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A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, August 25 (game #806).

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

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

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

NYT Connections today (game #807) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• TOAD
• RIDE
• TATTOO
• BAR
• MOLE
• FOOT
• HEEL
• BADGER
• RAT
• HARRY
• STEP
• SCAR
• CREEP
• PIERCING
• BUG
• SKUNK

NYT Connections today (game #807) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Useful ID features
• GREEN: A contemptible person
• BLUE: Nag, nag, nag
• PURPLE: Add a sit down word that rhymes with “fool”

Need more clues?

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

NYT Connections today (game #807) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
• GREEN: A REAL JERK
• BLUE: PESTER
• PURPLE: WORDS BEFORE "STOOL" 

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

NYT Connections today (game #807) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #807, are…

• YELLOW: DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS MOLE, PIERCING, SCAR, TATTOO
• GREEN: A REAL JERK CREEP, HEEL, RAT, SKUNK
• BLUE: PESTER BADGER, BUG, HARRY, RIDE
• PURPLE: WORDS BEFORE "STOOL" BAR, FOOT, STEP, TOAD

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

It took me two goes to get A REAL JERK, because I included MOLE instead of CREEP thinking this was a group made of criminal-related slang. And before that I foolishly lumped together HEEL, FOOT, and STEP (plus BAR) in the mistaken belief that there was some kind of podiatry connection.

After giving away these two mistakes I made progress with the green and blue groups, although I wasn’t sure how RIDE made it alongside BADGER, BUG, and HARRY.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS was probably a lot easier if you work in the emergency services or watch a lot of crime procedurals, but it took a lot of staring at the final eight tiles for the penny to drop for me. Arduous.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, August 25, game #806)

• YELLOW: PREDICAMENT FIX, JAM, MESS, PICKLE
• GREEN: SMALL SPHERICAL THINGS MOTHBALL, PEA, PEARL, POM-POM
• BLUE: PIPE-SMOKING ACCESSORIES FILTER, LIGHTER, PIPE CLEANER, TAMPER
• PURPLE: WHAT "DOWN" MIGHT MEAN FEATHERS, GUZZLE, SAD, WILLING

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, August 25 (game #1309).

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

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

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

Quordle today (game #1310) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

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

Quordle today (game #1310) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

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

Quordle today (game #1310) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1310) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

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

Quordle today (game #1310) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• B

• W

• H

• I

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

Quordle today (game #1310) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1310, are…

• BEGET
• WRATH
• HEARD
• INDEX

I had a nice trouble-free run today until I hit my last word.

I had four letters with one in the correct position, but was struggling to think of anything that would fit. It was by moving the letters around that I finally got INDEX, although it always feels risky using a rare letter.

Daily Sequence today (game #1310) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1310, are…

• TWEET
• ADAPT
• OUGHT
• MYRRH

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1309, Monday, 25 August: GEEKY, SHALT, CHIEF, JIFFY
• Quordle #1308, Sunday, 24 August: ROVER, GONER, ANTIC, OUTDO
• Quordle #1307, Saturday, 23 August: DEMON, GRATE, FLYER, SHEEP
• Quordle #1306, Friday, 22 August: TROOP, SCOPE, TORSO, BRINY
• Quordle #1305, Thursday, 21 August: QUEST, SPARK, WHITE, ACUTE
• Quordle #1304, Wednesday, 20 August: DOLLY, MERRY, BUGLE, WORST
• Quordle #1303, Tuesday, 19 August: KNAVE, SMART, CARRY, MAMMA
• Quordle #1302, Monday, 18 August: FIBER, TRADE, RAYON, TEASE
• Quordle #1301, Sunday, 17 August: FUNGI, AMITY, DRIER, CHECK
• Quordle #1300, Saturday, 16 August: OWING, QUAKE, SLIDE, ELITE
• Quordle #1299, Friday, 15 August: WHALE, PRISM, DRAKE, TEPEE
• Quordle #1298, Thursday, 14 August: LAPEL, IDIOM, RENEW, LIVER
• Quordle #1297, Wednesday, 13 August: CACTI, HOMER, EMAIL, ALBUM
• Quordle #1296, Tuesday, 12 August: SPOOL, TITLE, JAUNT, OVINE
• Quordle #1295, Monday, 11 August: ADULT, BROOM, PURER, CRUEL
• Quordle #1294, Sunday, 10 August: SCRUM, PIPER, TROLL, SPORE
• Quordle #1293, Saturday, 9 August: NOOSE, INLET, ELEGY, VIRUS
• Quordle #1292, Friday, 8 August: KNEEL, KINKY, RALPH, BOOZY
• Quordle #1291, Thursday, 7 August: PLUNK, PROXY, CURVY, PEARL
• Quordle #1290, Wednesday, 6 August: RISKY, APART, FAUNA, HANDY

The detention, which was expected, happened after Abrego Garcia walked into the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Baltimore for a check-in after being released from custody on Friday.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

• Gadhouse launched retro-inspired USB-C Wesley headphones: $68 / £59
• The launch comes days after Google called wires 'sloppy' and 'embarrassing'
• Wireless buds typically last 2 years; I own wired cans that are 15 years old

Sometimes a product just launches at a great time, doesn't it? A pertinent time; an important time.

Now, I could fashion a perfectly worthy news piece just about the Gadhouse Wesley. They are, after all, beautiful new retro-inspired headphones that wouldn't look out of place over Max's ears in Stranger Things (or, in fact, in any show set in the 80s).

And thanks to their lovely USB-C wire, they can offer 48kHz Lossless Audio – which is something even the best Bluetooth codecs within the very best wireless earbuds still can't truly do, but that the best wired earbuds and wired headphones certainly can.

You could also get that level of audio detail using your AirPods Max wired up with their USB-C wire, of course, but Apple's 2020 cans still cost a lot of money – $549 or £499 for quick reference. And the Gadhouse Wesley cost just $68 / £59 (or around AU$123). I love the retro-meets-now look of these headphones, and I'll certainly be buying them when they arrive in September, to partner with my Android.

But this is about something much bigger, for me. In fact, it's about Big Tech and what Google said at its Made By Google Pixel event on Wednesday, August 20. In case you missed it, I'll link the two-minute sponsored segment from Kareem Rahma's popular talk show and podcast Subway Takes, which Google cut away to during its event, here…

Wired is ‘sloppy’? Surely li-ion batteries in buds are sloppier

Where to start? One could take issue with the notion that wired headphones look "sloppy" or "embarrassing" (although the two wires from those mics to get decent voice pickup look absolutely fine, though, I'm guessing?) or the blunt statement that "they don't do anything that you want them to do". Actually, mine play hi-res music with virtually no latency, and that is exactly what I want, thanks.

Or there's the slightly more sinister notion that if your daughter started wearing wired headphones, she'd be "kicked out of the house… until she got some buds in".

I struggle to believe that, in 2025, we're advocating throwing away battery-free headphones that might last your child long into adulthood in favor of wireless earbuds that only last as long as the lith-ion battery squirrelled into them. Let me be clear: however good the audio quality and feature-set is, this battery will gradually deteriorate to the point of failure within around three years from the time of purchase, depending on use.

And you can state that earbuds are recyclable all you want (Apple absolutely does affirm this, with its AirPods), the truth is that many buds will still end up in landfill, because people don't always recycle – and with such tiny components, it is difficult to recycle every small component of a set of earbuds. It can also become expensive, since it requires actual human disassembly.

(Image credit: Gadhouse)

OK, so Google has announced that its new Pixel Buds 2a do have a replaceable battery in the case, but it's the batteries in the buds that tend to go first. And let's not forget, this is a company that has made a huge and much-touted pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. So this clip? Not a good look, Google.

I have been a full-time audio writer since 2019, and I still own three pairs of wired IEMs from that first, glorious year when I decided this was my future and forte. How many pairs of wireless earbuds do I still own and use from that time, six years ago? I'll give you one guess.

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• Ghost guns highlight the darker side of modern 3D printing technology
• Fingerprinting systems can embed timestamps, geolocations, and printer identification data
• SIDE offers break-resilient embedding methods for forensic data recovery

The rise of 3D printing has offered new ways to produce tools, spare parts, and even art. Yet its darker use has gained attention through “ghost guns.”

These are firearms produced outside regulatory systems, which are difficult to trace and have already been implicated in violent crime, including the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Thankfully, researchers now believe that even if someone smashes such an object, investigators could still recover valuable forensic information.

Building a system of hidden fingerprints

The idea of fingerprinting in 3D printing is not entirely new. Various approaches embed unique information into printed items, often including details like timestamps, printer identification, and geolocation data.

Until now, a weakness has remained: what happens when a printed object is broken into pieces or deliberately tampered with?

A team led by Netanel Raviv at Washington University in St. Louis has developed a system designed to withstand such attempts.

Its framework, named Secure Information Embedding and Extraction (SIDE), uses mathematical methods that allow fragments to retain enough encoded detail for investigators to recover key information.

The SIDE system is built on earlier work presented at the IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory in 2024, which focused on encoding methods resilient enough to reconstruct data from partial remains.

By extending those ideas, the current study adds security mechanisms that can require 3D printers to include such fingerprints automatically.

According to the researchers, SIDE does not just add markings but uses loss-tolerant embedding techniques. This means that even a weapon deliberately broken into pieces may still yield identifiable data during forensic analysis.

On one hand, fingerprinting techniques could make it harder for illicit weapons to circulate undetected.

On the other hand, this raises questions about the scope of surveillance, control over personal manufacturing, and the balance between security and privacy.

A beginner 3D printer used for harmless home projects might soon be subject to the same requirements as industrial machines if regulators decide to mandate such systems.

While the debate will likely focus on ghost guns, SIDE has potential uses far beyond weapon tracing.

Any item produced with a 3D printer could, in theory, carry this invisible signature.

Combined with AI tools for pattern recognition and data recovery, investigators could reconstruct timelines and identities from fragments of plastic or resin.

"This work opens up new ways to protect the public from the harmful aspects of 3D printing through a combination of mathematical contributions and new security mechanisms," said Netanel Raviv, assistant professor of computer science & engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis.

"While SIDE has limitations in defending against resourceful attackers with strong expertise in 3D printing, it raises the level of sophistication, prior knowledge, and expertise required from the adversary to remain undetected after committing the crime."

Via Techxplore

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Sega's legendary ninja Joe Musashi returns in the Shinobi revival.

Review information

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release date: August 29, 2025

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an all-new side-scrolling action title from Streets of Rage 4 and Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap developer Lizardcube. As someone who’s loved the dev’s previous works, I’m happy to say its take on Sega’s legendary Shinobi series is nothing short of a slam dunk.

The Lizardcube staples are all here. Sublime hand-drawn visuals, slick and responsive combat, and plenty of replay value after you’ve rolled credits. Art of Vengeance is a game that - much like Streets of Rage 4 before it - is maddeningly hard to stop playing.

Each and every stage offers a unique flavor, in terms of both setting and gimmicks. There are some light metroidvania elements, with opportunities to explore off the critical path for vital upgrades and abilities, but that’s (perhaps thankfully) not the main focus. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is more linear than, say, a Hollow Knight or a Metroid Dread, and that’s no bad thing.

The bulk of gameplay here, then, is a careful mix of platforming, light puzzle-solving, and that oh-so moreish combat, which quite honestly is some of the best-feeling and most satisfying I’ve had the pleasure of playing in a side-scroller in a long while. It mixes Shinobi staples like throwing kunai and powerful Ninpo spells with combo-happy melee combat that constantly thrills, especially in boss fights and optional challenges.

While Shinobi 3: Return of the Ninja Master will likely always be my favorite game in the series, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance can absolutely be mentioned in the same breath as that Sega Mega Drive classic.

A-to-Z of vengeance

(Image credit: Sega)

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance puts players back in the role of series protagonist Joe Musashi, head of the Oboro ninja clan. The game’s subtitle is adequately portrayed in its opening chapters, as a powerful warlord named Ruse and his ENE Corp forces raze the clan’s village to ashes and wipe out just about everyone, save Musashi himself. Thus does his road to vengeance begin.

The plot is thin, but accomplishes what it sets out to do, taking a backseat to the action. Some cutscenes and fully-voiced interludes between stages add a good amount of flavor, but certainly don’t overstay their welcome. Musashi only communicates in vaguely threatening grunts, which leads to the odd bit of humor as other characters attempt to get the gist of what he’s saying.

If this is your first exposure to the Shinobi series, you might be surprised by its futuristic setting. Things start out simply enough in the rustic Oboro clan village, but Musashi will also make his way through neon-drenched city skylines, a fish market, lantern festival, and even a high-tech laboratory as just some of the stops on his journey. Each level is jam-packed with detail, too, and eagle-eyed Sega fans will spot plenty of loving references and cameos (be sure to check the background of the fish market stage for a Shenmue-themed surprise!).

Art of the kill

(Image credit: Sega)

Musashi’s combat abilities are the bread and butter of the game. He’s an incredibly powerful force of destruction, with a broad list of melee attacks and combos; more of which can be unlocked in shops with coins collected from defeated enemies and optional challenges.

Musashi can also toss kunai to dispatch distant foes, Ninpo spells that achieve a variety of effects (such as countering powerful attacks or breathing flames for massive damage), as well as screen-clearing Ninjutsu arts to get yourself out of a bind.

Best bit

(Image credit: Sega)

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance does several things expertly, but nothing quite beats clearing out rooms of goons with Musashi’s surprisingly robust move set. Enemy variety is excellent, too, making for several thrilling encounters that properly make you feel like a master ninja.

Supplementing Art of Vengeance’s combat is the Execution gauge, which all enemies have. Filling it will allow Musashi to instantly kill a foe regardless of their remaining health. Chaining several of these together isn’t only satisfying, it provides Musashi with health and kunai refills as well as an abundance of coins.

Enemy variety in Art of Vengeance is superb, and you’ll need to change up your approach depending on the types of baddies you encounter. Some toss shuriken from afar, while others will rush you with combos of their own. Some enemies can fly or even control space with a rain of arrows. Later on in the game you’ll also encounter armored foes which resist staggering until fully depleted, and these are best handled with particular moves or Ninpo abilities.

Above all, combat in Art of Vengeance just feels fantastic. There’s a satisfying amount of hit stun on Musashi’s attacks, and his nimble movement makes darting between targets a joy. Stealth and subtlety are simply not part of the Musashi playbook.

What I will say is that Musashi is so incredibly powerful that the game isn’t particularly hard. There are some challenging boss fights and optional encounters (and some of the late game platforming challenges truly tried my patience), but Art of Vengeance is a pretty forgiving game overall with unlimited lives and generous checkpointing - even on normal difficulty. I think the game could benefit from a harder difficulty option, perhaps as part of a post-launch update.

Lastly, I did run into a small handful of bugs during my playthrough. In one level, the map stopped updating Musashi’s location after exiting an Ankou Rift challenge. Another completely froze the game upon executing a Ninjutsu technique. Both were solved by simply resetting the game, but I naturally hope small issues like this will be patched out on or close to launch day.

Should you play Shinobi: Art of Vengeance?Play it if...

You want some of the best side-scrolling combat in years
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is endlessly satisfying to play thanks to its slick combat and dense enemy variety. No two stages offer quite the same experience, and there’s plenty of optional challenges to slice your katana through.

You’re a big Sega head
Lizardcube clearly has reverence for Sega and its history, and this is apparent with plenty of background references for keen-eyed players. A couple of bonus stages pay loving tribute to past Shinobi games, too. Some Sega-themed DLC is also on the way, including a boss fight with Sonic the Hedgehog’s Dr. Eggman.

You want a compact 100% completion experience
At around 15-20 hours for full completion, you can get through Shinobi: Art of Vengeance in a pretty slick amount of time. But if you want more, you’ll also get access to Arcade and Boss Rush modes after rolling credits. There may be a secret, high-difficulty boss fight, too…

Don't play it if...

You want a high level of challenge
Art of Vengeance is fairly forgiving in the difficulty department, outside of a select few optional challenges and some tricky boss fights. I’d say it’s still very much worth playing regardless of this, but if you’d prefer a more hardcore experience, you may wish to hold off until a potential harder difficulty option gets patched in.

Accessibility

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance doesn’t have much in the way of robust accessibility options, sadly. You can fully remap controls, however, and custom difficulty options exist including variants on enemy damage and attack frequency.

How I reviewed Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance took me around 16 hours for 100% completion. That included a full campaign playthrough, as well as full completion achieved on all stages. I fully explored each level’s map, uncovering secrets like upgrades, abilities and Ninpo techniques. I also took some time to play some stages via the unlockable score-based Arcade mode as well as Boss Rush for an extra challenge.

First reviewed August 2025

Smeg Mini Milk Frother: two-minute review

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother is extremely easy to use, and would be a great choice for anyone who finds a steam wand tricky to use, or those who want to prepare cold drinks

It has three modes: Hot Milk Foam, Hot Milk, and Cold Milk Foam. As with all other Smeg devices I’ve tested to date, its controls are refreshingly straightforward. There’s a single button on the front, which you press once, twice, or three times to choose a setting. There’s no need to confirm your selection – just wait a few seconds and the frother will start.

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother has a single button, which you press once, twice, or three times to choose a mode (Image credit: Future)

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother’s 500W motor is remarkably quiet, and during my tests it was barely audible, registering only 40dB on my sound meter, with the occasional soft tick from the heating element on the hot foam mode. It was about the same volume as my fridge, and much quieter than texturizing milk with a steam wand. When your milk is ready, the Mini Milk Frother will beep to let you know.

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother is intended to be used with chilled full-fat dairy milk. In tests, hot foam was super thick, and best suited to topping a cappuccino or an espresso macchiato. It wouldn’t be suitable for a caffe latte, which requires milk to have a similar texture to emulsion paint. Unlike the Dreo Baristamaker or Smeg Multi Milk Frother, there's no choice of foam textures.

Whether prepared hot or cold, full-fat dairy milk produced a thick foam suitable for cappuccinos, but not for pouring latte art (Image credit: Future)

The Cold Milk setting also made very thick and stable foam, which would work well for an iced cappuccino, while the Hot Milk program produced sweet milk ideal for night time, or for pouring onto hot chocolate powder.

When using the Hot Foam or Hot Milk mode, milk is heated to a consistent temperature of 140F / 60C, which is optimal for coffee – hot enough to keep the milk sweet without scalding it and denaturing its proteins.

The frother heated milk to a consistent temperature of 140F / 60C, which is optimal for coffee (Image credit: Future)

The instructions don’t mention plant milk, and unlike some other milk frothers, the Smeg Mini Milk Frother has no separate modes for non-dairy drinks. I did test it with oat and almond milk for comparison with frothers such as the Dreo Baristamaker, but since these aren’t explicitly recommended by Smeg, I didn’t factor its performance with plant milks into my final score.

In these tests, barista-style oat milk turned out very well – perhaps more so than dairy – producing a smooth, glossy foam. As is often the case, almond milk produced quite a stiff, dry foam, but it was very stable whether prepared hot or cold.

Image 1 of 2

Smeg only recommends using the Mini Milk Frother with full-fat dairy milk, but oat milk turned out thick and glossy foam using the Hot Foam setting (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

Almond milk produce a more stiff, dry foam (Image credit: Future)

The carafe has a non-stick lining that helps your foamed milk slide out easily, and that makes washing it up a breeze. Just bear in mind that it’s not suitable for use with metal utensils; if you need a tool to remove any foam, use something like a soft silicone spatula to avoid scratches.

The lid and whisk can be washed in the top drawer of a dishwasher, but the carafe and its base should only be cleaned carefully by hand using a cloth, and not immersed in water.

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother isn’t recommended for making drinks such as shakes or hot chocolate (there’s no mention of that in the manual), so I stuck with milk alone. If you’d like a quick and easy way to make frothy hot chocolate or other drinks, the Smeg Multi Milk Frother would be a better choice.

Smeg Mini Milk Frother: price and availability

• List price £99.95 (about $140 / AU$210)
• Not currently available in US or Australia
• Costs much less than the Smeg Multi Milk Frother

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother has a list price of £99.95 (about $140 / AU$210), but at the time of writing it’s not available in the US or Australia.

For comparison, the Smeg Multi Milk Frother, which has six functions and is also suitable for making drinks like hot chocolate, costs $249.95 / £179.95 / $299 and is available globally. The Dreo Baristamaker, which I reviewed last year and has dedicated modes for plant-based milks, is $99 / £119.99 (about AU$150).

Smeg Mini Milk Frother: specifications

Dimensions (H x W x D)

7.9 x 3.7 x 3.7 inches / 200 x 93 x 93mm

Minimum capacity

2oz / 60ml

Maximum capacity

6oz / 180ml for hot foam or 4oz / 120ml for cold foam

Motor

500W

Modes

3

Noise

40dB

Smeg Mini Milk Frother: design

• Minimalist 1950s-inspired design
• Available in six colors
• Non-stick lining for easy cleaning

The Mini Milk Frother is one of Smeg’s 1950s-inspired kitchen appliances, with a minimalist design and clean lines. It comes in six colors (black, cream, pastel green, pastel blue, red, and white), and has a glossy finish.

Image 1 of 3

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother has a carafe with non-stick lining and transparent lid, a power base, and a magnetic whisk (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

The base uses induction to power the Mini Milk Frother (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

The whisk is attached to the bottom of the carafe and rotated magnetically (Image credit: Future)

It comprises a carafe (which is shaped like a squared-off cylinder with rounded corners), a transparent plastic lid, a removable whisk that’s held in place magnetically, and a base that powers the frother using induction, similar to an electric toothbrush. Note that there’s no rechargeable battery, so you can’t use the frother when it’s not on its base.

The carafe has a non-stick ceramic lining, with raised markings on the inside showing the maximum and minimum fill levels. These are quite far down, and are a little difficult to see unless the light is just right.

The markings inside the Smeg Mini Milk Frother can be tricky to see unless the lighting is just right (Image credit: Future)

Each corner of the carafe can serve as a pouring spout – a smart choice that makes it easy to decant your prepared milk. It doesn’t have a fine pouring spout, so you won’t be able to use it to create latte art; but in tests, the hot milk foam was rather thick for that.

Should you buy the Smeg Mini Milk FrotherBuy it ifDon't buy it ifSmeg Mini Milk Frother: also consider

If you're not sure whether the Smeg Mini Milk Frother is the right device for you, here are two alternatives to bear in mind.

Smeg Multi Milk Frother

If you want to prepare drinks other than just milk, the Smeg Multi Frother is more versatile, with six options for foaming and/or heating milk. You can also add other ingredients for preparing drinks such as shakes or hot chocolate, and it has a larger capacity than the Mini Milk Frother. It looks just as good, too, but is considerably more expensive.

Dreo Baristamaker

Unlike the Smeg Mini Milk Frother, the Dreo Baristamaker has modes for creating foam at different consistencies, including a fine option suitable for latte art. It wasn't quite as good as a steam wand in my tests, but was a reasonable alternative.

Read our full Dreo Baristamaker review

How I tested the Smeg Mini Milk Frother

I tested each of the Smeg Mini Milk Frother's modes using fresh, chilled whole milk in accordance with Smeg's instructions.

I also tried it with chilled oat and almond milk , since these are both popular choices for making coffee at home. However, I only tried this for the sake of comparison. I didn't factor the frother's performance with plant-based milks into my scores, since such milk alternatives aren't explicitly recommended by Smeg.

I cleaned the non-stick carafe using a damp cloth as directed by the manual, and washed the whisk and lid by hand using warm water and dish soap.

Read more about how TechRadar tests, reviews, and rates products.

First reviewed August 2025

• The AirPods Pro 3 are predicted to launch this year
• They could come with heart rate monitors
• It's been three years since the Apple AirPods Pro 2 launched

There have been a lot of conflicting reports around whether Apple would get around to launching the AirPods Pro 3 this year, but one of the more reliable reporters on the Apple beat says the wireless earbuds are indeed coming before the end of 2025.

That reporter is Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who says the AirPods Pro 3 will also come with a significant upgrade: built-in heart rate monitoring. The same tech has previously been integrated into the Powerbeats Pro 2 which launched in February.

With the Powerbeats Pro 2, LED optical sensors pulse at over 100 times per second, measuring heart rate via blood flow. Presumably the AirPods Pro 3 will work in a similar way, and feed the stats back to the Apple Health app.

Gurman also reiterates his previous assertion that Apple is working on a paid Health+ subscription option for users, which may include the services of an AI fitness coach. The idea is you would get personalized advice on diet, exercise, and more.

Three years later

The AirPods 4 launched in September 2024 (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

We've been waiting a long time for the AirPods Pro 3 to arrive, considering the Apple AirPods Pro 2 made their debut back in September 2022. The wireless earbuds market has changed quite a bit in that time – and we've since had the Apple AirPods 4, of course.

Most of the leaks and rumors we've heard around these earbuds are concerned with when they'll actually see the light of day. There have been hints in iOS 26 that the AirPods Pro 3 would arrive in 2025, though one reliable source has suggested a 2026 launch.

It seems clear that Apple wants health tracking to be a primary focus of the AirPods Pro 3, besides getting high-quality audio into your ears, and we may see the wireless earbuds able to track other vital statistics besides your heart rate.

The wireless earbuds are one of several devices "in the pipeline" for Apple "as early as this fall", which is typically September, October, and November. We're also of course expecting the iPhone 17 and the Apple Watch 11 sometime next month.

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Trump threatens to send National Guard troops to Chicago, similarly to what he has done in the nation's capital. And, Trump and South Korean President Lee will meet today in Washington.

(Image credit: Scott Olson)

• A Microsoft designer imagined a new Copilot wearable without a display and HUD
• The Copilot Veja concept transmits information entirely through audio feedback
• Dual cameras give the wearable stereoscopic vision and potential depth awareness

Microsoft designer Braz de Pina has created an unofficial concept for a Copilot-powered wearable that reimagines what a successor to the Hololens headset could be.

Called the Copilot Veja, the device is not a headset but instead takes the form of ear-worn stems equipped with cameras, microphones, and buttons for interaction.

Although the name Veja comes from the Portuguese word for “see” (making the absence of any eye cameras appear especially odd), not having a heads up display was a deliberate decision. Most people already have screens in their pockets and on their wrists, and adding another was considered unnecessary by de Pina.

(Image credit: Braz de Pina )Audio-first

De Pina describes the Copilot Veja as a “fan-made concept”, designed around the idea of making Copilot portable, conversational, and practical without the need for a head-up display.

Instead of delivering information visually, the Veja uses audio as its main channel.

“I keep thinking about how AI has changed the course of the metaverse hype and the AR/VR universe. I know Meta is heavily investing in smart glasses and similar devices, not to mention all the exciting VR and AR headsets out there. But my question is: with capable agentic AI, do I really need to see what the AI tells me? Or is it enough to just hear it,” de Pina asked in a post on Instagram.

"In that case, glasses wouldn’t be necessary," he continued. "We’d simply be fixing one of AI’s flaws: the inability to read context in real time. An AI that can see what you see and provide instant feedback about your surroundings would allow for quick, natural communication. That’s what Copilot Veja is about.”

The ear stems are designed with comfort in mind. Each one carries a set of controls, including a power button, a volume knob, a Copilot button, and a camera trigger.

De Pina imagined the dual cameras working together to replicate stereoscopic vision, giving the AI the ability to analyze the world in depth while also allowing the user to capture content.

Although this isn't something that Microsoft would ever likely make, it's a great idea and one we'd love to see go beyond being a mere concept.

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ManageEngine OpManager is an enterprise-ready network monitoring solution trusted by over 1 million IT administrators worldwide. It provides comprehensive visibility into network health and performance across switches, routers, servers, and other critical infrastructure components. For organizations evaluating network monitoring options, OpManager deserves consideration alongside the solutions featured in our best network monitoring tools roundup.

TechRadar reviewers spend several weeks researching each major IT platform in the market, analyzing everything from feature depth to pricing structures. During our evaluation process, we found that while LogicMonitor remains our top pick for network monitoring in 2025 thanks to its AI-powered suite for day-to-day IT network automation, OpManager offers a compelling alternative for budget-conscious enterprises.

OpManager's strength lies in its end-to-end approach to network infrastructure monitoring, supporting both traditional and hybrid environments including VMware, Hyper-V, and cloud-based networks. Its proactive alert system and real-time dashboards provide IT teams with the visibility needed to prevent outages and resolve issues quickly, making it a practical choice for organizations prioritizing network uptime and performance.

ManageEngine OpManager: Features

OpManager delivers a feature-rich monitoring platform that covers nearly 3,000 metrics across network devices, servers, and applications. It is particularly well-suited for mid-to-large enterprises managing complex hybrid infrastructures, offering solid core monitoring functions like device discovery, performance tracking, and alert management.

While OpManager includes essential capabilities like network topology mapping, bandwidth monitoring, and automated workflows, it notably lacks some advanced features found in competitors such as sophisticated machine learning integration and multi-threshold alerting. But given the competitive pricing at $245 for 10 devices, the feature set provides excellent value for organizations seeking comprehensive monitoring without premium-tier costs.

Real-time network monitoring

OpManager excels at continuous performance monitoring across routers, switches, firewalls, and servers, tracking availability and health metrics in real-time. The platform supports multiple monitoring protocols including SNMP, WMI, and CLI, ensuring compatibility with diverse network hardware. Users consistently praise the real-time dashboards for providing clear visibility into network performance without latency issues.

Automated device discovery

It automatically discovers network devices and builds topology maps, significantly reducing manual configuration time. OpManager can detect newly added devices in subnets and immediately begin monitoring them, though some users report challenges with older legacy devices requiring manual SNMP OID mapping. The discovery process supports hybrid environments including cloud and virtualized infrastructures.

Alerting and notifications

OpManager's multi-channel alerting system sends notifications via email, SMS, and SNMP traps when thresholds are breached. The platform allows customization of alert thresholds and escalation procedures, though users note limitations in setting multiple threshold levels for the same parameter. Real-time alerting capabilities help IT teams identify and address issues before they impact end users.

Performance analytics and reporting

ManageEngine generates comprehensive reports on network performance, bandwidth utilization, and device health trends. Built-in dashboards provide visual representations of network data, while customizable reports support compliance and capacity planning requirements. Most users appreciate the intuitive graphical interface and NOC dashboard building capabilities.

(Image credit: ManageEngine)ManageEngine OpManager: Ease of use

OpManager has a user-friendly interface that simplifies network monitoring for IT administrators of varying experience levels. The web-based console features intuitive navigation and customizable dashboards that allow users to quickly access critical network information. New users can typically navigate the basic monitoring functions within hours, though the extensive feature set may require several days to master fully. Plus a graphical approach to network topology mapping and performance visualization reduces the learning curve compared to command-line alternatives.

However, initial setup can be time-consuming, particularly when integrating legacy devices or complex hybrid environments. Some users report that adding older network equipment requires manual configuration and SNMP OID mapping, which demands deeper technical knowledge. The default report templates may also need customization to meet specific organizational requirements, occasionally requiring scripting or external tools for advanced reporting needs.

ManageEngine OpManager: Pricing

Plan

Starting price (paid annually)

What's included

Standard Edition

$20.42/month

10 devices, basic monitoring, web-based console, email alerts

Professional Edition

$28.75/month

10 devices, advanced reporting, mobile app, workflow automation

Enterprise Edition

$38.52/month

25 devices, distributed monitoring, business views, enhanced security

OpManager's pricing structure offers competitive value compared to enterprise-grade alternatives, with transparent per-device licensing that includes unlimited interfaces, nodes, and sensors. This allows organizations to start small and scale up as monitoring needs grow, though the jump from Professional to Enterprise edition represents a significant price increase for advanced features.

While more affordable than premium solutions like LogicMonitor or Datadog, OpManager's pricing can become substantial for large-scale deployments, with the Enterprise edition reaching $11,545 for 250 devices. The inclusion of all monitoring capabilities within the base license helps avoid unexpected costs, making it easier to budget for network monitoring initiatives.

ManageEngine OpManager: Customer support

ManageEngine provides comprehensive support options through both Classic and Premium tiers, with Classic support included free with subscription licenses. Classic support offers email and chat assistance during regional business hours, with acknowledgment within 8 hours and access to product upgrades and online resources. The support team is knowledgeable and responsive for most technical issues, though response times can vary depending on case complexity and geographic region.

Premium support significantly enhances the experience with 24/7 multi-channel assistance including telephone support, single point of contact, and faster response times with acknowledgment within 3 hours. This tier includes additional services like health checks, custom product support, and online training sessions. However, Premium support requires additional investment beyond the base license cost, and some advanced customizations may still require professional services or partner assistance.

Phone support is available across multiple regions including the US (+1 877 834 4428), UK (0800 028 6590), and Australia (1800 631 268).

ManageEngine OpManager: Alternatives

OpManager occupies a solid middle-ground position in the network monitoring market, competing directly with solutions like Paessler PRTG, Auvik, and SolarWinds NPM. The platform is best suited for mid-to-large enterprises seeking comprehensive monitoring capabilities without the complexity or cost of premium alternatives like Datadog or LogicMonitor.

Key competitors include Auvik, which offers superior ease of use and cloud-native architecture, and Paessler PRTG, which provides more flexible sensor-based pricing and stronger customization options. Premium alternatives like LogicMonitor and Datadog offer more advanced AI/ML capabilities and extensive integrations but command significantly higher prices.

ManageEngine OpManager: Final verdict

ManageEngine OpManager delivers reliable network monitoring fundamentals at a competitive price point, making it an attractive option for enterprises seeking comprehensive infrastructure visibility without premium costs. It excels in device coverage, real-time alerting, and hybrid network support, providing teams the essential tools needed to maintain network health and performance.

While it may lack some advanced features found in higher-end competitors, OpManager's combination of functionality and affordability creates strong value for budget-conscious organizations. And its proven track record with over 1 million administrators worldwide demonstrates its viability as a long-term monitoring solution.

FAQs

What devices can OpManager monitor?

OpManager supports monitoring of switches, routers, firewalls, servers, wireless devices, load balancers, and virtualization platforms including VMware, Hyper-V, and Citrix XenServer. The platform can monitor nearly 3,000 different metrics across these device types using protocols like SNMP, WMI, and CLI. It also supports cloud and hybrid network infrastructures, making it suitable for modern enterprise environments.

How does OpManager pricing compare to competitors?

OpManager offers competitive pricing starting at $245 for 10 devices annually, significantly less expensive than premium alternatives like LogicMonitor or Datadog. The per-device licensing model includes unlimited interfaces and sensors, providing predictable costs. However, large-scale deployments can become expensive, with Enterprise edition pricing reaching $11,545 for 250 devices.

What support options are available with OpManager?

ManageEngine provides Classic support free with subscription licenses, including email and chat during business hours with 8-hour acknowledgment times. Premium support offers 24/7 assistance, phone support, faster response times (3-hour acknowledgment), and additional services like health checks and custom support. Phone support is available globally across multiple time zones and languages.

Can OpManager integrate with other IT management tools?

OpManager supports integration with other ManageEngine products and third-party systems through APIs and standard protocols. The platform can send alerts to external systems via SNMP traps, email, and webhooks. However, the integration ecosystem is more limited compared to cloud-native competitors, and complex integrations may require custom development or professional services.

Is there a free trial available for OpManager?

Yes, ManageEngine offers a 30-day free trial of OpManager that includes full functionality for evaluation purposes. The trial allows organizations to test the platform with their actual network infrastructure before purchasing. Trial users receive evaluation support with 2-business-day acknowledgment times, though some advanced support features are reserved for paid customers.

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The event is likely slated for early September and should feature the iPhone 17 line, Apple Watch Series 11 and maybe more.

The third-party controller market shows no sign of slowing down, with innovative new models continuing to release at a rapid pace, promising more features and improved performance with each subsequent release.

Mobapad and GameSir are well-known in the space for their mid-range offerings, but both brands have recently released high-end pads that could vie for the best PC controller crown.

Both occupy the same price point, and both are compatible with multiple platforms (albeit with different consoles supported). They also offer similar levels of performance – but after testing both side-by-side, there’s one clear winner for me.

Design and features

(Image credit: Future)

The Huben 2 made a great first impression before I’d even seen it: its hard-shell case was sturdier and more premium than I was expecting, with its insides perfectly modeled to the contours of the controller, spare D-pad hat, and USB dongle. It also has a netted area to store the USB cable, complete with an integrated hook-and-loop fastener to keep it coiled in place.

The controller itself lives up to its high quality packaging. It looks very sleek and smart with its transparent faceplate revealing the brilliant white colorway of my review unit, which is nicely accented by the red sticks and face buttons.

All of its materials look and feel premium, and the overall build quality is excellent, with the moving parts being smooth to operate yet solidly fitted. The material behind the handles is textured to offer grip, although it’s a slight shame it’s still made from a hard plastic material.

The G7 Pro has a slightly smaller form than the Huben 2, so those with smaller hands might find it preferable to hold. Build quality is similar to that of Huben 2, although it’s perhaps not quite as sharp looking or as premium.

Nevertheless, it still feels very nice in the hand, and it has better grips, thanks to the soft-touch material on their undersides that provide more grip than the Huben 2’s. The texture and even the color are very similar on both pads, though.

There’s no included case for the G7 Pro, but it does come with a charging dock, which is made to a similarly high standard and fits the pad seamlessly, offering plenty of security while being easy to set and release. It’s also pleasingly slight, so it takes up minimal space.

Both controllers adopt the familiar Xbox controller style, although there are some differences in their features. The G7 Pro has a headset jack, the Huben 2 doesn’t. But the Huben 2 has four back buttons, while the G7 Pro only has two. However, the G7 Pro has a further two extra buttons nestled between the triggers and bumpers.

(Image credit: Future)

This is a choice location for them, as they’re very easy to use – easier than using back buttons. There’s also less chance of accidentally triggering them when gripping the pad, as I often did with the Huben 2’s back buttons.

What’s more, the two back buttons of the G7 Pro have an adjacent slider to disable them, which is far more convenient than having to use its accompanying software, as is the case with the Huben 2.

Speaking of which, the software for both gamepads offers plenty of customization options, beyond those accessible on-board. Both have mobile and Windows apps, although in the case of GameSir, its app for the latter system (GameSir Nexus) is far more capable than its app for the former.

The Mobapad mobile app, on the other hand, does feature plenty of tweaking potential to please serious tinkerers. As with Nexus, it allows buttons to be remapped and stick deadzones and curve profiles to be altered.

Other adjustments for motion controls and Turbo functions are also possible in both Nexus and the Moboapad app, although the latter offers slightly more depth. In reality, though, you won’t find many other software that offer as many customizations as these two.

Both are also easy to use, although it’s a shame the Huben 2 itself can’t be used to navigate the Mobapad app – even though it can be used to navigate your phone’s UI.

While both controllers have Bluetooth and USB dongles for multiple wireless connections, there are some differences in the platforms they support. Both work with PC and Android devices, but the Huben 2 has added iOS compatibility. And as for consoles, the G7 Pro is compatible with the Xbox Series X and Series S and the Xbox One, while the Huben 2 works with Switch.

Performance

(Image credit: Future)

In action, the Huben 2 really shines. The face buttons are clicky, lacking the heavily damped feel of many other controllers, but still just as tactile; they’re more akin to the clicks of the best gaming mice. They’re also very snappy and responsive as a result.

Even better is the D-pad: it feels very similar to the face buttons, and is just as quick and easy to use. Rapid, multiple inputs were a cinch in Tekken 8, while maintaining high levels of accuracy. There’s a small amount of dampening in each direction, which helps to make presses more controlled.

The default hat also helped in this regard. It adopts a very similar design to that of the latest Xbox controller, with its prominent middle dip and clearly squared-off segments, which provide plenty of feedback and stability.

The D-pad on the G7 Pro is, if anything, even easier and more clicky in its actuation than the Huben 2’s. However, it lacks any discernable dampening, which can result in less control over presses. I also found the hat too small and flat to provide sufficient grip, resulting in my thumb frequently falling off its left edge.

Both controllers have similar shoulder buttons, adopting the familiar shape and placement of those adorning the best Xbox controllers. I did find the bumpers of the Huben 2 a tad too high for my liking, but this is a minor gripe.

Both sets of triggers offer sufficient travel and feel, although those on the G7 Pro offer more resistance and have greater dampening. You might think this would make them easier to control than the Huben 2’s, but the latter’s more rounded shape compensates for their light actuation.

(Image credit: Future)

This is because a larger portion of your fingers is in contact with the physical buttons, which in turn allows you to control their depression more easily, at least in my experience. They’re also more comfortable as a result of this shape, allowing me to play with the Huben 2 for longer periods without fatigue.

I certainly welcomed this aspect when playing games requiring constant use of the triggers, such Assetto Corsa and titles requiring vehicle control. However, all of this isn’t to say that the triggers of the G7 Pro are poor, as they’re still perfectly enjoyable to use.

Each trigger also has its own travel lock switch next to it, allowing you to switch it from analog to digital modes, which is useful in the case of shooters where quick taps are required.

Both controllers also feature motion controls. The Huben 2’s work excellently on Switch: when I aimed bows in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, their tracking and precision rivalled that of the best Nintendo Switch controllers. I experienced no drop outs or lag, either.

Since the G7 Pro isn’t compatible with the console, its motion controls can only be used on PC as a substitute for the sticks or even mouse inputs (something the Huben 2 is capable of, too). While they’re accurate enough, few PC games were designed with these controls in mind, so they don’t work as seamlessly. This isn’t exactly the G7 Pro’s fault, but it does beg the question as to why it has gyro capabilities if it’s not compatible with the platform that makes best use of them.

When it comes to sticks, I prefer the smoother, softer material on the Huben 2’s, as well as their deeper indentations which offer more purchase, and overall feel more satisfying to use than the G7 Pro’s.

It’s not that their hall effect technology seems more accurate than the TMR sensors in the G7 Pro’s sticks, but they feel more responsive as well as being easier to wrangle, moving in precisely the way you want them to.

As for connectivity, both controllers worked with their respective devices without issue during my testing. Switching between devices is also easy, since both feature sliders on the rear for changing platforms, although it can take a few moments and press of the power button to connect to the new device.

Verdict

(Image credit: Future)

Both the Huben 2 and the G7 Pro are great controllers. They’re expensive – and there are plenty of great budget alternatives out there (including other models from the two brands) – but if you’re looking for something a little more upmarket, neither is likely to disappoint.

However, I think the Huben 2 has the slight edge, feeling just that little more premium and satisfying to use, with the D-pad deserving special mention. A large part of your decision may come down to the specific platform support, but if you’re playing on PC, Android, or Switch – or all three – the Huben 2 is the superior choice as far as I’m concerned.

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At the International AIDS Society meeting this year, a young woman from South Africa spoke. She is the first Black woman from Africa to be potentially cured of HIV.

(Image credit: Image Point FR/NIH/NIAID/BSIP)

• Windows 11 has a Resume feature in test builds
• For now it's just for Spotify, but more developers will get on board in time
• If you're listening to a track on your Android phone, you can resume that playback on your Windows 11 PC seamlessly

Windows 11 is getting a new ability whereby the desktop operating system will allow you to resume what you were previously doing in an app on your Android phone.

This is only available in testing for now - in Windows 11 preview builds in the Dev and Beta channels - and while it will eventually come to a range of apps, to begin with it only works with Spotify.

As Microsoft explains in a blog post, the way the feature works is as follows: say you're listening to a playlist or podcast on Spotify on your smartphone, and you stop it, then head to your desktop PC.

When you fire up Windows 11, you'll see a ‘Resume alert’ pop up from your taskbar at the bottom of the screen, letting you know that you can continue your Spotify listening on the PC. Just click on that alert, and the Spotify app will be opened, continuing playback exactly where you left off on your Android smartphone.

Microsoft reminds us that we'll need to have the Spotify app installed on the PC and be logged into the same account as the one running on the smartphone, as you'd expect. If you haven't got Spotify installed in Windows 11, a button to install the software from the Microsoft Store will pop up - then you just have to log in to your Spotify account.

Also, you must have the Link to Windows app running on your smartphone, and have access to your mobile enabled on your Windows 11 PC, as per Microsoft's instructions in its blog post.

(Image credit: Microsoft)Analysis: A great addition - but Microsoft's really taken its time

This is essentially Microsoft's take on Apple's Handoff feature, and it looks to be a streamlined and useful ability that I'm keen to see debut on Windows 11. Its revelation is no surprise, though, seeing as Microsoft accidentally gave us a glimpse of the functionality in a pre-recorded Build session earlier this year, the video of which was swiftly edited to remove this. It worked pretty much exactly the same as we see in testing now (with Spotify also being used in this early demo).

The technical name for this trick is Cross Device Resume and hopefully a number of software developers will be getting on board with bringing in support for this - those who have apps available on both Windows 11 and Android, of course. Microsoft will doubtless be prodding some of the bigger names out there, and besides Spotify we've also heard that WhatsApp might be in line for this treatment.

Clearly, the Resume feature is going to try to push installations from the Microsoft Store as well, which won't hurt traffic there - something the company has been working on improving of late.

While resuming Android apps on Windows 11 is clearly a great feature, and one that it's good to see inbound, the main question here is why has it taken so long for Microsoft to implement this?

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(Image credit: Reinhard Dirscherl)

• Some key details of the folding iPhone have leaked
• Expect four cameras, two colors, and Touch ID
• We'll probably see the handset launch in 2026

At this point it seems almost certain that Apple is going to bring out a foldable iPhone in September 2026, and we just got a few more details about what to expect from an Apple tipster who is usually more reliable than most.

That tipster is Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who says that the folding Apple phone is going to use Touch ID rather than Face ID. While all the current iPhones now use Face ID, the thinking is that the required sensors would add too much thickness to the foldable.

Apple is therefore going to go with Touch ID to keep the device as thin as possible, Gurman says, and there'll be no SIM card slot for the same reason – this is going to be eSIM only. Previous leaks have predicted the phone will be 4.8 mm thick when unfolded, compared to the 4.2 mm of the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

This latest report also states we're going to get four cameras on the folding iPhone: one on the outer screen, one on the inner screen, and two on the back (which will both be 48MP cameras, according to an earlier rumor).

Creasing up

The Apple iPhone 16 is about to get a successor (Image credit: Future)

If past reports are to be believed, one of the reasons a foldable iPhone has taken so long is because Apple is very keen to make the screen crease as invisible as possible, and it seems the company now has a display setup it's happy with.

As per Gurman, the folding iPhone is going to use what's known as an in-cell touchscreen, with an integrated display and digitizer layer. That would make the screen tech similar to what we have on the current iPhone models, ensuring a "less obvious" crease and improving touch accuracy.

Other tidbits from the report: the folding iPhone will be available in black or white, and will include Apple's own C2 modem chip that's expected to debut in the iPhone 17 (and which should lead to improved efficiency and battery life).

Gurman says the foldable iPhone will be a "game changer" for Apple, and his belief is that anyone who makes the switch to a folding iPhone won't want to go back. First though, we're got this year's iPhone 17 launch coming up next month.

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