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We're getting close to the launch of Marvel Rivals Season 2, which will bring a ton of updates to the blockbuster multiplayer game. As we near release day, there's plenty to dig into, including the announcement of a brand new Hero, a whole new map to explore, as well as tweaks and balancing patches that'll mix up the meta in-game.

Marvel Rivals season 2 - key infoStart date and timeEmma Frost infoPatch notesSkinsRanked changes

Over the last week or so, Developer NetEase has lifted the lid on the next season of Marvel Rivals. There's been a lot to digest, especially when looking into the changes coming to Competitive Mode. As an avid Marvel Rivals player, and one that's looking to main a new character in Season 2, I've been digging into the full patch notes, trying to predict who will rise above the rest in the coming weeks and months. It's regular changes to the game's meta that have kept Marvel Rivals ranked highly in our best PC games list, and make me particularly excited for the launch of a new season.If things go well, we could be looking at the best Marvel Rivals season yet, especially as far as ranked play is concerned. After sinking over a hundred hours into Marvel Rivals since the start of the first season, I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into some new maps, and trying out some DPS Heroes, as I've tended to favor Vanguard up to this point. Still, I won't be abandoning my tank duties completely, as I'll definitely be giving Emma Frost a whirl for my first few matches.Still, there's a little while to go yet, and there's some downtime to expect before all of the new stuff launches in Marvel Rivals. Join me as I keep you up to date with all of the latest news and happenings in the lead-up to Season 2. I'll be providing live coverage that highlights the best details revealed so far, as well as some predictions for where Marvel Rivals could be headed with its ongoing focus on new Heroes and its new mutant-themed narrative. Here's what you need to know about Marvel Rivals Season 2.

Marvel Rivals Season 2 - cut to the chase

Only have time for the basics? Here are the most important things to know about Marvel Rivals Season 2:

Start time: Marvel Rivals will go offline on April 11 at 2AM PDT / 5AM / 10AM BST / 11AM CET / 6PM JST for 2-3 hours. Season 2 will then begin.New Hero: Emma Frost (Vanguard)New map: Hellfire Gala - KrakoaMap Rotation: Hellfire Gala: Krakoa will enter the Competitive pool, while Yggsgard: Royal Palace and Tokyo 2099: Shin-Shibuya will be retired from ranked play.New Battle PassSeason event: Cerebro DatabaseMission system revampRank Reset: All players demoted 9 divisionsNew Rank Rewards

Marvel Rivals Season 2 start time

Marvel Rivals Season 2's start time is April 11 at 1AM PDT / 4AM / 9AM BST / 10AM CET / 5PM JST. Hold your horses, however, as scheduled downtime will start an hour later, and it'll last 2-3 hours according to this Tweet. As such, I've estimated the Marvel Rivals Season 2 start time to be the following depending on your timezone:

April 11 at 5AM PT: West Coast USApril 11 at 8AM ET: East Coast USApril 11 at 1PM BST: United KingdomApril 11 at 2PM CET: Central EuropeApril 11 at 9PM JST: Japan

Marvel Rivals Emma Frost

The headline for Marvel Rivals Season 2 is that Emma Frost is joining as a new Hero. She's a Vanguard with telekinetic abilities and diamond skin. From the developer breakdown (which you can view above), she certainly looks formidable, with an Ultimate that causes enemies to walk towards her. This is great for environmental kills as opponents walk straight off of edges and into pits. Emma Frost will launch alongside the new season, so players will be able to try her out right away.

Marvel Rivals patch notes for Season 2

(Image credit: NetEase)

For those looking to dive deep on everything coming to Marvel Rivals in Season 2, you're in luck! NetEase has release the full patch notes for the Season 2 update, which includes some detailed information on the buffs and nerfs coming to certain Heroes. You can read them here.

Marvel Rivals skins for Season 2

Now that NetEase has revealed the trailer for the Flower of Krakoa Battle Pass that's set to arrive in Marvel Rivals Season 2, we have a good look at some new skins coming to the game. There are 10 new costumes to unlock, including skins for Iron Fist, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, Black Panther, Cloak and Dagger, Hulk, and Rocket. I'm personally looking forward to the classic X-Men skins for Psylocke and Magik, which feature that iconic blue and yellow costume we all know and love. It's consistent updates like these that have earned Marvel Rivals a place in our best free games list.

Marvel Rivals ranked changes for Season 2

(Image credit: NetEase)

As someone who mainly plays Competitive Mode in Marvel Rivals, it's exciting to see just how many changes are coming to ranked play this season. Firstly, there's a rank reset for everyone, kicking players down by nine tiers. Then, there are new ranked rewards to earn, including an Emma Frost skin for reaching Gold tier by the end of the season.Map rotation comes into play in Marvel Rivals Season 2 as well, initially removing the Yggsgard and Tokyo 2099 maps, and adding the new Hellfire Gala: Krakoa Domination map. Bans will be available at Gold tier now, allowing players to remove certain Heroes from their opponents' pools. Lastly, your performance per game, and the number of points you gain or lose, will now be more weighted towards individual performance rather than match outcome.

Welcome to TechRadar Gaming's Marvel Rivals Season 2 live coverage

With less than 24 hours to go before the launch of Marvel Rivals Season 2, I'm kicking off my live coverage leading up to the new update. I'll be keeping you up to date with everything you need to know about Marvel Rivals Season 2, including all of the latest news as it happens. This means keeping track of the scheduled downtime, diving into the upcoming changes to ranked play, and breaking down the Season's new Hero, Emma Frost! Having played over a hundred hours of Marvel Rivals since launch, I’m particularly excited to dive in and try out some of the newly buffed Heroes. Who knows, maybe I’ll have a new main moving forward?There's still plenty of time to get acquainted with all of the new changes set to arrive in Marvel Rivals. For now, check out the official story trailer for this season, which sees our Heroes meeting for the Hellfire Gala, an extravagant event hosted on the mutant paradise of Krakoa.

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, April 10 (game #669).

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 #670) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

CITRUSCITYRED CARPETALL OUTAMERICANFLAGKARTBETWEENSUNSHINEGALAXYLEAFY GREENSWORLDUBER RATINGLANDSTEADYSUPPLEMENTSTOWN

NYT Connections today (game #670) - hint #1 - group hints

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

YELLOW: NutrientsGREEN: Mall names BLUE: Shine onPURPLE: Start with something that rhymes with “no”

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

NYT Connections today (game #670) - hint #2 - group answers

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

YELLOW: SOURCES OF VITAMINS GREEN: PLACES USED IN RETAIL SUFFIXES BLUE: PLACES TO FIND STARS PURPLE: WORDS AFTER "GO"

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

NYT Connections today (game #670) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #670, are…

YELLOW: SOURCES OF VITAMINS CITRUS, LEAFY GREENS, SUNSHINE, SUPPLEMENTSGREEN: PLACES USED IN RETAIL SUFFIXES CITY, LAND, TOWN, WORLDBLUE: PLACES TO FIND STARS AMERICAN FLAG, GALAXY, RED CARPET, UBER RATINGPURPLE: WORDS AFTER "GO" ALL OUT, BETWEEN, KART, STEADY

My rating: ModerateMy score: 1 mistake

My mistake today came, as for many others I am sure, in thinking that Mario game titles was a common thread. Wrong!After my bad start I got the four groups in order – I’m on a two-day streak doing this and it’s quite satisfying.For PLACES TO FIND STARS the giveaway was UBER RATING. Having never thrown up in a car, canceled a ride a minute before they arrived, or given unwanted route instructions I’d consider myself to be a model passenger but I’m still under the magical 4.8 that supposedly results in a better service.I have no idea what I did wrong to get the score drop – well, apart from insisting I Bluetooth my Polish ambient jazz mix. I get it, everyone has their own music taste, but everyone needs a little Sneaky Jesus, Krzysztof Komeda, and Klawo in their lives.Plus, I find it makes the journeys go really quickly – the drivers can’t wait for me to leave!How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, 10 April, game #669)

YELLOW: SHADES OF YELLOW CANARY, GOLD, LEMON, MUSTARDGREEN: SUPPLY MINE, RESERVE, STORE, WELLBLUE: ANTI-SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS BAH, COAL, GRINCH, NAUGHTYPURPLE: SPANISH WORDS ELLA, GUSTO, MAYO, SOY

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

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, April 10 (game #403).

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 #404) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Buzzing in

NYT Strands today (game #404) - hint #2 - clue words

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

DROPYEARMOPESHOPSPRAM TOWER

NYT Strands today (game #404) - hint #3 - spangram letters

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

NYT Strands today (game #404) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 5th rowLast side: right, 7th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #404) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #404, are…

LINGOPYRAMIDJEOPARDYPASSWORDCATCHPHRASESPANGRAM: GAME SHOWS

My rating: ModerateMy score: 2 hints

The theme contained “buzz” for the second day in succession, but today it was about GAME SHOWS buzzers rather than bumble bees.An unfamiliarity with US Games Shows made this quite tricky for me, being based in the UK, but such is the globalization of TV formats that several were familiar.Although firmly established in television history, JEOPARDY! Has only just made it over the pond, where the brilliant Stephen Fry is the avuncular and thoroughly charming host.Like all game shows it relies on a carefully calibrated format containing questions/answers that are easy enough for the audience to feel clever.The same cannot be said for CATCHPHRASE which depends on at least one harebrained contestant to be enjoyable, such as the family member who answered “chicken poo” when asked to name a type of food.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, 10 April, game #403)

WINGSTHORAXTONGUEABDOMENSTINGERANTENNAESPANGRAM: BUMBLE BEE

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

Looking for a different day?A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, April 10 (game #1172).

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 #1173) - hint #1 - Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* 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 #1173) - hint #2 - repeated letters

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

Quordle today (game #1173) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

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

Quordle today (game #1173) - 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 #1173) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• F• P• S• C

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

Quordle today (game #1173) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1173, are…

FOLLYPITHYSCOWLCURLY

The correct word I spent most thinking time on today was my first – PITHY.I had the I and the H in the correct positions and the T in the wrong position and the only word I could think of with that combination was TITHE, which was ruled out by the previously used E. I got there in the end.Guessing BURLY instead of CURLY was just unlucky, but I get plenty of good fortune playing Quordle, so I have no complaints.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1173) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1173, are…

COCOASKIMPLABORSLING

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1172, Thursday 10 April: LEAST, SEWER, UNTIE, NOOSEQuordle #1171, Wednesday 9 April: LITHE, LEFTY, KNOLL, MULCHQuordle #1170, Tuesday 8 April: WIDTH, VISOR, MEDAL, BROOKQuordle #1169, Monday 7 April: BROTH, SHOUT, BRUTE, CABINQuordle #1168, Sunday 6 April: AMBER, GAUZE, STORE, SLICKQuordle #1167, Saturday 5 April: GUSTY, VAULT, WHINE, BEGATQuordle #1166, Friday 4 April: OAKEN, LOOPY, CURIO, BUTTEQuordle #1165, Thursday 3 April: ASCOT, JETTY, DRUNK, JOLLYQuordle #1164, Wednesday 2 April: INDEX, QUEEN, INCUR, STOLEQuordle #1163, Tuesday 1 April: HUMUS, BALMY, WORRY, ERECTQuordle #1162, Monday 31 March: RECUT, MOODY, WHERE, BRACEQuordle #1161, Sunday 30 March: CRIME, DRINK, CLOVE, TRUERQuordle #1160, Saturday 29 March: LATER, ODDLY, CUMIN, AGREEQuordle #1159, Friday 28 March: TERSE, MUSHY, PROVE, FRONDQuordle #1158, Thursday 27 March: CRONE, APNEA, LIGHT, AWOKEQuordle #1157, Wednesday 26 March: LEFTY, NOOSE, NOISE, TRIADQuordle #1156, Tuesday 25 March: SNEER, WATCH, FLORA, STAINQuordle #1155, Monday 24 March: FLOUT, SMASH, RAZOR, SMALLQuordle #1154, Sunday 23 March: ALLEY, GAMUT, GEESE, RADIIQuordle #1153, Saturday 22 March: PICKY, BRACE, BOOZE, SURLY

Adobe’s preparing for the next generation of AI agentsMore autonomy will unlock more creative time75% of Photoshop users now use AI

Adobe has spilled the beans on exactly where it sees agentic AI playing a role in the workforce, and spoiler alert, humans won’t be displaced by the tech despite our concerns.Described as “tech that’s capable of conversing, acting and solving complex problems,” agentic AI marks the next stage of the artificial intelligence wave, promising more autonomy to free up workers’ time for more productive and creative tasks.In a blog post, Adobe’s Digital Media business CTO Ely Greenfield noted some of the areas that Adobe’s suite of apps have already seen major improvements with AI and AI agents, but the message remains clear – humans are at the center of creativity.

Adobe wants AI agents to help… not replace… human workers

“We’ve always believed that the single most powerful creative force in the world is the human imagination,” Greenfield commented.In Acrobat, for example, AI Assistant can understand and interact with documents to help workers process huge amounts of data more efficiently, and custom agents are already on the way for role-specific tasks like research or sales assistants.Maybe one of the most impressive use cases for Adobe’s AI is for enhancing the existing work of creatives – in Photoshop, users can use the models for context-aware edits like blurring backgrounds and removing people, while the tech also facilities with rough cuts, color adjustment and audio mixing in Premiere Pro.Boating the generation of “more than 20 billion commercially safe, production-ready assets globally” since Firefly’s launch around two years ago, Adobe claims that more than three in four Photoshop users now use generative AI.Greenfield also referenced another blog post highlighting Adobe’s creative-friendly approach to artificial intelligence, stressing that user data is “never” used to train Firefly.Concluding, the CTO highlighted the company’s plans to “help every creator, at every skill level, work across every medium.”

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The last decade or so has seen schools and governments alike working on a substantial question: To what degree should students be allowed access to their phones? France has been among those leading the charge, requiring smartphones to be turned off during school hours since 2018. Now, the country is taking things a step further, insisting that students leave their phone in lockers or pouches, The Guardian reports.

France's education minister and former prime minister Élisabeth Borne announced the new regulation, which will go into effect in middle schools come September. "At a time when the use of screens is being widely questioned because of its many harmful effects, this measure is essential for our children’s wellbeing and success at school."

The decision follows two key events, a pilot program reported on by multiple sources and published expert recommendations. The former involved 180 middle schools comprised of over 50,000 students. Over the last six months, participants have done a "digital pause," putting their phones in a locker or pouch that is unlocked when they finish the day. Borne announced that the trial was successful in improving school's atmospheres. She added that schools will choose whether to use lockers or pouches, costing them up to a few thousand euros (€3,000 equals $3,331, for example).

The 2024 report, commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron, issued recommendations including no smartphone use for children under 13 years of age and no "conventional" social media access until they reach 18. The recommendations, led by a neurologist and an addictions psychiatrist, additionally pushed for limited to no screen-time for children, depending on their age.

The UK and the US are among the other countries exploring similar school-based measures to France. In 2024, the UK government released guidance for schools on banning phones in educational spaces. Both New York and California's governors have also supported measures to limit smartphone use in schools. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/france-to-ban-students-from-keeping-smartphones-in-schools-140053272.html?src=rss

Before the rise of AI-driven cyber threats, phishing attempts were often easy to spot. Poor grammar, overly manipulative language, and unsolicited requests were telltale signs of malicious attacks.With the implementation of offensive AI used by threat actors, these phishing attempts have become harder to identify. While Secure Email Gateways (SEGs) have also implemented defensive AI to combat these threats, these emails are still reaching users’ inboxes.

The AI email security gap

AI and Machine Learning (ML) models in SEGs are primarily trained on historical data, enabling them to recognize phishing patterns. While this retrospective approach is effective for identifying known threats, it struggles to keep pace with rapidly evolving attack techniques. Offensive AI enables threat actors to generate highly professional, industry-specific phishing emails using minimal effort or time investment. These attacks can mimic the jargon and technical terms of targeted sectors, making malicious emails appear legitimate, and allowing them to bypass SEGs.Despite embracing AI capabilities with open arms, SEGs are still struggling to keep up with these sophisticated phishing attempts. While AI can efficiently identify repetitive patterns and filter out bulk threats, it remains reactive. This gap between offensive and defensive AI leaves organizations vulnerable to novel phishing techniques.

How attackers bypass SEGs

Cybercriminals continuously develop new methods to circumvent SEGs, often manipulating legitimate services or introducing novel techniques that AI models have yet to encounter. Some of the most effective tactics include:QR codes: Embedding malicious links within QR codes can be challenging for AI systems to analyze automatically. This attack method requires the employee to scan a code on their phone, removing the physical protection on their enterprise systems. The most recent innovative QR code technique involves rotating and embedding one QR code within another so a SEG scanning a QR code will get a different result than a victim who is instructed to scan the code sideways.Malicious attachments: Disguising harmful links within seemingly benign attachments, such as PDFs or Microsoft Office documents, allows attackers to exploit the trust associated with common business communication.URL obfuscation or redirection: Threat actors use legitimate services to mask malicious links, redirecting victims to phishing sites.SEG-encoded links: Since SEGs rewrite incoming email URLs to scan for threats, attackers can embed pre-encoded URLs from other SEGs, tricking security filters into marking them as safe.Malicious HTML files: Attackers attach malicious HTML files that, when opened, direct users to phishing sites or prompt credential entry.These various techniques highlight the adaptive nature of phishing threats and techniques employed by threat actors that are used to bypass email security defenses.

The necessity for a strong security culture

As phishing attacks evolve, introducing novel threats that AI tools may not yet recognize, human ingenuity becomes a vital component of a comprehensive, layered defense strategy. This makes the cultivation of a strong security culture within organizations essential. While AI excels at routine pattern recognition and data filtering, human intuition and vigilance remain indispensable for identifying and responding to complex or ambiguous threats.Building a robust security culture starts with communicating the significance of email security and positioning employees as the first line of defense. Creating a non-punitive environment where staff feel empowered to report suspicious activity is key to enhancing overall security.This can be achieved by implementing user-friendly reporting tools, enabling quick identification and response to live threats, and offering interactive training sessions tailored to the unique risks faced by the organization. These initiatives ensure employees are equipped with the knowledge to spot and report phishing attempts effectively.Recognizing and rewarding proactive security behaviors not only boosts engagement but also reinforces the value of individual contributions to organizational safety. By integrating these elements of a strong security culture, organizations can leverage human ingenuity alongside AI-driven defenses to create a formidable, multi-layered approach to threat protection.

Combining the power of AI efficiency and human ingenuity

While defensive AI can offer significant advantages, it is not infallible. The most effective defense against sophisticated phishing attacks combines AI-driven capabilities with human insight. AI excels at managing repetitive tasks and flagging potential issues, but human analysis is crucial for interpreting context, assessing nuances, and making informed decisions in ambiguous situations.As phishing strategies continue to evolve, organizations must recognize that AI alone is not enough. By investing in a strong security culture that empowers employees to serve as vigilant defenders and complementing this with the power of advanced AI tools, organizations can establish a resilient, multi-layered defense against cyber threats.

We've featured the best encryption software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Over 100,000 malicious emails were detected and blocked by HMRC These were sent between November 2021 and September 2024Critical infrastructure remains a top target for cybercriminals

New research has revealed that over 105,000,000 malicious emails have been blocked by HMRC in the last three years, outlining the escalation of cyber threats against the UK Government and critical infrastructure.This information, obtained through a Freedom of Information request (FOI) by the Parliament Street think tank, shows a surge between November 2022 and October 2023 of 40,346,532, a significant increase from the almost 24,000,000 blocked in the same period the previous year.Critical infrastructure is proving a seriously attractive target for cyber criminals, especially given the urgency of the services they provide and the rise in geopolitical tensions. Consequences of attacks on these providers can be severe, even life threatening, and over two fifths of critical infrastructure has suffered a cyber breach to date.

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A change in gateway

According to the request, HMRC has changed its supplier of its email ‘gateway’ which blocks and categorizes emails, meaning it can no longer break the information down into malware, phishing, spam, or other categories.There is a recognition by the Government that this is an urgent issue, with the new Cyber Security Bill introduced to protect critical infrastructure by providing essential IT services, covering over 1,000 providers.This comes after top security officials labeled Britain “shockingly vulnerable” to cyberattacks, pointing to services like the NHS and national power grid - both using third party vendors that aren’t subject to the stringent security regulations that public institutions must follow.“These numbers show just how relentless cybercriminals are when it comes to targeting government institutions,” says Andy Ward, SVP International at Absolute Security.“Security teams need to be able to isolate and shut down compromised systems immediately to stop attacks from spreading. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, having the right tools and defences in place is more important than ever to protect the UK’s Government Departments."

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WhatsApp update rolls out new Meta AI chatbot in more countriesIt's represented by a small blue circle in chats and is in chat search tooMany WhatsApp users aren't happy that the feature isn't removable

If you've been wondering what the mysterious new blue, purple, and green ring symbol in WhatsApp is, you're not alone – and this wider rollout of Meta AI in the messaging app is proving controversial, to say the least.The new circle or ring in the bottom-right corner of your chats is a shortcut to Meta's AI chatbot, effectively its take on ChatGPT. The feature rolled out in the US and Canada some time ago, but it's recently started arriving in countries across the EU, including the UK and Australia.Because the EU is something of a heartland for WhatsApp, where the total number of users eclipses those in the US, the feature is back in the limelight – and it isn't proving particularly popular, to say the least, according to various Reddit threads.

The biggest complaint is that there's no way to turn Meta AI off. It sits prominently in your chat section, looking a bit like a bug, and has also now conveniently been integrated into the chat search bar, which says "Ask Meta AI or Search."

The mysterious Meta AI shortcut button floats in the bottom-right corner of your chats section. Meta AI is also now incorporated in chat search at the top of the section. (Image credit: Meta / Future)

That naturally raises privacy concerns, though Meta has been keen to address them in its Help pages. It says that "your personal messages with friends and family are off limits" and that, while "AIs can read what is shared with them," your "personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted."That said, your chats with Meta AI aren't encrypted and Meta says, "don't send messages to Meta with information you don’t want it to know."If you happen to chat with Meta AI, intentionally or not, the best option is to delete the chat afterward. You can do that by going to the chat, swiping left on it, tapping 'more', and hitting 'delete chat'.

Analysis: Get used to it, or prepare to jump ship

Meta AI's capabilities in the WhatsApp app vary by region, with image requests currently possible in some countries but not in others (Image credit: Meta)

Despite some vocal online protests, it's pretty clear that Meta AI isn't going anywhere in WhatsApp. At last year's Meta Connect 2024, Mark Zuckerberg boasted that Meta AI was already one of the world's most-used AI assistants, with almost 500 million monthly active users.Meta's ticket to increasing that figure is by tapping into WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. Meta AI is now based on the new Llama 4 model, which shows that Meta is keen to continually upgrade its assistant and make it a WhatsApp chatbot staple – whether we've asked for it or not.One Member of the European Parliament has even raised the feature to the Executive Vice-President and Commissioner, questioning whether or not the lack of an option to remove it "aligns with EU rules."Maybe we'll see Meta in the dock with the EU again soon.Alongside the lack of a 'disable' option, the other main criticism of Meta AI in WhatsApp is that it simply isn't very good. Having dabbled with it in the app, I've also encountered its limitations. It often misunderstands what you've asked or contradicts itself. For example, I asked if it could analyze images – it asked me to upload one, then said, "I can't understand images yet."In short, Meta AI still feels a world away from ChatGPT and also starts with the disadvantage that it's been thrust in your face within other apps rather than consciously chosen.The solution for irked WhatsApp users will be to tolerate it or move to alternatives like Signal – a popular choice for privacy but one that may not be as popular among your friends.

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Bungie is set to take the wrappers off Marathon this Saturday and reveal gameplay from its first non-Destiny project in many years (and its first new one since joining Sony in 2022). Before that though, the studio has confirmed one detail about the multi-platform extraction shooter that PC and Xbox gamers may like to hear. The game won’t force players to log in with a PlayStation account on those platforms.

The Marathon team confirmed on the game’s official Discord server that "Marathon will not require a PlayStation Account for players on PC and Xbox." The developers said this in response to a user who was concerned that they might not be able to play Marathon on PC, since PSN wasn’t supported in their country.

This is relevant considering the Helldivers 2 mess from last year. The PC version of that Sony-published game was going to require players to connect to a PSN account. That wasn’t enforced during the first three-ish months Helldivers 2 was available on Steam due to network issues, but it was later going to come into effect. The shift would have locked out players who had already bought the game in countries where PSN wasn’t available.

Sony quickly backtracked on the PSN requirement for Helldivers 2 following a backlash but the situation tarnished the reputation of a great game. The company later dropped mandatory PSN logins for many of its single-player games on PC, though it tried to incentivize players for linking their Steam account to PSN by offering in-game goodies.

Bungie hasn't said much about Marathon since announcing its revival two years ago, but the gameplay showcase this weekend will shed much more light on what the game's all about. For what it's worth, streamer DrLupo claims to have been playtesting Marathon through various iterations over the last six years, and said it's gotten better each time he's tried it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/bungies-marathon-wont-force-xbox-and-pc-players-to-log-in-with-a-playstation-account-144127907.html?src=rss

US businesses were prime targets for ransomware actors in Q1 2025Manufacturing, IT, and services, were particularly hitSMBs are a bigger target than enterprises

So far in 2025, US businesses were prime targets for ransomware attackers, taking up almost half of all incidents of that nature this year, according to a new report from threat exposure management platform NordStellar, whose researchers analyzed dark web data to compile the Q1 2025 statistics.As per the report, there were 2,440 new ransomware cases made public on the dark web, up 84% compared to the same period in 2024 (1,325). Of that number, 990 (41%) were US businesses.That makes the United States the most affected country globally by far, since second-placed Canada had “only” 105 cases. The UK is third with 74, followed by Germany (56), France (42), and India (42).

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Manufacturing, IT, professional services

According to NordStellar’s cybersecurity expert Vakaris Noreika, this is because the US has plenty of rich business targets: “A high concentration of wealthy businesses with cyber insurance that includes ransom coverage make the US a desirable target for hackers,” Noreika explained.“The economy of the US is highly digitalized and most businesses depend on interconnected systems, cloud technologies, and remote work environments — all factors that create more opportunities for ransomware attacks to infiltrate.”Ransomware criminals seem to be particularly interested in businesses in manufacturing, since this industry recorded 273 cases. IT was second with 172 cases, and professional services was third with 116. Surprisingly enough, these are mostly SMBs, not enterprises. Companies with a revenue of $10M-50M, employing 51-200 people, were most-hit in Q1.Ransomware continues being one of the most destructive and disruptive cybercriminal operations out there. Every day the threat grows, as cybercriminals find new ways to deploy encryptors and abuse AI in their attacks:“The soaring number of ransomware attacks is more than just a trend — it's an ever-growing threat for businesses worldwide,” Noreika said. “Ransomware groups are getting more sophisticated, exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities faster, and leveraging ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) to expand their reach. Many organizations still struggle with unpatched systems and weak credential security, thus, becoming easy targets. No business, regardless of size, is immune.”

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People are writing messages to the Sora development team in its image browserThe requests are mainly begging for new features or changesOthers are saying thank you for how much fun they’re having with the app

One of my favourite things about Sora, OpenAI’s incredible AI video generator, is that you can see what everybody else around the world is making with it. People generate both still images and video in Sora, and because you can see exactly what they’re creating as one big gallery, you get to have a peek into what the current AI generation trends are.Of course, the boxed action figure trend is still going strong, and before that it was the Studio Ghibli-style images. But today I noticed that there are a lot of appeals directly to the developers appearing in Sora's image gallery.These take the form of people holding up notice boards with messages like “Sora team, we need 16:9 image generation!” and “Sora team, we need a stand-alone app!”, begging for new features to be added, or protesting about their image generation policies, in the hope that the Sora team see them.It’s quite fascinating seeing how people have taken a technology and used it for something completely different to what it’s designed to do.

Protesting to the Sora team about their image policies. (Image credit: OpenAI)

Serendipitous innovation

I’m sure there must be a word for taking a technology and using it in unexpected ways that it wasn't intended for, but I can’t think what it is. 'Serendipitous innovation' is quite close, as is 'transmogrification', but they’re not quite there.Whatever the word is, it’s fascinating to me to see the innovative uses people have come up with for AI.Of course, there’s no evidence that the Sora team will act on any of these requests, but you’ve got to imagine that they’re always keeping an eye on what people are creating with their software, and it probably will have some influence.

Some people simply want to thank the Sora team. (Image credit: OpenAI)

Accessing Sora

Sora works by you first creating an image from a prompt, and then creating a video from a prompt that is based on that image.Sora isn’t a stand-alone app (which is one of the things people are commonly requesting), it exists only as an option inside ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro in the web browser. When you click on Sora, the whole interface changes and you’re in the video generator app.If you click on Images you can see all the images that people are creating, and if you click on one, you get to see the actual prompt that they used to create it.This can be really useful when designing your own prompts, or as people have recently discovered, if you want to try and get a message to the developers to ask for new features.

(Image credit: OpenAI)

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Nintendo says it wants to "future-proof" the Switch 2 like the original SwitchSince game sizes are getting bigger, Game-Key Cards will allow for more games on the platformNintendo wants to "make sure that people can be publishing games" on the Switch 2

Nintendo wants to ensure that the Switch 2 is "future-proof", and it's trying to achieve that with its new Game-Key Cards.In a recent interview with Nintendo Life following the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo of America senior vice president of product development and publishing Nate Bihldorff discussed the company's new Game-Key Cards and how they will allow for more games on the platform, no matter the size.When asked if Game Keys will be exclusive to third-party titles, Bihldorff said he doesn't know any specific roadmap for who's going to use the keys and that they're "just another way that we can have games on our platform"."Obviously, there's a finite amount of memory on a game card, and if you happen to be a publisher who has a game that's bigger than that, that would still be a way of you being able to get a retail version of your game onto the system," he explained. "Probably the only way. Game sizes have gotten really big, so [Game Key] is just providing another avenue."Bihldorff added, "The Switch lasted eight years. We really want to future-proof [Switch 2] and make sure that people can be publishing games on it, and I think that'll speak to that."Nintendo confirmed after the Switch 2 Direct that Game-Key Cards will contain a download "key" and don't feature the full game data like other physical editions.We know games like Bravely Default and Street Fighter 6: Year 1-2 Fighters Edition will only have a Game-Card Key, while new titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza will offer standard physical game cards like the original Switch.The Nintendo Switch 2 officially launches on June 5, 2025, and will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.Pre-orders are now live in the UK, but US pre-orders and Canada pre-orders have been delayed as Nintendo assesses the potential impact of tariffs.

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180-inch screens from just 4 metres away; designed for up to 200 inchesAI-powered optimization of compressed streaming video HDR-PRO with HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+

BenQ has announced two new 4K projectors as part of its Home Cinema Series: the premium W5850, which is designed for theater-grade large screens; and the W4100i, which promises cinema-grade visuals for home theater rooms to rival the best projectors.The 2,600 lumen W5 is "designed for the ultimate cinematic experience". It's capable of up to 200-inch screens with a shorter throw ratio of 1.0 to 1.6. That enables it to deliver a 180-inch display from just four meters away.The W4100i has a 3,200-lumen LED light source, Android TV and AI Cinema Calibration mode, which BenQ says ensures "cinema-grade visuals" from streaming content.

(Image credit: BenQ)

BenQ Home Cinema Series: key features

Each of the Home Cinema Series projectors meets key industry standards including 100% DCI-P3, and Delta E

Europol follows up on last year's botnet takedownIt made multiple arrests and home searchesSome suspects cooperated

In a follow-up to its May 2024 botnet takedown operation codenamed Operation Endgame, Europol said it made multiple arrests.Last year, the European law enforcement agency, together with a number of national partners, shut down some of the biggest malware droppers, including IcedID, SystemBC, Pikabot, Smokeloader, and Bumblebee. The operation spanned numerous countries and multiple continents.Now, in a press release published on the Europol website, it was said that the operation continued, but this time against customers of Smokeloader.

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New actions

Smokeloader is a pay-per-install malware loader, in which cybercriminals pay to use the service (which has already infected numerous devices) and drop their own malware. Europol said criminals used Smokeloader for keylogging, webcam access, ransomware deployment, cryptomining, and more.“Law enforcement tracked down the customers as they were registered in a database seized during Operation Endgame,” Europol explained, saying these people now faced “house searches, arrest warrants or ‘knock and talks’”.It did not discuss the number of people involved, but it did say that “several suspects” cooperated with the authorities by facilitating the examination of their digital devices. Several other suspects admitted to have resold the Smokeloader services at a markup.Just like in Operation Endgame, multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the follow-up, including the FBI, Secret Service, the DoD, DCIS, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Czech police, Danish police, French National Police, Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office, Prosecutor General’s Office Frankfurt am Main – Cyber Crime Center, The Netherlands’ National Investigations and Special Operations, and The Netherlands Police.The agency also said that the operation has not yet concluded and that “new actions” will soon be announced on the website operation-endgame.com.“Anyone with information is invited to contact the authorities through this website,” it said. “In addition, suspects involved in these and other botnets, who have not yet been arrested, will be held directly accountable for their actions.”

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Valve is reportedly ramping up facial interface productionThese parts are essential for VR wearables, suggesting that Valve Deckard is coming soonValve's move could also be teasing future VR headsets beyond Deckard

Nearly six years since the launch of the smash hit Valve Index, it appears the Steam team is gearing up to start making the long-awaited standalone sequel according to new rumors.Codenamed the Valve Deckard in leaks, the headset was initially believed to have a late 2025 release date, but details were few and far between, suggesting it might slip later.However, new details from SadlyItsBradley – a source of several VR hardware leaks in the past – suggest that Valve could be steaming ahead with production, as the company has been importing the equipment needed to manufacture VR headset facial interfaces.In a later post SadleyItsBradley pointed out that Valve has been receiving facial interface shipments since last year – suggesting that this new equipment may not just be to produce Deckard interfaces, but prototype designs for its next VR headset.Alternatively, this might be an attempt by Valve to avoid some of the increased tariff costs that US President Donald Trump has been horsing around with recently.

FWIW, Valve also received pallet shipments of new facial interfaces (not machinery) since last year from the same companyThe machinery Valve recently received was probably* an injection moulder tweaked to focus on making future gaskets1/3 https://t.co/0qlgi2UcfD pic.twitter.com/D7YweQuRqJApril 10, 2025

Admittedly facial interfaces don’t tell us much about the headset itself, but given they're only used for devices like VR headsets and not anything else in Valve’s hardware line-up (such as a Steam Deck), Valve investing in their production suggests it has plans to make a new VR headset.And since the Valve Index reportedly exited production sometime last year (via SadlyItsBradley, again) it’s unlikely these interfaces would be for its existing tech.

Valve Deckard could be a wearable Steam Deck (Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

Beyond this latest rumor, other leaks are teasing something special, with Deckard said to not only be a standalone headset (like the Meta Quest 3) but also a wearable Steam Deck that you can use for playing flat games.Just be prepared for it to be pricey. We’re talking around $1,200 (around £950 / AU$1,950), though this would include a few games in a bundle.This isn’t as cheap as a Meta Quest 3, but with Steam’s incredible software support the Valve Deckard could be a shoo-in for our best VR headsets list.It’s worth remembering that all leaks should be taken with a pinch of salt, but with Valve Deckard it feels like where there’s smoke there's likely fire.We’ll just have to wait and see if that’s the case as we roll through 2025 and the rumored Deckard release date approaches. If Deckard is announced you can sure we’ll be ready to keep you up to date on everything you need to know.

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For about two decades, traditional microSD cards were the storage solution of choice for portable devices like mobile phones and handheld consoles.However, the evolution of storage solutions has led to the development of microSD Express, an advancement over its predecessor.While microSD cards and microSD Express appear the same, their specifications and applications differ. You may be wondering why you haven’t heard about microSD Express – that’s because the technology is not only relatively new, but its adoption has been quite slow.

microSD Express vs microSD card – the basics

microSD Express is an advanced version of microSD that uses PCIe and NVMe interfaces similar to high-end SSD storage solutions to achieve significantly faster transfer speeds of up to 985MB/s.This storage format was first released by the SD Association in 2019, and since then, several brands have developed cards with guaranteed minimum speeds of 150MB/s, 300MB/s, 450MB/s, or 600MB/s, as indicated by the “E” symbol on the card label. These cards, however, have not seen wide usage until recently, when Nintendo announced plans to use them for expanded storage in the upcoming Switch 2.On the other hand, a microSD card is a small, removable storage device that has been widely used in smartphones, tablets, cameras, and gaming consoles. Originally launched in 2005, the format has evolved into SDHC, SDXC, and SDUC variants, with capacities up to 2TB.These cards use the SD interface and are classified based on speed. Most consumer devices today support UHS-I cards, with read speeds up to 100MB/s. Less common UHS-II and UHS-III cards can reach speeds of up to 300MB/s and 600MB/s, respectively.

Speed and performance

The obvious advantage of microSD Express over microSD is transfer speed. Its interfaces enable faster write speeds, allowing for seamless recording and quicker file transfers. Another key benefit is reduced latency, thanks to NVMe technology.Unlike traditional microSD cards, which rely on older interfaces, microSD Express offers lower response times when accessing data. This leads to faster system responsiveness, especially when opening large files, running applications, or switching between stored media.

Backward compatibility concerns

One major drawback of microSD Express is its lack of full backward compatibility. If you use a microSD Express card in an older device with a traditional microSD slot, the transfer speed drops to UHS-I levels, which can be disappointing. In addition, devices made for microSD Express are exclusive, meaning regular microSD cards will not work in them.This compatibility issue is clear with the Nintendo Switch 2, which only supports microSD Express cards. Users now need to purchase new storage solutions, even if they have plenty of data on older microSD cards from previous Switch models. This shift has caused frustration among users who expected backward compatibility to be preserved.

Use cases and adoption

microSD Express cards are not designed for all use cases. If you mainly store regular photos and videos on mobile phones or cameras, a standard microSD card will do just fine.microSD Express shines in scenarios where high-speed data transfer is critical, with one key example being gaming.Games are data-intensive, and faster read/write speeds reduce load times, improve performance, and make gameplay smoother. This is likely a key reason why the Nintendo Switch 2 adopted microSD Express.Standard microSD cards often struggle with large files, leading to dropped frames or slow transfers when dealing with high data rates, such as 4K or 8K video. This makes microSD Express especially valuable for filmmakers and content creators.

Cost and availability

That all said, getting a microSD Express card isn’t easy. Few brands currently produce them, and availability may be limited in some regions.Also, because the technology is still developing and uses more advanced components, microSD Express cards tend to be more expensive. For example, a 1TB microSD Express card from Lexar costs around $200, while a standard 1TB microSD card from the same brand is priced under $70.

Should you upgrade to microSD Express?

Whether to switch to microSD Express depends on your needs and device compatibility. If your device requires it, like the Nintendo Switch 2, then upgrading is necessary. But if your device only supports standard microSD cards, there’s little benefit, as speeds will drop by almost 90%. That said, if low latency is a priority, it may still be worth considering.For general users who want affordable storage for smartphones, cameras, or other devices, traditional microSD cards remain a practical choice. Professionals working with high-speed applications, may find microSD Express to be a worthwhile investment.

Future of microSD Express

Portable computing devices, including laptops, tablets, and handheld gaming PCs, now use high-grade hardware and often rely on expandable storage for larger apps and media. For example, some mobile phones and cameras can now record in 8K, which puts a lot of pressure on storage performance.A one-minute 8K video can be as large as 20GB. Saving this to a regular microSD card could take around four minutes, while a microSD Express card could do it in about 30 seconds. That is a significant difference that could drive the adoption of microSD Express.Still, the future of microSD Express really depends on how many device manufacturers choose to support it. If more consoles, cameras, and portable devices integrate the format, prices may come down and the market could expand.

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Nvidia's unannounced RTX 5060 Ti has a benchmark leak revealing its performance leap over the RTX 4060 TiIt is reportedly up to 14% faster using the Vulkan graphics rendering APIIt's expected to be cheaper than its predecessor but may face inflation considering the current GPU market trend

We're still awaiting an official announcement of Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti GPU, which has had several rumors and leaks crop up recently. However, a new leak has given us fresh insight into expectations regarding its performance.As highlighted by Wccftech, a new Geekbench 6 leak indicates that the RTX 5060 Ti is up to 14% faster than its predecessor, the RTX 4060 Ti. These benchmarks were done in both OpenCL and Vulkan: the latter is a popular graphics rendering API used across several games, and the upcoming Blackwell GPU scored an impressive 140,147 points using it.As evident in the benchmark results, the RTX 4060 Ti scored 122,534 points in Vulkan, making its successor 13% faster - and while this may not be a significant margin, the new GPU is purported to be the cheaper option with both 16GB and 8GB models.It's also worth noting that all RTX 5000 series GPUs have the advantage of Nvidia’s new Multi-Frame Generation over the previous gen, granting a better frame interpolation (additional AI-generated frames in between original rendered frames) experience. It certainly isn't perfect, especially with recent driver complications, but the feature will come in handy for gamers once all is back in shape again.The rumored 16GB VRAM capacity may be a baffling one: the RTX 5070 (which is the higher tier GPU) offers 12GB of VRAM with a 192-bit memory bus, while the RTX 5060 Ti, is expected to have 16GB of VRAM with a 128-bit memory bus. It's total speculation, but the VRAM differences could be due to the memory bus differences, with the RTX 5070's 192-bit memory bus having much better memory bandwidth and therefore being able to manage with only 12GB of VRAM.However, none of these rumors will change the fact that the GPU market is arguably in its worst state ever. So, even if the RTX 5060 Ti ends up cheaper than its predecessor, there's no guarantee it will stay at retail price.

(Image credit: Nvidia)

None of this will be relevant, if the RTX 5060 Ti can't stay at launch price

Regardless of its potential performance leap over its previous gen counterpart, the price of the RTX 5060 Ti will be the dealbreaker for many budget gamers: I'm not only referring to its launch price - and I'm hoping the rumored $429 / around £330 / around AU$687 is accurate - but the price of third-party partner cards sold across multiple retailers.Both Nvidia’s and AMD's new GPU lineups have been met with heavy scrutiny, as nearly none of these GPUs are available to purchase at retail price. This had been happening long before Trump's latest tariffs came into effect, due to low stock and high demand - so the chances of this trend continuing with the RTX 5060 Ti are very high.It may turn out to be far worse if Nvidia doesn't have a reference card planned for the new GPU: the RTX 5070 Ti notably doesn't have a Founders Edition model, which are cards that are designed and sold directly from Team Green, and it means consumers must rely on third-party retailers selling third-party models. A repeat of this is a potentially dangerous move in a GPU climate where scalpers and inflation are at their worst.We're supposedly a few weeks away from an official reveal and launch, so we may have our answers sooner rather than later… I just hope Nvidia doesn’t blow this one, because PC gamers are sorely in need of some sensibly-priced solutions.

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A pair of studies analyzing the effects of AI on our planet have been released and the news is fairly grim. Greenpeace studied the emissions generated from the production of the semiconductors used in AI chips and found that there was a fourfold increase in 2024. This analysis was completed using publicly available data.

Greenpeace

Many of the big chipmakers like NVIDIA rely on companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and SK Hynix Inc. for the components of GPUs and memory units. Most of this manufacturing happens in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, where power grids are primarily reliant on fossil fuels. This accounts for some of the increase in global emissions. The organization also says that global electricity requirements for AI could experience a 170-fold increase by 2030.

Greenpeace

Greenpeace’s estimates have led some to worry that the AI race could derail global decarbonization goals, according to a report by Bloomberg. The nonprofit recommends that governments in eastern Asia transition to renewable power for chip manufacturing, but the opposite seems to be happening. South Korea recently announced plans to build plants for four gigawatts of gas-fired power generation. Taiwan has used the increased power demand related to AI as an excuse to expand liquid natural gas projects and grid infrastructure.

Another study by The International Energy Agency (IEA) took a look at the US. The analysis suggested that power consumption by AI-adjacent data centers could account for half of the growth in electricity demand by 2030. As a matter of fact, the US economy could be on track to consume more electricity for processing data than for manufacturing all energy-intensive goods combined. This includes aluminum, steel, cement and chemicals.

IEA

Electricity demand from global data centers could more than double by 2030 to around 945 terawatt-hours (TWh). That’s more than the entire electricity consumption of Japan. It’s a whopping 30 times more than the electricity consumption of Ireland.

Proponents of AI say that the massive energy needs will eventually abate as the technology leads to scientific discoveries that accelerate innovation in fields like batteries and solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. However, that’s a big fat maybe.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/global-emissions-due-to-ai-related-chipmaking-grew-more-than-four-times-in-2024-160304017.html?src=rss

You might already have a good idea of which smartphone you want to be your next one. But there are more solid options available now than ever before, making the decision not as cut-and-dry as it used to be. While the decision is a bit easier if you know you want an iPhone, there's even enough variation between those new models that you may have to think about it longer than you anticipated. If you’re an Android person, you have even more options to choose from — including foldables — and more questions to answer before you spend any money.At Engadget, we review phones regularly and have tested dozens over the years. Whether you’ve had your eye on one of our current top picks, one of Samsung's Galaxy S25 phones, a cheap phone or another device, we’re here to help you decide which is the best phone to buy this year.

Android or iOS?

When you're searching for the best smartphone, it becomes clear that each OS has its pros and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it super easy to share data between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off phone calls or music from one device to another. At the same time, you’re effectively locked in, as services like Apple Messages aren’t available on other platforms.

As for Android, there’s a much wider range of handsets from companies like Google, Samsung, Sony and more. However, Android phones don’t enjoy that same length of software support and often have lower trade-in values. In short, there’s no wrong answer. However, you will want to consider how your phone will fit in with the rest of your devices. So unless you’re really fed up with one OS and willing to learn another, it probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone (or vice versa) – especially if everyone else in your household is using the same platform.

Cameras

Since your cell phone often pulls double duty as your primary camera, figuring out what kind of photo tools you want is key. Nowadays, practically every mobile phone can take a great picture in bright light. But if you want a long optical zoom, you’ll probably have to upgrade to a more expensive device.

Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Mid-range phones often only have two rear cameras (a primary wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide camera) and can sometimes struggle in low-light situations. Each phone maker also has various features that might be a better fit for your style, with Apple offering four different color presets on the latest iPhones, while Google’s Pixel 9 Pro comes with neat tools like dedicated long exposure and Action Pan modes.

Will you get mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7?

The good news is that in 2025, most phones have at least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and support for some kind of 5G connectivity. However, if you want the fastest wireless speeds possible, it’s going to cost you a little extra. For example, on certain networks, mmWave 5G offers up to gigabit download speeds, less latency and better bandwidth. But mmWave 5G also requires more sophisticated (and pricier) modems, which means support for it is often missing on less expensive devices.

On the bright side, mmWave 5G isn’t as widely available as other versions of 5G, so depending on where you live and what network you’re on, you may not be missing out on much right now if you buy a phone that doesn’t support it. It’s a similar situation for Wi-Fi 7, which is available on some high-end handsets like the Galaxy S25, but harder to find on cheaper devices. Wi-Fi 7 also requires you to have a compatible router, so unless you know you need it or have a specific use case in mind, the lack of support for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when looking for a new phone.

Other features to consider

Because not everyone agrees on what makes the best phone, you should think about any other specs that might be extra important for you. Mobile gamers will almost certainly appreciate the 120Hz refresh rates you get on phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Alternatively, if long battery life is important, you’ll probably want to go with a larger iPhone or an Android phone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in size. Meanwhile, if you find yourself juggling a lot of devices, it can be really nice to have a phone that supports reverse wireless charging, which on Samsung phones even lets you recharge the company’s Galaxy Watches.

Other smartphones we've tested

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Like its predecessor, the S25 Ultra is an incredibly versatile phone. It’s one of the few handsets that come with an included stylus and premium features like a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED display, titanium frame and a 5x telephoto camera. It also has excellent performance and strong battery life. The issue is that, aside from improved AI, this year’s phone doesn’t offer that much more than the previous model (or the one before that), and with prices starting at $1,300, we feel it needs to do more to earn a top pick spot.

OnePlus 13

While the OnePlus 13 features some basic AI features like Google’s Circle to Search and Gemini assistant, it’s really just an old-fashioned flagship in all the best ways. That’s because instead of focusing on machine learning, OnePlus crammed the phone with tons of top-notch hardware. It sports a 6.8-inch OLED display with an incredible peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits. The OP13 also offers excellent performance thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, along with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. There are also three 50-MP rear cameras including one with a 3x telephoto zoom and a massive 6,000 mAh battery that’s bigger than what you get in practically all of its competitors.

OnePlus didn’t skimp on the phone’s design either, as the OP13 still comes with the company’s signature Alert Slider. Plus, if you opt for the blue or white variants, you’ll get a durable and very touchable vegan leather back that helps the phone stand out among all its glass brick rivals. But the best part is that starting at $900, it costs less than an equivalent Galaxy S25+ too.

FAQs

How do I know which smartphone is the best for me?

While choosing the best smartphone can be challenging, it mostly comes down to how you plan on using the device. All of the best phones available now get the basics right — you’ll be able to make calls, text and access the internet without many hiccups. If your smartphone is your most used gadget, you may want to consider paying for a device on the higher end of the price spectrum. That will get you better overall performance, higher-quality cameras and a phone that will last for many years. If you don’t use your phone for everything, you may be able to compromise on performance and extra perks and spend less on a still-capable handset.

How much is a smartphone?

Smartphones range in price from $300 to over $1,500. The best budget phones available now will usually compromise on overall performance, design, camera prowess and extra features to keep costs down. On the flip side, the most expensive phones will have powerful processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most people will find a phone that fits their needs somewhere in the middle of that wide price range — we’ve found that most of the best smartphones available right now cost between $500 and $1,000.

What can you do on a smartphone?

Smartphones are essentially small, portable computers that let you do things like check email, browse social media, follow map directions, make contactless payments and more. This is all on top of the basics like making phone calls and texting, which we’ve come to expect in all modern cell phones. Smartphones have also mostly replaced compact cameras thanks to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the fact that most smartphones today as just as portable, if not more so, as compact cameras.

How long do smartphones last?

Smartphones can last years and people are holding on to their phones longer now than ever before. Software updates and battery life are two of the biggest factors that can affect phone longevity. Apple promises five years worth of software updates for its latest iPhones, and Google promises the same for its Pixel phones. Samsung phones will get four years worth of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your phone can deteriorate over time as you use and recharge your phone on a regular basis.

Recent updates

April 2025: Updated to include the Google Pixel 9a.

February 2025: Updated to include the iPhone 16e.

January 2025: Updated to include details about Samsung's latest Galaxy S-series phones.

September 2024: Updated to include the latest iPhone 16 models and a new midrange iPhone top pick.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-smartphones-140004900.html?src=rss

Amazon is running a sale on its Blink home security devices. Among the items that have seen a price drop is the Blink Video Doorbell, which is available for a record low of $30. That's half what you might otherwise pay for it.

The doorbell allows you to answer your door using your phone. You can see who rang your doorbell via a 1080p video stream (there's an infrared night vision mode) and chat to them using the two-way audio feature. You can also receive alerts when the Video Doorbell detects motion.

The Video Doorbell can operate wirelessly on two AA batteries (it comes with a pair). Alternatively, you can hook up the device to existing wiring and it can trigger your existing in-home chime when the button is pressed.

Wiring the Video Doorbell or pairing it with a Sync Module (which is sold separately) will allow you to use Alexa to answer your door or bring up a live view of what the camera sees. Other features include privacy settings and custom alerts. However, a paid Blink subscription is needed to save and share video clips on the cloud after a free 30-day trial.

The Blink sale also includes a discount on the Mini 2 camera, which is similarly half off. It can be yours for $20. The camera can operate as a plug-in chime for a connected Blink Video Doorbell. It's also our pick for the best budget security camera. Meanwhile, a bundle with the Outdoor 4 cam (our top pick for the best security camera for Alexa users), Video Doorbell and Mini 2 is $100, which is also half off.

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-blink-video-doorbell-is-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-of-30-162649933.html?src=rss

The absurdist romance sim Date Everything! has yet another release date. After two delays, creators Sassy Chap Games and Team17 said on Thursday that the cheeky sandbox dating game will launch on June 17.

Date Everything! is an appropriate title for a game that lets you woo human personifications of household objects. (Shut-ins, rejoice!) Each datable item offers three paths, determined through dialog branches: love, hate and friendship. So, for example, you can fall in love with your cabinet (the dashing Cabrizio), forge a friendship with your wisecracking water heater (Winnifred) or create a bitter rivalry with your wall (the Spartan-looking Wallace).

You can even encounter Doug, your (shirtless and jacked) sense of existential dread, who lurks in a dimly lit hallway.

Sassy Chap Games / Team17

The game offers multiple endings for each character, so it should provide plenty of replayability. It has 70,000 dialog lines and some recognizable actors on its cast list, including Felicia Day (Supernatural, Fallout) and Troy Baker (The Last of Us, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle).

After blowing past its previously planned release dates (October and February), Date Everything! is set to arrive on June 17. Assuming there aren't further delays, digital versions will be available that day for PC, Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with physical versions arriving sometime after that. There's no pricing info yet.

You can get a better sense of the game's surreal premise in the new trailer below.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/cheeky-household-object-romance-sim-date-everything-is-now-arriving-in-june-162554080.html?src=rss

Nintendo has now clarified that Switch 2 Edition cartridges will feature the full game and upgradesThere's still some uncertainty regarding DLCMy Nintendo Store customer service representatives have said Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition "will not include the paid DLCs"

Nintendo has confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will contain the full game and upgrades on the cartridge, but there's still uncertainty surrounding some downloadable content (DLC).Last week, a Nintendo customer service representative caused some confusion among fans following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct by informing one player that Switch 2 Edition games will be original Switch cartridges with a download code attached.Nintendo has now clarified that this is not the case and that enhanced games, like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, will feature the full game and upgrades on the Switch 2 Edition cartridge.In a statement to Vooks, a Nintendo spokesperson said, "Physical versions of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will include the original Nintendo Switch game and its upgrade pack all on the same game card (i.e. they are exclusively Nintendo Switch 2 game cards, with no download code). Alternatively, some publishers may release Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games as download codes in physical packaging, with no game card."Although we have confirmation on this aspect, there's still uncertainty surrounding DLC, specifically when it comes to Breath of the Wild and its expansion pass.As reported by GoNintendo, a My Nintendo Store customer service representative stated that the Breath of the Wild's Switch 2 Edition "is not going to include the Expansion Pass content", which includes The Master Trials and The Champion's Ballad.Another user on Reddit also shared a message from a different My Nintendo Store representative, which claimed something similar."This game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - My Nintendo Store will not include the paid DLCs. If you purchase the Switch 2 version in physical, it will arrive in the corresponding game box," the message read.We still don't have official confirmation from Nintendo, but it seems that, like with the Switch version, players will need to purchase the DLC packs again to play them on Switch 2.It's also unclear if this applies to all Switch 2 Edition games with DLC.The Nintendo Switch 2 officially launches on June 5, 2025, and will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.Pre-orders are now live in the UK, but Nintendo has announced that US pre-orders and Canada pre-orders have been delayed to "to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions."

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Amazon wants to add 80 new sites to its existing 600 US facilitiesThe plans could cost the company an estimated $15 billionTrump’s tariffs have impacted certain orders

Amazon is reportedly planning to invest a staggering $15 billion across no less than 80 new logistics facilities across the US in a bid to better serve both cities and rural areas as part of its expanding ecommerce business.According to a Bloomberg report (via Reuters), the company is planning to develop new delivery hubs, with some being large fulfillment centers equipped with state-of-the-art robots.Amazon is now inviting capital partners to submit proposals in what’s seen as welcome news amid ongoing tariff-induced economic uncertainty.

Amazon wants to spend $15bn on 80 US logistics facilities

When the world moved to remote and online habits during the pandemic, Amazon was believed to have overspent on retail infrastructure and staffing, leading to multiple rounds of layoffs. Between November 2022 and March 2023, Amazon laid off around 27,000 workers.Although its ecommerce buisness continues to grow, recent investments have largely focused on cloud and AI technologies, so it’s reassuring to see that the online retail giant is hasn’t given up on what it’s known best for by consumers.Speaking about the company’s fourth-quarter and year-end results, Jassy noted that Amazon had delivered its “fastest speeds ever” for Prime in 2024, with a 65% year-over-year increase in US orders delivered on the same day or overnight, thanks largely to its expansive network of logistics facilities and transportation resources.The company now has around 600 fulfillment centers in the US alone, but no timeline has been shared for the addition of another 80.Despite a positive outlook, it’s clear that Amazon isn’t immune from the ongoing trade war, having reportedly canceled numerous orders from China and other Asian countries over tariffs.TechRadar Pro has asked Amazon for more information on its $15 billion plans, but we did not receive an immediate response.

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Slocap’s next game Rematch will be available on June 19. It’ll cost $30 and will be playable on PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS5. The announcement was made at the The Triple-i Initiative indie showcase.

Rematch is a soccer title, which may seem surprising for the company that made the brawlers Sifu and Absolver. However, it looks to be an arcade-focused affair instead of a serious sim. There are both 5v5 and 4v4 matches and the action looks fast-paced.

There are no fouls, offsides or anything like that, as the title has been “designed for nonstop competitive play.” The game even has a Rocket League-style boundary wall, so the ball never goes out of play. Rematch offers a number of quickplay modes to get started with and a variety of backdrops for matches. There's even an underwater field.

Preorders are already online and there’s an open beta set to kick off (get it?) on April 18. Players can register for this two-day event right now. There are also a couple of other editions of the game that cost extra. The Pro Edition costs $40, but allows people to play the game a few days early and offers cosmetic and gameplay upgrades. The Elite Edition includes the contents of the Pro Edition, but offers even more upgrades. These include sneakers to “give your footwork the dazzle it deserves." This version costs $50.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/sifu-devs-soccer-game-rematch-arrives-june-19-170031959.html?src=rss

So far there haven’t been many Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 colors leaks, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have an idea of what to expect, as Samsung tends to return to certain shades time and again.Below then, you’ll find the colors we’ve so far heard rumored for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, along with some others that we think are likely to be offered.Make sure to check back soon too, as we’ll be sure to update this article any time we hear anything new about Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 colors.

Black

A leaked image of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Image credit: @OnLeaks / Android Headlines)

The one Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 color leak we’ve seen so far takes the form of renders shared by Android Headlines, that show the phone in black.It’s unclear whether this is actually a shade the publication has heard will be offered, or just one it chose to use for the renders, but either way, we’d say some form of black is very likely, as every single Z Fold model so far has been sold in a black shade.The exact shade of black differs, but some version of black will almost certainly be offered for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

White

A Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in White (Image credit: Samsung)

White is another shade we expect the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to be sold in, as while no leaks yet point to a white option, the last few models have come in either white or a white-adjacent shade, be that beige or cream.On top of which, white is simply a very popular and common smartphone shade, so while we’re less confident of this than black, we’d think there’s a good chance the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be sold in a white or off-white shade.

Silver / gray

A Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Silver Shadow (Image credit: Samsung)

As with white, silver and gray are both popular smartphone shades – particularly silver, so while neither have been mentioned for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 yet there’s a good chance one of them will be offered.We’re lumping them together here because they’re somewhat similar, and they’re both shades that Samsung has often sold Z Fold models in – including ‘Silver Shadow’ for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, a shade that’s basically a cross between silver and gray.And because they’re so similar, it’s probably unlikely that Samsung will offer both a silver and a gray shade.

Blue

A Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Navy (Image credit: Samsung)

Blue is a shade we’re less confident in than any of the colors above, simply because it’s a bit more unusual to see phones in blue. And as with everything except black, we also haven’t seen any rumors pointing to a blue Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 yet.But Samsung does seem to have a thing for blue, particularly in its Z Fold series. Last year there was navy blue, and the year before that there were actually two different blue shades.So, while we wouldn’t be at all surprised if there isn’t a blue option for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, we’d say there are reasonable odds that there will be.

A mystery shade

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: Future)

In recent years, Samsung’s numbered Galaxy Z Fold phones have been sold in five different shades, but as the numerically accomplished of you will no doubt have noticed, we’ve only mentioned four above. So even if all of those shades do make an appearance (and that’s a big ‘if'), we’d expect to see at least one more too.What that will be though is anyone’s guess right now, but we’ll update this article once we have a clearer idea.

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OpenAI’s certainly been on a roll with feature after feature and even new models – and if you thought the AI giant was going to take a break after it’s new image generation tech, you’re in for a surprise.Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to tease that a new feature is coming. The post reads: “a few times a year I wake up early and can't fall back asleep because we are launching a new feature I've been so excited about for so long. Today is one of those days!”It's certainly building up the hype and leading us to wonder what might be on the horizon. OpenAI typically launches mid-morning Pacific Time, which translates to early afternoon Eastern Time – so TechRadar is here to break down and unpack whatever Altman and the team are planning to show off today.Considering he said "new feature" though let's quickly note that we'd be very surprised if it's new model or an upgrade to o3 or o4. Altman even followed up saying just that, but noting it's a critical one that will impact "how AI will integrate in our lives."

So here's the original post on X that started the train of something new from OpenAI today.

a few times a year i wake up early and can't fall back asleep because we are launching a new feature ive been so excited about for so long.today is one of those days!April 10, 2025

Now just after 1PM ET as we predicted, Sam Altman has announced that OpenAI has "greatly improved memory in chatgpt"

we have greatly improved memory in chatgpt--it can now reference all your past conversations!this is a surprisingly great feature imo, and it points at something we are excited about: ai systems that get to know you over your life, and become extremely useful and personalized.April 10, 2025

Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian has said the company looks poised to go from strength to strength as the global demand for more AI technology continues unabated.Fresh from hosting the opening keynote at the company's Google Cloud Next 25 in Las Vegas, Kurian told a media Q&A session attended by TechRadar Pro about the latest challenges facing the business, as well as its myriad of successes."(AI) is simplifying technology itself," Kurian said in the session, "You have the same technology that runs Google, available to every small business...by simplifying the technology, you bring it to everybody."

"Extremely dynamic" tariff situation

"If you look at the highest level of what we're trying to do - it's relatively simple," Kurian noted, highlighting how Google Cloud has expanded its global footprint to cover 42 regions across the world, with more to come soon."Our success is reflected not by what we do, but what customers and partners do with our technology," he added."We are very well-positioned due to the breadth of our portfolio - but also because of the differentiation in what we're doing with AI."

(Image credit: Future / Mike Moore)

Asked about the possible effects of US tariffs on business around the world, Kurian replied with a smile that the tariff discussion is "an extremely dynamic one", and that Google Cloud has been through many cycles like this (most recently in the Covid crisis) and that he was confident the company will be able to navigate this period too."There's many, many things we do as a technology provider - we are working as a global company, within a geopolitical context, and our solution to that is to work with governments to adapt our technology to government regulations, so that customers can use it in different markets."Kurian was also asked about how Google Cloud plans to deal with the rising energy costs caused by the growth in demand for AI.Stating the company has done "a lot of work" over the past two years to "hugely reduce" the cost of training and inferencing of models, he noted the company will continue to optimize the cost of serving models while improving quality.Kurian added Google Cloud has more than seven times the water-cooled AI systems as the rest of the world combined, and was also working on implementing nuclear power and sustainable energy sources such as hydroelectric and solar."For us, it's really important that people see AI as being a technology that can also drive both efficiency in the consumption of energy, and also created new forms of energy because of the investments that we are making."

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DoorDash has started robot deliveries in Los Angeles and Chicago. This is thanks to a partnership with the company Coco Robotics. Eligible customers will be able to receive sidewalk deliveries sourced from over 600 participating merchants.

Coco robots have been making deliveries for DoorDash in Helsinki since late last year through its international sub-brand Wolt. DoorDash says that Coco robots completed over 100,000 deliveries during this initial pilot phase.

Robots take humans out of the delivery process, which is bad for gig workers, but this method is better for the environment. Coco robots are free from emissions. Harrison Shih, Senior Director of DoorDash Labs, says that “not every delivery needs a two-ton car just to deliver two chicken sandwiches.”

This is part of a larger push by DoorDash towards what it calls “multimodal” deliveries, which combines human workers, drones and autonomous robots to “meet increasing demand while lowering costs and emissions.” To that end, the company has partnered with Wing to provide drone deliveries in the US and Australia.

We’re expanding our partnership with @DoorDash to the United States! Kicking off in Christiansburg, Virginia, customers can now order @Wendys within the DoorDash app for speedy drone delivery. 🍔🍟#DroneDelivery #Wing #Wendys #DoorDash pic.twitter.com/QQr1qzZBvv— Wing (@Wing) March 21, 2024

DoorDash isn’t the only delivery company in town experimenting with robots. Grubhub recently started bringing delivery robots to college campuses and Uber Eats expanded autonomous deliveries to Japan.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/doordash-starts-robot-deliveries-in-la-and-chicago-172358704.html?src=rss

RTX 5090 with 32GB GDDR7 memory is far cheaper than the equivalent AI accelerator from Nvidia Several of them can be teamed together to support very large language models Crypto mining in the early 2020s caused prices of GPUs to spike, the same is likely to happen with AI

During the early 2020s, cryptomining was a driving force behind a lot of GPU shortages and inflated prices, as high-end graphics cards were snapped up in bulk to mine cryptocurrencies, leading to record pricing across multiple generations of GeForce GPUs.Nvidia attempted to address the issue by introducing mining limiters, but miners, naturally, found ways to bypass these, and retail prices remained well above the MSRP for long periods.History could well be about to repeat itself, but this time based around artificial intelligence demand rather than cryptocurrency. Videocardz (via I_Leak_VN) reports that a Vietnamese retailer called Nguyencongpc has started selling barebone AI servers equipped with seven GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards.

Mounting supply pressures

The setup, cooled by air and powered by a 2000W PSU, is designed to handle large AI workloads, including support for large language models.The RTX 5090, with its 32GB of GDDR7 memory, offers a blend of high performance and relatively low cost compared to Nvidia’s dedicated in-demand AI accelerators.When several are used in tandem, as is the case with the server Nguyencongpc is selling, they can match or exceed the memory capacity needed for enterprise-level AI applications - without the high price tag of the RTX Pro or H-series products.While you've got to admire the ingenuity on display here, the knock on will inevitably be mounting supply pressures.The RTX 5090 is already facing stock issues, and its price has climbed past $3000 in many markets, with some listings close to $4000. This mirrors the RTX 4090's trajectory, which driven by cryptomining, rarely dropped below MSRP and remained in high demand for non-gaming uses.With modders reportedly exploring ways to increase onboard memory even further, the RTX 5090 could follow the same path as its predecessors - designed for games, but monopolized by entirely different industries.Nvidia has yet to take steps to prevent system integrators or retailers from redirecting gaming GPUs toward AI markets and if it doesn't, gamers could well once again find themselves unable to purchase the latest graphics hardware at fair prices.

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