news,technology

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster will be officially revealed later todayBethesda confirmed a broadcast that will announce the gameIt's suspected that Bethesda will also shadow drop the Oblivion remaster following the livestream

After a series of leaks and rumors, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster will be officially revealed later today.Bethesda shared a post on social media last night confirming that it will broadcast some sort of Oblivion announcement today, April 22, at 11AM ET / 8AM PT / 4PM BST on Twitch and YouTube.The remaster was leaked last week, so it's not difficult to predict what the announcement will be, however, it's possible that the livestream will also be followed up with a surprise shadow drop.New details later emerged that claimed that the game would launch on April 21, 2025, but considering the deluge of leaks, it's speculated that Bethesda pushed the announcement and shadow drop back by one day.

Tomorrow, 11:00 am EST. https://t.co/CKo7HKjs7j and https://t.co/dgz4EnloQ0 pic.twitter.com/K36jZmFUO9April 21, 2025

Alongside an official launch date, we'll also likely receive an official gameplay trailer showcasing the remastered graphics that were leaked through a selection of screenshots, as well as its updated game mechanics.It's also claimed that the game will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass. Although the Nintendo Switch 2 was just announced and confirmed to support third-party titles, it's unclear if we'll see the Oblivion remaster make its way to the handheld after it releases.

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A leaker claims the iPhone 17 Pro could be sold in a Sky Blue shadeHowever, alternative colors are also apparently being consideredThis source has put forward various possible iPhone 17 Pro colors over the last few months, but it sounds like we'll only see one of these, if any

While we have a good idea of many of the likely iPhone 17 Pro specs, we’re a lot less sure of what colors it and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be sold in. However, one new color candidate has now emerged, with Sky Blue apparently being considered by Apple.This is according to leaker Majin Bu (via Apple Insider), who claims that, according to “sources close to the supply chain,” various colors are under consideration, but Sky Blue is apparently the frontrunner.Of course, you’ll be able to buy these phones in more than one color, but Apple only switched out one shade when moving from the iPhone 15 Pro to the iPhone 16 Pro, so it’s possible that the same will happen again for the iPhone 17 Pro.In which case, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max might be available in most of the following shades: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium, with one of them swapped out for a new color – which could perhaps be Sky Blue.

A MacBook Air M4 in Sky Blue (Image credit: Apple)

You can see how this Sky Blue shade might look already, as you can get the MacBook Air (2025) in the same color – it’s a pale, understated blue that looks smart enough to fit with Apple’s typical Pro color schemes.

Lots of color claims

All that said, we’d still take this latest claim with a pinch of salt, as while Bu has been right before, they have a mixed track record.This also isn’t the first time they’ve talked about possible iPhone 17 Pro colors. Back in September, they claimed we might see either a Titanium Blue, Titanium Purple, or Titanium Green shade. Then, in October, they said Apple was choosing between Teal Titanium, Green Titanium, and Dark Green Titanium. Now, it’s apparently Sky Blue that we’ll most likely see.There is some overlap in these leaks – after all, Titanium Blue and Sky Blue could be one and the same. But with all these possibilities put forward, it’s hard to take any of them too seriously – at least until another source corroborates one of these leaks.

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Bad equipment is more responsible than chaotic conversations for misunderstandingsOne in four say they spend extra time clarifying their points on video callsAI might have a role, but we need the foundation of clear video and audio

Danish video conferencing equipment company Jabra has blamed bad microphones and webcams on poor interactions, leading to reduced productivity, particularly among hybrid workers who rely on the tech.According to the company’s research, one in four workers regularly feel misunderstood due to insufficient communication tools, which is impacting productivity, wellbeing and career prospects.More than one-third (35%) of UK knowledge workers agree that poor audio or video quality is to blame when it comes to misunderstanding, ranking it even more highly than chaotic conversations with multiple people speaking over each other.

Poor video and audio quality is bad for productivity

Jabra EMEA North VP and MD Nigel Dunn explained why bad mics and webcams can be bad for productivity: “Too many UK workers are still being held back by poor-quality audio and video – spending valuable time clarifying conversations, second-guessing what was said, or worse, missing key details altogether.”Even though the speaker might not be battling with the result of poor audio or video themselves, 24% agree that they spend extra time clarifying their point, which takes additional time.More than one-fifth (22%) also feel embarrassed or lose confidence after being misunderstood, with 14% believing that being misunderstood could cause them to miss out on professional opportunities.Many workers agree that AI’s transcription abilities can be extremely beneficial post-meeting, but despite this recognition there remains some reluctance, with most British workers trusting humans over AI.“We need to start with the basics and enable employees to communicate clearly with total confidence that they can be heard accurately, whether speaking to a colleague, a virtual assistant or relying on transcription tools,” Dunn continued.Although many tech giants have implemented now-standard three-day working weeks from the office, and some are taking it even further by implementing full-time office working mandates, hybrid and remote work continues to be far more prevalent than it was prior to the pandemic. Having effective communication platforms and systems in place is now a must.

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Windows 11 has a new preview build in the Beta channelIt offers new Click to Do features for Copilot+ PCs, including Reading Coach integrationSearch has also been pepped up with AI, and Voice Access has got a handy new addition too

Windows 11’s latest preview version just arrived packing improved search functionality and some impressive new capabilities for accessibility, including the integration of Microsoft’s ‘Reading Coach’ app on certain PCs.This is preview build 26120.3872 in the Beta channel, and some of the fresh additions are just for Copilot+ PCs, and specifically only for devices with Snapdragon (Arm-based) chips.So, first up in this category is the integration of Reading Coach with Click to Do. To recap on those pieces of functionality, Click to Do provides context-sensitive actions which are AI-powered – this was brought in as the partner feature to Recall on Copilot+ PCs – and Reading Coach became available for free at the start of 2024.The latter is an app you can download from the Microsoft Store in order to practice your reading skills and pronunciation, and Reading Coach can now be chosen direct from the Click to Do context menu, so you can work on any selected piece of text. (You’ll need the coaching app installed to do this, of course).Also new for Click to Do (and Copilot+ PCs) is a ‘Read with Immersive Reader’ ability which is a focused reading mode designed for those with dyslexia and dysgraphia.This allows users to adjust the text size and spacing, font, and background theme to best suit their needs, as well as having a picture dictionary option that Microsoft notes “provides visual representations of unfamiliar words for instant understanding.” You can also elect to have text read aloud and split into syllables if required.Another neat feature for Copilot+ PCs – albeit only in the European Economic Area to begin with – is the ability to find photos saved in the cloud (OneDrive) via the search box in the Windows 11 taskbar. Again, this is AI-powered, so you can use natural language search to find images in OneDrive (such as photos of “Halloween costumes” for example). Both local (on the device) and cloud-based photos will be displayed in the taskbar search results.All of the above are now rolling out in testing to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, but devices with AMD and Intel CPUs will also be covered eventually.A further noteworthy introduction here – for all PCs this time – is that Voice Access now grants you the power to add your own words to its dictionary. So, if there’s a word that the system is having difficulty picking up when you say it, you can add a custom dictionary entry and hopefully the next time you use it during dictation, Voice Access will correctly recognize the word.There are a bunch of other tweaks and refinements in this new preview version, all of which are covered in Microsoft’s blog post on the new Beta build.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Analysis: Sterling progress

It’s good to see Microsoft’s continued efforts to improve Windows 11 in terms of accessibility and learning, even if some of the core introductions here won’t be piped through to most folks – as they won’t have a Copilot+ PC. What’s also clear is that Microsoft is clearly giving devices with Snapdragon processors priority on an ongoing basis, and that’s fine, as long as the same powers come to all Copilot+ PCs eventually (which they are doing thus far, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t).The Voice Access addition is a very handy one, although I’m surprised it took Microsoft this long to implement it. I was previously a heavy user of Nuance (Dragon) speech recognition tool (my RSI has long since been cured, thanks in part to taking a break from typing by using this software) and it offered this functionality. As Windows 11’s Voice Access is essentially built on the same tech – Microsoft bought Nuance back in 2021 – it’s taken a while to incorporate what I felt was an important feature.As ever, though, better late than never, and I certainly can’t complain about Voice Access being free, or at least free in terms of being bundled in with Windows 11.

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iOS 18.5 beta 3 has just been released to developersThe small update most likely focuses on bug fixesAll the big changes look to be coming in iOS 19 later in the summer

Apple has just released the third developer beta of iOS 18.5, and it comes with a few tweaks that could improve the Mail and Settings apps for you. But it’s a very lightweight update overall, and if you were expecting huge alterations, you might be left disappointed.The first change can be found in the Settings app. There, the iOS 18.5 beta has added a more prominent AppleCare+ banner to the top of the page devoted to Apple’s warranty service. You can also find more information on AppleCare+ for each product registered in the Apple Account section of the Settings app, making Apple’s service easier to find.The other new item to be found in the iOS 18.5 beta relates to the Mail app. In this instance, Apple has added a control to disable contact photos in your email inbox. This can be found by tapping the three-dot button in Mail’s top-right corner, then selecting the option to Show Contact Photos.Previously, you had to dig around in Mail’s settings to find this control.

A minor update

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

It’s worth noting that these changes have been present in earlier iOS 18.5 betas, as we described earlier in April. Without any other prominent features being added to the latest iOS 18.5 beta 3 release, this suggests that the latest update might instead focus on behind-the-scenes bug fixes and performance improvements.We don’t know when exactly iOS 18.5 will launch out of beta, but we do know that iOS 18.4.1 is available to the general public.This update focuses on bug fixes, with solutions for a range of problems coming as part of the release. That includes a fix for a CarPlay bug that rendered many people’s in-car entertainment inoperable or difficult to use.Looking further ahead, Apple is set to announce iOS 19 at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9. That update is rumored to come with a wide-ranging design overhaul and a slate of interesting new features, which are likely taking up a lot of development time at Apple.If that’s the case, the lack of major updates in iOS 18.5 makes a lot more sense, and could be a sign that more substanbtial updates are on the way.

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AI is lowering the barrier for entry into cybercrimeDeepfakes and fake websites take minutes to prop upUsers need to be careful

Sophisticated scam campaigns that used to take cybercriminals weeks to set up can now pop up in minutes, Microsoft is warning. The difference? Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI).The tools that emerged a few years ago, including ChatGPT, Copilot, Midjourney, and many others have not just cut down on time needed to prepare a sophisticated internet scam, they have also lowered the barrier for entry allowing even rookie fraudsters to prepare and run advanced campaigns.In the latest Cyber Signals report on AI assisted scams, Microsoft said that cybercriminals are using GenAI for more than “just” phishing email copy. They create deepfakes (usually fake videos of celebrities endorsing a project), and create AI-generated “sham websites” mimicking legitimate businesses.

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Phishing and fraud

“What used to take scammers days or weeks to create will now take minutes,” Microsoft warned.But at the end of the day, this is still “just” phishing and fraud - people can mitigate the risk by taking it slow on the internet. Microsoft says the best thing to do is not to be fooled with “limited-time” deals and countdown timers, to only click on verified ads (many scam sites spread through AI-optimized social media ads), and to be skeptical of social proof (scammers can use AI-generated reviews, influencer endorsements, and testimonials to exploit trust people have in social media).Finally, users should never provide personal or financial information to people reaching out via unsolicited SMS or email messages. “You should never provide a Social Security number, banking details, or passwords to an unverified employer,” it said.Paying for a job opportunity is almost always a red flag. The best advice is usually the simplest: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.Artificial intelligence will make internet fraud even more dangerous, but with a little common sense and a little care - it doesn’t have to be successful.

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Uber Shuttle is expanding to Atlanta. This is the company’s bus service that takes people to airports. Shuttle operations will launch in the region next month, delivering folks to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

There will be numerous routes for residents to choose from. Uber says it’ll be picking people up from various locations throughout downtown and midtown, with service scheduled for every 30 minutes from 6AM to 10PM every day of the week. As previously mentioned, these shuttles will also take folks from the airport to the same locations.

We don’t know the exact location of the stops yet. Uber says it’ll share that information closer to launch in May. We do know that riders will be able to book up to five seats at a time from up to one week before the departure. As usual, customers will be able to track the real-time location of their Uber Shuttle via the app.

The fare will also be displayed on the app and the company promises it won’t use surge pricing. Early users will pay just ten bucks to use the service, but the cost will eventually go up. Uber says prices will, however, max out at $18.50 per ride. Uber Shuttle has been operating in NYC for a while now, with service to both LaGuardia and JFK.

Uber

Uber also released a bit of news regarding a partnership with Delta. This allows folks to rack up Delta SkyMiles by using Uber. The partnership even extends to Uber Eats.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/uber-shuttle-is-launching-at-the-atlanta-airport-110018400.html?src=rss

Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has teased the future of the Super Mario Bros. seriesWhen asked about the absence of a mainline Mario game for the Switch 2, Bowser said, "Stay tuned"He says Nintendo has a big catalog and that he's "sure will make its way to the platform"

Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser may have teased the next mainline Super Mario game for the Nintendo Switch 2.Speaking to CNN following the big Switch 2 Direct, Bowser was asked about the noticeable absence of a new mainline Mario game for the Switch 2, something that many were expecting to be revealed, considering the massive success of Super Mario Odyssey last generation.Bowser didn't confirm or deny that a new mainline Mario game is in development for the new handheld, but he did drop a hint that suggested Nintendo has plans for the series."Stay tuned," Bowser said. "You know, we have a long, long catalog, and a long list of (intellectual property) that I’m sure will make its way to the platform."Although there won't be a new Super Mario game to look forward to anytime soon, Mario Kart World has officially been announced and will be launching alongside the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.The Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle which includes a digital copy of the upcoming game.Pre-orders are now live in the UK. US pre-orders are set to begin on April 24 after Nintendo delayed its initial April 9 date as it assessed the potential impact of tariffs.

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Everybody loves a good medical drama, as the success of The Pitt shows. That's why Grey's Anatomy continues to sit atop the streaming charts.It's currently the ninth most-watched show on Hulu this past week and has remained in the top 10 since becoming the second most-streamed show in 2024. With over 20 seasons to stream, that's a lot of red hot white coat action.If you've already binged one of the best Hulu shows, or if you're looking for something medical-themed but in a different way, there's no shortage of medical-set shows to stream online: TV networks know they're reliable ratings-grabbers, so they've been making them for decades.That makes Hulu particularly good for ER-based adventures: its catalog of network TV shows is more packed than the waiting area of your local ER. And among those shows are three that are particularly likely to get your heart monitor beeping.

ER

I need to warn you about this one: if like me you watched ER back in the day, the sight of Robbie from The Pitt (Noah Wyle) as fresh-faced junior Dr Carter will make you feel older than Methuselah. The mid-90s show is very similar to The Pitt in its fast-paced action and ensemble cast, and it made a star of a young actor called George Clooney.The show was highly rated by critics – season 2 got the full 100% rating – but it's worth noting that while ER was pretty good in its portrayal of gay and lesbian characters, like other shows of the 90s its portrayal of trans and intersex characters is appalling.

House

What if Sherlock Holmes, but in a hospital? That's the elevator pitch for House, in which cranky genius Dr Gregory House (Hugh Lawrie, an incredible bit of casting) solves medical mysteries.Like ER its second season has the full 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, and while it's less impactful now its high production values and its use of a terribly flawed human – House is a misanthrope and a drug addict – as the hero made it stand out from the medical drama crowd.

9-1-1

With a 94% rating for its eighth season, 9-1-1 clearly doesn't lose any of its momentum: it gets better as it goes along. It's about first responders dealing with traumatic events, and watching Season 1 the Financial Times predicted that "it could yet turn out to be a classic of the lantern-jawed hero genre."Like many shows it can teeter on the edge of silliness and sometimes falls right into it, but that's part of the appeal: as Paste Magazine put it, "this trashy show is spectacular [and] you must immediately begin watching this nonsense."

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After that whole tariff tango, Nintendo is readying its North American pre-order system for the Switch 2. The original Switch 2 price will remain the same, $450, as will the original $500 for the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle. However, some Switch 2 accessories will receive price adjustments due to “market conditions.”

(As a non-North American, I may have splurged on the Piranha Plant Switch 2 camera — I have no regrets.)

Take a picture. It'll last longer.Hori

There are some fine-print details attached to pre-ordering directly from Nintendo. You must be 18 years or older, sign in with your Nintendo account and register your interest in pre-ordering. Then, you’ll get an invitation email when it’s time to play your pre-order, and the invitation will be valid for 72 hours. And for extra jeopardy: “Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis for 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.”

If you don’t meet those criteria of die-hard/flush with cash Nintendo fan, there are other options: Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Target have confirmed they’ll open pre-orders on April 24.

— Mat Smith

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Bluesky is getting an official verification system

And blue checkmarks.

Bluesky is adopting an official verification system, after all. The company said it plans to grant blue checkmarks to “authentic and notable” accounts. It will also allow some trusted organizations to verify users.

The platform previously resisted centralized verification, relying instead on a domain-based verification system, which allows users to change their handles to match domains they’re associated with.

It’s a bit of a mess. For example, when Barack Obama joined Bluesky recently, his handle did not use a custom domain. Individual Bluesky employees ended up publicly vouching for the former president.

The company will now proactively verify certain accounts and add a prominent blue checkmark to their profile. It’s still not clear what criteria Bluesky will use to verify its users.

Continue reading.

Nintendo is going after the person behind last year’s massive Pokémon leak

It wants Discord to give up the user’s identity.

Nintendo

Nintendo is going after the leaker behind last year’s massive Pokémon data breach. It wants Discord to reveal the identity of the person behind the leak, who goes by the name GameFreakOUT on the platform. Nintendo said in a subpoena the person uploaded “confidential materials not released to the public” to a Discord server called FreakLeak. After that, the leaked materials spread to every corner of the internet.

It included early character designs, source codes and even an upcoming Pokémon MMO.

Continue reading.

Using generative AI will ‘neither help nor harm the chances’ of Oscar nominations

Both The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez came under fire for using AI.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided AI is fine. The issue of award-nominated films using AI was first raised in 2024 when the productions behind Best Picture nominees The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez both admitted to using the tech to alter performances. “With regard to Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination,” AMPAS writes.

Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-112038131.html?src=rss

As lawmakers, regulators call for social media companies to do more to protect the mental health of their youngest users, teens’ perception of social media also seems to be changing. A growing number of teens say that social media is harmful and takes up too much of their time, according to a new report from Pew Research.

The report, which was based on a survey of 1,391 teens and parents in the United States, sheds light on how teens’ perspective on social media has changed amid increasing calls to hold online platforms accountable for the alleged harms they’ve done to their youngest users.

According to the report, 48 percent of teens now view social media as a “mostly negative” influence on other people their age. That’s a significant jump from the last time Pew polled teens on the question in 2022, when just under a third of teens said the same. The number of teens who view social media as “mostly positive” also decreased, from 24 percent in 2022 to 11 percent in the latest poll. “Teens’ views of the impact of social media on their peers has grown increasingly negative,” Pew’s researchers note.

Interestingly, teens are significantly less likely to report that social media is harmful to themselves specifically. Only 14 percent of teens polled by Pew reported that social media “negatively affects them personally.” Pew’s researchers don’t speculate on the reason for that disparity, though the report notes that there have been growing conversations about the effect social media has on teen mental health, including a warning last year from the US Surgeon General.

Pew’s report also suggests that teens are becoming increasingly aware of how much time they spend on social media platforms. Forty-five percent of teens said they "spend too much time” on social media, up from 27 percent who said the same in 2023. A similar proportion of teens said that social media negatively affects their sleep (45 percent) and productivity (40 percent). And 44 percent of teens report that they’ve “cut back” their smartphone and social media use overall.

While this report is unlikely to settle the long-running debate about whether social media is more helpful or harmful to young people, the fact that teens’ views are shifting is telling. At a time when some lawmakers have proposed banning younger kids from social media altogether, Pew’s report suggests that adults aren’t the only ones worried about the issue.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/teens-are-becoming-more-worried-about-the-effects-of-social-media-113027657.html?src=rss

Fire TV Sticks may move to a new OS later this yearVega OS is already running on some Echo devicesThird-party Fire TVs may stick with Android for now

Amazon is making huge changes to its Fire TV platform this year in a move that's definitely coming to us from the "What could go wrong?" files.A new report says that the Fire TV Stick devices will be shipping with a completely new operating system later this year. The devices currently run a modified version of Android, but the move will be to Amazon's own Vega OS.As someone who dreads the inevitable issues that even a minor software or firmware change can cause, I'm not sure this is going to be a smooth transition with every bug and incompatibility stomped from day one. And it's also going to reduce the flexibility of future Fire TV devices.

The software change is expected to come to Fire TV Sticks long before it appears in Fire TVs. (Image credit: Amazon)

What is Amazon doing with its Fire TV software?

According to well-informed TV tech writer Janko Roettgers, Amazon is "courting major publishers" to bring their apps to the new operating system: unlike the current OS, Vega won't support Android apps, and they can't be ported over.While Vega OS hasn't been officially announced, it'll be arriving on a new, non-Android TV streaming device later this year according to Roettgers.Vega is based on the Linux operating system, and Roettgers discovered its existence in 2023. It already powers the Echo Show 5, the Echo Hub and the Echo Spot.Roettgers says that some big names are already on board. "I’ve been able to confirm that Paramount, Rakuten and the BBC’s UKTV subsidiary are among the publishers building TV apps using the Kepler SDK," says the report.It doesn't look like the move will apply to Fire TV televisions from Amazon's partners: they appear to be moving to Android 14, based on other documentation. Perhaps that update will come to existing Fire TV Sticks and Cubes too.However, speculation that this Android 14 move meant Vega was being ditched appears to be incorrect, at least according to Roettgers. The big danger here is that Amazon may end up releasing a new device that's inferior to the existing ones – with more limited app supported, less well-embedded features, and more chance of bugs and problems.The launched of Vega on Fire Sticks has reportedly already been delayed once, and there's not a lot of time to get all apps polished and ready for a 2025 launch, so perhaps it'll be pushed back again – watch this space.

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Duolingo will soon add chess to its list of non-language courses, alongside music and math. The company has revealed that it will add chess lessons to its app, which will initially be available in beta in its iOS app. Senior product manager Edwin Bodge told Cnet that Duolingo is catering to "more of a beginner, medium [player]" in an effort to make the game more accessible. The app will start by asking you how much you know about chess and then tailoring lessons based on your level — it will even teach you how each piece moves if you're a total newbie.

If you already know how each piece moves, then you'll play against Duolingo's character Oscar in mini-puzzles, wherein you'll have to capture certain pieces using a specified piece, like a rook. The puzzles are meant to get you used to how each piece moves, especially since you'll get hints for each lesson. If you move a piece where it can't go several times, Duolingo will put a big arrow on where a piece could go. But since there are many ways to move a piece around the chessboard, the app won't tell you if you made the wrong choice. It can only tell you in a banner how it wasn't the best move out of all the available options.

In addition to the mini-puzzles, you'll be able to play full games against Oscar that scale up in difficulty based on your level, but you can't play against other learners just yet. Cnet says Duolingo is still looking into adding that feature, though it won't be part of the beta version that will be available sometime in mid-May. The company also said that it's working to make chess lessons available on Android and in languages other than English in the coming months. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/duolingo-will-soon-start-offering-chess-lessons-121545964.html?src=rss

CEOs agree that cybersecurity is now critical for business growthThree in five are concerned about cybersecurity threatsSecurity leaders should demonstrate the value

More than four in five (85%) CEOs agree that a good cybersecurity strategy is now critical for business growth in an increasingly digital and connected world.The figures, from a Gartner study, reveal that three-fifths (61%) are concerned about cybersecurity threats, which the emergence of artificial intelligence has influenced.Gartner also noted that risk thresholds have shifted, with changes in commercial activity and political debates about AI, adding that cybersecurity has evolved to something far greater than just a protection system.

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

Cybersecurity is now a core business consideration

“With 85% of CEOs recognising its importance, security leaders have a unique opportunity to demonstrate the value of cybersecurity investments not only in safeguarding assets but also in enabling strategic business objectives,” explained Distinguished VP Analyst David Furlogner.The report also touches on regulatory changes when it comes to AI, with CEOs seeing a direct linkage between cybersecurity capabilities and enterprise growth. In order to inform their strategies, Gartner says security leaders should assess risks in foreign markets and intellectual property protection.“CEOs should highlight the role of security leaders in both protecting the business and enhancing cybersecurity to drive growth,” Furlonger continued, suggesting that change must come from the fundamental C-suite level.However, while it’s on CEOs to demonstrate the role of security leaders, Furlonger says it’s on security leaders to demonstrate the value of their strategy: “Security leaders are positioned to significantly influence value generation, and they should communicate how cybersecurity aids enterprise growth.”

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Phantom Blade Zero was revealed as part of a Sony PlayStation Showcase event, and quickly became one of the hottest games to watch, after it showed off some seriously impressive action.From what's been shown off so far, Phantom Blade Zero is an upcoming game that's absolutely worth keeping an eye on. It features a bleak, dark aesthetic, paired with hyper-fast hack-and-slash action. It's reminiscent of games like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Sekiro, and Nioh. It does offer a slightly different take on this genre, however, with a much closer camera and a more cinematic art style. We've even played it. Read our Phantom Blade Zero preview to hear our thoughts.Here's what we know about Phantom Blade Zero so far, including a look at the gameplay, latest trailers, and story/setting. As the year rolls on, it's likely that we'll hear more about Phantom Blade Zero. Once more info is revealed, you'll find it here.

Phantom Blade Zero - cut to the chase

What is it? A hack and slash RPG with a unique art-style When can I play it? TBCWhat can I play it on? PS5, PC Who makes it? S-Game

Phantom Blade Zero trailers

There's only been four trailers for Phantom Blade Zero released so far. the first debuted during PlayStation Showcase 2023, and for many fans, it really stole the show. You can check out the trailer below, which shows off some of the awesome-looking action on offer.

In addition, there was a new anime trailer released over Chinese New Year. This doesn't include any gameplay, but does set the scene for the revenge-filled story to come. Watch it below:

Phantom Blade Zero “Year of the Dragon” special trailer: Rain and Blood is now officially released! A playable demo of Phantom Blade Zero will be available soon within this year as well! We dedicate this special trailer as a gift to our fans awaiting Phantom Blade Zero, wish… pic.twitter.com/6dyvrDaXh7February 2, 2024

The next trailer for Phantom Blade Zero was revealed during Summer Games Fest Opening Night. This gave us a better look at gameplay. You can check this trailer out below:

And now the latest trailer, which focuses on an epic boss fight. It features loads of gameplay, and can be viewed below:

We'll be updating this article with new Phantom Blade Zero trailers when they're released. In the meantime, the best place to check for more on the game is the official PlayStation YouTube channel.

Phantom Blade Zero gameplay

(Image credit: S-Game)

So far, we've seen a fair bit of in-game action for Phantom Blade Zero. It's found in the latest trailer, where you can watch a full boss fight, with a seriously acrobatic foe, and some heavy music soundtracking the whole thing. Still, what we've seen is promising at present, with Phantom Blade Zero offering a faster, more visceral version of the combat found in games like Ghost of Tsushima and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty.It looks as though the bulk of the gameplay in Phantom Blade Zero will consist of fast-paced melee battles, as well as boss fights with more varied enemies. In the trailer released so far, some of the bosses appear to have long-ranged weapons, trick weapons, and even the ability to destroy environments. It's clear that Phantom Blade Zero is aiming for a more cinematic style than that of the games it's already being compared to. Because of this, expect semi-open world exploration, in-game cinematics that transition into fights, as well as an eccentric cast of characters.What we do know is that there could be an "Extreme Difficulty Mode" included in Phantom Blade Zero, as revealed in a recent GDC interview between GamesRadar+ and a representative of developer of S-Games:"So between Gamescom and [Tokyo Game Show], I believe we had one employee that conceptualized this brand new AI. It wasn't just increasing the damage and health, it was a completely new enemy AI that removed the combos and created this PvP-like experience. And it shipped in time for TGS and we showed it off."

Phantom Blade Zero story and setting

(Image credit: S-Game)

In Phantom Blade Zero, you play as Soul, an elite assassin serving an elusive but powerful organization known simply as “The Order”. After being gravely injured, he is brought back to health by a mysterious healer. In effect, this is a curse that only lasts for 66 days, meaning he has a limited time to seek revenge on his enemies.In terms of the setting, we know that it will offer up a semi-open-world for players to explore. The Universe the game is set in is called Phantom World, which is also the setting for other games from the developer. At present, the finer details of Phantom Blade Zero's story have yet to be revealed. Once we hear more about Zero and his quest for vengeance, we'll update this section.

Phantom Blade Zero FAQ

Will Phantom Blade Zero be on PS4?

Phantom Blade Zero will not be on PS4 when it launches. Currently, only PS5 and PC have been confirmed, so it's clear that the team is sticking to current-gen only.

What engine is Phantom Blade Zero being developed in?

Phantom Blade Zero is being developed in Unreal Engine 5. This is evident from just how jaw-dropping the visuals are, and how smooth the action looks to be. Unreal Engine 5 development is still pretty new, so we've got plenty to look forward to over the next few years, with Phantom Blade Zero being a promising example of how it can improve the way games look and feel.

Phantom Blade Zero latest news

Phantom Blade Zero gets new 'Year of the Snake' trailerTo celebrate the start of the new year, we've now got a new trailer for Phantom Blade Zero to enjoy. It's gameplay focused, and shows off an epic boss fight against a seriously quick foe.

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Andor season 2's multi-year story will show how Cassian and Bix's relationship evolvesDiego Luna and Adria Arjona have teased a "complex but beautiful" dynamic between themThe Star Wars show's final season works to this dynamic's benefit, Luna added

Andor season 2 will show how the "complex but beautiful" relationship between Cassian and Bix changes in the four years before Rogue One.Diego Luna and Adria Arjona, who play the duo in the Star Wars TV show, suggested that their characters' dynamic will shift and evolve throughout its final season. And, while they wouldn't be drawn on where the series leaves their relationship leading into Rogue One, it sounds like they'll individually and collectively be put through the emotional wringer.As a TV prequel that directly leads into the aforementioned 2016 Star War movie, Andor's second and final season has to end with a particular outcome.However, the steps taken to reach that point weren't predetermined during Rogue One's development. A such, the Disney+ show's cast and crew had the freedom to reach that marker in whatever way they saw fit.

Bix and Cassian's relationship will be put through the wringer in season 2 (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)

With only one more season left to fill in the gaps between Andor season 1 and Rogue One, though, the series' second installment had to do plenty of lifting on the storytelling and character evolution front.Indeed, the 12 episodes that comprise season 2 are split into four trilogy-style events, which each three-episode arc depicting a specific event in each of the four years between Andor's debut season and its sequel film. For more information on the Star Wars timeline, read our guide on how to watch the Star Wars movies and TV shows in order.But I digress. This season's four-year narrative cycle provided the cast of Andor season 2, Luna and Arjona included, with the opportunity to explore the ever-changing dynamics between their characters. And, as the pair told me prior to one of the best Disney+ shows' return, that not only allowed them to examine the ups and downs that every relationship faces, but how the addition of a third wheel – the growth of the nascent Rebel Alliance – impacts it, too.

TOMORROW.Don't miss the three-episode premiere of Andor Season 2, streaming tomorrow on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/jAA1Wb8YiLApril 21, 2025

"Their relationship is so dependent on what happens outside of them," Arjona told me, "And I think that's one of the reasons why it's so complex. It's not just about them. There's something really big happening outside of them and, as the season progresses, you'll see how it just gets more and more complicated.""This cause is asking for the best from them," Luna added. "And that influences how this relationship evolves. It's very complex and and beautiful, and four years is a good time for a relationship to actually have an arc, which you'll see throughout season two.

There's something really big happening outside of themAdria Arjona, Andor season 2 actor

"From Cassian's perspective, in season one, he's far from being ready to join a revolution, have a love story, or really connect with anyone else but himself. He's in a very selfish, cynical period of his life."Now, he's starting to understand that the real meaning behind everything is making these connections," Luna continued. "He's opening up, being more honest, is finding love, and has a newfound commitment to his ideals. And, it's sad that all of this happens at the same time! One doesn't go with the other and you'll see the full effect of that."I have plenty more exclusive coverage to bring you in the days and weeks ahead, so be sure to check back in with me soon. In the meantime, read my spoiler-free review of Andor season 2, or read more about this season in the section below.

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A VPN (virtual private network) can help you stay safe online and one of our top picks is currently on sale. A two-year subscription to the ProtonVPN Plus plan is currently $86.16. That’s 64 percent off the usual price. The deal drops the cost from $10 to $3.59 per month, and it reduces the overall price for 24 months by $153.

This plan allows you to use ProtonVPN on up to 10 devices at a time. It should be pretty easy to find a server to route your internet traffic through as well, since ProtonVPN has more than 8,600 of them across north of 110 countries.

ProtonVPN is our pick for the best VPN overall due to a blend of its security, usability and privacy. ProtonVPN has a no-logs policy. That means it doesn't keep any records of information that passes through its network. In other words, it doesn't track your internet activity while you're using it, helping to protect you and your anonymity.

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Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/protonvpn-two-year-plans-are-64-percent-off-right-now-152355804.html?src=rss

Fortnite is celebrating Star Wars with a five-part saga starting May 2New updates for Fortnite: Galactic Battle will be released weekly until June and add new Star Wars-themed featuresPlayers will be able to unlock new Star Wars skins like Darth Jar Jar

Star Wars is coming back to Fortnite next month for an all-new collaboration that will be updated over five weeks.Announced during Star Wars Celebration, Fortnite: Galactic Battle begins on May 2 and is a five-part saga where players will "experience new Star Wars gameplay" every week until June, which will lead to an in-game narrative live event.This celebration event will include a fresh Star Wars-themed Battle Pass inspired by iconic characters from the franchise that players will be able to unlock as skins, including Emperor Palpatine, Wookie Cuddle Team Leader, Darth Jar Jar, and more.From the new trailer, which you can watch below, it looks like Luke Skywalker and Mace Windu will also be making an appearance, and players will be able to pilot and co-pilot X-wings and TIE fighters, and explore themed map locations.The first part of Galactic Battle begins on May 2 with Imperial Takeover and will be followed by four more updates across four more weeks. You can check out the dates below.

Imperial Takeover – May 2, 2025The Pull of the Force – May 8, 2025Mandalorian Rising – May 22, 2025Star Destroyer Bombardment – May 29, 2025Death Star Sabotage – June 7, 2025

Fortnite Chapter 6 is currently ongoing with Fortnite: Lawless, and will end on May 2 when Fortnite: Galactic Battle kicks off, so there's still time to complete any challenges and the season's Battle Pass before then.

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Ghost of Yōtei has been revealed, in place of what many had expected to be 'Ghost of Tsushima 2'. It's set more than 300 years after the first Ghost game, and as such, isn't quite a direct sequel. How it connects, however, remains unclear, though it's clear that players can expect the same action/stealth gameplay and gorgeous visuals that wowed all the way back in 2020. This time around though, we're looking at a true next-gen experience, built from the ground up for PS5.While it's still early days in terms of Ghost of Yōtei details, we do know that it's set to arrive later this year, so hopefully we'll hear more sooner rather than later. The main question we need to be answered currently is whether Ghost of Yōtei will tie into its predecessor at all, and how gameplay has evolved with the introduction of firearms. Developer Sucker Punch has already given us a glimpse at gameplay, and some details on the game's new setting.It's yet to be confirmed, but we expect to see Ghost of Yōtei make the most of the PS5 Pro as well, making Ghost of Yōtei one of the most highly anticipated upcoming games for 2025. Hopefully, it'll end up on our list of the best PS5 games by the end of the year.Here's everything we know so far about Ghost of Yōtei so far, including a look at gameplay, as well as all of the latest news and rumors. As new info drops, and once we hear the full Ghost of Yōtei release date, this page will be updated.

Ghost of Yōtei: cut to the chase

What is it? The next entry in the Ghost of Tsushima seriesWhen does it come out? 2025What can I play it on? PS5 (exclusively)Who's making it? Sucker Punch (Ghost of Tsushima, Infamous)

Ghost of Yōtei release year and platforms

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

Ghost of Yōtei will launch in 2025 exclusively for PS5. The game won't be coming to older consoles, given that it has been developed from the ground up to run on the PlayStation 5. In terms of a PC release, nothing has been announced, but if we look at recent Sony releases, it'll likely follow the PS5 release at some point.

Ghost of Yōtei trailers

So far, we've only received one trailer for Ghost of Yōtei. It was revealed during the Sony State of Play event on September 24, 2024. We see the new protagonist: Atsu, as they travel across gorgeous vistas, and take down enemies while wearing a Ghost mask. It's a mix of cinematics and gameplay and can be viewed above.

We'll likely hear more about Ghost of Yōtei in the coming months. To keep up to date with every trailer release for the game, be sure to check out the official PlayStation channel.

Ghost of Yōtei gameplay

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

We've only seen glimpses of Ghost of Yōtei gameplay in the first trailer that was revealed. We see Atsu walking through some beautiful locales, but not much more than that. Thankfully, there are some more details on the PS Blog. Atsu will wear a Ghost mask throughout the game, suggesting that she is somehow following the steps of Jin Sakai. This means stealth gameplay, likely with tools, distraction devices, and new abilities. One key difference between Ghost of Yōtei and Ghost of Tsushima is the inclusion of firearms, which will be a core arm of Atsu's arsenal.

Ghost of Yōtei setting

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

Sucker Punch is keeping the story of Ghost of Yōtei under wraps for now but we do know that it's set in 1603, more than 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima. Players will explore the lands surrounding Mount Yōtei, a towering peak in the heart of Ezo, an area of Japan known as Hokkaido in the present day. The story will be based loosely on history, but is being described as an 'original story.'Over on the game's official website, there's a brief tease as to the game's main story:"300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, a new warrior – Atsu – rises from the ashes of her homestead.Filled with fury and determination, Atsu will hunt down those responsible for the death of her family and exact her revenge. Every odd job and bounty will provide the coin she needs for her journey. But how she fights, survives, and evolves the legend of the Ghost, will be up to you."We'll have to wait and see what's in store for new protagonist Atsu, for now, expect sprawling grasslands, snowy tundras, and lush forests.

Ghost of Yōtei: FAQs

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

Is Ghost of Yotei PS5 only?

So far, Ghost of Yotei has only been revealed for PS5. This is due to it being a PlayStation Studios game, headed up by Sucker Punch. It looks as though the team is leaving the past-generation consoles behind, building the game for the PS5 specifically. Even so, we expect Ghost of Yotei to arrive on PC at some point after the initial launch, though nothing has been confirmed yet.

Can you pre-order Ghost of Yōtei?

Pre-orders for Ghost of Yōtei are not currently live. This will likely change once the full release date is revealed. We're betting this happens sooner rather than later, so stay tuned for updates.

Who is the Ghost of Yōtei protagonist?

Atsu is the protagonist of Ghost of Yōtei. She is a brand new character in the series, and at present, we know almost nothing about her. She's definitely connected to Jin Sakai in some way, given that she wears a similar Ghost mask, and looks to be following the same style of stealth/action from the first game.

Is Ghost of Yōtei PS5 Pro enhanced?

Ghost of Yōtei has not been confirmed as one of the PS5 Pro enhanced games. This is likely set to change, as we'd certainly expect a first-party PlayStation exclusive to make use of the PS5 Pro in some way. For now, it's not confirmed, but we're betting this changes at some point before launch, so could be a good reason to read our PS5 Pro review and see if it's worth picking up.

Is this Ghost of Tsushima 2?

Sort of. Ghost of Yotei is a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, but given that it takes place hundreds of years later, and focuses on a new protagonist, it's still being treated as its own thing. This is likely why Sucker Punch went with the title of Ghost of Yotei, instead of Ghost of Tsushima 2.

Ghost of Yōtei news

Ghost of Yōtei has been revealedSucker Punch has announced Ghost of Yotei, the next installment in the Ghost of Tsushima series. You'll play as Atsu, a new protagonist, in a story set more than 300 years after the events of the first game.

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Google and Samsung took the world by storm with their surprise Android XR glasses announcement – which was complete with an impressive prototype demonstration at a TED 2025 event – but you don’t need to wait until 2026 (which is when the glasses are rumored to be launching) to try some excellent XR smart glasses for yourself.In fact, we’ve just updated our best smart glasses guide with two fantastic new options that you can pick up right now. This includes a new entry in our number one slot for the best AR specs you can buy (the Xreal One glasses) and a new pick in our best affordable smart glasses slot called the RayNeo Air 3S glasses.

(Image credit: Jason Redmond / TED)

Admittedly these specs aren’t quite what Google and Samsung are boasting the Android XR glasses will be, but the Xreal and RayNeo glasses are more for entertainment – you connect them to a compatible phone, laptop or console to enjoy your film, TV or gaming content on a giant virtual screen wherever you are – and they’re damn good at what they do.What’s more they’re a lot less pricey than the Android XR glasses are likely to be (based on pricing rumors for the similar Ray-Ban Meta AR glasses), so if you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of AR before it takes off then these two glasses will serve you well.

The best of the best

So, let’s start with the Xreal One glasses: our new number one pick, that are easily the best of the best AR smart glasses around.As I mentioned before these smart specs are perfect for entertainment – both on-the-go and at-home (say in a cramped apartment, or when you want to relax in bed). You simply connect them to a compatible device via their USB-C cable and you watch your favorite show, film, or game play out on a giant virtual screen that functions like your own private cinema.This feature appears on other AR smart glasses, but the Xreal One experience is on another level thanks to the full-HD 120Hz OLED screens, which boast up to 600-nits of brightness. This allows the glasses to produce vibrant images that have superb contrast for watching dark scenes.

(Image credit: Future)

Image quality is further improved by electrochromically-dimmable lenses – lenses which can be darkened or brightened via electrical input that you can toggle with a switch on the glasses.At their clearest the lenses allow you to easily see what’s going on around you, while at their darkest the lenses serve as the perfect backdrop to whatever you’re watching – blocking out most errant external light that would ruin their near-perfect picture.Beyond their picture, these glasses are also impressive thanks to their speakers which are the best I’ve heard from smart glasses.With sound tuned by Bose (creators of some of the best headphones around) the Xreal One glasses can deliver full-bodied audio across highs, midtones and bass.You will find that using a separate pair of headphones can still elevate your audio experience (especially because they leak less sound than these glasses will), however, these are the first smart glasses I’ve tested where a pair of cans feels like an optional add-on rather than an essential accessory.

The Xreal Beam Pro is a superb companion (Image credit: Xreal)

Couple all that with a superb design that’s both functional, and fairly fashionable, and you’ve got a stellar pair of AR glasses. Things get even better if you snag a pair with an Xreal Beam Pro (an Android spatial computer which turns your glasses into a complete package, rather than a phone accessory).Plus, it only looks set to get better with the upcoming Xreal Eye add-on which will allow the glasses to take first-person photos and videos, and which may help unlock some new spatial computing powers, if we’re lucky.

The best on a budget (but still awesome)

At $499 / £449 the Xreal One glasses are a little pricey. If you’re on a budget you’ll want to try the RayNeo Air 3S glasses instead.These smart glasses cost just $269 (around £205 / AU$435). For that you’ll get access to their 650-nit full-HD micro-OLED setup that produces great images and audio that doesn’t necessitate a pair of headphones.

(Image credit: Future)

They’re a lot like the Xreal One glasses, but do boast a few downgrades as you might expect.The audio performance isn’t quite as impressive. It’s fine without headphones but isn’t quite as rich as Xreal’s alternative, and it’s more leaky (so if you use these while travelling your fellow passengers may hear what’s going on too).What’s more, while on paper their image quality should be better than the Xreal glasses the overall result isn’t quite as vibrant because the reflective lenses the glasses use as a backdrop aren’t as effective as the electrochromic dimming used by the Xreal Ones.This allows more light to sneak through the backdrop leading to image clarity issues (such as the picture appearing washed out) if you’re trying to use the glasses in a brighter environment.They also lack any kind of camera add-on option if that’s a feature you care about.

(Image credit: RayNeo)

But these glasses are still very impressive, as are the specs, and I think most people should buy them because their value proposition is simply so fantastic.Whether you pick the Xreal One glasses of RayNeo Air 3S smart glasses you’ll be in for a treat – and if you love the taste of AR they provide you’ll have a better idea of whether the Android XR and other AR glasses will be worth your time.

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Bob Lord and Lauren Zabierek announced they are leaving CISANeither said where they would go nextResignations and redundancies could be causing a brain drain at CISA

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has lost two senior officials on the same day. Bob Lord, and Lauren Zabierek both announced they were leaving the agency on LinkedIn, in the span of an hour.Bob Lord served as a Senior Technical Advisor at CISA since 2022. Before that, he was the Chief Security Officer at the Democratic National Committee from 2018, where he joined after spending roughly two years as Yahoo’s Chief Information Security Officer.Lauren Zabierek, on the other hand, was a CISA senior advisor with previous roles in Recorded Future, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

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Brain drain

Both expressed their gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve their country, and neither said where they would go from here.In a new report, The Record says that the departures are the latest sign of a “brain drain” that’s taking place at CISA. “The Trump administration could soon axe up to 1,300 employees, cutting about half of CISA’s full-time staff, and another 40% of its contractors,” it said.The publication also reminded that the agency also tried to fire 130 probational staffers but was blocked by the court. Also, the Department of Homeland Security tried to buy out employees who voluntarily resigned by April 14.CISA Executive Director Bridget Bean said the agency “remains laser-focused on working across the public and private sectors to improve the nation’s cybersecurity.”“This is why we continue to urge companies to develop products that are secure by design, instead of passing the cost of poorly designed products on to consumers,” she added. “While CISA’s approaches to Secure by Design evolve, our commitment to the principles remain steadfast. I thank Bob Lord and Lauren Zabierek for helping to lay the foundation on which future work in this space can be built.”Via The Record

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Updates the X4 with bigger sensor, better build quality & longer battery lifeWe're still waiting for DJI's rumored 360 camera, plus the GoPro Max 2The Insta360 X5 standard version costs $549.99 / £519.99 / AU$929.99

Our favorite 360 degree camera by a long shot just got even better with a decent, if iterative update.The new Insta360 X5 comes a year after the X4, armed with improved low light image quality, refined video modes, plus very welcome design tweaks which includes fully replaceable lenses – our X5 first impressions are on the way shortly.And the X5 steals a march on DJI's rumored 360 degree camera plus the yet-to-be announced GoPro Max 2, the release of which has been stalled by GoPro for years.It might not be a huge upgrade, but the X5 is better than the X4 where it matters most and further extends Insta360's dominance in the 360 camera space. Also, it only costs a fraction more than the X4 did at launch.The Insta360 X5 Standard Version costs $549.99 / £519.99 / AU$929.99, while the Essentials Bundle costs $659.99 / £609.99 / AU$1,109.99 and comes with an extra battery, fast charge case, 114cm invisible selfie stick, standard lens guards, lens cap and carry case.Let's take a look at what's new in 2025's model.

(Image credit: Insta360)

The X5's updates will go a long way improving real world use

Top of the X5 upgrades list is the all-new and larger twin 1/1.28-inch sensors and triple 'AI' chips (versus the twin chips in the X4), which should deliver much better low light video quality, and we're all for those improvements.The X4's smaller sensor and 8K resolution is pushed in every scenario but for optimum brightness, but the X5, complete with its PureVideo mode, appears to be an altogether more versatile 360 camera.Active HDR video in 5.7K resolution is now available at up to 60fps, whereas previously the resolution and frame rates were more limited – and that's something we noticed in our X4 review.Build quality has also been improved, with tougher, fully replaceable lenses sure to be a hit with demanding users. 360 cameras have bulbous twin lenses that are at risk of damage – but now they can be swapped out in case of any mishaps.We also get a magnetic mount on the camera's underside a la GoPro, which makes moving the camera between mounts all the easier and quicker.Waterproofing has been upped to 49ft / 15m, plus there's a higher capacity battery for longer record times – now up to three hours for 5.7K, that's approximately a 40% increase from the X4. The X5's battery can also be charged to 80% via USB-C in just 20 minutes.A built-in wind guard with wind reduction mode improves in-camera audio quality, while a new wireless mic accessory is designed to easily pair with the X5 and makes it a viable option as a vlogging camera – in fact, the X5 could be your one-stop action and vlogging camera.

(Image credit: Insta360)

Crucially, it looks like the editing process of 360 degree videos has been refined, with new features and tools in Insta360's app, including the new InstaFrame mode that simultaneously records a flat video with auto frame (including AI subject detection skills) keep your subject at the center of the action for video output, with no editing needed, plus a 360 degree version of the video which can be kept as back up for further edits, should you wish. Stats from the likes of Apple Watch and Garmin devices can be overlaid, too.And those sizeable video files can be automatically backed up to the cloud using the Insta360+ Cloud Service, with Basic 200GB, Pro 1TB and Premium 2TYB subscription options – prices are on the Insta360 website.We think Insta360 has made sensible updates from the X4, that should make the X5 the more versatile camera to shoot, edit and upload with. We are uploading our hands-on impression shortly, but spoiler alert in case it wasn't already obvious – the X5 is the new 360 degree camera to beat.

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Google Messages has started rolling out sensitive content warnings for nudity after first unveiling the feature late last year. The new feature will perform two key actions if the AI-based system detects message containing a nude image: it will blur any of those photo and trigger a warning if your child tries to open, send or forward them. Finally, it will provide resources for you and your child to get help. All detection happens on the device to ensure images and data remain private.

Sensitive content warnings are enabled by default for supervised users and signed-in unsupervised teens, the company notes. Parents control the feature for supervised users via the Family Link app, but unsupervised teens aged 13 to 17 can turn it off in Google Messages settings. The feature is off by default for everyone else.

With sensitive content warnings enabled, images are blurred and a "speed bump" prompt opens allowing the user to block the sender, while offering a link to a resource page detailing why nudes can be harmful. Next, it asks the user if they still want to open the message with "No, don't view," and "Yes, view" options. If an attempt is made to send an image, it provides similar options. So, it doesn't completely block children from sending nudes, but merely provides a warning.

The feature is powered by Google's SafetyCore system which allows AI-powered on-device content classification without sending "identifiable data or any of the classified content or results to Google servers," according to the company. It only just started arriving on Android devices and is not yet widely available, 9to5Google wrote. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-messages-starts-rolling-out-sensitive-content-warnings-for-nude-images-130525437.html?src=rss

The Insta360 X5 ($550) is the company’s latest 8K 360 action camera and, while it remains a different proposition to traditional action cams, it is more powerful, more reliable and easier to use.

The X5 has a larger 1/1.28-inch sensor compared to the X4's 1/2-inch sensor, ensuring more detail and a notable boost to low-light performance. The issue with wide-angle camera capture is that detail gets lost, especially in low-lit settings. The specification upgrades this time around reduce that substantially, including up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range.

Over the years, I’ve tried to incorporate 360-degree cameras into my workflow, using them both on vacation or at events. However, a lot of the content I capture is either during the evening or in a dark venue, literally the main weakness of these kinds of cameras. In a bid to address those shooting conditions, Insta360 introduced a new PureVideo mode that with AI noise reduction and dynamic range optimization for clearer, brighter footage in low-light conditions. It’s not perfect, but it moves dim video from unusable to decent, if not outright good. With a 5nm AI chip and two imaging chips, the X5 can also now capture Active HDR on footage at up to 5.7K 60 fps.

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

This chip array also reduces processing time. Insta360 doesn’t specify how much faster, but anecdotally, on-device processing and file transfers to my smartphone were noticeably faster. Videos are saved almost instantly onto the camera, while saving several short clips to my phone took around 30 seconds, compared to minutes on previous devices.

While the X5 doesn’t offer higher resolution video than its predecessor, it packs in even more shooting options, like InstaFrame, which is fast becoming my go-to shooting mode. InstaFrame can record a typical “flat” video and a 360-degree video at the same time. The notion is that this gives an “instantly shareable” flat video, with no reframing or heavy editing needed.

But when you do have to, Insta360’s companion smartphone app has been further improved, with some incredibly useful editing tools. You can re-edit 360-degree video to focus on the user, or force a single view. It’s all quite intuitive too, which is a trait that shouldn’t be ignored.

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

The X5 an incredibly versatile tool, and there’s something to be said for a camera that can capture everything. However, in less favorable conditions (or when you’re not the camera person), you might prefer the simpler settings and shooting methods of a traditional action camera.

The X5 does perform better in lower light, but it doesn’t quite match the improvements we’ve seen in low-light smartphone photography in recent years. Despite my cautiously walking around in the late evening to capture low-light footage, there was a vibration after-effect as the camera struggled to stabilize the footage. This can be reduced by staying still, but even with PureVideo (which can also be a little too aggressive addressing noise), it’s not quite there yet. I will continue to test the camera and provide further impressions. Insta360 pushed a firmware update to the X5 hours before I published this story, adding 4K60fps recording in single-lens mode, and several resolution bumps across other recording modes.

Design-wise, you have to get up real close to tell the difference between the X5 and the X4. They’re largely the same size, although Insta360 has switched to a polygon effect on the front, with a panel for the mic (and a new mesh wind guard).

The battery compartment and microSD slot are secured with a double latch where the microSD slot lives, and are protected by solid covers with sliding locks. Both sides of the camera have a grippy texture, with record and mode buttons nestled under the screen.

With the same threaded mount, Insta360’s existing selfie sticks will work with its latest camera, although fast-chargers and cases won’t, due to hardware changes. The most important thing: Insta360’s bullet time effect is still here – if you have the right peripheral.

Most of the settings adjustments, like its predecessors, are found in pull-down menus from, well, pretty much every side of the screen. Swiping right will take you to the gallery, while manual camera options are a left swipe away. Toggles and lock settings are located in the dropdown menu. There’s a lot, but if you’ve used a smartphone, you should find the basic navigation familiar.

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

There’s a whole list of smaller notable hardware improvements on the X5 compared to the predecessor, too:

Scratch-resistant glass lenses —- which are replaceable

Larger capacity battery that lasts up to 180 minutes

Faster-charging battery (0 to 80 percent in 20 minutes)

New built-in steel mesh wind guard

IP68 waterproofing up to 49 feet

Magnetic mounting system

‘Twist to shoot’ record feature, to initiate recording by twisting a connected selfie stick

The Insta360 X5 is now on sale, priced at $550, with an Essentials Bundle also available for $660. The bundle includes an extra battery, fast-charge case, “invisible” selfie stick, lens guards and a carry case. That’s $50 more than the Insta360 X4 was at launch. The improvements to both low-light performance and new shooting modes may be worth the price increase, but don’t expect crisp 4K (or 8K) video if light is an issue.

Competition in this category remains relatively limited. Ricoh continues its Theta series, with a similar camera form factor, but seems to focus on stills more than video, while GoPro’s Max 360 camera lacks features like traditional 4K video capture, let alone 8K recording. The best alternatives are arguably Insta360’s other 360 cameras, like last year’s X4.

While there are less major spec and design changes compared to last year, the Insta360 X5 is another step forward for this type of camera, both in terms of imaging and in simplifying how you share what you capture.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/insta360-x5-launch-date-price-hands-on-132439941.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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, April 22 (game #1184).

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 #1185) - 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 #1185) - 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 #1185) - 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 #1185) - 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 #1185) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• V• P• C• D

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

Quordle today (game #1185) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1185, are…

VALETPUPALCREEPDRIFT

I was patting myself on the back after getting two fast words – VALET and DRIFT. Valet was less deduction and more past experience of Quordle’s favorite words. But then the crash came and with it three attempts to get CREEP.I’m annoyed, because I waver between using COULD and WOULD as a start word and if I’d gone with COULD I would have finished much more quickly today. A prime case of coulda woulda shoulda.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1185) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1185, are…

AWAREFRUITSOOTYSHEET

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1184, Tuesday, 22 April: POUTY, CHEST, BROOM, TEPEEQuordle #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, JOLLY

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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, April 22 (game #681).

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 #682) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

BEANGAGTRUNKMUZZLETAILMAYACTPAWTADBITROOTSKETCHBRANCHFLAGFURLEAF

NYT Connections today (game #682) - hint #1 - group hints

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

YELLOW: In the woodsGREEN: Cats and dogsBLUE: Stand upPURPLE: Add a word that rhyme with “coal”

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 #682) - hint #2 - group answers

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

YELLOW: PARTS OF A TREE GREEN: CANINE/FELINE FEATURES BLUE: COMEDIC ROUTINE PURPLE: ____ POLE

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

NYT Connections today (game #682) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #682, are…

YELLOW: PARTS OF A TREE BRANCH, LEAF, ROOT, TRUNKGREEN: CANINE/FELINE FEATURES FUR, MUZZLE, PAW, TAILBLUE: COMEDIC ROUTINE ACT, BIT, GAG, SKETCHPURPLE: ____ POLE BEAN, FLAG, MAY, TAD

My rating: EasyMy score: Perfect

A fairly straightforward Connections day without any trickery or words that can go in several groups.My only detour was thinking that there could be a common thread about mouth coverings, but it didn’t get much further than GAG and MUZZLE.I got today's puzzle in order of difficulty, which always gives me a sense of harmony and that everything is working just the way it should do. On the rare occasions I’ve got the hardest/purple group first it feels as if it is a random fluke (usually it is). COMEDIC ROUTINE was missing the one element of a stand-up performance that has become a major part of comedian’s going viral on social media – responding to hecklers. That said, dealing with abusive audience members has become so commonplace it probably qualifies as a BIT.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, April 22, game #681)

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

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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, April 22 (game #415).

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

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

NYT Strands today (game #416) - hint #2 - clue words

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

LEFTSTEPSLURPLEANPESTSLICK

NYT Strands today (game #416) - hint #3 - spangram letters

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

NYT Strands today (game #416) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: top, 2nd columnLast side: bottom, 5th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #416) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #416, are…

PEACHCATERPILLARCHENILLEDUCKLINGSLIPPERSSPANGRAM: GET FUZZY

My rating: ModerateMy score: 1 hint

The first word I got (PEACH) made me think we were looking for soft fruits, but my search for apricots and berries proved, erm, fruitless. Then I got CATERPILLAR and I was completely confused.I saw the word caterpillar in stages – first cat, then cater, then the full word unfurling. In the dark as to the theme I used a hint to move me forward – ahh, just soft fuzzy stuff, then. I’m still not sure how caterpillars fit in, but I quite like these vague, random Strands themes. How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, April 22, game #415)

JUICESSOUPPASTRIESCHAISANDWICHESESPRESSOSPANGRAM: CAFE MENU

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.

Google’s search engine market monopoly is helping its AI strategy, says DOJIts use of artificial intelligence is also supporting its search engineGoogle plans to appeal once a final judgment is made

Google faces an antitrust trial over its alleged misuse of AI products, which could be perceived to be strengthening its dominance in online search – something it’s already under the microscope about.The Department of Justice has set out to break Google’s monopoly over the search market, potentially reshaping the internet landscape by giving other companies a chance to get in on the action.With the investigation ongoing, it’s unclear what consequences Google might face, but it’s been suggested that it might be forced to sell off its Chrome browser to pacifiy lawmakers and settle the antitrust investigation.

Google’s search monopoly could be boosted by AI

The DOJ argues that Google’s monopoly enhances its AI products, further boosting its dominance, however the US agency has suggested that broader, forward-looking remedies could be needed due to the growing nature of generative AI.DOJ attorney David Dahlquist explained that Google’s search monopoly helps improve its AI products, but they also act as a way to entice users to the search engine, highlighting the intertwined nature of the company’s products and the complex nature of the lawsuit.Among the deals highlighted at the trial was Google’s monthly payment to Samsung, which allows the company to pre-install the Gemini AI app on devices. The payment amounts to an “enormous sum,” Dahlquist said.Very nearly 90% of all online searches use Google (via Statcounter), with Chrome accounting for around two-thirds of all online sessions.Google’s exclusive agreements to be the default search engine have already been criticized in relation to its monopoly, including its $20 billion payment to Apple in 2022 alone (via Bloomberg).Google has said that its AI products are unrelated to the search engine case (via Reuters) and that it plans to appeal once a final judgment is made.

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When is the next Assassin's Creed coming out?(Image credit: Ubisoft)We'd expect the next Assassin's Creed game to be Assassin's Creed Jade, though development has gone quiet since late last year. Beyond that, there's Assassin's Creed Hexe, which we've only seen a brief teaser for. Hopefully, there will be some Assassin's Creed Shadows DLC post-launch, which we think is likely based on how the last couple of games have been handled. Recently, there's been an update to Shadows, which improves the game's performance on PS5 Pro, changing our recommendations on the best graphics settings to use for Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Assassin's Creed Jade is bringing the behemoth stealth series to mobile devices with the very first dedicated game in the series for the mobile gaming world. As a result, Jade has the honor of being one of the more unique installments in development.There's going to be a lot to learn about why AC Jade could fall among one of the best Assassin’s Creed games - and a lot of that lies in its placement as a mobile-only game (for now, at least).Since its appearance at a Ubisoft Live event in 2022, we've yet to receive any significant updates on Assassin's Creed Jade. Now that the most recent showcase has been and gone, and with no mention of the game at all, it's clear that it's been delayed internally. Hopefully we hear more sooner rather than later, and when we do, this page will be updated. For now, here's everything we know about Assassin's Creed Jade.

Assassin's Creed Jade: cut to the chase

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

What is it? The first open-world Assassin's Creed built for iOS and AndroidWhen can I play it? TBC (reportedly 2025)What can I play it on? iOS and AndroidWho is making it? Ubisoft and Level Infinite

Assassin's Creed Jade gameplay

As of late August 2023, and revealed at Gamescom 2023, we have an official look and video of Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade gameplay.The in-game aspects showcased reaffirm the inclusion of traditional AC mechanics within the new setting. Mechanics such as clambering up the side of a building and using stealth and height to your advantage when attacking appear to be pretty essential when exploring the open-world map.With each assassin boasting a unique arsenal of weapons, Xia supports the formula by introducing unique Chinese spears, double swords, and bows to combat. Players can expect to experience a mixture of both signature and exciting new combat mechanics that utilize the touchscreen controls of mobile devices, which hopefully the next overview or teaser will spotlight in more detail.Throughout the journey, you will need to unravel dangerous conspiracies, refine the skill of assassination, and discover more about Xia to help develop your own skills, and with several landscapes spotlighted within the teaser, there’s more than enough space to really lose yourself within.Additionally, as a franchise first, players will be able to customize the appearance of their assassin, Xia. The official website states that Xia will be “a fully customizable avatar” to aid the immersion into the game, but whether or not this means you’ll be free to create an entirely new assassin under the same name, or whether the customization will be limited to preset faces with more freedom in terms of cosmetic items, is unclear right now.

Assassin's Creed Jade story and setting

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Assassin’s Creed Jade takes us to one of the most anticipated settings for an AC game: Ancient China. More specifically, in 215 B.C., during the time of the first unified empire of the Quin Dynasty and China.Andrei Chan, executive producer at Level Infinite, stated in a blog post published by Ubisoft that “This is a very exciting part of China’s history. This is the establishment of essentially the first empire of China. It was also a time when the connection between China and the rest of the world was stronger than ever.”Within this setting, you will take on the role of Xia, an entirely new assassin to the franchise, who you will be responsible for directing through the game. Throughout Codename Jade, you will need to protect your home of Xionanu from raiders while experiencing the trade and cultural exchanges between East and West Xianyang.There’s a lot to learn about how exactly the story will be portrayed throughout the game, and the single trailer we have capturing the first look of the setting doesn’t provide a lot to go off. All we know is that Codename Jade is canonically set between the events of Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Assassin's Creed Origins, yet whether or not these events will intertwine with the content of Codename Jade currently remains a mystery, at least until the next trailer is released and provides slightly more insight.

Assassin's Creed Jade trailers

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

As well as the above gameplay trailer, we've seen two other trailers for Assassin's Creed Jade.In the trailer shown as part of the Ubisoft Forward Live 2023 showcase on June 12, 2023, we got a closer look at the location of the game's setting, Ancient China. It’s made very clear that the content within the teaser trailer is under development, so there’s a high chance that things will look different as development progresses. For now, the full trailer can be found below:

The first trailer for Assassin's Creed Codename Jade was a reveal shared in December 2022, giving the first glimpse at the setting of the game. Transporting players back to 215 B.C., we see what life in Ancient China is like, and after a few cinematic shots of the location we meet the mysterious assassin we assume to be the protagonist of the game. That full trailer can be seen below:

Assassin's Creed Jade beta

Assassin's Creed Jade has had one full closed beta so far that enabled a group of select players to test out the game. This occurred in early August 2023, and only some players who registered to try it out got invited in.While the official word has been quiet since this beta closed, we are inclined to think that there will be another one or two before the game eventually launches.You can find out all and any information about the betas, past and potential, at the official Assassin's Creed Jade website.

Assassin's Creed Jade news

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Assassin's Creed Jade reportedly delayed to 2025According to a report by Reuters (via Eurogamer), Tencent has shifted its immediate focus away from Jade, pulling team members onto its DreamStar project instead. Ubisoft answered Eurogamer's request for comment, stating "we do not comment on rumours and speculation".Official announcement at Gamescom 2023 confirms Assassin's Creed Jade nameCo-developer Level Infinite unveiled the game officially at the Gamescom 2023 event in August 2023 and revealed that the game is officially called Assassin's Creed Jade. Announced at the same time as more gameplay details - as shown above - the game will also be getting a 2nd Closed Beta soon.Assassin’s Creed Jade receives new trailer at Ubisoft Forward 2023Another look at Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade has been shown as part of Ubisoft Forward 2023, offering a closer look at the newest protagonist of the franchise, Xia, alongside the first glimpse of the anticipated setting of Ancient China. Although we haven’t received a release window, a closed Beta is now available to sign up for, which hopefully means release date information is coming soon.Assassin's Creed Codename Jade revealed at Ubisoft Forward 2022Assassin's Creed Codename Jade was announced as part of the Ubisoft Forward showcase in 2022, providing the first look at what to expect from the mobile game. We got a glimpse of the setting, alongside an incredibly brief look at the protagonist, before the trailer came to a close and revealed it's coming soon to mobile devices.

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Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is known for his sometimes ridiculously honest tweets, but one of his recent tweets has got a lot of people scratching their heads.Last week, Altman tweeted, “I think this is gonna be more like the Renaissance than the Industrial Revolution.” Nobody is quite sure what he means, so let's break down what I think he's getting at.

i think this is gonna be more like the renaissance than the industrial revolutionApril 18, 2025

Rollercoaster ride

ChatGPT has been on a heck of a rollercoaster ride recently. OpenAI just released new o3 and o4-mini models which are available to all users and a new ChatGPT-4.5 model that is available to Plus and Pro subscribers.These new models see some significant improvements over previous ChatGPT models, particularly regarding speed and their ability to solve multifaceted problems.But the thing that has really boosted ChatGPT’s user base significantly over the last few weeks is its new native image generation. That’s the feature I’ve noticed my own friends, who don’t normally dabble in AI, starting to use ChatGPT for, particularly the trends for producing Studio Ghibli-like images and the action figure trend.OpenAI estimates ChatGPT has crossed the 400 million weekly active users barrier since February. People are using ChatGPT in hugely creative ways because of it, and on the surface, that could be what Altman is referring to.But I think there's more to it. I think Sam Altman sees AI as the thing that is going to usher in a new Golden Age for humanity. Let me explain why.

The pace of change

The Renaissance was a gradual unfolding of new ideas in art, architecture, science, and philosophy that happened in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries, providing us with some of mankind's greatest works of art, like The Birth of Venus by Botticelli.In contrast, the Industrial Revolution, which happened in the mid-18th century starting in Britain, saw a sudden shift in productivity, which transformed the entire country in favour of manufacturing goods, leading to rapid economic growth. It wasn't associated with any intellectual blossoming, and could quite easily be caricatured as having a negative effect on the lives of everyday people.By comparing AI to the Renaissance, Altman could be saying that its effects will be gradual, rather than revolutionary; however, to me, it seems that there is nothing gradual about the pace of change that AI is leading.What I think he’s getting at is that the change is more subtle and philosophical. AI is shaking things up rapidly, but it's leading to changes in how people think and how they see the world, rather than just new ways to do what we’ve already done more effectively.

A Messiah complex?

Like many incredibly successful tech leaders, it’s possible that Altman has a bit of a Messiah complex, but it's impossible to deny that he is shaping our future right now.Reading his blog, you can see the same themes emerging, of AI leading to us having to reimagine what a human being is, particularly in his most recent entry called Three Observations.“The world will not change all at once; it never does. Life will go on mostly the same in the short run, and people in 2025 will mostly spend their time in the same way they did in 2024. We will still fall in love, create families, get in fights online, hike in nature, etc.”, writes Altman.But he realises that there are going to be human casualties in terms of jobs in his new AI future, and he wants us to start thinking about what it is that humans actually do, or can do, right now.“But the future will be coming at us in a way that is impossible to ignore, and the long-term changes to our society and economy will be huge. We will find new things to do, new ways to be useful to each other, and new ways to compete, but they may not look very much like the jobs of today. “

(Image credit: Shutterstock / NicoElNino)

A new Golden Age of AGI

After a long period of cultural decline and stagnation, which are perhaps unfairly referred to as the Dark Ages by various historians, the Renaissance ushered in a new Golden Age of cultural flourishing.AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) remains the goal for OpenAI, and Altman could very well be right that a new Golden Age is on the way because of it. Perhaps we will look back at this era of AI evolution leading to AGI as more of a Renaissance than a revolution.Today’s problems with social media and fake news could be looked at as our own digital Dark Ages, and I’d love Altman to be right and that the progress of AI towards AGI will lead to a new Golden Age of peace, prosperity and stability for mankind, but I think it's still too early to call it.Many are convinced that AGI could even lead to the end of humanity.Of course, time will tell. Let's just hope we are still here in a decade to look back and decide if Sam Altman was right or wrong.

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The Washington Post is partnering with OpenAI to bring its reporting to ChatGPT. The two organizations did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement, but the deal will see ChatGPT display summaries, quotes and links to articles from The Post when users prompt the chatbot to search the web.

"We're all in on meeting our audiences where they are," said Peter Elkins-Williams, head of global partnerships at The Post. "Ensuring ChatGPT users have our impactful reporting at their fingertips builds on our commitment to provide access where, how and when our audiences want it."

The Post is no stranger to generative AI. In November, the publisher began using the technology to offer article summaries. Since the start of February, ChatGPT Search has been available to everyone, with no account or sign-in necessary.

Later that same month, Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post, announced a "significant shift" in the publisher's editorial strategy. As part of the overhaul, the paper has been publishing daily opinion stories "in defense of two pillars," personal liberties and free markets. Given that focus and Amazon's own investments in artificial intelligence, it's not surprising to see The Washington Post and OpenAI sign a strategic partnership.

More broadly, today's announcement sees yet another publisher partnering with OpenAI, following an early but brief period of resistance from some players in the news media industry — most notably The New York Times. According to OpenAI, it has signed similar agreements with more than 20 news publishers globally.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-washington-post-partners-with-openai-to-bring-its-content-to-chatgpt-141215314.html?src=rss

As we find ourselves on the shifting shores between ESG, politics, and business, this Climate Week stands to be a mix of climate statistics, gloom, and of course the corporate hype machine.The data speaks for itself-atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have breached 420 parts per million, a stark reminder of our planet's precarious state. We’ve watched as global temperatures continue their relentless climb, fueled by decades of unchecked emissions. We're all prepared to hear about deploying novel technologies capable of capturing gigatons of CO2 annually.We're going to hear that we're not talking incremental changes, but witnessing a paradigm shift. “Imagine a world where we don’t just reduce emissions, but actively draw down existing CO2 from the atmosphere, turning the very culprit of our crisis into a valuable resource.”

The original climate tech

But, what if… the technology already existed? And what if it were also the oldest, most proven technology on the planet? No puffy navy blue vest, laser pointer, nor shoehorned AI references required.Friends, we’re talking about trees. In 1872, Arbor Day was introduced as a way to help mitigate erosion and beautify the Nebraska landscape. Since then, real impact has been made from tree planting initiatives around the world. Trees are the lungs of our planet, their reputation is well earned, and this is how we scale carbon capture immediately. Agriculture doesn’t tend to be boastful, but efficiencies in horticultural best practices and regenerative agriculture are technologies that deserve to be celebrated.Business leaders focused on the intersection of sustainability and business have an opportunity to reflect on what true environmental stewardship means—and how companies can cut through hype to offer genuine, impactful solutions. I am a fan of all solutions including high-tech ones. It's a moment in time for every innovation to step forward. And, as the narrative becomes increasingly diluted with bold promises and big valuations, it’s time for businesses to rethink their strategies, focusing on concrete initiatives that resonate with consumers.Some industry leaders are already doing so. Pat Brown, the famous Stanford biochemist and founder of Impossible Foods has shifted his focus to the power of trees. He’s currently researching how to rewild the ranches that are no longer needed. His 1,000-acre “Carbon Ranch” in Arkansas, planted with thousands of trees already, will serve as a living rewilding laboratory for tracking carbon sequestration and the return of biodiversity.Microsoft, Salesforce, Mastercard and many other technology companies have dedicated efforts to planting trees to offset their own carbon footprints. Even shoe companies like Etnies and Timbaland are popping up with tree-focused marketing campaigns. Dare I say trees are ... trending? Consumers are aware of the impact fossil fuels have on the planet and they are well aware of the link between trees and sustainability. According to a 2023 Pew Research Survey "67% of Americans say the U.S. should prioritize developing alternative energy sources, such as wind, solar and hydrogen technology."

Well, what if energy grew on trees?

Industry experts are increasingly recognizing the multifaceted potential of trees beyond carbon sequestration. Forward-thinking companies are exploring how agroforestry systems can serve multiple purposes - from biofuel production to regenerative agriculture models that restore degraded land while producing valuable commodities. The integration of trees into agricultural systems can create resilient supply chains that are less vulnerable to climate disruptions.Organizations like the World Economic Forum's 1t.org initiative have successfully brought together companies across sectors to commit to conserving, restoring, and growing over 5 billion trees. These collaborative approaches demonstrate how nature-based solutions can be scaled when industry leaders align their sustainability goals with tangible conservation outcomes.Of course, simply planting trees isn't the endgame for customers. It's their starting point to engage meaningfully in the emerging "restoration economy." Companies that embrace this approach are not only benefiting the environment but are also positioning themselves as leaders in an economy where restoration is becoming a major driver of business growth.In an age where sustainability’s benefit is not about marketing but risk mitigation, cost control, and supply chain management, CEOs must guide their organizations to see the global challenges that are equally business challenges. It’s never been more clear that nature based solutions are a critical avenue for long-term business success and differentiation.Amidst a shaky global economic outlook, it’s time for businesses to reconsider hype, prioritize tangible outcomes like reforestation, and lead the charge in restoring consumer trust by being real about the impact of their environmental actions.

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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

The World Meteorological Organisation has warned that the escalating climate crisis will spare no continent, with Africa facing some of the most severe consequences. Despite contributing just 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa is disproportionately affected and the least equipped to handle the impact. The continent is warming faster than the global average, driving extreme weather events such as floods, tropical cyclones, and wildfires - threatening livelihoods and economic stability.This climate crisis requires urgent action - so how can the countries who are responsible for the vast majority of emissions support Africa in adapting to a changing climate and help its residents build a more resilient future? The answer lies in green finance.

Sustainable, decentralized and renewable energy

According to the World Economic Forum, green finance is any structured financial activity that’s been created to ensure a better environmental outcome. With climate change leading to disproportionate extreme weather events in Africa, green finance investments are increasingly crucial to the continent’s continued economic growth.Africa is home to significant solar, wind, hydro and biogas resources - many of which remain untapped or underutilized. Efforts to transition small-scale farmers, businesses and communities to decentralized and renewable energy sources will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but they will also serve as the foundation for long-term economic progress and resilience.With over 600 million Africans lacking access to electricity - decentralized and renewable energy sources have become even more critical to sustainable development across the continent. However, in order to access these energy resources, people require access to finance to afford the purchase, maintenance and construction of sustainable energy sources, such as biogas digesters, solar pumps, solar home systems and more.With such a significant proportion of the continent lacking access to something as vital as electricity, the opportunity for investors is equally significant. While many potential investors have high perceived risks when it comes to investing in Africa, for reasons such as political uncertainty, regulatory uncertainty and economic volatility - this is not the reality on the ground.However, in order to make these investments successful, it’s critical for potential investors to partner with reliable firms based in Africa, who can easily navigate these complexities and facilitate capital investments with recipients at scale.

Investing in Africa - moving towards sustainable agriculture

Over 65% of the population in eastern Africa is employed in agriculture, however, climate change is leading to increased droughts and extreme weather events increasingly threatening these livelihoods. As a result, many farmers turn to diesel-powered generators to power irrigation systems, which have high-costs, and serve as a further contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing the droughts in the first place. But investments made through green finance will create opportunities to make farmers more resilient, including the provision of solar-powered irrigation systems.With many African farmers relying on unpredictable rainfall to harvest crops, these systems can help to ensure year-round food production and reduce reliance on unpredictable weather conditions. This, in turn, will mitigate the impact of prolonged droughts. However, the upfront costs for these systems are prohibitive for the average farmer in Africa.This is where opportunity exists for investors. Farmers need access to capital to purchase systems, such as solar-powered irrigation, which will save money and reduce greenhouse gases in the long-term when compared to traditional diesel power generators.These farmers don’t need the large-scale loans typically offered from traditional big banks, rather they need access to lower value loans accessible in rural areas, not typically offered by big banks. Despite the low value and shorter tenure of these loans, the loan provider still makes a return on the loan provision, the farmer gets the access to capital required to create a more sustainable and efficient energy system - all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the process.It’s a win-win for everyone.

Why green finance in Africa is a win-win investment opportunity

Whilst the UK alone has committed $2B to support green projects, further investment is needed as access to capital plays a pivotal role in turning these projects into reality and enabling African nations to mitigate climate risks while fostering long-term economic growth and resilience.Africa’s green economy presents a high-growth investment opportunity, delivering both strong financial returns and lasting environmental benefits - a true win-win for investors. And with more than half of individual investors saying they are planning to increase their allocations to sustainable investments, and more than 70% stating they believe strong ESG practices can lead to higher returns - green finance in Africa presents the perfect investment opportunity.Investors will benefit from investing in a market with high-growth potential while also helping to protect vulnerable communities from the harsh effects of climate change and unlocking job opportunities across the region.Investors who overlook Africa’s green economy risk missing out on substantial returns while also leaving vulnerable communities exposed to escalating climate threats. Now is the time to invest in Africa’s green future - an investment opportunity where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.Africa is currently at a crossroads, with one path leading to escalating climate risks and economic instability and the other leading to a sustainable future powered by green finance. Green finance opportunities will help Africa to set off on the right path, and with the climate crisis worsening, this is not only an economic opportunity - but an environmental imperative.Now is the time for investors to step up and direct capital towards green finance. Not only will this drive financial returns for these investors, but it will also allow them to play a key role in powering communities, protecting livelihoods and shaping a more sustainable and resilient Africa.

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Max is one of my favorite streaming services to dive through at the beginning of each month simply because its monthly schedules pack more new releases and hidden cinema gems than the rest of our best streaming services.Last month, Max introduced new A24 erotic drama Babygirl (2024) to its library of best Max movies, and once again the platform is wearing its love for A24 dramas on its sleeve with the addition of Brady Corbet's Oscar-winning drama The Brutalist (2024) – a movie that had me locked in despite it's 3.5 hour time-run.Though Max's service packs every genre imaginable, drama is definitely its specialty. In addition to Corbet's bold feature about a post-war immigrant architect, the heart-breaking Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) and fellow A24 feature The Whale (2022) will be coming to Max. It's a great month for drama obsessives like myself.But we can't ignore all the TV shows that are on the way including thriller series Duster, a fresh title new to the platform, and Max staple And Just Like That... which is coming back for season three.

Everything new on Max in May 2025

Arriving on May 1100 Foot Wave season 3 (TV show)A Haunted House (movie)A Haunted House 2 (movie)A Private War (movie)Badman's Country (movie)Barricade (movie)Broadway Melody of 1940 (movie)Carson City (movie)Chronicle (movie)Chronicle: Director's Cut (movie)Dallas (movie)Dylan's Playtime Adventures season 1 (TV show)Enter The Dragon (movie)Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (movie)Fort Dobbs (movie)Fort Worth (movie)Funny People (movie)Hannibal (movie)In the Fade (movie)Inception (movie)Legend of the Guardians The Owls of Ga’Hoole (movie)Lone Star (movie)Lost River (movie)Madagascar (movie)Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (movie)Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (movie)Megan Leavey (movie)Notting Hill (movie)Pee-wee's Big Adventure (movie) Rachel and the Stranger (movie)Rancho Notorious (movie)Red Tails (movie)Ride, Vaquero! (movie)Riding Shotgun (movie)Rocky Mountain (movie)Royal Wedding (movie)San Antonio (movie)Santa Fe Trail (movie)Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend (movie)Son of Belle Starr (movie)Son of the Mask (movie)Springfield Rifle (movie)Stars in My Crown (movie)Tall in the Saddle (movie)Tall Man Riding (movie)The Band Wagon (movie)The Bounty Hunter (movie)The First Texan (movie)The Goonies (movie)The Kissing Bandit (movie)The Left-Handed Gun (movie)The Man Behind the Gun (movie)The Mortal Storm (movie)The Naked Spur (movie)The Oklahoma Kid (movie)The Oklahoman (movie)The Painted Hills (movie)The Princess Bride (movie)The Shining (movie)The Silence of the Lambs (movie)The Young Guns (movie)They Died with Their Boots On (movie)This Means War (movie)This Means War: Extended Edition (movie)Thunder Over the Plains (movie)Trail Street (movie)Vengeance Valley (movie)Vivacious Lady (movie)We Bought a Zoo (movie)Westbound (movie)Westward the Women (movie)Wichita (movie)Ziegfeld Girl (movie)Arriving on May 2 Adult Best Friends (movie)Malditos season 1 (TV show)Teen Titans Go! season 9 (TV show)Arriving on May 3 Ready Player One (movie)Arriving on May 6 Fareed Zakaria: The War on Government (TV show)Talking Pictures Podcast - Special Video Episode with Eli Roth Recorded At TCM Classic Film Festival (video podcast)The Playboy Murders season 3 (TV show)Toxic season 1 (TV show)Arriving on May 8Conan O’Brien Must Go season 2 (TV show)Arriving on May 9 Bloody Trophy (Krwawe Trofeum) (movie) The Whale (movie)Arriving on May 11Delicious Miss Brown season 10 (TV show)The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood season 1 (TV show)Arriving on May 12 Where the Crawdads Sing (movie)Arriving on May 13 Betting on Paradise season 1 (TV show)Contraband: Seized at the Border season 6 (TV show)Dream Destination: A Surprise Trip season 1 (TV show)Arriving on May 14 Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out season 1 (TV show)Mini Reni season 1 (TV show)Arriving on May 15 Duster season 1 (TV show)Mermicorno: Starfall season 2 (TV show)United States of Scandal with Jake Tapper season 2 (TV show)Arriving on May 16The Brutalist (movie)Arriving on May 17 Bugs Bunny Builders season 2 (TV show)Arriving on May 18 Love & Marriage: Detroit season 2 (TV show)Say Yes to the Dress season 21 (TV show)Arriving on May 19 American Monster: Abuse of Power season 1 (TV show)Arriving on May 20 Kong: Skull Island (movie)Arriving on May 21 Homicide Hunter: American Detective season 5 (TV show)Arriving on May 22Expedition Files season 2 (TV show)Arriving on May 23 Pee-wee as Himself (TV show)Restoring Galveston season 7 (TV show)Silly Sundays season 1 (TV show)Arriving on May 25 Say Yes To The Dress With Tan France season 1 (TV show)Arriving on May 28 Down Home Fab season 3 (TV show)Arriving on May 29 And Just Like That... season 3 (TV show)Arriving on May 31 Mountainhead (movie)

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Looking to pick up an iPad for carrying out basic tasks like watching shows, catching up on reading and handling some email? The latest base model might be the way to go, especially if you’re a budget-conscious buyer. The A16 iPad is now on sale at a record-low price. It has dropped by $29 to $320.

The discount is available for most colorways. The deal is for the entry-level configuration with 128GB of storage, 6GB of RAM and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

The A16 iPad, which Apple released earlier this year, is our pick for the best budget iPad. It's not as sleek or powerful as the iPad Air, but as things stand it'll run you $234 less than that tablet. It's a good device in its own right, as we gave it a score of 84 in our review.

Apple didn't increase the price of the latest base iPad compared with the previous model, but it added 2GB of RAM, doubled the storage and slotted in a more powerful chipset that's fast enough for most common tasks, including casual gaming and light photo editing. However, the iPad doesn't support Apple Intelligence — which is either a positive or negative, depending on your perspective or feelings about generative AI.

The build quality is still solid, while the 11-inch tablet runs for around 10 hours on a single charge, depending on the taks you carry out with it. On the downside, the accessory situation isn't ideal. The Apple Pencil doesn't charge wirelessly when you attach it magnetically to the iPad — you'll need a USB-C cable and a USB-C to Lightning adapter to juice up the original Pencil's battery from the tablet. The Magic Keyboard support isn't great either, as the model that works with the base iPad is tough to stabilize on your lap.

Still, if the accessory fussiness doesn't bother you, this might be the right iPad for your needs. Sure, the iPad Air and Pro lineups have models with more powerful chipsets, but if all you're looking for is an iPad to watch some movies on while you're flying or to read the news on without breaking the bank, this could be the way to go.

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/apples-latest-ipad-drops-to-a-record-low-price-143619542.html?src=rss

Andor season 2 will delve deeper into Mon Mothma and Vel Sartha's family relationshipGenevieve O'Reilly and Faye Marsay say Luthen Rael will play an "important" role in how it plays outMon and Vel were revealed to be cousins in Andor's first season

Genevieve O'Reilly and Faye Marsay have lifted the lid on the "important" role that Luthen Rael will play in the evolution of their characters' dynamic in Andor season 2.Speaking to TechRadar ahead of the Disney+ show's return, O'Reilly and Marsay suggested that Mon Mothma and Vel Sartha's relationship will be explored in more detail this season. However, their kinship will be at the mercy of Luthen, aka the nascent Rebel Alliance's shadowy leader.Indeed, clear though it is that Mon and Vel care dearly for one another, their relationship will always be considered second-best – in Luthen's mind, anyway – in the fight to overthrow the Galactic Empire.And, with the rebellion's puppet master "holding a lot of the cards" in terms of orchestrating the role of every rebel in the Star Wars TV series, Mon and Vel will find themselves pulled in different directions throughout the final season's 12-episode run.

Luthen Rael will continue to orchestrate matters from the shadows (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)

"From Vel's perspective, the relationship [she shares with Mon] isn't difficult," Marsay told me. "It's the circumstances around it that are tough."Vel is on the frontline, but Mon is – while she's still a prominent figure in the rebellion, she's – working in the background. That puts their relationship in an interesting position, because the affection they have for each other is there, but one of them is acting from the shadows while the other is very much a 'boots on the ground' fighter."

Luthen becomes an integral person within this familial structureGenevieve O'Reilly, Andor season 2 actor

"We have a great conduit in Luthen," O'Reilly added of Luthen's impact on the pair's relationship in Andor's second installment. "He's a really important part of this triangle. You understand his machinations, but you're also quite uptight about how he's keeping these family members apart."There's a scene in season 2 that we filmed in Valencia," O'Reilly continues. "It's a party scene where Mon and Luthen cross paths again, and Mon asks him 'How is my cousin? I haven't heard from her'. There's a worry there that something might have happened to Vel but, Luthen being Luthen, he doesn't reveal anything. So, he becomes an integral person within this familial structure and he's holding a lot of the cards that keeps everyone on their toes."The second and final season of Andor, aka one of the best Disney+ shows, begins airing on April 22 (US) and April 23 (UK and Australia). Before its three-episode premiere arrives, read my spoiler-free review of Andor season 2 to learn how good it is, find out who's who in Andor's second season, or read the section below for more Andor-based coverage.

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If you've been waiting to pick up Apple's latest MacBook Air M4 then your patience has paid off. Right now, the 13-inch model is down to $939 from $999 — a six percent discount. It's an all-time low price for the 13-inch MacBook Air M4, dropping to $10 less than it cost during Amazon's Spring Sale. The deal is available for the laptop in Starlight, Midnight and Sky Blue, so just not Silver.

Apple only released the MacBook Air M4 in Mid-March and it's already our pick for 2025's best MacBook overall. We gave it in a 92 in our review thanks to features like its 13.6-inch liquid retina display and slim build — it weighs 2.7 pounds and is 0.44 inches thick. But, it's the M4 chip that really gives this MacBook Air a boost. The 13-inch model has a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine. Plus, it lasted over 18 hours while playing HD video.

If you're looking for something a little bigger and with more RAM, then it might be worth getting the 15-inch MacBook Air M4. It's currently down to $1,499 from $1,599 and offers 24GB of RAM, compared to the 13-inch's 16GB. The only catch: This deal is just for the Starlight model (though the Midnight version is only $20 more at $1,519).

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/apples-m4-macbook-air-is-cheaper-than-ever-right-now-144625495.html?src=rss

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 will offer Nvidia DLSSCD Projekt Red confirmed the game uses DLSS in four modes, including handheld and docked, and the performance and quality variations of eachCyberpunk 2077 will have a choice between 30FPS quality mode and a 40FPS performance mode

CD Projekt Red has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 will feature Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling).That's according to Digital Foundry, which was able to confirm with the studio during a hands-on event that the Switch 2 version will offer Nvidia's AI-upscaling technology in both handheld and docked mode."We're using a version of DLSS available for Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, powered by Nvidia's Tensor cores," CD Projekt Red told the publication. "The game utilises DLSS in all four modes: in handheld and docked, and the performance and quality variations of each."When docked, Cyberpunk 2077 will offer a choice between 30FPS quality mode and a 40FPS performance mode, the latter of which would presumably work only on TVs that support 120Hz."With consistent performance, both should look smooth, with the 40fps mode sitting between 30fps and 60fps in terms of fluidity," Digital Foundry explained. "Both modes are using 1080p as the output resolution with dynamic resolution scaling in effect in combination with DLSS."In handheld mode, quality mode will still output a 1080p image with DLSS and dynamic resolution scaling, targeting 30fps, while performance mode will see a drop in resolution to 720p, "with the handheld screen in 120Hz mode and 40fps as the target."Cyberpunk 2077 is the first game to be confirmed to feature DLSS following the Switch 2 Direct earlier this month.Nintendo revealed that the Switch 2 would feature Nvidia's DLSS after the livestream, but refrained from sharing which games would utilize it. Right now, it's unclear if any of the company's first-party titles will also offer the tech, or if it's only being reserved for third-party games that first released on PC, like Cyberpunk 2077.The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, and will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle, which comes with a digital copy of the game.Pre-orders are now live in the UK. US pre-orders are set to begin on April 24 after Nintendo delayed its initial April 9 date as it assessed the potential impact of tariffs.

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Garmin is expanding its availability of the ECG appIt is now available in Switzerland and the United KingdomIt lets users record their heart rhythm and check for signs of atrial fibrillation

Garmin has today announced that its ECG app is now available to customers in Switzerland and the UK, bringing the total list of supported territories to more than 50.Garmin's ECG app works with all of the best Garmin watches including the Fenix 8 and beyond, and lets users record their heart rhythm and check for signs of atrial fibrillation.The app shows you immediate results on your wrist and lets you sync your readings to Garmin Connect, viewing them on the smartphone app at a later date. The latter also supports compiling a history of ECG results you can share with your healthcare provider.Garmin's ECG is powered by the sensors on the back of its smartwatches, which record electrical signals to measure heart rate rhythm, and the company says it's the first Garmin smartwatch feature to be categorized as a medical device in either country.

Garmin's ECG rollout

(Image credit: Garmin)

Garmin says that it will continue to expand its portfolio of products supporting the ECG app, as well as launch it in more regions in line with necessary regulatory approval.Garmin's full suite of supported devices includes the D2, Enduro 3, Epix Pro Gen 2, Fenix 7, Fenix 8, Quatix 7 Pro, Tactix 7, Tactix 8, Venu 2 Plus, Venu 3, and the Venu 3S.Aside from today's new territories, already-supported nations include Australia, most of Europe, the United States, and more.

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There are hundreds of scam farms across Southeast Asia, the UN is sayingLocal governments are conducting raids, but they're ineffectiveThe industry is spreading into Africa and South America

Despite governments and law enforcement agencies in the Southeast Asian region trying their best to contain the threat, the scam industry is thriving, taking advantage of the fact that there are many remote, inaccessible regions, and many impoverished, undereducated people to abuse.This is according to a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). As reported by Cybernews, UNODC said the scam industry is a “multibillion-dollar” one and it’s expanding globally to include South America and Africa.It originated in Southeast Asia, where there are “hundreds” of large-scale farms, housing tens of thousands of workers. Some of these people were even trafficked and forced to work in these scam farms. These farms are generating “tens of billions of dollars” in annual profits, the UNODC said.

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Spreading like cancer

Governments of Southeast Asian countries, such as China, Thailand, Myanmar, and many others, are persistently trying to disrupt these activities, but they’re apparently not achieving much, since the groups can simply pick up and move elsewhere.“It spreads like a cancer,” said Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC acting regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. “Authorities treat it in one area, but the roots never disappear; they simply migrate.”“The regional cyberfraud industry... has outpaced other transnational crimes, given that it is easily scalable and able to reach millions of potential victims online, with no need to move or traffic illicit goods across borders,” said John Wojcik, a regional analyst with UNODC.The report mentions crackdowns in “lawless areas” of the Thai-Myanmar border, Cambodia, and elsewhere. The criminals would simply migrate to Laos, Myanmar, and other “most remote, vulnerable, and underprepared parts of Southeast Asia”.The money stolen through fraud still needs to be laundered, which is why these groups are expanding into Africa and South America, where they’re partnering up with drug cartels. UNODC says operations are being established in Zambia, Angola, and Namibia, but also in Eastern European countries such as Georgia.Via Cybernews

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