Technology

• Acer, a company best known for computing components, is releasing a new health-tracking smart ring
• The Acer FreeSense Ring comes in Rose Gold or Black, and will pack 'AI enhanced' wellness insights
• Acer hasn't announced a price of the ring, but it has said there will be no additional subscription fee

Acer has announced the Acer FreeSense Ring, a new health-tracking smart ring offering 'AI enhanced' wellness insights.

It was unveiled at this year's Computex conference in Taipei, and we don't yet know how much the Ring will cost, or when it will go on sale – but we do know that it won't come with any additional subscription fees.

With two color options, Rose Gold (a matte finish) or Black (gloss finish), the Ring will be available in sizes 7-13. It'll weigh between 2-3g, and Acer says it's "crafted from ultra-light titanium alloy."

Even the best smart rings have a plastic interior to better accommodate the sensor array, and we imagine that will also be the case here. It's waterproof-rated at 5ATM, which means it's shower- and swim-safe, but likely not suitable for diving.

The Acer FreeSense sounds a lot like other smart rings from Oura and Samsung, specifically in terms of the data it collects. A press release from Acer states that "the ring tracks vital physiological metrics such as heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, and sleep quality.

"The data points are analyzed through a companion mobile app, which generates personalized wellness insights and provides suggestions. With features such as sleep stage analysis and continuous tracking, the Acer FreeSense Ring helps encourage proactive health management and lifestyle awareness."

Back in the health & fitness ring

Acer has released smartwatches and fitness trackers in the past with its Acer Leap range, but none of those devices ranked among the best fitness trackers of the era, and never really caught on. With smart rings now a rapidly growing category of health device, this could prove to be a second chance for Acer in the health space.

Acer is also the latest of several smart-ring manufacturer to make a point of the fact that its device doesn't require an additional subscription, as a key selling point to differentiate it from the likes of the Oura Ring 4. With so many health and fitness services now requiring a subscription, it's refreshing to see more companies embracing the one-time-purchase philosophy.

Acer is already busy at Computex this year – in addition to the FreeSense Ring it's also announced a pair of earbuds specifically for translation, a new range of electric bikes, and computing equipment.

You might also like...

• AI's environmental impact is a growing concern, but hiking app AllTrails sees a path to coexistance
• Samsung drops a new Samsung Galaxy Ring limited-edition color, but you can only get it in one store
• Garmin surprise launches two new Forerunner watches

With Computex 2025 now just a few days away, we can expect a whole host of new PC hardware announcements soon – and fortunately, Acer has already made a start on that, with its new Swift and Aspire laptops ready to hit the market for consumers as early as June and, in the case of the ones below, July.

While there are plenty of new Acer devices coming your way, we've cherry-picked a few in particular that stand out the most; the Acer Swift X 14, Swift X 14 AI, the Swift Go 16 AI, and the Acer Aspire 16 AI (Intel).

All of these new laptops share similar specifications, such as processors that are built to provide great performance in a number of scenarios including gaming – most importantly for AI workloads as Copilot+ PCs. But here are the four main things you need to know about Acer's new laptops...

1. Acer's Swift X 14 AI, Swift Go 16 AI, and Aspire's 16 AI laptops will all have OLED displays

(Image credit: Acer)

Yet again, OLED is getting the attention it deserves, and Acer is using OLED panels across a wide range of its new laptops – fortunately, all of these cherry-picked laptops are among them.

The Acer Swift X 14 AI will feature an OLED 14.5 WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800) touchscreen display, which will also take advantage of the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification. It's ideal for accurate image quality with deep blacks, with a minimum of 500 nits in brightness.

The Acer Swift Go 16 AI will fare slightly differently, with a 16-inch OLED WUXGA+ (2048 x 1280) display. It uses a lower-resolution panel, but to compensate for the difference in graphics capabilities (which I'll get into soon).

With the Acer Aspire 16 AI, only one of the configurations features an OLED (2048 x 1200) display; unlike the Swift X 14 AI, it won't be touchscreen but its IPS configuration will.

2. All of them will be powerful gaming machines, especially the Swift X 14 AI

(Image credit: Acer)

I must note that these aren't gaming laptops, as they're made for creators using tools like Copilot+. However, both processors and GPUs (including iGPUs) are powerful enough to yield great gaming performance.

The Acer Swift X 14 AI will be the most powerful among the group; configurations up to Nvidia's RTX 5070 (the laptop GPU, including Nvidia Studio Drivers) and AMD's Ryzen AI 9 365 processor will be available, which are both capable of great performance in demanding creative AI workloads, or gaming. Its non-AI counterpart (Swift X 14) will feature up to Intel's Core Ultra 9 285H processor.

While the Swift Go 16 AI and Aspire 16 AI won't feature any discrete GPUs, they'll both be powered by (depending on the configuration) Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V – the same processor and Arc 140V iGPU featured in the MSI Claw 8 AI+ handheld gaming PC, known for its great gaming performance.

3. The Swift Go AI models are among the thinnest and lightest Acer laptops

Acer Swift X 14 (Image credit: Acer)

While it packs a powerful processor, fast Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and an OLED display, Acer claims the Swift Go (its 14-inch model in particular) is "as light as 15.9mm and as light as 1.39kg". To put it simply, this means it will be one of Acer thinnest and lightest laptops, easy for travel and packing – even with its 14-inch screen size.

It's a similar story with the Swift Go 16 AI. While it's not exactly as thin or light as its counterpart, it only weighs 1.6kg, which shouldn't be enough of a noticeable jump in weight.

They will both also take advantage of an "all-day battery life", ensuring you don't miss a beat during productive and creative workflows, and will have a 64Wh battery that should last a claimed 16 hours (likely with adjusted brightness levels or settings).

4. They will be available starting from July going into August

These new Acer laptops in particular will arrive as early as July; the Acer Swift X 14 AI (and Swift X 14) will be available in Europe in July, starting at €1,799 – prices in North America and Australia are yet to be announced, but that converts to around $2,015 / £1,515 / AU$3,140.

Unlike the Swift X 14 AI, the Acer Swift Go 16 AI will be available in Europe in August, starting at €1,299 – again, prices in North America and Australia have not been announced, but that converts to about $1,455 / £1,095 / AU$2,270)

In similar fashion, the Aspire 16 AI (Intel) will be available in Europe in August, starting at €1,099 as the cheapest of the group – there is again currently no word on prices in North America and Australia, but that equates to around $1,230 / £925 / AU$1,920.

It's worth noting that each laptop's price will vary depending on the chosen configuration, which ranges in processors, GPU, RAM, storage, and display.

You may also like...

• Microsoft just revealed two new Surface devices – here are the 4 key things you need to know about them
• Two new laptops with Nvidia's RTX 5060 are coming, and leaked performance makes it seem like 8GB GDDR7 might actually be enough
• Razer resumes some of its laptop sales in the US after tariff scare

The best Marvel Rivals graphics settings can really make the difference in battle, allowing you to make use of higher frame rates, spot enemies more easily, and more. Depending on which console you're playing on, you'll have different options to work with. There are extra bells and whistles for some, allowing for a best-of-both-worlds balance between performance and resolution.

Now that I've played hundreds of hours of Marvel Rivals at this point, I'm in a good position to offer my advice on which graphics setting to pick. I've been playing since Season 0, and have been busy keeping my Marvel Rivals Tier List up to date as Season 2 continues on. After the time spent on my Marvel Rivals review back at launch, I'm impressed that it has managed to evolve with each seasonal update, something that's kept it firmly on my list of the best crossplay games to play in 2025.

Here's my recommendations for the Marvel Rivals best graphics settings, including which mode to pick on PS5 Pro. I'll give some info on each of the three modes, and some additional advice on settings to change to make the game clearer and easier to read.

Marvel Rivals best graphics settings for PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox

(Image credit: NetEase)

Here's an overview of the best graphics settings to use depending on the platform you're playing on. I'll then go into detail for each and offer some additional advice.

• PS5 - High Frame Rate Mode (120 FPS)
• Xbox Series X - High Frame Rate Mode (120 FPS)
• Xbox Series S - Standard Mode
• PS5 Pro - High Framerate Mode

It's worth noting that additional graphics options have been added since launch, like the Pro Mode for the PS5 Pro. Keep an eye on updates via our Marvel Rivals Patch Notes page.

Marvel Rivals best graphics settings for PS5

(Image credit: NetEase)

On PS5, you have two options to choose from: Standard Mode and HFR Mode (High Frame Rate). The former achieves 1440p resolution while hitting a consistent 60fps (frames per second), and HFR Mode boosts things up to 120fps while reducing resolution somewhat. I'd recommend HFR Mode if it's available to you.

You'll need a monitor capable of 120fps or higher, and you will get the best possible advantage over your opponents. You'll be able to react faster and generally have more control over your Hero.

Marvel Rivals best graphics settings for PS5 Pro

(Image credit: NetEase)

Once again, there are two modes to choose from for the PS5 Pro. One of them is exclusive to Sony's most powerful console, however, and it's a great option for those looking for a balance between graphical fidelity and performance.

Pro Mode targets a stable 60fps and delivers higher 4K resolutions. In addition to Lumen Global Illumination, it also features support Lumen Reflections, offering more immersive and dynamic lighting effects for an enhanced visual experience. PS5 Pro also offers higher resolutions in 120fps High Frame Rate Mode.

Personally, I recommend going with High Frame Rate Mode here, as extra frames per second can be crucial to improving your performance in a Competitive game like Marvel Rivals.

Marvel Rivals best graphics settings for Xbox

(Image credit: NetEase)

On Xbox Series X, you have two modes to choose from: Standard Mode and HFR Mode. As with PS5, and especially if you plan on playing Competitive Mode, you'll want to go with HFR Mode. Of course, you'll need a display capable of 120fps and above.

If you're playing on Xbox Series S, you unfortunately only have access to Standard Mode. This still hits 60fps, so you'll be on par with the majority of other players anyway.

Marvel Rivals best graphics settings - enemy outline colors

(Image credit: NetEase)

I also think that there are some extra changes you can make in an effort to make Marvel Rivals a little bit easier to read when you're in battle.

I find that heading to the Accessibility settings and switching the enemy outline to yellow makes it much easier to pick out targets. This is generally because maps tend to have dark purple, blue, and black areas. Yellow stands out more than red does for me personally. If you'd like to take things further, consider my guide on changing your Marvel Rivals crosshairs.

You Might Also Like...

• Here's when to expect the next season of Marvel Rivals
• Best free games
• Marvel Rivals Mutant list: here's all of the playable Mutant Heroes

• Coinbase confirmed suffering a cyberattack recently
• The attack started when crooks bribed the company's employees overseas
• Passwords, and user funds, were not affected

Coinbase, one of the biggest centralized cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, suffered a cyberattack which might cost it between $180 million and $400 million. This is according to Reuters, citing a regulatory filing submitted by the company earlier this week.

The exchange said that on May 11, it received an email from an unknown threat actor who claimed they obtained internal documents, and sensitive data about certain customer accounts. Coinbase later confirmed these claims, saying that only a “small subset” of customers were affected.

The data stolen doesn’t include login credentials or passwords, but Coinbase did say it would reimburse anyone who gave their money to the attackers. To obtain the files, the criminals allegedly paid “multiple contractors and employees” who were working in support roles outside the US.

TechRadar Pro readers can get 60% off Premium Plans at RoboForm now!

New users can take advantage of RoboForm’s exclusive deal and get 60% off the Premium Plan. With this deal, you can get unlimited password storage, one-click login & autofill, password sharing, two-factor authentication for added protection, cloud backup, and emergency access for trusted contacts. To claim this deal, visit this link and sign up for the Premium Plan to lock in this huge discount.

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Demanding ransom

The individuals involved were identified and subsequently fired. There is no information on possible legal action against them.

The attackers demanded a ransom of $20 million in exchange for the data, which Coinbase refused to pay. Instead, it is now offering that exact amount of money - $20 million - as a bounty to anyone who comes forward with actionable information regarding the hackers’ identities or whereabouts.

Crypto is in a difficult position right now, trying to establish itself as a legitimate industry, while being surrounded by theft, scams, crime, and regulatory pressure. Just a few months ago, ByBit - another major cryptocurrency exchange - was hacked, with North Korean cybercriminals walking away with $1.5 billion in different tokens.

Earlier this May, Alex Mashinsky, the former CEO of the bankrupt crypto bank, Celsius Network, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to securities fraud and commodities fraud, and recently - in broad daylight - three individuals tried to kidnap the daughter of a crypto exchange CEO.

At the same time, Reuters is reporting that the SEC took the opportunity to investigate if Coinbase misstated user figures and if it has inadequate KYC practices. Coinbase denied the probing, though.

Via Reuters

You might also like

• Coinbase 2FA error fixed after many believed their account was hacked
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

• Nikon Rumors says mirrorless Nikon Zr is coming later in 2025
• Nikon acquired RED in April 2024
• Since takeover, RED has released Z-mount versions of two of its cameras

Nikon could be working on a video-oriented mirrorless camera incorporating technology from RED – at least that's according to a new rumor.

Nikon Rumors posted a story claiming the next camera to be released by Nikon will be a Z-mount model bristling with cinema-focused RED features and tech. The story suggests it could even be called the Nikon Zr or Nikon ZR – the ‘R’ in the name possibly a nod to the RED tech on board.

Other claims in the story are that the camera will have a ‘brick-shaped’ design, without a pentaprism or an electronic viewfinder, and will look something like a cross between the Sony FX3, Nikon Z30 and the blocky look of existing RED cameras like the Komodo or V-Raptor.

It also states that the camera will have the same sensor as the excellent Nikon Z6 III (a 24.5MP partially-stacked full-frame sensor, then) and a ‘very large’ LCD screen. Most mirrorless cameras have 3-inch screens, so we think this suggests a 4-inch or even 5-inch screen is in the offing.

RED's V-Rapter and Komodo cinema cameras are now available in Z-mount editions. (Image credit: Nikon) Nikon is now firmly in the RED

RED, originally founded in the USA in 2007 as RED Digital Cinema, was acquired by Nikon in April 2024 for $85 million. Since then, it has released versions of the Komodo and V-Raptor with the Nikon Z-mount, but it’s long been expected that closer collaborations would emerge from the partnership.

In the wake of the RED purchase, Nikon president Muneaki Tokunari told Nippon.com, “Nikon Corp. aims to expand its market share for cameras by utilizing the video technologies of a U.S. movie camera company acquired in spring.” The rumored Nikon Zr could be the first all-new camera to come with those technologies.

Nikon Rumors believes the camera will be officially announced later in 2025, most likely in the third or fourth quarter. We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more hints of what this rumored Nikon Zr might bring to the table.

Filmmakers and cinematographers, what would you like to see from RED-influenced Nikon Z camera? Let us know your dream features in the comments below.

You might also like

• Nikon's retro Zf camera gets first major free firmware upgrade – here's which flagship features have been added
• The 6K Canon EOS C80 looks like its most powerful and versatile cinema camera yet for indie filmmakers
• Blackmagic Pyxis 6K review - a filmmaker’s workhorse with quality full-frame sensor

I got used to Samsung's slim, light phone far quicker than I expected, and I'm not sure I can go back.

Commentary: Google's Gemini AI promises to be the voice assistant I always wanted -- and it could be a big embarrassment to Siri if it really works.

• The Beako Kiwibit bird feeder camera launches on Amazon on May 20
• It delivers 4K video – that's more detail than our current favorites
• It also has some unique design features, including a pole attachment

We've reviewed most of the best bird feeder cameras, and they're the kind of tech we can truly get behind – literally getting you closer to nature by delivering a close-up view of your feathered garden visitors.

Designed to be left in situ for months and even years on end, bird feeder cameras snap into action when they detect motion, providing a live view and capturing videos of your garden birdlife. The novelty of the remote view and bird notifications doesn't wear off.

However, to date there's been one area where most bird feeder cameras come up short, even our favorite options like the Bird Buddy, and that's image quality – but that could be set to change with the new Beako Kiwibit.

Following the Camojojo, which we're yet to test, the Kiwibit records true 4K video and 8MP stills – that's much more detail than is currently possible with our top-rated bird feeder cameras, which max out at half the resolution.

And that's not all. There are some pretty nifty design features that we haven't seen before, and which could make the Kiwibit one of the most versatile bird feeder cameras available.

(Image credit: Beako) Designed for any garden

Like most of today's bird feeder cameras, the weatherproof Kiwibit is armed with AI-powered bird recognition, informing you which birds have visited from a database exceeding 10,000 species, plus it can be paired with a solar panel for continuous power.

It also has pest deterrents, which are especially useful if squirrels frequent your garden. However, those features are nothing new, and the Kiwibit goes one step further than most options, with multiple mounting options.

In addition to a wall and tree mount common in bird feeder cameras, Kiwibit features a pole mount on its underside, meaning it can be placed freestanding anywhere in your garden, without relying on something to attach it to – neat.

But that's not all. The seed tray is removable for easy cleaning, plus the entire 1.5L twin seed compartment can be removed for easy refills, and cleaning. There's also an adjustable flow control to limit the amount of seed in the tray.

Features-wise, it feels like the Beako Kiwibit has left no stone unturned, even if the FeatherSnap Scout's integrated solar panel looks slicker, while Wi-Fi connectivity is just 2.4GHz.

Initially the Kiwibit launches in the US only at Amazon and the product website on May 20, 2025, with an initial $167.99 deal available.

We're yet to complete a review of the Kiwibit – that'll land in the coming months, and hopefully the Kiwibit delivers on its lofty 'unmatched detail' promises.

You might also like

• The best bird feeder camera in 2025: birdwatching at home
• I made a cheap bird feeder camera using a Blink Mini and window feeder – and the quality surprised me
• Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo review: birdwatching just doubled its fun!

• The Breville Luxe Brewer is a new premium drip coffee maker
• It has a removable water tank and customizable brewing profiles
• It's available with either a glass or stainless steel insulated carafe

Breville, maker of some of the best coffee makers we've tested here at TechRadar, has launched a new drip coffee machine that helps you get more flavor from your beans, and avoid one of the most common pitfalls when making filter coffee: water spills.

Even the best drip coffee makers tend to have an integrated water tank, so you have to fill it using the carafe (risking spillage) and you can't easily see how clean it is, whether it needs descaling, or how much water is inside.

That's not the case with the new Breville Luxe Brewer, which has a 12-cup water tank with integrated filter that simply lifts off the base, and has an extra-wide top for easy filling.

(Image credit: Breville)

Like the Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker I reviewed recently, the Breville Luxe Brewer can make brewing as simple or technical as you like. You can begin brewing a pot of coffee with a single button press, or get technical by customizing the bloom volume (the amount of hot water dispensed to pre-infuse your coffee grounds before brewing), bloom time (how long that water is allowed to sit on the coffee grounds), brewing temperature, and flow rate. Once you've found your preferred settings, you can save them as a preset for next time.

Other features include a programmable timer so you can wake to freshly brewed coffee first thing in the morning, a cold-brew setting that promises to make smooth, full bodied filter coffee in just 30 minutes, and a hot plate to keep your brew warm for up to six hours.

Hot stuff

Opinions on hot plates vary. Personally I find them convenient and don't find they affect the taste of my drinks too much, but if you disagree then you'll be pleased to know that it's not the only way to keep your coffee at the right temperature. Like its predecessor, the Breville Precision Brewer, the Breville Luxe Brewer is available in two versions: one with a glass carafe, and one with an insulated double-walled jug to keep your coffee hot for up to four hours.

The machine is supplied with two filter baskets – one cone-shaped and one flat-bottomed – which are intended to help your coffee infuse in different ways, bringing out subtly different flavor profiles.

According to research by the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) and partners, the cone should create fruitier notes, while the flat-bottomed basket brings out softer chocolatey and floral flavors.

(Image credit: Breville)

The Breville Luxe Brewer is on sale now, and costs $319.95 (about £240 / AU$500) with a glass carafe, or $349.95 (about £260 / AU$550) with a thermal pitcher.

The new brewer isn't yet available outside the US, but we'll keep you updated with international launch dates and prices when they are announced, and hope to bring you a full review very soon.

You might also like

• Ninja Luxe Café vs Ninja Luxe Café Pro: choose your perfect coffee maker
• I'm a certified barista, and Fellow has just launched the most exciting home espresso machine I've seen this year
• What are ESE coffee pods? Everything you need to know about these quick alternatives to freshly ground coffee

• Two Netflix video game film remakes have received exciting updates from their creators
• The streamer's Gears of War movie has reportedly found its director
• The filmmaker behind Netflix's Bioshock flick has provided a positive update on its script

Two highly anticipated Netflix video game movies have received significant updates.

The streaming giant's adaptations of Bioshock and Gears of War have been trapped in development hell for years now. But, with new information about both projects emerging, it sounds like there'll be forward momentum on the pair in the near future.

Where Netflix's take on 2K Games' beloved Bioshock game franchise is concerned, director Francis Lawrence recently spoke positively about the development of its script. During a conversation with IGN that took place on May 6 but was only published yesterday (May 15), Lawrence admitted that making progress on the film had been "tricky" of late but, ahead of a meeting with its new screenwriter, he was confident that the bulk of the project's problems were behind it.

"It's a tricky adaptation, so there's lots of things to figure out and to get right," Lawrence, whose previous credits including The Hunger Games film series, said. "There [have beeen] regime changes at Netflix, and so things stall out and get re-energized, and stall out and get re-energized, [but] I think we're in a pretty good place, honestly.

"I just actually just got a [new] draft [of the script]," he added. "[And] we have a meeting with the writer [Justin Rhodes] tomorrow [May 7]."

The streamer's Gears of War film was initially revealed in November 2022 (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

As for Netflix's similarly long-gestating Gears of War flick, The Hollywood Reporter has claimed that David Leitch is in talks to helm that project.

Leitch, whose most recent movie was 2024's Ryan Gosling-fronted offering The Fall Guy, hasn't officially signed on to make it. However, he's supposedly thrashing out terms with Netflix to board the big-budget adaptation.

If Leitch signs on, his production company 97North will reportedly co-develop the film alongside The Coalition. That's the Xbox-owned studio that took over development of the movie's video game franchise namesake from Epic Games in 2014. Jon Spaihts, who co-wrote the scripts for the first two Dune films, A Minecraft Movie, and Passengers, is said to be penning the Gears of War flick's screenplay.

Gaming the system

Netflix has enjoyed success with its TV adaptations of beloved video game franchises, such as Arcane (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche Production)

Netflix has made no secret of its desire to turn its streaming platform into the go-to hub for all things video games-related.

Indeed, the world's best streaming service hasn't just become home to a number of Netflix video game originals and classic third-party titles, such as the Grand Theft Auto franchise, in recent years. It's also looking to make its own mark on the golden age of video game film adaptations.

From money-printing productions like A Minecraft Movie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, to fan-favorite offerings including the Sonic the Hedgehog film series, the world's leading entertainment companies are going all-in on big-screen video game adaptations.

It's no great surprise, then, that Netflix wants its slice of the pie. The streaming titan has already shown it can produce unmissable video game-inspired TV shows, such as its multi-award-winning and hugely popular League of Legends animated series Arcane, plus its reimagining of Capcom's Devil May Cry and Castlevania franchises. If you've seen any or all of them, it won't shock you to learn that these have appeared on our best Netflix shows list over the last few years.

So, the foundations are in place for the streamer to create similarly great new Netflix movies that are influenced by, or are direct translations of, game series like Gears and Bioshock. Of course, there are those (myself included) who are still trepidatious about both projects – after all, they've languished in development purgatory for years at this point.

However, if Lawrence and – if he signs on – Leitch can get them up and running, and deliver takes on both that honor the tone, vibe, and style of these acclaimed franchises, I'll be the first to suggest that they deserve a spot in our best Netflix movies guide. Now, would you kindly get the development cogs fully turning on these projects please, Netflix?

You might also like

• Netflix is getting 114 new movies and TV shows – here's what you need to know
• Netflix has renewed The Four Seasons for season 2 – here are 4 things I want to see when it returns
• Wednesday season 2's confirmed all-star cast could make the hit Netflix show even better than it was

CNET dug into the latest speed test data to see how the country’s largest cable internet provider fared in national speed test data.

• Meta addresses the FTC's complaints over Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions
• It says quality and output have improved since it took over ownership
• It added that the FTC's evidence was speculative

Meta has filed a Rule 52(c) motion for judgement, claiming that the FTC has failed to prove its case relating to an antitrust lawsuit it brought on over Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.

According to Meta, no distinct monopoly power evidence has been shown – being that Meta's apps are free to use, traditional pricing-based monopoly indicators don't apply.

The social media giant also noted that the FTC failed to show that it had reduced the quality or output of its services, instead arguing that user engagement has grown and app quality has improved since it took over.

Meta says the FTC has no evidence over its social media monopoly

In its early days, Instagram was a small photo-sharing app with limited features, no revenue, and poor infrastructure. The company proudly proclaims to have massively improved the app's quality, reach, and features post-acquisition - with co-founder Kevin Systrom testifying to the fact that Meta had accelerated the app's growth, allowing Instagram to "thrive."

Meta also added that WhatsApp was focused on simple messaging before it was bought out, with no plans to add social features or ads, therefore it was not deemed a competitive threat to Facebook.

As a whole, the FTC's evidence has been widely criticized by Meta, with even the FTC's lead expert admitting that much of the competitive harm claim was speculative.

"The FTC has no evidence that Meta has a 60 percent share of any market that includes TikTok or YouTube along with Snapchat," the motion added.

Meta also noted: "Virtually every feature of TikTok exists on Instagram (and Facebook), and virtually every feature of Instagram exists on TikTok."

The social media giant's conclusion is simple: "The Court should enter judgment in Meta’s favor under Rule 52(c)."

You might also like

• Google "could face breakup" after being found guilty of having illegal ad tech monopolies
• Check out our roundup of the best social media management tools
• Google's Gemini AI is going to try and help build better online ads

If you ever wondered whether people buy phones for the cameras, take a look at the Samsung S25 Edge.

• Retailers like Aldi, Amazon, and Carrefour have backed a complaint against Visa/Mastercard
• High fees and a lack of transparency are central to the discussion
• Fees rose 33.9% between 2018 and 2022

Major European retailers and online platforms have urged the European Commission to address high fees charged by Visa and Mastercard, according to a report by Reuters.

Complaints relate to the negative impact of fees on EU competitiveness and the lack of transparency surrounding them, with the two payment network providers dominating about two-thirds of transactions in the euro zone.

Retailers have accused the International Card Schemes (ICS) of unchecked fee increases and complex pricing structures that aren't always so clear.

Visa and Mastercard criticized over fees in Europe

A 2024 report by Brattle Group revealed a 33.9% cumulative rise across ICS fees between 2018 and 2022, despite no corresponding service improvement or justification.

Visa has defended its fees: "This includes extremely high levels of security and fraud prevention, near-perfect operational resilience and reliability, and a wide range of consumer protections and high-quality, innovative products and services that serve consumer and merchant needs."

An extract from the letter addressed to the Commission's antitrust chief Teresa Ribera, financial services commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque and economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis, seen by Reuters, reads:

"International Card Schemes (ICS) have been able to increase their fees without competitive challenge or regulatory scrutiny. They have also rendered their system of fees and rules so complex and opaque that players are unable to understand, let alone challenge, what they are paying for and why."

Supporters include major trade associations and corporations, such as Aldi, Amazon, Carrefour, H&M, IKEA, and eBay.

They're calling for antitrust action against the two payment network providers, including the introduction of fee regulation, transparency, and further regulatory tools.

The two companies had previously agreed to reduce their multilateral interchange fees for payments in the EEA by an average of around 40%.

You might also like

• We've listed the best payment gateways
• Visa slams Amazon over credit card ban
• Take payments anywhere with the best mobile credit card processors

• An AirPods Pro 3 hint has just been spotted in some Apple code
• This follows rumors about ANC boosts and possibly heart-rate monitoring
• AirPods Pro 3 could come this year, but there’s no solid release date yet

Apple’s AirPods Pro are some of the best earphones you can buy, with fantastic sound and features packaged up into a tiny product. If you’ve been hoping for Apple to release an AirPods Pro 3 update this year, you’re in luck, as it seems the company might be working on just such a device.

Interestingly, this idea didn’t come from a well-connected analyst or a bit of lucky guesswork – it came from Apple itself. It appears that the company might have accidentally leaked the AirPods Pro 3 in its own software code, as spotted by eagle-eyed researcher Aaron Perris.

According to Perris, Apple has updated a text string with info that hints at future AirPods. The text previously read “requires Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation” – now, it says “requires Apple AirPods Pro 2 or later.” It’s not clear which app or software this string appears in, though.

You might think that this is a simple update to account for Apple’s AirPods 4, which launched after the AirPods Pro 2. Yet Perris claims that there was already a separate text string for AirPods 4 in the software. That suggests that the information cited may be referring to an as-yet-unreleased set of AirPods Pro, although we can’t be certain.

When might we see AirPods Pro 3?

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Right now, there’s no solid information on when the AirPods Pro 3 might be announced. Apple hasn’t given any indication of when the launch date might occur, so most information you’ll see at the moment is speculation.

However, the fact that Apple has apparently made the update spotted by Perris could suggest that AirPods Pro 3 will land sooner rather than later – after all, the change might be part of preparations the company is making to release the headphones. While that’s just conjecture at this point, a 2025 release date would make sense, given that it will be three years after the AirPods Pro 2 update.

So far, AirPods Pro 3 have been rumored to come with a new design, an updated chip, and “much better” noise cancelation. We’d also love to see the ability to connect to multiple cross-platform devices (including Android phones), as current AirPods are limited to Apple products.

With Apple’s WWDC 2025 conference less than one month away, the event could be an ideal time for Apple to reveal AirPods Pro 3 to the world. Keep your eyes peeled.

You might also like

• AirPods Pro 3: all the latest rumors and leaks, plus what we want to see
• AirPods Pro 3 with 'much better' noise cancellation are coming 'soon' says leaker – but I'm still skeptical
• AirPods Pro 2 review: fantastic wireless earbuds for Apple users

Alexander Skarsgård stars in this adaptation of the award-winning book series.

Smart displays dazzle with video, interactive controls, music and smart home management. Our experts have narrowed down our favorites.

Over the last week, I’ve been tasked with testing the new Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones to their absolute limit. And yes, they’re pretty great. With class-leading noise cancelling capabilities, awesome audio and features for days, these compete against even some of the best headphones around. But should you buy them now?

For many, the answer will be a resounding yes – but, you wouldn’t be alone in having a few reservations or questions. So, if you’re on the fence, here are my top three reasons to pick up the Sony WH-1000XM6 right now… as well as three reasons to hold fire.

If you’d like to check out my full thoughts, head over to my Sony WH-1000XM6 review – but for the quicker takeaway, let’s dive straight into things…

(Image credit: Future) Why you should buy them 1. You get class-leading active noise cancelling capabilities

Now, when it comes to noise cancelling, these are by far the best Sony headphones you can buy. But I’d go a step further. They’re also arguably the best noise cancelling headphones available – period.

The Japanese tech giant’s new cans use the fresh QN3 HD noise cancelling processor, which is seven times faster than the old QN1. It harnesses the capabilities of twelve mics in order to offer truly sound crushing ANC. Whether you’re looking for near-silence on your daily commute, an isolated listening session at the local café, or cans to help you lock in at the office, the WH-1000XM6 have you covered.

Even when compared to the noise-nixing legends that are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the XM6 are more than capable of holding their own.

I found them to be equally as good, if not better, than the Bose in my real-world testing, which included vacuuming my apartment, walking in traffic-heavy areas, and taking public transport. On occasion, you will hear sounds creep through, but fear not – the most harsh noises will be drastically dampened, meaning you can stay focused on your favorite tunes, at all times.

(Image credit: Future) 2. They sound fantastic and can mold to your specific taste

In terms of sound quality, the Sony WH-1000XM6 perform very nicely indeed. There’s a fantastically balanced sound signature out of the box, which aims to get closer to the ‘flat’ presentation that many audio engineers seek out. No need to worry about over-zealous bass or harsh treble here.

But still, you’re able to get an exciting listen out of Sony’s new flagship cans. In my hours upon hours of testing, I was treated to clear highs, rich mids and driving low-end output, which kept me coming back time after time. And with Sony’s ‘noise shaper’ technology, these cans can pre-empt sudden sound changes for a distortion-free, controlled listen.

There’s also DSEE Extreme for upscaling lower quality audio files, and Sony’s proprietary LDAC codec for getting the best out of ‘hi-res’ tracks over Bluetooth. And if you really want to make the XM6 sound your own, you can have a play with EQ settings, which include a Find Your Equalizer test that creates a tailor-made sound, just for you.

(Image credit: Future) 3. You get access to a treasure trove of smart features

But wait… the smart features in the app don't stop there. Sony has added even more features to its Sound Connect app for WH-1000XM6 owners. There’s Auracast, a type of Bluetooth technology that enables you to tune into an audio broadcast transmitted from a phone, TV or similar device without pairing. But there’s also an instant mute function on the mic that's useful for calls, and Scene-based Listening, which can adjust ANC levels based on your environment.

And on top of these new additions, you’re getting the very best of everything that’s come before in the WH-1000X line. I’m talking multi-point connectivity, wear detection, voice assistant compatibility and adaptive sound control, which adjusts audio output depending on your location and movement.

There’s also an Ambient Sound mode and Speak to Chat for when you want to be more aware of your surroundings. Alternatively, just cover your hand over the right earcup and you’ll be able to hear everything around you super-clearly until you lift your hand away.

And I could go on… there’s a Cinema listening mode that up-mixes stereo sound into a more immersive, three-dimensional format, and Background Music mode, which makes it seem as if your tunes are playing in a café or living room.

(Image credit: Future) Why they might not be right for you at the moment 1. They’re not cheap… to say the least

Okay, I might’ve made the Sony WH-1000XM6 sound like the perfect pair of headphones so far. But still, they might not be right for everyone, at least at the minute. And perhaps the most obvious reason for that is they’re pretty pricey.

In fact, they’ll cost even more than their predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM5, did at launch. The brand spanking new XM6 have a list price of $449 / £400 / AU$699, which is $50 / £20 / AU$50 more than the last flagship model at launch.

The XM5 are now widely available for closer to $300 / £250 and rivals like the aforementioned Bose QuietComfort Ultra are also on sale for under $350 / £350 pretty regularly.

I also need to note here that they cost the same as the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3, and those have clearly superior sound quality, though the Sony beat them on ANC power and features.

So, even though the XM6 offer better sound quality than their predecessor and ANC that stands up to Bose’s recent supremacy, it might take a discount for some to take the plunge on a purchase.

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones next to their predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM5 (Image credit: Future) 2. They don’t supply the best battery life around

The Sony WH-1000XM6 dish out 30 hours of playtime with ANC on. Is that bad? Not at all. But is it particularly impressive? Again, no, not really. To be frank, 30 hours is pretty average for a pricier pair of headphones like these.

For instance, it's the same amount you’ll get out of the five-star rated Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, as well as the Sonos Ace headphones.

On the flip side, there are some competitors that totally blow that 30 hours of playtime out of the water. The fantastic Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 boast a battery life of 60 hours with ANC on and as the name suggests, a mind-boggling 100 hours with noise cancelling off. Another pair that manages 60 hours is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, which are great all-rounders with a significantly lower price than the WH-1000XM6.

(Image credit: Future) 3. You might not be bowled over by their looks

So this last one is a lot more subjective, but the design of the Sony WH-1000XM6 might not be for you. See, I do like the look of these new cans overall, but I can’t help but feel that the earcups are quite chunky. So, if you’re after a more curved or low-key look, these might not be the absolute best headphones for you.

In addition, Sony has only opted to launch the XM6 in three colorways: Black; Midnight Blue; and Platinum Silver. There’s no Smoky Pink variant at the point of release, which was a popular addition to the XM5 lineup after entering the fray in September 2024. Fans of a more vibrant look may also be better served by the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (hold the Ultra – these are the cheaper model), which you can grab in green, blue and lilac.

If I was picking some headphones on looks alone, I’d have to go with the Marshall Monitor III ANC. They have a faux leather casing on the earcups, discreet buttons and a luxury-looking carry case. When it comes to style alone, they’re among the best.

(Image credit: Future) You might also like

• I reviewed the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, and they’re a glorious fusion of the best parts of their predecessors
• Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are official – here are the 3 things you need to know, and yes, the design is more portable

• Google has updates for Global Accessibility Awareness Day
• The new features cover Android and Google Chrome
• You can now ask Gemini questions about images on screen

We've already seen a bunch of updates for Apple products in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day this week, and now it's Google's turn – with four important upgrades on the way to Android and Chrome.

As per the official blog post, the TalkBack screen reader feature in Android is getting some extra smarts, on top of the existing Gemini-powered functionality. The feature provides image descriptions for blind and low-vision users, even when no alt text is provided.

Now, you'll be able to ask Gemini follow-up questions about the image that's showing on screen – so if you need to know what color something is, or what else is showing in the picture, Gemini will be able to help out.

There's also an update to Expressive Captions, which provides on-screen subtitles for anything with audio on your phone. Those subtitles will now reflect drawn on words, so you'll be able to tell the difference between "no" and "noooooooooo", Google says.

Chrome and language support

Page Zoom in Android can now zoom on text only (Image credit: Google)

We've got some accessibility improvements to talk about with Google Chrome, too. First up, scanned PDFs are getting Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which means you'll be able to search for text inside them, and copy that text somewhere else.

For Chrome on Android, Page Zoom (above) is adding a feature to let you increase the size of text on pages, without affecting anything else (like images or layouts). To set up the feature, tap the three dots (top right) in a tab, then Settings > Accessibility.

Google is also improving speech recognition technologies around the world, giving developers more resources for non-standard speech patterns and non-English languages, as part of its ongoing Project Euphoria initiative.

Finally, a full suite of accessibility features are on the way to Google's Bluebook app, which can be used as a testing platform. Upgrades for dictation and the screen reader tech should make the app more accessible than ever.

You might also like

• Android 16 is coming soon, with these new features
• Gemini is coming to Google TV later this year
• Google just showed us the new look of Android 16

• Microsoft was meant to make EU-specific changes to Azure by last month
• ECCO has issued its second amber report against Microsoft
• The company must now engage in Plan B

Microsoft has failed to deliver a special, EU-specific version of Azure – a milestone it was meant to achieve by mid-April 2025.

The Washington tech giant had previously committed to building a Hoster Product for EU providers, promising features like multi tenancy support, unlimited virtualization and pay-as-you-go SQL Server licensing.

It all stems from a November 2022 antitrust complaint, when CISPE accused Microsoft of engaging in anticompetitive business practices that saw it favor its own Azure cloud over competitors.

Microsoft missed a major CISPE antitrust milestone

CISPE complained that it was more expensive to run Microsoft software on rival cloud platforms than on Azure, thus the company pledged to tweak some of its licensing terms to open up competition.

The European Cloud Competition Observatory (ECCO) published its second report on Microsoft, maintaining its amber rating – not a good look for a company that's been the subject of antitrust investigations on a global scale. "Some concerns exist but corrective actions have been proposed," ECCO explains.

"Although there have been setbacks, specifically in the delivery of a product-based resolution, both sides continue to engage in positive discussions," CISPE wrote.

CISPE Secretary General Francisco Mignorance commented: "It is disappointing that the proposed product did not deliver, but this is in not the end of the Agreement. Phase 2 opens the door to discuss alternative, commercially equivalent solutions that enable CISPE members and Europe’s cloud infrastructure providers to compete fairly, while still offering Microsoft’s productivity tools to their customers."

Microsoft must now propose alternatives – a Plan B – by July 10, 2025, or face potential new legal action. In the meantime, the UK's CMA continues to review the company's licensing tactics.

TechRadar Pro has asked the company for more details on the missed deadline, but we did not receive an immediate response.

You might also like

• Microsoft hit by new legal claim over restrictive licensing and overcharging allegations
• We've listed the best cloud storage and best cloud backup software
• Save some money with the best free office software