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• Google Calendar gets appointment booking pages from the sidebar
• It’s designed for those who don’t have full visibility into a user’s calendar
• Google Calendar and Gmail just got tighter scheduling integration, too

Google is making appointment booking pages directly accessible within its calendar app sidebar on web and mobile in a bid to make it easier to find a mutually agreeable time.

The new Google Calendar feature makes it easier to book time, especially for external contacts like customers and partners, without having to share full visibility into your calendar.

Users without an appointment schedule will get a pre-configured booking page based on working hours that automatically updates to avoid conflicts.

Google Calendar is getting tighter scheduling integration

With Calendly and other rivals growing in a hybrid, post-pandemic, Google has been busy in recent months tying Calendar and Gmail together more closely to make it easier for contacts to schedule time together.

“By providing users with an easier way to book time with others, this change streamlines the scheduling process, which is particularly useful for customers, partners or people outside an organization who might not have visibility into another’s calendar,” Google wrote.

A mobile view of the pre-configured booking page only becomes available on mobile after it has been viewed on the web, Google explained in a product announcement. Most core functions, like creating, editing and deleting booking pages, are restricted to the web only.

Appointment scheduling has already started rolling out to all Google Workspace customers as well as Workspace Individual subscribers and person account holders, and will be broadly available by early September 2025.

The latest update comes not long after the company also added Google Calendar appointment booking page support to Gmail.

For that, users will need to click the Calendar icon at the bottom of an email draft to create a booking page which can be inserted directly into the body of the email.

That feature is now fully rolled out to the same types of accounts.

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Messaging will initially be available to Free and Premium subscribers in select markets.

• Bluesky has decided to exit Mississippi in response to the new age verification law
• Under the law, social media platforms need to verify all users' ages before granting them access
• People in Mississippi may be able to keep accessing Bluesky by spoofing their IP address with a VPN

Bluesky has decided to exit Mississippi in response to the new age verification law, which now requires social media platforms to verify the age of every user before granting them access.

Elon Musk's X rival warns that the new requirements "would fundamentally change how users access Bluesky," while opening up to privacy and security challenges that would impact smaller providers in particular.

Therefore, starting Friday, August 22, 2025, Bluesky is blocking all traffic from Mississippi IP addresses. This, however, means that users based in the state may be able to turn to the best VPN services to keep using the app.

"We do not take this decision lightly," wrote Bluesky in its official announcement, while ensuring that child safety remains a core priority. Yet, "We think this law creates challenges that go beyond its child safety goals, and creates significant barriers that limit free speech and disproportionately harm smaller platforms and emerging technologies."

Being a decentralized platform, the block applies only to the Bluesky app built on the AT Protocol. "Other apps and services may choose to respond differently," explains the provider.

Why is Bluesky worried about Mississippi's age verification approach?

As per Mississippi's HB1126 law, which was upheld by the US Supreme Court on August 14, all social media platforms must verify that every user accessing the platform is over 18 and obtain parental consent for all minors looking to use the app.

The law also requires tech providers to identify and keep track of all teen and child users. Fines for non-compliance can reach up to $10,000 per user.

"Building the required verification systems, parental consent workflows, and compliance infrastructure would require significant resources that our small team is currently unable to spare as we invest in developing safety tools and features for our global community," explains Bluesky.

The economic burden is only half of the story, though.

Bluesky is also concerned that the "law's broad scope" could affect all citizens in Mississippi (not only minors) to use their favorite platforms, negatively impacting their right to free speech and access to information.

The provider also warns against the privacy implications that could stem from collecting and storing such sensitive information about all users, as well as from tracking minors online.

Unfortunately, Bluesky is unavailable in Mississippi right now, due to a new state law that requires age verification for all users. While intended for child safety, we think this law poses broader challenges & creates significant barriers that limit free speech & harm smaller platforms like ours.

— @bsky.app (@bsky.app.bsky.social) 2025-08-26T14:19:50.674Z

Age checks aren't the real issue here, either. Bluesky was indeed one of the first providers to enforce age verification rules in the UK.

Yet, there's a substantial difference between the two laws.

Under the UK Online Safety Act, Bluesky and similar providers are required to verify users' age only for accessing content deemed legal but harmful.

"Mississippi’s law, by contrast, would block everyone from accessing the site – teens and adults – unless they hand over sensitive information, and once they do, the law in Mississippi requires Bluesky to keep track of which users are children," explains the provider.

Can a VPN help?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Bluesky app is now set to block access to all Mississippi IP addresses "until legal challenges to this law are resolved," explains the provider.

A virtual private network (VPN), however, could help you get back online. A VPN is security software that not only encrypts all your internet connections but also spoofs your IP address by rerouting your traffic via one of its international servers.

Therefore, if you're in Mississippi and want to keep accessing Bluesky, all you need to do is connect to a VPN server based where the app is available.

Remember, though, to use only reliable and secure services to ensure your data stays safe. At the time of writing, NordVPN is TechRadar's top recommendation. If you aren't willing to pay for a subscription just yet, I suggest checking our best free VPNs guide, with PrivadoVPN and Proton VPN being today's top picks.

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Day 1 of the Democratic National Committee's summer meeting saw party chair Ken Martin detail how the party is pushing back on Trump administration policies and trying to win back voters.

(Image credit: Sarah Reingewirtz)

Surfshark is one of the newer names in the world of VPNs, but it has already made a huge splash. The balanced offering of security-boosting features, an expansive server network, and budget-friendly prices make Surfshark a worthy contender to the throne in our overall best VPN rankings.

We found that Surfshark covers all the basics you'd expect a VPN to have, but there are a few sticking points that might make you consider alternatives. To help you determine if Surfshark is your perfect match, we've examined its speed, privacy policy, streaming performance, and overall value for money to put together this detailed review. So, let's dive in!

Features

Surfshark's roster of tools is varied and impressive, and all are designed to give your digital privacy a major boost while you do your thing online. It's also great to see that the core VPN features are present and correct, too.

For starters, you'll be protected by robust AES-256 encryption and two tried-and-tested VPN protocols: WireGuard and OpenVPN (you can also choose between TCP and UDP).

A kill switch is also available. It's not enabled by default, and one of the first things we did was head into the settings menu and enable it to prevent IP leaks in the event of a VPN dropout.

In June 2025, Surfshark unveiled a shiny new tool designed to boost VPN connection stability, called Everlink. It's not quite a kill switch, but it does work quietly in the background of your device to recover dropped VPN connections without risking any exposure to your IP address. On the surface, this feature might not be as flashy and exciting as, say, a whole host of new servers, but we're still happy to see Everlink make its debut. VPN connection quality is an important metric in our in-house testing and for real-world use, and Surfshark is confident that it'll make a difference in terms of the overall experience. Nobody likes troubleshooting constant VPN dropouts, after all.

You'll also find Surfshark's split tunneling tool in the settings. It's called Bypasser, and it allows you to flag specific sites and services you'd rather route through your original connection, not the VPN tunnel, which is handy for any online banking you plan to do (as logging in to these apps can be tricky if you're connected to a VPN server).

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Surfshark Search is Surfshark's private, ad-free search engine, offering you can access through its Chrome extension or apps to a more secure browsing experience. (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

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(Image credit: Surfshark )

Another basic tool that we're glad to see included in the Surfshark roster is the auto-connect. It's nice and easy to use – just enable it via the settings menu. You can choose which server to set as your default – the one you'll connect to automatically – and add trusted Wi-Fi networks to a specific list. Surfshark won't automatically connect to a server when you use these Wi-Fi networks.

Multihop, accessible via the server list, allows you to route your traffic through an extra server for an added layer of protection. It's a nice extra, especially for folks living with invasive data privacy laws.

Surfshark's standout features pack more of a punch. Take CleanWeb, the DNS-level blocker that keeps ads and malware at bay. There's also a browser-based add-on called CleanWeb 2.0 that mops up any threats that slip through the net within your browsing sessions.

During our most recent round of testing, Surfshark successfully blocked 84% of ads, which makes it more effective than Proton VPN's ad-blocker at 79% but second to ExpressVPN at 90%.

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Surfshark Alternative ID offers a one-stop solution to avoiding risk when signing up for websites you don't trust or sites you don't want to use your details for marketing purposes. (Image credit: Future)

Alternative ID is a fantastic addition to Surfshark's toolkit and a unique feature. It generates an entirely new online persona for you in the click of a button, including an email address. This means you don't have to hand over your actual identifiable details when signing up for sites, newsletters, and services, reducing the risk of being caught up in data breaches and scams. Plus, we found that it's a lot quicker than creating a one-use burner email.

Alternative Number adds an extra layer of privacy to your online life by creating a secondary phone number you can use during sign-up, too, preventing potential misuse of your real contact details.

We especially like that you generate and use the number from within the Surfshark app itself and that it doesn't interfere with your original phone number or require you to swap your SIM card. Bear in mind, however, that Alternative Number is a paid extra you'll need to add to your account.

On that note, upgrading to a Surfshark One plan will bag you some extra goodies, including the aforementioned antivirus. You'll also have access to Surfshark Search (an ad-and-tracker-free search engine) and Surfshark Alert, which will let you know if your data is involved in a data leak or your ID is compromised.

Bump things up to a One+ plan, and you'll get access to Incogni, a data removal service that automates requests to remove personal information from databases and people search sites.

Features score: 9/10

Server network

Surfshark has servers in 100 countries – that's an impressive spread and more than Private Internet Access (91); however, it's still fewer than ExpressVPN (105) and NordVPN (118). In terms of locations, Surfshark’s servers span 140, again trailing behind ExpressVPN (148) and NordVPN (111).

Although Surfshark can't claim to have the most pins on the map, we think that the overall distribution of servers is excellent, leaving no region hungry. Europe and the Americas are well-served, and Surfshark even boasts extensive coverage across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

There's even a Chinese Macau SAR server, though, as expected, there are no available locations in Russia.

It's well worth noting that all of Surfshark's servers are RAM-only. That means they're wiped whenever they're rebooted, erasing any stored user data, which is a nice boost to a user’s overall digital privacy.

We're also glad to see that Surfshark now labels whether its servers are virtual or physical. Physical servers provide an IP address based in that same location, whereas virtual servers don't – virtual servers in India, for example, aren't located within the country itself.

Virtual servers come in handy if it's difficult to set up servers in a country with censorship, but they can introduce security issues, especially if your traffic is routed through a country with draconian data protection laws.

Surfshark doesn't offer specialized streaming, gaming, or torrenting servers, but you can check out its static IPs or invest in a dedicated IP (for an extra monthly fee). Similarly, Surfshark's multihop tool lets you route traffic through an extra server. You can choose from a preselected pairing of servers or, if you're feeling choosy, create your own combination.

Server network score: 8/10

Apps

Surfshark has apps for all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux.

Our hands-on testing experience with the Surfshark UI was smooth and hiccup-free. The UI is a minimalist's dream, without any clutter to slow you down or confuse VPN newbies, and we found it just as easy to switch between tabs on the left-hand side of the screen.

The simplicity means there's nothing to write home about in terms of flair (think Proton VPN and its cyber-chic purple and black UI), but it does mesh well with the native interface of both Windows and Mac clients.

The mobile apps are similarly well-crafted, with a few small improvements proving that Surfshark is thinking about making its offering stand out in an increasingly saturated market.

Whether you’re an Android or iOS loyalist, you’ll be glad to learn that the experience across both platforms is virtually identical.

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Surfshark's Alternative Number feature is hosted within the app, and offers a near-identical experience to what you'd expect from your usual messaging service. (Image credit: Future)

Now, Surfshark's mobile app has widgets that allow you to control your VPN connection without opening the full app. You can also log in by scanning a QR code on a device that's already logged in, which makes it way easier to get the app set up on your mobile phone (and make good use of those unlimited simultaneous connections).

Our testing showed that the Chrome browser extension has improved since our last investigation, and more tools are available directly within the browser. You can now auto-fill forms with your Alternative ID, too, speeding up a previously monotonous process and eliminating the need to fork over real details in the process. It's a win/win and exactly the sort of innovation we like to see.

Currently, Surfshark is one of only a handful of VPN that offer a graphical Linux client rather than a command line interface. It's encouraging as Linux regularly remains an afterthought even among today's top services.

Surfshark gave its Linux app some extra TLC, too, finally adding a kill switch, split tunneling, and its roster of CleanWeb features to the mix.

As is now the norm, Surfshark is also compatible with less common clients, such as Fire Stick, Apple TV, and routers.

Apps score: 9/10

Ease of use

We found the Surfshark app easy to install and set up. Once you've picked your plan and downloaded the right package for your device, you just follow along with an installation wizard and log in to the app when prompted.

(Image credit: Future)

Then, you'll see Surfshark's location tab. The UI is easily digestible. Your recommended servers are displayed at the top of the page, with your pinned favorites and recently used servers right underneath, meaning you can quickly open up the app and connect without scrolling through the lengthy server list.

The panel on the right displays your connection status, which is, really, the most important detail. Others are there for more technically minded folks, including the protocol you're using, your new IP address, and which features you've toggled on or off.

Ease of use score: 9/10

Speed and performanceHow we perform speed tests

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Our testing setup uses two virtual machines positioned in the UK and US, each one with its own 1 Gbps connection. We use this to record VPN speeds. Then, to calculate the averages, we use multiple speed testing sites at different times of the day while connected to the various protocols on offer. You can find out more in our VPN testing methodology.

Surfshark sits at the top of our fastest VPN rankings, and recorded another unbeatable performance during our most recent round of testing. If you're looking for speed, Surfshark is your best bet.

We used the WireGuard protocol to put Surfshark's speeds to the test. Using a 1 Gbps line and connecting to a local UK-based server, we recorded a performance of 848 Mbps. That's pretty impressive, and certainly means that Surfshark is one of the quickest VPNs on our books, but it's a slight fall from grace, too, as the provider previously clocked in at 950+ Mbps.

Our testing also underscored a noticeable amount of variance, here. In the mornings, we saw speeds of 1,045 Mbps, but these dipped to 651 Mbps when we repeated the process in the evening. While this isn't a major red flag, it is something to be aware of if you're going to use your VPN around the clock.

Surfshark's OpenVPN speeds weren't as blistering, coming in at 431 Mbps. This is to be expected, however, as OpenVPN isn't as lightweight and efficient as WireGuard.

Still, it's worth noting that Surfshark's OpenVPN speeds were amongst the most consistent in our hands-on testing. We barely saw any prominent fluctuations throughout the day, meaning that Surfshark is a great pick for tasks like torrenting - where you'll want uncompromising security and decent speeds.

The important takeaway here is to remember that, whether you opt for WireGuard or OpenVPN, Surfshark is more than fast enough to keep up with your day-to-day browsing. You only need 25 Mbps to stream in 4K, too, so you'll have no problem tuning in to buffer-free HD content.

Finally, we noted that it regularly took a few seconds to connect to a Surfshark server. This isn't a total deal-breaker by any means, but I find that NordVPN and ExpressVPN connect in around a second (or even less).

Speed and performance score: 10/10

Unblocking sites and content

Surfshark has made a mark in the industry as a reliable VPN for streaming and unblocking all sorts of platforms. In fact, it currently claims the third-place position in our overall streaming VPN rankings, and fourth-place in our torrenting VPN shortlist.

We put VPNs through a rigorous testing process to see how well they work with Netflix and its global library in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan. We also investigate how well VPNs can unblock other platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. Surfshark performed flawlessly across all of our tests. We had no trouble checking out content on any platform, regardless of the location, and always on the first try.

Surfshark worked like a charm with smaller regional sites, too, and we unblocked BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, and 10 Play.

While some VPNs have a collection of servers optimized for streaming, Surfshark doesn't. It's not all bad news though, as all of Surfshark's servers are capable of accessing region-specific streaming content.

This means that you don't have to hunt for one specific server to join when you're in the mood for some Disney+ or Hulu – which is a nice bonus for VPN newbies who don't want to be bogged down in menus.

Similarly, Surfshark has no torrenting-optimized servers, but you can engage in P2P activity on any of them. The only thing to note here is that, unlike PIA, Surfshark does not have a port forwarding feature, which means you might have trouble seeding.

Unblocking score: 9/10

Privacy and security

Firstly, it's great to see that Surfshark's privacy policy and no-logs promise are easy to find and navigate. The information is dense, certainly, and not what we'd call light reading, but there's a table of contents that allows you to skip through to relevant sections.

We like that Surfshark takes the time to discuss each of its tools and how associated data is handled, giving users more leverage to decide whether they want to check them out or not.

Surfshark has proven, on multiple occasions, that transparency is a critical part of its operations. A warrant canary clearly states that the service hasn't endured any data breaches or leaks, and recent audits by Deloitte and Cure53 prove that the service just isn't interested in keeping tabs on user activity or logging it. Surfshark has also undertaken audits of its server architecture and apps.

In fact, the results of Surfshark's most recent audit were made public in June, 2025. The VPN invited Deloitte to comb through its no-logs policy for a second time, with the auditors confirming that the policy is properly implemented and enforced. Simply put, Surfshark has no interest in keeping tabs on what you get up to while connected to one of its servers.

On a more technical level, Surfshark relies on industry-standard AES-256 encryption to secure user data as it travels between the user’s device and the VPN server.

Only the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols are available, which is encouraging, as they both ensure that data remains safe from snooping and tampering while inside the VPN tunnel.

We found that Surfshark ticks off the basics, too. The kill switch is a simple on or off switch and cuts your internet connection in the event of a VPN dropout to prevent data leaks. We previously noted some kill switch bugs, but Surfshark quickly released an update improving the stability of the feature.

We especially like that the kill switch is customizable. You can choose a more lenient option, which disables the internet during accidental interruptions, or a stricter version that will cut the internet if the VPN is interrupted in any way at all.

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(Image credit: Future)

Other must-have tools include DNS leak protection that stops ISP snooping, multihop that routes traffic through an extra server for more security, and a No Borders mode that allows users to bypass strict government censorship to enjoy a freer, safer internet.

We also put Surfshark's phishing and malware site detection to the test by feeding it 100 new malicious URLs from OpenPhish. Unfortunately, the results leave something to be desired.

In testing, Surfshark only blocked 6% of malware sites and 7% of phishing sites, underscoring the simple fact that while you can rely on a VPN package to shore up your online security, you’re better off opting for a dedicated antivirus.

Privacy and security score: 9/10

Track record

Surfshark has a keen ear and listens to its customers – it's a great reputation to have, even if the service has experienced its ups and downs over the years.

In 2024, Surfshark addressed an issue where it was not correctly labeling all of its virtual servers – only 27 out of 50 locations were identifiable. After we spoke to the VPN directly, Surfshark amended these labels within two days, which is a fantastic turnaround.

Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which, to privacy purists, will be a point of concern. The Netherlands is part of the infamous intelligence-sharing organization: the Nine Eyes.

Fortunately, the VPN has begun publishing a quarterly transparency report outlining the number of requests for user information that Surfshark has had to respond to, as well as law enforcement inquiries. Currently, we can assume that Surfshark has not handed over user information related to a single inquiry.

Track record score: 8/10

Customer support

Surfshark has several avenues of customer support, but the first one we ran into was the AI chatbot. We had a brief conversation with this bot, querying basic information about server numbers and locations, and were sent links to relevant knowledgebase articles.

If you'd rather speak to a human being, the good news is that it's easy to do so, and we found Surfshark’s agents to be friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the service.

As you'd expect from such a big name in the VPN world, Surfshark has an extensive knowledge base. Inside, you'll find all sorts of articles, including setup guides for each platform and more in-depth explainers about the various tools.

The "Surfschool" is especially neat and contains end-to-end advice on how to use the VPN, making it a good place for newbies to start.

Customer support score: 8/10

Pricing and plansNordVPN pricing

- 1-month plans: $15.45/month (Starter) $17.95/month (One) $20.65/month (One+)

- 12-month plans: $3.19/month, plus 3 months free (Starter) $3.39/month, plus 3 months free (One) $6.09/month, plus 3 months free (One+)

- 24-month plans: $2.19/month, plus 3 months free (Starter) $2.69/month, plus 3 months free (One) $4.29/month, plus 3 months free (One+)

Surfshark is by far the cheapest premium VPN on the market, but you won't sacrifice quality for a budget-friendly price tag. On the contrary, Surfshark's roster of tools and unlimited simultaneous connections make it an excellent value for money, especially if you subscribe to a multi-year plan.

A 2-year subscription to the Starter plan is only $2.19 a month – and even comes with an extra 3 months for free. Only PIA is cheaper, at $2.03 a month for 3 years. It is worth noting that Surfshark's prices rise to $4.98 upon renewal, making the rock-bottom price point a one-and-done sort of deal.

If you want access to all of Surfshark's privacy-boosting tools, you'll need to subscribe to a One or One+ plan. A dedicated IP is a separate add-on to consider, too, and will set you back an additional $3.75 a month.

Pricing score: 9/10

Should you use Surfshark?

Surfshark is a stellar service and a worthwhile alternative to the likes of NordVPN and ExpressVPN, especially if you're on the hunt for a bargain. Plus, while some VPNs focus solely on their VPN product, Surfshark has become an all-in-one security solution.

Add unlimited simultaneous connections to the mix, and we think it's a service that offers serious value for money on top of rock-solid security.

Surfshark isn't without its drawbacks, though, especially if you plan on relying on its phishing or malware site protection. Other providers have more servers in more locations, too, and more regular audits under their belt.

Still, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, it's well worth taking the time to check out Surfshark in your own time.

Total score: 88/100

Surfshark alternatives

Not sure if Surfshark quite fits your needs? Here's our three top alternatives available right now:

1. NordVPN – from $3.09 per month
The best VPN overall
NordVPN is our #1 rated VPN and the total package. It's quick, has a similarly impressive raft of security tools, and receives regular updates across all of its apps and extensions. It's slightly more expensive than Surfshark, but the Spring Sale brings monthly prices on a 2-year plan down to just $3.09. Try it for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

2. ExpressVPN – from $4.99 per month
The best VPN for beginners
ExpressVPN is a luxe provider but, unlike Surfshark and NordVPN, has decided to hone in on its VPN offering rather than a suite of tools. Its apps are a breath of fresh air and are easy to use, making it a fantastic option for anyone new to the world of VPNs. Again, ExpressVPN is on the pricey side, but you can put its value to the test with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

3. Proton VPN – from $3.59 per month
A great pick for small businesses
Proton VPN puts privacy above all else, but that doesn't mean it skimps on features, speed, and unblocking power. We especially like that Proton VPN recently spruced up its app interfaces, making them more accessible and intuitive than ever before. If you're working with a seriously limited budget, you'll also be glad to learn that the free VPN plan is fantastic (but limited), and a great way to get a feel for Proton VPN's tools. See how Proton VPN stacks up with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

Surfshark FAQsDoes Surfshark have a free trial?

Yes, a free 7-day trial is available to users who subscribe to Surfshark via the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you've picked up your trial, however, you can use it on all of your other devices.

Does Surfshark work with Netflix?

Yes, Surfshark is effective at unblocking Netflix as well as other popular streaming services like Amazon Prime, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.

Does Surfshark have an antivirus?

Yes, Surfshark Antivirus is part of Surfshark's One and One+ plans. Users subscribed to a Starter plan will need to upgrade.

Who owns Surfshark?

Surfshark and Nord Security (the company that offers NordVPN) merged in 2022, but Surfshark and NordVPN continue to operate independently.

Protect your online privacy with our Surfshark coupons. Get great deals on VPN services and secure your internet browsing at a discounted price.

• The next Nintendo Direct showcase is reportedly set to air on September 12
• The presentation would be broadcast one day before Super Mario Bros.' 40th anniversary, a perfect time to announce a new game
• The release date for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond could also be announced

A Nintendo Direct showcase is reportedly scheduled to air next month.

That's according to multiple anonymous sources who told VGC that the next Nintendo presentation is planned for mid-September, specifically September 12, though the details of what to expect are still under wraps.

A Nintendo content creator, 'SwitchForce', also shared a post on X / Twitter, hinting that a Direct will air on the same date, writing: "Nintendo tried to phone in an emergency about the missing Switch 2 games, but they accidentally dialed 912."

It wouldn't be unusual for a new Direct to be held next month since, aside from 2024, one has been held every year since Nintendo's presentations kicked off.

This mid-September showcase would also arrive just in time for Super Mario Bros.' 40th anniversary, which is on September 13.

The fact that a Direct is rumored to be taking place so close to Mario's birthday would be the perfect opportunity for Nintendo to announce the next Super Mario Bros. game for Switch 2, or even a potential remake of an earlier entry in the series.

There's also the matter of other major Switch games that have to receive release dates, namely Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. The game was announced in 2017, but was later rebooted as a new project in 2019 under Retro Studios.

The last we saw of the game was in June 2024, with a gameplay trailer and confirmation of a 2025 launch window for Nintendo Switch. Here's hoping the rumored Direct will offer a firm release date and perhaps even announcement of a Switch 2 version.

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• Chinese hackers found a unique way to target US firms
• The method remained largely hidden until now
• Hackers are mostly interested in espionage, experts claim

Chinese threat actors known as Murky Panda are abusing the trust businesses have in their cloud providers to break into companies, steal sensitive files, and maintain persistence for additional reconnaissance and espionage.

Security researchers at Crowdstrike have revealed how, since 2023, they have seen at least two cases in which Murky Panda exploited zero-day flaws to break into SaaS providers’ cloud environment.

After breaking in, they analyzed their victim’s cloud environment logic, “enabling them to leverage their access to that software to move laterally to downstream customers.”

Silk Typhoon

So, in essence, this is a third-party cyberattack conducted through a cloud-based service provider. However, the method is unique, and that makes it more successful compared to others, more widely reported ones:

“Due to the activity’s rarity, this initial access vector to a victim's cloud environment remains relatively undermonitored compared to more prominent initial access vectors such as valid cloud accounts and exploiting public-facing applications,” Crowdstrike explained.

The researchers also said the threat actor has been active since at least 2023, and that its techniques, tactics, and procedures are quite similar to those of Silk Typhoon, a known Chinese state-sponsored group. Since attribution is often tricky, the researchers hint that this could be Silk Typhoon, a partnering group, or a copycat.

Whoever it is, it seems to be focused on cyber-espionage and intelligence-gathering. Most of its targets are in government, technology, academia, legal, and professional services, located primarily in North America.

When breaking into their initial targets, Murky Panda is using different methods and tools. They were seen leveraging CVE-2023-3519 - a known vulnerability affecting Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway instances. This flaw is at least two years old, and was abused in the past by different ransomware actors, as well.

In other cases, they were seen compromising different small office/home office (SOHO) devices, too.

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A district judge in Virginia was specially tapped to oversee the unusual case after DOJ named all 15 federal district court judges in Maryland as defendants in a lawsuit related to deportations.

(Image credit: Michael M. Santiago)

Nearly two decades after Gears of War helped popularize cover-based shooting on the Xbox 360, the game is now on its second remaster, this time developed by The Coalition and sporting the fancy new title: Gears of War: Reloaded.

This outing's many improvements retroactively make the previous remaster, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, seem like anything but an ultimate version of the first chapter in this decades-spanning series.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Release date: August 26, 2025

Gears of War: Reloaded dramatically upgrades the beloved shooter's visuals and performance for a present-day audience. It comes packing 4K assets and remastered textures, HDR support, new lighting and shadows, 60 fps in campaign and up to 120 fps in multiplayer, and more. While it's impossible to fully obscure the game's age, these improvements do a great job at bringing it reasonably close to current-gen expectations.

Additionally, for the very first time, PlayStation fans can download and play a Gears of War game on PS5. We live in wild times, and I'm happy to be along for the ride.

But underneath the fresh coat of paint and the hype of the series joining a new ecosystem, this is still the Gears of War that players fell in love with years ago and whether that makes it worth your time and money is likely to depend entirely on your previous experiences (or lack thereof) with the game.

Gorgeous familiarity

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

The original Gears of War landed before I was even old enough to drink or rent a car, and I've beaten its campaign at least five times between getting married, buying a house, raising a kid, and becoming old enough to grunt when I get off the couch. It should be old news to me by now, but there's a timelessness to its campaign that made it easy for me to dive back in with Gears of War: Reloaded without feeling like it’s a chore.

It's exactly the same game as it's always been, too. As a grizzled COG soldier named Marcus Fenix, you spend six to eight hours shooting and chainsawing through mutated humanoids called Locusts as you work to find and plant a bomb capable of destroying their subterranean lair. It's loud, gory, and incredibly satisfying third-person chaos that has aged shockingly well.

It may look and sound like little more than a hyper-violent ‘bro’ game at a glance, but the series as a whole is known for its surprising character work, exploring Marcus and his team's struggles with family, sacrifice, and the never-ending toll of war. And while subsequent games admittedly capitalized a bit more on the overarching lore and individual characters' backstories, this introductory entry remains a meaningful foundation for them to build upon.

Best bit

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

An early showdown against a nearly invulnerable enemy forces you to carefully bait its charging attack to break doors down as you lure it through a building. Once you get it outside, you can finally blast it with an all-powerful laser from the sky. It's a tense game of cat and mouse that switches things up to great effect.

Despite being the same old Gears of War, though, one particularly noticeable update is the all-new lack of loading screens. Sure, it's not exactly surprising that a nearly 20-year-old game can pull that off in the same era as God of War Ragnarok's seamless no-cut camera work, but it's a quality-of-life feature that makes the campaign all the more efficient and enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans alike.

But speaking of the game being almost two decades old, it's important to remember that even with significant visual and performance updates, there's no hiding the Xbox 360's footprint in Gears of War: Reloaded.

The gray and brown aesthetic that defined many seventh-generation action titles can't be erased with snazzy 4K assets and lighting improvements, and some stiff animations give away the game's age pretty clearly.

There's only so much that can be done without completely remaking a game from the ground up, so I'd argue The Coalition has done a commendable job of getting things close to modern standards while maintaining the integrity of the original experience.

Here come the shotguns

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

While the servers weren't turned on during the review period, I spent enough time with the beta back in June to know that Gears of War: Reloaded's multiplayer, though much prettier and smoother, largely plays the same as it did in 2006. As always, it's a polarizing mode best summed up with the question, "Do you like shotguns?"

Most matches in any Gears of War game, including this one, come down to players repeatedly cancelling slide-to-cover animations to rapidly bounce from wall to wall (which is unsurprisingly called "wall-bouncing") while wielding the Gnasher shotgun. They move in on one another and engage in frenetic hip-fire shootouts to see who explodes into a million pieces first.

While not technically an exploit, wall-bouncing can seem like an abuse of game mechanics to newbies who expect the multiplayer to flow the same way as the campaign. You can find an occasional long-range showdown if you hang back and play defensively, but veteran players who bounce around like the ball in a pinball machine will usually still close the gap and pop you with a single Gnasher shot. This focus on point-blank gunplay isn't inherently bad, of course, but it can make matches feel one-dimensional.

Still, existing Gears of War enthusiasts and new players willing to adapt to the unique playstyle the community espouses will be happy to know that Gears of War: Reloaded is certainly the most complete version of the first game's multiplayer.

It includes all of the post-launch DLC, 60Hz dedicated servers, up to 120 fps (if your TV or monitor supports it), and cross-play support for every platform. And that last point is especially important, as this game reaches an audience it never has before: PlayStation owners.

A new platform for carnage

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

In a way, all of the visual and performance updates Gears of War: Reloaded brings to the table feel second to the real story here, which is that its release marks the first time the franchise has been available on a PlayStation console.

Seeing the title screen of one of Microsoft's biggest exclusive IPs boot up on my PS5 felt bizarre at first, but as with Forza Horizon 5 earlier this year, it didn't take long for the dust to settle.

Before I knew it, all the running, gunning, and sliding into cover with a DualSense controller felt just as natural as it always has with an Xbox controller. It was a great reminder that, while exclusives can be an important part of a console's identity, the most important thing is that a fun game is a fun game anywhere.

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

As you might expect, the DualSense adds some extra flair for those who enjoy its unique features. All of the immersion is in full force here, like how the vibrations differ between firing a weapon or using your chainsaw to grind through a Locust, or the way the adaptive triggers have a specific feel for each gun. Still, if you normally prefer a different platform, I wouldn't consider these DualSense features worth prioritizing the PS5 version.

The important part is that, wherever you decide to play Gears of War: Reloaded, it's the best version of the game available. Whether you're fresh meat or a franchise devotee, this remaster's facelift makes for a great opportunity to join Marcus Fenix and his loyal band of brothers on their first perilous adventure, or see if you've got what it takes to duke it out in some anarchistic multiplayer matches.

Should I play Gears of War: Reloaded?Play it if…

You're new to the Gears of War franchise
Gears of War: Reloaded is the first game in the series and a great place to onboard, especially if you've been in the PlayStation ecosystem for the past few generations. However, there's no confirmation of the sequels making their way over to PlayStation yet, if ever. So, if you want to see the rest of the games through, you'll need to check them out on Xbox.

You value strategy over guns-blazing
Gears of War: Reloaded's campaign is about cover as much as it is about shooting. You'll spend a lot of time behind walls waiting for the right time to strike and explode your foes into bloody little bits. Strategic positioning and wielding the right gun at the right time can make all the difference to your chances of survival.

You like chainsaws in your video games
Look, chainsaws have shown up as a melee weapon in a lot of video games over the years for a reason — they're cool as hell. And Gears of War: Reloaded's chainsaws are attached to a frickin' assault rifle so you can saw nearby enemies in half and then get back to shooting. It'll never not be awesome. View Deal

Don’t play it if…

You've beaten the campaign recently and aren't into multiplayer
Gears of War: Reloaded is the second remaster of the 2006 Xbox 360 title, so if you're a franchise fan, there's a good chance you've played this before — maybe even multiple times by now. The flashier visuals and higher framerates are nice, but if you've already seen the campaign through in the past few years, or don't dig the game's shotgun-focused multiplayer meta, it may not be worth the investment.View Deal

Accessibility features

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

Gears of War: Reloaded won't be winning any awards for its accessibility options, but it has the basic suite of features like subtitles and text-to-speech.

You can make it so that button tap challenges allow you to simply hold down the button rather than rapidly press it, while photosensitive players will appreciate the flash reduction setting that limits sudden brightness changes.

How I reviewed Gears of War: Reloaded

I played Gears of War: Reloaded on a PS5 Pro using a Sony X90K LED TV. I swapped between my Sony Pulse Elite Wireless Headset and Alienware Pro Wireless Headset for audio.

I played Gears of War: Reloaded for around 6 hours, during which time I worked my way through the full campaign on Normal difficulty while finding all 33 of the COG tag collectibles.

I wasn't able to play any multiplayer since the servers weren't on during the review period, but I got a good feel for it when I spent a few afternoons playing online during the beta back in June.

First reviewed August 2025

• Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl will support 4K 60FPS on PS5 Pro in both quality and performance mode
• The base PS5 version currently offers quality mode at 4K 30FPS and performance mode at 2K 60FPS, but GSC Game World is aiming to deliver the latter at 4K 60FPS at launch
• Resolution, VFX, lighting, and more graphical features have been enhanced for the PS5 and PS5 Pro

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's technical producer, Yevhenii Kulyk, has revealed that GSC Game World is aiming to launch the game on PS5 at 4K 60 frames per second (fps) in quality mode.

Speaking in an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Gamescom 2025, Kulyk confirmed that the PS5 Pro version will support 4K 60fps when played on both performance and quality modes, though more textures have been added to improve the latter.

On the other hand, the base PS5 version will offer quality mode at 4K 30fps, while performance mode is currently at 2K 60fps, but the studio is aiming for 4K 60fps at launch.

"Right now, we are going 2K in 60 for the base version, but we are aiming to hit that 4K to hit the parity as well," Kulyk said. "So we want to support, on launch, 4K on the base version for quality and performance."

The developer explained that the team has included additional enhancements with the PS5 Pro version by changing scalability settings, which should improve the game's environments.

"You may notice that in the Pro version, it's a better way to experience the atmosphere of the game, because we tweaked the shadow quality. We tweaked some resolution techniques," Kulyk said. "We tweaked VFX, shading quality, and volumetric stuff, like volumetric clouds and volumetric lighting, so it is quite noticeable, but still, PlayStation 5 is an absolutely good way to play with our game and experience it to the full length."

GSC Game World communications director, Zakhar Bocharov, also added that he thinks "the most beautiful version" is the PS5 Pro quality mode, but admitted that he would still prefer to play the game in performance mode with a guaranteed 60fps.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is now available on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC, but will arrive on PS5 and PS5 Pro on November 20, 2025.

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• AMD's Ryzen CPU burnouts have been an issue for some time
• Team Red has now clarified that this is a problem because some motherboards don't run with AMD's recommended values
• Instead they push too hard with power and voltage – and burnouts are still reported on a daily basis

AMD has officially commented on the chip-destroying burnouts that have affected a small number of its Ryzen processors, and has effectively laid the blame at the feet of motherboard makers – to a point, anyway.

Tom's Hardware noticed an interview with AMD execs David McAfee and Travis Kirsch conducted by Quasarzone (a South Korean tech site) in which Team Red was questioned about the burnout issue pertaining to Ryzen chips (3D V-Cache or X3D models, including the Ryzen 9800X3D), and mainly (but not exclusively) affecting ASRock motherboards.

Bearing in mind this is a translated article – so we need to be careful around the interpretation – Quasarzone noted that CPUs in AM5 motherboards have been "experiencing socket burnouts" and that "some users are still reporting these symptoms". The tech site then asked what AMD's position and response was regarding the issue.

AMD replied to say (again, remember this is a translation): "This issue arises because some ODM BIOSes do not adhere to AMD's recommended values."

The term ODM refers to the motherboard maker (original design manufacturer), and what this is essentially saying is that those manufacturers aren't sticking to AMD's stock values (around power, voltage, and more) with their boards. In other words, these companies are pushing harder than they should, which could cause a problem.

It's not a definitive conclusion here, mind, because the execs go on to say: "AMD … offers a wide range of combinations, and also supports PBO [AMD's automated performance boosting feature] and overclocking. This means there are a vast number of possible scenarios. While this is a complex issue, we are working closely with our partners to resolve issues and further evolve the platform."

So, it's a complex problem to unpick, and AMD underlines that it's working with motherboard makers to resolve any problems.

The execs also mention that it's very much recommended that any AM5 motherboard owner updates to the very latest BIOS version, which is sound advice for any motherboard in fairness. (The latest finished release of the BIOS, I should clarify – do not attempt to use new versions that are still in beta testing).

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)Analysis: guessing game

So, this isn't a crystal-clear statement from AMD by any means – and translation complications must be taken into account (yes, I'm banging on about that a bit, because it's an important nuance) – but there is a clear enough pointing of the finger in the direction of motherboard makers pushing too far with their settings.

As mentioned, ASRock motherboards have been particularly in the firing line as the most commonly reported hardware maker to be affected (by a long way) – but other vendors have been hit by incidents of CPU failures too.

While ASRock initially blamed a "memory compatibility issue present in earlier BIOS versions" and pushed out a BIOS update to fix that, this didn't do the trick in curing burnouts. As Tom's Hardware points out, a later BIOS update that arrived in May 2025 tweaked various PBO settings and this (finally) smoothed over most of the issues – if not quite all of them.

Sadly, there are still reports of Ryzen X3D CPU burnouts trickling in via Reddit on a daily basis, so this is a thorny one. Has ASRock still got work to do in terms of honing its BIOS to prevent these incidents? Or might this be a case of chips that have already been pushed too hard, for too long, suffering from the damage caused under the hood and finally giving up the ghost (with the latest BIOS update not being able to save them, as they were too far gone)?

There's still too much of a guessing game going on, frankly, and it's an unfortunate situation for both AMD and especially ASRock. Although it's not like Intel hasn't had worse problems – by which I mean the instability fracas with Team Blue's 13th and 14th-gen processors (that's been quite a saga).

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It feels like the Splinter Cell remake has been on its way for a while now, which isn't helped by the fact it's been over three years since we heard anything official about the game. From what we've seen so far, the team behind the remake appears to be aiming to rebuild the stealth game for an all-new audience without straying too far from the source material. But, as we've said, it's been a while since we've had an update on its progress, so we're hoping 2025 is the year.

Despite this lack of updates, it's still easy to see why the Splinter Cell remake is one of the most anticipated upcoming games on the horizon, given just how groundbreaking the original game was when it was released in 2002. Undoubtably, it paved the way for the third-person stealth games that followed, and we expect the remake to offer up this classic experience but retooled for a more modern experience.

Here's everything we know about the Splinter Cell remake so far, including a look at the initial announcement and any news that has come out since. As more is revealed in the future, this page will be updated.

Splinter Cell remake: cut to the chase

• What is it? A remake of 2002's Splinter Cell
• When does it come out? TBC
• What can I play it on? TBC
• Who makes it? Ubisoft

Splinter Cell remake trailer

Ubisoft released a video announcing the Splinter Cell remake in December 2021. In addition to the announcement, the video also delves into the history of the Splinter Cell series and how it changed the identity of Ubisoft, taking the Toronto-based studio from working on Rayman, a bright and colorful platformer, and thrusting it into the AAA lifestyle.

Ubisoft hasn't released any more Splinter Cell remake trailers as of yet, but you can find more deep dives into the classic stealth series on Ubisoft's official YouTube channel.

Splinter Cell remake story and setting - will it follow the original?

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

We know that the Splinter Cell remake will revisit the world and story from the first game released in 2002.

The original plot starts with two undercover US operatives that go missing in Georgia, leading to black ops agent Sam Fisher being sent in to investigate. As Sam searches for the missing agents, he uncovers a larger plot surrounding a corrupt government and nuclear missiles.

It's unclear how much of this plot will remain in the Splinter Cell remake, however, as Ubisoft confirmed in a (now deleted) job listing from September 2022 (via Tech4Gamers) that it is "rewriting and updating the story for a modern-day audience".

"We want to keep the spirit and themes of the original game while exploring our characters and the world to make them more authentic and believable," the listing stated. So, while producer Matt West has previously established Ubisoft wants to ensure the "spirit of the early games remains intact," expect a few updates.

Splinter Cell remake gameplay - here's what's been said so far

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

In the announcement blog post, producer Matt West revealed that the Splinter Cell remake is being built from the ground up, so players can expect visual and design updates. West also confirmed, contrary to rumor, the remake will be linear and not feature an open world. At present, further details haven't been shared on Splinter Cell remake's gameplay.

However, as this is a remake of the original title, we can expect that the hallmarks that made Splinter Cell so iconic will be present here. Stealth was always the operative goal in this series; using the environment around you, the lighting, and flexible movement was preferable rather than brute forcing your way through obstacles. The first game is very linear, with Chaos Theory being the first to switch things up with a more open structure. It primarily involved tight corridors, extremely dark environments, as well as a finale set in a Presidential Palace.

Splinter Cell remake news

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

A new Splinter Cell animated series releases in October
Announced at Gamescom 2025, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is a new animated series starring Liev Schreiber as Sam Fisher. It arrives October 14, 2025. Watch the trailer here (YouTube).

The Splinter Cell remake is being built on Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine
Ubisoft has confirmed the Splinter Cell remake is being developed on its Snowdrop engine, which was used for Star Wars Outlaws game and for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.

Splinter Cell Remake FAQWho's making Splinter Cell remake?

Ubisoft Toronto is the main studio working on the Splinter Cell Remake. It previously worked on Watch Dogs Legion, Far Cry 6, and Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Looks like the project is in safe hands, especially one as focused on stealth as this one.

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Our Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater review

(Image credit: Konami)

"Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a fantastic version of an absolute masterpiece, and one I’d wholly recommend to anyone. As a remake, it’s incredibly beholden to the original, to a point that is almost too faithful outside of minor tweaks to gameplay and a visual overhaul. That isn’t inherently a bad thing, but does mean it won’t have too much fresh to offer those returning to it." - Scott McRae, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.

While there's been no confirmation of a Metal Gear Solid 6 on the horizon, it seems unlikely that Japanese entertainment giant Konami would abandon one of its most beloved properties so easily.

While Konami released the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 in 2023, and is still working away on the imminent Metal Gear Solid 3 remake, the prospect of a Metal Gear Solid 6 is made more distant by the absence of franchise creator Hideo Kojima. The renowned auteur was very much the driving force behind the series but parted ways with Konami after the successful release of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain in 2015. Since then, Kojima has formed his own studio, Kojima Productions, which is responsible for Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

Those looking for a spiritual successor to the Metal Gear Solid series may be in luck, however, as Kojima has announced that he's working on a new action-espionage game called Physint which he promises will be "the culmination of my work." While Physint certainly sounds exciting, Kojima doesn't own the rights to Metal Gear Solid, meaning that any official follow-up would need to come with Konami's blessing. We've scoured the internet to find indications of what (if anything) Konami might be up to on this front. Read on to find out more.

Metal Gear Solid 6: cut to the chase

• What is it? The unconfirmed sixth game in the Metal Gear Solid series
• When’s it out? TBC
• What can I play it on? TBC

Metal Gear Solid 6 - what we know

(Image credit: Konami)

Metal Gear is in a strange sort of limbo right now, at least in terms of new games in the mainline series. Hideo Kojima, now working at his own studio, has long since severed ties with Konami. However, Konami still owns the rights to the series. So far, Konami has only released one Kojima-free Metal Gear title: Metal Gear Survive.

Currently, we are awaiting the release of the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake, which releases August 28, 2025. This could be a testing bed of sorts for the series, and might potentially be used to justify a new addition to the Metal Gear Solid saga.

We imagine if Metal Gear Solid 6, or some new series entry, is on the way, then it will arrive on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC at the very least.

Metal Gear Solid 6 - what we want to see

(Image credit: Konami)

Metal Gear Solid 6 may not have been confirmed by Konami, but here's what we would want to see in a new Metal Gear Solid game.

Return to the sandbox
Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain saw a marked shift in the Metal Gear Solid format. In a similar way to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the games took the essential elements of the Metal Gear formula and spun them anew within an open-world sandbox environment.

It was a big deal for a series known for enclosed areas to instead offer an open space over which you could gradually exert control. The change in philosophy rejuvenated the series and any sequel should continue that trend by iterating on the wealth of changes Metal Gear Solid 5 introduced.

More sci-fi
As much as I enjoyed Metal Gear Solid 5, I did find the trappings of the 1980s somewhat limiting, especially compared with the over-the-top sci-fi bombast of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. As much as I love the more understated and historical side of Metal Gear, I know I'm not alone in missing the awesome giant mech fights of Metal Gear Solid 4. Metal Gear has always been eerily prescient when it's looked toward the future, and I'd love to see more.

(Image credit: Konami)

Story
Metal Gear Solid 5 ended with the revelation that you hadn’t been playing as Big Boss, but as a man who had been brainwashed and surgically altered to think and look like he was Big Boss. It was a leftfield twist but also explains how Snake was able to kill Big Boss twice in the original Metal Gear games.

In the first Metal Gear, Snake kills the doppelganger (aka 'Venom' Snake) and in Metal Gear 2 he kills the real Big Boss.

There are many places where Metal Gear Solid 6 could pick up the story, but a likely candidate would be right after the events of Metal Gear Solid 5, potentially as Big Boss establishes Outer Heaven, his renegade state. This would give fans a chance to re-meet characters like Grey Fox and Dr Pettrovich, though from a new perspective. Alternatively, Konami could take a leaf out of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance's book and focus on the future of Metal Gear and the long-term consequences of its characters' actions.

Unanswered questions
While Konami disputes it, many people feel Metal Gear Solid 5 is unfinished. The game’s final mission, Episode 51, was literally cut from the game, so there is little resolution when it comes to Eli, Big Boss’ clone. At one point he steals a mech from your base and disappears, but, thanks to the cut mission, you never end up giving chase. While The Phantom Pain’s collector’s edition revealed what would have happened in the cut mission, it would be great to play that final part and to see Eli, the boy soldier, become Liquid Snake, your nemesis throughout Metal Gear Solid 1, 2, and 4.

Hideo Kojima’s departure from Konami doesn’t have to spell the end for Metal Gear Solid. However, if the publisher wants to continue its most famous series for itself, then it better be ready to fill some rather large boots.

Metal Gear Solid 6 news

Metal Gear Solid movie gets a promising update
Producer Ari Arad spoke in an interview with Brian Crecente about the upcoming Metal Gear movie. On whether it’ll be the pinnacle of video game adaptations, he added, "I think everyone's going to be really excited and surprised. I think getting Metal Gear right will obviously be amazing because I think it's a lot more meditative than some of the other adaptations. Personally, I want it to be terrific."

Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake announced
A new Metal Gear Solid project was announced at a PlayStation Showcase event last year. This is a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, and so far, we've seen a cinematic teaser trailer and an in-engine preview video. Hopefully, more details will follow, as for now, there's little information about just how extensive a remake it will be at launch. That said, it's clear that Konami is aiming for a high production-value reimagining, perhaps in the vein of Final Fantasy 7 Remake or the Resident Evil 4 remake.

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During last week’s Made by Google event, we got an early glimpse of what appeared to be a new Google Nest smart speaker (sitting discreetly on a table beside F1 driver Lando Norris). Now, three more devices appear to have leaked: a new version of the Nest Video Doorbell, and a pair of home security cameras. The details come courtesy of Android Headlines, which hasn’t disclosed the identity of its source, but has included several pictures that seem to be from marketing material to back up its claims.

Based on the specs provided so far, it sounds very much like Google is taking the fight to Amazon, competing with Echo speakers, and Ring doorbells and cameras.

We don’t have prices and release dates for the new Nest devices yet, but it seems unlikely that Google will be able to compete on cost alone. Amazon’s products are some of the cheapest smart home devices around, so Google is likely relying on the power of Gemini for Home to give it the edge. It might just do that, as Alexa+ continues to roll out at a glacial pace, but we'll have to get hands-on with both before we can compare the two directly.

On the subject of prices, Google is apparently renaming Nest Aware to Google Home Premium, with multiple paid tiers. These will presumably work in a similar way to Ring Home, with the most expensive option offering support for more devices, extra storage for videos, and additional AI-powered features. For more details on the different Ring payment plans that Google will be competing with, take a look at our complete guide to Ring Home subscriptions.

Personally I’m hoping for a package that bundles the best features of Google One AI Premium together with Google Home Premium for a lower price than the two separate services, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

Unlike Amazon, Google is also facing a serious problem with disillusioned users who claim that their smart home devices are no longer working as advertised, throwing up error messages or failing to recognize commands. In fact, there are so many complaints that a US law firm has announced that it has "begun investigating a possible class action".

The new Nest devices will have to be something really special to turn that around, so let's take a closer look.

Nest speaker with 360-degree audio

First, the speaker. Early details are scant – we already assumed that it would feature Google Gemini – but Android Headlines' mystery source has gleaned a few interesting snippets of information.

The new speaker will apparently offer some interesting AI-powered features, including one that will detect when you’re away and watch out for worrying sounds that suggest someone may be trying to break into your home. This would tie the speaker into your home security system, together with the doorbell and two security cams, so it makes sense that Google is apparently launching the trio together as AI-powered eyes and ears to guard your home.

We’ve not been told anything about the silicon responsible for all of this, but the new Nest speaker is presumably much more powerful than its predecessors, which were released before AI began wending its way into our homes, and therefore had much more modest processing requirements.

(Image credit: Amazon)

The only other titbits that have been revealed are that the new Nest speaker will offer 360-degree sound, and can be paired with a Google TV streamer. It sounds as though it sits somewhere in between the existing Nest Mini and Nest Audio, aiming to provide the best of both worlds with both a relatively compact design and respectable audio quality.

Its closest rival appears to be the 4th-generation Amazon Echo, but the Nest’s 360-degree sound and inclusion of Gemini for Home could give it two big advantages. Although the Echo sounds good, and can be paired with a Fire TV streamer, its speaker is front-firing and it’s yet to receive the promised upgrade to Alexa+.

Amazon has promised that its AI assistant will be coming to its existing smart speakers, but hasn’t said when, and I’m guessing that most processing will need to happen in the cloud due to the Echo’s less powerful processor, which could result in more latency than you’ll get with the new Google Nest speaker.

Doorbell with local storage (sort of)

Now let’s take a look at the new Nest doorbell. Based on its specifications, it sounds like Google will be competing directly with the current wired Ring Video Doorbell, but personally I think that’s a risky strategy.

Video doorbells have come a long way in the last few years, and although Ring might still be the biggest name, it’s facing stiff competition from rivals like Swann and Eufy, whose doorbells can store all your footage locally on an SD card without the need for a paid monthly plan (for more details, take a look at my guide to subscription-free video doorbells).

According to Android Headlines, the new Nest doorbell will have some local storage, but only as a backup option in case it loses internet connectivity. It will keep an hour of video for you, but won’t be an alternative to paid-for cloud storage.

The new Nest doorbell’s 2K resolution is another potentially limiting factor. Over the last year we’ve tested a couple of models that can record at 4K (namely the SwannBuddy4K and Lorex 4K Battery Doorbell), and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we see a 4K Ring doorbell in the next year or so. By releasing a 2K model in late 2025, Google is at risk of being left behind.

Philips, Eufy, and EZVIZ have all released excellent video doorbells that give you full functionality and local video storage without a subscription plan (Image credit: Future)

Judging from the leaked 3D render, it looks like Google’s new doorbell will only have one camera, which also surprises me. It’s now standard for video doorbells to have dual cameras for a greater vertical field of view, allowing them to capture visitors’ faces as well as packages left on your doorstep, with equal clarity. Without a bottom camera, the Nest model might not be able to ‘see’ parcels effectively, potentially leaving them vulnerable to porch pirates.

Then there's the price. The latest Ring Doorbell wired costs just $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$89, whereas the most recent Nest Video Doorbell had a launch price of $179.99 / £249.99 / AU$329. It’s unlikely that Google will be dropping its prices to match Ring, so I can only surmise that it’s relying on Gemini to give the new Nest Video Doorbell the edge.

According to the leaked specs, the new Nest doorbell will offer features including Activity Zones, Garage Door Alerts, and Familiar Face Alerts – all of which will be familiar to current Nest doorbell owners – plus new intelligent alerts that will send you a notification when an animal, person, or vehicle is spotted. Other doorbells offer something similar, so the Nest doorbell’s success will depend on how fast and accurate these all are, and how well the software can avoid false positives.

Red is the new black?

For me, the new indoor and outdoor Nest security cameras sound much more tempting than the doorbell. Both of these are wired, though it’s possible that Google may release a battery-powered model at a later date.

Again, Google seems to be aiming to eat Ring’s lunch, and its new cams appear to be direct rivals to the plug-in versions of the Ring Indoor Camera and Outdoor Security Camera, but there are some significant differences.

The most obvious of these is their design. We’re fans of Nest’s affordable and functional cams here at TechRadar, and they regularly find a place in our roundup of the best home security cameras, but I have to admit that they’re not particularly easy on the eye. It’s definitely a case of function over form.

Ring cameras are functional, but not beautiful (Image credit: Future)

The new Nest cams have a friendlier look, with rounded bodies and mounts, and will reportedly be available in a range of colors - not just black and white - so you can pick something that will blend better with your decor (or stand out, in the case of the red model).

Commenters on the Google Home subreddit seem to generally agree that the red option is an eyesore, but personally I like it as a way to let people know they’re being recorded - like a big red 'rec' button in your living room. You might think otherwise, though.

Comment from r/googlehome

The only potential design downside for me is the lack of a physical privacy cover on the indoor cam. This would shield the lens and microphone when you want a moment to yourself, and is one of the features we appreciated when testing the latest Ring Indoor Camera.

Both of Google’s new cameras will record at 2K, whereas the equivalent Ring cameras are limited to 1080p, and you’ll get the same Gemini-powered alerts and notifications as you do with the new Nest doorbell too

Again, according to Android Headlines there’ll be a limited amount of local storage in case the camera loses Wi-Fi connectivity. If you’re looking for a cam that will store all your videos locally and give you full control over them, take a look at our guide to subscription-free home security cameras.

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Tom Clancy's The Division Resurgence is still expected to land on mobile devices at some point, but we're yet to have an exact release date or even an updated release window. Fortunately, we do have news of upcoming betas, so there's still a decent amount of information to sink our teeth into.

With the most recent trailer having been showcased as part of Ubisoft Forward, there’s no better time to start looking into why The Division Resurgence should be one of your most anticipated upcoming games. Hopefully, we'll hear an update in the coming months, given that the beta is running in September.

Here’s everything we know about what could be one of the best Android games of recent years. From the latest news, to info on what to expect from the gameplay, let's dig into what's been said about The Division Resurgence so far.

The Division Resurgence - cut to the chase 

• What is it? A free-to-play, third-person shooter RPG mobile game
• When can I play it? TBC
• What can I play it on? Android and iOS
• Who’s making it? Ubisoft

The Division Resurgence platforms

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

The Division Resurgence will be released exclusively on Android and iOS devices, shaking things up from the previous The Divison games which were released on console and PC, but offering a new story alongside its new platform. In addition, the game is entirely free to play on mobile devices. Should the release be as streamlined as we are anticipating, it could be a hell of a hit on mobile.

There’s currently nothing to suggest that the game will eventually come to PC or home console, but basing our assumption on how the game appears to be built exclusively for mobile devices right now, we believe that there are no plans for the game to ever leave its mobile exclusivity.

The Division Resurgence story and setting

The Division Resurgence promises a new storyline based on the previous two Division games while maintaining a familiar setting stripped from the first game. The Division Resurgence puts you in the position of becoming a member of the first wave of Strategic Homeland Division agents, amidst a virus outbreak in New York City.

New York will set the scene for the game, as you will need to defend the metropolitan area against waves of enemies and crime syndicates, alongside completing missions to help you explore the area.

There will be a variety of PVE missions on offer, both as part of the central campaign and as unique side missions to help you explore the world outside of your placement in New York. We are yet to learn about what these missions will specifically involve, but we do know that the post-apocalyptic setting is home to numerous hostile enemies you should expect to face during your time with the title.

The Division Resurgence gameplay

In terms of gameplay, we know a pretty limited amount about what to expect from The Division Resurgence as a whole. We’ve received a short, three-minute look at the in-game content, but aside from using a minimap to track a mission, a slight look at how combat plays, and a look at the new compact UI designed specifically for mobile play, there’s a lot to learn still.

Even though The Division Resurgence is set to arrive on a new platform for the franchise, you can expect the game to play in the same style as the previous Division games. Between tense combat and completing missions, you’ll be able to work your way through a skill tree, alongside exploring what the new classes offer and how you can utilize them during your time in Resurgence.

Each class or specialization has a unique skill tree, so whether you’re more of a vanguard or if you’d rather rely on explosives for a quick and easy takedown, you’ll need to focus on improving your own skills to help out teammates and progress through side missions, and the campaign.

In addition, the time it takes to complete central and side missions has been reduced, so you will be able to play in short bursts while on the go, ideal for any mobile gamer. Despite these missions being significantly shorter in completion time in comparison to The Division and The Division 2, that doesn’t mean they lack detail.

You should expect to have your skills put to the test in each mission, whether that’s through a grab-and-go mission or something more hands-on with the enemies. Looting and crafting have also been highlighted to be integral to the game, being the core mechanic when upgrading your weapons and your gear.

The Division Resurgence trailers

The most recent look we’ve had at The Division Resurgence is through a Tactical Action CGI Trailer which was shown as part of Ubisoft Forward Live in June 2023. Within this trailer, we see an animated rendition of the setting, characters, abilities, and combat we can expect to experience throughout the game. We also meet a few enemies and their coinciding attacks, before seeing what looks like a look at actual in-game footage followed by the release window of Fall 2023. This was later followed by a delay to Early 2024.

We’ve scattered a few additional trailers for The Division Resurgence throughout this article, but if you want to find out a little more for yourself, it’s worth looking at Ubisoft's official YouTube channel.

The Division Resurgence beta start date

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

There's an upcoming beta for The Division Resurgence, announced during Gamescom 2025. The game will go back into closed testing sometime in September 2025. You can hear this confirmed in the video below:

The Division Resurgence news

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

The Division Resurgence delayed
Ubisoft released its first quarter 2024-2025 earnings report, revealing that The Division Resurgence has been delayed:

"Rainbow Six® Mobile and The Division® Resurgence are no loger expected in FY25 as the teams are taking the necessary time to ensure that these experiences deliver on expectations with optimized KPIs in the context of a demanding yet very large market."

The Division Resurgence gets a world introduction trailer
Six months after the release of its official reveal, The Division Resurgence world introduction trailer offers a more in-depth look at the world we will explore within the game. Similarly to the first The Division game, we are taken back to New York to embark on some high-risk high-reward missions in an attempt to save what remains of civilization. Between a cinematic introduction and in-game content,

The Division Resurgence receives official reveal trailer
The official reveal trailer for The Division Resurgence launched in 2022, offering the first look at what to expect from the mobile-only title. Transporting us back to New York, the original setting for the first Division game, we get to see the collapse of civilization and agents of the division stepping up to save what remains. A few different areas of what we expect to be the map are shown before the trailer comes to a close with no release date.

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The H2S from Bambu Lab is the XL 3D printer that people have been asking for

• ChatGPT Projects now have their own separate memory
• It stops your projects interfering with the rest of ChatGPT
• Available now in the web interface and coming to iOS and Android in a few weeks

ChatGPT Projects are ways to keep all your work on a particular subject in one place. If you create a new project then you can group together chats, files you’ve uploaded, and custom instructions all in one place.

Say, for example, that you’re planning a trip to go kayaking in the Florida Keys. Instead of having all your conversations about the trip, discussions of routes, and places to say spread all over your ChatGPT chats list, you can group them altogether in a Project, so you can easily refer to them later.

Saved memories

OpenAI has just added a new feature that affects ChatGPT’s memory in relation to projects. So, if we use our Florida Keys tips as an example, it could be that one of your party is a vegetarian, so you can ask ChatGPT to remember within the project that it should always recommend restaurants that have good vegetarian options.

When you get back to your normal ChatGPT conversations, this memory wouldn’t be helpful, so now there’s a way to confine that memory to the project.

Starting a new project is easy – you just click on New Project in the left hand menu on the web interface.

When you open a new project click on ‘More options’ then change Memory from Default to Project-only and you’re good to go. ChatGPT will now draw context only from conversations already in the project and your previous saved memories from outside the project will have no effect on what’s inside the project.

You can activate Project-only memories when you open a new project. (Image credit: OpenAI)Islands of thought

There is one thing to check first though, for this to work, ChatGPT’s memory must be enabled in Settings. Go to Settings, then Personalization then Memory and make sure Reference Saved Memories is turned on.

Currently Project-only memory is only enabled for ChatGPT in the website and in the Windows app, but it’s coming to iOS and Android versions of the app in the coming weeks.

With Project-only memories, your projects can now become the tightly-focused and self-contained islands of thought they were always designed to be.

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