BJust moments into the first round of the expansive multiplayer mode Conquest, you can’t help but feel the thrill of battle return. Fighter jets zoom overhead, tanks thunder by, and buildings crumble under the impact of rocket-propelled grenades. While Call of Duty has traditionally emphasized close-quarters combat in online matches, Battlefield 6 immerses you in a colossal military engagement that’s both bewildering and ear-piercing. Even in the quieter moments, you’re jolted back to reality by the distant sounds of rifle fire, urgent shouts for orders, and calls for medics.
EA’s legendary FPS series has faced significant challenges in recent years, and its futuristic installment Battlefield 2042 is widely regarded as a letdown. In response, the development team—comprising various studios including the original creator DICE—has returned to the stellar Battlefield 4 for inspiration. This time, the focus is on contemporary military warfare, delivering an authentic experience across expansive maps with numerous players involved. Similar to previous titles, Battlefield 6 offers four distinct classes: Assault, Support, Engineer, and Recon. Each class comes equipped with unique weapons and gadgets, which you can upgrade and customize as you gain experience and level up your soldiers. It’s a hybrid system that blends elements from earlier Battlefield games with features from modern Call of Duty titles, notably the Gunsmith system, which has revolutionized weapon customization in online shooters.
Brooklyn at war…Battlefield 6. Photo: Electronic Arts
The standout online modes are the large-scale ones like Conquest and Breakthrough, which concentrate on capturing objectives and seizing territory from rivals. There are also smaller modes such as King of the Hill and Domination, but for seasoned Battlefield players, these options feel like a different approach altogether. Since the groundbreaking Battlefield 1942 in 2002, the series has promoted strategic gameplay, encouraging teamwork among allies to infiltrate enemy bases, synchronizing assaults with helicopter cover, and gradually breaking through defenses. In a good game session, you may find yourself stealthily navigating the map or inching toward a heavily fortified structure. The rapid-fire nature of Call of Duty, characterized by quick skirmishes and instant respawns, seems worlds apart.
Yet, engaging in combat here feels invigorating. Whether you’re navigating the bustling streets of Brooklyn or the shores of Cairo, debris cascades, bullets ricochet, and tanks detonate in fiery explosions. The graphics and audio design are remarkably well-executed, channeling the gritty, camera-shaking documentary style of Generation Kill or Warfare rather than the polished action-movie mayhem typical of CoD. If you’re fortunate enough to join a solid team (I strongly recommend playing with one or two friends), you’ll forge genuine camaraderie.
However, the game does stumble with its lackluster campaign mode. The storyline is a standard techno-thriller set in a near-future world where a private military firm seeks global domination, and only a rugged team of American special forces stands in their way. This narrative feels clichéd and uninspired. By portraying the antagonist as a fictional military corporation, the developer sidesteps political controversy and avoids addressing the game’s potential market dynamics or its investors at Electronic Arts. Additionally, staying engaged with the cast of tough guys, who consistently deliver lines like “There’s no bureaucracy here” or quip, “I don’t know what’s more impressive, the scenery or the firepower” while staking out an enemy base in sunny Gibraltar can be a challenge. When Murphy, the protagonist, states, “There’s no one I want to join in this fight,” I seriously wished that defection had been an option.
Don’t let that discourage you. Overall, Battlefield 6 marks a triumphant return to form, delivering a thrilling, almost operatic shooter experience that masterfully blends explosive combat with tactical finesse. It remains to be seen how it will fare amidst the contemporary landscape of hero shooters and battle royale games, but it is undoubtedly worth your time.
This image seems to show a Martian wrench, but it’s just a stone
Brian Cory Dobbs Productions
Blue Planet Red Directed by Brian Corrie Dobbs, available on Amazon Prime Video
Blue Planet Red is a documentary focused on Mars. The world depicted by director Brian Corrie Dobbs diverges from our understanding but certainly possesses its allure. It showcases an advanced civilization of pyramid builders that either failed to avert their world’s demise or destroyed it through a catastrophic nuclear conflict.
Dobbs presents his assertions regarding advanced Martian life directly to the audience, complete with expressive gestures and confident poses. I found him quite engaging. Yet, after viewing his work, I wasn’t surprised to discover that a section of his portfolio includes questionable content (referring to dubious videos concerning cell phones, electromagnetic fields, and cancer).
Whether by design or not, Blue Planet Red serves as a historical record. It is a testament to a generation of researchers and enthusiasts raised under the imposing shadow of a two-kilometer geological mound in the Martian region of Sidonia. Back in 1976, NASA’s Viking spacecraft took a blurry photo of what seemed to be a giant human face, known as the “Face of Mars,” at the intersection of Mars’ southern highlands and northern plains.
There’s no need to delve into debunking topics that have already been convincingly dismantled many times before. If you enhance the resolution of the image, the so-called face vanishes. Features resembling tools or bones are simply rocks. Additionally, the presence of xenon-129 in Mars’ atmosphere suggests an ancient nuclear war only if we disregard the well-understood decay process of the now-extinct isotope iodine-129 into xenon-129 within Mars’ cooling lithosphere.
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The ambiguous data from the Viking orbiters fostered the growth of fanciful ideas “
Yet, capturing this narrative holds a certain poignancy. Transforming Ideas gives voice to this generation of researchers. Individuals featured in the film include Richard Bryce Hoover, who led NASA’s astrobiology research at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama until 2011, where he helped prove the existence of extremophiles on Earth. He is convinced he discovered microfossils in Martian meteorites. However, despite his enthusiasm, director Hoover fails to clarify in the film why these fossils rest atop the rock samples rather than embedded within them.
Contributor John Brandenburg is regarded as a respectable plasma scientist, provided he avoids discussing nuclear war on Mars. Mark Carlot, on the other hand, has dedicated 40 years to chronicling remnants of civilization on Mars while others merely see rocks. Upon returning to Earth, he proves to be an adept archaeologist.
After Apollo made its final moon landing in 1972, the initial thrill of the space race began to diminish. The images transmitted back by the Viking spacecraft signaled the next significant discovery. This hazy mixture of revolutionary yet unclear data served as a fertile ground for the emergence of fanciful ideas, particularly in the United States, where the Vietnam War and Watergate bred skepticism and paranoia.
Dobbs’ dynamic recounting of the Martian narrative frames it as a tale of an event occurring 3.7 billion years ago when the wet, warm planet transitioned into a barren dust bowl. For me, it resonates more with what happened to the passionate groups glued to their screens and magazines in the 1970s. Let us momentarily set aside our disdain and engage with this generation. Strong hope should never again hinder a kind heart like this.
American and German (and Nazi) rocket scientists drew inspiration from Antarctic exploration to draft this foundational technical specification for a manned mission to Mars.
Simon Ings is a novelist and science writer. X Follow him at @simonings
The iPhone 17 Pro marks Apple’s most significant redesign in years, replacing the traditional titanium sides and all-glass back with a sleek aluminum unibody. It features a bold full-width camera bump on the back, offering a vibrant array of colors.
This alone makes the iPhone 17 Pro appealing for those eyeing an upgrade to the latest model. However, the price tag has increased to £1,099 (€1,299/$1,099/$1,999), making it the first of Apple’s smaller Pro phones to breach the £1,000 threshold.
From the front, it resembles a modern iPhone, with a dynamic island that houses a selfie camera situated at the top of its impressively bright and smooth display. This is undoubtedly one of the best screens on any phone, though it’s similar to the upgraded display of the regular iPhone 17 this year.
Higher peak brightness and a new anti-glare coating help reduce reflections in bright light, enhancing outdoor usability. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The aluminum sides feature subtle rounding at the edges, providing a comfortable grip and minimizing slippage. Weighing over 200 grams, the phone leans towards the heavier side for a compact device.
A glass panel, slightly larger than a credit card, is embedded in the aluminum body to accommodate MagSafe or Qi2.2 chargers and accessories. The substantial metal “plateau” at the top houses a camera that surpasses the pixel camera bar in size. While aluminum won’t shatter upon impact like glass, it is prone to scratches, particularly around the edges of the plateau.
iOS 26’s home and lock screens exhibit a glass-like rounded appearance for text and icons. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Powered by iOS 26, the iPhone 17 Pro showcases Apple’s innovative “Liquid Glass” interface design, which generally performs well, although it introduces some transparency effects for buttons and other elements.
Specifications
Screen: 6.3in Super Retina XDR (120Hz OLED) (460ppi)
Processor: Apple A19 Pro
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256, 512GB, or 1TB
Operating System: iOS 26
Camera: 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP 4x zoom, and 18MP front
The iPhone fully charges via USB-C in 76 minutes, or reaches 70% in 30 minutes with a 40W adapter (not included), and can be charged using a QI2 25W charger in 96 minutes. Belkin Ultracharge 2-in-1. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Equipped with the new Apple A19 Pro chip, the 17 Pro is the first iPhone to feature a steam chamber cooling system. This technology, commonly seen in high-performance Android devices, dissipates heat from the chip throughout the phone, maintaining prolonged peak performance.
Extended gaming sessions lead to improved frame rates and reduced heat buildup, ensuring that the phone remains cooler than its predecessors.
The phone’s battery life is impressive, lasting around 42 hours on a blend of 5G and WiFi, with approximately 6 hours of active screen usage—around 2 hours longer than last year’s model. During heavy usage or gaming, the 17 Pro can still finish the day with roughly 25% battery remaining. Regular users may find they need to charge their phones every couple of days.
Sustainability
The camera plateau prevents the iPhone 17 Pro from wobbling on flat surfaces, unlike its predecessors. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery is designed to endure over 1,000 full charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity. Should you need a replacement, it costs £109, while a screen repair is priced at £349. Experts rated the phone a seven out of ten regarding repairability.
The device contains over 30% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, rare earth elements, steel, tin, and tungsten. Apple is transparent about the environmental impact of its products in its reports. Additionally, the company promotes trade-in and free recycling programs, encompassing non-Apple products.
Camera
The streamlined camera app automates most features, with many functions tucked behind a sliding button. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The rear boasts three 48MP cameras alongside an 18MP selfie camera, enhancing the front-facer with new capabilities.
The main and ultra-wide cameras are largely unchanged from last year, delivering impressive photos across various lighting scenarios, making them especially good for detailed street photography. The main camera provides twice as much crop zoom, yielding excellent detail and color in well-lit settings, though dim lighting may introduce some grain.
A key addition this year is the upgraded telephoto camera, featuring a 4x zoom at 48MP and 5x at 12MP. Much like the main camera, it allows for 8x crop zoom. It performs well in bright conditions, with some detail degradation at higher zoom levels, while remaining functional in indoor lighting as well.
The zoom capability stretches to a maximum of 40x magnification, with noticeable quality loss beyond 15-20x. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Each of the three cameras comes equipped with numerous features, including top-tier video capabilities, and the option to record simultaneously from both the front and rear cameras, creating a picture-in-picture effect. Apple’s automatic portrait mode excels by working with both objects and subjects.
Notably, the selfie camera has received its first significant upgrade in years, featuring an 18MP sensor that incorporates Apple’s Center Stage technology, previously seen in iPads and Macs. It allows for automatic panning and zooming to keep you framed during video calls, and you can widen the shot for landscape selfies while in portrait mode. This clever design addresses the challenge of fitting multiple people into a shot without reorienting the phone.
Price
The iPhone 17 Pro starts at £1,099 (€1,299/$1,099/$1,999) for the model with 256GB of storage.
For context, the iPhone 16E is priced at £599, the iPhone 17 costs £799, the iPhone Air costs £999, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is listed at £1,199, the Google Pixel 10 Pro retails for £999, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is £1,099, and the FairPhone 6 is available for £499.
Verdict
The 17 Pro represents the most distinct iPhone evolution in years, and despite its functional variations from recent models, it is instantly recognizable.
Its new aluminum unibody design feels premium, although it may be more susceptible to scratches than glass. With top-notch performance and display, the battery life is commendable for such a compact device. Overall, it’s an excellent iPhone and a high-quality smartphone.
However, this year it faces competition from the Spotlight Super Susane iPhone Air and the enhanced standard iPhone 17.
The camera stands out as a significant differentiating factor, with the 17 Pro featuring superior camera capabilities, including a newly enhanced telephoto lens. This makes it one of the best camera phones available.
Consequently, for iPhone enthusiasts keen on excellent telephoto capabilities, the 17 Pro is the ideal choice—albeit at a premium price.
Pros: Enhanced 4x/8x telephoto, upgraded selfie camera, impressive display, USB-C, solid battery life, excellent performance, long-term software support, Face ID, and a compact design make it a remarkable camera.
Cons: Premium pricing, heavier than previous models, absence of cutting-edge AI features compared to rivals, and similar screen and size available in more affordable models.
Apple’s highly acclaimed AirPods Pro Bluetooth earphones have returned in their third generation, featuring an improved fit, extended battery life, built-in heart rate sensors, and enhanced noise cancellation, all while maintaining a look similar to their predecessors.
Although three years have elapsed since the previous version, these earphones remain exclusively white. The differences between them and earlier generations are subtle and require close inspection.
Priced at £219 (249 Euros/$249/$429), the AirPods Pro 3 is £30 less expensive in the UK than its predecessor at launch and features compatibility with AirPods 4.
The earphones have undergone slight shape refinements to enhance comfort, especially during prolonged listening sessions exceeding three hours. The package includes five sizes of tips, but if you prefer non-silicone earphones, these won’t offer much difference.
The stems maintain their previous length, but the earphones’ shape has been optimized to better align the tips with the ear canal. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Most functions are standard for modern earphones. Squeeze the stems for playback controls, swipe for volume adjustment, or remove them to pause music. They support features introduced with older Apple earphones, like the Shutter Remote Camera app and live translation using the translation app on your iPhone. The latter currently supports only English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish but works surprisingly well for casual conversations.
A notable drawback is that others still need to read translated speeches from their iPhones. This feature proves most useful for announcements and audio guides, especially for singular language translations in transportation hubs and museums.
One of the standout hardware features is heart rate monitoring through the sensors on the earbuds, similar to Apple’s PowerBeats Pro 2 fitness band. This can be utilized with over 50 workout tracking options via the Fitness app or select third-party apps on your iPhone. Its readings align closely with those from a Garmin Forerunner 970 or an Apple Watch during activities like walking and running. Additionally, the earphones boast an IP57 water resistance rating, making them more resilient to rain and sweat than previous models.
Battery life has improved, extending to at least 8 hours of playback, along with competitive noise cancellation on every charge, making them suitable for most listening durations.
The compact flip-top case provides two full charges for a combined playback time of 24 hours (6 hours shorter than the previous generation), with just 5 minutes of charging offering an hour of listening time. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Specifications
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, H2 chip, UWB
Battery life: 8 hours of ANC playback (24 hours in case)
Water resistance: IP57 (buds and case)
Earphone dimensions: 30.9 x 19.2 x 27.0mm
Earphone weight: 5.6g each
Charging case dimensions: 47.2 x 62.2 x 21.8mm
Charging case weight: 44g
Case charging: USB-C, QI Wireless/Magsafe, Apple Watch
Richer Sound and Exceptional Noise Cancellation
The silicone tips are designed to slightly expand for a better seal, enhancing both music quality and noise cancellation. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The audio experience with the third-generation AirPods Pro is impressive, offering louder playback with an expansive soundscape. They maintain powerful, well-regulated bass while enhancing the spaciousness of larger tracks. The sound is detailed and balanced, catering to various genres, with ample power when needed. However, like other Apple headphones, they can occasionally feel a tad clinical, lacking warmth and rawness in some tracks, which may lessen the impact of deep bass notes. Nevertheless, few earphones can outshine these in terms of price and size.
Apple’s implementation of spatial audio for movies is unrivaled, and while its efficacy in spatial music remains mixed, it provides an immersive experience with compatible devices and services.
The AirPods Pro offers the ideal blend of earphones and compact carrier, easily portable in your pocket. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Enhanced noise cancellation is arguably the most significant upgrade. Apple claims it’s twice as effective as the already excellent AirPods Pro 2. In direct comparisons, the AirPods Pro 3 effectively mitigates street noise, including traffic sounds and engine roars. It stands up impressively against the class-leading Sony WH-1000XM6, renowned for their over-ear design.
They also excel in dampening disruptive high frequencies, such as keyboard clicks and conversations, making them well-suited for commuting and office environments.
Apple’s leading transparency mode is equally outstanding, allowing for natural sound experiences, as if the earbuds aren’t being worn at all. Sudden loud noises can be managed, making them handy in busy streets and while using hearing aids.
Call quality is superb, with my voice sounding clear and natural, whether in quiet settings or bustling environments, with only minimal ambient sounds noticeable during calls.
Sustainability
The charging case supports USB-C, Magsafe, QI, or Apple Watch charging, and includes new features like Limit Charging to prolong battery life. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Apple does not specify the expected battery lifespan. Typically, similar devices retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. The earphones are not repairable, but Apple provides battery servicing for £49 per earphone or case, with replacement for lost or damaged items starting from £79. Repair specialist iFixit graded these earphones a 0 out of 10 for serviceability.
Both the AirPods and their cases include 40% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and tin. Apple offers trade-in and recycling programs, detailing the environmental impact of its earphones in their reports.
Price
The price for the AirPods Pro 3 is £219 (249 Euros/$249/$429).
For context, AirPods 4 starts at £119, while Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 are priced at £250. The Sennheiser Momentum TW4 retails for £199, Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 cost £219, Sony WF-1000XM5 is available for £219, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are priced at £300.
Verdict
AirPods Pro 3 takes an already impressive second-generation model and enhances virtually every aspect.
A longer battery life and a more comfortable fit for extended listening sessions are welcome improvements. Additionally, proper water resistance and integrated heart rate monitoring cater well to fitness enthusiasts, particularly for activities like powerlifting where wearing a watch may not be practical. The live translation feature performs better than anticipated, despite its conversational limitations.
The standout element is the remarkably effective noise cancellation, comparable to top-tier over-ear headphones, while being much easier to transport.
Audiophiles may notice a slightly clinical sound profile, and full functionality requires an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Compatibility with Bluetooth devices like Android phones, PCs, and gaming consoles may not offer the same features. However, the significant drawback remains its difficult repairability, a common issue for true wireless earbuds, diminishing its rating.
Pros: Highly effective noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, industry-leading transparency, water resistance, integrated HR monitoring, seamless controls, advanced features when paired with Apple devices like spatial audio, remarkable comfort, and a premium case with excellent call quality.
Cons: Challenging to repair, premium price, lacks high-resolution audio support, minimal functionality with Android/Windows, similar appearance to its predecessor, and only available in white.
The AirPods Pro 3 is among the finest earphones available, especially for iPhone users. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
IIf you accept the notion that the Game Awards serve as an interactive industry Oscar, then it’s reasonable to liken the Independent Game Festival to Cannes, with the Sumas MacNary Grand Prize being the equivalent of Parmedollar. Hence, one might expect that this year’s winner would receive significant attention upon release. Surprisingly, that’s not the case. Apparently, it’s an overwhelmingly early sale and I’m astonished by the absence of reviews. This highlights ongoing challenges regarding discoverability and the issues faced by critics during the busy fall season, rather than focusing on the game itself. Truly, it’s an absolute delight.
It’s certainly easy to sound like you should play this game rather than expressing a desire to want to play it. Crafted over a decade by Jenny Ziao Fusia in collaboration with Ap Thomson, Jie en Lee, Violet WP, and Ken Snyder, this semi-autobiographical narrative follows an Asian American high school student navigating weight loss amid the challenges of adolescence. It’s infused with effective energy and time management mechanics. Content notifications inform players of themes such as bullying, fat phobia, and dietary restrictions. Notably, it’s also one of the most humorous games of 2025.
The pizza date leads to watching her eat for the rest of the week… consuming me. Photo: 66
Consumes adeptly navigates a complex emotional landscape. The main character, Jenny, experiences meal times interpreted as puzzles. Reminiscent of Leon’s attachment case in Resident Evil 4, groceries shaped like Tetris blocks must fit into a grid symbolizing Jenny’s stomach. L-shaped kale and S-shaped tomatoes help her stay within her daily targets (notably, she focuses on “bites” instead of calories). Junk food, with its appealing form, can lead to regret as filling it results in precious time being consumed and potentially using up one of her limited cheat days. Any gaps in her stomach notification mean she might need a snack later.
Beyond merely managing her hunger, Jenny must also oversee her energy and mood levels, which is initially simple. Participating in chores, studying, and applying makeup turns into an enjoyable mini-game akin to Nintendo’s Warioware series, though it rarely presents a challenge. Items created or purchased with in-game currency help maintain Jenny’s happiness and health. However, time is relentless, making it increasingly tough to balance needs against wants. For example, reliance on energy drinks often leads to caffeine headaches. This creates unhappiness during activities other than resting.
A contest on the sinkside with an overwhelming mother… consumes me. Photo: 66
Regardless of whether things are going smoothly or not, the observations are artfully portrayed. The foreboding music accompanies weekly weigh-ins, physically pulling Jenny towards the scale. After cleaning the bathroom, her critically evaluating mother is there to inspect her work, even pressing a finger on the sink to confirm cleanliness. When Jenny first meets Oliver’s affluent parents, even the simple introduction of anxiety meters raises the heart rate, especially as she imagines her own mother as a detective in a trench coat. During their first outing, their awkwardness on-screen guides players toward a sweet kiss.
Love quickly transforms into another responsibility, creating tension that evolves in each chapter. Jenny must prioritize potential dates in her calendar, yet a visit to a pizzeria forces her to strictly monitor her meals for the week ahead. As Oliver heads off to college, their long-distance relationship means that every night brings the potential for “poison damage” as she struggles to prioritize valuable text messages or video calls. (By night, she presses her face against the glass, tearfully observing the rose petals falling from inside, brilliantly encapsulating the path of all adolescents during such times.)
Although it’s a game centered on routines, the continual repetition never makes me feel fully settled. It continually finds creative ways to utilize the system to convey themes without sacrificing humor. If you grapple with food-related issues or fitness, there are moments that resonate deeply. It’s about more than just what you consume or how much you exercise; life’s essentials often take precedence over personal desires.
Again, I’m cautious about framing this as a mere obligation to consume. This thought-provoking, engaging, and boldly original game provided an evening filled with laughter and tears, leaving me with lasting memories.
The Apple Watch Series 11 introduces a highly requested feature: extended battery life.
Aside from that, the new model serves as a direct successor to the Series 10, retaining its design, dimensions, and features. Most enhancements are software-based, solidifying its position as one of the top smartwatches available, despite limited physical changes.
Starting at just 369 pounds in the UK (449 euros/$399/$679), the Series 11 sits below the watch SE at the low end and 749 pounds Ultra 3 at the high end.
The Series 11 is available in Space Gray, a hue first seen with the iPhone 5s in 2013. Old trends make a comeback. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Similar to last year’s Series 10, this new version is only 9.7mm thick, making it comfortable to wear at night and easily tucked under cuffs. It’s lightweight and user-friendly.
The vibrant 2,000 knit OLED display is bright for indoor and outdoor use, and remains legible from various angles. The glass is reportedly twice as scratch-resistant as its predecessors, though it doesn’t quite match the hardness of the sapphire used in more expensive titanium models.
The new watch incorporates the same S10 chip as previous versions, now with optional 5G connectivity, ensuring strong reception for outdoor activities. Battery capacity has increased by 9% for 42mm models and 11% for 46mm models.
In sleep tracking tests without exercise, the 46mm version lasted two days. Most users can expect around two days and nights before needing a recharge, which takes 66 minutes with a power adapter over 20W (not included), reaching about 70% in just 30 minutes. During a run, it tracks for roughly eight hours—enough for one or two marathons.
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 4, NFC, UWB, Optional 5G
WatchOS 26
The Flow Watch face is engaging, though reading the time at a glance can be challenging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Series 11 ships with WatchOS 26, compatible with all models from the Series 6 onward. A new liquid glass design introduces semi-transparent elements and two additional monitoring interfaces: a large digital face called Flow that reacts to movement, and an Analog Face that segments hours, minutes, and seconds into custom dials.
One of the standout features is the wrist flick gesture. This allows you to quickly twist your wrist to dismiss notifications and return to the watch face without lifting your wrist to look at it, enabling you to silence alarms with a satisfying motion.
Hypertension, Sleep, and AI Workouts
Hypertension alerts utilize the optical sensor located on the back, the same one used for heart rate and blood oxygen readings; no pressure cuffs needed. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Apple Watch retains the extensive health monitoring tools of its predecessor while introducing new features and a revamped training app.
Hypertension alerts now observe potential high blood pressure over 30 days, notifying users if heart rate data indicates possible hidden issues.
The updated sleep score metric simplifies Apple’s sleep tracking, akin to offerings from competitors like Google and Samsung. Each morning, users receive a score out of 100 based on factors such as duration, bedtime, and interruptions, all easily understood within the iPhone health app.
A sleep score helps you gauge sleep quality, allowing for detailed assessments as needed. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Workout Buddy acts as an AI coach, leveraging past training data to offer motivational talk before and after workouts. It tracks your training frequency and effort level, providing audible updates during your exercise, including alerts for milestones like pace, heart rate, distance, and time.
Three voice options deliver updates through Bluetooth headphones in any of the 12 supported activities, including walking, running, and cycling. However, functionality may depend on being in proximity to an iPhone 15 Pro or later to avoid interruptions while training.
Sustainability
The recycled aluminum frame offers a premium, slim, and comfortable fit. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Apple states that the battery should last for 1,000 or more charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity, and can be replaced for £95. Repair costs range from between £295 and £389, depending on the model.
The watch comprises over 40% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, rare earth elements, steel, tin, titanium, tungsten, among others. Apple provides trade-in options and free recycling of devices, addressing the environmental impact of its products.
Price
The Series 11 is available in two sizes (42 and 46mm) with options for materials and 5G support, which necessitates a compatible phone plan for eSIM. Prices start at £369 (€449/$399/$679), with the 5G model requiring an additional £100 (€120/$100/$170).
For reference, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 retails at £749, while the Apple Watch SE 3 starts at £219, and the Google Pixel Watch 4 is priced at £349. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is available for £294.
Verdict
The Series 11 keeps the successful Apple Watch formula intact, enhancing it with improved glass and longer battery life.
With its slim profile, quick charging, and two-day battery life, it proves convenient for sleep tracking and silent alarms. The wrist flick gesture stands out as a feature every watch should embrace, and compatibility with earlier Apple Watch straps and chargers is a significant advantage. Price drops in the UK are also appreciated.
Users may need time to adjust to the glass-like appearance of WatchOS 26, but the software operates similarly while introducing valuable additions like hypertension alerts. The Workout Buddy proves particularly useful, offering positive experiences though reliant on mobile exercise.
Overall, the Series 11 ranks among the finest smartwatches for iPhone users. Those with older models, like the Series 6, can expect a substantial upgrade. However, this year, it faces competition from the revamped Watch SE 3, which serves as a compelling alternative.
Pros: Exceptional screen visibility, sleek design, double tap and wrist flick gestures, top-notch health monitoring, impressive activity tracking, AI coaching via Workout Buddy, 50m water resistance, two-day battery life, optional 5G connectivity, long software support, eco-friendly materials, and backward compatibility with previous Apple Watch straps.
Cons: Premium pricing, limited to iPhone users, lacks customizable faces for third-party watches, and maintains a similar aesthetic to prior models.
Like many, I prefer not to revisit my teenage years. However, despite the persistent embarrassment they cause, I’ve never viewed adolescence as a mistake to be eradicated.
This perspective doesn’t hold for many characters in Whimper, a mystery series authored by comedian May Martin. The story unfolds in a fictional small-town academy in Vermont, aiming to tame unruly teens and tame the chaos of adolescence. Evelyn Wade (Toni Collett), a commanding figure, oversees the “progressive and intentional community” nestled among saccharine pines, embodying New Age ideals. Yet beneath the surface, there’s a darker undertone to this seemingly blissful place.
Through the eyes of Abby (Sydney Topriff), a Canadian stoner tomboy struggling to meet her father’s expectations, we explore Tall Pines Academy. After sneaking out to meet her best friend Leila (Arivia Allin Lind), Abby is portrayed as a troubled influence, leading to her enforced enrollment under Evelyn’s watchful eye. Upon her arrival, she is stripped of her belongings and encouraged to spy on fellow students for any offenses.
Meanwhile, newcomer police officer Alex Dempsey (played by Martin) and his pregnant wife Laura (Sara Gadon) navigate their new town, with Laura being a cherished alum of the academy, gifted their home by Evelyn. When Alex encounters a frantic runaway student in the woods, he begins to suspect something is amiss with the school.
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The most frightening part is Therapis Peak, with cruelty disguised as a way to protect mental health “
Tall Pines Academy, surrounded by eerie forests, seems to harbor an unsettling interest in Alex and Laura’s unborn child. Mysterious elements emerge, including a peculiar door hidden underground and Laura’s fixation on an odd toad. A former student, now an employee under Evelyn, breathlessly speaks of the academy’s transformative effects.
However, the core terror of Whimper lies in its therapy culture. The series examines how weaponized mental health jargon disguises real cruelty, cloaked as concern for well-being.
Poor Abby is the subject of attempts to reshape her into someone else, with accusations of harm and efforts to suppress her identity separating her from supportive friends like Leila.
Everyone at the academy is a skilled manipulator, but none compare to Evelyn. She turns the adage “integrity is the best policy” into a twisted form of “treatment,” where students are subjected to peer scrutiny armed with harsh “truths,” ultimately breaking them down. “It’s a way to hold yourself accountable,” Evelyn insists at dinner.
While Whimper presents many intriguing concepts, it evokes more thought than engagement. Unfortunately, after an enticing pilot, it devolves into mediocrity, leaving only fleeting moments of brilliance in character revelations.
If you’re brave enough to relive adolescence, Whimper may be worth a watch. Otherwise, your time might be better spent elsewhere.
Toni Collette delivers a standout performance in this haunting tale of intergenerational trauma, where uncanny events unfold after the family’s matriarch passes away.
This book traces the 200-year movement to dismantle familial structures, urging alternative child-rearing methods beyond privatized units, offering insightful perspectives whether or not you fully embrace its arguments.
Bethan Ackerley is an assistant culture editor for New Scientist. She has a passion for science fiction, sitcoms, and unsettling stories. x Follow her at @inkerley
New Scientist Book Club just read Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel The Dispossessed
Gollancz; Benjamin Brink/Oregonian/AP/Alamy
Alex Foster’s reading experience, after shifting our perspectives in a circular motion, led the New Scientist Book Club into two contrasting worlds in Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel The Dispossessed. This authentic sci-fi classic from 1974 oscillates between two timelines. One follows physicist Chebek as he departs from the barren moon Anar to study at the university on Uras, a more prosperous planet, while he simultaneously grows within the anarchist society of Anar.
I first encountered The Dispossessed during my second year of university. At that time, I was captivated by the novel’s structure and the anarchist principles shaping Chebek’s hometown. After all, what better time to dive into radical fiction than as a budding student? On this subsequent reading, however, I found myself more attuned to the human aspects of the narrative. I now have a deeper understanding of Chebek’s character, albeit one I didn’t always sympathize with.
Many club members expressed excitement when we announced The Dispossessed as our next reading. “This is my favorite Le Guin book, though it’s truly hard to choose,” remarked Kelly Jensen. In Rachel Hand’s corners of reading on our Facebook Group, it had been a long-awaited selection for some. For others, it marked their first encounter with Le Guin’s work. New Scientist describes it as a “dive into the deep end.”
Despite its daunting reputation, some readers relished how The Dispossessed brims with concepts surrounding politics, physics, and language. “It’s absolutely spectacular that Le Guin tackles physics on the ‘time’ side of the space-time continuum,” said Laura Akers. Elizabeth Drummond Young appreciated the exploration of “sudden engagement,” examining linguistic and behavioral references, such as how individuals name themselves, paralleling notions introduced by Einstein in the novel.
However, a consensus emerged: few would wish to inhabit Anar, despite its egalitarian ideals. As Laura noted, “They can’t genuinely evaluate life as we do on Earth.” They hold a profound awareness of their ecosystems, yet remain focused on their operational realities.
Gosia Furmanik expressed ambivalence: “On one hand, it’s tremendous that there’s no exploitation, and they can, in principle, do as they please.
This notion came up during a conversation with Marcus Gipps, editor at Le Guin’s publisher, Gollancz. “Everything really comes down to perspective,” he told me. “I’m fascinated to learn about East Germany’s depiction prior to its fall in relation to this book, and I will continue to explore this!”
Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the novel is its portrayal of women. Some readers found the book’s gender ratios frustratingly outdated, feeling that our views of Anar and Uras are filtered through a biased human lens. “I perceived the book’s viewpoint as an internalized bias from the author, which is perhaps expected given its time of writing,” Gothia remarked. “The portrayal of relationships, such as Chebek’s interactions in the planting camp, presents a significant distortion of cis-heteromonogamy—despite the absence of marriage!”
Conversely, others interpreted the novel’s gender politics as more deliberate. “Le Guin aimed to provoke thought about the status of women within Anar’s framework,” Neil Leighton stated. “I don’t agree that we should assume she’s advocating a particular vision of utopia based on the characteristics of Anar’s society.”
With so many intricate ideas woven throughout, it’s no surprise not everyone found the book easy to digest. Phil Gurski had to stop reading around 160 pages in due to confusion, while Steve Swan remarked on needing patience during the initial chapters. Judith Lazelle echoed this sentiment.
I resonate with Phil, Steve, and Judith’s experiences. There are indeed peculiar moments where the book overwhelms with ideas. However, “Ursula Le Guin is an absolute literary master, and I’m a tremendous admirer. I understand why this work has garnered so many accolades.” Yet, I question whether the extensive philosophical deliberations detract from the narrative itself—though as usual, the maestro concludes in a deeply satisfying fashion.”
Fortunately, many members of the book club genuinely enjoyed The Dispossessed. “I adored this book,” exclaimed Neal. “I read it as a teenager and believe it to be one of the most influential texts in my thinking.” Rachel shared, “The ending was my favorite part,” while Terry James found the final 50 pages to be a “fantastic imaginative ride.”
We are now transitioning from a fantastical science fiction realm to the intricate world of neuroscience with our next book club selection: an award-winning nonfiction work. We are thrilled to explore the winners of this year’s Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Award, Our Brains, Ourselves by neuroscientist and clinician Mazood Hussain. Through seven captivating case studies, Hussain illustrates how various neurological conditions impact identity and belonging. This book is sure to engage fans of Oliver Sacks, as Grace Wade termed it “engaging and informative” earlier this February for those eager to delve into neuroscience.
You can find excerpts from this book as well. Additionally, Sandra Knapp, a plant taxonomist at the Museum of Natural History in London and head of the Jury Committee, offers unique insights into the award selection process. She shares what makes Our Brains, Ourselves stand out among other exceptional entries and highlights learnings from this “incredibly compassionate” work. Share your thoughts with us in our Facebook Group, and let us know if you’re excited for our next read.
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The Ghost horse of Yotei, named Mokizuki, translates to the traditional Japanese term for “full moon.” I truly believe she is the most unfortunate creature in all of the North. The button needed to summon her is alarmingly close to the one used to heal my samurai during combat, leading to frequent mishaps where I inadvertently call her into a Koittic 7-on-1 skirmish. Mochizuki often intercepts arrows with her fur and deflects sword strikes from my outlaw adversaries to keep them at bay. At times, she simply stands at the fringes of the conflict, quietly waiting to steady my nerves so that I can dispatch the villains and return to picturesque escapades in the Ezo region.
Ghost of Yotei serves as a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, a revered samurai action game from the American studio Punch released in 2020. Visually, it consistently impresses, regardless of your undertaking. Yet, the majestic framing typical of open-world titles can appear somewhat absurd when you accidentally summon horses for battle or ignite flames, as they don’t quite mesh with the whimsical nature of players.
For the ride… Yotei’s ghost. Photo: Sony Interactive Entertainment
I realized that the ghosts of Tsushima were not only breathtaking but also peculiarly superficial. Their protagonist, Jin, frequently expressed his discomfort with the act of stealthily taking down Mongol invaders to save his island. In contrast, the heroine of Yotei, Ats, embraces her role as the vengeful specter much more comfortably. The narrative isn’t particularly groundbreaking; Ats’ family falls victim to a group of masked outlaws known as the Yotei Six, prompting her to hunt them down for vengeance. Star Erika Ishii delivers a stellar performance as a stoic killer, making me completely invested in Atsu’s quest for blood. Despite several other characters serving as reminders of retribution, she relentlessly eliminates her foes, giving off an impression that she relishes in it.
Honestly, I find it enjoyable. Yotei’s ghostly battles are both exquisite and brutal. You quickly grasp the mechanics of evasion, substitution, and timing while exploring Ezo, equipping yourself with dual katana, a spear, a bow, and the massive Yamato sword for more engaging fights. The setup for confrontations maintains a consistent level of challenge. Atsu faces opponents often twice her size, with some strikes sufficient to end her battles. I enjoy numerous challenging action games, from Monster Hunter to Elden Ring, yet despite over 20 hours of dueling and exploration, I still feel my enemies succumb to me with minimal effort, thus keeping the experience fresh.
Among this year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows, also set in historical Japan, Yotei’s Ghost ranks as one of the most visually stunning games I’ve encountered. The stunning natural beauty of Japan, with its ginkgo trees, distant mountains, and fish-filled rivers, is digitally honored (you can spear them for dinner). It is a world crafted for admiration. Navigate with your senses rather than the map on your screen; the wind guides you on where to go next in the story, enabling leisurely exploration. Intriguingly, with your PS5 controller, you can roast fish over a fire, strum a Shamisen, or dab ink onto a canvas. Revisiting Atsu’s memories in familiar places allows for a reflection on her life before it spiraled into violence.
The blend of traditional Japanese instruments with old Western rhythms marks the game as set in 1600s Japan through an American lens. While it may feature more action, blood, and death-defying climbs than typical samurai movies, is that truly a downside? If anything, Tsushima’s ghosts were hampered by a rigid adherence to a somber tone that conflicted with the game’s high body count. Yotei doesn’t complicate matters as the assassin’s creed does, making it fairly straightforward and enjoyable. Whenever I grew weary of pursuing one target, it was easy to find another.
Part of the landscape… the ghost of Yotei. Photo: Sony/Sucker Punch
As Atsu’s legend amplifies, the Ezo populace begins to leave offerings for the vengeful onryō (Bloodthirsty Ghost), seeking to rid the land of its oppressors. As you traverse Ezo, you truly start to feel a connection to it; Atsu engages in battles alongside wolves and chases elusive foxes to discover hidden places in nature. Once her quest for vengeance concluded, I found myself pondering what lay ahead for Ats. She struggles to envision a life beyond this path.
While the story may be simple at its core, it captivated me more than any other historical action game. Even after countless hours, I still feel a rush of excitement as Atsu deliberately unsheathes her sword at the onset of battle. The conclusion would be bittersweet.
the player started to let go of his aspiration to replicate the success of an older competitive football rival. Sometimes, the developer’s vision doesn’t align with expectations. During the creation of FC 26, EA engaged with a group of influencers and community members to inform critical design choices. Consequently, the soccer experience is now segmented into two distinct modes. Offline, it feels more like an evaluation phase, highlighting aspects like player fatigue. In contrast, online gameplay is fast-paced esports-focused, prioritizing quick shots and goals over defensive strategies like those of William Saliba.
Offline, the mode feels rejuvenating. For instance, the career mode showcases a thoughtful pace comparable to recent matches in FC and FIFA. Tactical approaches matter significantly, with noticeable differences in skills like ball control and vision. Weather effects, including wind and pitch conditions, can influence how the ball interacts with the ground. Patient build-up play is encouraged, and skills can be effectively defended without relying on skill sticks, giving the experience a cerebral aspect.
About the target…EA Sports FC 26. Photo: Electronic Arts
After a lackluster year, Manager Mode offers a more authentic playing experience. The new career carousel introduces consequences that impact job security, leading to managers being hired or poached by rival clubs. For the first time, CPU-controlled teams will implement the tactics of incoming coaches, adding much-needed variety. There are also random events, such as training injuries and unexpected issues. For instance, in my West Ham career, Kyle Walker-Peters and Eldo Zimalic Diuff missed the away game against Arsenal due to “dangerous food.” Yet, some legacy concerns, like uninspired cutscenes, persist, although they serve as a reasonable alternative to the often-controversial Ultimate Team.
Meanwhile, Ultimate Team (FUT) continues to dominate, especially among those willing to spend for random player packs, similar to collecting Panini stickers. This time, there are appealing updates, such as the introduction of Evolution mechanics for leveling up goalkeepers and the return of the All-Silver Tournament, which restricts players to silver-rated ones. It’s possible to build a strong team without significant expenditures. Just a week in, my team already includes Toni Kroos, Lionel Messi, and Ruben Dias. However, the allure to spend on random packs remains a divisive feature in the series.
The gameplay within Ultimate Team embraces “competitive” online settings and reflects years of community input. Prepare for a basketball-style goal-fest filled with impressive tricks and shots. The new AI and animations for goalkeepers will help to keep some scores lower, but defending remains a significant challenge. The absence of player fatigue complicates matters, as previously, containing a speedy attacker for 70 minutes would demand skill, but now they can push deeper into injury time, undermining solid defensive efforts. While this change caters to player feedback, it detracts from the overall sense of realism.
This high-octane gameplay is engaging and reminiscent of the enjoyable rush from mode 5. Numerous quality-of-life enhancements make it as addictive as its distant predecessor, FIFA Street. It addresses annoying elements, such as players getting stuck to the controller, and ensures goalkeepers make intelligent saves while the default view smartly tracks players, providing a comprehensive view of the pitch. Defensive issues are less detrimental in this context, making it the most enjoyable way to experience FUT.
FC 26 remains a robust offering despite its conscious decision to forego some realism in the online arena. Even in competitive settings, there are still many players yearning for authenticity. While it may represent a regression in terms of real football simulation, it certainly advances in areas of fan service. This may not be what simulation purists of Pro Evo are looking for, but as an esports collaboration between developers and the gaming community, this third installment of FIFA achieves many of its goals.
fA few years back, during a time when we sought refuge from the chaos of the outside world, “Hades” by Supergiant Games provided a welcome distraction. Zagreus, the underworld’s rebellious son, attempted to escape his prison while the rest of us remained confined at home. There was no shame in its alluring charm, and it embraced its sensuality without reservation. The character designs by artist Jen Zi showcased Olympian perfection, and winning the favor of these irresistibly charismatic Greek gods was essential for thriving in this realm. It was a tale filled with apologies.
Alongside this, a series of challenges awaited. In “Hades II,” composer Darren Korb delivers a powerful and dramatic score to underscore the climactic stages of Olympus. This level of operatic grandeur surpasses anything from the original game. Zee’s new character illustration (including one wearing a leopard skin pouch) may even inspire further fan art and fan fiction. The brilliant script by writer Greg Casabin is wittier, smarter, and more layered than ever before.
Revenge is sweet, but this time, you are not playing as Zagreus; instead, you take on the role of his sister, Merinoe, at a crucial juncture. Rather than being trapped in a motel, she calls a haunted forest home, guided by the spectral shade and her mentor Hecate. While it may be dim and dreary, unlike Zagreus, she does not seek escape. Instead, she faces nightly adventures. Supergiant invites us to reclaim our time as we dive into the same struggles we faced five years ago, navigating two frontlines of intense battles—from the depths below to the heights of Mount Olympus.
Hardships and troubles… Hades II. Photo: Super Giant Game
Preparing to face Hecate in your first attempt may be a challenge—your showdown with the “Head Mistress” is merely the initial test of your combat abilities. However, the allure of run-based games like “Hades II” lies in the opportunity for improvement each night presents. Every failure offers lessons, and with each attempt, you gain some measure of progress. Emphasizing its occult theme, you will gather materials to throw into a cauldron during quests, enhancing your spells and boosting your odds of survival.
The game also draws inspiration from another pandemic hit. Animals that cross your path can sense resources and assist you in battle. The pale raven Raki surprises both rocks and foes, while the faithful hound Hecuba can distract enemies while unearthing recovery items. Personally, I found Wildcat Toula hard to overlook; she charges at nearby opponents with her claws—when she feels like it. Plus, she grants you a single chance to evade death during each run. With nine lives, she can afford to be daring.
To defeat Cronos, we will require the help of these newfound allies along with other forms of essential support. Encounters are as intense as you might expect, and it takes time to get accustomed to Merino’s captivating weapons. Interestingly, even if you wield the witch staff like a spear, combat feels intimately magical. The dark cloak allows you to send enemies into the ether and serves as a magical jetpack. As challenging as “Hades II” may become, you are afforded more avenues than ever before to tip the scales in your favor. Conversely, you can make the slopes of Olympus even steeper: nightmare boss fight variations demand mastery of the game’s delectable yet perilous risk-reward mechanics.
One of the delights of “Hades II” lies in its exploration of an internal conflict within a Dysfunctional Extended Family. But this is merely a setup for the resolved conflict. Not every character seems aware of the stakes: Scylla, the frontwoman of the Pop-Punk Trio of Sirens, cheerfully sings I will captivate you and make you my own deep down in Oceanus. Nonetheless, even amidst chaos, the fickle nemesis of your power suit could sporadically challenge you before blocking potential exits, but you can overcome them with the gifts of Nectar or Ambrosia. The conclusion of the game makes it abundantly clear: the fight against oppression’s power requires every ounce of our collective strength, no matter how insignificant we may feel. Regardless of our stance, true resistance arises from solidarity.
google’s Pixel SuperPhone returns, featuring enhanced battery life, rapid charging, magnetic accessories, and cutting-edge AI tools, aiming to challenge the dominance of Apple and Samsung in the mobile market.
The Pixel 10 Pro XL is Google’s largest smartphone, and it ranks among the biggest available in Europe and the US. Priced at £1,199 (€1,299/$1,199/$1,999), it sits at the pinnacle of the Pixel 10 Pro range, just below the forthcoming folding Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and competes head-on with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Similar in size to the previous generation, the 10 Pro XL boasts a slight increase in weight of 11g. It’s a sizable and hefty device that usually requires two hands for operation and benefits from accessories like grips or handles.
The device features a magnetic ring that allows for various Qi2 or MagSafe accessories, including grips, car mounts, wallets, stands, batteries, and more. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
It sports a large, bright OLED display that offers a superb viewing experience for TV shows and movies. The rear integrates QI2.2 wireless charging and magnetic accessory support, positioning it as one of the few smartphones able to charge at up to 25W with the latest wireless chargers.
The 10 Pro XL carries the same Google Tensor G5 chip found in the entire Pixel 10 series, providing smooth and responsive performance. While it handles gaming adequately, those seeking top-tier graphics and frame rates may prefer competitors using Qualcomm’s premium Snapdragon processors, such as the S25 Ultra.
With the largest battery among the Pixels, the 10 Pro XL offers impressive longevity. It matches its predecessor, providing roughly 52 hours of use through a combination of Wi-Fi and 5G. Users can expect it to last through even the most demanding days, typically requiring charging every other day.
Charging is quick, taking under 90 minutes via cable and about 2 hours via a QI2 25W wireless charger. See the Ugreen Magflow 2-in-1 (left) or Belkin Ultracharge Pro (right) for options. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, UWB, NFC, Bluetooth 6, GNSS
Water Resistance: IP68 (1.5m for 30 minutes)
Size: 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm
Weight: 232g
Android 16 with AI
Magic Cue is among the most advanced AI features, working silently in the background to provide useful, timely information. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The 10 Pro XL operates on Android 16 software, enriched with AI capabilities similar to the 10 Pro, delivering one of the most comprehensive and sophisticated user experiences available. Google will offer updates until 2032.
Gemini Chatbot is integrated system-wide, complemented by a standalone app that visually displays screen content. The standout new feature, Magic Cue, operates in the background, proactively showcasing data from calendars, emails, chats, and other Google apps as needed. Whether providing location details when a friend texts about dinner or displaying an order confirmation when a recognized business calls, it seamlessly integrates with various Google and select third-party apps, although it currently does not support popular messaging apps like WhatsApp.
Moreover, the 10 Pro XL includes a one-year subscription to Google AI Pro, granting access to Google’s more powerful Gemini models and 2TB of cloud storage for photos, files, and emails (valued at £19 per month).
Camera
With the 10 Pro XL, you’re likely to capture stunning photos in various conditions. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The camera system on the larger Pixels mirrors that of the 10 Pro, meaning the choice lies in the size rather than the camera quality. Its 50MP main sensor, complemented by a 48MP ultra-wide and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens, provides some of the finest photo capabilities available. With a point-and-shoot approach on the Pro XL, you’re virtually guaranteed excellent results, irrespective of the conditions.
Additionally, several AI tools enhance the photography experience, including: Novel Camera Coach; Please Add Me that blends two photos to introduce the photographer into a group shot; and Best Take, which now operates automatically. By simply pressing the shutter button or combining multiple shots, you’re more likely to achieve group photos where everyone is looking at the camera.
Moreover, activating the Pro Res Zoom feature when exceeding a 30x zoom utilizes GenAI to restore details and clarity in images lost due to digital zoom. While results can vary, and the feature deactivates when it detects people, it often enhances blurry 100x zoom photos. It’s essential to note that this process interprets and reconstructs the image using AI, clearly indicated by the camera app. C2PA Content Credentials.
Overall, the Pixel camera system ranks among the best on the market, regardless of AI tool usage.
Sustainability
The fingerprint scanner at the bottom of the display is quick and accurate, enabling seamless unlocking. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Battery longevity is rated to exceed 1,000 full charge cycles while maintaining at least 80% of its original capacity. Repairs can be conducted through Google, authorized third-party providers, or via self-repair using available parts and manuals.
The Pixel 10 Pro XL includes 29% recycled materials by weight, such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, tungsten, and tin. The company is committed to minimizing its environmental impact, as indicated in their Environmental Report, and offers free recycling of old devices through their platform.
Price
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is priced at £1,199 (€1,299/$1,199/$1,999) and is available in four color options.
For context, the Pixel 10 is priced at £799, the Pixel 10 Pro at £999, and the Pixel 9a at £399. The Galaxy S25 Ultra retails for £1,249, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced at £1,199.
Verdict
The Pixel 10 Pro XL epitomizes a superphone with significant size, price, and functionality. If you appreciate the features of Google’s 6.3-inch smartphone but desire larger dimensions, this model is the ideal choice.
The camera stands out as one of the best, the display is stunning, and the software, which integrates Google’s most advanced AI features, is superb. The introduction of QI2.2 support accelerates wireless charging while providing access to a range of magnetic accessories, such as grips that facilitate handling larger devices.
While the pixels exhibit responsiveness, they don’t represent a groundbreaking upgrade from last year’s 9 Pro XL. Particularly regarding raw gaming performance, they fall short compared to competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Pros: 7 years of software updates, 5x optical zoom and 10x AI zoom, excellent display, magic cues, stellar camera with impressive local AI capabilities, QI2.2 wireless charging and magnetic accessory support, exceptional battery life, great ergonomics, swift fingerprint and face recognition, and a one-year subscription to Google AI Pro.
Cons: High price point, large and heavy, reliance on face ID, insufficient raw performance, inconsistent battery performance, lack of physical SIM slot in US models, and not a significant enhancement over its predecessor.
Please note, the Pixel 10 Pro XL lacks a physical SIM slot in US versions, relying solely on eSIMs. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
On its fourth installment, the NCE gaming franchise certainly matures, though maturity isn’t typically a term tied to Borderlands, a vibrant, performance-driven shooter from Texas. Known for its blend of adolescent humor, the series takes a turn in Borderlands 4 as developer Gearbox addresses longstanding issues. Featuring a cast of returning characters, the storyline is more globally engaging and less manic than previous entries. Borderlands has reached a new level of maturity, which is long overdue.
Borderlands 4 maintains its signature thick layer of humor, although the jokes can be hit or miss. Nonetheless, the humor is now a bit more polished. It continues to showcase the beloved cel-shaded graphics and intense gameplay involving an arsenal of weapons. The game introduces an even greater variety of guns than its predecessor, allowing players to sift through many options to find the truly exceptional ones suitable for both easier enemies and more intriguing bosses. A solid storyline emerges after the initial hours, leading players down unexpected, entertaining, and sometimes surreal paths.
Set on the planet Kairos, familiar to the series, this setting feels more cohesive than previous ones. The residents of Kairos are under the oppressive rule of a tyrannical timekeeper and must rally the oppressed indigenous populace for a resistance movement. Players will work to eliminate the timekeeper and liberate tribes from surveillance implants. As the story unfolds, numerous side quests and insights reveal themselves, from dungeon-like vaults to loot and environmental puzzles.
Players can choose from one of four vault hunters: a siren with summoning abilities, an Exo Soldier known as Super Soldier, a tank armed with a hammer called Forgenight, and a high-tech graviter. Each character brings essential battlefield skills, allowing for various offensive and defensive strategies. With significantly improved movement capabilities, players can utilize grapples, hover bikes, massive jumps, and glides while exploring. This installment also embraces the series’ renowned cooperative gameplay, featuring support for up to four players.
Borderlands 4 is extensive, with the main storyline spanning 20-30 hours, plus plenty of post-story content. However, it isn’t entirely seamless; at times, traversing large distances during missions can be frustrating, and navigation indicators can be inconsistent. Some technical issues were present at launch, especially on PC, leading to crashes despite significant patches. Players have also reported various performance problems here. Nevertheless, Borderlands has come a long way in its evolution, maintaining its core charm while reducing the annoyance factor evident in earlier titles.
The Pixel 10 Pro stands out as Google’s premier smartphone, compact yet powerful, enhancing the capabilities of the already impressive Pixel 10 and raising the bar in the camera category.
This model competes closely with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro, delivering the finest Google hardware without the bulk of a large display. It’s also the most affordable among the trio of Pixel 10 phones, starting at £999 (€1,099/$999/$1,699), with the larger XL and tablet variants hybridizing 10 folds.
The 10 Pro bears a familiar resemblance to its predecessor, featuring a 6.3-inch OLED display that matches the Pixel 10 in size but is notably brighter, smoother, and sharper. As one of the top displays in the mobile realm, its refined aluminum edges and matte glass back exude a premium feel, though the color options are somewhat conservative compared to its less expensive counterparts.
With Qi2 support, magnetic chargers and accessories, such as the sleek Anker 5K Maggo, can effortlessly attach to the device’s back. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The 10 Pro is among the first devices to incorporate Qi2 wireless charging, allowing compatibility with a variety of magnetic accessories, including those designed for Apple’s MagSafe.
Under the hood lies Google’s latest Tensor G5 chip, offering approximately 35% improved speed over last year’s iteration, though it does not quite match the performance of Qualcomm’s top Android chips found in competing devices. The 10 Pro delivers a smooth user experience and performs well for gaming, although those seeking top-tier graphics may want to explore other options.
Boasting solid battery life, the Pixel enables a mix of 5G and WiFi usage lasting up to two days, with around 7 hours of active screen time. Most users will find they need to charge it every other day, but I managed to get through a heavy usage day in London, ending with approximately 25% battery remaining by midnight.
The Pixel 10 Pro fully charges in about 90 minutes with a compatible power adapter of 30W or more (not included), achieving 52% charge in just over 30 minutes. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Google’s version of Android is vibrant, user-friendly, and customizable within reasonable limits. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Running on Android 16, your phone will receive security and software updates until August 2032, keeping your device current over its lifespan. The software mirrors that of the regular Pixel 10, featuring a bold and colorful aesthetic.
Google has infused AI into various aspects of the phone’s operation, with many features powered by the recent Gemini Nano models. This ensures privacy since processing can occur directly on-device without needing to transmit data.
With Gemini Chat Bot, you can engage with apps, view visuals on-screen, capture content through the camera, or have live interactions through audio.
Magic Cue enhances numerous Google and third-party apps by offering quick access to contextual information derived from data stored on your phone. Composite: Samuel Gibbs/Guardian
A standout feature is Magic Cue, which operates in the background by merging data from your Google account with your mobile data to provide assistance or quick recommendations in various Google applications. For instance, when you call a business, Magic Cue displays your card directly in the phone app, and order confirmations are readily accessible with a single tap when needed.
Magic Cue operates locally using around 10 days of data, helping to streamline operations without requiring extensive logs of your activities. It’s exclusive to Google and select third-party apps like eBay, limiting its functionality for users not utilizing compatible applications, such as WhatsApp.
The 10 Pro also includes a one-year subscription to Google AI Pro, which typically costs £19 per month, granting access to more advanced Gemini Pro models for image and video generation, along with 2TB of cloud storage across Google Drive, Photos, and Gmail.
Camera
The Camera app is user-friendly and versatile, offering various modes to enhance your photography experience, including manual controls. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The 10 Pro features an exceptional camera setup with a 42MP front-facing camera, a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens, delivering up to 10x optical zoom quality. Notably, it debuts direct AI image processing in its camera, which raises intriguing questions about the nature of photography itself.
The primary camera is one of the industry’s finest, capturing a remarkable array of detailed images across varying lighting conditions. The ultrawide camera excels in landscapes and group shots, producing excellent macro photography results for engaging close-ups. The 5x telephoto lens is a highlight, providing exceptional performance even at 10x magnification, especially in good lighting.
Google’s smartphone excels in challenging lighting scenarios, handling bright or high-contrast scenes adeptly. In darker settings, Night Sight provides more accurate color representations compared to its competitors. Additionally, this year sees enhancements to the pixel portrait mode.
Zooming past 30x employs locally generated AI models to restore lost details during digital zooming, allowing users to choose between preprocessed and post-processed images. Composite: Samuel Gibbs/Guardian
Zoom capabilities extend from 30x to 100x, utilizing a local generative AI model to recover lost details and sharpness during digital zooming. It generally performs well, although not flawlessly. AI-generated images may sometimes display inconsistencies in perspective or details. However, capturing predictable subjects like buildings, vehicles, and trees leads to solid results, making the 100x zoom surprisingly user-friendly.
When capturing people, the camera avoids using the Genai model, which might be the most suitable option. Yet, like all generative AI systems, it can occasionally struggle to produce coherent outputs, mirroring what often appears as alien-like scripts.
The camera application has integrated C2PA Content Credentials, documenting not only how images were taken but also whether generative AI was involved in their creation. Best Take functionality captures multiple images with a single press of the shutter button.
The 10 Pro also features AI camera coaching capabilities seen in the standard 10, providing users with guidance on scene composition and optimal shooting angles.
The camera comes loaded with entertaining photography and videography modes, solidifying the 10 Pro’s status as a leading contender in the market.
Sustainability
The front and back of the Pixel feature scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery is designed to last through at least 1,000 full charge cycles, maintaining a minimum of 80% of its original capacity. The phone is repairable by Google, third-party shops, or through DIY methods. A repair manual and accessible parts are available.
The Pixel 10 Pro comprises 30% recycled materials by weight, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, tungsten, and tin. The company is transparent about the environmental impact of its phones and offers a program to recycle old devices free of charge.
Price
The Google Pixel 10 Pro is priced at £999 (€1,099/$999/$1,699), offering four color options.
In comparison, the Pixel 10 starts at £799, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is available at £1,199, while the Pixel 9a can be found at £399. The Samsung Galaxy S25 retails for £799, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is priced at £1,249, and the iPhone 16 Pro costs £999.
Verdict
The Pixel 10 Pro does not radically reinvent the smartphone with its enhancements but builds upon the successes of the Pixel 10, itself a strong contender this year. Yet it still elevates market-leading camera capabilities alongside advanced AI integration.
It offers reliable performance, solid battery life, and an attractive design, though avid gamers may prefer options with superior graphics. Google’s version of Android remains among the best, offering years of support for longevity.
Several new features in Gemini provide enhanced convenience with fewer gimmicks. Magic Cue is a valuable tool that saves time without being intrusive, though it could benefit from broader app integration.
The incorporation of generative AI into the camera app refines the zoom experience, albeit it does blur the distinction of traditional photography. Debates about authenticity in photography will undoubtedly arise as usefulness and novelty intersect.
The Pixel 10 Pro is among the finest compact smartphones available, showcasing just how sophisticated Google’s AI tools have become, surpassing both Apple and its other competitors.
Pros: Seven years of software updates, 5x optical zoom, 10x AI zoom, Magic Queue, impressive local AI features, Qi2 wireless charging with magnetic accessory support, solid battery life, excellent display, ergonomic size, quick fingerprint and face recognition, and a year of Google AI Pro subscription.
Cons: Relatively high price, does not match facial recognition safety, lacks best-in-class raw performance, and the absence of a physical SIM card slot in the US, with no major improvements over the standard Pixel 10.
bThe Polish developers behind the overlooked psychological thriller The Medium from 2021, along with last year’s impressive Silent Hill 2 remake, clearly grasp the almost rhythmic essence of survival horror games. It’s perplexing to witness this latest release shine in many aspects while simultaneously stumbling in some of the genre’s foundational principles.
Players take on the role of travelers sent to investigate a catastrophic outbreak that has turned the residents of a town named New Doon into nightmarish figures, typical of Science Fiction-adjacent survival horror. Delve into the ruins of a beautifully devastated scenario and seek out places to spend your time traveling. The narrative unfolds slowly through a familiar mix of audio logs, chaotic elements, and signs of harsh environments, often depicted with bloodstains on the walls.
Unfortunately, this intriguing premise cannot uphold the weight of Chronos’ series of baffling missteps. Instead of cultivating a sense of claustrophobic dread, it opts for overwhelming, frantic impulses, sparking a need for creative expressions of frustration.
Moody Blues…Chronos: A new dawn. Photo: Bloober Team
The superb sound design effectively instills a sense of waiting in the dark, plagued by hunger. The problems arise when you confront the monsters. One of the initial foes ambushes you in a tight space, and you’re downed in mere hits. Your only defense is a weak weapon and an aim that seems to flail in every direction, making you realize how to cheese your way through until you meet your demise—only to repeat the cycle. This maddening dance persists throughout the entire 14-hour journey.
This complaint is somewhat alleviated when ample ammunition and health-restoring items are provided, creating a semblance of having narrowly escaped death. However, you’re often thrust into battles with overwhelming monsters armed for combat, with limited health and resources, leaving no viable strategy. Attempts to introduce challenges devolve into frustrating designs riddled with issues.
The inventory system doesn’t help matters; even the most dedicated survival horror fans will find themselves sacrificing precious bullets to carry keycards to progress or waste time moving between storage points to retrieve items. This doesn’t build tension; instead, it fosters tedious tasks.
The most exasperating aspect is the presence of a striking core. Despite its time travel themes, Chronos: New Dawn isn’t wholly original. I find I’ve navigated these dark hallways of hospitals, factories, and apartment buildings before; however, they exhibit stunning visuals and often engage when upgrading your weapons. When everything aligns, it delivers the gruesome body horror experience you seek. Yet, it too often shoves you into another overly punishing fight against resilient foes, replacing fear with sheer frustration.
Nick Clegg takes on challenging positions. He served as the British Deputy Prime Minister from 2010 to 2015, navigating the complex dynamics between David Cameron’s Conservatives and his own Liberal Democrats. A few years later, he embraced another tough role as Vice President of Meta and President of Global Affairs from 2018 until January 2025. In this capacity, he managed the contrasting landscapes of Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C., as well as other governments. “How to Save the Internet” outlines Clegg’s approach to these demanding responsibilities and presents his vision for fostering a more collaborative and effective relationship between tech companies and regulators in the future.
The primary threats Clegg discusses in his book do not originate from the Internet; rather, they come in the form of regulatory actions against it. “The true aim of this book is not to safeguard myself, Meta, or major technologies. It is to enhance awareness about the future of the Internet and the potential benefits of these innovative technologies.”
However, much of the book focuses on defending Meta and large technology firms, beginning with a conflation of the widely beloved Internet with social media, which represents a more ambiguous aspect of online activity. In his exploration of “Techlash,” the swift public backlash against big tech occurring in the late 2010s, he poses the question:
That brings me to a recent survey I conducted through Harris Poll. I posed this question to a nationally representative sample of young American adults—the very generation that has been shaped by a plethora of social media platforms. We invited respondents to share their thoughts on the existence of various platforms and products. The regret for the existence of the Internet is low at 17%, while for smartphones, it’s only 21%. However, regret regarding major social media platforms is considerably higher, ranging from 34% for Instagram (owned by Meta) to 47% for TikTok and 50% for X. A parental investigation also found high levels of regret regarding social media. Similarly, other researchers have uncovered similar findings in their studies.
In other words, many of us would opt to disconnect from certain technologies if given the chance. Clegg presents this choice as binary: either fully embrace the Internet or shut it down. Yet, the real concern lies with social media, which can be regulated without dismantling the entire Internet and is consequently far more challenging to defend.
Nevertheless, Clegg attempts this defense. In the opening chapter, he addresses dual accusations that social media has harmed global democracy and adversely affected teenage mental health. While he acknowledges both have deteriorated since the 2010s, he contends that the decline merely coincides with the rise of social media and is not a direct cause. He refers to academic research, yet his interpretations echo standard narratives from Meta and overlook many critical counterarguments. For instance, consider this study contrasted with alternative perspectives. Ultimately, Clegg borrows many of his defensive phrases directly from a rebuttal published by Meta in response to criticisms, while my own work articulates a case for the detrimental impact of social media on democracy.
In this book, Clegg aligns himself with Meta’s narrative, despite previously holding different views on teenage mental health. Multiple state attorneys general in the U.S. have initiated lawsuits against Meta, revealing insights through obtained documents that show Clegg’s awareness of the issues. For instance, on August 27, 2021, Clegg sent an email to Mark Zuckerberg, prompted by an employee’s request for increased resources to address teenage mental health concerns. Clegg expressed that it was “increasingly urgent” to tackle “issues concerning the impact of products on the mental health of young people,” indicating that the company’s efforts were hampered by staffing shortages. Zuckerberg, however, did not respond to this email.
Clegg’s current stance—that harm is merely correlational and that such correlations lack significance—contradicts the experiences of numerous Meta employee, contractor, whistleblower, and leaked document evidence. One example comes from a 2019 Meta-offered study commissioned by the Tennessee Attorney General, where researchers informed Meta: “[teens] Despite Instagram’s addictive nature and detrimental effects on mental health, it’s still irresistible.”
Regarding his suggestions for preserving the Internet, Clegg proposes two key principles: radical transparency and collaboration. He advocates for tech companies to be more open about how their algorithms function and how decisions are made. He warns: “If the Silicon Valley Master refrains from opening up, external forces will intervene.”
In terms of collaboration, he advocates for a “digital democratic alliance,” emphasizing the importance of providing a counter to China’s technology, which supports its authoritarian regime. Clegg envisions that world democracies should unite to ensure the Internet upholds the democratic ideals prevalent in the 1990s.
Does Clegg’s vision hold merit? While transparency is commendable in theory, it may be too late to enforce these principles on the currently dominant companies of the Internet. As tech journalist Kara Swisher articulated, we built cities without infrastructure—no sanitation, no law enforcement, no guidance. Envision such a city. This lack of foundational design allows fraudsters, extremists, and others to thrive on these platforms, posing risks that even teenagers and large enterprises doubt can be addressed. A leap towards transparency by 2026 may prove insufficient to rectify the detrimental frameworks established two decades ago.
As for collaboration, envisioning a corporation like Meta relinquishing data and control seems implausible. The tech giant has garnered considerable support from the Trump administration, raising doubts about their willingness to pressure other nations. Thus, it remains unclear how “the choice will be taken out of their hands” should they resist cooperation. By whom?
The great biologist and ant expert, E.O. Wilson, once remarked that Marxism is “a good ideology for the wrong species.” After engaging with Clegg’s proposals, one might draw a parallel; his suggestions overlook the many critiques found in books addressing Meta’s unethical practices, numerous revelations from the 2021 leak known as the Facebook Files, and ongoing legal challenges.
William Gibson in 1985, a year after the groundbreaking work emerged
Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images
Neuromancer William Gibson (Orion Publishing (UK); Ace Books (US))
Neuromancer opens with, “The sky above the port was the color of the television, tuned to a dead channel.”
The book was released in 1984, in an era when very few individuals had access to computers. The esteemed William Gibson penned this work on a typewriter. Nevertheless, while data acts as currency and corporations craft striking depictions of the futuristic realm of “cyberspace,” they are also vulnerable to cyberattacks. There’s something intriguingly enchanting within the backdrop of AIS that exists beyond our grasp.
Neuromancer birthed the cyberpunk genre and reshaped literature 40 years later, establishing itself as one of the most prophetic texts ever created. It aligns with the Apple TV+ series. In a world where many of us carry computing devices in our pockets, how does this narrative endure? Is time spent in cyberspace (a term popularized by Neuromancer) still relevant? I decided to revisit it.
Having not read it in over two decades, I initially found it challenging. The distinctive style and the claustrophobic narrative of a former hacker navigating barrooms and gang troubles made me question if the novel had aged well. After all, its imagery and concepts are no longer shocking, having been endlessly replicated in television, literature, and film, often outpaced by reality.
Yet, I was drawn back in. There’s a moment when our protagonist receives a call in a hotel lobby, only for the next call to be an AI—an incident that sends chills down my spine and echoes the profound influence on The Matrix.
As action unfolds in virtual spaces, we get an intimate glimpse of AI. Upon reading, I recognized that the major themes in the book are as pertinent and thought-provoking today as they were in 1984. For instance, the concept of a power referred to as “Turing” foreshadows the rise of AI.
Ultimately, I grasped why readers like author Adrian Tchaikovsky constantly revisit Neuromancer: it demands slow attention, yet remains a classic with profound insights. The lingering question is how Gibson envisioned this world when he relied solely on a typewriter.
Fortunately, he has reflected on this extensively over the years. “I wrote Neuromancer without any knowledge of computers,” he shared with the Guardian five years ago. “I dismantled the poetic language of those already in the field, eavesdropping at the Seattle Science Fiction Convention where early computer programmers discussed their work.”
He recounted how this eavesdropping informed various abstract elements of the narrative at a time when Gibson couldn’t simply Google what a modem was.
In summary, the novel remains astonishing. I hope that the forthcoming TV adaptation does it justice.
I would also recommend Emily…
Burning Chrome William Gibson (Orion Publishing (UK); Gollancz (US))
Gibson’s short story collection is truly remarkable. It was one of my favorites and remains vibrant today.
Emily H. Wilson is the former editor of the New Scientist and author of the Sumerian trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The final installment, Ninshuval, is now available. Visit her at emilyhwilson.com or follow her on X @emilyhwilson and Instagram @emilyhwilson1.
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There were moments when my brain struggled to engage with Nick Clegg’s new book, How to Save the Internet.
After a dull depiction of future families benefiting from artificial intelligence, I found myself flipping to page 131, encountering lengthy quoted segments, first from a Massachusetts tech professor, followed by an excerpt from an NPR article. Overwhelmed by monotony, I had to set the book aside.
However, Clegg, a former executive at Facebook’s parent company Meta and UK’s deputy prime minister from 2010 to 2015, prompted me to revisit it, sensing that valuable insights awaited.
During his tenure, Clegg experienced pivotal moments at Meta, including the two-year suspension of Donald Trump in 2021. His reflections on Meta’s policies are revealing. Despite rising authoritarianism, How to Save the Internet posits that Big Tech is responsible for shaping our online realities.
Yet, wisdom is scarce throughout the book, which is littered with passages from other journalists and researchers. When Clegg does offer his perspective, it often comes across as uninspired and bland: “If businesses can enhance productivity during work hours and glean insights swiftly, it will promote efficiency.” Hardly thrilling.
The book’s concluding chapter, where Clegg presents his grand vision to “save the Internet,” is equally underwhelming, claiming that the US should avoid business as usual while the Chinese AI model Deepseek caused significant market turmoil. He suggests a global agreement to counteract China, but fails to dive deeply into the implications.
What struck me more was Clegg’s explanation of Meta’s response after supporters of Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, resulting in a presidential ban. CEO Mark Zuckerberg allowed Clegg to make a crucial decision regarding the suspension. This was significant for private firms, yet the process seemed unclear. We were informed of the events, but left without a thorough understanding.
Given Clegg’s background, I’m left wondering why the book lacks a lasting impact. His experiences as a politician and tech executive are evident, yet he shares little of himself, which diminishes engagement with his audience. Questions surrounding AI’s socioeconomic implications and its potential to deepen inequality are posed but left unanswered.
The core issue with How to Save the Internet is its failure to convey substantial ideas. Politicians often shy away from firm stances. The Internet’s origins stretch back to military ARPANET, AI lacks true intelligence, and while social media connects us, it also leads to toxicity.
This reads more like a post-dinner speech or a polished think tank report, adorned with flashy aesthetics. If you’re interested in saving the Internet, proceed with caution.
Chris Stokell Walker is a technology writer based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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google has unveiled the affordable Pixel 10, boasting enhanced cameras, speedier processors, and high-end software, stepping out from the shadows of its pricier professional counterparts to redefine expectations for flagship phones in the base model category.
The standard Pixel 10 is priced at £799 (€899/$799/$1,349) – the same as last year’s Pixel 9 – positioning it strategically below the £200 mark of the 10 Pro while competing effectively with rivals from Samsung and Apple.
The design closely mirrors that of the Pixel 9, featuring some new striking colors and the essential third camera situated in a distinctive tablet-shaped bump at the back. The satin aluminum and glass finish conveys high-quality craftsmanship, distinguishing it from the plethora of uniform smartphones. The 6.3-inch OLED display is sharp, exceptionally bright, and fluid with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The fast-screened fingerprint scanner enhances the Pixel 10’s responsiveness. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The glass back conceals another noteworthy upgrade: QI2 wireless charging and compatibility with magnetic accessories. Google has developed its own pixelsnap, an accessory QI2 is an open standard also compatible with a variety of Apple’s Magsaf accessories, such as chargers, wallets, grips, and stands that attach to the back of the phone.
Connectivity: 5G, ESIM, WiFi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 6, GNSS
Water Resistance: IP68 (1.5m in 30 minutes)
Size: 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.6mm
Weight: 204g
Tensor G5
Charged via a power adapter (not included), Pixel 10 reaches 50% in 90 minutes and supports 15W wireless charging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Google’s new Tensor G5 chip outperforms its previous processor by 34-38% in speed tests, marking a significant advancement for the brand, although it’s still not quite on par with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon processors employed by competitors. Users will perceive a boost in speed during operation, effectively managing most tasks.
Battery longevity is commendable, providing around two days under light usage and approximately 33 hours under heavy usage, including five hours of 5G activity, with around seven hours of active screen time. Users will typically need to recharge every other day.
The Tensor G5 also features a notably faster AI processor that enhances Google’s advanced AI functions, allowing for more sophisticated on-device processing, effectively showcasing Google’s AI potential through the Pixel.
Android 16 with AI
Introducing Google’s new AI features: Magic Queue, Daily Hub, and Camera Coach. Composite: Samuel Gibbs/Guardian
Running on Android 16 out of the box, the Pixel 10 offers software support until August 2032. Google’s Android interface features vibrant typography, bold colors, large buttons, and lots of delightful interactions throughout. Even more subdued color combinations provide a premium experience.
The Pixels leverage some of Google’s most advanced AI technologies, including the latest version of Gemini Nano On-Device. A new voice translation feature allows for conversations simulating the caller’s voice, rather than using the default Gemini voice.
However, the standout AI feature is the Magic Cue, running locally on your device, designed to act as a small assistant to streamline your smartphone experience. It aggregates data from your Google account and phone to offer helpful suggestions when using various Google apps. For example, during a delivery inquiry, an order confirmation email appeared as a card in the phone app providing one-tap access to the order number.
If a text arrives regarding a flight’s landing time, it can automatically extract the date and time from your calendar for quick sharing. Additionally, the Weather app can suggest locations for upcoming trips from your calendar.
While these features may seem trivial, they mark an evolution in the use of AI, transitioning from flashy gimmicks to practical time-savers. Currently, Magic Cue supports Gmail, Maps, Calendars, Notes, Screenshots, Contacts, Messages, Google Photos, and more, with promising expansions in the pipeline. However, the absence of third-party app integration—such as WhatsApp—limits its utility.
Camera
The camera app is user-friendly, equipped with numerous tools and modes to enhance your photography. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Pixel 10 features a 10.5-megapixel selfie camera and three rear cameras: a 48MP main, 13MP ultra-wide, and 10.8MP 5x telephoto, addressing prior criticisms of base model Pixel devices lacking telephoto capabilities.
Both the main and ultra-wide cameras deliver exceptional photos across various lighting scenarios, producing vivid contrast and outperforming competitors in low-light conditions. The new 5x telephoto lens captures impressive images and significantly enhances zoom capabilities, reaching up to 20x digital zoom. Although some images exhibit minor graininess when fully magnified, most users will be satisfied with the results.
Google excels in simplifying photography, ensuring good images with minimal effort. The revamped Auto Best Take mode improves upon the popular Group Shot Best Take feature, taking multiple photos and automatically blending them to ensure everyone is looking good. While most shots require little intervention, more complex scenarios with numerous subjects might see increased AI involvement.
The large rectangular camera bump on the back provides a stable grip, reducing camera shake. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The popular Add Me feature has been enhanced, allowing for larger and more intricate group photos, improved to accommodate more individuals and complex backgrounds. The
camera app will also implement C2PA Content Credentials in photos, detailing how images were captured and whether generative AI contributed.
One of the most noteworthy AI features is the new Camera Coach, which utilizes Gemini to guide users in configuring and framing shots for enhanced photography. Pressing a small button in the viewfinder sends the current image to Google’s servers for analysis, providing several suggested configurations. Users can select their preferred option and receive step-by-step advice on adjusting the camera for the shot. Initial tests showed promising suggestions, potentially aiding those wishing to elevate their photography skills.
In summary, the Pixel 10 excels in producing impressive photos and videos, with AI enhancements that add practical value.
Sustainability
Pixel 10 devices in the US do not include nano-SIM card slots and rely exclusively on eSIMs. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery israted for longevity, exceeding 1,000 full charge cycles while maintaining at least 80% of its original capacity. Users have the option to repair their devices through Google, authorized service centers, or via self-repair guides and parts available online.
The Pixel 10 comprises 32% recycled materials by weight, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, tungsten, and tin. Google will disclose the environmental impact of the device and offers a program to recycle old devices at no charge.
Price
The Google Pixel 10 is priced at £799 (€899/$799/$1,349), available in four color options.
In comparison, the Pixel 10 Pro is priced at £999, while the Pixel 9a costs £399. The Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 both retail for £799.
Verdict
The Pixel 10 sets a new benchmark for flagship phones in the base model segment, delivering a premium experience and an impressive camera with a valuable telephoto zoom that feels like an integral part of the device.
While the exterior remains largely unchanged from last year, it offers an attractive design that stands out amid a crowd of similar smartphones. Despite not being equipped with the fastest chip on the market, it operates smoothly, with a battery that lasts between 1.5 and 2 days on a single charge.
Several new AI features provide substantial improvements, particularly Magic Cues, Auto Best Take, and other small enhancements that run seamlessly in the background. Coupled with Gemini, Google has positioned itself ahead in the realm of genuinely useful AI tools compared to competitors like Apple, without compromising the core smartphone experience.
Although it may not be the steal that Google’s budget Pixel 9a offers, the Pixel 10 stands out as one of the best smartphones available, providing excellent value for users.
Pros: 7 years of software updates, 5x telephoto lens, excellent display, Magic Cue, outstanding camera with impressive AI features, QI2 wireless charging, magnetic accessory support, great battery life, ideal size, quick fingerprint sensor, and facial recognition capabilities.
Cons: The lack of a physical SIM card slot in the US, reduced performance compared to flagships, and less secure facial recognition compared to Face ID.
The Pixel 10 is a striking and superior flagship smartphone that exceeds its competitors. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The narrative of Earth is one of transformation. Over 4.5 billion years, our planet has evolved from a scorching mass of molten rock and poisonous gases into a temperate and vibrant habitat teeming with diverse life forms. This evolution was punctuated by pauses, restarts, and cataclysmic events, as the intricate biogeochemical processes shaped the most extraordinary phases in Earth’s history.
Our understanding of this vast tale is largely thanks to rocks. They preserve the chronology of events that contributed to the surface’s stratification through various deposits. This intricate ordering is understood through hierarchies, and the scientific discipline dedicated to interpreting them is known as stratigraphy.
In Strata: A Story from Deep Time, journalist Laura Poppick delves into this nuanced science of rock interpretation, offering insights on how planets respond to and recover from periods of upheaval. “Through these layers, we glimpse ancient versions of our planet, gaining contextual awareness as we traverse through the present,” she observes.
Poppick highlights several transformative periods in Earth’s history, selecting four key episodes. The first examines the development of oxygen-rich atmospheres, tracking the evolution of photosynthesizing microorganisms and significant oxidative events that led to mass extinctions around 2.4 billion years ago.
The second segment discusses “Snowball Earth,” a period approximately 720 million years ago when many regions are believed to have frozen over. Following this, she explores the advent of mud and the subsequent rise of vegetation. Finally, the Mesozoic era, dominated by dinosaurs, records atmospheric carbon dioxide levels much higher than today’s due to volcanic activity, offering a framework to understand planetary responses to climate shifts.
“
Sedimentary rocks maintain a distinct layer system that clearly records the events that have shaped our planet’s surface. “
Throughout each episode, Poppick introduces geologists working to unravel the numerous unanswered questions regarding the timing and causes of these changes. She visits significant geological sites, from Newfoundland to the Australian Outback, where one can observe the strata that articulate these narratives.
The recurring theme emphasizes the importance of paying attention to rocks. To an untrained observer, they may appear ordinary; however, Poppick reminds us that “a trained eye discerns physical and chemical indicators—proxies—that reveal the characteristics of our planet during the formation of these rocks.” She underscores the value of geologists’ expertise.
This book is a remarkable attempt to make stratigraphy engaging. At times, it falters, and Poppick’s fragmented writing style led me to lose the thread of the narrative.
Her comparisons of geological transformations to human-centric changes sometimes felt uneasy. For instance, she likens the Mesozoic greenhouse climate to modern carbon emissions, though the historical era’s temperatures were so extreme that such analogies may be misleading, even at optimistic emission projections.
Another limitation lies in the currently incomplete nature of geoscience. Some of the pivotal questions raised by Poppick—including the true cause of Snowball Earth—remain unresolved or are subject to debate among different factions. By the end, I was left with a sense of uncertainty about what can be definitively stated. Yet, that unpredictability might be intrinsic to geology itself. “Nothing is immutable in stone as our understanding of geology continues to evolve, just like the rocks,” Poppick states.
Nevertheless, the book effectively captures the grandeur of the story embedded in rocks. It does so particularly well by showing how seemingly mundane observations about rocks can lead directly to profound insights into Earth’s history. Such revelations illuminate the stratigraphic process as Poppick examines overlooked outcrops, encouraging us to perceive the rocks in our surroundings with renewed appreciation.
“Hierarchies are, in many ways, love letters from a maturing Earth,” she argues. This book abundantly reveals the reasons to uncover the secrets they hold.
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sKY’s newest streaming TV model offers an excellent all-in-one budget solution for your living space. It successfully fulfills all these demands while establishing a strong presence among similar priced, average appliances.
Glass Air is the lightweight, sleek, and affordable alternative to the Glass Gen 2, designed to be the first low-cost option from Sky, priced at £309 or available for £20 with interest-free credits.
Like its pricier counterparts, Glass Air requires a Sky subscription for full functionality. It serves as a basic smart TV featuring streaming apps and three HDMI ports, but you won’t be utilizing Sky TV unless you subscribe to TV over broadband service.
Glass Air can be viewed as a stripped-down version of Glass Gen 2, maintaining the same service and internal smart hardware, yet lacking an integrated soundbar, aluminum housing, and various display options, leading to a reduced weight and thickness.
The slender plastic frame comes in three color choices along with matching remote controls. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
This means all you need is a power cable and an internet connection; no aerial or satellite cables are needed thanks to WiFi or Ethernet. The remote also unifies TV, streaming apps, and services. Additionally, it includes Sky’s voice control system with a built-in microphone, allowing you to power it on and manage search, volume, and playback simply by saying “Hello Sky” followed by a command. While the voice command can be a bit finicky at times, it works effectively. Alternatively, you can press and hold the microphone button on the remote to communicate with it.
The 60Hz display is a vibrant and clear 4K LCD panel with HDR support, although it lacks the superior local dimming backlight found in Glass Gen 2 and other premium TVs. Consequently, the picture maintains a uniform brightness across scenes, diminishing the contrast between bright and dark areas. This can make certain high-contrast scenes appear less dramatic and somewhat shallow, though bright visuals remain appealing.
Nonetheless, the TV excels at showing beautiful visuals, performs well with everyday television shows, and handles vivid animations and dark-themed films competently.
Glass Air features three HDMI ports, an optical port, two USB ports, Ethernet, and an aerial socket, but only requires power and WiFi for operation. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The 15W stereo speakers are surprisingly impressive for a slim TV devoid of a soundbar. They deliver clear vocals and can reach volumes sufficient to fill medium-sized rooms, a feat not typically associated with most TV speakers.
While they lack deep bass and any surround sound capabilities, they are adequate for viewing bargain hunts and Premier League games. For a more immersive audio experience, you can connect a soundbar via one of the three HDMI ports; however, turning up the TV’s volume may impede some screen visibility.
Sky OS
The modern Sky Interface consolidates all your content into a single, user-friendly system for both live and on-demand viewing. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
A significant selling point for Glass Air over other budget TVs is its robust software. Sky OS has seen considerable improvements in recent years and operates smoothly with Glass Air.
It allows for seamless integration of live broadcasts and on-demand content through excellent playlist functionalities, making it easy to keep track of shows and movies. The ability to watch live TV, pause, and rewind functions efficiently. It supports nearly all major streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer, ITV X, Channel 4, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, and Discovery+, among others.
Glass Air is compatible with AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth for streaming content from a variety of Apple devices.
Sustainability
The TV shifts to screensaver mode before powering down after a designated period of inactivity while detecting motion through a remote sensor. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The TV is designed for repair, incorporating recycled materials and solder. The company has a program for recycling older units and ships the TV in packaging free of plastic.
Price
The Sky Glass Air is offered in three sizes: £309 for 43 inches, £509 for 55 inches, and £649 for 65 inches. It also provides 24- or 48-month, interest-free payment options for £6-£20 per month.
The minimum Sky package for essential TV service starts at £15 per month, with various options for entertainment, movies, kids, and sports channels available on a 24 or 1-month rolling contract, including Netflix and Discovery+.
Verdict
Sky Glass Air is a solid budget-friendly television that includes all the perks of Sky’s Pay-TV bundled with broadband service.
It’s lightweight and slim, with stereo speakers that outperform many other thin models. The 4K visuals are bright and vibrant, though there’s a slight contrast issue at times. The essential features of the TV are satisfactory. When compared to other budget competitors in terms of service and software, it is notably superior to many low-end smart TVs.
However, a monthly subscription is required for full access, but those interested in Sky Pay-TV will find that they are not compromising on software experience with this affordable model. Plus, it offers the remarkable convenience of all TV and streaming services in one box, needing just one remote and basic power and internet.
Shop wisely and secure a well-designed mid-range TV that exceeds expectations at this price point. Glass Air is an excellent choice for those seeking value in a crowded market of budget televisions.
Pros: All-in-one streaming and pay TV device, decent sound quality, no satellite/cable or aerial needed.
Cons: Lacks local dimming which results in lower contrast, limited refresh rates for gaming consoles, and no Chromecast support. Subscription required.
The TV connects to a sturdy plastic stand featuring two metal prongs and requires no additional tools. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
New Scientist Book Club discusses Alex Foster’s Circular Motion
The New Scientist Book Club has taken a turn by revisiting Alex Foster’s Circular Motion, moving from Adam Roberts’ futuristic Lake of Darkness, set thousands of years ahead in a world eerily similar to ours. However, a significant distinction exists; Foster’s universe is dominated by massive aircraft that can traverse the globe in mere hours. This “westerly circuit” not only facilitates rapid travel for the wealthy but also speeds up the Earth’s rotation as the narrative unfolds, especially evident by the conclusion where just two hours have profound implications.
As I mentioned, this book left a strong impression on me. It ticked all my boxes for science fiction: an impending apocalyptic event of nightmarish scale? Absolutely. A society desperately trying to maintain a facade of normalcy? Definitely. A cast of engaging and relatable characters? Yes, indeed. From a science fiction standpoint, it has become my favorite (new) read thus far. I ponder whether it leaned more towards grand physical phenomena (storms, gravity shifts) or more intimate experiences (the psychological burden of merely two hours in this world).
Yet, I found myself at odds with my two-sentence summary. (And isn’t that the charm of a book club, where different interpretations bloom?) While I relish a good dystopia, Neil Leighton found Foster’s grim portrayal of life on Earth a bit overwhelming. “I appreciated it and am glad I read it, but it was overly dystopian, and I’m not likely to recommend it as a gift,” he shared in our Facebook group. “I will say it is solid literary science fiction, but I struggled to suspend my disbelief, and it felt somewhat forced at times. It struck a decent balance between character work and ideas, yet was too dystopian for my palate.”
I wasn’t the only one grappling with the narrative. “I typically have no issues with suspending disbelief, but Circular Motion challenged that,” Jennifer Marano admitted. “Furthermore, the dystopian elements felt too oppressive for Gothia Fulmanik. The narrative felt uncomfortably close to home.”
I am thankful that Gosia highlighted the theme of climate change in this context. Video Interview The book is intended to draw parallels to our current reality. Instead of halting aircraft operations, the protagonists resort to constructing a colossal, vacant “shell” as a technological solution to the very issues they created within the Western Circuit. Many of you witnessed Foster’s characters facing calamities that resonate with our daily existence. “The theme of hubris (attempting to build shields to rectify issues with pods, circuits, gravity, and time) was a poignant and overt lesson,” Steve Swann remarked. It became a discussion point where we all tried to align the world correctly, only to end up exclaiming, “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
For Niall, “as someone concerned about climate change, it serves as a more profound cautionary tale, replete with wise critiques of ineffective technical fixes.”
One aspect that perplexed me was Foster’s dating system, presented as “AH 976,314:17.” Many of you shared the same confusion. Eliza Rose echoed my thoughts, stating, “I didn’t grasp it, nor did I attempt to. I just read along, assuming it wasn’t crucial to the plot.” Phil added, “I would have liked an explanation of the new AH time-measurement system and its introduction.” Thankfully, Paul Jonas provided clarity: “It translates to hundreds of thousands of hours, consistent globally. 970,000 corresponds to 11 years, but good luck wrapping your head around it unless you reset.”
Members of the New Scientist Book Club expressed a desire for more substantial science within this science fiction work. “I felt that the scientific elements were secondary to the characters’ narratives,” articulated one member. “What I longed for was speculation on how an accelerating Earth impacts non-human life forms. This would have significant repercussions for flora and fauna. Gosia, too, expressed a wish for Foster to delve into the experiences of less privileged communities amid the apocalypse (especially considering how climate change disproportionately affects the Global South).
“I craved deeper insights into the systems responsible for the escalating issues surrounding time and travel. For me, it fell short of being authentically science fiction,” Paul remarked.
We aspire that our next reading fulfills those expectations: it is one of the most lauded science fiction novels in history—the award-winning anarchist utopian work by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Dispossessed, released long before 1974. We haven’t tackled classics in a while. Le Guin has been recommended by several of you as the next author, so I’m enthusiastically on board! Book Club members can also enjoy essays from Theo Downs Le Guin, the son of the late Le Guin, who offers unique insights as both a son and a reader (which is fantastic). Join us on our Facebook group for a discussion about this timeless classic and share your thoughts.
Alice Roberts’ latest book represents a distinct shift. In her earlier works, Basement and Burial, she combined her knowledge of osteophysiology, which examines preserved human bones, with more conventional historical strategies, such as analyzing ancient texts. Her blend of technical science and insightful discussions of historical records aimed to create a multifaceted perspective of past human life and culture.
In contrast, Rule: The Decline of the Roman Empire and the Ascendancy of Christianity largely steers clear of osteophysiology. Instead, it delves into historical documents. This isn’t necessarily a shortcoming; Roberts showcases her keen and deliberate approach to historical analysis, albeit this might necessitate an avid readership.
The focal point of her exploration is the ascent of Christianity from a modest Eastern Mediterranean sect to a globally dominant faith. Amid the disappearance of many other beliefs, what factors contributed to its supremacy?
Central to this narrative is the Roman Empire, which held sway over nearly all Mediterranean territories, extending from Britain to Syria when Christianity first appeared. Although the Romans worshipped numerous deities, Christianity gradually garnered more favor. Key moments stand out: Constantine I’s reign (AD 306-337) saw the decriminalization of Christianity (and possibly his own conversion), although Roberts identifies evidence gaps about this. Theodosius I’s rule (AD 379-395) marked another pivotal moment, as he made Christianity the state religion.
Roberts questions the conventional narrative which suggests Christianity was inherently more appealing or its followers exceptionally devoted. She contends that such assertions are mere Christian propaganda.
“
The eternal truth is not theological: gods rise and fall, temples rise and fall, but business is always business. “
Instead, she asserts that the genuine key to Christianity’s success lay in its rapid infiltration of the upper echelons of Roman society. While Jesus associated with the marginalized, his followers targeted affluent Romans, soldiers, and educated elites for recruitment—this strategy proved tremendously effective. “Early adopters emerged from the middle and upper classes of urban centers, not merely the lower classes of the rural and imperial populations,” Roberts states.
Over ensuing decades and centuries, the church amassed a business empire. As Roberts articulates, “Stripped of religious pretense, what’s revealed is a vast, intricate network of interrelated enterprises: welfare, healthcare, law, agriculture, shipping, education, and beyond.”
The church also undertook charitable initiatives covering various state responsibilities, particularly in addressing poverty. However, this was managed with a clear veneer of cynicism. “Christian charity,” Roberts observes, “was never intended to eradicate poverty.” Instead, it enabled the church to position itself favorably across all societal tiers, suggesting to the poor that they would be compensated in the afterlife, while assuring the wealthy that their donations were the pathway to heaven.
This arrangement thrived amid the glaring social inequalities of the time, drawing parallels to modern billionaire philanthropy.
Ultimately, Roberts argues that the Roman economic landscape was thoroughly reshaped around the church, as educated elites pursued careers within its structure.
When the Western Roman Empire crumbled, the elite aligned themselves with the new leadership but retained existing power structures. “Regardless of the rhetoric or spiritual messaging, the whole system mirrored Roman commerce, as always,” Roberts notes. “The eternal truth is not theological; gods come and go, temples rise and fall, but business is always business.”
The opening of Domination may prove somewhat challenging, with a plethora of names to track and a non-linear narrative. However, once Roberts refines her argument, the narrative accelerates. The outcome is a sharp, thought-provoking, and at times contentious examination of one of humanity’s most significant organizations.
Michael Marshall is a writer based in Devon, UK
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Honor’s newest folding phone-tablet aims to challenge Samsung’s dominance with a sleek SuperSuma design, an impressive battery, and a camera module reminiscent of a giant lens on the back.
Closed, the Magic V5 measures approximately 8.9mm thick, which is comparable to the USB-C port thickness, and feels similar to a conventional flat phone while being able to unfold into a mini tablet format.
Priced at £1,699.99 (€1,999.99), this folding device competes fiercely with offerings from Samsung and Google, though it remains on the pricier side, which may deter some consumers.
The Magic V5 comes in several colors, featuring different materials on the back that affect both thickness and weight. At 222g or less, it is slightly heavier than Samsung’s latest foldable, yet remains lighter than many other competitors, equating its weight to that of a larger standard phone.
When closed, the Magic V5 has a weight, thickness, and width comparable to that of a large conventional phone. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The external 6.43-inch OLED display is remarkable and functions like a standard smartphone, while the internal 7.95-inch folding screen stands out for its brightness. Though it has visible creasing in the middle, it remains unobtrusive during use. The inner screen is more flexible than typical smartphone displays and requires careful handling, plus it tends to attract fingerprints.
This device is one of the first folding phones to offer water resistance comparable to standard smartphones, ensuring that dust and particles cannot penetrate behind the flexible screen or around the metal hinges, addressing concerns about durability.
Specifications
Main screen: 7.95in (403ppi) 120Hz OLED Flexible Display
Water resistance:IP58 and IP59 (Immersion and high pressure jet)
Folded dimensions: 156.8 x 74.3 x 8.88-9mm
Expanded dimensions: 156.8 x 145.9 x 4.1-4.2mm
Weight: 217-222g
Top Snapdragon Chip and Large Capacity Battery
Using a standard 100W USB-C power adapter (not included), it takes 55 minutes to fully charge, reaching 70% in under 30 minutes. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Magic V5 is powered by Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, offering robust performance that rivals flagship devices. It handles everyday tasks effortlessly, remains cool under pressure, and excels in gaming.
Its multitasking capabilities shine through, allowing up to four apps to be displayed simultaneously on-screen.
Moreover, the generous battery life extends the device’s usability while maintaining a sleek form factor, larger than typical flat phones. Its battery performance varies significantly based on screen usage; primarily used as a tablet with 5G for video watching, it lasts around 37 hours. Balanced use across both screens can get you through three days before requiring a charge.
Magicos Software Still Needs Improvement
Multitasking on a large internal display offers a delightful experience with three apps available on split screen. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Running Honor’s Magicos 9 (based on last year’s Android 15) instead of the latest Android 16, the Magic V5 promises seven years of Android updates and security patches for European customers.
While the software features some promising ideas, it still exhibits rough patches and unexpected behaviors. The outer screen operates like traditional Android devices, but the inner display is where the software shines, allowing for multitasking with three apps on split screen. One app can be partially hidden to maximize space without closing the others, a clever feature first seen on the OnePlus Open. The taskbar simplifies window management.
Mini-floating windows offer enhanced desktop multitasking capabilities. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
However, tapping on app notifications within the internal screen consistently opens the app in a mini window, which may be suitable for small messaging apps, but could be unsatisfactory for larger applications like Gmail.
Furthermore, the software doesn’t utilize the partially folded mode that the inner screen offers, lacking a counterpart to Samsung’s well-regarded flex mode—representing a missed opportunity. Another bug in Honor’s font choice makes it challenging to identify unread emails in bold within Gmail, which is frustrating.
While these minor irritations may be overlooked in budget devices, they stand out on a premium device priced at £1,700. Honor has work to do.
Camera
The Camera app features multiple modes suitable for closed, partially open, or fully open configurations, ideal for selfies. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Equipped with a solid camera array nestled within a pronounced circular camera bump, the Magic V5 features a 50MP main camera that captures appealing images across varying lighting conditions, though details can soften in lower light.
The 50MP ultra-wide camera performs well but slightly distorts edges and loses fine detail. The standout is the 64MP 3x optical telephoto camera, which excels in clarity and color accuracy, even under indoor lighting, and can achieve a 6x zoom that softens details at full size but performs admirably in bright conditions.
The dual 20MP selfie cameras produce decent results, yet using the main camera with the outer screen as a viewfinder yields superior quality.
The camera app supports various modes, including smart motion capture for action shots and robust video capabilities. There’s a range of AI filters and effects typical of many Chinese smartphones, allowing for personalized aesthetics.
Overall, while the camera is one of the better options among folding devices, it falls short of the top-tier camera phones available on the market.
Sustainability
The capacitive fingerprint scanner on the power button integrates seamlessly with the slim design. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The expected battery lifespan is at least 1,200 charge cycles with a minimum of 80% original capacity remaining. The Magic V5 is generally easy to repair, with the internal screen priced around £700 and the external screen around £200. Additionally, Honor offers complimentary screen repairs for 12 months if purchased within the first month after release.
This device incorporates recycled plastics, and while Honor provides limited environmental reports, trade-in and refurbished options are available.
Price
The Honor Magic V5 retails for £1,699.99 (€1,999.99).
For context, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is priced at £1,799; the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold costs £1,749; the Galaxy S25 Ultra is listed at £1,249, while the Honor Magic 7 Pro is available for £1,099.
Verdict
Honor has crafted an impressive folding phone, yet the software experience has room for improvement. While the Magicos has progressed over time, it lacks the customization and features seen in competitors.
The main issues are minor glitches, rough edges, and abnormal behaviors throughout the software. None of these detract significantly from the product, but they accumulate and cannot be ignored in a device priced at £1,700.
It’s unfortunate because the phone is rapid, boasts great battery life, has a capable camera, and presents aesthetically well. It’s great to see a meaningful rivalry among Samsung and Google in this foldable segment. Nonetheless, there’s insufficient incentive to choose the Magic V5 when it costs nearly the same as the industry-leading Samsung.
Pros: Super slim design, functions like a regular phone when closed, excellent performance, outstanding battery life, superb internal display, solid camera capabilities, effective fingerprint scanner, and a water and dust resistance rating.
Cons: High price point, software lacks polish for advanced behaviors, less durability compared to standard devices, expensive repairs, and limited folding modes.
The Magic V5 is a visually appealing and well-crafted device. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
A wise fictional character once remarked that war never changes, and if you experience Snake Eater, it’s hard to disagree. Konami has reimagined the 2004 Cold War PS2 classic, swapping “three” with “Delta,” but this remains the jungle adventure you remember. Without Kojima, Konami has maintained the essence of this chaotic masterpiece while channeling its energy into stunning visuals and smooth, modern controls.
In terms of PS2 titles that feel like contemporary releases, Metal Gear Solid 3 tops the list. Transitioning the series into vast outdoor settings, Kojima maximized the aging power of Sony’s console. To modern players, these environments were expansive. However, revisiting the water-logged swamps of Tselinoyarsk in today’s open-world gaming landscape, the once seemingly endless jungle feels rather quaint.
A potential playfulness… Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Photo: Konami
Thankfully, the charm and vibrant characters inhabiting these mosquito-infested playgrounds remain as plentiful as ever. Every path you tread is filled with playful opportunities. The snake slithers through the mud, sniping wasp nests and dispatching nearby patrols before leaping from cliffs. Vultures descend on foes under the scorching desert sun, and you can even shoot the transceiver of a guard to thwart a backup call. It’s these intricate systems and ambitious narratives that lend a grander feel to the modest maps.
As for the narrative, Snake Eater retains its edge, interspersing real-world historical footage from the Cold War before pitting you against various foes. Long-time fans la-li-lu-le-lo aside, newcomers might find the relentless opening cutscene somewhat intrusive. The prologue periodically takes control from the player, inundating you with tutorial text between short playable segments, but it ultimately culminates in a barrage of fitting nouns.
Fortunately, once gameplay begins, Snake’s Soviet journey feels exhilarating. Purists can opt for classic top-down views through legacy modes, but modern controls provide a truly revolutionary experience, transforming the once-clumsy snake into a lethal killing machine.
Despicable Shenanigans… Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Photo: Konami
Moreover, there are some exciting new features for seasoned veterans. The newly introduced optional compass efficiently points toward your target, while pressing the D-PAD allows for quick access to the codec and camouflage adjustments on the fly.
Speaking of camouflage, the survival system in Snake Eater is perhaps its most significant legacy. Kojima’s groundbreaking hunting and injury treatment mechanics continue to influence modern games, setting the groundwork for today’s popular survival genres. Though some elements may feel dated compared to current standards, they add an appreciated layer to Snake’s escapades.
The island’s playful meta-narrative continues to thrive, offering engaging gameplay choices. From the ability to eliminate an early boss long before their intended encounter to a boss fight that revolves around your accumulated bloodlust results, few modern titles embrace this level of interactive storytelling.
Despite its cinematic aspirations, Snake Eater excels in its quirks and video game absurdities. Items drop from defeated soldiers, hidden frogs leap as you shoot, and camouflaged rubber ducks lurk in every nook and cranny of the environment.
Delta serves as a stunning showcase for the PS5 Pro, becoming one of the few graphical highlights amidst Sony’s high-priced offerings. The cinematic splendor of last year’s memorable sequences comes alive with breathtaking 4K visuals. Still, not everything has aged gracefully, particularly Eva’s cleavage cutscene, which reveals the game’s roots in 2004.
Some elements could benefit from a revision. While players will not soon forget the iconic final confrontation, the rushed ending feels like a missed opportunity to cohesively tie up loose threads, suggesting Konami’s interference in this critical area and leaving it feeling anticlimactic.
Outside the primary gameplay, there’s a fun monkey escape mode and an additional secret feature that I won’t spoil. The only entirely new mode, the Foxhunt multiplayer component, has unfortunately arrived post-launch and currently feels somewhat unfinished.
Snake Eater is a refined and slick chapter in the Metal Gear saga, resembling a Cold War caper fit for a James Bond film, replete with apocalyptic undertones. Kojima’s affection for Hollywood is evident, often spilling over into unwieldy epic narratives, yet this game remains his most cinematic achievement. It’s silly, tightly packed, and delightfully campy, meandering toward absurdity with sublime stealth. The legendary voice acting seamlessly merges Cold War fantasy with anime-inspired antics.
If you reminisce about the Metal Gear Online glory days when the free Foxhunt mode launches later this year, it could elevate your score. If not, Snake Eater remains a melodramatic joy and serves as a fantastic introduction to one of gaming’s most illustrious masterpieces.
A dramatic reconstruction of early modern Homo sapiens in Africa
BBC/BBC Studios
human Available on BBC iPlayer (UK); US PBS (September 17)
Based on my observations, science documentaries often fall into two categories, akin to French and Italian cuisines. (Hear me out before you judge that comparison.) The first category employs intricate techniques for a deep experience. The second is more straightforward, allowing the content to shine naturally.
Both documentary styles can yield impressive results in their own ways. human, a five-part BBC series exploring the roots of our genus, Homo, undoubtedly fits into the latter category. It weaves together compelling stories, stunning visuals, and the charismatic presence of paleontologist Ella Al Shamahi, inviting viewers to embark on a heartfelt journey through six million years of our human history. No flashy add-ons are necessary.
The first episode delves into complex inquiries. When exactly did our species emerge? Multiple perspectives yield varying answers. Was it 300,000 years ago when humans began to exhibit features resembling ours? Was it when our skulls, according to Al Shamahi, transformed to become softer and more spherical? Or, more poetically, when we developed remarkable traits like intricate language, abstract thought, and cooperative behavior?
“
The series intertwines fascinating narratives, stunning visuals, and the captivating presence of Ella Al Shamahi. “
It’s an engaging episode, particularly when the narrative shifts to other extinct human species. For instance, Al Shamahi’s exploration of Indonesia introduces us to Homo floresiensis, a meter-tall human uniquely adapted to life on Flores. The discovery of these “hobbits” in the Liang Bua Caves two decades ago reshaped our understanding of ancient human biology. Their small brains provide insights into tool use, with their long arms and short stature diverging from other human species.
Episode three highlights the fate of our most famous relative, the Neanderthals. As we spread into Europe and Asia, they adapted to colder climates but ultimately faced extinction.
Throughout the series, Al Shamahi showcases amazing paleontological discoveries made over recent decades (many of which you may have read about in New Scientist). For instance, rainbow feathers from birds like the red kite have garnered interest regarding their significance to Neanderthals. Meanwhile, the perikymata—a growth line in tooth enamel—affirms that H. sapiens experienced extended childhoods, leveraging our cognitive capacity.
Over just five episodes, human cannot cover every aspect of our evolutionary story. Yet, it illuminates how H. sapiens has been shaped by climate influences, the flora and fauna that provide for us, other human species, and collaborative nomadic groups that shared skills, knowledge, and DNA, allowing us to thrive and eventually build cities.
This dimension of H. sapiens portrays humanity as the ultimate survivor, capable of progression and dominance over the Earth. In contrast, human offers a more humble narrative, emphasizing our species alongside our ancient relatives.
Tracking Human Evolution Gain insights behind the scenes of the new BBC series human with Ella Al Shamahi on NewsCientist.com/Video
In a captivating and poignant narrative, Ella Al Shamahi addresses the inadequate frontline science conducted in regions perceived as inhospitable to Western researchers. Discover Neanderthal skeletons exhibiting severe disabilities unearthed in present-day Iraq—a striking reminder of the discoveries we’ve overlooked.
Bethan Ackerley is a sub-editor at New Scientist. She has a passion for science fiction, sitcoms, and all things eerie. Follow her on Twitter @inkerley
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Noise is a constant presence, easily overlooked until its intensity shifts significantly. We recognize familiar sounds—the heartbeats and hums of daily life—just as readily as we notice the sights seen during commutes and other outings.
When those familiar sounds change, we pay attention. Many express a desire for quietude, yet Chris Berdik, a science journalist, posits that this intricately overlaps with positive noise. He argues in his book, Cry: Noise Took Over the World – And How Can It Be Regained?, that sometimes we need to introduce pleasant sounds to mask the more intrusive ones.
While noise-cancelling headphones sell well, Berdik emphasizes that they are not a universal fix. Introducing white or grey noise can mitigate harmful sounds, yet complete silencing can often have detrimental effects.
It is crucial to cultivate the right kind of noise, as it directly impacts our health. For instance, my neighbor’s piano while I read Berdik’s work doesn’t elevate my stress levels as much as the sounds of children playing soccer against my living room walls. The immediate effects are concerning, but the long-term implications offer even greater cause for reflection.
Nearly 40 million adults in the US experience noise-induced hearing loss, with projections estimating this figure could nearly double by 2060. This is a universal challenge, as the World Health Organization indicates that over 1 billion young individuals globally face an avoidable risk of hearing impairment due to their use of devices such as smartphones and audio players. Remarkably, one in four respondents suggest that by 2050, they will be putting their hearing at risk.
I read this book amidst rising discussions about noise management. Recently, in the UK, proposed legislation suggested allowing loud music on public transport without headphones—a surprisingly popular thought.
Yet, a contrasting perspective emerged during my recent days spent in the hospital listening to the beeping machines connected to my grandfather. As time passed, those sounds became familiar, aligning with Berdik’s observation about how our brains adapt.
This prevailing issue touches on another compelling narrative Berdik shares in shout: a healthcare professional working on redesigning medical machines to ensure critical signals aren’t drowned out by unnecessary noise. Her innovations include auditory icons—concise sound cues conveying essential information, like the sound of breathing.
The ramifications of noise reach beyond human experiences. Berdik points out that from 1950 to 2007, ambient noise levels in the deep sea rose by 3.3 decibels per decade.
This increase has tangible effects on sea life; for instance, the sounds created by ocean vessels interfere with the communication frequencies of whales.
Change is essential, Berdik insists. This means reducing loud music on public transport—a notion that some, like the liberal Democrats, seem to champion. Furthermore, it calls for a reevaluation of our reliance on noise-cancelling headphones and a thoughtful assessment of the noise we wish to retain versus the noise we seek to eliminate.
Chris Stokell Walker is a technology writer based in Newcastle, UK
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With the rise of retail simulators, the gaming landscape has become quite dense. On the Comet Trail in Stardew Valley, this genre flourishes, featuring protagonists who revive their lives and careers in a semi-rural setting filled with pastoral charm, often taking on blue-collar jobs. Players engage with the locals, influence their lives, and resolve community issues—perhaps even uncovering a mystery or two. They might even find love along the way. Essentially, these characters are pixelated heirs to the legacy of Harvest Moon, yet recent titles from Crinkle Cut Games offer a slightly different take on the cozy shop simulation experience.
In Dissevery, you find yourself taken under the wing of your cunning aunt and joining the franchise’s supermarket brunch initiative. The game’s unique twist focuses on building up local supermarkets rather than community centers, given the quaint absence of roadways in Stardew Valley. Dissiventy weaves a narrative focused on revitalizing the economy of a small town, balancing sharp challenges within a cozy game framework.
Sharp elements…discounts. Photo: Crinkle Cut Game
The aspect of building a supermarket is indeed satisfying. Stock your store, open its doors, and let the customers in. The till system initially functions like a tricky little math puzzle, but it evolves into something more intricate as you progress. Speed becomes crucial—you’ll need to keep customers satisfied, ensure shelves are stocked, floors are tidy, and everything runs efficiently. After a busy day, the store closes, allowing you to breathe, clean up, and retreat to a cozy trailer outside your aunt’s grand home. Aunt Terror is a savvy businesswoman with grand ambitions, and you’ll need to navigate her disputes with the locals, some of whom she dismisses to let you take charge. This unique tone is quite refreshing; it strays from the typical cute aesthetic, focusing instead on supermarket management rather than a whimsical farm life.
The graphics can be somewhat misleading. While the pixel art may initially suggest a sweet and innocent vibe, the town you inhabit is far from pristine. There are dilapidated docks, shuttered shop fronts, and peeling posters on the walls, hinting at a deeper narrative. Even the music complements this atmosphere, providing ambient yet engaging background sounds that enhance the overall experience.
Consulting with locals involves addressing their concerns, often requiring some tact due to your aunt’s tricky nature. This task carries significant responsibility and demands intense focus. At times, the controls can feel a bit awkward. I found the touchscreen options on the Steam Deck somewhat challenging to navigate, particularly in the early game stages where there aren’t many options and you’re juggling basic tasks. However, the initial resistance isn’t overwhelming. I was impressed by how the challenges gradually become more manageable, emphasizing the rewarding nature of everyday tasks.
Dissiventy serves as a noteworthy addition to the cozy life simulation genre, presenting a hands-on experience filled with ambition. It deviates from typical tropes while maintaining an engaging focus. While romance may not be a primary theme in managing a supermarket, there’s plenty to accomplish, ensuring it still offers an enjoyable gaming experience.
wA new console has hit the market, and it typically comes with at least one first-party title designed to highlight its innovative features. The PlayStation 5 showcases Astro’s Playroom, the Steam Deck has Aperture Desk Job, and the Nintendo Switch 2 boasts Drag X Drive. In this game, you will engage in competitive wheelchair basketball using Joy-Con 2’s new mouse mode (where you control the gameplay by sliding the joystick across a desk like a computer mouse). While it offers a solid demonstration of controller enhancements, Drag X Drive capitalizes on the high-energy nature of real sports and introduces a shallow spoofing element.
As a basketball game, Drag X Drive has you spending the majority of your time shooting hoops and dashing around the court. You can press the trigger to lift the wheels for a jump, raise each Joy-Con and flick to shoot, or pass the ball to teammates.
The thrill of joy… Drag X Drive. Photo: Nintendo
While this practical approach seems appealing, it isn’t as intuitive as one might hope, and ironically, accessibility is limited. Finding a comfortable position while pushing and rolling your palm is tricky, necessitating effort to truly grasp the control scheme. However, once you push through the initial difficulties, there’s an uncommon thrill in nailing a shot or assisting a teammate.
The Player Styles menu offers several additional gameplay options, enabling you to switch between different presets based on your playstyle. You can adopt a balanced forward style, evenly distributing rebound, strength, and speed skills, or choose a guard style that prioritizes speed at the cost of other stats. The ability to shift styles enhances the rocky onboarding experience and revitalizes gameplay in online multiplayer matches, a crucial aspect of the game.
At face value, Drag X Drive captures the essence of vehicle-based football games like Rocket League, where two teams compete by scoring points through trick shots and collisions. Yet, while Rocket League features vibrant arenas and dynamic graphics, Drag X Drive opts for a more restrained, atmospheric environment marked by its cold metallic aesthetic. The character customization menu allows you to change the colors of your wheels and chairs or select quirky accessories like cat ears and vintage driving goggles, but it lacks the warmth and whimsical charm typical of Nintendo.
There’s an adrenaline rush, even amidst the challenges of managing character control and potential wrist fatigue, especially as your success hinges on your real-world stamina and players can easily pursue you. There’s a genuine sense of achievement when you nail a long-distance shot or execute clever assists. As you build confidence, you can start to exploit the halfpipes around the court, performing tricks to earn bonus points. A simple shot can transform into an impressive slam dunk, giving you a real sense of professionalism.
Throughout the basketball match, you’ll encounter some repetitive side activities, including jump rope mini-games, shooting contests, and obstacle courses. Excelling in these challenges and performing well in matches allows you to earn trophies, unlocking more cosmetics and enhancing your avatar’s aesthetic.
Despite some efforts to incorporate meta progression, the significant shortcomings of Drag X Drive become apparent over time. The gameplay can be cumbersome for extended sessions. While the mouse controls are theoretically intriguing and feel innovative during shorter matches, they start to falter in a fast-paced context. What remains are surprisingly inaccessible sports mechanics, lacking versatility and long-term engagement. Fans hoping for a spiritual successor to Nintendo’s earlier Rock ’em Sock ’em Brawler will likely be left disappointed.
Myrna (Jennifer Dale) perhaps experienced a more favorable blind date. Her appetizer of edible flowers appear somber. The two tables are surrounded by an oddly shaped shroud of Vitrine covering the setting. After a brief conversation with her date, Karsh (Vincent Cassel), who owns the restaurant, it becomes evident that the environment is intricately linked to the cemetery in architectural, economic, and intellectual aspects.
This cemetery isn’t just a place; it includes gravestones equipped with screens. The deceased are enveloped in a technologically advanced, camera-laden shroud, allowing visitors to witness their loved ones from afar as they undergo life-changing events.
Over his five-decade career, David Cronenberg has perfected the craft of delivering narratives at an unconventional pace. On paper, as well as within the context of “Plesis,” his films might read as satire. Their whimsical nature is apparent, considering the characters’ last names—Karsh is “Relikh,” and Myrna is “Shovlin.” By treating this scenario earnestly, one can discern the potential for conversations with AI-created avatars of the deceased, engaging in various money-driven ventures alongside lists of “grief technology” startups.
Yet, Cronenberg seldom writes pure satire; he crafts narratives that resonate deeply with what we could genuinely experience.
Although Karsh’s date with Myrna is uneventful, he finds solace (and more) with Terry, a digital personification resembling his late wife, Becca. Diane Kruger portrays both the role and voice of the unreliable digital assistant, Honey, created by Terry’s ex-husband, Molly (played by the cunning Guy Pearce).
After many projects, it is evident that sorrow fuels the entirety of David Cronenberg’s artistic journey.
By night, Becca battles bone cancer, navigating her illness without arms. Are these nocturnal encounters mere reflections or figments of his imagination? Amidst everything, Karsh’s affections remain unwavering for his wife, raising the question: will he become more human? Or will they truly care for him?
Kirsh grapples with conflicting emotions—guilt, rage, and longing—as Becca might be deceiving him with her past professor and first love. Yet, these layers serve as mere facades, obscuring more significant, political conspiracies involving China, Russia, or Budapest. Meanwhile, Terry, who enjoys the unfolding drama, finds herself in the position of encouraging Kirsch’s obsessive behaviors.
Carolyn Zeyfman, Cronenberg’s spouse, passed away in 2017. Shroud emerges as a product of profound emotional sharing, delving into every stage of grief through an exceptional portrayal by Kassel—armed with unresolved, fantastical plot elements twisted by delusional technological visions. Is there a chance that China could exploit our physical forms for surveillance? Or did Morley code this metamorphosis?
Meanwhile, Shroud firmly establishes that sorrow remains the pivotal force driving Cronenberg’s cinematic catalog. It resembles a constructed film where characters articulate complex revelations to one another while maneuvering through intricate conspiracy theories, perpetually shrouded. Nothing significant evolves because, ultimately, we confront… death. It unfolds at a calm, steady pace, relentlessly.
This ranks among the catastrophic productions great directors occasionally create when they have nothing left to prove, and the only narrative to convey.
I would also recommend Simon’s works…
Asphyx Peter Newbrook
The two Edwardian Tinkers (Robert Stephens and Robert Powell) attempt to invent a method for the Grim Reaper to freeze mid-strokes.
Ring Nakata Fumi
No one consulted us about our desire to live. This thriller explores mortality through cursed videotapes that ensnare viewers within a week.
Simon Sings is a novelist and science writer. Follow him on X @simonings
The Arts and Science of Writing Science Fiction
Join us this weekend to explore new dimensions in science fiction writing, dedicated to crafting innovative worlds and artistic expressions.
IIn my observations, it is quite uncommon for resource management simulators set in retail or service environments to achieve just the right tone and pace that foster both intrigue and relaxation. As a player with a background as a bookstore employee and now a novelist, I often feel anxious about games featuring mobile bookstores. However, the small bookstore here is crafted with such care and balance that I lose track of time, indulging in its gentle pace, minor puzzles, and the sheer escape it provides.
The premise is straightforward, reminiscent of many titles from the Post Stardew Valley era of “cozy” games. You leave behind your old life to establish a store selling items you’re passionate about. Days and weeks roll by, seasons change, and the world blossoms into a richer and more engaging place, with interests and a budding economy evolving from your business.
A vibrant, thriving community…a small bookstore. Photo: Neoludic Games
This time, however, you don’t sell tea as seen in games like Stardew Valley, Spirittea, or Wanderstop, nor do you guide souls in Shapeshifter. Instead, you sell actual books—real ones. From classics like Shakespeare and Agatha Christie to modern favorites like Toni Morrison and John Green, you cater to the needs of sleepy beach and college town residents with authentic literature. Every book in your quaint trailer shop is, to my knowledge, genuinely available.
This advantage benefits certain players—if you’re a reader, selling books becomes second nature. There’s no need to memorize genre classifications or match favorites with available titles. Understanding what distinguishes a graphic novel is easier for casual readers than one might think.
This game feels like a rare gem crafted with readers in mind. Even if the in-game suggestions don’t align perfectly with my tastes, the challenge of matching books to customers is quite simple. I might think that The Great Gatsby would attract those interested in philosophical fiction, yet the game doesn’t always follow these inclinations. Genres function in clear-cut ways, similar to a real bookstore setting, while personal preferences don’t necessarily apply. Nevertheless, Tiny Bookshop skillfully teaches you the ropes, and misjudging a title is low-stakes, as there’s no real way to fail.
I tried it on a Steam Deck via touchscreen and found it immersive and fluid compared to using buttons. Decorating my quaint bookstore proved delightful, especially when I discovered I could have a dog. The local characters are quite serious, steeped in their own drama. With each season, the rich community reveals secrets and stories. This is the first new title in quite a while that has genuinely relaxed me. The gameplay flows smoothly and gently, making it truly enjoyable. Tiny Bookshop provides players with an experience that feels less like work and more like a charming escape into words and narratives.
Despite significant changes since the 1950s, women continue to shoulder more domestic responsibilities
ClassicStock/Alamy
Earn money Melissa Hogenboom (Canongate Books, August 14th, UK)
Why do individuals without jobs feel uplifted when their partners are unemployed? How do women develop empathy as they mature? Why does a disordered room appear untidy when it belongs to Jennifer, but not John? These pressing issues are explored by Melissa Hogenboom in her book Earn money: and other power imbalances that affect your life. The book uncovers the hidden power dynamics and subconscious cognitive biases that influence our behaviors and choices.
This narrative goes beyond individual actions; it serves as a well-researched examination of how stereotypes and unseen disparities shape everything from household chores to career advancement.
Fair warning: it may provoke anger—especially regarding household responsibilities. Studies indicate that in heterosexual relationships, domestic duties are typically assumed by women unless addressed directly. Women tend to take on more odd jobs, even when they log more hours at work. Hogenboom notes that some studies imply this might be an unconscious “compensation” strategy for unconventional family dynamics.
Gender biases begin early in life. Mothers engage more extensively during pregnancy, whereas fathers share more about their feelings with daughters and their achievements with sons. Studies have found that fathers react more deeply to their daughters’ emotions.
This reinforces the notion that women are inherently nurturing or empathetic—a stereotype that influences various realms, from parenting to leadership roles. In fact, while empathy can be partially genetic, there are no innate differences between genders.
When societal pressures are lifted, a new truth may surface. As highlighted in a case study of same-sex male couples, “The assumption that if parents remain at home without societal pressures, they will naturally share childcare responsibilities is quite misguided,” says one participant. “If my partner had suggested returning to work within a fortnight, I would have been furious.”
Hogenboom also points out that mothers in same-sex relationships may encounter fewer career obstacles after maternity leave compared to those in heterosexual partnerships, indicating that maternity alone does not dictate such penalties.
The myth of mutuality deludes couples that they have achieved a good balance of labor.
The book sheds light on the intangible forces predominantly managed by men: hidden inequalities often perceived as normal. At times, Hogenboom asserts, “Women, here’s the evidence you need to justify your exhaustion.”
Notably, the persistent challenges faced by men who seek to address these power disparities are highlighted. A study referenced by Hogenboom found that men requesting part-time roles often face skepticism more than women and encounter taunts like “Where’s your mom?” They often struggle to be taken seriously and may be viewed as less committed, complicating their social dynamics within parenting communities.
Couples who believe they have achieved equality might be surprised by how Hogenboom reveals these unseen dynamics of authority. She argues that systematic inequalities represent a dominant form of power in relationships, often overlooked—even by the couples who experience them.
The perception of mutuality can lead couples to falsely believe they maintain an even distribution of responsibilities. However, they may be deceiving themselves if they don’t consider whose needs are genuinely met and who does the work. For instance, your partner might “cook all the meals,” but have you handled the meal planning, grocery shopping, cleaning, and budgeting?
Fortunately, Hogenboom offers actionable advice. If you find yourself overwhelmed, she suggests handling tasks comprehensively: “It eliminates hidden burdens when ownership of the entire task is taken.”
Her recommendations provide a much-needed relief amidst the wealth of data presented. While authoritative and insightful, Hogenboom’s writing style leaves little room for reflection.
However, moments of reflection are necessary. Earn money constructs a convincing argument to recognize the influence of concealed power dynamics and informs how to address them. This leads to fairer relationships and more successful careers, potentially saving marriages.
Helen Thomson is an author based in London.
New Scientist Book Club
If you enjoy reading, join a welcoming community of fellow book enthusiasts. Every six weeks, we explore exciting new titles, offering members exclusive access to book excerpts, author articles, and video interviews.
Garmin has introduced its latest mid-range running and multi-sport watches, which are now equipped with an ultra-bright OLED display, a voice assistant, and enhanced sensors.
The Forerunner 570 builds upon its predecessor with improvements to its running watch capabilities. It features upgraded GPS chips and heart rate monitoring technology. Placing itself just below the 970, it replaces the well-regarded 265. The design closely resembles the Topwatch, though some notable features have been omitted.
However, the price remains steep at £450 (€550/$550/$999), exceeding most mid-range competitors and veering too close to the premium segment.
Offering numerous enhancements in both hardware and software from the 265, the 570 comes in 42mm or 47mm sizes and a range of vibrant color options.
The speaker above the strap delivers clear alerts for laps and other notifications while running, including new Bluetooth calls and voice assistant features. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The polycarbonate body, metal buttons, and aluminum bezel contribute to a high-quality feel, complemented by a vivid and sharp OLED touchscreen.
Like the Fenix 8 and Forerunner 970, this watch includes Garmin’s new Offline Voice Command System, enabling quick timer settings, activity metrics, and more. It also allows you to connect with your mobile voice assistant to interact with Siri or Gemini, or make calls directly from your wrist.
The 570 features the same enhanced interface as the 970, providing improved smartwatch capabilities for notifications and music control. The recently Google Maps app is currently available, but exclusively for Android users.
You can access various apps via the Connect IQ App Store, including options for music streaming without a phone, such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Garmin Pay also facilitates contactless payments, although banking options in the UK remain limited.
The 570 offers numerous customizable watch faces, with additional options available on the Connect IQ App Store. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery life of the 47mm variant falls short compared to the 970 or 265, lasting around five days of smartwatch use. Adjusting the brightness to a lower setting can extend battery life by an extra day, while the always-on display mode can deplete it in about ten days.
The bright and clear display provides visibility of numerous data fields and metrics, allowing for quick reference. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Forerunner is equipped with Garmin’s latest optical heart rate sensor, dual-band GPS, and some of the most precise tracking capabilities available. With over 85 built-in sport profiles, it covers a wide array of activities.
For running and triathlons, it encompasses nearly all the features of the 970, including wrist-based power statistics and running dynamics, training recommendations, performance evaluations, and adaptive coaching plans with various VO2 Max and fitness assessments. However, it lacks offline maps, providing only route navigation or a simple return to the starting point.
It also features Garmin’s helpful recovery tools, offering some of the best training preparation available. Unfortunately, the new shock load and running resistance feature is exclusive to the 970.
Battery life reaches approximately 14 hours, or around 8 hours with the most accurate settings while streaming offline music through Bluetooth headphones.
The watch charges via a USB-C cable, fitting into a port adjacent to the sensor cluster on the back, achieving 70% charge in about 40 minutes and a full charge in approximately 83 minutes. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The 570 includes all of Garmin’s latest health monitoring features, such as the advanced body battery system, a sleep coach, morning and evening health and recovery briefings, stress tracking, women’s health tools, and heart health metrics. However, this feels lacking compared to similarly priced offerings from Apple, Google, and Samsung, which integrate features for mental well-being.
Sustainability
The voice command feature provides quick access to offline functionalities, although it requires specific phrases to operate correctly. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The watch is generally repairable, with support options available. The battery is designed to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years, based on weekly charging. However, the watch does not incorporate recycled materials. Garmin commits to security updates until at least May 21, 2027, and usually provides support for extended periods. They also offer recycling programs with new purchases.
Price
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is priced at £459.99 (€549.99/$549.99/A $999).
For comparison, the Garmin Fenix 8 starts at £780, the Forerunner 970 at £630, while the Forerunner 165 is available for £250. The Coros Pace 3 is priced at £219, Suunto at £199, and the Polar Pacer Pro at £299.
Verdict
The Forerunner 570 stands out as a strong running watch, albeit with a price tag that detracts from an unreserved recommendation.
It boasts a stunning design with vibrant colors, an exceptionally bright and crisp display, and many desirable features taken from the Forerunner 970. The watch excels in GPS and heart rate accuracy, encompassing nearly every available metric while providing access to Garmin’s exceptional training and recovery ecosystem. It’s also effective as a daily smartwatch.
However, the absence of offline maps, integrated beacons, ECG monitoring, and advanced running resistance features, along with a relatively shorter daily battery life, are drawbacks that would be more acceptable if the price were lower. The £460 cost of the 570 places it unfavorably against more feature-rich competitors.
Pros: Daylight-readable OLED screen, phone capabilities and offline voice control, Garmin Pay functionality, extensive tracking and recovery analysis for running and various sports, offline music support, buttons and touch functionality, and highly accurate GPS.
Cons: High price point, absence of ECG, lack of offline maps, limited running resistance features, no torch, restricted Garmin Pay support, and lesser smartwatch functions compared to Apple/Google/Samsung devices, plus shorter battery life compared to other leading models.
Offline support for Spotify and other music streaming services remains a standout feature that other running watches struggle to match. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The demise of the housefly often unfolds in a clandestine manner. Moments after these insects appear in our vicinity, annoyance levels surge, prompting swift defensive measures with rolled-up magazines and quick swimmer movements until the pests vanish. “Time High,” a puzzle game that plays with perception, reexamines this fleeting existence as an absurd tragedy, offering players a list of whimsical tasks that soon become a bucket list for these nuisances.
In just about a minute, players can navigate a minimalist 2D environment to fulfill these final aspirations. Fry’s dreams manifest as vague and distant prompts like “make someone laugh,” “find a god,” “start a revolution,” and “become rich.” Thank you for joining us in this satirical side-scroller titled “Coal Supper!”
Life is fleeting…time flies. Photo: Playful/Panic
The game features four distinct levels: an art-filled museum, a winding sewer system, and a cluttered house packed with two busy Bric-a-Bracs. Its scratchy, monochromatic visual style shapes each environment, with seemingly quaint settings concealing philosophical quandaries and lighthearted humor. The game offers various environmental interactions; from making the Mona Lisa smile by landing on her nose to getting tipsy from spilled wine or sewing flowers from flooded corpses. Not all actions verge on checklist completion; players will also encounter unexpected hazards as they uncover each Rubae Goldberg machine or Genga Tower throughout the game’s expansive levels.
The central challenge lies in the limited seconds available in each day—not just to discover all the bucket list tasks, but also to connect them in a sequence that unlocks the subsequent level. Crafting the ideal route is both simple and captivating, complicated further by watch gadgets that can be manipulated to add valuable seconds to your briefly-lived existence.
What makes the conceptual foundation of Time so compelling is the frustration of controlling the fly along with the incessant noise that accompanies your efforts to meet objectives. You must hold down the arrow key to direct the fly, contending with challenges like incinerating light bulbs and weaving through a statue’s insides, particularly during agile tasks. The controls can feel unwieldy. Over time, the cyclical process of reincarnation mirrors our own unfulfilled aspirations for order amidst a chaotic world. Despite our relatively lengthy life spans, many struggle to attain the lofty goals Fry sets forth—unless we adapt what those ambitions truly signify for us.
Accompanied by the relentless tick-tock of the clock, Time Fly emerges not only as a cleverly crafted puzzle game but also for its ability to distill deep philosophical notions into digestible gameplay. By combining playful mechanics with contemplative themes, Time Flies offers a lighthearted space for players to grapple with existential concepts for an hour or two. As you seek to unravel the fly’s aspirations, there’s ample room to explore your own identity.
“The internal documents disclosed to Congress by Facebook whistleblowers suggest that “Weens are herd animals,” with references to “the stories” of the addicts that highlight a strong irony and obfuscation. Snapchat seems to have shifted its focus in its efforts to expand its user base.
Drawing from the investigative work of Bloomberg journalist Olivia Carville, this film discusses the endeavors of Minnow’s legal team in seeking justice for social media victims, confronting the predatory practices of Silicon Valley. It tells the harrowing stories of families devastated by extreme online content. This includes children or teenagers who tragically replicated dangerous self-harm or suicide methods from videos, or those who lost their lives after encountering online predators. The struggle here involves challenging Section 230, a legal shield established in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Meanwhile, Mark Zuckerberg continues to engage in harmful practices.
The Center’s founder, Matthew Bergman, has compared social media companies to tobacco firms, alleging that these companies put profit above user well-being. While the film effectively illustrates this connection and the consequent harm, it doesn’t imply that the path to accountability is straightforward. Gaining justice for individual cases and proving that tech companies deliberately design their algorithms to provoke our darker tendencies and impulses represents a significant challenge. A crucial goal is to prevent the dismissal of the Snapchat case due to Section 230. This may appear as a minor victory, but it’s a necessary first step. This narrative is a vital piece of public journalism that articulates what many of us only sense.
“Don’t Look Away” is set to shock audiences in British cinemas starting August 8th.
New Scientist Book Club has just read Adam Roberts’ Lake in the Dark
Laurie photos
Following the journey through Khalian Bradley’s *Time Saving*, the New Scientist Book Club ventured in the opposite direction for our latest read: the far future and some hard science fiction with Adam Roberts’ *Lake of Darkness*. Set in a seemingly utopian society, the narrative revolves around two spacecraft orbiting a black hole, and one captain receiving orders to kill all crew members as commanded by a voice from the depths of that black hole. Not quite utopia, but rather a chilling twist from Roberts’s protagonist, Saccadest in the century, as we delve deeper into this mystical entity.
The reception among our readers is varied; some found it thoroughly enjoyable while others felt its pacing was sluggish. Personally, I resonate with Paul Jonas, a member of the New Scientist Book Club. He shared on Facebook that he was “fascinated by the story” and “appreciated the hard science components relating to space travel, black holes, and utopian societies.” Paul’s insights into the philosophical elements tied to Deleuze’s thinking in this novel truly impress me.
I tend to be quite discerning when it comes to fiction, and rarely find books claiming to be humorous truly engaging (Terry Pratchett being the joyous exception). However, *Lake of Darkness* was different; I found myself intrigued at various moments, particularly appreciating how Roberts’ distant characters grappled with our own history while deciphering what they termed “so-called” *More’s Code*, the ancient system of long and short pulses each symbolizing a single glyph, alluding to the famous Beatles tune, *We All Live in a Yellow Submarine*.
Like Paul, I was captivated by the book’s portrayal of a future utopian society and the dilemmas it presents. During our discussion, Roberts expressed his intention to explore various subgenres of science fiction within his writing. While this perspective on utopia unfolds with its antagonist (spoiler alert – Satan), the idealized vision isn’t as appealing, given that all labor is assigned to “smart machines,” leaving people devoid of functionality. Time becomes filled with hobbies and fandoms, captured in the phrase, “Your people understand the value of everything but the cost. Without a cost, nothing holds worth. The best carries a significant price.” I found it quite delightful to navigate (and read) while contemplating this future society.
Charlotte Sye, another Book Club member, enjoyed listening to the audiobook and shared her enthusiasm: “I love the humor and hard science.” She added, “Life inside a black hole is particularly fascinating, as one character mentions, while there’s tremendous energy, is there really space and time?!”
Barbara Howe, however, had her reservations. She acknowledged the book’s “historical misconceptions” and “utopian critiques,” but felt that the depicted utopia was overly centered on trivial sexual themes, reflecting a male-centric viewpoint, neglecting notions like child-rearing or nurturing that are essential to true progress.
Barbara also pointed out a sentiment echoed by several other readers: she appreciated reading *Lake of Darkness* as an e-book, stating, “I had to look up more words in this single book than in my previous reads.” Alain Pellett echoed this, finding the vocabulary somewhat challenging and “offensive.” Jess Brady shared similar thoughts, enjoying the concept while criticizing the “slow prose.”
While such critiques weren’t particularly noticeable for me—possibly due to my willingness to overlook certain aspects—I did sympathize with Barbara’s assessment regarding the physics: “I tackle explanations of time travel alongside FTL (faster-than-light) travel. I accept these premises; they provide a thin veil of scientific reality over a fantastical plot device.”
Another prevalent criticism among readers was the lack of relatable characters. Alan expressed frustration, noting, “No one seemed sympathetic; their deaths evoked no remorse. They were all insufferable and dim-witted.” Karen Shees concurred, saying, “While the book initially caught my interest, I found the characters so unengaging that I wasn’t invested in their fate.”
I share this sentiment to some extent. Many characters were glaringly absurd, including guunarsonsdottir—distracting. Yet, I believe this serves a purpose, as I relished witnessing the turmoil of these intellectually lazy individuals as they navigated actual threats—through the seemingly redundant formation of another committee discussing their next steps. Moreover, I’m intrigued by the character Bartle Wasp; even the name piques curiosity.
Paul likely feels similarly. “Saccade was a compelling character. Living in a utopia surrounded by AI shapes her perspective. There’s no obligation to fully connect with every character; following their journey can be engaging even if they’re not traditional heroes.”
After finishing *Lake of Darkness*, I found numerous substantial concepts lingering in my thoughts. Did the black hole narrative hold coherence? Was the conclusion truly comprehensible? I’m still pondering—much like Barbara, who concluded that the novel “took unexpected turns and provoked thought.”
“In the latter part, I felt transported back to the 1980s,” she remarked, referencing Douglas Hofstadter’s *Godel, Escher, Bach: Eternal Golden Braid*. “It was a brief throwback, but the ending confuses me. Why did Joins act as she did? Did the entity achieve its desires?”
Paul similarly found the conclusion perplexing. “The ending likely bewildered many due to the complexities of black hole physics,” he noted. “Additionally, the geometric concepts about the inside/outside of infinite structures were truly mind-bending.”
However, let’s shift from the complexities of black holes to the anticipation for our next read. We’ll be diving into Circular Motion by Alex Foster. This captivating debut envisions a gradual acceleration of Earth’s spin, with increasingly disastrous consequences. I’m excited to share it and can’t wait to hear your thoughts! You can preview excerpts here. The narrative examines how this accelerated state might be humanity’s doing. I’ll be discussing the novel with him later this month, so feel free to drop any questions you have in our Facebook group.
Samsung’s 7th generation flip phone sheds unnecessary features, boasting an expansive cover screen outside and a spacious folding display within, yet it doesn’t drastically change the existing formula.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 will join the Book Style Z Fold 7 as Samsung’s two flagship folding devices in 2025. Similar to its predecessor, the Flip’s main allure is the ability to fold one of Samsung’s largest screens in half, making it ideal for pocket transport.
Prices starting at £1,049 (€1,199/$1,099/$1,799) align closely with the standard S25+ and Super Thin S25 Edge, yet offer slightly larger displays.
The Flip 7 operates just like a standard Android device, showcasing a flexible OLED screen and a generous 6.9-inch OLED main display. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Flip 7 is a touch taller than its predecessor, supporting a larger 6.9-inch inner screen. Additionally, it’s thinner by 1.2mm when folded. However, unlike the noticeable upgrades introduced with this year’s Fold 7, the changes may not be readily apparent.
The new outer cover display envelops the camera and LED flash at the top half of the Flip 7. It accommodates more text from notifications and widgets, significantly enhancing its appearance compared to prior iterations. Selecting an appealing wallpaper can make the dark metallic blue shade especially striking.
The hinge offers a reassuringly robust closure, though operating the Flip 7 with one hand can be quite challenging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Flip 7 features a glass exterior, but the inner screen is shielded with a softer material that tends to collect fingerprints, exhibit glare, and show marks easily. It demands more care than a conventional flat phone. While the Flip is water-resistant, it’s not dust-proof, meaning the hinge should be safeguarded from tiny particles that could cause issues.
Specifications
Main screen: 6.9in FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED INFINITY FLEX Display (397PPI)
Water resistance: IP48 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
Folded dimensions: 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7mm
Expanded dimensions: 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5mm
Weight: 188g
Performance and Battery Life
The Flip 7 charges fully in approximately 90 minutes, utilizing a power adapter of 25W or greater (not included) to reach 50% in 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Equipped with the Samsung Exynos 2500 chip, the Flip 7 features a high-end processor comparable to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite found in other flagship devices from Samsung. Although it may not claim top performance accolades, the Flip 7 delivers a solid gaming experience, even if the phone heats up during extended sessions.
Battery performance falls slightly short compared to its predecessor, typically lasting around 36 hours between charges while utilizing a mix of 5G and Wi-Fi, and supports roughly 6 hours of screen time. This aligns closely with the base S25 model, implying that most users will likely need to charge the Flip 7 nightly, especially considering that prolonged 5G usage leads to greater battery depletion than on Qualcomm-powered Samsung devices.
One UI 8
In Flex Mode, tools such as the trackpad, scroll wheel, playback, and camera controls appear on the upper half of the screen. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Alongside the Z Fold 7, the Flip 7 is among the initial Samsung devices running One UI 8 (based on Android 16) at launch. It’s a robust Android version offering extensive customization and stable performance.
The interface closely resembles that of the standard S25 series software, featuring multiple AI capabilities for tasks like lighting adjustments, image modification and generation, transcription, and translation. Additional Google AI services such as Gemini and Circle to Search are also present. The Now Bar is a fantastic feature that displays current activities such as sports scores, music playback, timers, alarms, and more.
The Flip 7 includes various tools specifically for foldable devices. A convenient “flex mode” allows content, websites, or applications to shift to the top half of the screen while folding the Flip into an L shape, placing controls on the lower half.
Currently playing music album art displays beautifully on the Flip 7’s external cover screen. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Numerous tools for utilizing external screens are available. You can view notifications, reply to texts, manage music and system settings, access a range of widgets like audio recorders and calculators, and interact with Gemini without needing to open the phone. Some applications like Google Maps, Messages, WhatsApp, Netflix, and YouTube can also be accessed on the external screens. However, to run additional apps on the cover screen, downloading Samsung’s MultiStar plugin from the Galaxy Store is necessary—though this should ideally be a built-in feature.
Samsung pledges to provide Android and security updates until July 31, 2032.
Camera
Flex mode encourages creativity in photography, allowing for diverse angles and configurations. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Cameras are a less impressive aspect of the Flip 7. It includes a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP selfie camera on the inside.
While the selfie camera performs adequately, it’s not exceptional and struggles in low-light conditions for video calls. Instead, you might opt to use the main camera for selfies, utilizing the cover screen as a viewfinder for improved results.
The main camera shines outdoors, capturing detailed and vibrant colors, although indoor shots can suffer from murkiness and graininess due to lower lighting. The ultra-wide camera is decent for landscapes but struggles significantly in dim conditions.
The camera comes loaded with playful modes, including features for taking photos or videos in a traditional handicam style, which supports hands-free selfies.
Overall, the Flip 7 captures acceptable photos, but its camera quality falls short compared to traditional flagship devices.
Sustainability
Although there is a small gap near the hinge, the rest of the phone is sealed shut to prevent dust and fluff from entering. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery is designed to retain at least 80% of its original capacity over a maximum of 2,000 complete charging cycles.
The device is generally repairable, with internal screen repairs estimated at around £294. Samsung also provides CARE+ insurance for accidental damage, reducing repair costs to £119.
The Flip 7 utilizes recycled materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and steel, accounting for 18.2% of the device’s weight. Samsung operates trade-in and recycling programs for older devices and documents the environmental impact of its phones in reports (PDFs).
Price
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at £1,049 (€1,199/$1,099/$1,799).
For comparison, the Z Fold 7 is priced at £1,799, the S25 Edge at £1,099, the S25+ at £999, the Z Flip 7 FE at £849, the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra at £1,099, and the Xiaomi Mix Flip at £640.
Verdict
The Flip 7 stands as Samsung’s most appealing flip device, with the most notable enhancement being its larger outer screen.
Most other features mirror those of its predecessor. While the interior folding display is impressive, it is also delicate and requires careful handling. The side-mounted power button fingerprint scanner is functional yet somewhat inconveniently positioned. The camera quality is decent but does not compete with standard flagship models, and the battery life leaves much to be desired. However, the software is robust, with 7 years of updates promised. Overall, it feels somewhat repetitive.
The Flip 7 is an excellent choice for those wanting a substantial display in a compact form factor, yet it lacks the transformative redesign seen in its larger Fold 7 counterpart released this year.
Strengths: Bigger outer screen, ample inner display, IP48 water resistance, 7 years of updates, a variety of AI features, attractive design, enjoyable software.
Drawbacks: High price point, less durable than conventional phones, repairs may be costly, no dust resistance, camera lacks telephoto zoom, and its performance does not reach flagship standards, coupled with a lack of significant updates.
The Flip 7 offers stunning aesthetics and can perform numerous tasks while closed, though most functions are better executed on the main internal display. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
A
In the picturesque fields of Hobbiton, it finally started to dawn on me why two generations of Bagginses felt compelled to embark on perilous adventures. Indeed, the Shire offers a small slice of comfort, with an abundance of unique food in the valleys and many friendly faces to greet you. However, as the initial charm starts to fade, this seemingly blissful haven reveals itself to be quite mundane.
“Tales of the Shire” is set in the Third Age of Middle-earth, a few years before the events of “The Lord of the Rings.” Therefore, there are no Nazgûls or Uruk-hai here. Instead, the “action” is centered in charming towns where the most urgent matter is the local governance. In this game, you play as a newcomer from the nearby Burie settlement, striving to elevate the town’s status to an official village by developing infrastructure and building friendships with locals, one quirky task and homemade meal at a time.
Fluffy comfort… a story of the Shire. Photo: Private Division
This high-fantasy life simulator, naturally, is equipped with numerous Tallkienia tools. I discover three tidying stones on the hillside and stroll through the cozy Green Dragon Inn. Moreover, you’ll encounter plenty of familiar names—from the likes of Tuck to Cotton and Brandybuck. The rich art style brings these iconic environments and characters to life, dressing the world in appropriate charm. While the map may not be vast, it feels alive, adorned with swaying lanterns and roaming wildlife.
As a budding hobbit, your primary objective is to cultivate every facet of your daily life influenced by this essential activity. In the wild, you’ll find a bounty of vegetables, nuts, and fruits. The river boasts numerous fishing spots, securing you a satisfying catch. You can also visit artisan shops with food stalls offering seasonal saplings and special items like flour. With a timer ticking daily, the main challenge lies in how efficiently you can collect and manage your resources before night falls.
There are many fishing spots… The Shire of the Story
It’s a familiar routine for anyone who has dabbled in rural life simulators like Stardew Valley or Harvest Moon. Yet here, the rhythmic cycle of button clicks and minor tasks functions more as comforting mental signals than as any real challenge.
If you can tolerate the repetitiveness and engage with the relationships formed, the game will gradually reveal its depth, offering a satisfying skill progression. Gathering materials is just part of the experience; you’ll also need to prepare them into delightful meals for breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, and beyond. A mix of “Cooking Mama” and “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” “Tales of the Shire” requires you to balance flavors and textures to create the perfect dish. You can chop, mix, and fry ingredients while keeping an eye on the flavor compass at the corner of the screen. Ultimately, by serving the right dishes to the right people, your kitchen will expand, unlocking further opportunities for culinary mastery.
However, beyond its somewhat familiar mechanics, the central question of “Tales of the Shire” lies in its naïveté and tranquility. When interpersonal conflicts arise among your new friends, they are usually resolved quickly and amicably. Much of your time is spent attending to the minor grievances of the halflings.
Not all cozy games need to delve into heavy emotions, but it feels somewhat lacking, especially when juxtaposed with the dry humor, tragedy, and intricate social dynamics that make Tolkien’s writing so impactful. Without the emotional stakes to tug at your heartstrings, “Tales of the Shire” risks becoming a series of never-ending fetch quests. Dedicated Tolkien fans and die-hard Stardew Valley enthusiasts might find themselves seeking a cozier thrill elsewhere.
Samsung’s newest flagship folding phone appears to have shed some weight. The outcome is one of the sleekest and lightest devices on the market, significantly enhancing its portability.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm in thickness when closed. Excluding the camera bump at the back, its profile is comparable to that of a typical smartphone, making it easy to fit into your pocket, but it unfolds to a folding tablet at just 4.2mm thick.
However, priced at £1,799 (€2,099/$2,000/$2,899), this device comes at a steep cost. It represents an expensive, cutting-edge solution that potentially replaces your phone, tablet, or PC within one compact device.
The ultra-slim design results in a notable camera bump that extends approximately 5.5mm from the rear. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The seventh iteration of Samsung’s folding technology addresses many of the issues found in its predecessors. Weighing only 215g—24g lighter than last year’s edition—it resembles a typical large smartphone when closed.
It fits comfortably in your pocket. Sending messages, making calls, navigating, and taking photos feels just like using a conventional phone. Even the front 6.5-inch screen is vibrant, colorful, and smooth with a 120Hz refresh rate. The enhancements to the fingerprint scanner on the power button are quick and precise.
When opened like a book, the Fold 7 is impressively thin, only slightly thicker than the USB-C port itself. Its lightweight feel is deceptive; it’s solidly built. One wonders how the device can achieve such thinness without forgoing the charging port. The flexible 8-inch OLED screen is smooth, bright, and almost square, capable of running two apps side by side.
The exterior screen and back are shielded by the latest tempered glass technology, while the inner screen features a layer that is softer than standard glass, making it prone to fingerprints and a bit shiny. The crease along the fold is nearly invisible, visible mainly under glare.
With Flex Mode, you can enjoy viewing content on the Fold 7 in a half-folded position, resembling a mini laptop setup. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Specifications
Main screen: 8-inch QXGA+ 120Hz (368PPI) AMOLED Flexible Display
Water Resistance: IP48 (1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
Folded Dimensions: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9mm
Expanded Dimensions: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2mm
Weight: 215g
Power for Multitasking
The Fold 7 achieves a full charge in 82 minutes and reaches 60% in under 30 minutes utilizing a USB-C power adapter of 25W or higher (not included). Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Fold 7 is equipped with the same flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB of RAM as the S25 Ultra and S25 Edge. This setup ensures excellent performance for daily tasks and high-end gaming, outpacing competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro fold.
Its battery reliably lasts about two days, with each screen being used for around four hours and several hours spent on 5G. This performance level mirrors its predecessor and functions similarly to a standard smartphone. Depending on usage, many find they need to recharge every other day.
One UI 8 for Android 16
The Fold 7 can run two apps in full size, and allows for a total of up to 8 apps using split-screen and floating windows. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Fold 7 stands out as one of the first devices to ship with One UI 8 (Android 16). While it hasn’t seen drastic changes since last year’s software, it still offers an impressive suite of features. This includes the handy Now Valle Bar at the bottom of the lock screen, showcasing live sports scores, music, timers, and other commonly used tools.
Samsung effectively leverages the multitasking capabilities afforded by the folding format better than its competitors. Up to 8 apps can be accessed concurrently on the internal screen, with each having its own unique home screen layout. Users can adjust app sizes and shapes, use apps in a partially folded state, and move them seamlessly between screens.
Moreover, the Fold 7 integrates all the AI features from the S25 series, including Google Gemini, Circle to Search, Writing and Drawing tools, Transcription, and Audio Editing capabilities. While some of these are useful, others tend to be superfluous, much like many trendy AI offerings. Notably, Samsung commits to providing Android and security updates until July 31, 2032.
Camera
Capturing photos is simple with the Fold 7, whether closed or opened slightly for hands-free shots. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The prominent camera system on the back includes a 200MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom. There’s also a pair of 10MP selfie cameras on either screen.
The main 200MP camera excels in a range of lighting conditions, delivering high-quality photos and representing a significant improvement over its predecessor’s capabilities.
The 12MP Ultra Wide Camera offers commendable performance and can achieve good macro shots, while the 3x telephoto camera produces pleasing portraits, albeit with some softness in low-light scenarios, lacking the 5x zoom found on some higher-end models. Similar limitations apply to the selfie camera, as it can be grainy in dim lighting. However, users can utilize the outer screen as a viewfinder when taking selfies with the main camera, leading to better results.
The camera app is user-friendly, boasting numerous shooting modes and solid video recording capabilities. Overall, the Fold 7 presents a robust camera system that competes well against flagship slab phones, delivering impressive results.
Sustainability
The Fold 7 closely resembles a standard smartphone from both the front and back. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery is expected to retain at least 80% of its original capacity over 2,000 full charge cycles.
The phone is generally reparable, with internal screen repairs estimated at around £500. Samsung also offers a self-repair program similar to CARE+ that can bring repair costs down to £139.
The Fold 7 incorporates recycled materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and steel, which make up 13.7% of its total weight. Additionally, Samsung has trade-in and recycling programs for older devices, aiming to mitigate the environmental impact of smartphones as outlined in their sustainability reports.
Price
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 begins at £1,799 (€2,099/$1,999.99/$2,899).
For comparison, the Galaxy Z Flip is priced at £1,049, the Galaxy S25 Edge at £1,099, the S25 Ultra at £1,249, and the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold at £1,399.
Verdict
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a remarkably high-tech device that represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, addressing many of the typical issues associated with folding smartphones.
When closed, it feels significantly thinner and lighter, akin to a traditional phone. Upon opening, the internal screen is still flexible, with creases that are almost imperceptible, paired with vibrant visuals that enhance multitasking capabilities.
The camera, while effective, doesn’t overshadow the device’s overall utility, but it can cause the phone to wobble when placed flat on a surface. In addition, the Fold 7 features the same advanced processors as Samsung’s top-tier regular smartphones, alongside good battery life and solid software support.
However, the fragile nature of the folding mechanism, lack of proper dust resistance, the delicate inner screen, and hefty price tag remain notable drawbacks. If your primary aim is to have a compact device that serves as both phone and tablet, this model may not sway you.
Nevertheless, the Fold 7 stands out as the finest folding phone on the market, presenting the major upgrades that Samsung has been striving for in recent years.
Pros: Combines phone and tablet functionality, feels like a standard phone when closed, boasts exceptional software with robust multitasking features, impressive tablet display, top-notch performance, reliable battery life, water resistance, and extended software support.
Cons: Expensive, lacks dust resistance, potentially more fragile than standard devices, costly repairs, and limited zoom capabilities compared to traditional smartphones.
You might easily forget that the Fold 7 can be unfolded, as it functions and feels like a standard smartphone when using the external display. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The latest nature documentary from Apple TV+, Wild Ones, offers an insider’s perspective, showcasing three expert efforts in a series that truly deserves attention.
The opening narration reminds us that nature faces dire threats, with around 150 species disappearing daily. The mission of the film is to “find, document, and protect” six of the most endangered species, aiming not only to raise awareness but also to prompt action from local officials to prevent extinction.
Camera Trap Specialists Declan Burley, Wildlife Cameraman Vianet Djenguet, and Expedition Leader Aldo Kane embark on a global journey to capture footage of the world’s rarest wildlife.
The first episode leads them into the Malaysian jungle, searching for a rare tiger. Subsequent episodes will take viewers to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia to find Gobi Bears, and onto tracking the Javan rhinos, the Gabon gorilla, and Caucasian leopards, in addition to marine life such as the North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis.
This series employs advanced technology like drones and thermal imaging to produce breathtaking visuals of the animals and their environments. The untouched rainforests of Malaysia—often further from human contact than places visited by astronauts—are just part of the previously unseen natural world that Wild Ones uncovers.
However, the success of the documentary hinges on Burley, Djenguet, and Kane’s emotional engagement, which keeps viewers invested in the animals’ fates. Their reactions, whether witnessing an elusive leopard or the plight of whales caught in nets, leave an indelible mark on the audience.
Seeing three on-screen experts doing their job will hook stubborn fans of the genre
In a poignant moment deep within Taman Negara National Park, Burley reviews footage from a hidden camera, initially excited about capturing a rare Malayan tiger, only to discover that the creature has been maimed by a poacher’s trap.
Burley shares the footage with Djenguet and Kane, his connection to the animals rendering him visibly emotional. Local experts point out that such striking images are vital, sparking action from viewers worldwide. The trio understands their role, but the distress it causes them is undeniable.
While the emotional weight is palpable, the episodes’ lengths and scripted interactions sometimes disrupt the flow. Occasional forced humor and dramatic elements can dilute the impact, making the experience feel less authentic.
Nonetheless, as the series progresses, Burley, Djenguet, and Kane become more at ease on camera, captivating dedicated fans with their expertise and drawing in audiences eager for authenticity.
This series stands out in the realm of nature documentaries, providing an intimate look at the emotional turmoil, physical challenges, and the enduring patience required to produce such content. With dozens of cameras stationed in perilous locations, team members must meticulously return for footage, sometimes after months.
Ultimately, capturing footage of these endangered animals in Wild Ones is not just a visual feast; it’s a compelling call to action aimed at preserving these species for future generations.
Gregory Wakeman is a Los Angeles-based author.
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