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AI agents are everywhere today and are reshaping how social engineering works. These autonomous systems now independently launch coordinated phishing campaigns across multiple channels simultaneously, operating with an efficiency human attackers cannot match. They work continuously, make fewer mistakes, and require no supervision to effectively target organizations.And they are effective. AI-generated phishing emails achieve a 54% click-through rate compared to just 12% for their human-crafted counterparts. What makes these attacks so effective? Unlike batch-and-blast approaches, AI agents build detailed psychological profiles from vast datasets, crafting messages that speak directly to individual fears, habits and vulnerabilities.More troubling is their adaptive intelligence. These systems learn from each interaction, adjusting tactics based on your responses in real-time across email, text, voice calls and social platforms simultaneously. A hesitant reply becomes valuable feedback that sharpens the next approach.Security teams find themselves outpaced as conventional defenses crumble against threats that evolve by the minute. The production scale is equally concerning: thousands of personalized phishing attempts generated in seconds, each one refined by previous successes and failures.Leading organizations are responding with their own AI-powered defensive systems that detect subtle patterns human analysts might miss. This arms race has also accelerated interest in fundamentally different authentication approaches and cybersecurity awareness programs that address these new psychological vectors.The question isn't whether your organization will face these advanced attacks, but whether you'll recognize them when they arrive.

But What The Heck Are AI Agents Anyway?

Between marketing hype and technical jargon, understanding what constitutes an "AI agent" has become unnecessarily complicated. At its core, an AI agent is simply software that can act independently toward specific goals without constant human guidance.Unlike traditional automation tools that follow rigid instructions, agents perceive their environment, make decisions based on what they observe, and adapt their approach as circumstances change. The most sophisticated agents can plan multi-step sequences, learn from mistakes, and improve strategies over time.These capabilities come in different forms. Basic reactive agents respond to triggers without memory or context. More advanced proactive agents initiate actions to accomplish specific objectives. Learning agents continuously refine their performance through feedback, while fully autonomous agents operate with minimal human oversight.What separates modern AI agents from previous technologies is their ability to handle uncertainty and complexity. Using large language models and other AI tools, today's agents can understand natural language, recognize patterns across massive datasets, and navigate ambiguous situations with remarkably human-like reasoning.This flexibility makes agents valuable for legitimate tasks like customer service, data analysis, and process automation. However, these same characteristics—autonomous operation, adaptability, and social intelligence—create perfect tools for sophisticated social engineering when repurposed for attacks.

Why AI Agents Excel at Social Engineering

The marriage of AI agents with social engineering creates uniquely effective attacks that traditional security measures struggle to counter. Their advantage comes from automating the most labor-intensive parts of social engineering while simultaneously improving the quality of each interaction.Reconnaissance, traditionally the most time-consuming phase, happens automatically as agents collect and analyze digital breadcrumbs scattered across social media, company websites, and public records. These systems build comprehensive profiles of potential targets without human effort, identifying vulnerabilities in seconds rather than days.The resulting attacks achieve unprecedented personalization. Rather than generic "Dear Customer" messages, AI agents craft communications that reference specific projects, colleagues, interests, or recent activities. This contextual awareness makes phishing attempts nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communications.Perhaps most concerning is their ability to adapt in real-time. When a target hesitates or questions an initial approach, agents adjust their tactics immediately based on the response. This continuous refinement makes each interaction more convincing than the last, wearing down even skeptical targets through persistence and learning.The economics also shift dramatically in the attacker's favor. AI-generated campaigns achieve higher success rates at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. A single operator can now orchestrate thousands of simultaneous, personalized attacks across email, voice, text, and social platforms—each one polished and grammatically perfect.These capabilities create a democratizing effect in cybercrime. Advanced social engineering no longer requires elite skills or resources. The technical barriers have fallen, allowing even inexperienced attackers to execute sophisticated campaigns with minimal investment or expertise.Most alarming is how these systems improve over time. Each successful or failed attempt becomes valuable training data that refines future attacks. AI agents effectively learn which approaches work best for specific demographics, industries, or individuals, making each campaign more effective than the last.

AI Agents Expand Your Attack Surface

The introduction of AI agents into business operations creates new entry points for attackers while also expanding the scope of what they can target. Each AI-powered system, tool, or service becomes another potential vector requiring protection and monitoring.Security leaders need comprehensive exposure management strategies that account for these expanded attack surfaces. With over 80% of breaches involving external actors, organizations must prioritize defensive measures that address these new vulnerabilities:Focus on external exposures. Continuously monitor internet-facing assets, especially AI endpoints and related infrastructure, where the majority of initial compromises occur.Find everything: Conduct exhaustive discovery across all business units, subsidiaries, cloud services, and third-party integrations. AI systems often create complex dependency chains that introduce unexpected exposure points.Test everything: Implement regular security testing on all exposed assets, not just "crown jewel" systems. Traditional approaches miss how seemingly low-priority systems can provide backdoor access when connected to AI infrastructure.Prioritize based on risk: Evaluate threats based on business impact rather than technical severity alone. Consider data sensitivity, operational dependencies, and regulatory implications when allocating remediation resources.Share broadly: Integrate findings into existing security operations through automation and clear communication channels. Ensure relevant stakeholders receive information that informs broader security operations and incident response processes.AI agents are already accelerating social engineering attacks beyond what traditional defenses can handle. Security teams must implement robust exposure management now, while building AI-specific detection capabilities, or risk finding themselves outmatched by attacks they can't distinguish from legitimate communications.

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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

It's not uncommon to bounce around streamers depending on what you are in the mood to watch every month. Subscription hopping has also proven to significantly help out when it comes to lessening the financial burden of maintaining access to all the best streaming services.Because, even though we might want to keep everything going, with the costs of each steamer undergoing regular revision – Plex, Netflix, Fubo TV and Discovery+ have all announced price hikes so far this year – now's a great time to re-evaluate. Not sure where to start? That's what I'm here for! This month, I'm going out on a limb and dropping one of my favorite streamers in favor of the granddaddy service, Netflix. There's a slew of cracking TV shows and movies arriving on Netflix in May 2025, and here's a few I'm gosh darn giddy for!

Here's why I'm keeping my Netflix subscription

Alright, first up on May 1st we have a brand-new Netflix miniseries called The Four Seasons from creators Tina Fey (30 Rock), Lang Fisher (Never Have I Ever), and Tracey Wigfield (The Mindy Project). The show is based on the 1981 Alan Alda movie and is poised to follow six friends who plan a fun weekend getaway together, only to learn that one of the couples is on the verge of splitting up.Fey stars alongside Will Forte, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Erika Henningsen, Marco Calvani, and Kerri Kenney-Silver. To be fair, I love Fey's brand of humor and her previous onscreen chemistry with Forte, so this is a no-brainer watch for me.

Another short-run show is on the horizon for later in May. Sirens limited series is dubbed a 'dark comedy' and unravels over the course of a weekend at an affluent seaside estate.Meghann Fahy (hot off The White Lotus and this year's Drop) plays Devon who decides to step in and help out her sister Simone (House of the Dragon's Milly Alcock) whose relationship with her boss is getting out of hand. While she means well, her younger sister insists that her employer, wealthy socialite Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore) won't take this interception well at all.Honestly, I need know nothing else. This sounds like it's following this new trend of 'rich white women going off the rails' dramedies such as Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The White Lotus, et al.

Arguably one of Netflix's biggest fan draws is the Nick Kroll-led animated series Big Mouth, which returns for its eighth and final season on May 23.While I'm excited to revisit Josh Ruben's romantic slasher Heart Eyes on May 8, my heart really belongs to the prom queen. I'm talkin' the long-awaited follow-up to 2021's nostalgia slasher trilogy based on the Fear Street novels. Yep, Fear Street: Prom Queen arrives on May 23 and I'm ready, especially after seeing the trailer for this school-themed horror.Like the previous entries in the franchise, the film takes place at Shadyside High during their prom season as hordes of popular girls desperate to earn the title of prom queen start to mysteriously disappear.The movie takes inspiration from the novel of the same name by R.L. Stine, which is a classic piece of YA, and stars stalwart genre actors, Lili Taylor and Katherine Waterston. I loved the original trilogy, mostly because it never shied away from getting a bit gory and getting a tad scary. Bring it on!

On the library front – the streamer is adding a raft of critically acclaimed movies to the docket for May, including five that snagged more than 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. One of those is last year's The Wild Robot that proved popular with both children and adults (well, everyone bawled watching it, if that counts?) so be sure to add that to your watchlist. For recognizable warm and fuzzies – or as I call them, the 'rebingeables' cause they're in constant rotation– there's Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Eleven trilogy and the Twilight franchise. What? They're fun. Check out everything new on Netflix in May in the US for even more reasons why you'll want to sign up.

Here's why I'm canceling Paramount+

Yellowjackets season 3 has ended on Paramount+. (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

Last month, I mentioned that I was dropping Paramount+ because of one reason and one reason only: those girls stuck out in the wilderness! Well, now that one of the best Paramount+ shows is all done for the year– yep. Yellowjackets season 3 dropped its finale – it's time to drop this streamer for May.Also, no sign of a season four renewal for Yellowjackets? Wild.Really, there's not a whole heck of a lot new that I'm excited about – but, as I mentioned last month – sometimes personal preference plays a factor. For me, I like a mix of new titles and a bunch of fun older catalog shows and movies to keep me going. While there's a few of the latter, there's nothing really on the former. My gut on these matters sways toward newer titles hitting streaming and there isn’t anything pressing that’s must-see TV this month.

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A Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge teaser image includes the date May 13, suggesting that's when the phone will launchThat's in line with previous leaks, so is likely accurateWe've also heard full rumored camera specs for the phone, and while the main sensor could impress, the ultra-wide is a disappointment

We’ve heard from multiple sources that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will launch on May 13, and now we’ve seen our clearest sign yet that this date is probably correct.Evan Blass – a leaker with a superb track record – has posted an image on X that appears to show the side of a phone, along with the text “Beyond slim”. It looks very much like an official teaser image for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, and the image also includes the date May 13.So, while we’d still take this with a pinch of salt, given that it comes from a reputable source, looks like it could well be an official image, and matches a date that’s already been tipped multiple times, we’re fairly confident that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will indeed launch on May 13.

FYI pic.twitter.com/Y9frwPeIvmApril 30, 2025

A 200MP main and a 12MP ultra-wide

That’s not the only new Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge news though, as SammyGuru (via GSMArena) has also shared details of the phone’s cameras.The site claims to have found these details on a regulatory database, and the highlight is the apparent presence of a 200-megapixel main camera. However, that spec isn’t at all surprising, as this is something else that has previously been tipped a number of times.What we were less clear on is the remaining lenses, which according to SammyGuru include the same 12MP ultra-wide camera as you’ll find on the standard Samsung Galaxy S25, and the same 12MP selfie camera as every other Galaxy S25 model.It’s no surprise that Samsung would stick with the same selfie camera, but it’s slightly disappointing that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge apparently won’t get the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 50MP ultra-wide camera.And of course, with only two rear lenses here there’s no dedicated telephoto camera, though it’s likely the 200MP main sensor will be capable of optical quality 2x zoom, since the 200MP camera on the Galaxy S25 Ultra can achieve that.In any case, SammyGuru isn’t a big name in leaks, so there’s a chance some of this is incorrect. But with so many other sources pointing to a 200MP main camera, and with all three current S25 models sporting the same 12MP selfie camera, we’d expect that much is accurate, so it’s only really the ultra-wide spec that has much chance of being wrong.Assuming the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge really does launch on May 13 we’ll know for sure in under two weeks.

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The recent Bybit hack – the largest crypto heist in history – has highlighted an alarming trend: cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging AI alongside advanced social engineering techniques such as deepfake technology and targeted phishing to execute financial scams at an unprecedented scale.The sophistication of these attacks underscores the urgent need for continuous innovation in cybersecurity to counter evolving threats in the digital landscape. As AI continues to shape the future of financial fraud, the primary challenge is ensuring that security measures evolve by defensively leveraging AI to outpace increasingly intelligent and deceptive cybercriminal tactics.

How AI is Transforming Scams

The number of financial scams is on the rise, and while not all are driven by AI, the technology is clearly amplifying both their scale and success rate. AI is being used to personalize scams, making them more convincing and difficult to detect. A recent notable example saw deepfake videos of Elon Musk promoting fraudulent cryptocurrency giveaways, exploiting Musk’s trusted public persona.Victims were lured in through hijacked social media accounts and fake investment schemes, believing they were engaging with legitimate opportunities. The scam resulted in over $7 million in stolen funds before it was detected and shut down.Another concerning trend is the rise of AI-powered phishing attacks. Unlike traditional phishing emails, which often contain errors and generic language, AI-generated phishing campaigns use machine learning to tailor their language and formatting, significantly enhancing their believability. These attacks are further enhanced by AI chatbots programmed to engage with victims in real time, convincing them to divulge sensitive information or transfer funds.

AI is Turning Social Media into a Hotbed for Phishing Scams

AI-powered scams are increasingly being distributed through social media. Platforms with targeted advertising are becoming prime targets for fraudsters, enabling precise demographic targeting with highly convincing scams.According to Gen’s Q4/2024 Threat Report, Facebook accounted for 56% of total identified social media threats, followed by YouTube at 26%, X (formerly Twitter) at 7%, with Reddit and Instagram each accounting for 5% and 4%. Scammers exploit these platforms to distribute deceptive online ads (malvertising), fake e-shops, and phishing campaigns, leveraging AI to enhance the believability and reach of their schemes.As AI continues to enhance scam sophistication, social media platforms remain one of the most vulnerable spaces, requiring both users and businesses to be increasingly vigilant. Without stronger safeguards, cybercriminals will continue to manipulate these platforms, making it imperative for security measures to evolve in tandem with these emerging threats.

The AI Arms Race Between Cybercriminals and Cybersecurity Defenders

While AI is being leveraged by fraudsters, it is also a crucial tool in countering cybercrime. AI-driven security systems can detect fraudulent activity in real time by analysing behavioral patterns and identifying anomalies. These technologies help flag suspicious behavior, detect deepfake content and prevent financial fraud before it occurs.AI-powered fraud detection tools can now recognize scam patterns across multiple platforms, including social media, email and messaging apps. Automated threat response mechanisms help intercept phishing attacks before reaching users, while AI-enhanced content verification can identify and mitigate deepfake scams. As threats continue to evolve, these technologies play an essential role in securing both individuals and businesses from financial fraud.

Staying One Step Ahead of AI-Powered Scammers

Individuals should remain vigilant with unsolicited financial requests, verify identities during high-stakes interactions, and use multi-factor authentication to secure their accounts. While it's helpful to look for deepfake indicators — like unnatural blinking or mismatched lip movements — AI-generated videos are becoming so realistic that spotting them with the naked eye is quickly becoming impossible. That’s why it’s essential to rely on verification practices, not just visual cues. Avoiding oversharing personal information on social media is also crucial, as scammers can exploit this data to craft highly targeted and convincing attacks.Businesses should adopt a proactive approach. Employee training on AI-driven scam tactics is essential, as is implementing strict financial verification procedures that require multiple approvals for large transactions. Companies should deploy AI-based fraud detection systems to identify anomalies in financial transactions and proactively monitor brand impersonation attempts on social media and the web. Additionally, fostering a security-aware culture within the organization strengthens overall defense.As AI continues to shape both cyber threats and defenses, security strategies must evolve at the same rapid pace. Integrating AI-driven security automation is no longer optional – it is essential for staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics.

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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

Microsoft and Du join forces on data center to fuel next-gen AI powerAI adoption demands scale, and Microsoft and Du’s $544 million project meets the challenge head-onThe new hyperscale data center will be built in phases, serving Microsoft’s cloud expansion

With AI adoption growing rapidly, hyperscale data centers are becoming essential to support the workloads of advanced AI tools, including those powering leading AI writing platforms.At the recent Dubai AI Week, Microsoft and UAE-based telecom provider Du announced plans to build a $544.54 million hyperscale data center in the UAE.“This marks a significant investment in digital infrastructure, reinforcing Dubai's leadership in adopting the latest technologies, innovations, and digital services,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense, in a LinkedIn post celebrating the announcement.

Strengthening UAE AI infrastructure

The new data center will be a core component of Microsoft's ongoing effort to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure in the Middle East. It follows earlier collaborations, including a partnership with the Abu Dhabi government and Core42 to offer AI services and sovereign cloud capabilities within the UAE.Du CEO Fahad Al Hassawi noted the investment is, “a pivotal leap in our strategic goal to revolutionize the digital ecosystem of the UAE.”The center’s capacity will be delivered to Microsoft in phases, although specific timelines and technical details have not yet been disclosed.Du currently operates five data centers across the UAE, and earlier in 2025 signed a deal to extend the Peace subsea cable to the country.Microsoft has steadily expanded its cloud presence in the Middle East since launching its UAE cloud region in 2019. The company has since announced similar regions in Qatar, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, with additional plans for a new cloud region in Kuwait.The new UAE-based hyperscale data center will help meet growing demand for low-latency access to cloud platforms that power everything from top web hosting services to next-generation enterprise applications.Via DataCenterDynamics

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If you’ve just picked up Apple’s latest flagship, protecting it should be a top priority — and the best iPhone 16 case can do more than just shield your phone from scratches and drops. Whether you prefer a slim and stylish look, a rugged design with extra grip or added features like MagSafe compatibility and built-in stands, there’s a case to match your needs. From the sleek iPhone 16 to the feature-packed iPhone 16 Pro, we've rounded up the best options to keep your device safe without compromising on style or functionality.

Best iPhone cases for 2025

iPhone 16 case FAQs

What is the most protective brand of phone cases?

There is no one "most protective" brand of phone cases, but rather there are many that tout extra security for your handset. Some of the most protective phone cases we've tried come from Otterbox; most of the brand's cases have a bit more protection than your standard phone case, even the ones that are designed to be on the slim side. Otterbox also makes a wide variety of phone cases, so there's a good chance you'll find one that suits your style and provides the level of protection you're looking for. Otterbox's Defender series is one of the best you can get if you care first and foremost about making sure your phone survives all kinds of accidents (save for a dunk in a pool).

Silicone vs hard case: Which one is better?

Neither silicone nor hard cases are better than the other. Silicone cases tend to be thinner and feel soft to the touch, and they're often easier to put on and take off of phones. Hard cases can be on the thicker side, but they provide a bit more drop protection than silicone cases. Which type of case is best for you depends on the type of experience you want from your phone. It's also worth nothing that both silicone cases and hard cases come in a variety of colors, designs and styles, so you have plenty of choose from to match your personality on both sides.

Does an iPhone 16 need a screen protector?

The iPhone 16 features Apple’s tough Ceramic Shield front, which is definitely more durable than standard glass — but it’s not invincible. If you want to avoid scratches from keys, drops onto pavement or just the wear and tear of daily use, a screen protector is still a smart move. It adds an extra layer of defense without getting in the way of touch sensitivity or Face ID. So, while it’s not absolutely essential, using one is a good idea if you want to keep your screen looking flawless for the long haul.

Is the iPhone 16 drop-proof?

The iPhone 16 is built to be tough, with Ceramic Shield on the front and a sturdy aluminum or titanium frame (depending on the model), but it’s not completely drop-proof. It can handle the occasional bump or short fall, especially if it lands on a flat surface — but drops on concrete or at awkward angles can still cause cracks or damage. If you’re prone to butterfingers, pairing your iPhone 16 with a durable case and maybe even a screen protector is the best way to play it safe.

Georgie Peru contributed to this report.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-iphone-cases-153035988.html?src=rss

James Gunn's DC Universe has reportedly suffered a minor release schedule issueConfusion reigns over the fate of its Colin Farrell-starring Sgt Rock movieIt's unclear if production has been delayed or if the film has been canceled

Has Luca Guadagnino's DC Universe (DCU) film Sgt Rock been delayed or canceled? It seems nobody really knows.If you've been living under a, well, rock for the last 24 hours, allow me to fill you in on the details…Yesterday (April 30), a report from The Wrap suggested that the World War II-era DC Comics flick, which will supposedly see Colin Farrell tackle the title role, had been outright canceled.Per The Wrap's sources, the DCU Chapter One film would have required a lot of exterior shots once principal photography was underway. With Sgt Rock reportedly set to start filming in mid-2025, there were apparently concerns that it would miss that production start date.Rather than simply delay the Farrell-starring movie, though, The Wrap claimed that DC Studios had decided to scrap the entire project.

Colin Farrell, seen here as Oz Cobb in The Penguin, will add to his DC Comics back catalog if he also plays Sergeant Rock (Image credit: Macall Polay/HBO)

That doesn't tell the whole story, though. Hours after The Wrap's article went live, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter (THR) published their own pieces, with both outlets indicating that Sgt Rock had been delayed, rather than officially canned.According to the pair's sources, production has been shelved for the foreseeable future. However, Deadline and THR claim the film's development will be reassessed towards the end of 2025, with a view to potentially kickstarting production in mid-2026.

Comment from r/DCULeaks

With the movie set to shoot in the UK, the outlets' sources also suggest that a summer filming schedule makes sense. If the bulk of Sgt Rock's action is set to take place in outdoors settings, it would be better to film it when the weather is less temperamental, and conditions are much more favorable for its cast and crew.THR also intimates that some Warner Bros. executives are still hesitant about Guadagnino helming a superhero film, due to his lack of experience in the action genre.DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, though, are reportedly convinced he's the right man for the job. The Italian filmmaker's acclaimed back catalog, which includes hits like Challengers and Call Me By Your Name, have bred confidence among the studio's chiefs.Add in the fact that they were pleased with the strength of the script, which was penned by frequent Guadagnino collaborator Justin Kuritzkes, and Gunn and Safran don't seem as worried as their fellow Warner Bros. execs.

The plot of Sgt. Rock has been revealed 💀 What in the Steel Ball Run is this pic.twitter.com/zsOKgW8ddPApril 30, 2025

The film's titular hero – full name John Franklin Rock – made his DCU debut in episode 4 of Creature Commandos' first season, which is currently only available to stream on Max. Voiced by Maury Sterling in that adult animated TV show, Rock is the leader of Easy Company, a World War II unit that GI Robot was also a part of.Per THR, Sgt Rock would have followed the eponymous hero and his squad as they attempt to track down the Spear of Destiny. The supernatural object is believed to be the same spear that was used to pierce the side of Jesus Christ during his crucifixion, and with the Nazis also thought to be looking for it, Rock and company will reportedly team up with a French resistance fighter in a bid to locate it first.We'll see if that ends up being the actual story if Sgt Rock ever sees the light of day. I've reached out to Warner Bros. for an official comment on the conflicting reports about the movie, and I'll update this article if I receive a response.

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Microsoft's quarterly revenue has exceeded $70 billion, up 13% YOYAzure and other cloud services were up 33%Copilot users are now up 3-4x YOY

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says cloud and AI demand has been the key drivers for its latest spectacular revenue growth for its most recent quarter, ending March 31, 2025.Of the $70.1 billion in third-quarter revenue, Microsoft Cloud revenue stood at $42.4 billion, up a notable 20% year-over-year. The company also saw a 33% increase to Azure and other cloud service revenues.In fact, it was a strong-performing quarter across the board for the company, including for consumer-facing products like Xbox, Windows OEM and devices, and Microsoft 365.

Microsoft revenue is up across all categories

Thanks to the huge growth in Azure and other cloud services, driven by continued interest in artificial intelligence and other powerful cloud computing applications, Redmond noted a 22% increase in revenue for server products and cloud services.The positive news comes just weeks after Microsoft confirmed it would be putting a stop to its $1 billion data center project in Ohio amid cost concerns resulting from trade war-induced tariffs, stating, "after careful consideration, we will not be moving forward at this time with our plans."Speaking on the earnings call, Nadella indicated the company remains committed to expansion in this segment: "We continue to expand our data center capacity. This quarter alone, we opened [data centers] in 10 countries across four continents."On the AI front, Nadella revealed on the earnings call that 15 million people are now using the GitHub Copilot coding assistant – a fourfold increase compared with this time last year.Nadella also noted that "hundreds of thousands of customers across geographies and industries now use Copilot" in Microsoft 365, marking an equally impressive 3x increase year-over-year, but the CEO failed to note exactly how many users the AI assistant has amassed.Consistent growth across the Microsoft 365 services added to the company's financial success, with Commercial products up 11% and Consumer products up 10%.

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Borderlands 4 in now launching on PC and consoles one week early on September 12, 2025The Borderlands 4 State of Play also revealed a new trailer and extended gameplay footage showcasing two of four Vault HuntersThe looter shooter also has a new co-op multiplayer system

Gearbox Software has announced that Borderlands 4 will release earlier than expected, as it shares an extended, action-packed gameplay trailer.During the special Borderlands 4 State of Play broadcast, it was revealed that the looter shooter will now launch one week early on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 release to follow in late 2025.The game was initially scheduled to release on September 23, but was brought forward "after careful consideration", according to the studio in a social media post.We also received a new gameplay trailer and even 19 minutes of additional footage in a separate video, which offered a first look at two of the four new Vault Hunters that players will meet in Borderlands 4, Vex the Siren and Rafa the Exo-Soldier, as they embark on a mission in a region called the Terminus Range.

"Across the vast and seamlessly connected planet of Kairos, players will face the oppressive Timekeeper," the new game description reads. "For thousands of years, he kept the planet hidden, controlling its inhabitants with cybernetic implants called Bolts and an army of synthetic soldiers known as The Order."Players will travel across the planet where they’ll encounter new and returning characters, creatures and inhabitants to battle, and unique factions spread across four distinct regions that seek freedom from the tyranny of the Timekeeper. The friends discovered along the way will be recruited by players to their cause while enemies will experience first-hand the arsenal of weapons and abilities wielded by the Vault Hunters."It was revealed that Vex can empower herself or manifest deadly shades to fight alongside her, while Rafa utilizes an experimental exo-suit decked with an arsenal of weapons.Although the two remaining Vault Hunters were not shown off, we do know that each character will offer a unique playstyle and have "the most advanced skill tree system in a Borderlands game to date".Weapons from across eight new and returning manufacturers will also be accessible in the latest entry, along with gear slots to augment weapons, 'Licensed Parts' that combine behaviours and abilities from multiple manufacturers into a single weapon, a shared slot for grenades and heavy weapons like rocket launchers, and a 'Rep Kit' that allows players to heal themselves or activate temporary buffs.Borderlands 4 also offers a revised co-op multiplayer system that allows players to form parties online and stay together when switching game modes, featuring instanced loot, dynamic level scaling, and individual difficulty.

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Microsoft has made a hidden change in the latest Windows 11 updateFile Explorer now opens a lot faster than it did previouslyHowever, it’s gone from super-sluggish to now just plain slow, and Microsoft still needs to pep up its performance

Windows 11 has received a hidden perk with its latest update that arrived at the end of April, as Microsoft has made File Explorer a lot faster to pop up.This benefit is granted by patch KB5055627, the preview update for Windows 11 24H2 in April which is an optional download (meaning it’s still in testing, so exercise caution around installing it, as with anything that isn’t quite finished).File Explorer is the app which powers the folders (and files within) that you work with on your desktop, and you’ve likely noticed that when you first open a folder, it can be very slow to appear in Windows 11.There are reasons for that sluggish initial loading (which I’ll come back to), but as Windows Latest reports, File Explorer now fires up a lot faster with the latest update for Windows 11.The tech site provides a couple of short video clips that showcase the difference. Before the optional update, Windows 11 opens File Explorer very sluggishly indeed – elements are visibly missing for multiple seconds – and post-patch the window is fully populated with the interface (and ‘Home’ tab) a lot more swiftly.While the release notes for KB5055627 don’t mention any move to improve the performance of File Explorer, Windows Latest reached out to Microsoft, and the company confirmed that this update does indeed contain work to this end.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Analysis: Faster, but still not snappy enough

Obviously, this is a positive development, but even in its new considerably faster form, File Explorer is still relatively slow to appear for the first couple of times it’s summoned in a session on your PC. There’s still a noticeable pause as the interface loads in, which is far from ideal. In short, it remains too slow in my books, even after these improvements.Starting File Explorer on my Windows 10 PC sees it pop onto the desktop immediately, with no pause for breath (hardly). Go onto my Windows 11 laptop (without the mentioned latest update) and open File Explorer, and I’m sat drumming my fingers as I’m told the OS is ‘working on it’ in terms of bringing up the contents of the window. (That message is literally presented in the window in lieu of a spinning wheel of doom or timer thingy).So why are things so different in Windows 11? Well, as Windows Latest explains, it’s because Microsoft changed fundamental parts of File Explorer in Windows 11, and that tinkering with the guts of the app means slightly longer loading times – compounded by work on bringing in syncing with the cloud. The upshot of which is that for some users, File Explorer can be annoyingly sluggish (and this can be particularly frustrating for those who actively don’t want any cloud integration).This optional update is definitely a step in the right direction, mind, but Microsoft still has a fair bit of work to do here. That said, I should also note that in general, I find Windows 11 feels snappier and more responsive than Windows 10 in many ways, but definitely not with File Explorer (which has been problematic from the get-go).I wouldn’t advise downloading this (or any) optional patch – which also packs the full fix for blue screen crashes some folks have been hit by – for reasons I’ve already gone over earlier this week. But rest assured this faster File Explorer should be arriving with the next full patch for Windows 11, the cumulative update which will be released the week after next, on May 13.

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A Reddit user recreated an image of The Rock 101 times with ChatGPTWhat started as a bad recreation ended up as abstract artThe trend is now facing some backlash due to the energy wasted by creating 101 images in a short space of time

There's yet another new viral ChatGPT image generation trend, and this one might be the most pointless but also the most hilarious yet – especially when AI gets things horribly wrong.You may have seen the new "Create the exact replica of this image, don't change a thing" prompt on social media over the last few days, where ChatGPT tries to recreate an image, often making subtle changes that just look a little weird.One Reddit user took the ChatGPT trend to a whole new level by transforming an image of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, arguably one of the most famous people on the planet, into some weird form of abstract art that would have Picasso spinning in his grave.How did they do it? By asking ChatGPT to recreate the image 101 times, each time using the newly generated AI creation as the starting point – you can watch the entire process in the Reddit video linked below.

I tried the "Create the exact replica of this image, don't change a thing" 101 times, but with Dwayne Johnson 🗿 from r/ChatGPT

This makes me feel uneasy

What starts as a subtly different but poor recreation of The Rock gets weird very quickly as ChatGPT replaces his clothes, then his mouth; before you know it, all recognizable characteristics have disappeared, leaving a muddled mess.The Reddit thread, at the time of writing, has 42,000 upvotes and nearly 3,000 comments. My favorite of which is, "ChatGPT, more like ChatLSD."New ChatGPT image trends are popping up daily, from the viral action figure to transforming your pet into a human; there's something ridiculous, often fun, but equally completely pointless, taking social media by storm every week.This ChatGPT trend is fascinating. Yes, it creates terrible results, but it's intriguing to see the evolution of AI's ability to recreate imagery. At some point we'll likely have an AI model that can not only recreate as close to 1:1 as possible, but which, if we ask it to recreate the same image 101 times, might not end up producing something that looks like technicolor vomit on canvas.

The backlash

These AI image trends are facing increasing amounts of backlash, however, with many worried about the impact on the planet of using AI for meaningless fun.One Reddit user created a thread pleading with the AI community to "Stop the 100x Image Generation Trend".In the post, user @Guns-and-Pumpkins writes, "Each image generation uses roughly 0.010 kWh of electricity. Running a prompt 100 times burns through about 1 kWh – that’s enough to power a fridge for a full day or brew 20 cups of coffee. Multiply that by the hundreds or thousands of people doing it just to “make a point,” and we’re looking at a staggering amount of wasted energy for a conclusion we already understand."So here’s a simple ask: maybe it’s time to let this trend go."I have a feeling this won't be the last time ChatGPT image trends go viral, so we might have to come to terms with the impact of using AI servers for pointless tasks. After all, everything we do on the internet uses energy to some degree, so where should we draw the line?

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Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed that new Meta smart glasses are headed our way "later this year"He mentioned multiple "launches"And he teased that "some new technological capabilities" are coming too

Meta’s first-quarter 2025 earnings report is live, and during a call with investors discussing the results CEO Mark Zuckerberg again confirmed that we’re getting new smart glasses later this year – and they could be better than anything we’ve seen before.According to Meta, its Ray-Ban smart glasses are a smash hit. In the past year sales have tripled, and its glasses have four times as many monthly active users than they did a year ago.Keen to capitalize on this success, Zuckerberg told investors that “We've got some exciting new launches with our partner EssilorLuxottica later this year as well that should expand that category and add some new technological capabilities to the glasses.”There are two things to note in this comment: the use of the plural “launches” and the promise of “new technological capabilities.” Because, while Zuckerberg didn't expand on these comments during the call, leaks already appear to have spoiled Meta’s smart glasses surprises for later this year.

Meta Orion is still a while away (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Starting with those new abilities, this is almost certainly a nod to now much-leaked Ray-Ban smart glasses with a display.To catch you up to speed these new Ray-Bans would be almost functionally identical to what has come before (with a camera, speakers, and Meta AI functionality) but they will also incorporate a single in-lens screen.Unfortunately they're rumored to be pricey too – we’re talking over or around $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$1,500 according to people in the know.Despite this the upgrade has the potential to be huge as it could bring significant AR features to Meta’s specs as it pushes towards the more full-on AR glasses with the consumer version of its Meta Orion AR glasses.

I use my Meta Ray-Bans all the time (Image credit: Future)

Multiple Meta glasses are coming

Then, when it comes to those other “launches”, we’re expecting Meta will also reveal a pair of athlete-focused based on Oakley’s Sphaera glasses. Oakley, like Ray-Ban, is a brand owned by EssilorLuxottica.They wouldn’t incorporate a display, and would apparently shift the camera from the side of the glasses to the centre, but little else has been confirmed. Though hopefully they’d incorporate athlete-specific features like running or cycling assistance via their Meta AI integration.Beyond the Oakley glasses and the display-equipped specs, I have this feeling Meta could have another pair or two up its sleeves – based on leaked comments from the company’s CTO that Meta is “pushing our advantage by launching half a dozen more AI powered wearables.”They could be the long-rumored Meta Camerasbuds, which add cameras to more typical looking earbuds, or a Meta smartwatch (which long-time readers will know is rumored to be cancelled/uncancelled every few months) as a way to control its glasses.But I have a feeling we might also get upgraded standard Ray-Ban specs – especially if the ones with a display are as pricey as has been rumored.

Improved regular Meta Ray-Bans would be superb (Image credit: Ray-Ban / Meta)

These smart glasses would offer the exact same functionality as the existing model but with some combination of better cameras, better audio, and better battery life for around the same cost.Based on Meta’s smart glasses success and that its glasses are approaching two years old a refresh would make sense, though this is just a hunch (and honestly my Reality Labs predictions aren’t always stellar).As for when we’ll see these glasses, Zuckerberg’s “later this year” remark all but guarantees an October launch. This is the month Meta has released new Reality Labs hardware for the past few years after it announces the tech at its Meta Connect event – which usually takes place in late September.This year’s Connect is on Sept 17 and 18 so it won’t be long before we see these new smart specs in action. I for one am already counting down the days.

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Post launch updates are coming to Assassin's Creed ShadowsThis includes new story content, quests, allies, and morePremium content is also on the way, including the Claws of Awaji expansion

Developer Ubisoft has unveiled a post-launch roadmap for Assassin's Creed Shadows, detailing the free and premium content that is coming to the game in its first year.The initial batch of post-launch content arrives in early May with the first 'Story Drop' – a set of new free quests that focus on specific characters to provide more in-depth backstory. They can introduce new player abilities and world activities too, giving you even more to do in the open-world feudal Japan setting.The one arriving in May will be titled 'The Works of Luis Frois' and explores the titular Jesuit scholar and his historical role in the Sengoku period. It arrives with a Codex update and some quality of life improvements, too.This will be followed by a parkour update in late May introducing height-gaining back ejects, side ejections, and a new vertical jump for grabbing low-hanging ledges. These come alongside mysterious 'special collaboration' (details to be revealed at a later date) and some improvements to the game's photo mode.

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

A second story drop arrives just weeks later in June, with a new free quest and ally to recruit, plus new difficulty settings, additional immersion options, an open world alarm system, and the ability to disable your headwear in cutscenes.On top of all of this, Ubisoft promises that further updates are on the way with free content for the Animus Hub, a New Game Plus mode, and an increased level cap for those that have already maxed out their characters.In terms of premium content, those who pre-ordered Assassin's Creed Shadows can look forward to the arrival of the Claws of Awaji expansion some time later this year, which takes place in a brand-new region and is set right after the end of the game. It's got new enemies, abilities, and a bo staff weapon for Naoe.If you did not pre-order the game, the expansion will be available to purchase separately. New cosmetic items will also be added to the in-game store throughout the year in 'Store Drops'.If you're keen to dive in, Assassin's Creed Shadows is out now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. A Nintendo Switch 2 version has also been rumored, but has not been officially confirmed.

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A big visual revamp for Android has been spottedThe update is hidden in the latest Android 16 betaIt could be announced by Google later this month

Android 16 is due to be pushed out to the world at large within the next few months, and we now have some solid evidence of a major design overhaul for Google's mobile operating system, updating many different areas of the user interface.This new look was spotted and enabled by Android Authority, hidden in the code for the latest Android 16 beta. At this stage it's not clear if the UI refresh will launch at the same time as Android 16, but it does appear to be almost ready to go.First up, we've got an updated look for the status bar at the top of the screen: there are new status bar icons here (for Wi-Fi, battery level, and airplane mode, for example), as well as a tweaked look for the font used for the status bar clock.The second noticeable change that's on the way is to the notifications and Quick Settings panel. It looks as though there will be various tweaks to this panel, including a blurred background, a redesigned brightness slider, and segmented icons.

Lock screen and volume sliders

🎨Google is working on a BIG UI overhaul for Android, and it looks SO GOOD!Google is finally updating Android's UI after so many years, and I've got a comprehensive look at the new UI for you over on @AndroidAuth👇https://t.co/8OM3vWXC2CApril 30, 2025

Thirdly, there are visual modifications for the lock screen as well, with a more compact notification shelf, the introduction of dynamic colors, and some widget rearranging that we've previously written about.A fourth change comes to the UI used for the volume sliders. The slider bars are going to be thinner, with distinct handles at the end, and various other tweaks – not huge differences, but they make for a cleaner, more modern look overall.Fifthly, the Settings app is becoming more "expressive", with colored icons, smaller headings for menus, and arrows to indicate sub-pages. The idea is that settings are easier to find and manipulate on your Android phone.There are more minor changes too, including shifts in icon shape and more blurring across the interface. Google hasn't said anything official about the update just yet, but may well do at the Google I/O 2025 event that starts on May 20.

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