Technology News of last week

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

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?

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

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

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

The Smashing Machine sounds like the title of a Wallace & Gromit stop-motion comedy, but it's going to be a much more brutal experience than anything Feathers McGraw could come up with. It's a biographical drama based on real-life UFC legend Mark Kerr with Dwayne Johnson in the lead role.Kerr himself is very excited: he shared the poster to his Instagram and wrote that he's "in disbelief that this is real". He is "so proud of the work DJ put into becoming The Smashing Machine. I have so much gratitude, humility and respect for every little detail production uncovered." A post shared by Mark Kerr (@markkerrtsm)A photo posted by on This isn't the first time Kerr's story has been told on screen. There's another movie about his career which was made back in 2022 – but while the trailer is available to stream (and embedded below), you can't stream the movie, although I'll be amazed if one of the best streaming services doesn't buy the rights when the new movie's publicity starts to pick up steam. What was the original Smashing Machine? The 2002 movie, The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr, was critically acclaimed for its unflinching portrayal of the brutality of some of Kerr's earlier battles, and of Kerr's struggles with addiction.It's a tough watch and of course, it's often very violent. And it sounds like it'll have very little in common tonally with A24's take on the same story.While the new movie isn't out yet, some sites are running stories based on early viewings – and one of them, Worldofreel.com, says it could be the weirdest movie of 2025. According to Jordan Ruimy, "judging by what I’ve heard, there is zero doubt in my mind people are not ready for the type of film in store".Ruimi describes it as "gonzo filmmaking", "not Oscar-bait in the least" and "one of the weirdest films A24 has ever produced." Given that this is the studio that gave us Everything Everywhere All At Once, Midsommar and The Lighthouse that's quite the claim. (Image credit: A24) The A24 movie will be released in theaters on October 3, 2025, and given Warner Bros. Discovery deal with the indie powerhouse, we can expect The Smashing Machine to stream on Max in the US after its box office run. You may also like 5 must-watch A24 moviesWhy Max is the place for A24 moviesBest Max movies: the 24 finest films to stream this month

Marvel Rivals patch notes arrive every couple of weeks or so, bringing bug fixes, Hero balancing changes, and more general updates. Sometimes, as is the case with the most recent patch, events are added, and certain Heroes receive buffs or nerfs to better bring them in line with the ongoing meta. Season 2's latest patch notes are now live, and they focus on improving the performance of a handful of Strategists.These constant changes to Marvel Rivals help keep Competitive Mode fresh while providing a steady stream of reasons for players to check back in regularly. Since launch, Marvel Rivals has really proven itself as a worthy contender, landing on our list of the best free games and the best crossplay games.Here are the latest Marvel Rivals patch notes for April 30, 2025. These outline buffs to Strategists like Adam Warlock and Mantis, while Captain America receives a nerf to his survivability. Read on for more info.Update (April 30, 2025): Detailed Patch Notes for Marvel Rivals build version 20250430, which adds a new event and some significant buffs to Strategists. There's also a much-welcome change to the ranked points scoring system. More below. Marvel Rivals patch notes for April 30, 2025 (Image credit: NetEase) The latest Marvel Rivals patch notes detail changes added to the game on April 30 at 9:00 UTC. The main updates are as follows: All-New Event - Hellfire Gala: MomentsWinter Soldier - Thunderbolts* Bundle (store)Black Panther - Damisa-Sarki Bundle (store)Thor's "Lord of Asgard" costume has been refined to improve visibility and ensure the crosshair isn't obstructed.Doctor Strange's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" costume now boasts enhanced visual details and voice effects to more accurately capture the essence of the costume theme.You can now switch all costume-specific sound effects back to the default ones via Settings.Using the latest S2.0 data, we've recalibrated the baseline data for calculating each hero's performance scores.Locked accounts can now initiate the account deletion process even from a logged-out state.Hero balancing changes (full info later in this page) These are just the main updates that arrived in Marvel Rivals alongside the latest patch. For full detail on all bug fixes, visit the Marvel Rivals blog. Marvel Rivals balancing changes (Image credit: NetEase Games) Below, you'll find a list of the latest balancing changes in Marvel Rivals, detailing the buffs and nerfs that've been applied to each character. Captain America - Reduce base health from 650 to 600Doctor Strange - Decrease the energy cost to unleash the Eye of Agamotto (Ultimate Ability) from 3400 to 3100Groot - Reduce the health of Ironwood Wall from 700 to 600Spider-Man - Decrease the damage range of Amazing Combo from a 5m radius to a 4m radiusWinter Soldier - Adjust the Tainted Voltage ability to have 2 charge levels, while keeping the cooldown time unchangedAdam Warlock - Add a new effect to Quantum Magic: When a critical hit lands on an enemy, reduce the cooldown time of Avatar Life Stream by 1sCloak & Dagger - As Cloak, increase the damage of the Darkforce Cloak from 75/s to 80/s; As Dagger, increase the damage of the Lightforce Dagger on hit from 15 to 18Luna Snow - Adjust the Damage Falloff of Light & Dark Ice from 60% at 40m to 75%Mantis - Increase the hit damage of Life Energy Blast from 50 to 55Stars Aligned (Captain America - Winter Soldier Team Up) - Upon leaping to a teammate, Stellar Impact will provide 50 Bonus Health to allies within range As you can see, the latest Marvel Rivals Hero balances apply to Strategists, upping their damage, or making their abilities more useful. Winter Soldier and Doctor Strange also get a buff, While Captain America, Groot and Spider-Man receive a slight nerf. You Might Also Like... Here's when to expect the next season of Marvel RivalsBest free gamesMarvel Rivals Mutant list: here's all of the playable Mutant Heroes

The first two episodes of Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld will premiere in FortniteThey will be free to watch in the game on May 2 ahead of a May 4 Disney+ releasePlayers can also claim a free Stormtrooper skin right now The first two episodes of the upcoming Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld TV show will premiere in Fortnite, where you will be able to watch them for free ahead of the series' Disney+ launch.As revealed at the recent Star Wars Celebration event, Fortnite: Galactic Battle, the next season of content for the hit battle royale game, will focus on the hit multimedia franchise.Ahead of the launch of Galactic Battle, which will introduce new Star Wars-themed content and gameplay, players will be able to visit the Star Wars Watch Party island on May 2 and see the first two episodes of the upcoming anthology animation series Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld.The series will then launch for the paid Disney+ streaming service on May 4, so I wouldn't miss the chance to see some of it for free if you're interested. You will be able to find the island on the Fortnite main menu, or by searching the island code 2124-6713-8076.Those who watch both episodes will be rewarded with the Asajj Ventress Loading Screen. In addition to a screen showing the episodes, the island will feature a score-based Battle Arena with waves of enemies to defeat and a leaderboard for top players. (Image credit: Epic Games) If that wasn't enough, you are also able to get your hands on a free skin, the First Order Stormtrooper, right now by linking your Epic and MyDisney accounts.You can learn how to do this and see the eligibility requirements via a dedicated page on the Epic Games website. You might also like... Fortnite OG Season 4 release date - here's when the next season comes outForza Horizon 5 shines on PS5, but the Realms update left me wanting moreFinal Fantasy 14 composer Masayoshi Soken discusses his work and reveals why he'd love to make a horror game soundtrack: 'I have the desire to face that challenge'

Broadband provider Virgin Media has issued advice for UK users of its hubThe company warns against placing a router in direct sunlightThis could cause the router to overheat and perform badly – or ‘grind to a halt’ even – and there are other placement issues to consider, too You might not have ever thought much about the positioning of your Wi-Fi router, but it’s important – particularly as summer is knocking on the door, and some countries are experiencing their first taste of a heatwave.The Independent reports that prompted by the unusually warm April temperatures in the UK, broadband provider Virgin Media has delivered a warning that it really isn’t a good idea to have your router placed in direct sunlight when the weather gets hot. (Or at any time for that matter).Virgin Media issued a statement to say: “Although we test our [broadband] hubs carefully at a range of temperatures, they are better off out of bright sunlight, just like your phone or laptop. If the hub gets too hot, it could slow down your connection or even grind to a halt altogether.”This underlines the point that your router is just like any other piece of hardware – it warms up when used, and has vents and needs to stay cool. Put the device in strong sunlight in a baking hot room, and the results may not be pretty, as Virgin Media suggests.In a similar vein, the statement advises that you shouldn’t stick your router in a cupboard, where again, it might get overly warm due to a lack of ventilation in the heat. Not to mention the fact that placing it in an enclosed space is interfering with the Wi-Fi signal anyway.Other placement advice to avoid interference with the Wi-Fi includes: “Keep the Hub at least 1m away from cordless phones or baby monitors, and as far as possible from big obstructions like cupboards and fish tanks.” (Image credit: Shutterstock) Analysis: Tricks to make your router quick (or at least a bit quicker) Isn’t this all rather alarmist? No, in a word, if your router does get too hot, performance is indeed likely to be impaired. (And it’s not beyond consideration that damage could be caused, too, in cases of extreme heat conditions – something we’re getting more used to seeing these days).Granted, this isn’t the first time Virgin Media has run this advisory, and in fact the company seems to trot this out on a yearly basis (ahead of summer in the UK). But it’s the first time I’ve seen it, and the advice given is good, plus more broadly, we should all think a bit more about the placement of our router.Don’t put it in the sun, for sure, or in a cupboard, or in your TV cabinet, for all the heat-related reasons given above. Similarly, don’t shove the router under your desk – try to have it up reasonably high, not near the floor, and with as few obstructions as possible around the device. Any obstacles near the router will only diminish the Wi-Fi signal, just as sure as overheating will.If you’re in the mood for improving your Wi-Fi in general, you might want to peruse our full guide on how to boost your Wi-Fi signal strength, which includes advice on positioning, as well as technical tweaks you can apply (such as changing Wi-Fi channels). It might be worth considering a Wi-Fi extender in some scenarios, too (such as getting a better signal in your garden for the summer, perhaps). You might also like... Best broadband deals for April 2025Wi-Fi 7: everything you need to know about the latest wireless standardWindows 11 24H2 update arrives in preview with important fix for blue screen crashes – but I still wouldn’t rush to install this upgrade

Google observed 75 zero-day bugs last yearMost were used by state-sponsored actorsCountries like China and North Korea were specifically mentioned In 2024, Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) discovered 75 zero-day vulnerabilities, and argued that the majority were used in state-sponsored hacking campaigns. The company made these claims in “Hello zero-day my old friend, a 2024 exploitation analysis” paper published recently.In the report, Google says that the number of zero-day flaws dropped compared to 2023 (from 98 to 75). However, the four-year trend is that the rate of zero-day exploitation “continues to grow at a slow but steady pace.”While consumer devices continue to be the most attacked targets, there is an increase in adversaries exploiting enterprise-specific technologies. In 2023, roughly a third (37%) of zero-days targeted enterprise products, jumping to 44% last year. This, Google says, is primarily fueled by the increased exploitation of security and networking software and appliances. Governments at it again In fact, zero-day vulnerabilities in security software and appliances were a high-value target in 2024. Google says it identified 20 security and networking flaws, which was over 60% of all zero-day exploitation of enterprise technologies. Since the exploitation of these products results in a more efficient and extensive system and network compromise, Google expects threat actors’ focus on these technologies to continue growing.The biggest abusers of zero-day vulnerabilities are the governments, Google says. “Between government-backed groups and customers of commercial surveillance vendors, actors conducting cyber espionage operations accounted for over 50% of the vulnerabilities we could attribute in 2024,” the report says.Google singled out China as a major player in this regard, but also mentioned North Korea, whose operatives mixed espionage with financially motivated operations.The number of Windows exploits rose to 22 (from 16 the year before), while on Safari and iOS it fell (from 11 and 9 to 3 and 2). Android retained its “lucky number” 7, as did Chrome. Firefox was up from zero in 2023 to one in 2024.Via Ars Technica You might also like Businesses must act now to address the zero day surgeTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

X (formerly Twitter) has been leaning into video content more and more since Elon Musk took over. The latest shift, announced by X's engineering account, sees the platform rolling out 4K video uploads to some of its creators.  The new video resolution should soon be available for all premium subscribers. Currently, they can share videos in 1080p that are a max of 8GB in size and about three hours in length. X has also taken steps such as creating a vertical videos feed a la TikTok and Instagram Reels.  We're starting to roll out 4k video uploads for some creators. Coming soon for all @Premium subscribers!— Engineering (@XEng) April 29, 2025 If you're one of the many people done with the platform — and want nothing to do with Musk — then you can delete your X account. We have a step-by-step guide on how to fully deactivate your profile and clear most of your tweets (posts?) from X. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/x-is-bringing-4k-video-uploads-to-premium-subscribers-120044356.html?src=rss

Immersion blenders (or hand blenders) might not be absolutely essential in every good kitchen arsenal. But they can unlock faster and easier ways of making soups, smoothies, sauces and more. Plus, they’re smaller than their countertop brethren, which often makes them a better choice for RVs, boats or apartments where space is a premium. Finally, because cleaning them is usually as simple as running them in a bowl of hot soapy water, there’s less hassle, too. To help you figure out which immersion blender is right for you, we’ve put together a list of our favorite models across a variety of needs and use cases. Best immersion blenders for 2025 Which immersion blender is right for you? Before you even think about buying a new kitchen appliance, it’s important to figure out how you’re going to use it and where it fits in with any gadgets you already own. In an ideal world, everyone would have a dedicated food processor, countertop blender and a stand mixer. But the reality is that many people don’t have the room or the budget. While handheld blenders and traditional, full-size blenders have a lot of overlap, there are strengths and weaknesses to both. For example, if you’re looking to make smoothies every day, a countertop blender might be a better choice. The bigger pitchers make it easier to blend drinks for multiple people at once, while larger motors will make short work of ice and frozen fruit. Additionally, more expensive options like those from Vitamix, All-Clad, Ninja or Robocoupe can even cook soup during the blending process using the heat generated from the blender’s motor, which isn’t something you can do with an immersion model. I’d even go so far as to say that if you have the space for it and don’t already own one, a regular blender is probably the best option for most people. That said, immersion blenders are often less expensive and, thanks to a wide variety of accessories offered by some manufacturers, they can be great multitaskers. A whisk attachment allows you to make whipped cream or meringues quickly without needing an electric hand mixer, or risk getting tendonitis in your elbow doing it manually. Some immersion blenders also come with food processing bowls, so you can easily throw together things like small batches of hummus, salad dressings or homemade pesto in minutes. And because immersion blenders are smaller and less bulky than traditional models, they're a great choice for apartment dwellers or anyone with limited storage or counter space. That means if you’re simply trying to expand your culinary repertoire without blowing up your budget, an immersion blender can be a great way to try something new without committing too hard. Corded or cordless? Similar to figuring out if you should get a blender or not, trying to decide between a corded or cordless model depends a lot on the other gadgets you already own. Corded versions typically have more powerful motors, which makes them great for people who don’t have a countertop blender or food processor. But if you do own one of both of those, cordless is the way to go. Not only do you get the convenience of not worrying about wires, but the ease of use makes it fast and easy to whip out your immersion blender to add some extra texture to a sauce, or puree a large pot of soup without having to do it in batches. A quick word about safety No one should be ashamed of being nervous around a device that is essentially a motorized blending wand with a spinning blade at the end. But with proper care and use, an immersion blender doesn’t have to be much more dangerous than a chef’s knife. The most important safety tip is to make sure you always keep the sharp blades pointed down and away from you or anyone else nearby. That includes your hands, along with any utensils (like a spoon), that might be in or around your mixing bowl. Thankfully, all consumer immersion blenders are designed to prevent their blade from directly hitting the vessel holding your food (be it a mixing bowl or a pot). However, to be extra safe, you should avoid blending things in glass containers or nonstick cookware, as glass can chip or shatter while the metal blades and shroud of an immersion blender can damage teflon and ceramic. You’ll also want to make sure you keep water away from the plug or outlet of corded immersion blenders. And if you want to remove the blade or clear away any food that might have gotten tangled, first make sure the blender is off, disconnected from its power source (either its battery or wall socket) and in safety mode with a lock button or other feature. On the bright side, cleaning an immersion is rather simple and straightforward. All you have to do is fill up a bowl or cup with soapy water, submerge the immersion blender, and then run it for 10 to 20 seconds. That’s it. If it’s still not clean, you can repeat that process again until it is. And if hand washing is too much work, the blending wand on a lot of models (including all of the ones on this list) are dishwasher safe too.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/best-immersion-blenders-150006296.html?src=rss

Windscribe CEO Yegor Sak's charges in Greece have been dropped after a two year legal battleThe charges were in connection to alleged internet offences by an unknown user in June 2023Sak was accused of "illegal access to electronic data" Windscribe has won a landmark case in Greece after a two-year legal battle, in a win for no-log VPNs.Windscribe's Co-Founder and CEO, Yegor Sak, was charged in connection with an alleged internet offence perpetrated by an unknown user in June 2023. On April 11, 2025, an Athens Court decided to dismiss the case against Sak for lack of evidence of any wrongdoing. Our legal battle is over. A few years back, some idiot used our VPN to do idiot things. Greece then decided to charge the Windscribe CEO @yegor for the crimes because it was his name on the VPN server bill. No logs existed of anything. Case dismissed. https://t.co/IPw0RKWgnRApril 25, 2025 As per the official legal document shared by Windscribe with TechRadar, Sak was accused of "illegal access to electronic data" to send mass spam emails.An anonymous user allegedly used a Windscribe-owned server in Finland to breach a website in Greece and launch the attacks.According to Sak, however, Greek authorities didn't issue any subpoena to the VPN company, as the norm requires. Instead, they directly charged Sak, the account holder of the Finland data center involved in the criminal activity."This sets a concerning precedent for anyone who owns servers that could be used by others," said Sak. "If upheld, it could have criminalised infrastructure ownership for actions taken by anonymous users." Not only a Windscribe victory The case against Windscribe was dismissed for lack of evidence that either the VPN company or Sak himself had committed any wrongdoing. This isn't only a victory for Windscribe, though."This was not just about me," said Sak. "It was about drawing a hard line around the role of privacy infrastructure providers. As we do not log user activity, we cannot hand over what we do not have." Some say VPNs should be banned because a few people misuse them, but that's a rather misguided approachYegor Sak, Windscribe A no-log VPN is a guarantee that the provider never stores or tracks users' activities and any other data that can identify them. This means that providers cannot share any information with law enforcement when asked, as these details simply do not exist.A few companies before Windscribe have proved the legitimacy of this feature in real life over the years. For example, Mullvad did so in 2023 after being hit by an inconclusive police raid. Private Internet Access (PIA) also proved its no-log claims twice in Court.The main goal of virtual private network (VPN) software is to keep people anonymous when they browse the web. This is why EU experts have deemed these services a "key challenge" to the work of law enforcement, with lawmakers currently considering whether data retention requirements should be changed.Sak, however, now reiterates Windscribe's commitment to users' privacy and transparency. He said: "Some say VPNs should be banned because a few people misuse them, but that's a rather misguided approach. By that logic, we should also ban hammers and cars." You might also like The VPN industry reacts to the EU's plan for end-to-end encryption backdoorsPakistan grants first VPN licenses in a bid to regulate VPN usage in the countrySurfshark has launched a free, privacy-first, public DNS service

Toyota and Waymo have announced that they've entered a preliminary agreement, along with the former's mobility tech subsidiary, Woven by Toyota, Inc. To be clear, they're not in the midst of developing anything yet — they're still exploring a potential collaboration between them. Ultimately, however, the goal is to develop a new autonomous vehicle platform together, presumably for robotaxies. They're also aiming to "leverage Waymo's autonomous technology and Toyota's vehicle expertise" for future personal vehicles.  In their announcement, the companies said they're looking to incorporate aspects of Waymo's technology into Toyota vehicles meant for sale to consumers, as well as to accelerate the development and adoption of driver assistance and automated driving technologies. Waymo's work, so far, has been focused on developing robotaxis that riders can hail through an app. The Alphabet-owned company currently operates Waymo One, a fully autonomous ride-hailing service, in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles. It deploys Waymo One vehicles through Uber in Austin, and it's planning to expand the service to Las Vegas, San Diego, Miami and Atlanta sometime this year. This potential partnership could expand the reach of Waymo's tech. "Waymo's mission is to be the world's most trusted driver. This requires global partners like Toyota that share our commitment to improving road safety and expanding accessible transportation. We look forward to exploring this strategic partnership, incorporating their vehicles into our ride-hailing fleet and bringing the magic of Waymo's autonomous driving technology to Toyota customers," said Tekedra Mawakana, the co-CEO of Waymo. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/toyota-and-waymo-pledge-to-team-up-on-a-new-autonomous-vehicle-platform-123032289.html?src=rss

Google Wallet has supported copies of US passports since December and now its UK residents' turn. The company has announced that UK passports will soon be available as digital passes in Google Wallets on Android devices.  To start, Google is partnering with Rail Delivery Group, which provides Railcards — or discount passes — for a range of travelers. Applying for a Railcard requires identity verification (some of them are also age-based) and individuals should be able to use their digital ID for proof.  Google also announced further updates and features to its Wallet. More states, including Montana and Arkansas, will soon have the ability to put their government IDs in their Google Wallet, and places like Georgia and Maryland will be able to use their digital IDs at the DMV. While travelers can use US passports stored on Google Wallet at select airports, Google cautions that ID passes for UK passports won't work at TSA for now.  The company is also bringing Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology to Google Wallet. It should also for quick age verification while "ensuring there is no way to link the age back to your identity." Google might use it with its own products or when verifying a person's age on partner apps. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-wallet-adds-support-for-uk-passports-123019945.html?src=rss

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OpenAI is rolling back a recent update to GPT-4o, the default model that powers ChatGPT, following complaints from users that it made the chat bot act like a weirdo. "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," said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a X post spotted by TechCrunch.  As of midday Tuesday, Altman said ChatGPT was running on an older, less sycophantic version of GPT-4o for all free users. The company hopes to get paid users back on an older release of the model by later today. "We're working on additional fixes to model personality and will share more in the coming days," Altman said, adding OpenAI would share more information about what went wrong "at some point."  OpenAI released the new GPT-4o late last week. By the weekend, people began noticing ChatGPT was being overly agreeable and verbose in its praise. As you can see from the X post below, often that praise was also inappropriate and strange.  When is OpenAI pulling the plug on the new GPT-4o ?This is the most misaligned model released to date by anyone.This is OpenAI's Gemini image disaster moment.image credit : r/u/Trevor050 pic.twitter.com/kNcdnEYMDq— AshutoshShrivastava (@ai_for_success) April 27, 2025 Improving the emotional intelligence of its models, in so far as an algorithm can posses the trait, has been a recent focus for OpenAI. For instance, with GPT-4.5, the company said the model was better at responding with warmth and understanding than its previous systems. In trying to bring that same capability to the more affordable GPT-4o, it seems OpenAI got something wrong. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-rolls-back-update-that-made-chatgpt-an-ass-kissing-weirdo-203056185.html?src=rss

Meta has launched a new standalone app for its Meta AI assistant, powered by Llama 4The app connects across Meta platforms and devices, including Ray-Ban Meta smart glassesThe Meta AI personalizes its behavior based on your Instagram and Facebook activity Meta AI is moving into its own space with the launch of a new standalone app. Fueled by Meta's new Llama 4 AI model, the new app is simultaneously a standalone product and a replacement for Meta View, which was previously used to connect to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.Meta’s making a big play here, positioning voice interactions as the most intuitive and natural way to interact with your AI. The app supports hands-free chatting and even includes a demo of full-duplex speech, a feature that lets you talk and listen at the same time.That's very useful considering how keen Meta is to connect Meta AI with the company’s larger product portfolio, especially the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. These AI-enabled spectacles will now operate through the Meta AI app, replacing the Meta View app they currently rely on.That means you can start a conversation on one platform and easily transition to another. All you need to do is open the Devices tab on the app and replicate your settings and saved information. (Image credit: Meta) Ask a question through your smart glasses, get a reply from Meta AI, and then pick up that same thread on your phone or desktop later. You can switch from voice chat in your glasses to reading the conversation in your app's history tab. For example, you could be on a walk and ask Meta AI through your glasses to find a nearby bookstore. The answer will be saved in your Meta AI app for later review.The other major element of the Meta AI app is the Discover feed. You can see publicly shared things like successful prompt ideas and images they've generated on the feed, then remix them for your own purposes.Additionally, the desktop version of Meta AI is also getting revamped with a new interface and more image generation options. There's also an experimental document editor for composing and editing text, adding visuals, and exporting it as a PDF. Meta AI all over Meta has spent many months spreading Meta AI across Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp, but now, this is the first time Meta AI isn't hosted within another mobile app.The AI’s connection to Meta’s other apps does give it an edge (or a flaw, depending on your view) by allowing it to adapt its behavior based on what you do on those other apps. Meta AI draws on your Instagram and Facebook activity to personalize its answers.Ask it where to go for dinner, and it might suggest a ramen spot your friend posted about last week. Ask for tips on an upcoming vacation, and it’ll remember you once posted that you love to “travel light but overpack emotionally” and suggest an itinerary that might fit that attitude.Meta clearly wants Meta AI to be central in all your digital activities. The way the company pitches the app, it seems like you'll always be checking in with it, whether on your phone or on your head.There are obvious parallels with the ChatGPT app in terms of style. But Meta seems to want to differentiate its app from OpenAI’s creation by emphasizing the personal over the broader utility of an AI assistant.And if there’s one thing Meta has more of than nearly anyone, it’s personal data. Meta AI tapping into your social data, voice habits, and even your smart glasses to deliver responses designed for you feels very on-brand.The idea of Meta AI forming a mental scrapbook of your life based on what you liked on Instagram or posted on Facebook might not appeal to everyone, of course. But if you're concerned, you can always put on the smart glasses and ask Meta AI for help. You might also like WhatsApp looks set to get an AI makeover soon – here's what could be comingMeta wants to fill your social media feeds with bots – here's why I think it's wrongMeta AI's latest feature can show you in a fantasy world – if you feed it your face

The gaming industry continues to bleed workers and cancel games, with EA back for another round of brutal news. The company said on Tuesday it decided to "make some targeted team adjustments," which Bloomberg reported as between 300 and 400 eliminated positions, including 100 at Respawn, and the cancellation of an unannounced Titanfall game. Again. The canned Titanfall game, code-named R7, was reportedly an extraction shooter set in the mech-meets-parkour franchise. Bloomberg says it wasn't close to release, and Respawn's statement that it canceled two "early-stage incubation projects" reflects that. Details about the other scrapped game haven't leaked, but Bloomberg reports that it was canceled earlier this year. Respawn says it will refocus its resources on Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi, franchises where EA appears more confident it can profit. Earlier this month, the company previewed another game set in a galaxy far, far away: the Xcom-like tactics game, Star Wars Zero Company. After culling an estimated 1,130 jobs in 2023, EA laid off five percent of its workforce in 2024. "These decisions aren't easy, and we are deeply grateful to every teammate affected - their creativity and contributions have helped build Respawn into what it is today," Respawn wrote on Tuesday.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ea-reportedly-cancels-another-titanfall-game-lays-off-several-hundred-employees-205008255.html?src=rss

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

New websiteNew panelNew products A2 Hosting is now hosting.com with a whole new website, promising new features and an updated hosting panel.Hosting.com started life as A2 Hosting in 2001. The (old) name is a reflection of the place where it all started, Ann Arbour, in Michigan. The company was founded by Bryan Muthig and grew into a successful hosting company hosting 2M+ websites in over 40+ locations.On the surprise transition, CEO Seb De Lamos said, "Super excited that A2 Hosting which for so long has been this paramount of hosting performance, amazing customer support, and so much more, that we've been able to take it and turn it into something which takes it to the next level."The move is a reflection of the growth that Hosting.com has sustained and is purported to boost the brand increasing global recognition and build a larger interconnected community which will provide more opportunities to connect and learn. Different name same values Change can be scary but Hosting.com reassures users, "while our name is changing, our dedication to providing fantastic support and the reliable products you've come to expect remains the same." Adding, "You'll still have access to the same robust hosting solutions and the same team of experts ready to assist you 24/7."In a blog post, Hosting.com stresses that this isn't about abandoning roots but rather expanding and growing the business on a global stage. The core values of reliability, speed, and customer satisfaction at the heart of A2 Hosting remain in Hosting.com.Along with the different name, Hosting.com says other changes include greater resources which will be invested in infrastructure and technology to better support customer needs.There will also be a new hosting panel. At first glance and a poke around the website a lot seems to have changed. Product names are new, the features included in plans are different and older products like dedicated hosting are hidden from the home page. (Image credit: Hosting.com) Hidden services still exist, you just need to find them via site:hosting.com via Google because they're not readily available from the home page. For example, one Hosting.com user reported to be disappointed with not being able to find Node.js hosting but a quick site:hosting.com "Node.js" reveals that this is still a service from Hosting.com.This is a significant rebrand for Hosting.com and I'm looking forward to reviewing new products and services and seeing whether the changes can deliver on the promise of enhanced hosting features and infrastructure of an already well known and liked host. You might also like My now out of date and soon to be updated Hosting.com (formally A2 Hosting) reviewChecking out the best web hosting providersWhat domain registrars actually do