intentional in what you invest in, the results are lifelong.

If you have physical copies of movies and TV shows that you love, you can never be parted from them, and it's the only way we can now guarantee the security of what we buy. Maybe it's time for the best streaming services to revert to the good old days of sending us discs in the post to watch and return when we're done with them, just like Netflix did in the late 2000s.

You might also like

• I can’t wait for Fallout season 2 to dive into New Vegas – here are 6 things I’m desperate to see when the Prime Video show returns
• Conrad’s bachelorette speech is exactly like the books in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 7, but it still leaves a sour taste
• 007: Road to a Million season 2 is better than any new James Bond idea Amazon could ever come up with

Walk into most organizations today and ask what they're spending on SaaS. Odds are, no one can give you a confident answer. Not because they don't want to, it's because no one actually knows.

Ask a different question: who owns SaaS spend in your company? You'll likely hear three things: "Finance handles it," "That's IT's job," or "Honestly, it depends.”

And therein lies the real problem. While companies are dropping anywhere from $9,000 to $17,000 per employee annually on software, most organizations have zero clue what they're actually buying.

The explosion of software tools across every function, only exacerbated by AI, has quietly created a gap between what companies think they're managing and what they're actually managing. And that gap is getting more expensive by the month.

SaaS sprawl is worse than you think

Here's how it happens: your marketing team signs up for Canva Pro, your sales team gets Calendly, design jumps on Figma, and engineering grabs another GitHub license. Meanwhile, IT is already paying for Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft has calendar functionality, you've got design tools in your existing stack, and there's a company-wide GitHub Enterprise account sitting unused.

This isn't just wasteful spending. It's what we call SaaS sprawl, and it's quietly bleeding companies dry. Recent data shows organizations use an average of 112 SaaS applications, with large enterprises using up to 447 different tools. And I think this is actually underrepresented. When every department acts like its own startup, you end up with a technology Frankenstein that nobody can control or understand.

When you factor in that companies waste 30-50% of their SaaS budgets on unused licenses, and missed renewal dates can cost upwards of $200,000 per instance, it’s hard to understand why so many are not addressing this problem head on. When there's no centralized intake or contract visibility, things slip through. You renew tools no one's using. You pay above market rates because you don't benchmark. You get hit with surprise auto-renewals.

The AI acceleration problem

And, just when some companies thought they had SaaS sprawl under control, AI came along and hit the gas pedal. We're seeing the late 2010s SaaS explosion all over again, but this time it's powered by artificial intelligence.

We’re in the middle of a perfect storm. Leadership wants teams to be AI-enabled, to experiment, to learn. They're actively encouraging employees to test new tools and find ways to work more efficiently. Meanwhile, IT teams are desperately trying to control the sprawl that's already spiraling out of control.

Guess who wins? The credit card.

Employees are swiping corporate cards to try the latest AI writing tool, testing out OpenAI subscriptions, or spinning up Zapier automations without any security review or budget coordination. Each purchase seems small and reasonable. A $20 monthly subscription here, a $50 annual plan there. But multiply that across every department, every team, every curious employee, and you've got a massive problem.

The conflicting stories are everywhere. Leaders preach innovation and experimentation while finance teams watch budgets explode. IT departments create approval processes while employees find workarounds. Everyone wants to be AI-first, but nobody wants to be the one who says no to the next breakthrough tool.

Shadow IT: The innovation myth

Here's where things get interesting. Some people claim Shadow IT and now Shadow AI drives innovation. They're wrong. Anyone claiming Shadow IT drives innovation isn't actually fostering an innovative environment.

When 40% of IT spending happens outside formal oversight, that's not innovation. That's broken processes. Your procurement workflows are failing to meet company needs quickly enough, so people are going rogue.

Sure, it looks like innovation on the surface. Employees find new tools, solve problems quickly, and move fast. But here's what's really happening: you're diverting time, money, and focus from actual innovation and R&D investments that could drive the company forward.

Real innovation happens when teams can explore new ideas without bypassing controls. If the only way to get work done is to go around IT or procurement, that's not agility, it's dysfunction. And it's expensive.

The security nightmare we’re all ignoring

It’s not just pure budget that is the problem, Shadow IT and AI and SaaS Sprawl are all creating security holes that many are simply not addressing. Every unauthorized app is a potential entry point for bad actors. IBM found that one in three data breaches involved Shadow IT, with the average breach costing around $4.9 million.

When someone in engineering or marketing signs up for a random productivity tool using their work email, they're potentially exposing company data. No security review, no IT approval, no encryption standards. Just click, sign up, and hope for the best.

The compliance risks are equally terrifying. Use a non-GDPR-compliant tool for EU customer data? That's a potential fine. Healthcare company using a random file-sharing app? Hello, HIPAA violations. These types of risks are happening right now at companies that think they have things under control.

Where sprawl lives

Interestingly, SaaS sprawl doesn't always come from obscure tools. It often comes from the biggest names in tech. At Tropic, we’ve found that some of the most common drivers of tool overlap and Shadow IT include:

• Zoom, Microsoft, Slack, Google – Multiple collaboration tools per organization
• Figma, Canva, Adobe – Design tool overlap with no license governance
• Salesforce, Calendly, DocuSign – Sales tools stacked on top of each other
• GitHub, JetBrains, Atlassian – Dev tools used inconsistently across teams
• Dropbox, Apple, Amazon, OpenAI – Personal subscriptions tied to work email

No one sets out to buy the same tool twice. But without visibility, it happens all the time. Every new vendor means more contracts to track, more renewals to manage, more security reviews to conduct, and more relationships to maintain. The administrative overhead alone can eat up significant resources.

When spreadsheets become expensive

A lot of finance and IT teams are still trying to manage all this complexity with spreadsheets. That's like trying to navigate a modern city with a paper map from 1995. Even a 1% error rate on $50 million of spend can waste $500,000 annually.

Dig deeper and this isn’t just a tooling issue, it's an ownership issue. Procurement or finance thinks IT is managing it. IT assumes finance has the numbers. Finance is tracking spend, but not usage. Legal might only get involved post-signature. So, things fall through the cracks.

Let's talk ROI

Here's something most people don't talk about enough: every dollar saved on procurement and purchasing has an immediate impact on the bottom line. Unlike new sales revenue, a dollar saved can be pure profit.

Reducing SaaS spend by just 6% delivers the same profit lift as a 20% increase in top-line revenue. And that's before you factor in the benefits of reduced risk, stronger compliance, and faster purchasing cycles.

We've seen companies recover hundreds of thousands—sometimes millions—just by tackling renewals earlier, consolidating tools, and validating usage.

What smart companies are doing instead

The fix isn't shutting down software purchases. Not only is that impossible, but you’d have a disgruntled workforce on your hands. It is, however, about enabling them with structure. The companies that are winning aren't locking down every software request. They're treating software spend like the strategic lever it is.

Here's what best-in-class companies are doing:

• Centralizing intake. Giving teams one place to request or renew software.
• Building a software inventory. Not just contracts, but owners, usage, and cost.
• Reviewing renewals 90–180 days out. Not two weeks before expiration. Get ahead of things to determine if you need other tools and create savings.
• Using benchmarking data. So, you don't overpay for tools that should cost less.
• Measuring utilization. If you bought 500 seats and only used 320, ask why.

None of this slows people down. In fact, it makes it easier for teams to get what they need, faster because the path is clear, the data is ready, and approvals don't sit in a black hole.

The time to act

Every month you wait is money walking out the door. Those auto-renewals are happening whether you're paying attention or not. The unused licenses are accumulating. The security risks are multiplying.

But don’t fear. You don't need to solve everything at once. Start with visibility. Figure out what you're actually buying. Identify the obvious waste. Cancel the subscriptions nobody is using.

Software isn't slowing down. And with AI in the mix, things are only getting more complex. This is your moment to get control, not by over-regulating, but by creating the visibility and structure your teams need to move fast, spend wisely, and innovate securely.

Your choice is simple: act now, or pay later. The meter is running either way. You don't need 200 tools to move fast. You need the right 20 and a way to manage them well.

We've featured the best business plan software.

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

With data becoming a more valuable business asset than ever, informing decision-making, enhancing operational efficiency, and enabling businesses to gain a competitive edge, hyper-personalization is transforming how businesses interact with customers. Taking data analysis to a new frontier through the deployment of AI at scale to identify hidden consumer patterns and preferences, hyper-personalization is fast becoming the new standard for businesses seeking to attract and retain customers.

However, with increased use of data comes more challenges and responsibilities. As more people become more digital savvy, they also become more conscious of their data and how it is used. This presents a necessary challenge for businesses: how to offer high-quality but ethical personalization offerings.

How hyper-personalization is delivering breakthrough value amid rapidly shifting market demands

Tailored offerings boost engagement, and foster customer loyalty, and as a result, hyper-personalization strategies are growing exponentially because of their high-value returns.

According to IBM, effective personalization programs can reduce customer acquisition costs by up to 50% as machine learning and advanced analytics can predict customer preferences and automate decision-making, with data and analytics turning raw information into meaningful insights that drive measurable performance.

Advanced AI systems further enhance these capabilities, supporting sophisticated personalization at scale and enabling continuous adaptation as new data becomes available.

These enhancements increase agility and business dynamism – a necessity for businesses operating in today's economic and geopolitical landscape. Hyper-personalization enables companies to make faster, smarter business decisions that align with rapidly changing market conditions.

By leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics, organizations can quickly identify and respond to emerging trends, customer preferences, and competitive threats, allowing them to adapt their strategies and operations in near real-time.

How businesses are approaching hyper-personalization

Having undergone a wide adoption, personalization strategies are offering businesses the ability to reshape everything from customer experience to product development, proving personalization to be one of the most strategic use cases of artificial intelligence.

Across industries, leading organizations are seizing the power of AI and advanced analytics and automation to deliver tailored experiences to remain competitive. Examples include product recommendations on online stores and streaming services based on previous search history. AI is also being utilized to humanize customer interactions in insurance, and tailoring treatment plans unique to patient biology in healthcare.

Tech native platforms, which have long leveraged the advantages of personalization, are accustomed to these strategies, but businesses across traditional industries – healthcare, manufacturing, retail, automotive – are increasingly investing in personalization to keep pace.

The legacy systems that defined these industries for decades are being succeeded by AI powered, data-integrated solutions – a testament to the growing recognition that these technologies provide actionable insights.

How businesses can navigate the complexities and opportunities of AI adoption at scale

Given the increasing circulation and use of data, as well as the commercial imperative to leverage detailed customer preference data, the scale up of hyper-personalization strategies is a complex process, calling for robust AI regulation and data privacy frameworks.

Strong data governance is inherent to a sustainable hyper-personalization scale-up, especially when attempting to elevate the AI profile within a business. This includes establishing clear policies on data collection, usage, and retention, as well as ensuring compliance with evolving privacy regulations such as GDPR, and implanting robust cybersecurity systems which mitigate data breaches.

Workforce transformation is also a critical consideration. There is a need to upskill and reframe workforce training to foster a culture of innovation that works in tandem with AI additions. Traditional sales and marketing roles are evolving and fundamentally changing at a rapid pace compared to operations that were commonplace only a decade ago. Now, there is greater emphasis placed on data analysis, ethical AI model development, and AI literacy.

Managing risk in AI adoption also emerges as intrinsic to a hyper-personalization scale-up. Adopting AI systems is only a start, but managing risk becomes the next focus, to mitigate algorithmic bias and false results. This involves regular auditing of AI models, monitoring for unintended consequences, and embedding ethical considerations into the AI lifecycle.

Businesses are operating on new terrain. Hyper-personalization has made reaching customers easier than ever – the real challenge now is how best to employ these tools to anticipate the needs of customers before they know themselves. There is a fine balance to strike here – companies need to invest money and manpower into the ethical growth of their AI and data strategies, or they risk eroding consumer trust.

We've featured the best AI chatbot for business.

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

The rise of AI is reshaping business technology at an unprecedented pace. From IT to HR, finance to customer service, few departments remain untouched by the wave of automation and intelligence sweeping companies and industries today. However, with this surge in interest comes a growing challenge: distinguishing between truly transformative AI tools and those merely dressed up in buzzwords.

For CIOs and business leaders, the mandate has shifted from exploration to execution. Deploying the wrong AI solution doesn’t just stall progress; it burns time, budget, and internal credibility. The challenge now is clear: cut through the noise, ensure enterprise-grade security, and back only the AI that drives measurable impact.

Perception problems around AI

At a surface level, many AI solutions look the same: slick interfaces, automated responses, bold claims. But there is a distinct difference between basic AI bots and true agentic AI. Some AI products automate tasks only within rigid boundaries, while agentic AI is designed to think, act, and adapt with no intervention required.

The confusion often stems from how AI is marketed. Some platforms tout predictive insights but rely on limited or shallow data, resulting in misleading outputs. Others claim “full autonomy,” yet still depend heavily on human input. Most are wrappers for outdated automation, only a few are truly built to drive action, solve real problems, and evolve with your environment.

Similarly, many products only scratch the surface by simply passing user prompts to large language models (LLMs) through an API - what you might call a very thin layer of AI. They look impressive at first, but lack any meaningful depth.

This creates a perception problem. AI is either seen as a cure-all or dismissed as hype. In reality, the value lies between. Real improvements in productivity and efficiency come from using the right tools, not just any tools.

The shift from automation to autonomy

Although hype still surrounds AI, we’re also seeing real progress as it evolves from basic automation to true autonomy. In IT specifically, autonomous AI is starting to take on entire workflows from start to finish, including resolving low-level support tickets without any intervention from IT personnel, even though end users may still interact with the AI.

The depth of these solutions is critical. When AI systems layer orchestration, coordinate multiple processes, or use specialized agents for different tasks, they become much more than a simple interface to a language model. And when they can take informed action on real business systems, drawing on an organization’s unique data and historical context rather than merely offering recommendations, that’s when you see what can truly be considered a deep AI product.

The effect on an organization is threefold. For end users, it delivers a zero-time SLA experience: instant support, self-service resolution, and frictionless access to help anytime. This shift dramatically improves the digital employee experience (DEX), which is now a key driver of productivity and satisfaction in mature IT environments. For IT teams, it frees up hours each week, reduces backlog, and improves response times. For the organization, it cuts costs without compromising quality and enables scalable IT support without additional hiring. However, with this power comes responsibility. IT leaders must ensure these systems operate within clear guardrails, especially when interacting with sensitive data, employee devices, or live environments.

A central concept here is closed-loop AI. These systems are designed to ensure that inputs remain within the organization’s control. Unlike open models that may use your data to enhance results elsewhere, closed-loop systems are built with enterprise-grade governance in mind. This approach gives IT leaders greater confidence to adopt AI without compromising security or compliance.

Three warning signs of hype

To effectively evaluate AI tools, it’s important to look past the branding and focus on the core mechanics. Here are three common red flags:

Lack of specificity: If a product claims to “revolutionize business” but cannot point to a specific workflow or use case it improves, that is a concern.

No explainability: If you can’t trace how a decision was made, or what data was used to make it, that’s a sign of a black-box system. Trustworthy AI should be auditable and understandable, especially in high-stakes enterprise settings.

No real learning or depth: If the AI lacks any meaningful learning mechanism or only relies on a small, shallow set of data points, it’s unlikely to improve over time. True AI products get smarter by processing large, relevant datasets, whether through training robust models or continuously absorbing business context. Without this depth, you’re often looking at a thin layer that may impress in a demo but quickly fall short in the real world.

As more tools claim to offer autonomy, it’s more important than ever to understand what to look for in a reliable AI solution and what to avoid.

What to look for instead

Instead of getting distracted by flashy demos or inflated claims, decision-makers should evaluate AI tools based on three key pillars:

Relevance and integration: Is it trained on data that reflects your business context, and can it be customized to fit your company’s workflows, policies, and operational guidelines? Just as important, will it integrate with your existing tech stack or require major reengineering? AI works best when it adapts to how your organization already operates, not the other way around.

Transparency: Can you understand and control how it works?

Impact: Does it save time, reduce errors, or improve outcomes in measurable ways? Does it actually do the work? Are there any stats or data points that can show proven impact?

Ultimately, the strongest AI solutions build layers of capability, from orchestration to specialized agents to learning engines that can take real action, creating something far more valuable than tools that simply pass prompts to a language model. They don’t just mimic intelligence; they deliver tangible value by empowering teams to focus on strategic work, improving efficiency, and generating a clearly demonstrable return on investment.

The future Is functional, not flashy

The future of AI in enterprise technology will not be defined by the tools with the boldest announcements or the most dramatic demos. Instead, it will be shaped by smart, adaptable systems that take ownership of tasks from start to finish and operate independently within clearly defined parameters. These tools quietly improve everyday operations and deliver consistent results with minimal oversight.

AI on its own is no longer enough. To truly deliver value, it needs to be connected to real-time systems, historical data, and the operational context where it’s deployed. That’s what unlocks its full potential. When AI is paired with an on-the-ground agent and backed by rich historical insights, it can go beyond recommendations and solve problems autonomously. It’s the combination of real-time visibility, institutional memory, and intelligent execution that makes for a truly transformative solution.

For IT leaders, the goal is not to chase hype, but to make informed decisions by asking tough questions, demanding clarity from vendors, and staying focused on business outcomes.

We've featured the best AI website builder.

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

• Russia has already banned WhatsApp and Telegram
• Users flocked to Google Meet, which could also get banned
• WeChat-based Max platform will come pre-installed on an phones soon

Russia is considering banning Google Meet as part of a broader crackdown on foreign tech, according to The Moscow Times reporting.

Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal agency responsible for the country’s media, has already banned voice and video calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, and the country is set to expand restrictions even further.

With users seeking alternatives, Google Meet quickly became one of the most popular alternatives – one that Roskomnadzor is now also looking to ban.

Russia bans Google Meet

Google Meet recently faced widespread disruptions, with over 2,000 individual reports complaining about frozen calls, missing video/audio and unexpected shutdowns, however Roskomnadzor has publicly denied any involvement.

“People started experimenting with other platforms after blocking calls in WhatsApp and Telegram, apparently, overloads led to certain failures,” Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications Andrei Svintsov said in a conversation with Abzats.

“Roskomnadzor has not taken any measures to restrict the operation of the Google Meet video conferencing service in Russia, the agency’s press told Interfax,” news agency Interfax wrote in a (translated) Telegram post.

The post also described Meta as “extremist,” linking WhatsApp with fraud, sabotage and terrorism. WhatsApp had over 97 million users in Russia in July 2025 according to Reuters.

“However, applications that can monitor our citizens, transfer information to Western special services, may well be blocked,” Svintsov added.

Industry analysts are expecting an imminent ban on Google Meet to tie in with Russia’s promotion of Max, a state-backed app set to be pre-installed on all new smartphones from September, based on China’s WeChat.

Max, which is still in a testing phase, has amassed around 18 million users already.

You might also like

• We’ve listed the best online collaboration tools
• Enhance worker output with the best productivity tools
• Russia's WhatsApp rival to be pre-installed on new smartphones and tablets from September – here's what we know

• The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could support reverse wireless charging
• This would let you use them to wirelessly charge the likes of your AirPods or Apple Watch
• However, there are questions over whether Apple would be able to achieve this while still offering MagSafe

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max might have a feature that Android phones have offered for years, as a leaker claims they could support reverse wireless charging.

This tip comes from Fixed Focus Digital – a source with a reasonable track record – via BGR, and if it pans out, then you’d be able to place your AirPods or Apple Watch on the back of your iPhone and use it as a wireless charging mat, draining the iPhone’s battery a little to charge these smaller devices.

This feature would also likely work with other iPhones, though it would almost certainly take a long time to juice one up, and significantly drain the iPhone 17 Pro you’re using as a charger in the process. Still, based on other implementations of reverse wireless charging, you'd probably be able to charge up non-Apple devices, too.

Reverse wireless charging is arguably a niche feature, but it’s one that many high-profile Android handsets – such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 series – offer already.

The MagSafe problem

A Magsafe-like Pixelsnap accessory on the Pixel 10 Pro (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Interestingly, though, the Google Pixel 10 series has actually ditched this feature in favor of MagSafe-like magnetic wireless charging. The company claimed the design of the magnets meant it wasn’t possible to offer both magnetic wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, so it will be interesting to see whether Apple can achieve both on the iPhone 17 Pro series.

The fact that Google couldn’t manage this makes us a little skeptical of this rumor, but this isn’t the first time we’ve heard of reverse wireless charging possibly coming to the iPhone 17 Pro, with a previous leak suggesting it could offer a charging power of 7.5W – which wouldn’t charge a phone up very fast, but is still almost double what some Android phones can manage.

However, both of these leaks simply say that Apple has tested reverse wireless charging on the iPhone 17 Pro series, so even if they’re accurate, it’s possible Apple will choose not to equip the phones with this feature.

We should find out soon, though, as the iPhone 17 series is expected to be unveiled in September, with one source pointing to September 9.

You might also like

• The iPhone's Camera Control could be the new MacBook Touch Bar, according to sketchy rumor that says iPhone 18 will drop it
• The iPhone 17e could get these 3 upgrades, according to new leak – including the super-useful Dynamic Island
• The iPhone 17 Air almost makes the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge look thick in new dummy unit photos

• Carabao Cup Dates - Dates: August 12, 2025 – March 22, 2026
• Best Streams: Paramount+ (US) and Sky Sports / ITV (UK)
• Use NordVPN to watch from anywhere

2025/26's Carabao Cup live streams see Newcastle bidding to defend the title that secured them their first domestic major trophy since 1955. Below we have all the information on how to watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 from anywhere in the world with details on worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and live streams on TV screens, laptops, tablets and mobiles.

Last season’s competition proved to be a memorable one as Eddie Howe led Newcastle to a deserved victory over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. The Magpies won the competition for the first time in their history, ending a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy and securing their first piece of major silverware since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.

The Toon Army will be hoping for another trip to Wembley but it won’t be easy to reach consecutive finals as there will be 91 other teams vying for glory. Last year’s beaten finalists Liverpool are the most successful club in the history of the competition, with 10 wins, and after a busy summer of recruitment they will be determined to reclaim the trophy they won in 2024.

Man City have also excelled in the competition, winning it eight times, while neighbors Man Utd have six wins to their name, the most recent coming in 2023. However, last season showed that it is not just the established names that can compete for honors as Tottenham and Crystal Palace both triumphed in cup competitions.

Here's where to watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams online from anywhere.

Use a VPN to watch any Carabao Cup 2025/26 streamEditors Choice

NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
We regularly review all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice. It unblocked every streaming service in testing and it's very straightforward to use. Speed, security and 24/7 support available if you need – it's got it all.

The best value plan is the two-year deal which sets the price at $2.91 per month, and includes an extra 3 months absolutely FREE. There's also an all-important a 30-day no-quibble refund if you decide it's not for you.

- Try NordVPN 100% risk-free for 30 daysVIEW DEAL ON

How to watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams in the US

Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams are on Paramount+ in the US.

The Paramount+ Essential package costs $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year, while Paramount+ with Showtime (which allows you to stream over 40,000 movies and TV episodes without ads) costs $12.99 per month or $119.99 per year.

Carabao Cup soccer is available with both deals, and you can also watch EFL matches on the platform.

Specific games will also be live streamed on CBS Sports Golazo Network which is a free to watch channel provided to US residents.

Outside the U.S. on holiday? Tap into your usual Carabao Cup stream using NordVPN.

How to watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams in the UK

Carabao Cup live streams are shared between Sky Sports and ITV in the UK for the 2025/26 season.

Sky Sports will show all of the EFL Cup fixtures over the season. Sky Sports packages start from £22 per month. Or you can use a more flexible streaming option, Now, (formerly Now TV). Now sports passes start at £14.99.

ITV has the rights to broadcast 10 Carabao Cup matches this season for FREE. All you need is a valid TV license. You can also watch these matches online via the ITVX streaming service.

If you're travelling outside of the U.K. during the tournament you can access your Sky Sports or ITV stream using NordVPN.

Official Carabao Cup 2025/26 broadcasters by regionAfrica

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

Residents of the following African countries can watch Carabao Cup live streams via Startimes Sports Life.

Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uguanda and Zambia.

Americas

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

• Canada

DAZN Canada has the rights to the Carabao Cup in Canada.

• Latin America

Residents of the following Latin American countries can watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams with a Disney+ subscription:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Europe

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

The Carabao Cup 2025/26 will be shown by various broadcasters and streaming services throughout Europe. You can check out specific information about your country below.

• Albania

Carabao Cup live streams in Estonia can be found on Digitalb.

• Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden

Carabao Cup live streams in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden can be found on Viaplay.

• Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia

You can watch the Carabao Cup 2025/26 on Arena Sport channels in this set of countries.

• France

There will be coverage of Carabao Cup 2025/26 in France on beIN Sports.

• Germany

In Germany, the Carabao Cup 2025/26 rights are owned by Sky.

• Greece

Greeks should head to Cosmote TV and Oglivy for the Carabao Cup 2025/26.

• Ukraine

Setanta Sports will show the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Ukraine.

Asia

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

• Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

The Carabao Cup 2025/26 rights for these countries are held by Setanta Sports.

• China

In China, the Carabao Cup 2025/26 will be shown by CSM.

• Chinese Taipei

• Hong Kong

TVB is the place to go for the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Hong Kong.

• India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

FanCode is the Carabao Cup 2025/26 broadcaster for India plus Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

• Indonesia

Head to Reddentes in Indonesia for the rights to the Carabao Cup 2025/26.

• Japan

DAZN will show the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Japan.

• Malaysia

Reddentes is the home of the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in the Malaysia.

• Singapore

Singtel and Mediacorp provide coverage of the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Singapore.

• South Korea

Coverage of the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in South Korea can be found at Coupang.

Oceania

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

• Australia

beIN Sports has the rights to the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Australia.

• New Zealand

beIN Sports is the Carabao Cup 2025/26 TV rights holder in New Zealand.

Middle East

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

BeIN Sports MENA is the Carabao Cup 2025/26 broadcaster across the Middle East.

You can watch the Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams with a subscription to BeIN Sports in the following Middle East countries:

Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Carabao Cup 2nd Round Fixtures

(Image credit: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

All times are in BST

Tuesday, 26 August

• Reading vs AFC Wimbledon, 7 pm
• Cambridge vs Charlton, 7.30 pm
• Wolves vs West Ham, 7.30 pm
• Accrington vs Doncaster,
• Barnsley vs Rotherham, 7.45 pm
• Birmingham vs Port Vale, 7.45 pm
• Bournemouth vs Brentford, 7.45 pm
• Bromley vs Wycombe, 7.45 pm
• Burnley vs Derby, 7.45 pm
• Cardiff vs Cheltenham, 7.45 pm
• Millwall vs Coventry, 7.45 pm
• Norwich vs Southampton, 7.45 pm
• Preston vs Wrexham, 7.45 pm
• Stoke vs Bradford, 7.45 pm
• Sunderland vs Huddersfield, 7.45 pm
• Swansea vs Plymouth, 7.45 pm
• Burton vs Lincoln,7.45 pm
• Wigan vs Stockport, 7.45 pm
• Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds, 8 pm

Wednesday, 27 August

• Everton vs Mansfield, 7.45 pm
• Fulham vs Bristol City, 7.45 pm
• Oxford vs Brighton, 7.45 pm
• Grimsby vs Manchester United, 8 pm (ITV)

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

Our Nintendo Switch 2 review

(Image credit: Future)

TechRadar Gaming has now gotten our hands on Nintendo Switch 2, and we've been busy testing it since launch. You can read our final Nintendo Switch 2 review to see what we think of the new Nintendo console. At present, there's a brand new Donkey Kong game to dig into, and a new Pokémon game in October.

Upcoming Switch 2 games include a brand new Pokémon game, a sequel to a cult classic Kirby racing game, and even a Nintendo-exclusive FromSoftware game. Judging by this year's line-up, the new Nintendo console is off to a very strong start indeed.

And whether you managed to get ahold of a Nintendo Switch 2 yet, you'll be able to play a lot of these games on the original Nintendo Switch. Still, it's clear that Nintendo Switch 2 is the best place to play, with a whole host of Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives lined up over the next year or so, each looking like a true next-gen experience.

We've been busy playing Nintendo Switch 2, testing out the new Pro Controller, publishing a Mario Kart World review, and using our knowledge to compare the Switch vs Switch 2 specs. Over the last eight years, TechRadar Gaming has covered the full lifecycle of the Switch, and we're all very excited to apply our expertise to its successor into the next generation.

For now, here's every confirmed Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game, so that you can see what you'll have the option of playing in the near future. As new release dates are unveiled, this page will be updated.

Upcoming Switch games 2025: this year’s biggest games

• Hollow Knight: Silksong - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC, Switch 2, Switch)
• Borderlands 4 - October 3, 2025 (Switch 2)
• Pokémon Legends Z-A - October 16, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Kirby Air Riders - November 20, 2025 (Switch 2)
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - TBC 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)

Now, let's go deeper into some of the biggest games planned for Switch 2.

(Image credit: Gearbox)Borderlands 4

Greetings, Vault Hunter

Now onto Borderlands 4, which first launches in September for PS5, XSX|S, and PC. This one's a great example of how the newer console is able to play third-party titles in a way its predecessor simply couldn't. The Switch 2 version launches sometime in 2025, meaning that you'll be able to take your vault-hunting action on the go in handheld mode. Details are a little scarce at the moment regarding the game's story, though we do know there are four new playable characters to choose from.

Borderlands 4 launches October 3, 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo)Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Friend or foe?

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the long-awaited return of the 3D Metroid series. It's still set for 2025, and it'll release on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The gameplay revealed so far points to this being faithful to the original trilogy, with platforming, puzzles, and first-person shooting action. Samus has psychic abilities this time around, and players can use the new Joy-Con mouse functionality to aim.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch at some point in 2025. Once we hear a more precise release date, we'll update this section.

(Image credit: Nintendo)Drag x Drive

A flick of the wrist

Drag x Drive arrives August 14, 2025, and looks set to be the biggest proof of concept for the new mouse mode yet. Using both Joy-Con's in mouse mode, you'll drag across a surface to power your character. With a flick of the controller, you can line up shots in this high-octane sports title.

This one launches August 14, 2025 only for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo)Pokémon Legends Z-A

Lumiose City awaits

Pokémon Legends Z-A takes players back to Lumiose City to take part in a program to make the place more suited to Pokémon and people living in harmony. There are dynamic battles, city-wide exploration, and three starter Pokémon in Totodile, Chikorita, and Tepig. Mega Evolution is back too, adding a new layer to combat, and giving Pokémon like Charizard and Lucario new forms.

Pokémon Legends Z-A will launch October 16, 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.

(Image credit: FromSoftware)The Duskbloods

Bloodsworn

The Duskbloods was perhaps the biggest surprise announcement of the Switch 2 reveal event. It's a multiplayer online action game from the creators of Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Crazier yet, it's only launching on Nintendo Switch 2, something that's very unexpected indeed. There's still a lot to learn about the game, but we do know that players will engage in PvPvE combat, taking on the role of "The Bloodsworn". These vampiric characters possess superhuman abilities, which can be used to hunt down and eliminate foes.

The Duskbloods is set for a 2026 release on Nintendo Switch 2. So far, a more precise date hasn't been given.

Nintendo Switch 2 games release schedule

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Now, onto the full Nintendo Switch 2 release schedule. The games below will release on Switch 2, and some on Switch as well. We'll indicate where this is the case, and will continue to update release dates as they're unveiled.

August

(Image credit: Nintendo)

August brings a new version of an excellent Kirby 3D platformer, as well as Drag x Drive, which uses the new mouse mode to exciting effect:

• Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (Switch 2 Edition) - August 27 (Switch 2
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch 2 Edition) - August 28 (Switch 2)
• Shinobi: Art of Vengeance - August 29 (Switch 2)

September

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Players will be able to jump into Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 in September:

• Star Wars Outlaws (Switch 2 Edition) - September 4 (Switch 2)
• Hollow Knight: Silksong - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC, Switch 2, Switch)
• Cronos: The New Dawn - September 5 (Switch 2)
• Dæmon X Machina: Titanic Scion - September 5 (Switch 2)
• NBA Bounce - September 26 (Switch 2)
• EA Sports FC 26 - September 26 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Pac-Man World Re-Pac 2 - September 26 (Switch 2)
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - September 30 (Switch 2, Switch)

October

(Image credit: Future / Sega)

Switch 2 players will get Persona 3: Reload in October. Here's what else is releasing:

• Borderlands 4 - October 3 (Switch 2)
• Just Dance 2026 Edition - October 14 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Pokémon Legends Z-A - October 16, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Plants Vs Zombies - October 23 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Persona 3 Reload - October 23 (Switch 2)
• Once Upon A KATAMARI - October 24, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)

November

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 in November. Here's the full line-up:

• Yakuza Kiwami 1 + 2 - November 13 (Switch 2)
• Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero - November 14 (Switch 2)
• Kirby Air Riders - November 20, 2025 (Switch 2)

December

(Image credit: Square Enix)

December sees a brand new Octopath Traveler game releasing. Here's what we know so far:

• Octopath Traveler 0 - December 4, 2025 (Switch 2)

Rest of 2025 and TBC

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Finally, here's a list of Switch 2 games that have been announced, but either don't have more than a release year attached to them yet, or are much further out. For now, they're simply TBC, but once each game does receive a release date, this page will be updated.

• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - Winter 2025 (Switch 2)
• Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Hades II - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - TBC 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Professor Layton and the New World Of Steam - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Reanimal - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Two Point Museum - TBC 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Witchbrook - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Yooka-Replaylee - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Marvel Cosmic Invasion - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• The Duskbloods - TBC 2026 (Switch 2)
• Enter The Gungeon - TBC 2026 (Switch 2)
• Splatoon Raiders - TBC (Switch 2)
• Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade - TBC (Switch 2)
• Human: Fall Flat 2 - TBC (Switch 2)
• My Time at Evershine - TBC (Switch 2)
• PowerWash Simulator 2 - TBC (Switch 2)
• 007 First Light - TBC 2026 (Switch 2)
• Pokémon Champions - TBC 2026 (Switch 2, iOS, Android)
• Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection - TBC 2026 (Switch 2)

New Switch 2 games FAQ

(Image credit: Nintendo)What games are coming out for Switch 2?

There are many games coming out for Switch 2 over the next year or so. The biggest ones are Kirby Air Riders on November 20, and then Metroid Prime 4 at some point in 2025. We'll also get Pokémon Legends: Z-A in October, as well as Hades 2 as a console exclusive.

Is the Switch 2 better than Switch 1?

The Switch 2 has better specs than Switch 1, with a larger screen, the capacity to output games at up to a 4K resolution, and support for 120 frames per second modes. We'll have to wait for launch to see how it stacks up against its predecessor, though for now, it's looking like Switch 2 could be a much better console than Switch 1, with better third-party game support and an improved Pro-Controller featuring back paddles.

You Might Also Like...

• Underrated Switch games to play in 2025
• The best cozy games on Nintendo Switch
• Best Nintendo Switch 2 games 2025

• The Garmin Fenix 8 has just received a huge free update
• The upgrade includes Running Economy, a triathlon coach, and more
• It also adds a Smart Wake Alarm, which has been missing for a while

If you’ve got your eye on one of the best Garmin Watches, there’s no doubt that the Garmin Fenix 8 is an incredible choice. And despite being one of the best smartwatches around, the Fenix 8 isn’t resting on its laurels, as a new update has brought a significant array of changes and improvements to Garmin’s wearable.

The latest 17.28 software update has arrived, and with it comes a raft of new features. That includes one that arguably should have been present from the time the Fenix 8 was launched in August 2024.

The most notable addition could well be Running Economy. This analyzes your running technique, including stride length, pace and heart rate, plus a new feature called Step Speed Loss, which looks at how much velocity is lost with each footfall. That makes Running Economy a handy metric for understanding your running proficiency, although it does require a compatible heart rate monitor.

Elsewhere, Garmin has added several new features that can help runners and athletes across multiple disciplines. That includes the Garmin Triathlon Coach, Running Tolerance, Projected Race Time, Suggested Finish Line, and a lot more.

Features for free

(Image credit: Garmin)

When it comes to understanding your rest, recovery and sleep, the new Evening Report feature adds a new layer of analysis and insight to the Fenix 8. This report recaps your day and shows you anything that’s on the horizon for the immediate future, from workouts to calendar events.

There’s also a new Smart Wake Alarm, and this aims to rouse you from bed within a specific time window once you’re in a light sleep stage. Many rival smartwatches have this feature, and its long absence from the Fenix 8 has made it feel a touch behind the times. It’s something that this device really should have had from the get-go.

The Fenix 8 update is a massive one, but it’s also worth noting that it includes multisport workouts, custom focus modes, daily summary notifications in the Notification Center, and a whole lot more. The fact that it all arrives in a free software update makes it even more worthwhile.

You might also like

• Garmin Fenix 8 review: Rugged, expensive perfection
• I love my Garmin watch, but there's one health feature I've always wished it had
• The best Garmin watch 2025: Multisport watches for every outdoor pursuit

Apple's sci-fi library is chock-full of must-watch series.

• Gemini could come to Android Auto with precise location access
• The update would make Gemini more useful on the road
• Changes to the look of the colors on Android Auto have also been spotted

We know that Gemini is heading to Android Auto in the near future, and when the rollout does finally get underway it would seem that the AI assistant will bring a useful upgrade with it: access to your vehicle's precise location.

This tweak was spotted by the team at 9to5Google, hidden in the code of the latest beta version of the Android Auto app, v15.1. It looks as though users will be able to choose whether or not to share exact location details in the Android Auto settings.

The obvious benefits of giving Gemini full access to your location are of course navigating from A to B, and finding out about nearby places – if you need to stop for gas, for example, or want to find the best coffee shop in an area.

You can use Google Maps on Android Auto for these tasks without Gemini, but if you do need voice control and maybe a bit of extra AI assistance, then Gemini is going to be most helpful if it knows exactly where you are at all times.

The changing of the colors

How the updated colors (right) will look on Android Auto (Image credit: Android Authority)

Gemini is replacing Google Assistant across all of Google's apps and devices, and based on some hints dropped by Google executives at the Pixel 10 launch event, the AI bot should reach Android Auto before the year is out.

We've already seen a preview of how Gemini might look on vehicle dashboards, and to a large extent the Gemini AI is going to work exactly the same as it does on your phone, only on a larger screen.

Meanwhile, the folks at Android Authority have spotted something else in the latest Android Auto code: a less vibrant color palette that's not quite as saturated, with a primary color pulled from the selected wallpaper.

It's possible that we'll get the Gemini update and the revised color theme options at the same time, but we're going to have to wait to see exactly how they fit in with the current interface – and as soon as Google officially starts the rollout, we'll let you know.

You might also like

• Gemini is set to become a significantly better phone assistant
• Android Auto is about to get a big Gemini upgrade
• Video and browser apps are heading to Android Auto

Wireless innovation has shaped our digital world. From Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to Z-Wave and Thread, we’ve watched protocols emerge to solve distinct connectivity problems. Now, a new technology is stepping in not to connect devices, but to give them spatial intelligence.

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is quietly transforming how devices understand and interact with their environment. It’s not as flashy as 5G or as familiar as Wi-Fi, but its impact on secure access, real-time location tracking, and automation is profound and increasingly relevant for businesses.

What Is Ultra-Wideband?

UWB is a short-range, low-power wireless protocol that transmits data through very short pulses over a wide frequency band, typically 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. Its defining feature is time-of-flight (ToF) measurement, enabling devices to calculate exact distance and direction between each other with centimeter-level accuracy.

Where Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can tell you a device is nearby, UWB can tell you exactly where it is, how far away, and which direction it’s moving in real time.

RTLS 2.0: Why UWB Is a Breakthrough

Having spent years building and enabling Wi-Fi and BLE solutions used in enterprise RTLS deployments, I’ve seen some of their limitations first-hand. These technologies suffer from environmental noise, RF interference, signal distortion from multipath effects, meter-level error margins, and degraded performance in dense or metallic environments.

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) solves these challenges by using precise time-of-flight (ToF) measurements rather than signal strength. This enables centimeter-level positioning accuracy (typically less than 30 cm), low-latency updates suitable for real-time automation, high reliability in cluttered or reflective environments, and energy efficiency suitable for mobile tags and long-duration deployments.

Why UWB Matters: Strategic Pilots Point to Real Business Impact

Across sectors, a growing number of businesses are no longer just testing UWB; they’re piloting solutions that point to long-term competitive advantage. In corporate campuses, UWB is enabling frictionless, intent-based access control that adapts to hybrid work models and improves security posture.

In healthcare, hospitals are trialing UWB for staff duress alerts, equipment tracking, and patient flow management, solving problems that legacy RTLS couldn’t address with precision. In manufacturing and logistics, early adopters like Siemens and Zebra are leveraging UWB not just for asset tracking but as a foundation for digital twins and automation triggers.

With enterprise infrastructure now supporting UWB through access points from Cisco and Juniper, businesses can deploy it as part of existing network upgrades. Emerging standards like Aliro, FiRa, and the Car Connectivity Consortium are reducing fragmentation, ensuring that today’s pilots evolve into interoperable, scalable deployments.

These pilots aren’t just proving technical feasibility; they’re defining how UWB will power the next generation of access, automation, and location-aware business systems. Today, UWB-based RTLS solutions are being actively adopted in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare environments by companies like Siemens and Zebra.

These systems provide real-time visibility into the location and movement of assets, materials, and personnel, enabling use cases such as digital twins, workflow optimization, inventory accuracy, and safety enforcement. In hospitals, UWB helps track medical equipment, monitor patient flow, and ensure staff safety. The shift from pilot programs to operational deployments underscores UWB’s growing maturity and proven value across industries.

Enterprise Access Points Now Shipping with UWB

Enterprise vendors like Cisco and Juniper have already integrated UWB radios into their commercial access points, enabling high-accuracy indoor location services for asset tracking, automation, and spatial intelligence. These platforms combine high-speed connectivity via Wi-Fi, basic proximity awareness via BLE, and precise spatial awareness via UWB.

This marks a significant shift toward unified enterprise infrastructure that supports both connectivity and advanced location-aware services.

UWB in the Smart Home: Invisible but Powerful

UWB brings the same benefits to smart homes that it’s bringing to factories and offices:

Hands-free presence detection: Lights turn on as you walk in. Doors unlock as you approach from the outside only. Devices respond based on where you are in the room.

Intent-based automation: UWB goes beyond occupancy; it understands movement, direction, and identity.

Secure, frictionless access: No need to pull out a phone or tap a card. UWB verifies your presence and position securely and invisibly.

The Ultra-Wideband (UWB) ecosystem is being shaped by major industry initiatives focused on interoperability, security, and widespread adoption across homes, vehicles, and commercial spaces. Aliro, part of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, is set to launch in 2025, defining secure and interoperable UWB access control for residential, hospitality, and commercial environments, integrating with Matter and other smart home protocols.

The Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) has developed a Digital Key specification, adopted by automakers like BMW and Hyundai, enabling UWB-based passive vehicle entry and digital key sharing, which is now influencing smart lock and property access solutions.

Meanwhile, the FiRa Consortium develops technical standards and certification programs to ensure UWB remains reliable, secure, and interoperable across access, automation, and tracking applications. FiRa supports both CCC and Aliro profiles under its testing and certification umbrella. Together, these efforts are transforming UWB into a trusted, scalable platform, moving beyond vendor-specific solutions.

At CES 2025, UWB-powered smart locks from brands like Ultraloq and Schlage showcased hands-free auto-unlocking, demonstrating the practical impact of these standards in real-world applications. By aligning technical specifications and fostering ecosystem-wide compatibility, Aliro, CCC, and FiRa are accelerating UWB’s role in smart environments, from homes and cars to commercial spaces, ensuring seamless and secure user experiences.

How UWB Complements, Not Replaces, Other Wireless Protocols

UWB doesn’t compete with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; it complements them. Each protocol plays a different role in the connected environment:

Wi-Fi provides high-bandwidth data connectivity, and UWB adds precise indoor positioning to the same access point.

Bluetooth (BLE) excels in device pairing and basic proximity with low power and ubiquity, while UWB provides centimeter-level ranging and directionality.

Thread/Z-Wave supports low-power mesh networking, great for automation, and UWB enables intent-based triggers and presence awareness.

NFC provides secure, intentional tap-based access; UWB enables the same level of security passively and hands-free.

The future is multi-protocol. UWB will often be embedded alongside BLE and Wi-Fi, silently enhancing the intelligence of connected experiences.

Why Consumers Won’t Ask for UWB - And That’s OK

UWB isn’t a protocol users will connect to or configure. It’s not trying to be the next Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Instead, it operates invisibly, delivering context, precision, and automation without user intervention.

We already see this with Apple’s AirTag, which uses Bluetooth for wide-area discovery and UWB for pinpoint precision when the user is nearby. That moment when your iPhone tells you to “turn left” or “go five feet forward” to find your keys? That’s UWB at work, providing directional awareness far beyond what Bluetooth can offer on its own.

Similar features are emerging in Samsung’s SmartTag+ and Google’s Find My Device network, leveraging UWB for object finding, room-level location, and even AR guidance. Yet the average user may not have any idea what UWB is, nor do they need to.

In fact, UWB is already embedded in hundreds of millions of smartphones and tracking tags, from iPhones and Pixel devices to select Galaxy models. Consumers benefit from its capabilities every day, without ever needing to know the acronym.

That’s UWB’s strength: It works quietly in the background, making environments more responsive, secure, and aware, without requiring attention, setup, or even awareness. Think:

- Smart locks that unlock as you approach

- Cars that know it’s you before you touch the door

- Lights that follow your movement room to room

- Devices that guide you to lost items with directional arrows

UWB may never become a consumer buzzword, and that’s exactly how it was designed to succeed.

The Bottom Line

UWB is the missing spatial layer in our increasingly intelligent environments. It delivers the precision and context that AI, automation, and access control systems require, but without asking users to do anything differently.

Whether you’re designing smart homes, connected cars, secure campuses, or dynamic retail spaces, UWB won’t be the feature customers ask for. But it will be the reason everything works better.

For forward-looking businesses UWB isn’t optional–It’s foundational.

We list the best IT asset management software.

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

As millions of people engage with LLMs, experts are voicing growing concerns that AI tools could provide harmful​ mental health advice.

Artificial intelligence has become a back-office powerhouse and essential resource for sifting through data, optimizing processes, and automating the repetitive. But as AI tools become more accessible, they are no longer just crunching numbers behind the scenes. Executives are increasingly turning to these platforms as a trusted advisor for providing strategic insight and informing business decisions.

Our recent survey found that nearly three-quarters (74%) of executives trust AI’s input over that of friends or colleagues. Even more striking, 44% said they would allow generative AI to override a decision they had already planned to make. These findings mark a profound shift in how leadership decisions are made.

Traditionally, executives have relied on a blend of data, gut instinct, and conversations with trusted advisors. Now, AI is earning a spot in the inner circle, signaling a fundamental redefinition of how leaders pair human insight with machine intelligence to drive better outcomes.

AI as Strategic Co-Pilot

As companies prepare for an AI-focused future, business operations are being rewritten. Companies in every industry are looking for ways to incorporate AI that can help them build even the smallest competitive advantage. As a result, AI is taking on a new role as the C-suite’s strategic copilot, handling tasks like data analysis and recommendations (52%), uncovering hidden risks (48%) and presenting alternate strategic paths (47%).

AI is helping leaders go deeper—to challenge assumptions, test new scenarios, and make more informed decisions about how their business operates. But even in everyday life, AI is finding valuable and exciting uses, with some guardrails.

I’ve used it to help plan family vacations and generate personalized bedtime stories for my children. While it struggles to manage complex scheduling (and the nuances of how I manage my calendar), AI has transformed how I approach and solve many problems, offering a helpful sounding board for tasks in both my personal and professional life.

SAP CEO Christian Klein recently shared that he uses generative AI to preview quarterly earnings results and better understand company performance.

AI’s influence extends to other roles in the C-suite as well, from automated anomaly detection in financial transactions for CFOs, to streamlining contract reviews and generation of new contracts for CPOs, to COOs needing to evaluate capacity planning and manage variability in market demand.

And, of course, there is always the most common use case of all – summarizing complex documents and topics, and generating subsequent action items.

We’re far from alone. More leaders are beginning to incorporate AI into the highest levels of planning and forecasting.

Critical Thinking and the Human Touch

As AI’s influence in the boardroom grows, so does the trust leaders place in it. Part of this stems from AI’s growing ability to analyze massive volumes of data and provide contextually rich insights. In some situations, AI is usurping the guidance of near and dear advisors as previously mentioned. A trusted colleague might offer valuable perspective, but they haven’t parsed two billion data points before weighing in.

Still, there are limits. While executives should continue to use AI to help with business matters, there’s a risk that critical thinking will be lost rather than enhanced as a result. True strategic decision-making will always require a human touch—which AI can't replicate.

Going forward, executives must strike a careful balance, keeping people involved to help make complicated and high-value strategic decisions, while using AI to enhance their thinking, not replace it.

Building a Foundation for Strategic AI Use

Such heightened reliance on AI will also force organizations to grapple with foundational challenges. The reality is that many companies still lack the reliable data infrastructure needed to support high-trust AI use. Lack of alignment between IT and business teams, patchy system integration and concerns about data quality all threaten to undermine the effectiveness of AI as a strategic advisor.

Companies must establish clear guardrails, like those below, to ensure these tools are used reliably and responsibly, balancing speed and scale with transparency and human input.

• Develop AI literacy across leadership through dedicated training and upskilling programs.
• Prioritize transparency by using platforms that can explain their reasoning in clear, understandable terms.
• Define boundaries for where and how AI should influence decision-making, particularly in ethically sensitive or high-risk areas.

Co-Creation: The Future of Leadership

As AI becomes a true collaborator in the boardroom, the goal isn’t to hand over control. It’s to elevate leadership. In this new era, great leaders won’t always have the right answer, but they will know when and how to ask the right questions—and where to turn for the best insights.

Going forward, we see leadership evolving from command-and-control to co-creation. Those who thrive will be the ones who understand how to blend human experience, emotional intelligence, and machine-derived insight into a cohesive and future-first strategy.

With AI as a loyal advisor, the possibilities for transformative leadership are just beginning.

We list the best scheduling app.

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

When Target decided to enter the Canadian market in 2013, it envisioned a rapid rollout of over 100 stores within two years, supported by a highly automated and sophisticated supply chain system. The strategy looked promising on paper, but the execution was rushed, and the technology behind inventory management and distribution was not properly tested or adapted to the new market.

Stores opened with empty shelves despite warehouses being full of stock, due to systemic data and process errors. The technology-driven supply chain was too rigid and failed to handle the operational realities of a new market and diverse product ranges. Within two years, Target Canada posted losses of over $2 billion and eventually shut down all its stores—a cautionary tale of prioritizing aggressive technology-led execution over a solid, adaptable strategy.

It often seems that organizations are too interested in the new high-tech gear, rather than the root of operations, asking themselves: cloud first? Cyber first? It can be easy to get carried away with the new features and functionalities of a shiny new AI or automation tool.

Without a clear understanding of the underlying problem, even advanced tools become ineffective, leading to wasted investments, poor adoption, and unmet expectations. Businesses need to step back, rethink purchasing decisions, define their wants and, understand the benefits of implementing such tools before making any hefty decisions that will end in a costly write off.

Think value, not hype

Out of all the heralded technology innovations in the last few years, AI has taken the spotlight. Generative tools, such as ChatGPT, have offered instant access to useful information, provided time-saving efficiencies for employees, and allowed tasks to be streamlined. However, this is only the case for companies that use generative AI tools regularly and in the right places.

A survey in 2024 found that only 2% of British respondents actually used generative AI tools on a daily basis - a contrast to the vast number of businesses that are signing up to use this technology. Organizations need to remember that technology without a purpose is a wasted cost that adds to the increasing financial pressures that many businesses are already feeling.

AI hasn’t been the only trend embraced in the last few years. The cloud is a further case in point where the problem-solving capability of the solution often hasn’t been considered. Initially, it is seen as a way to reduce costs though many organizations have been surprised by spiraling costs and integration headaches.

So, rather than following the mindset of ‘cloud-first’, the question should be: “Does cloud benefit my strategy?” Maybe only certain workflows benefit from moving to the cloud or, potentially, the service needs to be used just on certain days. Using the technology selectively and scaling down when it is not required, is part of the strategy that needs to be established to ensure that an organization stays cost-efficient, ensuring real value is gained.

Stakeholders are your best friends

How do businesses pivot to an outcomes-focused strategy? Too often, isolated departments and IT teams deploy technologies based on tech-first mandates with little input from those who will actually use them day-to-day. A shift in perspective is critically important. Organizations should engage key stakeholders closest to the pain points early in the process, allowing their insights to shape the strategy and identify effective, problem-solving tools.

There is a common misconception that successfully transforming an organization's IT infrastructure means rushing into expensive deployments and buying the latest technology or chasing the newest trend cycle. However, just a more selective approach to automation and AI can extend the value of existing infrastructure to suit organizational goals.

From shiny tech to strategic outcomes

It’s easy to be mesmerized by digital transformations or to believe that what your organization is missing is AI automation. But success will rarely start with the tool.

A great deal can be learnt from Target: involve end users in planning stages and don’t be fooled by the hype. Remember, problem first, product second.

Outcomes need to be placed at the heart of every business strategy that way organizations can unlock far more value from the tools they already have, while making smarter, more deliberate decisions about what to adopt next. This might mean refining the use of cloud services or using automation to achieve efficiencies in areas where it makes a measurable difference

Starting with the obstacle and not the tech ensures that the outcome is a more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable approach to digital transformation.

Tech is just the tool. Strategy is the solution.

We've listed the best time and attendance systems.

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

The interconnectedness of our digital world brings a wealth of benefits, including the ability to conduct tasks that were once manual with greater speed and convenience. At the same time, society faces an ever-expanding set of dangers, both personally and professionally, on a daily basis. For business executives in particular, the continually evolving threat landscape is now one where the lines between personal and professional, as well as digital and physical, are increasingly blurred.

The latest findings from the Ponemon Institute underscore this new reality. Based on a survey of nearly 600 U.S. security professionals, Ponemon’s new 2025 Digital Executive Protection Report shows a notable increase in attacks targeting business leaders, with survey respondents reporting a rise from 43% in 2023 to 51% in 2025. A combination of factors is driving this trend: executives’ expansive digital footprints, combined with unmonitored and insecure home networks and personal devices, which are often used for work purposes.

The Report also highlights a general lack of cybersecurity training and preparedness among companies to prevent such attacks. As a result, corporate executives are caught in a perfect storm, rich with opportunities for cybercriminals to cause financial and reputational harm – to leaders, their families, and their companies.

The Escalating Risk of Deepfakes

When examining the types of attacks targeting executives that cause the most harm, the Ponemon findings reveal an increase in deepfake impersonation attacks, from 34% of respondents reporting an incident in 2023 to 41% in 2025. Deepfakes are artificial images or videos created by AI, trained on a collection of authentic media samples of the individual being targeted, including still images, videos, and audio clips, all of which are easily found online. The more samples used, the more authentic the deepfake can appear to be.

Given their highly visible public profiles and prolific social media activity, business executives, high-net-worth individuals, and their family members are easy targets. According to the Ponemon survey, the most common deepfakes experienced are impersonation of executives’ trusted entities and urgent demands for payments or information about a detected security breach.

Of those targeted, 28% reported being impersonated by a trusted entity, such as a colleague, executive, family member, or known organization; 21% stated that executives and board members received urgent messages, including demands for immediate payment or information about a detected security breach.

Additionally, 42% of respondents stated that their organizations’ executives and board members have been targeted an average of three times by a fake image, while 66% of respondents indicated that it is highly likely their executives will be targeted by a deepfake in the future.

Survey respondents disclosed that the financial toll of deepfakes is neither known nor measured. However, most respondents cited the cost of staff time spent responding to attacks and the expense of detecting, identifying, and remedying the breach as the most serious financial consequences stemming from such attacks.

Why are deepfakes on the rise?

There are multiple reasons for the increasing number of deepfake attacks. First, the barrier to creating sophisticated and convincing deepfakes continues to drop, given easy access to AI tools and other technologies that power social engineering attacks. According to the Ponemon report, visibility challenges also make it difficult to detect attack tactics, such as deepfakes; half of the respondents stated that their team lacked the necessary insight to prevent a breach.

The report’s findings align with my team’s daily observations on the front lines: the threat landscape is rapidly evolving and expanding, putting a bullseye on the backs of high-profile, high-value executives for both cyber and physical attacks. Over the past few years, we have witnessed an acceleration of sophisticated tactics, such as deepfakes and impersonation scams, that directly target these leaders in their personal digital lives. Hackers understand that executives' personal devices and home networks can be an easy pathway to penetrating corporate defenses.

Securing the company network and infrastructure is critical, but it still leaves gaps. Protecting the organization’s leaders — and their families — is essential to reducing corporate risk, making Digital Executive Protection a non-negotiable security imperative.

How can organizations prevent future incidents?

A multi-faceted, holistic approach that focuses on both robust long-term prevention and immediate damage mitigation is required.

I strongly recommend a prevention strategy that encompasses comprehensive defense in depth, including implementing robust email security protocols, establishing strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all accounts, and deploying secure password managers, along with continuous monitoring of home networks and devices.

Key to this approach is minimizing executives’ digital footprints, proactively monitoring their personal devices and home networks for threats, and educating them and their families on best practices for online safety.

In the aftermath of any attack – whether a deepfake impersonation leading to fraud or a sophisticated phishing attempt – critical steps should be taken swiftly, such as conducting data broker removal, initiating credit freezes, disputing fraudulent charges with financial institutions, and securing compromised accounts to prevent further financial loss or data exfiltration.

To adequately secure individuals against today's – and tomorrow’s – sophisticated cyber threats, extending comprehensive privacy and cybersecurity far beyond the corporate perimeter is critical. Digital Executive Protection is necessary to safeguard leaders and their families across every facet of their connected lives – from their personal smart devices and online accounts to entire home networks and smart home technology.

The rising tide of deepfake attacks, as revealed by the Ponemon Report, underscores a critical shift in the cybersecurity landscape: executives are now prime targets, their digital lives serving as a vulnerable gateway to enterprise compromise. This escalating threat, fueled by easily accessible AI and a widespread lack of comprehensive personal security training, demands a holistic and proactive approach.

Organizations must extend robust digital executive protection to their leaders and their families, encompassing everything from digital footprint reduction and device hardening to advanced threat monitoring and rapid incident response, giving them peace of mind that they are safe from escalating cyber and physical threats.

We've featured the best identity management solutions.

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

Nick Park’s Wallace and Gromit were brought crashing into the 21st century in December 2024 with their latest adventure, Vengeance Most Fowl. The film challenges our growing dependence on smart technology in the form of a robotic garden gnome, built by Wallace to support his gardening business, which is then hacked by the Kubrick-esque Feathers McGraw for his own nefarious purposes.

One of the more interesting but less commented on parts of the film shows Gromit cautiously entering his house and being greeted by what he thinks is Wallace’s reassuring voice, only to be confronted with Feathers and the robotic gnome.

Technology’s ability to mimic linguistic patterns, to clone a person’s voice and understand and respond to questions has developed dramatically in the last few years.

This has not gone unnoticed by the world’s criminals and scammers, with the result that social engineering attacks are not only on the rise but are more sophisticated and targeted than ever.

What are social engineering attacks?

Cybercriminal social engineering manipulates a target by creating a false narrative that exploits the victim’s vulnerability (whether that is their willingness to trust people, their financial worries or their emotional insecurity). The result is that the victim unwittingly but willingly hands over money and/or information to the perpetrator.

Most social engineering scams consist of the following stages: (1) making connection with the victim (“the means”), (2) building a false narrative (usually with a sense of urgency or time limitation) (“the lie”) and (3) persuading the target to take the suggested action (e.g. transferring money or providing personal details) (“the ask”).

Usually, stage 2 (the lie) is where most people spot the scam for what it is, as it is difficult to build and sustain a convincing narrative without messing up eventually. We have all received text messages, emails or social media messages from people purporting to be our friends, long-lost relations in countries we have never been to, or our banks, asking us to provide them with personal information, passwords or money.

Historically, such communications were easy to spot, as they bore the hallmarks of a scam: generic greetings and signatures, spelling mistakes, poor or unusual grammar and syntax, inconsistent formatting or suspicious addresses.

Liar, liar, pants on…f-AI-re?

However, the rapid sophistication of generative AI tools means that it is increasingly easy for criminals to craft and sustain plausible false narratives to ensnare their victims; the “lie” or stage 2 in the social engineering scam. Companies and law enforcement agencies are scrambling to stay ahead of the technological advances and are working hard to predict developments which will be used for social engineering.

One potential use case for generative AI in this area is a dynamic lie system, which would automatically contact and interact with potential victims to earn their trust before moving to stage 3 (the ask). This would be particularly useful for “advance-fee” or “419” scams. These scams work by promising the victim a large share in a huge amount of money in return for a small upfront payment, which the fraudster claims will be used to obtain the large sum.

The AI-based dynamic lie system could automate the first wave of scam emails to discern whether the potential victims are likely to ‘take the bait’. Once the system identifies an engaged individual who appears persuaded by the communication , it can then pass the control to the human operator to finish the job.

Another development which has already gained traction is the use of AI to clone human speech and audio to carry out advanced types of voice phishing attacks, known as “vishing”. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission has warned about scammers using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate family members and con victims into transferring money on the pretext of a family emergency.

Current technologies allow voices to be cloned in a matter of seconds, and there is no doubt that with advancements in deep learning, these tools will only become more sophisticated. It would appear this form of social engineering is here to stay.

Do androids dream of electric scams?

“If there’s one job that generative AI can’t steal, it’s con artist.” So said Stephanie Carruthers, Global Lead of Cyber Range and Chief People Hacker at IBM in 2022. Fast forward 3 years and Carruthers has changed her position. Our concerns about AI are not just limited to the impact on the workforce but have now expanded to include AI-based bots which can craft tailored social engineering attacks to specific targets. As Carruthers notes, “with very few prompts, an AI model can write a phishing message meant just for me. That’s terrifying.”

Currently AI is being used by threat actors as an office intern or trainee to speed up completing the basic tasks required to carry out social engineering attacks. Carruthers and team did some experiments and found that generative AI can write an effective phishing email in five minutes. For a team of humans to write a comparable message, it takes about 16 hours, with deep research on targets accounting for much of that time.

Furthermore, generative AI can churn out more and more tailored attacks without needing a break, and crucially, without a conscience. Philip K. Dick noted that for his human protagonist, Rick Deckard, “owning and maintaining a fraud had a way of gradually demoralizing one”, but in an increasingly digital criminal underworld, maintaining a fraud has never been easier.

Increase your awareness of threats and how to tackle them with the best online cybersecurity courses.

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

• Google’s NotebookLM now supports Video Overviews in dozens of languages
• The upgrade gives Video Overviews the same language options as the Audio Overviews
• NotebookLM creates its summaries from actual uploaded documents

Google’s NotebookLM first debuted its AI-powered research tool with Audio Overviews capable of making AI-produced 'podcasts' with digital hosts. The logical extension into Video Overviews followed, with a synthetic voice accompanied by a series of slides that include text and illustrations. However, that capability was only available in English until now.

NotebookLM Video Overviews are now available in more than 80 languages. For most people, that translates to translatable versions of video walkthroughs based on your uploaded notes and linked source materials. The AI professor is already there and is now a multilingual expert as they present your own content in everything from Tamil to Polish and beyond.

These aren’t AI summaries scraped from the web or hallucinated based on a vague prompt. NotebookLM is grounded in the actual material you upload. Everything the AI says, in video or audio, is pulled directly from your documents, not from generic training data.

Of course, the video in this context isn't a cinematic masterpiece. The slides are not fully animated explainers. This isn’t TikTok for term papers; it’s more like PowerPoint for people who don’t want to make PowerPoints. The goal is clarity, not spectacle.

Global AI video

That's not the only global upgrade to NotebookLM, though. While Audio Overviews had been available in many languages recently, they were limited to brief highlights. Now, everyone gets the complete audio AI experience as an alternative to the video option.

For those who might want to read a white paper while driving or cooking, this is enormously practical. It won’t win a Grammy, but it might just help you understand a textbook or complex report. Professionals working internationally could use it to summarize a week’s worth of meeting transcripts as shareable videos or audio recaps from Catalan to Portuguese. No need to rely on a colleague’s English comprehension.

If you want to see how AI can digest and explain your collection of academic papers, blog posts, and YouTube videos, you can produce a narrated video by uploading your sources as usual, then clicking on the Video Overview button. Shortly, a video of approximately seven minutes will be ready for you to share, download, or use as you wish.

That’s not to say this solves everything. The AI can still struggle with nuance, for instance. But the reliability of the presentations is valuable on its own. Now, they just look good too.

You might also like

• I tried using NotebookLM’s new AI Video Overviews and ended up with some usefully informative, but rather dull PowerPoint presentations
• Google will turn those long documents into your next favorite podcast
• I fed NotebookLM a 218-page research paper on string theory and the podcast results were mind-blowing

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Aug. 26.

AI-generated music is becoming more widespread but not necessarily popular. And that's just the publicly acknowledged AI music. Now, artists are dealing with seeing their name and voice attached to music they never performed or approved of, even if they passed away decades ago.

The most recent high-profile incident occurred when English folk singer Emily Portman heard from a fan who liked her new release, except the album, Orca, though released under her name, was entirely fake. The whole thing had been pushed live on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, and other major platforms without her knowledge or consent.

A post shared by Emily Portman (@emilyportman)

A photo posted by on

Portman took to social media to warn her fans about what was happening. The fact that the AI could mimic her artistic style well enough to trick some fans just added to the creep factor. It took weeks for Spotify to address the problem, and you can still see the album on Spotify even if the music is gone.

Portman joins a litany of acts, from pop artist Josh Kaufman to country artists Blaze Foley, who passed away in 1989, and Guy Clark, who died in 2016, in having her work mimicked by AI without her approval.

It seems we’ve moved past the novelty of AI remixes and deepfake duets into digital identity theft with a beat. The thieves are often good at being quiet in their releases, able to score whatever royalties might trickle in.

Further, even getting the music taken down might not be enough. A few days after the initial incident, Portman found another album had popped up on her streaming page. Except this time, it was just nonsense instrumentals, with no effort to sound like the musician.

AI's future sounds

Having scammers use AI to steal from actual artists is obviously a travesty. There are some blurry middle grounds, of course, like never-real musicians pretending to be humans. That's where AI-generated “band” Velvet Sundown stands.

The creators later admitted the origin of the AI band, but only after millions of plays from a Spotify profile showing slightly uncanny images of bandmates that didn’t exist. As the music was original and not directly ripped from other songs, it wasn’t a technical violation of any copyright laws. The band didn’t exist, but the royalties sure did.

I think AI has a place in music. I really like how it can help the average person, regardless of technical or musical skills, produce a song. And AI tools are making it easier than ever to generate music in the style of someone else. But, with streaming platforms facing 99,000 uploads a day, most of which are pushed through third-party distributors that rely on user-submitted metadata, it’s not hard to slip something fake into a real artist’s profile. Unless someone notices and complains, it just sits there, posing as the real thing.

Many fans are tricked, with some believing Orca was really Emily Portman’s new album. Others streamed Velvet Sundown, thinking they’d stumbled onto the next Fleetwood Mac. And while there's nothing wrong with liking an AI song per se, there's everything wrong with not knowing it is an AI song. Consent and context are missing, and that fundamentally changes the listening experience.

Now, some people argue this is just the new normal. And sure, AI can help struggling artists find new inspiration, fill in missing instrumentation, suggest chord progressions, and provide other aid. But that’s not what’s happening here. These are not tools being used by artists. These are thieves.

Worse still, this undermines the entire concept of artistic ownership. If you can make a fake Emily Portman album, any artist is at risk. The only thing keeping these scammers from doing the same to the likes of Taylor Swift right now is the threat of getting caught by high-profile legal teams. So instead, they aim lower. Lesser-known artists don’t have the same protections, which makes them easier targets. And more profitable, in the long run, because there’s less scrutiny.

And there's the issue of how we as music fans are complicit. If we start valuing convenience and novelty over authenticity, we’ll get more AI sludge and fewer real albums. The danger isn’t just that AI can mimic artists. We also have to worry that people will stop noticing, or caring, when it does.

You might also like

• Spotify had to pull an AI-generated song that claimed to be from an artist who passed away 36 years ago
• AI can write a hit song, but it can’t lift your soul or break your heart
• Is AI bad for music or is it just another step in the auto-tune timeline?