TechRadar News

• Microsoft reveals new Surface Laptop 5G
• Business customers targeted with reliable connectivity on the move
• Three editions are available, with orders open now

Microsoft has unveiled a new edition of its Surface Laptop designed specifically with business users in mind as it looks for a stronger foothold in the enterprise hardware market.

The new Surface Laptop 5G features AI-powered processing with a 40+ TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors, day-long battery life, and an integrated 5G modem to stay connected to collaboration tools such as Microsoft 365.

There will be three distinct business laptop models available, with a flagship 5G-enabled edition sporting a 13.8in display available from August 26, joined by 13in and 12in editions, which are available now.

Surface Laptop 5G

Microsoft says the releases come as adding 5G to the Surface Laptop has become "one of the most requested features from our business customers".

The addition should mean greater support and more reliable connections for video conferencing calls when out and about, or for workers out in the field needing to contact the rest of their team.

To ensure consistent connectivity, Microsoft says the new Surface Laptop 5G features a "dynamic antenna system" which continuously adjusts to its environment, using six antennas to automatically adjust signal paths and power based on how the device is being held or used.

The company says these antennas are placed higher than usually situated in other laptop devices, reducing interference and allowing for a stronger connection through an entirely newly-designed, multi-layered laminate for the device.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

It can also switch between Wi-Fi and 5G networks depending on location, making sure the user stays connected, and can act as a mobile hotspot wherever Wi-Fi is unavailable, with NanoSIM and eSIM options also available.

Microsoft says it tested the devices with over 100 mobile operators across 50 countries, along with real-world enterprise environments, meaning IT admins can deploy and deliver updates and enforce company policies - wherever their users are.

This is also aided by the Surface Management Portal within the Intune Admin Center, which can provide visibility into device health, compliance, and usage - and thanks to Security Copilot, admins can use AI-powered tools to act fast to detect issues, assess risk, and respond accurately.

"Surface Laptop 5G represents Microsoft’s end-to-end innovation in action," Microsoft's Nancie Gaskill wrote in a blog post announcing the release.

"Hardware, software, and cloud services come together to deliver intelligent, secure, and connected experiences for today’s mobile workforce. The Surface for Business portfolio offers a complete solution for every user scenario, from tablet-first flexibility to high-performance laptops, all supported by Microsoft’s modern management and industry-leading security.

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• Predator: Badlands now has a full length trailer
• It reveals that Elle Fanning's protagonist character is a Weyland-Yutani synth
• This is exciting news for those wanting more Alien vs Predator in their life

Predator: Badlands just dropped a new trailer that has delighted fans, including myself, as it incorporates elements of both the Alien and Predator franchises.

Since the original Alien vs Predator movie was released in 2004, we've seen a lot of spinoffs that solely focus on one of the two creatures but now it seems the two universes are properly merging once again.

Xenomorphs are set to reappear in Hulu's upcoming Alien: Earth. Meanwhile, Predator was last seen in Predator: Killer of Killers (check our ranking of every chapter in the animated anthology movie) and before that Prey, which senior entertainment reporter Tom Power called "the best Predator movie since the 1987 original" in his Prey review.

Prey's director Dan Trachtenberg is also directing Predator: Badlands, so many are expecting it to be another very strong entry into the series. Take a look at the trailer for one of this year's new movies below.

What is Predator: Badlands about?

The official plot reads: "In the future on a remote planet, a young Predator, outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary."

So, this confirms that a Predator and a Weyland-Yutani synth are indeed teaming up in Predator: Badlands, and it's very exciting to see these two worlds colliding again.

Predator: Badlands does have some serious sci-fi vibes in its first trailer, which I'm a huge fan of, and I'm sure there'll be plenty of action and thrills to enjoy whether or not you're team Alien or Predator.

Confirmed cast so far include Elle Fanning as Thia and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek (the Predator), and they are definitely shaping up to be one very cool duo.

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• A signing key that many Linux distributions use to support Secure Boot is about to expire
• Sytems that fail to recognize the new key might fail to boot Linux securely
• Users might need to disable Secure Boot to install or run Linux

A signing key used to support Secure Boot on many Linux distros is about to expire, which could open up devices to all sorts of cybersecurity risks.

Secure Boot is a security feature built into modern computers. It is part of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), which makes sure that only trusted software can run when the system starts up. This helps block malware such as bootkits, and it relies on digital signatures and keys stored in the computer’s firmware.

In short - UEFI boots up, checks the right software is in place, and hands things over to the operating system.

Locking the database down

Now, Microsoft has a signing key that many Linux distributions use to support Secure Boot, and that key is set to expire on September 11, 2025.

A replacement key has existed since 2023, but apparently - many systems don’t support it yet, and for those that don’t recognize the new key, it could mean Linux will not boot securely.

Fixing this problem requires firmware updates from original equipment manufacturers (OEM) but there is a risk that not all OEMs will issue updates - especially those for older, or less popular devices.

There is also a tool called “shim”, which some Linux distros use to work with Microsoft’s Secure Boot infrastructure. It is signed with Microsoft’s (soon-to-expire) key, and if it doesn’t get replaced on time, Secure Boot may break those distros entirely.

As a result, some users might need to disable Secure Boot to install or run Linux, while others may need to manually update firmware, or generate their own keys (which is rather complex and could be risky for those without extensive technical knowledge).

All of this could push people to either stick with Windows, or avoid Secure Boot entirely, which opens up an entirely new can of worms.

Via Tom's Hardware

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• Researchers found a new spyware campaign mainly targeting Iranian Android VPN users
• DCHSpy is leveraged by the Iranian cyber espionage group MuddyWater, which is thought to have links with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security
• The campaign started one week after the Israel-Iran conflict began, while VPN demand skyrocketed across the country

Researchers have discovered a new Iran-linked spyware campaign that mostly targets Android VPN users.

The team at security software provider, Lookout, found a new version of DCHSpy, an Android spyware that masquerades as legitimate VPN apps or other applications. This includes Starlink, a satellite internet connection service offered by SpaceX.

The malware campaign, according to experts' findings, was deployed by the hacking group MuddyWater only a week after the Israel-Iran conflict began – exactly when VPN demand skyrocketed in Iran as citizens looked for ways to bypass new internet restrictions.

DCHSpy 2025 – what are the risk?

A virtual private network (VPN) is security software that encrypts all internet connections while spoofing a user's real IP address location. The latter skill is exactly what's needed to bypass geo-restrictions like those in place in Iran right now. (Image credit: Shutterstock / HTGanzo)

As experts explain, DCHSpy is an intrusive piece of software that can collect users' sensitive information like WhatsApp data, contacts, SMS, files, location, and call logs, while even recording audio and taking photos.

First detected in July 2024, DCHSpy is maintained by MuddyWater hackers, a group thought to have links with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security.

Experts have now discovered four new samples of DCHSpy.

"These new samples show that MuddyWater has continued to develop the surveillanceware with new capabilities – this time exhibiting the ability to identify and exfiltrate data from files of interest on the device as well as WhatsApp data," explains Lookout.

Specifically, hackers appear to be using two malicious VPN services, called EarthVPN and ComodoVPN, as a way to spread the malware.

HideVPN was another fake VPN app previously used to deploy DCHSpy.

These are the malicious VPN apps used by MuddyWater hackers to inject DCHSpy spyware (Image credit: Lookout)

According to Iranian Information Security Analyst, Azam Jangrevi, the latest findings are a stark reminder of how sophisticated and targeted mobile surveillance has become.

"What’s especially concerning is its use of trusted platforms like Telegram to distribute malicious APKs, often under the guise of tools meant to protect privacy," Jangrevi told TechRadar.

The risk for Iranians is especially high, considering that, as mentioned earlier, citizens have been increasingly turning to the best VPN apps as the internet becomes increasingly restricted.

How to stay safe

Jangrevi recommends anyone looking to download a new VPN service, or any other application for that matter, to be vigilant.

"Avoid downloading apps from unofficial sources, even if they appear to offer enhanced privacy. Stick to verified app stores, scrutinize app permissions, and use mobile security solutions that can detect threats like DCHSpy," said Jangrevi.

If you’re in a high-risk region or profession such as journalism or activism, Jangrevi also suggests using hardware-based security keys and encrypted messaging apps vetted by independent researchers.

She said: "This incident underscores the need for greater awareness around mobile threat vectors and the importance of digital hygiene in an increasingly hostile cyber landscape."

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• ExpressVPN issued an update to patch an RDP leak bug discovered by an independent researcher
• The leak in the Windows ExpressVPN client was found in April, in code rolled out in March, so its recent audit could not have spotted the bug
• ExpressVPN considers that "the likelihood of real-world exploitation was extremely low"

The ExpressVPN Windows client app has been updated to patch a leak vulnerability, discovered in April by an independent security researcher.

In a detailed blog post dated July 18, 2025, ExpressVPN – considered one of the best VPNs – confirmed the RDP bug that could have leaked users' real IP addresses, despite stating that "the likelihood of real-world exploitation was extremely low."

Nonetheless, a fix was issued in an update a few days later, meaning the bug should no longer exist, and cannot now be exploited.

What is an RDP leak?

(Image credit: sarayut Thaneerat/ via Getty Images)

RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) allows a remote connection from one device to another (typically PC to PC, or PC to server). When an RDP connection is established with a virtual private network (VPN) enabled, the expectation is that the data travels through the encrypted VPN tunnel.

When the data is not encrypted and bypasses the tunnel, it is referred to as a leak. Besides RDP, other encryption-dodging leaks can occur with VPNs, such as DNS leaks.

With this bug, the RDP connection could have been observed by an ISP (Internet service provider), or anyone with network access. Not only was the target IP address not encrypted – enabling an observer to see that a connection to ExpressVPN was running – but it would have been clear that remote servers were being accessed over RDP.

The attack, as demonstrated by researcher Adam-X, would result in the user’s actual IP address being revealed, but not their browsing activity.

The value of a VPN is that all data should be encrypted between the user’s device and the VPN server. While it is possible to manually exclude some apps from the VPN connection, that didn’t happen here. Note, however, that this was a bug in the Windows version of the ExpressVPN desktop client, and did not affect other versions.

Should ExpressVPN's no-log audit have found the leak?

This news was announced soon after ExpressVPN published the details of its latest successful no-log audit by KPGM. Should the bug have been detected in the audit, and should users have been informed sooner?

ExpressVPN has stated: “The problem was traced to a piece of debug code (originally intended for internal testing) that mistakenly made it into production builds (versions 12.97 to 12.101.0.2-beta).” They also confirm that Adam-X reported the bug on April 25.

ExpressVPN was audited in February 2025, and solely to ensure that its TrustedServer infrastructure never collects users’ logs as claimed.

Meanwhile, according to Uptodown’s repository of version updates, ExpressVPN production builds 12.97 to 12.101.0.2-beta were issued between March and May.

In short, KPMG’s audit of ExpressVPN’s servers could not have found the bug – even if it was tested for – as this did not exist at the time.

How many users were affected?

Most users typically won’t connect to a VPN before establishing an RDP session, so it is unlikely that this affected many users.

ExpressVPN is used mostly by individuals, rather than organizations, so the attack surface of this vulnerability should be minimal. Exploiting the bug also required an attacker to know about it, and to find a way to direct the victim to a malicious website.

The VPN provider has, however, stated that it is introducing more checks to find issues like this before builds are released, and improving automated testing.

ExpressVPN’s response to the bug report – just five days between filing by Adam-X and the first patch – is impressive. But why take so long to share the information publicly? Well, it’s a security matter.

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• Ghost of Yōtei will take around the same time to beat as Ghost of Tsushima
• The game's creative director, Jason Connell, has said both games are "a similar experience" and expects both to be the same "in terms of the time commitment"
• Ghost of Tsushima's main story takes 25 hours to beat, suggesting Ghost of Yōtei will be roughly the same length

Sucker Punch has confirmed that Ghost of Yōtei will take around the same time to beat as Ghost of Tsushima.

That's according to Ghost of Yōtei's creative director, Jason Connell, who told VGC (thanks, GamesRadar) that both games are comparable in length, depending on one's playstyle, because the studio decided to stick with a similar scope to the first game.

"We designed the game with some of the similar numbers, in terms of scale and scope of the last experience, in mind," Connell said. "In that way, we actually found it to be quite satisfying, and there were some good numbers to jump off of."

He continued, saying, "We feel that the experience of playing through Ghost of Yōtei, whether you're just ripping through the story, or you're somebody that likes to just go through the whole world and explore, or you're that hardcore platinum chaser – that it is a similar experience [to that of Ghost of Tsushima], we expect, in terms of the time commitment."

According to How Long to Beat, on average, it takes around 25 hours to beat Ghost of Tsushima's main story, while it takes 62 hours to 100% complete the game, including all side quests and exploration.

Jason Connell's latest comments suggest that Ghost of Yōtei will take around the same time to beat.

Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2, 2025, exclusively for PS5 and PS5 Pro.

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• Launched on July 27, 2025, a new VPN service seeks to fix issues with providers' trust
• VP.net uses Intel SGX hardware to supposedly deliver "cryptographically verifiable privacy"
• Researchers uncovered some vulnerabilities with Intel SGX systems in the past

A new VPN service has just landed in the market, promising to take a completely different technical approach to users' privacy.

Short for Verified Privacy, VP.net claims to be built in a way that physically separates users' identities from their browsing activity at the hardware level. By doing so, the provider seeks to fix issues linked to virtual private network (VPN) providers' trust. So, forget no-log VPN policies and welcome "cryptographically verifiable privacy."

The provider launched the app on June 27, 2025, across all major platforms, namely Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and now strives to become the VPN of the future. Yet, not without some controversy.

The problem with no-log policies

(Image credit: VP.NET LLC)

All the best VPN services currently offer strict no-log policies. These guarantee that the provider never stores any of your identifiable data and are regularly checked with independent no-log audits.

The problem is that even third-party VPN audits require a dose of trust.

"An audit only proves that something was true at that moment in time. This is why we're bringing math and verifiable cryptography back into the mix so that when we say you're private, you're actually private," one of VP.net's founders, Andrew Lee, told TechRadar.

The founder of Private Internet Access (PIA), a popular no-log VPN provider, Lee later realized that many users now need a level of privacy that's not based on trust. He then teamed up with other privacy-committed developers to build a new type of VPN service.

That said, it's worth noting that PIA is among the companies that have proved their no-log claims in real life over the years, doing so not once but twice in court. Another example is Mullvad, which left a police raid empty-handed in Sweden back in 2023.

What VP.net does differently

The big novelty with VP.net lies in its tech. The company uses Intel SGX hardware, which promises to deliver "cryptographically verifiable privacy."

For the less techie out there, all you need to know is that all the sensitive operations, those that could somehow reveal your identity, occur in some so-called encrypted enclaves. These are secure and isolated spaces within the software infrastructure that physically prevent the VPN provider from accessing the activities happening inside.

Put it simply, this mechanism should make it "technically impossible to associate your identity with what you do online," explains the provider.

Not only encryption, though; the system also claims to use SGX attestation. This is a security mechanism that assures the encrypted enclaves work as they should, preventing the provider or any other third party from accessing the activities occurring inside. This is "verifiable by clients using Intel's attestation services," said the provider. You can see all VP.net's technical details here.

Crucially, VP.net also offers some protection against the tracking of metadata, meaning all the details that aren't the content. Echoing what NymVPN's innovative mixnet network and Mullvad's DAITA tool do, VP.net also employs some techniques to prevent traffic analysis and obscure actual usage patterns.

(Image credit: VP.NET LLC.)

Beyond the novel infrastructure, VP.net also includes all the classic features you'd expect from a VPN.

These include support for the secure and speedy WireGuard protocol, alongside security features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Adding post-quantum encryption support is also in the pipeline.

All the apps are fully open-source as well, so that anyone with the technical knowledge can check the code to see if the software behaves as it should. You can take a look at the provider's public repositories by heading to the VP.net GiftHub page.

Is it really bullet-proof?

Despite the good premises on paper, Intel SGX tech is certainly not without flaws.

In 2019, for example, a team of researchers discovered a way to run and hide malware on Intel systems. Worse still, this malicious software was undetectable by antivirus tools at the time.

This may be among the reasons why Intel patched multiple security holes in 2023, addressing many existing flaws and vulnerabilities.

Such a security fix certainly doesn't fully convince everyone in the industry, including the CEO of NymVPN, which is another VPN provider seeking to challenge issues with VPN providers' trust. "I prefer decentralization and advanced cryptography rather than believing Intel has produced a silver bullet," NymVPN's CEO, Harry Halpin, told TechRadar.

Another contentious point lies behind the VP.net team. Well-known names from the Bitcoin world, both Roger Ver and Mark Karpelès have had some legal issues in the past.

Commenting on the latter point, Karpelès told TechRadar: "For the way we build the system, there is no need to trust the team behind VP.net. We provide independent systems that verified by itself, as a connection if everything is safe. So, even if I wanted to connect or do anything like that, there's no way I could do anything."

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New HBO Max series The Yogurt Shop Murders arrives on the streaming service on August 3, 2025 to tell the harrowing story of a murder case in Austin, Texas, from 1991. Back then four teenage girls were shot at a shop called I Can't Believe It's Yogurt in the city, and despite it being more than 30 years on, the crimes are still unsolved (though two men did serve time for the crimes).

Interviews with family members and friends of the victims, lead police investigators, lawyers, experts and press will be aired over the new documentary’s four episodes, which will drop separately on a weekly basis on the platform throughout August. It’s the first time we’ll have seen the true crime case explored publicly in this much depth. Indeed, it marks a moment in time Austin residents still say they “can’t believe.”

For me, it’s an absolutely devastating watch even before having seen a single episode, from the victims themselves to the questions that still plague a community three decades later. However, I know it’s going to be a vital piece of television, which means it very possibly is on track to be the best crime series of the year.

New HBO Max series The Yogurt Shop Murders reopens the unsolved case over 30 years on

When you’re somebody who likes to binge true crime series pretty regularly (much like me), you can often get caught up in the fanfare of it all. When one episode ends, a tantilising cliffhanger is engineered for you to carry on watching the next, and nine times out of ten, it’s successful editing. This means you can often forget the human element in what you’re seeing, which can even lead to documentaries being created for the wrong reasons. All of this, however, is something The Yogurt Shop Murders immediately avoids.

The deaths of 13-year-old Amy Ayers, 17-year-old Eliza Thomas, 17-year-old Jennifer Harbison, and Jennifer's 15-year-old sister Sarah are obviously still such a shock to the residents of Austin – you’d have a heart of stone not to be overwhelmed by the rawness of their grief. At the time of the incident, Jennifer and Eliza were merely trying to get through a shift at work, with the younger two girls waiting for a lift home in the front of the shop after it closed. An hour before, a man was permitted to use the toilet in the back of the shop, with it alleged the rear door was jammed open in the process.

When first responders arrived at the site around an hour after closing, they found all four victims each with a gunshot wound to the head. The fact that there was so much organization and control in the process suggested to officials that the suspect was an adult, with Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn all later suspected of being involved. Scott and Springsteen were released from prison in 2009 after their convictions, with Springsteen’s conviction originally overturned in 2006.

All of this is set to be covered in much more detail in The Yogurt Shop Murders, but no matter where you look in the overall story, there’s such an enormous sense of sorrow and bereavement. For many viewers, the new HBO Max show is going to be the first time they’ve extensively heard from the families and friends affected, or perhaps even heard of the case at all.

In its core, this is exactly what true crime shows should be created for – giving a voice to those who no longer have it while bringing a wider sense of awareness. It’s strange to say, but I’m looking forward to finding out more about the people remembered rather than the crime, even if I’ll be moved to tears in the process.

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• The latest Pokémon Presents has offered new details about Pokémon Legends: Z-A and other upcoming Pokémon games
• Pokémon Friends has been announced and is now available for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, iOS, and Android devices
• Pokémon Champions has been confirmed for a 2026 release

The Pokémon Company has unveiled a deluge of new information about several of its upcoming games, while also announcing a new title, Pokémon Friends.

Revealed during the July 22 Pokémon Presents, Pokémon Friends is now available on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, and Android devices.

It's a puzzle-solving game featuring a series of randomly generated brainteasers that can be completed daily to earn Pokémon plushies, which can then be used to decorate your in-game rooms.

"Unwind with puzzles in Pokémon Friends! Solve sets of three randomly selected puzzles to help untangle your mind – then place the yarn you obtain into the Plush-O-Matic, a special machine that creates in-game Pokémon plush!" the game description reads.

"As you try to make them all, you can track your crafted plush in the catalogue. You can also mark your calendar with a stamp each day you play."

The game features over 1,200 puzzles that were each inspired by the world of Pokémon. Trainers can also complete friend quests, track daily progress with stamps in their calendar, and collect up to 150 different plushies.

Pokémon Friends is free on mobile, but the game is priced at $15.99 on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. There's also a $53.99 version called the Pokémon Friends Combo Bundle that bundles together the base game and two Puzzle On! packs.

Alongside the new game announcement, new details were also shared about Pokémon Champions, which is now confirmed to be arriving in 2026 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, and Android devices.

In this game, players can recruit Pokémon to their team and battle other Trainers in three game modes: Casual Battles, Ranked Battles with players around the world, and Private Battles that can be played with family and friends.

A core feature of Champions is Trial Recruitment, which allows players to try out Pokémon and test strategies for a limited time.

There's also a Permanent Recruitment that lets players keep Pokémon by using Victory Points (VP), which are gained through various methods such as Ranked Battles. Players can also use VP to train Pokémon according to their own preferences, including altering their stats and Abilities.

(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

Finally, we also learned fresh details about the next major mainline Pokémon game ahead of its official release later this year, Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

In an extended gameplay trailer, developer Game Freak offered an in-depth look at the game's explorable setting, Lumiose City. During the day, players can explore and find Pokémon to capture in wild zones, where they may encounter stronger, more powerful wild Pokémon dubbed alpha Pokémon.

Meanwhile, at night, players can compete in the Z-A Royale and climb the ranks by battling other Trainers, including Corbeau, the boss of Rust Syndicate, an organisation operating in Lumiose City.

New NPCs were also introduced, including Emma, a detective who asks the player to track down missing Pokémon, items, and take part in battles, and Mable, the acting director of Pokémon Research Lab, who is researching the habits and reasons behind the growing population of Pokémon.

When players arrive in Lumiose City, they'll be asked by Urbain or Taunie to join Team MZ, a crew dedicated to keeping Lumiose City a peaceful place. They can then go on to explore the city, change and customize their appearance and outfits, and earn rewards by completing tasks.

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Mega Evolutions is another thing the latest trailer explored. Although we have previously been teased for this new system, Game Freak offered a new look at Mega Dragonite, a newly discovered Mega-Evolved Pokémon.

It will be up to the player and Team MZ to investigate Mega Evolutions, battle, and calm a variety of Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon, and in exchange, obtain Mega Stones as rewards.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A launches on October 16, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are now live, along with the newly announced Switch 2 bundles.

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After the mother of all hattricks, Ted Lasso season 4 is officially underway, according to a new teaser from Apple TV+. In the clip (see below), Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso), Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Welton), Juno Temple (Keeley Jones) and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins) are reunited, with a scene filmed in Sudeikis’ hometown of Kansas City, suggesting a huge location change from Richmond will be featured in the next installment. However, the scene is cut off before things can really get going, so what’s actually happening is anybody’s guess.

Also up in the air is the eventual season 4 release date, alongside whether other core cast members will be returning. Phil Dunster (Jamie Tartt), Nick Mohammed (Nathan 'Nate' Shelley), Sarah Niles (Dr Sharon M Fieldstone), Anthony Head (Rupert Mannion), Toheeb Jimoh (Samuel 'Sam' Obisanya), Cristo Fernández ( Dani Rojas), Kola Bokinni (Isaac McAdoo), Billy Harris ( Colin Hughes) and James Lance (Trent Crimm) are yet to be confirmed for a Ted Lasso return, and we likely won’t be finding out if they are until much closer to the hit Apple TV+ show’s eventual release (or at least with enough time passed that a full season 4 trailer can be released).

You might have noticed one name missing from the above list, and that’s for good reason. Even though they don’t appear in the Ted Lasso season 4 production teaser, we know they’ve been promoted to series regular… and been swiftly recast in the process.

The main gang is back together in Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso season 4 teaser, but the same can’t be said for Henry

I’m talking about Henry, who is Ted Lasso’s son in previous seasons. He was originally played by Gus Turner, but instead of Turner returning for the role, Obi-Wan’s Grant Feely has taken over. Back in March 2025, sources claimed (via The Independent) that the show was looking to recast Henry in order to use an actor who was “proficient in soccer,” meaning we’re likely to see Henry on the pitch even more in upcoming episodes. Deadline has also confirmed Henry is now a series regular as of season 4, appearing more infrequently across seasons 1-3.

Of course, this isn’t the only on-pitch change we’ll expect to see in season 4. Ted will now be coaching AFC Richmond women’s football team, with stars like Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education), Jude Mack (Back in Action), Faye Marsay (Adolescence), Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey (Jurassic World: Dominion) and Abbie Hern (My Lady Jane) tipped to take on the role of new players. Currently, all we know is that these new faces are definitely onboard in some capacity.

If you watched Ted Lasso season 3, you’ll remember we left off with everything pretty wrapped up, and it felt as though all of our key players were skipping off to the horizon with their happy endings. Ted didn’t give up on coaching, entirely, instead coaching Henry's soccer team after moving back to Kansas City. AFC Richmond beat their rival while placing second overall in the league, with Rebecca revealing she is selling the club. Apple TV+ has so far confirmed the following plot for season 4: “Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.”

How this actually happens after that finite season 3 ending remains a mystery, but if it means Lasso and the gang are reunited in Richmond, then get me back pitchside.

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• LA-based Diner offers EV charging, food and more
• The project has been seven years in the making
• Tesla owners can sync movies on the big screen to in-car displays

Tesla has officially opened the doors to its retro-futuristic drive-in diner, which is situated on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles and doubles as a charging destination and hip hangout.

First announced by CEO Elon Musk back in 2018, the project only broke ground two years ago, with very little information in the meantime on exactly what it would entail.

But, unlike some of Tesla’s other projects, this one appears to have over-delivered on its promise.

The large corner plot houses 80 V4 Supercharger stalls that are open to any electric vehicles with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, while solar canopies offer shade to drivers and provide power to the charging points and site.

There’s also a 24/7 diner, complete with an upper lever Skypad for al fresco dining, serving burgers, fries, chicken wing, milkshakes and other classic all-American culinary delights. What’s more, Tesla owners can order via a bespoke Diner app from inside their vehicles and have the food delivered to their car.

Two, 66-foot LED “megascreens” play a rotation of modern and classic movies, which can be enjoyed from the Skypad or from inside the car for an authentic At the Drive-in experience, as a bespoke app syncs up the interior displays with whatever is going on outside.

According to Tesla, the menu has been curated by chef Eric Greenspan and restaurateur Bill Chait, but has been designed to mimic the offerings found in classic diners of yesterday. So think cheeseburgers, fries and shakes.

Of course, there's also a merch stand that sells everything from caps and T-shirts to "Supercharged Gummies". Oh, and the food is served in little Cybertruck-shaped boxes, which is cute.

Analysis: Exactly what the EV industry needs

(Image credit: Tesla)

Despite recent registration figures suggesting that EVs are slowly becoming more popular with buyers in the US, Europe and beyond, there is still a large sector of the public that remains on the fence – or just plain hates the technology.

Tesla’s Diner doesn’t really need to exist, but it’s exactly the sort of thing that proves electric vehicles can offer something a little different. The ability to simultaneously charge, eat and enjoy a movie certainly beats spilling gasoline all over your hands at a gas station.

Elon Musk has already suggested that he plans to roll out more sites if LA proves successful, while the likes of Rivian already has some of the coolest charging outposts in Joshua Tree and Yosemite.

Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are also expanding their charging lounges, which offer premium surroundings and good coffee to anyone that uses them.

It is a smart solution to the potential pain point of EV ownership – turning the negative of longer charging sessions into a positive experience.

It's also sensible to move electric vehicles on from the constant environmental messaging, CO2 reduction and sensible fuel savings rhetoric. Suggesting they can also be fun is a clever way to persuade an indecisive audience and the next generation.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps: key information

- Releases in theaters worldwide on July 25
- Main trailers revealed in February, April, and July
- Main cast confirmed in February 2024
- One actor cut from the film version of the film
- Story synopsis revealed
- Takes place in a parallel universe to the MCU
- Other plot details teased
- Will directly lead into the events of Avengers: Doomsday

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is almost here. The third big-screen reboot for Marvel's First Family takes flight worldwide on July 25, so you've still got time to learn what we know so far before you watch it.

Below, I've rounded up the latest and biggest news about the final Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie of 2025. That includes more details about its cast, plot, trailers, and the future of The Fantastic Four in the MCU itself.

Full spoilers follow for Thunderbolts*. Potential spoilers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps also follow, so proceed with caution.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps release date

A post shared by Fantastic Four (@fantasticfour)

A photo posted by on

As mentioned, The Fantastic Four: First Steps lands in theaters on Friday, July 25. It was originally due out last November, but Marvel revised the launch date of its Fantastic Four movie last February.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer

Marvel unveiled The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer in early February, and it revealed official looks at Marvel's iconic quartet of superheroes, the movie's Big Bad in Galactus, and John Malkovich's mysterious character who's since been cut from the film (more on that later).

Two months later, Marvel debuted First Steps' official trailer, which revealed first looks at Reed Richards' stretchy powers, The Silver Surfer, and other Galactus-sized teases. It contained footage first presented at CinemaCon 2025, with both trailers confirming a big fan theory about Sue Storm. I'll explain more about that in this article's plot section later on.

Another trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which confirmed two of the movie's worst-kept secrets, was released in June before Marvel unveiled First Steps' final trailer that raised my fears about the fate of one of the iconic quartet in early July. Watch it below:

The Fantastic Four: First Steps cast: confirmed and rumored

First Steps' primary cast was finally revealed in February 2024 (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Here's the confirmed cast for Marvel's latest Fantastic Four movie reboot. You can learn more about them in my dedicated First Steps cast and character guide, too:

• Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic
• Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman
• Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing
• Ralph Ineson as Galactus
• Julia Garner as Silver Surfer
• Matthew Wood as H.E.R.B.I.E
• Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/Mole Man
• Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman
• Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols
• Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert

Ahead of the first four actors' official unveiling as the titular team, there were an avalanche of casting rumors that sent MCU fans into a tailspin. However, Moss-Bachrach has since told The Jimmy Kimmel Show that he officially signed on in August 2023. One month earlier, Kirby told TechRadar "it would be an honor" to play Sue Storm, which all but confirmed her hiring.

Pascal reportedly held talks with Marvel about joining the cast in November 2023. Then, a February 2024 report revealed Pascal had signed on to play Richards, so the sting was taken out of that surprise. The only shock reveal was Quinn's, with the Stranger Things actor announced as Johnny Storm last February.

Galactus' full reveal is being withheld until the film is released globally (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

On the villain front, The Office UK's Ralph Ineson voicing Galactus, aka the movie's villain-in-chief and a regular foe of Marvel's First Family. Ineson will be joined on antagonistic duties by Ozark's Garner, who'll play a gender-swapped version of the Silver Surfer, aka the Herald of Galactus. Incidentally, Ineson and Garner never filmed a scene together and only actually met once while on First Steps' set.

Meanwhile, Hauser, Niles, and Gatiss were later revealed as part of the cast, as was Lyonne. Initially, Marvel fans thought Lyonne would be perfect for a very specific role, but she isn't playing the character many of us expected.

Another actor who was set to appear was John Malkovich. He was expected to play another Fantastic Four adversary called Red Ghost, but director Matt Shakman told Variety that, much to Shakman's disappointment, this villain had to be cut from the final edit.

Robert Downey Jr is back in the MCU, but not as Tony Stark/Iron Man (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios/Marvel Studios)

And what of Doctor Doom, another of the team's legendary villains and one of Marvel's most iconic villains? With none other than Robert Downey Jr – yes, he of Iron Man and Avengers fame – playing Doom, who is now the Multiverse Saga's new main villain, he should cameo, right?

For starters, Shakman told TechRadar that, regardless of whether Downey Jr would play him or not, Doom was never considered as First Steps' primary villain.

Speaking to Empire magazine (as reported by comicbookmovie.com), Shakman also denied Downey Jr will appear in this movie, saying Doom isn't "part of my purview".

However, Shakman has since said (per ScreenRant) that Avengers: Doomsday directors Joe and Anthony Russo shot this film's post-credits scene. The pair are also credited with shooting Thunderbolts' post-credits scene, which ties into First Steps' plot. So, it's all but confirmed – in my mind, anyway – that Doom will show up before the screen cuts to black for the final time.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps story synopsis and speculation

Sue Storm and company will already possess superhuman abilities at the start of the film (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Here's The Fantastic Four: First Steps' official story brief: "Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family... as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

"Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer. And, if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal."

The first thing to note about this Marvel Phase 6 project is it isn't an origins story. Other Fantastic Four films have already covered their cosmic radiation-based superpowered beginnings in a live-action capacity, so don't expect this movie to re-tread old ground.

If you're concerned about watching it with little to no knowledge of the titular team, don't fret. Marvel has released a First Steps prequel comic book that'll explain how the quartet acquire their superhuman abilities, the universe they inhabit, and more. So, be sure to pick up a copy if you need to.

Reed Richards and the rest of the eponymous superteam exist in an alternate reality to the MCU (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

First Steps will not only be a period piece, but is also set in a parallel universe, which has since been confirmed as Earth-828.

That much was made clear in the movie's first official artwork (see the X/Twitter post above), which depicted a different New York to the one we're used to seeing in the MCU. Given it's set in an alternate reality, you won't have to watch any other Marvel projects because it's genuinely a standalone story. Indeed, Shakman told TechRadar that fans new and old won't have to do any MCU homework to enjoy First Steps. Phew!

Anyway, fans have long predicted that The Fantastic Four will eventually cross over into the MCU (designated Earth-616 by Marvel) as part of the ongoing Multiverse Saga. The aforementioned artwork, trailer, and the first poster for Marvel's new Fantastic Four movie poster suggested this would be the case, but Thunderbolts' end credits scene practically confirmed this would happen. For more details, read my Thunderbolts* ending explained article.

"What time is it, Ben!?" (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

There have been plenty more hints about the film's narrative in the run-up to release.

For one, Marvel teased some key story details about The Fantastic Four: First Steps in April 2024 by making some iconic Fantastic Four comic books available to download and read for free. Those literary works feature Galactus and The Silver Surfer, so Shakman and company have taken plenty of storytelling inspiration from them.

Then there's the big fan theory about Sue Storm that was proven correct by First Steps' second trailer – that being, Sue and Reed will welcome their first child, Franklin Richards, during this movie.

If online speculation is to be believed, he'll be an important part of the plot, which would tie into the "personal" element of First Steps' story synopsis. That rumor was part of a major plot leak that The Fantastic Four: First Steps suffered in late May – but, don't worry, you won't find any major spoilers here or the previously linked-to article.

Franklin (center) will play a large role in First Steps, according to industry leakers (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Regardless, The Fantastic Four's latest silver screen outing will lean heavily into the familial aspect that's made them such an iconic group in Marvel's library of superheroes.

Indeed, Shakman and the film's main cast have stressed the importance of examining the team's familial dynamics in separate chats with Entertainment Weekly and Collider. Whether it's Sue and Johnny's sibling bond, Sue and Reed's marriage, Reed and Ben's friendship, or the changes that come following Franklin's birth, one of The Fantastic Four's enduring themes will be explored at length in First Steps.

Where can I watch the previous Fantastic Four films?

Don't upset The Silver Surfer – tell her where you can watch The Fantastic Four's other films, quick! (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

You can stream 2005's Fantastic Four, 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and 2015's Fantastic Four on Disney+ no matter where you live. As long as you're subscribed to one of the world's best streaming services, you can watch it whatever region of the world you dwell in.

How will The Fantastic Four impact the MCU?

Avengers: Doomsday began filming in April 2025 (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The short answer is: we don't have a complete picture yet.

The group will become part of the MCU after The Fantastic Four: First Steps because they'll have a big role to play in Avengers: Doomsday. Pascal, Kirby, Quinn, and Moss-Bachrach were announced as part of Doomsday's initial 27-strong cast in late March. Throw in their spaceship-based appearance in the MCU in Thunderbolts' post-credits scene, plus Doom's likely cameo in one of First Steps' own end credits stingers, and Doomsday and its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars will be heavily impacted by the eponymous team's MCU debut.

That won't be the last time we see them, either. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is reportedly getting a sequel, though it's unclear when work will begin on it or how it'll fit into Marvel Studios' post-Secret Wars plan, which Marvel President Kevin Feige has already referred to as a soft reboot of the cinematic juggernaut (per Variety).

As for potential First Steps spin-offs, a Silver Surfer TV show was reportedly in development for Disney+. We've heard little about this possible project since, so nobody knows if it'll see the light of day. In short: keep your eyes trained on TechRadar for news on all of the above once we know more.

For more Marvel-based coverage, find out how to watch the Marvel movies in order. Alternatively, read more about Spider-Man: Brand New Day, see if you agree with my ranking of the best Marvel movies, or get the lowdown on Daredevil: Born Again season 2.

• Dior begins sending out breach notification letters following attack
• It explained what happened and what data was stolen
• The company is urging customers to stay on high alert for phishing and ID theft

Global fashion powerhouse Dior has begin sending out data breach notification letters to customers impacted by a January 2025 cyberattack.

The outlined to customers what happened, what kind of data was taken, and what it did to contain the incident.

It also offered free identity theft and credit monitoring services for 24 months, through Experian Identity Works SM credit monitoring.

Korean and Chinese targets

The incident occurred on January 26, 2025, but was only discovered on May 7. Dior responded by notifying the police, and bringing in third-party experts to assess the situation.

The analysts determined the threat actors accessed a database containing customer information, including full names, contact information, postal addresses, dates of birth, passport and government ID numbers, and Social Security numbers (SSN).

The combination of information stolen varies from person to person, but Dior stressed that payment information, including bank account or payment card information, was not stolen since it wasn’t in the database to begin with.

In response to the attack, the company “enhanced network security” without going into further details.

Unfortunately, the damage was already done, and the attackers now have plenty of information to use in targeted attacks. Information such as names, email addresses, dates of birth, and government ID information, can be used to create customized, convincing phishing attacks, especially since the attackers know the victims are Dior customers.

Dior knows this too, which is why in the letter it also recommends users “remain vigilant for incidents of fraud and identity theft”.

“We also recommend that you continue to review your financial accounts, account statements, and free credit reports for any suspicious activity.”

This seems to have been an international incident, since at least Korean and Chinese customers seem to have been impacted. In South Korea, Dior could be facing a lawsuit for not properly notifying relevant authorities. Currently, no threat actors have claimed responsibility for the attack, and the stolen data has not emerged on the dark web.

Via BleepingComputer

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Marks & Spencer did the right thing by self-reporting its recent cybersecurity incident to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). That kind of transparency is essential, not just for managing reputational risk, but for limiting regulatory fallout.

Under UK GDPR, failing to protect personal data or report breaches promptly can lead to fines of up to £17.5 million, or 4% of global turnover. And if M&S handles EU customer data, it may also come under the scope of the EU’s NIS2 Directive, which can carry penalties of up to €10 million.

But let’s be clear, regulatory exposure is just one piece of the puzzle. The real test is how quickly and transparently an organization responds, and whether it had strong cyber resilience measures in place before the breach.

A complex attack

At SonicWall, we saw that in 2024, organizations under critical attack remained in crisis mode for an average of 68 days. These aren’t smash-and-grab attacks, they’re persistent, they’re sophisticated, and they leave lasting damage. In M&S’s case, the attack has already caused weeks of disruption and knocked an estimated £700 million off its market value alongside an eye-watering £300m hit to profits.

Unfortunately, this isn’t an outlier. It reflects a broader trend we’ve tracked in our for quite some time: cyberattacks are becoming faster, smarter, and more aggressive. Threat actors are now exploiting newly disclosed vulnerabilities within 48 hours - far faster than most organization's patch management schedules. Retail is especially vulnerable, with its complex composable tech stacks, aging infrastructure, and inconsistent cyber hygiene.

Ransomware isn’t going anywhere

This incident also underscores a hard truth: ransomware is not going away. In fact, it’s thriving and becoming more accessible. A few years ago, attackers needed to write their own malicious code. Today, they can buy a ready-to-deploy ransomware kit for as little as $50 on the dark web.

Ransomware is uniquely damaging for retailers and any organization that provides direct, daily services. It doesn’t just steal data, it shuts down business operations. That makes it a powerful leverage tool for extortion. When every hour of downtime equals lost revenue, many victims feel pressure to pay just to resume operations.

And let’s not forget the broader ecosystem. Supply chain disruptions have already become a recurring issue over the past three years, driven by remote work, macroeconomic shocks, and increased digitization. A cyberattack at one point in the supply chain can ripple through others, compounding the impact. Organizations can’t afford to treat cybersecurity as someone else’s problem.

That’s why companies need to assume they will be targeted and build out layered defenses, clear incident response plans, and robust consumer notification processes. Regular training for employees on phishing, password management, and best practices must be a baseline. Regulators and industry groups should also push for greater transparency and enforceable standards to protect consumers and stakeholders from material damage when things go wrong.

Organizations are struggling to keep up

We’re in the middle of a perfect storm: rapid digitization, heavy third-party reliance, and the rise of financially motivated, well-organized cybercriminal groups. Retailers, in particular, offer a large and often soft target, their IT environments are sprawling, interdependent and identity management controls are frequently weak. That’s a recipe for disaster.

We saw this play out in both the M&S and Legal Aid Agency breaches, where attackers used identity-based tactics and advanced social engineering to get in and move laterally.

In many cases, a lot of businesses are still trying to protect yesterday’s IT infrastructure from yesterday’s threats. Whether it’s misconfigured Active Directory, third-party IT suppliers, poorly implemented MFA, or outdated detection tools, the gaps being exploited today show a much deeper issue, not just a tech gap, but a leadership and culture gap.

What needs to happen now?

Sadly, it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. Attackers are innovating faster than defenders can respond. That means organizations need to rethink their priorities, fast. The top of the list should include:

- Strengthening identity and access management

- Investing in real-time threat detection and response

- Reducing third-party and supply chain risk

- Embedding security into the culture, from the boardroom to the front lines

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT problem anymore, it’s a core part of business resilience. Companies that can’t recover quickly from a cyberattack may not recover at all.

Cyber’s “big one”

So what about that “big one” cyberattack people in the industry have warned about? It’s not just theory anymore. The tactics we’re seeing in retail and legal breaches, ransomware, credential theft, lateral movement, are exactly what could bring down critical infrastructure like healthcare, utilities, or government systems.

We haven’t seen a full-scale ‘black swan’ event in the UK yet. But if the current trajectory continues, it’s not a question of if, it’s when.

Unless we move faster and smarter across every sector, we risk being caught unprepared by a new generation of cyber threats that are already here.

We list the best internet security suites.

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

• Nintendo has announced a Switch 2 bundle with Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Pre-orders go live on July 23, 2025
• The bundle is expected to ship on October 16

Nintendo has announced a brand new Switch 2 bundle off the back of July 22's Pokémon Presents showcase.

This Nintendo Switch 2 bundle packs in the console, as well as a digital copy of Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, which is set to launch on October 16, 2025.

The bundle will cost $499.99 in the US. No UK price has been revealed yet, but the bundle is confirmed for the region, and it's reasonable to expect it to cost £429.99 here - the same as the launch bundle featuring Mario Kart World.

A bundle featuring the Nintendo Switch 2 system and a full game download for the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game will be available Oct 16!Pre-order here: https://t.co/8RpirCrPEM pic.twitter.com/Zf94QPO6FzJuly 22, 2025

Pre-orders are set to go live on July 23, 2025, and the bundle will ship the same day that Pokémon Legends: Z-A releases, on October 16. Pre-orders will be available at Nintendo's online store, as well as "select retailers." That likely includes Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and GameStop in the US, as well as Argos and Currys in the UK.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is now the second game Nintendo has provided a Switch 2 bundle for. It's the standard console, so no fancy limited edition designs here. Much like Mario Kart World, it's also a digital copy. With that in mind, this may be a standard strategy for Nintendo going forward, and it's entirely possible we see Switch 2 bundles for future releases like Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and potentially even third-party games like The Duskbloods.

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• South Park creators have reportedly reached a deal with Paramount+ for the global streaming rights of the hit show
• The news comes after the show was removed from the streamer’s library outside of the US
• Ongoing talks have pushed the season 27 premiere back from July 9 to July 23

Good news South Park fans: Paramount has reportedly agreed to buy the global streaming rights for the hit show following its quiet removal from the platform last week.

According to The Los Angeles Times, undisclosed sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the deal has gone ahead, which means that South Park will be available to stream on Paramount+ for the first time in the US.

The publication also revealed that a potential co-licensing deal with HBO Max and its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery had been in discussion with the show's creators after an existing deal expired in June, but Paramount has gone it alone, "according to one of the knowledgeable sources".

So, if you're a South Park fan this is the perfect time to keep or get a Paramount+ subscription, as the deal arguably solidifies its place as one of the best streaming services.

What does this mean for the future of South Park?

Due to negotiations, the premiere of South Park season 27 has been delayed and has left fans feeling frustrated. Its original July 9 premiere date has been pushed back to July 23, which was confirmed in a social media post via the official South Park account (see below).

South Park’s 27th season premiere has moved to Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:00pm ET/PT on Comedy Central. pic.twitter.com/Ep2C28HXFSJuly 2, 2025

It is believed that the season premiere of South Park will be on Comedy Central as well as Paramount+, but the creators haven't been happy with the constant changes and described the process as a "sh***show" in another social media post.

At the time of writing, the original South Park series is still not available on Paramount+ in the United Kingdom, whereas some of the South Park specials like South Park: Joining the Panderverse are. It's a similar story in Australia as the original series is on 10, while the same South Park: Joining the Panderverse is on Paramount+.

If this deal is indeed accurate, it does mean that South Park will be moving to Paramount+, so hopefully global audiences will see the full show back in their streaming libraries very soon. Meanwhile, we'll hopefully get to call South Park one of our best Paramount+ shows again for US audiences.

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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, July 22 (game #506).

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

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

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

NYT Strands today (game #507) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Chips in

NYT Strands today (game #507) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SAUCE
• SLAP
• PAUSE
• SLED
• MUSK
• MALE

NYT Strands today (game #507) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #507) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #507) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #507, are…

• QUESO
• SALSA
• GUACAMOLE
• HUMMUS
• FONDUE
• TZATZIKI
• SPANGRAM: PARTY DIPS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

The first word I saw on today’s grid was SAUCE and bearing in mind the theme, I was certain that it would be correct.

Then I remembered the UK-US chip difference – in brief, Fries = Chips, Chips = Crisps, Ketchup = Sauce – and deduced we were looking for things you could dip chips (or crisps) in.

There is plenty of controversy in Strands’ selections though, regardless of your nationality. HUMMUS is not something you’d dip chips in surely or FONDUE – which is famously served with cubes of bread.

Anyway, this was a fun search for interesting words. I don’t think I would have found the brilliantly spelled TZATZIKI without the help of it being my final word.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, July 22, game #506)

• FISH
• PUMP
• ROCKS
• TANK
• FILTER
• PLANTS
• THERMOMETER
• SPANGRAM: AQUARIUM

What is NYT Strands?

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, July 22 (game #772).

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

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

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

NYT Connections today (game #773) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• TOMAHAWK
• PHANTOM
• GEODUCK
• BUGBEAR
• ESCROW
• SEAHORSE
• FLATIRON
• MORTGAGE
• PORTERHOUSE
• BOGEYMAN
• APPRAISAL
• WOMBAT
• HOBGOBLIN
• TITMOUSE
• CHATEAUBRIAND
• INSURANCE

NYT Connections today (game #773) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Fictional fear 
• GREEN: Rare, Medium or well done?
• BLUE: Real estate 
• PURPLE: Multiple creatures

Need more clues?

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

NYT Connections today (game #773) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: DREAD-INDUCING FIGURES 
• GREEN: KINDS OF STEAKS 
• BLUE: RELATED TO BUYING A HOME 
• PURPLE: ANIMALS ENDING WITH ANIMALS 

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

NYT Connections today (game #773) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #773, are…

• YELLOW: DREAD-INDUCING FIGURES BOGEYMAN, BUGBEAR, HOBGOBLIN, PHANTOM
• GREEN: KINDS OF STEAKS CHATEAUBRIAND, FLATIRON, PORTERHOUSE, TOMAHAWK
• BLUE: RELATED TO BUYING A HOME APPRAISAL, ESCROW, INSURANCE, MORTGAGE
• PURPLE: ANIMALS ENDING WITH ANIMALS GEODUCK, SEAHORSE, TITMOUSE, WOMBAT

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

I made both of my mistakes today trying to collate DREAD-INDUCING FIGURES. I thought it had something to do with mythical creatures, so had GEODUCK and then TITMOUSE instead of BUGBEAR – which in hindsight seems somewhat ridiculous.

Now, thanks to Google, I know that a geoduck is a kind of clam rather than a mythical beast, and part of the excellent ANIMALS ENDING WITH ANIMALS group . Congratulations to all who spotted that one.

KINDS OF STEAK was the first thing I thought of when I saw PORTERHOUSE at the start of the game, but I needed the options to reduce before I could get the others. CHATEAUBRIAND – which is a thick cut of beef tenderloin – is a new word for me.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, July 22, game #772)

• YELLOW: SASSINESS ATTITUDE, CHEEK, LIP, MOUTH
• GREEN: MITIGATE CUSHION, DAMPEN, SOFTEN, TEMPER
• BLUE: PATTERNS CAMO, CHECKERS, HONEYCOMB, STRIPES
• PURPLE: ___PIE CHESS, CUTIE, HUMBLE, WHOOPIE

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, July 22 (game #1275).

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

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

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

Quordle today (game #1276) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

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

Quordle today (game #1276) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 3.

Quordle today (game #1276) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #1276) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

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

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

Quordle today (game #1276) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• O

• P

• R

• W

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

Quordle today (game #1276) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1276, are…

• OZONE
• PENCE
• ROOMY
• WIDER

A tricky one today that took me far longer than usual.

OZONE was hard to get. Once I’d decided to look for words beginning with the letter O, I got there more quickly – but I required a lengthy period of putting in random letters until I got there.

PENCE was a kicker, too, as it’s a recurring Quordle word – the last time was just two weeks ago.

Daily Sequence today (game #1276) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1276, are…

• HARPY
• GROUP
• FARCE
• ALIBI

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1275, Tuesday, 22 July: OPTIC, GIDDY, VOCAL, ADULT
• Quordle #1274, Monday, 21 July: KNEED, SNAIL, PINTO, FEAST
• Quordle #1273, Sunday, 20 July: GRACE, COUNT, EGRET, GIANT
• Quordle #1272, Saturday, 19 July: EARLY, CLICK, TRITE, SPREE
• Quordle #1271, Friday, 18 July: CINCH, FOYER, FUDGE, TAFFY
• Quordle #1270, Thursday, 17 July: CRESS, TABOO, POWER, HATER
• Quordle #1269, Wednesday, 16 July: UNCLE, NADIR, REMIT, BROOM
• Quordle #1268, Tuesday, 15 July: VILLA, FLECK, TIGER, CRANE
• Quordle #1267, Monday, 14 July: SURGE, PIZZA, PAPER, POPPY
• Quordle #1266, Sunday, 13 July: KAYAK, DECRY, RUDDY, HATER
• Quordle #1265, Saturday, 12 July: WREAK, NANNY, CLASP, STAIN
• Quordle #1264, Friday, 11 July: LAPEL, DRAIN, FROND, GROSS
• Quordle #1263, Thursday, 10 July: CROSS, WHEEL, UNDID, PENCE
• Quordle #1262, Wednesday, 9 July: SHIRE, SIXTH, SINGE, IMAGE
• Quordle #1261, Tuesday, 8 July: PLIED, PRANK, GAWKY, OXIDE
• Quordle #1260, Monday, 7 July: DROLL, TRUCE, TWIRL, SINCE
• Quordle #1259, Sunday, 6 July: AMPLY, SPAWN, EXTOL, RIDGE
• Quordle #1258, Saturday, 5 July: HAVEN, SNAKE, DREAM, TORUS
• Quordle #1257, Friday, 4 July: FAVOR, SKUNK, GAWKY, FLUFF

• Microsoft has given us more details on how PC-to-PC migration works
• It'll offer a useful alternative to those who don't want to restore a backup via OneDrive
• The feature does still have caveats, though, including needing a Microsoft account - and it won't support Arm-based PCs initially, either

Microsoft has provided more details on how its PC-to-PC migration feature will actually work when it comes to switching over to a new Windows 11 PC.

The feature is designed to smooth over the upgrade to a new PC, and make it as easy as possible - albeit with some caveats - and clearly the focus is on helping Windows 10 users switch to Windows 11 (assuming their hardware supports the latter OS).

Previously, PC-to-PC migration has been seen in testing, and Microsoft has put the shell of the experience in the release version of Windows 11 (with the latest update) - however, it isn't yet functional.

At least we now know exactly how the ability will work thanks to a support post Microsoft has uploaded (as Thurrott.com spotted). So, let's dive into all the key details you need to know.

The old PC and new PC you're transferring over to will need to be on the same network, either connected via Ethernet (wired, to your router) or wireless (on the same Wi-Fi network).

Both machines will also need to be signed into a Microsoft account - so with the new PC, you'll have to sign in to an account during setup. Once that initial setup is run, you can kick off the PC-to-PC migration, which will pair the PCs using a one-time-code.

You'll then have to select what you want to transfer across in the way of files or settings. You can transfer almost everything in terms of files and the options you've chosen in Windows, including personalized elements of the desktop (wallpapers or themes), but there are a few exceptions.

What won't be ported across includes temporary and system files (which you wouldn't want anyway), as well as the apps installed on the old PC, and saved passwords (though you may have them stored in your browser, anyway).

Once you've chosen the data and settings to be ported across, the process will begin, providing you with a timer as an indication of how long you'll be waiting (hopefully an accurate one - these countdowns aren't always that reliable).

If the network connection should drop somehow, Microsoft says that Windows will automatically try to resume the data transfer when it's back up again - though you can manually restart the process if all else fails.

Analysis: backup or migration

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The PC-to-PC migration feature is essentially an alternative for those who haven't configured a backup (saved to OneDrive) via the Windows Backup app. If you have one of those, you can simply deploy that backup on the new PC - if not, you can use PC-to-PC migration instead (as a local data transfer method, but you must still be signed into a Microsoft account as noted). Or at least you'll be able to when it's fully released to Windows 11 (and 10) PCs, which should happen soon enough - I'm betting Microsoft will want this up and running before Windows 10 reaches End of Life (for obvious reasons).

It's worth noting that if you do configure a backup on the Windows Backup app - just to sync your device settings, in fact - you get an additional year of support for Windows 10 for free (dodging the $30 fee Microsoft had previously slapped on this option).

So, Backup is clearly an app Microsoft wants people to use - and I can see that choice being a popular stopgap measure to put off any decision on upgrading to Windows 11 until next year - but it's good to see that PC-to-PC migration is being offered up as another way forward, with fewer strings attached (OneDrive-wise, though you still have to use a Microsoft account).

With PC-to-PC migration, the main thing you don't get ported over to the new PC is your apps, but that isn't surprising. Indeed, the Backup app won't provide your apps when it restores a backup - although it can restore apps from the Microsoft Store, and with third-party apps, provide a link to download them for convenience (you don't get that ability with the new migration feature).

The main difference with the new feature, then, is that migration does not require or use OneDrive (albeit it does need a Microsoft account), and there are no options pertaining to keeping your apps (even if using Windows Backup is limited in that respect, too).

Some other notable caveats with PC-to-PC migration are that it doesn't work with drives that are encrypted with BitLocker (they must be decrypted first), and that devices with Arm CPUs aren't supported either (yet). Given that Microsoft says Arm PCs aren't "currently" catered for, I expect that to change soon enough - especially as these represent a fair chunk of Copilot+ PCs, which are the machines Microsoft is busy trying to get everyone to buy into.

As noted, we're still waiting for the full PC-to-PC migration experience to be enabled in Windows 11 (and Windows 10), but it shouldn't be too long before this happens.

You might also like...

• Microsoft promises to crack one of the biggest problems with Windows 11: slow performance
• Windows 11's handheld mode spotted in testing, and I'm seriously excited for Microsoft's big bet on small-screen gaming
• No, Windows 11 PCs aren't 'up to 2.3x faster' than Windows 10 devices, as Microsoft suggests – here's why that's an outlandish claim