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While we're still waiting for a true electric minivan to hit the US, VW's ID.Buzz microbus is close. It's a unique family hauler that'll definitely get your neighbors buzzing. No, seriously, during my week of testing I had over a dozen conversations with strangers who were fascinated by the ID.Buzz. One of my neighbors stopped their car dramatically when they saw it, backed up, and just had to give me a thumbs up and praise it as "cool as hell."

My kids were similarly enamored, they loved its cute design and enormous interior space. In many ways, it's the family EV I've been dreaming of — something that could comfortably seat seven people and carry tons of cargo for road trips. Unfortunately, its high $60,000 starting price and relatively lackluster 234 mile range hold it back from true greatness.

Really, though, those issues were obvious when VW announced its US launch details for the ID.Buzz last year. I was more intrigued to see if it was a complete flop for VW, or if there was something compelling about it despite those flaws. After testing the ID.Buzz for a week, I've noticed one surprising thing: It makes everyone smile. It may not look exactly like VW's classic '60s microbus, but it elicits a similar amount of joy. And that's refreshing compared to the response I've seen to other large EVs like the Cybertruck (my son calls it the "ugly truck") and the ridiculous Hummer EV.

Sure, it's sort of coasting on vibes, but the VW ID.Buzz still has plenty of practical benefits if you don't mind the high price and charging a bit more often during road trips. And as I'll explain below, it'll likely be an enticing option once it hits the used market in a few years.

What is the VW ID.Buzz?

Most cynically, the ID.Buzz is an attempt to milk the brand nostalgia for VW's hippy-era Type 2 microbus. VW never quite gave up on those vehicles, but its later models dropped the cute rounded aesthetic and looked more like commercial vans. What makes the ID.Buzz truly interesting is that it transforms a beloved classic into a cutting-edge EV, with an enormous infotainment screen and modern features like adaptive cruise control.

It also makes a great first impression, since it doesn’t look like anything else on the road. There's a rounded front end that evokes the playfulness of the original model, and its two-tone color design (on some trims) simply pops among a sea of boring (and often white) cars in traffic. Sure, VW has done this before, but the Buzz is still a great reminder that EVs don't have to look like traditional vehicles. There's no front engine to worry about, just a big battery and electric motors. In the Buzz's case, you can choose from rear-wheel drive and "4Motion" all-wheel drive dual motors, delivering 282 and 335 horsepower, respectively.

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

The ID.Buzz offers the seating of a minivan — with room for six to seven people depending on your configuration, and convenient sliding second-row doors — plus the height and storage capacity more akin to cargo vans. With all of its seats up, the Buzz offers an acceptable 18.6 cubic feet of storage, which is enough for a typical grocery run or a stroller and a diaper bag. Fold the third row down, though, and you get a far more useful 75.5 cubic feet of space. You could also remove the second and third row of seats entirely to get a massive 145.5 cubic feet of space.

Funny enough, you could technically fit three people into the Buzz's third row, but US regulators have taken issue since that row only has two seatbelts. VW has recalled existing vehicles and says it'll be adding "unpadded trim parts" to reduce the seating area. Yes, it's the rare recall where you'll actually lose a bit of functionality in the name of safety. (Nobody is actually forcing Buzz owners to do that, though...)

As for other niceties, the ID.Buzz offers an enormous 12.9-inch infotainment screen (I've never seen Apple CarPlay look so big before), a smaller driving information screen behind the steering wheel and an optional heads-up display. There's also a panoramic sunroof option, which can't be opened but can be tinted to look opaque on demand. Our review unit didn't have that sunroof, unfortunately, and the interior certainly felt a bit gloomier because of that. If I were seriously considering the ID.Buzz, I'd argue the sunroof a is requirement. (Admittedly, it could be a problem if you're trying to get babies and toddlers to sleep, since the interior will never truly get dark. But kids outgrow napping fairly quickly, and it's easy to find canopies for car seats.)

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

What's good about the VW ID.Buzz?

The best thing about the ID.Buzz is the vibe you get while driving it around town. People will stop and stare at it, kids will point at it excitedly and harried parents will approach it like the monolith from 2001. It's as if VW's designers took Marie Kondo's advice to heart: It simply sparks joy. As I dropped off my son at daycare one morning, one of the school's admins dragged me outside and demanded to see the interior. "I wish I could retire in this thing and travel the country," she said.

The ID.Buzz is also very capable as an EV. Despite its large size, it's quick to accelerate and incredibly comfortable on the highway and bumpy roads. Parking was a bit annoying, but the Buzz was also easy to maneuver thanks to the large infotainment screen, which could display both single-camera and 360-degree overhead views at the same time. I had a much easier time backing into spots than I did with much smaller cars.

The Buzz's large second row could easily fit three carseats side-by-side, assuming you get the models with the middle bench seat. I was able to hook up my son's carseat and my daughter's booster chair in a few minutes, without the finger-cramping I usually experience with my Volvo XC90 SUV. (One downside to the second row? You can't open its windows fully, instead only a smaller section of the windows open up.)

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

I also instantly appreciated the Buzz's enormous storage area, as it was able to fit a large pile of charity donations that were sitting in my garage. That included a bike trailer for kids as well as an old high chair. We were able to fully load up the trunk with the third-row seats down, and there was still room in the second row for additional gear. That trip likely would have been possible with my Volvo, but it would have involved cramming in large items more creatively. With the ID.Buzz, I didn't break a sweat.

Now that I'm several years into being a suburban dad with two kids (sigh), I've learned to appreciate the benefits of less flashy and more practical transportation. And there's no doubt the ID.Buzz is useful. In addition to that donation drop-off, I was also able to comfortably pile my parents into the Buzz along with my kids for a day trip. My dad thought the third row was absolutely huge, and my mom had no trouble sitting in the second row alongside the child and booster seats.

There's no other EV that's this flexible. The Rivian R1S is far more expensive, and the Kia EV9 is great but doesn't offer as much storage. And neither of those cars have minivan-like sliding doors, which are a life-saver in tight parking spots. There's no true EV minivan in the US at this point, the best you can get is the hybrid Toyota Sienna (which I loved) and the plug-in hybrid Pacifica (which I had to dump because of Chrysler's terrible build quality).

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

What's bad about the VW ID.Buzz?

The hardest pill to swallow with the Buzz is its $60,000 starting price, which can escalate to over $70,000 if you want all the fixins. Basically, it's a luxury curiosity for those who can afford it, not something that's easily attainable for everyone. Its price could be excused if the Buzz also offered everything we see in comparable EVs, but its short 234-mile range is just inexcusable when the EV9 can reach 309 miles for around the same price. For such a large vehicle, you'd think VW would be able to stuff in more batteries.

Realistically, the Buzz's range only becomes a problem during long road trips, where you'll have to charge more often compared to other EVs. But that can be an annoying process, since you'll typically have to spend at least half an hour at a charging station to get ready for the next leg of your trip. VW says the Buzz can go from 10 to 80 percent charge on a 200 kW DC fast charger in 30 minutes, but those aren't available everywhere. One hour of level 2 AC charging got me 12 percent of additional battery life, while level 1 trickle charging at home added 20 percent of juice over 14 hours.

It's also worth noting that range estimates vary dramatically in cold weather, or if you're cranking the Buzz's heat or air conditioning. That's why it's always smart to aim for as much range as you can, even if you don't think you'll be driving that much.

Volkswagen

Beyond the obvious problems, I also hated the Buzz's capacitive touch controls, which are spread across its steering wheel buttons, infotainment center and window controls. While there are indentations and a bit of haptic feedback when you hit something, like pumping up the volume or choosing the next music track via the steering wheel, it's hard to differentiate those controls from nearby capacitive buttons. It's far too easy to tap the cruise control functions while you're just trying to change the volume, and vice versa.

Since it's hard to actually feel where certain buttons are, I found myself looking down to make sure I was hitting the right option, which is something I absolutely hate doing while driving. Similarly, trying to adjust HVAC settings on the bottom portion of the infotainment screen can easily trigger the capacitive buttons below them, which was another reason I had to occasionally take my eyes off the road. Thankfully, VW appears to be focusing on physical buttons for future vehicles, but ID.Buzz owners are still left with a frustrating interface.

The ID.Buzz's rearview mirror controls... how do they work?

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

Here are just some of the ways the capacitive buttons infuriated me:

It's difficult to turn on the cruise control and adjust your speed without looking down.

It's tough to control the rear windows from the driver's seat, since it involves hitting a capacitive "Rear" button. There are only two controls for windows, so you have to choose between controlling the front and second-row windows. Even more annoying, the Buzz would sometimes disable the rear window option after a few seconds.

I spent at least 10 minutes trying to figure out how the rear-view mirrors are controlled, and I still have no clue. It's an inscrutable combination of a joy-stick, turning dial and capacitive controls.

Should you buy the VW ID.Buzz?

At this point, given its price and range, the VW ID.Buzz just doesn't make sense for most people. If you really want a three-row EV, you'll likely be better served by the Kia EV9 or the Hyundai Ioniq 9, which offer more range for a similar price. And if you absolutely need something that's like a minivan, the Toyota Sienna is hard to beat. While it's not a full EV, its hybrid setup still offers a healthy 36 MPG.

But, I've also noticed that used EVs tend to drop in price far quicker than gas cars. You can currently find the Polestar 2, which launched at around $60,000, for $30,000 or less in the used market. While I can't guarantee the Buzz will drop that far, I wouldn't be surprised if we see used versions for around $40,000 in a few years. And at that point, it could be a decent purchase even with its relatively low range.

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

Wrap-up

It's clear that the ID.Buzz is a big swing for VW, and it’s truly unique since there aren't any EV minivans outside of China. It's just a shame that it's held back by some obvious issues. The ID.Buzz is still undeniably useful though, especially if you don't plan on taking many road trips, so there's a chance it'll become more compelling as its price falls.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/volkswagen-idbuzz-review-a-head-turning-ev-microbus-with-unfortunate-flaws-143024824.html?src=rss

Nintendo is gearing up for the launch of the Switch 2 on June 5, and to ensure you’re ready to go when the console arrives at your door, you’ll need to download the latest update for the newly renamed Nintendo Switch App. The app, which was previously called the Nintendo Switch Online app, had added a number of new features, including a more seamless screenshot interface, GameChat functionality and placeholder icons for game-specific services like Zelda Notes. The latter will become usable on launch day.

Arguably the most useful addition is the revamped screenshots and video upload feature, which allows you to link your phone to your Switch 2 and wirelessly upload in-game media to the app, either manually or automatically. This was already possible on the original Switch (and is hardly a revolutionary feature), but doing so involved some needlessly clunky QR code scanning that didn’t always work. Now, screenshots and gameplay clips should just appear in the app, where you can save them locally. Up to 100 files can be stored in the app for 30 days from the point of upload, and once you hit the limit the oldest files will disappear if not saved.

Another big Switch 2 feature is GameChat, Nintendo’s new multiplayer voice chat functionality. Via the Nintendo Switch App you’ll be able to receive notifications for GameChat invites, friends coming online and friend requests. Your added friends will be displayed on the home screen of the app. Again, no one who’s been playing games on a modern PlayStation or Xbox console for the last decade is going to be blown away by any of this stuff, but it looks like playing online with friends on Switch 2 is going to be mercifully less fiddly than on its predecessor.

The Zelda Notes icon now appears when you open the Nintendo Switch App, but it won’t be functional until June 5. The app, which is only compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, effectively functions like a sat nav for tracking down missing Koroks and shrines on your save file. You can also share your Autobuild creations in TotK with friends, edit in-game photos and check play records such as the number of enemies defeated and total game overs.

Nintendo is making small tweaks to some of its other services ahead of the Switch 2’s arrival. Over on Nintendo Switch Online (not to be confused with the mobile app), where you can play a selection of emulated classics from Nintendo’s back catalogue, a new Switch 2-exclusive rewind feature will be added to the N64 library, as well as a new CRT filter option. These features were already available for NES and SNES games on the service, and it’s not entirely clear why original Switch owners won’t benefit from the additional N64 options as well.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendos-updated-mobile-app-will-make-sharing-switch-2-screenshots-a-lot-easier-143842317.html?src=rss

It seems that Apple is giving its operating systems a significant overhaul this year, and not just on the visual and usability fronts. It was expected that the next major versions of iOS and iPadOS (set to be announced at WWDC 2025 in a few weeks) would be followed by the number 19, Macs would move onto macOS 15 and so on. That would continue the numbering system Apple has used for many years.

That could be about to change, according to Bloomberg. The next versions of the operating systems may be earmarked by the year, according to the publication's sources. That means we could soon see the debut of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26 and visionOS 26.

The numbers would align with the year after each major OS release, since Apple typically rolls out the first public versions of those each fall. So the versions of iOS, iPadOS and so on that arrive this September or October may be named after 2026.

We'll know for sure whether this shift is happening on June 9, when the keynote of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference takes place. It's widely expected that Apple will be giving its operating systems a major user interface overhaul to deliver a more unified experience across various devices.

It seems like a wise move to align the branding of all of the various operating systems. The software powering Apple Watch devices is currently up to watchOS 11. Apple Vision Pro is running visionOS 2. It's a little messy as is. Applying the same numbering to all of the operating systems and aligning it with the release year should make things easier for everyone to keep up with. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-is-rumored-to-release-ios-26-not-ios-19-at-wwdc-2025-193424610.html?src=rss

The Aviot WA-J1 will ship worldwide in JulyThree drivers combined: piezo, planar and dynamicPrice converts to about $270 / £200 / AU$424The Japanese audio brand Aviot has introduced what it says is the world's first "Tribrid" 3-driver headphones, the WA-J1 – and it's made a special edition in collaboration with the J-pop star Hyde.What's a Tribrid? According to Aviot, it's one piezo driver, one planar magnetic driver, and one dynamic driver, and together they deliver "overwhelming information density and unprecedented acoustic performance".And they do it for an incredibly long time: battery life is a claimed 140 hours, though it's not specified if that's with active noise cancellation or not (I have to assume not).(Image credit: Aviot)When three drivers are better than oneAs Aviot explains, the piezo driver is there for the high frequencies, and the planar and dynamic drivers are placed coaxially with it to take care of the mids and lows, all with very low distortion and very little phase disturbance. The result, the firm says, is very high precision.Supported audio formats include LDAC and Bluetooth LE Audio (that latter one via a future update) as well as the obligatory AAC and SBC, and there's adaptive noise cancelling with a transparency mode.The headphones also offer 3D spatial audio. That option is adjustable via the control dial, enabling you to spatialize audio to suit your personal preference – from very flat to very reverberant sonic spaces. And for gamers, there's a low-latency mode to reduce lag.The headphones will go on sale in Japan in July 2025 with a price tag of 39,600 yen – roughly $270 / £200 / AU$424 – and will be available to ship worldwide.You might also likeThe best headphones 2025 tested by our experts, for all budgetsThe best over-ear headphones in 2025 for all budgets, tested by usThe best wireless headphones to suit every listener and budget

Google found Chinese hackers abusing Google CalendarThe service was used to host malicious instructions and to exfiltrate resultsToughProgress campaign was carried out by Chinese state-sponsored hackers APT41Chinese state-sponsored hackers known as APT41 have been seen abusing Google Calendar in their newest attacks, using it as part of the C2 infrastructure.Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (TIG) recently discovered the technique, dismantled the setup, and introduced changes to prevent similar attacks in the future.The attack starts from a previously compromised government website - TIG did not explain how the site was compromised, but said it was used to host a .ZIP archive. This archive is then shared, through phishing emails, with potential targets.Reading the calendarInside the ZIP are three files: a DLL and executable files posing as JPGs, and a Windows shortcut file (LNK) posing as a PDF document.When the victim tries to open the fake PDF, it runs the shortcut which, in turn, activates the DLL.This file, in turn, decrypts and launches the third file, which is the malicious payload dubbed “ToughProgress”.The malware then reads additional instructions shared in two specific events in Google Calendar. The commands are found either in the description field, or hidden events.To share the results, the malware would create a new zero minute calendar event on May 30, and share the data, encrypted, in the calendar event description.Since the malware is never actually installed on the disk, and since the C2 communication happens via a legitimate Google service, most security products will have trouble spotting the attack, Google suggests.To tackle the threat, TIG developed custom detection signatures to identify and block APT41’s malware. It also took down associated Workspace accounts and calendar entries. Furthermore, the team updated file detections and added malicious domains and URLs to the Google Safe Browsing blocklist.Google also confirmed that at least a few companies were targeted: “In partnership with Mandiant Consulting, GTIG notified the compromised organizations,” it said.“We provided the notified organizations with a sample of TOUGHPROGRESS network traffic logs, and information about the threat actor, to aid with detection and incident response.”It did not say how many companies were affected.Via BleepingComputerYou might also likeGoogle warns of legit VPN apps being used to infect devices with malwareTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

Sonos is selling a bunch of its speakers at a discount via Amazon. This includes the well-regarded Era 300 smart speaker, which is down to just $359. That's 20 percent off and notable because this particular speaker rarely goes on sale. It's a Sonos miracle!

The deal applies to both the black and white colorways. The Era 300 is a highly capable device that we praised in our official review, saying that it "sounds excellent." We went on to say that it offers a premium experience that far surpasses other products in the company's lineup, like the Era 100. This is also true when compared to rival speakers like Apple's HomePod.

It's simple to set up and offers the company's proprietary Trueplay tuning system. This feature optimizes the sound of the speaker to the unique acoustics of a room by leveraging an internal microphone. It measures how sound reflects off surfaces and adjusts the EQ to match. It's pretty nifty.

As for connectivity, it can pair with another Era 300 speaker for a true stereo experience. It also includes a Bluetooth receiver and line-in options. Of course, the speaker integrates with just about every streaming music service. The built-in mic also allows for voice assistant control, but only with Siri and Alexa. Google Assistant is left out of the party.

This speaker goes all-in on spatial audio, and the results are mixed. Sometimes it's sublime and sometimes it's kind of eh. This is more of a dig on the technology itself. It has serious potential but is still experiencing growing pains. The only real downside of this speaker is the exorbitant asking price, which has been slightly alleviated by this sale.

As previously mentioned, other Sonos products are available at a discount. This includes the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar, which is 26 percent off at $369. These deals are available via Sonos itself. There's also an ongoing sale on portable speakers.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sonos-home-speakers-are-up-to-26-percent-off-right-now-150857008.html?src=rss

World War Z VR, a new first-person, single-player game, is coming to SteamVR and Meta Quest on August 12Saber Interactive's new game will allow players to take on hordes of over 200 zombies at once in VRPre-orders are now available on the Meta Store and SteamSaber Interactive has announced the next game in its World War Z franchise, World War Z VR, and it's launching this summer.World War Z VR is a brand new first-person, single-player game based on the Paramount Pictures 2013 film and Saber’s game franchise, and is set to release on August 12 for SteamVR, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest Pro."World War Z VR faithfully reimagines the intense action of the original World War Z game to create the most immersive VR zombie experience ever," Saber said. "Take on hordes of over 200 zombies on screen at a time, an astounding technical feat for VR which will put your skills to the ultimate test."In this new installment, players will find themselves taking on hordes of zombies in three locations: New York, Tokyo, and Marseille. There will be seven playable characters to choose from, and after selecting their operative, players can start missions with a pre-selected AI squad, equipped with a wide variety of weapons and perks.The VR missions will present unique challenges for players and even offer three difficulty modes to choose from. Zombies will also adapt to their surroundings and recognize the players' playstyle to hunt them down, while special infected enemies raise the stakes even higher.Pre-orders are now available on the Meta Store and Steam for $19.99 / £14.99. Those who secure a pre-order will also gain access to the Golden Skin Pack, which features four exclusive gold weapon skins.Steam users can also pre-order a special game bundle that includes both the new World War Z VR and the original World War Z, featuring a 20% discount.You might also like...Sony's Days of Play sale kicks off tomorrow and will bring price cuts to the PS5 Pro, DualSense Edge, the PS5 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 bundle, and a host of price cuts on accessories and gamesLeaker claims Sony is now working on a new PlayStation handheld consoleGhost of Yotei pre-orders live: Collector's Edition up in the US, Standard Edition retailers, and where to buy in the UK

A new update for the Philips Hue mobile app is rolling out nowThe app now suggests adding new sensors and switches to a zone during the setup processThis avoids a problem where lighting scenes are unavailable later onIf you've ever struggled to set up new sensors and switches for your Philips Hue lights, help is at hand. A new app update is rolling out now that automatically suggests adding accessories to a zone when you connect them for the first time, so you don't miss out on any features later on.A zone is a set of lights and other accessories that you want to control together as a group. They don't necessarily have to be in the same place or include all the lights within a room. For example, you might want to create a zone specifically for your home entertainment lighting, or one that includes all the lights on a particular floor.Previously, assigning new devices to a room or zone was an optional step within the Philips Hue app, which you might miss if you were in a hurry. If you did, you wouldn't be able to use all of the switch or sensor's functions afterwards. For example, you may be unable to view all the available scenes (ready-made lighting profiles).The new app update was spotted by the editor of Hueblog.com, who says he's often contacted by readers stuck in this frustrating 'accessory trap'. From now on, the app will suggest creating at least one zone during the setup process so you don't suffer that problem, and will note that you can always hide zones in the future if you prefer.Simpler setupThere is also a change to the setup process when you're installing a new Philips Hue security camera. As Notebookcheck explains, the app now offers you the chance to set up motion-controlled lighting during the initial setup process.Both of these are relatively minor changes, and there's still no news about the upcoming Philips Hue AI assistant. However, they address some common problems that you might face when extending your Philips Hue setup and make your best smart lights even better.You might also likeNanoleaf's new indoor and outdoor smart lights are its funkiest designs to datePhilips Hue bulb types explained: choose the right lights for your homeIf the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is too expensive, this new budget-friendly alternative from WiZ could be exactly what you need

NordVPN has launched post-quantum encryption (PQE) across all its applicationsThe provider launched its first iteration of PQE in 2024, but only for its Linux VPN appThis comes as traditional encryption methods are set to become obsolete with the advent of quantum computers NordVPN has just taken an important step forward into its post-quantum transition, extending support for quantum-safe encryption across all its applications.While the provider launched its first iteration of post-quantum encryption (PQE) in September 2024, only Linux users could enjoy this protection. Now, all NordVPN users can enjoy PQE no matter the platform they use.Already rated as the best VPN service on the market by TechRadar's reviewers, NordVPN joins a handful of VPN providers that also include quantum-safe cryptography in their software.Why and how use NordVPN post-quantum encryptionAs quantum computing advances, NordVPN's CTO, Marijus Briedis, explains, RSA-based key exchange encryption methods that most VPN protocols use today will eventually become vulnerable.Experts predict, in fact, that traditional encryption will soon be broken by the ability of quantum computers to perform computations that machines can't handle, within minutes.While this is expected to happen between five to 10 years, cybercriminals have already started to conduct what's known as "store now, decrypt later (SNDL) attacks." The idea is simple – to collect encrypted data now so they can crack it in the future when quantum computing is finally up to the task.This is exactly why the cryptographic world is already catching up. Last August, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released the first three quantum-resistant encryption standards to better support software providers in their transition. NordVPN joined the post-quantum revolution a few months after that, adding one of these algorithms (ML-KEM) to its WireGuard-based Nordlynx protocol, which is known for its speed and security."By integrating PQE into our VPN infrastructure, we're taking a proactive step to ensure long-term confidentiality and resilience for our customers' data, both now and in a post-quantum future," said Briedis.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-vpnAs mentioned earlier, before the latest release, only the Linux VPN app included PQE support.This choice allowed the NordVPN team to analyze how the new quantum-safe algorithm, which was implemented in a hybrid way alongside classic encryption methods, could affect performance like connection speeds and latency."The gathered data served as a stepping stone in the transition to quantum-resistant encryption for the rest of our platforms," said Briedis. "The Linux case demonstrated that we successfully maintained the highest level of user experience in terms of connection time and speed during the transition."As a result, NordVPN rolled PQE across all its platforms – from Windows and macOS to Android and iOS, even including its Android TV and tvOS apps.Users need to actively enable this extra protection by heading to the Connections tab in the app's Settings and switching on the toggle. The PQE feature will automatically activate whenever the user connects via the NordLynx protocol.Which VPN providers offer post-quantum encryption?NordVPN is not the only virtual private network (VPN) provider currently including PQE support on its service.ExpressVPN added quantum-safe encryption on its proprietary Lightway protocol in October 2023, by default across its Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Windows apps. Last January, the team took a further step forward by upgrading to the NIST standards.After pioneering the post-quantum transition in 2017, Mullvad extended PQE support for all platforms when it released post-quantum protection for iPhone in September 2024. The provider now plans to migrate to the new NIST standards, too.AdGuard, Windscribe, and PureVPN are other providers currently offering PQE protection, with Surfshark and NymVPN also expected to join the list soon.You might also likeVPNs need to be ready for the post-quantum world – here's what's being doneIs the internet ready for the "biggest security threat of all time"?NordVPN has now a full GUI Linux VPN app

Doda, a district in India's Jammu and Kashmir region, issued a 2-month VPN ban over national security concerns The ban was enforced on May 2, 2025, with some VPN users reportedly detained after that date Experts are warning against the attack on people's digital rights, while questioning the legality of the banDoda, a district in India's Jammu and Kashmir region, enforced a 2-month VPN ban on May 2, 2025, over national security concerns.Authorities issued the ban under Section 163 of the new BNSS law (the equivalent of the Indian Penal Code), citing individuals and groups misusing virtual private network (VPN) tools "to circumvent lawful cyber restrictions and access prohibited applications," the order reads.Digital rights and legal experts have so far strongly criticized this decision. They warn against the attack on people's digital rights and security, while questioning its legality.Is Doda's VPN ban legal?The Doda's VPN ban aims to "curtail the use of VPNs in the interest of public safety," and it's extended to all individuals, institutions, internet service providers, and cyber cafes operating in the district.This means that all residents are barred from using one of the best VPN services or similar tools for two months, to avoid being liable for legal action.Repercussions for allegedly using VPNs seem to have already begun. In a report published on May 18, Indian publication The Wire reported allegations that an unspecified number of Doda residents under "technical surveillance" have already been arrested as found to be using VPNs.Two days before, Doda's authorities had already confirmed to have "detained several individuals across the district for violating the directive."This is why many experts have been raising concerns about how the ban can impact people's rights, like free speech, free access to information, and privacy.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 a minute to complete!To take part, click the link below: https://futurenet.questionpro.eu/tr-vpnTalking to TechRadar, Senior Policy Counsel and Encryption Policy Lead at Access Now, Namrata Maheshwari, explains that the right to the internet and the right to privacy are protected fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution.Maheshwari also pointed out how the Indian government has already implemented "an onerous mandate" for VPN providers when it enforced a new data retention law in 2022.A host of online services are now required to store users' data for up to five years and share it with authorities on request, in fact, something that led to an exodus of major VPN companies from the country.VPNs are not illegal."Namrata Maheshwari, Access NowYet, "VPNs are not illegal," said Maheshwari, adding that a blanket ban on all VPNs for two months is "unnecessary and disproportionate.""People have a fundamental right to information and freedom of expression, and restrictions on these rights ought to be legal, necessary, and proportionate – a standard this ban does not meet," she added.The ban isn't affecting only individual users, though, but also businesses and institutions that regularly use these services for security purposes.According to Maheshwari, the ban could then end up increasing vulnerabilities in the country's cyberspace, ultimately weakening security as opposed to strengthening it.She said, "Even in an emergency, preventative measures cannot be this vague and overreaching, particularly where less intrusive means are available."You might also likeIndia ordered X to block 8,000 accounts – here's what we know so farProton Mail hit with blocking order in IndiaVPNs are disappearing from India's app stores – and a 2022 law may be the culprit