Technology

Commentary: At first glance, the Galaxy Flip 7 FE is the foldable phone Gen Z has been waiting for. But it's still annoyingly unaffordable.

Champions League winners take on Los Blancos in heavyweight battle for a place in Sunday's final.

• BulletVPN has announced that it’s shutting down for good
• The VPN provider had previously sold lifetime subscriptions
• Windscribe is offering six free months of Windscribe Pro to affected subscribers

BulletVPN has announced its closure, citing "various factors, including shifts in market demand." The Estonia-based Virtual Private Network provider had been in operation for over eight years and had several thousand active users.

In a statement on its website, the VPN service thanked its users for their trust and support over the years. It also said that users with active subscriptions may be eligible for a free six-month subscription to Windscribe Pro, as well as discounted long-term subscription plans.

BulletVPN’s closure also impacts users who’d purchased lifetime subscriptions, calling into question the legitimacy and validity of lifetime plans that don’t always stand the test of time.

How to claim a free Windscribe plan

Rated among the best VPN services on the market by TechRadar’s reviewers, Windscribe has a history of stepping in to cater for displaced VPN users. Upon the closure of WeVPN in 2023, it allowed existing WeVPN customers to migrate to Windscribe for the remaining duration of their subscriptions.

Both BulletVPN and Windscribe make it clear that this is an independent offer from Windscribe – not an acquisition or formal partnership. Windscribe describes it as a "goodwill gesture to affected VPN users with no strings attached."

BulletVPN has announced that they are shutting down. While that's unfortunate news for anyone using their service, Windscribe has stepped in to help. If you have an active BulletVPN sub, claim a free 6 months of Windscribe Pro. Read more: https://t.co/fz8zy71l8d pic.twitter.com/nm2QwNHbU0July 8, 2025

BulletVPN assures that no user data, such as email addresses or account information, has been shared with Windscribe.

Windscribe explains that it has provided BulletVPN with "unique, single-use voucher codes" to be shared with affected users upon request.

Users who are interested in the offer are encouraged to get in touch with BulletVPN’s customer support team at support@bulletvpn.com. The offer is available to BulletVPN users with active subscriptions until August 9, 2025, so don’t wait too long if you’re eligible and want to take advantage.

In TechRadar’s Windscribe VPN review, Mike Williams, our lead security reviewer, described Windscribe as "a great VPN for more experienced users," highlighting its many features and configurable settings.

A reminder that lifetime subscriptions don’t last forever

BulletVPN’s decision to shut down its operations will undoubtedly come as a disappointment to subscribers, particularly those who purchased what they believed to be lifetime subscriptions.

This isn’t the first time lifetime subscriptions have been cut short. In April 2025, VPNSecure's change in ownership saw lifetime subscriptions canceled, resulting in users losing access to the service.

In 2023, a VPN user on Reddit shared an alleged reply from Ivacy VPN’s customer support, stating that the company considered "lifetime" as "the lifecycle of a software, which is typically 5 years."

Despite all this, some more reliable VPN providers that have offered lifetime subscriptions for a short while in the past, like Proton VPN, NordVPN, and Windscribe, previously confirmed to TechRadar that they continue to honor existing lifetime subscriptions to this day.

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• Wix announces teaming up with Monotype Imaging
• The partnership will see new fonts make it to the Wix website builder platform
• The new fonts are now live and accessible to all Wix and Wix Studio users

Wix users now get to use some of the most popular fonts in the world, such as Helvetica, or Avenir, thanks to a new partnership with Monotype Imaging. Earlier this week, the popular website builder announced a new strategic partnership with Monotype Imaging, one of the biggest font licensors in the world.

As a result, Wix users can now enjoy a wider spectrum of high-quality typefaces to improve their content and better demonstrate their creativity.

Among the fonts Monotype owns and distributes are Helvetica, Arial, Times New Roman, Future, Avenir, and Century Gothic. The company also offers new classics, such as Recoleta, Kibitz Pro, and Aether. However, not all of Monotype’s typefaces will be available.

After consulting with type design experts at Monotype, Wix chose which fonts to offer, ranging from “professional business needs” to “playful, personal projects”, and “agencies building bespoke web experiences with a variety of fonts.”

New features

For Hagit Kaufman, VP of Brand and Design at Wix, typography is “an important aspect of web design”, and by expanding the font offering, Wix “empowers creators to produce visually compelling websites and content that truly reflects the brand’s personality".

The new fonts are now live and accessible to all Wix and Wix Studio users, it was said in the press release.

In recent months, Wix has been hard at work, adding new tools and features for its website building community. In late April this year, it introduced a new AI-powered adaptive content application that generates and modifies website content based on admin input and visitor characteristics. A few weeks earlier, in mid-March, it introduced a new no-code interface, Wix Functions, allowing customers to create custom business flows and elements such as dynamic pricing rules, checkout conditions, and tailored loyalty rewards without needing any coding expertise.

If you’re interested in learning more, make sure to read our in-depth Wix review.

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Samsung's second big Galaxy Unpacked event of 2025 is kicking off in a matter of hours – and this time it's all about foldables, with the rumors predicting the arrival of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Z Flip 7 FE, Galaxy Watch 8, and more.

Those latest-generation foldables are likely to be the big headlines, according to the latest leaks. But there could well be more news, including a potential first teaser of Samsung's Galaxy tri-fold.

We're live from New York to bring you all of the latest news as it happens, with Unpacked July 2025 kicking off at 10am ET / 7am PT / 3pm BST. You can also check our guide on how to watch Unpacked 2025, or watch along with us with the official livestream below.

For now though, it's time to dig into all of the last-minute Fold, Flip and Galaxy Watch leaks, and there's a lot of those...

The latest Unpacked July 2025 news

• The full marketing materials for the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 have leaked
• We've also just seen the similar leaks for the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
• Unpacked July 2025 kicks off at 10am ET / 7am PT / 3pm BST

Welcome to our Unpacked July 2025 liveblog

(Image credit: Future)

Hello, Mark Wilson (Managing editor, News) here – and I'll be bringing you all of the news from our colleagues at Unpacked July 2025 in New York, along with the latest leaks and rumors – and there are a lot of those.

Some really big ones for the Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Watch 8 have just emerged. So while we wait for New York to wake up, let's dig into those...

A deluge of Z Fold 7 leaks

#zfold7 all of it #1

— @rquandt.bsky.social (@rquandt.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-07-09T11:46:13.918Z

Talk about bursting Samsung's bubble – the trusty Roland Quandt has just leaked what appear to be entire marketing materials for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on Bluesky.

There isn't much we haven't already seen in recent leaks. It will seemingly have a bigger screen than the Z Fold 6, with a 6.5in cover screen and an 8in main screen. Those would be a step up from the current version's 6.3in cover and 7.6in main displays.

Elsewhere, it'll seemingly be thinner when folded (by 3.2mm) and weigh a barely-noticeable 24g less. But the biggest upgrade could be the new 200MP main camera, which is expected to be the same as the one on the Z Fold Special Edition. Quite the step up from the 50MP main camera of the Z Fold 6.

What we don't get from these leaks are pricing. Some credible leaks suggest it could cost the same as its predecessor, so starting $1,899.99 / £1,799 / AU$2,749. Given the upgrade, that would be impressive. I still think there's a chance of a small bump, but that's something we'll find out for sure later.

What to expect from the Z Flip 7

#flip7 all of it #1

— @rquandt.bsky.social (@rquandt.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-07-09T11:46:14.279Z

Naturally, Roland Quandt has also spilled the beans on the Z Flip 7 (above) – the marketing slides appear to confirm some of the recent leaks we've seen elsewhere. In other words, a fairly minor refresh.

The headline change appears to be the new 'Flex Window', or cover display, which has now expanded to wrap around the cameras. We don't get a size in this leak, but previous rumors have predicted that it'll expand from 3.4in on the Z Flip 6 to 4.1in on the Z Flip 7. That'll help it surface glanceable info like the date and time, and your morning brief.

Something we do get confirmation of (if the leak is accurate) is that the main display will be expanding from 6.7in to 6.9in, while the phone will be marginally slimmer (losing 0.4mm in thickness when unfolded). There should also be a larger 4,300mAH battery, up from 4,000mAh, which will hopefully translate to a battery life boost.

Nothing groundbreaking, then, but this should also back up rumors of an identical starting price to the Z Flip 6. If so, expect it to cost from $1,099.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,799, or perhaps even slightly less.

The final Galaxy Watch 8 leaks

The Galaxy Watch 7 (above) will likely get a successor plus two siblings today. (Image credit: Samsung)

Just to complete the set, Roland Quandt's Bluesky leaks also reveal the marketing slides for the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and new Galaxy Watch Ultra.

We've already heard a lot about the Galaxy Watch 8 in the past few days – including the fact that we'll likely be getting three models. Those should the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, alongside the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

That would be a switch-up from last year, when we got the standard Watch and Ultra, but no Classic. But this new Classic model does look lovely, with the return of the rotating bezel for scrolling, plus a powerful 3nm processor, bump to 64GB storage and a Quick Button on the side.

While the Galaxy Watch Ultra sounds powerful (more on that shortly), the new Classic could well be the most desirable smartwatch that Samsung announces today.

An official glimpse of the Galaxy tri-fold?Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Future)

One thing that actually hasn't leaked in full before today's Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 is Samsung's incoming tri-foldable. I think it's highly likely we'll hear more about it today, if perhaps only in the form of a small Galaxy G Fold teaser.

Last week, we heard a rumor that mass production of the phone will only begin in September. That means we'll probably only be able to buy it from October at the earliest, and even then it'll be hard to buy – the same article claimed it'll be manufactured in very small numbers.

In other words, this thing is going to be closer to a concept car than a mass market star. With previous rumors pointing to a price tag of $3,000-$3,500 (about £2,195-£2,560 or AU$4,560-AU$5,320), and sales potentially being restricted to South Korea and China, the G Fold will be more a proof-of-concept.

Still, I'm excited to see it – we've written about how the Huawei Mate XT (above) is far more than a gimmick, and Samsung's entry into the space can only help push tri-foldables closer to the mainstream.

Samsung flaunts its foldable heritage

(Image credit: Future)

We're in New York for Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 event – and among the standard posters and banners the tech giant is underlining how much it's been a foldable pioneer with displays like the above.

Aside from the strangeness of seeing the years 2019 and 2020 referred to as if they're ancient history, it does emphasize how long Samsung has been refining its foldables. Today will mark the seventh generation of its Fold and Flip series, and that's all before Apple has even managed one generation.

Huawei may have beaten it to the tri-foldable punch, but expect to hear from Samsung on that front today, too. Whether foldables are now truly mainstream is another question – I still don't see as many as I'd expect in the wild – but the tech is certainly being refined, and no company is contributing more to that process than Samsung.

The Watch Ultra gets a useful new health trick

antioxidant measuring on watch ultra 2025

— @rquandt.bsky.social (@rquandt.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-07-09T12:13:41.564Z

We've previously written about the Galaxy Watch's incoming health updates, based on our chat with Samsung's Dr. Hon Pak – and one of them has been seemingly confirmed for the Ultra model in another leak from Roland Quandt on Bluesky.

The smartwatch will be able to track your antioxidant levels – or in Samsung's words from the leak, "display the ratio of fruits and vegetables in your diet" from a simple finger reading on the LED sensor.

That's pretty mind-blowing to me, if it proves to be accurate. How does it work? As Samsung Dr, Pak explained to us in June, "using LED lights, we're able to test the adequacy of beta-keratin and, as a substitute, antioxidants, in your system". I worry that my score might towards the lower end, but perhaps it'd convince me to up my fruit and veg game.

90 minutes to go...

(Image credit: Future)

It's now only 90 minutes to go until Samsung's last big event of 2025, and we've been spotting more Unpacked easter eggs on our adventures around New York, like the above.

Foldable phones and Galaxy AI are about as far removed from original graffiti tagging culture as you can get – so call me cynical, but it seems fairly unlikely that this has emerged spontaneously from the Brooklyn underground.

But despite the many leaks, there is still some excitement building about the event. To help give you a taste of what's coming, I'll now jump into a roundup of everything we've expecting...

What to expect from Unpacked July 2025

(Image credit: Samsung)

We've already written an extensive guide to everything we're expecting at today's Unpacked – but if you're short on time, here's a quick summary.

According to the rumors, we're going to see three foldables: the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (expect a new 200MP camera plus bigger screens), the Z Flip 7 (again, bigger screens and a larger battery are tipped), and the Z Flip FE (a cheaper version of its flip phone, although how much cheaper is still unclear). So those are the bankers.

Then, on the wearables front, expect to see three new Galaxy Watch models: the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (complete with the return of the rotating bezel, hooray) and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

Beyond those, there are a few things to include in the 'maybe' pile. The Samsung Galaxy G Fold (its new tri-foldable) has been long-rumored – and while it isn't expected to ship until later this year, I think it's pretty likely we'll get a teaser today.

More of an outside bet is Project Moohan – we tried out the XR headset in May and loved it, but it isn't clear if Samsung has anything new to say about it today. Hopefully it does, because that would cap off a pretty eventful Unpacked, despite all of the leaks slightly stealing its thunder.

Don't expect fireworks from the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE

Samsung basically confirmed that the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is just a rebranded Galaxy Z Flip6, lol. pic.twitter.com/Bix2vE7WGcJuly 8, 2025

While a lot of the last-minute Unpacked rumors are promising for foldables fans, we haven't heard much about the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE – and that's seemingly for good reason.

As noted by @sondesix on X, it seems this year's Fan Edition of the Flip series is going to be little more than a reheated version of the Z Flip 6. That prediction has been backed up by recent CAD renders from OnLeaks and SammyGuru, which show a phone that looks very much like the existing Flip.

That's not necessarily a bad thing – high price tags are on the main issues with foldables, after all. But if you were hoping for Samsung to go all-out on making a cheaper Flip with latest-gen features, the Z Flip 7 FE could potentially underwhelm.

Less than an hour to go...

(Image credit: Future)

John-Anthony Disotto, TechRadar's resident AI expert, here. I'm going to be your guide over the next couple of hours as we get ready for Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025.

There's plenty to be excited about with rumors of new foldable smartphones, smartwatches, and more.

With less than an hour to go until the big event, media is starting to arrive in Brooklyn for the presentation...

The TechRadar team at Galaxy Unpacked

(Image credit: Future)

TechRadar's own Lance Ulanoff and Viktoria Shilets are our journalists on the ground in Brooklyn, and it looks like a lovely sunny day in the Big Apple.

Just a reminder, the show starts at 10 am ET and is broadcast live on Samsung's YouTube channel.

Nice sunglasses, guys, looking slick!

30 minutes to go...

(Image credit: Future)

The auditorium is starting to fill up ahead of the event. Just a reminder that while we've seen a huge amount of leaks prior to the event this year, there's still a chance of major surprises.

We're yet to see any leaked images of Samsung's rumored tri-fold smartphone, and considering how the company revealed the Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year, there's a real chance that we get a glimpse at the end of today's keynote.

Would you be interested in an 11-inch tablet in your pocket? I'm not convinced, but then again I didn't think I would fall in love with the current foldable format either.

"This place is packed"

(Image credit: Future)

I asked Lance Ulanoff, TechRadar's Editor At Large, just how busy the auditorium is getting, and he said, "This place is packed."

Wouldn't you know it? If you thought Samsung's showcase today was going to be Unpacked, it is, in fact, packed to the rafters.

Lance has sent in some pictures to show just how busy it is, and seeing the photos, I sure hope Brooklyn Shipyards has some form of air conditioning.

Not long to go now anyway, are you excited?

Watch along with TechRadar

You can watch the event on YouTube above. At the moment, Samsung is playing different jingles and video packages showcasing its technology.

The show starts in 15 minutes, and we expect it to last about an hour. If you're unable to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live, this liveblog will give you all the key information and will remain accessible even after the presentation finishes.

Grab your popcorn! 5 minutes to go...

(Image credit: Future)

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 is about to begin, and I for one can't wait!

I wonder what product we'll see first. Personally I'm most excited for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 as I absolutely love the foldable format.

Elsewhere, I'd like to see some new Galaxy AI features, but I fully expect this event to be focused on hardware.

Shhh... It's starting

Here we go! Samsung Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 has begun!

Reminder: You can watch live here

"This is where it all began"

(Image credit: Samsung)

The show starts with a very cool video showcasing the history of Samsung and how it has evolved over the years.

The company has nailed the hype package here, it definitely makes me want to buy a Samsung smartphone!

"AI has evolved to multi-modal understanding"

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung's President & Head of Mobile Experience, TM Roh, has just taken to the stage...

He talks about Samsung's work over the last year to make AI accessible and meaningful. He says, "Galaxy AI has become your very own AI companion"

Samsung announces Galaxy ZFold 7 and ZFlip 7 @techradar

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 hands-on: the essence of Ultra in an insanely thin device The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is so thin and light, and with a larger cover screen, that you could easily mistake it for a standard flagship, but it does in fact have a larger 8-inch flexible display inside. That, and the new camera system (200MP, finally, makes this the most desirable Z Fold ever. It's a shame it's also the most expensive, and that may hold it back.

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Samsung has just announced the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, and they look glorious!

Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung unveiled its latest Galaxy Z Fold7, boasting the sleekest design yet! This device seamlessly integrates iconic Galaxy design, powerful camera capabilities, and Samsung’s latest AI features, all within the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Z Fold the company has ever created.

Annika Bizon, VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK & Ireland, explained the significance of AI in modern devices. “As AI becomes the new UI, people need devices that learn, understand, and anticipate their needs,” said Bizon. “The new Galaxy Z Fold7 combines powerful hardware with Galaxy AI in an ultra-thin and ultra-sleek form factor, empowering users to achieve previously unimaginable tasks.”

When unfolded, the Galaxy Z Fold7 transforms into a larger, more immersive display, ideal for multitasking, productivity, and entertainment. Powered by the new One UI 8, this device integrates intelligent, multimodal AI agents specifically optimised for the foldable experience. This results in a phone that feels smarter, faster, and more helpful than ever before.

Key highlights include:

- Ultra-sleek and ultra-powerful design
- Wider cover display for improved usability when folded
- Premium “Ultra” camera experience
- New AI tools that anticipate needs and streamline everyday tasks

Samsung emphasises that this is the Fold that finally delivers the everyday portability of a traditional phone, combined with the expanded power and flexibility of a tablet when unfolded – all in a single, pocketable device.

Stay tuned for more details on specifications, the camera system, and pricing!

Galaxy foldables get Android 16

(Image credit: Samsung)

Google is now on stage talking about Android 16 (which will land as One UI 8, on Samsung phones).

Samsung says this is the fastest rollout of the latest Android OS on its smartphones out of the box. That means Google's AI mode and Gemini Live, which Google says is ideal for foldables do to their bigger screens.

This will all be available on the new Galaxy Fold 7 and more out of the box.

(Image credit: Samsung)An added AI bonus

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung's Galaxy foldables will give you six free months of Google AI Pro, which is a pretty good deal – albeit one that could make you dangerously reliant on Google's AI tools.

Those Galaxy Fold 7 specs in full

(Image credit: Samsung)

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is pretty much as the rumors predicted – with a new 200MP camera, plus an ultra-wide that has a 100-degree field of view and autofocus.

And we now have pricing, it starts from $1,999 – that's a small hike from the Galaxy Z Fold 6's starting price of $1,899.99 / £1,799 / AU$2,749.

(Image credit: Samsung)Our hands-on with the Fold 7

Yes, it was only announced five minutes ago – but we've already been hands-on with the Galaxy Fold 7. Check out early thoughts in the video above.

It's the Galaxy Z Flip 7's turn

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung has just announced the Galaxy Flip 7 – as expected, it's got a big cover display (or 'FlexWindow') that measures 4.1 inches.

And it's been joined by a cheaper Flip 7 FE cousin, that will start at $899. It's largely based on the Flip 6, but it's good to see a cheaper entry-point for foldables.

Our first thoughts on the Flip 7

We've just seen Samsung debut the Flip 7, but is it any good? We've already been hands-on with it, you can check out our thoughts above.

Hello Galaxy Watch 8

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung is rattling through these announcements now – next up is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.

We're hearing about Samsung's new Real-time running coach, Vascular Load and also new features like Antioxidant Index – which will basically tell you how well you're eating by measuring beta carotene. Clever stuff.

There's also a partnership with Xealth, for 'connected care' at home featuresm – and the Galaxy Watch 8 will be the first watch with Google Gemini out of the box.

Gemini comes to your wrist

(Image credit: Samsung)

The Galaxy Watch 8 being the first smartwatch with built-in Gemini should give it some handy new smarts. For a start, you won't need your phone with you – just a Wi-Fi or LTE signal.

The rotating bezel has returned with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, while the Watch Ultra has an attractive new blue color option. All three smartwatches are available to pre-order today, with availability from July 25.

The Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $349, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic from $499 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra from $649. We'll bring you international pricing soon.

(Image credit: Samsung)That's a wrap

Rather abruptly, Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 event has finished – sadly, with no mention of its rumored tri-foldable or Project Moohan.

There were no real surprises, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. For a quick recap, here are our early impressions of all the new devices, starting with the Z Fold 7...

@techradar

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 hands-on: the essence of Ultra in an insanely thin device The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is so thin and light, and with a larger cover screen, that you could easily mistake it for a standard flagship, but it does in fact have a larger 8-inch flexible display inside. That, and the new camera system (200MP, finally, makes this the most desirable Z Fold ever. It's a shame it's also the most expensive, and that may hold it back.

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Prefer flip phones? Here's our first look at the Z Flip 7, too...

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

And to complete the foldables set, here's an early look at the cheaper Z Flip 7 FE:

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

• Security researchers found a PDF app for Android sporting a banking trojan
• The trojan was introduced with a patch, six weeks after release
• It had more than 50,000 downloads, so users should beware

A dangerous Android banking trojan has found a way to the Google Play Store once again, potentially affecting tens of thousands of North American users, experts have warned.

Security researchers from Threat Fabric found an app on the Play Store, called ‘Document Viewer – File Reader’, published by a company called ‘Hybrid Cars Simulator, Drift & Racing’ roughly two months ago and having amassed a significant following - some 50,000 people.

Until only recently, the app was clean, working as intended. Then, between June 24 and 30, it received an update that turned it into a banking trojan called Anatsa.

How to stay safe

This is a known piece of malware that's been smuggled into the Play Store on multiple occasions in the past.

BleepingComputer claims in November 2021 researchers found a trojanized app with 300,000 downloads, and in June 2023 a separate one with 30,000 downloads. In February 2024 there was another app with Anatsa, counting 150,000 downloads, and in May the same year, two apps with 70,000 downloads between them.

Every time, Google removes the apps, but the attackers seem to find a way back.

Anatsa is a banking trojan that first scans the victim’s mobile device, looking for North American banking apps.

If it finds any, it serves them an overlay that grabs credentials and other login data, granting the attackers the ability to log into accounts and make transactions. At the same time, the victims are presented with a message that the app is undergoing scheduled maintenance.

The app has now been removed from the Play Store, and if you have it installed, it would be wise to remove it and then run a full system scan using Play Protect. Resetting banking account credentials would also be advised.

“All of these identified malicious apps have been removed from Google Play,” a Google spokesperson told BleepingComputer. “Users are automatically protected by Google Play Protect, which can warn users or block apps known to exhibit malicious behavior on Android devices with Google Play Services."

Via BleepingComputer

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Recently, a new sentiment has emerged in AI security circles: "RAG is dead." I've observed firsthand how organizations are increasingly abandoning Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures in favor of agent-based approaches.

This shift represents not a temporary trend but a fundamental recognition of RAG's inherent security and performance limitations.

The inherent flaws in RAG architectures

When enterprises first implemented AI applications, RAG emerged as the default architecture -- extracting data from internal systems, centralizing it in vector databases and using it to augment AI model outputs. While conceptually straightforward, this approach revealed critical vulnerabilities at scale:

RAG architectures create significant security risks by centralizing data from disparate systems into repositories that frequently bypass the original access controls. These centralized stores become potential data exfiltration points, often circumventing authorization checks that existed in source systems. Additionally, data quality degrades quickly as information in these repositories becomes stale, requiring constant synchronization with source systems.

The technical challenges compound as organizations scale. Each new data source added to a RAG system requires custom extraction logic, formatting rules and ongoing maintenance. When multiplied across dozens or hundreds of internal systems, this creates an unsustainable maintenance burden. Furthermore, performance bottlenecks emerge as vector databases grow, resulting in slower response times and degraded user experiences.

The security challenges become prevalent in regulated industries like education or healthcare. Consider how an AI system using RAG might handle sensitive student records or patient information -- once extracted from secure systems with proper access controls, this data enters a parallel repository with potentially weaker protections, creating compliance risks and security vulnerabilities. For financial institutions, the risks extend to potential regulatory violations and financial penalties if customer data becomes exposed through these secondary repositories.

The agent-based alternative

In response to these challenges, forward-thinking enterprises are pivoting to agent-based architectures. Rather than extracting and centralizing data, these systems employ software agents that query source systems directly at runtime, respecting existing access controls and authorization mechanisms.

This architectural shift offers several critical advantages:

1. Elimination of duplicate data repositories -- information remains in its original systems with their established security controls
2. Preservation of authorization models -- access controls from source systems remain in effect
3. Improved data freshness -- queries always access the most current information
4. Reduced attack surface -- fewer data stores means fewer potential breach points
5. Enhanced user experience -- responses reflect the most current organizational knowledge
6. Simplified compliance -- data governance policies remain consistent across all systems
7. Reduced maintenance overhead -- no need to continuously update and synchronize extracted data

Many large enterprises that initially implemented RAG as their first AI initiative have subsequently moved to agent-based approaches after encountering these limitations in production environments.

Implementation reality vs. media perception

Despite media excitement about fully autonomous agents, the reality in enterprise environments is more measured. The productive implementations I've observed involve specific, well-defined agent workflows with clear security boundaries rather than completely autonomous systems.

Most organizations are currently implementing agent systems that:

• Operate within defined parameters and workflows
• Have explicit permission models
• Maintain comprehensive audit trails
• Include guardrails that prevent unauthorized actions
• Employ human-in-the-loop verification for critical operations
• Implement circuit breakers that automatically terminate suspicious activities

The distinction between theoretical capabilities and practical implementations is important. While academic research may showcase fully autonomous agents, enterprise deployments prioritize security, reliability, and predictability over complete autonomy.

Security implementation for agent-based systems

For organizations transitioning to agent-based architectures, several essential security controls should be implemented:

1. Authentication and Authorization

Agent systems require robust user authentication tied directly to authorization, with granular controls at document and data chunk levels. Role-based, relationship-based and attribute-based access control models provide the necessary flexibility for enterprise environments. Implementing just-in-time access provisioning further reduces the risk profile by limiting access duration to only what's necessary for task completion.

2. Visibility and Monitoring

Security teams need complete visibility into agent operations, including model versions, authentication events, prompts, behaviors, data citations and all interactions with external systems. Real-time alerting for anomalous patterns and comprehensive logging for forensic analysis are essential components of a robust monitoring system.

3. Content Protection

Real-time content filtering capabilities must be implemented to prevent sensitive data exposure, detect malicious content and protect organizational information assets. Sophisticated DLP (Data Loss Prevention) mechanisms should be deployed to recognize and redact sensitive information before it leaves controlled environments.

Case study in secure AI implementation

Grand Canyon Education, a publicly-traded education services company, developed an AI chatbot platform for thousands of students and staff across 22 university partners. Rather than building their own redaction solution, which would have significantly delayed their project, they implemented API-driven security guardrails that could programmatically redact sensitive data from user prompts and uploaded files before they reached backend AI models.

This approach allowed their security team to make redaction policy changes without requiring developer sprint cycles. The result was a secure, managed AI platform with sensitive data automatically redacted in real-time and no perceptible latency for users, reducing the risk of that data ending up in AI model training sets.

The path forward

The shift from RAG to agent-based architectures represents a natural evolution in enterprise AI implementation. As organizations gain practical experience, they're adapting their approaches to better address security, performance and user experience challenges.

While some security teams may consider developing in-house solutions, the organizations succeeding most so far with agent-based AI, are those leveraging specialized security tools that integrate seamlessly into their AI workflows. These purpose-built solutions provide the right balance of control and flexibility while minimizing development and maintenance costs.

This transition mirrors similar evolutions in other technology areas, where initial approaches give way to more sophisticated, secure designs as implementation experience grows. By embracing agent-based approaches with appropriate security controls, enterprises can deliver more powerful, secure AI capabilities while avoiding the pitfalls of first-generation RAG implementations.

We've featured the best online cybersecurity course.

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

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked's many new products and features have not left out AI examples. Plenty involved Google and its Gemini family of AI models, with a host of new features coming to Android devices with the new Android 16 and Wear OS 6 systems. Here are some of the ones to be the most excited for.

Gemini Live gets way more useful on foldables

(Image credit: Samsung)

Gemini Live is a way for Google's AI companion to be present on a continuous basis. Rather than just asking a question and moving on, you can have it on hand to help as you follow a cooking tutorial, fix your bike, or do yoga. Starting with the Galaxy Z Flip7, Gemini Live will now be accessible right from the external screen, meaning you won't have to even unfold the device to interact with the AI.

You'll also be able to link Gemini Live via Flex Mode with full camera integration. So, you might flip your phone halfway open, tap the camera button, and have Gemini be a hands-free AI assistant that can actually see what you're doing or what's happening around you and offer advice on your half-completed DIY project or your latest outfit. You can show Gemini what you're looking at and get on-the-spot feedback without fully unfolding your phone.

Circle to Search gets a big Gemini upgrade

(Image credit: Google)

Circle to Search is Google Gemini's party trick of looking up things you draw a circle around on your screen, like a photo or a phrase written in a text you're looking at. It's a way to get Google Search results without switching apps. The trick is becoming a lot more impressive with an AI Mode upgrade.

Now, when you circle a word, image, or phrase, Gemini doesn’t just look it up on Search; it starts up the AI Mode version of online search with a conversation that allows you to ask follow-up questions and look into related ideas within the same setup. You can discuss complex topics right from your screen with Gemini without switching among multiple tabs and apps.

Gaming the Circle

That's not the only major upgrade to Circle to Search. The feature will now try to entice people playing video games to look things up just like someone circling an unfamiliar plant. The new Gemini-powered feature offers mobile gamers help in the context of the game. You can just circle something on the screen as you're playing, like an item, enemy, or puzzle, and Gemini will identify it and offer timestamped advice based on your progress about what to do next if you're stumped. It's sort of an interactive walkthrough and strategy guide that you don't need to stop playing to look through.

Gemini Live starts talking to your apps

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Until now, Gemini has mostly been incorporated into Google apps and services. But, Gemini Live will now start integrating with native device apps, starting with Samsung’s Calendar, Notes, and Reminders apps. So, you could ask Gemini to summarize your day, add reminders about your next meeting, and organize your notes about what to buy for a vacation you took last week without opening those apps. Other apps will start offering their information to you through Gemini Live soon, with the end goal apparently a more proactive AI manager of your life.

Gemini finally shows up on your wrist

(Image credit: Samsung)

Google Assistant has often seemed to struggle on smartwatches, but Gemini will apparently feel right at home on your wrist, starting with the Galaxy Watch8 series and Wear OS 6, with other smartwatches to follow. Gemini will provide better notifications, real-time voice support, and contextual responses to what you ask the smartwatch. The interface is supposed to be more natural as well, with the AI not feeling like an afterthought.

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• TBK DVRs and Four-Faith routers are carrying known, old security flaws
• The flaws were used to build Mirai botnet in the past, and are now used to build RondoDox, too
• Users are advised to patch, firewall, or replace vulnerable endpoints

A new malicious botnet, called RondoDox, is being built at this very moment, potentially targeting thousands of products around the world e xperts have warned.

Cybersecurity researchers from Fortinet FortiGuard Labs, who said they saw multiple vulnerabilities in different digital video recorders (DVR) and routers being exploited to create the botnet.

The vulnerabilities in question are tracked as CVE-2024-3721, and CVE-2024-12856. These two were found in TBK digital video recorders, models DVR-4104 and DVR-4216, as well as in Four-Faith routers, models F3x24 and F3x36.

Defending your endpoints

According to BleepingComputer, the flaws were exploited before by threat actors building the infamous Mirai botnet. They are popular among cybercriminals because these devices are often used in retail stores, warehouses, small offices, and similar places, where they “often go unmonitored for years”.

As such, they’re prime targets - easy to compromise, and active for years without patches or updates.

Cybercriminals love building botnets. A network of compromised devices, from routers, to smart home devices, can be used for all sorts of nefarious activities, from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, to residential proxy services that can be rented out.

In fact, RondoDox seems to be used for stealth proxies, hiding command-and-control (C2) traffic for even more malicious activities. It is also used to run layered scams, or to amplify DDoS-for-hire campaigns.

It is also rather good at staying hidden, the researchers claim, trying to spoof gaming traffic.

"To evade detection, it disguises malicious traffic by emulating popular games and platforms such as Valve, Minecraft, Dark and Darker, Roblox, DayZ, Fortnite, GTA, as well as tools like Discord, OpenVPN, WireGuard, and RakNet," Fortinet explained.

"Beyond gaming and chat protocols, RondoDox can also mimic custom traffic from tunneling and real-time communication services, including WireGuard, OpenVPN variants (e.g., openvpnauth, openvpncrypt, openvpntcp), STUN, DTLS, and RTC."

As usual, to defend against these threats, users should make sure their routers and DVRs have updated firmware, and strong, custom passwords. If they are no longer supported by their vendors, they should be replaced by newer models. Furthermore, if possible, the devices should be disconnected from the public internet, or placed behind a firewall.

Via The Hacker News

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Apple TV+ have confirmed that their Gary Oldman-starring darkly comic spy thriller, Slow Horses will return for season 7.

It’s a bold move for the streamer considering that Slow Horses season 5 is yet to air, and the renewal will see the series continue until at least 2027. Although, considering the last outing of one of the best Apple TV+ shows became Rotten Tomatoes’ number one series of 2024, it’s hardly surprising. Add to that the fact that Slow Horses has picked up numerous Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA nominations across its run so far, and you can see why one of the best streaming services think this horse is still very much in the race.

As mentioned, the next adventure for the Slough House gang doesn’t arrive until later in the year, but to get a taste of what’s to come, you can check out the trailer below.

Based on the series of books by Mick Herron, Slow Horses follows the “losers, misfits and boozers” of Slough House, a dumping ground for MI5 operatives who’ve messed up, but not enough to be worth the red tape of sacking. Thrust into Slough House’s mildew ridden administrative hell, the expectation is that the misery, drudgery and abuse from irascible boss Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) will soon send the unlucky few on their way.

However, despite making thoughtless mistakes, suffering unsociable addictions and being victims of career sabotage, those that make up the residents of Slough House, or the 'slow horses’, are in fact very good at what they do, and seem to find themselves routinely, and quite accidentally, tasked with saving the country from various threats.

There’s definite Killing Eve vibes to the damp, unglamorous depiction of a British spy game still secretly fighting the Cold War, however once the plot of each season kicks into gear, the show feels closer to the relentless pace and shocking plotting of 24, just with a heavy dose of sardonic British humour.

The cast too, are excellent, with Oldman’s slobbish Lamb as unpleasant to watch as he is a joy to behold. Jack Lowden is the closest the show has to a hero, playing River Cartwright, a young agent with family ties to the old game, while Christopher Chung plays antisocial tech expert Roddy. Other notable ‘horses’ include reliable and level-headed Louisa (Rosalind Eleazar) and Aimee-Ffion Edwards as pocket rocket Shirley.

What should we expect from Slow Horses season 7?

(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

We won’t go in to too much detail about what to expect from season 7 of the show –after all, there’s still two seasons to come before that – but the fact that it’s set to be based on the eighth book, Bad Actors is intriguing, as thus far, it’s been a one to one book to season match. We do however have this tease from Apple TV+: “Lamb and his Slow Horses are on the hunt to find and neutralize a mole at the heart of British Government before they can bring down the state.”

Season 6 of the show looks to continue the usual tradition, being based on the equivalent book, Joe Country, however, the novel Slough House and two novellas take place between that and Bad Actors, so it’ll be interesting to see what fits where when the episodes hit screens.

At time of writing, there’s only one Slough House novel after Bad Actors, however, with a handful of same universe novels and novellas telling stories in and around MI5 yet to have much of a presence in the show, it’s possible we’ve got plenty more adventures with the ‘slow horses’ yet to come.

But we know for sure that we’ve definitely got at least three more seasons, the first of which – season 5, based on the novel London Rules – premieres on Apple TV+ on September 24.

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Marvel Rivals ranked mode lets you slowly progress against harder and harder teams, with rewards associated with reaching certain thresholds in Season 2.5. Getting into the upper ranks is no easy feat, as the rules change slightly as you climb, including one that lets you and your team choose a character to ban from play.

In terms of Competitive Mode, Marvel Rivals already offers a whole host of rewards for reaching the higher ranks, including an exclusive new skin for Ultron, one of the new Heroes set to be ranked in our Marvel Rivals tier list. Challenging yourself as you move up higher and higher in ranks is part of Marvel Rivals' appeal, making it a new contender for our best crossplay games list.

Here's all of the Marvel Rivals ranks in order, so that you can know just how close you are to the top. Also, we'll explain how things change as you reach Gold Rank, and walk you through some of the rewards you'll get once the season ends. With Season 3 just days away, we'll also cover what's changing.

Marvel Rivals Season 3 Competitive Mode changes

(Image credit: NetEase Games)

Marvel Rivals Season 3 will make the following Competitive Mode changes when it launches on July 11, 2025:

• New Domination Map - Klyntar: Celestial Husk
• Rank Reset: Based on your final Season 2.5 rank, ranks will be demoted by 7 divisions. For example, if you ended the season at Diamond I, your Season 3 journey begins at Gold II
• New Rank Settlement Rewards: Reach Gold for the incredible Phoenix - Emerald Flames costume, and earn fresh Crests of Honor for Grandmaster, Celestial, Eternity, and the illustrious Top 500
• Nameplate Frame rewards for Diamond and Platinum ranks.

Marvel Rivals ranked: here's what's changed for Season 2.5

(Image credit: NetEase)

There's been a few key changes to Competitive Mode thanks to the arrival of Marvel Rivals Season 2. You'll find the highlights below:

• Map rotation will be in effect from Season 2 onwards (ranked), Hellfire: Gala (new map)
• New limited-time modes will be added over time
• Bans added to Gold III
• Minimum level requirement now 15
• One Above All and Eternity ranks only allow duo queuing
• Increasing the rate of individual performance vs match outcome.

These are just the main updates that arrived in Marvel Rivals alongside the new season. It's worth noting that Marvel Rivals makes updates to ranked play fairly frequently. stay up to date with our latest Marvel Rivals Patch Notes coverage.

Marvel Rivals ranks in order

(Image credit: NetEase)

Below, you'll find a list of the Marvel Rivals ranks in order:

• Bronze: Tier 3-1
• Silver: Tier 3-1
• Gold: Tier 3-1
• Platinum: Tier 3-1
• Diamond: Tier 3-1
• Grandmaster: Tier 3-1
• Celestial: Tier 3-1
• Eternity: Rack Up Points
• One Above All: Rack Up Points (limited to the top 500 players)

As you can see, all but the top two ranks have three tiers that you must move through. Once you get to Eternity, you'll simply need to rack up points to rank up. Be aware, however, that at Eternity and One Above All, you will gradually lose points if you're not active enough.

How to unlock Ranked in Marvel Rivals

(Image credit: NetEase)

To unlock Ranked Play in Marvel Rivals you will need to reach level 15 (as of Season 2). This is done by simply playing matches. We recommend jumping into Quick Play to get a feel for the characters, and the two main game modes. To make sure you're winning as many games as possible, and featuring as the MVP regularly, you may want to consider equipping custom Marvel Rivals Crosshairs.

If you're looking to team up with some friends, be aware that players in Gold and below can squad up without any restrictions. For those in Gold Tier 1 to Celestial tiers, teaming is limited to a maximum range of three divisions. Players in Eternity or One Above All can team with Celestial Tier 2 players within 200 points. However, if they exceed 200 points, the point difference must be less than 200. One Above All and Eternity ranks only allow duo queuing

Marvel Rivals Ranked rewards for Season 2.5

(Image credit: NetEase)

There are a few different rewards that you can pick up by playing Season 2.5 of Marvel Rivals' Competitive Mode. They are as follows:

• Golden Ultron skin: Reach at least Gold Tier 3 by the end of Season 2.5
• Silver Crest of Honor: Reach at least Grandmaster Tier 3 by the end of Season 2.5
• "One Above All" Crest of Honor: Reach One Above All by the end of Season 2.5

Note that rewards are given out corresponding to the highest rank achieved during a season in Marvel Rivals. This means that as long as you reached, for example, Gold Tier 3, you'll get the Ultron skin regardless of whether you go up or down in rank by the end of Season 2.5 (end date TBC).

Marvel Rivals Ranked FAQs

(Image credit: NetEase)How does the Marvel Rivals Chrono Shield work?

The Chrono Shield is a unique mechanic in Marvel Rivals that can save you from losing points after losing a ranked game. This Chrono Shield will charge up as you lose games, and once it's fully charged, it'll shatter in place of a rank demotion, giving you another chance to claw things back.

Can you ban Heroes in Marvel Rivals ranked mode?

Once you get into a match where all players are at least Gold Tier 3 rank, you'll get the option to ban 2 Heroes before the game starts. This can counter some pesky meta-plays, like those using Hela to revive Loki and Thor.

What are the rules in Marvel Rivals ranked mode?

Game modes work a little differently in Marvel Rivals ranked when compared to Quick Play. Each game can have multiple rounds, and the team that wins the most rounds wins the game. You'll gain a point for each objective captured while attacking and then must make sure the enemy team scores fewer points while you're on the defensive side. If there's a tie, the match is decided on distance pushed in terms of Convoy, or with another set of rounds in terms of Domination.

(Image credit: NetEase Games)How to get your Marvel Rivals ranked rewards

Once you've hit the requisite rank to receive a reward, you'll just need to wait until the end of Season 2.5 to receive it. This is set for July 11, 2025. Unfortunately, this is the earliest you'll be able to get new reward skins, so it's best to just focus on climbing even higher before the season ends.

How do I rank up in Marvel Rivals?

To rank up in Marvel Rivals, you need to be playing Competitive Mode. For each win, you'll be awarded points, and for a loss, your point value will decrease. Once you hit 100 points total, you'll go up to the next rank.

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The recent announcement that Google is embedding a new AI mode into its search engine is yet another example of our daily exposure to AI. In theory, almost everything could be automated if we really wanted it to be, but getting the most out of AI tools within a workplace setting will always come down to thinking strategically.

What is the value it will create and how will it impact people? That’s not just employees or users, but partners and ultimately customers. If the value and purpose aren’t defined – and the roadmap to achieve success is unclear – then AI adoption is likely to fail.

From appetite to adoption

In a recent survey we carried out with over 4,000 UK workers, we found that the appetite to use AI within the workplace is there, with more than half of respondents (56%) feeling optimistic about the benefits. But when it comes to getting the most out of it, workers were less positive. 61% admitted to being overwhelmed by the rapid pace of AI advancements and that the sheer number of tools available make it difficult to know where to start (24%).

So how can the gap be bridged to ensure AI enhances workers’ lives and is used strategically? Although the pace of AI advancement is rapid, it doesn’t mean you need to throw best practice out of the window and adopt it without due diligence or thorough assessment. Knowing what to automate, and equally what not to automate, is about assessing the risk, setting objectives and putting measurable performance indicators in place. Only by having a clear goal for AI can businesses bring stakeholders along on the journey and achieve real value.

Reducing risk

Adopting AI brings different levels of risk – from operational to reputational. Without clear guidance for usage or contingency for failure, day-to-day business operations can be negatively impacted. Reputational risk and preservation of value must also be considered when looking to automate certain processes. For example, what experience do you want people to have when interacting with your business? What value do you want to create? What risks are you going to take, if something goes wrong, and how resilient is your business against these risks?

And what would you lose as a result of automation? It’s harder to define what shouldn’t be automated but it’s just as important as knowing what should. It requires reflection on what a business does and what it values. AI shouldn’t be about humans being replaced by machines but about how AI technology can be used effectively, to augment processes and support people to do their best work.

Tied in with assessing risk is ensuring responsible usage of AI. The OECD AI principles promote the use of AI that is innovative and trustworthy and respects human rights and democratic values, with an emphasis on human-centered values. By following these principles, organizations can not only adopt AI responsibly but have a basis on which to create clear guidelines for employee usage and expectations.

Transparency and trust

Setting a clear strategy and defining the right role for AI is not enough. The right culture needs to be created and any plans communicated effectively to those it will impact, to allay any anxiety around usage. AI comes with many connotations and preconceptions, so it’s important for organizations to remove fear of the unknown.

This can be done by creating a safe environment for people to explore what AI can do, with the support of clear guidelines on what tools are available to them. This will give users the confidence to use AI in their roles and remove any misalignment between perception and reality.

Dedicated AI training and guidance are crucial for the success of any initiatives. This is backed up by our survey in which a quarter (24%) of UK workers cited that a lack of training makes it hard to use AI effectively at work. Almost a half (49%) said their employer has no guidelines at all for using AI. When asked how inclined they would be to use or use AI more in the workplace if provided with training, the majority (60%) said they would be more inclined.

This suggests that many workplaces still lack positive facilitating conditions for AI usage, which could be leading workers to feel overwhelmed and under-supported when it comes to using AI tools within their role. Creating a culture of openness around AI usage will help build transparency and trust for users and ensure they can get value from it. Providing an environment for sharing experiences – positive and negative – will further support adoption. As not every organization has an ‘AI expert’, sharing these experiences will support best-practice creation and adoption across the organization.

Leading from the top down

Like with any new technology adoption, there will be short and long term value. ROI will not always be immediate. As such it’s important to effectively manage change and expectations. Any type of business transformation will create different ways of working and a period of adjustment, which can take time for users to adapt to.

It is therefore important that AI adoption initiatives are driven from the top, with senior managers providing clarity for users. Leaders need to make sure people understand the strategy behind the introduction of AI, the ultimate goal, and how AI supports it. This will help reduce uncertainties and fear of the unknown, and ensure both the business and users achieve value. Only through creating a culture of transparency, trust and continuous learning can AI augment workers’ lives rather than overwhelm.

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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

Samsung now sells two Galaxy Z Flip phones. One that costs $1,100 and another that's $900. There's a lot to unpack.

Samsung's newest book-style phone is impressively slim, at just 4.2mm thick when open and 215 grams. But the $2,000 price tag is heavy on the wallet.

From first-of-their-kind health tools to the return of the rotating bezel, here's what's new and noteworthy on Samsung's latest smartwatches.

Google's AI assistant lands on Wear OS 6, starting with Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8. Here are our first impressions, and what this update is bringing to your wrist.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, July 9 (game #1262).

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

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

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

Quordle today (game #1263) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

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

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

Quordle today (game #1263) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 4.

Quordle today (game #1263) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1263) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1263) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• C

• W

• U

• P

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

Quordle today (game #1263) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1263, are…

• CROSS
• WHEEL
• UNDID
• PENCE

With E-N-C-E in position and just two possibilities for the first letter I picked the wrong one. In this situation I am sure most people would have chosen fence ahead of PENCE – but then again, that's probably only the case in the UK. 

These moments are what makes Quordle such fun – just when you think you’ve got all the answers it’ll kick you in the teeth.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1263) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1263, are…

• SNIPE
• ALPHA
• BATHE
• GROUP

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1262, Wednesday, 9 July: SHIRE, SIXTH, SINGE, IMAGE
• Quordle #1261, Tuesday, 8 July: PLIED, PRANK, GAWKY, OXIDE
• Quordle #1260, Monday, 7 July: DROLL, TRUCE, TWIRL, SINCE
• Quordle #1259, Sunday, 6 July: AMPLY, SPAWN, EXTOL, RIDGE
• Quordle #1258, Saturday, 5 July: HAVEN, SNAKE, DREAM, TORUS
• Quordle #1257, Friday, 4 July: FAVOR, SKUNK, GAWKY, FLUFF
• Quordle #1256, Thursday, 3 July: DANCE, EYING, GLAZE, EGRET
• Quordle #1255, Wednesday, 2 July: INANE, SCOUR, ELITE, ULCER
• Quordle #1254, Tuesday, 1 July: REBAR, YEARN, FORTH, CROWD
• Quordle #1253, Monday, 30 June: INGOT, INFER, TAPIR, CLUED
• Quordle #1252, Sunday, 29 June: MIRTH, APTLY, SCRUB, SMACK
• Quordle #1251, Saturday, 28 June: AWOKE, SMOKY, DEVIL, SWING
• Quordle #1250, Friday, 27 June: SPEAK, EAGLE, AVERT, SUING
• Quordle #1249, Thursday, 26 June: SLUMP, REBUS, GUAVA, MONEY
• Quordle #1248, Wednesday, 25 June: SOGGY, CLASH, MODEM, SQUAD
• Quordle #1247, Tuesday, 24 June: QUALM, SQUIB, AXIAL, FLACK
• Quordle #1246, Monday, 23 June: PIXEL, FJORD, STEAL, EXIST
• Quordle #1245, Sunday, 22 June: WREST, CRAZE, PAPAL, SCION
• Quordle #1244, Saturday, 21 June: BUDDY, GROUT, BEGIN, MADAM

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, July 9 (game #759).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

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

NYT Connections today (game #760) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• DRAB
• BLOW
• MISS
• SPOKE
• TIRE
• DUCT
• WASTE
• FATIGUE
• EXHAUST
• RIM
• KHAKI
• HOSE
• LOSE
• PIPE
• HUB
• CAMO

NYT Connections today (game #760) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Circular car component
• GREEN: Army garments
• BLUE: Let it flow
• PURPLE: A chance that slipped away

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #760) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A WHEEL
• GREEN: MILITARY CLOTHING DESCRIPTORS
• BLUE: USED IN VENTILATION
• PURPLE: FAIL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, AS AN OPPORTUNITY

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

NYT Connections today (game #760) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #760, are…

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A WHEEL HUB, RIM, SPOKE, TIRE
• GREEN: MILITARY CLOTHING DESCRIPTORS CAMO, DRAB, FATIGUE, KHAKI
• BLUE: USED IN VENTILATION DUCT, EXHAUST, HOSE, PIPE
• PURPLE: FAIL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, AS AN OPPORTUNITY BLOW, LOSE, MISS, WASTE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

After a terrible streak it felt good to complete a round of Connections without making a mistake.

I can only conclude that today’s edition was an unusually easy one, even the purple would be yellow-level some weeks.

My only pause for thought was over MILITARY CLOTHING DESCRIPTORS – CAMO, FATIQUE, and KHAKI all seemed common enough, while DRAB was a guess based on how dull army clothing is.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, July 9, game #759)

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A COLLEGE CAMPUS CAFETERIA, DORM, LIBRARY, QUAD
• GREEN: EXAGGERATED, AS A PERFORMANCE CAMP, DRAMATIC, HAMMY, OVERDONE
• BLUE: CLOSE IN ON CORNER, SURROUND, TRAP, TREE
• PURPLE: STARTS OF GREEK LETTERS BET, DELT, LAMB, THE

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, July 9 (game #493).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

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

NYT Strands today (game #494) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Nap time!

NYT Strands today (game #494) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• DECK
• TIES
• SWOT
• WORK
• SPRAY
• GUIDE

NYT Strands today (game #494) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #494) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #494) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #494, are…

• DROWSY
• SPENT
• WEARY
• FATIGUED
• TIRED
• KNACKERED
• SPANGRAM: SLEEPYHEAD

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Yesterday it was party time! And today it’s nap time! Strands was obviously anticipating quite the knees up.

To be honest I am much more familiar with napping than partying, which is possibly why I made such quick work of today’s word search.

I have been feeling nearly every word in today’s search over the past few days. It’s not due to a lack of sleep or exhaustion due to over exercise, it’s because I am attempting to give up caffeine and am experiencing some quite radical side effects including feeling constantly DROWSY, SPENT, WEARY, FATIGUED, TIRED and zzzzzzzz....

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, July 9, game #493)

• BALLOON
• BUNTING
• PENNANT
• CONFETTI
• STREAMER
• SPANGRAM: DECORATIONS

What is NYT Strands?

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

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

• Rockerbox kept an open database online for an unknown period
• The database contained ID card numbers and other vital information
• Following its discovery, it has now been locked down

A tax credit consulting agency inadvertently exposed sensitive data on thousands of its customers by allegedly keeping a database filled with personally identifiable information (PII) open on the public internet.

It was discovered by Jeremiah Fowler, a cybersecurity researcher and analyst known for hunting for unencrypted and non-password-protected databases, and in a new vpnMentor report, Fowler said he found an archive with a total size of 286.9 GB, containing 245,949 records.

“In a limited sampling of the exposed documents, I saw files that detailed PII such as names, physical addresses, email addresses, DOB, and SSN in plain text,” Fowler explained. “There were also driver’s licenses, identification cards, SSN cards, work opportunity tax credit documents that included employment and salary information, and determination letters with acceptance or denials of eligibility.”

Rockerbox leaks

Furthermore, he observed DD214 forms - Certificates of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued by the US Department of Defense to veterans and similar military personnel. There were also password-protected PDF files labeled as “forms”, with file names containing PII such as employer names, and applicant first and last names.

Fowler attributed the database to a Texas-based company called Rockerbox, a tax credit consulting organization helping businesses increase their cash flow by identifying and managing employer-focused tax incentives through programs like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), R&D credits, and Empowerment Zone credits.

After reaching out to Rockerbox, the company closed down the archive in a matter of days, but allegedly never replied back to the researcher.

Therefore, we don’t know if the company manages this database, or if that work was handled by a third party - or if any threat actors obtained it in the past, but at press time, there was no evidence about in-the-wild abuse.

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