WWDC 2025 is in the rear-view mirror, and it’d be fair to say there was plenty to get excited about, even with Apple (wisely) sidestepping its wider Apple Intelligence upgrades.
iPad getting true window management was a great addition, while the new design language across all platforms is sure to be a big focus come September. But relatively tucked away, almost as a footnote, was the promise of more features to come to Reminders - and seeing those features arrive might actually get me to move away from Things 3.
Let me explain.
Here’s the ThingCultured Code’s 'Things' app is, as anyone who uses it will tell you, the holy grail of UI design. It’s a task manager that looks so good, even Apple itself couldn’t have done a better job, and it’s been my go-to organizational tool for the best part of a decade. It's a powerful tool for anyone using one of the best MacBooks and Macs - or any Apple device, for that matter.
I use the app on my Mac, my iPad, my iPhone, and my Apple Watch, even jotting down tasks with an Action Button shortcut on my phone. And yet, I find myself straying from the path. It’s not that Things 3 is any less magical than it was when I started using it; it’s just that so many rivals have closed the gap.
Things 3 remains an easy place to dump tasks, file them away into sections, and enjoy that serotonin hit when you tick them off. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s missing some key features that its rivals now offer.
There’s no shared reminder list, so my wife can add things for me to do, and there’s no web version, either. It’s also lacking in ‘true’ Siri integration, meaning I essentially have to file my tasks in Reminders and have them sync across to Things 3 if I want them to be dictated.
So - what if I didn’t sync them across? What if I just, you know, used Apple Reminders to run my life?
Rejigging the systemI use Notion as a database to run my working life from, but Things is where my day-to-day stuff gets done. Every night, I load it up with tasks for the morning, and every morning, I start checking them off.
But what if my wife needs me to grab something from the shop? What if I want to ask Siri via CarPlay to add something to my daily list? These are the kinds of things where Reminders would work great, but that’s nothing new. In fact, Apple has been putting a ton of work into Reminders over the last few years, so what’s got me thinking of switching now?
As a writer, I’m wary of AI. Models trained on content I’ve worked hard for are always worth keeping a wary eye on, but I acknowledge that machine learning has plenty to offer (and no, I don’t mean those awful notification summaries).
This year, with iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe (and the assorted other Apple OS releases), Apple Intelligence will be integrated into Reminders, so that it can automatically assess what the next action item should be. Receive confirmation that one of my freelance articles has been published? It would be great to have a task pop up to invoice it. Make a note from a meeting? Having the place to send the details afterwards would be super helpful.
The app will even be able to intelligently work out which list your tasks should go into, meaning less time is spent funnelling them into the correct places.
I might be getting ahead of myself (and I’m not even sure if any AI functionality is in the current beta to test at present), but even if it’s not Reminders I move to (I still don’t love that UI), I feel like Things 3 (or surely a fourth version) could do with more forward thinking on the update front.
What could Things 4 add?Okay then: Cultured Code, are you listening? There are a handful of things a longtime user like myself would love to see in a potential 'Things 4'.
For one, I’d love to have Morning/Afternoon/Evening as different timeslots (at present it’s just day and evening), which could then allow for more granularity with ordering tasks.
A web app is also a must (some of us use Windows, y’know?) while a collaborative list option could make Things 3 even better for small business owners like myself. And hey, a Kanban view would mean I don’t have to take tasks from Notion and throw them into Things, too.
You may also like...Millions of enterprise devices are still running Windows 10, even as Microsoft’s deadline to end support for the OS approaches.
According to ControlUp’s latest Windows 11 Readiness report, half of all business-managed Windows devices have not yet made the switch.
That number reflects progress from last year, when over 80% of enterprise machines were still on Windows 10, but with support ending on October 14, 2025, time is running out for organizations still lagging behind.
Wide variation across industries“While the 50% completion mark is a major milestone, it's not time to relax,” said Marcel Calef, Americas Field CTO at ControlUp. “Many enterprises still face hardware and planning challenges.”
The report analyzed over one million devices and found wide variation across industries.
Education and tech lead the way, with over 70% of systems upgraded. Healthcare and finance trail far behind, with fewer than half of their devices running Windows 11. Some healthcare devices are simply too old, with 19% needing replacement before an upgrade is possible.
Regional trends show the Americas are the slowest to move forward. Just 43% of enterprise devices there have upgraded, compared to 70% in Europe.
Notably, most of the un-upgraded machines in the Americas are technically capable of running Windows 11, but the switch hasn’t been made.
Larger organizations are also behind. Those managing more than 10,000 Windows devices have completed just 42% of migrations. Complex environments and aging infrastructure are slowing progress.
If your business still uses Windows 10, it’s time to take action. Start by checking which devices meet Windows 11’s requirements, like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Replace what can’t be upgraded, and plan phased updates for the rest. Prioritize high-risk devices, back up data, and keep systems patched during the transition.
If upgrading isn’t possible, reduce risk by limiting access to sensitive systems, enabling built-in protections, and isolating outdated devices. Make sure all updates are current and that you're running the best antivirus software and best malware protection.
Microsoft is fully aware that the deadline is bad news for a lot of companies and is offering paid support through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, open to individuals and organizations. It isn't cheap of course.
Third-party provider 0patch also plans to deliver security fixes for at least five years after Microsoft ends support.
You might also likeAn abrupt and massive rise in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against U.S. businesses has coincided with Washington’s involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
According to Radware’s Director of Threat Intelligence, Pascal Geenens, between June 21 and 22, 2025, hacktivist-led DDoS claims surged by 800%.
This dramatic increase was paralleled by a 900% drop in attacks against Israel, suggesting a deliberate redirection of focus away from Israel and toward its most prominent ally.
Key groups behind the DDoS escalationThe spike in cyber hostility has been attributed largely to the actions of a few specific threat groups.
Mr. Hamza, a hacktivist group known for its cyberattacks, was responsible for more than half of the claimed attacks in the U.S., while Mysterious Team Bangladesh and Keynous+ each claimed responsibility for over 17%.
The presence of other smaller groups, such as Team Fearless (PS), further indicates a broad, if loosely organized, coalition acting on a shared political motivation.
Radware’s data suggests this alignment stems more from anti-U.S. sentiment over its stance in the Middle Eastern conflict than from any centralized coordination.
Crucially, the sectors targeted during the June 22 escalation included manufacturing, finance, and government.
Manufacturing stood out not only in terms of volume but also in its specificity, with many of the victims tied to military and aerospace production.
This pattern points to more than random disruption, it reflects a calculated effort to destabilize core defense and economic infrastructures.
“Notably, many of the manufacturing-related targets were linked to military and defense production, particularly companies involved in air defense and aerospace systems,” Geenens emphasized.
The nature of DDoS attacks makes it difficult to determine long-term strategic intentions, but their use as a disruptive tool is clear.
Hacktivist-driven campaigns have historically served as early warnings of more sustained or damaging attacks.
These assaults are therefore more than digital noise, they may well foreshadow deeper incursions.
Companies that rely on online operations, from government contractors to sellers using ecommerce platforms, must strengthen their cyber resilience.
For those building new online storefronts using ecommerce website builders, security protocols now require as much attention as usability or design.
As a result, choosing providers that offer the best DDoS protection is no longer a matter of precaution but a necessity.
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Smucker joins a growing number of big food companies that have announced plans to eliminate artificial dyes.
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Let's get one thing straight: for the record, the Nintendo Switch 2 (and other devices like the original Nintendo Switch) do a great job at appealing to a wide range of gamers, and notably, being a fantastic family-friendly device. From Mario games to fighting games like Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and now, Mario Kart World, there's no doubt that Nintendo consoles, specifically the Switch 2, have a lot to offer.
However, I don't believe the new device does enough to warrant its price tag (including the $80 price for games), especially in comparison to other handheld gaming PCs on the market. I've mentioned this several times in previous articles, highlighting the significant performance gaps between the Switch 2 and the likes of an MSI Claw 8 AI+ or Asus ROG Ally – but that's not the highlight here.
Adding to Switch 2's downsides is its LCD, which has been berated as one of the worst displays available, so much so that it's seen as worse than a standard gaming monitor. This is because its response time, as assessed by Monitors Unboxed, is an average of 33ms at a 60Hz refresh rate.
Essentially, this means you'll experience plenty of ghosting and smearing (especially in fast-paced games), which you'll more than likely notice after testing multiple games. It gets worse when you realize that multiple tests online reveal that the Switch 2 isn't using HDR properly – or at all, as it's not reaching 400 nits of brightness (the minimum for an entry-level HDR).
I've used a fair share of gaming monitors over the years, and I can tell you that 33ms at 60Hz isn't good for gaming. So, while there may be some who won't notice this while gaming, or frankly, won't care about this major disadvantage, it's objectively not a good look for Nintendo.
It's never too late to buy an Asus ROG Ally...(Image credit: Asus)While I've been vocal about an eventual upgrade from my Asus ROG Ally, with my preference being a bigger 8-inch handheld, the ROG Ally's display is quite incredible. It has a response time of 7ms and a 120Hz refresh rate, significantly outperforming the Switch 2's display. It starts at $649.99 on Best Buy, but there are often numerous sales pushing this down significantly (if you're in the UK, it's on sale at £449.99 on Amazon).
Yes, you'll miss out on Nintendo titles, but you get access to a bigger library of games across multiple launchers; if you manage to legally dump your purchased Switch games, you can also play these via emulators (despite Nintendo banning some even though it's not illegal).
Taking it a step further, you could opt for a Lenovo Legion Go, which uses similar detachable controllers like the Joy-Cons. Both it and the ROG Ally use the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, providing better gaming performance than the Switch 2. I could go on and on about the advantages, but I'll leave you with this: you're not going to have your handheld gaming PC online accessibility stripped away from you, like you would with a Switch 2.
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Microsoft is officially phasing out saved passwords in its Authenticator app. From August 2025, the app will no longer support autofill or password storage. Instead, users will need replace saved passwords with passkeys – a new, safer login method that’s tied to your device and biometric ID.
It’s the latest move in Microsoft’s ongoing push to leave passwords behind. Last year, the tech giant reportedly detected 7,000 password attacks per second. With cyberattacks on the rise and user credentials at risk, Microsoft sees passkeys as central to a more secure future.
But what are passkeys and why are they safer than passwords? And how long do you have until Microsoft Authenticator forgets your passwords for good? We’ve broken down everything you need to know right here.
What is Microsoft authenticator?Microsoft Authenticator is a free mobile app for Android and iOS devices. It helps you to log in to your accounts more securely. Originally designed as a two-factor authentication (2FA) tool for Microsoft accounts, it later expanded to include support for saving and autofilling passwords.
Users could use Authenticator to store logins, sync them across devices and quickly autofill their credentials on websites and apps. Once passwords were saved to Authenticator, you could verify sign-ins using your fingerprint, face recognition or a PIN.
That’s now changing. Microsoft is sunsetting password support in Authenticator, shifting instead to a newer, safer sign-in method: passkeys.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)When will Microsoft Authenticator passwords stop working?Microsoft has already begun winding down password support in Authenticator. Its timeline for phasing out saved passwords is as follows:
According to a notification in the app, you can export saved passwords “until Autofill ends”. You can do that by heading to the settings menu and selecting ‘Export Passwords’. Exported passwords can then be imported to another autofill provider, including your Google account or iCloud Keychain.
Alternatively, you can enable Edge as your autofill provider. From that same notification, simply tap ‘Turn on Edge’. Because saved passwords are synced with your Microsoft account, Edge will have access to your sign-in credentials, including autofill functionality.
What are passkeys?Passkeys are an alternative way to log into your account. Instead of relying on a word or phrase that you need to remember or save, passkeys use biometrics or a PIN to verify your identity.
Passkeys are a credential developed by the Fast Identity Online Alliance (FIDO). They use an open authentication protocol that’s designed to replace passwords altogether.
When you create a passkey, your device stores a private key. To log in, you simply unlock your device using face recognition, your fingerprint or a PIN number. That matching public key then verifies your identity online against the private key.
Why are passkeys safer than passwords?Passwords have long been the weakest link in online security. Since the advent of passwords, people have been using weak, easily guessable phrases to help them remember their own sign-in credentials. Many people also have a habit of reusing the same passwords or similar variants across different accounts.
That tactic leaves users particularly vulnerable if a data breach exposes their password. Passwords also expose people to the risk of phishing scams, a growing number of which aim to steal their credentials.
The Microsoft passwordless sign-in experience (Image credit: Microsoft)Passkeys solve all of these issues. Unlike passwords, they aren’t typed, sent or stored on a server. Passkeys are kept on your own device. That means there’s nothing for cybercriminals to intercept.
What’s more, because they’re tied to both your device and your identity, they’re a much stronger form of authentication than a standard password. They can’t be stolen or cracked like a password, even with brute-force guesswork.
Passkeys also have the added benefit of being easier to use. Microsoft reckons that passkey sign-ins have a 98% success rate, compared to just 32% for passwords.
Because passkeys are linked to devices, some users will be concerned about losing their smartphone. However, many people already own and use multiple passkey-ready devices, including tablets and laptops with biometric support. Even if you lose access to one device, the others can be used as a backup.
Microsoft isn’t alone in pushing for passkey usage. Google, Apple and Amazon, among others, are all adopting passkeys too. The FIDO alliance says that more than 15 billion accounts now support passkey sign-ins. Microsoft has reported that it sees ‘nearly a million’ passkeys registered every day.
How to set up a passkey in Microsoft AuthenticatorFor existing Authenticator app users, getting started with passkeys is straightforward. Simply open the Authenticator app, choose your account from the settings menu and select ‘Set up a passkey’. You’ll be asked to sign in with your account credentials, before being walked through the rest of the setup process.
If you’re setting up Authenticator for the first time, the app may prompt you to allow Authenticator as a source for passkeys in your device’s password settings menu. Do this, hit continue and you’ll be ready to use passkeys.
(Image credit: Microsoft)You can also configure passkeys through your Microsoft account online. Sign in to your Microsoft account, then locate ‘Advanced Security Options’. Select ‘Add a new way to sign in or verify’, followed by ‘Face, Fingerprint, PIN, or Security Key’.
According to an article published by Microsoft, it will "automatically detect the best available method on your account and set that as the default". That means even where you have both a password and a passkey set up for your account, it will always prompt you for your passkey first.
New Microsoft accounts will use passkeys by default. The sign-in process has also been redesigned and simplified to prioritize password-free logins.
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The Garmin Forerunner 570 is a solid, stylish upgrade to what’s long been Garmin’s best running watch. It’s no revelation by any means, but it is a welcome refinement and for the right person, that might be enough.
In short, this is the Forerunner that finally looks the part. It swaps out the safe, functional aesthetic of older models for something bolder and a bit more expressive. Between the colorful two-tone straps and sleek aluminium bezel, the 570 is easily the most fashion-forward Forerunner to date. If you’re not into raspberry and turquoise combos and prefer to play it safe, a plain ol’ black option still exists.
The real highlight, though, is the new AMOLED display. It’s bigger, brighter and sharper than what came before, and makes the whole interface feel slicker and more modern. It’s the kind of screen you’d happily gaze at all day, whether checking your stats, skimming a notification, or seeing what’s playing on Spotify.
Performance-wise, this is still a Garmin device through and through. It tracks over 90 sports, handles GPS and heart rate with accuracy, and delivers all the in-depth training insights you could possibly need. The new Elevate v5 heart rate sensor performs particularly well, even during interval workouts, and feeding into metrics like Training Readiness.
There’s also a subtle push into smartwatch territory. You can now take calls from your wrist, trigger your phone’s voice assistant, and hear alarms or music through the built-in mic and speaker, all of which you couldn’t do on previous Forerunners. These are handy additions for day-to-day use.
The downsides? They’re not huge, but they’re worth noting. Battery life is down slightly from previous models thanks to that power-hungry AMOLED display, and while Garmin’s added polish, it hasn’t added any major new features. There’s no ECG, no offline maps, and nothing particularly game-changing on the software front. And now, Garmin Connect’s richer insights – like advanced sleep and adaptive training plans – are hidden behind a monthly subscription, which stings a bit after paying nearly $549.99 / £460 / AUD$999 for the watch itself.
All in all, the Forerunner 570 is top-notch. It’s not groundbreaking by any means, and it won’t be for everyone – especially if you already own a recent Garmin – but it’s a confident step forward for the series. After almost a month of daily wear, I consider it a strong choice for runners and multi-sport users who want a more stylish training companion that still does the basics exceptionally well.
Garmin Forerunner 570: Price and availability(Image credit: Future)The Garmin Forerunner 570 launched in May 2025 and is available directly from Garmin as well as most major retailers in two case sizes – 42mm and 47mm.
This time 'round, Garmin has injected some seriously snazzy colors, which have never been seen before in the series and are certainly more loud and playful. While my test model is the straight-up black for those who want to keep things minimal, there are some fruitier-named options to choose from, such as a Raspberry Aluminum with a Translucent Bone/Mango band, Amp Yellow Aluminum with a Translucent Whitestone/Turquoise combo, or Indigo Aluminum with Translucent Imperial Purple/Indigo Band.
They’re pretty out-there, and I can imagine they’ll divide opinion among potential customers, but from what Garmin has said, that’s the point.
At $549.99 / £459.99 / AUD$999, it’s firmly into upper mid-range territory. That’s £30 more than the Forerunner 265 cost at launch, and significantly more than competing watches like the Suunto Race S ($349 / £325 / AU$599) or Coros Pace Pro (£349.99 / $450 / AU$690), which offer features like offline maps and longer battery life at lower prices.
There’s also an added consideration now with Garmin Connect’s recently introduced subscription model. Previously free features such as advanced sleep tracking, adaptive training plans and full HRV trend analysis are now part of Garmin Connect Plus; a paid tier costing from £6.99 / $6.99 per month.
While you can still sync workouts, view metrics and access your training history on the free tier, the move has drawn plenty of criticism from long-time users, particularly those paying premium prices for hardware like the Forerunner 570. For many, that monthly fee will be worth it for the richer data and personalized feedback, but it’s still a frustrating shift, especially for new buyers who expect those features to be included as standard after forking out for a very expensive watch!
It’s fair to say Garmin’s never been one to push the boundaries when it comes to design, but the Forerunner 570 finally dares to break tradition, at least to some extent. In my opinion, this is the most stylish Forerunner to date, thanks to its vibrant color options and new aluminum bezel that upgrades what has traditionally been Garmin’s focus on functionality over form.
Quite ironic, then, that my review device was the smaller 42mm model in the bog-standard black variety, which looks just like any other Garmin watch. Still, the display is the star of the show here anyway.
The Forerunner 570’s 1.2in AMOLED panel is a stunner. Its resolution of 390 x 390 pixels is super crisp, colorful and bright enough to read, even in strong sunlight, and especially when displaying data screens or notification previews.
Despite the big display, the Forerunner 570 stays comfortable for all-day wear. It weighs just 50g (47mm) or 42g (42mm), and the silicone straps feel soft and comfortable on the wrist. Some models also feature slightly translucent straps, a subtle design touch that helps elevate the overall sporty aesthetic.
The traditional five-button Forerunner layout returns, alongside touchscreen controls. The buttons aren’t quite as tactile as those on Garmin’s chunkier Fenix line, but they’re still reliable and work well during sweaty sessions. There’s now also a speaker and mic on board, discreetly integrated into the sides of the case – but more on that later.
The Forerunner 570 brings very little that’s new in terms of features and that might disappoint some. Most of its tools and widgets already exist elsewhere in Garmin’s ecosystem, especially on the older Forerunner 265 and 965 devices. But what it does, it does very well.
Glance folders are now enabled by default, giving you smarter access to related stats like Body Battery, HRV, sleep and training readiness, which helps reduce the scroll-fatigue that often plagues Garmin watches. You can create your own, too, which is a handy upgrade.
Somewhat annoyingly, there’s no ECG support, despite the bundled Elevate v5 sensor being physically capable of it (just like the cheaper Venu 3). It feels like an arbitrarily paywalled feature. There’s still no offline mapping - Garmin saves those features for the higher-end 965 and 970 models. I don’t know about you, but I find that pretty tough to swallow considering the watch’s price. Gulp.
You do get some modest smart features, though. With the built-in mic and speaker, you can now take calls from your wrist (as long as your phone is nearby), use voice assistants, and even hear alarms or music directly from the watch. Music playback supports local MP3s as well as streaming service syncing from Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music.
Notifications, calendar previews and music controls are here too, alongside access to Garmin’s ConnectIQ store, though it remains limited compared to the watchOS or Wear OS ecosystems.
If there’s one thing Garmin fans care about, it’s performance and, thankfully, the Forerunner 570 doesn’t disappoint. For starters, it tracks just about every sport you can think of, with over 90 activity modes available. Newer additions include gravel biking, squash (the lack of which I always grumbled about), rucking and obstacle course racing, alongside your staple sports like running, cycling and pool swims. As always, these are easy to find, easy to activate and offer you an overview of stats when you’ve finished tracking them.
The Elevate v5 optical heart rate sensor proved impressively accurate throughout my testing. During workouts like easy runs and long indoor rides, readings seemed consistent.
Where it really stood out, though, was in high-intensity efforts. Wrist-based sensors typically struggle with sudden changes in effort, with heart rate often lagging behind. But the Forerunner 570 seemed to keep up well with rapid shifts in heart rate and recovering smoothly in between spikes. This might be down to improved sensor layout and refined algorithms in the Elevate v5, helping it react faster and with more consistency.
Dual-band GPS with SatIQ mode means you get impressively accurate tracking as well, even in tough urban areas with high rises or wooded environments in more rural settings. It held up well in twisty city runs as well as out in the countryside, delivering routes that aligned near-perfectly with those on the ground. You can pair external sensors too, including cycling power meters.
As always with Garmin, training insights remain reliable. You get VO2 max estimates, race predictions, lactate threshold estimates, and newish metrics like Training Load Ratio, which balances your acute and chronic effort, and environmental acclimation (heat and altitude readiness). You can also access Garmin Coach triathlon training plans, create multi-sport custom workouts, and get Morning and Evening Reports that summarise your readiness, recovery and planned sessions. These aren’t entirely new, but their presentation is slicker than ever on the Forerunner 570.
As a result of that gorgeously bright and vibrant display, however, battery life has taken a bit of a hit. With the AMOLED screen always on, I managed just short of four days of regular use, including daily workouts, notifications and sleep tracking. That’s definitely less than the Forerunner 265, which, in our review, lasted about ten days without a charge with intermediate use. However, this does depend completely on how you use it. Daily long-distance runs with GPS versus a few gym workouts per week are going to give you completely different results.
Nevertheless, in GPS-only mode, the Forerunner 570 manages around 18 hours, which will drop to about 14 if using all-systems GNSS plus music. While that’s not so bad, it’s not best-in-class either, especially considering rivals like Coros and Suunto deliver more.
You can squeeze more juice out of the watch by disabling always-on mode or speaker use if you’re desperate, but this is going to impact your experience. If battery life is the priority for you, you might be best off with a watch from Garmin’s Fenix series.
Category
Comment
Score
Value
A little on the high end of the scale for value
3/5
Design
Lightweight, comfortable and new colourways.
4.5/5
Features
Good, but more comprehensive options available.
3.5/5
Performance
Excels as a training tool; tracking best in class
4/5
(Image credit: Future)Garmin Forerunner 570: Should I buy?Buy it if...You want a stylish Garmin
The colorful designs and aluminum bezel give this the flair older models lacked.View Deal
You need great training tools
From accurate HR and GPS to detailed recovery metrics, it’s rock solid for fitness.View Deal
You like smartwatch extras
Taking calls, playing music, and voice assistant access are welcome additions.View Deal
Don't buy it if...You already own a Forerunner 265
There’s not enough new here to justify the upgrade.View Deal
You want offline maps or ECG
Those features are still locked behind Garmin’s pricier models. View Deal
You’re chasing battery life
The AMOLED screen might be a pull in terms of style, but it hits longevity hard.View Deal
Also considerGarmin Forerunner 265 (£299)
Still a top performer with most of the same tracking features, and now much cheaper. A smarter buy for many.
Check out our full Garmin Forerunner 265 reviewView Deal
Coros Pace Pro
Lighter on style but bigger on stamina. A top pick for endurance athletes and budget-conscious buyers
Check out our full COROS Pace Pro reviewView Deal
Suunto Race S
A solid mid-range AMOLED sports watch with offline maps, better battery life and competitive tracking performance.
Check out our full Suunto Race S reviewView Deal
How I testedHow I tested I wore the Garmin Forerunner 570 almost daily for three weeks, using it to track a mix of outdoor runs, indoor cycling, strength training and racket sports. I compared GPS tracks and heart rate data against other premium watches, and I also tested its smart features, including music playback, notifications and voice assistant integration. I used the Garmin companion app, Garmin Connect, to review performance and training insights.
First reviewed: June 2025
A new AI-powered learning assistant, Codio Coach, claims to boost student grades by 15% using a Socratic method inspired by a 2,400-year-old approach.
Codio Coach, launched in April 2024, was built using Anthropic’s Claude large language model and is designed to guide learners rather than provide direct answers.
Codio’s research, drawn from 1,800 learners across 39 computer science courses between January 2023 and December 2024, shows that median grades increased by 15% and average grades rose by 12% when Codio Coach was integrated into courses.
Codio claims academic gains rooted in ancient methodsThe reported results are impressive, but the claims invite a closer look, especially as AI continues to gain ground in education settings.
These numbers are based on data from Codio-hosted environments, which raises questions about external validity and how these gains might generalize beyond the platform.
The system simplifies summaries and plain-language error explanations.
Fifty-six percent of the interactions were triggered by the “explain this error” tool, which helps students understand compiler or runtime issues, suggesting that support during debugging is especially valuable.
“These findings are an important proof point that AI, when thoughtfully designed and embedded in the learning experience, can drive real improvements in outcomes,” said Philip Snalune, CEO and Co-Founder of Codio.
But while Snalune’s optimism is clear, the definition of “real improvements” in the context of controlled environments versus broader academic settings deserves scrutiny.
Codio’s study reveals that usage was highest in beginner and intermediate programming courses, where early frustrations often lead to dropout.
This could explain the doubled completion rates, as error-handling tools may help keep students engaged long enough to complete their coursework.
However, critics may argue that heavy reliance on AI, even for non-answer-based help, could create long-term dependencies, especially if students are not taught how to solve problems without intervention.
Codio Coach may indeed help students navigate the challenges of early coding education, especially when paired with the best laptops for students.
However, the claims of a 15% grade improvement, drawn from data within a closed system, do not settle the matter.
It’s one thing for an AI assistant to help students understand code, and it is another to prove lasting academic impact without unintended dependencies.
Nevertheless, Codio has shown that AI could be more context-aware, and this might just be what separates the best learning platform from the best AI writer.
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