TechRadar News

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 has officially finished, and I was pretty disappointed by this year's show. There were loads of announcements, sure, but many of them felt like pure filler. Did we seriously need not just one, but two whole World of Tanks trailers?

As a long-time Call of Duty fan, I was really looking forward to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 gameplay reveal, which was confirmed ahead of the show, but even that left a sour taste in my mouth.

The trailer showed off some levels from the campaign and gave us our first look at its four-player co-op in action. The visuals are definitely there with some really stunning sights like the neon-lit rooftops of Tokyo, but the frequent glimpses of large open environments left me feeling uneasy.

I can't help but think that they look more like the maps from the open-world 'Open Combat Missions' of 2023's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 than the linear environments that the series is known for.

Modern Warfare 3 had easily the weakest campaign in Call of Duty history, transparently comprised of sloppily repurposed Warzone battle royale content, and I worry that the same thing is true of Black Ops 7's offering.

We already know that part of the story takes place in Avalon - a map that rumors indicate was initially intended for Warzone - but things only got worse when a subsequent developer video confirmed that the campaign's final mission will be some kind of weird multiplayer "social experience".

Officially called the Endgame, it's a repeatable PvE (player versus enemy) experience that drops you into Avalon with your squad to explore and survive against a wide range of enemies, which sounds suspiciously like a Warzone match to me.

Like Modern Warfare 3, Black Ops 7 is being released as a direct sequel to its immediate predecessor - Black Ops 6. Hailing from the same two studios, Treyarch and Raven. I hope that not many corners have been cut in order to make that shorter than the usual production time.

More of the game is being shown at an upcoming Call of Duty Next on September 30, 2025, so I'm hoping that multiplayer and zombies – the other two parts of the offering – will look a lot more promising.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to launch on November 14, 2025.

You might also like

• The Logitech G522 Lightspeed delivers high-end performance at an attractive price – here's why it's my new gaming headset of choice in 2025
• The Hollow Knight: Silksong appearance at Opening Night Live 2025 was disappointing, but thankfully there's more information on the way
• Nvidia and Capcom are bringing DLSS to Resident Evil – here's why it's about time

• Ghost of Yōtei will receive the Legends multiplayer mode in 2026
• The mode will be free for all owners of the base game and offer two-player story missions and four-player survival matches
• The multiplayer DLC was first introduced in Ghost of Tsushima

Sucker Punch has announced that Ghost of Yōtei will receive a free Legends multiplayer mode in 2026.

Revealed during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 alongside a new story trailer ahead of the game's October launch, Legends is a cooperative multiplayer mode that was first added to the previous game, Ghost of Tsushima.

Ghost of Yōtei Legends will offer two-player story missions and four-player survival matches and will be available at no extra cost to those who already own the base game.

In this version, players will have access to four character classes and will need to defeat demonic, giant versions of members of the Yōtei Six, along with a variety of new enemies that fight beside them.

Concept art for each boss has been revealed in a new PlayStation Blog post, which you can view here.

Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2, 2025, exclusively for PS5 and PS5 Pro, and takes place more than 300 years after the first Ghost game.

In this indirect sequel, players explore the lands surrounding Mount Yōtei as protagonist Atsu, who will hunt down the people responsible for her family's death.

Ghost of Yōtei pre-orders are now live, along with Ghost of Yōtei PS5 bundle pre-orders. If you're looking to get your hands on the exclusive PS5 controller, here's where you can buy the Ghost of Yōtei DualSense.

You might also like...

• The Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s least ambitious console to date, but its improvements are astronomical
• I’ve spent 150 hours with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the Switch 2 Edition is an incredible upgrade
• Battlefield 6 Open Beta weekend 2 gets an official start time among new changes, including All-Out Warfare playlist adjustments – here's what to expect

• An anime based on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is coming to Crunchyroll in 2026
• Sekiro: No Defeat will be a fully hand-drawn adaptation of FromSoftware's game
• A first trailer teasing memorable boss fights has been released

An anime based on FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has been announced, and we have our first official teaser trailer.

Revealed during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, Sekiro: No Defeat is coming to Crunchyroll in 2026 worldwide, excluding Japan, China, Korea, Russia, and Belarus, and will be produced by Kadokawa, Qzil.la, and ARCH.

The anime will be a fully hand-drawn adaptation that will retell the game's story down to every memorable boss battle.

"We are taking on the monumental task of animating the breathtakingly beautiful Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. In doing so, we are pouring every ounce of our artistic vision and passion for beauty into its production," said Kenichi Kutsuna, director of the adaptation.

"The final product is being crafted to be a truly memorable experience, one that will leave a lasting impression on both dedicated fans of the game and those who are discovering the world of Sekiro for the very first time. Please look forward to it."

The anime will also be helmed by a team of acclaimed anime creators, including director Kenichi Kutsuna, screenwriter Takuya Satou, character designer Takahiro Kishida, action animation director Takashi Mukoda, and more.

We also have the first few names of the voice cast. Sekiro's main character, Wolf, will be played by Daisuke Namikawa, Kuro (The Divine Heir) will be voiced by Miyuki Satou, while Genichiro Ashina will be played by Kenjiro Tsuda.

"Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a game known for its precision and intensity, and those qualities carry through beautifully in this adaptation," said Asa Suehira, chief content officer at Crunchyroll. "We’re excited to bring Sekiro: No Defeat to fans around the world, and honored to work alongside Kadokawa, Qzil.la, and ARCH to expand this iconic story through the medium of anime."

• The Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s least ambitious console to date, but its improvements are astronomical
• I’ve spent 150 hours with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the Switch 2 Edition is an incredible upgrade
• Battlefield 6 Open Beta weekend 2 gets an official start time among new changes, including All-Out Warfare playlist adjustments – here's what to expect

• A new trailer for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's DLC, The Order of the Giants, was revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025
• The expansion arrives on September 4, 2025
• The game is also coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026

Machine Games has given us a new look at Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's forthcoming expansion, The Order of the Giants, along with confirmed of a Nintendo Switch 2 version.

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 is finally here and as one of the major announcements of the showcase, a gameplay trailer for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's first downloadable content (DLC) was revealed.

The Order of Giants was first announced during the Xbox Games Showcase earlier this month and arrives on September 4.

The story expansion will be accessible to those who own the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Premium Edition, Collector’s Edition, or Collector’s Bundle, or it can be purchased separately.

The DLC takes place during the events of the main game and follows Indiana Jones as he returns to the city of Rome to uncover a dark secret that lies beneath the city.

"There is a myth of a beast in the hidden depths of Rome, rumored to guard a terrible secret... When Indiana Jones encounters Father Ricci, a young priest desperate for help to track down a Roman artifact, a standard treasure hunt soon turns into a perilous journey," its description reads.

"Along the way, Indy must face the sinister plots of Emperor Nero and his gladiator games, the enigmatic Cult of Mithras, and whatever else lurks in the shadows. Can Father Ricci's cryptic knowledge guide Indy through these treacherous passageways? Only Indiana Jones can piece together this breathtaking mystery."

New and intricate puzzles while traversing Rome’s ancient sewer system, the Cloaca Maxima, and beyond will also be featured, along with new enemies and the return of familiar faces.

However, the most exciting part of the trailer for me was the announcement that the game will also be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, making it the first Xbox-owned title to be confirmed for Nintendo's latest console.

In TechRadar Gaming's four-star review, hardware writer Dashiell Wood called Indiana Jones and the Great Circle "a thrilling adventure ripped straight from the silver screen" that features "flawless voice performances and incredible motion capture work".

You might also like...

• The Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s least ambitious console to date, but its improvements are astronomical
• I’ve spent 150 hours with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the Switch 2 Edition is an incredible upgrade
• Battlefield 6 Open Beta weekend 2 gets an official start time among new changes, including All-Out Warfare playlist adjustments – here's what to expect

• The Maxsun Arc Pro B60 Dual 48G Turbo merges two Intel GPUs into one workstation card
• With 48GB VRAM onboard, the card promises headroom for demanding AI and data tasks
• Power consumption between 250W and 400W forces serious consideration in workstation builds

Maxsun has revealed the Arc Pro B60 Dual 48G Turbo, a $1,200 graphics card which places two Intel GPUs on a single board.

This product takes an unusual route in today’s market, where most manufacturers have abandoned dual-GPU designs in favor of single, more powerful chips.

Maxsun instead combines two Arc Pro B60 processors into one card, supported by 48GB of GDDR6 memory.

Designed for specialized workloads

Each GPU connects to a 192-bit memory interface with 456GB/s of bandwidth, and together the card brings 5,120 FP32 cores to the table.

The hardware is based on Intel’s Xe-2 “Battlemage” design, specifically the BMG-21 variant, marking one of the few workstation-grade attempts to use this architecture in a dual configuration.

Unlike consumer products designed for high frame rates in games, this dual Intel GPU card is presented as a tool for compute-heavy fields.

Maxsun describes this device with the phrase “Cut the Cloud. Keep the Power,” suggesting a push toward local processing of sensitive data.

The move from a single Arc Pro B60’s 120W rating to a combined load between 250W and 400W shows that this is a power-hungry device.

Feeding two GPUs requires strong power delivery and cooling, which in turn complicates deployment in compact workstation cases.

The reliance on PCIe 5.0 x16 ensures that data transfer to both GPUs is handled with sufficient bandwidth, but it does not change the reality that higher power consumption may limit adoption.

A workstation PC with this card could theoretically run large models such as DeepSeek R 70B or QwQ 32B entirely in-house.

Whether the performance matches that of dedicated server hardware remains to be seen.

Although the card is not marketed as a video editing PC component, its 48GB of VRAM could appeal to users working with extremely large projects.

The dual-GPU arrangement also frees up motherboard slots, which might benefit systems where expansion space is limited.

The practicality of such a configuration is still uncertain, especially given the varied history of software optimization for multi-GPU systems.

With retail availability expected soon, the Arc Pro B60 Dual 48G Turbo is unlikely to reach mainstream buyers.

Instead, it seems aimed at AI researchers, engineers, and developers who value large memory pools and local compute capacity over raw gaming output.

Via Guru3D

You might also like

• We've rounded up the best monitors for photo editing on the market today
• And here are the best monitors for programming we've found
• OpenAI rival gets free publicity by offering to buy Google Chrome for just under $35 billion

• Asus ExpertBook P3 focuses on lasting reliability with long software updates and a sturdy all-metal chassis
• Asus balances Ryzen AI performance with bright panel options and a battery designed for all-day work
• Five years of BIOS and driver support make ExpertBook P3 unusual among business laptops

Asus has launched the ExpertBook P3 series, available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, aimed at professionals looking for a stable business laptop.

The company is offering five years of BIOS and driver updates alongside a one-year subscription to McAfee+ Premium, an unusually long software support promise in this segment.

This warranty may sound appealing, especially to IT managers, but questions remain about how consistently such updates will be delivered over the lifespan of the devices.

Hardware designed for productivity and AI

Both models are powered by AMD Ryzen AI processors, including the PRO variants, with up to 16 cores and support for AI workloads at 50 TOPS.

Asus says this means tasks such as real-time captions, automated notes, and AI noise cancellation run locally rather than relying on the cloud.

The new devices can be configured with up to 32GB of DDR5 memory and as much as 2TB of primary storage, with a secondary slot allowing for further expansion.

The smaller 14-inch version offers a WUXGA or WQXGA panel with up to 400 nits brightness and a 144Hz refresh rate, while the 16-inch version mirrors those options at a slightly higher screen-to-body ratio.

Both models include anti-glare coatings, which could be useful for outdoor meetings or bright offices.

The chassis is all-metal, the keyboards are spill-resistant, and optional backlighting is available.

For connectivity, it features dual USB-C ports, dual USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, LAN, and a headphone jack, along with Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 configurations paired with Bluetooth 5.4.

70Wh battery is standard, and Asus claims it should handle a full day of work, which would appeal to buyers seeking a laptop with long battery life.

The ExpertBook P3 is MIL-STD-810H certified, which suggests some resilience against drops and shocks.

Security features include TPM 2.0, a fingerprint sensor, webcam shutter, and a Kensington lock slot.

These devices are not the lightest laptops on the market, as the 14-inch model weighs 1.355kg while the 16-inch model weighs 1.79kg.

The ExpertBook P3 specifications look good on paper, but its success will be determined by its ability to deliver consistent reliability in everyday office use.

You might also like

• These are the best budget laptops available
• We've also listed the best workstations right now
• Remember floppy disks? This YouTuber set out to build his own from scratch

• Amazon has revealed the official release date for Fallout season 2
• Previously, we only knew it would premiere on Prime Video in December
• This season's first trailer was unveiled alongside the launch date at gamescom 2025

Amazon has announced that Fallout season 2 will make its Prime Video debut on December 17, 2025.

Before today (August 19), we only knew that Fallout season 2 would be released on Prime Video in December. Now, we know exactly when it'll launch on one of the world's best streaming services, with its actual release date being revealed during Opening Night Live at gamescom 2025.

That's not all that was revealed. Indeed, Amazon also unveiled this season's first trailer, which you can watch above, and shows Ella Purnell's Lucy MacLean and Walton Goggins' The Ghoul coming face-to-face with one of the videogame series' iconic Deathclaws.

That Deathclaw encounter aside, season 2's inaugural teaser unsurprisingly puts the series' main characters front and center as they continue to traverse the Wasteland. It also offers our first glimpse at the Fallout TV show's live-action take on New Vegas, aka the main location for one of the videogame series' most beloved entries in Fallout: New Vegas.

The mid-credits scene of last season's finale made clear that New Vegas would feature heavily in one of the best Prime Video shows' second season. Fans, then, were well aware that part of this installment's story would take place there. Nonetheless, it's great to see such a prominent and beloved locale from the games depicted as authentically as possible. Oh, and we'll be spending some time with its dictatorial ruler Mister House, who'll be played by Justin Theroux, in flashback sequences showing New Vegas at the height of its glory.

The first round of footage arrives a day after Fallout season 2's first-look images and four days on from the debuting of Fallout season 2's first poster. With just under four months to go until Amazon's adaptation of Bethesda's iconic game franchise returns, let's hope it hasn't spoiled every surprise that awaits us in season 2.

Ella Purnell is back as Lucy MacLean in Fallout's sophomore outing (Image credit: Prime Video)

Season 2 will see familiar faces return from its forebear, including Purnell's Lucy, Goggins' The Ghoul/Cooper Howard, Aaron Moten's Maximus, Kyle MacLachlan's Hank MacLean, and Moises Arias' Norm MacLean. Theroux's addition notwithstanding, Fallout season 2 also reportedly added Home Alone icon Macauley Culkin to its roster last November, but there's still no word on who he'll play.

Fallout season 2 will launch with a one-episode premiere on Prime Video. New episodes will roll out weekly after that until the finale's arrival on February 6, 2026. For more on the Prime Video TV Original's return, check out my dedicated guide on Fallout season 2.

You might also like

• Peacemaker season 2 cast tease what's next for the 11th Street Kids in the hit HBO Max show: 'it's something new'
• Marvel Zombies won't make its Disney+ debut in October after all – here's why that's a good and bad thing
• James Gunn drops major hint over Supergirl age rating – and it's what I expected for the DC comic-book movie

• Meta and Oakley have released their non-limited edition smart glasses
• They're up for preorder ahead of an August 26 release
• They start at $399 / £399 / AU$629

Oakley and Meta have finally debuted their six non-limited edition HSTN smart glasses, and they’re all available for preorder now, ahead of their August 26 release.

We now also have pricing for the smart specs, which is important. The cheapest pairs – black frame with clear lenses, or a warm gray frame with PRIZM ruby lenses – are $399 / £399 / AU$629, followed by $449 / £449 / AU$699 pairs – the black frames with PRIZM black polarized lenses, or brown smoke frames with PRIZM deep Water polarized lenses.

In the UK, the black with black polarized lenses are currently listed as £499, which we’re assuming is an error, simply because they’re the same price as the brown smoke specs in other regions. We’ve contacted Meta for clarification on this.

Otherwise, the most expensive two pairs – excluding the existing limited edition Oakleys – are priced at $479 / £479 / AU$719. This gets you either a black frame with clear to amethyst transition lenses or a clear frame with clear to gray transition lenses.

(Image credit: Oakley / Meta)

We’ll be testing a pair of these Oakleys soon, but there are three big reasons to buy these glasses. Firstly, their sporty design.

The frame shape is subjective, but Oakley’s PRIZM lenses can be super handy for certain sports. For instance, the ruby lenses are reportedly handy for sports like hiking and golf because of the contrast they create.

Then there’s the on-device hardware. The first-person camera isn’t the best, but I’ve found these sorts of specs are ideal for concerts and when you’re on holiday, as you can capture memories without taking yourself out of the moment by living it through a phone screen. The open-ear speakers are also handy for soundtracking your activities while keeping you present.

Finally, you have the advantages of Meta AI. The on-glasses version of the assistant has been a super handy tour guide and teacher for me. I’ve used it to learn more about destinations I visited in Italy – like structures at Pompeii – and it can quickly translate signs with a good amount of accuracy.

(Image credit: Meta)

However, there’s one big reason I’m not in a rush to grab a pair: my Ray-Ban smart glasses.

These glasses aren’t as sporty, nor do they boast the Oakleys’ upgraded specs, but they’re honestly fine for my needs – and could be great picks for you if you want something a bit cheaper (the Ray-Bans start at $299 / £299 / AU$449).

If you aren’t yet rocking a pair of smart specs, however, then these Oakley glasses look to be well worth your attention, even if they are a little costlier. My advice would be to try a few pairs at an in-person store to see which ones you like best.

You might also like

• The next Meta smart glasses might have a much more sensible launch price
• Meta revealed what makes a VR game perfect, and it could be hinting at big hardware changes
• Meta CTO teases ‘big wearables announcements’ for later this year but makes no VR headset promises

• Hollow Knight: Silksong had a brief appearance at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, with a few seconds of gameplay
• Host Geoff Keighley also reaffirmed that the game is officially launching this year
• A special Silksong livestream will air this week

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 has officially kicked off, and the first announcement of the night assured us that Hollow Knight: Silksong is definitely real.

It's been a long time since Team Cherry announced the Hollow Knight sequel, and it has made appearances at several live presentations throughout the past few years, with no news of a release date each time.

Unfortunately, Opening Night Live 2025 didn't share the long-awaited release date, but host Geoff Keighley did reaffirmed the fact that the game is officially launching this year.

We also received a very brief glimpse of new gameplay, though sadly, it wasn't quite a full new trailer.

However, Team Cherry has confirmed that a "special announcement" will be shared during a broadcast on August 21, 2025, which will offer a brand new look at Silksong and (hopefully) a proper release date.

There was also confirmation that the game will be playable on the Gamescom show floor.

You might also like...

• The Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s least ambitious console to date, but its improvements are astronomical
• I’ve spent 150 hours with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the Switch 2 Edition is an incredible upgrade
• Battlefield 6 Open Beta weekend 2 gets an official start time among new changes, including All-Out Warfare playlist adjustments – here's what to expect

• The new Decky Lossless Scaling plugin improves performance in Elden Ring at 18W
• Frame rates went from 40fps to 75fps in tests on the Lenovo Legion Go S, as shown by YouTuber ETA Prime
• We've not seen how this works on AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme handhelds yet

The SteamOS modding community continues to make sure Valve's platform offers the best handheld games console experience around, thanks to new plugins like Decky Loader for enhancing performance – and that's right, we're focusing on Lossless Scaling again.

As showcased by YouTuber ETA Prime (via Notebookcheck),the new Decky Lossless Scaling plugin, which is available on GitHub, increases Elden Ring's frame rate from 40fps to 75fps at a TDP (or power consumption) of 18W on the Lenovo Legion Go S. This is the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme model, featuring 32GB of RAM and officially powered by SteamOS, rather than Windows.

The performance boosts sound like they may be too good to be true, but it's all possible thanks to Lossless Scaling's frame generation capabilities. It's also worth noting how impressive this is at 18W in games like Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077 (both moving close to triple-digit frame rates). It goes a long way towards significantly improving battery life from using less power, all without a major compromise on performance.

Most frame generation models come with the caveats of ghosting and input lag, with Nvidia and AMD taking measures to diminish those issues.

Fortunately, when base frame rates in games are high enough, ghosting, artifacts, and input lag become less apparent. And this is what the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor (also likely with the help of 32GB of RAM) can help gamers achieve. Microsoft's Windows 11 also isn't being used here, which has weaker performance for games compared to SteamOS.

I've tested this Decky Lossless Scaling plugin on my Asus ROG Ally, and it's easily given my handheld a new lease of life. Games like the Resident Evil 4 remake, which are slightly difficult to run above 40 or 50fps, can now reach above 100fps. Yes, input lag is present, but I can say it isn't significant or noticeable, since the base frame rates aren't too low.

Analysis: It will be interesting to see how this fares on the Ryzen Z2 Extreme handhelds

Lossless Scaling 2x enabled in RE4 remake on the Asus ROG Ally... (Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)

I've already stated how handheld gaming PCs are becoming far too expensive when considering the performance boosts over previous generation processors. Spoiler alert, the upgrades are not very significant, as shown in the MSI Claw A8's benchmarks. However, I'm intrigued to see how Decky Lossless Scaling works with a Z2 Extreme-powered handheld.

While the new plugin is great for all handhelds, including the Steam Deck, certain games that are poorly optimized, like Dragon's Dogma 2 or Monster Hunter Wilds, need an extra push from more powerful processors. The Ryzen Z2 Extreme doesn't have a huge leap over its predecessor, but it's likely going to have a huge impact when using a tool like Lossless Scaling.

Unfortunately, the MSI Claw A8 is nowhere to be found in most regions right now and is seemingly only available in Germany and other European retailers. I've got my eye on the Lenovo Legion Go S, using the Z1 Extreme, but stock and pricing are the two main issues.

Until those problems are addressed, Decky Lossless Scaling on my Asus ROG Ally running Bazzite is perfectly fine for me.

You might also like...

• I didn’t think 4K gaming handhelds were possible, but this DIY Nvidia RTX 4090 model has proved me wrong
• Handheld PC makers are slowly losing touch with Valve's successful Steam Deck template of affordability, and that's very concerning
• AMD's flagship mobile processor will power the GPD Win 5 handheld – and get ready to pay GPU money

• Google Messages now has a delete for everyone option
• The feature is rolling out now to Android phone users
• It'll only work for your RCS messages

Ever sent a text you regret instantly and wish it could be erased? Well, Google Messages is finally giving users the ability to delete messages from everyone’s devices – including the phones that received it.

This feature has been in the hands of Google Messages beta testers since May – and it actually was first spotted in the app’s code back in February (via Android Authority) – but now it’s coming to the global full release of the app.

What that means for Google Messages users is when you want to delete a message you’ve sent – and you’re chatting with someone using the app over RCS – you’ll see two options: Delete for me or Delete for everyone.

To find this menu, press and hold on a message, then select the trash can icon at the top of your screen. You’ll also see the option to copy or star the message if you’d rather highlight your error.

(Image credit: Future)

The app does note that messages might still be seen by people running older versions of the app, and texts sent to someone not over RCS won’t be deletable.

I’ve quickly given the feature a test on my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, texting and deleting messages to my fiancée, and it works like a charm.

Just like with other services, both of our timelines show a “Message deleted” bubble where my text used to be.

Though someone may still see the text if they react faster than you can delete it – you’ll see my messages were replied to before I could erase them – so while deleting a message can be handy, it doesn’t beat never making a mistake in the first place.

You might also like

• Google's Find Hub will soon get a big satellite location-sharing upgrade for Android fans
• How to connect your Android phone to a Windows PC using Phone Link
• 6 of the best Android phone accessories for photography, charging, tracking, and more

• 4K 120Hz cloud gaming on LG TVs from September 2025
• GeForce Now also upgraded on LG monitors, on PCs and on Steam Deck
• Requires a GeForce NOW Ultimate subscription

Nvidia has announced a massive gaming upgrade for LG TVs: they'll be able to deliver cloud-based 4K 120Hz gaming via GeForce NOW – provided you have a subscription to GeForce NOW Ultimate and a compatible TV.

That's not all. The same upgrade that's powering those TVs is also bringing cloud gaming at up to 5K 120Hz on LG monitors, and up to 360fps at 1080p on PCs.

The high-performance streaming is thanks to the powerful combination of Nvidia's Blackwell architecture and its GeForce RTX 5080-class GPUs in the company's streaming servers: they do the heavy lifting and stream the data directly to and from your TV, monitor or PC.

GeForce Now is getting a performance upgrade across multiple platforms (Image credit: NVIDIA)GeForce Now offers upgrades for everyone

As FlatpanelsHD reports, GeForce Now will also up the frame rates on Steam Deck from 60fps to 90fps, will deliver "high-performance gaming" on Macs by offering access to the new-gen GPUs, and will stream at up to 360fps on PCs at 1080p.

The Blackwell architecture and RTX 5080-class GPUs are enormously powerful: Nvidia says that they outperform the PlayStation 5 Pro by over three times, delivering a whopping 62 teraflops.

The updated service also promises better color accuracy, smoother streaming thanks to the use of the AV1 codec at up to 100Mbps, and AI-powered video filters "for select games" to reduce on-screen blur and noise.

According to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, "Bringing the Nvidia Blackwell architecture, one of the world’s most important computer graphics innovations, to GeForce Now represents the biggest leap in cloud gaming ever. With Blackwell, GeForce Now offers even more stunning graphics, the fastest frame rates and negligible latency to turn any device into a high-quality gaming rig that rivals nearly every other product on the market today."

The GeForce NOW upgrade with the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture will start rolling out to subscribers in September. You can see LG's list of GeForce NOW-compatible TVs here – it's not yet clear if they'll all support 4K 120Hz from GeForce NOW even if they can support it over HDMI.

But we'd say it's pretty safe to assume that if you have a newer and more premium LG TV – especially an OLED – it should be safe to assume that you're supported. We already rate LG OLEDs among the best gaming TVs, so this just solidifies it (at least, until others catch up).

You might also like

• Nvidia's GeForce Now and RTX 4000 series GPUs are about to get even better with these crucial updates
• Nvidia and Capcom are bringing DLSS to Resident Evil – here's why it's about time
• The best OLED TVs – LG dominates

• The Times reports that a lack of storage has led to discounts
• UK customers can lease a Tesla for 40% less than last year
• In the US, Tesla is offering enticing bundles to help boost sales

Tesla has slashed the monthly leasing cost of its vehicles in the UK in a bid to boost sales and clear excess inventory, The Times has reported, with discounts of up to 40% offered to car leasing firms to help shift stock – while the EV giant is also offering new deals in the US to boost sales.

The hefty UK discounts apply to both the recently refreshed Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, with The Times claiming the former can be leased for £252 a month plus tax, or around $410 / AU$630. Rewind a year and the exact same lease could cost between £600 and £700 per month.

Although the £60,000 Model Y hasn’t had its retail price reduced, it has been advertised for around £400 (around $540 / AU$830) per month on some of Tesla’s trusted leasing partner sites.

In the US, the company has attempted to shake up its pricing strategy and position its aging Model S and Model X vehicles as more premium propositions by making a new $10,000 ‘Luxe Package’ standard across the range.

This sees the Model S now starting at $94,990 and the Model X costing an eye-watering $99,990, but the package bundles in high levels of autonomous driving via Full Self-Driving (Supervised), Premium Connectivity and a four-year ‘Premium Service’ that covers routine maintenance costs.

It also sees the return of free Supercharging, which has been dangled as an incentive numerous times over the past few years but no longer lasts the lifetime of the vehicle.

Tesla is losing control of the EV market

(Image credit: BYD/Denza)

According to the most recent data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Tesla’s sales in the UK dropped by 60% in the UK in July, pushing its overall market share to just 0.7%.

BYD, on the other hand, accounted for 2.3% of all new registrations during the same period, with the Chinese company piling on the pressure in numerous other European markets.

Tesla makes it difficult to work out exactly how well Model S and Model X are doing in the US, with its quarterly delivery reports accounting for Model 3 and Model Y sales, with everything else bundled into an ‘other models’ category that includes the Cybertruck and its Semi.

But it appears overall sales are struggling, with Electrek estimating that the company was down by around 15% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2024.

With BYD increasing its foothold in Europe, and an increasing number of Chinese rivals seemingly springing up monthly, Tesla is facing the toughest competition yet.

It’s not a great time to be a Tesla shareholder, but the big discounts are good news for anyone considering leasing a Tesla.

You might also like

• The Zeekr X EV offers a premium driving experience without the high cost – but too many little problems undermine its appeal
• Spy shots surface of Tesla’s budget Model Y – here are 3 features you could miss out on
• I've ridden Honda's latest electric scooter with clever battery-swap technology – and it might just convince commuters to give up on petrol

• Draft messages are much easier to find in iOS 26
• Leaked code also suggests iOS 26 will bring a huge security boost
• Apple is apparently testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages

How many times have you started to write a text in iOS’s Messages app and then left it for later, only to forget who you were messaging and what you were saying a few hours down the line?

It’s a common occurrence, but iOS 26 includes a new feature that will make it much easier to find those unfinished texts – and it’s almost shocking Apple hasn’t implemented it sooner.

If you’re running the iOS 26 public beta, you’ll now be able to filter your texts by draft status. All you need to do is open the messages app, tap the hamburger menu in the top-right corner, then select Drafts under the Filter By header. Your Messages inbox will now show only draft texts and nothing else, saving you a bunch of time tapping into all your existing threads in a vain attempt to find the elusive draft.

There are filters for other situations, too. If you’ve scheduled messages for another time, you’ll see a Send Later filter, for example, while there’s an Unread filter for any message you haven’t gotten around to reading yet.

Note that these filters only show up if there is a relevant message to filter. If you don’t have any drafts, for example, you won’t see the Drafts filter. And these filters work regardless of whether you’re using Apple’s iPhone-to-iPhone iMessage standard or RCS/SMS messages sent to Android devices. Blue bubbles or green bubbles, it works.

Stronger security

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Speaking of RCS messages, iOS 26 might include a significant security boost when it comes to sending texts between an iPhone and an Android device, and it could address a flaw that’s gone unaddressed for too long.

According to Apple code reportedly discovered by Android Authority, iOS 26 will implement end-to-end encryption when sending messages using the RCS protocol between iOS and Android. Although you can currently send RCS messages between these two platforms (something that Apple finally brought about in iOS 18), the standard is not end-to-end encrypted. While iMessage has featured this security technology for years, the GSM Association (GSMA) – which implements and updates RCS – has taken a while to add this toughened-up encryption.

That changed in March of 2025, when the GSMA said end-to-end encryption would be added to RCS. And although Apple has previously outlined that end-to-end encryption would be coming to RCS on the iPhone in “future software updates,” it didn’t set a date for the change.

Yet Android Authority says it’s seen code that includes the string “GisRCSEncryptionEnabled,” which suggests that RCS encryption is undergoing internal testing at Apple. Further code snippets also include the string “mls-rcs-server,” which could imply Apple is assessing the MLS encryption that Google has added to Google Messages.

Despite the promising signs, there’s no guarantee that iOS 26 will implement RCS encryption. Apple took a long time to implement RCS in the first place – partly due to its weaker security compared to iMessage – and it might simply be testing its updated functionality. But the fact that these strings are present in iOS 26 code gives us hope that RCS encryption could be on the way, making cross-platform texting safer for iOS and Android users alike.

You might also like

• Apple's Messages app is getting the WhatsApp treatment - here are 5 new features coming to iOS 26
• How to download the iOS 26 public beta
• What is RCS messaging? The iMessage rival and SMS text replacement explained

• TerraMaster launches new 2-bay NAS with an Intel x86 N5095 processor replacing older ARM models
• New F2-425 supports up to 60TB storage with strong security and RAID options
• Device includes AI photo management, 50 user accounts, and multimedia streaming

TerraMaster has launched the F2-425, a new 2-bay NAS device designed to replace the company’s earlier F2-210 and F2-212 devices.

The system marks a shift away from ARM processors, instead introducing an Intel x86 N5095 quad-core chip that delivers up to 40 percent better performance.

With 4GB of memory and a 2.5GbE port, the F2-425 offers support for 4K video encoding and decoding and is designed for storing and streaming multimedia files, while also handling routine data backups.

Affordably priced

It offers up to 60TB capacity, spread across two drives of up to 30TB each, enough for millions of documents or thousands of hours of video.

Data security features are built in, with support for RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, Single, and TRAID/TRAID+. It offers 256-bit TLS encryption, two-factor authentication, and snapshots, as well as a Security Isolation Mode to protect data against ransomware and other cyber threats.

Although the F2-425 is being marketed at home and small business owners, it should also appeal to professionals storing sensitive work files.

The device runs on TerraMaster’s own TOS 6 operating system, which gains new management features and integrates with both cloud services and local networks.

For offices, the TNAS PC client allows NAS files to appear as local drives, simplifying daily use. Real-time file synchronization with up to 32 historical versions supports efficient backups and recovery.

As well as data storage, the F2-425 can act as a multimedia hub, streaming to smart TVs, phones, and tablets, with support for Plex, Emby, and TerraMaster’s own applications.

The companion mobile app allows for AI photo categorization, automatic backups, and sharing tools with customizable permissions.

The NAS supports up to 50 user accounts, offering both private storage and shared spaces.

The TerraMaster F2-425 is available now via the company’s website and authorized resellers priced at $249.99. Buyers get a 2-year warranty and lifetime technical support.

You may also like

• Check out our list of the best mobile workstations for any budget
• And these are the best NAS hard drives you can buy right now
• Could this be Lenovo's first NAS? A proof of concept has emerged

• Volkswagen offers an "optional power upgrade for a fee" on two cars
• The performance upgrade increases power by 27bhp
• Subscription packages have previously attracted criticism from buyers

Volkswagen will make customers pay an additional fee to unlock the full power of the ID 3 Pro and ID3 Pro S models it has been revealed, with £16.50 (around £22 / AU$34) per month required to gain access to the vehicle’s full 228bhp.

Auto Express uncovered that both models were listed as producing 150kW or 201 horsepower on the company’s UK configurator, with the small print revealing that owners could only access the full 228hp (170kW) factory capability via an "optional power upgrade for a fee.”

Buyers can choose to pay monthly, in which case the vehicle would return to its lower power setting when sold, or part with £649 (around $880 / AU$1,350) for a one-time lifetime fee that stays with the vehicle.

In a statement provided to Auto Express, a Volkswagen spokesperson said that offering more power to customers is “nothing new” and that those looking to purchase an ID 3 can choose to have a "sportier driving experience" without having to commit to a more expensive vehicle from the outset.

Volkswagen is also not the first or only manufacturer to offer additional performance that can be unlocked for a fee, as the Polestar Engineered Optimization program can improve the power delivery of both Polestar and Volvo models.

Essentially, the software upgrade 're-maps' the engine, tweaks throttle response and improves the speed of automatic gear changes for a more aggressive drive, but does so without the risk of voiding the manufacturer’s warranty.

Gearing up for a subscriptions-based future

(Image credit: Volkswagen)

Unlocking a little extra performance is nothing new, as there are hundreds of aftermarket companies that will tease a few more horses out of an engine if you are willing to void your manufacturer warranty.

That said, we are entering a new era of the Software Defined Vehicle where a number of upgrades and improvements are now available over a simple over-the-air update.

Tesla allows its customers to take advantage of its highly autonomous driving modes for a fee, for example, while Polestar offers performance upgrades on Polestar 2 models.

Many industry experts I have spoken to openly admit that offering both digital and physical features via a subscription presents a lucrative business case to manufacturers that are looking to claw back losses from tepid EV sales and ensure future profitability.

But the approach hasn’t gone down well with sectors of the paying public, as BMW drew heavy criticism when it asked its customers to pay an additional fee for features like heated seats.

The company said it would allow owners to only take advantage of the technology when required (for example, in the depths of winter) but customers demanded access to a feature that they felt should have been part of the list price.

While unlocking a little extra performance on-demand sounds like fun, some buyers will be wary of automakers charging a recurring fee for features that would have previously come as standard (or a one-off optional payment) on a new vehicle.

It could also be the case that paying a small fee each month to unlock a feature becomes more expensive than it was when customers could option it outright, with Netflix-style incremental price increases making motoring more expensive than it needs to be.

You might also like

• I’ve driven the new electric Mercedes G-Wagen – and the rough-and-ready EV makes very little sense, which is why it’s perfect
• America's cheapest EV is making a comeback with a new Chevrolet Bolt – as Mercedes cuts its electric car prices
• The Tesla Cybertruck is officially a flop, but a smaller version could be en route – here are 5 things I think it needs

It's Children’s week on The Great British Sewing Bee, and fashion designer Victoria Jenkins is joining Patrick Grant and Esme Young in the workroom to put the seven remaining contestants through their paces. Some exacting miniature models are set to run riot too.

You can watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 online from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for free.

Date and time: Premiered at 9pm BST on Tuesday, July 15 (UK)

Watch free: BBC iPlayer (UK)

Use NordVPN to unblock BBC iPlayer (try risk-free)

A reality TV show with heart and purpose, GBSB lays bare just how wondrously talented, resourceful and creative humans can be, while gently pushing back against fast fashion and all of its ills. If GBSB doesn't capture your imagination and make you think – really think – about the real-world impacts of your sartorial choices, nothing will.

So judges Patrick and Esme, champions of high-quality clothing that lasts, may have one or two things to say about Kit's pet passion. The Mancunian digital marketer espouses "pointless fashion", encompassing garments that are "utterly useless" but "so camp" and "fabulous". Things like string hoodies and deconstructed coats barely held together by chains. That should spark some interesting conversations.

R&D scientist Yasmin always joked that she'd apply for The Great British Sewing Bee as a dad/daughter duo, however her father, an engineer and self-taught tailor, passed away two years ago. As was the case with head of communications Jess, she was raised to make things well and fix them, instead of taking the cheap and nasty route.

Starting with 12 contestants, one-by-one GBSB whittles them down to three finalists, via a triple-threat of weekly challenges: pattern, transformation, and made to measure. While one title hopeful is awarded the Garment Of The Week award, another is eliminated.

Read on as we explain how to watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 online from anywhere.

How to watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 for free in the UK

(Image credit: Future)

Viewers in the UK can watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 FREE on BBC Three and via the BBC iPlayer streaming service.

All you need is an account, a TV license and a UK postcode (e.g.HA9 0WS). Sign up here!

What if you're abroad? Grab this VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch your usual free stream from anywhere.

How to watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 streams with a VPN

If you're keen to watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 but you're away from home and access to the show is geo-blocked, you can always use a VPN to access it instead (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.

Use one of the best VPNs to watch The Great British Sewing Bee from anywhere:

Editors Choice

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

The best value plan is the two-year deal which sets the price at $3 per month, and includes an extra 3 months absolutely FREE. Customers can also get an Amazon gift card worth up to $50 included right now. There's also an all-important 30-day no-quibble refund if you decide it's not for you.

– So, try NordVPN 100% risk-free for 30 daysVIEW DEAL ON

Can I watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 in the US?

Any plans to make The Great British Sewing Bee available to watch in the US are yet to be announced.

Brits currently away from home can use a VPN to watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 on BBC iPlayer from abroad.

Can I watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 in Canada?

(Image credit: Other)

As with the US, The Great British Sewing Bee is yet to find a home in Canada.

However, UK nationals currently traveling in Canada can use a VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch the show from anywhere in the world. We recommend NordVPN.

How to watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 in Australia

Binge is home to The Great British Sewing Bee in Australia. However, seeing as season 10 only landed on Thursday, November 21, it's likely to be a while before season 11 arrives. Binge starts from AU$10 a month after a 7-day FREE trial.

Not in Australia? Anyone from Oz who wants to watch their usual streaming service from abroad can do so by using a VPN.

The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 Q+A

(Image credit: BBC)Who is in The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 cast?

Caz, 59, retired, Staffordshire
Dan, 37, stage performer, Durham
Gaynor, 72, retired office manager, Port Talbot
Glendora, 59, bus driver, Luton – eliminated
Jess, 33, head of communications, London – eliminated
Kit, 24, digital marketer, Manchester
Novello, 66, business owner and magistrate, London – eliminated
Orla, 19, cafe worker/student, Inverness
Peter, 45, senior pre-construction manager, Devon – eliminated
Saffie, 32, lecturer, London – eliminated
Stuart, 53, premises manager, Herefordshire
Yasmin, 30, scientist, Gateshead

Can I watch The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 for free?

Yes. BBC One is home to The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 in the UK, with all episodes available to stream for free on the BBC iPlayer platform.

How many episodes of The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 are there?

The Great British Sewing Bee season 11 comprises 10 episodes. They're released weekly on Tuesdays, starting July 15.

How can I watch The Great British Sewing Bee's previous seasons?

All 10 previous seasons, plus special episodes, are available on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

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

• Germany's top court has revived a legal case that could lead to a ban on ad blockers over copyright violations
• The case originates from a lawsuit brought by a major German publisher against the firm behind Adblock Plus
• If this comes to pass, Germany will be the second country in the world, after China, to ban ad blockers

The German Federal Supreme Court (BGH) has put into question the very legitimacy of ad blockers. The court is now investigating whether these programs – which, by default, block certain elements of a website – can be qualified as copyright infringement.

The case originates from a lawsuit brought by Axel Springer, a major German publisher, against Eyeo GmbH. Eyeo is the company behind Adblock Plus, which is one of the best ad blockers according to TechRadar's reviewers.

If ad blockers get banned in Germany, the consequences could be far wider than they seem at first glance. It's not just ad blockers that could be in danger, warns Mozilla, as "such a precedent could embolden legal challenges against other extensions that protect privacy, enhance accessibility, or improve security."

The legal battle between publishers and ad blockers is heating up

(Image credit: Adblock Plus)

Axel Springer SE, which is one of the biggest media publishers in Europe, has been locked in a decade-long legal battle against Eyeo GmbH, meaning Adblock Plus. The publisher argues that ad blockers interfere with its right to control how its copyrighted content is rendered and displayed, potentially violating German copyright law – CyberInsider reported.

For a long time, Adblock Plus has seemingly emerged victorious from these legal battles, but that might not be the case this time around. Germany's Federal Court of Justice has overturned parts of a 2023 decision by a Hamburg appeals court, stating that further fact-checking was needed.

The question comes down to whether ad blockers truly break copyright laws. The BGH is exploring the interaction between ad blockers and various structures of a website, including the browser's Document Object Model (DOM) and CSS Object Model (CSSOM). The DOM is responsible for all the content to include on a page, and the CSSOM determines what it looks like.

The key legal question here is: Does modifying how a website displays through browser-side tools like ad blockers count as breaking the law? If the German courts rule that yes, it is copyright infringement, Germany could be the second country in the world to ban ad blockers, second only to China.

Why this matters for ad blockers — and beyond

Ad blockers are one thing. Many of us use them, and they help us get rid of pesky ads on a daily basis. However, if the German courts decide that any kind of browser-side alterations is copyright infringement, many similar browser extensions or tools may end up being banned too.

For instance, some of the best VPN software also comes with ad-blocking capabilities. There are also extensions or browser features that improve accessibility or offer additional privacy and security protection, like against phishing. All of those tools could potentially be banned right alongside ad blockers.

Given the potential danger, it's no wonder that Mozilla, the developer behind Firefox, took a strong stance on the matter.

In a blog post published earlier this month, Mozilla's Senior IP & Product Counsel, Daniel Nazier, notes that user freedom, privacy, and security are at risk if this court ruling comes to pass and Germany indeed bans ad blockers.

"We sincerely hope that Germany does not become the second jurisdiction (after China) to ban ad blockers. This will significantly limit users’ ability to control their online environment and potentially open the door to similar restrictions elsewhere," wrote Nazier.

The case will now be reviewed by the court in Hamburg, which might take a year or two. Until then, the future of ad blockers in Germany will remain uncertain, as will data privacy in the country and throughout Europe. If other countries decide to take a page out of Germany's playbook, we could have a bigger legal battle on our hands.

You might also like

• Deepseek faces ban in Germany as privacy watchdog reports the app to Google and Apple as "illegal content"
• German consumer protection group calls on Meta to halt its AI training in the EU
• Google's punishment of adblocking YouTube viewers is understandable – but that doesn't make it any less awful

Once considered a hallmark of flexible working, bring your own device (BYOD) policies are now under renewed scrutiny. While BYOD was initially hailed as a productivity booster, offering convenience and cost savings, it is increasingly viewed as a potential liability.

Recent research shows that over half of UK businesses are now considering banning personal devices altogether. Laptops, smartphones, tablets, and even webcams are being re-evaluated in light of rising security risks.

Yet a blanket ban may do more harm than good. In reality, BYOD is not inherently the problem; outdated security frameworks are. Rather than reverting to rigid device controls, IT leaders should focus on modernizing their approach to managing personal devices in the workplace.

The goal must be to strike a balance: securing sensitive data without compromising employee flexibility or efficiency.

How BYOD became a risk

The rapid adoption of BYOD policies was largely driven by necessity. During the pandemic, organizations needed to maintain continuity while enabling remote work at scale. Encouraging, or simply allowing employees to use personal devices, was a practical solution - in many cases, it was the only viable one.

However, speed often came at the expense of governance. In the rush to maintain operations, security controls were not always properly enforced. Many personal devices lacked basic protections such as encryption, up-to-date antivirus software, or mobile device management tools. As businesses migrated to the cloud and digital workflows accelerated, these unmanaged devices began accessing increasingly sensitive systems and data.

This has significantly expanded the attack surface. Personal devices are more likely to be shared within households, connected to unsecured networks, or left unpatched. IT teams often lack the visibility or control to respond to incidents in real time. The result is a growing risk profile that many organizations now find untenable.

Where traditional policies fall short

Conventional BYOD policies have not kept pace with the complexity of hybrid work. Static, one-size-fits-all rules may have sufficed when office attendance was the norm. Today, however, employees operate across multiple locations, roles, and sometimes even organizations. Legacy policies rarely account for this level of fluidity.

Moreover, the proliferation of “shadow IT” (where staff bypass official channels to access tools or services) further complicates matters. Employees often turn to personal email accounts or unauthorized file-sharing platforms when corporate systems feel restrictive. While often well-intentioned, this behavior can introduce significant security vulnerabilities.

This growing sense of lost control is prompting some organizations to consider eliminating BYOD entirely. But such measures risk driving issues underground rather than resolving them. Prohibiting personal device use without offering viable alternatives may frustrate employees and hinder productivity, particularly in fast-paced or mobile-first roles.

A modernized approach to BYOD

Rather than eliminating BYOD, organizations should focus on enabling it securely and sustainably. A Zero Trust framework offers a strong foundation, built on the principle that no user or device should be inherently trusted.

This model emphasizes identity-based access controls, multi-factor authentication, and the continuous assessment of device health and context before granting access to systems or data. It enables a more dynamic and risk-aware security posture that is far better suited to hybrid environments.

Endpoint management solutions, such as Microsoft Intune, play a central role in putting this strategy into practice. These tools enable organizations to define and enforce compliance requirements, such as device encryption, patch status, or anti-malware installation, before granting access to corporate resources.

Crucially, these controls can be applied to personal devices without infringing on the user’s privacy or personal data and include the ability to remotely wipe corporate data in case a device is lost or stolen.

Policy alone is not enough. Employees need to understand and buy into the organization's expectations. Clear, well-communicated guidance on how personal devices should be used for work, including rules on permitted applications, password management, and how to report suspicious activity, can help embed a culture of shared responsibility for security. Importantly, transparency is key: when employees understand why these rules exist, they are far more likely to comply.

Segregating personal and professional environments on the same device can also help reduce risk while maintaining user convenience. Solutions such as virtual desktops or containerized applications create clear boundaries between corporate and private data. This ensures that sensitive information is protected and auditable, while employees can continue using familiar devices and workflows.

Finally, BYOD strategies must remain agile. Security threats evolve constantly, and employee behavior shifts with changing work patterns. Organizations should monitor usage, review threat intelligence, and regularly update their policies to remain aligned with risk and business need.

Looking forward

The debate around BYOD reflects a broader challenge: how to secure the modern workplace without sacrificing the flexibility that employees now expect. Hybrid work is here to stay, and so too is the need for more sophisticated, nuanced approaches to endpoint security.

Rather than reverting to outdated policies or resorting to blanket bans, organizations should focus on implementing intelligent, scalable solutions that protect data while enabling productivity. With the right combination of technology, policy, and user engagement, BYOD can remain a viable part of a secure and resilient digital workplace.

We list the best mobile device management (MDM) software solutions.

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

Imagine the world’s most capable intern. Someone who can read thousands of documents overnight, make inferences from complex problems instantly, and work 24/7 without complaints. But there's a catch: this intern is also incredibly gullible and will believe almost anything you tell them, making them the perfect target for manipulation by bad actors.

This analogy perfectly illustrates the current state of agentic AI. It’s simultaneously the most sophisticated tool ever created and the most vulnerable to simple deception.

This is made more challenging by how differently people view AI. The features that excite some terrify others, creating a divide between the builders and users.

Builders – aka engineers and researchers – focus on foundational challenges like data quality, algorithmic bias, and existential risks. Their concerns dominate headlines and academic discussions.

But users, such as business leaders and operational teams who want to harness these tools practically and safely, have more practical worries. Less concerned about whether AI will end the world and more focused on whether it will expose customer data or make costly mistakes.

While builders are focused on the future, users want to know what AI can do today. And unfortunately, the gap between what they expect agentic AI to deliver and what it can is substantial.

Expectation vs reality

The narrative around agentic AI often paints a picture of fully autonomous digital workers able to alter a business overnight. While multi-agent LLMs are no longer theory, there’s more exploration that must be done before they can enable complete business transformation.

Current AI systems can deliver impressive agent-like behaviors including knowledge extraction from vast documents, accelerating the software delivery lifecycle, and empathetic customer interactions. But truly autonomous systems that work independently in complex novel environments remain out of reach.

While AI can complete structured tasks with human oversight, it struggles with open-ended problems, long-term planning and high-stakes decision making where failures have consequences.

For example, AI can identify potential vulnerabilities in code and propose wide ranging fixes, but developers must evaluate the solutions to implement and guide their application as AI can’t consistently decipher broader system context.

The danger of inflated expectations is that organizations are caught off guard by the real security risks. Lured into a false sense of readiness, they’re ill-prepared for the routine threats they’re far more likely to face.

The security challenge

As agentic AI systems become more autonomous, organizations face a critical challenge of ensuring systems act aligned with business goals. As agentic AI becomes more capable, it also becomes harder to control and therefore, easier to exploit. Unlike traditional software, which fails in predictable ways, AI systems can fail creatively, manipulated in ways their creators never anticipated.

So, what kinds of security risks should organizations actually be worried about?

While traditional IT challenges, such as data protection across systems, risk management, robust reporting and visibility remain critical, there are other novel challenges that require fresh approaches.

For example, adversarial prompt engineering, such as prompt injection where bad actors can embed malicious instructions in innocent requests, or context manipulation, where attackers provide false context, causing AI to make decisions based on incorrect assumptions.

Another significant issue is accumulation of errors: while experienced humans often spot their mistakes, AI errors can quickly snowball, especially in multi-agent systems, turning small problems into big ones; this can go unnoticed in the early stages as agentic reasoning is superficially similar to human reasoning, and then quickly spiral.

AI risks may seem daunting, but the solutions are often more familiar than organizations expect. It’s not a question of if a security problem will arise, but a matter of when, so it’s important to be prepared.

The solution

Many of the solutions for agentic AI’s specific security challenges exist in traditional cybersecurity and risk management frameworks. The approach requires companies to apply principles they’re already familiar with (or with which organizations they work with are familiar), including zero trust, human oversight, and controlled access.

Rather than assuming all AI inputs are safe, companies should treat them as potentially malicious and implement multiple validation layers. This approach works across all applications, whether customer service or financial operations.

While the principles are straightforward, successful implementation requires careful planning. To build effective agentic AI security, organizations should:

1. Start with a small blast radius: Begin with low-risk, high-value use cases where mistakes are recoverable. For example, deploy AI for document summarization before moving onto financial transactions. This builds organizational confidence and expertise.
2. Build governance: Don’t wait for problems to emerge. Establish clear approval processes and staff training programs so employees know what to do when things go wrong.
3. Automate the validation process: Build and continually grow comprehensive AI-based and traditional test suites that encapsulate the worst imagined case scenarios of adversarial attacks, edge cases, and so forth, so that we are not following a moving target but measuring our improvement carefully and preventing backslides.
4. Question everything: Train users and teams integrating AI tools to question AI outputs rather than inherently trusting them. Make verification part of company culture amongst both builders and consumers by setting up peer review processes, introducing spot-checking protocols and celebrating when someone catches a mistake.
5. Develop protection processes: Conduct regular risk assessments, audit existing implementations for vulnerabilities, implement monitoring systems, and create AI-specific incident response procedures. Set up security policies for success.
6. Stay ahead: Ensure employees are informed about emerging threats by providing relevant training, as well as encouraging them to participate in industry forums, discuss experiences with peers, and attend security conferences. Remember, knowledge is power.

The future

Agentic AI is a powerful tool that can transform how we work and solve problems. But like any powerful and emerging technology, it requires respect, understanding, and proper safety measures.

The key is approaching this technology with the same careful planning and risk management we should apply to any other tool. The gullible savant intern analogy reminds us that even the most capable systems need supervision, clear boundaries, and ongoing guidance.

We've featured the best AI website builder.

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