Technology

• A threat actor claims to have stolen 106GB of sensitive files from Telefónica
• Telefónica says the files were old, stolen from a previous incident
• A sample was shared with the media, with the full batch soon to follow

A cybercriminal is threatening to release more than 100GB of sensitive data stolen from Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica.

In January 2025, the company suffered a data breach at the hand of the Hellcat ransomware operation. At the time, the group broke into the telco through an internal Jira development and ticketing server.

Among the members of the group is a threat actor with the alias Rey, who said that while Telefónica was addressing one flaw, it created another, giving them 12 hours of uninterrupted data exfiltration. During that time, which Rey claims was in late May 2025, they allegedly stole 106GB of sensitive files, counting more than 380,000 files of internal communications, purchase orders, logs, customer records, and various employee data.

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Old incident, or a new one?

The hacker has released a small 2.6GB sample, and are threatening to release the whole thing unless a payment is made.

But Telefónica is downplaying the incident. Speaking to BleepingComputer, a Telefónica O2 employee said the data is old and that there was no new breach.

To prove the authenticity of the data, Rey shared a sample with BleepingComputer, including a file tree.

“Some of the files included invoices to business clients in multiple countries, including Hungary, Germany, Spain, Chile, and Peru,” the publication said.

“In the files we received there were email addresses for employees in Spain, Germany, Peru, Argentina, and Chile, and invoices for business partners or customers in European countries.”

While the data found in the sample is from 2021 and older, the publication did state that some of the emails it saw belonged to “active employees”.

“Since Telefonica has been denying a recent 106 GB breach containing data from its internal infrastructure, I am releasing 5 GB here as proof. Soon, I will publish the full file tree, and over the next few weeks, if Telefonica does not comply, the entire archive will be released. ;)” - Rey said.

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• Netflix is planning to increase its output of live shows and celebrity interviews
• A potential partnership with Spotify could see more live music broadcasts on the platform
• Star Search is being rebranded as Building the Band, starting July 9

Netflix is looking to continue its success with live streams and reality shows by doubling down on the content it’s already producing in the space – and that’s thanks to a potential partnership with Spotify, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal.

The partnership is set to help Netflix take its unscripted shows to the next level. Unsurprisingly, Netflix already has plans in motion for what we’re likely to see over the coming months and years, and it all comes back to being family-friendly.

Indeed, over the last few years, some of the best Netflix shows to binge have been reality TV. From guilty pleasure shows like Love is Blind to nail-biting spinoffs like Squid Game: The Challenge, the streaming service is slowly but surely building up a solid back catalog of unscripted content. But for the best streaming service on the market, that’s not enough.

More live shows and celebrity interviews

What a Netflix and Spotify team up would mean is more coverage of live music and awards shows. The streaming service has already been live streaming events including WWE and the Screen Actors Guild Awards, so moving into the music industry seems like a sensible move.

However, just how many live streamed shows we’re set to see remains up in the air. While sports and film events have largely gone ahead without a hitch, the streamer has occasionally run into technical difficulties, including the infamous Love is Blind reunion show in 2023. “We don’t want to do live for live’s sake,” executive Jeff Gaspin told The Wall Street Journal. “If we are going to do live, we should have a reason.”

On top of this, Netflix executives have also suggested that an increase in celebrity interviews is likely too. A pilot with The Daily Beast is reportedly being developed, leaning into “buzzy, non-political” events rather than fully-fledged news programming. Again, Netflix has already experimented with this, launching its first-ever celebrity sit-down talk show Everybody's Live with John Mulaney in March 2025.

The next great music competition could soon arrive

What Netflix doesn’t have, however, is its own music competition. The Voice and American Idol rule the TV roost in the US, and it’s a popular area the streaming service can certainly compete in. While untitled contests are currently in development, Netflix’s immediate plan is to reboot Star Search, rebranding it as Building the Band.

Back in the 1980s and 90s, the popular music contest was responsible for launching the careers of stars including Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. This time around, it’s set to have the same feel as X Factor UK in 2010 (which was, of course, the series that created One Direction). Building the Band will be hosted by Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean, following promising musicians auditioning to be in multiple new bands.

However, there’s a twist: acts won’t see each other until they begin the band rehearsal process, taking a leaf from The Voice’s audition format. Unlike its rivals, Building the Band will be entirely on-demand, though this could be changed if it gets picked up for a second season. Vice president of non-fiction series and sports Brandon Riegg confirmed season 2 would have a live finale, with viewers allowed to vote for their favorites in real time.

Building the Band streams from July 9, though it’s currently the only proposed unscripted content expansion with a set release date. We might be waiting a while to get these new live content while shows, such as Neil Patrick Harris’ trivia game show What’s in the Box, are in development.

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Foundation season 3: key information

- Launching on Apple TV+ in mid-July
- Contains 10 episodes
- Trailers unveiled in May and June
- Key cast members set to return
- Other actors confirmed to have joined the cast
- Plot synopsis revealed
- Draws from Isaac Asimov's 'Foundation and Empire' and 'Second Foundation' books
- Fourth season reportedly in development with a new showrunner

Foundation season 3 is just days away from airing on Apple TV+. The critically-acclaimed space opera returns on July 11, so you don't have long to read up on everything we know about it.

Before you proceed, check out my Foundation season 3 review to see what I thought of its first five episodes. Once you've done that (or bookmarked it for later), you can read on to learn more about Foundation's third season, including more on its confirmed cast, story specifics, trailers, and the sci-fi series' future.

Full spoilers follow for Foundation season 2. Potential spoilers also follow for this season and Isaac Asimov's book series namesake.

Foundation season 3 release date

A post shared by Apple TV (@appletv)

A photo posted by on

Foundation season 3 arrives TV+ on Friday, July 11. It'll debut with a one-episode premiere and new chapters will drop every Friday until the finale on September 12.

Initially, its cast and crew declined to comment on the sci-fi series' season 3 renewal when I asked them about this in July 2023. Thankfully, Foundation season 3 was confirmed to be in the works by Apple later that year.

Development didn't always go as planned, though. Last February, Foundation season 3 faced an agonizing filming delay amid multiple issues, including apparent disputes over its budget. Less than two weeks later, things seemed rosy again, with principal photography starting up again on Foundation's next installment.

However, one week later, rumors quickly spread that showrunner David S. Goyver had stepped back from the Apple TV+ sci-fi series, with fellow executive producer Bill Bost reportedly stepping in to fill the gap. Suffice it to say, the road has been a bumpy one for Foundation's third season.

Foundation season 3 trailer

Foundation season 3's official trailer was released on June 11, and it not only revealed the Apple TV+ show's most dangerous villain yet, but also teased an unexpected alliance between the show's main factions.

Missed season 3's first teaser, which arrived in mid-May? Check it out below:

Foundation season 3 confirmed cast

New versions of Brother Dawn, Brother Day, and Brother Dusk will appear in season 3 (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Major spoilers follow for Foundation season 2.

Here's who we'll see in Foundation season 3:

• Jared Harris as Hari Seldon
• Lee Pace as Brother Day
• Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick
• Laura Birn as Demerzel
• Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn
• Terrence Mann as Brother Dusk
• Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn
• Alexander Siddig as Doctor Ebling Mis
• Troy Kotsur as Preem Palver
• Pilou Asbaek as The Mule
• Cherry Jones as Foundation Ambassador Quent
• Synnøve Karlsen as Bayta Mallow
• Cody Fern as Toran Mallow
• Brandon P Bell as Han Pritcher
• Tómas Lemarquis as Magnifico Giganticus
• Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing as Song
• Leo Bill as Mayor Indbur

The first seven actors return from seasons 1 and 2, while the rest are all newcomers for the latest 10-episode installment. That includes this season's villain, aka The Mule, who'll be played by Pilou Asbaek after a season 3 cast shake-up last year. Speaking to me ahead of this season's launch, Asbaek explained why The Mule "needs to be [seen as] a big threat" to both Empire and The Foundation.

Flashback sequences notwithstanding, it's incredibly unlikely that we'll see any other actors return from season 2. Its follow-up is set over 150 years after the series' sophomore outing, so the likes of Ella Rae Smith's Queen Sareth and Kulvinder Ghir's Poly are surely dead by this point.

One major character who definitely won't return is Leah Harvey's Salvor Hardin. She sacrificed herself to save Gaal in 'Creation Myths', aka season 2's final episode. Foundation's universe has the potential to bring people back from the dead – we're looking at you, Hari – but, considering Salvor was cremated, she's officially dead and gone.

Foundation season 3 story synopsis and rumors

Gaal has been in cryosleep for 150-plus years by the time season 3 begins (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Major spoilers follow for Foundation season 2.

Here's Foundation season 3' story synopsis: "Set 152 years after the events of season 2, The Foundation has become increasingly established far beyond its humble beginnings while the Cleonic Dynasty’s Empire has dwindled.

"As both of these galactic powers forge an uneasy alliance, a threat to the entire galaxy appears in the fearsome form of a warlord known as The Mule whose sights are set on ruling the universe by use of physical and military force, as well as mind control. It’s anyone’s guess who'll win, who'll lose, who'll live, and who'll die as Hari, Gaal, the Cleons, and Demerzel play a potentially deadly game of intergalactic chess."

That's just enough to go but, if you want on where this season could go narratively, my Foundation season 2 ending explainer looks at the possible storylines and subplots that could set up this season. If you don't want to click away from this page, though, I'll give you an in-depth, spoiler-filled breakdown from this point on.

In season 2 episode 9, we learned more about Demerzel's backstory and how she's the Empire's shadow ruler (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Let's start with Empire. Season 2's incarnations of its three Emperors – Dawn, Day, and Dusk, all clones of Cleon I – no longer sit on the throne (or thrones, if you will). Day suffocated in space, Dusk was killed by Demerzel, and Dawn fled with Queen Sareth after Demerzel threatened to execute Sareth for her alleged failed assassination attempt on Day in season 2's opening episode.

Demerzel hired the Blind Angels to murder Day because he wanted to marry Sareth and father his own children, which would've ended the Cleonic Dynasty. This plan went against the directives Cleon I gave Demerzel – remember, she's a robot – centuries earlier, which included maintaining his clone-based blood line. Long story short: Demerzel planned to set up Sareth as Day's would-be murderer and execute her to preserve the status quo.

With season 2's Emperors deceased or on the run, Demerzel had to decant new versions of all three clones – something she's never had to do before. With season 3 set over a century later, these new iterations aren't the current incumbents on the throne, though, so she's had to carry out the process once more since.

Meanwhile, in season 2 episode 9, aka 'Long Ago, Not Far Away', the Vault-based version of Hari Seldon – you didn't forget there were two of him, did you? – showed Demerzel how to operate the Prime Radiant. Essentially a data storage device, the Prime Radiant contains all of Hari's psychohistory-based math, which is being used to help guide humanity through its darkest age yet.

The Prime Radiant also exists in a state of supposition, allowing it to exist in two places at once. That means the living Hari (the one working with Gaal) possesses one and, unfortunately for The Foundation, the other is now in Demerzel's hands. Once she can read Hari's math, she'll be able to use it and get a reading on how the galaxy's future is supposed to play out.

Toran and Bayta Mallow reluctantly become embroiled in events throughout season 3 (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Speaking of the Vault, 'Creation Myths' revealed that the mysterious 4D structure survived the destruction of Terminus. Expect it to continue playing a big role in Foundation's overarching plot.

The Foundation's survival isn't the only thing Empire has to contend with.

For starters, Dawn and Sareth's absconsion is a worrying prospect – Sareth is pregnant with Dawn's child, meaning their firstborn has a claim to the Empire's throne. With Foundation season 3 featuring a major time jump, we could see their child's next of kin make a play for the royal seat if this particular narrative is followed up on. After all, in the second half of 'Foundation and Empire', the second novel in Asismov's Foundation book trilogy, the Empire is engulfed by civil war. This plot point could be adapted for a showdown between Dawn and Sareth's bloodline and the Cleonic dynasty.

Elsewhere, Gaal and Hari's successful recruitment of the Mentalics, a race with psychic abilities, means The Foundation is stronger than ever. Add the Mentalics to the Foundation's seven planetary bodies, plus the Empire losing the ability to hyperjump – the genetically engineered Spacers are no longer enslaved by them – and, as this season's story synopsis points out, the playing field is more level than ever before.

Ignis is our home: a world worth saving. We’ll fight for its future. Will you do the same for yours? pic.twitter.com/MFVqs5DJwlJune 5, 2025

Hari, Gaal, and company shouldn't expect to walk all over Empire now, however. The emergence of The Mule – a powerful Mentalic who begins conquering worlds in Asmiov's book series – will surely give rise to the Third Seldon Crisis.

These crises are fixed points in humanity's existence that determine whether The Foundation succeeds or fails. So far, The Foundation has navigated two potential calamities: surviving in the galaxy's outer reaches and bypassing a full-blown war with the Empire.

The Mule, though, will pose the biggest threat – and that's saying something – to The Foundation's existence. To combat him, Gaal and Hari have entered cryosleep on the Mentalics' sanctuary of Ignis. That way, they can reawaken when The Mule shows up and help lead the fight against him. The rest of the Mentalics will hone their abilities and learn about psychohistory in the interim 150-year period so they're ready to battle The Mule and his forces when the time comes.

Is Foundation season 4 in the works?

Jared Harris, who plays Hari Seldon and Doctor Seldon, doesn't know if season 4 is in the works (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Not officially. However, a fourth season is reportedly in the works with a new showrunner in Fear the Walking Dead alumnus Ian Goldberg.

For what it's worth, Llobell and Harris told me they don't know if Foundation season 4 has been secretly greenlit. However, by the time season 3 ends, Foundation will have only covered the first two main novels in Asimov's book series – 'Foundation' and 'Foundation & Empire', plus the first half of the third novel titled 'Second Foundation'. There are two prequel novels and two sequel books that expand on Foundation's unique universe, too, so there's plenty more storytelling ground to cover.

Ahead of the first season's launch, Goyer (per Decider) revealed he had an eight-season outline for the series. It's deviated somewhat from the story told in Asimov's books so, alongside adapting parts from the wider source material, a more complete narrative could be told in the seasons to come.

As long as Foundation continues to draw in a big enough audience to justify its financial outlay, Apple should continue to bankroll its development. If this season struggles to draw to do that, though, the tech titan has shown it isn't afraid to cancel shows before their time. The jury is out on whether Foundation season 3 will be the show's latest or final chapter, then.

For more Apple TV Plus-based coverage, check out our guides on Presumed Innocent season 2, Severance season 3, Ted Lasso season 4, and Slow Horses season 5.

• Dull office design is now a reason to resign, not just a minor complaint
• Mental health issues are being linked to poor visual and ergonomic workspace conditions
• Remote work offers freedom, but bad tech setups kill creativity and focus fast

The modern workplace is undergoing a silent crisis which isn’t solely about productivity, but also the mental well-being of employees, new research has warned - and it could be due to boring office design.

The latest Art of Productivity report from Kinly has found uninspiring and dull workplaces are not just hurting morale, but also making employees question their long-term futures with employers.

Among UK workers aged 24 to 35, nearly half (46%) said they would consider leaving their jobs due to unattractive or poorly designed office spaces - and more worryingly, 21% said such environments are actively harming their mental health.

Mental health takes a backseat to design flaws

This growing concern is prompting a new wave of collaboration between AV and HR departments, the report found, with over two-thirds (69%) of AV teams now working closely with HR to support employee well-being through the smarter use of technology.

Over half of businesses surveyed already use digital signage and visual tools to improve the day-to-day office experience, showing a shift in how workplaces are being designed and managed.

Rather than relying on generic perks or policy changes, companies are turning to creative AV-driven design strategies.

Tom Martin, CEO at Kinly, noted, “office design is no longer just an aesthetic choice, it’s a strategic one,” stressing modern office environments should empower and inspire.

“The office has become a second-choice experience for many employees, but implementing technology creatively can and will make a difference,” he said.

This view is shared by visual artist Ben Sheppee, who warns that remote work, while flexible, can stifle creativity if not properly supported.

“It’s vital that businesses provide the technology to help ideas flow freely, no matter where their teams are.”

These solutions are not just about visual appeal; they focus on inclusivity, with 31% of enterprises actively using AV to support neurodiverse staff.

Sensory-friendly features and accessibility-focused tools are becoming part of the broader toolkit for creating healthier workspaces.

Also, 71% of AV professionals believe these technologies play an essential role in maintaining a sense of community across hybrid work environments.

That said, digital displays and emotion-sensitive design may offer novelty, but their long-term impact remains uncertain.

Some people argue that no amount of immersive AV can substitute for ergonomic essentials such as standing desks.

Many believe workspace tools like one of the best office chairs or best office desks are fundamentals that directly affect comfort or focus, and these should be the priority.

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• An Xbox executive suggested that laid-off employees use AI for emotional support and career guidance
• The suggestion sparked backlash and led the executive to delete their LinkedIn post
• Microsoft has laid off 9,000 employees in recent months while investing heavily in AI.

Microsoft has been hyping up its AI ambitions for the last several years, but one executive's pitch about the power of AI to former employees who were recently let go has landed with an awkward thud.

Amid the largest round of layoffs in over two years, about 9,000 people, Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, suggested that AI chatbots could help those affected process their grief, craft resumes, and rebuild their confidence.

The gesture was meant for support, but it left many game developers feeling outraged.

Turnbull took his possibly well-meaning but definitely poorly phrased and timed message to LinkedIn. He shared ideas for prompts to give an AI chatbot that he claimed might help laid-off colleagues navigate career uncertainty and emotional turbulence.

The backlash was swift and angry, leading him to delete the post, but you can still read it thanks to Brandon Sheffield's Bluesky post below.

Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing - after the Microsoft layoffs - suggesting on Linkedin that may maybe people who have been let go should turn to AI for help. He seriously thought posting this would be a good idea.

— @brandon.insertcredit.com (@brandon.insertcredit.com.bsky.social) 2025-07-07T07:54:06.534Z

Turnbull urged colleagues to lean on AI to reduce the “emotional and cognitive load” of job loss in his post, along with the prompt ideas for 30-day recovery plans and LinkedIn messages. Probably the most eyebrow-raising suggestion was suggesting a prompt to help reframe impostor syndrome after being laid off.

“No AI tool is a replacement for your voice or lived experience," Turnbull wrote. "But in times when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help you get unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.”

Even the most charitable interpretation of his post can't overlook just how condescending and poorly timed the advice is. And angry game developers flooded the comments, likely leading to the deletion of the post.

To put it mildly, they don't agree that being laid off is an emotional puzzle best solved with an algorithm. Instead, perhaps a human might understand the career and life upheaval it represents, and how that requires human compassion, support networks, and tangible help, like, say, an introduction to someone who can help you get a new job.

AI therapy

This incident is even worse in the context of Microsoft spending billions building AI infrastructure while dramatically shrinking its gaming teams. Urging laid-off developers to lean on AI right after losing their jobs is more than hypocritical; it's telling people to use the very technology that may have caused their job loss.

To be scrupulously and overly fair to Turnbull, using AI could help with some mental health concerns and might be useful in improving a resume or preparing for a job interview. Making AI part of outplacement services isn't a horrible idea. It could boost the internal coaching and career-transition arm Microsoft offers already, adding to the recruiters, résumé workshops, and counselling it offers. But it can't and shouldn't replace those human services. And having one of the people who let you go tell you to use AI to find a new job is the opposite of supportive. It's just an insult on top of injury.

Microsoft’s dual approach of laying people off and doubling down on AI infrastructure is a test of its company culture as much as its technical ability. Will we see a new standard where layoffs come with AI prompt packages instead of counseling and severance? If the message is, “Feel free to use chatbots to help you after we fire you,” expect plenty more outrageous, tone-deaf nonsense from executives.

Perhaps they should ask those chatbots how to interact with human beings without angering them, since it's a lesson they haven't learned well.

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Data centers are the backbone of the digital age; however, many are stuck in the past. Legacy facilities, which were built for a different era, are now struggling under the weight of modern computing demands. With ageing infrastructure, poor energy performance and rising operational costs, these outdated environments are quickly becoming a liability in a world that demands speed, scalability and sustainability.

In light of this, forward-thinking organizations are taking action and migrating their core applications from traditional on-premise infrastructure to the cloud. Such a move achieves modernization of a bank’s IT environment whilst also positioning it to be more agile and cost-efficient when it comes to customer-centric innovation in an ever-evolving digital economy.

Despite this, transforming legacy data centers is not the undemanding cure-all that banks and other financial organizations might be vying for, or even economically viable for that matter. For some, the path forward means shutting down outdated facilities altogether. For example, Singaporean telco Singtel announced last year the closure of five of its legacy data centers in Singapore as part of its plans to pivot towards sustainable, AI-focused facilities, reflecting a wider shift to a more measured and strategic approach to IT infrastructure investment.

The growing need for data agility and cloud-native platforms

Organizations are therefore under growing pressure to respond at speed, often forced to relocate critical data with little notice when closures or capacity shifts occur. It's a logistical challenge, but one that underscores a broader truth, which is that data agility is no longer optional. Rather, it has become a critical need for financial organizations to be able to access, process and act on data, especially in an era where the priorities for technology in an organization can shift overnight.

With ESG standards now central to the tech industry’s agenda, traditional data centers that overheat, guzzle energy and leave a heavy environmental footprint are increasingly out of step with where the sector is headed. But the challenges go far beyond sustainability. Legacy infrastructures create operational drag given the fragmented systems, inconsistent data quality and rigid architectures that hinder fast, informed decision-making.

Cloud-native models provide real-time insights and the ability to scale on demand, which in itself stands as a sharp contrast to outdated data infrastructures that require significant upfront investment based on predicted needs. This often leaves businesses stuck with inflexible systems and delays whilst waiting for hardware. Security is another growing concern.

Whilst cloud providers constantly update and strengthen their defenses, many on-premises teams struggle to keep up. Add to that the rising pressure of data sovereignty regulations and escalating energy costs, and the need to modernize becomes not just compelling, but critical.

A smart migration starts with a clear strategy

Given its elastic scalability, precise cost controls and robust, built-in security, it is certainly no surprise that many organizations are turning to the cloud. However, whilst the benefits are clear, the journey isn’t instantaneous. Successful cloud adoption requires a well-thought-out roadmap. The first step is crafting a strategy that’s tightly aligned with business objectives.

This translates to assessing workloads based on their impact, prioritizing mission-critical applications and selecting the right deployment model, whether it is public, private, or a combination of the two. Multicloud is increasingly gaining traction as it helps avoid vendor lock-in and gives businesses the freedom to leverage the unique strengths of different providers.

But moving to the cloud must be done with precision, especially in complex, legacy-heavy environments such as those that can be found in traditional banks. A rushed migration can have the opposite effect of what financial organizations may hope for when undertaking mass data migration to cloud-native platforms.

Cloud adoption affects multiple parts, if not every part of the business, be it applications and data architectures or operating models and governance frameworks. Missteps in timing or execution can lead to budgets being stretched too tight, unplanned downtimes and costly inefficiencies. Mitigating this risk requires financial organizations to approach migration as a deliberate, end-to-end transformation that reshapes how banks operate, innovate and ultimately deliver value to their customers, instead of a quick fix or a reactive measure.

At the same time, integration of robust governance at every stage of the journey is critical, with security, compliance and data protection ensured from the very outset. With cloud environments demanding continuous optimization, it is a key consideration that the work does not stop at the point of migration. Performance and cost efficiency must be reviewed regularly to ensure systems are running as expected and delivering value.

Recent advances with generative AI and AI tools can also help to accelerate the migration from on-premises legacy data centers to cloud environments by automating discovery, dependency mapping and workload classification. These tools analyze infrastructure and application behavior to identify optimal cloud targets and architectures. AI coding products also assist in refactoring legacy code, creation of testing and documentation, predicting migration risks, and simulating performance in the cloud, reducing migration time and enhancing planning accuracy.

The symptoms of ageing infrastructure in banking

This imperative for cloud migration is especially acute in the banking sector, where traditional institutions are locked in a race against digital-first challengers that can deploy new features in a matter of weeks, whilst legacy banks remain reliant on ageing mainframes. The cost of inaction is no longer hypothetical.

Earlier this year, more than 1.2 million UK customers were hit by banking disruptions on payday, marking a critical moment for individuals and businesses alike. Major high-street banks reported service failures ranging from login delays to hours-long customer service waits.

These outages weren’t isolated incidents, but symptoms of deeper systemic fragility tied to ageing IT systems. In contrast, cloud-native organizations are built for resilience, scalability and real-time responsiveness, which are qualities that legacy setups struggle to emulate.

These failures were not just unfortunate, but predictable and more importantly, preventable, further highlighting the point that embracing cloud-native infrastructure is no longer a long-term goal, rather an urgent priority for maintaining customer trust and securing future competitiveness for incumbent banks.

Data agility as a means of being future-ready

Ultimately, data agility is the engine of faster decision-making, operational flexibility and innovation, whilst cloud-native platforms make that agility possible. By using a fully cloud-native core, financial institutions can sidestep the constraints of traditional infrastructure allowing them to focus squarely on customer needs and accelerate time to market in ways that legacy banks simply would not be able to through traditional channels.

Achieving these results requires organizations to invest not just in modern cloud platforms, but in a data-driven culture that treats information as a strategic asset. Real-time data streaming paves the way to immediate insights, rather than lagging by hours or days. And as market demands continue to evolve, success depends on ongoing integration and innovation.

Cloud transformation isn’t a one-off milestone; it’s a continuous journey of aligning strategy, technology and execution to stay ahead of what’s next.

We've listed the best cloud storage.

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

• Akaso 360 price starts at $199.99 / £199.99 / AUS329.99 – a record low for 360 cameras
• It was launched worldwide on July 7, 2025
• Prime Day deals for rival models crash the party

Insta360 may have cornered the 360 camera market in recent times, but it's under threat from a rumored DJI Osmo 360 and now a surprise entry to the market, the new Akaso 360.

Akaso is a proven alternative to leading action camera brands such as GoPro, Insta360 and DJI, with an impressive lineup of low-cost models. Now it has entered the 360 camera space with the Akaso 360, and it's super impressive for the money – check out our in-depth Akaso 360 review.

The all-new 360 camera shoots crisp 5.7K video with total 360 degree coverage through its twin lenses, complete with the software smarts we've come to expect from the best 360 cameras, such as seamless stitching and selfie stick removal.

Perhaps what's most impressive, though, is the price point at which the Akaso 360 enters the market – it's so much cheaper than any other current model.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Akaso)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Akaso)Lowering the bar for 360 camera prices, but is the Akaso 360 the best value?

The launch price for the Akaso 360 starts at just $199.99 / £199.99 / AUS329.99 for the Standard Combo, or $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.99 for the Creator Combo, which adds two additional batteries, a battery charging case and a 120cm selfie stick. It's available at Amazon US and Amazon UK, or directly from the Akaso store.

For price, no other 360 camera comes close – the Insta360 X5 is well over double, while the GoPro Max (2025) is around $150 / £150 / AU$200 more (and that's following a new price point from the original Max model from 2019, which was a similar price to the X5).

But just because the Akaso 360 is the cheapest model available, should you get it?

The comparison between the Akaso 360 and Insta360 X5 is hardly fair – the latter is the best 360 camera on the market, and it beats Akaso's model in almost every respect, including its 8K video and low light image quality.

The X5's twin lenses can be swapped out in case of damage too, with cheap replacement lenses available. In the long run, this feature alone could make it better value than any other 360 camera. After all, break a lens while recording with any other model, which is a likely eventuality for filming outdoor pursuits, and the whole camera needs a pricey repair or replacing. Not so with the X5.

For features and performance, however, I think the older Insta360 X3 is the closest Akaso 360 rival.

It doesn't help Akaso's cause that it unveiled its first 360 camera during Prime Day week, at a time when there are huge price cuts for the X3. You can get the Insta360 X3 for $249.99 at Amazon US (original price $449.99), or £259.99 at Amazon UK (original price £459.99) or at the Insta360 store for the same price, with other bundles available.

The X3 is still a little pricier, then, but I think it has the edge over the Akaso 360 in two ways. First, it's waterproof up to 33ft / 10m, while Akaso's model is not, and second, the X3 also shoots HDR video.

If your wallet stretches that little bit further, the X3 deal is superb value. Otherwise, the cameras are pretty similar, and if the two points above don't put you off Akaso's new model, then a full-price Akaso 360 is still excellent value. It's a super impressive 360 camera for the money.

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Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 7, No. 287

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 7.

El Tri face off against Mauricio Pochettino's USMT in Houston.

It's no surprise that fitness companies love the subscription model: it guarantees them income long after the initial purchase of a smartwatch or a fitness tracker.

Most of the big names in the business now give you the option of paying a monthly fee to unlock extra insights from your health data, and extra features for your apps and devices.

Comments made by Samsung's Head of Digital Health, Dr Hon Pak, have revealed that a health subscription is an idea Samsung is "exploring" as well, and it's perhaps something that will be announced alongside the Galaxy Watch 8 or the Galaxy Ring 2.

This would, of course, have knock-on effects for the best Samsung phones and all the other devices where you'll find the Samsung Health app.

While I feel like I'm right up to the limit as far as digital subscriptions go, there are a few specific ways that Samsung could tempt me to sign up for another service – but it has to make it worth my while.

1. Tools that actually improve health and fitness

The Galaxy Watch 7 is great – if you know what to do with it (Image credit: Samsung)

I'm keen to improve my health and fitness, but I don't really know where to start: from YouTube videos and how-to articles, to AI coaching and social media influencers, there's an overwhelming amount of advice out there. What I really need is a trusted source that will help me with everything from workout plans to nutrition advice.

If that's something Samsung Health can offer, I'd consider paying for it. Whether it's through the form of videos, personalized guides, or something else, I need some clarity around what I should be doing to lead a healthier life.

I'd want to see real progress as a result of my subscription though, whether it's being able to run faster for longer, or bouncing out of bed with extra energy – otherwise what am I paying for? At least if it's a month-to-month subscription, I'll have the option of cancelling it if nothing seems to be changing.

2. Features that actually save me money

Subscriptions have to be worth the cost (Image credit: Strava)

There are a handful of digital subscriptions that I happily pay money for, and what they all have in common is they help me do my job better and more efficiently. Subscriptions that save me time or mean I can work smarter are effectively paying for themselves, or even saving me money overall.

Take YouTube Premium, for example. YouTube can of course be used for free, but paying means I save a lot of time watching and clicking through ads, and means I don't have to pay for Spotify (because YouTube Music Premium is included).

So what would that look like for a health subscription? Perhaps one that has features comparable to paid-for running app, meditation app, and nutrition app subscriptions, and can consolidate them all.

To sweeten the deal even further, how about money off Samsung wearables? Surely a win-win for Samsung.

3. Data insights that are actually insightful

The Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Enduro 3 (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

It's become cliche for health subscriptions to offer more advanced insights into your data: often, it's a vague promise that often doesn't really amount to much. Garmin Connect+, for example, promises something called "Active Intelligence" that apparently gives users "personalized insights and suggestions" (powered with the help of AI, of course).

I'd very much welcome genuinely insightful insights, though no one seems to have quite solved this problem yet. Fitness trackers amass a wealth of data each day, much of which never gets properly looked at, like reams of photos backed up to cloud storage.

Give me tips and advice that are actually useful please, Samsung. How much is each 5-a-side game boosting my fitness? Which days of the week do I need more motivation to exercise? Do I drink more water if I get to sleep earlier? Help make sense of the stats I'm accumulating, and I may well sign up.

What Samsung has to avoid: trapping users

We're yet to see a subscription as nightmarish as the ones in Black Mirror (Image credit: Netflix)

Something that makes me wary about signing up for yet another digital subscription is the fear that I'll be locked into yet another product and another ecosystem – unable to leave unless I want to throw away years of data and features I've come to rely on.

It's something you may have seen in the most recent series of Black Mirror: a couple trapped in a subscription that gradually adds more and more advertising (is that you, Netflix?) and removes more and more features. The experience becomes truly awful – but not subscribing is even worse.

Samsung Health already supports services such as Android's Health Connect, and data from any extras that a subscription offers shouldn't be locked away – but available to export and use elsewhere, and in other formats.

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• Singapore’s skyline becomes a glowing canvas celebrating both national history and brand identity
• Three world records mark this as one of the boldest projection shows ever attempted
• UOB’s digital storytelling fuses tradition, future, and corporate legacy through a six-minute visual narrative

A skyscraper in Singapore has become the canvas for a record-breaking projection mapping display which spans an astonishing 250 million pixels.

The UOB Plaza 1 building, standing 280 meters tall, is hosting a series of intricate projections marking two major milestones: Singapore’s 60th year of independence and the 90th anniversary of UOB Bank.

The show has set three Guinness World Records: for the largest light output in a projected image, the longest temporary architectural projection, and the highest projection on a building.

More than just a technical spectacle

At 5.85 million lumens, the light output is exceptional by any standard, dwarfing even the brightest and best business projector on the market.

Although the sheer scale and brightness are attention-grabbing, the projections also aim to tell a story.

“The projection showcase is our way of giving back – offering a record-breaking visual spectacle for the community, both for those who are based here and those visiting from overseas, to enjoy and to celebrate our shared journey,” said Janet Young, UOB's head of group channels, digitalisation, strategic communications and brand.

Among the projected content is Majulah Singapura, an artwork by local artist Sam Lo, highlighting the country’s multicultural roots and collective resilience.

The SG60 logo slowly transforms into the UOB90 logo, reflecting the intersection of national progress and corporate legacy.

Adapted from winning entries of the UOB Painting of the Year competition, Singapore’s longest-running art contest, the projection includes 30 works grouped into three categories: Timeless, Contemporary 1, and Contemporary 2.

These rotate across the week, with all artworks shown together on Friday and Saturday nights.

The reinterpretation of these pieces into animated visuals on a building façade suggests a modern alternative to traditional exhibitions.

It is, without question, a technical marvel, yet also a reminder that large-scale displays remain highly site-specific.

Their impact is immense but also fleeting, tied to infrastructure, planning, and corporate objectives as much as artistic intent.

The projection runs nightly until August 9, 2025.

Via Avinteractive

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Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for July 7, No. 1,479.

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for July 7, No. 491.

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle No. 757 for July 7.

• Benchmarks show AMD’s new EPYC 4005 series outperforming older eight-channel EPYC 7601 memory systems with just two DIMMs
• Performance-per-Watt improvements put AMD’s 4005 chip in a new league of server efficiency
• Grado proves newer design beats older bulk - less memory, lower power, yet more performance

In an eight-year leap, AMD’s new EPYC 4585PX processor from the EPYC 4005 “Grado” series has shown performance improvements that nearly triple the output of AMD’s original flagship server chip, the EPYC 7601.

Interestingly, the EPYC 4585PX processor is not part of the high-end EPYC 9005 family but rather a lower-cost, power-efficient alternative.

According to Phoronix, over 200 benchmarks were run on Ubuntu 25.04 across varied workloads, server tasks, HPC, scripting, media encoding, and compilation.

Benchmarks highlight a dramatic efficiency jump

On average, the EPYC 4585PX delivered 2.69 times the performance of the original 7601, despite fewer memory channels and a more compact setup.

When adjusted for power, the improvement looks even more striking: on a performance-per-Watt basis, the newer chip is 2.85x more efficient, thanks to more refined architecture and improved design efficiency.

These results are likely to interest enthusiasts of the best server hardware, and they raise questions about how far older enterprise systems have fallen behind.

It also puts AMD’s lower-cost chips in contention with more expensive processors typically used by top-tier web hosting providers.

Not everything is a clean win, however. While the wall power usage of the full system was significantly improved - 225W for the newer platform compared to 238W for the older Naples server - the CPU-level measurements were less decisive.

Average CPU consumption was 153W for the EPYC 4585PX and 141W for the older 7601, with peak values of 204W and 195W, respectively.

These figures suggest that while the system as a whole has become more efficient, the processor alone hasn’t cut energy use as dramatically.

For those seeking green infrastructure, especially small business operators or SOHO setups, the lower idle draw may be more relevant than full-load comparisons.

Running on a modern Supermicro platform with just two DDR5 DIMMs, the EPYC 4585PX system still managed to beat the eight-channel memory performance of the EPYC 7601 in most workloads.

That suggests memory bandwidth isn’t the only performance determinant anymore.

With support for newer chipsets and more efficient memory, the “Grado” system appears to offer real headroom for entry-level infrastructure deployments, especially for NAS builds where power efficiency and thermal limits matter.

The data shows AMD’s low-cost EPYC 4005 chips may now outperform former flagships without breaking the bank or the power budget.

The upcoming comparison with EPYC 9005 chips promises even greater gains, although the takeaway for now is that you no longer need a premium part to get premium performance.

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The Gang is back for eight new darkly funny episodes.

• Samsung's rugged tablet built for frontline industries has dual batteries and 5G support
• It includes a stylus, 8 years of Android updates, and can run without a battery
• First review praises long battery life, strong durability, and enterprise-ready hardware design

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is a rugged tablet built for demanding work environments. Introduced alongside the Galaxy XCover7 Pro back in April 2025, the new device is designed to meet the demanding needs of industries like logistics, construction, and field service.

The Tab Active5 Pro comes equipped with a 5G-capable Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, improved display brightness up to 600 nits, and enhanced audio clarity with intelligent noise filtering.

It sports 16GB of RAM and expanded storage options to support heavy multitasking and fieldwork. The dual battery setup has a combined capacity of over 10,000mAh and supports hot-swapping, allowing users to replace batteries without shutting down the device.

Eight years of Android updates

The tablet also features a handy No Battery Mode for fixed setups like kiosks or in-vehicle use. With its MIL-STD-810H certification and IP68 rating, it’s built to handle drops, water, dust, and extreme conditions, just as you'd expect from a rugged device.

It also comes with eight years (8 years!) of Android updates, which is impressive, and includes a protective case with a stylus.

“The Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro combines ruggedized durability, enterprise-grade security, seamless connectivity, and intuitive AI-driven features,” said Jerry Park, EVP and Head of Samsung’s Global Mobile B2B Team at launch, adding it would “help businesses operate efficiently in harsh conditions while maximizing productivity and minimizing downtime.”

Notebookcheck went hands on with the Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro and in its in-depth review, declared, “Performance is solid for everyday tasks, and the dual battery setup with a combined capacity of over 10,000mAh ensures very long battery life.”

The review added, “The inclusion of two removable batteries is a smart move. However, it is unusual that the tablet only functions when both batteries are inserted or when running entirely without batteries. On the positive side, these are the same battery models used in the standard Galaxy Tab Active5.”

It concluded, “Overall, this rugged tablet has been thoughtfully designed and could also be a strong choice for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a durable, long-lasting device.”

The Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is officially priced at $839, but as Notebookcheck points out, it’s already available for significantly less through some online retailers.

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• A hands-on video of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 briefly appeared
• It showed off the larger cover screen on this model
• The Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 should be launched on Wednesday

We've seen plenty of leaks around the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 ahead of the official launch of these foldables – scheduled for this coming Wednesday, July 9 – and this weekend a hands-on video of the Z Flip 7 has emerged.

It wasn't long before the video, posted by Mincu Andrei on X, was taken down, but a few stills of the clip have been preserved for posterity over at SamMobile. If this is genuine, it's the first time we've had a peek at a fully working Galaxy Z Flip 7.

The headline upgrade here is the cover screen. Previous rumors had suggested the outer display would expand in size to wrap around the camera modules, and that's indeed what we can see in the leaked video and images.

It looks as though the extra screen space – with the cover screen growing to 4.1 inches from 3.4 inches on the current Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – will mainly be used to show date and time information, according to this leak.

Thinner and faster

The Z Flip 6 (left) and Z Fold 6 (right) (Image credit: Samsung)

While it was live, the hands-on video also showed off some of the other rumored changes coming to the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The main display is apparently extending in size from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches, while it's also expected to be getting thinner too.

We have previously seen unofficial renders of both the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, and it looks as though both of them are going to shave a few fractions of a millimeter off in terms of how thick they are, front to back.

Otherwise, apart from a processor speed bump, we might not see much that's new when it comes to the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The cameras are reported to be the same as the current model, for example, though we might get a bigger battery.

Both the Z Fold 7 and the Z Flip 7 are going to get their grand unveiling on Wednesday, July 9, and you can watch along live while reading TechRadar's comprehensive coverage. We should also get some new wearables, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.

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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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, July 6 (game #490).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh

NYT Strands today (game #491) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• HIDE
• SOCK
• COAL
• SLUMP
• DUEL
• PLANK

NYT Strands today (game #491) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #491) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 5th column

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #491) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #491, are…

• BUNK
• LAKE
• FLAGPOLE
• CANTEEN
• LODGE
• FIELDHOUSE
• SPANGRAM: SUMMER CAMP

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 hint

Although the SUMMER CAMP is mainly an American experience I was very familiar with the excellent comedy song which gave us today’s theme – Hello Muddah, Hello Father (A Letter from Camp) by Allan Sherman, with its excellent story of an entire camp befalling various ailments and disasters.

Despite knowing the kind of words we were looking for, I still struggled to start today and got BUNK via a hint.

After getting FLAGPOLE I remembered that I had stayed on a camp once in the UK, and one of the activities/tortures we had to do was climb a 20ft pole and stand on the top of it. We were on ropes and safety harnesses, but I can still remember how much my legs were wobbling as I winched myself to the summit. All very character building I'm sure. Help me muddah.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, July 6, game #490)

• STRENGTH
• SPEED
• FLIGHT
• INVISIBILITY
• HEALING
• SPANGRAM: SUPERPOWER

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.