Category: 4. Technology

With the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones now on the market, it’s no surprise that there are discounts to be secured on the Award-winning XM5s.

The XM5 over-ears have been available for £249 on Amazon on and off for a while now – and that’s the price you can grab them for currently.

But what if we told you you could save yourself an extra £30 by making a really quick swap?

To secure the XM5s for just £219 at Amazon, simply opt for the soft case accessory instead of the hard case. That’s a price we have seen only during Prime Day – although these excellent headphones did drop to £208 at John Lewis back in December 2024.

Still, a £160 saving is not something to be sniffed at. You’ll have to be quick though, Amazon is running this saving only as a ‘limited time deal’.

Unsurprisingly, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones can’t match their successor, the WH-1000XM6. But those new cans will set you back £399.

While the XM5s may have lost their long-held and well-deserved top spot in our best headphones rankings, they are still well worth snapping up, especially if you can get them at a discount price.

Which is why this whopping £160 off at Amazon – if you opt for the soft case – is such a great deal.

Sony has a winning formula that has seen gradual improvements over time. The XM5s were a huge step up from the XM4s across sound quality, noise-cancelling and call quality (which is why we gave them a What Hi-Fi? Award in 2024).

Despite being considered ‘old’ now, they are still top performers, that led our expert testers to say: “The WH-1000XM5 possess all the elements that have made the previous generations class-leaders at the money, including that effortlessly musical sound. But the latest generation manages to deliver even greater clarity and a more open presentation. It’s actually quite a jump.”

And that sound offers sensational sonic clarity, punchy delivery and precise, agile bass.

On a performance-per-pound basis, Sony’s noise-cancelling technology seriously impresses, with the Integrated Processor V1 upping the number of microphones to eight (from XM4’s four) and tech improvements inside the headphones.

There are improvements in the XM5’s feature set too, with handy modes: ‘Speak to Chat’ to pause playback when you start talking; ‘Quick Attention’ to lower the volume when you cover the right earcup; and ‘Wearing Detection’ to sense when you take them off and automatically pause your audio.

The headphones are also compatible with Sony’s LDAC technology, which allows streaming of high-quality audio from compatible devices at bitrates higher than conventional Bluetooth (there is no aptX or aptX HD support).

And then you’ve got an impressive 30 hours of battery life with Bluetooth and ANC enabled, boosted to 40 hours with just Bluetooth. And a 10-minute charge will give you five hours of battery life.

So, while the XM6s are a pricier pick, if you’re looking for some seriously impressive over-ears that will suit a more modest budget, this deal’s most certainly for you.

MORE:

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review

Check out the best headphones: tested by our experts

And the best over-ear headphones: wired and wireless pairs

The Toyota GR Supra has been chosen to be the official pace car for the 2025 National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Championships. It will be the third GR Sports car to carry out the duties for NASA’s Nationals.

Under the hood, is a 3.0-liter inline-six, twin-scroll, turbocharged engine producing 382hp and 368lb-ft of torque. Finished in a bold Toyota Gazoo Racing livery of red, white and black, the GR Supra will lead the field at the National Auto Sport Association’s (NASA) marquee annual event.

“At Toyota, our passion for performance and motorsports runs deep, and we’re honored to support grassroots racing through our relationship with NASA,” said Mike Tripp, group vice president, Toyota Marketing at Toyota North America. “We’re especially proud to have the GR Supra pacing the 2025 Championships at Ozarks International Raceway — marking its debut as the official NASA Champs pace car.”

The 2026 model year will mark the final production run of the GR Supra, available in 3.0, 3.0 Premium and MkV Final Edition trims, and all offered with a choice of 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.

The limited-run 2026 GR Supra MkV Final Edition will see only 1,300 units in North America. Offered in red, black and white, the MkV Final Edition features a GT4-Style package with matte-finish paint, race-inspired graphics, carbon fiber red mirror caps, dual stainless steel exhaust tips and a carbon-fiber ducktail spoiler.

“The relationship between Toyota and NASA has been an incredible way to introduce sports car owners to the world of performance driving in a safe and responsible manner,” said Jeremy Croiset, chief executive officer of NASA. “We’re especially excited to welcome the GR Supra for the first time as the official pace car for the 2025 NASA Championships at Ozarks International Raceway.”

The event will take place on September 4 to 7, 2025, at Ozarks International Raceway in Gravois Mills, Missouri.

In related news, Ram has confirmed that Kaulig Racing will become the anchor factory team for the truck maker’s anticipated return to NASCAR, starting with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026

After the success of launching four flagship phones last year, Google is set to continue the trend with the new Pixel 10 series.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro stands out as potentially the best option for many people. With a starting price of $999, it offers a compelling blend of premium features borrowed from its more expensive sibling, all in the more manageable size of the standard Pixel 10.

Also: I replaced my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with the Pixel 10 Pro XL for a week – and can’t go back

The Pixel 10 Pro enters a crowded field, competing directly with the iPhone 16 Pro and the Galaxy S25 Plus.

Having used the iPhone 16 Pro as my daily driver for the past year, I’ve tested it against the new Pixel 10 Pro to see how these two flagship phones compare.

You should buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro if…

1. You want the best of Google AI

The Pixel phone lineup unsurprisingly offers the best of Google’s Gemini AI features. And it is only getting better with the Pixel 10 Pro. The company is providing a year of Google AI Pro service for free alongside the purchase for Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL. So, you get Gemini Pro, including NotebookLM for productivity and Veo 3 text-to-video generation model. 

The Google Pixel 10 Pro is also getting a contextual and personalized AI feature called Magic Cue. Theoretically, it can “help connect the dots across your digital life by anticipating your needs and proactively suggesting relevant information and helpful actions based on the context on your phone.” 

Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025

For instance, if you call a company’s helpline, your associated details (like a flight ticket) will be surfaced automatically. 

You can still download the Gemini app to access Google’s AI on your iPhone, but you won’t get the seamless Pixel AI experience. If you depend on Google apps to get work done and have all your digital life stored on Google’s platforms, the Pixel 10 Pro is the better option.

2. You want a better telephoto camera

The Google Pixel 10 Pro features a 48MP Quad PD telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, as compared to a 12MP telephoto sensor (also 5x optical zoom) on the iPhone 16 Pro. However, megapixels don’t solely define a camera. The Pixel 10 Pro sports a bigger sensor than its Apple counterpart. On paper, it is capable of letting more light in and snapping better-looking photos.

Also: I replaced my Pixel 9 Pro with the 9a for a month – here’s my buying advice now

The 12MP 5x tele camera on iPhone 16 Pro isn’t hard to beat. It struggles in anything less than bright daylight and lacks the zoom capabilities of its Chinese rivals. I’m looking forward to using the Google Pixel 10 Pro for my zoom shots and expect it to beat the iPhone.

3. You want a cool-looking Pro phone

The iPhone 16 Pro series is lacking in fun colors. It comes in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium — all of which feel a bit lifeless. The last Pro iPhone color I truly loved was Sierra Blue on my iPhone 13 Pro Max. 

While rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Pro might bring back more playful finishes, Google has already beaten Apple to the punch with the Pixel 10 Pro series. The new Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro are available in classic Obsidian and Porcelain, as well as bolder Moonstone and Jade options. 

So, if you’re spending $1,000 on a phone, you don’t have to settle for something dull. Plus, you get Google’s distinct design, complete with the iconic camera bar—which, in my opinion, still looks incredibly cool.

4. If you’ve been envious of this iPhone feature

The Pixel 10 Pro features a MagSafe-like feature called PixelSnap. It is based on Qi2 charging, which offers magnetic accessory support for power banks, chargers, and more. If you’ve been on the iPhone for a while and want to switch platforms, this is the best time to come to the Android side. 

Also: How to add MagSafe to your Android phone (and why you’ll love it)

All your MagSafe accessories should technically work with the Pixel 10 Pro (depending on magnet power), so you don’t have to buy new accessories alongside your new phone.

You should buy the Apple iPhone 16 Pro if…

1. You want a lighter Pro phone

The Google Pixel 10 Pro might look better on paper, but it’s nearly 10 grams heavier than the iPhone 16 Pro. Specifically, the Pixel weighs 207 grams compared to the iPhone’s 199 grams.

Also: Buy the iPhone 16 or wait for iPhone 17? Here’s how I help friends and family decide

That eight-gram difference might not seem like much, but with both phones featuring flat, unergonomic sides, every gram counts — especially during extended use. If you average more than six hours of screen time a day, the iPhone 16 Pro could be the more comfortable choice.

2. You want the best social media experience

While Android has made significant progress, iPhones still hold an advantage in stability and app optimization. This is particularly noticeable with social media apps like X and Instagram, where the user experience remains smoother on Apple devices. 

Editing and posting photos and videos from an iPhone to social media platforms is also more seamless and efficient for anyone who regularly creates content.

Also: Best iPhone 2025: I tested the top models and found the best options for you

If you’re leaning toward an iPhone instead of the Pixel 10 Pro, I strongly recommend waiting just a few weeks. Apple is expected to launch its new iPhone 17 series in early September. It’s smart to hold off on your decision until after the typical September 10th launch event to make sure you get the latest model.

Did you know that Hana also makes a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge called the “ML”? Just sayin’.

Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san of Excel Sound blends craftsmanship and engineering in the Hana Umami Black MC Cartridge, the company’s new flagship offered in celebration of 55 years of tradition and excellence.

From the press materials:

Just as umami in cuisine describes a deep and satisfying flavor created through a perfect blend of ingredients and techniques, Umami Sound represents this same concept for your ears—a harmonious, synergistic fusion that delivers more than the sum of its parts. It’s the wonderful taste in music.

The new Umami Black MC cartridge features a diamond cantilever, ‘nude’ natural diamond Microline stylus, and a new “OKD” High-Efficiency Moving Coil Generator. The body sports the stunning, to my eyes, Urushi lacquer finish (yum) and every HANA Umami Black cartridge is meticulously handcrafted by Excel Sound’s skilled artisans in Japan.

The new Hana Umami Black MC Cartridge is available now for $11,500.

Here’s the press release:

Hana Umami Black
New Flagship MC cartridge from Hana / Excel Sound

Introducing the Umami Black MC cartridge $11,500

The HANA-Umami Black continues the brand’s legacy of “Brilliant and Gorgeous” sound. Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san of Excel Sound celebrates over 5 decades of innovation and excellence with his new masterpiece, featuring a diamond cantilever and new “OKD” High-Efficiency Moving Coil Generator. The Umami Black is much more than just an Umami Red with a diamond cantilever.

Unique Umami Black Features

Diamond Cantilever
In a category first for HANA, the Umami Black incorporates a diamond cantilever, the hardest possible material, ideal for signal transfer.

High-Efficiency “OKD” Moving Coil Generator
Another category first, the Umami Black uses the newly developed “OKD” with the world’s first “Integrated Pole Piece and Rear Yoke” and Inverted U-shaped Front Yoke, optimizing energy transfer from the diamond cantilever.

Inverted U Front Yoke
The U-shaped (bifurcated) inverted front yoke is engineered for both mechanical resonance control and magnetic field alignment, while also providing precise support for the diamond cantilever.

High-Power Rare Earth Magnet
Unique to the Umami Black, the rare earth neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet is used for the high-efficiency generator, delivering superior energy conversion.

Hybrid Carbon Armature
A 2mm square hybrid Carbon permalloy armature, comprising 78% carbon-infused nickel-iron, is precisely hand-wound with 30-micron, 4N high-purity copper wire on Excel’s proprietary machinery. This ultra-light moving coil has an output of 0.3mV and a 5 ohm impedance.

Special Urushi Enameled Finish
The HANA-Umami Black features an exquisite Urushi lacquer finish, applied through a specialized thermosetting process, bonding to the aluminum body via vapor deposition.

US Distributor Website: Musical Surroundings

Body	Material	Duralumin (A7075)
	Shape	Auricle open air
	Finish	Urushi lacquer through thermosetting process
Cantilever Assy	Cantilever	Diamond
	Stylus	Microline Nude Diamond
Magnetic Circuit	Structure	“OKD” generator with Inverted U Front Yoke and Integrated Pole Piece and Rear Yoke
	Armature Material	Permalloy, 78% carbon-infused nickel-iron
	Armature Shape	2mm Square Plate
	Parts material	Pure Iron
	Magnet	Neodymium (NdFeB)
Coil	Coil Impedance	5Ω
	Output Voltage	0.3mV
	Load Impedance	≥50Ω
Treatment	Cryogenic	“OKD” generator with U Front Yoke, Integrated Pole Piece and Rear Yoke, Gold-plated Terminal Pins
Specification	Frequency Response	15-50,000Hz
	Output Balance	0.5dB/1KHz
	Channel Separation	30dB/1KHz
	Tracking Weight	2g
	Trackability	70μm/2g
	Dynamic Compliance	10×10(-6)cm/dyne(100Hz)
		Estimated at 17×10(-6)cm/dyne at 10Hz
	Cartridge Weight	11.3g

Tencent’s HunyuanWorld-Voyager can generate a spatially consistent 3D scene from a single photo, without relying on traditional 3D modeling pipelines. The system combines RGB and depth data with a memory-efficient “world cache” to produce video sequences that reflect user-defined camera movement.

With Voyager, users upload a photo and specify a camera path through the scene. Voyager then generates a continuous video simulating the camera’s motion, aiming to simplify the creation of virtual 3D environments without extensive modeling or technical setup.

At the core is joint RGB and depth (RGB-D) video generation. The depth information helps Voyager estimate distances in the scene and avoid common errors when objects are viewed from unusual angles.

Video: Tencent

Memory for 3D worlds

Voyager’s “world cache” saves previously seen and generated regions of the scene, updating as the camera moves. When hidden parts of the environment reappear, the system restores them from the cache. Redundant data is removed to optimize memory, keeping long camera paths stable and geometrically consistent.

Tencent trained Voyager on a large dataset of real videos and Unreal Engine scenes, each labeled with estimated camera poses and metric depth. This approach helped the model learn how cameras move through real spaces and how objects look from different angles.

Benchmark performance and direct 3D output

Tencent says Voyager achieved high scores in multiple categories on the WorldScore benchmark, including camera control and spatial consistency. A practical benefit of generating RGB and depth video together is that the system can output direct 3D reconstructions – like point clouds or Gaussian proxies – with less need for post-processing.

Tencent reports that Voyager can also extract 3D objects from single images, analyze depth in video, and transfer styles while preserving geometric structure. The code and inference weights are publicly available. Tencent lists 60 GB GPU RAM as the minimum for 540p output.

Building on HunyuanWorld 1.0

Voyager is designed to complement HunyuanWorld 1.0. HunyuanWorld 1.0 focused on semantic, layered 3D mesh representations with mesh export and interactivity, but faced challenges with exploration range and occluded areas. Voyager addresses these with RGB-depth coupling and the world cache, making longer, more consistent camera paths possible. The two systems are meant to work together: HunyuanWorld 1.0 is best for exporting meshes, while Voyager focuses on stable video and 3D scene generation. HunyuanWorld 1.0 has been available in a “Lite” version since August, Voyager is now being released.

Competing systems target different use cases

Other systems take different approaches. Google’s Genie 3 targets interactive worlds where users trigger “world events” via text. Google says scene consistency lasts a few minutes, but access is currently limited to a research preview.

Mirage 2 from Dynamics Lab also offers browser-based interactive demos with keyboard and text input. While these systems focus on live gameplay, interactivity, and robot training, Voyager is aimed at video production and 3D content pipelines.

Kanto Celebration makes the original Gen 1 Pokémon the focus this week in Pokémon Go.

There’s a rotating set of Kanto Celebration Timed Research quests throughout this Pokémon Go event, along with a Kanto Celebration Collection Challenge waiting to be conquered!

Don’t forget to get out the Kanto Celebration research tasks and sizable bonuses list either. The XP Celebration quest is continuing throughout this event.

On this page:

‘Kanto Celebration Near and Farfetch’d’ quest steps and rewards

Kanto Celebration: Near and Farfetch’d is the first Timed Research quest running throughout this Pokémon Go event. It will be available until Wednesday 3rd September at 10am (local). Once this time passes you’ll no longer be able to collect its rewards and it will be replaced with the Kang You Dig It quest.

So let’s take a look at the Kanto Celebration: Near and Farfetch’d Timed Research quest steps. Just be wary of spoilers!

‘Kanto Celebration: Near and Farfetch’d’ Step 1 of 1

• Catch 50 Pokémon – 5000 XP
• Use 10 Razz Berries to help catch Pokémon – 25 Mega Venusaur Energy
• Use 10 Pinap Berries while catching Pokémon – 25 Mega Charizard Energy
• Use 10 Nanab Berries while catching Pokémon – 25 Mega Blastoise Energy
• Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms – 10 Ultra Balls

Rewards: 5000 XP, 5000 Stardust and a Farfetch’d encounter.

First Partner Collection Challenge Pokémon list

First Partner Collection Challenge is part of the Kanto Celebration event in Pokémon Go. This means you have until Sunday 7th September at 8pm (local time) to earn its rewards. (Remember to claim them after you’ve completed the Collection Challenge!)

Keep in mind that six of Pokémon in this Collection Challenge can only be obtained through evolution and getting them through any other means, such as trading, will not count towards First Partner.

Here’s all of the Pokémon in the First Partner Collection Challenge and how to get them:

• Bulbasaur – In the wild or event-exclusive research task (Catch 5 Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle)
• Ivysaur – Evolve Bulbasaur using 25 Bulbasaur Candy
• Venusaur – Evolve Ivysaur using 100 Bulbasaur Candy
• Charmander – In the wild or event-exclusive research task (Catch 5 Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle)
• Charmeleon – Evolve Charmander using 25 Charmander Candy
• Charizard – Evolve Charmeleon using 100 Charmander Candy
• Squirtle – In the wild or event-exclusive research task (Catch 5 Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle)
• Wartortle – Evolve Squirtle using 25 Squirtle Candy
• Blastoise – Evolve Wartortle using 100 Squirtle Candy

Rewards: 100 Mega Venusaur Energy, 100 Mega Charizard Energy and 100 Mega Blastoise Candy.

Kanto Celebration field research tasks

Here are the Kanto Celebration field research tasks in Pokémon Go:

• Catch 5 Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle reward – Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle encounter
• Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokémon reward – 10 Poké Balls, five Great Balls or two Ultra Balls
• Evolve a Pokémon reward – One Rare Candy
• Mega Evolve a Venusaur, Charizard or Blastoise reward – 10,000 XP
• Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms reward – 10 Mega Venusaur, Charizard or Blastoise Energy

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August in Pokémon Go is coming to a close with the Sunkissed Shores event and the release of Dondozo! There also levelling changes coming soon.

You can now catch Dynamax Pokémon through Max Battles. First, however, you need to visit Power Spots to collect Max Particles and complete the To the Max! quest.

Don’t forget to try out Routes, Gift Exchange and Party Play while you’re hunting down rare Pokémon, fighting in the Go Battle League or competing in PokéStop Showcases.

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Kanto Celebration bonuses

• Double XP from spinning PokéStops.
• Mega Evolution duration tripled.
• One guaranteed Candy XL from evolving Pokémon.
• Surprise encounters from Go Snapshot!
• Evolving an Ivysaur into Venusaur will teach it Frenzy Plant (Grass-type Charged Attack).
• Evolving a Charmeleon into Charizard will teach it Blast Burn (Fire-type Charged Attack).
• Evolving a Wartortle into Blastoise will teach it Hydro Cannon (Water-type Charged Attack).

Kanto Celebration wild Pokémon encounters

Here are the Pokémon appearing more frequently in the wild during Kanto Celebration:

• Bulbasaur
• Charmander
• Squirtle
• Weedle
• Pidgey
• Abra
• Slowpoke
• Gastly
• Chansey
• Magikarp
• Snorlax

Kanto Celebration pay-to-play quest

• $4.99 or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency.
• Non-refundable and can not be purchased using PokéCoins.
• Can gift to players you’re Great Friends or higher with.
• Rewards include Dynamax Articuno, Dynamax Zapdos and Dynamax Moltres.

Hope you enjoy the Kanto Celebration event!

Newsbrief: Former Rare executive producer Louise O’Connor has been named chief of staff at Xbox Game Studios. As spotted by VGC and confirmed on Linkedin, O’Conner stepped into the role in August 2025 having previously spent over 25 years at UK juggernaut Rare, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2002. 

O’Conner joined Rare in 1999 as an animator to work on Conker’s Bad Fur Day. She subsequently rose through the ranks and took on a number of leadership roles including head of animation, art director, incubation director, and executive producer. 

In her new position as chief of staff at Xbox Game Studios, O’Conner said she will strive to foster “connection, collaboration, and momentum” across the video game division, which has been rocked by multiple rounds of layoffs following Microsoft’s merger with Activision Blizzard in 2023—the latest of which reportedly resulted in the cancellation of long-gestating Rare project Everwild.

Game Developer has reached out to Microsoft for more information on the internal hire.

“The problem was I couldn’t decide on a single game that encapsulated that blue skies ethos. So eventually I decided that a series of postcards featuring different Sega games would be a fun way to let people choose and create their own front cover design,” says Mikolai. And that’s where Will ‘Devil’s Blush’ Stevenson comes in. “I’d been a fan of this work since I first came across it a few years back. He takes these amazing, scanline heavy images of classic video games. His images really capture the crunchy details of older games and often recontextualise them,” says Mikolai. Featuring these art works, Forgotten Worlds has four double sided postcards with a die-cut front cover design that lets you switch them out with a variety of Sega blue skies.

Mikolai argues that magazines are, at least in part, a response to the “increasingly horrible, online experience we all have to deal with” – AI slop, pop-up banner ads, SEO rubbish and the dead internet theory. “We’ve almost broken this amazing thing we invented,” says Mikolai. “As the world moves faster and gets more chaotic, there’s something nostalgic and comforting about sitting down with a coffee and a physical magazine you can read. The name Forgotten Worlds was chosen because it implies a world that we have left behind.” Hoping to recreate the optimism that the wider culture once had for the future – as seen in 80s movies (with their flying cars and utopian cityscapes and whatnot) – Forgotten Worlds brings back fond memories and allows us to take a step back from the noise of the online and return to a pixellated, but clear-eyed, vision of happiness.