News

Google Photos is adding an Ultra HDR feature to some Android phonesThis lets you increase photo vibrancy in a few tapsIt can be applied to regular photos even after they’ve been taken

If you’ve taken a bunch of photos but wish they could be jazzed up with a little HDR magic, you’re in luck. That’s because Google has just added the ability to enhance your images with Ultra HDR effects in Google Photos. Better yet, the HDR changes can be applied to regular pictures, even if you’ve already taken and uploaded them.As noticed by Android Authority, the feature has rolled out to a number of Google Photos users in recent days. It can’t yet be used by everyone, and it’s not clear whether it’s limited to the best Android phones or will soon be available more widely.Google Photos’ Ultra HDR mode lets you take photos with a wider range of colors than standard pictures. That can boost image vibrancy, but you’ll usually need a device with an HDR display to fully appreciate the effect. Yet the good thing about Google’s Ultra HDR feature is that it’s backward compatible, so your photos will revert to using standard color ranges on regular Android screens.It also works the other way, too. Google Photos appears to have added the ability to convert normal photos into HDR equivalents, boosting their saturation and helping them pop much more than they previously did. That means There’s no need to remember to take the pictures in HDR mode in the first place.

Better photos in HDR

(Image credit: Shutterstock / BigTunaOnline)

Ultra HDR mode had been spotted as far back as September 2024, but it wasn’t fully functional at the time. Now with version 7.24.0.747539053 of the Google Photos app, it looks like it’s beginning to roll out to a range of Android users.Once it becomes more widely available, you will find the feature in the Adjust section of the Google Photos editor. There, you’ll be able to change the strength of the HDR effect using a slider. It is set to replace the HDR Effect option currently in Google Photos.You can see a preview of the Ultra HDR effect on GitHub. Make sure you’re viewing it on an HDR-compatible device to be able to observe it properly.Still, there’s no reliable indication of when the feature might arrive for everyone. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long before it rolls out.

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Seagate study find 97% anticipate AI to increase their demand for storage in the futureSustainability is recognized, but cost is still more importantModern HDDs offer superior efficiency, and they’re cheaper

A new report from Seagate has revealed just how much of an effect artificial intelligence is having on the amount of storage required by data centers, which presents a major sustainability challenge.It found 94.5% said AI had increased their data storage needs, with even more (97%) anticipating AI’s growth to impact storage demand even further.However, despite widespread acknowledgement and consideration for the environment, companies are struggling to prioritize it amid rising costs, which tariffs, government objectives and the sheer scarcity of some materials have influenced

Data centers are facing a major sustainability headache

Nearly 95% of respondents are concerned about environmental impact, says Seagate, but only 3.3% prioritize it in purchasing decisions with many focusing on the total cost of ownership and purchasing costs.Among the key factors putting data centers at risk are high energy consumption (53.5%), raw material requirements (49.5%), physical space constraints (45.5%), infrastructure costs (28.5%) and acquisition costs (27%).“Data centers are under intense scrutiny – not only because they support modern AI workloads, but because they are becoming one of the most energy-intensive sectors of the digital economy," said Seagate SVP of Cloud Marketing, Jason Feist.Seagate envisions energy-efficient technologies playing a wider role in the decarbonization of data centers, reducing energy requirements and hitting other targets at the same time.Although SSDs promise to be quicker and more efficient, Seagate’s HAMR-based Mozaic 3+ platform (for HDDs) can deliver up to three times more energy density while reducing embodied carbon by over 70% per terabyte and lowering cost per terabyte by 25%.The report also embodies the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ motto by highlighting the importance of both extending product lifespans and then repurposing decommissioned equipment to reduce its environmental burden.Sharing accountability through cooperation across the supply chain also helps to reduce emissions from Scopes 1, 2 and 3, enabling a wider effect.“Sustainability cannot be solved in isolation. A holistic approach spanning infrastructure, life cycle management, and industry-wide accountability could ensure that the growth of AI and data center operations does not come at the expense of the environment,” Feist added.

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The upcoming PC refresh cycle is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal tech moments in recent years. Aging PC fleets are past their prime, and the end of Windows 10 support is on the horizon. From small businesses to global enterprises, upgrading to systems that can support AI tools and the enhanced functionality of Windows 11 will be essential to maintain a competitive edge.As such, organizations face a potential tidal wave of upgrades, and with it, potentially significant costs – both financial and environmental. The complexity of managing such an upgrade without compromising your business’s environmental responsibility can be daunting. But it can be done.Thankfully, sustainable practices appear high on the agenda for many businesses. Customers across all verticals are implementing circular IT practices to minimize waste and costs. According to new research, Eighty-four percent of IT and business decision makers agree that circularity in AI hardware is an important consideration in their IT asset management system.Eighty-seven percent also agree that sustainable design and energy efficiency are key factors when selecting solutions. Simultaneously, however, 81% admit needing help from a third-party partner to achieve their sustainability goals, suggesting a gap between good intention and the ability to deliver.

The High Stakes of Ignoring Sustainability

E-waste is a growing issue. According to the WHO, in 2022, an estimated 62 million tons of e-waste were produced globally and only 22.3% was documented as formally collected and recycled. Electronics discarded irresponsibly often end up in landfills, leaching toxic chemicals into the earth and water, posing a threat to health and the environment.Beyond the environmental considerations, sustainability is also a competitive differentiator, particularly within the public sector. Customers are paying attention to how companies incorporate environmental responsibility into their operations. Choosing not to lead in this space could mean losing out to competitors who are already making strides toward more sustainable practices.

Championing Circular Design and Sustainability

There is, however, a way forward. IT providers that adopt circular design principles like repairability, upgradability and modular components are paving the path toward a more sustainable future. PCs designed with replaceable batteries, screens and other components empower businesses to extend the lifespan of their devices, reducing waste and postponing costly replacements.Design decisions like attaching ports with screws, rather than soldering directly to the motherboard simplifies the disassembly process. This enhances the potential for repairs or replacements without risking damage to critical hardware components.Some vendors are now taking this one step further, making it easier for customers to purchase and replace common PC parts themselves. Customers can even access augmented reality tutorials with step-by-step instructions. Democratizing access to repairs in this way can significantly reduce e-waste and the resulting environmental impact.At the same time, manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of material innovation by incorporating recycled aluminum, biobased plastics and other renewable materials into their designs. Carefully sourced components are emerging as sustainable alternatives, helping to reduce the environmental footprint of new devices.Keep in mind that circularity and sustainability don’t end with the PC – it’s possible to lower the environmental impact of peripherals, too. Recycled plastic in docks, recycled cobalt in batteries and even recycled copper in adapter cables help reduce resource use and lower emissions.Energy efficiency is another critical element of sustainable design, particularly as AI integration becomes a key driver of the PC refresh. Modern AI-optimized hardware and software are designed with power-saving features like intelligent energy management and thermal regulation. These innovations not only lower a company’s environmental footprint but also deliver tangible operational cost savings by extending battery life and optimizing processing speeds.Many manufacturers are also doubling down on closed-loop systems to recover valuable materials from outdated devices. Robust recycling programs minimize landfill waste and contribute to a circular economy where resources are reused rather than discarded.

Partnering now for Tomorrow

Businesses do not need to face this challenge alone. Partnering with IT providers and third-party experts can make the difference. In fact, 84% of IT and business decision makers agree that collaborating with a 3rd party would simplify their efforts to carry out circular IT practices.Asset recovery solutions and recycling services enable companies to dispose of outdated equipment responsibly while extracting value from old resources. Flexible payment solutions further enhance sustainability by allowing companies to optimize asset management and reduce upfront costs, ensuring that investment in sustainable technology is also financially viable.

Practical Steps Toward Sustainability

For organizations eager to balance AI integration with environmental responsibility, the upcoming PC refresh is an opportunity for action. Businesses should begin by choosing IT partners and providers that prioritize circular design, emphasizing products designed for longevity, repairability and efficiency, and that incorporate sustainable materials.Exploring asset recovery solutions and recycling services to retire outdated equipment responsibly and reduce e-waste can also pay dividends. If there is still value in old equipment, asset recovery solutions can resell and transfer funds straight into a company bank account.Investing in AI-optimized PCs drives efficiency, enhances productivity, and improves security, but also positions businesses for cost savings and reduced energy consumption. For example, just having the ability to turn off devices remotely can save up to 15% on energy usage.By adopting sustainable IT solutions today, companies can ensure they’re equipped for tomorrow’s challenges while contributing to a more responsible and environmentally conscious tech ecosystem.The PC refresh cycle will inevitably define the next decade of IT strategy. Organizations that take bold steps to prioritize sustainability now could gain the operational and competitive benefits of aligning technology with responsible business values.

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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

Global businesses are prioritizing sustainability in their supply chains more than ever before. Across sectors, we’re increasingly seeing businesses develop sustainable procurement policies, putting carbon reduction strategies and environmental commitments to the top of their priorities list when evaluating new supplier engagements.According to a 2023 survey from Stanford Business School, over half (51%) of global business currently have sustainable procurement policies in place to strengthen their supply chains. The need to reduce scope 3 emissions has brought procurement to the forefront of business strategy today, and driven increasing collaboration with sustainability and other departments.But what internal, and external, pressures have sparked this need? And what can businesses do today to decarbonize their supply chains and forge a greener future?

Strict regulatory landscape

The regulatory landscape for businesses surrounding sustainability is evolving, and becoming stricter, which has created mounting pressures for organizations to manage and report on their carbon footprints.In Europe, for example, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), despite recent European Commission's Omnibus Package’s update, continue to require large and listed companies to disclose the environmental impact of their activity.Over in North America, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s disclosure rules took effect in March 2024, requiring registered organizations to disclose comprehensive climate impact information in annual reports and registration statements.And in Asia, similar regulatory push is also on the rise with new ESG reporting standards being introduced. China, for example, is aiming for mandatory ESG reporting by 2026, aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board.Increasing regulation and government enforced net zero targets, of course, creates significant external pressure to act on decarbonization supply chains. However, there are some commercial drivers, too.Today, buyers are on the lookout for their own sustainable suppliers, and companies with sustainable policies and practices will not only comply with regulations but will also gain a competitive edge in the market. In fact, research from the Greenly Institute claims that companies with sustainable procurement can gain anywhere between a 15 to 30% increase in brand value.

Not a level playing field

Despite knowing that decarbonization is a must, certain industries face more challenges in achieving this. Companies in the shipping sector, for example, have had to reroute vessels due to various geopolitical conflicts, which has increased carbon-intensive journeys.Major container shipping lines have been forced to divert away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, around the Cape of Good Hope, due to Houthi attacks on commercial ships. This diversion alone adds around 3,000 nautical miles and 10 days to the journey, which significantly hikes up carbon emissions.High energy, fuel and labor costs have made it difficult for road haulage operators to get by financially, let alone invest in cleaner tech. And even for those transport and logistics operators that can afford to invest in decarbonizing their fleets, additional challenges are met further down the line when they encounter limited supplies of electric charging points.Tech, innovation, and thinking outside the box can support in overcoming some of these challenges. For instance, fleet tracking software can help to optimize routes and reduce vehicle emissions, also aiding in guiding investment decisions by mapping out which routes are suited to electrical fleets, further reducing emissions.Data can also be used in many other ways to assess the state of your current carbon footprint, informing strategies for decarbonization. Carbon accounting platforms, for example, can enable businesses to calculate a baseline for their annual carbon footprint, helping to strategically reduce emissions and set net-zero targets across operations.

Action needed from all sides

Despite all of this, the overall pace of decarbonization is not yet sufficient to meet current climate targets around the world.Companies need to act now, wherever they can, in tackling major emission sources, such as vehicle and transport emissions. They should also embrace sustainable initiatives such as the circular economy. Returning products for repair, refurbishment, reuse, or recycling – rather than just instantly replacing or disposing of them irresponsibly – can significantly reduce embodied carbon, diverting tons of otherwise valuable materials from ending up in landfills.A long-term view is essential here, but decarbonization is a complex process, and not everything is in the hands of businesses. Government investment in areas such as green energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and recycling facilities, all have a part to play.For decarbonization to gain the right momentum, greater alignment between legislation, policy, and private investment is needed for a just transition.

Strategy for sustainable supply chains

When producing a decarbonization strategy, start by addressing the big-ticket items. Affordable, clean tech, such as solar panels, can contribute towards your sustainability goals while also providing a more reliable energy source than power from the grid, supporting better business continuity. Embracing digital tools for reducing vehicle emissions, in addition to circular economy practices, can also make a sizeable impact.While the journey of decarbonizing supply chains is complex and challenging, depending on what sector you operate in, it is essential for all businesses today.By understanding the value of data, staying up to date and aligned with regulatory demands in your region, and adopting an innovative, problem-solving approach, you can begin making significant progress towards a better carbon footprint and a greener supply chain.

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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

Trustwave finds multiple malware C2 servers hosted on Proton66Ransomware is hosted there, tooSome phishing pages targeting Android users originated from Proton66

Proton66, a Russian bulletproof hosting service provider, is being used to spread malware, ransomware, mount phishing attacks, and more, experts have warned. This is according toResearchers from Trustwave warned the malicious activity has picked up in recent weeks, stating how, “Starting from January 8, 2025, SpiderLabs observed an increase in mass scanning, credential brute forcing, and exploitation attempts originating from Proton66 ASN targeting organizations worldwide.“Although malicious activity was seen in the past, the spike and sudden decline observed later in February 2025 were notable, and offending IP addresses were investigated.”

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Getting in touch

Whoever is behind these activities is looking to exploit a number of vulnerabilities, including an authentication bypass flaw in Palo Alto Networks’ PAN-OS (CVE-2025-0108(, an insufficient input validation flaw in the NuPoint Unified Messaging (NPM) component of Mitel MiCollab (CVE-2024-41713), a command injection vulnerability in D-LINK’s NAS (CVE-2024-10914), and an authentication bypass in Fortinet’s FortiOS (CVE-2024-55591 and CVE-2025-24472).The two FortiOS flaws were previously exploited by the initial access broker Mora_001, which has also been seen dropping a new ransomware variant called SuperBlack.The same publication also said that several malware families hosted their C2 servers on Proton66, including GootLoader and SpyNote.Furthermore, Trustwave said XWorm, StrelaStealer, and a ransomware named WeaXor were all being distributed through Proton66.Finally, crooks are allegedly using compromised WordPress sites related to a Proton66-linked IP address to redirect Android users to phishing pages that spoof Google Play app listings and try to trick users into downloading malware.To mitigate the risk against Proton66-linked threats, users should block all the Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) rangers associated with the company and Chang Way Technologies. The latter is a Hong Kong-based provider that is “likely” related to Proton66.So-called “bulletproof” hosting is a type of hosting service that is advertised as being immune to takedowns and legal action, but there have been examples in the past when bulletproof hosting ends up yielding in the end.At this time, the fact that Proton66 is a Russian service probably makes it somewhat bulletproof for Western users. However, politics change as the wind, and what Russia protected yesterday could be traded tomorrow.Via The Hacker News

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OnePlus has unveiled more details of its upcoming 13T phoneThe fresh info relates to the device’s battery capacityThe 13T is due to launch on April 24

We’re just a couple of days away from the OnePlus 13T launch, which will fall on April 24. Yet that hasn’t stopped OnePlus from teasing a few choice specs and details of the upcoming phone ahead of schedule, with the latest info concerning the device’s battery capabilities.According to a OnePlus post on Chinese social media site Weibo, the 13T will come with a 6,260mAh battery. That’s in line with the company’s previous claims that the battery would offer a capacity of no less than 6,000mAh.As well as that, OnePlus has revealed that the 13T’s battery will feature bypass charging. This allows your Android phone to draw power directly from a power source (like a power bank) rather than from its internal battery when charging. This helps to prolong the phone’s battery and slow down its degradation.The data drop didn’t end there, as OnePlus has confirmed that the 13T will weigh 185g. Compare that to the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R, which both come with less capacious 6,000mAh batteries yet weigh 200g each. Packing a larger battery into a smaller frame is a surprising move from OnePlus, but it’s certainly a welcome one.

Few secrets left to unveil

(Image credit: OnePlus)

OnePlus has been very forthcoming about the 13T, disclosing all manner of images and details on social media. Previously posted photos have shown the device’s range of colors – including gray, pink and black shades – as well as the fact that it will come with a new button.Leaks have also played their part. For example, it’s been suggested that the OnePlus 13T will come with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 6.32-inch display, an IP65 rating, and two 50-megapixel rear cameras. Of those two lenses (primary and telephoto), the telephoto one could offer 2x optical zoom and 4x lossless zoom.That said, we don’t yet know the full spec sheet for the OnePlus 13T, and it’s possible that OnePlus is saving some intriguing new features for the launch event itself. But with so much already in the public domain, it will be interesting to see what the company might possibly have held back. We’ll find out for sure on April 24, when the 13T finally launches.

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ASUS patches a 9.2-rated security flaw in certain routersThe flaw stems from AiCloud, a personal cloud server featureThere's no evidence of abuse yet, but users should be wary

ASUS has released a fix for a critical-severity vulnerability affecting routers with AiCloud enabled which could allow threat actors to execute functions on the exposed devices remotely and without authorization.It is tracked as CVE-2025-2492, and was given a severity score of 9.2/10 (critical). It can be exploited via a custom-tailored request.“This vulnerability can be triggered by a crafted request, potentially leading to unauthorized execution of functions,” the NVD page reads.

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Safeguarding the device

AiCloud is a feature integrated into many ASUS routers that transforms the home network into a personal cloud server.Users can then access, stream, sync, and share files stored on USB drives connected to the router from anywhere with an internet connection.The flaw was found in firmware versions released after February 2025, meaning: 3.0.0.4_382, 3.0.0.4_386, 3.0.0.4_388, and 3.0.0.6_102.According to CyberInsider, such features “often become attractive targets” for threat actors, since they are exposing sensitive data to the internet.Therefore, it would be wise not to delay deploying the patch. Depending on the model, there are different firmware versions that can be downloaded directly from the ASUS website.The flaw also affects a few devices that reached end-of-life, which should now have AiCloud entirely disabled. Internet access for WAN should also be disabled, as well as port forwarding, DDNS, VPN server, DMZ, port triggering, and FTP services.The company did not say if the flaw is being abused in the wild or not, but at press time, it was not added to CISA’s KEV, which is usually a good litmus paper for actively exploited flaws.According to BleepingComputer, the critical CVSS rating “implies the exploitation could have a significant impact.” ASUS also told its users to use unique, strong passwords to secure their wireless networks and router administration pages.That means making passwords at least 10 characters long, and making them a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.

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A good keyboard can make all the difference for your work setup. If you primarily work on a laptop, switching from the built-in keyboard to a wired or wireless keyboard can be more comfortable and ergonomic while adding functionality like extra keys and shortcuts into the mix. If your daily driver is a desktop, a keyboard will be an essential accessory that can elevate your rig whether you're using it to work a 9-to-5 with it or play AAA games in your free time.But the world of keyboards is vast, and we at Engadget have tried out dozens over the years including gaming keyboards, ergonomic keyboards, mechanical keyboards and more. If you're just starting to think about the best keyboard for you, or you're ready to upgrade from an aging peripheral, we gathered all of our top picks for the best keyboards you can get right here.

Best keyboards for 2025

What to look for in a keyboard

Design

Size

The first thing you’ll want to consider when it comes to your next keyboard’s design is size. There are a number of different keyboard layouts to choose from, but the most common are full-sized, tenkeyless and those smaller than tenkeyless.

Full-sized keyboards, or 100 percent, include a function row at the top and a complete number pad with arrow keys on the right side, along with all of the rest of the alphanumeric keys you’d expect. Tenkeyless, or 80 percent, removes the number pad but keeps the arrow keys and the function row, reducing the overall width measurement of the board by a decent amount. Compact designs keep things ultra simple by including only the alphanumeric keys and modifiers like Alt, Shift, Ctrl and others and they come in different sizes like 60 percent, 65 percent and more. These are the most popular sizes out there, but you can find plenty of other designs that include different mixes of keys along with the standard letters and numbers all should have.

Aside from size, there are two other big categories that you could use to define a keyboard: ergonomic and mechanical. Ergonomic keyboards are designed with, you guessed it, better ergonomics in mind, taking into account where you should position your fingers, hands and forearms to maintain proper posture. Separately, mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches (of which there are many types) that differ greatly from the membrane or scissor-switch keyboards you’ll find dominating most wired and wireless options widely available today. We have guides to the best ergonomic keyboards and best mechanical keyboards, but we’ll summarize what you need to know about both here.

Ergonomic keyboards

If you deal with discomfort from working at a computer all day, ergonomic keyboards can help. These specially designed boards re-orient the keys, allowing you to hold your elbows farther apart and maintain a straighter line from your forearms to hands. Some people find this subtle change more comfortable.

Ergonomic keyboards typically fall into two categories: Alice and split. The former is a single unit with an A-shaped gap in the center of the keys. Split models come in two separate pieces which you can arrange as you like on your desk. Additional ergonomic features like tenting and negative tilt can make typing feel even more comfortable, and are often available on both Alice and split boards. Tenting raises the middle of the keys up so your hands take on more of a “handshake” position. Negative tilting lowers the top of the keyboard to keep your wrists angled downward instead of back towards your forearms.

The way the keys are arranged on the keyboard may make typing easier as well. Traditionally, keyboards are staggered, with one row of letters slightly offset from the row beneath it. Columnar keyboards arrange the keys in a grid of rows and columns. This style takes a little getting used to, but some people find it allows them to type faster. You can also make the keys of some keyboards do more than just produce letters. Programmable boards let you map shortcuts and other functions, which may keep you from reaching for the mouse quite so often, saving you time and possibly strain as well.

Mechanical keyboards

Mechanical keyboards have blown up in popularity as more people have been thrust into creating their own workspaces at home. It’s easy to see why: Compared to a traditional membrane keyboard, a good mechanical board is more durable, more satisfying to press and, most importantly, infinitely more customizable. The best of them usually come with a price premium, but even some cheaper models let you “hot-swap” between keycaps, switches and other materials, letting you tinker with different typing sensations and sound profiles until you find a combination that best expresses your preferences.

Do you want each press to feel deep and full or fast and light? Do you need them to sound loud and clacky or almost totally muffled? Do you prefer your keycaps to look subdued and professional, stuffed with RGB lights or written in an Elvish language from The Lord of the Rings for some reason? With the right mechanical keyboard, it’s all up to you — the only things really holding you back are your imagination and your wallet.

We have a dedicated buying guide that digs deeper into the key aspects to consider when buying a mechanical keyboard, so we encourage you to look at that for a full rundown. To keep things high-level, the most influential part of your purchase is your keyboard’s switch type. These little mechanisms slot underneath the keycaps and generally have the biggest effect on how your keyboard feels and sounds as you type away.

You can broadly separate mechanical switches into three buckets: linear, tactile and clicky. Linear switches feel smooth all the way down; they’re often popular with gamers since they tend to be light and fast to actuate. Tactile switches create a tangible “bump” sensation partway through a press; many people who spend all day typing prefer them because they clearly confirm each press without (always) being all that loud. Clicky switches are functionally similar to tactiles but make an audible “click” sound to match the bump; your coworkers may hate them, but others love the full-throated sense of feedback they provide. To be clear, just because two switches fall within the same bucket doesn’t mean they feel or sound exactly the same. The only way to figure out which switch works best for you is to do your research and, preferably, try some out for yourself.

Other keyboards have a mechanical-style feel but are built on different mechanisms entirely. The hot new trend in gaming-focused keyboards, for example, is Hall effect switches, which use tiny magnets to register keystrokes and let you customize the sensitivity of each press. Optical switches, meanwhile, offer similar functionality by replacing the physical contact point of a typical mechanical switch with a beam of infrared light. More recently, we’ve seen a couple keyboards launch with inductive switches, which can work like magnetic switches but use inductive coils in the keyboard’s printed circuit board (PCB) to cater to all switches collectively and don’t require a sensor for each individual switch. We touch on a couple of magnetic-switch keyboards in our picks below, but for a fuller breakdown of this sort of tech, we recommend you check out our dedicated buying guide to the best gaming keyboards.

Connectivity

You’ve got two options here: wired or wireless. Wired keyboards typically have an attached cable that plugs into a USB-A or USB-C port on your computer (or docking station), although some come with cables that can be removed. Wireless keyboards connect to your machine either via Bluetooth or a wireless receiver dongle. There’s always the chance of some latency with wireless keyboards, so keep that in mind if you’re picking one up to use primarily with a gaming PC. Of course, you’ll only have to worry about battery life with wireless keyboards.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-keyboard-120000018.html?src=rss

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly held a second private Signal chat on upcoming Yemen strikes with members including his wife, brother and personal lawyer, according to The New York Times. Sources said that Hegseth shared flight schedules for F-18 Hornets targeting Houthis in Yemen, much as he did on a separate Signal chat the same day that accidentally included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief.

It's not clear that any of the people in the group chat would need to know about the attacks, though Hegseth's brother and lawyer both have jobs at the Pentagon. Jennifer Hegseth, the Defense Secretary's wife, is not employed at the defense department, the report states.

The second chat, called "Defense | Team Huddle" was created by Hegseth prior to his confirmation and included a dozen or so people from his professional and personal circle, (including two senior advisers who were recently fired over leak accusations). It was initially created to allow discussions around routine schedule and administrative information on Hegseth's personal device.

A US official told the NYT that there was no national security breach, but wouldn't comment on whether Hegseth shared detailed targeting information. "The truth is that there is an informal group chat that started before confirmation of his closest advisers. Nothing classified was ever discussed on that chat."

Trump administration officials previously defended Hegseth over the first breach, asserting that no classified information was ever shared. However, Democrats in Congress expressed alarm. "If true, this incident is another troubling example of Secretary Hegseth’s reckless disregard for the laws and protocols that every other military service member is required to follow," said Senator Jack Reed, senior Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. "Every day he stays in his job is another day our troops' lives are endangered by his singular stupidity," added Democrat Senator Tammy Duckworth. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/hegseth-reportedly-shared-yemen-attack-details-on-second-signal-chat-with-his-wife-and-others-123046480.html?src=rss

If you've been thinking about upgrading your old Apple Watch, or you're keen on picking one up for the first time, you can save $100 on the latest model at Amazon. The Apple Watch Series 10 has dropped to $299 in a few colorways, which is a record-low price.

That's the price for the 42mm GPS version, but the GPS + cellular model is also on sale for $100 off — down to $399 in a handful of color options. Considering the Apple Watch typically only gets updated once a year along with iPhones in September, this is a good deal to snag now while the Series 10 will remain the flagship smartwatch in Apple's lineup for a few more months.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is our pick for the best smartwatch overall, though note that you'll need a compatible iPhone to use it. We gave the wearable a score of 90 in our review.

Admittedly, this is a relatively iterative upgrade. If you have an Apple Watch Series 8 or 9, the upgrade might not be worth it. But if you're an Apple Watch newcomer or you're upgrading from an older model, this is probably the one to go for.

The Series 10 has a larger screen than its predecessor, which makes it easier to see notifications and such. The thinner frame looks nicer too. However, while the Apple Watch Series 10 is great for fitness and wellness tracking, it's a bit disappointing that the device lacks the blood oxygen feature seen in earlier models (though Apple had little choice but to nix that here).

Check out our coverage of the best Apple 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/the-apple-watch-series-10-drops-to-299-at-amazon-155611677.html?src=rss

Cisco found and fixed three vulnerabilities, including a high-severity oneThe high-severity issue was found in the Cisco Webex appIt allowed criminals to run commands remotely

Cisco has patched a high-severity vulnerability in its Webex video conferencing platform which allowed threat actors to mount remote code execution (RCE) attacks against exposed endpoints.The bug was discovered in the custom URL parser of a Cisco Webex app and is described as an “insufficient input validation” vulnerability.“An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to click a crafted meeting invite link and download arbitrary files,” the bug’s NVD page reads. “A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the targeted user.”

Get Keeper Personal for just $1.67/month, Keeper Family for just $3.54/month, and Keeper Business for just $7/month​Keeper is a cybersecurity platform primarily known for its password manager and digital vault, designed to help individuals, families, and businesses securely store and manage passwords, sensitive files, and other private data. It uses zero-knowledge encryption and offers features like two-factor authentication, dark web monitoring, secure file storage, and breach alerts to protect against cyber threats.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

No revolution

The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-20236, and was assigned a severity score of 8.8/10 (high).Cisco further explained that the vulnerability is present in all older versions of the product, regardless of the OS it’s running on, or system configurations.The networking giant also said there were no workarounds for the bug, so installing the update is the only way to mitigate the risk.While the most severe, it’s not the only vulnerability Cisco recently addressed. The company also fixed two more flaws, CVE-2025-20178 (6.0/10), and CVE-2025-20150 (5.3/10).The former is a privilege escalation flaw in Secure Networks Analytics’ web-based management interface, and allows threat actors to run arbitrary controls as root, with admin credentials.The latter was found in a Nexus Dashboard, and allows threat actors to enumerate LDAP user accounts remotely, separating valid accounts from the invalid ones.The good news is that the vulnerabilities are not yet being exploited in the wild, BleepingComputer reports, citing analysis from the company’s Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT).Cisco’s equipment, both software and hardware, are popular in both the enterprise and in consumer households. That makes them a prime target for threat actors, both state-sponsored and profit-oriented.Via BleepingComputer

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We're now well into 2025, and two of the biggest flagship phone launches are still to come. I am of course talking about the Pixel 10 (due in August) and the iPhone 17 (due in September) and as someone with extensive experience of handsets from both Google and Apple (blame the tech journalism), I've got some thoughts about how the Pixel can get the upper hand this year.When I say the upper hand, I'm not really talking about sales numbers: iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones are going to win that battle for a good few years yet, at least as far as the US is concerned (globally, the market is a bit more competitive). Instead, I'm going to focus on what would resonate with me, and I suspect a lot of other consumers, too.You'll see we awarded 4 stars out of 5 to the Pixel 9 in our Google Pixel 9 review, while in our Apple iPhone 16 review, we gave Apple's handset 4.5 stars out of 5. That means Apple currently has a slight edge when it comes to these flagship phones, so how can Google catch up this year?

1. Keep the camera bar

The Google Pixel 9a might be easier to lie down on a flat surface, but at what cost? The removal of the iconic Pixel camera bar from the design means the mid-ranger looks rather ordinary and nondescript, lost in a crowd of similar smartphone slabs.In our Google Pixel 9a review, we described it as "dang ugly", and so I'm hoping that the big camera bump makes a triumphant return with the Pixel 10. It provides more room for additional camera technology, on top of everything else.The iPhone 17, meanwhile, seems to be having something of an identity crisis – or at least the Pro models are, based on the leaks we've seen so far. It seems like Apple isn't sure where to go next with the design, so Google could score a win here in terms of aesthetics.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro (Image credit: Blue Pixl Media)

2. Focus on Google Gemini

It's no secret that the rollout of Apple Intelligence has been badly bungled so far, so much so that Apple has had to go on record to say it over-promised and under-delivered, which you can be sure was acutely embarrassing for a company of Apple's stature.Google Gemini, meanwhile, is rapidly improving – in the last month or so we've seen new AI models that are smarter than ever, as well as Gemini Live screen and camera sharing roll out for all users – even those who are using Gemini for free.There's a clear winner here already, but Google can't be complacent. Apple engineers will be busy behind the scenes trying to get Siri up to the level of Gemini and ChatGPT, and so it makes sense for the Pixel 10 to have yet more AI features baked right into it.

3. Improve performance

Apple's lead in terms of raw processor performance is as clear as its failings in AI: if we're talking solely about CPU speed, the A18 and A18 Pro chips inside the iPhone 16 series beat the Tensor G4 chip you'll find inside the Pixel 9 phones.That doesn't mean the Pixel 9 is in any way slow or laggy, but it's something that Google needs to address if it wants to fully catch up with Apple. When it comes to gaming, video editing, or just jumping between apps, performance matters.Unfortunately for mobile enthusiasts, the leaks to date suggest the Tensor G5 isn't going to be a huge leap forward from the Tensor G4 in terms of performance. I'm hoping that as Google gets better at designing its own chips, we'll see a bigger upgrade here.

4. Offer value for money

If you're of a certain age, you may remember handsets like the Google Nexus 5 and Google Nexus 6, which managed to combine flagship specs with mid-range pricing. Google was essentially doing the OnePlus trick before OnePlus got started.As the Nexus series has given way to the Pixel series, that value-for-money aspect has disappeared – although the 'a' phones have taken up some of the slack. The Pixel 9 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,349, while the iPhone 16 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399.You'll notice those prices for the 128GB models are identical, except for Australia, and if Google was able to shave off a little from the cost of the Pixel 10, it would help it stand up better against the iPhone 17 – and bring back memories of the Nexus phones.

The iPhone 16 Pro (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

5. Improve battery life

Smartphones seem stuck as far as battery life goes, with most handsets on the market lasting a full day of general use, so an overnight charge is always required to get through a substantial amount of a second day.Could Google change this with the Pixel 10? It depends on the efficiency improvements it manages with the Tensor G5 chip, and also on any power-saving features that arrive with Android 16 (which should be out before the Pixel 10 phones).Comfortably managing two days of battery life between charges would set the Pixel 10 apart from the iPhone 17 and just about every other phone available right now. It's a tough ask, but it's something all users want to see.

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If you're looking for a way to improve your streaming experience without buying a whole new TV, our top pick for the best streaming device is down to an all-time-low price. The Google TV Streamer 4K is on sale for $79, which is a 21-percent discount from its regular price.

This new streaming device came out at the end of last year and effectively replaced Google's Chromecast. This is the lowest price we've seen on it since launch, and you can grab it from Amazon or direct 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-is-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-133539103.html?src=rss

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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, April 21 (game #680).

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 #681) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

ICEWHEELGREASELIGHTNINGFIREEELAXESUNCLAYSCRAPVOLCANOGLAZEDROPBANANA PEELKILNCUT

NYT Connections today (game #681) - hint #1 - group hints

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

YELLOW: HaltGREEN: Making china pots BLUE: Slide awayPURPLE: Hot, hot, hot

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 #681) - hint #2 - group answers

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

YELLOW: CANCEL, AS A PROJECTGREEN: SEEN IN A POTTERY STUDIO BLUE: THINGS THAT ARE SLIPPERY PURPLE: NATURAL PRODUCERS OF HEAT

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

NYT Connections today (game #681) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #681, are…

YELLOW: CANCEL, AS A PROJECT AXE, CUT, DROP, SCRAPGREEN: SEEN IN A POTTERY STUDIO CLAY, GLAZE, KILN, WHEELBLUE: THINGS THAT ARE SLIPPERY BANANA PEEL, EEL, GREASE, ICEPURPLE: NATURAL PRODUCERS OF HEAT FIRE, LIGHTNING, SUN, VOLCANO

My rating: EasyMy score: 1 mistake

Today’s joke was, of course, GREASE and LIGHTNING. Although I’m sure I wasn’t alone in the words ICE and FIRE triggering a quick search for a Game of Thrones group (A Song of Ice and Fire being the title of the unfinished collection of books it is based on).My mistake today came as I was soaring towards a faultless round. Thinking there was a group that was about natural electricity creation I had EEL instead of VOLCANO in what became the purple quartet, NATURAL PRODUCERS OF HEAT.That they produce electricity is one of three things people know about eels, the others being they are slippery and some brave souls enjoy eating them boiled and served in jelly (I am not one of those people, the idea of eating something that is slimy, boney and stringy does not whet my appetite).How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, 21 April, game #680)

YELLOW: INFO ON A NUTRITION LABEL FAT, IRON, PROTEIN, SODIUMGREEN: METAPHOR FOR SOMETHING UNEXPECTED BOMBSHELL, CURVEBALL, TWIST, WRENCHBLUE: THINGS YOU CAN INSERT INTO A SPREADSHEET CELL, COLUMN, ROW, SHEETPURPLE: HELICAL THINGS CORKSCREW, DNA, FUSILLI, SPRING

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.

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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, April 21 (game #414).

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 #415) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Counter offers

NYT Strands today (game #415) - hint #2 - clue words

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

SPACEPRUNESOAPFACESHADESTREP

NYT Strands today (game #415) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #415) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 4th 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 #415) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #415, are…

JUICESSOUPPASTRIESCHAISANDWICHESESPRESSOSPANGRAM: CAFE MENU

My rating: EasyMy score: Perfect

It never ceases to amaze me how well the NYT hides the answers in Strands, but today was a rare day where I saw one word – JUICES – immediately.Then, after getting SOUP, the letters for PASTRIES were easy to spot and I was three words in, before I'd barely started.SANDWICHES aside it was also a very left to right day, too, which made the search easier than when it goes right to left, down and up or all over the place.In fact, the biggest challenge, for me at least, was to resist the temptation of stopping the word search and going out to a CAFE.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, 21 April, game #414)

ACROBATJUGGLERDUETCOMICMAGICIANDANCERSPANGRAM: VARIETY ACTS

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 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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, April 21 (game #1183).

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 #1184) - hint #1 - Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* 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 #1184) - 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 2.

Quordle today (game #1184) - 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 #1184) - 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 0.

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 #1184) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• P• C• B• T

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

Quordle today (game #1184) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1184, are…

POUTYCHESTBROOMTEPEE

Well, that was taxing! Despite having three letters (including two in the correct position) I don't think I've ever been as stumped as I was by the word that became POUTY.Fortunately, I had better options elsewhere – and by my seventh guess the final word solved itself. This is just one reason why I prefer Quordle over Wordle.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1184) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1184, are…

TABBYGIVENFRISKAVIAN

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACHQuordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUEQuordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULTQuordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTOQuordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURTQuordle #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, STOLE

Meta says it's doing more to make sure as many of its younger users as possible are using the teen accounts that it has rolled out for Instagram, Facebook and Messenger. Starting today, it's testing artificial intelligence tech in the US to detect whether a person is a teen — even if they've lied about their birthday to make it seem like they're an adult — and then move them to a teen account.

The company says it has taken steps to make sure that the age-detection tech is accurate, but in case it makes a mistake, users that the AI suspects of being a teen have the option to change their settings and stick with an adult account. While Meta has been using AI for age detection for a while, it says employing the tech in this way is a "big change."

Meta debuted teen accounts in Instagram last fall and recently expanded them to Facebook and Messenger. Teen accounts have stricter privacy settings and parental controls. These accounts are, for instance, automatically set to private and prevent teen users from messaging strangers.

The company says it has enrolled more than 54 million teens into such accounts and that 97 percent of users aged between 13 and 15 have chosen to keep them enabled (under 16s need permission from their parents or guardians to opt out of teen accounts). The company adds that over 90 percent of the parents it has surveyed agree that teen accounts have helped keep their kids safe on Instagram.

Also starting today, Meta says it will send parents on Instagram a notification about resources they can use to talk to their teens about why it's important to have the correct age on their profiles so they can be enrolled in teen accounts. Meta says it's working on other ways to ensure users have age-appropriate experiences, such as backing federal legislation to require app stores to seek parental permission whenever an under-16 wants to download an app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-using-its-ai-age-detection-tech-to-shuffle-more-young-users-into-teen-accounts-142014188.html?src=rss

The Roomba Y0140 robot vacuum and mop combo unit is on sale for $149 via Amazon. This represents a discount of 46 percent, as it typically costs $250. It's also a record-low price for this particular model.

It’s rare we see robots that can vacuum and mop at this price point. The Y0140 is actually a combo version of the vacuum-only Q0120, which topped our list of the best robot vacuums on a budget. We loved the iconic design and the surprisingly-robust suction power.

The robovac also integrates with iRobot’s fantastic app, which is a big selling point. It’s easy to use and puts most pertinent controls directly on the front page. The app can be used to schedule cleaning sessions, create maps of the home and more.

The battery life here is decent, as this robot will run for around two hours before automatically returning to the charging base. Of course, this particular model also includes a mop. There’s a pump to control water flow that keeps the mopping pad moist during cleaning. This washable pad is good for around 30 uses.

The only downside here? This is an entry-level model, so there’s no standalone debris container or anything like that.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-roomba-robot-vacuum-and-mop-is-46-percent-off-right-now-150656105.html?src=rss

Some Entra ID accounts were being flagged as having compromised credentialsSeems it was just Microsoft “inadvertently generat[ing] [false] alerts”However, users were getting different explanations from Microsoft

Windows administrators have been reporting mass account lockouts across various organizations following a Microsoft Entra ID update.Many believe these were false positives triggered in Entra ID's new leaked credentials detection app (a new feature called MACE Credential Revocation), as affected accounts had unique and unused passwords.One user posted to a Reddit thread that around half a dozen accounts had been blocked after credentials were supposedly found on the dark web, however those users didn’t have much in common, suggesting that it wasn’t a targeted attack.

Entra ID might be flagging false positives

“There are no risky signins, no other risk detections, everyone is MFA, it's literally the only thing that's appeared today, raising the risk on these people from zero to high,” the Reddit user explained.Beneath the original post is a series of comments from other system admins who also experienced similar issues, with one user sharing a response from Microsoft suggesting that the accounts had been erroneously flagged:“On Friday 4/18/25, Microsoft identified that it was internally logging a subset of short-lived user refresh tokens for a small percentage of users, whereas our standard logging process is to only log metadata about such tokens. The internal logging issue was immediately corrected, and the team performed a procedure to invalidate these tokens to protect customers.”The notice sees Microsoft admit to “inadvertently generat[ing] alerts in Entra ID Protection” of supposed compromised credentials between 4AM UTC and 9AM UTC on April 20.Another user said they were quoted “Error Code: 53003” for conditional access policy, while another was told that it was to do with an outage in their region – even though no outage had been reported or logged.TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft to clarify what happened over the weekend and why users appear to have received different explanations. Any update will be posted here.

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Sonos is offering discounts on its refurbished gear just in time for Earth Day. Select purchases of the audio company's certified refurbished products are currently 25 percent off. That means you can pick up a pre-owned Arc soundbar for $599, or $120 less than the usual sticker price. The deal is running through April 22 or as long as supplies of the refurb items last, so if you're considering one of these revitalized audio products, it's probably best to act quickly. Here's the list of what's currently available.

Right now, in addition to the Arc, the Sub subwoofer is $160 off and available for $479, or you can save $90 on the smaller Sub Mini for $259. Ace headphones are $269, which is a savings of $90. There are also versions of the Beam soundbar currently listed on the refurbished page. The newer Beam (Gen 2) speaker costs $299 and the older Beam (Gen 1) costs $191, which is $100 and $128 off their usual prices.

Buying refurbished items is a great option for saving on major tech purchases while also keeping pre-owned products from going into landfills. We've got a complete guide on how to approach this sector, but in most cases, it's a chance for companies to find buyers for products that are like new that were returned.

We've recommended Sonos' refurbished program for a while, namely because each product goes through testing to make sure it's working good as new, and the company includes all of the original manuals, accessories and documentation, necessary replacement parts, quality packaging and the same one-year warranty that you'd get buying a brand new device. And with this promotion, Sonos is upping the environmental impact by donating a portion of refurbished item sales to conservation nonprofits.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/sonos-refurbished-gear-is-25-percent-off-through-april-22-194800039.html?src=rss

Following a two-year wait, NVIDIA’s highly-anticipated GeForce 50 series of GPUs arrived at the start of 2025. Engadget published its review of the $2,000 RTX 5090 in January, followed by reviews of the RTX 5070 in March and, most recently, the RTX 5060 Ti. But if you’re reading this article, chances are you already know if you want to splurge on a 50 series card. The question then is how to buy one. If you're reading this story on or after April 21, the good news is that major retailers, including Best Buy and Newegg, have officially begun selling the first wave of NVIDIA's new GPUs.

As for the bad news? Like with the 40 series before it, early demand for NVIDIA's new GPUs has been high, leading to limited availability and rampant scalping. What's more, pricing from NVIDIA's board partners has been all over the place, with most non-Founders Editions models costing far more than their MSRP. For instance, scanning Newegg you won't find a single RTX 5070 listed for its $549 suggested price. Right now, the cheapest model costs $670.

GeForce RTX 5090 for $2,000: The RTX 5090 is the most expensive consumer GPU NVIDIA has ever released. It’s also one of the most powerful and power-hungry, with the 5090 featuring 21,760 CUDA cores, 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM and a potential total power draw of 575W.

Of course, as with all of NVIDIA’s new GPUs, raw specs are only half the story. In conjunction with DLSS 4, the entire 50 series is capable of multi-frame generation. With the tech, RTX 50 GPUs can generate up to three additional frames for every frame they render using traditional techniques. DLSS 4 is the reason the 5090 can produce an average of 246 frames per second with full ray tracing in games like Cyberpunk 2077.

If you prefer to buy from Newegg or Best Buy, both retailers will stock models from third-party OEMs, including ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI and Zotac.

GeForce RTX 5080 for $999: The RTX 5080 features 10,752 CUDA cores and 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM, with a memory bandwidth of 960GB/sec. Like the 5090, you get the benefit of DLSS 4 multi-frame generation. Moreover, total power draw is more modest at 360W, meaning you probably won’t need a 1,000W PSU to power the 5080. Early reviews of the 5080 have been mixed, but that hasn't stopped people from buying the new high-end card.

Again, both Newegg and Best Buy will stock third-party options. For a Founders Edition model, your best bets are NVIDIA and Best Buy.

GeForce RTX 5070 Ti for $749. Between the two 5070 variants, the Ti version is probably the safer purchase. That’s because it features 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM compared to the 5070’s 12GB. An extra 4GB of VRAM might not seem like much, but it will likely translate to the 5070 Ti offering better performance over its lifespan. Modern AAA games use a lot of VRAM, so much so that 8GB GPUs like the RTX 3070 are starting to show their age.

Unfortunately, the 5070 Ti is the one model NVIDIA won't offer a Founders Edition version of, so finding one to buy at MSRP may be tricky. Your best bet here is B&H.

GeForce RTX 5070 for $549: The RTX 5070 was NVIDIA’s most affordable 50 series GPU. That title is currently held by the RTX 5060 Ti. The 5070 offers solid performance at 1440p and is decent enough for some occasional 4K gaming. That said, it's not much faster than the 4070 it replaced, and, as mentioned, with only 12GB of VRAM, you will probably replace it before long.

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti for $299 : Until the RTX 5060 arrives sometime in May, the 5060 Ti stands as NVIDIA's most affordable 50 series card right now. Between the 5070 and 5060 Ti, the latter is the better deal, with it featuring 16GB of VRAM. It offers excellent performance at both 1080p and 1440p, and provided you can find it for NVIDIA's suggested retail price of $299, it won't break the bank either.

Update 1/29/25 1:50pm ET: As one may have predicted, it seems like it will be difficult to get your hands on one of NVIDIA’s new graphics cards. The company itself stated publicly that it “expect significant demand for the GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 and believes stock-outs may happen.” It’s possible that limited availability, or widespread stock-outs, could affect customers worldwide. It's reported that some countries, like Korea, won't see shipments until mid-February.

Update 1/30/25 10:10am ET: We updated this piece with more information about availability now that some of the cards are officially up for sale.

Update 4/21/25 12pm ET: We updated this piece to more information about RTX 5060 Ti availability.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/how-to-buy-a-nvidia-rtx-50-series-gpu-160902797.html?src=rss