Back in December, a leak promised that owners of the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max would be getting iOS 19 alongside the rest of the iPhone range. But a new leak from a pretty reliable source now says that isn't true.
This leak comes via 9to5Mac, whose source – an anonymous, private account on X with a good track record in breaking Apple software stories – says that the XR, XS and XS Max won't be invited to the iOS 19 party.
The new leak also appears to confirm that the seventh-generation iPad, launched in 2019, won't be able to get an iPadOS 19 upgrade either.
What iPhones are getting the iOS 19 upgrade? The iPhone XS Max may be left behind by the iOS 19 update (Image credit: TechRadar)Nothing's official until Apple announces it at WWDC 2025, which we now know will start on June 9. But if the latest leak is correct, then the oldest iPhone that iOS 19 will support is the iPhone 11. Of the iPhone SE phones, both the second and generation versions will get the upgrade.
If Apple sticks to its usual timeframe we should see a developer beta of iOS 19 in June, with various public betas before a final release alongside the iPhone 17 in September 2025.
Details of the iOS 19 upgrades haven't been released yet, but of course the leaks have already started. We're expecting to see a visual redesign that allies iOS and iPadOS more closely with visionOS, a new camera app, and maybe even a version of Siri that works more reliably.
It's an important update for Apple: iOS 18 was launched with heavy emphasis on Apple Intelligence, and some of the most talked-about features have been delayed significantly. That means iOS 19 needs to do more than make promises of future fun; it needs to actually deliver.
You might also likeApple has announced that the lossless audio update to AirPods Max with USB-C launches today, alongside the release of iOS 18.4 for iPhone.
Apple revealed that the AirPods Max update with lossless and latency-free Personalized Spatial Audio was coming previously, but without an exact date – and here it is.
This is the first totally lossless audio support ever for a pair of AirPods, and it provides 24-bit 48 kHz lossless support over USB-C, with a promise that this also brings the latency down to effectively zero, making it great for audio production or gaming.
(The original AirPods Max were lossless-ish, with support for cabled connections, but via an active cable that took analog signal, converted it to digital, then converted it back to analog in the headphones, so too much conversion to be truly lossless.)
Apple says you can connect to a Mac, iPhone or iPad to get lossless audio, but we'll check whether it works with all other USB-C sources too.
Apple has also finally launched its own 3.5mm to USB-C cable, too, to enable the AirPods Max with USB-C to work with analogue audio output (making them work with airplane entertainment systems at last).
(Image credit: Future) How to make sure you've got the updateAirPods updates should be automatic, though Apple recently explained for the first time how to kick AirPods updates into gear if you need to.
You'll need iOS 18.4 on your iPhone, and then follow these steps:
To check if you have the update, put your AirPods on, open the Settings app, tap on your AirPods Max, then scroll to the bottom and check to see if Version reads '7E99'.
AirPods Max with USB-C still rank among the best wireless headphones despite their age, thanks to strong sound quality (even at their high price) and tons of unique features for Apple users, including Personalized Spatial Audio, auto-switching between Apple devices, and Find My support.
We actually had to remove them from our list of the best travel headphones since the USB-C version arrived, though, due to their lack of wired input for airplane journeys. This update means we might finally add them back in.
You might also like…Garmin has revealed the Garmin Vivoactive 6, an affordable smartwatch with a new smart-wake alarm functionality and access to features from more premium Garmin watches, such as Running Dynamics. It's priced at £279.99 (around $360 / AU$580; exact US and AU pricing are TBC).
Garmin’s Vivoactive line is full of sporty, value-orientated watches pitched at the Apple Watch crowd, and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 sits pretty as our current ‘best-value’ pick on our list of the best Garmin watches.
The Vivoactive 6 watch looks very similar to the Garmin Vivoactive 5, with a plastic casing, aluminum bezel, two buttons instead of the usual five-button configuration found on more premium Garmins, an AMOLED screen and a silicone strap.
Just like the Vivoactive 5, the Vivoactive 6 sports up to 11 days of battery life. It shares the dimensions and 1.2-inch screen with the Vivoactive 5, although Garmin has made some changes.
Among the upgrade highlights is a ‘smart alarm’ feature that can wake you at the optimum time during a sleep phase – a features that's new to Garmin, and one we've wanted on Garmins for years – along with daily suggested walking workouts along the lines of its running ones.
As mentioned above, the Vivoactive 6 also has access to Garmin’s advanced Running Dynamics metrics, which the Vivoactive 5 didn't have.
According to a Garmin press release, users "can also download a robust selection of step-by-step workouts for strength, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, mobility and more through Garmin Connect.
"They can also access Garmin Coach running and strength training plans – several of which adapt daily based on performance, recovery and health metrics to help users prepare for their next race, train for a milestone or improve overall fitness."
A wheelchair mode that tracks pushes, and which was one of the best modes introduced on the Vivoactive 5, is also included.
The Vivoactive 6 is available in four snappy-looking color combos: Black/Slate, Bone/Lunar Gold, Jasper Green and Pink Dawn.
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 seems like a great watch, especially given that it's cheaper than many of its contemporaries from Apple and Samsung. After all, we loved the Vivoactive 5, and there's no indication that this is anything other than an improvement, albeit an iterative one.
However, I can't help feeling that the timeline for this launch may have been pushed up. In the last few days the news cycle has been dominated by the backlash against Garmin for releasing Garmin Connect+, a new paid-for premium tier with AI features that's available separately to the free Garmin Connect app.
Users have taken to social media to complain about paying for a very expensive watch only to then have new features locked behind an additional subscription. Justifiably or not, they fear new features being introduced to Connect+ at the expense of the app’s free version, until the subscription effectively becomes essential in order to get the most out of your watch.
A well-received new budget device from Garmin would help to move the news cycle on, although user ire is unlikely to be easily assuaged in the short term.
You might also like...ChatGPT's viral 4o image generation features are now available to everyone for free, albeit with some limits that can make the new AI tool a little infuriating.
Announced by OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, on X, the new native image generation has taken the world by storm thanks to its impressive ability to create images far better than Dall-E (the previous model used by ChatGPT) ever could.
You might've seen the controversy surrounding the image generation tool's blatant copy of Studio Ghibli-style anime over the last week, but if not we've covered the drama at length here.
In this article, I'm going to show you three ways to use ChatGPT 4o's image generation that aren't following the anime recreation trend.
Why only three you might ask? Well, unfortunately, the daily limit for free users is only three image generations, so it only felt fitting to limit the ideas just like OpenAI has limited the use of the tool.
chatgpt image gen now rolled out to all free users!April 1, 2025
1. Change the background Image 1 of 2(Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)Image 2 of 2(Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)ChatGPT's image generation is very impressive when it comes to replacing the background of your images. In the first example above, I uploaded an image of my French Bulldog, Kermit, and asked 4o to "change the background to the beach."
Like magic, Kermit was now on the beach, although you can tell there have been slight modifications to his likeness. For example, in the original photo, he had a pimple under his mouth, which is now completely removed.
ChatGPT 4o's image generation is very good at determining the outline of a subject and creating a realistic background to match. While I've not yet tried Galaxy AI's version of background editing, from my testing with ChatGPT I can't imagine a better AI background editor is available for free on the market.
After taking Kermit to the beach, I thought I'd try recreating his namesake's iconic opening scene of the 1979 Muppet Movie. In the movie, Kermit the Frog sits on a log in a swamp playing the banjo.
While Kermit the Dog can't play the banjo, ChatGPT managed to take the source material and edit the background so Kermit was indeed on a log in a swamp. Pretty cool!
2. Use a reference to generate a new image (Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)ChatGPT 4o's image generation is also very good at using a source image to create anything you can imagine.
After feeding the AI tool multiple images of my dog, I asked "Can you imagine a french bulldog riding a skateboard while dressed as a frog?"
After waiting about 20 seconds, yes the image generation can be pretty slow, I had an excellent image of a French Bulldog that looks like my boy Kermit, in a frog costume riding a skateboard.
Eagle-eyed readers will notice his back paws only have three digits, but I guess ChatGPT thought the dog costume should mimic an amphibian rather than have enough space to be comfortable for the mammal inside.
Unfortunately for ChatGPT, a frog has 18 toes altogether... 10 at the back and eight at the front.
3. Change the mood (Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)Last but not least, I decided to upload an image of Kermit in a cow costume. Why is he wearing a cow costume? You might ask. Well, for the purpose of this article I needed an image where he's clearly a bit miffed.
You see I live in Scotland so Kermit needs a fleece to keep himself warm in the winter. Unfortunately for him, he hates wearing a fleece. That said, ChatGPT's new image generation tools can help with that, so I asked AI to "Make this dog happy."
The result here is bizarre because it takes everything from the previous image and recreates it perfectly, just with a smiling dog with its tongue out.
I would argue a French Bulldog always looks miserable, and a tongue sticking out like this would actually imply it's thirsty. But AI deems this a happy dog, and to be fair, it has doesn't a very good job a recreating the image with the mood tweaks I asked for.
Try ChatGPT image generation yourselfSo there you have it, ChatGPT's image generation is now free for everyone to try and it's capable of some fantastic photo editing.
The image limitations are pretty annoying, however, as I was only able to generate three images without loading up my paid ChatGPT Plus work account.
I also experienced upload limitations, where ChatGPT stopped allowing me to add source material to edit after providing two images.
So it's worth noting ChatGPT image generation is very powerful, but on the free tier you'll need to be patient as you'll quickly reach a daily limit.
You might also likeGameStop's Nintendo Switch 2 trade-in deal has seemingly leaked, offering big discounts for buyers who already own a Switch.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Showcase airs tomorrow on April 2 and is expected to finally unveil a new in-depth look at the console, along with the long-awaited release date, pricing, and pre-orders details.
However, it seems that another leak has broken ahead of the event, and this time, it's a big money-saving offer at GameStop.
As spotted by X / Twitter user MikeOdysseyYT (via 9meters) GameStop's trade-in deal reveals that it will be offering three different discounts when buyers exchange their original Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED for the Switch 2.
Trading in the OLED will get you $175 toward your Switch 2 reservation, the original Switch (V1 or V2) $125, and the Switch Lite $100.
Here is @gamestop's Switch 2 trade in deal. What you get as credit when you trade in your console. Let's say Switch 2 is $399.00, plus 6.5% tax(FL) Comes out to $424.93. If you trade in an OLED, you would pay $249.93 for your new Switch 2. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/hUIXNc94BXMarch 31, 2025
We don't know how much the Switch 2 will cost just yet, but these offers are brilliant if you're looking to save money on the upcoming console.
According to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, the company is aware of rising inflation but has said the console will be in line with the "affordable prices customers expect".
TechRadar Gaming predicts that the Switch 2 will cost around $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$699.95, which is more expensive than the original Switch that launched in 2017 and started at $259.99 / £259.99 / AUD$435.
You might also like...For many, the best new Samsung Galaxy S25 feature is Now Brief, but for a while it appeared the feature would remain exclusive to only Samsung’s latest phone release even as One UI 1 rolls out to other phones. Thankfully, it seems like a few older phones will get Now Brief after all.
Now Brief is a handy AI tool that gets you prepped for the day ahead with useful info like what events you have today, what journey times are like so you can avoid being late, how well rested you are based on data from your smartwatch, and if coupons in your digital wallet are close to expiring.
It’ll even give you different briefings based on when you check (with morning, afternoon and evening briefings focusing on different information), and our own Senior Writer AI John-Anthony Disotto calling Now Brief “precisely the kind of first-party functionality that I think will make a real difference to users’ lives and, in turn, showcase the true power of AI.”
Unfortunately the feature has been absent from the One UI 7 software betas currently available for older devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 phones.
This has led many to believe it wouldn’t be unlocked for these phones, but it turns out Now Brief is hidden in the One UI beta after all.
That’s according to @MEMETCAN88 who managed to access the hidden function on an S24 running the latest One UI 7 beta (via SamMobile, who confirmed it’s also available on other devices).
Breaking. Now brief feature is available in s24 series. Oneui 7 beta 6 is also hidden but I've uncovered with activity launcher.@tarunvats33 @SamMobiles @theonecid @UniverseIce pic.twitter.com/uvLoHZOJAuMarch 31, 2025
It didn’t work completely however, with the hidden Now Brief lacking the necessary user interface to function properly.
So, what does this mean? Well the optimistic amongst us are hoping it means that Now Brief will make it to older devices. However, given the full release is set to begin on April 7, it may be a feature that isn’t released for a few update cycles.
The more pessimistic look is that Samsung has hidden this feature because it may have thought about releasing Now Brief but ultimately decided to keep it exclusive to its new phones – and it was easier to hide Now Brief than completely remove it from One UI 7.
We’ll have to wait and see what’s announced as One UI 7 arrives on older phones and in following updates, but there’s still a chance the best Samsung Galaxy S25 feature will make its way to older phones – and we're seriously hoping it does.
You might also like...When Amazon announced its new AI-enhanced Alexa+ voice assistant, we were beyond excited to finally see Amazon’s answer to ChatGPT and Apple Intelligence come to life. In our live blog we speculated a March 31 roll, and it seems as though we were correct as Alexa+ has started rolling out to selected users in the US on certain Echo devices, but it wouldn’t be a major launch without a few catches.
During Amazon’s devices event in February, the company took pride in boasting Alexa+’s revamped voice and AI capabilities, but a report from The Washington Post has identified that Alexa+ is missing a number of handy features. They’ll be unveiled in waves over the next few months, but it does feel like a broken promise in some ways.
During Amazon's devices event in February, Panos Panay demonstrated a handful of new features but not all of them are available in Alexa+'s early access. (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) What’s missing from Alexa+?Amazon promised an array of new features for Alexa+ that provided a more interactive and personal experience with the voice assistant, most notably its ability to offer food recommendations and place orders through Grubhub based on what you’re craving. This feature has the potential to be a saving grace for indecisive foodies out there, but it has been delayed until further notice.
Other useful generative features have gone missing from Alexa+’s early access, including its ability to brainstorm gift ideas when the pressures of gift-buying get too intense, and its storytime mode feature for kids has also been pushed back. The Post has also spotted that Alexa+ lacks the ability to visually identify family members around your home - both of which were demonstrated at its launch event - and the web version for Alexa+ is also unavailable for now.
As per The Post’s initial report, Amazon has declared that these features are missing from Alexa+ simply because they “don’t yet meet Amazon’s standards for public release”. It’s reassuring to know that Amazon has plans to bulk up Alexa+’s features, but you’ll just have to remain patient for a few more months.
So, what can Alexa+ do at the moment?Despite the missing features, Alexa+’s early launch isn’t totally lackluster. Since it started rolling out yesterday (March 31) Alexa+ can order you an Uber, search for particular products, and draft emails. While you’ll have to wait a little longer for Grubhub integration with Alexa+, you can still use the voice assistant to give you advice on what to cook.
Alexa+ can be accessed for a monthly subscription fee of $19.99, but Amazon Prime members will have full access for free.
You might also likeA slew of Samsung Galaxy Watch users are reporting that their Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra models keep encountering a forced-reset issue that requires them to setup their devices again.
I was first alerted to the issue by reader Spike, who reached out to me about a problem with their Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. Since the last update, they and other users have noticed the Watch 7 randomly disconnecting from the phone it's paired with, such that the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app won't recognize the watch, requiring a factory reset to re-pair.
"For me this happens about once a week," Spike told me. "I contacted Samsung who wanted me to send my watch in, but I'm pretty certain it's a software issue since a lot of people on the forum are having the same issue."
Samsung Galaxy Watch reset issueA Samsung Community forum scoured by TechRadar does indeed reveal an extensive thread of users who seem to be suffering from this issue.
"For no apparent reason, my watch keeps doing a forced reset," the original poster said. "I then have to go through the whole process of setting it up again," they added, even mentioning that the latest hiccup completely changed some watch settings.
Other users chimed in to say that they've been experiencing the same issue. "Me too. 3 times now in under 2 weeks," one user replied.
The thread is titled '"Galaxy Watch 7/Ultra resetting', which seems to indicate that this problem is affecting Samsung's two best Android smartwatches; it's unclear if it extends to any other models.
The precise nature of the issue and its extent are little murky, but users are definitely reporting persistent forced resets on their Galaxy Watches, often multiple times a week. At least some of the time, this requires users to go through the setup process to reconnect the watch.
We've reached out to Samsung regarding the problem, but this is definitely a developing issue, and one that appears to be fairly prevalent.
The Samsung forum post has 24 likes and over 300 replies from similarly affected users. Samsung also recently confirmed that some of its watches were not tracking sleep properly, and recommended a fix to users.
You may also likeAmazon has launched a new AI agent designed to control a web browser and perform simple browsing tasks autonomously.
Currently available in research preview, Amazon says Nova Act is part of its efforts to deliver “real-world value” for all types of customers, including shoppers, sellers and advertisers – not just enterprises.
US-based customers with an Amazon account can start using the platform immediately, even though it’s not a full release, by visiting nova.amazon.com, where it can automate simple tasks like ordering food, making reservations, filling out forms or selecting calendar dates.
Amazon Nova Act models and online serviceNova Act is accompanied by Nova Act SDK, which enables developers to build their own browser-based AI agents using the same technology.
“nova.amazon.com puts the power of Amazon’s frontier intelligence into the hands of every developer and tech enthusiast, making it easier than ever to explore the capabilities of Amazon Nova,” said Rohit Prasad, SVP of Amazon Artificial General Intelligence.
Three separate models have been launched to support the tool and SDK with text generation capabilities – Nova Micro, Lite, and Pro – as well as a fourth for image generation (Nova Canvas) and a fifth for video generation (Nova Reel).
The company noted agents are still in their “early stage[s]” and that their usefulness will only grow as developments continue to roll out.
Moreover, Amazon’s internal tests demonstrate how Nova Act outperformed key rivals, including Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet (90%) and OpenAI’s CUA (88%) on the ScreenSpot Web Text benchmark, designed to test how the models interact with text on screen. Nova Act scored an impressive 94%.
It’s also possible that Nova Act could play a key role in the company’s upcoming Alexa+ upgrade, which improves the utility of the company’s popular voice assistant with AI.
We tried to access the site from the UK, but were greeted with the following message: “Thank you for your interest in Amazon Nova. At this time, we are only accepting customers in the US.”
It’s unclear when Amazon will roll the online service out more broadly.
You might also likeShark has added a new model to its fan range: the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo is a portable version of the ultra-popular FlexBreeze, and comes with the same misting functionality, so not only does it blast you with cool air, it also sprays you with a fine mist of water to help bring some chill to hot days.
In our Shark FlexBreeze review, we were blown away (pun intended) by the full-size version, rating it one of the best fans you can buy. The shrunk-down version has many of the same benefits – it can be used corded or cordless, indoors or out. Shark has gone a step further by making this one available in a variety of colors: a couple of shades of grey alongside four more summery candy tones.
(Image credit: Shark )It has a carry handle to make it easier to tote around, so you need never be without your own personal wind machine. That's particularly useful because I'd say that this portable fan isn't especially small – think desktop rather than handheld. That's probably good news for the power though (Shark claims it has a blowing radius of up to 70 feet, although we'll get back to you on that once we've tested it.)
The misting – once you've got used to the idea of a fan that spits on you – is actually a very smart addition. Fans don't actually lower the temperature, they just make you feel cooler by moving the air around and speeding up the evaporation of sweat from your skin. A mister can lower the temperature of a room, as well as intensifying that cooling feeling created by the fan.
(Image credit: Shark )Shark has form when it comes to innovative fans – we've just reviewed the Shark TurboBlade, which can blast out concentrated blades of air in any direction from its pivotable arms.
Currently, the FlexBreeze HydroGo is only available in the US, and costs $129.99 when purchased directly from Shark. The brand also has a big presence in the UK and Australia, so we're hoping it might make its way to other territories soon.
You might also like...Amazon has reached a multi-year agreement with publisher Electronic Arts (EA) that will see many of its best games added to the Amazon Luna cloud gaming service.
This starts with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Dead Space, which are all available right now. Although a limited version of Amazon Luna can be accessed at no additional cost for Amazon Prime members, these games are part of the Luna+ subscription service - a $9.99 / £8.99 per month add-on.
More EA titles are on the way too, including a number from its popular EA Sports franchises. I'm personally really hoping for an Amazon Luna version of The Sims 4 though, as it just seems like the perfect fit for a cloud gaming service that you can play almost anywhere.
I would love to be able to check in with my sims from my TV when I'm sprawled on the sofa at home, spend a few hours playing from my phone the next time I go on a big trip.
David Tinson, EVP and chief experiences officer at EA said that the company is "focused on building experiences that entertain and engage EA’s massive online communities."
"We’re excited to partner with Amazon to make those games available to even more people,” he continued. “We look forward to a selection of EA games joining Amazon Luna, offering new ways for players and fans to come together across a variety of devices they already own, wherever they are.”
You can try Amazon Luna on a plethora of devices, including PC, mobile, and select smart TVs.
You might also like...While Nintendo hasn't outright confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers have mouse functionality, the company sure isn't shy about teasing it.
The latest hint was spotted by VGC, and it comes via the recently launched Nintendo Today app. The app featured a short teaser video today (April 1) that displays the Nintendo Switch 2 console in a variety of setups including docked, handheld and tabletop modes.
The tabletop mode setup off to the right is what we're focusing on. It shows the Joy-Con controllers detached from the console, with one of them placed on its side like it was in the initial Switch 2 announcement video.
(Image credit: Nintendo)While VGC originally spotted the video via its Japanese Nintendo account, it can now be viewed on the Nintendo Today app globally. You'll just need to download the app via Google Play or the Apple Store and log in with your own Nintendo account.
Now again, it's important to note that this is just a teaser video and it doesn't outright confirm mouse functionality is enabled for Switch 2's Joy-Con. However, you have to think that placing the Joy-Con on its side like that is a pretty deliberate choice, and it's not likely to be the default way to place them down after you've finished using them.
Of course, we'll likely know for sure at tomorrow's big Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, which is airing on April 2 at 6am PDT / 9am EST / 2pm GMT / 3pm CEST.
We'll be covering the presentation live here at TechRadar Gaming, so be sure to stay tuned!
You might also like...The recent disclosure of another major firewall exploit should serve as a wake-up call to security teams everywhere. The latest vulnerabilities impacting Palo Alto Networks’ firewalls have once again exposed how fragile network security architectures are. While the immediate response has followed the predictable cycle of patching, monitoring, and damage assessment, the bigger issue remains unresolved.
The problem is not just a software flaw or an unpatched device. It is the lack of extensive network security policy management (NSPM) strategies. These are essential for any organization that is serious about attack surface reduction.
Modern network security cannot afford to operate reactively. Organizations that focus solely on perimeter defense and emergency patch management are constantly playing catch-up. The traditional ‘fix and forget’ model no longer works in an environment where threats evolve faster than most teams can respond.
Attackers are not just targeting known vulnerabilities; they are probing security policies, misconfigurations, and access control gaps that enterprises often overlook. This is where NSPM becomes a game-changer. Instead of reacting to breaches, organizations need to proactively manage their security posture, ensuring that their policies and configurations don’t introduce new risks.
Expanding complexityThe expansion of hybrid and cloud computing environments has made managing security policies more difficult than ever. Enterprises operate across on-premises data centers, multi-cloud architectures, and remote workforces, each introducing new layers of complexity.
Without a structured approach to NSPM, security teams lack visibility into how policies interact across these environments. This blind spot increases the risk of misconfigurations, redundant rules, and security gaps that adversaries can exploit. Gartner’s research on Attack Surface Management (ASM) highlights the challenges which businesses must contend with when it comes to policy complexity.
Attack surface management and NSPM go hand in hand. ASM focuses on identifying and monitoring all exposed digital assets, but without NSPM, that visibility is meaningless. Effective security starts with knowing whether firewall rules and access policies allow unauthorized traffic to exploit vulnerabilities.
The question every security team should be able to answer is: are there any security policy enforcement rules that allow access to known vulnerabilities across your environment? More importantly, when new rules are created, can you determine if they inadvertently expose an asset that was previously secure? Without an NSPM strategy in place, these risks remain unchecked, leaving enterprises vulnerable even when they believe they are secure.
Welcome to automationRecent research shows that automation plays a critical role in minimizing attack surfaces. According to an IDC report on Firewall Policy Management, automating firewall policy management reduces human error and enforces compliance across complex architectures. Enterprises that adopt automated NSPM strategies experience fewer misconfigurations and can implement rule optimizations that remove redundant access points. When combined with ASM, this approach reduces the number of exploitable attack paths while maintaining flexibility for legitimate access requirements.
The importance of proactive security policy management is underscored by the increasing frequency of firewall-related breaches. While the immediate response to the latest Palo Alto vulnerability will be to patch and monitor affected devices, organizations should view this as an opportunity to rethink how they manage security policies. Patching alone is not enough. Attackers are always looking for the next unpatched device or the next misconfigured rule that provides a pathway into critical systems.
Ongoing processAn effective NSPM approach extends beyond simple rule enforcement. It enables security teams to continuously assess and refine policies based on evolving threats. A structured NSPM approach helps enforce segmentation strategies by dynamically validating policy changes. But segmentation alone is not enough without continuous network monitoring to ensure assets remain protected.
Organizations should be implementing a zero-trust approach that dynamically evaluates policy changes and their potential impact on security posture. This requires integrating NSPM into a broader risk management framework that considers exposure, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Another challenge is the growing reliance on multi-vendor security environments. Many enterprises use a mix of firewalls, cloud security controls, and endpoint protection platforms, each with its own policy management approach. Without a unified NSPM solution, security teams struggle to enforce consistent policies across different platforms. This inconsistency increases the likelihood of gaps in security enforcement, making it easier for attackers to exploit weak points in the network.
Compliance cornerstoneAs cyber threats evolve, regulatory pressures are also increasing. Compliance standards such as GDPR, NIS2, and PCI-DSS require organizations to demonstrate effective security controls, including robust policy management. The IDC highlights that compliance is not just about avoiding fines.
Businesses should view it as potential for competitive differentiation. Companies that can demonstrate proactive security policy enforcement are in a stronger position to gain customer trust and meet regulatory expectations. NSPM provides a structured way to ensure that policies remain compliant, reducing the risk of audit failures and costly remediations.
Security teams must shift their approach from reactive to proactive policy management. The latest firewall vulnerabilities are proof that outdated security models are failing. Today, NSPM is a strategic imperative for reducing risk and ensuring resilience against the next inevitable breach.
We list the best small and medium business (SMB) firewall and the best cloud firewall.
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
Daredevil: Born Again season 1 is almost over already.
The hit Marvel TV show's final episode will be with us sooner than you'd think – but, before we reach its climax, there's the small matter of two other chapters coming to Disney+ first.
So, when will Daredevil: Born Again episode 7 be released on Disney's primary streaming platform? Below, I've outlined when you can watch it in the US, UK, and Australia. You'll also find out when new episodes will launch on one of the world's best streaming services, too. Without further ado, then, here's when you can catch Born Again's seventh installment.
When will Daredevil: Born Again episode 7 launch in the US? "Vanessa, when will the next episode of our show be released on Disney+?" (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)Born Again's next entry is set to arrive on Disney+ in the US at 6PM PT / 9PM ET on Tuesday, April 1.
If you're wondering why we've jumped from Born Again episode 5's release time to episode 7's, it's because two chapters were released on Disney+ last week. Indeed, there was a double helping of Daredevil's standalone Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) TV series last week (March 25). So, if you somehow missed that double-header, you'll need to watch its sixth installment ASAP.
When can I watch Daredevil: Born Again episode 7 in the UK? Jumping into a new episode of Born Again like... (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)The Marvel Phase 5 TV show's next outing will make its debut on Disney+ UK at 2AM BST on Wednesday, April 2.
Why the time shift? The clocks went forward one hour in the UK last Sunday (March 30), so those of us on British shores will have to wait an extra hour to watch The Man Without Fear's next law- or vigilante-based story on the streaming giant.
What time is Daredevil: Born Again episode 7 going to debut on Disney+ in Australia? Things won't get any easier for Matt Murdock from here on out (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)Those Down Under can check out Born Again's next chapter on Wednesday, April 2 at 12PM AEDT.
This is the final time you'll be able to watch the show at this time, too. The clocks are due to go back on Sunday (April 6), which makes things better for Australian viewers because you'll be able to stream episodes 8 and 9 at the earlier time of 11PM AEST.
What is the full release schedule for new episodes of Daredevil: Born Again? We're not a-Muse-d that Born Again's first season has almost ended already (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)There are only two more episodes of Daredevil: Born Again to come before its first season ends. Find out when new entries for one of the best Disney+ shows will arrive in the US, UK, and Australia below:
Marvel Unlimited monthly subscription: was $9.99 per month now $4.99 at Marvel
The ultimate digital comics subscription for Marvel fans is offering new and returning customers 50% off their first month, which is much cheaper than a streaming subscription to watch all the best superhero movies. To gain access to a library of more than 30,000 comics, use the code 'SPIDEY50' at checkout. You're able to use the Marvel Unlimited app on all iOS and Android devices, including the web, too. But, be quick – the deal expires on May 5!View Deal
If you’ve been dreaming about one day saying, ‘Hey Siri, have the vacuum clean the living room and the kitchen,’ Apple’s answering your prayers. Well, at least if you have one of the eligible robot vacuum cleaners.
With iOS 18.4 – Apple’s latest software, which is rolling out right now alongside iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, and HomePods software – Apple Home can now play nice and control eligible Matter-compatible robot vacuums from Roborock, iRobot, and Ecovacs.
It’s been a long time coming, to say the least.
Apple first promised that support for these smart home cleaners would arrive by the end of 2024, but it took a little bit longer – four months exactly. Still, the support is here with the latest release.
(Image credit: Apple)So what does this mean? Well, if you have a supported model from those three brands, you can add your robot vacuum to your Apple Home and control it right from there or even integrate it into an existing automation.
That latter means you could set up a routine to have your vacuum cleaner start up a session when you leave the house on Wednesdays to ensure that when you return, the floor is clean.
Additionally, within Apple Home or via Siri from really any Apple device, you’ll be able to ask the robot vacuum to clean a specific room or ask for it’s status. Now, you may need to update your robot vacuum cleaner. Roborock announced many firmware updates today that will enable the models to work with Apple Home when they roll out in early April 2025. Those include the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Saros Z70, Saros 10, Saros 10R, Qrevo Curv, Qrevo Edge, and Qrevo Master.
Models from Ecovacs and iRobot will likely require software updates as well, and we’ll update you when we hear more about those. Regardless of whether an update is required, it’s excellent to see Apple make good on its promise of rolling out robot vacuum support to Apple Home, and it really will bolster the smart home offering.
Of course, we’re all still waiting on the AI-infused Siri as part of Apple Intelligence, which could make smart home control even better, but that’s set to arrive ‘in the coming year.’ That’ll likely need to arrive before the smart home display – aka a HomePod with a screen – that I and many others dream of, if it ever arrives.
You might also likeApple Vision Pro just got a lot smarter with a visionOS 2.4 update that brings some of the best parts of Apple Intelligence to the mixed reality headset.
Apple's visionOS 2.4 is available now for download to your $3,499 headset. It adds key Apple Intelligence features, including:
While Writing Tools brings AI-powered writing suggestions to Messages, Notes, and other first-party Apple tools, Image Playground is an entirely new app in the Vision Pro arsenal.
It works pretty much the way it does on iOS. There's an app that you can open and then, using gesture and voice, create wild generative images that feature Apple Intelligence interpretations of you and your contacts. These images are manipulated based on your prompt and other visual options you apply, like "Rainforest," "Sci-fi," "Spring," "Party," and more.
The artwork now appears in three style options: Animations, Illustration, and Sketch.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)Vision Pro's OS update arrives simultaneously alongside iOS 18.4, which delivers the new Apple Vision Pro app to the iPhone. Inside the app are tech details about your own Vision Pro headset, including the specifics of your prescription inserts, if you have them. It's also a great place to discover fresh content for the headset.
Meanwhile, back on the Vision Pro, there's the new Spatial Gallery, which is an immersive content gallery. It'll be where Apple will highlight its newest piece of spatial video content: VIP: Yankee Stadium, an immersive look at the iconic ballpark.
Image 1 of 3(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3(Image credit: Future)We spent a little bit of time with the new Apple Intelligence features in Vision Pro. They're all easy to use and integrate well with the Vision pro's gaze and gesture-based interface. This is especially effective when you want to use your voice to alter your Image Playground creations.
As for Siri, you do gain access to ChatGPT via Apple's digital assistant, but, as in iOS, there are still no significant updates with visionOS 2.4. That said, we cannot wait until we finally have a Siri that can recognize everything on our Vision Pro desktop and take mixed-reality actions on our behalf.
Finally, visionOS 2.4 updates Guest Mode. Now, you can enable the mode from your iPhone without having to first wear the headset, hand it to a guest wearer, and see what they see through your iPhone or iPad. It makes sharing much easier.
You might also likeSure, we’re all waiting for Nintendo to spill all the remaining beans about the Switch 2 during its ‘Direct’ live stream on April 2, 2025, but there is another handheld courting our attention right now.
ASUS has just formally teased a gaming handheld in one of the most delightful ways possible. This comes after rumors of Microsoft partnering with the tech brand on a potential Xbox gaming handheld. We're hoping that means a device that’s as well equipped as a Steam Deck with Xbox flare.
The teaser, which was posted on X (formerly Twitter), reads, “Our little robot friend is cooking something up… #ROG #ROGALLY #PlayALLYourGames #NextLevelGaming” and features a 34-second video of that ‘little robot friend’ building out something on a large-screen monitor and then tossing a ROG Ally and a ROG Raikiri Pro controller into a chamber emitting smoke.
Our little robot friend is cooking something up...#ROG #ROGALLY #PlayALLYourGames #NextLevelGaming pic.twitter.com/nDG7rlEIhHMarch 31, 2025
What comes out? Well, it’s seemingly the rumored ASUS x Xbox handheld, and we couldn’t be more excited. The device that appears has a simple character winking with one eye with a grin and controls on either side.
It’s worth noting that on the screen during the building process, four things are being worked on:
e qualities of both an upgrade to the ASUS Rog Ally and what you’d want from a portable handheld console. While the original post on X doesn’t exactly mention Xbox anywhere, this post comes after rumors earlier this year, and Xbox did slide in here with a reply.
pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNkaMarch 31, 2025
The social team at Xbox responded with a member showing a side-eye, at least hopefully hinting at the partnership or maybe just causing false hope for us all.
Either way, whether this future ASUS ROG device runs on the Xbox platform or opts for an alternative operating system, it surely seems that it will be plenty powerful. Asus also seemingly wants to get ahead of Nintendo’s much-anticipated Direct stream on April 2, 2025.
As for when Asus we’ll share more, no exact date or timeframe is given. Though Computex 2025, which kicks off on May 19, 2025, is a potential event where this device could debut. Either route, stick with TechRadar for the news as it breaks during the April 2 Nintendo Direct and forever when Asus is ready to share more.
You might also likeIf you've ever visited YouTube and clicked on a trailer for the next superhero film and thought it seemed too good to be true, well, you might have been right. Wishful thinking, clever editing, and a scoop of AI fakery produced clips enticing billions of clicks and earning plenty of cash through advertising. The shocking part is that a lot of that money apparently found its way to the very studios you might expect to try and shut down any such unauthorized use of their intellectual property, at least according to information uncovered recently by Deadline.
That sidehustle may now be over with YouTube removing two of the biggest homes of these AI-laced fake trailers, Screen Culture and KH Studio, from its Partner Program. That means no more ad revenue for them or the studios reportedly getting a piece of the action.
Screen Culture has made many popular trailers full of AI-generated shots for upcoming films like The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman. KH Studio is more famous for its imaginary casting, like Leonardo DiCaprio in the next Squid Game or Henry Cavill as the next James Bond. You would be forgiven for assuming the plotlines, characters, and visuals on display were teasing details of the films, but they were produced far from the real film development.
The fakes were good enough to sometimes come up in searches before the real trailers, and enough clicks could prompt YouTube’s recommendation algorithm to highlight the fakes above the real deal. That translates into a lot of cash for a monetized video. That's likely why, according to Deadline, studios made arrangements with YouTube to redirect the ad revenue from these fake trailers into their own accounts.
Trailer tricksStill, YouTube has its own rules. The monetization deal may have been okay in theory, but the channels broke other rules. For instance, to earn ad revenue, a creator can't just remix someone else's content; they need to add original elements. A reviewer might show a brief clip of a film to comment on it, but most of the video is the review, not the movie. You also can't copy others' work, mislead viewers, or make content for the “sole purpose of getting views.”
Screen Culture and KH Studio can appeal the demonetization, but that might be a long shot. YouTube's decision reflects a larger ongoing debate about AI in the entertainment industry. The SAG-AFTRA strike highlighted the demands of actors for limits and control of any AI replicas of people in film and TV. The final agreement reached following the long strike set out new rules for consent by a performer before any studio can use AI to mimic their likeness.
In case that wasn't clear enough, California lawmakers passed two bills barring the use of AI to recreate a performer’s voice or image without their consent, even posthumously. That makes it harder for studios or rogue creators to conjure digital versions of famous faces just to juice a trailer, real or otherwise.
YouTube is somewhat stuck as fan-made trailers have long been a popular kind of content. Using AI, though, can make a fake trailer seem good enough to trick people, even if only by accident. And YouTube doesn't want to encourage the practice by monetizing it. For now, the message from YouTube is clear: you can imagine a world where Cavill is Bond or Galactus shows up in Fantastic Four, but you can’t cash in on that fantasy if it's built only around AI.
You might also likePlugable, an American brand known for USB flash devices, has introduced the USBC-7400H4, a new graphics adapter which connects up to four 4K displays at 60Hz from a single USB-C port.
This is the first adapter to feature the DisplayLink DL-7400 chipset, providing extensive screen space for demanding workloads, making it one of the best docking stations in the market.
It works with both Windows and macOS, including base models of M1, M2, M3, and M4 MacBooks. It can also be paired with the best monitor for MacBook Pro or the best monitor for Mac Mini.
High-resolution output with integrated power deliveryThe adapter also introduces a virtual 8K monitor powered through a single USB Type-C connection, allowing even Apple M4 laptops, which have limited built-in multi-display support, to create an extended workspace.
Unlike many competing adapters that are limited to 1080p resolution or fewer displays, this device supports multiple high-resolution screens via four HDMI outputs, enabling users to expand their display setup beyond what most business laptops natively support.
With 100W pass-through Power Delivery, the adapter allows users to charge their laptops while expanding their display setup, delivering 90W to the host. If external power isn’t needed, it can operate in a bus-powered mode, drawing power directly from the host computer.
The USBC-7400H4 is available from Plugable and Amazon for $124.95, with a 10% launch discount, and is also offered for bulk and business purchases through affiliate partners
You may also likeA new survey has revealed nearly half of businesses worldwide are dissatisfied with their websites, even after substantial financial investments.
Despite these significant investments, 36% of ecommerce businesses admitted that their website had caused embarrassment in front of customers or stakeholders.
This highlights a growing gap between spending and satisfaction, suggesting that even with the best website builder or the best web hosting for small businesses, many businesses struggle to maintain a site that meets their expectations.
The growing impact of website inefficienciesStoryblok surveyed 300 senior business leaders across the US and Europe, finding companies spent an average of $550,688 on marketing technology over five years, with 18% exceeding $1 million.
96% of those surveyed still claimed their website met all or most of their expectations, suggesting that while companies acknowledge website shortcomings, they may underestimate their impact on customer experience and revenue.
Losses due to poor website performance have risen from $72,000 in 2023 to $94,500 per year, demonstrating the financial consequences of neglecting site optimization.
“When we conducted this research two years ago, we were surprised to find so many businesses were embarrassed by their website and believed it was losing them vast sums of money. What made it more puzzling is that the majority of businesses said they received good ROI on their marketing technology,” said Dominik Angerer, Storyblok's CEO and co-founder.
“Fast forward to today, and we are genuinely shocked to find the situation has become worse. Businesses are losing a lot more money, maintenance times are increasing, and costs are soaring. Yet, satisfaction with marketing solutions has increased.”
European businesses are seeing the largest losses, with an average estimated impact of $101,000 annually, compared to $80,500 for US companies.
Despite investing in the best web hosting solutions, many businesses continue to face website inefficiencies that contribute to these losses.
With cybersecurity threats and accessibility needs rising, maintaining a high-performing website is becoming increasingly complex.
However, Storyblok believes that “a new generation of composable architecture and solutions provides a much more cost and time-effective solution than inefficient legacy tech stacks that are increasingly unfit for their purpose.”
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