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It’s official: OnePlus is ditching the Alert Slider for an iPhone-style customizable button on the upcoming OnePlus 13T, and although that phone is set to release exclusively in China on April 24, its new shortcut key will surely be a permanent feature of future OnePlus phones globally.

The Alert Slider has been a defining feature of the best OnePlus phones, and long-time OnePlus fans will no doubt be sad to see it go, but OnePlus is adamant that its replacement – whatever it may be called on the OnePlus 13T – will ultimately improve the user experience.

Indeed, in his announcement about the upcoming switch, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau noted that the decision, while “not easy”, is “the right step forward” for the brand, and in an exclusive interview with TechRadar at OnePlus HQ in Guangdong, China, the company’s Senior Product Marketing Manager, Rudolf Xu, echoed Lau’s optimism.

“We want to give more freedom to our users, to [let them] customize [that button],” Xu explained. “And actually, this is not a removal of the Alert Slider. You’ve now got the freedom to switch between ring, vibrate, and silence – these things still work – but you’re also getting greater freedom to customize your commands.

“For example, [you can now] launch certain apps [using the new button]. So, it’s actually not a removal – it’s an evolution of the Alert Slider.”

Xu added that OnePlus has “also brought some dedicated features” to the user experience via the new shortcut key, though he's not yet at liberty to share what those are.

Apple introduced the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro (above) (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

It’s clear, then, that OnePlus doesn’t see the removal of the Alert Slider as a loss – according to the brand, users only stand to gain functionality from the switch to an Action button-style key. Mind you, that doesn’t mean the company’s decision to axe a longtime feature was an easy one.

In his aforementioned statement, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau admitted that “the Alert Slider has always been one of [his] favorite OnePlus features,” and that “when the team first came to [him] with a proposal to make a change to our Alert Slider, [he] was skeptical.

“But I knew that if we wanted to build something truly better, we had to take this leap,” Lau explained. “As iconic as it is, it is a huge piece of hardware just to switch sound profiles. That didn’t sit right with me.”

The OnePlus 13T in three shades (Image credit: OnePlus)

As for what OnePlus’ Alert Slider replacement looks like, the brand’s latest teaser video for the OnePlus 13T reveals a grain-of-rice-sized button that sits alone on the left-hand side of the device. Incidentally, Apple’s Action button sits in the same place, though it’s positioned above the iPhone’s volume buttons, where the OnePlus 13T’s volume buttons appear to be placed on the right-hand side of the phone, above the power button.

The video also reveals that the OnePlus 13T will feature two main rear cameras stacked vertically à la the iPhone 16, and OnePlus has confirmed (via a Weibo post) that the phone will have a 6.32-inch screen and a 6,000mAh-plus battery.

Rumored specs include a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 50MP main camera, and a 50MP telephoto (with 2x optical zoom), which, if true, would make the OnePlus 13T an attractive compact alternative to the premium OnePlus 13. Here’s hoping it launches outside of China later this year (we've got our fingers crossed).

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• New tipoffs suggest Samsung's One UI 7 delay will be lifted on April 15
• Also, new images claim to show an early version of One UI 8 running on a Galaxy Z Fold 6
• Samsung has yet to finish rolling out One UI 7

Samsung has already caught a lot of flak for the generationally chaotic rollout of One UI 7, the company’s implementation of Android 15 for Samsung Galaxy phones – and a last-minute delay announced on April 14 hasn’t helped the situation.

However, a notable tipster has posited that this delay could be more of a bump in the road than a full-on halt, with the latest rumors suggesting the pause will be lifted on April 15 – that’s today at the time of writing.

This comes from Ice Universe, a prominent tipster who shared the suggestion in a seemingly deleted post to X (formerly Twitter), which was subsequently reported by Android Authority.

According to an April 15 post made by an unnamed Samsung solutions manager and forum moderator to Samsung’s Korean community forum, the update rollout was paused due to “some issues requiring maintenance”, but they also note that Samsung has “completed its inspection and will resume updates soon."

One UI 7 is the long-awaited Android 15-based update for Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. Though a pre-release version of the update can be found loaded on Samsung Galaxy S25 series phones, as well as the latest A-series models, One UI 7 is still considered unreleased as it has not yet completed its rollout to older handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S24.

It has taken so long for Samsung to implement One UI 7 – based on Android 15, which released back in September 2024 – that we previously reported on concerns that Android 16 could release before Samsung manages to issue the update.

One UI 8 possible leaked images Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Smartprix)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Smartprix)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Smartprix)

Though Samsung seems to have just about won the race against Android 16, another rumor has served to visualize just how far we are into the next development cycle.

Images shared by Smartprix claim to show a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 phone running an early alpha version of One UI 8, based on Android 16.

Besides a few minor visual tweaks to a handful of apps, the report suggests that One UI 8 is focused primarily on optimization.

The report adds that the fact that only a few apps have had any changes made suggests that One UI 8 is in very early stages of development.

Indeed, if the launch of One UI 7 marks a reset of Samsung’s yearly development cycle, we may not expect to see One UI 8 launched until 2026.

I’d personally be happy with a smaller, easier update next time around, if it means a quicker rollout than we’ve seen with One UI 7. Running older software can really take the wind out of the sails of even the best Samsung phones.

Let us know what you think of Samsung’s update antics in the comments below.

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Ultim8 by Supermouth: One minute review

The Ultim8 by Supermouth toothbrush makes a lot of bold claims. For example, it says it’s the “first reinvention of the toothbrush in nearly a century”, with its unique ‘8’ shape and patented bristles designed to conform to the contours of your teeth.

The SmartHub, which is sold separately, is designed to house, charge and clean the brush with UV light, drying the bristles, and preventing bacteria from adhering to it by keeping it in a sealed environment. A travel case is also sold separately.

It all sounds very innovative, and the brush itself is inordinately pretty and well-designed. The battery lasts ages, the unit itself looks a lot better than most electric toothbrushes, with its swooping curves reminiscent of a spacecraft, and the magnetic charger is a really neat touch, although it’s USB-A rather than USB-C.

However, redesigned brush heads, SmartHubs, and Supermouth’s bold claims aside, what we have here is essentially a sonic toothbrush with two modes, a pressure sensor, and a two-minute timer, priced at $99.99 (around £75 / AU$160) It’s perfectly functional, but it’s hardly breaking the mold when it comes to toothbrush design.

(Image credit: Future)

Perhaps my expectations are too high; after all, how much more advanced can toothbrushes get? At least this one isn’t trying to foist an AI app on me. It cleans well, and while I could stand to have the motor a bit stronger, the pressure sensor is nicely designed, flashing from blue to green to red depending on how hard you’re pressing, and the brush is comfortable to use day-to-day. Battery life isn’t given, but it still held charge after a full week of testing.

One of the issues I do have with the brush is that all the accessories don’t come as standard. To buy the SmartHub with the brush from Supermouth costs an extra $70 (around £55 / AU$110), and once you buy the toothbrush, you’re then locked into the proprietary 8-shape brush heads, costing $19.99 (around £15 / AU$30) for a pack of two.

The Ultim8 is also missing a few features we’re used to, such as more than two intensities, but as a standalone $100 sonic brush, I’d be more than happy with it. In the grand scheme of overpriced toothbrushes, $170 for a brush with a cool-looking cleaning and housing case also isn’t too bad, although it’s far from budget, and what initially looks like a good mid-range offering ends up feeling rather premium. Get the travel case and spare brush heads too, and you're pushing top-end prices.

However, during my testing, the brush cleaned well, held its charge and was extremely comfortable to use.

Ultim8 by Supermouth: Specifications Ultim8 by Supermouth: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $99.99 (around £75 / AU$160)
• Extras drive up cost
• Available from third-party sellers for inflated cost

The Ultim8 by Supermouth brush costs $99.99 (around £75 / AU$160) from the Ultim8 website, which is a perfectly reasonable price for a decent sonic brush. However, as previously mentioned above, the brush is part of the overall Supermouth ecosystem, which will loop you into buying the hub and proprietary brush heads for an additional premium.

Supermouth does ship internationally, but unlike many toothbrushes which can be found at third-party retailers for discounted prices, the system is the same price on Amazon US, and inflated to a hefty £345 on Amazon UK, at the time of writing.

• Value score: 3/5

Scorecard Ultim8 by Supermouth: Should I buy?

(Image credit: Future) Buy it if...

You want a clean toothbrush

The SmartHub prevents bacteria collecting on the bristles with its UV cleaning and drying function.

You want a nice design

Both the toothbrush and the SmartHub look sleek and stylish.

You have sensitive teeth

The Ultim8’s eight-way soft bristles mean the brush is ideal for sensitive molars.

Don't buy it if...

You want power

Want a toothbrush that offers a more intense clean? You’re better off with a high-powered Philips Sonicare.

You’re on a budget

If you’re looking for a simple sonic brush with cheap replacement heads, look elsewhere.

Ultim8 by Supermouth: Also consider

Philips Sonicare 7100

The high-powered brush with a convenient charging case that takes up much less space than a hub.

Read our review

Mode Electric Toothbrush

The Ultim8 looks cool, but this wall-mounted sonic rocket looks cooler for our money.

Read our review

How I tested the Ultim8 by Supermouth

I used the Ultim8 Supermouth brush for a week of testing, stress-testing the pressure sensor and two-minute timer functions, and using the SmartHub for storage and cleaning.

A whistleblower who works at NLRB says that DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data. And, the Trump administration froze over $2 billion for Harvard after it rejected demands.

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• VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e brings back the free version of the hypervisor
• It was removed in February 2024 when VMware went subscription-only
• Broadcom has addressed customers’ concerns

VMware has resumed offering a free hypervisor once more, an announcement quietly included in the release notes for ESXi version 8.0 Update 3e has revealed.

The company had previously offered a popular free version of its hypervisor, but this was discontinued in February 2024 when VMware shifted fully to a subscription-based model, which meant the free version had to go.

However it now appears to be available once more as a free download from the Broadcom Support portal, which requires users to be signed in.

Broadcom offers free VMware hypervisor again

Broadcom hasn’t explained why it reversed its decision, but it could be a strategic decision to attract new customers.

The company got a lot of criticism when it changed its subscription models – CEO Hock Tan acknowledged widespread “unease” shortly after Broadcom’s VP for Cloud Platform addressed “questions and concerns.”

Moreover, VMware’s competitors, like Nutanix and Platform9, offer free community editions of their hypervisors, while open-source alternatives also offer a free option, potentially prompting Broadcom to reconsider its decision.

The company also recently reversed a licensing policy change, reducing the minimum license purchase back from 72 cores to 16 cores, thus making it cheaper for certain customers to access VMware services.

Apart from reintroducing a free version, VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e also addresses a number of critical bugs and security vulnerabilities.

Still, the company continues to face sharp criticism from customers, who have been unhappy with the licensing model shift to subscriptions, the product portfolio simplification and reported price increases.

All of this has happened amid the relocation of Broadcom’s headquarters to VMware’s Palo Alto campus, while VMware’s workforce has been reduced by around half from 38,000 to 16,000 under its Broadcom ownership (via Business Insider).

TechRadar Pro has asked Broadcom to share more context behind its decision to reinstate the free hypervisor, but we did not receive an immediate response.

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• Android 15 devices require at least 32GB of storage
• This is double the previous requirement
• They also require the ability to share emergency contacts with emergency services

If you’re reading this site then – as a tech fan – there’s a good chance your phone has 128GB of storage or more, but that’s not true of all handsets. In fact, some Android phones ship with just 16GB of storage. With Android 15 though, that's no longer allowed.

Digging into a GMS (Google Mobile Services) requirements document, Android Authority has found that Google has raised the minimum storage requirement from 16GB to 32GB for any devices that ship with or get updated to Android 15.

At least 75% of that storage must be allocated to the data partition, which is the area used for apps and files.

Many cheap phones – like the Galaxy A54 – already have more than 32GB (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) A big boost for the cheapest phones

This should be of major benefit to the very cheapest Android phones, as 16GB simply isn’t enough in 2025 – especially when some of that is eaten up by the operating system itself. Arguably 32GB isn’t enough either, but it’s a step in the right direction.

That said, there are a couple of potential downsides. For one thing, as noted, existing 16GB devices won’t be able to get Android 15 – though we doubt many phones that shipped with just 16GB of storage would have been getting much in the way of Android updates anyway.

For another, this requirement could push manufacturers to increase the price of their cheapest phones. But it’s likely some people were buying 16GB phones without realizing how restrictive that would be, so at least this prevents that happening.

Along with the new 32GB requirement, Google has also made it a requirement that phones running Android 15 or later allow users to share their emergency contacts during emergency calls. Users have to opt into this but it’s a handy feature that would allow emergency services to update emergency contacts on what’s going on.

Technically, phone makers will still be able to avoid these requirements, but they’ll be locked out of GMS like the Google Play Store if they do, so we don’t imagine many will choose to do that.

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• The Switch-compatible version of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 can be pre-ordered now in the US
• It's available at Amazon for $69.99
• In the UK, just the Windows and Android-compatible model is available

Looking to buy a new controller in anticipation for the release of the Nintendo Switch 2? You may want to check out the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, which has just had its pre-orders go live at Amazon US.

US shoppers can pre-order the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 for $69.99 at Amazon, and the controller is due to ship between April 21 - 28 depending on your location and delivery options.

Pre-orders have also been available in the UK for a while; here, you can place an order down for an impressively affordable £49.99 at Amazon.

That's a good deal cheaper than its US counterpart. In the UK, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is slated to release on April 25. However, it's worth noting that this model is specifically the Windows and Android-compatible model. No Switch version in this region as of yet.

Pre-order the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is worth considering especially if the lack of Hall effect sticks on the Switch 2 Pro Controller is a factor of disappointment for you. By all accounts, this looks to be an improved version of the Ultimate, which is currently sits atop our best Nintendo Switch controllers guide.

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While I've yet to personally test and review the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, it does seem like a straight upgrade over the original 8BitDo Ultimate which still sits as our 'best overall' entry in our best Nintendo Switch controllers buying guide.

According to the manufacturer, the Ultimate 2 boasts TMR thumbsticks which are essentially a Hall effect variant that offers even greater precision and longevity. We've also seen TMR sticks employed in the GameSir Tarantula Pro to great effect.

If you've already managed to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order, then I highly recommend checking out the 8BitDo Ultimate 2. While I thought the Switch 2 Pro Controller was a marked upgrade in my recent hands-on impressions, the Ultimate 2 is slightly cheaper ($69.99 as opposed to $74.99) and is confirmed to have drift-resistant sticks.

And of course, if you're sticking with the original Nintendo Switch, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 will be compatible with it as well as PCs and Android devices.

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• Metro 2033 was first released on March 16, 2010
• To celebrate the game's 15th anniversary, its 2014 remake is now free to keep on Steam
• The developers have also shared some small details on the next Metro game

Post-apocalyptic first-person shooter Metro 2033 originally released on March 16, 2010. The debut title from developer 4A Games, the game spawned multiple sequels and even a recent VR (virtual reality) spin-off in Metro Awakening.

Now, the studio has shared a new blog post to commemorate the game's 15th anniversary. "The legacy and success of Metro over the past decade and a half is something we at 4A Games are incredibly proud of," the post begins. It then reveals that long-time collaborator Dmitry Glukhovsky, author of the Metro book series upon which the games are loosely based, will continue working closely with the studio on "our next Metro title."

"It is amazing to see the advancement from the pages of a novel, into a fully realized game, through ever-improving sequels, and now into a global franchise with million of players," it continues. The anniversary will be marked with "events, deals and celebratory content on the Metro social media channels" with fans encouraged to share their fondest memories and favorite moments with the hashtag #Metro15.

Originally founded in Ukraine, 4A Games is now headquartered in Silema, Malta - though retains a 150 strong team in Kyiv. In addition to a new Metro game, the studio is currently working on "a brand-new unannounced IP" and wants to assure fans that "work is continuing on both of our projects despite missile strikes, air-raid sirens, and terror still raining down on Ukraine."

"These circumstances are incredibly challenging, the situation remains dangerous and not within our control, but we are currently as safe as possible," the post reads. "We want to manage your expectations around the reveal of the next Metro title, it will be ready when it is ready, and we can’t wait for you to see it."

With this in mind, I wouldn't expect much more news about the upcoming game any time soon. Still, the post reveals that it will feature "an even darker story" with an emphasis on themes like "conflict, the struggle for power, the horrors of tyranny, and the price of freedom" for a "hard-hitting, political, anti-war" story.

If you head over to Steam right now, you are able to claim a free copy of Metro 2033 Redux, the 2014 remaster of Metro 2033, to keep which would be the perfect introduction to the franchise for newcomers. This offer is only available to until April 16, so I would act fast if you want to get your hands on it.

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• OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 13T will be announced on April 24
• This initial launch is just for China
• The company has also revealed the screen size and colors of the phone

The OnePlus 13T will be announced on April 24, the company has confirmed, although in typical OnePlus fashion you won’t have to wait until then to get an official look at the phone, as it has already been shown off.

A short teaser video posted to Chinese social media platform Weibo (via GSMArena) shows the front and back of the OnePlus 13T in full, complete with a flat back, curvy corners, and a choice of gray, pink, or black shades, as you can see below.

You can also see that there’s a new button on the side in place of the alert slider we’re used to on OnePlus phones, and the company has previously confirmed that it's a customizable key that sounds similar to the Action button on iPhones.

The OnePlus 13T (Image credit: OnePlus) A small screen and a big battery

In another post the company revealed that the 13T will have a 6.32-inch screen, and in an earlier teaser OnePlus said its battery would be at least 6,000mAh, which is especially impressive given that the OnePlus 13T sounds fairly compact by modern smartphone standards.

That’s all the official news we have, but leaks have suggested that the OnePlus 13T will have a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto (with 2x optical zoom), and possibly an ultra-wide camera, the specs of which haven’t yet been the subject of leaks or rumors.

So this is sounding like an impressive phone – if the price is right. We should have a clearer idea of how good the OnePlus 13T is very soon, although note that, as mentioned, the April 24 announcement is just for China.

Hopefully though we won’t be waiting too much longer for a global launch, as it sounds like a promising compact alternative to the OnePlus 13.

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Rates this high won't last forever.

• Car rental giant Hertz confirms suffering a data breach
• The attack occurred through Cleo, a file transfer service provider
• The threat actors abused a zero-day to get in

Car rental giant Hertz has confirmed suffering cyberattack which saw it lose sensitive customer information.

In a data breach notification letter published on its website, the company said that the incident involved Cleo Communications, a software company that provided file transfer services for Hertz “for limited purposes”.

The report says an unidentified threat actor exploited a zero-day vulnerability in the Cleo platform to exfiltrate sensitive data in October and December 2024. The attack was spotted in mid-February 2025, prompting an investigation, with the analysis concluding some customer data was taken.

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Hallucinating malware

“We completed this data analysis on April 2, 2025, and concluded that the personal information involved in this event may include the following: name, contact information, date of birth, credit card information, driver’s license information and information related to workers’ compensation claims,” the announcement reads.

“A very small number of individuals may have had their Social Security or other government identification numbers, passport information, Medicare or Medicaid ID (associated with workers’ compensation claims), or injury-related information associated with vehicle accident claims impacted by the event.”

The exact number of affected individuals is not known at this time, with a company spokesperson saying it would be, “inaccurate to say millions” of customers are affected.

The identity of the attackers, or the nature of the breach, is also unknown at this time. It most likely wasn’t a ransomware attack, since it took the company months to realize it was hacked. That being said, this was most likely a simple data smash-and-grab.

To mitigate the damages, Hertz is offering two years of identity monitoring and dark web monitoring services to potentially impacted individuals, through Kroll, at no cost.

At press time, there was no evidence that the stolen data was misused in any way.

Via TechCrunch

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