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It's a busy time for Lucasfilm's iconic galaxy far, far away. Indeed, with so many new Star Wars movies and Disney Plus shows in development at the acclaimed studio, your head might be a tailspin over when each production will officially debut.You won't be as confused as you were by the time you reach the end of this guide, though. Below, we've rounded up the latest intel on every forthcoming Star Wars series and film, including any known release dates, cast details, story teases, trailers, and the creative minds behind each project. Once they're all out, our guide on how to watch the Star Wars movies in order will be twice as big as it once was – but hey, that's our problem to deal with, not yours.Anyway, enough stalling: this is the new Star Wars movies and TV shows article you've been looking for, so read on to learn everything about each production, Padawan. New Star Wars projects: the full list Here's a complete list of every Star Wars film and TV series that are currently at various stages of their development, plus any known project titles and months/dates we know: Star Wars: Starfighter is expected for release in 2027 (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Star Wars) The Mandalorian & Grogu – May 22, 2026Maul: Shadow Lord – TBC 2026Ahsoka season 2 – TBCThe Mandalorian-Ahsoka team-up movie – TBCThe Jedi Origins movie – TBCRey's New Jedi Order film – TBCLando – TBCRogue Squadron – TBCUntitled Taika Waititi-directed movie – TBCStar Wars: Starfighter – May, 28 2027 New Star Wars TV shows Ahsoka season 2 A post shared by rosariodawson (@rosariodawson)A photo posted by on Release date: TBCConfirmed cast: Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Hayden Christensen, and Ivanna SakhnoAhsoka season 2 is currently in production, as Rosario Dawson shared an official post to confirm filming had begun in April 2025. As filming has only just begun, it'll be a while before the show's sophomore season debuts on Disney Plus, aka one of the world's best streaming services.Unsurprisingly, little else is known about its plot, but we have some ideas of where it could go, based on how Star Wars: Ahsoka season 1 ended. One thing we do know is that Baylan Skoll, the mysterious Force wielder who was played with such gravitas by the late Ray Stevenson, has been recast by Game of Thrones' Rory McCann. Maul: Shadow Lord Sam Witwer has surprised fans at the Lucasfilm Animation 20th anniversary #StarWarsCelebration panel. https://t.co/l7Y4C7Zr3M pic.twitter.com/M76x28yJFSApril 18, 2025 Release date: TBCConfirmed cast: Sam WitwerDuring Star Wars Celebration 2025, a new animated series titled, Maul: Shadow Lord was revealed, which is wonderful news for fans of The Clone Wars, as well as other animated shows in the Star Wars universe.Better yet, Sam Witwer will be reprising his role to voice Maul in this show. Focusing on Darth Maul, the show will reportedly be set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Maul: Shadow Lord will be exclusive to one of the best streaming services, Disney+, when it arrives in 2026. New Star Wars movies The Mandalorian & Grogu The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda will be reunited on the big screen in 2026 (Image credit: Lucasfilm) Release date: 2026 (TBC)Confirmed cast: Pedro Pascal and Sigourney WeaverBaby Yoda is coming to movie theaters! That's right, a new Star Wars movie titled The Mandalorian & Grogu is on the way. The Mandalorian & Grogu was surprisingly announced in January 2024 and it seems as though it'll be The Mandalorian season 4 in all but name – i.e. picking up the story of Din Djarin and his apprentice, the little green guy formerly known as Baby Yoda after The Mandalorian season 3. Deadline claims, though, that season 4 is also still in development.The Mandalorian creator, lead writer, and showrunner Jon Favreau is directing the new movie and as filming has officially wrapped, we were correct in predicting The Mandalorian & Grogu won't launch in theaters until 2026 – and there's an official release date of May 22, 2026. Plus, we know Grogu and Pascal's Djarin will be joined by some sci-fi royalty in the film, with Alien movie icon Sigourney Weaver being tapped for an undisclosed role. The Mandalorian/Ahsoka team-up movie Din Djarin and his fellow Mandalorians could join forces with Ahsoka's team in a major crossover film event (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney) Release date: TBCThe overlapping stories of The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka and (presumably) Skeleton Crew are all set to come together in a cinematic event that'll focus on the "escalating war between the Imperial Remnant and the fledgling New Republic" as it reaches a climax. Dave Filoni, Ahsoka showrunner and long-time protector of Star Wars lore, is lined up to direct."I hesitate to say it’s a big meet-up from just [The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett and Skeleton Crew], because Dave has been developing Star Wars storytelling inside Clone Wars and Rebels and so much of the work he has done for 20 years," Kathleen Kennedy told EW. “So it will be little bits of all that. There are a lot of sources he’s drawing from to see where we’re going.”It appears, however, that Filoni is playing his Sabacc cards close to his chest when it comes to who'll show up in the big screen ensemble – so close, in fact, that not even his stars know if they'll be called into action. "When I heard they were doing the movie at [Star Wars:] Celebration in London, I was like, 'Maybe one day I'll find out whether I'm a part of that!'” Ahsoka star Natasha Liu Bordizzo told SFX magazine (via GamesRadar). "This is one of those times when I can so happily tell you I have no idea what's going on with that. I'm happy not to, because that way I don't have to lie to you!" The Jedi Origins movie James Mangold is set to helm a Star Wars movie that'll explore the Jedi's origins (Image credit: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney) Release date: TBCThe Acolyte took place around a century before The Phantom Menace but that’s nothing compared to this Jedi origin story. In fact, at the risk of coming over a bit Star Trek, this prequel flick is boldly going where no Star Wars movie has gone before.James Mangold is the filmmaker lined up to take the franchise back a few millennia to what StarWars.com describes as the "Dawn of the Jedi". The official summary says the film "will take audiences deep into the past, telling the tale of the first Jedi to wield the Force and harness it as a liberating power in an era of chaos and oppression". According to THR, Beau Willimon is penning the script"I want to be part of the saga, but I also don't want to be holding so much lore in the air that you can hardly tell a story," Mangold explained to iO9. "What I told [Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy] was, can we make a kind of Ten Commandments of the Force, a kind of origin story of how this Force came to be known, understood, wielded and harnessed."Understandably, little else is known about this one. However, Simon Emmanuel, who worked alongside Mangold on Indiana Jones 5, seemed to accidentally reveal its title (unless it's a working title) to SFX magazine (thanks to Reddit for the catch): Jedi Prime. Rey’s New Jedi Order movie Rey's post-sequel trilogy story will be the focus of a new Star Wars movie (Image credit: Disney) Release date: TBCConfirmed cast: Daisy RidleyThe first release to expand the Star Wars chronology beyond The Rise of Skywalker, this movie reunites us with Rey roughly 15 years after Star Wars Episode IX, in the recently ordained 'New Jedi Order' era. Ridley will return as Rey, as she rebuilds the Jedi Order, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Saving Face, Ms Marvel) is signed up to direct, and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) is writing the screenplay. In April, Knight told NME that things are "going well" on the script front. Per Star Wars fansite The Bespin Bulletin, filming isn't expected to start this year."We're coming off what was a major war with the First Order," Kathleen Kennedy told GamesRadar. "And now, Rey has made a promise to Luke, and that's really the core of where we're going and what this story will be. And I think it offers just a tremendous opportunity to introduce new characters and start with something fresh, because we culminated with what George [Lucas] was creating, and now we take all of that and move it to the next chapter."In January, Ridley told AlloCiné (via Deadline): "I think it’s a really fantastic exploration of the Star Wars world. It's a really cool way of taking the story on in a bit of a different direction". Speaking to THR in May, Ridley expressed her interest in seeing Rey reunite with John Boyega's Finn – comments that came less than a year after Boyega exclusively told TechRadar he'd be "open" to reprising that role. Lando Solo: A Star Wars Story star Donald Glover is set to co-write and star in the new Lando movie (Image credit: Lucasfilm) Release date: TBCConfirmed cast: Donald GloverThe one and only Lando Calrissian had been set to front his own TV series, with Dear White People creator and Haunted Mansion director Justin Simien attached to write the show, and Glover reportedly keen to return to a role he first played in 2018's Solo: A Star Wars Story. Things went rather quiet until, surprisingly, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy told IGN at Star Wars Celebration 2023 that "[Lando's] still happening."It's since gained significant momentum. Simien has left the project (per EW) and Glover is now writing it with his brother (and frequent collaborator) Stephen.Calrissian's unexpected shift to the big screen was confirmed by Stephen Glover during his September appearance on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, noting: "It's not even a show... The idea right now is to do a movie. Right now, because of the [Hollywood writers/actors] strike, it's kind of like telephone, all of the information." Variety has since confirmed the project's transfer to theaters through its contacts at Lucasfilm. Star Wars: Starfighter (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Star Wars) Release date: May 28, 2027Confirmed cast: Ryan GoslingShawn Levy, who's been involved in hugely successful projects like Stranger Things and Deadpool and Wolverine, is developing his own Star Wars flick – Star Wars: Starfighter. He's since confirmed that Jonathan Tropper, who worked with Levy on Netflix's The Adam Project film, is penning its screenplay (via On Demand Entertainment).And in exciting news, Ryan Gosling is joining the Star Wars universe as an all-new character. Other than that, we don't know a lot else about the plot and storyline. But, the movie is slated to begin production this fall with a release date of Memorial Day 2027. Other Star Wars movies in the works Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron movie is still in development (Image credit: LucasArts) Yoda once said: "Always in motion is the future" – and the diminutive Jedi Master could've been talking about the Star Wars movie slate since the release of 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. Several projects been released and/or canceled since the franchise made its last visit to theaters, but, three high profile movies remain in the pipeline.Rogue Squadron, the pilot-focused movie that was pulled from its original December 2023 slot (per Variety), is seemingly still in the works. Kennedy told IGN at Star Wars Celebration in April 2023 that this Top Gun in space blockbuster "definitely is something that we still talk about. Whether it's a movie, or whether it ends up being in the [TV] series space, that's definitely something." Meanwhile, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, who was thought to have departed the project, revealed in March that she's working on a new draft of the Rogue Squadron movie.Lastly, Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi (who’s also directed, and starred in, episodes of The Mandalorian) continues to orbit a Star Wars movie of his own. "Taika is still working away," Kennedy told Variety. "He’s writing the script himself. He doesn’t really want to bring others into that process and I don’t blame him. He has a very, very unique voice. So we want to protect that". Updating fans on how things were progressing last November, Waititi teased his film will aim to "capture that joy and the entertainment of those early ones [Star Wars movies]." For more Star Wars coverage, see which productions in its extensive back catalog made it onto our best Disney Plus movies and best Disney Plus shows guides.

OpenAI has rolled back the ChatGPT 4o update that caused the chatbot's AI personality to be 'sycophantic'CEO Sam Altman claims more fixes are comingWe could see a personality selection option in ChatGPT in the future Following Sam Altman claiming ChatGPT 4o's personality had become 'annoying', OpenAI has now made changes to the AI model, rolling back last week's update.The company posted a blog post on its website highlighting the issue that had caused ChatGPT to become more 'flattering or agreeable – often described as sycophantic.'Users found the update infuriating, with CEO Sam Altman sharing on X earlier this week that the company was working on a fix for the 'annoying' behaviour. the last couple of GPT-4o updates have made the personality too sycophant-y and annoying (even though there are some very good parts of it), and we are working on fixes asap, some today and some this week.at some point will share our learnings from this, it's been interesting.April 27, 2025 In the blog post, OpenAI says, "In last week’s GPT‑4o update, we made adjustments aimed at improving the model’s default personality to make it feel more intuitive and effective across a variety of tasks.""However, in this update, we focused too much on short-term feedback, and did not fully account for how users’ interactions with ChatGPT evolve over time. As a result, GPT‑4o skewed towards responses that were overly supportive but disingenuous."In an effort to prevent this from happening moving forward, the company has highlighted how it looks to address sycophancy in the future.For starters, training will be used to 'steer the model away from sycophancy' as well as added guardrails put in place to 'increase honesty and transparency'.OpenAI also plans to add more ways for users to provide feedback on updates before they are rolled out to the wider public. More personality updates to come we started rolling back the latest update to GPT-4o last night it's now 100% rolled back for free users and we'll update again when it's finished for paid users, hopefully later today we're working on additional fixes to model personality and will share more in the coming daysApril 29, 2025 Following the rollback of the ChatGPT 4o update, Altman wrote on X, "we're working on additional fixes to model personality and will share more in the coming days."Putting two and two together, it looks like users might get a ChatGPT personality selection tool in the future. OpenAI's blog post mentions the company is "building new, easier ways for users to shape ChatGPT's behavior" beyond custom instructions.If you want to go further and change ChatGPT's personality yourself, we recommend trying the following prompt Reddit user TedHoliday:"Can you please store a memory to permanently stop commenting on the quality and validity of my questions and simply get to the point? I don't want to be manipulated with flattery by a robot, and I don't want to have to skip past the garbage to get to the answer l'm looking for." You might also like ChatGPT started speaking like a demon mid-conversation, and it's both hilarious and terrifyingCharacter.AI's newest feature can bring a picture to uncanny lifeChatGPT news just got a major upgrade from The Washington Post

AMD’s RX 9060 XT is rumored for a May 21 launch at ComputexThe graphics card won’t go on sale until June, though, we’re toldWe do know that AMD intends to launch an RX 9060 offering at some point before the end of Q2, so June would be leaving it late AMD’s RX 9060 XT is the next in line for the RDNA 4 range, rumor has it – at least outside of Asia (I’ll come back to that point later) – and we’ve just heard a possible release date for this GPU which will sit underneath the RX 9070 models.VideoCardz reports that Chinese tech site Benchlife has the scoop on this one, claiming that the RX 9060 XT will be launched on May 21 (apply seasoning now).This backs up a previous nugget of speculation from the grapevine contending that AMD is shooting for a mid-May launch. And it makes sense given that Team Red has its Computex keynote on May 21, which would be an obvious time to make a revelation like this.I should clarify that this is just the reveal of the RX 9060 XT, we’re told, and these graphics cards won’t go on sale until later – in June, in fact, according to the report. (Assuming no translation issues are clouding the air here, which is always possible when the original material is in another language, Chinese in this case).AMD itself has only confirmed that RX 9060 models are coming in Q2 2025, so June is at the late end of that timeframe. (Image credit: Shutterstock / Gorodenkoff) Analysis: A sound bet for Computex I wouldn’t bet against a Computex launch, because AMD has even said it will “announce key products and technology advancements” in the sphere of gaming at the show (among other areas, including AI PCs too). So, it seems likely enough, then, although arguably it’s also an easy target for an educated guess, if that’s what Benchlife is engaging in here.The date also seems well placed to fire a shot back at Nvidia, in theory. The rumored release date for the RTX 5060 is May 19, so if that turns out to be correct, then AMD is perhaps looking to steal a bit of the thunder from Nvidia’s release here with a launch just a couple of days after. (Even if going by the rumored specs, the 9060 XT is going to be more pitched at the RTX 5060 Ti, rather than the vanilla RTX 5060).So, again, all this makes some sense, and while I certainly think we should remain cautious, I’d be inclined to give Benchlife the benefit of the doubt here.Pricing will of course be key, and we don’t yet have rumored pricing for the RX 9060 XT. Another key question that remains to be answered is whether AMD will release the RX 9060 XT in two flavors: 16GB and 8GB. Previous buzz has indicated that this might be the case, but more recent rumors are asserting that the 8GB model could be canceled before it flies the nest (due to the reaction to the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB).The RX 9060 XT might be the next GPU to emerge globally as a more affordable RDNA 4 graphics card, but before then, gamers in Asia will get another product – the RX 9070 GRE. Like the GRE variants before it, this might be sold in other regions eventually, but for now, it’s a China-only prospect, with AMD having confirmed a May 8 on-sale date for this GPU. You might also like... Where to buy AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070: the best retailers in the US and UK to check for stockMicrosoft is digging its own grave with Windows 11, and it has to stopI've reviewed three generations of 3D V-cache processors, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the best there is

Samsung has hinted that a new type of Samsung foldable is comingThat most likely means the company's long-rumored tri-fold phone will launch this yearHowever, based on previous rumors, it might not be widely available We’ve been hearing for a while that Samsung could launch a tri-fold phone, possibly called the Samsung Galaxy G Fold, and now the company has strongly hinted that this device will launch in 2025.As reported by SamMobile, the company stated during its Q1 2025 earnings call that it will “maximize product competitiveness based on form factor innovation.” Now, given that Samsung hasn’t released a phone with a new form factor since 2020, that suggests a new form factor is coming soon, with the tri-fold design being the only rumored candidate.The company also stated that “Foldables will offer large-screen experiences for Fold”, which could be a reference to the rumored 9.9-inch screen of the Samsung Galaxy G Fold; that would make it a lot larger than the 7.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.Of course, we can’t be sure about any of this, but it’s already been rumored that the Samsung Galaxy G Fold will launch this year, so these comments further corroborate that prediction. It could be coming soon, but maybe not everywhere The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) If the G Fold does land this year, it will most likely launch alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, both of which are expected in July.However, it’s also possible that the Samsung Galaxy G Fold won’t get a global launch, with one report suggesting it will only be available in China and Korea. In which case, you might not be able to buy it.Still, there’s always hope that it will go global, and even if this initial version doesn’t, subsequent models may well do.We certainly hope the Galaxy G Fold will be widely available, though, because despite being one of the early pioneers of foldable phones, Samsung hasn’t done much to innovate in the space for quite a while now, so a tri-fold device could really freshen up its foldable line. You might also like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 colors: every rumored and predicted shadeSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 release date: when might the new phone launch?Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so far

The Apple Watch SE 3 is expected to launch in SeptemberA new report claims it has entered development with a major display upgradeSizes of 1.6 and 1.8-inches have been tipped, hinting at a redesign based around the Apple Watch Series 9 The new Apple Watch SE 3, expected to arrive in September, has reportedly entered production sporting display size options of 1.6 and 1.8 inches, hinting at the long-rumored redesign we've been waiting for.Apple should unveil its three new best Apple Watches for 2025 in September alongside the iPhone 17. While the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 should be the headliners, only the Apple Watch SE 3 is tipped to get a redesign, and we've just got our clearest hint yet at what that could entail.As reported by 9to5Mac, the ultra-reliable supply chain leaker Ross Young has reportedly revealed that the new Apple Watch SE 3 displays have entered production. According to the report, "He estimates the displays as being around 1.6” and 1.8” each."As the report notes, Apple gauges its Watch line by case size, not screen size. As such, it's difficult to pin down exactly what this means. However, the sizing mentioned is closest to that of the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch range pioneered by the Series 7 and phased out with the Series 10.Coupled with prior reports of a new design for the SE 2, it's safe to say that the Apple Watch SE 3 is hopefully going to look an awful lot like the Apple Watch Series 9 – a much-needed design overhaul. Apple Watch SE 3's new sizes (Image credit: Future) Boosting the display size to 41mm and 45mm makes a ton of sense. The Apple Watch SE 2's design is starting to look long in the tooth alongside the sleeker Series 10. Handily, because the Series 10 measures 42mm and 46mm, Apple can increase the SE 3's display size accordingly while keeping the size difference as a clear point of differentiation in the lineup.Other features and upgrades of the Apple Watch SE 3 remain veiled at this point. The big story for Apple Watch this year should be the introduction of blood pressure/hypertension monitoring, a feature certain to be reserved for the premium models in the lineup.In the meantime, Apple should unveil watchOS 12 at WWDC 2025, which will reportedly feature a more transparent design reflective of Apple Vision Pro's visionOS. You may also like Apple Watch SE 3: 3 reasons to consider upgrading, and 3 reasons you might want to skipThe Apple Watch Series 11 isn’t tempting me to upgrade – and these 5 rumors explain whyThe Huawei Watch 5 just leaked in full, revealing the intriguing new health sensor the company has been teasing

Google has hinted that it could address PWM dimming issues later this yearThat likely means any improvements will come to the Pixel 10 seriesThis could be good news for anyone who suffers headaches when using phones with low PWM dimming rates Google’s Pixel phones have fantastic screens and there’s no reason to think the upcoming Google Pixel 10 series will be any exception, but one way in which they’ve so far been found lacking is their PWM (pulse-width modulation) dimming rates.This refers to a method that some smartphones use to make their display appear dimmer. Essentially, rather than the voltage being adjusted, the display is rapidly turned off and on to give the appearance of decreased brightness.This rapid switching on and off of the screen is imperceptible to most users, but for some it can cause headaches, and it’s at its worst when the PWM rate is quite low – which is the case with Pixel phones.But that might change with the Google Pixel 10, as when Android Central asked Google whether it would consider upgrading the PWM dimming rate or adding a flicker-reduction accessibility option to Pixel phones, they were told by a Google representative that “their teams are aware and investigating this. You can expect updates later this year." The Google Pixel 9 Pro (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Likely landing with the Pixel 10 That reference to “later this year” likely means any changes would come to the Pixel 10 series, which is expected to launch in or around August. That likely means older models won’t benefit, though it’s not impossible that these changes could land as a software update.It’s also unclear whether this would mean changes to the PWM rate, moving away from PWM, or some other solution. But whatever the case, this is very promising news for anyone who struggles with PWM and particularly low PWM dimming rates.Of course, this comment is a bit vague so we might be getting excited about nothing, but as Android Central notes, this isn’t the first time they’ve reached out to Google for comment on PWM over the last couple of years, but it is the first time they’ve had a meaningful response, which could be a sign that it’s finally something Google is addressing.We should find out later this year, either with the Pixel 10 series or as part of a software update – perhaps Android 16. You might also like Google Pixel 9 review: a fantastic phone* (*added fees may apply)Google Pixel 9a review: this would be the perfect bargain phone if it wasn’t so dang uglyBest Android phones: top performing and most affordable

The modus operandi of the original electric Citroen Ami was to make motoring as affordable and as widely accessible as possible, with the diminutive and very basic quadricycle flaunting many automotive norms in favor of cost-cutting.Now, Citroen has refreshed the line-up, including the addition of a funky Buggy version that shuns its doors and hard-top for an altogether more beach-ready vibe.As a reminder, the petite Ami can only manage a top speed of 28mph, lacks any sort of infotainment system (you bring your smartphone) and offers an EV range of around 46 miles. But it can be driven by 14-year-olds in some countries and costs less than many modern eBikes.Citroen engineered the Ami so both of its doors are identical, mounted in a mirrored fashion so they open suicide-style for the driver and normally for the passenger, making it cheaper to manufacture and repair.Everything is designed to be robust but affordable – it is basic city transport at its best and it has shifted more than 75,000 units in the past five years.The refreshed line-up features a revised front and rear fascia with brand new lights, with moulded grooves in the front right and rear left wings, offering a nod to the original 2CV of the late 1940s. Image 1 of 5(Image credit: Citroen)Image 2 of 5(Image credit: Citroen)Image 3 of 5(Image credit: Citroen)Image 4 of 5(Image credit: Citroen)Image 5 of 5(Image credit: Citroen) Three new color packs also join the fold, with Ami Spicy, Ami Icy, and Ami Minty (red, white and green) providing an alternative to the basic blue hue of the previous iteration.But in order to cut costs, Citroen supplies the wheel trims and a set of decals so that customers can apply the very basic wrap themselves.The Ami Buggy, on the other hand, wears its additional design touches on its sleeve, including gold 14-inch steel wheels, a small sports spoiler and black metal hoops that replace the standard doors. This makes sliding in and out easier, while zipped door covers are available to keep out the rain.Equally, the soft fabric roof can be rolled back or removed, essentially creating a small electric Manx Buggy.There’s also a Palmeira edition that adds colored floor mats and a little robot bobble head called Andy that sits on the dashboard. Why? We have no idea. Electric micro mobility rules for many (Image credit: Citroen) It’s easy to pass off something like the Citroen Ami as a bit of a joke, but it is the sort of basic, electric micro-mobility option that helps many navigate the busy streets of European cities, as well as offering safer, four-wheeled freedom to teenagers.The new design language moves away from the slightly cutesy look of the original electric Ami, yet the refreshed model still manages to start at just €7,990 in France. That’s around $9,000 / £6,800 / AU$14,200.Now available in 18 markets, Ami is becoming a common sight on urban streets, where its 2.41m length ensures it easy to park and its 4-hour charge from a 3kWh outlet makes it a solid choice for inner-city car-sharing schemes.The Buggy version is clearly a bit of a fun and a cool lifestyle accessory for someone that needs something simple to pop to the beach in, but electric micro-mobility in general has wider appeal.The new Ami, for example, has been designed with disabilities in mind. There are specific stowage and lashing points for wheelchairs, as well as the option of a mechanical lever for manual control of both accelerator and brake functions.With cities becoming ever-more populated, it's the sort of affordable solution that can keep us all moving... and parking. You might also like My new favorite thing in EVs? This Citroen Ami that's been made to look like a 1950s H-VanMercedes' new steer-by-wire tech is the next big EV trend – and I'll begrudgingly accept that it's the futureSlate Auto's affordable electric pick-up truck is everything the Tesla Cybertruck isn't – and could be a big hit

WiZ has launched a new device to rival the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync BoxThe WiZ HDMI Sync Box uses the same tech, but is less than half the priceIt comes with an LED light strip, and can be synced with extra lights too WiZ makes some of the best smart lights for home owners on a budget, and now it's taking the fight to Philips Hue with a new Sync Box that mirrors the colors on your TV screen, and mirrors them using a connected light strip or bars.It's the same principle as Philips Ambilight technology, and effectively 'blurs' the edges of the screen for a more immersive movie or gaming experience.The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is the best Ambilight alternative around today, but it's also the most expensive. The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K, which launched in September 2024, has a list price of $349.99 / £299.99 (about AU$520), while the 4K version is $249.99 / £229.99 (about AU$390).That's before you add the cost of the lights themselves, whether that's a set of Philips Hue Play Light Bars, or a Gradient Light Strip to stick on the back of your TV.There are several affordable options available from brands like Nanoleaf and Govee, but even the best Ambilight alternatives struggle to match the performance of the Philips Hue Play system. That's because most budget-friendly color-mirroring systems use a camera mounted on top of your TV to monitor what's being displayed on the screen, then replicate those colors.Although this can work well, it often results in more latency than using HDMI, and can be affected by reflections and lighting conditions in the room. That can break the immersion, or even become a distraction. (Image credit: Signify) More immersion, less cash The new WiZ HDMI Sync Box uses HDMI input instead, which eliminates these problems and means there's no need to spend time calibrating the system either.The WiZ HDMI Sync Box supports HDMI 2.0 and video formats up to 4K, and unlike the Philips Hue Play Sync Box 4K it comes with a light strip included. To extend the lighting throughout the rest of your room you can also pair it with the WiZ Gradient Light Bars and Gradient Floor Light.The WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV backlight is available in two sizes. The kit for 55-inch to 65-inch TVs is £79.99 (about $110 / AU$170), while the version for 75-inch to 85-inch TVs is £99.99 (about $130 / AU$210).The smaller kit is available now in the UK and Europe, while the larger set will go on sale in September. Prices and release dates for the rest of the world have yet to be announced.We'll be testing the WiZ HDMI Sync Box very soon, and will bring you a full review so you can see how it compares with the pricier Philips Hue alternative, and decide which is the best companion for your home entertainment setup. You might also like Got Philips Hue lights? This new customizable button could make them even smarterI have Philips Hue lights everywhere in my home, and this is what I want to see from its AI assistantYour Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is getting a big software update, and it's good news for gamers

At long last, Prime Video has finally unveiled its schedule for May 2025 and in addition to its usual roster of old favorites get ready for more original titles that are set to spruce up our array of best Prime Video movies and best Prime Video shows.The most anticipated new Prime Video movie is Another Simple Favor, starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. It serves as the sequel to their 2018 black comedy crime flick, and has debuted with a fairly decent Rotten Tomatoes score of 81% so far.As for original TV shows, the brand new nature docuseries Octopus! narrated by Phoebe Waller-Bridge will also swim its way into the Prime Video library on May 8, followed by the Prime Video original series Molly Mae: Behind It All, which will be returning for a second installment on May 9.This is just the beginning of Prime Video's May 2025 calendar, and before these new original titles land on one of the best streaming services you'll be able to stream over 50 new movies on May 1 alone, the perfect way for you to start your summer streaming schedule.From the romantic sci-fi feature Her (2013) to one of my personal favorite comfort movies Legally Blonde (2001), here are all the new Prime Video titles you'll be able to stream in May 2025. Everything new on Prime Video in May 2025 Arriving on May 1 Agent Cody Banks (movie)Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (movie)All Quiet On The Western Front (movie)All The Money In The World (movie)Animal House (movie)Another Simple Favor (movie)Are We There Yet? (movie)Babe (movie)Babe: Pig in the City (movie)Barbershop (movie)Barbershop 2: Back in Business (movie)Because I Said So (movie)Blood Diamond (movie)Body of Lies (movie)Boo! A Madea Halloween (movie)Born On The Fourth Of July (movie)Cinderella Man (movie)Coogan’s Bluff (movie)Dante’s Peak (movie)Death Wish (movie)Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (movie)Earthquake (movie)Fried Green Tomatoes (movie) Fury (movie)Gattaca (movie)Get On Up (movie)Her (movie)Heroes (movie)How High (movie)In The Heat of the Night (movie)It’s Kind of a Funny Story (movie)Jarhead (movie)Jersey Boys (movie)John Q (movie)Legally Blonde (movie)Loving (movie)Mallrats (movie)Overboard (movie)Play Misty For Me (movie)R.I.P.D. - Rest in Peace Department (movie)Ray (movie)Ride Along With Gag Reel (movie)Space Cowboys (movie)Starsky & Hutch (movie)The Beguiled (movie)The Exorcist (movie)The Flintstones (movie)The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (movie)The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (movie)The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (movie)The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (movie)The Karate Kid (movie)The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (movie)The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (movie)The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (movie)Traffic (movie)Two Mules for Sister Sara (movie) White House Down (movie)You’ve Got Mail (movie)Arriving on May 5 The Peanut Butter Falcon (movie)Arriving on May 6 David Spade: Dandelion (TV show)Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (movie)Arriving on May 8Octopus! (TV show)Arriving on May 9 Molly-Mae: Behind it All Part 2 (TV show)Arriving on May 13 Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop (movie)Arriving on May 20 Motorheads (TV show)Arriving on May 22 Earnhardt (TV show)Arriving on May 23 Clarkson’s Farm season 4 (TV show)Arriving on May 27September 5 (movie)The Fire Inside (movie)The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy season 2 (TV show)Arriving on May 29 The Better Sister (TV show)Arriving on May 30Chomp Squad season 1 (TV show)Arriving on May 31 Good Boy (TV show) You might also like 'Please give us more': The Wheel of Time fans channel the One Power to ask Amazon to renew the high fantasy Prime Video showThis John Cena and Idris Elba Prime Video action flick looks completely wild going by the first trailer for Heads of StatePrime Video cancels Citadel spinoffs that have way higher Rotten Tomatoes ratings than the original – but Citadel season 2 is still coming

Thunderbolts*: key information- Releasing in early May- Four trailers released so far- Main cast revealed- Story synopsis unveiled- Other cast and plot rumors circulating online- Unclear how it'll set up future MCU events Thunderbolts* is ready to storm into theaters. The second Marvel movie of the year will make landfall on May 1 (UK) and May 2 (internationally), so you don't have long left to read up on everything we know about it.Below, I'll run you through one of 2025's most anticipated new movies. Indeed, you'll learn more about this Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film's cast and story, see the main footage that's been release so far, and get some hints about how it'll impact future MCU projects.Before you do all of that, though, read my Thunderbolts* review to see what I thought about it. Ready to proceed? Grand. Full spoilers follow for numerous Marvel projects, including Falcon and the Winter Soldier (FATWS), Black Widow, and Ant-Man and the Wasp (AM&TW), so proceed with caution if you haven't seen them all yet. Thunderbolts release date Thunderbolts will charge into cinemas worldwide in early May (Image credit: Marvel Studios) As mentioned, Thunderbolts* will arrive on Friday, May 2. However, UK audiences can watch it a day earlier on May 1.Thunderbolts* was first announced in June 2022 and was originally due out in December 2024. However, the 2023 Hollywood strikes led to multiple Marvel movies being delayed, including this one.Owing to that months-long stand-off, plus the departure of Steven Yeun and Ayo Edebiri, who'd originally signed on to feature, filming didn't start on Thunderbolts until it had ridden out its creative storm in March 2024. Thankfully, it hasn't suffered further delays. Thunderbolts trailer The official Thunderbolts* trailer was released during Super Bowl LIX. It teases plenty, too including lots of humorous, action-packed, and melodramatic incidents, as well as the revelation that its main villain is someone you probably expected to be a good guy.Before that, Thunderbolts' first trailer was released publicly last September following its D23 Expo 2024 debut. Two months later at the Brazilian edition of D23 Expo 2024, Marvel unveiled another look at Thunderbolts that suggested it'll help Marvel Phase 5 end with a bang rather than a whimper, too. One last trailer, which shines a spotlight on Thunderbolts' villain, made its way online in early April. It spoils who the movie's Big Bad is, though, so I won't directly link to it here. You can watch it via the aforementioned link if you so wish. Thunderbolts cast: confirmed and rumored Thunderbolts will feature plenty of familiar faces (Image credit: Marvel Studios) Potentially big spoilers follow for Thunderbolts. Major spoilers also follow for multiple MCU projects, including Captain America: Brave New World. You can read more about who'll appear in the film via my Thunderbolts* cast and character guide, but here's a quick rundown of who you'll see in the MCU flick: Florence Pugh as Yelena BelovaSebastian Stan as James 'Bucky' Barnes/The Winter SoldierDavid Harbour as Alexei Shoshtakov/The Red GuardianWyatt Russell as John Walker/US AgentHannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/GhostOlga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/TaskmasterLewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds/Sentry/The VoidJulia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de FontaineGeraldine Viswanathan as Mel Everyone except Pullman's Bob Reynolds and Viswanathan's Mel will be familiar to MCU fans. But, if you're new to the franchise or need a quick refresher on who they are, read on.Pugh's Belova was first introduced in Black Widow. She's the sister of Natasha Romanoff, aka the MCU's original Black Widow. The popular Avenger sacrificed herself in Avengers: Endgame to allow Clint Barton/Hawkeye to retrieve the Soul Stone on Vormir. Belova was last seen in Hawkeye on Disney+ where, suspecting Barton was behind Romanoff's death, tried to kill him. However, when she realized he wasn't responsible for Romanoff's death, Belova ended her quest for vengeance.Harbour's Shoshtakov and Kurylenko's Dreykov also made their MCU debuts in Black Widow. Shoshtakov is Romanoff and Belova's father, and he's also Russia's answer to Steve Rogers' iteration of Captain America – i.e. a super-soldier who wields a shield. Meanwhile, Dreykov is also known as Taskmaster, aka an individual who can mimic a person's combat skills. James 'Bucky' Barnes was last seen in Captain America: Brave New World (Image credit: Marvel Studios) Stan's Barnes needs no introduction. An MCU ever-present since 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, he's appeared in nine Marvel properties. Another super-soldier with a vibranium arm, and formerly a brainwashed Russian assassin called The Winter Soldier, Barnes has been elected as a Congressman by the time Thunderbolts* begins. This was previously revealed in Brave New World – read my Captain America 4 ending explained piece for more details.Wyatt's Walker was an antagonistic figure in FATWS. He was enlisted as the new Cap in that TV show after Rogers gave up the shield, but eventually lost the title to Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson. He was later hired by Louis-Dreyfus' duplicitous CIA Director to become a black ops-like version of Cap called US Agent.Speaking of de Fontaine, she first appeared in Black Widow's post-credits scene and has since shown up in FATWS and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She's responsible for sending Belova after Barton, too. Oh, and she'll be helped by Viswanathan's Mel, who's her aide in this flick. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is inadvertently responsible for bringing the Thunderbolts together (Image credit: Marvel Studios) John-Kamen will reprise her role as Starr/Ghost, the primary antagonist of AM&TW whose abilities allow her to phase through solid objects. Like Belova and Walker, it appears Fontaine hires her to conduct secret missions.Rounding out the main cast is MCU newcomer Pullman, who'll portray Bob Reynolds. In the comics, Reynolds is an amnesiac middle-aged man who doesn't know he's also one of the world's most powerful superheroes, aka Sentry. However, Reynolds harbors a dark secret. I won't say much else for anyone who isn't a Marvel Comics buff but, if you want even more details on him, check out our exclusive deal with Marvel Unlimited, the online service that grants you access to over 30,000 Marvel comics. Marvel Unlimited monthly subscription: was $9.99 per month now $4.99 at MarvelThe ultimate digital comics subscription for Marvel fans is offering new and returning customers 50% off their first month, which is much cheaper than a streaming subscription to watch all the best superhero movies. To gain access to a library of more than 30,000 comics, use the code 'SPIDEY50' at checkout. You're able to use the Marvel Unlimited app on all iOS and Android devices, including the web, too!View Deal Thunderbolts story synopsis and speculation The titular group of misfits will need to work together if they're to survive the events of this film (Image credit: Marvel Studios) Possible spoilers follow for Thunderbolts*. Here's the movie's official plot brief: "In Thunderbolts*, Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes – Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?"The "death trap" aspect won't be a surprise to anyone who's watched the trailers. The footage suggests de Fontaine sends Walker, Starr, Dreykov, and Belova on a mission to eradicate each other, but that plan will fall apart when they team up to get revenge on her. Yelena Belova (left) and company should come across Bob (right) in Thunderbolts*' first act (Image credit: Marvel Studios) The big question is why de Fontaine has sent them to their apparent deaths. Is she trying to tie up some loose ends? In my view, that's the most likely explanation. The trailers indicate that de Fontaine's plan goes awry, though, with the group escaping alongside Reynolds and, after teaming up with Barnes and Shoshtakov, confront Fontaine at her new headquarters in the building formerly known as Avengers Tower. Yes, that's the same skyscraper that Tony Stark owned until his death in Avengers: Endgame.Anyway, each team member will be dealing with their own insecurities in this Marvel Phase 5 film. The trailer shows a disenchanted Belova going through the motions before she seeks out Shoshtakov for emotional support. Unfortunately, the wisecracking super-soldier appears ill-equipped to help as he struggles with his own demons of being a dead-beat dad and yearning for new adventures despite his aging body.Walker will be grappling with his dark past, which we glimpsed in FATWS, while Barnes will likely use his own murder-laden history to rally the team together, as well as attempt to make a difference as a newly-elected Congressman. Then there's Reynolds, who has his supervillain-esque internal issue to continually quell. I suspect this meeting with de Fontaine won't go as well as intended (Image credit: Marvel Studios) Thunderbolts* won't be a wholly melancholy affair. There'll be plenty of trademark MCU humor to enjoy, especially once this group of oddballs join forces for the greater good.In another Empire magazine chat, Schreier said the ragtag team's make-up is akin to Woody and Buzz's found family in the Toy Story films. Clearly, Marvel is going all-out to make this so-called "A24-feeling assassin movie with superheroes" (Pugh's word to Empire, not mine) to make Thunderbolts stand apart from its contemporaries.But back to something I mentioned many paragraphs ago: what's with the asterisk? Some fans believe it's a subtitle placeholder, which will be revealed in the third act or before the credits roll. Right now, fans have two suggestions: The Dark Avengers or The New Avengers. The former would befit this team of not-so-morally upstanding individuals. However, the latter appears more likely, especially in light of de Fontaine claiming that the world needs a new Avengers team in Thunderbolts' official trailer. We'll see if either of those theories is correct soon. What Marvel movies and shows do I need to watch before Thunderbolts? Yelena Belova has appeared in two other live-action MCU projects (Image credit: Marvel Studios) I've already hinted at the MCU movies and TV shows that you'll need to stream on Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services before this film arrives.Nevertheless, here's a quick round-up of what you'll want to stream before Thunderbolts* arrives (NB: you can read more about each one in my Marvel movies in order guide, too): Ant-Man and the Wasp – introduction of Ava Starr/GhostFalcon and the Winter Soldier – introduction of John Walker/US AgentBlack Widow – introductions of Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and TaskmasterHawkeye – progression of Belova's MCU journeyBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever – more details on Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's history and CIA roleCaptain America: Brave New World – details on Barnes' campaign to become a Congressman How will Thunderbolts impact the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Thunderbolts* could set up events to come in Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel (Image credit: Marvel Studios) Having seen Thunderbolts*, I know how it'll effect the MCU moving forward. Buuuut I'm not a monster, so I won't spoil anything here.One thing we do know, however, is that the vast majority of them will appear in Avengers: Doomsday and/or Avengers: Secret Wars.These movies, which are currently set to be released in theaters in May 2026 and May 2027, should bring down the curtain on the Marvel Multiverse Saga. And, following a five-hour Marvel livestream that revealed the initial 27-strong cast for Avengers: Doomsday, we already know that Belova, Barnes, Red Guardian, US Agent, Ghost, and Reynolds will feature in the first of these two in these Marvel Phase 6 flicks.As for whether Thunderbolts will set up any story threads for Avengers 5 and Avengers 6, I don't think that's likely. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the next MCU film that'll land in theaters before Doomsday, though, so it's possible that Thunderbolts* may drop a tease or two that sets up events for The Fantastic Four's MCU debut and/or gives us a glimpse at what's to come in Doomsday. We'll (or, rather, you'll) find out soon enough. For more Marvel coverage, read my guides on the best Marvel movies, Spider-Man 4, and Daredevil: Born Again season 2.

Some filmmakers become legends, and perhaps the most legendary filmmaker of all is Alfred Hitchcock. And now many of his most iconic movies, and movies inspired by the 'Master of Suspense', are coming to Netflix.One of the movies you can stream from the 1st of June happens to be my favorite Hitchcock film, The Birds. Even decades on, it's a masterclass in suspense and creeping dread, and I still get the fear when I see more than a few black birds in real life.Can't wait for Hitchcock's films to become some of the best Netflix movies to stream in June? Psycho, which had previously been available on Prime Video, is already streaming on Netflix if you're in the mood for screaming. What Hitchcock films will you be able to stream? While Netflix hasn't revealed the entire list of Hitchcock movies that will be made available in the collection, we do know that five other masterpieces from the filmmaker will be added.These include Vertigo, Rear Window, Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Family Plot and "more". Netflix will also be including films strongly influenced by Hitchcock's work including Us and Barbarian, as well as a narrative feature called Hitchcock about his work and legacy directed by Sacha Gervasi.It'll be interesting to see if the feature also talks about his cruelty: Hitchcock may have been a great director but as The Atlantic carefully put it he was "stringent with – and sometimes even sadistic toward – his female leads".If you're in New York or intend to be, Netflix is also presenting a Hitchcock special at the Paris Theater from May 16 through June 29. 'HITCH! The Original Cinema Influencer' is a six-week screening of over 50 films, including 36 directed by Hitchcock himself and more than a dozen more movies bearing his influence, made in collaboration with him or in homage to his style.35 of the movies will be shown in 35mm, including Rear Window, Vertigo and North by Northwest, Francois Truffaut’s The Bride Wore Black and Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Dialbolique.The Alfred Hitchcock Collection will arrive on Netflix, one of the best streaming services, on June 1. You may also like Best Netflix movies: 46 amazing films to stream this monthNetflix announces May air date for Tudum 2025 – and it'll include news on Stranger Things season 5, Wednesday season 2, Squid Game season 3, and more5 new Netflix movies with over 95% on Rotten Tomatoes coming in May 2025

You can now talk to Perplexity AI from within WhatsAppPerplexity joins Meta AI and ChatGPT inside the appThe move raises privacy concerns after comments from Perplexity’s CEO If you regularly converse with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, it might seem like a natural move to talk to them inside your favorite messaging app. Well, you’ve just gained a new option, as you’re now able to chat with Perplexity AI directly within WhatsApp.To get started, all you have to do is add the following number within WhatsApp: +1 (833) 436-3285. Once that number is in your list of contacts, you can chat with Perplexity AI till your heart’s content.Announcing the move on X, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said that you’ll be able to get “answers, sources, image generation” from your WhatsApp chats, with “a lot more features coming soon.”In a video accompanying the post on X, Srinivas asked Perplexity what they would look like if they were bald, then attached a headshot of themselves to the question. Perplexity replied with a doctored image of Srinivas with a bald head. ChatGPT in WhatsApp (Image credit: OpenAI) Perplexity is just the latest AI chatbot to be added to WhatsApp. Meta, which owns WhatsApp, has added its own Meta AI tool to the app in the form of a permanent button in the lower-right corner. This gives you quick access to the company’s AI but also means you might accidentally trigger it since you can’t hide the icon.If you’d rather your AI conversations appeared in your list of chats like those with living, human contacts, there are other options besides Perplexity. For instance, ChatGPT has recently become available in WhatsApp, and it can be contacted by adding the number +1 (800) 242-8478 to the app.That said, you might have second thoughts about using a tool like Perplexity based on recent comments from its CEO. According to TechCrunch, Srinivas said Perplexity wants to build its upcoming Comet browser so that it can collect extensive data on its users, then sell that personal information to the highest bidder.If that concerns you, you might want to think twice about feeding Perplexity’s WhatsApp AI with your personal questions. You might also like I tried Perplexity’s Deep Research and it doesn't quite live up to ChatGPT's research potentialFrom ChatGPT to NotebookLM, these are the 10 best free AI productivity tools to help you get things doneChatGPT just powered-up search for everyone, here are all the new features

Colorful has two new RTX 5060 gaming laptops on the horizonBenchmarks have leaked which indicates a sizeable leap over the RTX 4060 laptop GPU8GB of GDDR7 VRAM may suffice for both laptop and desktop GPUs We're still waiting for Nvidia's RTX 5060 GPU to launch, a GPU that is expected to complete Team Green’s Blackwell GPU lineup (at least, before the rumored Super models). Now, we have some early insight into the laptop version of this GPU's performance, which could strongly indicate what the desktop counterpart has to offer.As reported by VideoCardz, Chinese laptop maker Colorful has two new Nvidia RTX 5060 gaming laptops on the way. Most importantly, benchmarks have already leaked (pictured below) for both systems; the Colorful iGame M15 Origo and the Colorful P15 Pro, which also use Intel's powerful Ultra 9 285H and Core i9-13900HX processors respectively.Using the OpenCL API (used in general computing applications), the iGame M15 Origo scored 102,564 points while the P15 Pro hit 109,431 points. It's worth noting that there are no leaked Vulkan benchmarks, which is a graphics API commonly used in plenty of triple-A games, so these scores don't give us the full picture.However, VideoCardz notably does highlight that the RTX 5060 laptop GPU is roughly 18% faster than its predecessor, the RTX 4060, thanks to its GDDR7 VRAM over the latter’s GDDR6 and more GPU cores.There's no official confirmation of these laptops from either Colorful or Nvidia, so this leak is all we have at the moment - apply salt pinches where necessary. The purported leap over its predecessor suggests that 8GB GDDR7 may be enough to provide good performance - the same could be true of its desktop variant as well. (Image credit: Geekbench) I still want 8GB GPUs gone for good, but I think GDDR7 speeds will be the difference Now, don't get me wrong, I still absolutely want 8GB GPUs to be long gone. Modern games - especially poorly-optimized PC ports - are frequently very VRAM-hungry, to the point where 8GB can be too low for some triple-A titles. However, both RTX 5060 desktop and laptop GPUs could highly benefit from the upgrade to GDDR7 memory, and these benchmarks indicate a significant leap over the RTX 4060 based on older Geekbench tests.With the anticipated improvements, I think 8GB of VRAM is slightly more acceptable for budget gaming laptops; particularly since gaming laptops with less powerful GPUs typically stick with 1080p and often don't go much higher than 1440p (which already makes no sense to me).The potential of improved base frame rates, coupled with the advantage of Nvidia’s new DLSS 4 resolution upscaling and Multi Frame Generation, could make RTX 5060 laptops more appealing to budget gamers.The desktop GPU is naturally expected to outperform the laptop variant (if it doesn't, something is seriously wrong), and these benchmarks tell me that the RTX 5060 may fare slightly better than I expected. Let's just hope that laptop pricing doesn't get too unrealistic, considering Nvidia's announced starting price of $1,099 for its major manufacturing partners. You may also like... Here's one of the strangest ways gamers are trying to buy an RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 - unsurprisingly, it's not workingNvidia's new GeForce hotfix driver 576.26 is its second in a row - and it's still giving users issuesNvidia and AMD are going to hate me for this - but I'm going to keep telling people not to buy overpriced GPUs

A new ChatGPT shopping experience is launching for all usersEarly users have expressed displeasure with the new recommendationsComparisons are being drawn to Corey Doctrow's "enshittification" concept According to a new Reddit thread, some users are not happy with the new shopping features that are being integrated into ChatGPT and are rolling out now.The new features make it easy to search for and buy consumer products online using ChatGPT's search feature combined with its rich natural-language prompts.Reddit user 'Kjfitz', who started the thread, titled it, “the enshittification has arrived” in reference to the infamous neologism championed by Cory Doctrow in a 2022 essay about Amazon, which is generally used to describe how commercial pressures cause the experience of using platforms like Amazon, Google, and Facebook to gradually deteriorate over time as more monetization features are added. The "Enshittification" has arrived from r/ChatGPT “I asked ChatGPT about the impact of the current tariffs on inventories over the next few months. It returned a long list of links to toiletries I might want to buy”, said Kjfitz. “I asked it why it did that. It replied:"As of April 28, 2025, OpenAI introduced new shopping features to ChatGPT, enhancing its capabilities to provide product recommendations complete with images, reviews, and direct purchase links. These features are available to all users, including those on Free, Plus, and Pro tiers, and even to users not logged in. The recommendations are generated organically, without paid advertisements or commission-based incentives, relying instead on structured metadata from third-party sources such as pricing, product descriptions, and reviews.​"This update aims to offer a more personalized and streamlined shopping experience directly within the ChatGPT interface, allowing users to explore products across various categories like fashion, beauty, electronics, and home goods. If you have any specific preferences or need tailored recommendations, feel free to let me know!"Other Reddit users were quick to express their displeasure with the new features. In reference to the notice that "The recommendations are generated organically, without paid advertisements or commission-based incentives" User 'crystallin' commented, “I give it less than six months before that changes.”“Good God. Imagine the people using ChatGPT for mental health advice and it starts saying “you know what’ll fix your relationship with your kids? Switching to Allstate”, said Reddit user 'rosencranberry'. A gradual deterioration In 2024, the Macquarie Dictionary, the national dictionary of Australia, picked “enshittification” as its word of the year, describing it as “the gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality of service provided, especially of an online platform, and as a consequence of profit-seeking.”It should be noted that currently there are no paid adverts or sponsored links attached to any of the shopping features in ChatGPT; however there's nothing to stop these being added in the future.We’re still in the early days of shopping features being added to chatbots, and the AI search engine Perplexity has already made some inroads into adding shopping features, but this is the first time e-commerce features have been added to ChatGPT search.“We’ll continue to bring merchants along our journeys as we quickly learn and iterate”, said OpenAI commenting on the launch of the new features yesterday. You may also like Alexa+ early adopter gives their thoughts: "Old Alexa was hot garbage but this new one was a pleasant surprise"OpenAI has fixed ChatGPT's 'annoying' personality update - Sam Altman promises more changes 'in the coming days' which could include an option to choose the AI's behaviorChatGPT just powered-up search for everyone, here are all the new features

Security researchers found dozens of flaws in Apple's AirPlay protocolSome of them allowed remote code execution attacksApple has released patches addressing the flaws Apple’s AirPlay Protocol and AirPlay Software Development Kit (SDK) carried numerous vulnerabilities that could be abused to run remote code execution (RCE) attacks, man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, or denial of service (DoS) attacks. To make matters worse, some of these vulnerabilities could be used in zero-click attacks, meaning to pull it off - no interaction from the victim is required.Cybersecurity researchers Oligo Security found 23 flaws and collectively dubbed them AirBorne. Two of the flaws could be used in RCE attacks, which are now tracked as CVE-2025-24252, and CVE-2025-24132. There is also CVE-2025-24206, a user interaction bypass vulnerability that allows crooks to bypass “Accept” click requirements on AirPlay requests."This means that an attacker can take over certain AirPlay-enabled devices and do things like deploy malware that spreads to devices on any local network the infected device connects to. This could lead to the delivery of other sophisticated attacks related to espionage, ransomware, supply-chain attacks, and more," Oligo warned. 'Vast and concerning' "Because AirPlay is a fundamental piece of software for Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad, AppleTV, etc.) as well as third-party devices that leverage the AirPlay SDK, this class of vulnerabilities could have far-reaching impacts."The potential reach of AirBorne exploitation is “vast and concerning”, CyberInsider argues. The publication claims Apple’s wireless streaming protocol is “critical” to the company’s ecosystem and is operating on 2.35 billion active devices all over the world.It argues that, in theory, a threat actor could compromise a MacBook at a coffee shop, and later use it as a steppingstone into an enterprise network, once the compromised device connects to the company’s Wi-Fi.Apple has since fixed the flaws with iOS and iPadOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and visionOS 2.4. The AirPlay audio SDK, the AirPlay video SDK, and the CarPlay Communication Plug-in have all been updated, as well.Via BleepingComputer You might also like Apple fixes dangerous iOS zero days after threats against targeted individualsTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

Google’s NotebookLM now supports Audio Overviews in over 50 languagesUsers can generate AI podcasts based on uploaded information in their preferred languagesThe Gemini 2.5 Pro-powered feature maintains the same casual, conversational style regardless of language It seems the AI 'podcasters' you create with Google's NotebookLM have been playing a lot of Duolingo. The AI-generated hosts of the Audio Overview feature can now perform in more than 50 languages. Audio Overview is the NotebookLM feature that transforms the documents, videos, books, and other information you give it into an audio show hosted by a couple of AI voices.When you make the Audio Overview now, you can go to the settings and pick an Output Language ahead of generating the audio. You can also switch languages on the fly, generate summaries for friends or students in their native tongue, or prep multilingual study guides without hiring a translator or braving the often messy results of Google Translate.The addition may not seem like a big deal among other AI spectacles, but it's potentially huge. Language plays a gatekeeper for so many things, especially technology. Now, Google can entice those who might be interested in playing with its AI toy without them having to learn a whole new language.An entire global audience of people studying, teaching, researching, or just interested in learning new things can now better navigate a Google platform previously limited by English exclusivity. Teachers, for instance, can upload a hodgepodge of resources in different languages and generate a digestible audio recap in whatever language their students are most comfortable with. Global AI podcasts The feature is only in beta, and Google is keen to caution that there are still some problems. The voices might stumble, and you might encounter weird or wrong translations, especially in less frequently used languages. But the synthetic personalities will still discuss your research paper sources or complete home makeover guide and riff, recap, and remark on the content; it's just that English won't be the only tongue they do it in.That tone matters. One of the reasons Audio Overviews clicked with users in the first place is that they don’t sound like a monotone robot trying to teach you tax law. The AI hosts crack jokes, pause for effect, and express amazement in (usually) appropriate spots.There’s something deeply satisfying about hearing your own research about ancient Rome explained to you in Latin. It definitely makes learning the language feel more exciting. Amo audire podcasts novis linguis. You might also like One of my favorite AI tools is getting an iPhone app, and here's why you should install itI used NoteBookLM to help with productivity - here’s 5 top tips to get the most from Google’s AI audio toolGoogle will turn those long documents into your next favorite podcast

Iran has thwarted an attack against its critical infrastructureThe attack was "widespread and complex"It's not confirmed who was behind the incident Iran’s national infrastructure was hit with a “widespread and complex” cyberattack, which was repelled by the country’s cybersecurity experts, a senior official speaking to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-linked Tasnim News Agency confirmed (via The Record).Although the incident wasn’t described in detail, the head of the Iranian government’s Telecommunication Infrastructure Company (TIC), Behzad Akbari, said;“By God's grace and the efforts of the security and technical teams of the Communications Infrastructure Company and the Ministry of Communications, yesterday one of the most widespread and complex cyber attacks against the country's infrastructure was identified and preventive measures were taken,” said Akbari on X (Translated from Persian by Google). Get Keeper Personal for just $1.67/month, Keeper Family for just $3.54/month, and Keeper Business for just $7/month. Keeper generates and stores strong passwords so you never have to remember them again. Don’t let one weak password leave you exposed.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal Unconfirmed cause Very little is known about the attack, nor about the Iranian security team’s success in stopping it - TechRadar Pro did reach out to the TIC, but has not yet received a reply.This comes just a day after an explosion at the country's largest port, Shahid Rajaei, killing at least 28 people and injuring 800 more, authorities report - although there’s no indication these two incidents are linked.This isn’t the first time Iranian national infrastructure has come under attack. In 2023, Iranian petrol stations were targeted in a controlled cyberattack, causing havoc across the country and affecting around 70% of petrol stations around the nation.The Iranian government attributed this incident to a cybergroup named ‘Predatory Sparrow’, which it says has ties to Israel.As geopolitical tensions rise, national infrastructure continues to be the top target for state-backed threat actors and cybercriminals, especially given the critical nature of the services they provide, and the chaos created by downtime. The consequences for compromised telecommunications, transportation, energy, or water networks could be severe or even life-threatening, so cybersecurity is more critical than ever. You might also like Take a look at our picks for the best malware removal software aroundCheck out our choice for best antivirus softwareOne of the most powerful ransomware hacks around has been cracked using some serious GPU power

Firefox now lets you organize your tabs. Four years after its biggest rivals launched tab groups, Mozilla published a nearly 1,000-word blog post recounting the feature's long road from user requests to launch. (Consider skipping it if you don’t like long-winded acceptance speeches.) "What happens when 4,500 people ask for the same feature?" the company asked rhetorically. "At Firefox, we build it." Of course, those users may have requested tab groups partly because Firefox was the only major browser without them. Chrome, Safari and Edge launched tab groups in 2021. Hell, Vivaldi has had them since 2016. Tardiness aside, Firefox users will welcome the chance to tidy up the clutter. The feature lets you drag and drop tabs into groups and label them by name or color. Mozilla says tab groups are on-device and never uploaded to the cloud. "Tab groups aren't just about decluttering," Firefox product manager Stefan Smagula said. "It's about reclaiming your flow and finding focus again." Up next for Firefox tabs: The tech industry's favorite buzzword. Mozilla is testing smart tab groups, powered by AI, which suggest names and groups based on your open tabs.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/firefox-finally-adds-tab-groups-195130482.html?src=rss

As Meta’s first-ever generative AI conference gets underway, the company is also previewing a significant update on its plans to bring AI features to WhatsApp chats. Buried in its LlamaCon updates, the company shared that it’s working on something called “Private Processing,” which will allow users to take advantage of generative AI capabilities within WhatsApp without eroding its privacy features. According to Meta, Private Processing is an “optional capability” that will enable people to “leverage AI capabilities for things like summarizing unread messages or refining them, while keeping messages private.” WhatsApp, of course, is known for its strong privacy protections and end-to-end encryption. That would seem incompatible with cloud-based AI features like Meta AI. But Private Processing will essentially allow Meta to do both. Meta has shared more details about how it will accomplish this over on its engineering blog but, as Wired points out, it’s a similar model as Apple’s Private Cloud Compute (which allows the iPhone maker to implement Apple AI without sending all your data to the cloud). Here’s how Meta describes its approach. We’re excited to share an initial overview of Private Processing, a new technology we’ve built to support people’s needs and aspirations to leverage AI in a secure and privacy-preserving way. This confidential computing infrastructure, built on top of a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), will make it possible for people to direct AI to process their requests — like summarizing unread WhatsApp threads or getting writing suggestions — in our secure and private cloud environment. In other words, Private Processing will allow users to leverage powerful AI features, while preserving WhatsApp’s core privacy promise, ensuring no one except you and the people you’re talking to can access or share your personal messages, not even Meta or WhatsApp. The company seems well-aware such a plan will likely be met with skepticism. WhatsApp is regularly targeted by bad actors as it is. To address inevitable concerns from the security community, the company says it will allow security researchers and others to audit Private Processing, and will make the technology part of its bug bounty program that rewards people who find security vulnerabilities in its services. It’s not clear when generative AI features may actually be available in WhatsApp chats — the company describes its announcement today as merely a “first look” at the technology — but it does note that Private Processing and “similar infrastructure” could have use cases beyond its messaging app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-has-a-plan-to-bring-ai-to-whatsapp-chats-without-breaking-privacy-193556026.html?src=rss

There’s a new animated Star Wars show coming soon and it’s set to actually premiere in the game Fortnite. Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld will be available to watch in-game starting on May 2 at 10AM ET. This is two full days before the show streams on Disney+. Viewing will take place in a new in-game location called Star Wars Watch Party Island. Epic Games says that this area was built using Unreal Editor for Fortnite and uses official assets to create a "breathtaking environment inspired by a galaxy far, far away." Players will only have access to the first two episodes. For the uninitiated, Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld is an anthology series consisting of animated shorts. It takes a look at the criminal underworld, centering on the bounty hunter Cad Bane and the force-sensitive assassin Asajj Ventress. This is part of a larger collaboration between Fortnite and Star Wars. The game will receive new Star Wars content every week for use in Battle Royale. Players will be able to pilot X-wings and duke it out as Emperor Palpatine. A dark side version of Jar Jar Binks will also be a playable character. This isn’t the first time our favorite space wizards appeared in Fortnite. The game once made Luke, Han and Leia playable characters and added the iconic lightsaber as a weapon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/new-star-wars-series-will-premiere-in-fortnite-of-all-places-185859342.html?src=rss

Panasonic just launched its new RB-F10 earphonesThey'll cost just £79.99 (around $110 / AU$165)They boast Bluetooth 5.4, a seven-hour battery life, and solid audio Panasonic has just announced a new pair of cheap wireless earbuds with its open ear Panasonic RB-F10 earphones.Like other open ear designs, rather than sitting inside your ear, these earbuds sit over your ear canal. This allows you to hear your music clearly, but also, because your ear isn’t blocked, you can hear what’s going on around you.The Panasonic RB-F10s specifically come with a few handy features.They boast Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, so you can easily switch their connection between two different devices. They also feature built-in microphones for voice calls with automatic background noise removal, allowing you to be heard more clearly.Additionally, they have a seven-hour battery life, which can be extended by a further 18 hours using their charging case. (Image credit: Panasonic ) Lastly, because open ear headphones are usually a little bigger than earbuds, they can boast bigger drivers, which should lead to a richer sound than you might be used to. At least, that’s what Panasonic is promising from its new RB-F10s.Best of all, they come in at just £79.99 (around $110 / AU$165) which makes them one of the more affordable options in the open ear space – and if they can stick the landing could help them secure the best budget option spot in our pick of the best open ear headphones guide. Open ear headphones are the best (Image credit: Panasonic ) I adore open ear headphones, and recently converted my fiancée to the lifestyle as well.We love to watch videos or listen to music on our phones, but it’s easy for it to become a competition as we each try to drown the other’s audio out by turning up our speakers louder and louder. We’ve tried using over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, but then it’s impossible for us to talk to one another, especially if one of us is trying to shout for the other from another room.Open ear headphones strike the perfect balance because we can enjoy our own private audio, but still call out to each other or easily come in and start chatting without having to compete with noise cancelling tech.They’re also ideal for working out (especially running, as you can enjoy your motivational audio and still hear what’s going on around you), or while traveling, as you can keep an ear out for any public transport announcements that you might miss if ANC is turned on. I love the Shokz OpenFit Airs (Image credit: Shokz) I’ve also found that they’re hooked design is generally comfortable yet secure. I’ve tested several open ear headphones designs, and I frequently forget to take them off even when I’m not playing any music because I just forget I have them on.Lastly, as is true for other earbuds, their small case makes them so easy to carry with you. Unlike a pair of headphones, you can get away with your pockets rather than needing to bring a bag as you can transport your cans when you aren’t wearing them.Now we haven’t yet tested the Panasonic RB-F10 earphones, but they look like they tick a lot of essential boxes on paper, which could make them a solid choice if you’re after the convenience of open ear headphones that I and others are already enjoying. You might also like The best earbuds 2025: buds for every budgetThe best wired earbuds 2025, from cheap USB-C to audiophile-grade IEMsThe best noise-cancelling earbuds 2025 for all budgets

LG has announced pricing for its two flagship QNED TVs, the QNED9M and QNED92The QNED9M is the first non-OLED LG TV to get a wireless connection boxThe flagship QNED92 mini-LED is priced the same as the Samsung QN80F LG has revealed US pricing for two of its flagship QNED TVs, the QNED9M and QNED92.Pricing for the QNED9M, which features LG's Zero Connect Box (which previously was a feature exclusive to the LG M-series OLED TVs), is listed as $1,799 for the 65-inch model, $2,299 for the 75-inch model and $3,499 for the 86-inch model.Pricing for the QNED92, the only mini-LED model in LG's 2025 QNED lineup, is listed as $2,299 for the 75-inch model and $3,499 for the 85-inch model. It will also be available in a 65-inch size, though no price was given for this model.However, based on how its pricing is identical in 75 and 85-inch sizes to the rival Samsung QN80F, we'd guess it'll be roughly $1,799, the same as the 65-inch Samsung QN80F. Samsung, maker of some of the best mini-LED TVs available, announced pricing for its entire mini-LED lineup in March.The LG QNED9M will feature the Zero Connect Box, an external connection box that wirelessly transmits signals from all sources to the TV, which will only require a power cable. The QNED9M will use an LED panel with a QNED color solution and it features the Alpha 9 AI processor Gen 8, the same found in the LG C4 OLED TV, one of the best TVs. It will support Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and 4K 144Hz – all wirelessly.The LG QNED92, successor to the LG QNED90/91T from 2024, features a mini-LED backlight and the Alpha 8 AI processor Gen 2, the same used in the LG B4 OLED TV. It will also support Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and 4K 120Hz for gaming, just to highlight some of its features. Is LG looking to further shake up the mini-LED TV market? The LG QNED92 (left) is a big upgrade over its predecessor the LG QNED90 (right) (Image credit: Future) It's no secret that the mini-LED TV market is fiercely competitive, with Samsung, Hisense, TCL and Sony all big players in the category. LG has never really targeted the market like it does the OLED TV one, but that could be about to change.I got the chance to see the QNED93 next to its predecessor earlier this year, and it was a significant upgrade, with improved backlight control, higher brightness and better detail overall. Its picture quality reminded me of some of Samsung's mini-LED sets, namely the Samsung QN85D from 2024.So it's interesting that LG's QNED93 is priced exactly the same as the Samsung QN80F, the 2025 'equivalent' of the Samsung QN85D. It now seems LG has seriously thrown its hat into the mini-LED ring, creating a direct rival for Samsung.Also, bringing the Zero Connect Box to the LG QNED9M takes aim at Samsung's Frame Pro series, one of the first TVs to use Samsung's own Wireless One Connect Box. It's worth noting the QNED9M is cheaper in all sizes than the Frame Pro, but the Frame Pro has its Art Mode, a mini-LED backlight, and unique design, all things that contribute to a more premium price.We'll need a more detailed look at the new LG and Samsung TVs to get an idea of which reigns supreme, but it's interesting that LG has laid down the marker with the features and pricing of these two flagship TVs. You might also like I compared the LG G5 to one of the best mid-range OLED TVs, and the results surprised meThe LG M5 wireless OLED TV might be weirdly the perfect pick for PC gamers, especially with the Nvidia RTX 5080 on the horizonLG C5 OLED TV review - LG's mid-range OLED demonstrates its excellence again

55% of the businesses that made AI-induced redundancies regret it38% of leaders still don't understand AI's impact on their businessHumans are essential, but AI investments continue to rise According to organizational planning platform Orgvue, two in five (39%) UK businesses made redundancies due to their AI adoption and hopes for the technology, however more than half (55%) of them are now admitted those redundancy decisions were wrong.Consequences of the AI-induced redundancies include widespread internal confusion, leading to employees quitting and a drop in productivity – the exact opposite of what businesses had initially hoped for with the deployment of artificial intelligence.Having seen how it's played out, businesses are now less likely to believe that AI will replace human workers after all. Business leaders regret prioritizing AI over human workers The report uncovers huge amounts of uncertainty over AI's impacts on the workforce. Two in five (38%) leaders still don't understand AI's impact on the businesses, with 25% unsure which roles are most at risk from AI.Despite only 48% of managers expecting AI will replace some workers compared with 54% last year, leaders reportedly feel less responsible in protecting their workforce from redundancies."While 2024 was the year of investment and optimism, businesses are learning the hard way that replacing people with AI without fully understanding the impact on their workforce can go badly wrong," Orgvue CEO Oliver Shaw noted."We’re facing the worst global skills shortage in a generation and dismissing employees without a clear plan for workforce transformation is reckless."Looking ahead, nearly half (47%) fear uncontrolled AI usage by employees, with four in five planning to retrain employees to use the tools properly. Two in five (41%) have already increased their learning and development budgets accordingly, with half (51%) introducing internal AI usage policies and 43% working with third-party AI specialists.Although it's apparent that human workers are fundamental to businesses, 80% plan to increase AI investments in 2025, yet 27% still lack a clear roadmap.Overall, Orgvue's research paints a troubling picture of the state of AI, highlighting a total lack of understanding. "While it’s encouraging to see investment in AI continue to grow, businesses need a better understanding of how the technology will change their workforce in the coming months and years," Shaw concluded. You might also like We've listed the best AI tools you can use todayWorried about the news? Consider keeping an eye on the best job sitesSpain emerges as Europe's workplace productivity powerhouse, UK lags behind

The Nintendo Switch 2 won’t be in our hands for over a month yet (sigh), but a speedrunner has already reached the credits of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. As reported by VGC, the Japanese speedrunner known as Ikaboze posted a video of his handiwork on his YouTube channel after attending a Switch 2 preview event in Tokyo. Attendees were able to play a 10-minute demo of the souped-up original Switch launch game, but Ikaboze only needed seven minutes of the allotted time to dispose of Ganon in the game’s epic final battle. To be clear, this was not an any% run of the entire game, where the current top times all clock in around 23 minutes. The speedrunner loaded an autosave that spawned him outside Hyrule Castle, where he immediately dropped all of Link’s equipment and made a beeline for his longtime nemesis. Ikaboze was able to take down Ganon before the demo's time was up, to the delight of a crowd of onlookers, who applauded as the credits started to roll. The speedrunner was reportedly told by Nintendo staff at the event that they were the first person to have completed the Breath of the Wild demo. The updated versions of both Breath of the Wild and its 2023 sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, will be available to play on Switch 2 on launch day, which remains June 5 worldwide despite the pre-order holdup in the US. According to Nintendo, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games improve performance and resolution, as well as adding HDR support. There’s also a new Zelda companion app that will let you track down missing Koroks and shrines on your save file. Those who already own the base game can upgrade for $10, and if you’re a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member you’ll be able to play the Switch 2 versions of both BotW and TotK as part of your subscription. Good luck trying to beat Ikaboze, though.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/speedrunner-reaches-breath-of-the-wild-credits-on-switch-2-a-console-which-isnt-even-out-yet-173004158.html?src=rss

FAVM unveils its FA-EX9 mini PC with AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 chip96GB GPU memory and 128GB total RAM makes it ideal for creative professionalsCompact AI-focused mini PC is a challenger for Nvidia DGX Spark Chinese hardware manufacturer FAVM has announced the FA-EX9, a compact AI-focused mini PC powered by AMD’s latest Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 processor. Based on the Strix Halo platform, the chip features 16 Zen 5 CPU cores and 40 RDNA 3.5 Compute Units (Radeon 8060S).The diminutive device measures just 192 x 190 x 55mm and with a total chassis volume of just 2 liters, FAVM claims the system is among the smallest of its kind.The FA-EX9 is squarely aimed at AI professionals and is positioned as a challenger to platforms like Nvidia’s DGX Spark. It supports the MAX+ 395 processor at a sustained 120W power draw, which the company says offers performance comparable to a Ryzen 9 9955HX paired with a GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. OCuLink connector The system uses LPDDR5 memory across a 256-bit bus, offering 128GB of total memory. Up to 96GB can be allocated as GPU memory, so it can handle large language model workloads without requiring discrete GPUs.FAVM claims that the integrated GPU and NPU architecture in the FA-EX9 delivers 2.2 times the AI performance of an RTX 4090 in LM Studio when running locally. The system uses dual turbine fans and phase-change thermal materials to manage heat while keeping noise levels low during high-load tasks.FA-EX9’s connectivity includes HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, and two USB4 ports, with support for up to four 8K displays. It also features an OCuLink connector with a bundled adapter for high-performance external GPU expansion.Although no release date or pricing has been confirmed, VideoCardz reports teaser campaigns are currently underway in China. You might also like These are the best mobile workstations you can buy right nowAnd these are the very best mini PCs to spend your money onProject Digits is now DGX Spark: HPE, Dell jump on Petaflop mini AI bandwagon

Meta is releasing a new tool it hopes will encourage developers to use its family of Llama models for their next project. At its inaugural LlamaCon event in Menlo Park on Tuesday, the company announced the Llama API. Available as a limited free preview starting today, the tool gives developers a place to experiment with Meta's AI models, including the recently released Llama 4 Scout and Maverick systems. It also makes it easy to create new API keys, which devs can use for authentication purposes.      "We want to make it even easier for you to quickly start building with Llama, while also giving you complete control over your models and weights without being locked to an API," the company said in a blog post published during the event. To that end, the initial release of the Llama API includes tools devs can use to fine-tune and evaluate their apps.   Additionally, Meta notes it won't use user prompts and model responses to train its own models. "When you’re ready, the models you build on the Llama API are yours to take with you wherever you want to host them, and we don’t keep them locked on our servers," the company said. Meta expects to roll out the tool to more users in coming weeks and months.   Despite the fact Meta's Llama models have been downloaded more than one billion times, the company typically isn't viewed as a leader in the AI space in quite the same way as OpenAI and Anthropic. It doesn't help push against that perception that the company was caught gaming LMArena to make its Llama 4 models look better than they actually were.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-is-making-it-easier-to-use-llama-models-for-app-development-171514630.html?src=rss

SAP disclosed a 10/10 flaw in NetWeaver Visual ComposerThe bug allows threat actors to upload malwareResearchers claim up to 1,200 instances are vulnerable More than 1,200 SAP instances are at risk of being hijacked, researchers are saying, as a critical vulnerability was found being abused in the wild. Earlier this week, SAP said it found an unauthenticated file upload vulnerability in NetWeaver Visual Composer’s Metadata Uploader component.Visual Composer is a development tool that allows users to build web-based business applications without writing code. It’s mostly used to create dashboards, forms, and interactive reports. The Metadata Uploader, on the other hand, is a tool for importing external data models (metadata) into the Visual Composer design environment. This allows developers to connect to remote data sources (web services, databases, or SAP systems).The vulnerability SAP found is now tracked as CVE-2025-31324. It carries the maximum severity score (10/10), and stems from the fact that the uploader is not protected with proper authorization, allowing unauthenticated actors to upload malicious executables. Get Keeper Personal for just $1.67/month, Keeper Family for just $3.54/month, and Keeper Business for just $7/month​Keeper is a cybersecurity platform primarily known for its password manager and digital vault, designed to help individuals, families, and businesses securely store and manage passwords, sensitive files, and other private data. It uses zero-knowledge encryption and offers features like two-factor authentication, dark web monitoring, secure file storage, and breach alerts to protect against cyber threats.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal Fortune 500 at risk When it discovered the bug, SAP first released a workaround, and then in late April, a patch.Now, users are advised to apply it as soon as possible, since multiple cybersecurity firms confirmed the flaw being abused in the wild. According to BleepingComputer, ReliaQuest, watchTowr, and Onapsis, are just some of the firms that observed the bug being exploited in attacks in which threat actors were dropping web shells on vulnerable servers.SAP, however, told BleepingComputer that it is not aware of any attacks that impacted customer data or systems.The jury is still out on how many organizations are actually vulnerable. While the Shadowserver Foundation claims 427 servers are exposed on the internet, Onyphe says there are 1,284 instances, 474 of which are already compromised."Something like 20 Fortune 500/Global 500 companies are vulnerable, and many of them are compromised," Onyphe CTO Patrice Auffret told BleepingComputer.Via BleepingComputer You might also like This critical security flaw is letting SAP users get around authenticationTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

Meta didn't wait for Tuesday's LlamaCon keynote to unveil its first big AI announcement of the week. The company launched a standalone app that competes with ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and other multimodal AI chatbots. Sticking to the company’s roots, the app also includes a social feed and the ability to draw on info from your profile and posts you’ve shared. The Meta AI app offers similar features to rival chatbots, including text and voice chats, live web access and the ability to generate and edit images. But it also includes a Discover feed that (for better or worse) adds a social element to your AI queries. The company describes it as "a place to share and explore how others are using AI." It highlights the prompts that others share and lets you "remix them to make them your own." Meta stresses that none of your private chats will post to others' feeds unless you explicitly choose to share them. Meta For users in the US and Canada, Meta AI can personalize its answers based on data you've shared with Meta products. This includes info like your social profile and content you like or engage with. The company says linking your Facebook and Instagram accounts to the same Meta AI account will provide "an even stronger personalized experience." If you don't want that, this might be a good time to check your privacy settings. The app has a live conversation mode for users in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Much like a similar feature in ChatGPT and Gemini, Meta’s version lets you and the AI assistant listen and speak simultaneously, with a natural flow that should feel more like a real conversation. However, Meta only describes it as a demo that provides "a glimpse into the future," suggesting it's still in an early stage. This mode also doesn't offer live web access. Meta The Meta AI web version includes the app's new features, including voice interactions and the Discover feed. This version has a few differences, including enhanced image generation (more presets and new editing modes for style, mood, lighting and colors). The web version also lets you test a rich document editor (in some countries) that can spit out text- and image-rich docs to export as PDFs. The app has merged with the Meta View companion app for the company's Ray-Ban glasses collab. The company says it will include a handoff feature that lets you start a conversation on the glasses and then access it in your history tab on the app or web. After installing the update, you can manage your glasses in the Meta AI app's Devices tab. You can download the new Meta AI app from the App Store and Google Play.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/metas-chatgpt-competitor-includes-conversational-voice-chat-and-a-social-feed-164735307.html?src=rss

If you want to upgrade your video call setup without buying an external webcam, your iPhone can help. With macOS Ventura or later, Apple’s Continuity Camera feature allows users to turn their iPhone into a high-quality, wireless webcam for Mac. Whether you’re joining a meeting on Zoom, recording a presentation or creating content for YouTube, using your iPhone as a webcam can provide a sharper image, better low-light performance and useful extras like Center Stage and Desk View. Here’s how to set up and use your iPhone as a webcam with your Mac, along with additional tips for microphone-only use, Desk View, Studio Light and more. It works natively in macOS, so it’s easy to set up. All you need to do is mount your phone and start your call. What you’ll need to use Continuity Camera You’ll need the following things to use this feature properly: An iPhone XR or newer running iOS 16 or later A Mac running macOS Ventura or later Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled on both devices Both devices signed into the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled A way to mount your iPhone (Apple sells a MagSafe-compatible Belkin mount, but any secure mount or tripod will work) Continuity Camera works wirelessly by default, though you can connect your iPhone to your Mac via USB if you prefer a more stable connection. How to enable Continuity Camera Continuity Camera is automatically enabled on supported iPhones and Macs. However, it’s worth confirming that the feature is active in your iPhone’s settings: Open Settings on your iPhone Tap General Select AirPlay & Handoff Make sure Continuity Camera is toggled on On your Mac, no additional setup is required, but you’ll want to ensure both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled and that both devices are nearby and awake. How to use your iPhone as a webcam in macOS apps Once Continuity Camera is active, your Mac should automatically detect your iPhone as a webcam source in any compatible app. That includes FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, QuickTime, Safari and most other video and streaming applications. To use your iPhone as the camera in a specific app: Open the app you want to use (e.g., Zoom or FaceTime) Go to the app’s video settings or preferences menu Select your iPhone from the list of available camera sources (it may appear as "iPhone Camera") Your iPhone will automatically activate its rear camera and stream a live video feed to your Mac. Continuity Camera uses the iPhone’s higher-quality rear camera, but you can leverage the front camera using third-party apps such as EpocCam, iVCam or DroidCam. If nothing happens, make sure: Both devices are unlocked and on the same Wi-Fi network Continuity Camera is enabled on your iPhone You’re signed into the same Apple ID on both devices How to use microphone-only mode In addition to camera input, Continuity Camera lets you use your iPhone as a high-quality microphone source. This is handy if you prefer to use your Mac’s built-in camera or another webcam but still want the clarity of the iPhone’s microphone. To use your iPhone as a mic: Open System Settings on your Mac Go to Sound > Input Select your iPhone from the list of available input devices You can also choose the iPhone microphone directly from within most video apps under their audio settings or microphone input menus. How to use Desk View Desk View is a unique feature of Continuity Camera that uses the iPhone’s ultrawide lens to simulate a top-down camera angle. It creates a second video feed showing your desk or workspace, which is useful for demos, unboxings, or sketching on paper. It’s worth mentioning that Desk View is only available on Macs with the 12MP Center Stage camera, and with iPhone 11 or later (excluding iPhone 16e and iPhone SE, as these models do not meet the hardware requirements for this feature). To use Desk View: Position your iPhone horizontally in a mount at the top of your display Open the Desk View app on your Mac (found in Applications or Launchpad) The app will generate a simulated overhead view of your desk You can share this view in apps like Zoom by selecting Desk View as the video source Some third-party apps (such as FaceTime and Camo) also support displaying both your face and the Desk View simultaneously using picture-in-picture. How to adjust Continuity Camera effects MacOS allows you to enable various video effects in the Control Center when using your iPhone as a webcam. These features enhance your appearance and help you stay centered on screen, though you need to be on a video call to use them. To access these effects: While using a video conferencing app (such as FaceTime) on your Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right of your Mac’s menu bar Select Video Effects Choose from the following options: Center Stage: Uses the iPhone’s ultrawide lens to keep you centered as you move Portrait: Adds a soft background blur similar to Portrait Mode in the Camera app Studio Light: Brightens your face and dims the background to mimic professional lighting Desk View: Activates the Desk View camera feed You can toggle these effects on or off at any time during a call or recording session, or even when you’re outside of a video call. Tips for mounting and positioning your iPhone To get the best results, use a secure mount that keeps your iPhone stable and aligned with your face. Apple recommends positioning the iPhone horizontally with the rear camera facing you and the screen facing away. If you’re using a MacBook, the Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe is designed to clip directly onto your Mac’s display. For desktop Macs, any tripod or adjustable mount that aligns the phone at eye level will work. Avoid placing the iPhone too close to your face and ensure the camera lens is unobstructed. You will be able to see yourself during the call, so you can adjust to your preference. The rear camera is used for higher video quality (though like I mentioned you can use the front camera with compatible third-party apps). Make sure the iPhone is not in low-power mode, as it may affect performance. Using Continuity Camera with third-party apps Most popular video conferencing and streaming apps on macOS support Continuity Camera without any extra setup. However, some apps may require manual input selection. Here’s how to change the camera on a few commonly used platforms: Zoom: Go to Preferences > Video and select "iPhone Camera." Google Meet (in Safari or Chrome): Click the gear icon before joining a call and select your iPhone under Camera OBS Studio: Add a new video capture device source and select your iPhone as the input QuickTime: Open QuickTime Player, choose New Movie Recording, click the arrow next to the record button, and select your iPhone Continuity Camera works with most macOS-native and browser-based platforms as long as permissions for camera and microphone access are enabled. How to switch between camera modes or devices If you want to return to using your Mac’s built-in webcam or switch to another device, simply change the input source in your app’s settings. Continuity Camera only takes over as the default when an iPhone is detected and selected. To switch back: Open the video or audio settings in your app Select a different camera or microphone input Your Mac will revert to using the built-in hardware or another connected device You can also disconnect your iPhone from the mount or place it out of range to stop Continuity Camera from activating. You’ll have to do this for every app you’ve used. If you want a systemwide change or if you’d rather not dismount or unplug your iPhone, you can switch off Continuity Camera by doing the following on your phone: Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff) Turn off Continuity Camera. Troubleshooting Continuity Camera issues If your iPhone is not showing up as an available webcam, try the following: Ensure both devices are running the latest versions of iOS and macOS Confirm that both devices are signed into the same Apple ID Restart both the Mac and iPhone Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and on again on both devices Make sure no other app is already using the iPhone camera Try using a wired USB connection instead For persistent issues, resetting your Mac’s privacy permissions for camera and microphone access may help. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and Microphone, and verify that the apps you’re using have access. Battery use and privacy Using your iPhone as a webcam over an extended period can guzzle its battery quickly, especially with effects like Studio Light or Center Stage enabled. To avoid interruptions during longer calls or recordings, consider connecting the iPhone to power while it’s in use. Apple includes privacy protections when using Continuity Camera. A green LED will appear next to your iPhone’s camera lens to indicate it’s active, and the screen will show a message confirming that the camera is in use. No video or audio is transmitted unless you have explicitly selected the iPhone as a source in your Mac app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-use-your-iphone-as-a-webcam-with-your-mac-164248242.html?src=rss

Prime Video has a slew of modern and classic films rotating in and out of its catalog in the upcoming weeks.Amazon hasn't revealed how many of its titles are leaving its streaming service in May quite yet, but this last week of April and early May have a few titles already labeled on the website that you won't want to miss.Here are three of the most highly rated films – each movie below has a Rotten Tomatoes critical rating higher than 90%, meaning it's one of the best Prime Video movies you can stream – that are leaving the service this week. Train to Busan (2016) RT score: 90%Directors: Yeon Sang-hoAge Rating: PG-13Length: 1 hr 57 minLeaving on: May 1 A crowd-pleaser, Train to Busan is one of the first Korean horror films to become popular in the US. Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) is a divorced dad and workaholic fund manager who decides to grant his daughter's wish to spend her birthday together with her mother in Busan.On the way there, the train is hijacked by zombies and they find out in real-time about the epidemic. Seok-woo has to work together with the other passengers to try to make it all the way to Busan with his daughter, which is the last safe haven in the outbreak. Sweet Smell of Success (1957) RT score: 98%Directors: Alexander MackendrickAge Rating: 7+Length: 1 hr 32 minLeaving on: April 30 The Sweet Smell of Success is a noir crime thriller in which an overprotective older brother takes it too far. J. J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster) is a Broadway-based gossip columnist who doesn't approve of his sister Susan's relationship with Steve, a jazz guitarist.Sidney Falco, played by Tony Curtis, is a press agent desperate to advance his career, enough that he helps J.J. sabotage his sister's romance and ruin Steve's public image. Midnight Run (1998) RT score: 95%Directors: Martin BrestAge Rating: RLength: 2 hr 6 minLeaving on: April 30 Another oldie but a goodie. Midnight Run stars Hollywood icon Robert De Niro as a character that subverts his typical crime and gangster role. Instead of playing the criminal, he's hunting them under the table. Jack Walsh (De Niro) is a bounty hunter hired to capture wanted accountant, Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin).As requested by his employer, Walsh leaves New York to deliver Mardukas to LA. However, the FBI and major mobsters tracking them complicate the journey. You might also like 5 environmental movies with over 93% on Rotten TomatoesThe Wheel of Time cast hasn't given up hope the show's renewalG20 is Prime Video's #2 movie but critics are calling it chaotic

Dyson is really, really good at moving air around. While the company made its name in vacuum cleaners, it's now almost as well known for its aircare appliances – it makes some of the best fans and the best air purifiers around, sometimes in one appliance. In fact, some can also heat or humidify the air, as required.Dyson's aircare products are instantly recognizable, with most of them sporting a slick, space-age design that seems to magic up wind from nowhere. The downside of such an established look is that it can be very difficult to tell the difference between the various models in the range. With a wide selection of options available, it can be tricky to figure out exactly which product is which, and then which one to buy.We've put together this guide to help you tell the difference between the various options, so you can choose the right one for your needs. Overview table This table provides a very basic overview of the full Dyson aircare range. Click the links in the 'List price' column to jump to the product listing at Dyson in each territory. If the currency you're looking for isn't listed, it's worth doing a quick Google, because the product may still be available to buy via a third-party retailer in that territory. I mainly want a fan Great! Most of Dyson's aircare appliances function as fans, so you have a lot of options to choose from.If you just want a fan, you need the Dyson Cool AM07. Because it only has one function, it's the cheapest option in the whole lineup. You can find out what we thought of it in our Dyson Cool AM07 review.If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you might want to consider a fan-purifier combo. Your main options here are the TP models, which have names starting with 'Purifier Cool'. The cheapest and most basic option here is the Purifier Cool TP10, and the most advanced is the Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09. Note that adding formaldehyde-removing capabilities to any Dyson product bumps up the price considerably. (Image credit: Dyson) Perhaps you need a fan because your home isn't especially well insulated, and you experience big temperature swings between seasons. In that case, you might consider a fan-heater combo. This option has the added benefit of meaning the appliance isn't just gathering dust in the summer months. The only option here is the Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09. We've tested that one, and you can see how we got on in our Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool review.Finally, you could go the whole hog and opt for a fan-purifier-heater. For this, you want the HP range, with names starting 'Purifier Hot+Cool'. Options vary by country, but one that's available everywhere is the Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10. I mainly want an air purifier Great! Dyson has lots of air purifier options. This tech goes hand-in-hand with what the brand needs for its vacuum cleaners, so it knows what it's doing when it comes to capturing particles.If you just want air purification, check out the Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde models. There are two slightly different versions: the BP04 and BP03, of which the 04 is slightly higher-spec. These are bulky and expensive, and designed to tackle large areas (up to 100m²) quietly. The purification capabilities are about the best you'll find anywhere, stretching to include nasties that most air purifiers can't handle, like NO2 and formaldehyde. You can read our thoughts on this range in our Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) If you just want a purifier for your bedroom or living room, and would prefer something smaller and cheaper, we'd suggest a purifier-fan. Look in the TP range, with products starting 'Purifier Cool'.The most affordable, simplest model is the first-gen Purifier Cool TP10. It still has excellent purification capabilities, but it can't handle everything the Big+Quiet options can. Alternatively, opt for the Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09, which is more advanced.Finally, you could go for a triple-action model. The purifier-heater-fan options have names starting 'Purifier Hot+Cool' and codes beginning HP, and the most widely available option is the Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10. Alternatively, there are a couple of options that swap heating for humidification – in the US it's the PH03 and in the UK it's the PH04. I mainly want a heater There are no standalone heater options in Dyson's range, but it's included as a bonus function with a number of the brand's aircare appliances.The simplest and most affordable model is the Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09, which operates as a fan or as a heater, depending on your needs. Otherwise, you'll need to opt for a three-in-one 'Purifier Hot+Cool' with a code name starting HP. All of these can heat, cool, or purify air. The most widely available is the Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10. We've tested the HP09, and you can read about how we got on with it in our Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 review. (Image credit: Dyson) I mainly want a humidifier Dyson isn't really that focused on humidifiers, but again, it's included as an added function on some combo humidifier-fan-purifier models. However, you're very limited in choice. In the US, you've got the Purifier Humidify+Cool PH03, and in the UK, it's the Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde PH04.

Surfshark has unveiled a privacy-oriented, free public DNS serviceThe service promises never to log or track any activitySurfshark plans to put its DNS no-log policy under test soon with an independent audit to validate its claims Surfshark has just become the first VPN provider to unveil a privacy-first public DNS service.Unlike DNS servers that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers you by default, Surfshark DNS promises never to log or track any activity, and it's completely free to use.Already offering one of the best VPN services on the market, Surfshark's new service seeks to help privacy-conscious individuals and organizations avoid online tracking. Surfshark public DNS "By offering a free, privacy-oriented DNS service, we are not only seeking Surfshark’s commitment to make the internet a safer place for everyone but also encouraging individuals, organizations, as well as NGOs to take their first steps towards enhancing online privacy," said Karolis Kaciulis, Leading System Engineer at Surfshark.Short for Domain Name System, DNS acts as the phone book of the Internet. It translates human-friendly domain names that we all type online into numerical IP addresses that computers can understand. DNS servers—dedicated machines that handle and respond to DNS requests—are then a vital part of how the Internet works.Yet, DNS servers that ISPs offer by default aren't necessarily private.ISPs may collect and log users' DNS queries for user identification. They can also monitor DNS traffic and even block specific domains. Users can then be subjected to targeted advertising, too.Surfshark DNS promises to be different, though. It operates under a strict no-logs policy, which means no collection, storage, or sharing of browsing activity. It also supports secure DNS protocols such as DoT, DoH, and DoQ to keep browsing activity private. We're introducing our free privacy-oriented DNS service, designed for those who value extra privacy without compromising the speeds of their daily browsing. Check it out. https://t.co/YaU0xvw5nfApril 28, 2025 Many tech enthusiasts are used to opting for alternative public DNS servers to improve their overall internet performance. Yet, none of them, Kaciulis explains, are provided by companies primarily focused on security and privacy.He told TechRadar: "Recognizing this gap, Surfshark decided to offer its own public DNS servers, aligning with its core mission of providing a more secure and private connection."A third-party DNS server like Surfshark DNS could improve overall network performance. For example, it is less likely to become overloaded. It also promises to offer a better understanding of geolocation, which can provide users with closer servers.Such a service can also help users bypass online censorship that ISPs may enforce at the DNS level.Despite these benefits, Kaciulis doesn't recommend using Surfshark DNS alongside Surfshark's virtual private network (VPN)."Our VPN inherently includes DNS protection, making a separate DNS configuration redundant for users," he said.Similarly to its no-log VPN, though, Surfshark now plans to put its DNS no-log policy under test soon with a third-party independent audit. You might also like Surfshark unveils new end-to-end encryption patent to reduce metadata collectionSurfshark finally adds split tunneling on macOS – making it one of the few VPNs to have itIs the future of censorship-resistant VPNs, no VPNs?

Welcome to our 48 hour coverage of World Password Day 2025 - here we will be bringing you all the news, updates, and expert insights into the world of passwords and password security.Most of us use passwords almost every day to access and protect online accounts, files, and documents. But passwords are only as secure as you make them, and remembering multiple complex passwords can be such a hassle.Don't worry though, we've rounded up advice from our experts to help keep your accounts and passwords secureexclusive deals from our password manager partners to keep your data safeinsights into how passwords are evolving and the future of passwordspassword security content from our extensive archiveAnd much more! Save up to 50% on all three Keeper PlansKeeper is offering 50% off on its Personal and Family plan and 30% off on its Business plan. The Personal plan has everything a password manager should have, including support for unlimited devices. The Family plan can be shared between 5 users and comes with 10GB of cloud storage. Businesses can benefit from the Business Starter plan and access user activity reporting, plus, as a bonus, each member gets a free family plan.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal Get 60% off RoboForm Premium PlanRoboForm Premium offers unlimited password storage, one-click login and autofill, password sharing, two-factor authentication (2FA), cloud backup, and emergency access for trusted contacts.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal Save up to 20% on NordPass BusinessUse the code PASSDAY20 to get 20% off NordPass Business for World Password Day. With the promo code, expect to pay $3.59 per user per month for a 2-year subscription.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Whether you're diving into intense VR workouts, exploring distant galaxies or just chilling in a virtual cinema, the right accessories can seriously upgrade your experience. The best VR accessories aren’t just about flashy extras — they can make your headset more comfortable, extend your play sessions and even improve performance. From better audio and charging docks to adjustable head straps and controller grips, these add-ons help you get the most out of your virtual adventures.Depending on your setup, some accessories are almost essential. If your headset feels front-heavy, a new strap can ease the pressure. If your controllers are always running out of juice, a charging station could be a game-changer. And if you love playing for hours, sweat-resistant face covers or cooling fans can keep things comfortable. Whether you’re a Meta Quest user, a PC VR enthusiast or just getting started, we’ve rounded up the best VR accessories to help level up your experience. Table of contents Best VR accessories for 2025 Best VR controller accessories Best VR headset upgrades Best VR fitness accessories Best VR cables, chargers and batteries VR accessories FAQs Best VR accessories for 2025 Best VR controller accessories Best VR headset upgrades Best VR fitness accessories Best VR cables, chargers and batteries VR accessories FAQs What equipment do you need for VR? What you need depends on the VR headset you buy. Some devices, like the Meta Quest 3, are entirely standalone, which means you don't need anything but the headset itself to use it. Other VR headsets need to be connected to a system from which it can draw power and run software. Some systems, like the HP Reverb G2, must connect to a PC, while others like the PS VR2 can connect to gaming consoles like the PS5. Most VR headsets come with the basic controllers you'll need to control actions and movement in virtual worlds. What's the difference between PC VR, Smartphone VR and Gaming Console VR? The main difference between those three VR systems is the main machine that allows the VR headset to run. PC VR headsets require a PC, like a gaming laptop or desktop, to run, while smartphone and gaming console VR systems require smartphones and gaming consoles, respectively, to work. Do all VR headsets need a phone? No, not all VR headsets need a phone to work. Many VR headsets have build in displays that sit in front of your eyes and basically act as your window into the virtual world.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/best-vr-accessories-150021126.html?src=rss

We've finally gotten an announcement for the next State of Play event of the year, and it'll focus on an upcoming PS5 looter shooter. Better yet, there's not long to wait at all.Since the series of shows began in 2019, Sony has used the State of Play presentations to reveal big-hitting games and details such as The Last of Us 2 release date, debut gameplay footage for Ghost of Tsushima, and more. So, it's always worth tuning in to the State of Play live streams if you want to be alerted to any big announcements for new PS5 games.Following the release of the PS5 Pro console, all eyes have turned back to the next State of Play - a new console will need new games to play on it, after all, even if it is a mid-gen refresh machine. Here's what we know. When is the next Sony State of Play? (Image credit: Sony) The next State of Play event airs Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 5PM ET / 2PM PT / 10PM BST. This was announced earlier this week (April 29), along with the tease that it'll run for 20 minutes and feature a deep-dive on Borderlands 4. What can we expect from the next Sony State of Play? (Image credit: 2K Games) Thanks to a recent PS Blog post, we know that the next Sony State of Play event will focus on Borderlands 4:"In this upcoming State of Play, strap in with me and Anthony Nicholson, Senior Project Producer, for over 20 minutes of developer-guided gameplay, including missions, killer weapons, exciting Action Skills, new and returning characters, and more." - Graeme Timmins, creative director, Gearbox Software.Catch the show live on PlayStation’s Twitch and YouTube channels on April 30 at 2pm PT / 5pm ET / 10pm BST / 11pm CEST. What was revealed at the last Sony State of Play? (Image credit: Housemarque) The last State of Play was on February 12, 2025. The biggest reveal was Saros, which is the next game from the developers of Returnal. In addition, the release dates for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Days Gone Remastered were announced.You can head to the PS Blog for a full round-up of what was shown in those recent shows. Missed the action live? We've embedded the showcase below so you can catch up on everything you missed. You Might Also Like... Our picks for the best PlayStation Portal games in 2025The best PS5 exclusivesThe best PSVR 2 games

Telecommunications is an inherently data-driven industry. Traditionally, great focus has been placed on gaining data visibility into the core and transit areas of the network. This approach has provided valuable insights for throughput optimizations, speed, and general performance.Regardless of promises of speed, customers are mainly concerned about whether or not they’re able to watch streaming services, play live games, and connect with colleagues and loved ones via video calling - sometimes simultaneously. To solve for optimized performance and a great customer experience, telecommunication companies are shifting their focus toward further enhancing their last-mile visibility.Historically, service providers have used the last-mile data they collect to identify the worst-performing connections and pinpoint the group of customers most at risk of churning to another provider. However, if approached correctly, last-mile performance intelligence can offer more than just a way to mitigate churn.Today, when consumers visit the marketing and sign-up pages of telcos or internet service providers, they are typically presented with maps showing broad network coverage and similar pricing between providers, indicative of both the competitiveness of the telecommunications landscape and the utility-like nature of many of its services. On paper, there is often little to differentiate providers from a marketing perspective.This is where the opportunity lies. Service providers are in a unique position by virtue of owning and operating the networks that connect users with the applications and services they’ve come to rely on in their daily lives. By rethinking their relationship with last-mile data, additional benefits - beyond customer retention - are ripe for the taking when it comes to intelligent fault diagnosis, customer communication, and differentiated services. How incomplete last-mile data can impact decisions One of the most important aspects of data-driven decision-making is that the source data underpinning the decision is clean, comprehensive, and has good lineage. This goes to its quality and reliability as the foundation for decision-making.With more comprehensive last-mile data, service providers and carriers can make better informed decisions regarding new product launches, network planning, capacity, and capital allocation. For example, telcos and service providers will make significant moves around optimization of services for the needs of specific market segments - such as gaming, or industrial companies with IoT needs, and so on.This kind of optimization has long been a promise of network slicing technology, and many telcos and providers now have this in their arsenal. Yet, the biggest challenge may be determining the best customer cohorts to target with this level of optimized services. This is a problem that is addressable in part by having more comprehensive last-mile data to analyze and base these decisions on.Incomplete last-mile data also makes it harder to determine where a proposed investment in network infrastructure or capacity would have the biggest performance improvement. By contrast, in circumstances where the telco or service provider is collecting last-mile data from every active service, from every home or premises, they have a much more comprehensive understanding of how their services land, and where improvements most need to be made. Last-mile intelligence as a differentiator Telcos and service providers have always had options available to them to collect last-mile data: whether that’s TR-069 on customer premises equipment, or specific broadband monitoring boxes.The key opportunity ahead lies in the improved capability within service provider environments to correlate and use last-mile intelligence.For instance, last-mile network intelligence can significantly enhance the ability to deploy maintenance strategies proactively. By continuously monitoring the last-mile connections, service providers can identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems, reducing downtime and improving overall service reliability. This proactive approach not only helps in maintaining customer satisfaction but also reduces operational costs associated with emergency repairs and customer support.Service providers can also use last-mile insight to analyze usage patterns and preferences to tailor their offerings for a higher level of personalization that can lead to deeper customer satisfaction and loyalty, as customers feel their specific needs are being met.In a market where pricing and coverage are often similar, last-mile intelligence can be a key differentiator. Service providers that can demonstrate superior last-mile performance through transparent reporting, value-add services, and customer testimonials can gain a competitive edge. This transparency builds trust and can be a deciding factor for customers choosing between providers. Where will richer data take you? With insights into all last-mile connections, service providers can access a valuable dataset that has long been overlooked. This knowledge can enhance customer experience and inform a wider range of commercial decisions, resulting in comprehensive strategies that are supported by a clearer understanding of the last-mile situation and the needs of their subscribers. We rate the best network monitoring tool. This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) has become a hot commodity, with companies around the world enjoying access to multiple rapidly-growing, full-spectrum data marketplaces provided by the likes of IBM and Google, as well as S&P Global, Snowflake, and others.What is underpinning their rising popularity is the fact that hedge funds, investors, and financial services companies are increasingly discovering how they can leverage these rich datasets to make informed decisions.Governments around the world have also been quick to adopt DaaS practices, especially when it comes to data monetization drives in such fields as health care and smart city projects.My aim with this article is to explain what DaaS is, what it is packing “under the hood”, and what data collection alternatives are currently available to businesses and organizations. What is DaaS? In a nutshell, Data-as-a-Service is a cloud-based type of software that provides users with multi-source data on demand via APIs, rather than as a standalone product. In other words, by paying a subscription fee based on data usage, businesses gain access to numerous data sets rated by other users, making it easy for them to find what they need.DaaS facilitates the consolidation of enterprise data in one place and, unlike other data management frameworks, doesn’t require users to have extensive on-premises IT infrastructure or expertise to store, manage, retrieve, and otherwise handle massive amounts of data. As of 2024, there are a total of 60 publicly traded DaaS companies.As with any other technology, DaaS comes with its own set of pros and cons. On the pro side, it has been used to reduce licensing costs, streamline workloads by leveraging cloud services, speed up software development, create enterprise benchmarking reports, and boost the efficiency of business intelligence.DaaS’s cons, meanwhile, include risks like data privacy breaches, security violations when dealing with sensitive data, and the low quality of granular, niche data types. What powers DaaS? DaaS makes extensive use of alternative data. How do we define that though? Traditional data can be defined as pretty much all publicly available, structured data produced under legal and official supervision. This would include data from statistics departments, press releases, financial statements, and so forth.Alternative data, on the other hand, is typically unstructured, stored in multiple different formats (from blocks of text to video clips), and extracted for specific purposes. Some businesses — particularly financial services and investment companies — are highly reliant on exactly this type of data already. A key reason for this is that alternative data often contains unique investment signals that aren’t present in its traditional counterpart.The most common method of collecting alternative data is called web scraping, which dates back to around 1989. In basic terms, web scraping uses specialized software to copy large amounts of unstructured public data from websites automatically and transfer it to a central database or spreadsheet, where it is converted into structured data, for later analysis. This form of data gathering is arguably the main engine behind the power of DaaS marketplaces.Web scraping has been rapidly rising in popularity over the past decade. As global competition continues to heat up, more and more companies are turning to web scraping to make better-informed business decisions and gain an edge over their market opponents. And with vast amounts of data being generated every single day — around 2.5 quintillion bytes, to be precise — the ways of collecting alternative data and putting it to good use are potentially limitless.To sum up, DaaS marketplaces often use web scraping to collect alternative data, which may contain unique signals, and provide their customers with powerful cloud infrastructure they can use to analyze it according to their individual needs. SaaS, DaaS, or… ? Businesses and organizations have three ways of acquiring the alternative data they need. Let’s take a brief look at each in turn.Web scraping with SaaSThe first method entails the use of web scraping software (e.g., via a customized scraper API) and an ethical proxy network from a reliable provider. This in-house approach comes with a substantial learning curve and requires a good deal of maintenance — e.g., when a website changes its HTML structure and content, the scraping pipelines can break. There are also potential legal issues, such as accidentally scraping sensitive data.The main benefit of web scraping with SaaS is that you actually control the data you get. Which means that it’s easier to control its quality, to target specific data, and to maintain security, privacy, and compliance, especially if you’re gathering sensitive information. In addition, you get your data fast, at relatively low cost, and it comes in a structured form.Buying ready-made datasetsThe second method is to buy ready-made datasets that match your needs. While this does mean that you’ll be dependent on a specific vendor (or vendors) for updates and support, as well as somewhat limited customization options, you also get many benefits. For instance, since you’re buying a finished product, you can start using it immediately — no in-house data collection required, and no infrastructure-related overhead.Ready-made datasets are relatively cheap, as licensing or subscription fees replace substantial upfront investments. Additionally, since you’re getting your data pre-packaged by a reputable vendor, it’s going to be of high quality. This is because companies that sell datasets use various data validation techniques to ensure its accuracy.Sourcing from a DaaS marketplaceFinally, you may opt for getting your data from a DaaS marketplace, which combines data collection, storage, and management. Since we’ve already covered “vanilla” DaaS, it might be worthwhile mentioning Big Data-as-a-Service (BDaaS) here. In basic terms, what you get with BDaaS is not simply more data, but also a whole data analytics package designed to help companies extract the insights they need.Given that, according to current projections, the BDaaS market value will reach over $52 billion by 2026, you might want to keep an eye on this in the future. For now, however, if you don’t have much experience in working with data, it’s probably best to sit this one out. Final word Ultimately, which method is best depends on your needs. Can you get the data you require in the form of standalone datasets? Does it make sense to collect it yourself using a custom SaaS web scraper? Or perhaps you need access to larger pools of data via something like BDaaS?Before making that all important decision, make sure you’ve established exactly what type of data you actually require, and what is the easiest, most cost-effective way of obtaining it. We list the cheapest proxy services. This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

If you’re looking to get healthier without spending a fortune, the best cheap fitness trackers prove you don’t need to splash out on the best smartwatches to stay on top of your goals. Whether you're counting steps, keeping track of heart rate monitoring or trying to improve your sleep patterns, these affordable wearables pack serious tracking capabilities into wallet-friendly packages.The best budget fitness trackers are perfect for everyday activity tracking, whether you're going for a jog, hitting the gym or just aiming to move a bit more. Many also include extras like support for third-party apps, basic smartphone notifications and wellness insights that help you form better habits over time.No matter your price point, there’s a tracker out there that can help you build a routine, stay motivated and maybe even make fitness fun. We’ve rounded up the top picks that strike the right balance between features, accuracy, and affordability — so you can find the best fitness tracker for your lifestyle. Table of contents Best budget fitness trackers for 2025 What to look for in a cheap fitness tracker Other budget fitness trackers we tested Best budget fitness trackers for 2025 What to look for in a cheap fitness tracker All of the best fitness trackers should have at least three features: a program for activity tracking, the option to monitor and collect data about your sleep patterns and the ability to do things like heart rate monitoring and blood oxygen level tracking (though, the readings might not be super accurate). Don’t set your sights too high and expect metrics like blood pressure monitoring; for that, you’d need to invest in a more expensive wearable like a Samsung Galaxy Watch, which falls under the best smartwatches category and will set you back over $400. Fitness features A cheap workout tracker can be great for someone looking to keep tabs on small, achievable goals like 10,000 steps before sundown or 30 minutes of a HIIT workout to get your heart rate peaking. An experienced long-distance runner looking to train for a triathlon might opt for a more expensive device that can measure cadence or ground contact time, and can track more customizable workouts, offer different sports modes or give deeper insights into performance data. At the very least, a budget workout tracker should be able to offer fitness tracking features beyond walking and running — otherwise, it would just be a pedometer. The number of activities a device will recognize varies. Some will get funky with it and consider skateboarding a workout, while others won’t be able to track a jumping jack. At this price point, you can expect a device to measure a mix of cardio, machine workouts and strength training. With each, you might get a numerical or visual breakdown of heart rate activity, overall pace, and calories burned per session. Although some cheap trackers can offer a really good overview of heart rate zone activity during a workout, a more technically advanced device might be able to go a step further and explain what your results mean and coach you on how to keep your heart rate in a specific bracket so that you can burn more fat per workout. I found that the more budget-friendly the device, the more likely it is that a tracker will fall short when it comes to smart counseling or offering predictive insights beyond a given workout. If a budget tracker does happen to offer some semblance of a coaching program, you can expect it to sit behind a paywall. Workout tracking and planning your recovery is just as essential to any fitness journey. A sub-$100 device should be able to tell you how long you’ve slept and provide a breakdown of deep, light and REM sleep patterns. It's not a guarantee that you will get a sleep “score” or insights on how to get better rest — that data is usually found on more expensive wearables. Also, because these trackers aren’t designed for bedtime specifically — be mindful of comfort. The bands and watch face on a budget fitness tracker may not be ideal for getting some good shut-eye. Connectivity and practicality Not all of the best budget fitness trackers are designed to seamlessly integrate with a smartphone. The trackers tested for this roundup can’t directly make calls or send texts to contacts on a paired iPhone or Android smartphone. They can, however, display and dismiss incoming calls and notifications via a Bluetooth connection. You can forget about checking your email or paying for a coffee from your wrist using these more affordable devices. Most cheap fitness trackers also won't include built-in GPS tracking. Instead, they usually depend on a paired smartphone to gather location data. The drawback of using a fitness tracker without GPS is that it might not provide as precise for tracking distance or pace. You also can't use a budget tracker to get turn-by-turn directions during a walk or while running errands. For the more outdoorsy consumers, having GPS could be a key safety feature if you want this kind of functionality at your fingertips. Design You also might find that an inexpensive fitness tracker is harder to navigate than a more advanced smartwatch. Whether it be a screen size issue or simply not having a smart enough interface, don't expect every feature to be one that you can engage with directly on your wrist. You’ll likely need to use your phone to input data or access detailed wellness metrics. Build quality will also vary. While you won’t get premium materials or ultra-bright OLED screens, most best cheap fitness trackers include some level of sweat and water resistance — perfect for everyday wear and casual workouts. Other budget fitness trackers we tested Amazfit Bip 6 The Amazfit Bip 6, an $80 smartwatch from Zepp Health, didn’t quite make the cut. As a fitness tracker, it’s decent, but it’s a frustrating smartwatch substitute. For workouts, the built-in GPS tracks runs and rides without your phone and, combined with the heart rate and blood oxygen sensors, collects a good amount of data to create accurate pictures of your exertion levels, cadence and pace. It’s remarkably lightweight but doesn’t feel cheap and the AMOLED screen is bright and sharp. It’s not an always-on display, but lifting your wrist wakes it reliably. The sleep tracking data is on par with what we measured on other smartwatches and there’s even a daily readiness score that compares your sleep quality and the previous day’s exertion to estimate how physically prepared you are for the day ahead — similar to what Pixel Watches, Fitbit devices and Garmin watches offer. And since the watch battery lasts for over a week on a charge, you may be a lot more apt to wear it to bed than a watch you have to charge daily. We weren’t expecting an $80 device to be a serious Apple Watch challenger, but the Bip 6’s glitches and overly complicated interface (both on the app and on the watch itself) were disappointing. During a week of testing, I got multiple repeated notifications, even after they were deleted, along with suggestions to stand when I was actively doing chores around the house. The watch faces are not customizable, so it was hard to get the info I needed at a glance (the Zepp app has lots of paid watch faces that may have what I wanted, but I didn’t want to pay $3 for something that’s free elsewhere). Marketing details state that the Bip 6 can auto-detect workouts, including walking and bike riding. During testing, I walked once or twice per day for over one mile and went on two bike rides, but no workout was ever detected. The watch integrates with Apple Health, so I was able to see how it compares to the data my Apple Watch gathers. After a week of wearing the Bip 6, with no changes to my daily routine, I averaged 400 fewer calories burned and 2.4 fewer miles tracked each day. That was possibly the biggest disappointment of all. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter  Wyze Watch 47c I didn't have high expectations of the Wyze Watch 47c, but I was shocked at how little this tracker can do. The 47c can only track walks and runs. It has a dedicated widget, a small logo of a man running, and when you tap it, it begins measuring your pace, heart rate, calories burned and mileage. It does not auto-detect or auto-pause workouts and it doesn't differentiate between a run and walk. Most importantly, this device can’t track any other exercises. It’s basically a glorified pedometer. The 47c was also my least favorite to sleep with, mainly because the square watch face is so large and heavy. Even if I did manage to sleep through the night with it on, it only gave me a basic sleep report. — M.S. Garmin vivofit 4 The Garmin vivofit 4 has a tiny display that is not a touchscreen and all navigation happens through one button. The watch face is impossible to read outdoors and the exercise widget is also very finicky. To start tracking a run, you have to hold down the main button and flip through some pages until you get to a moving person icon. Once there, you have to press the bottom right corner of the bar and hold down and if you press for too long or in the wrong spot, it’ll switch to another page, like a stopwatch. It’s incredibly frustrating. Once you start a run though, it will start tracking your steps, your distance — and that's pretty much it. It does not auto-detect or auto-pause workouts. It doesn't alert you of any mileage or calorie milestones. — M.S.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/best-cheap-fitness-trackers-140054780.html?src=rss