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Ahead of Tuesday's presidential debate, both Vice President Harris' and former President Donald Trump's campaigns accuse the other of flip-flopping.

(Image credit: AP)

Apple is known for the quality of its products, which is why it’s all the more surprising when the company occasionally releases a dud. But Apple’s FineWoven cases, introduced with the iPhone 15 range, are more than just a dud – they’ve been a disaster, and now it seems almost certain that they’re destined for the scrap heap.

That’s because a prominent leaker has claimed that Apple is set to replace its FineWoven cases with a new alternative. That’s according to Majin Bu on X (formerly Twitter), who shared two images of what they claimed will be the new cases and the complete range of colors they will apparently arrive in.

Many of the colors are the same as the existing FineWoven cases, including blue, green, black, and taupe. Apple’s mulberry color has apparently been replaced with a dark purple, and there’s supposedly a new gray version in the works too. Majin Bu didn’t explain what material the new cases would be made from, other than to say that it would be something new to replace FineWoven.

Majin Bu has a mixed track record when it comes to Apple leaks, correctly predicting some upcoming features while getting others wrong. Interestingly to this point, the account seemed to retract the second image they posted when someone pointed out that it depicted existing leather cases, suggesting their due diligence was not at the level it should have been.

What’s the problem with FineWoven?

(Image credit: Future)

It would be an understatement to say that Apple’s FineWoven cases have met with disappointment. The products are made with a micro twill material, and were meant to be an eco-friendlier alternative to Apple’s leather cases. Yet they met with an almost immediate backlash.

Users complained that the cases scratched easily, and that these scratches could not be removed or masked. For others, the fabric material was a magnet for stains and blemishes, leading one reporter to joke that their FineWoven case was so dirty that it posed a “biomedical concern.”

It seems that this criticism did not escape Apple’s ears, and reports have suggested that the company has halted production of FineWoven cases and could announce that it's discontinuing them during its iPhone 16 event later today. That gives a boost to Majin Bu’s claim that something new is coming to replace FineWoven.

Ultimately, we’ll find out later today when Apple kicks off its iPhone 16 event and reveals a bunch of new phones, with fresh cases potentially in hot pursuit. We’ll be covering every new announcement as it happens, so make sure you check out our iPhone 16 launch live blog to find out the fate of FineWoven, and if you want to tune in, here's how to watch the iPhone 16 launch event live.

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New research has claimed the rapid development of, and demand for, generative AI has accelerated the rate of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from data centers.

A report from Morgan Stanley suggests the datacenter industry is on track to emit 2.5 billion tons by 2030, which is three times higher than the predictions if generative AI had not come into play.

The extra demand from GenAI will reportedly lead to a rise in emissions from 200 million tons this year to 600 million tons by 2030, thanks largely to the construction of more data centers to keep up with the demand for cloud services.

Net-Zero targets

Morgan Stanley's report outlined 60% of the emissions figure will come from the operations of the data centers as they require massive amounts of power to run. The remaining 40% is likely to be thanks to the carbon emitted from the manufacturing of the construction materials and infrastructure for the centers.

With Google already reporting a 48% increase in emissions over the last five years, unsurprisingly, this brings net zero emissions targets into question. The tech industry already amounts to 40% of the entire annual emissions from the US - so carbon dioxide removal technologies are poised to play a key role in achieving environmental targets.

The difficulty in mitigating the environmental impact of data centers is that they can reduce energy consumption through water-cooling systems, but it takes an enormous amount of water to do so. With water becoming a more precious resource, those systems hamper tech giant’s green goals and place huge strains on areas with ‘high water scarcity’.

There’s uncertainty around the future of AI and its impact on the environment. The carbon removal and carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) technologies are not yet fully developed. Morgan Stanley suggests CCUS tech needs a $15 billion investment to bring them up to standard. The research also points to reforestation projects as a possible tool for net-zero targets in the future.

Via The Register

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Zetexa is a relatively new eSIM provider founded in 2022 by Krishna Murthy, who has 38 years of experience in telecommunications. In spite of being new, Zetexa has caught the eye of travelers with its value-packed unlimited data plans in 170 countries and 5 regions.

We like that it offers various plans for various durations for each destination – 1, 5, 7, 12, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days. This is, in fact, a lot more than some of the more popular names in the industry. The eSIM is pretty easy to install, too – just scan a QR code and follow the prompts.

However, there aren’t many troubleshooting guides or FAQs on the website yet, but we can absolutely expect that to change very soon. Plus, there's only an online form to connect with the customer support team, meaning you may not find any quick resolution in case you run into a technical problem.

Zetexa: Plans and pricing

Zetexa offers some of the best unlimited data plans around with 4G and  5G connectivity for various validities: 1, 7, 15 days, and so on. Needless to say, the prices depend on the location, with the cheapest destinations being the Americas and Europe. 

A real highlight of the service is that for each destination, you get around 15-18 plan options to choose from – one of the highest in the entire eSIM industry. 

We also found plans for 5, 12, and 15 days, which you don’t get with other providers. Plus, there are a lot of options for 30- and 90-day plans as well. Let’s look at some popular Zetexa plans.

What's more, Zetexa also offers a 1-day 100 MB trial pack for all of its regional plans. So, let’s say you’re in Europe and are looking for an eSIM provider; you can get Zetexa’s trial plan for just $1.20 (this price depends on your location) to test out its speed and connectivity. 

If you're satisfied with the service, you can go ahead and purchase one of its many longer-term Europe plans. Other eSIM providers usually do not provide this option, meaning you may end up wasting your money if their connection speed and service aren’t up to the mark.

However, no provider is perfect, and Zetexa’s downside is that it only offers 5 regional plans – plus there are no global plans as yet, either, which may be a serious letdown for some travelers.

These are the best eSIM for international travel in 2024.

Zetexa: Features

Let’s now look at some of the best features you get with Zetexa. 

Unlimited plans

No surprises for the number one spot here, as one of the best things about Zetexa is its unlimited plans. Even better, these plans are flexible and are available for various durations (1, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15 days) and geographical regions (Asia, Europe, etc.), as well as for specific countries. 

The prices depend on your location. For example, a 7-day Europe unlimited plan costs $21.30, whereas a 7-day USA plan costs just $12.10. This makes Zetexa ideal for short international trips, where you do not want to be constantly worried about how much data you've got left. 

With modern 4G and 5G speeds, you can end up using your limited data (1 GB, for example) in a span of just 1-2 days. However, with unlimited plans, you’ll always have an active internet connection to assist you while you're out and about.

It's also worth noting that Zetexa’s fair usage policy (FUP) applies to all its plans with unlimited data. So, you get 1 GB of data per day at your network’s speed after which the speed is throttled to 32 kbps. The speed is admittedly not too impressive, but it's still a win-win situation since you’d rather prefer having internet at slower speeds than not having internet at all in a foreign country. 

No eKYC Required

You don't need KYC (Know Your Customer) verification to activate and use a Zetexa eSIM. This means that you can get your account up and running within just minutes after you’ve purchased your data plan. 

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, Indian citizens need to provide their password and VISA details. Also, if you’re traveling to the UAE, Israel, Maldives, Poland, or South Korea, you will need to do eKYC.

Zetexa: Installation

Installing a Zetexa eSIM is very straightforward and the steps are more or less the same for both iOS and Android. Once you purchase a data plan from the website, you’ll receive a QR code. Next, follow these steps to install the eSIM on your device: 

Make sure to assign calls and SMS to the primary SIM on your device – because Zetexa is a data-only eSIM provider. 

Zetexa: Support

(Image credit: Zetexa)

Although Zetexa on its website claims to offer 24/7 customer support, we only found an online form you can fill out to connect to their team. You’ll then have to wait for the support agents to email you back with solutions, which can be a time-consuming process. Plus, in case the conversation stretches to a handful of emails, it's going to take a fair while before you finally find a viable solution. 

Now, other eSIM providers like Ubigi and KnowRoaming also offer only an online form for support. However, they also have extensive knowledgebases, with in-depth troubleshooting guides and FAQs on their websites, which solve most customer queries. 

However, all that we found on Zetexa’s knowledgebase was an installation guide. The only positive explanation to this is that the platform is still new, so we can surely expect more helpful guides in the near future.

Zetexa: Final verdict

The bottom line is that Zetexa is a good eSIM, especially if you’re looking for unlimited data plans. It offers data plans in 170+ destinations and 5 regions. Plus, there are a lot of subscription options to choose from – from 1-day to 180-day plans. 

The prices are pretty affordable, too, especially in the US and Europe. One of the highlights is that you get a 1-day trial plan for every single region, so you can test Zetexa’s speed and connection before you commit to a long-term plan. The eSIM installs easily with just a QR code, which is what we've come to expect from the best of the lot.

However, you don’t get any global plans with Zetexa. Plus, there are no troubleshooting guides or knowledge documents on the website, either, and you can reach out to the support agents only through an online form.

Zetexa: FAQs What plans do Zetexa eSIM offer?

Zetexa offers a lot of plans that together cover 170+ destinations and a few specific regions, too. Plans range from 1 day to 180 days, and you get more than 15 plan options for each country. Zetexa is also well known for its unlimited data plans – something you don’t get with the majority of eSIM providers. These plans are available for shorter durations, such as 1, 5, 10, 12, and 15 days. However, Zetexa does not offer any global plans as of now. 

Is Zetexa eSIM easy to install?

Yes, Zetexa is one of the easiest eSIMs to install. First, you have to buy a data plan from its website, after which you’ll receive a QR code. Then, just scan this code on your Android or iOS device and follow the instructions. At the end of the installation process, switch on data roaming on your device and make sure that you use your primary SIM for calls and SMS since Zetexa is a data-only eSIM. 

xAI's generative AI tool, Grok AI, is unhinged compared to its competitors. It's also scooping up a ton of data people post on X. Here's how to keep your posts out of Grok—and why you should.

KnowRoaming has been a well-known name in the telecom industry since 2013 when it launched the groundbreaking Global SIM Sticker. With its eSIM, KnowRoaming offers cost-effective and reliable connections in more than 200 places around the world. 

You get excellent shorter duration plans, and its 7- and 15-day plans offer fantastic value for money. Plus, there are some good regional plans, top, covering destinations like Asia, Europe, East Africa, Oceania, Latin America, etc. The eSIM itself is pretty easy to install and use, and all you’ve to do is scan a QR code and follow the prompts. 

However, the lack of voice calling and SMS, as well as more expensive 30-day plans than competitors like Ubigi, mean that KnowRoaming isn't perfect. Keep reading this in-depth KnowRoaming review to find out everything about its cost, coverage, setup process, and customer support so that you can ultimately decide if it's the right choice for your next international trip.

KnowRoaming: Plans and pricing

KnowRoaming offers several value-for-money one-time plans starting at just $4. You can choose from plans with various validities – 7, 10, 15, 30, 60, or 180 days, depending on your destination. Here’s a quick look at some of the best KnowRoaming eSIM deals. 

While the plans do seem affordable as far as the short duration is concerned, they quickly turn expensive as you increase the number of days. For example, a 30-day USA plan with 10 GB of data will cost you $25.50. With Airhub, however, you can get 15 GB of data for just $11.90. 

Plus, we didn’t find any monthly or annual plans with KnowRoaming. So, if you travel frequently or are a digital nomad, KnowRoaming is undoubtedly an expensive pick. What's more, there are no 1-day plans, either.

However, a positive feature that stood out for me is its  25% discount on all purchases for Visa cardholders. Even better, this offer can be used six times per cardholder per year. 

Plus, you’ll also get a complimentary KnowRoaming 3GB global package valid in over 150 countries. The plan will be activated when you first use it outside your home country and will remain active for a continuous period of 21 days thereon.

These are the best eSIM for international travel in 2024.

KnowRoaming: Features

KnowRoaming boasts a short-but-likeable list of eSIM features that cover all the important bases.

Regional plans

KnowRoaming offers some really good regional plans costing as low as $4.50. For instance, I was delighted to find plans for regions like East Africa, West Africa, Latin America, and Oceania – popular regions that not many eSIMs cover. 

These plans come in handy when you’re visiting more than one country in a short span (say, 15 or 30 days). However, it’s always advisable to check the countries included in a regional pack before purchasing it.

Tethering

You can use the KnowRoaming eSIM to share data with your travel partner if your device supports a hotspot. This way, only one of you will need to install the eSIM when you're out and about. At the same time, though, it's worth noting that data may run out quickly if several users use it simultaneously.

KnowRoaming: Installation

KnowRoaming can be installed on iOS, Android, and Pixel phones – that's comprehensive coverage and includes just about every mobile device. There are well-detailed PDF documents on the website’s Support page that'll guide you through a step-by-step installation process. 

Here’s a quick overview of how you can install the KnowRoaming eSIM on your device:

• First, you’ll need to purchase a data plan from the website. Next, you’ll receive a QR code on your email.
• Scan the QR code and follow the prompts that pop up on your screen until the setup is complete.
• Upon reaching your destination, alter your device's mobile data settings so that it's using the eSIM and activate data roaming on your device. Once this is done, you’re all set to use your new eSIM.

We recommend that you install the eSIM before your departure since you’ll need a stable internet connection for it. You can then turn off your eSIM until you reach your destination. In case you're wondering, your subscription will only be activated when you use your eSIM in the destination country.

If you’re installing the eSIM on an Android device, head over to your Access Point Names (APN) settings and see to it that the option that says APN: globaldata (i.e., no capital letters or spaces) is selected. If not, you can add the APN manually.

KnowRoaming: Support

(Image credit: KnowRoaming)

If you face any issues while using a KnowRoaming eSIM, you can fill out the online form on its website to reach out to its customer support. If you do not get a satisfactory resolution, there’s even a WhatsApp number you can send your query to.

Besides this, we found a lot of FAQs on the website’s Support page with answers on installation, troubleshooting, and general queries. However, the knowledgebase isn’t as extensive as some other providers, such as Ubigi. 

There might be some questions that aren’t answered in the FAQs and your only solution then would be filling out the form, as mentioned above, which is admittedly a slow process – an email ticketing system, phone support, or live chat would have been so much better.

KnowRoaming: Final verdict

Overall, KnowRoaming is undoubtedly a good eSIM, especially if you like traveling for shorter durations (7 or 15 days). There are several affordable plans to choose from, plus you get an excellent selection of regional plans, too, that cover a handful of not-so-popular tourist destinations, like East Africa, West Africa, and Oceania. Put together, KnowRoaming offers eSIM connections in over 200 destinations, meaning it can easily support most people’s travel plans.

However, a significant downside to KnowRoaming is that its plans for longer durations (30 days or more) are more expensive than competitors like Ubigi and Airhub – and it doesn't offer any monthly plans, either. 

Customer support is quite decent, and your options include an online contact form and a WhatsApp number. However, there’s no email or phone support, and the FAQ section isn’t as comprehensive as some of the others.

KnowRoaming: FAQs What plans do I get with KnowRoaming?

KnowRoaming offers various one-time plans for 7, 15, 30, 60, and 180 days starting at just $4. These are available for several regions, including Asia, Europe, and Africa, as well as other not-so-popular regions such as East Africa, West Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. However, you do not get 1-day or monthly plans with KnowRoaming. 

When should I install the KnowRoaming eSIM?

We recommend installing the KnowRoaming eSIM before you leave for your destination. This is because the installation process requires a stable internet connection, which you may not get once you land at your destination – unless you find a free public Wi-Fi. Also, installing the eSIM prior to leaving would mean that you’ll only have to enable mobile data on your eSIM to start using your purchased plan upon reaching. 

How to install the KnowRoaming eSIM?

To install a KnowRoaming eSIM, you’ll first need to purchase a data plan from its website, after which you'll receive a QR code on your email. Scan this code on the device you want to install the eSIM in and follow the instructions via the prompts that you're shown.

When you reach your destination, turn on mobile data on the eSIM and enable data roaming. Additionally, make sure that you do not accidentally switch off calls and/or SMS on your primary SIM card – since KnowRoaming is a data-only eSIM.

Patent filings don't necessarily result in new-fangled tech, but they often give us a good indication of what engineers are thinking – or, in Ford’s case, smoking.

Recent filings registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have revealed that the company is experimenting with some pretty advanced holographic technology that, if it ever gets produced, will be able to project a plethora of realistic imagery inside and outside of the vehicle.

Although the patent filing goes into little detail about the actual use-cases for such technology, it does reveal that the general idea is to create a system and method for "projecting moveable and interactive holograms inside and outside of a vehicle".

Basic drawings that accompany the ideas show security guards roaming around a parked Ford, while another image shows a young boy pointing at what we understand to be virtual guard dogs.

The system uses integrated holographic camera modules (IHCMs) that can display pre-recorded 2D animations outside of the car "without any noticeable distortion". 

A list of potential imagery includes: candles, flowers, lights, robots, equipment, animals, birds, cartoon characters, and creative or non-realistic content.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Ford)Image 2 of 3

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(Image credit: Ford)

However, this dazzling display is not just limited to the exterior of the car, as the same (or similar) modules could also be used for the vehicle’s interior. Here, the inventors suggest drivers and passengers would be able to interact with 3D imagery and user interfaces.

The examples they give include a food menu, which could automatically be beamed to the holographic camera modules as the driver approaches a restaurant or drive-thru.

Similarly, the holographic tech could be used to beam a realistic image of a person in the passenger seat, which would perhaps act as a potential deterrent to opportunistic thieves or carjackers when the vehicle is parked for short periods of time.

Ford saves the wildest use-case until last, suggesting that the processor may form a hologram of a 'big polar bear' and that it may be projected as 'driving the vehicle'.

"Part of bear body may be inside the vehicle and a bear head may be outside the vehicle (e.g. protruding from a vehicle top portion)", the patent filing reads.

Wow, just wow.

Ford has fun with filings

(Image credit: BMW)

This isn't the first time Ford has been spotted filing a patent for some slightly madcap technology. We recently reported that it was considering a system that uses Ford vehicles and their on-board camera and sensor technology to first detect a speeding motorist and then report them to the authorities.

The company also seems to have a bit of an obsession with holographic projectors, with a previous filing using a water misting system to project cinematic imagery onto said droplets for an impromptu drive-in experience, according to Ford Authority.

It's highly unlikely we'll see holographic dogs and security guards roaming around upcoming Ford models any time soon, but the interactive holographic system for a vehicle’s interior isn’t completely novel.

BMW debuted a similar system at CES in Las Vegas back in 2017, where a driver could interact with menu screens on a 3D holographic display that magically appeared in the car's centre console. 

That tech never made it to production, but BMW continued with similar gesture-control technology, which can be found on a number of current BMW and Mini products and allows the driver to skip tracks and control the volume of the infotainment system by twirling a finger.

So perhaps there is a future for holographic projection after all – maybe just not involving guard dogs and polar bears. 

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Here's an unexpected bit of news: the AirPods Max 2, which pretty much everybody was certain weren't going to get an update at today's big Apple event (you can even follow the build-up, thanks to our 'It's Glowtime' Live Blog) apparently are going to get an update today. Don't expect something dramatically different, mind, but the new AirPods Max will reportedly come with improved ANC and Adaptive Audio as well as the now-obligatory USB-C.

That's according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. If you're thinking "hang on, isn't that the same Mark Gurman who said that there wouldn't be new AirPods Max at the Apple event?" you're right. Gurman did say both a few days ago and also back in February that AirPods Max 2 this year was "Not possible. There is no AirPods Max 2. It's the same as current but USB-C. That's the only change." And that's why technology journalism is so exciting.

Gurman's news was posted to X last night, where he said that the new Max headphones would launch alongside the "low-end" AirPods 4. So, come on, what can we expect?

Apple AirPods Max 2: what to expect

To be fair to Gurman, his Apple news is apparently based on what sources tell him – and if their information isn't accurate, isn't complete or is out of date he can't exactly call up Tim Cook to get the inside track. But while the updates are supposedly more than just a USB-C port, we're still looking at a relatively minor upgrade. Personally, I'm hoping for the end to the horrible AirPods Max case, which I think is up there among the very worst things Apple has ever designed, but the changes are are likely to be internal.

The AirPods Max remain a superb pair of headphones, but upgrades are definitely due. USB-C was always going to be in the second generation AirPods Max, because EU regulators demand it. But it sounds like Apple has also taken the opportunity to upgrade the audio chip to deliver better ANC features. And that's welcome, because in the three years since the AirPods Max launched the technology, and the competition, has improved considerably.

The downsides of the AirPods Max are likely to remain, though: they'll still be heavy, they'll still be very expensive and they're not going to be a great option for Android users. As we said in our most recent update to our original AirPods Max review, in 2024 "they're definitely still among the best wireless headphones for certain buyers. However, it partly depends on what price you can get them for – we wouldn't recommend buying at full price" when "The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones sound just as good and cost a lot less, and have far better noise cancellation (and are lighter)." The new Max are likely to be the best Apple headphones, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be the best value.

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Our iPhone 16 event live blog is up and running ahead of the big show later on today, but it seems that one expected device might be missing: a well-placed source says the Apple Watch Ultra 3 won't be launching alongside the new iPhones.

This comes from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who is usually one of the more well-informed reporters on the Apple beat. Considering that we got the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023, it would be a surprise if there wasn't a new version of the premium smartwatch for 2024.

That said, there will be a new version, sort of, according to Gurman: a black titanium option will apparently be unveiled for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Right now it's only available in a single natural titanium color as far as the casing goes.

As you can gather from our Apple Watch Ultra 2 review, it wasn't a huge leap forward from the original Apple Watch Ultra, which would make the lack of a third-generation product this year even more disappointing for premium smartwatch buyers.

Watch this space

I don’t expect Apple to announce an Apple Watch Ultra 3 tomorrow. Instead, I expect the Ultra 2 sticks around and — finally — gains a black color option. I also wouldn’t rule out a delay to the new Watch SE.September 9, 2024

Gurman also goes on to say there could well be a delay to the successor to the more affordable Apple Watch SE 2, which launched in 2022. We were expecting an updated model to show up at some point this year.

What isn't mentioned is any reason why these smartwatch refreshes aren't appearing today, so we can only speculate as to the reason. Perhaps Apple doesn't think there will be any significant boost in sales, or perhaps there are new Apple Watch Ultra 3 features that haven't quite been finished in time.

The Apple Watch 10 is virtually guaranteed to make an appearance, however. New features apparently on the way for this wearable include a refreshed design, upgraded sensors, and the ability to detect potential sleep apnea problems.

It all means the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 debate just got more interesting. The Apple 'It's Glowtime' event gets underway at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST (3am on September 10 for those in the AEST time zone), and as mentioned you can follow along via our Apple event live blog.

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There's seemingly more bad news for Sonos. New reports say that the new Ace headphones, which the company expected to be a huge hit, have been doing disappointing numbers: where Sonos expected to make 2,500 headphones per day to cope with huge demand for its high-end cans, it's allegedly only doing a fraction of that: just 250 pairs a day. That means instead of expected sales of around 1 million units per year, it's on track to do around one-tenth of that.

That's according to reports from both Mark Gurman at Bloomberg and NotebookCheck. And the bad news keeps on coming: both reports also claim that Sonos has laid off employees "likely in part to cope with the mounting costs and loss of sales", and that its codename Pinewood, a Roku-style set-top-box, has been delayed once more. After initially being put back to January 2025, it's now scheduled for March.

This isn't the arc Sonos wanted

It's fair to say that 2024 has been disastrous for Sonos, and there's still plenty of 2024 to go. What was supposed to be a triumphant year with significant revenues from brand new product categories – such as the Ace headphones and the Pinewood project – as well as key updates to core products such as the Arc soundbar has instead been spent dealing with the ongoing fallout from the Sonos app update. 

That app was released way back in the spring, but Sonos is still working on fixing it; it apologized to customers back in July and has been working on a fortnightly app update cycle for months now, but as we said after the most recent update "there's still a lot of work to be done before users are going to be happy again."

As Bloomberg reports, it's hitting Sonos in the pockets – and in the pockets of its shareholders. Bloomberg says that Sonos's stock is down 32% this year while the rest of the S&P 500 Index is up by 13%, and instead of raking in cash from new products it's spending huge sums on the app issues.

There's no doubt that the firm makes superb soundbars that are among the very best in the business, but the app issue isn't the only software concern we've seen: in 2023, Sonos eventually admitted that there was a problem with Dolby Atmos on its Arc soundbars after many months of upset customers talking about it on forums; the initial response to concerns over the app issues was similarly dismissive. 

These are dangerous waters for Sonos to be swimming in. Sonos isn't just selling interchangeable audio kit here: it's selling an ecosystem of premium-priced products in an intensely competitive marketplace. That means it's not good enough to make great hardware. The software and any response to customer concerns deed to be top-notch too. It does look like the damage to Sonos's brand reputation will take even longer to repair than its app.

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If you’ve been playing Star Wars Outlaws, then chances are that you’ve already been frustrated by its overly punishing stealth sections. Being spotted by an enemy will cause your current mission to instantly fail, often sending you right back to the start of an area and erasing minutes of progress at a time.

It can be incredibly annoying but, luckily, developer Ubisoft Massive seems to agree and intends to fix the problem. Speaking in a recent interview with our sister site GamesRadar+, the game’s creative director Julian Gerighty said that the punishing difficulty “is a mistake, and [...] something that we’re going to work on improving.”

As for what this could mean, he clarifies that: "I don't think it means removing the fail state completely, but I do think there are millions of low hanging fruits where we can make it so much more enjoyable and understandable."

Many of the worst offenders are located right at the start of Star Wars Outlaws, in the opening world of Mirogana, which doesn’t make for a very good first impression when you’ve just installed the sprawling open-world game. Thankfully, it appears as though players won’t have to wait long for a fix.

“We just don't want it to feel unfair. And today, I think it feels unfair. And believe it or not, this wasn't our intention. This is more of something that crept in in the last week or so, and that we're correcting already for a patch that's coming out maybe in 10 days,” Gerighty explained.

This will be great news for anyone thinking of picking up the game, or those eager to get started on a second playthrough.

Although we flagged these frustrating stealth sections as one point of friction, Managing Editor Rob Dwiar was otherwise very impressed with everything that the title brings to to the table in our Star Wars Outlaws review. He praised its impressively authentic world, which is filled with breathtaking landscapes and movie-accurate details that are sure to be a treat for any long-time series fans.

Star Wars Outlaws is available now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

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Farmers in California are trying to plant crops that don't require a lot of water. Some are turning to growing agave as a response to a warming state.

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Typhoon Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades, with winds up to 92 mph. The country’s meteorological agency warns continuing downpours could cause floods and landslides.

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