Auckland Transport is trialling playing classical music to help create a more “chilled-out environment”. Read...

Jeremiah Manele has called for Pacific solidarity in an `evolving global and strategic environment` during the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders` Meeting opening plenary in Honiara. Read...

The tough environment, weather conditions or proving their guile against the cunning geese all add to the occasion for hunters, the organiser says. Read...

Mammotion announced a new robot mower navigation platform ahead of the IFA trade show in Berlin on Thursday: Its Tri-Fusion Positioning System combines LiDAR, Real-Time Kinematic (RTK), and vision capabilities into a single system. Combining two of these technologies is not uncommon. Older mowers have used a combination of LiDAR and RTK for much of the past half-decade, while combining one or the other with vision navigation has gained favor more recently. And while some robot mowers have all three technologies onboard, they aren’t necessarily connected for navigation, and serve other mower operation purposes. Mammotion says Tri-Fusion is the culmination of nine years of development effort, and that it be made available as firmware updates for its recently released Luba Mini AWD LiDAR and the Yuka Mini Vision robot lawn mowers as well as several yet-to-be-announced models. Mammotion “Whether you have a compact city garden or a sprawling countryside lawn, it delivers high-accuracy mowing in any environment, sunlit or shaded, open or obstructed, flat or hilly,” said Mammotion CEO Jayden Wei No positioning technology is perfect Each navigation technology has its own strengths and weaknesses. Vision has given mowers the capability to accurately detect and avoid obstructions, but it’s useless in low-light conditions, which is LiDAR’s strength. Vision combined with LiDAR isn’t perfect either, especially for wide-open lawns. Without any reference objects to help a mower orient itself in the world, navigation will fail. And while RTK is the best solution for precise positioning, a mower has no means of identifying obstacles in its way, and its signal is easily obstructed by trees and buildings (ask Husqvarna about that issue). By combining the three technologies into a single platform, Mammotion claims that true centimeter-level positioning accuracy can be achieved. Such a claim is not new and has been made in marketing for past Vision/RTK-enabled mowers we’ve seen and reviewed. The catch is that you need to set up the mower as closed to the manufacturer’s recommendations as possible, something I’ve yet been able to accomplish in my testing. Available in the U.S. and U.K. later in 2025 The Mammotion Luba Mini AWD LiDAR (€2,299), which can handle lawns up to 1,500 square meters (0.37 acres), was launched in Europe on July 31. The smaller Yuka Mini Vision (€1,199) is also now available in Europe. It can maintain lawns up to 700 square meters (0.17 acres). Both mowers will ship to the U.S. and U.K markets later this year. This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robot lawn mowers. Read...

Rangatahi called upon other young people to protect the environment and preserve te reo Maori. Read...

Windows 11 version 25H2 will be officially available in Fall 2025 and marks the next major feature update for Microsoft’s current operating system. The new features are already available for Insiders and can be tested in the current Windows 11 25H2 Insider Preview. Despite being categorized as an “enablement update”, the scope of the changes is considerable. The basic architecture remains identical to version 24H2, which means there are no new hardware requirements. If you don’t already have Windows 11, or just need a new license, you can grab it for 50 percent off on the PCWorld Software store right now. For all systems that are already running on 24H2, the upgrade requires minimal effort. A small enablement package activates the new functions without the need for a complete reinstallation or in-place upgrade. This procedure not only saves time, but also significantly reduces downtime, both in private households and in corporate environments. For Home and Pro editions, support is extended with the release by a further 24 months until 2027, for Enterprise and Education versions it’s even extended by 36 months until 2028. Devices with older versions such as 23H2 or Windows 10, on the other hand, must go through the classic, more extensive upgrade process. Windows Latest Thanks to the “Shared Servicing Branch”, many new features are already distributed in 24H2, but are deactivated until the Enablement Package activates them. Users benefit from around 40 percent smaller update packages thanks to the combination of servicing stack updates and other cumulative updates, which further shortens the installation time. New start menu with extended control options The revised start menu is one of the most visible changes in 25H2. It shows the pinned apps at the top, a section with recommended content such as recently used documents or programs in the middle and the complete app list below. The latter can be displayed in three modes, as a category view, as a compact grid, or as a classic list. Users can control the scope dynamically using buttons such as “Show all” or “Show less”. New personalization settings allow more pinned apps to be displayed by default or recommendations to be hidden completely. Frequently used and recently installed apps can also be displayed or hidden as desired. Companies benefit from the largely retained basic structure, as adjustments to documentation and training material are minimal. Restrictions still exist. Categories cannot yet be renamed or created, drag & drop currently only works from “All” to “Pinned”, and touch navigation currently lacks support for swipe up gestures. The start menu is supplemented by the option to display system folders such as “Settings” or “Explorer” as fixed icons in the bottom bar, which enables quick access to frequently used functions. Direct integration of smartphones via Phone Link With the new start menu integration of “Phone Link”, the connection between PC and smartphone takes center stage even more. Users can exchange files between PC and mobile devices via drag & drop, send images from Explorer directly “to my phone” or retrieve messages and content from the Start menu. The setup requires a Microsoft account for the app, but not for the Windows login. In private households, this simplifies the management of media and documents; in companies, it enables uncomplicated connection of service devices. Content can be synchronized via local networks or even mobile data connections. The implementation is considered to be more stable than in previous pre-release versions, in which Phone Link was often prone to errors. Windows Customizable widgets on the lock screen The lock screen display can be expanded with widgets, including weather, stock market prices, countdown counters or customized information sources. These elements can be customized to keep important data directly in view without unlocking the desktop. A new feature is the “Discover widgets” function, which displays suggestions for other available widgets and simplifies the selection process. For companies, this can be a way of providing employees with status information or appointments, while private users can keep an eye on birthdays or deadlines, for example. Currently, changes only take effect after a restart, which is likely to be optimized in the final version. Optimized energy management and performance diagnostics A new mechanism for throttling the CPU during idle phases reduces power consumption and extends battery life, which particularly affects mobile work devices and notebooks. In addition, Windows automatically records diagnostic data when the system reacts slowly. These logs can be sent to Microsoft via the feedback hub in order to identify the causes of performance problems more quickly. For the user, these are stored locally in the system under “%systemRoot%\Temp\DiagOutputDir\Whesvc” and are only transmitted when feedback is active. Extensions in the file explorer and in the search The File Explorer displays person icons in the “Recommended” area under the “Activity” column to make it easier to recognise who has recently worked on a file, but only when using a business or school account. In the search options, the direct link to the Bing search history has been removed; instead, access is centralised via the data protection dashboard. This change reduces redundant menu items and bundles data protection controls in one place. Higher quality system drivers through CodeQL analysis Higher quality standards will apply to driver signing in the future. Every kernel-mode driver (except graphics drivers) must pass a CodeQL scan before WHCP certification. This analysis uncovers potential errors or security gaps at an early stage and forces manufacturers to rectify them before the driver is released for Windows. This means more stable systems for OEM manufacturers and companies and a lower crash and incompatibility rate for private users. AI-supported functions and Copilot optimizations New functions are activated on devices with NPU, the so-called Copilot PCs. These include image descriptions for screen readers, live subtitles with translation options (currently still with crash problems), and intelligent text actions in “Click to Do”. The latter enables context-dependent processing of text content, such as recognizing and automatically processing certain entries. In addition, the search field in the top bar of “Click to Do” has been removed to simplify the interface. Users report long waiting times when using the app for the first time after model or build updates, which must be taken into account in corporate environments during rollouts. A new addition is the option to enter your own words in the Windows dictionary, which offers clear benefits for both private writers and companies with industry-specific vocabulary. Quick Machine Recovery and gamepad control of the on-screen keyboard With version 25H2, Windows 11 will receive an extended self-repair function, which will be introduced under the name “Quick Machine Recovery”. It builds on the Windows Recovery Environment, but extends it with the ability to automatically obtain updates or repair scripts from the Internet to resolve boot problems. If the system recognizes repeated boot errors, it automatically switches to the recovery environment, establishes a network connection and searches for suitable corrections via Windows Update. Administrators can specify whether this process should take place completely without user intervention. Activation is possible both locally, for example via configuration using Reagentc and XML files, and centrally via Intune policies. Parameters for waiting time, restart intervals and even WLAN login data can be predefined so that devices without a LAN connection can also be integrated. In Home editions, cloud-supported repair will be active by default in the future; in Pro and Enterprise environments, it must be specifically enabled. After a successful repair, Windows restarts automatically; if the repair is unsuccessful, the cycle is repeated according to the defined specifications. Thanks to this automation, Quick Machine Recovery reduces the administration effort and significantly shortens downtimes in both company networks and private installations. Thomas Joos New data protection dialogues and administrator protection 25H2 comes with revised data protection dialogues that offer more transparency when applications access data and system functions. An additional protection mechanism has been introduced for administrators, which makes unauthorized changes to the system more difficult and provides greater protection for security-critical actions. This gives companies an additional layer of security without having to resort to third-party solutions. Thomas Joos Further functional improvements and known problems Taskbar scaling adapts better to different display sizes and DPI settings. Context menus in Explorer have been optimized, new sharing options have been added, and Voice Access has been further developed. Support for Chinese and Japanese has been expanded, and in the settings under “Privacy and security” you can now see which applications are accessing Windows generative AI models. In current builds, this display is already visible in the user interface, but the full functionality will only be activated in a later update. Further adjustments relate to the toolbox, which has been improved in terms of its operation and integration. Microsoft has also fixed several bugs, such as truncated content in the notification center when the clock display is activated or a problem with dbgcore.dll, which could cause explorer.exe and other applications to crash. Known problems still exist, however: the Xbox controller can trigger a bug check on some systems when connected via Bluetooth. The Microsoft Changjie input method currently works incorrectly, which can be avoided by resetting to the previous IME version. In addition, Windows 11 25H2 supports touch keyboard control with a gamepad for the first time. This function, originally planned for 24H2, allows the on-screen keyboard to be operated without a mouse or touchscreen, which can be relevant in special application scenarios, such as on console-based workstations or for accessibility adaptations. Update strategy, insider options and rollback Microsoft emphasizes stability in 25H2. Many functions are already included in 24H2 and are only activated with the Enablement Package. For private users, this means a smooth upgrade without long installation times; for companies, it means the option to test only the new functions instead of recertifying the entire system environment. The update follows the shared servicing branch approach, which has also been used for previous upgrades, for example from 22H2 to 23H2. Mark Hachman After the official release, Microsoft offers a time window to leave the Windows Insider program and receive regular updates again. It’s also possible to completely reset 25H2 to 24H2 by uninstalling the Enablement Package without reinstalling the operating system; all 25H2 functions will then be deactivated immediately. Read...

TL;DR: 1min.AI, the all-in-one AI platform offering content creation, image generation tools, and more, is now $80 for life through September 7. If you’ve ever needed to write a cold email, draft a quick marketing plan, or whip up a polished pitch deck in minutes—this one’s for you. 1min.AI is a streamlined AI productivity tool designed to crank out business content fast, and right now you can grab lifetime access to the tool’s Advanced Business Plan for only $79.97 (reg. $540). This isn’t your average ChatGPT wrapper. 1min.AI is powered by platforms like Claude, Gemini, and more, and it specializes in business use cases, with 100+ AI-powered tools built in—from email templates and ad copy to HR docs, financial reports, and startup pitch builders. Whether you’re launching your side hustle or working in a fast-paced startup environment, it’s designed to cut hours of busywork into just a few clicks. The Advanced Business Plan gives professionals unlimited word generation, document downloads, and commercial use rights—ideal for anyone juggling multiple projects or client work. And since it’s web-based, there’s no heavy software to install or compatibility issues to deal with. Just log in, type your prompt, and get down to business. If you want to boost productivity without bloating your software stack, this deal is a solid bet. Don’t wait too long to grab this 1min.AI lifetime subscription to streamline your workday, now just $79.97 (reg. $540). Offer ends September 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 15 premium coding courses for $49.97, and Microsoft Visual Studio Professional as an added bonus for a limited time (MSRP $1,999). Learning to code takes more than just lessons—you need the right tools to put that knowledge into practice as you follow along. With this $49.97 coding bundle, you’ll get 15 courses covering today’s top programming languages and Visual Studio Pro 2022 at no extra charge, giving you a pro-grade environment to sharpen your skills. The coding curriculum covers Python, C++, JavaScript, Java, SQL, Ruby on Rails, Flutter/Dart, Salesforce, IoT automation, and even computer vision with OpenCV. With hundreds of hours of step-by-step video lessons, you’ll go from beginner concepts to building real-world projects. Once you’ve got the fundamentals down, fire up Visual Studio Pro 2022, Microsoft’s fully featured 64-bit IDE, for a professional-grade coding experience. Whether you’re building cross-platform apps with .NET MAUI, designing web UIs in Blazor, debugging C++ in Linux, or collaborating with Live Share, Visual Studio gives you everything to code smarter and faster. IntelliCode even predicts your next line of code, saving you keystrokes and brainpower. Don’t miss your chance to get this beginner coding bundle at $49.97 (MSRP $1,999). Offer ends September 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 + The Premium Learn to Code Certification BundleSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Check Point has been named a Leader in Gartner’s 2025 Magic Quadrant for Hybrid Mesh Firewalls, recognised for AI-driven threat prevention and unified security management. Read...

MSI’s latest Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG mini PC is as much smart speaker or laptop as it is a small, compact, desktop NUC: It boasts a dedicated hardware Copilot button as well as a dedicated fingerprint reader, and you can talk to it, too. Starting at $899, MSI’s little mini PC is also Copilot+ qualified, with either a Core Ultra 9 288V or Core Ultra 7 258V chip inside. Both are Core Ultra Series 2 “Lunar Lake” chips. The hardware design, however, is something special. This isn’t the first mini PC with a dedicated Copilot button — that was the Asus NUC 14 Pro AI, launched at the 2025 edition of CES. However, this is the first mini PC that I can recall with a dedicated fingerprint reader underneath the power button, a feature normally associated with laptops like the Samsung Galaxy series. Naturally, the dedicated Copilot button unlocks voice capabilities, as well. The Cubi NUC AI+ includes both a speaker and built-in mic, so you should be able to wake Copilot with a trigger word (or, alternatively, have a voice chat with Claude or ChatGPT.) Based on my own experiences, I don’t think users will want to talk to their PCs in a public environment, but MSI obviously thinks differently. All told, there’s a lot of power packed inside this mini PC, which measures 5.3 x 5.2 x 2.0 inches and weighs about 1.5 pounds without the power brick. As you might expect, the NUC lacks a dedicated GPU, leaving Intel’s very good integrated Lunar Lake GPU to shoulder the load. Naturally, the CPU also includes a 48 TOPS NPU that’s ready to run Microsoft’s AI applications like Windows Studio Effects. Users can configure the Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG with up to 32GB LPDD5X memory as well as a single M.2 2280 SSD. However, the $899 starting price reflects a bare-bones config available at B&H; a configured version of the NUC with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD sells for $1,256.99 at CDW. Otherwise, the port lineup looks like a traditional laptop: two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one accepts power), two 10Gbps USB-A ports, two 480Mbps USB-A ports, a microSD slot, two RJ-45 Ethernet ports capable of 2.5Gbps speeds, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm jack. There’s also a Kensington lock port. All in all, this is a mini PC that doubles as a new breed of smart speaker. Mini PCs have quietly emerged as one of the hottest tech products of 2025, for consumers who want a small, compact PC without the need for a laptop screen. MSI certainly has one of the more interesting offerings. Read...