TechRadar News

AI is going through its adolescent phase. It’s strong, ambitious, and capable of remarkable things, but increasingly, it’s hitting some growing pains. Some analysts suggest AI has stalled due to "data scarcity," poor connectivity, or power limitations.

However, the real reason might be simpler: AI, as we know it, lacks the fundamental ability to truly understand us, the user. It can process information at remarkable speeds, create photorealistic images, and draft fluent text, but it struggles with emotional intelligence.

It doesn’t know when a user is frustrated, bored, anxious, or exhausted. It can't sense the moment to pause, clarify, or change course. As AI tools are increasingly deployed in emotionally sensitive domains like education, healthcare, wellness, and media, this emotional blindspot is becoming a significant limitation.

Maybe the next leap in AI won’t come from more data or faster processing, but from teaching AI to notice what humans do when something isn't landing. Emotionally adaptive AI will do more than read prompts; it'll read the room.

By combining facial cues, gaze tracking, behavioral patterns, and physiological signals, the next generation of AI will be able to infer how someone feels and adjust its output accordingly. The result will be an AI that understands when to push and when to back off – when someone is ready to learn, when they’re mentally overloaded, or when they’re just not connecting.

This shift, from reactive logic to emotional awareness, could be what finally takes AI out of adolescence and into maturity.

Faster AI Doesn't Mean Better AI

We’re used to measuring AI in superlatives: bigger models, faster inference, smarter responses. But in the rush to scale up, we’ve overlooked something more fundamental: human context. A model ten times larger won't necessarily give better answers if it can't tell when it has misunderstood the question, or when a user is losing patience and needs an empathetic ear.

Logic-based accuracy doesn’t necessarily equate to usefulness in the moment. When AI is deployed in settings where emotional nuance matters – like classrooms, clinics, and during deep conversations – raw intelligence isn't enough. An algorithm might make fast movie recommendations based on viewing history, but it doesn't know what you're in the mood to watch right now.

These environments don't just rely on information delivery; they rely on timing, tone, and emotional context. In a classroom, the difference between a student thriving and disengaging isn't about how many facts the system can present; it's about knowing when the student is overwhelmed.

In a mental health setting, offering the right coping strategy is fine, but what if the user is too burnt out to hear it? Traditional AI systems weren’t built for this. They optimize for completion, not connection, and that’s where their limitations become apparent.

Humanizing AI

AI's next milestone upgrade won't be faster models or smarter algorithms. It'll be emotional adaptivity and contextual awareness. This means two things for the future of AI. First, AI will be able to read your personal cues in real time, when you choose to allow it.

Much like how Apple Watch users see significant value in heart rate, sleep pattern, or activity levels analysis to provide personalized health insights, human context AI picks up on the silent signals we send all the time: the blink rate that suggests cognitive fatigue, the micro-expression that flashes when confusion sets in, or the subtle eye movement that hints at distraction.

With the right fusion of sensors and models, AI can now combine emotion and mood with biometric signals into a holistic understanding of how you're feeling and why.

Understanding human emotional patterns

Second, and perhaps even more broadly, this understanding of human emotional and behavioral patterns can be anonymously "crowdsourced." This vast dataset will level up large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, making them inherently more human-centric in their responses and decisions.

This means AI can deal more effectively with a wider range of situations, even in environments where real-time personal signals aren't being interpreted. It's about building a foundational emotional intelligence into AI, making all interactions more intuitive and responsive to general human needs and states.

In the same way a great teacher slows down when they detect confusion or injects some fun when they see the room glazing over, emotionally adaptive AI can recalibrate on the fly – repeating a step, simplifying a concept, or just pausing to give the user space. It’s a shift from AI that reacts to what we say to AI that responds to how we feel. This opens the door to use cases that conventional AI simply isn’t equipped for.

In healthcare and wellness, it can surface emotional and physiological patterns that can flag burnout, mood disorders, or stroke risk, without relying on bias-prone self-reporting. In gaming, it can power experiences that respond to how players feel, not just what they do, adjusting game difficulty or narrative flow in real-time. What unites these use cases – and countless others – is a shift from one-size-fits-all delivery to emotionally responsive systems that are in tune with humans.

The real breakthrough won't be in how much AI knows; it'll be in how well AI knows us.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Music streaming giant Spotify recently suffered a global outage that disrupted access to its app, website, and services for users around the world.

Although downloaded songs remained playable, the interruption caused significant frustration and interfered with daily routines. The incident also raised concerns about Spotify’s infrastructure reliability, as similar outages have occurred before.

With ongoing competition from Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, this lack of consistent service may push some users to consider alternative streaming platforms.

However, there are several ways to maintain product stability and to prevent app outages, including proactive strategies such as comprehensive testing, resilient architecture, continuous monitoring, and disaster recovery planning.

1. Frequent audits

Undertaking frequent and consistent audits can pre-empt issues and avoid customer frustration. These audits should not be exempt from the likes of code reviews, security audits and UX/design reviews.

How regular these should be is dependent on the size of your userbase and technology.

2. Proactive testing and quality assurance

When it comes to mobile app development, it’s important first to use automated testing and continuous integration to detect bugs early in the development cycle. In addition, it’s important to perform regular code reviews to catch issues and improve code quality before deployment.

Regression testing also helps when it comes to verifying that new updates do not disrupt existing functionality and introduce new errors.

3. Updating legacy technologies

Legacy technology refers to outdated software, hardware, and business processes that are still in use. These systems are less efficient, harder to maintain and often lack up-to-date security features, leaving them exposed to potential threats. Although they may continue to fulfil their initial purposes, they limit scalability and hinder integration with modern systems.

With this in mind, it’s important to have a sufficient plan for growth in place and update legacy technologies. The benefits of doing this range from reduced operational costs, improved security, and enhanced customer experience, and importantly greater reliability.

4. Invest in comprehensive monitoring

Depending on the size of the business and customer base, 24-hour monitoring is common for most applications with minimal response times needed for business-critical products.

Having a technical team on hand to immediately jump on any issues, no matter how small, ensures there is no escalation or impact on products and end users.

5. Implement infrastructure management and monitoring

Ensuring your application infrastructure is optimized to handle expected loads and potential spikes is also key to avoiding potential outages.

This includes monitoring network connectivity and performance to identify and address potential issues, as well as server performance and health.

6. Offer ease of communication to the user

Offering in-app communication will allow users to receive clear and timely messages regarding outages and their potential impact. It is also important to maintain an up-to-date status page that transparently reflects the current state of the application and any ongoing issues.

Leveraging social media platforms to share real-time updates and engage with users during service disruptions would also be beneficial.

7. Social listening

This is another effective way to monitor any trends with user issues, and can be easily overlooked. Social listening encompasses everything from monitoring social media outlets to app store reviews.

When it comes to App Store community management, having a clear pre-planned strategy to deal with major issues or outages is key to managing user sentiment and maintaining all-important App Store Ratings.

8. Learning and improving processes

Finally, in the event that an outage does occur, it's important to conduct a post-incident review, where incidents can be analyzed to determine root causes and corrective actions can be implemented to prevent future recurrence.

Organizations may also benefit from creating and maintaining a solid contingency plan as a result, with the focus being on communication strategies and fallback solutions to minimize impact.

Frustration for customers and business

Disruptions to mobile app services — whether due to technical glitches, third-party vendor failures, high traffic volumes, or the complexities of legacy IT infrastructure — can cause significant frustration for both customers and businesses. The impact is even greater when paying subscribers experience interruptions to services they rely on.

To minimize these risks, developers and brands invest in robust testing protocols, regularly update and maintain IT systems, plan for scalability, and implement advanced monitoring tools to catch issues before they escalate.

From the customer's perspective, it makes no difference whether a problem originates with your organization or a third-party provider — the responsibility, and any damage to brand trust, falls on you. For businesses like Spotify, this underscores the importance of carefully selecting third-party vendors and conducting regular audits to ensure they meet strict reliability and security standards.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

World Productivity Day should be a moment of reflection and renewed ambition for every business leader in the UK. But this year, the reality is sobering: half of UK businesses are still relying on manual, outdated processes.

A recent 2025 UK Digital Maturity Survey revealed a widening gap between digital ambition and execution. While leaders talk about transformation, their teams are often held back by complexity.

With countless options for new or upgraded systems, admittedly, it can feel confusing and overwhelming. Too many companies are layering on new tools without fixing the underlying infrastructure.

Nowhere is this more obvious that cybersecurity.

Cyber insecurity

Shockingly, over half (56%) of businesses admit that awareness of cyber threats is low, and less than half provide regular training to their employees. In an era of escalating and well documented attacks, this isn’t just risky, it’s irresponsible.

In recent months, several high-profile cyberattacks have paralyzed UK businesses, disrupted public services, and exposed critical data vulnerabilities.

From ransomware targeting hospital systems to breaches in supply chains, the threat is no longer hypothetical - it’s here, and it’s escalating. Attackers aren’t just going after data; they’re going after operational continuity. That means productivity itself is now at risk.

Despite our collective awareness that digital transformation drives growth, too many organizations remain stuck with legacy systems, weak integration, and critically, poor cybersecurity. Secure IT infrastructure isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’; it’s a baseline requirement for productivity and growth.

Resilience in today’s economy means being ready for disruption, and digital resilience starts with cyber readiness. Businesses can no longer afford to treat this as an afterthought. Cybersecurity needs to be embedded into strategy, work culture, and day-to-day operations. Anything less can welcome risks.

The power of data

Then there’s data.

The latest research shows that under a third (only 29%) of organizations say they’re using data to drive strategic decisions. Without the ability to harness insights in real time, decision-making becomes slower, less confident, and ultimately, less effective.

For companies trying to adapt to hybrid work, respond to customer expectations, or navigate economic uncertainty, that’s a major handicap.

In an environment where speed and agility often determine success, relying solely on gut feeling or reports is no longer sufficient. The ability to make real-time, data-informed decisions isn’t a luxury. It’s essential for staying ahead.

Yet, many organizations are sitting on a copious amount of unused data, either because it’s siloed, poorly integrated, or not trusted by decision-makers. Turning that data into a usable asset requires the right tools, yes, but also the right mindset and leadership commitment.

Data maturity can’t be separated from productivity. The more confidently and effectively an organization can use its data, the faster it can act, the smarter it can operate, and the more value it can deliver.

So where do we go from here?

A shift in organizational mindset

For me, in today’s economy, productivity is no longer just a function of efficiency; it’s a function of trust. Employees need to trust the tools they use, the systems that support them, and the data that guides their decisions.

The apparent lack of awareness around data-driven decision-making and security threats points to strategic vulnerabilities. Without secure, integrated digital infrastructure, organizations will struggle to adapt, scale, or compete.

The most forward-looking leaders recognize that digital maturity is now a boardroom issue, not just a technology one. It requires an organizational mindset shift to embed security, insights and agility into the way business gets done.

Inaction is no longer a neutral position; it’s a risk to growth, resilience and reputation. And this isn’t only about catching up. It’s about preparing for what’s next.

With AI becoming more integrated into business models, the risks and opportunities tied to digital maturity will only accelerate. Leaders must start future-proofing now. Closing the gap between ambition and execution starts with leadership willing to make digital capability a strategic imperative.

That means taking a clear-eyed view of the current state, identifying where the obstacles are, and investing in the processes and work culture that support transformation - not just the technology itself.

Call to action

World Productivity Day is a call to action for UK businesses to commit to digital maturity and redress the imbalance between ambition and execution.

Technology offers extraordinary potential, but the true differentiator is how seamlessly it’s woven into the fabric of everyday work. The gap between vision and reality isn’t just a matter of tools, it’s about aligning people, process and ultimately workplace experience.

This starts with listening to employees, to consumers, to data. It continues with investing in change management, training, and upskilling. And it culminates in creating a workplace that feels not just more productive, but more purposeful.

Let World Productivity Day be more than a moment. Make it a turning point. A turning point where productivity is refined, not just in output, but in how confidently, securely, and intelligently we work.

Because in today’s world, adopting technology isn’t just a strategy. It’s how we evolve.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• South Park is taking a short break after its season 27 premiere
• It has been confirmed that episode 2 will air on August 6
• The news comes after the long-running comedy reached a streaming rights deal with Paramount+

South Park continues to make headlines after its ongoing licensing negotiations, as it has now confirmed the second episode will air on August 6, 2025.

However, The Hollywood Reporter has noted that "South Park has been known to skip weeks as a new season rolls out week over week," so it's likely the comedy show is just re-doing a tried and tested formula.

The news was confirmed via a YouTube video titled "South Park continues August 6", which does exactly what it says on the tin really.

Check out that video below.

What should we expect from South Park season 27?

(Image credit: Comedy Central)

South Park has returned to Paramount+ after ongoing discussions, where I'm pleased to report the original series is available to stream again.

Previously, South Park viewers were left frustrated when the series was removed from Paramount+, but now we can rest easy as it's back on one of the best streaming services.

Based on the above video, it seems the series will continue from the first episode. There, we saw the fictional town agreeing to pay millions to Trump in a settlement.

We can expect more biting satire from South Park when it continues, as the promo video sees Cartman engaged in a debate about abortion with another student at South Park Elementary.

The promo also shows Mr. Garrison riding in an ICE vehicle with masked ICE officers, so as ever, the series isn't holding back when it comes to its topical critiques.

Season 27, episode 2 will be available on Paramount+ from August 6 for viewers in the US, UK, and Australia.

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• Robosculptor is debuting its AI-powered massage robot in the U.S.
• The mechanical masseur uses real-time body mapping to provide consistent treatment
• For everyday clients, Robosculptor promises therapeutic massages aimed at those who value privacy and efficiency

Booking a massage might not need the soft music and small talk if you'd prefer lying down in front of a robot with a silicone-tipped arm and AI brain instead. That’s the promise of Robosculptor and its AI-powered massage system.

The mechanical masseur is designed not to mimic a human therapist, but to use AI analysis embedded into the machine to provide personalized treatment that is the same every time you hop on the table.

Robosculptor has just begun rolling out in the U.S., and the company hopes to get people comfortable with the idea of a robot doing their massage. After all, massage is one of the most personal, touch-based services around. Skilled practitioners use training, experience, and feedback from clients to provide care. Robosculptor isn’t trying to pass as human in its muscle manipulation – the whole pitch is the opposite. The idea is that an AI won't be tired, have an off day, or forget something about treating your body.

Robosculptor scans your body with cameras, builds a real-time 3D map, and then the AI guides the arm to execute specified treatments, which have names like “Inner Peace” and “Vital Flow Express.” It’s a massage-as-output-optimized-protocol. And for some people, that might be exactly what they want.

The company is probably right to focus on making people feel okay about the experience. It's a lot more intense than a massage chair's vibrations, and people inherently trust a trained human to pay attention to little cues about your comfort, or discomfort, that a machine lacks the empathy and sentience to spot.

That's partly why Robosculptor is targeting fitness centers and high-end spas, places where consistent performance across many customers is key to the business. You’re less likely to encounter one in a boutique massage studio. For people with social anxiety, or who don't like to be touched by other people, the idea of a massage without a person in the room could be the difference between booking an appointment and not.

It could also be more affordable since the owner can use the Robosculptor far more frequently than a human masseur can complete a session. The company says the machine can do up to 240 sessions per month, triple the average for a human practitioner.

Massage AI

Massage therapists might not be thrilled, understandably. Robosculptor does claim the device is not a replacement for human experts, and that it can handle only the more basic, repeatable kinds of massage. But, it's easy to imagine that, in chasing efficiency and margins, some operators might decide that the robot is “good enough” for most clients and scale back human staff. That would be a loss not just for therapists, but for clients who value their relationship with their massage therapist.

These theoretical issues need to be addressed as Robosculptor isn't alone as a robotic massage provider. Massage Robotics debuted its dual robot arms more than three years ago, and the hardware and AI software have only improved since then. AI will learn from a wider range of body types, protocols, and outcomes. The robot arm you meet today might be a curiosity. The one in five years might be indistinguishable from the best therapist you ever had.

So while your massage next week might not come with a settings menu yet, it could happen sooner than you'd imagine. And you might not hate it. You could walk into a fitness center, book a 25-minute lymphatic flush, and get the exact same experience every week thereafter. You might even relax more, knowing no one’s judging your compression socks or weird tan lines.

Or maybe you’ll still want a person to do it and be willing to pay for it. For many people, though, Robosculptor could be their new favorite spa treatment, as long as that silicone is kept warm.

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• Elon Musk plans AI compute equal to 50 million H100 GPUs within just five years
• xAI’s training target equals 50 ExaFLOPS, but that doesn’t mean 50 million literal GPUs
• Achieving 50 ExaFLOPS with H100s would demand energy equal to 35 nuclear power stations

Elon Musk has shared a bold new milestone for xAI, which is to deploy the equivalent of 50 million H100 class GPUs by 2030.

Framed as a measure of AI training performance, the claim refers to compute capacity, not literal unit count.

Still, even with ongoing advances in AI accelerator hardware, this goal implies extraordinary infrastructure commitments, especially in power and capital.

A massive leap in compute scale, with fewer GPUs than it sounds

In a post on X, Musk stated, "the xAI goal is 50 million in units of H100 equivalent AI compute (but much better power efficiency) online within 5 years."

Each Nvidia H100 AI GPU can deliver around 1,000 TFLOPS in FP16 or BF16, common formats for AI training - and reaching 50 ExaFLOPS using that baseline would theoretically require 50 million H100s.

Although newer architectures such as Blackwell and Rubin dramatically improve performance per chip.

According to performance projections, only about 650,000 GPUs using the future Feynman Ultra architecture may be required to hit the target.

The company has already begun scaling aggressively, and its current Colossus 1 cluster is powered by 200,000 Hopper based H100 and H200 GPUs, plus 30,000 Blackwell based GB200 chips.

A new cluster, Colossus 2, is scheduled to come online soon with over 1 million GPU units, combining 550,000 GB200 and GB300 nodes.

This puts xAI among the most rapid adopters of cutting edge AI writer and model training technologies.

The company probably chose the H100 over the newer H200 because the former remains a well understood reference point in the AI community, widely benchmarked and used in major deployments.

Its consistent FP16 and BF16 throughput makes it a clear unit of measure for longer term planning.

But perhaps the most pressing issue is energy. A 50 ExaFLOPS AI cluster powered by H100 GPUs would require 35GW, enough for 35 nuclear power plants.

Even using the most efficient projected GPUs, such as Feynman Ultra, a 50 ExaFLOPS cluster could require up to 4.685GW of power.

That is more than triple the power usage of xAI’s upcoming Colossus 2. Even with advances in efficiency, scaling energy supply remains a key uncertainty.

In addition, the cost will also be an issue. Based on current pricing, a single Nvidia H100 costs upwards of $25,000.

Using 650,000 next gen GPUs instead could still amount to tens of billions of dollars in hardware alone, not counting interconnect, cooling, facilities, and energy infrastructure.

Ultimately, Musk’s plan for xAI is technically plausible but financially and logistically daunting.

Via TomsHardware

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• At $250, Dell's cheapest laptop is almost half the price of its most affordable PC

• Eizo FlexScan FLT-S uses just 6 watts of power, making it far more efficient than most office monitors
• Certified as the world’s first Class A monitor under Europe’s updated energy standards
• Connects using just one cable through docking stations, keeping desks clear and clutter-free

Eizo has announced the FlexScan FLT-S, a 23.8 inch full HD monitor that brings energy efficiency, portability, and a clean design into a single display.

Though marketed as a business monitor, its combination of low power draw, simplified setup, and flexible use makes it a compelling alternative to many traditional desktop monitors.

This device is currently available in Japan for 59,950 yen (approx. $406), and it is sold as a made to order product, which suggests that it targets professionals.

Some reasons why this device can replace mainstream systems

At just 6 watts during typical use, the FLT-S offers energy savings far beyond what most standard monitors can match.

Eizo says this makes it the world’s first monitor to earn a Class A energy label under the EU’s 2019/2013 regulation, which reflects its power consumption and efficient internal design.

In office environments with multiple displays running for 8 or more hours a day, this reduction in power use could translate into noticeably lower electricity bills.

It is not just good for sustainability, it is a practical financial benefit, especially at scale.

Compared to larger or older screens that often consume three or four times as much power, the FLT-S shifts the baseline for what users should expect in efficiency.

Another major advantage of the FLT-S is its minimal setup with single cable operation via USB-C or similar docks.

In most workspaces, it can be plugged into a docking station, reducing cable clutter and simplifying desk layouts, which supports a cleaner and more manageable working environment.

Unlike the earlier FlexScan FLT model, which came with a clamping arm, the FLT-S includes a small desk stand that can be placed anywhere without installation, making it suitable for open offices, temporary desks, or situations where mounting is impractical.

It supports tidy, low maintenance setups, which is now expected in modern business environments.

Also, with its lightweight build, simple stand, and plug and play nature, it can be moved around more easily, whether it is a quick desk change or being taken home for hybrid work.

Users do not need to unmount or disassemble anything, just pick it up, take it home, and plug it in.

This mobility places it alongside the best portable monitor options, but with better performance and a full desktop size.

It also means businesses do not have to issue separate screens for home and office. One unit does both jobs well.

Via mynavi

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Apple quarterly earnings reports are not usually fodder for consumer interest. It's a lot of sales numbers and explanations about why the falling dollar, rising yen, or China headwinds are impacting sales and earnings results.

Without the benefit of product introductions, it can be a snoozefest, but this time should be different, and mostly because of Apple's not-so-great year.

• To recap, Apple had to delay the fully Apple Intelligence-upgraded Siri and admit that what they had still wasn't up to Apple's standards.
• The company appears to be falling behind in the critical AI race and has yet to offer a solid, competitive answer.
• It had to shuffle executives to try to get Siri and Apple Intelligence back on track.
• While we wait for a folding iPhone, Samsung just released what may be the industry's best flexible phone.
• The Vision Pro remains an expensive niche product that has not inspired vast numbers of consumer customers.
• The spectre of tariffs is putting pressure on Apple and its partners and may soon force it to start charging more for tech gear.
• The company has been pressured by the Trump administration to start building iPhones in the US.

Put simply, Apple has a lot of explaining to do. So while Apple CFO Kevan Parekh and CEO Tim Cook will spend the first half of the earnings call that is set for Thursday, July 31 at 5PM ET (2PM PT / 10PM BST), droning through profits, operating expenses, capital, and even stock splits, it's the open call with analysts that should be most illuminating, important, and, possibly, even entertaining part of the event.

Analysts should be quizzing Cook and company on these juicy topics:

AI and Apple Intelligence

As I noted above, Apple has fallen far behind in the all-important AI race, and promises that the updated Siri will show up "in the coming year" are less than comforting, especially since that might be next year.

Analysts will rightly demand specifics. And while I do not expect Cook to get pinned down, he might offer some assurance that a Siri that can compete with, say, Gemini or ChatGPT, will arrive by the end of this year, as opposed to slipping into 2026.

I would love to see analysts press Cook on Apple's overall AI strategy, one that I believe is flawed for being too cautious. The competition is flying down AI Highway with abandon, and with Superintelligence or General Artificial Intelligence on the horizon, Apple cannot afford to take the slow approach. Any more delays and Apple will lose more than just this AI race.

New Products

During every earnings call, analysts make desperate attempts to get Cook to mention upcoming products. He never does, but Cook will talk vaguely about "the best lineup ever" of upcoming technologies. His enthusiasm can often speak volumes about what to expect and if any of it will move the needle.

(Image credit: Shutterstock ID 1870904317)Vision Pro pump up

Even though Vision Pro fails to dazzle on the sales side, it remains the most powerful and perhaps the best consumer technology Apple has ever produced. I expect Cook to highlight consumer and enterprise interest, as well as recent content successes, such as the Bono Documentary.

It's the analysts' job, though, to press Cook here and see if they can get him to admit that Vision Pro will never be a consumer product, at least not at its current price.

AR embrace (iGlasses, anyone?)

A good segue here would be a return for Cook to mentions of an AR future. Apple's wearable game cannot remain confined to watches and earbuds, not when Meta is making hay with all those Meta Smart Glasses from Ray-Ban and Oakley.

If we only consider AR glasses, Apple still has some time since Google, Samsung, and Meta are all still trying to figure out how to make high-quality lenses that do not need the bulk of larger frames to support them.

Could analysts goad Cook into mentioning future "iGlasses"?

Airy or bendy phone possibilities

Most people expect Apple to deliver its thinnest iPhone ever this September in the form of an iPhone 17 Air. Cook will not name this product, but he could mention "new form factors," which could be referring to the thinner Air and, maybe, a folding iPhone.

In both areas, though, Apple is behind Samsung, which now has the best and thinnest foldable design in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and an admirably thin, if uninspiring, Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

Analysts will want at least a hint that Apple has an answer for all this.

Tariffs and US-based manufacturing

Cook will not want to talk about US-based manufacturing, tariffs, or the guy who calls him a friend, President Trump. But analysts will ask and press for projections on how tariffs might impact iPhone and other Apple gadget pricing.

Here, I expect Cook to offer at least some color, if not concrete projections. He'll talk again about how Apple is prepared for supply chain fluctuations, which include component pricing pressure. He will assure everyone that Apple has a plan for this uncertain future.

Cook might remind people about how Apple has already diversified manufacturing so that it's not all in China and point to the $500 billion investment in the US, which most recently has included manufacturing training programs for upcoming businesspeople and their businesses.

I don't know if that will satisfy everyone, especially not Trump, who has consistently demanded that Apple build the iPhone in the US.

At least Cook will get to tout the sea changes coming to all of Apple's major platforms and the impact of Liquid Glass on, for instance, the iPhone. iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 are big updates and ones that, whether or not people love them, do promise to change how they use these platforms.

Overall, this could be one very exciting and even contentious earnings report, and I'll have my popcorn ready.

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• Claimed iPhone 17 dummy units tip a punchy orange color for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
• The iPhone 17 Air is tipped to have a nice sand-colored option, alongside blue, back, and white options
• The standard iPhone 17 is expected to sport black, white, light blue, and pastel pink color options

Dummy units of the rumored iPhone 17 range have given us a good idea of what colors to expect from Apple's next-generation phones, and if they come to fruition, could see the iPhone Pro lineup get a dose of punchy color.

This comes from Apple-centric tipster Sony Dickson, who posted a selection of iPhone 17 dummy units in a mix of colors, which we're led to believe come from insider information.

While the iPhone 17 features a fetching pink pastel-like hue, and the rumored iPhone 17 Air comes in a pleasant sand-ish color, the standout is an iPhone 17 Pro dummy unit in a bright orange hue.

First look at iPhone 17 color dummies, The new orange really stands out this year — definitely a bold addition. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/M0gB6NSglIJuly 29, 2025

If this information turns out to be accurate it could mark a mild direction change for Apple, in that previously the Pro iPhones have tended to use somewhat muted colors: the Desert Titanium model of the iPhone 16 Pro Max was probably about as bold as the flagship phones go, with the rest of the iPhone 16 Pro lineup leaning on more basic shades such as white, black, and grey.

So the addition of orange could give the iPhone Pro a shot in the arm when it comes to punchy colors. From the dummy units, the orange has a candy-like hue with a form of pastel flatness to it; the latter would be in keeping with the style of recent Pro iPhones.

Complementary colors

With the caveat that these images are far from official and there's no clear indication of where these dummy units have come from, I feel the colors on offer across the proposed iPhone 17 range work nicely.

They have the usual black and white options to appease people who like muted phones, with a dark blue shade potentially making a comeback for the iPhone 17 Pro models.

The light blue and pink options for the iPhone 17 offer a pop of freshness without being too oversaturated. While the light blue and light yellow/sand colors for the iPhone 17 Air look like they could work nicely on a slimmed-down iPhone.

For the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, I reckon the tipped colors work well for the new rectangular rear camera array; sort of emphasising it, yet also helping it blend into the rear of the phone at the same time... if that makes a jot of sense.

Of course, I'm still not entirely convinced this much-rumored camera design change will happen, as I can't see how it would benefit the iPhone 17 Pro's camera performance; Apple tends not to just change its phone designs for pure aesthetics alone.

Unless adopting this rectangular camera array is a means to better package components, and thus leading to a slimmer iPhone Pro. But this is just educated speculation on my side.

With Apple very likely to launch new iPhones in September, when it usually holds a phone-centric Apple event, we really don't have much longer to wait before we hear about new iPhones.

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• Check Point finds thousands of ads promoting fake crypto apps
• The apps come with an infostealer malware targeting users
• The infostealer can bypass most antivirus protections

Cryptocurrency users are being targeted by a highly sophisticated, widespread cybercriminal campaign with the goal of deploying malware capable of grabbing exchange and wallet information, essentially robbing the people of their tokens, experts from Check Point have warned.

Apparently active since March 2024, what makes this campaign, dubbed JSCEAL by the researchers, unique is the use of compiled JavaScript files (JSC), which allows the malware to remain hidden from most traditional antivirus solutions.

The criminals created fake cryptocurrency exchange and wallet apps, which come with an infostealer. They also created websites to host these apps, and managed to purchase thousands of advertisements on the internet to promote the scam. Check Point says that just in the European Union (EU), 35,000 malicious ads were served between January and June 2025.

JSCEAL malware

“The use of Facebook’s Ad Library enabled us to estimate the campaign’s reach, while in a very conservative approach we can estimate the total reach of the malvertising campaign at 3.5 million users within the EU alone, and likely above 10 million users worldwide,” the researchers explained.

People who fall for the scam download an MSI installer which triggers “a sequence of profiling scripts” that gather critical system information. These scripts also use PowerShell commands to collect and exfiltrate data, in preparation of the final payload deployment.

This final payload is the JSCEAL malware, which steals crypto-related data such as credentials and private keys. The payload is executed through Node.js, it was said.

What makes this malware particularly dangerous is the use of compiled JavaScript files.

“The JSCEAL campaign uses compiled V8 JavaScript (JSC) files, a lesser-known feature of Google’s V8 engine that enables code obfuscation and evasion of static analysis,” the researchers added.

“This innovative technique allows attackers to bypass detection systems, making it extremely challenging to detect the malicious code until it executes. JSCEAL is notable for its scale, technical complexity, and persistence, having evolved significantly since its discovery.”

Even today, many versions of the malware remain undetected by common security tools.

Anyone concerned their data may be under threat should ensure their antivirus protections are up to date - we've rounded up the best free antivirus software around - and for those who prefer using Apple technology, also the best Mac antivirus software.

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• The founder of Pebble smartwatches has reacquired the Pebble name
• Upcoming watches from his Core Devices firm will be renamed
• The first new Pebble watch is now expected to launch in August

If you miss the old days of Pebble watches, you’re in luck, as the smartwatch brand that began it all is making an unexpected comeback. That means it might not be long before you can slap a Pebble watch on your wrist like it’s 2015 all over again.

Pebble was originally founded by Eric Migicovsky, who now runs Core Devices, which succeeded Pebble when it shut down in 2016. Although Migicovsky previously revealed that he was working on two new watches that were based on the open-source PebbleOS operating system, they were to be made under the Core Devices brand name. Now, that’s all changed.

Writing on his blog, Migicovsky explained that he had been able to reacquire the Pebble trademark, which will now be incorporated into upcoming products. And it seems that the company is not wasting time, as its Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 smartwatches have both been renamed to Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2, respectively.

Neither are ready for launch yet, though, with the former shipping out to beta users and the latter undergoing engineering verification testing (EVT). But for anyone excited by the Pebble brand, the name change alone will be enough to get the heart racing.

Shipping in August

(Image credit: Core Devices)

Want to get your hands on one of these rebranded watches? You can pre-order both from Core Devices’ rePebble website. The devices are still using the old “Core” names, and presumably this will be updated shortly. The Pebble 2 Duo is available for $149, while the Core Time 2 can be ordered for $225.

In his blog post, Migicovsky wrote that his company hopes to start shipping the Pebble 2 Duo by the end of August (a delay from its original July estimate). The hold-up is due to testing of an improved waterproofing rating, while a speaker has also been added that needs to be waterproofed as well.

There’s one additional hitch with ordering: tariffs. Migicovsky says you’ll be charged about $10 per Pebble 2 Duo if you’re ordering from the US. Non-US orders won’t be affected by tariffs, as the devices are shipped out from Hong Kong.

Migicovsky has also been testing the Pebble 2 Duo’s Bluetooth range (in a “super unscientific” manner, he concedes), and says it hits roughly 140 meters in open-air surroundings. On a street with buildings, the range is slightly longer.

The blog post also mentioned a handful of updates to the Pebble Time 2. Among them, Migicovsky said the design had been made “a bit sleeker,” although he didn’t share any specifics. Since the watch is in the EVT stage of manufacturing, it’s a little too early to start thinking about shipping dates.

Still, with the Pebble name making a comeback almost a decade after it stopped being sold, fans of the smartwatch will undoubtedly be excited for further news. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more in the meantime.

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• Ayaneo announced the Pocket DS, a new Android handheld gaming device
• It claims the device is the 'world's first' dual-screen Android handheld
• It will utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor for powerful gaming performance

The handheld gaming space is continuously growing each year with new devices from the likes of Nintendo plus contenders in the PC department, such as Asus, Lenovo, and MSI. However, there's an outlier in the Android and PC market that appears to be taking strong inspiration from the Nintendo DS with one of its upcoming devices.

Announced on Ayaneo's website is the brand-new Ayaneo Pocket DS, which claims to be the 'world's first' dual-screen Android handheld gaming device and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor. Pricing details are set to be announced in August.

The Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor is built to provide high-power performance on handheld devices as an 8-core CPU packed with an Adreno A32 GPU – and it's worth noting that Qualcomm's processors often excel at power efficiency.

This comes shortly after Ayaneo announced another dual-screen handheld, the Ayaneo Flip 1S DS, which also takes after the Nintendo DS dual-screen design, but for PC gamers using Windows. Both of these devices will utilize a 7-inch OLED main screen, but the newly-announced Pocket DS will have a 165Hz refresh rate over the Flip 1S DS's 144Hz.

While the Pocket DS isn't a handheld gaming PC, it utilizes a "PC-Class Turbo Cooling System", designed to keep the dual-screen handheld cool while under heavy load. Ayaneo also built its own handheld management software, which will allow users to quickly change power settings on the fly thanks to the 5-inch LCD secondary screen – and also serves as a great tool for multitaskers.

It's doubtful that Nintendo will revisit its dual-screen design any time soon, especially after the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, so it looks like Ayaneo is the one to rely on in this space.

Analysis: I'll take a dual-screen device over an 8-inch handheld any day

(Image credit: Ayaneo)

Just to be clear, I'm fully locked in on Ayaneo and its potential success with these dual-screen handhelds – specifically the Ayaneo Flip 1S DS, using one of AMD's most powerful APUs.

I've been in the market for a handheld that has an 8-inch screen with a powerful processor at a reasonable price; I thought the Lenovo Legion Go S (Ryzen Z1 Extreme) would be the answer, but it's hardly available, and it's too expensive at $729.99 (around £549 / AU$1,130).

With the Ayaneo Flip 1S DS, pricing is reasonable for what it offers (above $900 for most configurations) as this is a popular portable design, and it's using an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, which easily outperforms the likes of the Ryzen Z1 Extreme. Fortunately, since the Ayaneo Pocket DS is built for Android gaming, I don't expect it to be as expensive.

Again, I doubt I'll go all-out to spend that much on a handheld device that I only use when I'm away from my desk. However, if I had to choose and I was already contemplating buying an MSI Claw 8 AI+, MSI Claw A8, or ROG Xbox Ally X, I would have to include the Flip 1S DS in the conversation too.

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The latest iPhone 17 Pro rumors point to Apple’s premium flagship handset getting a new telephoto camera with 8x optical zoom, up from 5x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro.

What’s more, this new camera is tipped to make use of moving components that could allow for continuous optical zoom between an as-yet unknown range of focal lengths. That’s rarely-seen technology, usually reserved for phones that are specifically designed for photography like the Sony Xperia 1 VI, and the idea of such niche tech coming to one of the world's most popular phones is properly exciting.

So why aren't I jumping for joy?

On paper, I should be. Most flagship phones – and some particularly well-specced mid-range handsets like the Oppo Reno 13 Pro – come with a telephoto camera, offering optical zoom through the addition of a specialized lens and sensor.

However, in order to create a continuous zoom between different lenses, phones typically use digital zoom to close the distance between their various lenses. For example, a phone with a main camera at 1x zoom and a telephoto camera at 3x optical zoom will digitally zoom the main camera to achieve 2x zoom.

If those aforementioned iPhone 17 Pro rumors hold true, the new telephoto camera will add even more reach and flexibility to what is already one of the best camera phones.

It could also explain the new camera housing that many rumors and leaks predict the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max to launch with. We previously thought that this design change was a purely aesthetic choice, but this Pixel-style camera bar could, in fact, house a periscope lens or other tech to support the new zoom camera.

With that all said, I can’t help but wonder whether I’d actually use this (admittedly very cool) new feature. Once the excitement around the iPhone 17 Pro’s possible 8x zoom camera settles, will it still be worth using?

Three times is the charm

The iPhone 15 Pro is seemingly the last iPhone to ship with a 3x telephoto camera (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

I'm a maximalist when it comes to tech – I like to have the best specs possible, and for a long time, I found myself pining after the 5x or even 10x telephoto lenses fitted to some of the best camera phones. I specifically remember feeling amazed when the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra launched with a 10x optical zoom camera.

But to be honest, it’s rare that I find myself zooming in that much – apparently I’m not the only one, either, as Samsung scaled down its long-range zoom camera from 10x to 5x with the release of the Galaxy S24 Ultra. As I mentioned before, unless you’re zooming into or beyond the 10x mark, a 10x zoom camera will be of no use.

If you ask me, the sweet spot is actually a 3x telephoto camera, like the one the iPhone 15 Pro had before it was upped to 5x on the iPhone 16 Pro.

The Oppo Find X8 Pro comes with a 3x telephoto camera and a 6x telephoto camera, making it a flexible and powerful camera phone (Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)

It’s not that I don’t see the point in longer zoom lenses. In fact, last year, I wrote that the Oppo Find X8 Pro’s 6x zoom camera had opened up new possibilities when it comes to mobile photography. It's just that 3x strikes a better balance between reach and everyday usefulness; a 3x zoom lens brings details forward without feeling cramped, and the smaller lens distortion is ideal for more natural portraits.

I’m not the only 3x zoom fan in the TechRadar office, either – last year, Phones Editor Axel Metz wrote that the iPhone 15 Pro’s 3x telephoto camera was his go-to for natural and more professional-looking social media pics, like those below.

Image 1 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)Image 2 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)Image 3 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)Image 4 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)Image 5 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)

An 8x zoom camera – or even better, a lens that continuously zooms from, say, 5x to 8x – would be a win for certain users: concertgoers, nature photographers, maybe even portrait photographers who don’t mind standing pretty far away.

But without an intermediate telephoto lens to bridge the long gap between 1x and 8x, for me, this won’t be a selling point.

Even the Galaxy S21 Ultra switched to a 3x camera before you got to the full 10x zoom, and while the iPhone’s digital zoom is excellent, there’d surely be a noticeable loss of quality at zoom levels that don't activate the new camera. I'd be reluctant to give up my 3x lens without some kind of software magic to get around that.

We're expecting the iPhone 17 series to be revealed in September 2025, so we hopefully won't have to wait long to see what Apple's cooking up.

What do you think about this rumor? Would an 8x telephoto camera be a boost to the iPhone, or has tech gone too far? Let us know in the comments below.

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• Zuckerberg believes that "developing superintelligence is now in sight"
• He believes that AI glasses will become our dominant personal computing device
• The next 10 years will be pivitol to the development of personal superintelligence

In a letter that resembles one of Sam Altman’s long rambling blog posts, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg describes his vision of the future where there is personal superintelligence for everyone, and there’s not a single reference to the Metaverse in it.

Zuckerberg also delivered the letter in a monologue form via his Instagram account .

Titled “Personal Superintelligence”, the 600+ word article sees Zuckerberg attempt to stamp his ownership onto superintelligence. “Developing superintelligence”, he confidently says, “is now in sight.”

In words that eerily echo exactly what the CEO of OpenAI has recently said, Zuckerberg proclaims, “I am extremely optimistic that superintelligence will help humanity accelerate our pace of progress. But perhaps even more important is that superintelligence has the potential to begin a new era of personal empowerment where people will have greater agency to improve the world in the directions they choose.”

A post shared by Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck)

A photo posted by on

Personal superintelligence

According to Zuckerberg, everyone having their own accessible superintelligence will “help you achieve your goals, create what you want to see in the world, experience any adventure, be a better friend to those you care about, and grow to become the person you aspire to be.”

In a nod to the Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta AI Glasses that the company is so proud of, Zuckerberg says: “Personal devices like glasses that understand our context because they can see what we see, hear what we hear, and interact with us throughout the day will become our primary computing devices.”

Personally, I find this a bit hard to accept based on the current evidence. While I haven't had the pleasure of using Meta's AI glasses yet, I have used AI devices like the Rabbit R1, which require voice commands to do everything, and it's a slow and awkward way to use AI compared to quickly typing a prompt or opening apps on a screen.

On exactly when we can expect this new era of personal superintelligence to kick in, Zuckerberg still seems to be hedging his bets a little: “The rest of this decade seems likely to be the decisive period for determining the path this technology will take, and whether superintelligence will be a tool for personal empowerment or a force focused on replacing large swaths of society.”

Could devices like these Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses become the dominant personal computer device? (Image credit: Meta / Ray-Ban)A force for good or evil

This battle between AI being used for good or evil seems to be a theme that is playing on CEO’s minds lately. For example, Sam Altman recently couldn’t seem to decide if he was scared of the power of ChatGPT 5 or in awe of it.

While predicting the imminent dawn of superintelligence seems to be the favorite pastime of tech CEOs at the moment, it seems that the technology is building towards a tipping point where superintelligence becomes a reality. Let's just hope that the movies got it wrong about what happens next.

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• The McIntosh CR106 can create and control six independent audio zones
• Link five units to create up to 30 audio zones
• $5,500 / £6,999

Money no object

We love to give practical buying advice on the latest gadgets here at TechRadar. But sometimes what we love even more is to indulge in the most high-end, cutting-edge, luxurious tech on the planet. That's what we bring you in these Money no Object columns – you can read the whole series here.

If you're looking for a high-end pre-amp and multi-room audio matrix for potentially massive home-install systems, McIntosh has just the thing. The new CR106 delivers up to six independent audio zones from a single unit, and it can be networked with others to provide as many as 30 different, customizable and controllable zones.

The CR106 combines a pre-amp and audio matrix – essentially a traffic controller for audio, providing you the ability to set custom audio tweaks for different zones – and it works with a wide range of amps and speakers. It can be rack mounted in a standard AV rack, where it'll take up a modest 2U of rack space.

(Image credit: McIntosh)McIntosh CR106: key features and pricing

The CR106 is controlled via the McIntosh connect app for Apple and Android, via a web interface, or via its front panel. The app offers lots of zone customization tools, enabling you to name each zone, group multiple zones together, selecting the audio sources for different zones and configuring their subwoofer settings too.

There are four unbalanced analog and four digital inputs, and if you have a large home or budget you can chain up to five CR106 units together via the Dante network interface to create up to 30 two-channel zones.

In addition to the hardware inputs, there's also Bluetooth with AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive, so you can stream into one of these units, and send it out to any of the connected wired setups.

Each zone that it supports has two sets of unbalanced outputs, and dedicated subwoofer outputs.

The CR106 will be available globally from McIntosh dealers from August 2025. The MSRP is $5,500 / £6,999.

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• Researchers find Base44's "vibe coding" platform contained security flaw
• This allowed threat actors to access data that should be private
• The bug was squashed within 24 hours with no signs of abuse

Vibe coding platform Base44 contained a major security vulnerability which could have allowed unauthorized users to access other people’s private applications, experts have warned.

The issue was discovered in early July 2025 by security pros from Wiz Research, who explained how exposed API endpoints on Base44’s platform allowed threat actors to create a verified account on private apps using nothing more than app_id, a piece of code that is publicly visible.

Normally, authentication systems ask for strong credentials, and means of identity verification, but Base44’s setup apparently lets anyone bypass those checks using just that one code. One could think of it like showing up to a locked office building, shouting “I’m here for app_id 12345”, and the doors would open - no questions asked.

Vibe coding

Attackers could easily grab an app_Id from public files, and use it to “register” through unsecured API routes, accessing apps that handle sensitive employee data and company communications.

The vulnerability could have affected enterprise apps handling HR and personally identifiable information (PII), internal chatbots and knowledge bases, as well as automation tools used in day-to-day operations.

Once Wiz discovered the flaw, it reached out to Wix, the company which owns Base44, who fixed it within a day.

Wix added it found no signs of abuse by threat actors. The researchers also identified vulnerable apps and reached out to some of the affected companies directly.

Vibe coding is a relatively new slang term for coding with the help of generative AI and through natural language rather than writing actual code. A developer will discuss their ideas and needs with the AI, which would come back with code. It has gained a lot of popularity lately, but news such as this one highlight that the method is not without its risks.

Since the background infrastructure is shared, there is always a risk of information leaking somewhere.

Via Infosecurity Magazine

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Foundation season 3 is already a third of the way through its run on Apple TV+. And, with a new episode set to drop on the tech giant's streaming platform later this week, it won't be long until it reaches its midpoint.

For now, though, you'll want to know when this season's fourth installment will arrive on one of the world's best streaming services.

Below, I'll outline the dates on which we expect Foundation's next entry to drop, and predict what time it'll be released. There's also a full rundown of this season's episodic release schedule at the end of this article, so you can block out some time in your own busy schedule to watch it.

What is the release date for Foundation season 3 episode 4?

Dawn will continue to meet with Gaal in secret in Foundation season 3 (Image credit: Apple TV+)

This season's fourth episode, titled 'The Stress of Her Regard', will land on Apple's streaming service on Friday, August 1.

Well, that's in some world territories at least. Apple tends to release new episodes of its TV Originals a day earlier in some regions of North and South America. Long story short: Foundation season 3 episode 4 could launch in some parts of these continents, such as the US west coast, on Thursday, July 31.

As for what time it'll debut, that's hard to determine. Apple doesn't publicly state when new episodes will arrive. However, some of the best Apple TV+ shows' latest entries have shown up at 9pm PT on Thursdays and 12am ET on Fridays. It's possible, then, that 'The Stress of Her Regard' will do likewise.

For a breakdown on when I expect season 3 episode 4 to be released, read on (NB: use 12am ET to work out when it'll launch in your country if it isn't listed below):

• US – Thursday, July 31 at 9pm PT / Friday, August 1 at 12am ET
• Canada – Thursday, July 31 at 9pm PT / Friday, August 1 at 12am ET
• UK – Friday, August 1 at 5am BST
• India – Friday, August 1 at 9:30am IST
• Singapore – Friday, August 1 at 12pm SGT
• Australia – Friday, August 1 at 2pm AEST
• New Zealand – Friday, August 1 at 4pm NZST

When will new episodes of Foundation season 3 launch on Apple TV+?

You don't need an all-knowing robot to tell you when new episodes of Foundation will be released (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Want to know when you can stream new episodes of Foundation season 3 in the weeks ahead? Check out the list below:

• Foundation season 3 episode 1 – out now
• Foundation season 3 episode 2 – out now
• Foundation season 3 episode 3 – out now
• Foundation season 3 episode 4 – Friday, August 1
• Foundation season 3 episode 5 – Friday, August 8
• Foundation season 3 episode 6 – Friday, August 15
• Foundation season 3 episode 7 – Friday, August 22
• Foundation season 3 episode 8 – Friday, August 29
• Foundation season 3 episode 9 – Friday, September 5
• Foundation season 3 episode 10 – Friday, September 12

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• Google has just confirmed that it hasn't received any official request from the UK government to weaken encryption or provide backdoor access to user data
• Earlier this year, Apple was asked to provide an encryption backdoor in its iCloud’s Advanced Data Protection feature
• This marks a growing divide in how tech giants are affected by the UK’s controversial Investigatory Powers Act and its global implications for privacy

Google has just admitted that the UK government hasn't requested access to end-to-end encrypted user data.

Meanwhile, Apple has been hit by a Technical Capability Notice (TCN) under the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), forcing it to shutter its iCloud Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK as a result.

The backlash that followed the UK's request for access to end-to-end encrypted data from Apple echoed throughout the rest of the world. It now turns out that the request may have been more targeted than it first seemed, with Google seemingly immune to it for now.

"We haven't received a technical capabilities notice"

(Image credit: Shutterstock / nikkimeel)

In February this year, the UK authorities requested that Apple break its end-to-end encryption policies in the Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature. ADP isn't on by default, but when enabled, it adds an extra layer of security. Not even Apple itself can access the data that's been encrypted in this way; it's completely private.

Unsurprisingly, the order was not met with a warm reception. Mounting scrutiny of the UK's Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) led US senators to investigate whether other companies have also received similar requests.

According to TechCrunch, Google refused to answer questions about any involvement from the UK government when prompted by US Senator Roy Wyden. Companies that are subject to government surveillance orders are unable to disclose them under UK law.

However, Wyden disclosed that at least one technology giant confirmed that it hasn't received such a notice. That turned out to be Meta, which told Wyden's office back in March that it hadn't been served an order to backdoor its encryption services.

Although Google remained silent, it appears to have broken that vow of silence in a statement to TechCrunch. Karl Ryan, Google spokesperson, said: "We haven't received a technical capabilities notice."

That's as good a confirmation as we're going to get in this situation. If Google had received such a notice, it would imply that the UK government was surveying whether a backdoor could be added to its end-to-end encryption or not.

Ryan also told TechCrunch: "We have never built any mechanism or 'backdoor' to circumvent end-to-end encryption in our products. If we say a product is end-to-end encrypted, it is."

The UK government might still back down

When asked to build a backdoor in its ADP service, Apple instead chose to turn off the feature for users in the UK, leaving them without access to additional data protection.

Although using one of the best VPN services can help boost Brits’ online privacy, it's certainly not going to replace iCloud’s end-to-end encryption protection that users in other countries are able to benefit from.

The order was widely criticized worldwide, with US lawmakers warning against "systemic vulnerabilities." Meanwhile, Apple decided to challenge the request in Court.

More recently, two senior British officials disclosed that the UK government might have to give up on pursuing encryption backdoors due to pushback from the US government. "They don't want us messing with their tech companies," they said.

No matter where this case ultimately leads, the fact that Apple was involved, but Google walked away unscathed, is an interesting development. Google’s hands-off status may offer reassurance that the UK’s encryption demands aren’t as sweeping as they first appeared — at least not yet.

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• A critical flaw in SAP NetWeaver is still being abused, months after patching
• Researchers saw it used to deploy Auto-Color
• This backdoor remains dormant when not in use

A vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver is being exploited to deploy Linux malware capable of running arbitrary system commands and deploying additional payloads, experts have warned.

Security researchers from Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 discovered a piece of malware called Auto-Color, a Linux backdoor, dubbed for its ability to rename itself after installation.

The researchers found it was capable of opening reverse shells, executing arbitrary system commands, acting as a proxy, uploading and modifying files, as well as adjusting settings dynamically. It was also discovered that the backdoor remains mostly dormant if its C2 server is unreachable, effectively evading detection by staying inactive until the operator instructions arrive.

Salt Typhoon

However, the researchers weren’t able to determine the initial infection vector - how the malware made it onto target endpoints remained a mystery - until now.

Responding to an incident in April 2025, cybersecurity experts from Darktrace investigated an Auto-Color infection on a US-based chemicals company. They were able to determine that the initial infection vector was a critical vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver, a technology platform developed that serves as the technical foundation for many SAP applications.

The vulnerability was found in the platform’s Visual Composer Metadata Uploader element, which was not protected with a proper authorization. As a result, unauthenticated agents were allowed to upload potentially malicious executable binaries that could do severe damage. It is tracked as CVE-2025-31324, and was given a severity score of 9.8/10 - critical.

SAP fixed the issue in late April 2025, but at the time, multiple security firms were already seeing attacks in the wild. ReliaQuest, Onapsis, watchTowr, Mandiant, all reported observing threat actors leveraging this flaw, and among them - Chinese state-sponsored groups, as well.

Given the destructive potential of the flaw, and the fact that a patch is available for months now, Linux admins are advised to apply it without hesitation and mitigate potential threats.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Dropbox is dropping Passwords from its product portfolio
• The app and browser extension will be discontinued soon
• Users will still be able to access their data until October 28, 2025

For users of Dropbox Passwords, it's time to take a look at the best password managers and find a new service to use, after the cloud storage company revealed it will soon discontinue the service.

The end of service for Dropbox Passwords will be October 28, 2025, giving users ample time to find a new credential manager to suit their needs.

In the announcement, Dropbox said it was discontinuing the tool, “as part of our efforts to focus on enhancing other features in our core product.”

So long, Dropbox Passwords

Dropbox Passwords users will still have ample time to access their saved usernames, passwords, and stored credit card information for export until October 28, but there will be some key changes before then.

On August 28, 2025 the password manager will become view-only on both mobile devices and on through the browser extension. You won’t be able to add any more credentials nor use the autofill feature from this date.

On September 11, the mobile app will be depreciated and will no longer be available for use. Your data will remain available through the browser extension.

The fateful date of October 28 will see all Dropbox Password data securely deleted and the dark web monitoring feature will cease to function.

In its blog post, Dropbox has provided some key information on how to export your data from both the app and browser extension. Mobile app users can follow these instructions to export their data:

1. Open the Dropbox Passwords mobile app.
2. Tap (settings).
3. Tap Export.
4. Tap Export to confirm.

To export data from the browser extension, do the following:

1. Open the Dropbox Passwords browser extension.
2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the bottom-left corner.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click the Account tab.
5. Click Export.
6. Click Export to confirm.

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