News
- The Blood of Dawnwalker director, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, says a delayed next-generation would be beneficial for Rebel Wolves
- Tomaszkiewicz says it's "easier" to work with the current generation and PC
- He says two more builds would multiply "the amount of work you need to do"
The Blood of Dawnwalker director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz isn't worried about the impact of what a delayed next-gen could mean for Rebel Wolves because working on the current-gen consoles is "easier."
It's unclear when the next-generation hardware will launch. Rumors suggest that the PS6 could launch as late as 2028, which would make it eight years between the start of the current generation, with Project Helix, the next Xbox console, also eyeing a 2028 release.
With console prices increasing due to manufacturing costs, not to mention the RAM shortages caused by a rise in AI data centers, there's a chance the next-gen consoles will be highly expensive.
While Sony and Microsoft have yet to reveal how much their new hardware will cost, a delay in the next generation could be on the table as the companies wait for things to settle down and for consoles to become affordable again.
This would also mean studios won't have access to next-gen tech for quite some time to develop their games, which would force them to stick with current-gen.
However, for The Blood of the Dawnwalker studio, Rebel Wolves, this would actually be beneficial to the development team.
The Blood of the Dawnwalker is the first installment in Rebel Wolves' dark-fantasy role-playing game (RPG) series, launching later this year, and has already teased a sequel set in a modern timeline.
When asked by Eurogamer whether the next console generation being delayed would be an issue for the studio and the future of the game series, the director said, "It doesn't at all."
"To be honest, it's even better for us," Tomaszkiewicz explained, "Because when you have the game, and you know the systems and the features adjusted to these particular consoles, you know what you need to do. Always, a new platform is a new challenge: you need to learn it, you need to know what are your borders, what you can do, what you cannot do. And also, it's an additional build you need to create that you need to take care of later."
The director continued, saying that since The Blood of the Dawnwalker has four builds - PS5, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, and two PC builds, it's already a ton of work for testers, so another console generation to work with would be another challenge.
"Let's say we have four builds, and later on you want to deliver a patch for the players. You need to be sure that these changes work on the Xbox, on the PlayStation, PC one, and PC two," Tomaskiewicz said.
"When you have next-gen, you're adding an additional two builds, and it multiplies the amount of work you need to do. It sounds easy but you need to know that there is a group of testers who need to test every platform separately - not only this particular change but whether the whole game has no blockers, if you can finish it from the beginning to the end, and so on and so on.
"It's a huge effort, to be honest, and if we work on the consoles we have right now, it's easier, because we know how many builds we have and it's easier to manage."
The Blood of Dawnwalker launches on September 3.
- The FCC might ban anonymous phones
- This would mean the end of burner phones
- While this could help prevent certain crimes, it may also harm a lot of innocent people who require anonymity or lack the required ID or housing
It’s increasingly hard to be anonymous in the modern world — and in the US it might be about to get even harder, as burner phones could soon be effectively banned.
As reported by Fortune, a new FCC (Federal Communications Commission) proposal would require carriers and VoIP providers to collect various details from a customer, including their name, address, government-issued ID number, and an alternate phone number, before activating or renewing service.
Aside from the odd requirement to have a phone number before you can get a phone number — something which might prove challenging for anyone getting their first phone — this would effectively mean the end of anonymous prepaid phones, commonly known as burner phones.
That’s probably a bad thing, as while these might be associated with crime — with the FCC stating that this change could help them investigate “fraud, espionage, or influence operations that undermine national security” — there are also plenty of legal reasons people might want a burner.
Burner phones are usually cheap secondary or temporary handsets (Image credit: Future)Bad for privacy and dangerous for victims(Image credit: Emir Memedovski / Getty Images)As pointed out in a joint filing made by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union: “This proposal would also prevent people from getting an anonymous phone line for safety reasons, such as a person in a domestic violence situation who does not have control over her personal phone line and needs to call a shelter, or a teenager being coerced by human traffickers who just wants to call for help.”
They further described this proposal as “a data collection regime that harms everyday, law abiding Americans”, while Sydney Saubestre, a senior policy analyst on the Privacy and Data Project at the Center for Democracy and Technology, called it “misguided and counterproductive,” adding that “Americans should not have to sacrifice their privacy because the Commission hasn’t exhausted more targeted alternatives to stop robocalls.”
And it’s not just victims of domestic violence and human trafficking that may suffer due to this. It’s estimated that roughly 15 million adult US citizens don't have a driver’s license and that 2.6 million have no government-issued photo ID, while unhoused people will struggle with the requirement to provide an address.
On top of which, anyone who values privacy may also take issue with this, especially as customer accounts from phone companies have previously been hacked, revealing the data tied to them.
Many commenters on Reddit also worry about the US turning ever more into a surveillance state with rules like this, with popular comments including “tightening the grip of the police state. Bringing the Orwellian world into reality," "they care less about criminals and more about surveilling everyone,” and “gotta track em all!”
So it’s safe to say that this proposal isn’t popular, and could end up doing more harm than good. Hopefully, that might mean the FCC seeing sense and deciding against it.
In my eyes, Diane Morgan is a comedy genius that can never do wrong — and I will willingly lap up every single morsel of comedy TV that she gives me.
We've already known her for unmissable shows such as Mandy, Cunk On..., Motherland and After Life, alongside appearances on the likes of Last One Laughing and Mock the Week. Now, she's offering up something different in the form of new BBC iPlayer comedy, Ann Droid.
Morgan plays Linda, a secondhand AnnDroid Z58/100 Basic Eldercare Robot gifted to widow Sue (Sue Johnston) by her son Michael (Kevin Ready). Basically, it's like Channel 4's Humans meets a Royale Family and Motherland reunion that we weren't expecting.
It's as touching as it is funny, and fans have already given Morgan's character the nickname "Philomena Clank." It's an unlikely friendship that I'm incredibly here for, put it that way.
With Ann Droid episodes arriving on the streamer from July 17, I can't help but be annoyed with the abundance of hilarious comedy already on the platform that nobody seems to be talking about.
You'll no doubt binge the new Diane Morgan series in the blink of an eye, so stay on iPlayer for these three underrated comedy gems once you're done.
FunboysOur first pick comes from the Northern Irish contingent of comedy, which in my opinion has been grossly overlooked (seriously, tell me if you've ever heard of this show before...).
In short, we follow three young, socially awkward men — Callum (Ryan Dylan), Jordan (Rian Lennon), and Lorcan (Lee R James) — as they navigate adulthood, romance, and friendship in rural Ballymacnoose.
No, Ballymacnoose is not a real place, but that doesn't stop Funboys being both fearless and beautiful, and having humor. A heart-warming ensemble, think of antics that fall somewhere between This Country and The Inbetweeners.
Smoggie QueensOn the complete other end of the comedy spectrum is Smoggie Queens, which, like Funboys, has just released its second season. Creator Phil Dunning plays Dickie, who leads a rag-tag gang of LGBTQ+ Middlesbrough natives in their local town.
From full-on drag shows courtesy of mothering queen Mam (Mark Benton) to an unexpected guest cameo from Drag Race judge Michelle Visage as Dickie's work colleague, Smoggie Queens is outrageous from start to finish. Bold, brash and always on point with its cultural references, it holds space for somewhere you can feel safe and seen.
If that isn't enough, season 2 cast Monica Dolan as Mam's ex, and there isn't a TV show on Earth that couldn't benefit from adding Dolan to its cast.
Things You Should Have DoneIf you've seen Chi with a C on YouTube and TikTok, you might recognize Lucia Keskin's main character in Things You Should Have Done.
In this full-format version, stay-at-home daughter Chi is suddenly forced to fend for herself when her parents die in a car crash. She learns she will only inherit the house on the condition that she completes a list of 'Things You Should Have Done' left in her parents' will.
From there, chaos ensues. Again, we've got multiple seasons to stream here, and I think casting Bridget Christie as Ruth in season 2 was a particular stroke of genius. Much like Ann Droid, we're balancing grief and laughs here, but the careful tightrope is walked incredibly well.
- Trump says data centers are good for communities, creating jobs and funding their own power/water
- New York State just banned large projects for a year to focus on developing new guidance
- Trump worries ongoing bans could cause the US to lose out in the global AI race
US President Donald Trump has criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul's recent executive order to introduce a year-long, statewide ban on hyperscale data centers, urging the state to change its stance "immediately."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump characterized data centers as "money machines" that create taxes and jobs comparable to "liquid gold," implying not only are they crucial for cloud computing and AI, but also for the country's economy.
Though states like "Alabama, Florida, Texas, Arizona" and others could now see more projects being relocated amid ongoing moratoriums, Trump worries about the implications of this "terrible decision."
Trump hits back at New York State moratoriumThe executive order, signed by Governor Hochul on July 14 2026, makes New York the first US state to impose a statewide moratorium on new data centers – in this case, those requiring 50MW+ of power.
Despite mounting local opposition for data center buildouts across the US, and indeed the world, Trump argues they're "tremendous wins for the states and communities that are lucky enough to get them," being that they create jobs and are responsible for "their own water and power."
It's important to note that the year-long ban for New York State is exactly that – a temporary ban designed to buy the state enough time to consider environmental and social impacts, and to rewrite legislation and guidance accordingly.
Urging Governor Hochul to "change its policy, immediately," Trump argues that ongoing moratoriums like these could cause the US to lose to "China, and other countries" in what's playing out to be a global AI race.
If you're starting to plan for the upcoming school year and are finding your current laptop a little lacking, the good news is retailers have already launched some solid deals across a vast range of devices from the likes of Dell, Apple, Lenovo, HP, and more. So, I've taken a look and picked out what I think are eight of the best laptop deals if you're shopping for a new device for the year ahead.
I've taken a variety of budgets and needs into consideration: whether you want a cheap Chromebook for basic schoolwork and light use, or a powerful machine for more demanding needs.
One of the standouts has to be this Dell XPS 13 that drops to $599.99 with a student discount. That's a fantastic price for a brand-new version of one of our favorite laptops here at TechRadar, which boasts excellent all-around performance and a stylish design.
Apple fans will also want to check out the manufacturer's Education Store, which has just launched its college offer for the year. As well as special pricing on several devices, including the much-loved and impressive value MacBook Neo, you can also get gift cards of up to $150 on select Macs and iPads.
As someone who finds the best laptop deals regularly for TechRadar, you can browse all of my top picks below, and stick with TechRadar over the next few weeks for even more of our back-to-school coverage, featuring top tech recommendations and the best offers on must-have products.
Today's best back-to-school laptop sales- Amazon: big savings on laptops and more tech
- Apple: up to $150 gift card with Macs & iPads
- Best Buy: up to $600 off laptops
- Dell: up to $900 off
- Walmart: laptops from $209
Display - 15.6 inches
Processor - Intel Core i3
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 128GB
If you want a cheap Windows laptop, then I think this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i is a good value-for-money option for basic needs. I like it as a simple and effective device for school or college, with enough power for browsing, word processing, and other general admin tasks.View Deal
Display - 17.3 inches
Processor - AMD Ryzen 3
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 512GB
If storage is important to you, then I think this HP OmniBook 3 could be worth the price, as it features a 512GB SSD — something I don't regularly see at this price. Of course, that means some compromises have been made elsewhere, with a slightly weaker Ryzen 3 CPU and only 8GB of RAM. Still, that's perfectly fine for light use. Just be aware that the larger 17-inch form factor makes it a less portable option, too.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel Core Ultra 5
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 256GB
If you want a flexible device that's just as easy to use for work and admin jobs as well as casual web browsing and streaming media, then this Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 14 is an excellent buy. It mainly features entry-to-mid-level components, but there's enough power to keep up with light daily use. Plus, you get the added benefit of a versatile 14-inch touchscreen, effectively giving you a laptop and tablet in one.View Deal
Display: 13 inches
Processor: A18 Pro
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
The MacBook Neo just got a price bump, but students can get it cheaper again thanks to Apple's education discount. The latest MacBook packs a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and up to 16 hours of battery life, all for under $600, which is fantastic value. Discounts have been better in the past, but I think these will be rarer to see over the coming months and this price likely won't be beaten over Black Friday.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Snapdragon X
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB
This is a solid discount on a modern laptop powered by one of the efficient Snapdragon X CPUs. As well as excellent levels of all-around performance, this device boasts a huge all-day battery life, so you won't need to worry about being attached to a charger at all times. There's even 512GB of SSD storage, which you don't often see in combination with those other strong performance components at this price point. This is an all-around excellent laptop for everyday, college and business use.View Deal
Display - 13.4 inches
Processor - Intel Core 5
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 512GB
The Dell XPS 13 has regularly been one of our favorite laptops here at TechRadar, and this brand-new version continues that trend. With an Intel Core 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, it has everything you need for solid all-around performance at work or college. Students can also save an extra $100, bringing the price down to a ridiculously low $599.99.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel Core Ultra 5
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB
Here's one of the best deals on a modern, all-purpose, and well-rated laptop in Dell's latest sale. You can now get $550 off this machine, which features a powerful Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, a healthy 16GB of RAM, and a decent 512GB SSD. With all of those components, you'll have no issues with all of your everyday computing and work needs. And at 14 inches, it's an easily portable device, too. Altogether, it's an excellent value all-around option and a laptop we scored 4.5/5 in our review.View Deal
Display - 16 inches
Processor - Intel Core Ultra 7
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB
One of Samsung's latest premium laptops just got its biggest discount yet at Best Buy. While similarly powered devices can be picked up for less, you do get a gorgeous 16-inch LED screen with smooth and responsive 120Hz support with this Galaxy Book6. It's powerful elsewhere, too, with an excellent battery life of up to 24 hours, making it a great pick for college, work, and productivity needs.View Deal
- PlayStation has delayed the launch of the FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick
- The company says production delays have caused the hardware to be postponed
- The PlayStation 5 peripheral will no longer launch on August 6, but "at a later date"
PlayStation has issued an update on the release of its FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick, announcing that the hardware has been postponed.
The FlexStrike was originally slated to release on August 6, but now, in an updated PlayStation Blog post, the company has confirmed that "due to unexpected production delays," it "will launch at a later date."
"We’re working to ensure we deliver the best possible experience to our players with FlexStrike, so we’re taking extra time to put the finishing touches on the product," PlayStation said.
"We apologize for this delay and look forward to bringing the FlexStrike experience to the community when it launches."
Pre-orders for the fight stick opened on June 12, but the company confirmed that players can check their order status through PlayStation Direct and will receive communications regarding their order.
"Players who pre-ordered through another retailer should look for updates directly from that retailer or contact them with any questions," it added.
The FlexStrike is a PS5 peripheral and costs $199.99 / £179.99.
TechRadar's senior reviews writer Harry Padoan got the chance to test out the fight stick earlier this year, writing that it "hits the right notes" performance-wise when tested against Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and is "approachable and straightforward to use," and "offers ultra-low latency in both wired and wireless capacities."
Elsewhere, Sony has announced plans to end physical game disc production. While remaining silent against the backlash, the company recently posted an advertisement for the FlexStrike, which received massive pushback.