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Skullcandy's iconic multi-sensory bass technology comes to a gaming headset for the first time in the new Crusher PLYR 720 set which is available today

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 10:00
  • Skullcandy has announced the first-ever gaming headset to feature its patented Crusher multi-sensory bass technology
  • The Crusher PLYR 720 is made for multiplatform gaming
  • It's available right now for $259.99

Skullcandy has unveiled the Crusher PLYR 720, its first multiplatform gaming headset, and it's available right now.

The Crusher PLYR 720 is the first-ever gaming headset to feature the company's patented Crusher multi-sensory bass technology and an open-back design, which is intended for a more immersive experience.

Alongside the multi-sensory bass, the headset will also offer THX Spatial Audio for console and mobile gamers, open-back acoustics, audio control via the Skull-HQ app, and advanced positional tuning for a "realistic, expansive soundstage," which results in a heightened level of hearing and sensation for gamers.

"This isn’t just immersive - it’s 4D gaming," said Justin Regan, vice president of marketing at Skullcandy. "This is a winning combination of features, advanced app customization, and crisp audio."

The headset's bass drivers fire sound directly into the user's ears - not just around them like other haptic headphones on the market - which delivers a "more natural, visceral sound you can truly feel."

"Crusher PLYR 720 users become immersed in a more realistic game experience with THX Spatial Audio," said Mike Henein, director of product development, THX Ltd. "THX Spatial Audio brings the precision and pinpoint accuracy of advanced audio positioning that allows gamers to more accurately locate sneaking enemies, avoid whizzing bullets, and gain early detection of nearby threats.

"Plus, the thrill of hearing the immersive environment also elevates emotional realism. Stay mentally sharp, survive longer, and improve your score with Crusher PLYR 720 by toggling on THX Spatial Audio."

Skullcandy's new headset also features a Clear Voice Smart Mic, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and up to 48 hours of battery life.

The Crusher PLYR 720 comes in two models. The first is a wireless, multi-platform headset for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile, plus wired Xbox support. The other is specifically designed for Xbox, which offers wireless play on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC, and mobile.

Nintendo Switch 2 support hasn't been confirmed officially yet, but we're hopefuly it'll work with the new console right out of the box too.

Both models are now available exclusively at Skullcandy and Amazon for $259.99.

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Categories: Technology

Tired of Prime Video Ads? You Can Ditch Them for an Extra Cost

CNET News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 09:57
Amazon offers one way to avoid commercials: a $3 per month fee.
Categories: Technology

Why AI should worry every business

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 09:20

As a business founder in the tech space I am spending increasing amounts of time thinking about AI and its impact. Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the beginning of the end of humanity? Or is it our savior?

The truth almost certainly lies somewhere in the middle, but that said, I believe there are very clear reasons why businesses really should be worried about AI.

Amara’s Law

Amara’s Law states that the impact of technologies is overestimated in the short term but underestimated in the long term. Driverless cars, which have been coming out next year every year since 2016, is an example of overestimation.

Artificial neural networks, the key technology behind almost all AI systems you’ve heard of, might be good at playing Breakout and even predicting how proteins fold, but it cannot (yet) cope with the chaos of roads that, in my home village of Greenwich, were laid down by feet and hooves hundreds of years ago.

Amara’s Law works because researchers and practitioners, some driven by greed, others by fortune and others still by curiosity, but all of them nonetheless driven, find ways to improve the technology, find uses for it and eventually batter it into shape.

For business this is a worry for two reasons. On the one hand, if managers overestimate the readiness of a technology, then they tend to allocate too many resources to implementing it immediately at scale. Such quick ramp-ups are always followed by embarrassing climb downs.

On the other hand, if a technology is underestimated, like many did with the cloud and are doing right now with Artificial Intelligence, then all of a sudden they will find themselves playing catch up to their competitors.

A general-purpose technology’s destiny lies in users’ hands

The second reason to worry is that general purpose systems, like the content of Pandora’s box, cannot be put back once let out. For example, in the hands of Tim Berners-Lee, the personal computer and the Internet became the web. In the hands of a failed physicist in a garage in Seattle, the web gave birth to Amazon.com. What will artificial neural networks become in the hands of a hacker?

The box has been opened and we cannot put back the knowledge, the discoveries or the opportunities, good and bad, that opening the box created.

The end of the world of work as we know it

The third reason is the dramatic and continued effects on the labor market. Way before 2025 raised its head, McKinsey and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPCC) were worrying about job losses and what the latter called the upcoming ‘job apocalypse’.

As I see it the job apocalypse seems to be coming to pass. Announcements are made daily about governments opening up their data to private firms to train their artificial neural networks and of companies shedding their workforces and replacing them with AI ‘agents’. We all know talented people who have never previously been out of a job but now can’t find one.

Businesses have a triple challenge: rearranging their teams to work alongside AI agents, reassuring those left in the workforce, even though realistically there is nothing reassuring about what is happening, and doing so whilst the Damoclean Sword of Artificial Intelligence is suspended not by a horse’s hair but by something much less tenuous: the whims of a man in an office looking at a spreadsheet.

Reaping what we all sowed

The fourth reason is probably the worst of all.

In the early part of the 2010s, Cambridge Analytica illegally collected the personal data of millions of Facebook users. From that data, psychographics, a portmanteau of psychology and demographics, were used to place targeted political advertisements into the social media streams of millions of people.

These political messages nudged enough people to vote for Donald Trump in the US presidential election of 2016. For their role in the Cambridge Analytica scandals, Facebook was fined $5 billion by the Federal Trade commission. By the time that happened, Donald Trump had already won the election.

Since 2016, sustained upheaval in the labor market continues to cause a remarkable amount of misery. In the UK, the latest reports state that 5.2 million children live in poverty. That’s 1 in every 3 children. In the United States, in 2023, the child poverty rate increased to 13.7 per cent.

Class tensions have always preceded the rise of populist, strong-men leaders. In 2016, when good old fashion propaganda collided with good old fashioned data theft, web technologies graduated from tools of commerce to… the ultimate tool of propaganda on planet Earth.

Artificial Intelligence, including the creation of deep fakes, is coming of age at the exact same moment when content moderation teams are being dismantled and strong man politics is on the rise. This new, unfettered age of disinformation has collided with people that are so desperately poor and devoid of hope that they will vote for anyone who promises to take down the elites who made them suffer so much. Politicians of all stripes sowed the wind. We all now have to reap the whirlwind.

Business leaders might not think they have the luxury of thinking about politics, yet if they work in technology they are simultaneously part of the problem and potentially the solution. Ignorance is no defense!

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is a tidal wave that is currently breaking, and breaking things, all around us. Because it’s already here, commentary on AI is a peculiar, often confusing and an almost always out of date, mixture of description and prediction.

There’s some consensus on the past but not much consensus on the future. AI is likely to become cheaper and easier to wield and exactly where it takes us will depend on the politics and ethics (or lack thereof) of the user.

And Amara’s Law tells us that AI is about to get really practical any moment. Welcome to the future.

We've featured the best business plan software.

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

Categories: Technology

Major data breach at McLaren Health Care sees 743,000 patients affected - here's what we know

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 09:19
  • McLaren Health Care and Karmanos Caner Institute patients are being warned of 2024 breach
  • Suspicious activity was caught in August 2024
  • A nine-month review has concluded

A ransomware attack between July and August 2024 affecting McLaren Health Care and Karmanos Cancer Institute has resulted in a mammoth data breach affecting nearly 750,000 people.

Hackers stole the data of 743,131 people, including their Social Security numbers, health insurance information, driver's license details, names and medical data.

The attack has been linked to the INC ransomware gang, however McLaren's public statement failed to directly attribute the attack to any group.

Nearly 750,000 patients have data stolen

Attackers were first believed to have breached the systems on July 17, 2024, with suspicious activity later detected on August 5, 2024. Nine months later, on May 5, 2025, forensic review of the incident had ended, with a public notification later released this month.

During the breach, McLaren noted IT and phone systems were down, resulting in some surgeries, appointments and treatments being canceled or rescheduled.

"McLaren determined that personal information and protected health information pertaining to individuals was contained within the files involved," the notice reads.

During the incident, staff resorted to manually managing appointments and medication information.

Despite first failing to mention how systems were breached, McLaren later confirmed it was due to a ransomware attack.

"Our organization was the target of a cybersecurity attack by an international ransomware group that impacted the McLaren Health Care and Karmanos Cancer Institute computer network," the notice continues.

It's not the first time McLaren has been the victim of a ransomware attack – earlier in July 2023, the AlphV/BlackCat gang carried out an attack affecting 2.2 million individuals.

"There is currently no evidence that your information has been misused," McLaren stated, however affected individuals are being offered a year of free credit monitoring.

Potential victims affected by the breach should also remain vigilant and pay attention to any suspicious activity on their accounts.

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Categories: Technology

How cybercriminals have become smarter and more dangerous than ever before

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 09:03

Over the last year, threat actors have upped the ante with their plots to disrupt vital business and public services – and they have had increasingly successful outcomes. In fact, the UK government estimates that some of the most disruptive breaches cost businesses, of any size, an average of approximately £1,205. When looking at medium and large enterprises, this cost increases to approximately £10,830.

The UK government recognizes the increasing dependence of businesses and organizations on digital technologies, which are vulnerable to constantly evolving cyberattacks. To address this, it is investing £2.6 billion in the National Cyber Strategy to enhance and protect the UK’s online presence.

Central to this effort is promoting ‘cyber resilience’ – organizations' ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from cyberattacks and security breaches. This resilience is fundamental to operational continuity, business growth and the overall health of the UK economy.

Evolving attack techniques signal an increased threat to businesses

Considering there were almost 9 million DDoS attacks globally in the second half of 2024, per NETSCOUT’s latest Threat Intelligence Report, the government’s greater focus on building cyber resilience is much needed. While the number of DDoS attacks across 2H2024 increased by more than 12 percent from the first half of the year, attacks are also more sophisticated than ever before.

For instance, application programming interfaces (APIs) paired with automation allows threat actors to carry out multitarget DDoS campaigns with minimal supervision, significantly increasing their attack efficiency.

Additionally, advanced techniques such as carpet-bombing, IPv6 abuse, internet service provider (ISP) masking and geo-spoofing expand attack reach for threat actors, allowing them to target victims regardless of their location, and bypass defenses.

The combination of increased frequency and sophistication of attacks increases the risk to businesses of being attacked. As has been seen from countless highly publicized incidents – such as the sophisticated cyberattack on Transport for London that disrupted services across the city in September – the devastation caused by DDoS attacks is significant.

When websites and business-critical applications are taken offline, the results are lost revenue, unhappy customers and irreparable damage to an organization's brand. The threat is continuing to grow so it is more important than ever for ISPs and enterprises to fully protect their networks and other critical infrastructure. To achieve this, organizations must look for more efficient and effective DDoS defense systems.

Exploring threat actors’ changing motivations

At a global level, there has been a noticeable increase in sophisticated DDoS hacktivism. Hacktivist groups have showcased their advanced technical capabilities, launching politically motivated cyberattacks against governments, infrastructure, and organizations around the world.

For example, NoName057(16) is the dominant actor behind geopolitical DDoS campaigns, focusing its efforts on government websites in the UK, Belgium, and Spain. In the last few years, this activity has signaled the beginning of a new era of cyber threats.

Geopolitical events drove massive attack spikes in 2024, with DDoS attacks increasingly becoming a weapon for political unrest. Threat actors have exploited periods of national vulnerability to amplify chaos and undermine confidence in institutions. For instance, Israel experienced a 2,844 percent surge in February tied to the conflict in Gaza, and Georgia saw a 1,489 percent increase in April leading up to the “Russia bill”.

These examples highlight the extent to which DDoS has become a go-to tool in sociopolitical conflicts – being deployed during elections, protests, and policy disputes – and how public sector and enterprise defenses need a rethink. Since attackers use a variety of techniques, ranging from custom-built tools to surprisingly simple methods, the need for robust and adaptable security measures is greater than ever.

Defending against DDoS attacks

The threat posed by DDoS attacks is a serious concern for businesses. Despite the prevalence of these attacks, the dangers often go unnoticed, with malicious traffic frequently mistaken for legitimate activity. Clever hackers can leave organizations vulnerable, even if they believe their defenses are robust.

To mitigate DDoS attacks, organizations should focus on reducing or terminating harmful traffic as soon as it is detected. Increasing network capacity is also crucial, as it helps absorb malicious traffic and prevents systems from being overwhelmed. Additionally, completely blocking anonymous and remote systems can make targets inaccessible to attackers, adding an extra layer of protection.

By implementing these strategies, organizations can enhance their visibility and resilience against DDoS attacks, navigating the complex landscape of cybersecurity with greater confidence.

Staying ahead of emerging cyber threats

The importance of keeping up with cyber threats cannot be overstated. Businesses should have a powerful DDoS protection system in place and regularly assess their network infrastructure. Just as organizations regularly prepare for fire drills by testing their alarms, proactively reassessing and regularly enhancing security measures is essential to stay afloat in the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. With the shifting nature of DDoS threats, it is imperative for businesses to stay ahead of the curve, or they risk the severe consequences that come with being the victim of a DDoS attack.

After all, the devastating impact of cyberattacks across sectors has been seen globally with too many instances to count. Therefore, organizations need to be aware of current threat trends and prioritize their defense strategies. With comprehensive visibility, actionable threat intelligence and the right security team in place, businesses can build the awareness and resilience needed to navigate today’s threat landscape effectively.

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

Categories: Technology

NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, June 25 (game #745)

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 09:00
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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, June 24 (game #744).

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 #745) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

  • CRAN
  • CUP
  • RASP
  • RAVE
  • STRAW
  • GOAT
  • HERO
  • BLUE
  • PLANE
  • LID
  • JACK
  • SAW
  • FLAMING
  • NAPKIN
  • CHISEL
  • SWISS
NYT Connections today (game #745) - hint #1 - group hints

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

  • YELLOW: Dairy slices
  • GREEN: Found at the coffee shop
  • BLUE: Essential for carpentry
  • PURPLE: Flying but something’s missing

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 #745) - hint #2 - group answers

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

  • YELLOW: KINDS OF CHEESES 
  • GREEN: BEVERAGE SELF-SERVICE ITEMS 
  • BLUE: WOODWORKING HAND TOOLS 
  • PURPLE: BIRDS MINUS LAST LETTER 

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

NYT Connections today (game #745) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #745, are…

  • YELLOW: KINDS OF CHEESES BLUE, GOAT, JACK, SWISS
  • GREEN: BEVERAGE SELF-SERVICE ITEMS CUP, LID, NAPKIN, STRAW
  • BLUE: WOODWORKING HAND TOOLS CHISEL, PLANE, RASP, SAW
  • PURPLE: BIRDS MINUS LAST LETTER CRAN, FLAMING, HERO, RAVE
  • My rating: Hard
  • My score: 1 mistake

I fell hook, line, and sinker for today’s trap.

Uncertain what CRAN could possibly refer to, I had one of those moments of realization that only Connections can give you, when the clouds of confusion part and suddenly everything becomes clear.

“Cran”, I thought must be short for cranberry and ah yes, there is STRAW short for strawberry, BLUE for blueberry, and RASP for raspberry. 

Then came the other classic Connections sensation, when after thinking you are really clever and have found four linked words you discover you are wrong. So wrong in fact that you are looking for a “group of four”.

Pulling myself back together I managed to muddle through – not that I ever had any inkling that cran could be part of a group of BIRDS MINUS LAST LETTER.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, June 24, game #744)
  • YELLOW: STRICT FIRM, RIGID, STERN, TOUGH
  • GREEN: BOTANICAL COVERINGS HULL, HUSK, POD, SHELL
  • BLUE: SEEN IN OPENING CREDITS CAST, DIRECTOR, STUDIO, TITLE
  • PURPLE: OBJECTS IN 0-, 1-, 2- AND 3-DIMENSIONAL SPACE LINE, PLANE, POINT, SOLID
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.

Categories: Technology

NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, June 25 (game #479)

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 09:00
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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, June 24 (game #478).

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

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Worth the splurge

NYT Strands today (game #479) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • DOOM
  • SCONE
  • MENU
  • BEND
  • FURY
  • TILE
NYT Strands today (game #479) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #479) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 4th column

Last side: left, 7th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #479) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #479, are…

  • WATCH
  • HANDBAG
  • JEWELRY
  • PERFUME
  • CONVERTIBLE
  • SPANGRAM: LUXURY GOODS
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

Not much of a stretch today, with all the words hiding in plain sight with minimal twists. The biggest surprise was the very rare sight of a spangram that started at the top and ended at the side.

“Worth the splurge” immediately had me thinking about family vacations, which are nearly always worth spending your hard-earned cash on. Instead, after finding WATCH and HANDBAG it became obvious we were looking for the standard array of LUXURY GOODS.

The thing all the items we were searching for today have in common is that they are all non essential and that cheaper versions of all of them are readily available, although with the exception of PERFUME all can be justified as splurge-worthy as they do not depreciate at the same rate as those cheaper versions (that’s what we tell ourselves anyway).

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, June 24, game #478)
  • FLAXSEED
  • PROBIOTIC
  • CALCIUM
  • ZINC
  • MAGNESIUM
  • SPANGRAM: SUPPLEMENTS
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.

Categories: Technology

Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, June 25 (game #1248)

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 08:59
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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, June 24 (game #1247).

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 #1248) - 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 #1248) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1248) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1248) - 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 2.

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 #1248) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• C

• M

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1248) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1248, are…

  • SOGGY
  • CLASH
  • MODEM
  • SQUAD

I got caught out by MODEM, guessing the more obvious word with model, but I still found today’s Quordle immensely satisfying to complete.

Perhaps it was the rare appearance of the letter Q, or maybe CLASH reminding me of one of my favorite bands, or possibly it’s just because the sun is shining here in London and I can go out for a walk without getting SOGGY.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1248) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1248, are…

  • CRIED
  • STEAD
  • KAPPA
  • CLUCK
Quordle answers: The past 20
  • 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
  • Quordle #1243, Friday, 20 June: BRAID, DULLY, HASTE, LURID
  • Quordle #1242, Thursday, 19 June: BRUSH, ISLET, FRUIT, PRIVY
  • Quordle #1241, Wednesday, 18 June: MEDIA, SHARK, GUPPY, MOURN
  • Quordle #1240, Tuesday, 17 June: LEAPT, PRISM, ADMIN, WHINE
  • Quordle #1239, Monday, 16 June: RETRY, SCALD, DINGO, FEIGN
  • Quordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVEN
  • Quordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONIC
  • Quordle #1236, Friday, 13 June: REPEL, LARGE, SNIDE, CARRY
  • Quordle #1235, Thursday, 12 June: SCANT, BATCH, UNDER, PARSE
  • Quordle #1234, Wednesday, 11 June: CRAVE, ROOST, ANGLE, FLOOD
  • Quordle #1233, Tuesday, 10 June: DECRY, CHEEK, FILET, EASEL
  • Quordle #1232, Monday, 9 June: DERBY, LEMON, WRITE, HOVEL
  • Quordle #1231, Sunday, 8 June: REBAR, ALERT, PAYEE, FLUME
  • Quordle #1230, Saturday, 7 June: FLUNK, ESTER, SPITE, CHEAP
  • Quordle #1229, Friday, 6 June: ELUDE, KHAKI, VISTA, SMOKY
  • Quordle #1228, Thursday, 5 June: CHIDE, RABBI, GUSTY, LANCE
Categories: Technology

Forget DJI – Insta360’s new coin-sized wireless mic looks like a Mic Mini killer, here’s why

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 08:37
  • Tiny magnetic transmitter weighs just 7.9g
  • Compatible with Insta360 X5, Ace Pro 2, Flow series and more
  • Insta360 Mic Air price starts at just $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$89.99

There’s no shortage of tiny digital mics designed for content creators on the market, and Insta360 has just entered the fray with its first ever wireless mic: the Insta360 Mic Air.

The Mic Air transmitter (or TX) is a coin-sized disc that can be clipped to a collar, fixed to a shirt with a magnetic clamp or even worn like a pendant. It comes supplied with a windshield to help cut down unwanted exterior noise, plus built-in noise reduction technology. It offers 10-hour battery life and a 300m wireless range.

Here's what's really neat – the Mic Air supports 48kHz/24-bit audio via a direct wireless connection with two of Insta360’s action cameras: the Insta360 X5 and Insta360 Ace Pro 2. A direct wireless connection between transmitter does away with the need for a receiver (RX), and is something that DJI's Mic Mini can do with DJI products.

If you mix brands, however, you lose that direct wireless connectivity, and would need a receiver instead. As such, it makes practical sense to brand match your action cam and wireless mic, so if you're an X5 or Ace Pro 2 user, the new Mic Air makes the most sense. Further Mic Air-compatible models will follow soon, according to Insta360.

The Mic Air can also be purchased in an RX (receiver) and TX (transmitter) bundle. The RX unit can be connected to smartphones, Insta360’s Flow gimbals and other devices, expanding the range of compatible hardware.

The Mic Air TX is compatible with the Insta360 X5 360 camera. (Image credit: Insta360)Already available to order

Designed to compete with the likes of the DJI Mic Mini, Rode Wireless Micro and Boya Mini, the Insta360 Mic Air is compact, lightweight (the TX transmitter being just 7.9g) and affordable: it’s available now at Amazon US and Amazon UK, priced at just $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$89.99 for a single TX, and $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$116.99 for the RX and TX bundle, and for the same price at the Insta360 store.

That’s roughly the same as the equivalent DJI Mic Mini bundles, although interestingly Insta360 has decided against selling a more complete package, such as two TX units, one RX and a charging case bundle – at least for now. These all-in-one packages, such as you can buy DJI's Mic Mini, offer a lot more battery life thanks to the charging case, plus a second TX for two-person audio capture. Seemingly these are two areas where Insta360 is clearly happy to concede the floor to rivals like DJI and Rode.

The RX unit (on the right) expands compatibility to smartphones and other devices. (Image credit: Insta360)

While the Mic Air is a pretty straightforward and even obvious addition to the Insta360 product line-up, it’s also a sign that the company’s ambitions seem to be growing. Just as DJI was once known mainly for its drones, but now also makes action cameras, gimbals, microphones, portable power stations, electric bikes and even, apparently, a robot vacuum cleaner, Insta360 is gradually increasing and diversifying its line-up.

It also means that Insta360 X5 (and Ace Pro 2) users looking for a wireless mic to level up their audio can stay on brand, rather than pairing the 360 camera with a mic from a rival brand, such as DJI, which feels like an obvious move on Insta360's part. In fact, the mic will be available with the X5 in an Ultimate Creator Bundle, for $669 / £669 (Australia price TBC).

A review sample of the Mic Air is on its way to us from Insta360, so look out for a full, in-depth review soon. We’re keen to see how it lines up against the DJI Mic Mini, which is widely regarded as the current market leader for ultra-compact affordable mics.

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Categories: Technology

Meta hits back after US House staffers banned from using WhatsApp over security fears

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 08:07
  • US Chief Administrative Officer confirms Congress-wide WhatsApp ban
  • Data transparency and encryption are among the key concerns
  • Meta says it disagrees “in the strongest possible terms”

The US House's Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) has banned WhatsApp from all government devices used by congressional staffers amid growing security concerns.

A Axios report claims the warning cited a lack of transparency surrounding data protection as a key motivation behind the ban, while also noting the absence of stored data encryption, raising potential security risks associated with WhatsApp use.

The ban will affect all versions of WhatsApp, including the mobile app, desktop app and web browser versions.

US Congress workers asked to remove WhatsApp

Staffers with WhatsApp on House-managed devices will be contacted to remove the app, according to the report.

Although tech bans are nothing new to US government workers, most have been related to ongoing geopolitical tensions – DeepSeek and ByteDance are two Chinese platforms that have been banned. However, workers have also been restricted from using Microsoft Copilot, and only certain paid versions of ChatGPT may be used.

"The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high-risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks involved with its use," the CAO explained to Axios.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone challenged the Congressional ban of WhatsApp, wroting on X, "We know members and their staffs regularly use WhatsApp and we look forward to ensuring members of the House can join their Senate counterparts in doing so officially."

"We disagree with the House Chief Administrative Officer’s characterization in the strongest possible terms."

Stone also noted that WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, which is more than can be said about a number of other CAO-approved apps.

Although one communication platform has been banned, the CAO explained that other alternatives remain viable, including Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Signal, iMessage and FaceTime.

The news comes shortly after the Scottish government also banned WhatsApp (instead preferring certain enterprise messaging apps), but that move relates to the deletion of messages by workers, as highlighted in the Covid enquiry.

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Categories: Technology

I Wish Meta and Microsoft's New Quest 3S Xbox Edition Was More Than Just a New Color

CNET News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 08:00
The limited edition Quest headset is basically a black Quest with an Xbox controller and a fancy head strap. Will Microsoft be planning more with this Xbox-to-VR overlap beyond GamePass?
Categories: Technology

'The game doesn’t crash': King of Meat’s studio head explains how 100 levels can still work and be fun

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 08:00
  • Johnny Hopper, Studio Head and co-founder at Glowmade has said King of Meat won't crash despite there being over 100 levels to play
  • Hopper said all levels "run really fast"
  • He added that these levels are "examples" of the dungeons players will be able to create themselves

King of Meat will have over 100 levels to experience, but studio Glowmade has said that this won't stop the game from having good performance.

That's according to Johnny Hopper, Studio Head and co-founder at Glowmade, who suggested to TechRadar Gaming that the team has paid attention to the co-op dungeon crawler's performance to ensure it won't crash.

"So the main thing is, is that the game doesn't crash, that's actually what we care about," said Hopper. "There's like 100 levels, around 100, that we're shipping with the game, made internally by our level designers. And they're all brilliant, they're all fun, they're designed, all [for] performance.

"They all run really fast, and they're all really good."

Hopper continued, explaining that these levels are essentially "examples" of the dungeons players will be able to design in Create mode using the game's in-engine developer tools.

He also said that there's "no kind of limitations on you" and a level isn't required to run at a certain speed, as long as it can run.

"We've got four different platforms or whatever to support, and something that's running on one, something that's running on my mega gaming rig might run terribly on Microsoft laptop or something like this," he said, "So we've got to make sure that it works and it's fun, and to give people the opportunity to kind of use these limitations and to have a nice time, and to make something that Is is performing or not."

It was later confirmed that King of Meat will also offer both quality and performance options across PC and consoles, including PS5 Pro, that players can customize.

There's no official release date yet, but King of Meat is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Nintendo Switch.

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Categories: Technology

King of Meat's dungeon maker mode won't offer the Minecraft-esque freedom, says Glowmade co-founders: 'Sometimes the best creativity comes from having limitations'

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 08:00
  • King of Meat studio co-founders say the game's Create mode does have some design limitations for the sake of creative learning
  • Studio head and co-founder Johnny Hopper says that the game isn't a "totally free form, Minecraft-esque" experience
  • Mike Green, co-founder and design director, says players invested in creative learning can "tweak all the behaviors of pretty much everything"

According to Glowmade's co-founders, King of Meat's Create mode will have some limitations built in for the sake of creative learning.

In an interview with TechRadar Gaming, studio head and co-founder Johnny Hopper and Mike Green, co-founder and design director, touched on the game's dungeon maker, explaining that players will be able to create levels with the tools that were used to make the game's 100.

Green said that the team was "inspired by Mario Maker" when designing the game's Create mode, but that there will be limitations for the sake of casual creatives so players know what they're doing.

"We know the language of Mario, we know what every single one of those things does without needing a tutorial," Green explained. "So we tried to do the same thing because, you know, obviously, with community-made content, you want people to go: 'Oh that's a switch, I know how a switch behaves', and if somebody took it away, [they'll] be slightly confused. So we've kept those limitations in, but then we've got a whole underlying logic system."

The developer continued, explaining that a casual creator can build a dungeon easily using the tools provided, but for players invested in creative learning, they can "tweak all the behaviors of pretty much everything" and "go to town with it".

"You know, sometimes the best creativity comes from having limitations," he said.

Hopper added that this limitation was a deliberate decision because the game isn't a "totally free form, Minecraft-esque" experience.

"It's a different ask from a player, you know, if you give somebody a blank canvas and say, 'Now go make a level', that's much, much harder than kind of going, 'Here's a room, and you can jump in it, and you can get from A to B', and that change, that is actually a, kind of an easier thing," he said.

The studio head said that the development team wanted to help players figure out how Create mode works from the start, because after creating the building blocks for a dungeon, the game gives more context for how to improve it.

"Really, one of the challenges of Create mode is not just building a thing, it's building a thing that is fun, and to try and kind of communicate that in the language of the tools and the visual language that we use to help players understand what it is to make something that is fun has been a really interesting challenge," Hopper said.

King of Meat doesn't have an official release date yet, but we know the game is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Nintendo Switch.

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Categories: Technology

What is the release date and launch time for The Bear season 4 on Hulu and Disney+?

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 08:00

The Bear is ready to roar back onto our screens. That's right, the hit culinary drama series' next chapter – The Bear season 4 – is just days away (at the time of publication) from making its worldwide debut. That's enough to make anyone shout "yes, chef!" at the top of their lungs.

So, when can we feast our eyes on the popular and award-winning show's fourth installment? In this guide, I've served up a three-course meal that'll not only satiate your appetite on the aforementioned question, but also explain where you can watch it and reveal when new episodes will air. So, grab your cutlery, fill up your plate, and let's chow down on the most important information about season 4.

Where can I stream The Bear season 4?

What lies in store for Sydney in the show's fourth installment? (Image credit: FX Network/Hulu/Disney+)

Like its predecessors, season 4 of the FX Network TV Original will be available to stream on Hulu in the US and Disney+ internationally. No matter where you live, then, you'll be able to watch it on one of the world's best streaming services.

When is The Bear season 4 coming out on Hulu and Disney+?

Cheer up, Neil and Richie, season 4 will be here very soon! (Image credit: FX Network/Hulu/Disney+)

One of the best Hulu shows will premiere in the US on Wednesday, June 25. Season 4 of The Bear, which is also one of the best Disney+ shows, will make its streaming bow on Thursday, June 26 in the UK and Australia.

But, when will it be released in other nations? And what time will The Bear season 4 launch on Disney's two streaming platforms? Based on season 4's launch time in the US (see below), here's when I expect it to be released in other countries (NB: viewers whose nations aren't listed below can use one of the following dates and times to determine when they can watch it):

  • US – Wednesday, June 25 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET
  • Canada – Wednesday, June 25 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET
  • Brazil – Wednesday, June 25 at 9pm BRT
  • UK – Thursday, June 26 at 1am BST
  • India – Thursday, June 26 at 5:30am IST
  • Singapore – Thursday, June 26 at 8am SGT
  • Japan – Thursday, June 26 at 9am BJST
  • Australia – Thursday, June 26 at 10am AEST
  • New Zealand – Thursday, June 26 at 12pm NZST
When will new episodes of The Bear season 4 be released?

Our faces when we find out new episodes of The Bear won't arrive after launch day (Image credit: FX Network/Hulu/Disney+)

All 10 episodes of The Bear season 4 will arrive on launch day.

That's good for anyone who wants to stream the show's next batch of episodes in one go, but it also means that new chapters won't air on Hulu and/or Disney+ after June 25/26. In short: don't expect further entries to be released one week later.

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This limited-time deal represents a saving of 60% compared to the normal monthly price for the Disney+ Standard with Ads plan. Taking advantage of this promotional offer will get you access to some of the best movies and shows around, including numerous offerings from Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. But, be quick! It's only available between June 11 and June 30 in the UK. This deal only offers for four months, too, so note that you'll automatically be enrolled on the Standard with Ads plan's usual £4.99 per month cost once your four-month window has expired.View Deal

Categories: Technology

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3 has been delayed so CD Projekt Red can 'make sure we're happy with it', but it's expected to be the same scope as Update 2.2

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 07:37
  • Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3 has been delayed and won't release on June 26
  • CD Projekt Red said that it needs more time to "make sure we're happy with it"
  • The studio revealed that the patch will be the same scope as Update 2.2

CD Projekt Red has delayed Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3 indefinitely, days ahead of its planned release date.

The announcement comes from an X / Twitter post where the studio confirmed that the game's next major update will no longer arrive on June 26 as it originally intended, because it needs more time to be worked on.

A new release date hasn't been confirmed yet, but CD Projekt Red has revealed that Update 2.3 will be around the same size as Update 2.2.

"We initially hoped to put Update 2.3 in your hands on June 26. However, we'll need some more time to make sure we're happy with it - we're aiming for a scope similar to Update 2.2. We'll update you further as soon as we can! We appreciate your patience!" CD Projekt Red wrote.

Hey chooms,We initially hoped to put Update 2.3 in your hands on June 26. However, we'll need some more time to make sure we're happy with it — we're aiming for a scope similar to Update 2.2. We'll update you further as soon as we can!We appreciate your patience! pic.twitter.com/Hx5fEF8wj7June 23, 2025

Update 2.2 was released in December 2024 and was a significant patch that added 100 new customization options to the character creator, the TwinTone function, which lets players scan other cars in Night City to add their color scheme database, and new photo mode options.

The developer also added the CrystalCoat system, which allows players to edit the paint job of their vehicles in the game, among other small details that players could uncover while exploring Night City.

The contents of Update 2.3 haven't been revealed yet, but now that we know that it will be the same scope as 2.2, we can likely expect more than some quality-of-life improvements.

When the update does arrive, it will also be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game, which launched earlier this month alongside the new console.

Categories: Technology

Now it’s dogs doing Olympic diving in the next AI video craze to sweep the Internet from the Veo 3 rival Hailuo 02

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 07:32
  • New diving dogs AI-generated video follows the cat Olympics craze
  • You can try Hailuo 02 yourself for free
  • Are dogs better at 'diving' than cats? You decide

Hot on the heels (or should that be paws?) of the AI-generated ‘cats doing Olympic diving’ video that broke the Internet a few days ago comes the natural follow-up.

Yes, it’s dogs doing Olympic diving, which opens up the possibility of a debate on who does it better - cats or dogs?

@stanislav_laurier

♬ оригинальный звук - stanislav_laurier

Created by TikTok and Hailuo 02 user Stanislav Laurier, the video features the same impressive physics and realistic depictions of dogs that made the cat video so successful in the first place. The way the dogs bounce on the diving board before launching themselves into a spin makes this a truly impressive piece of AI work.

And of course, the dogs look just as realistic as the cats as they walk along the diving board. It’s only when you see them doing impossible spins that you realize that this must be AI.

Like the cat video, this was created in a new Veo 3 and Sora rival called Hailuo 02, and effortlessly demonstrates how far AI video has come.

On the podium

After a few impressive dives, the video ends with a winners' podium showing off which dogs got third, second, and first place. Here, AI lets itself down slightly, as it says "1nd" and "2st" on the podium. It's amazing that it can get all the complicated physics of spinning dogs correct, but can't get some simple text right.

The video was posted on TikTok, and received quite a few comments, especially from Laura Smith who perhaps hadn’t quite caught on that the video was made with AI: “Wowww!!!! This is so amazing that these clever dogs can do this!”

Other users seem to have worked it out, though, like Kaia : 3, who said, “I’m crying, I thought this was real until the Pomeranian started spinning.”

Try it yourself

Hailuo 02 is created by Chinese AI video developer MiniMax and it debuted earlier this summer.

You’ll need to create an account to use Hailuo 02 (it let me log in with my Google account), but after that, you can give Hailuo a go yourself for free. I asked it to create “A cat throwing a shot put in the Kitty Olympics 2026”

As a “non member” (subscriptions are available, starting at $95.99 – about £70/AU$147 – a year) I got 500 free points that were valid for the next 3 days, and I had to wait in a four minute queue, which was more than acceptable, after which it started to generate the video. After a couple of minutes, my video was ready, and it had only used up 25 of my points.

I’ll admit that it doesn’t look great, but that was my first attempt. More time invested in refining the very simple prompt I used would produce much better results.

So, who do you think takes the prize for best Olympic diving? Dogs or cats? Comment with your opinion below, and let’s not pretend that this isn’t exactly what AI was created for.

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Categories: Technology

This overlooked iPhone feature helped me level up my Duolingo learning – here's how

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 07:04

The most annoying person you know has a four-figure Duolingo streak, but don’t let that cloud the fact that Duolingo is, without doubt, the world’s best language learning app.

With just shy of 100 million monthly active users, Duolingo has democratized the experience of learning a language like no other platform before it. But if you’re serious about becoming fluent in a new tongue, two minutes of daily, peer-pressure-induced Duolingo learning just won’t cut it.

Everybody knows that practicing with native speakers, watching foreign-language films, and taking in-person classes are all excellent supplements to using Duolingo, but if you’re the proud owner of one of the best iPhones, I urge you to start using your iPhone’s Action button, too.

Two years into learning Spanish, and the Action button on my iPhone 16 Pro has become crucial to my language-learning routine. Apple integrated its much-maligned Translate app into the Action button back in iOS 17.2, and since then, I’ve found myself regularly using the feature while studying at home or bumbling my way through real, actual Spanish cities.

With a single click of the Action button, I can trigger a translation session in the Dynamic Island (either from the Lock screen or Home screen), allowing me to quickly translate phrases into Spanish without needing to boot up the full-blown Translate app.

(Image credit: Future)

To do the same on your iPhone, head into Settings > Action button, then select Translate from the list of available Action button integrations.

Next, open the Translate app and select your language(s) of choice. Helpfully, it doesn’t matter which language you select as the ‘translate from’ option – when using the Action button, your iPhone will identify the spoken language and automatically translate that phrase into the other chosen language.

Lastly, if you head into Settings > Apps > Translate and download your languages of choice, you’ll be able to use this Action button shortcut offline, too (as long as your downloaded languages are selected as the two engaged options).

Second best, but seamless

The Action button is available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models (Image credit: Apple)

People love to hate on Apple’s Translate app, and while I agree that Google Translate is the better platform, the integration between Translate and the Action button means you can get the answer you’re looking for much more quickly – especially important if you’ve only got a few seconds to ask a local, “Does this train go to the city center?”.

Translating via the Action button can also be a little buggy – not the translations themselves, per se, but the process of your iPhone recognizing that you’ve uttered a phrase. In my experience, the shortcut works smoothly 80% of the time, which is a hit rate I’m willing to accept when the alternative is a multi-step journey through apps and browsers.

To be clear: I use Translate via the Action button to remind me of single words or short phrases when the need arises. You certainly won’t become fluent in a language by speaking to locals through translation software, but having a little extra help in your pocket can boost your language-learning confidence.

I’m also just glad to have found a use for the Action button, period. Many iPhone-using folks still aren’t convinced by the new hardware feature, which was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, so I hope this article encourages more people to give it a try (find your niche, and all that).

As for the iPhone's translation capabilities more broadly, Apple announced a new Live Translation feature at WWDC 2025, which we're currently putting through its paces. It'll be baked into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app in iOS 26, so you'll soon be able to communicate with foreign language speakers much more easily (though if you're learning the language in question, be brave and put your own skills to the test first!).

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Categories: Technology

Microsoft's 'if you can't beat them, join them' approach to the threat of Steam in the new Xbox PC app is a great idea

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 07:00
  • Microsoft's improved Windows 11 Xbox PC app will be available for Xbox Insiders
  • Its Aggregated Game Library will allow users to access games on multiple storefronts in one app
  • It's going up against SteamOS and its game library setup

Microsoft's ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PCs are set for release later this summer, alongside a significant Xbox app upgrade – and it appears that our first taste of the handheld-friendly app is closer than ever.

Announced on Xbox Wire, Microsoft's new Aggregated Game Library will be available for Xbox Insiders to preview, leading up to its full launch alongside the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. It will let users launch games across Steam, Battle.net, and multiple platforms like Epic Games, all on the Xbox app, essentially emulating Valve's SteamOS.

It's set to act as a direct competitor to Valve's efforts at creating a handheld-friendly gaming experience; first with the Steam Deck, and now with the Legion Go S and other handhelds without an official SteamOS license. It's been a while since fans and I have pleaded with Microsoft for a portable Windows 11 mode, and I couldn't be happier to see it doing just that.

However, I'd say it's evident that Microsoft has a lot of work ahead, attempting to improve Windows 11 and going up against SteamOS. We already know that gaming performance on SteamOS is better than Windows 11's – and yes, while we still need to see the Xbox app first, it may have some catching up to do.

While Windows 11 has the advantage of running most multiplayer games using anti-cheat, there's a strong chance of this compatibility on Linux improving – and that's because SteamOS is making its way to other handhelds away from the Steam Deck. Not to mention, Splitgate 2 developers tweaked its anti-cheat to make the title playable on SteamOS, so others may follow suit.

Analysis: I may not turn my back on SteamOS, but Microsoft's move is a welcome one

(Image credit: Future)

Let's get one thing straight: I'm absolutely all-in for the new Xbox app, and I'll more than likely be using it on my dual-booted Asus ROG Ally. However, I'm keeping my expectations low, and I don't think the new upgrade will convince me to move away from SteamOS completely.

Now, you could say it's an unfair judgment as the upgrades aren't available yet – but fans have been asking Microsoft to consider a portable handheld mode for a long while now, so the onus isn't on the fans, but rather Microsoft itself.

Valve's SteamOS has multiple years of work under its belt, with optimizations pushing for a smoother and more customizable handheld experience. Tools like Decky Loader (which isn't affiliated with Valve) are a massive part of that – and I hope that Microsoft can replicate a smooth and customizable experience within the Xbox app.

The preview should arrive later this week, and you can be certain that I'll be testing it on my Asus ROG Ally...

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Categories: Technology

Monarch Money Review 2025: Best Budgeting App for Couples

CNET News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 07:00
Take the stress out of managing joint finances, from setting savings goals to tracking your investments.
Categories: Technology

Rocket Money Review 2025: CNET's Editor's Choice Winner for Best Budgeting App

CNET News - Tue, 06/24/2025 - 07:00
Our top budgeting app pick is easy to use, has tons of useful features and has an affordable price tag.
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