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Squarespace website builder review

Squarespace has become a top choice in the website builder world thanks to its sleek designs and easy-to-use tools. You’ve probably seen it advertised across different platforms, and for good reason—it’s hard to miss.

ForBuilt-in email marketingEssential e-commerce features with most plansLots of lovely, mobile-responsive templatesFree trial with no credit card info requiredHelpful link in bio toolFree SSL certificateHelpful 24/7 customer support and well-supplied knowledgebaseA solid set of featuresAgainstCan't switch templates without starting from scratchNo telephone supportLow level of customization

Hostinger website builder review

Hostinger is known for its easy drag-and-drop editor, built-in SEO tools, and fast hosting. With customizable templates and AI-powered design options, Hostinger makes it simple to create a professional website without breaking the bank.

For24/7 live chat supportAwesome AI-powered tools7-day free trailAll-in-one sort of solutionEssential ecommerce toolsFree SSL securityIntuitive and insightful user interfaceRoyalty-free image libraryMulti-language supportFree domain (for 1-year, with annual plans)30-day money back guaranteeAgainstNo forever free planNot fit for a membership siteYou can’t switch templatesAll ecommerce tools only on premium planMost AI tools only on premium plan

Hostinger and Squarespace are two of the best website builders in 2025. They both offer user-friendly drag-and-drop editors, making it simple for anyone to create a professional website. Squarespace is known for its stylish templates and strong blogging features. In contrast, Hostinger shines with its AI tools, low prices, and fast hosting options.Hostinger website builder prices start at $2.99/mo (or less with our Hostinger promo codes), but rises to $11.99/mo after the initial term. This is still a fair bit cheaper than Sqaurespace, that starts its pricing at $16/mo (or less with our Squarespace promo codes).This comparison will look at how these platforms measure up in key areas. We'll cover things like pricing, template quality, editor features, ecommerce options, and customer support. By exploring the strengths and weaknesses of each builder, we’ll help you find the right fit for your needs, whether you want to build a portfolio, blog, small business site, or online store.

Squarespace vs Hostinger: Pricing

(Image credit: Squarespace)

With just 4 plans to pick from, Squarespace pricing is simple to understand.The Personal plan starts at $16/month for features such as custom domains, Squarespace AI, SSL security, and unlimited bandwidth. Moving up to the Business plan at $23/month, you get additional features like website analytics, promotional pop-ups, customization with CSS and Javascript, and a 3% transaction fee on e-commerce sales.If you're aiming to build an online store, the Basic Commerce plan removes the transaction fees and adds perks like point of sale, product review, and more at $27/month. Meanwhile, larger stores can go with the Advanced Commerce plan. At $52/month, you’ll get additional features like advanced shipping, abandoned cart recovery, discounts, and commerce APIs.Depending on your situation, you can save up to 50% on your Squarespace subscription by using one of the best Squarespace promo codes.

(Image credit: Hostinger)

Hostinger has two budget-friendly website builder plans, starting with the Premium Website Builder plan at just $2.99/month for a 48-month term.This plan includes a free domain worth $9.99, integration with third-party tools like Facebook Pixel, Google Analytics, WhatsApp, Adsense, and access to a Mobile website editor.At a slightly higher cost, the Business Website Builder plan comes in at $3.99/month and includes AI tools for generating images, blog writing, heatmaps, and SEO. Plus, you can set up your online store with a 0% transaction fee.My verdict: Hostinger clearly wins in terms of affordability with its highly competitive pricing, making it ideal for beginners or small businesses on a budget. However, if you want a more polished, design-focused website with powerful built-in tools, Squarespace's higher price might be worth it, as it has specific plans based on your needs.

Hostinger vs Squarespace: Features

For its website builder, Hostinger offers over 150 customizable templates and AI features like an AI Website Builder, AI Writer, AI Heatmap, and AI Logo Generator. These tools help users create content, optimize sites, and build brands easily. Plus, Hostinger includes fully managed hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee for reliable websites.Squarespace features about 180 beautiful, designer-made templates that are modern and visually appealing. Its Fluid Engine drag-and-drop editor allows customization but follows a more structured grid. Squarespace also includes Blueprint AI for site creation, Acuity Scheduling for bookings, and strong blogging features. Both platforms support ecommerce on higher-tier plans, but, Squarespace offers more integrations and extensions.For AI tools and flexible hosting, Hostinger is better. For design-focused sites with more integrations, Squarespace takes the cake. Your choice depends on your business and website preferences, along with your technical proficiency.

Squarespace vs Hostinger: Editor

Squarespace stands out with its intuitive and polished drag-and-drop editor, Fluid Engine. This editor features grid-based layouts and predefined content blocks. As you build your website, you can customize your template with colors, fonts, images, and content. You can see these changes in real time as you edit, and it’s easy to switch between the desktop and mobile views to make sure your site looks good on all devices. Squarespace comes with built-in tools for adding blogs, photo galleries, and online store features, which makes it easy to create different kinds of websites.On the other hand, Hostinger’s AI brings your customizable site to life in a matter of minutes. Even if you choose a pre-made template, you can easily tweak elements using their drag-and-drop interface. While it might not be as feature-rich or as visually appealing as Squarespace, it gets the job done quickly and to a high standard. Not to mention, you can use Hostinger’s AI tools like AI Heatmap and AI Writer to optimize content and design for conversions.My verdict: While Hostinger’s AI provides speed and simplicity to launch your site quickly, Squarespace comes out on top, with an intuitive editor that lets you experiment with different layouts. This gives you the flexibility to create beautiful designs and keep your website fresh and up-to-date.

Squarespace vs Hostinger: Ecommerce

Squarespace supports a wide variety of features for both physical and digital products, such as product variants, customer reviews, discount codes, and inventory management. It also offers point-of-sale integration, subscription-based services, and abandoned cart recovery in its Advanced Commerce plan. Squarespace further enhances your online store with SEO tools, customizable checkout pages, and the ability to connect your store with social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.From a single dashboard, Hostinger lets you set up a payment method, customize each item, add your business info for invoices, and review your shipping policies. It also offers several advanced tools, some of which are AI-powered, that can speed up store creation and product upload.From the Store Manager section, you can set up an online store, manage inventory, create product categories, and offer discount codes. While you get insights like average order value and revenue, their ecommerce tools are not as advanced as Squarespace. Hostinger is best suited for smaller online stores that don’t need extensive ecommerce functionalities.My verdict: Squarespace is the clear winner for users looking to build a full-fledged ecommerce website with advanced features. Hostinger is a great budget option for small businesses or individuals needing basic e-commerce capabilities.

Squarespace vs Hostinger: User experience

Squarespace focuses on giving you a visually-driven user experience. Its platform is smooth, well-organized, and packed with design-forward features that make building a website enjoyable. Whether you're a designer or someone with minimal tech skills, Squarespace’s well-thought-out UI leverages the help of AI for intuitive recommendations. All of their templates are mobile-optimized, so your website will look great across all devices.Hostinger’s AI builder is designed to be quick and easy. The interface is straightforward and the features are great for those with no or little website building experience. While it doesn’t have the same level of design customization as Squarespace, the simplicity of the platform makes it easier to navigate, particularly for non-designers. Plus, the platform is lightweight, which ensures fast load times and smooth browsing experiences.My verdict: If you value design and aesthetics, Squarespace’s user experience is unparalleled. Hostinger is more focused on efficiency and speed, making it a great choice for users who prioritize simplicity over complex design options.

Squarespace vs Hostinger: Support

Squarespace comes with 24/7 email support and live chat during business hours. Additionally, they have an extensive knowledge base, video tutorials, forum, and webinars to help you get the most out of their platform. If you need professional assistance, you can hire a Squarespace Expert to help set up your site. While Squarespace support is highly regarded, the lack of direct phone support may be a drawback for some users.Similarly, despite a lack of phone support, Hostinger’s customer support team functions well with 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. Like Squarespace, it features a knowledge base with step-by-step guides, articles, and tutorials. What sets Hostinger apart is its Hostinger Academy YouTube channel, which has over 550 videos, run by industry experts.My verdict: It’s almost a tie, since both Squarespace and Hostinger offer good resources, though neither has phone support. Squarespace comes with live chat, tutorials, and expert help, while Hostinger is known for quick responses and its highly valuable YouTube channel.

Squarespace vs Hostinger: Final Verdict

Between the two, Hostinger stands out as a more affordable and flexible choice. Plans start at a small fraction of Squarespace's cost while offering essential website building features. AI tools add great value for content creation and optimization. The platform also boasts reliable hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Hostinger suits budget-conscious users, small businesses, and those who want a mix of simplicity and customization.Squarespace, though pricier, offers superior design quality. Its professionally crafted templates and easy drag-and-drop editor make it a favorite among creatives. It's often rated as one of the easiest website builders, perfect for beginners who want to focus on aesthetics. The platform includes better integrations and features, but these come at a higher price.For users looking for the best value and AI-assisted building, Hostinger is the top pick. If design is your main focus and you’re ready to pay more for a polished site, Squarespace is the gold standard. Your choice should depend on your specific needs, budget, and design preferences.

The group struck government, air control, and telco firms in Southeast AsiaVictims were not namedLotus Panda used never-before-seen infostealers and loaders

Lotus Panda, a Chinese state-sponsored threat actor, managed to compromise multiple organizations in a number of Southeast-Asian countries, in a campaign that took place between mid-2024 and early 2025.Cybersecurity researchers from the Symantec Threat Hunter Team said the organizations included government agencies, air traffic control organizations, telecom operators, and a construction company in one country, a news agency in another, and an air freight organization in another. The victim countries, or organizations, were not named.In the attack, the group used never-before-seen malware, loaders, credential stealers, and reverse SSH tools.

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Chinese cyber-spies

Lotus Panda allegedly abused legitimate executables from antivirus companies Trend Micro and Bitdefender, using them to sideload malicious DLL files which dropped and decrypted second-stage payloads. The threat actor also allegedly updated Sagerunex, a group-exclusive tool that can steal sensitive information and exfiltrate it, encrypted, to a third-party server. We don’t know how the group made the initial breach, though.Other notable tools used in this campaign are infostealers ChromeKatz and CredentialKatz."The attackers deployed the publicly available Zrok peer-to-peer tool, using the sharing function of the tool in order to provide remote access to services that were exposed internally," Symantec said. "Another legitimate tool used was called 'datechanger.exe.' It is capable of changing timestamps for files, presumably to muddy the waters for incident analysts.Lotus Panda is a known state-sponsored group, sometimes reported as Billbug, Lotus Blossom, Thrip, Spring Dragon, and Bronze Elgin. The group has allegedly been active since 2009, and is focused primarily on cyber-espionage. Its usual targets are government agencies, defense organizations, telcos and the media in Southeast Asia.There were also reports of Lotus Panda attacks in the United States and Australia, too, which could suggest that the group is looking to expand its reach.Via The Hacker News

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The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has granted the first licenses to three companies to provide VPN services The new framework comes as Pakistanis increasingly use VPNs to bypass the X ban and other internet restrictionsThe Authority now urges all VPN providers to obtain a license to avoid potential service disruptions

Pakistan's telecom authority continues its quest to regulate the use of unlicensed VPNs across the country despite pushbacks.On April 18, 2025, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) granted the needed license to three companies in order to provide their services in the country. The Authority now urges all VPN providers operating in Pakistan to obtain a license to avoid potential service disruptions.All this comes as increasingly more Pakistanis have been using some of the best VPN services to access X, which has been blocked since February 2024, and other restricted social media platforms.

The end of unlicensed VPNs in Pakistan?

"The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has commenced the licensing of Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers under the Class License for the Provision of Data Services in Pakistan. As part of this process, PTA has already granted Class Licenses to provide VPN services to three companies," the PTA wrote in an official announcement.The plan for a new licensing category for VPN providers was first unveiled in December last year in a bid to regulate Pakistan VPN usage. Companies need to apply for a permit to operate within the country and avoid potential blocks.As the Pakistani English-speaking newspaper The Dawn pointed out at the time, the PTA plan envisages local companies to provide VPN or proxy services to citizens, instead of foreign companies, which are more difficult to control.This may mean the anonymity of Pakistani VPN users could be compromised when using a licensed provider as authorities may be able to monitor VPN traffic.

A post shared by PTA (@ptaofficialpk)A photo posted by on

As mentioned earlier, the Authority is now urging all VPN providers operating in the country to apply for the needed license."Timely licensing will help prevent potential service disruptions and ensure uninterrupted access for their customers," wrote the PTA.VPN services remain a necessary tool at the time of writing to keep accessing all the main social media platforms in Pakistan, including X, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and even Bluesky.Given last year's failures in successfully regulating VPN usage in Pakistan – authorities were forced to withdraw the ban on unregistered services due to a lack of legal grounds to ban VPNs – it's difficult to predict what's at stake for VPN users in the country.Talking to TechRadar back in December, Proton VPN confirmed that if the PTA's VPN framework is eventually enforced for all providers, the company's response would be to replace its physical servers with its Smart Routing technology, as the company did in India in 2022.TechRadar has approached some of the top providers for comment on the matter, but we are still waiting for a response at the time of writing.

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The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has been officially revealed, and it's available right nowThe game is on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Game PassIt has been rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 and features all-new character models, reworked mechanics, a lighting system, and more

Bethesda Softworks has officially unveiled The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, and it's playable right now.Following a series of recent leaks, today's special Bethesda broadcast finally confirmed that the remaster of the 2006 game is real and is now available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Game Pass.The standard edition costs $49.99 / £49.99 and it's $59.99 / £59.99 for the Deluxe Edition. The Deluxe Edition comes with the base game plus additional content in the form of new quests, armor, horse armor, and weapons.According to Bethesda, the game has been rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 in collaboration with Virtuos to "achieve our visual goals" and features all-new character models, a new lighting system that simulates how light interacts with the environment, and a rework of the game mechanics.

Gameplay has also been completely modernized, along with UI and UX, audio, and environments, like cities, woodland, and dungeons, but still features the original game's identity."This is Oblivion in its most complete form," one developer said in the broadcast.Bethesda boss Todd Howard also made an appearance to talk about the remaster 20 years after the original was released, and also reaffirmed that the studio is "working on the sixth chapter," aka The Elder Scrolls 6."...What's great about The Elder Scrolls is being able to look back at all of the chapters: Skyrim, Morrowind, Oblivion, Daggerfall, Arena. Each of them try to define role-playing games and open-world games for their generation," he said."Oblivion was a real defining moment in the series and how we make games as a studio."

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Engadget's pick for the best security camera for newbies is on sale for 30 percent off. The Google Nest Security Cam has an easy setup, wide-ranging compatibility and 1080p HD video. It also doesn't hurt that it's pretty dang cute. Typically ringing up for $100, you can get the camera today on Amazon for $69.98.

We found the wired security camera to have the most true-to-life video of the models we tested. Its colors hit a Goldilocks zone — neither too cold nor too warm — with subtle, accurate hues. It also supports night vision, with smoother and less grainy results than competing cams.

The camera covers about a 90-degree vertical range and 360 degrees horizontally. Its recordings' 135-degree diagonal field of view isn't the widest, but it should be plenty for anything you need to see.

Part of what makes it accessible to smart home security newcomers is the Google Home app. First, the odds are high that you already have an account with the company, making signing in a breeze. In addition, adding your device to the app is an easy process with clear labels and easy-to-follow instructions. It also offers full functionality for iPhones, not just Android handsets.

The Nest Cam has a friendly-looking design composed of two half orbs connected by a little arm. The device has a matte finish and is available in several colors: white, foggy gray and charming "linen."

Although the camera's subscription plan is optional, using it without one severely limits your options, with only three hours of recent event history and people, animal and vehicle detection. Otherwise, you'll need to plunk down $8 monthly for a Nest Aware subscription that saves the past 30 days of activity. Or, if you want to go all in, a $15 monthly Plus plan lets you rewind up to 90 days of history and supports up to 10 days of 24/7 recording. Unfortunately, the camera doesn't have a local storage option. So, you'll want to consider the (nearly mandatory) subscription cost before pulling the trigger.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/our-favorite-google-nest-security-camera-is-on-sale-for-30-percent-off-161756687.html?src=rss

Instagram Edits is out now as a free video editor on Android and iOSIt's Meta's answer to CapCut with a major emphasis on integration with the main Instagram platformEdits also features some AI-powered tools like Cutouts and Animate

Instagram’s answer to CapCut is finally here. Edits was first teased by Adam Mosseri, the Meta-owned social media giant's head, in mid-January, as TikTok was facing its first ban in the US. It was originally supposed to launch in February, then March, but here we are in April, and today’s the day.As initially promised, Instagram Edits is available for free on Android and iOS. It lands as a familiar timeline-based editor offering deep integration with Instagram, meaning you can view your metrics, watch other Reels, browse through all the available sounds and audio clips, and even apply popular effects.Unlike CapCut, which is owned by TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, or other video-editing apps for mobile, Instagram is billing Edits as a one-stop shop. As you can see from the screenshots below, there's a lot of focus on creation and ideation.Beyond importing video, making cuts, adding text, and implementing effects, you can use sticky notes of sorts to create lists of ideas or manage various projects.

(Image credit: Instagram)

As noted above, you can watch other Reels and browse for them without leaving the app. Plus, you’ll have the ability to save notes associated with them – maybe it’s one you want to remix or just an excellent custom audio you want to use in your next video.The big appeal, though, for the Instagram faithful is a promised high-quality camera for "enhanced video recording." This way, you can capture and edit right in the app, versus shooting in another app and then moving it into Instagram. Again, as a trend for Meta, the goal is to own the whole process.Now, whether you shoot in the app or import, there are plenty of editing tools available. Mosseri initially teased that Edits would have all the tools you’d expect, and those are here. Instagram is tossing in some more unique ones, though, including the ability to pull from popular effects like a green screen.More advanced effects, like Cutouts, which allows you to isolate a person or object on screen with tracking, or Antimate, which likely utilizes a Meta LLM, can turn images into video for engaging moments, are also included.Both seem pretty handy, and are located at the very bottom of the interface as a row of tools. Above it, you’ll have a classic timeline that harkens back to iMovie and looks quite reminiscent of CapCut. You’ll have your main video track with audio below it, as well as room for on-screen elements like text or overlays.

(Image credit: Instagram)

While I haven’t tried Edits yet, the core functions seem to be on a par with those of other video editors, and it should be easy enough to quickly create an edit with drag-and-drop, cuts, splits, and more. Edits also has a Captions tool, as well as options to record a voiceover and add other elements.Instagram is also promising to listen to feedback, and already has a list of features that are set to arrive in the next few updates to Edits, including the ability to use AI to modify videos, likely with a prompt; keyframes, collaboration features, and an expansion to built-in elements like fonts, filters, and voice effects, among other things.The platform also promises to listen to feedback on Edits and use it to inform the development roadmap. I'm curious to see how Edits stacks up, given that CapCut, which I use quite a bit, disappeared for a while TikTok was banned. You can edit up to 10 minutes of video, and Instagram promises watermark-free exports to its own platform as well as general saves to the device.Additionally, while the AI features aren’t make or break, they could let creators spice up content, and I like the promised functionality of Cutouts. So, yes, while the design does resemble CapCut, that platform didn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel of video editing on the fly.If anything, Instagram launching Edits as a free video editor on iOS and Android should inspire some new features for competing apps to help level the playing field. If you’re interested in trying Edits, it’s rolling out now for Android and iOS.

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Earlier this year, right as TikTok and other ByteDance apps were temporarily pulled from Apple and Google’s app stores, Meta announced that it was working on a new video editing app tailored to Instagram creators. That app, called Edits, is now finally rolling out as Meta continues to try to leverage the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future to draw more creators to its apps.

As previewed in its earlier app store listings, Edits promises much more advanced editing tools than what’s been available in Meta’s apps. The in-app camera allows creators to capture up to 10 minutes of video and publish to Instagram in “enhanced quality.” It also features popular editing effects like green screen and Instagram’s extensive music catalog.

In keeping with Meta’s current focus on AI, Edits comes with a couple AI-powered features as well. The “animate” feature allows users to create a video from a static image, while “cutouts” enables video makers to “isolate specific people or objects with precision tracking.” And unlike ByteDance’s popular editor CapCut, Edits doesn’t export videos with a watermark of any kind (Instagram downranks videos with visible watermarks).

While Edits is launching months after CapCut came back online in the US, Meta is adding some Instagram-specific features to lure Reels creators. This includes in-app post analytics, as well as the ability to import audio tracks they’ve previously saved in the app. And it sounds like Instagram creators can look forward to more specialized features in the future. In a blog post, the company notes that the current version of the app is merely “the first step” for Edits, and that it plans to collaborate with creators on more functionality going forward.

Edits is out now in the App Store and Google Play.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-is-rolling-out-edits-its-capcut-competitor-163045930.html?src=rss

Huge spoilers for The Last of Us season 2, episode 2 hereNo really, there will be no holds barred on the HUGE events of that episodeBut we won't spoil anything about the future from the game – it's TV-only here

Well, it's here. The Last of Us' TV viewers on Max have caught up to the crushing linchpin of the story's second act that those who played the game have been dreading.At the end of the second episode, Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) takes revenge for her father's death and brutally kills Joel (Pedro Pascal) in front of Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who can do nothing but cry and plead in anguish, and in vain.With confirmation that a third season is on the way, there's been heavy implication that the story of the second game would be split across seasons, and I assumed that they might tweak the order of the narrative to push Joel's death to the end of the second season.But no, here we are, looking out today across a landscape of social media posts and reviews from people who are – among other emotions – crushed, furious, confused, and impressed.I have to start with the post on X from @scarjsn that I referenced in the headline, saying "ellie hugging joel's body just ruined my entire week, month, and year" because that seems to have hit the target for a lot of people, as does this post.

i don’t know if there’s anything i’ll ever be able to do to emotionally recover from this moment. #TheLastOfUsSeason2 pic.twitter.com/bisjISeNnjApril 21, 2025

The moment has hit people in a few different ways. There is, it has to be said, the Pedro Pascal of it all. There is a pretty major portion of the world whose attachment is to having this extremely charming and handsome star at the center of the show – especially given his adorable real-life relationship with Bella Ramsey. A large number of people are devastated at losing him as much as the character.But for sure there is a huge amount of love for the character being expressed in people's sadness and anger. It takes a few forms, including people taking what you might call a bittersweet approach, looking at how we got to see the best parts of his character in the final stretch of his life…

joel couldn’t save his daughter, so he protected every goddamn teenage girl until it killed him #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/SwOqvsBfhAApril 21, 2025

…and on the other hand, we have people burning with white hot and unassailable fury at Abby's actions.

Adding her to my list of Top 10 MOST HATED TV CHARACTERS. And it’s only been two episodes. IDGAF what her reason was. I hate this mf’er with a passion and hope she eats pavement (the actress great tho, like kudos to her). #TheLastOfUs #TLOU pic.twitter.com/VqvgRkYStVApril 21, 2025

In the current world where people seem increasingly unwilling to keep the real world and fiction separate, the TLoU team and Max seem to have prepared a bunch of social content of everyone on the show palling around, having a great time, and generally loving each other very much.It's a slightly sad fact that the post below from Pascal was clearly necessary, and that the reason behind it was instantly noticeable, with one Reddit noting "The fact that Pedro posted this photo after episode 2 so his fans wouldn't hate her", while the Daily Beast described it as Pascal 'shielding' Dever from fans. (When the game came out, the actress who portrayed Abby in it received a long-running flood of abusive messages and death threats.)

A post shared by Pedro Pascal he/him (@pascalispunk)A photo posted by on

Bella Ramsey's portrayal of Ellie throughout the whole episode has drawn a lot of praise, not just for the big climax (which we'll come to), but more broadly for how subtly and honestly they portray the mixed feelings that come in the aftermath of the dance.That's helped by the show filling itself with subtle nods to their bond going beyond outward actions or words (pay close attention to the guitar…), but also in Ramsey's delivery of the line below (full or dramatic irony as it may be).

"I'm still me, he's still Joel and we... nothing's gonna change. ever." 😭😭😭#TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/d5ZbLgZLGoApril 21, 2025

There are other shifts in Ramsey's physicality that denote changes deep in Ellie's core. "She looks somehow older in the space of an episode and like a genuine demon waiting to be unleashed," says this Reddit thread from a user saying any concerns about Ramsey playing the older Ellie of season 2 had been eliminated.Of course, subtlety in the delivery out the window when Ellie is injured, trapped helpless on the floor, and forced to watch the person she loves the most die horrible.Ramsey goes through so many modes in those scenes, and looks as physically destroyed by her anguish as she sounds it. The nuclear fury, the painful realization, the cruel half-hope, and the end.

bella ramsey, the emmy is yours pic.twitter.com/7ufQGEqhqHApril 21, 2025

The interesting question is how well the viewership at large responds to The Last of Us' big change. Obviously, that's going to depend partly on what actually comes next, and I'm not going into anything from the game here.But it's a big risk – this moment is so cruel to so many characters, and it's possible for a dark show to go too dark in the eyes of its viewers. That's the question raised by The Guardian, which asks "will this show survive that horrific death?". Writer Graeme Virtue adds: "You could also call that ending brave, or even foolish … By killing off Joel in such a savage fashion, and further traumatising Ellie, you surely risk pushing the story too far into bleakness."Collider has an interesting take on the unflinching brutality of it all: "Like it or not, we needed to see [Joel die] in 'The Last of Us' season 2"."Some viewers may have thought it was too much, but, unfortunately, the depiction of Joel's death is a necessary plot point of this adaptation of The Last of Us, and it isn't about gratuitous violence and gore," writes Julio Bardini. "Instead, it's about being true to one of the most important unspoken rules of storytelling: if someone dies, you've got to show a body."Bardini notes that permanent death has become hard to believe in the era of legacy-sequel revivals or long-running franchises simply needing to get people in their seats, and the return of a fan-favorite is an easy way to do that. If you want people to feel the devastation that TLoU viewers are feeling right now, you need to make clear that there is no ambiguity about it.It's fair to say the show achieved that, and now we are at what Esquire has called "past the point of no return." As Brady Langmann says: "This show belongs to Bella Ramsey now."

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Motorola is planning to launch open earbuds and a new watchThe earbuds are another collaboration with BoseNo price or launch date as yet

Motorola seems to be about to launch its first ever pair of open earbuds in partnership with Bose. And they'll be launching alongside a new Motorola smartwatch too.That's according to well-known leaker Evan Blass, who posted an image of both products to his X account.This isn't the first time Motorola has worked with Bose on a set of buds: it did the same with the Moto Buds+. And if that's any indication, the new earbuds should sound great: in our Moto Buds+ review we described them as "brilliant budget wireless buds" – although the app lacked support for some Android devices, and wasn't available for iOS at all.

Motorola open earbuds: what we know so far

The product name, price and availability haven't been announced yet, although Blass previously reported on the existence of "Moto Loop Earbuds".The images tell us that the earbuds are clip-ons, come in a white gold finish and include a case very much like the one you get with a set of Bose QuietComfort 2 earbuds.Given the Bose connection, it's worth reading up on the Bose Ultra Open earbuds: we reckon they're the best open earbuds on the market right now at the more premium end, and they offer a very impressive audio experience despite being open.But obviously, some people want a more affordable option, and the Moto option might provide that. Bose is on a budget partnership roll right now – Skullcandy just announced its new buds that have Bose sound and noise cancellation tech built-in, and are launching at just $99 / £99.As for the smartwatch, that's a bit less exciting: the Moto Watch Fit, if that's what it's called, looks very like a squarer version of the current Moto Watch 40. It's been reported as an Apple Watch SE rival, so while it may be a little more expensive than the Watch 40 it should still be a fairly affordable device.

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I try to play as broad a swathe of games as I can, including as many of the major releases as I am able to get to. Baldur's Gate 3 garnered near-universal praise when it arrived in 2023, and I was interested in trying it. But when I watched gameplay videos, the user interface seemed distressingly busy. There were far too many icons at the bottom of the screen and my brain crumbled at the sight of them. I am yet to try Baldur's Gate 3.

Two years later, I had similar feelings ahead of checking out Overwatch 2's Stadium, a major new mode for a game I play nearly every single day. Blizzard gave members of the press a spreadsheet that detailed all of the possible upgrades and powers for each hero, as well as a list of modifiers that any character can use. With two dozen or so unlockables for each of the 17 heroes that will be in Stadium at the jump and about 70 general upgrades, that's hundreds of different options Blizzard is adding to the game all at once.

As I scrolled through the list, I was surprised that a feeling of dismay washed over me. I started to worry that Stadium might not be for me.

Figuring out how to combine the items and powers in effective ways for so many different characters seemed completely daunting. It doesn't help that I'm growing tired of more and more major games having RPG elements with deeper character customization. Taking some of the decision making out of my hands by giving a character a defined set of abilities and weapons with no stat or gear upgrades to worry about is more my speed.

Thankfully, Blizzard has some good ideas on how to welcome players into this new mode. And, as it turns out, once I actually started playing Stadium, my anxious feelings swiftly melted away and I had a great time with it.

Blizzard bills Stadium, which will go live for all players as part of season 16 on April 22, as the third pillar of Overwatch 2. It will nestle alongside the Competitive and Unranked modes and only be available in a ranked format.

Stadium is a very different take on Overwatch 2. For instance, it has a more sports-like presentation. Thanks to some tweaks to maps that seem a little out of the Apex Legends playbook and a new, looser announcer, it feels a bit more like a spectator sport than the lore-infused Competitive and Unranked formats. The maps in Stadium are either new stages or condensed versions of existing ones, with rounds typically lasting just a few minutes each.

On paper, Stadium is a more tactical spin on Overwatch 2, though with a vastly different approach than the likes of Valorant or CS:GO. Neither of those games really landed for me (I retired from Valorant with a very modest undefeated record), adding to my concern that I wouldn’t gel with Stadium.

This is a best-of-seven, 5v5 format built around customizing your hero during a match with various upgrades. What's more, this is the first time players can opt for a third-person view at all times. The first-person view is still there if you prefer it.

It's a little redundant to think of Stadium as Blizzard's answer to Marvel Rivals. It's been in development for over two years — it was conceived before Overwatch 2 even debuted and long before Marvel Rivals siphoned away a chunk of the player base. Still, it's hard not to make the comparison.

Blizzard Entertainment

There's a lot to drink in here. Ahead of my hands-on time with Stadium, I asked game director Aaron Keller how the Overwatch 2 team designed the mode to avoid making it feel too overwhelming and how the developers hoped to ease players into Stadium.

The team has done a few things with the aim of making the transition "a little less intimidating" for both long-time players and newcomers to the game, such as having a tab with example builds in the Armory, the pre-round shop where you select your upgrades. "If you want to, when you're playing a hero for the first time, you can just click through a custom, designer-built set of powers and items that you can unlock over the course of that match," Keller said. "It takes a little bit of what can be an overwhelming decision-making process out of your first-time experience, but you'll still be able to feel yourself grow in power."

Restricting the initial roster of heroes to 17 out of 43 can help players get to grips with Stadium, Keller suggested, though Blizzard will add more characters to the mode each season (newcomer Freja will join Stadium after the midseason update). The lack of hero swapping could also be a boon here. "All you're really gonna have to focus on is what your hero, your team's heroes and the enemy team can do over the course of that match," Keller said.

The lack of hero swaps did seem odd at first. One of the things that initially drew me to Overwatch was that each character had a defined set of abilities. The idea of being able to switch to a different hero to counter a particular menace on the enemy team was such a core part of the Overwatch experience for so long, but that faded over time. The switch to role locks (which restricts each player to only picking a hero in a certain class) and the new perks system, which incentivizes sticking with one character over the course of a match to unlock useful upgrades, have diminished the freedom of swapping to any other hero at any time.

In Stadium, rather than hero swaps, the answer to countering a pesky opponent is optimizing your build. "A lot of Stadium takes place during combat, but it's just as important to be able to put a strategy together around what you're unlocking in the Armory," Keller said. "It becomes much, much harder to do that if you can't predict what the heroes are going to be on the enemy team from round to round."

To help players from feeling like they're unable to deal with a certain enemy (such as having a D.Va that couldn't normally block a Zarya's beam), players will be able to put together counter builds in the Armory.

"We've got anti-barrier builds you can use. We've even got anti-beam builds that are available to different heroes," Keller said. "If you're going up against a Zarya, there are some things that you, or people on your team, are going to be able to do to counter that."

Through the Armory, you can unlock up to four powers. These are powerful and/or ridiculous abilities that you can pick from every other round. These are locked in for the duration of a match.

One power sees Ashe's ultimate cost slashed in half, but when she deploys B.O.B., he's just a little guy with lower attack speed and durability. Mini B.O.B. is just far too adorable for words. Another power lets Kiriko players spawn an AI-controlled clone of the support for a few seconds after she teleports.

Along with powers, there are items. These are purchased with earnable currency and can be swapped out before each round. You get some currency at the beginning of a match and earn more by playing well — dealing damage, scoring eliminations, healing allies, collecting a bounty by taking out an enemy who's crushing it and so on. Common and rare items boost your stats, but epic items are the ones you want. These are the more expensive upgrades that you unlock more of the longer a Stadium match goes.

Mei has some really great tweaks, such as the ability to move faster if on ground that she freezes, being able to remove a burn effect with her chilling primary fire and turning into a rolling ice ball that damages opponents. One enemy I faced used a combo of Mei's ice ball and ice wall to trap me, with both abilities damaging my hero at the same time. I'm stealing that strategy.

Blizzard Entertainment

Orisa, meanwhile, can use her javelin spin to fly a short distance. Ana (the best hero in the game) can cast her powerful Nano Boost through walls and to multiple allies. Soldier: 76 can get a short burst of his auto-aiming ultimate after damaging an enemy with his Helix Rockets. This is just scratching the surface of the items on offer, and the options can compound on each other to make abilities wildly powerful.

"I mostly just want to present a space for players where they feel like they can take the elements they really love about the other core modes that we have and just push them. Find that character that speaks to them and just push it as far as they can," senior game designer Dylan Snyder said when asked what would make the team's work on Stadium feel like it paid off.

"If we start seeing people sharing builds around and saying 'guys, I found this, this is the answer in this scenario, check this out.' They do write-ups on that, to me that's a win. Any numbers or metrics aside, to me, that's the mark of something that has landed with people."

Overwatch 2's practice range is there for a reason

I'm glad I took some time to play around with all of the heroes in the Stadium version of the practice range before hopping into a match. I started to get a feel for what each hero could do with maxed-out example builds. Certain abilities can quickly become very powerful if you pick powers and items that complement each other. When I hopped into matches, I made a conscious choice to stop worrying about understanding everything and to embrace the side of Overwatch 2 that I love the most: full-blown chaos.

Relying on the example builds was a big help at the outset. By focusing on those — and selecting the items that I felt would be the most effective at any given time — I didn't have to overthink anything. Just quickly pick a power and some items and try to enjoy myself, before switching to more powerful items as soon as I had a chance. That was my strategy.

Because of that, I've been having an absolute blast with Stadium so far. Playing around with all the new stuff you can do as all of the heroes is far more engaging than I've expected. Piling every resource into survivability as a tank or weapon upgrades as a damage hero makes sense, but each hero has a ton of flexibility.

For instance, I could have gone all in on upgrading Ashe's Dynamite. But having a second Coach Gun charge to simultaneously blow up a trio of additional sticky explosives that can spawn when Ashe's Dynamite detonates was very impactful. I picked up quite a few kills with that trick.

Blizzard Entertainment

My favorite upgraded ability so far is being able to fly while using Reinhardt's charge. He can soar across nearly half a map in a few seconds. It's absurd. Not even flying heroes are safe from Reinhardt barreling them into a wall.

I'm a bit more mixed on the third-person view. It does have a lot of advantages, such as a wider field of view and peeking around walls. Until now, I've often had to use a dance emote to secretly peer around a corner. A lot of players will also appreciate being able to get a better look at the skins they've worked so hard (or spent so much) to unlock.

But I think some of the game's tactility is lost in third-person mode. In that perspective, Reinhardt feels a little slower and the satisfying smack of his hammer when it clatters an enemy feels less impactful. It's also a little jarring to switch from a third-person view to aiming down a rifle's sights with Ashe or Ana. So, although the third-person perspective works well for heroes like D.Va, Kiriko and Lucio, I'm glad the first-person mode is still an option.

Meanwhile, Soldier: 76 feels completely overpowered as things stand. He's been an ever-present in my matches and those playing as him usually ended up with the most currency out of everyone in the lobby. But that's the kind of thing the developers will be keeping a close eye on. It'll be even tougher to balance Stadium than the other modes, and doing so will be an ongoing process.

When I first started playing Overwatch in 2016, it took me several weeks to get my head around all of the heroes' abilities and how they could be combined or countered. It's going to take me a while to fully understand all of the new stuff here given the multiple layers of complexity, but I'm happy to just relax and have fun, and passively absorb all of the information instead of poring over it like I'm studying for a test.

Despite my initial reservations, I can see myself sticking with Stadium for a while. I've seen some wild stuff already, and things are going to get more bananas in the coming months as Blizzard folds more heroes into the mode. Plus, the Overwatch 2 I know and love is still there. If I ever feel too overwhelmed in Stadium, I can always retreat to the comfort of my beloved Mystery Heroes.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/overwatch-2s-frenetic-stadium-mode-is-a-new-lease-on-life-for-my-go-to-game-165053113.html?src=rss

Network edge devices make up nearly 30% of intrusion points Ransomware is still the most popular attack typeEnd-of-life devices pose a serious risk to security

It won’t come as much of a surprise to learn that cyberattackers are evolving their tactics, and that the number of attacks is growing each year. New research from Sophos shows that these incidents involving network edge devices like routers, VPNs, and firewalls, are becoming a growing point of intrusion - accounting for nearly 30% of initial compromises observed in Sophos’ Annual Threat Report.Within ransomware and data exfiltration attacks, VPNs were the most popular initial compromise type - making up 25% of events, even higher than compromised credentials, which sits at just over 15% - concerning given that billions of credentials are stolen from businesses around the world every year.Unsurprisingly, ransomware topped the table for number of incidents, with over 90% of incident response cases for midsize organizations, and 70% of small business cases involving the attack.

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Digital detritus

A noticeable trend in cybersecurity is the rise in social engineering attacks, primarily to collect credentials in order to move forward into the targeted organization’s network. This is largely due to AI enabling attackers to send out more sophisticated phishing attacks at a higher rate than ever.“Over the past several years, attackers have aggressively targeted edge devices. Compounding the issue is the increasing number of end-of-life (EOL) devices found in the wild – a problem Sophos calls digital detritus. Because these devices are exposed to the internet and often low on the patching priority list, they are a highly effective method for infiltrating networks,” said Sean Gallagher, principal threat researcher at Sophos.Out-of-date tech poses a serious risk to cybersecurity teams, and is costing organizations in operational costs and security risks - making lifecycle management an integral part of cyber defense.“However, targeting edge devices is part of a larger shift we’re witnessing in which attackers don’t have to deploy custom malware. Instead, they can exploit businesses’ own systems, increasing their agility and hiding in the places security leaders aren’t looking,” Gallagher adds.

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Fellow has been slowly growing its collection of coffee gadgets with its brewers, scale, grinders and more. But up until now, there's always been a big hole in its lineup. That changes today with the arrival of the company's first espresso machine: the Espresso Series 1.

When I got to try it out a couple weeks ago prior to launch, Fellow CEO Jake Miller said the goal was to make a device that "baristas would be excited to use and that they could actually afford." That said, at $1,500, it certainly isn't cheap. However, when you start comparing the Espresso Series 1 capabilities to competing machines, that price quickly begins to make a lot of sense. That's because unlike a lot of similarly priced rivals, Fellow's offering offers a ton of ways to customize and adjust the brewing process, which includes control over not just temperature, but also pressure, extraction time, steaming and the ability to create or download profiles for specific beans.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

When compared to other modern machines, competitors like the $1,350 Meticulous support custom profiles and pressure settings, but it doesn't have a built-in steamer for milk like the Series 1. And if you want a ton of control over everything, espresso enthusiasts often look to even more complex and expensive options like the Decent, which goes for well over $3,000. So while Fellow's latest product might seem pricey, it feels very reasonable in context.

Now, I will admit that when I saw the Series 1 in its cherry red hero color, I thought Fellow had departed from its previous design language. But after closer inspection, it’s clear the company still retains its focus on clean lines while still making the device easy-to-use. It just has a bit more character now thanks to elements like the polished stainless metal brewer and the wood accents on the included 58mm portafilter's handle. The Series 1's base kit comes with both a single-wall double-shot basket and a pressurized double-shot basket. Fellow even went out of its way to create a rear housing made from a single sheet of metal with curvy corners, because the company wanted the back to look just as good as the front.

Similar to the Aiden, the Series 1 features a circular screen, except this time it's slightly larger. And while you can adjust everything using the espresso machine's single control dial, for more complex tasks like creating custom profiles, it'll probably be easier to use Fellow's free companion app (iOS and Android) instead.

When it comes to brewing, I really appreciate that if you just want a cup of espresso, the Series 1 streamlines things and makes it easy to bust out a cup quickly. There are three rather self-explanatory buttons on top for espresso, steaming and dispensing hot water. Plus, there are a ton of small but handy features like a temperature-sensing wand (with auto-purge) that helps take a lot of the guesswork out of making perfectly frothy milk. Fellow even thought about stuff like someone's daily workflow, which is why there's a small rubberized mat on top of the machine for storing demitasse cups.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Of course, the proof is in espresso. The Series 1 produced a cup with a surprising amount of crema that highlighted the beans' fruity notes. It was rich and smooth and pretty much everything I want in a shot of java. It also made the brewing process very approachable, because for people who might not have a ton of experience, there are guided brew settings as well.

Normally, when I want espresso, I go out to a coffee shop because I've yet to find a machine that hits the right balance between modern styling and ease of use while still having the ability to adjust and tinker with settings. But with the Espresso Series 1, it feels like Fellow has made a machine that delivers on everything that all levels of enthusiasts can get into.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

The Espresso Series 1 will be available for $1,500 in three colors: cherry red, malted chocolate and black. However, Fellow says early buyers can get a special launch price of $1,200, which includes a $100 credit for the company's Drops program that offers a curated selection of coffee beans for purchase.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/the-espresso-series-1-is-the-new-crown-jewel-in-fellows-coffee-gadget-lineup-170008473.html?src=rss

Pinterest is testing a new prompt that warns kids to get off the app during school hours, as reported by The Verge. The pop-up warning encourages minors in the US and Canada to stop using the app and turn off notifications until the end of the day. "Focus is a beautiful thing," the prompt says. "Stay in the moment by putting Pinterest down."

This prompt only appears to kids aged 13 to 17 and only between 8AM and 3PM on weekdays. It’s a large-scale test, so Pinterest says the prompt will reach "millions" of minors. The platform says it's the first tech company to institute this kind of "proactive" feature to help kids build healthy online habits. That may be true in the world of social media, but any rabid Nintendo fan will remember the incessant prompts to take breaks in the Wii, DS and 3DS eras.

Pinterest CEO Bill Ready has also announced the company’s support of phone-free school policies. Some European countries have banned phones in schools in recent years. Here in the US, New York is close to implementing a statewide ban that’s informally called a “bell-to-bell” restriction. Several other states are in the process of developing their own bans.

To go along with this initiative, Pinterest is providing a $1 million grant to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) to "support school leaders in creating a healthy digital culture in their schools." This money will fund task forces across a dozen states to help develop policies that “improve students’ digital wellbeing.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/pinterest-will-warn-kids-not-to-use-its-app-during-school-hours-171512379.html?src=rss

When ChatGPT uses the GPT-4.5 model, it can pass the Turing Test by fooling most people into thinking it's humanNearly three-quarters of people in a study believed the AI was human during a five-minute conversationChatGPT isn't conscious or self-aware, though it raises questions around how to define intelligence

Artificial intelligence sounds pretty human to a lot of people, but usually, you can tell pretty quickly when you're engaging with an AI model. However, that may change as OpenAI's new GPT-4.5 model passed the Turing Test by fooling people into thinking it was a human over the course of a five-minute conversation. Not just a few people, but 73% of those participating in a University of California, San Diego study.In fact, GPT-4.5 outperformed some of the actual human participants, who were accused of being AI in the blind test. Still, the fact that the AI did such a good impression of a human being that it seemed more human than actual humans says a lot about the brilliance of the machine or just how awkward humans can be.Participants sat down for two back-to-back conversations with a human and a chatbot, not knowing which was which, and had to identify the AI afterward. To help GPT-4.5 succeed, the model had been given a detailed personality to mimic in a series of prompts. It was told to act like a young, slightly awkward, but internet-savvy introvert with a streak of dry humor.With that little nudge toward humanity, GPT-4.5 became surprisingly convincing. Of course, as soon as the prompts were stripped away and the AI went back to a blank slate personality and history, the illusion collapsed. Suddenly, GPT-4.5 could only fool 36% of those studied. That sudden nosedive tells us something critical: this isn't a mind waking up. It’s a language model playing a part. And when it forgets its character sheet, it’s just another autocomplete.

Cleverness is not consciousness

The result is historic, no doubt. Alan Turing's proposal that a machine capable of conversing well enough to be mistaken for a human might therefore have human intelligence has been debated since he introduced it in 1950. Philosophers and engineers have grappled with the Turing Test and its implications, but suddenly, theory is a lot more real.Turing didn't equate passing his test with proof of consciousness or self-awareness. That's not what the Turing Test really measures. Nailing the vibes of human conversation is huge, and the way GPT-4.5 evoked actual human interaction is impressive, right down to how it offered mildly embarrassing anecdotes. But if you think intelligence should include actual self-reflection and emotional connections, then you're probably not worried about the AI infiltration of humanity just yet.GPT-4.5 doesn’t feel nervous before it speaks. It doesn’t care if it fooled you. The model is not proud of passing the test, since it doesn’t even know what a test is. It only "knows" things the way a dictionary knows the definition of words. The model is simply a black box of probabilities wrapped in a cozy linguistic sweater that makes you feel at ease.The researchers made the same point about GPT-4.5 not being conscious. It’s performing, not perceiving. But performances, as we all know, can be powerful. We cry at movies. We fall in love with fictional characters. If a chatbot delivers a convincing enough act, our brains are more than happy to fill in the rest. No wonder 25% of Gen Z now believe AI is already self-aware.There's a place for debate around this, of course. If a machine talks like a person, does it matter if it isn’t one? And regardless of the deeper philosophical implications, an AI that can fool that many people could be a menace in unethical hands. What happens when the smooth-talking customer support rep isn’t a harried intern in Tulsa, but an AI trained to sound disarmingly helpful, specifically to people like you, so that you'll pay for a subscription upgrade?Maybe the best way to think of it for now is like a dog in a suit walking on its hind legs. Sure, it might look like a little entrepreneur on the way to the office, but it's only human training and perception that gives that impression. It's not a natural look or behavior, and doesn't mean banks will be handing out business loans to canines any time soon. The trick is impressive, but it's still just a trick.

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Wheel of Time is getting a new video game adaptation. The popular fantasy book series has already seen an imagining for the small screen with an Amazon Prime Video series that is currently airing its third season. Now iwot Studios, which has a hand in creating the Amazon show, is launching a new game studio to create a AAA open-world RPG set in the same fictional universe.

iwot brought in Craig Alexander to helm its new video game studio. Alexander has held management and leadership roles at game operations including Warner Bros. Entertainment, Activision, EA and Sierra On-Line. According to Variety, the studio is projecting a three-year development for the game, which seems pretty ambitious considering the it's still hiring team leads. iwot is also behind a planned live action movie as well as an animated feature film set within the same world as Wheel of Time. According to iwot Studios CEO Rick Selvage, the company will have "a lot of continuity in regards to how we approach our transmedia strategy" across the different projects.

This isn't the first time Robert Jordan's books have been source material for a game. Legend Entertainment released a first-person shooter based on Wheel of Time in 1999, and it's still available to play on modern hardware thanks to the preservation efforts at GOG.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/wheel-of-time-is-getting-a-new-aaa-open-world-rpg-adaptation-184741772.html?src=rss

These Chinese companies want to raise $100 million in US IPOsOne company already has 7.2 million paying customersThe trade war continues with reciprocal tariffs

Several Chinese companies are considering IPOs in the US despite major market instability brought on by US-China tensions, which have resulted in an aggressive trade war fuelled by tariffs.The South China Morning Post revealed how a handful of Chinese startups are currently exploring options to expand to the US, however no decisions have been made and they could back out at any time.Among the companies considering options overseas is Walnut Coding, which could seek to raise around $100 million.

These Chinese companies are seeking IPOs in the US

Founded in 2017, Walnut Coding describes itself as a “leader in coding education in China,” covering the likes of Scratch, Python and C++. In February 2024, it had 7.2 million paying customers.Computing infrastructure provider Shenzhen Cloudsky Technologies as well as Zaihui and Zhonghe Group, which are known for their software services, could also be looking to raise $100 million, according to unnamed people familiar with the matter.However, the companies’ explorations may grind to a halt depending on how the trade war plays out. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the delisting of some Chinese companies is currently “on the table” (via Bloomberg).A Walnut Coding spokesperson has already declined to comment, highlighting how precarious the ongoing discussions are.More broadly, the US has imposed triple-figure tariffs on some Chinese goods, but China has fought back by promising to take countermeasures to any “party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests.” Trump says more than 70 nations have reached out to start negotiations already.In relation specifically to the US, China hit back with a 125% tax on products from the US, promising to “fight to the end” in a battle that could go on for longer than previously anticipated.

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Scammers exploit trending topics to trick viewers into losing cryptoBitdefender warns millions at risk from hijacked content creator accountsCyberattacks now target influencers across YouTube, Instagram, and beyond

Cybercriminals are hijacking popular YouTube channels at an alarming rate, exposing viewers to scams, malware, and data theft - and with billions of views and millions of followers at stake, one wrong click can have devastating consequences.New research by Bitdefender Labs claims social media account takeovers surged throughout 2024 and continued evolving into early 2025.Content creators and influencers with significant followings and view counts have become primary targets.

Verification before interaction

Bitdefender detected over 9,000 malicious livestreams on YouTube in 2024. These are often hosted on hijacked channels that impersonate trusted brands and public figures to spread fraud and malware.One such compromised account had a total view count of 12.4 billion; if just 1% of viewers were deceived, 124 million users would be affected.Attackers frequently impersonate popular brands like Tesla, Ripple, or SpaceX, hosting fake livestreams featuring deepfakes of public figures such as Elon Musk or Donald Trump to promote cryptocurrency scams and phishing links.Beyond YouTube, Instagram has also been a major target. Hackers impersonate Meta or Instagram Support in phishing emails, clone login pages, and manipulate creators into sharing SMS verification codes.Malicious sponsorships are another method of infiltration. Cybercriminals lure creators into downloading malware-laced files disguised as promotional content. Malvertising - ads for fake AI tools or games like GTA VI - that install info-stealers and remote access trojans on victims’ devices are also common tactics.Events that draw large online audiences, such as Apple keynotes, the XRP-SEC lawsuit, or CS2 tournaments, are frequently exploited. Attackers use these moments of peak interest to launch scams disguised as official livestreams or contests.For instance, during the 2025 White House Crypto Summit, fake YouTube streams promoted fraudulent airdrops to trick viewers into surrendering sensitive information or cryptocurrency.

How to stay safe

To stay safe, creators are urged to use the best browsers with built-in security features, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), and closely monitor account activity for suspicious changes. Scrutinizing unexpected sponsorship offers, especially those tied to trending topics, is also essential.It’s recommended to implement the best DDoS protection to guard against service disruptions following account takeovers, and to use a reliable proxy service to add a layer of anonymity and security when managing accounts across platforms.Bitdefender also advises creators to train team members on current threats and to stay updated through official security bulletins from platforms and cybersecurity researchers.Tools like Bitdefender Security for Creators offer dedicated protection, including 24/7 account monitoring, scam email filters, and guided recovery options in the event of a breach.

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Max now requires a fee for extra members who join a plan outside of the household. Each person who joins a subscription plan will cost $8 a head, no matter which access tier the main account holder is on. This type of "extra member" charge is how several streaming services have tried to cut down on password sharing by users. Netflix introduced this approach in 2023 and Disney+ followed suit in 2024.

The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned platform has at least temporarily allowed live sports and news content to be viewed for free, which is a nice perk for as long as it lasts. Max last raised its subscription prices in 2024, so hopefully viewers will get a reprieve on any more new costs for the rest of this year.

These non-household members will be able to stream Max content from their own accounts on one device at a time, and they'll have access to the same plan benefits such as video quality and downloads. In addition, when an extra member joins a plan, they can import their existing watch list and preferences with Max's new profile transfer option.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/max-implements-8-extra-member-charges-on-all-subscription-plans-195228707.html?src=rss

Software firm Palantir secures an almost $30 million contract with ICEThe firm will help the agency find physical locations and track logisticsPalantir has worked with ICE since 2014, and holds multiple military partnerships

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has awarded a $29.9 million contract to software firm Palantir to build a software system to quickly enforce the Trump administration's deportation targets, 404 Media reports.Leaked messages show Palantir’s role includes finding the “physical location of people who are marked for deportation” and “producing leads for law enforcement to find people to deport and keeping track of the logistics of Trump’s mass deportation effort.”No other bids were heard by the department, as Palantir is the only vendor able to deliver the system on such a quick turnaround (September 25), the department argues.

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Expected backlash

Palantir chairman Peter Thiel was an early backer of Trump, and the company already holds several defense contracts, and has worked in partnership with ICE since 2014.The software firm also works in partnership with the US and Israeli militaries, and took over the Pentagon’s Project Maven contract - using machine learning for unmanned drones and weapons systems - after Google decided not to pursue the development following petitions and resignations from staff.Trump’s denial of due process to deportees, expulsion of legal residents, and evasion of court orders has garnered serious backlash, with civil rights organizations calling on tech companies to end their relationships with the administration and law enforcement agencies.This backlash led Ted Mabrey, Palantir’s global head of commercial to write on Twitter that new tech workers joining in the wake of Palantir’s contract to “expect to weather attacks like this all the time; from all sides of the political aisle," adding that, "the only way to counter these bullies is not to argue but to build."TechRadar Pro reached out to both Palantir and ICE for insight into any protections for legal residents and law-abiding citizens, but we have not yet received a response.

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Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion, but tensions between Mark Zuckerberg and the app’s founders persisted for years afterward. On Tuesday, Instagram’s former CEO and cofounder Kevin Systrom took the stand in Meta’s antitrust trial in Washington D.C and offered a firsthand account of how Zuckerberg viewed the photo-sharing app as a “threat” to Facebook.

Systrom, who ran Instagram until 2018, said that Zuckerberg slowed hiring and other investments into Instagram despite its success. Zuckerberg, Systrom testified, "believed we were a threat to their growth," and as a result "was not investing" in the photo-sharing app, according to testimony reported by The New York Times. As The Times notes, Instagram had only a fraction of the employees as Facebook even after reaching 1 billion users. "As the founder of Facebook, he felt a lot of emotion around which one was better, meaning Instagram or Facebook," Systrom reportedly said.

Tensions between Instagram’s founders and Zuckerberg over company resources have been previously reported, but Systrom’s testimony is the first time he’s publicly spoken about the issues that ultimately led him to resign from the company. On the stand Tuesday, Systrom said that Zuckerberg “believed we were hurting Facebook’s growth,” according to Bloomberg.

Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram is central to the FTC’s case against Meta. The government has argued that Meta’s purchase of WhatsApp and Instagram were anticompetitive and that the social media company should be forced to divest the businesses. Systrom’s testimony comes a week after Zuckerberg took the stand and defended Meta’s $1 billion Instagram acquisition. However, a 2018 email from Zuckerberg that surfaced earlier in the trial showed that the Facebook founder was aware as early as 2018 that he could be forced to spin off the services into independent entities.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagrams-former-ceo-testifies-zuckerberg-thought-the-app-was-a-threat-to-facebook-202112282.html?src=rss

Google Messages beta finally adds Sensitive Content Warnings for someLive Location was also teased by in-app codeThere's no word on when the features will roll out to everyone

Google Messages looks set to receive a couple of new tools to make the service more useful and safer to use. And we’re excited to try out both once they’ve rolled out.The first is that Google appears set to add live location sharing to its app. That’s according to Android Authority’s recent APK teardown.You can currently share your location with another person through Google Maps, but it sends the information as a static Google Maps pin. If you move, you’ll need to send your location again, which can make meeting up while you’re out and about a challenge.

Is live location sharing incoming? (Image credit: Google)

That looks set to change however, as in the latest beta code a single string referencing “live_location_sharing_shortcut” was discovered.For now the feature isn’t live, but the string suggests that Google is probably experimenting with live location sharing behind the scenes and could be preparing to release the feature in a future beta.As always, there’s a chance Google will never release live location sharing, but here’s hoping it does – and sooner rather than later, given how helpful it can be.

Sensitive Content Warnings incoming

The other update is one that was announced back in February but finally seems to be live for a few via the latest Messages beta: new Sensitive Content Warnings (via 9to5Google).They’ll appear if a Google Messages user sends or receives nude images (if they have the setting switched on), though for adults, it’s switched off by default. Meanwhile, accounts owned by people under 18 will have the feature switched on by default.Supervised accounts can’t turn the warnings off themselves (though parents can control the setting through the Family Link app), while Unsupervised teens (users aged 13 to 17) can turn the warnings off in their Google Account settings if they choose.To change your settings, you’ll want to open Google Messages on your Android device, tap on your profile picture, then tap on Messages settings. Scroll down to find Protection and safety, then Manage sensitive content warnings to then be able to toggle Warnings in Google Messages on or off.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Tada Images )

Google says these warnings are handled by on-device AI (so the feature “doesn’t send identifiable data or any of the classified content or results to Google servers”).If the Android System SafetyCore behind the feature thinks the image might contain nudity, a few things happen.First, if the sender has the feature on, they’ll be warned about the risks of sending nude images before being asked to confirm if they do indeed wish to send it. Similar warnings and confirmations will appear if you’re trying to share a nude image with another person.The receiver will then (if they have content warnings on) see a blurred image, be warned about how nude images can be harmful, have the option to delete the image before seeing it, the chance to block the number which sent the image, and the option to view the image if they choose.With the feature finally starting to appear, it shouldn’t be long before more of us can rely on these AI-powered content warnings to help us stay safer online.

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Slow Pisces targets crypto developers with bad code disguised as stock analysis toolsMalicious code hides in plain sight, using GitHub projects and YAML deserialization tricksVictims unknowingly install RN Loader and RN Stealer through rigged Python repositories

A hacker group from North Korea known as Slow Pisces has launched a sophisticated campaign targeting developers in the cryptocurrency sector through LinkedIn.The group, also known as TraderTraitor or Jade Sleet, poses as recruiters to lure victims with seemingly genuine job offers and coding challenges, only to infect their systems with malicious Python and JavaScript code.Thanks to this campaign, the group has been able to steal substantial amounts of cryptocurrency. In 2023 alone, they were linked to over $1 billion in stolen funds. A $1.5 billion hack at a Dubai exchange and a $308 million theft from a Japanese company are among the recent attacks.

Coders beware!

After initially sending PDF documents containing job descriptions, the malicious actors follow up with coding assignments hosted on GitHub.Although these repositories appear to be based on legitimate open-source projects, they have been secretly altered to include hidden malware.Victims, believing they are completing programming tests, unintentionally allow malware like RN Loader and RN Stealer onto their systems.These booby-trapped projects mimic legitimate developer tools and applications. For instance, Python repositories might seem to analyze stock market trends using data from reputable sources, while secretly communicating with attacker-controlled domains.The malware evades most detection tools by using YAML deserialization, avoiding commonly flagged functions like eval or exec. Once triggered, the loader fetches and executes additional payloads directly in memory, making it difficult to detect or remove.One such payload, RN Stealer, is specifically designed to exfiltrate credentials, cloud configuration files, and stored SSH keys, particularly from macOS systems.JavaScript variants of the malware operate similarly, using the Embedded JavaScript templating engine to hide malicious code, which activates only for targeted victims based on factors like IP addresses or browser headers.Forensic analysis shows that the malware stores code in hidden directories and communicates over HTTPS using custom tokens. However, investigators were unable to recover the full JavaScript payload.GitHub and LinkedIn have responded by removing the malicious accounts and repositories involved.“GitHub and LinkedIn removed these malicious accounts for violating our respective terms of service. Across our products, we use automated technology, combined with teams of investigation experts and member reporting, to combat bad actors and enforce terms of service. We continue to evolve and improve our processes and encourage our customers and members to report any suspicious activity,” the companies said in a joint statement.There is a growing need for caution when approached with remote job offers and coding tests. Developers are advised to use strong antivirus software and run unfamiliar code in secure environments, particularly when working in sensitive sectors like cryptocurrency.Those concerned about security should verify they are using the best IDEs, which typically include integrated security features. Staying alert, and working on a secure, controlled setup, can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to state-backed cyber threats.Via Unit42

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Google is under the microscope following a court ruling last year that it has a monopoly over online search, but the future of its vast suite of digital services is still uncertain at this stage. Last month, the Justice Department suggested that Google would need to sell off the Chrome browser; if the tech giant does make that move, there's already at least one interested buyer.

Bloomberg reports that Nick Turley, head of ChatGPT, spoke at a hearing today about the Google monopoly situation and was asked whether OpenAI would be interested in acquiring Chrome. “Yes, we would, as would many other parties,” he said. Users can currently use the ChatGPT AI assistant in Chrome through a plugin, but Turley said there could be deeper integrations if OpenAI owned the browser. Under OpenAI's hypothetical ownership, Chrome could "introduce users into what an AI first experience looks like."

Chrome isn't the only property Google may lose control over. A separate judge determined earlier this month that Google has also been engaged in anti-competitive behavior over online ad tech. It's no surprise that any other major tech operation would be interested in acquiring one of the many popular services Google has developed over the years. The real question is which one of them landing a purchase wouldn't create a new monopoly. For now, the DOJ is allowing Google to continue its AI investments amid the break-up talk, but adding the browser to OpenAI's holdings may raise new concerns. Since the wheels of justice often turn slowly, it may be a while before we learn the outcomes of the recent Google rulings. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/openai-says-it-would-buy-chrome-if-google-is-forced-to-sell-215239832.html?src=rss