TechRadar News

• UNA Watch is a modular smartwatch looking to take the fight to Apple and Garmin
• It's built to be sustainable, with replaceable parts you can fix and upgrade yourself
• It also features activity tracking, health metrics, and other smartwatch features

The UNA Watch is a brand-new modular smartwatch that's looking to take the fight to Apple and Garmin with a fresh, sustainable approach to wearables. As of April 2, you can now back the project on Kickstarter and get your hands on in the process.

The UNA Watch is "the world's first modular GPS sports watch." With shades of the best Garmins baked into its design, it features the usual suite of smartwatch tricks, including activity tracking metrics, notifications, workout and performance tracking, and daily health tracking.

While it likely won't give the Apple Watch Ultra 2 a run for the title of best smartwatch in terms of premium features, its core ethos is such that it could be an industry-leading wearable in terms of sustainability, longevity, and modular design.

UNA Watch is coming for the smartwatch market

(Image credit: UNA)

As mentioned, the UNA Watch's party piece is its sustainable design. You build the watch yourself, assembling parts like the chip, housing, and the USB-C (yes, USB-C) charging port.

That all means that every part can easily be replaced in case you need to repair it, theoretically lengthening the lifespan significantly. In the future, Una envisions even using this process to upgrade parts, just like you would a gaming PC. That means you could theoretically upgrade your display, chip, or even battery in the future.

The UNA Watch comes with an accompanying app that presents metrics like your daily steps, heart rate, and workouts.

The Kickstarter page is now live and has already garnered a groundswell of support. There's a very limited number of UNA Watches available in the first tier of support, the Una Watch Launch special, which costs just £210 (roughly $270). According to the Kickstarter page, that should include shipping duties and taxes for the US, Canada, UK, and EU.

More premium options get you add-ons like a custom strap, and UNA's dev tool, which lets you write your own apps and custom firmware for the watch too.

Live now, you can see the full Kickstarter page for Una Watch here. Early Kickstarter shipping estimates are currently listed as August 2025.

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• New leaked info about Meta's next smart glasses has surfaced
• They'll reportedly boast a single display, and be controlled by a 'neural wristband'
• But they could cost as much as $1,400 (£1,100 / AU$2,200)

New leaked details of Meta’s upcoming AI smart glasses have emerged that both support existing rumors and provide a few fresh tidbits – including an eye-wateringly high price that's already starting to kill my enthusiasm.

Bloomberg has shared reports from unnamed insiders that the device, codenamed Hypernova, is expected to launch later this year and will feature a monocular design, as in it will use only one display rather than a pair of screens – two details we've already heard.

This single panel would sit in the lower-right corner of the right lens, so it should allow you conveniently see information by looking down without obscuring your vision greatly.

The current meta smart glasses (Image credit: Meta)

The leak also suggests that the specs will boast many of the same functionality as the current Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, including the ability to snap photos and videos, and get WhatsApp notifications. On top of that they’ll also apparently offer new features like a dedicated maps app, so you can get navigation right in your vision.

To navigate apps Meta is said to be relying on touch controls built into the frame (just like we've seen with its existing smart glasses) as well as a ‘neural wristband’ which can detect hand gestures – with this band believed to be packaged in the box with the Hypernova glasses.

However the kicker is these smart specs likely won’t come cheap. We’re talking over $1,000, with insiders predicting something in the $1,300-$1,400 range (which would be around £1,000-£1,100 or AU$2,050-AU$2,200).

How much extra will special lenses cost? (Image credit: Meta) What!?

I was expecting a price increase over the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses for sure. A starting price of $299 / £299 / AU$449 would certainly be too low, so I wouldn't be surprised to see these glasses land at around $800.

That would be high, but not astronomical in the realm of early adopter tech.

But at over $1,000 and perhaps approaching $1,500, these glasses would be demanding a price that demands excellence – and based on these leaks they don’t deliver that.

I’m sure they’ll be impressive – Meta's existing smart glasses are one of my favorite gadgets, and AR tech truly feels like the future – but unless Meta has plenty of software tricks up its sleeves, and massive hardware upgrades beyond the screen, these new specs don’t seem to be a tantalizing enough proposition.

Sure, they might boast a few new tools like AR navigation, but these tools aren’t $1,000 more useful than the specs I have at home.

Maybe things are just getting pricier, look at Meta's recent limited edition specs (Image credit: Meta / Ray-Ban)

Interestingly, the same Bloomberg report adds that work has already begun on a second-gen version – Hypernova 2 – which will rely on a binocular (two-display) design, with that being planned for 2027.

However, it’s unclear if this design would be part of this new smart glasses line, or if it would be the full-on AR glasses a leaked Meta roadmap teased back in 2023 – and which Meta has been promising since announcing its Meta Orion AR glasses prototype.

This model, with two screens, and with app developers having longer to cook up innovative tech, could find success even at a high cost, but I’m skeptical that Hypernova will prove as phenomenally popular as Meta and Ray-Ban’s other smart glasses have.

As with all rumors we should take these latest details with a pinch of salt. Meta’s pricing strategy could change, it could be planning several apps the leakers aren’t aware of yet, or it could even cancel the smart specs altogether.

I'm hoping Meta can rejig its plans at least a little. After experiencing the fifth-gen Snap Spectacles recently I’m completely sold on the AR future, but these plans don’t sound like the glasses I’m looking for.

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• A new Nintendo FCC filing suggests a new Pro Controller is in the works
• This filing indicates that the device will feature Bluetooth, NFC, and a headphone jack
• Fans believe that this could be a new Pro Controller for the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct finally airs today, and it looks like a new FCC filing has given us an idea of what could be in store for the showcase.

The FCC filing was first spotted on Famiboards(via GoNintendo) and is labeled under product code "BEE-008", which seems to confirm the existence of a new game controller.

This device appears to offer Bluetooth and NFC, which fans believe would make this a brand-new Pro Controller. However, the most notable part of the filing is that the device also has a headphone jack, a feature that wasn't included with the original Switch Pro Controller and something that players have wanted for years.

In addition, it seems that this Pro Controller will use a new battery that the original poster says is "different from anything I'm aware of for Switch 1 or Switch 2", which could mean that the Switch Pro Controller battery has been retired.

It's worth mentioning that this is all just speculation for now, as Nintendo has yet to officially announce a new Pro Controller for its new console. If a new gamepad is in the works, today's Nintendo Direct would be the perfect place for a reveal.

The long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Showcase is scheduled to air today at 9AM ET / 6AM PT / 2PM BST and will be "approximately 60 minutes long". Nintendo is likely to offer new details about the console's pricing and preorders, as well as showcase an in-depth look at the console and possibly new software, like the new Mario Kart game.

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The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) has been in effect for over two months (since 17th January 2025, with the previous two years for preparation), but some organizations are still unprepared. While this regulation directly affects the financial sector of the European Union (EU), it also impacts US companies providing services to EU financial firms, including US firms providing services to their EU subsidiaries.

This is perhaps the most significant yet underrated aspect of DORA. Not only does DORA mandate higher resilience standards of EU financial institutions, but it also requires the management of third-party risk, similar to DoD CMMC, but with even more depth and detail. This means European financial institutions must be wary of third-party vendors and partners they work with, while U.S. companies that want to do business these firms must be compliant and be prepared for audits. These audits include the ability to upload metrics and data, in a Register of Information, regarding their third parties.

DORA is a prime example of how connected businesses around the world are today and why IT management and service providers must be able to adapt to new security and resilience requirements, no matter what region the regulations come from.

What DORA is and Who it Affects

At a basic level, DORA is an EU regulation that requires financial institutions – including banks, insurance companies, and investment firms–to meet specific standards for IT security, detection, recovery, and resilience. The purpose of this regulatory framework is to protect financial entities against operational disruptions from the growing number of cyber threats and their increased tenacity. This includes varying types of severe operational impact from denial of service (DDoS) attacks and ransomware.

To adhere to DORA’s requirements, EU financial firms must have proactive resilience protocols in place that include advanced risk management frameworks designed for the prevention, detection, and resilience against cyber threats and disruptions.

These organizations are also required to report any significant disruptions from data breaches or cyberattacks within 24 hours. But because of DORA’s third-party mandate, U.S.-based solutions and service providers must also abide by these regulations and be able to detect incidents and respond in time to be compliant.

DORA mandates the analysis, documentation, and management of third-party risks, so it’s critical for financial organizations to be sure that any organization they do business with meets DORA’s standards.

Not complying with DORA can lead to varying types of penalties – including criminal repercussions – against an organization. These can include legal, financial, and operational consequences – such as fines of up to 1% of an organization’s daily global revenue – in addition to reputational damage to a brand.

How to Comply with DORA

DORA compliance will require some organizations to update their existing IT infrastructure, policies, and protocols. When upgrading an IT environment to comply with any regulation, there must be a long-term view. Any plan in place must be sustainable and adaptable to any challenges that may come down the road. Security threats are always evolving, so security protocols and solutions must continuously advance as well.

Improvements and testing to security frameworks should be continuous and ongoing, which makes company security an advantage. Rather than setting compliance as a goal, it becomes a standard. Financial firms and third-party vendors that have a continuous focus on cybersecurity threats and preparation are more resilient during times of crisis and prepared to ward off threats than those who take a different approach.

This strength has a ripple effect in positive outcomes for organizations in terms of data protection, brand reputation, customer satisfaction, and business opportunities. Additionally, organizations who meet DORA compliance and have a security posture of continued readiness and improvement will be more prepared for the next regulatory standards that come down the pike.

For U.S. companies to meet DORA compliance, they should run assessments on their security and resiliency standards. Doing so would enable them to identify weaknesses and create a plan of attack on where to improve, whether it is regarding incident response time or risk management. These assessments should include regular testing of IT environments, such as penetration testing and vulnerability evaluations to pinpoint potential susceptibilities and blind spots.

Digital operational resilience

Complete digital operational resilience, disaster recovery, and business continuity testing helps organizations evaluate the effectiveness of alternative processes to seamlessly switch to secondary methods during disruptions. Furthermore, documenting these tests, their results, and the protocols for when an incident does occur, will showcase an organization is compliant and prepared for crises.

Another way companies can demonstrate DORA compliance is by conducting detailed audits and automating logs of user activities. This facilitates information sharing around threats seen or experienced, particularly regarding zero-day attacks.

Companies also need to have systems in place for monitoring to enable quick incident response times to meet DORA’s strict 24-hour reporting window. By creating attack and disruption simulations, companies will have a game plan in place during a time of crisis and will know what preemptive measures to take to improve on weaknesses and hasten their response.

U.S. companies providing solutions and services to EU financial firms also need to adhere to DORA regulations pertaining to third-party risk management with their own subcontractors and suppliers in mind. Working with entities that do not live up to DORA’s standards can risk their own compliance status.

The same way an EU financial firm needs to be sure a U.S. service provider is compliant, that same US-based organization needs to keep their own third-party entities in-check. To do this, U.S. providers should conduct audits and look for certifications to help show compliance and preparation for any attacks, outages, or disruptions that may come. The key is to not only be compliant but also be able to document this compliance to depict confidence from an EU firm.

While the advancement of modern technology leads to improved productivity and efficiency, it also advances the threat levels of cyberattacks, meaning organizations must continue to improve their cyber defenses. This is not just to comply with new regulations such as DORA, but to protect their data and brand reputation.

We feature the best Active directory documentation tool.

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

• Hidden clues in Windows 11 point to a new ‘full screen experience’ for gaming handhelds
• This could be a long-rumored ‘handheld mode’ that has several choices for layouts the user can select
• It’s still very early days with this speculation, but Microsoft’s past (and more recent) moves all appear to add up to this really happening

In terms of gaming portables, all the chatter might be around the big Nintendo Switch 2 reveal today, but that’s not what I’m most interested in, frankly.

No, what has grabbed my attention instead is the airing of the strongest hint yet that Windows 11 could get a dedicated mode to make the OS a lot more usable on gaming handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X.

Windows Central picked up on a regular leaker on Bluesky, Xeno, who posted about a recent preview build of Windows 11 that has some interesting changes hidden away in the background of the OS.

These are applied to settings in a new ‘GamingPosture’ category, and they include a mention of ‘Boot into the Full screen experience at device startup’ and ‘Choose your Full screen experience.’

In theory, that ‘full screen experience’ refers to a separate mode in Windows 11 which will be specifically designed around making the operating system work better on a small screen, such as those found on gaming handhelds.

As Xeno points out, Microsoft is also busy stripping out anything pertaining to the HoloLens from within the Settings app in Windows 11, which makes sense now Microsoft has dumped the headset.

(Image credit: Future) Analysis: An increasingly likely prospect

There’s a major problem with gaming handhelds powered by Windows 11 right now, namely that the operating system’s normal interface is clunky to use and unfortunately tricky to navigate on a small screen.

There have been rumors of Microsoft at least mulling a ‘handheld mode’ for a long time now, which would frame Windows 11 with a much more gaming portable-friendly interface – a new ‘full screen experience’ for the OS, as we see with the leaked changes.

Indeed, the mention of a choice of full screen experience indicates that there may be multiple options to pick from in terms of how this handheld mode is presented – which would be a useful twist here. Options for customization, or different spins on the same basic idea, are always welcome.

Before we get carried away with a grand vision of Microsoft building a new way of working with Windows 11 specifically for handhelds, though, we need to remember that this is the wispiest of leaks at this point. It’s just a few tweaks to code in the background of Windows 11, with nothing even near testing yet.

However, there are already a lot of clues that this is the direction Microsoft is heading in. Not just the early rumors around the handheld mode I’ve already mentioned, but a bunch of strides forward since then.

That includes a ‘compact mode’ for the Xbox app on PC, and the same treatment for Windows 11’s Game Bar (which has been further improved in this respect very recently). Not to mention another recent addition for Windows 11, the gamepad keyboard layout to facilitate easier typing with the on-screen keyboard using a controller, or on a handheld.

These are concrete changes already in Windows 11, which seems a pretty clear signal from Microsoft that it’s serious about making the OS better for handhelds. And what else has popped up very recently? That teaser from Asus about the rumored Xbox handheld Microsoft is supposedly cooking up, which underlines the company’s ambitions on the portable gaming front.

Indeed, that Xbox-branded handheld might be the first device to use this new full-screen UI experience in Windows 11, but again, let’s sprinkle some caution over all this before we leap too zealously towards any conclusions here. As difficult as it may be to exercise restraint when it comes to the prospect of Microsoft supercharging Windows 11 handhelds to much better compete with the excellent interface delivered by Valve’s SteamOS, a dedicated gaming spin on Linux which remains a core strength of its Steam Deck.

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• Half of UK workers would consider quitting over full-time office-working mandates, report finds
• Hays study sees three-quarters cite commuting costs as their number one concern
• 71% see equal or improved productivity among remote workers

Forcing employees back to the office full-time risks companies losing core talent, with most professionals highly valuing hybrid working for its cost and wellbeing benefits, new research has found.

Nearly half (48%) of 8,000 UK organizations quizzed by recruitment company Hays said they would even consider quitting if they were forced back to the office full-time, highlighting how important it is for companies to consider worker needs.

The study also noted a gender disparity, with women (58%) over a third more likely to quit over full-time office mandates than men (42%).

Workers are willing to quit over full-time office mandates

Of those surveyed by Hays, more than three-quarters (77%) follow a hybrid working model, with three days per week in the office most common.

Around one in five (22%) still allow staff to choose their own remote working days, but this has dropped from more than a quarter (26%) just six months ago, indicating that flexibility could be on the decline.

On the flip side, one in five organizations have increased their office attendance requirements. Thankfully, just 8% of companies plan to mandate a full-time return in the next six months, though the study doesn’t detail how many companies plan to implement such measures beyond six months.

Businesses seem to understand that workers want more flexibility, because two in three (66%) noted that they fear staff backlash if office attendance were to be enforced more strictly.

Interestingly, it’s the financial benefits that appear to be most enticing for workers wanting to stay at home. Nearly nine in 10 (88%) say full-time office work would raise their commuting costs, with 73% citing commuting costs as their top concern.

“Before making any significant changes to their current working model, employers must look at the bigger picture and consider key factors such as the cost of commuting, work-life balance, employee wellbeing, productivity and the host of benefits that hybrid working can bring to their business, in order to retain talent in a tough market,” Hays UK&I COO Pam Lindsay-Dunn commented.

Thankfully, only 13% believe remote workers are less productive than their office-based counterparts, with 52% noting productivity equality and 19% adding that home workers are more productive.

Via The Guardian

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• Google Password Manager could be working on passkey import and export
• The function would make it easier to transfer passkeys between devices
• Passkey import/export is being built on a new FIDO Alliance protocol

Google’s password manager may soon allow you to transfer your passkeys to a new phone, making their use as a login tool even easier.

An APK teardown by AndroidAuthority has found that Google might be working on a potential update that would allow you to export passkeys from one device to another.

Password export and import is already a key feature of many of the best password managers, but the same functionality for passkeys would be a huge step forward.

Passkey import and export

The FIDO Alliance announced in 2024 it was working on a protocol to allow passkeys to be imported and exported, and it appears Google is breaking ground for the function in its password manager app.

Excerpts of in-progress code show the numerous references to Passkey import and export, with some strings even showing work is being done to stop you from exporting your passkeys to potentially hostile applications, preventing you from leaking your entire passkey chain to the world.

There currently isn’t a timeline on when the feature would be released, nor has Google officially confirmed the feature.

For those unfamiliar with passkeys, I’m sure you’ve experienced the frustrations of having to try and remember all of your passwords, and may even admit to keeping all your passwords as similar as possible to help you remember them. Well, a passkey can solve all your woes.

Rather than using a password to login, passkeys are stored on your device and allow you to use a separate authentication method to access your accounts. For example, on an iPhone you could use your biometric FaceID scan or your fingerprint to verify that it is actually you accessing your account. Couple this with an auto-filled username or email, and you can login in seconds.

Passkeys are widely recognized to be the successor to passwords, offering an easier and more secure way to log in to accounts and services, and have seen remarkable uptake with tech savvy young people.

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• Several different sources have claimed that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has been delayed
• It was reportedly set for an April 15 launch, but it now might not land until May or June
• The reason for the delay is unclear, but rumors suggest it isn't a quality issue

Just yesterday (April 1) we heard that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge could launch as soon as April 15, but now it seems that’s unlikely, with numerous sources saying the phone has been delayed.

According to leakers @UniverseIce and Max Jambor, and South Korean site ET News, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is currently set to land in either May or June.

These latest rumors mention that Samsung had originally planned a launch on April 15, so that leak may not have been totally wrong; but for whatever reason, Samsung has apparently decided to delay the launch.

What I want to say is this bad news: the release of Samsung S25 edge has been postponed. It was originally scheduled to be released on the 15th of this month, but now it has been postponed to May or June.April 2, 2025

A political sideshow?

The reason for the delay isn’t clear though, with ET News claiming that it isn’t due to quality issues, and speculating that it might instead be so that the impeachment trial of South Korean President Yoon Seok Yeol, which is set to begin on April 4, doesn’t take attention away from the launch.

While we always take leaks with a pinch of salt – especially when the source is uncertain of the reason behind particular information – in this case we’d say a May or June launch is more likely than April 15, since at least three separate sources have made this claim.

There’s not much else in the way of new Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge information, but ET News has in the same piece echoed previous reports in saying that it will be priced somewhere between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

That would make it a moderately expensive phone – so if nothing else a month or two’s delay gives you more time to save up for it.

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• The EU is proposing a backdoor in E2EE for law enforcement
• A more collaborative strategy is also being recommended for Europol
• The move aims to bring EU member states together on security practices

A new internal security strategy has been unveiled by the European Commission including a roadmap regarding the “lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement” and on encryption.

The ProtectEU strategy aims to bolster the EU’s ability to “guarantee security for its citizens” and looks to produce a “sharper legal toolbox” with “increased information sharing and deeper cooperation”.

These new proposals will “enable law enforcement authorities to access encrypted data in a lawful manner, safeguarding cybersecurity and fundamental rights”, despite platforms like Signal threatening to remove products in countries rather than remove encryption protections.

ProtectEU

Privacy campaigners have condemned the British Government's recent backdoor request, with experts warning such a move "jeopardizes the security and privacy of millions."

This isn’t the first time the EU has proposed a backdoor for end-to-end encryption (E2EE), especially in regards to scanning messaging apps and communication platforms for abuse material.

The project also aims to establish Europol as “a truly operational police agency to reinforce support to Member States,” with a role “in investigating cross-border, large-scale, and complex cases posing a serious threat to the internal security of the Union,” making it more comparable to the FBI, for example.

As the EU is of course made up of 27 sovereign nations, and this comes with challenges in delivering a coherent and collaborative security strategy.

Since each state has its own law enforcement agencies, objectives, and budgets, effective safeguarding can be difficult - but the strategy aims to foster a “change of culture” to bring Europol members together.

“Safety is one of the key prerequisites for open, vibrant societies and a flourishing economy,” says Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

“That's why we are launching today an important initiative to better tackle security threats like terrorism, organised crime, surging cybercrime and attacks against our critical infrastructure. We will strengthen Europol and give law enforcement up-to-date tools to fight crime. But also researchers, businesses and even citizens can contribute to greater safety for all.”

Via The Record

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• A new Nintendo Switch 2 video is teasing the function of the mysterious 'C' button
• The video was uploaded to the new Nintendo Today! app ahead of today's Switch 2 Direct Showcase
• Some fans believe that the music played in the teaser is the same that plays in the Wii U chat

Nintendo has released a new video teasing the Nintendo Switch 2 and the console's 'C' button, but some fans may have found a connection that could give us an idea about its function.

The video was uploaded to the company's new Nintendo Today! app, ahead of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Showcase later today, showing a video focusing on the device's mysterious 'C' button (via NintendoEverything).

It's quite a short teaser, starting with a zoom-in on the 'C' accompanied by a short jingle, but when the button is actually pressed, it's followed by a sound effect.

This one sound has fans fired up with even more theories that are currently making the rounds online.

Nintendo has teased Switch 2's new C button ahead of the Direct tomorrow https://t.co/4SyXfifn56 pic.twitter.com/DAKZXPJnGCApril 1, 2025

One fan, 'get_homebrewed', over on the Nintendo Switch 2 subreddit is convinced that the jingle is the same one that plays in the Wii U chat. When the Redditor played both sounds back to back, it's hard to discount their similarities.

"There's no way it's the exact same two beats like that and a similar melody for no reason," get_homebrewed said.

This theory also has other fans in the thread discussing the possibility of the Switch 2 introducing a chat feature, which could be the reason for the 'C' logo.

"This is probably also why the "C button noise" has an almost vocal-like sound effect when it's pressed. It is a social/chat/call feature," one user said.

"They have needed chat so bad. I'm hyped hopefully some software + button combo brings it to the old switch as well," said another.

We'll learn all we need to know about the Switch 2 and the function of the 'C' button at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Showcase, which is scheduled to air today at 9AM ET / 6AM PT / 2PM BST.

It will be "approximately 60 minutes long", and we'll likely get a better look at the console, learn pricing and preorder details, as well as get our first look at some new Switch 2 games.

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• Apple has released watchOS 11.4 one day later than expected
• It comes with a new sleep alarm upgrade
• Wake Up Alarms can now be set to break through silent mode

Apple has released watchOS 11.4 – one day later than expected – and among the highlights is a big upgrade for the Apple Watch sleep alarm.

We'd have normally expected watchOS 11.4 to debut alongside iOS 18.4 and other software releases, but Apple hasn't given us a reason why the update was delayed.

It's here now, and it brings a couple of exciting new features, including one that gives you even less of an excuse to miss your morning alarm.

Apple watchOS 11.4 new features

The most welcome new feature is a toggle that lets your Sleep Wake Up Alarm break through Silent Mode. This means you can leave your Apple Watch in Silent Mode (which you probably do all the time), while still hearing your alarm audibly in the morning.

The taptic wake up in Silent Mode is fine if you've got someone else in the bed you don't want to wake, but for anyone who needs an extra shove to get out of bed in the morning, this will help a great deal. Crucially, it means you don't have to turn off Silent Mode every night in order to hear your Apple Watch alarm sound.

Elsewhere, alongside the usual suite of bug fixes and improvements, the new Apple Watch software supports Matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaners in the Home app.

These can be controlled via the app and added to scenes and automations. This is a universal change across all of Apple's software releases, but for Apple Watch users, it means you'll be able to command the best robot vacuums right from your wrist.

Apple has also fixed the unresponsive watch face selection screen, which may previously have become unresponsive when switching faces.

watchOS 11.4 works on the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, so you don't even need the best Apple Watch to take advantage of its new features.

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• Mozilla takes on Gmail, Microsoft 365 with range of new features
• Thunderbird Pro includes Appointment, Send and Thundermail
• A new AI writing tool is also coming with local processing

Mozilla is turning its Thunderbird open source email client into a full communications platform with the launch of Thundermail and Thunderbird Pro.

The expansion of Mozilla's email services aims to compete with rival ecosystems like Gmail and Microsoft 365, which are more rich in features, except Mozilla’s offering stands out for its open source values of privacy, freedom, transparency and user respect.

“Thunderbird loses users each day to rich ecosystems that are both clients and services,” Ryan Sipes, Managing Director for Product Thunderbird confirmed as he expressed the ‘why’ behind Thunderbird’s expansion.

Thunderbird is about to get an overhaul

The Thunderbird database says its number of active monthly installs has dropped from 17.7 million in late December 2020 to 16.2 million in late March 2025, with the mail app struggling to keep up with the industry’s main players like Gmail.

With the launch of Thunderbird Pro, Mozilla is adding Thunderbird Appointment, a new scheduling tool for sharing calendar links; Thunderbird Send, a rebuild of the discontinued Firefox Send; and Thunderbird Assist, a new AI-powered writing tool enabled via a partnership with Flower AI that is intended to do the processing locally to eliminate privacy concerns.

The final launch will be Thundermail, an email hosting service using the open-source Stalwart stack. Usrs will be able to pick between thundermail.com and tb.pro domains.

Apart from consistent community contributors who will be able to get early access for free, Sipes confirmed Mozilla would ultimately end up charging for the features, such as Send which requires storage, an expensive commodity.

“Once we have a strong enough user base that the services appear to be sustainable, we will open up free tiers with limitations, such as less storage or the like,” Sipes added.

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I review the best camera phones, but I recently bought myself a dedicated camera. I carry a Galaxy S25 Ultra and an iPhone 16 Pro daily, yet I just bought a camera that's intentionally simpler.

My phones boast optical zoom up to 5X and digital reach well beyond that. I chose a camera with a fixed lens and a field of view slightly wider than my natural vision.

I'm continually impressed by what the best camera phones achieve, but Samsung, Apple, and every phone maker could learn a lot from a camera like the Fujifilm X100VI and today’s best point-and-shoot cameras.

An iPhone 16 Pro (left) with a Galaxy S25 Ultra (right) (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

My Galaxy S25 Ultra has five cameras, and the iPhone 16 Pro has four. Their largest sensors barely top three-quarters of an inch diagonally. The smallest, for the periscope zoom, are minuscule: 0.4 inches (Samsung) and 0.33 inches (iPhone).

My Fujifilm X-T5 uses an APS-C sensor – smaller than a full-frame (35mm film size) but still around 1.12-inches diagonally. That dwarfs any smartphone sensor.

The largest smartphone sensors currently are the one-inch sensors used by makers like Oppo and Xiaomi. Curiously, these aren't found in models you can buy in the US.

Camera phones do the opposite of what they should

Orchids at the New York Botanical Garden, shot with my Fujifilm X-T5 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Why this focus on sensor size? Because it's the spec that really counts, especially on phones where the difference between the smallest and largest sensors is vast, not marginal.

So why don't Samsung or Apple use a full frame sensor? They demand power and physical space – luxuries smartphones lack.

Unfortunately, smartphones often make the opposite error. Instead of one great sensor, they cram in so many tiny sensors that none produce genuinely memorable images.

It’s ambitious what smartphones attempt. Today’s best range from wide-angle (near 18mm) to telephoto (200mm+), with a wide f/1.6 aperture and macro focus. You can buy an 18-200mm camera lens, but not a lens that is this fast (even f/2.8) without spending thousands.

Every smartphone chases the holy grail: an ultra-wide to super-telephoto zoom with microscopic focus. It's unrealistic. To chase it, makers cut corners, yielding phones technically capable but often failing to capture keepers – photos worth saving, printing, and cherishing – real photos.

Apple and Samsung, meet my new friend Fujifilm

Fine details and soft bokeh, shot with my Fujifilm X-T5 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Fujifilm gets it. The camera world is buzzing about the Fujifilm X100VI – it's the blueprint smartphones should follow. It uses a large APS-C sensor and a fixed 23mm lens (a 35mm equivalent). It captures phenomenal photos.

No magic here. Fujifilm pairs a great sensor with a versatile prime lens. A fixed lens often means fewer elements, yielding sharper, brighter images. With its 40MP, you can crop digitally and still have a print-worthy resolution.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Shot with my Fujifilm X-T5Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Shot with my iPhone 16 ProImage 3 of 3

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Shot with my Galaxy S25 Ultra

I crave this from camera phones: one large sensor, not five tiny ones. One superb lens, not a jumble of folded glass and pinholes. Use the space saved from extra sensors for one real camera with a resolution for digital zoom.

The big problem with the Fujifilm X100VI is that you can't buy one. Every reputable retailer has the camera back ordered for months, and the aftermarket is rife with shady scams or folks selling the camera at a 25% markup.

Taking smartphone photography to the edge

Like this, but make the camera really good (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

That leaves an amazing opportunity for the smartphone market to step in with a stylish phone that focuses on high-quality photography instead of winning a spec war with megapixels and zoom.

Ironically, the rumored thin smartphones might nudge things this way. We've seen Samsung's teased Galaxy S25 Edge with only two rear lenses. The latest iPhone 16e uses just one, with a wide f/1.6 aperture, but its sensor remains small. Still, closer.

Give me an iPhone 17 with a massive sensor and a single wide lens – I’d be ecstatic. Forget the megapixel race and the lens count. Just give me light, captured beautifully through one great eye.

• SpaceX apparently wants to block Globalstar's access to some satellite frequencies
• Globalstar receives Apple funding to help expand iPhone's satellite features
• Apple and SpaceX may have previously failed to make a deal over a collaboration

Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Apple are reportedly in a spat that could ultimately lead to spotty signals for services like Starlink and iPhone satellite communications or a homogenous monopolistic satellite service – neither of which would be great for anyone.

The report comes from The Wall Street Journal (behind a paywall) who say sources familiar with the matter claim SpaceX is pushing US federal regulators to not allow Apple-funded satellite service Globalstar to expand its usage of limited satellite radio frequencies.

This comes after SpaceX and Apple have reportedly been in conversations to more closely collaborate on Apple’s growing satellite communication service, but with talks ending with no direct deal – instead SpaceX and T-Mobile will be able to offer their alternative to Apple’s satellite service on iPhones (with the service due to debut this summer).

Apple instead wants to rely on non-SpaceX networks to support its own satellite communication features – but if Musk’s company gets its way, Apple may struggle to expand without SpaceX’s backing.

Reach for the stars

A Starlink dish allowing internet access in a remote place (Image credit: Starlink)

As a quick and simple explanation: all satellites send signals to Earth using radio frequencies, and so to ensure service reliability, many parts of the world will license specific frequencies within the radio spectrum on a regional basis. This is to ensure two companies with satellites operating in the same place don’t get their signals all muddled together because they’re trying to use the same frequency.

SpaceX (or any other satellite company) would want to try and control as many of these frequencies as possible because it allows it to send more data, or send data more quickly – which ultimately leads to a better service for its customers.

But one company locking down too many frequencies in a region stops other companies from being able to offer satellite services there – leading to frustrating dead zones – or forces them to offer a worse service there because they can only use a limited band of frequencies. For consumers it also could lead to price gouging, as the service with the most (or total) satellite signal control can charge what it wants.

This latest contest over satellite frequencies likely won’t be the last, but it highlights an issue with this important communication frontier.

Getting reliable internet and signal service to remote services can only be a good thing – as we’ve already seen from people using their iPhone’s Emergency SOS via satellite tool to call for help when they had no other option – but if it isn’t handled with care we could end up with an overly fractured network or one that’s controlled by a lucky few that got there first.

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• A hacker claims to be selling data stolen from Check Point
• Security firm says data is from an old breach that has been dealt with
• But some security experts aren't convinced by this explanation

A hacker is claiming to have stolen a “highly sensitive” dataset from Check Point - but the company is looking to play down any concerns users might have.

The cybercriminal, going by the name of CoreInjection, posted about the dataset of compromised Check Point files on a cybercrime forum - and alleges that the information contains user credentials, employee contract information, and internal network maps, among other things.

A spokesperson from Check Point told TechRadar Pro that they “really wouldn’t call it a breach”, and added that this was “one account with limited access on a portal”. The firm’s statement assures that this is an “old, known and very pinpointed event,” that only involved a few organizations, and “ does not include customers’ systems , production or security architecture.”

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“If this is completely fake, I’d be surprised”

However, concerns have been raised in the cybersecurity industry, with Hudson Rock CTO, Alon Gal saying that there is a “high certainty” that Check Point has been hacked, with a threat actor appearing to have “gained access to an administrator account with serious privileges.”

Whilst the researcher argues he would be surprised, he also explains that the breach is “not yet officially confirmed”.

In Check Point’s official response, it confirmed a breach did occur, but that this was a long time ago, and that the hacker is just recycling old information which “falsely implies exaggerated claims which never happened.”

“This was handled months ago, and didn’t include the description detailed on this message. These organisations were updated and handled at that time, and this is not more than the regular recycling of old information. We believe that at no point was there a security risk to Check Point , its customers or employees,” the spokesperson told us.

In 2024, Check Point VPN software was targeted by hackers in order to gain access to corporate networks, although these attempts were largely unsuccessful, and Check Point outlined a simple and easy fix.

Via The Register

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• 3 points

In the wake of the Salt Typhoon attacks that compromised most of the major telecommunications providers in the US, many in the upper echelons of power are pushing for offensive cyber operations against China.

The move would model a tit-for-tat strategy, in that China has struck the US, so the US should strike China, and vice-versa until they stop.

The difficulty with that strategy, as legendary threat intelligence analyst Marcus Hutchins explains, is that the US is woefully under regulated and underprepared for any escalation of cyber warfare with China.

No scope for cyber war

Despite China’s claims that Volt Typhoon is actually a CIA asset, there is fairly reliable evidence to suggest that all of the ‘typhoon’ groups are Chinese state-sponsored actors, and it was Salt Typhoon that breached the US telecommunications networks by targeting and exploiting systems put in place under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, (or CALEA for short).

This act, introduced in 1994, saw all major communications networks have ‘backdoors’ installed to monitor the communications of criminals.

However, as John Ackerly, CEO and co-founder of Virtru told me, “It's the same doors that the good guys use, that the bad guys can walk through,” - and walk through they did.

Hutchins writes that while the US certainly has the capability to launch offensive cyber operations on China, and would likely see success, the US is not prepared for the retaliation-in-turn that would come next.

For example, US critical infrastructure is woefully underequipped to protect against cyber attacks and relies heavily on outdated tech that in some cases hasn’t received an update in over a decade.

China and its Typhoons have been mapping this infrastructure for years, probing the defences and checking responses and recovery plans with small scale attacks in preparation for a much bigger strike that could be used should a hot conflict erupt between the two super powers.

But equally, Hutchins argues, this large scale attack would be just as effective as a response to US cyber offensives in China, and it can’t be patched any time soon.

Thanks to a lack of federal regulations governing cybersecurity in the US, the private sector has been largely left to its own devices to protect itself from cyber attacks, and Hutchins duly notes that its often cheaper for a company to ignore a cyber intrusion than it is to chase them down and evict them from the network.

It's also cheaper to continue using outdated tech to run systems than to spend billions of dollars replacing everything and training your staff to operate new systems. Who could’ve guessed that the private sector wouldn’t regulate itself?

Now throw into the mix a smattering of federal bodies that, because they are modelled on the US separation of powers, must rely on each other to get anything done.

As Hutchins puts it, “Ultimately, cybersecurity in the United States feels like trying to put together a puzzle; except, there’s no picture on the box, each piece has been distributed to a random entity, half of the entities aren’t even willing to disclose that they have any puzzle pieces, and nobody is sure who’s actually supposed to be the one building the puzzle.”

What’s more, China’s own regulations for cybersecurity at both the state and private sector levels are fairly robust, and have been for many years more than the US can hope to catch up to.

Convincing an administration to establish a body with complete cyber-regulatory oversight in the age of DOGE is one thing, convincing the private sector to spend the ever increasing billions to give their networks even a fighting chance at being resilient is another.

"Personally, I think that trying to deter China through offensive cyber operations would not only be unsuccessful, but also a huge mistake," Hutchins concludes. "I am not arguing that the US should bow down to China, or that it should not be able to defend itself, only that increasing offense[ive] cyber operations without the defencive capabilities to back them up, is a horrible idea.”

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• GL.iNet Slate 7 dual external antennas boost range for stable & extended coverage
• Quad-core 1.1GHz CPU with 1GB RAM ensures smooth operation
• USB-C power supports up to 12V/2.5A for efficiency

GL.iNet has introduced the Slate 7 (GL-BE3600), the first mobile Wi-Fi 7 router, offering high-speed wireless and wired networking for demanding applications like 4K and 8K streaming and video conferencing software.

The Slate 7 delivers Wi-Fi 7 speeds of up to 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 2882 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, providing stable, high-speed performance even in crowded areas

The Slate 7 features a Qualcomm quad-core CPU running at 1.1GHz with 1GB of DDR4 RAM and 512MB of NAND Flash storage, while the two foldable external antennas enhance signal coverage, making it one of the best small business routers for both mobility and home networking

Powerful wired connectivity and flexible power options

Weighing 295g, this mobile router includes a 2.5Gbps WAN port and a 1Gbps LAN port for stable wired performance in bandwidth-intensive tasks while also featuring a USB 3.0 port for connecting external storage or a modem to expand its functionality.

With its dual Ethernet ports, the Slate 7 can also function as a best network switch solution for users needing reliable wired connections alongside its advanced wireless capabilities.

This device supports OpenVPN at up to 100 Mbps and WireGuard at up to 540 Mbps, offering secure and fast connections for remote work or private browsing while integrating compatibility with over 30 VPN services for extensive security options.

It also features an interactive touchscreen for managing settings, toggling VPN connections, and monitoring real-time network performance.

The device is powered through a USB-C port, supporting inputs of 5V/3A, 9V/3A, and 12V/2.5A, and is compatible with multiple power sources, including laptops, power banks, or smartphones, while maintaining power consumption under 18W (excluding USB usage) for efficiency even under heavy workloads.

The Slate 7 supports the installation of plugins via OpenWrt 23.05 with Kernel 5.4.213 for enhanced network management, including traffic monitoring and firewall customization.

It also features WPA3 encryption for protection against cyber threats and operates at temperatures between 0–40°C, with storage capability from -20°C to 70°C.

The Slate 7 is available for pre-order at $120, with the standard retail price set at $149.90, and the earliest deliveries expected in May 2025.

Via TechPowerUp

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• Apple's ushered in a new continuity feature with iOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4
• You can now use an iPhone or iPad to help set up your Mac
• While relatively small, this could be a huge time-saver

Part of what makes the Apple ecosystem so good – and appealing to newcomers or folks just buying new devices – is the continuity between them, even including set-up. For instance, to set up an Apple Watch or AirPods, just hold the device near your iPhone.

Setting up an iPad? Hold it near your iPhone, follow the steps, and scan the glowing blue orb. Setting up a new iPhone? Hold it near your old iPhone. This takes a lot of the manual nature out of a new device setup and even helps authenticate your account.

While iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 didn’t bring with them the next major set of Apple Intelligence features, they did bring with them something awesome. And if you are getting a new Mac, planning to get one, or frequently reset your old ones, you’re in for a treat.

As long as you’re up to date – meaning your Mac has the latest version of Sequoia and your iPhone or iPad is running iOS or iPadOS 18.4, you can now set up that new Mac with your other Apple device. Really neat, and it could save you time. As with the speedy setup, you’ll need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled for these two devices to connect.

So, what does this quick setup speed up? All-important Wi-Fi credentials, design choices like dark mode or icon size, accessibility features, and more are included. Plus, since you’re authenticating and signing in with your Apple Account (formerly Apple ID), you can elect to turn on iCloud features like a shared desktop, your photo library, Messages in the Cloud, your long list of passwords, notes, and other items.

How setting up your Mac with an iPhone or iPad works

(Image credit: Apple)

Now, the good news is that this whole process really speeds up the setup process for your Mac – and that goes for whether it’s a desktop, like the Mac mini, Mac Studio, or iMac, or a laptop, like the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

You’ll still boot up the Mac and select your language, but then, under the familiar screen that asks “Transfer Your Data to this Mac,” you’ll find a new option:

• From a Mac, Time Machine, or startup disk
• From a Windows PC
• Set up with iPhone or iPad
• Set up as new

(Image credit: Apple)

That third option – Set up with iPhone or iPad – is what you’ll need to select to do just that. From there, your Mac will then start looking for a nearby device, and you’ll want to unlock your iPhone or iPad and bring it close by.

Then just like when setting up a new iPhone or an iPad, a splash screen will appear on the bottom asking if you want to use your Apple Account to “Set Up New Mac.” Simply hit continue and then you’ll scan a pattern displayed on your Mac with your iPhone. That’s the final step for authentication here.

After that, you’ll be asked if you want to enable any accessibility settings and then create your Mac account. The last step is a bit of a waiting game as your Apple Account syncs up with your Mac, and then you can wrap up the setup.

(Image credit: Apple)

Basically, you’re speeding through the authentication process and getting some of the previously customized settings associated with your new Mac.

It’s nice to have, and if you’ve ever dreaded setting up your new Mac, you might question how you’ve lived without it.

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• Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM01S features a 4-inch touchscreen with a 0-90° flip mechanism
• Magnetically attached port covers create a clean and adaptable workstation
• Dual-fan cooling system ensures optimal performance without overheating or throttling

There are plenty of mini PCs on the market, but few feature a 4-inch touchscreen on a hinge, magnetically attached port covers, and a 0-90° flip mechanism that allows them to operate both flat and upright like the Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM01S.

Unlike many compact systems that rely solely on external monitors, the Ayaneo Retro Mini PC’s flip-up screen functions as a native Windows extended display, similar to the Aoostar G-Flip 370 and the G-Flip mini, providing quick access to performance monitoring, applications, and widgets.

The magnetically attached port covers hide unused ports while keeping them accessible, creating a clean and adaptable workstation.

Dual-fan cooling with heat pipes and SSD fan for optimal performance

This business PC features the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, a 12-core, 24-thread chip that enhances efficiency and speed while offering storage options, including DDR5 5600MT/s RAM, M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots, and an SDXC card reader.

It also comes with an integrated Radeon 890M GPU, built on RDNA 3.5 architecture with 16 compute units, delivering 20% better performance for smooth 1080p gaming and demanding creative workloads.

To support its performance, the AM01S uses a dual-fan cooling system with heat pipes and a dedicated SSD fan, ensuring it sustains its 65W power output without overheating.

For AI-driven tasks, the AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01S benefits from the NPU delivering 50 TOPS, providing three times faster responses for large language models.

This device uses a CNC-machined aluminum frame for durability, while its connectivity options include dual 2.5G Ethernet ports and a full-speed USB4 connection, catering to professionals who need high-speed networking and ample storage.

At press time, there's no official confirmations for a price or release date.

Via Ayaneo

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• Google’s Chrome installer for PCs with AMD and Intel CPUs has been broken for the past week
• Detective work suggests that the version for these PCs was accidentally replaced by the Arm installer, which is for very different Snapdragon CPUs
• While the issue has now been fixed, Google took a long time to resolve it

Those trying to install the Chrome browser in Windows 11 or 10 over the course of the past week may well have been flummoxed by an error telling them the app won’t run on their PC – and I can’t quite believe how long it’s taken Google to fix this.

Nonetheless, the good news is that the glitch is fixed, even if it took the company way longer than it should have.

The problem, in case you missed it, was flagged on Reddit and by Windows Latest a week ago.

What happened was that on firing up the Chrome Installer file (ChromeSetup.exe, download from Google’s website), people watched the process come to a screeching halt, with an error message that read: “This app can’t run on your PC: To find a version for your PC, check with the software publisher.”

As to the cause, Windows Latest did some detective work, and theorized that what Google had done here – somehow – was accidentally swap the Arm installer of Chrome with the x86 installer. Meaning that the version of Chrome for Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon (Arm-based) processors got swapped with the version for AMD or Intel CPUs.

That conclusion was based on digging into the setup file and finding references to ‘Arm’ which surely wouldn’t be there with a non-Arm executable. Furthermore, 9 to 5 Google backs up this theory, as the tech site tried the faulty version of Chrome on a Snapdragon PC, and found it worked fine (as it would do if it was the Arm installer).

9 to 5 Google was also on the ball in terms of noticing that the issue is finally cured, and you can now download the Chrome installer on a Windows PC with an AMD or Intel CPU, and it’ll work just as you’d expect.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Khosro) Analysis: A bafflingly basic mistake with only one winner (Edge)

Okay, so mistakes can be made. Indeed, they happen all the time in the tech world, or elsewhere for that matter. But for such a basic glitch to be left in place to annoy a bunch of Windows users for the best part of a week is baffling – especially while reports were flying around about the problem.

I can’t imagine this was something that was particularly difficult to resolve, either, as it looks like a simple mix up of files, as noted (unless there’s something I’m missing here). Apparently, the Arm version of Google Chrome wasn’t affected, and the installer still worked for those with a Snapdragon-powered machine.

This could have cost Google some Chrome users potentially, who might have got fed up with the browser failing to install, and maybe even plumped for Microsoft Edge, its main rival, instead. (Incidentally, Edge is the best overall web browser as far as our roundup of the most compelling offerings out there is concerned).

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