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HBO’s The Last of Us took a riveting action game bolstered by intimate human moments and made a richly human drama supported by terrifying action. In returning for season two, and now using the sequel game as source material, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann had quite a bit more work cut out for them. The first season greatly expanded the emotional depth and breadth of Joel and Ellie’s cross-country journey while also fleshing out the stories of many others they meet along the way, and the cast (led by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey) was outstanding. But some fans felt the balance of action and drama was off, and I had a few issues with the pacing — though the final product was still outstanding in my eyes.

That was over two years ago, and now it’s encore time. Season two premieres on HBO this Sunday, April 13 (you can stream it on Max), and I am once again happy to report that the show does a faithful job of capturing the first part of a complex story while also fixing a few of the minor complaints I had about the first season.

[Editor's note: this story discusses season two broadly but avoids specific plot details and spoilers. There are spoilers for season one.]

The show picks up exactly where season one (and the first game) concluded. Joel and Ellie return to the settlement of Jackson, Wyoming, where Joel’s brother Tommy is part of a peaceful, well-fortified commune — a rare oasis of relative safety in a destroyed world. This comes about a year after the Fireflies — a militia group searching for a cure for the zombie infection — tasked Joel with smuggling Ellie across the country. Over the ensuing journey, Joel bonds with Ellie and comes to treat her as a surrogate daughter, replacing the one he lost at the beginning of the outbreak 20 years prior.

Ellie’s immunity to the infection gave the Fireflies hopes she holds the key to finding a cure — but when Joel learns it would kill her, he wipes out a whole platoon of soldiers and the doctor who was trying to carry out the procedure, before fleeing with Ellie back to Jackson. As far as she knows, there was no way to make a cure and Joel rescued her when raiders descended on the Firefly complex.

Kaitlyn Dever in HBO's The Last of Us season twoPhotograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO

We immediately learn that Joel’s rampage against the Fireflies is going to have major repercussions right from the jump, as we meet Abby (played with furious intensity by Kaitlyn Dever) and her small crew of young Fireflies in Salt Lake City in the days following the massacre. Things then jump forward five years; Ellie and Joel are well-integrated into the Jackson community and living a relatively normal life — though Joel’s therapy sessions with Gail (the wonderful Catherine O’Hara) show that he and Ellie have had some degree of falling out. Whether it’s just her being a 19-year-old or something deeper remains to be seen.

Without spoiling anything, the sequel game, The Last of Us Part II, is a far less linear affair than its predecessor. Events are shown out of order through multiple flashbacks. Perspectives shift. The playable character changes at various points. I’ve spent much of the last year wondering exactly how Mazin and Druckmann would translate that structure to TV — what events would be shown in what order, and what things might get cut or expanded on?

But surprisingly, the show closely mirrors the game’s chronology. The core of the season remains Joel and Ellie, the fallout from season one and how it affects everyone around them. A handful of events, including an infamous town festival in Jackson and the reveal of Abby’s motivations throughout the season, are moved up sooner in the series to give viewers more context for why things are happening. It’s a change the creators said was made to compensate for the change between the interactivity of playing characters like Abby and Ellie versus watching them.

Pedro Pascal and Catherine O'Hara in HBO's The Last of Us season twoPhotograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO

The season’s structure worked — the multi-pronged plot didn’t ever feel hard to stick with, and I think the show did a better job this season at balancing out action and drama. As the cast and creators have alluded to, Ramsey and Pascal don’t get as much time together as they did in season one, which is a shame given their absolutely fantastic chemistry. But both actors make the most of Joel and Ellie’s fracturing relationship, and they also do wonderful work with other scene partners. Both Joel and Ellie spend significant time with Dina (Isabela Merced), who ends up being something of another daughter to Joel and a best friend / love interest for Ellie. She brings a completely different attitude to these scenes — like anyone in the world of The Last of Us, you know she’s seen her fair share of horrible things, but she combines a cool confidence with vulnerability in a way that keeps Ellie delightfully off balance.

One of the key new events in the show that didn’t take place in the game is a massive siege of Infected attacking the town of Jackson (something you see in the show’s various trailers). At first, it felt like an on-the-nose response to complaints that the Infected didn’t feel like much of a threat in season one, but the way the large-scale battle is juxtaposed with a much more intimate threat in the same episode plays out perfectly. That episode was followed by one that was far more peaceful and character-driven, a cadence I appreciated after the siege’s intensity. Naturally, things ramp up as the season draws to a close, but the balance feels measured and thoughtful.

Isabela Merced and Bella Ramsey in HBO's The Last of Us season twoPhotograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO

Overall, the Infected are more present in this season than the last, and they’re as deadly and terrifying as ever. In the game, the player might think nothing of taking on five or six in one go, but in the show even a one-on-one encounter feels fraught with danger. Of course, as in season one, the humans are the more unpredictable and threatening part of the world.

Other new characters and events, like the fate of Gail and her husband Eugene (played by Joe Pantoliano), once again serve to enrich and enhance the world of The Last of Us. And beyond individual characters, the show also delves deeply into bigger warring factions, similar to the Kansas City “liberators” in season one. We get multiple views of how groups band together and try to survive against the Infected, and each other, and the show does a good job of not portraying any one way as right or wrong.

Ellie makes her own judgments as the story progresses, and she starts to lose herself in a cycle that she can’t seem to get out of, even as her friends distance herself from her actions. Ramsey plays this extremely well — though they have a slight and small frame, they play Ellie’s ferocity in a way that’s convincing and frightening. That side of her is flipped on its head in more vulnerable moments when the weight of Elle’s choices start piling up, and it’s fascinating and disturbing to watch. Mazin said that the reasoning behind Ellie’s quiet fascination with violence and being protected would play out in season two, and a lot of small moments definitely start paying off here.

Pedro Pascal in HBO's The Last of Us season twoPhotograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO

Unlike season one, which is a self-contained affair, season two leaves much up in the air. Again, that’s something the creators have told us already; Mazin said that telling the story of the second game would take at least two seasons. There’s a lot of story still to be told here, and thus things end on a very different vibe than season one. I’m hoping that Mazin, Druckmann and the cast can get back to doing season three a little quicker than last time, as another two-plus years will feel like an exceedingly long wait for some resolution.

With only seven episodes, season two has a shorter run time than season one, which already felt a bit rushed to me. The finale in particular blew through some of its script in rapid-fire fashion that felt almost sloppy. It could have easily done with an extra 10 minutes without losing any momentum. And given that Mazin has already said the next season will be “significantly larger,” my hopes for a quick turn-around are probably not realistic.

Bella Ramsey in HBO's The Last of Us season twoPhotograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO

In the end, that might not be a bad thing for most viewers. The Last of Us can be a grueling and emotional watch, season two even more so than the first. There are some moments of extreme violence that are hard to watch. The show does strike a thoughtful balance between implied and graphic violence,, but it can still be harrowing, and a few moments made me feel almost ill (an appropriate emotion, but not the most pleasant one).

It’s a little hard to evaluate season two in a vacuum, given it’s only the first half of some fairly messy, non-linear source material. That’s not a major knock; plenty of shows don’t wrap everything up every year in a tidy package. And given the quality infused in every episode of this show, from the acting to the script to the set design and VFX, I’m confident in saying that anyone who enjoyed season one should get on board for what’s to come here, even if it takes a long time to get any resolution. Just as with the game that it’s based on, the journey of The Last of Us season two is intense and asks a lot from viewers, but it’s still a journey worth taking.

Update, April 9 2025, 11:12AM ET: This review was updated with a modified headline and more details in the introduction.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-last-of-us-season-two-review-more-zombies-and-more-heartbreak-160007479.html?src=rss

There’s a big Xbox showcase event scheduled June 8 at 1PM ET. This is happening the same weekend as Summer Game Fest, which begins on June 6. Xbox has typically held these kinds of live presentations alongside Summer Game Fest ever since E3 was sent to a farm upstate to live with other discontinued industry conferences.

We don’t know what will be shown at the annual Xbox Games Showcase. The company says it will bring us a "look at upcoming titles from across our first-party studios, in addition to incredible new titles from our third-party partners." It’s a digital-only event, so there will be no crowd to hoot and holler at reveals.

As a guess, I’d expect some new info on that new Fable entry, which was recently delayed until 2026. We could also get new trailers for the Perfect Dark reboot and Ninja Gaiden 4. Other possibilities include Gears of War: E-Day and Hideo Kojima’s OD. The sky truly is the limit. Xbox owns a lot of studios and, of course, has numerous partnerships with third-party devs.

One game that won’t be at the official presser is The Outer Worlds 2. That’s because it’s getting its very own livestream that follows the showcase. This game was originally teased all the way back in 2021, so it’s high time for a release date. Xbox promises a look inside developer Obsidian and trailers that reveal "new gameplay, details and developer insights." Interestingly, The Outer Worlds 2 is no longer an Xbox exclusive, as it’s also coming to PS5.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xboxs-big-summer-showcase-is-set-for-june-8-at-1pm-et-152001789.html?src=rss

More than 200 experts urge Sweden to reject a bill that would mandate encryption backdoorsIf passed, the legislation could come into force as early as March 2026The Swedish Army also warns that a backdoor would create vulnerabilities that third parties could exploit

Over 200 experts have called on the Swedish Parliament to reject a proposed law that would force the likes of Signal, WhatsApp, and email service providers to create an encryption backdoor in their software.The draft bill seeks to introduce new obligations on data retention and access to electronic information for law enforcement while "ensuring respect for fundamental rights and freedoms."Yet, the coalition, made up of some of the best VPN and secure email service providers, cryptographers, and digital rights advocates, warns that the new rules "would greatly undermine the security and privacy of Swedish citizens" instead.

The security risk of weakening encryption

As experts pointed out in a joint open letter published on April 8, 2025, "the legislation presents a dangerous approach which would instead create vulnerabilities that criminals and other malicious actors could readily exploit."Encryption refers to the scrambling of data, making it unreadable and preventing third-party access. Specifically, end-to-end encryption (E2E) is the technical infrastructure that encrypted messaging apps use to keep your messages private between you and the receiver, end to end.The proposed Swedish legislation seeks to make it easier for law enforcement to fight crime by forcing companies to store and provide access to people's private communication upon request.However, experts have long argued that this isn't possible without creating a backdoor that fundamentally breaks the security infrastructure upon which encryption is built.It's like building "a master key that unlocks every door in a building," noted the coalition, adding that "compromising encryption would leave Sweden’s citizens and institutions less safe than before."

Sweden wants to #backdoor #encryption. But we, together with 230+ orgs, are saying no.#NoToBackdoors 💪Read our open letter to the Swedish Riksdag: 👉 https://t.co/WhkZcwFrRO pic.twitter.com/fE1Y8raSkiApril 8, 2025

The Swedish Armed Forces also echoed such security concerns, arguing that the proposed new requirements for E2E services "cannot be fulfilled without introducing vulnerabilities and backdoors that third parties can exploit."In February, the Swedish Army even endorsed the use of Signal among its employees to make it more difficult for non-classified calls and messages to be intercepted.Outside Sweden, recent events like the Salt Typhoon attack on all the major US telecoms have also sparked a pledge for all citizens to switch to encrypted services.Ironically, though, Signal President Meredith Whittaker already said the company would rather leave Sweden than undermine its encryption protections.If the bill passes, the new rules could be enforced as early as March 2026.Experts are now calling on the Swedish Parliament to reject the law and prioritize policies that strengthen rather than weaken cybersecurity. They wrote: "Sweden's security, prosperity, and freedom depend on it."

Not only Sweden

Sweden isn't the only EU member striving to make people's data more easily accessible to authorities during investigations.After over three years of trying to pass a law to scan all citizens' messages in the hunt for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) – what's known as Chat Control by its critics – the EU Commission just published a new strategy on encryption backdoors and lawful data access.Outside the EU, Apple is currently facing the UK in court over the request to make iCloud's encrypted data accessible at all times by law enforcement.Once believed to be a privacy paradise, even Switzerland now wants to amend its surveillance law to add new types of monitoring and information collection. A change that would widen the authorities' reach to no-log VPNs and other secure messaging providers.

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Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has discussed Switch 2 stockHe said that there is already 'some' supply of units in the USThis could be good news for those worried about stock issues or the impact of tariffs

Earlier this week we learned that Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders would be delayed in the US.In a statement provided to TechRadar Gaming, Nintendo stated that "pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the US will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions."Though we know that the June 5, 2025, launch date has not been changed yet, this decision has prompted some fears about potential stock issues with regards to the console and the possibility of steep price increases due to the costs associated with tariffs.In a recent interview with CNBC, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser offered some reassurances. While "it remains to be seen" whether the company will be able to meet demand, Bowser says it "certainly is our goal.""We've had some time to build up inventories on a global basis," he revealed. "They [have] even landed already, some in the United States."In addition to potentially avoid a scenario of consumers struggling to get their hands on a Nintendo Switch 2, this existing stockpile could help prevent some of the biggest impacts of new tariffs from becoming evident - at least in the short term.Goods that are already in the US are not subject to any import tariffs. If this supply is large enough, it could tide US buyers over until the situation changes. We'll just have to wait and see.Once pre-orders do open in the US, the Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a bundle also containing a digital copy of Mario Kart World.

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Framework Computer is stopping sales of its low-tier laptops due to tariffsIt states that it would be selling at a loss as it implies it would prefer to avoid overpricing its products for consumersRazer has also seemingly suspended sales of Blade laptops in the US, likely due to tariffs

Affordability has been a big issue across the board when it comes to PC and gaming hardware lately; Nvidia and AMD's third-party GPUs have been impacted due to inflation, scalping, and tariffs, with prices soaring far above their MSRPs. However, one popular laptop manufacturer has decided to take another route entirely.On its X (formerly Twitter) page, Framework Computer announced that it will be pausing the sale of its cheaper, lower-end laptops in response to the new Trump tariffs that came into effect on April 5. The reasoning for this is that it would be 'selling at a loss' - implying that it would rather avoid charging consumers more and instead halt proceedings until further notice.Donald Trump’s aggressive tariffs have effectively forced many companies to take drastic action, like Nintendo pumping the brakes on Switch 2 pre-orders for US customers; there’s a clear uncertainty about how big of an impact there could be on its $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95 MSRP.Back in the laptop market, it's clear that Framework would prefer to maintain its consumer-friendly track record, keeping customers from overspending on less powerful hardware while also avoiding a potential major financial deficit.

(Image credit: Framework)

It's unclear whether this could eventually apply to its more expensive configurations, using AMD or Intel's powerful SoCs - like the upcoming Framework Desktop, for example. But even now, powerhouse laptops aren’t safe from tariff-related complications: it appears that Razer has put a complete halt to sales of its Blade gaming laptops in America, with the official Razer US site showing no Blades for sale at the time of writing.This is perhaps an even more shocking move. Razer is a household name among PC gamers, and to completely suspend sales of its most popular laptop line in the US - right after the launch of its excellent new Razer Blade 16, no less - is honestly a bit wild. Granted, you can still pick them up at third-party retailers, so it’s not a total blackout, and the present assumption is that Razer - like Framework - is simply biding its time until the dust has settled on the current tariff situation.

I have a strong feeling this could happen with GPUs soon...

I don't want to sound like a repetitive robot, but the GPU market is in a shambles right now. If you're looking to buy any of Nvidia or AMD's newest GPUs, one thing is almost certain: you won't find any at the recommended retail price.It's worth noting that inflated prices on these GPUs were already a serious problem before the new tariffs - especially for Nvidia's RTX 5000 series lineup, which it launched in January. For the most powerful GPU on the market, the RTX 5090, you're looking at a price far above its $1,999 / £1,939 / AU$4,039 launch price.I'll admit, not many PC users genuinely need that much processing power for gaming or rendering; however, the same question of halting sales like Framework has done comes into the equation now, specifically with Team Green's upcoming desktop RTX 5060 Ti. It’s not been officially announced, but leaks suggest the GPU is on the horizon and is expected to be cheaper than its RTX 4060 Ti predecessor.It's hard to believe that Nvidia would sell at a loss (as it's literally one of the wealthiest companies worldwide), and I wonder if the tariffs may result in raising the prices of its lower-end GPUs so much that at least AIBs might have to halt sales.There are still a variety of factors in play here, particularly whether the new GPU performs well for gamers: if it doesn't perform well and inflation from board partners on top of tariffs are present, it'll likely be a hard sell for Team Green. It's only ever a matter of time before something new and significant shakes up the GPU market, and these tariffs may just be the catalyst...

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Some days you want a VR game for your Meta Quest 3 that’s bursting with high-octane action, with epic fight scenes and a pumping soundtrack that makes you feel like you’ve been dumped headset-first into a John Wick movie.Other days, though, you just want to kick back with your headset; and when you do, Train Sim World VR: New York could be just what you’re looking for.This charming simulator drops you into the shoes of a fledgling engineer on New York’s Harlem Line, where it’s your job to transport people using one of the two vehicles you’re trained to drive – the MTA M3A and M7A (though, as the game points out, this doesn’t replace professional instruction, so you'll want to leave real-world train driving to the experts).As you travel you’ll take in the sights and sounds of the New York rail network, and you can even hop out of your carriage at times and explore stations to search for collectibles.You’ll want to focus on your job too, mind: as you travel the tracks you’ll need to blow your horn to alert workers on the line or honk hello to rail fans looking on from bridges and platforms, as well as watch your speed, walking the tightrope between ensuring you get to your destinations on time and complete every speed gate challenge, without breaking any speed limits.This balancing act – which is probably better described as a meter-wide plank walk than a tightrope walk given its more relaxed nature – serves as the core gameplay loop of Train Sim World VR, and you’ll either love it or hate it.

Simple controls, simple life (Image credit: Future / Dovetail Games)

In the hate it camp, you’ll become frustrated with the repetitiveness. While each mission in the game’s career mode had its nuances, they did admittedly blend into one as I played.Beyond control layout changes as you swap between train types, and a handful of route alterations, there’s not a lot of difference between levels, but as I mentioned in the intro this isn’t the virtual reality experience you’re looking for if you’re after exhilaration.What you’re coming to Train Sim World VR: New York for is chill train vibes.That’s what I came to adore about this title: being able to just sit back and relax as I drove trains up and down the Harlem line, tooting my train’s horn when needed – and when I just felt like it, frankly.If you’re in the love it camp you’ll be someone who's looking to find joy in this game’s mundanity, or someone who's keen to dip their toes into the world of VR simulators with an exceptionally beginner-friendly title.There’s a large panel, so you can easily see how fast you’re going and how intense your acceleration or deceleration is, and whenever you approach workers or a station there's an obvious reticle reminding you to blow your horn ASAP.The minimalist control scheme for each vehicle and literally on-rails movement means there are only so many factors you have to consider at once. As a result, passing any mission isn’t a challenge, which creates an even more zen-like state as you traverse the tracks.

Where we're going, we don't need roads (Image credit: Dovetail Games)

That isn’t to say people looking for a relaxing time will find this game perfect in every facet.The graphics can leave something to be desired at times – if you stare out of your window you’ll likely see a fair amount of features popping in and out as you pass by – though given the game’s dedication to creating a 1:1 scale with the real-world Harlem Line (which you can explore without loading screens on the Meta Quest 3) some graphical drops are more than forgivable here.Train Sim World VR: New York isn’t for everyone, but that's true of plenty of VR sims. They exist to cater to a very specific audience, and this game’s purpose is to be a delightful, beginner-friendly train simulator – a goal it smashes.If you want to pick up Train Sim World VR: New York it’s available to buy from the digital store on your Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro or Meta Quest 2 today for $31.99 / £24.99 / AU$47.99.

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Sony has announced US pricing for its new high-end Sony Bravia 8 II OLED TV – but unlike in the UK, where the pricing is highly competitive with the LG G5, Sony's US prices are far higher than the G5's.Indeed, they're also much higher than the recently unveiled price of the Samsung S95F, which uses the same QD-OLED panel.When I spoke to Sony at the UK launch of the Bravia 8 II I was told the price of the new TV would be lower than that of the Sony A95L, the company's previous high-end OLED. That appears to have only applied to the UK, though, because the Bravia 8 II is priced higher than the A95L was at launch in the US.

What we don't know is whether this price factors in expected tariff costs or not – it may be that Sony has included them, and that LG and Samsung will soon have to raise prices.However, Sony has a history of its TV and audio products coming with a relatively high price tag for US customers, so these may be the originally planned prices, and they may go up further in the near future, though we don't yet know what the full effect of tariffs on prices will be.Sony hasn't announced a release date for the TV yet either, though it's due for an early-June release in the UK.Sony also released pricing for its new Bravia 5 mini-LED mid-range TV, and its budget Bravia 2 II (yes, that's Bravia 2 mark II, a horrible naming decision) TV.

The Bravia 2 II is a direct-led LED TV, and includes Sony's X1 processor, which used to be in its flagship TVs – although with no local backlight dimming, don't expect amazing contrast.The Bravia 5 is a very interesting TV at its larger sizes, in particular. I've seen it in real life, though only briefly, and it's bright, and a decent mini-LED backlight should ensure solid contrast. But at larger sizes, Sony's excellent processing should help make sure you don't see the imperfections in streaming or HD video when viewing on a blown-up 4K screen.

Another uphill battle for Sony?

The Bravia 8 II (right) with the Sony A95L (left) (Image credit: Future)

In the UK, the pricing of the Bravia 8 II is really exciting – the 65-inch Sony is slightly less expensive than the LG G5, which could really shake up our rankings of the best OLED TVs there, because it means the choice is heavily down to image quality, and Sony gets rated really highly there.But in the US, if the Bravia 8 II stays at $600-$1,000 more than LG's and Samsung's equivalents, it's going to have a very tough time breaking through. Yes, the Sony almost certainly has better built-in sound, but that's not going to matter if you can buy a great soundbar for less than the price difference between them.And I said that the Bravia 8 II looks like it'll have some of the best picture quality on the planet from my early demo, but will the difference be large enough to justify that kind of price gap? I'm having trouble believing it, though we'll be testing the LG G5, Samsung S95F, and Sony Bravia 8 II side by side when they've all launch to decide which is the best TV, so watch this space.

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Sony releases four new products to its 'powerful, bass-heavy' ULT rangeThe lineup includes Tower 9, Field 5, and Field 3 speakers, plus a ULT Mic Prices from $150 (around £120) for the Mic and $200 for the Field 3 speaker

Sony is gradually transitioning all of its XBass-prefixed speakers to its "bass-heavy" and "powerful, huge-sounding" ULT Power Sound range. Having unveiled four ULT-branded products in 2024 (three Bluetooth speaker models, including the Sony Field 7, plus the mid-range Sony ULT Wear headphones), the company has just launched four more ULT-branded buys for 2025.Sadly, there are no headphones in the ULT class of April 2025, but there is a beast of a tower speaker called the Tower 9. It comes in either a battery-powered option boasting 25 hours of stamina or an AC-suffixed model that needs to be plugged into power.This is joined by a medium-sized Field 5 Bluetooth speaker, also with a 25-hour battery and, this time, an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, plus a smaller Field 3 with 24 hours of non-stop playtime and an IP66 rating.Both of the more portable 'Field' models come with a detachable shoulder strap, but all three speaker options feature a new one-stop shop of a companion app to tweak all of the settings: Sony Sound Connect. It essentially does away with the Fiestable and Music Center apps that used to share the job (in somewhat confusing ways).On this, Sony's 360° Party Lights are available in both the ULT Tower 9 and ULT Field 5 to bring the party to life. All speakers include other convenient Sony features, such as Party Connect, Multipoint Connection, Bluetooth Fast Pair 7, and a USB charging port.So that's a summary of what's up. But let's deep-dive into each model a little more – and even add mic(s)…

Sony ULT Tower 9, Field 5, Field 3 and Mic: key specs and pricing

(Image credit: Sony)

The ULT Tower 9 (stylized to 'TOWER' in Sony marketing) and ULT Tower 9AC are built to fill dance floors with 360° Party Sound. The only difference is the onboard battery (the 9AC doesn't have one), so both feature four tweeters that promise clear omnidirectional sound (two on the front, two on the rear), two mid-range speakers, and Sony’s X-Balanced Speaker Unit to deliver the promised powerful low end.And here's where it gets interesting: hitting the Tower 9's ULT button gives access to two distinct bass modes – ULT1 for "deeper, lower frequency bass" and ULT2 for "powerful, punchy bass." There's a handle to carry or lift it, but given its size, I'd use built-in castors to pull this speaker to the best spot.The 360° Party Lights can create a synchronized lighting display that can link up to 100 compatible speakers via the new Sound Connect app to sync music and lighting.Here, you also get karaoke and guitar inputs and Sony's unique TV Sound Booster function to enhance the audio-visual sound experience from your TV.

The Field 3 is the smallest speaker in the new lineup (Image credit: Sony)

Now, the Field 5 and Field 3 feature a new shoulder strap for easy on-the-go tunes. The Field 5 promises "a superior music experience with boosted bass," while the ULT Field 3 boasts "powerful bass from a compact body."You get that ULT button in both models for two different bass-boosted audio flavors. Both are available in Black and off-White, with an additional Forest Gray colorway for the ULT Field 3. The 360° Party Lights are also added to the ULT Field 5 to bring the party to life – or if you want to sync it up to your Tower 9.Lastly, let's talk about the new ULT Mic (or MIC, as Sony calls it). It is designed to pair seamlessly with Sony's ULT Power Sound Series speakers and comprises two wireless microphones and a receiver to plug into the compatible speaker.Pricing? Of course. We're still waiting on official retail figures for the UK and Australia, but the ULT Tower 9AC is available now with a suggested asking fee of $749.99 (the powered Tower 9 is $899.99); ULT Field 5 is available now priced $329.99; ULT Field 3 is available now with an MSRP of $199.99 and the ULT Mic is available now with a guide price of $149.99.Will Sony'ss Field 5 or Field 3 join our best Bluetooth speakers buying guide? Time will tell…

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Shopify encourages workers to experiment with AIConstant learning and thriving on change are fundamental valuesHeadcount will remain “flat” but AI will be prioritized over new hires

The CEO of Shopify has spoken out about his affinity for artificial intelligence, and it’s clear that the tech is set to play a considerable role in the company’s future.Tobias Lutke’s thoughts on AI had initially been leaked via an internal memo, but owing to the leaks, Lutke decided to share the exact words in an X post.The memo details how the company should be focusing on improving the efficacy of artificial intelligence before managers ask to hire more human workers, with everyone at Shopify expected to be using AI.

Shopify appears to prioritize AI over human workers

Speaking about the technology, Lutke noted: “I use it all the time, but even I feel I’m only scratching the surface,” indicating how much more the company’s workers could be experimenting with AI to get work done.Noting his appreciation for Sophify’s existing workforce, who are said to contribute 10x more than what he’s previously thought was possible, Lutke added that AI can now boost contributions by 10x, calling for workers and AI to mix for 100x more contributions.He also referenced Shopify’s core values: to be a constant learner and to thrive on change. Using AI has now become a “fundamental expectation,” and AI questions are to be added to performance reviews for a better understanding of where workers reside with implementation.Maybe the most interesting point in Lutke’s email, though, was that “teams must demonstrate why they cannot get what they want done using AI” before asking for more headcount and resources. Lutke encourages employees to consider how autonomous AI agents could be integrated into their teams.In terms of the impacts on the workforce, CFO Jeff Hoffmeister shared an intention to “keep headcount relatively flat,” but that’s after a 20% headcount reduction (of 2,300 workers) in 2023 and a 10% (1,000) slash in 2022, alongside other smaller cullings.

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Last year, Sony rebranded its portable speaker lineup under the ULT umbrella with new models classified as either Field or Tower. The former are the more "traditional" Bluetooth options while the latter are the party box, karaoke machine sort of devices. Just like 2024, the company has three new entries in the ULT lineup this time around with the ULT Field 3, ULT Field 5 and ULT Tower 9. Those first two fill the mid-range gap between the current ULT Field 7 and ULT Field 1 while the last item is a smaller alternative to the ULT Tower 10.

The ULT Field 3 will replace the SRS-XE300. As the name suggests, Sony's ULT button is among the updates, a control that adds instant access to ULT1 mode for bass boost. The company also expanded the customizable EQ and added its Sound Field Optimization. Inside, a single woofer and a tweeter are angled slightly in the center while two passive radiators are positioned at the ends of the speaker. The ULT Field 3 works in both vertical and horizontal orientations where the XE300 was only vertical.

There's a new Party Connect button to easily sync with other Sony speakers and you can charge your devices via the USB-C port. The company kept the 24-hour battery life the same as the XE300 but improved the quick-charge feature to give you two hours of use in 10 mins. The ULT Field 3 remains IP67 waterproof, dust proof and shock proof like its predecessor, however this new speaker is also rust proof. A removable shoulder strap is among the additions too, but there's one major item Sony retained. The ULT Field 3 is the same price at the XE300 at $200.

ULT Field 3

Sony

The ULT Field 5 isn't quite at large as the ULT Field 7, but it's still hefty. This speaker will replace the SRS-XG300 in Sony's arsenal, clocking in at $330 — $20 less than that predecessor. Here you'll get a single woofer and two tweeters angled in the middle of the unit with passive radiators at either end. You'll also be able to use a second ULT mode, ULT2, that "emphasizes powerful sound" in addition to the ULT1 bass boost. A 10-band EQ and Sound Field Optimization help maintain sound quality and that new Party Connect button is on this larger speaker too. Like the ULT Field 3, you can use the ULT Field 5 in either vertical or horizontal positions, and similarly there's a removable shoulder strap.

Battery life remains up to 25 hours on the ULT Field 5, just like the XG300. Once again, Sony improved quick charging to give you 30 more minutes of use in a 10-minute session. This speaker has lights at the ends though, which can impact longevity. Sony says you'll reach that 25-hour mark using ULT modes with the lights off, but using both will drop that figure to 10 hours. There are three different light modes though, so there are options available. On the back of the ULT Field 5, there's a panel with aux input, USB-C charging in/out, a battery care button and a switch for the lights. That's protected by a sealed flap, which helps the speaker achieve its IP67 rating.

That brings us to the ULT Tower 9. The party box joins the ULT Tower 10 on Sony's current roster, replacing the SRS-XV900. Expanded EQ, Sound Field Optimization and two ULT modes are among the additions here, as are a redesigned handle and wheels for better portability. Sony improved the lighting for 360-degree projection as well as making the top control panel splash proof. Besides the Party Connect button from the new ULT Field speakers, the ULT Tower 9 has a dedicated option for a stereo pair. The top panel also houses controls for lighting, volume, power and two inputs for microphones (one of which can be used for a guitar).

ULT Tower 9

Sony

Like the XV900, you can use Sony's TV Sound Booster feature to enhance living room audio on the ULT Tower 9. The speaker has that ULT button, which gives you two modes for either bass boost or "powerful sound." The driver arrangement inside includes four tweeters, two of which are pointing out the back of the speaker, along with two mid-range units and a single woofer. The wireless version of the ULT Tower 9 is the same price as its predecessor at $900, but Sony is also offering a wired option that must remain plugged into an outlet for $750. If you opt for wireless, battery life is the same on that Tower 9 as the ULT Field 5: up to 25 hours with only ULT mode and up to 10 hours with both ULT mode and lighting active.

Lastly, Sony revealed the ULT Mic, which is a $150 set of two wireless microphones and a transmitter that are designed to be used with the company's party speakers. This new accessory pack works with both the newer ULT Tower speakers in addition to the ULT Field 7. You can also use it with any older Sony speakers that support a microphone jack and receiver (like the XV900, XV800, XV500, XP700 and XP500). The mics are rechargeable with up to 20 hours of battery life and they feature a shock proof design. What's more, the company equipped these devices with noise reduction for hands, breath and wind, plus there's a Duet Assist tool to compensate for uneven vocal volumes.

The ULT Field 3, ULT Field 5, ULT Tower 9 and ULT Mic are all available now.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/sony-adds-three-more-speakers-to-its-ult-lineup-bass-boost-button-included-160008038.html?src=rss

The latest version of Asus GPU Tweak III comes with a nifty new featurePower Detector+ warns you if any of the pins on your graphics card’s power connector have too many amps flowing through themThat could lead to a scenario where the power cable melts, as we’ve seen in reports, so the warning should help you avoid a potential bad outcome

Asus has released a new version of its GPU software suite that adds what could be a very useful – or indeed critical – warning for when temperatures run high with the graphics card, and a power connector melting disaster might occur.The latest version of the GPU Tweak III software comes with the Power Detector+ warning function, which Asus notes is exclusive to ROG Astral and Matrix graphics cards.The ROG Astral models are the RTX 5090 and 5080, and the ROG Matrix is the RTX 4090 last-gen flagship.As VideoCardz reports, the idea is that the software monitors the power cable, specifically the amps value for the pins (inside the connector) plugged into the port on your graphics card. Should there be a problem with one (or more) of the pins not being seated properly – and the value either being zero or rising above 9 amps – the utility will flag up a warning.The cable not being seated properly in this way is a possible scenario in which the power connector could end up seriously overheating to the point where it melts, as we’ve seen reported in the past with some Nvidia GPUs.This means that when you get this warning, you can shut down your PC swiftly, and then check the power cable, perhaps disconnecting and then plugging it back in more firmly. Hopefully, that’ll resolve any issue and avoid a cable melt incident that could damage the GPU.

(Image credit: DisobeyArt / Shutterstock)

Analysis: More of this kind of monitoring, please – although it’s in the pipeline elsewhere

Interestingly, the GPU Tweak software is a utility that can be used with all GPUs, AMD or Nvidia, and not just models from Asus either. However, there’s only support for this power-related warning provided for the Asus ROG RTX 5090 and 4090 flagships, and the RTX 5080 Astral, as noted – at least for now.Perhaps the graphics card maker will expand this support in time, as it’s undoubtedly a useful warning system to have – and cable melting reports are not exclusive to these models.(As well as reports of this issue with the RTX 5090, I should note that there have also been similar claims made with RTX 5080 models, too – but there could be all sorts of factors at play here, as we’ve discussed in the past. Clearly, though, the flagship GPUs will always be in the most perilous situations, power connector-wise, given the vast amount of wattage they command – particularly if you’re going to overclock these beasts of desktop graphics cards).Hopefully, other vendors will climb aboard this power warning bandwagon, although some gamers have already been using the HWiNFO tool to monitor the amps of their power cable’s pins. Note that this functionality for HWiNFO is only in beta testing right now (and also requires a second utility, RivaTuner, to work).The long and short of it is that fully fledged and tested support will hopefully be in HWiNFO before too long, with any luck. The more widespread this kind of monitoring can be made, the better.

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Some Roku owners have seen the YouTube TV app disappear from devicesResetting the device doesn't work, but some have found alternative fixesGoogle and Roku have yet to respond to the reports

YouTube TV has rapidly become one of the best streaming services for live TV, particularly if you're looking to replace cable with a service that's available on a multitude of streaming devices. Over the past day, however, Roku users have noticed that the YouTube TV app has strangely disappeared from their devices.Not only has the YouTube TV app gone missing, but some users have spotted that it’s not available to reinstall either. This had led owners of Roku streaming devices to head to Reddit to share their experiences with the issue, with some swarming Roku forums and also Google’s support page.One of the first outlets to bring the issue to light was 9to5Google, which stated that the cause of the issue is still unconfirmed. We've reached out to Google to find out if there's any update and will update this story if we hear back.

YouTube TV not loading on Hisense/Roku 55R7G5 from r/youtubetv

The most frustrating part of YouTube TV’s app disappearance is that it’s taken a lot of trial and error for users to fix – and as it stands, neither Roku nor Google has come forward to address the problem.Searching for the app in the installed list on your Roku device doesn’t seem to help, and neither does resetting the device. But luckily, there seems to be alternative ways that users have found.

How to recover the YouTube TV app on Roku

(Image credit: Roku)

According to a Roku community moderator, this issue can be resolved by checking for any Roku OS updates that may need installing. Updating the latest OS version has helped many users restore the YouTube TV app.For those who have already downloaded the most recent version of Roku OS whose YouTube TV app is still missing, Android Police says that you can still use the standard YouTube app to access YouTube TV’s channels. When you open the left-hand menu, scroll down to the bottom and you’ll find an option for YouTube TV.Over the past few months, YouTube has been teasing updates including two new features that allow users and creators to comment and interact with videos, and also a big Netflix update.It’s unclear whether this recent issue is related to YouTube TV’s possible upgrades, but we’ve asked Google for any insights and will update this story if we get a response.

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Doctor Who season 2's primary dynamic will differ wildly from last season's partnershipThe Doctor's friendship with new companion Bel won't be the same as the one he enjoyed with RubyNcuti Gatwa and Verada Sethu has explained why things won't always be rosy between their characters

Doctor Who's primary cast have revealed how the titular character's latest companion Bel differs from her predecessor Ruby Sunday.Speaking to TechRadar, Ncuti Gatwa and Verada Sethu, who play The Doctor and Bel, explained that the pair's dynamic gets off to something of a fraught start in the Disney+ show's second season.Compared to the immediately harmonious relationship that Gatwa's 15th Doctor enjoyed with Ruby – who will return in some capacity this season – it's a frosty start to what'll be a spicy, marriage of convenience-style friendship.Indeed, while the duo learn to become a "really strong team" as the series' latest installment progresses, Bel's deep-rooted self of sense also means the titular Time Lord will have his hands full with her in Doctor Who season 2. You know, when he's not dealing with all manner of planetary and wider universal threats.

The 15th Doctor's friendship with Ruby got off to a better start than it will with Bel (Image credit: BBC/Disney Branded Television)

"Bel has such a strong sense of self and her own values," Sethu told me. "I love that she already owns herself and has so much going on in her own life that she feels responsible for. As a nurse, she's a caring, selfless person, so she wants to go back to being the person she was before she meets The Doctor. She's got no interest in floating around space and time with this guy!""[In the 2023 Christmas special], Ruby didn't think twice about jumping onto the goblin ship ladder," Gatwa interjected. "She very willingly wanted to go on this adventure and be part of The Doctor's world."Bel was plucked out of her own world and placed into his, so there's no interest on her part to follow in Ruby's footsteps," he continued. "So, what has to form is a real partnership built on an inherent equality and maturity between The Doctor and Bel. She understands the weight of responsibility, loss, and the hardships of life in general. But, by the end of this season's first episode, she's also well aware that The Doctor is a very dangerous man."

She holds him accountable for a lot of thingsVarada Sethu, Doctor Who actor

"She holds him accountable for a lot of things," Sethu added. "He's not surrounded by yes people like he might have been before. Now, he's traveling with someone who'll say 'no, that is absolutely not okay'."But, they're able to grow together because they're able to fill in the gaps where the other falls short. They become a really strong team that has a great sense of trust and platonic love, which develops throughout the season."Want to know what I thought of episode 1 of one of the best Disney+ shows' second season? My review of Doctor Who's season 2 premiere will tell you more. Be sure to check back with me later this week for more from my exclusive chat with Gatwa and Sethu, too.

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Instagram is testing a feature that locks Reels behind a secret code and a provided hint, according to a report by TechCrunch. This looks like a novel way for creators to interact with fans, as they can share exclusive reels with people who are more likely to know the answer to these clues.

As an example, a creator could lock a Reel with a hint like “my favorite food” and rabid fans would, of course, know the answer. The Meta-owned social network has been testing the feature on its Design account. It shared a locked Reel that prompts viewers to enter a secret code based on a hint that read “1st # in the caption.”

Meta / Screenshot from Engadget

The first hashtag mentioned in the caption was “Threads.” Upon entering the correct code, viewers access a Reel that announces that the Design account is launching a profile on Threads.

This could be used by brands to advertise new products or by creators trying to amp up engagement. Personally, I could see it as a place to hide in-jokes with friends, but maybe that’s just me.

Engadget has reached out to Instagram for more information regarding this feature. We’ll update this post if we find out anything regarding availability. This could be just a test, with no actual plans for a general rollout.

This is also quite similar to another Instagram tool called Reveal. This feature lets creators post a hidden Story for followers to uncover by sending a DM.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-is-testing-reels-that-are-locked-behind-a-secret-code-162142807.html?src=rss

Samsung reveals pricing for its 2025 OLED TV lineup Prices are cheaper than LG's 2025 OLEDsIt also reveals prices for its Frame Pro TV and Samsung HW-QS700F soundbar

Samsung has revealed the US pricing for its 2025 OLED TV range and, surprisingly, they're cheaper than LG's OLEDs.Samsung's OLED TV range consists of the flagship Samsung S95F (successor to one of 2024's best TVs, the Samsung S95D), the mid-range Samsung S90F and the entry-level Samsung S85F. Pricing for the range is as follows:

Samsung S95F

Samsung S95F 55-inch: $2,299Samsung S95F 65-inch: $3,299Samsung S95F 77-inch: $4,499

Samsung S90F

Samsung S90F 42-inch: $1,299Samsung S90F 48-inch: $1,499Samsung S90F 55-inch: $1,799Samsung S90F 65-inch: $2,499Samsung S90F 77-inch: $3,499Samsung S90F 83-inch: $5,399

Samsung S85F

Samsung S85F 55-inch: $1,499Samsung S95F 65-inch: $1,999Samsung S85F 77-inch: $2,999Samsung S85F 83-inch: $4,499

Comparing the prices to the pricing for LG's 2025 OLED TV range shows that the Samsung S95F is cheaper than the rival LG G5 by roughly $1-200 across 55 and 65-inch models, and the Samsung S90F is $1-200 cheaper than the LG C5 across all models from 42-77 inches (83-inch is the same for both). LG has yet to reveal pricing for the LG B5, but it'll be interesting to see if it's the same as the Samsung S85F or if Samsung's set is also cheaper.Pricing for the largest Samsung S95F, the 83-inch model, which is believed to use LG's Primary Tandem RGB OLED 'four-stack' panel', wasn't included in the initial announcement, but if it's mirroring the LG G5, it will cost roughly $6,499.All models are now available to order through Samsung's website:

Get the 65-inch Samsung S95FGet the 65-inch Samsung S90FGet the 55-icnh Samsung S85F

Samsung didn't just reveal pricing for its OLEDs but also for its 2025 The Frame Pro and The Frame TVs. Those prices are as follows:

The Samsung Frame Pro (Image credit: Future)

Samsung The Frame Pro

Samsung The Frame Pro 65-inch: $2,199Samsung The Frame Pro 77-inch: $3,199Samsung The Frame Pro 83-inch: $4,299

Samsung The Frame

Samsung The Frame 43-inch: $899Samsung The Frame 50-inch: $1,099Samsung The Frame 55-inch: $1,299Samsung The Frame 65-inch: $1,799

Samsung's The Frame Pro marks the first time that the lifestyle TV series has incorporated a mini-LED backlight. It also uses Samsung's new 'Zero One Connect Wireless Box', an external box that connects devices and wirelessly transmits signals to The Frame Pro TVs.Samsung also revealed pricing for its latest soundbar, the QS700F, which is a 3.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos model that can be positioned for either wall or stand-mount placement. The QS700F will cost $699.99 at launch.One thing worth noting is that these prices are likely to have been decided before the new US tariffs were announced. Although, as reported by Reuters, Samsung says it won't be affected by tariffs as its US TVs are made in Mexico, the tariffs are a developing situation that could have an affect on the final prices.

Good pricing news, but a shadow still looms

Just what OLED panel type will the Samsung S90F (pictured) use? (Image credit: Future)

There's no denying that LG has set the OLED TV bar high for 2025. In our LG C5 review, we gave it five-out-of-five stars thanks to its all-around versatility and performance. Also, from what we've seen of the LG G5, its fullscreen brightness boost over its predecessor could be a gamechanger.So naturally, Samsung needed to answer in some way. By undercutting LG's prices, it has directly laid a challenge and given viewers another OLED TV choice. Even more surprising is that Samsung's 2025 OLEDs are cheaper than their 2024 predecessors!We haven't fully tested Samsung's OLED TVs just yet, but from what we've seen, it's set to be an impressive lineup. The Samsung S95F's new OLED Glare Free 2.0 tech solves the black crush issues that the Samsung S95D suffered from and its 83-inch model combines this with mind-blowing brightness thanks LG's four-stack panel. The Samsung S95F already has the potential to be one of the best OLED TVs of 2025.

The Samsung S95F is shaping up to be one of 2025's most impressive TVs from our brief hands-on testing. (Image credit: Future)

There is an elephant in the room, however: the display panels used in the Samsung S90F series OLED TVs. Last year, the Samsung S90D was subject to a panel lottery where it wasn't clear if users were getting a QD-OLED or W-OLED panel (in 55, 65 and 77-inch sizes, at least). The same appears to have happened again for 2025, with rumours circulating that only the 65-inch S90F will use a QD-OLED panel.Given this, the pricing story looks a little different, as the S90F doesn't have quite the same value, despite being cheaper. It's worth noting that the rival C5 does have an OLED EX panel so if the S90F features the same, it does take the sting out of a bit. Still, it's frustrating that Samsung won't confirm which panels are used for the S90F series.It's interesting to see Samsung directly undercutting its main rival on prices. If anything, this could encourage LG to drop its prices in an attempt to win over customers. Either way, it's great news for TV buyers.

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Fret not, Fireflies, The Last of Us will continue on HBO beyond its second season. Just before the hit adaptation of Naughty Dog's games returns to the network and Max for its next batch of episodes, HBO has officially greenlit a third season of the show.

It would have been a major shock if TLOU wasn't going to return beyond this latest seven-episode stint. Season two doesn't cover all of the shocking events of The Last of Us Part 2. The show's creators and showrunners, Neil Druckmann of Naughty Dog and Craig Mazin, have long been adamant that it would take at least two seasons to adapt that overly long misery simulator (still a very good game, though). Plus, the first season was a huge success, as tens of millions of people watched Joel and Ellie fend off infected and other enemies as they trekked across the remnants of America.

"We approached season two with the goal of creating something we could be proud of," Mazin said in a statement. "The end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals, thanks to our continued collaboration with HBO and the impeccable work of our unparalleled cast and crew. We look forward to continuing the story of The Last of Us with season three!"

HBO hasn't given a timeline for when we can expect the third season, but there should hopefully be a smaller gap between seasons this time around. Season two was delayed by the Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes in 2023. Plus, it's hard to imagine that viewers will be willing to wait so long to find out what happens after [redacted].

Speaking of which, season two of TLOU premieres on HBO and Max this Sunday, April 13. Engadget's Nathan Ingraham reviewed the season, and found it did an admirable job of adapting (at least some of) the non-linear source material while resolving certain issues from the first season.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-last-of-us-will-return-for-a-third-season-163801196.html?src=rss

Anthropic is joining the ranks of OpenAI in offering a more expensive tier of its flagship chatbot. On Wednesday, the company announced Claude Max. Starting today, you can either pay $100 or $200 per month to use Claude up to 5x or 20x more than you can with Anthropic's existing Pro plan. The company told Engadget it's introducing the Max tier in response to the popularity of Claude 3.7 Sonnet. The new hybrid reasoning model, which excels at coding tasks, has been so popular with users, many are asking to use it as much as they want.

With tokens for Claude 3.7 Sonnet costing significantly more than what Google and others charge for access to their lightweight models, Anthropic isn't quite ready to offer unlimited usage of the new model. However, you'll find even OpenAI's $200 per month Pro plan has its own set of restrictions, with monthly limits imposed on "very compute intensive" features like Deep Research.

Part of the reason Anthropic is offering two different price points at the Max tier is so that it can give flexibility to customers as their needs change. Additionally, those same users will gain priority access to new models and capabilities as Anthropic releases them.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropics-max-plan-offers-nearly-unlimited-claude-usage-for-200-per-month-170032710.html?src=rss

Heart Machine knows how to make a stylish game, so it’s no surprise that the studio’s latest project, Possessor(s), is sexy as hell. I mean, just look at Rhem, the cosmic demon with a chiseled jawline, aquamarine horns and a fine-cut suit unbuttoned down to his navel, who alternately encourages and negs you throughout the game. Stupid sexy Rhem.

“It's just fun to have hot characters at the end of the day,” Heart Machine founder Alx Preston said at GDC 2025. Preston and three other Heart Machine developers — producer Myriame Lachapelle, narrative director Tyler Hutchison and writer Laura Michet — played through Possessor(s) while we chatted about the game and the studio.

Hutchison continued the hot-characters conversation by praising Heart Machine concept artist Sophie Medvedeva and adding, “Since we were kind of building out this visual novel, I was trying to leverage the expertise I brought from Dream Daddy to be like, well, let's make sure these characters are very hot.”

Sometimes, it’s as simple as that.

Possessor(s) is a sidescrolling sci-fi action game set in the ruins of Sanzu, a corporate megalopolis that's been ripped apart by interdimensional horrors. Sanzu was once a company town controlled by the tech firm Agradyne, but three years ago, a flood of demons escaped the city’s underground laboratories, possessing its citizens and transforming most of them into vicious, mutated creatures. The game spans desolate skyscrapers and abandoned aquariums, and it looks like a daydream of a 1990s anime, splattered in neon and shimmering with a sickly green VHS aura.

It stars Luca, a possessed-but-lucid 16-year-old who’s searching the urban wasteland for any signs of her mother and best friend. The “hot” descriptor in this game is reserved for the demons, but Luca is stylish, with an iridescent coat, slender metal legs and two horns of her own. Luca is bursting with teenage angst and she has an uneasy relationship with Rhem, the demon who’s invaded her consciousness. He’s the only thing keeping her alive, and he needs her in order to finally return home.

“Luca is missing her mom and her best friend, who both got lost when the demons escaped to destroy the city,” Michet said. “So she's resentful Rhem won't let her take some time off to find all the people important to her.”

Heart Machine

Together, Luca and Rhem explore Sanzu, investigate the true nature of Agradyne and search for Luca’s loved ones. Levels are littered with evil creatures to battle and puzzles to solve, and throughout the game, Luca masters an arsenal of improvised weapons like kitchen knives, a guitar, a hockey stick and a corded computer mouse. Her whip, a power provided by Rhem, allows her to swing across gaps, rapidly reposition and pull in heavy objects and enemies.

Combat in the demo seemed to flow smoothly; it was heavy on visual flourishes, leaping airborne attacks and satisfying slashing moves, with Luca bounding seamlessly across floors, walls and platforms. A few frames of line-drawn placeholder art flashed across the screen at one point, but these were the only indication that Possessor(s) isn’t actually complete yet. It’s due to hit PC and PS5 this year.

“The original premise was something more like Smash Bros., where you can do directional inputs and kind of build out your loadout to feel more like a different character,” Preston said. “Where we've ended up is still a bit Smash Bros.-y, in that there's juggling and bouncing enemies on surfaces and things like that. But we've found the spirit of Luca and her character, and what she wants to do.”

Heart Machine

Possessor(s) is eye-catching and combat-focused, and it also has a narrative that’s supremely relevant for our times. Boiled down, the premise is that capitalistic megacorporations with an iron grip on society are bad, and young people fighting the system are rad. Interdimensional beings with chiseled pecs and a devastating smoking habit are the hot twist that makes the story uniquely Heart Machine’s.

“I mean, it sucks to live in a hierarchical corporate society where your value is determined by your value to the business,” Michet said. “And Luca will discover this from her teenager perspective.”

The story in Possessor(s) is branching, with multiple paths to follow and a quarantined city of characters to meet. This is a new mechanic for Heart Machine — in fact, the entire game is composed of firsts for the studio, and Possessor(s) is purposefully different from its previous games, Hyper Light Drifter, Solar Ash and Hyper Light Breaker. Hyper Light Drifter's moody, 16-bit-inspired isometric action put Heart Machine on the map even before its release in 2016. Solar Ash followed in 2022 and it was a third-person, 3D platformer. Hyper Light Breaker hit the market this January as a third-person, online roguelite with stylized 3D graphics. Meanwhile, Possessor(s) is a hand-drawn, 2.D side-scroller with touches of horror and visual-novel mechanics.

Heart Machine

This progression aligns with a mentality of curiosity that Preston outlined to Engadget in 2021. At the time, Heart Machine had fewer than 30 developers and they were still building Solar Ash, unsure of how the switch to 3D would be received. Back then, Preston said the following:

“Hyper Light was a way for me to get started, it was a way for me to be more grounded and put together a crew and understand, can I do this? Can I actually make games? And so having answered that question, then the natural next step for me was something in 3D. Can I put something out there that really opens up the world and makes you feel like you can truly escape into something, a creation that is otherworldly, that you otherwise wouldn't have the experience of?”

Since 2021, Heart Machine has endured layoffs and launched a Patreon, and today it has 58 people on staff. Preston remains at the studio's core, still testing new concepts.

At GDC 2025, he said, “We've done overhead stuff with Drifter back in the day, and then fully 3D was a big jump. I wanted to do something sidescrolling, because there's a lot of different, unique challenges there that are fun to tackle. That perspective for how we do art, and mixing our 3D stuff with a 2D plane, there's a lot of cool opportunities there. Something like Inside was a good point of inspiration, seeing what a smaller team can do with atmospheric chops. And we're pretty good on those fronts.”

Possessor(s) is due to hit PC and PS5 in 2025, published by Devolver Digital.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/possessors-is-a-game-about-hot-demons-and-other-things-170016014.html?src=rss

We're in the middle of a fast-developing global trade war sparked by punitive tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, and the casualties appear to be some of our favorite tech gadgets, including the beloved iPhone.Prices for the iPhone 16 are unlikely to rise in the short term, though. Instead, the biggest threat to Apple holding the line on current and future iPhone prices might be the calamitous idea of Apple attempting to build its handsets in the US.First, let's look at the question of the short-term impact of tariffs on iPhone prices. Right now, Apple builds roughly 85% of its iPhones in China, a country on which Trump has now imposed a 104% tariff. China reciprocated with 84% tariffs on imported US goods.I've seen some analysts predicting that tariffs could cause iPhone prices to double, putting the latest best iPhones at over $2,000. However, I don't see that happening.

Hold the line

In the short term, at least, Apple won't mess with iPhone 16 prices; Apple is too invested in moving built units into consumers' hands. It's true that Apple works on a Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory model (build only what's needed/sold), so that it does not have millions of iPhones lying around in Apple Stores and supply centers, but it does have some stocks.And for all we know, Apple may have ramped up production and delivery to the US in anticipation of these tariffs (Nintendo may have done just that with its new Switch 2).

There are so many pitfalls to bringing all manufacturing of iPhones to the US, including higher costs, more expensive labor, and the role of full automation, which is counter to the idea of adding more jobs.Tim Bajarin

I think it's fair to worry that iPhone 17 prices could be higher as a result of the tariffs, but again, I think Apple will do what it can to hold the line, and part of that has to do with its services (Apple News, Apple TV+. iCloud, Fitness+, Apple Music, etc).If you look at Apple earnings, its fastest-growing segment, and, aside from iPhones, its most reliable source of revenue, is services. You sell services by selling hardware, and Apple won't sell more hardware if it significantly raises iPhone prices in response to these tariffs.There is, as I see it, though, a far greater threat to iPhone pricing, and it is related to tariffs. Trump enacted these tariffs in part to push American companies to bring manufacturing back to the US. He even believes that the US has the labor, workforce, and resources to build the iPhone in the US.He's wrong.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Let's imagine, though, that he convinces or coerces Apple into a full-scale upheaval and transfer of iPhone production from China, India, and other countries to the US. How would that work? And what might that mean for the price of your next iPhone?First, you need to understand that, even if the iPhone were assembled in the US, virtually all its parts would be manufactured elsewhere. A couple of years ago, ArcGIS StoryMaps produced a fascinating infographic that showed the manufacturing origins of each iPhone component. Here are some examples:

Battery: South Korea (Samsung)Camera: Japan (Sony)Glass: Australia (Corning)Touchscreen: Greece (Boradcom)Audio chip: Singapore (Cirrus Logic)Gyroscope: Switzerland (STMicroelectronics)

Virtually every nation has now had a baseline 10% US tariff imposed upon it – and some countries, like Japan, face much higher ones. Components shipped directly to a US-based Apple iPhone plant could cost more than the same components sent to China based on these tariffs, unless they're exempted from tariffs in return for Apple bringing its manufacturing operations to the US. They certainly won't be less expensive.I spoke to longtime Apple Watcher and analyst Creative Strategies Chairman Tim Bajarin about this over email, and he told me, "The idea of making iPhones in the US is a stretch. Apple’s components alone come from all over the world and then need to be assembled in the most cost-effective way. This is why the US lost manufacturing in the 1960s to countries like Japan and eventually China."Most electronics are like this, built piecemeal around the world and assembled centrally in the most cost-efficient place.Bajarin adds, "There are so many pitfalls to bringing all manufacturing of iPhones to the US, including higher costs, more expensive labor, and the role of full automation, which is counter to the idea of adding more jobs."The majority of iPhones are still assembled by Foxconn in Shenzen, China, where employees make a little less than (in US dollars) $3 an hour. US workers would expect to make at least the minimum wage ($7.25 federally); and if factory workers are unionized, they would likely earn more and expect benefits.It's hard to imagine how building an iPhone in the US, with US employees making fair wages, would not be more expensive than building it in India or China.

Apple's plan

Apple has not spoken directly about the tariffs or how it will respond to them (I've asked Apple for comment), but it has committed to investing $500 billion in constructing facilities and hiring employees in the US. Notably, none of that work is for factories that can build iPhones. Instead, the facilities will build servers that support Apple's big Apple Intelligence push and other AI cloud computing efforts.Ultimately, the shorter-term existential threat to the costs of our iPhones is not these tariffs: it's the idea that anyone should build them in the US. It's a bad plan built upon false premises. I think Apple knows this, which is why it's not happening and, for now at least, why your iPhone prices might hold steady.

Will you pay more for your next iPhone?April 9, 2025

If the tariffs lock in and last through this year, that might change. Apple could do its best to hold the line, and even take a loss on the iPhone 17 in order to continue growing its user base and services audience. That's not a sustainable long-term plan, though, and at some point, I suspect even Apple will say, "We have to pass some of this pain along."As for consumers, they, at least anecdotally, seem somewhat willing to pay a little more for iPhones. In a poll on X, I asked if people would pay more for their next iPhone. A little more than half predictably answered 'No', but almost 35% checked 'It depends how much.' iPhone fans will endure some pocketbook pain to get their favorite phone, as long as it's not too much.

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What kind of person would you be in the face of a disaster that’s beyond explanation? Would you help distressed neighbors and open your home even to sketchy-looking strangers in the hope that there’s strength in numbers, or go it alone regardless of how heavily the odds are stacked against you? Would you still brush your teeth every day?

The horror in Francis Coulombe’s RPG Look Outside is all encompassing. There is the cosmic element: something incomprehensible is happening beyond the walls of your apartment building and it’s in your best interest to not even look outside, let alone go there. And as you quickly learn, anyone who has looked or been outside is transformed in unimaginable ways, making for some extreme (and extraordinarily creative) body horror. But in much of the game leading up to its multiple climactic endings, the unease also stems from how it makes you look inside — at the choices you’ve made and the person you’ve become in order to survive.

Despite trying to take an empathetic approach, I still found myself in situations that left my character (and me) wracked with guilt. There is a gnawing sense of doubt that grows over the course of the game, repeatedly making me question whether I’d, say, made a bad call and been too quick to kill that neighbor whose entire head is teeth, or if my hand was really forced into making a very upsetting sacrifice.

After a while, the most unnerving thing is looking in the mirror. And you have to do that a lot in this game, because hygiene affects your stats.

Francis Coulombe/Devolver Digital

It all begins with your character, Sam (you can change the name, if you want), waking up after a strange dream with a strong urge to look outside. You are immediately given the choice between satisfying your curiosity and listening to your gut, and you’ll find yourself grappling with that dilemma time and time again.

At this point, you also meet Sybil, the mysterious next-door neighbor who only speaks to you through the wall, with one glaring eyeball peering out of a large crack. Sybil, whom it’s unclear if you should trust, tells you that everything will blow over in 15 days if you just wait it out. You need to scavenge for resources if you’re going to make it that long, though, and once you leave your apartment and get a chance to talk to some other neighbors, you may decide you want to take a more active role in getting to the bottom of the catastrophe.

Some neighbors, particularly a few robed amateur astronomers who appear to be in a cult, seem to know quite a bit about what’s going on, and it’s insinuated that doing tasks for them will help you figure out the how and why of the phenomena around you. Others are more focused on addressing their immediate needs and will try to rope you into their causes: locating missing people, picking up laundry, cleaning the messes left behind by eldritch horrors, etc. There’s a full on war happening somewhere in the building, which you can choose to play a part in if you’re so inclined. Your landlord will unsurprisingly still demand you pay him rent despite the circumstances.

If you choose to play in Normal mode, like I did, Sybil is your only save point, so you’ll have to return home regularly. Easy mode autosaves.

All interactions are turn-based, and as you explore the apartment building, you’ll run into tons of enemies and potential allies — but the line between the two isn’t always easy to distinguish. Sometimes you can only attack or try to escape, which answers the question for you, but other times, you have the opportunity to talk and ask questions. The turn-based nature allows you to take a moment and evaluate each new encounter, but there’s always an air of ambiguity about everyone’s trustworthiness. Even when you’re back at your apartment, where you can shower, rest, do some cooking and crafting, and play video games, people will come along and knock on your door, and you’ll have to make up your mind about whether you should let them in.

The thing is, surviving can be pretty difficult once you really get going if you’re on your own. Enemies will outnumber and overpower you. That’s where it becomes helpful to have a few allies. With as many as three other people in your party, the scale tips heavily in your favor. I took the trusting approach, for better or worse. This resulted in me having a pretty solid group of fighters on my side, but a pair of those same allies kicked me out of my own bedroom and complained about my cooking.

The creature designs come disgustingly, beautifully alive in the pixel art style. Body horror can be really hard to stomach, and something is often lost for me in the process of consuming it when it’s intended to seem realistic — either because I’m hiding behind my hands and only taking tiny peeks through my fingers, or because it ends up achieving the opposite effect and just looks ridiculous without meaning to. But Coulombe’s art equally embraces the horrifying and the absurd, and the effect of that balance is powerful.

Nothing was ever so disturbing that I couldn’t look straight at it, but there were certainly moments that gave me a genuine scare or made my skin crawl. Even the characters that aren’t being transformed, like the protagonist, look a little grotesque, which adds to how unsettling everything feels. But just when the dread would reach a fever pitch, something overtly silly would be thrown in almost as if to splash some cold water on the whole thing and say, yes this is the apocalypse but we’re still human, we still have a sense of humor.

Francis Coulombe/Devolver Digital

So much of the joy of playing this game is discovering all the tricks it has up its sleeve, so I won’t get into any descriptions of bosses, puzzles or the building itself, other than to say that the latter has a whole House of Leaves thing going on that is unbelievably frustrating at times, but in a way that only adds to the brilliance of it all. There is no map to guide you, either. The soundtrack, composed by Eric Shumaker, keeps in perfect step with every emotion the environment evokes, and I could probably write an entire separate review about how good it is.

All of this builds up to an absolute cosmic gut-punch of an ending (or endings, there are several) that completely changed the way I felt about the game up until that point. In the end, it becomes something much, much bigger than it once seemed, and the feelings were almost overwhelming. I can’t stop thinking about it.

By now I’ve played Look Outside many hours beyond what a typical run would be, just picking apart every detail and turning over every stone to try and figure out all the secrets, reach all the conclusions. I have died in all sorts of strange ways, and lived to see wildly different fates pan out.

I went into this only with the expectation of cool art and a relatively unique approach to survival horror, and came away shook from what turned out to be one of the best cosmic horror games I’ve played in a while, maybe ever. Look Outside, published by Devolver Digital, is only available on Steam for now, but I sure hope it makes its way to other platforms soon so more people can experience it.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/look-outside-is-an-unexpected-cosmic-horror-masterpiece-that-shook-me-to-the-core-171542211.html?src=rss

Bigme B7 costs $229 and has full Android access and a nifty call recording-to-text feature Despite its low cost, it comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB onboard storage but there's no dock for the stylus With its 3000mAh battery, it should last far longer than rivals but the jury is out there as there's no reviews

I really like the look of the Bigme B7, a 7-inch color ePaper device which runs Android and combines features commonly found in both tablets and smartphones.Its E-Ink display offers a resolution of 1264x1680, 300PPI, for black and white content and 632x840, 150PPI, for color.The screen uses Kaleido 3, the same technology Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft is based on.

Pen with wireless charging

The B7 is powered by an octa-core 2.3GHz processor paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable via TF card up to 1TB.It supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and 4G connectivity via a Nano SIM slot, offering options for both data usage and voice calls when away from a wireless network. There's also a nifty call recording to text feature that supports 37 languages.The B7 includes a 5-megapixel rear camera and a built-in microphone, supporting video calls and basic photo needs, including the scanning of documents.The B7 has a built-in gravity sensor for automatic screen rotation, and navigation is aided by two customizable physical buttons.The device comes with a capacitive stylus with 4096 pressure levels so you can make notes and drawings, as well as annotate or sign documents. The pen supports wireless charging, but there's no dock for it, which is a shame.Weighing around 215g and measuring 156.6x138.6x5.8mm, the Bigme B7 is compact and portable. Its 3000mAh battery should allow the device to go a decent length of time between charges, and the product comes with a magnetic cover that can transform into a multi-angle stand, for hands-free reading.The B7 is currently being offered at an early bird price of $229, a 23% saving off its standard $299 MSRP, and there are other discounts to be found on the site. There are no reviews available for the tablet yet, so while the Bigme B7 looks to offer a solid feature set for an affordable price, how well it performs in the real world remains to be seen.

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Signify has released a firmware update for the Philips Hue Play Sync Box 8KThe update will particularly benefit PS5 and PS5 Pro ownersIt also adds "seamless" compatibility for 3D content

If you have a Philips Hue Play setup at home, there's good news – a new software update is rolling out now for your Sync Box, and it's packed with features and fixes to improve your multimedia experience.As Hueblog.com explains, firmware version 2.5.0 makes several changes that should be music to gamers' ears. For example, the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K now works with Display Stream Compression (DSC), allowing 8K resolutions at 60Hz for the PS5 Pro.In its release notes, Signify (the company behind Philips Hue) also promises optimized input source switching, which should reduce latency if you're using a PS5 connected to an LG TV.3D content can now also be routed through the Sync Box 8K, with Signify promising "seamless compatibility" in case you're still holding onto your 2011 collection of 3D Blu-rays.

Bug patching

Signify has also fixed a bug that caused "issues with CEC power on/off functionality and auto off after 20 minutes" when the Sync Box's HDMI cable was connected to the second output of an AV receiver.Automatic light syncing now works properly when the box is used in this configuration, too.There is also new firmware for the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K. This makes "general bug fixes and improvements," though Signify hasn't provided more specific details. Both updates are rolling out now, and you should receive the new firmware in the next few days (if you haven't already).

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Canon has reportedly canceled some planned price drops for two camerasTariffs are being blamed for the canned EOS R7 and EOS R10 drops in the USBlackmagic also recently confirmed price rises for its cameras in the US

If you're a tech fan, it's hard to escape worries about US tariffs right now – and cameras may have just experienced their real-world impact for the first time with the reported cancellation of some planned Canon price drops.The reliable Canon Rumors says it's been told that "price drops that were scheduled for May on both the EOS R7 and EOS R10 have been canceled in the United States". Annoyingly for anyone who's been planning to buy an affordable mirrorless camera, it was also told that "the price drops were going to be significant."On the plus side, if you live in the UK or EU, Canon Rumors says its source has claimed that the Canon EOS R7 and EOS R10 price drops "are still scheduled to happen."That could change, but it's another sign of the significant geographical variances we might see this year regarding discounts and pricing.Of course, nothing is certain right now, and if the USA and Japan did come to an arrangement that reduced the impact of the tariffs, the situation could change. However, as things stand, the Canon EOS R10 (which we still rate as the best camera for beginners) and its mid-range EOS R7 sibling won't be as temptingly affordable as they might have otherwise been this year.Unfortunately, this will likely be just the start of another rollercoaster year for camera fans...

Analysis: It might get a lot worse

USA Price Updates! Due to new tariffs, most of our US prices have increased. Please check our US web site for details. Prices in other countries are currently unchanged. https://t.co/w40IiwMA02April 6, 2025

Clearly, missing out on potentially big camera price drops isn't great, particularly if you've been thinking of getting a new EOS R7 or EOS R10. But if the early signs are any indication, things could soon get much worse, particularly in the US.Over the weekend, Blackmagic posted the notice above, confirming that its US prices had been increased "due to new tariffs." In some cases, the rise was pretty dramatic, with the new Blackmagic Pyxis 12K G2 seeing its tag hiked by 32%.Is that a sign of things to come from other camera manufacturers? While it's hard to predict anything with real certainty right now, it's certainly possible. A lot of Canon's manufacturing takes place in Japan (hit with a 24% tariff), while Nikon's mid-range equipment is made in Thailand (which currently has a 36% tariff).Unless we see some rapid trade deals that reduce these tariffs, it's fair to assume that many camera bodies, lenses, and accessories – perhaps most – will become much more expensive this year.If that happens, we can expect to see used prices rise, too, as the number of bargain hunters increases and pre-tariff supply starts to dwindle. In other words, it might become a good time to delay your next camera upgrade or at least reframe the situation as a relief from gear acquisition syndrome (otherwise known as GAS in camera circles).It's time to brace ourselves for a rocky ride.

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Sony is beefing up the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers with a bevy of new additions for April. The headliner here is Hogwarts Legacy. This is one of the biggest blockbusters of the past couple of years, even in the face of J.K. Rowling doing her darndest to destroy her personal Hogwarts legacy with anti-trans nonsense.

For the uninitiated, it’s an open-world action RPG set at Harry Potter’s favorite wizarding school. However, the game takes place in the 1890s, over a hundred years before Potter and his buds careened around the campus. The game hits the service on April 15.

Also on the docket this month is the puzzler Blue Prince. This is actually a day-one launch for the platform. The reviews of this one have been particularly effusive, with most people praising the clever puzzles, the atmospheric game world and the addition of roguelike mechanics. It’ll be available for download on April 10.

The second installment of Don’t Nod’s Lost Records: Bloom & Rage will also be available on April 15 for subscribers as a day-one launch. This follow-up concludes the time-twisting narrative adventure that’s set in both 1995 and 2022. This is generally considered a spiritual successor to the iconic Life is Strange.

Other games dropping this month include EA Sports PGA Tour and the restaurant management sim PlateUp! PS4 players are also getting a little treat, as Battlefield 1 will be available from April 15.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/hogwarts-legacy-and-blue-prince-come-to-playstation-plus-game-catalog-in-april-175501864.html?src=rss

Nasuni report finds only 20% believe their data is AI-ready, and 96% face challengesThe average downtime after a cyberattack is five weeks, experts warnHybrid cloud promises to address these in one hit

Only one in five businesses believe their data is AI-ready, which means barely more than a quarter (27%) of AI projects are delivering any real measurable ROI, new research has claimed.This is despite AI being a top area of business spending, however the usual hurdles and challenges still remain.Nasuni’s report also reveals the damaging effects of cyberattacks on companies, with slow recovery stifling productivity as businesses lose an average of five weeks recovering.

We’re still facing the same old AI challenges

Despite best intentions, Nasuni found that data migration continues to be a primary hurdle preventing companies from fully adopting AI, with a staggering 96% facing challenges migrating their file data.“Organisations are making AI a top priority and significantly ramping up their investments, but what we are finding is they are not always taking the critical steps necessary to ensure success when it comes to data management," noted Nasuni President David Grant.The report also calls out companies for failing to prioritize their investments, with nearly half planning to invest in AI over the next 18 months compared with one in three when it comes to the necessary cloud data management facilities.And that’s without considering the format of the data in the first place – only one-fifth (20%) agreed that their data is structured, accessible and ready for AI initiatives.“A modern approach that unifies, organises, and makes unstructured data accessible is needed to reliably and securely harness AI, enabling teams to navigate the complexities of AI deployment Confidently,” Grant added.Looking ahead, there’s a clear place for hybrid cloud storage models, which not only promise to be AI-ready but also look to improve companies’ security postures, with those who don’t adopt hybrid cloud 51% more likely to have data security and privacy concerns.

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Google unveils combined security suite at Cloud Next 25Google Unified Security brings together all its top safety toolsThreat Intelligence from Mandiant will help your business spot threats before they strike

Google Cloud has unveiled a new unified security platform designed to take the stress out of keeping your business safe from the latest threats.The company has unveiled Google Unified Security, affectionately known as GUS, at its Google Cloud Next 25 event in Las Vegas, promising a major step forward in threat detection and mitigation.Unsurprisingly, Google Unified Security will be outfitted with the company's latest AI tools and services to maximize the options available to customers.

Google Unified Security

The launch of Google Unified Security comes as businesses around the globe face what the company calls a "new era of security and privacy".The company says that as a business grows, its infrastructure inevitably becomes more complex, expanding the possible attack surface, and increasing the need for a unified security platform, as separate and disconnected security tools can leave data fragmented, as well as opening firms up to attack.Customers will be able to use Google Unified Security to access a single interface for all their data, offering improving visibility, detection and response capabilities.The company promises the latest Google Threat Intelligence findings will be made available to users, and Gemini will of course also be present to offer advice and guidance.Users will be able to access telemetry and other data from Chrome Enterprise to ensure they stay safe from possible threats, which can be monitored from Security Command Center.Employees can also benefit from new phishing protections in Chrome Enterprise Premium, with employers able to add their own branding and corporate assets in order to boost identification.Google's Security Operations platform is also getting a boost thanks to new data pipeline management capabilities, helping users manage scale and reduce costs, while the new Mandiant Threat Defense service gives in-depth detection and response capabilities to all the latest threats.Google Unified Security is rolling out now.

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HBO has renewed The Last of Us for a third seasonThe popular series' second season doesn't premiere until this weekend (April 12-13)Previously, HBO's Head of TV said it could run for four seasons

It's official: The Last of Us season 3 is in the works at HBO.The hugely popular post-apocalyptic drama's second season hasn't even began to air yet. But, such is the confidence within the halls of power at HBO, the US cable network has seen fit to renew The Last of Us TV show for another installment.

It can’t be for nothing. Season 3 is coming. #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/q5HxyvK9O6April 9, 2025

Frankly, the confirmation shouldn't come as a surprise. HBO's live-action adaptation of Naughty Dog's multi-award-winning game series namesake is not only one of the best Max shows around, but also one of the most-watched HBO TV Originals of all-time. And, with early reviews for The Last of Us season 2 largely praising it for yet another fantastic installment, it would've been a huge shock if the Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey-fronted program abruptly ended after two seasons.That possibility was never really on the cards. Speaking in February, HBO's head of programming, drama, and film Francesca Orsi all but confirmed that The Last of Us would run for four seasons. The show's renewal, then, was always a case of when, not if."It can’t be overemphasized how proud HBO is for the outstanding achievement we believe the second season of The Last of Us is," Orsi said in a statement accompanying the season 3 renewal news. "[Co-showrunners] Craig [Mazin and] Neil [Druckmann], [producer] Carolyn [Strauss], and the entire executive producer team, cast, and crew have delivered a masterful follow-up and we’re thrilled to carry the power of Craig and Neil’s storytelling into what we know will be an equally moving and extraordinary third season."

Bella Ramsey will return as Ellie in season 3 (Image credit: HBO)

"We approached season 2 with the goal of creating something we could be proud of," Mazin also said. "The end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals, thanks to our continued collaboration with HBO and the impeccable work of our unparalleled cast and crew. We look forward to continuing the story of The Last of Us with season 3!”"To see The Last of Us brought to life so beautifully and faithfully has been a career highlight for me, and I am grateful for the fans' enthusiastic and overwhelming support," Druckmann added. "Much of that success is thanks to my partner in crime, Craig Mazin, our partnership with HBO, and our team at PlayStation Productions. On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog, our cast, and crew, thank you so much for allowing us this opportunity. We're thrilled to bring you more of The Last of Us!”The Last of Us season 2 premieres in the US on Sunday, April 13, and the UK and Australia on Monday, April 14. It'll be available to stream on Max in the US and Australia, as well as Sky Atlantic in the UK.

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Google Cloud has unveiled the launch of several new AI agents focused on keeping your organization as safe as it can be.The company revealed the new additions at its Google Cloud Next 25 event, promising a useful ally to protect your business from the latest threats.The new agents will form part of Google Unified Security, the company's new combined offering, also launched this week to help provide better and more effective security protection for businesses everywhere.

Google security agents

The company says it sees a future approach to security where human analysts work alongside AI agents, meaning menial or resource-intensive basic tasks are offloaded to the latter, freeing up the former to focus on more complex tasks.The new additions include an alert triage agent in Google Security Operations which is able to carry out dynamic investigations on behalf of users.The always-on agent is able to analyze the context of each alert, before gathering relevant information and reaching a verdict, which is then delivered to the user, alongside data history covering exactly how the agent arrived at its decision, reducing the workload of analysts who otherwise are triaging and investigating hundreds of alerts per day.The other new addition is a malware analysis agent, part of Google Threat Intelligence, which can investigate whether code is safe or harmful. It will also have the ability to create and execute scripts for deobfuscation, before summarizing its work and offering up a final verdict.Both new agents will be rolling out to users in the second quarter of 2025.

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