news,technology

Security researchers spot a new trojan called ResolverRATIt comes with advanced obfuscation and persistence mechanismsIt targets healthcare and pharma organizations around the world

There is a brand new Remote Access Trojan (RAT) making rounds on the internet, infecting organizations around the world working in healthcare and pharmacy.Cybersecurity researchers Morphisec Labs named it ResolverRAT, and while it comes with advanced obfuscation and stealth evasion techniques, its distribution is rather ordinary.The attack starts with the usual phishing email, scaring the victim into making a rash, reckless decision. The attackers localize the emails, in an attempt to improve infection rates, but are still casting a relatively wide net. With that in mind, the researchers found phishing emails in Hindi, Italian, Czech, Turkish, Portuguese, and Indonesian.

Monitor your credit score with TransUnion starting at $29.95/monthTransUnion is a credit monitoring service that helps you stay on top of your financial health. With real-time alerts, credit score tracking, and identity theft protection, it ensures you never miss important changes. You'll benefit from a customizable online interface with clear insights into your credit profile. Businesses also benefit from TransUnion’s advanced risk assessment tools.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Social disorder

The attachment is being deployed via side-loaded DLL files which, if triggered, drop a loader directly into the memory. The loader, in turn, deploys the final malware payload - also only in memory.But that’s not the only way ResolverRAT tries to fly under the radar. It uses both encryption and compression and goes the extra mile to persist on the target endpoints."The ResolverRAT's initialization sequence reveals a sophisticated, multi-stage bootstrapping process engineered for stealth and resilience," the researchers said, adding that it "implements multiple redundant persistence methods" through Windows Registry.Ultimately, ResolverRAT installs itself in different locations across the computer.Other notable features include using certificate-based authentication to bypass root authorities, an IP rotation system to connect to different C2 servers, certificate pinning, source code obfuscation, and more."This advanced C2 infrastructure demonstrates the advanced capabilities of the threat actor, combining secure communications, fallback mechanisms, and evasion techniques designed to maintain persistent access while evading detection by security monitoring systems," Morphisec said.The last time the campaign was observed in the wild was in mid-March this year, which could suggest that it’s still ongoing.The threat actors deploying ResolverRAT could be the same ones dropping Lumma and Rhadamanthys, since the same deployment mechanisms were seen in all cases. It could also mean that the groups were simply using the same phishing kit.Via The Hacker News

You might also like

Microsoft warns of a devious new RAT malware which can avoid detection with apparent easeTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

EA reveals first look at Bit Reactor's new single-player, turn-based tactics game Star Wars: Zero CompanyThe game is being developed for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. and will be set during the Clone WarsMore details will be revealed at Star Wars Celebration Japan on April 19

EA has announced Star Wars: Zero Company, a new single-player, turn-based tactics game currently in development for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.The game is being developed by Bit Reactor in collaboration with Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games, but it doesn't have a release date just yet.There's not much information about the title at present, but we do know that the Zero Company will put players "in command during the Clone Wars," according to a new Star Wars post. The Clone Wars is a popular era among fans of the franchise, so the opportunity to revisit it sounds awesome."Recruit an unconventional team of operatives and deploy them on missions unlike any other in the galaxy far, far away in Star Wars Zero Company," the post reads.

Engage in turn-based tactical combat - STAR WARS Zero Company. Join us at #StarWars celebration on April 19 for a panel with @BitReactor, @Respawn, and @LucasfilmGames where we’ll share a world-exclusive first look at our new game. #SWZeroCoLearn more: https://t.co/B4Ky371FaA pic.twitter.com/xhM4btVXeLApril 14, 2025

EA also shared the first look at the tactics game with some official artwork, showcasing "just a few members of the elite squad under your command", including a Jedi, Clone Trooper, Mandalorian, an Astromech droid, what looks to be an Umbaran, and a cool smuggler-looking dude front and center.We won't have to wait much longer to hear more about the game, as EA has confirmed that more details will be revealed at Star Wars Celebration Japan on April 19.Bit Reactor is a new strategy game studio that was founded in 2022 by industry veterans who have worked on the likes of XCOM, the Civilization series, The Elder Scrolls Online, and Gears of War.Considering the studio's background, many fans are speculating that the Zero Company will have similar gameplay mechanics to these strategy games with action inspired by XCOM, but we'll have to wait and see.

You might also like...

The best Star Wars games 2025 - galactic thrills for allNintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live: latest UK stock updates as My Nintendo Store's pre-order date arrives, while US pre-orders remain delayedThe Nintendo Switch 2 versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will let players repair their gear, but only if they download an app

There are physical editions of the iconic shooters Doom and Doom II coming out, thanks to Limited Run Games. All editions ship with both games, but the highlight is something called the Will it Run Edition. This one comes with all kinds of extra goodies, including a game box that actually runs the original Doom. You read that right. Box play Doom. All you have to do is connect a USB controller, as the box also has a port.

It costs $666, which is a nod to the devilish source material, and is being kept to a limited run of 666 copies. It comes with the aforementioned screen-enabled game box that runs Doom, but that’s just the beginning. The combo pack ships with the soundtrack on cassette, a certificate of authenticity and a trading card park with five cards.

It comes with a couple of toys based on one of the franchise’s most iconic enemies. There’s a detailed three-inch Cacodemon that connects to a five-inch base, which looks pretty nifty. There’s a smaller handheld Cacodemon that, you’ll never guess, also runs Doom.

Limited Run Games

This edition is available for Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. The PC version, however, ships with a download code and not physical copies of both games. Preorders start on April 18 and end on May 18, with a release sometime after that.

If $666 is too rich, or demonic, for your blood, there are also cheaper editions available. The Big Box Edition costs $100 and ships with both games, a really big box, a trading card set and the soundtrack on cassette. The Standard Edition only includes the games and costs $30.

Get ready to mow down demons in this definitive collection 👿DOOM + DOOM II—complete with SIGIL & SIGIL II on disc/cart—will be available on April 18th! pic.twitter.com/xv04Tjv9RT— Limited Run Games (@LimitedRunGames) April 11, 2025

However, these aren’t straight ports of two 30-year-old games. The developer has made some enhancements for modern players. The visuals have been upgraded, with a native 60 FPS frame rate and 16:9 support. The weapon carousel has been updated for faster switching and the dev has added gyroscopic aiming. These titles now offer local four-player co-op and online play.

The games also include a bunch of new maps and long-standing community mods, with the ability to integrate new mods. There’s even a brand-new episode called Legacy of Rust that was co-designed by id, Nightdive Studios and MachineGames. Players can also switch between the original music and a modern soundtrack.

For those wondering why the developer would even make a box that runs Doom, it’s because the game’s ability to run on weird things has become a beloved meme at this point. Doom has been found running on pregnancy tests, rat brain neurons and even via gut bacteria.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/666-edition-of-doom-includes-game-box-that-itself-plays-doom-165022410.html?src=rss

Following a limited, four-month preview, Google is making its Veo 2 video generation model available to more people. The company has begun rolling out the tool to Gemini Advanced users, who can use it to create 720p clips that are up to eight seconds long. "The more detailed your description, the more control you have over the final video," Google says of the model.

For the time being, Gemini will only generate footage in 16:9 landscape orientation, meaning it won’t be great for creating social video. That said, Google notes you can upload videos directly to TikTok or YouTube through Gemini's share sheet, and any footage you create through the chatbot will automatically be formatted as a MP4 file. Relative to the model’s iteration, Google says Veo 2 has a better understanding of real-world physics and human motion.

If you want to start using Gemini to generate video clips, you'll need Google's $20 per month One AI Premium Plan. Once the company completes the roll out of Veo 2, video generation will be available in every language you can use Gemini on both on the web and mobile. Separately, Google is bringing Veo 2 generation to Whisk. For the uninitiated, Whisk is an experimental AI application the company offers through its Google Labs beta platform. It allows you to generate images from both text and image prompts, and with Veo 2 now baked in, you can use Whisk to animate what you create through the app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-brings-veo-2-video-generation-to-gemini-advanced-170014422.html?src=rss

AMD shows off its first 2nm-class Venice CPU die built using TSMC's N2 nodeVenice, built on Zen 6, targets high-performance computing workloadsAMD and TSMC hope to deepen their collaboration for future innovations

AMD has announced it has successfully produced the first 2nm-class silicon for its next-generation EPYC processor, codenamed "Venice" which is expected to launch in 2026 as part of AMD’s 6th Generation EPYC lineup.The core complex die (CCD) is the first high-performance computing product to be taped out and brought up using TSMC’s advanced N2 process technology.The Venice CPU, built on the Zen 6 architecture, brings AMD one step closer to delivering on its data center roadmap and will target HPC workloads when it launches. With the move to the 2nm node, AMD expects to offer better power efficiency, performance, and silicon yields.

Driving significant technology scaling

“TSMC has been a key partner for many years and our deep collaboration with their R&D and manufacturing teams has enabled AMD to consistently deliver leadership products that push the limits of high-performance computing,” said AMD Chair and CEO Dr. Lisa Su.“Being a lead HPC customer for TSMC’s N2 process and for TSMC Arizona Fab 21 are great examples of how we are working closely together to drive innovation and deliver the advanced technologies that will power the future of computing,” Dr. Su added.TSMC CEO Dr. C.C. Wei, who posed alongside Dr. Su with the CCD for the photo above, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We are proud to have AMD be a lead HPC customer for our advanced 2nm (N2) process technology and TSMC Arizona fab. By working together, we are driving significant technology scaling resulting in better performance, power efficiency and yields for high-performance silicon. We look forward to continuing to work closely with AMD to enable the next era of computing.”In separate news, AMD also announced that has validated the silicon for its 5th Gen EPYC CPUs at TSMC’s Fab 21 site in Arizona.This will allow AMD to manufacture some of its current-generation processors in the US, marking a step forward for the company’s domestic production capabilities, something that is being championed by President Donald Trump.

You might also like

AMD splashed $700 million on a small Finnish startup that built its own AI OSAMD signs massive deal with Oracle for cluster of 30,000 MI355X AI acceleratorsAMD head outlines the challenges for data centers

Scammers are using AI to impersonate IRS workers and scam taxpayersAI is also helping attackers scale rapidly across multiple vectorsMicrosoft shares some simple tips to protect yourself

Scammers are increasingly observed using artificial intelligence to fuel malicious activities, with many opting for AI-generated voice scams and deepfakes to impersonate tax preparers, accountants or IRS officials.With American citizens partaking in Tax Day, the surge in voice phishing (vishing) attacks means we’re seeing cybercriminals exploiting stolen personal details to convincingly fake identities and scam taxpayers into sharing sensitive financial documents and details.While consumers have long been familiar with the signs of email phishing, this new attack vector is catching more victims off guard.

Vishing scams are targeting taxpayers

With American citizens partaking in Tax Day on April 15, a new Microsoft Threat Intelligence report hopes to educate users about how they can better protect their data.Some easy fixes include implementing multi-factor authentication on online accounts and verifying the authenticity of URLs – by re-typing URLs themselves, users can avoid potential scams such as the use of an upper case ‘i’, which is often used in place of a lower case ‘L’ in attacks.Moreover, citizens should familiarize themselves with verified communication methods – for example, the IRS does not initiate contact via email, text or social media for personal or financial information, so a message like this should immediately sound alarm bells.Generative AI has allowed scammers to scale their attacks and create highly believable phishing communications, including realistic emails, voice calls and videos. It can be used at all levels of the attack, from deciding what to say or write to crafting content in the form of emails, websites and even voice impersonations.Fraudsters can even manipulate search rankings to direct victims to fake sites that promise tax refunds, increasing their sense of authenticity.Other common attacks can include malicious PDF attachments, the use of QR codes and legitimate services like Dropbox, and fake DocuSign landing pages. Engineering, IT and consulting sector workers are among the most likely to be attacked.

You might also like

Use the best AI tools and best AI writers as a force for good at work​​A "fakeness score" could help people identify AI generated contentAt risk? We’ve listed the best identity theft protection

With America's long-term (and even short-term) economic prospects shifting on Eric Cartman-like whims, some internet providers have begun offering multi-year price guarantees to provide a little stability amid the chaos. A couple of weeks after Verizon introduced a three-year price lock, Comcast has followed suit with a five-year pricing guarantee for new Xfinity residential customers.

On the bright side, the deal isn't linked to an annual contract requirement. But, as you might expect from a massive broadband company, there's plenty of fine print.

First, the offer only applies to 400 Mbps home internet plans with one year of Xfinity Mobile Unlimited (one line) — a package that starts at $55 monthly (before taxes and fees). Then, if you want unlimited data, you'll need to use an Xfinity Gateway, which requires a monthly rental payment, or pay an extra $30 monthly to enjoy it with your own modem.

The locked-in price doesn't cover installation, taxes, fees or other charges, which Comcast notes are subject to change during and after the promo. So, at least in theory, the company has some wiggle room to raise the price without technically raising it. Finally, if you don't enroll in and maintain paperless billing and automatic payments, you'll pay an extra $10 each month (or an extra $8 if you pay by credit or debit card).

After reading those two paragraphs of fine print, you may find it amusing that Comcast's press release frames the price guarantee as being about simplicity. "Our new price guarantee removes complexity," Comcast COO Steve Croney wrote. Still, with Americans increasingly being forced to check their 401(k)s and stock portfolios like gamblers check a high-stakes sports score, any small oasis of financial stability is at least something.

Comcast's offer ends on June 23.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/comcast-rolls-out-a-five-year-price-guarantee-with-plenty-of-fine-print-173421738.html?src=rss

It looks like OpenAI is building its own X-like social media network, according to a report by The Verge. We don’t have many specifics, but we do know there’s an internal prototype that adds a social feed to ChatGPT’s image generation tool.

It remains unclear if OpenAI will launch this social network as a standalone app or if it will be integrated within the ChatGPT app, which is what the prototype indicates. The report does suggest that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been asking for feedback about the social network from people outside of the company.

One potential reason for this step is that the app would allow OpenAI to gather real-time data from users to train its AI models. It’s also a potentially diversifying move for the company.

Although it’s uncertain if this project will ever see the light of day, one thing is probable — it’ll likely get under the skin of Elon Musk, who owns X. Altman and OpenAI have been at odds with Musk for some time. The company rejected his offer to buy OpenAI, instead offering to "buy Twitter" for just $9.7 billion dollars. It’s worth noting that the offer is four times lower than what Musk paid for the platform and that Altman purposefully used the word Twitter and not X.

no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want— Sam Altman (@sama) February 10, 2025

OpenAI has also recently countersued Musk, accusing the billionaire of staging press attacks and malicious campaigns against the company on X. The suit also accuses Musk of making "harassing legal claims," referring to his initial suit, and a "sham bid for OpenAI's assets."

The company also published an email from Musk’s time at OpenAI in which he suggested merging with Tesla. Altman and his crew have stated that Musk was present during talks about OpenAI going for-profit and that he suggested he be given majority equity, control of the board and the CEO position. Musk left OpenAI in 2018 and founded xAI, which somehow just bought X in some kind of shady ouroboros of corporate tomfoolery.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-is-apparently-making-a-social-network-175842370.html?src=rss

Anthropic announced that its Claude AI can integrate with Google Workspace. This tie-in allows the AI assistant to access any information in Gmail, Google Documents and Google Calendar. Enterprise-level customers even get a special cataloguing option for Documents that aims to offer even better speed and accuracy when retrieving information.

This update could make Claude more helpful when it comes to using the chatbot for scheduling or accessing information within the Google ecosystem. The blog post with the announcement specified that the Enterprise option comes with special security controls for confidentiality, but doesn't detail if or how other users might be able to keep Claude from accessing sensitive information that might be stored in an email or document. Google Workspace integration is available in beta now for all paid Anthropic customers.

Anthropic is also adding a Research feature. Queries in this mode are intended to offer thorough answers to queries that "explores different angles of your question automatically and works through open questions systematically." Claude's responses in Research will include citations for fact-checking. Anthropic says this feature can be combined with the Google integration for analyzing information stored across multiple different locations, such as notes about complicated work or school projects. Research is available in the US, Japan and Brazil as an early beta for users on the Max, Team and Enterprise plans.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/antrhopics-claude-can-now-read-your-emails-181511890.html?src=rss

Nvidia confirms it will fully manufacture its AI supercomputers in the United StatesArizona and Texas to host chip and supercomputer production facilitiesTrump-backed push for onshore tech drives trillions in new investment

Nvidia has announced it will manufacture its AI supercomputers entirely in the United States.The company revealed plans to produce $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure in the US over the next four years, building and testing chips in Arizona and assembling AI supercomputers in Texas.More than a million square feet of new manufacturing space is being developed to support this expansion.

The Trump effect?

Production of Nvidia’s Blackwell AI chips has begun at TSMC’s facilities in Phoenix. In Texas, Foxconn and Wistron will handle supercomputer manufacturing in Houston and Dallas, with mass production expected to scale up within 12 to 15 months.Nvidia is also working with Amkor and SPIL in Arizona to package and test its chips. Together, these facilities form a new supply chain based entirely in the US, something the company has never done before. Will this make a huge difference? Probably not.According to the The White House, this move is part of a broader trend driven by efforts to bring key tech manufacturing back to American soil.“It’s the Trump Effect in action,” a White House statement said. “President Donald J. Trump has made U.S.-based chips manufacturing a priority as part of his relentless pursuit of an American manufacturing renaissance, and it’s paying off - with trillions of dollars in new investments secured in the tech sector alone.”Earlier in 2025, President Trump announced a $500 billion private investment in AI infrastructure led by OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank, called Stargate.Apple also announced a $500 billion investment, while TSMC committed $100 billion toward domestic chipmaking. The White House noted that onshoring these industries supports American workers, strengthens the economy, and improves national security.“The engines of the world’s AI infrastructure are being built in the United States for the first time," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said."Adding American manufacturing helps us better meet the incredible and growing demand for AI chips and supercomputers, strengthens our supply chain and boosts our resiliency.”

You might also like

This is the best dedicated server hosting you can choose right nowAnd this is how small businesses can choose the right serverNvidia is dreaming of trillion-dollar datacentres with millions of GPUs

Anthropic announced that its Claude AI can integrate with Google Workspace. This tie-in allows the AI assistant to access any information in Gmail, Google Documents and Google Calendar. Enterprise-level customers even get a special cataloguing option for Documents that aims to offer even better speed and accuracy when retrieving information.

This update could make Claude more helpful when it comes to using the chatbot for scheduling or accessing information within the Google ecosystem. The blog post with the announcement specified that the Enterprise option comes with special security controls for confidentiality, but doesn't detail if or how other users might be able to keep Claude from accessing sensitive information that might be stored in an email or document. Google Workspace integration is available in beta now for all paid Anthropic customers.

Anthropic is also adding a Research feature. Queries in this mode are intended to offer thorough answers to queries that "explores different angles of your question automatically and works through open questions systematically." Claude's responses in Research will include citations for fact-checking. Anthropic says this feature can be combined with the Google integration for analyzing information stored across multiple different locations, such as notes about complicated work or school projects. Research is available in the US, Japan and Brazil as an early beta for users on the Max, Team and Enterprise plans.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropics-claude-can-now-read-your-emails-181511019.html?src=rss

In what we can only assume is a potential thumb in the eye of Elon Musk, Sam Altman's Open AI is reportedly considering building a social network, possibly inside ChatGPT.This comes via a new report from The Verge, which claims this week that the social network possibly being built on top of OpenAI's AI services is only in the "early stages." Still, it could set up ChatGPT and other OpenAI platforms for a head-to-head battle with Grok, a generative AI platform built on top of Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter).There are essentially no details about what this social platform might look like, and OpenAI has little experience with shareable content outside of what its models can generate and what you can see in Sora (the video generation system) of other people's creations.

Take that, X

The fact that this rumor is out there might have little to do with behind-the-scenes development and more to do with Altman's ongoing battle with former partner Musk.The pair founded OpenAI together before Musk walked away in 2018. He has since criticized and sued OpenAI for, among other things, becoming, in part at least, a for-profit entity (see OpenAI's partnership with Microsoft and the rise of Copilot).Let's assume for a moment, though, that this is real. Why would OpenAI want to build a social network? In a word: data.If millions flock to the platform and then start, I guess, sharing AI-generated memes on it, they'll be dropping a ton of rich data into the OpenAI system. If users allow it, future versions of the GPT model could be trained on it. Real data and activities that show how real people think, talk, act, create, etc, can be invaluable to a young generative model.

Social timing is everything

I wonder if this might've made more sense a year or two ago when Musk took over Twitter, transformed it into X, removed many of the protective content guardrails, and turned it into a social media hellscape. It was in that moment that Meta's Threads first rushed in. It was followed in notoriety by Bluesky. Both of them are distributed social networks, meaning no one owns your identity or your data.Their growth has been remarkable, and it stands in contrast to X's fortunes. Depending on who you talk to, active user growth is stagnant or shrinking. But that doesn't mean the public's appetite for more alternative platforms is growing. Threads' growth has slowed, and Bluesky is relatively small compared to X and Threads.The action is mostly on image and video-based social platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. The Verge report does not mention video, which leads us to assume this could be another micro-blogging-style network – something no one necessarily needs or, perhaps, wants.Even so, as an opportunity to cause Elon Musk a little more agita, it's probably a worthy trial balloon from Altman.

You might also like

Avoiding ChatGPT won't keep OpenAI from infusing its AI ...OpenAI just upgraded memory for ChatGPTOpenAI is giving away ChatGPT Plus subscriptions to ...

With America's long-term (and even short-term) economic prospects shifting on Eric Cartman-like whims, some internet providers have begun offering multi-year price guarantees to provide a little stability amid the chaos. A couple of weeks after Verizon introduced a three-year price lock, Comcast has followed suit with a five-year pricing guarantee for new Xfinity residential customers.

On the bright side, the deal isn't linked to an annual contract requirement. Comcast says that the following plans are available to be used with the five-year guarantee (speeds listed are download speeds):

400Mbps – $55/month

600Mbps – $70/month

1.1Gbps – $85/month

2.1Gbps – $105/month

This plan includes unlimited data and a free rental of the Xfinity Gateway router — but if you want to bring your own hardware, unlimited data will cost an extra $30 per month. And despite the fact that the Xfinity shopping page says these deals run through June 23, a Comcast spokesperson let us know they'll extend beyond that date.

The locked-in price doesn't cover installation, taxes, fees or other charges, which Comcast notes are subject to change during and after the promo. Finally, if you don't enroll in and maintain paperless billing and automatic payments, you'll pay an extra $10 each month (or an extra $8 if you pay by credit or debit card).

After reading the fine print, you may find it amusing that Comcast's press release frames the price guarantee as being about simplicity. "Our new price guarantee removes complexity," Comcast COO Steve Croney wrote. Still, with Americans increasingly being forced to check their 401(k)s and stock portfolios like gamblers check a high-stakes sports score, any small oasis of financial stability is at least something.

Update, April 15, 2025, 3:08PM ET: This story was updated to provide additional details about the different plans and availability of Comcast's five-year guaranteed rates.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/comcast-rolls-out-a-five-year-price-guarantee-for-new-internet-customers-173421830.html?src=rss

No, it’s not quite May the 4th. We’re still 19 days away from May 4, 2025, which is known to us in the galaxy and those far, far away as Star Wars Day. Even so, that’s not stopping Lego from ushering in nine – yes, nine – new Star Wars sets.You’ll soon use Lego Bricks to build everything from the loveable droid Chopper – as seen in Star Wars: Ahsoka and Star Wars Rebels – to a new Ultimate Collector Series that will please any bounty hunter, a fresh ship and, of course, a few sets to thrill those on the dark side.In addition to loving all sorts of technology and breaking it down for you, I’m a pretty huge Star Wars and Lego fan, so I’ve done the hard work of deciphering Lego’s May 4th, 2025 drop and am sharing my favorite three out of the nine.Plus, a look at some of the deals you can score when these go up for order in just a few days. And trust me, signing up for the free Lego Insiders rewards program makes a lot of sense – it’ll bring you closer to the force –err, deals.

You can finally build Chopper

(Image credit: Lego)

Kicking things off is the C1-10P Droid, better known as Chopper. This droid will be instantly familiar with its orange top and tan, grey main body, as well as its two main roller wheels. Fans of the Ghost Crew from Star Wars Rebels will know Chopper could have a bit of an attitude. You’ll get to build all of that and even show those emotions with the Lego Star Wars™ Chopper (C1-10P)™ Astromech Droid set.You’ll build the iconic droid out of 1,039 pieces, and once built, Chopper will be over eight inches tall. This should be a fun one to build, especially while rewatching Star War Rebels on Disney+, one of the best streaming services, and the Chopper Droid set will launch on May 1, 2025, with preorders available right now at $99.99 / £99.99.

The Lego Star Wars Chopper – C1-10P – Astromech Droid set can be ordered now and will ship on May 1, 2025. For $99.99 / £99.99, you'll build the iconic robot out of 1,039 bricks.View Deal

The latest Ultimate Collector Series is a fun one

(Image credit: Lego)

The newest Ultimate Collector Series might not be massive like huge AT-AT or the Millennium Falcon, but this one still looks sharp. Meet the Lego Star Wars Jango Fett’s Firespray-Class Starship, which, like other UCS sets, comes with a display launch and a stand that lets you set the ship upright as if it were in flight or in a landing position. This set is made from 2,970 pieces and arrives on May 1, 2025, for $299.99 / £299.99.As seen in share photos, you’ll build the interior including the cockpit and there are a lot of moveable details. You also get two minifigures here – Jango Fett and Boba Fett.

The latest ultimate collector series from Lego is an iconic ship that fans of Jango Fett will instantly recognize. It will be up for order on May 1, 2025 for $299.99 / £299.99. View Deal

You could build a U-Wing Starfighter while watching 'Andor'

If you are getting excited for Andor to return to Disney+ or simply a Rebel starship, this one is for you. The new LEGO Star Wars Rebel U-Wing Starfighter is not just a fresh take on the ship, but you also get several Minifigures: Deedra Meero, Cassian Andor, K-2SO, and an ISB Tactical Agent.This one arrives at 395 pieces for $69.99 / £59.99 and lands on May 1, 2025.

The Star Wars Rebel U-Wing Starfighter will soon be available for preorder from Lego for $69.99 / £59.99.View Deal

Now, if you opt to preorder or order, you will be eligible for a few gifts with purchases if you’re a Lego Insiders member and if you order from Lego directly. If you go for the new Ultimate Collector Series, you’ll score a LEGO Star Wars Jango Fett Starship Keychain if you preorder between May 1 to May 5.Additionally, during that same period you’ll get a LEGO Star Wars Kamino Training Facility mini set for spending over $160 / £145. Those who spend over $40 / £35 will get a mini build of the iconic Millenium Falcon, and yes this stacks with the more expensive freebie if you get them before supplies run out.Now, the above three are my favorite, but here’s a look at the other six sets. And if you’re sold on any of these, you can sign up for preorder or in some cases order it right now from Lego’s online store.Either way, sign up for the Insiders Program to earn points and score freebies.

The rest of the new Lego's Star Wars Day 2025 set

The opening crawl to any Star Wars film might be one of the most iconic starts of any film franchise. And now, you can finally build the iconic Star Wars logo out of Lego bricks, and the design team hid in some fun details. This fantastic set is up for preorder now at $59.99 / £59.99 from Lego directly.View Deal

Along with the new Ultimate Collector Series set, you can also build Jango Fett's iconic helmet in this set that's built from 616 pieces. It's up for preorder now from Lego.View Deal

Is your allegiance to the dark side? Well, you'll likely want to build Kylo Ren's Helmet. View Deal

Similar to the set the above, Lego's Kylo Ren's Command Shuttle is an excellent one to display. You'll build Ren's iconic ship out of 386 pieces, and it comes with a stand.View Deal

With this set of five BrickHeadz, you'll build Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala, General Grievous, Emperor Palpatine, and Mace Windu.View Deal

This is a cool entry into the BrickHeadz lineup. You can build Luke Skywalker as a Rebel Pilot, and it's only $9.99.View Deal

You might also like

I got a first look at the new Lego flower sets in a botanical garden, and the Mini Orchid should be on your listHere’s your first hands-on look at the Star Wars: Grogu, Mandalorian, R2-D2, and Darth Vader earbuds‘We only build technology in the interest of storytelling’ – Disney’s associate lab director of Robotics on the Star Wars BDX Droids and what lies ahead

Whether in Ancient Greek parodies, Shakespeare's subtle jabs at the haughty upper class or Jon Stewart's takedowns of the latest Washington absurdities, humor can be a razor-edged weapon that shapes public opinion. Last weekend, we were reminded again of comedy's ability to strike at the rich and powerful when someone hacked Silicon Valley crosswalks to play synthetic voice impersonations of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.

"Hi, this is Elon Musk," the voice impersonating the Trump ally and federal government dismantler said. "Welcome to Palo Alto, the home of Tesla Engineering. You know, they say money can't buy happiness. And… yeah, okay… I guess that's true. God knows I've tried. But it can buy a Cybertruck, and that's pretty sick, right? …Right?? Fuck, I'm so alone."

The jabs weren't limited to Musk. "Hi, this is Mark Zuckerberg, but real ones call me the Zuck," the synthetic voice of Meta's CEO said over one crosswalk speaker. "It's normal to feel uncomfortable or even violated as we forcefully insert AI into every facet of your conscious experience. And I just want to assure you, you don't need to worry because there's absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. Anyway, see ya."

The videos have accumulated over 100,000 likes on TikTok and nearly 400,000 views on X (ironically). Palo Alto Online reports (via TechCrunch) that they could be heard in downtown intersections in Redwood City, Menlo Park and Palo Alto but had been removed beginning on Saturday.

"Hi, this is Elon Musk," another crosswalk speaker emitted. "And I'd like to personally welcome you to Palo Alto. People keep saying cancer is bad, but have you tried being a cancer? It's fucking awesome."

"Hey, it's Zuck here," another voice said. "I just wanted to tell you how very proud I am of everything we've been building together. From undermining democracy to cooking our grandparents' brains with AI slop to making the world less safe for trans people, nobody does it better than us. And I think that's pretty neat. Zuck out!"

Finally, a Palo Alto speaker conducted armchair psychology on the Tesla CEO. "Hi, I'm Elon. Can we be friends? Will you be my friend? I'll give you a Cybertruck, I promise. Okay, look, you don't know the level of depravity I would stoop to just for a crumb of approval. I mean, let's be real. It's not like I had any moral convictions to begin with, right?"

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/someone-hacked-silicon-valley-crosswalks-to-spoof-mark-zuckerberg-and-elon-musk-191822645.html?src=rss

Whether in Ancient Greek parodies, Shakespeare's subtle jabs at the haughty upper class or Jon Stewart's takedowns of the latest Washington absurdities, humor can be a razor-edged weapon that shapes public opinion. Last weekend, we were reminded again of comedy's ability to strike at the rich and powerful when someone hacked Silicon Valley crosswalks to play synthetic voice impersonations of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.

"Hi, this is Elon Musk," the voice impersonating the Trump ally and federal government dismantler said. "Welcome to Palo Alto, the home of Tesla Engineering. You know, they say money can't buy happiness. And… yeah, okay… I guess that's true. God knows I've tried. But it can buy a Cybertruck, and that's pretty sick, right? …Right?? Fuck, I'm so alone."

"Hi, this is Mark Zuckerberg, but real ones call me the Zuck," the synthetic voice of Meta's CEO said over one crosswalk speaker. "It's normal to feel uncomfortable or even violated as we forcefully insert AI into every facet of your conscious experience. And I just want to assure you, you don't need to worry because there's absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. Anyway, see ya."

The videos have accumulated over 100,000 likes on TikTok and nearly 400,000 views on X (ironically). Palo Alto Online reports (via TechCrunch) that they could be heard in downtown intersections in Redwood City, Menlo Park and Palo Alto but had been removed beginning on Saturday.

"Hi, this is Elon Musk," another crosswalk speaker emitted. "And I'd like to personally welcome you to Palo Alto. People keep saying cancer is bad, but have you tried being a cancer? It's fucking awesome."

"Hey, it's Zuck here," another voice said. "I just wanted to tell you how very proud I am of everything we've been building together. From undermining democracy to cooking our grandparents' brains with AI slop to making the world less safe for trans people, nobody does it better than us. And I think that's pretty neat. Zuck out!"

Finally, a Palo Alto speaker conducted armchair psychology on the Tesla CEO. "Hi, I'm Elon. Can we be friends? Will you be my friend? I'll give you a Cybertruck, I promise. Okay, look, you don't know the level of depravity I would stoop to just for a crumb of approval. I mean, let's be real. It's not like I had any moral convictions to begin with, right?"

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/someone-hacked-silicon-valley-crosswalks-to-spoof-mark-zuckerberg-and-elon-musk-191822645.html?src=rss

Kia has teased that it will have a trio of announcements at the 2025 New York International Auto Show. The car company's presentation is scheduled for 10AM ET on April 16. Luckily for those gearheads who want to know what's next for the brand, Kia will have a livestream of its showcase. The reveal will be hosted live on YouTube, and it's also embedded below.

The presentation will feature three debuts, according to the company, including two that are fully electric. Kia unveiled its EV4 hatchback sedan in February, but didn't share info about North American manufacturing at that time. That's a likely announcement during this week's New York event

While the stage presentation will get livestreamed, we don't yet have tech to remotely test the Kia EV9 and EV6 models that will be at the live show. Maybe one day…This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/how-to-watch-kias-new-york-international-auto-show-presentation-on-april-16-195259387.html?src=rss

Intel sells 51% of Altera to Silver Lake for $4.46bn, valuing business at $8.75bn Altera gains independence as largest pure-play FPGA semiconductor company Raghib Hussain named new CEO as Intel shifts its strategic focus

Intel, now under the leadership of new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, has been facing a number of challenges in recent years, to the point where it was rumored the tech giant could sell off its chip-design and marketing business or spin off its chip plants.Whether that will happen in the future remains to be seen, but Intel says it has signed a definitive agreement to sell 51% of its Altera business to Silver Lake for $4.46 billion.This values the company at $8.75 billion, which is quite a drop from nearly $17 billion Intel paid for it in 2015.

Once-in-a-generation opportunity

Altera has been active in FPGA (field programmable gate array) development for over four decades, providing programmable semiconductor solutions for use in industries like communications, aerospace, government, data centers, and industrial automation.The sale gives Altera operational independence and establishes it as the largest pure-play FPGA semiconductor company in the world. Intel will keep a 49% stake, allowing it to remain involved while shifting its focus more squarely to its core operations.The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025, pending customary closing conditions.Once finalized, Intel plans to deconsolidate Altera’s financials. In 2024, Altera reported $1.54 billion in revenue, a GAAP operating loss of $615 million, and non-GAAP operating income of $35 million.Raghib Hussain, previously president of Products and Technologies at Marvell, will succeed Sandra Rivera as CEO of Altera on May 5, 2025.“This investment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in a scale leader in advanced semiconductors,” said Kenneth Hao, chairman and managing partner of Silver Lake.“Together with Raghib, we will be focused on strengthening Altera’s technology leadership position and investing in emerging AI-driven markets such as edge computing and robotics. We look forward to working closely with Intel as a strategic partner who will continue to provide U.S.-based foundry services and complementary engagement with customers.”Lip-Bu Tan described the agreement as a strategic step forward. “Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to sharpening our focus, lowering our expense structure and strengthening our balance sheet,” he said.“Altera continues to make progress repositioning its product portfolio to participate in the fastest growing and most profitable segments of the FPGA market. We are grateful for Sandra’s strong leadership and lasting impact throughout her 25-year Intel career and wish her continued success as she begins a new chapter. Raghib is a superb executive we selected to lead the business forward based on his vast industry experience and proven track record of success. We look forward to partnering with Silver Lake upon closing of the transaction, as their industry expertise will help to accelerate Altera's efforts and unlock additional economic value for Intel.”

You might also like

Intel debuts super-fast AI chips to match AMD in the race for supremacy Intel's former CEO invests in hardware startup that wants to make Nvidia obsoleteHow Intel is bringing AI advantage and unrivaled security to every industry

In 2018, Mark Zuckerberg floated the idea of spinning out Instagram, one of the remedies the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will likely seek in Meta's antitrust trial that began this week. CNBC reported on Tuesday that the comments from an email thread with executives came to light in Washington, DC.

"I'm beginning to wonder whether spinning Instagram out is the only structure that will accomplish a number of important goals," Zuckerberg wrote in the email. "As calls to break up the big tech companies grow, there is a non-trivial chance that we will be forced to spin out Instagram and perhaps WhatsApp in the next 5-10 years anyway." His estimate, made six years ago, ended up being spot-on.

"On the flip side, while most companies resist breakups, the corporate history is that most companies actually perform better after they've been split up," Zuckerberg added in the same email, according to The New York Times.

It's Zuckerberg's second day of testimony in the trial, which stemmed from a 2020 government lawsuit against Meta (then still known as Facebook). The FTC argues that the company's purchases of Instagram (for $1 billion in 2012) and WhatsApp (for $19 billion in 2014) hurt competition. If the trial goes the FTC's way, it will likely ask the judge to break up Meta by selling off one or both of the apps.

Last April, Meta moved to dismiss the case, but US District Judge James Boasberg allowed it to proceed with a narrower scope.

On the stand on Tuesday, the Meta CEO reportedly defended the company's Instagram purchase as the result of a standard cost-benefit examination. "We were doing a build-vs.-buy analysis," Zuckerberg said. "I thought that Instagram was better at that [than Facebook's Camera app], so I thought it was better to buy them."

"Building a new app is hard," he said when asked on the stand why he was intent on buying Instagram. "We’ve probably tried building dozens of apps over the history of the company, and the majority of them don’t go anywhere."

Other details that came to light on Tuesday include a 2013 email in which Zuckerberg told executives to block Asian competitors Kakao and WeChat from advertising on Facebook. "Those companies are trying to build social networks and replace us," he wrote. "The revenue is immaterial to us compared to any risk."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/mark-zuckerberg-predicted-metas-antitrust-trial-in-a-2018-email-205719635.html?src=rss

Google announced today that it will no longer be using country code top level domains for searches. Instead, all search services will happen on the google.com URL and local results will be delivered automatically. For example, that means users in the UK will no longer see google.co.uk in their browser's address bar. Google URLs with those country-specific domain endings will now redirect to the main google.com address.

Google started using location information to automatically provide search results based on geography in 2017. With that change, it didn't matter whether you entered a query into a local country code URL or into google.com; you'd always see the results version for the place you were physically located. Today's announcement seems to take that initial action to its conclusion by sunsetting those ccTLDs.

"It’s important to note that while this update will change what people see in their browser address bar, it won’t affect the way Search works, nor will it change how we handle obligations under national laws," Google noted in its announcement.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-is-retiring-country-specific-domains-for-search-212157490.html?src=rss

Google and the Wild Dolphin Project have developed an AI model trained to understand dolphin vocalizationsDolphinGemma can run directly on Pixel smartphonesIt will be open-sourced this summer

For most of human history, our relationship with dolphins has been a one-sided conversation: we talk, they squeak, and we nod like we understand each other before tossing them a fish. But now, Google has a plan to use AI to bridge that divide. Working with Georgia Tech and the Wild Dolphin Project (WDP), Google has created DolphinGemma, a new AI model trained to understand and even generate dolphin chatter.The WDP has been collecting data on a specific group of wild Atlantic spotted dolphins since 1985. The Bahamas-based pod has provided huge amounts of audio, video, and behavioral notes as the researchers have observed them, documenting every squawk and buzz and trying to piece together what it all means. This treasure trove of audio is now being fed into DolphinGemma, which is based on Google’s open Gemma family of models. DolphinGemma takes dolphin sounds as input, processes them using audio tokenizers like SoundStream, and predicts what vocalization might come next. Imagine autocomplete, but for dolphins.The model is very slim and can run on a Google Pixel. WDP is already deploying DolphinGemma in the field this summer, using Pixel 9s in waterproof rigs. These models will be listening in, identifying vocal patterns, and helping researchers flag meaningful sequences in real time.

Flipper speaks

But the ultimate goal here isn’t just passive listening. WDP and Georgia Tech are also working on a system called CHAT (short for Cetacean Hearing Augmentation Telemetry), which is essentially a two-way communication system for humans and dolphins. CHAT lets researchers assign synthetic whistles to objects dolphins like, including seagrass and floating scarves, and then waits to see if the dolphins mimic those sounds to request them. It’s kind of like inventing a shared language, except with underwater microphones instead of flashcards.DolphinGemma doesn’t just analyze dolphin sounds after the fact; it helps anticipate what sounds might be coming, enabling faster response times and smoother interactions. In essence, it’s like a predictive keyboard for dolphins. The whole project is still in an early stage, but Google plans to open-source DolphinGemma later this year to accelerate progress.The initial model is trained on the vocalizations of Atlantic spotted dolphins, but it could theoretically be adapted to other species with some tuning. The idea is to hand other researchers the keys to the AI so they can apply it to their own acoustic datasets. Of course, this is still a long way from chatting with dolphins about philosophy or their favorite snacks. There’s no guarantee that dolphin vocalizations map neatly to human-like language. But DolphinGemma will help sift through years of audio for meaningful patterns.Dolphins aren't the only animals humans may use AI to communicate with. Another group of scientists developed an AI algorithm to decode pigs' emotions based on their grunts, squeals, and snuffles to help farmers understand their emotional and physical health. Dolphins are undeniably more charismatic, though. Who knows, maybe someday you'll be able to ask a dolphin for directions while you're sailing, at least if you don't drop your phone in the water.

You might also like

Google Search can help people learn English with new language tutor toolYouTube could be getting a real-time translator in the futureGoogle Translate will now understand the difference between bass and bass

According to an SEC filing from NVIDIA, the US government now requires companies to obtain a license to export H20 integrated circuits and any other products that achieve the same performance benchmarks. The filing states that "the license requirement addresses the risk that the covered products may be used in, or diverted to, a supercomputer in China." Mainland China is not the only place targeted by this license; NVIDIA will also require permission to sell the H20 to the territories of Hong Kong and Macau as well as to nations with the D:5 designation as US Arms Embargo Countries.

The H20 chips are currently the most advanced chips that can be sold to select international markets under present laws and they are powerful enough to be used for artificial intelligence applications. NVIDIA has wanted the ability to retain Chinese customers for these products and last week, it seemed like the company may have gotten a reprieve on new restrictions. However, it appears that the new license requirement "will be in effect for the indefinite future."

NVIDIA said in the SEC filing that it now expects to report about $5.5 billion in charges related to "inventory, purchase commitments and related reserves" associated with the H20 circuits in the results for its current fiscal quarter.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/nvidia-says-the-us-has-put-export-restrictions-on-h20-ai-chips-224822930.html?src=rss

Skullcandy Method 360 ANC are wireless earbuds with Bose sound9 hrs battery in the buds with ANC on, Bose-style ergonomic fitAvailable now for $99 / £99 (about AU$200) – US price will rise to $119

Skullcandy has just unveiled its latest earbuds, and they're a mashup with Bose that I think looks like incredibly good value for their $99 / £99 launch price – though in the US, that's just an initial introductory price, and will rise to $119 officially.The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC buds are true wireless buds that come in a really cool slide-out case with an O-ring to connect to your backpack or cool skate clothes (the press images seem to emphasize the skating vibe).The design of the buds themselves bears more than a passing resemblance to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, but with Skullcandy-like funky color options. They have fins for a super-secure fit, and apparently this is "licensed technology from Bose [to] help ensure a perfect fit and block out unwanted sound". There are different-sized fins and eartips to help get the most secure fit for your ear shape.Speaking of blocking out the sound, they have active noise cancellation, with adjustable modes via Skullcandy's app and a 'Stay-Aware' passthrough mode. Four mics power the ANC, and given the tech involved, it seems that Bose has had its hand in here as well – these could rank among the best noise-canceling earbuds on a budget.Impressively, the battery life with ANC turned on is nine hours from the earbuds, with another 23 hours from the case. That's way above most of the competition from even the best earbuds. With the ANC off, you get 11 hours from the buds and a further 29 from the case.

(Image credit: Skullcandy)

Now, you might assume (as I did) from the '360' name that there's some kind of spatial audio here. Well, there isn't.Which is fine given the budget, I have no complaint about that – but it feels like Skullcandy already blew the perfectly good name it could've given the next-gen version where it did add this feature.There's multi-point pairing, Google Fast Pair support, and Bluetooth 5.3 including Bluetooth LE Audio support, so they're somewhat future-proof. There's no mention of Bluetooth Auracast support, but the version of Bluetooth here supports it, so it might be possible in the future.It's also a shame there's no Find My support, but I can live without that. There's very little to complain about otherwise – even little things that are often left out of budget buds are here, including IPX4 sweat resistance and auto-pausing wear detection when you take them off.

Left to right: Plasma, Primer, Black, Bone, Leopard (Image credit: Skullcandy)

The color options are especially good. They are, in order of how awesome they sound: Plasma, Leopard, Bone, Primer, and Black. They are, in order of how cool they look: Leopard, Plasma, Primer, Black, and Bone.If these have sound quality and ANC to match the Bose partnership, and the comfort we expect from Skullcandy, these look like they've hit a real value sweet spot, and may rank among the best budget earbuds.We've already had our hands on them, and will bring you some first impressions once we've had a chance to make some early judgments. They're available to buy from today.

You might also like

Sennheiser launches AirPods-like open earbuds, and if they're as good as the rest of its Accentum headphones, they'll be a bargainOne of the best budget earbuds brands just launched two super-cheap noise cancelling buds, and some open earbuds with Hi-Res AudioDenon's AirPods-like new earbuds range beats Apple with next-gen Bluetooth audio and a tempting low price

Skullcandy just revealed a new pair of wireless earbuds, the Method 360 ANC. Interestingly, the company has teamed up with rival headphone-maker Bose for this product. The earbuds have been tuned by Bose and use eartips similar to the ones found with the company’s QuietComfort line.

This is part of the pre-existing Sound by Bose platform, in which the company helps rivals with tuning and sound quality. The Motorola Moto Buds+ earbuds also include this feature.

Otherwise, the Method 360 ANC earbuds seem like a solid entry in a crowded field. They offer ANC, multipoint connections, custom EQ options, wear detection and other bells and whistles. The battery lasts around 10 hours per charge, which increases to 40 hours when considering the charging case. However, this metric is with ANC turned off. There is a quick-charge feature that advertises two hours of use on just ten minutes of charging. This charging case includes an O-ring, so it can be clipped to stuff, and is available in several colors.

Skullcandy

The earbuds ship with multiple sets of eartips that also use technology by Bose to ensure a “secure, ultra-comfortable fit and superior noise isolation.” They integrate with the Skull-iQ app, for making EQ adjustments, reconfiguring buttons and changing ANC modes. The Method 360 ANC earbuds are available right now at an introductory price of $100. The cost will go up to $130 later on.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/skullcandys-new-method-360-anc-earbuds-have-been-tuned-by-bose-230053911.html?src=rss

Aurzen first debuted its tri-folding compact projector at CES 2025After a Kickstarter, it's now up for sale on Amazon and already seeing a discountWith the ultra-portable Zip projector, it can show content horizontally or vertically

The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show might be long over, but in about four months since then, one of the wildest products we saw on the show floor is well up for order and shipping soon.The Aurzen ZIP is a tri-folding ultra-portable projector, making the like of the Samsung Freestyle seem downright clunky. It impressed us in a brief demonstration at the show, mostly for the sheer novelty and it’s up for order right now on Amazon.It’s priced at $399.99, with Prime members scoring free shipping, but if you pick the Gold color you can clip a coupon on the page for $20 off.That brings the cost for this compact projector down to $379.99. Though, if you’re set on Grey you’ll need to pay the full price of $399.99.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Aurzen’s ZIP lets you cast a 720pHD screen on nearly any surface from an integrated DLP projector. It promises up to 100 ANSI lumens of brightness and even has stereo speakers built-in, though considering the size, we wouldn’t expect super-powerful audio.It even packs a solid amount of connectivity, including Bluetooth 5.4 for screen mirroring or connecting to another audio service. Still, through a Wi-Fi dongle, you can utilize CastPlay to communicate with other devices and cast content.Even neater, though, is that the ZIP can cast content horizontally, which makes it great for watching movies, TV shows, or even a sports game, but the versatility is upped as it can also show vertical content in the 3:2 format.This means you can connect your iPhone or Android to watch TikToks, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels on the big screen. Err, wherever you opt to put that big screen. There is a built-in gyroscope to let it make that switch from horizontal to vertical or vice versa as well. An Apple-esque feature list on Amazon lists that the Zip features Auto Keystone – which should mean you get a clear picture – and ‘Zero-Lag Focus.’Even with a laundry list of features, don’t go into the Aurzen Zip thinking it’s going to deliver the best picture possible. It's almost certainly a step below the Samsung Freestyle.Rather, this will be excellent for the traveler or someone who is on the go and wants to take in content – horizontal or vertical – via a bigger view. Maybe, you’re on the road and want to lie in bed and watch a show on your ceiling.It also speaks to the design here, which is the really neat part – the Zip is a full tri-folding design for a projector that weighs in at just 9.8 ounces or 280 grams. When closed, it’s a bit bigger than a Post-it note at 3.1 x 3.1 x 1 inch, and you can get it to project the perfect view by tilting the top panel, which contains the projector and top controls.You can watch our first look at the Aurzen Zip from CES 2025 above, and let me know in the comments if you end up adding this to your cart. Again, it’s available on Amazon for $399.99 in Grey, but if you get in Gold, you can clip the $20 off coupon on the page to get it for just $379.99.

You might also like

The best 4K projector 2025: top home theater beamersSamsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen review: the best portable projector gets even betterLego just dropped 9 new sets, but as a Star Wars obsessed fan, I'd shop these three first