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• Nintendo has quietly removed the mention of VRR support from some of its regional Switch 2 websites
• The US, Canada, and Japan websites no longer feature the mention of VRR support
• As of writing, the UK website still mentions VRR, but could still be removed

Nintendo has quietly removed any mention of variable refresh rate (VRR) support from some of its regional Switch 2 websites, suggesting the console may not offer the feature after all.

That's according to Digital Foundry's Oliver Mackenzie (via VGC), who spotted that the US website has been updated since the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, and no longer mentions VRR support for docked play.

Now it reads: "Take in all the detail with screen resolutions up to 4K when you connect the Nintendo Switch 2 system to a compatible TV using the dedicated dock. The system also supports HDR and frame rates up to 120 fps on compatible TVs."

It's not just the US website that has been updated, but the Canada and Japan sites too.

As of writing, the UK site still mentions that the Switch 2 "supports HDR, VRR, and frame rates up to 120 fps on compatible TVs," but Nintendo may be in the process of removing it from all its regional sites.

Some weird stuff going on at Nintendo. Looks like they've changed their US website to no longer mention VRR support for TV play? Only HDR and 120Hz support get a call-out. pic.twitter.com/3VmFDfrNvtApril 17, 2025

It's unclear why Nintendo has made changes, but Mackenzie theorises that VRR support may not be available at launch. However, the Switch 2 in handheld looks like it will still offer VRR thanks to Nvidia G-Sync, which will ensure "ultra-smooth, tear-free gameplay."

Everything we needed to know about the Switch 2's specs was revealed during the Direct earlier this month, where it was also confirmed that the console will have a bigger screen, from 6.2 inches to 7.9 inches, 256GB of internal storage, and a mouse function for its magnetic Joy-Con controllers.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025, for $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.

You can now pre-order the console in the UK, but US pre-orders and Canada pre-orders have been delayed as Nintendo assesses the potential impact of tariffs.

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• Google 2024 Ads Safety report says it blocked 5.1 billion bad ads
• It also blocked millions of advertiser accounts
• Google notes its detection accuracy improved thanks to AI

Google blocked more than five billion bad ads in 2024 and suspended almost 40 million advertiser accounts that were engaged in fraudulent behavior in what was apparently a bumper year for scammers.

In its 2024 Ads Safety Report, Google outlined how bad ads have really taken off in recent months, alrgely thanks to the advancements in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI).

However, Google is also using AI to improve its deception rates and apparently - it works.

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Banning ad accounts

Google's proactive measures in 2024 were impressive. The company either blocked or removed 5.1 billion ads that violated Google Ads policies. Furthermore, the search engine giant suspended 39.2 million advertiser accounts, which prevented many ads from ever reaching the consumers in the first place.

As a result, the number of stopped bad ads did not grow year-on-year, but remained relatively stable. Last year, Google removed 5.5 billion bad ads, and the drop seems to be due to the fact that Google banned significantly more advertiser accounts (12.7 million).

The company also said to have permanently banned more than 700,000 advertiser accounts for policy violations related to AI-driven impersonation scams.

"To fight back, we quickly assembled a dedicated team of over 100 experts to analyze these scams and develop effective countermeasures, such as updating our Misrepresentation policy to suspend advertisers that promote these scams," Google said in the report.

"As a result, we were able to permanently suspend over 700,000 offending advertiser accounts. This led to a 90% drop in reports of this kind of scam ad last year. While we are encouraged by this progress, we continue to work to prevent these scams."

Google seems to be heavily invested in AI for scanning and detection. It implemented more than 50 enhancements to its Large Language Models (LLMs), enabling more efficient and precise enforcement.

Most of the AI-powered bad ads revolved around deepfaked celebrities.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Instagram is launching Blends, a new custom Reels feed
• The idea is you add this to a DM or Group Chat and watch Reels that will appeal to the people who make up the group
• You can react and add comments that live within the DM

If you’re anything like me, you can spend maybe too much time (though I’ll never admit it) scrolling through Reels on Instagram, and clips on TikTok. But not so surprisingly, Instagram wants to keep you within the walls of its app and has a new feature that lets you make a custom Reels feed for you and your friends.

Dubbed Blend, and launching right now, you can set up this custom feed for you and a friend and be served Reels that match both of your interests. It’s an invite-only Reels feed that you can scroll within your chat window and reply to at the bottom to strike up a conversation about whatever you’d like.

And if you were guessing it lives within DMs, you’d be right, as that's where Instagram invites you to keep the conversation going. Further, if you’re concerned that the Reels will live in line next to your messages, GIFs, and potentially other shared Reels … fear not.

Blend will live via an icon at the top of the chat that looks like a merge of two basic emojis. You’ll tap on that to access your Blend, which is a Blended feed of Reels that hit your interests, and it’s also where you can invite someone to join your blend.

Another important note – you can’t force someone to join your Blend on Instagram; whoever you invite will need to accept it. Instagram also says you can set up blends for you and one other person or for a group of people.

Here’s how Blend will work

(Image credit: Instagram)

So once you’ve set up a Blend with, say, two of your besties, you’ll open that group message within Instagram and tap the new icon next to the call buttons on the top right of the chat.

Tap that, and you’ll be taken to your customized Reels feed. It should look pretty similar. You’ll see the Reel creator’s username, the audio used, a snippet of the caption, and the ability to like it, comment, and even share it.

The difference is that you’ll see a bubble that says “Suggested for [insert username here],” so Instagram will clue you in as to who it thinks will like the Reel the most. And yes, this is based on whatever Reels you’ve engaged with and what Instagram knows about you.

More specifically, Instagram says “Suggested are based on each person’s activity on Instagram, including the reels they watch and interact with. They can also be based on reels sent in the chat.”

As you scroll, if you feel compelled to, you can send a message back to your group about the Reel you’re watching or even drop a reaction like an emoji. For instance, if it’s a particularly epic one, you might use the fire emoji.

(Image credit: Instagram)

It’s pretty neat and a new way to explore Reels with friends on your own time, while still interacting with each other. Not for nothing, you won’t need to risk SharePlaying on iOS or screensharing on Android, not knowing what might appear in your regular feed.

However, since this is based on your interests, your friends might learn something – those I invite to Blend will know I like Bruce Springsteen, Disney Parks, Lego, and Star Wars.

That’s the risk of the Blend: it essentially shows your Instagram Reels interests to a friend (assuming they accepted the invite). If you’re up for the fun and the challenge, you can give Instagram’s latest feature a try as it’s rolling out now.

Just make sure that the Instagram app on your iOS or Android device is up to date.

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• Marvel has released a new trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps
• The MCU Phase 6 film will arrive in theaters worldwide this July
• The teaser is full of moments that fans have been waiting to see

Marvel has revealed the official trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps – and, if I wasn't already super excited for its release, I certainly am now.

The Marvel Phase 6 film's latest teaser is full of new footage that fans will want to *ahem* stretch their eyeballs around. Indeed, from first looks at Julia Garner's Silver Surfer and Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards using his stretchy superpowers, to new teases of the movie's villain Galactus, it's an unmissable two-and-a-half minute feast for the eyes.

The arrival of a new Fantastic Four trailer shouldn't come as a big surprise. Indeed, a new teaser was shown exclusively to CinemaCon 2025 attendees a two weeks ago. That trailer confirmed a big fan theory about Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm – i.e., that she'll be pregnant for a portion of the film. With this latest round of footage doing likewise, it appears that Marvel has simply released the trailer it showed at during Disney's presentation at the trade show on April 3.

A new trailer hasn't been a long time coming for the final Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie of 2025. The first teaser for First Steps only achieved lift-off in early February, so it's not like we've had an excruciating wait for new clips to pore over.

Still, with Marvel's Thunderbolts* movie set to be released in theaters in early May, the comic book giant will want to run a new teaser ahead of that flick to further build anticipation for First Steps' own launch, which will take place in late July.

#TheFantasticFour: First StepsOnly in theaters July 25. pic.twitter.com/OyTgSYCl2hApril 17, 2025

Joining Pascal, Kirby, and Garner on the film's cast are Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Ralph Ineson as the voice of Galactus, and John Malkovich, Paul Walter Hauser, Sarah Niles, and Natasha Lyonne as TBC.

Marvel fans think they know who Lyonne is playing in First Steps, though, and many are also convinced that Hauser and Malkovich are playing B-tier Marvel antagonists in Mole Man and Red Ghost respectively. Lastly, Mark Gatiss appears to be playing the TV host of a show that Marvel's First Family appear on in the trailer and forthcoming film.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will take flight on July 25. While we wait for its arrival, read more MCU-based coverage in the section below.

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• Netflix has revealed The Sandman season 2's official release date
• The fantasy show's final season will be released in two installments in early July
• An official teaser and first-look images have also been released

It's official: The Sandman season 2 will wake from its slumber this July – and it'll arrive in two parts.

The acclaimed fantasy show, which is based on Neil Gaiman's graphic novel namesake, will return for its second and final chapter in mid-2025. Volume 1, which will consist of six episodes, will make its debut on Netflix on July 3, 2025. Season 2's five-part second volume will be released on July 24, 2025.

The Dreaming awaits your return. The Sandman: Season 2. Volume 1 - July 3rd. Volume 2 - July 24th. pic.twitter.com/ORsNJRh89pApril 17, 2025

Netflix didn't just unveil The Sandman's two new launch dates today (April 17), though. The Tom Sturridge-fronted TV Original also received its first teaser trailer, which shows The Endless, Sturridge's Dream included, summoned to a meeting by one of their siblings Destiny.

It's unclear why Destiny has called on his fellow immortals to join him (well, unless you've read the source material) and the teaser doesn't exactly reveal what the purpose of the meeting is. Nevertheless, it suggests one of the best Netflix shows – depending on who you ask, anyway – is aiming to go out with a fantastical bang with its final installment.

This is the first official information we've received about The Sandman 2 since last September.

During Netflix Geeked Week 2024, the streaming titan revealed a dreamy behind-the-scenes look at season 2, which revealed a 2025 release window. Prior to that, Netflix confirmed who would play Destiny, Delirium, and The Prodigal in season 2 last May, before announcing nine new cast additions for The Sandman's final season in July 2024.

Why is The Sandman ending after two seasons?

The Sandman season 2 will be the show's final installment (Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix hasn't provided an official statement about ending The Sandman after two seasons. With so much source material left to adapt, general audiences might be bemused by the best streaming service's decision to do so.

Anyone who's kept up with the news over the last year, however, will have an idea about why the high fantasy series is prematurely ending – and it's all to do with Gaiman.

In July 2024, the award-winning writer was accused of sexual assault and abuse by five women on a Tortoise Media podcast called 'Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman'. Since then, more allegations, some of which date back to 1986, have come to light about Gaiman's behavior and include his alleged involvement in human trafficking. As of February 2025, three federal lawsuits have been brought against the author, too.

Gaiman has strenuously denied all of the accusations made against him. Nonetheless, live-action adaptations of his works have been impacted since he was accused of the aforementioned crimes. That includes the third season of Good Omens, the popular Prime Video TV show, which Gaiman is no longer involved in and has since been turned into a 90-minute movie.

As I wrote earlier, it's unclear if Netflix is bringing its retelling of The Sandman to an end because of what's been outlined above. One thing is certain, though: The Sandman won't get another outing on Netflix.

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• Samsung's first RGB micro-LED TV will be 115 inches
• It may be the only model this year, although smaller models will follow
• The tech is also due this year from Hisense

Samsung's next TV is a big deal: it'll use an RGB backlight, which looks set to be the next key technology in high-end televisions.

Unfortunately, the TV is going to be big in two other respects: it'll be a 115-inch model, too big for many homes, and it'll come with a big price tag that'll make it unaffordable for many too.

We've covered Samsung's RGB LED TV plans before: the firm showed off an 8K RGB micro-LED TV at CES 2025. That was a 98-inch model but Samsung said at the time that the actual product might be differently sized… though we weren't expecting it to be larger.

The news comes via trade site The Elec, which says that the RGB micro-LED TV tech will be used in an "ultra premium lineup", with more models appearing after the 115-inch TV makes its debut this year.

(Image credit: Future) Why this big TV will be a big deal

This isn't a traditional micro-LED TV. That tech works like OLED, in that each pixel generates its own light. Samsung's RGB micro-LED moniker is for TVs that use a backlight and LCD panel just like its QLED TVs – but the backlight can display a wide range of colors, it won't just be one hue, enabling far better color depth and more efficient brightness levels.

Samsung previously told us that by using micro-LED rather than mini-LED backlighting for these sets would deliver "three times more LEDs", which means better brightness and more local dimming zones for more precise control. However, it would suggest that we're not really talking about LEDs that are truly in line with micro-LED.

Still, the TechRadar team has seen this type of TV in the flesh, and we're very excited about the technology: while the first TVs to use it will have huge price tags, mini-LED has plummeted in price and micro-LED is likely to do the same.

Hisense has announced that its first RGB backlit model will arrive this year, and will be 116 inches, so will probably also have a huge price tag. TCL has also confirmed plans to release a TV with this tech in 2026.

We've been told that the tech will generally not cost much more than current mini-LED backlit TVs… but not if it's stuck at over 100 inches, where every TV is super-expensive. We'll have to see if sizes can come down to something more realistic next year – otherwise, current budget mini-LED tech will remain dominant for a while.

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• Almost all enterprise mobile apps come with security risks, experts warn
• Most frequent flaws include misconfigured cloud storage, hardcoded credentials, or outdated cryptography
• Zimperium shares its advice on how to stay safe

If your business is using mobile apps, there is a good chance those apps are leaking sensitive information and putting your entire operation at risk of data breaches, loss of trust, regulatory fines, and a whole swathe of other headaches.

Cybersecurity researchers Zimperium analyzed more than 17,000 enterprise mobile apps, and revealed many carry vulnerabilities such as misconfigured cloud storage, hardcoded credentials, or outdated cryptography, and while these are not tied to a particular platform, there were significantly more iOS apps vulnerable (11,626 on iOS compared to 6037 on Android).

Breaking the numbers down, the researchers found 83 Android apps with misconfigured or otherwise unprotected cloud storage, and 10 Android apps with exposed AWS credentials.

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Spoofing SharePoint

Almost all of the analyzed apps used weak or flawed cryptography, and five of the top 100 apps had high-severity cryptographic flaws. Others, also from the top 100, had storage directories exposed to the public.

“Our research found that 88% of all apps and 43% of the top 100 use one or more cryptographic methods that don't follow best practices,” the researchers said. “In some cases - high-severity cryptography flaws.”

To avoid these risks, Zimperium suggests that every company’s mobile device fleet manager gains visibility into app behavior patterns. That way, they’ll be able to identify misconfigured cloud storage settings, detect exposed credentials and API keys, and evaluate cloud service integration security.

Furthermore, they should validate encryption methods and key management, identify outdated or weak algorithms, assess security of integrated cloud SDKs, validate third-party cryptographic implementations, and monitor for known vulnerabilities.

“We cannot change the apps, but we can choose which apps we allow to ensure our data’s security,” they concluded.

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• Independent testing lab confirms Saily’s ad blocker reduces mobile data usage by 28.6%
• The ad blocker blocks ads and trackers at the network level using DNS filtering
• Test showed Saily used less data than four other eSIM providers across 22 websites

While using an eSIM for international travel, users often end up paying for mobile data consumed by ads they neither want nor understand.

However, new testing found Saily's ad blocker feature blocks ads at the network level. Powered by NordVPN's threat protection, the ad blocker feature applies DNS filtering to block ads and prevents websites from loading malicious ads.

The test was carried independently by West Coast Labs across 22 global websites spanning gaming, shopping, travel, and entertainment - with results showing a 28.6% reduction in data usage with Saily.

Built-in security features

Backed by NordVPN, Saily draws on established expertise in security features. When Tech Radar Pro spoke with Saily CEO Vykintas Maknickas, he highlighted how they company building a 'network-level security for travel eSIM connectivity'.

Saily's suite of security features reflects a broader industry shift towards a low-cost and safe solution for travel.

As the demand for eSIMs continues to rise, providers like Saily are setting themselves apart from other players by creating an all-around travel service.

Other security features like web protection and virtual location are built at the network level and are readily available with the eSIM, provided they are enabled in the Saily app.

“While traveling abroad, users are often exposed to ads in local languages they do not even understand. They pay to see this irrelevant content by buying and using their mobile data," Maknickas added.

Comparisons were also made with the industry average of data usage and compared with four other eSIM providers - Saily, with the ad blocker enabled, used less data on every website.

"A web-browsing user with a 5 GB plan could expect 1.43 GB of data savings. With these savings, the cost per gigabyte becomes lower too, which is a fair deal from the perspective of the consumer,” Maknickas added.

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• Vantrue updates its mini E1 with 4K video and a 158-degree lens
• 'PlatePix' tech enhances the clarity of crucial details such as license plates
• It's also equipped with GPS and voice control features, plus Vantrue's app

Vantrue has unveiled the latest version of its compact E1 series of dash cams, the E1 Pro, and it's equipped with a feature that makes perfect sense for a dash cam – enhanced license plate recognition.

The latest model, which already features more detailed 4K video than the original model, uses Vantrue's 'PlatePix' software to improve the clarity of the details that matter most for dash cam footage, namely license plates of the cars around you.

Combined with a bright f/1.8 aperture lens, circular polarizer filter (included), 158-degree wide-angle perspective and Vantrue's Night Vision mode, the E1 Pro's PlatePix tech should deliver some of the clearest video footage of crucial details both day and night.

The cherry on the cake is the competitive price of the GPS-equipped E1 Pro; $149.99 / £129.99 at Amazon, with $20 / £20 discounts available at the time of writing.

(Image credit: Vantrue) The new budget dash cam to beat?

Vantrue has been in the dash cam game for 10 years now, consistently delivering solid products that score well in our in-depth reviews, including the original E1. Its latest model could cement the company's reputation in this space.

The E1 Pro looks like a solid update of the E1, delivering higher resolution video and a raft of improvements, all in a compact and affordable package.

There's 4K video up to 30fps that can be enhanced using Vantrue's PlatePix tech, to make crucial details clearer. Vantrue describes the output as "4K HDR video that is 50% clearer than standard 4K HDR."

We also get the latest Sony Starvis 2 sensor utilized by most of the best dash cams, a bright f/1.8 aperture lens, wider-than-most 158 degree perspective, and seemingly decent image quality in low light through the Night Vision mode. All videos can also be tagged with GPS data.

Vantrue includes a circular polarizer filter with the E1 Pro – it's the most effective tool for cutting out reflections that could otherwise obscure crucial details, including from your own windscreen.

5G Wi-Fi should enable quick image uploads and reliable voice command support, while a 'Buffered Parking Mode' can record 15 seconds before and 30 seconds after motion is detected, though you'll need a hardwire kit for this feature.

This all sounds very impressive for a dash cam that's currently available for $129.99 at Amazon US (applying a $20 voucher at check out), or £109.99 at Amazon UK (applying a £20 voucher). The E1 Pro with hardwire kit is available via that same link, for only a little extra.

We're currently reviewing the E1 Pro and will share our verdict soon, but based on its specs alone, you'll struggle to find a better dash cam for the money. Our in-depth testing will reveal if the E1 Pro delivers for real world use.

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Cyber extortion continues to be a persistent threat to the cybersecurity landscape. Our latest Cy-Xplorer reveals a significant year-on-year increase in the number of victims in 2024 - 77% year-on-year. While some industries, including manufacturing, healthcare and professional services, found themselves in the firing line most frequently, few industries could consider themselves safe.

While these are sophisticated attacks, in our experience, the best ways to secure an organization against them are less complex and more comprehensive. While many businesses may be looking to AI and large language models (LLMs) as a panacea for all cybersecurity ills, most organizations would benefit from more fundamental changes to their security posture.

AI: A double-edged sword

Generative AI is the technology topic de jour and has already proven to be a powerful tool for both bad actors and cybersecurity professionals. On the threat side, we’ve already seen state-sponsored threat actors often use generative AI to craft more convincing phishing attacks through voice emulation and deepfakes. For cybersecurity professionals, AI can bolster defenses by streamlining threat detection, incident response, and risk management.

Despite the seemingly fast-advancing technology, AI should not be used as a shortcut to robust security protocols. The technology is still nascent, and the economics are still to be worked out. Many organizations have yet to get a handle on AI and where it sits within their technology infrastructure. AI applications can be another attack vector to company servers for bad actors, especially when they don’t adhere to company policies.

This is not to say that AI holds no value for security - far from it - but businesses should not rush into an AI-driven security strategy without first having a strong security posture to build upon. This includes having processes on what systems AI applications are connected to and educating employees on appropriate use cases for AI. In the near term, relying on more classical threat intelligence and pentesting processes will prove the most effective strategies for mitigating risk.

Security starts with culture

It’s always been the case that the weakest link in the security chain has been people, and our latest Security Navigator report reaffirms this point - 37% of cyber incidents in organizations originate internally. As much as we might wish to be able to claim there is a silver bullet to cybersecurity, the truth is that, even in a world of growing cyber threats, no amount of technology will protect your business if your staff aren’t trained in recognizing cyber extortion, social engineering and other cyber threats, and how best to avoid or report them.

Mitigating risks requires integrating security awareness into employees’ daily routines, whether they’re full-time contractors, partners, or suppliers. Continuous training from the likes of CSOs, CIOs, and external experts must solidify this awareness.

There will almost certainly be resistance to these kinds of approaches. Why, after all, should this be the responsibility of your non-cybersecurity employees? To win over naysayers, security leaders must clearly demonstrate the consequences of inadequate security measures and effectively communicate their security strategy across the organization to secure employee buy-in in every function.

Defining cybersecurity success

While strengthening security posture and mitigating risk should always be the core targets, security teams must have realistic goals and targets for cybersecurity success. While a zero per cent incident rate would be ideal - is it realistic? In a landscape of increasingly sophisticated and varied threats, we’d say it isn’t.

Consider more achievable and appropriate targets for your business. One would be reducing incidents, and tracking and reducing the time between detection, reporting and remediation. Systems being brought down will bring business processes to a screeching halt, so if a system is compromised, how quickly can it be brought back online through backups? Consider what sensitive (and therefore particularly valuable) data the company holds - how can security strategy reduce the risk of unauthorized access to that data in particular?

Increasing resilience is a marathon, not a sprint, and no system is impenetrable. Set realistic milestones and goals based on data sensitivity and business responsibility, then build on that posture over weeks, months and years.

People, process and technology alignment

The idea that one technology, or even a suite of technologies, no matter how advanced, is the recipe for robust cybersecurity is a fanciful and risky position to hold. If internal standards around education and processes slip due to an over-reliance on technology, severe system compromises from bad actors are inevitable.

As the threat landscape evolves, security must not be a static barrier. It, too, must change to meet new threats by aligning well-informed people following strong processes supported by technology.

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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

• Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode will feature open-world challenges
• Players will be able to find 'P' switches in the world that will activate challenges
• Collectible Peach Medallions and other hidden features can also be discovered

Nintendo has confirmed that Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode will feature challenges and collectibles.

During the Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct today, we were treated to an over 15-minute showcase of the upcoming Switch 2 launch title, offering a new look at new maps and courses, the Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, new tricks, and Free Roam mode.

Nintendo revealed Free Roam mode during the Switch 2 Direct earlier this month. It will allow players to drive freely around the game's multiple maps, but in today's broadcast, it was revealed that the open world won't be as empty as I initially thought.

While driving through the world, players can come across challenges and missions. In the footage, it's said that players can find 'hundreds' of 'P' switches that will activate challenges, with one that tasks you to grind across rails to collect blue coins on the 'Slackline course'.

It also looks like there will be timed races, as well as collectible Peach Medallions scattered around the world, hidden panels, and more.

It makes me wonder if Nintendo will offer additional challenges post-launch, perhaps in the form of downloadable content (DLC) or content patches.

Mario Kart World will launch the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, for $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.

Pre-orders are now live in the UK, but US pre-orders and Canadian pre-orders have been delayed as Nintendo assesses the potential impact of tariffs.

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(Image credit: Andrew Schneider)

• Galaxy Buds FE 2 filings have been spotted in the US (FCC) and India (BIS)
• According to the FCC certification, 'Galaxy Buds Core' could be their name
• Details in the FCC filing even suggest dual-band Wi-Fi (up to 5.8 GHz)

We'd read reports of a fresh set of Galaxy earbuds in 'advanced development', but now they've actually been spotted – on two official certification sites. But is it just a case of another day, another set of affordable earbuds spotted in the wild?

Well, no, because a) September 2023 was a long time ago and that's when the inaugural (and honestly disappointing) Samsung Galaxy Buds FE launched, and b) the US listing mentions dual-band Wi-Fi up to 5.8 GHz.

If true (and as spotted by 91 Mobiles, many thanks for that), that would bring Samsung's typically cheaper-than-Pro 'Fan Edition' buds up in line with Xiaomi's Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi – which can be yours for a cool $239 / £189 / AU$385 (or thereabouts).

But Samsung's original Buds FE sold for just $99 / £99 / AU$149, so surely not? Then again, when 'Fan Edition' has come to mean anything that'll play especially nice with your Samsung Galaxy phone and ecosystem, much not much else, it would certainly fit the bill. For clarity, Xiaomi's list of compatible smartphone source devices for its Wi-Fi toting buds is currently limited to its own Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra so buying a smartphone from another manufacturer after buying Xiaomi buds? Strongly discouraged.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE 2: what we know so far

The Buds FE will soon be updated with a new model – but Wi-Fi? (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

We have not one but two credible Galaxy Buds FE 2 or 'Buds Core' sources now: the Bureau of India Standards (BIS), as spotted by SamMobile, and the Federal Communications Commission (an independent US government agency, usually referred to as the FCC).

Although we can't see any design or pricing specs, the model name is still SM-R410, which ties up with previous reports pertaining to the Buds FE 2. That said, the marketing name on the FCC listing is 'Samsung Galaxy Buds Core'. A new naming strategy for Samsung? We'll wait and see – but whatever the moniker, they'll almost certainly be successors to the entry-level Buds FE.

Specs in the FCC filing suggest a 200mAh battery in the buds with a charging case that houses a 500mAh power pack. Given that the original Galaxy Buds FE's case carried a 479mAh battery (to boast a maximum 30-hour playtime with the buds) it's a nice update – particularly when you consider that in Xiaomi's recent two-strong Buds Pro 5 release, the buds boasting Wi-Fi support actually carried a better battery life claim than the regular Bluetooth set.

That's right! Crucially, the US listing also mentions connectivity dual-band Wi-Fi (up to 5.8 GHz frequency) and because the older September 2023-issue siblings carried 5.2, we'd expect Bluetooth 5.3 at least at this point.

Will they arrive alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 at Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event – which we'd expect to happen some time in July? It's impossible to be sure, but right now it certainly looks like it.

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The past 12 months have seen remarkable advances in AI coding capabilities. To offer some perspective, there’s a benchmark that measures performance on 500 real-world engineering problems derived from real world software projects. Early last year, state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) solved only about 4% of these issues. With this momentum in AI coding agents now drawing significant media attention, I’m asked more frequently: “Will this affect software engineering jobs?”

The tipping point in writing this article was a conversation with a prospective investor who wondered whether his child should continue pursuing an interest in computer science. In true engineering style, I’ll begin with a succinct “TL;DR” (too long; didn’t read) summary and then elaborate in detail below:

TL;DR

- “Indeed says engineering jobs are 70% down.” This is misleading.

- “AI will never fix a bug for me.” Time to wake up.

- “AI will change software jobs.” Absolutely.

- “AI will dramatically reduce the number of software jobs in the near future.” Almost certainly not.

- “Is it still worth learning computer science?” More than ever.

If I’ve still got your attention, let’s dive in.

Misreading the Indeed data

It’s true that software development postings on Indeed have dropped below their pre-pandemic baseline by 29%, and many people are blaming AI. However, here’s an inside secret for anyone outside the recruiting and software engineering circles: hiring for highly paid professionals (and many software developers fall into that category) is simply moving away from Indeed. I’ve hired hundreds of engineers over the course of my career, and I can’t recall the last time I posted a software engineering job on Indeed. It’s been years.

For context, consider that “Education & Instruction” job postings are up 46.8% on Indeed over the same period. Do we attribute that to AI magically creating 50% more demand for educators? Hardly. Until we see data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics or another official source, I’m inclined to classify any direct correlation between Indeed’s dip in engineering listings and AI as a “spurious correlation.”

The tech sector experienced a massive spike during the pandemic, followed by a significant correction that resulted in layoffs and hiring freezes. That had little to do with AI; if anything, AI might be reinvigorating the tech market by attracting new capital and creating specialized jobs.

The evolving landscape of AI coding tools

On the flip side, some individuals remain stuck in a world where “coding assistant” equals GitHub Copilot circa 2022. They’ve grown disenchanted with the market, and I can’t blame them. From overly optimistic claims of “25% productivity boosts” to confusing benchmarks focused on programming Olympiad tasks, AI capabilities can be both overhyped and misunderstood. AI is nuanced; it can perform astonishingly well on one task while failing spectacularly on a similar one.

Keep in mind that Olympiad programming tasks are not reflective of day-to-day software engineering. That’s akin to comparing a Certified Public Accountant’s responsibilities with the role of a company’s founding entrepreneur—they’re wholly different. So the next time you hear that a model “beat a human champion” in a programming competition, don’t assume you can hand it your “Instagram-killer” app and watch it code effortlessly. That said, we’re also not in Kansas anymore. It’s no longer 2022, and GitHub Copilot isn’t the leading edge of coding assistance.

Let me use a simile: have you tried doing legal research with the original ChatGPT? Now compare that experience to using the latest ChatGPT Professional. I have, and my personal conclusion—not legal advice, your mileage may vary—is that while I wouldn’t have used the original model for serious legal research, the newer version impressed me enough to recommend it to my attorney.

The same progression applies to coding assistants. They’re evolving from neat-but-limited tools into powerful agents that can shoulder simple tasks while you stay in the driver’s seat. And as rapid as the last 12 months of progress have been, the next 12 promise to be even more transformative. There are still multiple levers in AI software agents that the industry has yet to pull—so stay tuned.

Unlocking value for businesses and developers

This brings me to how AI coding agents can unlock tremendous value for both software engineers and their companies. Recent breakthroughs in agentic AI are driving a generational shift in coding assistance. These tools now tap into a much deeper contextual awareness, scanning entire codebases to suggest, test, and fix solutions aligned with bigger project goals.

For businesses, this translates to delivering sophisticated applications more quickly, adapting to market shifts in real-time, and expanding the boundaries of what’s possible. For developers, AI coding assistants eliminate the drudgery of repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing them to focus on creativity, innovation, and strategic problem-solving.

Will this reduce the number of software jobs?

So, if AI handles more routine work, does that mean we’ll need fewer engineers? I don’t think so. Over my career, I’ve seen more than a tenfold jump in engineering productivity, thanks to modern programming languages, open-source libraries, and cloud infrastructure.

And that’s on top of another tenfold improvement before I even entered the field. Innovation is the hallmark of technology jobs. The more powerful our tools become, the more room there is for creativity and value creation. That value translates into greater demand in the job market, not less. Our collective drive toward progress is our best job security.

The future of Computer Science education

Finally, let’s talk about learning computer science. The programming languages, libraries, and tools I use today are entirely different from those I studied in school. Yet that education remains the bedrock of my career. The next generation of computer scientists will be more resourceful, more collaborative, and more powerful than ever before.

Universities will adapt their curricula to meet industry needs, and hands-on experiences—like internships and open-source capstone projects—will help students build real-world skills that position them for success. AI will enhance their capabilities, not render them obsolete.

Conclusion

AI coding agents are evolving at breakneck speed, but they’re far from making software engineers obsolete. Instead, they promise to enhance developer productivity and creativity, leading to new opportunities for innovation. And for anyone wondering whether to invest time and effort in a computer science education: there has never been a better moment to do so.

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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