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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is starting to feel like a giant word salad. LLMs here, multimodal there, generative, foundation models, agentic—buzzwords bouncing around like a Slack channel gone rogue. But tucked between all that noise is something quietly revolutionary: agentic AI. And if you’re a CEO, tech investor, or just someone whose calendar looks like a battlefield of overlapping meetings… you might want to pay attention. Let’s break it down.

Generative AI: The genius with no to-do list

Businesses adore Generative AI for its ability to complete routine tasks. Whether summarizing documents or creating social media visuals, it’s already transforming industries, with McKinsey reporting that 71% of organizations use it in at least one business function. Early adopters are already seeing impressive returns, delivering an average of $3.70 in value for every dollar invested.

You’ve undoubtedly seen generative AI in action—chatbots that write like Hemingway, image tools that can paint a Studio Ghibli cat playing chess with Einstein, the tools that code. It’s impressive. But here’s the catch—it’s passive.

While both Generative and Agentic AI spring from similar foundational technologies, their applications diverge significantly. Simply put, Generative AI doesn’t initiate. It reacts. You ask, it answers. You prompt, it paints. You guide, it follows. And for a while, that was enough. We built content generators, piloted promising tools, and deployed internal copilots for knowledge management. But now the question is shifting—from “how smart is the output?” to “what actions can it take?”

That’s where things get interesting.

Meet Agentic AI: The self-starter with an agenda

Agentic AI isn’t just smart. It’s assertive. These systems aren’t just responding—they’re deciding. They’re setting goals, making plans, and executing them, all (mostly) without your nudging.

If Generative AI is like a talented artist creating stunning works on command, think of agentic AI as a highly competent chief of staff. You give it a direction—“improve customer churn”—and it starts to act. It looks at retention data, cross-checks CRM logs, generates hypotheses, triggers outreach campaigns, and, crucially, updates its approach as new data rolls in. All while you’re in a different meeting entirely. Agentic AI uses reasoning, decision-making algorithms, and environment-based data to act and adapt.

What truly sets Agentic AI apart is its ability to harness the distributed nature of knowledge and expertise. Traditional AI often operates within fixed boundaries, following predetermined paths. Agentic systems can break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable sub-tasks, identify the right specialized agents for these sub-tasks, then orchestrate interactions between agents to synthesize solutions efficiently.

It’s exciting. It’s unnerving. And it’s coming fast.

Where it’s already showing up (even if we didn’t call it that)

Agentic AI might sound like something from a sci-fi novel, but it’s not an abstract concept on the distant horizon. It’s already orbiting, quietly making itself indispensable in multiple industries. For instance, AutoGPT has laid the foundation for this technology by combining tools like GPT-4 and vector databases. While not flawless, it showcases the skeletal structure of agency in action.

Take Devin, an autonomous AI software engineer, as another example. Devin does more than just churn out code. It reads specifications, reviews repositories, and even submits pull requests. Then there’s Rewind AI, which builds memory-driven agents that remember your digital activity, enabling them to take actionable steps proactively.

Or consider where Siri and Google Assistant are headed. Beyond just answering questions; it will book appointments, make purchases, and handle tasks on your behalf. This isn’t just intelligence we’re talking about—it’s initiative. And it represents an entirely new paradigm in how technology engages with humans and that’s a whole new animal.

Okay, but why should businesses care?

If generative AI was about productivity, agentic AI is about orchestration and autonomy of decision making. Imagine an operations department where AI isn’t just used in workflows but actively manages them. They could approve routine requests, identify bottlenecks, and adjust processes to maximize efficiency.

Sales teams could further benefit from AI assistants that do more than score leads. Agents could initiate contact, schedule calls, share documents, and even assign post-meeting tasks, keeping the momentum going seamlessly. Meanwhile, in finance, AI agents could identify recurring errors, automate compliance reports, or optimize cash flow processes without needing constant human intervention.

Even recruitment could see a transformation with agentic AI. Imagine AI that proactively searches for candidates, vets their profiles, and initiates first contact before your hiring manager even begins their day.

Essentially, agentic AI flips the script. It doesn’t just generate answers. It acts. It executes. It adapts. And honestly? It might be the closest thing we’ve got to cloning your best team member and equipping them with limitless energy and focus.

Stealable ideas: Agentic AI use cases you can test now

You don’t have to wait for some polished VC-backed platform to start exploring what agentic AI can do for your business. My advice is to start small but think big. Deploy agentic systems in clearly defined areas where success can be measured. Execute well, then use those success stories to justify broader investments. Tangible wins can demonstrate ROI and build the case for confident adoption.

For example, you could deploy project agents to oversee task lists, ensuring that the right people are kept informed and that project timelines adjust dynamically when necessary. Customer agents can handle service tickets autonomously, only escalating issues to human agents when empathy or a nuanced touch is required. Finally, talent agents could take the lead on building passive candidate pipelines, handling initial outreach, and drafting those crucial first-touch emails.

Agentic AI is no longer just a concept; it’s quietly proving its worth across industries, paving the way for a future where technology doesn’t just assist but acts.

Here’s the thing, though—it’s not about replacing people. It’s about giving them back the 40% of their day they spend nudging, chasing, checking, and… sighing.

But, let’s not automate the chaos

Look, agentic AI isn’t a golden goose. Agentic AI relies heavily on accurate, high-quality data. Without clean, structured data, it cannot reason effectively or make sound decisions. Enterprises need a centralized semantic layer to bridge disconnected data silos. By building knowledge graphs that organize data into meaningful business entities, companies can ensure agents have the right context to operate within and make accurate decisions.

Keep in mind these systems can still hallucinate. They can act too quickly or without enough context. And when you hand off autonomy, even partially, you’re entering a zone that demands trust and control.

Agents act autonomously, but with greater power comes the need for stricter control. One common risk is the improper allocation of roles, where agents might access sensitive information.

The solution? Guardrails. Clear policies. Audit trails. And maybe—just maybe—a human in the loop, especially early on. Trust grows over time with consistent accuracy and insights.

Powerful? Absolutely. But infallible? Not even close.

The real question: Are you waiting to be disrupted?

Agentic AI flips the script. It doesn’t wait for instructions—it looks for problems to solve. It’s less a tool, more a teammate (with an unsettling amount of caffeine).

So the real ask here isn’t whether this tech is coming. It’s whether you’re testing it now—or waiting for a competitor who already is. Whether you're using a single agent to optimize a supply chain or orchestrating an entire ecosystem of specialized AI systems, Agentic AI is not just optional anymore. It’s essential.

Because here’s the truth: AI that paints pictures is cool. But AI that sends emails, reschedules meetings, flags budget leaks, and follows up with clients while you’re asleep?

That’s a game-changer.

And it’s already knocking.

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With Disney Plus thrown in, it's just in time for summertime viewing.

• Workers who use AI every day are more likely to feel job satisfaction
• Clear communication around corporate AI strategies is important
• AI users are slightly more stressed, but this could mean higher engagement

According to joint research from Jabra and The Happiness Research Institute, workers who use artificial intelligence every day are 34% more satisfied with their jobs than their non-user counterparts.

A clear strategy and communication was also revealed to be vital, with employees who are aware of their company's AI strategy 2.5x more hopeful about the future.

In fact, AI has proven to be so helpful in workplace settings that workers are reporting better work-life balances, with happy employees typically 4.5x more likely to be happy in life outside of work.

AI in work is shaping up to be a good thing

According to the figures, frequent AI users report stronger goal achievement, more advanced opportunities and greater optimism about future job enjoyment and fulfilment.

However, pressure to master tools, prompt crafting and AI output verification is mounting, and frequent AI users report up to 20% more stress than infrequent users. Mildly elevated stress like this could signify higher engagement, however increased stress could also put workers at risk of burnout.

Slow adoption could also be hindering results, with only one-third (30%) of workers saying their company is meaningfully AI-ready. This lack of readiness could be hurting morale and increasing frustration, despite the interest and willingness demonstrated by employees.

Nevertheless, a major conclusion from the study is that AI is far more than just a productivity tool. "It’s easy to talk about AI in terms of productivity. But we need to start talking about it in terms of psychology," The Happiness Research Institute CEO Meik Wiking explained.

The joint Jabra report also flips the discussion around AI replacing human workers on its head, instead proposing that those who don't use AI could be less likely to feel satisfied in their jobs.

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• Meet Sirius, an AI-based programmable and customizable robotic dog companion
• You can train Sirius to perform tricks and upload different voice packs
• Its available worldwide, with pre-orders starting today

From early sci-fi heroes like K9 in Dr Who, or Muffit in the original Battlestar Galactica, robot dogs have long been a staple of TV and films, but despite the predictions of every futurist from the last 30 to 50 years, household robots or robot pets still haven’t become commonplace in 2025, unless you count the best robot vacuum cleaners.

The history of robo-dogs goes back a long way. Sony was one of the first companies to really get into making robot dogs with its Aibo range, which was first released in 1999 in Japan, but, while still for sale ($2,899.99!), seems to have gone quiet of late.

There have been others since then, like the Minted Dog-E, but with all the advancements in AI that are going on at the moment, it seems inevitable that intelligent robotic dogs would be making a comeback.

The latest robo dog to try to nuzzle its way into our lives is Sirius, from Hengbot. Sirius is an AI-based programmable and customizable robotic dog designed to become your faithful digital pal.

Emotionally intelligent

It’s the AI that really makes Sirius different from previous robo dogs. Described as "emotionally intelligent”, Sirius has its own personality and can mimic the movements of real dogs like jumping, stretching, and even dancing.

Sirius can handle voice recognition, natural language processing, and image recognition. It can even understand your gestures. You can teach it tricks, sync gestures with voice commands, and even upload custom facial expressions.

At roughly 10 inches tall, Sirius is about the size of a chihuahua. It’s not too heavy either, with a 1KG frame constructed from aerospace-grade alloy for fast, responsive actions. Inside its AI brain, Sirius has up to 5 TOPS of edge computing power and comes with USB-C peripheral expansion and a powerful 2250mAh battery that offers a promised 40-to-60 minutes of play time.

(Image credit: Hengbot)A new robotic species

“With Sirius, we didn’t just build a robot, we created the first of a new kind of robotic species,” said Peiheng Song, CEO at Hengbot. “Powered by our Neurocore system, Sirius marks the start of a growing universe of intelligent, customizable robots designed to bring your imagination to life.”

Sirius is designed to be easy to customize and program, whether you’re a curious kid, first-time robot owner, or a tech-savvy developer.

It utilizes a game-like visual editor that you can use to choreograph dance routines, teach Sirius custom tricks, or train, with no coding required.

What do you think? Is Sirius the sort of robot you'd be happy to have roaming around your home? Let us know in the comments below.

Sirius is now available for pre-order at Hengbot.com with a basic model starting at $1299 with free worldwide shipping. General availability is expected in Fall 2025.

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Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, June 26 (game #1249).

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

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

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

Quordle today (game #1250) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

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

Quordle today (game #1250) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1250) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #1250) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

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

Quordle today (game #1250) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• E

• A

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1250) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1250, are…

• SPEAK
• EAGLE
• AVERT
• SUING

There are dozens of five-letter words that include the letters E, A, R, and T, so I am going to give myself a break in not guessing AVERT.

There is something about the letter V that I find difficult, as it’s always the last possibility I think of and even I was trying to see if “apert” was a word before I got there.

We all have our Quordle quirks, I suppose. 

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1250) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1250, are…

• BRAID
• CABBY
• ADAGE
• MEALY

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1249, Thursday, 26 June: SLUMP, REBUS, GUAVA, MONEY
• Quordle #1248, Wednesday, 25 June: SOGGY, CLASH, MODEM, SQUAD
• Quordle #1247, Tuesday, 24 June: QUALM, SQUIB, AXIAL, FLACK
• Quordle #1246, Monday, 23 June: PIXEL, FJORD, STEAL, EXIST
• Quordle #1245, Sunday, 22 June: WREST, CRAZE, PAPAL, SCION
• Quordle #1244, Saturday, 21 June: BUDDY, GROUT, BEGIN, MADAM
• Quordle #1243, Friday, 20 June: BRAID, DULLY, HASTE, LURID
• Quordle #1242, Thursday, 19 June: BRUSH, ISLET, FRUIT, PRIVY
• Quordle #1241, Wednesday, 18 June: MEDIA, SHARK, GUPPY, MOURN
• Quordle #1240, Tuesday, 17 June: LEAPT, PRISM, ADMIN, WHINE
• Quordle #1239, Monday, 16 June: RETRY, SCALD, DINGO, FEIGN
• Quordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVEN
• Quordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONIC
• Quordle #1236, Friday, 13 June: REPEL, LARGE, SNIDE, CARRY
• Quordle #1235, Thursday, 12 June: SCANT, BATCH, UNDER, PARSE
• Quordle #1234, Wednesday, 11 June: CRAVE, ROOST, ANGLE, FLOOD
• Quordle #1233, Tuesday, 10 June: DECRY, CHEEK, FILET, EASEL
• Quordle #1232, Monday, 9 June: DERBY, LEMON, WRITE, HOVEL
• Quordle #1231, Sunday, 8 June: REBAR, ALERT, PAYEE, FLUME
• Quordle #1230, Saturday, 7 June: FLUNK, ESTER, SPITE, CHEAP

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, June 26 (game #746).

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

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

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

NYT Connections today (game #747) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• COUNT
• HARP
• BIRD
• WINGS
• CHIC
• GROUCH
• BLUES
• MARX
• MONSTER
• ROBE
• CHEMICAL
• CURRENT
• BLOOD
• FRESH
• HALO
• HAPPENING

NYT Connections today (game #747) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Vogue
• GREEN: Heaven sent
• BLUE: Jim Henson creations
• PURPLE: Bros

Need more clues?

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

NYT Connections today (game #747) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: IN FASHION 
• GREEN: PARTS OF AN ANGEL COSTUME 
• BLUE: "SESAME STREET" FIGURES 
• PURPLE: BROTHERS

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

NYT Connections today (game #747) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #747, are…

• YELLOW: IN FASHION CHIC, CURRENT, FRESH, HAPPENING
• GREEN: PARTS OF AN ANGEL COSTUME HALO, HARP, ROBE, WINGS
• BLUE: "SESAME STREET" FIGURES BIRD, COUNT, GROUCH, MONSTER
• PURPLE: BROTHERS BLOOD, BLUES, CHEMICAL, MARX

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

My enjoyment at whizzing through today’s puzzle without any mistakes is tempered by the fact that I didn’t get the BROTHERS group.

My reasoning for not putting the purple quartet together is that I initially thought that the inclusion of GROUCH, HARP and MARX indicated some kind of trap. But even with that possibility eliminated I still saw everything else before the link between Marx, BLUES, CHEMICAL and BLOOD.

I am sure there will be some players who prickle at the idea of angels having a “costume”. It doesn’t feel right somehow, although saying uniform would be a little more contentious.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, June 26, game #746)

• YELLOW: COMPONENTS OF A SALAD CHEESE, DRESSING, LETTUCE, PROTEIN
• GREEN: KINDS OF MACHINES ENIGMA, PINBALL, SEWING, VENDING
• BLUE: LEGAL DRAMAS DAMAGES, GOLIATH, MATLOCK, SUITS
• PURPLE: ENDING WITH PLAYING CARDS BOJACK, HAWKING, LOVELACE, MCQUEEN

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, June 26 (game #480).

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

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

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

NYT Strands today (game #481) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Playing dirty

NYT Strands today (game #481) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SOLD
• FUNK
• LOVE
• RIFT
• FAKE 
• STUCK

NYT Strands today (game #481) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #481) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 5th column

Last side: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #481) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #481, are…

• SHOVEL
• BUCKET
• TRUCK
• FUNNEL
• MOLD
• RAKE
• SIFTER
• SPANGRAM: SANDBOX TOYS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Today’s theme went over my head a little. After finding BUCKET and SHOVEL in quick succession, my mind went to construction site rather than SANDBOX TOYS, but I guess it works both ways.

A right-to-left spangram always plays with my mind a little bit and for extra fun today we had a yellow snake that took the unusual bottom-to-side route.

Apart from that, the biggest challenge was finding some words to include in the hints list – a sure sign that this particular edition was a little too easy.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, June 26, game #480)

• TURKEY
• QUAIL
• GOOSE
• PARTRIDGE
• GROUSE
• PHEASANT
• SPANGRAM: GAME BIRDS

What is NYT Strands?

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

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

Striking a combative tone, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. media was more focused on "cheering against" President Trump than covering airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

Evita, performs "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" on a balcony overlooking a London street at the London Palladium on June 18.'/>

In London, an actor playing Evita sings "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" on a balcony over the street. It's livestreamed into the theater — frustrating some ticket holders but delighting passersby.

(Image credit: Belinda Jiao)

• Leaked foldable iPhone specs suggest it could have two 48MP cameras
• That's fewer cameras than rival foldables, and far fewer megapixels than at least one upcoming rival's camera might have
• The leak also details screen and construction specs

While there have been numerous leaks about the foldable iPhone, until now, we hadn't heard all that much about its cameras, apart from the fact that there will likely be two of them. Now, though, we have a better idea of the iPhone Fold's megapixel credentials.

According to leaker Digital Chat Station (via @Jukanlosreve), the foldable iPhone is "expected" to have a pair of 48MP cameras. They don’t specify what type of cameras these will be, but previous leaks point to wide and ultra-wide snappers, with no telephoto to speak of.

But if that’s the case, then the foldable iPhone might not impress camera fans, nor tempt them away from rival handsets. After all, both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold have triple-lens cameras, with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, respectively.

Apple foldable info:Specs haven’t been finalized yet.The most recent test version features a display around 7.58 inches with a 2713x1920 resolution and a 14.1:10 aspect ratio.It’s expected to have dual 48MP cameras, a hinge made of a more durable amorphous metal glass… pic.twitter.com/kBQMor0SxgJune 26, 2025

And while the foldable iPhone's rumored 48MP megapixel count is competitive compared to current models, it'll have newer, better competition by the time it launches. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, for example, is rumored to have a 200MP main camera.

Of course, megapixels are only one part of what makes a camera good, and their importance can be overstated. But big megapixel counts certainly look good on spec sheets.

So, with the foldable iPhone also quite possibly set to cost more than rival devices, it could be a tough sell for anyone who cares about smartphone photography.

A big screen, a tough hinge, and a titanium frame

As well as the cameras, this latest leak also details the foldable iPhone's potential screen, saying that it might have a 7.58-inch 1920 x 2713 foldable display with a 14.1:10 aspect ratio.

Additionally, the phone is said to have “a hinge made of a more durable amorphous metal glass composite, and a titanium alloy body.” Those details sound more promising, with that screen being somewhat similar to rivals, and the use of titanium likely helping keep the weight of the foldable iPhone down and its durability up.

Of course, we’d take all of this with a pinch of salt, as we would any leak – and especially leaks surrounding the foldable iPhone, since this device probably won’t launch until next year at the earliest.

Indeed, while the source has a good track record, they claim that the specs in question aren’t yet finalized; they're simply the ones Apple is currently testing.

So, even if their current information is accurate, it’s entirely possible that Apple will change some or all of these specs before release. At least on our part, we hope the cameras in particular differ from what's detailed here.

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This IONOS review examines one of the most budget-friendly website builders available in 2025. IONOS prides itself on offering a complete suite of solutions for professionals looking to establish an online presence, including shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and their MyWebsite builder platform. You can also check out our guide to the best website builders for more options.

Techradar reviewers have spent thousands of hours testing 140+ website builders to bring you expert insights. Based on our tests, IONOS stands out with its AI-assisted design process and some of the lowest introductory prices in the industry, starting at just $1 per month. However, Wix remains our top pick for the best overall website building experience in 2025.

IONOS MyWebsite targets beginners without programming experience, especially with its "MyWebsite Now" builder launched in 2023. We found IONOS delivers on its promise of simplicity, though it won't satisfy users seeking extensive design control or advanced features.

IONOS MyWebsite: 2-minute review

IONOS MyWebsite represents a solid entry-level website builder that prioritizes ease of use over advanced functionality. The platform excels at helping complete beginners create functional websites quickly through its AI-assisted design process. Users simply answer a few questions about their business, and IONOS generates a website draft that can be manually adjusted.

The German internet service provider has built a reputation for affordable web services, and their website builder continues this tradition with introductory pricing as low as $1 per month. However, IONOS faces stiff competition from more feature-rich platforms like Wix and Hostinger. While it offers good value for simple business websites, its limited template selection and rigid design structure may frustrate users seeking creative freedom.

What is IONOS?

IONOS is a German internet service provider that offers a comprehensive suite of online services, including web hosting, domain registration, email hosting, and website building tools. Their MyWebsite builder is specifically designed for UX beginners who want to create professional-looking websites without any coding knowledge or design experience.

The platform uses artificial intelligence to simplify website creation. When you sign up, IONOS asks you questions about your business type, goals, and preferences, then automatically generates a website draft based on your responses. You can then customize this draft using their drag-and-drop editor, which features pre-built sections and layouts that you can modify to suit your needs.

Features

Though IONOS doesn’t compete with higher-end builders like Wix or Webflow on customization, it shines in simplicity and efficiency. (Image credit: IONOS)

Better known for its affordable web hosting, IONOS extends its expertise into site building, offering a user-friendly platform that can support everything from simple personal pages to ecommerce stores.

Though IONOS doesn’t compete with higher-end builders like Wix or Webflow on customization, it shines in simplicity and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for users seeking functionality with minimal hassle.

It's primary offering is an AI-assisted website generation experience, which comes with additional features like a template library, drag-and-drop customization, multichannel ecommerce, and a number of marketing and analytics tools.

Tools

With the AI-powered experience, you answer a few questions about your brand and preferences so IONOS generates up to four layout options. (Image credit: IONOS)

As we just discussed, IONOS is a beginner-friendly website builder with AI guidance for new users being its most important website building feature. But that said, there are other tools in its repository that add to the existing value.

AI tools

With the AI-powered experience, you answer a few questions about your brand and preferences so IONOS generates up to four layout options. If you don't like any of them, it can take another shot and rework the choices. Once you find a layout that fits, you get to personalize it by playing with colors, fonts, and shape themes. As expected, the editing options are a bit basic, so if you’re looking for intricate typography or color schemes, they’re not quite there.

IONOS’s AI also helps with content creation, from filling in text to generating images. You can tweak the tone of the text to feel more friendly, professional, or trustworthy, just by selecting the vibe you want. And the image generator is also pretty handy, even if the results can be hit-and-miss.

Templates

ONOS’s website template range is surprisingly modest, with around 30 options, but it leans toward professionalism and ease of use, keeping design decisions straightforward. These templates cater to all sorts of business, portfolio, and personal projects alike, giving you a polished and professional springboard for your site.

Once you pick a template in IONOS’s editor, customizing your site is simple, though it does lean toward structure over total freedom. Rather than full drag-and-drop flexibility, you’ll add pre-designed sections — like "About," "Galleries," or "Contact" - with only a few style choices for each. You can tweak colors, spacing, and fonts, though the font choices are quite limited.

Ecommerce toolkit

Ready to kickstart your online store? IONOS provides a solid set of ecommerce tools that make it easy to manage your inventory, set up tax and shipping options, and customize product variations - all the essentials you need to hit the ground running.

While it might not have the ultra-advanced features of bigger ecommerce platforms, IONOS has the essentials small-to-midsize businesses need to set up shop, handle orders, and keep customers engaged. Features like discount codes, abandoned cart emails, and social media integration are also part of the package.

Free domain and SSL

With IONOS, each plan comes with a free domain for the first year, which helps keep startup costs down. Plus, they include an SSL certificate right from the get-go, ensuring your site is secure and helping boost your search engine rankins. This built-in SSL support is a big plus for ecommerce sites, as it makes online transactions safer.

Email hosting

IONOS keeps things straightforward by bundling a professional email address that matches your domain — so, no need to set up with another provider. This built-in email feature makes it easy to stay connected with customers. If you need more storage as your business expands, IONOS offers scalable email plans to keep up with your growth.

SEO tools and rankingCoach

With IONOS, you can make your site pop in search results thanks to customizable SEO settings available for every page, giving you the tools to optimize your content and boost your visibility. For a more beginner-friendly SEO boost, you can integrate rankingCoach, a tool that walks users through visibility improvements step-by-step.

IONOS also includes a tool that checks for SEO improvements, making it simple to stay on top of rankings.

Localization features

If your business has global ambitions, IONOS has you covered with translation support for over 60 languages, making it easy to cater to different regions. You can customize content based on location, tailoring messages or promotions to resonate with specific audiences.

This mix of multilingual options and targeted content helps you engage with a whole variety of customers.

Site analytics

After your site goes live, you can dive into visitor stats that answer key questions about your audience: Who are they, and how can you reach them? This info lays the groundwork for successful marketing strategies tailored to your potential customers.

These tools make it easy to track key metrics like visitor counts, session lengths, and page impressions. You’ll also get a good look at your bounce rate, showing where you might want to make some tweaks.

Ease of use

While IONOS makes getting started super simple, there are limitations when it comes to advanced customization. (Image credit: IONOS)

With the IONOS AI site builder, all it takes is a few details about your business, and you’ll have a customizable site complete with tailored images and text. This hands-off method is a lifesaver for busy entrepreneurs who want to channel their energy into more meaningful tasks instead of stressing over design elements.

While IONOS makes getting started super simple, there are a few limitations when it comes to advanced customization. If you’re after a more intricate design, you might hit a few bumps in the road.

Still, if you’re looking for a fast and efficient way to establish your online presence, IONOS is a superb option that helps you get started without the steep learning curve.

Pricing

IONOS offers some of the most competitive introductory pricing in the market. (Image credit: IONOS)

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Renewal rate (paid annually)

Starter

$6/month

$12/month

Plus

$1/month

$18/month

Pro

$17/month

$30/month

Starter (+ Store)

$6/month

$24/month

Plus (+ Store)

$1/month

$30/month

Pro (+ Store)

$34/month

$62/month

Expert (Store Only)

$44/month

$92/month

IONOS offers some of the most competitive introductory pricing in the website builder market, with plans starting as low as $1 per month for the first year. The Plus plan represents exceptional value during the promotional period, offering 50GB storage and up to 200 pages for just $1 monthly. All plans include a free domain name for the first year, free SSL certificates, and business email hosting.

However, you should be aware that prices increase significantly upon renewal, with the Plus plan jumping from $1 to $18 per month. Despite this, IONOS remains more affordable than many competitors even at renewal rates. The platform also offers specialized e-commerce plans for users wanting to build online stores, though these come at higher price points.

Security

(Image credit: IONOS)

IONOS provides solid security foundations with wildcard SSL certificates included on all plans, protecting both your main website and any subdomains you create. This comprehensive SSL coverage makes setting up multiple site sections much easier compared to platforms that require separate certificates for each subdomain.

The platform implements automatic cookie notices to ensure GDPR compliance, which is particularly important for European users. However, IONOS lacks some advanced security features like DDoS protection and automatic backups that you'll find with premium website builders. While this isn't problematic for small websites, it could become a concern as your site grows and requires more robust protection.

Support

(Image credit: IONOS)

IONOS is built to handle high traffic and keep your site running smoothly, even when visitors are pouring in from across the globe. For businesses looking to keep their audience engaged without slowdowns, IONOS’s infrastructure should deliver dependable speed and stability.

As for support, you’ve got plenty of resources to lean on. Their knowledge base is packed with how-tos on everything from tech tips to marketing advice. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to open it in a separate tab since it’s not right in the dashboard. Still, it's a solid spot for quick guidance.

For those times when you need immediate help, IONOS is one of the few that offer 24/7 phone support - something beginners will appreciate. The team is known for being kind and knowledgeable, too. There’s also live chat from 8 AM to 8 PM if you prefer a quick message over a phone call.

Alternatives

If you’re thinking about IONOS but curious about what else is out there, here’s a quick rundown on how it stacks up against Weebly, Squarespace, and Wix, its top competitors.

Weebly is a perfect choice for ecommerce newbies - it’s packed with tools to make selling easy, all for $12 per month. While Weebly’s free plan gives a nice starting point, its paid plans are a better fit for anyone who wants a polished, professional look.

Read our full Weebly review to learn more.

Squarespace brings a lot of style to the table, with stunning templates that appeal to creatives. Starting at $16, it’s a bit pricier, but the 14-day free trial lets you explore everything it offers before diving in.

Read our full Squarespace review to learn more.

Wix is an awesome alternative if you’re all about creative freedom. With true drag-and-drop customization, you can place elements anywhere on the page. It offers tons of templates, but for total beginners, IONOS will still feel a little easier.

Read our full Wix review to learn more.

IONOS MyWebsite: Summary

If you're a newcomer to site building, IONOS is a superb option. With its budget-friendly starting prices, swift AI setup, and useful SEO tools, getting your site up and running it has never been easier.

That said, its limited customization options and absence of a free trial might leave some aspiring designers wanting more. Still, if you're after a user-friendly platform that won't break the bank, IONOS is a great pick - just be prepared to work within its constraints.

FAQsIs IONOS good for beginners?

Yes, IONOS excels as a beginner-friendly platform with its AI-assisted website creation process. The platform requires no coding knowledge and guides you through each step of building your site. However, beginners should be aware that customization options are limited compared to other builders.

Does IONOS offer e-commerce capabilities?

IONOS provides e-commerce functionality through dedicated store plans that support hundreds to thousands of products depending on your chosen tier. The platform includes basic features like payment processing through Mollie and social buy buttons, but lacks the advanced e-commerce tools found in specialized platforms like Shopify.

What happens to pricing after the first year?

IONOS uses promotional pricing for the first year, after which rates increase significantly. For example, the Plus plan jumps from $1 to $18 per month upon renewal. While still competitive, this price increase is substantial and should factor into your long-term budgeting.

Can I migrate my existing website to IONOS?

Yes, IONOS offers migration assistance to help transfer your existing website and content to their platform. They provide 24/7 support during the migration process and can help with domain transfers as well.

• HDMI 2.2's bandwidth is up from 48Gbps to 96Gbps
• Uncompressed 4K at 240Hz and 8K at 60Hz – or compressed 4K at 480Hz and 8K 240Hz
• Not all ports labelled HDMI 2.2 have to support the full spec

It's official: the HDMI 2.2 specification has been published, and that means manufacturers can start building it into their products. You won't see it immediately – there's a fair lag between a new spec being published and the appropriate hardware making it into production – but it promises some big improvements and some minor annoyances.

The good news first: provided you have an Ultra96 cable, you'll be able to take advantage of bandwidth of 96Gbps compared to HDMI 2.1b's 48Gbps.

The bad news: just because a HDMI port says "Ultra96" on it doesn't mean you'll get 96Gbps, because that would be too easy.

Why HDMI 2.2 doesn't necessarily mean you'll get upgraded everything

As FlatPanelsHD reports, if a cable says it's Ultra96 certified then it has to deliver 96Gbps. But if a device's HDMI 2.2 port says Ultra96, it doesn't. It could be 80Gbps, or 64Gbps.

That's because with HDMI 2.2, manufacturers can stick the 2.2 / Ultra96 label on their products even if those products don't support every part of the standard.

It's rather reminiscent of USB-C: just because something has a USB-C connector doesn't mean it supports any or all of the important features you might expect it to.

The spec is impressive, however. In addition to better AV device synchronisation via Latency Indication Protocol and support for uncompressed 4K 240Hz and 8K 60Hz there's DSC 1.2a signal compression for even higher-res formats of up to 16K – although that requires the display and its video/audio source to support both HDMI 2.2 and DSC 1.2a, and the latter is optional. And of course it also requires creators to commit to making things in 16K too.

In terms of when you'll actually be able to get HDMI 2.2 products, it'll hopefully happen more quickly than the two-year gap between HDMI 2.1's announcement and arrival. But even on a speedier schedule you're probably looking at HDMI 2.2 TVs first appearing in late 2026 or early 2027.

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I’d bet you’ve seen a Vestaboard out and about – some coffee shops use them to let you know an order is ready, hotels have them around showing the weather or custom text, restaurants have them up, and you can even have one in your home or apartment.

It’s been around for a bit, and there’s even a smaller, much more affordable version up for now – more on that later – but the Vestaboard is an expensive smart display that lacks an LED screen, and that makes it especially refreshing.

The Vestaboard itself doesn’t scream 'smart', and that’s sort of the point; it’s a classic ticker board that seems like it was taken straight out of an old airport terminal or train station. But these 132-character modules, they can flip, fold, and flap to instantly display the right character, icon, or color. Since it’s connected to the internet, you can send almost anything to it… assuming it fits.

TechRadar Smart Home Week

This article is part of TechRadar's Smart Home Week 2025. From lighting and switches to robot vacuums and smart thermostats, we're here to help you pick the right devices to make your life easier, and get the most out of them.

I’ve been testing a Vestaboard review unit for a while and have used it to display various things, including the weather, what’s currently playing on Spotify, a random Springsteen lyric, election results, the latest sports scores, and even inspirational quotes. With any of these, when it gets the input from the companion app for iOS or Android, as well as a status update from one of the connected services, it will spring to life and update the board.

This could be switching from the weather forecast, which flashes every morning, to a quote of the day, or, if I have it synced with music playback, updating every time a new song begins. Yes, the turning of the flaps to display a new message can be quite jarring at first, but I’ve grown accustomed to it. I really like the simplicity of this smart display.

The price of that simplicity and minimalism doesn’t come cheap, though. The Vestaboard is $3,499 (about £2,500 / AU$5,300) in either Flagship Black or Vestaboard White, and to get access to these third-party extensions and service connections, you’ll need Vestaboard Plus at $99.99 (about £70 / AU$150) a year. Clearly not super accessible or affordable, though there is a cheaper, smaller, equally click-clacky Vestaboard Note up for order now at the discounted price of $899 (about £660 / AU$1,370), which will eventually jump to $1,299 (about £950 / AU$2,000).

Price aside, let’s dive into the Vestaboard, starting with the fact that it needs to be wall-mounted. Fortunately, a plate is included in the box. I was able to install the unit itself with the help of a family member, first mounting the wall bracket, then the central unit, plugging it into power, and then attaching the cover over the front.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

The Vestaboard comes with a super-short power cable, which isn’t ideal, especially for renters. Why? Well, you’re likely not someone who’s installing a dedicated outlet for this, and you’ll need to pay $24 for a longer, eight-foot power cable that the brand sells, or opt for an extension of some sort. Considering the unit itself is so expensive, I really wish you got both in the box, or just the longer one.

To be clear, though, it can’t just stand up on its own, so you’ll need to wall-mount it. As much as it is a smart display and messaging board, it is also designed to be an art piece that can be updated. You can even design your own creations with icons and colored flaps to appear on the board or, with Vestaboard+, have it cycle through several categories, either user-generated or made in-house at the company.

Once mounted and plugged in, I followed the steps in the app to discover the Vestaboard, connected it to the Wi-Fi, and walked through the tutorial. I also made the call to pay the $95 for a year of Vestaboard Plus, as it really makes the experience. I do believe it should be included, as it gives you access to a whole range of pre-made things to toss up and extensions.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

The latter are the most exciting – I can sync my Vestaboard with my Sonos account to display the song title and artist when it’s playing, or even connect with a specific service like Spotify. There’s also a host of content, including daily jokes, little games like word scrambles, and quotes from anything – from Bruce Springsteen songs to Disney movies or historical figures. It’s extensive and aims to encompass a variety of genres.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

You can also write out anything custom you’d like to display – so for a friend’s birthday, I could write 'Happy Birthday Karalyn', or for a New Year’s Eve party, I had the Vestaboard display ticker a countdown that ended with it saying 'Happy New Year' and flipping the various flaps to simulate fireworks.

There was even a Santa Tracker – though TechRadar’s own live blog was a bit more real-time – an election tracker, and nearly all major sports leagues are covered here. I also have mine set to display the weather forecast daily at 8am, and it’s nice to quickly glance at the screen and see if I need an umbrella or not. Again, you don’t need to spend $3,500 just for that, but it’s part of the Vestaboard experience.

One thing to note is that the Vestaboard can't be used to control other smart home gadgets. It’s really a display board that can be used for custom messaging, text from widgets, or art created using its colored flaps. It’s a high-priced, expensive smart home device that’s definitely a lavish expense, but I have no doubt that it’ll be delightful when it starts to display something fresh.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

At this price, I truly believe that the longer power cord and a subscription to Plus should be included in the box. I mean, $3,500 is a lot, and depending on your setup, you’ll need the power cord, and the subscription really lets you get the most out of the device.

I think that’s what makes the smaller Vestaboard Note really exciting, and the fact that the ecosystem is slowly but surely expanding. Similar to spending thousands of dollars on a TV, the Vestaboard falls into the nice-to-have category.

After a few months of testing, the thrill hasn’t worn off; I’ve just grown more used to it springing to life to update the ticker board. It’s easily one of the most elegant pieces of tech in my apartment, and the one that catches the attention of family and friends every time, without fail.

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• ChatGPT is being asked some interesting security questions
• Users are concerned about phishing, scams, and privacy
• Personal information is being fed into the AI agent, putting users at risk

AI is fast becoming a personal advisor for many people, offering help with daily schedules, rewording those difficult emails, and even acting as a fellow enthusiast for niche hobbies.

While these uses are typically harmless, many people have begun using ChatGPT to act as a security guru, but not doing it in a particularly secure way.

New research from NordVPN has uncovered some of the questions ChatGPT is asked about security – from dodging phishing attacks to wondering if a smart toaster could become a household threat.

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Don’t feed ChatGPT your details

The top security question asked by ChatGPT users is “How can I recognize and avoid phishing scams?” - which is understandable given that phishing is probably the most common cyber threat any normal person could face.

The rest of the questions follow a similar trajectory, from insight into the best VPN, to tips on how best to secure personal information online. It's definitely refreshing to see AI being used as a force for good at a time when hackers are cracking AI tools to pump out malware.

It’s not all good news though, I’m afraid. NordVPN’s research also highlighted some of the most bizarre security questions people are asking ChatGPT, such as, “Can hackers steal my thoughts through my smartphone?”, and, “If I delete a virus by pressing the delete key, is my computer safe?”

Others voice concerns about hackers potentially hearing them whisper their password as they type it, or hackers using ‘the cloud’ to snoop on their phones while it charges during a thunderstorm.

"While some questions are serious and insightful, others are hilariously bizarre — but they all reveal a troubling reality: Many people still misunderstand cybersecurity. This knowledge gap leaves them exposed to scams, identity theft, and social engineering. Worse, users unknowingly share personal data while seeking help,” says Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN.

Many users will frequently ask AI models questions that include sensitive personal information, such as physical addresses, contact information, credentials, and banking information.

This is particularly dangerous as most AI models will store the chat history and use it to help train the AI to better respond to questions. The key issue being that hackers could potentially use very carefully engineered prompts to extract sensitive information from the AI, and use it for all kinds of nefarious purposes.

“Why does this matter? Because what may seem like a harmless question can quickly turn into a real threat,” says Briedis. “Scammers can exploit the information users share — whether it’s an email address, login credentials, or payment details — to launch phishing attacks, hijack accounts, or commit financial fraud. A simple chat can end up compromising your entire digital identity.”

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• PlayStation is sticking to its strategy of not launching first-party games on PS Plus on day one
• PlayStation vice president of global services Nick Maguire says "we’re not looking to put games in day and date"
• He adds that bringing games to the service 12-18 months after they've released is "working really well across the platform"

PlayStation has confirmed that it will be sticking to its current launch strategy and won't start releasing first-party games on PS Plus on day one.

In an interview with Game File, PlayStation vice president of global services Nick Maguire explained that the company is not looking to change its policy by adding first-party titles to the subscription service the same day they release, unlike Xbox with Game Pass.

"We’ve sort of stayed true to our strategy across the board, where we’re not looking to put games in day and date," Maguire said.

Xbox has remained consistent with how it releases exclusive titles, like Starfield and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, to Game Pass, however, as Maguire goes on to explain, Sony only adds its first-party titles to PS Plus at least 18 months after launch.

"Our strategy of finding four or five independent day-and-date titles - and using that to complement our strategy of bringing games in when they’re 12, 18 months old or older - that balance for us is working really well across the platform," he said. "If there were six or seven great opportunities, then we would go for them as well."

God of War Ragnarok, which launched in late 2022, wasn't available on PS Plus until January 2025, almost 26 months later, while Horizon Forbidden West, which was released in February 2022, was added a lot sooner in February 2023 before it was later removed from the service in 2024.

When asked if PlayStation would ever consider adding first party live-service games to PS Plus, like Concord - a game that was taken offline after just two weeks - Maguire declined to comment but did say that the service has "proven itself to be a great way to introduce new players to franchises".

"There's always going to be a moment for any game where there's the right time for it to go into Plus, when it's ready to reach a wider audience or… to find new fans or new parts of our platform that it hasn't already reached," Maguire said.

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• Sony celebrates 15 years of PlayStation Plus with a summer of exclusive offers for members
• PS Plus Premium members can experience a Game Trial of Monster Hunter Wilds and WWE 2K25
• Several events, including an Online Multiplayer weekend, will also be held this month

Sony is celebrating 15 years of PlayStation Plus with a summer of exclusive offers for members.

Starting now throughout summer, Sony will be commemorating the service's latest milestone by running a series of activities available to subscribers.

"PlayStation Plus is celebrating its 15-year anniversary later this month, and it’s amazing to see how much the service has evolved since it first launched on June 29, 2010," Sony said on PlayStation Blog. "From all of us at Sony Interactive Entertainment, we want to send out a huge thank you to all our fans for your support throughout these years."

First up is a Game Trial of WWE 2K25 for PS Plus Premium members, which is available now, as well as a Game Trial for one of the best games of the year so far, Monster Hunter Wilds, which can be claimed on June 30.

Subscribers can also redeem the Valorant PS Plus Pack today, which features a set of cosmetic items including 2x Prelude to Chaos Gun Buddy, 1x Kohaku & Matsuba Player Card, 1x Imperium Spray, 1x Chronovoid Spray, and 10x Radianite Points.

Sony will then host a PlayStation Store Exclusive Offer Weekend on June 27 to June 29, which will offer members the opportunity to grab exclusive savings on titles such as Sniper Elite: Resistance, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, and Star Wars Outlaws.

A special PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Cup tournament will then be held on June 28, where players will be able to compete in games like EA Sports FC, NBA 2K, UFC, Madden NFL, College Football, Tekken 8, and more for a chance to win prizes including in-game virtual currency, an exclusive PSN avatar, and Sony Pictures Core Movie Credits.

An Online Multiplayer weekend will also kick off the same day until June 29, where players can join online multiplayer matches with no PlayStation Plus membership required, and, finally, from today through August 12, Premium members can unlock a 15% discount on up to 2,000 movies store-wide across the Sony Pictures Core library.

Alongside these offers, Sony has also announced the batch of free PS4 and PS5 games for the month of July, which includes Diablo 4, The King of Fighters XV, and Jusant.

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8BitDo Ultimate 2: one-minute review

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 gaming controller is a pretty straightforward upgrade over the original 8BitDo Ultimate - a pad that continues to feature in our list of the best Nintendo Switch controllers. And while the Ultimate 2 is yet to receive its own Switch-compatible model (it’s just PC and Android for now, sadly), it remains a very competent gamepad that brings several welcome improvements.

Chiefly, the Ultimate 2 now features TMR (tunnelling magnetoresistance, for those curious) thumbsticks. We’ve seen this tech implemented in other fantastic PC controllers such as the GameSir Tarantula Pro, and they’re just as welcome here, offering greater stability and longevity than even Hall effect sticks.

The controller also adds two extra shoulder buttons, making for a total of four remappable buttons (the other two are found on the rear of the pad, like before). You’ll also find a pair of trigger locks back there, letting you quickly swap between analog and digital trigger presses based on your preference.

The last major addition here is RGB lighting rings around each thumbstick. These look nice and can be customized via the 8BitDo Ultimate Software PC companion app. But if you’re playing wirelessly, I would advise against keeping them on, as they’re a pretty major drain on the gamepad’s already average battery life.

(Image credit: Future)8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: price and availability

• $59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)
• Cheaper than the 8BitDo Ultimate at retail price
• Available via Amazon

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller is available to buy now from the brand’s Amazon store. It costs $59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90), which is actually $10 / £10 cheaper than its predecessor. As a result, I can confidently say that if you’re shopping for a new PC controller in the 8BitDo line up, this is the one to go for. You’re saving cash and getting more features to boot.

8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: Specs

Price

$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)

Weight

8.7oz / 246g

Dimensions

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

Compatibility

PC, Android

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

10-15 hours

(Image credit: Future)8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: design and features

• Eye-catching RGB lighting
• Additional remappable buttons
• Supports 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connections

As I’ve come to expect from the brand, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 boasts excellent build quality. It feels exceptionally sturdy in the hands, with lightly textured grips allowing the pad to rest firmly.

The TMR thumbsticks now feature metallic shafts, a pleasant upgrade over the original model that not only looks smart but should help the sticks in the longevity department, too. Otherwise, the d-pad, face buttons, and central utility buttons (including Start, Select, Home, etc.) all feel similar to the first Ultimate. That means you can expect very solid materials overall. One nice change is that those central buttons are spaced out much better here than on the Ultimate, where they felt a little cramped together on that pad.

As mentioned above, you’re also getting four remappable buttons, two on the rear, and two nestled up next to the bumpers and triggers. These are labeled ‘L4’ and ‘R4’ on the left and right, respectively, while the rear paddles are labeled as ‘PL’ and ‘PR’. The rear also houses two trigger locks for switching between analog and digital trigger distances, as well as a toggle for swapping between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections.

If you’re curious as to where the included 2.4GHz dongle is located (it took me a moment to realize this at first), it’s housed within the charging dock that the controller also comes with. Simply flip open the hatch on the bottom and you’ll find it tucked inside. One thing to note here is that the dongle requires a USB-C port for connection, unlike the original Ultimate controller. That’s naturally great for Android devices, but you may want to invest in a USB-C to USB adapter if your gaming PC or laptop lacks the necessary USB-C port.

(Image credit: Future)8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: Performance

• Sublime drift-resistant TMR thumbsticks
• Battery life is hurt compared to the original Ultimate
• Satisfyingly tactile buttons and triggers

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 has been my go-to controller for the past couple of weeks - and not just for testing purposes. The controller simply feels fantastic during play, largely owing to the buttery smooth TMR thumbsticks and the highly tactile shoulder and face buttons.

Having tested the controller with titles like Lies of P, Elden Ring Nightreign, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, Tekken 8, and Final Fantasy 14 Online, I find that the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is well-suited to a broad variety of genres and gaming styles.

One slight dampener, though, is the inclusion of those RGB rings around the thumbsticks. Don’t get me wrong, they look lovely in action, and produce a very pleasing moving light based on the direction you’re pointing the sticks (and respond to button presses, too). It’s snazzy, but the toll it takes on battery life makes them not really worth enabling during wireless play.

(Image credit: Future)

I was quite surprised at first when the batteries emptied from full in around 10 hours, with those RGB lights enabled. However, when I played wirelessly with them switched off, I managed to squeeze a more fulsome 15 hours before needing to charge. That’s still not quite class-leading, but by no means terrible. However, given I managed around 20 hours out of the original Ultimate, it’s certainly a downgrade overall.

Lastly, a word on the Ultimate V2 Software app for PC. It’s not much of a looker with a very basic user interface, but it does offer robust customization. Downloadable from 8BitDo’s website, it lets you create up to three individual profiles, which you can swap between via a button press on the gamepad.

You can fully remap every button - including the extra rear and bumper buttons - as well as set button macros, stick and trigger sensitivity, vibration strength, and more. It’s all accompanied by handy diagrams which show you in real time how your changes affect the controller’s performance.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the 8BitDo Ultimate 2?Buy it if...

You want an affordable PC or mobile controller that offers top-notch quality and performance
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 barely puts a foot wrong. I have some qualms with the RGB lighting and its effect on battery life, but this is a phenomenal upgrade to an already world-class controller.

You enjoy in-depth controller customization
The Ultimate Software V2 app gives you the tools you need to customize pretty much every aspect of your play experience. From sensitivity and vibration strength to full button remapping, it’s got it all and is especially perfect for competitive players who like specific control schemes.

Don't buy it if...

You’re not a PC gamer
Unfortunately, the Ultimate 2 is not compatible with consoles like Nintendo Switch or Xbox Series X|S. For that, you’ll need the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller, which is also available at the brand’s website.

You want more battery life
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, this ain’t. If this controller’s short battery lifespan of around 10-15 hours has you feeling queasy, you may want to consider alternatives like the Xbox Wireless Controller (around 20-30 hours) or the aforementioned Switch Pro Controller (40+ hours), which is also compatible with PC.

8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: Also consider

There’s every chance the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 isn’t quite what you’re after. If so, consider these two similarly priced alternatives.

8BitDo Ultimate 2

GameSir Tarantula Pro

8BitDo Ultimate

Price

$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)

$69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$107)

$69.99 / £59.99 (around AU$107)

Weight

8.7oz / 246g

11.5oz / 325g

8.7oz / 245g

Dimensions

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

6.2 x 3.9 x 2.4in / 157 x 99 x 61mm

5.7 x 4.2 x 2.5in / 147 x 104 x 62mm

Compatibility

PC, Android

PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS

PC, Nintendo Switch

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

10-15 hours

Around 12 hours

15-20 hours

GameSir Tarantula Pro
Arguably the brand’s best controller, and that’s high praise given its usually high-quality output. This is a symmetrical controller with excellent build quality and a handy button layout switching feature that swaps the face buttons between XInput and Switch displays.

Read our full GameSir Tarantula Pro review

8BitDo Ultimate
The original 8BitDo Ultimate is still one of the best controllers ever made. It’s a touch pricier, but you are getting Nintendo Switch compatibility and a better 20-hour battery life for your trouble. It’s a bit slighter on features than the Ultimate 2, but still a worthwhile consideration.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate review

How I tested the 8BitDo Ultimate 2

• Tested for two weeks
• Played a large variety of games across various genres
• Compared directly to the original 8BitDo Ultimate

I tested the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 across a period of two weeks, mainly on my gaming PC. I played titles from a variety of genres, including action games like Lies of P and Elden Ring Nightreign, as well as some of the best fighting games, such as Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6.

I primarily played wirelessly to gauge overall battery life, and made use of either wired play or the included charging dock when it was time to top up (which was fairly frequent given its slightly shorter battery life compared to its older sibling, the 8BitDo Ultimate).

First reviewed June 2025

Read more about how we test

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