Apple is in discussions with PrismML, a Khosla Ventures-backed startup that claims to have achieved a major breakthrough in running exceptionally large AI models directly on iPhones without relying on cloud servers, Aaron Tilley reports for The Information. The company says it has successfully compressed and executed a 27-billion-parameter model on the latest iPhone hardware, marking what it describes as the largest AI model ever run fully on-device.
PrismML, which emerged from stealth earlier this year as a Caltech spinout, specializes in extreme model compression techniques, particularly 1-bit and ternary weight architectures. These methods drastically reduce memory footprints while aiming to preserve performance. According to the startup, its technology allowed Alibaba’s open-source Qwen 3.6 (27B parameters) — which normally requires about 54 GB in standard precision — to shrink to under 4 GB. The compressed model reportedly ran with all parameters active simultaneously on an iPhone 17 Pro, enabling more complex on-device tasks like advanced reasoning and software development assistance.
This development aligns with Apple’s long-standing push to enhance Apple Intelligence with more powerful on-device capabilities. By keeping AI processing local, Apple can improve privacy, reduce latency, and lessen dependence on cloud infrastructure and external partners. Sources familiar with the matter indicate Apple has held talks with PrismML about potential integration of its compression technology to expand what future iPhones can handle natively.
The Technical Leap: 1-Bit Models and Intelligence Density
Traditional large language models use 16-bit floating-point precision, leading to massive memory requirements. PrismML’s approach uses 1-bit weights (essentially on/off states) and ternary variants (weights of -1, 0, or +1). The company’s flagship open-source “Bonsai” family includes:
• Bonsai 8B: An 8-billion-parameter model that fits in roughly 1 GB (versus ~16 GB for a typical 16-bit equivalent), while delivering competitive results on benchmarks like MMLU, GSM8K, and HumanEval.
• Smaller variants (4B and 1.7B) optimized for even greater efficiency.
PrismML claims these models offer up to 14× smaller memory use, 8× faster inference, and 5× better energy efficiency compared to full-precision counterparts, resulting in over 10× “intelligence density.” The startup has open-sourced its models under Apache 2.0 and released custom kernels for Apple’s Metal framework, making them compatible with iPhone and Mac hardware.
Co-founders, including Caltech professor Babak Hassibi and other PhDs, emphasize that the breakthrough stems from years of research into neural network compression. Investors include Khosla Ventures, Cerberus Capital, and Caltech itself, with the company raising $16.25 million in seed funding. Vinod Khosla has praised the work as a “mathematical breakthrough” that could shift AI from data-center dominance to efficient edge deployment.
Implications for Apple and the Industry
For Apple, adopting such technology could supercharge features in iOS and Apple Intelligence, enabling more sophisticated AI agents, real-time coding help, or advanced multimodal capabilities without constant server calls. It also addresses growing concerns around energy consumption and data privacy in AI.
PrismML positions its tech not just for consumer devices but for robotics, wearables, and industrial edge applications. By open-sourcing core models, the company hopes to accelerate adoption and invite community improvements.
While independent verification of all performance claims is still emerging, the reported iPhone demo and Apple’s interest signal strong validation. As the AI race intensifies, solutions that pack more intelligence into everyday devices — without ballooning costs or power draw — could prove transformative.
PrismML plans further releases and is expected to continue engaging with major device makers.
MacDailyNews Take: For Apple, which has invested heavily in on-device AI silicon like the Neural Engine, this could represent a key for the next-gen of truly personal, secure, and private artificial intelligence.
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The Pixel 10a shipped with a last gen processor. | Photo: Dominic Preston / The Verge
Mystic Leaks suggests that the Pixel 11a will return to featuring a flagship-grade processor with the Tensor G6. Rather than the Tensor G5 found in the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro, the Pixel 10a shipped with the previous generation Tensor G4. That was a huge disappointment since, typically, the Pixel a lineup kept the modern processor, but cut corners in other places to keep costs down.
The Tensor G6 is rumored to feature the same PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU as the G5, but it should still be an improvement over the Mali-G715 in the Tensor G4. The big upgrade is that the G6 moves on from Samsung's Exynos modems and instead uses a MediaTek M90 modem. Tha …
It’s pretty clear that EVs and software defined vehicles (SDVs) go hand-in-hand these days, and while Tesla paved the way with the Model 3 back in 2017, Rivian, Lucid, and Chinese manufacturers quickly followed. The legacy car manufacturers are taking a while longer to get on board, but are finally catching up. Companies like Hyundai Motor Group, General Motors, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are starting to launch full SDVs.
SDVs for the win
(Image credit: Myriam Joire)
SDVs are cars with functions and features that are primarily enabled through software and can improve over time via over-the-air (OTA) software updates. I’m not just talking about updating navigation or infotainment, here. Thanks to their zonal architecture, full SDVs use a holistic approach to software updates where every hardware module can be updated OTA, which enables diagnostics and even recalls without a dealer visit.
The cynical view is that SDVs allow greedy car manufacturers to extract revenue from customers via needless subscriptions, but that's short-term thinking. When done right, there are many benefits to SDVs. Companies like Rivian and Tesla issue free monthly OTA updates to fix bugs and add new features to their EVs, to the delight of their customers, while only charging an optional subscription for higher data connectivity and ADAS tiers.
SDVs go beyond EVs
Myriam JoireMyriam Joire
What happens when you extend SDVs beyond EVs to hybrid and combustion vehicles? A few weeks back, I visited Mercedes’ factory near Tuscaloosa, AL, where the company manufactures most of its global SUVs, to get a first look at the refreshed GLE and GLS SUVs. Beyond more powerful engines and the usual mid-cycle cosmetic upgrades inside and out, these SUVs are Mercedes’ first hybrid and combustion SDVs. Well, almost.
Unlike their predecessors, the 2027 GLE and GLS run the company’s MB.OS across all four domains — infotainment, automated driving, body & comfort, and driving & charging — just like Mercedes’ first full SDVs, the all-electric CLA and GLC. Previously, MB.OS was only implemented for navigation and infotainment, like in the current E-Class sedan and wagon. As such, those cars weren’t SDVs. But there’s a catch.
Mercedes notes, however, that “while all of these vehicles leverage MB.OS principles and a domain-oriented software architecture, the underlying hardware, communication systems, software capabilities, and OTA deployment approaches vary by vehicle platform.” As such, the refreshed GLE and GLS, while only partial SDVs, are closer to full SDVs than any other hybrid or combustion car before them.
The 2027 GLE and GLS feature Mercedes’ pillar-to-pillar Superscreen as standard, which consists of three 12.3-inch displays (driver, center, and passenger) behind a single glass surface, and includes a selfie camera for video calls (when stopped) and for selfies, naturally. Video calls require apps like Zoom, which you can download from Mercedes’ own app store. A 3D instrument display and head-up display are available as an option.
Myriam JoireMyriam Joire
Like the all-electric CLA and GLC, the refreshed GLE and GLS feature a generative AI-powered voice assistant which uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT4o, Microsoft Bing Search, and Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent (for navigation) — depending on context. The MBUX Virtual Assistant can handle a whole range of natural language requests, from adjusting the climate and music to navigation and even general knowledge queries.
Mercedes’ MB.Drive Assist Pro, the company’s NVIDIA-powered point-to-point level 2+ advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), which launched on the all-electric CLA and GLC, is coming to the 2027 GLE and GLS, first in China, then in the US later this year. This ADAS is similar to Tesla’s ill-named full self-driving (FSD), but in addition to using ten cameras, it also uses five radar sensors and twelve ultrasonic sensors.
In all, the refreshed GLE and GLS show that drivetrain variations aside, it’s possible for all-electric, hybrid, and combustion vehicles to reach parity as SDVs when it comes to infotainment, navigation, comfort, and ADAS. Let’s hope that Mercedes fully embraces this exciting new technology and follows in Rivian and Tesla’s footsteps by releasing free monthly OTA updates to fix bugs and add new features to these new SDVs.
SDVs for all
Myriam JoireMyriam JoireMyriam Joire
What’s even more important is that SDVs are starting to extend beyond EVs and luxury cars. Manufacturers like Hyundai Motor Group are launching more affordable hybrid and combustion vehicles that are SDVs. The zonal architecture used by SDVs makes cars inherently less expensive to manufacture since it requires fewer hardware modules and much simpler wiring harnesses (less copper means less cost and less weight).
The South Korean Grandeur sedan and Europe-bound IONIQ 3 SUV are Hyundai’s first proper SDVs. Both cars run the company’s new Android Automotive-based Pleos Connect navigation and infotainment platform, and include Hyundai’s App Market and large language model (LLM)-powered Gleo AI voice assistant. Pleos Connect, the App Market, and Gleo AI will also be coming to Hyundai Motor Group’s future Kia and Genesis cars.
...while I believe that the future is all-electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles will be sticking around a little while longer
Right now, most of the affordable full SDVs being developed outside of China are EVs. Ford is working on its Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) SDV platform which will initially underpin an all-electric small truck priced around $30,000. Volkswagen’s upcoming ID.1 city car, destined for Europe and priced below €20,000, is the company’s first SDV. Its zonal architecture and software stack are a direct result of VW’s partnership with Rivian.
Hopefully, these new EV-first platforms can also be adapted to manufacture more affordable hybrid and combustion SDVs. Because while I believe that the future is all-electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles will be sticking around a little while longer, at least here in the US. And considering the cost and feature benefits of SDVs, it would be a shame if manufacturers didn’t deploy this technology across all their upcoming vehicles.
My takeaway
Between 2018 and 2024, I owned two Tesla Model 3s, so I was able to enjoy the benefits of SDVs firsthand. There’s something utterly wonderful about finding an OTA software update waiting in your car every month, ready to deliver new functionality for free. Rivian aside, I have missed this on every other EV I’ve driven since, and because of this positive experience, I will forever associate SDVs with EVs.
But as Mercedes has shown with the refreshed GLE and GLS SUVs, the benefits of SDVs also extend to hybrid and combustion vehicles. SDVs allow the company to provide a consistent and modern user experience across its entire lineup, regardless of drivetrain. Not to mention, SDVs reduce costs and complexity for all manufacturers. As such, I’m looking forward to SDVs becoming the norm for more cars going forward.
Now, if you want to, you can use Google's 3D emoji in your own creations. The company shared some details about how it went about designing the little pictograms and why, as part of World Emoji Day on Friday. Things you might not necessarily worry about in a 2D illustration suddenly become very important when you're talking about a 3D model. Is a smiley face a sphere? A mask? A flat disc?
In addition to offering a behind-the-scenes look at Google's design process, it also announced that it would be completely open-sourcing the emoji set:
We're handing over raw .OBJ files to the community so they can use them to build immersive VR worlds, …
Facial recognition smart locks are here; now you can unlock your door the same way you unlock your phone. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Hands-free unlocking is the future of smart locks. The best smart home tech removes friction, and having your door unlock for you as you walk up is as frictionless as it gets - no passcodes to remember, no need to have a free hand to wave, press, or poke at the lock. One way to achieve this nirvana is through facial recognition. You already unlock your phone with your face; why not your home?
Hands-free unlocking using geofencing has been around for a while, but it can be slow and unreliable, and requires an app running in the background on your phone. Newer innovations - facial recognition and unlocking using an ultrawideband (UWB) radio - …
Every week here at TechRadar we publish a whole host of technology stories — it would be a seriously impressive feat if you managed to keep up with all of them, what with everything else happening going on (was there a World Cup?).
The aim of this ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) round-up is to help you quickly catch up on the biggest stories and the most important headlines in tech. These are the articles that mattered most over the past seven days.
We've got news on Apple, OpenAI, OnePlus, Volkswagen, and Microsoft, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at Samsung and an important GoPro review — so let's dive in.
7. Volkswagen revealed the world's techiest e-bike
The new eBikes being used (Image credit: Volkswagen/n+)
Volkswagen has a brand new electric bicycle to show off: the new Smart eBike range has been developed in partnership with n+, and goes big on the tech and the safety features. You'll find radar-assisted traffic monitoring here, as well as a high-definition rear view camera, so while you're pedaling (or not) you'll have a better idea of what's around you.
There's an expanded safety ecosystem too, with an optional smart helmet for syncing turn signals and making them more visible, and a pair of smart glasses that are perhaps the most cutting edge part of the whole package. You can use the smart specs to get journey information and navigation instructions put in front of your eyes when they're needed.
The GoPro Mission 1 (Image credit: Future / Hamish Hector)
GoPro is being a little bit more ambitious with its new Mission 1 Pro, a flagship action camera that builds on the classic form factor while adding some premium extras. Our Senior Staff Writer Hamish Hector has been giving the camera a thorough TechRadar test, and came away impressed with just about everything the Mission 1 Pro has to offer.
Special praise was given to the high-resolution video recording, the choice of recording modes, and the tweaked design choices that make the Mission 1 Pro different to its predecessors. Click through to see what the premium camera is capable of in terms of photo and video performance, and to find out whether it's the right upgrade for you.
We enjoyed our factory tour (Image credit: Future)
Samsung phones and tablets are known for the quality of their screens, so of course we jumped at the chance when we were invited to take a behind-the-scenes tour of a Samsung Display factory. This is where current displays are made and tested, and where next-gen models are tested (though sadly we didn't get to see the Galaxy Z Fold 8).
From advanced stress tests to upcoming displays with optical illusions built in, there was a lot to look at on the tour, reading through our write-up is the next best thing to actually getting access yourself. Of course, we also had to ask Samsung Display representatives about the rumored iPhone Fold, but they didn't seem too worried by the competition...
4. The iOS 27 public beta landed with the new Siri
The public beta of iOS 27 is here (Image credit: Apple)
The upcoming iOS 27 software update gives iPhone owners a lot to look forward to, not least the new and improved Siri AI app (or Siri 2.0, effectively). This week the public beta dropped, which means that anyone who wants to can try out the new features early — assuming they don't mind putting up with a few bugs or random crashes along the way.
Whether you're a veteran at running betas or thinking about dipping your toe in for the first time, our guide will explain how to download and install iOS 27 on your phone. We've also highlighted three of the new features you should test out first, including the improved photo editing tools that use a bit of AI magic to make your pictures look better than ever.
There are upgrades for Windows 11 users to look forward to (Image credit: Surface/Unsplash)
There have been some missteps along the way, but generally speaking Microsoft is on something of a roll when it comes to improving Windows 11 this year. The latest July update continues that trend, and if you're a user of the desktop operating system then you should be happy: there are some smart new features, and some important bug fixes.
One of the stand-out upgrades this time is a feature we've been waiting a while for: a proper pause function for Windows 11 updates, so if you don't want to install the latest patches right away, you don't feel like you're being pestered to get them applied as soon as possible. We've got details on how the feature works, plus what else is new this time.
It's Tim Cook vs Sam Altman (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)
It's fair to say Apple and OpenAI aren't on as good terms as they used to be, what with staff being poached and confidential information being stolen... allegedly. Apple has now filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming that the ChatGPT developer has pinched trade secrets through ex-Apple employees — and the case could have serious long-term repercussions.
Depending on what the courts and judges decide, this could impact OpenAI's nascent plans to launch hardware devices, as well as having an influence on how Apple develops its software — remember that ChatGPT is still embedded in Siri, at the time of writing. We're likely to hear much more about this astonishing case in the months to come.
OnePlus has finally run out of road — in the US and Europe at least. Parent company Oppo has decided the brand will withdraw from those markets, which means a large part of the world will be missing out on some great handsets. In recent years, some of our favorite phones have come from OnePlus, but availability will be much more limited from now on.
If you already own a OnePlus device in the US or Europe, then you'll continue to get support and software updates, but there won't be any new phone launches. "It wasn't a decision made in a rush," explained Oppo's Shuang Chen in a briefing. "Being a responsible brand means knowing when to go all in and when to make a choice."
Sony’s flagship Bravia 9 II is the best RGB LED TV I’ve seen this year.
The Sony Bravia 9 II is the most anticipated new TV in years. It's an amazing RGB LED TV. I watched Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves on the new Bravia with my son, who has been getting into the roleplaying game but had never seen the movie. The landscapes of Faerûn looked natural and real, while the magic cast by the Red Wizards of Thay was vibrant and colorful. Specular highlights in HDR really pop. I saw it with Xenk's glowing sword as he fought in the Underdark in Honor Among Thieves, but also in the explosions as Furiosa flees across the desert in Mad Max: Fury Road and the sun reflecting off the waves in The Meg.
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 136, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, hope your neighborhood isn't as smoky as mine, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)
Modern cars are becoming increasingly good at reminding drivers about speed limits, upcoming safety cameras and potential hazards. So much so, driving is now soundtracked by a cacophony of irritating bleeps and bloops.
But unless you've bought something new in the past few years, there's a good chance your car is missing many of these features altogether.
Even if it isn't, many factory-fitted systems are far from perfect. Speed camera databases aren't always comprehensive, speed limit recognition can be caught out by temporary signs, while built-in alerts often arrive too late or are buried beneath layers of infotainment menus.
That's where dedicated speed camera detectors come in. These discreet dashboard companions warn of fixed cameras, average-speed zones, changing speed limits and road hazards without requiring you to constantly glance at a navigation or smartphone screen.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Unlike apps such as Google Maps or Waze, most of these gadgets are designed to fade into the background. Once paired with your phone, they quietly monitor your journey, without the need to plumb a destination into the navigation, only piping up when there's something worth knowing about.
Some even integrate with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, playing alerts through your car's speakers while leaving your preferred navigation app to handle directions.
It is worth noting that the tested and models (below) are available to purchase and are perfectly fine to use in the UK and much of Europe, but aren't widely available in the US and other regions. These are five of the best dedicated speed camera detectors we'd recommend.
You might also like to check out our best dash cams guide, which is packed with buying advice, FAQs and lists the top models available in all regions today, with links to the best deals. These on board cameras can record journeys and provide you with the assurance and legal evidence needed should you get into any incidents, plus act as a security camera for parked vehicles.
1. Ooono Co-Driver NO2
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Price: £69.99 / $95 / AU$143
Rating: 5/5
Design
The Ooono Co-Driver NO2 sets the benchmark for one simple reason: it makes almost every rival feel unnecessarily complicated.
Designed in Denmark, the compact puck-shaped device looks more like a premium smart home accessory than a piece of automotive hardware. A subtle aluminum outer ring, bright wraparound LED indicator and minimalist styling mean it blends neatly into almost any dashboard without drawing attention to itself.
Its mounting system remains one of the smartest available. Rather than relying on a large adhesive pad, Ooono supplies two tiny magnetic mounting points with discreet 3M backing. Once installed, the device simply snaps into place magnetically and can be removed in seconds for charging or swapping between vehicles. An optional sun-visor mount also allows it to be positioned completely out of sight while remaining within easy reach.
Unlike the original Co-Driver, the second generation features a rechargeable battery that lasts around a month between charges and tops up via USB-C, eliminating the need for disposable batteries or permanent power cables.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
The Ooono Co-Driver NO2 sets the benchmark for one simple reason: it makes almost every rival feel unnecessarily complicated
Setup
Getting started takes a few minutes. Download the free Ooono app, pair the device over Bluetooth and grant the necessary permissions. Once configured, it automatically wakes whenever it detects your smartphone nearby, meaning there's very little to think about before setting off.
The latest generation also adds native compatibility with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing alerts to play directly through the vehicle's audio system while your preferred navigation app continues handling directions. It feels like a small upgrade but makes a noticeable difference during longer journeys, especially if you prefer keeping your phone tucked away.
Perhaps best of all, there are no subscriptions or premium membership tiers to worry about. Once you've bought the hardware, everything else is included. Bonus.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Performance
Fixed speed camera alerts arrive with plenty of notice, accompanied by bright LED flashes and clear audible warnings that are difficult to miss without becoming too irritating. Optional speed limit notifications can also be enabled, providing a gentle reminder whenever you creep above the posted limit.
Now, these can get annoying, but there’s plenty of adjustability and personalization within the accompanying smartphone app, so you can get blend just right.
Reporting hazards is also dead easy. A couple of button presses allows drivers to report mobile speed cameras, accidents or broken-down vehicles, while a dedicated cancel button quickly dismisses false alerts. The controls become second nature after only a few journeys and, crucially, never require you to look away from the road.
The only area where Ooono still trails the biggest smartphone navigation apps is community reporting. While its network continues to grow rapidly across the UK, services such as Waze can still provide more comprehensive reports for temporary hazards and mobile enforcement in some regions.
That said, Ooono's verified speed camera database is very good and rarely got things wrong during testing. Plus, its combination of stylish design, thoughtful ergonomics and genuinely useful alerts makes it the easiest dedicated speed camera detector to recommend.
2. Tom by TomTom
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Price: £69.99 / $95 / AU$143
Rating: 4/5
Design
If the Ooono is the minimalist Scandinavian option, the awkwardly-named Tom by TomTom is the slightly more extrovert cousin.
Build quality is decent, although the plastics don't feel quite as premium as the Ooono's aluminum-trimmed shell
The overall concept is basically the same: a small dashboard-mounted unit with LED alerts and physical buttons for reporting incidents. The TomTom device is a little larger and uses a full adhesive ring mount rather than Ooono's tiny magnetic points, which makes it feel more permanent once installed. There is no visor-mount option either, so it is clearly intended to live on the dashboard full-time.
The upside is visibility. The bright LEDs are among the easiest to spot while driving, particularly in strong sunlight, and the rechargeable battery lasts roughly a month between charges, meaning there is no need for a permanent power cable snaking across the cabin.
Build quality is decent, although the plastics don't feel quite as premium as the Ooono's aluminum-trimmed shell. Plus, there are fewer limited edition finishes like Ooono offers.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Setup
TomTom deserves credit for making the onboarding process almost foolproof. Again, it’s all handled through an app, where users create a free account, pair the device over Bluetooth and you're essentially ready to go. There are no subscription tiers, no payment details to enter and very little opportunity for things to go wrong.
The device automatically reconnects when you get in the car and, because it relies on your phone's data connection, camera and hazard information stays up to date without requiring manual downloads.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Performance
In daily use, the Tom by TomTom runs the Ooono devices surprisingly close. Fixed camera alerts are timely and accurate, average-speed zones are handled well and the visual warnings strike a good balance between noticeable and distracting.
The device also warns when you exceed the limit, using a combination of color changes and audible alerts that are difficult to ignore without becoming overbearing.
Reporting incidents is straightforward, with single and long presses assigned to different hazard types, although the button layout isn't quite as intuitive as Ooono's oversized top-mounted control. Finding the correct button by touch occasionally requires a little more finger fumbling than ideal.
TomTom's greatest strength remains its mapping and traffic data expertise. The camera database proved consistently accurate during testing, and the overall experience felt polished, reliable and refreshingly low-maintenance.
For many drivers, it will come down to a simple question: whether you prefer TomTom's brighter, LEDs or Ooono's more discreet industrial design and slick Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration.
3. Road Angel Pure Sync
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Price: £99.99 / $135 / AU$205
Rating: 3.5/5
Design
The Road Angel Pure Sync takes a very different approach from the puck-shaped devices above.
Instead of disappearing into the dashboard, it places a small color display front and center, showing GPS speed, speed limits and camera warnings at all times. The magnetic mount is neatly integrated with the USB-C power connection, helping to keep cable routing tidier than many older dashboard gadgets.
Unfortunately, the device still requires constant power, so there is always a cable to manage somewhere in the cabin. Build quality is also less convincing than the price suggests, with a noticeably plasticky shell and a screen that can become difficult to read in direct sunlight depending on where it is mounted.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Camera warnings arrive with plenty of notice, while the speed limit system is impossible to miss
Setup
This is, by far and away, the weakest link in the Road Angel's armor. Despite the included 12-month subscription, registration still requires payment details, which feels unnecessarily complicated when rivals simply ask you to download an app and pair a device.
Bluetooth pairing also proved temperamental during setup, requiring several attempts before the phone and hardware consistently connected. Once configured, however, the system generally behaved itself and reconnects automatically when you start the car.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Performance
Camera warnings arrive with plenty of notice, while the speed limit system is impossible to miss: the screen flashes red and the device emits a loud voice warning whenever you drift above the posted limit. In fact, the default volume is so aggressive that most drivers will probably dive into the settings menu and turn it down after the first journey.
The live GPS speed display is genuinely useful in older vehicles with optimistic analogue speedometers, although it feels less essential in modern cars that already provide accurate digital speed readouts.
Hazard reporting works well once you've memorized the controls, with incidents submitted to the Road Angel community for verification before being distributed to other users. As with all cloud-connected systems, coverage still depends on local user numbers, and Waze, Ooono and the TomTom device all remain stronger for temporary hazards in some parts of the UK.
The Pure Sync ultimately feels like a halfway house between a traditional sat-nav camera alert unit and the newer minimalist Bluetooth devices. If you value a permanent speed display and don't mind the subscription model, it remains a capable option. If simplicity is the priority, the Ooono and TomTom solutions are easier to live with.
4. Ooono Co-Driver NO1
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Price: £19.99 / $27 / AU$41
Rating: 4/5
Design
The original Ooono Co-Driver remains available and, placed beside the newer NO2, it is immediately obvious how much the design has evolved.
The first-generation unit is noticeably smaller and arguably even more discreet, blending into the dashboard almost completely once installed. However, it uses a fixed adhesive mount rather than the newer magnetic system, making it less convenient to remove or transfer between vehicles.
It also relies on a coin-cell battery rather than a rechargeable pack, although Ooono claims around a year of battery life before replacement is needed.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Setup
As before, setup is very simple and anyone can have it up and running in a matter of minutes. The device pairs with the Ooono app over Bluetooth and then quietly runs in the background using the phone's data connection and GPS. There are no subscription fees and no complicated menus to navigate.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
For the core job of warning about speed cameras, the NO1 still performs remarkably well
Performance
For the core job of warning about speed cameras, the NO1 still performs remarkably well. It uses the same Ooono camera database and community reporting network as the newer model, so alert accuracy remains strong.
What you lose are the convenience features: there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration, no rechargeable battery and no dedicated false-alert cancellation button.
For drivers who simply want reliable camera warnings in the smallest possible package, the original Co-Driver remains one of the cheapest and most discreet options on sale.
5. Snooper My-Speed Plus
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Price: £199.99 / $270 / AU$410
Rating: 3/5
Design
After spending time with the smartphone-connected devices above, the Snooper My-Speed Plus feels like a product from a different era — and that is not necessarily a criticism.
Rather than a tiny puck on the dashboard, Snooper gives you a full 5-inch color display mounted to the windshield or dash, complete with speed readouts, camera warnings and traffic information. It looks more like a compact sat-nav than a modern Bluetooth accessory, and it occupies a lot more real estate as a result.
The larger screen does have advantages. Speed limits and GPS speed are visible at a glance, while the red-and-green graphics make it very obvious when you have drifted above the limit.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
The Snooper My-Speed Plus feels like a product from a different era
Setup
Unlike the other products here, the Snooper operates independently of your smartphone. The device contains its own GPS receiver and uses Snooper's AURA camera database, so there is no need to keep a phone connected during journeys. Initial setup is straightforward, but keeping the database current requires occasional manual updates via USB using a Windows PC or Mac.
That feels decidedly old-school in 2026, but some drivers will appreciate the complete independence from apps, Bluetooth connections and mobile data.
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
Performance
Once updated, the Snooper's camera coverage is excellent. Fixed camera warnings are reliable, average-speed zones are handled well and the large display provides far more information than the minimalist LED-based rivals.
The trade-off is size and cost. At £199.99, it is by far the most expensive device in this guide, requires permanent power from a 12V socket and occupies a significant portion of the windshield compared with the almost invisible Ooono or TomTom units.
For drivers who want a dedicated, easy-to-read display without relying on a smartphone, the Snooper remains a compelling niche option. For everyone else, the newer Bluetooth-based devices generally deliver a cleaner, more modern experience.
Which should you buy?
(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)
If you simply want the best all-round experience, the Ooono Co-Driver NO2 remains the device I'd recommend. Its combination of elegant design, effortless setup, strong camera database and CarPlay and Android Auto integration makes it the easiest product here to live with every day.
The Tom by TomTom runs it surprisingly close and offers excellent value for drivers who prefer bright, visible alerts from the built-in LEDs. Road Angel Pure Sync will appeal to owners of older vehicles who value the permanent GPS speed display, while the Ooono NO1 remains a brilliant budget entry point.
The Snooper My-Speed Plus, meanwhile, occupies its own category entirely. It is larger, more expensive and more old-school than the others, but its standalone GPS operation means it doesn’t blitz data on your smartphone. Regardless, it’s absolutely massive and feels OTT compared to the others.
Audio engineer Cameron Oatley is better-known as 'GoldenSound'
He's teamed up with Status to add a special tuning profile to its Pro X buds
The result is Pro X GoldenSound; the fruit of impressively extensive labor
Sometimes in this job (as TechRadar's Audio Editor), I just get sent a set of earbuds and a press release. Sometimes, I'm invited to an online briefing so that a marketing rep can explain key terminology before I start my review process.
Rarely am I invited to a lovely pub in London, lulled into a false sense of security with a drink and a comfy chair and then taken through a brief but intense Doctorate in audio engineering.
I jest, of course. But if you've ever come into contact with either Status Audio (see the Status Audio Between 3ANC or Status Audio Pro X for previous examples of greatness) or Cameron Oatley, aka GoldenSound, you'll know that things are about to get decidedly audiophile. And given that this is a collab between the two, it's doubly so.
What you're looking at is the Status Pro X GoldenSound Edition. Yes, it's gold-tone on the top of the case and on the accents of the stems — but that's not all. Inbuilt here (and definitely not available in the non-GoldenSound variant) is a special new piece of software that Oatley thinks is the "most accurate tuning that a TWS product has ever had" and a "faithful recreation of real-world sound".
And this version will be $279 when it hits shelves in August (so $30 more than the current price of the Pro X, at $249) or around £209 / AU$400, give or take.
(Image credit: Future)
Status Audio Pro X GoldenSound: are listeners up for a Harmon Curve rewrite?
In terms of hardware, you're looking at everything built into the Status Audio Pro X, so two balanced armatures and a dynamic driver — something Status has been working with for some time and with no dearth of success.
But this time around, Oatley describes his granular approach to tuning thus: "What you measure is the IEM plus the impact of the rig" ie. your inner ear — albeit a metal tube to represent it with a mic at the end, for the purposes of his testing.
Oatley explains that the Harman Curve is often implemented incorrectly by audio engineers, because when it was developed in 2012 (and subsequently published in 2013, quickly becoming a trusted reference), true wireless earbuds hadn't yet been invented.
Because of this, the Harman Curve uses the pinna, or outer ear, as the reference point — ie. part of the "rig". But when developing in-ear products, from a purely sonic perspective (not including the creation of ANC antiphases) you can ignore the outer ear because the product starts within your ear canal. I know! Contrary to what we were taught as kids, the answer to 'My, what big ears you have!' isn't actually 'All the better to hear you with'…
(Image credit: Future)
How does all of this stack up against AirPods Pro 3?
I ask Oatley what he's most proud of with this project and he's surprisingly open: "Look, for ANC I think AirPods will always be tough to beat. But a lot of work has been done to make these sound better. These are for the user who wants the best possible sound in a true wireless design. I hope I've achieved that".
He then points me to a graph that's like the Harman Curve, but different. It's what he was able to achieve with the GoldenSound Edition. He's particularly proud of the graceful line between 80Hz and 100Hz, juicy bass frequencies he feels are more accurately relayed in the Pro X GoldenSound Edition. And I have to agree: in this area, these earbuds glitter like gold.
Let's get to the meat of the thing: listening. Both Status and GoldenSound actively encourage me to do this, and even set me up with a Qobuz screen, an LDAC source device and some AirPods Pro 3 for comparison. Oatley adds, "something tuned perfectly on a low codec is still better than something tuned badly on a higher codec", and while we all know you won't get LDAC out of AirPods, it's a very valid point.
Billie Eilish's Bad Guy is expansive and clean, with a snappy, impactful low end. Dire Straits' Money for Nothing is as brooding, snaking and exciting at the outset as you'd ever want it to be. ACDC's Back in Black? A head-nodding and beautifully regimented, cohesive mix.
What's gone are the… I hesitate to call them 'parlor tricks', but that typical V-shaped augmented treble one so often hears in designs of this type feels eased. And know this: the sound is altogether more open as a result.
(Image credit: Future)
It's not all glowing praise: during my limited time for an initial listen, you understand, I found Apple AirPods Pro 3's audio just marginally more woolly overall in direct comparison. That said, AirPods Pro 3 do have a slightly more soaring treble from the box. As such, some tracks sound more fun, forthright and zealous using the Apple product. It's the age old debate, isn't it: integrated hi-fi sound or fun, V-shaped in-ear mix?
I know my ear is keenly tuned to treble sounds (I've done the tests) but some listeners will love what's been achieved here. I spy an industry disruptor and no mistake. It's nothing if not interesting — and I'd say the industry standard was due a shake up.
I often find listeners might think they enjoy a certain tuning (typically, wearers might augment bass frequencies straight away) when in fact, if we play with their EQ settings, they actually prefer something quite different.
Here, Oatley hasn't given users the option to tweak his proprietary GoldenSound profile within the EQ settings, although you can select from 'Status Signature', 'Status Audiophile', 'Knowles Preferred' or 'Vocal Enhance' presets, or create your own using an 8-band tab set at neutral from the Status Hub app. Sadly, there's no similar visual for the presets so you really need to trust GoldenSound has done it right here. And given the extensive amount of work that's gone into them, I think your trust is well-placed.
This is not to be considered a full review, you understand. For that, I need more time. But what I can tell you right now is that the process won't be a hardship.
You don’t need a $10,000 Amflow PX Carbon Pro, but it doesn’t hurt. | Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge
Cheater, I'd grumble between huffs as yet another e-bike rider casually skittered past me on a steep ascent. It's this purist attitude that, for years, has left me blind to one simple fact: electric mountain bikes are fun!
My attitude adjustment came a few weeks ago, the very first time I rode an Amflow PX Carbon Pro fitted with the incredibly compact, lightweight, and powerful M2S motor from Avinox, a new DJI offshoot that has incumbents like Bosch and Specialized on edge. The motor doesn't make me a speed demon, but it does let me suck better by compensating whenever my poor technique kills the momentum.
As smoke from hundreds of burning wildfires spread across Canada and the United States, the first three operational satellites in the Google-backed FireSat program successfully launched into orbit. The satellites will begin providing wildfire detection capable of spotting even small fires in the United States, Australia, and Europe before the end of the year.
The launch of the microsatellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on July 7, 2026 marks a transition to “initial operational capability” for the FireSat constellation managed by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance. After a three-month testing period, the three satellites will begin actively providing data to fire agencies while covering every fire-prone region on Earth at least twice per day.
FireSat represents the first satellite constellation purpose-built for detecting wildfires, including spotting smaller fires that other satellites may miss. The satellites were designed by California-based satellite manufacturer Muon Space and have received over $15 million from Google to support initial deployment. Other notable financial supporters include the Bezos Earth Fund that committed $26 million.
Fubo prices are going up by $15 per month because it will have some NBCUniversal channels again.
For years, Fubo, a sports-centric vMVPD (virtual multichannel video programming distributor, which lets subscribers watch traditional TV channels live over the Internet), offered NBCUniversal channels. That stopped in November 2025 due to a contract dispute.
With the loss of local NBC affiliates, Telemundo, nine regional sports channels, and 32 national channels, Fubo made the sensible but rare decision to lower subscription prices in December. The Essential plan went from $85 per month to $74 per month. The Pro plan dropped from $85 to $75 per month, and the Elite plan dropped from $95 to $84 per month.
Mobile World Live (MWL) brings you our top three picks of the week as Apple took OpenAI to court over alleged trade secret theft, New York hit pause on mega data centre projects amid rising energy concerns and Nokia unveiled an AI-native RAN platform built around Nvidia’s systems.
Apple launches trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI
What happened: Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, its design startup io Products subsidiary, and former Apple employees, accusing them of a “pattern of theft” of trade secrets tied to the AI giant’s budding hardware ambitions.
Why it matters: The complaint accused OpenAI’s hardware unit, now led by ex-Apple design chief Tang Yew Tan, of using confidential product designs, insider manufacturing knowledge and supplier relationships lifted by former Apple staff. Tan allegedly pushed job candidates to bring “actual parts” from Apple to interviews for a “show and tell. ” Apple accused OpenAI, the former Apple employees, and io Products of “acting in concert and as an enterprise” to advance its hardware ambitions. Later this week, Bloomberg reported OpenAI is readying a smart speaker based on ChatGPT’s AI capabilities to enter the consumer hardware market, pitting itself against players including Apple, Amazon, and Google. Saad Filali, founder of legal advisory assistant 9Anoun AI, called the lawsuit “a real overhang” on OpenAI, warning the case “could delay its first hardware launch and complicate IPO plans.” The trial also marks a particular souring of relations between the two companies. In 2024, outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook partnered with OpenAI to build ChatGPT into iPhones as the company chased fresh AI features. However, the iPhone-maker has shifted more of its workload to Google’s Gemini this year.
What happened: New York became the first US state to halt approvals for new hyperscale data centres, introducing a one-year moratorium on facilities requiring 50 megawatts or more of power.
Why it matters: The executive order signed by Governor Kathy Hochul pauses discretionary environmental permits while the state develops new rules to “reduce the risk to our energy grid, minimise land disruption, noise pollution, and protect our natural resources, especially our water supply”. The governor added data centre operators may be required to contribute towards statewide grid investment and announced plans to repeal sales tax exemptions which currently benefit hyperscalers. Rabobank energy transition analyst Payal Kaur attributed the move to “mounting community pushback, which has been successful in stalling/cancelling data centre projects, and upcoming elections”. Meanwhile Chris Ward-Jones, co-founder and COO at cloud company blocz, said “this is more than a local planning decision”, adding, “the next wave of AI infrastructure will need to show not only where its power comes from, but who pays for the grid upgrades”. He explained projects must now show “how local resources are protected and what communities receive in return”. The moratorium reflects a wider industry challenge as companies race to expand AI computing capacity while facing rising resource constraints.
What happened: Nokia unveiled an AI-native RAN platform built around Nvidia systems, claiming it would significantly improve network efficiency while allowing operators to upgrade existing infrastructure through software.
Why it matters: The vendor said the platform already delivers a 20% increase in spectral efficiency, with gains of 50% targeted for 2027 and 100% by 2028. It described the AI-RAN platform as “one of the most significant shifts in radio network architecture in decades”, while CEO Justin Hotard said the technology “makes the network intelligent” and would help operators maximise existing infrastructure. CCS Insight research director Ian Fogg said: “The key proposition is that because Nokia’s AI-RAN is based on a software platform, Nokia and its customers can achieve significant performance improvements in future through new AI models/algorithms and without hardware upgrades.” Fogg also highlighted Nokia’s decision to support third-party silicon “rather than developing in-house silicon for 6G and beyond”, arguing the vendor’s commitment differs from Ericsson’s more open stance on RAN and adding “companies do need to place bets if they wish to gain competitive advantage”. Yet, he flagged unanswered questions around costs, including “performance per watt”, efficiency gains and rising component prices. He explained the vendor’s success will depend on “the economics of this approach and Nokia’s ability to achieve those spectral efficiency boosts”, adding, “the real test will be how well this platform performs in the field trials planned for Q4”.
The Indian government has fined HP India and its partners a total of 1.4 billion rupees (about $14.4 million) for working with reseller partners in the “cartelization” of computers, ink cartridges, and toner.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said this week that it found HP India had colluded with some channel partners to drive up the cost of bids for government contracts for computers, as well as for selling ink cartridges, toner, and other printing supplies, including graphic and digital manufacturing supplies.
It said that HP was aiming to outcompete other OEMs and discourage resellers from selling “counterfeit” ink and toner.
Europe wasted no time using its landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA) to try to rein in Big Tech. Companies like Apple, Meta, and Google have faced steep fines and orders to modify their business practices since the law came into force in 2024. And the hits keep on coming for Big Tech in Europe. After several months of consideration, the European Commission has announced new DMA measures that will force Google to support interoperability and competition in the European Union, and Google is not happy about it.
The new "specification measures" cover two elements of Google's business: Android phones and search. Both changes could theoretically increase competition and give users more choices, but Google claims they will undermine privacy and security. But as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA, Google has no choice but to comply. As the European Commission points out in its announcement, these decisions are legally binding.
On Android, Google will have to open up access to competing AI platforms. Currently, Google's Gemini gets preferential access to the system. Gemini is preloaded on all Google-certified Android phones and can wake up in response to the "Hey Google" hot word. Google's AI also includes system and app automation features, screen content access, and more.
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