TechRadar News

• Housemarque's CEO basically said Saro wouldn't be happening without Sony's acquisition
• Saros likely has a big budget behind it, meaning it could look and play wonderfully
• That's positive news for a PS5-exclusive game and Saros could be one to watch closely

If the past couple of years have been anything to go by, game studios being purchased by big publishers hasn’t been a walk in the park for them, with closures and canceled games. But Returnal developer Housemarque is telling a different story.

In an interview with Finnish publication Helsingin Sanomat, as flagged by VGC, the developer’s CEO Ilari Kuittinen basically indicated that Housemarque’s next game Saros wouldn’t have gotten off the ground had it not been for PlayStation Studios acquiring the company.

While we don't know how much is being put into the development of Saros - an action-adventure game based on the lost off-world colony on the planet Carcosa while under an ominous eclipse - Kuittinen suggested it could be compared to the Remedy’s Alan Wake 2, which had an “an estimated development and marketing budget of around €70 million”.

Kuittinen noted that as an independent “you couldn’t have made such investments”, discussing the challenges for a small developer in wondering how long the company would survive in the gaming world.

“We had the feeling that it was better to try to get into a big family than to stay independent for the next few years,” Kuittinen said. “We thought we had to do the deal now.”

A positive wind of change?

After the shutdown of Sony-owned developers Neon Koi and Firewalk Studios in 2024, and Microsoft’s shuttering of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Games in the same year, it’s been a rocky road for developers that have been acquired by gaming giants.

So Kuittinen’s words are refreshingly positive. And given how Saros looks set to be a more ambitious title than Returnal, featuring actors like Rahul Kohli of Midnight Mass fame, and likely to be a game dripping in visual effects that really pushes the PS5 and potentially the PS5 Pro, it’s a good sign that the developer feels supported by its PlayStation overlord.

Equally, the recent news of Fable 4 being delayed until next year is, I’m hoping, a sign that Microsoft is also willing to provide the funds to developers to really polish their games and ensure they have the best chance to have a serious impact in a gaming world dominated by the likes of Fortnite and Call of Duty.

I’m crossing my fingers that this is all a positive indication that there’s still room for big-budget games that can explore interesting settings and mechanics without needing an existing franchise or basically GTA 6.

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• One of Apple's top health execs has left the company for Oura
• Ricky Bloomfield joins the smart ring company as its Chief Medical Officer
• Oura says it has ambitious goals for 2025 and an exciting next chapter ahead

One of Apple's top health execs has left the company to join Oura, maker of some of the best smart rings for health and fitness tracking, in what could be a seismic shift in the industry and a signpost to the future of health wearables.

Oura has just announced that Apple's Ricky Bloomfield, MD, will join the company as its chief medical officer.

The company says Dr. Bloomfield "will set the vision for Oura’s global healthcare programs and partnerships, shape its roadmap as it relates to adherence to ever-changing healthcare regulations, enable cross-functional collaboration across the organization to drive the direction of new hardware and software features to scale its healthcare ambitions and guide the company’s expansion in healthcare solutions."

Dr. Bloomfield was previously the Clinical and Health Informatics Lead for Apple Health, whose tenure in his role included the launch of Apple's Health Records for iPhone and iPad.

Oura chief commercial officer Dorothy Kilroy said the company was "thrilled" at Dr. Bloomfield's hiring, but what exactly does this say about the future of health and fitness technology?

Is the smart ring the future?

(Image credit: Future)

The best smartwatches have long been the industry's mainstay for health and fitness tracking, with sensors for monitoring heart rate, exercise, and even sleep.

But alternatives like the Oura Ring 4 offer a more discreet and unintrusive package that you're much less likely to notice. Smart rings don't get in the way of daily life as much as a smartwatch can, and they have other benefits, too.

Rather than relentless notifications and over-zealous encouragement telling you to stand up, smart rings quietly measure your health in the background, giving you actionable data and trends at a time that suits you.

That Dr. Bloomfield would leave the world's largest tech company, and by all accounts, a pioneering industry leader in health and fitness wearables, in favor of a smaller company focused on smart rings could speak volumes about the future of health tracking.

Apple was once rumored to be developing its own smart ring, but last we heard, the project had been shelved. Dr. Bloomfield's departure could be the final death knell for the Apple Ring, as we'd hoped, or it could signal that his ambition outweighs a decision Apple has already made to ditch the idea.

"We have ambitious goals this year, and his expertise will help us refine our vision and dismantle the challenges that exist when breaking into established industries like healthcare," Kilroy said, going on to say Dr Bloomfield's experience in data interoperability and standardization "will set the stage for Oura’s next chapter."

Is Oura hinting at future updates and new models that could work more closely with other smart tech, wearables, your healthcare providers, or even AI?

Only time will tell, but Dr. Bloomfied is a stunning addition to the company's roster that will have rivals like Samsung looking sideways.

While still an emerging technology, smart rings are a serious threat to the smartwatch status quo. This week, Circular announced that its new Ring 2 would feature both blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring, and it will be available as over-the-air updates in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

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• McDonald's has revealed a new meal and sauce to celebrate A Minecraft Movie
• The items will be available from April 1 in the US and March 26 in the UK
• Collectibles and in-game goodies will be up for grabs

Fast food giant McDonald's has revealed a new collaboration to celebrate the worryingly imminent arrival of A Minecraft Movie.

The new A Minecraft Movie Meal and A Minecraft Movie Happy Meal fittingly drops on April 1 in the US. The meal features your choice of a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, plus medium fries and a drink.

If that wasn't enough, you also get one of six limited-edition collectibles ranging from the Big Mac Crystal (allegedly "mined from the sea of special sauce" - whatever that means) to a blocky purple Grimace Egg.

Here are the names of all of the collectibles up for grabs:

• Big Mac Crystal
• Birdie Wings
• Fry Helmet
• Grimace Egg
• Soda Potion
• Zombie Hamburglar

Each collectible comes with a special code to unlock a corresponding, exclusive skin in the Minecraft Marketplace. As for the A Minecraft Movie Happy Meal, it comes with one of twelve film-inspired toys and a scannable code that unlocks a digital game to play.

The collab is also introducing a new sauce: the limited edition Nether Flame Sauce. This is described as a hot sauce, with crushed red pepper and cayenne in addition to hints of garlic and sweetness.

Things are a little more exciting over in the UK, where you'll be able to get your hands on the A Minecraft Movie Meal (complete with the collectibles and in-game items) plus limited edition Nether Flame Sauce from March 26.

Those in the region will also be able to try the Apple Cake McFlurry, which comes topped with cubes of shortcake and a sour apple sauce. The brand claims that it is "McDonald’s' most innovative flavor combination in a long time," but I'll be judging that for myself once it hits stores.

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• The iPhone 16e's 5G modem has outperformed the iPhone 16's in some tests
• Its lack of mmWave support might be the only thing holding it back
• This bodes well for future iPhones and future versions of this modem

One interesting aspect of the iPhone 16e is that it uses Apple’s C1 modem. This is Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, and so far the iPhone 16e is the only device you’ll find it in.

With this being a cheaper phone than the rest of the iPhone 16 series you might expect the C1 to trail the Qualcomm modem used in those, but in fact tests suggest the C1 might offer better performance in most situations.

Ookla (via 9to5Mac) has collected data from iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e users in the US, and found that the iPhone 16e offers 10th percentile download speeds of 27.35Mbps, compared to 16.66Mbps on the iPhone 16. Those are essentially the speeds that the users experiencing the lowest performance on either phone can expect.

(Image credit: Ookla)

For median download speeds the iPhone 16e also comes out on top, at 217.64Mbps compared to 210.55Mbps on the iPhone 16. However, at the top end the iPhone 16 takes the win, with 90th percentile download speeds of 756.13Mbps, compared to 560.4Mbps on the iPhone 16e.

Notably though those upper speeds could be skewed by the fact that the iPhone 16e doesn’t support faster mmWave 5G, while Ookla suspects future versions of the C1 modem will support this.

Just as good for uploads

(Image credit: Ookla)

The iPhone 16e and its C1 modem are similarly impressive when looking at median upload speeds, having the iPhone 16 comfortably beat across all three tested carriers (T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T).

This all is good news for Apple, since it suggests the company could switch to its in-house modem across all new iPhones without sacrificing speeds, and it’s all the more impressive as Apple claims the C1 is also more efficient than other iPhone modems, meaning it shouldn’t impact battery life as much.

It does put the iPhone 16e in the unusual position of actually having an advantage over Apple’s top models – other than its lack of mmWave support – but that’s one more reason to buy this phone, and looking ahead, it’s a promising sign for future iPhones, especially since the next generation of this modem might be even better.

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• Assassin's Creed Shadows could soon get PSSR support on PS5 Pro
• Technical architect Nicolas Lopez has teased the addition of PSSR and asked fans to "stay tuned"
• Lopez also said the team "went the extra mile" for the PS5 Pro to deliver meaningful performance and visual improvements

The PlayStation 5 Pro version of Assassin's Creed Shadows could soon see even more improvements with the addition of Playstation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR).

After a number of delays, the latest Assassin's Creed entry has finally launched and reviews are in, with many praising the game's overall performance and graphics, particularly on the PS5 Pro.

Digital Foundry also released a video comparing the game on PS5 and PS5 Pro and called it "one of the largest Pro upgrades we've seen so far", thanks to the system's Ray Traced Global Illumination (RTGI) tech.

The game looks stunning, but it seems that the game's visuals could get even better for PS5 Pro owners.

In response to the comparison video, technical architect Nicolas Lopez took to X / Twitter and said, "We went the extra mile for the PS5 Pro and wanted to deliver a meaningful improvement with the extra power."

One fan then asked Lopez if there was a reason the development team didn't implement PSSR on PS5 Pro, to which Lopez replied, "I'd stay tuned."

From this statement, it seems safe to assume that Sony's AI-upscaling technology will be added to Assassin's Creed Shadows in the future, although when exactly is unclear.

Ubisoft does have plans to release downloadable content (DLC) this year, namely Claws of Awaji, so it's possible PSSR could be added in an unannounced content update.

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• Smeg's color of the year is Jade Green – a soft shade of turquoise
• Three appliances are available in the color now, with more to follow
• It continues the trend for kitchen appliances in warm, natural tones

Kitchen brand Smeg has revealed its official color of 2025 – a soft shade of turquoise called Jade Green. Smeg is an Italian company (the name is an acronym for Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla), and it says the hue is reminiscent of the country's idyllic waters. Think of gondolas drifting along Venice's Grand Canal, and you've got the right idea.

There are currently three appliances available in the color: the Retro-Style Two-Slice Toaster, the Retro-Style Seven-Cup Electric Kettle, and the Collezione Digital Kitchen Scale, which launched last year.

Smeg says it will be splashing Jade Green onto two more products within the next few months, and judging by the images the company has released, it looks like those may be the Smeg Soda Maker and the Portable Induction Hub.

(Image credit: Smeg) Color me impressed

Jade Green continues 2025's trend for kitchen appliances in warm, nature-inspired hues. It's a marked change from the clinical black, white, and stainless steel we've seen so much of over recent years.

Back in February, KitchenAid revealed that its color of the year is a soft shade of yellow called Butter, which looks good enough to eat.

That announcement followed the launch of the enormously popular (and surprisingly controversial) Evergreen Artisan Stand Mixer, which features a matte olive body and a natural walnut wood bowl for an arboreal look.

Some bakers were worried that the bowl, which needs to be hand-washed and oiled to stay in perfect condition, would be poorly suited to tasks like whisking eggs, though real-world baking tests provide it worked just as well as traditional stainless steel.

KitchenAid has also made all its automatic coffee machines available in a creamy shade called Porcelain White, and Breville has updated its best coffee makers with new colors too. The Brass Accents collection gives machines like the Barista Touch Impress a 2025 update in shades of navy blue, olive green, and off-white, with warm-toned metal detailing.

It's enough to make me want to redecorate my whole kitchen.

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• Beyond 6G networks may unlock AI with real-world adaptability and reasoning abilities
• Virginia Tech researchers believe AI-native networks are the key to AGI
• Wireless technology could help AI bridge the gap to human intelligence

Artificial intelligence has advanced rapidly, yet researchers at Virginia Tech believe that achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) depends on equipping AI tools with common sense, enabling it to think, imagine, and plan beyond its training data.

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the IEEE Journal explores how wireless technology could serve as a foundation for this next step in AI evolution.

The researchers propose that AI-native wireless systems beyond 6G could provide a framework for AI to learn from real-world interactions, mimicking human cognition using the most powerful computers to process vast amounts of data.

Next-generation AI could drive a wireless revolution

Virginia Tech researchers argue next-generation AI is the missing link in future wireless advancements, moving beyond the efficiency-focused AI of early 6G developments to systems that can actively reason and make decisions like humans.

Unlike current AI, which relies on pattern recognition and statistical analysis, this new approach would introduce AI capable of understanding physical principles, predicting events, and adapting to unforeseen circumstances.

However, achieving this remains a long-term goal that will require the best small business servers to ensure seamless data processing and integration.

“We’re looking at least 10 or 15 years down the line before we have a wireless network with artificial general intelligence [AGI] that can think, plan, and imagine,” said Walid Saad, a professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the university.

“We have a blueprint and concrete road map. The entire vision might not be immediately deployable, but pieces of it can be implemented now. We're trying to position this paper in a way to tell the community that there is a path to something really revolutionary — step by step we can work toward a living, thinking wireless network.”

By processing vast real-time data and interacting with digital twins, AI could develop intuition, enabling it to predict outcomes, make logical decisions, and bridge the gap between computational processing and human reasoning.

“Simply put, the current level of AI is good at extracting statistical relationships from data, but it’s very bad at reasoning and generalizing to novel, unexpected situations – things that most humans master perfectly.”

To make this vision a reality, the researchers argue that wireless networks must evolve from merely transmitting data to actively learning from it.

“The missing link is really the wireless network and its components like digital twins, because we can use a twin that exists as a basis for a world model thereby enabling human-level-like thinking and integrating these 'thought' processes in the wireless network now,” Saad said.

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• GoDaddy found a malicious campaign infecting 20,000 WordPress sites
• It is called DollyWay, and it is super persistent
• DollyWay redirects visitors to fake gambling and crypto sites

A long-running, super persistent malicious campaign that infected more than 20,000 WordPress websites worldwide has been uncovered by experts.

Security researchers from GoDaddy dubbed it “DollyWay World Domination”, which had the goal of redirecting vicims to fake dating, gambling, crypto, and sweepstakes sites, although in the past the campaign was also used to spread ransomware and banking trojans.

DollyWay has been active since at least 2016, GoDaddy says, adding today it generates 10 million impressions every month, raking in solid earnings for the operators. Over the years, it also improved evasion, reinfection, and monetization strategies.

A single threat actor

DollyWay is currently in its third iteration, while the previous ones were more focused on malware distribution and phishing.

To compromise WordPress websites, DollyWay’s operators looked for n-day vulnerabilities in plugins and themes for the platform. They also employed a Traffic Direction System (TD) to filter and redirect users based on their location, device, and referrer. To make sure attackers get paid per redirection, they used VexTrio and LosPollos networks.

When it comes to obfuscation, DollyWay was doing a number of things: It redirected users only after they clicked on something, in order to evade passive security scans. It also wasn’t redirecting any logged-in WordPress users, bots, and direct visitors who were coming without referrers. It was also quite persistent, GoDaddy said, since reinfection would occur with every page load.

At first, GoDaddy’s researchers were under the impression that they were analyzing multiple groups and different campaigns.

"While previously thought to be separate campaigns, our research reveals these attacks share common infrastructure, code patterns, and monetization methods - all appearing to be connected to a single, sophisticated threat actor,” the researchers concluded. “The operation was named after the following tell-tale string, which is found in some variations of the malware: define('DOLLY_WAY', 'World Domination')."

Via BleepingComputer

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• Nvidia RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti GPUs have supposedly been pushed back
• The theory is they are launching a month later than previously thought, in mid-April and mid-May
• Even that launch timeframe isn’t set in stone, and the rumor mill reckons further delays aren’t off the table

Nvidia’s RTX 5060 graphics cards may not be landing on shelves as soon as we thought, based on the latest churning from the rumor mill.

VideoCardz brings news of a theoretical delay of around a month, courtesy of the Board Channels forum over in China (as flagged by HXL on X). However, we must remember that the previous launch schedule was just a rumor, and any delay is just that – a theoretical pushing back of what might only have been a pencilled-in release (or reveal) date.

NV notifies AIC partners of RTX 5060Ti/5060 delayed releasehttps://t.co/VFxgs92PoL pic.twitter.com/W6csIdEBylMarch 20, 2025

Those past rumors floated the idea that Nvidia was going to launch the RTX 5060 Ti GPU in March, and possibly the RTX 5060 vanilla GPU in April (or thereabouts). Other speculation suggested a mid-March announcement (which clearly didn’t happen).

Now, the theory is that the RTX 5060 Ti (both rumored 16GB and 8GB flavors) has been put back to mid-April, and the vanilla RTX 5060 is expected to arrive in mid-May.

There’s an added warning that these graphics cards could be pushed back further, as these are just rough timeframes – not specific launch dates. That indicates this purported plan from Nvidia isn’t yet set in stone, and is just an indication of launch timing for now.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Analysis: A believable enough scenario

If there is a hold-up here – and I must emphasize the if – then what could be the reason? Well, it’s certainly believable that Nvidia needs more time to get its act together in terms of ensuring that there’s enough RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti stock for a solid launch. As opposed to the shambles of ridiculously thin availability that has been the hallmark of the Blackwell generation of GPUs thus far.

The first point to consider here regarding the believability factor for this apparent delay is that there’s been chatter from the GPU grapevine for a while that Nvidia has been pushing back RTX 5060 models (before this latest rumor), due to running into various issues – and that has been coupled with predictions of limited supply.

It also makes sense that Nvidia might want to take its time to ensure that any of the purported problems are fully ironed out – especially after the ROPs controversy with RTX 5000 GPUs – and to accumulate stock so there’s a decent amount on shelves to begin with. Team Green really does need to do better in terms of getting some goodwill from PC gamers, who are starting to become seriously frustrated with the new Blackwell GPUs.

All of this is especially important to deal with when it comes to the RTX 5060 GPUs because they are at a lower price point, so will be far more popular and sought after than previous models. So clearly, Nvidia needs to ensure more chips have come off the production lines for these GPUs – well, you’d hope, anyway – which may take more time than the firm first thought.

We shall see, but the bottom line here is that those rumors which planted the expectation of an RTX 5060 launch of some variety happening soon are apparently wrong. Or perhaps they may have been correct at the time, but Nvidia’s gameplan has just changed (as ever, sprinkle a whole lot of salt over that assertion, and all the previous ones for that matter).

Meanwhile, the obvious danger in waiting is that AMD supposedly has a good amount of RX 9070 inventory on the horizon for a restock, and Team Red already looks to be making headway with clawing back GPU market share from Nvidia. And with RX 9060 models planned for launch in Q2 2025, so that could well be a May arrival, Nvidia could be feeling under considerable pressure.

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• Former US Cyber Command Chief shares concerns about suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine
• The pause has since been lifted, but the damage may already be done
• Move comes amid growing tensions between the US and Ukraine

The Trump administration had issued a week-long pause in intelligence sharing from the US to Ukraine in March 2025, after National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirmed the US had “taken a step back” and was pausing and reviewing “all aspects of this relationship."

The pause has since been lifted, but The Register reports former US Cyber Command and NSA General Paul Nakasone recently shared his “concerns” about the effect of the suspension.

Nakasone told the Wall Street Journal Tech Live Security event the rest of the Five Eyes alliance (Australia, New Zealand, The UK, and Canada) are “capable, but not completely” able to provide the cybersecurity threat information supplied by America.

“Crown Jewel” of intelligence

The move comes not long after the US paused cyber-offensive operations against Russia, representing a serious shift in foreign policy from newly appointed President Trump. Whilst CISA confirmed it would continue defense against all cyber threats, “including from Russia”, the relationship between the US and Ukraine certainly seems strained after the hostile conversation between President Zelenskyy, President Trump, and VP JD Vance.

Nakasone added the threat information the Pentagon provides allies with is a “crown jewel of US intelligence”, noting how, "being able to leverage that and being able to provide it to a partner is something that really gives you a marked advantage over anyone in the world.”

The suspension of intelligence sharing could cast doubt on the security of the Five Eyes alliance, an intelligence sharing agreement born after the second world war, and relies on trust between the five nations for operations.

Some speculate the recent pause could have “caused a severe damage to this level of trust” and that this action will erode the trust between the US and its closest allies, especially given the UK and Canada’s commitments to reaffirming support for Ukraine.

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• Nvidia's RTX 5000 series GPU prices have dropped in Europe
• This price drop is due to the better exchange rate in Euro currency
• Restock may need to be met with a permanent buying scheme to stop scalpers

Nvidia's RTX 5000 series GPU lineup (notably the RTX 5090 and RTX 5090) provides some of the best PC gaming experiences today, despite many setbacks Team Green has faced since its launch. Fortunately, there's some good news regarding prices, but it’s perhaps not the news you might want to hear.

As reported by VideoCardz, Nvidia's RTX 5000 series GPU prices have been cut in Europe, thanks to the Euro currency's strengthening (meaning better exchange rates) - most importantly, the RTX 5090 now costs €2229 (previously €2329), while the RTX 5080 now costs €1119 (previously €1169).

These aren't significant price drops, and it’s a shame not to see similar price drops in the US and beyond - it's really only a result of the better exchange rate in Europe - but it's still good to see Nvidia responding like this considering the recent frustrations surrounding GPU pricing. However, the problem with the Founders Edition GPUs isn't just pricing, it's availability, and this price drop doesn't solve that issue - in fact, it could make matters a little worse.

It's no secret that Nvidia's GeForce RTX GPUs are always highly sought after: the Blackwell GPU lineup has faced several issues such as missing ROPs, but it doesn't seem to be enough to turn consumers away from the GPUs completely. With this in mind, if scalpers catch wind of any price drops (especially ones bigger than this) after a restock, scalping will likely be far worse - and it would take genuine buyers right back to square one of scrambling for a card at MSRP.

(Image credit: Nvidia) Nvidia needs to make its 'Verified Priority Access' a permanent scheme

Nvidia recently resumed its ‘Verified Priority Access’ scheme, which gives users a chance to buy one Founders Edition card - and I see no reason why it shouldn't be made permanent for all consumers.

I say this because the stipulations involved with the VPA scheme mean that only customers in the US (who had also made an Nvidia account on or before January 30) can receive a chance to buy the RTX 5090 or RTX 5080. Scalping, low availability, and price inflation (for board partner cards) aren't issues that are exclusive to the US - and I can say from my experience that it often feels nearly impossible to find a Founders Edition GPU once a new GPU lineup launches.

I believe the only solution to this issue is to implement this scheme as a permanent measure: I've seen strict measures from retailers like Scan UK during the RTX 3000 series launch, which had a limit of one per customer and in some cases one per household. I realize it would likely be difficult to make the Verified Priority Access scheme permanent, as it partly relies on account age - but introducing further measures such as a fixed limit per household could suffice.

That may sound incredibly aggressive, but at this current rate, I don't see any other methods Team Green could introduce to stop - or at the very least limit - scalping once stock is replenished...

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• A new Gamepad keyboard is available in the latest Windows 11 preview build
• It features "button accelerators" optimized for handheld gaming PCs
• The update should be arriving for everyone in the coming weeks

Microsoft is implementing a new virtual keyboard for use with the Xbox Wireless Controller, which will make Windows 11 easier to navigate, especially on handheld devices.

The new gamepad keyboard layout for Windows 11 is now available in the Windows 11 preview build (26100.3613) with a promised "gradual rollout" that will see the feature coming to every user in the following weeks.

In Microsoft's own words: "This change introduces the ability to use your Xbox controller to navigate and type." It includes the use of "button accelerators" (with some buttons used for inputs such as backspace and spacebar) and the "keyboard keys have been vertically aligned" for "better controller navigation patterns".

It's the "button accelerators" that appear to be the biggest shortcut, as well as the compact layout aimed at handheld players. LT (the left trigger) is mapped to a secondary symbols key (&123), with the capitalization key mapped to L3 (clicking the left stick), and the start button serving as the enter key.

The layout should sound familiar to those PC gamers who are used to SteamOS, which is available on the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED gaming handhelds. Valve's software is optimized for handheld use straight out of the box in a way that Windows 11 just hasn't been when implemented on some of the best gaming handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X and the Lenovo Legion Go.

With the new Gamepad keyboard still yet to be fully released, some quality-of-life features are yet to be implemented. You're currently unable to log in to Windows 11 with an Xbox Wireless Controller, and the new keyboard doesn't appear to automatically pop up when entering text fields yet (via The Verge). However, it's a step forward in making Windows 11 a more palatable experience for gaming handhelds.

(Image credit: Acer) Anything to make Windows 11 better on handhelds

The biggest complaint about using Windows 11-based gaming handhelds has been the fact that the operating system is not designed for the hardware. We've seen this with launchers (such as Steam, Epic Games, GOG Galaxy, and Ubisoft Connect) being less-than-stellar with touchscreen controls, a keyboard that's sluggish to use, and text that can be too small to read, among other issues.

It was recently announced that SteamOS would start to be supported in non-Steam Deck handhelds instead of solely relying on Windows 11. SteamOS 3.7.0 promised a "beginning" to implementation, and we've seen promising things from the Lenovo Legion Go S, which forgoes Windows 11 for Valve's software instead. This handheld has the option for both operating systems, as well as the Ryzen Z2 Go chip, which outpaces the older custom RDNA 2 architecture in Valve's current handhelds.

As such, Microsoft will need to continue optimizing its latest operating system for the handheld market if it wants to keep competitive in this particular PC arms race. A better keyboard for controllers in Windows 11 is just the start, but a welcome one, and here's hoping future updates can continue to keep up.

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• Forcepoint observes new phishing campaign distributing virtual hard disk files
• The files bypass security protections to deploy the VenomRAT
• Victims end up losing sensitive data, so be on your guard

Criminals are now using virtual hard disk image files to host and distribute dangerous malware, researchers from Forcepoint are saying.

In an in-depth analysis, Forcepoint said it observed a phishing campaign, themed as a purchase order. In the attachment of the email is an archive which, when extracted, shows a hard disk Image file (.VHD).

When the victim opens the file, it mounts itself as a hard drive, and runs a batch script that includes a series of obfuscations including garbage characters, Base64 and AES encryption files. The .BAT file drops the Venom Remote Access Trojan (RAT) and spawns a PowerShell script that uses the Pastebin service to host C2 and exfiltrate stolen data.

Working around security solutions

Forcepoint’s Prashant Kumar said the threat actors opted for a VHD file to work around any email security, or endpoint protection solutions the target may have installed on their device.

“Threat actors always like to find new ways to deliver malware undetected to target large communities,” Kumar said. “I’ll cover a current technique threat actors use to bypass security measures, deliver malware, infect systems and exfiltrate data—all by using a virtual hard disk image file to host and distribute the VenomRAT malware.”

VenomRAT is a type of Trojan that allows cybercriminals to take full control of an infected system. Once installed, it enables attackers to execute commands remotely, steal sensitive information, and manipulate the victim's computer without their knowledge. It is commonly used for keylogging and extracting saved credentials from web browsers and applications.

This malware is also capable of capturing screenshots and activating webcams, employs various persistence mechanisms, and can deploy additional malware. Because of its powerful capabilities, VenomRAT is often distributed through phishing emails, malicious downloads, and exploit kits that target system vulnerabilities.

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• A recently published patent seems to show a solar powered DualSense Wireless Controller
• This could help address one of the controller's biggest flaws, its battery life
• As a patent, it's far from a guarantee of a new product, however

In the future PlayStation gamers might finally have a reason to go outside, at least if this new Sony patent is anything to go by.

As discovered by enthusiast blog Tech4gamers, a recently published patent from Sony breaks down what appears to be a solar powered DualSense Wireless Controller for PlayStation 5.

The patent, parts of which we have machine translated, describes a controller that houses photovoltaic systems. These, according to the patent, would be capable of generating electricity without the need for any kind of external battery or charger.

In theory a constant stream of solar power, stored within the controller's battery, would help prevent the controller from running dry when you want to play. This could address one of the biggest problems with the DualSense Wireless Controller, its abysmal battery life.

A new line of solar powered DualSense controllers would be welcome, though you should bear in mind that it is far from a concrete certainty at this stage. Large companies like Sony file patents for new ideas all the time and many don't end up being used in any products.

Elsewhere in the patent world, Nintendo recently updated a patent that seems to relate to an AI upscaling solution for Nintendo Switch 2. This might allow older titles to be played with cleaner image quality on the upcoming hybrid console.

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• Plex is drastically increasing its monthly, annual and lifetime prices
• It’s also going to start charging for its remote playback feature
• The move comes amid rising streaming prices across the board

If you use Plex to manage your home media library, get ready for some disappointing news: not only are all of its prices about to rise significantly, but the platform’s developer has also announced that you will no longer be able to remotely stream your media for free.

The changes were revealed in a blog post on the Plex website on March 19. There, Plex stated that the monthly price for Plex Pass will soon increase from $4.99 to $6.99, while the annual price will rise from $39.99 to $69.99. The most eye-watering step up was reserved for the Plex Lifetime Pass, which will more than double from $119.99 to $249.99.

The updated prices apply to both new and existing subscriptions, with the exception of the Plex Lifetime Pass – if you purchase that before the price rises are implemented on April 29, 2025, you’ll get to stay on the old $119.99 rate.

The incoming price hike has a lot of subscribers contemplating signing up to the Lifetime Pass, going by reactions on Reddit, with some users expressing signs of relief that they've already signed up for the lifetime subscription, while other say it's time to finally sign up before it doubles in price.

Comment from r/unRAID

Plex said that these increases will be implemented in order to “keep up with rising costs” and will allow the platform to “keep investing dedicated resources in developing new features, while supporting and growing your favorites”.

Drastic rises

(Image credit: Future)

Price rises weren’t the only unpleasant change announced in Plex’s blog post, as the platform also explained that changes were being made to remote media streaming.

Right now, you can stream your own media for free when you and your server are on separate networks. From April 29, though, you’ll need a paid subscription to either Plex Pass or to Plex’s new Remote Watch Pass. However, you will still be able to stream content on your local network for free.

The newly introduced Remote Watch Pass costs $1.99 a month or $19.99 a year and allows you to remotely stream content from any server that you have access to, and neither you nor the server owner needs to have a Plex Pass subscription for this to work.

The price rises mean that Plex has dropped its one-time mobile activation fee. Previously, paying this removed the one-minute playback limit on streaming to iOS or Android from a remote server.

With streaming prices rising across the board, including from companies like Netflix, it’s probably unsurprising that Plex has opted to charge its users more – even if it is the first price hike in a decade. Still, it’s never a welcome change when increasing costs are passed on to the consumer, especially when the increases are so drastic.

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• A new live-action Power Rangers TV show is in development at Disney+.
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz are in talks to produce the show.
• The iconic 90s TV show is inspired by the Japanese franchise, Super Sentai.

It's morphin' time for the Power Rangers as a new live-action TV show about the colorful superheroes is officially in the works at Disney+.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz are in talks to write, show run, and produce the live-action Power Rangers series, according to The Wrap.

The hugely popular Power Rangers franchise first launched with the 90s TV show Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, which was inspired by a Japanese children's show called Super Sentai.

Power Rangers then spawned into three live-action movies, video games such as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind, and comic books. However, these projects weren't all a major success like its predecessor. The 2017 Power Rangers reboot movie was a flop, not only because of the "uninspired costumes," but because the film grossed only $142 million on a budget of around $100 million.

With showrunners from one of the best Disney+ shows onboard to create the Power Rangers series, it has promise to become a streaming success, especially since it "will reinvent the franchise for a whole new generation of fans while delighting those who already know and love the world of Power Rangers."

What will the Power Rangers TV show be about?

Official details of the Power Rangers show are being kept under wraps for now, but the franchise is based around five teenagers who are chosen by an intergalactic wizard to "morph" into superheroes and defend the citizens of Angel Grove from bad guys.

A film version of the series titled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie featured most of the original cast and was released in 1995. Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie came out two years later, but only a few cast members returned to reprise their roles.

The Wrap added that "the development of Power Rangers is part of Hasbro Entertainment’s ongoing strategy to elevate storytelling and produce series based on Hasbro’s most iconic brands alongside the industry’s best talent, studios and distribution platforms".

These other active projects include a re-imagining of Clue, a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series Forgotten Realms, an animated Magic: The Gathering series and a major, live-action film and television universe adapted from Magic: The Gathering, both in development at Netflix. There's also been gameshows based on Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble, which both aired on The CW this year.

If you're wanting to catch more of the best Disney+ shows and best Disney+ movies, now is the best time to sign up as the Disney+ and Hulu bundle is back down to its awesome Black Friday price of $2.99 a month.

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• The new GFX100RF is Fujifilm's first fixed lens medium-format camera
• It has a 102MP sensor, 35mm f/4 lens and premium rangefinder-style design
• Sales start early April (TBC), list price is $4,899 / £4,699 / AU$8,799

Compact cameras are all the rage right now, and while calling the new Fujifilm GFX100RF 'compact' is a bit of a stretch, its 102MP medium-format sensor is the biggest and highest-resolution for a camera of this kind. Premium is an understatement, plus the rangefinder-style camera looks the part too.

Fujifilm summed up the GFX100RF concept in a teaser video ahead of its launch, suggesting that the premium compact combines elements of the popular Fujifilm X100VI compact and the GFX100S II mirrorless camera.

This is the smallest and lightest Fujifilm medium-format camera yet and it includes a lens. It's similar in size to the X100VI but a fair bit deeper, in order to house the same 102MP sensor utilized by the GFX100S II, plus a fixed 35mm f/4 lens. That equates to a 28mm focal length in full-frame terms – ideal for everyday and street photography.

Then there's the top plate machined from a single 500g block of aluminum – a similar quality and process to the Sigma BF. Its feel and potential durability is a dream for camera lovers.

I'll unpack the handling of the camera shortly, but my brief hands-on with the GFX100RF at Fujifilm's House of Photography in London ahead of its announcement was enough time to convince me of the camera's quality.

The Fujifilm GFX100RF costs $4,899 / £4,699 / AU$8,799 and comes with a premium strap, square lens hood, adapter ring and a protective lens filter. While it may seem expensive, that price is lower than the smaller-format Leica Q3's; the camera that holds the position of top premium pick in our best compact cameras buying guide ( ....for now).

Image 1 of 3

Medium-format has never been this small. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 3

However, the depth of the camera and its fixed lens means you'll struggle squeezing it into a pocket. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 3

There are all-black or black / silver versions of the GFX100RF. (Image credit: Tim Coleman) The right format?

The new GFX100RF has X100-series looks, in a deeper body housing medium-format tech. I haven't taken any pictures with the new camera yet, but I have reviewed the GFX100S II and GFX100 II, and know just how good image quality is – though the new lens is unknown to me.

That sensor quality being paired with a fine-tuned fixed lens, and packed into a smaller-than-ever body (weighing just 735g, with battery and card), is seriously impressive. The concept actually makes a lot of sense, as do some unusual design touches.

With 102MP pixels to play with, an aspect ratio dial debuts, plus a lever for a digital crop – these take prominent positions on the top plate. Like the 61MP Leica Q3, the digital crop is really usable for the fixed lens, emulating 36mm, 50mm and 63mm focal lengths, at a reduced resolution for JPEGs.

Likewise, there's a wide choice of aspect ratios, including panoramic, with a handy 'Surround View' semi-transparent guide that marks the cropped out area. Shoot in raw & JPEG format, and the raw file keeps the full 102MP resolution.

Image 1 of 7

The GFX100RF is the first medium-format camera by Fujifilm with a silver top plate. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 7

It resembles an X100-series camera. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 7

Here's its new aspect ratio dial (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 7

And a neat stack of control; a crop lever, command dial and on/off switch. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 5 of 7

Here's the lens, which comes with a lens hood, adapter and protective filter to make the camera weather proof. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 6 of 7

The lens has dreamy handling (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 7 of 7

The premium quality of the top plate cannot be overstated. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Every control feels premium and built to last, including the shutter speed / ISO dial, aspect ratio and a stack that includes the crop lever, a command dial and on/off switch.

The lens feels great too, with its aperture ring and easy rotation. It features a leaf shutter which makes a handy 4-stop built-in ND filter possible, plus it has a positive impact on battery life: the GFX100RF uses the same unit as the X-T5 and other Fujifilm cameras, yet is rated for 820-shots.

Burst shooting tops out at 6fps for sequences up to 296 JPEGs or 40 raws – not bad for a 102MP camera – while the maximum video resolution is 4K 30p 4:2:2 10-bit, but is supported by an impressive range of video features. This is, however, a photographer's camera first.

Like the X100-series of cameras, the GFX100RF is only dust and splash-proof with the included adapter ring and protective filter attached. The 3.2-inch, 2.1m-dot tilt touchscreen is also the same type as found in the X100VI.

Other inherited components include the 5.76m-dot EVF from the GFX100S II. Personally I'm disappointed that Fujifilm didn't opt for the hybrid viewfinder used by the X100-series because I'm a big fan of the optical display.

Image 1 of 4

Twin SD UHS-II card slots (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 4

Mic input, headphone jack, USB-C charging and micro HDMI ports are hidden behind a single door. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 4

The 5.76m-dot EVF, just like in the GFX100S II (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 4

The tilt touchscreen is the same unit used by the X100VI. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

There's also no sensor based image stabilization (IBIS), just a digital IS for video. That, combined with the lens' relatively slow f/4 maximum aperture and limited light gathering capabilities are the biggest drawbacks that I can see from my quick hands-on – necessary compromises for the larger sensor format / compact lens size.

Overall, I'm super impressed by the Fujifilm GFX100RF and I can't wait to have a longer period of time with the camera to really get a feel for it. Has the Leica Q3 met its match? Possibly, though there are medium-format drawbacks. Stay tuned for my full review and verdict.

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• The Analogue 3D has been delayed until later this year
• The 4K-capable reimagining of the Nintendo 64 is expected to ship in July
• Pre-orders were originally meant to ship in Q1 2025

The Analogue 3D, a 4K-capable rendition of the Nintendo 64 from hardware manufacturer Analogue, has been delayed.

The console was expected to be shipped in Q1 2025. Now, the company is aiming for a July 2025 shipping window for those who have placed a pre-order. Quite a painful wait if you're one of many who purchased a unit ahead of time.

The Analogue 3D's FAQ page has been updated with the following statement: "Analogue 3D was originally available for pre-order at the end of 2024 scheduled to ship Q1 2025.

"Analogue 3D shipping is delayed (as of March 18th, 2025) and is now shipping by July 2025. We are working hard to get your 3D order in hands asap and appreciate your patience. If you have an open pre-order no action is needed."

Analogue also stresses that those interested in canceling their pre-order to receive a refund because of the delay are welcome to do so thanks to its "no questions asked, 100% refund policy for pre-orders."

In case you're unaware, the Analogue 3D - according to its store page - is a "reimagining of the N64." It's not an emulation unit, instead outputting original Nintendo 64 cartridges to 4K resolution. It's also completely region-free and supports wireless controllers via Bluetooth LE.

While the Analogue 3D is out of stock for now, I am hoping the company will offer additional stock post-launch. I know from experience that starting a retro game collection in 2025 can be a seriously expensive endeavor, especially when factoring in the need for a CRT TV (or alternatively, a bespoke HDMI upscaler for your console of choice) - not to mention finding space in your gaming setup for one.

By comparison, the Analogue 3D at the very least sounds like a convenient alternative by offering modern TV compatibility via HDMI and region-free cartridge support. It's got the makings of one of the best gaming consoles if it can deliver a quality retro experience. Hopefully, we'll be able to test one and deliver our verdict post-release.

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• A bug in recent updates for Windows 11 and 10 accidentally deleted Copilot
• Microsoft has swiftly fixed this and reinstated the Copilot app
• The company will doubtless be looking to forget this odd episode in the AI assistant’s history just as swiftly

Microsoft has rushed out a patch to put Copilot back into Windows 11 (and Windows 10), after the latest round of updates for its operating systems deleted the app for the AI assistant (for some users, anyway).

In what’s one of the more head-scratching bugs we’ve seen from Microsoft in the recent past – and it has some competition there, make no mistake – the key introduction for Windows 11 as far as AI is concerned was accidentally removed from some PCs.

Windows Latest noticed the fix has now landed, and observed that Microsoft updated its support documents for affected versions of Windows, which are Windows 11 24H2 and 23H2, and also Windows 10.

Microsoft tells us: “This issue has been fixed, and the affected devices are being returned to their original state.”

So, if the Copilot app has gone missing from your desktop, it will soon be returned to its rightful place, although it may take a little time for the cure to be pushed to all affected systems.

As Microsoft also notes, if you can’t wait, you can manually reinstall the Copilot application yourself. You’ll find it in the Microsoft Store (and once it’s installed again, you can also manually pin it back on the taskbar).

(Image credit: Shutterstock) Analysis: A predictably swift response to a bewildering bug

Windows Latest also observed that Microsoft kept this one rather under the radar, keeping its known issue updates (including the resolution) just to the respective support documents for Windows versions, rather than flagging this in the overarching Windows health dashboard.

That’s not surprising, though, and indeed the speedy fix is no surprise either. Let’s face it, this was a red-alert-level of embarrassment here – Microsoft is pushing hard to drive Copilot adoption, so ditching the AI app mistakenly from some Windows 11 devices was rather shooting itself in the foot, to say the least.

Clearly enough, it wasn’t a difficult fix, and at any rate, as Microsoft has pointed out, it wasn’t difficult to rectify the problem yourself simply by reinstalling the Copilot app manually.

As a final thought, here’s an interesting question to ponder: how many of the affected PCs that had Copilot removed even noticed the AI assistant was missing? If you never summon the Copilot app, you might not have even noticed the icon going missing from the taskbar. I’m betting a fair few people will have fallen into that category…

That said, it should be noted that as far as I’m aware, only a relatively small set of Windows 11 (and 10) users were hit by the vanishing Copilot bug in the first place, so the overall impact was likely to be limited, anyway. As mentioned, this is more of a PR embarrassment for Microsoft than anything else, but it’s certainly a weird error to have occurred.

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• Oracle reveals $5bn financial backing for UK
• Move hoped to help businesses and governments alike
• Investment in OCI will roll out over next five years

Oracle has revealed plans to invest $5 billion in the UK over the next few years as it looks to help the country become a leader in AI.

Set to roll out over the next five years, Oracle’s investment will look to meet the increasing demand for AI technology in the UK, expanding its Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) footprint across the nation.

But it will also help boost the UK’s government bid to become a world leader in AI, allowing more businesses of all sizes to get the most out of the technology.

Oracle UK investment

"We're seeing huge demand globally, and that's no different in the UK,” Siobhan Wilson, senior vice president and country leader, Oracle UK, said at the company’s World Tour London event.

“It's no surprise how important AI investment is for the UK government,” she added, “it's really important for us to understand how AI adoption can help us be innovative in the country.”

"The investment will expand OCI’s footprint in the UK, and crucially help the UK government deliver on its vision for AI innovation and adoption. This investment into cloud infrastructure will enable more businesses in the UK to leverage Oracle’s comprehensive AI and cloud computing services.”

This will include sovereign AI, meaning customers can run all OCI cloud services in their own data centers, as well as dedicated multicloud capabilities, and Oracle’s latest generative AI innovations.

"The UK is determined to lead the world in AI innovation, and today’s announcement from Oracle is a testament to our nation’s growing strength in this sector,” added Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP.

“This $5 billion investment will accelerate our AI ambitions, providing businesses and public services with cutting-edge cloud infrastructure to drive productivity, enhance security, and unlock new opportunities for growth – driving forward our Plan for Change.”

“By working with global tech leaders like Oracle, we’re cementing the UK’s position at the forefront of the AI revolution, creating high-skilled jobs, fueling innovation, and securing our place as a world-leading tech powerhouse."

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