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Still, the frame rates you get from its Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 GPU make it a good value for budget shoppers.

As people age, they may be surprised to find that younger folks don't understand what they're going through, but adult children or caretakers can do a lot to help older people adjust to a new reality.

Canadian residents made just 1.7 million return trips by motor vehicle back into their country from the U.S. in July, a nearly 37% decline over the same month in 2024, according to Statistics Canada.

(Image credit: Dominic Gwinn)

• Flashlight brightness control is coming to Pixel phones
• It's been spotted in the latest Android preview version
• Previously you needed a third-party app to access the feature

The flashlight is a useful extra you'll get on all the best smartphones, and it's even more useful when you can adjust its strength – a feature which finally looks set to arrive on Pixel phones with an upcoming update to Android.

As spotted by Android Authority, the latest Android Canary release – the earliest testing version of Android – includes the option to adjust flashlight brightness from the Quick Settings panel, via a simple on-screen slider.

It's something you can already do on the best iPhones and the best Samsung phones, so we're glad to see the Pixels are finally catching up – there are lots of scenarios where being able to adjust flashlight strengths can come in handy.

The functionality has actually been around since 2022 and Android 13, but it hasn't been fully implemented in Pixel handsets before. Up until now, you needed a third-party flashlight app to change the intensity.

Coming soon

Android 16 launched in June 2025 (Image credit: Google / Future)

It's not certain how long this will take to roll out to Pixel handsets, but it shouldn't take long. It could well roll out with the Android 16 QPR2 update (that's Quarterly Platform Release, by the way), which is scheduled to arrive for everyone in September.

Other new features that Pixel users can look forward to in Android 16 QPR2 include support for an improved dark mode and better icon theming, more customization for the Quick Settings panel, and lock-screen widgets for phones.

The Identity Check feature will also be expanded to more apps, which means they require biometric authentication (like a face or fingerprint scan) for access. There's also an upgraded remote-locking feature called Secure Lock Device.

All of these features will of course appear on the newly unveiled Google Pixel 10 phones, which come with an earlier version of Android 16 out of the box – but you may find it's the flashlight brightness adjustment that you find yourself using the most.

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The attack mostly targeted western regions of the country, the air force said, where much of the military aid provided by Ukraine's Western allies is believed to be delivered and stored

(Image credit: Danylo Antoniuk)

• Amazon is reportedly working on a tablet that runs Android rather than Fire OS
• This could cost a lot more than current Fire tablet models, at around $400
• It might be the first of many Android-powered tablets

Amazon’s Fire tablets might not get as much attention as iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tabs, but they’re quietly quite successful products, and a rumored change could make them even more popular.

According to Reuters citing “six people familiar with the matter”, Amazon plans to release a new tablet next year, but this one will apparently be powered by Android rather than the Fire OS operating system used by all current Amazon tablets.

Fire OS itself is based on Android, but it’s so heavily customized and de-Googled as to be almost unidentifiable as an Android operating system – it even relies on a completely separate app store.

So moving to a less heavily altered version of Android would be a big shift, with the biggest advantage to buyers likely being that they’d be able to access the Google Play Store, meaning a wider availability of apps, and more certainty that the apps they have on their phone would also be available for their tech slate.

A pricier prospect

The next Amazon tablet could cost as much as an iPad (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

As well as a shift in operating system, this upcoming Fire tablet could also be a more premium device, with the report stating that it may cost around $400 (roughly £300 / AU$620). That would make it almost twice as expensive as the Amazon Fire Max 11, which is the top model in Amazon’s current selection.

$400 is still a fairly low price compared to some tablets, but it would put the slate more in line with the likes of the iPad 11-inch (2025), so it could have some serious competition.

Still, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as presumably this price rise would come with better hardware, which should help this tablet appeal to an audience that never would have considered an Amazon tablet before.

And the Reuters report suggests that this could be the first of many Android-powered tablets, some of which may well continue appealing to entry-level buyers. So hopefully there will soon be something for everyone – and without the limitations of Fire OS.

Still, the sources caution that there’s a chance this Android tablet project – which is said to be codenamed Kittyhawk – could still be delayed or canceled over “financial or other concerns”, so for now we can only hope this new tablet does launch.

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• Anthropic makes Claude Code available for more business accounts
• Admins can select between standard and premium seats for access
• “Claude seats include enough usage for a typical workday”

Anthropic has rolled out changes to help support business users with the expansion of Claude Code to more accounts.

The AI tools maker has announced Claude Code will now form part of Claude for Enterprise and Team after previously only being available for individual accounts.

With the additional of Claude Code for business customers, admin can now choose to assign workers standard or premium seats – the latter adding support for both Claude and Claude Code.

Claude Code comes to business users

Anthropic noted this was the most requested feature from enterprise customers.

“Claude seats include enough usage for a typical workday,” the company said, but customers who need access to more intelligence can pay via standard API rates, with admins able to set controls over how much users are allowed to spend.

Admins can use the admin panel to purchase new seats, directly manage seat allocation and provision users, with analytics and metrics like lines of code accepted, suggestion accept rate and usage patterns all available to help companies understand the value of Claude Code.

Companies can also implement managed policy settings to adhere to internal policies, including tool permissions, file access restrictions and MCP server configurations.

Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, Anthropic has gone down the more flexible route to allow admins to decide who needs premium seats, which are available for upgrade now.

Anthropic recently outlined how the AI company itself uses Claude Code. Use cases include boosting understanding of large codebases, internal documentation ingestion, debugging support and product prototyping.

“It's dissolving the boundary between technical and non-technical work, turning anyone who can describe a problem into someone who can build a solution,” Anthropic noted.

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• Autel Robotics ceasing support for Evo Nano and Evo Lite drones
• No further firmware updates or after-sales support
• Company to focus efforts on enterprise drones instead

Despite DJI’s ongoing difficulties in the US market, it remains by far the biggest consumer drone maker in the world – and this week one of its main rivals has seemingly given up its attempts to compete.

Chinese company Autel Robotics has joined the likes of Skydio, Parrot and GoPro in quitting the consumer drone market, retiring two of its product ranges: the Evo Nano and Evo Lite. Autel stopped marketing the drones (both of which were launched in late 2021) in mid-July; now only a few final Evo Lite+ bundles remain for sale on its website.

In a blog post published on July 18, Autel announced, “we aim to concentrate resources to better serve our users and enhance product stability and competitiveness. As part of our product lifecycle management, we are making arrangements for the discontinuation, sales cessation, and service termination of the [Evo Lite and Evo Nano].”

Beyond July 18, 2030, Autel will no longer provide technical support, after-sales repair or firmware updates and fixes for these drones. To all intents and purposes, they’re dead. Reading between the lines, this seems to be part of a wider pivot away from consumer drones to professional and enterprise models.

Open skies for DJI

The DJI Mini 3 Pro (left) is an obvious alternative to the Autel Evo Nano+ (right) (Image credit: Future)

So, where does that leave the hobbyist photographers and videographers that would have made up the market for the Evo Lite and Evo Nano? Well, the obvious answer is they turn to DJI, which provides extremely capable, ready-made alternatives in its Mavic, Air and Mini ranges.

I’m a huge fan of DJI’s drones and wouldn’t hesitate to buy one for my own content creation needs, but at the same time I think competition is vital for the market. Giving an already-dominant company a completely free run isn’t likely to push them into innovating faster or making their products more affordable.

Autel’s retreat from the market also has interesting implications for consumers living in the USA. It’s seeming more and more likely that the US federal government will ban DJI drones from sale in the country, leaving would-be buyers forced to opt for alternatives. If Autel is no longer making and selling consumer drones, it’s one fewer option on the table.

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• Date and time: Premiered at 9pm BST on Tuesday, August 19 (UK)
• Watch free: BBC iPlayer (UK)
• Use Norton VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer (try risk-free)

He has millions in the bank from Love Island and the endless brand partnerships the show unlocked, the stratospheric success of his half-brother Tyson, and the interminable stream of aspirational reality content he features in with Molly-Mae Hague, but watching Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury, it's impossible not to wonder if he'd rather be a jobbing boxer striving to make it off his own back.

You can watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury online from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for free.

The six-part fly-on-the-wall series begins with Tommy at rock-bottom. In January 2023 he and Molly-Mae – of fast-fashion, shady online prize draws, deeply questionable advertizing practices and “we all have the same 24 hours in a day” fame – had their first daughter. In July they got engaged. In August 2024 they split up. In January 2025 Tommy had surgery on a hand injury. By May they were back together.

We know all of this because Tommy and Molly-Mae monetize every inch of their lives. In one episode of Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury, a trailer for Molly-Mae’s new series drops. Molly-Mae: Behind it All was concocted to further publicize the breakup, but then becomes an opportunity for Tommy to publicize his alcohol dependency struggles.

And all the while he wonders why his boxing career isn't going as planned. Two of Tommy's last three opponents were Jake Paul and KSI, and he had a scheduled bout with MMA fighter Darren Till before it descended into farce. At this moment in time, Tommy's story feels like a cautionary tale.

Read on as we explain how to watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury online from anywhere.

How to watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury for free in the UK

(Image credit: Future)

Viewers in the UK can watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury FREE on BBC Three and via the BBC iPlayer streaming service.

Episodes air at 9pm and 9.30pm BST every Tuesday, starting August 19, but all six are now available as a boxset on iPlayer.

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

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

How to watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury streams with a VPN

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You can still watch [event name] live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business wanting to watch their usual streams.

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How to watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury around the worldCan I watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury in the US?

Any plans to make Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury available to watch in the US are yet to be announced.

Brits currently away from home can use a VPN to watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury on BBC iPlayer from abroad.

Can I watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury in Canada?

(Image credit: Other)

Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury is yet to find a home in Canada.

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

Can I watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury in Australia?

Any plans to make Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury available to watch in Australia are yet to be announced.

If you're a Brit traveling Down Under, a VPN will help you tune in. Norton is our recommended provider, and you can find out why with our in-depth Norton VPN review.

Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury Q+A

(Image credit: BBC)Can I watch Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury for free?

Yes. BBC One is home to Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury in the UK, with all episodes available to stream for free on the BBC iPlayer platform.

How many episodes of Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury are there?

Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury comprises six episodes. A pair of episodes air back-to-back on BBC Three from 9pm BST each Tuesday, starting August 19, but the entire series is available to stream on BBC iPlayer from launch.

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

GPT‑5 Pro impresses with its complex, layered response to prompts. The crown jewel of the GPT-5 rollout this month even made OpenAI CEO Sam Altman nervous with some of its responses. But you shouldn't confuse brilliant algorithmic models with true independent thinking, according to Dr. Ben Goertzel, who helped popularize the term Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in the early 2000s.

Now the CEO of the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance and TrueAGI Inc., and the founder of SingularityNET, Goertzel wrote an essay lauding GPT‑5 Pro as “a remarkable technical achievement” that he finds useful for formatting research papers, parsing mathematical frameworks, and improving his own prose. But, he's not mistaking the model's abilities for actual human-style brains.

"These models, impressive as they are, utterly lack the creative and inventive spark that characterises human intelligence at its best," Goertzel wrote. "More fundamentally, they literally 'don't know what they're talking about.' Their knowledge isn't grounded in experience or observation, it's pattern matching at an extraordinarily sophisticated level, but pattern matching nonetheless."

No matter how fast or thorough the model's performance is, it's ultimately shallow. You can be dazzled by the spectacle, but there's nothing going on underneath the statistical inference. People seeing a blurred line between GPT‑5 Pro and AGI isn't surprising, he hastened to add, since it can imitate logic, extend reasoning, and look like some thought process is happening, but it's nothing like a human or animal brain. Stringing together associations learned from training is not the same as drawing on memory, experience, or a vision of future goals.

"This distinction isn't semantic nitpicking. True AGI requires grounding knowledge in both external and internal experience," Goertzel wrote. "In terms of these basic aspects of open-ended cognition, today’s LLMs are vastly inferior to a one year old human child, their incredible intellectual facility notwithstanding."

AGI's future

GPT‑5 Pro and its siblings are built on an increasingly strained premise that scaling large language models will inevitably produce AGI. He also suggested that the current LLM approach is fused to a business model that limits innovation. OpenAI, he notes, is simultaneously trying to build AGI and sell scalable chatbot services to billions of users. The AGI label, he warns, is being thrown around too freely. While GPT-5 Pro and other tools are undeniably powerful, calling them minds is, in his view, premature and possibly misleading.

"GPT5-Pro deserves recognition as a remarkable achievement in AI engineering. For researchers and professionals needing sophisticated technical assistance, it's currently unmatched," Goertzel wrote. "But we shouldn't mistake incremental improvements in large-scale natural-language pattern matching for progress toward genuine artificial general intelligence."

Goertzel's description of a true AGI is a model that constantly learn new things, irrespective of a user interacting with it. The continuous evolution of a mind, the human experience, goes well beyond the specific training and deployment of an AI model. GPT‑5 Pro is frozen the moment it’s deployed; a sealed jar of intelligence.

Goertzel’s work would smash that jar and spread the intelligence out across decentralized systems. Eventually, he hopes to produce an intelligence that doesn't mimic how brains work, but performs like one, with internal models of the world and beliefs it would update over time.

"The path to AGI won't be found by simply scaling current approaches. It requires fundamental innovations in how we ground knowledge, enable continual learning, and integrate different cognitive capabilities," Goertzel concludes. "GPT-5 and its successors will likely play important supporting roles in future AGI systems, but the starring role requires more innovative actors we're still in the process of creating."

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• Ricoh GR IV is available for preorder for $1,499 / £1,199
• It has an even slimmer design than the GR III, plus control layout tweaks
• Autofocus and startup are seemingly quicker

It's official – the Ricoh GR IV is available for preorder and the first reviews and sample images taken with the premium compact are hitting Ricoh's social media to whet the appetite.

Meanwhile, one of its ambassadors has shared the first hands-on video with the GR IV, discussing his first impressions before using the premium pocket snapper for real.

As a GR IIIX owner, I've got a particular interest in its successor, especially as we rate the GR III / GR IIIX as one of the best compact camera series around. Put simply, it delivers the best image quality from a genuinely pocketable snapper.

That said, I'll admit that when I first saw the GR IV tech specs and product imagery back in May, followed by it being showcased in June, I felt underwhelmed.

At first glance, the latest version seemingly fails to deliver many of my GR IV top wishes – there's still no built-in flash, tilt screen, or improved build quality. Most of the tech specs seem pretty similar, too.

It's also pricier than the GR III, costing $1,499 / £1,199. However, what matters most is real-world use, and the hands-on video on the Samuel Streetlife YouTube shows plenty of reason to be excited.

• The Ricoh GR IV costs $1,496.95 at B&H Photo or £1,199 at Harrison Cameras

A snappier premium pocket snapper

My top request for the upcoming GR model was for it to stay small – in other words, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Ricoh has seemingly gone one better and made the GR IV body even slimmer, while making the hand grip more pronounced. The grip on the rear looks like it has a larger groove for the thumb to rest, too. That's a solid start.

From brief testing illustrated in the first hands-on (see the YouTube video, above), autofocus appears to be snappier. That could be another major win, especially given how poor the autofocus performance of the GR III is. The tests were made in overcast daylight conditions, rather than the more challenging conditions of nighttime.

Start-up time is also quicker, almost instantaneous in fact. For a camera that's particularly popular with street photographers who might need to respond to moments quickly, that's a top feature.

What the video doesn't dig into is image quality, though we are getting the first glimpses of that on Ricoh's Instagram (below). One image showcases impressive macro photography skills, while another demonstrates the 5-axis image stabilization in action – a handheld monochrome shot where movement is blurred but static subjects are sharp.

A post shared by RICOH GR European Account (@ricoh_gr_photography)

A photo posted by on

From tech specs, we know there is a modest bump in resolution, from 24MP to 26MP, while the 28mm f/2.8 lens is redesigned, but those images on social media can't clearly demonstrate if there are any real improvements in image quality – that'll come from our proper testing in due course.

There are a couple more noteworthy updates – the GR III records onto an SD card and has 2GB internal storage, whereas the GR IV uses a micro SD and has 53GB of internal storage. I'm not sure which I prefer of the two, but the GR III series has never been one for high performance, fast burst shooting, so the slower micro SD card type in the new model might not be a deal breaker.

From what I've seen in the launch build-up and first reviews, I'm getting my hopes up once more for the GR IV.

What's left me a little disappointed, however, is the $1,499 / £1,199 list price. That's quite the price hike from the $1,099 / £999 of the GR III (and that's following an increase in price over the GR III's years), especially if you're in the US.

That price hike seems all the more harsh considering the GR IV is effectively a modest update of the GR III, which looks like the better buy while stocks last. I'll report back after testing with my full verdict.

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• Spider-Man 4 has reportedly added a Severance star to its cast
• Their role in the Marvel movie hasn't been publicly revealed
• If true, they'd be an ideal fit for one of two roles in the MCU Phase 6 film

Severance star Tramell Tillman has reportedly joined the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Per Variety, Tillman, who's best known for playing Mr. Milchick in the hugely popular Apple TV+ show, is said to be the latest actor to have signed on to feature in the highly-anticipated Marvel movie.

If true, Tillman will join Tom Holland and Zendaya, who reprise their roles as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and MJ from the webslinger's three previous solo films set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and Marvel veterans in Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle/The Punisher and Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/Smart Hulk. Tillman would also line up alongside other newcomers to the Spider-Man franchise, including The Bear's Liza Colón-Zayas and Stranger Things' Sadie Sink.

One industry insider has claimed Florence Pugh will also appear in Brand New Day (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Tillman isn't the only actor who's believed to have signed on to appear in Brand New Day. According to industry insider DanielRPK, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova could have a role to play in the Holland-led film, too. Given DanielRPK's spotty track record when it comes to cast announcements, though, it's best to take this particular rumor with a giant pinch of salt for the time being.

Pugh's Belova was last seen in Thunderbolts*, one of three new movies released by Marvel in 2025 that have all underperformed at the global box office. Pugh is one of 27 stars confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, so Belova is set to return in at least one of next year's big-screen MCU offerings. Whether she'll show up in Brand New Day – either in a minor supporting role or by way of a post-credits cameo – though, is unclear.

Who could Tramell Tillman play in Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

Is Tillman being lined up to play a race-swapped version of Norman Osborn? (Image credit: Marvel Animation/Disney Plus)

But back to Tillman. According to Variety, his role in Spider-Man 4 is being kept under wraps. Marvel and Sony declined to comment on his apparent hiring, too, so we won't find out if Tillman is part of the cast and who he might be playing for a while.

That doesn't mean we can't speculate on who he could portray in the Marvel Phase 6 movie, though – and I think he'd be the perfect fit for one of two roles.

For one, I could see Tillman being tapped to play Jefferson Davis. A New York police officer, he's also the father of Miles Morales, which you'd already know if you've read any Marvel comic starring Morales and/or seen one or both of Sony's animated Spider-Verse movies. If other reports suggesting Colón-Zayas has been cast as Miles' mom Rio Morales, Tillman may have been hired to play the other half of this parental dynamic.

The other option that would make full use of Tillman's talents would be installing him as the MCU's race-swapped version of Norman Osborn. Marvel has previous form for casting a Black actor as Oscorp's founder and one of Spidey's most iconic villains in Green Goblin. Colman Domingo voiced a race-swapped version of the character in Disney+ animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, so it wouldn't be such a novel concept if Tillman has been tapped to play a live-action iteration of Osborn.

Tillman's demonstrated his incredibly acting range in Severance, aka one of the best Apple TV+ shows, so he'd be a great fit for either of these characters. Indeed, whether it's using his experience playing the calm, sinister, and ambitious Milchick to portray a similar individual in Osborn, or exuding the warm and jovial yet stern personality Davis is known for, he'd knock either role out of the park.

But, what do you think? Who else could Tillman play? And are you excited to see him involved? Let me know in the comments.

Spider-Man 4 will swing into theaters on July 31, 2026. Before it does, read all about it in my dedicated guide on Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

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The National Guard has been deployed many times historically. Experts say the president's decision to deploy the Guard as a blanket response to crime in D.C. is a departure from its intended mission.

(Image credit: Saul Loeb)

Health insurance wouldn't cover one child's hearing tests. Reporters with Health Care Helpline investigated and share this advice for what to do if preventive care gets denied.

• HMD has released the HMD Fuse, a smartphone with AI software that blocks all nude content
• HarmBlock+ blocks or deletes nude content within seconds of detection
• The phone is currently exclusive to Vodafone and Three in the UK

Finnish company HMD, best known as the maker of Nokia phones, has released a new device for teens that uses AI to block the viewing, sending, receiving, and creation of nude images.

The HMD Fuse, which is available now, uses British online safety company SafeToNet’s HarmBlock+ AI to detect and block harmful content, even on live streams or video calls.

HarmBlock+ is embedded at the OS level, can’t be switched off or worked around, and works across any app or content type by scanning for nude imagery at the screen rendering stage. When such imagery is detected, the entire screen is blocked, and any communications apps are closed, severing calls or live streams.

“We believe this will be the most impactful smartphone launch of the year,” James Robinson, VP of HMD Family at HMD, said at the Fuse's London launch. “When you give your child a smartphone, you bring a stranger and unknown dangers into your home. You can’t watch them always online, but now you have peace of mind that there’s protection in place even when you can’t be there.”

HMD consulted with more than 37,000 parents, guardians, and children in the design process of the HMD Fuse, seeking a balance between function, safety, and indeed privacy for the child using the phone.

Harmblock+ works by taking a snapshot of the screen rendering pipeline every six to seven seconds, and was trained on a database of 22 million ethically sourced harmful images. The snapshots are only ever stored and processed on-device, and are destroyed as soon as the Harmblock+ block is activated.

Richard Pursey, founder of SafeToNet, said: “HarmBlock+ can’t be removed, tricked, or worked around. It doesn’t collect personal data. It just protects every time, across every app, including VPNs, with zero loopholes.”

“We are seeing a rise in peer-to-peer online abuse and child exploitation,” Pursey added, “and this is the first and only AI to stop that. In essence, we have made the HMD Fuse pornography incompatible.”

A tech solution for a societal problem

The HMD Fuse, like other HMD devices, has some level of user repairability and customizable "outfits" that act as an intermediary between case and chassis. (Image credit: HMD)

The safety of children online has been a major concern lately, especially with the Online Safety Act coming into effect in the UK. Data provided by Vodafone suggests that 1 in 5 secondary school-aged children have felt pressured to send explicit images of themselves. Of those that do, nearly two-thirds later find out that these images were forwarded on to others without their consent.

The HMD Fuse aims to prevent the pain and panic that can come from such a situation. And, of course, the creation and receipt of such images is highly illegal, no matter the age of the participants, so HarmBlock+ could also stop children from breaking the law.

In essence, we have made the HMD Fuse pornography incompatible.

Richard Pursey, founder of SafeToNet

At the phone’s launch event, Pursey said: “The world needs to understand the art of the possible. Those platforms that say online harm is a social issue that can’t be solved by technology… we’re proving to you that they’re wrong.”

The same event included a demo with the new phone – and having tested HarmBlock+ ourselves, we can confirm it’s remarkably effective, acting within seconds and forcing a return to the previous screen.

The phone was first revealed to a group of schoolchildren at the Michael Community School in Wembley, London, where headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh said: “This device gives parents the power to intervene, to guide, and to protect, and for that, it could change lives.”

More than just AI

HMD says the Fuse is designed to "grow with" a child through updates and parental enabling of new features. (Image credit: HMD)

While HarmBlock+ is focused on blocking pornography and child sexual abuse material, the HMD Fuse’s digital and real-world safety tools don’t end there. In fact, the phone is built from the ground up with parental controls in mind.

At first, the HMD Fuse has practically no smart functions whatsoever, and is only as functional as a Nokia feature phone. Using a linked app on their own smart device, parents and guardians can enable or disable apps and features in real time, as well as limit screen time and track the location of their child’s HMD Fuse.

As for hardware, the HMD Fuse competes with the best cheap phones. The phone comes with a 6.56-inch display, a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset with 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage (expandable with up to 1TB of microSD storage). The handset also sports a 108MP rear camera, a 50MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery.

The phone’s single configuration is available exclusively from Vodafone and Three at £33/month (£30 upfront) with 5GB of mobile data. A wider release seems unlikely at this stage, but software like HarmBlock+ is certainly something we'd like to see adopted on a global scale.

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An estimated 218,000 people in the U.S. are stateless or are at risk of becoming so. As a result of President Trump's aggressive policies, people without any citizenship are more vulnerable than ever.

(Image credit: Erica S. Lee)

A black moon is a type of new moon, when the moon is nearly between Earth and the sun.

(Image credit: William West)

Organizers behind the Correct The Map campaign say the Mercator map's shrinking of Africa minimizes the continent's global influence — and is just plain inaccurate.

The logistics of health care can be frustrating. If you have a bureaucratic horror story or need help with a tough question, reach out to Health Care Helpline from NPR and KFF Health News.

More than 3.6 million children born in 2020 amid the COVID-19 global pandemic are walking into elementary schools across the country this fall.

(Image credit: Vanessa Romo)