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Dune Awakening is an upcoming survival MMO from the creators of Conan: Exiles. It aims to adapt the books and films, giving players the challenge of surviving on Arrakis, the most dangerous planet in the Universe.In Dune Awakening, you'll awaken as The Sleeper, before you are cast out into the desert with little more than a knife to your name. From there you can gather, craft, and build up your own Guild, fending off giant sandworms and other players as you try to control the flow of Spice on the planet's surface. It's certainly shaping up to be one of the most exciting upcoming games on the horizon, and may well end up making a charge on the internet's best MMO games lists when it releases later this year.Here's what we know about Dune Awakening so far, including a look at the story and setting, gameplay, latest trailers, news, and everything else we know right now. As more details are revealed, this page will be updated.

Dune Awakening - cut to the chase

What is it? An MMO set in the world of DuneWhen can I play it? June 10, 2025 (Steam) What can I play it on? PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S Who makes it? Funcom

Dune Awakening release date and platforms

(Image credit: Funcom)

Dune Awakening launches June 10, 2025 for PC (Steam). It's also planned to come to PlayStation 5 as well as Xbox Series X|S, but the date for consoles has yet to be revealed.Recently, developer Funcom released a short video over on Steam, detailing how it intends to handle the launch of the game, and its monetization moving forward.Joel Bylos, Dune: Awakening Creative Director, outlined the plans, stating: "The key things that you need to know about Dune: Awakening's launch are that it will not launch in early access and it will not have a monthly subscription. It will receive regular free updates, including new content, new features, and quality-of-life improvements."Here are the highlights from the rest of the video:

It will not be in Early Access, this is the full launchIt will not have a subscriptionThe game will continue to be expanded through free updates, bringing new content, features, and enhancementsThere will be optional paid DLCs

Dune Awakening trailers

The latest trailer for Dune Awakening provides a deeper look at open-world exploration on the planet Arrakis. You can view it below:

A trailer for Dune Awakening was released on Thursday, February 20, 2025. It reveals the game's PC release date, and shows off the latest gameplay. Check it out below:

Another trailer Dune Awakening was aired during Gamescom 2024. It's a massive gameplay deep dive, check it out below:

Another trailer for Dune Awakening was revealed on June 8, 2024, alongside a new developer direct presentation. Check out the latest story trailer below:

We've included some more Dune Awakening trailers throughout this article, but if you're hungry for more you should visit Funcom's official YouTube channel. The most interesting to look out for are the Shigawire Reels, a series of short videos explaining different aspects of the lore.

Dune Awakening story and setting

Dune Awakening is an MMO set in the world of Frank Herbert's Dune series. It takes place on the desert planet of Arrakis, where a royal family called House Atreides has settled to take control. After a swift betrayal, the political landscape of Arrakis is sent into chaos, with multiple factions warring over the control of the planet's primary resource, the Spice. Spice grants extrasensory abilities in the world of Dune, allowing pilots to navigate long-term space expeditions and more. It's only found on Arrakis, so has been the source of conflict for millennia.You play as The Sleeper awakened and forced out into the brutal desert environment. As you progress, you'll set up your own House Minor, and can then align with one of the major powers fighting for control of the region. It's been revealed that you'll meet characters from the books and films during Dune Awakening's story, though for now, we don't know the specifics.

Dune Awakening gameplay

(Image credit: Funcom)

We've now seen a fair bit of Dune Awakening gameplay, thanks to the recent Dune Awakening: Direct event (links to YouTube).When you start Dune Awakening, you are cast into the desert, with nothing but a scrap knife at your disposal. Enemy camps can be looted to slowly gather materials to help you survive, as you build up an assortment of tech, weaponry, and survival gear. Arrakis is described as 'the most dangerous planet in the Universe', and it's clear that Dune Awakening aims to focus on survival mechanics to emphasize this.Water is more valuable than gold on Arrakis, and you'll constantly need to make sure you have enough not only to survive but to thrive as well. Once you start building up your Guild, you will need water for industrial purposes, all with the ultimate goal of capturing and controlling pockets of Spice.Environmental hazards are plentiful in Dune Awakening, with huge sandstorms constantly raging on the surface of the planet. These are best avoided at first, but once you have a fleet of vehicles and more resources, you can use the storms to your advantage. Ground vehicles include sandbikes and tanks, and then there are aerial vehicles as well. Ornithopters can be used to traverse great distances and to avoid the giant sandworms that can ambush you on the ground.Combat is referred to as 'Combines Arms', and consists of melee (swords and knives), ranged (guns), vehicular (ground and air vehicles), and abilities (sorcery). These are all used in tandem, and the player can decide what to focus on. Dune Awakening is primarily a PvE game, with multiple players on the same server co-existing and looting separately. There's also a PvP aspect, in that players can attack each other and fight over resources like Spice.

Dune Awakening latest news

Dune Awakening delayed to June 10After feedback from recent beta testers, Funcom has made the decision to delay Dune Awakening to June 10. You can read the full details in this Tweet.You can now use the Dune Awakening Benchmarking Tool on PCAhead of Dune Awakening's PC launch, Funcom has now released the official Benchmark Mode, which will allow Steam users to test their hardware performance and system compatibility.Here's Dune Awakening running with NVIDIA DLSS 4A new trailer for Dune Awakening was revealed at CES 2024. It shows the game running in 4K on an RTX 5090, and compares versions with and without NVIDIA DLSS 4.New Dune Awakening Direct details PvP and moreThe latest Dune Awakening Direct aired on June 20, 2024. It detailed PvP, safe zones and the game's alternate history timeline. You can watch it here.The first Dune Awakening: Direct shows off the game's approach to worldbuildingFuncom has released the very first Dune Awakening: Direct, which shows off new gameplay, and a look at how the games have adapted stories from Frank Herbert's novels. Check out the worldbuilding showcase here (links to YouTube).

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Is Spotify playing up for you right now? You're not alone – thousands are reporting issues with this music streaming app, including problems with its search function.The reports on Downdetector spiked at around 8am ET / 1pm BST, with over 17,000 Spotify users reporting problems in the UK at the time of writing – and many other regions also showing that the issue is global.Most of the reports are related to the smartphone app, but a significant number of people are having problems with the web player, too. Here's everything we know about the Spotify outage so far...

The latest news

A huge spike in reports of Spotify issues started at around 8am ET / 1pm BSTThe highest number of reports are in the UK, but other regions are risingSpotify hasn't yet commented on the issues and there's no known cause

That's a pretty big spike...

(Image credit: Downdetector)

Right now, the biggest spike in reports of Spotify issues is in the UK – at the time of writing, over 21,000 Spotify users have reported problems with the smartphone app and web player on Downdetector, and social media platforms like X are also filling up with complaints.Interestingly, there's been a smaller spike in Downdetector reports in the US, which has now dramatically fallen to around 200. Hopefully, this means the problems could be short-lived, but so far we don't know what's causing them.

Nvidia predicts $5.5 billion in H20 export-related costs to China and other nationsH20 chips were already meant to be optimized for the Chinese marketCompany shares are down, market cap stays below $3 trillion

Nvidia is facing a massive $5.5 billion quarterly charge due to new US export restrictions on its H20 AI chips destined for China and other destinations, with company stock taking a fall following the revelation.Starting April 9, the US government mandated a license for Nvidia to export H20 chips to certain countries, with no end date set, marking a costly change for the chipmaker.The affected nations are China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and D5 countries – the United Kingdom, South Korea, Estonia, New Zealand and Israel.

Nvidia faces billions in export-related costs

“First quarter results are expected to include up to approximately $5.5 billion of charges associated with H20 products for inventory, purchase commitments, and related reserves,” Nvidia said in a SEC filing.The tech giant noted the government-mandated license “addresses the risk that the covered products may be used in, or diverted to, a supercomputer in China” – Nvidia’s fourth-biggest market by sales after the US, Singapore and Taiwan (via CNBC).The H20 chips are less advanced versions of Nvidia’s H100/H200 chips, using the 2022 Hopper architecture, designed specifically to comply with now-dated US export restrictions for the Chinese market. In other regions, the company is now shifting its focus to next-generaiton Blackwell chips.Moreover, Nvidia’s leaders have spoken out about the effects of the ongoing trade war.“While cloaked in the guise of an ‘anti-China’ measure, these rules would do nothing to enhance US security,” VP of Government Affairs Ned Finkle said during Biden’s final days in office, before Trump’s tariffs came into effect.Nvidia shares now stand at $112.20, down from a one-year high of $153.13. After spending two short periods of time as the world’s most valuable company, Nvidia’s market cap of $2.737 trillion now puts it in third position behind Microsoft, with Apple in first place and the only current $3-trillion company (just about).

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Windows 11 is powering up the Snipping Tool in testing right nowA new feature allows you to copy all the text from an image straight awayThere’s no need to take a screenshot first, as was previously the case, so this is a neat time-saver

Microsoft is making it even easier for Windows 11 users to be able to extract text from images (or any content) on the screen.Windows 11 already has this OCR-powered (Optical Character Recognition) ability, as you may be aware, but at the moment, it’s necessary to take a screenshot first with the Snipping Tool before you can extract text from that image.With a new update for the Snipping Tool that’s just been released (which was leaked previously), you don’t need to grab a screenshot to perform text extraction any longer – although bear in mind this is still in testing at this point (so may still be wonky).As Neowin reports, with preview version 11.2503.27.0 of the Snipping Tool, you can simply hit the Windows + Shift + S keys together, and this will pop up the capture bar for the tool.However, instead of having to create a snip (screenshot), the ‘text extractor’ option will be right there in the bar, so you can just click that, with no need to save a screen grab first.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Analysis: Power(Toys) to the people

Essentially, this is directly integrating the ability to extract text from images (or any screen content) into Windows 11, with no additional steps needed, mirroring the functionality present in Microsoft’s PowerToys suite of tools (for advanced Windows users) – and it’s definitely going to be appreciated by folks who use this capability.It’s obviously less of a hassle than having to clear the hurdle of actually grabbing a screenshot, if all you’re interested in doing is copying all the text that’s currently visible on your monitor.I say all the text, but that’s only what happens if you use the ‘Copy all text’ option provided. If you just want a specific portion of text, you can manually select and extract only those words (it’s also possible to remove line breaks if you want).Microsoft is slowly expanding Windows 11’s OCR powers, and you may recall that late last year, the Photos app got Optical Character Recognition built in to pull text from images directly within the application.

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NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5060 Ti aims at a very niche group of gamers. Starting at $379 with 8GB of VRAM, or $429 with 16GB, the 5060 Ti is for people who want something a bit more powerful than the base $299 RTX 5060, but aren't willing to shell out for the midrange $549 RTX 5070. (And it's worth noting that card is already selling for well beyond that price).

In terms of raw rendering power, it's a minor upgrade over the previous RTX 4060 Ti. But thanks to the power of DLSS 4 AI upscaling, as well as 4X frame generation (the ability to create three interpolated frames for every one that's rendered), the RTX 5060 Ti can reach surprisingly high fps scores in 1080p and even 1440p.

During my testing of PNY's RTX 5060 Ti 16GB card, I found it to be a solid performer overall, especially for games that can tap into 4X frame generation. But of course, it's unclear if you'll actually be able to buy it for $429, given the already volatile nature of the GPU industry and the additional headache of the Trump administration's unwieldy tariff plans. Would it be worth spending over $500 or even $600 on the RTX 5060 Ti? That's much harder to tell.

Hardware

Now if you're wondering why NVIDIA chose to offer 16GB of RAM in the RTX 5060 Ti, while it saddled the RTX 5070 with just 12GB, I don't really have any answers for you. It's a confusing move, and it's another sign that the RTX 5070 was simply a bit too mid. Even more curious, the 5060 Ti also has higher clock speeds than the 5070, reaching between 2.4GHz and 2.57GHz. The 5070 is rated between 2.16GHz and 2.51Ghz.

Otherwise, the 5060 Ti sits right below the 5070: It has 4,608 Blackwell CUDA cores that can reach 24 TFLOPs, 759 AI TOPS and 72 TFLOPS of 4th-gen ray tracing cores. The 5070, meanwhile, has 6,144 CUDA cores for 31 TFLOPS of Blackwell shader power, 988 AI TOPS and 94 ray tracing TLFOPs.

The PNY 5060 Ti I tested seemed like a typical budget GPU. It's relatively small, features just two fans and has one PSU connection. You won't be mistaking it for a slick NVIDIA Founder's Edition card, that's for sure.

None

3DMark TimeSpy Extreme

Geekbench 6 GPU

Cyberpunk (4K RT Overdrive DLSS)

Blender

NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti (16GB)

8,100

139,756

90 fps (4X frame gen)

4,220

NVIDIA RTX 5070

10,343

178,795

115 fps (4x frame gen)

6,015

NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti

12,675

238,417

153 fps (4X frame gen)

7,365

NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti

6,599

N/A

50 fps (1X frame gen)

4,435

What's good about the RTX 5060 Ti (16GB)?

For the most part, the RTX 5060 Ti delivered everything I'd want in a sub-$500 video card. And in some cases, it even exceeded my expectations.

It offers excellent 1080p performance, especially with the help of DLSS 4. It hit 186 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 in ray tracing overdrive mode with 4X frame generation. But it also performed decently without DLSS, hitting 122 fps with Ultra graphics settings and no ray tracing. Just don’t try to add ray tracing without upscaling, as the 5060 Ti reached a mere 30 fps in RT Overdrive mode and 56 fps in RT Ultra.

In Halo Infinite, which doesn’t offer DLSS upscaling at all, it reached 156 fps in 1080p with maxed out graphics settings and ray tracing.

1440p speeds were solid as well: It reached 136 fps in Cyberpunk's ray tracing overdrive mode with 4X frame generation, and an even higher 189 fps in the slightly less impressive RT ultra mode.

In 4K, the 5060 Ti hit 90 fps in Cyberpunk with 4X frame generation. It’s not a card you’d be buying for consistent 4K gameplay, but it’s still interesting to see it hit beyond 60 fps at such a high resolution.

Having 16GB of VRAM future-proofs the card a bit, since it will be able to tackle higher resolution textures for newer games. That hefty amount of memory is likely why the 5060 Ti can handle 4K in a pinch.

The 5060 Ti was 25 percent faster than the 4060 Ti in the 3DMark Speedway benchmark, as well as the Port Royal ray tracing test.

Since it's running just two fans, the 5060 Ti doesn't make much noise under load. And it doesn't really generate much heat either, reaching just 70C under load (and around 32C while idling).

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

What's bad about the RTX 5060 Ti (16GB)?

At the end of the day, the 5060 Ti is still a slightly souped-up budget card, so there are bound to be compromises.

I wish I could really trust its $429 price. While some lucky shoppers may be able to find launch models at that figure, it won't be long before retailers start jacking up the price. And that's not even counting where things may end up in a post-Trump tariff world.

Strangely enough, the 5060 Ti scored a few hundred points lower than the 4060 Ti in the Blender benchmark. That could be due to immature drivers, but it was still surprising to see. Given that other benchmark results showed a decent amount of improvement, I wouldn’t count the 5060 Ti out for all 3D rendering software. But if you were in that field, you’d probably be investing in something much more powerful anyway.

Should you buy the RTX 5060 Ti (16GB)?

If you're still using an RTX 3060 or an older GPU, you'll see some huge speed boosts from the RTX 5060 Ti. But think twice before spending well over $500. If the GPU market stabilizes in the future, you may be able to snag an AMD Radeon RX 9070 or an NVIDIA RTX 5070 for $549. The Radeon is likely the better alternative, since it scored higher than the 5070 in most of our tests.

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

Wrap-up

On paper, NVIDIA has done a lot right with the 16GB GeForce RTX 5060 Ti. It’ll be more than enough for demanding games in 1080p and 1440p, even if you let loose a bit with ray tracing. But it’s also relying on DLSS 4 upscaling for much of that performance, which may make some wary about the 5060 Ti’s actual power.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/nvidia-rtx-5060-ti-16gb-review-a-solid-semi-budget-gpu-for-429-but-good-luck-scoring-that-price-130058124.html?src=rss

Patreon has plenty of tools to help creators connect with audiences and grow those subscription numbers. However, it has never offered the ability to stream live video content. That’s changing soon. The platform is testing livestreaming with a general rollout planned for summer.

It’s called Live Video and will be available to a "limited group of creators" starting next week as part of a testing phase. Patreon says this feature should help "boost real-time fan engagement and provide new experiences to encourage free-to-paid member conversion."

The platform looks to have put some thought into this functionality. There are no ads during streams, which is great, and it added some built-in tools to help with real-time engagement. There are real-time chats, which is typical for livestreams, but creators are given "enhanced chat moderation tools" to keep things from blowing up into a toxic hellscape.

Patreon says there will be no third-party tools required by creators or fans and that everything will run in the official app. This will also work on multiple platforms, including mobile and PC. Creators will be able to choose to offer streams to everyone or just to paid members.

The company has some plans to improve the experience down the line. It’s prepping an integration with OBS and Streamlabs to allow for adding co-hosts or to support "sophisticated streaming setups." It will also allow creators to offer VOD downloads of streams as a one-time purchase or as a gift to fans.

The platform has been busy this past year or two. It recently added a feature to allow fans to purchase access to collections of content without having to pony up for a monthly subscription. It also provided a suite of tools to let creators customize their pages, including the layout, colors and how posts display.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/patreon-is-testing-livestreaming-with-a-major-rollout-planned-for-summer-130045258.html?src=rss

Americans and Canadians are still waiting to pay up for a new Switch 2. Switch 2 pre-orders remain indefinitely delayed in the U.S. and Canada right now, after Nintendo previous announced an April 9 pre-order date and promptly walked that back in response to tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.

According a statement Nintendo provided to Engadget: "Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged."

Not much has changed since the initial delay, but there are rumors now that pre-orders could open as early as April 23 or April 30. However, those details have not been confirmed by Nintendo.

Tariffs and the Nintendo Switch 2

During its most recent Direct presentation at the start of April, Nintendo showed off more of the Switch 2 than it ever had before. That included the reveal of the April 9 pre-order opening date, in addition to the original $450 starting price. Shortly after, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on China and other countries, prompting Nintendo to delay pre-orders in the U.S. and Canada.

In a reversal, President Trump then announced a 90-day pause on steep “reciprocal” tariffs affecting 75 countries, but also announced that the tariff imposed on China will go up even further (currently, it's up to 245 percent for that country).

It remains unclear what this could mean for Switch 2 pre-orders and pricing, but we do know this: Nintendo started moving some of its Switch console manufacturing to Vietnam in 2019. The reciprocal tariff for Vietnam was set to be 46 percent, but that appears to be on hold for now in favor of a 10 percent reciprocal tariff that’s now in effect for the 90-day pause period.

The latest speculation is that Nintendo will ramp up production of Switch 2 units in Vietnam so it can ship them to the U.S. on schedule, and possibly even selling them at a loss in the short term.

How to pre-order the Switch 2

In addition to direct from Nintendo, you'll be able to snag a Switch 2 from participating retailers when the console eventually makes its way to the U.S. We expect those to include Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and others.

But there's some fine-print attached to pre-ordering directly from Nintendo. According to the pre-order page on Nintendo's site, you must be 18 years or older, sign in with your Nintendo account and register your interest in pre-ordering. Then, you'll be sent an invitation email when it's time to play your pre-order, and the invitation will be valid for 72 hours. And then there's this bit of info: "Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to registrants who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025."

That seems to mean those who have paid for Switch Online in the recent past and those who have spent a good amount of time playing Switch games as of late will get first pick at buying a Switch 2. There's no telling if these same restrictions will apply if you want to pre-order from third-party retailers.

Pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 from:

Nintendo

Amazon

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

More Switch 2 details

We knew from the teaser trailer for the Switch 2 that Nintendo's new hardware would be bigger and would have a new approach to the detachable Joy-Cons. The new Joy-Con 2 have a new C button, mouse controls and a built in gyroscope for tilt control. The console has a built-in mic to support a new feature called Game Chat that will let you communicate with friends in-game. The device is indeed a bit larger, with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR and a 1080p resolution.

When docked, you'll be able to play at up to 4K on your TV, and Nintendo says it improved the consoles internal speakers as well. The new dock also has a built-in fan to keep the console cool and help maintain performance during long play sessions. The Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, and the base storage amount has increased to 256GB. The Switch 2's storage can be expanded like the previous model, but it will only work with newer microSD Express cards.

The Switch 2 has a number of accessories that you'll be able to purchase separately as well, including the new Switch 2 camera for $50, a new Switch 2 Pro controller for $80, an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers for $90, a Joy-Con 2 charging grip for $35 and more. However, considering the new question of tariffs, it's unclear if those accessory prices will change before customers can actually order the gear.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-pre-orders-updates-prices-delays-release-date-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know-140931563.html?src=rss

If you've been waiting for the right time to try Apple TV+, now may be your best shot. You can snag three months of access to one of our favorite streaming services for only $9.

Apple TV+ includes highly rated original series like Ted Lasso, Severance, Slow Horses, For All Mankind, Foundation and Silo, alongside new arrivals The Studio and Dope Thief. Apple's films include the 2022 Best Picture winner CODA, as well as Blitz, Killers of the Flower Moon and Tetris.

Apple's shows won 10 Emmy Awards in 2024, including a Slow Horses victory for outstanding writing in a drama series. Although its films weren't up for anything at this year's Oscars, it received 13 nominations in 2024, including Best Picture nods for Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon.

Three months of Apple TV+ for $9 is available through April 24. Both new and qualified returning subscribers (those who haven't been subscribed for the past 30 days) are eligible. You also must sign up via Apple directly and not through a third-party provider or your mobile wireless provider. If you don't want to pay full price after three months, just remember to cancel before the renewal date.

Check out our coverage of the best streaming deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apple-tv-deal-three-months-of-access-is-on-sale-for-only-9-193009295.html?src=rss

Wireless headphones and earbuds are extremely convenient, until they're not — I'm looking at you in-flight movies with only headphone jack compatibility. One of our favorite solutions for this is Twelve South's AirFly bluetooth transmitters, which allow you to wirelessly connect with everything from treadmills to TVs.

Well, now, the AirFly Pro is on sale for $42, down from $55, in the white model. The 24 percent discount brings its price to the lowest we've seen all year. This specific AirFly transmitter lets you pair up to two headphones and access pretty much anything with a headphone jack — yes, you can finally say no to the flight attendant handing out cheap wired headphones and use the ones you forked out good money for.

The AirFly Pro works with all types of headphones, including Sony, Bose and Beats. The transmitter is small enough to fit in your pocket, but lasts for up to 25 hours — meaning you don't have to bother with charging it mid-travel. Plus, it includes a USB-C cable for whenever it does need a juice up.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-the-twelve-south-airfly-pro-while-its-on-sale-for-only-42-131547286.html?src=rss

If you've ever tried to buy a digital photo frame, you likely know the market is full of bad products. Aura's frames are an exception — they're well-designed, have great screens, the software is easy to use and there are no subscription upsells. Today, the company is diversifying its lineup with the new Aspen frame, which sits comfortably between the 10-inch Carver frame and 15-inch Walden option.

With an 11.8-inch, 1,600 x 1,200 display, it's larger and has a significantly higher resolution than the 10.1-inch Carver Mat frame (my current pick for the best digital frame on the market). That display has built-in light sensors to adjust brightness depending on the environment that does a good job of keeping it from feeling like you're staring at a monitor or tablet — the viewing experience on these frames is definitely more subtle. It also has a removable stand that lets you set the frame up in either portrait or landscape orientation; the Carver Mat's larger and thicker base means it can only be set up in landscape. Because the stand is removable, the Aspen is much thinner and lighter than I expected.

But its more svelte dimensions don't come at the expense of structural integrity. I've tested a bunch of frames with removable stands so they can be aligned in portrait or landscape, and basically all of them have stands that are flimsy, ugly or both. The Aspen's stand, on the other hand, feels impressively solid and well-engineered.

The Carver line of frames featured a touch bar for swiping through photographs or adjusting how fast it moves between images. On the Aspen there's two, so the controls are easily accessible no matter which orientation it's in. Getting photos onto the Aspen requires using Aura's app, but it again is probably the best digital photo frame app I've used. It's pretty simple to sync specific images and albums from your phone and you can also add photos by sending them to a specific email address you can set up.

There are a few new software tricks in the app now, too. You can add a text caption to any image you've uploaded to the frame that'll display when the picture comes up, and you can also filter by people on the app now. Aura says that all facial processing is done on-device. The app otherwise integrates easily with Apple / iCloud Photos and Google Photos.

The Aspen is on sale today for $229 and comes in either ink black or clay white; both have a subtly textured white mat surrounding the image. That's a good bit more than the $179 Carver Mat — but a bigger, higher-resolution screen, smaller footprint and the flexibility of going portrait or landscape may be worth it.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/auras-aspen-digital-photo-frame-features-a-bigger-better-screen-but-itll-cost-you-132728549.html?src=rss

Subaru has unveiled its second-ever EV, the 2026 Trailseeker, at the New York International Auto Show. It's a slightly larger version of the company's first electric vehicle, the Solterra, and is likely based on the same platform — also used by Toyota with its BZ4X electric SUV.

The Trailseeker is taller than the Solterra and has more cargo area, but otherwise resembles that model, with similar body creases along the doors and rear fender. It also has the same type of plastic panels around the fenders, which was something of a polarizing feature on the Solterra.

Range isn't the Trailseeker's strong point as it's equipped with a smallish 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery and tops out at just 260 miles. Charging won't be blazingly fast either as it's limited to 150kW. However, the electric SUV will be able to handle fast charging in cold or warm conditions thanks to a battery preconditioning system, and you'll be able to pull up to any Supercharger thanks to the NACS port and Subaru's arrangement with Tesla.

Subaru

The Trailseeker does seem to have the goods when it comes to performance and offroading, though. It uses a symmetrical all-wheel drive system with dual motors putting out a combined 375 HP that propel it from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. It also comes standard with 8.3 inches of ground clearance and the company's X-Mode system with settings for snow/dirt, deep snow/mud, grip control and downhill assist control.

It's also loaded with driver assist tech powered by the company's EyeSight system. That includes pre-collision braking, front cross traffic alert, blind spot monitors, lane departure alert, a panoramic view monitor, emergency stop assist, traffic jam assist, lane change assist and adaptive cruise control.

Subaru

The interior looks fairly plain but it does feature a 14-inch touchscreen, the largest on any Subaru to date. In a nod to its techie market, the EV also offers a wide center console that "provides a centralized hub for devices and personal items for easy storage," the company said. That includes two 15W chargers, two fast USB-C chargers for rear passengers, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

Pricing will be announced in "early 2026," according to Subaru. However, it's likely to be more expensive than the company's Solterra, which currently starts at $38,495 before any tax credits, and ahead of any future tariffs levied on Japanese imports. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/subarus-new-trailseeker-ev-has-solid-4x4-bonafides-but-mediocre-range-132516469.html?src=rss

AMD’s RX 9060 XT is supposedly set to launch in MayThat’s the word from Chiphell, and other sources have pointed to Computex (May 20) before, tooWith Nvidia’s RTX 5060 also debuting in May, another head-to-head clash – like the RX 9070 vs RTX 5070 models – is in the offing

AMD’s RX 9060 XT graphics card, seemingly the next in line from the RDNA 4 range, could be out in May, or that’s the fresh claim from the grapevine.As flagged by Harukaze5719 on X (via VideoCardz), a regular when it comes to pointing out hardware rumors, an editor at Chiphell has put forward the idea of a May launch, without mentioning any specific date (or even a timeframe range) in the month.

9060 XT is scheduled in May?https://t.co/9Kr0J4XWT2April 16, 2025

Chiphell is a forum over in China, and info dropped from there needs to be taken with some caution, especially as this is a vague assertion. But in theor,y it indicates that the RX 9060 XT models could turn up in just over two weeks (though it’ll likely be later in the month, and I’ll come back to that point shortly).Recent spec rumors have the RX 9060 XT as being equipped with 16GB and 8GB of video RAM, as with the just-revealed RTX 5060 Ti from Nvidia, except AMD is sticking with older GDDR6 memory, rather than following Team Green’s upgrade path to (faster) GDDR7.The 9060 XT is said to have half the graphics cores of the RX 9070 XT, and indeed half the memory bandwidth too. It supposedly has a somewhat faster boost speed, though, so guesswork currently has the performance of the RX 9060 XT pitched at just over half (around 60%) of the 9070 XT (add seasoning now, and don’t be shy with it). Elsewhere, we’ve heard that the incoming GPU is likely to sit just below the frame rates delivered by the RX 7700 XT.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / DC Studio)

Analysis: May feels right for 9060 XT launch – let’s hope the price is right, too

Officially, AMD has only said that RX 9060 models are coming in Q2, which could be any time up until the end of June – and Team Red has gone pretty quiet on these next-in-line RDNA 4 GPUs otherwise.Does May seem a realistic prospect for an RX 9060 XT launch? Well, it’s a middling bet – literally bang in the middle of Q2 – and of course, AMD won’t want to be seen to be lagging behind Nvidia. Team Green has just unleashed the RTX 5060 Ti (it goes on sale today) and the RTX 5060 is due in May (with an attractive sounding $299 MSRP).As VideoCardz further observes, other rumors from Nvidia’s graphics card making partners have suggested a Computex launch for the 9060 XT models, which is later in May (the show kicks off on May 20, in fact). So, the rumors appear to be aligning around a timeframe that makes sense, but as ever, get carried away at your own risk.With Nvidia dropping pricing on its RTX 5060 models compared to Lovelace, this will hopefully force AMD to look at more affordable price tags for the RX 9060 XT. Chiphell rumors suggest pricing could land equivalent to the RTX 5060, with perhaps a $299 asking price for the 16GB spin, and $249 for the 8GB model. Other rumors have hinted that this is overly optimistic, and we could be looking at 10% to 20% or so more.Real-world pricing and availability, rather than MSRPs, are set to be a key factor in this lower-mid-range battle, though – and the fear is very much that Nvidia is going to come out poorly in this regard. Still, we shouldn’t judge beforehand (though it’s difficult not to in Team Green’s case), and with all the chaos around tariffs and potential price hikes at the moment, the waters couldn’t be any thicker with mud, frankly.It’s also worth noting that 8GB graphics cards are not going down well these days – for obvious reasons, as this VRAM loadout is looking very shaky for any kind of future-proofing – so it doesn’t seem wise for AMD to follow in Nvidia’s unpopular footsteps in this respect with that 8GB version of the 9060 XT, especially as AMD has avoided going too lean with the RX 9070 models, which all have 16GB (whereas the Nvidia RTX 5070 stuck with a distinctly wobbly looking 12GB).Still, the theory is that this lower-end RX 9060 XT 8GB is being launched in lieu of the vanilla RX 9060 (which the grapevine remains silent on, perhaps tellingly).Video RAM aside, there’s some disappointment more broadly with the overall spec of the RX 9060 XT as rumored, with it feeling a bit weak. But as mentioned, pricing will be crucial here, and if the base 9060 XT (8GB) does end up at $250 (or a whisper over), that could make it a pleasantly compelling budget GPU.

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Where to buy AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070: the best retailers in the US and UK to check for stockMicrosoft is digging its own grave with Windows 11, and it has to stopI've reviewed three generations of 3D V-cache processors, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the best there is

Elon Musk's DOGE has pressured a key Pentagon program to closeThe Defense Digital Service will cease operating by May 2025Staff have said the only reason they are leaving is DOGE

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sent a key US government program focused on efficiency, innovation, and Silicon Valley-style quick tech fixes packing.Almost all of the staff for the Defense Digital Service (DSS) have confirmed they are resigning as a result of DOGE pressure, with many of the DSS’ responsibilities to be taken over by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office.The DSS has been a key source of innovation and new tech adoption at the Pentagon for the past decade, introducing numerous tech remedies during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and Ukrainian aid transferal programs.

DOGE ditches DSS

Of the 14 employees that make up the DSS office, 11 are planning to take Trump’s deferred resignation package by the end of April. DSS Director Jennifer Hay is planning on leaving by May 1, with the two remaining employees planning to resign also.One of the DSS’ main responsibilities was to introduce fast track technology during national security incidents to help the Pentagon to quickly react to developing situations.While DSS responsibilities will be passed on to another department, it is unclear how long it will take for the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office to assume DSS responsibilities - potentially putting the security of the Pentagon at risk.Many within the DSS office were expecting to be a part of DOGE’s efforts to enhance the efficiency of the Pentagon and introduce new AI technologies, however they were passed over by Musk, with Hay stating “The reason we stuck it out as long as we have is that we thought we were going to be called in.”According to Politico, there were existing issues within the program ranging from political infighting to hiring freezes, but every employee at the DSS said that they wouldn’t be leaving if not for DOGE. “The best way to put it, I think, is either we die quickly or we die slowly,” Hay added.This isn’t the first modernization and innovation program to face the axe under DOGE, with the US Digital Service and the 18F program both being subject to firings and layoffs under pressure from DOGE.A former Pentagon official who spoke to Politico under subject of anonymity commented on DOGE’s foray into improving the efficiency of the Defense Department, stating, “They’re not really using AI, they’re not really driving efficiency. What they’re doing is smashing everything.”

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The Dangbei N2 mini is available now, priced at $179 / £159 )about AU$330)1080p, 200 ISO Lumens, up to 120-inch display'AI' auto picture adustments, 190º tilt for easy projection anywhere

Dangbei's new entry level LED projector, the Dangbei N2 mini, delivers 1080p HD and has native apps for Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video – plus a built-in gimbal and automatic picture adjustment tech (with the obligatory claim of 'AI' powers) that should make it easy to place it anywhere and get a well-aligned display.It's also very keenly priced, with an introductory offer of $179 / £159 (about AU$330). That's roughly 20% off the normal list price, and it's less than half what you'd pay for our current best portable projector pick, the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro.

(Image credit: Dangbei)

Dangbei N2 mini: key features

The most obvious difference between the N2 mini and more expensive models is brightness: where the XGIMI is 450 ISO Lumens, the N2 mini is rated at 200 ISO Lumens, so this isn't one for brightly lit spaces. But it's exceptionally portable, weighing just 3.78 lb (1.72 kg), and it comes with a host of automatic features for easy setup and operation. There's also a 6W speaker system with Dolby Audio support.The recommended display size is 100 inches, but the N2 mini is capable of projecting from 40 to 120 inches.The integrated gimbal enables smooth and accurate positioning on floors, walls or ceilings and the power port is base-mounted to avoid interference. The optical system is sealed to keep dust out, which Dangbei says delivers 30% longer life – although it doesn't say what that lifespan actually is. Bluetooth is 5.2 and the N2 mini has Wi-Fi 6.The N2 mini has nearly 300 apps to choose from, and the pre-installed Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube apps are all given their own buttons on the remote.The Dangbei N2 mini is available now.

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CVE funding gets last-minute funding reprieveA MITRE head told CVE board members that government funding is about to expireSome have called the move "reckless and ignorant"

US government funding for CVE, a program that publicly lists known software vulnerabilities, will continue for the time being, despite initial reports it would expire.Cuts being made by the US government across the board had meant CVE could have lost funding, which could heavily erode the cybersecurity of all organizations, from small businesses to critical infrastructure firms.However, a CISA spokesperson revealed the organization executed an option period on the contract "to ensure there will be no lapse in critical CVE services".

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CVE extension

“The CVE Program is invaluable to the cyber community and a priority of CISA,” the comment added.Sponsored by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), CVE, or Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, is a program run by MITRE Corporation, a US government-funded nonprofit that manages federally sponsored research and development.The program works by assigning a unique identifier to every newly discovered vulnerability, allowing cybersecurity pros, software developers, and organizations to properly identify and address flaws in software.NextGov says Yosry Barsoum, the director of MITRE’s Center for Securing the Homeland, recently sent an internal memo to CVE board members, warning about the possibility of losing funding. When the memo leaked to social media, MITRE confirmed its legitimacy.“If a break in service were to occur, we anticipate multiple impacts to CVE, including deterioration of national vulnerability databases and advisories, tool vendors, incident response operations, and all manner of critical infrastructure,” the notice warned.

"Reckless and ignorat"

CVE was not the only program at risk of losing government funding. Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE), another MITRE-run program, is also at risk of losing funding at the same time. CWE is a catalog of software and hardware security weaknesses that focus on the root causes, the underlying programming or design errors that attackers can exploit.NextGov says that CISA is looking at “significant cuts” across several of its teams, including with contractors. Some contracts were already terminated, while others will simply be left to expire.We could say that CVE dodged the bullet, since the consequences could be quite dire.House Science Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren D-Calif. and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. called the funding lapse “reckless and ignorant” and said it would undermine cybersecurity around the world.“The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Program makes sure every service, device, and system is removing discovered vulnerabilities,” NextGov cited a statement.“From your personal computer to the electric grid to nuclear facilities — they all rely on the CVE. Eliminating this contract will allow malicious actors to operate in the dark. We call on the Department of Homeland Security to fully restore funding to this program before catastrophe strikes.”Chris Burton, Head of Professional Services at Pentest People, believes the community could step up in the government’s place.“It's completely understandable there are concerns about the government pulling funding for the MITRE program, it’s a troubling development for the security industry,” he told TechRadar Pro in a mailed statement.“If the issue is purely financial, crowdfunding could offer a viable path forward, rallying public support for a project many believe in. If it's operational, there may be an opportunity for a dedicated community board to step in and lead. Either way, this isn’t the end, it’s a chance to rethink and reimagine. Let’s not panic just yet; there are still options on the table, as a global community, I think we should see how this unfolds.”Via NextGov

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Looking for a different day?A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, April 16 (game #1178).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1179) - hint #1 - Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1179) - hint #2 - repeated letters

Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1179) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1179) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)

Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1179) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• S• R• S• C

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1179) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1179, are…

SPRAYRAMENSHELFCOURT

Today, I experienced the rare joy of one of my start words – RAMEN – being correct.This fluke set me up for a personal best (I’ve never finished in fewer than seven guesses), but alas I was one letter out on my penultimate word – guessing shell instead of SHELF.Despite the near miss I’m thrilled that I came so close.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1179) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1179, are…

COBRAFLUKEDRIEDSPIEL

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUTQuordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAYQuordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCEQuordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOPQuordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THINGQuordle #1173, Friday 11 April: FOLLY, PITHY, SCOWL, CURLYQuordle #1172, Thursday 10 April: LEAST, SEWER, UNTIE, NOOSEQuordle #1171, Wednesday 9 April: LITHE, LEFTY, KNOLL, MULCHQuordle #1170, Tuesday 8 April: WIDTH, VISOR, MEDAL, BROOKQuordle #1169, Monday 7 April: BROTH, SHOUT, BRUTE, CABINQuordle #1168, Sunday 6 April: AMBER, GAUZE, STORE, SLICKQuordle #1167, Saturday 5 April: GUSTY, VAULT, WHINE, BEGATQuordle #1166, Friday 4 April: OAKEN, LOOPY, CURIO, BUTTEQuordle #1165, Thursday 3 April: ASCOT, JETTY, DRUNK, JOLLYQuordle #1164, Wednesday 2 April: INDEX, QUEEN, INCUR, STOLEQuordle #1163, Tuesday 1 April: HUMUS, BALMY, WORRY, ERECTQuordle #1162, Monday 31 March: RECUT, MOODY, WHERE, BRACEQuordle #1161, Sunday 30 March: CRIME, DRINK, CLOVE, TRUERQuordle #1160, Saturday 29 March: LATER, ODDLY, CUMIN, AGREEQuordle #1159, Friday 28 March: TERSE, MUSHY, PROVE, FROND

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, April 16 (game #409).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #410) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… THE movies

NYT Strands today (game #410) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

FINEGRINTRAILDIRTHINGEFLAT

NYT Strands today (game #410) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 6 letters

NYT Strands today (game #410) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 5th rowLast side: right,4th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #410) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #410, are…

RINGAVIATORSHININGGOONIESGODFATHERGRADUATESPANGRAM: TITLES

My rating: EasyMy score: Perfect

A rather straightforward Strands today, although I did spend quite a while getting GRADUATE even though they were the only letters left.Looking at the list, I’m wondering if there is any other connection beyond the fact that they are all THE movies?They are all acclaimed – unless we are talking about the Hollywood remake of The RING rather than the Japanese original (that has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the 2002 version starring Naomi Watts has 72%).One theme is curses – in The Ring it’s a videotape, The SHINING a hotel, in The GRADUATE it’s the curse of expectation, The GOONIES has a long-awaited sequel called The Curse of One-eyed Willy, and The GODFATHER curse is attributed to a series of unfortunate events befalling its cast.Nah, that’s not it.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, 16 April, game #409)

DRIVERWEDGEIRONPUTTERWOODCHIPPERUTILITYSPANGRAM: GOLF CLUBS

What is NYT Strands?Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, April 16 (game #675).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #676) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

CASEMANTLESAUCECORECRUSTFORTYTRUNKTROUTTORSOYOUNGSIX-PACKCHEESETOPPINGSBONDSMIDRIFFGROWLER

NYT Connections today (game #676) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

YELLOW: Stomach GREEN: Grab a slice BLUE: Draft, can or bottlePURPLE: Legends of the game

Need more clues?We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #676) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

YELLOW: CENTRAL SECTION OF THE BODY GREEN: COMPONENTS OF A PIZZA BLUE: UNITS OF BEER PURPLE: BASEBALL GREATS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #676) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #676, are…

YELLOW: CENTRAL SECTION OF THE BODY CORE, MIDRIFF, TORSO, TRUNKGREEN: COMPONENTS OF A PIZZA CHEESE, CRUST, SAUCE, TOPPINGSBLUE: UNITS OF BEER CASE, FORTY, GROWLER, SIX-PACKPURPLE: BASEBALL GREATS BONDS, MANTLE, TROUT, YOUNG

My rating: EasyMy score: Perfect

In the venn diagram of CENTRAL SECTION OF THE BODY and UNITS OF BEER, SIX-PACK sits between the two groups.This was the only piece of hesitation for me today, in a Connections that combined beer, sport and pizza along with the part of the body that will suffer the most if you eat too much pizza and drink too much beer while watching sport.There is something about watching athletes at the peak of their fitness perform on TV that triggers us regular mortals to abuse our bodies with food of low nutritional value. It’s odd, but I fall victim to it almost daily.That said, I have always had a fantasy that I'll watch the entire Tour de France while riding a stationary exercise bike, turning up the resistance on the mountain stages, sprinting for the finish line, surviving on energy gels and isotonic drinks until the end of the race – and then I’d have some beer and pizza!How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, 16 April, game #675)

YELLOW: BURLESQUE WEAR BOA, CORSET, GARTER, STOCKINGSGREEN: MESS UP THE SURFACE OF SCAR, SCORE, SCRAPE, SCRATCHBLUE: THEY ROAR CROWD, ENGINE, KATY PERRY, LIONPURPLE: LATIN DANCES WITH A VOWEL CHANGED MAMBA, MERINGUE, SIMBA, TANGY

What is NYT Connections?NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

As TikTok continues to wait for a deal that will secure its future in the United States, the company is embracing a crowd-sourced approach to fact-checking. The service is adding “Footnotes,” a Community Notes-like feature that will allow contributors to add “more context” to videos on the platform.

“Footnotes offers a new opportunity for people to share their expertise and add an additional layer of context to the discussion using a consensus-driven approach,” TikTok’s head of operations and trust and safety Adam Presser wrote in a blog post.

The update, which has apparently been on the company's roadmap since last year, makes TikTok the latest platform to add a version of the crowd-sourced notes popularized by X. However unlike Meta, which recently began publishing Community Notes on its apps, TikTok’s update isn’t coming with a change to its moderation policies or its fact-checking partnerships. Instead, the company describes the change as a way for users to “add helpful details that may be missing.” Footnotes won’t affect a video’s algorithmic ranking or its ability to appear on the “For You” page.

Presser says that the company will use a “bridge-based ranking system designed to find agreement between people who usually have different opinions, inspired by the open-sourced system that other platforms use.” That’s clearly a reference to X, which created a ranking system that requires contributors to rate each other’s notes before they become publicly visible. Meta has adopted X’s Community Notes algorithm for its own apps. But while TikTok’s approach may be inspired by X, the company plans to use its own algorithm for Footnotes.

It’s not yet clear exactly what Footnotes will look like on TikTok or how prominent they will be. Like Community Notes on X, Footnotes are required to cite a source, whether it's another TikTok video or a third-party website.

The company is kicking off its experiment by allowing users in the US to sign up to become contributors. Footnotes contributors must be 18 or older with an account at least 6 months old and without a recent history of a Community Guidelines violation. Over the next few months, contributors will be able to start writing notes and rating notes from others. It will be a few months before any Footnotes appear publicly in the US. The company hasn’t indicated when Footnotes may roll out globally.

The change comes at a time when TikTok’s future in the US is still somewhat uncertain. President Donald Trump recently gave the company another 75-day extension to strike a deal that will allow it to remain in the US. Reports indicate that the White House favors a deal involving TikTok’s existing US investors, though it’s unclear how Trump’s tariffs on China have affected the negotiations.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-is-adding-footnotes-its-take-on-community-notes-140040044.html?src=rss

Kia's first all-electric sedan, the 2026 EV4, is making its official debut in the US today at the New York International Auto Show. The automaker first announced the vehicle in Spain back in February, with the promise that it will release the model in the USA, as well. It's built on top of the company's 400V Electric Global Modular Platform, which serves as the basis for all of Kia's electric vehicles. In the US, the EV4 will come with a built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for compatibility with Tesla charging stations.

The Kia EV4 has two battery options: A standard 58.3 kWh battery for the Light model and a long-range 81.4 kWh battery for the Wind and GT-Line models. Kia says its Light and Wind models have an estimated range of 235 miles and 330 miles, respectively. However, they're manufacturer estimates and not official EPA numbers yet. You can charge the car from 10 to 80 percent within just 28 minutes for the Light battery and 31 minutes for the long-range battery. No matter what model you choose, the vehicle comes with a front-mounted 150 kW motor and Kia's Advanced Driver Assistance features. Unfortunately, the automaker didn't reveal how much it would cost you to get one, possibly because it has yet to attach an official price tag to the EV4 due to the tariffs the US government is imposing on cars and car parts made outside the country.

In addition to the EV4, Kia is also showcasing the EV9 Nightfall Edition at the Auto Show. The Nightfall edition of the company's three-row electric SUV is covered in a Gloss Black finish, including its 20-inch wheels, and has a dark Kia emblem. Even its interior is in black. The Nightfall EV9 will be manufactured at Kia’s West Point, Georgia assembly plant and is expected to be available in the US in the second quarter of 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/the-kia-ev4-makes-its-us-debut-at-the-new-york-auto-show-140036813.html?src=rss

In 2024, 51% of all internet traffic fell on bots, Thales report claimsNot all bots are malicious, but many areTravel and retail industries are particularly hit

Bots, automated programs that run tasks over the internet, are now taking up more than half of all internet traffic, new research has claimed.The 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report found this was the first time in a decade that 51% of all web traffic constituted bot traffic, attributing the shift largely to the rise of Artificial intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLM).The Imperva report focuses, first and foremost, on bad bots. It argues that travel and retail sectors face an “advanced bot problem”, where bad bots make up 41% and 59% of all traffic, respectively. In 2024, the travel industry was the most attacked sector with 27% of all bot attacks (up from 21% the year prior).

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Bad bots

With the proliferation of Generative AI, things are only going to get worse, Imperva further states. ByteSpider Bot alone is apparently responsible for more than half (54%) of all AI-enabled attacks. Other significant contributors include AppleBot (26%), ClaudeBot (13%), and ChatGPT User Bot (6%).Not all bot traffic is malicious, though. There are many useful, and often essential bots, such as search engine crawlers, monitoring bots, social media bots, or data scraping bots. They are used to index websites for search engines, check websites for performance or downtime, schedule posts or respond automatically, or to aggregate sites and scrape valuable data.Still, bad bots take up a hefty portion of all bot traffic, presenting a real challenge for the cybersecurity community.These tools, whose popularity exploded roughly three years ago with the introduction of Chat-GPT, have simplified the creation and scaling of malicious bots, Imperva noted.“As AI tools become more accessible, cyber criminals are increasingly leveraging these technologies to create and deploy malicious bots which now account for 37% of all internet traffic – a significant increase from 32% in 2023,” the company explained.“This is the sixth consecutive year of growth in bad bot activity, posing security challenges for organizations striving to safeguard their digital assets.”

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Cloud infrastructure remains one of the largest expenses for modern businesses, and it can be difficult to keep under control. In fact, according to Gartner, 69% of IT leaders report budget overruns in their cloud expenditure. What’s more, much of this overspend is unnecessary.The FinOps in Focus 2025 report found global enterprises are set to waste billions on cloud infrastructure spend this year. These inefficiencies are in large part attributed to an ongoing disconnect between FinOps teams and developers.This is rooted in confusion over ownership, a lack of visibility into cloud consumption, and software engineers being pulled into cost optimization efforts late. Failure to address this can leave businesses facing significant financial inefficiencies, escalating costs, and missed opportunities for optimization.As companies navigate the pressure to do more with less, the need for effective cloud optimization and cost management has never been more urgent. The solution lies in a cultural shift towards giving developers more ownership of cloud cost management and driving better alignment between teams. By implementing these changes, businesses can bridge the gap and implement smarter, more efficient cloud strategies that keep costs under control.

Confusion over ownership

Part of the challenge is that organizations don’t tend to view developers as being responsible at all for cloud costs. In fact, the reality is that most developers see cost optimization as someone else's problem – with 55% of developers ignoring cost management. Only 35% cite cloud cost efficiency as a measure of success.This mindset isn’t limited to developers; it’s shared across business teams. When engineering leaders have been asked who is responsible for cloud cost management, developers are rarely mentioned. Cloud operations and finance teams usually take the lead – those who have historically commanded control over budgets.That’s not to say that developers don’t want to be involved. Rather than viewing cost management as a burden, many developers want more control over and responsibility for managing cloud costs. Yet, businesses often unintentionally sideline and exclude developers from the conversation, viewing cost optimization as other teams’ responsibility.

A lack of visibility

Another challenge is that even if they wanted to take on more responsibility for optimizing cloud costs, many developers have limited visibility into their usage. Added to that, most businesses use a variety of cloud providers, which can make it difficult to get a complete picture of spending across teams and departments.Costs are spread across different platforms, with varying pricing models and billing structures, which makes it even more difficult to identify areas of waste and inefficiency. These issues not only impact the bottom line but also create tension between teams as they struggle to retrospectively justify unexpected costs and understand who is responsible for cloud waste.Developers also lack access to the real-time insights needed to optimize cloud spend. Fewer than half say they can monitor idle cloud resources (43%), unused or orphaned resources (39%), or over/under-provisioned workloads (33%) – critical factors for cost efficiency.Without a clear picture of cloud usage, 55% admit that their purchasing commitments are ultimately based on guesswork, further compounding the issue. In the absence of visibility into their cloud spend, developers are also more likely to default to over-provisioning to ensure applications run smoothly and avoid downtime. The danger is that overprovisioned or unused resources can run unnoticed for weeks, leading to wasted spend.

Delayed involvement

Finally, developers often struggle to play an active role in cost optimization because they’re brought into the process too late. More than half (52%) of engineering leaders report that their organizations only prioritize cost efficiency after applications or features have been deployed to production, rather than during development.This delayed approach turns cost control into a reactive, high-stakes challenge. By the time inefficiencies are identified, teams are left with two difficult choices: accept the financial drain of suboptimal architecture or undertake the complex and risky task of refactoring live systems. Neither option is ideal, and both can lead to significant disruption, wasted resources, and higher operational costs.Businesses are overlooking a key opportunity to drive efficiency here. Cloud spend is now embedded within the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Developers – who have a deep understanding of that software – are in the perfect position to drive optimization from the very beginning. By involving developers early, organizations can proactively identify cost-saving opportunities and create a more efficient, cost-conscious development process.

A cultural shift towards cost reduction

With cloud costs continuing to consume a growing share of technology budgets, organizations can no longer afford to overspend. Cost optimization should not be treated as a separate process from development. Instead, developers must be empowered with insights that help them make sense of cloud consumption and resource allocation, and allow them to be involved in cost optimization at the early stages of delivery.AI-driven cost management processes can support developers in making this shift, by analyzing usage patterns, recommending resource adjustments, and automatically resizing cloud footprints based on demand. This reduces complexity and enables more efficient cloud resource management. Integrated into the SDLC, these processes provide real-time financial insights, allowing developers to make cost-effective decisions during design, not after deployment. Developer teams themselves recognize the opportunity of AI, with 86% feeling like these technologies can impact their ability to optimize costs in 2025.

The future of cloud cost management

There’s an urgent need for a cultural shift to address the disconnect between development and FinOps teams. Developers need to be empowered so they can feel ownership of their organization's cloud spend, and understand how their architectural choices directly impact both performance and financial outcomes. The future of cloud cost management is one of shared responsibility – where finance, product, and engineering teams have the same insights into consumption and areas of inefficiency, so they can collaborate to eliminate wasted spending.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Fraud prevention is undergoing massive shifts as organizations strive to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated bad actors. Thanks to advancements, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), that democratize access to enable fraud at speed and scale, traditional, rules-based systems – long the industry standard – are proving insufficient in the wake of such emerging technologies. As bad actors find new and innovative ways to exploit system loopholes, businesses are left reacting to the damage instead of preventing it.Enter AI-driven data clustering, a new technology that is changing fraud prevention by proactively detecting threats before they fully materialize. With mounting losses to fraud exceeding billions of dollars annually across industries worldwide, next-gen technologies such as graph-network-powered clustering models that afford earlier detection and intervention are reshaping fraud prevention strategies – delivering unprecedented efficiency, accuracy and scalability.

The evolution of fraud prevention

Historically, fraud prevention systems work by setting predefined criteria to flag fraudulent activities. This approach has become less effective as fraudsters’ methods have become more complex. Any rules-based approach requires constant updates and revisions, making it cumbersome and often a step behind more agile and inventive fraud tactics.The advent of AI and ML allows for the analysis of vast datasets far beyond the capacity of human oversight, adapting to new information in real time. This shift from static rule sets to dynamic learning systems marks a significant turning point, and the introduction of data clusters is altering how organizations respond to fraud.By examining data clusters, one can discern relationships and patterns between data points across extensive networks, enhancing the detection of complex fraud schemes that would otherwise be undetectable with traditional methods. The advent of AI and machine learning technologies herald a shift towards proactive fraud prevention, allowing for the anticipation and mitigation of threats before they inflict financial damage.In a world where digital transactions are prevalent and the risk of fraud is constant, leveraging AI-driven data clustering not only bolsters a business's defenses against sophisticated fraud techniques but also streamlines operations by reducing false positives and supporting customer trust and satisfaction.

Unique signals and real-time detection

AI-driven fraud prevention relies on rich data signals, ranging from digital footprint analysis to device intelligence, to build accurate and dynamic user profiles. By integrating data aggregated from multiple sources, organizations gain a broader perspective on user behavior, enabling more precise risk assessments. These signals are the foundation of graph-network-powered detection.Real-time mapping connections between data points make proactive detection possible as the system identifies anomalies, such as linked accounts sharing suspicious attributes or unusual transaction velocities across geographies.Unlike reactive rule-based systems, graph networks predict potential threats based on emerging patterns, allowing businesses to intervene at the earliest access points. This approach significantly reduces the time and resources required to counteract fraud, enhancing security and operational efficiency.Real-world applications underscore the efficacy of this technology. For example, a financial institution utilizing graph networks can uncover a sophisticated fraud ring by detecting multiple accounts with shared device fingerprints and overlapping transaction histories. Early detection not only prevents significant economic losses but also disrupts the operation before it can escalate.Similarly, an ecommerce platform employs graph networks to identify high-risk orders based on behavioral anomalies, effectively reducing chargebacks while preserving a seamless customer experience. These instances demonstrate how unique data signals and real-time detection transition fraud prevention from a reactive to a proactive defense strategy.Unlike rigid rule-based systems, graph networks dynamically cluster similar customers based on proximity, even if some data points or behavioral patterns change. This adaptability means that even if fraudsters attempt to circumvent existing rules, the platform can still identify suspicious patterns without needing further calibration, enhancing the robustness of fraud detection efforts and maintaining system integrity over time.

Building a proactive ecosystem

By integrating clustering models with workflow automation, businesses can create a seamless system where anomalies are flagged, verified and acted upon in real time. This eliminates the inefficiencies of manual reviews and reactive processes and enables organizations to stay ahead.Businesses leveraging AI-driven clustering safeguard customer interactions to mitigate fraud and cultivate trust and loyalty. Faster detection and proactive measures ensure a frictionless experience for legitimate users while building robust defenses against increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts. By committing to an integrated, data-driven approach, organizations position themselves to thrive in a digital economy where security and user satisfaction go hand in hand.Initially, cluster validation may still require some human review, but as AI algorithms advance, the system can increasingly mimic human decision-making processes. This progression enables businesses to inform customers about decisions retroactively, paving the way for a truly autonomous decision-making process that enhances both efficiency and reliability in fraud prevention.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

The Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct is now less than 24 hours away and is expected to give us loads of new information on what is perhaps the most highly anticipated upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game.A few seconds of Mario Kart World footage were first shown all the way back in January as part of the Nintendo Switch 2 first look trailer. We then learned further details as part of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and Nintendo Switch 2 Treehouse: Live presentations, which explained some of the new mechanics, showed off the many new characters, and confirmed that the game would be a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive launch title.We've also managed to go hands-on with Mario Kart World ahead of release. Still, I'm expecting the upcoming Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct to give us even more insight into the game's core mechanics, tracks, and roster. I'm optimistic that Nintendo has kept some tricks up its sleeve, so hopefully there will be some great surprises in store...

Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct date, start time, and length

Nintendo has confirmed that the Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct will take place on April 17, 2025. That's tomorrow!The broadcast will start at 6AM PT / 9AM ET / 2PM BST.Nintendo has officially confirmed that the broadcast will run for approximately 15 minutes.

Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct how to watch

As always, the most reliable place to watch the Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct is via the official Nintendo YouTube channel.The broadcast will also be streaming on the official Nintendo Twitch page, if you prefer that platform.The stream is not live quite yet, but stay tuned as I will update you the second it is available.

How to pre-order the Mario Kart World bundle

Right now the best value way to get your hands on Mario Kart World is in a bundle with the Nintendo Switch 2 console itself.Although Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders have been delayed in the US, in the console and bundle is currently up for grabs in the UK. Browse our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live coverage for the latest stock information, or consult our guide on how to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2.The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is also likely to be a big ticket item for Mario Kart World players, offering a more comfortable experience than the Joy-Con 2 controllers. See our where to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller page to learn how to get your hands on one in time for launch day.

Good afternoon, gamers, and welcome to the beginning of my Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct coverage!I'm going to be walking you through the build-up to the highly anticipated presentation, sharing the latest details as they come in, plus plenty of rumors and some personal predictions about what might be in store.

The music-streaming app Spotify is down, leaving millions of music fans in the lurch. The company is aware of an issue and says it’s checking things out. To that end, we don’t know why it’s down or how long the service will remain unavailable. It looks like both the app and web client aren’t working right now.

We’re aware of some issues right now and are checking them out!— Spotify Status (@SpotifyStatus) April 16, 2025

In the meantime, feel free to check out the millions of songs on YouTube, or slide into a rival service like Apple Music or Tidal. Alternatively, you could always just hum to yourself or call an old friend. We’ll update this post when we know more about what’s going on or when it’s back.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/spotify-is-down-its-not-just-you-143552171.html?src=rss

Anthropic is expected to launch a Claude voice modeA report from Bloomberg states that the voice mode will launch with three voicesVoice modes, research tools, reasoning models: Same-same, but different

Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot is set to be upgraded with a new voice mode, as the company with minority Amazon ownership looks to catch up with the likes of ChatGPT and Gemini.According to a new report from Bloomberg, Claude's new feature called "voice mode" could launch as soon as this month.The info comes from "a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss private matters," who says the AI voice assistant will have three voices at launch.The voices titled Airy, Mellow, and Buttery will give Claude users the chance to pick from three diverse accents, although nothing is confirmed as of yet, and Anthropic could opt for more or fewer voices at launch.Claude's closest competitors, OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, both have their own respective AI voice modes. ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode and Gemini Live allow users to chat with AI, making the experience more conversational and natural.With Claude potentially throwing its name into the mix, consumers will have another AI voice assistant to choose from. But it begs the question: Does the population even care?

Just another AI tick box

AI chatbots seem to follow in each other's footsteps. Whether that's the introduction of a reasoning model, a research model, an image generation model, or, in this case, a voice mode.Whether you're using ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, or even Claude, the user experience with each chatbot is getting so similar that regardless of which one you use you'll end up with a similar result.Obviously, in a rapidly moving industry like AI, it's a race to release your product faster than your competitors, but as a consumer, we end up with. constant new releases of the same kind of feature, repackaged and marketed by competing tech companies.Claude's voice mode, when it arrives, will be yet another tick-box exercise for an AI company looking to have its product on a level playing field with its competition.As a consumer, I want these AI companies to throw out the playbook and try new things. AI voice modes are great, and they make chatbots even easier to use.When it comes to new AI software launches, however, I've started to wonder: Does the company even care? Or is this just a tick-box exercise?Hopefully, Claude's voice mode innovates the world of AI voice assistants, but until I see its potential, I fully expect yet another AI release that's exactly the same as the 10 other options out there.

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Surfshark Bypasser is now available on its macOS VPN appThe functionality allows users to select apps and websites to reroute outside the VPN connectionSurfshark is now among a select few providers offering this feature on Mac

Surfshark has extended support for its Bypasser feature on the macOS VPN app.Surfshark Bypasser is a handy functionality that allows you to choose specific websites and apps to reroute outside the VPN connection.Already available on Windows, Android, iOS, and browser extension, Surfshark has become one of the few best VPN services to offer this feature for Mac users.

Surfshark Bypasser's arrival on Mac provides a simple split tunneling solution that Mac users had previously been missing from the service (Image credit: Surfshark)

Why use Surfshark Bypasser?

Aimed at enacting users' control and convenience in a couple of clicks, Surfshark Bypasser is the company’s take on split tunneling. "A feature that gives users control over which apps or websites use the VPN and which connect directly to the internet," said Surfshark's Senior Product Manager, Justas Pukys.Every time you connect to your virtual private network (VPN) tool, your internet connection gets rerouted through the VPN servers via its encrypted protocol. Yet, while this is beneficial to boost privacy and security, it can cause friction with how certain websites and applications operate.This means users may have to turn off the VPN when accessing their online banking or local government site, losing protection on all their other activities. Surfshark Bypasser allows you to split the internet traffic into two paths – one to pass via the encrypted VPN connection, and the other directly to the internet via your real IP address.As Pukys explains, using Bypasser is especially beneficial for accessing local services or content that may block VPNs while maintaining protection for other activities."With the recent addition of macOS support, Surfshark has expanded its service package to offer this functionality across all major platforms," said Pukys.Surfshark Bypasser has been available for some time on Windows, Android, iOS, and browser extensions. Mac users have had to wait to benefit from this functionality as Apple removed support for the feature in 2021.In February 2024, Private Internet Access (PIA) was the first provider to bring back split tunneling on its macOS VPN app. Other TechRadar's top picks – namely NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and ProtonVPN – are among the services still lacking support for this feature on their Mac VPN at the time of writing.

How to use Surfshark Bypasser

Using Surfshark Bypasser on macOS promises to be very easy, too.All you need to do is open the VPN app and click Settings on the left-hand side panel. Then tap on VPN settings and Bypasser. Once there, you can start adding websites or apps you would like to exclude from the VPN connection.If you need more information on how to set up your Surfshark Bypasser on macOS, I recommend visiting Surfshark's dedicated tutorial here.

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This year marks the 125th anniversary of the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), and despite concerns over tariffs, there are still a lot of manufacturers here showing off new models including a handful of US and global debuts. So without further ado, here are some of the coolest cars on display at the 2025 NYIAS.

The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

First up on the docket is Subaru, which is here today with a first look at its second-ever EV: the Trailseeker. Now I admit that the followup to the Solterra might not be the most exciting announcement, as this model will once again be based the e-TNGA platform, which is shared with Toyota's bZ4x. That said, while the Trailseeker doesn't have the most impressive range (around 260 miles), its updated styling, larger body and improved off-roading capabilities feels more suited to an outdoor lifestyle.

The 2026 Kia EV4

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Kia has been on a roll when it comes to EVs thanks to existing cars like the EV6 and EV9. And at the 2025 NYIAS, the company is looking to keep that momentum rolling with the US debut of the EV4, which incorporates many of the headline features from its previous battery-powered offerings, but with an even more affordable expected price of between $35,000 and $40,000. It also features Kia's improved i-PEDAL 3.0 regenrative braking tech which now works in reverse.

This story is in progress so stay tuned for more updates throughout the day.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/the-coolest-cars-at-the-2025-new-york-international-auto-show-144832805.html?src=rss