Russia intends to switch on a commercial version of its homegrown answer to Starlink next year, according to people familiar with the programme cited by Reuters, the latest milestone in a project that has been promising to arrive for most of a decade.

The constellation is called Rassvet, the operator is a private aerospace firm called Bureau 1440, and the ambition is deliberately narrower than the American network it is meant to rival.

The scale tells the story. SpaceX has put thousands of Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. Bureau 1440 plans to reach commercial service in 2027 with a constellation in the high hundreds, with figures around 288 to 292 satellites cited for the first operational phase, and a longer-term target near 900 by the mid-2030s.

Moscow has, for years, described the goal as something conceptually like Starlink rather than a like-for-like match, and the numbers keep that promise honest.

The hardware is further along than the rhetoric alone would suggest. In March the company launched 16 operational satellites, on 23 March, following a run of experimental craft in 2023 and 2024 under the Rassvet-1 and Rassvet-2 test programmes.

Bureau 1440 has described the satellites as carrying 5G non-terrestrial-network communications, laser inter-satellite links, an upgraded power system, and plasma thrusters, the standard kit for a modern broadband constellation.

Dmitry Bakanov, head of the Roscosmos space agency, told Reuters last September that several test vehicles already in orbit had been inspected and the production satellites modified accordingly.

Throughput targets have been published too. Bureau 1440 has advertised per-subscriber speeds ranging from 50 megabits to one gigabit per second, with planned coverage across more than 70 countries.

Those figures are claims rather than demonstrated performance, the distinction that separates a constellation on a slide from one carrying paying traffic, and only the commercial launch will test them.

Money has been committed, on paper at least. The Russian government has earmarked 102.8 billion roubles, roughly $1.26bn, for Rassvet, and Bureau 1440 has said it will add some 329 billion roubles, around $4bn, of its own through 2030.

The company has put potential demand at 1.5 to two million subscribers inside Russia and as many as 12 million worldwide, with coverage planned across more than 70 countries.

The 2027 date deserves a footnote. An earlier target slipped amid reported production shortfalls, which is the kind of detail that tends to recur in constellation programmes everywhere, not only in Russia.

Building satellites is one problem; building them fast enough, in the numbers a useful network requires, is a different and harder one. The 16 operational craft now in orbit are a start on a figure that needs to clear 250 before paying customers can be served.

There is a strategic reading that sits underneath the commercial one. A sovereign broadband network that does not depend on a foreign operator is attractive to any government that has watched Starlink become a factor in the war in Ukraine.

Whether Rassvet arrives on schedule, and at the throughput Bureau 1440 advertises, is the question 2027 will answer. The constellation, for now, is mostly a plan with a launch cadence attached.

The national project will capture a baseline that will be used to create a clearer image of how research is understood and utilised in Ireland.

Research Ireland has launched the Research in Ireland Barometer 2026, a new national project designed to build a richer, more inclusive understanding of how people across Ireland encounter, engage with, and experience research in their everyday lives.

The Barometer will focus on capturing lived experiences, primarily the stories, context and perspectives that often shape how people relate to research. Serving as a baseline for the coming years, the project will aim to create a clearer picture of how research is understood, trusted and encountered across different communities. 

Commenting, the director of research for society at Research Ireland, Dr Ruth Freeman, said: “The Research in Ireland Barometer 2026 represents an important step in opening up conversations about research across society. It is also essential to shaping how we engage with society as a public body. 

“Rather than focusing solely on a simple, statistical survey, we are taking a community-engaged approach to understand how people experience research in their everyday lives, from the decisions they make to the information they encounter and trust.”

Freeman explained that the organisation is actively seeking information from people aged 16 and older, across Ireland – and particularly those who feel as though their experiences are not often captured in traditional surveys. Individuals have three months to contribute to the survey. 

She said, “By listening to people’s lived experiences and meeting people where they are, we aim to build a richer, more inclusive understanding of research and ensure it remains connected to the needs and experiences of the public.”

In early March, Research Ireland also unveiled its inaugural strategy for development of the country’s research and innovation landscape over the next five years. The aim of the strategy is to fund 3,800 new PhDs, support 14 enhanced research centres and deliver 150 research awards in collaboration with Government departments.

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iFi Audio is bringing the Gryphon back with sharper teeth. The new iFi iDSD GR 2 arrives at High End Vienna 2026 as the next-generation successor to the xDSD Gryphon, a portable DAC/headphone amplifier that we have covered before and one that earned a loyal following for squeezing a lot of desktop-style flexibility into a travel-friendly chassis.

Priced at $529 USD, the iDSD GR 2 is not a minor refresh. iFi says the new model has been rebuilt around an all-new DAC architecture, upgraded fully balanced amplification, an OLED touchscreen interface, JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology, and lossless Bluetooth connectivity.

That puts the GR 2 in the middle of a very competitive portable DAC/amp market where battery life, output power, codec support, usability, and actual headphone-driving ability matter more than anything. As always, the spec sheet looks promising. The listening will decide whether the Gryphon legend still breathes fire or just got a new badge.

iFi iDSD GR 2: New DAC, More Power, Better Wireless

The iFi iDSD GR 2 is more than a cosmetic update to the xDSD Gryphon. iFi has moved to a new PCM1795 DAC with a bespoke balanced circuit design, upgraded the fully balanced amplifier section, and increased output to 1,513mW RMS into 32 ohms — a claimed 50% jump over its predecessor.

The control side gets a colour OLED touchscreen with capacitive controls, while wireless support moves to Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless and LDAC. Wired users are not being ignored either, with USB, S/PDIF, and line-level connectivity all included.

The GR 2 also adds JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology, XBass+, XSpace, Hybrid Power Mode for better long-term battery health, and iFi Nexis app support for OTA updates and deeper control. There is a lot packed into this portable DAC/headphone amp, especially at a price point we expected to be higher based on early rumors surrounding the GR 2.

Bluetooth 5.4 With aptX Lossless and LDAC

The iFi iDSD GR 2 also updates the wireless side with Bluetooth 5.4, including support for aptX Lossless and LDAC.

That gives the GR 2 stronger wireless credentials than many portable DAC/amps, especially for users who want to connect from a phone, tablet, or laptop without giving up higher-quality codec support. aptX Lossless can deliver 16-bit/44.1kHz CD-quality playback under the right conditions, while LDAC offers bitrates up to 990kbps for compatible Android devices.

There are still the usual Bluetooth caveats. Codec support depends on the source device, connection stability, and the listening environment. iPhone users will not get aptX Lossless or LDAC from iOS, so the GR 2’s wired USB input will still matter for Apple users who want higher-resolution playback.

New PCM1795 DAC Architecture

The biggest internal change inside the iFi iDSD GR 2 is the move to the Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC, which iFi says is being used in one of its products for the first time.

That matters because this is not just a chip swap. The PCM1795 is a current-output DAC, which gives iFi more room to design its own I/V conversion and output stages around the chipset. In the GR 2, that includes a bespoke balanced circuit, Class A op-amps, and a signal path that is now fully balanced from the preamp section to the headphone stage.

iFi also says it has removed unnecessary electronic switching from the circuit, which should help reduce distortion across the signal path. The goal is lower noise, cleaner conversion, and a more transparent presentation without abandoning the warmer tonal balance that many listeners associate with iFi’s portable DAC/amp designs.

We will dig further into how much of that shows up in actual listening, but on paper, this is one of the most meaningful engineering changes between the older xDSD Gryphon and the new iDSD GR 2.

OLED Touchscreen Control

The iFi iDSD GR 2 also adds a colour OLED touchscreen with capacitive controls, which should make the device easier to use without digging through layers of menus.

That matters on a portable DAC/headphone amp with this many features. Input selection, gain, filters, Bluetooth status, battery information, and sound processing modes all need to be easy to access, especially when the device is being used with a phone, laptop, tablet, or digital transport.

The new interface gives the GR 2 a more modern control system than the older xDSD Gryphon, and it should make day-to-day adjustments faster and less frustrating.

Hybrid Power Mode for Battery Health

The iFi iDSD GR 2 introduces a new Hybrid Power Mode designed to manage how the unit draws power during longer listening sessions.

When connected to an external power supply, the GR 2 can prioritize external power instead of constantly running from the internal battery. If the amplifier section needs additional current, it can draw from the battery briefly, then return to external power once demand drops.

That should help reduce unnecessary battery cycling, which matters if the GR 2 spends a lot of time connected to a desk, laptop, or fixed audio system. Portable DAC/amps are still battery-dependent devices, and long-term battery health is not a small detail unless you enjoy turning expensive gear into a paperweight with balanced outputs.

It is a practical feature, not a flashy one, but it could make the GR 2 more useful for listeners who move between portable and desktop setups.

More Power for Full-Sized Headphones

The iFi iDSD GR 2 also gets a meaningful power increase, with iFi claiming up to 1,513mW RMS into 32 ohms. That is said to be 50% more headphone drive than the original xDSD Gryphon.

That level of output should make the GR 2 a realistic option for many full-sized planar magnetic and dynamic headphones from the balanced output, not just sensitive IEMs and easy-to-drive portable models. It also gives users more headroom before the amplifier starts to feel strained.

There are still some important blanks to fill in. We are waiting to see how the GR 2 handles higher-impedance loads above 200 ohms, where voltage swing matters more than headline wattage into 32 ohms. And to be clear, this is not designed for electrostatic headphones, which require their own dedicated energizer or amplifier.

On paper, the extra output is one of the GR 2’s more useful upgrades. More power only matters if it comes with control, low noise, and clean gain, but the numbers suggest iFi is aiming beyond the usual pocket-DAC crowd.

K2HD Processing and Digital Filters

The iFi iDSD GR 2 also includes JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology, which is designed to process digital recordings by restoring some of the harmonic information that can be reduced during digital mastering, compression, or conversion.

That does not mean it magically turns every file into a master tape. The goal is more specific: to add a degree of harmonic reconstruction and tonal density to digital playback without forcing users into a fixed sound profile. iFi says the GR 2 also includes a lighter K2 mode, which offers a similar approach without upsampling.

The GR 2 also provides four selectable digital filters, giving listeners some control over how the DAC handles timing, roll-off, and overall presentation. Some users will hear those differences more clearly than others, depending on the headphones, source material, and how allergic they are to menus.

Specifications Compared

The Bottom Line

The iFi iDSD GR 2 looks like a meaningful step beyond the older xDSD Gryphon, not just a cosmetic refresh. We know it uses a new Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC, a fully balanced circuit design, upgraded amplification rated at up to 1,513mW RMS into 32 ohms, a larger color OLED touchscreen, Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless and LDAC, JVCKENWOOD K2HD processing, four digital filters, XBass+, XSpace, Hybrid Power Mode, and iFi Nexis app support. At $529 USD (£529 / €549 / $799 CAD), it also lands lower than early rumors suggested, which makes the feature set more interesting. Nevertheless, the hardware story is promising.

Where to buy: $529 at iFi Audio (Available July 6, 2026)

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Apple plans to show off iOS 27 at its Worldwide Developers Conference early next week, and details already surfacing from internal builds and reports give a clear sense of the practical shifts users will notice first. One adjustment stands out right away for its effect on long-held habits. Notifications currently appear from the top of the screen, and a downward swipe from the middle opens the full list in Notification Center. In current internal versions of iOS 27, those alerts instead slide in from the left side. Reaching Notification Center requires a downward swipe from the top-left portion of the screen. A swipe from the center area now surfaces search or an interface for asking the assistant directly.

The decision to change the natural flow of scrolling originates from a deliberate attempt to place search and helper features in the most natural spot. The animation for incoming alerts now follows the new direction, making the overall experience feel much more consistent. People who have been using the swipe routinely for years may find themselves attempting to return to the Notification Center by habit, but instead being taken to the search panel. This prioritizes getting you to the information or request as quickly as possible, without the need for another tap.

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The Find My app also gets a slight design change. New icons appear in the navigation tab bar, freshening up the overall design, but the fundamentals remain same. The big news is Siri. Siri is expected to receive a substantial overhaul, changing it into a true conversation tool rather than a collection of one-time queries. It will contain a designated area for these back-and-forth conversations, where you can connect by voice or text. Siri will understand what you’re saying based on the context of what you’re looking at on your screen or what’s open. Conversations can be shared between devices via iCloud. You’ll also have basic control over chat history, allowing you to delete previous conversations after a month, a year, or keep them forever.

According to early reports, the experience might begin in preview mode, as many of Apple’s prior enhancements did. Some builds additionally have a potential feature that allows customized requests to be transmitted via ChatGPT. The animation work is also related to the Dynamic Island, with descriptions of flowing glassy effects that limit interaction rather than bursting out all over the place. The Clean Up option in the Photos app is getting a much-needed upgrade in iOS 27. Apple is also experimenting with allowing you to edit your images with phrases or voice commands, like “crop the top left corner” or “make the colors stronger.” This one may arrive later, rather than right away.

Other rumors indicate that the Camera app will have its own direct link to the assistant for specific tasks, as well as a few AI-powered choices to refocus your photographs or make parts of them larger. All of this is part of a bigger push to simply integrate AI capabilities into areas where they are already being used.

According to all of the leaks thus far, iOS 27 is all about smoothing out the wrinkles and making current features work more seamlessly, rather than delivering any fresh new whiz-bang features. Support is expected to return to the iPhone 12 and all subsequent generations, but some of the more complex AI features will likely remain exclusive to newer hardware. Then, during WWDC, we’ll get a better sense of what’s going on, when to expect things, and how everything works together in the grand scheme.
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The transition from analog switches back to mechanical isn’t perfect, either. When you plug in a normal switch and press the “scan” button to reset the board, the multi-input functionality still stays semi-functional. In my testing, where I set a WASD half-press to be the normal letter, and a full press to be [Shift + WASD], pressing any of those keys and a second key immediately after would cause the next input to combine with the Shift input, resulting in wOrdS with raNdOMly capitaLized letters! The strangest part is that the G-Hub app knows when a mechanical switch is plugged in, and gives you an alert that the multi-input won’t work with a standard switch, but it doesn’t default to the key’s standard input to avoid issues.

The tedium of swapping out switches, scanning, and changing keymaps every time you start up a game is not ideal. I found myself groaning at the prospect, and using only the mechanical switches for gaming. Much like glasses with transition lenses, the BMW i8, or a McRib, this keyboard creates a hybrid version of two things that is, across the board, worse than its individual parts.

One nice touch is that the removable angled feet on the underside of this keyboard also function as keycap and switch pullers. If you’re traveling with this keyboard, you’ll always have these tools with you. But it also means, if you don’t like using your keyboard at an 8-degree angle, you’ll have awkwardly-designed switch and keycap pullers sitting on your desk. The mild added convenience of part-time storage is nowhere near as practical as the standard flip-out feet and separate keycap/switch puller that most keyboards today include. It’s also not as practical as Steelseries’ silicone flap to hide a keycap puller.

Internal Assembly

Photograph: Henri Robbins

If you’re expecting a keyboard of this caliber to have a complex internal assembly, you’re right on the money. Taking it apart involves removing the bottom feet and the back sticker, removing a few screws, removing the back panel, unscrewing another dozen screws, then separating the front and middle sections, after which you’re left with four major components: The top shell, the main assembly of the PCB and plate,, the middle shell (which houses the LED bar, along with the daughterboard housing the USB-C port back buttons), and the bottom shell. While disassembly is fairly lengthy, I actually quite like the assembly. Besides the adhesive feet, everything seems incredibly rigid and well-designed internally. The only real improvement would be replacing the plastic screw posts with heat-set metal threads.

I consider Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve to be among the best professional-grade desktop non-linear video editing software out there.

You’ll find it a core part of our guides to the best free video editing software and best video editing software we’ve ever tested. So, I was keen to see what the latest version (21), offers. And to say I was surprised would be an understatement. This is one of those tools that just keeps getting better.