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Money no objectWe love to give practical buying advice on the latest gadgets here at TechRadar. But sometimes what we love even more is to indulge in the most outrageously high-end, cutting-edge, luxurious tech on the planet. That's what we bring you in these Money No Object columns – you can read the whole series here.

Only recently, we discovered a pair of luxury speakers that look like something from Elton "Rocket Man" John's house. And today we've got two pairs of luxury speakers that look like actual space rockets, or maybe robots that'd chase Doctor Who around a quarry, or maybe something Jony Ive would've designed in 2003.These are the new Rhea and Theia Passive speakers from Swiss luxury audio brand Goldmund, and they're yours for around $108,000 (£82,000 / AU$171,000) and $215,000 (£162,000 / AU$338,000).If you're a fan of mythology you'll recognize the names: Theia and Rhea are Titan goddesses, and Goldmund also has an even more premium set of speakers named after their mythical mother, Gaia.The Gaia speakers currently retail in the UK for £650,000 (about $860,000 / AU$1,354,338), so by comparison these are super-cheap budget buys.

If you told me this tormented James Caan in a ’70s space movie, I'd believe you. (Image credit: Goldmund)

Goldmund Theia and Rhea: key features

Goldmund already makes speakers called Theia and Rhea, but these are new, passive models that support mono, bi- and tri-wired setups. The firm warns that you'll need very high-quality amplification to drive them, as lesser amps won't be able to deliver the speed the speaker drivers need to perform at their best.The speakers are three-way in the case of the Rhea and four-way with the Theia. The Rhea has a soft dome tweeter, a seven-inch mid-range driver and a 12-inch woofer, and the Theia has a soft dome tweeter, a four-inch high-mid driver, a six-inch low-medium driver and again, a 12-inch woofer.Frequency response is 27Hz to 25kHz for the Rhea, and 20Hz to 25kHz for the Theia.As you might expect, when you order a pair of these speakers Goldmund doesn't just chuck some bubble wrap around them: each set comes packaged in a custom flight case. That adds to the already considerable weight: the Rhea is 123kg and the Thea is 197kg. Oh, and that's per speaker.Both sets of speakers are available today. If you'd like something a little more affordable, we have a list of the best stereo speakers.

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Nintendo finally revealed when gamers in the US and Canada will be able to place their orders for Switch 2 consoles. Nintendo announced that Switch 2 pre-orders will open on April 24 in both regions. Price has remained the same, even in the face of tariffs: the Switch 2 console alone will cost $450, while the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle will cost $500.

However, Nintendo also stated it will adjust prices of Switch 2 accessories due to "market conditions." "Other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions," the company said in the press release.

Also in its statement, the company apologized for the pre-order delay and reiterated that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be widely available starting June 5.

How to pre-order the Switch 2

In addition to direct from Nintendo, you'll be able to snag a Switch 2 from participating retailers when the console becomes available. Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Target have confirmed they'll be opening pre-orders on April 24. GameStop said it will be accepting pre-orders both in stores and online, the latter starting at 11AM ET that day. Target's pre-orders will open at midnight. We also expect it to be available from Amazon.

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.

Pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 from:

Nintendo

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Amazon

Tariffs and the Nintendo Switch 2

During its most recent Direct presentation at the start of April, Nintendo showed off more of the Switch 2 than it ever had before. That included the reveal of the April 9 pre-order opening date, in addition to the original $450 starting price. Shortly after, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on China and other countries, prompting Nintendo to delay pre-orders in the US and Canada.

In a reversal, President Trump then announced a 90-day pause on steep “reciprocal” tariffs affecting 75 countries, but also announced that the tariff imposed on China will go up even further (currently, it's up to 245 percent for that country).

We now know that the original $450 price for the Switch 2 will remain the same in the US and Canada, but based on its official statement, it appears Nintendo is leaving the door open for potential future price increases.

We also know that 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 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. It has been speculated that Nintendo will ramp up production of Switch 2 consoles in Vietnam so it can stay on schedule, even if it sells the console at a loss in the short term.

More Switch 2 details

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. Those are the accessories that Nintendo stated will receive price adjustments — otherwise known as price increases. The new Switch 2 camera will now cost $55, instead of the original $50 price tag; the new Switch 2 Pro controller will be $85 instead of $80; an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers will set you back $95 instead of $90 and a Joy-Con charging grip will go for $40 instead of $35. Check out Nintendo's official statement for all of the accessory price adjustments.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-pre-orders-open-thursday-in-the-us-starting-at-450-plus-everything-else-you-need-to-know-140931297.html?src=rss

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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, April 20 (game #1181).

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 #1183) - 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 #1183) - 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 0.

Quordle today (game #1183) - 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 #1183) - 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 2.

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 #1183) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

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

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

Quordle today (game #1183) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1183, are…

SHARDPRINTSUMACLEACH

Even though I only had the first letter in the correct position, and three in incorrect positions, I was confident that it would start S-H-A-R, and I was proved right when my final start word turned out a green D to create SHARD.Changing my start word from WOULD to COULD was also a big help, as the next two words both had a C – SUMAC and LEACH – and may have been trickier to get if they didn’t.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1183) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1183, are…

ALLOTBANALBOASTUNTIE

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUEQuordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULTQuordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTOQuordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURTQuordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUTQuordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAYQuordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCEQuordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOPQuordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THINGQuordle #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, ERECT

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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, April 20 (game #412).

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… What talent!

NYT Strands today (game #414) - hint #2 - clue words

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

BASICRICEGLUECAGECOINURGE

NYT Strands today (game #414) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #414) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: bottom, 4th columnLast side: top, 2nd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #414) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #414, are…

ACROBATJUGGLERDUETCOMICMAGICIANDANCERSPANGRAM: VARIETY ACTS

My rating: EasyMy score: Perfect

My immediate thoughts on today’s theme were TV talent shows and the many variants of such and such a country’s “got talent”.In the UK, our version ran out of talent and we started importing contestants that had appeared in other country’s versions of the show. At that point the emphasis switched from unearthing talent and more about creating a fun TV show, which it did – but it broke the format. Hard to keep up the illusion of judgement when you’ve cast the competitors.Anyway, I digress. Knowing the VARIETY ACTS we were looking for made for a very dull Strands. Although having DUET instead of SINGER is a slight curveball. Also missing were the cute dog acts that seem an integral part of a variety show — or at least ones involving Simon Cowell.Concerns about exploitation have seen, probably correctly, the decline of performing animals – apart from dogs, who seem more than happy to humiliate themselves dancing / jumping over tiny fences / posing on pedestals / smoking pipes / catching frisbees / wearing bomber jackets and pork pie hats for human entertainment. Not good enough to make Strands though, lads.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 20 April, game #413)

BUNNYTOYSBOOKEGGSCHOCOLATECANDYPEEPSSPANGRAM: EASTER BASKET

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

Looking for a different day?A new 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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, April 20 (game #677).

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 #680) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

CELLIRONTWISTSHEETSPRINGWRENCHPROTEINCORKSCREWDNACURVEBALLCOLUMNSODIUMBOMBSHELLROWFATFUSILLI

NYT Connections today (game #680) - hint #1 - group hints

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

YELLOW: Food informationGREEN: Surprise elementBLUE: Excel or Google PURPLE: Spirals

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 #680) - hint #2 - group answers

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

YELLOW: INFO ON A NUTRITION LABELGREEN: METAPHOR FOR SOMETHING UNEXPECTED BLUE: THINGS YOU CAN INSERT INTO A SPREADSHEET PURPLE: HELICAL THINGS

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

NYT Connections today (game #680) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #680, are…

YELLOW: INFO ON A NUTRITION LABEL FAT, IRON, PROTEIN, SODIUMGREEN: METAPHOR FOR SOMETHING UNEXPECTED BOMBSHELL, CURVEBALL, TWIST, WRENCHBLUE: THINGS YOU CAN INSERT INTO A SPREADSHEET CELL, COLUMN, ROW, SHEETPURPLE: HELICAL THINGS CORKSCREW, DNA, FUSILLI, SPRING

My rating: ModerateMy score: 1 mistake

My mistake today came with what would become HELICAL THINGS.From FUSILLI, I immediately knew that we were looking for spiral shapes, but I ignored SPRING as an object and picked CURVEBALL instead, thinking of the spin of a ball thrown by a baseball pitcher spun in a spiral. I abandoned this group as the rest seemed more concrete.I use Google Sheets nearly every day for one reason or another, so THINGS YOU CAN INSERT INTO A SPREADSHEET was an easy solve. And although INFO ON A NUTRITIONAL LABEL wasn’t what I was thinking, FAT, IRON, PROTEIN and SODIUM seemed to belong together.Incidentally, returning to fusilli, it is a brilliant pasta shape that is often the victim of misidentification.For years I thought I was eating fusilli, which is a hollow coiled spring shape, but I was actually eating rotini, which is corkscrew shaped pasta. It's not my fault rotini is often sold as fusilli. It’s like John Travolta and Nicolas Cage in Face/Off – they’ve changed identities and everyone’s unsure who is who. Fortunately they both have excellent sauce-attracting grooves (the pasta, not John Travolta and Nicolas Cage's faces).How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, 20 April, game #679)

YELLOW: GLIMPSE GANDER, GLANCE, LOOK, PEEPGREEN: NEEDS FOR TIE-DYEING A SHIRT BASIN, DYE, RUBBER BANDS, SHIRTBLUE: THINGS YOU CAN CRACK CODE, EGG, JOKE, WHIPPURPLE: WORDS BEFORE "HOP" BAR, BUNNY, HIP, SOCK

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.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip tipped to arrive in JulyMass production on these devices could start next monthThe tri-fold and affordable flip phone may follow on later

If Samsung sticks to the same timings as last year, then we should see the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 appear sometime in July – and we now have a big hint that these foldables are indeed on schedule.According to a new report from South Korean outlet The Bell (via SamMobile), mass production for the two foldable phones is set to begin in May, as per information obtained from Samsung Display – which is of course supplying the screens.The news fits in nicely with a July launch, and the article itself mentions a foldable phone launch in "the second half of the year" (as per Google Translate). No doubt Samsung will arrange another of its Unpacked launch events for the occasion.We don't get much information here about the rumored Galaxy Z Flip FE or the tri-fold foldable that Samsung has confirmed is on the way. The report intimates that these devices will appear in the fourth quarter of 2025 – October, November, or December.

The rumors so far

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Image credit: Samsung)

Various rumors and leaks have been floating around when it comes to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and the overall impression we've got is that there are going to be some decent upgrades from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy Z Flip 6.It would be a surprise if these phones didn't come running the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which has been seen in benchmarks for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and the book-style foldable has also been tipped to have improved cameras and a slimmer design.As for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, there has been talk of a full-sized cover screen that wraps fully around the cameras, which should make the outer display more useful. We've also heard that there might be a noticeable bump in battery capacity.Both these phones could make their debut running One UI 8 as well, which is based on Android 16. The Samsung Galaxy S25 handsets were the first to arrive with One UI 7 in January, so it would be a relatively quick turnaround for the next version.

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Andor season 2 is almost here. The Emmy-nominated Star Wars TV show returns for its second and final season very soon, so I imagine you'll want to know when you can stream it.In this guide you'll find a detailed rundown of when this season's three-episode premiere will be released in the US, UK, and Australia. I've also compiled a full launch schedule for Andor's second season, so you can see when new episodes will be released in those countries.So, what are you waiting for, rebel? Dive in to kickstart the revolution!

When will Andor season 2 come out on Disney+ in the US?

Stop looking so worried, Bix – season 2 arrives tomorrow in the US! (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)

Andor season 2 will make its Disney+ debut in the US on Tuesday, April 22 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.As I mentioned above, you won't be treated to just a single episode on release day, as there will be three chapters to stream. That's because this season's 12 episodes have been split up into four acts comprising three entries apiece, with each act depicting a specific event across four years that lead up the beginning of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.According to showrunner Tony Gilroy, this season's narrative structure makes for some "very sexy" time jumps. I suspect season 2 will be just as dangerous, gripping, and heart-wrenching as Andor season 1 was, too.

When can I watch Andor season 2's first three episodes in the UK?

Dedra Meero will be keeping tabs on you while you watch season 2 (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)

UK viewers should tune into Disney+ UK to catch Andor season 2 episodes 1 to 3 on Wednesday, April 23 at 2am BST.That'll be a bit early (that's the understatement of the year!) for pretty much everyone on British shores. So, if you'd prefer to stream one of 2025's new Star Wars movies and shows at a later time, you can. Just make sure you stay off social media and/or avoid your fellow Star wars devotees to avoid spoilers.

What day and time will Andor season 2 be released in Australia?

Nobody tell Syril when Andor's second season will air on Disney+ (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)

Andor's final season will be released in Australia on Wednesday, April 23 at 11am AEST. You'll be able to watch one of the best Disney+ shows on, well, Disney+ as well.

Andor season 2 full release schedule: when will new episodes come out?

Stop scouring the web for more details on season 2's full launch schedule, Mon! (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)

Want to know when new episodes of Andor will be released on one of the world's best streaming services? Read on to learn more:

Andor season 2 episode 1 – April 22 (US); April 23 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 2 – April 22 (US); April 23 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 3 – April 22 (US); April 23 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 4 – April 29 (US); April 30 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 5 – April 29 (US); April 30 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 6 – April 29 (US); April 30 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 7 – May 6 (US); May 7 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 8 – May 6 (US); May 7 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 9 – May 6 (US); May 7 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 10 – May 13 (US); May 14 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 11 – May 13 (US); May 14 (UK and Australia)Andor season 2 episode 12 – May 13 (US); May 14 (UK and Australia)

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Nintendo surprised us with a little blast from the past this weekend, uploading a 34-year-old Super Nintendo commercial featuring Paul Rudd to its YouTube channel — and it’s released a sequel for the Nintendo Switch 2. Rudd appears in the Switch 2 promo wearing the same outfit he wore back in 1991, but this time he’s playing Mario Kart World with some celebrity friends over the new GameChat social feature. It’s a charming callback to the original SNES ad, which itself is deliciously ‘90s and a real treat to revisit in 2025. Commercials today just don’t hit the same.

Nintendo has steadily been drumming up the hype for the Switch 2’s arrival since it was announced at the beginning of April. The company recently held a livestream to share a more in-depth look at Mario Kart World, which launches on the same day as the new console, revealing some of the new courses, items and assistive features like Smart Steering. We’ve still got some time to wait before it’s all here, though. Pre-orders for the Switch 2 open on April 24, and the console will be available starting June 5.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-shares-a-vintage-snes-commercial-starring-paul-rudd-as-he-reprises-the-role-for-switch-2-171316112.html?src=rss

Phishing kits sold for $25 give low-skilled criminals powerful tools to steal dataDrag-and-drop website builders and fake emails make launching professional scams easyPhishing-as-a-service platforms help criminals run large attack campaigns

The world of cybercrime is ever-evolving, and phishing attacks are becoming easier to carry out.New research by NordVPN’s shows that phishing kits - pre-made software bundles - are now widely sold for less than $25, giving even low-skilled criminals the ability to steal sensitive data and launch malware attacks.NordVPN’s research found phishing kits are, like so much criminal gear, often sold on the dark web and apps like Telegram, with the packages typically including everything an attacker needs: ready-to-use fake websites, pre-written emails, and stolen contact lists.

Targeting Google, Meta and Microsoft

Brands such as Google, Meta/Facebook, and Microsoft are some of the most commonly impersonated, with nearly 85,000 fake Google URLs discovered in 2024 alone.Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, explained these kits are making cybercrime more accessible.“Phishing kits are a force multiplier for cybercrime. They put powerful attack tools into the hands of people who may not have the skills to build them on their own,” he says.“With features like drag-and-drop website builders, email templates, and even contact lists, these kits enable even the least technical attackers to carry out professional-looking scams.”At the same time, phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platforms are rising. These subscription-based services allow criminals to launch campaigns without having to manage any of the technical work themselves.“Phishing kits and PhaaS platforms lower the barrier to entry, so we’re seeing a surge in the number and variety of attacks,” Warmenhoven adds. “That means consumers need to be more alert than ever.”

How to stay safe

(Image credit: Amazon India)

Protecting yourself starts, as always, with being skeptical about unexpected emails, especially ones that try to create a sense of urgency or promise big rewards.Always hover over links to check for small spelling errors or unusual domains before clicking.Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible to add a second layer of protection to your accounts. This can stop attackers even if your password gets compromised.Avoid using free file sharing or video hosting sites you do not trust. These often hide malware or invasive trackers.Keep all your software and devices updated to patch known security flaws. Use anti-malware tools to scan downloads, and consider installing browser tracker blockers to protect your privacy.If you accidentally click on a suspicious link or download something you are unsure about, run a full malware scan immediately. If you think your information may have been exposed, change your passwords right away from a safe device.Staying careful with where you browse, what you download, and who you communicate with online can reduce the risks from phishing attacks and help keep your information secure.

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Star Wars Celebration is heading back to Los Angeles for the first time since 2006 to mark the franchise’s 50th anniversary in 2027. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, then simply called Star Wars, first hit theaters in 1977 and the rest is history. The location was announced during the closing ceremony of this year’s event, which took place in Japan. Star Wars Celebration 2027 will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from April 1 to April 4, 2027.

This year’s Star Wars Celebration brought a ton of announcements and previews into upcoming developments for the franchise. We finally got a real look at Star Wars Zero Company, a single-player turn-based tactics game expected to be released in 2026. ILM also revealed a bit more about its Meta Quest mixed-reality experience (which it’s calling a “playset”), Star Wars: Beyond Victory, and it was confirmed that Ryan Gosling will star in a film called Star Wars: Starfighter, per The Hollywood Reporter. And of course, there will be a Fortnite collaboration. With the Galactic Battle season beginning May 2, Darth Jar Jar is coming to Fortnite.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/the-next-star-wars-celebration-will-be-held-in-la-in-2027-for-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-first-film-194628408.html?src=rss

Looking Glass 27 offers 16 inches of depth in a one-inch thick frameIt can project up to 100 views across a 53-degree cone, perfect for shared useBuilt for developers: create in Unity and deploy across platforms using an iPad

Looking Glass has announced a 27-inch 5K light field display which shows 3D content without any need for headsets or glasses.Looking Glass 27 is designed for shared use, projecting 45 to 100 perspectives across a 53-degree view cone. At just one inch thick and capable of displaying 16 inches of virtual depth, it offers shared 3D experiences that were previously only possible with specialized gear.Designed for plug-and-play deployment in offices or exhibitions, the display supports flexible VESA mounting and can even run entirely off an iPad. This alone reduces system-level costs by roughly 35%, while shrinking the overall hardware footprint.

A breakthrough moment for 3D?

Developers can build content in Unity on a PC and deploy it to iPads across multiple platforms via TestFlight or the App Store, streamlining workflows. It has broad support for web-based 3D pipelines and simplified cross-device compatibility."This is a breakthrough moment for 3D. With the new 27-inch display, we’ve combined major hardware and software advances to cut system costs and dramatically reduce compute requirements," said Shawn Frayne, CEO of Looking Glass. "It’s never been easier for developers and enterprises to build, test, and then deploy applications for their audiences in 3D."With a pre-order price of $8,000 (currently 20% off), significantly lower than many would expect, Looking Glass 27 sets a new standard for professional-grade 3D displays. The pre-order window lasts until April 30th. You can see it in action in the video below.

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Spoilers follow for The Last of Us season two, episodes one and two

HBO’s The Last of Us showed viewers in season one that it would lean heavily on the source video games for major plot points and general direction of the season while expanding on the universe, and season two has followed that to the most extreme end possible. Episode two sees Tommy and Maria lead the town of Jackson Hole against a massive wave of Infected, the likes of which we haven’t seen in the show (or video games) yet. This was a complete invention for the show, one that gives the episode Game of Thrones vibes, or calls to mind a battle like the siege of Helm’s Deep in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. It’s epic in scale, with the overmatched defenders showing their skill and bravery against overwhelming odds; there is loss and pain but the good guys eventually triumph.

That mass-scale battle is paired with the most intimate and brutal violence we’ve seen in the entire series so far, as Joel’s actions finally catch up with him. His death at the hands of Abby and her crew of ex-Fireflies from Seattle is truly upsetting, even if you know it is coming — and that in the twisted world that Joel and Abby inhabit, it was a form of “justice.”

Of course, it was pretty obvious after the first five minutes of episode one that this is where Abby’s journey would take her, but it sure happened fast. You could say the same thing about when Joel dies in the video game, but ever since the HBO series was announced I’ve been wondering about just how Craig Mazin would choose to tackle the events of the second game and Joel’s death. Part of me wondered if we wouldn’t know for sure Joel was dead until near the end of the season, or if we might not find out Abby’s motivations until much later. But after two episodes, we know that Abby’s dad was the doctor Joel killed at the end of season one to save Ellie, a fact that makes her disturbing lust for vengeance more understandable to the television audience. In the game, on the other hand, players didn’t find that out until much later — a move that cast Abby in the role of "villain" that made Ellie’s own desire for revenge more relatable for the player

Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO

But what works in a game doesn't necessarily work in a more passive adaptation. I do think there was a way for the writers to save the full reveal for Abby’s motivations for later, but I didn’t really bump on how things played out here. Similarly, I wasn’t really bothered by the introduction to Abby’s crew and her desire to find Joel that happened at the beginning of the season premiere. But I do know a number of people who played the game feel like this has robbed the show of some mystery and changed the momentum in a way that didn’t work for them, and I can appreciate that argument.

For anyone who hasn’t played the games, though, I’m sure that seeing the co-lead character killed off in the second episode of the season was a bit of a shock, no matter how much it was hinted at — particularly after Joel went out of his way to save Abby from certain death. In another world, you could imagine that blunting her need for revenge, or at least having her forgo the extended torture of a helpless Joel. But she’s clearly captivated by the opportunity in a way that even her friends are a bit horrified by. Ellie being there to find Dina unconscious and then forced to watch Abby deliver the final blow is the cherry on the disaster sundae that is this episode. It’s even harder to swallow when you consider their last interaction was Ellie’s extreme rebuff of Joel at the dance the night before.

Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO

It’s truly a wild choice for such a high-profile show, even though there was nowhere else for it to go. Pedro Pascal has been everywhere the last few years, and The Last of Us could have been his signature role. Joel’s death doesn’t fully diminish that, but obviously even if we see him in flashbacks in this season and the next, it won’t be the same as him leading an episode. To let such a marketable and popular star go must have been a tough pill for HBO to swallow, though chances are that the network knew from the beginning of negotiations that would have to happen. Regardless, it’s a move up there with the death of Sean Bean’s Ned Stark in terms of subverting audience expectations about who is going to lead the show going forward. That’ll fall to Bella Ramsey for the rest of the season.

I will say that Mazin and director Mark Mylod did a great job of balancing the many stories and cast members in this episode. Kaitlyn Dever gets her first extended amount of screen time and captures Abby’s barely-contained ferocity in a way that feels like a great tribute to the game source material, despite the fact that she is not nearly as physically ripped as Abby is in the game. Her scenes with Joel and Dina are absolutely chilling, even before she has Joel on the ropes; big credit to Pascal and Isabela Merced, again, for showing a major range of emotions as they help Abby escape from the Infected only to be betrayed.

Kaitlyn Dever in HBO's The Last of UsPhotograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO

Ramsey, meanwhile, shares a lot of time with Young Mazino’s Jesse as they go on patrol and frantically search for Joel; back in Jackson, Gabriella Luna and Rutina Wesley as Tommy and Maria keep Jackson from falling to the Infected. It’s a lot of threads to tie together, and the fact that this episode includes the biggest battle we’ve ever seen as well as Joel’s capture and death without feeling overstuffed is a testament to the writers, directors and cast.

Speaking of that Infected battle, I wasn’t fully sold on it when I saw teases in the trailers for this season, but it was a thrilling delight. I loved seeing the preparations Jackson put into place, like the oil barrels coming down from the walls and the flamethrower brigade surrounded by snipers up on the buildings. Of course, all the best-planned defenses fail once the Infected get through the wall and all hell breaks loose, and the show successfully had me questioning whether the town would make it even though the idea of it fully falling seemed like a deviation too far from the game. It definitely felt like a response to the criticisms of a relative lack of Infected action in season one, but it worked, and the juxtaposition of the disaster befalling Jackson at large as well as the smaller-scale loss of one of its most important citizens added another layer to the grief.

Infected Score: 11/10

The showrunners say season two will have more Infected than season one — let’s see if they’re sticking to their word.

Tommy taking down a Bloater with a flamethrower in front of a Mailboxes Etc. store? Barrels of oil lighting a field of Infected on fire? The extremely creepy reveal of the “live” Infected buried and laying in wait under a field of frozen ones that emerged and chased Abby right into the path of Joel? Jackson’s guard dogs coming to the rescue to keep the horde from overtaking the town? This was the most epic action we’ve seen out of the show yet, on a scale that we didn’t get in the games. It’ll be hard to top this battle.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-last-of-us-season-two-through-the-valley-recap-well-that-happened-020017596.html?src=rss

GMKTec EVO-X2 offers Ryzen AI Max+ 395 power at a surprisingly low priceGMKTec’s compact workstation promises serious AI performanceHigh-end specs in a mini PC make EVO-X2 perfect for creative and AI tasks

Following the official launch of the GMKTec EVO-X2, a compact yet powerful mini PC powered by AMD’s flagship Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU, the device was listed on the Chinese market for CNY 14,999 (roughly $2,066), which appeared to be rather on the steep side.However, the device has now arrived in Europe, where buyers can unlock a reduced pre-sale price of €1,499 for the base model by paying a $100 deposit.Those who want the higher configuration need to place a €200 deposit to qualify for a discounted €1,799 final price. All orders must be completed by May 7 to receive the full discount.

Ryzen AI Max+ 395 brings workstation-level performance

The GMKTec EVO-X2’s CPU is based on the Strix Halo platform and comes with an integrated Radeon 8060S GPU using the latest RDNA 3.5 architecture. With up to 40 compute units and a total power budget of 140W, the EVO-X2 marks a serious leap forward in AI-capable compact systems.As AMD’s strongest integrated chip to date, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, brings workstation-level performance into a smaller footprint, making the EVO-X2 one of the best workstation PC options for creatives and developers alike.The base model ships with 64GB of LPDDR5X memory running at 8,000 MT/s and a 1TB SSD, while the higher variant comes with 128GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.These features also make the EVO-X2 an excellent choice for users looking for the best laptop for Photoshop. Even though it’s a desktop, its compact mini PC design is mobile enough to compete with traditional laptops for creatives who need raw power.The EVO-X2 isn't just about internal specs. It comes with a wide range of ports, including USB 4.0, USB 3.2 Gen2, USB 2.0, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, an SD card reader, and dual 3.5mm audio jacks. Network demands are handled by a 2.5 Gbit Ethernet port, and there’s a dedicated button for fan control as well as a mysterious "Performance Mode" switch.Considering the hardware packed into this device, it could even rival the modular, enthusiast-focused Framework Desktop, while undercutting it in price.The GMKTec EVO-X2 is positioning itself as one of the best mobile workstations available, combining compact form, cutting-edge performance, and future-ready AI acceleration.Via Computerbase

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Progress towards sustainability is rarely straightforward. Building a truly sustainable telecom network is a long and complex journey, one that requires balancing innovation, financial realities, and the constraints of existing infrastructure.Telecom operators are discovering this first-hand as they strive for more sustainable networks. Compared to other key sectors like utilities or transportation, telecom operators were among the earlier adopters of net zero targets, led by major players like BT, Vodafone, Telia, and AT&T who helped set the pace.These targets are admirable, but operators have a big challenge on their hands to hit them. As critical national infrastructure, telecom networks can't simply be de-installed or decommissioned and replaced from scratch. Sustainability goals must be balanced against two critical business priorities: competitiveness and financial viability. It’s a fine balance.

Balancing legacy with innovation

Even as they look to evolve their networks with more advanced (and often more eco-friendly) technology like 5G or fiber, operators are wrestling with a hidden beast – maintaining the network they already have. Telecoms is one of the longest-standing forms of what we still consider ‘modern’ technology.It has evolved massively over time, but in the UK and US for example, some of these networks have existed for over a century. More importantly, even today, many still contain equipment that is up to fifty years old. If you flipped this around on the consumers that use these networks, it would be the same as still using the Nokia 3310 ‘brick’ or the first-ever laptop.While older technology like copper-based DSL and PSTN infrastructure in fixed networks, along with 2G and 3G hardware in mobile, is being replaced by modern alternatives, this is a gradual process. Several major US carriers have already phased out 2G and 3G, but in the UK, VM02 is only just beginning its 3G phase-out.Meanwhile, in the fixed space, BT, which has been preparing for its PSTN switch-off for several years, has now pushed the final deadline back from 2025 to 2027. Indeed, 81% of operators expect their copper network infrastructure to remain operational until at least 2028. Meanwhile, 60% say they’ll still be using 2G until around 2030 and beyond. The shift to modern networks is happening, but not at the same pace everywhere.

The legacy burden

This situation is a bit of a catch-22. Operators need to evolve their networks to improve their service, use less energy and drive revenue growth, but ageing infrastructure slows this down in a number of ways. The first is a financial drain. According to data from Omdia, around 50% of total operational expenditure (OpEx) is typically spent on maintaining and operating a network. This includes utilities, leasing real estate and infrastructure, and maintenance costs, with ageing equipment a big driver of this. While newer technology might demand more up-front investment, it is far more efficient in the long run, with lower day-to-day costs.There are also more second-hand costs that come from legacy infrastructure. The ‘operational toil’ of maintaining, repairing, and replacing faulty equipment is invisible to consumers but demands significant time and resources. Outages on legacy networks are also remarkably common, with 96% of network managers in the US and UK reporting incidents. According to the same findings, the average annual impact of network downtime is £500K-£1M ($632K-$1.2M in the US), with very few respondents reporting losses below this range.The result of all of this? Slower network evolution. This operational burden has huge implications for telcos trying to roll out new technology and services. 97% reported diverting resources from investing in new technologies like fiber or 5G to maintain legacy networks. Four out of five believe this has hindered their ability to roll out these new services versus newer greenfield operators.

The long road out

This ‘opportunity cost’ is significant, but it is not insurmountable. It just means that operators need to be as commercially and environmentally efficient as possible when decommissioning and evolving their networks.On the financial front, the burden from legacy networks leaves such fine margins that delivering more cost-positive decommissioning projects is critical. But those ambitious net zero targets can’t be overlooked at this stage – we need to minimize the environmental impact of network evolution.Modern equipment typically consumes between 20-50% less energy, but embedded emissions (upfront impact) for manufacturing new equipment like fiber cables or 5G radios are significant. So, while long-phase emissions are lower, the full impact depends on how long the equipment is used, how circular the supply chain is and how well the technology it replaces is phased out. Currently, many operators are running both new and old, temporarily adding to footprints rather than reducing them.

Going circular

To address this dual challenge, we are seeing operators increasingly leveraging the circular economy to minimize the environmental and financial impact of decommissioning. This means recovering, and recycling or reselling hardware and raw materials as much as possible.According to recent research, 80% of respondents plan to resell copper infrastructure for fixed networks, while 72% intend to resell 2G or 3G equipment for mobile networks.The market for the recycling and resale of copper is huge. At the time of writing, copper prices are at an all-time high, making ‘urban mining’ from telecom networks not just better for the environment, but also financially rewarding. For fixed network operators, this can free up resources that would normally go toward maintaining the network to reinvest in further decommissioning and accelerate timelines.This isn’t just theoretical - BT’s infrastructure division, Openreach, has already recouped £105M in recycling old copper cables from its network. Telefónica Spain is also actively pursuing large-scale copper recovery as part of its national switch-off plans. On the mobile side, because certain markets (including the US, UK and the Nordics) are slightly ahead on network evolution, there is a market for selling refurbished equipment, but the window is closing.While there is of course an environmental benefit to reusing and recycling old hardware, it is arguably the financial uplift that the circular economy can give operators that will be more influential in the industry’s journey towards net zero.

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

Cutting the cord has never been easier. However, with so many video streaming platforms available today, choosing the right one can feel like navigating a maze of TV channels, original shows and subscription tiers. Whether you're in it for binge-worthy dramas, live news updates from CNN or family-friendly movies on Hallmark and Lifetime, the best streaming services offer something for everyone.Some platforms focus on delivering high-quality 4K content, while others are ideal for accessing live channels like Bravo, local broadcast networks and even full live TV streaming services. It really depends on what you're looking for — whether it’s the latest hit series, real-time sports or just a reliable way to catch your favorite comfort shows without a cable subscription. No matter your preferences, we’ve tested and reviewed the best streaming services to help you get the most out of your cord cutting setup.

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The road to net zero is a long one. For the UK to hit its 2050 target, there must be a unified effort across all sectors to decarbonize. While highly visible polluters such as heavy industry and transport make up the lion’s share of emissions, we can’t let the invisible activities of the online world off the hook. One polluter we encounter every day but may never consider a carbon culprit is digital advertising.For years, there has been a concerted effort to optimize the supply chain that powers digital advertising, but the barriers are stubborn and steep: the lack of transparency, the vast number of adtech intermediaries, the spend wasted on low-quality placements. Each of these challenges also drive up emissions, for a global CO2 bill of 7.2 million tons a year, all just to put an ad on your screen.Programmatic advertising — the automated process for buying and selling ads — is particularly inefficient. Advertisers pour money into the system for the sole purpose of easily reaching consumers at scale, but an audit by the Association of National Advertisers found only 36 cents of every dollar spent reaches its intended destination.This presents a unique opportunity to the industry: cut bloat in the advertising supply chain and you kill two birds with one stone: increasing campaign performance and reducing emissions at the same time. If there’s nothing but benefits to such optimizations, why haven’t they been achieved yet? It’s simple, we didn’t have AI.

Cleaner, leaner programmatic advertising that delivers on its promise

At its heart, programmatic advertising is meant to streamline digital media buying by automating the process of placing ads in real-time. Instead of manually negotiating with individual publishers, advertisers use demand-side platforms (DSPs) to bid for ad placements as they become available across a vast network of websites and apps, who surface their available inventory on supply-side platforms (SSPs). This entire process happens in milliseconds.Unfortunately, over time programmatic advertising has become a tangled web of intermediaries, inefficiencies, and hidden costs. The sheer number of players involved means budgets leak away before they reach publisher inventory, and every unnecessary transaction comes with its own little puff of CO2.Worse still, the sheer volume of bid requests swarming the system is staggering; in the US alone, 647 times more bid requests are sent out every day than there are people in the country. And this pollution is not merely ‘digital’: audits have found that 60% of carbon emissions from programmatic advertising are generated during the ad selection process.The signal-to-noise ratio is clearly way off, but machine learning and AI — perfectly suited to such messy mathematical challenges — can rebalance the scales. Instead of blindly spraying a “firehose” of requests — as the practice has been labelled — AI-powered bidding technologies take a more calculated approach. By “learning” from prior and real-time digital advertising campaign data, AI can map out the most efficient pathways for delivering ads, reducing unnecessary steps and ensuring more budgets are allocated to actual working media.The best part? What’s good for the bottom line is also good for the planet: fewer wasted impressions mean lower costs and lower emissions; a rare win-win solution.Emissions reductions aren’t just a happy accident of supply chain optimization, AI can also deliberately steer campaigns towards low-emission inventory using an array of real-time data signals. Factors like time of day, device type, Wi-Fi versus mobile connections, and even whether the local energy grid is running on renewables can all be accounted for; all without getting in the way of campaign KPIs.AI’s predictive capabilities can even be trained to prevent unwanted and unintended downstream effects of optimization. For example, if you make the cost per impression cheaper, advertisers could by default buy more of them, causing a “rebound effect” where reducing costs ends up actually increasing overall emissions. AI can keep this unintended consequence in check, ensuring that absolute carbon emissions remain reduced.

Decarbonization so good even climate sceptics won’t resist

With AI taking over the number crunching, digital advertising can evolve beyond the inefficient, carbon-heavy machine it once was. Advertisers now have the means to make their campaigns work harder while using fewer resources. The old trade-off between performance and sustainability no longer applies.For the first time, AI is enabling climate-conscious advertisers to set custom sustainability goals alongside traditional campaign metrics. Instead of just tracking cost-based performance or engagement metrics, brands can now measure carbon impact and actively work towards lower-emission media strategies without sacrificing results. But even if an advertiser doesn’t care about emissions, they’ll end up cutting them anyway in the pursuit of better performance and boosting the bottom line.And the best is yet to come. AI isn’t a set and forget solution, it continuously learns and adapts, its scope and capabilities improving as it connects to more data sources, identifying patterns that humans would overlook. Over time, campaigns become even more efficient, with costs dropping and emissions shrinking further.The impact of this technological revolution goes far beyond individual campaigns. As AI tools become more widespread, platforms and publishers will be incentivized to support more sustainable practices to avoid being left out of AI-optimized media plans. Demand for quality data to power this system will drag digital advertising towards total transparency, through which even more emissions savings can be uncovered.The beauty of AI-driven programmatic optimization is that it makes doing the right thing the easy choice. As more brands and agencies realize that sustainability and profitability go hand-in-hand, the momentum will only grow. Thanks to AI, we finally have the tools to build a better, more sustainable future for digital media, one campaign at a time.

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

Peaky Blinders the movie: key information- The film was rumoured to be happening from around 2020- It was confirmed in June 2024, and filming began three months later in the West Midlands- Filming finished in December 2024- The film is still to be officially given a name, though it’s thought it might be its working title, The Immortal Man- Creator Steven Knight has said the film is set in World War II- Cillian Murphy will be returning, and new faces include Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth- It will be available to stream on Netflix, possibly in 2025, but all the streamer are saying is “soon”

Peaky Blinders is returning as a movie. The show is one of the UK’s longest running – and most loved – period crime dramas.A dark and thrilling look into gangland crime in Birmingham, set just after World War II, it was based on the real-life Peaky Blinders street gang who terrorised the city of the West Midlands, robbing ‘n’ racketeering, unleashing brutal violence on others and running illegal gambling set-ups.The BBC show ran for six seasons from 2013 to 2022, and its creator, Steven Knight, made household names of the main actors, Cillian Murphy as the lead, Tommy Shelby; Anna Taylor-Joy, Sam Claflin, Joe Cole, the late Helen McCrory and the ever-expanded cast saw all sorts of brilliant other faces pop up, like Adrien Brody, Stephen Graham and Paddy Considine to name just a few.

A post shared by Netflix Film (@netflixfilm)A photo posted by on

Netflix got hold of Peaky Blinders’ rights and streamed it in the US, and just before the final series aired on the BBC, Knight first mentioned the idea of a PB film in January 2021 to Variety:“[The film is] in development. It’s a fully formed idea and it has a beginning, middle and end. And I think it’s going to be a fitting conclusion to the story told so far, but from it, there will be things I don’t really call spinoffs, but there will be other TV shows that I hope will come out of [it], that will continue to tell the story of this part of society and this family.”The film – still unnamed at this point – was confirmed in June 2024, with Knight telling Deadline that the film would “be an explosive chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. No holds barred. Full-on Peaky Blinders at war.” Murphy added: “It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me. It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.”

A post shared by NadiaStaceyHair&Makeup (@nadiastaceyhairmakeupdesign)A photo posted by on

Filming began in September 2024 and it all started rolling in Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham, and in St Helens, around the Pilkington Watson Street works. It was a relatively quick shoot for a film, as it was all wrapped by December 13, giving everyone a nice long Christmas break, presumably.As for the film’s name, well, we’re still not entirely sure. It might be called The Immortal Man – this was apparently its working title when residents of filming locations were informed about the film shooting in their neighbourhood, and a make-up artist working on set appeared to reveal the name on their Instagram.However, this is still yet to be officially confirmed, so for now, let’s just stick with calling it the Peaky Blinders movie. So, with the film in the can: that’s where we are right now, but what else can we expect from the film? Here’s everything we know so far.

Peaky Blinders the movie: release date prediction

(Image credit: Netflix)

It’s been a looooong old slog waiting for this film to hit the screen, and even now, Netflix won’t be drawn on when the actual release date will be, other than saying: “Soon”.That kind of sounds like what a parent would say when they want to you stop asking about something. We’re presuming soon means “in 2025”, so we will let you know as “soon” as any better approximations of date are released.

Peaky Blinders the movie: trailer, is there one?

Nope, not so much as a peek of a flat cap yet. Again, as soon as the trailer is released, we’ll bang it up here in all its glory.

Barry Keoghan and Cillian Murphy have a laugh on set the Peaky Blinders movie (Image credit: Netflix )

Peaky Blinders the movie: cast

Well, obviously it wouldn’t be Peaky Blinders without Cillian Murphy, who returns once again as Tommy Shelby.But the big interest is around new faces joining the gang, namely Barry Keoghan and Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth, whose roles have yet to be announced.Other confirmed cast include:

First look of Barry Keoghan on set in Birmingham (Image credit: Netflix )

Stephen Graham as Hayden StaggSophie Rundle as Ada Thorne, née ShelbyNed Dennehy as Charlie StrongPacky Lee as Johnny DogsIan Peck as CurlyJay Lycurgo

Meanwhile, Knight has teased that there are even more famous names to come, calling the cast list “mindblowing”.

Peaky Blinders the movie: plot

(Image credit: Netflix)

We’re moving into further war territory in the film, with Knight revealing that it’s set in World War II. He told Deadline: “The thing is that when I’m writing anything, but particularly Peaky, I tend to not have a plan except something very, very broad."So for the film, it’s actually set in World War II which I think I probably wouldn’t have done for series 7; I’d have probably taken it up to the war but because it’s a movie then I think we need a sort of gear change.”Knight reiterated this again in September 2024, and when filming began, he told Netflix: “I’m thrilled to see the cameras rolling on this new chapter of the Peaky Blinders story, set during World War II. The country is at war, and so, of course, are our Peaky Blinders.”

The Peaky Blinders-verse: future

(Image credit: BBC)

As the world of Shelby and co. jumps from the BBC over to Netflix for the feature-length story, the streamer seems to suggest that there could be more after The Immortal Man, which is very fitting, given the name of the film.Netflix have billed the film as “an epic continuation” of the Peaky Blinders-verse, while Knight has called it “an explosive chapter”, which suggests that there could be more to follow. Speaking with Esquire in 2022, Knight hinted that someone was planning to “pop out” in the film, which could then take the story elsewhere, in another film or even format: “The film, I know exactly what it's about. And I know what two stories it's going to tell. How the story will unfold, I don't know. What will happen after that, I want that to depend on the film. For all we know somebody is going to pop out – I think I know who it's going to be.”And he confirmed that the film won’t be the end of PB in an interview with Times Radio in December 2024. He said: “Well, it’s interesting you should ask that question because the film is coming out and that won’t be the end. It won’t be the end, let me put it that way. I’m not saying none of it.” Watch this space!

For more Netflix TV-based coverage, read everything we know about Stranger Things season 5, Squid Game season 3, and Wednesday season 2.

Air fryers are fast becoming a staple gadget in many people’s homes, likely because they are fast, convenient and don’t cost a small fortune. And with recent technological advancements, there are air fryers on the market that can cook, bake, sauté, dehydrate, pressure cook and more. If you’ve been mulling over the thought of investing in an air fryer, now’s the time to jump on the bandwagon — let us help you choose the best air fryer for your needs. Whether you’re up for roasting a whole chicken, making a meal for the entire family or want to try your hand at the infamous air-fryer muffins (yes, you read that right), there’s an air fryer to suit everyone.

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How we test air fryers

What does an air fryer do?

Let’s clear one thing up first: it’s not frying. Not really. Air fryers are more like smaller convection bake ovens, ones that are often pod-shaped. Most work by combining a heating element and fan, which means the hot air can usually better crisp the outside of food than other methods. They often reach higher top temperatures than toaster ovens – which is part of the appeal.

For most recipes, a thin layer of oil (usually sprayed) helps to replicate that fried look and feel better. However, it will rarely taste precisely like the deep-fried or pan frying version when it comes out of the air fryer basket. Don’t let that put you off, though, because the air fryer, in its many forms, combines some of the best parts of other cooking processes and brings them together into an energy-efficient way of air fryer cooking dinner. Or breakfast. Or lunch.

Read more: We’ve also rounded up the best pizza ovens and the best sous vide machines.

Best air fryers for 2025

Buying guide for air fryers

Convection ovens

You can separate most of these machines into two types of air fryers, and each has different pros and cons. Convection ovens are usually ovens with air fryer functions and features. They might have higher temperature settings to ensure that food crisps and cooks more like actually fried food. Most convection ovens are larger than dedicated air fryers, defeating some of the purpose of those looking to shrink cooking appliance surface area. Still, they are often more versatile with multiple cooking functions, and most have finer controls for temperatures, timings and even fan speed.

You may never need a built-in oven if you have a decent convection oven. They often have the volume to handle roasts, entire chickens or tray bakes, and simply cook more, capacity-wise, making them more versatile than the pod-shaped competition.

The flip side of that is that you’ll need counter space in the kitchen to house them. It also means you can use traditional oven accessories, like baking trays or cake tins, that you might already own.

Pod-shaped air fryers

Pod-shaped air fryers are what you imagine when you think “air fryer.” They look like a cool, space-age kitchen gadget, bigger than a kettle but smaller than a toaster oven. Many use a drawer to hold ingredients while cooking, usually a mesh sheet or a more solid, non-stick tray with holes to allow the hot air to circulate. With a few exceptions, most require you to open the drawer while things cook and flip or shake half-cooked items to ensure the even distribution of heat and airflow to everything.

That’s one of a few caveats. This type of air fryer typically doesn't have a window to see how things are cooking (with only a few exceptions), so you’ll need to closely scrutinize things as they cook, opening the device to check progress. Basket-style air fryers also generally use less energy – there’s less space to heat – and many have parts that can be put directly into a dishwasher.

Some of the larger pod-shaped air fryers offer two separate compartments, which is especially useful for anyone planning to cook an entire meal with the appliance. You could cook a couple of tasty chicken wings or tenders while simultaneously rustling up enough frozen fries or veggies for everyone. Naturally, those options take up more space, and they’re usually heavy enough to stop you from storing them in cupboards or shelves elsewhere.

As mentioned earlier, you might have to buy extra things to make these pod fryers work the way you want them to. Some of the bigger manufacturers, like Philips and Ninja, offer convenient additions, but you’ll have to pay for them.

Air fryer pros and cons

Beyond the strengths and weaknesses of individual models, air fryers are pretty easy to use from the outset. Most models come with a convenient cooking time booklet covering most of the major foods you’ll be air frying, so even beginners can master these machines.

One of the early selling points is the ability to cook fries, wings, frozen foods and other delights with less fat than other methods like deep frying, which gets foods the crispiest. As air fryers work by circulating heated air, the trays and cooking plates have holes that can also let oil and fat drain out of meats, meaning less fat and crisper food when you finally plate things up. For most cooking situations, you will likely need to lightly spray food with vegetable oil. If you don’t, there’s the chance that things will burn or char. The oil will keep things moist on the surface, and we advise refreshing things with a dash of oil spray when you turn items during cooking.

Most air fryers are easy to clean – especially in comparison to a shallow or deep fryer. We’ll get into cleaning guidance a little later.

With a smaller space to heat, air fryers are generally more energy-efficient for cooking food than larger appliances like ovens. And if you don’t have an oven, air fryers are much more affordable – especially the pod options.

There are, however, some drawbacks. While air fryers are easy enough to use, they take time to master. You will adjust cooking times for even the simplest types of food – like chicken nuggets, frozen French fries or brussels sprouts. If you’re the kind of person that loves to find inspiration from the internet, in our experience, you can pretty much throw their timings out of the window. There are a lot of air fryer options, and factors like how fast they heat and how well distributed that heat is can – and will – affect cooking.

There’s also a space limitation to air fryers. This is not a TARDIS – there’s simply less space than most traditional ovens and many deep fat fryers. If you have a bigger family, you’ll probably want to go for a large capacity air fryer – possibly one that has multiple cooking areas. You also might want to consider a different kitchen appliance, like a multicooker, sous vide or slow cooker to meet your specific cooking needs.

You may also struggle to cook many items through as the heat settings will cook the surface of dishes long before it’s cooked right through. If you’re planning to cook a whole chicken or a roast, please get a meat thermometer!

Best air fryer accessories

Beyond official accessories from the manufacturer, try to pick up silicone-tipped tools. Tongs are ideal, as is a silicon spatula to gently loosen food that might get stuck on the sides of the air fryer. These silicone mats will also help stop things from sticking to the wire racks on some air fryers. They have holes to ensure the heated air is still able to circulate around the food.

Silicone trivets are also useful for resting any cooked food on while you sort out the rest of the meal. And if you find yourself needing oil spray, but don’t feel like repeatedly buying tiny bottles, you can decant your favorite vegetable oil into a permanent mister like this.

How to clean an air fryer

We’re keeping clean up simple here. Yes, you could use power cleaners from the grocery store, they could damage the surface of your air fryer. Likewise, metal scourers or brushes could strip away the non-stick coating. Remember to unplug the device and let it cool completely.

Remove the trays, baskets and everything else from inside. If the manufacturer says the parts are dishwasher safe – and you have a dishwasher – the job is pretty much done.

Otherwise, hand wash each part in a mixture of warm water, with a splash of Dawn or another strong dish soap. Use a soft-bristled brush to pull away any crumbs, greasy deposits or bits of food stuck to any surfaces. Remember to rinse everything. Otherwise, your next batch of wings could have a mild Dawn aftertaste. Trust us.

Take a microfiber cloth and tackle the outer parts and handles that might also get a little messy after repeated uses. This is especially useful for oven-style air fryers – use the cloth to wipe down the inner sides.

If Dawn isn’t shifting oily stains, try mixing a small amount of baking soda with enough water to make a paste, and apply that so that it doesn’t seep into any electrical parts or the heating element. Leave it to work for a few seconds before using a damp cloth to pull any greasy spots away. Rinse out the cloth and wipe everything down again, and you should be ready for the next time you need to air fry.

How to find air fryer recipes

Beyond fries, nuggets and – a revelation – frozen gyoza, there are a few ways to find recipes for air-fried foods. First, we found that the air fryer instruction manuals often have cooking guides and recipe suggestions for you to test out in your new kitchen gadget. The good thing with these is that they were made for your air fryer model, meaning success should be all but guaranteed. They are often a little unimaginative, however.

Many of the top recipe sites and portals have no shortage of air fryer recipes, and there’s no harm in googling your favorite cuisine and adding the words “air fryer” on the end of the search string. We’ve picked up some reliable options from Delish, which also has a handy air fryer time converter for changing oven and traditional fryer recipes. BBC Good Food is also worth browsing for some simple ideas, as is NYT Cooking, with the ability to directly search for air fryer suggestions. Aside from that, you can also grab plenty of cookbooks from your local bookshop with lots of recipes that you can use in your favorite air fryer.

And if you have a killer recipe or unique use for your air fryer, let us know in the comments. What’s the air fryer equivalent of the Instant Pot cheesecake? We’re ready to try it.

How we test air fryers

We put each air fryer we test through its paces by cooking a variety of foods in it including raw proteins like fish and chicken, raw vegetables like potatoes and cauliflower and frozen snacks like mozzarella sticks. We attempt to use each cooking method that the machine has pre-programmed, and when possible, follow a couple of recipes in any provided recipe booklets that come with the air fryer. We also clean the cooking basket and all other removable components as many times as possible, and will put those components into a dishwasher if they claim to be dishwasher-safe. We also make note of how loud the machine is when using different cooking settings and how warm the surrounding area becomes.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/best-air-fryers-133047180.html?src=rss

Microsoft says it is a year early to its server reuse and recycling targetRare earth mineral and metal extraction has proven keyCircular Centers repurpose decommissioned hardware

Microsoft says it is ahead of target on its quest to become a zero-waste company – one of the key aspects of its sustainability goal – but it isn't there just yet.In a blog post, Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure CVP Rani Borkar confirmed the company has now reached a 90.9% reuse and recycling rate for servers and components as of 2024, slightly surpassing its 2025 target of 90% and getting there one year earlier.The milestone brings Microsoft, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, one step closer to being carbon negative, water positive and land positive by 2030.

Microsoft’s data centers are nearly waste-free

Borkar explained the company had exceeded its target by piloting the sustainable extraction of rare earth minerals and metals from HDDs at scale, reducing the need for new materials such as neodymium, gold and copper.The extracting process involves the acid-free dissolution of shredded HDDs, said to deliver a 90% high-yield recovery rate.The company also boasted of a 95% reduction in emissions compared with traditional mining and processing practices, highlighting the broader cross-category effects recycling can have to help Microsoft reach more than just one of its sustainability goals.Microsoft has also continued to expand its Circular Centers globally with the goal of processing and routing decommissioned servers and hardware components onto their next useful lives – things ike academies that train data center technicians.Its first Circular Center, located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, opened in 2020. Five more across the US, Ireland and Singapore have followed since then, and the company has already drawn up plans for new sites in Cardiff, Wales; New South Wales, Australia and San Antonio, Texas.The third change that has allowed Microsoft to reach that all-important 90.9% rate one year early was the introduction of recyclable packaging solutions for transporting data center hardware to enable easier curbside recycling.Borkar claims more than 30,000 server racks have been processed through Microsoft’s global packaging recycling program, diverting more than 2,500 metric tons of waste from landfills.That said, every step taken in the right direction is seemingly met with a step backwards. Microsoft’s 2024 Sustainability Report details how greenhouse gas emissions and electricity consumption have been climbing annually since at least 2020, indicative of the colossal impact of powerful cloud computing and artificial intelligence data centers.

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Google Photos is adding an Ultra HDR feature to some Android phonesThis lets you increase photo vibrancy in a few tapsIt can be applied to regular photos even after they’ve been taken

If you’ve taken a bunch of photos but wish they could be jazzed up with a little HDR magic, you’re in luck. That’s because Google has just added the ability to enhance your images with Ultra HDR effects in Google Photos. Better yet, the HDR changes can be applied to regular pictures, even if you’ve already taken and uploaded them.As noticed by Android Authority, the feature has rolled out to a number of Google Photos users in recent days. It can’t yet be used by everyone, and it’s not clear whether it’s limited to the best Android phones or will soon be available more widely.Google Photos’ Ultra HDR mode lets you take photos with a wider range of colors than standard pictures. That can boost image vibrancy, but you’ll usually need a device with an HDR display to fully appreciate the effect. Yet the good thing about Google’s Ultra HDR feature is that it’s backward compatible, so your photos will revert to using standard color ranges on regular Android screens.It also works the other way, too. Google Photos appears to have added the ability to convert normal photos into HDR equivalents, boosting their saturation and helping them pop much more than they previously did. That means There’s no need to remember to take the pictures in HDR mode in the first place.

Better photos in HDR

(Image credit: Shutterstock / BigTunaOnline)

Ultra HDR mode had been spotted as far back as September 2024, but it wasn’t fully functional at the time. Now with version 7.24.0.747539053 of the Google Photos app, it looks like it’s beginning to roll out to a range of Android users.Once it becomes more widely available, you will find the feature in the Adjust section of the Google Photos editor. There, you’ll be able to change the strength of the HDR effect using a slider. It is set to replace the HDR Effect option currently in Google Photos.You can see a preview of the Ultra HDR effect on GitHub. Make sure you’re viewing it on an HDR-compatible device to be able to observe it properly.Still, there’s no reliable indication of when the feature might arrive for everyone. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long before it rolls out.

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Seagate study find 97% anticipate AI to increase their demand for storage in the futureSustainability is recognized, but cost is still more importantModern HDDs offer superior efficiency, and they’re cheaper

A new report from Seagate has revealed just how much of an effect artificial intelligence is having on the amount of storage required by data centers, which presents a major sustainability challenge.It found 94.5% said AI had increased their data storage needs, with even more (97%) anticipating AI’s growth to impact storage demand even further.However, despite widespread acknowledgement and consideration for the environment, companies are struggling to prioritize it amid rising costs, which tariffs, government objectives and the sheer scarcity of some materials have influenced

Data centers are facing a major sustainability headache

Nearly 95% of respondents are concerned about environmental impact, says Seagate, but only 3.3% prioritize it in purchasing decisions with many focusing on the total cost of ownership and purchasing costs.Among the key factors putting data centers at risk are high energy consumption (53.5%), raw material requirements (49.5%), physical space constraints (45.5%), infrastructure costs (28.5%) and acquisition costs (27%).“Data centers are under intense scrutiny – not only because they support modern AI workloads, but because they are becoming one of the most energy-intensive sectors of the digital economy," said Seagate SVP of Cloud Marketing, Jason Feist.Seagate envisions energy-efficient technologies playing a wider role in the decarbonization of data centers, reducing energy requirements and hitting other targets at the same time.Although SSDs promise to be quicker and more efficient, Seagate’s HAMR-based Mozaic 3+ platform (for HDDs) can deliver up to three times more energy density while reducing embodied carbon by over 70% per terabyte and lowering cost per terabyte by 25%.The report also embodies the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ motto by highlighting the importance of both extending product lifespans and then repurposing decommissioned equipment to reduce its environmental burden.Sharing accountability through cooperation across the supply chain also helps to reduce emissions from Scopes 1, 2 and 3, enabling a wider effect.“Sustainability cannot be solved in isolation. A holistic approach spanning infrastructure, life cycle management, and industry-wide accountability could ensure that the growth of AI and data center operations does not come at the expense of the environment,” Feist added.

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The upcoming PC refresh cycle is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal tech moments in recent years. Aging PC fleets are past their prime, and the end of Windows 10 support is on the horizon. From small businesses to global enterprises, upgrading to systems that can support AI tools and the enhanced functionality of Windows 11 will be essential to maintain a competitive edge.As such, organizations face a potential tidal wave of upgrades, and with it, potentially significant costs – both financial and environmental. The complexity of managing such an upgrade without compromising your business’s environmental responsibility can be daunting. But it can be done.Thankfully, sustainable practices appear high on the agenda for many businesses. Customers across all verticals are implementing circular IT practices to minimize waste and costs. According to new research, Eighty-four percent of IT and business decision makers agree that circularity in AI hardware is an important consideration in their IT asset management system.Eighty-seven percent also agree that sustainable design and energy efficiency are key factors when selecting solutions. Simultaneously, however, 81% admit needing help from a third-party partner to achieve their sustainability goals, suggesting a gap between good intention and the ability to deliver.

The High Stakes of Ignoring Sustainability

E-waste is a growing issue. According to the WHO, in 2022, an estimated 62 million tons of e-waste were produced globally and only 22.3% was documented as formally collected and recycled. Electronics discarded irresponsibly often end up in landfills, leaching toxic chemicals into the earth and water, posing a threat to health and the environment.Beyond the environmental considerations, sustainability is also a competitive differentiator, particularly within the public sector. Customers are paying attention to how companies incorporate environmental responsibility into their operations. Choosing not to lead in this space could mean losing out to competitors who are already making strides toward more sustainable practices.

Championing Circular Design and Sustainability

There is, however, a way forward. IT providers that adopt circular design principles like repairability, upgradability and modular components are paving the path toward a more sustainable future. PCs designed with replaceable batteries, screens and other components empower businesses to extend the lifespan of their devices, reducing waste and postponing costly replacements.Design decisions like attaching ports with screws, rather than soldering directly to the motherboard simplifies the disassembly process. This enhances the potential for repairs or replacements without risking damage to critical hardware components.Some vendors are now taking this one step further, making it easier for customers to purchase and replace common PC parts themselves. Customers can even access augmented reality tutorials with step-by-step instructions. Democratizing access to repairs in this way can significantly reduce e-waste and the resulting environmental impact.At the same time, manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of material innovation by incorporating recycled aluminum, biobased plastics and other renewable materials into their designs. Carefully sourced components are emerging as sustainable alternatives, helping to reduce the environmental footprint of new devices.Keep in mind that circularity and sustainability don’t end with the PC – it’s possible to lower the environmental impact of peripherals, too. Recycled plastic in docks, recycled cobalt in batteries and even recycled copper in adapter cables help reduce resource use and lower emissions.Energy efficiency is another critical element of sustainable design, particularly as AI integration becomes a key driver of the PC refresh. Modern AI-optimized hardware and software are designed with power-saving features like intelligent energy management and thermal regulation. These innovations not only lower a company’s environmental footprint but also deliver tangible operational cost savings by extending battery life and optimizing processing speeds.Many manufacturers are also doubling down on closed-loop systems to recover valuable materials from outdated devices. Robust recycling programs minimize landfill waste and contribute to a circular economy where resources are reused rather than discarded.

Partnering now for Tomorrow

Businesses do not need to face this challenge alone. Partnering with IT providers and third-party experts can make the difference. In fact, 84% of IT and business decision makers agree that collaborating with a 3rd party would simplify their efforts to carry out circular IT practices.Asset recovery solutions and recycling services enable companies to dispose of outdated equipment responsibly while extracting value from old resources. Flexible payment solutions further enhance sustainability by allowing companies to optimize asset management and reduce upfront costs, ensuring that investment in sustainable technology is also financially viable.

Practical Steps Toward Sustainability

For organizations eager to balance AI integration with environmental responsibility, the upcoming PC refresh is an opportunity for action. Businesses should begin by choosing IT partners and providers that prioritize circular design, emphasizing products designed for longevity, repairability and efficiency, and that incorporate sustainable materials.Exploring asset recovery solutions and recycling services to retire outdated equipment responsibly and reduce e-waste can also pay dividends. If there is still value in old equipment, asset recovery solutions can resell and transfer funds straight into a company bank account.Investing in AI-optimized PCs drives efficiency, enhances productivity, and improves security, but also positions businesses for cost savings and reduced energy consumption. For example, just having the ability to turn off devices remotely can save up to 15% on energy usage.By adopting sustainable IT solutions today, companies can ensure they’re equipped for tomorrow’s challenges while contributing to a more responsible and environmentally conscious tech ecosystem.The PC refresh cycle will inevitably define the next decade of IT strategy. Organizations that take bold steps to prioritize sustainability now could gain the operational and competitive benefits of aligning technology with responsible business values.

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

Global businesses are prioritizing sustainability in their supply chains more than ever before. Across sectors, we’re increasingly seeing businesses develop sustainable procurement policies, putting carbon reduction strategies and environmental commitments to the top of their priorities list when evaluating new supplier engagements.According to a 2023 survey from Stanford Business School, over half (51%) of global business currently have sustainable procurement policies in place to strengthen their supply chains. The need to reduce scope 3 emissions has brought procurement to the forefront of business strategy today, and driven increasing collaboration with sustainability and other departments.But what internal, and external, pressures have sparked this need? And what can businesses do today to decarbonize their supply chains and forge a greener future?

Strict regulatory landscape

The regulatory landscape for businesses surrounding sustainability is evolving, and becoming stricter, which has created mounting pressures for organizations to manage and report on their carbon footprints.In Europe, for example, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), despite recent European Commission's Omnibus Package’s update, continue to require large and listed companies to disclose the environmental impact of their activity.Over in North America, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s disclosure rules took effect in March 2024, requiring registered organizations to disclose comprehensive climate impact information in annual reports and registration statements.And in Asia, similar regulatory push is also on the rise with new ESG reporting standards being introduced. China, for example, is aiming for mandatory ESG reporting by 2026, aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board.Increasing regulation and government enforced net zero targets, of course, creates significant external pressure to act on decarbonization supply chains. However, there are some commercial drivers, too.Today, buyers are on the lookout for their own sustainable suppliers, and companies with sustainable policies and practices will not only comply with regulations but will also gain a competitive edge in the market. In fact, research from the Greenly Institute claims that companies with sustainable procurement can gain anywhere between a 15 to 30% increase in brand value.

Not a level playing field

Despite knowing that decarbonization is a must, certain industries face more challenges in achieving this. Companies in the shipping sector, for example, have had to reroute vessels due to various geopolitical conflicts, which has increased carbon-intensive journeys.Major container shipping lines have been forced to divert away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, around the Cape of Good Hope, due to Houthi attacks on commercial ships. This diversion alone adds around 3,000 nautical miles and 10 days to the journey, which significantly hikes up carbon emissions.High energy, fuel and labor costs have made it difficult for road haulage operators to get by financially, let alone invest in cleaner tech. And even for those transport and logistics operators that can afford to invest in decarbonizing their fleets, additional challenges are met further down the line when they encounter limited supplies of electric charging points.Tech, innovation, and thinking outside the box can support in overcoming some of these challenges. For instance, fleet tracking software can help to optimize routes and reduce vehicle emissions, also aiding in guiding investment decisions by mapping out which routes are suited to electrical fleets, further reducing emissions.Data can also be used in many other ways to assess the state of your current carbon footprint, informing strategies for decarbonization. Carbon accounting platforms, for example, can enable businesses to calculate a baseline for their annual carbon footprint, helping to strategically reduce emissions and set net-zero targets across operations.

Action needed from all sides

Despite all of this, the overall pace of decarbonization is not yet sufficient to meet current climate targets around the world.Companies need to act now, wherever they can, in tackling major emission sources, such as vehicle and transport emissions. They should also embrace sustainable initiatives such as the circular economy. Returning products for repair, refurbishment, reuse, or recycling – rather than just instantly replacing or disposing of them irresponsibly – can significantly reduce embodied carbon, diverting tons of otherwise valuable materials from ending up in landfills.A long-term view is essential here, but decarbonization is a complex process, and not everything is in the hands of businesses. Government investment in areas such as green energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and recycling facilities, all have a part to play.For decarbonization to gain the right momentum, greater alignment between legislation, policy, and private investment is needed for a just transition.

Strategy for sustainable supply chains

When producing a decarbonization strategy, start by addressing the big-ticket items. Affordable, clean tech, such as solar panels, can contribute towards your sustainability goals while also providing a more reliable energy source than power from the grid, supporting better business continuity. Embracing digital tools for reducing vehicle emissions, in addition to circular economy practices, can also make a sizeable impact.While the journey of decarbonizing supply chains is complex and challenging, depending on what sector you operate in, it is essential for all businesses today.By understanding the value of data, staying up to date and aligned with regulatory demands in your region, and adopting an innovative, problem-solving approach, you can begin making significant progress towards a better carbon footprint and a greener supply chain.

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

Trustwave finds multiple malware C2 servers hosted on Proton66Ransomware is hosted there, tooSome phishing pages targeting Android users originated from Proton66

Proton66, a Russian bulletproof hosting service provider, is being used to spread malware, ransomware, mount phishing attacks, and more, experts have warned. This is according toResearchers from Trustwave warned the malicious activity has picked up in recent weeks, stating how, “Starting from January 8, 2025, SpiderLabs observed an increase in mass scanning, credential brute forcing, and exploitation attempts originating from Proton66 ASN targeting organizations worldwide.“Although malicious activity was seen in the past, the spike and sudden decline observed later in February 2025 were notable, and offending IP addresses were investigated.”

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Getting in touch

Whoever is behind these activities is looking to exploit a number of vulnerabilities, including an authentication bypass flaw in Palo Alto Networks’ PAN-OS (CVE-2025-0108(, an insufficient input validation flaw in the NuPoint Unified Messaging (NPM) component of Mitel MiCollab (CVE-2024-41713), a command injection vulnerability in D-LINK’s NAS (CVE-2024-10914), and an authentication bypass in Fortinet’s FortiOS (CVE-2024-55591 and CVE-2025-24472).The two FortiOS flaws were previously exploited by the initial access broker Mora_001, which has also been seen dropping a new ransomware variant called SuperBlack.The same publication also said that several malware families hosted their C2 servers on Proton66, including GootLoader and SpyNote.Furthermore, Trustwave said XWorm, StrelaStealer, and a ransomware named WeaXor were all being distributed through Proton66.Finally, crooks are allegedly using compromised WordPress sites related to a Proton66-linked IP address to redirect Android users to phishing pages that spoof Google Play app listings and try to trick users into downloading malware.To mitigate the risk against Proton66-linked threats, users should block all the Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) rangers associated with the company and Chang Way Technologies. The latter is a Hong Kong-based provider that is “likely” related to Proton66.So-called “bulletproof” hosting is a type of hosting service that is advertised as being immune to takedowns and legal action, but there have been examples in the past when bulletproof hosting ends up yielding in the end.At this time, the fact that Proton66 is a Russian service probably makes it somewhat bulletproof for Western users. However, politics change as the wind, and what Russia protected yesterday could be traded tomorrow.Via The Hacker News

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OnePlus has unveiled more details of its upcoming 13T phoneThe fresh info relates to the device’s battery capacityThe 13T is due to launch on April 24

We’re just a couple of days away from the OnePlus 13T launch, which will fall on April 24. Yet that hasn’t stopped OnePlus from teasing a few choice specs and details of the upcoming phone ahead of schedule, with the latest info concerning the device’s battery capabilities.According to a OnePlus post on Chinese social media site Weibo, the 13T will come with a 6,260mAh battery. That’s in line with the company’s previous claims that the battery would offer a capacity of no less than 6,000mAh.As well as that, OnePlus has revealed that the 13T’s battery will feature bypass charging. This allows your Android phone to draw power directly from a power source (like a power bank) rather than from its internal battery when charging. This helps to prolong the phone’s battery and slow down its degradation.The data drop didn’t end there, as OnePlus has confirmed that the 13T will weigh 185g. Compare that to the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R, which both come with less capacious 6,000mAh batteries yet weigh 200g each. Packing a larger battery into a smaller frame is a surprising move from OnePlus, but it’s certainly a welcome one.

Few secrets left to unveil

(Image credit: OnePlus)

OnePlus has been very forthcoming about the 13T, disclosing all manner of images and details on social media. Previously posted photos have shown the device’s range of colors – including gray, pink and black shades – as well as the fact that it will come with a new button.Leaks have also played their part. For example, it’s been suggested that the OnePlus 13T will come with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 6.32-inch display, an IP65 rating, and two 50-megapixel rear cameras. Of those two lenses (primary and telephoto), the telephoto one could offer 2x optical zoom and 4x lossless zoom.That said, we don’t yet know the full spec sheet for the OnePlus 13T, and it’s possible that OnePlus is saving some intriguing new features for the launch event itself. But with so much already in the public domain, it will be interesting to see what the company might possibly have held back. We’ll find out for sure on April 24, when the 13T finally launches.

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ASUS patches a 9.2-rated security flaw in certain routersThe flaw stems from AiCloud, a personal cloud server featureThere's no evidence of abuse yet, but users should be wary

ASUS has released a fix for a critical-severity vulnerability affecting routers with AiCloud enabled which could allow threat actors to execute functions on the exposed devices remotely and without authorization.It is tracked as CVE-2025-2492, and was given a severity score of 9.2/10 (critical). It can be exploited via a custom-tailored request.“This vulnerability can be triggered by a crafted request, potentially leading to unauthorized execution of functions,” the NVD page reads.

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Safeguarding the device

AiCloud is a feature integrated into many ASUS routers that transforms the home network into a personal cloud server.Users can then access, stream, sync, and share files stored on USB drives connected to the router from anywhere with an internet connection.The flaw was found in firmware versions released after February 2025, meaning: 3.0.0.4_382, 3.0.0.4_386, 3.0.0.4_388, and 3.0.0.6_102.According to CyberInsider, such features “often become attractive targets” for threat actors, since they are exposing sensitive data to the internet.Therefore, it would be wise not to delay deploying the patch. Depending on the model, there are different firmware versions that can be downloaded directly from the ASUS website.The flaw also affects a few devices that reached end-of-life, which should now have AiCloud entirely disabled. Internet access for WAN should also be disabled, as well as port forwarding, DDNS, VPN server, DMZ, port triggering, and FTP services.The company did not say if the flaw is being abused in the wild or not, but at press time, it was not added to CISA’s KEV, which is usually a good litmus paper for actively exploited flaws.According to BleepingComputer, the critical CVSS rating “implies the exploitation could have a significant impact.” ASUS also told its users to use unique, strong passwords to secure their wireless networks and router administration pages.That means making passwords at least 10 characters long, and making them a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.

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A good keyboard can make all the difference for your work setup. If you primarily work on a laptop, switching from the built-in keyboard to a wired or wireless keyboard can be more comfortable and ergonomic while adding functionality like extra keys and shortcuts into the mix. If your daily driver is a desktop, a keyboard will be an essential accessory that can elevate your rig whether you're using it to work a 9-to-5 with it or play AAA games in your free time.But the world of keyboards is vast, and we at Engadget have tried out dozens over the years including gaming keyboards, ergonomic keyboards, mechanical keyboards and more. If you're just starting to think about the best keyboard for you, or you're ready to upgrade from an aging peripheral, we gathered all of our top picks for the best keyboards you can get right here.

Best keyboards for 2025

What to look for in a keyboard

Design

Size

The first thing you’ll want to consider when it comes to your next keyboard’s design is size. There are a number of different keyboard layouts to choose from, but the most common are full-sized, tenkeyless and those smaller than tenkeyless.

Full-sized keyboards, or 100 percent, include a function row at the top and a complete number pad with arrow keys on the right side, along with all of the rest of the alphanumeric keys you’d expect. Tenkeyless, or 80 percent, removes the number pad but keeps the arrow keys and the function row, reducing the overall width measurement of the board by a decent amount. Compact designs keep things ultra simple by including only the alphanumeric keys and modifiers like Alt, Shift, Ctrl and others and they come in different sizes like 60 percent, 65 percent and more. These are the most popular sizes out there, but you can find plenty of other designs that include different mixes of keys along with the standard letters and numbers all should have.

Aside from size, there are two other big categories that you could use to define a keyboard: ergonomic and mechanical. Ergonomic keyboards are designed with, you guessed it, better ergonomics in mind, taking into account where you should position your fingers, hands and forearms to maintain proper posture. Separately, mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches (of which there are many types) that differ greatly from the membrane or scissor-switch keyboards you’ll find dominating most wired and wireless options widely available today. We have guides to the best ergonomic keyboards and best mechanical keyboards, but we’ll summarize what you need to know about both here.

Ergonomic keyboards

If you deal with discomfort from working at a computer all day, ergonomic keyboards can help. These specially designed boards re-orient the keys, allowing you to hold your elbows farther apart and maintain a straighter line from your forearms to hands. Some people find this subtle change more comfortable.

Ergonomic keyboards typically fall into two categories: Alice and split. The former is a single unit with an A-shaped gap in the center of the keys. Split models come in two separate pieces which you can arrange as you like on your desk. Additional ergonomic features like tenting and negative tilt can make typing feel even more comfortable, and are often available on both Alice and split boards. Tenting raises the middle of the keys up so your hands take on more of a “handshake” position. Negative tilting lowers the top of the keyboard to keep your wrists angled downward instead of back towards your forearms.

The way the keys are arranged on the keyboard may make typing easier as well. Traditionally, keyboards are staggered, with one row of letters slightly offset from the row beneath it. Columnar keyboards arrange the keys in a grid of rows and columns. This style takes a little getting used to, but some people find it allows them to type faster. You can also make the keys of some keyboards do more than just produce letters. Programmable boards let you map shortcuts and other functions, which may keep you from reaching for the mouse quite so often, saving you time and possibly strain as well.

Mechanical keyboards

Mechanical keyboards have blown up in popularity as more people have been thrust into creating their own workspaces at home. It’s easy to see why: Compared to a traditional membrane keyboard, a good mechanical board is more durable, more satisfying to press and, most importantly, infinitely more customizable. The best of them usually come with a price premium, but even some cheaper models let you “hot-swap” between keycaps, switches and other materials, letting you tinker with different typing sensations and sound profiles until you find a combination that best expresses your preferences.

Do you want each press to feel deep and full or fast and light? Do you need them to sound loud and clacky or almost totally muffled? Do you prefer your keycaps to look subdued and professional, stuffed with RGB lights or written in an Elvish language from The Lord of the Rings for some reason? With the right mechanical keyboard, it’s all up to you — the only things really holding you back are your imagination and your wallet.

We have a dedicated buying guide that digs deeper into the key aspects to consider when buying a mechanical keyboard, so we encourage you to look at that for a full rundown. To keep things high-level, the most influential part of your purchase is your keyboard’s switch type. These little mechanisms slot underneath the keycaps and generally have the biggest effect on how your keyboard feels and sounds as you type away.

You can broadly separate mechanical switches into three buckets: linear, tactile and clicky. Linear switches feel smooth all the way down; they’re often popular with gamers since they tend to be light and fast to actuate. Tactile switches create a tangible “bump” sensation partway through a press; many people who spend all day typing prefer them because they clearly confirm each press without (always) being all that loud. Clicky switches are functionally similar to tactiles but make an audible “click” sound to match the bump; your coworkers may hate them, but others love the full-throated sense of feedback they provide. To be clear, just because two switches fall within the same bucket doesn’t mean they feel or sound exactly the same. The only way to figure out which switch works best for you is to do your research and, preferably, try some out for yourself.

Other keyboards have a mechanical-style feel but are built on different mechanisms entirely. The hot new trend in gaming-focused keyboards, for example, is Hall effect switches, which use tiny magnets to register keystrokes and let you customize the sensitivity of each press. Optical switches, meanwhile, offer similar functionality by replacing the physical contact point of a typical mechanical switch with a beam of infrared light. More recently, we’ve seen a couple keyboards launch with inductive switches, which can work like magnetic switches but use inductive coils in the keyboard’s printed circuit board (PCB) to cater to all switches collectively and don’t require a sensor for each individual switch. We touch on a couple of magnetic-switch keyboards in our picks below, but for a fuller breakdown of this sort of tech, we recommend you check out our dedicated buying guide to the best gaming keyboards.

Connectivity

You’ve got two options here: wired or wireless. Wired keyboards typically have an attached cable that plugs into a USB-A or USB-C port on your computer (or docking station), although some come with cables that can be removed. Wireless keyboards connect to your machine either via Bluetooth or a wireless receiver dongle. There’s always the chance of some latency with wireless keyboards, so keep that in mind if you’re picking one up to use primarily with a gaming PC. Of course, you’ll only have to worry about battery life with wireless keyboards.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-keyboard-120000018.html?src=rss

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly held a second private Signal chat on upcoming Yemen strikes with members including his wife, brother and personal lawyer, according to The New York Times. Sources said that Hegseth shared flight schedules for F-18 Hornets targeting Houthis in Yemen, much as he did on a separate Signal chat the same day that accidentally included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief.

It's not clear that any of the people in the group chat would need to know about the attacks, though Hegseth's brother and lawyer both have jobs at the Pentagon. Jennifer Hegseth, the Defense Secretary's wife, is not employed at the defense department, the report states.

The second chat, called "Defense | Team Huddle" was created by Hegseth prior to his confirmation and included a dozen or so people from his professional and personal circle, (including two senior advisers who were recently fired over leak accusations). It was initially created to allow discussions around routine schedule and administrative information on Hegseth's personal device.

A US official told the NYT that there was no national security breach, but wouldn't comment on whether Hegseth shared detailed targeting information. "The truth is that there is an informal group chat that started before confirmation of his closest advisers. Nothing classified was ever discussed on that chat."

Trump administration officials previously defended Hegseth over the first breach, asserting that no classified information was ever shared. However, Democrats in Congress expressed alarm. "If true, this incident is another troubling example of Secretary Hegseth’s reckless disregard for the laws and protocols that every other military service member is required to follow," said Senator Jack Reed, senior Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. "Every day he stays in his job is another day our troops' lives are endangered by his singular stupidity," added Democrat Senator Tammy Duckworth. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/hegseth-reportedly-shared-yemen-attack-details-on-second-signal-chat-with-his-wife-and-others-123046480.html?src=rss

If you've been thinking about upgrading your old Apple Watch, or you're keen on picking one up for the first time, you can save $100 on the latest model at Amazon. The Apple Watch Series 10 has dropped to $299 in a few colorways, which is a record-low price.

That's the price for the 42mm GPS version, but the GPS + cellular model is also on sale for $100 off — down to $399 in a handful of color options. Considering the Apple Watch typically only gets updated once a year along with iPhones in September, this is a good deal to snag now while the Series 10 will remain the flagship smartwatch in Apple's lineup for a few more months.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is our pick for the best smartwatch overall, though note that you'll need a compatible iPhone to use it. We gave the wearable a score of 90 in our review.

Admittedly, this is a relatively iterative upgrade. If you have an Apple Watch Series 8 or 9, the upgrade might not be worth it. But if you're an Apple Watch newcomer or you're upgrading from an older model, this is probably the one to go for.

The Series 10 has a larger screen than its predecessor, which makes it easier to see notifications and such. The thinner frame looks nicer too. However, while the Apple Watch Series 10 is great for fitness and wellness tracking, it's a bit disappointing that the device lacks the blood oxygen feature seen in earlier models (though Apple had little choice but to nix that here).

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-watch-series-10-drops-to-299-at-amazon-155611677.html?src=rss

Cisco found and fixed three vulnerabilities, including a high-severity oneThe high-severity issue was found in the Cisco Webex appIt allowed criminals to run commands remotely

Cisco has patched a high-severity vulnerability in its Webex video conferencing platform which allowed threat actors to mount remote code execution (RCE) attacks against exposed endpoints.The bug was discovered in the custom URL parser of a Cisco Webex app and is described as an “insufficient input validation” vulnerability.“An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to click a crafted meeting invite link and download arbitrary files,” the bug’s NVD page reads. “A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the targeted user.”

Get Keeper Personal for just $1.67/month, Keeper Family for just $3.54/month, and Keeper Business for just $7/month​Keeper is a cybersecurity platform primarily known for its password manager and digital vault, designed to help individuals, families, and businesses securely store and manage passwords, sensitive files, and other private data. It uses zero-knowledge encryption and offers features like two-factor authentication, dark web monitoring, secure file storage, and breach alerts to protect against cyber threats.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

No revolution

The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-20236, and was assigned a severity score of 8.8/10 (high).Cisco further explained that the vulnerability is present in all older versions of the product, regardless of the OS it’s running on, or system configurations.The networking giant also said there were no workarounds for the bug, so installing the update is the only way to mitigate the risk.While the most severe, it’s not the only vulnerability Cisco recently addressed. The company also fixed two more flaws, CVE-2025-20178 (6.0/10), and CVE-2025-20150 (5.3/10).The former is a privilege escalation flaw in Secure Networks Analytics’ web-based management interface, and allows threat actors to run arbitrary controls as root, with admin credentials.The latter was found in a Nexus Dashboard, and allows threat actors to enumerate LDAP user accounts remotely, separating valid accounts from the invalid ones.The good news is that the vulnerabilities are not yet being exploited in the wild, BleepingComputer reports, citing analysis from the company’s Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT).Cisco’s equipment, both software and hardware, are popular in both the enterprise and in consumer households. That makes them a prime target for threat actors, both state-sponsored and profit-oriented.Via BleepingComputer

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We're now well into 2025, and two of the biggest flagship phone launches are still to come. I am of course talking about the Pixel 10 (due in August) and the iPhone 17 (due in September) and as someone with extensive experience of handsets from both Google and Apple (blame the tech journalism), I've got some thoughts about how the Pixel can get the upper hand this year.When I say the upper hand, I'm not really talking about sales numbers: iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones are going to win that battle for a good few years yet, at least as far as the US is concerned (globally, the market is a bit more competitive). Instead, I'm going to focus on what would resonate with me, and I suspect a lot of other consumers, too.You'll see we awarded 4 stars out of 5 to the Pixel 9 in our Google Pixel 9 review, while in our Apple iPhone 16 review, we gave Apple's handset 4.5 stars out of 5. That means Apple currently has a slight edge when it comes to these flagship phones, so how can Google catch up this year?

1. Keep the camera bar

The Google Pixel 9a might be easier to lie down on a flat surface, but at what cost? The removal of the iconic Pixel camera bar from the design means the mid-ranger looks rather ordinary and nondescript, lost in a crowd of similar smartphone slabs.In our Google Pixel 9a review, we described it as "dang ugly", and so I'm hoping that the big camera bump makes a triumphant return with the Pixel 10. It provides more room for additional camera technology, on top of everything else.The iPhone 17, meanwhile, seems to be having something of an identity crisis – or at least the Pro models are, based on the leaks we've seen so far. It seems like Apple isn't sure where to go next with the design, so Google could score a win here in terms of aesthetics.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro (Image credit: Blue Pixl Media)

2. Focus on Google Gemini

It's no secret that the rollout of Apple Intelligence has been badly bungled so far, so much so that Apple has had to go on record to say it over-promised and under-delivered, which you can be sure was acutely embarrassing for a company of Apple's stature.Google Gemini, meanwhile, is rapidly improving – in the last month or so we've seen new AI models that are smarter than ever, as well as Gemini Live screen and camera sharing roll out for all users – even those who are using Gemini for free.There's a clear winner here already, but Google can't be complacent. Apple engineers will be busy behind the scenes trying to get Siri up to the level of Gemini and ChatGPT, and so it makes sense for the Pixel 10 to have yet more AI features baked right into it.

3. Improve performance

Apple's lead in terms of raw processor performance is as clear as its failings in AI: if we're talking solely about CPU speed, the A18 and A18 Pro chips inside the iPhone 16 series beat the Tensor G4 chip you'll find inside the Pixel 9 phones.That doesn't mean the Pixel 9 is in any way slow or laggy, but it's something that Google needs to address if it wants to fully catch up with Apple. When it comes to gaming, video editing, or just jumping between apps, performance matters.Unfortunately for mobile enthusiasts, the leaks to date suggest the Tensor G5 isn't going to be a huge leap forward from the Tensor G4 in terms of performance. I'm hoping that as Google gets better at designing its own chips, we'll see a bigger upgrade here.

4. Offer value for money

If you're of a certain age, you may remember handsets like the Google Nexus 5 and Google Nexus 6, which managed to combine flagship specs with mid-range pricing. Google was essentially doing the OnePlus trick before OnePlus got started.As the Nexus series has given way to the Pixel series, that value-for-money aspect has disappeared – although the 'a' phones have taken up some of the slack. The Pixel 9 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,349, while the iPhone 16 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399.You'll notice those prices for the 128GB models are identical, except for Australia, and if Google was able to shave off a little from the cost of the Pixel 10, it would help it stand up better against the iPhone 17 – and bring back memories of the Nexus phones.

The iPhone 16 Pro (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

5. Improve battery life

Smartphones seem stuck as far as battery life goes, with most handsets on the market lasting a full day of general use, so an overnight charge is always required to get through a substantial amount of a second day.Could Google change this with the Pixel 10? It depends on the efficiency improvements it manages with the Tensor G5 chip, and also on any power-saving features that arrive with Android 16 (which should be out before the Pixel 10 phones).Comfortably managing two days of battery life between charges would set the Pixel 10 apart from the iPhone 17 and just about every other phone available right now. It's a tough ask, but it's something all users want to see.

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If you're looking for a way to improve your streaming experience without buying a whole new TV, our top pick for the best streaming device is down to an all-time-low price. The Google TV Streamer 4K is on sale for $79, which is a 21-percent discount from its regular price.

This new streaming device came out at the end of last year and effectively replaced Google's Chromecast. This is the lowest price we've seen on it since launch, and you can grab it from Amazon or direct from Google.

We gave the Google TV streamer 4K an 87 in our review thanks to features like its great interface that keeps everything organized and clear, even across different streaming sources. It also has a simple, easy-to-use remote and switches between content very quickly. However, it does require an HDMI cord (which is not included) and doesn't work with Wi-Fi 6 or 6E.

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-google-tv-streamer-4k-is-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-133539103.html?src=rss

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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, April 21 (game #680).

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 #681) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

ICEWHEELGREASELIGHTNINGFIREEELAXESUNCLAYSCRAPVOLCANOGLAZEDROPBANANA PEELKILNCUT

NYT Connections today (game #681) - hint #1 - group hints

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

YELLOW: HaltGREEN: Making china pots BLUE: Slide awayPURPLE: Hot, hot, hot

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 #681) - hint #2 - group answers

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

YELLOW: CANCEL, AS A PROJECTGREEN: SEEN IN A POTTERY STUDIO BLUE: THINGS THAT ARE SLIPPERY PURPLE: NATURAL PRODUCERS OF HEAT

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

NYT Connections today (game #681) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #681, are…

YELLOW: CANCEL, AS A PROJECT AXE, CUT, DROP, SCRAPGREEN: SEEN IN A POTTERY STUDIO CLAY, GLAZE, KILN, WHEELBLUE: THINGS THAT ARE SLIPPERY BANANA PEEL, EEL, GREASE, ICEPURPLE: NATURAL PRODUCERS OF HEAT FIRE, LIGHTNING, SUN, VOLCANO

My rating: EasyMy score: 1 mistake

Today’s joke was, of course, GREASE and LIGHTNING. Although I’m sure I wasn’t alone in the words ICE and FIRE triggering a quick search for a Game of Thrones group (A Song of Ice and Fire being the title of the unfinished collection of books it is based on).My mistake today came as I was soaring towards a faultless round. Thinking there was a group that was about natural electricity creation I had EEL instead of VOLCANO in what became the purple quartet, NATURAL PRODUCERS OF HEAT.That they produce electricity is one of three things people know about eels, the others being they are slippery and some brave souls enjoy eating them boiled and served in jelly (I am not one of those people, the idea of eating something that is slimy, boney and stringy does not whet my appetite).How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, 21 April, game #680)

YELLOW: INFO ON A NUTRITION LABEL FAT, IRON, PROTEIN, SODIUMGREEN: METAPHOR FOR SOMETHING UNEXPECTED BOMBSHELL, CURVEBALL, TWIST, WRENCHBLUE: THINGS YOU CAN INSERT INTO A SPREADSHEET CELL, COLUMN, ROW, SHEETPURPLE: HELICAL THINGS CORKSCREW, DNA, FUSILLI, SPRING

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

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, April 21 (game #414).

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Counter offers

NYT Strands today (game #415) - hint #2 - clue words

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

SPACEPRUNESOAPFACESHADESTREP

NYT Strands today (game #415) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #415) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 4th rowLast side: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #415) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #415, are…

JUICESSOUPPASTRIESCHAISANDWICHESESPRESSOSPANGRAM: CAFE MENU

My rating: EasyMy score: Perfect

It never ceases to amaze me how well the NYT hides the answers in Strands, but today was a rare day where I saw one word – JUICES – immediately.Then, after getting SOUP, the letters for PASTRIES were easy to spot and I was three words in, before I'd barely started.SANDWICHES aside it was also a very left to right day, too, which made the search easier than when it goes right to left, down and up or all over the place.In fact, the biggest challenge, for me at least, was to resist the temptation of stopping the word search and going out to a CAFE.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, 21 April, game #414)

ACROBATJUGGLERDUETCOMICMAGICIANDANCERSPANGRAM: VARIETY ACTS

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

Looking for a different day?A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, April 21 (game #1183).

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 #1184) - hint #1 - Vowels

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

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

Quordle today (game #1184) - 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 #1184) - 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 #1184) - 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 #1184) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

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

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

Quordle today (game #1184) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1184, are…

POUTYCHESTBROOMTEPEE

Well, that was taxing! Despite having three letters (including two in the correct position) I don't think I've ever been as stumped as I was by the word that became POUTY.Fortunately, I had better options elsewhere – and by my seventh guess the final word solved itself. This is just one reason why I prefer Quordle over Wordle.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1184) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1184, are…

TABBYGIVENFRISKAVIAN

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACHQuordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUEQuordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULTQuordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTOQuordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURTQuordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUTQuordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAYQuordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCEQuordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOPQuordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THINGQuordle #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, STOLE

Meta says it's doing more to make sure as many of its younger users as possible are using the teen accounts that it has rolled out for Instagram, Facebook and Messenger. Starting today, it's testing artificial intelligence tech in the US to detect whether a person is a teen — even if they've lied about their birthday to make it seem like they're an adult — and then move them to a teen account.

The company says it has taken steps to make sure that the age-detection tech is accurate, but in case it makes a mistake, users that the AI suspects of being a teen have the option to change their settings and stick with an adult account. While Meta has been using AI for age detection for a while, it says employing the tech in this way is a "big change."

Meta debuted teen accounts in Instagram last fall and recently expanded them to Facebook and Messenger. Teen accounts have stricter privacy settings and parental controls. These accounts are, for instance, automatically set to private and prevent teen users from messaging strangers.

The company says it has enrolled more than 54 million teens into such accounts and that 97 percent of users aged between 13 and 15 have chosen to keep them enabled (under 16s need permission from their parents or guardians to opt out of teen accounts). The company adds that over 90 percent of the parents it has surveyed agree that teen accounts have helped keep their kids safe on Instagram.

Also starting today, Meta says it will send parents on Instagram a notification about resources they can use to talk to their teens about why it's important to have the correct age on their profiles so they can be enrolled in teen accounts. Meta says it's working on other ways to ensure users have age-appropriate experiences, such as backing federal legislation to require app stores to seek parental permission whenever an under-16 wants to download an app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-using-its-ai-age-detection-tech-to-shuffle-more-young-users-into-teen-accounts-142014188.html?src=rss

The Roomba Y0140 robot vacuum and mop combo unit is on sale for $149 via Amazon. This represents a discount of 46 percent, as it typically costs $250. It's also a record-low price for this particular model.

It’s rare we see robots that can vacuum and mop at this price point. The Y0140 is actually a combo version of the vacuum-only Q0120, which topped our list of the best robot vacuums on a budget. We loved the iconic design and the surprisingly-robust suction power.

The robovac also integrates with iRobot’s fantastic app, which is a big selling point. It’s easy to use and puts most pertinent controls directly on the front page. The app can be used to schedule cleaning sessions, create maps of the home and more.

The battery life here is decent, as this robot will run for around two hours before automatically returning to the charging base. Of course, this particular model also includes a mop. There’s a pump to control water flow that keeps the mopping pad moist during cleaning. This washable pad is good for around 30 uses.

The only downside here? This is an entry-level model, so there’s no standalone debris container or anything like that.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-roomba-robot-vacuum-and-mop-is-46-percent-off-right-now-150656105.html?src=rss

Some Entra ID accounts were being flagged as having compromised credentialsSeems it was just Microsoft “inadvertently generat[ing] [false] alerts”However, users were getting different explanations from Microsoft

Windows administrators have been reporting mass account lockouts across various organizations following a Microsoft Entra ID update.Many believe these were false positives triggered in Entra ID's new leaked credentials detection app (a new feature called MACE Credential Revocation), as affected accounts had unique and unused passwords.One user posted to a Reddit thread that around half a dozen accounts had been blocked after credentials were supposedly found on the dark web, however those users didn’t have much in common, suggesting that it wasn’t a targeted attack.

Entra ID might be flagging false positives

“There are no risky signins, no other risk detections, everyone is MFA, it's literally the only thing that's appeared today, raising the risk on these people from zero to high,” the Reddit user explained.Beneath the original post is a series of comments from other system admins who also experienced similar issues, with one user sharing a response from Microsoft suggesting that the accounts had been erroneously flagged:“On Friday 4/18/25, Microsoft identified that it was internally logging a subset of short-lived user refresh tokens for a small percentage of users, whereas our standard logging process is to only log metadata about such tokens. The internal logging issue was immediately corrected, and the team performed a procedure to invalidate these tokens to protect customers.”The notice sees Microsoft admit to “inadvertently generat[ing] alerts in Entra ID Protection” of supposed compromised credentials between 4AM UTC and 9AM UTC on April 20.Another user said they were quoted “Error Code: 53003” for conditional access policy, while another was told that it was to do with an outage in their region – even though no outage had been reported or logged.TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft to clarify what happened over the weekend and why users appear to have received different explanations. Any update will be posted here.

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