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• FTC formally complains about GoDaddy’s security claims
• “Major compromises” between 2019 and 2022 are the cause for concern
• GoDaddy has reached a settlement with the FTC for better security

A new Federal Trade Commission complaint has accused GoDaddy of misleading customers and failing to protect its web hosting services sufficiently.

The notice serves as a final warning to the company, which has been told to address security concerns that date as far back as 2018, however GoDaddy isn’t set to face any immediate consequences.

The list of mistakes reportedly made by the company has now been highlighted by the FTC in an official complaint, including violations of the FTC Act.

GoDaddy gets a telling off from the FTC

The long list accuses GoDaddy of failing to: “(a) inventory and manage assets; (b) manage software updates; (c) assess risks to its website hosting services; (d) use multi-factor authentication; (e) log security-related events; (f) monitor for security threats, including by failing to use software that could actively detect threats from its many logs, and failing to use file integrity monitoring; (g) segment its network; and (h) secure connections to services that provide access to consumer data.”

In the complaint, the FTC highlights some “major compromises” between 2019 and December 2022 which involved threat actors obtaining sensitive customer information. They include attacks in October 2019, March 2020, April 2020 and November 2021.

Redirections to malicious sites, data collection, mailer script infections, database attacks, user authentication vulnerabilities, outdated plugins and code, and DDoS attacks were all highlighted as potential implications of poor security in the FTC complaint.

Consequentially, GoDaddy has agreed to a settlement in which it is prohibited from making false or misleading security claims. It must also implement an information security program, conduct regular third-party compliance assessments and report security incidents to the FTC promptly.

GoDaddy sent us the following statement:

"GoDaddy has a long history of offering innovative products to our web hosting customers. We are focused on protecting our customers’ data and websites, and we invest significant resources in technologies, tools and talent to help safeguard systems and information. We are constantly improving our security capabilities and have already implemented a number of the requirements in the settlement agreement with the FTC.

"Notably, the resolution of this matter includes no admission of fault and no monetary penalties. We expect minimal financial impact associated with complying with the terms of the agreement with the FTC. We plan to continue to invest in our defenses to address evolving threats and help keep our customers, their websites and their data safe."

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• A Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on experience has been announced
• Events will begin in April in select cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania
• Free ticket registrations open on January 17

Nintendo has announced a hands-on experience for the Nintendo Switch 2, coming to select cities in April.

After months of leaks and rumors, the successor to the Nintendo Switch has finally been revealed alongside an in-depth trailer showcasing new hardware. As of right now, the Switch 2 has a launch window of 2025, but Nintendo is offering fans the opportunity to get a closer look at the console early with its Nintendo Switch 2 Experience this spring.

The hands-on events will be held in select cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania from April through June 2025. You can check out the specific dates for each region below.

Registration opens tomorrow from January 17 at 12 PM PT / 2 PM CT / 3 PM ET / 8 PM GMT until January 26 at 11:59 PM local time for each event location.

According to the website, "Tickets will be made available through a free-to-enter, randomly selected drawing" and those wishing to participate must sign up during the registration period for a chance to attend.

A Nintendo Account is required to enter and registrants will later be notified of the drawing results when sign-ups end.

Nintendo Switch 2 Experience dates:

North America

• New York: April 4 - April 6
• Los Angeles: April 11 - April 13
• Dallas: April 25 - April 27

Europe

• Paris: April 4 - April 6
• London: April 11 - April 13
• Milan: April 25 - April 27
• Berlin: April 25 - April 27
• Madrid: May 9 - May 11
• Amsterdam: May 9 - May 11

Oceania

• Melbourne: May 10 - May 11

Asia

• Tokyo (Makuhari): April 26 - April 27
• Seoul: May 31 - June 1
• Hong Kong: To be announced
• Taipei: To be announced

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• New full-frame Leica SL3-S shoots 24MP stills and 6K video
• Many of its core features are similar to those in the Panasonic Lumix S5 II / S5 IIx
• This is Leica's fastest hybrid camera yet

Leica has announced the new Leica SL3-S, a follow-up to the high-resolution 61MP Leica SL3 – which we rated as Leica's best L-mount camera in our review – and a speedier package for hybrid shooters, capable of 24MP stills up to 30fps, and 6K open gate 10-bit video.

Many of its core specs are similar to those of the Panasonic Lumix S5 II / S5 IIX, which tops our list of best video cameras; the key differences are that the SL3-S is made in Germany, and offers a minimalist design and premium handling, plus a few unique features that impact the shooting experience.

You'd expect the SL3-S to feel premium – the full-frame mirrorless camera enters the market today for $5,295 / £4,500 (AU$ price TBC), which is roughly double what you'd expect to pay for the Lumix S5 II / S5 IIx. So is the new SL3-S worth it?

(Image credit: Leica) A long-standing alliance, but are these Lumix-inspired models worth it?

Leica and Panasonic's alliance is well established, whether it's the Leica D-Lux 8 premium compact with Micro Four Thirds sensor, which has the same photo and video capabilities as the Lumix LX100 II, or the new full-frame L-mount SL3-S, which is a premium-feel Lumix S5 II / S5 IIx.

The latest camera, the SL3-S, only fuels rumors of a high-resolution Panasonic Lumix S1R II, which could be based on Leica's SL3 and would likely be around half the SL3's $6,995 / £5,920 / AU$11,690 cost.

So, if you can pick up a comparable Lumix model for around half the price, are Leica's red-dot cameras worth it? We're currently carrying out our in-depth review of the Leica SL3-S, so we can't comment directly. However, having used all the latest Leicas, including those with shared Lumix tech, there's definitely a case for going Leica, if you can afford it.

If you're a filmmaker who doesn't mind the rather plain Lumix S5 II / S5 IIx design and would rather save some cash, Panasonic is clearly better value. However, Leica cameras, such as the SL3-S, offer something unique, with minimalist layout and menus that simplify the shooting experience. I rated the Q3 as my favorite camera in 2023 – the premium compact is a joy to shoot with.

The SL3-S is also an IP54-rated camera with stylish all-metal body, packing a few features to further set it apart from the Lumix S5 II / S5 IIx. It's Leica's first SL-series camera equipped with content credentials, which debuted in the Leica M11-P, to protect the authenticity of digital images. It also accepts the faster CFExpress Type B memory card type in addition to SD, plus of course it has Leica's own Maestro processor and latest-generation phase-detection autofocus.

If you've only shot on Leica, the SL3-S will deliver speed that you've never experienced before, plus powerful video features such as 6K open gate video recording which enables vertical shooting in 4K without loss of quality. You'll be able to find out more in our full review, coming soon.

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Intel Arc B570: Two-minute review

The Intel Arc B570 is the kind of graphics card I desperately want to love, but my tech-addled PC gaming heart belongs to another.

I'm not talking about the recently-announced Nvidia RTX 50 series GPUs (though we'll see about those in due time). No, I've fallen for the Intel Arc B580, easily one of the best graphics cards on the market thanks to its fantastic 1440p and 1080p gaming performance. And, unfortunately, its price is so good that it's hard to really recommend the Arc B570 in good conscience.

To be fair, the Intel Arc B570's $219 / £219 (around AU$350) MSRP arguably makes it the best cheap graphics card going right now simply by default. The next cheapest current-gen GPU (as of January 2025) from AMD (the Radeon RX 7600) and Nvidia (the GeForce RTX 4060) are roughly 20% to 25% more expensive, and it's still $30 / £30 (about AU$90) cheaper than the Arc B580.

But the problem is that despite some impressive specs for a card this cheap, and solid 1080p performance, for just a little bit more you can get a far more future-proofed GPU that will let you game without compromise at a higher 1440p resolution if you go for the Arc B580. Of course, that's assuming you can get that card at its normal retail price and not the jacked-up prices being charged online by profiteering retailers and third-party sellers.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

But looking at the Arc B570 strictly on its merits, ignoring any external factors that are subject to change, and it's undeniable that the Arc B570 is one of the best 1080p graphics cards you can buy, especially considering its price.

At this price price point, you really have to compare the Arc B570 against cards that are several years old, like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 1060 to really put things in perspective. For example, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 had a launch price $30 higher than the Arc B570, and even though I no longer have that card to compare Intel's latest against in a head-to-head matchup like I'd like, it really wasn't that good of a card to justify its price. Say what you will about the Arc B570, but in no universe can you say that you're not getting your money's worth with this GPU.

The heartbreak, then, is just that this card is simply overshadowed by its slightly more expensive sibling. If the Intel Arc B570 was priced at $199, it would be walking away with a definitive budget win. Hell, it still is, but with so little separating the B570 and the B580, pretty much every potential buyer is better off borrowing that extra bit of cash from a friend, sibling, parent, or even a stranger, and picking up the more powerful B580.

Intel Arc B570: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• How much is it? Starting at $219 / £219 (around AU$350)
• When can you get it? You can get it from January 16, 2025
• Where is it available? You can get it in the US, UK, and Australia

The Intel Arc B570 goes on sale in the US, UK, and Australia on January 16, 2025, for $219 / £219 (around AU$350).

This puts it at just $30 / £30 (about AU$90) cheaper than the Intel Arc B580 released in December 2024. That said, it is a good deal cheaper than the competing AMD Radeon RX 7600 and Nvidia RTX 4060, both of which run at least 20% more expensive for roughly the same performance.

I'll dig into the performance-per-dollar of this card in a bit, but I can tell you now that it's one of the best you find on a modern GPU, but it still comes in a distant second to the Intel Arc B580, making it hard card to recommend unless you are seriously strapped for cash or the B580 is being scalped at too high a price.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Intel Arc B570: Specs

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• 10GB VRAM is a nice-to-have feature
• Decently-sized memory bus

• Specs: 4 / 5

Intel Arc B570: Performance

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• Great 1080p performance
• Doable 1440p (within reason)
• Arc B580 is way better for not a whole lot more money

Ultimately, what matters is performance, and the top-line numbers for the Intel Arc B570 are impressive for a card at its price point, but it is almost exclusively a 1080p graphics card unless you make a lot of compromises for 1440p resolution that frankly aren't going to be worth it in the end.

In terms of creative workloads or AI, this isn't the card for you. I'd simply go for the RTX 4060 if you're really strapped for cash but need something more than a basic cheap gaming GPU.

It also has to be noted that its 1080p gaming performance isn't going to match its more expensive competition on a lot of games, so if you're looking for a graphics card that consistently gets you 60fps at 1080p on max settings without question, you might be better off with some of this card's more expensive competitors.

That said, on average across the several games in my testing suite, including titles like Cyberpunk 2077, F1 2024, Total War: Warhammer III, and others, this card did manage an average 1080p fps of 60. with an average minimum fps of 34.

Of course, it played better on some games more than others, and some games you won't be able to play at max settings for a playable frame rate (like Black Myth Wukong), but over the course of all the titles I played, it's more than passable for 1080p, with the occasionally playable 1440p experience.

For its price, it's genuinely excellent, especially for getting you a card capable of ray-traced gameplay, but for just a little bit more, you can get a lot better with the B580.

• Performance: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Intel Arc B570?

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Buy the Intel Arc B570 if...

You are on a very tight budget
There aren't a lot of current-gen GPUs available at this price point, and even then, this is the cheapest so far.View Deal

You only care about basic 1080p gaming
If you are only looking for a cheap 1080p GPU with some modern extras like ray tracing, this card could be a compelling value at MSRP. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want to game at 1440p
Despite its extra VRAM and decent memory bus, it just doesn't have the specs for consistent 1440p gaming without some serious compromises.View Deal

You have some wiggle room in your budget
If you are even slightly flexible in your budget, the Arc B580 is a much, much better option for not a whole lot more money.View Deal

Also consider

Intel Arc B580
OK, so I'm going to be honest, the only other card you should be considering is the Arc B580. If you have any room in your budget, get this card instead. It's so much better for just a little more of an investment.

Read the full Intel Arc B580 review

How I tested the Intel Arc B570

• I spent about a week with the Intel Arc B570
• I used it primarily as a gaming GPU with some light creative work
• I ran the Arc B570 thgouh my revamped testing suite

I tested the Intel Arc B570 using my newly revamped testing suite, including the latest 3DMark tests like Steel Nomad and Solar Bay, as well as the newest gaming benchmarks like Black Myth Wukong and F1 2024.

I used the Arc B570 as my primary GPU on my work PC, using it for basic productivity, creative, and moderate gaming in the office.

I've been testing GPUs for TechRadar for more than two years now, and have extensively benchmarked all of the latest GPUs several times over, so I am well aware of where this card's performance sits amongst its competition as well as how good of a value it is at its price point.

• Originally reviewed January 2025

This vibrator has two motors and can even warm up to body temperature for a more natural feel.

Popular VPN provider, ExpressVPN, has just taken a step further in its post-quantum transition, integrating the latest future-proof encryption technology across all its apps.

ML-KEM, one of the three quantum-resistant encryption standards released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in August last year, has replaced the Kyber algorithm on ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway VPN protocol.

This move further consolidates the company's commitment to securing users' data against new threats posed by quantum computing. Already one of the best VPN services on the market, ExpressVPN was among the first to add post-quantum protection in October 2023. The new release now makes ExpressVPN an early adopter of the industry standard of post-quantum encryption.

From Kyber to ML-KEM: what's changed?

"Encryption is always evolving, and so are we. When Kyber emerged as a trusted frontrunner in the race to secure the post-quantum world, we integrated it into Lightway to ensure your data stayed ahead of potential threats. Now, with ML-KEM – the newly minted NIST standard – we’re taking that protection even further," said Pete Membrey, Chief Research Officer at ExpressVPN, in the official announcement.

Membrey explains that ML-KEM is built on Kyber's foundation and is now the standard for cryptographic key exchanges, meaning exchanging information across a public network, like VPNs.

The new algorithm results from years of work, designed to defend against future quantum threats. ML-KEM has also managed to amass the consensus of leading cryptographers worldwide during this time. The most important, perhaps, its design integrates seamlessly into Lightway, with ExpressVPN promising that speed and reliability won't be affected.

"Lightway is built to evolve, and ML-KEM represents the next step in its journey," said Membrey, adding that the VPN protocol now uses NIST Security Level 5 key sizes for both TCP and UDP, "ensuring your connection is harder to break."

The next time you read about quantum computing being a threat to cybersecurity in the future, just know that we’ve got your back today and every day after. Find out more about Lightway's upgrade to ML-KEM: https://t.co/JsvvSZnqNr pic.twitter.com/ONSwqV2eRzJanuary 15, 2025

Upgrading to ML-KEM wasn't the only change for ExpressVPN and, well, its Lightway protocol.

ExpressVPN also decided to migrate from the Open Quantum Safe (OQS) team’s implementation of Kyber/ML-KEM to WolfSSL. For the less techie out there, WolfSSL is an open-source library used to secure digital communications between devices, among other things.

WolfSSL introduced a few advantages. For starters, it implements ML-KEM perfectly, Membrey explains, allowing Lightway to deliver solid performances across all platforms. It's also optimized for speed and power efficiency thanks to a lighter and simpler infrastructure. This will enable Lightway to keep delivering low-latency and high-speed connections

"Unlike experimental libraries, WolfSSL provides enterprise-grade support and regular updates, making it the perfect fit for Lightway’s ongoing evolution," Membrey added.

You can now benefit from ExpressVPN's new post-quantum protections simply by upgrading to the latest version of the VPN app. The update has already been rolled out across all major platforms.

The need for quantum-proof VPNs

With quantum computers believed to become fully operational as early as 2030, it's just a matter of time before current encryption methods become obsolete.

Today, VPNs often use RSA-based key exchanges to ensure that your connections remain private between you and the receiver. Quantum computers, however, can process computations that today's computers can't handle within minutes, potentially breaking current encryption protections.

This is where the NIST's quantum-safe standards come in. This work is crucial to support VPN providers, but also messaging apps, encrypted email, and any other tech company integrating some forms of encryption into their products.

While most VPN providers are still figuring out how to implement quantum-resistant algorithms into their software without losing performance, some services like ExpressVPN already offer such protection.

These are Mullvad VPN, Windscribe, and PureVPN. These providers are also in the process of replacing their current quantum-resistant protection with the new NIST standard.

Following weeks of leaks and wild speculation, Nintendo gave fans a first look at its new slightly bigger, Switch on Thursday. The company also teased a new Mario Kart game.

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(Image credit: Paul Zimmerman)

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• Garmin has rolled out its ECG feature to more territories
• It can now be used in the EU and Australia
• It works on watches like the Venu 3, Fenix 8, and more

This week, Garmin has rolled out a massive upgrade to all of its best Garmin watches in the EU and Australia, bringing its ECG feature to customers for the first time.

The company announced that the ECG app is now available in the EU and Australia. As you might expect, the ECG app lets you record your heart rhythm to check for signs of atrial fibrillation, which can lead to health complications in later life.

You can view the results immediately or in the Garmin Connect Smartphone app.

ECG finally rolls out to Garmins in the EU and AUS

(Image credit: Future)

ECG functionality has been a mainstay of the best smartwatches on the market for a few years now. The Apple Watch Series 4 popularized the tech back in 2018, with the company shipping an FDA-approved ECG using the device's digital crown. Now you'll find it in all of the best Apple Watch models, as well as offerings like the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Series 7.

As to which Garmins can take advantage of the feature, the company hasn't updated its support page quite yet. However, supported models currently include:

• D2
• Enduro 3
• Epix Pro (Gen 2)
• Fenix 7 Pro
• Fenix 8
• Quatix
• Tactix
• Venu 2 Plus
• Venu 3
• Venu 3S

As noted, you'll need both a compatible Garmin and the Garmin Connect app to use the ECG feature.

Earlier this month the company unveiled its stunning new Garmin Instinct 3, the company's rugged, durable, outdoor smartwatch replete with a flashlight, 24 days of battery life, and a durable outer shell. There's even a Solar version that promises infinite battery life in the right conditions.

Garmin's ECG feature is already available in the US, as well as other countries including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

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The way we talk to our phones will be entirely different in 2025 compared to 2024. At the moment we think about AI on our phones as being a mild curiosity, but that’s about to change. We’ll be able to ask our phones to perform complex tasks for us in a way that’s going to start becoming normal incredibly quickly. It will be like we’ve all got a personal assistant in our pockets that can do pretty much any task we ask it to.

Want it to find you a flight to Hong Kong on Monday evening? No problem. Want it to find you a restaurant that has great vegetarian options for tonight, and email the location to your date? No problem. Want it to send you the top stories from TechRadar every Friday at midday? No problem. (I’m sorry for the shameless self-promotion in that last suggestion, but you get the idea.)

A whole new world

And it's all going to happen very quickly. This January OpenAI has already released ChatGPT tasks. This is still in beta form, so a bit of a work in progress, but is currently available to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Teams users, and will let you set reminders for ChatGPT to notify you about things in the future. So, you could ask it to send you a breakdown of the top stories from CNN every Monday morning, for example. It’s only a first step towards the real breakthrough, the autonomous AI agents that ChatGPT has been promising us for what feels like ages now, but still feels significant.

More excitingly Samsung is about to upgrade its AI offering at its Galaxy Unpacked event on 22 January to something really special. The company has already teased what it will be with the release of a video trailer of a busy woman in an office – we know she’s busy because she says she’s “off to her next meeting” – asking her AI assistant to book a pet-friendly Italian restaurant with outdoor seating and email the details to her friend Luka, and put it in her calendar.

Samsung’s virtual assistant, called Bixby, is already in its Galaxy phones, but this sort of functionality is beyond what it’s currently capable of, so it looks like Bixby is about to evolve into a true AI virtual assistant before our very eyes. The questions that remain, and that will be answered on the 22nd, are what exactly it will be capable of and what hardware you will need to run it.

This year we're also going to get an important Apple Intelligence update from Apple, which is likely to arrive around March or April. iOS 18.4 will give Siri onscreen awareness, i.e. the ability to look at what’s happening on your phone, so it can take action on what you’re looking at. It will also get personal context knowledge, so it can act more like a personal assistant with direct access to your calendar, email, and messages.

Jarvis is coming

Google has its Gemini AI which is creeping into everything from your browser to your car, but even more importantly, it also has Jarvis AI, its AI assistant, which will be able to do much more. Jarvis can browse the web for you, which means you can ask it to do anything that you can do in a web browser.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is focusing its Microsoft Copilot 365 AI agents on solving our trickiest business problems. Meta will be flooding social media with autonomous AI bots and X won't be far behind.

In fact, it feels like only one big name in the technosphere is absent here, and surprisingly it's one of the early pioneers in the virtual assistant space – Amazon. Despite a strategic collaboration with Anthropic to use its Claude AI, Amazon has been slow off the mark to equip Alexa with AI capabilities. Rohit Prasad, Amazon's AGI team's head scientist recently talked to the FT and acknowledged the delays, but said that Amazon has plans to fully transform Alexa’s brain through a kind of "transplant" to swap out the old question-answering style Alexa for the type of conversational chat you get with generative AI models.

It better hurry up, because with Samsung leading the way next week with Galaxy Unpacked, and the other big names not far behind, Amazon risks Alexa being left in the AI wilderness.

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Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Two-Minute Review

Not even a year since Insta360’s original Flow Pro smartphone stabilizer arrived on the market, and it already has a successor in the shape of the Flow 2 Pro. The new gimbal (perhaps unsurprisingly given the timeframe) doesn’t represent a huge leap forward, however – merely a logical progression in a few key areas.

This is another compact handheld gimbal for keeping an attached smartphone level and its movements smooth, enabling the user to capture more stable and professional-looking video footage while on foot or, with the gimbal perched on a flat surface thanks to its integrated tripod, use their phone like an automated camera operator, moving around while the gimbal uses its software to track and follow their movements, keeping them in the frame.

All the key advantages of the original model either remain untouched or improved upon, thankfully. The lightweight folding design, for instance, makes the Flow 2 Pro one of the most portable smartphone stabilizers around, just like the Flow Pro. And, like the Flow Pro, it features a magnetic clamping system that makes mounting your phone and deploying the gimbal and a refreshingly quick and painless process. The clamp grips securely to the sides of your phone, accommodating devices between 64mm and 84mm wide, and then simply sticks to the gimbal arm via its strong magnet, fixing into place with a satisfying ‘thunk’.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

I think the design is even better this time around, though, because the Flow 2 Pro’s construction is tougher and more durable than that of its predecessor, even down to the built-in tripod legs being less awkward to pull out and providing a more stable platform for hands-free stabilization.

In its folded state the Flow 2 Pro is impressively small. I was even able to lug it around in my coat pocket, which isn’t something I could say for many of the other best smartphone gimbals. The basic bundle comes with a soft cloth drawstring bag for storage in such situations, but Insta360 also sells an optional hard-sided carry case with snug cut-outs for the gimbal, magnetic clamp and (also optional) fill light. This case, which comes with a removable shoulder strap and netted compartment space inside the lid for storing cables and other small accessories, is the ideal way to store the Flow 2 Pro when not in use, and I’d have liked it included in the basic package – but I suppose keeping it as an optional upgrade does hold the overall cost down for those who want to get in at the lowest price point.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

As for the smartphone stabilization itself, I have no significant complaints at all – it all works brilliantly, and the Flow 2 Pro feels much more comfortable in my hand than the original Flow Pro. The three-axis gimbal can support handsets up to 300g in weight, stabilizing them using one of three modes: Follow (which follows both the pan and tilt movements of the user but keeps the roll axis fixed); Pan Follow (similar, but keeps both the tilt and roll axes fixed); and FPV (which follows the user’s movement on all three axes).

There’s also an Auto mode, which follows tilt and pan movements and adapts its sensitivity automatically in real-time, plus the option to fix all axes in place at any time by holding down the trigger on the handle. The sixth and final mode is Active Plus, which adds extra sensitivity and responsiveness to the above modes and is engaged by tapping, then holding down the trigger.

You can also manually move the gimbal using the on-handle controls, with the thumb stick supporting tilt and pan motion and, in FPV mode, the jog wheel controlling roll axis movement. Single tapping the trigger turns subject tracking on and off, double tapping resets the phone to a level central position and triple tapping spins the phone through 180º so that it faces the opposite direction to its current facing.

The minimalist circular control setup is similar to the Flow Pro’s, albeit with a few tweaks to aid ergonomics. It’s now slightly more tactile and the four mode lights for Auto, Follow, Pan Follow and FPV are situated at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock on the circle rather than in a row at the top. The green indicator light, which pops on to tell you that tracking is in progress, is retained from the Flow Pro, as is the NFC tap point above it, which can be used for first-time one-tap pairing for both Android and Apple phones.

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The 21cm extension stick, which expands out from the handle to create extra distance between the user and the phone, is retained from the previous model but a new Free Tilt option expands the Flow 2 Pro’s repertoire of motion. It moves the arm out of the way, which allowed me to capture upwards and downwards tilting shots I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to get.

On the software side of things, the Flow 2 Pro retains its Apple DockKit support, which means it can track subjects in over 200 iPhone camera apps, including the likes of BlackMagic Camera, TikTok and the iPhone’s own native camera app. Obviously this leaves Android users feeling a little short-changed in comparison, as the only way they can track on the Flow 2 Pro is via the Insta360 app.

However, the app is great – and I think delivers by far a smoother, smarter and more responsive tracking experience than any apps that use the DockKit integration. New tracking features added for the Flow 2 Pro include the ability to track groups of people, track while zoomed up to 15x and the Pro Framing Grid, which can modify tracking to keep the subject off-center in the frame for a more pleasing ‘golden ratio’ composition.

The app also includes support for Dolby Vision and Apple ProRes video recording, a new teleprompter option to help content creators stick to the script and support for remote control of the gimbal via a second smartphone or an Apple Watch. I like the idea of a remote control but having to pull out a second smartphone isn’t really ideal – so hopefully Insta360 will take inspiration from the Hohem iSteady M7’s integrated remote control for future stabilizers.

I did get the opportunity to try out a couple of the optional accessories such as the MagSafe mount, which is a much more elegant and slick mounting option than the spring-loaded magnetic grip and the LED fill light, which slots directly onto the gimbal arm’s USB-C output (which can also be used to top up your phone’s battery) and provides either warm, neutral or cool light in one of three intensities. It’s not as flexible as the LED that comes included on the Hohem M7, but it’s powerful enough to enable night-time vlogging, and can face both forwards and backwards.

With up to 10 hours of battery life, the Flow 2 Pro delivers roughly the same amount of use on a full charge as the original model. By the standards of small stabilizers, it’s good – and significantly longer than the 6.5 hours offered by the DJI Osmo 6 Mobile, its closest rival.

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Price and Availability

The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is available to order from its launch day, 16 January 2025, in two bundles and two color finishes: Stone Grey and Summit White.

The Standard Bundle costs $159.99 / £144.99 / AU$239.99, and includes the Flow 2 Pro itself plus a magnetic clamp, USB-A to USB-C charging cable and soft storage back. The Creator Bundle costs $189.99 / £169.99 / AU$289.99, and includes all of the above plus a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a magnetic phone mount for MagSafe iPhones and the Spotlight, a small fill light that clips directly to the gimbal arm.

This launch price is slightly higher than the launch price of original Flow Pro (which arrived in July 2024); taking into account inflation, however, I’d consider it roughly the same – although I would expect the original Flow Pro to fall in price now that its successor has arrived – the Flow 2 Pro’s most established rival, the DJI Osmo 6 Mobile, has already.

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: specs Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Also Consider

DJI Osmo Mobile 6
We think DJI’s small folding gimbal feels nicer in the hand than the Flow 2 Pro, but in other areas the Insta360 has it beat thanks to longer battery life and, for Apple users at least, that all-important ability to track using third-party camera apps. We’d expect the upcoming Osmo Mobile 7 (or equivalent) to up its game sharply, however.

Read our DJI Osmo Mobile 6 review

Hohem iSteady M7
While significantly pricier and bulkier than the Flow 2 Pro, the M7’s impeccable stabilization can balance phones up to 500g in weight. Even better, it comes with app-agnostic tracking via an AI camera module that doubles as a fully customizable fill light, plus a touchscreen module that works as a remote control.

*Our Hohem iSteady M7 review is in progress

Should I buy the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro?

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Buy it if...

You want the best small gimbal for iPhone
The Flow 2 Pro’s Apple DockKit support grants it far more utility for iPhone users than its folding, compact competitors, allowing human subject tracking for over 200 iOS camera apps.

You travel light
With its folding, lightweight build, which also manages to be reassuringly sturdy, the Flow 2 Pro is the perfect stabilizer with which to document your day trips and weekend breaks. It works as a power bank, selfie stick and tripod too!

Don't buy it if...

You want the best all-round tracking gimbal
Larger, pricier stabilizers like the Hohem iSteady M7 and Zhiyun Smooth 5A AI feature AI tracking modules that allow them to track human subjects with any app for both Android and iPhone.

You already own the original Flow Pro
The improvements here are notable, but not so valuable that it’s worth ditching your nearly new Flow Pro for the upgrade. If you own the original, our advice would be to wait until the Flow 3 Pro (or equivalent) comes along.

How I tested the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro

• One week of use
• Tested with iPhone 13 and various iOS apps
• Used inside and outdoors both on tripod and in hand

I used the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro in and around my home for a week, using it to record footage both on the move and with it fixed it place via its built-in tripod. I tested it with my Apple iPhone 13 and a variety of camera apps – including the Insta360 app, BlackMagic Camera and the iPhone’s own native camera – to record b-roll and vlog-style videos.

First reviewed January 2025

• Mercedes-Benz is adding Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent to its cars.
• The upgrade uses Google Gemini for real-time, personalized help.
• The new MBIX AI will appear first in new CLA models.

Google's dream of making its Gemini AI your road trip pal is becoming more real, at least if you own a Mercedes-Benz. Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent is making its debut in Mercedes-Benz’s updated MBUX Virtual Assistant. The assistant is built on Google’s Gemini AI to offer nuanced, conversational support.

The value is easy to understand. If you're on the road and hungry you could just ask your car, “Where’s the best Italian place around here?” Not only would you hear some options, but the AI would take the initiative to add, “The lasagna gets rave reviews, but avoid the tiramisu, it’s a little too soggy.”

The Automotive AI Agent is designed to handle multi-turn conversations and even remember the context of your previous chats. So, if hours after you ask about Italian restaurants, you inquire, "Are any of those places you mentioned before open late?" the AI won’t act like you’re starting from scratch. And the AI does know quite a lot partly because of Gemini's earlier integration with Google Maps. That means the AI can offer live traffic updates, nearby points of interest, and alternate routes. If you're stuck in a traffic jam, the car might suggest a quicker way home that keeps in mind your preference for avoiding toll roads.

MBUX Gemini

Google and Mercedes are betting that the ability of automotive AI agents to process complex queries and provide accurate, context-aware answers will make a difference when people decide what kind of car to buy. By making interactions smoother, more intuitive, and useful, this AI could make your drive easier. No more stopping on the shoulder to Google “nearest gas station,” and no more arguments about whose turn it was to check the directions.

That said, there’s a fine line between helpful and creepy. The assistant remembers conversations, which is great when it’s reminding you about that vegan café your partner wanted to try – but what happens when it casually recalls your midnight McDonald’s run from three weeks ago? The balance between utility and privacy will be a key factor in whether drivers fully embrace this technology.

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