news,technology

Amazon sees itself as the world’s largest startupAggressive AI investments are key to future growthCEO Andy Jassy continues to advocate for in-person working

Emphasizing how aggressive investments into artificial intelligence can realize long-term financial gains, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy noted in his most recent shareholder letter that the ecommerce and cloud computing giant intends to spend over $100 billion on capital expenditure in 2025, with most of it going to AWS AI projects.He described the tech as a “once-in-a-lifetime reinvention of everything we know,” with promises to revolutionize everything from customer experiences to workplace productivity.The letter came around two months after the company posted its fourth-quarter and year-end financial results for 2024, with total revenue up 11% year-over-year to $638 billion.

Andy Jassy believes aggressive AI investment is the best plan for the future

Jassy noted that the “rapid rate of change in technology, customer habits, and new products” makes it hard for Amazon to deliver year after year on its core goal: “to be Earth’s most customer-centric company.”On a similar note to Shopify CEO Tobias Lutke’s recent comment about long-term learning, Jassy also advocated for leaders and workers to continue learning throughout their entire career.It’s not just aggressive investments that liken Amazon to some startups – the CEO highlighted how organized chaos can also create a more innovative environment. “[Tolerate] messy meetings,” he said… “You can’t book 60 minutes to invent Amazon Prime, or AWS.”Where Amazon might differ from smaller and more modern companies is in workforce agility and flexibility, because Amazon is notoriously pro-office-based working. In recent post-pandemic years, the company has pushed for a widespread return-to-office, and Jassy reiterated the purported increase in ad-hoc collaboration and brainstorming when workers are together.As his letter draws to a close, Jassy highlights seven traits that make Amazon similar in nature to startups: a focus on solving a real customer problem or meaningfully improving a customer experience; a need for ‘builders’ who dissect and improve; a desire for ‘owners’ who take responsibility; speed; relative team leanness; a willingness to take risks; and a commitment to deliver results for customers.

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Microsoft’s published a new article featuring Windows 11 tips that doubles as a prod to upgrade to the newer OSThe trouble is there’s a baffling selection of ‘strong’ points highlightedThere are some good reasons to upgrade to Windows 11, but none of them are presented by this document

In case you hadn’t noticed (unlikely), Microsoft wants Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 – if it’s at all possible and their PC fulfils the spec requirements for the newer operating system – and we’ve just caught wind of another attempt to prod folks to make that leap.This is a new article on Microsoft’s ‘Learning Center’ portal noticed by Neowin which is called ‘7 tips to get the most out of Windows 11,’ and is an effort to persuade Windows 10 holdouts.Microsoft begins the piece: “So, you’ve heard the buzz about Windows 11, but is it worth the upgrade? From productivity tools to sleek designs, Windows 11 is packed with features that make your life easier. If you’re still on Windows 10, now’s a good time to make the switch – especially with support for Windows 10 ending in October 2025.”Essentially, the idea appears to be that it’s a list of tips which double as strong points of Windows 11. So, buckle up, let’s take a look at this collection and see what we make of it.The initial tip is to ‘Make the Start Menu your own’ and it points out that it’s easy to customize said menu. Microsoft informs us: “You can pin your favorite apps, rearrange tiles, or even resize the whole thing to suit your vibe.” You can indeed, but highlighting the Start menu is an odd choice here, seeing as it’s a piece of Windows 11 that a lot of folks aren’t that happy with for one reason or another.Also, customization is relatively limited in some respects. For example, want to get rid of the ‘recommendations’ section? You can’t – but to be fair, this ability might be inbound in a major redesign for the Start menu, so Microsoft appears to be listening to feedback, thankfully.Then we have a couple of tips for rather niche features. The second point is to use snap layouts, which consist of multiple apps ‘snapped’ or fitted neatly together to enable them to be viewed simultaneously across your monitor screen. They’re a nice idea, but really something that you’ll use, or you won’t – and there are a good many folks in the latter category. The third tip, to use virtual desktops to keep, say, your work life and personal desktop separate, is something that the majority of Windows users won’t ever go near.Then we’re told widgets are great – hmm, some folks might enjoy them, but again, they’re more of a minority thing, albeit a feature Microsoft seems unhealthily obsessed with – and we’re reminded that you can use focus sessions for better productivity (once more, most people won’t, though).Tip six points out that you can use Windows Hello for login (you can on Windows 10, too, though to be fair, the feature is enhanced on Windows 11), and Microsoft’s final tip is to use dark mode (again, this is present on Windows 10, albeit the implementation is better on the newer OS once more).

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Analysis: Some odd choices indeed

Overall, this represents an odd collection of tips and possible reasons to hop on the Windows 11 train. There are certainly more compelling arguments to take the plunge with Microsoft’s newest OS, including better security under-the-hood for starters, and smoother overall performance compared to Windows 10.Indeed, there are some neat features for PC gamers, such as Auto HDR mode, or DirectStorage for speeding up games considerably (where it’s supported, and that’ll eventually be a much wider array of titles).Or what about some of the great accessibility features that Windows 11 has introduced? Or the new AI features that’ve been drafted in (some of which are for Copilot+ PCs only, admittedly, but not all of them).Microsoft’s article fails miserably in terms of the meat here to persuade people to pull the upgrade trigger, and even rather falls flat when it comes to pointing out the bits of Windows 11 that you really need to know about for those who’ve just installed the OS and need some initial tips to help find their way around.Of course, with Windows 10’s End of Life now looming very large, you’re going to have to examine the realities of a Windows 11 upgrade before long, anyway – that or the alternatives such as paying to maintain Windows 10 support for another year through to October 2026.

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Windows 11 users are getting fixes for some longstanding bugs in 24H2 today, including the cure for a seriously annoying File Explorer glitchWindows 11 is getting a very handy change to the taskbar, as Microsoft takes a leaf from Apple’s Mac playbookMicrosoft looks to be making a big change to how you install and log in to Windows 11 – and I’m not happy about it at all

Tesla has started selling its much-awaited RWD Cybertruck but it'll cost a cool $10K more than originally promised and be missing some key figures from the AWD version. However, the $69,990 Long Range model will have 350 miles of range, 100 more than Tesla stated when it first unveiled the polarizing pickup EV. The new model arrives with Tesla reportedly facing anemic Cybertruck sales and a recent backlash against the automaker and its CEO Elon Musk.

The Long Range Cybertruck is now the cheapest version of that model, but it's a far cry from the $40,000 price tag Musk promised back in 2019. It's missing a few key features like the rear power tonneau that covers the bed, with the configurator only offering a "soft tonneau" for the model. Also gone are the adaptive suspension, rear lightbar, backseat screen and bed outlets that were much-touted feature at launch.

It is $10,000 cheaper than the AWD version and offers 25 extra miles of range. However, $70,000 is a lot of money for a RWD pickup truck with a cloth interior, given that you can buy a well-equipped Ford F-150 or an extended-range F-150 Lightning for around the same price.

The Cybertruck has been much derided, but Tesla also failed to deliver it with the promised price and specs. The company at one point boasted over a million reservations for the pickup but has only sold around 50,000 units and reportedly isn't even accepting trade-ins itself for the model. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/teslas-70000-rwd-cybertruck-arrives-with-some-key-features-removed-120044840.html?src=rss

ChatGPT's next big upgrade could arrive next weekGPT-4.1 would be the successor to 4oJust yesterday, Sam Altman announced major memory upgrades coming to the chatbot

The next generation of OpenAI's GPT models could launch as soon as next week, with a new report hinting at the arrival of ChatGPT 4.1 to replace 4o.An exclusive from The Verge reveals sources close to OpenAI have confirmed that the next major ChatGPT release is just around the corner. The report claims "one source describes [the new model] as a revamped version of OpenAI’s GPT-4o multimodal model."The source claims OpenAI will launch "GPT-4.1 alongside smaller GPT-4.1 mini and nano versions as soon as next week." This release would mark a major step forward for ChatGPT.Over the last few months, Google Gemini and DeepSeek have continuously improved, closing the gap with OpenAI's flagship model. You'd expect these new models to propel OpenAI back to the top spot.AI engineer Tibor Blaho found code in the new ChatGPT web app version mentioning "o4-mini", "o4-mini-high" and "o3" which would imply the new GPT models are likely to arrive very soon.Just yesterday, OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, announced major memory upgrades coming to ChatGPT which means the AI chatbot can remember every conversation it has with a user.This upgrade, which is likely to be part of any new GPT means ChatGPT can now take that next step to becoming your personal assistant. Whether that's referencing previous conversations or the AI having full awareness of your past interactions, a new memory upgrade is a major improvement coming to 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

What's in a name?

The name of the incoming update is not confirmed, although The Verge believes it will be called GPT 4.1.If OpenAI goes down the 4.1 route, it will continue to make the AI giant's model naming scheme incredibly convoluted. At the end of last year, OpenAI mentioned that the company hoped to create an all-encompassing model in the future, which would not require the user to select between models.If ChatGPT 4.1 releases next week, we'd really be hoping to see that all-encompassing model sooner rather than later, as trying to explain the differences between 4.1, 4.5, and o3 would start to get very complicated indeed.Naming aside, a new OpenAI AI model is a huge deal, and if these sources are correct and we see a new launch in the next week or so, it could be another major step towards the AI future these tech CEOs are pursuing.

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As it said it would do earlier this year, Google has laid off hundreds of employees from its Platforms and Devices division, The Information reported. That part of the company, which employs over 25,000 people, houses its Pixel phones and smartwatches, Nest devices, the Android and ChromeOS platforms and Chrome browser. In January, Google offered buyouts to let them leave as part of a "voluntary exit plan."

"Since combining the platforms and devices teams last year, we've focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively and this included making some job reductions in addition to the voluntary exit program that we offered in January," a Google spokesperson told The Information.

The Platform and Devices group was formed in April 2024 as a merger of two units, Platforms and Ecosystems and Devices and Services, with SVP Rick Osterloh put in charge. In January, he told employees that the buyouts were available "for those struggling to meet the demands of their role or those unhappy with the company's hybrid work setup." The decision to offer buyouts rather than immediately laying off workers was reportedly prompted by employee complaints over previous layoffs.

Meta also announced layoffs in January, and tech firms have been steadily laying off workers over the past couple of years. An exception to that has been in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) which has conversely faced a shortage of skilled employees. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-lays-off-hundreds-of-people-from-inside-its-platform-and-devices-division-122328196.html?src=rss

Security cameras can help you keep an eye on your home when you're away, but systems can get complicated quickly. Blink security cameras are some of the easiest security cameras to use that we've tested, and now you can save on a bunch of them at Amazon. Key among them is the Blink Mini 2 for only $20, which is half off its usual price.

The Blink Mini 2 offers a great device for the price. It's easy to set up and can be used outside (with a separately purchased water-resistant power adapter). It also has a 1080p HD live view with a built-in spotlight and night vision in color.

If you're in need of multiple Blink Mini 2 cameras then you can take advantage of multi-pack deals. Right now, the two-pack of Blink Mini 2s is down to $38 from $70 — a 46 percent sale. A trio of the cameras is 45 percent off, down to $55 from $100.

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-mini-2-security-camera-is-on-sale-for-only-20-125338066.html?src=rss

Lucid Motors has announced that it's acquiring certain facilities in Arizona owned by Nikola, an EV truck maker that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection back in February. It will also offer more than 300 former Nikola employees jobs across its facilities in the state, including roles in engineering, software, assembly, vehicle testing and warehouse support. Lucid says that most of the space it's buying is comprised of state-of-the-art manufacturing and warehousing buildings. It's also getting the equipment inside those buildings, such as Nikola's battery and environmental testing chambers, machining equipment and a full-size chassis dynamometer, among others.

Nikola, which was founded in 2015, used those facilities as its factory, headquarters and development center for zero-emission heavy trucks. When it announced its bankruptcy in February, the company also said that it was going to sell off its assets. Lucid didn't say how much it's paying for the purchase, but the deal is valued at $30 million in cash and non-cash considerations, according to Electrek. The acquisition is part of Lucid's planned expansion in Arizona, but it still has to be approved by the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

"As we continue our production ramp of Lucid Gravity and prepare for our upcoming midsize platform vehicles, acquiring these assets is an opportunity to strategically expand our manufacturing, warehousing, testing, and development facilities while supporting our local Arizona community," said Marc Winterhoff, Interim CEO at Lucid. The company launched its electric SUV, Gravity, 2024. At the moment, only the $94,000 Grand Touring trim is available, but Lucid plans to start production for the $79,900 Touring model sometime this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lucid-to-buy-nikolas-arizona-ev-facilities-after-the-latters-bankruptcy-123027329.html?src=rss

Visual Suite 2.0 brings lots of new AI features to CanvaCanva Sheets sits somewhere between a spreadsheet app and a project managerYou can build your own custom, interactive mini-apps with Canva Code and Anthropic

In a bid to maintain its market share of the creative market amid increased pressure from Adobe, which has bid big on artificial intelligence, Canva has announced a series of upgrades to enhance worker efficiency.With the Canva AI Assistant, users can generate images, copy and design ideas to set them off in the right direction, with document and mock-up creation handled by the assistant.AI’s utility deepens with the launch of Canva Code, via a partnership with Claude-maker Anthropic, because users can also create their own min-apps like maps and calculators without extensive coding or development knowledge.

Canva launches more powerful AI tools

Canva co-founder and CEO Melanie Perkins shared an overview of all the new features in a blog post, noting the company’s goal to make design “simple, joyful, collaborative, and truly accessible.” The self-proclaimed “biggest product launch yet” comes in the form of Visual Suite 2.0, which promises to bring together all use cases such as presentations, videos, whiteboards and websites into one new format.Among the key launches is Canva Sheets, a new spreadsheet template that sits somewhere between being a conventional spreadsheet for quantitative data and a project management app. Magic Insights and Magic Formulas use AI to “do the heavy lifting for you,” and the integration with the rest of Visual Suite 2.0 makes it easy to link to other content.Boasting about the more than 16 billion times users have access Canva Magic Studio, Perkins shared some other handy AI enhancements, such as a text-filling Magic Write tool and Magic Resize for creating images in different aspect ratios for social media campaigns.Adding even more functionality into the creative suite, Canva Code allows users to use natural language prompts to describe ideas for interactive elements, which are then built automatically without the need for any hardcore programming.Visual Suite 2.0 is now available to try from the Canva homepage.

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Microsoft is gradually rolling out new preview features to Windows Insiders, including Recall, which has been the target of critics' security and privacy concerns since it was announced. It was originally supposed to be a preview experience that's broadly available to all Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs when the first batch of AI-assisted devices hit the market in June last year. But Microsoft pushed back its release to ensure the feature was truly secure. It delayed the tool's rollout yet again in October 2024 to "refine the experience before previewing it with Windows Insiders."

Recall lets you quickly jump back to whatever you previously had open on your screen, whether it's a web page, an image, a document, an email or a chat thread. It works by regularly taking screenshots of your activity in the background, which it then saves into a searchable database. If you want to go back to a particular task you were doing in the past, you can either browse through the screenshots in the tool's timeline and choose one or type a query in the search bar of its interface with a description of what you're looking for using natural language.

Due to the privacy and security concerns around Recall, Microsoft made it an opt-in feature. You'll have to explicitly enable it, and you'll have to verify your identity with a Windows Hello authentication method before you can access your snapshots. Further, you can delete any snapshot you want, and you can pause saving them anytime. As The Verge notes, Microsoft previously made Recall available to a smaller number of test users, but releasing it to all Insiders brings it one step closer to a wide release.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/microsoft-is-rolling-out-its-controversial-recall-feature-to-windows-insiders-130003854.html?src=rss

QR code phishing is on the riseThese attacks claimed over 1,300 victims in 2024Cybercriminals are disguising their QR codes as legitimate payment methods

A relatively new cyber threat, “Quishing”, or QR code phishing is claiming more victims in the UK than ever, with Action Fraud receiving 1,386 reports of incidents last year, a serious increase from 2019 where 100 attacks were recorded, the BBC reports.These are especially prevalent in “contactless payment hotspots” like parking meters and restaurant menus, where criminals will stick their own malicious QR code over an existing legitimate QR code.Victims of these scams are urged to scan a malicious QR code using their phones, and then redirected to websites controlled by criminals, and are prompted to hand over their financial information by a fake payment page, or malware is deployed to their device.

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Caution is key

These attacks are difficult to spot even after the fact, as criminals often take smaller amounts but more frequently, disguising the payments as legitimate-looking subscriptions or parking charges for example - which fly under the radar and aren’t always reported.“QR codes were designed to make things more convenient but threat actors have taken advantage of this and cleverly made cloned and fake sites that look authentic at the end of a click,” comments Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity advisor at ESET.“QR scams can often be difficult to protect against as there is very little that immediately meets the eye to make the user aware of anything fraudulent. It can be difficult to tell these codes apart especially when the link that the QR code generates doesn’t look any different to what you may expect such as a parking payment website.”As with all social engineering attacks, the key to staying safe is staying vigilant. Only scan QR codes you are 100% certain are safe, and never hand out your payment information to an unverified source.

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Audeze LCD-S20 are its cheapest planar magnetic headphonesClosed-back, with SLAM tech for big bassAvailable from May 2025, for £499 / $499 (about AU$1,045)

There are two things I know to be true: planar magnetic headphones sound fantastic, and planar magnetic headphones are often terrifyingly expensive. But the newly announced LCD-S20 headphones from Audeze are a fraction of the price of the same firm's flagship cans, at a mere £499 / $499 / about AU$1,045.That's still high-priced among the best wired headphones, but these could be excellent: we've reviewed Audeze's planar magnetic gaming headphones, the Audeze LCD-X, and thought they were phenomenal (and heavy, something of an Audeze tradition: these new headphones are 550g).We said that "The LCD-X goes toe to toe with some of the best dynamic driver headphones on the market without breaking a sweat." So I'm intrigued by the new LCD-S20, which promise similar sonics for considerably less cash.

Audeze's headphones promise serious sound for people with strong necks: they're 550g (Image credit: Audeze)

Audeze LCD-S20: key features

The Audeze LCD-S20 headphones are closed-back models, meaning they'll passively block out some outside sound, and they're the first planar headphones to get Audeze's SLAM technology. That's short for Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator and we first saw it in the flagship – and nearly $6K / £4.5K – CRBN2 electrostatic headphones last year.SLAM uses finely tuned acoustic channels to deliver more linear diaphragm movement, and according to Audeze that means significantly improved and more accurate bass as well as better imaging. The promise here is something closer to open-back sonics with closed-back isolation.The drivers are 90mm and feature a trio of Audaze technologies: Fluxor magnets, Fazor waveguides and Uniforce voice coils that "deliver the accurate, ultra-low distortion sound quality that Audeze is known for."The chassis is based on the one from the Maxwell headset and features a spring-steel headband, forged aluminum yolks and high-strength glass-infused nylon parts.The LCD-S20 is the first Audeze headphone with a new magnetic earpad attachment system that enables you to quickly and easily swap or replace the earpads. And the cable is detachable and swappable between left and right to suit your setup.They're out in May 2025, and we can't wait to compare them to the best over-ear headphones – we love a planar.

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Wix introduced Astro, a new AI chatbotThe tool is designed to track and optimize websites, and moreIt is available for English users right now

Wix, one of the best website builders on the market, has just launched a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) business assistant, designed to track and optimize websites, create new content, expand business, and more. The AI tool, called Astro, boasts “hundreds” of different skills and capabilities, with more being added every day.“Astro seamlessly integrates powerful capabilities into a single interface, making it easier than ever for users to manage their businesses efficiently,” said Guy Sopher, Head of the AI Platform Group at Wix. “With this being the largest collection of skills we’ve ever incorporated into a single assistant at Wix, boasting hundreds of different skills and capabilities, with more added every day, Astro acts as a trusted guide, and provides real-time insights and personalized recommendations to help users optimize their sites.”With Astro, users will be able to query and perform different business and back-office tasks through conversational input.

Available now

In a press release shared with TechRadar Pro earlier this week, Wix explained the different capabilities of the business assistant, including data-driven insights and optimization (users can track their site’s performance and analyze visitor behavior), content creation (users can generate and manage blogs, media, email marketing, and social copy), business expansions (by adding new products, exploring dropshipping options, and more), and seamless subscription and permission management (users can manage premium plans, personalized recommendations, and more).At first, the tool will be available for Wix and Wix Studio users in English, with a “gradual” rollout for other languages.The company also said that Astro will be the first in a series of agents planned to be rolled out to Wix users, “setting the stage for enhanced productivity and providing more opportunities to monetize and grow their businesses.”Wix has been adding AI assistants to different parts of its offering for a while now, including the AI theme assistant, a virtual agent for customers, and the Business Launcher.

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Google is offering the US government a “temporary” 71% discountGemini was the first AI assistant to get FedRAMP High Authorization$2 billion in savings, a 99% uptime SLA, interoperability and more are promised

Google has revealed plans to shatter Microsoft’s dominance when it comes to being the main software provider for the US government by introducing significant discounts to become more competitive.Google Workspace is now being offered to all federal agencies at a huge 71% discount via a government-wide deal, Tony Orlando, GM Specialty Sales for Google Public Sector, confirmed in a blog post.“Government agencies rely on IT providers to provide secure, compliant, and efficient technology to help complete their vital missions,” Orlando wrote.

Google Workspace now 71% cheaper for US government agencies

Orlando confirmed that “Workspace is a FedRAMP High authorized communication and collaboration platform,” combining popular apps like Drive, Docs and Meet with more modern developments like Gemini AI and enhanced collaboration. Gemini was also the first AI assistant to receive FedRAMP High Authorization.Google already supports “hundreds of thousands” of workers from across the Department of Energy and the Air Force Research Laboratory with its software, and it hopes to be able to attract more users away from Microsoft’s ecosystem.The company reckons Federal agencies could save up to $2 billion over three years with government-wide adoption, and although the comparison is not cited, it’s possible that this is a dig to current Microsoft contracts.The 71% discount across Google Workspace Enterprise Plus and Assured Controls Plus is seen as a temporary discount to coincide with Trump’s desire for the government to be treated as a single buyer through the centralization of IT contracts and purchasing.Speaking about the benefits of Google Workspace, Orlando noted strong security, a 99% uptime SLA, excellent interoperability, AI-enhanced productivity and new efficiencies.

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The next time you conclude a conversation with ChatGPT, it will save what you said to memory, even if you don't ask it explicitly to do so. "We have greatly improved memory in chatgpt — it can now reference all your past conversations!" OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote on Thursday in an X post spotted by The Verge. "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."

OpenAI has been working on improving ChatGPT's memory since 2023 when the company began testing custom instructions, a feature that allows users to set preferences that ChatGPT will consider in future conversations. For example, you can tell the chat bot you have a family of four, and it will remember that detail when you ask for it dinner recipes. At the start of last year, OpenAI began allowing users to tell ChatGPT to remember specific details from chats. With this latest update, ChatGPT will remember both you tell it to and insights it gleans from your conversations.

"The more you use ChatGPT, the more useful it becomes. New conversations build upon what it already knows about you to make smoother, more tailored interactions over time," OpenAI says of the feature. The company is currently rolling out the update to users of its $200 per month Pro plan and $20 per month Plus tier. Team, Enterprise and Edu users can expect to gain access "in a few weeks." OpenAI did not say when it would roll out the update to free users.

If you don't want ChatGPT to save your conversations with it, you can disable the feature through the settings menu. "If you’ve already opted out of memory, ChatGPT won’t reference past conversations by default," says OpenAI. You can also use the Temporary Chat feature on a case by case basis for conversations you don't want ChatGPT to save to memory. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpt-can-now-remember-all-your-past-conversations-134642785.html?src=rss

US sensor maker Sensata confirms suffering a ransomware attackIt also confirmed losing sensitive filesAn investigation is currently ongoing

Sensata, a large US sensor maker, suffered a ransomware attack that crippled parts of its operations.In a new 8-K form filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this week, Sensata said that it experienced a “ransomware incident that has encrypted certain devices” in its network.The attack “temporarily impacted” the company’s operations, the filing further states, including shipping, receiving, manufacturing production, and “various other support functions.”

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Hours to attack

Upon spotting the intrusion, the company activated its response protocols, which include taking parts of its network offline, bringing in third-party forensics experts, as well as notifying the relevant authorities. Sensata said it was currently investigating the attack and that it has no timeline on when it might resume operations as normal.The company also said that it lost some files in the attack, but did not detail which one and what was on them.“The company is working to identify and review the files involved and will take additional actions as appropriate based on its review, including notifying individuals and regulatory authorities in accordance with applicable law,” it said in the filing.Sensata also said it didn’t expect the incident to have a material impact on its financial results and operations for the three months ending on June 30 2025, “however, the full scope and impact of this incident is not yet known and could result in a future determination that the incident will be material to the company's financial statements and results of operations.”At this time, no threat actors have assumed responsibility for the attack, but it may be the case that Sensata’s name pops up on a data leak website, since that is also part of the pressure tactic that hackers use to get the victim to pay the ransom demand.Via The Register

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Looking for a different day?A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Friday, April 11 (game #670).

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 #671) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

SINSECSUNTANFLASHBOTSFALLCAMEBITBUCKKENSTRAYNETJIFFERRSPUR

NYT Connections today (game #671) - hint #1 - group hints

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

YELLOW: Brief moments GREEN: FailBLUE: Ballers PURPLE: Add letters to make countries

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 #671) - hint #2 - group answers

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

YELLOW: SHORT PERIOD OF TIME GREEN: DO WRONG BLUE: N.B.A. PLAYER PURPLE: STARTS OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES

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

NYT Connections today (game #671) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #671, are…

YELLOW: SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BIT, FLASH, JIFF, SECGREEN: DO WRONG ERR, FALL, SIN, STRAYBLUE: N.B.A. PLAYER BUCK, NET, SPUR, SUNPURPLE: STARTS OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES BOTS, CAME, KEN, TAN

My rating: ModerateMy score: 1 mistake

I immediately guessed that we were looking for words that meant fractions of something, but I didn’t realise time was the common thread.That led me to make a mistake looking for a group of things that were slightly off-target, with STRAY instead of JIFF giving me "one away". Then I remembered my grandmother always saying she’d be “down in a jiff” when she was getting ready to go out.Another phrase, “ERR on the side of caution”, delayed me getting DO WRONG – but with FALL, SIN and STRAY locked in, it was the only other option. As well as being cautious, err also means doing something wrong.Despite limited US sports knowledge I got the singular NBA PLAYER words easily enough. A good thing, as STARTS OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES was far from my thoughts when I looked at the words remaining.At a push I’d have guessed BOTS, CAME, KEN and TAN were presenters of a YouTube prank show with 800 subscribers or the IATA codes for Australian airports, but never the start of Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, and Tanzania.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, 11 April, game #670)

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

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 Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Friday, April 11 (game #1173).

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 #1174) - hint #1 - Vowels

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

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

Quordle today (game #1174) - 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 2.

Quordle today (game #1174) - 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 #1174) - 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 #1174) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• B• O• C• T

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

Quordle today (game #1174) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1174, are…

BLINDOVOIDCACHETHING

Wow, did I think I was clever when I got CACHE thanks to switching my start words to include the letter C.Then I came crashing down to earth on my final word. I convinced myself that the word had to end O-I-D but it was a lengthy process to actually get OVOID – especially as I had no idea what it meant!How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1174) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1174, are…

TRACTHASTYSWUNGBRAWN

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1173, Friday 11 April: FOLLY, PITHY, SCOWL, CURLYQuordle #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, RADII

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, April 11 (game #404).

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Get your mind out of the gutter

NYT Strands today (game #405) - hint #2 - clue words

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

LIDSDUNESWORDLIFTSTANDDROWSY

NYT Strands today (game #405) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #405) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: bottom, 4th columnLast side: top, 3rd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #405) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #405, are…

GRIMYFILTHYMUDDYPOLLUTEDSTAINEDUNKEMPTSPANGRAM: DIRTY WORDS

My rating: HardMy score: 2 hints

Some of today’s DIRTY WORDS were peculiarly difficult to find. Even with a hint it took me a while to get POLLUTED amid the highlighted letters. Tricky as it can be, this is the joy of Strands. The twists and turns set it apart from a humdrum wordsearch.Sadly, FILTHY reminded me of the terrible song by everyone’s second favorite member of N-Sync, Justin Timberlake, in which he implores the object of his affections to “put your filthy hands on me” and, if memory serves, cook up some meat. It’s all very unpleasant.Say what you like about JT, but he’s always kept himself very tidy and the exact opposite of UNKEMPT — even when his hair looked like a block of noodles. You wouldn’t catch him with STAINED chinos or MUDDY Timberlands.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, 11 April, game #404)

LINGOPYRAMIDJEOPARDYPASSWORDCATCHPHRASESPANGRAM: GAME SHOWS

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.

Another weekend has arrived – and, if you're a TV aficionado, you've got lots of new content to watch.Indeed, this week's streaming list is full of top tier TV suggestions, with no fewer than four (!) excellent shows making their long-awaited returns on some of the world's best streaming services. If you're after some new movies to watch at home this weekend, though, you'll just have to make do with the latest Amazon Movie Original.But that's enough of a preamble. Read on to find out what's worth watching over the next few days. – Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

The Last of Us season 2 (Max/Sky)

One of the best Max shows, not to mention the most-watched HBO TV Original in years, is back on our screens this weekend. After a two-year-plus hiatus, The Last of Us TV show is ready to rip out our hearts once more with its second season.I could tell you more about The Last of Us' sophomore season, but that would ruin its biggest surprises (well, if you haven't played its video game namesake). If you want some spoiler-free/spoiler-light details, my hub about The Last of Us season 2 is your one-stop shop for said information. Want to learn more about who's joining Ellie and Joel this time around? My season 2 cast and character guide is also worth a read.Season 2 premieres in the US this Sunday (April 13). UK and Australian viewers can check it out on Monday (April 14). As for where you can stream it, US and Australian audiences will need to boot up Max, while UK patrons will need to sign into Sky Atlantic. – TP

Watch The Last of Us season 2 on Max (US and Australia) and Sky Atlantic (UK)

Black Mirror season 7 (Netflix)

Black Mirror season 7 has arrived on Netflix and I'm excited to see people's responses to this one. Anthology shows can be a real mixed bag and this one is no exception – take a look at my Black Mirror season 7 episodes ranked piece to see why.It's definitely an intriguing entry into the program's growing dystopian library. Indeed, season 7 is home to Black Mirror's first-ever episodic sequel, which is a route I never thought it would go down. On top of that, there's a Bandersnatch spin-off for fans of the interactive movie to enjoy.Despite its hit-and-miss seasonal nature, you can't ignore the impact Black Mirror continues to have. Definitely one that deserves its spot on our best Netflix shows round up. – Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

Watch Black Mirror season 7 on Netflix

Doctor Who season 2 (Disney+/BBC One)

Searching for more family-friendly sci-fi? Doctor Who is the program for you. The British institution returns for its second season (that's season 15, for those of you who've been watching since its 2005 reboot) on Disney+ internationally and BBC One/BBC iPlayer in the UK.This time, Ncuti Gatwa's 15th Doctor is joined by Varada Sethu's Belinda 'Bel' Chandra for more wibbly wobbly timey-wimey adventures across all of time and space. To see if one of the best Disney+ shows' latest premiere is worth watching, check out my Doctor Who season 2 episode 1 review. – TP

Watch Doctor Who season 2 on Disney+ (internationally) and BBC One/BBC iPlayer (UK)

G20 (Prime Video)

Is there anything Viola Davis can't do? Whether she's teaching people how to get away with murder in, well, How to get Away with Murder, or enjoying some comic book action in The Suicide Squad, she's also booked and busy.This time, she's playing the US president (as she deserves, honestly) in an alternate Prime Video-based reality. So far, G20 has been met with mixed reviews, so it won't be appearing on our best Prime Video movies round up any time soon.Still, if you're in the mood for an action flick on Amazon's streaming service, there are worse options out there. – LB

Watch G20 on Prime Video

Hacks season 4 (Max)

Well, aren't Max subscribers spoilt this week? Not only are they The Last of Us season 2, but also the return of HBO's Emmy award-winning comedy drama Hacks.The show's fourth season sees Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder reprise their roles as Deborah Vance and Ava in a tense new installment that'll pick up right where season 3 ended. Indeed, we last saw the duo set up their late night show and this new season will see them try to get it off the ground.The first two episodes are out now, but there'll be another eight in the weeks ahead. As one of the most-anticipated shows coming to Max in April, I don't doubt that this will an instant hit with fans. – Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor

Watch Hacks season 4 on Max

Your Friends and Neighbors (Apple TV+)

Trust Apple to be the one that tempts Jon Hamm back into a leading role on the small screen. Since retiring Don Draper in Mad Men, we haven't seen Hamm appear in another show, but that's changed with the debut on Your Friends & Neighbors arrive on Apple TV+.The comedy-drama sees Hamm play a divorced and broke hedge fund manager who resorts to stealing from his neighbors, but the secrets he uncovers are a lot more dangerous than he could've ever thought. It's not going to end after one season either, because Apple TV+ has already renewed the series, so I'd be surprised if this doesn't land a spot in our best Apple TV+ shows guide. – AS

Watch Your Friends and Neighbors on Apple TV+

Good American Family (Disney+)

After landing on Hulu earlier this year, Good American Family joins the growing list of Disney+ thrillers, and while it doesn't reach the heights of Paradise, I still enjoyed it.That'll be a controversial stance, admittedly, due to it 48% Rotten Tomatoes critical score. So, I'm expecting it to be met with some seriously mixed audience reviews when more people have streamed it.Many people have pointed out it has similar vibes to the (often ridiculous) horror movie Orphan, though, so, if you had a good time with that you might enjoy Good American Family. – LB

Watch Good American Family on Disney+

For more streaming suggestions, read our guides on the best Netflix movies, best Hulu shows, best Paramount+ movies, and best Prime Video shows.

When Nintendo launched the Switch 2, it also revealed that it was going release upgraded versions of several existing Switch games, including both Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. It also revealed that games for the upcoming console will cost you more than what you're usually paying for games now. If you were hoping that the $70 price tag for the upgraded Breath of the Wild will at least include its DLC Expansion Pack, though, you're unfortunately out of luck. The company has told IGN that you will have to pay an extra $20 for the game's DLC season pass.

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition does not include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass DLC. That DLC is available as a separate purchase," a spokesperson told the publication.

To be clear, you don't have to buy the new version if you don't want to. The Switch 2 has backwards compatibility, and you can play your old copy of the game if you still have it — it was released way back in 2017 — and its DLC at no additional cost. If you own a copy for the first Switch and want to enjoy the new version's enhanced framerates and resolution, as well as HDR support, you can purchase an upgrade pack for $10. But if you're buying the Switch 2 version new, then you'll have to be prepared to pay $90 to get the base game and its DLC.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-70-switch-2-version-of-breath-of-the-wild-wont-even-come-with-dlc-140032303.html?src=rss

The quantum revolution is no longer a distant dream; it is an approaching reality. With Amazon and Microsoft recently solidifying their positions in the quantum race, the conversation around quantum computing is moving from theoretical to practical. While we are still several years away from "Q Day" – the moment when quantum computers break today’s encryption standards – the leap from niche research to mainstream awareness can happen in an instant. If generative AI tools like ChatGPT are any indication, when quantum computing truly takes off, it will do so at an unprecedented speed.For businesses, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity lies in leveraging quantum computing for unprecedented computational power, problem-solving, and innovation. The challenge, however, is that quantum computing will render current cryptographic protections obsolete, posing significant cybersecurity risks. Organizations that fail to prepare for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) could find themselves vulnerable in a post-quantum world.

Investing in innovation: A national and industry-wide commitment

Encouragingly, governments and businesses alike are acknowledging the potential and risks of quantum computing. The UK government has pledged £2.5 billion over the next decade to support quantum research and development, reinforcing the importance of staying ahead in this field. This investment has spurred businesses across the technology sector to accelerate their own quantum readiness plans, adopting new standards and preparing for a post-quantum future.However, this is not a concern exclusive to the tech giants that have been investing in quantum computing for years. While companies like Google, IBM, and Apple have led the charge, smaller businesses must now prioritize quantum preparedness as well. Apple’s recent introduction of PQ3, a post-quantum cryptographic protocol for secure messaging, highlights how quantum security is becoming an industry-wide focus.

The underdogs must prepare: no company is immune

For smaller organizations, the transition to a quantum-secure future can feel overwhelming. Unlike major tech firms with dedicated research teams and vast budgets, smaller enterprises may struggle to dedicate resources to quantum readiness. Yet, these companies cannot afford to delay preparations.Quantum computing threatens not just national security or financial institutions but any business that relies on cryptography – which is to say, nearly every company operating in a digital world. Sensitive customer data, financial transactions, intellectual property, and corporate communications all depend on encryption. If that encryption is suddenly compromised, the consequences could be catastrophic.This is why businesses of all sizes must take stock of their vulnerabilities today. Assessing cryptographic dependencies, mapping out which systems rely on outdated encryption, and planning for a transition to PQC should be on every company’s roadmap. Cybersecurity leaders must work alongside technology providers to identify the best path towards quantum resilience before it becomes an urgent necessity.

The road to "Q day": A five-year countdown

While we may be at least five years away from "Q Day”, the timeline for quantum computing’s impact on security could accelerate unexpectedly. As advancements in quantum research continue, the ability to break conventional encryption algorithms could arrive sooner than anticipated. Organizations that set out a comprehensive quantum strategy today will be best positioned to weather the transition when the time comes.Already, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued guidance on preparing for PQC, emphasizing that companies must act now rather than later. The shift to PQC won’t be as simple as flipping a switch; it requires careful planning, testing, and industry-wide coordination.Businesses that embrace the transition early will have a competitive advantage, securing their data and maintaining customer trust while others scramble to catch up. Meanwhile, those that delay could find themselves facing increased regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage when quantum threats become a reality.

A call to action: prepare now, stay secure later

The era of quantum computing is coming faster than many realize, and its impact on cybersecurity will be profound. As we saw with AI, technological advancements can transition from the lab to everyday use at lightning speed. Companies that recognize the urgency of post-quantum cybersecurity today will be best equipped to navigate the future.Governments and large corporations have already begun laying the groundwork, but this is not just an issue for the biggest players. Businesses of all sizes must take the quantum threat seriously and begin their transition towards quantum-secure encryption now. The call to action is clear: invest in post-quantum cryptography, assess security vulnerabilities, and develop a strategy for the quantum age. Waiting until "Q Day" arrives is not an option – because by then, it will be too late.

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In today’s fast-paced business world, organizations rely heavily on SaaS (Software as a Service) applications to drive efficiency, reduce costs and foster innovation. However, with this growing dependence on software comes the complex task of effectively managing SaaS contracts. Without robust contract management practices, organizations risk inefficiencies, hidden costs, non-compliance and missed opportunities to optimize their software spend.For IT leaders, mastering SaaS contract management is a strategic necessity. Giulio D’Ali, Senior Vice President of SaaS Management from Technology and SaaS management solutions provider Calero shares five strategies to streamline SaaS contract management, reduce risks and enhance financial control.

1. Centralize SaaS contract management for greater visibility

One of the key challenges in SaaS management is the decentralization of contracts across various departments. Without a single view of all contracts, it becomes increasingly difficult to track renewal dates, service level agreements (SLAs) and vendor performance. This lack of oversight can lead to costly mistakes, such as missing renewal deadlines or overpaying for unused licenses.Centralizing SaaS contract management through a dedicated platform helps organizations consolidate all contract data into one system. This centralized system provides comprehensive visibility into contract terms, pricing, renewal dates and vendor performance. For IT leaders, having this centralized view is crucial for aligning software expenditures with business goals. By understanding how each contract supports or hinders organizational objectives, you can make more informed decisions, mitigate compliance risks and negotiate better terms with vendors.

2. Automate renewals to avoid unnecessary costs and downtime

Managing renewals is one of the most time-consuming and error-prone aspects of SaaS contract management. Without automation, it’s easy for IT teams to miss renewal deadlines or to renew contracts without fully assessing the vendor’s performance. These oversights can lead to unexpected costs, service interruptions, or worse - being locked into unfavorable terms without the chance to renegotiate.Automating the renewal process is one of the most effective ways to streamline SaaS contract management. By setting up automated reminders and alerts for upcoming renewals, organizations can ensure that they never miss a critical deadline. In addition to avoiding auto-renewals at high rates, automated renewals provide an opportunity for IT teams to assess the software’s value. This proactive approach allows businesses to negotiate better terms, eliminate underutilized licenses and reallocate resources to more strategic areas, ultimately maximizing ROI from SaaS investments.

3. Integrate SaaS management with procurement for seamless workflow

While SaaS management typically falls under the IT department, its impact stretches far beyond IT, touching procurement, finance and other areas of the business. The key to efficient SaaS contract management lies in ensuring that all departments are aligned and working off the same set of data.Integrating SaaS management with procurement workflows allows organizations to align software purchasing with broader financial and operational strategies. This integration makes it easier for procurement teams to compare vendor offerings, track spending and ensure that purchasing decisions adhere to corporate policies. By automating and streamlining the contract management process, procurement and IT teams can work collaboratively to negotiate better deals, identify cost-saving opportunities and prevent unnecessary spending on duplicate or unused software subscriptions.For IT leaders, this collaboration with procurement not only improves financial oversight but also reduces the risk of SaaS sprawl - where software subscriptions proliferate without oversight - leading to wasted resources and unnecessary complexity.

4. Ensure compliance and mitigate risk with proactive monitoring

As SaaS applications continue to play a critical role in business operations, compliance with industry regulations and internal policies is non-negotiable. Whether it’s adhering to data privacy laws like GDPR or ensuring that SaaS vendors meet specific security standards, managing compliance manually is no longer feasible.SaaS management platforms equipped with compliance tracking capabilities allow IT leaders to monitor vendor performance against established security protocols and compliance frameworks. With real-time alerts and automated audits, organizations can proactively manage risks and ensure that vendors are meeting their contractual obligations. By integrating compliance monitoring directly into the contract management process, businesses can reduce the likelihood of regulatory violations, data breaches, or costly fines.Furthermore, SaaS management platforms can help IT teams keep track of data protection and security certifications, providing peace of mind that all vendors are compliant with the necessary standards and minimizing potential risks to the business.

5. Gain financial control and improve forecasting accuracy

Managing SaaS contracts isn’t just about monitoring performance and compliance, it’s also about gaining financial control. With so many subscription-based services, it’s easy for costs to spiral out of control, especially if there’s a lack of visibility into overall usage and spending.Streamlining SaaS contract management provides organizations with granular financial insights, enabling IT teams and CFOs to better forecast costs, optimize spending and eliminate waste. By consolidating all contract data, including license usage, spend history and renewal terms, businesses can gain a clearer picture of their software investments. This visibility allows for more accurate financial planning and better control over SaaS-related expenses.Additionally, with better insights into software usage, organizations can prevent SaaS sprawl by identifying and eliminating underused or redundant subscriptions. This level of financial oversight helps organizations avoid unnecessary costs and keep SaaS expenses aligned with actual demand, improving overall budget predictability.In an age of digital evolution, SaaS contract management is no longer a back-office task. For CIOs, CTOs, SAMs and other IT leaders, it’s a strategic lever for optimizing software investments, ensuring compliance and driving cost efficiency. By centralizing contract data, automating renewals, fostering collaboration between IT and procurement and utilizing compliance and financial insights, organizations can unlock the full value of their SaaS applications while avoiding the risks associated with poor contract management.By adopting these five best practices, businesses can streamline their SaaS contract management process and stay agile, competitive and financially efficient in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

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Maybe you're in a position where you suddenly need a new laptop to see you through the rest of the school year. Perhaps you've got a bigger tax return than expected and you want to treat yourself. Or it may be that you're a long-time Windows user and fancy a change. Whatever reason you might have for being interested in a MacBook Air, we've got another one. The M4 MacBook Air is back on sale for $949. That's $50 or five percent off.

That deal is available for the sky blue and starlight colorways of Apple's laptop. But there's not terrible news if you prefer the midnight (black) look — that variant will run you just $5 more at $954.

This deal is for the base model of the M4 MacBook Air. It's a 13-inch laptop with 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage.

The M4 MacBook Air arrived several weeks ago and it instantly became our top picks for both the best MacBook overall and the best laptop for most people, supplanting the previous model in both categories. We gave it a score of 92 in our review.

We appreciated the light and thin design, excellent keyboard and touchpad, fast performance and the terrific battery life. The 13-inch model we tested (and the one that's on sale here) ran for 18 hours and 15 minutes while playing HD video. Our only real qualms with the M4 MacBook Air are that it could use more ports and the display (while otherwise great) has a relatively paltry refresh rate of 60Hz.

One of the best things about the M4 MacBook Air is that Apple actually lowered the starting price for this generation of the laptop to $999 from $1,099 for the M3. That's a very welcome change. The current $50 (or $45) discount makes things even sweeter.

Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-m4-macbook-air-is-back-on-sale-for-50-off-143801604.html?src=rss

The OnePlus Watch 3 now costs $499.99 in the USIt was originally set to cost just $329.99The 'Meda in China' watch is likely just the first of many tech price hikes

While the US government’s stance on import tariffs has softened for many regions (at least at the time of writing) it’s still full steam ahead with major import duty being imposed on China-made goods. Which is perhaps why the new OnePlus Watch 3 costs $499.99 – $170 more than the $329.99 price tag that had previously been revealed for the smart watch.OnePlus has yet to confirm if the price hike is tariff-related, but we do know that goods coming from China to the US are currently facing a 145% tariff. That amount has only been increasing, as China and the US seem locked into a trade war neither wants to back down from.We know it’s made in China after a now-infamous typo on its back, which declared the smart watch is “Meda in China.” This actually caused the watch’s full release to be delayed until now – perhaps inadvertently leading to this price hike as in that time major new tariffs were introduced.

(Image credit: Future)

What’s more, while the device has had a price hike in the US, in other countries that’s not the case. For example in the UK store it still costs just £319.99, suggesting that this cost increase is indeed a US tariff issue.

A sign of what’s to come

Unless the US Government’s stance on tariffs changes sometime soon, you can expect prices to go up for your other favorite gadgets. While smaller import duties could maybe have been eaten up by brands looking to stay competitive in the US market, 154% hikes are impossible to ignore and they will be passed to consumers.You simply can’t keep prices the same if products that previously cost, say, $100 to manufacture in China now at a minimum have to be sold in the US for $254 – and that's before you account for any kind of profit margin.It’ll be especially frustrating for people looking to pick up more budget-friendly tech like the OnePlus Watch 3. You'll feel the squeeze of tech costing a few hundred bucks extra more than folks who were already happy to splash a lot of cash on high-end gadgets.

(Image credit: Future / Cas Kulk)

I wish we could offer some sound advice on what you should do to try and fend off price hikes, but apart from rushing to buy before you start to feel their sting, or hoping they go away again, there’s not a lot you can do. And it doesn’t help that the US government’s stance on tariffs seems to change every day – making predictions of what’ll happen next near-impossible.Our best advice is for you to be prepared to make your existing tech last longer – or to buy secondhand or refurbished tech that won’t be subject to import duty because it’s already in the US. Because for the foreseeable future new tech is going to feel even more like a luxury than it did before.

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Oracle started sending out data breach notification lettersIn the letters, it downplays the significance of the attacksNot everyone agrees with that assessment

We now have confirmation that Oracle started notifying its customers about a recent data breach. Apparently, the company stood its ground that it was an irrelevant attack that will make no difference whatsoever.In early April 2025, a threat actor with the alias “rose87168” opened a new thread on an underground forum to advertise the sale of a database stolen from the company. The database allegedly contained six million records, including private security keys, encrypted credentials, and LDAP entries, all belonging to Oracle customers.To confirm the authenticity of the information, the hacker even uploaded a new document to the cloud, containing their own email address.

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Oracle denies severity

Oracle first denied, and later confirmed the breach, but said it was a pointless attack since the servers were old and unused, and the data contained within was outdated.Now, BleepingComputer reports that email notification letters started going out: "Oracle would like to state unequivocally that the Oracle Cloud—also known as Oracle Cloud Infrastructure or OCI—has NOT experienced a security breach," the letter allegedly reads."No OCI customer environment has been penetrated. No OCI customer data has been viewed or stolen. No OCI service has been interrupted or compromised in any way," it added in emails sent from replies@oracle-mail.com, prompting customers to contact Oracle Support or their account manager if they have additional questions."A hacker did access and publish user names from two obsolete servers that were never a part of OCI. The hacker did not expose usable passwords because the passwords on those two servers were either encrypted and/or hashed. Therefore the hacker was not able to access any customer environments or customer data."A report from The Register claims the data belonging to one of the victims was created in 2024. The investigation is currently ongoing but so far it seems that the attacker exploited a vulnerability in Oracle Access Manager to breach Oracle-hosted servers.Cybersecurity experts CrowdStrike are currently analyzing the incident. The FBI was also notified about the attack, Oracle has confirmed.Via BleepingComputer

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The Last of Us season 2: key information- Set to arrive in mid-April- Three main trailers released- Key cast members set to return- New cast members revealed- The Last of Us Part II's plot will be told across two seasons- Will contain story beats not seen in the games- Season 3 announced ahead of this season's premiere- Could run for four seasons

The Last of Us season 2 is almost here. Indeed, episode 1 of the wildly popular HBO show's second season is set to premiere on April 13 (US) and April 14 (UK and Australia).There's no time like the present, then, to read up on everything we know about The Last of Us' (TLoU) return. Below, I've compiled the biggest and later news on one of the best Max shows' sophomore chapter. That includes a full rundown of its confirmed cast, details on its various trailers, plot specifics, and the show's future.Major spoilers follow for The Last of Us season 1 and Naughty Dog's video game series that show is inspired by. Potential spoilers also follow for this season.

The Last of Us season 2 release date

Every path has a price.#TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max. pic.twitter.com/prGsEfBIloFebruary 19, 2025

The Last of Us season 2 will launch on Sunday, April 13 in the US, and Monday, April 14 in the UK and Australia. HBO confirmed The Last of Us season 2's release date in February.One month earlier, Sony revealed The Last of Us 2's April 2025 release window at CES 2025. That narrowed down the early 2025 launch window that HBO boss Casey Bloys discussed in November 2024 – comments that arrived two months after Bloys teased its early to mid-2025 launch.As for where you'll be able to watch season 2, US and Australian viewers can view it on Max. The show will also be available to stream in American Sign Language – the first time a series, or a show's new season, has premiered on a streaming platform with this option. Meanwhile, UK audiences will be able to catch it on Sky and Now TV.

The Last of Us season 2 trailer

The Last of Us season 2's official trailer was unveiled in early March, and it teased a huge showdown between Bella Ramsey's Ellie and Pedro Pascal's Joel. The big moment we're all waiting for (well, those of us who have played the games), though, hasn't been revealed yet. Hey, why ruin it for those who haven't touched Naughty Dog's TLoU game series?Missed the second teaser that arrived in January, and not only had fans gushing over every detail it contains, but also concerned some about the welfare of one of its new cast members? Check it out below:

There was another The Last of Us season 2 trailer that was released as part of the 2024 edition of The Last of Us Day, aka September 26, aka the in-universe date that the Cordyceps virus ravaged humanity and destroyed life as we know it. However, it's been made private on HBO's YouTube channel, so you can't watch it anymore. Ho hum.Still, you can still check out a Max sizzle reel trailer highlighting the streamer's forthcoming lineup of thrilling HBO shows, which contains other season 2 footage. That sizzle reel came almost three months after the first images for The Last of Us' second season were revealed.

The Last of Us season 2 confirmed cast

Pedro Pascal returns as Joel in season 2 (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Here's the official cast list for The Last of Us season 2 so far:

Pedro Pascal as JoelBella Ramsey as EllieGabriel Luna as TommyRutina Wesley as MariaKaitlyn Dever as AbbyIsabela Merced as DinaYoung Mazino as JesseAriela Barer as MelTati Gabrielle as NoraSpencer Lord as OwenJeffrey Wright as IsaacDanny Ramirez as MannyJoe Pantoliano as EugeneCatherine O'Hara as TBC

The first four actors reprise their roles from season 1, and they'll be joined in the major player category by No One Will Save You's Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, the second game's deuteragonist and season 2's primary antagonist.Per an Entertainment Weekly (EW) interview, Dever's Abby isn't as muscular as her videogame counterpart because, as co-showrunner Neil Druckmann said, "that doesn't play as big of a role in this version of the story because there's not as much violent action moment to moment. It's more about the drama. I'm not saying there's no action here. It's just, again, different priorities and how you approach it."

Abby (second right) leads a team of Fireflies on a mission to avenge some of their members' deaths (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Dever is joined on the newcomers front by Beef star Young Mazino as one of Ellie's friends Jesse, while Alien: Romulus' Isabela Merced plays another of Ellie's companions (and girlfriend) Dina.As for the rest of this season's new cast members, you can read more about them, the actors who'll play them, and where you've seen these stars before in my season 2 cast and character guide.

Dina (left) will play a big role in season 2 alongside Joel (right) (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Lastly, speaking to Variety, Druckmann confirmed a character with a very minor role in The Last of Us Part II, aka Eugene, will get the Bill and Frank treatment this season – i.e., a large expansion of his personal arc from the games. In November 2023, Druckmann confirmed season 2 will contain brand-new material not seen in the games, so this appears to be what he was teasing almost 18 months ago."I get excited when I see these opportunities," Druckmann said. "I’m like, ‘Oh, I don’t know Eugene that well!’ The story we told [in the game] was somewhat superficial. The way this character comes in really gets to the heart of Joel and Ellie and their relationship."

The Last of Us season 2 plot synopsis and rumors

Season 2 will adapt plenty of memorable scenes from Naughty Dog's videogame series (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Major spoilers follow for The Last of Us season 1 and Naughty Dog videogame The Last of Us Part II.

Here's The Last of Us season 2's official logline: "After five years of peace following the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie’s collective past catches up to them, drawing them into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind."That's not a lot to go on but, based on TLoU Part II, plus what happened in the season 1 finale, I've got a good idea of what'll happen this season. I won't discuss major spoilers from the second game – I'm not that heartless – but there are some spoiler-less aspects I can discuss.Firstly, The Last of Us' second chapter will only have seven episodes – Mazin saying it felt like the "natural breakpoint" for the story. Considering he and Druckman plan to tell TLoU Part II's story across two seasons, that as good a reason as any to make it episodically shorter than season 1.

Bella Ramsey is Ellie. #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/p7YewJ4jVYMarch 24, 2025

Llike The Last of Us Part II, season 2 is set five years after its predecessor, so Joel and Ellie will be part of the population of Jackson, the Wyoming town that the traveled to in order to find Joel's brother Tommy in season 1.Things will take a turn for the worse between the pair, though. In season 1 episode 9, Joel didn't tell Ellie what actually happened at the Fireflies camp – i.e., that they were going to kill her in order to develop a cure for the Cordyceps infection. Ellie is completely immune to the disease, which is why the Fireflies were so keen to get their hands on her.When Joel finds out, he massacres them to save Ellie's life. It's an understandable decision, especially after what happened to his own daughter Sarah in season 1's opening episode. Nevertheless, he's seemingly consigned humanity to continue its fight against the infection with his selfish actions and, as evidenced by the footage we've seen, he's still feeling guilty about not coming clean to Ellie.

Abby will be this season's primary antagonist (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Elsewhere, there are new intruders looking to avenge deaths from season 1, and one specific event will culminate in a catastrophic and shocking death (if you know, you know).Other characters will have to forge new alliances, there’s a new religious cult on the scene – the Seraphites – for Ellie and company to deal with, a new ex-Fireflies militia force called the Washington Liberation Front, and another terrifying group who enslave people called the Rattlers. All in all, our heroes are in for a stressful, violent, emotional, and much darker season.If that sounds like season 2 will ignore the Infected in favor of human-on-human action, don't fret. Speaking to Variety in March 2023, Mazin and Druckmann said of the Infected – whose design was inspired by bean sprouts, the show's VFX animation supervisor told TechRadar – confirmed there'll be a greater variety of flesh-hungry monsters for our heroes and villains to worry about this season.During season 2's SXSW panel, Druckmann also confirmed that spores – the manner in which the virus is transferred from one person to the next – will be introduced this season, too. What that means for the tendrils-based method of infection, which was used in season 1, is anyone's guess.

There'll be more versions of the Infected in season 2 (Image credit: Liane Henstcher/HBO)

Just as season 1 expanded on the franchise's universe and characters, its follow-up will do likewise. Previously, Druckmann told TechRadar that "we couldn't have told this story in the game", the TV adaptation's timeline change was made to "help make the story more real", and the show's third episode allowed it to "go in a different direction" to what plays out in the games.So, there's a precedent for Naughty Dog, HBO, and Sony Pictures Television (the show's three production companies) to make changes where necessary. It's unclear, though, if Eugene's story will be the only major addition.Chatting to Deadline, Druckmann also said the show's executive team is playing around with how much might change in the TV adaptation's next entry, teasing: "The moment-to-moment beats and characters, they might stay the same, they might change. We will do what needs to happen to that story as it transfers from one medium to another". Mazin also suggested we won't see every storyline from The Last of Us Part II in season 2 because, well...

Will The Last of Us season 2 be the final installment?

Will we see Jesse and Ellie in future seasons of the show? (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Nope. Ahead of the season 2 premiere, HBO confirmed it had renewed The Last of Us for a third season.That won't come as a shock to many viewers. Season 1 of TLoU's TV adaptation is one of the most-watched HBO TV Originals of all-time. With its sequel likely to be even more popular, the series' latest renewal was always a matter of when, not if.That may not be the end of it, either, with HBO's Head of TV Francesca Orsi previously hinting that The Last of Us could last for four seasons.It's unclear if TLoU Part II's plot will be spread across three seasons, or if a potential fourth season will depict events that Druckmann was considering for the currently shelved Last of Us Part III. We'll see what shakes out story-wise over the next two seasons.

For more Max TV-based coverage, read our guides on Euphoria season 3, House of the Dragon season 3, Peacemaker season 2, and Creature Commandos season 2.

WhatsApp just rolled out a dozen new features. Most of these are small, but they add up to a fairly substantial software update. Let’s go over some of the more notable additions.

Chats now allow for tappable reactions, which is basically like adding a thumbs up to someone else’s reaction. Group chats feature an indicator that lets users know how many people are actually online. This will be right underneath the group name. Solo conversations now offer the ability to create an event, complete with an RSVP mechanic. This event can also be pinned in the chat.

There are a couple of chat tools just for iPhone users, including the ability to scan and send documents directly from the app. Users can also now set WhatsApp as the default messaging and calling app on iPhones.

Calls finally have their own dedicated tab, which is where folks go to make calls, share call links and manage their history. Users can also add someone from a video call directly from a chat thread. Video calls now offer a pinch to zoom feature, but only on iPhones. WhatsApp also says it has updated its technology for smoother video calls.

Channel admins can now record and share short videos with followers and there are voice message transcripts available on the Channels tab. Finally, admins can share QR codes that link directly to the channel.

ICYMI, here’s what’s new on WhatsApp 👇→ chat themes! change up your chats with preset wallpapers and bubble colors or choose your own→ you can now add music to your WhatsApp Status 🎵 → avatars got an upgrade so they look even more like you— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) March 31, 2025

WhatsApp says that more features and updates are on the way, so we’ll let you know when new stuff drops. The app has been busy lately. It’s been testing reply threads and has finally added a long-requested drafts feature.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/whatsapp-just-got-a-bunch-of-new-features-including-document-scanning-151607441.html?src=rss

WhatsApp has just rolled out a plethora of new features and functions for chats and calls This includes zoom for video calls, scanning and sending documents directly from WhatsApp, and a new way to prioritize group chat notifications Out of all the new additions however, there are two that haven't sat right with users

The aftermath of Apple’s latest iOS 18.4 update is still lingering, and we’re all coming to grips with its roster of new features. With that said, WhatsApp has also just dropped its own big update, announcing brand new additions to its existing call, chats, and channels sections.Now I say ‘big update’, but that’s a bit of an understatement as WhatsApp’s list of new upgrades is extensive, and includes minor new features such as smoother video call quality, and voice message transcripts on Channels. However there are nine stand-out features we think are interesting additions to the messaging platform, but two of them have rubbed us the wrong way.

A plethora of new functions

First of all, despite how small-scale some of the new features are, there’s a handful that could make a significant impact on your WhatsApp experience, starting with its simple pinch-to-zoom feature in video calls.It’s taken WhatsApp a considerable amount of time to catch up to the likes of FaceTime where users have been able to zoom for a while, but regardless of the delay on WhatsApp’s part, this is a benefit I know frequent video call users like myself will reap. In addition to this new call feature, WhatsApp now allows you to add someone to an ongoing 1:1 call right from a chat thread.Calls aside, WhatsApp has brought even more functions to its chat section. If you’re an iPhone user that gravitates towards WhatsApp as opposed to using its flagship iMessage service, there’s now a way for you to set WhatsApp as your default, provided you’ve installed the latest version of iOS. All you have to do is go to your iPhone Settings, select Default Apps, and choose WhatsApp.

(Image credit: Future)

It doesn’t stop there. WhatsApp is doubling down on its integration with your daily and personal life, introducing new events updates in 1:1 chats as well as groups, as well as a new feature that allows you to scan and send documents directly from WhatsApp on iPhone.

(Image credit: Future)

The last two helpful features that could benefit WhatsApp users include video notes (like voice notes) for channels, allowing admins to instantly record and share videos up to 60 seconds. Finally, you can highlight notifications in groups, giving you an easier way to prioritize your group chat notifications.Overall, the new additions to WhatsApp pack a lot of value, even though some may have a slightly less impact than others. But of course, there are two other functions that WhatsApp has added that haven’t quite sat well with users – one which made quite a bad impression this week.

Meta AI is interfering once again

If you’ve been out of the loop, WhatsApp introduced a new Meta AI button in EU regions that you can’t remove from the app’s UI – leading to an uproar of angry WhatsApp users.Essentially an AI chatbot feature, Meta’s new button in WhatsApp is a place for users to go to for a number of functions like answering questions or generating content. But the function itself isn’t necessarily what users are mad about, and it’s more to do with the fact they’ve not been given the option to remove it.Quietly introduced in WhatsApp’s recent wave of new functions, there’s now a way of seeing who in your group chats are online, thanks to a new function that shows you the real-time status of each member in a group chat. This is obviously less of a headache compared to the untouchable Meta button, but it means that there's a lot more pressure to be swift in your replies.Don't get me wrong, I'm a punctual text-replier, but we all have those days where we just don't have the energy to deal with our group chats – especially when plan-making goes horribly wrong, or you just don't want to reply to particular person. This new feature makes it easier for your friends and family to call you out, and WhatsApp knows exactly what it's doing.

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Nvidia's new RTX 5060 Ti GPU is almost here as MSI's third-party models have been leaked in new imagesThe images reveal the GPU's PCIe 5.0 interface along with 16-pin or 8-pin power connectorsPCIe 4.0 motherboard users may need to upgrade to get the best out of the new GPU

Nvidia has yet to complete the full launch of its RTX 5000 series GPU lineup, as it still has some low-end cards in the pipeline. Fortunately, a new leak has given us a first look at third-party models of an unannounced Blackwell GPU. Spoiler alert: you might want to upgrade your motherboard.Thanks to VideoCardz, MSI's GeForce RTX 5060 Ti graphics cards have leaked with new images showcasing four different models, and each of them uses either 16-pin or 8-pin connectors. More importantly, all of these GPUs will use PCIe 5.0, as the leaked images (which I won't post here) indicate.While higher-end RTX 5000 series GPUs can provide great performance results for users on non-PCIe 5.0 motherboards, it might not be the same story for lower-end cards like the upcoming RTX 5060 Ti.Since low-end GPUs don't have the same processing power as what you'd get with an RTX 5080, for example, aspects like VRAM capacity and PCIe bandwidth speeds have a bigger impact on performance.If the RTX 5060 Ti is indeed PCIe 5.0 x8, it's more than likely going to hinder performance for gamers still using PCIe 4.0 (or older) motherboards, as the GPU won't be used to its full potential when it may desperately need it - especially for the rumored 8GB VRAM models.In this case, you have to wonder whether buying a new budget GPU and possibly having to upgrade to a PCIe 5.0 motherboard (if you don't already have one) is worth the cost: instead, it may be a better choice to purchase an older high-end GPU - if one can be found at launch price, anyway.

(Image credit: Nvidia)

Is budget PC gaming gradually becoming non-existent?

Let me get one thing straight: this isn't me having a go at Nvidia or any other GPU manufacturer making the jump to the PCIe 5.0 interface. It's rather an observation of how bad the GPU market is in terms of consumers finding GPUs at their launch prices, and the high likelihood of having to mandatorily upgrade your motherboard or other components to get the best out of your new graphics card.For those using PCIe 4.0 motherboards, the RTX 3000 and 4000 series GPUs are ideal, as they are all PCIe 4.0 cards. While the new PCIe 5.0 cards can still be used on other motherboards, you will definitely feel the performance loss, particularly with weaker hardware as its capabilities would be cut in half by bandwidth limitations.It's also easy for me to suggest buying an older high-end GPU, but you'd either struggle to find it in stock anywhere due to discontinuations, or end up overpaying (just look at XFX's Radeon RX 7900 XTX for example).So it begs the question: is 'budget' PC gaming becoming non-existent? Inflation, scalpers, low availability, and tariffs are all active, making what is supposed to be budget hardware more expensive. When you tie that in with an entire PC build, it's no longer 'budget'.Aside from handheld gaming PCs or laptops, PC gaming is currently an expensive hobby, and I'm hoping things can change sooner for the better...

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Sarah Wynn-Williams, former Director of Public Policy at Facebook, spoke in front of the SenateShe said the company offered data on US citizens to the Chinese Communist Party in exchange for being allowed to operate in the countryFacebook denied all claims

A former Meta executive recently spoke in front of the US Congress, accusing Facebook and its CEO of allegedly offering sensitive data on American citizens to the Chinese government, in exchange for being allowed to operate in the country.As reported by The Register, Sarah Wynn-Williams, former Director of Public Policy at Facebook, spoke in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism earlier this week.During the hearing, she alleged that for her former employer, there was “no bridge too far” to get into the Chinese market, and that it would do anything to get access to 1.4 billion people living there, including offering data on Americans to the Chinese Communist Party.

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AI and censorship

“The only reason China does not currently have access to US user data through this pipeline is because Congress stepped in,” she was cited saying.Facebook slammed her testimony, calling it “divorced from reality and riddled with false claims,” The Register said, citing Meta spokesperson Ryan Daniels.“While Mark Zuckerberg himself was public about our interest in offering our services in China and details were widely reported beginning over a decade ago, the fact is this: We do not operate our services in China today,” the spokesperson added.Wynn-Williams did not stop there, either. She also alleged that Meta contributed to China’s advancements in artificial intelligence, since its Llama AI models were “openly available” in the country. There were even mentions of military applications of AI. Finally, she also alleged that Meta collaborated with the Chinese Communist Party in developing censorship tools, and then lied about it in the public.Some senators commended Wynn-Williams’ testimony, and the fact that the filed whistleblower complaints with the SEC and the US Department of Justice after leaving the social media business. They commented that Facebook was afraid of the truth coming out and that they would stop at nothing to prevent Wynn-Williams from testifying.Via The Register

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Garmin has announced a bike light that doubles as a 4K safety cameraThat means it's effectively a cycling dash cam with a 600-lumen lightThe Varia Vue is available now for $549 / £459 (around AU$965)

Garmin has just revealed a powerful new gadget for cyclists who want to invest in their road safety – a cross between a powerful 600-lumen front light and a 4K safety camera, which means it can double as a cycling dash cam.The new Varia Vue is effectively the flip-side of Garmin's rear tail light and radar (called the Varia RCT715), which it can also sync with. This model is much more powerful, though, being much brighter thanks to its 600-lumen output. It also packs a 4K front-facing camera (rather than 1080p), which can automatically save videos if it detects an incident – just like the best dash cams.It's one of those products that it feels like Garmin should have made years ago. Whether you cycle in busy, well-lit urban areas or on country roads – or, like me, a bit of both – a powerful front light and a camera are essential cycling accessories, so it's good to see them combined one nicely designed, albeit expensive bundle.Garmin says the built-in camera has electronic image stabilization to help you make out license plates even on pot-holed roads, although this does come at the expense of a crop. We'll have to see how well that stabilization compares to the best action cameras like the GoPro Hero 13 Black.While Garmin has experience with action cams with its now-discontinued Virb series, I'm not expecting the Varie Vue to match GoPro and DJI for image quality. Even so, it needs to reach a certain level to make it a viable cycling dash cam, as capturing small details can be important. To help capture those incidents in full, it also has a concealed microphone for audio.

(Image credit: Garmin)

The only potential downside of combining these two gadgets is battery life, but Garmin's claimed specs suggest it's workable. It says the Varia Vue will last "up to seven hours" in day flash mode with the camera recording (although this drops to just over an hour on full brightness) and or "up to nine hours" when the headlight is turned off, and you shoot in 1080p. If you're planning a long ride, the camera can also be used while charging.Your video clips are stored on a microSD card (which isn't included), and you can also save footage automatically to the cloud via Wi-Fi using Garmin Vault.The downside? There's inevitably a subscription for using Vault, and it's a pretty pricey at $99 / £99 a year.Still, the overall concept is a good one, and as a London-based cyclist, I like the idea of neatly combining a light and cycling dash cam in one relatively small unit. The Varia Vue is available to buy now for $549 / £459 (around AU$965).

Safety comes with a hefty price tag

In many ways, bike tech still feels a little behind the times, which is why I still combine a fairly dated Lezyne front light (which still has a micro USB charging port) with an old GoPro if I'm heading out on a long-ish ride on the roads.But it seems there's finally a little more competition in the smart bike light space, with Garmin's Varia Vue arriving to take on the more established Cycliq Fly12 Sport (which combines a 4K camera with a 400-lumen light for a more affordable $319 / £299 / AU$449). Wahoo also recently announced the new Trackr Radar, a rear taillight with radar tech like Garmin's Varia RCT715.None of these are exactly cheap, and there is an argument that you're better off going with two separate devices if you don't need a camera for every ride. While nice in theory, Varia Vue's cloud storage component could also prove to be an excessively expensive extra if you don't often use it.Still, it's good to see some long-awaited innovation in bike safety tech, and the increased competition should hopefully mean some more affordable options follow in Varia Vue's slipstream – depending on tariffs, of course.

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A great phone doesn’t need to cost a fortune. In 2025, features once exclusive to high-end devices – big batteries, multi-camera arrays, high refresh rate displays and more – have trickled down to more affordable models. Sure, you’ll still need to buy a flagship smartphone to get the best camera or fastest processor, but you don’t need to compromise nearly as much anymore if you’re looking for a great handset at a reasonable price. If you have less than $600 to spend, let us help you figure out what features to prioritize when trying to find the best midrange smartphone.

The best midrange phones for 2025

What is a midrange phone, anyway?

While the term frequently appears in articles and videos, there isn’t an agreed-upon definition for “midrange” beyond a phone that isn’t a flagship or an entry-level option. Most of our recommendations cost between $400 and $600 — any less and you should expect significant compromises. If you have more to spend, you might as well consider flagships like the Apple iPhone 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S25.

What to consider before buying a midrange smartphone

Buying a new device can be intimidating, but a few questions can help guide you through the process. First: what platform do you want to use? If the answer is iOS, that narrows your options down to exactly one phone. (Thankfully, it’s great.) And if you’re an Android fan, there’s no shortage of compelling options. Both platforms have their strengths, so you shouldn’t rule either out.

Of course, also consider how much you’re comfortable spending. Even increasing your budget by $100 more can get you a dramatically better product. Moreover, manufacturers tend to support their more expensive devices for longer. It’s worth buying something toward the top limit of what you can afford.

Having an idea of your priorities will help inform your budget. Do you want a long battery life or fast charging? Do you value speedy performance above all else? Or would you like the best possible cameras? While they continue to improve every year, even the best midrange smartphones still demand some compromises, and knowing what’s important to you will make choosing one easier.

What won’t you get from a midrange smartphone?

Every year, the line between midrange and flagship phones blurs as more upmarket features and specs trickle down to more affordable models. When Engadget first published this guide in 2020, it was tricky to find a $500 phone with waterproofing and 5G. In 2025, the biggest thing you might miss out on is wireless charging – and even then, that’s becoming less true.

One thing your new phone probably won’t come with is a power adapter; many companies have stopped including chargers with all of their smartphones. Performance has improved in recent years, but can still be hit or miss as most midrange phones use slower processors that can struggle with multitasking. Thankfully, their cameras have improved dramatically, and you can typically expect at least a dual-lens system on most midrange smartphones below $600.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-midrange-smartphone-183006463.html?src=rss

GPT-4, OpenAI's first big upgrade to ChatGPT months after unleashing it on the world, is on its way out. A changelog the company published on Thursday said the model will be retired from ChatGPT on April 30. GPT-4o, which has been available since last May, will fully replace it.

Despite GPT-4's significance in modern AI's brief but world-changing history, its sunsetting isn't a great loss for customers. OpenAI says GPT-4o improves on it in writing, coding and STEM. Recent upgrades have boosted the newer model further, enhancing its instruction following, problem-solving and conversational flow. The company describes the multimodal GPT-4o as the "natural successor" to the soon-to-be-retired GPT-4.

Despite its upcoming removal from ChatGPT, API users will still be able to access GPT-4 after April 30.

The announcement comes as OpenAI reportedly prepares a slew of new models for launch. Reverse engineer Tibor Blaho posted images on Friday (via TechCrunch) that seemingly confirm that o3, o4-mini and GPT-4.1 (including nano and mini offshoots) models are in the pipeline. In February, the company introduced a research preview of GPT-4.5, a better, more natural conversationalist that will serve as a stepping stone to GPT-5.

OpenAI's release notes included a nod to the role GPT-4 played in the company's development. "GPT‑4 marked a pivotal moment in ChatGPT's evolution," the notes read. "We're grateful for the breakthroughs it enabled and for the feedback that helped shape its successor. GPT‑4o builds on that foundation to deliver even greater capability, consistency and creativity."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-prepares-to-send-gpt-4-out-to-pasture-163643868.html?src=rss

It hasn’t been that long since the Pixel Watch 3 dropped, but excitement is already building for the follow-up device. An industry leaker who goes by OnLeaks, whose real name is Steve Hemmerst, has partnered with 91mobiles to publish images and a video render of the upcoming smartwatch

Surprise, it looks like a Pixel Watch. It maintains the iconic circular design, though does look a bit thicker than the previous model. The screen bezels appear to be slightly slimmer. Otherwise, the design remains mostly unchanged. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

However, there are some minor hardware changes that allude to new features. The watch is missing the four pins at the back, which suggests that it could support wireless charging. The Pixel Watch 3 charges via a USB-C port. Also, there are two buttons on both sides of the speaker. We don’t know what they do. It’s also possible that the added thickness could be hiding a bigger battery, which would be much appreciated.

OK #FutureSquad, today comes your very first look at the #Google #PixelWatch4 (360° video + sharp 5K renders + dimensions)!😏On behalf of @91mobiles 👉🏻 https://t.co/VhS5eS9d7R pic.twitter.com/wPOgVr86uY— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) April 11, 2025

Google’s next smartwatch is expected to launch later this year, likely alongside the Pixel 10 series. We don’t have too many concrete details regarding specs, but reports have indicated that it will include a new chipset. The Pixel Watch 3 uses a Snapdragon W5 Gen 1. Some rumors have suggested that the company is developing an in-house Tensor chip for Pixel Watches, but that might not be ready until the Watch 5.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-pixel-watch-4-could-be-thicker-and-offer-wireless-charging-164555210.html?src=rss

Samsung has announced yet another Bespoke Jet vacuum cleanerThe Bespoke Jet AI Lite aims to trickle down features into a more affordable packageIt'll begin to launch in April, but we're waiting on confirmed regions and the price

Yes, Samsung only launched its flagship Bespoke Jet AI Ultra vacuum with excellent suction just a few weeks back in late March 2025. And now, hot off the heels of that model, Samsung’s just unveiled the Bespoke Jet AI Lite, scheduled to launch this month. As the name suggests, it should be more affordable and an entry-level option compared to the AI Ultra.Samsung’s also built it to be considerably lighter. In handheld mode, it weighs 1.45kg, which is 23% lighter than the previous-gen Bespoke Jet AI, and considerably lighter than the new AI Ultra model as well. In the shared release, Samsung pitches it as a convertible model that's great for use as a standard stick vacuum but also perfect for reaching tougher spots, both high and low, in handheld mode.

(Image credit: Samsung)

It is still set to be pretty feature-filled, though, with the ‘all-in-one clean station', which will act as a home for the Bespoke Jet, included in the box. The vacuum cleaner will set on top and recharge, so it’s always ready for a run, and it will self-empty into a bag hidden in the base. This way, you won’t need to manually empty the onboard dust bin.With AI in the name, Samsung is also including some – but not all – of its AI tech into what we assume will be a cheaper stick vacuum cleaner with a docking station.The Bespoke Jet AI Lite leads with AI Cleaning Mode 2.0, which lets the floorhead sense the surface it’s on to adjust the suction power and roller speed. For instance, for an easy-to-clean hard floor, the vacuum will lower the suction to stretch the battery life.We’ll be interested in testing the AI features here on the Lite model, but in our review of the Bespoke Jet AI Ultra, we found them a little unreliable even if the vacuum overall delivered excellent cleaning performance.

An older generation of the Samsung Bespoke Jet line (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

That vacuum offers 400W of suction power, while the Bespoke Jet AI Lite tops out at 280W from a proprietary HexaJet motor. Yes, there is a significant cutback in overall power, but it's still extremely sucky – matching the suction offered by the Gen5detect currently sitting at the top of Dyson's range. The lower spec should also equate to a more affordable price than the eye-watering $1,099.99 / £1,199.99 / AU$1,699 tag on the AI Ultra.On paper, the Bespoke Jet AI Lite seems to be trickling down some of the main-stay features, and as someone with a classic Bespoke Jet, this one is piquing my interest if the price turns out to be right … and if it launches in the United States.I already like the design, easy control, and the original's auto-emptying, recharging docking station, so this upgrade to a better motor and some fancier features could be worth it.Samsung only says that the Bespoke Jet AI Lite will launch in April 2025 but stops short of confirming pricing and the countries where it will be available. We’ve reached out to Samsung for more information on pricing and availability by region. For now, we know that it's not planned to launch in the UK until around June. If you can't wait or aren't not quite sold on this model, check out our top-rated alternatives in our roundup of the best cordless vacuums of 2025.

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Folks in the UK may be able to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2 now, but Americans are still waiting for their time to shine. Switch 2 pre-orders in the US remain indefinitely delayed. In response to new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, Nintendo delayed Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S. Canadians will also have to wait as Nintendo has now also indefinitely delayed pre-orders in that country as well, according to a report from MobileSyrup and confirmed by Walmart of Canada via a post on X.

According a statement Nintendo provided to Engadget: "Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged."

President Trump recently announced a 90-day pause on steep “reciprocal” tariffs affecting 75 countries, but also announced that the tariff imposed on China will go up to 125 percent (we now know it's up to 145 percent for that country).

It’s still unclear what this could mean for Switch 2 pre-orders and pricing, but we do know this: Nintendo started moving some of its Switch console manufacturing to Vietnam in 2019. The reciprocal tariff for Vietnam was set to be 46 percent, but with this latest announcement, that appears to be on hold for now in favor of a 10 percent reciprocal tariff that’s now in effect for the 90-day pause period.

The latest speculation is that Nintendo will ramp up production of Switch 2 units in Vietnam so it can ship them to the U.S. on schedule, and possibly even selling them at a loss in the short term.

Nintendo had previously announced the April 9 pre-order date for North America, along with the June 5 date for wider availability. The starting price was to be $450, but that could change now in response to the proposed tariffs. Participating retailers will also be selling the Switch 2 when it eventually makes its way to the U.S. We expect those to include Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and others.

There's some fine-print attached to pre-ordering directly from Nintendo. According to the pre-order page on Nintendo's site, you must be 18 years or older, sign in with your Nintendo account and register your interest in pre-ordering. Then, you'll be sent an invitation email when it's time to play your pre-order, and the invitation will be valid for 72 hours. And then there's this bit of info: "Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to registrants who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025."

That seems to mean those who have paid for Switch Online in the recent past and those who have spent a good amount of time playing Switch games as of late will get first pick at buying a Switch 2. There's no telling if these same restrictions will apply if you want to pre-order from third-party retailers.

We knew from the teaser trailer for the Switch 2 that Nintendo's new hardware would be bigger and would have a new approach to the detachable Joy-Cons. The new Joy-Con 2 have a new C button, mouse controls and a built in gyroscope for tilt control. The console has a built-in mic to support a new feature called Game Chat that will let you communicate with friends in-game. The device is indeed a bit larger, with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR and a 1080p resolution.

When docked, you'll be able to play at up to 4K on your TV, and Nintendo says it improved the consoles internal speakers as well. The new dock also has a built-in fan to keep the console cool and help maintain performance during long play sessions. The Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, and the base storage amount has increased to 256GB. The Switch 2's storage can be expanded like the previous model, but it will only work with newer microSD Express cards.

The Switch 2 has a number of accessories that you'll be able to purchase separately as well, including the new Switch 2 camera for $50, a new Switch 2 Pro controller for $80, an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers for $90, a Joy-Con 2 charging grip for $35 and more. However, considering the new question of tariffs, it's unclear if those accessory prices will change before customers can actually order the gear.

Pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 from:

Nintendo

Amazon

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-pre-orders-release-date-prices-delays-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know-140931024.html?src=rss

New leaks have given us our first glimpse of the Fujifilm 'X-Half'The half-frame compact camera would be a first for Fujifilm It'll seemingly combine digital half-frame shots with a retro design

Fujifilm has never exactly followed the herd, but even by its standards the company's next compact camera will be an eccentric one – if new rumors about the so-called 'X-Half' are to be believed.Fuji Rumors recently shared what it claims is the first leaked image of the camera, and has now followed that up with new post that gives it a name. The X-Half, it seems, will be a compact camera with 1-inch sensor that rivals the many half-frame cameras that have become popular among young snappers in recent years.What is half-frame? As the Pentax 17 and Kodak Ektar H35 show, the format –traditionally found on 35mm film cameras – sees shots taken in vertical format, effectively giving you twice as many photos from a roll a film. The X-Half's twist, according to rumors, is that it'll be digital and, potentially, a bit more desirable than those two cameras.

Meet the Fujifilm X-Half – Fujifilm’s Upcoming Digital Half Frame Camerahttps://t.co/5Bpynjtpy9 pic.twitter.com/viEj6jIThIApril 11, 2025

Another reason why half-frame cameras are popular is because they easily let you create 'diptych' images, or two side-by-side frames. This lets you juxtapose two different angles on the same subject, which is a very social media-friendly trick. To help you compose these shots, Fuji Rumors claims the X-Half will have a vertical LCD on its rear panel.Like Fujifilm's other big hits – notably the Fujifilm X100VI – the X-Half will also seemingly again blend digital convenience with film-like charm. The leaked specs include an optical viewfinder (which should keep the price down, compared to an EVF), a retro, Leica-like design, and a few manual controls including an exposure compensation dial. It'll also apparently have a fixed lens with an f/2.4 aperture.There's unfortunately no rumored released date for the X-Half yet. But with speculation on the rise, it seems possible that Fujifilm could launch it in time for the summer seasons in the US and UK – assuming tariff-related complications don't derail it.

Analysis: A fun idea, if not for the hardcore Fuji faithful

The recent Fujifilm GFX100RF (above) sits somewhere towards the opposite end of the scale to the rumored X-Half (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

With many Fujifilm fans patiently waiting for more 'serious' cameras, like an X-Pro 4, these X-Half rumors probably aren't what many have been waiting for – but I'm happy to see something new on the horizon.While the idea of a digital half-frame camera seems odd on paper – after all, you don't need to worry about saving film costs with digital – the X-Half could definitely find an audience among those who want a retro sidekick that's different from their smartphones, but easier to use than the best film cameras.In that sense, it'll likely have more in common with Fujifilm's Instax series than pricier pro models like the GFX100RF. If it is Fujifilm's next launch, you could see it as the perfect flip-side to the latter, which is a medium format powerhouse that costs $4,899 / £4,699 / AU$8,799. The X-Half could, instead, be a compact that caters to a new, younger audience who want something with a bit more substance than an Instax.That may leave Fuji fans who sit in between those two extremes feeling a little unloved, but a Fujifilm X-E5 is still rumored to be en route in 2025. For now, it seems Fujifilm is doing what originally brought it such big success in the early days of mirrorless cameras – hopping on new photographic trends with its own unique twist.

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