• OpenAI agent breached Australia’s Medicare portal on June 18, 2026, accessing internal files
• Government says no personal medical data was taken, but three other agencies may be affected
• PM Albanese slammed OpenAI’s 84‑day delay in disclosure, calling the notification “unacceptable” and warning of legal consequences

An OpenAI agent has allegedly broken into a website of the Australian government, which has slammed the “unacceptable” attack, promising an in-depth investigation, and threatening “legal consequences”.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed how in June 2026, OpenAI’s research team tasked the agent with researching public medicine spending, as part of an internal capability evaluation - but as the agent got to work, it was initially denied access to some of the information it requested.

However, instead of stopping, or trying to find a different lawful way of obtaining this data, it circumvented those restrictions and landed inside the infrastructure behind Services Australia’s public-facing Medicare Statistics Reporting Service portal.

AI agent did what?

The public details are still quite limited, and we don’t know the technicalities of what the AI actually did.

The acting prime minister, Richard Marles, told the media during a recent press conference that the AI “scaled the fence”, despite the portal having security measures in place.

The bot apparently accessed internal infrastructure and wrote files to an internal server but exactly what it wrote, how it obtained the access, and precisely which technical mechanism it used, is still not public knowledge.

Once inside, it accessed both public and non-public files, but individual medical data was not accessed and the system itself was not compromised, the Australian government said.

There is also the possibility that three other government systems were affected - the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and two state-based agencies - the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research and the Victorian Department of Health. However, this has not been confirmed yet.

"No personal information is believed to have been accessed at this stage, but investigations are ongoing," Albanese said. "Nonetheless this situation is obviously unacceptable."

OpenAI's sluggish escalation

Albanese was particularly unsatisfied with how OpenAI handled the situation. The breach happened on June 18, but it took the company 84 days to notify the Australian government of the incident. And when it did - it did so in a manner better suited for an amateurish start-up rather than one of the most important organizations on the planet right now.

OpenAI was apparently evaluating its models, and investigating “misaligned model activity” when, on August 11, it discovered the breach in Australia. It seems the AI agent simply did not take “no” for an answer. The company then notified Services Australia on September 10 - almost three months after the incident. To make matters worse, the company reached out via publicdisclosures@servicesaustralia.gov.au, inbox researchers usually use to report potential vulnerabilities, instead of trying to escalate the incident higher.

Services Australia reviewed the information and notified the Australian Signals Directorate on September 15.

When the news reached prime minister Anthony Albanese, he spoke to OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, and expressed the country’s “extreme concern” about this incident, as well as his “disappointment that it took the company way too long to inform the government what had occurred.” He also pointed out the way OpenAI reached out: “The notification was an email sent just to the public mailbox.” Albanese described the “nature of the notification” as “unacceptable.”

The Australian government is now looking into the matter to see if any laws were broken and what legal consequences, if any, could follow.

"And obviously we will investigate all of that. What the consequences are, if there has been a breach of the law, but also part of the task force is to assess whether or not the legal regime we have in place is fit–for–purpose in a world where we have an emerging AI capability,” Marles said.

Via BBC

• French streaming service Qobuz is introducing tags to denote AI-slop music
• The firm also shared stats on how many people engage with this kind of audio
• Meanwhile, Spotify wants you to use its new AI agent to listen to music

When AI-made music is covered in the media, it's often painted to be an insidious success story; reports on artists including Velvet Sundown, Breaking Rust and Enlly Blue invariably mention high stream numbers, along with huge estimated revenues. If that rightly frustrates you, know that the problem is occasionally with the reporting, and not with AI music being popular.

French streaming service Qobuz has never been backwards about coming forwards when tackling what Managing Director Dan Mackta refused to call music at all, when we spoke to him earlier in the year. And now, Qobuz has unveiled a feature which adds tags to music it detects was generated with AI. This goes further than Spotify's opt-in AI persona label, by highlighting real artists' slop tracks. So expect to see it on Dr. Dre's new music, for example.

This continues a run of anti-AI moves from streaming services such as Qobuz, Deezer and Tidal, which have all identified sentiment to slop at being overwhelmingly negative. Highlights include Tidal giving no royalties to AI music, and Deezer adding a filter to remove AI tracks.

The major outlier is Spotify, which has made small steps to combat AI music, but some steps backwards too. Recently, it teamed up with Meta's AI agent Muse (no, not the Plug In Baby band, the chatbot that Meta kicked the band off its social handles for). This partnership lets you... queue up music, give voice commands to control your playlists, create playlists, and set up playing schedules. How did we cope before AI?

Time to decide whether you want Muse (band), or Muse (Meta)?

But perhaps the war against AI is all for naught? Because when unveiling its new AI tag system, Qobuz also shared some statistics on this kind of 'music' (word used lightly), which recontextualize the whole thing.

Case in point: apparently only 0.38% of streams on Qobuz are from AI-generated tracks. Yes, less than half a percent. For every 263 streams, only one comes from an AI track. If all the streams were represented by the population of the US, team AI would just about fill up Dallas.

There's more: over a third of all AI albums receive not a single listen. Not even from their creator. That's about four million songs, apparently, all of which are created just to take up space (and have been removed from Qobuz's library, so if you missed them, it's too late).

And if that wasn't enough, apparently 60% of all AI-music is demonetized by Qobuz's anti-fraud systems. This is based on the brand's AI Charter, unveiled in February, which detects AI music created solely for financial gain.

Qobuz is the original hi-res music service and as the connoisseurs' choice (devoid of many extra AI add-ons), one could argue that very few users are hitting up Qobuz for AI tracks, but still, the figures are telling. According to these Qobuz stats, you're largely all avoiding AI slop — well done you, take a pat on the back — and sticking to real music made by real people. Well, mostly. Looking at you, 0.38%...

Artificial intelligence has become a significant area of investment for UK businesses. More than £6 billion of new AI-related investment was announced during London Tech Week in June, while the UK remains home to the largest AI sector in Europe and the third largest globally.

From customer service and knowledge management to software development and internal operations, organizations are looking for places where AI tools can improve productivity, decision-making and business performance.

But as investment accelerates, another gap is becoming harder to ignore: organizations are often scaling AI faster than their ability to measure, govern and explain its value. That matters when CIOs and CFOs are increasingly being asked not simply whether AI is being adopted, but what the organization is getting in return.

As businesses move from individual copilots towards agents embedded across workflows, the economics become more complicated. A user making a single prompt is relatively easy to understand. An agent may make multiple model calls, retrieve information, invoke tools and take actions to complete one task.

Depending on the platform and pricing model, that can introduce additional consumption, infrastructure and oversight costs. CIOs therefore need to understand not only where AI has been deployed, but what it is doing, what it costs and whether the outcome justifies that cost.

The not-so-hidden cost of AI

AI investment is increasingly being scrutinized in the same way as any other major technology investment. The difficulty is that measuring its return can be unusually complex.

Usage may be distributed across departments, applications, models and workflows, while the benefits can range from time saved to improved quality, reduced risk or increased revenue. Without agreeing what success means first, organizations can end up measuring activity rather than value.

That becomes difficult when organizations expand AI without first defining where it sits in the workflow, who owns the outcome, what success looks like and how costs will be measured. Spending can become fragmented across licenses, models, infrastructure, platforms and consumption-based services, with no single view of whether those investments are delivering value.

The scale of the challenge is becoming visible. Research commissioned by Emergn estimates that large UK businesses lose £67 billion annually across transformation and AI initiatives that fail to deliver. Separately, a Censuswide survey of 500 senior UK decision-makers found that just 31% of businesses already using AI reported a positive return on their investment.

Governance is part of that measurement challenge. A 2026 ShareGate survey of 851 IT leaders across seven countries found that cost visibility was the most commonly cited barrier to measuring AI ROI, identified by 51% of respondents, followed closely by governance complexity at 47%. The challenge isn't simply knowing what AI costs. It's connecting that cost to the use case it supports, the information AI interacts with and the outcome it creates.

Much of the AI debate to date has focused on model selection, skills and productivity. But as adoption spreads, another gap is becoming visible: confidence in governance does not always match what happens in practice.

The same study found that 93% of IT leaders believed their Microsoft 365 governance was ready to support AI responsibly, yet 29% reported that AI tools had surfaced sensitive internal data that should not have been accessible. Another 8% weren't sure whether it had happened at all.

Those gaps carry costs as well as risk. Duplicated tools, additional validation, rework, security investigations and time spent establishing whether an output can be trusted all create a hidden tax on AI adoption. For CIOs trying to demonstrate value, reducing that friction starts with making AI usage more visible, accountable and measurable.

How organizations can regain control

Good governance doesn’t begin and end at procurement. Knowing how many licenses have been purchased and where they have been assigned is useful, but regaining control requires a broader view: visibility into how AI is being used and what it costs, clear ownership of the outcomes, and a well-governed information environment for AI to work from.

Clear ownership matters just as much. As AI becomes embedded in business processes, responsibility can easily become fragmented across IT, security, business teams and individual employees. That makes some basic questions surprisingly difficult to answer: Who owns the outcome? Who monitors the cost? Who decides whether a use case should scale, change or stop?

Cost governance is only part of the picture. Organizations also need to improve the information environment in which AI operates. That means reducing redundant and outdated content, managing access appropriately and helping employees and AI systems find authoritative sources.

Cleaner, better-governed information does not guarantee a correct AI response, but it can reduce ambiguity and make reliable grounding easier. That can mean less time spent searching, validating and reworking outputs.

Employees have a role here as well. Clearly distinguishing drafts from approved material, keeping trackers and priorities current, recording decisions and maintaining authoritative sources all make organizational context easier for people and AI to interpret. Where organizations use AI meeting assistants or similar tools to capture context, those tools should be subject to the same privacy, retention and access controls as the information they create.

The question for leaders, then, is no longer simply whether AI is worth the investment. It is whether they have enough visibility and control to understand where AI is creating value, where it is creating cost and what they should do differently as a result. AI investment is likely to continue, but under different expectations.

Deployment alone is not evidence of value, and governance is becoming more than a risk-management exercise; it is increasingly part of the business case. Leaders need to understand what AI costs, who is accountable for its outcomes, whether the information supporting it can be trusted and what measurable benefit it creates.

The organizations best positioned to scale will not necessarily be those deploying the most AI, but those that can explain what it is doing, understand what it costs and make informed decisions about where it belongs.

We've featured the best AI chatbot for business.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

Since 1998, we've been enjoying the feature films and TV shows of one Guy Ritchie. A man who arguably defined the British gangster sub-genre, cult hits like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels have stood the test of time.

Fast-forward to 2026, and streaming hits like Netflix's The Gentlemen and Paramount+'s MobLand are all anybody wants to talk about... and rightly so. And that's all without scratching the surface of the projects Ritchie has worked on in between.

But can you fill in the gaps? I've created the ultimate quiz for any and all Guy Ritchie fans, focusing on his feature-length movies and TV shows over the last three decades.

I didn't say it was going to be easy, though... so do your worst.

Of course, all of this is up to the time of writing — we already know that we've got plenty more Ritchie projects to look forward to.

Young Sherlock season 2, The Gentlemen season 3 and MobLand season 3 have all either been greenlit or are in development. There's a few more titles to add to this list... but that would be giving away the quiz questions.

Much like Ritchie-style gangster, I'm just not that nice.

• Disney has confirmed new price hikes for Disney+ and Hulu in the US
• However, the cost of three bundles has been frozen
• Fans in the UK, Europe, and Australia won't be affected for the time being

Disney has confirmed price hikes for all but three of its standalone Disney+ and Hulu plans, and bundles including both platforms, in the US — but there's no word on when other nations might be hit by similar rises.

Yesterday (September 23), Bloomberg reported that the entertainment giant was about to increase the cost of signing up for a subscription for the sixth time in as many years.

Per Bloomberg's sources, the biggest markup would see the Hulu-Disney+ Premium (ad-free) bundle go up by 13% to $21.49 per month. That means new and current users would have to pay an additional $2.50 every 30 days. Meanwhile, the cost of numerous other standalone tiers and bundles would go up by as little as $0.50 or as much as $3.00.

Approached by TechRadar for comment, Disney acknowledged that Bloomberg's report was factual.

However, a studio rep was keen to stress that three of its bundles, including its cheapest offering — the Hulu-Disney+ bundle (with ads) experience — would not be subject to price increases.

"While competitors have raised prices by an average of 13% this year, we are keeping the price of our most popular bundle unchanged and have increased our standalone ad-supported offerings by just 4%," a Disney spokesperson told me.

"We continue to significantly invest in enhancements to Disney+ — new technology, features, and personalization. These improvements continue to strengthen the value we deliver to subscribers and will culminate in the one app experience later this year."

For reference, here's a full breakdown of every price rise or freeze across Disney's myriad streaming service offerings in the US:

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle (with ads) — staying flat at $12.99
• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium (ad free) — increasing +$2 to $21.99
• Disney+ and Hulu standalone plans (with ads) — increasing +$0.50 to $12.49
• Disney+ and Hulu Premium standalone plans (ad free) — increasing +$2.50 to $21.49
• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle (with ads) — increasing +$2 to $21.99
• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium (ad free) — increasing +$3 to $32.99
• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle (with ads) — staying flat at $35.99
• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium (ad free) — staying flat at $44.99

Why the UK, Europe, and Australia is immune to the Disney+ price hike — for now

Crucially, UK and European subscribers appear to be temporarily immune to these price increases.

Responding to a separate request for comment from TechRadar, a Disney+ UK spokesperson told me: "We don't have anything to share on UK or European pricing at this time."

However, in previous years, UK and European fans have seen the cost of Disney+ climb just weeks after their US counterparts were slapped with the now-annual price hike. I wouldn't be stunned, then, if account holders in these regions are forced to pay more for two of the world's best streaming services in the weeks ahead.

Australian Disney+ users were hit by a price hike in April, so it's unlikely — but not completely out of the question — that they'll experience another one in due course.

Regardless of whether you've been hit by this latest price hike, it's been a rough few days for Disney+ users all around.

The week began with Disney having to placate furious fans over inaccurate reports that its ad-free Disney+ tiers would start showing ads. The dust hadn't settled on that story before fans learned that Marvel TV show Daredevil: Born Again would end after its forthcoming third season on Disney+, too.

I'm not superstitious but, as the saying goes, bad news comes in threes. Let's hope that this is the third and final piece of unwelcome news that Disney fans have to deal for a while, then.

• Revolut reveals new payment method which just needs a smile
• Facial recognition technology will help identify Revolut customers
• Technology could help protect SMBs from losses caused by tech outages

If you've ever been about to pay for something in a shop and suddenly realised you've misplaced your wallet, Revolut may have the answer to help avoid any more embarrassing situations.

The payments giant is launching Revolut Pay with Smile, the UK’s first in-store facial recognition checkout, meaning customers can pay with a glance or even a smile - no need for a wallet or even a phone.

The move looks to make sure that UK small businesses don't lose money from payment terminal issues, whether hardware or software-related, offering a new way to accept payments.

Pay with Smile

We were invited along to try out the new Revolut Pay with Smile at a Kiss the Hippo Coffee shop in central London, where customers could try out the new technology.

Guests who paid in-store with a smile were able to order from a special Revolut menu, with speciality coffees at £1 - a bargain in today's market.

We gave it a go, and found the process to be pretty painless - much like authenticating yourself on a phone app, or having your photo taken at passport control, it was fairly quick and smooth to get through - and the coffee wasn't bad either.

All it took was a quick facial scan, and the system verified the payment in a matter of seconds - quicker than many contactless payments, we'd say.

Users will have to be existing Revolut customers, as the system uses advanced facial technology to verify the user's identity against the selfie ID checks they added when first signing up to Revolut to authenticate and process a payment securely.

Powered by the new Revolut Register, a modular, two-screen register designed to bring together payments, banking, and floor operations, Pay with Smile offers 0% processing fees for merchants, a huge boost when overhead costs are higher than ever.

Transactions are authenticated with end-to-end encryption managed inside the Revolut app, with no personal data stored by merchants

Revolut Register is available now with a special 50% discount for £349.50 + VAT (RRP: £699 + VAT) on a merchant's first terminal until 31st December 2026 for both new and existing customers.

Adidas' has collaborated with Pokémon and the results are far wackier than I was expecting. The new lineup of themed sneakers ranges from subtle (pearlescent lilac Handball Spezial shoes) to downright inconvenient (orange Superstar Vintage sneakers with a giant orange wing protruding from one side). But can you tell which shoe goes with which Pokémon?

You might be looking below at that furry yellow sneaker with ears and thinking this will be a cake-walk, but they're not all the most obvious choices you might expect for a big Adidas collab. As you get further down, there's little more than a color scheme to go off. Okay, yes, the character outlines are visible if you look closely… but maybe that's cheating?

Scroll down to check out the full range, and let us know how you did in our poll at the bottom.

Adidas X Pokémon: US range

Hop down to the UK range

Adidas X Pokémon: UK range

I can't stress enough that Control Resonant is an absolute marvel in terms of visual enjoyment. Remedy Entertainment has crafted one of the most immersive visual experiences in gaming, doubling down on its predecessor's trippy, psychedelic, and mind-bending nature, and taking it to a new level using Nvidia's path tracing.

Putting my Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super to the test, I ran Control Resonant on LG's 39-inch 5K2K OLED monitor, and I was pleasantly surprised by the significant enhancement to every detail on screen (albeit it did leave my GPU rather toasty).

At a 5120 x 2160 display resolution which is a 21:9 aspect ratio, you're getting 33% more pixels than a regular 4K gaming monitor at a 16:9 ratio, so the demand on the GPU is harder than most can handle — and even though Control Resonant was cooking my GPU, the frame rate was quite surprising.

With DLSS 4.5 Quality and Frame Generation enabled, and the high graphics and high ray tracing presets, performance remained fairly consistent within the high 50fps to low 60fps range. At 5K2K resolution, that's very reasonable, even if Control Resonant relies on Frame Generation to keep the gameplay smooth.

Dropping DLSS down to Performance mode pushed the frame rate to the high 80fps mark, and it's worth noting that it remained consistent even in moments of intense combat with tons of foliage and objects involved.

It's worth noting that the graphics with standard ray tracing are still fantastic, and the high (or even the medium) preset is likely the best route for any PC gamer who is using a low- to mid-range GPU (with Frame Generation). Lighting in all areas, specifically those where the Hiss is present (the really bright red zones), is phenomenal, and frankly, that applies to the experience without any ray tracing at all.

Path to victory

However, the star of the show is path tracing, which can be enabled by switching to the ultra ray tracing preset. I instantly knew my GPU was in for a rough ride once its temperature shot up to nearly 80C — but that's to be expected when running path tracing on a 5K2K display.

With DLSS Performance and Frame Generation enabled, I was able to achieve a solid 60fps in most scenarios, with occasional dips into the high 50s during traversal and combat. This aligns well with Remedy's system requirements for Control Resonant, which require an RTX 5080 for 60fps at 2160p using DLSS Performance, as the RTX 4080 Super is relatively close to this current-gen GPU for performance.

Realistically, this setup is out of the question for most gamers, as it will cost around $3,000 / £3,000 (or potentially more). LG's display is very expensive, sitting at $1,799.99 / £1,499 (on sale I should note), but an Alienware AW3926QW 5K2K alternative might help lower the cost.

The RTX 4000 series is discontinued, but pricing for anything equivalent to the RTX 4080 Super in the current-gen line-up (an RTX 5070 Ti or RTX 5080) would cost at least $800 (much more for the latter GPU), and then you need to add the cost of the other PC parts.

Handheld gaming PCs are still expensive, but more reasonable than an entire new PC build — and I tested Control Resonant on my Lenovo Legion Go S Z1 Extreme. That portable managed a solid 40fps on its handheld preset, and 70fps when dropping the resolution to 900p and enabling FSR Balanced with frame gen.

Overall, running Control Resonant at 5K2K is very demanding for any gaming PC, as expected, but I walk away shocked that it's even remotely possible given how much it elevates the gaming experience.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is like a genius with no memory of you. It has plenty of brain power, but unless context is handed to it directly, it knows nothing about your business, your customers, or the decisions that shaped how you operate today.

And solving that memory problem is quickly becoming a major barrier to enterprise AI deployment today.

Much of the current conversation about AI's limitations centers on the models themselves and their evolution toward bigger context windows, better reasoning, or longer memory. But that framing misses something important.

Enterprises don't need to wait for the next model breakthrough to solve this problem. They already have what they need sitting inside their own organizations: decades of content, decisions, and institutional context that most AI systems never see.

Every enterprise has a vast, largely untapped record of how it actually operates in the contracts negotiated, claims resolved, cases handled, decisions made and revisited. This is the accumulated context that makes an organization's judgment distinct from a general-purpose LLM. Yet in most companies, this information sits fragmented across systems, buried in unstructured formats, or locked away with no clear path for AI to reach it.

That is the gap that needs closing before AI automation can scale responsibly. Not a smarter model, but a more complete memory built from an organization's own history rather than a general-purpose training set.

Think of this as "business memory": the nervous system connecting what a company already knows to what it wants AI to help it do next, carrying context to wherever a decision needs to be made.

Giving AI the full picture

Business memory is best described as the accumulated knowledge of how an organization operates. It turns years of enterprise content, workflows and industry knowledge into information that AI can act on for true agentic automation at scale. The thinking behind this is simple.

By creating a context layer that governs what data the AI has access to, and ensuring it operates on relevant, authorized and current information, organizations will get those governed, trusted outputs they need to act with confidence.

An organization's memory is more than the information it retains. It also includes which version is authoritative, who may access it, where it came from and how long it remains valid. Carrying those signals into the context layer helps AI operate within the same rules as the business itself.

Better context alone does not ensure trustworthy outputs; provenance, evaluation, monitoring and human oversight also matter.

And although it accounts for an estimated 80% of enterprise content, based on various analyst reports, businesses use only about 10% of this incredibly valuable resource.

If organizations want to maximize the effectiveness of their AI models, the first thing they need to do is to start leveraging that valuable business memory contained in their unstructured data. And that requires investing in your infrastructure to transform it into an AI-ready format.

In practice, start with a clearly defined use case and identify the authoritative content and data needed to support it. Preserve existing access controls, enrich the information with metadata and relationships, and test whether the AI's outputs are accurate, traceable, and useful before expanding automation. This creates a repeatable foundation that scales across the business without a wholesale replacement of existing systems.

Context is key

However, giving your AI access to the relevant data is not enough on its own. In fact, I’ve seen a lot of AI initiatives fail in the early stages because the business doesn’t appreciate just how complex a lot of this underlying data is.

As such, the content needs to be contextualized by an ‘ontology’, a formalized framework that defines all the different entities, terminology, relationships and rules that exist within your business. This enables your AI to understand not just what information exists across your systems, but how all of that information relates to your business or industry.

Put simply, ontologies are like maps: your AI may well get to your desired destination without one, but having it ensures you get there quicker and without potentially stumbling into any pitfalls along the way.

This is particularly important for regulated industries. In healthcare, for example, ontologies connect diagnoses to treatment plans, physician notes or lab results. Or in financial services, they link industry-specific regulations to the organization's compliance structures and policies.

In other words, unlocking unstructured data provides crucial business context that helps create better, more informed outputs from your AI. But that, in turn, needs to be contextualized by an ontology so that AI can understand data properly.

Taking control of AI memory

AI doesn’t need perfect memory to understand how your business operates and start creating trustworthy, valuable outputs. What it does need is relevant, governed context; most of which lives in unstructured content but only becomes useful once connected to structured enterprise data.

Infrastructure that can enable your systems to access the right information, understand how that data fits together and then apply it within the realities of the business is, therefore, essential. But crucially, that doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch.

In fact, reinventing your foundations would essentially defeat the point. Real business memory understands the systems, content, data, and processes that already exist within your organization, so throwing everything out in the pursuit of better context is unnecessary and, frankly, a huge waste of resources.

You don’t have to wait for the next model update to cure AI’s amnesia, and you don’t need to completely change your current stack to see real value from your automation projects.

By building in the foundations for business memory, organizations can take back control, make the most of their AI systems and make their infrastructure more resilient and adaptable for whatever models the future holds.

We've featured the best AI website builder.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

• South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI series: September 24-30
• Watch South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI series on Sky Sports (UK) / Willow TV via Sling (US) / Kayo Sports (FREE TRIAL) (AUS)
• Unlock your stream with NordVPN (save up to 75%)

The South Africa vs Australia ODI series 2026 is a chance for both side to step up their preparations for next year's 50-over World Cup. There's also the upcoming Test series, the Aussies' first since in South Africa since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, which will add an extra frisson to proceedings.

Australia arrive with plenty of momentum after sweeping Zimbabwe 3-0 in Harare, with young gun Cooper Connolly making a strong case for a permanent role at No.3. The 23-year-old scored 51, 78, and 21 across the three matches to be named Player of the Series. Now, the Aussies are further bolstered by the return of captain Pat Cummins and pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, with Josh Hazlewood also in the squad. That creates an interesting selection battle, particularly after seamer Nathan Ellis' nine wickets in Zimbabwe.

South Africa have plenty of firepower of their own. Temba Bavuma returns to lead a batting lineup featuring power hitters Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, David Miller and Quinton de Kock. And their bowling attack, despite missing Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger, still packs plenty of experience through Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj.

The Proteas have won their last five bilateral ODI series against Australia, dating back to 2014, including a 2-1 victory in Australia last August. Australia, meanwhile, had lost four of their previous five ODI series before their 3-0 sweep of Zimbabwe, so can they carry that momentum into this series?

The series begins in Durban on September 24, before moving to Johannesburg on September 27 and finishing at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, on September 30.

Read on as we explain how to watch the South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI series online, on TV and potentially for free wherever you are.

How to watch any South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI stream using a VPN

A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.

How to watch South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI live streams in the US

In the US, dedicated cricket streaming service Willow TV is the place to watch every game of the South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI series.

If you don't have it as part of your cable package, you can watch Willow coverage through your choice of Sling TV's Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans – starting from $10 per month.

Outside the US? Use NordVPN to watch Willow TV's South Africa vs Australia ODI coverage from anywhere.

How to watch South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI live streams in the UK

The South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI series is being shown on Sky Sports, with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.

Sky Sports plans start from £35/month, or £20 if you're an existing Sky subscriber. Alternatively, grab a Now Sports subscription from £14.99/day or £34.99/month.

Outside the UK right now? Use NordVPN to access your preferred coverage of the South Africa vs Australia ODI series.

How to watch South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI live streams in India

The South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI series is being shown on the FanCode app and website in India.

The monthly FanCode subscription costs just ₹199, but you can also get a standalone pass for Australia's tour of South Africa for even less.

If you're currently out of India but want to watch a South Africa vs Australia ODI live stream, you'll need to get yourself a VPN, as per the instructions above.

How to watch South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI live streams in Australia

The South Africa vs Australia ODI series is being shown on Fox Cricket via Foxtel in Australia, with live streaming available via Kayo Sports.

Kayo Sports subscriptions start at AU$30 per month after a 7-day free trial, as detailed above. Equally, you can get your first month for AU$1.

Remember if you're out of Australia at all during the series, get yourself a VPN to stream the South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI series from anywhere in the world.

How to watch South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI live streams in South Africa

The South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI series is being shown on Supersport in South Africa.

You'll need to get a DStv access package to watch every ball of the three-match series, with prices starting at Rs99/month for the streaming version.

Abroad right now? Just use a VPN and tell your device that you're back home and you'll be good to go.

How to watch South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI live streams in New Zealand

In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ is showing the South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI series.

You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream, with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.

Those outside of New Zealand for any part of the series can use NordVPN to gain access to their home streaming service.

South Africa vs Australia 2026 ODI Series FAQs

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

• Obscura VPN has released a native Linux app, with both GUI and CLI
• Official packages cover Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, and other derivatives
• The provider has also switched to an open-source GPLv3 license

Obscura VPN has finally arrived on Linux. The privacy-focused provider has launched a native desktop app for the platform, meaning Linux users no longer need to set up the service manually.

This rounds off a busy year for the newcomer, which only recently landed on Windows. With this release, Obscura now supports macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux.

For privacy-minded Linux fans hunting for the best VPN for their setup, Obscura's unusual two-party design makes it one of the more interesting options.

The company is also relicensing its code under GPLv3, which will appeal to open-source purists.

NEW: Leave No Trace — A weekly newsletter on digital privacy and online surveillance.

Leave No Trace investigates the companies and governments putting our digital freedom at risk — and the people fighting back.

📩 Subscribe now to get every edition delivered to your inbox every Friday, launching this September.

What's new in Obscura's Linux app

Obscura's Linux app ships with a full graphical interface, alongside an experimental command-line interface for users who prefer the terminal. Until now, Linux users had to rely on a manual WireGuard setup guide to connect. The native app means no more juggling configuration files, making the service far more accessible.

Obscura offers official packages for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora (including Atomic Desktops like Silverblue), and Arch, as well as derivatives like Linux Mint, RHEL, Silverblue, CachyOS, and Omarchy. Minimum requirements include Ubuntu 24.04, Debian 13, Fedora 44, and RHEL 10, and the app is installed through Obscura's own package repository.

The Linux client also supports Obscura's QUIC-based stealth protocol, which makes VPN traffic look like ordinary HTTP/3 web browsing. This can help you get past networks that block VPNs.

To mark the launch, Obscura is offering 25% off for a limited time with the promo code LINUX26. The service normally costs around $8 per month, with no free tier.

Obscura goes GPLv3

Alongside the launch, Obscura has moved from the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0 to the GNU General Public License v3.0, which it says furthers its commitment to open-source software.

Obscura's code has been public since day one, but GPLv3 is a true open-source license, giving the community more freedom to inspect, modify, and share it. It's the same license Mullvad uses for its own apps.

What is Obscura VPN?

Obscura was founded by Carl Dong, a former Bitcoin Core contributor, and first launched on macOS in February 2025. It promised to set the standard for next-gen VPNs, and has since expanded to iOS, then Android, Windows, and now Linux.

Its big selling point is a two-party relay. Obscura acts as the entry node and sees your real IP address, while Mullvad VPN handles the exit node and sees the websites you visit. This means no single provider knows both who you are and what you browse.

That design has already been tested. Security firm Cure53 audited Obscura and found no major security vulnerabilities, as we reported last December.

• Azerbaijan GP (September 24-26)
• Saturday's race: 12pm BST / 7am ET
• Free stream: RTBF Auvio (Belgium) / Servus (Austria) / Idman TV (Azerbaijan)
• Stream safely and securely with NordVPN (try 100% risk-free)

Watch the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix live streams in the first of three consecutive race weekends as Baku hosts practice on Thursday, with the main race on Saturday due to a national public holiday the traditional raceday. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli for a third consecutive victory.

With his eighth win of the season in Madrid, Antonelli now has more career race wins than teammate George Russell (seven), and he's already won more this season than Lando Norris did in 2025 (also seven). He's now 81 points ahead of Russell in the drivers' standings, with very little to suggest he's going to be caught.

Expect Baku to be more exciting than the thoroughly boring Madrid, though. Last time in Baku there were a record six red flags in qualifying, as the narrow street circuit has plenty of tight, 90-degree corners and very little margin for error. The track also features the longest straight on the F1 calendar, creating an interesting mix of high-speed running and slow corners.

Norris is arguably the other favorite outside of the Silver Arrows, claiming three pole positions across the past four rounds and only being denied a third win by the unfortunate timing of a virtual safety car last time out in Madrid. McLaren have confirmed they will bring more upgrades to this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where they expect a four-way battle for victory with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

The Scuderia have once again failed to turn their flashes of promise into consistent results. Lewis Hamilton challenged Antonelli for a while this season, but after a brake-failure DNF in Madrid, he is now 101 points back. Max Verstappen has been a consistent podium finisher in recent races but is yet to win this season. He won in Baku from pole last year. Isack Hadjar is also set to return to the Red Bull seat after missing the last three races with a wrist injury.

Here’s how to watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 online from anywhere and potentially for FREE.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Schedule

Practice 1: Thursday, September 24 | 9:30am BST / 4:30am ET
Practice 2: Thursday, September 24 | 1pm BST / 8am ET
Practice 3: Friday, September 25 | 9:30am BST / 4:30am ET
Qualifying: Friday, September 25 | 1pm BST / 8am ET
Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Saturday, September 26 | 12pm BST / 7am ET

How to watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 for FREE

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix isn't available for free in every country. However, in these select destinations lucky F1 fans can catch the practice sessions, qualifying, and the entire race/highlights for FREE.

• Austria – Servus (free live broadcast)
• Azerbaijan – Idman TV (free live broadcast)
• Belgium – RTBF Auvio (free live broadcast)
• Luxembourg – RTL Play (free live broadcast)
• Australia – 10Play (free highlights)
• Canada – CTV (free highlights)
• UK – Channel 4 (free highlights)
• US – Apple TV (free trial) (free live broadcast of every Practice session)

Traveling abroad during the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix? You can use a VPN to watch all the action free of charge as if you were right at home.

How to watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 from anywhere

🌎 ABROAD? The Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 is broadcast in many countries around the world but if you're traveling outside your country you should consider using one of the best VPNs to unlock your domestic streaming service provided it does not infringe any terms and conditions.

How to watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 in the US

How to watch the Azerbaijan GP 2026 in the UK

How to watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 in Australia

How to watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 in Canada

Drivers' Championship Standings (after Madrid)

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) — 292
2. George Russell (Mercedes) — 211
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) — 191
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) — 186
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) — 167
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) — 145
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — 120
8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) — 71
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) — 59
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) — 41

F1 fans may also enjoy...

• How to watch the 2026/27 Premier League
• How to watch Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness
• The best VPNs right now

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

• The Z5 II C is a lighter version of the full-frame Nikon Z5 II, without a viewfinder
• Prices start at £1,349 / AU$2,399 (US pricing TBC), on-sale date mid-October
• It's available in black or black/silver colorways, and numerous lens kit options

Nikon redefined entry-level full-frame cameras with the Z5 II, which scooped our Camera of the Year 2025 award. Now the company is upending the notion that full-frame is just for pros with its most affordable and compact model in this format yet, the Z5 II C.

As its name suggests, the Z5 II C is a ‘compact’ version of the Z5 II, and the key difference is that it doesn’t have a viewfinder (and it has a single card slot rather than dual slots). This means the ‘C’ model is smaller, lighter and cheaper.

It still has a tough magnesium-alloy body with a chunky grip, is sealed for dust and moisture resistance, and packs a healthy 3.2-inch, 2.1m-dot vari-angle LCD, all carried over from the Z5 II. The cameras share identical features too; the same 24.5MP full-frame sensor with image stabilization that’s rated up to 7.5EV.

Nikon UK's Training Specialist Ricci Chera briefed me on the camera ahead of its September 24 announcement and mid-October on-sale date, emphasizing that the Z5 II C is about choice, offering certain users the “benefits of full-frame, without paying for something they’re never going to use [a viewfinder]”.

Is Nikon onto something here? Is the £1,349 / AU$2,399 asking price (I'll update this article with US pricing when I have it) enough of a gap to tempt first-time buyers, or sway them from the Z5 II?

So, full-frame is for beginners now?

The low £1,349 / AU$2,399 asking price of the ‘C’ version seems pretty appealing, especially given the spec and features you're getting: the Z5 II C has the same sensor as the Z5 II and Nikon’s latest processor, while its subject-detection autofocus can recognize subjects even when they take up as little as 3% of the frame, and which is low-light sensitive to -10EV (with a new ‘fish’ detection mode added — that’s a first),

There's also 14fps with a mechanical shutter (30fps electronic) and 4K video with 12-bit N-RAW internal recording, and much more. Besides the Lumix S9, I can't think of a better-value full-frame camera, and not one that launched for such a low price.

The price and compact size are the major selling points of this full-frame model, which Nikon says is about offering users "choice" — the pricier and larger Z5 II with a viewfinder and dual card slots, or the cheaper and smaller viewfinder-less Z5 II C. I get the logic.

However, I’d still stump up the extra cash for the Z5 II — its viewfinder is bright, big and immersive, it has the extra card slot, and I personally don’t mind the extra size and 100g in weight (the Z5 II C is around 600g with card and battery inserted while the Z5 II is around 700g).

Video-first users and even smartphone upgraders who've never experienced a viewfinder might not feel the same way, and for them the Z5 II C could prove to be the wiser choice, and one of the hits of 2026. We'll bring you our review of Nikon's latest full-framer soon.

• $1.6 billion has been claimed by scammers impersonating police and government officials
• The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received almost 61,000 complaints concerning such scams between January 2025 and July 2026
• Some scams targeted foreign nationals and immigrants, threatening to cancel passports or impose extradition, unless payment is made

Between January 2025 and July 2026, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received almost 61,000 complaints concerning scams using police and government official impersonation tactics. As a result, around $1.6 billion is believed to have been scammed and extorted.

Tactics used by scammers included unsolicited phone calls and in some cases video calls, with victims losing an average of $26,000 per scam.

Particularly concerning is the targeting of foreign nationals, international students, and immigrant citizens, often with threats to cancel visas and home country passports. Incredibly, 10% of all losses were traced to a single scam, one that targeted fewer than 3% of the victims.

Foreign national victims

According to the FBI, the fake cop/fake government official scam has various angles, from alleging missed jury duty to threatening arrest due to circumstantial links to an alleged crime.

The demand from the scammers, inevitably, is payment.

Making a commitment to extreme lengths of scamming and extortion, the criminals took things to a new level when it came to targeting victims. International students, visiting foreign nationals, and other immigrant citizens were given special treatment. Not only were they threatened with extradition, there was also the implication of victims losing their home country passport.

To convince the target, scammers built actual studio sets, donned uniforms or suits, and appeared in video calls to the victims, who were convinced they were talking to foreign law enforcement agents or US-based diplomats. Creating the illusion of officialdom to sell the scam, victims paid whatever necessary to stay in their adopted country.

How to spot the scam

It is important to note that not all fraud of this type takes place in the US. These may be online or offline, but the so-called fake cop scam is an international criminal phenomenon. So, how do you avoid it?

We’ll assume you’ve answered a call inadvertently rather than having spam calls blocked (that should be set already).

First, remain calm. These situations are designed to impose stress and heightened anxiety. Scammers rely on these factors to cloud their victim’s judgement and force the narrative they are selling (“you missed jury duty”/“your presence in the country is illegal.”)

Second, it is vital to request credentials. Failure to provide these is the first red flag that the person communicating with you is not what they seem. That’s your cue to end the conversation.

Third, check the credentials. It doesn’t matter how long this takes – a legitimate caller will not mind waiting for you to do the necessary background check, even if it means them calling back.

Finally, and most importantly: neither law enforcement, security services, nor the FBI will demand money. If that is happening, it’s time to end the call.

It’s not a Tamagotchi, but Mark Zuckerberg’s one more thing is just as cute and hopefully much more functional. Announced at the very end of Meta Connect 26 keynote — after the Meta VR Glasses and Meta Ray-Ban Audio — was Muse Charm.

A tiny silver square with a screen on the front and thicker black bezels, central to the experience is the display that shows off your custom Muse. It’s probably more of a squircle and had what looks like a wrist strap dangling from the bottom, seemingly showing off easy portability. Distinctly, you don't wear it, and since we didn't see buttons, it's a touchscreen, maybe an OLED or AMOLED.

Judging from the on-screen renders, it had a microphone on top, so you could communicate with your Muse from anywhere, essentially putting the already very popular Muse assistant quite literally in the palm of your hand.

Mark Zuckerberg was quick to note that Muse Charm is not ready just yet, but the hope is it will ship by the holidays. It’s also a brand-new device category for Meta: a true AI wearable distinct from glasses, focused entirely on Muse's capabilities and future roadmap.

Will it follow the Rabbit R1 or the Humane AI Pin and fail? That remains to be seen, but Muse is already proving powerful as a software-only, ultra-customizable personal AI assistant. Packaging that into a wearable, hopefully an affordable one, maybe cheaper than glasses, could be a winning package.

It was announced shortly after the news that Muse would be arriving on Meta Glasses, affording it multi-modal capabilities of both voice and seeing the world around you. Additionally, the Muse App for macOS will be getting computer use and that will allow the AI that you can name whatever you like to complete tasks for you.

The Muse Charm doesn’t appear to be multimodal and, apparently, avoids the Looki route, as it lacks a camera.

Much more to come, but for now, stick with TechRadar for all the news from Meta Connect.

• Two artificial whiskers give this tiny drone a working sense of touch
• Pressure sensors at the whisker base detect surface contact instantly
• Onboard software processes tactile data using only 34 kilobytes of memory

A research team from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands has developed a tiny drone that uses artificial whiskers to navigate where conventional sensors struggle.

The system relies on physical contact rather than cameras or satellite positioning, allowing the aircraft to detect nearby surfaces through touch.

The researchers designed the technology for drones weighing below 100 grams, where adding substantial sensing equipment can quickly consume available capacity.

Tiny whiskers give the drone another way to sense surroundings

The device carries two slender filaments near its nose, angled upward and connected to miniature pressure sensors underneath.

When either filament touches an object, pressure changes provide information that helps the aircraft estimate its position relative to nearby surfaces.

That information allows the drone to move around obstacles, maintain contact with structures, and construct a basic representation of surrounding spaces.

The approach takes inspiration from rodents and other mammals, which use facial hairs to move through confined environments with limited visibility.

“Here, we aim to equip drones with rich tactile sensing — not for manipulation in the air, but for a novel concept of tactile navigation,” said Salua Hamaza, Associate Professor of Aerial Physical Interaction and Embodied Intelligence.

The system needed to be lightweight, process rapidly, and consume limited energy before tactile navigation could become practical aboard small aircraft.

The sensing system runs on only 34KB

A major hurdle was airflow, since passing wind can easily disturb whisker readings and confuse the pressure sensors beneath them.

To solve this, the researchers wrote a lightweight processing program that separates turbulence from genuine surface contact in real time with millimetric precision.

The complete onboard software occupies just 34 kilobytes of memory, keeping the computational requirements unusually low for an autonomous sensing system.

Traditional navigation software built for larger drones typically demands considerably more computing power than this compact whisker-processing system requires today

“We wanted to show that touch does not have to come at the cost of size or computational power,” said Chaoxiang Ye, a PhD candidate and researcher at Deft.

The small size allows the drone to interpret environmental information without depending on external processing.

The approach will not suit the fastest drones, but for small rescue units, sensing through touch may prove genuinely valuable.

This device is especially useful for environments where smoke, dust, darkness, or damaged infrastructure could interfere with cameras and other optical equipment.

One potential application of this drone is in collapsed buildings where rescue operations can prove to be difficult because of instability and tight spaces, and regular aerial sensing may be unreliable

Small drones could enter restricted spaces ahead of human responders, using physical contact to gather information about nearby structures and possible pathways.

The system could also provide another sensing method when GPS signals are unavailable or visual information becomes difficult to interpret.

Via TomsHardware

Update: This article previously stated the hearing enhancement feature was $149.99 a month, rather than $149.99 as a one-time payment. This has been ammended and the original story continues below.

All eyes were on Meta Connect 2026. The annual hardware showcase is where the company debuts its latest wearables, and this year’s event comes at a time when anti-smart glasses sentiment seems to be at an all-time high — though that didn’t stop Meta showcasing several brand new pairs of specs.

Smart glasses are getting banned from offices, event spaces, pubs, and courtrooms (among other venues), and folks are expressing their uneasiness at being under the gaze of camera-equipped specs — especially given the potential for wearers to film those around them covertly.

Perhaps that’s why Meta has debuted, for the first time, smart glasses that entirely lack cameras, in the shape of the Ray-Ban Meta Audio — though in the pre-Connect briefing I had for the glasses (I’m writing this ahead of the showcase, so can’t speak for what Mark Zuckerberg will say in his version of the keynote) Meta didn’t attempt to link its Audio glasses with the privacy backlash.

Instead, Meta focused on the advantages of these glasses — chiefly their longer 12-hour battery life. We’ll need to see how this figure holds up in our day-to-day testing, though it sounds like these glasses will be able to provide AI assistance and music playback for much longer stretches of your day than previous models.

You’ll be able to enjoy wearing them for longer too. The specs now weigh just 43g (down from 49g for the lightest Gen 2 design), and they also boast some of the Ray-Ban Meta Optics’ (Meta's prescription glasses line) fit adjustments, like ergonomic hinges and adjustable temple tips. Based on my time wearing the Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses, these features help to make them some of Meta’s comfiest yet — though my demo was only for about 20 minutes or so which isn’t the same as all-day wear.

Audio performance is also getting a boost thanks to Dolby Atmos support. The glasses' microphones are much better at picking up an immersive soundscape, and the speakers are better at playing it back to you.

I heard a few examples in my demo where the video swapped between Atmos and standard Stereo playback, and the difference was night and day. With Atmos I felt so much more immersed.

If you’ve wanted to pick up a pair of smart glasses, but don’t want ones with a camera, these could be the specs for you when they launch on October 13, priced at $349 / £319 / AU$529.

Problem solved?

Of course, Meta hasn’t abandoned its camera glasses — it just announced its Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 model — and in my briefing Meta pushed back on claims its specs can be used covertly.

It described the recording indicator as being “a light you can’t miss,” and noted how it has improved its glasses’ tamper-protection features in recent updates. It didn’t provide details on if or how it will make the indicator more obvious (many I’ve spoken to would disagree with Meta’s “can’t miss” claim), though given the existential threat to its business the ‘perv glasses’ moniker poses, I expect more protections and safeguards are on the horizon (assuming they aren’t announced at Connect).

Audio-only glasses present a partial solution to the issue. They can still capture audio of yourself and those around you, and aren’t as useful as camera-equipped glasses — you can’t provide visual context to the Muse AI, for example — but the lack of snappers also means they’re a lot less invasive.

And despite being more limited, the glasses can still offer some useful support. Meta has announced a new Hearing Enhancement feature for its specs. The feature is designed to help people with mild or moderate hearing loss enhance the audio of the world around them. It's not free, however, as it'll cost $149.99 as a one time purchase (pricing outside the US TBC), or it'll come as part of a Meta One subscription.

Possible added costs aside, this feature is an incredible tool — and a showcase for the good things new tech like smart glasses can provide — and some of the Meta employees at the event told me it's the best thing they've worked on while at the company.

Besides the new Meta VR Glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio are probably the glasses I’m most excited to experience, although camera-less specs aren’t my favorite, as they often lack audio capabilities and use a display — Meta’s specs are the opposite, with no display and Dolby Atmos audio, and that’s much more my style.

I want a casual audio experience with the occasional AI assistance, not a constant HUD that feels mildly useful at best, and annoyingly distracting at worst. I’ll be interested to see what others think, though.

Will this camera-less design face less backlash, will it be widely accepted? Or has the negativity around smart specs gone too far for brands to be able to win people back?

I think there’s still time for smart glasses to be saved, though ignoring the cameras problem is only a half step. Better privacy protections are still needed, but we’ll have to wait and see who acts next — will Meta and others properly regulate themselves, will the court of public opinion continue to rule against 'perv glasses', or will government regulators take the decision out of everyone else’s hands?

Meta Connect just ended, and the biggest announcement of the night for me was easily the debut of Meta’s VR Glasses — even if they were leaked ahead of schedule by Meta’s own prescription tutorial.

Ahead of their official reveal, I got to spend 30 minutes with the new tech, experiencing a wide range of demos that might have convinced me this isn’t merely Meta’s best VR headset yet — it could be the best VR headset I’ve used yet.

The only downside is we’ll be waiting a little longer to wear it. The headset isn’t due to launch until “Spring 2027” (March, April or May), but at least we know it’ll cost just $1,299 when it does land (price elsewhere TBC).

Slimmer than ever

Let’s start with the design.

Slimmer and lighter than anything that has come before (the actual headset part you wear is down to just around 100g); this headset looks like a pair of glasses. They even swap the headstrap for glasses stems to stay on your head.

The bulk of the weight is instead housed in a puck you carry in your pocket — a lot like the puck used by the Apple Vision Pro or Samsung Galaxy XR. The big difference here is Meta’s isn’t just a battery pack, it also houses all of the headset’s compute. It’s tethered to the headset via an optical cable, but this wire never got in the way while I used the headset — whether I was up and moving, playing a game like Beat Saber Flux, or sitting being productive with multitasking across multiple windows.

The headset can support controllers; however, it doesn’t come with any in the box. Instead, you’ll need to rely on hand controls: either reaching out and grabbing, or the look and pinch controls popularized by Apple’s Vision Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy XR.

Lastly, I should note that, despite being called glasses, this is a headset. They have an opaque front cover that only appears to be see-through to the wearer because of passthrough. This live video feed of the real world isn’t yet perfect (it’s still a little grainy and there’s a slight delay), though it seems at least as good as the competition based on my experience so far.

They do support pescription inserts too. They connect magnetically to the display lenses and don't disrupt the slimness of the headset at all based on my experience.

The device is just so supremely comfortable to wear. My demo was only around 30 minutes, but at one-fifth the weight of a Meta Quest 3 or Samsung Galaxy XR, the difference is immediately noticeable — this is a headset I don’t see myself needing to take off, even after multiple days of working with it on.

Plus, it’s so portable you can easily take this everywhere in whatever bag you have on hand. No dedicated carry case required. I can’t wait to travel with this thing.

An all-round powerhouse

While this can be used for all existing Meta Quest 3-compatible apps (though you will need controllers for those that don’t support hand tracking, either as a new paid add-on or by commandeering your Quest’s handsets), where this headset truly shines is static experiences: productivity and entertainment.

We know VR headsets are excellent for multitasking. You can arrange virtual project app windows around you, and even bring your PC screen into XR to create the perfect setup. Meta’s headset boasts two useful additional features.

First, you aren’t limited to the number of displays your physical setup has when you connect it to your headset. Each laptop or PC can be extended to up to three virtual monitors, a tool that some previous iterations of virtual desktop apps haven’t been able to offer (You could open multiple VR app windows, but only as many connected device windows as you had physical monitors).

Secondly, Meta’s headset can turn any surface into a keyboard. It just scans the surface in front of you — be it a cafe table, a seat tray on a plane, or a bench at the park — and then virtually projects a keyboard and trackpad you can type and swipe on. It works seamlessly. In my demo, I was able to type as swiftly and accurately as I could on a physical accessory, and in terms of portability, this is yet another win for Meta’s VR Glasses.

Moving on to entertainment, it seems Disney Plus’ Apple exclusivity has ended as the app and its library of 3D films are hitting Meta’s new headset. Because it’s an app, you can download content to watch on the go, which includes brand new immersive watching experiences.

While it was still just a demo, I got to experience watching a clip of Avengers: Endgame that extended beyond the screen in a souped-up version of Philips Ambilight.

It’s the scene where Thor is forging his new axe, I was sitting in that same forge. The room lit up and reacted as events unfolded in the film, ending with lightning flying out of the screen as Stormbreaker helped Thor return to full strength. It was a bit gimmicky, but also fun — not something I’d want for every movie, but an experience I’d want when returning to a big tentpole.

All of this content, be it immersive movies, a VR game, or a work document, looks beautiful on the 5K micro-OLED screen. It boasts a 37 pixel-per-degree resolution, which is around the PPD that its rivals, the Apple Vision Pro and Samsung Galaxy XR, boast (Samsung and Apple haven’t revealed these figures, but they have been estimated during product teardowns).

This is significantly better than the Quest 3’s mere 25PPD, and it meets the standard of being able to deliver the IMAX Enhanced Format — with superb audio and visuals. I got a taste of this in my demo, and I’m keen to experience more.

I need this yesterday

I’m about to jet set to LA for a press trip, and I so desperately wish I could be taking the Meta VR Glasses with me for the flight — both for getting work done and for immersing myself in a movie on a big screen rather than the back of the chair in front of me.

Alas, the VR specs aren’t due to land until 2027, though we know how much they’ll cost: $1,299. Much less than a Vision Pro, or a Galaxy XR, and cheaper than the highest price Xreal has said its Aura glasses — the closest thing I’ve tried to the Meta VR Glasses — could be.

At the time of writing, Meta hasn’t revealed too much in the way of specs (I’m writing this up based on a pre-Connect briefing). The Meta VR Glasses can run any Quest 3 app and can multitask across six windows at once, so it must be at least somewhat capable. I expect it boasts at least 12GB of RAM and the latest Snapdragon XR chipset.

I’m just impressed Meta can commit to such a relatively low price, especially months in advance. There are so many unknowns over trade and RAM demand that we’ve seen companies not reveal prices until as close to the last second as possible. Meta has bucked a trend here, but I expect it would only do so if 100% confident the cost won’t budge — if it doesn’t, I’ll be very, very happy.

At the time of writing Meta hasn’t revealed too much in the way of specs (I’m writing this up based on a pre-Connect briefing). The Meta VR Glasses can run any Quest 3 app, and can multitask across six windows at once so it must be at least somewhat capable — so I expect it boasts at least 12GB of RAM, and the latest Snapdragon XR chipset.

I’m just impressed Meta can commit to such a relatively low price, especially months in advance. There’s so many unknowns over trade and RAM demand that we’ve seen companies not reveal prices until as close to the last second as possible. Meta has bucked a trend here, but I expect it would only do so if 100% confident the cost won’t budge — if it doesn’t I’ll be very, very happy.

Even as public opinion turns against camera-equipped smart glasses, Meta is pushing forward with its generally well-received and quite popular Ray-Ban Meta line. Alongside the much-anticipated Meta Ray-Ban Audio glasses, which skip cameras entirely and come in two styles, Clubmaster and Burbank, there's also the next generation of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

Like the previous generation, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) still features onboard cameras with the all-important glowing LED ring that alerts you when a photo is being taken or a video is being recorded. It's an important safeguard, and Meta has added more protections against folks who try to disable or conceal it, but concerns remain.

Meta's pushing forward with the Gen 3, even if the audio-only models prove more popular. They're launching today in three styles: Ray-Ban Meta Aviator, Ray-Ban Meta Zena, and a new version of the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer. Pricing starts at $449 in the United States; we're working to confirm UK and Australia pricing.

The story across the board is better hardware, all tucked into smart glasses that more closely resemble real glasses, with lighter and thinner builds where possible. The Aviators are particularly exciting to see adopted for the AI and smart era. The frames are thicker than the classic wire ones, but they still frame the face well. Zena is decidedly modern and sleek as a cat's eye, while Wayfarer is still the iconic, cool frame that Ray-Ban introduced years ago.

I'm testing the Ray-Ban Meta Aviator in a brown shade, and you can see my unboxing video embedded below. I like this color, especially compared with my speckled brown Gen 1 Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers.

There are 27 total combinations when you account for colors and lens types, and if you're willing to pay for it, you can fit these with transition lenses and even prescription lenses.

Regardless of frame style or lens type, you benefit from improved tech onboard. For starters, the cameras — if you choose to use them, and as mentioned, the ring will glow when you do — can take 12-megapixel photos and record 3K Ultra HD video, with Dolby Atmos support for a more cinematic audio experience during playback. There's also a Dynamic Photo mode, similar to Live Photos on iOS, which snaps a few shots so you can pick the best one.

Battery life is also improved. It isn't quite at the 12 hours of the new Meta Ray-Ban Audio models, but the Gen 3s last up to nine hours on a full charge. That's an hour longer than the Gen 2s, and the included charging case lets you recharge on the go.

Finally, just like the Meta Glasses — including the Kylie edition — that launched earlier in 2026, the Gen 3s get more microphones. Six of them improve voice pickup, whether you're drafting a message, asking Meta AI a question, or on a call. Meta promises they cut over 90% of background noise, and we look forward to putting that to the test.

While it's not a night-and-day difference over the second generation, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) shows that Meta has settled on the core feature set it wants for its AI glasses. Now, in a move likely to broaden their appeal, it's focusing on offering more styles, and its partnership with Ray-Ban is clearly still evolving. The Gen 3s continue the quest for smart glasses that feel closer to the regular versions of these frames, while adding the latest tech for a compelling experience.

Just how compelling will be weighed against the added privacy concerns, but let's hope Meta keeps adding more privacy features and keeps cracking down on those who try to block out the LEDs.

We'll be back soon with our full thoughts — and if you ask us, the Aviators look pretty, pretty nice — but if you're already sold, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) are up for order right now, starting at $449 in the US, from Meta, Ray-Ban, and other authorized sellers.

• Russia is testing ammunition that splits apart to confront small drones
• Russian testing found separated elements reaching critical components inside drones
• The ammunition fits standard rifles instead of requiring specialized counter-drone weapons

The Russian military is developing a multi-bullet cartridge designed to give standard Kalashnikov rifles a new way to engage small drones during combat.

The ammunition separates into several elements during flight, creating multiple projectiles from a single round fired through a compatible rifle.

Military expert Yury Knutov said the design is intended for troops who may encounter drones without having access to specialized firearms.

A multi-part cartridge for standard rifles

The reported cartridge uses the 5.45mm format and can be loaded into a standard AK-12 magazine without requiring a different rifle platform.

Its unusual construction keeps several elements together before firing, after which they separate while travelling toward the aerial target.

The concept has drawn comparisons with a Matryoshka doll because multiple components are contained within one projectile before separating in flight.

Pervy Tekhnichesky reported in April that Kalashnikov Concern had developed and tested the ammunition as a potential option for engaging small drones.

The reported trials included individual shots and bursts, providing an initial assessment of how the multi-part projectile performed against unmanned aircraft.

Some of the separated elements reportedly reached batteries, electronic boards, and power-related components during those tests.

Those components are critical to drone operation, making their reported involvement in the testing relevant to the cartridge's intended aerial application.

The ammunition is therefore being developed specifically around small unmanned aircraft rather than as a general replacement for ordinary rifle rounds.

Different performance against personnel

The cartridge has different limitations when used against personnel, particularly when protective equipment is involved during an engagement.

Body armor can reduce its penetrating effect, while hitting an exposed area would still depend on accurate placement of the separated elements.

That distinction keeps the ammunition's reported purpose focused on small aerial targets rather than conventional engagements involving protected ground personnel

“Our specialists have made bullets that separate into several parts, which are used against drones,” said Yury Knutov, a military expert.

“You just need two magazines, one loaded with regular bullets, the other with these special multi-bullets.”

Internal testing reportedly showed that components reached internal drone parts, but that does not establish overall battlefield effectiveness.

As drone warfare continues expanding across the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, new countermeasures keep emerging from both sides of the front line.

Military analysts frequently propose innovative solutions on paper, yet battlefield conditions often reveal weaknesses that laboratory testing simply cannot anticipate.

The new multi-bullet promises theoretical advantages that still require genuine combat validation before earning credibility.

Until Russian forces deploy this ammunition extensively under real combat pressure, its actual reliability and effectiveness in battle cannot be ascertained.

Independent verification, therefore, remains essential before military observers can responsibly assess whether this technology delivers meaningful battlefield advantage.

Via 1.ru

Meta Connect 2026 is busy. Alongside the next-generation Meta Glasses, a camera-free version of the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, and a new collaboration with Korean pop star Lisa, Meta is adding a significant new capability to its glasses: hearing enhancement.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the feature, which turns a pair of Meta Glasses into a hearing aid for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. It amplifies sound based on your hearing profile and uses machine learning to boost voices and suppress background noise.

Meta isn't the first here, though. Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are already cleared as over-the-counter hearing aids and Nuance offers a pair of smart shades with a similar function. Meta, though, is betting on its form factor: glasses sit outside the ear, and many people already wear them all day.

It's not free, though. The feature launches with a free 30-day trial, after which it costs a one-time payment of $149.99, or comes as part of a Meta One subscription. In the US, it's also FSA/HSA eligible, with Meta saying it will share more details closer to the launch, which in the US is set for later in 2026. Even including the price of compatible glasses, Meta says it's significantly cheaper than traditional hearing aids.

The feature is launching in the US first, with Meta planning to expand to other countries as it works through each region's medical device regulations.

I spoke with Ravish Mehra, Director of Research Science at Meta, about why Meta thinks glasses are the right home for hearing enhancement. Mehra, who has spent nearly 12 years at the company, says the work started more than five years ago.

"We have a very unique audio platform that has microphone arrays, that has glasses, is socially acceptable in terms of people wearing glasses, and we have onboard compute," he says.

According to Mehra, one in six Americans have mild to moderate hearing loss, yet only around 15% of them do anything about it. He notes that hearing aids are expensive, uncomfortable to wear all day, and signal to others that you have a hearing impairment. So people "put the issue under the rug," Mehra says, telling themselves, "Okay, it's just people are mumbling, and that's why I'm not able to hear."

Glasses sidestep the stigma in his view: "Nobody else can tell just by looking at your glasses that you have hearing impairment.”

A hearing test at home

"Every person's hearing loss is slightly different," Mehra says. Instead of a clinic visit and multiple fittings, Meta's hearing test takes around one to two minutes with your phone, through the Meta AI app, and your glasses. You listen to sounds at different frequencies, indicate when you can barely hear them, and the system builds a hearing profile showing where you need amplification.

"You don't have to go anywhere to get these glasses fit for your hearing profile," Mehra says. "You just do a very simple test at home, and whenever your hearing needs change, you just redo the test."

That test was central to the FDA clearance. Meta tested the feature with a group of people with mild to moderate hearing loss, and its results showed the phone-based test was equivalent in performance to a professional fitting, within an acceptable margin.

"We are actually the first self-fitting hearing aid on glasses in the market," Mehra says.

How it works

The glasses' six microphones capture sound around you — currently being used on Meta Glasses — which is then amplified where your profile shows a deficit. That also amplifies noise, so a machine learning model trained to recognize voices brings the background down. It all runs on-device, and speed is critical. "All of this has to happen in a very short latency, because otherwise you start hearing echoes or start hearing distortions," Mehra says.

There are two modes: 360 mode amplifies sound all around you, while Focus mode suits environments like a restaurant, where you want to hear the person across the table.

"We actually use the microphones to first do beamforming, which is like focusing in the forward direction more," Mehra explains. "And then […] we train the system to enhance the voices while not enhancing or suppressing the noise."

The frame helps, too. "Because the glasses have a much wider baseline, you can put the microphones much farther away," says Mehra. This makes it easier to isolate speech from noise than with microphones placed millimeters apart in the ear.

I got a brief demo: Meta had us put in earplugs to simulate hearing loss, then wear the glasses. They did properly amplify the people directly around me, and even those a bit farther away. Focus mode noticeably singles out the person in front of you, but it wasn't perfect, and of course earplugs are no substitute for real hearing loss.

The feedback problem

Amplifying sound isn't the hardest part, though. "One of the issues that any kind of real-time amplification feature faces is called feedback," Mehra says. "When you amplify something through the speakers, they feed back into the microphones."

On glasses, with their open-ear design, nothing separates the speakers from the microphones. Meta's system has to detect feedback before it builds, suppress it, and still deliver enough amplification. "If you're not able to cancel that feedback, then you hear these very sharp noises," Mehra says.

Then there's processing, which is added on top of a broader feature set the glasses offer, so Meta had to squeeze the feature into what Mehra calls "a very small envelope" of onboard compute power.

Meta hasn't confirmed which glasses will support it, only that they must meet a minimum performance bar, or confirmed a rollout schedule other than late 2026. Given the processing involved, I'd be surprised to see it on older models like the first-gen Ray-Ban Meta glasses; all of the demos at Meta Connect have been on the more recently released Meta Glasses.

Meta isn't just trying to make its glasses hear for you; it's trying to help you hear, too. It's a new category for the company, but Mehra is in no doubt about the bet, telling me: "We strongly feel like glasses is the ideal form factor."

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,500 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 #1704) — hint #1 — Vowels

* 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 #1704) — hint #2 — repeated letters

Quordle today (game #1704) — hint #3 — uncommon letters

Quordle today (game #1704) — hint #4 — starting letters (1)

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 #1704) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)

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

Quordle today (game #1704) — the answers

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1704, are…

• TOPIC
• METRO
• SCALP
• FREED

I should have known better than to risk using a rare letter, but after the letter J appeared yesterday I followed a hunch and guessed “toxic”.

Fortunately, my hunches paid off after getting TOPIC, although I did come close to incorrectly submitting “retro” instead of METRO.

Daily Sequence today (game #1704) — the answers

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1704, are…

• BLURB
• KRILL
• ENEMY
• QUART

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1703, Wednesday, 23 September: SHEET, BLAND, JOIST, GUAVA
• Quordle #1702, Tuesday, 22 September: COMFY, LOBBY, DRESS, PANEL
• Quordle #1701, Monday, 21 September: WAXEN, HIPPO, PETAL, LEASH
• Quordle #1700, Sunday, 20 September: DERBY, LIMBO, GAWKY, REIGN
• Quordle #1699, Saturday, 19 September: SCOPE, HEIST, PULSE, CHAMP
• Quordle #1698, Friday, 18 September: MUCUS, MIRTH, APPLE, TILDE
• Quordle #1697, Thursday, 17 September: CRIER, CHIRP, NEIGH, FREER
• Quordle #1696, Wednesday, 16 September: SPEAR, PRICE, BLUNT, FISHY
• Quordle #1695, Tuesday, 15 September: SHUSH, LITHE, DELTA, BUGLE
• Quordle #1694, Monday, 14 September: ZEBRA, LEGAL, RATIO, TROLL
• Quordle #1693, Sunday, 13 September: LUCID, SPRAY, MANGE, EMAIL
• Quordle #1692, Saturday, 12 September: SUPER, BRUSH, RESET, SOWER
• Quordle #1691, Friday, 11 September: PLUSH, PAINT, RIVAL, AFOUL
• Quordle #1690, Thursday, 10 September: AGENT, EXILE, TITAN, PUREE
• Quordle #1689, Wednesday, 9 September: HAPPY, GONER, SMACK, MOTIF
• Quordle #1688, Tuesday, 8 September: FLUNG, DIARY, HALVE, BERTH
• Quordle #1687, Monday, 7 September: VISIT, CLANK, FEVER, OCEAN
• Quordle #1686, Sunday, 6 September: PILOT, HONOR, BOWEL, TAUNT
• Quordle #1685, Saturday, 5 September: GNASH, GEEKY, WHELP, PUTTY
• Quordle #1684, Friday, 4 September: QUICK, BEEFY, TRUCK, SNAIL

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 #1201) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• THE BEAR
• FOAM FINGER
• POGO STICK
• FACE PAINT
• BOBBLEHEAD
• BEER HAT
• UNCLE SAM
• CAPE
• CREATION OF
• ADAM
• TRAMPOLINE
• FANGS
• BREATHE
• FAKE BLOOD
• I'M WITH STUPID
• SHIRT
• SNAKES IN A CAN
• HERB TEA

NYT Connections today (game #1201) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Dracula disguise
• GREEN: Bouncy items
• BLUE: It could be you
• PURPLE: Letters in common

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 #1201) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A VAMPIRE COSTUME
• GREEN: THINGS WITH SPRING/S
• BLUE: FEATURING POINTING
• PURPLE: ANAGRAMS

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

NYT Connections today (game #1201) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1201, are…

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A VAMPIRE COSTUME: CAPE, FACE PAINT, FAKE BLOOD, FANGS
• GREEN: THINGS WITH SPRING/S: BOBBLEHEAD, POGO STICK, SNAKES IN A CAN, TRAMPOLINE
• BLUE: FEATURING POINTING: CREATION OF ADAM, FOAM FINGER, I'M WITH STUPID SHIRT, UNCLE SAM
• PURPLE: ANAGRAMS: BEER HAT, BREATHE, HERB TEA, THE BEAR

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

I got away with only making one mistake today, but it could have easily been more — as I yet again felt utterly baffled by the 16 tiles.

My mistake was linking FOAM FINGER, FACE PAINT, BEER HAT and BOBBLEHEAD, thinking they all had something to do with being a sports fan — not that I actually know what a BOBBLEHEAD is, except that it sounds like tat.

After this, PARTS OF A VAMPIRE COSTUME was the only group I felt confident in. For THINGS WITH SPRING/S I felt TRAMPOLINE and POGO STICK had bouncing in common and took a guess with the other two, while FEATURING POINTING I thought was all about comedy T-shirts.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, September 23, 2026, game #1200)

• YELLOW: THINGS YOU GRAB BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE: KEYS, PHONE, SUNGLASSES, WALLET
• GREEN: WEBSITE HURDLES: AGE VERIFICATION, CAPTCHA, COOKIE CONSENT, PAYWALL
• BLUE: THINGS THAT COME IN CANS: CONDENSED MILK, PAINT, SHAVING CREAM, SPAM
• PURPLE: ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR "TERM": BITCOIN, RECORD LABEL, RUB-A-DUB, SURINAME

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

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

NYT Strands today (game #935) - hint #1 - today's theme

NYT Strands today (game #935) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• HOBO
• WINK
• WINGS
• TRACK
• FAME
• TRAP

NYT Strands today (game #935) - hint #3 - spangram letters

NYT Strands today (game #935) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

NYT Strands today (game #935) - the answers

The answers to today's Strands, game #935, are…

• SANDBOX
• TREEHOUSE
• SWINGS
• POOL
• TRAMPOLINE
• FORT
• SPANGRAM: BACKYARD

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

The first word I saw on the board was “tree”, but fortunately I wasn’t switched on enough to see the adjoining word “house” and put them together.

I say 'fortunately', because in the absence of spotting a game word I did see the spangram and gave a little whoop of joy as the letters turned yellow.

This was also quite a melancholy game for me, as it reminded me of all the clutter that used to fill up my BACKYARD that is no longer there — a sign that my kids have grown up and no longer need a SANDBOX or SWINGS or the safety nightmare that is a TRAMPOLINE.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, September 23, game #934)

• BYGONE
• ARCHAIC
• ANCIENT
• PRIMEVAL
• TIMEWORN
• SPANGRAM: THATSOLDNEWS

Dual-screen phones are having a moment (hello, iPhone Duo), but if you’re not yet ready to go full foldable, Xiaomi will meet you halfway: the Xiaomi 18 Pro comes with one-and-a-bit screens, and it’s shipping “globally” next year.

The successors to last year’s China-only Xiaomi 17 Pro, the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max boast an extra display on their respective rear panels: a 2.66-inch OLED for the Pro and a 2.86-inch, 120Hz OLED for the Pro Max. These mini screens can display widgets, wallpapers, and media controls, and can be used to frame selfies taken with the phones’ rear cameras.

That’s similar to what was on offer with last year’s Xiaomi 17 Pro devices, though with this year’s phones, Xiaomi is introducing its own — and potentially even better — take on Samsung’s popular Privacy Display technology.

Like Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Xiaomi’s Smart Privacy Display can restrict side-on viewing to prevent people from snooping on you at angles beyond 60 degrees. It can also work its magic on notifications and widgets without affecting the rest of the display.

Notably, though, Xiaomi’s take on the technology can be applied to apps used in split-screen mode (maybe you only want to obscure one app, and not the other), as well as to specific locations and app notifications (because some pop-ups may be more risqué than others).

Smart Privacy Display is a feature of both the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, though the latter obviously has a larger screen: it’s 6.9 inches vs. 6.4 inches on the Pro.

I got the chance to get hands-on with the smaller Pro model at Snapdragon Summit 2026 (thanks, Qualcomm, for flying me out to Hawaii), and although I wasn’t able to unlock the display unit to test Smart Privacy Display, the rear OLED display was partially functional.

I used it to snap a few selfies using the Xiaomi 18 Pro’s 200MP main lens, which can be activated with a wave gesture or a press of the volume button.

As for the size and weight of the device, it’s (very) similar to the iPhone 18 Pro, which I suspect is a deliberate choice on Xiaomi’s part. Lest we forget that the iPhone Duo-like Xiaomi 18 Fold launched exactly one day before the iPhone Duo last month.

Other specs include the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipsets for the Pro and Pro Max, respectively, as well as a shared triple-lens camera array comprising a 200MP main lens, a 200MP telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens.

The Pro comes equipped with a 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, while the Pro Max gets a larger 8,500mAh cell. Those capacities may be smaller outside of China, though.

We also don’t have much clarity on what Xiaomi means by a “global” launch. As mentioned, neither the Xiaomi 17 Pro nor 17 Pro Max launched outside of China, but the Xiaomi 17 Ultra did arrive in the UK and Europe, so I'd wager that those regions will get at least one of the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max at some point. A US or Australia launch for either phone seems unlikely, though.

As for price, the 18 Pro will start at ¥5,999 CNY (around $900 / £675 / AU$1,300), and the 18 Pro Max at ¥6,999 (around $1,050 / £785 / AU$1,500). If and when these phones do arrive outside of China, though, their respective prices are likely to be much higher.

• Tether's African model supports 19 languages while running directly on local devices
• Tether removed 96% of low-quality training material before building AfriSLM
• EuroNano supports 90 translation directions while occupying only 36MB

Tether AI Research has unveiled a new set of translation systems that work entirely offline, requiring no connection to any network.

The release includes QVAC TranslatePsy-AfriSLM, built for 19 African languages, alongside QVAC TranslatePsy-EuroNano, built for nine European languages.

Each model processes translations directly on the device, keeping personal data local rather than sending it to remote cloud servers.

Translation designed for devices with limited resources

The African release includes Hausa, Amharic, Yoruba, Lingala, Swahili, Igbo, Zulu, Somali, Oromo, Malagasy, Kinyarwanda, Xhosa and Afrikaans.

It also handles Wolof, Luganda, Nyanja, Shona, Tswana and Southern Sotho, covering languages used across several regions of Africa.

Tether says those 19 languages collectively account for about 50% of the continent's population — the figure represents language reach rather than individual users.

AfriSLM contains 800 million parameters, yet Tether says the LLM surpassed Qwen3.5-122B-A10B, TranslateGemma-27B and NLLB-3.3B.

The comparisons were measured using FLORES-200, BOUQuET and SMOL, although benchmark performance does not establish identical results across every practical translation situation.

Tether attributes the results partly to a data-screening system that discarded as much as 96% of material judged unsuitable.

The company also released smaller and larger versions, including 0.8B, 2B and 4B parameter configurations for different hardware requirements.

EuroNano takes another approach, using English as an intermediary language while connecting European languages through 90 possible translation routes.

That package occupies only 36MB, which Tether says represents about 94% less storage than a comparable Firefox offline arrangement.

The compact footprint means translation can remain available after connectivity disappears, without requiring separate downloads for every language combination.

That distinction matters for field workers, travellers and local applications where storage capacity and network availability can both impose practical constraints.

Why Tether is starting with African languages

Tether's African focus also connects with the physical infrastructure it has developed across parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The company has installed solar-powered kiosks that provide phone charging, battery exchanges and access to digital financial services in communities.

Those locations could eventually provide another route for distributing educational material, agricultural information and other locally translated content without depending on continuous connectivity.

“Four billion people were left behind by the traditional financial system, and the most powerful technology of our age has repeated that failure,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether.

“Language should not determine who can benefit from artificial intelligence. Open translation models like these are a step toward a future where education and AI tools reach hundreds of millions of people who have neither reliable connectivity nor access to expensive systems.”

The same technology could also operate alongside QVAC MedPsy, Tether's smaller model intended for healthcare-related applications on local devices.

“A mother could get real medical information she understands, instead of guessing. A child could learn in their own language. That is the future we are building through QVAC,” Ardoino added.

AfriSLM is currently available through Hugging Face, and the associated research has also been accepted for presentation at EMNLP 2026.

• Meta's glasses can no longer record if the capture LED is covered at any time, says independent test
• But the light is too hard to see if you're not very close, says German data protection agency
• EU bodies recommend actively getting full consent from anyone recorded, not assuming it

Detailed testing confirms that the Meta Glasses firmware update, designed to stop a potential privacy problem with surreptitious recording, does what it's supposed to do — but Germany's privacy enforcement agent says it's not enough, because the light itself is insufficiently visible.

The update was designed to address a simple exploit that bypassed the "no recording when the recording light is covered" feature.

In theory, that feature meant that it was impossible to secretly record someone or something by hiding the camera capture LED. The glasses could detect if the light is covered, and wouldn't record if that was the case.

In reality, it was immediately defeated by the kind of people who've helped earn the 'pervert glasses' label for the smart glasses: they discovered that the glasses only checked the light at the very beginning of recording, so you could simply start capturing, cover up the light and keep recording with the light now hidden.

The new update prevents them from doing that by re-checking the light every few seconds — but privacy watchdogs say it doesn't make much difference: even uncovered, the capture light on current models isn't good enough when it comes to privacy, consent or potential illegality.

Why a little LED isn't enough to protect other people's privacy

In a detailed report by the Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, which involved a tear-down of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses and a detailed privacy analysis (via Notebookcheck.net), the Commissioner found that the LED light "is not easily visible in many environments, particularly outdoors and in direct sunlight". Meaning that even if you're using them as intended, that doesn't mean people can necessarily see (or recognize) the recording light

It's not just the lack of brightness. The beam angle is very narrow too, the report says, and that means you need to be pretty close and looking almost directly at the wearer to be able to see if the light is on.

The report also notes that the second-gen glasses behave differently to the first generation when the wearer asks about something or someone nearby. With the first generation, the LED "glows, very dimly". But in the second generation it doesn't glow at all.

The report argues that in most cases, if you're not recording friends or family only, then you can't assume informed consent. It recommends additional steps such as text notifications or signage, or actively speaking to the people you intend to film.

That ties in with a recent report by the French e-Enfance association, which reported this month that simply assuming someone saw the capture light does not necessarily mean they've consented to the storage, processing and distribution of their image.

A person needs to not only to have seen the light, but they must also understand what it indicates and be able to withhold their consent. And if minors are being filmed, e-Enfance says parents must provide permission.

It's wise to pay attention if you'll be filming in the country: French privacy laws are notably strict, with prison sentences and five-figure fines for deliberately invading someone's private life.

It's worth noting that these reports are based on European law, whereas US law is much more lenient: the US doesn't have the data protection and privacy protections members (and former members, such as the UK) of the European Union have, and its lawmakers are much more tech-friendly.

But no matter where you live, if you're a smart glasses wearer and could be recording others who aren't part of your close circle, it may be wise to ensure you can demonstrate that the people you're filming knew you were doing it, were able to opt out, and provided their consent.

There's a growing backlash against the use of smart glasses by various bad actors, and simply assuming consent, or even assuming that people are aware of what your glasses are doing just because they have a light, may not be enough to protect wearers from future legal consequences.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices.

Lightweight down jackets really start to come into their own in the fall. These jackets pack up small and light, and deliver a surprising amount of cosiness for their bulk and weight. They're also great for layering, if you need a little extra protection against the elements.

A number of big outdoor retailers are running deals events right now, with some particularly good discounts on down (and synthetic down) jackets. I've rounded up my top recommendations below — including a number of my favorite brands from my time spent reviewing outdoors kit.

Some of these are pretty major discounts, so it stands to reason they're selling quickly. I've tried to stick to options where there's still a good range of sizes left, but if you're in the mood for some digging around, there are more excellent down jacket deals (with limited stock and sizes) available on each retailer's site. Pick one up now and you'll thank me when the cold weather really sets in.

Men's down jacket deals

Hop to the women's down jacket deals section

Women's down jacket deals

• MORENA beat 26 tested models despite having only 1.5 billion parameters
• The model from Vambo AI was built specifically around African languages from scratch
• MORENA uses fewer tokens to represent African text than major rivals

Vambo AI has released MORENA, a 1.5B parameter language model covering 12 languages spoken across Africa, plus English, French and code.

The developers say it beats models from Google, Meta, Alibaba and HuggingFace on African language modelling and translation while being up to 8x smaller.

On a key benchmark, this LLM scored 1.408 bpb — the best of 26 models tested — beating its closest rival, which carried over five times as many parameters yet still scored only 1.423 bpb.

Training without a borrowed foundation

The model covers Nigerian Pidgin, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Kiswahili, ChiShona, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Kinyarwanda, Setswana, Afrikaans, and isiNdebele.

Most projects serving these languages continue training an existing Llama variant, which forces them to keep a vocabulary meant for English and programming text.

Vambo AI instead fixed the tokenizer, the data mixture, and the language list before training began, after comparing several vocabulary sizes for cost and efficiency.

MORENA's vocabulary encodes African text with 1.39 times fewer tokens than Gemma 3 and 1.53 times fewer than Llama 3.2 on identical passages.

African text still costs 0.249 tokens for each byte against 0.234 for English, roughly 6% more, and the team cannot fully explain the difference.

The nearest competitor, Lugha-Llama-8B, an Africa-adapted Llama 3.1 variant, scores 1.423 bpb and loses to MORENA in eight languages out of 12.

The 12B Gemma system, by comparison, consumes roughly 11 times the compute of MORENA while producing a weaker score on the same text.

The chat-tuned instruct version scores 1.441 bpb, trailing Lugha-Llama-8B overall but leading it in five shared languages while using about 20% of its parameters.

The instruct model, after seeing three sample translations, renders English into five languages from Africa at 45.8 chrF++, statistically level with one dedicated translation system.

It trails a larger translation model by about 1.4 points, while general models of similar size typically land in a range from 9 to 14.

A family built on 22,000 GPU hours

MORENA used 251.7B tokens during pretraining, followed by another 63B tokens during its mid-training stage.

Over 22,000 A100 GPU hours were reportedly required during development, with the associated computing resources valued at roughly $40,000.

According to the developers, this project was supported by UNDP, AIHub4SD, and CINECA, providing computing resources and other assistance during development.

This project also includes smaller releases, with versions containing 0.5B and 0.2B parameters available alongside the principal 1.5 billion model.

The 0.5B variants reportedly exceed every external system tested across 11 of the 12 languages covered by the project.

The 0.2B nano version is intended for speech-recognition rescoring, keyboard applications, and text normalisation tasks.

This nano version also costs 58 times less than Lugha-Llama-8B for each byte processed and generates 104 tokens each second on one A100 GPU.

A CPU-compatible build of the model also runs offline on a laptop, which suits settings where reliable GPU access is not guaranteed.

That gives the developers several model sizes for different computing requirements, rather than relying exclusively on the largest release.

MORENA also supports conversational applications, translation, and connections to other AI tools through its instruction-focused release.

Via Glitch Front

• Alien: Isolation 2 principal environment artist Archie Whitehead says the Xenomorph uses legacy animations that Creative Assembly designed for the first game
• He explains that the studio didn't have the technology to implement it at the time
• The sequel animations have been improved so the alien is "more responsive"

Alien: Isolation 2 principal environment artist Archie Whitehead has revealed that the game's Xenomorph uses improved legacy animations that Creative Assembly designed for the first game but didn't have the technology to implement 12 years ago.

In an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Gamescom, Whitehead confirmed that working around the alien's intelligence will be a core part of gameplay—even with the added exterior environment—and if players use a flamethrower or repeatedly hide in lockers, their actions will be less effective against the Xenomorph.

But the developer said the fear of hiding from the alien isn't just about its intelligence, but about how players perceive it visually; he explained that its animations and transitions have been improved from the first game, making it scarier.

"Intelligence is about perception," Whitehead said. "It's about what the player sees. If the alien was a cube sliding around, it might still kill you; it might still be scary, but you probably wouldn't perceive it as that intelligent if it was just a rotating cube, right?

"Obviously, the model, the character, the mesh for it; it's much more improved. There's a lot of layers there that I can't talk about the specifics, but it's more responsive, more reactive. It's really, really terrifying."

Whitehead went on to reveal that the Xenomorph uses animations and transitions that were initially designed for the first game, but Creative Assembly "didn't have the technology at the time" to use them. However, they've been polished for the upcoming sequel.

He explained that he chatted with animation director Simon Ridge, who worked on the first game, and saw some legacy animations that appeared to be unused, but were "really scary" and "amazing transitions" where the alien was looking at the player.

"I was studying when the original came out, so I wasn't on the first game," he said. "So, I was coming to this as a big fan, and I was chatting to him, and he was showing me these legacy animations he had, and I was like, 'I played the original a lot of times, I don't recognize these animations.'

"The vision was there, but they didn't have the technology at the time [or] whatever exactly they needed to implement it."

He added that this is a "benefit" for the sequel coming out 12 years later instead of immediately after the first game.

"We're able to use that kind of stuff, and obviously it's still going to be polished up, and it's a new setup and everything," he said, "but it's one of the things that makes it [the Xenomorph] feel smarter is its reactivity; making it feel like it's not just looking at the player, it's not just pointing its head in your direction. You feel like it's looking at you, and that's the kind of stuff that, again, when they show it off within the team, everyone's getting chills, and it's super exciting. We're super excited to show you."

Alien: Isolation 2 will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. A release date hasn't been announced.

• Microsoft has revealed a new Surface Pro 12-inch tablet and Surface Laptop 13-inch
• Both consumer devices are built around a 6-core Snapdragon X2 Plus processor
• They go on sale on October 13, 2026, starting at $1,149.99 / AU$1,999 for the Surface Pro and $1,199 / AU$2,099 for the Surface Laptop

It seems like Microsoft might be getting its mojo back for its Surface line-up of products, with Brett Ostrum, Corporate Vice President, Surface Devices, announcing at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit that the company will be releasing a new Surface Pro 12-inch tablet and Surface Laptop 13-inch. Both will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus chips, which explains the venue choice. (I’m sure it had nothing to do with the fact that the Snapdragon Summit is held in Hawaii).

According to Microsoft, the two new Surface devices with Snapdragon X2 Plus CPUs will be up to 17% faster for Office workloads, up to 18% more battery efficient, and offer over 60% faster graphics performance.

As these are Microsoft products, there is also the now-customary boasting about AI performance, with the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU offering 80 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) resulting in a claimed 95% faster local AI performance.

The Surface Pro 12-inch (2026) is a Windows 11 tablet built around the 6-core Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, partnered with either 16GB or 24GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and 256GB or 512GB storage. The 12-inch LCD display has a resolution of 2196 x 1464 and a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. The screen of this new model is, according to Microsoft, 25% brighter than the previous model, and there’s a new black color. Microsoft estimates around 15.5 hours of local video playback and 13 hours of web use on a single charge. It’ll start at $1,149.99 / AU$1,999 (around £900) and goes on sale on October 13, 2026.

The Surface Laptop 13-inch (2026) features the same 6-core Snapdragon X2 Plus chip and is available in the same memory and storage configurations as the Surface Pro. The 13-inch touchscreen has a resolution of 1920 x 1280 and a refresh rate of 60Hz, which I’m not going to lie, is a bit disappointing in a laptop these days, although Microsoft claims the 500-nit display is 25% brighter than the last model.

It also has two USB-C (USB 3.2) ports and a USB-A port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Microsoft claims up to 22.5 hours of battery life, which if accurate is very impressive.

The Surface Laptop will start at $1,199 / AU$2,099 (around £920) and will also go on sale on October 13, 2026.

Ready to take on the MacBook Air?

Microsoft’s announcement of two new consumer Surface devices is definitely welcome. Surface Pro tablets and Surface Laptops used to be Microsoft’s flagship products and showcases for cutting-edge Windows features. They certainly felt like Microsoft’s attempts to create a MacBook Air. The problem is, they never reached that potential, and when Apple switched to using its own Arm-based M series chips in 2020, the gap widened even further.

Surface devices also had a larger than life cheerleader in the form of Panos Panay, who had a major role at Microsoft and whose passion for the Surface line-up, that he helped create, was infectious (even if that infection didn’t translate into sales). After Panay left Microsoft for Amazon, it felt like the wind had been taken out of Surface’s sails, which wasn’t helped when Microsoft aimed recent Surface devices at commercial and business users, rather than mainstream consumers.

So, it’s good to see that these new Surface devices are firmly pitched at consumers, and the price points are around the same as the MacBook Air since Apple increased prices earlier this year. It also pits them against new Googlebooks, which are going on sale soon as well, and are priced similarly.

Will this mean Microsoft finally has a MacBook Air rival? While I’m glad it’s trying again, I’m not too sure. The Snapdragon X2 Plus is a decent mid-range chip, but the 6-core variant in the new Surface devices falls short of the 10-core CPU in the M5, especially as the M5 offers better single-core performance.

My main concern with the Surface Laptop is that the 1920 x 1280 screen just won’t compare to the display of the MacBook Air, which offers a 2560 x 1664 resolution for a much sharper image.

I’ve also seen the first five new Googlebook laptops, and they all come with higher resolution screens, and some also feature OLED.

The screen of the Surface Pro 12-inch (2026) is more promising, though if you want to use it as a laptop, you’ll need to buy a keyboard accessory, which adds to the price. However, it should still come in at under the price of Apple’s 13-inch iPad Pro.

So, I’m not entirely sure that these will be the MacBook Air/iPad Pro killers Microsoft needs them to be, but I’m glad Microsoft is at least trying again, and I could be proved wrong when we get the new Surface devices in for review soon.

• TENKU Note Pro AI uses a full Windows 11 Pro setup inside its tiny convertible chassis
• The 960g notebook folds completely around its touchscreen for tablet use
• Intel's Core Ultra 5 125U brings dedicated AI hardware to TENKU's compact computer

TENKU has launched a compact Windows 11 Pro computer in Japan, combining Intel processing hardware with a touchscreen and convertible design.

The Note Pro AI uses a Core Ultra 5 125U processor with 12 cores and 14 threads, alongside hardware dedicated to selected AI workloads.

At 960g, the laptop combines a 10.51-inch screen with a physical keyboard while remaining considerably smaller than conventional full-size notebooks.

A convertible design built around Intel's mobile processor

The device uses a 360-degree hinge, allowing its keyboard section to fold behind the screen when tablet operation becomes more suitable.

Its touch panel recognizes ten simultaneous inputs, while an optional digital pen supports 4,096 pressure levels for writing and drawing applications.

The IPS panel produces 1,920 x 1,280 pixels, providing a 3:2 display area for Windows applications and productivity software.

Intel's Core Ultra 5 125U also includes an integrated NPU, which supports functions such as background processing and noise reduction during video calls.

The system includes 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 512GB M.2 SSD for applications, documents, and other locally stored data.

Wireless connectivity covers 802.11a, b, g, n, ac, and ax standards, with Bluetooth 5.2 available for compatible accessories and peripherals.

Battery capacity, dimensions and pricing

Under the hood, the device packs a 3,800mAh battery that is smaller than many smartphone batteries today, yet TENKU rates it for 17 hours.

According to the company, the chassis of this notebook measures 243mm across, 177.6mm from front to back, and 17.5mm thick.

Its compact chassis leaves less internal space than larger notebooks, while retaining the hardware required for its convertible configuration and cooling system.

On the software end, this device comes installed with Windows 11 Pro, giving the computer access to desktop applications rather than restricting its use to tablet-oriented software.

The available AI functions depend on software support, meaning the processor's dedicated hardware does not automatically provide every possible feature across Windows.

TENKU has listed the Note Pro AI in Japan, and it is currently retailing for about 176,800 yen (about $1,127) including tax.

There is also a launch promotion that cuts the price by 25% through Highbeam's official online store and physical outlets.

The 25% discount takes the promo retail price to 132,600 yen (about $845), and the offer ends on September 24 2026.

Amazon Japan is also offering a separate 15% reduction during the same promotional period, giving buyers another discounted purchasing channel until September 24.

Via Hermitage Akihabara (originally in Japanese)

In a Pier 57 auditorium filled with YouTubers of all ages and stripes, I felt a bit out of place. I haven't posted a full-length YouTube video to my channel in years, but listening to YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, other execs, and especially YouTube creators enthuse about new AI-boosted viewer and creator tools, I felt inspired again to, if not create, get back to my regular YouTube viewing habit.

The yearly Made on YouTube event, a confab on all the latest notable YouTube platform updates from creators and video consumers, featured a cavalcade of young, energetic YouTubers like Happy Kelli (Kelli Erdmann), Gremlita (Mina Le), and Derrick Gee, each of them introducing some fairly significant updates to the video platform, which Mohan claims has supported over half a million full-time jobs and contributed $60B to the US GDP in 2025.

Most notable for those who can't get enough of the creator videos and shorts are the new AI-powered Custom Feeds. While your current YouTube homepage is probably filled with subscriptions and algorithmic recommendations for your next watch, custom feeds are built via a prompt ("I want to see videos of tuxedoed cats playing jazz on pianos") and then live in a tab at the top of your feed. According to YouTuber Mina Lee, who gave the demo, the feeds constantly update with the latest videos that fit your request. Custom Feeds is expected on desktop and mobile this Fall (before the end of this year).

Just months after Google CEO Sundar Pichai unveiled "Ask YouTube" at Google I/O, YouTube is enhancing the AI-powered chatbot with stronger conversational skills and the ability to see inside videos. As we saw in the demo, you can go on quite a conversational journey with Ask YouTube, which can dig into the video's content and return time-stamped, contextual results, even pulling information from the comments.

Naturally, this journey could continue all the way to results with product specs and even the ability to buy a product directly. For now, the video creator who first talked about the product might miss out on affiliate revenue unless someone clicks from the Ask YouTube result to the original video. YouTube execs later told us they want to ensure that the affiliate connection still works.

Putting the agentic in video editing

Even if some of the AI tools YouTube is unveiling might appear to temporarily undermine creators, the new agentic editing tools look like a game changer.

Mobile App users will soon find "Ask Studio", a conversational editing assistant that lets you use natural language for edits. In the demo Happy Kelli ran, we saw how a series of prompts, each one building on the next without restating the initial task, turned a collection of clips into a complete video. She called it an "infinitely patient helper." YouTube says the tool will help creators edit a first draft, add typography, find the right music, and even sync it to the video action. And yes, it'll help you decide on the perfect hook: the thing people first see after the Thumbnail that might drag them into your video.

AI will also help build audio consumers a new "Your Podcast" lineup, which will basically be a short audio overview of podcasts you might like. YouTube creator Derrick Gee described it as "a personalized podcast about other podcasts, chosen for you — very meta."

YouTube Music is also getting its own chatbot, naturally called "Ask Music. Gee showed us how it can dig deep into the minutiae of an artist or song. In his example, he asked about the musical influences on Troye Sivan's new single She's the Best. One of the songs turned out to be Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side. As with other demos, the contextual journey can continue. In this case, Gee quizzed Ask Music about the bassist on Reed's song I(Herbie Flowers). Later, Sivan, who got his start on YouTube in 2007, joined Gee on stage (he did not sing).

Other updates include:

• YouTube Shorts being turned into Shorts Series with dedicated seasons, episodes, and automatic sequential playback
• GIFs in comments
• Custom thumbnails for different audiences
• Analytics adding rich insights and the ability to A/B test entire videos with live YouTube viewers
• Auto-dubbing for Live video, which is essentially realtime translation

Google Gemini's fingerprints are all over many of these updates, and I wondered how YouTube is navigating the choppy waters of AI sentiment.

Aparna Pappu, who leads YouTube Shorts, told me they're building these new tools and capabilities based on what creators need. Video creation remains, she said, a co-creative and collaborative process where the creator is always in charge. As for AI, "One of the ways [AI] serves us well: we only succeed when creators succeed.”

Amjad Hanif, VP of Creator Products, said that there was a time when creators were apprehensive about how AI might help them. "Now," he said, "it's hard to meet anyone who isn’t using it in their workflow."

You may have heard the rumors: camera-equipped earbuds are the next frontier for audio technology brands (including, we think, Apple), and Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform could be the catalyst that brings them to fruition.

As Qualcomm’s “first premium audio platform purpose-built for personal AI,” the Sound Elite Gen 2 aims to transform headphones and earbuds into “intelligent companions that can understand, assist, and adapt throughout the day” — and the American silicon giant considers camera-equipped earbuds to be among those “companions.”

Qualcomm flew TechRadar out to Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii to hear more (no pun intended) about its vision for the AI-assisted future of audio, and the company was bullish about the positive effect AI will have on both sound quality and virtual assistance.

“This isn’t about putting a chatbot in your ear; it’s about creating devices that understand what’s happening around you,” Sarah McMurray, Staff Manager for Product Marketing at Qualcomm, explained in a briefing attended by TechRadar, noting that the Sound Elite Gen 2 will use AI to make earbuds more responsive to environmental changes.

“At the core of the platform is an advanced AI-adaptive ANC system designed for consistent, real-world performance, not just ideal conditions,” added Grace Bramwell, Qualcomm PR. “The system continuously responds to changes in fit, movement, and environmental noise, maintaining reliable noise cancellation without the need for manual adjustment.

“Powered by flexible, programmable processing and up to 2x greater AI capability than the previous generation, Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 can intelligently steer ANC filters in real time, optimizing noise reduction across different acoustic conditions and device types. This enables stronger performance in challenging scenarios, including low-frequency noise, dynamic environments, and open-ear designs, while giving OEMs greater flexibility across a wide range of form factors.”

In other words, the Sound Elite Gen 2 could make your next earbuds or headphones better at automatically switching between ANC and transparency modes, and deliver improved audio quality in both states (“stronger performance with low-frequency noise,” for instance, might mean upcoming earbuds can more effectively drown out the mechanical hum of your fridge or the drone of a passing truck).

It’s worth noting that Qualcomm itself is not a consumer product manufacturer. It licenses its audio technologies to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) such as Bose and Bowers & Wilkins, so it will be up to those brands to take up and implement the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform in a way that fulfills the potential Qualcomm is describing here.

Welcome to the age of in-ear assistance

Of course, Qualcomm’s plans for the future of audio are bigger than improved ANC. AI-powered audible assistance is the hottest topic in town right now, and apparently, consumers are as keen on the thought of AI-powered assistance as Silicon Valley investors:

“Our research tells us that up to 70% of users want advanced AI capabilities in their wearable devices,” says Ziad Asghar, Qualcomm’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of XR, Wearables, and Personal AI. “As AI becomes a core capability, users will increasingly expect more natural ways to interact with it.

“Those interactions won't always happen through a screen. They will happen through natural conversations, where users can simply speak to an AI assistant and receive help in real time. With Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, we're heralding intelligent audio wearables that enable experiences such as real-time translation, contextual assistance, personalized hearing, and multimodal interactions that combine audio, vision, and AI."

No current wearables effectively combine those three elements (except perhaps smart glasses, but have you ever tried listening to your favorite album on a pair of Meta Ray-Bans? Don’t. Ever). That’s why OEMs are developing camera-equipped earbuds — they’re truly hands-free and, crucially, more socially acceptable (visually speaking) than Austin Powers-style specs.

But if, as a society, we haven’t yet cracked the social code on smart glasses (and as our deep-dive on the so-called great privacy revolt reveals, we most definitely haven’t), are camera-equipped earbuds something we’re ready for? Qualcomm is cautiously optimistic.

“The privacy concern is not new,” Asghar explained to TechRadar in a roundtable at Snapdragon Summit. “We at Qualcomm and Snapdragon have been managing it for a long time in multiple different areas. And our concept is very clear: we want to be able to give the consumer the ability to choose how much information they want to share.

“For instance, we can obfuscate faces. We have the capability on our chipsets to detect a face very easily — not recognize a face, but detect a face. To do multi-modality, I don’t need to send a face for AI processing; I need to be able to send the context [of my environment]. For that, I can detect the face and cover it up. That technology is something we have integrated into our products and that we’re sharing with our partners.

“Another thing we’ve been driving is on-device AI. As you do more processing on the device, you basically take away the concern of that image leaving the device [...] We are targeting this problem at every different level. Of course, we enable our customers and partners [to use these tools], and with the pressure and concern that’s coming through, we will of course work with them.

“I also want to say something,” Asghar added. “Today, you carry a device with multiple cameras on it: it’s called a phone. I was talking to a group of students in San Diego, and this [privacy] issue is not top of their mind. Different age groups are thinking about it in different ways. Younger people are so used to blogging and vlogging. I think some of the concern, in my opinion, is just because this is a new form factor. But we want to provide all the tools [to manufacturers] such that consumers feel comfortable.”

Again, it will be up to brands such as Bose and Bowers & Wilkins to implement the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform in an effective and ethical way, but it's clear that Qualcomm is aware of the increasingly negative public sentiment around camera-equipped wearables.

If, however, these OEMs can convince consumers that on-device processing really is as private as Qualcomm claims, perhaps the age of Minority Report-style glasses and earbuds will arrive sooner than we thought.

The Beats 360 headphones were just announced yesterday, and Amazon already has a whopping 80% (yes, 80%) discount on the official Beats 360 Cushion Kit.

• Preorder the Beats 360 headphones for $349

The Beats 360 are the first-ever customizable over-ear headphones, so the Cushion Kit lets you swap your earcups for a fresh set. Originally priced at $49.99, you can get the Beats 360 Cushion Kit for just $9.99 for a limited time. The Beats 360 and Cushion Kit are only available for pre-order, with a September 24 release date.

Save 80% on the Beats 360 Cushion Kit

Our editor at large, Lance Ulanoff, got his hands on the Beats 360 and called them 'one of the most comfortable, best-sounding headphones I've ever worn'. The Beats 360 are the first-ever customizable over-ear headphones, letting you swap your ear cushions and headband cushion for fun colorways, including pastel pinks and blues, black, ivory, and vibrant yellow-green.

Designed for active lifestyles and everyday wear, the Beats 360 are the company's first-ever sweat- and water-resistant over-ear headphones. The cans deliver powerful, balanced sound with superb Active Noise Cancellation, a 1.75x improvement over the Beats Studio Pro.

• Interpol's Operation Shams II pulled 108,076 faces from jihadist propaganda with help from 11 countries
• AI agents and scripts then deduplicated and quality-checked the set, leaving 6,362 images (~5.9%) for facial recognition
• Interpol's facial recognition system, launched in 2016, then matched pictures to actual persons, with human verification in tow, and 126 suspected fighters have been identified so far

Interpol says an operation it coordinated in Tunisia in June 2026 used artificial intelligence to work through more than 100,000 faces taken from jihadist propaganda, producing matches against 126 suspected foreign terrorist fighters.

AI did most of the heavy lifting, condensing a mammoth 108,076 images into 6,362 unique, identifiable images that could be run through its decade-old facial recognition system.

This allowed 126 people to be identified on paper as potential terrorists who would still need to be tracked down by the international police organization.

A numbers game, cut down to size

Interpol says programmed AI agents and AI-generated scripts automated parts of the collection and investigative work, removing duplicates and screening out poor-quality faces.

This approach left 6,362 unique, high-quality images, which were then run through the Interpol Facial Recognition System (IFRS). This effectively cut a trove of images into a non-duplicated, actionable list of only ~5.9% of the original set, which could then be used to identify potential terrorists.

By eliminating 94% of the images that would otherwise have to be processed manually, AI reduced the resources that would otherwise have to be deployed to reach a similar conclusion.

This is particularly handy, given that propaganda images often number in the thousands and investigators needed to sift through them manually to identify potential targets, many of which were duplicated by others involved in the same study.

“The success of Operation Shams II demonstrates the value of combining international law enforcement cooperation with responsible AI-assisted analytical capabilities," noted Interpol's Director of Counter-Terrorism, María Carmen Muñoz González.

"The operational model provides a strong foundation for supporting future international law enforcement cooperation targeting criminal actors around the world.”

Its automation attempts are not new; In 2019, Digit reported, citing Germany's Interior Ministry, that Interpol had presented a project called DTECH-Light intended to "detect, extract and analyze digital terrorist content, identify and locate suspects," with national bureaus asked to upload images of unnamed foreign fighters for comparison.

Interpol does not say what agents it used, which models or vendors sit behind them, or where they ran. "AI-generated scripts," it says it used, could simply mean automation code written with the help of a large language model rather than any purpose-built system.

For now, an AI is doing the grunt work so that a system launched in 2016, and the officers who check its output, can do theirs considerably faster, which is a significant win in efficiency for an agency that often has to deal with multiple sources of information, even as fears about the tech have been rekindled globally on multiple fronts.

GMKtec's M8 packs a genuinely capable office machine for the daily grind at your desk - we scored it 4.5 stars with a Highly Recommended award in our review. And for a limited time, it's discounted at Amazon.

• Best for: Remote workers and office professionals who want a reliable and powerful machine for work.

• The deal: The GMKtec M8 mini PC is now $390 (was $480) at Amazon and in the UK, the M8 is now £370 (was £439).

• Why it matters: The M8 is an exceptionally good mini PC for work - it cut through everyday office tasks like nobody's business, feeling smooth and responsive thanks to the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H and 16GB LPDDR5 RAM. Bonus points, too, for the port selection here, which includes dual 2.5G LAN, USB4 and OCuLink for an external GPU if you need more graphics power later, all in an ultra-compact case.

Why we recommend it

We tested this exact configuration in our 4.5-star review, and found it "handles productivity with ease." It sailed through all the office tasks we threw at it, smoothly tackling the Microsoft Office suite, video calls, browsing, and streaming without any issue thanks to the powerful Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H chip.

During our testing, it handled reasonably complex edits and batch processes in Photoshop and Lightroom well - the 16GB LPDDR5 felt closer to 32GB, which surprised us. However, it struggled with 4K video editing in Premiere Pro, although HD footage felt fine. If you're performing creative workloads, there is an OCuLink port for attaching an external GPU.

For more top-performing machines, see our guide to the best mini PCs we've tested.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $389.59, this is a meaningful price cut on a machine we've personally tested and enjoyed using. It's not the lowest ever price we've seen this configuration - it dipped to $360 recently - but it's the cheapest current price. For comparison, GMKtec lists it at a discount $389.99 on the official site.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the GMKtec M8 mini PC if...

You want real office performance in an ultra-compact case, or you want to hook up an eGPU for more creative workloads.

❌ Skip the GMKtec NucBox M8 Mini PC if...

You want a graphics powerhouse for 3D rendering, complex video editing, and gaming, or you'll need more RAM than the soldered 16GB offers.

Also consider

• See all mini PC deals at Amazon.

• Cybersecurity company OPSWAT found a login bypass and a crash bug in TP-Link's Tapo C200 cameras
• TP-Link has extended that to include its C120 offering too
• Anyone on the same network could get admin access, live video, and recordings without requiring the owner's credentials

Security researchers at OPSWAT have detailed two high-severity flaws in TP-Link's Tapo C200, a pan-and-tilt indoor camera listed on Amazon for $26.99 and sold as a baby monitor and pet camera.

The more serious issue is that someone on the same network can log in as the camera's administrator without the password, accessing the live feed and stored recordings.

At least one other bug, which OPSWAT rates as critical in the same disclosure but does not detail, has not been published.

A localized login that requires no authentication

The TP-Link Tapo C200, as we noted in previous coverage of the incident, isn't just another security camera that happens to be vulnerable; it is one of the most popular models on the market, clocking in at over 3,000 sales on Amazon alone.

The Tapo C120, in its current iteration, sells over 5,000 units monthly, even as the advisory notes that its V1 hardware version is currently compromised until users update the firmware on their devices.

Both SKUs have received firmware updates that patch the vulnerabilities (CVE-2026-15315 & CVE-2026-15316), which are assigned 'high' scores of 8.7 and 7.1, respectively. However, according to TP-Link, CVE-2026-15316 does not affect the C120 camera.

However, the former vulnerability is the more pressing of the two and, according to OPSWAT, is particularly problematic for users because of how the C120 and C200 cameras function.

Both run a local management interface over HTTPS and use a challenge-response login designed to prove a client knows the owner's password. Khoi Tran, a graduate fellow at OPSWAT, and his mentor, Thai Do of the company's Unit 515 team, found a second verification path in which, under certain conditions, a value the camera hands out during login can be sent back and accepted as a valid authentication response.

The result is an administrator session after a small number of requests, with no password, no existing session, and no requirements for the new 'owner'. As a result, access includes live video, stored footage, and configuration changes.

OPSWAT's researchers pointed out that a C200 used as a baby monitor would expose "live video, night vision, crying detection and two-way audio."

The second flaw, CVE-2026-15316, affects only the C200 and sits in its Wi-Fi onboarding code. Sending the camera an oversized chunk of encrypted Wi-Fi credential data can crash its HTTPS service or restart the device outright, cutting the owner off from management and monitoring until it recovers.

The attacks are somewhat limited in scope: users aiming to exploit such vulnerabilities would need to be on the same Wi-Fi network, or within a certain trusted ecosystem, to begin with.

For now, users upgrading to TP-Link's newest firmware, issued for both models, rectifies both issues, but there might already be another security patch in the works: OPSWAT also found "a critical vulnerability that could allow an attacker to fully compromise the camera," which could then serve as a foothold inside the network.

It is currently holding off on publishing any details about the vulnerability as it waits for TP-Link to issue a patch that rectifies the situation. Neither OPSWAT nor TP-Link, however, has provided a timeline for when the patch will be available to end users.

Elegoo's Neptune 3 Pro is a long-time favorite entry-point into 3D printing, and it's currently at a great price on Amazon.

• Best for: Beginners who want a reliable, easy-to-set-up 3D printer without spending much to try the hobby.

• The deal: The Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro 3D printer is now $210 (was $250) at Amazon.

• Why it matters: This is an ultra-affordable 3D printer deal for beginnners just starting out, and our experience with Elegoo units has been positive overall. One stand-out feature here is the auto bed levelling. It removes the trickiest part of getting started. It also features a dual-gear direct-drive extruder for more consistent feeding, a removable capacitive touchscreen, and a 225 x 225 x 280mm build volume.

Why we recommend it

We've had good experiences testing out Elegoo's line of 3D printers, including the Neptune range. The Neptune 3 Pro is an easy recommendation for anyone trying out 3D printing for the first time - especially at this price. And that's chiefly due to the company removing one of the biggest beginner pain-points with the addition of auto-levelling. it means you're not manually tramming a bed on day one, and the flexible magnetic plate makes prints far easier to pop free without damaging them.

For more top-performers for beginners and pros, see our guide to the best 3D printers we've tested.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $199.99, this is $49.80 off the $249.79 list price, a fair discount for a printer that already sits at the budget end of the category. We've seen it sell for close to this price before, so it's a good time to buy rather than a rare rock-bottom deal.

For more savings, check out the best 3D printer deals.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro 3D Printer if...

You're new to 3D printing, don't want to spend a fortune, and you like auto-leveling to remove the guesswork from your first prints.

❌ Skip the Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro 3D Printer if...

You're a small business or cosplayer who needs a larger build volume, multi-color or multi-material 3D printing.

Also consider

• See other 3D printer deals at Amazon.

Designed as a home backup system, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus will keep your household running during an outage, while also providing portable power for RV trips and other situations where access to the grid is limited.

Best for: Homeowners and RV owners looking for a lot of emergency backup power, or those expanding their system at some point in the future.

The deal: The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus is $1,709 (was $1,899) at Amazon.

Why it matters: Jackery's running an early Prime Big Deal Days sale on power stations on Amazon and its own site with up to 65% off. But this is the one that really caught my eye. The unit's 3,584Wh LFP battery and 3,600W AC output provide enough capacity and power for numerous essential household appliances during an outage or trips away from home.

Why we recommend it

Jackery has always impressed us with its units, and the HomePower 3600 Plus combines a substantial 3,584Wh battery with a continuous AC output of 3,600W. That's enough to power a wide range of household appliances.

Its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery is rated for 6,000 charge cycles, with a service life of up to 10 years. The company also uses heat-resistant ceramic membrane battery cells to improve thermal safety.

The power station weighs 77.2 pounds and features wheels and a telescopic handle, so it's easy to move around your home or take on the road.

Price context & historical value

The reduction from $1,899 to $1,709 represents a saving of $190 on the HomePower 3600 Plus, around 10% off the regular price. That's a good reduction on a substantial piece of backup power equipment. This isn't the cheapest we've seen it however. It has been $1,619 in the past on Amazon.

For more options, see our roundup of the best portable power stations we've tested.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus if...

You want a backup power solution that can keep home appliances running in the event of an outage. The HomePower 3600 Plus can expand its energy storage to approximately 21kWh, and larger configurations using multiple units, can extend backup periods.

❌ Skip the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus if...

You only need occasional backup power for a laptop, phone or a few small electronic devices. A smaller, less expensive portable power station would probably meet those requirements.

Also consider

Jackery has told me it's also running a parallel sale on its own site ahead of Amazon Prime Day. So if you buy direct, you'll receive a free insulated bottle worth $59 with the HomePower 3600 Plus and 500 X Panel bundle, or a free Explorer 100 Plus worth $149 with the 7.2kWh bundle. Order by September 25 to qualify, and Jackery will email your gift coupon by October 8.

• Shop all portable power stations at Amazon

Obsbot's Meet 2 webcam packs 4K image quality and AI framing into a device small enough to fit in your pocket, and it's discounted below its usual price at Amazon.

• Best for: Remote workers and casual streamers who want a meaningful upgrade over a laptop's built-in webcam without spending much.

• The deal: The Obsbot Meet 2 4K Webcam is now $99 (was $129) at Amazon and £99 (was £129) in the UK.

• Why we like it: We've had great experiences testing out Obsbot's webcam range, so this is an easy recommendation. It features 4K recording at 30fps (or 1080p at 60fps), AI-powered framing and autofocus, a 1/2-inch sensor, dual omnidirectional microphones, HDR, and gesture controls, all in a body just 1.8 x 1.4 x 0.9 inches.

Why we recommend it

Based on our experience with the Obsbot line, this Meet 2 deal is an easy recommendation. While we haven't gone hands-on with it, we tested the original Obsbot Meet (we called it "tiny but terrific" in our 4.5-star review), the dinky Meet SE (the best budget webcam we've ever seen, we said, awarding it 4.5 stars in our review), and the feature-rich Tiny 2, "one of the smartest, cleanest and most travel-friendly webcams," we've ever reviewed.

All three are excellent performers, so expect more of the same with the Meet 2, with high resolution, and core features like AI framing, which is great for staying in shot when you fidget, and the impressive hands-free gesture control.

For more options, see our guide to the best webcams we've tested.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $99.99, this is $29.01 off the $129 list price, a genuine discount on a webcam that was already reasonably priced. It's one of the best prices we've tracked for this model, so it's a good time to buy if you've been considering it.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Obsbot Meet 2 4K Webcam if...

You're a professional upgrading your built-in laptop camera, and you value AI framing that keeps you centered without manual adjustment.

❌ Skip the Obsbot Meet 2 4K Webcam if...

You need professional-grade tracking for content creation - the Obsbot Tiny 2 is the better pick.

• See all webcams at Amazon.

• Privacy policies are famously difficult to read, and in the world of LLMs, they’re impenetrable and long
• The policy for Meta’s Muse Spark is over 14,000 words long, taking almost an hour to read
• Cybersecurity firm Bridewell carried out the study, assessing the privacy policies of 20 popular LLMs

When you input data into an AI chatbot, you expect it to interpret and process the words or numbers to save you time. But what is it doing with that data? You can check the privacy policy to find out – assuming, that is, that you have the time to do so.

A new study has found that the average time it takes to read a privacy policy for an LLM is 20 minutes – and some are a much longer read.

With around 75% of people admitting to using an AI chatbot at least once a month, understanding where the questions and data queries are going and how they are used is increasingly important.

Ease of reading

Privacy policies provide that understanding, but are they easy to read? A study by Bridewell’s cyber security experts suggests not, with many having a poor Fleisch Reading Ease Score, meaning that in layman’s terms, these documents are pretty impenetrable.

Bridewell’s study assessed privacy policies from 20 large language models (LLMs), and found that the average length of time to read one is 20 minutes. The average word count is 4,603, but the real challenge is understanding the information.

The Flesch Reading Ease Score is a measure of readability devised by Rudolf Flesch in 1948, and is widely used to score texts. A score over 60 is good, whereas a score below that is not. The average Flesch score for these privacy policies is 40.2, suggesting a degree of jargon-based density that most people will not understand.

How, then, might the general public safely use an LLM chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Gemini while in full knowledge of how the information they input is being used?

Training on inputs

In evaluating the LLMs, Bridewell found that 13 of the 20 use inputs and outputs to train their models. Some LLMs offer the option to opt out of training, but others do not. Even where an opt out is possible, it isn’t always clear how to action it.

“It’s essential for users to fully understand how their data is being processed by LLMs, and businesses need clear internal guidance on what can and can't be shared, and ideally proper enterprise accounts with the right protections in place," noted Chris Linnell, Associate Director of Data Privacy at Bridewell,  "employees may be at risk of sharing highly sensitive or confidential information that may end up being used to train LLMs.”

There isn’t just a personal risk from data input into an AI. Employees need to be aware of how they are using the technology for work.

As a rule of thumb, the more complex the LLM (e.g., Meta's Muse Spark, or Moonshot AI’s Kimi K), the longer the privacy policy takes to read.

The Sonos Ace Ultra are here, and they’re beautiful. I’ve spent two weeks testing them, and to tell the truth, they really exceeded my expectations.

See, I liked the original Sonos Ace, but the Ultra bring so many meaningful upgrades to the fore, be that their expanded microphone system, fancy new drivers, or new smart features. And as you’ll see in my Sonos Ace Ultra review, I think these updates establish Sonos as a major player in the world of wireless headphones.

The standard Sonos Ace fell just short of greatness when they released due to their somewhat middling musicality, and with rivals like Sony and Bose releasing excellent iterations in the WH-1000X and QuietComfort Ultra series’ respectively, it felt like the multi-room giant couldn’t quite go toe-to-toe with the best of them.

But the Ultra have changed that, and I’m here to share my five favorite improvements that make Sonos’ new headphones an excellent option for anyone looking to buy a top-tier pair of wireless headphones — or make the step-up from the original Ace. And make sure to stick around for number five, which is the most game-changing upgrade of them all.

1. A more customizable listening experience

First of all, you have a lot more control over the listening experience with the Sonos Ace Ultra compared to what the original Ace allowed.

This is largely down to a far more fleshed-out equalizer, which lets users take a far more granular approach tuning-wise. That’s because the Sonos Ace Ultra feature an eight-band equalizer, letting you make adjustments to specific parts of the frequency range. Want to give those lower-mids a bit of a boost? Want to temper the upper-treble a bit? No problem — you can do that here.

Meanwhile, the Sonos Ace had very basic two-band EQ options that only let you increase the bass or treble. Sure, there’s the option to use a three-band equalizer on the Sonos Ace Ultra if you want a simpler way of making changes, but the more extensive controls on the audio specialist’s new headphones are welcome for someone like me, who wants to tailor sound to his specific tastes.

While we’re on this topic, it’s also worth flagging that the Sonos Ace Ultra have adaptive EQ. This automatically adjusts EQ to account for factors such as fit, glasses, hair, and other elements that could cause leakage. This works well and was something that the original Ace skipped.

2. Enhanced ANC

The Sonos Ace Ultra increase the number of microphones onboard to ten from the eight seen on the standard Sonos Ace. This results in a number of improvements, like enhanced calling, for instance. But the biggest difference is heard when it comes to active noise cancellation.

This expanded microphone system helps the Sonos Ace Ultra to deliver excellent ANC that competes with some of the best noise cancelling headphones on the market. When working in the office, sounds of typing were totally eliminated. When on walks, construction work and traffic passing by was subdued to incredible effect. And even when taking public transport, the rumble of engines and conversations surrounding me were silenced without hesitation.

It helps that the Ace Ultra also have a relatively secure (yet still comfortable) fit, providing a seal that keeps the world around you at bay. I’ve tried far more expensive cans that can’t hold a candle to the Sonos Ace Ultra in this regard, so if you want great ANC, look no further.

ANC is adjustable, so you can decide whether you want full-blast silencing or a light bit of blockage if you find that disorienting. Of course, you also get a transparency mode if you want to be more aware of your surroundings or to have a quick conversation.

3. More interplay with your Sonos system

The Sonos Ace Ultra offer even more interconnectivity with other Sonos products than the original headphones, in part thanks to the Ultra’s new Headphone Engine 2.

With the Ace Ultra, you unlock a new feature called Headphone Linking. This lets you seamlessly transfer audio from compatible speakers — like the Sonos Play — over Wi-Fi, directly to your headphones (or vice versa). Just a single press of a button, and you can easily transfer music or movie audio across; it's seamless and works like a dream.

Like the original Ace, you also get TV Audio Swap. This lets you connect the Ace Ultra to a compatible soundbar, like the Sonos Arc Ultra, and hear movie audio on your headphones instantly. Because the Ace Ultra support Dolby Atmos and head tracking, you get an incredibly immersive, rich listening experience here — and it's ideal if you want to enjoy private listening without disturbing anyone else in your household.

4. Better battery — and its fully replaceable

First of all, I should say that the battery life on the standard Sonos Ace is by no means bad. You get 30 hours of playback with ANC on, which is basically the standard for headphones in the premium price-bracket — in fact, some rivals like the AirPods Max 2 and the first-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra fall short of this.

But the Sonos Ace Ultra provide a slight bump, with 35 hours of battery life with ANC switched on — still nothing game-changing, but certainly a welcome improvement. You also only need to charge them for three minutes to get three hours of playback, which makes them incredibly convenient when you’re on the go and need some additional battery life in a pinch.

Perhaps more interestingly, the Sonos Ace Ultra feature a user-replaceable battery. Yes, you’ll need to get some specialist kit for this, but it means that the Ultra can live on, even if the battery degrades after years of listening. That only makes your investment more worthwhile in the long run.

5. New drivers provide a huge performance upgrade

And now for the largest upgrade of them all: the one that truly puts the Sonos Ace Ultra head and shoulders above the first Sonos Ace. Of course, I’m talking about the significant sound quality step-up, which comes, in part, thanks to new 40mm custom drivers.

When it comes to music, the original Sonos Ace are OK. They provide relatively energetic audio, but they lack balance, often sound quite busy and disorganized, and lack the width and detail of some premium rivals. But the Sonos Ace Ultra take things up a notch. They deliver expansive, dynamic, and intricate audio, especially when using aptX codecs or wired listening.

The Sonos Ace Ultra also provide improved instrument separation, letting them handle more complex mixes with ease. Low-end sounds are more full-bodied and agile, never sounding lethargic or lacking rhythmically. Mids aren’t as overzealous as they were on the original Ace, taking a more natural, detail-oriented approach. And treble is expressive and articulate, giving higher-pitched percussion some seriously satisfying bite.

Like the standard Ace, the Ace Ultra sound impeccable for movies, delivering a three-dimensional listening experience with convincing height effects and engrossing expansiveness, and they’re probably the best wireless headphones you can buy for movies. But the Ultra’s improved musicality helps them attain greatness — even more impressive when you consider that they’ve launched at the same price as the original Ace did back in 2024.

• ExpressVPN has released version 14.3.1 for its Windows, Mac, and Linux apps
• Advanced Protection's ad and tracker blocking now works beyond the Lightway protocol
• The update also brings a rebuilt speed test, stronger screen reader support, and fixes for each platform

ExpressVPN has pushed out another update for its desktop VPN apps, and this one packs in more than the last few. Version 14.3.1 landed on Windows, Mac, and Linux on September 22.

The biggest change is that Advanced Protection, ExpressVPN's set of ad, tracker, and malicious site blockers, now works across all VPN protocols. There's also a rebuilt speed test, smarter split tunneling, and plenty of reliability fixes.

It's the latest in a busy year for one of TechRadar's best VPN recommendations, following a visual makeover and a stable MCP server for AI tools in June.

Advanced Protection finally works on every protocol

Until now, Advanced Protection on ExpressVPN's desktop apps only functioned with the VPN switched on and the Lightway or Automatic protocol selected.

Version 14.3.1 lifts that restriction, so you can now block ads, trackers, and harmful sites while using OpenVPN or WireGuard.

That's a welcome change for anyone who switches protocols to cope with tricky networks, since you no longer have to give up those protections to do it. ExpressVPN notes the feature is rolling out gradually, so not everyone will see it straight away.

Faster speed tests and smarter split tunneling

The built-in speed test has been rebuilt to run faster and deliver more precise results, which should make choosing the quickest server an easier job.

Split tunneling is more reliable for apps you exclude from the VPN, and the setup guidance has been refreshed. On Windows, the feature no longer keeps scanning for new apps when it's switched off, which cuts CPU usage. On Mac, split tunneling now leaves DNS traffic alone, so it can run alongside Advanced Protection.

On the accessibility side, screen readers can now navigate the location list, protocol settings, split tunneling, and auto-connect rules. The app also announces connection status and settings changes. That builds on the accessibility push in version 14.1.0, an area where our review rated the app just three out of five.

NEW: Leave No Trace — A weekly newsletter on digital privacy and online surveillance.

Leave No Trace investigates the companies and governments putting our digital freedom at risk — and the people fighting back.

📩 Subscribe now to get every edition delivered to your inbox every Friday, launching this September.

Fixes for every platform

Mac users get a fix that stops Docker containers from disrupting networking while connected, and the app now launches even when there's no network after waking or booting.

On Windows, the VPN stays connected when your screen turns off on Modern Standby PCs, and installation is more reliable on ARM64 devices.

Linux users benefit from improved Lightway routing and DNS configuration on systems that use resolvectl, including Pop!_OS, along with native desktop notifications. It's another step forward for ExpressVPN as a Linux VPN option, following the arrival of its rebuilt Qt-based Linux app in late 2025.

If you already use ExpressVPN, the update should install automatically. Otherwise, you can download the latest build from ExpressVPN's website. To confirm you're on 14.3.1, check the app version, which now sits at the bottom of the sidebar.

• A new US proposed law would force internet providers and VPN services to block "foreign piracy sites" via expedited court orders
• The legislation would apply to ISPs, DNS resolvers, and any VPN provider with at least 100,000 monthly US subscribers
• Digital rights groups warn the fast-track legal process risks massive overreach, citing similar policies in Europe

A newly introduced bill in the US House of Representatives is threatening to fundamentally change how virtual private networks operate within the country. If passed, the legislation would force VPN providers to actively block access to piracy websites, turning vital privacy tunnels into heavily filtered exit ramps.

The American Copyright Protection Act (ACPA), formally numbered H.R. 10364, was introduced by Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) on September 16, 2026. The bill aims to give copyright holders a fast-track judicial process to obtain blocking orders against platforms accused of copyright infringement.

Crucially, the ACPA explicitly names VPN services alongside traditional broadband providers and DNS resolvers as entities that must enforce these blocklists. For users who rely on the best VPN software to ensure unrestricted, unmonitored internet access, this legislation poses a direct threat to the core promise of the technology.

The blocking obligations would apply to any VPN service with at least 100,000 monthly US subscribers. This threshold catches almost all major consumer VPN brands, effectively forcing the industry's biggest players to implement nationwide web filters or risk severe legal consequences.

Laura Tyrylyte, privacy advocate at NordVPN, told TechRadar that there are thousands of VPN solutions available for users worldwide; however, "these blocking measures primarily target reputable, paid VPN providers, leaving free VPN services largely untouched."

"Free VPNs are often harder to regulate, and since users who seek to avoid paying for content are unlikely to pay for a VPN either, these services will continue to operate without any impact," she added.

NEW: Leave No Trace — A weekly newsletter on digital privacy and online surveillance.

Leave No Trace investigates the companies and governments putting our digital freedom at risk — and the people fighting back.

📩 Subscribe now to get every edition delivered to your inbox every Friday, launching this September.

Fast-track censorship "at the speed of light"

Under the ACPA, a copyright holder can petition a designated federal judge to declare a website a "foreign piracy site." The evidentiary bar for this is surprisingly low, requiring only a "preponderance of the evidence." Once approved, covered providers are given 14 days to object before the blocking order takes effect, though crackdowns on live sports and other time-sensitive material could be executed even faster.

Rep. Issa has made no secret of his desire for aggressive enforcement. Speaking at a June hearing, he framed his goal bluntly: “Can we do it at the speed of sound? Can we do it at the speed of light?”

Digital rights organizations have heavily criticized the proposal. Meredith Rose of Public Knowledge warned that the bill would force any service provider "to disrupt traffic from targeted websites simply accused of copyright infringement."

Meanwhile, Brandon Butler of Re:Create argued the legislation codifies "a one-sided legal process modeled on European site-blocking laws" and "violates American due process, First Amendment rights, and American ingenuity."

To mitigate the risks of false positives, the bill includes an error provision allowing companies wrongly blocked to claim up to $250,000 in damages, though critics argue this offers little financial comfort to innocent small businesses taken offline.

A growing global threat to unfiltered internet

This isn't the first time US lawmakers have targeted VPNs in 2026. The ACPA arrives on the heels of Utah's SB 73, a controversial state law that attempted to regulate VPN use for age verification before facing an enforcement freeze. The ACPA also joins other pending federal proposals, such as the Block BEARD Act and the Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act.

However, the real warning signs come from overseas. As Butler noted, the ACPA heavily mirrors aggressive European anti-piracy campaigns, which have already put VPNs in the crosshairs. In countries like Spain and France, court-ordered VPN blocking is already a reality.

These systems have already shown their potential for collateral damage. An analysis by Re:Create found that in Italy, innocent websites remained blocked for an average of 320 days due to overzealous filters. In Spain, over 500,000 websites were wrongly blocked during LaLiga matches, temporarily restricting access to 5.8% of the popular internet.

If the ACPA advances, a VPN's legal jurisdiction will become more vital than ever. US courts cannot automatically enforce orders against providers incorporated in privacy havens like Panama or the British Virgin Islands. Until then, the battle for the open internet continues on Capitol Hill.

• XMG has announced price rises for its laptops due to the increased cost of components
• The laptop maker points out that DDR5 RAM for laptops is now close to 6x the price it was before the memory crisis
• We're also hearing that Micron has pulled the plug on its 2GB modules of GDDR7, and Nvidia's supply of VRAM could feel an impact from this

The RAM crisis sadly keeps rolling on and finding fresh pricing misery to heap on us, and that includes new laptop hikes and a hint that Nvidia GPUs could be in yet another spot of bother.

VideoCardz spotted the development with laptops, as manufacturer XMG announced on Reddit that its notebooks are subject to price hikes of either €100 or €150 for most models, or €300 in one case (that's for a Schenker portable, which is XMG's parent company, so it's all under the same umbrella).

Some laptop upgrades have got pricier, too, with a €120 premium on an RTX 5090 configuration, and as XMG observed: "The reason [for the price rises] is another increase in purchasing costs. This is no longer just about RAM and SSDs: PCBs, electronic components, CPUs, graphics cards and video memory are also contributing to the higher cost level."

In other words, everything is subject to price inflation, including the motherboard and associated chips, as well as the mentioned key components.

XMG highlighted data drawn from Geizhals (which tracks German retail prices) showing that DDR5 RAM for laptops is close to 6x the price it was before the memory shortage began (in mid-2025).

The laptop maker also made it clear that discrete GPUs and GDDR7 video memory have become more expensive, as have the prices of AMD and Intel laptop processors.

Also on the subject of GPUs, Wccftech reports that another slight worry is that Micron is no longer making 2GB modules of GDDR7 video RAM which are used in some Nvidia RTX 5000 GPUs.

Uniko's Hardware flagged up this news in a post on X, noting that these chips have "reached end of life" and that this is the case for all Micron 2GB modules, with only 3GB GDDR7 chips now listed on the memory maker's website.

With Micron apparently no longer supplying Nvidia with those 2GB modules, that means more of a squeeze on the availability of video memory for RTX 5000 graphics cards, at least in theory. This could hit stock levels and put a bit more pressure on pricing (which is already climbing fast).

Analysis: yet more pressure

We need to season the claims around Micron here, as this isn't a definitive statement from the company itself, and more to the point, it's only a minor supplier for Nvidia's gaming GPUs. Team Green gets the majority of its GDDR7 from Samsung and SK Hynix, and so the impact here should be relatively slight.

However, I'd argue that any impact is bad news given the current climate which is rapidly worsening for GPUs, particularly those from Nvidia which are heading upwards at a rate of knots for some models. The RTX 5090 has got completely ridiculous, the RTX 5080 is similarly out of hand, and even the RTX 5070 is now feeling the pricing heat, with a 30% price rise compared to two months ago in the US (and a similar picture elsewhere).

So, even small extra pressures are really not going to help Nvidia's GeForce GPUs here.

As for the laptop price hikes, this is a sign of the RAM supply times, and XMG is following other makers who have had to jack up prices (like Dell for example, which just bumped up the XPS 13 in a roundabout way).

It's a commendable level of transparency from XMG here, with the company making it clear that it isn't turning any extra profit from these laptop price increases. XMG also observed that other factors are in play with increased costs for notebook makers, and that includes rising air freight costs (due to conflicts in the Middle East) and difficulties with shipping by sea, too.

• Microsoft, UK police, and partners disrupted EvilTokens PhaaS, arresting two suspects and seizing 200+ domains/sites
• EvilTokens used AI to scale device‑code phishing, compromising 12,000 inboxes across 10,000 organizations globally
• Platform ran like a startup with subscriptions, dashboards, and AI‑driven targeting; US victims hit hardest

Two people have been arrested, 50 websites were seized, and 150 domains disabled, in a joint operation against the infamous EvilTokens phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) kit.

In its report, Microsoft said the UK Metropolitan Police Service’s cybercrime team “arrested two men on suspicion of offenses connected with the alleged operation of EvilTokens.”

The two men, whose identities were not disclosed, are aged 32 and 38, and have been released on bail, subject to conditions while the investigation continues. Their digital services and other items have been confiscated, as well.

Among the partners are Health-ISAC, Cloudflare, Coinbase, OpenAI, Railway, SpyCloud, The Shadowserver Foundation, and TRM Labs. We don’t know if these arrests and takedowns will be enough to completely obliterate EvilTokens, or if the platform will continue to operate. Usually, criminal infrastructure is a lot less resilient to disruptions when arrests are made, compared to when law enforcement simply disables the hardware.

The tech startup of organized crime

EvilTokens has been turning heads for a little while now. The platform was first spotted in February 2026, rising quickly to become one of the most widely used PhaaS solutions out there.

It can be bought through Telegram for $1,500, after which there is a recurring $500 subscription cost. Cybercriminals use it to run large-scale, personalized phishing attacks: they can create spoofed websites, landing pages, and other credential-capture assets; they can create custom-tailored phishing emails, and can even grab session tokens, one-time passwords, and other codes designed to protect accounts against phishing, granting attackers access to people’s inboxes.

But what makes EvilTokens particularly impressive is its use of artificial intelligence. The platform comes with an AI assistant that can sift through the inboxes, suggest which targets are of high value, and even how to approach them. Attackers can conduct Microsoft Graph reconnaissance as well, mapping out organizational structure and permissions, keeping access and moving laterally throughout the target network.

Microsoft said it found evidence of large portions of EvilTokens being vibe coded, “with AI helping its creators build the platform itself.”

The researchers also found the platform drawing on capabilities from multiple AI models. Looking at the platform as a whole, it runs like a well-organized startup, with subscription pricing, customer support, management dashboards, and tools designed to move customers from account access toward financial exploitation.

According to Microsoft, EvilTokens facilitated business email compromise (BEC) campaigns that compromised more than 12,000 inboxes in more than 10,000 organizations worldwide. Victims are mostly in wholesale distribution, construction, and financial services, but those in real estate, higher education, and healthcare are not spared, either.

The victims are primarily located in the United States, with notable numbers found in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and France. Microsoft said affected customers were notified, and that the company “helped remediate compromised accounts and shared intelligence to support further defensive and investigative action."

Popularizing device-code phishing

Device-code phishing as an attack technique is not that new. More than a year ago, in February 2025, security researchers Huntress reported on Russian threat actors Storm-2372 deploying the same technique, and while it’s been steadily growing in popularity, it wasn’t until EvilTokens’ appearance that it really exploded.

The same researchers said, in June 2026, that EvilTokens was used to run 1,380% more device-code phishing attacks in 2026, compared to the same period last year.

“We’re seeing a clear maturation of the phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) market as threat actors increasingly integrate AI workflows into their product offerings,” Huntress said in a report.

“The result is directly observable in our telemetry: a 1,380% increase in device code phishing attacks detected between July–December 2025 and January–April 2026, with over 50% of those incidents linked to two major waves of correlated incidents.”

• Watch Asian Games 2026 Cricket free on MeWatch (Singapore) / KBS, MBC, SBS (South Korea) / VTV (Vietnam)
• US streams — Willow TV via Sling
• Unlock your stream with NordVPN (save up to 75%)
• Asian Games Cricket 2026: Thursday, September 24 – Saturday, October 3

Watch Cricket at the Asian Games live streams, as Shreyas Iyer's India enter as overwhelming favorites to win gold. India are sending a full-strength squad to Japan, including Jasprit Bumrah, despite playing the West Indies in a three-match ODI series at the same time back home. Bangladesh are the only other team to send a first-choice squad, with Litton Das as captain.

This is only the fourth edition of the Asian Games to feature cricket as a competition, after the sport debuted at the 2010 Guangzhou Games. Afghanistan have won silver in all three previous editions, while Bangladesh have a gold and two bronze medals. Sri Lanka and India have won one gold apiece. India, however, did not participate in the 2010 or 2024 editions, making their debut in 2022 and being awarded gold despite the final being abandoned due to weather.

The group stages begin on September 24, with six teams – Japan, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman and Nepal – battling for four quarter-final spots. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh go straight into the quarter-finals as the highest-seeded Full Member teams based on ICC rankings.

The tournament gets underway with hosts Japan taking on Afghanistan at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Aichi, Nagoya. All matches will be played at the venue, which has boundaries of around 65 meters on either side, meaning we could be in for plenty of runs and sixes. The recently concluded women's competition, which India won, saw 56 sixes across just eight matches.

Afghanistan will be smart not to take the hosts lightly after Japan's spirited performance against India in their one-off T20 in Kano, Santo. Japan restricted India to just 32 runs in the five-over dash and came within two runs of chasing it down.

And if India and Pakistan both make it through their quarter-finals – which they should, as they both face lower-ranked opposition – we will get the clash everyone will be waiting for in the first semi-final on October 1.

Here's how to watch all the Asian Games 2026 cricket action from anywhere in the world, including free options.

Can you watch Cricket at Asian Games 2026 for free?

Yes. Asian Games Cricket 2026 is being shown on free-to-air MeWatch in Singapore, KBS, MBC and SBS in South Korea, VTV in Vietnam, CCTV5 in China, and RTM in Malaysia.

Finding your free stream blocked? You can use a VPN to watch the cricket for free from anywhere in the world.

Use a VPN to watch Asian Games Cricket 2026 live streams

A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.

How to watch Cricket at Asian Games 2026 live streams in the US

In the US, dedicated cricket streaming service Willow TV will broadcast cricket at the Asian Games.

If you don't have Willow TV as part of your cable package, you can watch Willow coverage through your choice of Sling TV's Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans – starting from $10 per month.

Outside the US? Use NordVPN to watch coverage from anywhere in the world.

How to watch Cricket at Asian Games 2026 live streams in Canada

It's the same in Canada, where Willow TV is also available and will be showing the Asian Games Cricket 2026.

Outside Canada? Use NordVPN to watch Willow TV's Asian Games Cricket 2026 coverage from anywhere.

How to watch Cricket at Asian Games 2026 live streams in India

In India, the 2026 Asian Games cricket matches, along with every other sport, are being shown on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available via Sony LIV.

Sony LIV subscription plans in India start at ₹599/year for the mobile-only plan, rising to ₹999/year.

Outside India? Use a VPN while you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

Can I watch Cricket at Asian Games 2026 in the UK or Australia?

The 2026 Asian Games Cricket haven't picked up a broadcasting partner in the UK or Australia.

If you're from Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, China or Malaysia but you're abroad for work or a vacation, however, a VPN will help you tune in to Aichi-Nagoya's cricket action. NordVPN is the one we recommend above all others.

Cricket at Asian Games 2026 Q&A

Cricket at Asian Games 2026 schedule

Thursday, September 24

1st Match, Group A: Japan vs Afghanistan
9am local, 8pm ET (Sep 23)

2nd Match, Group B: Hong Kong vs Malaysia
2pm local, 1am ET

Friday, September 25

3rd Match, Group B: Hong Kong vs Oman
9am local, 8pm ET (Sep 24)

4th Match, Group A: Afghanistan vs Nepal
2pm local, 1am ET

Saturday, September 26

5th Match, Group A: Japan vs Nepal
9am local, 8pm ET (Sep 25)

6th Match, Group B: Malaysia vs Oman
2pm local, 1am ET

Monday, September 28

1st Quarter-Final: Pakistan vs TBA
9am local, 8pm ET (Sep 27)

2nd Quarter-Final: India vs TBA
2pm local, 1am ET

Tuesday, September 29

3rd Quarter-Final: Sri Lanka vs TBA
9am local, 8pm ET (Sep 28)

4th Quarter-Final: Bangladesh vs TBA
2pm local, 1am ET

Thursday, October 1

1st Semi-Final: TBA vs TBA
9am local, 8pm ET (Sep 30)

2nd Semi-Final: TBA vs TBA
2pm local, 1am ET

Saturday, October 3

3rd Place Play-off: TBA vs TBA
9am local, 8pm ET (Oct 2)

Final: TBA vs TBA
2pm local, 1am ET

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

• Garmin may have bought a fitness company aimed at serious athletes
• The purchase could add ‘muscle oxygen’ stats to future Garmin products
• The acquisition has not yet been officially confirmed

The best Garmin devices can do a lot, but there are a few ways they fall short right now. But if a new rumor is correct, Garmin fans could expect to see an interesting new feature for dedicated athletes in future products.

That idea comes from the5krunner, which recently published a report claiming that Garmin has quietly snapped up specialist fitness firm Moxy Monitor, with that impression supposedly confirmed by “a source with direct knowledge of the transaction.”

Moxy Monitor makes muscle oxygen (SmO2) sensors that are used by elite athletes to help them train more effectively. It’s a market that Garmin has apparently been considering entering, with the company filing a patent for an algorithm to measure SmO2 data earlier this year, the 5krunner says.

The report adds that a response by Moxy Monitor’s founder to the outlet’s questions “implicitly confirms the deal.” That’s because Moxy Monitor’s founder directed questions towards Garmin rather than his own company’s press office. Garmin itself has made no comment on the rumored acquisition.

Keeping up with rivals

If you’re a high-level athlete, the revelation of Garmin’s rumored purchase might be an exciting one. If it proves to be accurate, future Garmin wearables might be able to integrate SmO2 measurements and help serious sportspeople improve their performance.

As the5krunner points out, the deal could also lead to Garmin releasing new devices. Since you can’t take SmO2 readings from your wrist and instead need to use a near-infrared spectroscopy sensor, the5krunner says that new hardware would be required if Garmin were to put Moxy Monitor’s tech to good use.

And the report points out that Garmin competitor Whoop has patented its own SmO2 strap. That means that Garmin’s purchase of Moxy Monitor gives it a way to keep up with its rivals in this area without having to build an entirely new system from scratch.

Garmin products can already read SmO2 data from third-party straps, and that will likely to continue to be refined with Moxy Monitor on board. That might be the most immediate change we see, with new hardware further out on the horizon.

Whatever the outcome, anyone wanting to get more serious fitness metrics from their Garmin devices might just get a boost if this acquisition turns out to be the real deal. But with Garmin not confirming anything for now, we’ll likely have to wait for confirmation before knowing exactly how this could play out.

Tom Clancy's The Division and The Division 2 are two of my favorite online and co-op games of all time; I still play The Division 2 most months (at least) and have done so since launch.

The second game still has a committed player base and is a game that keeps on going and keeps on giving for fans who play regularly and those who come back occasionally.

It's established a rich universe full of interesting lore, gripping side stories, and compelling characters, with novels, a mobile game, DLC and expansions, and books, all playing a part in filling out its brilliant world. And with more expansions and content coming all the time — even now in 2026, more than seven years after release — there's loads to get into.

As a result, there's plenty to draw on for my bumper Division quiz, and there's sure to be some stuff in here that'll have even the most experienced players a little, well, quizzical.

Good luck and let me know how you get on!

What did you think of our quiz on all things The Division? Let me know how you got on in the comments, and let me know what else we could do quizzes on!