News

A new leak reveals a new MSI Claw handheld, with the model name 'MSI Claw 7 A2HM'It appears to be an upgrade from the original MSI Claw A1M Previous rumors suggested a new MSI Claw would use one of AMD's Ryzen Z2 processors

The biggest computing tech event of the year, Computex 2025, is fast approaching, which means that new handheld gaming PCs could be unveiled – and fortunately, a new leak suggests a new handheld from MSI may be one of them.As reported by VideoCardz, a new MSI Claw has been spotted by a leaker on X (@94G8LA), based on MSI's hardware parts store. It appears to be a new variant of the original MSI Claw A1M, as it's labelled 'MSI Claw 7 A2HM', but is instead rumored to use one of AMD's Ryzen Z2 APUs or Intel's Arrow Lake processors.This comes after speculation of MSI eventually releasing a new Claw handheld that could take advantage of Team Red's new APU lineup; while this should be taken with a grain of salt, this leak makes the previous rumors more plausible.The purported new Claw won't be an 'AI+' handheld based on its leaked model name, so it may be safe to assume that it might not be as powerful as the Claw 8's Core Ultra 7 258V chip. However, it could likely be an upgrade from the original A1M model, which used the Core Ultra 5 155H processor (and that wasn't received well based on reviews).Regardless, the question remains; if it does use one of AMD's Ryzen Z2 processors, will this be the Z2 Go (which we've seen on the Legion Go S), the Z2, or the Z2 Extreme? If the latter is the answer, then we could be in for a fantastic upgrade from MSI's original A1M handheld mishap.

(Image credit: Jouri Altorf)

I'd absolutely love a Ryzen Z2 Extreme MSI Claw, but just not with a 7-inch screen...

The negative consensus surrounding the MSI Claw A1M is old news at this point; it was criticized due to its poor gaming performance and battery life, along with the inability to compete against other handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally.Despite the massive improvements made with the Claw 8 AI+, MSI looks set to right its wrongs with the rumored Claw A2HM model (especially if it's using the Z2 Extreme APU) – but the only gripe I have is that it will be another 7-inch display.It's not terrible by any means, as I've become accustomed to using my Asus ROG Ally's 7-inch screen, but it's definitely not ideal. A lot of potential screen space is already taken up by bezels, and this is why I've had the MSI Claw 8 AI+ on my wishlist, thanks to its 8-inch screen and powerful processor alongside it for great performance.These are still just rumors, of course, but if MSI can launch an 8-inch A2HM as well, it would actually be great competition for the Claw 8 AI+ with more variety for its consumers.

You may also like...

Forget the Nintendo Switch 2 – MSI’s surprise new Steam Deck rival could be the handheld gaming device to get without costing a fortuneDoom: The Dark Ages should be avoided by handheld gaming PC fans for now – and it’s down to one issue that I’m finding increasingly frustratingI absolutely love handheld gaming PCs, but I’m sorry Acer – an 11-inch display is just too large

It might surprise you, but Memorial Day can be a great time to shop for tech. In years past, we've seen solid Memorial Day sales on all manner of gadgets including many of our favorite tablets, headphones, charging accessories, robot vacuums and more. That's on top of all the seasonal items that usually gets discounted at this time like smart grills and grilling gear, pizza ovens and outdoor tech.If you're on the market for any of those things, now's a good time to shop. And like most seasonal holidays as of late, you don't have to rush to make your purchase. Memorial Day deals are live now, and there's a good chance they'll be available until the holiday weekend has passed. Below, we've collected all of the best Memorial Day sales on tech we could find for 2025, and we'll continue to update this post with the latest offers.We'd be remiss if we didn't mention Amazon Prime Day, though. The biggest iteration of the online retailer's annual shopping event typically happens in July, and Amazon confirmed it will be back again this year (although official dates remain unknown). Tech is usually heavily discounted on Prime Day for Prime members, so if you're unsure about a purchase, you could take the chance and wait a little while longer to see if that pair of earbuds you've been eyeing drops even further in price during Prime Day. If not, Memorial Day offers the next best opportunity this time of year to save on gadgets and gear.

Best Memorial Day tech sales: Top deals

Best Memorial Day tech deals

Beats Studio Pro for $170 (51 percent off): The latest version of the Beats Studio Pro have much-improved sound quality along with good voice performance and Transparency mode. While these are wireless headphones, you can also connect a USB-C cable to them to use them as wired headphones, too.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for $200 (20 percent off): The new Powerbeats Pro 2 have a comfortable design, improved sound quality and bass performance and heart rate sensors on board that make them good workout companions. However, you'll only be able to get that heart rate data if you have these buds paired to an iOS device.

Anker 321 MagGo battery pack for $22 (15 percent off): This 5K magnetic charging brick can attach magnetically to the backs of compatible smartphones, including iPhones, and includes built-in technology that monitors temperatures for a safer charge. It'll work with MagSafe cases as well.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $140 (22 percent off): This is the same, latest Kindle Paperwhite, just customized a bit for kids. You'll get the waterproof ereader in this bundle along with a protective case, a two-year warranty and six months of Amazon Kids+ for free.

Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras, 5 camera system for $200 (50 percent off): This pack-up includes give weather-resistant Blink Outdoor 4 cameras plus a Sync Module 2 to connect them all. These are some of our favorite security cameras thanks to their wireless design, accurate and speedy motion alerts and the ability to save footage locally when you use a thumb drive with the Sync Module 2.

Dyson Supersonic hair dryer for $330 ($100 off): This is the original Dyson Supersonic hair dryer that has been super popular since its debut. It includes five attachments for drying and styling, and it's billed as a fast dryer that protects hair from heat damage.

iRobot Combo Essential robot vacuum for $150 ($125 off): This is a great entry-level robot vacuum that has the added convenience of being a mopping machine, too. It'll suck up dirt, debris and pet hair while it vacuums, and you can use the included water reservoir when you want to mop hard floors.

Tineco Pure ONE S11 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner for $140 ($60 off with coupon): Our top budget pick among the best cordless vacuums, this Tineco machine offers good suction and a relatively lightweight design at a great price. It also includes the company's iLoop smart sensor, which will auto-adjust suction power as you clean.

Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum for $280 (20 percent off): This is a slightly cheaper version of one of our favorite cordless stick vacuums and it comes with a self-emptying base. This Shark stick vacuum has good suction power, can easily convert to a hand vacuum and it docks neatly on its auto-empty base station that traps over 99 percent of dust and allergens.

Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Robot Vacuum and Mop for $700 (30 percent off): A version of one of our favorite robot vacuums, this Shark machine can vacuum and mop floors for you. Its self-emptying base station holds up to 30 days worth of debris, and it has a refill tank for the mopping reservoir as well.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-early-memorial-day-tech-deals-save-on-gear-from-apple-amazon-dyson-and-others-144526098.html?src=rss

There's about to be a new online movie rental site in town. Letterboxd is introducing a transactional video-on-demand service for its users, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The social media platform for movie lovers announced the news during the Cannes Film Festival.

The Letterboxd Video Store will have curated rental categories such as up-and-coming filmmakers, under-appreciated movies and more on demand. There will also be areas that highlight the movies premiering at different film festivals, many of which will be available for a set amount of time. Plus, the rental service could offer some movies that only have a limited distribution, getting them in front of a wider audience.

Letterboxd pitches its Video Store it as a natural next step for the company. “Every day, we see members recommending films to each other, adding to their watchlists and hungry to discover more,” Letterboxd CEO Matthew Buchanan stated. “Letterboxd Video Store is our way of delivering for those film lovers, creating a dedicated space for films that deserve an audience.”

However, while we know it should be coming, that's about all the logistical information we have. Letterboxd has yet to release pricing, launch dates or countries where rentals will be available. These finer points should all arrive in the upcoming months. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/letterboxd-will-launch-a-curated-online-rental-service-for-films-145056220.html?src=rss

Microsoft accused of unfair software licensing practices... again – this time in the UKConsumers, businesses, and the public sector are all affectedOffice and Windows licenses are central to the case

Microsoft is facing a multibillion-pound legal claim in the UK over alleged anticompetitive behavior – Redmond has been accused of unfair software licensing practices, a complaint it's all-too familiar with given recent lawsuits and investigations.The claim accuses the company of abusing its market dominance to restrict competition between new and pre-owned software licenses, inflating prices for both.In the case of this particular lawsuit in the UK, the focus is on Microsoft Office and Windows licenses sold since October 1, 2015, therefore spanning a period of a decade.

Microsoft is in trouble in the UK over software licensing practices

Stewarts, a UK-based law firm, is leading the litigation, representing UK consumers, businesses and public sector bodies who purchased affected licenses.Heading the case, Kate Pollock explained (via The Register): "Microsoft's conduct has had a profound and costly impact on millions of individuals and private and public sector organizations that rely on its software for daily business operations.""This claim seeks to hold Microsoft to account and to secure compensation for the many affected members of the class. With billions of pounds potentially at stake, this case is about ensuring fairness in the digital marketplace and ensuring even the largest tech companies play by the rules," Alex Wolfson, the proposed class representative, added.It's not the first time Microsoft has been in the news over anticompetitive business practices. A 2020 complaint from Slack was recently resolved when the tech giant unbundled Teams from its software subscriptions. Microsoft was also in trouble in the UK last year over allegedly making it more expensive for Windows Server customers to use the software on rival cloud platforms.CISPE, representing cloud providers across Europe, also filed a complaint in 2022, but withdrew it after reaching a settlement with the Windows maker.TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft for a comment on the open UK case – any update will be posted here.

You might also like

Cut the costs with the best free office softwareMicrosoft pledges to keep Windows 10 M365 apps secure into 2028We've rounded up the best productivity tools and best online collaboration tools

Post Office to source external software and service providers to replace HorizonFujitsu's Horizon gets a one-year extension due to the delaysHorizon/NBIT replacements to cost £492 million

The Post Office is abandoning its in-house effort to replace the controversial Horizon system with the previously-announced New Branch IT (NBIT) system, instead turning to external suppliers for a suitable option.As part of the new procurement plan, worth £492 million, the Post Office is seeking a replacement service provider for £322.8 million and a software provider, which it will award a £169.2 million contract to.The announcement, posted to the Government website, comes around four years after the Post Office first revealed plans for NBIT after widespread controversy relating to its outgoing system, which just received an extension.

Post Office wants external suppliers to build it a new system

Introduced in 1999 and developed by ICL and Fujitsu, the Horizon system resulted in a miscarriage of justice on a huge scale, with faulty accounting software leading to the false prosecutions of hundreds of subpostmasters. More than 60 people had died before getting justice, and a public inquiry is still ongoing.Fujitsu has been awarded contracts totalling £2.44 billion since 1999, and with the Post Office confirming that NBIT would not arrive by March 2025, Fujitsu was given a further year to continue providing the Post Office with its Horizon software.The first of two lots centers around the migration from datacenters to the cloud, including the introduction of a cloud-native platform with enhanced reporting and a zero-trust security architecture. It's on offer as a five-year contract, from June 2026 to June 2031, and will be worth £322.8 million. Two one-year extensions could take this to June 2033 if the Post Office deems it necessary to "ensure key transformations and transitions have concluded."The second lot, a longer 12-year contract worth £169.2 million, will see a third party provide a modular, cloud-hosting retail electronic POS platform, including self-service, pick-up/drop-off and mobile POS. Two optional one-year extensions are also available.A Post Office spokesperson said (via The Register): "We are committed to moving away from Fujitsu and off the Horizon system and we have a plan in place to introduce a new IT system in stages for postmasters and strategic partners. We will continue to ensure we comply with public procurement regulations as we transform our technology."

You might also like

Check out the best POS systemsWe've listed the best cloud hosting providersMicrosoft and UK government sign multi-year tech agreement

WiiM announces 3 new streaming audio productsWiiM Sound is Hi-Res Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakerWiiM Sub Pro subwoofer and Amp Ultra amp also unveiled

WiiM has just announced that it's making its first speakers. The company has previously released a range of well-received music streaming devices and amps, and had partnered with Audio Pro on WiiM-enabled versions of that company's speakers, but these are its first self-made speakers.It's introducing a wireless speaker called the WiiM Sound, and a subwoofer called the WiiM Sub Pro – plus a new, powerful streaming amp called the WiiM Amp Ultra.The WiiM Sound very much looks like a competitor to the Sonos Era 100, and features a similar speaker setup, packing in two tweeters and a four-inch woofer – and promising 100W total of speaker power.This isn't much of a surprise – ever since Sonos' disastrous app launch last year, WiiM has been taking advantage of the situation and pitching itself as the heir apparent for people who want multi-room streaming and don't trust Sonos any more.But that was hard to do when WiiM only made amps and add-ons – the simplicity of having a speaker that handles everything is key to Sonos' popularity. This could be the final step.The WiiM Sound is a very similar size to the Sonos Era 100 at 5.7x5.7x7.5 inches (146x146x193mm), and has touch controls on top for play/pause and skipping tracks, again very much like a Sonos Era 100 or most of the best wireless speakers.But it's got one nice design feature that Sonos doesn't have: a cool circular touchscreen on the front, which can display artwork, show what's coming up in the queue, display retro VU meters, and can control playback.

(Image credit: WiiM)

There's built-in room correction for the sound, and Hi-Res Audio streaming support up to 24-bit/192 kHz.The WiiM app provides multi-room support, and you use it to stream audio to the Sound from over 20 different music services, including the likes of Qobuz, Amazon, Tidal and Spotify. You can also stream to it from other apps using Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect or DLNA.You might notice a name and feature missing from what I've said so far: Apple Music and AirPlay 2. This is basically the only major wireless speaker that doesn't have AirPlay 2 built in, and Apple Music isn't supported in the WiiM Home app.This will be a real knock to lots of people who make use of the Apple ecosystem, and puts WiiM at a major disadvantage over Sonos for them. However, there is Bluetooth support here to stream to it from just about anything.You've got the ability to pair two WiiM Sound speakers in a stereo configuration, or it can even work as part of a 5.1-channel speaker system wirelessly, if you use a WiiM amp's HDMI connection. I'll be interested to dig more into this in the future.

You might see WiiM refer to this as a smart speaker, but I wouldn't class it that way – it can be controlled by Alexa or Google Assistant, but it doesn't have these services built-in with mics. You'd need to use another device to trigger them, such as an Echo Dot.The other obvious missing feature here is a line-in port – there's no mention of this in WiiM's info. One nice feature of Sonos' current speakers is that you can plug one of the best turntables right into them, and get instant multi-room support for your vinyl. But you'll need one of WiiM's other streaming add-ons for that.However, there's another catch to getting excited about this outside of the lack of Apple support: the price, or lack thereof. We don't know what it will be until closer to its release, which is said to be in "Q3 2025" – so somewhere between July and September. I suspect that this will be more expensive than the Sonos Era 100 given the addition of the touchscreen, but we'll find out later.

Subbing in

(Image credit: WiiM)

The WiiM Sub Pro is a subwoofer with 250W of Class-D amplification, and can work wirelessly with WiiM products, or wired to anything with a sub output via RCA.There's an eight-inch driver, and it's a fairly compact sub at 15.7x11.8x12.7 inches, but still won't be that easy to hide away.Because it's designed to pair with basically any speakers you want, whether WiiM or not, there are detailed adjustments for crossover tuning within the WiiM app, as well as EQ options and room correction.Once again, there's no price, but again it's lined up for a Q3 release.

Amping up

(Image credit: WiiM)

WiiM also announced a powerful yet compact new streaming amp, called the WiiM Amp Ultra. It's capable of 200W of power per channel at 4 ohms, or 100W per channel at 8 ohms. It has connections for four speakers as a result, making it nice and flexible.When it comes to inputs, you've got all of WiiM's streaming powers, including all major music streaming services and casting options – again, with the exception of Apple's services. Hi-Res streaming is supported at up to 24-bit/192kHz, however the ESS ES9039Q2M SABRE DAC inside is capable of decoding up to 32-bit/384kHz.There are USB and Ethernet ports for these higher-quality files, and there's an RCA input, plus an HDMI ARC port to use it for home theater sound.There also a touchscreen on the front for nice artwork and direct playback control, plus a volume dial, as you'd expect from any self-respecting powerful amp.And once again, there's no price yet, and the release is promised in Q3.

You might also like…

B&O’s latest limited edition speaker is also a portrait of David Bowie that looks as good as it soundsI reviewed the new JBL Flip 7, and the new Bluetooth speaker boss is better than the old bossI tested B&O's new small portable Bluetooth speaker, and three is the magic number

Marvel's long-awaited Ironheart series premieres June 24 on Disney+. We also finally have a legitimate trailer, which looks gritty and fun. This should come as no surprise, as Black Panther and Sinners director Ryan Coogler is on board as an executive producer.

The show follows Riri Williams, who was first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She's a mechanical genius in the vein of Tony Stark who also builds her own armored suit. Iron Man. Ironheart. Get it? In the comics, it's an AI version of Stark that suggests the name, but we doubt Robert Downey Jr's new contract extends to vocal work on a Disney+ series.

The footage suggests a season-long battle against an underrated villain in the comics called The Hood, who is a magic user with loose connections to the Dr. Strange villain Dormammu. We can look forward to plenty of tech vs. magic tomfoolery.

Ironheart stars Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Alden Ehrenreich, Lyric Ross and Anji White, among others. Chinaka Hodge is the head writer, who penned scripts for Snowpiercer and Mike Flanagan's The Midnight Club.

We get three episodes on June 24, followed by installments each Tuesday. Ironheart runs for six episodes. The show's followed by the premiere of the animated anthology series Eyes of Wakanda on August 6.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/marvels-ironheart-series-now-has-a-trailer-152824616.html?src=rss

Philips Fixables opens the door to DIY repairs with a program built around 3D printing filesOne tiny 3D printed part might mark a big shift in how repairs are doneDon’t get too excited, only one part is available, and it’s not widely accessible yet

Philips has launched an initiative called Philips Fixables, a program that allows customers to download and 3D print replacement parts for certain products.According to Tom's Hardware, this is an early-stage effort with a limited rollout so far, but one that signals broader changes in how tech companies may begin supporting product longevity.The project is currently being piloted in the Czech Republic, where Philips is collaborating with Prusa Research and LePub.

A rare move toward open-source repair

At present, the program includes just one part - a 3mm comb attachment for a Philips shaver - but the company says additional components will be added over time.To print a compatible part, customers will download the corresponding file from Printables.com, a platform widely used by hobbyists and makers.While the best 3D printers can replicate intricate parts with impressive accuracy, successful results will depend heavily on users following Philips’s recommended print settings. The company warns that deviations, such as reducing infill to save time or filament, could result in weaker or unusable parts.As with any new idea, it remains to be seen whether this will succeed in practice. Users may end up printing inferior parts that repeatedly fail, leading to frustration rather than effective repairs.It’s also unclear how quickly Philips will expand the program or what types of components will be included next.The Philips Fixables website allows customers to request specific parts. If approved, Philips says it will notify users when those parts become available for download.However, there’s currently no public timeline for turnaround, nor are there transparent criteria for determining which parts will be accepted. That may limit the program’s usefulness in its early form.Still, the move is noteworthy. In an era where the best 3D printers and laser engravers are often restricted by proprietary ecosystems, offering open-source repair files, even in a limited capacity, is rare.This initiative echoes recent efforts by other companies, such as Logitech’s partnership with iFixit, which also champions repair over replacement.

You might also like

Watch the world’s biggest 3D printer make a 25-foot boatIs this the fastest 3D printer ever made?GlobalX airline helping Trump deportations hit by cyberattack

Warner Bros. Discovery announced today that its streaming service is undergoing yet another branding change. This would mark its second name change in three years, and even more if you count the days of HBO's subscriber-exclusive streamer. The streamer previously known as HBO Max (2018–2022), then as Max (2022–2025), will henceforth be known as… checks notes …HBO Max, again.

The rebrand will take place this summer and is part of a push by Warner Bros. Discovery to grow subscriber counts globally. The company’s statement shares its belief that returning the HBO branding to the Max streaming service will help signal to its customers the type of quality content they can expect from their subscription. The new (see: old) name makes more pointed use of the brand's iconic name. It reads in part: "This evolution has also been influenced by changing consumer needs, and the fact that no consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers are saying they want better content."

Bullish on the brand power of HBO, Zaslav said, "The powerful growth we have seen in our global streaming service is built around the quality of our programming. Today, we are bringing back HBO, the brand that represents the highest quality in media, to further accelerate that growth in the years ahead."

Warner Bros. Discovery reported earnings last week and mentioned the Max platform nearly 30 times in its nine-page letter to shareholders, touting subscriber and profitability milestones. The company clearly sees HBO Max as a core component to future growth, and HBO as the most valuable branding asset in its expanded portfolio since AT&T's merger with Discovery, Inc. in 2022. Look, as long as you keep making White Lotus, I don't care what you call it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/max-which-was-once-hbo-reverts-to-hbo-max-154149241.html?src=rss

Intel just teased a new Battlemage Arc GPU, asking gaming fans to 'stay tuned'It's expected to be revealed at Computex 2025 alongside new Arc Pro and AI GPUsIt could be a great opportunity for Team Blue to catch up to its rivals, with a more powerful, higher-end GPU compared to the Arc B570 and B580

With Computex 2025 now upon us, it's nearly time for plenty of tech reveals from handheld gaming PCs, processors, and GPUs – and Intel has hinted at a few big reveals to challenge its rivals, Nvidia and AMD.In a post on X, Intel announced that it will be revealing new Arc Pro and AI GPUs at Computex; most importantly, it's just hinted at a new Battlemage GPU, with 'stay tuned' replies to users who flooded the replies with requests for the GPU purported as the 'Arc B770' for gamers.Multiple rumors have been widespread regarding Team Blue potentially releasing a higher-end GPU as an upgrade from its previous GPUs (reported by VideoCardz), after its Arc B570 and Arc B580 GPUs launched late last year.One in particular seemingly revealed Intel's plans for a new Arc B580 with 24GB of VRAM, which is a significant upgrade from the current model's 12GB. It's also expected to come alongside other 24GB Pro GPUs for workstations.Thanks to Intel's new teasers, these rumors now have more credibility, although it's not exactly clear if it will be unveiling both a new Arc B580 24GB GPU and an entirely new Arc B770, or just the latter alone. However, one clear thing is that gamers will be getting a new Battlemage GPU, and one that is more powerful than any of Team Blue's previous offerings – and a Computex 2025 reveal looks imminent.

(Image credit: Acer, Intel)

Intel has an opportunity to bridge the gap and catch up to Nvidia and AMD

It's no secret that despite the successes and impressive gaming performance from both the Intel Arc B580 and Arc B570, Team Blue still has some catching up to do with Nvidia and AMD. Fortunately, this rumored GPU sounds like it might be the start of that.Both of its recent Battlemage GPUs aren't high-tier GPUs, but still manage to provide great performance results at 1080p and 1440p resolutions as budget options – but now, it sounds like Intel is making an effort in providing GPUs that are closer to middle or high tier (or at the very least more powerful GPUs than what is available).While nothing is guaranteed, I'm hoping this is indeed the case because affordable GPUs need a greater focus for budget gamers; AMD's Radeon RX 9070 and 9060 series are a prime example of this (despite the inflation issues of partner cards).I'm still keeping my expectations low, as I'm anticipating that there won't be any 'high-end' GPUs like the rumored Arc B580 24GB might suggest; at least, I don't see any of Intel's new GPUs matching or competing against the likes of an RTX 5070 Ti.However, the rumors indicate that Intel is potentially cooking something that will make gamers take it more seriously when it comes to the GPU market – and I'm hoping it's a major surprise.

You may also like...

Intel's Arc B770 GPU could go head-to-head with Nvidia's RTX 5060 – and it's expected to be revealed at ComputexIntel’s latest boasts about its integrated graphics makes me less excited for the Nintendo Switch 2 - and more hyped for the MSI Claw 8 AI+Laptop processors are better than ever, but I still don’t give a hoot about ‘AI PCs’ - and neither should you

Google Messages is finally getting a mentions features, similar to the one in WhatsApp and TelegramIt was first spotted in March, but Android Authority has managed to get the feature workingThough it works for the most part, it's not quite ready for an official rollout

Google Messages has been getting some major upgrades in recent weeks, and the latest looks to be a new mentions function for group chats that would catch Messages up to the likes of WhatsApp and Telegram.Speculation that Google was working on a mentions feature was fueled when the feature was spotted in an APK teardown by Android Authority in March, and now another teardown by the same outlet appears to have confirmed that it’s in the works.While Google hasn’t confirmed that a mentions feature is coming to Messages, Android Authority managed to enable the feature and has given us a first look.

(Image credit: Android Authority )

Based on this new teardown, the mentions feature works much like the one we’re familiar with in WhatsApp, letting you draw attention to any member in a group chat. When you enter the @ symbol in a chat, a list of members’ names will appear, and you can select the person you want to mention.When you send a message that includes a mention, the name of the person will appear bolded and highlighted, and other members in the group chat will be able to tap on the name to access their profile with DM and call shortcuts.While Android Authority has got the feature up and running, it did encounter some issues that suggest Google still has some work to do on the feature before it can be rolled out.

(Image credit: Android Authority )

Mentions in Google Messages has a long way to go

The main issue the outlet discovered was that while the mentions feature worked normally, the member that was mentioned in the text didn’t receive a notification on their end, as they usually would with other messaging apps.It seems, then, that the feature is still being tested in beta, and there’s no indication of when it’ll be rolled out – but Google Messages users have a few new features to explore in the meantimes.More recently Google Messages has been testing more new functions that are set to roll out soon, including a feature that allows you to join group chats via links and its long-awaited ‘Delete for everyone’ option.

You might also like

Google Messages is getting another wave of updates – here are 7 you can expect to see soonWe thought Samsung Messages was being retired – but it could now get 4 new features to take on Google MessagesGoogle Messages is finally getting a group chat upgrade it should have had years ago

We may finally know more about the SoC in the Nintendo Switch 2It delivers a significant CPU and GPU upgradeHighlights include a much higher clock speed and DLSS support

Although Nintendo has kept concrete details under wraps, we finally have a better idea about the new system-on-chip (SoC) that powers the Nintendo Switch 2.That's according to a detailed report by Digital Foundry , which digs into the exact specs for the forthcoming console and which seems to line up with many previous leaks.The SoC is reportedly extensively customized, in contrast to the more stock Nvidia Tegra X1 found in the original Nintendo Switch.Digital Foundry claims it features an eight-core ARM Cortex A78C CPU, with a clock speed of 998MHz while docked or 1101MHz in handheld mode. It's also capable of a max 1.7GHz clock speed, though it's unclear whether this would be reached in use.The fact that the CPU seemingly runs at a higher clock speed in handheld mode is also quite unusual. Traditionally, CPU performance is throttled in mobile systems when they're running off battery power, in order to reduce power consumption.Digital Foundry speculates that it may be designed to make up for the memory bandwidth, which drops from a docked 102GB/s to just 68GB/s in handheld mode.Two of the CPU cores are reportedly reserved for system features, with six available for developers to use.The GPU then features Nvidia's Ampere microarchitecture, which is also used in RTX 30 Series cards. The microarchitecture just turned four years old today, so is slightly older than the 2014 Nvidia Maxwell architecture used in the Tegra X1 was when the original Switch released in 2017.The GPU offers 1,546 CUDE cores, a massive increase on the 256 of the Tegra X1. Its clock speed is also boosted, at 1,007Mhz docked or 516MHz in handheld mode, with a maximum speed of 1.4GHz.Throw in the confirmed Nvidia DLSS support, and this SoC should be able to deliver a significant increase in graphical power.In terms of RAM, the console has 12GB of LDPPDR5X memory in the form of two 6GB modules. 3GB is reserved for the system, while 9GB is available for developers.Digital Foundry also states that there is no support for VRR over HDMI, which is a little weird given that it is supported by the system's built-in 7.9 inch, 120Hz and 1080p screen.The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch globally on June 5, 2025. UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are now live, with the console coming in at $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a bundle that includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World.

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 version of Cyberpunk 2077 will address PS4 and Xbox One launch issues like texture pop-in

The official trailer for James Gunn's Superman movie has been releasedIt appeared online after its premiere at Warner Bros' Upfront 2025 presentationThe rebooted DC Universe's first movie flies into theaters in mid-July

The official trailer for James Gunn's Superman movie has taken flight and it confirms David Corenswet's titular hero will face off against yet another foe in the hotly anticipated comic book film.Moments after its worldwide premiere during Warner Bros' Upfront 2025 presentation, the DC Universe (DCU) flick's latest teaser, one which commits the cardinal sin I didn't want from Superman's second trailer, was released online. Before we dig into its biggest talking point, i.e. who the aforementioned villain is, watch it for the first (or 10th, I'm not judging!) time below.

The DCU Chapter One movie's latest trailer comes almost five months after the Superman's Krypto scene-stealing first teaser landed online.Since then, Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios have slowly begun to ramp up their marketing campaign for Superman's latest big-screen adventure. That promotional push has fully taken off in recent weeks, with the release of a new Superman clip that showed off the film's jaw-dropping Fortress of Solitude, numerous TV spots, and its latest round of footage leading the charge for a campaign DC Studios has dubbed as the 'Summer of Superman'.

Who is the Hammer of Boravia in Superman?

The Hammer of Boravia is a wholly new creation for Gunn's Superman film (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Alright, so who is this armored suit-wearing individual that Supes is seen battling above Metropolis? According to an edition of the Daily Planet newspaper that appeared in the movie's first trailer, they're simply known as the Hammer of Boravia.Now, Boravia is a fictional nation that's appeared in Superman comic books. However, the so-called Hammer is an original character created specifically for one of 2025's most exciting new movies. Given their mysterious title, the Hammer hails from this country, which appears to have been repurposed as a Middle Eastern state for Gunn and Peter Safran's rebooted DC cinematic franchise.Here's the thing, though: I'm not convinced that the Hammer of Boravia is a totally new metahuman who's been invented for Superman. I believe this is simply a ruse and that the individual beneath the armor is one of two other foes – but not the one teased in Superman's first-look image – that Corenswet's Clark Kent will have to contend with in this film.Potentially big spoilers follow for Superman. Do not proceed if you don't want this possible story detail ruined ahead of release!

A post shared by Superman (@superman)A photo posted by on

The first option is that the Hammer of Boravia is none other than Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor. As one of Superman's most notorious antagonists, it's not a stretch to assume that the incredibly gifted supervillain could invent and wield a near-Superman-proof super-suit that would allow him to go toe-to-toe with someone that Luthor clearly despises.That said, I can't see Luthor being the one to masquerade as this superpowered being. After all, It's not in his nature to get his hands dirty. Instead, I think it's a different foe and one we've previously seen in Superman's first trailer: Ultraman.

Think back to (or, rather, re-watch) said teaser and you'll be reminded that the Man of Steel battled someone wearing an all-black costume in a US football stadium. Clearly, Supes is having a real tough time with this individual – so much so, in fact, that numerous observers have claimed Ultraman must be a laboratory-grown clone of Clark Kent/Kal-El.This isn't outside of the realms of possibility. An evil, alternate reality version of Superman, one called Ultraman, already exists in DC Comics. Then there's the fact that the Hammer of Boravia is seen shooting lazer beams from underneath his visor in Superman's latest trailer. Lazer vision is one of Supes' most iconic superpowers, so it stands to reason that a clone would possess a similar ability.Add in the prospect of Luthor realizing that the only way he can defeat Superman is to genetically engineer a clone who can literally beat Kent in a one-on-one battle, and the evidence seems undeniable. The Hammer of Boravia/Ultraman simply has to be a replica of the titular metahuman.Of course, this is all speculation, but all signs point towards the Hammer being a bait and switch move on Gunn's part – one where the Hammer will eventually be unmasked as Ultraman and, by proxy, a carbon-copy of Superman himself. We'll find out for sure when the film achieves lift-off in theaters worldwide on July 11.

You might also like

New Superman cast rumor links Guardians of the Galaxy star with big cameo role in James Gunn's DCU filmCreature Commandos star Frank Grillo reveals why Rick Flag Sr will be 'on a mission' for justice in Superman and Peacemaker season 2Confusion reigns in James Gunn's DCU as conflicting reports emerge over supposed cancellation of Colin Farrell-starring movie

Uber is introducing a few new options for riders that it claims will save you money. These choices include Route Share, which can only be described as if Uber Pool and buses had a love child (though Uber has already tried to reinvent shuttle buses a few times). It offers pickups in certain spots "along busy corridors" every 20 minutes — though only during weekday rush hours.

Basically, you can save "up to" 50 percent off UberX by treating Uber like a bus, walking to a pickup location and then getting dropped off at another designated spot near your destination. The Pool bit is that there might be up to two other riders with you.

Route Share will let you book a seat between seven days and 10 minutes before you need it. The option is now available from 6AM to 10AM and 4PM to 8PM on weekdays in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Baltimore, with more cities coming.

Uber

Uber is also rolling out two different ride passes, a price lock and a prepaid option. The price lock pass lets you pay $3 to reserve a set cost for a specific ride. It seems to be pretty low risk, as if the ride ends up being cheaper when you use it, Uber won't charge you the difference. You can use a price lock pass on up to 10 different routes each month. This pass is now available in cities like Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami and San Francisco — but should roll out to the rest of the US soon.

Then there's the prepaid pass, which lets you pay for multiple trips at a time. So, say you take an Uber to work or your partners place regularly, you can buy a set of trips along that route. The passes will work for 30 days or up to $50 in savings, whichever you hit first. You do have to buy either five, 10, 15 or 20 rides at a time, so Uber gets a guarantee you'll use their service and you get a discount in return. Both types of passes will also be available on teen accounts this fall. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-introduces-ride-shares-a-rush-hour-version-of-pool-161059289.html?src=rss

We know Cassian Andor is doomed. 2016's Rogue One makes clear he will meet an untimely death in a massive explosion. That sense of inevitable destruction lingered in the background of the first season of Andor, the prequel series that follows his journey from a low-rent criminal to a rebel spy. But his fate is even more crushing in Andor's second (and final) season, where the cost of fighting against the seemingly all-powerful Empire chips away at his soul.

"Rebellions are built on hope," was an iconic line from Rogue One, first uttered by Andor and then repeated triumphantly by that film's lead, Jyn Erso. In the streaming series' second season, we see how that idea is formed and inspires many people. Rebellions aren't just about massive space battles, and Death Star trench runs. They don't rely on an untrained kid hopping into a spaceship and scoring a major victory thanks to the Force and destiny. Rebellions start with small decisions by normal people, and through collective action they evolve into something powerful enough to take down empires. Read into that what you will.

Lucasfilm Ltd™

Andor always seemed like an odd series for Disney, which spent the last decade milking the Star Wars franchise for all it's worth. Created by Tony Gilroy, the Bourne Identity screenwriter who reportedly swooped in to save Rogue One at the last minute, Andor has no lightsabers and minimal references to the Force. While it's filling in the gaps for a storyline that leads to A New Hope, the series also feels refreshingly free of the stifling mythology that has plagued shows like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka (and Boba Fett, and Obi-Wan Kenobi). Andor takes its time, building up its characters and laying out complex ideas, instead of rushing between action set pieces. It's Star Wars for grownups, something I never thought we'd see for a franchise so devoted to kids.

In season one, we're introduced to Andor as he's searching for his sister, who disappeared years ago. After being targeted by two local police officers, he ends up killing them both and is forced to hide out in his home planet of Ferrix. There he meets up with his friend Bix (Adria Arjona), who is working for Luthen Rael, a mysterious man who has devoted his life to taking down the Empire. It doesn't take long before Luthen sees potential in Andor, and begins to court him for his rebel cause.

Lucasfilm Ltd™

Minor spoilers ahead for Andor season two.

Taking place over the course of a few years (and counting down to the Battle of Yavin, where the Death Star was destroyed in A New Hope), season two follows Andor and Bix as they delve further into the rebellion. Bix is still recovering from the events of the first season, where she was imprisoned and tortured. And Andor splits his time caring for Bix and going on spy missions to help rebels on other planets.

I won't say too much about what happens in the season specifically, but in general it builds on everything that made Gilroy's first stab such a refreshing Star Wars entry. We see how the heartless machinations of the Empire affect real people, and how it can push entire populations to fight against tyranny. Small moments, like a hotel bellhop revealing his true thoughts about the Empire to Andor, can lead to more profound acts of rebellion.

Lucasfilm Ltd™

Star Wars has always been about the battle between good and evil. But Andor breaks down what that means for ordinary people, not hyper-powerful space wizards with laser swords. An average citizen could be killed on the spot if they decide to speak up against the Empire. Or, with self-preservation in mind, they could keep their heads down or even volunteer to be a cog in the fascist machine. Not everyone can be Han Solo (though Andor himself is a bit close). But when living under an authoritarian regime, there comes a time for everyone to draw a line. Resist, or lose your soul.

Andor also spends plenty of time on Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) before she eventually becomes the leader of the Rebel Alliance. We see her dealing with the difficulty of funding Luthen's rebel activities, especially as they lead to explosive outcomes. But after the Empire massacres thousands of civilians on the planet Ghorman, an event that’s been referenced in recent Star Wars books, Mothma and other rebel leaders conclude that violent rebellion is the only way to fight back against the fascist Empire.

Lucasfilm Ltd™

"The Empire has been choking us so slowly, we're starting not to notice. The time has come to force their hand," Luthen tells Senator Mothma in Andor's first season. When she notes that people will suffer, he replies "That's the plan. You're not angry at me. I'm just saying out loud what you already know. There will be no rules going forward. If you're not willing to risk your conscience, then surrender and be done with it."

Even though this is Andor's final season, I have a feeling this series will live on in viewer's minds far longer than whatever the hell happened in The Book of Boba Fett. It forces you to think about how the Empire directly affects everyone, from civilians on remote planets to the bureaucratic stooges devoting their lives to fascism. In many ways, it's practically a blueprint for rebellion. And not to put too much on a Disney TV show, but that feels like something we could use right now.

Update, May 14: This review has been slightly updated since its original April 21 publish date and republished to coincide with Andor's season two finale.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/andor-season-2-review-a-star-wars-miracle-worth-binging-190057284.html?src=rss

A full year of Peacock Premium is on sale right now for $25 as part of a Memorial Day promotion. This is $55 off the typical price of $80. Just enter SPRINGSAVINGS at checkout. The promotion is live until May 30. This is the ad-supported version.

Peacock is a decent platform and made our list of the best streaming services. It doesn't get the attention of Netflix or Disney+, but it's home to several nifty original shows. There's the AI-adjacent tomfoolery of Mrs. Davis and the Rian Johnson-made whodunnit Poker Face. It also airs several video game adaptations, like Knuckles and the surprisingly-decent Twisted Metal.

The big draw here, however, is likely the long-awaited spinoff of The Office, which is called The Paper. That one premieres in September and is a Peacock exclusive. The platform also signed an 11-year agreement with the NBA and that goes into effect this fall. The mobile app could be getting minigames and short-form vertical videos (like TikTok) in the near future.

The Scranton documentary crew is heading to Toledo. #ThePaper arrives this September on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/Mzmbw7TBzF— Peacock (@peacock) May 12, 2025

There's one caveat. This subscription will automatically renew for $80 after the year runs out. Stay on top of scheduling if you want to cancel before then.

Check out our coverage of the best streaming deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-year-of-peacock-premium-is-on-sale-for-only-25-163231474.html?src=rss

Apple TV+ is getting a new limited series called Wild Things, though a release date hasn't been announcedJude Law and Andrew Garfield will star as iconic magicians Siegfried and RoyIt's based on the Apple Originals podcast of the same name

I'm going to be sticking with Apple TV+ for the foreseeable future because they keep impressing me, and Wild Things has definitely caught my interest given its focus on late magicians Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn.A release window hasn't been confirmed, but we do know its based on the Apple Original Podcast Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy, and that it's an eight-part series, which will dramatize their life and careers.

Why I'm excited for Wild Things

As mentioned, I've always loved stage magic whether it's the double act of Penn and Teller or the illusions of Derren Brown, and Siegfried and Roy have long intrigued me.Their story is definitely one that would make for a great drama given their controversies, such as the fact they performed with lions and tigers, a practice that was criticized by some circles. This all came to a head when one of their lions attacked Roy, seriously injuring him, and this is the kind of show that I'm sure will open up plenty of conversations.The new Apple TV+ show "tells the wild ride relationship tale of two of the greatest showman-magicians in history who, along with their white tigers, are tasked with turning Sin City into a family-friendly destination. The duo pushes the concept of illusion versus reality to the extreme, personally and professionally, until tragedy reframes and opens a mystery surrounding their last fateful Las Vegas show,” according to the streamer.In 2024, we crowned Apple TV+ as our Streaming Service of the Year and there's been plenty to keep me interested lately. As well as dropping a trailer for a new star-studded nightmarish thriller, they've also announced that Jude Law and Andrew Garfield will step into the shows of the iconic showmen for Wild Things.On top of all this, WandaVision (aka my favorite Marvel show)'s Matt Shakman is directing the pilot and serves as producer so I'm hoping we can add this to our best Apple TV+ shows.

You might also like

Ted Lasso fans are going to love this new Apple TV+ comedy by the looks of the trailer for StickApple TV+ renews two of its best shows with over 93% on Rotten Tomatoes: ‘it’s a structure that we 100% know works’3 new Apple TV+ movies and shows you should stream in May 2025

Ivanti released a patch for a critical severity flaw in Neurons for ITSMThe flaw can be abused to gain admin rights on target systemsThere is no evidence of abuse in the wild

Ivanti has patched a critical-severity vulnerability in its Neurons for ITSM IT service management solution, and is urging users to apply the fix and mitigate the risk as soon as possible.Neurons for ITSM is an AI-powered IT Service Management platform used by IT departments in mid-to-large enterprises to automate, streamline, and manage IT support services, incidents, and assets across their organizations.An exact number of users is unknown, but Ivanti claims to be servicing tens of thousands of organizations with its portfolio, so it’s safe to assume the attack surface is relatively large.

TechRadar Pro readers can get 60% off Premium Plans at RoboForm now!New users can take advantage of RoboForm’s exclusive deal and get 60% off the Premium Plan. With this deal, you can get unlimited password storage, one-click login & autofill, password sharing, two-factor authentication for added protection, cloud backup, and emergency access for trusted contacts. To claim this deal, visit this link and sign up for the Premium Plan to lock in this huge discount.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Low complexity attacks

The vulnerability in question is tracked as CVE-2025-22462. NVD describes it as an authentication bypass in Neurons for ITSM in versions before 2023.4, 2024.2 and 2024.3 with the May 2025 Security Patch. It affects on-prem instances only, and allows a remote unauthenticated threat actor to gain admin rights on the target system.The company says that depending on the system configuration, the vulnerability can be exploited in low-complexity attacks. That, however, doesn’t seem to have happened yet, since Ivanti claims there is no evidence of abuse in the wild so far.Ivanti also suggested that organizations should follow its guidance, since then they will be less exposed to potential attacks."Customers who have followed Ivanti's guidance on securing the IIS website and restricted access to a limited number of IP addresses and domain names have a reduced risk to their environment," the company said in an advisory. "Customers who have users log into the solution from outside their company network also have a reduced risk to their environment if they ensure that the solution is configured with a DMZ."This is the second major vulnerability Ivanti patched this week, after addressing a critical-severity bug in its Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM) software.Via BleepingComputer

You might also like

Ivanti patches two zero-days that could lead to RCE in Endpoint Manager MobileTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

I’ve been flying and shooting with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro for a few weeks, and it's one of the best drones I've ever piloted with stand out camera features: the ability of the camera to be tilted up to 70 degrees, so it’s almost looking straight up, and for the entire camera housing to be rotated 90 degrees to capture photos and videos in vertical format.Furthermore, the camera can be rotated through -40 to 400 degrees on the roll axis, which means you can continuously rotate the camera during video capture. Think dynamic Inception-style twists that add a dynamic and creative look to videos.These movements are absolutely incredible because the camera unit on the Mavic 4 Pro isn’t small – it’s the largest seen on any Mavic drone, housing a superb 28mm Four Thirds Hasselblad camera with an adjustable aperture, a 70mm camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and a 168mm camera with a 1/1.5in sensor.

(Image credit: James Abbott)

Being armed with three versatile camera movements naturally opens up many creative possibilities for photo and video capture. After all, many pilots use drones to mimic traditional crane-mounted and dolly-style camera movements, to capture smooth and fluid video without the need to own, hire or set up such large and heavy equipment.True vertical photo capture with a high-quality Four Thirds camera or one of the telephoto cameras, on the other hand, speeds up photography at both the capture and editing stages. Say goodbye to the hassle of shooting and editing vertical panoramas for portrait shots or cropping landscape format photos to portrait, where you ultimately lose pixels and image quality.The camera's hugely versatile range of movement on the roll axis is thanks to what DJI calls an 'Infinity Gimbal' with 360-degree rotation. The effect is achieved by pressing button C1 and turning the right shoulder dial on the controller, and has never been seen before on a drone.

A whopping 160 degrees of camera tilt

This video shows the full 160 degrees of tilt, and the degree of movement is super impressive. Other DJI drones can have their cameras tilted upwards, but it’s only the DJI Air 3S that comes close to this with 60 degrees of upwards tilt.The Mavic 4 Pro gimbal is understandably robust since the camera unit is quite large, but it has a controllable tilt range of -90 to 70 degrees, which allows it to be pointed straight down at the ground as well as almost straight up.When capturing video and tilting the camera up or down throughout its full tilt range, it takes 15 seconds to travel 160 degrees at the default gimbal speed. 160 degrees of camera movement doesn’t sound like much on paper, but when you see it, you can fully appreciate it.

Vertical capture with 90 degrees rotation

With the Mavic 4 Pro, you can capture cropped vertical video with the camera kept in landscape format in the same way that the DJI Air 3 models capture vertical video. This works perfectly well, however the Mavic 4 Pro goes one step better: you can also rotate the camera 90 degrees for vertical video, without sacrificing pixels.During my testing, I found that the drone sometimes flew much slower than normal when capturing vertical video with the cameras rotated, but not always. This may have been because I was unaware of shooting settings that might have changed this, or it could have been a quirk of the pre-release firmware.The main camera can capture cropped vertical video in 4K up to 60fps, while the two telephotos can capture cropped vertical video in 2.7K up to 60fps. With the gimbal rotated, the full resolution possible with the main camera is 6K up to 60fps video, while the 70mm can capture up to 4K at 120fps and the 168mm up to 4K at 100fps.

Never before seen 'Infinity Gimbal'

The Infinity Gimbal with -40 to 400 degree continuous rotation on the roll axis is another string to the Mavic 4 Pro's versatile camera bow.The 90 degree rotation for vertical video and photos is handy for social cuts, the versatile 160 degree range of tilt motion gets you looking-up perspectives previously not possible, but it's the Infinity Gimbal that provides dynamic camera movements, especially if you love the Inception effect – you can see a short example I shot, below.

The Mavic 3 Pro was already my favorite prosumer camera drone, but the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is an even more versatile offering, with longer flight times. Those three handy camera movements complement the triple cameras for an unparalleled degree of creative camera work, and should cement the Mavic 4 Pro's place in best drone buying guides for some time to come.

You might also like

Best DJI drone 2025: the finest flying cameras from its impressive rangeRIP the DJI Phantom, the drone that started it all – and got me into aerial photographyDJI Mini 5 beginner drone image leaked – here are 5 potentially major upgrades to expect

Toyota has announced the return of the C-HR to the United States, but this time as an all-electric model built on its e-TNGA platform. The crossover electric vehicle will now be the second Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) model sold by Toyota in the United States, along with the new bZ, which was also announced this week.

The reimagined C-HR will offer up to 290 miles of range and will offer crossover utility with 60/40-fold-flat seats and over 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

The C-HR will lean toward performance in some aspects, sporting 338 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, and a 0 to 60 time of around five seconds. The wheel will also feature paddle shifters that control the regenerative braking.

Like the recently announced bZ, the C-HR will come equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug type, first developed at Tesla and now open source to other EV manufacturers. In the press release for the vehicle, Toyota said the NACS-equipped vehicle would allow it "access to thousands of DC charging stations nationwide," though it does not specify if this means access to Tesla's Supercharger network.

The C-HR will be available in SE and XSE trims, though both will feature a 14-inch touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, power liftgate, wireless phone chargers, and Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance system.

Toyota expects the C-HR to arrive at US dealerships in 2026, though further specifics, including pricing, have not been announced.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/toyota-is-bringing-the-c-hr-back-to-the-us-as-an-all-electric-crossover-170728601.html?src=rss

Proton CEO confirmed the company will leave Switzerland if new controversial surveillance rules passAn amendment to the current surveillance law would require VPNs and messaging apps to identify and retain user dataAnother Swiss company, NymVPN, is also ready to leave the country instead of undermining its privacy and security infrastructure

Proton confirms the company will leave Switzerland if new controversial surveillance rules pass.Switzerland is considering amending its surveillance law, with experts warning against the risk to secure encryption and online anonymity in the country. Specifically, the amendment could require all VPN services, messaging apps, and social networks to identify and retain user data – an obligation that is now limited to mobile networks and internet service providers.The firm behind one of the best VPN and encrypted email services, Proton, is ready to fight back on behalf of the privacy of its over 100 million users. Other Swiss-based companies, like NymVPN, are also doing the same.

TechRadar needs you! We want to know what you think about the world of VPNs. Whether you're a novice or a VPN pro, we want to hear your thoughts. Don't worry, though, your responses are completely anonymous, and it takes less than five minutes to complete!To take part, click the link below: https://futurenet.questionpro.eu/tr-vpn

No choice but to leave

In an interview with RTS (Radio Télévision Suisse) on May 13, 2025, Proton CEO Andy Yen slammed the proposed amendment as a "major violation of the right to privacy" that will also harm the country's reputation and its ability to compete on an international level."This revision attempts to implement something that has been deemed illegal in the EU and the United States. The only country in Europe with a roughly equivalent law is Russia," said Yen.The amendment aims to expand the number of service providers targeted to include so-called "derived service providers". Crucially, the new provisions will introduce three new types of information and two types of monitoring.If the changes pass, Proton will be forced to modify how Proton Mail and Proton VPN handle encryption, alongside its strict no-log policies – something the company isn't willing to do."I think we would have no choice but to leave Switzerland," said Yen. "The law would become almost identical to the one in force today in Russia. It's an untenable situation. We would be less confidential as a company in Switzerland than Google, based in the United States. So it's impossible for our business model."

In Switzerland, the new version of the surveillance law aims to make it impossible for Proton, Threema and@nymproject to operate from Switzerland. We are in the consultation phase. We will fight. https://t.co/BcMBxzIPFCMarch 25, 2025

Proton is not alone in feeling this way, though.A new player in the VPN world, NymVPN has also been publicly fighting Swiss government plans since the beginning.Talking to TechRadar, Nym's co-founder and COO, Alexis Roussel, confirmed that Nym will do the same and leave Switzerland if the new surveillance rules are enforced.

What's next?

As public consultations ended on May 6, 2025, we will now have to wait and see what the Swiss government decides.Nonetheless, Roussel confirmed to TechRadar that there has been significant push-back from political parties and Swiss companies.Some Cantons, including Geneva, have even called on the right to digital integrity as an argument against these rules. Roussel was the main originator of the initiative that introduced this new right to protect citizens' online privacy and data – in Geneva in 2023 and Neuchâtel in 2024 – with over 90% consensus.Yen also told RTS to be more optimistic, despite pointing out how this matter shows the need for a more balanced approach when it comes to crafting new laws."If we can get Bern to adopt common-sense rules that allow companies like Proton to be competitive in Switzerland and around the world, I will stay, take my passport, and continue to invest in Switzerland," he added.

You might also like

Windscribe CEO speaks out against global threats to no-log VPNsEncryption backdoors: privacy can be misused, "but the cost of a world without is so much higher""A win for privacy" – Florida rejects the encryption backdoor law for social media

Big Tech profits from broadband, but pays nothing to support the networks they depend onThis bill will make tech companies finally contribute to the networks they use to build billion-dollar empiresLegislation shifts broadband cost burden from everyday users to enterprise giants

A new wave of broadband reform is gaining traction in the United States, and it’s poised to reshape how internet access is funded, particularly for underserved rural communities.At the heart of this effort is the reintroduction of the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 by the U.S. Congress. It’s a bipartisan proposal aimed at fixing a long-standing funding imbalance.Currently, many tech giants that heavily rely on broadband infrastructure do not contribute to its funding. The Act would ensure that they do, helping to expand the Universal Service Fund (USF).

A bipartisan push to fix broadband funding

Originally designed to ensure universal access to telephone services, the USF has since evolved to support broadband in rural and tribal areas.However, its funding still comes primarily from voice service subscribers, who now pay far more than they did two decades ago.For example, a user might purchase a mobile router and pay for broadband access simply to use social media. The user may also pay these platforms directly through subscriptions or in-app purchases. Yet, despite relying entirely on broadband infrastructure, the platforms themselves contribute nothing to its cost.This imbalance is at the center of a legal challenge currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.The new proposal aims to shift the cost burden from everyday consumers to large tech firms, such as Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Meta, and TikTok, whose services drive most broadband traffic, including that through WiFi routers.This isn’t an entirely new idea. It mirrors the model tech companies already use to sell cloud services: payment based on usage and features. Since contributions would come from enterprise services like cloud computing, digital advertising, and AI infrastructure, there would be no added cost to consumers.If implemented, the policy would remove the USF fee from phone bills, offering direct relief to users. It could pave the way for the best broadband deal in years by lowering surcharges.Via StrandConsult

You might also like

Here are the best network monitoring tools availableCheck out our list of the best AI tools around todayIRS could use AI to replace workers after mass layoffs