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President Trump lashed out at Powell for not acting sooner to lower interest rates. The president's own tariffs make that more difficult, by putting upward pressure on prices.

(Image credit: Vincent Alban)

• Two iOS flaws have been patched by Apple
• The issues could have allowed hackers to carry out targeted attacks
• Geopolitical tensions have meant a rise in state-sponsored attacks

A new iOS software update has been released to patch two security flaws that, when exploited, allowed cybercriminals to hack specific target devices in an “extremely sophisticated attack”, Apple has confirmed.

The vulnerabilities are in CoreAudio and RPAC, and affected iOS, tvOS, visionOS, and iPadOS - and were discovered by Apple and the Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG).

It’s not yet been confirmed how many times these flaws were deployed, or against whom, but Google TAG’s focus is working to “counter government-backed hacking and attacks against Google and our users,” suggesting the exploits were used by nation-state actors, or at least involved in some way.

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Unknown victims

Adam Boynton, Senior Security Strategy Manager EMEIA at Jamf, toldTechRadar Pro the first vulnerability addressed was an “actively exploited CoreMedia flaw that could have allowed malicious code execution through the processing of a media file,” and that Apple has mitigated this by “implementing improved bounds checking.”

The second vulnerability fixed by Apple could allow attackers with read or write access to sidestep Pointer Authentication, which, Boynton told us, is “a security mechanism designed to resist memory disclosure attacks—bypassing it gives an attacker the opportunity to launch attacks and access to parts of the device’s memory.”

“With the security fixes in iOS 18.4.1 addressing two zero-day vulnerabilities, it is essential that all users immediately update their Apple devices,” Boynton.

“The fact that these two vulnerabilities are extremely sophisticated to exploit explains why Apple has only observed attacks against specific, targeted individuals. However, the limited scope of these attacks should not deter users from updating their devices promptly.”

Almost half of UK businesses report an “increasing number” of state-sponsored threat actors in the last 12 months, and elevated geopolitical tensions make for a hostile cybersecurity landscape. Patching known security flaws is a first line of defence for all users, and should be a priority for all security teams.

You might also like

• Take a look at our picks for the best antirvirus around
• Why no business is safe from state-sponsored cyber attacks
• China admits behind closed doors it was involved in Volt Typhoon attacks

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, April 17 (game #1179).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1180) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

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

Quordle today (game #1180) - 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 #1180) - 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 #1180) - 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 #1180) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• G

• B

• P

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

Quordle today (game #1180) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1180, are…

• DEBUT
• GLADE
• BASTE
• PESTO

This is the closest I’ve come to a failure for a while. My downfall was the three attempts it took me to get BASTE. Fortunately, one of my wrong guesses led me to getting PESTO.

A tricky day, I hope you got through it quicker than I did.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1180) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1180, are…

• SLING
• POSER
• UNFED
• GRIND

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURT
• Quordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUT
• Quordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAY
• Quordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCE
• Quordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOP
• Quordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THING
• Quordle #1173, Friday 11 April: FOLLY, PITHY, SCOWL, CURLY
• Quordle #1172, Thursday 10 April: LEAST, SEWER, UNTIE, NOOSE
• Quordle #1171, Wednesday 9 April: LITHE, LEFTY, KNOLL, MULCH
• Quordle #1170, Tuesday 8 April: WIDTH, VISOR, MEDAL, BROOK
• Quordle #1169, Monday 7 April: BROTH, SHOUT, BRUTE, CABIN
• Quordle #1168, Sunday 6 April: AMBER, GAUZE, STORE, SLICK
• Quordle #1167, Saturday 5 April: GUSTY, VAULT, WHINE, BEGAT
• Quordle #1166, Friday 4 April: OAKEN, LOOPY, CURIO, BUTTE
• Quordle #1165, Thursday 3 April: ASCOT, JETTY, DRUNK, JOLLY
• Quordle #1164, Wednesday 2 April: INDEX, QUEEN, INCUR, STOLE
• Quordle #1163, Tuesday 1 April: HUMUS, BALMY, WORRY, ERECT
• Quordle #1162, Monday 31 March: RECUT, MOODY, WHERE, BRACE
• Quordle #1161, Sunday 30 March: CRIME, DRINK, CLOVE, TRUER
• Quordle #1160, Saturday 29 March: LATER, ODDLY, CUMIN, AGREE

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, April 17 (game #410).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… On the board

NYT Strands today (game #411) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• MILE 
• POSH
• GAME
• CHEERS
• THINK
• CHEEK

NYT Strands today (game #411) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #411) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: right, 3rd row

Last side: left, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #411) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #411, are…

• TILE
• DOMINO
• TOKEN
• CHECKER
• KNIGHT
• BATTLESHIP
• SPANGRAM: GAME PIECES

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 hint

The hint I used to get me going today wasn’t really much help, as TILE could have just as easily applied to things you can attach to a board.

Then I saw DOMINO hiding in plain sight and the remainder was a straightforward mission looking for GAME PIECES – closer to playing Connect Four against a cat than sinking a BATTLESHIP.

I love a board game and I’m happy to play the loser, while I’m learning all the rules and moves.

Sometimes, like with backgammon and chess, that’s a process that’s lasted years. I like to think I’ve ascended beyond competitiveness to a zen-like state of gamesmanship. But then I'll actually win a game and turn into a 12-year-old brat asking their opponent how they like them apples. Boo-ya.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, 17 April, game #410)

• RING
• AVIATOR
• SHINING
• GOONIES
• GODFATHER
• GRADUATE
• SPANGRAM: TITLES

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

There's only one more day to snap up a discounted Apple TV+ subscription. The current deal on one of the best streaming services lets you get Apple TV+ for three months for only $2.99 in the US, £2.99 in the UK and AU$3.99 in Australia, marking an incredible 70% off the usual price of a subscription.

The offer ends tomorrow on April 24, and applies to both new and returning customers. And if you do snap it up – which you absolutely should – there are five TV shows that should be at the top of your streaming list.

When it comes to the best Apple TV+ shows, its hit sci-fi series Severance is an obvious choice – make sure to read our Severance season 2 review and Severance season 3 guide for more news about its next installment when you're done.

But there's a whole range of shows alongside Severance that are on my radar, spanning dramas, comedies, and thrillers.

Apple TV+ 3-month subscription: was $9.99 a month now $2.99 at Apple
We don't often see streaming deals for Apple TV+, so we wouldn't wait to snap up this great offer before it expires on April 24. This limited-time Apple TV+ deal brings down the usual three-month price of a subscription to the service to just $8.97, representing a massive 70% saving. There is a catch though: you can't have been a subscriber in the last month, but if that's not you then you're good to sign up.View Deal

The Studio

• RT score: 96%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~44 minute episodes
• Creators: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Frida Perez

A satirical comedy show that criticises the entertainment industry? Sign me up. A recent addition to Apple TV+'s library of titles, The Studio has already proved itself to be a staple on the platform and has been well received by audiences. With its strong main cast and list of self-starring guests, The Studio sits at the top of my list.

Film production company Continental Studios finds itself struggling to keep up with rapidly changing tastes, and as a result it appoints a new studio head Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) to keep the business afloat. Remick discovers that his job is much more difficult than anticipated, and must save the studio from floundering by keeping up with ongoing social and economic changes.

Disclaimer

• RT score: 76%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~55 minute episodes
• Director: Alfonso Cuarón 

I thoroughly enjoyed Todd Field's psychological drama Tár (2022), and I loved Cate Blanchett even more. This miniseries from Alfonso Cuarón, who directed Children of Men (2006) and Gravity (2013) seems to offer a similar premise and tone to Field's movie, and can easily be binged with this three-month Apple TV+ offer.

Celebrated documentary journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett) has made a career out of exposing the private lives and wrongdoings of others, but the tables are turned when she receives a novel from a mystery author and discovers that she is the main character in a story that reveals her darkest and deepest secrets. To protect herself she attempts to find discover identity of the mystery author, but in doing so she must come face-to-face with her past.

It's pretty much Tár 2.0 the remix, with an even darker spin on the theme of cancel culture.

Ted Lasso

• RT critics score: 90%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~29 minute episodes
• Developers: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly

Ted Lasso is by far one of the most popular shows on Apple TV+, so it would feel like a wasted opportunity to not tick this off my watchlist in the next three months. Not only does its high Rotten Tomatoes scores from both critics and audiences show that it's been well received, but its numerous Emmy nominations and wins are the icing on the cake.

US college football coach Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is recruited to help a British Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond, even though he has no experience in the sport. After gaining ownership of the team following a divorce, owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) hires Ted in that hope that it will lead to the team's downfall, which wouild devastate her ex-husband. But to everyone's surprise, Ted's attitude and personality grows on Rebecca and the rest of the team.

Lessons in Chemistry

• RT score: 83%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~41 minute episodes
• Creator: Lee Eisenberg

Lessons in Chemistry is another miniseries that's ideal for bingeing if you just want to sample the best of Apple TV+ for three months. There are only eight episodes, and whole lot of Brie Larson – my main reason for watching.

Based on the book by Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry is a historical drama set in the 1960s and follows aspiring scientist Elizabeth Zott (Larson) who finds it challenging to reach her goals because of the societal attitudes of the time. After being fired from her job as a lab tech she's presented with a hosting job on a cooking show called Supper at Six, educating housewives on scientific topics. But Elizabeth sees this as the perfect opportunity to teach the entire nation, including men, a lesson that's more than just new recipes.

Pachinko

• RT score: 97%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~47 minute episodes
• Creator: Soo Hugh

Pachinko is an Apple TV+ shows I've only recently come across, and although I've never been drawn to stories that take place over several generations but this show sounds like a powerful and moving account of a family in search of a better life.

Premiering in 2022, Pachinko follows a Korean family between 1915 and 1989. In the early 1930s, Kim Sunja (Kim Min-ha & Youn Yuh-jung) who leaves her family in Japanese-dominated Korea to start a new life in Japan where she finds herself the target of further discrimination as a Korean woman. In an epic search to make a better life for herself, Pachinko highlights the issues of racism and stereotyping in the Korean experience of Japan in the 20th century.

You might also like

• Apple TV’s new Android app just got two great updates, but it’s still missing a big feature
• 10 new Apple TV+ shows and movies are coming in mid-2025 – here are the 3 I'll be streaming on my Apple TV 4K
• Everything new on Apple TV+ in April 2025: The Studio, Your Friends and Neighbors, Government Cheese, and more

There's only one more day to snap up a discounted Apple TV+ subscription. The current deal on one of the best streaming services lets you get Apple TV+ for three months for only $2.99 in the US, £2.99 in the UK and AU$3.99 in Australia, marking an incredible 70% off the usual price of a subscription.

The offer ends tomorrow on April 24, and applies to both new and returning customers. And if you do snap it up – which you absolutely should – there are five TV shows that should be at the top of your streaming list.

When it comes to the best Apple TV+ shows, its hit sci-fi series Severance is an obvious choice – make sure to read our Severance season 2 review and Severance season 3 guide for more news about its next installment when you're done.

But there's a whole range of shows alongside Severance that are on my radar, spanning dramas, comedies, and thrillers.

Apple TV+ 3-month subscription: was $9.99 a month now $2.99 at Apple
We don't often see streaming deals for Apple TV+, so we wouldn't wait to snap up this great offer before it expires on April 24. This limited-time Apple TV+ deal brings down the usual three-month price of a subscription to the service to just $8.97, representing a massive 70% saving. There is a catch though: you can't have been a subscriber in the last month, but if that's not you then you're good to sign up.View Deal

The Studio

• RT score: 96%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~44 minute episodes
• Creators: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Frida Perez

A satirical comedy show that criticises the entertainment industry? Sign me up. A recent addition to Apple TV+'s library of titles, The Studio has already proved itself to be a staple on the platform and has been well received by audiences. With its strong main cast and list of self-starring guests, The Studio sits at the top of my list.

Film production company Continental Studios finds itself struggling to keep up with rapidly changing tastes, and as a result it appoints a new studio head Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) to keep the business afloat. Remick discovers that his job is much more difficult than anticipated, and must save the studio from floundering by keeping up with ongoing social and economic changes.

Disclaimer

• RT score: 76%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~55 minute episodes
• Director: Alfonso Cuarón 

I thoroughly enjoyed Todd Field's psychological drama Tár (2022), and I loved Cate Blanchett even more. This miniseries from Alfonso Cuarón, who directed Children of Men (2006) and Gravity (2013) seems to offer a similar premise and tone to Field's movie, and can easily be binged with this three-month Apple TV+ offer.

Celebrated documentary journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett) has made a career out of exposing the private lives and wrongdoings of others, but the tables are turned when she receives a novel from a mystery author and discovers that she is the main character in a story that reveals her darkest and deepest secrets. To protect herself she attempts to find discover identity of the mystery author, but in doing so she must come face-to-face with her past.

It's pretty much Tár 2.0 the remix, with an even darker spin on the theme of cancel culture.

Ted Lasso

• RT critics score: 90%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~29 minute episodes
• Developers: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly

Ted Lasso is by far one of the most popular shows on Apple TV+, so it would feel like a wasted opportunity to not tick this off my watchlist in the next three months. Not only does its high Rotten Tomatoes scores from both critics and audiences show that it's been well received, but its numerous Emmy nominations and wins are the icing on the cake.

US college football coach Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is recruited to help a British Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond, even though he has no experience in the sport. After gaining ownership of the team following a divorce, owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) hires Ted in that hope that it will lead to the team's downfall, which wouild devastate her ex-husband. But to everyone's surprise, Ted's attitude and personality grows on Rebecca and the rest of the team.

Lessons in Chemistry

• RT score: 83%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~41 minute episodes
• Creator: Lee Eisenberg

Lessons in Chemistry is another miniseries that's ideal for bingeing if you just want to sample the best of Apple TV+ for three months. There are only eight episodes, and whole lot of Brie Larson – my main reason for watching.

Based on the book by Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry is a historical drama set in the 1960s and follows aspiring scientist Elizabeth Zott (Larson) who finds it challenging to reach her goals because of the societal attitudes of the time. After being fired from her job as a lab tech she's presented with a hosting job on a cooking show called Supper at Six, educating housewives on scientific topics. But Elizabeth sees this as the perfect opportunity to teach the entire nation, including men, a lesson that's more than just new recipes.

Pachinko

• RT score: 97%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~47 minute episodes
• Creator: Soo Hugh

Pachinko is an Apple TV+ shows I've only recently come across, and although I've never been drawn to stories that take place over several generations but this show sounds like a powerful and moving account of a family in search of a better life.

Premiering in 2022, Pachinko follows a Korean family between 1915 and 1989. In the early 1930s, Kim Sunja (Kim Min-ha & Youn Yuh-jung) who leaves her family in Japanese-dominated Korea to start a new life in Japan where she finds herself the target of further discrimination as a Korean woman. In an epic search to make a better life for herself, Pachinko highlights the issues of racism and stereotyping in the Korean experience of Japan in the 20th century.

You might also like

• Apple TV’s new Android app just got two great updates, but it’s still missing a big feature
• 10 new Apple TV+ shows and movies are coming in mid-2025 – here are the 3 I'll be streaming on my Apple TV 4K
• Everything new on Apple TV+ in April 2025: The Studio, Your Friends and Neighbors, Government Cheese, and more

Fitness tech brands: take notes. As a Latina wellness editor and native Puerto Rican, Peloton showed me fitness tech can amplify the culture of the people it hopes to serve.

The new Stylus is bringing some of the bigger AI features we've seen to a much lower price.

I've been reporting on decarbonization and the environmental issues for almost four years. Now I'm choosing to do more than write about it with this free electric coach course.

Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: one-minute review

(Image credit: Future/Ford James)

The Corsair VOID Wireless V2 is, as you'd expect from the name, the second iteration of the VOID Wireless range. It's been over seven years since we reviewed the Corsair VOID Pro RGB Wireless, which is the V2's predecessor, and the original impressed us at the time. I'm happy to report the V2 improves upon pretty much every aspect, and retains the same price point as the first to boot.

This gaming headset aims to be the only audio device you'll need no matter which platform you play on: it's compatible with PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and iOS/Android (sorry, Xbox players).

Thanks to its dual wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, you can link two separate devices simultaneously and switch between them with the press of a button.

There's really very little to complain about with the VOID Wireless V2: the battery life is excellent, allegedly running at approximately 65-70 hours of continuous use, though that's so long I haven't had it run out despite using it for multiple days in a row without charging it.

It's lightweight at just over 300g, and as a result, very comfortable. The sound quality across every platform is fantastic too, especially PC and PS5 thanks to some special features… more on those below.

Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Price and availability

• List price: $119.99 / £99.99 / AU$189
• Cheaper than many premium gaming headsets
• Offers superb value for money

While you can pick up a budget gaming headset for about half the price of the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, it's not going to turn many heads, nor is it likely to be built to last. And the same goes for the other end of the scale: there are plenty of headsets that will cost double, but will you get double the amount of performance from them? It's unlikely, which makes this one of the best value-for-money gaming headsets you'll find.

At $119.99/£99.99, it's cheaper than some of our favorite products on our best wireless gaming headsets and best PC gaming headsets pages, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro.

It's also more than capable of going toe-to-toe with them, and as the flashy new kid on the block thanks to its April 2025 launch, it's likely to be a headset in demand when gifting season rolls around later this year.

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Specs

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Design and features

• Easy to set up and connect
• Clean, sleek design
• Rotatable - but not detachable or retractable - mic

There's no instruction manual or booklet included with the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, but that's because it really doesn't need one. The box contains the headset, USB 3.0 dongle, and USB 3.0-to-USB-C charging cable, and that's it.

Charge the headset, connect the dongle to your device of choice if you're connecting through the 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, and turn on the headset, the two should automatically pair, and you're away.

A USB-C wireless receiver would be ideal too, as we gradually move away from USB 3.0, and it would also enable another connectivity option for devices like a Nintendo Switch or MacBook, but it'd be harsh to criticize it too much for that.

If you're using the VOID Wireless V2 on PC, you should install both the Dolby Access app and the Corsair iCUE software though. The former will detect your headset if it's set to be your primary audio output and allow you to enable Dolby Atmos' Spatial Audio feature, while the latter is essential for customization and getting the most out of your new cans.

You can change the function of the custom button on the headset, such as making it toggle the mute, or have it play/pause music. Meanwhile, on PS5, you can enable the Tempest 3D Audio via the console's sound settings as usual.

The design of the headset itself is sleek. My review unit is mostly white with light grey memory foam padding and a silver adjustable frame to ensure it sits tight on your head. Two skinny RGB lighting strips complete the look, facing the way you're looking. If you use the headset in a remote work meeting, however, be prepared for your colleagues to comment as if you look like you belong in a sci-fi TV series, as happened to me.

The only complaint here is that while the microphone is easy to use and fits in with the profile of the headset itself, it'd be a huge quality-of-life upgrade if it was detachable rather than just rotatable. You can swivel it up to sit vertically, but if it could be removed, the Bluetooth feature would make this suitable for listening to music on the go. As it stands, though, you don't really want to commute with a microphone attached to your headset.

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Performance

• Lightweight and comfortable to wear
• Terrific 3D audio on PC and PS5
• Incredible battery life

Thanks to how light the headset is, combined with the memory foam cushions, I've worn it for hours at a time without feeling any discomfort. It saw me through a solid eight-hour Atomfall session on PS5 while sitting on my sofa, along with a similar length gaming Sunday playing a variety of games on PC.

On the former, it added to the already eerie, post-apocalyptic atmosphere of the British countryside by enhancing the groans of Ferals and the chatter of Outlaws in the area, along with the Tempest 3D Audio helping me pinpoint exactly where enemies were.

Of all the games I tested it with on PC, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is where the impressive audio was most noticeable. Listening for footsteps and gunshots is incredibly important in the first-person shooter game, and they were crystal clear with the VOID Wireless V2.

I also spoke with friends on Discord while using it on both platforms and had feedback that the voice quality was as good as it could be. It also has very good noise cancellation, which really helps with the immersion.

Finally, I'd be remiss not to talk a little more about the battery life. Coming in at around 70 hours, it blows a lot of its competition out of the water. I tried to use it for a number of sessions repeatedly without charging it, in order to get a rough ballpark for how long it lasts against that claimed 70-hour figure, but the light never changed from green to imply the battery was even starting to die.

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) Should you buy the Corsair VOID Wireless V2? Buy it if...

You’re after one of the latest gaming headsets that has it all
Seriously, you're unlikely to find better than this on the market at this price point. It's one of the best examples of a complete product you'll find.

You find other headsets to be too heavy or uncomfortable
This is so light and easy to wear for long periods, if it weren't for how good the noise cancellation is, you'd forget you're wearing it at times.

You want a headset compatible with multiple platforms
It's simple to unplug the USB receiver from one device and plug it into another, without needing to reconnect it. Connecting via Bluetooth is also as simple as pressing the power button on the headset to open up the pairing. Find the headset in the list of Bluetooth devices nearby and voila!

Don't buy it if...

You need a headset for Xbox
Unfortunately, the Corsair VOID Wireless V2 isn't compatible with Xbox consoles. However, Corsair does have other Xbox headset offerings, such as the HS65 Wireless.

You have a premium headset already
Don't get me wrong, this is one of the best headsets I've ever used, but part of that comes due to its value. If you have a $200+ headset already that you're happy with, you don't need to abandon it for this one.

Also consider...

If, despite all this praise, you're still not sold on the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, consider these two other wireless headsets instead, at slightly more expensive price points but similarly feature-laden.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
It's almost double the price, but the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is currently our best-recommended wireless gaming headset. It offers pretty much everything the Corsair VOID Wireless V2 does, but it's also compatible with Xbox consoles. The design of the headset may also be to your personal preference over the VOID.

For more information, check out our full Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
This offering comes at a much steeper cost, but it does have a few additional features to balance it out. It uses a wireless base station for connectivity, which works in a similar way to a USB dongle receiver but means it can be connected to two sources simultaneously, both wirelessly, as opposed to one through Bluetooth. This one also has a fully retractable mic, making it better suited for non-gaming purposes.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) How I tested the Corsair VOID Wireless V2

• Used for nearly four weeks for all my gaming sessions
• Tested with both PS5 and PC games
• Also used it to listen to music while working, in meetings, and on Discord

Prior to getting my hands on the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, my audio device of choice on PC was the Philips Fidelio X3. That is an absolutely phenomenal pair of headphones, but it is not a gaming peripheral. It's made for music, doesn't feature much noise canceling, and doesn't come with a mic, so I also have a Blue Snowball desktop mic to hand. I'll likely continue to use the Fidelio X3 for all music purposes, but the VOID Wireless V2 has taken over every other aspect because of how well-rounded it is.

It's been used for a number of gaming sessions, both long and short, and thanks to the connectivity range, I can walk around my apartment while still talking to friends on Discord. I've played Atomfall and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PS5, along with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Monster Hunter Wilds on my gaming PC.

First reviewed March/April 2025

Read more about how we test

• New "computer use" feature for Copilot Studio gives AI agents more tools
• Agents can now interact directly with apps or websites
• This can help with data entry, analysis, research and much more

Microsoft is giving its Copilot Studio AI platform more autonomy in accessing websites and apps directly - without any human interaction.

The company has revealed a new "computer use" feature for Copilot Studio, which will allow the platform to directly interact with desktop apps and websites alike, such as clicking buttons, selecting menus, and even typing into fields on the screen.

This means companies will be able to build AI agents with a much greater understanding of such systems (essentially anything with a graphical user interface), treating them as if they were tools, allowing for improved functionality across the board.

"Computer use"

(Image credit: Microsoft)

"Copilot Studio is the end-to-end agent platform designed to help organizations achieve their AI and operational goals," Charles Lamanna, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s business & industry Copilot, wrote in a blog post announcing the news.

"We want to empower you to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and drive innovation."

Computer use will allow agents to handle tasks even when there is no API available to connect to the system directly, and can automatically adapt to any changes in the app or website.

Developers can use the tool to build agents across both desktop and browser applications, with Edge, Chrome, and Firefox all included from the launch.

It works in real-time, using built-in reasoning tools to work out solutions to problems independently, so development can continue uninterrupted.

Lamanna laid out several possible scenarios where computer use could prove especially handy for developers, including automating the input of large volumes of data from various sources into a centralized system, carrying out widespread market research from various online sources, and processing invoices much faster and more accurately than before.

As the tool runs on Microsoft-hosted infrastructure, users don’t need to manage their own servers, and it includes Copilot Studio’s existing security measures and governance frameworks to help ensure compliance with industry standards.

The launch, which will see more attention at Microsoft Build in May 2025, follows a similar announcement of "Actions" in the commercial version of Copilot recently. This system allows for background completion of tasks such as making restaurant reservations, booking event tickets, and purchasing items from online stores.

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Spectrum leads the internet options in the Roscommon area, but there are several alternatives if you want options other than Spectrum.

• The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max has contactless entry via palm recognition
• It doubles as a video doorbell with 2K footage and AI intruder detection
• Footage can be stored either locally, or in the cloud with a subscription

Eufy – the company behind some of the best video doorbells we've tested here at TechRadar – has released a new smart lock with palm recognition for touch-free entry. The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max, which launched today, also has an external camera that offers wide-angle 2K video, plus built-in AI to alert you when a visitor approaches your door – welcome or not.

Eufy was one of the first companies to launch a smart lock with palm-recognition (the other big name being Philips with its 5000 Series Video Palm Recognition Smart Lock), and it has several advantages over fingerprint scanners, which are a more common option for keyless entry.

Palm recognition works by detecting the unique pattern of blood vessels in your hand, and comparing this with a database of authorized images. In the case of the FamiLock S3 Max, this data is stored locally to protect it from potential security breaches. This means it can be opened without physical contact, and its accuracy isn't affected by skin conditions, sweat, or dirt.

Palm recognition also uses more data points than a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition, making it more accurate and much harder to deceive.

(Image credit: Eufy) Who's there?

The FamiLock S3 Max also functions as a video doorbell, so there's no need for two separate devices. It has a 2K camera and a 140-degree field of vision both vertically and horizonally (the same as higher-end Ring video doorbells), giving you a head-to-toe view of visitors, plus packages left on your doorstep.

You'll receive an alert on your phone when someone rings, and the lock's software includes person-detection that can let you know if someone is loitering on your property.

Video footage can be saved in the cloud with a paid-for subscription, or locally with a Eufy HomeBase 3 encrypted external hard drive.

We're currently testing the Eufy FamiLock S3 Max to see how it compares with the best smart locks from other brands, and will bring you a full review very soon. It's available to buy now direct from Eufy and from Amazon for $399.99 (about £300 / AU$630).

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Local libraries are helping to bridge the broadband gap by getting communities online. But federal funding is under threat.

Trump's administration is exploring ways to detain U.S. citizens involved in criminal activity and send them to Salvadoran prisons. And, Trump's tariffs lead Americans to splurge before they hit.

(Image credit: Win McNamee)

• Landmark Admin suffered a ransomware attack in May 2024
• It was initially believed around 800,000 people were affected
• New investigation determined more than 1.6 million victims

More than 1.6 million people are now thought to have been affected by the May 2024 cyberattack at Landmark Admin, twice as many as originally thought.

The company confirmed the news in an updated report filed with the Office of the Maine Attorney General.

“The forensic investigation determined that data was encrypted and exfiltrated from Landmark’s system,” the company said. “However, there was insufficient evidence available to identify which files had been compromised. The unauthorized activity occurred between May 13, 2024, and June 17, 2024.”

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Ransomware attacks

Landmark Admin is a third-party administrator (TPA) specializing in administrative support services for life insurance and annuity companies.

In late October 2024, the company reported suffering a serious ransomware attack in which threat actors also stole sensitive customer data, with the attack allegedly the work of a ransomware operator called Abyss.

Following the breach, Landmark Admin shut down its IT systems and remote access to its network to contain the effects, and brought in third-party security experts, who found the personal information of 806,519 people had been stolen.

In a data breach notification letter sent to affected customers, Landmark Admin said that the information stolen included people’s full names, addresses, Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, driver’s license numbers, state-issued ID card numbers, passport numbers, financial account numbers, medical information, dates of birth, health insurance policy numbers, and life annuity policy information.

The information stolen varied from individual to individual, and since the information stolen is highly sensitive, users were advised to be extra vigilant for potential phishing attacks, social engineering, or possible wire fraud.

At the time of the breach, Landmark offered credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through IDX, including 12 months of credit and CyberScan monitoring, a $1,000,000 insurance reimbursement policy, and fully managed ID theft recovery services.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Google has delivered another blow to Fitbit users
• It's quietly withdrawing support for Google Assistant
• It means devices will no longer work with the voice assistant

The death of Fitbit seems more and more inevitable with each passing month, and now Google is ending support for Google Assistant on Fitbit devices, another sure sign of its demise.

While Google Assistant is being replaced with Gemini on the best Android smartwatches, likely starting with the Pixel Watch later this year, there's no such hope for users of the best Fitbits, who will lose Google Assistant altogether in the coming days.

As noted by multiple outlets, Google recently and quietly announced that Google Assistant support would end on Fitbit.

"Over the next few weeks, we will be progressively phasing out Google Assistant on your Fitbit device. You can learn more about this process here. This change means that Google Assistant voice control for activities will soon no longer be available on your Fitbit device," the company said in Fitbit's community forum.

Google added that "We understand that changes can be disruptive, and we value your feedback," and that it remained "committed to continuously improving your Fitbit app and developing exciting new features. "

Fitbit ends support for Google Assistant Google assistant going away from r/fitbit

Now, Fitbit users on Reddit are reporting notifications that state "Google Assistant on Fitbit watches is being turned down, this feature will stop working in the coming weeks."

Fitbit users have been able to use Google Assistant to ask questions, set alarms, check the weather, and perform many other functions on the devices. The withdrawal makes some sense, given that Google is phasing out Assistant elsewhere. However, as noted, on most devices, that's in favor of the more capable Google Gemini; Fitbit users, however, are simply losing a feature and getting nothing in return.

Google's erasure of Fitbit continues apace, and all signs now point to the brand's demise in the future. The company has confirmed that it will sunset Fitbit smartwatches in favor of the Pixel Watch, and chances are its fitness trackers aren't far behind.

The company has also shuttered the Fitbit website, and recently endured furious user backlash over an update that crushed the battery life of the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 because of overheating concerns.

How many Fitbit users access Google Assistant on a regular basis is unknown, but the loss of functionality symbolizes another nail in the coffin for the brand and is sure to be unpopular with customers.

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American winemakers tell us why tariffs hurt their industry.

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan)

• A new costume color customization feature is coming to Marvel Rivals in a patch today
• To unlock new color combos, players will need to exchange Lattice for a premium currency called Unstable Molecules
• NetEase Games has confirmed more ways to obtain Unstable Molecules will be introduced in Season 3

NetEase Games has announced a new costume customization feature for Marvel Rivals that will require the exchange of a new currency, but players will need to spend real money to obtain it.

In a new X/Twitter post, the developer revealed 'Costume Customization', a highly-requested feature dropping today (April 17) in a new patch that will allow players to change hero costumes' color combinations.

The announcement had many fans excited, with many expecting color schemes to be tied to each skin they own. However, in a follow-up post, the studio clarified that the new customization feature will require players to spend Unstable Molecules, a new currency that, for now, can only be bought with real money.

"Customized Color Costumes will cost 600 Unstable Molecules for exchange," the post reads. "Unstable Molecules can be exchanged from Lattice at a 1:1 rate. You must first obtain the costumes before you can customize them."

This means that 600 Unstable Molecules for one color combo will cost 600 Lattice, which is roughly $6.

✨ Unleash your style - Costume Customization is here!You can change your favorite costumes' color combos directly in the Costumes tab starting April 17 at 9:00 AM UTC/2:00 AM PDT. Choose from fresh palettes like Plasma Pulse, Phantom Purple, and more!Just head to the Store,… pic.twitter.com/OswwJFOYELApril 16, 2025

NetEase added that only a select few costumes will have this feature when the patch goes live, but it will "expand more over time to other costumes".

So far, four different color combinations have been confirmed for Magik, Psylocke, Luna Snow, and the Winter Soldier, called Rosy Resilience, Phantom Purple, Plasma Pulse, and Winter's Wrath. When players customize costumes, it will also affect the hero's introduction animation, MVP, and emotes.

It was also confirmed that starting with Season 3, Marvel Rivals will get more options to obtain Unstable Molecules, suggesting that players may not have to spend real money on Lattice in exchange for the new currency.

Marvel Rivals Season 2 is officially live and has introduced a slew of new features, including the new Vanguard hero Emma Frost, a new Krakoa-set Domination map, additional costumes, and a new Battle Pass.

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