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• WhatsApp will let you use Google to reverse image search received images
• This may offer context and warnings for altered or misleading images
• The feature is currently rolling out to beta testers

WhatsApp is adding a new feature to make it easier to check received images for authenticity in an effort to combat the proliferation of misinformation, disinformation, and misleading content.

A new update will enable users to access Google reverse image search from within WhatsApp directly, which may in turn provide context and any evidence of manipulation or misleading the audience.

This update ostensibly aims to give users quick access to a basic form of fact-checking in an era where online misinformation presents as a major issue.

The feature was found by WaBetaInfo in a scan of the latest test build (version 2.24.23.13) of the Android version of WhatsApp – we aren’t sure yet whether the new feature will be coming to iOS.

To access the new feature, users simply need to open the image from the WhatsApp chat, tap the options menu represented by three vertical dots, and select “search on web”.

It’s important to note that this won’t always return contextual information – this is more of a benefit of Google’s reverse image search than a guaranteed effect, and the function may just return similar images.

And as Android Authority notes, the feature being hidden away in the options menu means it might take a while before reverse image searching becomes standard procedure – not that it should be considered the end-point of fact checking either.

WhatsApp is well-known for its approach to privacy, and all messages sent through to platform are sent with end-to-end encryption.

As a pop-up note states when the feature is activated, images processed through the new reverse-search feature are shared with Google but not with WhatsApp directly.

The new Search on web feature is currently rolling out to beta testers, but we expect to see widespread availability soon.

For the latest official updates as we hear them, be sure to keep up with our dedicated WhatsApp coverage, and Android coverage.

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Features

NordLayer offers a massive list of features including DNS filtering, network segmentation, dedicated IP, browser extension, smart remote access, and a dedicated account manager - making it one of the most comprehensive business VPN solutions. This multi-layered security approach plays nicely with AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure if you’re looking to integrate it into one of these cloud services.

NordLayer's control panel is highly intuitive, featuring sections for organizing teams, managing servers and gateways, remote access settings, downloads, activity tracking, and device security alerts, making it one of the most beginner-friendly business VPN solutions. From this panel, you can also set permissions and allow network segmentation which is important if you’re looking to restrict access to sensitive data. Network segmentation divides the network into subsections for improved security and performance.

Its Cloud Firewall (FWaaS) offering, brings an additional layer of security, functioning as a cloud security service edge element. Unlike a traditional firewall, the maintenance requirements are low, while its scalability and adaptiveness allow you more flexibility in managing your company’s resources.

If you have a remote workforce, NordLayer has got you covered with a site-to-site networking connection, which basically functions like a secure VPN tunnel between two or multiple networks. There is also Smart Remote Access for the creation of a virtual LAN if you need to grant access to devices on an internal network. An additional interesting feature is the browser extension, which functions as a secure web gateway that allows access to resources exclusively via the browser that has the extension installed and enabled. Moreover, there are desktop and mobile, with both apps designed to be simple and intuitive.

Upon opening, the app presents a list of available servers, allowing you to connect with a single click (though more servers would be a welcome addition). Users can choose between OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, and customize features like the kill switch, auto-connect, and ThreatBlock based on their preferences. You can also set up a list of trusted Wi-Fi networks that don't require a VPN. The mobile app offers similar functionality, with the added convenience of automatic server connection. The app’s user-friendly layout and customization options make it adaptable for different preferences and needs, ensuring a smooth experience across both desktop and mobile platforms.

Activity Monitoring reports allow you to get granular with user-level connections that pass through gateways giving you details such as names of the members, devices, and source IP addresses, with activity history and date and time of a particular connection. Device Posture Monitoring further enhances security, where administrators can predefine security rules, and all non-compliant devices are then flagged and removed.

ThreatBlock provides an essential layer of protection by automatically blocking access to malicious websites and ads, shielding employees from phishing attempts and malware. It also filters out intrusive pop-ups and autoplay ads, creating a safer and more productive browsing experience for users.

To round out the feature list, Auto-connect is another feature we found useful. It allows you to set up the VPN to automatically activate as soon as an internet connection is activated. This is often found in personal VPNs, but often rare in business environments, but it can reduce the hassle and worry of employees forgetting to use a VPN.

Pricing & Plans

While not the cheapest option in the market, NordLayer does offer reasonable pricing for the amount of functionality and security you end up getting. The pricing plans are based on a per-user model, with the lowest tier Lite going for $8 per user (yearly subscription option), with a minimum requirement of 5 users which is standard across all plans except the Enterprise offer plan. All pricing plans come with a 14-day money-back guarantee which is great if you’re on the fence and just want to test the product.

(Image credit: NordLayer)

The next plan, Core, is $11 per user and comes with a dedicated server with a fixed IP, but also a $40 a month surcharge for this service. The next tier is Premium at $14 per user and also the same offer for the server. Finally, the Enterprise plan starts from $7 per user, but you will have to reach out to NordLayer to get your custom offer, as it depends on your organization’s needs. Core seems to be the best buy plan covering advanced security such as Biometrics, 2MFA, SSO, and enough bandwidth for small to medium organizations.

Performance

NordLynx tunneling protocol allows NordLayer to deliver fast and stable speeds across their VPN service. In terms of VPN protocols, it supports IKEv2, OpenVPN (both UDP and TCP), and the aforementioned NordLynx which is a fork of the open-source Wireguard protocol. Note that all pricing plans offer up to 1Gbs server performance, which of course will vary depending on the server country you’re using. While mostly equal, there can be some drops in Asian countries, at least during our demo test.

Privacy & Security

The logging policy is right up the alley of any corporate VPN, which means that it does not log visited websites but does log each employee's email address, IP address bandwidth usage, and connection timestamps. The platform complies with GDPR and other major privacy regulations, ensuring data security for businesses operating in sensitive industries.

NordLayer secures internet traffic with modern encryption, offers 2FA via SMS or TOTP, and provides SSO options like Azure AD, Google, JumpCloud, Okta, and OneLogin for employee access, enhancing data breach prevention. In terms of encryption, it uses AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption ciphers, which are fairly robust protocols. Most of the protocol settings are set up as default and we would recommend leaving them as is unless you’re an advanced administrator who wishes to set up a more granular policy. Furthermore, there is a kill switch, which acts as a fail-safe mechanism that prevents data leakage in instances where a VPN disconnects.

Support

NordLayer offers 24/7 customer support through both email and live chat on their website. For self-service, users can access a comprehensive knowledge base that includes guides for setup and troubleshooting. These resources are particularly helpful for first-time configurations. Subscribers to the Custom plan with 30 or more active licenses also benefit from a dedicated account manager, providing personalized assistance tailored to their specific needs. This support structure ensures that users have ample help, whether through self-guided resources or direct communication with NordLayer experts.

Alternatives

Twingate is a competitively priced business VPN solution that, like NordLayer, goes beyond basic VPN functionality to include advanced security features. Although its setup process is slightly more complex, Twingate compensates with a free plan for up to 5 users and 1 admin, making it an ideal choice for small teams wanting to test its capabilities before committing to a paid plan.

Perimeter 81, with its Secure Network as a Service model, offers a cloud-based alternative to traditional hardware firewalls and VPNs. It provides robust security features, including network segmentation and zero-trust access, at a comparable price point. This makes it a compelling choice for businesses seeking flexible, scalable security solutions without the need for on-premise hardware.

Final Verdict

NordLayer is quickly becoming a top choice for businesses with remote and hybrid workforces due to its comprehensive security features. The platform offers military-grade encryption, a robust firewall, and a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) model to minimize risks from malicious actors. We also admire its clean, user-friendly interface, making setup and management intuitive. While it’s not the most budget-friendly option—especially when compared to competitors offering free plans—NordLayer’s pricing is competitive given the advanced security it provides. It's an ideal solution for businesses looking for reliable, scalable protection in a remote-work era, with a robust and secure VPN.

The next Pixel update has been accidentally teased early by a Verizon support page that detailed all the fixes coming to the Google Pixel 9 line-up – and older Pixel 6,7 and 8 devices.

First spotted by 9to5Google the patch should have supposedly launched on November 5 according to the Verizon page, however, the update isn’t yet live at the time of writing. That said, we expect it’ll roll out sometime soon to bring the following improvements to your Pixel 9 smartphone via version AP3A.241105.008:

• Security
  • Provides the most up-to-date Android security patches on your device.
• Bluetooth
  • Addressed an issue with Bluetooth range under certain conditions.
• Camera
  • Addressed an issue with camera tilt when zooming between cameras under certain conditions.
• Sensors
  • Addressed an issue that occasionally prevented Adaptive brightness from activating in certain conditions.
• Touch
  • Addressed an issue when pressing the keyboard dismiss button in certain conditions.
• User interface
  • General improvements for performance and stability in certain UI transitions and animations.
• Display & Graphics
  • Resolved an issue that caused white dots to flash under certain conditions.

(Image credit: Google)

The AP3A.241105.007 update for the Google Pixel 6, Google Pixel 7, and Google Pixel 8 devices includes fewer stability fixes and instead just includes these details:

• The most up to date Android security patches on your device.
• General improvements for performance and stability in certain UI transitions and animations.

So nothing too major for any of the Pixel phones unlike the arrival of Android 15 last month. However, if your Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold has had problems with any of the listed issues, you’ll appreciate that they’ve finally been addressed.

As for non-Pixel updates, Samsung users are still waiting for the full Android 15 launch, though a One UI 7 beta has been tipped to land later this month with new icon styles, lock screen live widgets, and math and physics support in Circle to Search among other tools. The non-beta rollout is expected sometime in early 2025.

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• RAM specs for the Galaxy S25 have been predicted
• The standard model could lose its 12GB option
• 16GB of RAM is expected on the S25 Ultra model

The Samsung Galaxy S25 leaks aren't showing any signs of stopping – with the flagship series expected to make an appearance in January – and the latest rumor suggests we won't be getting much of a RAM upgrade this time around.

This is a tip from well-known leaker @Jukanlosreve, who suggests that the standard Galaxy S25 will have 8GB of RAM, the Galaxy S25 Plus will have 12GB of RAM, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra will have either 12GB or 16GB of RAM.

For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S24 that launched in January 2024 features either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus has 12GB of RAM, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with 12GB of RAM.

In other words, the Ultra model may be getting a bump in terms of what's available, if you go for the 1TB storage option, but there's no change elsewhere – and the standard model might even lose the 12GB RAM option.

To be confirmed

Not confirmed. Vanilla 8 Plus 12 Ultra 12/16 (1TB)November 5, 2024

While this source has a decent record as far as leaks go, they do add that these specs are "not confirmed" – so take them as possibilities rather than certainties for the time being. It could be the case that Samsung is still finalizing its plans.

Earlier rumors suggested that the standard Galaxy S25 model would be getting a bump up to 12GB of RAM across all variants, and a 16GB of RAM option for the Ultra model is also something that we've heard talk of before. The 12GB for the Plus model has been mentioned more than once as well.

While we're still unsure about the RAM that's going to be on offer here, it should be a clearer picture when it comes to the processor inside: it's almost certain that all three Galaxy S25 models will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, in every region.

The only sliver of doubt is that some Geekbench 6 listings for an international variant of the Plus model, spotted by X user @sondesix, have suggested it may get a 10-core Exynos chip instead.

As far as aesthetics go, don't expect too much in the way of design changes. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra could well have a more rounded look than its predecessor, there are unlikely to be many design tweaks elsewhere.

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• Steam’s Game Recording feature is out of beta and available to everyone
• It automatically records the last 120 minutes of gameplay
• The feature leverages the video encoding chops of AMD and Nvidia GPUs

The recent Steam Families update proved beneficial for many PC gamers, and Valve has taken another step in the right direction with Steam’s Game Recording functionality exiting beta, and now being available to all users.

This fresh innovation allows Steam gamers to have their gameplay recorded automatically with titles that support the platform’s overlay feature. As VideoCardz reports, when set to ‘Background Recording’ mode, it will capture the last 120 minutes of gameplay (temporarily, in case you need it). Or alternatively you can initiate a manual ‘On Demand Recording’ and start, then stop, the recording yourself.

Game Recording also allows game developers to hook up with the official API, so devs can implement the ability to add markers for specific events in a recording (like when a boss battle happens, for example) to help you better navigate the recorded footage and find what you want.

This could be a game-changer (literally) for many content creators, with the convenience of running both a game and the recording feature seamlessly together on Steam.

That said, it’s important to note that running Game Recording could meaningfully impact in-game performance (especially on handheld gaming PCs or weaker desktop configurations), but there are options for both lower quality recordings which could help soften any potential performance drops.

Game Recording will use the video encoding chops of your AMD or Nvidia GPU, if you have one, or rely on the CPU if your PC lacks graphics capabilities. In the latter case, that's likely to cause more in the way of performance hiccups, as you might imagine.

(Image credit: Valve) An eventual dream team of Steam streaming integration?

While Steam’s Game Recording is a notable enhancement for all users on the platform, Valve is yet to implement any streaming capabilities. OBS Studio and StreamLabs both feature manual recordings and streaming, which are ideal for social platforms like YouTube and Twitch.

Fortunately, Game Recording on Steam has different bitrates to choose from within its video settings (and also low and high presets) - if you were only using the aforementioned streaming platforms for manual recording, you can make the move to Steam without much worry. More broadly, this is a significant move in allowing the huge number of PC gamers using Steam to get easy access to game recording right there, directly within Valve’s platform, without having to install anything else.

If Valve can integrate streaming services on Steam and possibly improve streaming directly to friends, we could very well be looking at new competition in this particular facet of the gaming arena (up against Discord too).

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• Samsung Galaxy Watch owners are reporting phantom vibrations
• The problem affects Watch 7 and Watch Ultra owners, with no clear cause
• Some suggested fixes include uninstalling WhatsApp or a factory reset

Samsung Galaxy Watch owners are reporting phantom vibrations on their wrist, with no clear cause apparent.

As reported by SamMobile, numerous users are reporting random haptic feedback being triggered on their wrist for no reason - often one tap followed by three in quick succession. The report points to a post in the Samsung Community forums from as early as August. One user reported random vibrations on one of the best Android smartwatches, the new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, and other users have reported similar problems on this device and the Galaxy Watch 7, as well as a host of possible causes and fixes.

According to the report, possible causes include a loss of connectivity between Galaxy Watch and phone, Google Maps mirroring, and WhatsApp. If you've been experiencing these phantom taps for yourself, here are some things you can try.

Fix random vibrations on Samsung Galaxy Watch

(Image credit: Future / Matt Evans)

Based on reports, it seems that one of these three issues above could be causing these random taps. According to SamMobile, the disconnection issue seems unlikely because other users have confirmed the taps happen even when their watch and phone remain connected.

If you think Google Maps mirroring might be the issue, you can open Google Maps on your Watch, swipe up to Settings, and turn off Mirror on Phone. However, some users have reported that the issue persists even after doing this.

If the problem is WhatsApp, one possible solution is uninstalling the app from your watch for a while.

Finally, if in doubt, you can always try a factory reset from the General section of Settings. This one is a bit of a pain but is usually a good last resort for issues like this.

Unfortunately, these solutions are all guesses at this stage. TechRadar has reached out to Samsung for comment, and we'll update this story with any new information.

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Firewalla’s new Gold Pro is one of the best firewalls money can buy. It vastly improves over the previous generation of firewalls, providing twice as much processing power and memory.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Quad-Core N97 at 3.4GHz

RAM: 8GB of DDR4 3200MHz

FLASH: 32GB eMMC

Display: 1 x HDMI

Ethernet connectivity: Two 2.5GbE, two 10GbE

General connectivity: Two USB3.1, one Type-C console

Power Consumption: About 35W

Size: 218mm x 165mm x 44mm

Weight: 1.1 Kg

Connectivity has also been boosted, shifting to four copper Ethernet with two that support up to 10Gb. The unit consumes over 35W with all ports connected, while a cooling fan makes it less reliable in the long run.

The hardware is really half the story of this user-friendly firewall. The software is as polished as one can ask for, requiring just two steps to activate a feature in most cases. Firewalla is keen on adding new ideas in every software release, with recent features such as Wi-Fi tests. The Gold Pro has become more than a regular firewall; as a router, it greatly demystifies network setup and fine-tuning.

The Gold Pro is available in only one variant: one based on an N97 Intel CPU with 8GB of RAM and 32GB of flash memory. The price is steep, just under $1000 (currently at $899 for a limited time), when looking only at the hardware. Firewalla offers cheaper models, ranging from the lowly ARM-based Purple SE to the Gold Plus based on the J4125. All products carry a one-year limited warranty and unlimited software updates.

Firewalla Gold Pro: Design

The Gold Pro ships in a brown box with a 40W AC adapter and a user guide. The white and yellow metal enclosure measures 218mm x 165mm x 44mm and weighs 1.1 Kg, almost twice as big as the previous flagship device. Four rubber feet prevent the Gold Pro from moving if too much force is applied to Ethernet cables. Air vents and four mounting holes are on each side of the unit, while the back contains one socket for power. The unit becomes warm after a while, but the small internal fan makes no noticeable noise.

The front panel contains four RJ45 sockets, two USB 3.0 Type-A, one USB Type-C connector for the serial console, and one HDMI socket. Two recessed buttons on the right allow users to reset and enter recovery mode or reboot. The front LEDs are for the RJ45, showing linkup speed and activity. The status LED on the right comes alive during the boot process and remains off under regular operation. A USB key, which ships with the unit, acts as a security and Bluetooth dongle and must be plugged at all times.

Under the hood, Firewalla provides an Intel N97 quad-core x86 processor to do all the heavy lifting. It is the only processor available onboard, and all network traffic passes through it. The board includes two 2.5Gb and two 10Gb Ethernet MACs from Intel to connect the CPU to the network. Application memories consist of a single channel 8 GB RAM in SO-DIMM format, which can be expanded to 16GB, and 32GB of flash as an eMMC chip.

The Gold Pro's power consumption varies between 17W and 33W, slightly higher than that of the Gold Plus. The fan turns on when the CPU operates at maximum power and is completely silent, making it great as a desktop unit in an office setting. The unit is entirely RJ45-based, so upgrading to fiber is impossible without an SFP media converter. This somewhat limits the utility of the firewall in a home setting, the software supporting PPPoE while most residential Internet is fiber-to-home and thus cannot be connected directly.

Firewalla Gold Pro: In Use

The Gold Pro turns on with power applied to the box. The Linux boot process takes less than one minute, and an LED on the right lights up to show the progress. The software setup requires scanning a QR code at the bottom of the case into the Firewalla mobile app. An Internet connection is needed on the WAN-dedicated port to complete the setup. The Internet port can achieve speeds of up to 10Gbps, keeping the Gold Pro safe from obsolescence.

The Gold Pro can either work as a standalone firewall or as a router behind a firewall. In the router mode, the unit can assign IPs on demand while inspecting inbound and outbound traffic for threats. VLANs have been included for extra security, allowing different networks to reside on the same physical connection. Applications such as VLANs take full advantage of the CPU upgrade, with the N97 achieving over 100% performance uptick over the previous CPU generation.

Firewalla’s mobile application is polished and avoids intimidating the user with too many technical details. The first panel shows the firewall's health status and warnings about potential threats. The mobile app contains features that can be enabled, such as a Wi-Fi tester, VPN clients and servers, or an Adblocker. The list of add-ons, in addition to the threat list, is updated periodically.

Although not recommended, the Gold Pro's software can be customized by the end user through Docker containers. Commercial applications such as unRaid for NAS or home automation can be installed remotely through SSH.

Firewalla Gold Pro: The competition

A good firewall requires constant updates from a service provider. Firewalla’s propositions are more than just good firewalls with regular updates. They are, in fact, network appliances with features such as VPN and ad blocker. These features bring more responsibility from manufacturers on the testing and prevention side since they have more points of failure and potential vulnerabilities.

Many OEM PCs with two or more 2.5GbE connections require an OS like pfSense to work. They usually have a competitive price since one only pays for the hardware but needs a steep learning curve to build a working system. A mobile app is also non-existent, while the threat database usually depends on the open-source community, which isn’t true for the Firewalla Gold Pro.

Firewalla Gold Pro: Final verdict

The Firewalla Gold Pro outperforms its predecessor in terms of processing power by a factor of two, while its 10G connectivity is beyond what most people have at home. The ecosystem, including the app, cloud and threat update services, and tech support, sets it apart from the competition. The mobile app is one of the best available and will make setting up the unit a breeze. Services such as VPN and Adblocker make life easier at home or in the office.

A price tag of just below $1000 means the unit remains beyond what most people are willing to pay for a prosumer firewall. With four Ethernet LAN ports, the hardware can route packets on four high-speed links at 2.5Gb and over. Finally, the system is user-customizable thanks to Firewalla's willingness to open access to the underlying Linux system through SSH.

Buy the Gold Pro if ... you need 10G speed and a fuss-free mobile app.

Don’t buy if ... you are on a tight budget or if saving power is essential.

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• A cyberattack targeted tracking device provider Microlise
• UK Government contractor Serco affected in the incident
• Prison van tracking devices and panic alarms taken offline

A cyberattack targeting telematics and technology solutions firm Microlise has taken tracking software used for prisoners offline.

The software is used by outsourcing giant Serco to provide protection for employees and to monitor prisoners, keeping track of their whereabouts.

Microlise provides a ‘seamless eco-system around remote assets for operators’ to a number of large corporations with lorry fleets, and the attack also affected panic alarms inside Serco prison vans and express mail courier DHL, whose fleets were left without tracking capabilities.

Outsourced security

Microlise told the London Stock Exchange it was, “working hard to quickly bring the affected services back online” in its notification of the incident. Crews were said to have been sent out without proper security for staff members.

The contingency plans outlined by Serco included crews contacting base every 30 minutes, staff using ‘paper maps and guidance’ and ensuring mobile devices are charged.

“We are aware that one of our subcontractors has been impacted by a cyber incident. We have put in place mitigation plans and we have continued to provide prisoner escorting services uninterrupted for the Ministry of Justice,” said Serco.

Microlise has since confirmed some systems have now been restored, and that it has appointed external cybersecurity specialists to fully restore all affected systems.

Serco came under scrutiny earlier in 2024 for failing to fit hundreds of prisoners with electronic tags after they were released early as part of Starmer’s plan to ease overcrowding. This was not the first time Serco has been criticised, as a previous tagging scandal led to a Serious Fraud Office investigation.

“Serco has a long history of poor performance and negligent conduct on tagging contracts and needs to be held to account by the MoJ [Ministry of Justice]” said Chair of the Justice Select Committee, Andy Slaughter.

Serco holds a number of government contracts, and recently opened Britain’s first ‘smart prison’, HMP Fosse Way. The ‘resettlement prison’ boasts smart technology such as in-cell devices and robust security, including ‘cutting edge body scanners’ to prevent contraband.

Via Financial Times

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As a premium VPN solution, it supports a variety of clients covering Windows, MacOS, and mobile platforms ensuring easy access for remote workforces across all of their devices. Additionally, we should note here that the VPN is tightly integrated with Check Point’s security management platform, tied to other advanced threat detection and prevention tools that the company offers. In simpler terms, the best comprehensive solution can be gained if the entire Check Point package is chosen, since you can get hardware security solutions from Check Point and can easily integrate them into their powerful SmartConsole, an admin dashboard solution.

Features like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO), and Identity Awareness improve security and ease of use. Furthermore, the Always-ON VPN feature ensures constant security by keeping users connected securely to corporate networks at all times. If you have a need to create temporary users who will be able to access your VPN for a set period of time, you can do so as well. This is ideal for customers visiting your site and needing access to some resources for a few hours or days.

Check Point offers a variety of remote access VPN solutions tailored to different business needs. These include Harmony Endpoint for comprehensive endpoint protection, Endpoint Security VPN for IPsec-based connectivity, and Mobile Access Web Portal for clientless SSL VPN access. Additional options include Check Point Mobile for Windows, SecuRemote, and Capsule VPN for iOS and Android, each designed to provide secure connectivity for remote users.

Pricing & Plans

Though we’re used to enterprise solutions hiding their pricing behind a “must-attend demo session” or directly contacting sales for company pricing, we’re really not fond of this practice. Depending on the number of users you have, you will probably have to choose between one of the mobile access blade tiers. The MOB-U is an unlimited access for unlimited users. The other license levels are MOB-50 and MOB-200 for 50 or 200 concurrent users respectively. The licenses do not stack, complicating the choice.

Recently, the company introduced a cloud comprehensive solution named Harmony Endpoint which among other things, under Access Control offers VPN. The advantage here is that you will not have to worry about licensing or the number of users, and could potentially present a better solution if you need comprehensive security and not just a VPN solution.

Configuration

If you have a Check Point appliance in your company as part of the package, such as the 1530 Appliance, then the configuration of the VPN can be done using the SmartConsole for users accessing resources through the company network. On the left side menu, you will need to navigate to the VPN tab and then, under Blade Control, enable Remote Control and enable SSL VPN. Before you can actually access SSL VPN services you will have to configure them under the SSL Bookmarks section and then add and define the users. Here you can define permanent or temporary users, with the process being manual and time-intensive if you have numerous users to add, as you have to define the user names and passwords yourself.

For PC client configuration, there is a wizard once the package has been downloaded that leads you through the setup. You will have to make sure you know all of the details of your network as there is no auto-filling option, even if the PC is in the business network, which unnecessarily complicates the installation process.

All in all, we would have liked the setup to be more in line with the modern standards set by commercial clients targeting wider audiences; though we do understand that this is a more complex solution that requires comprehensive networking knowledge and experts who are used to setting up corporate networks and protecting resources.

Performance

Quantum VPN excels in speed and stability, ensuring uninterrupted access to business resources thanks to the powerful hardware in the background. The more powerful the gateway hardware, the better it handles increased remote access users. But that’s not the whole story. Both AMD and Intel have added AES encryption features directly into their CPUs, which helps boost VPN performance.

This technology, known as AES New Instructions (AES-NI), allows hardware to handle many encryption tasks more efficiently, reducing the load on software and significantly improving speed and security. This means businesses can support more users with better performance, thanks to these built-in capabilities. Check Point promises AES-NI compatibility (AES-128, AES-256) to be supported by default, ensuring the highest possible performance gains without any hick-ups.

Despite all of this, users should note to optimize the interface affinity by enabling multi-queuing, and check that you have no or low fragmented packet rate to ensure the best performance. Finally, despite the powerful hardware and protocols you still need to ensure that you utilize configuration best practices to guarantee the best performance. With all of that being said, Check Point ranks in the top five enterprise VPNs when it comes to performance.

Privacy & Security

One of the standout features is the IPsec suite. It provides robust security by encrypting data, ensuring that sensitive information is shielded from man-in-the-middle attacks or unauthorized decryption. By leveraging advanced mathematical algorithms and end-to-end encryption, IPsec effectively blocks hacking attempts, keeping data transmissions secure from start to finish.

This powerful combination of security protocols makes it an essential tool for protecting business communications and maintaining privacy in enterprise environments. For the mobile app, this feature is available only on Check Point Capsule VPN for Android or Check Point Capsule Connect for iOS.

Overall, it offers industry-leading encryption, compliance with GDPR, and no-logging policies. Advanced encryption methods protect sensitive data, and integration with Check Point’s broader security suite enhances overall business security.

Check Point actively monitors and addresses emerging VPN threats. In a recent advisory, they urged users to review VPN configurations, highlighting an increase in attacks using weak, password-only authentication. The company swiftly mobilized teams to investigate incidents where outdated login methods were targeted. To enhance security, Check Point recommends disabling unnecessary local accounts and implementing stronger multi-factor authentication methods. They also released a solution to automatically prevent unauthorized access through weak authentication, ensuring customers’ VPNs are better protected against evolving threats.

Alternatives

If you’re shopping for an enterprise-wide solution but are not ready to pay the top dollar, then the first alternative could be Fortinet. FortiClient functions as both a firewall and a secure solution for connecting your devices to a VPN. It allows you to link your entire office on a secure VPN, enabling easy and safe data sharing. With FortiClient, you can access office archives and files remotely, providing flexibility for on-the-go work. It’s a fast and reliable network with minimal maintenance needs, making it a great choice for businesses looking to streamline their remote access and security.

An additional alternative is Cisco’s AnyConnect; which offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your data stays protected, while its adaptive security policies help guard against threats. With support for multiple devices and platforms, AnyConnect makes it easy to connect teams and manage remote access securely. Its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with other Cisco security tools make it a versatile alternative thanks to a more streamlined setup process and a clearer pricing structure.

Final Verdict

Check Point Quantum VPN is a high-end solution for enterprises that are best utilized as the entire package combining hardware and software to provide comprehensive, company-wide security. With that being said, you will have to pay much more for such an approach, but you can then be sure you have one of the best solutions on the market. Set up is a bit more complex, but the client-side software (mobile apps) have clean UI’s and are logically laid out and easy to use overall. Moreover, if you’re in charge of backend maintenance through the admin console, you will also be greeted by a modern UI that seamlessly transitions between tabs and provides single-click solutions for most of the configurations.

While it may be overkill for small businesses, it’s a worthy investment for large-scale operations prioritizing security, knowing that you have a reliable partner for company cyber security that stays abreast of new threat development. If you’re on a tighter budget then one of the suggested alternatives could be a solid choice as they provide solid features for less money.

Several key refinance rates were higher this week, but rates are expected to trend down in the coming months.

A handful of important mortgage rates ticked up. But experts are optimistic about rates falling in the long term.

PS5 Pro: Two-minute review

The PlayStation 5 Pro is Sony’s enhanced mid-generation gaming console, and it is categorically better than its PS5 brethren. I’ve spent the best part of a full week with the PS5 Pro now, and have been consistently impressed with its upgrades. Time and again the PS5 Pro has wowed me with incredible graphical quality and wonderfully high frame rates and given me crisper, smoother images and experiences over my base PS5 in almost every game I've tried.

From confirmed PS5 Pro enhanced games, to ‘regular’ PS5 games and PS4 games, and on both a 60Hz 4K TV and 120Hz-capable 4K gaming monitor, I have been blown away by the experience on the PS5 Pro. On a technical level, this is going to be the best way to enjoy the rest of the generation, but there’s a sting in the tail that means that it isn’t quite a slam dunk.

While it delivers on its brief of delivering a mid-gen graphical upgrade - though perhaps not quite to the same degree as the PS4 Pro did when capitalizing on the rise of 4K TV adoption - its graphical boosts, while tangible, aren’t seismic or groundbreaking; certainly not for the vast majority of PS5 players anyway. As such evolutionary-not-revolutionary steps won’t be enough to persuade most.

It also has a price problem which I find frustrating, sad, and baffling in equal measure. At $700 / £700 it is the most expensive Sony home console ever; and this is a mid-generational upgrade, remember - not a wholly new system. It also doesn’t come with a disc drive or a vertical stand which means you’re looking at north of $800 / £800 to even mirror the setup you got originally with a $500 / £450 launch PS5. Considering the PS5 Pro is a premium gaming console and one that will most appeal to PlayStation gaming enthusiasts like myself, it’s hard not to feel disappointed. Pair this with the baffling decision to leave out a disc drive - most enthusiasts are physical media proponents and the most likely to have physical game collections - and the disappointment grows a little more.

The key upgrade is really the convergence of graphical fidelity and performance with games now able to tap into the PS5 Pro’s hardware and features to shine in both ways - at the same time. The wizardry of Sony’s proprietary Playstation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) helps enormously in its AI-driven upscaling tech, and the results are glorious. The likes of Horizon Forbidden West and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 Remastered, truly shine on PS5 Pro and have new performance modes that run incredibly smoothly at high frame rates and have a level of detail you’d be hard pushed to say weren’t a full-fat fidelity mode.

(Image credit: Future)

The boost to ray tracing that’s on offer is absolutely beautiful too. Coming on top of the boosts to fidelity and performance, you can now enjoy some of the best ray-tracing PS5 has to offer in a performance mode, targeting 60 frames per second, which is truly special in games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The boosts to non-enhanced PS5 and particularly PS4 games are harder to discern currently, but the games I've tested show what can be achieved with the PS5 Pro’s hardware.

If you were thinking of upgrading your TV to a 120Hz screen, or have recently got one such monitor or TV, then the benefits of the PS5 Pro grow further still with extra modes in the likes of Horizon Forbidden West that offer even more refined balances of graphics and performance to target super-high levels of fidelity and intermediate frame rates such as 40 frames per second. However folks with TVs that aren't 120hz capable can still get great benefits that I can attest to - the moment-to-moment experience of a game’s Performance Pro (or other similarly named) modes is brilliant and means you'll be getting a wonderful image and resolution and, in effect, making the absolute most of your TV’s 60Hz refresh rate.

The aforementioned PSSR is in many ways the headline act of the PS5 Pro’s upgraded feature set with it being the first AI-driven upscaling tech in a Sony home console, and the results discussed above mean that it has great promise and is offering something impressive already. Combined with upgrades to memory, graphics card, storage, and Wi-Fi, the PS5 Pro does offer more than just a niche graphical upgrade package too.

In particular, the boost to 2TB of storage in the Pro makes a huge difference that would otherwise cost around $100 / £100 to add to any other PS5, while the addition of Wi-Fi 7 for better internet connectivity, is welcome, especially considering the Pro starts off life as a digital console.

From a purely aesthetic view, the PS5 Pro console is immediately cut from the PS5 family cloth in terms of design and build and sports all the aesthetic touches to the ports that you’d want from another PS5 console. Coming in at around the same thickness as the PS5 Slim, and the same height as the launch PS5, the Pro is a curvaceous and pretty slick-looking thing.

The sleek white panels - a matte finish, not shiny like the Slim - are elegant, while the black middle and lines of black fins new on the Pro provide excellent contrast. It offers the same ports as the PS5 Slim too so you’re well covered with two USB-Cs on the front, two USB-As on the back, an HDMI, an ethernet, and the power port on the back. Sadly, those panels are not interchangeable with those that fit the PS5 Slim, and it also doesn’t come with a disc drive or a vertical stand which does seem at odds with its positioning as a premium PlayStation-enthusiast console.

The PS5 Pro is the most complete PS5 package now, but its core benefits and upgrades are a little niche, and the advancements are subtle - not ground-breaking - so it’s not going to be a good value investment for everyone.

If you’ve a keen eye for detail, are a PlayStation fanatic who wants to be at the bleeding edge of the brand’s console and wants the most performant PlayStation console going, or you’re a graphics obsessive who wants the best experience going, or are a PS5 user with a new 120Hz-capable gaming TV or PS5 monitor, then the gaming experiences provided by the PS5 Pro are going to be very tempting indeed. For everyone else, it’s just going to be too expensive.

PS5 Pro: Price and availability

• List price: $699.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,199
• Does not include a disc drive or vertical stand
• Launched on November 7, 2024

Since the day of its reveal, the PlayStation 5 Pro’s price has been a big talking point - and it remains so. Cutting to it, $700 / £700 for a mid-generation upgrade console is steep and makes it the most expensive Sony home console ever. It also comes in at $200 / £220 more than the list price of the PS5 Slim, the current ‘base’ version of the console.

By comparison, the PlayStation 4 Pro launched at the original PS4’s price which felt right - especially given the base console’s simultaneous permanent price drop. If the PS5 Pro’s price had come even a little closer to the PS5’s price ($499.99 / £479.99) then this new console would be seriously tempting, and more so for existing PS5 owners.

The extra sting in the price department is that the PS5 Pro console does not come with a disc drive or vertical stand. The latter Sony has previous form with in regards to the PS5 Slim also not coming with one, but the lack of a disc drive, when positioned as a premium, enthusiast console is a big disappointment - and a bit baffling, despite being offset by some of the other PS5 Pro specs on offer.

A welcome point in this category though is, unlike the PS5 at launch, the PS5 Pro is widely available everywhere at time of writing. PS5 Pro pre-orders briefly sold out at PlayStation Direct on the day they started (September 26), but since then stock at Sony’s own storefront and other retailers has remained steady and readily available.

PS5 Pro: Specs

(Image credit: Future) PS5 Pro: Design and features

• Slick design form and chic new take on the PS5-family aesthetic
• Digital console with no disc drive by default
• Updated console covers aren’t interchangeable with existing PS5 plates

The overall design of the PS5 Pro is very in keeping with the PS5 generation of console and accessories; a symphony in black and white curves, but done in its own style that’s both fresh and new but also familiar. The white panels are not as shiny as they are on the PS5 Slim, instead having a more matte finish, while the fins that split the console across its middle are pretty striking from a design point of view and one that I really quite like, providing a stylish flash of black across the sea of white.

The form and overall build share features with the original launch PS5 and the newer Slim model, too. The four-sectioned exterior and overall slender form is very reminiscent of the PS5 Slim, while the Pro comes in bigger than that standard console, and is just about as tall as the original PS5. In cold hard numbers, the PS5 is 15.2 x 3.5 x 8.5in / 388 x 89 x 216mm (WxHxD) in size and weighs 6.8lbs / 3.1kg.

In the box, in addition to the console itself, you get a standard DualSense Wireless Controller, a power plug for your region, an HDMI 2.1 cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable for the controller, and all the necessary paperwork.

The PS5 Pro is a digital-only console by default meaning there’s no disc drive included. This needs to be bought separately and applied as you would on the PS5 Slim - fortunately, the Pro is compatible with the pre-existing PS5 disc drive. There’s also no vertical stand included so the PS5 Pro is also a horizontal console by default with the squat version of the detachable legs included in the box.

(Image credit: Future)

The PS5 Pro follows suit with the PS5 Slim by offering two USB-C ports on the front of the console toward the power button, and where the PS5 Pro’s LED lights are too (i.e. not at the ‘flare end’ as on the launch PS5). On the rear, it’s a more familiar situation to those with any PS5 with the power port, HDMI port, two USB-A ports, and an ethernet port finishing the set. The arrangement of the ports is also more in line with the PS5 Slim however, with the HDMI port further up or the left-hand side (depending on your view) compared to the launch PS5.

The shell of the PS5 Pro is divided into four plates - each named after a PlayStation shape to ensure you don’t ever mix them up, and all are removable with a similar level of force as the other PS5s. It is a great shame, however, while the arrangement of the PS5 Pro generally means that the larger lower panels are exactly the same as the PS5 Slim - a fact reinforced by the disc drive’s compatibility - but the smaller, top panels aren’t the same size which is a great shame. I tested this myself to confirm it, so fans who want to adorn the Pro in their choice of colorway will likely have to wait for Pro-specific panels to become available.

Under the console covers, the PS5 Pro has the same PS5 SSD bay that the previous models had and can be engaged with in exactly the same way too as I experienced by installing my Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus SSD during testing.

When you boot the PS5 Pro up, you’ll be greeted by a user interface that is exactly the same as the other PS5 models. It’s a slick and easy-to-navigate setup process as well as a wider layout to move around, and aside from a few more menu options and toggles, it’s identical and will be very familiar to current PS5 owners. If you need to transfer data from a PS4 or another PS5 to get going, then there’s a simple process to do so when first using the Pro.

(Image credit: Future) PS5 Pro: Performance

• Excellent performance blending fidelity and performance simultaneously...
• ...however, advancements aren't groundbreaking or revolutionary
• Supporting specs offer further benefits

The proof was always going to be in the performance and graphics pudding, so I installed a whole host of games on the PS5 Pro and my regular PS5 to compare the differences. So far in my testing, I've seen impressive things in those enhanced games I've been able to run.

The effect of the beefier GPU, and the impact of PSSR is tangible and genuine, and it clearly helps developers enhance their games to offer their definitive versions. It’s an exciting proposition for the remainder of the PS5 generation and I already have high hopes for Sony's first-party studios and games like Marvel's Wolverine, and whatever is coming next from Naughty Dog, et al.

The PS5 Pro allows the Northlight engine in Alan Wake 2 to really shine. Instead of adding any more modes, the game takes advantage of the Pro by offering boosts to its quality and performance modes through increased ray-tracing effects, and increased detail. The boost to both modes compared to my base PS5 was immediately noticeable. Ray tracing, reflections, and lighting are all greatly improved in quality mode, while visual boosts and framerate smoothness combine in performance mode.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered immediately feels like a game built (well, rebuilt) for PS5 Pro. The moment I booted into the game and started enjoying the cutscenes and getting into the action, I was knocked down by the gorgeous lighting, fabulous reflections, lifelike water and hair detail, and an overall image quality that was stupendous.

This was the case in both games’ ‘Pro’ version of the existing Resolution and Performance graphics settings. Despite the lack of description in the menu as to exactly what was happening in each, I found the Favor Performance Pro to be the best way to enjoy the game: blending the brilliant upgraded visuals and effects with a smooth, high frame rate gave me a brand new experience in Horizon that I’d never had before.

A third setting is available; a Balanced Pro version does exist on 120Hz capable displays that seem to enable the Pro to get higher frame rates than 30fps while knocking only a bit of quality off (so probably a 40fps mode, something made possible, and excellent, with Variable Refresh Rate) to get even more of the best of both worlds should the display be the right match.

(Image credit: Future)

In Horizon Forbidden West, the Resolution and Performance Pro modes remain the same as in the remastered first game, but the Balanced Pro mode is described as very high fidelity at 40fps when playing on a 120Hz-specced display. When playing on my gaming monitor that is HDMI 2.1 capable, this was perhaps my favorite setting of the bunch on both games.

The Last of Us Part 1 and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered are both brilliant too. The games share identical display options and respond and present themselves in the same way. The new ‘Pro’ mode is an absolute dream and now my favorite way to play these games and experience their worlds. This mode renders the game at 1440p, then uses PSSR to upscale to 4K and targets 60fps. The results are spectacular, and I really had difficulty telling the difference between the overall image quality of the Pro mode with the PS5’s Fidelity mode. World details such as foliage, lighting, and reflections are extra beautiful and things like the details on Joel and Ellie’s backpacks are crisper than ever - all while running at a smoother, higher frame rate.

Zipping around New York in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 couldn’t possibly have felt or looked better but here we are - the game is staggeringly brilliant on PS5 Pro. The two settings - Fidelity Pro and Performance Pro are both beautiful on PS5 Pro. The former offers incredible ray-tracing, reflections, and overall sharpness, with a few options to change the intensity of some options which can be altered to gain some performance back.

The latter mode, is also something else, though. Offering a smooth 60fps while retaining the image quality of standard (PS5) fidelity mode through PSSR, it presents an extraordinary combination of graphics and performance - and all ray-tracing features are on by default in this setting.

Not to be outdone by its studio-mate, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is also wonderful to play, and just look at on PS5 Pro. The game features the same two settings as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (but one fewer ray-tracing settings, the reflections and interiors) with the Performance Pro mode being a standout once again with all ray-tracing features present and PSSR doing some excellent heavy lifting to create a fantastic image, and experience.

I have taken Demon’s Souls for a quick spin around the block too which is excellent in its dedicated PS5 Pro mode - it’s literally called ‘PS5 Pro’. Comparing it to the cinematic and performance modes that remain in the game, it’s hard to tell the difference between the overall image quality of the former, and the smooth frame rates of the latter in the dedicated Pro mode.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s also worth noting that the PS5 Pro, during the above extensive game testing, doesn't blow as loudly as its mid-gen predecessor - the PS4 Pro - did compared to that generation’s base console. I have found the PS5 Pro to run no louder than the base PS5 at its loudest, and actually quieter a lot of the time.

These are just some of the games I’ve had the chance to test so far - and they paint a special picture looking forward to the full list of enhanced games, as well as those yet to come out. The fact remains that if you're playing a game that’s been enhanced for PS5 Pro, you absolutely will get an enhanced experience - the Pro is noticeably and clearly better, making games look even more stunning and run super fast and smooth, simultaneously. We can now have the best of both worlds, and the results often feel like playing the definitive version of games. This is especially the case if you have a 120Hz-capable display that can unlock any balanced or 40fps modes too - this is the point at which the PS5 Pro’s impact and performance can offer more and be even more compelling.

A note on PSVR 2 games

(Image credit: Future)

Sony has said that the PS5 Pro’s enhanced graphics will boost and benefit PSVR 2 games greatly. However, I haven’t had the chance to test PSVR 2 with the PS5 Pro yet but will be updating this review, as and when I get the chance to fully explore this. Sony's blog post running down the list of enhanced games at the PS5 Pro's launch did include Kayak VR: Mirage, however, so we're hopeful of some tangible benefits to PSVR 2 gaming.

As well as making non-enhanced PS5 games look even better with the hardware giving them a boost, the PS5 Pro does include a new, dedicated boost mode of sorts for PS4 games: you can enable an option to enhance image quality for PS4 games.

The games do look great on PS5 Pro, but I have struggled to really pick out clear differences and upgrades, and have often found myself reaching for highlights and really peering to see what might be different or enhanced. I’ll continue testing this with more PS4 games to see if there’s anything definitive but it’s not quite clear what the setting does right now. I tried this with Doom, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Infamous Second Son, Dishonored 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Days Gone.

The PS5 Pro features a 2TB SSD which allows so much more breathing room in terms of storage. For reference and as an example of what the boost means in real or day-to-day terms, I had 17 games installed - from 11.6GB Astro’s Playroom to the 130GB Horizon Forbidden West - and still had 353GB of space left to use.

There’s also more storage on the SSD by default: whereas the original PS5 only had about 667GB free to use from its 825GB SSD (80% of the drive), the PS5 Pro allows you to use 1.89TB of its 2TB drive, which is 94.5% of the drive. This is excellent and helps to provide a storage situation where you may not even need a PS5 SSD that you once previously did. With 1TB SSDs costing just north of $100 / £100, broadly speaking, this extra capacity upgrade is not inconsiderable.

(Image credit: Future)

Wi-Fi 7 is a welcome inclusion too and I definitely experienced quicker and more stable download speeds and connection to my PlayStation Portal on my home internet. Your mileage may vary depending on the quality of the internet, but it should represent improvements across the board given the upgrade.

The day-to-day gaming performance of the PS5 Pro is, all in, a joy to behold and use in action. PSSR works wonders and provides a brilliant experience by blending the best of fidelity and performance modes. While I have found the upgrades tremendous so far, I also recognize that such changes are largely subtle and aren’t revolutionary - as a result, I can still see most PS5 owners sticking with their launch or PS5 Slim models.

But for folks like me who have a keen eye for detail and performance, the results are terrific and wholly worthwhile. If the new hardware continues to be embraced by devs, the PS5 Pro could set the standard and be the definitive way to enjoy the rest of the PS5 generation - and also hint at where the PS6 could take things when it comes along.

(Image credit: Future) Should you buy the PS5 Pro? Buy it if...

You’ve always wanted fidelity and performance modes at the same time in games
One key reason the PS5 Pro exists is to prevent folks from having to choose between quality and frame rates - and it absolutely succeeds in offering that with ‘Pro’ performance modes now offering both, in particular.

You want the latest advancements in console gaming tech and ray tracing capabilities
The PS5 Pro’s advanced ray-tracing combined with the wizardry of PSSR and its beefier graphics card means the console offers the very latest tech going on consoles - and boy does it show, with all three combining to make superb gaming experiences.

You have got or are going to get a 120Hz TV or monitor for gaming
The PS5 Pro on a non-120Hz display still makes games look and play amazing, but if you’ve got or are getting a 120Hz HDMI 2.1-specced display for gaming then the benefits increase and the enhancements get even more tangible.

You’re a PlayStation fan and want the most performant PlayStation console going
Simply put, many PlayStation fans will always want the best PlayStation experience that’s available - a totally legitimate position and one that the PS5 Pro offers. Such fans who adopt the Pro will not be disappointed with its performance.

Don't buy it if...

You’d want maximum value from a graphical upgrade
While tangible, PS5 Pro’s graphical upgrades are more subtle and evolutionary rather than groundbreaking so the price tag of the Pro is a very hard one to swallow. If you’re hoping for something more groundbreaking for $700 / £700 then the Pro isn’t quite offering that and the better value option is the original PS5 or the PS5 Slim.

You already have a PS5 and are totally satisfied with the experiences it provides
If you already have a PS5 Slim or launch model, enjoy the exciting experiences it provides, and aren’t one to strive for higher numbers than those you have already then you can likely skip the PS5 Pro and stay as you are.

Also consider

If you're not totally sold on the PS5 Pro, then here are some other consoles to consider by comparison.

PS5

The PS5 (Slim or launch model) is still a brilliant games console and will provide wonderful gaming experiences. If you’re not a graphics obsessive or someone who desires the most power and capability from their PlayStation console then the PS5 is a brilliant console in 2024.

For more information, check out our full (original) PS5 review, and stay tuned for our full PS5 Slim review.

Xbox Series X

Microsoft’s full-fat current-generation console is a fine machine on the other side of the console divide, and offers its own suite of specs, experiences, and games, especially through Xbox Game Pass. If you’re on the lookout for a home console that will offer the best graphical experience for the enormous game library on this side of the canyon, then this is the machine to go for.

For more information, check out our full Xbox Series X review.

Nintendo Switch

Although rumors of a successor rumble on, the Nintendo Switch is arguably the best handheld home gaming console, which sets it well apart from the likes of the PS5 Pro. If you’d been eyeing up a handheld games console next, rather than a mid-generation upgrade, then the Nintendo Switch is a great option to consider.

For more information, check out our full Nintendo Switch review and our full Nintendo Switch OLED review.

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the PS5 Pro

• Tested for many hours a day for around a week, playing and running a range of games
• Compared design, build, features, and performance directly to PS5 Slim and launch PS5
• Tested download speeds, transfers, load times, and gameplay improvements

I tested the PS5 Pro for about a week for review. I installed nearly 20 games from both my PS5 and PS4 libraries on it and compared them running on the PS5 Pro to my standard PS5 console. I spent hours observing how the games looked and performed in all modes - and tinkered with settings - on the PS5 Pro compared to the PS5 which allowed me to spot differences between the two consoles.

Comparisons between the models didn’t stop at games, however, as I also compared the PS5 Pro on a physical level to the PS5 Slim and base PS5 launch model, looking at physical appearance, dimensions, weight, footprint, taking console covers off and reapplying them, adding an M.2 SSD, port arrangement, using it both vertically and horizontally, testing noise pollution, as well as observing download and install speeds and testing connectivity through Wi-Fi and ethernet.

I also, simply, used it as my daily gaming platform, playing a variety of games, both single-player and online, browsing the menus and engaging with different settings, moving games and apps from storage locations, and more.

I used the PS5 Pro on both a gaming monitor and TV for testing; the former being an Acer Predator X32Q FS 4K screen that offered a quality screen to test the Pro’s 120Hz capabilities, and the latter being a Samsung Q6F QLED 4K TV, enabling me to test it with a non-120Hz display.

In terms of complementary gear and accessories, I tested the PS5 Pro with the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds the Sony Inzone H9 headset, the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, multiple DualSense controllers, a Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus PS5 SSD, a Crucial X8 external hard drive, and a PlayStation Portal.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2024

• Mozilla Foundation will lay off around 30+ workers
• A “relentless onslaught of change” has been blamed
• The Foundation remains committed to “a healthy internet”

The Mozilla Foundation, an American nonprofit linked to the company responsible for the Firefox browser, has confirmed it will be laying off nearly a third (30%) of its employees.

The decision to reduce its headcount comes after what the Foundation describes as a “relentless onslaught of change.”

The Mozilla Foundation is now believed to have up to 120 workers, meaning that the layoffs will affect around 36 employees.

Mozilla Foundation to lay off a third of its workers

“The Mozilla Foundation is reorganizing teams to increase agility and impact as we accelerate our work to ensure a more open and equitable technical future for us all," confirmed Brandon Borrman, Mozilla’s VP of Communications.

"That unfortunately means ending some of the work we have historically pursued and eliminating associated roles to bring more focus going forward. We’re not sharing a specific number, but it represents about 30% of the current team.”

This isn’t the first time Mozilla has laid off workers – Mozilla Corporation, not to be confused with the Foundation, laid off around 60 workers in February 2024 - the equivalent of around 5% of its workforce.

The Corporation is the name that many consumers will already be familiar with, through projects like the Firefox browser, but it’s the Foundation that oversees governance and sets policies. Mozilla has three other organizations – the tech-for-good investment fund Mozilla Ventures, AI R&D lab Mozilla.ai and Thunderbird-maker MZLA.

The Foundation also lobbies for “privacy, inclusion, literacy, and all principles of a healthy internet,” including more recently safe AI.

Nabiha Syed, Mozilla Foundation’s executive director, shared in an email with colleagues (via TechCrunch): “Navigating this topsy-turvy, distracting time requires laser focus — and sometimes saying goodbye to the excellent work that has gotten us this far because it won’t get us to the next peak.”

Borman added: "We also want to clarify that the restructuring has not dropped advocacy; on the contrary, advocacy is still a central tenet of Mozilla Foundation’s work and we are in the process of revisiting our approach to it."

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• Mozilla scaling back VPN, relay and more as it downsizes, lays off 60 workers
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Austrian Audio Hi-X20: Two-minute review

The company hasn’t been around all that long, but this is not Austrian Audio’s first rodeo at the entry point of the wired over-ear headphones market. Its performance credentials are established, but with the Hi-X20 it seems to have decided that it would like its headphones to look as coherent as they sound to sit among the best wired headphones out there. Which can only be a good thing.

The ‘Hi-X’ bit of the model number means ‘high excursion’, and the Hi-X20 use the same 44mm full-range dynamic driver assembly as all the other ‘Hi-X’ models in the Austrian Audio line-up. This, too, counts as an uncomplicatedly good thing.

And when it comes to ‘performance’, the Hi-X20 are all business. From detail retrieval to dynamics, and soundstaging to tonal balance, they’re a confident and very accomplished listen. They unify recordings properly, strike a nice balance between ‘poise’ and ‘attack’, keep momentum levels high and have complete command over rhythm and tempo. Some listeners might conceivably require greater punch from the (nicely shaped, nicely varied) low frequencies that are on offer here, but everyone else can just revel in sound quality that makes the asking price seem a bit like a misprint.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Price & release date

• Released October, 2024
• Priced $150 / £120 / AU$250

The Austrian Audio Hi-X20 have been on sale since October 2024, and at a price of $150 / £120 / AU$250 they’re one of the company’s most affordable designs. But while the affordable wired over-ear closed-back design isn’t the most fashionable at the moment, it’s not as if the Hi-X20 are your only choice. Plenty of brands, from FiiO to Sony and many points in between, have a comparable model in their line-ups…

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Specs

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Features

• 44mm full-range dynamic drivers
• 12Hz - 24kHz frequency response
• Detachable 3m cable

The same high-excursion dynamic driver is fitted to every ‘Hi-X’ headphones in the Austrian Audio line-up. It’s a 44mm full-range number, backed by a powerful ring magnet and lightweight copper-covered aluminium voice-coil. A strong magnetic field, optimal airflow and rapid impulse reaction all combine in the arrangement to deliver, according to the manufacturer, a frequency response of 12Hz - 24kHz.

The Hi-X20 are supplied with a three-meter length of cable for connection to a source. At one end it clicks and twists into a 2.5mm socket on the left ear cup, while at the other end its 3.5mm termination also features a 6.3mm adapter. It’s a useful length of cable if you’re using your headphones in a professional capacity, sure, but it’s a bit much if all you’re doing is domestic listening. A second, shorter option in the packaging might have been nice.

That’s pretty much your lot for ‘features’. Even the most expensive passive headphones tend not to have all that long a list of features, and the Hi-X20 simply have the essentials.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Sound quality

• Fast, attacking-yet-controlled sound
• Confident, positive presentation
• Some listeners will require greater bass presence

Despite sharing the same driver arrangement as every other ‘Hi-X’ model, Austrian Audio has tuned the Hi-X20 to address some perceived issues in the way some of the brand's predecessors sound. Whether or not it has been successful in this endeavour, there’s certainly no getting away from the fact that the Hi-X20 are a persuasive listen and an accomplished product.

There’s straight-edged attack to the onset of sounds, no matter where in the frequency range they occur. The top end is bright and shining, nicely controlled and with enough substance to prevent even the crunchiest treble sounds becoming edgy or hard. The Hi-X20 are speedy in their presentation, and keep momentum levels high in every circumstance.

A 24bit/44.1kHz FLAC of Lamb’s Trans Fatty Acid from Kruder & Dorfmeister’s The K&D Sessions illustrates the point in full. The Hi-X20 fairly motor through the tune, expressing the rhythm confidently and offering a direct, convincing overall presentation. Integration of the frequency range is smooth throughout, and in the midrange there’s a degree of positivity that makes the vocal performance sound assertive and articulate.

At the bottom of the frequency range, the Austrian Audio extract and contextualize just as much detail as elsewhere, and there’s pleasing variation to bass sounds. They’re not without substance, either – although the fleet-footed nature of the sound here means the lowest frequencies can be fractionally slender – if you’re the sort of listener who likes to be pummelled by low-frequency presence, you might conceivably find the Hi-X20 a little on the lean side.

Dynamic headroom is considerable, and the Austrian Audio respond instantly to switches in volume or intensity. They create a large, well-defined and properly organized soundstage, too, and manage to unify even complex recordings into singular occurrences rather than present them as a collection of individual and unrelated events.

Switching to a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of Nick Drake’s Which Will allows the Hi-X20 to demonstrate their understanding of tone and texture. The acoustic instrumentation and close-mic’d vocal is delivered in an intimate, assured style – not every pair of headphones can make this recording sound as near-field and naturalistic as this, no matter the asking price.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Design

• Neat folding arrangement
• Metal headband and hinges
• Replaceable ear pads

You don’t ‘design’ headphones, really, certainly not affordable headphones – you ‘build’ them. And so the Hi-X20 look just as you’d expect a pair of affordable over-ear closed-back headphones to look. ‘Design’ doesn’t come into it.

Mind you, at least the Hi-X20 don’t follow the example of previous affordable Austrian Audio models by having far too many colours and textures involved. The HiX-20 are almost entirely black in finish, with only a smattering of branding picked out in red. The plastic that constitute the rear of the ear cup and cover the headband adjustment mechanism feel sturdy enough, and the slow-retention memory foam that makes up the ear pads and sits across the inside of the headband is pleather-covered and comfortable.

In fact, thanks to their 255g weight and some judicious clamping force, the whole experience of wearing the Hi-X20 is comfortable. There’s plenty of headband adjustment available, and the Austrian Audio fold plenty small enough to fit into the small, soft bag they’re supplied with.

• Design score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Value

• Comfortable, good-looking and acceptably finished
• Long cable only minor shortcoming

They’re the best-looking ‘Hi-X’ headphones so far, they’re built and finished to a very acceptable standard, they’re comfortable and they sound great. Maybe the cable is on the long side, but if you can live with this minor shortcoming (and you really ought to), there’s no disputing the value for money the Hi-X20 represent.

• Value score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Should I buy the Austrian Audio Hi-X20? Buy them if...

You enjoy direct, revealing sound
They have great powers of insight, the Hi-X20, but even more than this they’re an engaging and entertaining listen. It’s a potent combination

You enjoy an understated look
Unlike previous Austrian Audio efforts, the Hi-X20 are not showy where colors are concerned – and they’re all the better for it

You intend to listen for hours on end
The Austrian Audio are comfortable for the long haul, and their ear pads don’t heat up anything like as quickly as some alternative headphones

Don't buy them if...

You’re a bass fiend
Low frequencies are properly represented here, but the Hi-X20 are a whippet of a listen, rather than an XL Bully

You get tangled easily
Three meters of cable might be ideal for some users, but the rest of us are going to find ourselves with a lot of cable that’s just in the way

Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Also consider

Grado SR80x
If you'll accept an open-back design (and one that sits on, rather than over, your ears) there's so much to love sonically about Grado's May 2021-release affordable headphones. The design is Grado's calling card – just don't wear them on the bus unless you want to annoy your fellow commuters.
Read our Grado SR80x review for the full story.

Sivga Oriole
Another beautiful set of headphones that belie their lowly price tag, this time over-ears and finished in wood. The sound is strong and vivacious too, if lacking in a little of the dynamic nuance of much pricier options. See our Sivga Oriole review for the full story

How I tested the Austrian Audio Hi-X20

• Connected to an iFi iDSD Diablo 2 headphone amplifier
• With a variety of digital audio file types and sizes
• For well over a working week

My reference amplifier (a Naim Uniti Star) has a 3.5mm headphone socket – and so all my testing was done using a (delightfully capable) iFi iDSD Diablo 2 headphone amp connected via UBS-C to an Apple MacBook Pro. And this is loaded with Colibri software in order to play proper high-resolution content, plus less information-rich stuff, too. I listened to music of every style and genre and did all of this for just over two weeks.

• First reviewed: November 2024
• Read more about how we test

• A new photo-sharing option has been spotted in Google Messages
• It would enable higher-resolution image sharing over RCS
• For now the relevant code is hidden inside the beta version of the app

Google is continuing to push Google Messages as the all-purpose messaging app for Android – and it could soon introduce a new feature that improves the photo-sharing experience for users, something that's a key part of any chat app.

As spotted by the team at Android Authority, hidden code in the latest beta version of Google Messages for Android can be enabled to activate a photo quality picker: you can choose from "original quality" (HD+) or "reduced quality" (HD).

While a lot of the time you're going to want to share photos in the best quality possible, the benefit of going with the reduced quality option is a smaller file size – so the message gets sent and received more quickly, and uses up less data.

This will also require the more advanced RCS feature to be enabled, rather than plain old SMS. As it stands, photos sent over RCS in Google Messages are at a significantly better resolution than SMS, but still compressed from their original size.

Coming soon

Here are some new changes in the Google Messages app. 1. Google Messages jazzes up read receipts with new animation and location https://t.co/hP3Plg2Ind 2. Google Messages will soon let you choose photo resolution before sendinghttps://t.co/7NH0eA8WcL More- pic.twitter.com/NzJuC8jmuoNovember 2, 2024

As ever with code like this, there's no guarantee that Google will decide to keep the feature and push it out properly into the app. However, it makes sense for an option like this to be included, to match up with similar options in apps like WhatsApp.

It's not clear from this sneak preview whether "original quality" will genuinely send the photo at its original size, or at a resolution somewhere between the default currently used in the app, and the actual dimensions of the picture.

This is the latest discovery from Android Authority contributor @AssembleDebug, who has also spotted a number of other small changes potentially coming to Google Messages – including tweaks to the position and appearance of read receipt indicators.

It also looks as though Google Messages will soon let you see timestamps for individual messages, and show multiple warnings for 'sensitive content' inside messages. Look out for official announcements from Google in due course.

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