TechRadar News

Fortnite Galactic Battle is now coming to an end, culminating in a live event later today (June 7). Death Star Sabotage will cap off this Star Wars mini-season, tasking players with jumping into X-Wings and TIE Fighters for a space battle. This will hopefully lead into some downtime for the next season, which is expected to be Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3.

Fortnite Galactic Battle - Key Info

Start date and time
Next Season release date
Downtime estimate
What to expect from the new season
Map Changes
Trailer
Jump to Live Coverage

Epic Games has been busy teasing the next season of Fortnite over the last week or so, but so far we've only had details on the live event that's set to start later today. If early signs are anything to go on, the upcoming Star Wars live event in Fortnite could be a real high point for Chapter 6 so far. We'll get to fly some X-Wings, take down the Death Star, and save the Island from certain destruction.

Personally, I've enjoyed Fortnite Galactic Battle, with the blaster-only weapon pool being a refreshing change from the norm. I've been dropping in as the Star Wars updates have released, checking out the new Battle Pass skins and testing the new Star Destroyer portals. In my opinion, the recent changes have absolutely been good enough to keep Fortnite in TechRadar's best free games list.

Here's TechRadar's coverage of the launch of Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3, including my live impressions of the Death Star Sabotage live event as it happens.

Fortnite Death Star Sabotage live event - cut to the chase

Only have time for the basics? Here are the most important things to know about Fortnite Galactic Battle ending:

• Start time: June 7 at 11AM PT / 2PM ET / 7PM BST
• New event: Death Star Sabotage
• Servers open: 9AM PT / 12PM ET / 5PM BST
• Servers close: "Intel states that you’ll have a short window of time on June 7 when the Death Star will be most susceptible to attack"
• Rumored theme for Season 3: "Super"

Fortnite Death Star Sabotage start date and time

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite Death Star Sabotage live event kicks off today (June 7) at 11AM PT / 2PM ET / 7PM BST. The event itself will enter the Discovery section two hours prior to this, meaning it'll be available to join at the following times:

• US (West Coast): 9AM PT
• US (East Coast): 12AM ET
• United Kingdom: 5PM BST
• Europe: 6PM CEST

Fortnite next season release date and time

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Epic Games is yet to detail the next season of Fortnite, but we expect it to arrive following downtime once the live event has ended. In the past, downtime has lasted 2-5 hours on average, though has run a lot longer between Chapters. As such, we'd expect Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 to star on June 7 at some point, though we'll need more info before we can be certain.

Fortnite next season downtime estimate

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Epic Games is yet to detail Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3, though we expect it to arrive following downtime. This downtime will kick in after the Death Star Sabotage live event has ended. In previous seasons, this has been just 30 minutes after the live event has started. As such, my prediction for when downtime will take Fortnite offline is June 7 at 12PM PT / 3PM ET / 8PM BST.

Of course, this is just an estimation based on how things have worked in the past. Stay tuned for updates later today, once I hear more from Epic Games.

What to expect from the next Fortnite Season

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Official details on the next season of Fortnite are scarce currently, but some prominent leakers have claimed that Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 will be superhero themed. In this Tweet from @HYPEX you can see that Superman skins have been leaked. This would make sense as a tie-in for the new movie coming out later in July.

Elsewhere, we have leaker @Shiina tweeting a summary of recent leaks for Chapter 6, also pointing to a superhero theme coming in next update. Of course, these details are in no way confirmed yet, however I've found these two sources to be reliable in the past, especially in the days leading up to a new season launch. We'll have to wait and see whether rumors of a "Super" season comes to fruition.

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 map changes

(Image credit: Epic Games)

As you can see from the image above, there were four new major POIs (points of interest) added alongside the Fortnite Galactic Battle. While Epic is yet to reveal the map for Chapter 6 Season 3, we can expect these Star Wars locations to change. Whether they revert to their Season 2 states, or are updated alongside the new season's theme, will be revealed later today.

Fortnite Death Star Sabotage trailer

The full cinematic trailer for Fortnite Death Star Sabotage debuted during The Game Awards on June 6. This shows some space battle-action, as players pilot X-Wings and TIE Fighters in a bid to stop the Death Star from destroying Battle Royale Island. It's embedded above so be sure to check it out.

Fortnite Star Wars live event coverage as it happensHello and welcome

(Image credit: Epic Games)

And so begins my live coverage of the upcoming Fortnite live event, the following downtime, and the launch of a brand new Season. Death Star Sabotage starts at 11AM PT / 2PM ET / BST, so not long now to wait.

Just 2 hours until you can queue for Death Star Sabotage!

(Image credit: Epic Games)

While you’ll need to wait a little longer to actually jump into Death Star Sabotage, the queue will open at 9AM PT / 12PM ET / 5PM BST. I recommend joining this as soon as you can after it goes live, as queues have been long enough in the past that it’s been possible to miss the event completely.

Death Star Sabotage trailer aired during The Game Awards

A brand new trailer for Death Star Sabotage aired last night (June 6) at The Game Awards. It sets the stage for an epic space battle, as players race to destroy the Death Star. Primarily, it looks as though this will be a vehicle-based fight, though there's a tease in the trailer showing that you and your squad might kick off the event imprisoned somewhere inside the Death Star.

Prepare for sabotage!

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Before Death Star Sabotage, the Star Wars season approaches its end with special log-in rewards for all players. Log into Fortnite between June 3 at 9 AM ET and June 10 at 9 AM ET to immediately receive the Assault on the Death Star Loading Screen and Captain Phasma’s personal melee weapon: the Quicksilver Baton Spear Pickaxe.

There’s still time to check out Galactic Battle

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite Galactic Battle comes to an end later today, but there’s still a few hours left for you to play. Currently, a Star Destroyer portal will spawn once per match, allowing you to take control of the hulking spacecraft’s turbo-lasers. This gives you a bird’s eye view of the map, marking nearby enemies and giving you time to blast them from above. This is a seriously powerful bonus to have, setting you up nicely for the final couple of circles.

The Battle Pass comes to an end soon

(Image credit: Epic Games)

There’s just a few hours left to redeem Battle Pass rewards. The final section gives you an Emperor Palpatine skin, as well as a Force Lightning emote.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, June 7 (game #727).

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

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

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

NYT Connections today (game #728) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• LAST
• BULL
• BORN
• BRED
• DOE
• STAND
• SPOUSE
• BEAR
• EDUCATION
• CACHE
• DOVE
• HOLD
• LUTE
• STAY
• OCCUPATION
• HAWK

NYT Connections today (game #728) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Relentless
• GREEN: Wildlife traders
• BLUE: Part of the biog
• PURPLE: Sounds like dollars

Need more clues?

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

NYT Connections today (game #728) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: PERSIST 
• GREEN: ANIMAL METAPHORS IN ECONOMICS 
• BLUE: SIDEBAR INFO ON A PERSON'S WIKIPEDIA PAGE 
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF SLANG FOR MONEY 

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

NYT Connections today (game #728) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #728, are…

• YELLOW: PERSIST HOLD, LAST, STAND, STAY
• GREEN: ANIMAL METAPHORS IN ECONOMICS BEAR, BULL, DOVE, HAWK
• BLUE: SIDEBAR INFO ON A PERSON'S WIKIPEDIA PAGE BORN, EDUCATION, OCCUPATION, SPOUSE
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF SLANG FOR MONEY BRED, CACHE, DOE, LUTE

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: Perfect

Sometimes Connections can be frustrating, but other times, like today for me, it’s the most satisfying daily game there is.

What began as a 16-word grid where I could not see a single link all gradually fitted into place. It’s a great feeling.

I’m really pleased that I saw, or should I say heard, the purple group HOMOPHONES OF SLANG FOR MONEY – many times in the past wordplay like this has gone over my head, so I’m delighted to have combined BRED (bread), CACHE (cash), DOE (dough) and LUTE (loot). 

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, June 7, game #727)

• YELLOW: TIPS FOR WORKING OUT SAFELY BREATHE, HYDRATE, REST, STRETCH
• GREEN: ESTABLISH FOUND, INSTITUTE, LAUNCH, START
• BLUE: DITTY AIR, NUMBER, SONG, STRAIN
• PURPLE: SPRING____ CHICKEN, EQUINOX, FLING, ONION

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, June 7 (game #1230).

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

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

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

Quordle today (game #1231) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

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

Quordle today (game #1231) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1231) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #1231) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

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

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

Quordle today (game #1231) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• R

• A

• P

• F

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

Quordle today (game #1231) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1231, are…

• REBAR
• ALERT
• PAYEE
• FLUME

A muddling-through game for me today, where working out three-letter combinations got me over the line.

REBAR took me the longest. I tried every combination of the letters I had left and it was the only actual word I managed to find – a classic final word.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1231) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1231, are…

• FLESH
• WIDTH
• GUARD
• RALPH

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1230, Saturday, 7 June: FLUNK, ESTER, SPITE, CHEAP
• Quordle #1229, Friday, 6 June: ELUDE, KHAKI, VISTA, SMOKY
• Quordle #1228, Thursday, 5 June: CHIDE, RABBI, GUSTY, LANCE
• Quordle #1227, Wednesday, 4 June: BANAL, STOUT, SEDAN, HIPPO
• Quordle #1226, Tuesday, 3 June: FUGUE, SYRUP, FLACK, WORST
• Quordle #1225, Monday, 2 June: THINK, BELLE, CRONE, BOULE
• Quordle #1224, Sunday, 1 June: POINT, MERIT, WHOOP, APHID
• Quordle #1223, Saturday, 31 May: CRUMB, ELFIN, DRIER, QUITE
• Quordle #1222, Friday, 30 May: RAJAH, CAUSE, BLACK, ETUDE
• Quordle #1221, Thursday, 29 May: CRIER, DRAPE, STRUT, NEIGH
• Quordle #1220, Wednesday, 28 May: HELLO, BEADY, VIGIL, PURER
• Quordle #1219, Tuesday, 27 May: TWEET, RANGE, POPPY, RADAR
• Quordle #1218, Monday, 26 May: BLEAT, HOWDY, ASIDE, SCOOP
• Quordle #1217, Sunday, 25 May: OCEAN, AMBER, PIPER, GLEAN
• Quordle #1216, Saturday, 24 May: HUSKY, HEIST, FOGGY, POLAR
• Quordle #1215, Friday, 23 May: SHIRE, GIANT, AWAIT, CAPER
• Quordle #1214, Thursday, 22 May: LOSE, GLOVE, STINT, EXCEL
• Quordle #1213, Wednesday, 21 May: NOVEL, CHOSE, DIRTY, DONUT
• Quordle #1212, Tuesday, 20 May: DECOY, SHAKE, MAPLE, PURER
• Quordle #1211, Monday, 19 May: LINK, HANDY, DITCH, WAIVE

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, June 7 (game #461).

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

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

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

NYT Strands today (game #462) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… On Broadway

NYT Strands today (game #462) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SHINER
• MELTS
• CRISIS
• TRACE
• CHAD
• STING

NYT Strands today (game #462) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #462) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 1st column

Last side: bottom, 4th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #462) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #462, are…

• CAST
• SCORE
• LIGHTS
• SINGING
• DANCING
• COSTUMES
• SPANGRAM: ITS SHOWTIME

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: Perfect

When I saw that the theme was “On Broadway”, I was convinced that today’s search would be about classic shows such as Evita. So, I began by spotting Cats, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that ran for 18 years, from 1982 to 2000. I was shocked when the letters didn’t turn blue and the answer instead turned out to be CAST.

Here, instead, were some of the elements that it takes to put  on a production minus a couple of omissions – stage and script, both of which are crucial to most Broadway hits. Well, unless your idea of a night out at the theater is an improv in a parking lot,

Getting the spangram early always feels a little weird. I got it today as my second correct guess and it helped unlock the rest of the board.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, June 7, game #461)

• HUMAN
• SOUL
• MORTAL
• SOMEONE
• INDIVIDUAL
• SPANGRAM: BE YOURSELF

What is NYT Strands?

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

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

• Ballerina's director has revealed which fight sequence was the most difficult to film
• It wasn't the flamethrower or club-based action set-pieces
• The duel between Eve and John Wick was also an "incredible day on set"

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina's director has revealed which fight sequence was the most challenging to film.

Speaking to TechRadar ahead of Ballerina's June 6 release, Len Wiseman admitted "one of the hardest moments" of the entire shoot is one that audiences won't expect it to be, either.

Full spoilers immediately follow for the Ana de Armas-led action thriller. Do not proceed unless you've watched it.

Ballerina's action is as violently fun as we've come to expect from the John Wick film series (Image credit: Lionsgate)

Okay, which set-piece caused the most headaches? It's got nothing to do with the third act's lethal flamethrower-based sequence. Act 1's nightclub brawl, a classic staple of the John Wick movie series, wasn't as taxing as the scene that Wiseman has in mind, either.

According to the filmmaker behind one of June 2025's new movies, the most difficult moment to capture was part of the alpine restaurant duel between de Armas' Eve Macarro and a member of the cult led by Gabriel Byrne's Chancellor. The reason it was so challenging? The plates, which Eve and her fellow combatant attack each other with during a smirk-inducing sequence, kept breaking when they shouldn't have.

"The restaurant fight is a favorite of mine because there were a lot of important story beats that were landing, and it was incredibly fun to shoot," Wiseman told me.

"But the plate sequence was one of the hardest moments to film. They're breakaway plates, so they have one job [to break upon impact without hurting the actors], and they do it well.

"The problem is, when you pick them up, they immediately shatter. So, they [the actors] had to delicately pick up each one and then bring them down on their opponent with real force. The amount of times they grabbed a plate and they'd shatter... I lost count of how many times we had to glue them back together. I remember the props department asking me if 100 plates would be enough, and I said 'yeah'. Well, we went through all 100 plates multiple times, so you can imagine what state they were in when we were done!"

Ballerina's director didn't want Eve's showdown with John Wick to be a duel for fighting's sake (Image credit: Lionsgate)

Understandably, each action sequence in the fourth John Wick film (chronologically, anyway – read my John Wick movies in order guide for more details) came with its own set of challenges. That included the one-on-one between Eve and Keanu Reeves' iconic hitman, which takes place in Ballerina's final act.

"That was an incredible day on the set," Wiseman said of shooting the confrontation between Eve and the franchise's titular assassin.

"It's a moment in the movie that's really fun and tense, but we were well aware that we needed to ensure there was a balance to the fight. John Wick is the so-called Baba Yaga, and while he's more experienced and skilled than Eve, we didn't want her to feel upstaged in her own movie. So, we wanted her to hold her own at times, and for this fight to have a purpose for what he's offering her in terms of her character development. It's not just a fight, it's a fight that has meaning."

Ballerina is out now in theaters worldwide. If you've watched it, see if you agree with my thoughts on the latest Wick flick by reading my Ballerina review. Alternatively, check out more exclusive content from my chats with Wiseman, plus actors Ian McShane and Norman Reedus, below.

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• YouTube's opt-in AI training is turning creators into silent architects of future tech tools
• Many creators say yes to AI training access, even when there's no money involved
• Oxylabs gathered millions of videos into a dataset that AI developers can ethically trust

An increasing number of YouTubers are allowing AI companies to train models using their videos, and surprisingly, many are doing so without direct compensation.

Under YouTube’s current setup, creators are given the option to opt in by ticking boxes that grant permission to around 18 major AI developers.

If no box is selected, YouTube does not permit the use of that video for AI training purposes. This means the default stance is non-participation, and any inclusion is fully voluntary.

Creators choose influence over income

The lack of payment may seem unusual, and the motivation appears to hinge on influence rather than income.

Creators opting in might see it as a strategic move to shape how generative AI tools interpret and present information - by contributing their content, they are effectively making it more visible in AI-generated responses.

As a result, their work could shape how questions are answered by everything from AI writers to large language models (LLM) for coding.

Oxylabs has now launched the first consent-based YouTube dataset, comprising four million videos from one million distinct channels.

All contributors explicitly agreed to the use of their content for AI training, and according to Oxylabs, these videos, complete with transcripts and metadata, have been carefully curated to be particularly useful for training AI in image and video generation tasks.

“In the ecosystem aiming to find a fair balance between respecting copyright and facilitating innovation, YouTube streamlining consent giving for AI training and providing creators with flexibility is an important step forward,” said Julius Černiauskas, CEO of Oxylabs.

This model not only simplifies the process for AI developers seeking ethically sourced data but also reassures creators about the use of their work.

“Many channel owners have already opted in for their videos to be used in developing the next generation of AI tools. This enables us to create and provide high-quality, structured video datasets. Meanwhile, AI developers have no trouble verifying the data’s legitimate origin.”

However, broader concerns persist about how government organizations and legislatures handle similar issues.

For instance, the UK’s Data (Use and Access) Bill has stalled in Parliament, prompting figures like Elton John to criticize the government’s handling of creator rights.

In this legislative vacuum, creators and developers will likely face uncertainty.

Oxylabs presents itself as filling that gap with a consent-based model, but critics will still question whether such initiatives genuinely address deeper issues of value and fairness.

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Look, I love my Nintendo Switch. It’s a great little device - hell, I might not have made it through the pandemic lockdowns with my sanity intact had it not been for the lovely, calming influence of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. So it’s fair to say that I’m interested in the Switch 2, but I won’t be getting one on launch day for one very simple reason.

Where’s my damn Pokémon launch title, Nintendo? With every new console generation, I sit and eagerly await the possibility that you’ve finally learned your lesson and decided to put a mainline Pokémon game in the launch lineup. And with every new console generation, I am disappointed.

The closest we’ve ever come was Pokémon Dash for the Nintendo DS, which was more of a glorified tech demo for the new handheld’s dual-screen mechanics than a fully-fledged game.

I’ll admit it, I’m that type of Pokémon fan who complains about how crap the modern games look and run, but then merrily presents my credit card whenever a new one comes out. Does that make me a hypocrite? Probably, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to both love something and also wish it were better. In any case, a Pokémon launch title for the Switch 2 would have me lining up to get my hands on the new console - but as it stands, I’m just not interested.

The launch title problem

If I can be frank for a moment here, the Switch 2 launch lineup is… pretty feeble, honestly. What do we have? A heap of triple-A third-party games are being re-released, but the unspectacular footage of Cyberpunk 2077 running on the new console hasn’t exactly lit a fire underneath me. Some OG Switch upgrades for an extra ten bucks - oh wow, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet doesn’t run like garbage now?

Great, I’m sooo impressed. We’ve got some smaller series titles and a smattering of first-party names headlining, but arguably none of the biggest franchises. Forgive me for not being uncontrollably excited about Puyo Pop Tetris 2S.

Don't get me wrong, I love me some Mario Kart, but it's not exactly an earth-shattering launch title for a new handheld. (Image credit: Nintendo)

We’re getting a new Mario Kart, but no mainline Mario game. Super Mario Party Jamboree, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A are all inbound, but not for a few months - oh, and Z-A will be available on the Switch I already own, though it’ll probably look terrible.

A new Zelda game is nowhere in sight, and Metroid Prime 4 is, uh… well, it’s coming, but only Samus knows when. I’d like to take a moment to remind you that it’s been eight whole years since that game was originally announced - and it's also a Switch 1 game too. Very cool, Nintendo.

It’s something of a recurring theme for Nintendo, frankly. Launch lineups have rarely been impressive for the gaming giant’s consoles; almost half of the Wii launch titles were mediocre movie and TV show tie-ins, while the two biggest DS launch titles were both Nintendo 64 remakes (Mario and Rayman). To be clear, I’m not saying those remakes were bad, but come on.

Why does Pokémon get snubbed?

I’ve been trying to understand the logic behind Nintendo’s consistent refusal to include Pokémon - which, lest we forget, is the single biggest intellectual property on the planet, worth more than Call of Duty, Warcraft, and Grant Theft Auto combined - in the launches of its consoles. On paper, it makes zero sense.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A looks like a fun spin-off jaunt - but it isn't going to be available on the Switch 2's launch day, let alone a mainline Pokémon title. (Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

I have some theories. First up is that Nintendo’s hardware development team simply doesn’t have the sway with the many-headed serpent of corporations that jointly manage the Pokémon franchise (Game Freak, The Pokemon Company, Creatures Inc.) to ensure that a new title is always ready for the relevant console launch. Another theory is that Nintendo intentionally uses new Pokémon releases to bump post-launch sales of its consoles, or spaces out those third-party games to prevent attention from being split by a new Zelda or Mario title.

I’d love to believe that the main reason is simply that Game Freak would rather spend a bit more time with the hardware to release a game that looks and runs great, but… well, let’s be honest, that seems unlikely. In truth, it’s probably a combination of all these factors and more, never to be properly understood by mere mortals like us.

All I can really say is this: Nintendo, if you had Pokémon Tides and Gales (or whatever it’s called) to launch with the Switch 2, it would sell better. Simple as that. I’d buy it immediately; I was one of the six people who bought both a Pokémon Mini. I’m not hard to please.

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• Yadea is forging ahead with a number of sodium-ion powered two-wheelers
• Sodium will play a key role in China’s wider battery swap systems
• The country is already pushing mass production of the technology

The presence of sodium in batteries is nothing new, as the first documented use of it dates back to the 1960s, when the Ford Motor Company considered using them for very early EVs.

But last year, Chinese automaker JAC (a joint venture with Volkswagen in China) produced the world’s first sodium-ion battery production car in the Hua Xianzi (it roughly translates to 'Flower Fairy'), which uses a tiny 25kWh sodium-ion battery that can travel up to 155 miles on a single charge.

While not exactly a global sales success, the technology has found a place among China’s booming microcar economy and, perhaps more important still, its rampant demand for diminutive two-wheeled scooters.

In somewhere like Shenzhen, a megacity with a population of some 17.8 million people, the humble scooter is one of the most popular forms of transport, with over 55 million sold in 2023 alone, and Yadea is among the most popular brands.

The global leader in electric two-wheelers has released three sodium-ion powered electric scooters to date, according to the BBC, with plans in the pipeline to offer a lot more.

These battery packs are constructed in a similar way to their lithium-ion counterparts, but transfer sodium ions between electrodes during charging and discharging, rather than other rare earth materials.

Currently, lead-acid batteries continue to dominate the electric scooter landscape, as the technology is cheap and produced on a mass scale, but the demand for sodium-ion units is gradually increasing.

By 2030, 15% of China's electric scooters will be powered by them, compared to 0.04% in 2023, according to an analysis by the Shenzhen-based Starting Point Research Institute, which assesses China's battery industry.

Analysis: sodium-ion reaches well beyond transport

(Image credit: Yadea)

Electric two-wheel manufacturer Yadea is also building out one of the most robust electric scooter charging networks in China, with plans to install more than 1,000 fast-charging pillars that have been specifically designed for sodium-ion batteries this year in Hangzhou, which would enable commuters to find a station every 2km (1.2 miles).

It is also pushing forward with a massive battery swap program in Shenzen, with an aim of 20,000 swapping stations this year, which allow riders to replace a spent battery for a fully-charged unit in around 30 seconds. This number will grow to 50,000 by 2027.

Right now, sodium-ion batteries are still very much in ascendance, as the price, and demand for lithium-ion units, has dropped since its all-time high post-pandemic.

A relatively low energy density (some pitch sodium-ion batteries as being 30% less energy dense than lithium-ion counterparts) has also put off the major automotive players, all of whom are constantly looking for the lightest, most energy dense options on the market.

But China’s vision for salty batteries goes well beyond transport, with the BBC reporting that it is already on track for mass-scale sodium-based energy storage solutions, which help balance the grid and store excess energy from renewable sources when not in use – all without competing with the auto industry and its voracious appetite for lithium.

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• A lot of changes are rumored for iOS 26
• Here's what TechRadar readers are looking forward to
• Everything will be announced on Monday

With Apple WWDC 2025 now just a couple of days away, we're seeing a rapidly increasing number of leaks around iOS 26 (the rumored new name for iOS 19) – and in the opinion of TechRadar readers, one of these rumors is much more exciting than the rest.

Over 1,000 of you responded to a poll on our WhatsApp channel – which is well worth signing up to for the latest tech news and chat – to say that you were most looking forward to the visionOS-style redesign that's been predicted for the iPhone.

This redesign has been leaked by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who is usually one of the more reliable tipsters when it comes to Apple. Apparently the iOS interface will be more transparent, more modern-looking, and more glass-y – just like visionOS.

It's a visual overhaul that has been teased by Apple's own official invite for WWDC, and 43% of our respondents say it's what they're looking forward to the most when it comes to reveals we're anticipating this coming Monday.

Battery life, live translation, and more

WWDC 2025 is almost here (Image credit: Future)

Second place in our poll, with 17% of the vote, went to the rumored AI optimizations that will extend iPhone battery life. More battery life is always welcome, and apparently iOS 26 is going to make efficiency improvements based on how you use your handset.

The stats show 12% of our readers are most excited about the live translation features that are said to be coming to the AirPods with the next software update, while 11% of you are most looking forward to the rumored new gaming hub that's supposedly on the way.

Rounding out the poll, we have the CarPlay redesign (9%), the polls feature in Messages (5%), and the simplified Camera app (3%). None of these changes have been confirmed yet, but they've all been predicted by reliable sources.

The TechRadar team will be bringing you all the announcements as they happen, and you can watch the whole event live online. The all-important keynote is getting underway at 10 am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST on June 9 (so 3am AEST on June 10 in Australia).

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• First images of the rumored Hasselblad X2D 100C II surface
• Leaked specs suggest a new LiDAR autofocus system on board
• FCC application reveals further details, including refined controls

If money were no object, the stunning Hasselblad X2D 100C would probably be my first choice of camera for photography. The minimalist 100MP medium-format camera's looks, handling, and image quality are top drawer.

It's far from the perfect camera, though. I don't mind that it's a photography-only camera (that's right, no video recording capabilities whatsoever). But what did spoil my experience somewhat was its sluggish autofocus performance during testing – a drawback that could be addressed with its rumored upcoming successor.

MirrorlessRumors has flagged an FCC application for a Hasselblad X2D 100C II, which not only contains the first proper images of the second-gen model but also outlines various new features. Chief among those is LiDAR autofocus.

Should an upcoming Hasselblad X2D 100C II gain LiDAR autofocus, it would represent the first meaningful update courtesy of DJI since the Chinese-tech giant and leading drone maker acquired Hasselblad, and it couldn't have picked a better upgrade.

Getting up to speed

I love the X2D 100C II's image quality, so much so that it puts my full-frame Nikon camera in the shade. However, unlike my humble Z6 II, I couldn't rely on its autofocus for sharp focus where it wanted it, such as a person's eyes in a portrait.

Yes, improved autofocus tops my X2D 100C II upgrade wishlist, and the promise of pricey LiDAR autofocus, which is utilized by DJI's Ronin 4D and will presumably deliver a huge boost in autofocus performance, is exciting news.

Hands-on with the X2D 100C, during my in-depth test (Image credit: Future)

Elsewhere, the new images reveal a new joystick control and refined button layout, while internal SSD storage could again be up to 1TB, together with a CFExpress B card slot.

Otherwise, I'm not expecting many other meaningful improvements, not that many were needed – the X2D 100C II will seemingly feature the same or similar 100MP sensor with class-leading 8EV in-body image stabilization, 16-bit color depth and 15-stops dynamic range, for probably the best photo quality you can get on the affordable side of $10k / £10k.

Depending on how you look at it, the rumored X2D 100C II is a minor update of the X2D 100C. But for me, it looks set to fulfill my "if I had one wish". How does the rumored X2D 100C II sound to you? Let me know in the comments below.

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• Apple will reveal further details about CarPlay updates next week
• Rumors suggest iOS 26 will bring with it design changes
• Increased accessibility features have so far been unearthed

Apple is due to announce some updates to its CarPlay infotainment software at its WWDC 2025 event next week, with the next major iOS release scheduled to feature a number of in-car changes.

Apple has been relatively slow at releasing CarPlay updates over recent years, with only the addition of an extra row of icons appearing for those lucky enough to sport enormous, portrait infotainment displays in their vehicles.

It appears that CarPlay Ultra, which expands the CarPlay experience to the driver display and was recently announced by Aston Martin, has been the focus of the Californian tech giant’s attentions.

But next week (specifically, Monday June 9) could bring some welcome news to those of us who have to make do with good old-fashioned CarPlay, as Apple is rumored to be refreshing the look of its operating system across all devices with iOS 26, including those that are tethered to a vehicle’s head unit.

Details remain scarce, but MacRumors reports that the new UI will feature a more "glass-like, Vision-OS-inspired design", alongside some new accessibility features, such as the ability to activate a Large Text option and the expansion of Sound Recognition for CarPlay.

This feature was launched with iOS 18 last year and can alert passengers or drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing to horns or sirens outside of the car, as well as detect babies crying within the vehicle, highlighting this with a notification on the screen.

Analysis: New designs are nice, but Ultra nails UX

(Image credit: Apple)

While the introduction of an overall design change and some new accessibility features are likely just the tip of the Apple CarPlay update iceberg, it is difficult to see how any further tweaks can better what the company has achieved with CarPlay Ultra.

Finally, the system allows the sort of control over key car functionality (without having to leave the CarPlay ecosystem) that many drivers have been demanding for years.

Porsche introduced a sort of CarPlay Ultra-lite with the launch of its new Macan, but Aston Martin is the first to relinquish full control of its digital displays, including those in front of the driver.

Purists will argue that Aston has perhaps lost a certain charm with the disappearance of beautiful, hand-finished analogue binnacles, but it is difficult to get away from the user-friendliness of CarPlay Ultra's UI.

The ability to display the mapping application of your choosing in glorious resolution before the driver’s eyes is a delight and the option to tweak vehicle safety settings without leaving CarPlay just makes sense.

Without the automotive manufacturer’s permissions, it will be very difficult for Apple to implement these sort of features in any upcoming generic CarPlay update. But we do know that the likes of Hyundai, Kia, Renault, Porsche and Ford are all in line to receive CarPlay Ultra in the near future.

Let’s just hope Apple reveals some juicy CarPlay user-experience features to make up for the fact we can't all afford new, expensive cars. Stay tuned for our full WWDC 2025 coverage next week.

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Apple's WWDC 2025 show kicks off at Apple Park at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST on June 9, 2025 – which means we're now very close to seeing the next generation of software for iPhones, MacBooks, Apple Watches and more.

So what should we expect from one of Apple's biggest events of the year? While product launches at WWDC are unusual and unexpected, but not unheard of, this is the keynote that sets the tone for Apple's entire year. In particular, by showing us what the next version of iOS will look like, it sets the stage for the release of the iPhone 17 lineup, which most expect to happen in September.

WWDC 2025 will also mark the first anniversary of the introduction of Apple Intelligence. Considering that Apple only managed to deliver a portion of what was promised in June 2024, it's unclear how Apple will approach this AI conundrum.

There are numerous reports of turmoil behind the scenes as Apple reshuffles its Apple Intelligence team and tries to revive efforts to deliver a transformed Siri that can compete with Gemini and ChatGPT.

Some believe Apple won't mention Siri, but will focus on Apple Intelligence as it is, and mention some feature enhancements. It's unlikely it will promise any eye-opening generative features, especially after over-promising a year ago.

Let's take a look at what we, and other Apple experts, do expect Tim Cook and company to reveal on June 9...

1. iOS 26 lands with a fresh redesign

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

We're highly unlikely to see Apple commit to an all-new Siri at WWDC 2025, but we might get a hint at what's coming. After all, how can Apple deliver iOS 26 (yes, Apple is rumored to be switching to year-based software names) without a fresh, Apple Intelligence-filled Siri experience?

A more concrete idea of what to expect has emerged from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, with his June 6 predictions being particularly comprehensive. According to the well-connected Apple reporter, the biggest change will be a new software design that's based on visionOS.

That will mean lots of "digital glass" plus "light and transparency" through iOS 26 and Apple's other operating systems. Why Apple would use its faltering mixed reality headset platform as a base look is a conundrum to be solved on June 9.

Compared to that redesign, the other new iOS 26 features may seem a little underwhelming. There will seemingly be a new, dedicated Games app for accessing Apple Arcade, plus other upgrades like AI-powered battery management. Still, three of Apple's own apps – the Phone, Safari and Camera app – are apparently due for "significant revamps", with the latter benefitting from a helpful declutter.

According to TechRadar's phones expert James Rogerson, we're unlikely to see much in the way of AI-powered photo editing tools or Siri improvements. But one long-shot feature that we could see is a AI upgrade for Apple's Health app.

• Read more: iOS 19: the 5 upgrades I'm really hoping for at WWDC 2025

2. iPadOS 26 gets Mac-like features

(Image credit: Future)

It'll be fascinating to hear how Apple execs explain what we assume will be a deeper merge between the functionality of iPadOS and macOS in iPadOS 26 (which could also be iPadOS 19, if Apple sticks with its current naming convention).

TechRadar's iPad veteran Jamie Richards says better multitasking is high on his list of expected iPadOS improvements at WWDC 2025, based on the combination of a clear need and rumors from noted tipsters like Majin Bu, who has predicted a Stage Manager overhaul.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has backed this up, with claims that "Apple is completely revamping multitasking features on the iPad to be more Mac-like". Finally! The bad news? This may mean needing to hook up your iPad to expensive accessories like Apple's Magic Keyboard.

Apple might do all this because there has long been a demand to make the iPad match Macs in desktop capabilities. Yes, we know it's a tablet, but many are now using iPads with a physical keyboard and treating them like lightweight laptops. However, the inability to support more than, say, four windows open at once and interface customization that matches a Mac is a frustration.

The messaging here, though, will be critical. Apple has to inspire new iPad converts while satisfying and not scaring away iPad stalwarts who've been using the tablet since its inception in 2010.

• I've used iPads for 10 years – here are the iPadOS 19 features I want to see from WWDC 2025

3. A gaming push for macOS 26

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Most expect Apple Software Lead Craig Federighi to unveil a major macOS 26 redesign – one that, as with iOS 26, is expected to borrow from the Vision Pro interface.

While the gaze and gesture-based interface of the headset is well-regarded, it's hard to understand exactly how this will work on the Mac. Certainly, Federighi will have some exciting demos to share.

There is a thought that this could be the moment Apple finally unveils a touch-friendly macOS. After all, we do expect Apple to push iPadOS and macOS closer together (see above). Put this one firmly in the 'outside bets' category, though.

A more likely scenario, according to a Bloomberg report, is a new Games app. This will theoretically connect Apple's gaming properties, like Apple Arcade, and games downloaded from the App Store. But on Macs, it could also gather games downloaded from other third-party sources.

Other areas of focus for the macOS 26 portion of the keynote – which will apparently brand the OS 'Tahoe' – are said to be better Wi-Fi management, new battery controls, Google Gemini integration, and, of course, the reveal of that all-important name

• Read more: macOS 16 Tahoe is imminent – here’s what to expect from Apple’s next desktop OS

4. Apple Watch Ultra-friendly fitness features

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

There's an outside chance that WWDC 2025 could be an exciting moment for Apple Watch fans, with watchOS 12 (or more likely, watchOS 26) potentially delivering blood pressure measurement support and a new AI health coach (there's no word on if it'll be an "Apple Intelligence Health Coach" or just "AI Health Coach").

Health and Fitness Editor Matt Evans added some color, "Blood pressure via LED remains the holy grail of watches, but the Whoop MG gets around this by using a cuff to measure BP as a baseline, then estimates fluctuations based on other vital signs like heart health."

Evans also noted that Apple Intelligence for control of basic functions may be coming to the Apple Watch. Again, this is unlikely to be a major update of Apple Intelligence functionality but rather a port of what you can do in iOS, but with a wearable flavor.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman now seems less convinced that we'll see anything on this scale at WWDC 2025 – commenting on the revamp of Apple's Health app and the AI doctor-based service, he says that "neither will be shown at WWDC" due to delays. Still, we remain optimistic that we might get a teaser showing what's coming, even if a full launch is still a way off.

A more realistic focus, according to TechRadar fitness contributor Lloyd Coombes, is on outdoor exercise tracking features that tap into the ruggedness and rucking-friendly features of the Ultra series – particularly as an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to land later this year.

• watchOS 12: 3 things I expect to see Tim Cook announce at this year's WWDC 2025

5. A smarter tvOS

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

I asked Matt Bolton, our Managing Editor, Entertainment, about what might be announced for the next version of tvOS, the platform running inside your Apple TV streaming box. He told me we should finally expect to see some intelligence in tvOS.

"In tvOS, you'll probably be able to ask for movies and shows more organically, even if you don’t know the name – or ask for recommendations based on what you like. This is really common in other AI-touting smart streaming devices."

Bolton is also looking forward to the tvOS redesign, with some reservations. "The aesthetic idea I'm imagining is a home screen that has a 3D layering element, similar to that of visionOS. The app icons float at the front, with an image behind them – and hopefully something more interesting than a plain background", he said. The potential issue with background video is it being abused by trailers or ads for shows, but it seems unlikely that Apple would take this route.

According to MacRumors, we can indeed expect the visionOS-style redesign that's expected to grace iOS 26, macOS 26 and more, to come to tvOS as well. Fortunately for those with older boxes, the new tvOS 26 could also support boxes as far back as the Apple TV HD from 2015, alongside the subsequent three generations of Apple TV 4K.

• Read more: The rumored Apple TV 4K software redesign could be amazing, as long as it avoids the biggest pitfall of streaming devices

6. Live Translate for AirPods

(Image credit: Future)

On AirPods, TechRadar's Matt Bolton expects "AI-based live translation and generally a smarter Siri conversationalist," depending on how far Apple Intelligence goes in Siri.

That hunch has since been backed up by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who says Apple is "preparing translations of live conversations for AirPods wearers", with its Translate app also getting "integrated across its operating systems as an Apple Intelligence feature".

What Bolton is hoping is also hoping to see on the AirPods front is "Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast support built into iOS, with matching AirPods support. This would allow higher-quality wireless music quality and better accessibility."

With some other recent rumors predicting that the AirPods could also get more gesture control and sleep detection at WWDC 2025, it could be a fruitful show for owners of Apple's wireless earbuds.

• AirPods said to get some nice free upgrades at WWDC 2025, including more gesture control and sleep detection

7. One more thing – iPhone 17 Air teaser?

Could the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (above) get a new rival in the form of the rumored iPhone 17 Air? (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to an Apple keynote, never rule out a surprise. In the past, we've gotten glimpses of a new Mac Pro, new MacBooks, and the Vision Pro.

This year, new Macs are a very outside possibility, as is mixed reality and AR headgear, like a Vision Pro Lite and Apple Glasses, respectively.

There's also the tiniest chance that Tim Cook could tease Apple's first folding iPhone or, more likely, even the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air.

Let's face it, Apple needs some razzle-dazzle this year to distract from what's been a somewhat bumpy 12-month ride. And the iPhone 17 Air rumors have been ramping up lately, with recent whispers predicting that it'll be even slimmer than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge at just 5.5mm thick.

Stick with TechRadar.com for all the latest news from Apple's big developer event.

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Action stations, folks, the Nintendo Switch 2 is here, and we've got our hands on the new console!

We've also tested the latest Surface Pro tablet, found out how Spotify Wrapped 2024 got it so wrong, and tuned in to Summer Game Fest 2025 for some major announcements.

Once you've scrolled down to catch up on the week's 7 biggest tech news stories, be sure to also read our picks of the 7 new movies and TV shows to stream this weekend (June 6)

7. Nintendo Switch 2 launched

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Our Nintendo Switch 2 review in progress is live now! We’re giving you our console impressions as they happen, testing everything from hardware features to the hottest games, including Mario Kart World. There’s plenty to dive into this first week of launch, and we’re already finding that the Switch 2 is leaps and bounds more powerful than its predecessor.

The Switch 2 is capable of outputting 4K resolution at up to 120fps. It also has support for Nvidia DLSS for smoother performance, as well as HDR on compatible displays for a more vivid image. Several original Nintendo Switch games have also received upgrades, allowing them to shine even brighter on Switch 2 with performance boosts and higher resolutions.

We will be covering the Nintendo Switch 2 and updating our live blog regularly, so be sure to tune in to learn more about the console as we work our way up to a full written review in the next few weeks.

• Read more: Nintendo Switch 2 review-in-progress live

6. Samsung teased a Galaxy Z Fold 7 Ultra

(Image credit: Digital Trends)

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 might already be the most expensive widely available Samsung phone, but it’s teasing an all-new "Ultra-experience" with a foldable design that could steal that crown.

While it doesn’t tell us much, Samsung does suggest we’ll see the new phone soon, meaning it could be a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Ultra that launches alongside the standard Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7.

It also describes the device as having “bigger screens, better cameras and new ways to connect and create,” which we certainly won’t complain about. Though we’ll have to wait and see how pricey it gets.

• Read more: Samsung's first Ultra foldable could be launching soon

5. Spotify admitted it got Wrapped wrong

(Image credit: Future)

At Spotify’s Open House event in Stockholm last week, the music streaming platform finally addressed the criticism it received for Spotify Wrapped 2024, which saw the most negative feedback than any year before.

CPO Gustav Söderström addressed this, sharing that feedback from Spotify users was largely in response to Wrapped’s false listening data, which saw a flurry of users claiming that Wrapped showed them artists they hadn’t streamed at all in 2024. From the negative feedback that stormed social media last December, Spotify is hoping to learn its lesson – and it’s already thinking about Wrapped 2025.

“I think people just wanted something newer, something that wasn’t there the year before”, Söderström revealed as he alluded to the successes of previous music recaps by adding, “There was also some feedback that some of the things people loved from years before were not there”. For me, I hope this means the return of Sound Town from Wrapped 2023.

• Read more: Here’s what could change with Wrapped 2025

4. Photoshop came to Android

(Image credit: Adobe)

Following the release of Photoshop for iPhone earlier this year, the biggest photo-editing app has finally made it to Android in pro-grade form, complete with Photoshop's core features and AI generative capabilities.

The free beta version of Photoshop for Android offers much of the same functionality as the iPhone app, with an intuitive interface designed specifically for phones, core Photoshop tools such as layering, masking, and blending, plus, of course, generative Firefly and Adobe Stock assets.

We're yet to use the app, but we watched a demonstration of its capabilities presented by Adobe, and it looks super impressive, seemingly being one of, if not the most, fully equipped and powerful photo editors for Android phones. We'll be giving it a spin in the coming weeks to see how it compares with the desktop/web version – stay tuned!

• Read more: Photoshop finally gets a pro-grade Android app

3. We tested Microsoft’s new Surface Pro

(Image credit: Future)

Microsoft’s new Surface Pro 12 (2025) has arrived with solid performance, excellent battery, and at a good price (starting at $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,499).

But excitement for Surface devices seems to have dried up while the Surface Pro 12 (2025) is seemingly out to prove that Microsoft hasn’t abandoned its consumers, nor has it forgotten about its Surface lineup – though we worry it may be a case of too little, too late.

While it can be more flexible than iPads and Android tablets, it’s not the best value proposition after you invest in the add-on (but almost necessary) Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard. Plus, the much-trumpeted AI features still feel either underbaked or inessential.

• Read more: Microsoft Surface Pro 12 (2025) review

2. iOS 26 rumors predicted bad news for some iPhones

(Image credit: Future)

A new iOS launch is always a nervy time for those with older iPhones – and this week, some pre-WWDC 2025 rumors predicted the models that will be cut adrift from software updates when Apple’s software show kicks off on June 9.

If you own an iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or iPhone XS Max, it might be time to start planning an upgrade. Those are the models that, according to the rumors, won’t be able to run iOS 26 when the update officially rolls out later this year.

And yes, we do mean iOS 26. This year, Apple is also rumored to be switching its software names to years, rather than version numbers. So that obviously means iOS 26, in the year 2025. It’s never straightforward, is it?

• Read more: Will your iPhone get iOS 26? This is the rumored support list for the rebranded iOS 19

1. The first Bluetooth 6.0 headphones landed

(Image credit: Edifier)

We’ve been waiting for the first Bluetooth 6.0 headphones to arrive, and Edifier has beaten its rivals to the punch with the Doo Ace on-ears.

However, the availability of the latest Bluetooth tech doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll want to buy them as their specs come with several downsides – and they’re only available in China, so a lot of you reading this won’t be able to buy them even if you wanted.

They are, at least, very inexpensive at CNY229 (about $32 / £24). So they might not be a flagship showcase of what Bluetooth 6.0 can do compared to the best wireless headphones, but they might still impress some with a low price, this new tech, and a very lightweight design.

• Read more: Edifier's Doo Ace are the first Bluetooth 6.0 headphones we've seen

• Resident Evil Requiem has officially been announced
• The ninth entry launches on February 27, 2026, for PC and console
• Requiem's protagonist is FBI agent Grace Ashcroft, who could be related to Resident Evil Outbreak's Alyssa Ashcroft

It's official, Resident Evil Requiem is set to launch on February 27, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

The next Resident Evil game was the final announcement of Summer Game Fest 2025 and was unveiled with a chilling cinematic trailer showing off the game's protagonist, FBI technical analyst Grace Ashcroft, and a nuked Racoon City.

Capcom is calling the ninth entry "a new era of survival horror," and host Geoff Keighly describes it as a "bold shift for the franchise both in tone and gameplay," and that players should expect "high-stakes cinematic action".

"Requiem for the dead. Nightmare for the living. Resident Evil Requiem is the ninth title in the mainline Resident Evil series," the blurb reads. "Prepare to escape death in a heart-stopping experience that will chill you to your core.

"A new era of survival horror begins in 2026. Technological advancements combined with the development team's depth of experience combine in a story with rich characters and gameplay that's more immersive than ever before."

Bizarrely, Jun Takeuchi, Resident Evil executive producer, made a brief appearance earlier in the broadcast to tease the game, but stated that Capcom wasn't ready to reveal it.

From the trailer, it seems that Resident Evil Requiem will follow Grace as she investigates a serial killer who has a connection to her deceased mother.

It's unclear if former Resident Evil characters, like Leon and Jill, will make an appearance, but it appears that Grace Ashcroft is related to Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak and Outbreak File #2.

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• Street Fighter 6 Year 3 characters have been revealed at Summer Game Fest
• A hilarious trailer featuring wrestler Kenny Omega showed them off
• They are Alex, Sagat, Ingrid and C.Viper

We now know which four characters will be released as part of Street Fighter 6's Year 3 character pass.

The characters were announced during the Summer Game Fest 2025 showcase, in a humorous live-action trailer starring legendary wrestler (and Street Fighter pro) Kenny Omega.

The characters you'll be getting in Season 3 are Alex, C.Viper, Ingrid, and Sagat. And while these are all fan favorite characters in some regards, it does feel like a very safe selection overall.

Alex debuted in Street Fighter 3: New Generation, and was effectively the face of that game. He also appeared in Street Fighter 5.

C.Viper was arguably one of the more iconic debutants from Street Fighter 4, and her omission from Street Fighter 5 certainly left some fans out in the cold.

Ingrid is an interesting one, as she effectively only ever appeared in two games - one of those was Capcom Fighting Evolution, which many fighting game fans would prefer to pretend didn't exist (though it is playable again today via Capcom Fighting Collection 2). She also appeared in Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX, a PSP port often considered among the best the Alpha subseries has to offer.

Lastly there's Sagat. Cool.

As for when you can expect to play as these new characters, Capcom has release windows for them in a recent X / Twitter post.

Sagat is out first in 'Summer 2025,' followed by C.Viper in 'Autumn 2025.' Third is Alex in 'Early Spring 2026,' with Ingrid closing the year out in 'Late Spring 2026.'

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• It's coming to PC, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S
• Players can expect the full version on July 1, 2025

Amazing Seasun Games has announced that Mecha Break will launch on July 1 for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC at Summer Game Fest 2025.

The free-to-play multiplayer shooter was revealed at The Game Awards 2023 and had a pre-launch beta that took place in August 2024. A separate open beta also concluded in March 2025, and pre-registrations have been available for some time.

Mecha Break will offer three distinct combat modes, including 3v3 Deathmatch, 6v6 Hero Shooter, or PvPvE Extraction Shooter, and allow players to master assault, melee, sniper, reconnaissance, and support classes.

"In the aftermath of the Catastrophe, a mysterious carbon-silicon mineral known as Corite has breathed new life into Earth's depleted energy industry," the game's description reads.

"But its gift came with a curse — its pathogenic nature and uncontrollable spread are slowly devouring the last habitable spaces on the planet. Within 30 years, the heavily polluted Marcens Zones threaten to engulf the entire globe, pushing humanity to the brink of extinction.

"Amid the chaos of this catastrophic event, you find yourself thrust into the role of an unlikely hero — a pilot of the third-generation BREAK Striker. Now, you must navigate an uncertain path, one fraught with peril and discovery. But you are not alone. A secretive organization known as S.H.A.D.O.W. has extended an offer, one that could change the fate of both you and the world."

Mecha Break is also being developed for PS5, but there's no release date for that version just yet.

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Is it a bird? A plane? No, it’s the Merc with a Mouth flying face-first into his next game: Marvel’s Deadpool VR – and it’s coming exclusively to the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S.

We just got our first trailer for the title at Summer Game Fest, and it’s jam-packed with violence against a host of Marvel villains and Deadpool’s signature humor.

While the gameplay focus doesn’t tell us too much about the story, the trailer’s description reveals that Deadpool has been given the chance to make big bucks after being transported to Mojoworld, which X-Men animated fans will recognise as the home of the TV-obsessed Mojo.

He signs a contract (which he obviously doesn’t read properly) and that sends him across the Marvel universe to face off against Hydra goons, the Hand, and iconic villains including Omega Red and Mephisto.

In a press release sent out to us ahead of the announcement, the combat style was described as “if you can imagine it, you can probably do it.” Based on what we’ve seen, this appears to be the case.

Deadpool blocks incoming fire with his katanas before wall running while shooting at his foes and finishing them off by chucking his pistol at the robot trying to gun him down. Later in the trailer, we see him throwing appendages (his own and others) at his foes, pressing a goon’s face into a spinning plane propeller, and using the Hand’s kunai against them.

If you like action-packed VR sandboxes, this looks like it could be right up your street, as the footage seems to stress the importance of creative killing rather than simply flailing your katanas around.

All the while, Neil Patrick Harris is delivering humorous quips as the voice actor for Deadpool in this title. And while we only get a small taste of his performance, he already sounds like a great pick for the role with his characteristically dry, sarcastic humor.

(Image credit: Meta / Marvel)

Meta and developer Twisted Pixel haven’t yet given this title an exact release date, but have said it’s coming “Late 2025,” and it can’t come soon enough.

Deadpool and his fans have been crying out for a new video game.

Since his 2013 title’s release, the character’s popularity has skyrocketed thanks to a trilogy of much-loved movies starring him. However, Activision also lost the Marvel license it had in 2014, so the game is impossible to get digitally and can’t be rereleased physically.

That’s why copies of the 2013 Deadpool game have seen prices over $100 / £100 at times, and can still fetch prices in the $50 / £40 range from resellers.

If this Meta Quest 3 title can live up to the superhero-fantasy that was Batman: Arkham Shadow – one of the best Batman games ever made, and the perfect title for anyone who has dreamt of wearing the cowl – I exp[ect it could be the sought of 2025 system seller the Quest 3 and Quest 3s have been looking for (especially given rumors that a Meta Quest 4 refresh has been delayed until at least 2027).

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• A new trailer for Dying Light: The Beast was shown off at Summer Game Fest
• The DLC-turned-full game release will be out on August 22
• Anyone who bought the game originally as DLC will receive the full version at no extra cost

Dying Light: The Beast just received an official release date at Summer Game Fest 2025.

Revealed alongside a new gameplay and story trailer showcasing first-person action, Dying Light: The Beast is set to launch on August 22 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

The game was initially being developed as downloadable content (DLC) for Dying Light 2: Stay Human, but developer Techland announced at Gamescom 2024 that the project had become a standalone title.

"Development of Dying Light: The Beast originally started as a story DLC for Dying Light 2: Stay Human," Techland announced at the time. "But after two years of work, its size and scope has changed so much that it evolved into a standalone, self-contained experience.

"To show appreciation for the community who patiently waited for the DLC, Techland will be offering Dying Light: The Beast at no extra cost to all owners of the Dying Light 2: Stay Human Ultimate Edition, delivering a full standalone adventure instead of just a DLC."

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• The game is slated to launch on August 8, 2025

Mafia: The Old Country will officially launch on August 8 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

Hangar 13 made the announcement at Summer Game Fest 2025 and gave us a brand new look at the third-person action game with a cinematic trailer, which also provided some new insight into the story.

"Uncover the origins of organized crime in Mafia: The Old Country, a gritty mob story set in the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily. Fight to survive as Enzo Favara and prove your worth to the Cosa Nostra in this immersive third-person action-adventure set during a dangerous, unforgiving era," the game's description reads.

"Enzo will do anything for a better life. After a brutal childhood of forced labor, he's ready to risk everything to become a man of honor in the Torrisi crime family. His oath to the Cosa Nostra, with all the power, temptation, and hardship it entails, is a burning reminder of this simple truth: Family Takes Sacrifice."

Pre-orders for the Standard and Deluxe Editions are available now. Players who secure a copy will receive the Soldato Pack featuring distinctive cosmetics and a helpful Charm.

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The presence of AI in music is on the rise, and there are plenty of questions about whether that's a good thing or not. Of course, the music business is a business, so the real question is whether it can be a success, not whether the quality matches human artists. The incredibly successful musical artist and producer Timbaland is going to find out for himself.

Timbaland has signed an AI pop act named TaTa to his new company Stage Zero, according to Billboard. The first performer for an AI-powered music genre he's named “A-Pop,” TaTa was created in a partnership with AI music platform Suno, a company Timbaland has worked with before. According to a statement to Billboard, Timbaland thinks of TaTa as far more than just a more complex auto-tune tied to a chatbot. TaTa is “a living, learning, autonomous music artist.”

I get the appeal of AI for someone like Timbaland. He’s a producer. His talent allows him to hear the possibilities for a song or artist before they are fully formed. And AI tools like Suno and its various rivals, like Udio, can generate catchy melodies, layered harmonies, and even full songs in just a few minutes. What took days now takes hours, and what took months now takes days. AI music production is fast, consistent, and never a diva about its lunch order.

But, so what? That might be fine for elevator music or background music in a million insurance commercials, but that's not what Timbaland is pitching. Music that people listen to for fun or for the feelings may have been created in a burst of inspiration and a dream, like "Let It Be" was for Paul McCartney, but far more often, an album is the result of a lot of hard work, experiments, failures, and emotion. Consistency is what you want from fast food, but music shouldn't be that way. Sometimes a song is amazing, and sometimes it's bad, but that's better than dully competent.

It's like with AI writing. Usually it's very competent and accurate, but supremely dull and lacking imagination. Sure, a good set of prompts can provoke something more imaginative, but even that's ultimately from the prompt; the AI just stitches together the rest from whatever good idea appeared in the prompt.

It's not like AI music is always going to be bad. Timbaland is keen to point out that TaTa is not just an avatar, but a model able to learn. But, say TaTa has twenty thousand great pop songs to learn from. It may perform something that sounds just as good, but really will be exactly the average.

I think we often confuse technical ability with artistry. AI can write lyrics and generate beats and melodies. But it doesn’t understand what it's writing, and I think you can tell in the best music the intention behind the singing. It’s the difference between cooking from a recipe and cooking from memory. Both result in a nice meal, but one has a story behind it to enhance the flavor.

AI Pop

I think AI has a place in music. I really like how it can help the average person without technical or musical skills produce a song. Anyone with an idea can make a song without a whole team or a record label behind them. But, ultimately, it's the idea and the person providing it that make or break a song. AI should be a tool, even a collaborator, but I don't think it should be the whole act. That's not helping humans make better music; that's just replacing them. We’re replacing them with algorithms and calling it progress.

Timbaland says TaTa is the first of a new generation of musical acts. That might be true, as there's certainly a lot of AI-generated music on streaming platforms now. We may soon see AI artists on half of the Top 40, all optimized for TikTok loops. But I question how many of them will be considered the best music around.

Even as AI keeps getting better, more convincing, and more nuanced, I think real voices and songs will stand out. Timbaland could make a lot of money from TaTa, because he's that talented a producer. But I’d rather hear what he does collaborating with a young artist who's come up with a great hook and lyrics for a chorus.

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