Some filmmakers become legends, and perhaps the most legendary filmmaker of all is Alfred Hitchcock. And now many of his most iconic movies, and movies inspired by the 'Master of Suspense', are coming to Netflix.
One of the movies you can stream from the 1st of June happens to be my favorite Hitchcock film, The Birds. Even decades on, it's a masterclass in suspense and creeping dread, and I still get the fear when I see more than a few black birds in real life.
Can't wait for Hitchcock's films to become some of the best Netflix movies to stream in June? Psycho, which had previously been available on Prime Video, is already streaming on Netflix if you're in the mood for screaming.
Which Hitchcock films will you be able to stream?While Netflix hasn't revealed the entire list of Hitchcock movies that will be made available in the collection, we do know that five other masterpieces from the filmmaker will be added.
These include Vertigo, Rear Window, Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Family Plot and "more". Netflix will also be including films strongly influenced by Hitchcock's work including Us and Barbarian, as well as a narrative feature called Hitchcock about his work and legacy directed by Sacha Gervasi.
It'll be interesting to see if the feature also talks about his cruelty: Hitchcock may have been a great director but as The Atlantic carefully put it he was "stringent with – and sometimes even sadistic toward – his female leads".
If you're in New York or intend to be, Netflix is also presenting a Hitchcock special at the Paris Theater from May 16 through June 29. 'HITCH! The Original Cinema Influencer' is a six-week screening of over 50 films, including 36 directed by Hitchcock himself and more than a dozen more movies bearing his influence, made in collaboration with him or in homage to his style.
35 of the movies will be shown in 35mm, including Rear Window, Vertigo and North by Northwest, Francois Truffaut’s The Bride Wore Black and Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Dialbolique.
The Alfred Hitchcock Collection will arrive on Netflix, one of the best streaming services, on June 1.
You may also likeIf you regularly converse with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, it might seem like a natural move to talk to them inside your favorite messaging app. Well, you’ve just gained a new option, as you’re now able to chat with Perplexity AI directly within WhatsApp.
To get started, all you have to do is add the following number within WhatsApp: +1 (833) 436-3285. Once that number is in your list of contacts, you can chat with Perplexity AI till your heart’s content.
Announcing the move on X, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said that you’ll be able to get “answers, sources, image generation” from your WhatsApp chats, with “a lot more features coming soon.”
In a video accompanying the post on X, Srinivas asked Perplexity what they would look like if they were bald, then attached a headshot of themselves to the question. Perplexity replied with a doctored image of Srinivas with a bald head.
ChatGPT in WhatsApp (Image credit: OpenAI)Perplexity is just the latest AI chatbot to be added to WhatsApp. Meta, which owns WhatsApp, has added its own Meta AI tool to the app in the form of a permanent button in the lower-right corner. This gives you quick access to the company’s AI but also means you might accidentally trigger it since you can’t hide the icon.
If you’d rather your AI conversations appeared in your list of chats like those with living, human contacts, there are other options besides Perplexity. For instance, ChatGPT has recently become available in WhatsApp, and it can be contacted by adding the number +1 (800) 242-8478 to the app.
That said, you might have second thoughts about using a tool like Perplexity based on recent comments from its CEO. According to TechCrunch, Srinivas said Perplexity wants to build its upcoming Comet browser so that it can collect extensive data on its users, then sell that personal information to the highest bidder.
If that concerns you, you might want to think twice about feeding Perplexity’s WhatsApp AI with your personal questions.
You might also likeWiZ makes some of the best smart lights for home owners on a budget, and now it's taking the fight to Philips Hue with a new Sync Box that mirrors the colors on your TV screen, and mirrors them using a connected light strip or bars.
It's the same principle as Philips Ambilight technology, and effectively 'blurs' the edges of the screen for a more immersive movie or gaming experience.
The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is the best Ambilight alternative around today, but it's also the most expensive. The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K, which launched in September 2024, has a list price of $349.99 / £299.99 (about AU$520), while the 4K version is $249.99 / £229.99 (about AU$390).
That's before you add the cost of the lights themselves, whether that's a set of Philips Hue Play Light Bars, or a Gradient Light Strip to stick on the back of your TV.
There are several affordable options available from brands like Nanoleaf and Govee, but even the best Ambilight alternatives struggle to match the performance of the Philips Hue Play system. That's because most budget-friendly color-mirroring systems use a camera mounted on top of your TV to monitor what's being displayed on the screen, then replicate those colors.
Although this can work well, it often results in more latency than using HDMI, and can be affected by reflections and lighting conditions in the room. That can break the immersion, or even become a distraction.
(Image credit: Signify) More immersion, less cashThe new WiZ HDMI Sync Box uses HDMI input instead, which eliminates these problems and means there's no need to spend time calibrating the system either.
The WiZ HDMI Sync Box supports HDMI 2.0 and video formats up to 4K, and unlike the Philips Hue Play Sync Box 4K it comes with a light strip included. To extend the lighting throughout the rest of your room you can also pair it with the WiZ Gradient Light Bars and Gradient Floor Light.
The WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV backlight is available in two sizes. The kit for 55-inch to 65-inch TVs is £79.99 (about $110 / AU$170), while the version for 75-inch to 85-inch TVs is £99.99 (about $130 / AU$210).
The smaller kit is available now in the UK and Europe, while the larger set will go on sale in September. Prices and release dates for the rest of the world have yet to be announced.
We'll be testing the WiZ HDMI Sync Box very soon, and will bring you a full review so you can see how it compares with the pricier Philips Hue alternative, and decide which is the best companion for your home entertainment setup.
You might also likeAt long last, Prime Video has finally unveiled its schedule for May 2025 and in addition to its usual roster of old favorites get ready for more original titles that are set to spruce up our array of best Prime Video movies and best Prime Video shows.
The most anticipated new Prime Video movie is Another Simple Favor, starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. It serves as the sequel to their 2018 black comedy crime flick, and has debuted with a fairly decent Rotten Tomatoes score of 81% so far.
As for original TV shows, the brand new nature docuseries Octopus! narrated by Phoebe Waller-Bridge will also swim its way into the Prime Video library on May 8, followed by the Prime Video original series Molly Mae: Behind It All, which will be returning for a second installment on May 9.
This is just the beginning of Prime Video's May 2025 calendar, and before these new original titles land on one of the best streaming services you'll be able to stream over 50 new movies on May 1 alone, the perfect way for you to start your summer streaming schedule.
From the romantic sci-fi feature Her (2013) to one of my personal favorite comfort movies Legally Blonde (2001), here are all the new Prime Video titles you'll be able to stream in May 2025.
Everything new on Prime Video in May 2025Arriving on May 1
Agent Cody Banks (movie)
Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (movie)
All Quiet On The Western Front (movie)
All The Money In The World (movie)
Animal House (movie)
Another Simple Favor (movie)
Are We There Yet? (movie)
Babe (movie)
Babe: Pig in the City (movie)
Barbershop (movie)
Barbershop 2: Back in Business (movie)
Because I Said So (movie)
Blood Diamond (movie)
Body of Lies (movie)
Boo! A Madea Halloween (movie)
Born On The Fourth Of July (movie)
Cinderella Man (movie)
Coogan’s Bluff (movie)
Dante’s Peak (movie)
Death Wish (movie)
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (movie)
Earthquake (movie)
Fried Green Tomatoes (movie)
Fury (movie)
Gattaca (movie)
Get On Up (movie)
Her (movie)
Heroes (movie)
How High (movie)
In The Heat of the Night (movie)
It’s Kind of a Funny Story (movie)
Jarhead (movie)
Jersey Boys (movie)
John Q (movie)
Legally Blonde (movie)
Loving (movie)
Mallrats (movie)
Overboard (movie)
Play Misty For Me (movie)
R.I.P.D. - Rest in Peace Department (movie)
Ray (movie)
Ride Along With Gag Reel (movie)
Space Cowboys (movie)
Starsky & Hutch (movie)
The Beguiled (movie)
The Exorcist (movie)
The Flintstones (movie)
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (movie)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (movie)
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (movie)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (movie)
The Karate Kid (movie)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (movie)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (movie)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (movie)
Traffic (movie)
Two Mules for Sister Sara (movie)
White House Down (movie)
You’ve Got Mail (movie)
Arriving on May 5
The Peanut Butter Falcon (movie)
Arriving on May 6
David Spade: Dandelion (TV show)
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (movie)
Arriving on May 8
Octopus! (TV show)
Arriving on May 9
Molly-Mae: Behind it All Part 2 (TV show)
Arriving on May 13
Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop (movie)
Arriving on May 20
Motorheads (TV show)
Arriving on May 22
Earnhardt (TV show)
Arriving on May 23
Clarkson’s Farm season 4 (TV show)
Arriving on May 27
September 5 (movie)
The Fire Inside (movie)
The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy season 2 (TV show)
Arriving on May 29
The Better Sister (TV show)
Arriving on May 30
Chomp Squad season 1 (TV show)
Arriving on May 31
Good Boy (TV show)
You might also likeThe modus operandi of the original electric Citroen Ami was to make motoring as affordable and as widely accessible as possible, with the diminutive and very basic quadricycle flaunting many automotive norms in favor of cost-cutting.
Now, Citroen has refreshed the line-up, including the addition of a funky Buggy version that shuns its doors and hard-top for an altogether more beach-ready vibe.
As a reminder, the petite Ami can only manage a top speed of 28mph, lacks any sort of infotainment system (you bring your smartphone) and offers an EV range of around 46 miles. But it can be driven by 14-year-olds in some countries and costs less than many modern eBikes.
Citroen engineered the Ami so both of its doors are identical, mounted in a mirrored fashion so they open suicide-style for the driver and normally for the passenger, making it cheaper to manufacture and repair.
Everything is designed to be robust but affordable – it is basic city transport at its best and it has shifted more than 75,000 units in the past five years.
The refreshed line-up features a revised front and rear fascia with brand new lights, with moulded grooves in the front right and rear left wings, offering a nod to the original 2CV of the late 1940s.
Image 1 of 5(Image credit: Citroen)Image 2 of 5(Image credit: Citroen)Image 3 of 5(Image credit: Citroen)Image 4 of 5(Image credit: Citroen)Image 5 of 5(Image credit: Citroen)Three new color packs also join the fold, with Ami Spicy, Ami Icy, and Ami Minty (red, white and green) providing an alternative to the basic blue hue of the previous iteration.
But in order to cut costs, Citroen supplies the wheel trims and a set of decals so that customers can apply the very basic wrap themselves.
The Ami Buggy, on the other hand, wears its additional design touches on its sleeve, including gold 14-inch steel wheels, a small sports spoiler and black metal hoops that replace the standard doors. This makes sliding in and out easier, while zipped door covers are available to keep out the rain.
Equally, the soft fabric roof can be rolled back or removed, essentially creating a small electric Manx Buggy.
There’s also a Palmeira edition that adds colored floor mats and a little robot bobble head called Andy that sits on the dashboard. Why? We have no idea.
Electric micro mobility rules for many (Image credit: Citroen)It’s easy to pass off something like the Citroen Ami as a bit of a joke, but it is the sort of basic, electric micro-mobility option that helps many navigate the busy streets of European cities, as well as offering safer, four-wheeled freedom to teenagers.
The new design language moves away from the slightly cutesy look of the original electric Ami, yet the refreshed model still manages to start at just €7,990 in France. That’s around $9,000 / £6,800 / AU$14,200.
Now available in 18 markets, Ami is becoming a common sight on urban streets, where its 2.41m length ensures it easy to park and its 4-hour charge from a 3kWh outlet makes it a solid choice for inner-city car-sharing schemes.
The Buggy version is clearly a bit of a fun and a cool lifestyle accessory for someone that needs something simple to pop to the beach in, but electric micro-mobility in general has wider appeal.
The new Ami, for example, has been designed with disabilities in mind. There are specific stowage and lashing points for wheelchairs, as well as the option of a mechanical lever for manual control of both accelerator and brake functions.
With cities becoming ever-more populated, it's the sort of affordable solution that can keep us all moving... and parking.
You might also likeGoogle’s Pixel phones have fantastic screens and there’s no reason to think the upcoming Google Pixel 10 series will be any exception, but one way in which they’ve so far been found lacking is their PWM (pulse-width modulation) dimming rates.
This refers to a method that some smartphones use to make their display appear dimmer. Essentially, rather than the voltage being adjusted, the display is rapidly turned off and on to give the appearance of decreased brightness.
This rapid switching on and off of the screen is imperceptible to most users, but for some it can cause headaches, and it’s at its worst when the PWM rate is quite low – which is the case with Pixel phones.
But that might change with the Google Pixel 10, as when Android Central asked Google whether it would consider upgrading the PWM dimming rate or adding a flicker-reduction accessibility option to Pixel phones, they were told by a Google representative that “their teams are aware and investigating this. You can expect updates later this year."
The Google Pixel 9 Pro (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Likely landing with the Pixel 10That reference to “later this year” likely means any changes would come to the Pixel 10 series, which is expected to launch in or around August. That likely means older models won’t benefit, though it’s not impossible that these changes could land as a software update.
It’s also unclear whether this would mean changes to the PWM rate, moving away from PWM, or some other solution. But whatever the case, this is very promising news for anyone who struggles with PWM and particularly low PWM dimming rates.
Of course, this comment is a bit vague so we might be getting excited about nothing, but as Android Central notes, this isn’t the first time they’ve reached out to Google for comment on PWM over the last couple of years, but it is the first time they’ve had a meaningful response, which could be a sign that it’s finally something Google is addressing.
We should find out later this year, either with the Pixel 10 series or as part of a software update – perhaps Android 16.
You might also likeThe new Apple Watch SE 3, expected to arrive in September, has reportedly entered production sporting display size options of 1.6 and 1.8 inches, hinting at the long-rumored redesign we've been waiting for.
Apple should unveil its three new best Apple Watches for 2025 in September alongside the iPhone 17. While the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 should be the headliners, only the Apple Watch SE 3 is tipped to get a redesign, and we've just got our clearest hint yet at what that could entail.
As reported by 9to5Mac, the ultra-reliable supply chain leaker Ross Young has reportedly revealed that the new Apple Watch SE 3 displays have entered production. According to the report, "He estimates the displays as being around 1.6” and 1.8” each."
As the report notes, Apple gauges its Watch line by case size, not screen size. As such, it's difficult to pin down exactly what this means. However, the sizing mentioned is closest to that of the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch range pioneered by the Series 7 and phased out with the Series 10.
Coupled with prior reports of a new design for the SE 2, it's safe to say that the Apple Watch SE 3 is hopefully going to look an awful lot like the Apple Watch Series 9 – a much-needed design overhaul.
Apple Watch SE 3's new sizes (Image credit: Future)Boosting the display size to 41mm and 45mm makes a ton of sense. The Apple Watch SE 2's design is starting to look long in the tooth alongside the sleeker Series 10. Handily, because the Series 10 measures 42mm and 46mm, Apple can increase the SE 3's display size accordingly while keeping the size difference as a clear point of differentiation in the lineup.
Other features and upgrades of the Apple Watch SE 3 remain veiled at this point. The big story for Apple Watch this year should be the introduction of blood pressure/hypertension monitoring, a feature certain to be reserved for the premium models in the lineup.
In the meantime, Apple should unveil watchOS 12 at WWDC 2025, which will reportedly feature a more transparent design reflective of Apple Vision Pro's visionOS.
You may also likeWe’ve been hearing for a while that Samsung could launch a tri-fold phone, possibly called the Samsung Galaxy G Fold, and now the company has strongly hinted that this device will launch in 2025.
As reported by SamMobile, the company stated during its Q1 2025 earnings call that it will “maximize product competitiveness based on form factor innovation.” Now, given that Samsung hasn’t released a phone with a new form factor since 2020, that suggests a new form factor is coming soon, with the tri-fold design being the only rumored candidate.
The company also stated that “Foldables will offer large-screen experiences for Fold”, which could be a reference to the rumored 9.9-inch screen of the Samsung Galaxy G Fold; that would make it a lot larger than the 7.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Of course, we can’t be sure about any of this, but it’s already been rumored that the Samsung Galaxy G Fold will launch this year, so these comments further corroborate that prediction.
It could be coming soon, but maybe not everywhere The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)If the G Fold does land this year, it will most likely launch alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, both of which are expected in July.
However, it’s also possible that the Samsung Galaxy G Fold won’t get a global launch, with one report suggesting it will only be available in China and Korea. In which case, you might not be able to buy it.
Still, there’s always hope that it will go global, and even if this initial version doesn’t, subsequent models may well do.
We certainly hope the Galaxy G Fold will be widely available, though, because despite being one of the early pioneers of foldable phones, Samsung hasn’t done much to innovate in the space for quite a while now, so a tri-fold device could really freshen up its foldable line.
You might also likeAMD’s RX 9060 XT is the next in line for the RDNA 4 range, rumor has it – at least outside of Asia (I’ll come back to that point later) – and we’ve just heard a possible release date for this GPU which will sit underneath the RX 9070 models.
VideoCardz reports that Chinese tech site Benchlife has the scoop on this one, claiming that the RX 9060 XT will be launched on May 21 (apply seasoning now).
This backs up a previous nugget of speculation from the grapevine contending that AMD is shooting for a mid-May launch. And it makes sense given that Team Red has its Computex keynote on May 21, which would be an obvious time to make a revelation like this.
I should clarify that this is just the reveal of the RX 9060 XT, we’re told, and these graphics cards won’t go on sale until later – in June, in fact, according to the report. (Assuming no translation issues are clouding the air here, which is always possible when the original material is in another language, Chinese in this case).
AMD itself has only confirmed that RX 9060 models are coming in Q2 2025, so June is at the late end of that timeframe.
(Image credit: Shutterstock / Gorodenkoff) Analysis: A sound bet for ComputexI wouldn’t bet against a Computex launch, because AMD has even said it will “announce key products and technology advancements” in the sphere of gaming at the show (among other areas, including AI PCs too). So, it seems likely enough, then, although arguably it’s also an easy target for an educated guess, if that’s what Benchlife is engaging in here.
The date also seems well placed to fire a shot back at Nvidia, in theory. The rumored release date for the RTX 5060 is May 19, so if that turns out to be correct, then AMD is perhaps looking to steal a bit of the thunder from Nvidia’s release here with a launch just a couple of days after. (Even if going by the rumored specs, the 9060 XT is going to be more pitched at the RTX 5060 Ti, rather than the vanilla RTX 5060).
So, again, all this makes some sense, and while I certainly think we should remain cautious, I’d be inclined to give Benchlife the benefit of the doubt here.
Pricing will of course be key, and we don’t yet have rumored pricing for the RX 9060 XT. Another key question that remains to be answered is whether AMD will release the RX 9060 XT in two flavors: 16GB and 8GB. Previous buzz has indicated that this might be the case, but more recent rumors are asserting that the 8GB model could be canceled before it flies the nest (due to the reaction to the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB).
The RX 9060 XT might be the next GPU to emerge globally as a more affordable RDNA 4 graphics card, but before then, gamers in Asia will get another product – the RX 9070 GRE. Like the GRE variants before it, this might be sold in other regions eventually, but for now, it’s a China-only prospect, with AMD having confirmed a May 8 on-sale date for this GPU.
You might also like...Following Sam Altman claiming ChatGPT 4o's personality had become 'annoying', OpenAI has now made changes to the AI model, rolling back last week's update.
The company posted a blog post on its website highlighting the issue that had caused ChatGPT to become more 'flattering or agreeable – often described as sycophantic.'
Users found the update infuriating, with CEO Sam Altman sharing on X earlier this week that the company was working on a fix for the 'annoying' behaviour.
the last couple of GPT-4o updates have made the personality too sycophant-y and annoying (even though there are some very good parts of it), and we are working on fixes asap, some today and some this week.at some point will share our learnings from this, it's been interesting.April 27, 2025
In the blog post, OpenAI says, "In last week’s GPT‑4o update, we made adjustments aimed at improving the model’s default personality to make it feel more intuitive and effective across a variety of tasks."
"However, in this update, we focused too much on short-term feedback, and did not fully account for how users’ interactions with ChatGPT evolve over time. As a result, GPT‑4o skewed towards responses that were overly supportive but disingenuous."
In an effort to prevent this from happening moving forward, the company has highlighted how it looks to address sycophancy in the future.
For starters, training will be used to 'steer the model away from sycophancy' as well as added guardrails put in place to 'increase honesty and transparency'.
OpenAI also plans to add more ways for users to provide feedback on updates before they are rolled out to the wider public.
More personality updates to comewe started rolling back the latest update to GPT-4o last night it's now 100% rolled back for free users and we'll update again when it's finished for paid users, hopefully later today we're working on additional fixes to model personality and will share more in the coming daysApril 29, 2025
Following the rollback of the ChatGPT 4o update, Altman wrote on X, "we're working on additional fixes to model personality and will share more in the coming days."
Putting two and two together, it looks like users might get a ChatGPT personality selection tool in the future. OpenAI's blog post mentions the company is "building new, easier ways for users to shape ChatGPT's behavior" beyond custom instructions.
If you want to go further and change ChatGPT's personality yourself, we recommend trying the following prompt Reddit user TedHoliday:
"Can you please store a memory to permanently stop commenting on the quality and validity of my questions and simply get to the point? I don't want to be manipulated with flattery by a robot, and I don't want to have to skip past the garbage to get to the answer l'm looking for."
You might also likeSurfshark has just become the first VPN provider to unveil a privacy-first public DNS service.
Unlike DNS servers that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers you by default, Surfshark DNS promises never to log or track any activity, and it's completely free to use.
Already offering one of the best VPN services on the market, Surfshark's new service seeks to help privacy-conscious individuals and organizations avoid online tracking.
Surfshark public DNS"By offering a free, privacy-oriented DNS service, we are not only seeking Surfshark’s commitment to make the internet a safer place for everyone but also encouraging individuals, organizations, as well as NGOs to take their first steps towards enhancing online privacy," said Karolis Kaciulis, Leading System Engineer at Surfshark.
Short for Domain Name System, DNS acts as the phone book of the Internet. It translates human-friendly domain names that we all type online into numerical IP addresses that computers can understand. DNS servers—dedicated machines that handle and respond to DNS requests—are then a vital part of how the Internet works.
Yet, DNS servers that ISPs offer by default aren't necessarily private.
ISPs may collect and log users' DNS queries for user identification. They can also monitor DNS traffic and even block specific domains. Users can then be subjected to targeted advertising, too.
Surfshark DNS promises to be different, though. It operates under a strict no-logs policy, which means no collection, storage, or sharing of browsing activity. It also supports secure DNS protocols such as DoT, DoH, and DoQ to keep browsing activity private.
We're introducing our free privacy-oriented DNS service, designed for those who value extra privacy without compromising the speeds of their daily browsing. Check it out. https://t.co/YaU0xvw5nfApril 28, 2025
Many tech enthusiasts are used to opting for alternative public DNS servers to improve their overall internet performance. Yet, none of them, Kaciulis explains, are provided by companies primarily focused on security and privacy.
He told TechRadar: "Recognizing this gap, Surfshark decided to offer its own public DNS servers, aligning with its core mission of providing a more secure and private connection."
A third-party DNS server like Surfshark DNS could improve overall network performance. For example, it is less likely to become overloaded. It also promises to offer a better understanding of geolocation, which can provide users with closer servers.
Such a service can also help users bypass online censorship that ISPs may enforce at the DNS level.
Despite these benefits, Kaciulis doesn't recommend using Surfshark DNS alongside Surfshark's virtual private network (VPN).
"Our VPN inherently includes DNS protection, making a separate DNS configuration redundant for users," he said.
Similarly to its no-log VPN, though, Surfshark now plans to put its DNS no-log policy under test soon with a third-party independent audit.
You might also likeWelcome to our 48 hour coverage of World Password Day 2025 - here we will be bringing you all the news, updates, and expert insights into the world of passwords and password security ahead of the big day on May 1st 2025!
Most of us use passwords almost every day to access and protect online accounts, files, and documents. But passwords are only as secure as you make them, and remembering multiple complex passwords can be such a hassle.
Don't worry though, we've rounded up
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Use the code PASSDAY20 to get 20% off NordPass Business for World Password Day. With the promo code, expect to pay $3.59 per user per month for a 2-year subscription.
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Telecommunications is an inherently data-driven industry. Traditionally, great focus has been placed on gaining data visibility into the core and transit areas of the network. This approach has provided valuable insights for throughput optimizations, speed, and general performance.
Regardless of promises of speed, customers are mainly concerned about whether or not they’re able to watch streaming services, play live games, and connect with colleagues and loved ones via video calling - sometimes simultaneously. To solve for optimized performance and a great customer experience, telecommunication companies are shifting their focus toward further enhancing their last-mile visibility.
Historically, service providers have used the last-mile data they collect to identify the worst-performing connections and pinpoint the group of customers most at risk of churning to another provider. However, if approached correctly, last-mile performance intelligence can offer more than just a way to mitigate churn.
Today, when consumers visit the marketing and sign-up pages of telcos or internet service providers, they are typically presented with maps showing broad network coverage and similar pricing between providers, indicative of both the competitiveness of the telecommunications landscape and the utility-like nature of many of its services. On paper, there is often little to differentiate providers from a marketing perspective.
This is where the opportunity lies. Service providers are in a unique position by virtue of owning and operating the networks that connect users with the applications and services they’ve come to rely on in their daily lives. By rethinking their relationship with last-mile data, additional benefits - beyond customer retention - are ripe for the taking when it comes to intelligent fault diagnosis, customer communication, and differentiated services.
How incomplete last-mile data can impact decisionsOne of the most important aspects of data-driven decision-making is that the source data underpinning the decision is clean, comprehensive, and has good lineage. This goes to its quality and reliability as the foundation for decision-making.
With more comprehensive last-mile data, service providers and carriers can make better informed decisions regarding new product launches, network planning, capacity, and capital allocation. For example, telcos and service providers will make significant moves around optimization of services for the needs of specific market segments - such as gaming, or industrial companies with IoT needs, and so on.
This kind of optimization has long been a promise of network slicing technology, and many telcos and providers now have this in their arsenal. Yet, the biggest challenge may be determining the best customer cohorts to target with this level of optimized services. This is a problem that is addressable in part by having more comprehensive last-mile data to analyze and base these decisions on.
Incomplete last-mile data also makes it harder to determine where a proposed investment in network infrastructure or capacity would have the biggest performance improvement. By contrast, in circumstances where the telco or service provider is collecting last-mile data from every active service, from every home or premises, they have a much more comprehensive understanding of how their services land, and where improvements most need to be made.
Last-mile intelligence as a differentiatorTelcos and service providers have always had options available to them to collect last-mile data: whether that’s TR-069 on customer premises equipment, or specific broadband monitoring boxes.
The key opportunity ahead lies in the improved capability within service provider environments to correlate and use last-mile intelligence.
For instance, last-mile network intelligence can significantly enhance the ability to deploy maintenance strategies proactively. By continuously monitoring the last-mile connections, service providers can identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems, reducing downtime and improving overall service reliability. This proactive approach not only helps in maintaining customer satisfaction but also reduces operational costs associated with emergency repairs and customer support.
Service providers can also use last-mile insight to analyze usage patterns and preferences to tailor their offerings for a higher level of personalization that can lead to deeper customer satisfaction and loyalty, as customers feel their specific needs are being met.
In a market where pricing and coverage are often similar, last-mile intelligence can be a key differentiator. Service providers that can demonstrate superior last-mile performance through transparent reporting, value-add services, and customer testimonials can gain a competitive edge. This transparency builds trust and can be a deciding factor for customers choosing between providers.
Where will richer data take you?With insights into all last-mile connections, service providers can access a valuable dataset that has long been overlooked. This knowledge can enhance customer experience and inform a wider range of commercial decisions, resulting in comprehensive strategies that are supported by a clearer understanding of the last-mile situation and the needs of their subscribers.
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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) has become a hot commodity, with companies around the world enjoying access to multiple rapidly-growing, full-spectrum data marketplaces provided by the likes of IBM and Google, as well as S&P Global, Snowflake, and others.
What is underpinning their rising popularity is the fact that hedge funds, investors, and financial services companies are increasingly discovering how they can leverage these rich datasets to make informed decisions.
Governments around the world have also been quick to adopt DaaS practices, especially when it comes to data monetization drives in such fields as health care and smart city projects.
My aim with this article is to explain what DaaS is, what it is packing “under the hood”, and what data collection alternatives are currently available to businesses and organizations.
What is DaaS?In a nutshell, Data-as-a-Service is a cloud-based type of software that provides users with multi-source data on demand via APIs, rather than as a standalone product. In other words, by paying a subscription fee based on data usage, businesses gain access to numerous data sets rated by other users, making it easy for them to find what they need.
DaaS facilitates the consolidation of enterprise data in one place and, unlike other data management frameworks, doesn’t require users to have extensive on-premises IT infrastructure or expertise to store, manage, retrieve, and otherwise handle massive amounts of data. As of 2024, there are a total of 60 publicly traded DaaS companies.
As with any other technology, DaaS comes with its own set of pros and cons. On the pro side, it has been used to reduce licensing costs, streamline workloads by leveraging cloud services, speed up software development, create enterprise benchmarking reports, and boost the efficiency of business intelligence.
DaaS’s cons, meanwhile, include risks like data privacy breaches, security violations when dealing with sensitive data, and the low quality of granular, niche data types.
What powers DaaS?DaaS makes extensive use of alternative data. How do we define that though? Traditional data can be defined as pretty much all publicly available, structured data produced under legal and official supervision. This would include data from statistics departments, press releases, financial statements, and so forth.
Alternative data, on the other hand, is typically unstructured, stored in multiple different formats (from blocks of text to video clips), and extracted for specific purposes. Some businesses — particularly financial services and investment companies — are highly reliant on exactly this type of data already. A key reason for this is that alternative data often contains unique investment signals that aren’t present in its traditional counterpart.
The most common method of collecting alternative data is called web scraping, which dates back to around 1989. In basic terms, web scraping uses specialized software to copy large amounts of unstructured public data from websites automatically and transfer it to a central database or spreadsheet, where it is converted into structured data, for later analysis. This form of data gathering is arguably the main engine behind the power of DaaS marketplaces.
Web scraping has been rapidly rising in popularity over the past decade. As global competition continues to heat up, more and more companies are turning to web scraping to make better-informed business decisions and gain an edge over their market opponents. And with vast amounts of data being generated every single day — around 2.5 quintillion bytes, to be precise — the ways of collecting alternative data and putting it to good use are potentially limitless.
To sum up, DaaS marketplaces often use web scraping to collect alternative data, which may contain unique signals, and provide their customers with powerful cloud infrastructure they can use to analyze it according to their individual needs.
SaaS, DaaS, or… ?Businesses and organizations have three ways of acquiring the alternative data they need. Let’s take a brief look at each in turn.
Web scraping with SaaS
The first method entails the use of web scraping software (e.g., via a customized scraper API) and an ethical proxy network from a reliable provider. This in-house approach comes with a substantial learning curve and requires a good deal of maintenance — e.g., when a website changes its HTML structure and content, the scraping pipelines can break. There are also potential legal issues, such as accidentally scraping sensitive data.
The main benefit of web scraping with SaaS is that you actually control the data you get. Which means that it’s easier to control its quality, to target specific data, and to maintain security, privacy, and compliance, especially if you’re gathering sensitive information. In addition, you get your data fast, at relatively low cost, and it comes in a structured form.
Buying ready-made datasets
The second method is to buy ready-made datasets that match your needs. While this does mean that you’ll be dependent on a specific vendor (or vendors) for updates and support, as well as somewhat limited customization options, you also get many benefits. For instance, since you’re buying a finished product, you can start using it immediately — no in-house data collection required, and no infrastructure-related overhead.
Ready-made datasets are relatively cheap, as licensing or subscription fees replace substantial upfront investments. Additionally, since you’re getting your data pre-packaged by a reputable vendor, it’s going to be of high quality. This is because companies that sell datasets use various data validation techniques to ensure its accuracy.
Sourcing from a DaaS marketplace
Finally, you may opt for getting your data from a DaaS marketplace, which combines data collection, storage, and management. Since we’ve already covered “vanilla” DaaS, it might be worthwhile mentioning Big Data-as-a-Service (BDaaS) here. In basic terms, what you get with BDaaS is not simply more data, but also a whole data analytics package designed to help companies extract the insights they need.
Given that, according to current projections, the BDaaS market value will reach over $52 billion by 2026, you might want to keep an eye on this in the future. For now, however, if you don’t have much experience in working with data, it’s probably best to sit this one out.
Final wordUltimately, which method is best depends on your needs. Can you get the data you require in the form of standalone datasets? Does it make sense to collect it yourself using a custom SaaS web scraper? Or perhaps you need access to larger pools of data via something like BDaaS?
Before making that all important decision, make sure you’ve established exactly what type of data you actually require, and what is the easiest, most cost-effective way of obtaining it.
We list the cheapest proxy services.
This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro