TechRadar News

Technics' new Grand Class hi-fi turntable features something that sadly, you'll rarely see: a beautiful brass-topped platter that looks like it's made from solid gold. But it's not there to be looked at. The 2mm brass top layer is part of a three-layered platter and sits atop an aluminum middle and a rubber lower section to boast exceptional rigidity and vibration damping.

The new SL-1300G is a direct drive turntable that builds on the wildly successful SL-1200GR2. Like that turntable it has Technic's ΔΣ-Drive (Delta Sigma Drive) motor control to eliminate micro-vibrations and deliver a richer soundstage, and in addition to that heavier platter it also adds a more powerful motor. 

Technics SL-1300G turntable: key features, pricing and availability

The chassis is made from a rigid two-layer construction of bulk moulding compound and die-cast aluminum atop vibration-dampening feet, and the S-shaped aluminum tonearm with high precision bearings comes cartridge-free, so you can pick your preferred musical partner. Technics says that the new multi-stage silent power supply achieves an exceptionally low noise floor to deliver a superb signal-to-noise ratio.

In our glowing review of the SL-1200GR2, we praised the 2023-issue deck's tank-like build quality and the positive, articulate and revealing sound, but we also noted that price-wise it was very much at the top end of this market – not least because in addition to the ticket price you'd also need to drop around $500 / £500 / AU$650 more on a cartridge worthy of the turntable. Going cheap on the cartridge with a turntable of such a high spec would be a false economy.

That's the case here too: where the SL-1200GR2 cost $2,190 / £1,799 / AU$2,999 the new SL-1300G is considerably more expensive with an RRP of $2,999 / £2,799 / around AU$5,740. That's a lot of money for a turntable. But then again, just look at it.

Technics' new SL-1300G turntable will be available from October 2024 in a choice of black or silver finishes. One for our newly-updated best turntables buying guide? We'll see if we can get our hands on one to give it a full review… 

You may also like

• Our review of the Victrola Hi-Res Onyx is worthwhile reading, if you're looking for a slightly cheaper deck
• See our pick of the best wireless speakers
• Happy to stick with Bluetooth audio? You need one of the best Bluetooth speakers

Android 15 still hasn’t rolled out to any phones yet – though it will be coming to Pixel handsets very soon – but already we’re hearing about Android 16, and specifically a major change it could bring to the notifications and Quick Settings screens.

Digging around in the latest Android 15 QPR beta, Mishaal Rahman – writing for Android Authority – has managed to activate a new version of these screens, which they believe is intended to launch as part of Android 16.

Currently, if you have a Pixel handset then swiping down from the top of the screen will display all of your notifications, along with four Quick Settings tiles. This dropdown will also fully cover whatever app is running underneath.

If you want to access the rest of your Quick Settings tiles, then you’d have to swipe down a second time.

But with this new version that Rahman has found, swiping down with one finger will once again show the notifications panel, but this time you won’t see any Quick Settings, and the dropdown will only cover the top half of your phone’s screen, so you can still see whatever app you’re running beneath it.

To access the Quick Settings panel, you’d instead use a two-finger swipe, and then swipe left or right to access additional Quick Settings tiles.

You can see how this all looks in the video above, though note that this is an unfinished version of the feature, which for example doesn’t handle light mode well, since it makes the white text impossible to see. So if and when this change launches, it will presumably do so in a more polished form.

The gist in any case is that getting to Quick Settings no longer requires two swipes, but it instead requires a two-finger swipe. Whether that’s better or worse is rather subjective, but it could prove quite divisive, with Rahman for example describing the change as "annoying."

A Pixel-specific change

It also remains to be seen whether this change will launch at all, because while it’s clearly something Google is experimenting with, that doesn’t mean the company will decide to go ahead with it.

If we do see this, the most likely launch timing is with Android 16, which isn’t likely to be finished for around a year, though it’s always possible the change could come as part of a smaller software update in the meantime.

Oh, and if you don’t have a Pixel phone then you probably won’t get this change regardless, since most other manufacturers make their own tweaks to the notifications and Quick Settings screens anyway.

You might also like

• Android 15: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so far
• Best Android phones: top Google-powered phones for every budget
• Best Pixel phones: these are the Google phones to buy right now

Android 15 still hasn’t rolled out to any phones yet – though it will be coming to Pixel handsets very soon – but already we’re hearing about Android 16, and specifically a major change it could bring to the notifications and Quick Settings screens.

Digging around in the latest Android 15 QPR beta, Mishaal Rahman – writing for Android Authority – has managed to activate a new version of these screens, which they believe is intended to launch as part of Android 16.

Currently, if you have a Pixel handset then swiping down from the top of the screen will display all of your notifications, along with four Quick Settings tiles. This dropdown will also fully cover whatever app is running underneath.

If you want to access the rest of your Quick Settings tiles, then you’d have to swipe down a second time.

But with this new version that Rahman has found, swiping down with one finger will once again show the notifications panel, but this time you won’t see any Quick Settings, and the dropdown will only cover the top half of your phone’s screen, so you can still see whatever app you’re running beneath it.

To access the Quick Settings panel, you’d instead use a two-finger swipe, and then swipe left or right to access additional Quick Settings tiles.

You can see how this all looks in the video above, though note that this is an unfinished version of the feature, which for example doesn’t handle light mode well, since it makes the white text impossible to see. So if and when this change launches, it will presumably do so in a more polished form.

The gist in any case is that getting to Quick Settings no longer requires two swipes, but it instead requires a two-finger swipe. Whether that’s better or worse is rather subjective, but it could prove quite divisive, with Rahman for example describing the change as "annoying."

A Pixel-specific change

It also remains to be seen whether this change will launch at all, because while it’s clearly something Google is experimenting with, that doesn’t mean the company will decide to go ahead with it.

If we do see this, the most likely launch timing is with Android 16, which isn’t likely to be finished for around a year, though it’s always possible the change could come as part of a smaller software update in the meantime.

Oh, and if you don’t have a Pixel phone then you probably won’t get this change regardless, since most other manufacturers make their own tweaks to the notifications and Quick Settings screens anyway.

You might also like

• Android 15: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so far
• Best Android phones: top Google-powered phones for every budget
• Best Pixel phones: these are the Google phones to buy right now

IFA – the world's biggest consumer and electronics show – is in full swing in Berlin, and a number of brands have taken the opportunity to show off their new robovacs.

I've been on the floor getting some hands-on time with the latest models, and have been impressed with what I've seen. There are some innovative new features being introduced – as well as software-side innovations (AI, inevitably, is everywhere), there are some interesting hardware developments aimed at enabling these little home helpers to reach places that have previously been off-limits, as well as solutions to other issues that have so far limited their usefulness. 

I'm expecting some of these features to start becoming more common in our best robot vacuums guide before too long. Here's a quick look at the coolest new robovac innovations at IFA 2024…

1. Magnetic mop pads

As seen on: Dreame L40

Even though many robot vacuums have the ability to raise their damp mop pads to try and keep them off your carpets, it's not a failsafe solution – particularly if your soft floors are especially plush. On its new L40 robovac, Dreame has decided to solve the problem by letting you remove them altogether. 

(Image credit: Future)

The mop pads are attached by magnets, so when you want to vacuum your carpet after a mop, you can tell the robovac to go back to the dock, and drop them before continuing its cleaning. And it can also pick them back up again as required – no manual intervention needed. 

(If you don't have deep-pile carpet, the side brush, main brush and mop pads can all move up and down by a centimeter or more, with different settings for different modes, to effectively separate the mopping and vacuuming processes. But that's much less fun.)

2. Bouncy suspension

As seen on: Roborock Qrevo Curv

Another issue that can limit the usefulness of a robot vacuum is its ability to navigate big differences in floor height. While we're still a way off from a robot vac that can climb stairs, we're starting to see models that are much better at handling uneven terrain. 

(Image credit: Future)

Qrevo Curv has the suspension system of a boy racer car. Flip it over and you'll find three wheels, each of which can be independently adjusted by up to a centimeter, enabling the Curv to reach a maximum clearance height of 4cm. So that room with a double-height entrance will no longer be off-limits, and your ultra-thick rug won't pose a problem either. 

3. AI everywhere

As seen on: Narwal Freo Z Ultra (and many others)

It's no surprise that one of the themes of IFA is AI. Or, more specifically, AI appearing in places you wouldn't expect it. (I will not use the word 'shoehorn'.) The Narwal Freo Z Ultra is far from the only robot vacuum to use AI, but it's perhaps the one that goes hardest on this front. It has two separate CPUs – one dedicated solely to AI – and packs equivalent processing power to an Xbox. 

That AI is used to help the Freo Z Ultra avoid obstacles, and to adjust its cleaning approach based on context. So that's everything from using hotter water to clean greasy spillages on hard floors, to knowing which obstacles to get right up close to (chair legs) and which to give a wider berth (dog poop).

4. Mini hair snippers

As seen on: Dreame L40

How to prevent long hair tangling up your brushrolls is an issue for manual vacuum cleaners and robot vacs alike (it's one of the factors we look for when deciding the best robot vacuums for pet hair). Dreame has decided to stop messing around, and introduced an accessory that promises to eradicate the problem once and for all. 

The 'TriCut' brush literally has a little pair of scissors in it, which snip up long hair before it enters the bin, so there's no chance of it getting tangled in the mechanics. Note, this isn't part of the L40, but an optional accessory aimed at hairy households.

5. Smart suction

As seen on: Shark PowerDetect

With its new robot vacuum launch, Shark has ported some of the most popular features found in today's best Shark vacuums. So there are five different detection capabilities – dirt detect, edge detect, wet edge detect, stain detect, and floor detect – and the PowerDetect will adjust its cleaning approach in response. So when it shifts to hard floor from carpet it knows to lower its suction, and when it encounters the edge of a room where dirt tends to build up, it'll amp up its suction to ensure that all gets cleared away. 

(Image credit: Future)

I saw it being demoed, and could hear it ramping up and down as it encountered areas of heavy spillages or reached the edge of the demo space. The aim is a more efficient clean, without wasting battery unecessarily.

6. Steam sterilization

As seen on: Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI+

Rather than unveiling something brand new, Samsung is using IFA to show off the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI+, which has just gone on sale recently (we're in the process of testing it on team – full review incoming).

An interesting (using the term loosely) feature here is the addition of a steam cleaning at the base station, to sterilize the mop pads, generally make things more hygienic, and lower the risk of a stinky robot. 

(Image credit: Future)

Elsewhere, AI is getting a look-in again. Here, it's being used to identify objects, humans and pets, as well as being employed to help with initial room mapping – so the Bespoke Jet Combo can identify appliances and furniture and add them to your maps, as well as suggesting names for different spaces. This robovac can also sense how thick a carpet is, so it can deliver effective cleaning as well as avoiding getting it damp with the mop pads. If you're already in the Samsung ecosystem, you'll be pleased to learn that the Bespoke Jet Bot connects to SmartThings – Samsung's smart home management app – for convenient control from a single location. 

IFA – the world's biggest consumer and electronics show – is in full swing in Berlin, and a number of brands have taken the opportunity to show off their new robovacs.

I've been on the floor getting some hands-on time with the latest models, and have been impressed with what I've seen. There are some innovative new features being introduced – as well as software-side innovations (AI, inevitably, is everywhere), there are some interesting hardware developments aimed at enabling these little home helpers to reach places that have previously been off-limits, as well as solutions to other issues that have so far limited their usefulness. 

I'm expecting some of these features to start becoming more common in our best robot vacuums guide before too long. Here's a quick look at the coolest new robovac innovations at IFA 2024…

1. Magnetic mop pads

As seen on: Dreame L40

Even though many robot vacuums have the ability to raise their damp mop pads to try and keep them off your carpets, it's not a failsafe solution – particularly if your soft floors are especially plush. On its new L40 robovac, Dreame has decided to solve the problem by letting you remove them altogether. 

(Image credit: Future)

The mop pads are attached by magnets, so when you want to vacuum your carpet after a mop, you can tell the robovac to go back to the dock, and drop them before continuing its cleaning. And it can also pick them back up again as required – no manual intervention needed. 

(If you don't have deep-pile carpet, the side brush, main brush and mop pads can all move up and down by a centimeter or more, with different settings for different modes, to effectively separate the mopping and vacuuming processes. But that's much less fun.)

2. Bouncy suspension

As seen on: Roborock Qrevo Curv

Another issue that can limit the usefulness of a robot vacuum is its ability to navigate big differences in floor height. While we're still a way off from a robot vac that can climb stairs, we're starting to see models that are much better at handling uneven terrain. 

(Image credit: Future)

Qrevo Curv has the suspension system of a boy racer car. Flip it over and you'll find three wheels, each of which can be independently adjusted by up to a centimeter, enabling the Curv to reach a maximum clearance height of 4cm. So that room with a double-height entrance will no longer be off-limits, and your ultra-thick rug won't pose a problem either. 

3. AI everywhere

As seen on: Narwal Freo Z Ultra (and many others)

It's no surprise that one of the themes of IFA is AI. Or, more specifically, AI appearing in places you wouldn't expect it. (I will not use the word 'shoehorn'.) The Narwal Freo Z Ultra is far from the only robot vacuum to use AI, but it's perhaps the one that goes hardest on this front. It has two separate CPUs – one dedicated solely to AI – and packs equivalent processing power to an Xbox. 

That AI is used to help the Freo Z Ultra avoid obstacles, and to adjust its cleaning approach based on context. So that's everything from using hotter water to clean greasy spillages on hard floors, to knowing which obstacles to get right up close to (chair legs) and which to give a wider berth (dog poop).

4. Mini hair snippers

As seen on: Dreame L40

How to prevent long hair tangling up your brushrolls is an issue for manual vacuum cleaners and robot vacs alike (it's one of the factors we look for when deciding the best robot vacuums for pet hair). Dreame has decided to stop messing around, and introduced an accessory that promises to eradicate the problem once and for all. 

The 'TriCut' brush literally has a little pair of scissors in it, which snip up long hair before it enters the bin, so there's no chance of it getting tangled in the mechanics. Note, this isn't part of the L40, but an optional accessory aimed at hairy households.

5. Smart suction

As seen on: Shark PowerDetect

With its new robot vacuum launch, Shark has ported some of the most popular features found in today's best Shark vacuums. So there are five different detection capabilities – dirt detect, edge detect, wet edge detect, stain detect, and floor detect – and the PowerDetect will adjust its cleaning approach in response. So when it shifts to hard floor from carpet it knows to lower its suction, and when it encounters the edge of a room where dirt tends to build up, it'll amp up its suction to ensure that all gets cleared away. 

(Image credit: Future)

I saw it being demoed, and could hear it ramping up and down as it encountered areas of heavy spillages or reached the edge of the demo space. The aim is a more efficient clean, without wasting battery unecessarily.

6. Steam sterilization

As seen on: Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI+

Rather than unveiling something brand new, Samsung is using IFA to show off the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI+, which has just gone on sale recently (we're in the process of testing it on team – full review incoming).

An interesting (using the term loosely) feature here is the addition of a steam cleaning at the base station, to sterilize the mop pads, generally make things more hygienic, and lower the risk of a stinky robot. 

(Image credit: Future)

Elsewhere, AI is getting a look-in again. Here, it's being used to identify objects, humans and pets, as well as being employed to help with initial room mapping – so the Bespoke Jet Combo can identify appliances and furniture and add them to your maps, as well as suggesting names for different spaces. This robovac can also sense how thick a carpet is, so it can deliver effective cleaning as well as avoiding getting it damp with the mop pads. If you're already in the Samsung ecosystem, you'll be pleased to learn that the Bespoke Jet Bot connects to SmartThings – Samsung's smart home management app – for convenient control from a single location. 

The first trailer for Landman, the latest rural America drama from Taylor Sheridan, has been released – and I'm convinced it'll be Paramount Plus' next big TV hit.

Released yesterday (September 5), the forthcoming show's first teaser doesn't just give us a glimpse of its impressive star-studded cast. Indeed, the latest original series from Yellowstone creator Sheridan also gives us our best look yet at the explosive melodrama that'll not only be a major part of Landman's appeal, but has also come to define many of Sheridan's acclaimed works for Paramount's streaming platform.

Hooked already? I know I am. After all, Sheridan's track record with making engrossing television for one of the world's best streaming services is incredibly strong. 

The incredibly popular Yellowstone, which Sheridan co-created with John Linson, is one of the best Paramount Plus shows around, notwithstanding, Sheridan has almost single-handedly put Paramount's streamer on the map with a number of other highly-rated series. That roster includes Yellowstone spin-offs 1883 and 1923, the Jeremy Renner-led Mayor of Kingstown (Sheridan co-created it with Hugh Dilllon), the Sylvester Stallone-starring Tulsa King, and the Zoe Saldana-fronted Special Ops: Lioness. There's no reason to suspect, then, that this'll be a certified dud among viewers and/or critics upon release.

Speaking of its launch date, Landman is set to make its Paramount Plus debut on Sunday, November 17. It'll arrive with a two-episode premiere, with new installments set to air weekly on the platform until its finale is released on January 12, 2025.

Who is part of Landman's cast? And what's it about?

Billy Bob Thornton stars as Tommy Norris in Landman (Image credit: Paramount Plus/Imperative Development)

Plot wise, there isn't much to go on. Paramount is playing it pretty coy on the story brief front, with only a couple of differently worded synopses being released before and alongside Landman's first trailer.

In a press blast accompanying the show's inaugural teaser, Paramount simply said of Landman's story: "Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs". As I said, that's about as secretive as you're going to get from a story synopsis standpoint, but there are other snippets of information that we know about it.

Firstly, Landman isn't a wholly original idea concocted by Sheridan. It's actually based on a monthly podcast series called Boomtown that was developed by Christian Lawrence and produced by Texas Monthly. The 11-part series, which launched on audio streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts in December 2019, tells the story of the ever-expanding big oil industry in the Permian Basin, which sits in the southwest corner of Texas.

As for the other big thing we've learned about Landman, it concerns its extremely talented cast. Indeed, there are plenty of heavy hitters set to star in it, including Billy Bob Thorton (Fargo, Goliath), Demi Moore (Empire), John Hamm (Mad Men), Michael Pena (Ant-Man), Ali Larter (Heroes), and Andy Garcia (The Untouchables, The Godfather Part III).

Landman is set to compete for viewer's attention with some big TV rivals in mid-November, not least from Cobra Kai season 6 part 2, which arrives on Netflix on November 15. But, armed with its star-studded cast, engrossing plot, and talented showrunner in Sheridan at the helm, it's got a good chance of holding its own.

You might also like

• These are the best Paramount Plus movies to stream right now
• Paramount Plus’ Apartment 7A trailer reveals the prequel story to 1960s horror hit Rosemary’s Baby
• Check out everything that's new on Paramount Plus in September

The first trailer for Landman, the latest rural America drama from Taylor Sheridan, has been released – and I'm convinced it'll be Paramount Plus' next big TV hit.

Released yesterday (September 5), the forthcoming show's first teaser doesn't just give us a glimpse of its impressive star-studded cast. Indeed, the latest original series from Yellowstone creator Sheridan also gives us our best look yet at the explosive melodrama that'll not only be a major part of Landman's appeal, but has also come to define many of Sheridan's acclaimed works for Paramount's streaming platform.

Hooked already? I know I am. After all, Sheridan's track record with making engrossing television for one of the world's best streaming services is incredibly strong. 

The incredibly popular Yellowstone, which Sheridan co-created with John Linson, is one of the best Paramount Plus shows around, notwithstanding, Sheridan has almost single-handedly put Paramount's streamer on the map with a number of other highly-rated series. That roster includes Yellowstone spin-offs 1883 and 1923, the Jeremy Renner-led Mayor of Kingstown (Sheridan co-created it with Hugh Dilllon), the Sylvester Stallone-starring Tulsa King, and the Zoe Saldana-fronted Special Ops: Lioness. There's no reason to suspect, then, that this'll be a certified dud among viewers and/or critics upon release.

Speaking of its launch date, Landman is set to make its Paramount Plus debut on Sunday, November 17. It'll arrive with a two-episode premiere, with new installments set to air weekly on the platform until its finale is released on January 12, 2025.

Who is part of Landman's cast? And what's it about?

Billy Bob Thornton stars as Tommy Norris in Landman (Image credit: Paramount Plus/Imperative Development)

Plot wise, there isn't much to go on. Paramount is playing it pretty coy on the story brief front, with only a couple of differently worded synopses being released before and alongside Landman's first trailer.

In a press blast accompanying the show's inaugural teaser, Paramount simply said of Landman's story: "Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs". As I said, that's about as secretive as you're going to get from a story synopsis standpoint, but there are other snippets of information that we know about it.

Firstly, Landman isn't a wholly original idea concocted by Sheridan. It's actually based on a monthly podcast series called Boomtown that was developed by Christian Lawrence and produced by Texas Monthly. The 11-part series, which launched on audio streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts in December 2019, tells the story of the ever-expanding big oil industry in the Permian Basin, which sits in the southwest corner of Texas.

As for the other big thing we've learned about Landman, it concerns its extremely talented cast. Indeed, there are plenty of heavy hitters set to star in it, including Billy Bob Thorton (Fargo, Goliath), Demi Moore (Empire), John Hamm (Mad Men), Michael Pena (Ant-Man), Ali Larter (Heroes), and Andy Garcia (The Untouchables, The Godfather Part III).

Landman is set to compete for viewer's attention with some big TV rivals in mid-November, not least from Cobra Kai season 6 part 2, which arrives on Netflix on November 15. But, armed with its star-studded cast, engrossing plot, and talented showrunner in Sheridan at the helm, it's got a good chance of holding its own.

You might also like

• These are the best Paramount Plus movies to stream right now
• Paramount Plus’ Apartment 7A trailer reveals the prequel story to 1960s horror hit Rosemary’s Baby
• Check out everything that's new on Paramount Plus in September

Between the release of Astro Bot and the seemingly accidental PS5 Pro reveal, you might've missed the details of Sony's planned celebrations for PlayStation's 30th anniversary.

An official PlayStation Blog post, written by Sony Interactive Entertainment vice president of global marketing Isabelle Tomatis, details what else we can expect from such a monumental anniversary for the PlayStation brand.

What immediately caught my eye as a fan of the best racing games is an all-new way to check out Gran Turismo 7, by way of a free trial known as My First Gran Turismo. Launching sometime this holiday, the trial will feature a select number of cars, circuits, and events "that evoke the nostalgia and excitement of the very first GT experience." It'll be available to all PS5 and PS4 players, so it seems there won't be a need for a PS Plus subscription here.

Additionally, a bunch of digital soundtracks of PlayStation titles are making their way to Spotify for the first time. From October to January, we can expect the soundtracks for God of War (2005), God of War 2, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, Twisted Metal, Starhawk, and Unit 13 to hit the music streaming service. They'll also be available through Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Another interesting debut is 'Shapes of Play.' This is a trio of physical goods designed by PlayStation's console hardware team. Shapes of Play: Battle is a competitive board game, while Shapes of Play: Create is a set of magnetic blocks that can be arranged into various shapes. Finally, there's Shapes of Play: Recharge which appears to be an arrangement of soft stress toys in the shapes of PlayStation's iconic face buttons. That last one's my favorite, actually.

Lastly, there's going to be a free online multiplayer weekend happening from September 21-22, allowing players who don't have a PS Plus subscription to hop online at no extra cost. Several online tournaments are going to be held for games including NBA 2K25, MLB The Show 24, Tekken 8, and Guilty Gear Strive. Participating in any of these tournaments will also net you a couple of unique PlayStation 30th anniversary avatar icons.

And if these announcements leave you feeling disappointed, fear not. The blog post confirms that this is just a taste of what we can expect from the PlayStation 30th anniversary celebrations and that more announcements will be made "in the near future." New Ape Escape, then, please?

You might also like...

• PS5 Pro: the latest on rumored specs, price, design, and release date speculation
• A Hogwarts Legacy sequel is a big priority for Warner Bros
• When is the next Helldivers 2 update?

Between the release of Astro Bot and the seemingly accidental PS5 Pro reveal, you might've missed the details of Sony's planned celebrations for PlayStation's 30th anniversary.

An official PlayStation Blog post, written by Sony Interactive Entertainment vice president of global marketing Isabelle Tomatis, details what else we can expect from such a monumental anniversary for the PlayStation brand.

What immediately caught my eye as a fan of the best racing games is an all-new way to check out Gran Turismo 7, by way of a free trial known as My First Gran Turismo. Launching sometime this holiday, the trial will feature a select number of cars, circuits, and events "that evoke the nostalgia and excitement of the very first GT experience." It'll be available to all PS5 and PS4 players, so it seems there won't be a need for a PS Plus subscription here.

Additionally, a bunch of digital soundtracks of PlayStation titles are making their way to Spotify for the first time. From October to January, we can expect the soundtracks for God of War (2005), God of War 2, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, Twisted Metal, Starhawk, and Unit 13 to hit the music streaming service. They'll also be available through Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Another interesting debut is 'Shapes of Play.' This is a trio of physical goods designed by PlayStation's console hardware team. Shapes of Play: Battle is a competitive board game, while Shapes of Play: Create is a set of magnetic blocks that can be arranged into various shapes. Finally, there's Shapes of Play: Recharge which appears to be an arrangement of soft stress toys in the shapes of PlayStation's iconic face buttons. That last one's my favorite, actually.

Lastly, there's going to be a free online multiplayer weekend happening from September 21-22, allowing players who don't have a PS Plus subscription to hop online at no extra cost. Several online tournaments are going to be held for games including NBA 2K25, MLB The Show 24, Tekken 8, and Guilty Gear Strive. Participating in any of these tournaments will also net you a couple of unique PlayStation 30th anniversary avatar icons.

And if these announcements leave you feeling disappointed, fear not. The blog post confirms that this is just a taste of what we can expect from the PlayStation 30th anniversary celebrations and that more announcements will be made "in the near future." New Ape Escape, then, please?

You might also like...

• PS5 Pro: the latest on rumored specs, price, design, and release date speculation
• A Hogwarts Legacy sequel is a big priority for Warner Bros
• When is the next Helldivers 2 update?

If you like the idea of Samsung's cute The Freestyle projector but can't justify the price (originally $799 / £899, though now available cheaper), Xgimi's new projector could be just what you're looking for: it undercuts the Samsung quite significantly and is designed to go pretty much anywhere.

The Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro is almost exactly the same height as a Starbucks Venti Cup and weighs just 1.1kg. You can run it from a power bank (65W or better) for plentiful portable projection possibilities, and the manufacturer promises "cinematic visuals and sounds".

This is the third generation of MoGo Pro. We reviewed the very first one back in 2021 and said that it "delivers the goods and a bit more"; it "is a balanced product that delivers where it matters for remote workers and business professionals on the move. Easy to carry, use and put in place." That model had a brightness of 300 Lumens and cost $550; the third generation model is smarter, considerably brighter than both previous models and cheaper too – which is great, since the best portable projectors have come a long way since then.

Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro: key features and pricing

The Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro is an LED projector with a brightness of 450 ISO Lumens and a resolution of 1080p. It's designed to project display sizes of up to 120 inches and has an integrated hidden bracket that enables you to tilt it through 130 degrees. The projector has Xgimi's own ISA 2.0 image correction technology to reduce keystone distortion, avoid obstacles, focus the image and align the picture to the screen automatically.

This is Xgimi's first Google TV projector and includes the Netflix app. You can also choose from the thousands of Play Store apps. 

There are two integrated 5W Harman Kardon speakers, and you can use it as a Bluetooth speaker along with its Ambient Light Mode, which lights up as you play your music from your phone. 

In addition to the projector, Xgimi has also launched three accessories: a Creative Optical Filter to add atmosphere via the The Wall screensaver app; the PowerBase Stand, a stand that includes a built-in battery with up to 2.5 hours battery life; and a carrying case. There will be a bundle that combines the projector and stand at a discounted price, but Xgimi hasn't announced pricing for that just yet.

The Xgimi Mogo 3 Pro has an RRP of £419 (about $550 / AU$800) – £20 less than the current price of the MoGo 2 Pro – and will be available from 6 September from XGIMI.com, Amazon and other retailers. US pricing hasn't yet been announced but expect it to be low: where the 2 Pro is £439 in the UK, it's $369 in the US.

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If you like the idea of Samsung's cute The Freestyle projector but can't justify the price (originally $799 / £899, though now available cheaper), Xgimi's new projector could be just what you're looking for: it undercuts the Samsung quite significantly and is designed to go pretty much anywhere.

The Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro is almost exactly the same height as a Starbucks Venti Cup and weighs just 1.1kg. You can run it from a power bank (65W or better) for plentiful portable projection possibilities, and the manufacturer promises "cinematic visuals and sounds".

This is the third generation of MoGo Pro. We reviewed the very first one back in 2021 and said that it "delivers the goods and a bit more"; it "is a balanced product that delivers where it matters for remote workers and business professionals on the move. Easy to carry, use and put in place." That model had a brightness of 300 Lumens and cost $550; the third generation model is smarter, considerably brighter than both previous models and cheaper too – which is great, since the best portable projectors have come a long way since then.

Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro: key features and pricing

The Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro is an LED projector with a brightness of 450 ISO Lumens and a resolution of 1080p. It's designed to project display sizes of up to 120 inches and has an integrated hidden bracket that enables you to tilt it through 130 degrees. The projector has Xgimi's own ISA 2.0 image correction technology to reduce keystone distortion, avoid obstacles, focus the image and align the picture to the screen automatically.

This is Xgimi's first Google TV projector and includes the Netflix app. You can also choose from the thousands of Play Store apps. 

There are two integrated 5W Harman Kardon speakers, and you can use it as a Bluetooth speaker along with its Ambient Light Mode, which lights up as you play your music from your phone. 

In addition to the projector, Xgimi has also launched three accessories: a Creative Optical Filter to add atmosphere via the The Wall screensaver app; the PowerBase Stand, a stand that includes a built-in battery with up to 2.5 hours battery life; and a carrying case. There will be a bundle that combines the projector and stand at a discounted price, but Xgimi hasn't announced pricing for that just yet.

The Xgimi Mogo 3 Pro has an RRP of £419 (about $550 / AU$800) – £20 less than the current price of the MoGo 2 Pro – and will be available from 6 September from XGIMI.com, Amazon and other retailers. US pricing hasn't yet been announced but expect it to be low: where the 2 Pro is £439 in the UK, it's $369 in the US.

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Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud-based software delivery model where apps are hosted by a service provider and made available to users over the Internet. With this model, apps are easy to adopt and use.

However, a recent report from AppOmni reveals that one-third of companies surveyed reported experiencing a data breach this year, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.

AppOmni's State of SaaS Security 2024 Report is based on a survey conducted with cybersecurity decision-makers from 644 organizations across the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and Australia, with nearly half of these organizations employing over 2,500 people.

Why focus on SaaS security?

One of the most pressing issues identified is the risk associated with Generative AI, with 38% of respondents expressing worries about data and intellectual property vulnerabilities stemming from this technology.

Confidence in data security within SaaS applications is notably declining as only 32% of organizations feel secure about their data. This is a sharp drop from 42% in the previous year which is particularly concerning given the backdrop of rising breaches, as 58% of organizations reported experiencing a security incident in the past year.

While 90% of organizations claim to have policies restricting unauthorized application use, 34% admit these policies are not enforced—a significant increase from the previous year. This gap between policy and practice exacerbates security risks, as organizations struggle to maintain oversight of their SaaS applications. In fact, 34% of respondents are unaware of how many SaaS applications are deployed within their organizations, complicating management and security efforts. About 50% of respondents believe that Microsoft 365 does not have up to 10 connected apps, however, AppOmni’s research reveals that on average, it has 1,000.

SaaS exploits are expanding, mainly thanks to the tussle for whose responsibility it is to secure the apps. From the survey, 50% of respondents believe that this is the primary duty of business owners or stakeholders, while only 15% attribute this responsibility to cybersecurity teams. This distribution can lead to confusion and inadequate security measures as responsibilities are not clearly defined.

Concerns regarding data loss are also prevalent, with organizations citing the loss of intellectual property (34%), reputational damage (30%), and customer data compromise (27%) as their top fears related to SaaS security. These findings emphasize the urgent need for organizations to enhance their SaaS security strategies, ensuring robust policies, clearer accountability, and improved visibility into their SaaS environments to mitigate risks effectively.

Looking ahead, the report indicates a shift in organizational priorities regarding cybersecurity. Approximately 69% of respondents anticipate increased spending on cybersecurity measures in the next 12 months. Also, 29% expect discussions around return on investment (ROI) on cybersecurity investments to become a focal point, emphasizing the need for quantifiable risk reduction.

Brendan O’Connor, CEO of AppOmni said: “SaaS has come a long way from its early days of use in isolated departments, and now underpins modern businesses across every function. But attackers continue to wreak havoc by stealing data, holding companies ransom, disrupting business operations, and damaging organizations’ reputations. Our survey findings, conversations, SaaS war stories over the last year, and the current regulatory environment make it clear that SaaS security must mature.”

“As attacker TTPs and preventable security issues are becoming more widely-known, there are signs that CISOs and their teams are prioritizing SaaS risks among their cloud security initiatives—even as budget pressures intensify. The days of waiting on SaaS vendors as the primary security providers for your SaaS estate are over. As the operating system of business, your SaaS estate requires a well-structured security program, organizational alignment on responsibility and accountability, and continuous monitoring at scale.” O’Connor concluded.

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An investigation into Chinese chip making companies has determined that eight firms were allegedly in violation of Taiwanese law. This is the latest development in global ambitions to develop crucial technologies used in AI, phones, and cars.

Amongst those accused is Naura Technology Group, one of the suppliers to China’s largest chip maker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. The organization has denied the allegations, affirming that the Taiwan office was established “in accordance with local laws and regulations.”

The firms have denied poaching talent from Taiwanese companies, despite Taiwan's top intelligence agencies finding evidence of the unlawful hiring of engineers to boost China’s semiconductor manufacturing power.

Investing in tech

Taiwan accounts for 68% of the semiconductor market, but China is the lead spender in chipmaking technology. The nation spends more than the US, Taiwan, and South Korea combined - and is on track to hit $50 billion in semiconductor equipment spending in the near future. As of yet, Chinese domestic industry can’t develop the most advanced chips, especially those used in military hardware.

The race to develop and manufacture chips is just one part of a wider picture. The strategic influence of tech in the geopolitical sphere has become more and more apparent, with the US and China both looking to be the dominant technological powers.

The US has attempted to rally allies like Japan to impose restrictions on imports to China in attempts to hinder development. Japan is being pressured to align more closely with the US’s foreign policy goals by restricting the sales of top end chips.

As both the US and China grow their powers in the technological world, the expansion of chip manufacturing is set to continue, and the development expertise will remain incredibly valuable.

Via Tom's Hardware

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A critical vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft’s Copilot Studio, posing significant risks to sensitive internal data. This flaw, identified as a server-side request forgery (SSRF), allows unauthorized access to internal infrastructure, potentially impacting multiple tenants.

The flaw identified by Tenable's Research Team is attributed to improper handling of redirect status codes in user-configurable actions, which allows attackers to manipulate HTTP requests.

This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-38206 and has a CVSS score of 8.5, indicating its critical severity level. Microsoft has confirmed that this issue has been tackled as of July 31, 2024, and users do not need to take any further action.

Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) could have broader implications

The SSRF vulnerability identified in Copilot Studio stems from the manipulation of an application to make server-side HTTP requests to unintended targets or locations. This manipulation can lead to unauthorized access to internal resources that are typically protected. Essentially, an attacker could exploit this flaw to make requests on behalf of the application to sensitive internal resources, revealing potentially sensitive data.

In the case of Copilot Studio, the SSRF vulnerability could have been exploited to access Microsoft’s Instance Metadata Service (IMDS). The IMDS is a common target for SSRF attacks in cloud environments because it can yield information such as managed identity access tokens. These tokens can then be used to gain further access to shared resources within the environment, including databases.

For instance, gaining access to a Cosmos DB, where sensitive data is stored, could compromise data integrity and confidentiality, leading to broader security breaches and potential data leaks affecting multiple customers.

This discovery is not an isolated incident. It follows Tenable's previous findings of vulnerabilities in various Microsoft services, including the Azure Health Bot service, Azure Service Tags, and multiple vulnerabilities within the Azure API Management service. The pattern indicates a concerning trend in the security posture of Microsoft’s cloud offerings, particularly as they expand rapidly in a competitive market.

“In the context of cloud applications, a common target is the Instance Metadata Service (IMDS) which, depending on the cloud platform, can yield useful, potentially sensitive information for an attacker. In this case, we were able to retrieve managed identity access tokens from the IMDS. No information beyond the usage of Copilot Studio was required to exploit this flaw,” explains Jimi Sebree, senior staff research engineer, at Tenable.

“As in some of the previous vulnerabilities found by our research team, this vulnerability demonstrates that mistakes can be made when companies rush to be the first to release products in a new or rapidly expanding space,” Sebree concluded.

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IFA 2024 continues to deliver even more tech news, including the reveal of tons of AI PCs from top manufacturers. One such is Samsung’s Galaxy line, which is getting two new AI-based entries.

The first is the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, powered by the Intel Core Ultra CPU (Series 2) and an NPU with up to 47 total TOPs. It also features an Intel Arc GPU, a 3K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate screen, a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Vision Booster (which reduces glare), and according to the tech giant, reaches up to 25 hours of video playback battery life. Its specs also include 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.

The second laptop is the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus 8-core CPU and an NPU with up to 45 total TOPs. It features a 15.6-inch FHD display with anti-glare tech and comes in Sapphire Blue. Despite the thin and light design, the port selection is well-rounded, with USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI, a combo jack, and a micro SD slot. Its specs also include 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage.

Like other Windows-based AI PCs, the Book5 Pro 360 and the Book4 Edge utilize Copilot+ AI and its in-house AI tools and programs. The former is already available in the UK for £1,699 and will be available on September 24 in other regions. The latter will launch in the US, UK, and other regions starting October 10.

What’s the future of AI-powered CPUs? 

Like other AI PCs, Samsung is mixing up which AI-powered CPUs will be featured in different models. This move not only increases the options that buyers can choose from based on personal preference but most likely allows manufacturers to ‘test’ out which CPUs work best for their needs.

Of course, plenty of testing had to have been done before launch to ensure that buyers would have the best products. However, the most reliable way to find out the true performance and limits of these AI CPUs and NPUs is to wait for official benchmarks and thorough testing from professionals.

As AI PCs are a new concept and we haven’t seen the full range of what all the CPUs can accomplish yet, it’ll be fascinating to see which ones actually turn out to be winners. However, we’ve at least seen the first Snapdragon chips, and so far, they’ve been extremely promising, with the Dell XPS 13 (2024) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 being notable examples.

While I do have faith in AMD putting out solid AI CPUs that could potentially rival Snapdragon, my worries lie more with Intel’s output. Lunar Lake should technically be more than sufficient to compete with and surpass its competitors, but considering the ongoing stability issues with Intel’s 13th and 14th-gen processors, there are still some doubts as to what Team Blue can accomplish in reality.

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A letter signed by no fewer than 17 different groups is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to consider introducing clearer guidance for software tethering.

Described as “making functions of a device reliant on embedded software that ties the device back to a manufacturer’s servers,” the letter addresses “several consumer harms” associated with the practice.

According to the signatories, locking features behind a subscription paywall and rendering products unusable through software at a later date is harming consumers and creating more e-waste that’s detrimental to the environment.

FTC urged to readdress software tethering

The letter exemplifies the complaint through the $1,695 Snoo, a smart bassinet made by Happiest Baby, which recently moved features like weaning mode, sleep tracking and car ride mode to a $19.99 subscription model. Though buyers from before the change will be able to continue without the subscription, this is said to harm the secondhand market.

Spotify’s $89.99 Car Thing is also used as an example – the music streaming platform confirmed that it would be unsupported from December 2024, less than two years after it launched.

Although it has been acknowledged that some companies offer advanced notice, refunds and a plan to recycle the non-working hardware, the signatories believe that most unsupported products would still be able to work with the right software.

Moreover, the open letter addresses the complex inter-business relationships that can cause similar technical limitations, such as a recent Chamberlain MyQ API update that prevented it from working with smart home assistants – ”the smart home is littered with examples of this sort of bait and switch for consumers.”

The group believes that the problem will only get worse as more “smart” devices are introduced, and calls for the FTC to require companies to disclose a minimum support time for products; for them to ensure that core functionalities work even without internet connection and software updates; to encourage tools and methods for reuse if software support ends; to allow third parties to pick up where owner companies left off with copyright amendments; and to encourage manufacturers to build longevity into their products.

TechRadar Pro has asked the FTC to comment on the letter, but we did not receive an immediate response.

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Google is racing to get its Gemini AI assistant embedded across its ecosystem, upgrading as it goes. That means not every new or enhanced feature gets much in the way of fanfare when it rolls out beyond the updated support website. Still, a couple of new Gemini tools are worth highlighting for how they embody Google’s strategy of making Gemini as flexible and easy to use as possible. 

Google Chrome’s dominant place among web browsers makes it an obvious hub for Google to encourage Gemini use. That now includes enabling users to start interacting with Gemini right from the address bar. It might not seem like much initially, but the feature removes a barrier to Gemini on Chrome, possibly encouraging some of the millions of Chrome users to at least test out the AI. 

If you want to talk to Gemini in the Chrome address bar, you just treat it like a lot of other Chrome extensions. Type “@gemini” in the address bar, followed by your question or prompt. Gemini will process the request and take you to the Gemini homepage using the same browser window. You can see how it looks in the image at the top. 

Google Chrome isn’t alone in trying to meld an AI assistant with a browser. Microsft Edge has incorporated the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant in some form for more than a year now. Apropos of the name, Microsoft’s browser does have an edge in at least one major way when compared to Chrome’s new feature. Copilot’s responses are shaped in part by the webpage you are currently viewing. 

Gemini lacks this level of contextual awareness and ability to personalize a response to your current browsing. If you’re more concerned with privacy than personalization, you might even see this limit as a positive since it means Gemini isn’t analyzing your history. Still, for more general questions or requests, the Chrome address bar works just fine for contacting Gemini. It also pairs nicely with other recent AI updates to Chrome, such as Gemini-powered visual searches through Google Lens, shopping comparisons between tabs, and a better-organized browsing history.

Gemini Upload Mobile

The other notable new Gemini update is on the mobile app. If you subscribe to Gemini Advanced, you can now upload files to the Gemini app on Android and iOS devices. The document upload has only been available on the web until now. You can use the app to send up to 10 files of no more than 100MB at a time to Gemini. Most of the common formats are supported, including plain text, Microsoft Word, PDFs, and spreadsheets. 

This mobile enhancement is aimed at encouraging people to use Gemini more, even when not at their computers. It brings Gemini’s document analysis to smartphones. That’s great if you want Gemini to explain or summarize a spreadsheet or report without having to copy and paste it manually. As with the Chrome address bar option, Google’s efforts are all about making Gemin more accessible. And once people get used to Gemini in whatever forms they prefer, it will be that much easier for Google to retain them as customers regardless of what its rivals offer. Whether Gemini will be another Google product people use as reflexively as Gmail or Google Docs is still up in the air, but it’s a strategy with a lot of success behind it.

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We were expecting robots, smart home, and AI to be big at the IFA 2024 trade show… and LG has delivered by combining all three into one new product that's going to be released in the first half of 2025 in South Korea.

It's an adorable little two-wheeled bot with a carry handle and big set of eyes, which has been given the inexplicably business-minded name of 'LG Self-Driving AI Home Hub'. Not really the cutesy title you expect for something like this, but given that you summon it by saying the word "Hi LG", I might call mine 'Eljy'.

To be fair, the official name is very descriptive for what it offers. It acts as a kind of AI smart speaker that you can give commands to, and with LG's new AI platform (which does have a cool name: FURON) behind it, it apparently has multiple LLMs to draw understanding from, and uses ChatGPT 4-o to be able to understand and communicate naturally, even to weirder requests.

@techradar

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It also has a fun party trick where you can draw something in a companion app on a tablet, 'send' the picture to the robot, and generative AI will create an original story that follows the elements of the picture.

You can call out to summon the robot over to you, and it'll come to where you are and announce itself charmingly (at least, it was charming in a trade-show demo, maybe you'll want to turn it off in real life). I saw it navigating a very empty environment, so I don't know how good its object avoidance is, but it seems to have a good range of sensors on the front.

And as I mentioned, it's a smart home hub, and can control all kinds of smart home tech. LG recently acquired a smart home control open platform that works with tons of brands, and with Matter support on board, it should be very flexible.

You can ask it to make changes to your smart home controls, but it can also respond contextually – one option LG highlighted is that you can task the robot to stay with your kids as they roam the house, and it will follow them around, and then when the clock hits 'time to get ready for bed' it can dim the lights in the room they're in.

(Image credit: Future)

Obviously, its little wheels can't take it up stairs, but it has a carry handle for that. I'll also say that it wasn't the smoothest mover – it seemed a little stuttery, and wasn't too sure which way to face when an LG demo-er asked it to come to him, but that might be just an issue with having a big group of people staring at it too. All of this might be improved by the time it launches, of course.

What's more important is the way it moves when it's talking to you. It wobbles sideways and forwards when it gets more enthusiastic, and can rotate its handle to emphasize 'emotions' too – like a combination of a fun enthusiastic aunt and a cat.

That's while it's talking in a pretty natural voice – though not too natural. I think it strikes a nice balance between friendly and robotic.

I can imagine myself wanting one of these to watch the house while I'm gone. LG had a larger demo of its vision of a smart home powered by generative AI assistants, where something like this robot could roam the house and make changes to your heating or cooling system depending on the temperature and humidity in each room.

It could be great to have it as a kind of video guard dog, as many similar home robots have angled themselves, responding to sounds when it knows I'm out. Maybe it can pretend to be armed with a taser to ward of intruders. Or maybe it'll tell them a cute story and lull them into a false sense of security while it automatically calls the police. We'll see!

Of course, LG hasn't announced a price yet, so who knows whether it'll feel remotely desirable once we know that. But it'll be damn charming either way.

Verizon has revealed that it's expanding its fiber network by preparing to buy Frontier Communications in a cash deal worth $20 billion. The acquisition aims to help Verizon recapture fiber lines that were sold in 2016 as part of a TV and Internet deal in California, Texas, and Florida.

Verizon offered $38.50 per share, a premium of 36.3% to Frontier’s closing price on the 3rd September. The deal is set to close in 18 months, and is expected to help Verizon compete against premium broadband services such as AT&T.

Frontier reported a debt of $11.25 billion as of June 30th 2024, and under the current terms of the deal, Verizon will pay Frontier a fee of $590 million. The company brings 2.2 million subscribers to combine with Verizon's 7.4 million FiOS connections.

Mutually beneficial

The deal is predicted to generate at least $500 million in annual run-rate cost savings by its third year of operation. Frontier’s coverage primarily serves the Midwest, Texas, and California, whilst Verizon focuses on the North East and Mid-Atlantic. Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg comments, “The acquisition of Frontier is a strategic fit. It will build on Verizon's two decades of leadership...and is an opportunity to become more competitive in more markets throughout the U.S.”

Verizon has reaffirmed its commitment to building a best in class network and delivering high-speed broadband. This comes just months after Frontier Communications launched its ‘Good to Go’ campaign, which aimed to deliver fiber technology that will span a customer’s lifetime.

This Verizon deal is set to expand the company’s coverage and offer faster service to a wider range of customers. Broadband companies are each looking for ways to gain an edge over their competitors, with AT&T looking to space to provide supplementary coverage, using satellites to provide service to areas with unreliable connections.

Via CNBC

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If you've ever tried to type using a gamepad or gaming device, you know it can be tricky, especially with this new generation of handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally X, so it’s good to see that Microsoft is currently trialling a new and improved gamepad keyboard layout for Xbox controllers in Windows 11.

The Verge reports that the new layout isn’t the only thing PC gamers with Xbox controllers can look forward to - they will also be able to use the X button for backspace, the Y button for spacebar, and the menu button of a connected Xbox controller to hit enter (as you would on a physical keyboard). Microsoft is also adding vertical alignment (consideration for the arrangement of keys in the vertical direction) to make it easier to type with the on-screen keyboard. 

The new on-screen keyboard is currently in user testing in the Windows Insider Program’s Beta Channel, which means we expect it to roll out to all eligible users pretty soon (unless Microsoft changes its mind). 

(Image credit: Getty Images) The bigger picture of Windows handheld gaming

I think it’s smart for Microsoft to continue developing Windows 11 to improve its gaming abilities while also working on other things like its AI-powered Copilot tool. Windows 11 is now the most-used operating system by PC gamers (at least according to a recent Steam survey), and while it performs fine for gaming laptops and desktop PCs, the operating system isn’t quite as well suited to gaming handhelds, which have smaller screens and rely on controller inputs, rather than traditional keyboards and mice, which Windows was originally designed for.

While the new gamepad-friendly on-screen keyboard has been well received by many so far, there’s more work that can be done - and handheld PC gaming is an exciting, and growing, market. As The Verge points out, Microsoft can still improve things like being able to log into Windows with an Xbox controller, as well as ensure that the on-screen keyboard automatically appears when you select text fields to write in them. 

I could see Microsoft addressing these in the near future, as we recently wrote about Microsoft’s improved Windows Game Bar with Compact Mode, making it easier to control your device while you’re playing a game - even on a smaller screen. The Xbox app has also gotten controller improvements to make it easier to navigate the app while using an Xbox controller, so it’s good to see that Microsoft isn’t completely distracted by adding AI into all parts of Windows 11.

If Microsoft’s handheld gaming offerings continue to improve, I think it could make Valve, the company behind the Linux-based SteamOS operating system that the Steam Deck uses, sweat a little bit. I’m certainly excited to see what else Microsoft has up its sleeve when it comes to Windows on handheld devices, which is something I haven’t felt in a long time. 

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