Feed aggregator

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3: one-minute review

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 is the latest incarnation in the brand’s line of elite gaming keyboards, with various improvements for even better gaming performance.

The looks downplay its gaming prowess, with the RGB lighting and floating keycaps being the only signals in this regard. Still, it looks smart and sophisticated, and the build quality is excellent.

It’s quite thick yet not as heavy as you might expect. Every aspect of its built feels premium, right down to the included wrist pad, which is soft yet durable; it’s easily on a par with the best gaming keyboard out there. The double shot PBT keycaps also feel great, with a pleasantly grainy texture.

There are various keyboard shortcuts available by default, accessible via SteelSeries’ Meta modifier key (essentially a function key). These include altering the global actuation point, toggling rapid trigger, changing profiles, recording macros, and switching between three Bluetooth devices.

Similar functions can also be found on the OLED screen in the top right corner of the Apex Pro, with navigation achieved via a dedicated button and the volume wheel. This screen can also be customized in SteelSeries’ GG software, letting you upload images and GIFs to display, and can be used to view system and in-game information.

Overall GG is easy to use and offers plenty of other customizations to sink your teeth into. There are various keyboard shortcuts to configure, although the system-level functions are lacking somewhat. There are also default profiles for certain games, including Counter-Strike 2, DOTA 2, Minecraft and League of Legends. You can set binds to activate on press or release, and the dual actuation mode lets you assign two binds to a single key, each one activated depending on how hard you press, which works effectively. It’s a shame, though, that there’s no visual feedback to show how your actuation settings work in practice.

When it comes to gaming, the Apex Pro really shines: the clack of key presses is very satisfying, the indented keycaps provide a planted finger position, and the bottom row is easy to access thanks to the slope of the keycaps. The layout is quite compact, but I still found it manageable. The switches offer fast yet smooth performance, and hitting certain actuation points is easy thanks to their feel. It is a shame, however, there aren’t more settings available to emulate the analog control of a gamepad.

Also, the wrist rest also cuts off abruptly with no downwards slope, so my palm hung off the edge awkwardly while in the WASD position. Without it, though, I found the keys were raised too high to reach without adopting a more fingertip-oriented position. Typing with the Apex Pro isn’t the best experience either. I personally prefer shallower keycaps, and I found gliding around on the Apex Pro awkward.

There’s no doubt the Apex Pro is a premium piece of hardware, and it commands a premium price tag. It may not be as expensive as some of its rivals, such as the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, but it runs close. There are cheaper gaming keyboards with analog switches, such as the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro, although this is wired only and can’t quite match the Apex Pro for performance. So if you’ve got the money to spend, the Apex Pro is hard to top for an analog keyboard.

(Image credit: Future) SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 review: price and availability

• $269 / £259 (about AU$456)
• Available now
• Top-end of the market

The Apex Pro costs $269 / £259 (about AU$456) and is available now in black only. It comes with a wrist pad and replacement keycaps can be purchased from SteelSeries’ website. A mini version is also available which loses the OLED screen, and a full-size variant adds a number pad as well as a larger scroll wheel and screen button.

The Apex Pro sits atop the market in terms of price, eclipsing some of Razer’s best offerings, for instance. Although not quite as pricey as the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, it’s more expensive than the Huntsman V2 Analog, our pick as the best gaming keyboard. What sets that board apart is the 360-degree motion of the switches keys, letting you mimic an analog stick on a gamepad even more closely. It’s wired only, though.

If you’re looking for another analog keyboard, then the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is considerably less expensive than the Apex Pro. Although it’s wired only and has some issues with its analog implementation, the Vulcan 2 is still a worthy contender in the sector.

Value: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Future) SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 review: specs

(Image credit: Future) SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 review: design and features

• Premium design
• Useful OLED screen
• Intuitive software

The Apex Pro looks understated for a gaming keyboard. The totally black design is bereft of the brash trappings common in the sector, so at first glance you’ll struggle to identify its intended audience. The floating keycaps, though, are a giveaway, as is the opulent RGB lighting.

There’s no denying the Apex Pro has a premium aura, though. It’s also substantial, with a thick, two-tiered chassis, but fortunately it isn’t as heavy as it looks. The build quality is impeccable, with every material, join and key feeling smooth and sturdy.

The double-shot PBT keycaps are lightly textured and feel great under your fingers. They’re quite thick and sit high above the board, allowing for deep presses. If they aren’t to your liking, though, they can be swapped out, and a puller is included. The layout is also quite compact, which I had to get used to, but it didn’t take long to adapt.

The wrist pad is similarly well-built yet pleasingly light, with a smooth rubberized layer that’s both durable and comfortable. It connects magnetically to the board itself, and although the connection is quite weak, it suffices.

There are several default hotkeys on the Apex Pro, accessible with SteelSeries’ own modifier key, called the Meta key. These include global adjustments for the actuation point and rapid trigger function, as well changing profiles, recording macros, and switching between three Bluetooth devices.

However, more detailed settings and customizations are available via the Engine tool within the GG software. All keys can be remapped, and can be set to trigger on press or release. There’s a good selection of actions, including profile switching, keyboard setting adjustments and app launching. There are also OS shortcuts that can be mapped, including a selection of media keys and copy and paste, but there aren’t many more than this; those in other peripheral software are more numerous.

(Image credit: Future)

GG also allows you to set actuation points ranging from 0.1mm to 4mm for all main keys. You can also toggle rapid trigger for each individual key, which, as GG explains, dynamically alters the actuation point when spamming, allowing for rapid-twitch movements. It even has a dual binding mode, allowing a single key to have two different binds, depending on the primary and secondary actuation points of your choosing.

For the most part, GG is easy to use with a clear layout and some explanations for various settings. However, it would’ve been nice to see some visual feedback when adjusting actuation points and rapid trigger modes, as some of the Apex Pro’s rivals offer with their own software.

Nestled in the top right corner of the Apex Pro is a small monotone OLED screen, called the Smart Screen. It displays battery life by default, but can be customized in GG to display anything from your own images and GIFs, to system and in-game information.

The options available for the latter are quite in depth. For instance, you can choose to display certain information at certain increments, and choose various screens to cycle through, each displaying their own unique information at various points. Supported games include Counter-Strike 2, DOTA 2, Minecraft, and League of Legends.

There’s also a button on the screen that can be used to control media playback, such as play / pause and next / previous functions. You can enter a menu by holding this button down for a few seconds, from which more settings and functions are available: you can change the brightness of the RGB illumination, toggle between three of your connected Bluetooth devices, and change the global actuation point and rapid trigger functions. Navigation in this menu is achieved with the volume wheel acting as a scroller, and it’s responsive and effective.

Design & features: 4 / 5

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 review: performance

• Superb gaming performance
• Analog keys actually usable
• Typing not the best

The gaming performance of the Apex Pro is excellent. The stock keycaps are nicely indented, allowing you to maintain a secure position, and presses are weighted just right, allowing for easy actuation that provides pleasant feedback. Reaching the CTRL key and spacebar is also easy, thanks to the slight incline of the keycaps.

The switches are silky smooth and well lubed, offering plenty of clack without being too loud. I also found it relatively easy to hit certain actuation points, as the Hall-effect magnetic switches have more feel and resistance than others I’ve tried, such as those on the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. This makes the Apex Pro ideal for rapid trigger functionality or dual binding.

SteelSeries has also implemented a new Protection mode, which prevents keys adjacent to the intended one from accidentally triggering by reducing their sensitivity momentarily, which is a useful feature.

Where it does miss a trick, however, is the ability to map the keys to an analog stick. This would make for smoother character movements and vehicle control, and is something that can be done with the aforementioned Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro, as well as the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog.

(Image credit: Future)

As someone who prefers shallow keycaps for typing, I didn’t find the Apex Pro well suited for productivity purposes. Although adjusting the actuation point can help to prevent typos, the relatively thick keycaps and their deep indentations aren’t conducive to gliding around the board.

The included wrist pad is pretty much essential for typing comfortably, as the thick body forces your wrists to bend awkwardly without one. Thankfully, the one included offers enough support and padding to make both typing and gaming more comfortable.

The wrist pad can be more cumbersome when gaming, though. As the backend tails off abruptly with no slope, the area where your wrist meets your palm tends to overhang when in the WASD position, which is a strange and not entirely comfortable sensation. I did find that I could game without the pad, but I had to adapt my fingers so they were more perpendicular to the key caps, emphasizing more contact with the fingertips. If this is your preferred playing style anyway, then you shouldn’t have a problem.

Steelseries claims a battery life of up 40 hours over Bluetooth, or 37.5 hours via the 2.4GHz dongle. During my tests I found this to be accurate, as I was able to get several days use out of it.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3? Buy it if…

You want analog keys
Analog keys aren’t all that common, so if you want changeable sensitivity and rapid trigger functionality, this could be the board for you.

You want top-tier performance
Gaming with the Apex Pro is sublime, thanks to its smooth and fast performance. Actuation points are easy to hit and the rapid trigger works well.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re on a budget
You’ll be hard pressed to find many gaming keyboards that perform better than this, but it’ll cost you.

You want controller emulation
Although the switches are analog, you can’t emulate a gamepad’s triggers or analog sticks as you can with some other analog boards.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 review: also consider

Razer Huntsman V2 Analog
If you must have an analog keyboard, then the Huntsman V2 Analog is another fine example in this category. Razer claims that the analog inputs can work with any controller-based game, allowing for ultra-smooth inputs. Uniquely, the keys also feature 360-degree movement, emulating a joystick more closely. The Huntsman V2 Analog can be had for slightly less than the Apex Pro, although if you hunt around you may be able to find a better deal. Read our Razer Huntsman V2 Analog review.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro
If you still want analog switches but want to save even more cash, then the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro could fit the bill. It also lets you emulate the triggers and analog sticks of a gamepad, although the implementation isn’t as seamless as you might imagine. Still, it can have its uses. Read our Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review.

How I tested the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3

• Tested for about a week
• Used for gaming, productivity and general use
• 10+ years PC gaming experience

I tested the Apex Pro for about a week. During that time I used it for gaming, productivity and general use.

I played various games, including Counter-Strike 2 and I Am Your Beast, which were useful for testing the actuation points and rapid trigger functionality. I also made sure to make use of every feature and function available via the GG software where possible.

I have been PC gaming for over 10 years, and have experienced numerous keyboards during that time, spanning various switch types, key profiles, and form factors. I have also reviewed multiple gaming keyboards from a mixture of brands.

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

• Two Hatsune Miku Fortnite skins have leaked ahead of their official reveals
• They will reportedly be available tomorrow
• One is apart of the game's Festival Pass, while the other is in the Item Shop

Virtual pop star and Vocaloid synthesizer software icon Hatsune Miku is reportedly coming to Fortnite tomorrow in the form of two new skins. Both have leaked early via social media - but they look a little bit off to me.

Images purportedly showing the upcoming Hatsune Miku x Fortnite collaboration have been doing the rounds on social media this morning. They suggest that two skins of the character will be added to the game tomorrow: Classic Miku and Neko Miku.

Classic Miku will apparently be available via the Item Shop and seems to depict Miku in her classic baby blue ensemble. In addition to being able to buy the skin on its own, the leaks indicate that it will be bundled with a cute Miku-themed rucksack Back Bling and a complimentary trail.

The Neko Miku skin will then be part of the Fortnite Festival Music Pass, a premium battle pass centered around the new spinoff rhythm game mode. If you're keen to get your hands on this one, leakers are indicating that the season will end on April 8.

On top of all this, it seems that at least three new instruments and a Jam Track for the song Magical Cure Love Shot! will also be added.

What did they do to her?

Although I'm always up for some Hatsune Miku rep, I can't pretend that I'm not a little disappointed by the look of these skins so far. As you might expect, they use the cel-shaded Fortnite anime art style that we've already seen used for many other skins, but something about them just seems a bit wrong.

She has a weird, almost blank look and her eyes seem not only too small but also look just a little too far apart to me. On the whole, while they definitely don't seem like the worst skins ever, I think that they could easily be made a little cuter through some subtle tweaks.

I reckon a design more closely based on her appearance in the game Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix, which boasts a similar cel-shaded style, would have been a much better choice and a more accurate representation of how she looks in general.

I'm also really hoping that Magical Cure Love Shot! isn't the only Jam Track on the cards. There are countless more iconic Miku songs out there, like World is Mine or Romeo and Cinderella, that I would much rather play.

That said, I can't pretend that I won't still be buying both this skin bundle and Festival Pass instantaneously if they do indeed drop as per current leaks. Fingers crossed everything looks better in-game than in these leaked pics.

You might also like...

• Nintendo has finally commented on the Switch 2 leaks, but it's only left me with more questions
• Could Halo and Microsoft Flight Simulator come to Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5? Yes, per latest rumors
• These new Hyperkin Nintendo Switch accessories have me seriously hyped as an anime lover

• CIOs and CTOs predict losing 3% of their workforce in the next 3-5 years
• Some say they may see job losses equating to 5-10%
• Banking profits could skyrocket from boosted productivity

A new Bloomberg report has claimed as many as 200,000 jobs on Wall Street could be lost over the next three to five years as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into workflows.

The data comes from a Bloomberg Intelligence survey, which found Chief Information and Technology Officers are expecting to cut 3% of jobs over the next few years. Nearly one in four predicted job cuts of between 5-10% of their headcounts.

Senior analyst and report writer Tomasz Noetzel added back office, middle office and operations roles are most at risk of displacement – essentially, the roles involve routine and repetitive tasks that can be automated for improved efficiency.

AI is set to cost thousands of banking jobs

Although AI and automation is threatening to take work away from humans, Noetzel said, “AI will not eliminate them fully, rather it will lead to workforce transformation.”

Boosted efficiency could see significant cost reductions for banks – the report suggests pre-tax profits could be 12-17% higher in 2027 than they are today. Around four in five see AI increasing productivity and revenue generation by at least 5% in the next three to five years.

However, Bloomberg Intelligence’s report seems conservative when compared with other reports. Last summer, Citi said that more than half (54%) of banking jobs are at high risk of being automated.

While the outlook may seem negative, a separate report from the World Economic Forum reveals that all hope is not lost. By the end of the decade across all sectors, WEF says we could see a net increase of 78 million jobs, even though 92 million workers could be displaced.

That same WEF report echoed Bloomberg Intelligence’s findings, revealing that bank tellers are among the most at-risk workers.

You might also like

• AI jobs are among the fastest-growing in the UK
• Check out the best job sites and best recruitment platforms
• Enhance your upskilling efforts by logging on to the best online learning platforms

• The UK government has revealed a 50 point plan to inject AI into the public sector
• Plan comes with a £14 billion private sector investment
• Prime Minister addresses safety concerns, but doesn't want the UK to 'fall behind'

The UK Government has laid out plans to push AI into all corners of British industry with a multi-billion pound investment.

The Labour Government plans to ‘unleash’ AI and make the UK a ‘world leader’ by accepting £14 billion in private sector investment, and has revealed a 50 point plan that will see AI ‘mainlines into the veins’ of public services.

This includes a plan to ‘unlock’ public data by handing it over to ‘researchers and innovators’, including anonymized NHS data, which will be made available to train AI models. The government says there will be “strong privacy-preserving safeguards” and the data would never be owned by private companies.

Creating jobs

The plans will also look to free up time for public sector workers by allowing AI to undertake admin tasks, and will introduce ‘AI Growth Zones’ which will speed up AI infrastructure, rapidly building data centers and giving them better access to the energy grid - despite environmental concerns.

Private sector investment comes primarily from Vantage Data Centres, a firm which plans to invest £12 billion in data centre development, which will create over 11,500 jobs in the process. Also investing are Nscale and Kyndryl, two leading digital companies who plan to help roll out AI into Britain’s economy.

‘’The UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan will play an important role in helping the UK to unlock the full potential of AI,” said Alison Kay, Vice President, UK and Ireland at Amazon Web Services

“By putting close industry collaboration and public-private partnership at the heart of the Government’s agenda, every citizen, community and business in every region of the UK will have the opportunity to realise the benefits of AI, and thrive and grow’’

A disruptive technology

The Prime Minister says that AI can ‘transform the lives of working people’, speeding up planning consultations, driving down admin, and feeding AI through road cameras to help spot potholes - although oddly, my car can spot potholes just fine.

Minister Pat McFadden said AI is a ‘test and learn’ technology, and, "mistakes will be made" with the applications, but wouldn’t confirm whether this plan will mean short-term job losses for workers. Addressing objections to the plan, the Minister warned if the UK doesn’t develop the technology here, then the country would ‘lose out’ to other nations in the AI race.

In the Prime Minister's speech announcing the news, he acknowledged the anxieties surrounding AI, but affirmed the real danger is in falling behind other nations, noting, "the far bigger risk is we don't go for it," and miss out on 'massive' opportunities.

AI makes services more human

The Prime Minister also outlined the ways in which AI can help make our public services 'more human', primarily referring to healthcare and social work, in the speech. By taking administrative and mundane tasks away from public sector workers, services will be 'more human' by allowing staff to reconnect with patients and those under their care.

Starmer promised to "make sure this technology is safe" by building on the previous government's 'world-leading' AI safety institute, promising to uphold and develop safeguarding measures to ensure AI is used safely.

"Change on this scale and at this speed can be worrying, especially when experts warn of the safety risks,"the Prime Minister said.

A push for productivity

Productivity in Britain has been somewhat stagnant for the last 15 years, but by using the full power of AI, the Prime Minister hopes to give the British economy the boost it so desperately needs.

That is, of course, if AI can increase efficiency for workers, rather than result in widespread unemployment.

Recent research suggests AI could displace up to 275,000 jobs per year at the peak of adoption. Politicians and tech leaders alike have long insisted AI will simply take over the mundane tasks from workers, rather than replace them, but as someone who has worked one of the many jobs entirely made up of 'mundane' tasks, I have to be skeptical.

You might also like

• Take a look at our pick of the AI tools around
• AI jobs are among the fastest-growing in the UK
• Check out our choices for best antivirus software

If you are looking for a printer that is quick, efficient and easy to use, these are some of the best options in the market.

Santa Ana winds are expected to pick back up, threatening the containment of Southern California wildfires. And, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas reflects on his career.

(Image credit: Eric Thayer)

Which type of RAM should you buy? Here are the differences explained in nerdy detail.

• Some Docker Desktop users on Mac are unable to open their application
• A false malware alert is being shown on startup
• Users can fix the issue with a patch, so download now

Docker has confirmed some versions of its Docker Desktop software are failing to start or work properly as a result of a false malware warning.

Posting to GitHub, Senior Principal Engineer Christian Dupuis shared a screenshot of the pop-up, which reads: “com.docker.vmnetd was not opened because it contains malware.”

Dupuis confirmed users seeing this message are unlikely to be affected by malware, with the cause of the problem already identified and a fix in the works.

Docker Desktop malware warning

“The reason for this warning is that some files in existing installations are incorrectly signed," the post added.

Described as a “one-click-install application for your Mac, Linux, or Windows environment that lets you build, share, and run containerized applications and microservices,” Docker Desktop will need updating to fix the problem.

Version 4.37.2 is the latest release at the time of writing, which promises to address the issue. Docker says users should upgrade through the app where possible, but a set of instructions are available for those unable to bypass the malware warning message.

A separate patch is available for versions 4.32 - 4.36. Versions 4.28 and earlier are unaffected by the error.

Speaking about version 4.37.2, Dupuis said: “This version prevents installations from entering into the failure state. Please update to this version as soon as possible to prevent future issues.”

A status page updated recently confirms Docker Desktop is still experiencing partial service disruption.

“We know how critical Docker Desktop is to your workflow and are committed to ensuring a smooth resolution," Director of Engineering Chris Crone added.

"A temporary workaround that will restore functionality is available for any affected users… Our team is prioritizing this issue and working diligently on a permanent fix. If you prefer to wait for the longer-term patch update, please refrain from (re)-starting Docker Desktop.”

You might also like

• This devious macOS malware is evading capture by using Apple's own encryption
• Downloaded something dodgy? Here’s the best firewall options to stay safe
• Consider using the best endpoint protection software

Eating well doesn’t have to be expensive. Get quality meals delivered to your doorstep with the best cheap meal kit services we’ve tested.

Ensuring your cat is drinking enough water is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy. We tested many models and these were our favorites.

Melted plastic pipes and drastic water-pressure drops are potentially leaching toxic chemicals and contaminants into local supplies. Multiple water authorities in north Los Angeles have issued Do Not Drink notices.

• Apple's M4 MacBook Air is expected to launch soon this year
• M4 models rumored to be in mass production, codenamed J713 and J715
• The M5 chip is also expected to be unveiled later this year

While all eyes may have shifted toward Apple's plans to unveil the rumored M5 chip after last year's late M4 reveal, new rumors suggest the M4 MacBook Air will launch this year.

According to reliable Apple leaker Mark Gurman (as highlighted by Notebookcheck), 13-inch and 15-inch models of the M4 MacBook Air will launch soon this year, codenamed J713 and J715. Gurman states that these models are already in production, which means a launch could occur in a matter of months.

This would complete the M4 MacBook lineup after last year's launch of the updated MacBook Pro. Considering the pricing of the current M2 MacBook Air ($999/£999/AU$1,599) and M3 MacBook Air ($1,099/£1,099/AU$1,799) models, Gurman expects Apple to replace the M3 models with the purported M4 models while keeping M2 on the market as a more affordable option.

We still have the potential reveal of the rumored M5 chip slated for later this year, so Gurman's prediction is certainly plausible - as it quite often is.

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Farknot Architect) What does this mean for M5 MacBooks?

As well as the M4 MacBook Air, M5 MacBooks are rumored to be unveiled this year - there isn't much hope that M5 MacBooks will feature any major redesigns, as those are supposedly planned for next year's M6 MacBooks according to Gurman.

Considering the performance capabilities of the M4 chip range, I expect the M5 chip to take things up another small notch as we saw with the leap from the M3 to the M4. Apple has finally moved away from the undesired 8GB of base-configuration unified memory (which is essentially just system RAM shared between the CPU and integrated GPU), so from here on out, multitaskers and gamers should be satisfied going forward.

While we may have to wait another year for the rumored OLED MacBook Pro packed with other new features, we probably shouldn't write the upcoming M5 models off based on these rumors - especially if you haven’t yet upgraded to an M4 model.

Personally, I’ve never really been drawn towards MacBooks as my primary device of choice, but as a big gamer, seeing the addition of new triple-A games like Cyberpunk 2077 is gradually shifting this opinion - the current 10-core GPU on the stronger M3 MacBook Air models is enough to handle recently added titles like the Resident Evil 4 remake (which I absolutely loved), so I’m expecting the M5 chip to double down on this performance boost as Apple starts to take gaming on Mac more seriously.

You may also like...

• Apple might have ditched plans for an M4 Extreme chip in favor of AI - and I think that's for the best
• The M5-powered OLED iPad Pro is tipped to launch before the end of 2025
• What to expect from Apple Macs in 2025

• A content creator has claimed that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection could come to Nintendo Switch 2
• A PS5 port is also allegedly on the cards
• Though Microsoft has released games on other platforms recently, this seems unlikely

A prominent Nintendo YouTuber has suggested that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection could land on Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 in the future.

This comes from content creator ‘NateTheHate’, who has accurately leaked a handful of game reveals in the past. Speaking on the ‘Nate the Hate Podcast’, they stated that they “have heard” that “Flight Simulator (presumably referring to the recently released Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and Halo: The Master Chief Collection) will be coming to PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 as well.”

Yeah right

This wouldn’t be the first time that Microsoft published games have arrived on platforms outside of its Xbox and PC ecosystem. In addition to Xbox and PC, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, and Hi-Fi Rush are all available on Nintendo Switch and PS5. Late last year, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer also stated that Microsoft will release more Xbox games on other platforms and that there were no “red lines” as to what they might be.

Even so, I wouldn’t put much stock in these claims. A Halo: The Master Chief Collection port does seem plausible, but I’m finding it hard to believe that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 would also make the jump. A PS5 port of it could be on the cards, but I seriously doubt the Nintendo Switch 2 will have the hardware specs to support such an intensive title.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 pushes even the Xbox Series S to its absolute limits and requires hundreds of gigabytes of storage space to play. Even if the Nintendo Switch 2 could run the game at an acceptable level, I do not believe that it will ship with enough storage capacity to even hold a full installation as Nintendo has form in keeping costs down by doing this.

Of course, Microsoft could still push out a wholly streamed ‘cloud version’ of the title, but that doesn’t seem likely given that it hasn’t taken that kind of approach before. We’ll just have to wait and see how Microsoft will support the console when it finally arrives.

You might also like...

• I used my Amazon Prime subscription to get free copies of some incredible PC games, here's how to do it too
• Razer announces a more budget friendly Iskur V2, plus the most ridiculous gaming chair I've ever seen
• I used my Amazon Prime subscription to get free copies of some incredible PC games, here's how to do it too

• Microsoft increases M365 Family price by 29%, M365 Personal by 46%
• The extra cash is to fund its AI tools, whether you want them or not
• Six countries have seen rises so far, unconfirmed for the UK and the US

Customers across six Asian and Australasian nations are having to contend with major price hikes to stay connected to their Microsoft 365 online services as the company struggles to identify the right pricing for its AI tools.

Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand are now seeing hikes of up to 46% in their bills, according to a report from The Register., which notes customers from the six nations received emails last week notifying them of the significant changes.

The company says charging more will “ensure Microsoft customers are among the first to access powerful AI features in our apps”.

Microsoft 365 prices are going up… because AI

Screenshots seen by The Register indicate Microsoft 365 Family subscriptions have increased from AU$139 to AU$179, with Personal subscribers set to pay AU$159, up from AU$109. That means a staggering 29% increase for Family members and an eyewatering 46% increase to Personal subscribers’ bills.

The company’s website has since been updated to reflect the pricing – AU$159 or AU$16/month for Personal, and AU$179 or AU$18/month for Family. Pricing in other countries has not yet been affected – the two tiers still cost £59.99 and £79.99 in the UK.

“These price changes reflect the extensive subscription benefits that Microsoft has added over the past 12 years including advanced security with Microsoft Defender, creative tools like Clipchamp, and countless enhancements to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, in addition to new features such as Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Designer," a Microsoft spokesperson stated.

It’s unclear whether more countries will be subjected to rising bills - TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft to confirm, but we did not receive an immediate response.

For comparison, Google One AI Premium with 2TB of cloud storage for up to six family members costs AU$32.99/month – even more than the AU$18/month that Microsoft wants to charge for its Family plan, which includes 6TB of storage for up to six family members.

iCloud+ with 2TB of storage costs AU$14.99, or UA$44.99 for 6TB. It can be shared among up to six, but Apple Intelligence features are more limited and ship with the hardware, rather than a cloud storage subscription.

You might also like

• We’ve listed the best AI writers around today
• Keep your data safe with the best cloud backup tools on offer
• Some Microsoft 365 and Copilot subscriptions are getting a major price hike

Get better sleep on a budget with a new mattress. Our sleep experts have tested hundreds to find the best cheap mattresses available.

• A Finnish retailer has aired price tags for Gigabyte’s RTX 5080 models
• Only the WindForce variant is at the MSRP
• The six other RTX 5080 boards shown are 15% to 35% pricier

Nvidia’s RTX 5080 is priced at an MSRP of $999 in the US – and in line with that in other regions – which was a pleasant surprise, but it seems that the worst fears of some gamers might be realized, if pricing on some third-party boards that just popped up is anything to go by.

This info come from a Finnish retailer, Proshop, which has jumped the gun and listed Gigabyte’s RTX 5080 models with pricing, and only one graphics card is set at the MSRP in Finland (€1,229) out of a total of seven boards.

As VideoCardz reports, only the Gigabyte WindForce model is pitched at that €1,229, with the other six variants being a good deal more expensive.

Even the most affordable of those non-WindForce offerings, the Gaming OC and Aero OC, are both €1,419, which is a considerable premium over the baseline graphics card.

The Aorus variants are a good deal more expensive still, with the priciest version of those, the Aorus Xtreme WaterForce, reaching €1,669.

What this means is that Gigabyte has one RTX 5080 board, the WindForce, at the MSRP, and the other flavors are between 15% and 35% pricier. Obviously we should exercise a whole lot of caution around these prices, in case they turn out to be wrong somehow, or placeholders, but we’re very close to release now (and they sound plausible).

(Image credit: Nvidia) Analysis: An ominous sign – but don’t panic yet

As noted at the outset, this was the worry I – and many others – expressed at the time of Nvidia’s announcement of the RTX 5080 pricing.

On the one hand, it was great to see that $999 MSRP attached to the RTX 5080, when rumors had suggested Nvidia might sell it at $1,200 in the US (and proportional to that elsewhere), or maybe a good chunk more than that. Especially considering that the RTX 5090 price got jacked up.

On the other hand, the main concern was that most third-party models wouldn’t be at MSRP, and that scenario is exactly what appears to be playing out with Gigabyte’s RTX 5080 graphics cards – at least if the info from Proshop is correct. And it may not be, as already mentioned, so we mustn’t jump to any conclusions yet.

This remains just an ominous hint at the moment, then, although even if it proves right, there’s a chance that other graphics card makers won’t follow suit, and may have more models at the MSRP level. Or rather, their second-tier above baseline models hopefully won’t have a 15% hike, and instead exhibit a more modest increase.

If there are very few third-party RTX 5080 models on sale at the MSRP (or close), then the likelihood is that at launch – and maybe for quite some time after – those boards will sell out in a flash (along with Nvidia’s Founders Edition). Making the reality of getting an RTX 5080 at the MSRP level a shaky prospect, in short, but there’s still hope yet that this scenario won’t play out.

You might also like...

• AMD announces new Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 graphics cards at CES 2025
• Nvidia RTX 5080 benchmark suggests this will be a mighty laptop GPU
• Best PC games: must-play titles you don't want to miss

• A new rendering of the Galaxy S25 Ultra has been leaked
• Some minor design tweaks are on show
• The phone is expected to launch on January 22

The Samsung Galaxy S25 leaks are certainly showing no signs of stopping as we head towards the Samsung Unpacked launch event on January 22 – and a newly leaked render gives us another look at the design of the Ultra model.

This comes from well-known tipster @UniverseIce, and is notable because it puts an image of the Galaxy S25 Ultra next to images of its two immediate predecessors: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (from 2023), and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (from 2024).

While there are a lot of similarities, we can see some of the tweaks being made to the most premium of Samsung's flagships this year. The bezels are apparently getting even thinner, and the corners are expected to become more rounded.

That would make the Galaxy S25 Ultra more like the standard Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S25 Plus in terms of its aesthetics. These changes have been talked about in previous leaks, so it's looking more and more likely that they are actually on the way.

An updated design

S23 Ultra，S24 Ultra，S25 Ultra pic.twitter.com/9yynHzJnStJanuary 11, 2025

It's not clear if these leaked renders are to scale, but the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to have a slightly larger screen than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, coming in at 6.9 inches – both the S24 Ultra and the S23 Ultra had 6.8-inch displays.

Much of that increase is expected to be down to the smaller bezels, so the actual size of the phone won't change all that much. According to leaks, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will measure 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm, so a little wider and thinner than its predecessor.

We've also heard from those in the know that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be adopting a more asymmetrical shape this year, which should make it more comfortable to hold in the hand. Of course, none of this is guaranteed until Samsung makes it official.

Samsung has now sent out invites for an Unpacked event on January 22, and while the Galaxy S25 phones aren't mentioned by name, they're almost certainly going to take center stage – alongside, perhaps, the Galaxy Ring 2 and a new VR headset.

You might also like

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
• Here are the best Android phones right now
• 5 things to expect at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025

• Scammers have a new trick up their sleeves, and are using it on iPhone users
• They tell you to reply to their texts, which disables Apple’s scam protection
• Thankfully, there are a few ways you can stay safe

Apple has built several scam-protection tools into iOS, one of which disables links in SMS messages if the text comes from an unknown number. However, it looks like scammers have found a way to bypass these defenses and send you dangerous links, despite Apple’s best efforts.

As noted by Bleeping Computer, links are re-enabled if you reply to a message from an unknown source, as Apple assumes that replying means you trust the sender enough to also trust the URLs they’ve included.

However, scammers have latched onto this by instructing their victims to reply to their message, then click the re-enabled links. For instance, one scam message seen by Bleeping Computer contained a phishing link (which had been disabled), with the following text underneath it:

“Please reply Y, then exit the text message, reopen the text message activation link, or copy the link to Safari browser to open it.”

The idea seems to be that people are so used to replying to automated texts with things like 'YES' and 'NO' that they will automatically do the same with the phishing messages, thereby enabling potentially dangerous links to work again.

How to stay safe

(Image credit: Sora Shimazaki / Pexels)

If you receive an unexpected message from an unknown source and see that the text contains links, do not reply to it. Doing so will make the links live again, but simply ignoring the text (and reporting it as spam) will ensure you can’t fall victim to it.

If you aren’t sure whether a message is genuine or not, the advice remains the same: do not reply to it. Instead, contact the company directly using its official channels. This will put you in touch with a legitimate employee who will be able to tell you whether the message you received is trustworthy or not.

Even if you don’t click any suspicious links in the text, simply replying to the message will signal to the scammer that your number is active and that you are willing to engage with phishing messages, making you a inviting target.

It’s better to be safe than sorry in these situations. If you’ve been sent a text you weren’t expecting from a sender that claims to be an official source, it’s best to be cautious rather than take any unnecessary risks. If in doubt, simply report it and don't interact with it.

You might also like

• How to stop spam texts
• Watch out, iPhone fans – a new SMS attack could steal your Apple ID. Here’s how to stay safe
• Text spammers are getting creative and trying to play on your emotional needs – don't fall for it

Do you need more vitamin E in your diet, or are you considering supplements? Here's what you should know.

At last week's CES 2025 event, Signify – the company behind Philips Hue smart lights – announced that it's developing a new AI assistant that will let you use voice commands to set the mood for your home. Instead of scrolling through the Philips Hue app to find a suitable Scene (a color scheme that can be applied to all the lights in a room), you will simply be able to state what feeling you want to evoke, and your virtual lighting engineer will pick suitable shades for all your fixtures.

It sounds fun, but it's not what I really want to see from Philips Hue this year. No, what I'm really hoping for is something much more simple – a price cut that brings the lovely but eye-wateringly expensive Philips Hue Twilight wake-up lamp down to a price that won't give me nightmares.

I've tested a lot of the best wake-up lights, from budget-friendly models through to premium lights that promise to rouse you as gently as a summer sunrise. The most affordable ones tend to suffer the same issues – the light increases in brightness too rapidly, or in abrupt steps that jolt you awake. Any 'nature' sounds provided tend to be so short they're just annoying. A three-second loop of synthetic birdsong won't get anyone's day off to a soothing start.

Even pricier wake-up lights that do a better job of creating an artificial dawn usually jolt me awake because their lowest brightness setting isn't dim enough. The second the wake cycle starts, I'm shocked awake by the sudden change in illumination.

The Philips Hue Twilight is an extremely accomplished wake-up light, but its price might keep you awake at night (Image credit: Future) Not so fast...

According to my colleague Josephine Watson, who tested it at home for two weeks, the Twilight is different, starting each morning with a barely visible glow and ramping up the brightness very gradually, not in sharp jolts. "Dimming proved incredibly smooth, with a near-imperceptible transition between the light's lowest brightness and fading out completely," she said.

The Twilight's gentle glow comes from two sources: the main bulb, which also works as a reading lamp during your nocturnal wind-down routine, and a strip light down the back that casts a flood of diffuse color onto your bedroom wall. The result is more like being woken gradually by the warm sun during a summer camping trip than having a spotlight thrown in your face during an interrogation.

Philips Hue products are some of the best smart lights around, and the Twilight also works with the rest of your Hue bulbs and lamps. For example, you can set its rear lighting strip to work like a Philips Hue Gradient Signe Table Lamp and function as part of a lighting scene applied to your whole bedroom.

The downside is the price: at $279 / £249 (about AU$450) the Twilight is easily one of the costliest wake-up lights on the market, and the most expensive Philips Hue table lamp you can buy. I'd hoped that it might receive at least a modest price cut on Black Friday, but sadly it wasn't among the many lamps and bulbs included in the November sales.

A voice-controlled AI lighting assistant sounds nice, and would probably make me more likely to use Philips Hue Scenes on a regular basis, but personally I'm not planning to upgrade my home system until the Twilight gets its first significant discount, no matter how long that takes.

You might also like

• A beginner’s guide to smart lighting: everything you need to know
• How to use smart lighting to create the ultimate home theater experience
• 24-hour scenes for your Philips Hue lights will set the mood all day long