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PlayStation 6 release date still undecided amid AI crunch, Sony CEO says

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Whether the world needs a new PlayStation console is an open question, but Sony is planning another system either way. The big question for the Japanese entertainment company is when that release happens — and how to ensure customers aren't deterred by potentially high price tags for the PlayStation 6.

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki discussed the company's strategy amid entertainment successes like Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the uncertainty of the AI-driven component crisis. Some aspects of Sony's thinking will be obvious to PlayStation fans. Totoki mentioned, for example, that Sony sees franchises like God of War and The Last of Us as "flywheel" brands that can lend themselves to different categories of entertainment. Beyond the known TV adaptations of major Sony gaming franchises, the company leader teased anime adaptations as well.

Though the company has been doing well recently, the profits were propped up by temporary U.S. tariff rebates. The rising costs of components like memory chips, meanwhile, have pushed Sony to hike prices on PlayStation 5 consoles. But if Sony is struggling to keep costs low for old hardware, new hardware with more powerful components poses a Goliath-sized conundrum.

Still, Sony is planning on making a PlayStation 6. For a while now, rumors pointed to a potential 2027 or 2028 release date. As time goes on, those estimates seem more and more unlikely. Totoki told the WSJ that there is currently no fixed release date for Sony's next gaming console.

Acknowledging the impact that trade wars and a disrupted supply chain for computer chips are having on the company, the CEO told the WSJ that Sony needed to "take some action. Otherwise, we cannot survive in this landscape."

Though Totoki does not outright say it, this mentality may explain why Sony decided to cease the production of Blu-ray discs in 2028. The business strategy has proven unpopular for gaming fans who fear what an all-digital future may mean for both the PS5 and PS6. Concerns around things like game delistings or long-term ownership abound, with fans voicing their displeasure nearly every time Sony announces something new in the world of gaming.

Despite the protests, judging by how Totoki frames Sony as a company in crisis, chances of changing course seem slim. So while we may not have much of a sense of when the PS6 will arrive, two things seem safe to assume: The PS6 won't be cheap, and it's not going to have physical games. Bummer. %!s()

Apple's yearly iPhone releases usually offer small iterations on the design. And while there are under-the-hood spec bumps, many of the best annual upgrades come via the revamped OS. Thankfully, the upcoming iOS 27 will work with iPhone models dating back to the iPhone 11 and second-gen iPhone SE. 

That may make you think that an iPhone 15 (our review), currently two generations old and soon-to-be three, is still worth getting today. It's the oldest model still offered by retailers and carriers, often available for a discounted rate, and it has decent specs and cameras. However, upon further inspection, it's not as good a deal as you think.

Apple does support its phones for a good while, with typically five to seven years of software updates. But when you consider value, you can get an iPhone 17e for roughly the same price as an iPhone 15, and it beats the iPhone 15 in nearly every relevant area. In fact, some carriers at the time of writing, like T-Mobile, are charging slightly more for an iPhone 15 than the iPhone 17e. 

The main distinction is the dual-camera system of the iPhone 15 compared to the 17e's single back camera. But if you're only snapping casual shots for social media, this may not make a difference to you.

There's a newer phone that's a better value

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Even though it's two generations old, the iPhone 15 is still available brand-new. However, you'll more often locate refurbished or pre-owned models. Given its age and price, its main competition is the iPhone 17e, which our reviewer calls an "economical choice" that "checks boxes for the basics." 

You can find a pre-owned, unlocked iPhone 15 in excellent condition for about $540 from Best Buy, for example, while the iPhone 17e brand-new is $600. With the iPhone 17e being more than two years newer and its hardware beating the iPhone 15 in nearly every way that matters, it's an easy choice for most people. Plus, the iPhone 17e starts at 256GB of storage, while the older model began at 128GB. Upgrading to a 256GB iPhone 15 cost an extra $100 upon release, further illustrating the 17e's value.

While the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max (our review) were the first two phones to get Apple Intelligence, the base model iPhone 15 was left out of that mix. Its A16 chip isn't powerful enough to support AI, compared to the A17 in the Pro models of that line. That alone dates the device, but there's more to consider.

The iPhone 15, released in September 2023, comes with only 6GB RAM versus 8GB in the iPhone 17e (released in March 2026). That means less power for multitasking and bandwidth-intensive activities like gaming. The older model also has a smaller battery at 3,349mAh versus 4,005mAh, though it charges at the same wired and wireless speeds of 20W and 15W, respectively. It's slightly heavier, and while it has a Ceramic Shield coating, it's not the newer, more durable Ceramic Shield 2 used on the iPhone 17e. These are all practical upgrades that everyone can appreciate: more power, longer-lasting battery, lighter weight and great durability.

The iPhone 15 is rarely the better option

Billy Steele for Engadget

The iPhone 15 does have some specs that surpass the iPhone 17e, which could be the deciding factors, depending on your priorities. It has a brighter screen at 2,000 nits, compared to just 1,200 nits for the iPhone 17e, so it will be more comfortable to view if you use your phone in bright environments often. Its screen is slightly higher-resolution (2,556 x 1,179 versus 2,532 x 1,170), but that's not a huge difference. And while it's missing the second lens, the iPhone 17e's main and front cameras have the same resolution as the older model. In case you care about the Dynamic Island, the iPhone 15 has this, while the iPhone 17e instead features the old-school notch. 

You might have also thought to go with the iPhone 16 instead. It offers upgrades over the 15, like the Action and Camera Control buttons, plus an A18 chip that supports Apple Intelligence. But as it's more expensive than either of the discussed models, the iPhone 17e offers better value for its price.

So if you happen to come across a killer iPhone 15 deal and you're looking for an entry-level device to get into the iPhone world, it might suffice. But overall, you're better off spending a bit more for a newer phone like the iPhone 17e and getting improved specs where it counts, with the bonus of Apple Intelligence features (if you'll use them). %!s()

The vulnerability lets an attacker view a user's screen, open up files and do just about anything else they want on the victim's computer. It's as if they had physical possession of the machine.

Dutch officials with the Netherlands National Cyber Security Centrum have issued a warning and noted that they received notifications of the vulnerability being used on "multiple systems." In all cases, the attackers received root access and uploaded crypto mining software.

PoC for a critical vulnerability in Apple macOS Screen Sharing (CVE-2026-65400).

If Screen Sharing is enabled, any network attacker can exploit the bug to log in as any account, without knowing the password.

We reverse engineered Apple's unusual macOS 26.6.1 patch to understand... pic.twitter.com/WRIIwKx6yI

— Calif (@calif_io) August 8, 2026

As previously mentioned, Apple has already issued software fixes. A software update was recommended back when this vulnerability was, more or less, theoretical. Now it's an absolute necessity. The bug impacts Tahoe, Sequoia and Sonoma, and there are new versions of all three.

There are other things worth doing to prevent this kind of attack. It's possible to block Apple's Screen Sharing tool altogether, which is an option in the System Settings menu. That'll do the trick. Also, the vulnerability is being exploited when port 5900 is exposed to the internet. Security experts recommend keeping that port closed, especially when sharing a screen.

This isn't even the only big screen-sharing bug making the rounds in the past couple of weeks. Zoom experienced something similar and has also issued a patch. Stay safe out there.  %!s()

The good news is that there are many trends that you can — and perhaps should — confidently let pass you by. For a cheat sheet on which ones may be worth skipping, Business Insider asked Benji Lewis, a UK-based interior designer who has worked in luxury design for over 27 years, what trends and items he stays away from in his own home.

Here's what he had to say.

Accent walls can leave a room feeling unfinished.

Lewis said he would "generally avoid" accent walls.

Accent walls, especially ones with a small floral pattern or geometric print, can make a space look unfinished or suggest a lack of confidence in your design choice, he said.

If he were to try one, he'd do so "very carefully" and opt for a panoramic wallpaper, which features a scenic mural spanning multiple panels that must be carefully lined up, as an alternative way to make a statement in a space.

These can get expensive, he said, but high-quality ones featuring animals, nature, and fantastical scenes can really elevate a space and look "iconic."

Lewis wouldn't have a fully fitted kitchen without a freestanding piece — preferably a vintage one.

Lewis isn't against a standard, fully fitted kitchen with simple built-in cabinetry and appliances that all use the same finishes and colors.

However, he said, these practical spaces can usually use a bit of personality.

The designer recommends incorporating a piece of furniture that "injects some character and personality into the space" — ideally something antique or mid-century, such as an old French armoire as a pantry or an antique breakfast table as a kitchen island.

"That looks like you've given things some real thought," Lewis said. "It looks creative."

Open shelving can look messy without proper curation.

The designer said he's not a fan of open shelving, partly because it requires more thought than just throwing things on a shelf.

Lewis said that people often overlook factors such as lighting, measurements, and the amount of dusting required to make open shelving work in a main living space.

"If you're going to do open shelving, think about what you're going to put on it and then design the spacing between the shelves accordingly," he told BI.

Statement floor lights can be impractical.

Lewis said oversize floor lamps can be difficult to plan around because you must position them just right and carefully map out where the light will ultimately land.

The designer would rather a floor light "be discreet" and not some "big-armed doodad."

"I'd do a nice, neat little floor light positioned beside an armchair that does a smart, chic little wash of light onto the armchair," Lewis told BI.

The designer said vintage branded signs have come to feel cliché.

Although industrial style was trending in the 2010s, some of its beloved elements have run their course.

For Lewis, this includes vintage tin signs and advertisements featuring branding from major companies such as Coca-Cola, Morton Salt, and John Deere.

"If you're wanting that kind of vintage look, then I would choose a movie poster instead, and have it blown up to a decent size [with] a lovely single little spotlight on it," the designer told BI.

He suggested choosing an iconic old-school movie, like "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

He also avoids super-kitschy retro statement pieces.

The designer said some retro statement pieces can be more bulky than fun, and make a space feel more like a bachelor pad. Examples include reclaimed slot machines, jukeboxes, arcade games, or other kitschy amusements.

Instead, he might add a "cool" retro vibe to his space in a more subdued, functional way by getting a vintage piece of furniture, like a mid-century sideboard, and placing a nice sound system or record player on top of it.

You won't find cheesy or "inspirational" wall art in his space.

Signs spelling out words like "love" or "home" or featuring affirmations like "good vibes only" and "live, laugh, laugh" aren't a trend you'll see in this designer's home.

"Why do you need to tell everyone that you're capable of laughing?" Lewis said. "Just don't do it."

He recommends simply forgoing these pieces altogether.

He typically tries to avoid porcelain flooring.

When it comes to flooring, Lewis said porcelain tiling is often the easy, or "lazy," choice and not one he would make himself — especially when there are so many options out there.

It's not always the best at absorbing sound, and it can be challenging to replace if a tile cracks.

Instead, Lewis prefers linoleum flooring, especially when laid in all sorts of interesting designs, such as checkerboard patterns.

Beanbags can make a space look messy.

You won't find beanbags in this designer's space.

"They just look so messy when they're not tidied," Lewis told BI. These chairs can also be awkward to flop into.

There are better ways to add fun seating to a space, if that's your goal. For example, he said, a "little tub chair" with a high, semi-closed, rounded back is "infinitely nicer."

The designer replaces recessed ceiling lights with atmospheric lighting.

Recessed ceiling lights, or "can lights," have been popular in the US for decades; however, Lewis recommends using them sparingly.

"You end up in a room that's lit like Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport, the designer told BI. The lighting is "useful for finding your pants and socks, but apart from that, it's just horrible," he added.

If overhead lighting can't be avoided, he'll add dimmer switches. Preferably, though, he'd stick with zoned lighting that can spotlight a piece of art, furniture, or room corners to create atmosphere in a gentler way.

"Use your light to create atmosphere," he said, adding that you can even hire a lighting planner to help you do so if you're stumped.

Keep reading other things interior designers say they would (or would never) have in their own space.

Read next

Cheyenne Elwell

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Cheyenne Elwell is a Seattle-based contributing writer at Business Insider covering lifestyle, food, travel, and culture. Her reporting explores how the places people live and travel shape identity and community. She has written for The Spruce Eats and Wisconsin Public Radio, among other national outlets. Read more at bakedbrewedbeautiful.com and follow her on Instagram at @bakedbrewedbeautiful.

• Interior Designer

Every unnecessary phone call. Every repeated form. Every delayed approval. Every missed connection between providers. Each one takes time away from what matters most: managing health.

In my work supporting government health programs, I've seen how seemingly small moments of friction can add up. They create frustration, delay care, and make an already complex healthcare journey even harder to navigate.

Improving healthcare isn't just about expanding services. It's about removing unnecessary complexity. When we make healthcare easier to navigate, we don't just improve the experience. We give people something even more valuable: time.

Complex Care Requires Simpler Experiences

Some of healthcare's most important lessons come from caring for people with the most complex needs.

People enrolled in Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, often manage multiple chronic conditions while navigating care across different providers, benefits, and support systems. According to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 44% of dual eligible beneficiaries report being in fair or poor health, compared with 17% of non-dual eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, 26% have five or more chronic conditions, compared with 15% of other Medicare beneficiaries.

Behind those numbers are everyday realities.

Consider an older adult recovering from a hospital stay who spends the afternoon arranging transportation to follow-up appointments instead of resting. Or someone managing diabetes who postpones a preventive visit because grocery shopping, prescription pickups, and coordinating multiple specialists compete for limited time and energy.

These moments may seem small, but together they shape whether people can stay engaged in their care.

We have a responsibility to reduce that friction. That means making benefits easier to understand, reducing unnecessary administrative steps, and helping people move through the healthcare system more seamlessly.

Making healthcare easier to navigate requires us to keep simplifying enrollment processes, strengthening care coordination, reducing administrative burden, and helping people understand their benefits before they need them.

The Best Benefits Give People Time Back

One of the most important ways Medicare Advantage has evolved over the past two decades is by recognizing that supporting whole health means addressing more than medical care alone.

Today, 55% of people eligible for Medicare are enrolled in a MA plan, up from 19% in 2007. As MA has evolved, so has its approach to supporting whole health through supplemental benefits. Many plans offer eligible members benefits that may include transportation, post-discharge meals, grocery allowances, telehealth, and dental, vision, and hearing services, depending on the plan and individual eligibility.

These benefits aren't valuable because they're "extras." They're valuable because they remove barriers that compete for people's time and attention. Combined with coordinated care and personalized support, they help people spend less time navigating healthcare and more time getting the care they need.

For someone recovering from surgery, having nutritious meals delivered after discharge means less time worrying about grocery shopping and more time focusing on recovery. Reliable transportation can make the difference between making a follow-up appointment and delaying needed care. Grocery allowances, utility support, and home safety items can help people remain healthier and more independent in their homes.

When healthcare supports the realities of everyday life, people have more time and energy to focus on staying healthy.

That's especially true for people with complex healthcare needs. Across Elevance Health-affiliated Medicare Advantage plans, 75% of non-dual eligible MA members and 83% of dual eligible members used at least one supplemental benefit. Nearly one in four (24%) dual eligible members used four or more supplemental benefits, compared with 14% of other MA members. These findings underscore an important point: when benefits are designed around people's everyday lives, they're more likely to be used in ways that support better health.

Time Can Support Better Health

Giving people time back isn't simply a matter of convenience. It can also help improve health.

Research from the Elevance Health Public Policy Institute examined more than 240,000 members enrolled in affiliated D-SNPs across 20 states, and how food and transportation supplemental benefits relate to healthcare quality. The findings suggest that reducing everyday barriers may help people stay engaged in preventive care and chronic disease management.

Members who used food supplemental benefits had 57% greater odds of completing an annual planned visit than members who did not use those benefits. They also had 45% greater odds of maintaining HbA1c control, 45% greater odds of maintaining blood pressure control, and 94% greater odds of receiving a diabetic eye exam. Transportation benefit use was also associated with 11% greater odds of completing an annual planned visit and 42% greater odds of receiving a diabetic eye exam.

These findings reinforce something healthcare leaders have long understood: improving health isn't only about what happens during a doctor's visit. It's also about helping people overcome the barriers that make it harder to get there in the first place.

The Future of Healthcare Is Less Friction

Healthcare will always be complex, but getting care shouldn't be.

By reducing unnecessary complexity, improving coordination, and making healthcare easier to navigate, we can give people something every healthcare system should value more: time.

Healthcare succeeds not only when it delivers excellent care, but when it makes that care easier to access, easier to navigate, and easier to fit into people's lives. For those with the most complex healthcare journeys, giving them time back may be one of the most meaningful benefits we can provide. %!s()