News

Infomaniak is the first provider to openly back up a controversial revision to the Swiss surveillance lawThe amendment would require VPNs and messaging apps to identify and retain user dataProton and NymVPN are ready to leave Switzerland instead of undermining their privacy and securityA Swiss cloud service, Infomaniak, is the first provider to openly back up a controversial revision to the country's surveillance law, slamming privacy firm Proton for promoting online anonymity.The amendment would 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.So far, tech providers have been vocal in sharing their concerns against this revision that, they say, could pose a risk to secure encryption and online anonymity in Switzerland. The ordinance was reportedly met with a strong backlash across political benches, too.The CEO of Proton, one of the best VPN and secure email providers on the market, even compared these new rules to those in place in Russia, vowing to quit Switzerland if the new ordinance passes. Another Swiss-based provider, NymVPN, also confirmed to TechRadar that it is ready to do the same.Why does Infomaniak support new Swiss surveillance rules?Infomaniak is a cloud computing company that claims to offer ethical and privacy-focused online tools like web hosting, cloud storage, and now encrypted email services.Talking during a debate on RadioTeleSuisse (RTS), Infomaniak's Communication Manager, Thomas Jacobsen, has been especially critical of Proton's stance, accusing Proton and similar tech privacy firms advocating for online anonymity to "prevent justice from doing its work," as reported by Swiss publication Cublic.Jacobsen also criticized Proton for offering free VPN and email services, arguing that this enables anyone to remain out of the reach of law enforcement. According to him, the criticism coming from Proton and similar firms is because the new rules could potentially end their business model.New data retention obligations could, in fact, lead to the end of no-log VPN and other services in Switzerland, like Proton VPN, Proton Mail, NymVPN, and Threema.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-vpnJacobsen also pointed out that "the problem is not so much encryption, but anonymity."Contrary to similar legislative efforts in Europe promoting the idea of a lawful encryption backdoor into citizens' communications, Switzerland has, in fact, taken a different approach and instead targets metadata tracking.Metadata includes all the details that aren't the content, such as IP addresses, location data, timestamps, data packet size, phone numbers, who you have spoken with, and when. As Jacobsen put it during another interview with RTS, "the outside of the package is enough to bring justice."However, technologists have long argued that metadata can pose significant privacy concerns due to its ability to reveal users' sensitive information. With advancements in AI-powered data analytics, protecting metadata privacy has become crucial across the industry, leading to the creation of tools like NymVPN and Mullvad's DAITA to protect against these threats.We approached Infomaniak for further clarification, but we are still waiting for a reply at the time of publication.How did the Swiss privacy industry react?Nym's co-founder and COO, Alexis Roussel, was one of the online commentators challenging the company's take on the matter, especially regarding metadata collection.Talking to TechRadar, Roussel said: "They claim that the definition of privacy is encrypting the message and the metadata is not important, but that's outdated. They upset all the community here."Roussel also contested the idea of getting rid of online anonymity to facilitate the work of law enforcement, arguing that enforcing preemptive measures of surveillance could undermine democratic values in Switzerland.He said: "Online anonymity is at the core of the balance of power in a democracy. When the government has access to all your metadata, that's completely reversed."Under the current system, Roussel explains, the government needs to make a specific enquiry to force online services to record all their data. If the new ordinance passes, though, this data collection will become mandatory and preemptive to any potential illicit activities."An obligation to store the data in case, maybe, one day a judge will ask for it – that's not ok," said Roussel. "It's a war against anonymity, which is happening in Switzerland at the federal level."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, 2025As 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 alike.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."The chances that the ordinance gets overturned either in the parliament or even in the tribunals are pretty high, but they can still push for it, " Roussel told TechRadar.Nonetheless, "that's already a big problem because it creates a bad precedent. No one is going to invest in privacy right now in Switzerland," he added.You might also likeWindscribe 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"Chat Control – Poland's EU Presidency gives up on the voluntary scan of your encrypted chats

Agentic AI promises a significant shift in automation, with Gartner projecting it will autonomously resolve 80% of common customer service issues by 2029. This highlights not only the technology's growing power but also fuels ongoing discussions about the data scientist's evolving role. While pre-trained models and APIs handle certain tasks, building sophisticated agentic systems capable of collaboration and complex workflows demands more than technical integration.It requires a new perspective. Traditionally focused on extracting insights from data, data scientists building advanced agents must increasingly adopt the mindset of a behavioral scientist – observing, understanding, and translating the nuanced logic behind human decision-making into functional AI. This behavioral lens is becoming essential for unlocking agentic AI's true potential.Incorporating the human touchWhy this shift towards behavioral thinking? Unlike traditional models focused on pattern recognition, agentic systems must act within complex environments, executing processes previously handled by humans. Simply replicating documented steps isn't enough; agents need the underlying intent, situational awareness, and adaptive logic guiding human actions, especially when facing ambiguity or novel scenarios.Human expertise is rich with implicit knowledge – the intuition, judgment calls, and context-driven heuristics developed through experience. A process is often just a means to an end for the person performing it; the real goal is the outcome – formatted data, a resolved issue, a strategic decision. Capturing this hidden layer – the tacit knowledge, goal orientation, risk assessments, and subtle 'rules of thumb' – becomes the data scientist's critical task. It requires analyzing the behavior surrounding the process: What decisions are made, and why? Based on what information (or lack thereof)? What trade-offs are considered? What are the underlying objectives? Deconstructing this human 'operating system' allows for the design of agentic AI that truly collaborates and reasons effectively, moving beyond simple automation.How do agents do this?How is this captured human logic translated into a functioning agent? It's a design challenge, moving beyond pure algorithm development. Data scientists actively structure the agent's behavior – often using a combination of rule-based systems, targeted prompts, and workflow orchestration – to reflect the effective oversight and decision heuristics observed in human experts. This involves meticulously defining the agent's role, goals, accessible knowledge, and permissible actions, essentially encoding the observed human strategy into the agent's operational blueprint, much like defining responsibilities within an expert team.Consider monitoring a deployed machine learning model for performance degradation ('model drift'). Instead of basic alerts, a data scientist applying a behavioral lens designs a team of specialized agents. An ‘Observer’ tracks key metrics with human-like sensitivity to meaningful changes. If anomalies are detected, a ‘Diagnoser’ investigates potential causes, mimicking a data scientist's troubleshooting process. A ‘Planner’ agent then decides on actions (retraining, alerting humans) based on rules capturing the team's established strategy and risk assessment. Other agents might handle pipeline execution and validation against holistic criteria (fairness, efficiency, business alignment), mirroring a human team's careful steps.The data scientist architects this collaboration, defining roles, knowledge access, judgment heuristics (e.g., when is drift truly significant?), and escalation paths. They embed observed expert behaviors into the system's structure, transforming agentic AI into a transparent, controllable assistant and freeing human intelligence for complex challenges.What will this mean for the future?This required behavioral lens signals a broader transformation in knowledge work. As agentic systems execute well-defined processes, the human expert, including the data scientist, evolves from task execution towards becoming architects and strategists of intelligent workflows. This is the essence of becoming "consultants on our own projects," guiding the automation rather than simply performing the steps.Focus shifts towards higher-level activities: precisely framing business problems for AI; deeply analyzing and designing the human processes to be automated; orchestrating how agent teams collaborate based on that behavioral understanding; providing strategic oversight, validation, and critical evaluation of AI outputs (essential given AI's inherent uncertainties); and crucially, leveraging the time saved to drive innovation, experiment with novel approaches, and tackle entirely new challenges that were previously out of reach. This empowers professionals to apply their ingenuity where it delivers most value, fostering a workplace focused on continuous improvement. Agentic AI, built with this human-centric approach, becomes a powerful amplifier of human capability.ConclusionAgentic AI's rise necessitates an evolution in data science. Moving beyond task execution requires data scientists to increasingly adopt a behavioral perspective, delving into the 'why' and 'how' of human workflows to imbue agents with nuanced logic and collaborative capabilities. By modeling human processes, designing agentic systems as digital teams, and shifting towards strategic oversight, data scientists unlock this technology's potential. This evolution elevates the human element, freeing skilled professionals for complex problem-solving and innovation – becoming architects of intelligent systems, not just operators of tools. Ultimately, successful agentic AI will be grounded in understanding human behavior, amplifying our unique ingenuity.We've featured the best AI chatbot for business.This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

IPVanish has announced a new partnership with the United Rugby Championship (URC)IPVanish’s "First line of defence" campaign aims to promote digital safety across rugby fans and teams globallyOther VPN providers have partnered with sports clubs in the past to promote better cybersecurity practicesIPVanish has just announced a new partnership with the United Rugby Championship (URC).The campaign aims to promote better cybersecurity practices among rugby fans globally. It echoes similar initiatives carried out by some of the best VPN providers in the past.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-vpnProtection, on the pitch and onlineSpeaking on the partnership, IPVanish General Manager, Subbu Sthanu said: "Whether it’s on the pitch or online, everyone needs to protect their home. This partnership allows us to connect with a passionate, tech-savvy audience and drive home the importance of security and privacy in everyday life."Specifically, IPVanish’s "First line of defence" campaign seeks to promote digital safety across the sport's global fanbase. This includes an awareness initiative aimed at educating fans and teams about protecting themselves online.The provider also wants to support the role of the rugby league's official broadcast group, the Television Match Officials (TMOs). The goal here is to "enhance how decisions are communicated to fans both in the stadium and watching at home," the provider explains.Founded in 2001, the United Rugby Championship (URC) is a professional yearly competition that features elite clubs from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales.IPVanish is partnering with the United Rugby Championship! 🏉🔐Together, we're launching the “First Line of Defence” campaign to promote cybersecurity across the passionate world of professional rugby. #CyberSecurity #URC #VPN #IPVanish https://t.co/2paBuYYBY9June 4, 2025As mentioned earlier, IPVanish isn't the first VPN provider to team up with a sports club to promote cybersecurity values across professionals and supporters alike.In November 2024, ExpressVPN kicked off a partnership with one of the UK's major football teams, Tottenham Hotspur. NordVPN, our top-ranked VPN provider, has also sponsored a number of UK teams over the years, starting with a partnership with Liverpool in 2018. Surfshark did so with the Swedish club AIK.Despite not being at the top of Techradar's rankings just yet, our tests recently confirmed IPVanish as a strong all-around VPN with plenty of features, high speeds, and better unblocking capabilities than most virtual private network services.Commenting on the initiative, United Rugby Championship CEO, Martin Anayi said: "IPVanish has a global outlook and a commitment to excellence in the world of cybersecurity, and through the development of a distinctive set of rights, we aim to demonstrate how innovation can unlock new opportunities to advance the sport."You might also likeIPVanish is the most recent VPN service to enter the eSIM spaceMPA presses for VPNs to have a role in anti-piracy row in EuropeBig scam or real bargain? Lifetime VPN deals are becoming a matter of smoke and mirrors

Looking for a different day?A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Friday, June 6 (game #1229).Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.Quordle today (game #1230) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too). Quordle today (game #1230) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.Quordle today (game #1230) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.Quordle today (game #1230) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:Quordle today (game #1230) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• F• E• S• CRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.Quordle today (game #1230) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle, game #1230, are…FLUNKESTERSPITECHEAPI was thinking that today’s game was one for the ages after shooting down three challenging words without hesitation. But before I could start thinking of myself as some kind John Wick of Quordle, I hit a wall.My fourth word was never going to be TREES, as plurals are not allowed, but I tapped it out anyway, before rearranging the letters for a word I had never heard of before – ESTER I have subsequently discovered is a chemical compound made when an acid and an alcohol combine. Kudos if you got this and knew what it meant.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Daily Sequence today (game #1230) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1230, are…RAJAHSALVECORALSTUCKQuordle answers: The past 20Quordle #1229, Friday, 6 June: ELUDE, KHAKI, VISTA, SMOKYQuordle #1228, Thursday, 5 June: CHIDE, RABBI, GUSTY, LANCEQuordle #1227, Wednesday, 4 June: BANAL, STOUT, SEDAN, HIPPOQuordle #1226, Tuesday, 3 June: FUGUE, SYRUP, FLACK, WORSTQuordle #1225, Monday, 2 June: THINK, BELLE, CRONE, BOULEQuordle #1224, Sunday, 1 June: POINT, MERIT, WHOOP, APHIDQuordle #1223, Saturday, 31 May: CRUMB, ELFIN, DRIER, QUITEQuordle #1222, Friday, 30 May: RAJAH, CAUSE, BLACK, ETUDEQuordle #1221, Thursday, 29 May: CRIER, DRAPE, STRUT, NEIGHQuordle #1220, Wednesday, 28 May: HELLO, BEADY, VIGIL, PURERQuordle #1219, Tuesday, 27 May: TWEET, RANGE, POPPY, RADARQuordle #1218, Monday, 26 May: BLEAT, HOWDY, ASIDE, SCOOPQuordle #1217, Sunday, 25 May: OCEAN, AMBER, PIPER, GLEANQuordle #1216, Saturday, 24 May: HUSKY, HEIST, FOGGY, POLARQuordle #1215, Friday, 23 May: SHIRE, GIANT, AWAIT, CAPERQuordle #1214, Thursday, 22 May: LOSE, GLOVE, STINT, EXCELQuordle #1213, Wednesday, 21 May: NOVEL, CHOSE, DIRTY, DONUTQuordle #1212, Tuesday, 20 May: DECOY, SHAKE, MAPLE, PURERQuordle #1211, Monday, 19 May: LINK, HANDY, DITCH, WAIVEQuordle #1210, Sunday, 18 May: QUACK, ROACH, PURGE, DOWNY

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, June 6 (game #460).Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.NYT Strands today (game #461) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… I am what I amNYT Strands today (game #461) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.SOLIDALIVESOLOMOLELOVESSOOTNYT Strands today (game #461) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 10 lettersNYT Strands today (game #461) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: top, 3rd columnLast side: bottom, 4th columnRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Strands today (game #461) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #461, are…HUMANSOULMORTALSOMEONEINDIVIDUALSPANGRAM: BE YOURSELFMy rating: EasyMy score: PerfectToday’s search was a celebration of the self and what makes us singular. It’s fitting, because Strands is very much an INDIVIDUAL pursuit, and like most solo efforts we are in competition with just one other person – ourselves. Trying to live like others in order to fit in or be someone you are not is a thankless and exhausting task that usually leads to frustration or humiliation.Frank Ocean’s wonderful album Blond has a great track called Be Yourself that’s largely made up of an answer machine message left by Frank’s Aunt Rosie, advising her son to avoid alcohol and drugs on his college campus and to “stop trying to be someone else”. “Be yourself and know that’s good enough,” she says. “Don’t try to act like someone else, be yourself. Be secure with yourself. Rely and trust upon your own decisions.” Wise words.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, June 6, game #460)SEASICKSLEEPERPINWHEELELEVATORBREAKAWAYSPANGRAM: YOYO TRICKWhat is NYT Strands?Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Friday, June 6 (game #726).Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.NYT Connections today (game #727) - today's words(Image credit: New York Times)Today's NYT Connections words are…FOUNDNUMBERSTRAINONIONSTRETCHAIRFLINGLAUNCHSTARTRESTCHICKENINSTITUTEBREATHEEQUINOXHYDRATESONGNYT Connections today (game #727) - hint #1 - group hintsWhat are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?YELLOW: Fitness essentialsGREEN: In at the beginningBLUE: TunePURPLE: Think of a seasonNeed more clues?We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…NYT Connections today (game #727) - hint #2 - group answersWhat are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?YELLOW: TIPS FOR WORKING OUT SAFELY GREEN: ESTABLISH BLUE: DITTY PURPLE: SPRING____ Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Connections today (game #727) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Connections, game #727, are…YELLOW: TIPS FOR WORKING OUT SAFELY BREATHE, HYDRATE, REST, STRETCHGREEN: ESTABLISH FOUND, INSTITUTE, LAUNCH, STARTBLUE: DITTY AIR, NUMBER, SONG, STRAINPURPLE: SPRING____ CHICKEN, EQUINOX, FLING, ONIONMy rating: moderateMy score: 1 mistakeI have an issue with people who REST at the gym, as included in today's TIPS FOR WORKING OUT SAFELY group. I sincerely hope that Connections is not advocating this activity, or should I say lack of activity. The annoying thing about it is that someone resting at a gym is usually doing so while simultaneously hogging a machine or station while they rest, check their phone or generally zone out.I am not in favor of horns in cars – they are used out of anger rather than to alert other road users of dangers – but I am in favor of them in gyms. In particular, to be blasted in people's faces when they are resting too much. As you can no doubt tell, my gym routine is to go there, do the things I have to do and then leave. I really wanted to leave Connections today after struggling to complete it. I am delighted to have solved SPRING___, but I found every group tricky, including ESTABLISH – which is where my mistake came, in thinking that it was about ways to start something so I had LAUNCH, SPRING, START and FLING. It made sense at the time. Right, I'm off for some rest.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, June 6, game #726)YELLOW: NEWSPAPER JOBS COLUMNIST, EDITOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, REPORTERGREEN: EVERYDAY COMMON, REGULAR, ROUTINE, STANDARDBLUE: WHAT "CON" MIGHT MEAN CONVENTION, CRIMINAL, DRAWBACK, SWINDLEPURPLE: ENDING WITH KINDS OF DOGS NEWSHOUND, SHADOWBOXER, SNICKERDOODLE, TRENDSETTERWhat is NYT Connections?NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

We're not one for overexaggerating here at TechRadar. But, if you'll humor me, this week's streaming list is packed full of top-tier releases that you won't want to miss.Indeed, there are plenty of exciting new movies and returning TV favorites to enjoy on the world's best streaming services this weekend (June 4 to 6). So, whether you're ready for the next season of Ginny & Georgia, or can't wait to watch Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal team up in The Accountant 2, you won't want to miss one or more of the following seven projects before you head back to work. – Tom Power, senior entertainment reporterGinny & Georgia season 3 (Netflix)Brianne Howey and Antonia Gentry are back as the titular Ginny and Georgia. Season 3 of the Netflix comedy-drama show is out now – and while its 64% Rotten Tomatoes score means Ginny & Georgia has fallen short of a spot on our best Netflix shows list, it has quite the dedicated fanbase who are eager to see more trials and tribulations this season.In this series' latest entry, the mother and daughter duo are split up after Georgia was arrested for murder during her wedding. With her mother in prison, Ginny needs to see where she stands when push comes to shove. It certainly sounds like a rollercoaster. – Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writerWatch Ginny & Georgia season 3 on NetflixThe Accountant 2 (Prime Video)The Accountant wasn't exactly received with open arms upon its October 2016 release, but I remember enjoying what it offered when I streamed it at home years later. The arrival of its sequel on Prime Video yesterday (June 5), then, means my weekend movie viewing is covered.In this action-thriller from Amazon and Warner Bros, Ben Affleck returns as Christian Wolff, an autistic number cruncher who also masquerades as a skilled marksman. This time around, Wolff enlists the aid of his estranged brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal) to investigate the death of former FinCEN director Raymond King (J.K. Simmons) at the request of the company's deputy director (Cynthia Addai-Robinson).The Accountant 2 has faired far better than its forebear with fans and critics alike, so you can expect to see it calculate a way onto our best Prime Video movies article in the near future. – TPWatch The Accountant 2 on Prime VideoStick (Apple TV+)While I've never been interested in golf, I'm very excited to watch Stick this weekend. The new Apple TV+ series has debuted with a healthy 77% Rotten Tomatoes score, too, so it sounds like I'm in for a treat and it's up for a spot on our best Apple TV+ shows list.Here, Owen Wilson plays Pryce Cahill, a professional golfer-turned salesman whose career ended after an on-course meltdown derailed his once successful career. We follow him as he sets his sights on a rising star named Santi (Peter Dager) and aims to repair his reputation by coaching the talented up-and-comer.With Happy Gilmore 2 set to arrive on Netflix in July, golf-themed comedies are back on the menu. Let's hope either or both won't be a swing and a miss. – LBWatch Stick on Apple TV+Predator: Killer of Killers (Hulu/Disney+)I was a huge fan of 2022 Predator prequel film Prey (you can read more about why in my Prey review). So, you can bet I was stoked to learn that Dan Trachtenburg, who directed that sci-fi horror flick, was making an animated anthology movie that would delve deeper into the Yautja mythosPredator: Killer of Killers, which is out now on Hulu and Disney+, follows three human characters as they encounter various iterations of the titular alien warriors at different points in history. Spoilers notwithstanding, these individual tales are more connected than many people realize, too.I mostly enjoyed my time with Predator: Killer of Killers. Its painterly visuals lend themselves well to the franchise's violent sensibilities, while its anthology format is an intriguing albeit uneven narrative approach to take. Despite that niggle, I'm of the view that it deserves a spot on our best Hulu movies and best Disney+ movies lists. – TPWatch Predator: Killer of Killers on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)The Alto Knights (Max)What comes to mind when I say Robert de Niro? To some millennials, it'll be his star turn in the Meet the Parents franchise. To many others, though, it'll be his back catalog of crime genre films.Well, here's another to add to that collection. Now available on Max, The Alto Knights sees de Niro star in dual roles as Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, two legendary real-life Italian mob bosses whose friendship soured when petty jealousies and numerous betrayals turned them into warring crime lords.This Barry Levinson-directed period crime drama won't be joining our best Max movies guide due to its incredibly disappointing 39% Rotten Tomatoes critical score. Nonetheless, I'm sure de Niro devotees will get a kick out of it. – TPWatch The Alto Knights on MaxTyler Perry's Straw (Netflix)Tyler Perry has been busy lately. His previous movie Duplicity released on Prime Video earlier this year, and now he's got Straw on Netflix.In it, we follow a single mother (played by Taraji P. Henson) whose world unravels in chaos as she struggles to care for her ill daughter. When she accidentally holds her local bank hostage as she struggles to cash a check, this thriller explores the lengths you'd go to in order to protect someone you love.With a lead you'll feel sympathy for, Straw looks like it'll be posing a lot of questions about what can happen when someone's at breaking point. It remains to be seen if it'll earn a spot on our best Netflix movies guide, though. – LBWatch Tyler Perry's Straw on NetflixPhineas & Ferb season 5 (Disney+)Today is gonna be a great day, as the beloved theme song goes, because Phineas and Ferb are finally back for their long-awaited fifth season.It's hard to believe the first aired in 2007, isn't it? Those of us who used to tune in to follow the silly adventures of Perry the Platypus and rock out to some great Bowling for Soup music get to do it all over again in 2025, with the series being revived after a 10-year break.With 10 episodes to enjoy, I'm looking forward to reliving my childhood all over again. It's great to be back. – LBWatch Phineas and Ferb season 5 on Disney+For more streaming recommendations, read our guides on the best Apple TV+ movies, best Prime Video shows, best Disney+ movies, and best Max shows.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the much-awaited follow-up to 2022’s Pokémon Legends: Arceus, is now available for pre-order. You can get the digital version for the old Switch for $60 or for the new Switch 2 for $70 from Nintendo's website. In case you have no plans to get the Switch 2 anytime soon and you do get the game for the first Switch console, you can purchase an upgrade pack for $10 to get access to better graphics and higher frame rate for Nintendo's new system later on. Pre-ordering lets you pre-load the game so you can play it as soon as it becomes available on October 16.

The action role-playing game is not just a follow-up to Arceus, but also a sequel to Pokémon X and Y. It's set in Lumiose City, introduced in X and Y over a decade ago, and features three available starters: Chikorita and Totodile from Gold and Silver, as well as Tepig from Black and White. Its gameplay is a mix of the real-time capture mechanics on Arceus and the old-school turn-based gameplay of traditional Pokémon titles. The game is also bringing back X and Y's Mega Evolution mechanic, which can temporarily transform a Pokémon into a much stronger monster, boosting its power and sometimes even changing its type.

The physical version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A is now also available for pre-order from retailers like Walmart (Switch, Switch 2) and Best Buy (Switch, Switch 2.). It's not clear if pre-ordering the game will get you any bonuses, but the Walmart listing URLs hint at an "exclusive gift with purchase."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/you-can-now-pre-order-pokemon-legends-z-a-for-the-switch-and-switch-2-140004626.html?src=rss

IT teams are bearing the weight of rapid change. They shoulder the responsibility of expansive networks with ever-increasing endpoints and devices, at a time of continuous technological change and macroeconomic challenges.Recent research from The Upwork Institute found that the average IT professional can only handle 85% of their daily tickets. To ease this pressure many have turned to IT automation to streamline their workflows; however, some struggle to use it to its full capability.We'll look at what organizations and their IT departments require to successfully implement automation. Since automation has a wide range of applications, we'll concentrate on the essentials, including why automation is so effective, how to integrate legacy systems, and best practices for overcoming common implementation issues.Understanding the full extent of automation’s abilityAt its core, automation is about using software to handle repetitive tasks without human intervention, whether it’s streamlining workflows, automating helpdesk tools, scaling admin-heavy processes, ensuring compliance and security, or onboarding employees. It’s about driving efficiencies and cost savings, but it also minimizes errors, accelerates operations, and frees staff up for strategic work.A prime example is automated endpoint management, handling the growing number of physical and virtual devices that connect to a network, such as laptops, phones, and desktops. Without automation, IT teams must manually configure systems, install software, and apply patches, a time-consuming process prone to errors and inconsistencies.As IT environments grow more complex, these manual tasks become a bottleneck, stretching teams even thinner. Automated endpoint management helps to solve this by streamlining device management, ensuring security updates are applied promptly, and reducing the burden on IT staff. It doesn’t have the keys to the kingdom though, instead it automates repetitive tasks, freeing up IT teams to focus their attention and time on more complex IT issues.Benefits like these are why 80% of organizations are expected to adopt intelligent automation by 2025. For IT teams overwhelmed by their workload, automation becomes a valuable tool that alleviates the burden on stretched teams. And can go some way towards alleviating burnout.Build from the ground upAll automation journeys should start with strong foundations. For most businesses, legacy software and infrastructure pose the biggest obstacles to proper implementation. Over time, older systems become cumbersome, accumulating "technical debt" – systems are not built with the future in mind and gradually hinder long-term sustainability.Outdated legacy systems are problematic for several reasons. They often lack modern interfaces, security features, and interoperability while relying on outdated protocols and proprietary technologies. This forces IT teams to find ways to bridge the gap between old and new systems. Organizations have two choices: they can invest in an internal team to modernize their systems or work with third-party providers who help bypass legacy system challenges by migrating operations to the cloud.Whether working with an internal or external team, one of the best ways to succeed in automation is to get data in order. Automation depends on accurate, well-organized data that is properly indexed and categorized in clearly defined locations. Businesses that achieve this level of organization automate, on average, 70% of their processes.Considering the weak links in an organizationAnother key pillar is cybersecurity. As remote work becomes more common, businesses are finding that implementing automation is particularly challenging when managing devices across a wide network while ensuring they remain secure. Without proper safeguards from the outset, new technologies can introduce vulnerabilities, making it crucial to prioritize security early.Getting cybersecurity right is essential because automation relies heavily on data and interconnected systems, which are prime targets for cyberattacks. More importantly, a strong security foundation reassures employees, customers, and stakeholders that automated processes are not only efficient but also trustworthy and resilient.Once up and running, automated endpoint management solutions can provide greater visibility into both legacy and modern systems, helping IT teams identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement, making it easier to pinpoint which parts of their infrastructure need automation.The result? Automated endpoint management tools act as a reliable sidekick for IT teams, not just tackling security concerns but also freeing them from time-consuming admin tasks, so they can focus on bigger projects. Simply put, IT teams can spend less time firefighting and more time improving systems. By keeping everything up to date and protected, these tools don’t just reduce vulnerabilities; they also help organizations run more smoothly, boosting efficiency and productivity along the way.Automation as a continuous processAutomation is not a stand-alone solution, even if it can substantially reduce IT burdens. Businesses must constantly analyze and streamline procedures if they want to realize its full potential. Whether it's increasing productivity, optimizing resource use, or fortifying security, every automated task needs to be in line with organizational goals and add value.To ensure that automated procedures remain efficient and in line with business requirements, it is essential to regularly assess and adjust them. Establishing a regular evaluation of automated procedures can ensure their outcomes are still contributing towards these objectives. By taking a strategic approach to automation, organizations can create more efficient IT ecosystems that enhance productivity, streamline operations, and position IT teams for long-term success.We've featured the best IT management tool.This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Maybe you’ve just picked up a Nintendo Switch 2 and want to try GameChat features with your friends in Mario Kart World, but can’t quite swing $55 for the official camera right now after plopping down $500 for the console and game bundle. The solution might be in your pocket.

The Switch 2 supports third-party USB-C webcams. However, you might be able to use your phone instead. YouTube channel Will It Work? has demonstrated how to use an iPhone as a camera for the console.

Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as opening the iPhone’s Camera app, plugging a USB-C cable into both devices and setting up the phone (perhaps on a MagSafe charger) so it points at your mug. I tried that, and nope, no dice. Instead, if you plug the cable into a USB-C to HDMI adapter, and that into an HDMI capture cable and hook the daisy chain into your Switch 2, your new console should recognize your phone as a camera. This process may work for Android devices too.

Since doing this will pipe whatever’s on your phone’s screen into your Switch 2, you might want to use an app that hides all of the on-screen camera controls and only shows what the selfie lens or rear-facing array picks up. There are a few free options in the App Store that can do the trick. You can check that this all works by opening up the Settings on your Switch 2 and going to Controllers & Accessories > Test USB Camera.

Links in the YouTube video that demonstrates this workaround point to Amazon listings where you can pick up the two cables for $31, but you may be able to find cheaper versions. Of course, that’s moot if you already have both cables. A regular capture card and HDMI to USB-C cable might work too. Naturally, if you have a USB-C webcam handy, that’s an easier way to go about all this.

There is one downside to note before you use your iPhone as a Switch 2 camera, as Will It Work? points out. There may be some lag, which could affect lip sync. But if you can live with that, this might be an option for you.

There’s another accessory you might already have on hand that could save you from buying an official Nintendo or third-party one. The Switch 2 fits into the Steam Deck's case. You might want to add some padding, as the Switch 2 is a smaller device than the Steam Deck and might shift around in the case otherwise, but it’s still perhaps worth considering.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/you-can-use-an-iphone-as-a-nintendo-switch-2-camera-142622005.html?src=rss