Website: https://store.google.comOpens in new window
Where To Buy:Google
Google seems to have taken a leaf out of Apple’s book with the new Pixel devices: appeal to the masses, make things as simple as possible and don’t mess with a winning formula.
After last year’s redesign of the Pixel phone, no one was expecting another significant design update. This year, it seems, was all about making the devices more accessible to the wider population. Pixel is stepping out of the tech shadows, ready to win over the average phone buyer.
One area where it is not following Apple? Integrating AI into its systems. While Apple has adopted a more cautious approach, Google has leapt in with both feet.
Gemini, its AI model, has replaced Google Assistant as the voice interface on its devices. There are AI-powered suggestions through the new Magic Cue feature that bring information to you rather than making you search it out. And the camera app now has a dose of AI too, with a Pro Res Zoom that goes up to 100x and fills in the gaps with AI.
This creates two photos – the original shot you have captured with digital zoom, and the AI version, with its smoother lines and sharper focus. It doesn’t do well zooming in on people, which is probably a good thing.
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That is alongside the previous features: Add me, to get yourself into the shot by combining two images; unblur, to clean up photos; and best take, which combines similar shots to get the best photo.
It has sparked an interesting debate on what constitutes a photograph. Is it still a photograph if AI is used to create some elements? What about filters and minor edits after the fact? Are we killing our creativity altogether by using AI to make up for our – and our equipment’s – shortfalls?
The good news is that the Pixel 10 Pro XL is a decent phone even without the AI features. You can delete the Pro Res Zoom model, ignore the new Camera Coach and never use the Magic Editor that will remove distractions from your shots.
Google’s latest device comes with a 6.8-inch display, which gives plenty of room to line up your shots. Aside from the high-quality video camera, it is, as you would expect from a Pixel, no slouch on the still-image front.
The camera on the back is a triple set-up with a 50MP wide lens, 48MP ultra-wide that also has a macro focus function, and a 48MP telephoto lens that magnifies up to 5x. With the usual photo modes – portrait, night sight and so on – it is almost impossible to take a bad photo. Believe me, I tried.
[ Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch review: AI-optimised laptop makes some sacrificesOpens in new window ]
On the off-chance that your skills are badly lacking, you can go back to that previously mentioned coach. The Camera Coach is a step-by-step walk-through for those who need a bit of help with their photography skills.
Point your camera at what you want to shoot, press the Camera Coach icon in the top right corner of the screen, and Google’s AI will scan the scene to see what is in frame. Then it will throw up some suggestions – a shot of a child playing might generate suggestions for perfect portraits or a close-up of colourful toys. You select the shot you want to capture and it walks you through the process step by step.
A lot of it is elementary stuff, but given the number of Instagram accounts pushing phone photography lessons that seem to make it into my feed these days, Google is planting fertile ground here.
The Pixel 10 Pro XL is a powerhouse. It has Google’s Tensor G5 processor built in, comes with 16GB of RAM and starts at 256GB of storage, up to 1TB. It has the temperature sensor – still not for body temperature though – which comes in handy very occasionally, but is something you can live without.
And while it is not cheap – from €1,119 for the base model – it comes with seven years of software and security updates. Treat it right and you will get your money’s worth. Google is counting on you being in it for the long haul.
The Pixel 10 series isn’t targeting last year’s buyers, or even the year before. There are few differences between this year’s Pixel and last year’s, hardware wise.
There is of course the addition of PixelSnap, the new series of magnetic chargers and other accessories that iPhone users will find familiar. But people are looking for more from their phones these days than some shiny accessories, and that includes longer support.
Good
Google has taken last year’s design and refined it a little. There was no need for a major redesign just yet; we would settle for new colours. Well, new colours and some decent hardware, which the company has managed to provide.
AI has been woven well into the operating system, and many features can be disabled if you aren’t keen on them.
Battery life is also good, with the XL’s battery easily lasting the day and then some with regular use.
Bad
If you don’t like AI, you will be turning off a lot of features. The phone is still a solid one underneath though.
Pro Res Zoom can be difficult to master at the strongest magnification, even with image stabilising active. Use it sparingly.
Everything else
Lots of AI. AI everywhere. It has the Pixel Studio app preinstalled too, which allows you to create your own images via a text prompt – within reason though, Google’s policies prevent certain types of photos from being created, such as realistic images of children or violent content.
Verdict
AI is here to stay (for now, at least) and the Pixel 10 Pro XL is firmly on board. Would you expect anything less from Google?
TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the release of a new silver version of the full-frame/FX-format Nikon Z f mirrorless camera.
The Z f is a mirrorless camera that combines a heritage design inspired by an iconic Nikon film camera with the superior performance of a full-frame camera. Since its launch, the Z f has been extremely popular, and Nikon has received many requests for a silver version of the camera. We are very pleased to release this new silver version in response to those requests. Three new colors have been added to the Premium Exterior color options, in which users can choose to customize the color of their Z f body*. What’s more, the Z f will support a new Film Grain feature that adds grain to photos and videos, further expanding creative possibilities. This, along with the rich imaging expression of the full-frame, will support Z f users in creating their unique and original works.
Nikon will continue to pursue new dimensions in optical performance while meeting users’ needs, contributing to the development of imaging culture, with the hope of expanding possibilities for imaging expression.
* The three new Premium Exteriors are also available for the original Z f black version.
Primary features
1. A new silver color with the appearance of chrome plating
Designed to look like the chrome plating on film-era cameras such as the Nikon F, the texture of the silver finish is similar to that of metal, for an authentic feel suited to a full-frame heritage model. Three new color options have been added to Premium Exteriors: Cognac Brown with an embossed texture, Teal Blue, and Mauve Pink, which are subdued yet elegant tones that complement the silver body. This provides more options for customizing the exterior of the camera than ever before. The sophisticated design will inspire users every time they use the camera.
2. A Film Grain feature for film-like expression
A future firmware update* will provide a new Film Grain feature that adds grain to photos and videos. Users will be able to achieve more creative imaging expression in accordance with the scene and their intent by adjusting grain size (3 options) and strength (6 options). By combining this feature with Imaging Recipes, downloadable imaging presets created by Nikon and creators, and Picture Controls, users will be able to enjoy film-like expression tailored to their personal style.
* Scheduled for release within 2025.
* Final look may differ from this image as the firmware is still under development.
Dyson has big changes coming. The company just announced its biggest batch of new products yet during IFA Berlin, with new appliances coming to both its floor cleaner and air treatment lines. From the already-announced PencilVac to an AI-powered robot vacuum and reimagined V8 Cyclone stick vacuum, the Dyson family of household appliances is about to get a lot bigger. There’s also a brand-new air purifier to come, plus updates to Dyson’s existing fan and space heater models.
While all of these items were announced today, only the new air purifier—the HushJet Purifier Compact HJ10, which will retail for $350—will be available in 2025, by the end of this month. Everything else will arrive sometime in 2026, with pricing still a mystery until closer to each product’s release. Here are the details of everything Dyson’s got in store.
New Classics
[V8 and Piston image]
A lot of new floor care is arriving in 2026 from Dyson. The PencilVac was announced back in May, and there are three more related gadgets coming, plus a revamp of an old favorite. Pricing is still to come, as are the exact dates of when each of these will be available.
To start with the old, the popular V8 cordless vacuum from 2016 is getting new life 10 years later as the Dyson V8 Cyclone. Dyson says the updated stick vacuum will have 30 percent more suction power with 150 air watts and twice the run time—an hour over the original V8’s 30 minutes. It’ll have a triggerless power button and a self-emptying docking station, which is a feature I love on cordless vacuums. It’s a nice update to a popular vacuum that brings it up to speed with the technology and features we like to see in current stick vacuums.
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal is a new cordless stick vacuum with Dyson’s latest motor, a cleaner head that can sense the floor type, and a wet roller head. It promises 315 air watts of power and a 70-minute run time. The All Floor Cones Sense cleaner head will detect what type of floor it’s on and adjust the suction and brush bar speed for optimal performance, and it has LED illumination to help spot dust. You’ll also be able to attach the wet roller head, which is an updated version of the Submarine head—named the Submarine 2.0—that works with the Dyson V15 Detect. But I especially like the wipe-clean mechanism that helps get stubborn dust and long hairs out of the vacuum’s bin. There will also be a compatible self-emptying docking station that can be purchased separately (disappointing that it’s not included, and it sounds like the docking station might come after the vacuum’s initial release).
Cleaning Expanded
[clean+hygiene and spot+scrub picture]
Dyson didn’t just announce stick vacuums. There are also a few other interesting related appliances coming to the lineup, but like the rest of the vacuums, pricing and availability timing aren’t available.
The Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene is Dyson’s new wet and dry floor cleaner. Dyson says it’s a filter-free option that instead keeps everything it picks up enclosed in the cleaner head. Dyson calls it both a wet and dry cleaner, which is different than the wet-only WashG1, which looks similar to the Clean+Wash. The filter-free cleaning is intriguing, especially given how gross it is to clean the filters on existing wet cleaners (including the WashG1).
Operators across Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America have deployed RDK as their open-source software platform of choice
RDK community expands to more than 700 CPE manufacturers, SoC vendors, software developers, system integrators, and service providers
RDK7 launched to ease third party integration and increase efficiency for video service providers
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of IBC2025 and the 2025 RDK Global Summit, RDK Management (RDK) announced that RDK open-source software, used to power customer-premises equipment (CPE) from broadband and video service providers, has been shipped on more than 200 million devices globally to date.
RDK open-source software standardizes many of the core functions used in broadband and video devices. By standardizing these core functions, service providers can develop and deploy a consistent set of applications and services across geographies, hardware, SoC suppliers, and video and broadband access networks (GPON, DOCSIS, DSL, and fixed wireless). RDK enables service providers to manage their devices; control their own UI/UX and app experiences; and harmonize device telemetry and analytics to improve the customer experience and business results.
“Crossing more than 200 million shipped devices clearly demonstrates that RDK is the open-source platform of choice for many leading broadband and video service providers globally,” said Jason Briggs, President and General Manager of RDK. “Beyond RDK’s scale, we continue to roll-out new advancements, such as RDK7, to simplify software integrations and increase efficiency for service providers and their partners. Our community of more than 700 CPE manufacturers, SoC vendors, software developers, system integrators, and service providers continues to be our source of strength and continuous innovation.”
There are now more than 700 technology companies within the RDK community that span leading silicon companies, CE manufacturers, software developers, system integrators, and service providers. Service providers with publicly announced RDK deployments include: Atlantic Broadband, BCN, Claro, Comcast, Charter, Cox, Deutsche Telekom, Fetch, Foxtel, J:COM, KabelPlus, Liberty Global, Mediacom, Megacable, Multichoice, Melita, NOS, Nuuday, Orange, Rogers, SFR (part of Altice Europe), Shaw, Sky, Stofa, Telcom Argentina, Toya, Vectra, Vidéotron, Vodafone, VOO, VTR, WOW, Xumo, Ziggo, and others.
RDK Technology
For entertainment, RDK Management recently introduced RDK7 — the next evolution of open-source software for video and streaming devices — designed to help operators launch new services faster and extend the life of their devices. Its modular architecture streamlines essential functions like audio/video playback, conditional access, DRM, networking, captions, emergency alerts, voice control, telemetry, and more across a wide range of hardware. By separating hardware, middleware, and app layers, RDK7 allows teams to work in parallel, accelerating time-to-market for services from streaming video to gaming. A redesigned hardware porting kit makes it simpler to bring RDK to chipsets or devices, while the modular approach speeds up fixes and feature rollouts. By combining enhanced performance with a layered development approach, RDK7 aims to reduce integration costs, extend hardware lifecycles and maximize long-term value.
For connectivity, RDK-B standardizes core enabling functions including device management, telemetry, Wi-Fi services, Ethernet access, IPv6 transitioning, and more, which work across all major network access technologies including DOCSIS, GPON, DSL, and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). By packaging and open sourcing these in a single standard software stack, service providers can develop, deploy, and manage a consistent set of broadband services across silicon and device manufacturers for use across their networks and geographic footprints.
RDK is available at no cost to companies who want to access code, collaborate, develop, and submit contributions back to the RDK community. For organizations that want to engage further, RDK offers a tiered membership program that provides enhanced collaboration, strategic engagement, training, and technical support. Additional information about RDK is available at www.rdkcentral.com.
About RDK Management RDK Management is an open-source consortium that manages RDK for the global community. RDK is an open-source software platform that standardizes core functions used in broadband, video, and IoT devices. RDK enables service providers to control their device diagnostics data, business models, and apps to improve the customer experience and drive business results. The RDK community is comprised of more than 700 companies including CPE manufacturers, SoC vendors, software developers, system integrators, and service providers. For more information on the tools, training, and events provided by RDK Management, please visit: www.rdkcentral.com.
United Rugby Championship (URC), Cricket Australia (CA), and WPALive.TV by Foresense, the exclusive broadcast distributor for The World Pool Association (WPA), tap Eluvio for next-gen OTT video distribution for over 500 live events, deep archive AI, and direct-to-fan monetization
Eluvio Content Fabric and Application Suite providing transformational D2C streaming, live broadcast feed distribution, monetization, and dynamic video AI to be showcased at IBC2025 in Hall 8, stand MS5 and the IBC Future Tech Zone in Hall 14
BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In advance of IBC2025,Eluvio today announced that leading sports organizations, including United Rugby Championship (URC),Cricket Australia (CA), and WPALive.TV by Foresense, the exclusive broadcast distributor for the World Pool Association (WPA), have selected the Eluvio Content Fabric and Application Suite to power their next-gen video distribution in D2C OTT streaming, deep archive AI, and direct-to-fan monetization for fans across the globe.
Eluvio Scores Major Wins Across Global Sports Leagues Ahead of IBC2025
D2C Streaming with Direct-to-Fan Monetization Collectively, Eluvio will power over 500 new OTT live D2C streaming events with advanced features on browsers, mobile devices and connected TVs; monetization to fans globally with built-in subscription, per match, and ad supported sales; and dynamic, seamless broadcast rights enforcement. Streaming is provided at full source resolution, including HD and 4K, with dynamic automatic adaptation to the user’s available bandwidth with low latency HLS/DASH delivery, unlimited multi-view, and “zero-copy” live-to-VoD and DVR playback– all powered by Eluvio’s groundbreaking Content Fabric. In addition, Eluvio Content Analytics provides complete source-to-viewer audience, QoS, and sales analytics.
Live Broadcast Feed Distribution The same live match source feeds are recorded and distributed (sub-second) as transport streams with SRT/RTP output to broadcast affiliates (secure, multi-path, and fully-reliable) using the Fabric’s new live broadcast streaming (ST 2110/2022). Outputs are available on-demand, with no cloud roundtrips or egress.
AI Archive Exploitation Collectively, Eluvio will ingest, host, and process over 20,000 hours of archived video content with multi-modal AI tagging and indexing, search, and dynamic highlights generation, making the content streamable, downloadable and monetizable with no egress or re-transcoding.
End-to-End Security For each of these experiences, Eluvio provides end-to-end content security and anti-piracy protection including strong encryption, DRM, forensic watermarking, and dynamic authorization per-offering including geo blocking and rights control. All features are built in allowing for a hyper-efficient, tamper-proof distribution and on-screen authenticity proofs for the viewer.
“We are deeply honored that these amazing organizations have each chosen us,” said Michelle Munson, CEO and co-founder of Eluvio. “On the top line, the Content Fabric helps to maximize monetization through expanded global distribution, content sales, and AI personalization. And, on the bottom line, it breaks down the cost and efficiency boundaries that have held back video over IP for many years.”
The United Rugby Championship is a global club rugby league where 16 teams from five powerhouse nations– Ireland, South Africa, Wales, Italy and Scotland–compete across two hemispheres for the coveted championship. URC TV (https://urc.tv) is their new streaming platform for fans, launching for the 2025/26 season, powered by Eluvio. Last year, Eluvio was selected by URC’s partner, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), to power EPCR TV (https://epcrugby.tv), a next-gen streaming subscription service for live and archival viewing. Together URC and EPCR will stream over 280 live games in over 90 countries on the Content Fabric this season with desktop, mobile and TV properties; automatic, zero-copy recording for live broadcast transmission and archiving; season pass and match sales; and broadcast rights enforcement.
“URC is dedicated to bringing our passionate rugby fans around the globe the best possible viewing experience and easy access to our matches in territories where broadcast offerings are not available,” said Adam Redmond, Head of Broadcast & Communications at United Rugby Championship. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Eluvio to bring the most advanced streaming capabilities with a highly cost efficient delivery model. Eluvio has a proven track record with our partners EPCR TV and we believe URC TV will allow us to both serve and extend our fan base worldwide.”
Cricket Australia (CA) is the governing body for professional men’s and women’s cricket and amateur cricket in Australia, and has a deep archive of over 15,000 hours of matches. Cricket Australia successfully piloted Eluvio’s Fabric for archive and live-game streaming with inline AI, match-tagging, and AI-driven highlights and has selected Eluvio to deliver a next-generation platform that will combine these features for Cricket fans worldwide. Eluvio’s Video Intelligence Editor (EVIE) provides a single pane of glass for self-service, and AI exploitation of the archive and live matches. It includes automatic additions of AI and play-by-play tags to the game content with frame accuracy, an inline tag editor, clipping, and multi-modal search of all content. The novel AI pipeline generates personalized highlight reels for streaming, download, and publishing on digital properties with zero copying, re-transcoding, or additional distribution.
“Cricket fans are some of the most passionate fans in the sporting universe. They have high expectations – and it’s our duty to deliver on those expectations,” said Dan Allan, Senior Content Manager – Broadcast at Cricket Australia. “We are excited to be working with Eluvio to leverage their cutting-edge video and AI stack and maximise the value of our deep archive and live matches. More broadly, the Eluvio Content Fabric offers up some unique opportunities – and we feel like we are just scratching the surface of what’s possible.”
WPALive.TV (WPALive) by Foresense is the exclusive licensee for digital streaming of the World Pool Association, the international governing body for pool (pocket billiards), dedicated to promoting and regulating the sport of pool worldwide. Eluvio was selected to power the new WPALiveTV (https://wpalive.tv), a 24/7 digital broadcast and streaming platform designed to elevate pool to new heights of visibility and engagement including live matches, replays, interviews, and more. WPALiveTV is streaming over 250 live matches in 10+ global tournaments on the Eluvio platform including locations throughout Southeast Asia, Eastern Africa, and Europe, using free and paid models. Eluvio’s self-serve CMS Creator Studio is integral to manage content publication, front-end customization and all match/media metadata and multiview at this scale.
“Building on the Eluvio Content Fabric has enabled us to launch this new truly global streaming platform for the millions of fans of professional pool,” said Glenn Weiland, CEO Foresense Technologies. “Their decentralized and highly-efficient global protocol and dedicated 24×7 customer service, in combination with our digital broadcast team, has allowed us to deliver high-quality, low latency viewing experiences from far reaching corners of the globe–from Mauritius to Malaysia–while adapting fast to varied production environments, audience groups, and match types.”
Key Features
The Eluvio Content Fabric and Application Suite provides transformational advantages for content distribution and monetization including speed; hyper-efficiency with 10x savings over CDN/media clouds; security; content provenance and verification; and AI native personalization—all based on innovation rather than brute force. With Eluvio, distribution is achieved with no file copies, no egress, and infinite re-monetization options for premium video and media.
Eluvio provides the core Content Fabric with global streaming and static distribution APIs and a full app stack on top for delivering OTT experiences and live broadcast streaming with ease. Key features include:
Low latency D2C streaming and global live feed distribution (MPEG-TS/SRT out) B2B with no additional redistribution/egress, fully-multipath and sub-second latency, SRT/RTP/UDP/SMPTE 2110/2022/JXS;
No code, configurable OTT sites and APIs for use across browsers, mobile, and connected TVs;
Built-in subscription, transaction, ad-supported and rewards/loyalty based monetization provides slick and scalable purchasing and entitlement APIs;
Self-verifying content (C2PA) with on-screen content authenticity verification;
End-to-end analytics for audience, QoS, and media sales; and
Inline AI stack with benefits including automatic generation of highlights during and post-match (also zero-copy); multi-modal semantic and textual search/clipping of key moments in live matches, discovery/monetization of the VOD library; dynamic compositions comprised of live, VOD and hybrid content; and new micro-transaction offerings to embed in social and fan engagement upsells.
Eluvio Showcased at IBC2025
Eluvio has opened registration for one-on-one meetings, demonstrations, and presentations at IBC on September 12-15 at https://wallet.contentfabric.io/ibc.
At IBC2025, Eluvio will demo the entire Bangkok release and Application Suite at its main stand in Hall 8, stand MS5. CEO Michelle Munson will deliver keynote demonstrations on Friday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday September 13 at 1:00 p.m., and the team will offer live demos/meetings continuously at the Eluvio Stand. Eluvio will also be showcased in the IBC Future Tech Zone in Hall 14, 14.A78, and Munson will deliver an additional keynote demonstration from 12:30–1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14 on the Future Tech Stage at the AI and Innovation Main Stage in Hall 14.
About Eluvio Eluvio (https://eluv.io) is solving the generational problems of video over the Internet with its Content Fabric Protocol, a next-generation content distribution and storage protocol transforming the distribution and monetization of premium video and digital media–in contrast to legacy cloud workflows and CDNs. Recognized as NAB Streaming Product of the Year in 2024 and 2025, Eluvio customers are innovative sports and entertainment brands such as Amazon Studios/MGM, Cricket Australia, European Professional Club Rugby, Red Bull, SONY, Telstra Broadcast Services, UEFA, United Rugby Championship, Warner Bros., WPALiveTV, WWE, and others. Eluvio is led by Michelle Munson and Serban Simu, founders and inventors of Aspera. Based in Berkeley, California with a worldwide team of 40 engineers, scientists and commercial leaders, Eluvio has won the Seicon Grand prize, and the prestigious Engineering Excellence Award by the Hollywood Professional Association and holds 15 issued US patents. On X: @EluvioInc; On LinkedIn: Eluvio https://www.linkedin.com/company/eluv-io/.
These two cars aren’t dominated by their V10 engines, but they are defined by them. Prepare for the ultimate showdown…
Ahead the Lexus LFA accelerates. Hard. Full beans in second gear. The V10 rips through the rev range, god know what Lexus did to the exhaust to ensure it made a noise like this, but it shrieks. It’s so piercing, so pure and clean that it barely seems mechanical. It’s as if a banshee has been harnessed inside each of those tailpipes. Apt, seeing as together they make a ghoulish face.
It’s a force of nature, and that’s what separates it from the Porsche Carrera GT. That’s a force of mechanics. I open the throttle to give chase and behind me a fabulously complex series of events take place. I hear the suck of air as the throttle bodies open, the fast chain rattle from the valvetrain, the piston thrash and overlaying all that, an implacably hard, raw exhaust note. Everything that moves back there creates an individual signature and in the cabin I feel connected to everything.
These two cars aren’t dominated by their engines. But they are defined by them. A V10 is a weird engine for a road car. Surely you’d have a V12 for its majesty or the more obvious charms of a V8? The V10 is a more singular choice because you arrive at it out of logic and reasoning, rather than passion. You arrive at it from motorsport.
Photography: Mark Riccioni
What was Lexus thinking? The LFA was directly influenced by Toyota’s F1 project, perhaps the most expensive, least successful foray into F1 there’s ever been. The LFA’s V10 was a joint project between Lexus and Yamaha, borne out of the top brass attending an F1 race in 2001 and being entranced by the wailing engines. Besides, they couldn’t get the peak revs they wanted out of a V8, nor the fast response from a V12. So a V10 it had to be. They created something deeply special, a 4.8-litre narrow angle V10 the size of a V8 and the weight of a V6, and only ever put it in this car. That’s right, its forged titanium conrods, solid titanium valves and ability to rev from idle to the red line in 0.6secs were never seen anywhere else. It might be one of the most romantic engineering decisions ever made.
Porsche’s V10 reasoning was more pragmatic. Back in the early 1990s Hans Mezger had developed a 3.5-litre V10 for the Footwork F1 team. However, too large and heavy, it wasn’t very good and midway through the 1991 season, the team stopped using it. But the thinking behind it re-emerged a few years later when Porsche needed an engine for its 1998 LMP2000 project. Redesigned as a 5.5 litre without pneumatic valve springs, it showed enormous promise. But never raced. Rumour suggests VW Group chairman Ferdinand Piëch pulled it to avoid competition with Audi’s Le Mans effort, others say the budget was funnelled to the crucial Porsche Cayenne SUV.
And so, after a considerable amount of reworking which saw the capacity climb to 5.7 litres, it found its way into a road car. Where it was connected to a manual box. And the rest is history. And on some very special days, if you’re very lucky and the stars align, history comes to life. LFA and Carrera GT together. They’re not rivals, weren’t even contemporaries, seeing as the Porsche arrived in 2003, the Lexus six years later. But as well as engines, they have the same mentality. Let’s call it obsession with perfection.
Parked up in a layby next to the River Danube in southern Germany, the Lexus could have been launched today, so modern does it look. A casual onlooker might assume it’s a grand tourer, but you and I know better. We see the air intakes aft of the cabin, know that’s because Lexus relocated the radiators to the back, along with the gearbox, to create a 48:52 weight distribution. The more you look at it, the more exotic it becomes.
So too the Carrera GT, although you have to open the engine bay to really get a sense of it. The V10 sits within a mighty carbon fibre subframe, with inboard pushrod suspension mounted on the outer flanks. Ahead, the cockpit is simple, unadorned, dominated by the stratified ash and birch gearknob – a nod to the balsa lever in the Porsche 917. It’s a stripped road racer with fixed back seats, rev counter front and centre, borrowed parts and little concession to luxury. Bandwidth? Not in its vocabulary. Alongside perhaps the Ferrari F50, one of the most single minded road cars there’s been.
Open the LFA’s door and you’re greeted by sumptuous cream leather. The LFA is from the era when everything had a button or a switch. Or a mouse. These were a hateful means of navigating a screen back in the day, but seem charmingly retro nowadays. Again you look closer and pick up the bespokery in here – the super slender column stalks, the beautifully positioned dial adjusters for the modes and gearchange speeds, the compact hollow carbon steering wheel and those seats… they may look more like dental chairs, but with their plinth controls and cosseting support why did Lexus not use them elsewhere?
I bet a pile of money was lost on every single one of the 500 built. They were £345,000 each when they went on sale after a 10 year development cycle. Yes, really. Part of what makes the LFA so special is that it was forced through by the will of one man against his board of directors. Akio Toyoda wasn’t the boss back in 2000, he just knew a cool project when he saw it. The lengths and learnings the LFA team had to go through to create the car under his guidance were incredible – Toyota didn’t like the carbon work from suppliers so, having never done it before, set up a department to do all the carbon work, including the tub. That’s unheard of in a huge corporation.
The first prototype was built in 2003. In 2007 Lexus took it to the Nürburgring 24 Hours as part of its development process. Toyoda himself was one of the drivers, but racing under a pseudonym so the board of directors wouldn’t know. It’s the ultimate ‘it’ll be ready when it’s ready’ car, the team given all the time, money and resources necessary to create something unique.
There is, appropriately, nothing else like it. In a way I’m amazed, because it’s an idea worth copying. Lavish a car with so much finesse and care you create a masterpiece. The Carrera GT is single minded, the LFA has almost complete duality. It is viceless, good natured, light, calm and accurate. The only allowance you have to make is the six speed single clutch transmission – despite 0.2secs shift times, it’s a head nodder. Otherwise, you can slip silkenly about, the ultimate daily if you were so inclined.
And then, in a blink, it flips. The V10 is responsible for that – just let the revs climb beyond 3,000-odd. There’s not that much torque, so the noise gets going before the car itself, but everything knits together by 4,500rpm, with half the rev range still to indulge. It’s the responses that dazzle – not just to the throttle, but the steering, brakes, suspension. There’s no slack in anything, just this wonderful clarity of matched responses across every component. Steering feel is the weak point (it’s electrically assisted, not hydraulic), but because you get feedback from everywhere else, confidence arrives pretty much immediately.
27 minutes 30 seconds
The roads round here twist tightly through gorges and up hillsides and the LFA gets busy dismantling them. It does so with astonishing precision. It’s not a car that attacks the road, grabs hold of it and tears at it. It’s all about flow and balance. Even powering out of hairpins it would rather drive cleanly out than indulge in lurid skids. I adore it because you can feel every bit of effort and energy that was poured into its creation. You look around the cabin and you can sense the decisions made, you drive it and silently thank the engineers for persevering with it, because they have created a marvel.
But if you want to feel wrapped up in a driving experience, belittled and intimidated by it at times, enraptured and taken to new heights at others, you need a Carrera GT. It’s a challenge this car. It has a savage reputation, but the new tyres have helped tame it (Porsche redeveloped modern Michelin Cup2s for the GT last year) and the most awkward thing about it is getting it moving. Don’t touch the throttle. Just come up slowly, gingerly on the clutch and let the anti stall get it rolling. It’s not infallible, but it’s better than a bootful of revs and trying to slip a clutch that has the operating range of a light switch.
Once moving it’s sublime. Just don’t try to boss it around. That’s when it’ll bite. Just drive it in the knowledge that you’re simply not a good enough driver to extract the max from it. And even if you were, it’s a learning process. Particularly the gearshift.
I haven’t driven anything as absorbing since the GMA T.50. The Porsche is stripped of the Lexus’ protective layer of civility. No sensation is denied you. The platform is super stiff, feedback is constant, you feel the rose jointed suspension working at each separate corner. At low speed it hobbles and bobbles, but soon harmonises with the surface and starts delivering thrills in a way almost nothing else matches. Yeah, T.50 and F50, those are the only things I can think of that match or better it.
The Lexus is the greater achievement, the Porsche is the more exotic driving experience, but no V10 has bettered these two
Like the Lexus, the V10 has almost zero flywheel effect – great for response, tricky when it comes to blipping downshifts. The V10 is wild, constantly busy, packs an enormous punch, torquier than the Lexus in a body 100kg lighter, even tiring to be around. You automatically treat it with trepidation and respect because it makes you want to be better at driving, at changing gear, at living up to its exacting standards.
Challenge it and it will bite – 2003-vintage traction control wasn’t fast to react, and didn’t do much even then. Better live to fight another day than go for a slightly higher corner entry speed or another inch of throttle on the way out. But as with all the greats there’s so much to discover besides speed. This is what so many modern supercars miss. They provide power and the electronics to tame it. Extremely clever, but often unsatisfying because it removes responsibility from the driver. The Carrera GT is fascinating at all speeds, in any gear, at all times, on any road, in all conditions. Driving it made me tingle. I think about it now and the hairs on my neck rise, a shiver runs down my spine.
If I had to pick one, I’d take the Carrera GT – the Lexus is the greater achievement, the Porsche is the more exotic driving experience, but no V10 has bettered these two. We doubt one ever will. But equally no V10 has ever had a better home than in the frame of an LFA or Carrera GT. They are cars informed by motorsport, and sent down their chosen road car paths with clarity of mind and purpose. What transcendental cars they are. I doubt we’ll ever see their like again.
Lexus LFA
Price new (2009): £345,000 Price now: £780,000 Engine: 4,805cc V10, 552bhp @ 8,700rpm, 354Ib ft @ 6,800rpm Transmission: 6spd automated manual, RWD Performance: 0-62mph in 3.7secs, 202mph Weight: 1,480kg
Porsche Carrera GT
Price new (2005): £321,093 Price now: £1.5m Engine: 5,733cc V10, 604bhp @ 8,000rpm, 435Ib ft @ 5,700rpm Transmission: 6spd manual, AWD Performance: 0-62mph in 3.7secs, 206mph Weight: 1,380kg
Love jamming out on the trails? We do too. Shokz have been delivering the party to outdoor enthusiasts and active individuals since 2011. They are well-known for their bone conduction headphones, and 2023 saw the introduction of the open ear range, including the OpenFit.
The idea behind all Shokz headphones is to allow you to listen to music or a podcast without compromising your awareness and still being able to hear what’s going on around you.
Earlier this year, Shokz launched a revised OpenFit model, alongside an all-new offering dubbed OpenDots ONE. We’ve been boogying down on the trails for the past few months to see what they are like from a mountain biker’s perspective.
The handy little cases are compact and easy to throw in the pocket, and double as a charging bank for the earbuds.
Shokz OpenFit 2+ Earbuds
The OpenFit 2+ is the brand’s updated open-ear offering, expanding on the original OpenFit model, utilising a flexible ear-hook design.
To produce a wide range of sound frequencies, it uses two individual speakers. A large, low-frequency speaker drops the bass, while an independent high-frequency speaker takes care of the elevated tones. They are left and right specific, and it’s relatively intuitive as to which one goes where.
While they are ear buds of a sort, given that you’re ear canal remains unobstructed, you can still hear the ambient noises around you while you make your way through Taylor Swift’s back catalogue, or Dr Karl drops some science knowledge as you ride.
An inbuilt magnet zaps each earbud satisfyingly into place.
To control the audio, both the left and right earbuds have a physical button, which comes preconfigured with easy-to-remember controls. A single press pauses music; a double press skips to the next track. If you have an incoming call, a single press answers the call.
Each earbud also has a ‘touch area’ button, which is configured to do nothing by default. In the Shokz app, these can be set to control the voice assistant on your phone. Need to ask Siri what time your favourite Ramen restaurant closes quickly? A long press on the side of the bud and Siri kicks into gear with the answer.
The aesthetic of flexible ear-hook design is somewhat akin to something a secret agent would wear, with a sprinkle of modern style. It’s a little fiddly to get on in the right spot, but once in place, it sits very securely with minimal movement or need for adjustment.
The flexible ear loop works well with helmets and riding glasses, and provides a secure fit.
Both OpenFit 2+ earbuds fit neatly within the supplied case, which doubles as a battery bank for charging. The 56mAh batteries in the earbuds can deliver up to 11 hours of listening, and the 600mAh battery in the case zaps charge into the earbuds, delivering up to 48 hours of playtime. They are IP55 water-resistant too, meaning sweat and rain won’t ruin the tunes.
Key Details
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4, 10m range
Waterproofing | IP55
Battery | Li-ion, 48hrs playtime
Weight | 9g per earbud, 56g case
Price | $339 AUD
Slightly unconventional looks, but the OneDots ONE fit well and produce some serious sound.
Shokz OpenDots ONE Earbuds
New in the brand’s lineup is the OneDots ONE, a fresh take on open ear headphones. They sit in the same ‘True Wireless’ range as the OneFit 2+, but with a completely new light clip design.
The OneDots ONE are lightweight and compact, with a minimalistic design that softly clips onto the lower part of your ear. They definitely aren’t as secure as the flexible ear-hook design, and in a decent crash, we can envisage them being a part of the yard sale.
That being said, whether you’re riding, running, or at the gym, the OneDots One buds sit firmly in place with no unwanted jiggle. The earbuds have no specific side, so you can just throw them on, without having to think about which one goes where.
They sit well clear of the helmet straps and glasses, but certainly aren’t as secure as the OpenFit 2+.
There are two touch control options for the OneDots One buds. A single tap of either the ‘JointArc’ or battery compartment, or a gentle two-finger pinch of either end of the battery compartment, plays or pauses music and answers incoming phone calls. In the default configuration, you can not skip or replay songs, so you’re going to want to make sure you’ve got a full playlist of bangers lined up. This is all customisable through the Shokz app, however, so you can add music control with a triple-tap of the ‘JointArc’.
The audio isn’t quite as ‘full’ as the OpenFit 2+; there’s a little less bass, but overall, the sound quality is still impressive. We found the audio quality and volume to be quite sensitive to the positioning on the ear. If they shake or knock out of place, or aren’t quite in the right spot, the quality drops drastically.
And similar to the OpenFit 2+ and all of Shokz other headphones, you’re not blocked off from the world and can hear what’s going on around you.
All that sound out of that little speaker? Impressive.
The case of the OpenDots ONE is slightly more compact, doubling as a battery bank for charging. The 60mAh batteries in the earbuds can deliver up to 10 hours of listening, and the 590mAh battery in the case zaps charge into the earbuds, delivering up to 40 hours of total runtime. Similar to OneFit, they are also IP55 water-resistant, meaning sweat and rain won’t spoil the party.
Key Details
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4, 10m range
Waterproofing | IP55
Battery | Li-ion, 40hrs playtime
Weight | 7g per earbud, 39g case
Price | $339 AUD
Shokz App
Shokz have developed a specific app to control both the OpenFit and OpenDot earbuds. Users can choose from different sound modes, including ‘Bass Boost’, ‘Vocal’, ‘Treble Boost’ or ‘Standard’, or even customise their own sound mode.
There is also the ability to enable the ‘Dolby Audio’ setting, which creates a more vivid, realistic and immersive sound from each of the buds. It seems a little odd that this is off by default, as it makes a significant improvement to the overall sound quality and experience.
Both OpenFit and OpenDots earbuds can be paired with multiple devices simultaneously through the app, making it easy to switch between your phone and laptop.
You can even customise the buttons, tailoring the single, double or triple clicks to the user’s preferences. Overall, the app is easy and intuitive to use, offering excellent control over the earbuds. We can’t imagine that folks will use it every time they throw on the earbuds, but it adds value to the overall package.
Both the OpenFit 2+ and OpenDots ONE can be configured with the Shokz app. Although we found it unusual that the Dolby Audio setting is configured to be off by default.
Flow’s Take
Both the OpenFit 2+ and OpenDots ONE provide outstanding audio clarity and a unique fit that feels weightless when wearing. They provide superior spatial awareness compared to traditional in-ear earbuds, and the brand’s claim as to their ‘True Wireless’ functionality is certainly true. In our experience, both options fit well with riding helmets and sunglasses, making them an attractive choice for riders who love jamming out to music on the trails.
We really liked the minimalistic design of the OpenDots ONE, and the simple light clip was easy to use and comfortable to wear. The flexible hook design of the OpenFit 2+ provides a more secure fit, however, and might be a better choice for those who frequent rougher trails.
Act now! Experts warn of active exploitation of vulnerabilities in several Sitecore products
The company behind CMS products used by companies such as L’Oreal, Microsoft, Toyota, and more has disclosed a critical vulnerability that hackers are already attempting to exploit.
Australian software company Sitecore has warned of a critical vulnerability in several of its products that could lead to remote code execution and the exfiltration of sensitive data.
The vulnerability – tracked as CVE-2025-53690 – potentially impacts four of Sitecore’s products: Experience Manager, Experience Platform, Experience Commerce, and Managed Cloud.
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The issue impacts customers who followed the deployment instructions that came with XP 9.0 or earlier and Active Directory 1.4 or earlier. In some cases, customers have been found to have used the sample machine key included in those instructions, which date back to 2017.
“The issue stems from Sitecore users copying and pasting example keys from official documentation, rather than generating unique, random ones – a move we don’t recommend,” Ryan Dewhurst, watchTowr’s head of proactive threat intelligence, told Cyber Daily.
“Any deployment running with these known keys was left exposed to ViewState deserialisation attacks, a straight path right to remote code execution.”
Sitecore has recommended its customers rotate machine keys immediately, but that may not be enough, according to Caitlin Condon, VP of security research at VulnCheck.
“Unfortunately, rotating keys and locking down configurations isn’t enough on its own if threat actors were able to gain access to an organisation’s network,” Condon said.
“Security and threat hunting teams will need to examine environments for signs of compromise, particularly since Mandiant’s investigation found the (unattributed) threat actor had deployed malware and additional tooling geared toward internal reconnaissance and persistence across one or more compromised environments.”
What Condon is referring to is a detailed blog post from Mandiant outlining malicious activity it has already detected and prevented.
“In a recent investigation, Mandiant Threat Defense discovered an active ViewState deserialisation attack affecting Sitecore deployments leveraging a sample machine key that had been exposed in Sitecore deployment guides from 2017 and earlier,” Mandiant said on 3 September.
“An attacker leveraged the exposed ASP.NET machine keys to perform remote code execution.”
Mandiant said the threat actor seemed to have a deep understanding of Sitecore’s products, moving fast from initial compromise to privilege escalation. The attacker was able to establish a backdoor, maintain persistence, and deploy malicious tooling before beginning to perform network reconnaissance. Mandiant was able to stop the attack, which means it was unable to observe the life cycle of the attack.
Thankfully, Sitecore has said that new deployments will automatically generate keys, but more malicious activity may remain undetected, for now.
“Sitecore has confirmed that new deployments now generate keys automatically and that all affected customers have been contacted,” Dewhurst said.
“The blast radius remains unknown, but this bug exhibits all the characteristics that typically define severe vulnerabilities. The wider impact has not yet surfaced, but it will.”
David Hollingworth
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
The Instagram app is finally rolling out to iPad users with a new multi-column layout and greater focus on Reels.
After WhatsApp compatibility for iPads, Meta finally announced a dedicated Instagram app for iPads. While it took quite a long time for the social media app to be compatible, but now iPad users can now finally download the Instagram app via App Store. Similar to iPhones, the iPad version of Instagram also includes all the things we could expect, such as stories, feed, direct messages, and others. However, the app emphasises more on Reels. When you access the Instagram app on an iPad, it will directly lead you to Reels, focusing more on entertaining content. Here’s everything you need to know about the dedicated Instagram app for iPads.
iPad users can finally install the Instagram app from the App Store.(Instagram )
Instagram app for iPad
A dedicated Instagram app for iPad has officially started to roll out in the App Store, bringing all the latest app features to a bigger screen. Earlier this year, Meta was reported to be working on the iPad version of the social media app, and now it’s officially ready to install.
While the Instagram app on iPad will have all the features you can expect, but it has a greater focus on the reel section. Instagram post highlighted, “Now, when you open the app, you’ll drop into Reels, so you can get the entertaining content you love on a bigger screen.”
The iPad app also includes a new dedicated Following tab that will allow users to filter options. It will have three different sources: “All” will consist of posts and reels from accounts you follow, “Friends” will consist of content from people who follow you back, and “Latest” will show chronological posts and reels from accounts you follow.
In addition, it will include a multi-column layout, allowing easy access to multiple DMs, comments to display alongside the post, and more. While it was a much-awaited addition for the iPad experience, the Instagram app will only be compatible with iPads that support iPadOS 15.1 and later.
News / Technology / 15 years later… Apple finally gets Instagram app for iPads
Instagram said an optimised version for Android tablets will be released soon [File]
| Photo Credit: REUTERS
Instagram launched a dedicated iPad application on Wednesday, placing its short-form video feature Reels at the centre of the redesigned interface as parent company Meta intensifies competition with TikTok.
The app addresses longstanding complaints about Instagram’s iPad experience, which previously required using a scaled-up iPhone version with blurry visuals and missing features.
The new app, available globally on devices running iPadOS 15.1 and later, opens directly to a Reels feed — a nod to what Instagram calls ‘lean-back entertainment’ — with Stories pinned at the top and one-tap access to messaging.
Reels, which accounts for more than 20% of time users spend on Instagram, represents a central pillar in Meta’s strategy to boost engagement across its platforms in the competitive short-form video market.
The iPad app adds a Following tab with multiple viewing options, including recommended posts, content from mutual followers and chronological feeds. Users can reorder feed options to prioritize preferred content.
The interface supports multitasking layouts that show messages and notifications side by side, and lets comments expand without interrupting video playback.
The app is available for free on Apple’s App Store. Instagram said an optimised version for Android tablets will be released soon.
