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• gTLDs enhance brand identity, trust, engagement, SEO and control over online presence
• 53% of businesses want to stand out from competitors – gTLDs can help
• Some marketers didn't know they could register gTLDs

New research from ICANN has revealed that generic top-level domains (gTLDs) have been likened to digital storefronts, noting that unique online addresses are becoming critical for branding and customer engagement.

ICANN's global survey of more than 2,000 marketers from 14 global markets found that gTLDs like .microsoft or .brazil offer untapped branding and operational opportunities.

The study also found that brands can enhance their identity, improve trust and control their online presence more effectively when using a gTLD.

Businesses are missing out on generic TLD benefits

An overwhelming majority (92%) of the marketers surveyed agreed that gTLDs offer benefits, including enhanced brand differentiation/identity (46%), improved customer trust and engagement (45%), better control over online presence (44%) and improved SEO (44%).

Although gTLDs might be new additions to companies' roadmaps, they can also form part of existing strategies. For example, 53% noted wanting to stand out from competitors as a top priority in the next 12 months. One in two (52%) also noted wanting to attract and engage the right audience, while a similar number (47%) declared keeping up with digital trends to be a top priority.

However, as with any change in technology, some are finding that there are certain hurdles preventing them from going all-in on gTLDs, including high costs (31%), a lack of knowledge (27%) and insufficient time, unclear ROI or security concerns (24% each).

ICANN also observed misconceptions, with 16% of marketers believing gTLDs were government-only and 9% thinking they were part of trade agreements.

With gTLDs offering a transformational opportunity for brands willing to spend the time setting them up, ICANN is urging brands to start preparing now in order to arm themselves with the knowledge and power.

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An air traffic controller who works the airspace around Newark, N.J. speaks out about what it was like to lose radar and communication systems during a shift, and how the situation got to be so bad.

(Image credit: Kena Betancur)

It's a pattern in President Trump's chaotic tariff policy: he first suggests a high number, only to later ratchet it down. Business schools call it the 'anchor effect.'

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

President Trump is hosting an exclusive dinner tonight for the largest investors in the $TRUMP meme coin, putting the murky world of cryptocurrencies on a collision course with White House ethics.

(Image credit: Giuseppe Cacace)

• The Retro Classics collection is now available on Xbox, PC, and supported smart TVs
• It's come by way of a partnership between Xbox, Antstream Arcade, and Activision
• Over 50 games are available now, with more than 100 expected to arrive eventually

Xbox has partnered with classic game service Antstream Arcade to bring Xbox Game Pass subscribers the new Retro Classics collection.

Microsoft announced the partnership via an official Xbox Wire post, which is described as "a collaboration between Xbox and Antstream Arcade, available to play for Game Pass members globally."

The service is available now and only requires the standard Xbox Game Pass subscription - Ultimate is not necessary. The Retro Classics collection is a separate app, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and can also be streamed via supported Samsung and LG smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices and Meta Quest VR headsets.

Initially, the Retro Classics library houses over 50 retro Activision games. These include Pitfall, Dragster, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Enduro and many more. Games also have their own sets of achievements, leaderboard challenges, and save state support - not unlike the main Antstream Arcade service.

"This initiative is a step in our commitment to game preservation and backwards compatibility, allowing players to experience many timeless games on modern devices," the Xbox Wire post reads.

Furthermore, the Retro Classics collection is set to expand over time. The post claims that the launch "is just the beginning." Eventually, the service is set to grow to well over 100 playable titles. If you don't have the cash for some of the best retro games consoles, then this could be a more affordable solution.

It's a pretty smart way to leverage a suite of classic games now made available to Microsoft via its Activision Blizzard buyout, and one I didn't really see coming. The Antstream Arcade service itself is something I've personally gotten some enjoyment out of, and it's cool to see a similar service make its way to Xbox Game Pass members on both console and PC.

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• The Samsung Galaxy S26 could have a new main camera
• However, it might still be 50MP
• It's possible the Galaxy S26 Edge and Plus will also get new camera sensors

The Samsung Galaxy S25 has the same main camera sensor as the Samsung Galaxy S24, so while this camera performs reasonably well, it’s really due an upgrade with the Samsung Galaxy S26. Thankfully, an upgrade is what we might get.

According to GalaxyClub, the Samsung Galaxy S26 will have a new 50MP sensor. Now, that’s no change in megapixels, but the site claims that “as far as we understand” it will be a new model in Samsung’s ISOCELL GN series, and possibly one that hasn’t been announced yet. That would be in place of the 50MP ISOCELL GN3 in the Samsung Galaxy S25.

While there’s no mention here of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus, we’d expect that would also have this new sensor since the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus has the same sensor as the base S25. That’s assuming there is a Galaxy S26 Plus at all, as some reports claim Samsung is considering ditching this model in favor of a Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge.

Samsung or Sony?

Speaking of the S26 Edge, leaker @Jukanlosreve has claimed that both this and the base Samsung Galaxy S26 will use a 50MP Sony sensor. So that’s slightly at odds with the claim above, as while both leaks point to a new 50MP sensor for the Galaxy S26, there’s disagreement on the brand.

BIG: * NEXT YEAR'S S26 VANILLA AND EDGE MODELS WILL FEATURE A 50MP 1.0UM SENSOR FROM SONY.May 22, 2025

Still, it seems likely then that the sensor will be changing, even if we’re not sure what to. Equipping the Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge with a 50MP sensor would seem an odd choice though, since the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has a 200MP one. Fewer megapixels doesn’t necessarily mean a reduction in quality, but it might not look great from a marketing perspective.

We’d take all of this with a pinch of salt anyway, as the Samsung Galaxy S26 series probably won’t land until early 2026.

We have started hearing quite a few things about these phones though, with earlier leaks pointing to bigger batteries across the whole S26 series, while the base model could have an Exynos 2600 chipset in some regions, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could get a new lens and a variable aperture.

So it sounds like there could be quite a lot of upgrades coming to Samsung’s flagship phone series.

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After reviewing the best internet plans available in Ann Arbor, we've shortlisted the ones that deliver good value and reliability.

Speed is no longer a luxury for businesses, it's a necessity. Whether shopping online, streaming content or using business apps, users expect instant and seamless experiences. Simultaneously, companies face increasing pressures to innovate, scale, and remain secure against ever-intelligent threats, all without breaking the bank.

As the internet and technology stacks evolve and grow increasingly complex, legacy IT infrastructures have struggled to keep up, resulting in poor user experience, security vulnerabilities and runaway spending. Many businesses are now turning to a modern edge architecture that seamlessly integrates in their stack and way of working, allowing for faster innovation, easier pivots and instant deployments. Here are four reasons why modern production systems need an edge architecture to match.

Being slow is unacceptable

Today’s audiences expect engaging and immersive content, and are more impatient than ever with low tolerance for low quality resolution. Viewers expect content to play instantly, every time.

Adding to the challenge of making your experiences instant every time, content is rarely consumed where it’s created, and geographical distances will introduce unavoidable latency. The more popular you are, the broader your geographical reach and the more global demand for instant playback.

Without a proper architectural strategy, a system broadcasting breaking news, viral content, or a game-winning moment in the United Kingdom will have Australian viewers waiting for data – an issue compounded by network congestion, routing inefficiencies, and the occasional ship’s anchor.

While the issue is as old as the Internet, edge computing solves the inherent delay using points of presence (POPs) placed strategically across the globe. At any given time, POPs can cache and deliver content from the server nearest the consumer, ensuring they receive content with the smallest possible delay. Latency is drastically reduced, page load times are accelerated, and consumers will experience improved performance for applications, streaming services, and websites.

Success shouldn’t break your budget

On the surface, using two or more hyperscaler zones as a way to build a geographically distributed application seems straightforward – and this is valuable for disaster recovery purposes. However, to do this in a way that simulates a true edge system with dozens of locations is not feasible when you consider cloud costs and engineering resources. Moreover, it distracts from your innovation efforts with your core business.

Modern distributed edge systems are more capable, flexible, and affordable than ever. They provide proven, robust performance with global coverage, enabling fast, personalized, and secure computing. Equipped to give developers the tools they need for instant scale and custom computing, these systems have evolved from traditional CDN use cases into highly customizable, API-friendly platforms that can integrate with a wide range of demanding applications. And you won’t need to spend tens of millions on physical infrastructure and operational talent to leverage them.

By using distributed datacenters, content owners and online businesses can optimize performance without extensive hyperscaler investments. Edge systems also help reduce cloud bandwidth costs by caching frequently accessed content closer to end users, minimizing egress traffic. This not only lowers operational expenses but also ensures an infrastructure that can deliver at scale when your business has the most successful days of its existence.

Your users require privacy and security

Users today are savvier than ever regarding their data privacy and security. With a new paradigm of regulatory requirements like GDPR, businesses must be prepared to simultaneously meet these requirements while also delivering the experience their customers expect within budget.

It is essential for companies that deal with sensitive data to leverage modern architectural design to separate public and private information without interrupting the user experience. One possible way to do this is to organize the data into separate API responses or services into static, cacheable data (financial market trends, news, product information) and personalized, non-cacheable data (account balances, user-specific notifications).

This way, public data can be cached while private data is kept secure and private. It also conforms to the trends in mobile app development, where API-first architectures naturally separate user-specific calls from general data. All of this is instantly configurable and programmable with a modern edge partner.

Beyond privacy expectations, for industries facing piracy threats and account takeover risks, edge computing systems offer distributed and high-performance countermeasures. A modern threat model requires a security portfolio that is intelligent, adaptable and cost-effective. An edge-based solution localizes enforcement so that platforms can detect and prevent unauthorized access in real-time. And since performance is optimized, users benefit.

Decoupling data, taking advantage of edge programmability, and incorporating dynamic caching mechanisms allow businesses to increase security, improve performance, and lighten the load on their infrastructure without affecting the user experience. Your architecture strategy should tightly integrate each of these perspectives.

Focus on reliability

Even if your site or applications are fast, within budget, and manage your user’s privacy and security perfectly, it’s all for nothing if your uptime flakes or your team is constantly paged out of bed to fight midnight incidents. Thankfully, the same edge strategies can give your business layers of resiliency through intelligent caching, layered origin protection, and instant system scalability.

Don’t let the biggest and most successful days for your business turn into catastrophes due to a lack of architectural planning and the wrong edge partner. Plan ahead and choose the most flexible, cost-effective, secure, and resilient partner to plan for your long-term success.

We've compiled a list of the best business smartphones.

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

Dyson Supersonic r: two-minute review

The Dyson Supersonic r began life as a professional-only hair dryer, but is now available to the general public. It looks unlike any other hair dryer on the market; there's no barrel to speak of, but instead the handle curves to a right angle, so the whole thing looks like a pipe – or a lower case "r", if you like.

I tested the model to see how it compares to the rest of the best hair dryers on the market, and overall I was impressed. It's lightweight and comfortable to hold, and the unusual shape makes it super-easy to direct the airflow with precision, even in awkward spots such as the back of your head. As I'd expect from Dyson, it's also impressively powerful, making speedy work of rough-drying hair.

The compromise of the design is that in order to achieve the ultra-streamlined shape, Dyson has shifted some of the mechanics into the plug, which in turn is so chunky, it likely won't fit into some sockets. I also found the controls – which are small and positioned on the back of the handle – slightly fiddly to use, and a little too easy to accidentally press while styling. It feels like a design that would work just fine for professionals, who have a clear view of the buttons as they hold the dryer in front of themselves; but it's a little awkward for drying your own hair.

The magnetic attachments are thoughtfully designed and work well. Sensors enable the dryer to recognize which attachment is snapped on, and automatically adjust to your last-used temperature and airflow settings, which helps streamline the styling process.

Price-wise, it will come as a surprise to no one that we're in ultra-premium territory here. While the Supersonic r's build quality is impeccable, and the design innovative, some customers might find themselves more inclined to spend that amount on the Dyson Supersonic Nural, with its hi-tech Scalp Protect mode and ability to auto-pause when it's put down (both of which are absent from the Supersonic r). Most of the Supersonic r's appeal is in that lightweight and streamlined shape, and on that front it really is a standout option, and unique on the market, too.

That's the short version; read on for my full Dyson Supersonic r review.

Dyson Supersonic r review: price & availability

• List price: $569.99 / £449.99 / AU$799
• Launched: April 2025 (consumer version)
• Available: Worldwide

The original version of the Dyson Supersonic r hit the market in February 2024, but it was available to professional hairstylists only. The consumer version reviewed here launched in April 2025.

At list price it costs $569.99 / £449.99 / AU$799. That's firmly in the premium bracket for hair dryers, and one of the priciest on the market right now – possibly beaten only by Dyson's other dedicated dryer, the Supersonic Nural, which comes in at $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$749.

However, the outlay is perhaps a little easier to justify with the latter, because the Nural offers several features not found in other models on the market, whereas the Supersonic r, for the most part, is simply a very efficient hair dryer.

As I'd expect from Dyson, build quality is top-notch, and there's plenty of meticulous research and engineering that's gone into the development of this dryer. It looks and feels premium, and as mentioned, it's incredibly well suited to precision styling. Nevertheless, if the outlay is too much, there are plenty of excellent dryers available for a far lower price.

• Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic r specs

Wattage:

1,700W

Dimensions (L x H x W):

9.4 x 1.5 x 3.1in / 24 x 3.8 x 8cm

Weight:

Confirming

Airflow settings:

3

Temperature settings:

3 + cool shot

Extra modes:

None

Cord length:

9.2ft / 2.8m

Dyson Supersonic r review: design

• Lightweight, with a unique, ultra-streamlined shape
• Some mechanics have been shifted into the plug, which is enormous
• Magnetic attachments with setting memory

The Dyson Supersonic r looks nothing like the Supersonic that helped cement Dyson's status in the haircare market. In fact, it doesn't really look like a hairdryer at all – it looks like a pipe. It's tubular in build, with a top end that curves to a stubby right-angle.

The only difference compared to the professional version is that the cable is shorter. It's now 9.2ft / 2.8m, which is still up there with the longest on the consumer market.

(Image credit: Future)

That diminutive build is made possible by some redesigned mechanics. On the inside you'll find a more streamlined air heater than the one found in the regular Supersonic hair dryers. Ten heater foils follow the curve of the dryer, apparently to offer more consistent temperatures, with no hot or cold spots. That sits alongside a Dyson Hyperdymium motor (unconfirmed whether this is the same / a version of the Hyperdymium motor that powers today's best Dyson vacuums).

(Image credit: Future)

Dyson has also redesigned the plug socket, which now "incorporates primary electronics" that would otherwise have been inside the dryer itself (it looks very similar to the one included with the Dyson Airstrait.) That shifts extra weight away from your arm, but it does mean the plug is now pretty chunky – the main part measures 4.8in / 12.2cm (excluding the wrap at the top of the cord), with a part that protrudes downwards from the pins and lies flat to the wall. If you have power outlets that sit close to the floor or above protruding baseboards, it might not fit.

There's a removable filter cage, with a flashing yellow LED to tell you when it needs cleaning.

(Image credit: Future)

The consumer Supersonic r is one of the first Dyson haircare gadgets to introduce the brand's new colorways (currently being rolled out across the full range). Rather than the tropical tones we're used to seeing, it's available in the more delicate Ceramic Pink and Jasper Plum.

Controls

In terms of settings, there's a rocker switch to increase and decrease temperature, and another for windspeed. There are three levels for each, indicated by lights. There's also a separate power button. All can be found on the rear of the handle. Round the front, beneath the curve of the dryer, is a cool-shot button.

(Image credit: Future)Attachments

In terms of attachments, there's an impressive selection. Compatible attachments include a Professional Concentrator, Powerful Air Attachment, Gentle Air Attachment, Flyaway Attachment, Smoothing Nozzle, Diffuser and Wide-Tooth Comb. Beware, though, what's included in the box varies by region.

Personally, I'm a fan of the way the model is being offered in the UK: just as with the Dyson Airwrap i.d., you can choose between a Curly+Coily Supersonic r and a Straight+Wavy one. Both have a Powerful Air Attachment, Professional Concentrator and Flyaway Attachment, then the one for curls adds a Wide-Tooth Comb and Diffuser, and the other swaps in the Smoothing Nozzle and Gentle Air Attachment. That means you don't end up with a bunch of attachments that aren't suitable for your hair type, gathering dust.

(Image credit: Future)

As is standard for Dyson haircare products, the add-ons attach via magnets. And like the Supersonic Nural, they contain RFID sensors, which means the Supersonic r knows which one is attached. The recommended settings will kick in as default, and if you change them then the hair dryer will remember your preferences next time you snap that attachment back on.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic r review: performance

• Comfortable to hold and incredibly easy easy to direct airflow
• Controls a little fiddly and can be pressed accidentally
• Attachment setting memory helps streamline the styling process

Dyson describes the r as being geared towards "fast, precision drying", with the unusual design making it easier to reach areas that would otherwise be tricky to tackle – namely, the back of your head. On test, that absolutely held true. It's comfortable to hold and extremely easy to direct; perfect if you want to be able to dry with precision. My only slight complaint is that I found the handle a touch too short.

Airflow is nice and powerful, drying my hair quickly; a rough-dry won't take long at all. However, the Supersonic r is really geared towards more complex styling tasks, where its light weight and easy-to-direct airflow come into their own.

The Supersonic Nural has a feature where it will automatically drop into low-powered mode if you put it down. That' isn't present here, and I missed it, although I will concede that it's a nice-to-have rather than an essential.

(Image credit: Future)

Moving on to the controls, the design of which I was a little less sold on. The switches to adjust speed and temperature are tiny and a little fiddly to use, and the positioning on the back of the handle means they proved fairly easy to press accidentally. I feel like they're better suited to professional use – where the person drying the hair can easily see the buttons; they're a little fiddly if you're trying to dry your own hair.

I was far more impressed with the cool-shot button, which sits on the inside of the handle, where it's comfortable to depress for setting your style.

(Image credit: Future)Attachment performance

All the attachments are well designed and good quality, and the magnetic connection feels secure in use. Usefully, all the attachments have areas that stay cool, so you can comfortably remove them immediately after using if switching to another, for example.

Attachment memory is a welcome addition. It helps streamline the drying process, and means less fiddling about with controls as you dry. It will prove most useful for people who use multiple attachments throughout their styling routine. I guess it might also help with hair health, if it makes you less likely to default to "hot and fast" for everything.

(Image credit: Future)

Curly haired users might miss the two-part Wave+Curl Diffuser, which was introduced with the Supersonic Nural but is absent here – you're just getting the standard all-in-one option instead.

A special shout-out should go to the Flyaway Attachment, which uses the Coanda effect (the same thing that makes the Airwrap work) to attract and smooth your locks once you've finished styling. It's unique to Dyson's dryers, and it made a noticeable difference to the sleekness of my hair.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dyson Supersonic r?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Very much a premium buy, and while the quality is outstanding, the list of special features is relatively short.

3.5 / 5

Design

Lightweight with a unique, ultra-streamlined shape and a wide range of well-designed attachments. Plug is very bulky, though.

4 / 5

Performance

Powerful airflow that's extremely easy to direct, while automatic attachment recognition saves time. Buttons are a little fiddly.

4.5 /5

Buy it if...

You spend lots of time styling
The lightweight-yet-powerful Supersonic r will really come into its own for those with long, thick hair and/or spend a lot of time styling as they dry.

You want precise control
It's incredibly easy to direct the airflow from this dryer, even in tricky areas such as the back of your head.

You want a luxe option
The Dyson Supersonic r looks and feels ultra-premium, and comes with a price tag to match.

Don't buy it if...

Your plug sockets are near to the floor
The scaled-up plug protrudes downwards, which means that depending on the placement of your sockets and what's going on beneath them, you might not actually be able to plug in the hair dryer.

You need something for travel
The voltage of the Supersonic r will match the country of purchase, and Dyson warns that it shouldn't be used abroad.

You're concerned about scalp health
The Supersonic Nural has a Scalp Protect mode that adjusts the temperature based on how close the machine is to your head, meaning you can get right up close without burning your head. The Supersonic r is missing this mode.

Dyson Supersonic r: alternatives to consider

Dyson Supersonic r (reviewed)

Dyson Supersonic Nural

Laifen Mini

Wattage:

1,700W

1,600W

1,100W

Dimensions (L x H x W):

9.4 x 1.5 x 3.1in / 24 x 3.8 x 8cm

10 x 4 x 3.1in / 24.5 x 9.7 x 7.8cm

8.6 x 3. x 2.5in / 22 x 7.7 x 6.3cm

Weight:

Confirming

1.9lbs / 680g (with cord)

0.7lbs / 299g (no cord)

1.1lbs / 482g (with cord)

Airflow settings:

3

3

2

Temperature settings:

3 + cool shot

3 + cool shot

2 + cool shot

Extra modes:

None

Scalp protect

Child mode, auto-temperature cycle

Cord length:

9.2ft / 2.8m

8.5 ft / 2.6m

5.9ft / 1.8m

Dyson Supersonic Nural

The Nural is Dyson's other dryer option. It's heavier and bulkier, but has an innovative Scalp Protect mode that's absent on the Supersonic r. It will also automatically drop into low-powered mode when you put it down.

Read our full Dyson Supersonic Nural review

Laifen Mini

Laifen's original dryer was a blatant Supersonic dupe, but the newer Mini version is more unique. While not as streamlined as the Supersonic r, it's still super compact and lightweight, with a stylish matte design and some cool specialist modes, including temperature cycling. It's not as widely available as Dyson's dryers.

Read our full Laifen Mini review

How I tested the Dyson Supersonic r

I used the Dyson Supersonic r as my primary hair dryer for over a month. During this time, I tested all the settings and explored the different attachment options. I paid particular attention to how easy it was to use, and how efficient it was at drying and styling my hair. I compared my experience with other hair dryers I've used.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed May 2025

How did the murder of George Floyd affect onlookers and online witnesses? Rev. Frenchye Magee, Professor Zinzi Bailey, and attorney Antonio Romanucci reflect on the response.

Asset Panda is a cloud-based IT asset management software platform. It helps businesses track and manage their physical assets from anywhere. Its standout feature is a customizable interface that adapts to your workflows, so you don't have to change your processes. The platform allows unlimited users on any plan, making it great for organizations that want to boost adoption.

During our testing, we were particularly impressed with its mobile features. Asset Panda includes built-in barcode scanning and GPS location tracking for assets. You can customize fields, workflows, and reports easily, even without coding skills. This empowers non-technical users to tailor the system to their needs. However, we noticed that the website lacks clear pricing. New users must request quotes based on the number of assets they want to track.

The software provides real-time visibility into asset status, location, and lifecycle history. This helps organizations make better decisions about maintenance, replacement, and use. We found the reporting tools to be strong, allowing us to create custom reports on asset depreciation and maintenance schedules. While the initial setup has a learning curve, Asset Panda's customer support and onboarding help ease the transition.

All in all, Asset Panda offers great value. It improves accountability, reduces asset loss, and streamlines workflows. The company claims customers see an average 800% ROI, which seems believable based on our observations. Although the mobile app sometimes has syncing issues and lacks full offline functionality, the platform’s strengths make it a solid choice for businesses wanting to modernize their asset management.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Plans and pricing

Asset Panda does not show pricing on its website. Instead, potential customers must contact sales for a custom quote based on their needs. The pricing mainly depends on the number of assets tracked, not the number of users, which is unlimited for all plans. We found that plans usually start at about $1,500 per year for small businesses tracking fewer than 500 assets. Enterprise pricing increases based on asset volume and custom implementation needs.

The company offers a 14-day free trial that provides full access to the platform's features. This allows organizations to try its capabilities before making a commitment. We like that Asset Panda includes unlimited cloud storage, custom fields, and mobile app users in all plans. This avoids the extra charges seen with some competitors. Customer support, training resources, and regular updates are part of the subscription price. However, organizations needing more help can purchase premium onboarding and dedicated support packages for an extra cost.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Features

Asset Panda provides a full set of tools for asset management. These tools help organizations track, manage, and optimize their physical assets throughout their lifecycle. The platform is flexible and supports various industries, including IT, facilities management, healthcare, education, and construction. Here are some standout features we found during testing.

Customizable workflows

Asset Panda's flexible workflow engine lets users tailor the platform to fit their processes. We created custom fields, forms, and actions for our test environment without coding skills. The system has role-based permissions that manage what user groups can see and do. This ensures data security while promoting collaboration between departments.

Mobile functionality

The mobile app is one of Asset Panda's best features. It offers almost all the desktop functions in a touch-friendly design. The built-in barcode scanner worked well with different asset tag types. Plus, capturing photos and attaching them to asset records was very helpful for documentation. The GPS tracking feature records location data when assets are scanned or updated. This creates a useful audit trail of asset movements.

Asset lifecycle management

Asset Panda tracks assets from start to finish. It covers procurement, deployment, maintenance, and retirement. The platform lets you schedule maintenance, track warranties, and monitor depreciation in one place. We appreciated the automated alerts for maintenance deadlines and warranty expirations. These alerts help avoid costly mistakes.

Integration capabilities

The platform provides strong integration options via its API and ready-made connectors for popular business systems. We personally tested the integrations with G Suite for user authentication and Zendesk for managing support tickets about asset issues. Plus connecting Asset Panda with accounting systems like QuickBooks and ERP platforms lets asset data move smoothly between key business systems. All of this cuts down on redundant data entry and boosts accuracy.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Analytics

Asset Panda's reporting tools offer clear insights into asset use, status, and financial performance. You can access both pre-built and custom reports. The dashboard is user-friendly, making it easy to view key metrics, such as asset distribution by location, maintenance status, and upcoming expirations. You can save reports for quick access and set up automated email delivery to stakeholders. This keeps everyone informed without extra work.

The platform’s filtering and grouping options let users analyze asset data in various ways to spot trends and find optimization opportunities. For example, you can create custom reports on depreciation forecasts, maintenance costs by asset type, and utilization rates across departments. The report builder may have a small learning curve for complex analyses, but even simple reports offer valuable insights.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Ease of use

Asset Panda has a clean and modern interface that's generally easy to use. However, the many customization options can be overwhelming for new users. Still, the platform balances power and usability well. It features logical navigation and helpful tooltips for common tasks. Your team can customize dashboards based on their roles, which helps streamline the experience. That way, team members see only the information relevant to their jobs.

The mobile experience is impressive. It offers almost all the features of the desktop version in a touch-friendly format. During our testing, we liked how easily we could switch between devices while maintaining access to key data and functions. The setup process does take time to customize fields, workflows, and permissions, but the implementation team is there to help new customers.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Support

Asset Panda provides support through email, phone, and live chat during business hours. We were impressed by their quick response times. Their knowledge base is extensive, with detailed articles, video tutorials, and step-by-step guides for common questions and use cases. We especially appreciated the regular webinars and training sessions. These sessions cover basic functions and advanced features, like custom report building and workflow automation.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Security

Asset Panda prioritizes data security. They use industry-standard measures like SSL encryption, regular security audits, and role-based access controls to keep customer information safe. And the platform runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS), which offers strong infrastructure security and compliance certifications like SOC 2 Type II.

We particularly liked the detailed permission settings during our evaluation. These settings let administrators manage what information different user groups can access, modify, or report on based on their roles at the company. This helps organizations maintain data integrity while promoting collaboration.

Asset Panda: The Competition

AssetCloud by Wasp is an affordable option for small businesses needing simple asset tracking. However, it doesn’t offer the extensive customization that Asset Panda does. EZOfficeInventory and Snipe-IT have similar core features at competitive prices. Snipe-IT even has an open-source option for groups that can self-host.

For enterprises using ServiceNow or IBM Maximo, their asset management modules integrate well with IT service management. However, they usually come at a much higher cost.

Organizations focused on IT asset management may prefer Lansweeper or ManageEngine AssetExplorer. These tools offer better automated discovery for networked devices. UpKeep and Fiix excel in maintenance management, which is important for groups prioritizing equipment uptime.

Asset Panda is flexible and serves many purposes, but these specialized tools can provide deeper functionality in certain areas. But they may lack the all-in-one appeal that Asset Panda has for managing diverse asset types.

Asset Panda: Final Verdict

Asset Panda offers a strong and customizable asset management solution. It adapts to many tracking needs across various industries. Its unlimited user model, mobile features, and customization options provide great value. However, pricing is not clear, and it has a steep learning curve. For organizations that rely on spreadsheets or outdated systems, Asset Panda brings a mix of flexibility and structure. This can change how assets are managed throughout their lifecycle.

We've also listed the best software asset management (SAM) tools.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle No. 1,434 for May 23.

The beloved Muppet, created in 1955, will deliver the commencement address at the University of Maryland, the alma mater of his creator Jim Henson.

(Image credit: Kaitlin Newman)

Ezo is a surprisingly straightforward IT asset management software for inventory across multiple locations. The platform provides clear visibility into asset lifecycles, from acquisition to retirement. Its clean interface avoids overwhelming users with unnecessary complexity. We were impressed with how quickly we could implement the system during testing and start tracking equipment without extensive training.

The software shines in its asset tracking capabilities. It allows you to assign equipment to users and maintain accountability throughout the organization. During our tests, Ezo's QR code scanning worked flawlessly, making check-ins and check-outs a breeze. The reporting tools offered meaningful insights into asset use, though the dashboard could have been more intuitive for first-time users.

Ezo does have some weaknesses in its mobile experience. We noticed a few performance issues during testing. There was lag when processing multiple items at once, but the mobile interface feels less polished than the desktop version in general. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall value remains strong. Especially for remote businesses with inventory management needs across multiple locations, Ezo could be a keeper.

Ezo's preventive maintenance features were a point of highlight during testing. They help you schedule and track regular equipment upkeep. We appreciated the automated alerts for upcoming maintenance tasks, which could extend the lifespan of assets. Being able to generate custom reports also helps you analyze inventory data on demand. However, we wish there were more advanced filtering options for different scenarios.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Plans and pricing

Ezo has a tiered pricing system for businesses of all sizes. The Basic plan starts at $9.99 per user monthly (billed annually). It includes core asset tracking, limited to 500 assets, and basic reporting. But we found that the Professional plan at $19.99 per user monthly offers the best value. It provides unlimited asset tracking, advanced reporting, and maintenance scheduling, which greatly improved our asset management workflow.

Enterprise pricing comes through custom quotes. This includes extra features like API access, dedicated support, and custom integrations with current business systems. Ezo also offers a 14-day free trial for all new users. All plans come with free updates and standard customer support. However, premium support is only available at higher tiers.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Features

Ezo offers a complete set of asset management tools that can simplify inventory tracking and maintenance scheduling for any organization. We found the platform's easy-to-use interface very helpful quick implementation across departments. But beyond that, here are the features that stood out to us the most:

Asset tracking

The core asset tracking feature lets you document equipment details, location, and user assignments. We were impressed by how easily we could create and attach QR codes to physical assets. This could make check-ins and check-outs much more efficient. The system also retains a full history of each asset, including maintenance records and location changes.

Maintenance management

Ezo's maintenance scheduling feature was a big hit during our testing. You can set recurring maintenance tasks based on time or usage. The system automatically generates work orders and notifies team members. This could help you avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your assets by addressing issues early on.

Mobile accessibility

Ezo has a mobile app for teams working in the field or from different locations, available on both iOS and Android. It manages basic tasks like asset scanning, status updates, and location changes well in most cases. The option to take photos of assets and link them to inventory records could be helpful during equipment audits. But, we noticed synchronization delays in areas with weak connectivity and the app lacks many features available to desktop users.

User management

The platform has a strong user management system in place. It lets administrators assign specific permissions and access levels to team members. We loved the option to create custom roles that fit different organizations. Plus the audit trail feature tracks changes per user, assisting with compliance.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Analytics

Ezo's reporting features offer detailed insights into asset use, maintenance history, and inventory status. In our tests, the pre-built report templates met most of business scenarios. They provided quick access to depreciation schedules, maintenance compliance, and asset allocation metrics. Being able to schedule automated report delivery via email was a nice touch.

A custom report builder lets you create tailored analyses. You can select specific data points and visualization options to answer specific business questions. We liked the easy drag-and-drop interface. It allowed us to build complex reports without any SQL knowledge. However, we found that generating reports with very large datasets sometimes slowed performance. Some optimization here could help organizations with extensive inventory records.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Ease of use

We found Ezo's interface very easy to use. We were able to set up quickly and start tracking equipment without much training. QR code scanning worked perfectly during our tests. It made asset check-ins and check-outs much faster than manual methods. However, some user reviews mention an initial learning curve, especially when using the advanced search function.

Ezo's mobile app offers key features for teams in the field, but we noticed some performance issues during testing. We liked being able to take photos of assets and attach them to inventory records during audits. This can be very helpful for keeping accurate documentation.

But despite a few minor UI issues, our overall user experience was intuitive. Most professionals can quickly adapt to the platform's main features, then explore advanced use cases over time.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Support

Ezo provides various support options: email, phone, and chat. Their team is available on weekdays from 7 am to 5 pm US Eastern time. They also offer after-hours help for urgent issues.

In our evaluation, we found the customer service team very responsive. They typically reply within the same day and focus on finding solutions to our questions. Each license includes up to 90 minutes of onboarding help. This allowed us to quickly learn key features like asset tracking workflows, reporting capabilities, and best practices to optimize our processes.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Security

Ezo shows a strong commitment to security with several key certifications. These include ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, and CSA STAR Level 1 certification. Plus the platform runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS), a top cloud computing service known for its strong security measures.

Ezo: The Competition

There are several alternatives to Ezo, like Asset Panda, Sortly, and GoCodes. Each has similar asset tracking features but with different pricing and capabilities.

Asset Panda is a cloud-based platform that excels in warranty tracking and multi-location management. Sortly specializes in inventory management, offering great expiration date tracking and reminder features. GoCodes stands out for its strong equipment tracking and workflow management, appealing to organizations that want to prevent lost or stolen tools.

Ezo's pricing places it in the mid-range compared to its competitors. But ultimately, choosing the right platform depends on specific needs. Ezo generally offers a good balance of functionality and value for most business asset management needs.

Ezo: Final Verdict

Ezo offers a strong asset management experience. It balances ease of use with effective tracking. The platform shines particularly in showing asset lifecycles. Key features include QR code scanning, maintenance scheduling, and reporting tools that give insights into asset use.

We found some limits in the mobile app, plus some user interface areas could use an upgrade. Still, the overall value is high. Especially for businesses facing inventory challenges across many locations or with remote workers.

We've also listed the best software asset management tool.

In March, AWS announced the general availability of its new multi-agent capabilities, bringing the technology into the hands of businesses across almost every industry. Until now, organizations have mostly relied on single-agent AI systems, which handle individual tasks but often struggle with complex workflows.

These systems can also break down when businesses encounter unexpected scenarios outside their traditional data pipelines. Google also recently announced ADK (Agent Development Kit) for developing multi-agent systems and A2A (Agent to Agent) protocol for agents to communicate with each other, signaling a broader industry shift toward collaborative AI frameworks.

The general availability of multi-agent systems changes the game for startups. Instead of a single AI managing tasks in isolation, these systems feature robust and manageable networks of independent agents working collaboratively to divide skills, optimize workflows and adapt to shifting challenges. Unlike single-agent models, multi-agent systems operate with a division of labor, assigning specialized roles to each agent for greater efficiency.

They can process dynamic and unseen scenarios without requiring pre-coded instructions, and since the systems exist in software, they can be easily developed and continuously improved.

Let's explore how startups can leverage multi-agent systems and ensure seamless integration alongside human teams.

Unlocking value for startups

Startups can leverage multi-agent systems across several critical business functions, beginning with research and analysis. These systems excel at data gathering, web searches, and report generation through the process of retrieving, organizing and dynamically refining information.

This allows systems to streamline complex research workflows, enabling startups to operate more efficiently and make informed decisions at scale. Meanwhile, in sales processes, multi-agent systems improve efficiency by automating lead qualification, outreach and follow-ups. AI-driven sales development representatives (AI SDRs) can automate these repetitive tasks, reducing the need for manual intervention while enabling teams to focus on strategic engagement.

Many startups may also need to extract structured data from unstructured sources. For example, multi-agent systems automate web scraping and adjust to website format changes in real time, eliminating the need for continuous manual maintenance.

Unlike traditional data pipelines that require constant debugging, multi-agent systems autonomously manage tasks, reducing the need for large development teams. This is particularly useful for startups as they can ensure up-to-date data without expanding technical teams too quickly.

How businesses can implement multi-agent systems

Startups seeking to gain outsized results by leveraging these systems can do so through two impactful approaches.

One option is purchasing existing solutions to replace complex data flows and human-driven processes. This is the most cost-effective choice for many startups, as they can automate and replace complex sales pipelines and make data workflows more robust, reducing reliance on humans for repetitive tasks.

But for startups with unique operational needs, developing a multi-agent system in-house is ideal. Traditional systems require coding for every possible scenario – a rigid and time-consuming approach that is prone to human error. Multi-agent systems, in contrast, are tailored for all possible scenarios and dynamically adapt to complexities, making them a more flexible and scalable alternative.

Regardless of whether startups buy or build, multi-agent systems provide a game-changing opportunity to streamline operations, reduce manual workloads and improve scalability.

Overcoming challenges in AI integration

Despite its advantages, integrating multi-agent systems comes with certain challenges. Decision-making by agents within the multi-agent system isn’t always transparent since the systems often rely on large language models (LLMs) that have billions of parameters. This makes it challenging to diagnose failures, especially when a system works in one case but fails in another.

Additionally, multi-agent systems deal with dynamic, unstructured data, meaning they must validate AI-generated outputs across various input sources - from websites to documents, scanned documents and chat and meeting transcripts. This makes it a greater challenge to balance robustness to changes and accuracy. Beyond this, multi-agent systems face difficulties in maintaining effectiveness and require monitoring and updates in response to input source changes, which often break traditional scraping methods.

Startups can overcome these challenges by embracing new tools, such as LangFuse, LangSmith, HoneyHive and Phoenix, which are designed to enhance monitoring, debugging, and testing in multi-agent environments. Equally important is fostering a workplace culture that embraces AI agents as collaborators, not replacements. Startups should ensure buy-in across stakeholders and educate employees on the value of AI augmentation to allow a smooth adoption.

Transparency is also key. Founders must be open with staff about how multi-agent systems will be used to ensure a smooth collaboration between human and AI coworkers.

Achieving outsized results

The AI field is moving fast, making it difficult for experts, let alone everyday users, to keep up to date with each new model or tool that is released. Some small teams may therefore see multi-agent systems as unattainable.

However, the startups that successfully implement them into their workstreams – whether by purchasing or building custom solutions – will gain a competitive edge. Multi-agent systems bridge the gap between AI and human collaboration that can’t be achieved with traditional single-agent systems.

For startups focused on growth, multi-agent systems are the best tool in their arsenal to compete with incumbents who might be stuck with an outdated tech stack. The ability to streamline operations, reduce manual workload, and scale intelligently makes multi-agent systems an invaluable tool in achieving outsized results.

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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

Lawyers for survivors said they won't support the agreement, which they say was negotiated behind closed doors.

(Image credit: Gerald Herbert)

Fujifilm X half: One-minute review

Every now and then, a refreshingly unique camera hits the market, and the Fujifilm X half retro compact is one of those few examples.

It's a niche, digital alternative to half-frame film cameras such as the Pentax 17, and for most people is the better choice of the two.

Fujifilm has really let loose in designing the X half, and it's a love letter to film photography that offers quirky features such as a touch-sensitive film canister window-like screen, plus a Film Camera mode. Each idea, weird as they might seem for digital, actually make perfect sense in the spirit of film.

There's no other digital camera that comes as close to the film photography experience as the X half, and the beauty is that you can take or leave many of these features, and nor are you hobbled by the ongoing costs that come with using an actual film camera.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

On a technical level, the X half is pretty basic. The vertical-format 1-inch sensor records JPEG-only photos up to 18MP, while video is limited to vertical Full HD.

To mark the X half down for such reasons, however, misses the point – this camera is a fun creative tool in all the right ways. Those perceived limitations are rightly there, in the spirit of film – the look of your pictures is locked in once you press the shutter.

The X half's compact size and retro looks also appeal. It tips the scales at just 8.5oz / 240g, plus its fixed 32mm f/2.8 lens is tiny, meaning you can fit the camera into a pocket.

I love the unique design touches – that touch-sensitive LCD which emulates a film canister window, and a lever that mimics the film wind lever for diptych composites.

It produces what are actually pretty decent images from its 1-inch sensor, and offers respectable battery life and robust build, all for a not unreasonable price.

I've only spent an hour trying out the X half, but I've already bought into the concept. Fujifilm has clearly had fun designing the X half, and that means I can have fun using it.

Fujifilm X half: Price and availability

• Available globally from June 12 in three colorways: silver, charcoal and black
• It costs $849/ £699 / AU$1,349
• A dedicated app is set to hit iOS and Android stores early June

Fujifilm is launching the X half globally on June 12, and it will cost $849 / £699 / AU$1,349. Considering the build quality and the features on board, it's a reasonable price, even if it hardly makes this an impulse purchase.

There are three colors to choose from: silver, charcoal and black. I think the silver version is most in keeping with the spirit of the X half, but I can also envisage it being produced in additional colors down the line if it sells well, which I expect to be the case.

There are no dedicated accessories at launch – a half-leather case could look the part.

Alongside the camera, Fujifilm announced a dedicated app for the X half, which will be available ahead of the camera, though it wasn't available when I tried the camera out.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Fujifilm X half: specsQuick Specs

Camera type:

Compact

Lens

10.8mm f/2.8 (32mm equivalent)

Sensor:

Vertical 1-inch, 13.3 x 8.8mm, 18MP

Video:

Full HD, vertical

Battery:

880 shots

Weight:

8.5oz / 240g

Fujifilm X half: design

• Unique twin vertical displays
• Fixed 32mm (equivalent) f/2.8 lens
• Weighs just 8.5oz / 240g with battery and SD card inserted

The X half is unmistakably a Fujifilm camera, while packing unique features and sharing certain similarities with the Pentax 17.

It's a well-built and lightweight retro compact, packing a tiny fixed lens with a 32mm-equivalent focal length and mechanical aperture, which can be manually adjusted between its f/2.8 to f/11 settings using a handy lever.

There's an on-off switch on the top of the camera. When set to on, a lever – which is designed to mimic a film-wind lever – juts out from the camera for easy access. This lever is used to activate the diptych feature, which we'll get into shortly.

The shutter button is set within an exposure compensation dial, and I must say that all of these controls ooze a reassuring quality, with a suitably stubborn resistance.

Also on the top is a coldshoe for mounting accessories, but it's not a hotshoe, so that means no accessories such as a flash gun.

The top plate of the X half, with its film wind lever folded away. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

In the absence of optional flash accessories, a low-powered LED flash sits above the lens to provide some fill light that's particularly handy for indoor close-ups. The flash can be turned on and off using a switch on the X half's left side, while on the other side is a USB-C port for charging the camera.

Battery life is a healthy 880 shots, with the X half utilizing the WP126S battery that's been a long time staple in the Fujifilm X series range, used by cameras like the X100VI.

On the back there's a small and basic optical viewfinder at the top-left, which comes in handy particularly for the Film Camera mode – more on this shortly.

There are no control buttons or dials on the camera's rear, just a photo / video switch and a playback mode. Instead, the action happens through the twin touch displays – and this is where things get really interesting.

The rear of the X half, with its twin touch displays and optical viewfinder. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

First up, I adore the new touch-sensitive LCD which (by default) mimics the film canister window present in many film cameras.

A swipe up or down on this display scrolls through the various Film Simulation modes, with a stripped back selection of 13 looks.

Then there's another unique touch LCD: a vertical display for live view and the X half's four menus, each of which is accessed via a swipe from one of the four sides.

One menu accesses basic camera settings such as exposure mode, another the Film Simulations and picture effects – Fujifilm has added several new film photography-inspired effects, including light leak.

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With a picture effect active or when in another menu, that second LCD displays the picture effects or camera settings instead of Film Simulations, effectively making it a secondary navigation tool.

Another menu on the main LCD accesses a new Film Camera mode, which is a fabulous concept. Select your 'film roll' – if you're not already familiar with them, Fujifilm Film Simulation color modes mimic the look of actual Fujifilm film stock – and the number of shots you'd like in the film, and start shooting.

Once the Film Camera mode is active, the display is inactive, so your only compositional tool is the optical viewfinder.

You're also locked into the selected Film Simulation and settings such as ISO. And with no raw format available, once you've picked your look, you've made your bed. It's a fun idea which pays homage to film photography.

Fujifilm X half: Performance

• 18MP JPEG-only vertical photos, Full HD vertical video
• 13 Film Simulations and new picture effects
• Face-detection autofocus

If you take photography seriously, a word of advice – don't write the Fujifilm X half off on the basis of its image-making qualities, which on the face of it are pretty basic.

For one, JPEG-only photos and no raw? That's a bold move by Fujifilm, but I get it. After all, the X half is supposed to be like a film camera, and since when could you work from uncompressed raw film data to make drastic color and exposure adjustments? Locking in the look at the point of capture is in the spirit of film.

The X half's video-making skills are also fairly stripped back, maxing out at Full HD resolution, but once again I don't mind that.

Those vertical photos and videos are recorded using a vertical 1-inch sensor. It's a 20MP 2:3 aspect sensor, but output is 3:4, which means the maximum photo resolution is 18MP.

Just taking the 3:4 portion of the 2:3 sensor also means the lens, which would be a 28mm-equivalent focal length, is actually more like 32mm – that's a suitable perspective for everyday photography.

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For close-ups, that 1-inch sensor and maximum f/2.8 aperture lens can capture nice blurry backgrounds, especially when you're pushing nearer the minimum 0.1m focus distance.

Fujifilm's Film Simulations number 20 in all, but the X half includes a stripped-back selection of 13 of the supposedly most popular looks.

It also gets some new picture effects, so in addition to the gimmicky mirror and toy-camera effects you have options like light leak, which suit the film photography ethos at play here.

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Shoot close and use the maximum f/2.8 aperture, and soft backgrounds are possible (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 2 of 7

The same photo but with the aperture set to f/5.6 (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 3 of 7

Here's the vivid Velvia Film Simulation (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 4 of 7

And the standard Provia (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 5 of 7

The monochrome Astia features too (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 6 of 7

Sepia makes a surprise appearance in the most popular Film Simulations (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 7 of 7

And here's a more filmic look (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)

Fujifilm's tagline in the X half marketing is, 'Half the size, twice the story'. This refers to the half-frame format of the pictures and the diptych-making feature for photos and videos.

The diptych feature is activated using the 'film-wind' lever, and composites two 3:4 images side by side, just as a half-frame film camera does onto a roll of 35mm film.

However, they're not strictly half-sized; the resolution of each photo is preserved, meaning a diptych composite is doubled in width, from the 3648 x 4864 pixels of each photo to a 7296 x 4864 pixel composite with a 3:2 aspect – that's the same aspect as a frame of 35mm film.

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There's a modest selection of autofocus modes. As far as I could tell, focus locked to the central portion of the frame; however, there's face-detection autofocus too, which is active anywhere in the frame.

If you approach the X half as a fun camera for casual snaps with some creative looks to try out, you'll be wholly satisfied.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Fujifilm X half: Also consider Pentax 17

Should you want the genuine half-frame film experience the Pentax 17 is an obvious recommendation, sharing as it does many design similarities with the Fujifilm X half. The Pentax 17 is cheaper as an initial outlay, but remember there will be the ongoing film costs. A super-cheap half frame alternative would be the Kodak Ektar.

Read our in-depth Pentax 17 review

Ricoh GR III

If it's the compact proportions and fixed wide-angle lens that appeal, then the Ricoh GR III is a pricier, high-quality alternative. Photos-wise, however, it's a 'regular' camera, with larger APS-C sensor and 24MP stills.

Read our in-depth Ricoh GR III review

How I tested the Fujifilm X half

• I had a brief one-hour hands-on session with the camera ahead of its global announcement
• I took a walk through London, snapping street photos and portraits
• I tried various Film Simulations and picture effects, plus the diptych mode

Fujifilm briefed me on the X half before I had around one hour to try it out, taking a walk through London's Chinatown. Along the way I tried out the various Film Simulation modes, picture effects, and the diptych feature, both for photos and video.

I also shot a series of images adjusting the lens aperture stop by stop, from its maximum f/2.8 aperture to f/11, and examined those images to compare image quality at each setting. I've also switched between various autofocus modes.

• First reviewed May 2025

• Retro compact with unique vertical sensor and LCD screen
• It reimagines the half-frame film camera experience
• It's available globally from June 12 in three colors, priced $849 / £699 / AU$1,349

Fujifilm has outdone itself with the new X half – a retro compact camera that packs some of its wackiest and outright funnest ideas yet, all inspired by film photography.

There’s a clue to the X half’s inspiration in the name – it’s a digital reimagining of half-frame film cameras like the Pentax 17. I've already tried the X half, and it was a much needed dose of fun – check out my X half hands-on review.

To facilitate half frame, the X half's 18MP JPEG photos are taken in 3 x 4 vertical format, recorded onto a vertical 1-inch sensor, and composed using the unique vertical LCD.

Alongside that fixed screen is a secondary screen that mimics the film canister window you see on many film cameras, and there's a fun surprise here – it’s touch sensitive, and allows you to swipe up or down to select one of Fujifilm’s Film Simulations. If this charming feature doesn't make its way into future Fujifilm cameras, I'd be shocked.

Film Simulation color effects are well known – they're inspired by Fujifilm film stock, and have helped to cement Fujifilm’s popularity over the last 10 years through cameras like the X100VI. The X half offers a stripped-back selection of 13 popular Film Simulations, including Provia and Astia.

You'd think all of the above would be enough to secure the X half's unique status, but Fujifilm has really let loose, with even more features for film photography fans to enjoy.

The LCD emulating a film cannister window with Velvia Film Simulation, and the vertical LCD (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Simulating film to another level

Going one step further from that twin-screen combo and vertical shooting, there’s a Film Camera mode. This locks in your chosen Film Simulation and camera settings such as ISO, and disables the screen preview, leaving you to compose your shots via the optical viewfinder instead, as if you're shooting with film.

Once your ‘film’ is used up – either 36, 54 or 72 shots – you can exit the mode and view the screen once more, and make changes to settings again.

Film Camera mode is such a fun feature, and for me is the closest experience to film photography that I've had using a digital camera – and it's optional.

The film wind lever tucked in with the camera off. In the on position, the lever sticks out for an easy reach. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Then there's what is in effect a film wind lever, which in this case, through 'cranking', is used to create diptychs – that’s two vertical shots side by side. These are recorded individually through the vertical 1-inch sensor, but then composited afterwards and displayed just like you'd get with a half-frame film camera on a roll of 35mm film.

Again, you can take or leave the diptych feature. I reckon it's a nice to have – working out how image pairs complement each other stretches your creative muscles.

We also get some completely new picture effects, almost all of which are film photography-inspired and include light leak, expired film and halation.

Full HD video capture is also possible, and the diptych effect can be applied to both photos and videos, which is really neat.

This is all packaged in a palm-sized, premium-feel compact that features a fixed 32mm f/2.8 lens with a mechanical aperture, plus the same battery as used in cameras like the X100VI for an 880-shot life, and which weighs just 240g.

Fujifilm X half in charcoal (left), silver (middle) and black (right). (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Fujifilm has created a dedicated app for the X half, which can be used to make diptychs, and upload and view images, plus the camera can connect wirelessly to one of Fujifilm’s Instax printers for on-the-go printing.

The app wasn't available when I tested the camera, but will be downloadable from early June. Meanwhile, the Fujifilm X half itself will be available globally from June 12 in silver, charcoal and black, and costs $849 / £699 / AU$1,349.

I’ve been reviewing digital cameras for 15 years, and the Fujifilm X half has to be one of the funnest yet – a compact camera with a difference. You can configure it in a way that’s as close to a film camera as you’re going to get with digital, plus it packs the retro look and feel that we’ve come to expect from Fujifilm.

What do you think of the Fujifilm X half? Let us know in the comments below.

You might also like

• Pentax 17 review: a modern analog charmer
• This unique Fujifilm GFX100RF feature is changing the way I see photos, and I wish my camera had it
• Fujifilm’s affordable Instax Mini 41 impressed me with its elegant design and simple operation

As attendees departed an event held by a Jewish advocacy organization in D.C. on Wednesday night, a shooter opened fire, killing two. Later, he chanted "free Palestine," D.C. police officials said.

(Image credit: WJLA)

Dell S3225QC: two-minute review

The Dell S3225QC offers a unique value proposition. I want to say that it’s the best value 32-inch all-rounder if you want awesome 4K OLED picture quality and epic integrated sound, backed up by a serviceable 120Hz refresh rate and a satisfying contrasting figure of 1500000:1, but there are a handful of things holding back my praise.

Dell has positioned the S3225QC as an all-rounder, claiming that its mix of features is “perfect for play, school and work” when it was announced back at CES 2025 in January. At first principles I think this monitor is capable of shifting between these different use cases quite well – the 5 x 5W speakers that run across the bottom of the display output brilliant audio, the screen itself doesn’t blur text and is perfect for a mix of writing documents, viewing content and playing games, and the 32-inch size is definitely a boon for blowing up whatever task you're performing.

Backed up by a design that’s fairly inoffensive and doesn’t take up much space on a desk, the S3225QC may be the perfect multitasking display for your home or office. The addition of two USB-C ports on the back and an accessible USB-C port on the front is also very welcome, especially for quickly charging a phone or mouse, or for transferring data to your computer in a pinch. One port pops in and out of the monitor, allowing it to be tucked away when not used.

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Additionally, unlike some OLED monitors, the display doesn’t have annoying care programs – shortly after the monitor is turned off following a lengthy period of use, it’ll automatically shift into refreshing mode, which will take between six and eight minutes. Dell recommends refreshing the pixels every four hours, but I wasn't bugged once about doing this.

However there’s one big thing that’s holding Dell’s new OLED monitor back – its severe lack of ports.

I’m annoyed that the only inputs for displaying audio and video are HDMI and a Display Port-capable USB-C, and my particular use case, as somebody who bases everything they do in their home around a monitor, kind of underscores this as a weakness (so please excuse my incoming tangent). Most streaming services don’t show video in the highest resolution when functioning through a browser, and to watch Andor on Disney+ in all its glory, I wanted to connect my Google TV streamer to the S3225QC.

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

But the Google TV Streamer, as you’d expect, uses HDMI to connect to a display – I couldn’t use the Display Port-capable USB-C connection, as the TV Streamer doesn’t output audio and video through its USB-C port, and so my only solution was to physically swap the HDMI cord between my PC and the Streamer.

It’s not the end of the world and indeed the monitor displayed 4K streaming content brilliantly, along with all the things I played, but it begs the question: why are there only two audio/video inputs in the first place? This will surely be an issue for folks in similar positions looking for a more encompassing all-rounder solution, and this lack of connections is anomalous among similarly priced screens.

For people that might have one primary computer connected via HDMI and, separately, a laptop via the DP-Alt USB-C, this is unlikely to be a problem – but still be ready to factor in purchasing a USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to Display Port cable to get over these hurdles depending on what you’re doing at your PC. A quick and easy solution may be an external HDMI splitter.

Dell S3225QC: price and availability

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

• How much does it cost? $799.99 / £879 / AU$1,299.10
• When is it available? Available now (not currently listed on Dell US)
• Where can you get it? Dell's website in the US, UK and Australia

For a monitor that comes with high-quality integrated audio, an OLED panel and a massive 32-inch size, the Dell S3225QC is priced quite competitively. There are very few monitors on the market that are offering this particular combination of features, which makes it difficult to compare, but the feature set is pretty impressive.

The price is slightly undermined by a couple of factors, the foremost being a lack of input ports, with only HDMI and a USB-C (DP-Alt) available. Another is the comparatively low refresh rate for an OLED panel, limited to 120Hz at a maximum 4K resolution. There is, however, a built-in USB hub, so keyboards, mice and other peripherals are able to connect directly to the PC via the monitor’s USB-C ports.

If you’re shopping for an alternative, I’d recommend the MSI MPG 271QRX (a 27-inch gaming OLED monitor with a higher refresh rate) or the Dell UltraSharp U3225QE (a non-OLED 32-inch monitor with similar specs, more ports and a lower price).

• Value: 5/5

Dell S3225QC: specs

Screen size:

31.6-inch

Aspect ratio:

16:9

Resolution:

3,840 x 2,160 (120Hz)

Brightness:

250 cd/㎡ / 1,000 cd/㎡ HDR peak

Response time:

0.03ms (GTG)

Viewing angle:

178˚/178˚

Contrast ratio:

1,500,000:1

Color support:

1.07B

Inputs:

1X HDMI 2.1, 1X USB-C (5Gbps upstream, Display Port 1.4 alt mode, 90W power delivery), 2X USB-C 5Gbps downstream ports (data, 15W power delivery)

Weight:

10kg (22.05 lbs)

Dell S3225QC: design

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

• Inoffensive design with white colorway
• Speakers across the entire bottom
• Nice USB-C placement

The Dell S3225QC is designed to be an all-purpose monitor, and so it has a neutral design without anything too jarring. The monitor is only available in a white colorway with an anti-glare matte OLED panel, sitting atop five integrated speakers.

While this speaker system appears at first glance to have a webcam inbuilt, it’s actually a proximity sensor that detects the user’s distance from the screen and adjusts sound quality accordingly. More on that in the Features section.

The stand has a coarse texture to it and is completely white. It doesn’t take up much room, with the stand consisting of a long cylindrical pole and the monitor footing being a flat rectangle. The monitor doesn’t take up too much room on a desk and has a fair amount of height, tilt and swivel adjustment to it.

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

One of the USB-C ports physically moves in and out from underneath the monitor, allowing for quick access. It’s an interesting aspect of the monitor that seems a little overdesigned – while popping a component in and out is convenient, I’m confused as to why this needs to move at all.

Surely an immobile USB-C port pointed downward would have achieved the same goal without the risk of getting stuck or broken? The rest of the ports are located around the back, while the monitor’s joystick and power button can be found to the bottom right of the screen’s backside.

• Design: 4/5

Dell S3225QC: features

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

• In-built speakers across the bottom
• Handy USB-C port on the front with upstream/downstream support
• Only two audio/video input ports (HDMI/DP via USB-C)

The Dell S3225QC is aimed at being an all encompassing display, capable of switching between work and play without a problem. It has a gorgeous screen and a handful of useful USB-C ports across the back and front, though there's a crippling lack of audio/video ports.

The main feature propping up the all-rounder goal is the sound system running across the bottom of the display, which offers enhanced surround-sound audio made possible thanks to its spatial tracking camera. The end product is frankly the best audio I’ve ever heard from a monitor, though I did find that two red lights would often appear on the soundbar, indicating that my head couldn’t be seen by the tracking tech – meaning sound wasn't always able to be optimized for my position. As someone whose home entertainment setup is based around their computer desk, I love monitors with inbuilt audio, so this focus on high-end audio is a win for me.

There’s a USB-C port on the front and the two USB-C ports around the back, one of which doubles as a Display Port alternative for audio/video (AV) signals, meaning you can plug your monitor in with a USB-C port and use it as a second screen. Those regular USB-C ports can serve as sockets for your laptop and keyboard while still using the DP-capable USB-C port for AV. It’s a great alternative to a dedicated USB hub, and that DP-capable USB-C port can even double as a 90W charger, meaning you won’t need a separate power cable for most connected laptops (beastly gaming models excepted).

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

I liked how well laid-out the inbuilt operating system was, and how easy it was to quickly change settings using the joystick on the back. It’s so fast and responsive that I would often adjust things like audio directly through the monitor.

What burned me the most about the monitor was its lack of any additional HDMI or Display Port sockets. All that’s on offer is a HDMI port (4K@120Hz) and the aforementioned DP-capable USB-C port. Somebody that’s merely switching between a laptop and a desktop PC likely won’t have any issue with the ports that are in use, but for my purposes (I tend to have a Chromecast connected to my screen), the arrangement resulted in an awkward dance of unplugging and plugging in cables constantly. For a monitor billed on versatility and being able to fulfill so many needs, it’s absolutely baffling how limiting it is in its design.

• Features: 4/5

Dell S3225QC: performance

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

• Epic OLED, 4K panel @ 120Hz
• Deep, rich spatial sound
• Ideal for productivity, fine for games

It’s tempting to say that the Dell S3225QC makes compromises to service a broad appeal, but I personally don’t think the specs reflect that – the hardware set here is solid.

Dell has sourced its 4K OLED panel from Samsung, and with the Korean tech giant so good at making such screens, it’s a win on all fronts. Colors pop perfectly and as it's OLED, blacks are perfect as they aren’t lit by pixels. A contrast rate of 150,000:1 keeps picture quality accurate, though brightness is limited to a maximum of 250nits/1,000nits HDR peak (a fairly standard figure for an OLED, but low compared to high-end non-OLEDs).

I think the OLED panel is fairly inconsequential when you’re using the monitor for stuff like writing up documents, editing things together or simply when casually browsing the web – and you’ll be better off purchasing a much cheaper display if these are the only things you’re doing. There’s no haziness around typed characters to be seen, but these days you don’t have to go up-market for a clear monitor to do work on.

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

It’s with stuff like gaming and streaming video that the S3225QC can really pull out the stops. The 120Hz refresh rate might seem a little low for PC gaming, but let me be clear – it’s perfectly fine, and unless you're an especially demanding (or competitive) gamer, 120Hz is more than enough for fast and fluid gameplay. I use a fairly high-performance gaming PC and though in many games I can far exceed a 120 fps framerate, I’ve never been left wanting more.

As we've previously mentioned, the audio system is fitted with a spatial camera that detects how close you are to the screen. With that detected, it then adjusts the sound profile to best suit the distance. In my experience it worked brilliantly, though the sensor certainly suffered when there wasn’t much light (and I tend to keep lights off in my office... I’m a bit of a caveman).

The S3225QC will still deliver rich sound without detecting your distance from the panel, however when the sensor isn’t capable of making that measurement, it displays two dark red lights beside the camera (appearing in the image below as purple). It’s a tad annoying when watching something cinematic in the dark, as the sensor is quite reliant on being in a well-lit environment, but ultimately when it doesn't completely work the results are harmless.

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)Should I buy the Dell S3225QC monitor?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

A unique feature set at a fair enough cost makes the Dell S3225QC a screen to consider.

5 / 5

Design

An unassuming white colorway and a nice OLED panel positions the S3225QC well for specific settings.

4 / 5

Performance

There’s no holding the S3225QC back as an all-rounder monitor for work and play.

5 / 5

Features

The inclusion of high-quality speakers across the bottom is nice, but there is a severe lack of HDMI/DP ports.

4 / 5

Average rating

Although we’d like to see more inputs, the Dell S3225QC is likely to be a good fit for folks looking for a one-stop solution monitor.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You’re craving an OLED monitor that isn’t completely gaming-oriented

Dell’s new OLED screen is sure to be a hit among non-gamers looking for gorgeous picture quality, or gamers looking to skip aggressive aesthetics and craving speaker sound.

You want brilliant in-built sound

I’ve never had sound on a monitor impress me more than the S3225QC and it’ll be hard to beat its room-filling audio.

You want an all-encompassing solution

Audio/video inputs for USB-C (DP) and HDMI make the S3225QC uniquely suited for switching between a desktop and laptop setup.

Don't buy it if...

You crave more input freedom

Only offering two audio/video inputs makes the S3225QC a much less capable monitor, especially for one marketed as being all-purpose.

You want to save money

The Dell S3225QC is fairly priced but still doesn’t come cheap and you may be better off saving some money and going with a non-OLED alternative for less.

You want better gaming specs

You’ll find higher refresh rates and lower response times on similarly priced 4K OLED monitors intended for gamers.

Also consider

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF

Want a more gaming-oriented monitor? The Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF is priced similarly and is available as a 27-inch or 32-inch screen.

Read our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF review

Screen size:

27-inch

Aspect ratio:

16:9

Resolution:

3,840 x 2,160

Brightness:

250 cd/㎡ / 1,300 cd/㎡ HDR peak

Response time:

0.03ms (GTG)

Viewing angle:

178˚/178˚

Contrast ratio:

1,000,000:1

Color support:

Max 1B

Inputs:

2X HDMI, 1X Display Port, 2X USB-A, 1X USB-B Upstream, 1X 3.5 headphone jack

Weight:

6.89kg (15.2 Ibs)

MSI MPG 271QRX

Often found cheaper with discounts and fitted with a 2K OLED panel, the MSI MPG 271QRX is a worthwhile solution if you’re not craving such high-end specs.

Read our full MSI MPG 271QRX review

Screen size:

26.5-inch

Aspect ratio:

16:9

Resolution:

2560 x 1440p

Brightness:

250 cd/㎡ / 1,000 cd/㎡ HDR

Response time:

0.03ms (GtG)

Viewing angle:

178˚(R/L), 178˚(U/D)

Contrast ratio:

1500000:1

Color support:

1.07B

Inputs:

1x Display Port, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C (DP alt.) and 90W PD charging, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A 1, 1x USB 2.0 Type-B

Weight:

10.8kg (24 lbs)

Dell UltraSharp 32 4K Thunderbolt Hub

After the USB-C connectivity that the S3225QC offers, but don’t care for OLED or the high-end sound? Dell’s 32-inch Thunderbolt Hub monitor is much cheaper with many more ports on offer.

Read our full Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K Thunderbolt hub review

Screen size:

31.5-inch

Aspect ratio:

16:9

Resolution:

3,840 x 2,160

Brightness:

450 cd/㎡, 500 cd/㎡ HDR peak

Response time:

5ms (GTG)

Viewing angle:

178˚/178˚

Contrast ratio:

3,000:1

Color support:

1.07B

Inputs:

2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x Display Port 1.4 (in/out), 1x HDMI 2.1, 7 USB-A downstream, 3.5mm audio-out

Weight:

9.34kg (20.59 lbs)

How I tested the Dell S3225QC monitor

• Tested over a couple of weeks
• Productivity software used include Canva, Photoshop, Google Docs, ClipChamp and Google Sheets
• Also used for a mix of streaming content and playing video games

During my time with the Dell S3225QC, I tried to use the monitor as a hub for everything I did. This included using it to get work done on my laptop by connecting a MacBook Air to the display via USB-C, but also connecting my gaming computer to it for video games and my Google TV Streamer for movies and TV shows.

Most of my time with my monitor was spent using it for entertainment, playing games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Counter-Strike 2, Wreckfest, Forza Motorsport, R.E.P.O, Marvel Rivals and Star Wars Outlaws, but I also took time to watch plenty of Disney+, Netflix and YouTube content on the display. I also used it for music streaming via Spotify.

Of course the monitor was also used for more casual things – doomscrolling on Bluesky, browsing websites on Chrome and messaging friends on Instagram and Messenger for example.

First review May 2025.