News

Apple has released the iOS 18.4.1 update to iPhonesIt fixes an annoying CarPlay bug that has been causing issues for driversCarPlay users have been reporting the problems for weeks

For a few weeks, users of Apple’s CarPlay have been plagued by a series of bugs, crashes and all-round problems that have hampered the in-car entertainment system. Now, though, it looks like Apple has rolled out a fix that has finally put the issues to bed.The fix is included in the iOS 18.4.1 update, which Apple released yesterday. The release notes explain that the patch “provides important bug fixes, security updates, and addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles.”That should provide some comfort to Apple customers affected by the irritating issues in their CarPlay-enabled vehicles. That said, we’ll have to wait for user reports to roll in to be sure the fix has worked. That’s because there were several problems that were previously reported rather than just one.

A variety of problems

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Hadrian)

Scouring online forums and message boards, you can find a variety of CarPlay glitches that seem to have recently affected people, as we reported a couple weeks ago.For instance, one user reported that their vehicle’s dashboard was no longer displaying Now Playing information. For others, their devices would repeatedly connect to CarPlay, promptly disconnect, then reconnect again, over and over. Still other users couldn’t connect their devices to CarPlay at all.The problems were being experienced across a variety of different car brands, suggesting that the issues lay with CarPlay itself rather than the vehicles’ own software. And sure enough, the release of this patch by Apple seems to have confirmed that.If you’ve found yourself affected by recent CarPlay issues, we’d recommend you download and install the latest iOS 18.4.1 update on your iPhone. Hopefully, that should finally remedy the glitches once and for all.

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GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke advocates for coding education in schoolsArtificial intelligence is just amplifying human work, not replacing itUsing AI is just another pillar of continuing to learn

Microsoft-owned GitHub, which has introduced a series of powerful generative AI tools to its popular developer platform in recent years, still believes that there’s a place for traditional code.Speaking on a recent podcast interview with EO (via Business Insider), CEO Thomas Dohmke explained his belief that schools should teach coding just as they do other core subjects, like physics, geography and maths.Advocating for an early start, Dohmke believes children should learn coding from a young age, expressing his belief that skilled developers are still in high demand despite the emergence of artificial intelligence.

GitHub advocates for coding education despite AI

AI tools like GitHub's own Copilot and other popular chatbots, like ChatGPT and Gemini, have democratized coding by making software development more accessible to everyone, ultimately lowering the barrier to entry.For experienced developers, small teams and even solo programmers can now unlock more scale, with AI freeing up time that was otherwise spent on repetitive tasks that can now be automated.With the emergence of the tech, questions have been raised about the future of jobs in coding, with leaner teams potentially reducing job openings, but Dohmke doesn’t seem to be concerned about this and instead still urges people to learn to code.“The anxiety is understandable, but time and again, developers have discovered how to channel the new capabilities into entire domains of innovation that didn't exist before,” he said, indicating that use cases are expanding and the need for skilled programmers isn’t taming.“You got to keep training. You got to keep learning. You're never done with learning,” he added. Reflecting on his three decades in the industry, Dohmke says that if he’d stopped reading blogs and other literature, he’d have been left behind. With this in mind, AI is very much just an evolution of the role rather than the end of it.

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Galaxy S25 series phones are getting a small One UI 7 updateThe release schedule for other phones remains uncertainGalaxy S23 models could get the update next week – or next month

Samsung's rollout of One UI 7 (based on Android 15) has been a long and frustrating one for users, with delays and bugs aplenty – and we've got some more details about when the software might actually arrive on your phone.First up, well-known tipster @UniverseIce notes that the "final full version" of One UI 7 is now rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy S25. Or at least it appears to be in South Korea, so it should reach the rest of the world soon.The Galaxy S25 phones launched with One UI 7 on board back in January, but this latest "final" version seems to bring the handsets up to date with the latest features – including a new charging animation and improved interface support for media player apps.That leaves every other Galaxy phone. Officially, One UI 7 was supposed to be heading to the Galaxy S24, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6 on April 7, though that process was put on pause, and it's not clear if it has fully resumed. Based on reports on Reddit and social media, it seems it may depend on where in the world you are.

Coming soon?

The official One UI 7 rollout timeline for the India region‼️Repost pic.twitter.com/WqzOnmNdU6April 16, 2025

With ongoing uncertainty about the One UI 7 update for Galaxy handsets launched in 2024 and 2025, it's perhaps no surprise that we're seeing conflicting leaks around when older phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 are going to be included.If you own a Galaxy S23, you'll be encouraged by a report from Android Headlines suggesting the phone could get One UI 7 as early as next week – though it seems the Canadian carrier listing the leak is based on has now been revised.From Canada to India, where well-known tipster @tarunvats33 has posted another rollout timeline that specifies the Galaxy S23 upgrade date as May 25. Some other phones and tablets will apparently have to wait until June or even July.As has tended to be the norm with One UI 7, we're left with a lack of clarity from Samsung and a lot of conflicting rumors – not helped by the complex logistics of managing software updates across multiple countries and carriers. Once again, Galaxy phone owners are having to patiently refresh their Android update screens and wait.

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Nvidia’s new Game Ready Driver 576.02 has a mountain of bug fixesIt cures many problems with games crashing, and black screen lock-ups with RTX 5000 modelsWhile past-gen Nvidia GPUs aren’t mentioned in the release notes, it appears they got some love here too

Nvidia has released a new graphics driver that brings in support for its freshly introduced RTX 5060 Ti GPU, but I suspect what most gamers will be more interested in is the absolute mountain of bug fixes delivered here.That includes the solutions for various games being crash-happy, as well as the most important fix of all for those who’ve bought one of Nvidia’s Blackwell graphics cards.Yes, Game Ready Driver 576.02 (the release of which VideoCardz flagged) resolves the random black screen crashes that have been frustrating those with an RTX 5000 GPU, or Nvidia claims it does anyway.On top of that, Nvidia lists a couple of other separate bug fixes for issues with RTX 5000 graphics cards getting black screen lock-ups “when playing graphically demanding games” as well as hitting black screens upon installing drivers and booting into Windows. (How about RTX 4000, or earlier RTX GPUs, black-screening, you might be thinking – well, I’ll come back to that).On top of that vital work, a whole lot of general bug fixes are put in place here, such as “stability issues” with Windows 11 24H2 and stability quirks elsewhere, page fault error crashes when using DLSS 4 MFG (Multi-Frame Generation), PCs failing to wake after spending a long period asleep, DisplayPort-related problems, and much more besides.Regarding the fixes for bugs that have hit specific games, we’ve got a lot of work on that front too. Check out the following list of solves:

[Fortnite] random crashes during gameplay[The First Berserker: Khazan] DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED Crash[Star Wars Outlaws] Application will freeze after leaving the game idle for 5+ minutesGame stability issues when playing games with DLSS Frame Generation + GSYNC[Monster Hunter Wilds] Crash after accepting quest with DLSS-FG Enabled[InZoi] Game crashes with error "GPU crashed or D3D Device Removed"[Overwatch 2] Stutter when using VSYNC[Hellblade 2 Senua's Saga] Increased aliasing when using TSR[Hellblade 2 Senua's Saga] Crashing when using Smooth Motion[The Last of Us Part 1] Crash when using Smooth MotionDithering/banding in some games on RTX 50-series GPUs[Control] Flickering corruption in multiple areasStutter when using VSYNCVSYNC in NVCP + frame generation causes issues in DLSS 4 games[Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection] Artifacts on screen when collecting treasures

If you want the exhaustive list of cures applied by Nvidia with this new graphics driver, see Chapter 3 of the full release notes [PDF]. Be warned, it’s a lengthy read.

(Image credit: Nvidia)

Analysis: The importance of getting it right from the off – and what about RTX 4000 GPUs?

There’s a lot of good work here, then, and some important cures for RTX 5000 GPUs. Still, the sheer volume of the remediation work contained within this release doesn’t reflect well on Nvidia, because, in an ideal world, it shouldn’t have been necessary to apply these fixes in a ‘live’ fashion, as it were. These bugs, and notably the showstopping black screen crashes that have been present since the first Blackwell GPUs emerged, should’ve been ironed out before those graphics cards appeared on shelves.This isn’t just about Blackwell, though. These black screen crashes that gamers have been suffering have also affected some of those with past-gen Nvidia GPUs (RTX 4000, or even RTX 3000 models going by some reports, but it’s more the former). There’s no mention of any fixes for black-screening with those graphics cards in Nvidia’s release notes here.However, the positive news is that taking a sampling of reports on Reddit – caveat: hardly a scientific method, but a reasonable barometer of how things are going – it seems that a fair number of folks are saying their RTX 4000 black screen blues have been resolved. Now, not everyone is claiming that – some are still reporting issues (as you can see in the thread below) – but overall, the wind appears to be blowing in a more favorable direction with this latest driver.

Comment from r/nvidia

Overall, then, it seems this is a solid step forward for Nvidia in terms of rectifying the many glitches that have manifested in its graphics drivers since Blackwell GPUs first emerged, which has to be a good thing.But as noted, those bugs should never have been witnessed in such quantities to begin with, and it’s kind of bewildering as to how this happened – only serving to bolster the cases of those who theorized that Blackwell was a rushed launch.

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AWS, Microsoft and Google testify at UK CMA investigationMicrosoft’s licensing terms and fees appear to be a problemGoogle denies dominance, says it’s a challenger

Ever since the UK’s Competition & Markets Authority has been investigating the health of the UK cloud market, the hyperscalers in question have been battling it out against each other by submitting little digs in official documentation meant to act in their defense.This time, AWS is slamming Microsoft for its unfavorable licensing terms, which are preventing customers from being able to use alternative cloud storage providers without excessive fees.“Perhaps 50% of those workloads currently running on Azure would move elsewhere if it was economically feasible,” AWS told the CMA.

AWS criticizes Microsoft’s licensing terms and high fees

Microsoft’s 2019 changes increased the costs relating to running Windows Server on non-Azure cloud (such as AWS, Google Cloud and Alibaba Cloud), making it up to four times more expensive for customers.Those fees aren’t just affecting customer, either. “AWS said that it has to offset the additional costs imposed by Microsoft’s licensing restrictions including on the cost of licences that need to be repurchased and the additional monetary impact of non-pricing features,” the CMA hearing summary continues, but “it cannot offset all those costs in a profitable way.”Google also agreed with AWS’ comments in a separate hearing summary, providing an example where a customer chose Azure solely for licensing/commercial reasons despite having an actual preference for Google Cloud.However, Google might not be entirely on Amazon’s side. The company described itself as a “challenger cloud provider and a distant third in size to the two market leaders, AWS and Microsoft.” Still, Google is worried that Microsoft could dominate the UK cloud market in as little as five years “if nothing change[s].”Defending its position, Microsoft argued that egress fees are not a major concern for customers, adding that even after removing the fees under the EU Data Act, switching remained low.The outcome of the investigation is anyone’s guess, but the market dominance is clear.When Ofcom first submitted its complaint to the CMA in October 2023, it noted in a report that Microsoft and Amazon accounted for 70-80% of the UK’s cloud market in 2022, estimated to be worth £7 to £7.5 billion. Google, in third place, only accounted for 5-10%.

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o3 and o4-mini are out for Pro, Plus and Team users now, free users can try o4-mini, tooThey can combine and use every tool in ChatGPT's arsenalo3 and o4-mini add reasoning using images to ChatGPT's abilities

OpenAI has just given ChatGPT a massive boost with new o3 and o4-mini models that are available to use right now for Pro, Plus, Team and even free tier users.The new models significantly improve the performance of ChatGPT, and are much quicker at reasoning tasks than the earlier OpenAI reasoning models like ChatGPT o3-mini and o1.Most importantly, they can intelligently decide which of OpenAI’s various tools to use to complete your query, including a new ability to reason with images.OpenAI provided a livestream for the release:

Here are the three most important changes:

1. Combining tools

Both the new reasoning models can agentically use and combine every tool within ChatGPT. That means they have access to all of ChatGPT’s box of tricks including, web browsing, Python coding, image and file analysis, image generation, canvas, automations, file search and memory.The important thing though is that ChatGPT now decides if it needs to use a tool itself based on what you’ve asked.When you ask ChatGPT to do something complicated using the new models, it shows you each step it is taking, and which tool it is using, and how it arrived at that decision.Once it has done all the research the notes on its working out process disappear and you get a report on its conclusions.

2. Better performance

The way that o3 and o4-mini can intelligently decide which tools to use is a step towards the intelligent model switching we’ve been promised with ChatGPT 5, when it finally arrives.As you’d expect from advanced reasoning models, the report you get at the end is extremely detailed, and contains links to all sources used.According to OpenAI, “The combined power of state-of-the-art reasoning with full tool access translates into significantly stronger performance across academic benchmarks and real-world tasks, setting a new standard in both intelligence and usefulness.”The real world result of this is that these models can tackle multi-faceted questions more effectively, so don’t be afraid to ask them to perform several actions at once and produce an answer or report that combines several queries together.

3. Reasoning with images

Reasoning with images in ChatGPT. (Image credit: OpenAI/Apple)

Both new models are the first released by OpenAI that will integrate uploaded images into its chain of thought. They will actually reason using the images, so for example, you could upload a picture of some cars and ask what the name and model of the cars are, then how much retail value they will hold in five years time.This is the first time that ChatGPT has been able to integrate images into a reasoning chain and presents a real step forward for multimodal AI.

Introducing OpenAI o3 and o4-mini—our smartest and most capable models to date.For the first time, our reasoning models can agentically use and combine every tool within ChatGPT, including web search, Python, image analysis, file interpretation, and image generation. pic.twitter.com/rDaqV0x0wEApril 16, 2025

My verdict

I’ve tried the new models on the Plus tier and I’m impressed with both the speed and comprehensiveness of the answers to my queries. While I’ve always enjoyed the depth of reasoning that the o1 and o3-mini models have provided, it’s always meant waiting longer for a response.The o3 model has now become my default model to choose on Plus because it’s fast enough that I don’t feel like I’m waiting around too long for an answer, but I get a satisfying amount of detail.In short, I’m impressed. The new models feel like a natural evolution of ChatGPT into something that’s smarter and more capable. I also like the way that it can decide which of ChatGPT’s various tools it needs to use to provide the best answer.

Trying it for yourself

Here’s how to try the new ChatGPT models for yourself:Plus, Pro and Team users will see that they can select ChatGPT o3, ChatGPT o4-mini and ChatGPT o4-mini-high from the drop-down LLM menu inside ChatGPT, and free tier users can get access to o4-mini by selecting the Reason button in the composer before submitting your query. Edu users will gain access in one week.There’s no visual notification for free tier users that they are now using the 4o-mini reasoning model, but if you click the button and ask ChatGPT which LLM it is using then it now says 4o-mini.There will be a rate limit for how many times a free tier user can use the Reasoning feature, and for Plus users is much higher.OpenAI say they expect to release o3-pro “in a few weeks”, with full tool support. Pro users can already access o1-pro.

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A new costume color customization feature is coming to Marvel Rivals in a patch todayTo unlock new color combos, players will need to exchange Lattice for a premium currency called Unstable MoleculesNetEase Games has confirmed more ways to obtain Unstable Molecules will be introduced in Season 3

NetEase Games has announced a new costume customization feature for Marvel Rivals that will require the exchange of a new currency, but players will need to spend real money to obtain it.In a new X/Twitter post, the developer revealed 'Costume Customization', a highly-requested feature dropping today (April 17) in a new patch that will allow players to change hero costumes' color combinations.The announcement had many fans excited, with many expecting color schemes to be tied to each skin they own. However, in a follow-up post, the studio clarified that the new customization feature will require players to spend Unstable Molecules, a new currency that, for now, can only be bought with real money."Customized Color Costumes will cost 600 Unstable Molecules for exchange," the post reads. "Unstable Molecules can be exchanged from Lattice at a 1:1 rate. You must first obtain the costumes before you can customize them."This means that 600 Unstable Molecules for one color combo will cost 600 Lattice, which is roughly $6.

✨ Unleash your style - Costume Customization is here!You can change your favorite costumes' color combos directly in the Costumes tab starting April 17 at 9:00 AM UTC/2:00 AM PDT. Choose from fresh palettes like Plasma Pulse, Phantom Purple, and more!Just head to the Store,… pic.twitter.com/OswwJFOYELApril 16, 2025

NetEase added that only a select few costumes will have this feature when the patch goes live, but it will "expand more over time to other costumes".So far, four different color combinations have been confirmed for Magik, Psylocke, Luna Snow, and the Winter Soldier, called Rosy Resilience, Phantom Purple, Plasma Pulse, and Winter's Wrath. When players customize costumes, it will also affect the hero's introduction animation, MVP, and emotes.It was also confirmed that starting with Season 3, Marvel Rivals will get more options to obtain Unstable Molecules, suggesting that players may not have to spend real money on Lattice in exchange for the new currency.Marvel Rivals Season 2 is officially live and has introduced a slew of new features, including the new Vanguard hero Emma Frost, a new Krakoa-set Domination map, additional costumes, and a new Battle Pass.

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Google has delivered another blow to Fitbit usersIt's quietly withdrawing support for Google AssistantIt means devices will no longer work with the voice assistant

The death of Fitbit seems more and more inevitable with each passing month, and now Google is ending support for Google Assistant on Fitbit devices, another sure sign of its demise.While Google Assistant is being replaced with Gemini on the best Android smartwatches, likely starting with the Pixel Watch later this year, there's no such hope for users of the best Fitbits, who will lose Google Assistant altogether in the coming days.As noted by multiple outlets, Google recently and quietly announced that Google Assistant support would end on Fitbit."Over the next few weeks, we will be progressively phasing out Google Assistant on your Fitbit device. You can learn more about this process here. This change means that Google Assistant voice control for activities will soon no longer be available on your Fitbit device," the company said in Fitbit's community forum.Google added that "We understand that changes can be disruptive, and we value your feedback," and that it remained "committed to continuously improving your Fitbit app and developing exciting new features. "

Fitbit ends support for Google Assistant

Google assistant going away from r/fitbit

Now, Fitbit users on Reddit are reporting notifications that state "Google Assistant on Fitbit watches is being turned down, this feature will stop working in the coming weeks."Fitbit users have been able to use Google Assistant to ask questions, set alarms, check the weather, and perform many other functions on the devices. The withdrawal makes some sense, given that Google is phasing out Assistant elsewhere. However, as noted, on most devices, that's in favor of the more capable Google Gemini; Fitbit users, however, are simply losing a feature and getting nothing in return.Google's erasure of Fitbit continues apace, and all signs now point to the brand's demise in the future. The company has confirmed that it will sunset Fitbit smartwatches in favor of the Pixel Watch, and chances are its fitness trackers aren't far behind.The company has also shuttered the Fitbit website, and recently endured furious user backlash over an update that crushed the battery life of the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 because of overheating concerns.How many Fitbit users access Google Assistant on a regular basis is unknown, but the loss of functionality symbolizes another nail in the coffin for the brand and is sure to be unpopular with customers.

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Landmark Admin suffered a ransomware attack in May 2024It was initially believed around 800,000 people were affectedNew investigation determined more than 1.6 million victims

More than 1.6 million people are now thought to have been affected by the May 2024 cyberattack at Landmark Admin, twice as many as originally thought.The company confirmed the news in an updated report filed with the Office of the Maine Attorney General.“The forensic investigation determined that data was encrypted and exfiltrated from Landmark’s system,” the company said. “However, there was insufficient evidence available to identify which files had been compromised. The unauthorized activity occurred between May 13, 2024, and June 17, 2024.”

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Ransomware attacks

Landmark Admin is a third-party administrator (TPA) specializing in administrative support services for life insurance and annuity companies.In late October 2024, the company reported suffering a serious ransomware attack in which threat actors also stole sensitive customer data, with the attack allegedly the work of a ransomware operator called Abyss.Following the breach, Landmark Admin shut down its IT systems and remote access to its network to contain the effects, and brought in third-party security experts, who found the personal information of 806,519 people had been stolen.In a data breach notification letter sent to affected customers, Landmark Admin said that the information stolen included people’s full names, addresses, Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, driver’s license numbers, state-issued ID card numbers, passport numbers, financial account numbers, medical information, dates of birth, health insurance policy numbers, and life annuity policy information.The information stolen varied from individual to individual, and since the information stolen is highly sensitive, users were advised to be extra vigilant for potential phishing attacks, social engineering, or possible wire fraud.At the time of the breach, Landmark offered credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through IDX, including 12 months of credit and CyberScan monitoring, a $1,000,000 insurance reimbursement policy, and fully managed ID theft recovery services.Via BleepingComputer

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Windows 11 24H2 users have recently been experiencing Blue Screen of Death crashesThese have been caused by the recent March and April cumulative updatesMicrosoft has rushed out a fix that will be applied to 24H2 PCs automatically

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 24H2 has a problem with Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes caused by the latest updates for the OS, and a fix has been hastily pushed through.Those who are running the new April update for version 24H2 of Windows 11 – or the previous March patch (or the optional update from the end of March, which was the April upgrade in testing) – may encounter these random lock-ups which come with a ‘Secure Kernel Error’ message.Windows Latest picked up on this and also points out that a further error message may be displayed (‘Critical Process Died’), but whatever the exact flavor of this mishap you experience, your PC is going to be frozen up like a lump of so much useless ice, and will need rebooting to thaw it.Microsoft has already applied the resolution for this bug, as mentioned at the outset, and that fix is conveniently delivered as a Known Issue Rollback or KIR. What this means is that the cure will be piped through to your Windows 11 PC automatically, and you don’t have to do anything.However, it may take a little time, as Microsoft explains, and there may be up to a 24-hour wait for the rollback to reach your machine (and tweak it so the blue screen crashes are no longer a problem).

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Analysis: An emergency solution before the full fix

While this bug first crawled into the inner workings of Windows 11 with the March update (over a month ago) for 24H2, apparently it wasn’t until this month’s April update that the glitch started to affect a wider range of users, Windows Latest informs us. Hence this bug then appeared more firmly on Microsoft’s radar and the company got a fix in place quickly (which likely indicates that this must have been a fairly prevalent bug, to get such a swift response).As noted, you may have to wait a little while for the fix to be automatically applied to your Windows 11 system, but it’s likely to have come through at this point. If not, Microsoft suggests that rebooting your PC may prompt Windows 11 to find the KIR patch and grab it, so that’s worth a whirl.You should also bear in mind that this is not the full fix, as the KIR just disables the problem-causing part of the recent Windows 11 updates (Microsoft doesn’t clarify what that is). A “final resolution” is coming – one that’ll reenable whatever change was made in the original updates, minus the blue screen nonsense (hopefully) – and Microsoft says that’s going to be part of a Windows update in the future.The April patch for Windows 11 24H2 has also been causing headaches elsewhere, primarily due to the appearance of a mysterious folder which is actually part of a security fix (in a very odd fashion). Those who deleted the empty folder, which seemed like a harmless enough course of action to some, have been advised to put it back in no uncertain terms.

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Android 16 adds the Identity Check security feature to more Android phones The feature, which puts a biometric lock on key settings, currently only exists on Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices Android 16 is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2025

Android 16 will bring a new security feature to a wider gamut of handsets, following the tool’s prior addition to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones.Identity Check, which requires biometric authentication to access key settings and options, was spotted on a OnePlus 13 running a beta build of Android 16 by Android Authority.The Identity Check feature puts a biometric lock on your phone’s key settings, making it more difficult for other people to change essential options.Though less drastic use cases are possible, Identity Lock is especially useful if your phone is stolen, as the thieves would typically have no access to your fingerprint or face scan (though some facial recognition tools can be fooled with an image).The feature was first rolled out to Google Pixel phones in December 2025, while Samsung has incorporated the feature into One UI 7, first seen on the Galaxy S25 series released in February.As we previously reported, the feature works effectively identically to the iPhone’s Apple Stolen Device Protection tool.If you ask me, Identity Check feels like a natural extension of the Theft Detection Lock feature added with Android 15.As we previously reported, Theft Detection Lock uses a combination of AI, gyrometer measurements, and motion detection to determine whether your phone has been stolen, and shut thieves out.To my eye, these increasingly robust security measures demonstrate Google’s awareness of the fact that getting your phone stolen is a two-part story these days – as expensive as it is to replace the hardware, getting your personal information stolen from within the phone can lead to much more serious complications like identity theft and credit card fraud.I’m glad to see Android 16 bringing this feature to more devices – security features shouldn’t be kept exclusive to one brand so long as the general Android hardware base can support them, and while Samsung is known for its close partnership with Google on new Android features, more security for more people is always the right move.What do you think of this new Identity Check feature? Is it something you’d use? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check out our guide to the best Android phones ahead of Android 16’s release later this year.

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The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max has contactless entry via palm recognitionIt doubles as a video doorbell with 2K footage and AI intruder detectionFootage can be stored either locally, or in the cloud with a subscription

Eufy – the company behind some of the best video doorbells we've tested here at TechRadar – has released a new smart lock with palm recognition for touch-free entry. The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max, which launched today, also has an external camera that offers wide-angle 2K video, plus built-in AI to alert you when a visitor approaches your door – welcome or not.Eufy was one of the first companies to launch a smart lock with palm-recognition (the other big name being Philips with its 5000 Series Video Palm Recognition Smart Lock), and it has several advantages over fingerprint scanners, which are a more common option for keyless entry.Palm recognition works by detecting the unique pattern of blood vessels in your hand, and comparing this with a database of authorized images. In the case of the FamiLock S3 Max, this data is stored locally to protect it from potential security breaches. This means it can be opened without physical contact, and its accuracy isn't affected by skin conditions, sweat, or dirt.Palm recognition also uses more data points than a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition, making it more accurate and much harder to deceive.

(Image credit: Eufy)

Who's there?

The FamiLock S3 Max also functions as a video doorbell, so there's no need for two separate devices. It has a 2K camera and a 140-degree field of vision both vertically and horizonally (the same as higher-end Ring video doorbells), giving you a head-to-toe view of visitors, plus packages left on your doorstep.You'll receive an alert on your phone when someone rings, and the lock's software includes person-detection that can let you know if someone is loitering on your property.Video footage can be saved in the cloud with a paid-for subscription, or locally with a Eufy HomeBase 3 encrypted external hard drive.We're currently testing the Eufy FamiLock S3 Max to see how it compares with the best smart locks from other brands, and will bring you a full review very soon. It's available to buy now direct from Eufy and from Amazon for $399.99 (about £300 / AU$630).

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New "computer use" feature for Copilot Studio gives AI agents more toolsAgents can now interact directly with apps or websitesThis can help with data entry, analysis, research and much more

Microsoft is giving its Copilot Studio AI platform more autonomy in accessing websites and apps directly - without any human interaction.The company has revealed a new "computer use" feature for Copilot Studio, which will allow the platform to directly interact with desktop apps and websites alike, such as clicking buttons, selecting menus, and even typing into fields on the screen.This means companies will be able to build AI agents with a much greater understanding of such systems (essentially anything with a graphical user interface), treating them as if they were tools, allowing for improved functionality across the board.

"Computer use"

(Image credit: Microsoft)

"Copilot Studio is the end-to-end agent platform designed to help organizations achieve their AI and operational goals," Charles Lamanna, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s business & industry Copilot, wrote in a blog post announcing the news."We want to empower you to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and drive innovation."Computer use will allow agents to handle tasks even when there is no API available to connect to the system directly, and can automatically adapt to any changes in the app or website.Developers can use the tool to build agents across both desktop and browser applications, with Edge, Chrome, and Firefox all included from the launch.It works in real-time, using built-in reasoning tools to work out solutions to problems independently, so development can continue uninterrupted.Lamanna laid out several possible scenarios where computer use could prove especially handy for developers, including automating the input of large volumes of data from various sources into a centralized system, carrying out widespread market research from various online sources, and processing invoices much faster and more accurately than before.As the tool runs on Microsoft-hosted infrastructure, users don’t need to manage their own servers, and it includes Copilot Studio’s existing security measures and governance frameworks to help ensure compliance with industry standards.The launch, which will see more attention at Microsoft Build in May 2025, follows a similar announcement of "Actions" in the commercial version of Copilot recently. This system allows for background completion of tasks such as making restaurant reservations, booking event tickets, and purchasing items from online stores.

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Whether you're planning a long vacation or just want more peace of mind, a security camera can make a big difference in your life. Now, our choice for best budget security camera is half off, making safety all the more accessible. You can pick up the newest Blink Mini 2 for $20, down from $40 — a deal last seen during Amazon's Spring Sale.

The Blink Mini 2 offers a great device for the price. It's easy to set up and can be used outside (with a separately purchased water-resistant power adapter). It also has a 1080p HD live view with a built-in spotlight and night vision in color.

If you're in need of multiple Blink Mini 2 cameras then you can take advantage of multi-pack deals. Right now, the two-pack of Blink Mini 2s is down to $38 from $70 — a 46 percent sale. A trio of the cameras is 45 percent off, down to $55 from $100.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-a-blink-mini-2-security-camera-for-half-off-right-now-125338630.html?src=rss

One of the more serious players in the air taxi game, Archer, has just unveiled routes for a potential service in New York City. Its Midnight aircraft would shuttle passengers from Manhattan to JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airpots in five to 15 minutes, potentially shaving an hour or more from typical driving times. However, Archer didn't provide any dates for the start of the service and all of this could be derailed by regulatory bodies, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Any news about air taxis should come with the caveat that no such services are operating yet, even though startups have been trying for a decade or more. With that said, Archer has partnered with a number of established aviation and other companies including Fiat Chrysler and United Airlines, along with fixed base operators (FBOs) like Signature Aviation and Atlantic Aviation. Archer also previously announced proposed air taxi networks in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Archer's plan is to have you book air taxi rides as an "add-on" to traditional flights. You'd launch from existing Manhattan facilities, namely the East 34th Street Heliport, Downtown Skyport and West 30th Street Heliport. From there, you'd be able to fly to "vertiports" at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airpots, along with locations at other regional airports. Flights would be aboard the company's human-piloted, four-passenger Midnight aircraft with 12 rotors, six batteries and a range of 20-50 miles.

Archer

Archer does have United Airlines, New York's Port Authority and the New York City Economic Development Corportation (NYCEDC) all on board. However, it hasn't provided important details like the number of potential flights per day, operating hours and more. That information would be vital to the FAA, which must decide if the service is safe for passengers, other aircraft and people on the ground.

That's an undertaking that could require a lot of time and cost, and Archer's VTOL aircraft still hasn't received its FAA type certification required for any operations. The company did receive the FAA's final airworthiness criteria, though, making it one of only two air taxi companies with that certification along with rival Joby Aviation. The only air taxi company to obtain type certification from an aviation regulator is EHang from China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC).

The air taxi game is risky for startups, too. Late last year one of Archer's VTOL rivals, Lilium ceased operations, laying off 1,000 people, despite successful flight tests. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/archer-outlines-its-plan-to-use-air-taxis-between-new-yorks-major-airports-123024903.html?src=rss

Hackers are using stolen email accounts to launch phishing attacksThey are creating fake landing pages through Gamma AI,e xperts warnThe goal is to steal Microsoft login credentials

Gamma, a relatively new AI-powered presentation software tool, is being abused in hyper-convincing phishing attacks that impersonate Microsoft’s SharePoint and aim to steal people’s login credentials.Cybersecurity researchers Abnormal spotted the attacks in the wild, and described the phishing flow as “so polished it feels legitimate at every step.”The attack starts with a generic, quick-to-the-point phishing email being sent from a legitimate, but compromised, email account. This helps the crooks bypass standard authentication checks like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC and land the email directly into the target’s inbox.

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Spoofing SharePoint

The email itself is nothing out of the ordinary, and carries a PDF attachment that, in reality, is just a hyperlink, leading to a presentation hosted on Gamma, an AI-powered online presentation builder.The presentation features the impersonated organization’s logo and a message in the lines of “View PDF” or “Review Secure Documents”.The message is in the form of a hyperlink that leads to an intermediary splash page holding impersonated Microsoft branding and a Cloudflare Turnstile. That way, crooks make sure that actual humans, not basic automated security tools, access the site.If the victim clicks on the call-to-action, they are taken to a phishing page that impersonates the Microsoft SharePoint sign-in portal.This is where the actual theft happens, since the victims are then invited to log in using their Microsoft credentials.Typing in the wrong credentials returns an error, prompting the researchers to conclude that the attackers have some sort of adversary-in-the-middle setup that helps them verify the credentials in real-time.Abnormal says the attack is unique mostly because Gamma is a “relative newcomer” on the scene, only being around for a few years.“Organizations are becoming increasingly familiar with file-sharing phishing attacks in general, and some may have even begun incorporating examples into their security awareness training. That being said, it’s highly likely that the percentage of companies that have updated their cybersecurity education to include this type of phishing is low—and the number that use examples of attacks other than those exploiting household brands like Docusign and Dropbox is even lower,” the researchers said.“Thus, this kind of attack may not set off alarm bells that encourage a higher level of scrutiny from employees the way an attack that exploits Canva or Google Drive might.”

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Doctor Who season 2 is finally up and running, and I imagine you – yes, you, fellow Whovian – want to know when you can watch its next episode.In this article, I'll tell you where you can stream this season's second chapter, titled 'Lux', in the US, UK, and Australia. I'll also run you through what date and time it'll launch in these nations.Without further ado, then, here's when you'll be reunited with The Doctor and Bel in Doctor Who's sophomore season (or, if you've been watching the show's revival since 2005, season 15).

What time is Doctor Who season 2 episode 2 going to be released in the US?

Get ready to say hello to Mister Ring-a-ding, everyone (Image credit: BBC One/Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+)

'Lux' will premiere on Disney+ in the US on Saturday, April 19 at 12am PT / 3am ET. That's the same time that Doctor Who season 2 episode 1 was released on one of the world's best streaming services.

When can I stream Doctor Who season 2 episode 'Lux' in the UK?

Sprinting towards your TV to watch Doctor Who's latest episode like... (Image credit: BBC One/Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+)

UK fans can watch Doctor Who season 2's forthcoming chapter on Saturday, April 19 at 8am BST.Well, on BBC iPlayer, anyway. 'Lux' will also air on BBC One later on the same day, with an expected release time of 6:50pm BST. That's when its predecessor, 'The Robot Revolution,' made its BBC One debut last Saturday (April 12).So, unless there's a scheduling change between now and then, I'd expect 'Lux' to be released at that time, too.

What is the release date of episode 2 of Doctor Who season 2 in Australia?

Here's a sneak peek at next week's #DoctorWho episode - LUX! 🎥🚀💡Watch from Saturday 19th April on @BBCiPlayer in the UK and @DisneyPlus where available. pic.twitter.com/ObdwgTHhJzApril 12, 2025

Just like American and British viewers, the iconic Time Lord's fanbase can see this season's second episode on Saturday, April 19 albeit with a launch time of 5pm AEST.

When will new episodes of Doctor Who season 2 premiere in the US, UK, and Australia?

It's time to get her home 🌌#DoctorWho: THE ROBOT REVOLUTION is streaming NOW on @BBCiPlayer in the UK and @DisneyPlus where available. pic.twitter.com/7YKurPXny3April 12, 2025

Want to know when new installments of one of the best Disney+ shows (and best BBC TV Originals, for those of you in the UK) will be available to watch? Read the full release schedule below for more details.

Doctor Who season 2 episode 1 – out nowDoctor Who season 2 episode 2 – Saturday, April 19Doctor Who season 2 episode 3 – Saturday, April 26Doctor Who season 2 episode 4 – Saturday, May 3Doctor Who season 2 episode 5 – Saturday, May 10Doctor Who season 2 episode 6 – Saturday, May 17Doctor Who season 2 episode 7 – Saturday, May 24Doctor Who season 2 episode 8 – Saturday, May 31

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Nike has teamed up with Hyperice, a company that specializes in products meant for muscle recovery and relaxation in athletes, to launch the Hyperboot. Originally introduced in the summer of 2024, the Hyperboot looks pretty much like a pair of chunky high-top shoes. The companies said it's more than that, however, calling it a "heat and dynamic air-compression massage tool" that you can walk in.

It's equipped with dual-air bladders with heating elements throughout its entire upper. The Hyperboot was designed to massage its wearer's feet with sequential compression patterns designed to "drive heat deep into the muscle and tissue in the foot and ankle." Apparently, that helps athletes feel like they've already warmed up before they even start their warm-up routine. It also helps them recover much faster. Nike and Hyperice have been testing the Hyperboot with help from athletes, one of whom was Sha'Carri Richardson, Olympic gold medalist for track and field, who said that the device allowed her to "start warming up and recovering while still being mobile."

Wearers will be able to synchronize their boots with the press of a button to make sure they're delivering compressions at the same time. They'll also be able to choose from three levels of compression and three levels of heat. And for those wondering why the boots' soles are so thick, it's because that's where the battery packs are located. They can power the footwear for one to one-and-a-half hours on maximum setting and up to eight hours in massage mode with no heat. It takes five to six hours to charge them.

The Hyperboot might look like a concept, but it'll soon be something you can actually buy. It will be available from Nike's and Hyperice's websites, as well as from some of their retail partners, starting on May 17 in North America. They're also planning to release it worldwide later this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/nike-and-hyperice-to-release-the-hyperboot-warm-up-footwear-for-athletes-on-may-17-130019623.html?src=rss

Pellet grills are great for the "set it and forget it" style of low-and-slow cooking things like brisket, pork shoulders and other barbecue meats require. And most of them will get hot enough to sear a steak, although not all models offer some type of direct-flame grilling. Recteq thinks it has finally cracked the code with its new X-Fire Pro, a smart pellet grill that the company says will replace a gas grill thanks to a 1,250-degree Fahrenheit maximum temperature.

The X-Fire Pro has two separate modes for both of those styles of cooking: Grill Mode and Smoke Mode. The grill offers a temperature range of 225-1,250 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can do everything in between smoking and searing too. Adaptive Sear Control allows backyard cooks to adjust how much direct flame they want. Turn it all the way up to sear a steak or keep it at a lower level for "classic grilling." And Grill Mode has low, medium and high temperature settings, so using it will feel familiar to anyone who has used a gas grill.

“This is a totally new grill concept for Recteq and the pellet grill category as a whole,” CEO Ralph Santana said in the X-Fire Pro announcement. “Our research indicated that while the majority of gas grillers enjoy their current grilling experience, they wish they could also cook low and slow. So, we challenged ourselves to replicate the hot, fast, open-lid convenience of gas while still delivering that additional control and versatility of pellet grill smoking."

recteq

With 825 square inches of cooking space, Recteq says you'll have enough capacity for 28 pork chops or 26 burgers, and that should be plenty of room for multiple chickens, briskets or pork shoulders. The hopper holds up to 20 pounds of pellets, which is enough fuel for up to 20 hours of use. Durable materials like stainless steel and cast iron were used for components like the barrel, heat deflector and grill grates.

The X-Fire Pro is also equipped with Recteq's smart grilling tech, which includes precise PID temperature control for Smoke Mode and the ability to monitor temperatures from afar with Wi-Fi connectivity. This is done with the Recteq app, software that also allows you to make adjustments to the grill from your phone. The X-Fire Pro comes with two meat temperature probes, and those stats get beamed to the app as well.

The X-Fire Pro is available now from Recteq, Amazon and other retailers in the US for $1,550. The company is also selling a rotisserie spit rod add-on for $250. That price is comparable to Traeger's new Woodridge Elite that comes with slightly more cooking space, enclosed storage and a side burner. That grill doesn't have an open-lid mode though. Weber's Searwood does, and the largest version of it clocks in at $1,199.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/recteq-debuts-the-x-fire-pro-dual-mode-pellet-grill-that-can-sear-at-1250-degrees-130007516.html?src=rss

Sony has released a first trailer for 28 Days LaterThe movie will be released on June 20, 2025Fans are impressed that the trailer hasn't spoiled too much

28 Years Later is shaping up to be a very worthy sequel and one I've been excited about since the first movie was released. The new trailer for it has made me even more excited, too.We've had a few teasers so far, including one where fans mistook a zombie for Cillian Murphy, but now we've been given a proper look ahead of the movie's release on June 20.I previously mentioned 28 Years Later in my most anticipated horror movies of 2025 round up, and it won't be long until it arrives on the big screen. However, a streaming release is currently unknown, and recently we complained about how we can’t find 28 Days Later on any of the best streaming services.Take a look at the gripping new trailer below filled with tension, dread, blood and everything we love about one of the best zombie franchises.

How have fans reacted to the 28 Years Later trailer?

This is not Cillian Murphy, but it had fans fooled! (Image credit: Sony Pictures)

Based on comments I've seen, fans are very happy that the 28 Years Later trailer hasn't spoiled much.One of the top comments on YouTube reads: "I'll give this trailer props for not showing major plot points and just showing bits and pieces to keep us interested for the actual movie. This is how a trailer should be done."I'm inclined to agree too, as oftentimes, trailers can give way too much away, like the time I complained the Companion trailer spoiled a big part of the movie. Especially with something like a horror, it's best going in as blind as possible.As a big fan of Danny Boyle, I'm impressed he's keeping so much under wraps for us to uncover when the movie is released. With a star-studded cast like Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, this could be the horror event of the year.

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Xbox boss Phil Spencer has once again confirmed his support for the Nintendo Switch 2Spencer is a "really big believer" in Nintendo and what it can do for the industryHe also says there isn't any pressure about revealing Xbox's next-gen project following the Switch 2 hardware reveal

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has reaffirmed that Xbox is still interested in supporting the Nintendo Switch 2.In a new interview with Variety following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct earlier this month, Spencer was asked if there are any plans to branch out to the Switch 2 amid Microsoft's ongoing multi-platform push, which has seen games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle make their way to PS5.Like the Xbox boss expressed in January, he said that the company will support the Switch 2, like the Switch, as it's another way to reach more players, and thinks that Nintendo is an important part of the industry overall."So we’ve been supporting Switch 1, I want to support Switch 2. Nintendo has been a great partner," Spencer said. "We think it is a unique way for us to reach players who aren’t PC players, who aren’t players on Xbox. It lets us continue to grow our community of people that care about the franchises that we have, and that’s really important for us to make sure we continue to invest in our games."I’m really a big believer in what Nintendo means for this industry and us continuing to support them. And getting the support from them for our franchises, I think, is an important part of our future."Although no Xbox games were revealed to be coming to the Switch 2 during the showcase, it's rumored that titles like Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator will be coming to the platform in the future.When asked if Nintendo's big reveal of the Switch 2's hardware has made Xbox "antsy" in terms of revealing its own next-gen project, Spencer said "No," and thinks the industry "should focus on our communities and the player base that we're building"."I get inspired by what a lot of different creators do and other platform holders. But I believe in the plans that we have," he said. "Obviously, we’re evolving what it means to be Xbox and meeting players in so many different places. There are 3 billion people who play video games on the planet and I get up every morning and think about how Xbox can be more relevant to the 3 billion people who play."And that’s through making sure we’re leading in how our games and our platform features can be available in as many places as possible, whether that’s Cloud, whether it’s people playing on PC, whether it’s people playing on console. So we’re really driven by trying to grow our franchises and our platform to be an important part of gaming for as many of those 3 billion gamers as we can reach."The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, for $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.Pre-orders are now live in the UK, but US pre-orders and Canadian pre-orders have been delayed as Nintendo assesses the potential impact of tariffs.

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A discounted Apple TV+ subscription is as rare as any offer from Apple, but the company is being rather generous with its current deal on one of the best streaming services. Right now you can get Apple TV+ for three months for only $2.99 in the US, £2.99 in the UK and AU$3.99 in Australia.There's still some time to claim this offer, which applies to both new and returning customers, before it ends on April 24, and if you do snap it up, there are five TV shows that should be at the top of your streaming list.When it comes to the best Apple TV+ shows, its hit sci-fi series Severance is an obvious choice – make sure to read our Severance season 2 review and Severance season 3 guide for more news about its next installment when you're done.But there's a whole range of shows alongside Severance that are on my radar, spanning dramas, comedies, and thrillers.

Apple TV+ 3-month subscription: was $9.99 a month now $2.99 at AppleWe don't often see streaming deals for Apple TV+, so we wouldn't wait to snap up this great offer before it expires on April 24. This limited-time Apple TV+ deal brings down the usual three-month price of a subscription to the service to just $8.97, representing a massive 70% saving. There is a catch though: you can't have been a subscriber in the last month, but if that's not you then you're good to sign up.View Deal

The Studio

RT score: 96%Age rating: TV-MALength: ~44 minute episodesCreators: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Frida Perez

A satirical comedy show that criticises the entertainment industry? Sign me up. A recent addition to Apple TV+'s library of titles, The Studio has already proved itself to be a staple on the platform and has been well received by audiences. With its strong main cast and list of self-starring guests, The Studio sits at the top of my list.Film production company Continental Studios finds itself struggling to keep up with rapidly changing tastes, and as a result it appoints a new studio head Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) to keep the business afloat. Remick discovers that his job is much more difficult than anticipated, and must save the studio from floundering by keeping up with ongoing social and economic changes.

Disclaimer

RT score: 76%Age rating: TV-MALength: ~55 minute episodesDirector: Alfonso Cuarón

I thoroughly enjoyed Todd Field's psychological drama Tár (2022), and I loved Cate Blanchett even more. This miniseries from Alfonso Cuarón, who directed Children of Men (2006) and Gravity (2013) seems to offer a similar premise and tone to Field's movie, and can easily be binged with this three-month Apple TV+ offer.Celebrated documentary journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett) has made a career out of exposing the private lives and wrongdoings of others, but the tables are turned when she receives a novel from a mystery author and discovers that she is the main character in a story that reveals her darkest and deepest secrets. To protect herself she attempts to find discover identity of the mystery author, but in doing so she must come face-to-face with her past.It's pretty much Tár 2.0 the remix, with an even darker spin on the theme of cancel culture.

Ted Lasso

RT critics score: 90%Age rating: TV-MALength: ~29 minute episodesDevelopers: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly

Ted Lasso is by far one of the most popular shows on Apple TV+, so it would feel like a wasted opportunity to not tick this off my watchlist in the next three months. Not only does its high Rotten Tomatoes scores from both critics and audiences show that it's been well received, but its numerous Emmy nominations and wins are the icing on the cake.US college football coach Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is recruited to help a British Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond, even though he has no experience in the sport. After gaining ownership of the team following a divorce, owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) hires Ted in that hope that it will lead to the team's downfall, which wouild devastate her ex-husband. But to everyone's surprise, Ted's attitude and personality grows on Rebecca and the rest of the team.

Lessons in Chemistry

RT score: 83%Age rating: TV-MALength: ~41 minute episodesCreator: Lee Eisenberg

Lessons in Chemistry is another miniseries that's ideal for bingeing if you just want to sample the best of Apple TV+ for three months. There are only eight episodes, and whole lot of Brie Larson – my main reason for watching.Based on the book by Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry is a historical drama set in the 1960s and follows aspiring scientist Elizabeth Zott (Larson) who finds it challenging to reach her goals because of the societal attitudes of the time. After being fired from her job as a lab tech she's presented with a hosting job on a cooking show called Supper at Six, educating housewives on scientific topics. But Elizabeth sees this as the perfect opportunity to teach the entire nation, including men, a lesson that's more than just new recipes.

Pachinko

RT score: 97%Age rating: TV-MALength: ~47 minute episodesCreator: Soo Hugh

Pachinko is an Apple TV+ shows I've only recently come across, and although I've never been drawn to stories that take place over several generations but this show sounds like a powerful and moving account of a family in search of a better life.Premiering in 2022, Pachinko follows a Korean family between 1915 and 1989. In the early 1930s, Kim Sunja (Kim Min-ha & Youn Yuh-jung) who leaves her family in Japanese-dominated Korea to start a new life in Japan where she finds herself the target of further discrimination as a Korean woman. In an epic search to make a better life for herself, Pachinko highlights the issues of racism and stereotyping in the Korean experience of Japan in the 20th century.

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The best free games in 2025 provide a crucial resource for those who love the pastime but don't enjoy spending large amounts of money after every new release.Thankfully, there are tons of superb games that you can play for free. Many of these entries also grace our lists of best FPS games, the best RPGs, or the best multiplayer PC games. It just proves that if you're careful, you don't have to spend money to have fun.However, it is important to understand that while these games are all free-to-play, some may include microtransactions or in-game purchases for optional content. This won't affect the fun, but it is worth knowing before you dive in.So, if you're looking for something new to enjoy by yourself or with friends without cashing out any money, then check out this list, where we have gathered all the best free games that are worth playing.

Best free games 2025

(Image credit: Riot Games)

16. ValorantAgent under fire

Why we love itValorant continues to evolve and grow over time, managing to stay up to date thanks to new Agents, and a vibrant competitive scene. Despite being a very e-sports heavy shooter, Valorant is surprisingly friendly to new players. If you're looking to dip your toe into a tactical FPS, this is the one to try.

Valorant is a surprisingly approachable tactical FPS, at least when compared to its competitors. By offering over 25 Agents to choose from, the game does a great job at encouraging experimentation, and at rewarding a variety of play styles. Whether you want to rack up kills, protect your teammates, or seek out opponents to mark them on the map, there's an option for you.For a game with such a heavy competitive-focus, Valorant is also a great entry point for those looking to try out a more e-sports friendly game. It's free too, and you'll unlock a handful of Agents from the get-go. Unlock more just by playing to get a wider selection, each with their own abilities and skills. If you're into shooting games, the thrilling 5v5 matches of Valorant are sure to keep you busy for a while.

(Image credit: Bungie)

15. Destiny 2Light vs. dark

Why we love itDestiny 2 has really proven itself over the years, with a constant stream of updates giving players more and more reasons to keep playing. The base experience is free as well, meaning you can get a taste for yourself, before deciding to dive in further. If you do decide to play Destiny 2, there's hundreds of hours of excellent FPS gameplay to enjoy, with some of the best art-direction in the business.

Destiny 2 now features a frankly dizzying amount of content. Thanks to years and years of updates from Bungie, including 2024's excellent The Final Shape, players have been coming back again and again to continue the story. It's a real achievement when you consider just how much has been added on top of the base game, with the base experience even being free-to-play these days.As an FPS, Destiny 2 is absolutely fantastic, providing a modernized version of what Bungie accomplished with the Halo series. Destiny 2 is a very different beast to the studio's early work, however, paving the way for games as a service and the rise of always-evolving online experiences. Destiny 2 is one of the ones to really get this new model right, using post-launch updates to further an ongoing story, and give players new reasons to play.

(Image credit: NetEase)

14. Marvel RivalsTeam-up!

Why we love it"With 33 Heroes to play as, best-in-class presentation bookending matches, and a free-to-play monetization model, Marvel Rivals is almost too good to be true. There’s balancing issues, and some core problems with the way objectives play out, sure, but given that Marvel Rivals has only just launched, the future is very bright indeed. For now, you’ll be able to jump in and have fun, whether you’re looking for competitive challenge, or casual fun." - Jake Green, TechRadar Gaming contributor.

Marvel Rivals has seen huge success since launching at the tail end of 2024. With 33 Heroes to choose from, each with distinct abilities and play-styles, there's plenty to keep you busy as you get to grips with the flow of the game. Essentially, this is a more action-packed Overwatch, with added character variety, largely in the form of melee brawlers. As you push the payload and hold objectives, you'll need to work with your team, filling your role and adapting to the other team's composition.If that all sounds a bit much for you, worry not! Marvel Rivals is a very easy game to enjoy as a more casual gamer. Characters like Punisher are perfect for beginners, with a third-person shooting style of play. If you're not feeling one Hero, however, you can simply jump to another, and there's plenty of depth with each one for those looking for a more competitive edge.

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

13. BrawlhallaEpic platform-fighting fun

Why we love it"Brawlhalla offers a huge amount of fighters to experiment with, with many of them needing several hours to get to grips with. Others are easier to grasp immediately, with powerful and intuitive special attacks and platforming abilities. It's genuinely surprising that Brawlhalla is free to play, especially given how smooth the online experience is these days" - Jake Green, TechRadar Gaming Contributor.

Brawlhalla is a hidden gem, one that can be picked up for free on a whole host of platforms. Nowadays, there's a huge roster of characters to choose from, including tie-ins like SpongeBob, Darth Maul and even WWE resellers like Xavier Woods and John Cena. With these characters come themed stages to battle around, and an awesome soundtrack to keep things bumping.There's real care put into each and every fighter in Brawlhalla, and several different play-styles to master. Unlike other platform fighters, Brawlhalla offers a silky smooth online experience, meaning you can easily jump in with up to eight players online. There's casual, ranked and private matches to choose from, and loads of options to cater your experience.

(Image credit: Valve)

12. Counter-Strike 2 A fresh coat of paint

Why we love it"This is essentially the same game that's been beloved by players for years at this point, but with a shiny new coat of paint. While it can be a bit tricky to get into, it's a real blast once you learn the ropes. Simple, yet surprisingly deep, Counter-Strike 2 is a shining example of why the FPS genre continues to be so popular." - Jake Green, TechRadar Gaming Contributor.

Counter-Strike 2 takes the iconic FPS and gives it a much needed spruce up. In the process, CS:GO has been shuttered, but there's still plenty to love here. If you're a newbie, it's well worth trying out CS2, given how it's been subtly modernized to be more in line with its competitors. It is an inherently difficult game to learn, however, so be aware that it may take a little while for the game to click fully.The great thing about CS2 is that it's free to play, meaning you can try it out and see for yourself whether it's for you. Ultimately, this is a very pure FPS experience, where skilled players will excel.

(Image credit: Activision)

11. Warzone Be the last one standing

Why we love itWarzone has managed to stand tall above many of its competitors. Namely, this has been due to smart tie-ins with each year's major Call of Duty release, keeping things fresh even years after launch. The gunplay is tight, and the large Battle Royale maps are some of the best-designed in the business. Check it out if you're a fan of FPS games.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, XSX|S, XBO, PCWarzone is still trucking along, managing to stay competitive with its major rivals Fortnite and Apex Legends (more on those later). In terms of gunplay, it's the best in the business, integrating excellent sound design, and a wide range of weaponry to choose from. While it's gone through a few different versions over the years, the main thing keeping the game fresh these days is the introduction of new modes and maps. There's also annual major updates to bring it in-line with the Call of Duty game coming out that year, the latest being Black Ops 6.Whether you want the slow and methodical pace of the full Battle Royale mode, or something snappier in Rebirth Island, there's plenty for players to enjoy here. Unlike other Call of Duty games, it's also free to play, making it easy to try out for yourself. There are micro transactions galore, however, so be aware that there's a lot of pressure to spend your real money once you load into the game.

(Image credit: Psyonix)

10. Rocket LeagueOff the wall fun

Why we love itRocket League is one of the best competitive games available to play right now. The skill and mechanics make this game uniquely entertaining.

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox OneRocket League presents a combination of arcade-style soccer and vehicular chaos in a bright, frantic battle to be the best team. Putting you in a 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3 battles, you will need to learn how to master the simple controls and use each environment to your advantage to score goals before the timer runs out.With regularly changing seasons, Rocket League offers in-game cosmetic items for your vehicle to unlock as you progress, alongside several game modes to work toward. For a casual player, there are plenty of opportunities to play matches either with your friends or online, but if you're looking for more competition, ranked game modes let you put your skills to the test.

(Image credit: Grinding Gear Games)

9. Path of ExileA dark fantasy action RPG

Why we love itIf you're a fan of epic RPGs then this is a game that you need to check out. The various skills and resources that you can access is varied and exciting.

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox OnePath of Exile is a fantastic action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. Within this title, you'll be challenged with playing as one of seven classes that you will need to master in order to fight your way through ancient Gods and evil forces.As you battle your way through the game, you'll unlock new skills and collect randomly generated items to assist your journey through various dungeons, caves, and outdoor areas. Up to six players can play together, too, making it one of the best co-op games if you're looking for a multiplayer experience without breaking the bank.

(Image credit: Epic Games)

8. Fortnite A tense competition to come out on top

Why we love it"Beneath all of the dances, the skins, and the Battle Pass, Fortnite Battle Royale is an excellently designed, ever-shifting platform of a game that respects a player's time whether they choose to spend money or not. There's enough of a learning curve to keep us coming back time and time again, while also being a fun place to play a quick game with a friend. It truly is a modern marvel." - Lloyd Coombes, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4For players looking for a tense battle royale, Fortnite ticks every box. Esteemed as one of the best shooters, you'll battle online against up to 100 players with a variety of weapons and gear at your disposal. As the storm closes in, you'll need to protect yourself from the environment while chipping away at your competitors in order to come out on top.Constant updates also keep the in-game content exciting, and new weapons, locations, and events are hosted to keep you engaged. Whether you want to play solo or experience the title with a squad of up to four players, Fortnite is worth picking up if you haven't already.

(Image credit: EA)

7. Apex LegendsThe next evolution of Hero Shooters

Why we love it If you're looking for a mix-up between Counter Strike 2 and Overwatch 2, then look no further. Apex Legends regularly receives major updates, adding in new Legends, and even new maps. Its easy to get into, with heaps to discover as you master the game.

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo SwitchApex Legends offers a tense, team-based experience if you want a more tactical shooter. Offering a variety of heroes to select from, all boasting different skills to utilize when facing your enemies, you'll need to navigate different maps and work efficiently as a team to get the most kills before the end of a round.There are also various game modes that you can enjoy. Whether you love the chaotic violence of Battle Royale or just want an arena to show off your skills, there's Team Deathmatch, Control, and Gun Run.Apex Legends is constantly being upgraded with quality-of-life improvements as well as various new heroes and expansions to the lore, so it's a great free-to-play game to jump into at any time.

(Image credit: Mediatonic)

6. Fall GuysA family-friendly slice of fun

Why we love itFall Guys is a ton of fun whether you're alone or with friends. The colorful and exciting maps provide adequate challenge without you having to break too much of a sweat.

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4In this charming, brightly-colored platformer, you can up to 60 players go head-to-head in a variety of obstacle courses in a frantic competition to win the crown. Throwing in a mix of team-based mini-games, fast-paced puzzles, and a lot of platforming luck, Fall Guys is a slice of friendly competition worth playing if you need a pick-me-up you don't have to pay for.There are a variety of game modes and events to take part in, alongside a standard 'show' which you can face either alone or in a squad of up to four players, meaning there's always fresh content to enjoy with your fellow beans.

(Image credit: Embark Studios)

5. The FinalsEnter the arena

Why we love itThe Finals is a high stakes fast-paced FPS game which allows players to change the environment to their liking, whether you want to alter, exploit, or right out destroy your surroundings, it's all up to you.

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PCThe Finals is a new multiplayer FPS games which sees groups of three enter a virtual arena which is changeable. The end goal is to make it through escalating tournaments right to the very end, with lasting fame as your prize.The fast-paced action in The Finals, as well as various builds and destructible environments, make it an excitingly unique experience. It also encourages building gameplans and coordination amongst your playgroup, meaning you can put a unique spin on the action.If you're looking to jump on a new FPS with your mates and don't want to commit any cash to the cause yet, then this is a fantastic option.

(Image credit: HoYoverse)

4. Honkai: Star RailA space fantasy RPG for gacha fans

Why we love itThe vast world in Honkai: Star Rail is exciting and easy to explore. The various characters are also a bonus in this dungeon-crawling world.

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Android, iOSHonkai: Star Rail is a gacha space fantasy RPG, with a huge variety of eclectic characters to collect, and tense, turn-based combat. There's a huge world for you to explore, and elements of dungeon-crawling keep you and your in-game companions on your toes. You'll need to make sure the characters you've chosen to accompany your journey are as strong as possible to prevent your team from getting knocked down by the enemies you're bound to meet along the way.If you're looking for one of the best RPGs to sink your time into which typically strays from the tense competition of free games like Fortnite and Valorant, Honkai: Star Rail might be worth trying out.

(Image credit: Nuverse)

3. Marvel SnapA card collecting battler for Marvel fanatics

Why we love itMarvel Snap is a brilliant game to have if you're always on the go. Getting to play it when you're at a lose end is refreshing and fun.

Platforms: PC, MobileIf you're hunting for an exciting mobile game, Marvel Snap is the perfect addition to any card game lovers' library. This strategic card collector offers you a deck inspired by Marvel characters with different powers and abilities you'll need to harness to outsmart your opponent to come out on top. It takes minutes to learn, yet there are hours of fun embedded in its vibrant animations and exciting mechanics.Each match lasts three minutes, so the game is incredibly pick up and play when it suits you. In addition, success is rewarded through new cards to help bulk out your roster with the best characters in the MCU. Marvel Snap is also available on PC if you wanted a slightly larger screen to play on.

(Image credit: Riot Games)

2. League of LegendsA team-based competition of defense

Why we love it The countless unique characters breath incredibly life into League of Legends. The lore and stories behind the game is also one to be admired.

Platforms: PCLeague of Legends takes the cake as one of the best team-based games, putting two teams of five against each other in a desperate attempt to protect their side of the map. Although the premise is pretty simple, the excitement comes through its cast of over 150 unique champions with different playstyles and abilities which help you become the most powerful team on the field.Because of how many champions there are to choose from, you'll be able to find a character to suit how you like to play, and in-game events alongside alternative game modes will keep things fresh no matter how many hours you pour into it. The bustling community of League of Legends players means there's always a team waiting for you, too.

(Image credit: Electronic Arts)

1. The Sims 4A social simulator for the ages

Why we love itThe skies the limit for The Sims 4. The customizing and ability to create whatever scenarios suit you best mean that you can have endless fun here.

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox OneThe Sims 4 is one of the best social simulation games, and since October 2022, it's entirely free to play. Use your creativity to bring characters to life, build houses, develop relationships, and watch your virtual family thrive. Although the entire game is single-player, you'll quickly find yourself slipping into Willow Creek or Oasis Springs for hours on end. We'd even go as far as to say it's one of the best single-player games, depending on how many hours you are prepared to sacrifice for it.Of course, if you're looking to take your experience one step further with expansion packs and DLC you'll need to start paying, but the base game still has hundreds of hours worth of content to keep you and your Sims family entertained.

Best free games 2025: FAQs

(Image credit: Electronic Arts)

What free games are coming out in 2025?There are multiple free upcoming games that are worth keeping an eye on. For one, there's a new Fortnite chapter to enjoy, as well as a series of updates to Warzone following the release of Black Ops 6. Verdansk is even returning soon.

What is the best free game?Deciding on which free game is the best of the best is down to personal preference and which genre you're looking to pick up, really. Most free games have active communities due to offering a fantastic experience at no charge, which can be a fantastic way to tell how good a game is. Many players would suggest that games with huge player bases like Fortnite or League of Legends are the best free games, but at the end of the day, it's down to what you like more than anything else.

How we made our best free games list

Our list of the best free games is designed to show the variety of free games across all platforms, and how there are multiple games you can enjoy without having to buy any additional content.Our team of experts at TechRadar Gaming has spent hundreds of hours testing the best free games so we know which ones to recommend, whether that's going head-to-head for the crown in Fall Guys, or pouring thousands of hours into Fortnite. We've ensured both experts and new players have been diving into different genres as well to see how the user experience is for players with all sorts of backgrounds.Because of this, we've tried to include everything from tactical shooters to social simulators in our list of the best. In addition, we've included titles that can either be enjoyed solo or with a couple of friends for those game nights where you can't decide on what to play.

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Strava has exercised its right to expand. A bad pun, yes, but apt considering the exercise tracking app has purchased Runna, a UK-based company that provides its users personalized running plans and coaching. The deal proceeded for an undisclosed sum of money.

Strava reports that interest in running has grown significantly, with 43 percent of its members wanting to do a big race or event this year. "Running is booming worldwide — nearly 1 billion runs were recorded on Strava in 2024. Runna’s mission to give every runner a personalised plan to achieve their goal is a perfect fit," Strava CEO Michael Martin stated. "Coming off Strava’s accelerated innovation and unprecedented growth last year, it was the right time to look for complementary businesses that could create even greater value for our users." Last year, Strava launched features such as a family plan and night heat maps.

Runna launched in 2022, but has since grown to a team of 180 employees working on an app available in 180 countries. According to Martin, Strava and Runna will be kept as separate apps for the time being, with plans to expand the latter's team and resources. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/strava-buys-uk-based-personalized-running-plan-app-runna-133044850.html?src=rss

Sure, it's getting warmer outside but, if you ask me, there's no reason that should get in the way of watching TV. With that in mind, we're very excited to see that our favorite all-in-one streaming device is now on sale.

Right now, you can get the Google TV Streamer 4K for $79, down from $100 — a 21 percent discount. This deal is the lowest price we've seen since the device went on sale in October of last year. The low price is (unsurprisingly) available on Amazon, but is also the same if you purchase it directly from Google.

We gave the Google TV streamer 4K an 87 in our review thanks to features like its great interface that keeps everything organized and clear, even across different streaming sources. It also has a simple, easy-to-use remote and switches between content very quickly. However, it does require an HDMI cord (which is not included) and doesn't work with Wi-Fi 6 or 6E.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-google-tv-streamer-4k-drops-to-a-record-low-of-79-133539395.html?src=rss