News
- CISPE members gain access to Microsoft software on a PAYG CSP-Hoster Program
- Privacy and sovereignty benefits also come with the latest update
- It's unclear if this draws a line under the two-year battle
In a major win for European cloud providers, CISPE members can now offer Microsoft software under a pay-as-you-go model via Microsoft CSP-Hoster Program, with licensing costs set to be more closely matched to those offers on Microsoft's own Azure platform.
The news comes after several hurdles in CISPE's battle with the tech giant, but with the group's members now able to host workloads without sharing customer data with Microsoft, the latest development marks a major customer privacy win.
However, some ongoing issues and limitations persist even after two years of battling, including the enforcement of Entra ID with Microsoft 365 – no alternative identity management is allowed.
CISPE wins big against MicrosoftCISPE described the win as a "landmark agreement" that has cost, privacy and sovereignty benefits.
When generally available, Microsoft 365 Local will enable deployment on local (sovereign) European cloud infrastructure, while customers will no longer have to pay more money to access Microsoft software on non-Microsoft platforms.
Despite reaching some agreements over the course of the last two years, CISPE's continued lobbying has produced even more results.
"The agreement we reached with Microsoft marks a significant breakthrough in our long-standing efforts to ensure a level playing field,” CISPE Secretary General Francisco Mingorance explained.
"For enterprise customers, the new programs directly address previous concerns of CISPE members and empowers European enterprises to choose among a wide range of cloud solutions that meet their sovereignty, compliance, and economic needs."
The news comes just days after we learned that Microsoft was readying a counterproposal after failing to meet a previous deadline to settle the saga.
TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft to comment on the development, but we did not receive an immediate response. We also asked CISPE if this marks the end of the battle.
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- The Pixel Watch 4 is due to make its debut on August 20
- It's apparently going to be more repairable than the Pixel Watch 3
- Two new emergency features are also now rumored
We've got another Made By Google event fast approaching on Wednesday, August 20, where we should get the grand unveiling of the Pixel Watch 4 – and some fresh leaks have now given us a better idea of what's on the way with this wearable.
According to information obtained by Android Headlines, the smartwatch is going to be much more repairable: it "can actually be taken apart and serviced when needed", the report says, unlike the Google Pixel Watch 3, which launched last year.
This isn't a complete surprise, because a Google executive went on the record back in September saying that improved repairability was something the company was "thinking through" when it came to the Pixel Watch series and other Google products.
If this is something that we see happen this year, it would certainly be welcome and could save you from having to pay out for a whole new smartwatch. It's also been an issue that we've had with the Pixel Watch for several years now.
Plus more emergency featuresWe're expecting the Pixel Watch 4 to come in two sizes (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)Android Headlines is also predicting a couple of emergency features that are apparently heading to the Pixel Watch 4, building on top of existing features such as Emergency SOS, Crash Detection, and Fall Detection.
Added to that list we're going to get Breathing Emergencies, it seems. This will alert you when the Pixel Watch 4 detects that your oxygen levels are low, via the SpO2 sensor – so you can go and get yourself checked out if you need to.
Then there's Emergency Satellite Communications, which we're assuming would be an extension of the feature on the latest Pixel phones. It means you'd be able to contact the emergency services, even if you don't have any cell or Wi-Fi signal.
We don't get too much in the way of detail in this leak, but these are upgrades to look out for at the big show next month. TechRadar will of course be covering all the news live, and the product unveilings should also include the Google Pixel 10 series.
You might also like- A string of code in Samsung beta software mentions the Galaxy Z Trifold's codename
- It also mentions the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
- Code or no code, we'd be surprised if this chipset wasn't used
Samsung’s first tri-fold phone is likely to land soon, with recent leaks suggesting that it could launch sometime in October with the name Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold, and now we have a good idea of what chipset might be powering it too.
In a new internal beta of One UI 8 (which is the interface Samsung uses on its Android phones), Android Authority has spotted a string of code that includes ‘siop_q7mq_sm8750.’ That might look meaningless, but reportedly ‘q7mq’ is a codename that has previously been linked to the Galaxy Z Trifold, while ‘sm8750’ is the model number of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
So putting that together, it certainly looks a lot like the Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers powerful performance (Image credit: Qualcomm)The obvious choiceThis though, isn’t surprising at all – in fact it would be surprising if that chipset wasn’t used. After all, this is the top chipset currently available to Android phones, and it’s also used by the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
So while it’s not impossible that the Galaxy Z Trifold could use something else, such as perhaps the Samsung-made Exynos 2500 used in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, it would seem an odd choice for what’s sure to be the company’s priciest phone to use anything other than the best available chipset.
Still, it’s always possible that Samsung could have chosen to keep the cost down by using something else, so it’s still somewhat reassuring to see the Snapdragon 8 Elite mentioned here – even if that does mean this tri-fold phone will probably be exceptionally expensive.
The mention of the Snapdragon 8 Elite also further suggests we’ll see the phone soon, as from late 2025 we’ll probably start seeing the first phones with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 – so if Samsung wasn’t launching the Galaxy Z Trifold in the next few months, the company would probably opt for the next generation of this chipset.
But while this code string is compelling evidence, we still can’t be totally sure that the Snapdragon 8 Elite will be used.
We’ll perhaps find out in October – but reports suggest the Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold might initially only be available in China and South Korea, so you may not be able to buy it anyway. If it’s a hit though, we’d expect there will be a more widely available successor.
You might also like- Turtle Beach has revealed a new Donkey Kong-themed Rematch controller
- The controller has a unique lenticular design that shifts when the pad is tilted
- Pre-orders are open now for launch on October 12, 2025
Gaming brand Turtle Beach has unveiled - or should I say, unpeeled - a Donkey Kong-themed version of its popular Rematch controller.
Compatible with the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, this is the latest of many Rematch controllers that sport an officially licensed Nintendo design. This Donkey Kong version differs slightly, though, in that it has a lenticular design with shifting imagery when you tilt the controller. Pretty cool.
Pre-orders are open now for the Donkey Kong-themed Rematch controller on Turtle Beach's website. It costs $59.99 / £49.99, and is currently slated to ship on October 12, 2025. That's a pretty bang average price among the best Nintendo Switch controllers, and something worth considering if you're not up for shelling out $84.99 / £74.99 for a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
Otherwise, this Rematch controller isn't much different than others in the brand lineup. Other features include wireless connectivity, gyro aim support, two remappable buttons on the rear, and a claimed battery life of up to 40 hours, similar to the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
While compatible with Switch 2, you unfortunately won't be getting a C button here for quick access to the console's GameChat feature. For that, you'll need to access it from the console's Home dashboard instead. Not a big deal, really, but something to keep in mind when you're playing with pals.
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- The Epic Games Store summer sale is here
- Users can claim a free copy of Sid Meier’s Civilization 6: Platinum Edition
- It's available until July 24, 2025
The Epic Games Store summer sale has landed, with savings on some of this year's top titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Shoppers can also claim 20% Epic Rewards on purchases made using Epic's payment system, giving you some left over to spend on even more games.
To celebrate, Epic Games Store users can claim a free PC copy of Sid Meier’s Civilization 6: Platinum Edition which usually costs $79.99 / £68.99.
Considered one of the greatest strategy games of all time, Civilization 6 sees you competing to grow a historical civilization in a board-game like world.
Random map generation and countless playable leaders with their own unique perks and abilities make it a highly replayable game, and one that I have spent more than 260 hours in on PC alone.
This Platinum Edition version is also overflowing with included downloadable content (DLC). You get Vikings Scenario Pack, Poland Civilization & Scenario Pack, Australia Civilization & Scenario Pack, Persia and Macedon Civilization & Scenario Pack, Nubia Civilization & Scenario Pack, and Khmer and Indonesia Civilization & Scenario Pack.
These all add new playable leaders or in-game challenges and, if that wasn't enough, you even get the full Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions. These not only introduce new leaders and challenges, but a wealth of new mechanics that make the experience even more enjoyable and realistic.
The game is only available for free for a limited time, so make sure you snap it up before July 24, 2025.
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