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Updated: 10 hours 49 min ago

LG reveals US pricing for the LG G5 and LG C5 OLED TVs, and it's great news for OLED fans

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 09:00
  • LG has revealed US pricing for its LG G5 and LG C5 OLED TVs
  • Prices are the same or cheaper than their predecessors
  • Both series are available to pre-order through LG

LG has announced pricing for two of its 2025 OLED TV series, the LG G5 and LG C5, and in some welcome news, prices are the same and or even cheaper for some sizes compared to last year's models.

Available to order now from LG, the LG G5 and LG C5 are successors to the LG G4 and LG C4, two of the best OLED TVs from 2024. Pricing for the 55, 65, 77, 83 and 97-inch LG G5, is as follows:

  • LG 55-inch G5 OLED: $2,499
  • LG 65-inch G5 OLED: $3,399
  • LG 77-inch G5 OLED: $4,499
  • LG 83-inch G5 OLED: $6,499
  • LG 97-inch G5 OLED: $27,999

Interestingly, there is no mention of the new LG 48-inch G5, which was announced in the UK with the other models earlier this month along with pricing.

Pricing for the LG C5 series, available in six sizes, is as follows:

  • LG 42-inch C5 OLED: $1,399
  • LG 48-inch C5 OLED: $1,599
  • LG 55-inch C5 OLED: $1,999
  • LG 65-inch C5 OLED: $2,699
  • LG 77-inch C5 OLED: $3,699
  • LG 83-inch C5 OLED: $5,399

Compared with last year's LG G4 and LG C4, launch prices for the G5 and C5 are largely the same, with a couple of exceptions.

The 55- and 77-inch G5 and 42-inch C5 are all launching $100 cheaper than their respective 2024 counterparts, which is welcome pricing news.

Pre-orders for each model are available through LG's website, with links to each model below:

The announcement of these prices also gives us our first release dates, with every model of both the G5 and C5 listed as available in March 2025. Although there is no specific date, this means availability is imminent as we're already into the second week of March. This release schedule follows the same pattern that LG's OLEDs have had for the past few years.

LG has yet to announce a release date or pricing for the LG B5 in the US.

A pricing surprise

The LG G5 (pictured) offers a real brightness boost over its predecessor, the LG G4. (Image credit: Future)

These are the first official prices for the LG G5 and LG C5 in the US that we've received. We initially predicted they would be pricier compared to their 2024 counterparts after a first look at CES 2025 (accounting for inflation and pricing trends over previous years). However, European pricing for the LG G5, C5 and B5 and UK pricing for the LG G5 was recently announced, revealing that prices remained the same for the G4 in Europe and the UK and for the C5 in Europe. We hoped this would also be the case for the US, and thankfully, it is.

What we didn't anticipate in all this pricing news is that some models would be cheaper. Yes, at the time of writing, prices are still at a premium and significantly higher than the 2024 LG OLED models, which have seen their prices fall throughout the past year. But for launch prices to match LG's 2024 OLED lineup, and even go cheaper, could be a good sign for the future. Could prices for the G5 and C5 series eventually drop even lower than their predecessors?

We've seen the LG G5 and C5 in person and are excited about how both advance on two of 2024's best TVs. LG suggested a 40% fullscreen brightness boost in the LG G5 compared to the LG G4 and now we've seen the G5 and G4 side-by-side and can confirm the brightness increase is very real.

We've also seen webOS 25 and its new range of exciting AI features, including the AI Sound Wizard, which enables users to customize their LG TV's built-in sound profile in action and, spoiler alert, it's very cool. From what else we've seen, the C5 looks like a very capable TV.

We haven't had a chance to test the new LG G5 or C5 fully yet, but hope to in the coming weeks. We're encouraged by what we've seen so far and are eager to get our hands on them.

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Categories: Technology

A new SMS energy scam is using Elon Musk’s face to steal your money

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 09:00
  • Bitdefender has identified a malicious SMS campaign
  • The texts promise up to 90% energy bills savings
  • Elon Musk's likeness is used to try and trick victims

A malicious SMS campaign has been discovered by Bitdefender, taking advantage of Americans who want to save money on their energy bills.

The scammers sent an offer for an ‘innovative’ energy saving device via an SMS, usually including the victim’s real name, urging them to follow a link to “start saving” hundreds on their electric bill. The fraudsters most likely had access to the victim’s names through previous data breaches. Here’s one example of the SMS;

“Gary, your neighbors are paying 79% less for power. Why aren’t you? Stop overpaying- click here to start saving https://gimelove .com/eln”

ESaver Watt

As well as phishing and malware attacks, the link was found to lead some recipients to a fake news article featuring a photo and testimonial from Musk, promising an up to 90% saving on monthly electricity bills.

“The big power companies are scamming you. Yes, that’s right. Believe it or not, they have been using a secret to cheat you every time you run your lights, dishwasher, blender, vacuum and anything else that draws power”, says the fake Elon Musk.

“This is why your power bill is so expensive every month and keeps rising with some US residents paying as much as $500 a month in electric bills. Every American can slash their electricity bill by 90% using this revolutionary technology. You’re welcome.”

The article features a photo of the ‘device’, and links to product pages, where the plugin is sold for $40. Bitdefender has seen similar devices sold on Chinese marketplaces for just a few dollars - but to be clear, energy prices cannot be reduced by plugging in an outlet, and these devices will cost victims money and their personal information.

These are classic social engineering attacks, which are designed to panic or entice victims into action - usually clicking a malicious link which will steal their data. The best way to stay safe from attacks like these is to stay vigilant, and to never click any unsolicited links - remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

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Categories: Technology

This new health protocol combines 40 smartwatch biomarkers and blood tests to give you a health score

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 09:00
  • Empirical Health has released a new smartwatch health protocol
  • Empirical Health Radar uses 40+ smartwatch biomarkers, combined with clinical results to give you a health score
  • It can give you a deeper look at heart health, kidney function, liver health, and more

A new service from Empirical Health promises to deliver a comprehensive health score using combined data from your smartwatch and clinical records.

Available from March 11, Empirical Health Radar (no affiliation with TechRadar) can be found in the Empirical Health app on Android and iOS.

Empirical Health Radar takes 40 biomarkers from your Apple Watch or Wear OS smartwatch, and combines the data with blood tests to generate a doctor-designed health score.

The health score was designed by Dr Raquel Rodriguez, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Empirical Health, formerly of Kaiser and UC San Francisco, and features guidelines and risk models from the US Preventive Services Task Force, American Heart Association, and American College of Cardiology, and American Board of Family Medicine.

At its heart, Empirical Health Data is designed to supplement the fitness and health tracking of your smartwatch with clinical data, filling in the blanks that even the best smartwatches can't quite cover just yet.

The ultimate smartwatch health check?

(Image credit: Empirical Health)

Empirical Health Radar's health score categorizes biomarkers into six categories: heart health, sleep, lungs, exercise, mental health, and kidney/liver.

By way of example, Empirical Health notes even the best Apple Watches can't predict heart attacks, but cholesterol and blood pressure data can be used in an American College of Cardiology risk calculator to do just that. Empirical Health Radar combines that clinical test with your smartwatch's ECG data, irregular rhythm alerts, resting heart rate, and cardio recovery metrics to give you a more holistic heart health score than you'd get from either a smartwatch or a blood test individually.

You can upload a PDF or image of blood tests you've already taken, or import records directly from Apple Health using Apple's clinical records API in HealthKit.

If you don't want to surrender any clinical data, you can use Empirical Health Radar without recent blood tests and get a partial score. Or for convenience you can book a test directly through the Empirical Health app or complete one at a local lab for $97.

Empirical Health is available from the App Store or Google Play Store, or Empirical Health's website now.

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Nation-state threats are targeting UK AI research

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 08:58
  • The Alan Turing Institute has outlined recommendations to protect UK AI research
  • Nation-state threat actors pose a serious risk to the UK's AI development
  • Universities are increasingly targeted, so need to up protection

The Alan Turing Institute has issued a report warning ‘urgent action’ is needed to protect the UK’s ‘world leading AI research ecosystem’.

An urgent, coordinated response from the UK Government and higher education institutions is needed, the report says, to develop protections for the research sector. This includes recommendations to create a classified mapping of the AI higher education research ecosystem, and provide guidance to universities.

Higher education institutions in the UK are increasingly targeted by threat actors, with almost half experiencing a cyberattack every week. The report confirms that nation-based actors have been discovered using “espionage, theft, and duplicitous collaboration” to try and keep pace with the UK’s research and development.

Culture change

The rapid development of AI research makes it vulnerable to nation-backed threat actors looking to steal intellectual property, and using it for malicious purposes.

Concerns were raised about hostile states potentially gaining access to the “dual-use” nature of the technology, meaning that the tool can be repurposed or reverse engineered to be used for malicious activity, such as defence tools being converted to help attackers.

The report outlines a need for a change in culture to focus on building risk awareness and security-mindedness, and encouraging "consistent compliance” with guidelines and best practice.

The research also wants to address the UK's AI skills gap by ensuring domestic talent is retained, and delivering research security training for staff and research students. Research intensive universities are also advised to set up research scrutiny committees in order to support risk assessments for AI researchers.

“Furthering AI research is rightly a top priority for the UK, but the accompanying security risks cannot be ignored as the world around us grows ever more volatile,” says Megan Hughes, Research Associate at the Alan Turing institute.

“Academia and the government must commit to and support this long overdue culture change to strike the right balance between academic freedom and protecting this vital asset.”

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Categories: Technology

Doom: The Dark Ages' director confirms DLC is in the works and says the game won't end the way 2016's Doom begins: 'If we took it all the way to that point, then that would mean that we couldn't tell any more medieval stories'

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 08:25
  • Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel, but won't end the way 2016's Doom reboot begins with the Slayer in the coffin
  • Game director Hugo Martin says this wouldn't allow the team to tell more stories
  • Martin also said the team is working on DLC so the game can't end with the Slayer in a coffin

Doom: The Dark Ages might be a prequel, but developer iD Software confirms it won't end the way 2016's Doom begins.

If you haven't played Doom, the game begins with the Slayer locked inside a coffin until he breaks free. Since Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to this story, some players have started to form ideas about how the upcoming game will end.

However, according to game director Hugo Martin, this won't happen as it would mean the team wouldn't be able to tell more medieval stories.

"I mean, that would end the Dark Ages, the medieval chapter of the Doom saga. This is kind of like the Chronicles of the Slayer," Martin told PC Gamer.

"So if we took it all the way to that point, then that would mean that we couldn't tell any more medieval stories. And I'm not announcing projects or anything other than to just say it's better to leave it open."

Martin went on to reveal that iD Software has downloadable content (DLC) planned for Doom: The Dark Ages, which would also go against the idea of the Slayer ending up in a coffin at the end of the game.

"We do have a DLC and things like that, so it won't - I'm not giving away spoilers - but it doesn't end with him [in the coffin]," the game director added.

"The story is that they collapsed a building on top of him and then put him inside of that sarcophagus that we find him in at the beginning of 2016. And this game doesn't end that way."

Doom: The Dark Ages launches on May 15 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, as well as Xbox Game Pass on day one.

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Categories: Technology

iOS 19: the 3 biggest rumors so far, and what I want to see

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 08:22
  • Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that a major iOS overhaul is on the way with iOS 19
  • VisionOS could serve as inspiration for Apple's next mobile OS
  • A new software look could go hand-in-hand with rumored hardware changes

We’ve heard plenty about the rumored hardware upgrades for the iPhone 17 family, which is supposedly due at some point later this year, but a new report from the industry’s best-regarded Apple tipster suggests Apple’s next handsets will also usher in a huge software revamp.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that iOS 19 will represent “one of the most dramatic software overhauls” in the history of not only iOS, but Apple as a company. The last time iOS saw a truly massive change in form and function was with iOS 7, released in 2013 – even today, many of the apps and interface elements found in iOS 18 are based on their iOS 7 versions.

In terms of new functionality, iOS 19 could bring a reworked camera app and (finally) a more powerful Siri, but we’re still pretty light on tips about other features. Below, we’ve put together a roundup of the major rumors so far, as well as a few things I’d like to see from Apple’s next mobile operating system.

An overhauled design

iOS 19 may take inspiration from VisionOS (Image credit: Apple)

As mentioned, iOS 19 is strongly rumored to bring a total visual overhaul to Apple’s mobile operating system, the likes of which we haven’t seen in more than a decade.

Gurman’s report for Bloomberg suggests that iOS 19 will bring a similar visual refresh to iOS 7, with a major update to the “style of icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons” across the iPhone experience.

Furthermore, the Bloomberg report hints that the new interface could take inspiration from VisionOS, which could mean anything from full-on circular icons to subtler tweaks to UI overlays and menus.

However, a large part of Apple’s success as a brand depends on familiarity, so it’s likely that iOS 19 will at least resemble iOS versions from prior years – we wouldn’t expect to see the settings app lose its gear icon motif, for example.

This software overhaul may come in tandem with a reworked physical design; the iPhone 17 family is rumored to bring a new hardware look to the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and all-new iPhone 17 Air.

A new camera app

(Image credit: Front Page Tech)

The first major suggestion of an iOS 19 redesign came with rumors of a new camera app, which could use an uncluttered, open design reminiscent of VisionOS.

As we previously reported, a supposed iOS 19 leak hinted at the new camera app design earlier this year, with a handful of mocked-up screenshots to go with it.

In said screenshots, the shutter button appears to float freely over the lower part of the screen, with key settings available below it rather than crammed up at the top of the screen.

The buttons are all either circular or rounded, and there doesn't appear to be many of them. Overall, the new design looks pretty sleek. Still, but of course, this is just a leak, and may not reflect the camera app’s final look.

An improved Siri

(Image credit: Apple)

iOS 19 is also tipped to bring improvements to Apple’s digital assistant, Siri.

We had previously expected Siri to get some Apple Intelligence-flavored updates via mid-year updates to iOS 18, but it now seems more likely that Siri will get a proper AI upgrade during the life cycle of iOS 19.

9to5Mac notes that Apple could bring together the two separate systems that currently power Siri into one, offering a more conversational and efficient experience. Siri currently makes use of ChatGPT, but it’s suggested that Apple would prefer not to rely on third-party AI.

However, Gurman predicts that iOS 19 won’t bring any major consumer-facing Apple Intelligence features, so we could be waiting until later versions of iOS 19 to get a proprietary AI Siri.

iOS 19: what I want to see

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Personally, I’m a fan of the mellow, dependable interface that Apple has built out over the years. After smoothing out the sharp visuals of iOS 7 and adding expanded, modernized features with each iteration, iOS 18 looks and feels excellent in most situations.

Nevertheless, there are some things I’d like to see from the next version of iOS.

If a new, airier UI is on the way, it could be a chance for Apple to enable more fluidity in navigating through that UI. I’m a huge fan of the swipe navigation found on most of the best Android phones, and always find the lack of a universal “back” gesture a real loss when I switch back to iPhone.

I’d also like to see Apple go even further with customization. iOS 18 finally gave us the ability to move icons around the home screen and recolor them to fit with a given wallpaper or theme (here's how to customize your iPhone’s Home Screen in iOS 18 if you haven't done so already), but again, Android has been pulling ahead for years in this department.

The live wallpapers offered by Xiaomi or OnePlus could serve as valuable inspiration, and more control over widget size in a VisionOS-inspired aesthetic would make a lot of sense.

With that all said, I’m supportive of any potential shake-ups. From both a hardware and software standpoint, phone design can get pretty homogenous, so it’s nice to hear that Apple might be willing to take some risks. In any case, let us know what you want to see from iOS 19 in the comments below.

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Categories: Technology

Google bug bounty payments hit nearly $12 million in 2024

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 08:22
  • Google bug bounties see 660 researchers get a share of $11.8 million in 2024
  • Chrome and Android VRPs were lucrative
  • Google’s VRP program turns 15 next year

Google has revealed it paid out $11.8 million in bug bounties in 2024, with payments going out to 660 security researchers, equating to a theoretical average of around $18,000 each.

Its highest payout in 2024 was $110,000, with its total payout to date now standing at $65 million since 2010.

Chrome researchers and those revealing vulnerabilities in Android and other Google Devices accounted for around half of 2024’s payouts, marking the company’s commitment to security within its most popular devices.

Google paid out $12 million in bug bounties last year

Some changes to the structures last year resulted in higher payout potentials, with the Google VRP now paying out up to $151,515, $300,000 for the Mobile VRP, $151,515 for the Cloud VRP and $250,000 for Chrome awards.

In a blog post, Google's Dirk Göhmann said researchers contributing to the Android and Google Devices Security Reward Program and the Google Mobile Vulnerability Reward Program got over $3.3 million in rewards in 2024, adding that 8% fewer reports were logged. However, the company did see a minor 2% increase in critical and high vulnerabilities.

A total of 337 unique reports were made to the Chrome VRP – 137 received rewards totalling an additional $3.4 million.

Google also celebrated the launch of a new category – 2024 was its first full year of AI bug bounties, but payouts remained relatively low, at $55,000.

Other successes include two bugSWAT events and four init.g workshops to support the next generation of security researchers.

Looking ahead, Göhmann noted the company will be celebrating 15 years of VRP in 2025 – it’s unclear whether any changes will be made to its VRPs to commemorate this milestone.

Göhmann added: “We want to send a huge thank you to our bug hunter community for helping us make Google products and platforms more safe and secure for our users around the world – and invite researchers not yet engaged with the Vulnerability Reward Program to join us in our mission to keep Google safe!”

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Fluance's new active stereo speakers look like a dream soundbar alternative, as well as being perfect for turntables or Bluetooth music

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 08:12
  • Fluance launches bookshelf and tower speakers
  • The Ri71 and Ri91 retail for $399 and $799 respectively
  • Bluetooth aptX HD, HDMI ARC, RCA, and a sub out

With speakers this good, who needs a soundbar? That’s the argument for these new Fluance stereo speakers, which are thoroughly geared up with useful ports and connections to boost your home theater setup, or for modern music needs.

Fluance is a North American audio brand that’s been around since 1999, producing a long line of great ready to vie to be ranked among the best stereo speakers and best turntables – and the line now included the new Ri71 bookshelf and Ri91 tower models, which are both now available to buy in the US.

The Ri71 Reference Stereo Powered Bookshelf Speakers offer 120W of amplification, with five-inch “woven glass fiber drivers” that promise “a rich midrange and deep bass without distortion”, 'Air Motion Transformer' tweeters, and an MDF wooden cabinet to limit unwanted resonance – all for $399 (about £319 / AU$635).

However, the Ri91 speakers are where things get serious. These $799 (about £640 / AU$1,270 floorstanding speakers boast 150W of amplification, dual 6.5-inch woven glass fiber drivers per unit, 'Air Motion Transformer' tweeters again, and the built-in height, porting and air volume needed to blare out immersive cinema sound, as long as you’re happy with the larger footprint.

(Image credit: Fluance) All about connections

While AV enthusiasts often have to choose between a well-connected, compact, all-in-one soundbar and the greater sonic potential of separate speaker units – which can be arranged to suit the layout and space of your own home – these Fluance speakers come with a host of ports for connecting other pieces of AV hardware.

Both models support HDMI ARC, for two-way communication between the speakers and your TV screen, as well as an RCA port for turntables (with no amp needed, because they're active speakers), and a subwoofer output for upping the bass with another speaker unit.

You’ll also get support for Bluetooth aptX HD, for easy music streaming from whatever device you want, at a higher level of quality if your phone or laptop supports it.

Fluance is best known for starter and mid-range audio products, –such as the four-star Fluance Ai41 bookshelf speakers, or the Fluance RT81 turntable, which we called “the best starter turntable you can buy” – rather than truly high-end models. And Fluance’s Reference series spans $150-$1,100 speakers, offering a range of channel, bookshelf, floorstanding and surround sound speakers for different budgets.

But if you’re looking for a soundbar alternative for a three-figure sum, these decked-out speakers may be a suitable option – we’ll look to update you when we’ve had the chance to test them out ourselves.

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Warner Bros is replacing some DVDs that ‘rot’ and become unwatchable – but there’s a big catch that undermines the value of physical media

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 08:11
  • Some Warner Bros DVDs won't play due to material problems
  • Affected discs were made between 2006 and 2008
  • Warner Bros is replacing discs, but not all movies are still available

Of all the advantages of physical media – picture and sound quality, extra features, impressing visitors to your home with your excellent and eclectic taste – one of the most important ones is permanence. Unlike movies on the best streaming services, movies won't suddenly disappear from your shelves overnight because of licensing issues or cost-cutting.

Unless… they rot.

A new plague of disc rot has been discovered, and it's affecting Warner Bros Home Entertainment movies manufactured between 2006 and 2008. The rot renders the discs unplayable, and while Warner Bros is offering replacements, it can't replace them all.

Why isn't Warner Bros replacing every rotted disc?

The short answer is that it can't. As the firm explained in a statement, "Where possible, the defective discs have been replaced with the same title. However, as some of the affected titles are no longer in print or the rights have expired, consumers have been offered an exchange for a title of like-value."

Disc rot isn't new – it affected laserdiscs, and CDs, and every other shiny disc format since. But this particular outbreak is happening very early in the discs' lifespan.

Disc rot is oxidization, and it's very unusual to have that happen on discs that are still relatively young. In ideal conditions and with careful storage and handling a DVD could last as long as 100 years, and even the lowest lifespan expectation is around 30 years.

However, if the manufacturing isn't perfect, then the lifespan can be much shorter: for example, the phenomenon of disc bronzing, a form of disc rot affecting compact discs in the early 1990s, was largely found in discs made at a specific UK factory between 1988 and 1993.

There's no cure for disc rot, so if you think you might have some of the affected titles it's a good idea to check them now: disc rot is often visible on the disc itself, usually as a cloudy area, but it's most apparent when you actually play the disc: rot means it doesn't work properly.

As for prevention, other than careful handling and storage there's not a great deal you can do to prevent something that's mostly the result of manufacturing issues.

And it's all especially frustrating in this case, where collectors of physical media may be keeping these discs because a particular movie – or feature, or commentary – is hard to find or not available now. That's not a problem if Warner Bros can really replace the disc, but when it can't we're facing the question of how can we secure access to art for the future?

People who rip discs to make a backup aren't necessarily immune either: rewritable Blu-Rays and DVD discs may only have a lifespan of five to 10 years. But it's more understandable than ever that people want a backup of the things they want to keep most – even the physical object isn't safe from change.

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Categories: Technology

Daredevil: Born Again is Disney+'s biggest series of 2025 so far, but another Marvel TV show has performed even better

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 08:03
  • Daredevil: Born Again is currently Disney+'s biggest show of 2025
  • Its two-episode premiere got 7.5 million views in its first five days
  • It's still not as successful as WandaVision follow-up series Agatha All Along

Daredevil: Born Again has become a huge hit for Disney+ since the Marvel character moved from being in a series on Netflix to one of its rival best streaming services.

I was a huge fan of the original Daredevil when it first launched on Netflix in 2015, and the follow-up has been just as good from I've seen so far. Daredevil: Born Again now has a permanent home on Disney+ and is performing very well indeed, with the new series amassing 7.5 million views in just five days, according to Variety.

Despite its success, however, it still hasn't beaten the performance of the WandaVision follow-up series Agatha All Along, which received 9.3 million views in its first week of availability last September.

Marvel continues to clock up high viewership numbers for Disney+, but it's not just comic book fans who are flocking to the service. Hulu original Paradise (available on Disney+ outside of the US) drew in 7 million views in its first nine days, and I was one of them, so felt relieved that Paradise season 2 has been confirmed after that mind-blowing finale.

Disney+ and Hulu continue to impress me: just look at our best Disney+ shows and best Hulu shows to see why. If you're keen to catch up on the biggest and best these streamers have to offer, there's a limited-time bundle deal that you won't want to miss (see details of the deal below).

Disney+ and Hulu ad-supported bundle: was $10.99 per month now $2.99 at Hulu and Disney+
A bundle normally priced at $10.99 per month, you'll save 72% with this great Disney+-Hulu offer. It's for the ad-supported versions of both services and lasts for four months, after which the price goes up to $10.99 per month if you don't cancel. The offer runs until March 31, though, so be sure to snap it up while you can!View Deal

Why has Daredevil: Born Again been so popular?

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Daredevil: Born Again has a solid 83% Rotten Tomatoes rating from the critics, which means it can join many of the other great Marvel shows we have on our best Disney+ shows round-up.

Our senior entertainment reporter Tom Power called the series "a fearless revival" that "restored his faith in the MCU" in his Daredevil: Born Again review, and he's not alone with plenty of critics agreeing.

The new series features the same cast as before, with Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Wilson Bethel, and Jon Bernthal reprising their roles. If you're curious when you can watch, check out our Daredevil: Born Again episode release schedule.

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Categories: Technology

Camera-toting AirPods with Apple Intelligence said to be in active development – but the idea may be too flawed to take off

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 08:00
  • AirPods with cameras are reportedly an active Apple project
  • Don't expect them soon – this will be in the early stages
  • There are potential issues with hair, hoods, hats and more

We've been hearing for a while now that Apple is working on camera-equipped AirPods, and a new report says that they're in "active development".

The report, from Bloomberg, doesn't go into any more detail. But it ties in with previous reports from the same source that say Apple sees camera-equipped earbuds as an interim step until AI-packing smart glasses are practical and affordable.

I'm not so sure, because just like Vision Pro there are some very significant obstacles to come. And some of those obstacles are literal obstacles rather than metaphorical ones.

Opinion: AirPods with eyes could be even more niche than Vision Pro

Let's assume that Apple can do the tech equivalent of putting a quart into a pint pot, with some of the tech that currently takes up so much room in Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses made small enough to stick in an AirPod. That in itself is a big ask – it's one reason why Vision Pro is so big and Apple's own smart glasses are still years in the future, if they arrive at all – but if Apple does solve it there are still significant obstacles to overcome.

The camera tech in Meta's smart glasses would take up most of an AirPods' volume on its own… (Image credit: Meta / Ray-Ban)

The thing about in-ear cameras is that they need to be able to see beyond your ears. And if you're not a short-haired man in California, that means there are potential obstacles: long hair is the most obvious one, of course, but for reasons of warmth, religion or fashion there are also hoods, hats and other fabrics to think about too.

There's also the same question that, for me at least, applies to the Vision Pro. Yes, it's magical and clever and amazing and all the other superlatives. But what is it actually for? What will it actually do to make your life better and to justify the price tag?

The answer, inevitably, appears to be AI. But right now AI is frequently hopeless, and Apple Intelligence is hopeless-er – so much so that the only reason I haven't turned it off on my iPhone is because doing so makes Siri on my HomePods become completely unusable.

And I'm not alone. In December 2024, some 73% of iPhone owners and 87% of Samsung phone owners said that AI added "little to no value" to their devices. Perhaps this is why Apple has delayed the launch of the full AI-infused Siri for a while longer, while it develops it further.

Apple has a long tradition of launching devices without full understanding their most impactful purpose – it did it with the iPad, and again with the Apple Watch; both products took a while to find their niches – and I worry that unless they're designed to enhance another product such as Apple's smart glasses, then eyeballing AirPods may have a similar trajectory.

Cameras in smart glasses – privacy issues aside – make sense. But cameras in your ears may be too limited a prospect to ever really live.

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Security flaw means AMD Zen CPUs can be "jailbroken"

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 07:28
  • Google's researchers found a vulnerability in AMD Zen 1 - 4 chips
  • It allows anyone to push microcode updates, even malicious ones
  • The bug requires high privilege level in advance

AMD processors, from Zen 1 all the way to Zen 4, are carrying a major vulnerability that allows threat actors to push microcode updates on affected chips.

This is according to researchers from Google, who also released a tool to install the updates, or “jailbreak” the device.

Google’s researchers called the vulnerability “EntrySign”. They explained that it stems from the way AMD uses AES-CMAC as a hash function in a signature verification process, which is essentially a cryptographic error, since CMAC is designed as a message authentication code. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-56161, and was given a severity score of 7.2/10 (high).

Zentool

The researchers also found AMD was using a published example key from NIST documentation all this time, which helped them forge signatures and install any updates to the microcode they saw fit. In theory, a threat actor could abuse the vulnerability to bypass security mechanisms and trigger information leakage.

In practice, however, it’s a lot more difficult than that. The attackers would need to have local admin privileges beforehand, which is difficult enough on its own. Furthermore, the attacks would only persist until the next system reboot.

In any case, Google released an open source tool called ‘zentool’, which allows security researchers (and, unfortunately, threat actors) to drop custom microcode patches.

It consists of tools for microcode patch examination (including limited disassembly), microcode patch authoring, signing, and loading. The researchers said they’re planning on releasing details on how to decrypt and encrypt microcode patches in the future, as well. “A significant portion of the ongoing research is focused on building an accurate understanding of the AMD microcode instruction set – the current disassembly and assembly are not always accurate due to this challenge,” the report stated.

AMD has released BIOS updates to address this vulnerability, so if you fear you might be targeted, make sure to update your systems to versions dated December 17, 2024, or later.

Via Tom's Hardware

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Your next Android bargain? Major Motorola leak teases details of multiple 2025 phones – including the Edge 60 series

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 07:05
  • More details of Motorola's 2025 phones have leaked
  • The Edge 60 Pro, Edge 60 Fusion, and Edge 60 are on the way
  • Right now we don't have a rumored launch date

There are a host of new Motorola Android phones on the way for 2025, and we may have just heard a whole lot more about them, courtesy of a major new leak – a leak that covers pricing, color options, and internal spec options.

All of this information comes from the usually reliable 91mobiles (via Notebookcheck), and we get a mention of three different Edge 60 phones. These follow on from the Edge 50 phones that launched last year – see our Motorola Edge 50 Pro review, for one example.

There will apparently be a Motorola Edge 60 Pro, the most expensive in the line-up: it's said to be coming with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, in blue, green, or grape shades, and with a starting price of €600 (about $655 / £505 / AU$1,040). It's also being tipped to get a larger battery (5,100 mAh) than its predecessor (4,500 mAh).

Moving on to the Motorola Edge 60 and the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, the former will be available in sea and green colors and cost €380 (about $415 / £320 / AU$660), while the latter will be available in blue and gray colors and cost €350 (about $380 / £295 / AU$605).

Even more Moto phones

The Motorola Edge 50 (Image credit: Motorola)

There are also details of the budget Moto G56, which is also on the way in black, blue, and dill colors. That will apparently offer 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and be priced at €250 (that's roughly $270 / £210 / AU$435).

Lastly for now, there's also the Moto G86, which is said to be on the way in colors called Golden, Cosmic, Red, and Spellbound. The specs are listed as 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and the price is said to be €330 (about $570 / £280 / AU$570).

That's a lot of choice if you're in the market for a value-for-money Android handset in 2025 – and it's what we've come to expect from Motorola. It tends to launch a bunch of variants each year, often with differing availability (and even different names) depending on where in the world you're trying to buy them from.

There's no word in this leak about the Motorola Edge 60 Stylus, which has previously been mentioned by well-known tipster @evleaks. It's also not clear when all of these phones are going to actually be revealed – so we'll just have to sit tight and wait for now.

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PS5 Pro games will soon get something 'very similar' to FSR 4 for what Sony is calling 'the next evolution of PSSR'

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 07:03
  • Sony is currently working on the evolution of its PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) AI-upscaling technology
  • PlayStation's lead architect Mark Cerny says it's aiming to deliver "something very similar" to AMD FSR 4 for the PS5 Pro
  • PS5 Pro titles in 2026 will see "the next evolution of PSSR"

PlayStation's lead console architect Mark Cerny has said PS5 Pro games will soon feature "something very similar" to AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4).

Speaking to Digital Foundry, Cerny revealed that Sony is now focusing on its PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and working with developers to integrate the AI-upscaling technology into their titles, but for 2026 it's aiming to deliver an FSR 4-level upscaler for upcoming games.

"Our focus for 2025 is working with developers to integrate PSSR into their titles; in parallel, though, we have already started to implement the new neural network on PS5 Pro," Cerny said.

"Our target is to have something very similar to FSR 4's upscaler available on PS5 Pro for 2026 titles as the next evolution of PSSR; it should take the same inputs and produce essentially the same outputs. Doing that implementation is rather ambitious and time consuming, which is why you haven't already seen this new upscaler on PS5 Pro."

This comes after AMD launched its new RDNA 4 GPU architecture for its RX 9000 Series, in collaboration with PlayStation on Project Amethyst; a multi-year partnership that was announced in December, which aims to create "a more ideal architecture for machine learning".

"The neural network (and training recipe) in FSR 4's upscaler are the first results of the Amethyst collaboration," Cerny added. "And results are excellent, it's a more advanced approach that can exceed the crispness of PSSR. I’m very proud of the work of the joint team!"

Despite FSR4's intensive computing power, Cerny also believes that the PS5 Pro has the potential to run FSR 4-like technology, saying, "That is what we are targeting, and we believe we can achieve it".

"The peak performance number for PS5 Pro is 300 8-bit TOPS without sparsity, which compares very well to the recently released AMD GPUs. We don't believe sparsity is useful for this particular upscaling algorithm," he said.

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What time is Daredevil: Born Again episode 3 going to be released on Disney+?

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 06:55

Want to know when episode 3 of Daredevil: Born Again will be released on Disney+? You've come to the right place.

Below, I'll reveal the launch date for the Marvel TV show's next episode for US, UK, and Australian viewers. You'll also find more information on one of the best Disney+ shows' episodic release schedule, too, so you can find out when to tune into Disney+ to watch its forthcoming chapters.

So, without further ado, here's when the next installment of Daredevil's standalone series will air.

When will Daredevil: Born Again episode 3 come out on Disney+ in the US?

"This city... could do with knowing when episode 3 will be released" (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

Episode 3, titled 'The Hollow of His Hand', will be available to stream on Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services, on Tuesday, March 11 at 6PM PT / 9PM ET.

That's the same time that Born Again's two-episode premiere (read my thoughts on those via my Daredevil: Born Again review if you haven't yet!) was released on the service, so it makes sense that future entries would be released then, too.

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What is the Daredevil: Born Again episode 3 release time in the UK?

I'm legally obliged to tell you when Born Again's third episode will be released on British shores (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

Born Again's first two episodes dropped on Disney+ UK on Wednesday, March 5 at 2AM GMT. So, you'd expect episode 3 to make its way onto the streaming titan at the same time, right?

Well, you'd be wrong to think that. Daredevil: Born Again's third episode will be released on Wednesday, March 12 at 1AM GMT in the UK instead.

There's a simple reason for the timeslot switch-up. The clocks went forward in the US last Sunday (March 9), so the UK is only four hours behind North America's Eastern Time Zone and seven hours behind its Pacific Time Zone. In short: that means British viewers can stream it an hour earlier. Huzzah!

When can I watch Daredevil: Born Again episode 3 in Australia?

"Do you know when episode 3 will launch in Australia, Matt?" (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

The good news is that audiences Down Under can also watch the Marvel Phase 5 show's third episode a whole hour earlier than its two-episode premiere because the current time difference between the US and Australia.

So, if you want to watch episode 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) latest TV series in Australia, you can do so on Wednesday, March 12 at 12PM AEDT.

Where can I watch Daredevil: Born Again episode 3?

Hear that? It's the sound of people signing up for a Disney+ account (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The answer is obvious but, for anyone who might have skipped to this section: Daredevil: Born Again season 1 is only available to stream on Disney+.

If you haven't signed up to the platform yet, you can do so by heading to the Disney+ website or downloading the Disney+ app on your PC, videogame console, or mobile phone. Before you do that, read our Disney+ price guide, or check out the widget below, to see how much it'll cost to create an account wherever you live.

What is Daredevil: Born Again's full release schedule?

Sitting around waiting for news on Born Again's full release schedule like... (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

Like its Marvel TV siblings, new episodes of Daredevil: Born Again will arrive weekly on Disney+, albeit with one exception.

Indeed, in February, I reported on the news that Born Again will have an unusual Disney+ launch schedule, which is likely down to the forthcoming arrival of Andor season 2. The critically-acclaimed and award-winning Star Wars show's final chapter launches on April 22, so Born Again's first season needs to have wrapped up by that date to prevent a clash between Born Again's season 1 finale and the three-episode premiere of Andor's last season.

Anyway, here's Daredevil: Born Again season 1's full launch schedule:

  • Episode 1 – out now
  • Episode 2 – out now
  • Episode 3 – March 11 (US); March 12 (UK and Australia)
  • Episode 4 – March 18 (US); March 19 (UK and Australia)
  • Episode 5 – March 25 (US); March 26 (UK and Australia)
  • Episode 6 – March 25 (US); March 26 (UK and Australia)
  • Episode 7 – April 1 (US); April 2 (UK and Australia)
  • Episode 8 – April 8 (US); April 9 (UK and Australia)
  • Episode 9 – April 15 (US); April 16 (UK and Australia)
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A Nintendo Switch 2 FCC filing confirms Wi-Fi 6 and NFC support for the upcoming console

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 06:52
  • A new FCC filing has further details on the Nintendo Switch 2
  • The upcoming console will have NFC support, likely for amiibo figures
  • Wi-Fi 6 is also supported, as well as two USB-C ports for charging

Great news amiibo heads - it looks like the Nintendo Switch 2 will indeed have near-field communication (NFC) support.

A new FCC filing spotted by The Verge confirms that NFC support will be featured on Nintendo's upcoming console. As with the original Nintendo Switch, the NFC reader looks like it'll be housed within the Joy-Con controller's right thumbstick. This most likely means that Nintendo's amiibo figures will still be supported on Switch 2 - though we still don't know if any new figures are going to be produced for Switch 2 games.

That's not the only point of interest from the FCC filing. It also reveals that the Nintendo Switch 2 will support Wi-Fi 6 - an improvement over the original console's Wi-Fi 5. However, as The Verge notes, Switch 2 doesn't seem like it supports Wi-Fi 6E or indeed Wi-Fi 7.

The initial announcement trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 confirmed the console will sport two USB-C ports located on the top and bottom of the system. The FCC filing confirms that - similar to the Nitro Deck+ - both of these can be used for charging purposes. Maybe that seems obvious, but it should allow for more comfortable handheld gaming if you need to top up the battery while you're playing.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch sometime in 2025. There is no concrete release date as of yet, but this is expected to be revealed at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct which is airing on April 2, 2025.

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It turns out ChatGPT o1 and DeepSeek-R1 cheat at chess if they’re losing, which makes me wonder if I should I should trust AI with anything

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 06:50
  • Researchers have found that AI will cheat to win at chess
  • Deep reasoning models are more active cheaters
  • Some models simply rewrote the board in their favor

In a move that will perhaps surprise nobody, especially those people who are already suspicious of AI, researchers have found that the latest AI deep research models will start to cheat at chess if they find they’re being outplayed.

Published in a paper called “Demonstrating specification gaming in reasoning models” and submitted to Cornell University, the researchers pitted all the common AI models, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT o1-preview, DeepSeek-R1 and Claude 3.5 Sonnet, against Stockfish, an open-source chess engine.

The AI models played hundreds of games of chess on Stockfish, while researchers monitored what happened, and the results surprised them.

The winner takes it all

When outplayed, researchers noted that the AI models resorted to cheating, using a number of devious strategies from running a separate copy of Stockfish so they could study how it played, to replacing its engine and overwriting the chess board, effectively moving the pieces to positions that suited it better.

Its antics make the current accusations of cheating levied at modern day grandmasters look like child’s play in comparison.

Interestingly, researchers found that the newer, deeper reasoning models will start to hack the chess engine by default, while the older GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet needed to be encouraged to start to hack.

(Image credit: ARKHIPOV ALEKSEY via Shutterstock) Who can you trust?

AI models turning to hacking to get a job done is nothing new. Back in January last year researchers found that they could get AI chatbots to ‘jailbreak’ each other, removing guardrails and safeguards in a move that ignited discussions about how possible it would be to contain AI once it reaches better-than-human levels of intelligence.

Safeguards and guardrails to stop AI doing bad things like credit card fraud are all very well, but if the AI can remove its own guardrails, who will be there to stop it?

The newest reasoning models like ChatGPT o1 and DeepSeek-R1 are designed to spend more time thinking before they respond, but now I'm left wondering whether more time needs to spent on ethical considerations when training LLMs. If AI models would cheat at chess when they start losing, what else would they cheat at?

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Is your Google Pixel 9 screen flickering or are the haptics a lot more intense? You aren't alone, and thankfully there's a fix

Tue, 03/11/2025 - 06:47
  • Google Pixel phones are experiencing a few bugs
  • They seem to have been caused by the recent security patch
  • There's no official fix, but a few possible workarounds

It’s not a great time for Google at the moment. Its Chromescasts are having casting glitches, Google Maps is seemingly deleting timelines, and now Google Pixel phone users are reporting screen, sound and, haptics bugs following the rollout of the most recent security patch.

Users have taken to the Google Pixel subreddit to complain about random brightness fluctuations, sound glitching when using third-party EQ apps like PowerAmp EQ, and feeling like the haptics are a lot more intense after the update (spotted by 9to5Google).

Thankfully there are a couple of suggested fixes, though we’re still waiting on an official patch from Google itself.

When it comes to the screen brightness flickering in certain apps, some users have found setting their phone’s refresh rate to 60Hz using features like Battery Saver did the trick (though it’s not an ideal workaround).

A few possible solutions

(Image credit: Google)

On the haptics side of things Google has said (via Reddit) that it’s “looking into reports from some Pixel users about changes to haptic intensity” with it also offering advice on how to change haptic intensity on your Pixel device by going into Settings, Sound & vibration, and then Vibration & haptics.

As for audio, you might have to make do without your third party equalizers for now.

We’re not experiencing the issues ourselves so we can’t test these tactics out, but affected users are saying that the solutions work – so they’re something to try while waiting for a more permanent solution if the glitches are bothering you.

As for the few of you who may have somehow put off installing the latest security update because of these glitches, you might want to reconsider. Glitches can be frustrating, but not everyone who updates has been affected, and not installing essential security patches can put your device at risk – which could lead to problems a lot bigger than your screen brightness flickering.

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Race to launch most powerful AI mini PC ever heats up as GMKTec confirms Ryzen AI Max+ 395 product for May 2025

Mon, 03/10/2025 - 17:37
  • GMKTec EVO-X2 targets AI computing and gaming with 16 Zen 5 cores and a Radeon 8060S
  • Ryzen AI Max+ 395 delivers 2.75× faster AI compute than Nvidia’s RTX 5090
  • GMKTec accelerates its AI mini PC roadmap as rivals adopt AMD’s Strix Halo platform

Chinese mini PC maker GMKTec is preparing to launch the EVO-X2, a compact yet powerful system featuring AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor.

Per GMKTec, the device features 16 Zen 5 cores and Radeon 8060S graphics with 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units, positioning it as strong in AI tools, computing, gaming, and professional workload performance.

A GMKTec spokesperson told TechRadar Pro the Evo X2 will launch in May 2025, with pricing yet to be confirmed. However, its positioning suggests it will rival Apple’s Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra as one of the most capable AI mini PCs to date.

GMKTec sets sights on AI-driven mini PC dominance

Previously, the company announced plans for a Strix Halo-based mini PC but provided little detail at the time. With competitors like the HP ZBook and Framework Desktop adopting Strix Halo, GMKTec appears to be accelerating its roadmap to stay ahead in the AI-driven mini PC market.

The company claims that the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 can deliver AI compute performance up to 2.75 times faster than Nvidia’s RTX 5090. Additionally, the mini PC will support a 140W TDP, suggesting a focus on high-performance computing, 4K gaming, and AI model training.

If these claims hold, the EVO-X2 could redefine expectations for AI-enabled mini PCs, offering a compelling alternative to traditional desktop workstations.

While GMKTec has not yet revealed final design details, reports indicate the EVO-X2 will maintain the compact footprint of its predecessor, the EVO-X1, which was one of the smallest high-TDP Strix Point-based mini PCs available.

Via Videocardz

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Which affordable phone wins the mid-range race: the iPhone 16e, Nothing 3a, or Samsung Galaxy A56? Our latest podcast tells all

Mon, 03/10/2025 - 17:20

We've seen a litany of new phones released since the beginning of the year, and a fair few of them have been in the more affordable, mid-range bracket, but which one is best?

For this episode, Hamish Hector and I are joined by TechRadar's Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff, Mobiles Editor Axel Metz, and special guest (slash friend of the show) Alex Walker-Todd to discuss all things phones.

We also discuss new gadgets like Apple's latest iPads and Macs, the pro-grade photography beast that is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and new foldable tech that could make its way into upcoming phones.

You can catch the episode in the video player above, or you can stream it directly via our YouTube channel, on Spotify or via Apple Podcasts.

While you’re there, you can also catch up on all of our older episodes – including our CES 2025 and iPhone 16 specials – and if you’re on YouTube, you can check out all our other amazing video reviews and features.

In the next episode, we'll be talking about some more new phones we're expecting this month and a roundup of the best wearables we've seen so far this year. See you there!

This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to https://nordvpn.com/techradar - our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan. There's no risk with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee!

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