If you’re evaluating new security software suite for your SMB, specific features should be prioritized before a decision is made.

10 Key Security Features That SMBs Should Focus On 

Some security software – even tools aimed at businesses – will feature unnecessary bells and whistles. This is fine, as long as the core features are present and the software suite remains usable. 

But what are the core features? When considering new business security software, look for these features: 

• Phishing and ID Theft Detection
• Antivirus and Malware Removal
• Firewall and Intrusion Detection
• Policy Management
• Profile Management
• Mobile Security Management
• Password Protection
• Cloud Dashboard and Remote Management
• VPN
• Ransomware Protection

Note that there is a chance that one or more of these features is already present in other software. Avoid duplicating features where possible to reduce the impact on your budget. 

1. Phishing and ID Theft Detection 

A huge threat to the operation of any business or organization is phishing, the main route to ID theft.

Fortinet has recorded 19 different types of phishing attacks, and each of these variations can end with theft. Consider the risks of basic phishing, smishing (where SMS is used in place of email), vishing (voice calls fool the recipient), and whaling. This is where senior company employees (executives, directors) are targeted. They might consider their position in the company hierarchy as being some form of protection.

Successful whaling attacks have been conducted with Zoom links, emails, and even through social networks. LinkedIn and Facebook in particular have become resources for scammers versed in social engineering techniques. 

Detection software that can spot phishing variants should be a priority feature in any evaluation project.

The risks of ID theft are considerable, as they can occur within the workplace and outside. Device loss or theft, home theft, and workplace theft can contribute to ID theft. Having systems in place that can detect the theft or misuse of a colleague’s ID is important. If you’re looking for new business security software, it should offer features in this area.

2. Antivirus and Malware Detection and Removal 

One of the most obvious features of any security software is the detection and removal of malicious software. Along with phishing, malicious software is one of the biggest risks to the integrity of any SMB. 

Rootkits, spyware, and keystroke loggers ("keyloggers") are particular risks that can be handled with standard anti-malware tools. Everything from worms to Trojans and ransomware should also be covered.

Real-time protection and automated removal is an ideal enhancement, and should ideally be included (basic detection and quarantine is the minimum you should be looking for).

These features should be the number one thing you look for when considering new business security software.

3. Firewall

Every system needs a firewall. Physical (hardware) firewalls are a vital aspect of any network, but software firewalls are also required. 

Implementation of any new security software should include local software firewalls. Any automated attempts to gain access to the business network can be effectively blocked. Simultaneously, authorized remote access can be correctly and safely configured.

Operating systems ship with firewalls built in, but intrusion detection is another matter. In most cases, specialized intrusion detection and prevention software is standalone. So, you shouldn’t expect it to be a feature of your business security software. However, some intrusion detection tools support integration with other solutions.

4.  Policy Management System 

Ensuring everyone is on the same page when it comes to your SMB’s online security is tricky. While training on network security and data management policies is beneficial, long-term buy-in by users is tricky to ensure. That’s where a Policy Management System (PMS) comes in.

Similar to a document management system, a PMS ensures complete coverage of policy engagement and compliance. A typical PMS features a centralized, cloud-based storage and management environment. You should also check that policy acceptance is integrated, along with tools to monitor, measure, and audit policy acceptance.

5. Profile Management 

Ensuring specific users have access to the devices, tools, and resources they need will ensure productivity. Restricting users from the things they don’t require access to can ensure improved security.

Covering everything from password length to permissions for running in-house and licensed software, profiles should be centrally managed. Many security tools integrate Microsoft’s Active Directory, which can assist in controlling network access.

One thing to note: Profile Management is difficult on Windows networks without using Active Directory. Some SMBs don’t use Active Directory, instead prefer Google Workplace or Office 365. 

6. Mobile Security Management  

One of the key elements of a modern business is mobile security. Phones, laptops, tablets, and even smart watches play their part in communication and productivity. But if left unobserved, these devices can prove to be a major security headache.

While excellent Mobile Device Management solutions are available, some business security software solutions include some MDM functionality.

The difference between standard MDM and security software MDM features should be considered, however. For example, a solution like Microsoft Defender for Enterprise includes protection for mobile and desktop devices. But this doesn’t include the more common features found in MDM tools. You won’t find asset management, inventory, application configuration, or device troubleshooting with SMB-level security tools with MDM features.

What you should find, and certainly expect, are malicious app blocking, intrusion detection, and remote resolution tools. Clearly, there is some crossover between MDM  and mobile security management features in SMB security tools. 

While evaluation of the best software is recommended, this is one area where there may be functional overlap. 

7. Password Protection 

What can password protection do to keep your business secure? 

Removing the use of weak passwords, and implementing rules to force secure passwords is the first step of password protection. While not typically associated with security software, password management is increasingly becoming integrated.

The importance of password security cannot be understated. As long as passcodes and strings are required (biometrics still rely on a master password), protection is required. This isn’t just for network access, or for emails; password protection should cover passwords for all purposes. Think beyond devices like PCs, laptops, phones, and tablets, and also consider software accounts.

Security suites targeting SMBs should include a password protection feature.

8. Cloud Dashboard and Remote Management Apps 

Off-site management of your business security tools should not be a desirable extra. This feature, which provides remote access to your solution’s cloud dashboard, should be baked into the software you choose.

Using a cloud-based dashboard means easy browser-based access to your business’s security solution. This can potentially be accessed and administered from anywhere, which is an advantage for distributed teams. It is also useful if your IT services are outsourced.

Remote management is a strong counterpart feature. While browser tools are popular on desktops, dedicated mobile apps are also an option. If the security software your SMB is considering includes cloud and remote management tools, take it to the evaluation stage.

9. VPN 

Large organizations typically use two VPNs (virtual private network). First will be the manually configured VPN that enables secure transfer of data between multiple sites. Second, the third-party VPN service enables flexible working for remote and temporary employees. This is typically used for private access to collaboration and project management tools, or third-party cloud storage.

For SMBs, setting up a manual VPN between properties is straightforward, but a third-party VPN is typically more flexible. Indeed, they boast features you won’t find in Windows 10 or 11’s built-in VPN tool. 

Business security software that offers a VPN is certainly worth considering. Even if it doesn’t, if your business isn’t already using a VPN service, it should be.

10. Ransomware Protection 

Finally, any security software solution you adopt for your business absolutely must include ransomware protection.

By encrypting data across a single device, location, server, or entire business, ransomware attackers hold a business to ransom. Some ransomware can even access cloud drives, potentially resulting in backups becoming similarly encrypted.

Without the decryption key, business data is lost.

Ransomware is perhaps the greatest risk facing small and medium businesses and enterprise-level operations and organizations alike. While ransomware attack attempts are decreasing from a 2021 high of 623.25 million to 317.59 million in 2023 (Statista), it is still a huge risk. The potential payday for a successful ransomware operation is in six or seven figures, depending on the target. 

As ransomware removal is difficult without the correct tools and encryption keys, mitigation is often unsuccessful. Alternatively, it can be deemed cheaper to pay up (perhaps after negotiation) than to spend money on decrypting files.

Any business security software that you plan to evaluate should have protection against ransomware.

Other Security Software Features for SMBs to Consider  

While your business security software should feature all 10 of the above tools, a handful of other features are useful. 

Patch Management

A significant portion of potential security issues are caused by zero-day vulnerabilities. These weaknesses can often be exploited before the vendor (Microsoft, Adobe, etc.) becomes aware of them. 

Patch management is a huge aspect of handling security issues. It’s not quite plugging the holes before the ship sinks; vulnerabilities can take time to exploit. While patch management might seem like a reaction, effective management and implementation of patches is a proactive solution. Every security issue you can think of (including ransomware) can be defended against with patch management.

SMB-level security software that handles patch management is unusual, however.

File Shredding

Sensitive documents regularly need to be removed from network storage. Whether this is due to unforeseen duplication, discarding old storage devices, or meeting GDPR or other data retention practices, simple deletion of most documents is not the answer.

Instead, full deletion using file shredding software should be employed. 

Basically the digital equivalent of a paper shredder, file shredder tools ensure complete destruction of data. Shredding leaves data unreadable, but rather than cutting it into strips, data is overwritten multiple times. This is necessary because data deleted in the usual way (say, Shift + Delete) can be “undeleted” with dedicated tools. Data shredding doesn’t just overwrite data, it replaces it with random data, which is then also overwritten.

(Note that there is a similar practice, data shredding, which physically shreds a hard drive or SSD.)

File shredding tools are commonplace across all types of security software and PC utilities. As such, you will probably find that this is a something included in the business security software suites you’re considering.

Escalation to Specialist

In-house SMB IT teams can be found handling everything from desktop support to dealing with device and service licensing. In most cases this dynamic works well, but what happens if there is a cyberattack or data security incident?

Where problems cannot be dealt with in-house, the answer is to bring in a specialist. While your IT colleagues may be capable of delivering a solution, a software specialist can typically resolve issues faster.

Escalation is expensive, however, which can prevent some issues from being dealt with. In-house teams tend to aim for easy fixes on a case-by-case basis, with larger issues left to senior specialists. While this might work for most situations, having the option to escalate to a specialist is good to have. If the software security solution you’re evaluating includes this as an option that suits your budget, it is worth using.

Remember, while these features are useful, they’re not “must-haves.” The 10 security features in the list above are the ones every SMB needs.

EDTR Solutions Are for Enterprise, not SMBs 

EDTR (Endpoint Detection and Threat Response) is the overarching title given to software that handles all of the above. In fact, EDTR usually squeezes in more (perhaps local hosting and enhanced support), charging a monthly per-device subscription.

SMBs typically don’t have the budget for this level of security, which is why business security software needs careful selection. 

But if we’re to have a true successor to the original portable, there are several changes and improvements I want to see before it takes the fight to the Steam Deck, which is still the best PC gaming handheld on the market.

Fix the Windows UI

One of the biggest issues with the Asus ROG Ally across the board is its UI, which is very clunky and difficult to use. While the Lenovo Legion GO isn’t perfect, Windows 11 is much easier to use due to it being molded for a portable touchscreen — it’s much harder to navigate the screen with the ROG Ally. Compared to the Steam Deck’s near-perfect and fully customized UI, the ROG Ally needs to upgrade to compete on its next go-around. Especially with the Steam Deck 2 looming over it.

Then there’s Armoury Crate, which required an update before you could seamlessly launch any of the best PC games. At the original portable’s launch, you were forced to use that game’s platform regardless of having Armoury Crate. If we’re truly getting a sequel, the UI needs to be in top shape at launch and not months later receiving basic UI updates.

Ventilation needs improvement 

Another issue with the Asus ROG Ally is its ventilation system. While not the worst around, due to its smaller size, it has trouble releasing the vast amount of heat it generates during gameplay, unlike some bigger handhelds. The sequel needs to run more efficiently and reduce the heat it releases.

There’s also the way the ROG Ally releases heat that needs changing. Instead of venting it through the bottom or lower back, it releases the hot air through the top of the system. This way, when a user reaches for a button, they won’t lay their hand over the exhaust vents which can get quite hot, which could possibly be dangerous or at the very least uncomfortable.

More tools and features at launch

The Asus ROG Ally received more support after its launch, including a recent feature called AMD Fluid Motion Frames. This artificially generates extra frames during gameplay to increase a game’s framerate, which works across all DX11 and DX12 PC games. And if Asus is planning on releasing a successor system, then features like this and others need to be built in when it first launches. 

At the very least, additional partnerships with AMD to co-release updates would be ideal. That also goes for all the other updates it’s received since the ROG Ally released, as performance needs to be as stable as possible to better compete with its rivals.

If Asus can implement at least two of these three enhancements, then it’ll have an absolutely killer handheld on its hands, one that could easily take on and even surpass its biggest rival the Steam Deck.

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Firstly, tell us a little about the purpose and driving factors behind your recent survey.

Our recent survey aimed to address the persisting challenge of failed CRM deployments, despite CRM being one of the most mature segments in the tech market. This issue spans across businesses of all sizes, from SMBs to enterprises.

Read our guide to the best CRM for small business.

By shedding light on the factors influencing CRM deployment success, we hoped to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve better outcomes. Ultimately, our survey was driven by a desire to enhance satisfaction with CRM deployments and empower businesses to maximize the value of their CRM investments.

In the survey you mention that participants show a strong preference for human support over AI-powered solutions in CRM - why do you think this is?

The strong preference for human support over AI-powered solutions in CRM, as indicated by the survey findings, underscores the irreplaceable value that human interaction brings to technology implementations.

Businesses and their employees seek more than just digital assistance; they value the nuanced support and guidance that only humans can provide when navigating complex technology implementations. While AI-powered support may offer efficiency and cost-effectiveness, it often falls short of meeting the personalized needs and expectations of CRM users.

For CRM users, AI certainly has its merits in streamlining certain processes and providing data-driven insights. However, it lacks the empathy, understanding, and adaptability inherent in human interactions. Human support offers a level of reassurance and responsiveness that AI-driven solutions cannot replicate, particularly in situations requiring nuanced decision-making and problem-solving.

Do you believe AI has a role in the future of CRM? If so, how and where?

Yes, AI undeniably has a significant role to play in the future of CRM. While our survey highlighted its limitations in providing support, particularly in comparison to human interaction, AI holds immense potential in other areas of CRM.

One of the most promising applications of AI in CRM is its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and surface valuable insights and recommendations. With the sheer volume of data stored in CRM systems, AI-powered algorithms can identify patterns, trends, and correlations that may not be immediately apparent to human users. These insights can inform strategic decision-making, personalized customer interactions, and predictive analytics, ultimately driving business growth and innovation.

Similar to how people have grown accustomed to seeking insights and predictions from AI-powered platforms like ChatGPT, this functionality will become integral to CRM systems. By integrating AI capabilities seamlessly into CRM platforms, businesses can harness the power of data-driven insights to enhance their customer relationships, optimize processes, and stay ahead of the competition.

At Workbooks, we are actively working on integrating AI functionality into our CRM solutions to empower businesses with cutting-edge tools for data analysis, prediction, and decision-making. As AI continues to evolve, we believe it will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of CRM, driving efficiency, productivity, and success for businesses across industries.

Read our full Workbooks review.

Apart from the need for human support, which other finding(s) from your survey do you find most interesting? Why? 

One of the most interesting findings from our survey is the importance of how customers deploy and manage their CRM systems. While having cutting-edge technology is essential, it's equally crucial that businesses are able to effectively leverage their CRM investments to achieve their intended business outcomes.

Our research highlights that the success of CRM deployments goes beyond mere adoption or insights; it hinges on delivering tangible value against the business case that justified the investment in the first place. Whether it's enhancing customer experience, generating leads, improving lead conversion rates, or fostering repeat business, our survey underscores the critical importance of achieving a substantial return on investment (ROI) from CRM deployments.

What makes this finding particularly compelling is the correlation between direct engagement with CRM vendors for licenses and deployment support and the resulting ROI. Our research suggests that businesses that engage directly with CRM vendors tend to achieve a more substantial ROI compared to those that involve consultants or implementation partners once the deal is done.

This insight sheds light on the significance of the vendor-customer relationship throughout the CRM lifecycle. By fostering direct engagement with CRM vendors, businesses can access the expertise, support, and resources needed to maximize the value of their CRM investments and drive sustainable business growth.

Ultimately, our survey findings highlight the importance of strategic decision-making and proactive engagement with CRM vendors in ensuring the success of CRM deployments. By aligning deployment strategies with business objectives and leveraging the support of CRM vendors, businesses can unlock the full potential of their CRM systems and realize significant returns on their investments.

What can businesses be doing across the board to ensure that AI doesn’t negatively impact customer relationships?

To ensure that AI doesn't negatively impact customer relationships, businesses can take proactive steps to build trust and address nuanced needs:

Build trust & confidence: Establishing a strong, ideally direct relationship with a technology vendor fosters trust and confidence in AI-driven solutions. Human interaction plays a crucial role in facilitating open communication, allowing businesses to voice concerns, ask questions, and receive personalized solutions throughout the process. By fostering a collaborative partnership with their technology vendors, businesses can address concerns and ensure that AI solutions align with their specific needs and objectives.

Address nuanced needs: Businesses have unique requirements and challenges that AI bots may struggle to address effectively. Human support teams possess the flexibility, expertise, and empathy necessary to navigate these complexities and provide tailored solutions. Whether it's during deployment, training, or ongoing support, human support teams can offer personalized assistance, troubleshoot issues, and adapt solutions to meet evolving business needs. 

By prioritizing trust-building and addressing nuanced needs, businesses can harness the potential of AI while maintaining strong and positive relationships with their customers. This balanced approach ensures that AI enhances rather than detracts from the overall customer experience, driving long-term success and satisfaction.

I was a big advocate for 1TB being perfect for everyone ever since we knew about the PS5’s SSD bay. In the run-up to the firmware update that made the SSD bay usable, and in the months – and years – that followed I was utterly confident that 1TB was the absolute sweet spot. It was plentiful in terms of its literal storage space being both enough for a big library, and not ridiculously large (who is honestly playing 4TB or 8TBs worth of games?), and the prices were agreeable without being outrageous. 

However, in 2024, I think the tide has turned when it comes to the best SSDs for PS5. It feels as though a single terabyte of extra PS5 storage, while certainly serviceable, just doesn’t cut it anymore and 2TB is now where it’s at.

With game sizes increasing with every release season, ever-expanding live-service games, as well as having to reinstall big beasts for new expansions, or revisit classics from previous generations through remasters, and some incredible blockbusters which offer immense replayability and continual exploration, 2TB of storage is flat-out fast becoming a necessity when looking for more console storage.

In with the new…

A big part of the need for 2TB now is due to the simple influence of old Father Time. However, there’s a little more to it than ‘more time = more games’, and it’s a bit more nuanced than that. 

Yes, there are more games than ever for the PS5 because we’re now deep into its fourth year, or as Sony puts it, the “latter half of the PS5’s life cycle”. Games are still being released for PS4 too, which also contributes to this massive, growing library given the PS5’s ability to play PS4 games via backwards compatibility. 

But it’s the size and ambition of these games that make them more extraordinary and thus have a bigger impact on our consoles’ storage. More of these games are exceptional, incredibly engrossing, and highly replayable, making them titles you want to keep to hand for longer – Baldur’s Gate 3 and its 108GB file size is a perfect example. Games like it are the ones you’ll keep installed for a very long time, always taking up precious, though well-earned, hard drive space. 

Recent games like Diablo 4 are absolutely worth keeping installed with their seasonal content and plentiful reasons to keep jumping back in. Meanwhile, Sea of Thieves (60+GB when I downloaded it the other day) has just launched on PS5 too, which has a chunky install size and is only going to get larger with time and extra content.

Single-player games in the past year or so have been exceptional too. Adventures like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (nearly 90GB) and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (a whopping 150-odd GB) are massive, and have new game plus modes or open worlds to keep going in. Meanwhile, huge solo games like Dragon’s Dogma 2 (60+GB) are games that will keep folks entertained for months. 

And if you’re a fan of fighting games or sports too? Better throw in your title of choice here from the last year or so, squeezing in another space-demanding beast or two. 

…and also in with the not-so-new

We’re in the age of the remasters this generation too, as well as opportunities to revisit colossal games. The former has seen some huge hits allowing us to dip into previous generations in pretty spectacular ways. Dead Space (30GB), Resident Evil 4 (58GB), and The Last of Us Part I, and Part 2 Remastered (both around 80GB) are all heftily-sized bangers requiring a healthy amount of storage.

However, other big games have seen new breaths of life through expansions and add-ons that make them worthy of hard drive space once again, years after their initial release. Want to jump into Kratos’ roguelike Valhalla DLC? Better reinstall all of God of War Ragnarok (c.85GB). Keen to check out Phantom Liberty? That’ll be all of Cyberpunk 2077 (c.90GB) reinstalled then.

Throw in your enormous live service games like Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (an enormous 235GB) or Call of Duty Warzone (reported to be 173GB to download from scratch earlier this year by users), and Apex Legends (70+GB on my PS5 right now). That’s all a recipe for a full-to-bursting hard drive. We used to make throwaway, but genuinely accurate, remarks about needing an SSD just for Call of Duty; it’s now the case that many folks will need extra storage for Call of Duty and everything else.

If file sizes continue to creep up, and this mix of release ‘types’ keeps going, then, from a practical sense alone, it makes 2TB drives a more worthwhile investment.

Death, taxes, and the fall of tech prices

Another attraction of a 2TB drive is that the prices on them have dropped considerably. However, price cuts aren’t the only positive here: it’s the resulting value they offer – how much you get for your cash – that makes them truly worth consideration.

They’re not necessarily double the price of a 1TB drive, as they have been in prior years. They’re now often far, far less than the price of two single terabyte drives combined. Over deals seasons we have even seen 2TB PS5 SSDs drop to or just below the $100 / £100 mark which is incredible value for money.

However, even in leaner times, like recent months, when 1TB SSDs have stubbornly held their price of around $100 / £100, a 2TB SSD that costs $150 / £150 or even $170 / £170 is a no-brainer on the value front. Bagging the second terabyte in particular for less than a 1TB drive is the best part of the value on offer.

One eye on the future

While the number of excellent games does take a toll on storage nowadays, the other side of the coin when it comes to 1TB now not being enough, or getting dangerously close to not enough, is that 2TB will offer some futureproofing; not least due to the extra headroom it offers.

And with a PS5 Pro very likely on the horizon, there’s more cause than ever for extra room. We know games that were enhanced for the PS4 Pro were often larger in file size, and that’s likely to be the same with a PS5 Pro. Throw in some PS5 Pro patches for existing PS5 games and we’ll be swimming in data once again. I haven’t even mentioned GTA 6 yet either…

The truth is that something like a 1.5TB would be the next sweet spot. But in the face of no such drive existing, it’s clear that a 2TB capacity PS5 SSD and its extra headroom is the optimal capacity for what is still the best PS5 accessory you can get. 

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Don't get me wrong, I'll come away from this walk in my local woods that's bursting with fragrant bluebells and wild garlic with some pictures I'm super-excited about (see below), but boy do I have to work that much harder to get the results I want. And without wanting to lug a tripod around, I actually can't get the same degree of sharpness in my pictures from this day in the dim conditions under a dense tree canopy. 

There are aspects of the Nikon D800's handling that I really enjoy and mixing up creative tools keeps me fresh as a photographer, but overall my mirrorless camera is a much more streamlined experience and I'm still glad that I made the leap from a Nikon DSLR to the Z6 II. Let's look at where my DSLR struggles begin. 

1. Carrying the gear

My Nikon D800 from 2012 is an extra 50% heavier than the Nikon Z6 II I'm now used to, and also the Z7 II that is arguably my DSLR's modern day equivalent. The 70-200mm f/2.8 F-mount lens is also heavier than the mirrorless Z-mount version, although not by much. Overall, there's approximately a 20% reduction in weight in the mirrorless version of my DSLR camera and lens pairing. 

The DSLR camera body is also bulkier, and I notice this quickly with the chunkier handgrip. In some ways it's actually a better balance with the fairly large telephoto lens than what my mirrorless camera offers, but in practice I'm wanting to place the DSLR down quicker than mirrorless. 

When you're repeating the motion of bringing the camera's viewfinder up to your eye to compose a shot, the strain starts to take hold quite quickly. 

2. Composing the shot

I like the D800's optical viewfinder (OVF), a lot. It's a bright and big display through which I can immerse myself in the scene. And it's one less digital screen to look at, and I'm all for that. 

However, what you don't get with an OVF, like you do with a mirrorless camera's electronic viewfinder (EVF), is exposure preview, which is supremely helpful as you go about taking photos. You get a bright display but potentially a very different looking final image, both in brightness and depth of field / bokeh. 

That can cause a problem for me because I tend to fiddle with exposure compensation based on the mood I want in the picture. It's all too easy to leave the camera at -2EV for a low-key effect and unwittingly carry on shooting dark pictures because the end result is not reflected in the OVF display. Overall, I prefer an optical viewfinder display for the feeling and an electronic viewfinder to meet my practical needs. 

Another point regarding my D800 is that its screen is fixed, whereas my mirrorless camera has a tilt display which is super helpful for shooting at low angles, which I often do especially in scenarios like this. Some DSLRs like the Nikon D850 also have a moveable screen, but most don't, and once you're used to working from a tilting or swivel screen, it's hard to go back to a fixed one. 

3. Focusing issues

Focusing isn't bad with the D800. It's actually very good, but it's not as refined as the Z6 II mirrorless camera. It's evident as I pinpoint certain bluebells – the focus points simply aren't small enough. I wrestle with autofocus as it hunts for the subject that's right there, more so than with mirrorless. 

If I was taking portraits today, I'd be much more relaxed with my mirrorless camera too thanks to its reliable subject and eye detection autofocus, whereas my D800 has regular back-focusing issues.

I've also become accustomed to composing shots through the Z6 II's LCD display, often instead of the viewfinder. If I try to do the same – autofocusing through the D800's Live View – it is a significantly worse experience, too. Nikon DSLRs aren't really designed to be used for photography with autofocus through Live View, though Canon DSLRs do a better job. 

That said, I tend to use my DSLR's Live View when manually focusing for landscape photography instead of the viewfinder. With Live View I get focus magnification for a closer look so I can be sure I've acquired sharp focus where it matters. Again, it's just a shame that the LCD screen is hard to see at awkward angles. 

4. No image stablization

The single thing I miss the most when opting for my DSLR over mirrorless is in-body image stabilization, which in the Z6 II enables me to shoot handheld in more situations. 

I remember when I first bought my D800 just how unforgiving its 36MP sensor was regarding camera shake and its resulting effect – softening detail. At the time, my golden rule to calculate the minimum acceptable shutter speed for sharp shots was shutter speed equals the focal length of your lens – for example, 1/200sec when shooting at 200mm. 

That rule went out the window with the D800, the highest resolution full-frame sensor ever, and I would have to be conservative by around 2EV. At the same 200mm focal length a faster than normal 1/1000sec was as slow as I could go really. Or I could bring out the tripod to eliminate camera shake.

I don't want a tripod for my shooting techniques where I need maximum portability, like this day in the woods, nor do I want to damage the woodland and bluebells – I need a light footprint. No, I'm going handheld all the way.

Now I'm in these woods shaded by a dense tree canopy and the shutter speed I need to use with the 70-200mm lens requires a high ISO, even with the f/2.8 aperture. Put simply, the quality of detail I can get in this scenario cannot match what I can with my mirrorless camera which is equipped with image stabilization and able to shoot at slower shutter speeds and low ISO because it compensates camera shake.

The photos I came away with using my DSLR

Visually most woodlands are messy. You have to search long and hard for tidy compositions such as a single tree standing out from the rest. Or you can embrace and work with the chaos. 

I've intentionally used a telephoto lens and shot through branches and leaves to add layers, a sense of depth and to bring in those elements that you otherwise have to work so hard to avoid. And I'm certainly not about to cut away branches or rip up flowers to get the shot I want.

My overall experience bringing my DSLR back out of retirement was fine, but it has reminded me how mirrorless has evolved the camera experience for the better. Ultimately mirrorless is a more refined experience than a DSLR in just about every department. 

Images are better, too. I haven't been able to shoot handheld at ISO 100 under dense tree cover like I could with mirrorless, and there's just an edge of softness in my pictures caused by subtle camera shake that I don't have with mirrorless. I'm less concerned with my DSLR's inferior corner sharpness and pronounced vignetting compared to mirrorless. 

I'm not about to sell my DSLR – I'll give it another run out soon. It's just I've been reminded the extra dedication needed to the craft in order to come away with the pictures that I'm happy with. As I own both a DSLR and mirrorless camera, opting for the DSLR feels like taking the hard path. 

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Users must prepare to upgrade or adjust as the Windows 10 end-of-support date nears. The end of support implies that Microsoft will stop providing security updates, technical assistance, and bug fixes for this operating system. Running Windows 10 afterward carries significant security and performance risks.

These editions will keep receiving Windows 10 updates until the end of the support date:

• Windows 10 Home
• Windows 10 Pro
• Windows 10 Enterprise
• Windows 10 Education

After October 2025, only businesses using the Windows 10 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) version will continue receiving updates because of the extended lifecycle they paid higher prices for.

Let’s dive deeper into understanding Windows 10 and what the imminent end of support means for this system. 

When was Windows 10 released? 

Microsoft formally released Windows 10 on July 29, 2015. It was the direct successor to Windows 8.1, which Microsoft released two years earlier. 

Windows 10 dominated the PC market soon after its release. By March 2020, over one billion devices had it installed, making it the most popular Windows version worldwide. Windows 10’s PC market share peaked at over 80% in 2021, when Microsoft introduced the subsequent Windows 11. Despite the newer version, Windows 10 still retains a nearly 70% market share in 2024, while Windows 11 sits at 28%. 

Windows 10 release cycle 

Microsoft has added many updates since Windows 10’s initial release in 2015. The company began with semi-annual updates before transitioning to annual updates.

• Version 1507 (Initial release) - July 29, 2015.
• Version 1511
• Version 1607
• Version 1703
• Version 1709
• Version 1803
• Version 1809
• Version 1903
• Version 1909
• Version 2004
• Version 21 H2.
• Version 22 H2.

Each version has a specific lifespan – Microsoft announces the end of support date with each release.

Microsoft released the final Windows 10 version (22 H2) in October 2022 and announced the OS's end-of-support date to be October 2025. After this date, most users have no choice but to upgrade to a higher version or choose another operating system like Linux or Chromebook. 

Transitioning from Windows 10 

As the Windows 10 end-of-support date nears, the logical step is upgrading to Windows 11 if you want to stay plugged into the Microsoft ecosystem. Windows 11 is easy to use and understand. You’ll have no problems navigating it because it shares many similarities with its predecessor. However, you’ll notice that Windows 11 has better performance and some advanced features not available on Windows 10.

Upgrading to the Windows 11 OS

You need these system requirements to install and use Windows 11:

• Processors/CPUs: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores.
• RAM: At least 4 GB.
• Storage: 64 GB or higher.
• System Firmware: UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) and Secure Boot capable.
• Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
• Internet Connectivity and Microsoft Accounts: The initial setup requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.
• Display: High-definition (720p) display greater than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per color channel. A lesser screen size means you might not see the whole user interface.

Your device must run Windows 10, version 2004 or later, to upgrade directly to Windows 11. Microsoft offers free updates if you meet this requirement. You can use the built-in PC Health Check app to see if your current PC qualifies for a direct Windows 11 upgrade.

Migrating to other operating systems

If your hardware is not compatible with Windows 11, or you just prefer migrating to another operating system, you have several options:

• Linux
• macOS
• ChromeOS

Linux

Linux is the most popular open-source desktop operating system. You can download it from the official website and install it on your PC. The main advantage is that it is very customizable, as the source code is available for users to modify. You can customize your PC’s look and interface much more than you can on a Windows OS.

Linux is also very secure because of its architecture. It’s much more difficult for viruses to gain system-level access on Linux than on other operating systems. Even if a virus does gain this access, it’s easy to eliminate it.

Linux's main drawback is its complexity. This OS is difficult to set up, especially for non-technical users. There’s no single organization responsible for support and updates, making it challenging to get technical help. Unlike Windows, where you can quickly contact the support team to get solutions, maintaining your Linux OS is mainly your responsibility.

macOS

macOS is the operating system for Mac laptops and desktops. This OS offers a stellar interface you can easily navigate. It’s easy to set up, and you enjoy frequent guidance and support from Apple’s team, similar to what Microsoft offers.

The drawback is that you need to buy a Mac laptop or desktop to use this operating system. Mac PCs are famously expensive, unlike Windows PCs, which have many budget-friendly options.

ChromeOS

ChromeOS is a Linux-based operating system created by Google for its Chromebook brand of laptops. This OS is unique because it uses the Google Chrome web browser as its principal user interface.

ChromeOS is an ideal choice if you mainly use web-based applications requiring little processing power. However, it doesn’t support heavy applications because of limited storage space and processing power—for example, you can’t run the full version of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and other Office tools with ChromeOS. Because of the limited storage space, almost everything is stored on the cloud, which puts ChromeOS at a competitive disadvantage compared to Windows and Linux.

Windows 10 Edition differences 

Windows 10 comes in various editions, mainly:

• Home
• Pro
• Enterprise
• Education

Home and Pro

Windows 10 Home is the basic version designed for a general audience. Most people use it on their PCs, giving them access to relevant features like Cortana, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Office tools.

Windows 10 Pro is an advanced version of the Home edition. It’s designed for businesses rather than individuals and has better security features. Windows 10 Pro comes with BitLocker device encryption, which lets users encrypt their disk drives to prevent theft or unauthorized access. It also has remote desktop functionality, allowing users to control another Windows PC remotely.

Likewise, Windows 10 Pro allows users to join a domain or Azure Active Directory. The Professional edition is designed for business use, while the Home edition is intended for individual use.

Enterprise

The Windows 10 Enterprise edition caters to the needs of midsize or large organizations. It has advanced security features to protect users against sophisticated malware. Companies get flexible deployment, support, and update options with Enterprise.

Windows 10 Enterprise has everything you’ll find in the Pro version, plus the following:

• Device Guard to prevent malicious code from running on a PC.
• Applocker for companies to control the apps employees can access on their work PCs. IT administrators can block unknown or potentially harmful apps across all corporate PCs.
• Credential Guard to isolate user credentials, like passwords, from the rest of the operating system. This feature helps prevent hackers from stealing sensitive credentials and breaking into a company’s network.
• Windows Analytics to give companies valuable insights about the PCs connected to their network.
• Virtualization tools that let users run virtual machines.

Education

Windows 10 Education is tailored for schools and educational institutions. It includes the features in the Enterprise edition plus custom management controls that schools often request. For example, Windows 10 Education doesn't have Cortana, and school administrators can control what apps users can install on their PCs.

Windows 10 security updates

No operating system is released completely free from security bugs. People discover new bugs regularly, and Microsoft releases security updates to fix such issues. The company has clarified that Windows 10 will receive security updates and patches until 14 October 2025.

Updates are the periodic fixes Microsoft releases to defend users against new threats and improve their PC's reliability.

In contrast, patches focus on specific bugs that people have identified. Microsoft releases patches to fix those flaws, often identified by third parties, and protect users from malicious threats.

To check if your Windows 10 OS needs an update, click Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates. If you see an update available, install it. You're using the latest version if you don’t see any available updates.

After October 2025, most Windows 10 users will stop receiving security updates and new features. Only businesses on the long-term servicing channel (LTSC) plan will continue getting Extended Security Updates as they transition from Windows 10. They won’t get any new features or design changes, only security patches to protect them against cyber threats.

Windows 10 end of support: impact on individuals & businesses 

The end-of-life support for Windows 10 will significantly impact individual and business users. 

Individual PCs running Windows 10 will continue working. However, the lack of ongoing security updates increases the risk profile of using such PCs. Demand for PCs without ongoing security updates will be low, so it’ll be more challenging to sell or swap devices incapable of upgrading to Windows 11. According to Canalys Research, Windows 10’s end of support could cause 240 million PCs to be disposed of. 

Businesses must plan for hardware and software upgrades. If their current devices lack the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11, companies have no choice but to buy more advanced PCs. They must also evaluate the benefits of Windows 11’s features against their needs.

Technical support for Windows 10 users will be limited after the end of support. Microsoft will stop providing official assistance for Windows 10 issues, except for helping users upgrade to Windows 11 or later versions. Hence, you should mark your calendar and start preparing to upgrade or migrate to another OS.

Preparing for end-of-support

• Regular updates: Ensure your PC gets all the available updates leading up to October 2025. This action keeps your PC as secure as possible as you work to upgrade or migrate.
• Data backup: Back up your files frequently to avoid data loss when upgrading or migrating to another operating system.
• Explore your options: Start shopping around for alternatives. If your device is compatible, we advise upgrading to Windows 11 to continue enjoying the features you're used to and get full updates and technical support.
• Evaluate compatibility: The PC Health Check app can assess whether your device is eligible for a Windows 11 upgrade. If so, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free. The average download size is 20 to 27 GB, but Microsoft requires at least 64 GB of free space for a successful upgrade.

Support resources for Windows 10 users post end-of-support 

Microsoft will stop providing official assistance for Windows 10 issues post-October 2025, but users can still access some support resources to resolve their issues.

The Microsoft Support page contains extensive tutorials, user guides, and manuals concerning all Windows 10 features. These resources can help solve your issues when you can’t get official assistance.

The Microsoft Community forum has millions of daily users exchanging solutions to each other’s problems. You can ask questions on this forum and get good answers.

Third-party websites like XDA Developers, WinBuzzer, and BleepingComputer keep you informed about Microsoft's changes and provide tutorials to solve many issues.

Before we dive into why PHEVs are generally a bad idea, here’s a quick disclaimer. I’ve been driving battery EVs for six years now (I’ve owned two Tesla Model 3s back-to-back), and as a car journalist, I’ve tested almost every battery EV available in the US over the last decade, plus my fair share of PHEVs. Since 2018, I’ve been doing road trips in battery EVs multiple times a year all over the Western US.

Because I live in an apartment, I have to park on the street, and I can’t charge at home. I’m also a car enthusiast, and I prefer sporty vehicles that perform and handle well. Obviously, I’m not the average consumer. We all have different priorities, different budgets, and different comfort levels around change. And yes, the EV charging infrastructure isn’t evenly distributed yet. But if you’re looking at PHEVs right now, hear me out.

What are PHEVs?

What are PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles)? In a nutshell, PHEVs are hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles that can be plugged into a power outlet. Unlike regular hybrids, which require gasoline and are basically ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles outfitted with a small battery and electric motor to improve fuel efficiency, PHEVs usually feature a larger battery, plus a charging port (just like battery EVs).

PHEVs typically have an EV-only range of up to 40 miles, after which the ICE kicks in and they behave like regular hybrids – fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles. This means you can plug your PHEV into a power outlet every night and drive up to 40 miles a day on electricity without using a drop of gas. And since the average American drives less than 40 miles per day, a PHEV makes it possible to drive 100% electric every day.

Then, if you need to drive farther – like on a road trip – you can fall back on good ole’ dino juice (gasoline), so you don’t have to deal with finding one of those pesky DC fast charging stations or – god forbid – waiting 20 minutes for a charge every 2-3 hours. Plus, your PHEV probably has a gasoline range of over 400 miles. Suck it, battery EVs! Sounds ideal, right? Unfortunately, it’s not. PHEVs are the worst of both worlds.

PHEVs are still gas vehicles

The inconvenient truth is that at the core, PHEVs are still basically gas cars. Sure, they also include a small EV drivetrain, but they are based on the same platform as their hybrid and gasoline twins, with the same packaging and safety compromises. So, unlike most battery EVs, which are built on a bespoke platform, PHEVs don’t have a frunk (front trunk), or a flat floor, or anywhere near the same amount of interior space.

With an ICE (internal combustion engine) under the hood, you don’t benefit from the low center of mass, near 50/50 weight distribution, and massive front crumple zone offered by most battery EVs. This makes PHEVs worse in terms of active (handling) and passive (crash) safety. Also, most PHEVs (even AWD ones) are based on a FWD (front-wheel drive) architecture, so driving dynamics are inherently compromised.

Then, there’s maintenance. While battery EVs basically just need new tires, new wiper blades, and wiper fluid refills, PHEVs require the same maintenance as other gas cars – regular fluid changes (oil, coolant, and transmission), plus tune-ups and emissions tests. So, with PHEVs, you don’t benefit from the same maintenance savings as battery EVs – other than reduced brake wear from regenerative braking.

PHEVs are lackluster EVs

As I mentioned above most battery EVs are built from the ground up on a bespoke platform – typically a “skateboard” with the motor(s) and electronics located between the front and rear wheels, and a large battery pack mounted in the floor between the front and rear axles. Thanks to the battery’s low center of mass and the motors’ high torque, the vast majority of battery EVs deliver better handling and acceleration than PHEVs.

When driving on electricity alone, PHEVs are hampered by a smaller battery and electric motor than battery EVs, plus the weight of the unused ICE (internal combustion engine) and other related components. For maximum performance, PHEVs must combine their electric motor and ICE, and thus burn gas. Plus, most PHEVs lack the regenerative braking settings and one-pedal driving modes that make battery EVs such a pleasure to drive.

To make matters worse, PHEVs are not significantly lighter or more affordable than similar battery EVs. For example, let’s compare a popular PHEV – the Toyota RAV4 Prime – with the world’s best-selling car – the Tesla Model Y. Both are crossovers, and both are about the same size. As of writing, the RAV4 Prime weighs 4,235lbs and costs $43,690, while the Model Y weighs 4,154lbs and costs $42,990. So why even bother with PHEVs?

PHEVs require home charging to make sense

Another important thing to consider is that you must be able to charge PHEVs at home (or at work) to make them worthwhile. If you never (or rarely) plug your PHEV into a power outlet to charge it, you’re just basically driving around in a heavier-than-normal hybrid with worse fuel efficiency than a regular hybrid. While it’s less expensive to charge at home than at most public chargers, it's not a requirement for battery EVs.

I know plenty of battery EV owners who live in an apartment and can’t charge at home (myself included). Unlike PHEVs, most battery EVs have a range of 250 miles or more, so you don’t need to charge them every day. Plus, DC fast charging is rapidly becoming more plentiful and more reliable now that most EV manufacturers are adding support for Tesla’s vast Supercharger network to their battery EVs.

This evolving EV charging landscape is also why battery EVs are becoming more viable than ever for road trips, making PHEVs even less relevant.

PHEVs aren’t the answer

Ultimately, PHEVs are still ICE vehicles. They must burn gas and pollute the air just like hybrids and gas cars once their 40-mile EV-only range is depleted. Climate change is real. Do you want to continue being a part of the problem? Do you really want to continue spewing toxic gasses – in communities outside of your own, no less – because you can’t give up the comforting glow of gas stations during road trips? Yes, I am judging you.

“But wait” I hear you say “I plan to plug my PHEV into a power outlet every night and drive up to 40 miles a day on electricity without using a drop of gas.” Good for you. But then, why don’t you just buy a battery EV? Even a Nissan Leaf with just 150 miles of range will get the job done, and you won’t be wasting electricity to lug around a heavy ICE (internal combustion engine), gas tank, muffler, and related paraphernalia.

So, forget PHEVs – they aren’t the answer. Battery EVs are viable today, and the sooner we all get on board, the better. It’s time to commit! Go battery EV or go home.

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If you caught Alex Garland's Civil War at your local theater recently, now might be the time to revisit his 2018 hallucinogenic masterpiece Annihilation. Take a trip farther back and 1993's extraTERRORestrial movie Fire in the Sky is hitting Prime Video in the US, if you don't like sleep. 

For those interested in newer fare, creepy podcast pic Monolith is here along with stop-motion puppet nightmare, Stopmotion. So, take note and read on for the rest of our monthly picks!

Annihilation (2018)

When: May 1st
Where to stream it: Paramount Plus (US), Netflix (UK, AU) 

Alex Garland's Ex Machina follow-up is a kaleidoscopic weave of environmental cautionary tale and body-horror nightmare. Natalie Portman leads a team of scientists as they enter the Shimmer, a rapidly-expanding alien wasteland in Florida that no-one ever returns from. Except Portman's husband, the sole survivor of countless missions, whose re-emergence only generates more questions. The quartet's attempts to decipher the truth behind the Shimmer lead them to biologically-impossible creatures, wildlife, and judders in time, all to disorient both the four women and the audience. Nothing makes sense no matter how much you want it to. Especially the beast that attacks at night…

Cabin in the Woods (2012)

When: May 1st
Where to stream it: Peacock (US), MGM+ (UK), Netflix (AU)

How on earth is Cabin in the Woods 12 years old? Somehow this meta-slasher stands the test of time, a fun-time horror pic that takes the tropes of the genre and spins them into a fresh mythology. Rumor has it Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard penned the screenplay over a weekend, cramming as many genre nods and references as they could into its brisk 95-minute runtime. The basic gist follows a group of five college friends (including a pre-MCU Chris Hemsworth) who venture out to, you got it, a cabin in the woods. Following their arrival, they begin to behave strangely, and events take a murderous turn when they descend into the basement. What's most delightful is that even if you know the twist, the film is just as enjoyable with every repeat viewing.

Fire in the Sky (1993)

When: May 1st
Where to stream it: Prime Video/Paramount Plus (US), Rent or buy (UK/AU)

Adapted from the supposedly true account of Travis Walton, an Arizonan logger whose experiences one dark night in the middle of a forest are now the stuff of legend. Of course, his far-fetched yarn of alien abduction barely holds up to scrutiny, yet the implausible nature of his experience doesn't detract from how damned scary the adaptation is. While a large portion of the screen version chronicles the moments following Walton's experience and how his colleagues deal with his disappearance, it builds to a frankly terrifying flashback to his encounter. This sequence in particular is responsible for many, many sleepless nights.

Shadow In The Cloud (2020)

When: May 2
Where to stream it:  Netflix (AU, US), Prime Video (UK)

Lost amid the pandemic, this nifty genre pic disguised as a historical actioner deserves a fanbase. Chloe Grace Moretz snags the lead as Maude Garrett, a RAF pilot tasked with catching a lift in the ball turret of a B-17 bomber alongside an all-male crew. Garrett is forced to face more than a torrent of misogyny from her fellow airmen, as one hiccup after another derails the journey. Several twists unfurl, switching this to a full-on horror flick with more at stake than the lives of its crew. Moretz grapples with an English accent but nevertheless commands the screen, generating pathos for her unfortunate plight, as she learns there's more enemies than just the axis forces hidden in the skies. A terrific Friday night movie from New Zealand filmmaker Roseanne Liang.

Monolith (2023)

When: May 5th
Where to stream it:  Hoopla (US), Now TV (UK), Binge (AU)

Off the back of Evil Dead Rise, Lily Sullivan steals the show as a disgraced journalist eager to claw her way back to the spotlight. What unravels is an unexpectedly creepy one-hander from first-time director Matt Vesely. The bizarre tale at its center revolves around a sinister… brick. Yes. While it sounds like a premise born from a drunken dare, this movie unravels slowly as Sullivan – billed as The Interviewer – finds more people who have experienced the brick and how it changed their lives. Once she encounters a German art collector with multiple bricks in his possession, things take a decidedly odd turn. The success of its esoteric premise hinges on Sullivan's performance and it delivers without question, leading to a heart-pounding conclusion you honestly won't see coming.

Pearl (2022)

When: May 16th
Where to stream it:  Amazon Prime (US), Now TV (UK), Netflix/Binge (AU)

Ti West's prequel to X is a follow-up that is just as madcap and magical as its predecessor. Pearl takes a trip back in time to when X's elderly antagonist was a mere scrap of a girl whose murderous melees are only surpassed by her gleefully-heartfelt murderous rants. But no-one would be talking about Pearl if it weren't for Mia Goth's performance as the unhinged thespian. She's both hypnotic, compelling, and fearful as the title character, a Hollywood wannabe who will do whatever it takes to make it, including hacking away at people with an axe. But the big draw is her final monologue that's captivating as hell and deserving of all the accolades. Catch up on this now before the trilogy-ender, MaxXxine lands this summer.

Stopmotion (2023)

When: May 31st
Where to stream it: AMC+ (US), Shudder (AU, UK, US)

The ways in which art affects its creators is a topic returned to again and again by filmmakers. This instance hails from first-time director Robert Morgan and follows the story of Ella Blake (Aisling Franciosi), a young woman whose mother enlists her to help finish her stop-motion movie. As she grows more and more engrossed in the project, things grow… well, quite bloody and gory. A heady, dizzying ode to the responsibilities of creation and how the line between reality and artifice blurs in the most delightfully deranged ways. What a fun mash of live-action and stop-motion that will also potentially give you nightmares.

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Okay, you’ll need to manage your expectations if you think this device is a full-on flying suit, but when I put on the Dnsys (pronounced like Genesis) X1, I imagine I felt the same buzz that Tony Stark must have felt when he got his Mark I Iron Man armor fully functional.

When Dnsys told me it was sending me its exoskeleton, I immediately thought this was going to solve not only my exercise problems but also help me overcome the limitations of a knee injury that’s plagued me for 10 years. It was therefore with great excitement that I received the package and proceeded to unpack it. 

It's a wearable unlike anything I've tried before: it's not the same as the best smartwatches or best running watches, or other training aids. It belongs in the same category as the Humane AI Pin, and jetpacks, as "silly futuristic tech we can't believe is already here".

Dnsys X1 exoskeleton: At a glance

• What is it? An exoskeleton designed to remove or add up to 38 kgs of resistance to your steps.
• Who is it for? High-tech hikers, people in rehab, those interested in unconventional resistance training.
• How much does it cost? Once the Kickstarter is over, it will retail at $1,198 (around £950 in the UK / AU$1,800 in Australia)

Build and design

The futuristic smart power exoskeleton immediately looked the part. It all came fully constructed with a battery installed, so I could start wearing it right away. The combination of metal and fabric support provided the necessary rigidity and flexibility to make it comfortable to wear, while not gripping on too tightly. 

I proceeded to put the exoskeleton on, with the slight trepidation that it might take over and leave me unable to control my movements. In reality, it’s not that strong and will largely work by aiding your movements, rather than generating them for you.

The belt is attached using strong velcro patches that keep it firmly around the waist. The two leg plates clip around the legs with elasticated chords. These fit comfortably and were incredibly easy to install. For such a complex piece of kit, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to put it on.

One downside was the positioning of the power button at the rear, which seemed like a very strange decision to me. I could access it without too much trouble, but not being able to see it made it feel a little unnatural. Putting this on the front, or even on the side, would have made more sense to me. 

Operating the exoskeleton

With the belt and plates firmly located, I set about turning on the Assist mode. The instructions are really straightforward and ideal for an English-speaking audience. That being said, I found operating the device a bit clunky and unpredictable. Entering assist mode required a double click of the power button, but it would only seem to be successful if I stood absolutely still.

Much of this may have been user error, but a slightly simpler button layout and setup would have been better, in my opinion. Moving the power button to the side and having separate buttons for entering assist mode and workout mode would have been simpler for me. These two modes are highlighted with different colored LEDs, but you’ve got to remember which light refers to which mode. After a while, I got used to it, but for a beginner, it felt like hard work.

Assist mode

Once I finally entered Assist mode, which is said to reduce the load on your legs by up to 38 kilograms, I started running. First around the house and then outside. I tried moving in straight lines, round corners, and even up the stairs. I looked pretty silly, but that’s just something you have to get over if you want to enjoy the benefits of something like this. Everyone stared, which I suppose is how Robocop felt when enforcing the law.

As and when these types of assistance devices become more prevalent, there will be a lot less staring, I expect. Understandably, people are just interested and intrigued. They have questions, and you’re the one wearing the device, so it’s your job to answer them. One day the staring will fade, and users of exoskeletons will, no doubt, feel a lot more free. If exoskeleton manufacturers can find a way to hide these more easily underneath clothing, then that could be a good step forward.

Once I got going, I found the Assist mode to be incredibly helpful. I could feel it pulling my legs up as I took each step, and it noticeably felt easier to run around. I still had to put in a fair amount of effort, but it certainly helped provide that extra 15% that you might need to get up a hill, for example. Great for hiking.

Think of it like one of the best electric bikes, with a motor that kicks in when you pedal. It doesn’t do all the work for you, but it certainly helps when you’ve got a hill to get up that’s slightly beyond you physically. 

The unit itself is fairly noisy, with a robotic sound accompanying every rotation of the exoskeleton. I did enjoy walking around the house chasing my son like I was a robot out of control, and the noise coming from the machine helped sell the experience for both of us.

Resistance mode

As well as Assist mode, the X1 provides Resistance mode, which is a workout alternative that adds resistance rather than taking it away. To have both modes is incredibly helpful, as it provides an extra level of functionality that will appeal to a wider audience. Perhaps those who are in physical rehabilitation, or just want to build up their leg muscles in futuristic fashion rather than heading to the gym, will benefit here, but it's not the main attraction. 

There’s no control over the amount of resistance, but maybe that’ll come in X2. The resistance performs well, and at no point did I think I was going to break it.

When will everyone be wearing these?

Not very soon, I imagine. Even though the Dnsys Kickstarter campaign has been overwhelmingly positive, raising almost $579,000 at time of writing, the premium price of the exoskeleton will make people think twice before buying. 

As with any new technology, you’ll certainly get early adopters, and that will help get the industry moving. Dnsys is doing a great thing, and I hope they succeed in bringing more exoskeleton products to the market. 

I'll keep using the X1, hoping that in the long term, it helps me limit the strain on my knee, and therefore extend the length of my runs. I imagine X2 will have rocket boosters and be able to fire projectiles: at that point, the neighbors will really have something to stare at.

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The world's best streaming services aren't done bringing us more potentially great series, either. Between now and September 1, there are lots of new shows, plus the highly anticipated return of fan favorites, to look forward to. With that in mind, I've handpicked 10 of the most exciting shows I can't wait to watch in mid-2024 (NB: I would've included Cobra Kai season 6, whose first installment is out on July 18, but it was too late to include in this article. Sorry, Cobra Kai fans!).

Anyway, from epic sci-fi adventures and bloody fantasy to stellar superhero outings and romantic royal dramas, here are the shows I'm excited for in the weeks and months ahead.

Dark Matter (Apple TV Plus)

Release date: May 8

Apple TV Plus has become my go-to streamer for all things sci-fi over the past two years - with good reason. From Foundation and Silo to Severance and Constellation, there are plenty of top-tier shows of this genre to immerse myself in on the tech giant's streaming platform.

Dark Matter will hope to add its name to that growing list. Based on Blake Crouch's mind-bending, best-selling novel of the same name, it stars Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen, a physics professor and devoted family man who becomes embroiled in a multiversal mystery after he's abducted from his reality. Jennifer Connolly, Alice Braga, and Oakes Fegley are among its strong supporting cast.

Considering how mind-bogglingly inventive Dark Matter's trailer looks, I suspect Apple will have another sci-fi hit on its hands. Expect, then, to see it join our illustrious best Apple TV Plus shows list in due course.

Dark Matter will launch with a two-episode premiere. New episodes will air weekly.

Doctor Who season 14 (Disney Plus/BBC iPlayer)

Release date: May 10 (US); May 11 (UK and Australia)

Fourteen years after ending his initial tenure as the showrunner of Doctor Who's revival (if you discount the 60th-anniversary specials and 2023 Christmas episode), Russell T Davies returns to take the legendary British sci-fi series in a bold, new direction.

Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson reprise their roles as the 15th Doctor and Ruby Rose from the aforementioned Christmas special, to lead the rebooted show's 14th season filled with daring, fun-filled adventures across time and space. Indeed, Doctor Who season 14's official trailer invites you to get your groove on before it materializes on Disney Plus internationally and BBC One/BBC iPlayer in the UK. 

Incidentally, this is the first time a new season of Doctor Who will air on Disney Plus due to a landmark deal that'll even see Doctor Who season 14 debut on the service before BBC One. Here's hoping Davies, Gatwa, and Gibson can get the Who-niverse back on track after the lackluster Jodie Whittaker era and earn it a spot on our best Disney Plus shows list.

Doctor Who season 14 will launch with a two-episode premiere. New episodes will air weekly.

Bridgerton season 3 part 1 (Netflix)

Release date: May 16

Okay, I'm going to level with you – Bridgerton isn't really my idea of a good time. But, considering one of the best Netflix shows is set to return to our screens later this month, I felt I had to include it.

This time around, Netflix's aristocratic drama will focus its attentions on Nicola Coughlan's Penelope Featherington and Luke Newton's Colin Bridgerton, with the duo engaging in some rather steamy scenarios that'll no doubt set the cat among the Regency-era pigeons. 

Like a number of other Netflix TV Originals in recent times, Bridgerton season 3 will be released in two parts – volume 1 arriving in mid-May, and volume 2 launching in early June. I'll leave it up to you to decide whether to wait until the full season is out before getting your latest romantic period drama fix.

Bridgerton season 3 part 1 will release in full on May 16.

Outer Range season 2 (Prime Video)

Release date: May 16

If risqué period dramas aren't your thing, the return of Prime Video's most underrated sci-fi series is worth catching instead. And, based on its official trailer, Outer Range season 2 will be even stranger than its forebear.

Picking up in the immediate aftermath of its predecessor's surprising (and bizarre) finale, Outer Range season 2 reunites us with the Abbott family – led once more by morally complex patriarch Royal (Marvel alumnus Josh Brolin) – as they contend with their questionable decisions from season 1. 

That's not all they'll have to deal with, mind you. The Wyoming-based family will have to fight off threats on multiple fronts, including slanderous and physical attacks from vengeful rivals the Tillersons. Oh, and they'll need to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the black hole that suddenly appeared in their backyard last season. Catch up on this fascinating neo-Western sci-fi show before its second installment arrives ASAP.

Outer Range season 2 will debut with a single-episode premiere. New entries will arrive weekly.

Eric (Netflix)

Release date: May 30

Billed as a mystery/psychological thriller, this forthcoming limited series starring Doctor Strange's Benedict Cumberbatch will make for uneasy viewing for any parent. Judging from its first trailer, the puppet-based thriller looks like it'll be even more bizarre than I expected, too.

Eric will see Cumberbatch take on the role of Vincent, a New York-based puppeteer whose nine-year-old son goes missing one morning on his way to school. Increasingly desperate for answers about his child's whereabouts, Vincent becomes more unhinged as the story progresses. He eventually becomes convinced that his son's drawings of the titular ERIC – a blue monster puppet that Vincent created – are the only way to bring his son home.

Eric was one of four new Netflix shows I said I couldn't wait for earlier this year. Thanks to its first-look images – released in late March and showed Cumberbatch on the other side of a Sherlock-style mystery tale – and its official trailer (see above), I'm convinced it'll be another solid TV win for Netflix.

Eric will release in full on Netflix in late May.

Star Wars: The Acolyte (Disney Plus)

Release date: June 4

The next big Star Wars TV show kicks off a packed June for the world's most popular streamers. Set 100 years before Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: The Acolyte will bring the legendary franchise's High Republic era to life in live-action for the first time. Based on the footage I've seen, and the stuff I've read about it, The Acolyte sounds like it could be the best Disney Plus show ever made in that galaxy far, far away.

Surprisingly positioned as a neo-noir mystery-thriller, it stars Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) as Mae, a former Padawan who reluctantly reunites with her Jedi Master Sol (Squid Game's Lee Jung-sae) to investigate a series of murders. An all-star cast, including Carrie-Anne Moss, Jodie Turner, Dafne Keen, Manny Jacinto, Charlie Barnett, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Joonas Suotamo, is also set to feature.

Created by Russian Doll showrunner and diehard Star Wars fan Leslye Headland, expect The Acolyte to deliver more than an ominous disturbance in the Force. Indeed, it could up-end everything we thought we knew about Lucasfilm's popular franchise.

Star Wars: The Acolyte will debut with a two-episode premiere. New installments will be released weekly.

The Boys season 4 (Prime Video)

Release date: June 13

The Boys are back in town – well, next month, anyway. That's right, the hugely successful Prime Video superhero series returns in shockingly hilarious fashion in mid-June as Amazon, Disney, and HBO (more on HBO below) go head-to-head for viewers' attention throughout June.

The Boys season 4 will pick up events following its predecessor and Gen V season 1, the college-based spin-off that proved equally popular with audiences. It'll continue to explore the increasing tensions between the titular Supe hunters and The Seven, aka the world's best superhero team led by the erratic Homelander, in typically gory and satirized fashion.

Easily one of the best Prime Video shows of all time, I'm delighted that The Boys will be back to humorously shock us all once more. Make sure you watch its first teaser, which teases new Supes, Jeffrey Dean Morgan's mystery character, and Homelander versus Starlight, before it takes flight. Oh, and then check out its official trailer, which reveals ties to Gen V, Supe-d up farm animals, and a battle for America's soul.

The first three episodes of The Boys season 4 will be released on launch day. New episodes arrive weekly.

Presumed Innocent (Apple TV Plus)

Release date: June 14

Apple continues to adapt best-selling novels for its streaming platform in June with Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent, an eight-part series that aims to offer a more intriguing and twisty-turny murder mystery than Tom Holland's The Crowded Room did.

Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Chicago deputy chief prosecutor Rosat 'Rusty' Sabich, who finds himself at the center of a horrific murder case when he's shockingly accused of committing said crime. Of course, it doesn't help that the married Rosat had an affair with the woman he's suspected of killing. Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, O-T Fagbenie, and Elizabeth Marvel join Gyllenhaal on the show's roster. J.J. Abrams is among Presumed Innocent's many executive producers, too.

Presumed Innocent will premiere on Apple TV Plus with two episodes. Subsequent entries will be released every week.

House of the Dragon season 2 (Max)

Release date: June 18 (US); June 19 (UK and Australia)

A stacked June is rounded out by the return of this critically acclaimed Game of Thrones prequel series, which will be available to stream on HBO and Max in the US.

Set in the immediate aftermath of season 1's stunning and emotion-laden finale, House of the Dragon season 2 will mark the start of the 'Dance of Dragons' – an epic civil war that destroyed House Targaryen, the family that ruled Westeros for generations, from the inside. Expect plenty of fire (and the odd glimpse of ice, judging by the footage I've seen) from this high-fantasy show.

House of the Dragon's sophomore outing was given an official Max release date and three (!) fiery trailers in late March, which confirmed it'll go up against Bridgerton, The Acolyte, and The Boys in June. You and I, dear reader, are being well and truly spoiled on the TV front in mid-2024, aren't we?

NB: House of the Dragon season 2 will be viewable on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Binge in Australia.

The Umbrella Academy season 4 (Netflix)

Release date: August 8

With July looking like a sparse month for shows that piqued my interest, we're fast-forwarding to August for the final entry of this article. Step forward The Umbrella Academy season 4, the last outing in Netflix's hit superhero series. Bizarrely, it will only comprise six episodes instead of the 10 its three forebears were made up of.

Netflix hasn't released a plot synopsis or trailer for The Umbrella Academy's last hurrah yet. The only information we have on it, other than that its apocalyptic end was announced in July 2022, is that it'll make its debut on the world's most popular streamer in early August. Netflix doesn't tend to release trailers for new shows (or new seasons of returning TV shows) until around a month before they launch, so we might have to wait until July for our first official look at this show's last season.

All six episodes of The Umbrella Academy season 4 are expected to be released on launch day.

For more TV streaming coverage, read our guides on the best Hulu shows and the best Paramount Plus shows. Alternatively, find out what we know about Amazon's Fallout season 2 (release date TBA) and FX's The Bear season 3, which could make a surprise return to our screens in June if online speculation is to be believed.