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Recruitment has long relied on signals that serve as proxies for candidate skillsets: degrees, previous job titles, years of experience, and employer names. Those indicators don’t always show whether someone actually has the skills needed for the role they’re applying for. As AI reshapes work, businesses need clearer evidence of what people can do.
This imperative has led to a drastic shift in hiring norms In the UK, 99 per cent of employers are using skills-based hiring in some capacity, according to research. At the same time, 58 per cent expect more than a third of core job skills to change by 2030. Recruiters now need to hire for current requirements while also thinking about how roles are likely to evolve.
For hiring teams, five changes stand out.
1. Hiring is becoming more skills-firstAI is accelerating the move away from degree-first evaluation. When tools, business needs, and ways of working change quickly, employers can’t just rely on static indicators of academic achievement. They need to know whether candidates have practical, current and job-relevant skills.
Degrees still retain significant signaling value. A degree offers an essential foundation, particularly for critical thinking, communication and domain knowledge. But employers increasingly want additional proof that a candidate can apply those strengths in workplace settings.
For recruiters, job descriptions and selection criteria need to become more skill-oriented. Instead of asking for broad experience in a field, businesses should define the specific capabilities needed for the role: data analysis, AI literacy, cloud computing, cybersecurity awareness, project management, or the ability to interpret AI-generated outputs. A clearer skills profile can also help organizations identify strong candidates who have not followed traditional pathways.
2. AI credentials are changing how experience is weightedExperience still carries weight, but AI is changing how that experience is judged. In fast-moving areas such as generative AI, data, and cloud, a candidate with recent, verified learning may be better prepared than someone with greater experience but outdated skills.
That’s why 42 per cent of UK employers say they would choose a less experienced candidate with a GenAI credential over a more experienced candidate without one. It shows how quickly the value of verified AI capability is rising.
This has practical implications for recruiters. Years of experience shouldn’t be treated as a signifier of readiness. In some roles, recent evidence of applied learning may be more useful. The challenge is to distinguish between candidates who’ve completed primarily theoretical training and those who can show they’re ready to apply what they’ve learned.
3. Verification is becoming more importantAI has made it easier for candidates to produce polished CVs, cover letters and portfolios. It has also made it harder for employers to know which evidence to trust.
This is likely to increase the value of credentials that verify skills to employers. In the UK, 95 per cent of employers say micro-credentials help identify candidates with real-world, applied expertise in areas such as AI, data, and cloud. That matters because recruiters need evidence that can stand up to scrutiny.
The most useful credentials are those that assess applied skills, rather than only content completion. Employers will increasingly look for evidence that a candidate has built something, solved a practical problem or completed a project relevant to workplace needs.
Recruitment teams should reflect this in their processes. CV screening should be supported by practical assessments, structured interviews, and work-sample tasks. This blended approach will make decisions more accurate.
4. Recruiters need to assess human judgement alongside AI skillsAI literacy is becoming a common requirement, but it is insufficient to simply possess technical knowledge, particularly for those deploying AI in non-technical roles. Businesses need people who can work effectively with AI, including knowing when to question it.
As AI becomes embedded in everyday work, candidates will need to show that they can evaluate outputs, check sources, spot weak reasoning, and apply context. A candidate who accepts AI-generated content uncritically will introduce risk, irrespective of technical proficiency.
This adds novel new stages to the assessment process. Recruiters may need to ask candidates to critique an AI-generated response, improve a flawed analysis, or explain what further evidence they’d need before making a decision. These exercises can reveal whether someone has the judgement and domain expertise required to use AI tools responsibly.
For many roles, the differentiator won’t be whether a candidate can prompt a system: it’ll be whether they can turn AI output into sound business action.
5. Skills-first hiring must complement skills-first trainingAI is compressing the shelf-life of skills. If, as expected, over a third of core skills will change by 2030 for many UK employers, hiring alone will not be enough to keep pace. In fact, 74 per cent of tech leaders acknowledge they cannot depend on new hires alone to fill AI skills gaps. That means skills-first hiring needs to become part of a wider talent development framework.
The same approach that helps recruiters identify the capabilities needed for a role can also help businesses map the skills they already have, spot gaps across the workforce, and create clearer routes for employees to build the capabilities the organization will need next.
Some capabilities will still need to be brought in from outside the organization, particularly in fast-moving areas such as AI, data and cloud. But many skills will also need to be developed internally as roles evolve. The strongest businesses will combine skills-based hiring with ongoing upskilling, giving employees clear routes to adapt as roles change.
The new recruitment advantageAI is changing what employers need to know about candidates. Businesses that can identify real capability, verify applied skills, and recognize potential beyond traditional signals will be better placed to hire well. The value of this approach is already visible in workplace outcomes. 92 per cent of employers say entry-level hires with micro-credentials perform better in their first year on the job.
For candidates, the message is just as clear. In an AI-enabled labor market, employability will depend less on what someone once learned and more on what they can prove they can do now, and the evidence they’re still learning.
For employers, recruitment needs to become part of a broader skills strategy. AI may be changing the work, but the hiring challenge remains human: finding people with the skills, judgement and adaptability to help businesses compete and innovate.
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After a fairly competitive preorder phase, the brand-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 are all officially available. And while many of those pre-release offers are no longer available, several launch deals are live now at various retailers and mobile networks. I've picked out the best value options right here.
The official Samsung store remains one of the best places to go in the US, offering a hefty trade-in rebate of up to $1,000 or a flat $200 in Samsung credit without a trade. As for the networks, T-Mobile remains my number one pick, as it still offers a massive discount of up to $1,900 on the Z Fold 8 when you trade in and add an eligible line — that's the biggest rebate out there and one of the largest ever seen for a new phone launch.
The UK deals aren't quite as attention-grabbing as many of the trade-in rebates have been reduced, but there are some good savings out there on all of the new devices.
Again, the official Samsung store is a smart place to start, with trade-in discounts of up to £752, extra savings on larger storage models, and freebies when you bundle in some network plans. Meanwhile, networks such as Vodafone and O2 offer the largest trade-in savings, or you can get a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 at Sky Mobile.
I'll keep an eye out for all the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launch deals over the next few days in case any better offers go live. Hopefully there will be a combination of phone and plan that suits you.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 deals in the USSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: up to $1,000 off with a trade-in or $200 off without
Samsung's offer on its new Flip and Fold range include trade-in rebates of up to $1,000 for the Fold 8 and up to $400 for the Flip 8 — that's $200 less than the preorder phase. Still, if you don't have a phone to hand over, you can still get a flat $200 in Samsung credit when buying the Fold 8 or $100 with the Flip 8. There are also bundle discounts of up to 15% when buying other accessories at the same time.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: up to $1,900 off the Galaxy Fold 8 Ultra with a trade-in and qualifying line
T-Mobile's launch offer for the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Fold 8 includes a saving of up to $1,900 on the Fold 8 Ultra when you trade in — that will effectively bring the price of the device down to $100. You will need to add a qualifying line to your account at the same time, such as the Experience Beyond plan.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: get a Galaxy Z Fold 8 for $60 a month
The standout launch deal at Verizon is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for $60 a month on a 48-month contract — and that's with no trade-in required, either. If you are looking to upgrade, you can get up to $1,100 off with a trade-in, and even add a Galaxy Watch 9 or Galaxy Tab S10 FE for free when you buy a new phone or upgrade.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: get the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for $0 with an eligible trade-in
AT&T's standout offer on Samsung's new foldable line-up is this offer that can get you a Z Fold 8 for free when you trade in an eligible device and sign up for an eligible unlimited plan. You can also add a Galaxy Watch9 and Tab A11 Plus for $1.99 per month each with a new line, and get $200 off a new line when you order online.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: get an extra $400 with a trade-in, plus a $350 Amazon Gift Card
One of the stronger options if you just want to buy a device outright is at Amazon. As well as a savings bonus of up to $400 when you trade-in, you also get a gift card worth up to $350 with Samsung's latest foldable handsets. There's also a bundle that includes a pair of Galaxy Buds 4 Pro with a 10% discount.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: up to £752 off with a trade-in, and an extra savings on larger storage models
The launch offer for the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Fold 8 range at the official Samsung store includes a discount of up to £752 when you trade-in and an extra saving of up to £170 on larger 512GB or 1TB storage models. Contract options are also available from £10 per month and from £249 upfront. Finally, six months of Google AI Pro are included with all handsets.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: from £51 per month, up to £528 off with a trade-in
Offers for the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 start at £47 per month at EE on the 125GB Essential package. If you have a phone to trade in, you can also get a saving of up to £528 across all three devices, plus there's the option to add a Galaxy Watch 9 and save £288.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: trade-in to save up to £1,550
Vodafone's is offering its biggest ever trade-in deal for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, with savings of up to £1,550 when trading in an eligible device. You can also get up to £1,130 off the Galaxy Z Flip 8 with a trade-in. Unlimited data contracts then start from £31.92 per month and from £40 upfront.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: up to £1,325 off with a trade-in
Trade-in offers at O2 include savings of up to £1,325 on the new Galaxy series devices when you pair them with an Unlimited Classic or Unlimited Plus plan.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: save up to £1,478 with a trade-in and get unlimited data
Three's trade-in offer for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Fold 8 includes a discount of up to £1,478 when you hand in an eligible device. An extra £100 cashback is also available if you pair your device with a Samsung connected tablet, watch, or PC.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: up to £796 off with a trade-in, plus free Galaxy Watch 9
Over at Sky Mobile, you can save up to £796 on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, Fold 8, and Fold 8 Ultra when you trade in your existing handset. Contract prices with a handset start at £38 per month and £12 upfront for 256GB of data. As a bonus, every Galaxy Z Flip 8 order includes a free Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm) worth £349, while a Galaxy Z Fold 8 order comes with a free Galaxy Watch 9 (44mm) worth £379.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: from £39.99 a month, plus get £100 in Clubcard points
Rather than the big trade-in savings offered by others, Tesco Mobile is going strong on zero upfront costs and low monthly prices for its launch deals, with prices starting at £39.99 for 6GB of data. These offers are exclusively available for Clubcard members, and you get £100 Clubcard points with your order.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: get an extra £100 when you trade-in and another £100 with a discount code
If you have a device you want to trade-in so you can upgrade to one of Samsung's new foldables, then Currys might be a decent place to buy. The retailer is offering an extra £100 when you trade-in an eligible and working handset and pick up a new Fold 8 or Flip 8. Plus, you can use the code 'FOLD100' to get an extra £100 off at the checkout.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 / Fold 8 / Fold 8 Ultra: up to £1,000 off with a trade-in and get £50 when paired with a Watch 9 or Watch Ultra 2
Another option to buy the phone outright is at Amazon, where you can also get up to £1,000 off the new devices when you trade-in. If you want to bundle it with the new Galaxy Watch 9 or Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, you'll also get £50.View Deal
- Microsoft temporarily rolls back planned Teams tool concerning muted chats
- The update would have made it easier to organize (and ignore) unnecessary conversations
- It's not known when the update will get back in progress
Microsoft has pulled an update which would have made it much easier for Teams users to organize their chats - particularly those which have been muted.
The company had revealed it was working on new built-in sections within Teams to house all the muted chats in one area, meaning users shouldn't be distracted or annoyed by unnecessary alerts.
However the update has now been "temporarily rolled back", with Microsoft apologizing for the "inconvenience".
A bit of a shame?The move is a slightly odd one, as the description of the update makes it sound like something all Teams users would appreciate.
In its Microsoft 365 roadmap entry, the company said the new grouping will "help reduce clutter and keep conversations easy to find" - but also probably help lower stress levels for users plagued by alerts on chats they don't need to know about.
The change, which was in the works for users across Android, iOS, desktop and web, would have seen muted chats grouped together in a dedicated area, while meeting chats would have been able to be collected into a single section for quick access.
Microsoft had even added that "You’re always in control", as each section would have been able to be activated or turned off based on a user's specific preferences.
The new Meeting chats section would have replaced the Meeting chats filter, found at the top of the chat and channel list, giving users a much better insight to their conversations.
Microsoft hasn't given any details as to why the update is delayed, or when it will be coming back onto the workbench, so we'll just have to wait and see.
As mentioned, it's a shame, as Teams users no doubt would have welcomed any relief from the overload of chats. Slack already offers this feature, with muted channels and conversations hidden away if desired, so maybe Microsoft is taking extra time to finesse and develop the feature before releasing it to users.
For years, cybersecurity was built on a simple assumption: systems follow defined rules.
Applications do what they are programmed to do, while people log in, are given permissions and access the resources they need. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing that.
With nearly 50% of cybersecurity solutions buyers expecting AI to be embedded across the cyber stack within three years, organizations are no longer focused solely on protecting applications and access rights.
They also need to secure intelligent systems that can make decisions, interact with users and act autonomously.
AI can draw on models, prompts, context and external tools to understand a goal, make decisions and determine how best to achieve it.
As organizations give these agentic systems greater autonomy across enterprise workflows, the consequences of failure extend beyond generating a wrong answer.
A mistake can now disrupt business processes, influence decisions and trigger unintended actions across connected systems.
An expanded attack surfaceGreater autonomy creates new points of vulnerability whenever AI is given access to data, systems and external tools.
Cyber threats, such as attackers manipulating the information AI receives or impersonating trusted users, can alter how it responds or the actions it takes. This could lead an AI agent to retrieve inaccurate information or approve unauthorized actions.
Traditional cybersecurity controls were designed for humans and applications, but autonomous agents don’t fit neatly into either category. Security therefore needs to extend further across the entire AI lifecycle: before go-live, during operations, and at every point where AI learns, decides, and acts.
Organizations need a unified security architecture that provides consistent visibility and controls across both AI and traditional systems, which makes it easier to identify threats, enforce policies and respond quickly when incidents occur.
Trusting AI safelyHowever, a unified architecture is only part of the solution. Businesses also need to ensure the AI agents themselves can be trusted. Like any trusted user or system, AI agents should have a verifiable identity, tightly controlled access to data and systems, and auditable records of the actions they take.
Without these safeguards, organizations risk creating AI systems that can bypass security and compliance controls because of design flaws rather than malicious intent. Security also cannot stop once an AI system is deployed. Unlike traditional software, AI systems learn from new data, operate in changing contexts and can behave differently over time.
Organizations therefore need continuous monitoring to ensure agents stay within defined boundaries and policies continue to be enforced. That includes clear ownership, escalation paths and kill switches that can safely contain or stop an agent behaving unexpectedly. Some organizations are also beginning to use "guardian agents" that monitor other AI agents and flag unusual behavior.
The level of oversight should reflect the level of risk. AI agents carrying out low-impact tasks can remain largely autonomous, while higher-risk activities - such as updating customer data, approving financial transactions or interacting with production systems - should have stronger guardrails.
Applying controls in proportion to risk allows organizations to capture the benefits of AI while maintaining security, compliance and trust.
Context as a security boundarySecuring AI also means securing the information it relies on. Context is what gives AI agents their power. This includes internal documents, customer information, business rules and previous interactions, helping agents understand a task and decide what to do next.
That also makes context a new security boundary. If the information an AI relies on is inaccurate or has been deliberately manipulated, the decisions it makes can be wrong, even if the underlying model is working exactly as intended. This is known as context poisoning.
Protecting against this means controlling what AI can see as well as what it can do. Agents should only have access to the data and systems they need for a specific task. For example, an AI assistant answering employee questions should not have the same level of access as one authorized to approve payments.
Guardrails must go beyond filtering outputs and extent to protecting the integrity of the information AI uses, ensuring it is accurate, up to date and appropriate for the task at hand.
Governance at scaleTechnical controls are most effective when they are supported by effective governance. This requires a joined-up approach that brings together AI and traditional systems, with consistent controls across the business.
Organizations should also define where human intervention is required and who is responsible for the decisions models make. Oversight should focus on the activities that carry the greatest operational, financial or regulatory risk, supported by investment in the skills needed to govern AI effectively and maintain trust in autonomous systems.
The path forwardUltimately, securing AI is about more than protecting systems from attack. Organizations need the right technical solutions, clear ownership and continuous oversight throughout the AI lifecycle. Trust depends on these elements working together.
The organizations that succeed with AI will not necessarily be those that move fastest, but those that scale it securely and responsibly. The question for leaders is no longer whether to trust AI, but whether they are building systems that deserve to be trusted.
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Recently in Geneva, the world's largest forum on AI for Good, gathered around a simple question: how can technology best serve society? While the sentiment goes back to pre-industrial times, the conversation has firmly moved to algorithms. What about the machines that will come next?
Quantum technology has crossed a line. It is no longer a distant promise, but a growing portfolio of real applications. Quantum and quantum-inspired solutions are being applied to the simulations that underpin nuclear power, to protein design in drug discovery, and traffic forecasting in congested cities.
Quantum sensors are being tested for medical imaging, navigation where satellite signals fail, and monitoring carbon storage sites deep underground. These are no longer mere laboratory curiosities: they are increasingly emerging as working programs, with industrial partners and delivery dates.
For those of us in the industry, these developments are both timely and long anticipated. But they also force us to confront a less comfortable reality: the same machines that will one day simulate new molecules will also break the public-key cryptography that secures much of the modern internet.
By some estimates, up to 80% of the world's digital infrastructure is exposed. The world's digital economy - not to mention every AI model celebrated in Geneva, runs on encrypted data. Every health record or financial transaction owes its confidentiality to mathematical assumptions that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer will overturn.
Store now, decrypt laterThe threat timeline is worse than most realize. Rather than waiting for when the machine arrives, the clock started the moment adversaries began harvesting encrypted traffic: the so-called “store now, decrypt later” approach.
Data that remains valuable for years, from medical records to state secrets, may already be beyond rescue. Nobody knows exactly when “Q-Day” comes. But those who harvest our data today have time on their side.
This is why quantum-safe security cannot be a footnote to quantum computing. It is the other half of the field, and it needs to mature on the same schedule.
Quantum trip-wireTwo defenses exist, and they are not interchangeable. Post-quantum cryptography replaces vulnerable algorithms with mathematics believed to resist quantum attacks; it is software, it scales, and it is the workhorse of the migration now beginning worldwide.
Quantum key distribution takes a different route: it distributes encryption keys using quantum states of light that cannot be intercepted without being disturbed. In this way, these schemes deploy a “quantum trip-wire", an eavesdropper reveals herself by the simple act of listening-in
Far from being in competition, both algorithmic and physics-based solutions have roles to play in tomorrow's networks. Serious infrastructure will layer both.
Neither of these solutions are theoretical. New post-quantum standards have been finalized, with contributions from research teams around the world. And quantum-secured networks are already running in the field: since 2022, Abu Dhabi has hosted entanglement-based metropolitan networks, like the ADGM Quantum Testbed announced in August 2025.
These are initiatives that bring quantum security to where data actually lives. Long-range terrestrial links, satellite connections and “last-mile” access networks are the next steps, extending that protection between cities and, eventually, across continents. If there's one lesson the field has learned from operating these systems, it's this: migration takes years, so the time to start is before the threat matures, not after.
Depth of capabilityThere is a broader lesson in how this capability is being built. A growing number of nations have chosen to be builders of quantum technology rather than buyers, developing the full portfolio of sensing, communications and computing solutions. From processor fabrication to control software, to the hardware enabling quantum networks: the word “sovereignty” is often heard as a synonym for walls.
But our experience suggests otherwise. It is precisely the teams that build every layer themselves that can contribute most readily to the global commons, from working with international standards organizations like ITU and ETSI on quantum-safe networking, to releasing open-source middleware that researchers worldwide now use to program quantum hardware, wherever it was made.
It is this depth of capability that turns a nation from a spectator of the quantum era into an active participant.
That should also be the model for the decade ahead. No single country will own quantum technology, and no single vendor should be the sole authority on quantum-era trust. What the field needs now is what the AI community showcased in Geneva: open tools that lower the barrier to entry, interoperable standards so quantum-safe systems can talk to each other, and honest engagement with the risks alongside the promise.
For years, the defining question about quantum computing has been when the machines will arrive. Increasingly, I think that's the wrong question. The more important question is whether the digital world they inherit will still deserve their trust. The answer depends on what we choose to secure, build, and share today.
Quantum for good does not start with a breakthrough. It starts with trust.
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- Musk has recently been bullish about Starlink's potential as a rival to T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T
- However, T-Mobile's CEO sees satellite connectivity as complementary to conventional coverage
- As such, they think that Starlink's threat to mobile operators has been exaggerated
If you believe Elon Musk, then Starlink could soon pose a major threat to the US’s mobile operators, but the CEO of T-Mobile disagrees.
According to Musk in a recent earnings call, Starlink’s terrestrial cellular network will “probably” offer better connectivity and higher bandwidth than cellular providers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. In fact, Musk even went so far as to say that he envisions Starlink will ultimately "deliver a majority of the world's internet."
As a result, Gwynne Shotwell, the president and chief operating officer of SpaceX (which owns Starlink), added that she expects the company to “acquire quite a few” customers from those mobile networks.
But in an interview with the Financial Times, T-Mobile’s CEO Srini Gopalan argued that “you’ve got to ask the question of ‘what is the gap in the market that they’re looking to serve?’,” adding “I always prefer starting these conversations back from the customer: why would a customer buy a new cellular service? Where do they go? What’s their differentiation? It’s clearly not having a broad network.”
An alternative or an addition?T-Mobile has already partnered with Starlink (Image credit: T-Mobile Starlink)Of course, Musk has arguably already answered the question of differentiation with his claims of Starlink having higher bandwidth and better connectivity, and indeed T-Mobile already leverages Starlink satellites to boost its rural coverage.
But Gopalan suggests that this is how things should be, with satellite connectivity being “complementary” to existing networks.
So it remains to be seen who is right here. A lot might come down to price, and whether Starlink continues giving the likes of T-Mobile access to its satellites once it has launched a rival service.
That service isn’t expected until the end of 2027, though, so T-Mobile and the US’s other mobile operators have some time to make sure they remain competitive.
- New panel has two-stack structure with redesigned emissive layers
- The result is much better color reproduction and good brightness
- It's likely to succeed OLED SE, which is in entry-level 2026 TVs
LG Display has developed a simpler kind of OLED panel that should deliver a better picture and cost less to make or buy than the panels in current WOLED TVs.
Where most WOLED TV panels use a three-stack structure to emit light (or four stacks in the case of some more premium versions), LG Display's new design uses two. That, the firm says, will reduce production costs and improve energy efficiency. And it'll also deliver improved colors.
The new panel is designed to be used in mid-range OLED TVs and in computer monitors, making it a direct rival for mini-LED. But you can't get it just yet; although the new panel exists, it hasn't entered mass production.
You can expect to see the new two-stack panels in TVs such as the successor to LG's B6 OLED TV. (Image credit: Disney / Future )When two stacks can be better than threeThis isn't the first time LG Display has made two-stack OLED panels: it produced two-stack OLEDs throughout the 2010s, but moved to three- and later four-stack structures to deliver improved picture quality and brightness. However, the more stacks you have, the more complex and expensive your panels become, and improvements in both materials and engineering have enabled LG Display to produce a two-stack design that wasn't possible a decade ago.
As LG Display explained to the Korean news sites The Elec and ETNews, reported by FlatpanelsHD, the two-stack WOLED panel uses a new blue emissive material and replaces the conventional yellow/green emissive layer with separate red and green layers.
That change enables the panel to deliver more accurate color reproduction, improving BT.2020 color coverage from 76.5% on three-stack panels to 82.5% on the new panel.
It's slightly brighter at 6500 Kelvin color temperatures, although it's a little less bright than WOLED at higher color temperatures. LG says it delivers wider viewing angles, too.
Speaking to The Elec, an industry source said: "If the next-generation two-stack architecture enters mass production, LG Display will be able to defend its position in the premium segment while expanding into the mid-range TV and monitor markets, where LCD and mini-LED technologies remain dominant."
As for when that expansion will happen, we don't have a definite timescale just yet: while the new panels are clearly destined for future LG TVs, LG Display hasn't said when it'll be making the panels available to the likes of Samsung, Sony, Philips and Panasonic.
For this year's affordable OLEDs, the key panel technology is OLED SE, which is the panel used in models such as the 2026 Panasonic Z86C (Z85C in Europe). That's brighter than previous entry-level OLEDs, but the potential downside is that the panel can be more reflective. There are various ways manufacturers can address that, but if reflectivity is a problem in your room it's important to read the reviews to find out what (if anything) they've done to reduce it.
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- Google product approvals are being delayed, impacting small businesses
- Experts advise businesses not to resubmit products needlessly
- Google has not yet commented on the issue
Local SEO professionals, agencies, and small businesses have been reporting widespread issues with new and existing product listings becoming trapped in Google’s approval process, leading to concerns over the upcoming back-to-school period.
According to reports, the issues have been ongoing since July 30 2026, with it being raised both in Google’s own support community and leading local search forums. Businesses from multiple countries have reported the same glitch.
Google has not yet publicly acknowledged the issue, frustrating businesses that are preparing for the upcoming busy period.
Small business reliance on GoogleThe issue highlights a wider problem for small businesses that rely on platforms like Google to drive traffic to their products and services.
With small budgets and time constraints, small businesses often rely on just a handful of sources to drive the bulk of traffic to their websites. For example, a small store may rely primarily on their Google Business Profile to be the main way potential customers discover them.
So, when issues like these occur and platforms like Google fail to address them, it leaves small businesses frustrated and making best guesses on how to proceed.
Don’t panicSome businesses have reported continuously editing and submitting products in the hope that they will eventually be approved. According to some experts, this is exactly the wrong approach to take.
"Your first instinct is usually to keep editing the product or submit it again, hoping it will finally go live. Unfortunately, that's often the worst thing you can do,” says Thomas Phillips, Founder and Marketing Expert at DTC SEO Agency. “If this is a platform-wide issue, every resubmission effectively sends your product back into the review process. Instead of getting approved sooner, you risk resetting the clock each time."
For now, it appears the best course of action is to continue updating your site as usual and to avoid purposefully updating and submitting products several times in an attempt to get them approved.
Phillips also advises checking trusted SEO communities to see if others are facing a similar challenge before taking drastic action:
"When multiple agencies start reporting the same behaviour at the same time, it's usually a sign that the problem sits with the platform rather than the business.”
- Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier is free to keep on PC until August 13
- The game is a tactical third-person shooter set in 2024
- The giveaway comes as part of the series' 25th anniversary
Ubisoft just made a classic Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon game free to keep to celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary — but you only have a few days to claim it.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier can be added to your Ubsioft Connect library on PC from August 6 until August 13 for no charge.
To get your hands on it, download the Ubisoft Connect application on your PC and create an account. If you've played recent Ubisoft releases like Assassin's Creed Blag Flag Resynced or other Ghost Recon games, then you likely already have one, and can log in using your existing details instead.
Head to the library page and then select the 'Free games' tab.
(Image credit: Ubisoft)There you'll see a banner for the Ghost Recon Future Soldier giveaway. Click it to go through to the game's store page, and then hit 'Get it now' to add it to your account. You can then download and play the game.
Originally released in 2012, Ghost Recon Future Soldier is set in the then-futuristic year of 2024. It follows an elite squad of special-ops soldiers who use technology to gain an advantage in deadly battlefields around the world.
Tactical use of gadgets like drones and adaptive camouflage are keys to success, as is careful command of your AI teammates.
The game launched with a suite of multiplayer modes as well, though these were taken offline in 2022, which is unfortunate. Still, it's hard to grumble too much about a game you're getting completely for free.
The giveaway comes amid a flurry of other Ghost Recon announcements to mark the anniversary, including the release of a 4K 60fps mode for recent installment Ghost Recon Wildlands alongside the addition of a new story mission called Last Rites.
- Microsoft has admitted it's automatically installing an app on Windows 11
- The OneDrive Photos app is also being deployed mistakenly to business PCs as well as consumers
- There are a few odd things about this episode, and it's an anti-consumer move that doesn't sit well with Microsoft's broader goals to make Windows 11 better
Microsoft is in hot water after an odd decision to roll out a OneDrive Photos app to Windows 11 PCs used by consumers (with it also accidentally deploying the app to enterprise systems).
Windows Latest reports that Microsoft "effectively" told the website that the OneDrive Photos app is being automatically installed on Windows 11 computers whether it's wanted or not.
OneDrive Photos is a separate app to OneDrive, and it's designed for photo viewing and organization (with a light editing element bolted on). However, it's plain user-hostile behavior to have this software stealthily piped to a Windows 11 PC and forcibly installed.
What if you don't want it? What if you don't even use OneDrive sync at all, and you aren't signed in with a Microsoft account on your PC? Tough — you still get OneDrive Photos, as Windows Latest points out.
Even more bizarrely, this app — which is labelled as a beta — is appearing on business PCs, which it definitely shouldn't be doing (it's only used with a personal Microsoft account).
Microsoft wouldn't previously comment on the appearance of the OneDrive Photos app, but at least the company has now acknowledged that it is being installed on Windows 11 PCs.
There's still no official comment on why business devices would be getting this software, but Windows Latest tells us that it "understands that the rollout to enterprise PCs was not intentional". So apparently this was a mistake, and one that Microsoft is presumably in the process of correcting.
It's worth noting that there's also been some controversy about AI scanning faces for a feature in OneDrive Photos, accessed via the 'People' option, but this is only active if you explicitly allow it to be turned on (it's clearly opt-in, in other words).
Microsoft has clarified that if 'face grouping' is enabled, it runs only in the cloud with OneDrive photos (not other images on your PC), and any data collected is removed 30 days after you turn it off. The company has also assured users that it isn't using any photo data to train AI models on faces.
Analysis: I'm trying to tell you now, it's sabotage…(Image credit: Future)What is Microsoft playing at here? I really don't know, but this OneDrive Photos affair is a mess for a lot of reasons, and as you might guess, it has rubbed people up the wrong way. For starters, business users are very unhappy about having a piece of consumer-targeted beta software automatically deployed on their PCs, and are busy writing scripts to remove it (like this one on Reddit for example), rather than waiting for Microsoft to fix its error.
This is a baffling move for consumers too, because as noted, even if you don't use OneDrive at all, you'll still get this partner photo app. You can't even remove the OneDrive Photos app without deleting OneDrive as well — so if you do use the cloud storage app and sync features in Windows 11, but don't want this extra Photos application, well, you're stuck with it. You can have both, or neither.
That latter situation will change, though, Windows Latest informs us, and Microsoft is preparing an update that lets you remove the OneDrive Photos app without needing to nuke OneDrive entirely. I should hope so, too, and it's confusing how this rollout of a beta app went ahead without that choice in place.
The broad reaction on Reddit has been heated to say the least, and this is just more grit for anyone with an anti-Microsoft axe to grind.
One Redditor said "I'm uninstalling Windows. Linux is a little bit of a pain but worth it." There are more than a few similar comments in that thread, whether they're from people vowing to switch to Linux, or those who've already departed for OS pastures greener: "So glad I left Windows behind. Good riddance."
Interestingly, there are reports of this app appearing on Windows 10 PCs in the Reddit thread those comments are drawn from, although I haven't seen it on my computer with that OS (while it is on my Windows 11 system).
The trouble with all this is that it underlines how Microsoft is a vast corporation where the various limbs aren't always moving in alignment with the same aims. While the right hand is fixing Windows 11 and implementing a whole bunch of crowd-pleasing features or tweaks, the left hand is still messing around with anti-consumer initiatives such as this. Did no one tell the OneDrive team that Microsoft is supposed to be going full-tilt to persuade everyone that Windows 11 is the place to be, and that the software giant has mended its pushier and more obnoxious ways?
Apparently not, and just as we don't want third-party apps for the likes of monitors pushed on us quietly, in the background, via Windows Update, we don't want to unknowingly get first-party Microsoft software sprung on us, either.
Sort it out, Microsoft, please, because this is becoming an embarrassing oversight in terms of the big (and otherwise commendable) drive to make Windows 11 better.
- The Legend of Zelda Movie has reportedly found its Ganondorf and Impa
- Uli Latukefu and Dichen Lachmann are set to play the aforementioned pair
- The film also expected to feature Yvonna Strahovski and the late Sam Neill
The Legend of Zelda Movie just got a big cast update — and now we know who'll play the franchise's primary villain in Ganondorf.
Per Deadline, relative newcomer and Australian actor Uli Latukefu (Young Rock, Marco Polo) will play the imposing Big Bad in Sony's live-action film adaptation of Nintendo's beloved videogame franchise.
Deadline's report also claims that Latukefu has inked a multi-picture deal — a crucial detail that implies that, should the Zelda film be a critical and commercial success, Latukefu will return as the power-hungry Gerudo warlock in at least one sequel.
Dichen Lachmann will play Impa in The Legend of Zelda Movie (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)Latukefu isn't the only actor who's all but confirmed to appear in The Legend of Zelda's big-screen reimagining.
In a separate article, Deadline reported that Severance star Dichen Lachmann will portray Zelda's bodyguard Impa in the live-action film. This apparent confirmation comes months after Lachmann was supposedly spotted on set with Bo Bragason's Zelda — the latter of whom was announced as the titular character in July 2025. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth was also revealed to be playing Link, aka The Legend of Zelda's male protagonist and hero, at the same time.
Furthermore, Deadline's sources have suggested that Yvonna Strahovski (The Handmaid's Tale) and the late, great actor Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) are also set to feature, though the identities of their characters is unknown.
Who are Sam Neill and Yvonne Strahovski playing in The Legend of Zelda Movie?Sam Neill is best known for appearing in the Jurassic Park film series (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)According to Deadline's sources, Strahovski will portray an unnamed queen. Immediately, fans' attentions will immediately turn to Princess Zelda's mother, who's never actually showed up in a Legend of Zelda game.
However, there are numerous other female monarchs who Strahovski could portray. That includes Queen Sonia, who — spoiler — is revealed to be Hyrule's co-founder in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This game, which is the latest entry in Nintendo's long-running and universally adored franchise, is the sequel to Breath of the Wild, which, based on The Legend of Zelda Movie's first-look images, many fans think the film is largely inspired by. If that's the case, it's possible that Strahovski could play Queen Sonia in a flashback sequence if the Zelda film incorporates aspect of Tears of the Kingdom's story into its plot.
As for Neill, who passed away from pneumonia in mid-July after a lengthy cancer battle, he might play King Rauru, aka Queen Sonia's husband. Other alternatives — in my mind, anyway — that Neill could embody in one of his final on-screen performances include King Rhoam, aka the last ruler of Hyrule, the 100-year-old Sheikh scientist Doctor Robbie, or a popular member of the Goron tribe, such as Daruk or Bludo.
Who do you think Strahovski and Neill are playing? Let me know in the comments. Once you have, find out everything we know so far about The Legend of Zelda Movie, which is now set to land in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027.
There’s something deeply satisfying about the way Glorious goes about speccing its gaming peripherals. The company has a sharp eye for nonsense, and ruthlessly strips it out of the mice and, now, the headset that it brings to the gaming market. Behold, then, the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay, a wireless gaming headset featuring precisely zero RGB, built around normal-sized 40mm drivers, just quietly getting on with giving you multiplatform audio with infinite battery life and two mic options for $230.
With one swappable battery pack placed in the base station, it’s charging ready for use while you have the other one of the pair in your headset. Each one offers 85 hours of use from a full charge, and in case that wasn’t enough, a ‘guardian’ 45mAh built-in battery handles the changeover so you don’t need to turn the headset back on again after you swap. Handy.
That same ‘you won’t need it, but just in case…’ ethos is evident in the mic spec. You’ve got a detachable 70Hz-10KHz noise-cancelling mic for when you’re seated, locked in and ready to absolutely bellow at your team-mates away from prying eyes, and a built-in mic to use when you’re out and about using the Bluetooth connection to a mobile device or Nintendo Switch, and don’t fancy looking like an air traffic controller. Yes, it has 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.4 connections, swappable with one button press.
(Image credit: Future)And that’s a very impressive feature set at any price, but especially for $229.99 / £199.99 / AU$239.99. It’s not even super clear where the concessions have been made to hit the price point. The audio quality is simply good rather than audiophile-grade, but that’s totally in line with what this headset is for: gaming. It’s trying to articulate useful audio cues, not trick your ears into thinking they’re in the expensive seats at an IMAX cinema.
Similarly, the construction materials are almost exclusively lightweight, brushed black plastic rather than anything showier, but that serves the sprightly 360g headset weight.
One area of that headset build and design I did run into issues with is the headband. Your experience will vary depending on your head size, but I found a degree of pressure that becomes slightly uncomfortable during longer sessions. This being an elasticated suspended band design, it’s possible that this may ease as the band slackens over time, but during the month I’ve been using my unit I do still notice discomfort.
Besides that, there’s very little to grumble about. The power button isn’t clearly labelled, and the Bluetooth button can easily be confused for it, but this is a one-time issue. Once you know what’s what, that moment of unintuitive design becomes moot and you can enjoy the fantastic feature set of these cans.
Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: Price and availability- List price: $229.99 / £199.99 / AU$239.99
- Swappable batteries like the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, for less
- Packed with useful extras
The extremely competitive pricing of this package is certainly one of its biggest assets. Packing a dual swappable battery design for less than Steelseries’ Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a great way to announce one’s presence in the headset market, and Glorious backs that head-turning spec up with a number of handy additions that justify the price point.
Namely, a choice of mics (detachable or built-in) and a ‘guardian’ built-in battery that kicks in when you swap between the rechargeable packs, along with some serious configuration flexibility offered by the base station and dongle.
In this challenging economy, to put it mildly, you’d simply expect to see this package priced higher. The construction materials aren’t comparable with ultra-high-end models like the Audeze Maxwell 2 or the Logitech Astro A50 X, but they’re sturdy and finished to a high standard.
Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: SpecsGlorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay
Price
$229.99 / £199.99 / AU$239.99
Weight
360g / 0.8lbs
Battery life
85 hours per pack
Compatibility
PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Android, iPhone
Connectivity
Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C wired
Microphone
16-bit/48KHz
Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: Design and features- Black and orange design is Valve-esque
- Prioritises light weight over looks
- Battery packs look like retro FPS keycards
There’s a duality here to Glorious’ headset stylings. On the one hand, it's extremely restrained with the brushed black plastic on the base station and headset, an elegant amount of orange contrast trim on the whole package, and battery packs that look like they’d unlock a door in a ‘90’s shooter.
On the other hand, the company’s fundamental branding is based on a joke that got old quite a while ago. The brand's name references the glorious PC gaming master race meme and subreddit, which worked as a self-aware joke about PC gaming elitism in 2008 and 2011, but in 2026 works… less so. Look, this could just be an age thing, but to me the GabeN-like brand logo and ‘GGWP’ text on the lower-left earcup feel just a few steps away from a ‘Keep out mom, I’m gaming!’ poster. Given that this headset works with PS5, PS4, Switch and mobile devices (there’s no Xbox version), it’s also just confusing branding at this point.
With that chiding out of the way, I do like the look of this headset. The orange trim feels Valve-esque in the right way, like someone very clever sat and thought about this for a long time. The base station is compact and smart, with indicator lights to show when it’s connected to your headset and the charge status of the battery pack slotted into it. Two USB-C ports to the rear connect to a wireless dongle which sits flush with the base station when connected, and a USB-C-to-USB-C cable to connect to your PC or console. A USB-C to A adapter is also provided.
(Image credit: Future)The base station, dongle, cables, and Bluetooth connection create tons of setup configurations. You can ditch the base station and just use the dongle if you like, although that does mean you don’t have a spare battery charging while you use it. You can even ditch the dongle too and connect the headset with the USB-C cable, although I haven’t found a use case yet where that makes sense, since the built-in battery has a few hours of life even when both swappable packs are depleted.
The headset itself is pretty lightweight for a wireless model with a battery pack, eschewing flashy finishes for an all-plastic body with a fabric headband on suspended elastic, and breathable fabric earcups covering reasonably plush memory foam cushions. If you love that pulsing, sealed-in feeling of closed-back headphones like the HyperX Cloud, these aren’t your cans. They’re certainly closed-back, but the fabric around the earcups does affect the way you experience the audio from its 40mm drivers, producing a flat, detailed but not very low-end heavy response that’s reminiscent of Steelseries’ excellent Arctis Nova 7 and upwards.
I don’t get on with the physical control layout here, though. The location of the (unmarked) power button on the upper-left earcup threw me initially, and I think this control and its right-hand earcup mate are trying to do too much. Both are rotary dials as well as buttons, and while the left controls chat mix, profile swapping and battery status, the right controls volume and media controls. I’m all for minimalist design, but try navigating that while you’re concentrating on something in-game. It took me a couple of weeks to memorise how to perform all those actions.
Just one more gripe – the battery status readout would be much better if it gave you a percentage rather than simply an ‘ok’ or ‘charge now’. Maybe one for a future firmware update.
(Image credit: Future)Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: Performance- Tuned for gaming performance
- Good suite of software tweaks
- Battery life true to claims
We all know by now that buying a mouse, keyboard, or headset doesn’t turn you into a Faze Clan member, and the gaming performance gains in the headset vertical are especially marginal. That said, if you’re listening out for footsteps in PUBG Battlegrounds and your 2014 cans with their 60mm grotesquely tuned drivers are too busy making a far-off gunfight sound like a drum and bass gig, you might notice a bit of an advantage when you update your audio hardware.
That’s why it’s important that these drivers are tuned with a nice flat EQ response. That means that they don’t strongly emphasise one particular area of the EQ spectrum, unlike the aforementioned early 2010s models with their ‘scooped’ profiles that boosted the lows and highs like a sound engineer at a Metallica gig.
Sticking with a roughly even volume distribution along the spectrum means that the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay gives all frequencies space to voice and be heard. It might not sound mind-blowing like Audio-Technica or Audeze drivers, but it’s well-suited to games that reward a keen ear, from competitive shooters to singleplayer titles.
I find headsets tuned this way really useful in racing sims too, where I need to hear brake lockups and tire squeals as early as possible, and as prominently in the mix as I can.
Over in Glorious Core, the accompanying software, there’s a welcome and well-judged suite of options including a sidetone toggle, EQ tuning including some basic provided profiles, mic settings like noise cancellation toggling, and several options to tweak the headset behaviour, like when it auto-powers down and whether it gives you voice prompts. I don’t love that it’s taking up 0.99GB of my SSD space to do that, though, and would much prefer a browser-based tuning app.
The battery life really is as long per pack as Glorious states, and swapping them out is easy while you’re mid-session. Just take the spent one out, let the ‘guardian’ battery take over until the end of the round or the next quiet moment, then swap in the other pack.
I didn’t run into any setup issues when I used this with PC, PS5 or Switch, and found that the dual-wireless is pretty rock solid. It’s less suited as a console headset, particularly the Switch, since it really needs the base station to be connected in order to keep a battery pack charged and ready. But as a multiplatform solution (marketing types like to call these ‘battle station’ setups), it offers a no-fuss means to switch between devices.
(Image credit: Future)Should you buy the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay?Buy it if...Running out of charge = death
This is a hilariously extreme three-battery solution to the age-old wireless dilemma, and it works.
You play on a few devices
The base station and dongle configuration options make this ideal for multiplatform use.
You’ve got a thing for retro shooter keycards
These battery packs are unspeakably satisfying to swap in and out. You’ll feel like Doomguy every time.
You need Xbox compatibility.
There’s a long list of devices this headset supports, but Xbox isn’t one of them. If that's what you need, you should look at other models by.
Tighter headbands tend to dig in and cause you discomfort
There’s some adjustability to this headband, but not loads. If this is a frequent issue, try before you buy.
The old PC master race meme makes you cringe
When you build your brand on a meme that predates Skyrim, high cringe levels in 2026 are inevitable.
Not feeling like swapping in this wireless headset? Consider these premium wireless alternatives.
Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay
Audeze Maxwell 2
Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Price
$229.99 / £199.99 / AU$239.99
$349.99 / £329.99 / AU$520
$349 (£329, AU$649)
Weight
360g / 0.8lbs
490g / 1.1lbs
0.75lbs / 339g
Battery life
85 hours
80 hours
36 hours
Connection type
PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Android, iPhone
2.4GHz wireless, digital wired (USB-C), analog wired (3.5mm audio jack), Bluetooth
Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless
Compatibility
Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C wired
PC, Xbox (Xbox version only), PS5 (PlayStation version only), Switch, MacOS, iOS, Android
Playstation 4/5, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Featuring Steelseries’ unique dual-battery charging solution, premium looks, plus ANC implementation, the Nova Pro Wireless is a premium headset option with few faults. No Xbox version, though, sadly.
For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review
Audeze Maxwell 2
Goodness, these headphones sound great. The raw audio fidelity out of the box is benchmark-setting and the build quality is audiophile-grade, but Glorious’ model is in the same conversation for a lot less.
For more information, check out our full Audeze Maxwell 2 review
How I tested the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay- One month of use on PC, PS5, Switch and mobile.
- All configurations tested
- Tested with shooters, battle royales, racing games and more
Something about the black and orange design of this headset and base station gave me an overwhelming urge to replay Half-Life 2 episodes 1 and 2, so that is where I began. Hearing those familiar audio files through new drivers is a good reference point, actually, which helps to suss out how good the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay is at positional audio.
I’ve also been playing PUBG Battlegrounds, Counter-Strike 2 and F1 25 with this headset, and putting the mic through its paces with amateur found footage horror simulator, Content Warning.
Since it offers an array of connection types – with or without the base station, wired connection – I’ve spent some time playing on all of them, across my PC, Switch, and PS5.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed April 2026.
As of writing, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has become the highest-grossing movie of 2026 by bringing in $1.155 billion worldwide during its first week in theaters.
I knew that people were excited to get their cinematic Spidey senses back, but I didn't predict just how well the new Marvel movie would perform. I certainly don't think it's the strongest superhero movie we've seen in the last few years (more on that later), but Brand New Day's different format choices are certainly helping its appeal.
It's understandable that we're lapping up cinema being a more immersive experience when we're paying out for it — just look at how well Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey performed in both its original IMAX 70mm format and in 4DX. But surprisingly, Brand New Day is the first feature-length movie to be shot purposefully for another format: ScreenX.
But before we dig deeper into that what actually means, I come bearing a warning. Unless you're specifically trying to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day in every possible format as a personal challenge, ScreenX is one to be avoided.
In fact, I'd urge to to pay out quite a lot extra to experience flying through New York's skyscrapers in 4DX 3D instead.
How many formats can you watch Spider-Man: Brand New Day in?The full list of Spider-Man: Brand New Day cinema formats look something like this:
- Standard DCP (Digital Cinema Package), 2D and 3D
- IMAX
- RPX (Regal Premium Experience) or Superscreen
- 4DX and 4DX 3D
- Dolby Cinema
- ScreenX
Not all of these formats are going to be available to everyone, so let's use a local example. I'm based in the UK, and my beloved Cineworld membership means that I have access to DCP 2D and 3D within a 20-minute drive of my house.
If I'm happy to pay the travel fares for a trip into Central London, this also means that I can see Brand New Day in Superscreen (which is the British equivalent of RPX) and ScreenX if I pay an "uplift" fee on top of my membership's monthly direct debit.
Annoyingly, I've got to wait for IMAX as The Odyssey is still selling out most venues across the South of the UK.
Cost-wise, this is what non-members are looking at:
- Standard: £16.99
- Superscreen: £20.99
- ScreenX: £21.99
- 4DX 3D: £30.99 (with an extra £1.25 for 3D glasses)
With my membership and "uplift" fee, my costs are this:
- Standard: no uplift fee
- Superscreen: no uplift fee
- ScreenX: £4
- 4DX 3D: £6
In the US, these costs will roughly look like the following:
- Standard: $16-$20
- RPX: $23-27
- IMAX: approx. $27
- ScreenX: approx. $29
- 4DX 3D: approx. $33
So what is ScreenX? Essentially, it's a multi-projection cinematic technology that expands movies onto the left and right side walls of a theater (like you see in the above video).
This creates a 270-degree panoramic viewing experience using extra ceiling-mounted projectors — I counted two for each side during my Brand New Day screening.
Unlike 4DX, you're not actually moving. Depending on which cinema you choose to go to, you'll have the choice of regular or luxe recliner seating. As I was treating myself for the purpose of this piece, you can guess which one I decided on (and it was genuinely incredibly comfortable).
Currently, there are There are over 430 ScreenX auditoriums operating across 40 countries worldwide, which means, like me, you might have to pay extra travel fares to get to your closest theatre.
Up until now, ScreenX has typically been used for "key action or landscape scenes." But surely this would change for the first feature film shot in the format... right?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day in ScreenX is an underwhelming experience — I'm not sure why Marvel bothered(Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)In a word, no. Despite being filmed specifically for the format, Brand New Day still only uses its ScreenX capabilities in certain scenes — and I've got to wonder why Marvel bothered.
For context, this was my first time ever watching a movie in ScreenX, and I was fully expecting to be blown away. The novelty of watching scenes in 270-degrees lasted for all of a few minutes before I failed to understand what the impact of including my peripheral vision was intended to be.
Simply put, it felt as though ScreenX would hugely benefit from the inclusion of 4DX technology. Much like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride at Universal Studios Florida, I wanted to be clinging onto my seat for dear life while being so visually immersed in flying through the air. The effect of ScreenX on its own left me unmoving, only wishing that I'd chosen a 4DX 3D screening across town instead.
The added insult to injury is that the 270-degree immersion didn't last for the duration for the film as I'd hoped for. The constant format changing between 270 to standard was incredibly jarring, and took me out away from the magic of the viewing experience itself, and even what was narratively happening throughout the movie.
For the travel sick among us, I interestingly found that ScreenX made me feel a lot more nauseous than 4DX ever has. Where I had worried about leaving my Kwells tablets at home before Odysseus (Matt Damon) got battered at sea in The Odyssey's 4DX screening, I hadn't even thought about it here — which was a mistake.
(Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)It's difficult to know how much of my ScreenX judgement is clouded by the fact that I thought Spider-Man: Brand New Day was merely... fine. Instead of watching the new movie in a standard format first before heading to a specialist format for a rewatch, I took the plunge with ScreenX first time around.
The CGI is often ropey at points, and I found the pacing of Peter Parker's (Tom Holland) re-reveal to MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) to be tortuously slow. However, judging by my TechRadar colleagues' feedback, this was the overwhelming sentiment regardless of which format you watched the film in.
If studios want to film movies in ScreenX in the future, my advice is this: either use the 270-degree projection for the entire duration, or don't bother at all. It feels incredibly non-committal to wheel the technology out as a novelty showpiece for a few minutes before neglecting it, and it doesn't do overall artistry or the immersive experience any favors.
Instead, pour your efforts and resources into making 4DX screenings sing, or do a full Nolan and shoot entirely in IMAX (something which can be sustained for a film's full runtime).
A half-hearted gimmick is one that never works, but maybe that's a marketing ploy in itself — now I only ever want to see action-adventure movies in 4DX, meaning cinemas have secured the highest level of ticket costing possible from me.
For many, the release of ChatGPT in 2022 was transformative.
Difficult emails were drafted in seconds, complex documents that would have taken hundreds of man-hours to scan were checked in minutes.
But for some, whose livelihood depended on providing just the type of service that ChatGPT offered - providing copy, for example - 2022 was a difficult year.
We were in the latter group. Our company, Jacquard, was founded in 2015 - seven years before ChatGPT hit email inboxes and LinkedIn feeds around the world.
Jacquard’s basic offering was a platform that used natural language generation to write better email subject lines. Around 2015, we tried taking the technology to investors. They were skeptical. Intrigued, perhaps, but skeptical.
At that time, we were one of very few companies in the language generation space, and we felt it. It wasn’t all bad though - and we eventually got used to being one of the few players in the game.
Then ChatGPT launched.
Our offering, AI-powered language generation, was suddenly in the hands of millions. For free. The investor skepticism we'd spent years navigating disappeared overnight, and in its place: a gold rush.
Hundreds of startups emerged, many founded by people who'd never worked in marketing or natural language processing.
On paper, this could have been the moment it all went wrong for us. Instead, if anything, it only propelled us further forward.
Surviving AIIt wasn’t an easy few years, but looking back, I can now attribute Jacquard’s survival to four key factors: AI fatigue; proprietary data; user base evolution; and an outcome-focused approach.
First, AI fatigue. When ChatGPT launched, everyone rushed to build, and then market, a GPT-wrapper. If it was a gold rush - to take the metaphor a little further - then too much gold flooded the market, and the value depreciated fast. Fatigue was everywhere, and it set in quickly.
Stakeholders grew tired of sitting through pitches that promised something revolutionary but delivered mediocrity.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, what we all saw was generic copy, off-brand tone, and outputs that, at best, needed significant human reworking before they were anywhere close to usable.
85% of brands now use ChatGPT, in some capacity, to produce their marketing content. You can find the exact same turn of phrase in the marketing materials from a multinational conglomerate, as in your local café.
Our offering - the ability to maintain a genuinely distinct brand voice across complex segmentations at scale - became more valuable precisely because the market had made the problem worse.
Which leads to proprietary data. We have 60 billion data points built up over a decade of real enterprise campaigns. Far from being just another wrapper, we had ten years of learnings that no newly founded startup could acquire overnight. We trained a prediction engine on that data - and could back up our promises to deliver increases in engagement.
Of course, not every business starts from this position. But proprietary data, whatever form it takes for your industry, is worth finding. It’s likely more valuable than you think.
An evolving userbaseOur user base evolved alongside all of this. The client conversation shifted. Early on - pre-GPT - every sales meeting began with an education: what is natural language generation? Why trust an algorithm with brand copy? How does machine learning actually improve campaign performance? Post-GPT, those questions disappeared entirely.
They were replaced by a harder one: what makes your AI different from everything else? And so the bar moved. Clients came to us already exhausted by generic tools, already aware that AI-generated copy had a sameness problem. We no longer had to explain what AI was - now, all we had to do was prove that ours was worth the switch.
Last, and perhaps most important, our platform was never built solely around AI. AI was simply the most effective route to our solution. The businesses that folded had built their entire proposition on the novelty of AI. Once it wasn't, they had nothing.
We had been working on the same fundamental problem since 2015, and the arrival of large language models, ultimately, didn't change what that problem was. It just changed the tools available to solve it.
What we know now, having been through the full cycle - from obscurity to gold rush to consolidation - is that the brands who came out ahead weren't the ones who adopted AI fastest.
They were the ones who were clearest about what they were trying to say, and had the infrastructure to say it consistently. That is a harder problem than it looks. It is also the one we have spent ten years solving.
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