Technology

• Google looks to fuel cloud hosting needs with nuclear energy
• Tennessee emerging as a hub for bold nuclear experimentation
• Data centers drive demand for clean power and nuclear exploration

Google has entered into a collaboration with Kairos Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to support the development of a small modular nuclear reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to power its infrastucture expansion.

The company announced the Hermes 2 facility is expected to begin operations in 2030, and generate up to 50 megawatts of electricity for the TVA grid.

This will help power Google’s data centers in Tennessee and Alabama, which are central to the company’s growing needs for the likes of cloud hosting, cloud storage, and AI tools.

Partnership model for advanced nuclear power

The arrangement takes the form of a power purchase agreement, in which TVA will buy electricity from Kairos Power and deliver the clean energy attributes to Google.

The partners describe this as the first purchase of electricity from a Generation IV reactor by a US utility.

While the project provides only a fraction of the 500 megawatts Google has outlined as a longer-term goal, it is being framed as a proof of concept for how utilities, technology companies, and developers might share costs and risks in future deployments.

Unlike solar and wind, which depend on weather conditions, nuclear power can provide continuous energy.

"Nuclear is the bedrock of the future of energy security. Google stepping in and helping shoulder the burden of the cost and risk for first-of-a-kind nuclear projects... it’s not just good for Google. It’s good for TVA’s 10 million customers. It’s good for the United States," said Don Moul, CEO of TVA.

However, nuclear construction has historically faced delays and cost overruns, raising questions about whether this new generation of reactors will truly deliver affordable and reliable power at scale.

The project is also being presented as a way to boost economic activity in Oak Ridge, a city long tied to nuclear research and development.

Training programs with the University of Tennessee and other local institutions are being planned to prepare workers for technical roles at the Hermes 2 plant.

While the initiative promises high-paying jobs and renewed investment, critics may ask whether reliance on experimental nuclear designs is the most effective strategy compared to expanding proven renewable generation.

Nevertheless, this development has attracted interest and comments from industry experts, government agencies, and politicians.

“To power the future, we need to grow the availability of smart, firm energy sources... This collaboration with TVA, Kairos Power, and the Oak Ridge community will accelerate the deployment of innovative nuclear technologies.” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s Global Head of Data Center Energy.

“This collaboration is an important enabler to making advanced nuclear energy commercially competitive,” said Mike Laufer, Kairos Power CEO and co-founder.

“Tennessee’s legacy of nuclear innovation positions the Volunteer State to lead America’s energy dominance and drive continued economic growth with safe, clean, and reliable nuclear energy,” said Governor Bill Lee.

You might also like

• Citizen data and digital identity projects need high security by default
• Check out our pick of the best secure routers on offer
• We've rounded up the best portable monitors available now

• The upcoming AMG GT XX drove 5,479km (3,404 miles) in 24 hours
• It went on to break 25 long-distance records on the Nardò test track in Italy
• Mercedes-Benz says the motors and batteries are 'production ready'

Mercedes-Benz has been busy proving that its upcoming AMG GT XX can go the distance by driving it around the world. Well, 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles) in exactly 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes and 07 seconds... to be precise.

The achievement was just one of the many long-distance records set during a grueling challenge at the high speed Nardò test track in Italy, where a slew of drivers and two vehicles maintained a constant speed of 300km/h (186mph), only stopping to briefly brim batteries via purpose-built 850kW charging infrastructure.

Mercedes-Benz was keen to point out that the AMG GT XX is capable of much higher speeds, but the 300 km/h (186mph) marker was carefully selected based on extensive simulations that balanced average track speeds with the number of charging stops required for the fastest overall time.

During the stunt, Mercedes broke a total of 25 long-distance records, including the greatest distance covered by an EV in 24 hours (a pretty impressive 3,405 miles).

Overall, it required 3,177 laps of the 12.68km Nardò circuit, where 17 drivers took two-hour shifts behind the wheel, including Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 driver George Russell.

Betting big on new technology

(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)

The impressive feat wasn’t just designed to snare a few headlines, as Mercedes-AMG is also keen to highlight the performance and robustness of its pioneering new powertrain.

This is a point that’s particularly pertinent given its long and illustrious career in producing fearsome combustion engines and the difficulty it might have converting its current customer base.

Consisting of three axial-flux motors, an 800V electrical architecture and in-house developed cylindrical cell batteries – which use an electrically non-conductive oil for cooling purposes – the futuristic powertrain in the AMG GT XX concept is said to offer in excess of 1,360hp and is able to charge at over 850kW across a wide range of the charging curve.

During the reveal of the AMG GTXX concept earlier this year, senior Mercedes figures told TechRadar that the company hopes to roll out its own 10,000-strong super-fast charging network using 850kW technology by the next decade.

During the endurance endeavor, the German marque claimed it took just five minutes to recharge enough for a range of around 400 kilometers (248 miles).

Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑AMG, said that the company is the first to use axial flux motors and directly cooled batteries in fully electric models and that the records prove "how superior these technologies are".

(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)

What’s more, he said that customers of future electric models will get a genuine AMG, “no ifs; no buts”.

However, Mercedes-AMG also understands the threat from China, with Xpeng’s P7 electric sedan traveling almost 4,000km (2,485 miles) in 24 hours just last week — laying down the challenge for other manufacturers.

Xiaomi’s YU7 Max also managed 2,451 miles during a similar stunt, proving that potent powertrains and rapid charging speeds are no longer just the preserve of recognized performance brands.

You might also like

• More bad news for Tesla – Xiaomi's new Model Y rival beats it on price and just smashed pre-order records
• I’ve driven the new electric Mercedes G-Wagen – and the rough-and-ready EV makes very little sense, which is why it’s perfect
• I’ve driven the new Mercedes-Benz CLA and it convinced me that EV efficiency can actually be exciting

HBO Max is about to freshen up its library of content with a new batch of movies and TV shows being added throughout September 2025.

Warner Bros. Discovery's flagship streaming service often brings us new movies from A24 and next month is no different, with two new releases set to be added: the comedy-drama Friendship (2024) starring Paul Rudd, which lands September 5, followed by Alex Garland's thrilling modern war movie Warfare (2025) on September 12.

With a total of 72 new movies and 60 fresh TV shows, the balance is almost perfect, and gives us more reason to credit HBO Max as one of the best streaming services. Which titles will you be starting with? We'd love to hear in the comments below!

Everything new on Max in September 2025

Arriving on September 1

A Life of Her Own (movie)
Almost Christmas (movie)
Barney's World season 1D (TV show)
Caged (movie)
Charley Chase Silent Shorts (movie)
Children Who Chase Lost Voices (movie)
December 7th (movie)
Dog Day Afternoon (movie)
Emmanuelle (movie)
Evil Dead II (movie)
Fireworks (movie)
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (movie)
Gasoline Alley (movie)
Ghost Cat Anzu (movie)
Goodfellas (movie)
Helen of Troy (movie)
Jonah Hex (movie)
Keeper of the Flame (movie)
Kismet (movie)
Lonely Castle in the Mirror (movie)
Love & Pop (movie)
Man From The Black Hills (movie)
Mary of Scotland (movie)
Misery (movie)
Montana Incident (movie)
Mr. District Attorney (movie)
Murder Is My Beat (movie)
Mystery Street (movie)
Night Nurse (movie)
No End in Sight (movie)
No Questions Asked (movie)
Nobody Lives Forever (movie)
On Dangerous Ground (movie)
Our Miss Brooks (movie)
Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (movie)
Pirate Radio (movie)
Presenting Princess Shaw (movie)
Prometheus (movie)
Rick and Morty season 8 (TV show)
Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence (TV show)
Safe Haven (movie)
Scene of the Crime (movie)
Se7en (movie)
Selena (movie)
Shadow of a Woman (movie)
Splinter (movie)
Stranger on Horseback (movie)
Summer Storm (movie)
Susan and God (movie)
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (movie)
The Cabin in the Woods (movie)
The Charge at Feather River (movie)
The Command (movie)
The Fallen Sparrow (movie)
The Fate of the Furious (movie)
The Fate of the Furious: Extended Director's Cut (movie)
The Place Promised in Our Early Days (movie)
The Sea of Grass (movie)
The Secret Garden (movie)
The Sitter (movie)
The Sitter: Unrated (movie)
The Woman in White (movie)
The Woman on the Beach (movie)
Thirteen Women (movie)
Veronica Mars (movie)
Vigil in the Night (movie)
When Ladies Meet (movie)
Without Love (movie)
Young Bess (movie)
Your Name (movie)

Arriving on September 2

The 33 (movie)

Arriving on September 3

Bobby's Triple Threat season 4 (TV show)
Guy's Grocery Games season 39 (TV show)
Modern Warfare 2.0 season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on September 4

Billionaire Boys Club (TV show)
The Last Wright: Building the Final Home Design of America's Greatest Architect season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on September 5

Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renovation season 11 (TV show)
Bugs Bunny Builders season 2F (TV show)
Friendship (movie)
House Hunters International volume 9 season 204 (TV show)
House Hunters volume 10 season 245 (TV show)
Live Aid: When Rock 'n' Roll Took On The World (TV show)
Most Wanted: Teen Hacker (TV show)
My Lottery Dream Home season 17 (TV show)

Arriving on September 6

Maneet's Eats season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on September 7

Magnolia Table: At The Farm season 1 (TV show)
Task (TV show)
We Baby Bears season 2D (TV show)
Have I Got News For You season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on September 9

90 Day Fiance: The Other Way season 7 (TV show)
Contraband: Seized at the Border season 7 (TV show)
Seen & Heard: The History Of Black Television (documentary)

Arriving on September 10

The Tech Bro Murders (TV show)

Arriving on September 11

Dylan's Playtime Adventures season 1C (TV show)
Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa season 3B (TV show)

Arriving on September 12

Warfare (movie)

Arriving on September 13

Vacation House Rules season 6 (TV show)

Arriving on September 14

Build for Off-Road season 2 (TV show)
Love & Marriage: Huntsville season 10 (TV show)

Arriving on September 15

Signs of a Psychopath season 10 (TV show)
Truck U season 21 (TV show)

Arriving on September 16

Chopped volume 4 season 62 (TV show)
Halloween Baking Championship season 11 (TV show)

Arriving on September 17

100 Day Dream Home season 7 (TV show)
Built in the Bronx (TV show)
Truck Dynasty season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on September 18

Bea's Block season 1D (TV show)
Destruction Decoded season 1 (TV show)
Sin City Rehab season 1 (TV show)
Who Killed Our Daughter? (TV show)

Arriving on September 20

Scariest House in America season 2 (TV show)

Arriving on September 21

Greatest Mysteries Ever season 2 (TV show)

Arriving on September 22

Halloween Wars season 15 (TV show)

Arriving on September 23

American Prince: JFK Jr. (TV show)
The Kim Kardashian Heist season 1 (TV show)
Seeking Sister Wife season 6 (TV show)
The Devil Is Busy (documentar)
The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper, Sports Betting: America’s Biggest Gamble (TV show)

Arriving on September 24

Hustlers Gamblers Crooks season 2 (TV show)

Arriving on September 25

Help! I Wrecked My House season 5 (TV show)
On The Case with Paula Zahn season 28 (TV show)
Jesse & Joy: Lo que nunca dijimos season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on September 26

Quiet In Class (TV show)
The Graft season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on September 27

90 Day Diaries season 7 (TV show)
Ready to Love season 10 (TV show)

Arriving on September 28

Heart & Hustle: Houston season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on September 29

Sister Wives season 20 (TV show)
Two Guys Garage season 24 (TV show)
Women Wearing Shoulder Pads (movie)

Arriving on September 30

Eva Longoria: Searching For Spain (TV show)
Good Cop/Bad Cop season 1 (TV show)
My Happy Place (TV show)
Prime Minister (documentary)

You might also like

• Peacemaker season 2 release schedule: when will episode 2 launch on HBO Max and other streaming services?
• Hang on, hasn’t The Pitt season 2’s first trailer spoiled a major season 1 cliffhanger?
• When is James Gunn's Superman movie coming to HBO Max and other streaming services?

The new Matter-enabled smart lock from Level offers solid protection and app-based smarts, all hidden neatly away in a standard deadbolt design.

• AWS introduces R8i servers tuned for memory-heavy enterprise cloud workloads
• Intel’s custom Xeon chips target databases and massive cloud data tasks
• Memory bandwidth defines AWS’s new Intel-powered servers for demanding applications

Intel has received some positive news after Amazon Web Services (AWS) confirmed it is rolling out new virtual server options built on custom versions of Intel’s Xeon 6 processors.

These new options, known as R8i and R8i-flex, will give AWS customers additional choices when renting computing power through the cloud.

For Intel, this marks a rare win at a time when rivals such as AMD and ARM-based processors have been capturing more of the market.

What R8i and R8i-flex actually bring

AWS said both R8i and R8i-flex support “DDR5 7200MT/s memory” and can run “up to 3.9 GHz all-core turbo frequency.”

The R8i family spans a wide range, scaling from just two to 384 vCPUs, matching the capability of dual-socket servers powered by Intel’s 96-core Xeon 6 chips, since AWS defines a vCPU as one thread of a core.

While AWS has not disclosed further details of what makes these custom Xeons distinct, the focus on memory bandwidth appears to be the defining factor for these deployments.

AWS is marketing the new instances for memory-heavy use cases, including SQL and NoSQL databases, in-memory caches such as Memcached and Redis, SAP HANA deployments, and data frameworks like Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark.

Customers are also given the option to adjust how bandwidth is distributed between network functions and Amazon’s elastic block store connections, which AWS suggests may provide measurable database performance improvements.

This positioning reflects how cloud hosting and cloud storage increasingly depend on optimized hardware to handle large-scale workloads, particularly those tied to analytics and enterprise resource planning.

Hyperscale providers such as Oracle have previously promoted unique Xeon configurations with extra cores or slightly faster clock speeds, while AWS itself has highlighted earlier rounds of tailored Intel processors.

The arrival of these new Xeons, therefore, fits into an established pattern, yet still shows that Intel remains relevant to large-scale providers.

The memory bandwidth improvements, while not a complete architectural overhaul, are enough for AWS to publicly promote the chips as competitive within its portfolio.

For Intel, this order signals continued reliance from a crucial customer at a time when alternative architectures such as AMD’s Epyc and ARM-based designs are gaining ground.

For AWS, it broadens the range of performance options available to clients whose workloads demand high memory throughput and stable performance across large clusters.

In an era where AI tools and data processing shape demand, Intel is not losing out completely; it still holds a place in the core of cloud infrastructure.

You might also like

• Here are the best mobile workstations around today
• Take a look at some of the best external hard drives you can buy now
• Organizational resilience: We need to think beyond cyber attacks

The settlement could set expectations for how other AI training disputes involving authors and content creators are decided.

• Acemagic F5A Ryzen AI 9 HX370 delivers claimed 80 TOPS across workloads
• Early buyers get $120 off with pre-sale code “ACEUS120”
• DDR5 memory expansion reaches 128GB, unusual for compact desktop systems

Acemagic has introduced the F5A, a new mini PC powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, part of the Zen 5 generation and built on TSMC’s 4nm FinFET process.

This chip carries 12 cores and 24 threads, runs at up to 5.1GHz boost clock, and includes 24MB of L3 cache with a configurable TDP of up to 54W.

The company claims the processor can reach up to 80 TOPS of total computing power, with 50 TOPS reserved for AI-related workloads.

Early availability and discounts

This device is currently on pre-sale, and any order made between now and August 31, 2025 using the code “ACEUS120” will get a $120 discount. It will begin shipping on September 10, 2025.

The F5A is available in several versions, starting with a barebone option without RAM or storage for $769 ($649 with code).

There are also the 32GB RAM + 1TB SSD and 64GB RAM + 2TB SSD models, which are selling for $909 ($789 with code) and $1,139 ($1,019 with code), respectively.

Acemagic is offering a two-year warranty across all models, which is in line with consumer electronics standards but not unusually generous for a system designed to compete with higher-end business PCs.

Unlike many compact systems, the F5A includes two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots, supporting up to 4TB of storage, along with memory expandability up to 128GB of DDR5.

The cooling system features copper heat pipes and dual fans, with added thermal management for solid-state drives.

While Acemagic emphasizes quiet operation, real-world performance under sustained load will be the true test of its effectiveness.

Connectivity is another area where the F5A appears well-prepared. It supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and dual 2.5Gbps LAN ports.

For wired expansion, there are two USB4 ports delivering up to 40Gbps transfer speeds, along with HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, and OCuLink.

The device also supports four simultaneous 4K displays, which could appeal to users seeking a compact workstation environment.

Pre-installed Windows 11 Pro comes as standard, with support for Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Manjaro for those who prefer open-source systems.

Acemagic’s F5A will compete with the recently released Geekom A9 Max, another HX370 model, which costs more.

While Geekom leans on a longer warranty and established brand recognition, Acemagic counters with affordability and flexible expansion.

The comparison reflects the wider dynamics of the mini PC market, where buyers weigh cost and specifications against support and brand assurance.

You might also like

• These are the best vertical monitors around today
• We've also listed the best laptops for working from home
• Windows 95 at 30 - Way ahead of its time, or the greatest Microsoft game-changer?

If you've been watching Fox or Fox News via YouTube TV you might have heard the warning: since Monday, Fox has been telling viewers that their channels may be getting pulled from YouTube TV.

This isn't about censorship or political affiliations or anything like that. It's because Mom and Pop are fighting. Fox and Google are having a bit of a bust-up over what's called a carriage deal, which is how much YouTube TV pays Fox to carry its products.

As The Hollywood Reporter explains: "August and September are often critical times for carriage deals, as they coincide with the start of the NFL season." That's bad news if Fox's predictions come true and the channels get pulled: "If the Fox channels do go dark, then YouTube customers in markets with a Fox-owned station would lose access to their local NFL games, as well as college football and the MLB playoffs."

What's going on with Fox and YouTube TV – and what you can do about it

What's happening here is that Fox is basically airing dirty laundry in public, claiming that "we are disappointed that Google continually exploits its outsized influence by proposing terms that are out of step with the marketplace". And of course there are two sides to every story, and Google's side is that "Fox is asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive."

This isn't the first time this has happened. Disney pulled channels from Charter Communications last year, and earlier this year it looked like Paramount channels including CBS, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon were going to be pulled for similar reasons. But in both cases the respective parties did eventually reach a deal, and in Paramount's case the channels didn't go down at all.

That's likely to happen here too. But if it doesn't, you're not out of options: Fox has launched its own streaming service, Fox One, and says it wants that to be available to anyone who pays for traditional pay-TV services. So, if Fox disappears from YouTube TV you'll be able to watch its channels there – and YouTube says if the channels do go dark for "an extended period" it'll give you a $10 credit.

You may also like

• YouTube TV might be planning a big Netflix update that puts the best streaming services first
• Google TV's clean new look is starting to appear – right as users are unhappy with horrible new home-screen ads
• The best streaming deals you can get right now

Swifties, football fans and everyone else: Are you ready for the engagement era? Plus: Details on her dress, his sweater and that ring.

• Researcher finds a free nuggets exploit exposed much deeper flaws within McDonald’s systems
• McDonald’s apparently has no obvious path for researchers to report vulnerabilities
• A URL change from “login” to “register” granted account access

What began as an attempt to claim free food through the McDonald’s app rewards system turned into something far more revealing for one expert.

A security researcher known as “BobDaHacker” discovered serious weaknesses in McDonald’s online systems while trying to redeem a reward for free McNuggets through the company’s mobile app.

The flaw ran deep, granting access to the “Feel-Good Design Hub,” a central platform for marketing assets and brand materials used by employees and agencies in more than 120 countries.

Reporting security issues the hard way

Attempts to disclose these flaws highlighted another concern: McDonald’s had no clear path for researchers to report vulnerabilities - according to Bob, the company once had a “security.txt” file listing contacts, but it disappeared just months after being posted.

With no direct disclosure channel, Bob had to dig through LinkedIn for staff names and repeatedly call headquarters until someone finally responded.

This drawn-out process suggests other researchers may give up long before their findings reach the right people.

Even after McDonald’s replaced its password system with an account-based login, another oversight remained.

By altering “login” to “register” in the URL, Bob was able to create new accounts with full access.

Worse still, when registering, the system emailed plain-text passwords - a practice discredited for decades because of the risks it creates for identity theft and misuse.

While companies at McDonald’s scale face unique challenges in rolling out secure systems, such basic failures raise difficult questions about priorities.

This is not the first time McDonald’s has faced scrutiny for weak safeguards, as just a month earlier, a different issue came to light when a platform storing private data was protected by the password “123456.”

When flaws are repeatedly so easy to exploit, it raises doubts about whether firewalls, security suites, or even routine internal reviews are consistently applied.

For a corporation with global reach, lapses of this kind have consequences beyond marketing assets, as employee and customer information could be at stake.

McDonald’s reportedly fixed most of the vulnerabilities flagged by Bob, but the company has not reestablished a reliable reporting channel for future disclosures.

Without one, the risk remains that serious flaws will be overlooked or ignored until exploited.

Via Toms Hardware

You might also like

• These are the best VPNs with antivirus you can use right now
• Take a look at our pick of the best internet security suites
• Still use Skype at work? Bad news, hackers are targeting it with dangerous malware

The next Arlo Essential, Pro and Ultra cameras will have more Arlo Intelligence features. Pan Tilt cameras are joining the lineup.

• Zscaler ThreatLabs found 77 malicious apps in the Play Store
• They were downloaded more than 19 million times, carrying different malware
• The most prevalent variant was Joker

Security researchers have discovered 77 apps on the Google Play Store delivering all sorts of malware to users.

Cumulatively, the apps were downloaded 19 million times, according to Zscaler ThreatLabs, which uncovered the large campaign after investigating an infection by a popular Android baking trojan called Anatsa (or Tea Bot).

In the investigation, the researchers determined the majority of the apps - 25% - were used to deploy Joker, a piece of malware that can send texts, grab screenshots, make phone calls, exfiltrate contacts list, subscribe users to premium services, and more.

How to stay safe

Besides Joker, the researchers also spotted a variant called Harly, different adware code, and Anatsa, a dangerous banking trojan that can now steal login credentials and other sensitive information from more than 800 banking and crypto apps. Anatsa also seems to have increased its scope, now also targeting victims in Germany and South Korea.

Most of the malicious apps were described as “maskware” - on the surface they work as intended, but in the background, they can steal login credentials, sensitive data, and more.

Generally, security researchers would advise everyone to only download apps from reputable sources.

However, with the Google Play Store being one of those reputable sources, it is obvious that this advice is not enough to stay safe.

Users should also make sure Play Protect, Android’s built-in security system that scans apps from the Play Store and the device for malware, harmful behavior, or suspicious activity.

Furthermore, users should review each app before downloading, looking at the overall score, the number of downloads, and reviews. Glancing through the reviews should be enough to determine if an app is a potential problem, or not.

Finally, users should mind the permissions freshly installed apps ask for. Most of the time, malicious apps will require Accessibility permissions, and that can serve as a reliable red flag.

Via BleepingComputer

You might also like

• Over 11,000 Android devices hit by fake login RAT hidden in Meta Ads and fake Google Play store
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

• Google has rolled out a Messages feature in beta that lets you use QR codes to verify the device of the person you're texting
• It's Google Messages' new security measure, which is designed to prevent impersonation scams
• Google revealed last year that it would be rolled out to users in 2025

It seems as though a new security measure is on the way to Google Messages, as the company has begun rolling out a new QR code feature in the latest beta, which verifies the device of the person you’re chatting with.

First spotted by 9to5Google, Google’s new verification tool in Messages aims to prevent impersonation scams. Before, you could verify contacts by tapping ‘Verify encryption’, presenting an 80-digit code that you can share with the other person to verify your device and vice versa.

While Google Messages has always had a verification feature, its new QR code approach provides a more convenient way to prove the identity of the person you’re texting with. In that case, if someone were to break into a conversation pretending to be a contact, Google can check if their device is verified and alert you if it’s suspicious of odd activity.

The outlet also states that Google will be bringing it to Android 9+ devices this year, but where can you find it in the beta?

(Image credit: 9to5Google)

If you have access, open the Google Messages app and click into a conversation. When you tap the contact’s name, it will open the Details page, which displays the ‘End-to-end encryption’ section – and you’ll want to tap ‘Verify encryption’.

In addition to the existing 80-digit code option, there’ll also be an option to scan your contact’s QR code. Messages will also prompt you to ask the other person to scan your QR code in return, allowing Google to verify each device. To view the verification status, you can view them in the ‘Connected apps’ section of your device’s Contacts app; however, this integration hasn’t gone live yet, according to 9to5Google.

Recently, the company has been working around the clock to give its Messages service much-needed upgrades – like its new ‘Delete for everyone’ function – and now it’s doubling down on its security measures.

In October last year, Google unveiled plans to improve spam protection in Messages, following the addition of an unsubscribe button to prevent unwanted spam messages and a sensitive content warning tool, both of which rolled out in April. We’d expect the QR function to arrive before the end of the year, but an exact date hasn’t been revealed yet.

You might also like

• Made by Google showcase recap – meet the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4 and more
• Google is giving free Gemini users access to Veo 3 AI video generation this weekend
• Google teases mysterious Nest smart speaker – and it looks like a HomePod Mini crossed with an Echo Dot

• GMKtec NucBox M6 Ultra supports memory expansion up to 128GB across dual channels
• Users can switch between 35W silent mode and 50W gaming performance
• Frame rates between 80 and 186fps are advertised for modern titles

The NucBox M6 Ultra from GMKtec has launched into the mini PC market, claiming performance levels usually linked to larger desktop systems.

This home entertainment unit, which can also double as a business PC or even a workstation PC, is currently listed on GMKTec’s website at $389.99, down from $519.99.

To celebrate its debut, GMKtec is offering a $12 launch discount with promo code PRM6U12 (valid from August 20 to August 31, 2025). It is also offering free worldwide shipping, a one-year warranty, and a seven-day return option.

Ryzen processor and Radeon graphics at the core

At the heart of the GMKtec NucBox M6 Ultra is the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS processor, a six-core, twelve-thread chip built on a 4nm process.

Its clock speeds reach up to 5.0GHz, with cache split between 6MB L2 and 16MB L3.

On the graphics side, this device is powered by the integrated AMD Radeon 760M, which is based on the RDNA 3 design.

GMKtec claims this unit performs close to a GTX 1650 Ti and supports FSR 2.0+ upscaling.

Buyers can select a ready-to-use configuration with 32GB DDR5 memory and a 1TB NVMe SSD, or opt for a barebone kit that includes no RAM, storage, or operating system. The barebone model costs $259.99.

The small chassis, measuring 128.8 × 127 × 47.8mm and weighing just over 528 grams, provides support for dual M.2 2280 SSD slots, expandable up to 8TB. Its memory capacity reaches a maximum of 128GB across two DDR5 channels.

The GMKtec NucBox M6 Ultra supports broad display connectivity, including HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, and USB4 outputs, which enable triple-screen setups and even 8K resolution.

The I/O selection includes multiple USB3.2 Gen2 ports, a USB2.0 port, a USB4.0 connector capable of 40Gbps transfer speeds and 100W PD input, and a standard 3.5mm audio jack.

For wireless and network connection, it offers WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and two 2.5G Ethernet ports. These options give the system flexibility for both work tasks and entertainment setups.

The M6 Ultra incorporates a three-mode power switch: silent mode at 35W for media playback, balanced mode at 45W for general productivity, and performance mode at 50W aimed at gaming.

GMKtec suggests that the system can handle modern titles at 1080p with frame rates ranging from 80 to 186fps, depending on the game.

GMKtec is a household name in the mini PC market, but with such specifications all under $400, there is a need for skepticism regarding its long-term performance and durability compared to larger desktop builds.

You might also like

• We've listed the best business laptops right now
• 5 reasons why all businesses need a mini PC
• Microsoft restricts access to its cyber early warning systems for some Chinese firms

• Rokid Glasses are launching internationally
• They’re set to cost $599 (around £355 / AU$920) and launch in November
• These are cheaper, but arriving later than Meta's rumored smart glasses with a display

We’re just a couple of weeks out from Meta Connect, where we’ll likely see the company’s first Ray-Ban smart glasses with a display, but a rival has beaten them to the punch with a pair of specs that look to go toe-to-toe with what Meta’s offering.

That’s because we just had the international launch event for the Rokid Glasses, which are up now on Kickstarter if you want to score a pair with a limited-time discount (ranging from 20 to 15% depending on which early bird deal you can snag).

At a glance, they share a lot of similarities with Meta’s existing smart specs – we’re talking a 12MP camera, open-ear speakers, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 chipset. You’ll also get an onboard AI assistant, which is “ChatGPT 5 empowered,” if you have an internet connection.

These Rokid glasses take things up a notch, however, as they also boast a pair of Micro LED waveguide displays that serve as a heads-up display for directions, real-time translation, and as a prompter.

(Image credit: Rokid)

Another feature teased by promotional imagery is that the glasses can – just like Meta’s smart specs – identify things you can see when requested. Still, with the display, they’ll also highlight what they’ve identified. This would be very handy for making sure there’s no confusion between what you wanted to know more about and what the glasses are informing you on.

These screens look to appear conveniently in your vision – but a little out of the way to not be too distracting – though they’re not full-color. You can only see green text and shapes.

Regardless, it certainly seems like Rokid’s specs could be a real winner if they can live up to the hype. Especially because – even before any early-bird discounts – they’re set to cost $599 (around £355 / AU$920).

That’s considerably less than the $800 (£590 / AU$1,230) Meta’s specs are rumored to cost.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Rokid)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Rokid)

I wouldn’t count Meta out yet, however, as in the smart glasses race, they have a proven track record with some very stylish (yet functional) specs with both its Ray-Ban and more recently its Oakley collaborations.

What’s more, rumors suggest Meta’s glasses will boast a full-color display – though it’ll only be visible to a single eye. This, however, would make it a more versatile screen.

As for the price difference, when you factor in that Meta’s specs always come with a charging case (so presumably its new model would too) then it’s only set to be about $100 pricier, as Rokid’s glasses with a charging case will set you back $698 (around £395 / AU$1,075).

It’s also likely Meta’s specs will actually arrive sooner, as Connect is in September and the tech typically launches within a month after. The Rokid Glasses aren’t being shipped from Kickstarter until November.

(Image credit: Oakley / Meta)

While this launch doesn’t expose a clear winner or loser between Rokid and Meta, it does highlight that the smart glasses game isn’t set to be a one-horse race – certainly not to the degree that VR has felt the past few years.

We’ll have to wait and see what Meta debuts at Meta Connect, and as always, we’ll have to test both glasses out before issuing our final verdict – but Rokid’s specs look impressive, and if it can stick the landing, Meta (and anyone looking to buy a pair of smart specs) will want to pay attention.

You might also like

• Meta CTO teases ‘big wearables announcements’ for later this year
• I took my Meta Quest 3 on a 3,000-mile flight so you don’t have to
• Everything you need to know about Meta’s AI assistant

Instead of ringing your house, a shared phone number can ring up to five phones.

That's $6 for two months.

• 49-inch UltraWide monitor appears on LG’s Singapore English website
• Connectivity includes USB-C charging but Thunderbolt support is surprisingly absent
• 32:9 curved Nano IPS panel offers 5120x1440 resolution single screen alternative

LG has quietly listed a new 49-inch UltraWide monitor on its Singapore English website ahead of a potential worldwide release.

The new 49U950A-W monitor combines a 32:9 curved Nano IPS panel with a 5120x1440 resolution, and is designed as a single screen alternative to dual setups.

The display supports a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz, making it ideal creative work, and comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, a USB hub, and a USB-C input with support for 90W power delivery. The USB-C connection allows display output, charging, and data transfer

No Thunderbolt ports

There’s no Thunderbolt port on this monitor though, limiting bandwidth and daisy chaining options, which is particularly disappointing, given LG’s 40-inch UltraFine monitor, released in June 2025, came with Thunderbolt 5 support.

The new screen includes adaptive sync support with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-SYNC compatibility. Response times are rated at 5ms gray-to-gray, with an additional motion blur reduction option.

Color reproduction reaches 98 percent of the DCI-P3 spectrum. Factory calibration is provided, brightness is listed at 400 nits, and VESA DisplayHDR 400 compliance offers modest high dynamic range capability.

While it is not aimed at the top end of HDR performance, it does provide improved contrast and highlights compared with standard panels.

The monitor incorporates tilt, height, and swivel adjustments, and supports a 100x100mm VESA mount.

A light sensor enables automatic brightness control, while TÜV Rheinland certification for low blue light should help ease eye strain during extended use.

The display includes picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture layouts, a software-based dual controller feature, and app-driven screen splitting.

There are built-in 10W stereo speakers with extended bass too.

The new 49U950A-W is priced at S$2,299 (Singapore dollars) approximately US$1,790, but there’s no word on when it will go on sale globally.

(Image credit: LG)You might also like

• These are the best 5K and 8K monitors that you can buy right now
• And these are the best monitors for photo editing on any budget
• LG has a new 5K monitor with a Thunderbolt 5 port, and I love that it is curved

Fox channels will be pulled from YouTube TV tomorrow unless Google and Fox can end their dispute.

• AirPods Max 2 not expected until at least 2027
• AirPods Pro 3 predicted again for late 2025
• AirPods Max reportedly don't sell enough to justify investment

If you're hoping for an AirPods Max 2 announcement at the big Apple event on September 9th 2025, prepare to be disappointed: the next generation of Apple's over-ears isn't expected to arrive until at least 2027.

That's an eternity in tech terms: the original AirPods Max launched in 2020. But it seems that Apple is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

According to Bloomberg, the problem is simple: AirPods Max are "too popular for Apple to stop selling them, and not popular enough for the company to invest a ton of time and money into creating a new version" – after all, there's the AirPods Pro 3 to work on instead.

What are Apple's AirPods Max 2 and AirPods Pro 3 plans?

As ever with unannounced Apple products we're dealing with leaks, rumors and predictions here. But it looks like AirPods Pro 3 are coming soon and AirPods Max 2 are coming later than hoped.

Bloomberg says that the AirPods Pro 3 are due to launch before the end of 2025 – let's hope we hear about them at the iPhone 17 event – with similar heart rate monitoring to the Powerbeats Pro 2.

As for the current AirPods Max, their most recent update was a damp squib: they got USB-C to comply with EU legislation, and that was as far as new hardware features went – though this did enable lossless wired audio support, and we think it works pretty great, actually.

The hoped-for H2 chip upgrade, which would have put them on a par with AirPods Pro 2, didn't feature. AirPods Max, unlike many premium headphones, still don't do wireless lossless audio, and having an older chip means they're missing many of the features of AirPods Pro 2.

After five years of daily wear, my OG AirPods Max are prime candidates for replacement: the headband's getting baggy, the tight fit – I have a huge head – is mildly annoying now, having to find a Lightning cable or adapter when everything else in my life is USB-C is a pain.

But I'm not interested in paying a premium price for tech that's half a decade old now, especially when the best headphones from other firms are improving significantly with each new release. I wonder how many other AirPods Max owners are likely to switch to rival brands before the second generation arrives…

You might also like

• The best headphones for all budgets, real-world tested by our experts
• The best over-ear headphones for all budgets, tested by us
• The best earbuds for every budget, all TechRadar tested