News

A judge has ruled that Apple made a “willful violation” of past ordersApple must immediately change its App Store rulesThat means that Fortnite could imminently return to the App Store

Apple and Fortnite developer Epic Games have been going through a very public spat over the past few years, with much of the disagreement centered on fees that Apple charges apps for running on its platforms. Now a judge has ruled that Apple deliberately flouted a court-ordered injunction – and it could result in Fortnite dramatically returning to the App Store.The court order in question stated that Apple must allow third-party developers to tell their users that they could get cheaper deals by buying apps on different websites or app stores – that is, by going somewhere other than the official App Store.However, the judge who presided over that case has now declared that Apple undertook a “willful violation” of the order. That’s because while Apple allowed developers to link to external app stores, it still charged a commission on these purchases, and also kept a tight rein on how these off-site links could be worded and presented.The judge ruled that this was a continuation of the anti-competitive practices that the original injunction sought to prohibit and has told Apple to immediately change its App Store practices.Apple now cannot prevent developers from telling users about external app stores, cannot dictate where external links are placed or how they are worded, and cannot charge a commission on sales made outside its own App Store.For its part, Apple has told MacRumors that “we strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court’s order and we will appeal.” Clearly, this whole saga is far from over.

What does this mean for you?

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this case is the way it might affect the game at the heart of it all: Fortnite. The mega-popular title has been banned from the App Store ever since Apple declared that Epic Games was trying to circumvent Apple’s commission. Soon, though, it could make a dramatic comeback.That’s because Epic Games’ CEO Tim Sweeney recently took to X to announce that Fortnite will return to the App Store “next week.” At the same time, Sweeney announced a “peace proposal” that could end the dispute with Apple once and for all.In Sweeney’s words, “If Apple extends the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we’ll return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic.”The original ruling only applied to the U.S. App Store, hence Sweeney’s suggestion that Apple should apply the new rules across the globe. If Apple does, we could be in for a major shake-up of the App Store – with Fortnite leading the way.

You might also like

Fortnite next season release date and Chapter 6 Season 2 endApple loses Epic fight: app developers can now avoid App Store paymentsFortnite has suddenly vanished from the App Store and Play Store – here’s why

World Password Day is hereMost TechRadar Readers don't change their passwords until promptedChanging passwords often is a great protection against stolen credentials

World Password Day is here, and in the age of technology, passwords are at the forefront of personal protection and privacy. That being said, most of us neglect our password hygiene in a major way, and we polled our TechRadar Pro readers through our WhatsApp channel (which can be found here for anyone interested!), and it confirmed our suspicions in a big way….We like to think that TechRadar Pro readers are pretty savvy and tech-forward, but out of the over 1,200 respondents to our survey, a staggering 84% (over 1,000) said that they only change their passwords when they’re forced to because they’ve forgotten it.Data breaches are all too common these days, and with the number of accounts you need just to complete basic tasks (emails, shopping, watching tv, and pretty much everything else) - it’s almost impossible to keep up with breaches on every site you’ve ever signed up for, so check out our picks for best password managers if you want to stay on top of them.

Serious risks

This means passwords need to be changed much more regularly, or ideally, everyone should use a unique password for each site that would also be changed regularly. We realise this is a big ask, so at the very least we recommend changing your password every three months, which only 89 TechRadar Pro readers (just 7%) said they did.This leaves the middle ground, which is our 35 readers who change their password every 6 months, and the 63 of you that change them once a year. Its crucial to change your password if you’re exposed in a data breach (and as often as you can remember to!).To make sure you’re as safe as possible, check out our biggest tips for creating a secure password, so you can make sure each new password offers the best protection.“Passwords are one of the first critical barriers between a person, a threat actor and a successful cyberattack but many people make the mistake of reusing the same login credentials across multiple sites and devices,” says Matt Cooke, EMEA Cybersecurity strategist at Proofpoint.“A password manager creates randomised passwords that are safely stored, encrypted, and accessible across all personal devices and reduces the burden of trying to remember complicated login credentials across multiple websites. It’s also best to change all passwords twice a year and change business passwords every three months.”

You might also like

Take a look at our picks for the best malware removal software aroundCheck out our choice for best antivirus softwareBeware, hackers can apparently now send phishing emails from “no-reply@google.com”

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ruled that Apple violated her own ruling back in 2021 on the lawsuit Epic Games filed against Apple a year before. Now, it's ordering (PDF) Apple to stop collecting commissions on purchases that weren't paid through the App Store effective immediately. In 2021, Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple did not hold an App Store monopoly. However, she also said that the company must allow developers to direct users to other payment systems that would let them bypass the 30 percent commission fee it collects from App Store purchases.

In a legal filing by Epic Games last year, it accused Apple of non-compliance, since it still took a 27 percent cut for purchases made outside the App Store and even showed users pop-up screens warning them that paying outside its own store may not be secure. For members of the iOS Small Business Program, it took a smaller 12 percent commission. But the judge explained in her new ruling that Apple wasn't supposed to collect any fee at all. "Apple sought to maintain a revenue stream worth billions in direct defiance of this court’s injunction," she said.

In addition to prohibiting Apple from collecting fees for external purchases, she also barred the company from showing users "scare screens" discouraging them from using third-party payment systems. She prohibited Apple from creating rules that would prevent developers from presenting customers with buttons and links for external payments, as well. Apple said it will pursue an appeal, but that it will comply with the court's orders. "We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal," an Apple spokesperson told The New York Times.

In her ruling, Rogers said that the documents Apple submitted last year showed that App Store lead Phil Schiller advocated for the company to stop collecting fees on web links during a 2023 meeting. But Apple's former Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri convinced Tim Cook otherwise. Cook also asked his people to revise the scare screen for web links "to reference the fact that Apple’s privacy and security standards do not apply to purchases made on the web.” Apple knew exactly what it was doing and "at every turn chose the most anticompetitive option," Gonzalez Rogers wrote. Further the company's Vice-President of Finance, Alex Roman, allegedly lied under oath to hide the truth. Thus, the judge has asked the US attorney for the Northern District of California to investigate Apple and Roman for criminal contempt.

In a tweet, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced that it will bring back Fortnite for iOS in the US next week. He also promised to return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide — and to drop any lawsuit covering the issue — if Apple applies a commission-free tax-free payment framework everywhere.

We will return Fortnite to the US iOS App Store next week.Epic puts forth a peace proposal: If Apple extends the court's friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we'll return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic. https://t.co/bIRTePm0Tv— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) April 30, 2025

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/court-orders-apple-to-stop-collecting-fees-for-purchases-made-outside-the-app-store-110036376.html?src=rss

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 is imminent, set to arrive following a period of scheduled downtime on May 2, 2025, at 2am ET / / 11pm PT (May 1) / 7am BST.It'll be a Star Wars-focused affair called Galactic Battle, bringing a whole new Battle Pass to work through, and new map locations to visit. In the build-up to launch, I'll be covering things live, providing up-to-date details on scheduled downtime, the highlights set to arrive next season, and my initial impressions of things once it's all gone live.

Fortnite Galactic Battle - Key InfoStart date and timeMap changesBattle Pass SkinsUpdate ScheduleJump to Live Coverage

Epic Games has been busy teasing the next season of Fortnite over the last week or so, and we now know that it's entirely centered around Star Wars. So far, there's been a teaser trailer showing off some of the upcoming Battle Pass skins, a look at how the map is set to change as part of Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3, as well as the announcement of an in-game event that'll air shortly after the new season launches.If early signs are anything to go on, the upcoming Star Wars updates to Fortnite could be a real high point for Chapter 6 so far. Hopefully, we'll get to fly some X-Wings, battle Samurai variants of iconic Star Wars villains, and even get to see Darth Jar-Jar in action.Personally, I've found this Chapter a little bit lacking, so I'm excited to see how Epic Games delivers on the most involved Star Wars season yet. I'll be dropping in on launch day, checking out the new Battle Pass skins and testing the new weapon loot pool, seeing if the changes are good enough to keep Fortnite in TechRadar's best free games list.Join me as I keep you up to date with the launch of Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3, including live coverage of the scheduled downtime, and my live impressions once I drop into my first few matches. As new info on the latest season drops, this page will be updated. Here's what you need to know about Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3, now that we're on the eve of launch day..

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 - cut to the chase

Only have time for the basics? Here are the most important things to know about Fortnite Galactic Battle:

Start time: May 2 at 2am ET / 11pm PT (May 1) / 7am GMTNew skins: Darth Sidious, Rebel Evie, Poe Dameron, General Grievous, Chewbacca maskNew map locations: Vader Samurai's Solitude, Resistance Base, Outpost Enclave, First Order BaseEvents: Tales of the Underworld episode screening, Live event finale

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 start date

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 will start on May 2 at 2am ET / 11pm PT (May 1) / 7am BST. Well, sort of. This is when downtime will start, so it'll likely be a few hours before we're all able to jump back in.Once we know more about how long downtime is set to last, we'll be able to make a prediction as to when the new season is going live. For now, assume downtime to be at least two or three hours, as has been the case for the last couple of seasons.

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 map changes

(Image credit: Epic Games)

As you can see from the image above, there are four new major POIs (points of interest) set to be added alongside the new Fortnite Season. The first is Outpost Enclave, which is a rebel base looking similar in structure to Tatooine.Then there's the First Order Base, which is set to be populated by Stormtroopers. Then, there's Vader Samurai's Solitude, which hints at a potential Vader mini-boss. Finally, the Resistance Base is set amongst the forest, and features the Millennium Falcon.

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 Battle Pass skins

(Image credit: Epic Games)

There are five main skins on offer as part of the Fortnite Galactic Battle Pass. These include a new Emperor skin, General Grievous, Poe Dameron, a Resistance Fighter-variant of Evie, and a Wookie Team Leader outfit.It's likely that we'll see alternate colors for these skins, included in the Battle Pass. What's unclear at present is what the Bonus Skin will be. I'm betting on Darth Jar-Jar, who has been shown off in the trailers so far.

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 schedule

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Epic Games has revealed that Fortnite Galactic Battle will receive weekly updates that add new weapons, and other content into the game. Here's the full schedule:

Imperial Takeover – May 2, 2025Tales of the Underworld (watch first two episodes in Fortnite) - May 2, 2025The Pull of the Force – May 8, 2025Mandalorian Rising – May 22, 2025Star Destroyer Bombardment – May 29, 2025Death Star Sabotage – June 7, 2025

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 live coverage

And we're live!

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Hello and welcome to my live coverage of the Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 launch. We’re now on the eve of release day, and there’s still plenty we don’t know about the imminent Star Wars-centric season. First off, let’s cover what we do know.

When does the current season end?

(Image credit: Epic Games)

The current season of Fortnite is set to end tomorrow (May 2) at 2AM ET / 7AM BST, and 11 PM for PT (May 1). At this point, the game will move offline for scheduled downtime. At present, there’s no info on how long downtime will be, but it's worth noting that last season's switch over took five hours. Hopefully it'll be a little shorter this time.

So, Fortnite Galactic Battle?

✔️ Star Wars Themed Battle Pass

✔️ Weekly Gameplay Content

✔️ Culminating in a Live End of Season Narrative Event

➡️ Fortnite Galactic Battle arrives May 2, 2025 pic.twitter.com/JmRStRA2UmApril 20, 2025

Fortnite Galactic Battle is the next season of Fortnite, and it's entirely themed around Star Wars. From the looks of things, this will be a shorter season, with weekly narrative updates that culminate in a live finale.

The new Battle Pass skins have been shown off

(Image credit: Epic Games)

So far, Epic Games has shown off five confirmed Battle Pass skins for Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3. Poe Dameron, Wookie Team Leader, Resistance Evie, Emperor Palpatine, and General Grievous will all be up for grabs. As in previous seasons, I'm betting on there being variants for each too, perhaps a Clone Wars-style for Grievous? One can hope.

Grab a free Star Wars skin before the new Season begins

(Image credit: Epic Games)

You can now connect your Epic and MyDisney accounts to earn a First Order Stormtrooper outfit to use in Fortnite. Follow these steps to do so:

Sign into your Epic account. (You can do this from epicgames.com/id/login.)On your Account page, go to Apps and Accounts. (If you’re already signed in, go straight to Apps and Accounts!)Click “Connect” on the MyDisney Account option. You’ll be directed to the MyDisney website to continue the process. Not able to connect? Find more information on eligibility.Runs until August 31, 2025

That's no moon

(Image credit: Epic Games)

If you drop into Fortnite now, as I just did, you'll spot a new addition to the skyline. The Death Star can be seen in the distance, signaling the arrival of the Empire and First Order.

A new Nintendo Switch system update has been releasedThe update adds a bunch of new features, including Nintendo Switch 2 support ahead of the console's launchVirtual Game Cards and GameShare have been added, along with a Switch 2 system transfer function

Nintendo has released a huge Nintendo Switch system update that adds a ton of new features ahead of the Switch 2 launch next month.Version 20.0.0 can be downloaded now and notably introduces Virtual Game Cards to the Home Menu, a new system that lets players easily manage their digital games, which was revealed alongside the Switch 2.Users will now find that their digital software, DLC, and other free software will be displayed as Virtual Game Cards and can be virtually loaded and ejected between two Switch systems, like physical game cards.Support for GameShare has also been added, which will allow Switch 2 users to share compatible games with other nearby systems like the Switch.Aside from these big features, the update also introduces a Switch 2 system transfer function in the settings menu. Users can perform a transfer from their Switch to Switch 2, offering a simpler way to share data. You can check out the full patch notes below.The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, for $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle. UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are now live.

Nintendo Switch 2 - Ver. 20.0.0 patch notes

The following icons for new features have been added to the HOME Menu:Virtual Game CardPurchased Nintendo Switch digital software, DLC, and some free software, are now virtual game cards and displayed in a list in this menu.You can virtually load and eject virtual game cards between up to two Nintendo Switch systems.Virtual game cards can be lent to others in the same Nintendo Account family group. For more information, see Virtual Game Card Guide.

GameShareCompatible software can be shared from a Nintendo Switch 2 system to other nearby system(s) to play together.You can only play together via local wireless, and the Nintendo Switch 2 system must initiate GameShare.This feature cannot be used between two Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model and/or Nintendo Switch Lite systems.

User-Verification Settings has been added under User > User Settings.You can restrict access to the Virtual Game Card menu by requiring entry of a PIN or signing in to your Nintendo Account.Online License Settings has been added.When turned on, you can play downloaded software or DLC you've purchased while the system is connected to the internet, even if you don't have the virtual game card loaded.For more information, please refer to the details about the option on the System Settings screen.The Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch News icon colors on the HOME Menu have been changed.Multiple save data can be selected and transferred at once in “Transfer Your Save Data” menu.System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 has been added under System Settings > System.You can perform a system transfer from your Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication.For users that will lose access to their Nintendo Switch before receiving their Nintendo Switch 2, there is an option to upload system transfer data to a dedicated server which can then be retrieved on their Nintendo Switch 2. After you upload your system transfer data to the dedicated server, the Nintendo Switch system will be initialized to factory settings, so only perform this transfer if you’ll be able to complete the transfer on Nintendo Switch 2.If you want to continue using your Nintendo Switch until you have a Nintendo Switch 2, we recommend completing the system transfer using local communication after you have acquired a Nintendo Switch 2 system.An internet connection and Nintendo Account is required to complete both local and the server-based system transfer service.For more information, see System Transfer from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2.The appearance of some user icons have been updated.

You might also like...

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live: latest UK stock updates as My Nintendo Store's pre-order date arrives, while US pre-orders remain delayedHere are the Nintendo Switch 2 launch games that you'll be able to pick up and play on June 5The Nintendo Switch 2 now has a special magazine issue to celebrate the upcoming console release that makes me wish I was fluent in Japanese

A new IDC study shows an increase in desktop PC and laptop sales in North America compared to Q1 2024This is likely a result of US tariff uncertainty, with manufacturers warning consumers about possible shortagesThere's a chance that the 90-day pause could be turned back

While the PC hardware market has always had cases of high demand for certain desktop components (notably GPUs) and laptops, it's arguably now hitting unprecedented levels due to US tariffs, and a new study corroborates this.As reported by NotebookCheck, evidence from IDC (which tracks hardware sales) suggests that desktop and laptop sales in North America have spiked since US tariffs were implemented, and manufacturers have also warned consumers about potential shortages in supply, effectively leading to panic buying.The study shows that in Q1 2025, compared to Q1 2024, laptop sales have increased by 26.9%, and desktops rose by 35.3%. This appears to stem from a fear that prices may suddenly skyrocket or, worse, sales may be paused. We've seen this happen with Razer, which previously halted its laptop sales due to US tariffs.Notably, there is still a 90-day pause active on larger tariffs, while the 10% base tariff on imports to the US remains. However, there's uncertainty about whether this will be undone, which could affect sales of PC hardware. A large majority of PC hardware manufacturing takes place in China, and tariffs are now up to 145% on all of its imports into the US.It's no surprise, then, to see sales hike significantly, before matters spiral out of control - and based on the trend of the GPU market, it might be a good idea to buy any PC hardware at retail price while things are relatively stable - as who knows what chaos the US tarrifs could unleash if they are reinstated.

(Image credit: Ninma)

Now is the best time to buy what you need, just not at any ridiculous pricing

Demand for PC hardware is arguably at the highest it's been (particularly compared to the Covid-19 period), but the one thing we must not do is purchase overpriced products.While I'll say that this is particularly true when it comes to GPUs, with prices soaring far above what they launched at, the same applies to pre-built desktop PCs and laptops. Fortunately, I've not seen cases of either pre-built systems or laptops being obscenely overpriced, which is probably because they've always been slightly expensive to begin with (especially high-end configurations).I'm sure we all hope tariffs don't get out of hand, and since there's not much clarity on how the PC market will be impacted in the near future, now could be the best time to jump on any appealing hardware deals you find.

You may also like...

Nvidia's RTX 5060 8GB GPU is rumored to launch at $299 - but history suggests it will cost more at retailersHeads up Nvidia fans: multiple RTX 5000 series GPUs are available at retail price on Overclockers UKIs Nvidia's GPU supply drought finally ending? A new leak hints at more RTX 5000 series GPUs being restocked

The BBC announced a new addition to its Maestro series of masterclasses, featuring its first posthumous teacher, Agatha Christie, presenting her writing tips in 4K video. The best-selling author of literature in human history teaches an 11-lesson course on writing mysteries, and the BBC seems very aware of the issues circling AI, which provokes a mix of intrigue and, honestly, wariness.

Christie, who died in 1976, has had her likeness composited through a blend of licensed images, limited footage and past audio recordings. That data has been blended with actor Vivien Keene, who ‘performs’ the words of Christie on video. This is a more cautious approach. During a Q&A event at the course’s launch in London, Keene stated outright that this was a performance. It seems a particularly risky choice, too: a lot of writers, editors, and authors are facing AI tools that reduce job opportunities or absorb their writing (and IP) without permission to train AI models.

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

The BBC says all the writing advice comes directly from her writings, author’s notes and archival interviews, curated by leading Christie experts and scholars, including Dr Mark Aldridge, Michelle Kazmer, Gray Robert Brown and Jamie Bernthal-Hooker. One of the stipulations from the Christie estate was that all the writing tips and guidance come directly from her. The makers claim that AI hasn't filled in the gaps or made guesses about her writing style, or what advice she might give.

The BBC’s Maestro series is part of the company’s business arm, offering over 40 courses in the style of Masterclass but with, obviously a lot more Brits, priced at $10 per month. (Don’t let the fact that the Diary of a CEO guy is there put you off – the Billy Connolly course is excellent.)

However, for this course, the team ballooned to over 100 people, factoring AI rendering experts, sound engineers and more, to deliver a convincing portrayal of the author of Murder on the Orient Express, Mousetrap and, well, all the others.

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

During the Q&A (at the glamorous Claridges hotel, of course), Dr. Mark Aldridge explained that in A Murder’s Announced, Christie had a different murderer in mind when she first began writing that book – something vital if you're trying to convey her writing process. This could then be folded into the course guidance and content.

At the launch event – with almost enough champagne to fill the Nile – I got to delve into the lessons. I’m not ready to pen a 50,000-word page-turner, it’s a convincing facsimile. There’s still a glint of uncanny valley, of course, (I think it’s something to do with the eyes?), but even BBC Maestro CEO Michael Levine noted that since the project’s inception a few years ago, the technology had evolved so quickly that the team was able to do even more than it first thought.

Levine joked that the only books that rivaled sales of Christie’s body of work by sheer volume are the works of Shakespeare and The Bible. There are no plans yet to add further ‘resurrected’ experts to the Maestro lineup.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/agatha-christie-ai-bbc-maestro-masterclass-writing-course-hands-on-120010944.html?src=rss

The mystery ultra-wide prime could have a f/1.4 apertureIt could be Canon's widest prime lens for mirrorless yetThere are no details of an expected launch date yet

Canon is tipped to fill a long-time gap in its lens lineup, with a completely new ultra-wide angle prime that could be perfect for astrophotography.Leaks about the lens are seemingly few, but that hasn't stopped Canon Rumors from speculating what the mystery full-frame lens for Canon's mirrorless camera might be – and it could be a world-first.Judging by the response to the post, such a lens could be a big hit with Canon and astrophotography fans. Here's what has been rumored so far.

We gave the RF 10-20mm F4L IS STm lens (above) a 5 star rating in our in-depth review. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

An all-new, world-first prime

Canon has launched plenty of superb lenses for its mirrorless cameras, however, ultra-wide angle fans are short of options.There's the five-star RF 10-20mm F4L IS STM zoom and a hybrid RF 20mm F1.4 VCM, but no wider fast prime like Sigma's 14mm f/1.4 (for Sony E and L-mount only). That could be about to change.Arguably the most significant detail about this lens is absent in Canon Rumors' post: focal length. There's speculation is could be a 14mm lens, or even be as wide as 12mm.The leaker seems more certain that the maximum aperture is going to be f/1.4. If it's going to be a true world-first lens then, it couldn't be a 14mm f/1.4. However, it could still be, with various qualifiers.Whatever the case, if this lens materializes, it sounds like something totally new for Canon, combining an ultra-wide perspective with a bright maximum aperture that's ideal for low light work, such as astrophotography.Naturally, a professional L-series lens like a 14mm f/1.4 will be a chunky thing. However, I'd expect it to be smaller than a DSLR equivalent; Canon has previously been able to reduce the size and weight of certain DSLR lenses when making them afresh for mirrorless, such as the 10-20mm F4L IS STM, which was half the weight of the EF 11-24mm f/4L USM.And while Canon has recently focused its efforts into hybrid VCM lenses designed for photo and video work, the feeling is that this rumored ultra-fast prime will be an STM lens, better equipped for photography.Such a lens is one of the most requested from Canon photographers, who hopefully won't have long to wait.

You might also like

Best Canon RF lenses 2025: the best lenses for Canon's mirrorless EOS R camerasCanon’s new 20mm f/1.4 lens could be the ultimate wide-angle prime for astro photography and video work, but its priceyI’ve tested all 4 of Sigma’s bargain f/1.4 primes for Canon cameras – here’s how to decide which one to buy

A shadow library might sound like something from a fantasy novel – but it’s real, and far more troubling.It’s an online archive of pirated books, academic papers, and other people’s work, taken without permission. These libraries have always been controversial. But in the AI world, they’re an open secret – rich sources of high-quality writing used to train large language models.The books in them are goldmines because they're long-form, emotional, diverse and generally well-written. Using them to ‘train’ AI is a shortcut to teaching these tools how humans think, feel, and express themselves. But licensing them properly would be expensive and messy. So tech companies just didn’t bother.This quiet exploitation exploded into public view in March 2025 when The Atlantic released a tool that lets anyone search for their books in LibGen (Library Genesis), one of the biggest shadow libraries.And there it was, my book Screen Time, along with millions of others.It's been revealed in legal documents that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, used LibGen to train its large language models, including LLaMA 3. Not every title was necessarily used, but the possibility alone is enough to leave authors reeling.As a tech journalist, I’ve always tried to stay level-headed about AI – curious but critical. But when it’s your book that’s been ‘stolen’ to train AI, it hits differently. You think about the hours, the edits, the emotion. The despair and euphoria of creating something from nothing.It feels as if all of that has been swallowed whole by a system that mimics creativity while erasing the creator. The outrage from authors is real – the lack of consent, the lack of compensation. But what haunts me is something deeper, a grief for creativity itself, and the sense it's slipping away.

Fair use or foul play?

Meta has been under legal scrutiny about this for some time. In 2023, authors including Richard Kadrey, Sarah Silverman, Andrew Sean Greer, and Junot Díaz took legal action against the company, alleging it used their books without consent to train its large language models.Meta's defence has been that training its AI models on copyrighted material constitutes what's known as fair use. One of the company's arguments is that the process is transformative, as the AI doesn't reproduce the original works but instead learns patterns from them to generate new content.Laws in the UK and US differ. In the UK, this is generally considered unlawful unless it falls under specific exceptions like "fair dealing," which has a narrower scope than the US's "fair use." In the US, the legality will hinge on how "fair use" is interpreted, which is currently being tested in ongoing legal disputes. The outcomes will likely set significant precedents for future AI copyright law.Meta and other AI advocates insist these systems will bring us enormous benefits. Can't the means justify the ends? Personally, I can appreciate that argument. But let's not kid ourselves – Meta's primary motivation is profit. The company is leveraging creative works as raw material to scale its AI capabilities.Writer and author Lauren Bravo, whose books Probably Nothing, Preloved and What Would the Spice Girls Do? were scraped into LibGen, told me: “I feel furious about my books being on there, for myriad reasons. It's hard enough to make a decent living from writing books these days – the average author's income is £7k! – so to know that a company worth over a trillion dollars felt it was reasonable to use our work without throwing us a few quid is so enraging there aren't even words for it.”Historian, broadcaster and author Dr Fern Riddell, whose books Death in Ten Minutes, Sex: Lessons From History and The Victorian Guide to Sex were also in the LibGen database, said: “It’s absolutely devastating to see yours – and many others’ – life’s work stolen by a billion-dollar company. This is not the proliferation of ideas. It’s straightforward theft to make Meta money. The scale of it is almost incomprehensible – all my books have been stolen, along with my right to protect my work.”Like Bravo and Riddell, other authors are understandably angry and confused what this means for the future. The Society of Authors and several other organizations are considering adding to the mounting legal action against Meta. Maybe change will come – new licensing rules, more transparency, opt-in models. But it feels too little, too late.“Writing a book is a long and deeply personal process for any author. But because mine talks about losing both my parents at a young age – from coping with grief as a teenager to caring for my mum through cancer – it feels extra personal,” writer and corporate content consultant Rochelle Bugg tells me, whose book Handle With Care is also in the dataset. “I poured my heart and soul into my book, so the fact it has been taken, without my knowledge or consent, and used to train AI models that will generate profit for someone else seems totally unjust and completely indefensible.”There's something uniquely painful about deeply personal work being scraped and repurposed, especially without permission.

The art of being human

These latest incidents have raised all sorts of questions not just about copyright, but about creativity – and how little we seem to value it."I fear it's symptomatic of something much larger that's been going on for decades," Lauren Bravo tells me. "The way creative work has been dramatically devalued by the internet.""We've all participated in it," she adds. "In some ways, the democratization of content has been brilliant. But the sinister flipside is that we now expect to consume creative work for free – writing, music, art, even porn."Generative AI tools take that mindset and dial it up to eleven. Why pay for anything when with a quick prompt you can make it instantly?Take the viral AI-generated Studio Ghibli trend. It looks charming until you remember that Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki has publicly condemned it. Yes, AI can gobble up his art and copy its style anyway. But is that kind of mimicry creativity? Is it still art if it's made without permission, or without the human experience that shaped it?Some of us obsess over these questions. But honestly? It's starting to look like few others care. Tech companies mine data. Users get the dopamine hit of jumping on a new trend. Everyone keeps scrolling.Author Philip Ellis, whose books We Could Be Heroes and Love & Other Scams were scraped into LibGen, told me: "I see artists online trying to educate their followers about AI's environmental impact. But as the action figure trend has shown, your average person is still ignorant – maybe wilfully – of how bad generative AI is proving to be. Not just for the climate, but for culture."Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (the company behind ChatGPT), takes an unsurprisingly optimistic view. In a recent TED 2025 interview, he claimed generative AI can democratize creativity.He acknowledges the ethical complexities – copying styles, lack of consent – and has floated ideas like opt-in revenue sharing. But even he admits that attribution, consent, and fair pay are still "big questions."OpenAI blocks users from mimicking living artists directly, but broader genre imitation is still allowed. Altman insists that every leap in creative tech has led to "better output." But who decides what's "better"? And who benefits?The danger next is that young creators might see this landscape and wonder if creating is still worth it."I'm scared that we'll lose a future generation of painters, authors, musicians," Ellis tells me. "That they won't feel the thrill of discovery. The joy of putting hours into a creative pursuit for its own sake. Because companies like Meta have told them a machine can do the hard part – as if the hard part isn't the whole point."What we lose when we turn to AI to "create" for us isn’t just jobs or royalties. We also lose the messy, magical process that gives art its meaning. Creators aren’t prompt-fed machines. They're emotional, chaotic and alive. Every poem, novel, song or sketch is shaped by memory, trauma, boredom, desire. That’s what we connect to isn't it? Not polish, but meaning and soul.As Ellis told me: "Even if I'm never published again, I'll still carry on writing. Because the act itself – of crafting characters and worlds that seem to exist almost independently of me – is what makes me happy."AI can certainly produce something that resembles art. Sometimes it's clever. Sometimes it's even beautiful. But the AI tool you use doesn’t feel or care or know why it exists. Instead, we know it works by interpreting a prompt then borrowing, blending, remixing and regurgitating. So we have to ask whether what AI creates is still creativity in the absence of a human creator?It’s the kind of question that keeps me up at night. And maybe ultimately it no longer matters. Maybe the very idea of creativity is being rewritten. Tech giants certainly promise us bold new forms of expression through AI. And many people are clearly excited by that prospect. But let’s at least be honest, these systems weren’t built to nurture our creativity. They were built to monetize it.This isn’t just about my book, or even the 7.5 million others in LibGen. It’s about what we choose to value, like art, culture and the wild and weird richness of human experience. Because the truth is, we're not just training machines. We’re training ourselves to accept a world where our most meaningful expressions become raw material for someone else’s profit. And if we’re not careful, we’ll forget what it ever felt like to make something real.

You might also like

Can you use ChatGPT to create a dream life? Why you should think before trying this viral TikTok trendI tried the new Meta AI app and it's like ChatGPT for people who like to overshareWatch The Rock being turned into unrecognizable abstract art as viral ChatGPT trend goes wrong

Cassette player with Bluetooth and built-in battery3.5mm input for recording onto tape£129 / $159 / €149 (about AU$269)

We Are Rewind delighted us at CES 2025 with its rechargeable cassette player and recorder, and now you can get your hands on one. The EDITH WE-001 cassette player is available now for £129 / $159 / €149 (about AU$269).In addition to the player itself, the package also includes a pencil for those inevitable moments when you need to re-spool the tape. It's a nice touch and highlights the knowing humor here: We Are Rewind is clearly having lots of fun with this device, its design and its packaging.

(Image credit: We Are Rewind)

EDITH WE-001 cassette player: key features

The WE-001 may look like a 1980s tape player (and indeed Fiio's gorgeous 2024 option – built to honor the original 1979 TPS-L2 Sony Walkman), but it takes advantage of some of the technologies that have become commonplace since, you know, the time when Walkmen walked the Earth.The most important of those technologies is Bluetooth. You can still use wired headphones if you want to look like a Cliff Richard music video (ask your grandparents), but wireless is of course much more convenient.The other key technology is that instead of AA batteries, this player is powered by an internal rechargeable battery that's good for a promised 12 hours of playback.In addition to playing tapes, the WE-001 can also record onto them, via its 3.5mm line-in jack. There's no internal microphone, however, and you can only record onto type I cassettes. For playback you can use types I to IV.The EDITH WE-001 is available now from select retailers including independent record shops, and honestly, if it doesn't make you want to grab your neon sweatbands and head to a roller disco with Cyndi Lauper in your ears, I don't know what will.

You might also like

This portable Hi-Res Audio music player has a tube amp and Android, for a serious mix of the retro and modernCassettes are back in a big way – and not just because FiiO's ode to the Sony Walkman is acesThis retro music streamer and speakers combo is a stylish modern version of a classic hi-fi look

Amazon is spending $4 billion to improve its US rural delivery network200 additional delivery stations will open up in rural areasOver 13,000 zip codes will be covered by the end of 2026

Amazon has announced plans to spend $4 billion by the end of 2026 to expand its delivery network across rural areas of the US.As part of the package, the world's fourth-most valuable company will add over 200 additional delivery stations to its network, claiming to support more than 100,000 full- and part-time jobs both on the road and in warehouses."By having these programs and operating our own delivery network, we’ve been able to provide deliveries seven days a week and get packages to customers even faster," Amazon Worldwide Operations SVP Udit Madan proclaimed.

Amazon Prime rural deliveries

The multibillion-dollar investment will focus on the ecommerce giant's last-mile network, adding further delivery stations closer to customers.This will include Amazon's own network as well as schemes like its Delivery Service Partner program, Amazon Flex, and Hub Delivery, which enables small businesses and members of the community to offer their support."Once this expansion is complete, our network will be able to deliver over a billion more packages each year to customers living in over 13,000 zip codes spanning 1,200,000 square miles," Madan added.With the expansion, Amazon hopes to improve delivery speeds by up to 50% in rural areas.Apart from the obvious – giving customers access to "over 300 million items" at an affordable price with quick delivery – Amazon also stressed that the company plays an important role in communities across the US. Each new facility is expected to create an average of 170 roles.Madan cited research showing that Amazon's investments in its delivery network have "already led to $500 million in economic growth in small towns and rural communities." Hub Delivery partners are also said to be able to earn up to $27,000 in incremental income a year.According to the company's most recent earnings report, it delivered its "fastest speeds ever for Prime members in 2024," delivering "over 65% more items to US Prime members the same day or overnight" compared with the year before.

You might also like

Take payments with the best payment gatewaysGet your business online with the best free website buildersTrump admin accuses Amazon of partnering with 'a Chinese propaganda arm' over tariff listing talk

Smart grills are expensive. Unless you find one on clearance, they’re far from an impulse buy, and companies definitely make you pay a premium for the conveniences a dash of Wi-Fi can afford. As such, you’ll need to do some research before making your selection, taking into account what kind of cooking you plan to do and how often you’ll be doing it. There are also things to consider like added features, especially cooking modes and ease of clean up.

The real benefit of a smart grill is being able to keep tabs on your food without having to stand next to it the whole time. Most models allow you to monitor temperatures and offer some degree of cooking guidance. There’s convenience for beginners and experienced cooks alike, especially for things that take several hours to complete. However, if you’re happy with a Weber Kettle or Big Green Egg, there are ways to get smart grill features without making a pricey purchase.

Smart grill alternatives

ThermoWorks

You can get the basic function of a smart grill for $100 or less. All you really need to keep tabs on temperatures from a short distance away is an RF thermometer that has meat probes. For its accuracy and ease of use, I prefer the ThermoWorks Smoke line. The most affordable option is $99 and it comes with one food probe and one ambient temperature probe. For $169, you can upgrade to the longer-range two-probe Smoke X2 and the four-probe Smoke X4 is $199. All of these allow you to monitor things from inside and they offer the ability to set both high and low temperature alarms for audible alerts. ThermoWorks also sells an additional accessory that can add Wi-Fi to the base-level Smoke model, allowing you to send stats to your phone.

Of course, those devices only monitor temperature. They don’t do anything to help you adjust heat levels. For that, ThermoWorks built Billows. It’s a temperature control fan that eliminates the need for you to manually open/close vents on a smoker or grill that’s burning charcoal or wood. You’ll need a ThermoWorks controller to use it, like the $239 four-probe Signals unit. Signals is more expensive than the Smoke models, but it has Wi-Fi built in, so it works with your phone right out of the box.

If both Wi-Fi and step-by-step guidance are your thing, the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub is a great option. This adds nearly every smart function to any grill. Weber’s app not only offers tips for how to prep food, but it also walks you through the entire process — from flipping to wrapping and resting. Timers let you know when the next step is coming and the hardware/software combo can even estimate when the cook will be complete. That last bit comes in handy when smoking things like brisket that can take 8-12 hours. The Hub can accommodate up to four probes, so you can keep tabs on multiple foods and grill temp via the simple on-board interface.

If having cables criss-crossing the inside of your grill sounds like a hassle (and it very well can be), there are wireless options available for keeping tabs on temperature. My preferred product is the Thermoworks RFX, which is available as an all-inclusive starter kit. This pack comes with a wireless probe, transmitter and wired grill temperature probe. By separating the ambient temperature sensor from the main probe, Thermoworks says it avoids inaccurate temperature readings that can be caused by the evaporative cooling of meats. The RFX sends data to an app over Wi-Fi and offline Bluetooth connectivity is in the works. Plus, this probe is supremely durable with an IP69K rating, good enough for both high-heat searing and deep frying. And when you’re done, you can just toss it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

Pellet grills

Traeger

When it comes to smart grills, the backyard cookers that burn wood pellets are some of the most popular models. Basically, a heating element in the bottom of the grill ignites compressed wood that’s fed to the fire pot via an auger. A fan that’s run by a controller on the grill regulates the size of the flame and overall temperature. Of course, all of this is done automatically once you set the temperature. What’s more, Wi-Fi-enabled pellet grills allow you to monitor and adjust temperatures from your phone, so you can stay inside and entertain your guests.

A key advantage of pellet grills is their versatility. Most of them can handle low-and-slow cooking at as little as 180 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as searing high-heat temps of 600 degrees or higher. This gives you the ability to cook everything from brisket, ribs and pork butts to burgers, pizza and steaks. Some even have a slider that allows you to sear over the flame of the fire box. These grills allow you to “set it and forget it” for long cooks, and even for short ones, they don’t require much attention other than flipping or saucing foods.

There are more affordable smart pellet grills on the market, but for the mix of hardware and software performance, Traeger and Weber are the best picks. Traeger has a variety of models, almost all of which are Wi-Fi-equipped, starting at $800. The company’s completely redesigned Timberline series is basically an outdoor kitchen. It can accommodate a variety of accessories to expand its abilities and there’s a built-in induction burner on the side for making sauces, cooking sides, and searing. The cook chamber has double-wall insulation and the grill comes with a set of Meater wireless thermometers that connect to its touchscreen controller. However, all of the updates to the Timberline will cost you a whopping $3,300. And that’s for the smallest size.

Trager also redesigned the Ironwood series, giving it a lot of the updates that the new Timberline offers. There’s no induction burner, wood shelving, storage or dual-wall construction, but the touchscreen controls, new accessories (including a modular rail system) and, most importantly, the company’s redesigned grease and ash management system are all here. The Ironwood does have an open shelf on the bottom and a large side shelf in place of the Timberline’s burner. And while it doesn’t ship with Meater probes, this grill does support them if you buy them separately. The lack of high-end features makes the Ironwood far more affordable, starting at $1,800.

With the Traeger app, you get access to a massive library of recipes, all of which can be sent to the grill so you don’t have to dial in the settings. You also get step-by-step instructions, timers, food probe temps and the ability to activate special modes. All of that is in addition to remote control and monitoring for grill temperature. The software is compatible with all of the company’s Wi-Fi-enabled models, including older ones, so you don’t need the newest Timberline or Ironwood to take advantage of what the app has to offer.

If you prefer grills of the Weber variety, the company’s Searwood grill is your best option currently. Gone are the early days of Weber’s pellet grills that still had some issues to work out. The Searwood is more reliable and more capable thanks to an open-lid manual mode for searing, griddling and more. Plus, smaller changes like a more readable display make the overall experience a lot better. Starting at $899, it’s also more affordable than those Traeger options.

Gas grills

Weber

Smart options aren’t limited to pellet grills, though. If you don’t have a need for the lower-temperature cooking, a propane or natural gas model might be a better option. In 2021, Weber brought its Connect smart grilling platform to its gas grills, offering three- and four-burner configurations, some of which also have a side burner for extra cooking space. Just like on the Searwood, Weber Connect not only allows you to monitor both food and grill temperatures from a comfy chair, it can guide you through the process and give you time updates. You still have to manually adjust the burners, but Weber’s app can alert you when you’re running low on fuel (propane models).

Other types of smart grills

Masterbuilt

Both pellet and gas grills have their merits, but some folks prefer the tried-and-true flavor of charcoal when cooking outdoors. While the purchase of one of the previously mentioned accessories will probably achieve what you're after for a kettle or kamado-style grill you already have, there are some charcoal smart grills that offer a degree of connectivity for your cooks.

For fans of the kamado-style ceramic grills, Kamado Joe has the Konnected Joe and Big Joe Konnected Joe. Silly spellings aside, these units address two key issues with these types of grills: lighting the charcoal and regulating temperature. To help with the former, the company installed an ignition system in the bottom of the cooking chamber that lights the fuel at the press of a button.

The Konnected Joe models are also equipped with built-in smart grilling features that help you keep the temps consistent while being able to monitor food and grill temps remotely via an app. Before now, if you wanted smart features on a Kamado Joe grill, you had to invest in the iKammand add-on. Starting at $1,699, these grills are another significant investment, though that figure is on par with the company’s other models that lack the added features connectivity brings.

If you prefer charcoal but still want a versatile smart grill, Masterbuilt’s Gravity Series does everything from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat searing. The gravity-fed charcoal hopper allows you to cook with a fuel source that’s more familiar to most people while the unit’s digital fan maintains temperature. You can monitor the grill from your phone and adjust the heat levels as needed. The company’s latest version, the Gravity Series XT, has an updated controller with a color display and a number of other design improvements.

A word about griddles

Weber

Flat-top griddles are having a moment. These grills are insanely popular for their ability to accommodate smash burgers, fajitas, fried rice, breakfast and anything else that would otherwise fall through a normal grill’s grates. There are endless options here, most of which offer the same basic premise: multiple burners underneath a steel, aluminum or cast-iron flat top. Except for Recteq’s SmokeStone that burns pellets, the rest of the griddles I’ve seen run on propane or natural gas.

Since the basics are pretty much the same across the board, you’ll want to look at finer details in the design of a griddle while you’re shopping. How much space will you need? What’s the cooktop made out of? Does it have an attached lid? Are the side shelves big enough to hold everything you’ll need to cook? These are the types of questions you should be asking to make sure you buy something you’ll be happy with long term, since you’ll be spending several hundred or maybe even a thousand dollars on a griddle.

One option that I think goes beyond the normal menu of features is the Weber Slate. This is the second griddle for Weber, a company with a decades-long history of charcoal and gas grills. The Slate’s cooktop is made of rust-resistant carbon steel, which requires less maintenance and is more forgiving when you forget to clean it immediately after cooking. There’s also a front-mounted temperature display that shows the average reading across the cooking surface. Lastly, Weber offers a line of accessories designed for the Slate, including a caddy, condiment holder, cutting board and storage bins. These tools allow you to reconfigure the griddle so it’s a prep station/cooking area combo, which means fewer trips to and from the kitchen.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/best-smart-grills-and-how-to-choose-one-153006286.html?src=rss

Making electric cars from scratch is hard. Out of all the homegrown EV startups, Tesla is the only company that has broken through to the mainstream. Nikola was a scam. Canoo recently filed for bankruptcy. And depending on how you're counting, Fisker failed not once but twice. Then there are companies like Aptera that feel like they have been nearing production for more than a decade.

Among the ocean of EV companies hoping to outpace legacy automakers, Rivian and its second-gen models are making the transition to the electric era with both style and brawn. With its R1S SUV (starting at $75,900, or around $105,000 as tested), the company has created an adventurous car that impresses now, while also providing a blueprint for future success.

Design

The R1S is unapologetically boxy in a way that truck and SUV aficionados often prefer. That said, Rivian drives a neat balance between modern minimalism and retro ruggedness that allows it to blend in almost anywhere. Its oval (technically stadium-shaped) headlights might be some of the most striking in the industry, while Rivian includes rumble-ready touches like honest-to-goodness recovery hooks, beefy fenders and big 22-inch wheels with chunky tires. In a lot of ways, the R1S is what I imagine a Bronco EV might look like, except it's more luxurious, way bigger at 200 inches long and packs three rows of seats.

Interior

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

On the inside, I'd argue the R1S looks even better, especially when clad in Rivian's Black Mountain and Brown Ash Wood trim. It's like a cozy cabin that's been properly renovated and brought up to contemporary standards. There's a huge 15.6-inch high-res screen that sits on the dash without looking too ungainly or out of place, while a 12.3-inch display serves as a digital instrument cluster. It's clear Rivian is trying to embrace a tech-forward approach but it does so without completely abandoning traditional design traits like the car's stalk-mounted gear shift and wipers. While some folks may not appreciate how the buttons for climate and music are entirely touch-based, nothing really felt buried or out of reach thanks to a static row of icons along the bottom.

Overall build quality is solid too, with practically no rattles or massive panel gaps to speak of. The seats, while a touch on the stiff side, offer both heating and ventilation for front passengers, the latter of which I must admit is a real treat as we enter spring and summer. The cabin feels light and airy thanks in large part to its big panoramic roof. I love being able to switch the electrochromic glass (which is part of the optional Sound + Vision package) from transparent to opaque with a single touch. I also appreciate that there's a dedicated screen in the second row for climate and music (which thankfully can be child-locked if need be) and proper air vents for all three rows, so there isn't a single stuffy seat in the car.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Speaking of the third row, Rivian has really maximised the R1S' boxy dimensions. Even as a six-foot-tall guy, getting all the way in the back wasn't much of a struggle, though it's still a bit tight for someone my size. I need to slide the second row forward a touch in order to have adequate room for my feet. But make no mistake, there's plenty of space for kids or smaller adults back there, and if you need an EV that can properly transport seven people at a time, this thing has you covered. Alternatively, when cargo space is the primary concern, the third row folds flat to provide 46.7 cubic feet of space. You’ll get a whopping 104.6 cubic feet with both rows stashed.

Infotainment and tech

While the R1S doesn't support Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, Rivian's infotainment is a great example of why you don't need third-party add-ons when you have a solid homegrown interface. Almost everything you want or need is accounted for. Hitting the drivetrain icon gives you quick access to controls for ride settings (including height and regenerative braking adjustments). This option also displays super helpful stats enthusiasts will appreciate like elevation, motor temperature, steering angle and more. The other controls for climate, music, charging and navigation are self-explanatory, so even if you haven't driven a Rivian before, as long as you've used a smartphone or laptop (which covers pretty much everyone), there's not much of a learning curve.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Rivian also does a fantastic job with support features like Gear Guard, which uses the R1S' built-in cameras to monitor for accidents, bumps or people vandalising your car. I truly do not understand why every automaker doesn't utilize its vehicles' onboard sensors like this. And even though I didn't need it, it's one of those things you'll be incredibly grateful for when you do. Same goes for its onboard 120V AC outlets and plentiful USB-C ports, which are just plain useful.

As for monitoring the car and day-to-day stuff like starting it and unlocking the doors, there's Rivian's mobile app (available on both iOS and Android). It's dead simple to use, and unlike the phone-as-a-key feature on my Ford Mach-E, it was bulletproof during my testing. Once I had it set up, the car never failed to automatically pop out the door handles upon approach or lock itself when I walked away.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

I also want to give Rivian props for making its cars chirp when you lock them instead of beeping the horn like so many other vehicles. Not only is it less distracting, it just feels more respectful when you're out amongst the trees. Granted, this is a minor feature, but little details like this can have a big impact and it's another thing I'd like to see on more cars. Just imagine if you could identify specific makes and models by the species of bird song it tweets out instead of being bombarded by a cacophony of harsh beeps, honks and klaxons. Wouldn't that be sweet?

The one big wrinkle to all this is that currently there's no way to mirror texts or notifications from your phone onto the car's main display. In a time when people are growing more concerned about distracted driving (and rightfully so), this is a major omission. Rivian says implementing this feature turned out to be trickier than it initially thought, though there's hope that an update to add the tool will be available later this year. In some respects, I found that completely ignoring my handset while driving was actually kind of refreshing, but if this is a dealbreaker for you, I get it.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Unfortunately, if you want a physical fob with buttons for unlocking doors or popping the frunk, you'll have to shell out an extra $250. The R1S comes with smartphone controls via the app and a simple NFC key card instead of something that resembles a traditional key or remote.

Driving

Putting your foot down in an R1S is an instant reminder of why EVs are so fun to drive. When equipped with three motors like my test vehicle, a three-row SUV that weighs 7,000 pounds has no business being this fast. Acceleration from a dead stop is brutal (the tri-motor version has a 0 to 6 time of just 2.9 seconds). Until you get above 80 mph when wind resistance starts to become a major factor, it feels like the R1S has an endless pit of power. Furthermore, for a car this size, its turning radius is surprisingly tight.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Earlier this year, Rivian released its hands-free Enhanced Highway Assist feature that lets you sit back and have the car take the wheel. It works on more than 135,000 miles of freeways across the US and Canada, and while it isn't quite as polished as Tesla's Full Self Driving or Ford's Blue Cruise tech, the R1S still felt smooth and predictable when piloting by itself. It stayed neatly centered without bouncing back and forth between the lines, allowing you to change lanes with a flick of the stalk. For times when I wanted to take a little extra stress out of driving, Rivian's hands-free tech gave me the confidence to do that.

Some of R1S' other tech that improves its driving experience includes cameras built into its mirrors, which automatically pop up on the driver's display when you signal. Not only does this help eliminate blind spots, it's just a nice bit of redundancy. But my favorite feature might be Rivian's adaptive headlights. Due to quirks in US regulations, car companies can't really port over the matrix lighting used on vehicles in the EU and Asia. So in order to comply, Rivian engineered its headlights from the ground up to automatically adjust to driving conditions like angling its beams around corners, reducing bright spots for oncoming drivers and more. And after using them, it's hard to go back to basic lights that can only do high and low.

The one small issue I found was that no matter how I tried to adjust it, the R1S’ suspension felt far from supple. The lack of cushioning sometimes made larger bumps and potholes feel particularly jarring. Rivian updated the ride comfort (particularly at low speeds) after I returned my loaner vehicle and I've heard the difference is night and day. Regardless, driving feel is subjective, so if you're in the market for a new car and not conducting your own test drive, what are you even doing?

As a city-dweller, I'm not much of an off-roader, so I can't really speak to the R1S' trail-running prowess. But between things like its adjustable ride height (with up to 15 inches of ground clearance), torque vectoring and other related features, Rivian's vehicles appear very well equipped. And that's before you consider handy add-ons like the built-in air pump, which might save your bacon if you pop a flat in the backcountry.

Range, charging and configurations

The R1S is available in four main configurations: Dual Standard, Dual, Tri and Quad motor variants (the Quad option is coming later this year). The difference between the first two is battery size, with the former getting the base pack while the latter has the option of either large or max packs. The Tri and Quad motor models come standard with Rivian's biggest battery.

Range varies from 270 to 371 miles, depending on the specific configuration, and in my experience I found that Rivian's guess-o-meter was highly reliable. If the map said I was going to have a certain amount of battery left when I arrived at my destination, it was rarely off by more than a percent or two.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

On the tri-motor model, you can also disconnect the rear motors by putting the car in casual driving mode, which greatly improves the R1S' overall efficiency. When all three motors were running, I only averaged around 2.6 mi/kWh hour. But when only sending power to the front wheels, I was able to push that figure above 3 mi/kWh.

As for charging, peak rates top out at 300 kW, though you'll only see anything near that when the car's battery is under 20 percent. When I tried a more typical charging scenario by taking its power level from 20 to 80 percent using a 350 kW station, the R1S completed the session in 35 minutes with a peak rate of 168 kW. So while it's far from the fastest in the industry, the combination of big energy cells and efficiency means range anxiety isn't really a thing with the R1S. I just wish the latest models came with a native NACS port instead of an older CCS connector.

Wrap-up

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

While things are certainly better than they were just a few years ago, it’s still slim pickings when it comes to three-row EVs. If you can afford it, the Rivian R1S has put all the most important stuff together in a great-looking package — and then some.

Its size may be imposing, but it certainly delivers on the look and feel of a car that's just as happy on asphalt as it is on unpaved trails. And it does so while providing plenty of range and room for the whole family. Rivan's craftsmanship is highlighted by the R1S' exquisite interior, while a variety of battery sizes, motor configurations and other options make it easy to kit out to fit your adventures.

The only thing that might give me pause is that for people who aren't interested in off-roading, alternatives like the Kia EV9 offer similar passenger capacity for a much lower starting price. And other models like the Volvo EX90 and Lucid Gravity offer a bit more in the way of luxury. But for those with an adventurous lifestyle who love exploring the great outdoors, the second-gen R1S really feels like the total package.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/rivian-r1s-gen-2-review-the-rugged-foundation-of-rivians-electric-empire-120021072.html?src=rss

Earlier this week, 2K announced that it will release Borderlands 4 on September 12 — 11 days earlier than planned. Now, we're getting another look at the latest in Gearbox's series, including new features and a full-length gameplay trailer.

One of the most interesting tidbits announced is that Borderlands 4 will offer individual difficulty settings in co-op multiplayer. So, one person could play on easy and another on hard while still maintaining fluid gameplay. It's a cool option if you want to play with great gamers but not face the same intense challenges.

Along with the new trailer, you can also watch a 20-minute deep dive into the game, if you so please. The State of Play presentation from creative director Graeme Timmins and senior project producer Anthony Nicholson shows "the nitty-gritty details of how you'll wreak havoc across Kairos and take down the Timekeeper."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/borderlands-4-will-have-individual-difficulty-settings-for-co-op-players-121626097.html?src=rss

Businesses can claim full refunds if Acer devices’ hardware fail under warranty in the first yearClaims follow tight rules - hardware faults, warranty repair, and proper business registrationVero and SpatialLabs devices are covered - this isn’t just for budget business gear anymore

Acer has revealed a new offer that could reshape customer expectations across the business laptop and computing space.Under the Acer Reliability Promise, customers in the EMEA region who purchase qualifying professional devices by the end of 2025 can receive a full refund of the original purchase price if the device experiences a hardware fault within the first year and is repaired under warranty.Eligible categories include Chrome and Windows Pro devices, as well as select business monitors and projectors. Notably, products featuring Acer’s Vero sustainability technology and SpatialLabs 3D capabilities are also included, indicating that the offer isn’t limited to entry-level business models.

How does this new policy work?

The invoice date counts as Day 1, and buyers have 30 days to register their purchase. Up to 20 products per business are eligible, and the purchase must be for a new product made within the 2025 calendar year.Any claim must be filed within 30 days of the product being repaired under warranty. The fault must be hardware-related and resolved by an Acer-authorized repair center. Software issues, external component failures, misuse, or accidental damage are excluded.This offer is not available to individual consumers and is aimed exclusively at VAT-registered professionals and companies. To make a claim, customers must provide matching business credentials and bank details. The refund applies only once per product and is based on the net purchase price, excluding VAT and accessories.By offering what is essentially a one-year satisfaction guarantee, Acer is challenging industry norms and prompting competitors to reassess their own warranty policies.If widely adopted, this model could raise quality standards and build greater trust across the business tech sector.

You might also like

These are the best budget laptops availableWe've also listed the best workstations right nowT-Mobile is giving away free Smart VPN and satellite broadband with its business plans

Philips promises the new i9000 is its 'most intelligent shaver' yetClaims it can lift and cut hair -0.08mm below the skin’s surface Also offers real-time customization and pressure-activated lighting

If you’ve been wondering what’s next for premium electric shavers, Philips has an answer for you: the Norelco Shaver i9000 Prestige Ultra, the brand's most intelligent and powerful yet. It builds on the design and ergonomics that impressed us on previous models – this is the brand behind some of the best beard trimmers and electric razors on the market – as well as introducing a number of innovative new features.I got a chance to check it out at a preview event, and I was intrigued. (Unfortunately, I was also clean-shaven, so while I did get a chance to see it in action, you'll have to wait for my upcoming review for my official verdict.) Here are three reasons why the Norelco i9000 stands out from the crowd...

1. It can shave below the skin

The most significant change between the i9000 and previous Norelco shavers is that Philips promises a root-level shave with the new model. Using what Philips has dubbed ‘Triple Action Lift & Cut Technology', it'll lift hair directly from the root, cutting up to -0.08mm below the skin’s surface, for the cleanest, smoothest shave of your life. It sounds painful, but I saw it in action and can confirm there was only hair being shaven, no one ended up taking their top layer of skin off.With only a little stubble on my face, it easily took care of more short, fine hairs with ease. I look forward to putting this to the test when it's bit more grown out and see if it can solve for the tug-of-war feeling that some other shavers afford when getting their bearings around longer, more grown-out hair.

2. Real-time AI shaving feedback

Like the previous model (which impressed us when we tested it for our Philips Shaver S9000 review), there are five modes: sensitive, foam, intense, regular, and custom. New with the i9000 is SenseIQ Pro – an upgraded version of the tech used in previous models, which uses AI to customize the shaving experience in real time, offering feedback and aiming to deliver a better shaving experience.That combines with a new 360-degree 'Precision Flexing System' designed to offer 20 per cent more precision in use, thanks to three flexible heads that hide 72 blades and can perform 165,000 cutting actions in a minute.

(Image credit: Philips)

I got to try the i9000 on hair growing in various directions and of various lengths on boards that Philips had set up. There was no tug, even when the surface wasn't smooth. The i9000's flexible heads certainly let it navigate any area skin a bit easier, and the blades work quickly enough to let you move the shaver as you see fit.

3. Disco lighting and a bright, color screen

You’ll control and monitor all of this via a new, color screen on the front. I could see at the preview event it's considerably brighter than the one found on previous models. That screen will also greet you with a Good Morning or Good Evening, depending on when you pick the shaver up off the stand (and like most other devices, the i9000 also works with a connected app for Android or iOS).Even cooler, though, is a ring of LEDs under three floating shaving heads that glow green or red depending on how hard you're pressing the shaver.The LEDs get nice and bright, so they're easy to see in the mirror or in your peripheral vision, and they really do adjust on the fly based on how much pressure I apply. It's a really useful guiding tool, and even if you don't care to connect up the companion app, can provide that feedback right on the shaver.

The general gist here is that more intelligent features plus plenty of power help the Philips Norelco i9000 deliver the shave you need, in any environment at any time. The extra tech flair being thrown in is neat, and the use of AI for real-time personalization has already proven successful in earlier generations.I’ve just unboxed the Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra and am excited to fully put it through its paces over the next few weeks. It’s out now with a starting price of $329.99, depending on the exact model – as of this publishing, I see the i9000 Prestige Ultra for $329.99 on Amazon with a charging stand, a carrying case, and an extra attachment. It will get as pricey as $499.99, though. We’re waiting for Philips to confirm pricing for the UK and Australia.

You might also like

Beard trimmer vs electric shaver: what’s the difference?Panasonic Swipe Right review: an excellent travel shaver with one annoying design flaw‘We only build technology in the interest of storytelling’ – Disney’s associate lab director of Robotics on the Star Wars BDX Droids and what lies ahead

Doctor Who has been on a roll – relatively speaking, anyway – over the last couple of weeks.After a pretty generic start with its season 2 premiere, aka 'The Robot Revolution', the popular sci-fi show has delivered great back-to-back episodes in 'Lux' and 'The Well'. To keep its hot streak going, Doctor Who season 2's next episode will need to be just as good, if not better than that duo.So, when will 'Lucky Day', which will reunite us with Ruby Sunday, be released? Below, I'll tell you when and where you can watch it. You'll also find a full release schedule at the end of this article to find out when the remaining three chapters will arrive, too.

When will Doctor Who season 2 episode 4 come out in the US?

Nucti Gatwa's iconic Time Lord will return to our screens with Varada Sethu's Bel (and Millie Gibson's Ruby!) on on Disney+ on Saturday, May 3 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

Where can I watch Doctor Who season 2 episode 4 in the UK?

Season 2's Ruby-centric episode arrives this Saturday (Image credit: BBC/Disney+)

The next installment of Doctor Who season 2 (or, for those who've been watching since its 2005 reboot, season 15) will make its UK debut on BBC iPlayer on Saturday, May 3 at 8am BST.For those who prefer to watch Nu-Who via a terrestrial TV channel, episode 4 will also be available to watch on BBC One later on the same day at 7:10pm BST.

What time can I stream Doctor Who season 2's fourth episode in Australia?

What mystery will Ruby have to solve with UNIT's help? (Image credit: BBC/Disney+)

The legendary Gallifreyan's next adventure will arrive in Australia on Saturday, May 3 at 5pm AEST. One of the best Disney+ shows will be available to watch at home on, well, Disney+ (aka one of the world's best streaming services) Down Under.

When do new episodes of Doctor Who get released?

A post shared by Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho)A photo posted by on

If you've frequented these parts over the last three weeks, you'll know that new episodes of Doctor Who arrive every Saturday. For a full rundown of this season's release schedule, read on.

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

You might also like

These are the best Disney+ movies to stream todayMarvel announces The Fantastic Four: First Steps prequel story as Lego leak reveals first full look at the MCU movie's villain GalactusGet the lowdown on everything to do with Daredevil: Born Again season 2

The latest version of Windhawk, a popular customization tool, supports ArmThat means those with Snapdragon PCs can use it to put their own stamp on Windows 11There are some catches here, though, including that not every Windhawk mod will work on Arm PCs right out of the gate

Those with a Copilot+ PC that has a Snapdragon (Arm) processor now have more customization options for Windows 11 at their fingertips, because a popular third-party app now has a version that works on these devices.Yes, anyone with an Arm-based PC who’s been enviously eyeing Windhawk, and the powers this tool boasts in terms of changing the Windows 11 desktop, can now enjoy the app – whereas previously only those with AMD and Intel CPUs could.Windows Central picked up on the launch of a new version of Windhawk (v1.6) which is optimized for Snapdragon chips.The release notes for Windhawk v1.6 inform us that: “Windhawk can now be installed on Arm64 versions of Windows, and customization of native Arm64 programs is fully supported. Customization of x86 and x64 programs on Arm64 Windows has some limitations, which might be improved in the future. Some mods may need to be adjusted by their authors to work correctly on Arm64 Windows.”Windhawk is a base platform that allows you to browse an array of mods and apply any of them to Windows 11, letting you pick and choose the customizations that you want.So, you can change the taskbar for example, or go to town on overhauling the Start menu, or apply an entire theme. A recent example of the latter is a Windows Vista-inspired theme for Windhawk, giving Windows 11 a retro vibe while still keeping its modern lines.

(Image credit: Ramen Software)

Analysis: A powerful utility with a couple of caveats

It can’t be a bad thing that a popular piece of software which is truly bristling with options to make Windows 11 look different is now available more widely. After all, it isn’t just folks with AMD or Intel-powered PCs who might want to tweak and polish Windows 11 (or maybe even change it entirely).That said, there are a couple of slight catches here. Firstly, as the release notes indicate, some mods might need tinkering with to work on an Arm-based PC with Windhawk 1.6 – and the authors may, or may not, get around to doing that. Your choices may still be more limited with a Snapdragon PC given that, especially in these early days for the Arm-friendly take on the utility.Furthermore, I have to issue the usual warning here which is that Windhawk is a piece of third-party software, and you must always be cautious when installing such apps on your PC.In this case, Windhawk has been around for some time and has a reputation as a secure enough prospect as far as third-party efforts go. But still, it must be said that you install anything on your system at your own risk – even if it’s an apparently low level of risk.Aside from potential security concerns, there are also times when third-party apps that customize the Windows 11 interface considerably can throw spanners in the works when it comes to Microsoft’s monthly patches (or yearly upgrades for that matter).Windhawk is particularly prized for its ability to refine the Start menu, and accomplish tricks like removing the Recommended panel from that part of the Windows 11 interface, a piece of the jigsaw that many feel gets in the way. (Although that ability may be provided by Microsoft, finally, based on clues hidden away in test builds of Windows 11 – but for now, you’ll need a workaround to do this, such as Windhawk).

You might also like...

Windows 11 users get ready for more ‘recommendations’ from Microsoft – but I’m relieved to say these suggestions might actually be usefulWindows 11 is getting a very handy change to the taskbar, as Microsoft takes a leaf from Apple’s Mac playbookWindows 11 fully streamlined in just two clicks? Talon utility promises to rip all the bloatware out of Microsoft’s OS in a hassle-free way

Tools for Humanity, a startup co-founded by Sam Altman, has launched its its World eyeball-scanning identity verification system in the US. During an event in San Francisco, Altman reportedly said that World's technology provides "a way to make sure humans remained central and special in a world where the internet had a lot of AI-driven content." Altman is also one of the founders and is currently the CEO of OpenAI, which is perhaps the most prominent artificial intelligence company today.

World was used to be known as Worldcoin until Tools of Humanity decided to focus on the digital ID aspect of the project rather than the cryptocurrency part, because the Biden administration didn't have a friendly stance towards crypto. The project uses basketball-sized spherical objects called the Orb to scan a user's irises, which it then turns into a unique IrisCode for them. It will then use that information to create a World ID for the user that they can use to log into integrated platforms, including Minecraft and Reddit. Users who get verified will get some of the project's cryptocurrency for free.

Tools for Humanity said World keeps some access to user's data to ensure they aren't double-scanning their biometrics. But it also said that most of the personal data it collects remains decentralized, anonymized and supposedly impossible to reverse-engineer to identify someone. World is opening six locations in Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, Miami and San Francisco where people can get their irises scanned.

During the event, the project also revealed that it's working on a smaller, smartphone-shaped device called the Orb mini that can verify a person's identify. It eventually intends to turn it into a mobile point-of-sale device. The project has introduced new partnerships, as well: It will soon launch the World Visa card for people who've had their identities verified, and it will pilot its identity and age verification tools with Tinder in Japan. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/sam-altmans-eyeball-scanning-id-technology-debuts-in-the-us-130032856.html?src=rss

Fujifilm expected to launch a half-frame digital camera called the X-HalfOnline leaks suggest a 1-inch sensor, 10mm f/2.8 lens and vertical LCDTeaser trailer hints at upcoming release, with ‘See you soon’ line

Fujifilm is working on something peculiar. If rumors are right, it's set to release a half-frame digital camera that puts a contemporary twist on the classic film photography format. It’s expected to be called the X-Half – and it could be Fujifilm’s most unusual camera in years.Fujifilm recently teased the new model’s release in an official clip, with the tagline ‘Half the Size, Twice the Story’. That caption adds weight to online speculation that the camera will shoot half-frame stills using a digital sensor. A shadowy silhouette shown in that video also suggests the X-Half will adopt the retro analog styling of recent Fujifilm cameras, including the X100VI.What else can we expect from the X-Half? Fujifilm has teased at an imminent release with the line ‘See you soon’, but we don’t know exactly when the camera will be revealed. What we do have is a list of leaked specs, shared by reliable online sources. Taken together, these suggest that the X-Half will be a fun camera with potentially viral retro appeal, designed to tempt smartphone photographers into camera ownership.Here are five features we’re expecting to see on the weirdest camera of 2025.

1. Half-frame photography

The headline feature of the X-Half is expected to be half-frame photography. Traditionally, this technique allowed analog cameras to capture two portrait exposures on a single frame of 35mm film, giving photographers twice the number of stills from a roll. The resulting composite images became known as ‘diptychs’, with two vertical scenes combined side-by-side.Exactly how Fujifilm will execute this effect in a digital camera isn’t clear, but it’s expected to be the key selling point of the X-Half. Based on information from unnamed sources, Fuji Rumors has suggested that the new camera will allow you to press the shutter once to capture the first half of the image, then again to shoot the second.

2. 1-inch sensor

Fuji Rumors has also reported that the X-Half will feature a 1-inch sensor. This fits with its positioning as a premium point-and-shoot: that sensor size would be smaller than APS-C, allowing Fujifilm to package the X-Half with compact proportions, yet still capture more light and detail than the best camera phones.There’s been a lot of talk around the orientation of the sensor. Several sources have suggested that it could be positioned vertically, allowing the X-Half to natively shoot portrait stills which are then digitally composited into diptychs. This setup would also lend itself to content creation: assuming the camera has a standard mode, vertical images are ideal for sharing on social medial.

3. Fixed 10mm f/2.8 lens

Recent șpec leaks have suggested that Fujiiflm’s half-frame camera will feature a fixed 10mm lens with an aperture of f/2.8. Combined with a 1-inch sensor, that would give it a full-frame equivalent of 28mm – a focal length we’ve seen put to good use in other premium compacts, including the Ricoh GR III. It’s a natural fit for street photography and one familiar to smartphone users.The f/2.8 aperture is fairly slow for a fixed lens, especially paired with a 1-inch sensor. That combination will limit both low-light performance and the shallow depth of field effect. If accurate, that probably reflects the positioning of the X-Half as a fun, entry-level point and shoot rather than a serious photography tool.

4. Vertical LCD display

Another rumor circulating online relates to the LCD display. According to Fuji Rumors, the X-Half will have at least one screen oriented vertically. Based on the teaser trailer, we think we know why. In that clip, a Provia film logo is visible on the rear of the camera. We think this suggests the X-Half will have a digital film preview window to show the selected film mode, emulating the physical equivalent found on some analog cameras.It’s a feature we’ve seen before: on the X-Pro 3, a mini display showed the chosen Film Simulation recipe. Given the X-Half’s core focus on analog emulation, including a rumored ‘film roll mode’ that locks in settings for 36 exposures, we wouldn’t be surprised to see an LCD dedicated to displaying the logo of the selected film. This might sound gimmicky, but it leans heavily into the hybrid analog aesthetic.

5. Optical viewfinder

So, too, does the suggestion that the X-Half will feature an optical viewfinder rather than an EVF. This would be another nod to analog half-frame cameras, especially if oriented vertically (as it is on the Pentax 17, a recent revival of the half-frame film format and one of the best film cameras you can buy in 2025).Together with a physical exposure compensation dial, an optical viewfinder could give users the impression that they are shooting on film with an analog camera, despite the digital sensor inside. The question is how effectively Fuji is able to execute and pitch this proposition, without the X-Half feeling like a novelty camera – which some purists are already calling it.

You might also like...

Best film cameras: the finest classic and new analog cameras you can buyFujifilm's quirky new compact just leaked – and it could be 2025's most fun cameraFujifilm has officially teased its unique half-frame camera – and there could be a secret screen

Microsoft is dramatically increasing the price of the Xbox Series X and Series S, as well as new games and peripherals. As of today, the Series S will start at $380, up from $300, while the Series X will begin at $550, a $100 increase from its previous price. Additionally, Microsoft says beginning this holiday season "some" new first-party games will release at $80.

"We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development," the company said. "Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players."

Developing... This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/microsoft-is-raising-prices-on-the-xbox-series-s-and-series-x-132004594.html?src=rss

A large healthcare organization has disclosed a data breachAscension was also hit by two significant breaches in 2024The latest incident could be linked to the Cl0p ransomware attack

One of the biggest private healthcare systems in the US, Ascension, has notified patients that personally identifiable information (PII) including health data, was stolen in a previously unannounced attack affecting a former business partner in December 2024.The incident follows a previous ransomware attack in May 2024, in which the sensitive data of six million patients, forcing the company to take systems offline, divert ambulances, and pause elective care in some places.“On December 5, 2024, we learned that Ascension patient information may have been involved in a potential security incident. We immediately initiated an investigation to determine whether and how a security incident occurred,” Ascension confirmed in its breach notification.

Sensitive data exposed

Attackers reportedly gained access to sensitive information including the name, address, phone number(s), email address, date of birth, race, gender, and Social Security number (SSN), and even clinical and healthcare related information of some patients, depending on the individual.“Our investigation determined on January 21, 2025, that Ascension inadvertently disclosed information to a former business partner, and some of this information was likely stolen from them due to a vulnerability in third-party software used by the former business partner. We have since reviewed our processes and are working to implement enhanced measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future," the company confirmed.This leaves anyone exposed at serious risk of social engineering attacks or identity theft, especially given that SSNs are involved. To assist anyone affected, Ascension is offering two years of free identity monitoring services including credit monitoring, fraud consultation, and identity theft restoration.Although nothing is confirmed about the details of the incident, the timing and description of the incident suggest this could be linked to the Cl0p ransomware attack that abused a flaw in Cleo File Transfer software.The group claimed 59 organizations were affected in the incident, so it’s certainly possible that Ascension is part of that list.Via BleepingComputer

You might also like

Take a look at our picks for the best malware removal software aroundCheck out our choice for best antivirus softwareCl0p ransomware group says it was behind Cleo attacks

Google Messages is bringing new design upgrades to its UIThese include a PDF preview feature and an improved landscape mode We might also get an 'Unsubscribe' function for spam messages

It seems like Google has been working on improving the UI of its platforms. It’s just given its YouTube smart TV app a big upgrade, and now it looks like its Google Messages service is getting some much-needed attention too. Though the future of Gemini’s integration with Google Messages remains a mystery, Google has added even more non-AI related upgrades to its messaging app.Following a series of tests for useful upgrades, Google has introduced four more UI changes, which have been spotted by Android Authority. Three of these have appeared in an APK teardown and the fourth is already available in the latest beta version.These changes in Google Messages don't just offer an aesthetic boost, but they also provide long-awaited answers to questions that users have been asking for a while, and could improve your visual navigation of the Google Messages app.

1. A more balanced landscape mode

(Image credit: Android Authority )

The first of the four upgrades is a small adjustment to landscape mode in Google Messages. For a long time, users have found that Google Messages can look a little off when tilted and used in landscape mode, with the width of the chat screen being much larger than the width of the messages list.This is one of the changes that Android Authority spotted in its teardown. It reveals that Google could possibly fix this in the near future, by making both sides of the screen even in size.

2. Previews for PDF files in RCS messages

When it comes to viewing media in RCS chats, videos and shared URL links come with a visual preview showing the reader a brief snippet of the shared content without opening the file. But many users have noticed that this doesn’t apply to PDF files shared in Google Messages.An additional code has been found by Android Authority showing that this is another improvement that Google could be bringing to its Messages service, following in the footsteps of competitor messaging apps such as WhatsApp, which already offers PDF previews. However, Android Authority states that PDF files that require an access password will not have a preview.

3. An ‘Unsubscribe’ button to prevent SMS and RCS spam

Less a design feature and more a new managing tool, 9to5Google has spotted that Google could be implementing a new ‘Unsubscribe’ feature aimed at stopping unwanted SMS texts or RCS chats from business senders. This upgrade appears in the most recent release of Google Messages, and 9to5Google notes that it applies to:

RCS for Business messages in the United States, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom.SMS or MMS messages in the United States from short codes (phone numbers with 5-6 digits) and alphanumeric senders.

The new button has been spotted above the text field at the bottom of chats, and in the conversation’s overflow menu.

This is how the new Unsubscribe feature looks when unsubscribing from RCS messages (Image credit: 9to5Google)

4. Changes to main action buttons

The final upgrade is a very minor change to Google Messages and is already available in the latest beta version: Google has added text to its main call, video, contact info, and search action buttons. We’re assuming this new addition is to provide a visual aid for users, making it easier to distinguish between these different functions.

You might also like

Google Messages update finally adds an important safety tool – and teases a feature I'm surprised the app doesn't have alreadyAn essential Google Messages group-chat feature finally looks set to launch soonGoogle Messages is finally going to get better at handling your lengthy texts

Microsoft announced legally binding European Digital Resilience Commitment200 data centres will be operated by Microsoft across the EU by 2027A new Deputy CISO for Europe has also been appointed

Microsoft has come out and opposed to any US government orders to suspend European cloud operations, viewing such a move as highly unlikely but a real and relevant concern.In a blog post, Microsoft President Brad Smith confirmed the company would sue if ordered to halt services in Europe amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade disputes."We are committing that Microsoft will promptly and vigorously contest such a measure using all legal avenues available," Smith declared.

Microsoft is committed to serving Europe amid trade wars

In the article, Smith laid out five key commitments Microsoft is making to European customers, promising "digital stability" and "to uphold Europe’s digital resilience."Noting the "mutual economic growth and prosperity" that trans-Atlantic ties enable, Smith explained the company is "pleased" both President Trump and the European Union have reached an agreement to suspend further tariff escalation.Microsoft's first commitment is that it will continue to expand cloud and AI infrastructure in Europe, increasing data center capacity by 40% in the next two years and expanding to 16 European countries.By 2027, the company wants to be running over 200 data centers across the continent, all while respecting European laws and sovereignty demands.Secondly, Microsoft will "uphold Europe’s digital resilience" throughout the ongoing volatility by including a new legally binding European Digital Resilience Commitment in all contracts with European national governments and the European Commission.This includes storing back-up copies of its code in a secure repository in Switzerland, a country with strong data privacy and security laws.The company has also committed to ensuring the privacy of European data by enabling local data storage and processing within the EU and the European Free Trade Association, as well as protecting the continent's cybersecurity with a newly appointed Deputy CISO for Europe.Finally, Smith commented on Microsoft's plans to support competition in the region – possible a dig at the frequent investigations it faces from the European Commission as well as other antitrust regulators around the world.Smith concluded: "Our support for Europe has always been – and always will be – steadfast."

You might also like

Microsoft 365 and Azure revenues push company results to another record highWe've listed the best cloud storage providers, from Microsoft to rivalsCheck out the best AI tools and best AI writers

Anyone rocking a recent-gen high-end GPU like an RTX 4090 or 5090 knows that these behemoths of rendering power are heavy enough to knock out a would-be PC thief. As GPUs get larger and heavier, sagging has become a growing concern for PC builders and GPU manufacturers, and ASUS briefly let on just how aware of this issue the company is.

ASUS quietly added a function called “Equipment Installation Check” to its GPU Tweak III monitoring software back in January. Included in this toolset was a measurement named “VGA Horizontal Status” that precisely measured the angle at which the installed GPU was tilting down. Users could set a custom warning if the GPU tilted down beyond a degree threshold set by the user.

In mid-April, Taiwanese publication UNIKO’s Hardware published a teardown of the latest ROG Astral 50-series cards, which highlights what they suspect to be a Bosch Sensortec chip. Bosch describes it as “a general purpose, low-power IMU that combines precise acceleration and angular rate (gyroscopic) measurement with intelligent on-chip motion-triggered interrupt features.” The technicians at UNIKO’s Hardware believe this chip is what powers the tilting detection tool.

Curiously, the most recent mentions of this feature on ASUS forums point out that as of the latest release of the Tweak III software, dated April 11, the Equipment Installation Check button is no longer there. Users had begun reporting what they believed to be false positives, confident that their GPUs were level despite the software saying they were sagging. Engadget reached out to ASUS to understand if this feature is being deprecated or if it wasn’t reporting accurate readings but did not receive a response.

Whether the feature is gone for good or angling for a comeback, the risk of sagging GPUs is all too real for many PC gamers today. PCIe slots were not exactly designed with today’s six-plus GPUs in mind, which has led to gamers finding creative solutions to hold up their enormous graphics cards and prevent potential damage.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/asus-adds-then-removes-the-ability-to-detect-sagging-in-its-latest-rog-astral-gpus-134508930.html?src=rss

All 25 James Bond movies are coming to MGM+ on June 1The James Bond Collection will be available to stream for a limited period across 32 countriesMGM+ is available as a Prime Video add-on for an additional fee

Sometimes it's difficult to find classic movies, especially when it's such a massive franchise. With so many of the best streaming services having varying libraries, it can be a real headache finding each installment.But, MGM+ is offering movie fans the chance to stream all 25 James Bond movies in the same place, which is excellent news if you want to revisit some of the iconic movies without channel-hopping.MGM+ subscribers can watch everything, from one of the best Sean Connery James Bond movies Dr No all the way up to Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies like No Time to Die, and will be available at no extra cost to MGM+ subscribers.

How to get MGM+

(Image credit: MGM+)

There's a couple of ways you can sign up to MGM+ if you're keen to watch the James Bond collection throughout June. They have said it will only be for a limited time, but we don't know how long they'll be around for.So if you're keen to have a Bond rewatch, it's best to do it as soon as possible! If you're already a Prime Video customer, you can get MGM+ as an add-on for $6.99 / £5.99 / AU$6.99 per month.Alternatively, you can just go for an MGM+ subscription on its own. There's also a 7-day free trial where you will not be charged as long as you cancel before the next billing cycle.

You might also like

I wouldn't miss streaming these 3 movies on Prime VideoEverything new on Prime Video in May 2025Does Prime Video have a free trial?

The De'Longhi Rivelia is a bean-to-cup espresso machine with two hoppersIt automatically adjusts grind and brew settings to suit your chosen beansIts 3.5-inch screen offers personalized drink suggestions throughout the day

De'Longhi has launched a coffee maker with a twist: interchangeable bean hoppers, so you can switch between two different coffees in an instant.With the new De'Longhi Rivelia there's no need to use up all the beans in the machine when you want a change – just twist the hopper off to detach it, and replace it with another.Some of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines (like the Twin edition of the Jura J8) have two hoppers that you can switch between, while others (such as the KitchenAid KF8) have a chute that allows you to use a scoop of pre-ground coffee instead of whole beans for brewing the occasional drink.Both can work well, but also have some drawbacks. An espresso machine has to be pretty big to house two full-sized hoppers, and using a scoop of grounds for your second choice of coffee somewhat defeats the point of a bean-to-cup machine, because you're sacrificing either freshness (if you buy your coffee already ground) or convenience (if you have to grind it yourself).Having two separate hot-swappable hoppers means that's no longer a problem.

Image 1 of 3(Image credit: De'Longhi)Image 2 of 3(Image credit: De'Longhi)Image 3 of 3(Image credit: De'Longhi)

This time, it's personal

The Rivelia also has several familiar features that we've seen in the company's other espresso machines, including a 3.5-inch color touchscreen and Bean Adapt, which automatically dials in the grinder and adjusts the water temperature to suit the type of coffee you're using.There are four customizable profiles that let you save your preferred presets, and the machine will even pick up on your usual coffee habits and make suggestions accordingly. For example, if you usually start the day with a cappuccino, it will offer that first at breakfast time, so you don't have to spend time scrolling through other beverages.Want to know more? We put the Rivelia through its paces when it launched in the UK and Europe, so take a look at our complete De'Longhi Rivelia review for the full lowdown.

You might also like

With this simple gadget you can make great-tasting pour-over coffee with fewer beansNinja's latest coffee machine takes away one of the biggest hassles of being a barista – and it's awesomeHow are Nespresso coffee pods recycled? Discover what happens behind the scenes

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, May 1 (game #690).

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

NYT Connections today (game #691) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

DOGSTATUEGOOSEPROPTURTLEBOTTLEWINGBUSTSUPPORTRELIEFBREAKLINKPOSTRIBTORSOBRACE

NYT Connections today (game #691) - hint #1 - group hints

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

YELLOW: Artistic chiselling GREEN: Sturdy uprightsBLUE: Grill baby, grillPURPLE: A pain in the… ?

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

NYT Connections today (game #691) - hint #2 - group answers

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

YELLOW: KINDS OF CARVINGS GREEN: PILLAR BLUE: BBQ OFFERING PURPLE: __NECK

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

NYT Connections today (game #691) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #691, are…

YELLOW: KINDS OF CARVINGS BUST, RELIEF, STATUE, TORSOGREEN: PILLAR BRACE, POST, PROP, SUPPORTBLUE: BBQ OFFERING DOG, LINK, RIB, WINGPURPLE: __NECK BOTTLE, BREAK, GOOSE, TURTLE

My rating: HardMy score: 3 mistakes

I only just made it today after suffering a bad case of “one away”.I had BUST, STATUE, and RELIEF and knew it had something to do with art but had no idea what the fourth could be. It was the same story with TURTLE, BOTTLE, and BREAK.The only group I had the slightest confidence in was PILLAR, but even then I thought the link between BRACE, SUPPORT and PROP was medical aids.And as for BBQ OFFERING? I am going to have to put not understanding that down to cultural differences. I knew that BBQ DOG was an album (and also something Jeremy ate in the best episode of Peep Show) but I didn’t see the link with, erm LINK.Despite these difficulties, a pleasing Connections to complete.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, May 1, game #690)

YELLOW: WINNINGS POT, PRIZE, PURSE, REWARDGREEN: STOP, AS A HABIT BREAK, DROP, KICK, SHAKEBLUE: MOVIE CAMERA VERBS DOLLY, PAN, TILT, ZOOMPURPLE: WORDS THAT PRECEDE "-SIZE" TO MEAN SMALL BITE, FUN, POCKET, TRAVEL

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

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, May 1 (game #424).

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

NYT Strands today (game #425) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… What a trill!

NYT Strands today (game #425) - hint #2 - clue words

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

SEEKCROWSBINDLAIDGLADSOCK

NYT Strands today (game #425) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #425) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 3rd rowLast side: right, 3rd row

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

NYT Strands today (game #425) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #425, are…

WARBLERLARKSPARROWWRENCARDINALCHICKADEESPANGRAM: SONGBIRDS

My rating: EasyMy score: Perfect

I’ve just spent a very happy few minutes listening to all of these SONGBIRDS on YouTube.Living in the city, I don’t really hear that many birds – apart from pigeons coo-ing and the crazy people on our street with a rooster (fortunately, he’s a bit lazy and doesn’t start his roostering until about 11am).Of all the birds in the search, my favorite is the CARDINAL, which not only looks fantastic but also has quite the repertoire of repeated songs. I’m also a fan of the CHICKADEE, which really should be called the chickadee-dee seeing as they’re so keen on repeated whistles.All in all, a very straightforward Strands with little in the way of confusing words or patterns. Not exactly a trill-er, but very calming.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, May 1, game #424)

SKATEBOARDBICYCLEROLLERBLADESSCOOTERWAGONSPANGRAM: WHEELIE

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

Looking for a different day?A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, May 1 (game #1193).

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

Quordle today (game #1194) - hint #1 - Vowels

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

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

Quordle today (game #1194) - hint #2 - repeated letters

Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1194) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

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

Quordle today (game #1194) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)

Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

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

Quordle today (game #1194) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

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

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

Quordle today (game #1194) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1194, are…

CAUSERISENMACAWSMELT

It took me a little while to get MACAW, but this small drawback aside I didn’t suffer from experimenting with my start words.RISEN was my only gamble today – it could have been RISER – with the other two words gifted to me almost complete after my 15-letter opening.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1194) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1194, are…

CRUDEMOLARKNEADCURVY

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1193, Thursday, 1 May: IDIOM, EXILE, SPOOF, DRAPEQuordle #1192, Wednesday, 30 April: BATON, TORSO, ANNEX, DROWNQuordle #1191, Tuesday, 29 April: HOVER, HENCE, OCTAL, COPSEQuordle #1190, Monday, 28 April: JAUNT, ALLOW, FRUIT, BURNTQuordle #1189, Sunday, 27 April: PRIOR, YOUTH, CREDO, CHIDEQuordle #1188, Saturday, 26 April: LINGO, LOCUS, THROW, CLICKQuordle #1187, Friday, 25 April: SHALT, WRATH, MAMBO, HUMPHQuordle #1186, Thursday, 24 April: CHOKE, COLOR, FRAME, CAIRNQuordle #1185, Wednesday, 23 April: VALET, PUPAL, CREEP, DRIFTQuordle #1184, Tuesday, 22 April: POUTY, CHEST, BROOM, TEPEEQuordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACHQuordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUEQuordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULTQuordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTOQuordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURTQuordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUTQuordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAYQuordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCEQuordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOPQuordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THING

In today’s world, the frequency and severity of cyberattacks have become the norm. Nation-state threats and ransomware attacks are becoming more frequent alongside advancements in phishing and deepfakes due to new AI-enabled tactics.As threats continue to evolve, defenses must keep pace. However, an organization looking to improve its defenses is only as strong as its people. Ensuring the right talent is essential to improving its cybersecurity maturity and bottom line.Cybersecurity cannot be treated as its own business focus – it should be treated as a gateway to an organization’s overall growth and innovation. As business leaders set out to accomplish this mindset, there are many opportunities behind the organization’s security leaders, who can play a pivotal role in driving value.The emerging standout player is the Business Information Security Officer (BISO), essential in securing cyber initiatives' interest and funding, allowing leaders to rethink their methods and invest in strategies that prioritize proactivity and compliance.

An up-and-coming concentration in cybersecurity

Recent research found that more cyber leadership teams want to add the BISO role to their bench, but while broader industry adoption remains slow, the role is still on track to becoming a crucial part of an organization’s security function.Acting as the liaison between security teams, business units, and the C-suite, the BISO works closely with the CISO and CIO to understand current risk and identify areas of improvement. They handle everything from risk management and threat monitoring to third-party assessments and recommending cyber investment opportunities. These investments that meet security expectations and budget requirements will produce a greater ROI in the long run.As the role is adopted widely, more organizations will benefit from an individual who understands the connection between securing the business and aligning plans to meet broader goals. Identifying ways to drive security proactiveness – and wider business success – also helps gain trust among stakeholders.

What does the ideal candidate look like?

A capable BISO is both a strategic leader and a cyber tactician. Success in the role hinges on a deep understanding of cybercriminal tactics and anticipating threats before they materialize. The most impactful BISOs also bring a blend of adaptability to changing attack methods, as it’s critical that the individual can understand the true cost of risk to bolster resilience.The BISO is responsible for quantifying the cost of a cyber incident and the price of risk compliance. This approach helps them make pragmatic, data-driven decisions about what to protect and how to protect it – and communicate that to the rest of the business.A pragmatic mindset also helps a good BISO make better risk management decisions that protect a company in the long run. Armed with this approach, the BISO will then make the case to the C-suite that investing in security tools ensures operational continuity while being cost-effective.

Emphasizing proactive risk management

As part of the role, BISOs must continuously examine the cyber tech stack and risk levels to determine the solutions and strategies that will result in the best ROI for teams and the broader business. Approaching this from the business lens enables them to make strategic decisions that best support productivity while meeting requirements.Take the rise of ransomware and extortion attacks as an example. The BISO must take notice of the legislation, fees, and legal recourse that result from a cyber incident. The reality of today’s business world is it’s a matter of when – not if – an incident occurs, often resulting in a host of direct and indirect costs that significantly impact the business long-term, averaging around $677 million per incident according to recent research. When the BISO understands and communicates current risk and the financial implications, it can be integral in helping leaders invest in the right solutions to remain proactive in cybersecurity.For example, integrated solutions that address regulatory, legal, and cybersecurity needs make it easier for businesses to manage all aspects of their cyber deployments and compliance requirements. These initiatives match the growing industry shift towards tool rationalization, a modern approach to investments in solutions designed to handle current and future risks while reducing complexity.As a result, businesses can avoid costs related to remediation efforts, lost revenues, regulatory fines, and other expenses following a security incident.

How they pave the way towards modern cyber hygiene and resilience

As the middleman between security teams and the C-suite, the BISO acts as the organization’s north star to forgo the fear of potential threats and embrace a more confident approach to cybersecurity.One modern approach is exploring innovative strategies, such as guiding response teams to shift from traditional monitoring, protection, prevention, and recovery methods. Modern techniques, such as isolating threats, allow teams to reduce disruption and maintain operations when faced with vulnerabilities.The BISO also plays a role in improving employee cyber hygiene through new initiatives. Poor cyber hygiene directly impacted many organizations that suffered an incident in the past year, so it is necessary to oversee regular cyber training across departments and develop stricter employee guidelines.

Measuring impact

Understanding that cyber risk is a business risk is imminent to today’s modern business. The attack landscape is innovating at a rapid scale and increasing regulations around the world are calling for more accountability.Businesses can’t afford to delay investing in the right tools, strategies, and, most importantly, people. The BISO ensures that high-level business planning aligns with cyber goals. Over the next few years, we’ll likely see more businesses embrace the BISO role as they understand its importance to their continuity.

We've featured the best business VPN.

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

Security researcher Daniel Wade discovers worrying Microsoft RDP featureThis allows old credentials to be used when logging inMicrosoft has confirmed it has no plans to change this

Security researcher Daniel Wade has discovered a protocol within Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which allows users to log into machines using revoked passwords.Wade’s report warns “this isn’t just a bug. It’s a trust breakdown,” reminding Microsoft that people change their passwords trusting that this will “cut off unauthorized access”, making this feature entirely counter-intuitive. Wade cautioned “millions of users—at home, in small businesses, or hybrid work setups—are unknowingly at risk.Surprisingly, in its response, Microsoft said this behaviour is not a bug - instead calling it, “a design decision to ensure that at least one user account always has the ability to log in no matter how long a system has been offline.”

A feature, not a bug

Microsoft confirmed the issue did not meet its definition of a security vulnerability, and that the firm has no plans to make any changes to this.According to Wade’s report, there’s no clear way for end-users to detect or fix the issue on their end either, and Azure, Defender, Entra ID don’t raise any flags, leaving users vulnerable even if they’re taking protective measures.“This creates a silent, remote backdoor into any system where the password was ever cached. Even if the attacker never had access to that system, Windows will still trust the password,” Wade argues.Credential stealing and data breaches are far too common, and compromised passwords are a serious risk to businesses and users alike. Research has shown that security attacks on password managers have soared, with attacks growing more frequent and sophisticated.This means regular password rotation is an important facet of cybersecurity, and best password hygiene practices centre revoking old, reused, or compromised passwords - making this feature all the more confusing and concerning.Via Ars Technica

You might also like

Take a look at our picks for the best malware removal software aroundCheck out our choice for best antivirus softwareBeware, hackers can apparently now send phishing emails from “no-reply@google.com”

For as long as there have been laws, there’s been lawbreaking.And for just as long, much of that lawbreaking has gone unnoticed, undetected, or unenforced.From small-time tax evasion and regulatory violations to more serious crimes, our legal and enforcement systems have always operated under the assumption that not every infraction will be caught, let alone punished.But what happens when almost everything is knowable, detectable, and enforceable — all the time?This is not a hypothetical question. It’s a future that is increasingly within reach.

AI-powered enforcement

Advances in artificial intelligence, combined with ubiquitous surveillance, data aggregation, and predictive analytics, are rapidly closing the gap between what people do and what the state or private enforcers (like insurers, employers, and technology platforms) know about it.AI-powered enforcement has the potential to make rules — from traffic laws to environmental regulations to financial reporting requirements — enforceable at a level no human system ever could.Today’s enforcement regimes are constrained by human capacity, resource limitations, and the sheer scale of human activity.There simply aren’t enough police officers, IRS auditors, building inspectors, or compliance officers to monitor every infraction.Even in the most highly-regulated sectors like banking or healthcare, enforcement operates on a sampling basis — regulators audit a small fraction of cases and rely on whistleblowers or patterns of harm to trigger deeper investigations.

The enforcement gap

This enforcement gap creates space for:Minor lawbreaking that everyone does, like jaywalking or tax underreporting.Strategic rule-bending by corporations confident that the cost of non-compliance will be lower than the profit it generates.Informal economies and workarounds in communities where strict legal compliance is impractical or unaffordable.In other words, incomplete enforcement isn’t unintentional — it’s a built-in buffer between the idealism of law and the pragmatism of real life: It reflects the gap between the formal rules and the messy reality of how people and businesses actually live and operate.

What AI promises

AI promises to upend this dynamic in several ways:1. Mass surveillance: Modern AI systems can process vast streams of video, sensor data, social media activity, transaction records, and communications. Unlike human enforcers, AI can integrate all these data sources into coherent profiles, spotting patterns and anomalies in real-time and nearly perfect precision. A future where every movement in public space, every business transaction, and every online interaction is automatically monitored and assessed for legality is increasingly plausible.2. Predictive and preemptive enforcement: AI doesn’t just detect violations — it can predict them. Machine learning models trained on historical violations can flag likely offenders or anticipate where breaches will occur. This transforms enforcement from a reactive process into a predictive and preventative one. Imagine an AI system that identifies risky businesses or individuals and nudges them toward compliance before violations occur — or simply pre-emptively fines them based on the probability they’ll break the rules.3. Automated enforcement at scale: AI systems don’t get tired. They can enforce every rule, everywhere, all the time. This could turn what are now low-risk offenses — jaywalking, minor tax errors, small regulatory missteps — into near-certainties for detection and sanction.4. Privatized enforcement ecosystems: It’s not just governments. Insurance companies, banks, landlords, employers, and platforms could all adopt AI enforcement systems to monitor contractual compliance, workplace behavior, or loan covenants. When combined with always-on monitoring, this creates a web of privately enforced micro-compliance regimes, each with its own penalties and incentives.

The societal implications

If AI makes laws and rules enforceable at near-100% rates, the consequences for society would be profound — and not all positive. These consequences include:1. The end of informal economies: Many communities, particularly lower-income ones, rely on informal economies that blur the line between legal and illegal activity. From street vending without a permit to off-the-books construction work, these economies function because enforcement is incomplete. Total enforcement would collapse this informal safety net, often without offering viable alternatives.2. The criminalization of everyday life: Laws are written with the assumption that not all violations will be punished. As a result, many laws are overbroad, technically criminalizing common behavior — but rarely enforced. If AI changes that enforcement probability from 1% to 99%, everyday life could become a minefield of minor violations, each triggering fines, penalties, or worse.3. Disparities in enforcement scope and targeting: Even with AI, enforcement systems are built by humans — and inherit their biases. Which laws are prioritized for enforcement, and which populations are most heavily monitored, will still reflect political and economic power dynamics. AI could create a veneer of neutrality, while in practice concentrating enforcement on marginalized communities or politically disfavored activities.4. Compliance as a full-time job: If businesses and individuals are subject to always-on monitoring and hyper-enforcement, staying compliant could become a full-time job. Entire industries of compliance assistants, AI compliance dashboards, and personal legal monitoring services could arise, adding friction and cost to every aspect of life.5. The death of proportionality: Human enforcers have discretion. They can give warnings, ignore trivial violations, or apply common sense to ambiguous cases. AI enforcers, especially when operating autonomously, are far less likely to exercise that kind of judgment. This could create a legal environment where the letter of the law is enforced with machine precision, but with no regard for context or fairness.

Is this a future we want?

The prospect of AI-enforced legal perfection raises a fundamental question: Is the goal of law to achieve perfect compliance, or to balance order with freedom, fairness, and practicality?Laws are not sacred truths. They are human creations, shaped by politics, economics, and culture. They evolve as society changes. If AI locks in existing legal regimes and enforces them with mechanical rigor, it could stifle innovation, crush dissent, and make laws less adaptable to social change.The enforcement gap — the space between law on the books and law in action — is often where society negotiates its real values. Closing that gap with AI could mean the end of that negotiation, replacing it with automated obedience.There are, of course, benefits to better enforcement — fewer dangerous products on shelves, fewer tax cheats, fewer environmental violations. But the danger lies in forgetting that the purpose of enforcement is not just to punish, but to serve justice — which sometimes means turning a blind eye, showing mercy, or allowing room for ambiguity.As AI enforcement spreads, we must ask: Are we building a system that serves justice, or one that serves only the law?Because if AI gives us perfect enforcement of imperfect laws, the result won’t be a more just society — just a more unforgiving one.

We've featured the best small business accounting software.

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