TechRadar News

• In mid-January, IntelBroker offered an HPE archive for sale
• The hacker claims it contains sensitive data such as source code and access
• HPE said it was investigating the claims

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) said it was investigating claims of a data breach, recently made by a known leakster IntelBroker.

On January 16, IntelBroker (known for their attacks on DC Health Link, Nokia, Cisco, and many others) posted a new thread on the infamous BreachForums, saying “today, I am selling the Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) data breach.”

In the thread, the leakster said that together with partners zjj, and EnergyWeaponUser, they had been “connecting to some of their services for about 2 days now.”

Who is IntelBroker

The compromised data being sold in this new archive includes source code from private GitHub repositories, Docker builds, SAP Hybris, and Certificates (including private and public keys). Product source code for Zerto and iLO, user data, access to APIs, WePay, GitHub, and more was also allegedly stolen.

In response, HPE said it rotated credentials and started its investigation to see if the claims hold any water. So far, the company hasn’t seen any evidence of break-ins:

"HPE became aware on January 16 of claims being made by a group called IntelBroker that it was in possession of information belonging to HPE," spokesperson Clare Loxley told BleepingComputer. "HPE immediately activated our cyber response protocols, disabled related credentials, and launched an investigation to evaluate the validity of the claims. There is no operational impact to our business at this time, nor evidence that customer information is involved."

IntelBroker is allegedly a Serbian cybercriminal with a strong track record for data compromise. Active since October 2022, they’re known for several high-profile cyberattacks against Acuity (April 2024), Pandabuy (March 2024), and Europol (May 2024).

Via BleepingComputer

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• Canon has launched a new app aimed at livestreamers
• It lets you control multiple iPhones and iPads from a single app
• Extra effects like graphics and overlays need a monthly subscription

An increasing number of people enjoy creating livestreamed video content, whether that’s hosting cookery lessons, teaching classes to students, unboxing the latest tech goodies, or something else. Doing that can be fiddly, though, especially if it’s just you and you’re trying to work with multiple camera angles at once.

To help, Canon has just launched a new app that it thinks will alleviate some of that hassle and offer a simpler alternative to the likes of OBS (Open Broadcaster Software). Called Live Switcher Mobile, the app for iPhone and iPad lets you manage several aspects of livestreamed content on the go, without needing other apps or equipment.

For example, Live Switcher Mobile lets you set a timer before the stream’s feed automatically switches to a different camera. Canon’s announcement says this helps content creators to create interesting shots “even when they are working alone and cannot manually operate multiple devices.”

If you want to add text or graphics to your stream, you can do that too with Canon’s app, and it will also display comments from viewers and let you directly interact with them. And if you want to stream your device’s screen – say, the game you’re playing on your iPad – and layer the feed from a second camera on top of your gameplay footage, you can do that too.

The full version isn't cheap

(Image credit: Canon)

Livestreamed content has steadily grown in popularity over the last few years, but the barrier to entry has sometimes been high due to the need to have several cameras on the go if you want to shoot content at different angles. As well as that, it can be a fiddly affair as you try to manage all the different wires and connections that are part of your setup. And that’s without even working out which of the best streaming apps you should be using.

The idea with Live Switcher Mobile is that it simplifies the whole process. It’s definitely not a high-end solution – professional video creators will probably want to look elsewhere – but it could be a decent option if you’re just getting started, are working with a tight budget, or want to stick to using iPhones and iPads.

Right now, Live Switcher Mobile only supports video feeds from iPhones and iPads running at least iOS 16 or iPadOS 16, making it a decent option if you already own these devices and don’t want to buy expensive camera equipment to supplement your livestreams. Canon says that the app will also support digital cameras (including its own, of course) in the future.

Live Switcher Mobile is free to download and use from Apple’s App Store, although some features (such as most graphics) require a fee. Paying the subscription also hides ads and Canon’s watermark, allows zooming and image overlays, and more. According to the app’s App Store page, a one-month subscription costs a fairly hefty $17.99 (around £15 / AU$29), but you can trial the features for free for one month.

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• AMD has confirmed RX 9070 models will be on shelves in March 2025
• This runs against rumors that suggested a late January launch
• PC gamers aren’t happy, particularly as stock of RDNA 4 graphics cards is rumored to have shipped to retailers already

AMD has confirmed that its RX 9070 graphics cards, the first initial models from the RDNA 4 family, won’t be available until March.

David McAfee, who is VP and GM of Ryzen CPU and Radeon graphics at AMD, posted on X to share the news.

Radeon 9000 series hardware and software are looking great and we are planning to have a wide assortment of cards available globally. Can’t wait for gamers to get their hands on the cards when they go on sale in March!January 20, 2025

So, the on-sale date for the initial RX 9070 XT and vanilla 9070 GPUs is March, which has put the cat among the GPU pigeons, to say the least, if you take a brief saunter through the replies on X (and other assorted feedback on Reddit).

What’s got folks annoyed? Well, firstly this is disappointing news based on the rumors that AMD was ready to launch these RX 9070 GPUs later in January to take the mid-range fight to Nvidia, getting in ahead of the release of RTX 5070 variants in February.

Or at least that AMD was going to have a big reveal of RX 9070 graphics cards, possibly later this week, which surely won’t happen now. There’s no point having a big announcement late in January if these next-gen GPUs aren’t turning up for what could be the best part of two months from now.

Part of the problem is that a couple of AMD execs have been dropping hints that the RX 9070 announcement ‘won’t be long’ and will be in the ‘near future’ which to me, and clearly others, suggested it’s pretty imminent.

Granted, all AMD has officially said is that RDNA 4 graphics cards will be launched in Q1 2025, and March still fits that, of course. But based on that timeframe, nothing about March marries with the hints of the full reveal being ‘near’ – indeed it couldn’t really be any further away in this initial quarter of 2025.

(Image credit: AMD / TechPowerup) Analysis: An unfortunate sense of confusion and chaos

While AMD has not reneged on any of its promises, then, it very much feels like that to some PC gamers. Never mind the theoretically delayed release date, or full reveal, beyond this, why even mention the GPUs at all at CES 2025? Or at least AMD could have made it clear with that teaser that these cards weren’t imminent, which was very much the expectation. (Actually, most folks were, not unreasonably, expecting the full details and unveiling at CES, not a brief glimpse).

Whatever the case, the underlying problem here is that it feels like AMD is bouncing around its RDNA 4 plans, changing directions and generally causing confusion among would-be buyers of the best GPUs as 2025 kicks off. Regardless of what the actual truth is concerning what might be going on behind closed doors at Team Red, based on what we can see, and the rumors flying around, it all feels very chaotic.

We must remember that these are just rumors, but there have been a lot of sightings of RX 9070 models in boxes, ready to go on shelves, at retailers. VideoCardz, which spotted AMD’s post on X, further claims that reviewers have had sample RDNA 4 GPUs even before retailers had them shipped, and so we have all this info bubbling about, causing some bad feeling from gamers.

If stock really is in place now – as it appears to be, with a suitable handful of salt at the ready – why wait? This is where other chatter from behind the scenes comes into play about AMD having unfortunate problems with adjusting launch pricing, after being surprised by where Nvidia pitched its RTX 5070 models (which surprised us all, let’s be honest). And issues therein in dealing with adjusting MSRPs and compensating retailers, although all of that is very much deep into rumor territory.

The trouble is, not a lot else except this scenario makes much sense, and the pieces of the puzzle (curtailed launch, then mostly radio silence following that, save for those mentioned vague hints of a full reveal ‘soon’) seem to fit well enough.

This also leaves AMD in a very weird position. Instead of being able to get in, ahead of the RTX 5070 which turns up in February, Team Red is going to wait until those rival mid-range graphics cards have been out, maybe for a month, so there could be a lot of defectors turning to Team Green. Well, assuming RTX 5070 stock isn’t something of a washout, and that appears to be the main threat to douse Nvidia’s next-gen GPU fire – that there’ll only be a relative trickle of Blackwell graphics cards early in 2025.

I didn’t see the next-gen GPU wars panning out like this, that’s for sure, and maybe AMD really does need to put out a full spec reveal and pricing announcement, sooner rather than later, even if the RDNA 4 on-sale date is March, and this leaves a big gap. Assuming that those MSRPs have even been decided yet, as this would at least allow gamers to know what to expect, perhaps persuading them to not give up and just go RTX 5070 in February, instead of waiting for the RX 9070 GPUs.

However, already there are gamers saying that is forcing them away from a planned next-gen Radeon purchase to Nvidia Blackwell, though how much of that is an initial angry reaction, we shall have to see.

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• Eclipsa Audio is coming to Android open-source software this year
• It's also coming in TV and soundbar models from "multiple" manufacturers
• But there's no work on headphones support connected to Android

Recently, Samsung and Google announced a new spatial audio technology called Eclipsa Audio, which is a direct (and free) rival to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Support for it is coming in 2025 Samsung soundbars and TVs, as well as to Google Chrome and YouTube during this year.

And now Google has confirmed that Eclipsa Audio is also coming to Android, in an upcoming AOSP (Android Open Source Project) release (via Sammobile). This is really the biggest news for Eclipsa so far, because it is the update that will bring it to the largest number of devices. There's no certainty on when AOSP updates will make it to individual devices, given the nature of Android and the many different versions that various companies use, but we can probably assume that Samsung will jump on this ASAP, so that's a lot of phones at the very least.

However, it's really only half of what we need to hear, because great 3D spatial audio on phones relies on having support from the best earbuds and best headphones. Spatial audio has been such a hit on Apple devices because of head-tracked Dolby Atmos, which makes it feel like you're sitting in a movie theater. This has been supported on AirPods Pro for years, and is available on all current models of the best AirPods.

Dolby Atmos spatial audio is also supported on several other headphones options too, including the Sonos Ace and fantastic Technics EAH-AZ100. Perhaps most notably in this case, it's supported on the best Samsung phones, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds.

But there's been no announcement of support for head-tracked Eclipsa Audio in earbuds or headphones yet, and without that, its support on Android feels kind of hollow – it's only one half of the process.

Head-tracked spatial audio creates virtual speakers around you, that appear to stay in place even when you move your head. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Now, there's a good chance that will change at the Samsung Unpacked event on January 22nd, when Samsung will almost certainly reveal the Samsung Galaxy S25 – and I suspect that it will announce Eclipsa Audio support as part of its features, and probably an update the Buds 3 Pro to accommodate this. (You can follow all the announcements in our Samsung Unpacked 2025 live blog as they happen.)

But still, Samsung's support alone won't be enough to build momentum for Eclipsa – it really needs to get the hottest headphones makers for all budgets on board to make it feel like a must-have feature. Everything from 1More to Bose, from Nothing to Sony… some of those are probably more realistic than others.

And even then, Samsung and Google really need to get some other services on board too…

What are you going to watch?

YouTube is not really enough for a spatial audio format to take off, especially since very little of it was recorded with any kind of spatial or surround audio in mind.

Google and Samsung need to get the best streaming services and movie and TV studios on board, especially the likes of Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus. But that's easier said than done – these all already support Dolby Atmos (and my understanding is that they don't pay to use it, so have little incentive to switch), and redoing shows and films to support Eclipsa would be a whole extra expense and load of time – even though Google says it will make it as easy as possible with new tools.

Will they feel any need to do it? It's all a bit chicken and egg. Why would streaming services support the format if very few devices support it? Why would device makers go to the effort of adding it if no streaming services offer it?

Samsung and Google can't force the streaming services to do anything, but they can add it to the Galaxy Buds and the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Google also says that Eclipsa support is coming to "TVs and Soundbars from multiple manufacturers later in 2025".

However, there's no information about this yet, and until there's a real push focused on how we'll hear Eclipsa on Android and who'll support it, it's going to have a slow launch.

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• OpenAI is launching the o3 mini AI model on ChatGPT and as an API
• The o3 mini is more powerful than the o1 mini but smaller than the o3 model
• The o3 mini boasts superior problem-solving abilities in science and math

OpenAI followed up on its December release of the OpenAI o1 model with the official rollout of its smaller sibling, the OpenAI o3 mini model. CEO Sam Altman broke the news on X, revealing that o3 mini will be available on ChatGPT and as an API for developers. The o3 mini model is an upgrade to the o1 mini model just as the o3 model is to the o1 model released last year. The o3 series is supposed to be smarter, faster, and better in all ways from its predecessors.

The o1 models were designed to spend more time processing queries, taking a longer, harder look at problems most models would give up on. The o3 models take those abilities and further enhance them while also running more quickly and efficiently. That's going to be useful when you use ChatGPT's new Tasks feature, which gives the AI chatbot a more proactive role in reminding you of tasks and events.

The launch of the o3 mini isn’t just about improving reasoning capabilities; it’s about staying ahead in the highly competitive AI landscape. Google, Meta, and others are all working to advance their models and try to dominate the market. ChatGPT and OpenAI can't afford to rest on their laurels, and the company seems to understand that. OpenAI clearly believes users want tools that don’t just follow the rules but also think critically and are flexible in how they assist you. That's where Altman and his team hope the o3 and o3 mini models will shine.

thank you to the external safety researchers who tested o3-mini.we have now finalized a version and are beginning the release process; planning to ship in ~a couple of weeks.also, we heard the feedback: will launch api and chatgpt at the same time!(it's very good.)January 17, 2025

Power in miniature

A bigger question may be, will models like o3 mini actually change how AI is used, or if it's just going to improve the results in small ways. OpenAI obviously hopes these upgrades lead to more people engaging with its AI models. By making its models better at reasoning, the company looks to be targeting those users who need something more sophisticated than the current level of conversational AI.

The o3 mini model looks like it might hit the sweet spot between power and accessibility for ChatGPT users. By offering smarter reasoning in a more compact package, OpenAI could attract users who want cutting-edge AI but don’t need the full heavyweight version just yet.

With burgeoning competition, OpenAI might be thrilled with any improvements it can point to in its latest models, considering the rumors of stalled progress on recent AI models at OpenAI and elsewhere. Even if its sense of humor may still be a work in progress.

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Digitizing physical records is more than just scanning files. It’s a complex task that demands precision and robust security measures. Businesses face challenges like handling vast amounts of paper documents, categorizing unstructured data, and ensuring that the digital versions are accessible yet protected.

AI offers practical solutions to these challenges. By employing advanced algorithms that analyze unstructured information, identify patterns and categorize efficiently, businesses can achieve far greater efficiency with document scanning. Unlike manual processes, AI systems can process information at scale, reducing bottlenecks and ensuring accuracy. These tools can also integrate data from multiple sources, streamlining workflows and making the digitization process more efficient and reliable.

Optimizing digital information management with AI

AI is doing more than making digital records accessible, it’s also turning them into business assets. One of the biggest breakthroughs is AI’s ability to intelligently parse unstructured data, which is crucial for organizations transitioning to digital systems. Instead of wading through a sea of documents, AI can automatically classify records, apply metadata, and create searchable databases.

More importantly, AI can extract insights that paper documents simply can’t reveal. By analysing patterns across records, AI helps organizations identify trends, predict behaviors, and make more informed, data-driven decisions.

For instance, an AI-powered system could highlight inefficiencies in supply chains or uncover customer preferences buried in years of archived correspondence. This level of analysis not only improves the efficiency of business operations but also enables strategic foresight, identifying potential risks or opportunities ahead of time.

How AI can strengthen cybersecurity

Digital information can still fall victim to cybersecurity threats, from ransomware attacks to phishing scams, posing significant risks to these valuable repositories. This is where AI can play a pivotal role, offering robust protection against threats.

AI-driven systems can detect anomalies in real time, flagging suspicious activities before they become breaches. If an employee logs in from an unusual location or a database query seems out of place, AI can demand additional authentication or block the action altogether, helping to prevent unauthorized access.

AI-powered Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) systems also provide a comprehensive shield. By continuously monitoring network traffic, user behavior, and application events, these systems identify patterns that signal potential threats. They also incorporate threat intelligence from external sources, predicting vulnerabilities before they’re exploited. Automated responses ensure that incidents are contained swiftly, minimizing potential damage.

The versatility of AI in cybersecurity is also evident in its ability to combat phishing attempts. AI tools analyze email content for suspicious elements, reducing the risk of employees falling victim to cleverly crafted scams. As phishing scams grow increasingly sophisticated, AI’s ability to adapt and evolve is critical to staying ahead of attackers. With cybercriminals increasingly using AI to outsmart traditional defenses, deploying AI on the frontlines of cybersecurity is quickly becoming an essential tool.

How can businesses utilize AI within digital information management?

For businesses looking at AI as a part of digital strategy, the path forward requires careful planning and execution. Start small with manageable AI projects that demonstrate clear benefits, such as automating repetitive tasks or improving data accessibility. These initiatives can build confidence and showcase the tangible advantages of AI integration.

For AI to deliver maximum value, businesses must identify specific pain points within their existing digital records ecosystem. Does the challenge lie in managing large volumes of unstructured data? Or is cybersecurity a more pressing concern? A targeted approach ensures AI solutions align best with the goals of the organization, whether that’s creating searchable databases, uncovering actionable trends in data, or safeguarding sensitive information from cyber threats.

When it comes to security measures, implementing AI-driven cybersecurity tools, like SIEM systems or advanced anomaly detection, should be a foundational step. Regular assessments of IT infrastructure, combined with employee training on recognizing threats, can further fortify defenses.

Collaboration with AI experts is also essential. AI technology evolves rapidly, and remaining informed about the latest advancements helps businesses stay ahead. Partnering with trusted vendors can provide access to cutting-edge tools while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Finally, investing in continuous education for all teams across the company will ensure they are equipped to make use of AI’s full potential while mitigating its risks responsibly. Encouraging a culture of vigilance within the workforce also supports AI’s technological defenses, making cybersecurity efforts more comprehensive.

A future-ready approach to information management

Whether it’s converting unstructured data into valuable insights or shielding databases from cyber threats, AI is proving to be an indispensable ally in information management. Its ability to categorize, analyze, and secure information has redefined how organizations manage their most critical assets.

With a clear roadmap for implementation, businesses can maximize AI’s potential, reaping benefits that extend well beyond efficiency gains. The challenge now is for businesses to embrace this technology with this clear strategy, ensuring their digital records are both valuable and protected.

We've listed the best document scanning app.

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

• Launch of 36TB Exos M happens a month after a new 32TB model emerged
• Seagate is now comfortably ahead of arch-rival Western Digital
• For the first time, 10TB-per-platter technology has also been mentioned

Seagate added a 36TB Exos M model to its growing family of datacenter hard disk drives, making it the largest hard disk drive currently available. The yet-to-be-named device is based on the company's mature Mozaic 3+ platform and has been shipped to select customers, most likely hyperscalers like Microsoft or AWS.

The US storage company added a 32TB Exos M last month, almost one year after it added its previous largest drive, a 30TB model. Rival Western Digital has a 32TB HDD in its line up but unlike Seagate, uses 11 platters (rather than 10) to reach this capacity. The same goes for Toshiba; the Japanese firm tested 31TB and 32TB models with 10 and 11 platters.

Platter capacity is something Seagate has been keen to tout as a unique selling point; its press release mentions that it is the only data storage company that can achieve areal densities of 3.6TB per platter with a pathway to 10TB in the future. That's a whopping 100TB hard drive in the pipeline.

60TB HDDs coming soon

Seagate's CEO, Dave Mosley, also disclosed that the company has successfully demonstrated platter capacities of over 6TB per platter in lab environments. That means that 60TB hard drives are within reach and should arrive before the end of the decade (or as in marketing lingo, depending on market conditions).

With this 36TB model, Seagate moves away from CMR and SMR to embrace HAMR technology exclusively; Heat-assisted magnetic recording, Seagate says, enables a 25% cost reduction per TB and a 60% decrease in power consumption per TB. That relentless drive towards cheaper storage is what will keep HDD relevant despite SSDs supremacy on performance, storage density and power consumption.

122TB SSDs are expected to go on sale later this year, targeting the same lucrative datacenter market but different tiers. At an estimated cost of $80 per TB, they would still be 4x or 5X more expensive than one 36TB HDD but will appeal to certain specific customers.

In a statement, a Dell spokesperson also explained that large capacity, affordable HDDs will play in AI workloads, supporting use cases like retrieval augmented generation (RAG), inferencing and agentic workflows.

The 36TB HDD is unlikely to ever go on sale in retail for the foreseeable future due to enterprise demand; the largest internal hard disk drive you can buy is a 26TB Western Digital Gold Enterprise HDD with larger capacities usually available only via partners or system integrators.

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Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 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 #1093) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

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

Quordle today (game #1093) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1093) - 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 #1093) - 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 #1093) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• C

• V

• P

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1093) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1093, are…

• CHART
• VIGOR
• PRINT
• SPAWN

Even though I had a complete brain melt on my penultimate guess I’m still pleased that I completed today’s Quordle after eight tries, especially as it took me four lines before I got a correct word.

Even though I already had the letter “N” in yellow form before I solved SPAWN, I completely missed it when I guessed SWAPS. What's more, I entered a plural – even though I know that they are not included in the game. A wasted guess. Still it got me to SPAWN eventually, so nothing ventured, nothing gained.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1093) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1093, are…

• LOUSE
• FABLE
• DOWEL
• GIVER

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1092, Monday 20 January: SIXTY, THONG, TATTY, ROBIN
• Quordle #1091, Sunday 19 January: WREST, RINSE, SCOUR, CANNY
• Quordle #1090, Saturday 18 January: BLARE, ITCHY, BICEP, PIPER
• Quordle #1089, Friday 17 January: CATCH, WEARY, SWOON, LATHE
• Quordle #1088, Thursday 16 January: PARTY, BLUNT, TWEED, PLANT
• Quordle #1087, Wednesday 15 January: RISEN, PLATE, RURAL, ENVOY
• Quordle #1086, Tuesday 14 January: SWARM, SCRAP, ONION, BELCH
• Quordle #1085, Monday 13 January: EYING, GIDDY, CHEAP, PETAL
• Quordle #1084, Sunday 12 January: BRIEF, PETAL, WOMAN, FELON
• Quordle #1083, Saturday 11 January: ASCOT, FIBER, ROGUE, SMELL
• Quordle #1082, Friday 10 January: BIGOT, INLET, LEECH, TUNIC
• Quordle #1081, Thursday 9 January: RESET, HUMOR, TENOR, IMAGE
• Quordle #1080, Wednesday 8 January: MINCE, SADLY, RISEN, VOUCH
• Quordle #1079, Tuesday 7 January: CREED, FILET, ROUTE, TAPER
• Quordle #1078, Monday 6 January: PIVOT, WOOLY, GRUNT, GROOM
• Quordle #1077, Sunday 5 January: BORAX, JUDGE, CADET, SALON
• Quordle #1076, Saturday 4 January: CORER, CRATE, QUASI, EXIST
• Quordle #1075, Friday 3 January: PERKY, QUARK, NAVEL, SHEEN
• Quordle #1074, Thursday 2 January: UNIFY, SWORE, DEPOT, INTRO
• Quordle #1073, Wednesday 1 January: CLING, SUITE, WORRY, TONIC

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 clues.

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 #590) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MINIATURE
• OCTOPUS
• CRACK
• PEPPER
• SLIGHT
• SALT
• DIG
• SAND
• DOLL
• WHO
• SHOVEL
• FIGURE
• PLOW
• BARB
• MODEL
• NO

NYT Connections today (game #590) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Belittle
• GREEN: Tiny version 
• BLUE: Slush clearance 
• PURPLE: Famous docs

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 #590) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: PUTDOWN
• GREEN: SMALL LIKENESS 
• BLUE: USED TO CLEAR SNOW 
• PURPLE: DOCTORS IN POP CULTURE

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

NYT Connections today (game #590) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #590, are…

• YELLOW: PUTDOWN BARB, CRACK, DIG, SLIGHT
• GREEN: SMALL LIKENESS DOLL, FIGURE, MINIATURE, MODEL
• BLUE: USED TO CLEAR SNOW PLOW, SALT, SAND, SHOVEL
• PURPLE: DOCTORS IN POP CULTURE NO, OCTOPUS, PEPPER, WHO

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

The second I cast eyes upon WHO and NO I knew that we were looking for DOCTORS IN POP CULTURE. PEPPER was an easy spot (easier than drinking it, anyway) but the fourth was trickier, not being a fan of the whole Marvel multiverse – but OCTOPUS sort of sounded like a villain of some kind.

Having got the Purple group first I thought that would make the Yellow group easier to solve; I came close to completing THINGS TO CLEAR SNOW, but instead found all four PUTDOWN words and the green SMALL LIKENESS quartet.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, 20 January, game #589)

• YELLOW: TAKE ON, AS A RESPONSIBILITY ASSUME, BEAR, HANDLE, SHOULDER
• GREEN: CORNERS ANGLE, BEND, CROOK, ELBOW
• PURPLE: SHEET BALANCE, CHEAT, COOKIE, FITTED
• BLUE: ASSOCIATED WITH POPEYE ANCHOR, FOREARM, PIPE, SPINACH

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.

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 #324) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… You don't say …

NYT Strands today (game #324) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• PAST
• LARD
• SLAM
• SEAT
• BULB
• TASTE

NYT Strands today (game #324) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Old skool speak

NYT Strands today (game #324) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 5th row

Last side: bottom, 4th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #324) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #324, are…

• CHERRY
• BOSS
• MAJOR
• PHAT
• FRESH
• RADICAL
• TUBULAR
• SPANGRAM: DATED SLANG

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 2 hints

As someone who still greets old friends with an impression of a 1990s Budweiser commercial, I’ve no truck with calling the “SLANG” included in today’s Strands “DATED” as if it’s lame or something. In fact I’m buggin about it. I’ve only just gotten over saying Cowabunga when my team score a goal.

Having said all that, I still struggled a little with today’s puzzle. Even though they were the last two words, it took me yonks to come up with RADICAL and TUBULAR – I mean, I’m sure RALUBUT is slang for something somewhere.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, 20 January, game #323)

• HATTER
• RABBIT
• CROQUET
• DORMOUSE
• CATERPILLAR
• SPANGRAM: WONDERLAND

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and 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.

• Vector FX simplifies vector graphics with AI-driven text-based prompts
• The subscription model offers exclusive tools, templates, and cloud storage
• CorelDRAW Technical Suite adds S1000D palette and CAD integration

Alludo has launched new updates to its popular CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 and CorelDRAW Technical Suite.

The updates include a range of enhancements such as Vector FX, Painterly Brush tool and new Pantone colour palettes all aiming to improve flexibility, efficiency, and creativity.

Vector FX is of particular interest - a standalone generative AI application which simplifies the creation of vector graphics, allowing users to input text prompts to generate unique, scalable graphics, which can then be edited and refined in CorelDRAW.

CorelDRAW new features

Beyond AI tools, the update also upgrades the Painterly Brush tool with the addition of new pixel-based brushes, exclusively available to subscribers. The brushes support customizable settings allowing users to modify parameters such as texture, density, smoothing, and glow.

The Painterly Brush now features a dedicated tab in the Properties docker/inspector, offering a streamlined interface for accessing and adjusting brush properties.

Another addition to the 2024 CorelDraw Graphic Suite is the integration of Pantone’s latest colour palettes, now available at no additional cost. It brings 175 new shades from the Pantone Dualities palette.

The new update also adds Brush Favorites, which allows users to save their most-used brushes for quick access, as well as Focus Mode which offers a a distraction-free workspace. With the new Print Merge feature, CorelDraw now supports QR codes, images, and Excel spreadsheet data, making it easier to create personalized print materials such as marketing brochures, invitations, or labels.

“The new updates to our Painterly Brush tool reflect our dedication to innovation and incorporating user feedback,” said Prakash Channagiri, Senior Director of Product Management for CorelDRAW.

“With the latest colour palettes from Pantone, users can discover 175 new colours, offering unparalleled colour matching, ensuring precise, vibrant designs. These advancements open up new opportunities for designers to work more efficiently and push the boundaries of their creativity."

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 is available in two purchasing options: a subscription model and a one-time purchase. Both options provide access to CorelDRAW's core applications, including Corel PHOTO-PAINT, Corel Font Manager, CAPTURE, and AfterShot HDR. However, it is important to note the key differences between the two versions before making a choice.

The subscription model receives instant access to new updates and enhancements as they become available, including exclusive tools such as Vector FX and the 50 new Painterly Brushes. This version also supports a cloud-based template library, providing access to over 500 templates, more than double what is available in the one-time purchase version. Furthermore, the enhanced asset management system in the subscription version is cloud-based, allowing users to access and organize their design assets from anywhere.

On the other hand, the one-time purchase version, while lacking some of the advanced features of the subscription model, offers a more traditional approach to software ownership.

Users who opt for this model can use the software indefinitely without recurring fees - however, they will not have access to the ongoing updates and new features available to subscribers. The one-time purchase version includes over 200 templates and more than 100 brushes, which falls short of the expanded content provided in the subscription model.

Additionally, the subscription version includes enhanced support for AutoCAD DWG/DXF files and also features an enhanced Hints docker/inspector, which provides more personalized learning resources to help users get the most out of the software. These features are available in the one-time version, but they are not enhanced.

In addition to the updates to CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, the CorelDRAW Technical Suite has also received a new upgrade. This suite caters to professionals involved in technical illustration and documentation, offering specialized tools for creating precise, technical drawings.

The pricing for CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 varies depending on the purchasing option. The subscription model is priced at $269 per year, or €369 and £319 for European and UK customers, including VAT. Alternatively, users can opt for a one-time purchase at $549, €779, or £659.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 is available on Windows and macOS, as well as via web access for subscribers and maintenance customers. The software is offered in several languages, including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Czech, Russian, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Swedish, and Japanese.

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• Focal Utopia Main 112 and 212 studio monitors have landed
• UM 112 is a three-way monitor; UM 212 is a 3.5-way design
• This is a high-end audio brand, and Utopia Main's pricing reflects that

French audio specialist Focal needs no introduction from me (but see the phenomenal Diva Utopia or Aria Evo X floorstanding speakers if you'd like a refresher), and now the celebrated hi-fi brand is introducing something a little different. It's something the company is proudly calling Utopia Main, and it's a new range of studio monitors pitched specifically at engineers, musicians, producers, and other audio professionals – as long as they've got fairly deep pockets…

Focal tells me that each component in the two models (one a three-way pair; the other a 3.5-way option) has been carefully crafted for these models alone, and when Focal directs you to new technology such as an "M-shaped membrane" on the all-new 5-inch midrange unit, plus a "W-membrane Beryllium tweeter", it's worth taking note – this company has produced some of the finest-sounding audio equipment we've ever heard. (Have I ever told you about the Focal Celestee or Focal Bathys? I suppose I have now.)

The company also tells me that many elements within its Utopia range have been in development since 2017 and that Utopia Main marks "the most significant milestone" for Focal’s pro division since its inception.

Looking for Utopia, in the Main

The UM 112 above are the slightly less-expensive of the two models (Image credit: Focal )

Shall we dig just a little deeper into Focal's technical wizardry? I won't try to simplify the workings in the Utopia Main press release, which state: "Force submitted to a membrane is determined by the equation F=B*l*i, where B is the magnetic field within the voice coil, l the length of the coil and i the current". But I can tell you that for the first time ever, Focal's Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) technology has been integrated to the high-frequency driver. According to Focal, this halved the Total Harmonic Distortion – aka those pesky unwanted intonations in an audio signal – at 3kHz, a high-treble frequency.

As well as this, the voice coil diameter was increased to 25mm, for better heat dissipation. Then, there are the patented amplifiers of the three-way UM 112 and 3.5-way UM 212. These use a combination of lesser-seen Class H amplification (which typically modulates the supply voltage to the output devices, so that it's never higher than necessary to support the signal) with a current-mode amplification. Focal says that by controlling the current in the amplification stage (instead of the voltage), engineers have been able to directly control the force submitted to the membrane, and all-but-eliminate any additional unwanted audio articles and nasties.

I'll tell you one thing: I've heard the large, floor-standing Diva Utopia, and although they're too high-end for our dedicated buying guide, they're still some of the best stereo speakers money can buy. If the Utopia Main range can perform anywhere near as commandingly and insightfully in a smaller, studio-friendly package, they'd get my vote for reference recording.

Pricing? Of course, but get ready: Focal UM 112 is priced at $30,000 / £22,000 (so around AU$43,000), while the Focal UM 212 will set you back a cool $50,000 / £38,000 (or nearer AU$75,000). Two for the wish-list, then…

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• New Satechi hub simplifies storage and ports for Apple Mac Mini
• Offers to preserve wireless strength while cooling Mac Mini
• Users can enjoy high-speed storage with budget-friendly expandable solutions

Satechi has unveiled its latest innovation for Apple fans: the Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure, designed exclusively for the 2024 Mac Mini.

This new Stand & Hub supports up to 4TB of M.2 NVMe SSD storage as well as multiple SSD sizes, including M.2 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 while offering 10Gbps transfer speeds to ensure quick access to files and media.

This Stand & Hub is a cheaper option for storage upgrades compared to Apple’s built-in upgrades, and while the speeds may not rival Apple’s onboard SSDs, they should be more than sufficient for everyday use, making this a decent alternative for those on a budget.

Designed for the 2024 Mac Mini

The new Satechi Mac Mini M4 comes with an aluminium design that mirrors Apple’s design, but is also smaller than its predecessor, rendering older stands incompatible.

Modern Apple devices, including the Mac Mini M4, often omit older ports, leaving users reliant on adapters - the Satechi hub addresses this by reintroducing three USB-A ports, positioned on the front for ease of access.

Its front-facing ports make it easier to connect frequently used peripherals without reaching around the back of the device. The aluminium casing is paired with heat-dissipating vents which keep the device cool while preserving wireless signal strength, a critical factor for modern connectivity needs. It also incorporates a patented technology to ensure optimal airflow and heat dissipation.

Upgrading to 4TB using Apple’s internal storage upgrades could cost over $1200. Satechi’s hub provides a more affordable alternative, allowing users to purchase and install their own SSDs.

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• Silo Season 3 is going to be a lot less dark than season 2
• In the meantime, "crank the brightness up" on your TV
• Season 3 will include more locations and even sunshine

If – like us – you've just binged the second season of Silo, one of the very best Apple TV Plus shows, you'll be very familiar with its big problem: the darkness.

I don't mean darkness in the sense of bleakness or horror, although Silo season 2 did serve up some of that. I mean literal darkness, the darkness that made watching the second season feel for long periods like Apple had forgotten to pay the lighting crew and decided to go ahead and film entire episodes with nothing more than a candle and the torch app on an old iPhone.

The good news? The darkness is going away for season 3 – and we presume for future seasons that have been confirmed to be coming. Or at least, some of the locations aren't going to be in down deep in the dark.

Bringing Silo into the light

The news comes via TV Line, who spoke to Silo showrunner Graham Yost and presumably said, "hey Graham, how about making a season we can actually see this time, huh?" Because Yost has shared the welcome news that the lighting will be much brighter in the third season of Silo.

That's not to say he's sorry about making a show so dark my brother ended up upgrading to one of the best TVs to watch it. According to Yost, "it's just the way it plays" when you're making a season set largely underground in locations that are written as having limited or no power. "When we showed the first episode on a big screen in London, it looked fantastic, because motion picture screens are very bright. So I just encourage everyone to crank up the brightness [on your TV], and you’ll see a difference."

So what's changing for season 3? In a word, locations. The next season will also go into much more detail about the origins of the silos and the events that made them necessary. "We will be outdoors, and we will be in the world, and there will be sunshine." Sunshine! But don't expect to turn down the brightness too often, because Yost also confirms that – very mild spoiler ahead – we'll also be returning to Silo 17.

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At CES 2025, Samsung unveiled its next flagship OLED TV, the Samsung S95F. While the fanciest feature may be the highly impressive OLED Glare Free 2.0 reflection-reduction coating, there were two other elements that Samsung shouted about: a new 83-inch size option (along with the 55-inch, 65-inch and 77-inch sizes already available); and the promise of dazzling brightness at up to 4,000 nits.

Given that in our testing of the best OLED TVs, we have yet to measure one that makes it past 2,000 nits of brightness, I had to know more about this, and I spoke to Samsung about exactly what to expect.

One reason I wasn't sure about it was that the new 83-inch model doesn't use the same Samsung QD-OLED screen technology as the other sizes; instead, it uses a W-OLED panel, made by LG Display. Samsung didn't confirm this, but given the brightness claims, it must be the latest-generation 'four-stack' OLED panel from LG.

Samsung says that every size of S95F will have the same level of performance, including the promise of hitting 4,000 nits of peak HDR brightness. However, Samsung specified that this claim is definitely an extreme one – something the panel is capable of doing in real life, but it's unlikely to happen much. The company told me this can be hit in a 3% HDR window for a few seconds, and will presumably require a particular image mode to achieve.

The more useful real-world measurement, and no less impressive in that context, is that Samsung says all models will be able to hit 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness in a 10% window, and this can be sustained.

(Image credit: Future)

That is still higher than we've measured from any OLED TV to date, and really brings OLED TVs into line with the best mini-LED TVs for peak brightness (at least, the mainstream ones – not the likes of the Hisense 110UX and its claims of up to 10,000 nits).

Fullscreen brightness for this year's OLED TVs seems to be improved as well – there's talk of the S95F jumping to just under 400 nits, from about 320 nits for the S95D. The LG G5 flagship OLED promises a 40% jump in fullscreen brightness, which would put it at about 350 nits.

However, those figures are still much lower than higher-end mini-LED TVs, which can hit 500-600 nits of fullscreen brightness, which is why we rate them as the best TVs for sport, where brightness across the whole screen is important, in order to make everything bright and vibrant at once, and to beat reflections (although that's what Samsung's Glare Free coating is supposed to help with).

Time to drop the old concerns?

In the past, when Samsung has mixed QD-OLED and W-OLED panels at different screen sizes, it's given us a big headache. Take the Samsung S90C OLED TV, which we rated at the best TV overall for a long time… at least, at most sizes. Just like the Samsung S95F, that set came in 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch and 83-inch sizes – and the three smaller sizes were made with a Samsung QD-OLED screen, while the 83-inch size was an LG W-OLED panel.

The problem was that, at the time, the mid-range QD-OLED screens were far brighter than LG's mid-range W-OLED screens, so we basically just had to say that we didn't recommend the 83-inch size, because we felt that the 83-inch LG C3 was better value given that it used the same panel.

So in the past, every time I heard that Samsung was using different panel types at different sizes for one of its OLEDs, I got an instant migraine. We knew the performance of these panels, and we knew they couldn't be equivalent.

But Samsung says that's not the case in the S95F. I was told very confidently that the promise of 4,000 nits of extreme peak brightness and 2,000 nits of sustained peak brightness will apply to the 83-inch W-OLED size as well as the QD-OLED size.

Obviously, we're aiming to measure and confirm this ourselves – I can only hope we're about to get our hands on it sooner rather than later, because the S95F is absolutely one of the most exciting TVs of 2025.

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• Four models with up to 8 drivers
• Launching 21 January 2025
• $599 to $1,699 (about £499 / AU$965 to £1,399 / AU$2,739)

There's a new name in the high-end earbuds market: Dark Matter Audio Labs, or DMA Labs for short. And if its first four in-ear monitors sound as good as they look, they could be pretty spectacular.

The firm sounds a bit like an audio A-Team, a group of industry veterans from "multiple custom in-ear monitor brands" with many years of audio engineering experience and live music tours under their collective belts. And the promise here is "superior fit and exceptional sound signatures".

DMA Labs IEMs: key features and pricing

(Image credit: DMA Labs)

There are four models at a range of prices from $599 to $1,699. And they're certainly striking. The four models are:

• DM2H Hybrid Dual-Driver Custom IEM with 1x dynamic driver and 1x balanced armature driver – $599
• DMA3 Triple-Driver Custom IEM with 3x balanced armature drivers – $899
• DMA6 Six-Driver Custom IEM with 6x balanced armature drivers – $1499
• DMA8 Eight-Driver Custom IEM with 8x balanced armature drivers – $1699

We don't have more detailed specifications for details, such as frequency response and sensitivity, but we'd expect that to be available in a few days time when the IEMs officially launch and the official website goes live.

They look like strong competitors to more rarefied models in our list of the best wired earbuds based on looks alone – who doesn't want something that looks like a nebula in their ears?

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When you're stuck with deciding what new movie or TV show to watch next, you can always rely on Hulu to help you make those tough decisions. But there's nothing more frustrating when our favorite titles are removed from the platform, and there's another wave of titles lined up to leave one of the best streaming services in February 2025.

As it has been in past everything leaving Hulu lists, the platform is only removing movies in February 2025 so if you're a fan of the best Hulu shows, then you can rest easy this month – I wish I could say the same for movies fans. And though there's a mere 22 titles on the Hulu chopping block, these unfortunately include two of our best Hulu movies – the striking body horror flick Titane (2021), and the visually stunning Spencer (2021), which earned Kristen Stewart an Oscar nod.

The only upside is that there's still ample time for you to catch them before February arrives and Hulu's new monthly titles take their places. You can read all the titles leaving Hulu in February 2025 below.

Everything leaving Hulu in February 2025

Leaving on February 3

Beans (movie)
The Beta Test (movie)

Leaving on February 7

Flee (movie)
Spencer (movie)

Leaving on on February 11

Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday (movie)
Rogue Agent (movie)

Leaving on February 14

Oscar Peterson: Black + White (movie)
Venus As a Boy (movie)

Leaving on February 15

Titane (movie)

Leaving February 17

Hold Your Fire (movie)
Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time (movie)
The Feast (movie)

Leaving on February 18

Spin me Round (movie)
To Catch A Killer (movie)

Leaving on February 24

The Last Rite (movie)

Leaving on February 25

Watcher (movie)

Leaving on February 28

Moby Doc (movie)
The Big Scary 'S' Word (movie)
Savior for Sale (movie)
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood (movie)
Shit & Champagne (movie)
Show Me the Picture (movie)

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• An iOS 19 leak suggests the iPhone Camera app will get a big redesign
• Mock-ups based on the leak point to a simplified, Vision Pro-inspired look
• iOS 19 is expected to get a full launch in September

The iPhone's Camera app has been treated to a generous helping of new features over the past few years, from Photographic Styles to Apple ProRaw. But one thing Apple forgot to do is organize them in a way that makes intuitive sense. Fortunately, a new iOS 19 leak suggests it'll finally be rectifying that later this year.

iOS leaks are quite rare, so I'm treating this new one with caution. But the source, the YouTube channel Front Page Tech, isn't known for outlandish, unsourced rumors. And talking about its mockups (based on inside contacts at Apple), the channel says “I can say with 100% certainty that what I showed you is real”.

So what exactly is new? Well, if the iOS 19 leak is true, Apple will soon be replacing the confusing mess that is iOS 18's cluttered Camera UI with a cleaner, simplified look that's inspired by the Apple Vision Pro.

For me, the Vision Pro influence is less interesting than the simple fact that Apple appears to have finally tidied up the cluttered interface. Gone is the thumb-tiring row of eight modes for photos and videos, with those lists instead hidden inside a simple photo and video toggle.

(Image credit: Front Page Tech)

This does mean that some camera features will be a little more out-of-sight – for example, did you know that the QuickTake feature lives inside the shutter button for one-touch burst shots and video? But that's definitely the direction the Camera app needs to move in. Hopefully, iOS 19 also fixes the arrow at the top of the app, which confusingly opens a draw of icons at the bottom of the screen. I'd wager that a lot people don't even know those settings exist.

The Camera app's cluttered top bar also seems to have been given a welcome makeover, according to this iOS 19 leak. It seems we'll be getting a more obvious way to choose video specs like resolution and frame-rates. Presumably, Apple will still find somewhere for shortcuts to Action Mode and focal lengths, which seem to be missing from this mockup. But overall, I'm fully onboard with the refresh – apart from one thing...

The missing link

The mockup from Front Page Tech (above) shows how Apple might be splitting the current long row of options into separate Photo and Video lists with a toggle. (Image credit: Front Page Tech)

I've been hoping that iPhones might get a Pro photo mode for a few years now, but there's unfortunately still no sign of one in these iOS 19 leaks. Apple has shown signs of moving in that direction with video, but only with separate apps like Final Cut Pro for iPad.

To be fair, Apple has added a lot of pro-friendly photo features to iOS, many of which are hidden in its Settings menu. I've rounded up a lot of those tweaks in my guide on how to set up your iPhone 16 (or iOS 18 phone) to take great photos in 2025.

But one simple solution to hiding the Camera app's clutter would be to have a toggle that flips it between 'point-and-shoot' and 'Pro' mode. The iOS 19 redesign looks like a solid point-and-shoot experience, but a Pro mode (perhaps mapped to the Action button) could quickly turn it into something like a Fujifilm X100VI by bringing up extra controls like manual focus or focus peaking.

That would be my ideal Camera app setup, effectively making the iPhone two cameras in one. But it's possible that Apple is concerned about 'Sherlocking' some of the best camera apps like ProCamera, Halide or Camera Obscura, which could be seen as a faux pas considering many have starred in its annual App Store Awards.

Still, even if Apple resists adding a full Pro mode to its Camera app, the refresh illustrated in this iOS 19 leak looks like a step in the right direction. And who knows, maybe it does hint at a wider iOS refresh that would see it get its biggest visual makeover since iOS 7 back in 2013...

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A coordinated mobile malware campaign has been found targeting financial institutions worldwide, experts have warned.

Zimperium's zLabs research team found the campaign leveraged two dangerous malware families, Gigabud and Spynote, to compromise mobile devices and target banking apps.

More than 50 financial mobile apps, including 40 banks and 10 cryptocurrency platforms, have been targeted in this sophisticated malware campaign.

Global malware campaign

While Gigabud primarily focuses on stealing banking app credentials through phishing websites and malicious apps, Spynote allows attackers to take full control of infected devices, and is capable of stealing data, recording media, tracking locations, and remotely controlling devices.

Domains distributing Gigabud were also found to be spreading Spynote, indicating a coordinated, large-scale effort to exploit mobile device vulnerabilities. Together, these malware strains pose a serious risk to both personal and corporate data, signalling a more complex mobile cyber threat.

The campaign’s reach is global, affecting financial institutions in several countries, as Zimperium discovered 11 command-and-control servers and 79 phishing websites impersonating brands such as Ethiopian Airlines, Vietnamese financial platforms, popular ecommerce sites, and even government services.

The attackers have specifically targeted mobile banking apps to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, including login credentials, banking details, and transaction histories.

The Gigabud - Spynote campaign makes use of advanced obfuscation techniques to evade traditional security measures. The malware is packed using Virbox, a tool designed to conceal malicious code, making it harder for traditional detection methods to identify and analyze the malware.

Though the campaign primarily targets consumer-focused mobile banking apps, the level of access that Gigabud and Spynote achieve raises concerns for corporate security. Many users have both personal and work-related applications on the same mobile devices, so if a personal device is compromised, sensitive corporate applications and data, including credentials and two-factor authentication methods, could also be at risk.

Given the global scale of this campaign and the heavy focus on financial apps, Zimperium urges both consumers and organizations to take immediate steps to protect themselves.

Companies need to ensure that they have real-time, on-device mobile security measures capable of detecting and stopping advanced threats, and need to educate employees about the risks of downloading apps from unofficial sources, clicking on suspicious links, and granting unnecessary permissions is crucial to mitigating the risks of mobile malware.

“The connection between Gigabud and Spynote demonstrates the growing complexity of mobile malware attacks. Our latest research highlights the critical importance of real-time, on-device detection to protect against these rapidly evolving threats," noted Nico Chiaraviglio, Chief Scientist at Zimperium.

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• BYD built more EVs than Tesla for the first time in 2024
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• EVs will outsell gas cars in China this year

Tesla has been the undisputed king of electric vehicles for well over a decade now, producing more cars and out-selling rivals by a considerable margin during that time.

But the threat from Chinese rivals has been looming on the horizon, with Build Your Dreams – or BYD, to most – rapidly catching up to Musk’s successes.

According to The Washington Post, BYD built more electric cars than Tesla last year, the first time it has achieved such a milestone.

Although the margins are relatively small, with BYD producing 1.78 million electric vehicles, compared to Tesla’s 1.77 million, it shows that more affordable alternatives hailing from China are rapidly catching on in numerous emerging markets around the globe.

According to the Financial Times, more affordable electric vehicles are slated to outsell petrol and diesel cars in China for the first time this year, with the appetite for cut-price EVs on the rise.

BYD’s cars have long been almost half the price of Tesla’s top performing models, with the likes of its diminutive Seagull undercutting Tesla’s smallest Model 3 by almost $30,000 (or around £25,000 / AU$50,000).

A better comparison would be the more recent BYD Sealion, which takes the form of the brand’s large SUV offering and costs around $26,000 (around £22,000 / AU$42,000) in China, almost half the cost of a similar Model Y.

With the Biden Administration introducing hefty tariffs on Chinese vehicle imports, as well as seeking a flat-out ban on any vehicle that includes connected Chinese technology, the likelihood of BYD catching on Stateside looks slim.

Instead, the Chinese manufacturer has sought to gain traction in the fruitful Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South America markets.

Gernot Wagner, a climate economist at Columbia Business School, told The Washington Post that there is “not a single attractive, affordable [all-electric car] made in the U.S. that would stand a chance against a Chinese-made one in a developing market,” sparking concern that North America could lag well behind its Chinese counterparts and lose its reputation as a global automaker in the coming years.

Analysis: the gap between East and West is closing

(Image credit: BYD)

There was a time when vehicles hailing from China were considered cheap, basic and badly-built alternatives to what the ‘legacy automakers’ of the world have been producing for decades. But times are changing.

The quality of BYD’s more recent products has been applauded by both professionals and customers alike, who have heaped praise on the generous levels of equipment offered for the affordable price tags, in-car technology that works and a battery range that eclipses that of far more expensive rivals.

On the other hand, Tesla has received flak for the often questionable build quality of its cars, with the most recent Cybertruck among those that have suffered numerous recalls and issues that have had customers heading to the forums to vent.

What's worse is that Tesla's battery technology doesn't seem to be moving at the same sort of pace as MG, BYD and several other top-performing Chinese companies.

The most recent Model Y 'Juniper' update, for example, added around 10 miles of additional range, whereas MG has said it will release a vehicle with Solid State Battery technology this year that will boast a range in excess of 600 miles.

But perhaps more worrying is the fact the North American car industry doesn’t seem to be answering the threat from China, despite the government doing everything it can to level the playing field.

Instead, the likes of Ford and GM have resorted to hybrids or returned to the production of gas-powered vehicles, rather than keeping up pace with global EV innovation, meaning those brands could soon have little to offer a world that has moved on from fossil fuels.

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