News

• A Microsoft support document reveals a new twist on Windows 10's extended update scheme
• Even if you pay $30 for the program, you'll need to have a Microsoft account
• The good news is that up to 10 devices are supported with one license

We've had a surprise late revelation that Windows 10's extended update scheme will require you to have a Microsoft account, even if you pay for those updates (and don't take up the free offer).

Windows Central uncovered a Microsoft support document carrying this info, which has left more than a few people unhappy.

When Microsoft revealed its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, the company made it clear that the cost would be $30 for an extra year of support, through to October 2026 (normal support ends this October). Then later, Microsoft relented and offered a free option, allowing Windows 10 users to instead choose to sync their PC settings to its cloud service - which, of course, is going to require a Microsoft account (to be signed into OneDrive, where the data is synced).

Folks assumed that if they went the paying route, spending $30 would be the only requirement - but it turns out that you'll also need a Microsoft account to avail yourself of the ESU in this way, meaning a local account on your PC won't suffice.

Microsoft tells us: "All enrollment options provide extended security updates through October 13, 2026. You will need to sign into your Microsoft account in order to enroll in ESU."

Elsewhere in the support document, Microsoft notes: "The ESU license is tied to your Microsoft account, so you may be prompted to sign in if you typically sign into Windows with a local account."

There is some good news here, though, which is that Microsoft also clarifies that this extended support program can be used on up to 10 devices. So, as long as those Windows 10 PCs are all signed in to the Microsoft account that has picked up the ESU offer, they're good to go.

Regardless of how you access the ESU scheme, the license you get must be tied to a Microsoft account. If you've forgotten those options, you can pay $30, sync your PC settings to OneDrive, as mentioned, or alternatively, use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points (if you have them).

The reason for the Microsoft account requirement is doubtless so the software giant can police the 10-device limit, but as noted, this is going to cause some degree of bad feeling. Given that Microsoft has been pushing against being able to have a local account at all when setting up Windows 11 - and notably closing loopholes that are present to fudge your way around having to tie an installation to a Microsoft account - people are only going to be suspicious that this is just another way to shove them into getting a Microsoft account.

If you're paying $30 for the privilege of an extra year of support, shouldn't forking out that cash be enough? I think so, and Microsoft could always just warn you that if you don't use a Microsoft account, you'll only get support on a single device (the one you're signing up with). Then users could decide to proceed, or not, with linking to an account based on their preference in that regard.

If you do have multiple Windows 10 PCs, mind, it's no doubt good to know that you can cover them all with just a single sign-up for the ESU (even using the free offer).

• Microsoft finally fixes one frustrating Windows 11 pop-up – just as a more irritating one arrives to take its place
• Microsoft promises to crack one of the biggest problems with Windows 11: slow performance
• Microsoft has all but given up on Windows 11 SE – and it looks like the war against Chromebooks has been lost

• A prominent leaker just spilled the beans on Google’s Pixel Watch 4
• The upcoming smartwatch is set to launch on August 20
• The leak includes a host of upgrades and new features

Google is set to launch the Pixel Watch 4 on August 20, but that hasn’t stopped various leaks emerging in the meantime. And now, we’ve just received another substantial rumor cache surrounding the device, revealing many of the new features we could see in a few weeks’ time.

The revelations come from prolific leaker Evan Blass, who recently posted them on X. There, Blass revealed a wide range of specs and features that could make it into Google’s smartwatch, as well as some official-looking slides that might be used on the device’s launch date.

Among the specs are measurements, display details, battery life, and more. Blass claims that the Pixel Watch 4 will come with 41mm and 45mm sizes, an always-on Actua 360 display with up to 3,000 nits of brightness, 30 hours of battery life in the 41mm model and 40 hours in the 45mm size, plus 25% faster charging when you use a Quick Charge Dock versus the regular rate.

As for sensors, Blass’s posts suggest that the Pixel Watch 4 will get dual-frequency GPS, an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood oxygen monitoring, plus the ability to sense heart-rate variability. There will also be safety features, including detection of hard falls and loss of pulse.

According to Blass’s images, you’ll get “40+ exercise modes and real-time stats” with the Pixel Watch 4, plus custom run plans and real-time guidance. It will also advise you if you’re ready for a tough workout or need a rest.

And the updates aren’t limited to health and fitness features. For instance, if you buy an LTE model, you’ll get two years of Google Fi Wireless data included for free (although this does not include calling).

The Google Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot is built into the watch, and it looks like it’ll be on hand to help in a variety of ways. That includes the creation of “a playlist for a 10-minute-mile run,” in one of the examples given.

The slides also suggest you’ll be able to “Raise your wrist for quick AI assistant responses and personalized help” and “Keep the conversation going with AI text suggestions that sound like you.” Google seems to be promising Gemini integration with third-party wearable apps, too.

Overall, this looks like a significant upgrade over the Google Pixel Watch 3 – as long as the leak proves to be accurate, of course. But with the August 20 launch date fast approaching, we won’t have long to wait before we find out.

• A flurry of Google Pixel Watch 4 leaks point to colors, sizes, and band options
• The latest Google Pixel Watch 4 leaks point to a price freeze – and a new strength training feature
• The Google Pixel Watch 4 price and promo deals just leaked – and we could escape price hikes

• A leaker has shared a list of rumored specs and prices for upcoming Samsung Galaxy tablets
• Deallabs writer bill-bil kun shared rumored information about the Galaxy Tab S11, Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, and Galaxy Tab S10 Lite
• The report, while comprehensive, is light on named sources

Specs and details for the next Samsung Galaxy tablets have been revealed in what could be one of the biggest tablet leaks we’ve ever seen.

As Notebookcheck reports, a well-known France-based leaker has shared purported details of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11, Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, and Galaxy Tab S10 Lite.

If these rumors are anything to go by, Samsung could be planning a big shakeup for its tablet line when it comes time to replace the current-gen Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra.

The last time Samsung released an 11-inch tablet with flagship-grade hardware was the Galaxy Tab S9 in 2023 – there was no ‘standard’ Galaxy Tab S10 to speak of.

The information comes courtesy of a Deallabs report authored by contributor and noted game leaker bill-bil kun, and includes pricing and technical specs for each of the three new models.

While the report doesn't name many of its sources, the information given matches what we'd expect to see from a single-generation upgrade.

According to these new rumored specs, the Galaxy Tab S11 will sport an 11-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, the same size and resolution as the Galaxy Tab S9's screen.

The Galaxy S11 Ultra is tipped to get a larger 14.6-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2960 x 1848, which is the same size and resolution as the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra’s.

As for internals, Deallabs reports that both the Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra will have the MediaTek MT6691 chipset – this is a code name for the Dimensity 9400 chipset, a powerful flagship-grade mobile chipset. Last year’s Galaxy Tab S10 models used the Dimensity 9300+ chipset, so this seems like a logical upgrade.

They also claim the Galaxy Tab S11 will come with 12GB of RAM and an 8400mAh battery, while the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra will have either 12GB or 16GB of RAM, depending on storage configuration, as well as a larger 11,600mAh battery. Both tablets are said to support 45W charging.

Deallabs says the Galaxy Tab S11 will be available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage, and the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage (the latter of which models, they claim, comes with 16GB of RAM).

As for other hardware, both tablets are said to feature a 13MP main camera and 12MP selfie camera, four speakers, WiFi 6E (WiFi 7 on the Ultra) and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity with optional 5G, and an included S Pen.

Moving on to the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite Deallabs' report lists it as having a 10.9-inch display with a resolution of 2112 x 1320. They say this tablet will get the Exynos 1380 chipset (the same found in the Galaxy Tab S10 FE), an 8000mAh battery with 25W wired charging, an 8MP main camera and 5MP selfie camera, two speakers, and support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.

They add that the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite will come in two configurations – a model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and a model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

The report also gives rumored pricing for each model in euros, which we can convert to other currencies for a rough estimate.

The Galaxy Tab S11 is said to start at at €899, which is about $1,050 / £800 / AU$1,600), the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra at €1,339 (about $1,600 / £1,150 / AU$2,400), and the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite at €459 (about $540 / £400 / AU$800).

It's worth highlighting again that all of the above is rumor for now, but if these specs are the real deal we could be looking at some serious new contenders for the title of best tablet on the market. Be sure to let us know what you want to see from Samsung's next tablets in the comments below.

• The Google Pixel 10 stars in the best leaked images so far – here are 5 upgrades to expect
• 'This looks hideous': the iPhone 17 Pro has been shown off in a new orange shade that you’re going to either love or hate
• Google stops selling the Pixel 6a following reports of battery issues and units catching fire

• US law enforcement claims BlackSuit is completely dismantled
• The agencies seized servers, domains and digital assets
• Since 2022, the group hit 450 companies and stole millions of dollars

BlackSuit, a ransomware group and a successor to the Royal gang, managed to compromise 450 organizations in the United States and steal $370 million in ransom payments, before being dismantled by US law enforcement agents, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said.

A press release published on the US Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) website, said ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (its main investigative arm), in coordination with both US and international law enforcement agents, “successfully dismantled critical infrastructure used by BlackSuit ransomware”.

“The operation resulted in the seizures of servers, domains and digital assets used to deploy ransomware, extort victims, and launder proceeds,” it was said.

The announcement said that since 2022, Royal and BlackSuit ransomware groups have compromised more than 450 known victims in the United States, including healthcare, education, public safety, energy, and government sector organizations.

These attacks brought them more than $370 in cryptocurrency, based on today’s prices.

Unfortunately, no one was arrested, and if history taught us anything - these threat actors will be back sooner rather than later.

While disrupting the infrastructure is a commendable move and will certainly make things difficult for the threat actors in the short-term, they will have no issues reestablishing the hardware, especially with $370 million in their pocket.

Previously, the FBI, US Homeland Security, the US Department of Justice (DoJ), and other partners, defaced BlackSuit’s main website, as well as extortion and data leak sites, in a sting called “Operation Checkmate”.

A US Department of Health and Human Services report published in late November 2023 said BlackSuit was first spotted in May that year, showing “striking parallels with Royal, the direct successor of the former notorious Russian-linked Conti operation”.

“This operation strikes a critical blow to BlackSuit’s infrastructure and operations,” said US Secret Service Criminal Investigative Division Special Agent in Charge William Mancino.

“The US Secret Service is committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal enterprises and prevent the deployment of malicious ransomware that victimizes businesses and organizations.”

Via BleepingComputer

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• ExpressVPN has finally implemented support for the WireGuard VPN protocol
• Resistance to WireGuard by ExpressVPN resulted in the development of its Lightway protocol
• Post-quantum WireGuard has been added to Windows, iOS, and Android ExpressVPN apps, with macOS to follow

After over five years of refusing to adopt the protocol, going so far as to develop its own alternative, ExpressVPN has finally embraced WireGuard – and it made it quantum-secure.

In a move that will impact the entire VPN industry, what TechRadar’s reviewers rated as one of the best VPN providers on the market right now has conceived a future-proofed implementation of the protocol, combining WireGuard with the next-generation encryption algorithm ML-KEM.

That said, ExpressVPN intends to retain its proprietary protocol Lightway – which already integrates ML-KEM – as its default protocol. But in terms of the post-quantum future of online privacy, its adoption of WireGuard is hugely significant.

Several different protocols – configurations of rules that manage a VPN connection – are currently in use. Many providers rely on WireGuard, alongside older solutions like IKEv2/Ipsec, OpenVPN (which is regularly revised), and proprietary solutions like NordVPN’s NordWhisper and Lightway.

All current protocols have various strengths and weaknesses, as well as potential vulnerabilities that have not yet been uncovered. WireGuard, which ExpressVPN initially evaluated and rejected in 2019, is used by many virtual private network (VPN) services, and has been touted as a potential solution for Internet of Things and smart home device encryption.

ML-KEM, meanwhile, is a quantum-resistant encryption standard issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in late 2024, and widely welcomed by the cryptography community as the superior response to post-quantum encryption (PQE) needs.

By finally including WireGuard in its VPN client software, and integrating ML-KEM, ExpressVPN has offered a solution to the entire VPN industry. It means that any VPN provider, big or small, providing it runs its own servers, can introduce PQE protections.

As ExpressVPN has observed in a blog post: “Post-quantum protections are practically non-existent in production deployments… We’ve solved those gaps and published the results. Now it’s on the rest of the industry to catch up.”

Starting from August 6, 2025, Post-quantum WireGuard is available on ExpressVPN’s iOS, Android, and Windows apps. Support for macOS will also follow soon.

Quantum computers have long been recognized as posing a significant risk to the most stringent current encryption standards. The underlying math of encryption algorithms that might take millennia to be solved by today’s machines can be broken relatively quickly by quantum computers.

This clearly poses a risk to all forms of current encryption, not least VPNs. In creating an encrypted route through the internet via a VPN server using a VPN app, users expect their data to remain private, and safe from observation by ISPs, governments, and bad actors.

Quantum computing disrupts this entirely.

As far back as 2020, in its development of Lightway, ExpressVPN recognized the risks posed by quantum computing, despite its arrival being a decade away. Understanding the maxim of cybercriminals who “harvest now, decrypt later,” they took steps to ensure that Lightway offered PQE security to users. So, any data secured with PQE should be protected from decryption by quantum computers.

The white paper, “Post-Quantum WireGuard: A Practical Implementation Guide” by ExpressVPN engineers, Peter Membrey and Timo Beyel, states that while their development of Lightway solved post-quantum protection, they were “concerned that WireGuard deployments weren’t getting simple solutions well-suited to VPN providers.”

ExpressVPN hasn’t stopped at showing the rest of the VPN industry what to do next, either, introducing HTTPS proxy support as an added privacy option. This is thanks to a new “strategic partnership” with Bitripple which integrates LT3 acceleration into Lightway, providing improved data transmission for slower internet connections.

• Themes land on ExpressVPN mobile apps – with full Dark Mode now available for iOS
• ExpressVPN faces a class action in the US over alleged "illegal" auto-renewal fees
• “Once you have the data, you have to cooperate” – Windscribe CEO speak out against global threats to no-log VPNs

• TP-Link TL-WR3602BE router supports file backups with USB 3.0 and works with external hard drives
• Supports phone tethering, hotspot mode, and USB modems to create networks anywhere you go
• External antennas improve signal stability in congested areas like airports, hotels, and conference centers

TP-Link has introduced a new travel-focused networking device designed around Wi-Fi 7 technology.

The TL-WR3602BE WiFi router is billed as a dual-band travel router with combined speeds reaching 3.6 Gbps, including 2882 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.

In principle, this bandwidth should be more than enough to support streaming, large file transfers, and cloud-based productivity tools.

TP-Link claims this portable WiFi router can even be converted to a power bank with its Type-C interface.

This device allows users to share and back up files on their private network because it supports external hard drives, which can be connected via its USB 3.0 port.

What makes this stand out from typical travel routers is its integration of WiFi 7 features like Multi-Link Operation and 4K-QAM, which aim to provide greater stability and efficiency even in crowded networks like hotels or conference centers.

Despite its high-end specs, this is still a travel device, built small enough to fit in a bag or even a pocket.

It is equipped with one 2.5 Gbps WAN port and one standard Gigabit LAN port, providing the kind of flexibility required for on-the-go networking setups.

It also supports USB tethering and 3G-4G USB external modems, hotspot, access point, range extender, and client, making it possible to create a network in places without conventional infrastructure.

A major selling point of this router is its support for OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, giving it the potential to function as a secure router even when connecting to public networks.

Some VPN providers like NordVPN and Surfshark are already integrated into the device’s interface, reducing the need for manual configuration.

The inclusion of a hardware switch to toggle features like VPN or guest access could prove practical for users who value quick access to privacy controls.

For small businesses, this could make the TL-WR3602BE a viable SMB router when mobility is essential.

Although the router supports seven operating modes and offers a user-friendly setup via mobile app or browser, it's still a niche product.

For all its features, it’s unlikely to replace a fixed-line connection or a full-featured office router, but should perform just fine for remote workers who need something between a phone hotspot and enterprise equipment.

This device is currently available on Amazon for $109.99 if you use the coupon code 30WIFI7 - but be warned, the code will expire on August 31, or whenever the product runs out of stock.

• 'Final nail in Intel’s workstation coffin': AMD ThreadRipper Pro 9000 rips through Intel's Xeon in a desperately one-sided review
• Check out our pick of the best secure routers on offer
• We've rounded up the best portable monitors available now

• Qualcomm is building server racks and CPUs, eyeing AI inferencing clusters in hyperscale data center
• Qualcomm's promised CPU might arrive in 2028, well after rivals have scaled infrastructure
• But investors weren’t excited by Qualcomm’s data center plans, as share prices dipped on earnings release

Qualcomm may finally be ready to move beyond its mobile stronghold and take a real step into the data center market.

During its recent Q3 earnings call, the company confirmed it is in “advanced discussions” with a hyperscale customer regarding new silicon targeted at server infrastructure.

This could mark a significant shift for the firm, which has long teased ambitions to bring ARM-compatible processors into cloud computing spaces but never quite followed through at scale.

Qualcomm's CEO Cristiano Amon framed the moment as an opportunity created by the evolving nature of AI workloads, arguing cloud service providers are increasingly focused on efficiency metrics like tokens per watt and tokens per dollar, not just performance.

This, coupled with a broader industry move away from x86 CPUs toward custom ARM-based alternatives, might finally give Qualcomm the entry point it has been looking for.

However, the market is already crowded with established players who have been building dedicated AI infrastructure for years, and Qualcomm will need more than ambition to earn meaningful traction.

Amon explained the company is developing “a general purpose CPU” aimed squarely at hyperscalers.

“While we are in the early stages of this expansion, we are engaged with multiple potential customers and are currently in advanced discussions with a leading hyperscaler,” he said, “If successful, we expect revenues to begin in the fiscal 2028 timeframe."

Amon also mentioned other projects, including accelerator cards and even full server racks, additions which are intended to support AI inferencing clusters, signaling Qualcomm is aiming to become more than just a CPU vendor.

Still, questions remain about the timeline and competitiveness of such efforts.

While Qualcomm expects revenue from this move to begin around fiscal 2028, that delay might leave it trailing behind more entrenched rivals like Broadcom, whose own custom accelerator business appears to be scaling aggressively.

Despite the optimistic tone of the announcement, investor reaction was muted.

Qualcomm's stock briefly dipped following the earnings release, suggesting that the market remains cautious about the viability of its expansion plans.

The company’s PC business, while showing modest gains, remains small - its share of premium Windows laptops has reached only nine percent, and there’s little indication yet that it holds the fastest CPU in any major computing category.

Competition also looms back in Qualcomm’s core segment, and its rival, Samsung, has indicated it is preparing to bring its own advanced SoCs into flagship mobile devices by 2026.

This rivalry suggests Qualcomm might be trying to diversify out of necessity, rather than from a position of strength.

For now, Qualcomm’s leap into the workstation and datacenter space is still mostly theoretical.

Whether it can deliver a credible, high-performance CPU and become a serious player in AI infrastructure remains to be seen.

Via The Register

• China tried to upgrade the Great Firewall but may have left it vulnerable to attack
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• And here are the best monitors for programming we've found

This week, ChatGPT got an upgrade, and Tom Holland swung back into action as Spider-Man.

To catch up on all this and more from the world of tech and entertainment, scroll down for our weekly ICYMI round-up. There are some big stories you won't want to miss.

Once you're all up to speed, be sure to also read our picks for the 7 new movies and TV shows to watch this weekend (August 8).

Filming is officially underway on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with people flocking to Glasgow to catch glimpses of the web-slinger in action.

We got a sneak peek at the new suit, which looks to pay homage to Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's live-action iterations of the character.

We also saw that the flick will involve the first usage of practical webslinging in one of the webslinger's solo MCU movies.

Lastly, we might have gotten a tease of the principal villain of the movie: Mister Negative, as tanks driving through the set are emblazoned with a logo that resembles the Inner Demons logo associated with Negative’s forces.

• Read more: Everything we know about Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Oh Samsung, you were doing so well! Having seemingly quashed the Evan Blass image leak in July, it looked as if all noted tipsters had been warned and deterred. But then, oopsie, a half-finished product listing with pricing and images goes live – on Samsung’s own Panama site.

Two colors are shown (white and a very dark gray), and the price, in Panama at least, is listed as $129. We’re trying very hard not to make a bad joke about the Panama Ear Canal, but at times like thes,e it really is best to laugh.

The Galaxy Buds 3 FE also appears to have silicone ear tips, but everything else is still guesswork since the product page doesn't include any actual specs or features, which is yet another indication that somebody hit the ‘publish’ button too early.

The Buds 3 FE are the follow-up to the original Buds FE or 'Fan Edition'. That's right, there's no Buds 2 FE, so we really thought Samsung was handling the launch of this potentially confusing iteration with delicacy and care…

• Read more: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE accidentally went live

This week, Sonos announced that “later this year, we plan to raise prices” in response to US tariffs.

While the company no longer makes most of its products in China – which is currently facing a 30% tariff – it makes its tech in Vietnam and Malaysia, which are facing 20% and 19% tariffs, respectively (based on rates as of the time of writing on August 7).

Precisely how much of a cost increase the actual speakers will see is yet to be announced, and we don’t yet know exactly when the price hike will come either, but unless things change, it looks like a price hike is coming – so you might want to buy a Sonos speaker sooner rather than later.

• Read more: Get your Sonos speakers at current 'low' prices while you can

Audio Advice Live is a US-based consumer audio and video show held annually in Raleigh, North Carolina, and at this year’s event, which ran from August 1-3, 2025, we had the opportunity to check out Harman Kardon’s forthcoming Enchant series soundbars and wireless speakers.

The big news about the Enchant series is that it carries many of the same great features found in Sonos soundbars and speakers, including multi-room playback and app-based control. But the Enchant soundbars go beyond popular Sonos models, such as the Sonos Arc Ultra, in offering both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, along with an HDMI pass-through input for connecting an external device like an Xbox Series X or PS5 console.

Is the Enchant series primed to topple Sonos? We won’t know that until we get our hands on a system for review, but if Harman Kardon can nail the app part of the equation – a recent pain point for Sonos and its customer base – it could provide a compelling alternative to the Sonos multi-room ecosystem.

• Read more: Harman Kardon’s new Dolby Atmos soundbar is like a Sonos Arc Ultra

Since their launch, we, like many other testers, have been putting the new Samsung foldables through their paces. But some testers take things to an extreme when it comes to judging durability.

JerryRigEverything seriously put Samsung’s new foldable through its paces with a test that involved setting fire to the phone screens, bathing the gadget in dirt, and attempting to scratch every surface with a knife – before trying to snap the phone in half.

Somehow, the Z Flip 7 survived, but it just goes to show that foldables aren’t as flimsy as they once were.

• Read more: Watch the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 go through a torturous durability test

A Microsoft exec shared his vision of Windows in 2030, making the rather bold claim that we’ll not be using keyboards and mice to interact with our computers by then, but rather using our voice and AI. We’ve heard this before (remember when virtual assistants like Cortana [RIP] were going to do everything for us with simple voice commands?), and I’m not convinced.

I don’t want to be speaking to my computer when I’m alone, let alone in a busy place or office, and there’s a reason we still use keyboards, mice, and trackpads decades after these peripherals were created: they remain the fastest and most convenient way to interact with our computers for a lot of people.

• Read more: 'The computer will be able to see what we see, hear what we hear, and we can talk to it'

After hyping up its creation for the past couple of weeks, even saying it scared them, Sam Altman and OpenAI finally unveiled GPT-5 – the latest version of the digital brain which powers ChatGPT.

As expected, GPT-5 is said to be better than its predecessor, apparently being more reliable than before – being more honest with gaps in its knowledge rather than lying, or hallucinating, as it’s called for AI – and it’s also meant to be better at maths and coding, making it a more useful vibe coding partner.

Not everyone is happy, however. Many users have taken to social media to call the new bot “horrible” as ChatGPT now only gives shorter answers with less personality, and the prompt cap seems lower, too.

It might not do much to make affected users feel better about the situation, but OpenAI did at least warn of just this ahead of GPT-5’s launch: teasing “probable hiccups and capacity crunches,” as Sam Altman put it.

• Read more: 5 things you need to know about OpenAI’s ‘most useful’ model yet