Error message

  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in menu_set_active_trail() (line 2405 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/menu.inc).

TechRadar News

New forum topics

Subscribe to TechRadar News feed
Updated: 4 hours 1 min ago

This AI platform claims to 'understand' human emotions and sense stress and anxiety: here's what you need to know

Sat, 05/31/2025 - 06:35
  • Kopernica AI platform tracks over 790 body points
  • Combines vision, voice, and psychology to “understand” complex human emotions
  • Continuously learns users' emotional patterns to personalize its responses with empathy

In recent years, artificial intelligence has rapidly advanced in understanding human language and behavior, yet the challenge of truly grasping human emotions remains a frontier.

However Neurologyca says its new AI system can “understand” human emotions, sense stress and anxiety, and adapt accordingly.

Kopernica integrates multiple sensory inputs and, unlike traditional AI which relies primarily on text or speech, uses a combination of computer vision, natural language processing, and personality modeling.

Multi-Modal Sensing

The system monitors over 790 points of reference on the human body, seven times more than comparable market solutions.

By using 3D pattern recognition, it can record subtle body language and facial expressions.

In order to find emotional clues that go beyond words, it also examines vocal tone and rhythmic patterns.

Furthermore, Kopernica continuously learns an individual’s emotional trends and interaction preferences.

This enables the system to personalize and be more empathetic in engagement over time.

Such multi-modal signal fusion is touted as the first technology to combine visual, auditory, and psychological signals to infer complex states like motivation, cognitive load, stress, and attention.

"Today’s AI systems understand what we say, but they can’t understand how we feel," said Juan Graña, Co-founder and CEO of Neurologyca.

"With Kopernica, we’ve created the human context layer that will empower these systems to not only capture nuanced human emotions but respond with empathy, adapt their behavior, and genuinely enhance the human-machine relationship.”

The promise of an emotionally smart AI is attractive, but the huge question remains: Can AI really understand human emotions in any meaningful sense?

The human capacity is very complex. It is shaped by history, context, individual nuance and cultural dimensions that even the most advanced AI system will overlook.

It goes beyond simply detecting anxiety or stress markers from micro-expressions and vocal patterns. The interpretation of what caused these expressions and the appropriate response is an issue that most likely requires human judgment.

There is also the issue of privacy. Neurologyca claims Kopernica performs real-time processing locally on devices, anonymizing data and ensuring no identifiable information is stored or shared without explicit consent.

Yet, any system that claims to consistently monitor human physiological and psychological signals, especially in public settings, will always have privacy issues to deal with.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

We just got a big hint that the Google Pixel 10 could be launching earlier than expected

Sat, 05/31/2025 - 04:30
  • A new Pixel superfan event has been spotted
  • It could offer a sneak preview of the Pixel 10
  • That would point to a launch before August

We know that Android 16 is going to be launching significantly earlier in the year than Android 15 did, and now the signs are that the Google Pixel 10 could break cover earlier this year than the Pixel 9 did in 2024.

According to Android Police, Pixel superfans in the UK – so Pixel owners who've signed up for access to a community of people who really, really like Pixels – have been invited to an exclusive Pixel 10 preview event on June 27.

Yes, that's June 27, 2025 – a mere 27 days from today (May 31). Now the Pixel 10 isn't mentioned by name on the invitation, but it does refer to "pre-release Pixel devices", which most probably means the upcoming flagship phone.

We're speculating a bit here, but the Google Pixel 9 launched on August 13, 2024. If Google is going to demo the Pixel 10 to superfans near the end of June, then we might be looking at a launch for the device sometime in July.

Speeding up

The Pixel 9 Pro is due a successor soon (Image credit: Blue Pixl Media)

An earlier Pixel 10 launch would fit with a recent Google trend too: the Google Pixel 8 was unveiled on October 12, 2023, so these launches are getting earlier and earlier with each passing year – perhaps to get way ahead of the traditional September iPhone launch.

And Android is launching early this year, too: Android 16 is expected to leave beta sometime in June, whereas Android 15 wasn't officially finished until September 2024. Google is speeding up its hardware and software development, it seems.

Thanks to the Android 16 beta program and Google I/O 2025, we already know a lot about what the software upgrade is bringing with it, of course. One of the most significant updates is a visual overhaul called Material 3 Expressive.

We don't know quite as much about the Pixel 10, though a few leaks and rumors have emerged in recent months. It is apparently going to bring with it a pretty underwhelming camera upgrade, and improved display technology.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge might look gorgeous, but its headline feature stands out for all the wrong reasons

Sat, 05/31/2025 - 04:29

I’ve spent the last two weeks with Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, and when showing the all-new Galaxy S device to my friends and family, the same two comments would always be made. The first: ‘wow, that’s thin’. The second: ‘why?’.

Sadly I’ve been unable to provide a quick answer to the latter. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge doesn’t trim the fat when it comes to being an epic handset – it features the same great user interface that Samsung refined with the S25 launch and, indeed, it looks and feels especially premium. But the feature that justifies its ‘Edge’ namesake hasn’t been demonstrated as particularly useful.

Despite being more expensive than the Galaxy S25 Plus (the edge starts at $1,099.99 / £1,099 / AU$1,849, while the Plus starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699), it features a lot of the same specs – and where it doesn't, it's often made sacrifices, including with the camera and battery.

There’s a nice mix of features here that, on the whole, are probably attractive to a user after a particular spec. That being said, the S25 Plus remains the better phone, and if you’re gravitating towards more expensive phones, I’d recommend the S25 Ultra over the Edge.

I don’t really have a lot to say about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, but if you’re someone who has been craving a thin phone, pay attention to this device. I don’t recommend paying full price but, once Black Friday sales roll around, I’d be more inclined to purchase the Edge at a discount. At full price, however, with the Galaxy S25 Plus now seeing price drops, it's a tough sell.

What are these features?

A Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge lockscreen. (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Ask yourself what you’re willing to sacrifice for a thin phone. Battery size? A camera lens? A stylus? To achieve what is likely the thinnest phone on the market right now, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has sacrificed all of these things but, at the same time, it has received an interesting mishmash of features from both the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra, along with some features of its own.

The 200MP lens on the Edge, which it carries over from the Ultra, is great in use and captures a lot of color and detail, though the 12MP ultrawide camera from the Plus is also featured, rather than the much more capable 50MP lens on the Ultra. The telephoto lens is nowhere to be seen, removed to achieve the thinness, meaning that zoom capabilities are severely limited.

The battery is only a 3,900mAh capacity pack – smaller than the 4,900mAh battery found in the Plus and the 5,000mAh in the Ultra. This is again due to the thinness. I can confirm that it’s not as devastating as it may read on paper – I’ve been able to yield full-day batteries from the S25 Edge successfully during my time with it; however, I’m left yearning for the gigantic battery in the S25 Ultra, which I could rely on to last me into a second day if I forgot a charge.

My 9-5 workday with the S25 Edge saw the phone run down to about 51% once I got home, and using it casually one morning, the phone dropped from 100% to 87% in just under two hours. No doubt it’d be struggling if I forgot to charge it overnight, or when I got home after work.

A phone of this price might be unconscionable with a battery like this, but I kind of see it as a non-issue. It’s not really intended to be the same exceptionally capable device as the Ultra, after all – this phone is realistically closer to the Z range, as it’s more niche and experimental (albeit no fold).

Left: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Right: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

The display is also fairly nice, though it’s identical to the 6.7-inch, 3,440 x 1,440 resolution screen featured on the Plus – apart from the new Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 protective layer. I would have liked the screen to have similar squared dimensions to the Ultra, along with the flagship phone’s premium anti-glare glass to make it a more competitive handset (and more different to the Plus), but that’s just me.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor is the exact same as the one that’s in the Plus and Ultra, and the AI feature set (which Samsung still hasn’t indicated the future pricing of) remains identical.

And that naturally leads up to the thinness – yeah, it’s thin. I don’t really know what to say: Samsung made a thin phone. Cool. It’s still as thick as a standard phone when you put a case on it, something that I would highly recommend as, although it looks quite nice, I was not confident in holding the phone without a case by the side of the road or when on a balcony. The camera housing also adds a bit of chunkiness, protruding far from the phone's back.

What was I expecting?

A Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge lying on its face. (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

The Galaxy S25 Edge feels like a stumble more than anything else, which is a shame considering Samsung’s recent track record: the hugely impressive Galaxy Ring, the epic Galaxy S25 Ultra refresh and awesome-value Galaxy A56 are all brilliant examples of the Korean tech giant’s ability to read the room and understand what its customers actually want.

While I don’t deny the existence of folks looking for a thin phone, the S25 Edge fails to carve out a unique niche among the Galaxy S family of devices. Simultaneously, the Edge feels too close to the S25 Plus to feel unique on its own, and too feature-stripped to justify buying at full price.

There are places that Samsung could take the Edge idea to make it more appealing. As I alluded earlier, bringing it closer in spec and aesthetic to the Ultra, offering its anti-glare layer and more squared shape while also being thinner, smaller and cheaper is one place where the Edge might be justifiable.

Another is the opposite: reckoning with the fact that it’s going to be feature-limited to begin with, instead positioning it closer to the base-model Galaxy S25, offering a similar set of cameras and size, along with the incredible thinness with a slightly higher price.

It’s close to the issues encountered by the Galaxy Z Flip. That phone has similar battery and camera limitations as the Edge, along with a high price, but the Flip gets a pass as it’s really cool to treat your phone like a classic flip phone and it has an additional screen. The Edge is just thin.

For now, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge feels just a little too niche for mass-market appeal, which explains why the company has only chosen three color options (one being exclusive to Samsung’s online store). It’s a good phone and I recommend purchasing it – just not over the other phones in the S25 range and certainly not for the full price.

You might also like...
Categories: Technology

Practical Magic 2: release date, cast and everything we know about the spellbinding sequel

Sat, 05/31/2025 - 04:00
Practical Magic 2: key information

- Set for release on Sept 18, 2026
- Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprising their iconic roles
- Plot will follow Alice Hoffman's The Book of Magic novel
- No official trailer released yet
- Expected to stream on HBO Max after theatrical release
- Joey King "in talks" to play Sally's daughter

Practical Magic 2 is on its way and considering it's been nearly 30 years since we enjoyed the 1998 original, it's practically magical news – especially because Warner Bros. has already confirmed the release date as September 18, 2026.

Will Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman be reprising their iconic roles? Yes, they certainly will. The sequel is set to bring back at least that much of the original's spellbinding magic, with both Sally and Gillian Owens played by the original actors.

Marked as a theatrical release at first, it will almost certainly arrive on HBO Max after that, as a Warner movie – the original Practical Magic has found its home there.

And who knows, Practical Magic 2 may well find itself among the best Max movies to watch on one of the best streaming services. Here's everything we know so far about Practical Magic 2 from release date, to cast, to plot and so much more.

Practical Magic 2: release date?

The spell is cast. The date is set. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return. Only In Theaters September 18, 2026. Rewatch the original #PracticalMagic now streaming on MAX. pic.twitter.com/SfPT1DduLXMay 6, 2025

Practical Magic 2 will arrive in theaters on September 18, 2026. The news was confirmed by an official post on X in May by Warner Bros, accompanied by some magic words from the movie's stars, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

They can be heard reciting a spell: "Tooth of wolf and morning dew. Something old and something new. Let the spell begin to mix. September 18, 2026."

While it says "only in theaters", it's all-but-certain to come to HBO Max after that, since that's Warner Bros. Discovery's official streaming platform. It's where the original 1998 Practical Magic just dropped too, if you want to remind yourself of the magic.

Practical Magic 2: has a trailer been released?

Will Aunt Franny and Aunt Jet return? (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

There's no official Practical Magic 2 trailer yet, which is not surprising considering the cast and crew haven't announced any notice of filming.

During an interview with Variety in February though, Kidman revealed that the sequel is "moving ahead rapidly", before shutting down any further questions. I'll be sure to update here when an official trailer drops.

Practical Magic 2: confirmed cast

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman will reprise their iconic roles (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

As far as the Practical Magic 2 cast list goes, it's pretty sparse. But, there's two crucial actors who will be reprising their role, as reported by Variety:

  • Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens
  • Nicole Kidman as Gillian Owens

It feels as though Practical Magic 2 wouldn't be possible without the return of Bullock and Kidman as the Owens' sisters, so this casting announcement coming hand-in-hand with revealing the movie's existence makes total sense (and is a huge relief).

To tie the cast together perfectly, we're wondering if Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest will also reprise their iconic roles as Aunt Franny and Aunt Jet respectively. Both women are still acting, despite being 81 and 77 years old, respectively.

There is an important crew member returning, though, and that's Akiva Goldsman who co-wrote the original Practical Magic. And he's officially back on board for writing Practical Magic 2.

Finally, though yet to be confirmed, Joey King is reportedly "in talks" to play Sally's daughter (as per Variety) and we'll delve more into the importance of this role in the plot section below.

Practical Magic 2: story synopsis and rumors

Practical Magic 2 will be based on Alice Hoffman's The Book of Magic (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Full spoilers for Practical Magic to follow. Plus, potential spoilers for Practical Magic 2.

The original Practical Magic movie in 1998 is based on the first novel in the famed series by author, Alice Hoffman. It followed Sally and Gillian, two reluctant witch sisters, who are raised by their aunts in a small town tackling a curse that could stop them from ever finding love.

And, as they grow up, they use their gift of practical magic to try to break the wretched curse for good.

So, when it comes to the plot of Practical Magic 2, it marks a return to the books. Hoffman's series consists of four novels; Practical Magic (1995), The Rules of Magic (2017), Magic Lessons (2020) and The Book of Magic (2021). And Entertainment Weekly exclusively revealed in July 2024 that The Book of Magic would be the basis of the sequel's plot.

Speaking to EW, producer Denise Di Novi said: "I think [fans are] going to be very pleased. We're going to be very faithful. We're cognizant to how important those characters and that movie are to so many people. We're not going to reinvent the wheel."

We know from the official book synopsis that this, the fourth in Hoffman's series, follows "three generations of the Owens women, and one long-lost brother", as well as the "younger generation" including Kylie Owens, the daughter of Sally.

And, of course, there's already talks about casting Sally's daughter, but I won't delve into the synopsis of this book any further for fear of revealing too much. I don't want the same generational curse that haunts the Owens family coming down on me.

Will there be more Practical Magic movies?

Will a Practical Magic prequel be revisited? (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Never say never. While there's no suggestion that any more Practical Magic movies are on the way, I can't say for certain that this marks the end. That said, given that Practical Magic 2 is based around Alice Hoffman's conclusive novel of her series, then for Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman's story at least, it feels... well, conclusive.

But, while another movie might be out of the question, how about a TV show? The two prequel novels that came between Practical Magic and The Book of Magic have been a focus of previous, though failed, attempts to bring Practical Magic back to life.

The most recent by HBO Max as it hoped to create a TV series in 2019. Set to focus on the aunts, Franny and Jet, it failed to get the green light, but perhaps Practical Magic 2 can bring the magic back to life?

I imagine it will all depend on the success of the movie – if it's a big hit, spin-offs could be worked out pretty quickly.

For more Max TV show-based coverage, check out our guides on House of the Dragon season 3, Peacemaker season 2, Creature Commandos season 2, and The White Lotus season 4.

Categories: Technology

Got the Sony WH-1000XM4? Here’s 3 reasons I’d upgrade to the Sony WH-1000XM6 after testing them side-by-side

Sat, 05/31/2025 - 04:00

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are here, and it’s safe to say that we’re big fans of Sony’s new flagship cans, awarding them our Recommended badge in our Sony WH-1000XM6 review – if you're buying new, they're clearly some of the best headphones you can buy right now. But what if you already own a pair of the legendary Sony WH-1000XM4? Is it really worth the upgrade considering the gap in price between each model?

Well, I’ll give it to you straight: yes, yes it is. I’ve spent weeks using the brand new Sony WH-1000XM6, during which time I’ve been able to test them side-by-side with the Sony WH-1000XM4. And Sony really has got it spot on this time, levelling up every part of the package without making any design decisions the feel like a step back (*ahem* Sony WH-1000XM5, looking at you).

The improvements are clear and make a big difference throughout the Sony WH-1000XM6, but I’ve selected the three most impactful factors that may convince you XM4 owners out there to upgrade. So, let’s dive straight into things.

(Image credit: Future)1. Sony has taken noise cancelling to new heights

It’s undeniable. These are the best Sony headphones ever for noise cancelling. When pitting the XM6 against the XM4 in an ANC test, it wasn’t even a contest. And that says a lot given that the XM4 still put up a strong performance as far as noise cancellation is concerned.

Look, the XM4 do well to dispel low-end sounds, and are great if you want to dull harsh noise. When using them, I rarely found it difficult to remain focused on my favorite tracks or TV shows. But the XM6 are a real cut above.

It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing, these headphones almost always deliver silence, or at the least, near-silence. In busy, traffic-filled areas, I was totally detached from the world around me. When vacuuming my apartment, disruptive whirring sounds were utterly crushed. And on public transport, it was as if I was traveling alone.

The XM6 are kitted out to supply this class-leading ANC. That’s thanks to a new, drastically stronger QN3 HD noise-cancelling processor that channels the abilities of 12 microphones to phase out all ambient sounds.

The XM4, meanwhile, have seven fewer mics and a significantly weaker processor. Sure, they had wonderful ANC at the point of launch, but now, they’ve been outclassed by a wide array of rivals – of course the XM6, but also Sony’s own XM5 model and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, to name just a couple. We rate these as the best noise cancelling headphones when it comes to pure noise stopping power, and you absolutely will hear the difference if you choose to upgrade.

The Sony WH-1000XM6's class-leading ANC provides a true escape from the outside world (Image credit: Future)2. You get the sleekness of the XM5 with the XM4’s foldability

As I mentioned in my Sony WH-1000XM6 review, these headphones marry the very best design elements of their two predecessors to perfection. I’m sure a lot of XM4 owners love the foldability of their cans, which is ideal for throwing them in a bag when you’re on the go.

And I’m also sure that Sony is under no illusions that removing that feature from the XM5 model put off a lot of XM4 owners who might've considered an upgrade.

Thankfully for those people, Sony has listened to its critics and brought folding back from the dead – and improved it. The Sony WH-1000XM6 use fortified metal hinges that are more durable and enduring than those on the XM4.

That means you’ll have less to worry about around breakage or damage over the coming years. On top of that, there’s a new magnetic case for you to put the folded-up XM6 into – in my opinion, that’s more practical than the XM4’s zip-up one.

But not only do the XM6 fold, they look pretty cool while doing so. Sony’s new cans have largely maintained the slimmer, seamless, rounded design of the XM5 – which already had a more premium look than the XM4 in my view.

The headband is greatly improved from that of the XM4, with a less plasticky appearance, a smoother feel, and luxurious levels of comfort thanks to being wider. There’s also a neat paper-like matte consistency to the XM6’s exterior, which looks extremely clean. They feel like a real physical upgrade.

Foldability is back and better than ever (Image credit: Future)3. Upgraded audio, forged alongside leading mastering engineers

Let’s conclude by discussing what matters most on any pair of the best wireless headphones: sound quality. When we reviewed the Sony WH-1000XM4, we lauded their clean, expressive sound, punchy bass and impressive attention to detail.

Their 40mm dynamic drivers – similar to those used in the Sony WH-1000XM3 before them – are more than capable of handling heavy beats or delicate vocal ballads, with overall audio quality still satisfying me half a decade after launch.

But, as you’d hope, the Sony WH-1000XM6 do all of this and then some. In my comparison testing, I found the XM6 produced a more balanced sound, right out of the box. Sony’s new cans were developed alongside a number of well-renowned mastering engineers, and perhaps unsurprisingly, that means there’s a more even sound across all frequencies.

The end result is a combination of pumping yet disciplined bass, rich mids, and energetic highs. That new and improved sonic cocktail really makes the XM6 worth the step up in my view.

There’s also a ‘noise shaper’ in the XM6, which enhances digital to analog conversion and removes distortion from sudden sound changes, capping off a fantastically controlled listening experience.

Another crucial improvement from the XM4 is the XM6’s more nuanced, wider soundstage. Every instrumental element is given plenty of room to breathe, forging open, layered, and hypnotic listening experiences. Yes, the XM6 really are great at immersing you in the music… but also in movies too.

That’s thanks to a new feature called 360 Reality Audio Upmix. Just flick Cinema mode on in the Sony Sound Connect app, and the headphones will convert a basic stereo signal into a more expansive format, helping to create a three-dimensional spatial impression.

Finally, you’ve still got all the great sound-related features from the XM4. Whether that’s DSEE Extreme upscaling for lower-quality music files, LDAC for ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth listening, or EQ adjustment, you’ll be in for an absolute treat.

The XM6 do still have an advantage here, with a 10-band equalizer giving you elevated levels of control, and that improved ANC I mentioned will keep you even more engrossed in the music.

You get the picture – the XM6 really do have all bases covered, and you will immediately feel a clear difference moving from the old model to the new.

The WH-1000XM6 have all the tech required for a premium listening experience (Image credit: Future)You might also like
Categories: Technology

AI powering a “dramatic surge” in cyberthreats as automated scans hit 36,000 per second

Sat, 05/31/2025 - 03:04
  • AI is fueling a huge increase in cyberattacks
  • The US is the primary target for ransomware attacks
  • Threat actors are turning to vulnerable assets

It won’t come as a surprise to many cybersecurity professionals, but AI is behind a drastic rise in the number of cyberattacks, with new research from Fortinet revealing the apparenty scale of the problem.

The study found that year-on-year, automated scanning activity has seen a 16.7% increase, with 36,000 scans per second recorded globally - with the research describing threat actors as “shifting left” towards vulnerable digital assets “earlier in the attack lifecycle”, in particular, Remote Desktop Protocol, IoT systems, and Session Initiation Protocols.

Infostealers have been threatening organizations for a long time, but this research has unveiled a staggering 500% increase in available logs from compromised systems - meaning over 1.7 billion stolen credentials are circulating on the dark web, noting, “this flood of stolen data has led to a sharp increase in targeted cyberattacks against businesses and individuals."

A call to action

The report warns cybercriminals are taking advantage of these login details too, with a 42% increase in compromised credentials observed for sale.

Interestingly, zero-day attacks only account for a “small percentage” of threats, and cybercriminals are increasingly using “live of the land” vulnerabilities to remain undetected.

The Ransomware-as-a-Service landscape is expanding, with new groups emerging and old players solidifying their gains. Ransomhub was the most active group in 2024, claiming 13% of victims, with LockBit 3.0 (12%), Play (8%) and Medusa (4%) all following close behind.

Such ransomware attacks are targeting one country in particular, with the United States taking 61% of incidents, followed by the UK at 6%, and Canada at 5% - a strong indication of the trend against American organizations.

“Our 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report makes it clear: cybercriminals are scaling faster than ever, using AI and automation to gain the upper hand,” said Derek Manky, Chief Security Strategist and Global Vice President of Threat Intelligence at FortiGuard Labs.

“Defenders must abandon outdated security playbooks and transition to proactive, intelligence-driven strategies that incorporate AI, zero trust architectures, and continuous threat exposure management.”

You might also like
Categories: Technology

ICYMI: the 8 biggest tech stories of the week, from Google's new AI video magic to WhatsApp on the iPad

Sat, 05/31/2025 - 02:00

The rate of progress in the tech world has shown no signs of slowing down over the last seven days. Whether it's advances in the capabilities of AI video generators or a long-serving messaging app finally appearing on Apple's tablets, it's been quite a week.

As good as we try and make our journalism here on TechRadar, we know that not everyone has time to sit down and digest every story that we put up across the week – and so we present to you this In Case You Missed It recap so you can get yourself caught up.

We'll be back with another ICYMI for you at the same time next week, but for now let's dive into some of the stories that have been causing the biggest ripples in the tech pond over the last few days – there's a lot to get through, and a lot of topics to cover.

If you need more reading material, check out the best new movies and shows to stream this weekend.

8. Garmin’s Whoop-style ‘sleep band’ edged closer to reality

Could another Garmin product be on the way? (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

Garmin is already one of the biggest and most well-respected names in fitness wearables, and it seems a brand-new device is on the way: well-placed sources say they've seen signs of a screenless, sleep-tracking band that Garmin is planning to introduce soon.

It sounds a bit like a Whoop band, from the few details that have emerged so far, which would undoubtedly make it a more comfortable option for wearing in bed than a chunky smartwatch. As yet, however, we haven't heard anything official from Garmin.

7. A streaming login leak got us updating our Netflix passwords

You might want to change your Netflix password (Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you're signed up for a Netflix account, be sure to reset your password at your earliest opportunity, as millions of login credentials have been leaked online. It's not just Netflix, either: accounts across Prime Video, Disney+, and other services are also affected.

The silver lining is that financial information related to these accounts seems to be safe, but there's no room for complacency, especially if you're using your streaming logins for other accounts as well.

It's best to assume you've been exposed and change your details.

6. Anker gave us earbuds that double as a phone battery pack

Meet the Anker Soundcore P41i (Image credit: Soundcore)

We're always keen to see tech that's a little bit different here at TechRadar, and that's the case with the Anker Soundcore P41i wireless earbuds. These little buds last up to 12 hours, which rises to a huge 192 hours if you include the charging case.

That's because the compact charging case doubles up as a general-purpose power bank that'll charge your phone too, if needed – it features a 3,000mAh capacity battery inside, so it may mean there's one less gadget or charging plug you need to carry around with you.

5. Sony handed indie filmmakers a new compact video camera

The new Sony FX2 camera (Image credit: Sony)

The Sony FX2 video camera was officially announced this week, bringing with it a tiltable EVF and a 33MP full-frame sensor. It's capable of filming in 4K at up to 60fps, and it's going to be available from July 2025, priced at $2,700 / £2,700 / AU$ 5,299 for the body only.

We still need to get our hands on the Sony FX2 and put it through some tests, but from what we can see, it looks ideal for anyone making movies on a small, low-budget scale. There are some limitations, though, including a lack of 32-bit float audio recording.

4. We tested Google’s mind-blowing AI video maker

Veo 3 can create all kinds of weird and wonderful clips (Image credit: Future)

AI video making has made a huge step forward with the arrival of the Veo 3 model from Google. Clips made by Veo 3 have been flooding onto the web and across social media, and it's now just about impossible to tell what's real and what's fake with these videos.

We've been able to run a few prompts through the Google Veo 3 engine, creating clips of dinosaurs painting and dramatic set pieces on the surface of Mars. It can take some work to get a result you'll be happy with, though, and we've also got some Veo 3 tips to share.

3. Samsung launched the One UI 8 beta for early adopters

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is one of the phones first in line for One UI 8 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Samsung's next big update is One UI 8, based on Android 16, and you can test it out now if you have a Galaxy S25 phone and live in the US, the UK, Germany, or South Korea. Find out how you can sign up now, and the headline features you can expect from the update.

More upgrades and tweaks will no doubt be added as the beta progresses. Samsung also told us that One UI 8 will launch in full in the coming months, alongside some brand-new foldables, which we expect to be the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

2. The first Dolby Atmos FlexConnect speaker landed

The TCL Z100 offers some clever surround sound tricks (Image credit: Dolby / TCL)

The TCL Z100 has the distinction of being the first speaker to be announced that works with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. That's the audio tech that can create dynamic surround sound in a room, no matter how many speakers you've got or how they're arranged.

Up to four TCL Z100 speakers can be combined in a single configuration, and while we've yet to hear pricing and release date details on this unit, it's great to see the dynamic technology making its way into speakers, two years after it was announced.

1. WhatsApp finally got an iPad app

WhatsApp, now on the iPad (Image credit: Shutterstock)

It's been a long time coming, but WhatsApp is finally available on the Apple iPad – so your chats can spread themselves out across a bigger screen. As well as sending and receiving messages, you'll be able to share your screen and video chat with up to 32 people at once.

You'll be able to sync conversations across from your other devices in just a few seconds, and WhatsApp promises there's more to come with WhatsApp on Apple's tablets. Is it too much to ask Meta to get around to making an iPad app for Instagram next?

Categories: Technology

‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ gets surprise guest appearance: a revolutionary 360TB silica storage media

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 19:00
  • Sphotonix’s 5D optical storage media has appeared on the latest installment of Mission Impossible
  • A rare feat for a new product, its appearance is central to the movie plot
  • Like Microsoft Silica, it uses silica based material to store up to 360TB per glass platter

Storage startup Sphotonix has landed itself a money-can’t-buy starring role in the big-budget Hollywood movie "Mission Impossible, The Final Reckoning," where it ended up being part of the actual scenario rather than a disposable, forgettable prop.

(No spoiler alerts) In it, its core product, a 5D optical storage media is used to store a critical element of the movie plot, potentially for billions of years.

Having been used to back up the full human genome in January 2025, we know that it can store up to 360TB on a 5-inch rectangular glass platter and uses a proprietary laser-based nano etching technology called FemtoEtch.

That's far more than the largest SSD (the 122.88TB Solidigm P5-5336) or HDD (36TB models from Seagate or WD) currently on the market – more about how the technology works is in the promotional video below.

Other exotic storage competitors that want to rival cold storage, archiving media such as LTO tape, include ceramic (Cerabyte), Silicium (Microsoft Silica), DNA (Biomemory, Catalog), optical disc (Folio photonics, Optera Data).

This is a tough market as witnessed through the demise of Sony's legacy 5.5TB ODA media, but experts agree: the rapacious appetite of AI for bytes, at rest or on the move, has changed the dynamics of the ecosystem.

The worldwide enterprise information archiving market will balloon to more than $17 billion by 2031, according to research published by Verified Market Research in 2024.

SPhotonix expects that by 2028, the world will produce almost 400 Zettabytes of data, with thousands of data centres globally gobbling more than 1000TWh of power.

The storage startup was founded upon over 30 years of research by its Chief Science Officer, Prof. Kazansky, at the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Center.

I reached out to SPhotonix to find out more about the performance and other related specs of the media, as well as any meaningful time frames and prices.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

This movie is fully AI-generated and has a fully SAG-AFTRA cast – here’s 3 things you need to know about Echo Hunter

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 17:00
  • Echo Hunter is a new, fully AI-generated sci-fi short film created using Arcana AI
  • The cast is SAG-AFTRA actors led by Breckin Meyer
  • The film blends traditional voice performances with AI-rendered visuals

There’s a memorable moment in the new sci-fi short film Echo Hunter where a clone hunter starts questioning his place in a morally bankrupt world with blurred lines between man and machine. It feels particularly pointed since AI models generate all of the footage for Echo Hunter.

Echo Hunter was created by Arcana Labs and written and directed by filmmaker Kavan Cardoza (better known as “Kavan the Kid”). However, unlike any other major AI-produced film, it features a fully unionized cast of SAG-AFTRA actors. You can see a bit of how it came together in the behind-the-scenes video below, but there are a few key things to know about Echo Hunter and its AI origins.

Real film with real actors

Clocking in at under 30 minutes, Echo Hunter isn’t just a tech demo; it's an actual story with a narrative, cohesive visual style, and directorial control. The plot isn't exactly unique; shades of Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, and The Matrix are hard to avoid in a story about a clone hunter in a dystopian future who begins to unravel when memories of a forgotten life start surfacing. Existential thrillers with sci-fi flavor and a moody synth score are familiar, but the entire thing being generated using AI models is not.

Arcana Labs developed the eponymous AI model behind the film. The idea was to demonstrate that a high-quality movie could be made without hundreds of millions of dollars and a year in Atlanta. The director and his team fed performance data, audio, and prompts into the system, and Arcana AI did the heavy lifting of designing visuals, rendering scenes, and creating a coherent movie.

Echo Hunter's producers are keen to say they aren't trying to replace actors or sidestep their union. Breckin Meyer leads a fully paid-up group of union performers, including Taylor John Smith, Danielle Bisutti, Gedeon Burkhard, Hanna Balicki, and Xander Bailey. Their voices, performances, and likenesses are central to the experience. Their voices are attached to AI-generated virtual versions of themselves.

Kavan collaboration

If Kavan the Kid rings any bells, you may be familiar with his pioneering experiments with AI-produced short films. He's gone viral with very unauthorized but still impressive-looking shorts like Star Wars: The Ghost Apprentice and Batman: A Face of Clay, each seen by millions of people and propelling him to notoriety for AI-based filmmaking, for better or worse. Echo Hunter fits well with both his style and technical expertise, which makes sense since he both directed and wrote the film.

But it's far from a one-man show this time. Arcana produced Echo Hunter in collaboration with Phantom X, with Arcana co-founder Jonathan Yunger as executive producer. Counting them and the cast, it's still a fraction of the hundreds of people necessary for an equivalent production without AI. Arcana argues this is a positive as it reduces the amount of money and resources that prevent filmmakers from making the kinds of movies they want to make.

But, while it's good that the cast is unionized and paid and treated accordingly, it raises questions about the future of the many other hard-working and talented people who make epic, large-scale films. That's something to consider, even if AI flawlessly executed filmmaking requests every time without plenty of the finessing and fine-tuning that made Echo Hunter look as good as it does.

Future films

And Echo Hunter, flaws and all, shows that this isn't a far-off theoretical question to consider. Studios won't shut down all their productions in favor of AI-created films (with or without human actors) tomorrow or even in the next few years, but there's no way meetings about doing so aren't happening. The ethical implications are real and worth wrestling with, but on the optimistic side, smaller, independent creators now have a lot more options for making films without spending half a million dollars for a five-second shot of a futuristic skyline. And lack of corporate coffers doesn't have to stop a Phoenix-based director from adding rain-slicked streets to their noir film.

Including real actors in the union does show that synthetic productions aren't automatically soulless. The human performances, writing, and direction are what make the film engaging. Some might argue that AI just helps fill in the blanks between the dream and the budget. And no AI could perfectly mimic how one of the stars from Franklin & Bash delivers an emotional monologue about lost identity in a clone apocalypse.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Superfast 32TB USB4 External SSDs are coming, thanks to a new chip - but I bet they won't be cheap

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 15:38
  • Silicon Motion SM2324 9mm chip powers external SSDs with up to 32TB and
  • It promises true USB4 speeds of 4,000MB/s
  • Built for filmmakers and backup warriors, this chip supports Apple Pro workflows

Silicon Motion has revealed a potentially transformative piece of storage tech at Computex 2025: the SM2324, a single-chip USB4 SSD controller aimed at powering external drives with up to 32TB of storage and read speeds of 4,000MB/s.

The company says the SM2324 combines native USB4 support with an integrated Power Delivery controller, meaning fewer parts, reduced costs for OEMs, and more compact SSD enclosures.

This could, in theory, usher in a new class of ultra-high-capacity portable drives -though affordability and availability are still big questions.

A compact controller built for scale and cross-platform use

Unlike multi-chip designs, it’s built to simplify production without compromising on performance, thanks to sequential write speeds that can reach 3,809MB/s -assuming cooling is adequate.

It also offers full support for 3D TLC and QLC NAND, as well as compatibility with Power Delivery 3.1, and is built using TSMC’s 12nm low-power node to keep power demands reasonable.

With support for up to 32TB and compatibility with Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Apple ProRes workflows on iPhones, the controller clearly targets a wide market -everyone from mobile filmmakers to enterprise backup users.

Whether it ends up in the drives competing for best portable hard drive or best SSD status depends not just on its specs, but on how it's implemented.

Still, there are caveats. While single-chip simplicity lowers BOM costs, there's no promise that 32TB USB4 SSDs based on the SM2324 will be priced for mainstream users.

NAND prices, thermal management requirements, and power delivery constraints could all push the final product into specialist territory.

So while it might eventually sit alongside the best external SSD options in performance, it may not do so in price.

This device comes with security features which include support for AES 128/256-bit encryption, hardware SHA-384, a TRNG, and full TCG Opal 2.0 compliance.

There’s even optional support for fingerprint-based authentication, though integration details are vague.

It also integrates Silicon Motion’s NANDXtend LDPC ECC engine, improving endurance and reliability for both TLC and QLC memory.

In terms of design, the chip is compact, just 9mm by 9mm, and includes an aluminum heat spreader, making it viable for slim external enclosures.

"At Silicon Motion, we're focused on delivering SSD controller solutions that lead in both performance and power efficiency," said Nelson Duann, Senior VP of Client & Automotive Storage Business at Silicon Motion.

"…the SM2324 redefines portable storage with a fully integrated single-chip USB4 solution. These technologies reflect our commitment to helping customers build faster, smaller, and more efficient SSDs for next-generation applications."

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Some data centers are deliberately slowing possibly tens of thousands of AI GPUs to avoid blackouts - but this company may have a solution

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 15:33
  • Dummy loads burn up to 45% of energy just to keep power levels stable
  • Skeleton’s GrapheneGPU delivers up to 40% more computing with the same hardware
  • AI workloads are killing energy efficiency, GrapheneGPU smooths power draw in real time

As artificial intelligence systems grow more demanding, many data centers have found themselves consuming nearly twice the energy they technically need.

This overuse isn’t due to system flaws or outdated hardware, it’s rooted in how GPUs behave, as their power demand can swing drastically within seconds, from full throttle to idle.

To cope, operators often deploy dummy loads, deliberate energy wasters, to maintain a stable power draw - but these data centers deliberately slow the performance of tens of thousands of GPUs to prevent power outages

Dummy loads mean massive wastage of energy

While this avoids damage and blackouts, it means up to 45% of energy is lost as heat, performing no useful computation.

Skeleton Technologies now claims it may have a more efficient alternative, one that allows GPUs to run at full capacity without overwhelming the grid.

The Estonian company developed GrapheneGPU, a peak-shaving system using proprietary Curved Graphene supercapacitors.

Unlike lithium-based systems, these capacitors can respond in just 10 microseconds, absorbing energy during idle periods and discharging it instantly when GPU loads spike.

The result, according to Skeleton, is the ability to maintain consistent GPU performance without stressing the grid or resorting to throttling.

Their tests suggest the system can deliver up to 40% more FLOPS - floating point operations per second - using the same GPUs, simply by removing the performance penalties associated with thermal de-rating and power instability.

“GrapheneGPU delivers up to 40% more computing with the same energy footprint, while cutting both capital and operating costs by reducing grid upgrade needs, energy waste, and cooling,” said Taavi Madiberk, CEO of Skeleton Technologies.

“Powered by our patented Curved Graphene, this is a fundamental shift in how AI infrastructure can scale - sustainably and economically”.

The company also reports up to a 44% reduction in the power capacity that data centers must reserve from the grid.

The core unit, the GrapheneGPU PCS 50, delivers up to 80 kW of peak power in a standard 1OU form factor, compatible with existing infrastructure and cooled by air or liquid.

Importantly, it avoids lithium entirely, using Skeleton’s patented graphene-based material instead.

According to Skeleton, this technology has been tested under rigorous hyperscaler-grade GPU workloads with positive results. However, it has not been independently tested for real-world performance and durability.

The first shipment of this technology will commence in Germany by June 2025. The company also has a U.S. production site planned for early 2026.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Devious new ClickFix malware variant targets macOS, Android, and iOS using browser-based redirections

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 14:07
  • Security researchers found ClickFix attacks evolving to target other operating systems
  • On Android and iOS, the attack is particularly worrisome, as it transforms into a drive-by attack
  • The malware is already being flagged by antivirus programs

ClickFix, an infamous hacking technique that tricks people into running malware thinking they’re fixing a problem on their computer, has evolved, experts have warned.

New research from c/side has revealed what used to be a Windows-only attack method is now capable of targeting macOS, iOS and Android devices, as well.

In a blog post analyzing the evolution, the researchers said the new attack starts with a compromised website. The threat actors would inject JavaScript code which redirected users to a new browser tab when they clicked on certain elements on the page. The new tab then displays a page that looks like a legitimate URL shortener, with a message to copy and paste a link into the browser - and doing so triggers yet another redirect, this time to a download page.

Fetching the malicious payload

Here is where the technique diverges, depending on the operating system of the victim.

On macOS, the attack leads to a terminal command that fetches and executes a malicious shell script, already flagged by multiple antivirus programs.

On Android and iOS, things are even worse, since the attack no longer requires any user interaction.

“When we tested this on Android and iOS, we expected a ClickFix variant. But instead, we encountered a drive-by attack,” the researchers explained.

“A drive-by attack is a type of cyberattack where malicious code is executed or downloaded onto a device simply by visiting a compromised or malicious webpage. No clicks, installs, or interaction required.”

In this case, the site downloads a .TAR archive file, holding malware. This one, too, was flagged by at least five antivirus programs already.

“This is a fascinating and evolving attack that demonstrates how attackers are expanding their reach,” c/side explained. “What started as a Windows-specific ClickFix campaign is now targeting macOS, Android, and iOS, significantly expanding the scale of the operation.”

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Want to carry an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 to your laptop? Here's an eGPU chassis that should do the trick - but it ain't cheap

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 13:34
  • HighPoint RocketStor 8631CW gives you 64GB/s GPU bandwidth - no drivers or software needed
  • Real PCIe Gen5 x16 lanes delivered straight to your GPU through a single CopprLink cable
  • Fits dual or triple-slot GPUs from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel - no compatibility tricks required

External GPU (eGPU) enclosures aren’t new, but HighPoint’s RocketStor 8631CW has entered the scene with an unusually aggressive pitch.

The company says this external GPU setup delivers a direct PCIe Gen5 x16 connection to a full-sized graphics card via a proprietary 1-meter CopprLink CDFP cable.

In addition to its bandwidth for desktop-class GPUs, this device supports plug-and-play, OS-agnostic and does not rely on software or drivers.

A closer look at the hardware setup

At the heart of the system is the Rocket 1634D host interface card, which uses Broadcom’s PEX 89048 switch to sustain its Gen5 x16 link, with up to 64GB/s transfer speed.

The card fits into low-profile systems, measuring 68.9mm x 165mm, and supports a single CDFP channel.

It supports LED indicators for visual feedback on connection status and secure boot at both hardware and software levels.

Connected to that is the RocketStor 8631C chassis, which uses Asteralabs PCIe 5.0 retimers to maintain signal integrity.

The enclosure supports one full-height, full-length, dual- or triple-slot GPU from any major vendor, including Nvidia, AMD, and Intel.

It can handle power loads up to 600W and includes real-time power monitoring and an advanced dual-fan cooling system with programmable smart fan control for thermal issue alerts. There is also a back-panel mute button in case the audible alerts get too chatty.

Its dimensions are 370mm x 170mm x 88mm, which makes it large enough to house an RTX 5090-class card, but still compact enough not to overwhelm a desk.

This setup is aimed at workflows where stability and zero-configuration environments are mandatory - think AI model training, 8K editing, or enterprise-grade rendering pipelines.

But in a world where laptops are increasingly equipped with powerful built-in GPUs, this enclosure feels more like a fix for edge cases.

A creator looking for the best laptop for video editing or the best laptop for Photoshop will likely find plenty of capable systems that don’t need such a setup, particularly when portability, price, and simplicity are taken into account.

That said, as integrated GPUs and compact systems improve, the necessity of such a solution narrows, and the cost significantly increases.

You’ll need a PCIe slot in your system, a matching full-power GPU, and a compelling reason to justify the cost - but if you’re dead-set on hauling RTX 5090-class power around without a tower, this might be the only hardware currently up to the job.

The HighPoint RocketStor 8631CW is currently selling on HighPoint's website for $1,999.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

It’s official, Android users: Instagram is draining your battery, but there's now a fix

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 13:00
  • Google confirms that Instagram for Android is draining excessive battery power compared to similar apps
  • The issue apparently lies with the standard Instagram app
  • Google’s advisory urges users to fix the issue by updating their app

Think your Android smartphone’s battery life has been dropping faster than normal recently? The culprit may have been identified.

Noticing excessive battery drain in recent weeks, Android users on Reddit have been speculating that the Instagram app is responsible. In battery drain comparisons with other apps, Meta’s social media app appeared to be consuming far more of their capacity than it should for the amount of usage.

One Redditor, using a Samsung Galaxy A53, noticed that 54 minutes of Instagram screen time used 12.4% of their battery capacity, while 49 minutes of WhatsApp screen time used only 2.4%.

Google has now stepped in to apparently confirm what many suspected. In an advisory post entitled “Battery drain on Android devices”, posted on the Android support site, a Google community manager identified Instagram as the cause of said drain, and urged Android users to immediately update their Instagram app.

How to fix the Instagram battery issue

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The latest build of the app at the time of writing (build 382.0.0.49.84) appears to resolve the issue, so if you’ve been noticing your smartphone losing battery power faster than expected, it’s well worth ensuring that you’ve downloaded this update.

Of course, there are lots of other ways to extend your battery life. These range from putting unused apps to sleep (go to Settings > Battery > Background Usage Limits) to turning on Power Saving or using Dark Mode.

So if you’re still having power problems after the update (or if you don’t even use Instagram) check out our guides below to keep things ticking along on your Android phone for as long as possible.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Billions of stolen cookies are still for sale on the internet - here's how to stay safe

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 12:10
  • Research from NordVPN reveals 94 billion stolen cookies on the dark web
  • Only a small percentage of these are still active
  • These cookies represent serious risk for customers

New research from NordVPN has revealed cookies, the small information files generated from web servers and sent to web browsers, are being leaked and exploited on the dark web in huge numbers.

The findings calculate there to be around 94 billion cookies circulating on the dark web, with almost 42 billion of these originating from Redline, a notorious infostealer malware - although only 6.2% of these were still active, meaning they have a relatively short lifespan.

In fact, most were inactive, with only 7.2% of the 10.5 billion cookies identified from Vidar showing as valid, alongside 6.5% of LummaC2 - a newer infostealer service - which has collected a total of 8.8 billion stolen cookies. There is one outlier though, with CryptBot proving by far the most effective malware given that 83.4% of the 1.4 billion cookies stolen are still active.

Save up to 68% on identity theft protection for TechRadar readers!

TechRadar editors praise Aura's upfront pricing and simplicity. Aura also includes a password manager, VPN, and antivirus to make its security solution an even more compelling deal.

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

What’s inside?

This isn’t the first time NordVPN has warned that cookies are being abused, with millions of stolen UK consumers internet browser cookies leaked on the dark web in 2024, although globally the total for 2024 was 54 billion - outlining an increase year-on-year.

These cookies from the dataset contained a range of different information types, with the most common keywords being “ID” (18 billion), alongside “session” (1.2 billion), “Auth” (292 million), and “login” (61 million) - this is particularly worrying, as it suggests that they could be used “hijack live sessions without a password”. The researchers warn;

“Cookies may sound sweet, but sometimes they can leave a bad taste. The truth is, even the most seemingly unimportant cookies can do a lot of damage to you or your business. Once one door is open, it isn’t that difficult to open others. Session cookies, especially active ones, are a goldmine. They let attackers skip login pages altogether.”

That’s not all though. These cookies could allow attackers to take over social media accounts, bypass two-factor authentication, launch social engineering attacks, or even access sensitive financial information.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Everything new on Prime Video in June 2025 - catch Robert Eggers' Nosferatu and over 50 new movies

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 11:00

Recently, I've been very pleased with the content that Prime Video has been releasing, and a large majority of titles I've been streaming over the past few months have come from Prime Video's movie library.

Over the next few weeks, I'm looking forward to seeing what new Prime Video titles will be blessing our TV screens in June 2025, including Prime Video original shows and a whole new wave of movies. Nosferatu (2024) is the obvious standout, which I'll have to squeeze into our best Prime Video movies list.

Beyond Robert Eggers' latest gothic thriller, Prime Video is expanding each of its genre categories, adding cowboy drama Brokeback Mountain (2006), sport comedy Moneyball (2011), and sci-fi/ action Godzilla (2014), keeping up its reputation as one of the best streaming services.

It should be noted that, while the Prime Video Movie and TV Originals listed below are released worldwide, many of the third-party films and TV series that Amazon has licensed for June are only available in the US. So, it's best to bear this in mind before you read on.

Everything new on Prime Video in June 2025

Arriving on June 1

12 Angry Men (movie)
Annie (movie)
At First Sight
(movie)
Bad Teacher
(movie)
Benny & Joon (movie)
Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey
(movie)
Bill & Ted Face the Music (movie)
Billy Madison (movie)
Bloodsport
(movie)
Brokeback Mountain
(movie)
Capote
(movie)
Chips
(movie)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
(movie)
Cowboys & Aliens
(movie)
Daddy Day Care
(movie)
Dead Man Walking
(movie)
Fled
(movie)
Godzilla (movie)
Guns of the Magnificent Seven
(movie)
Half Baked
(movie)
Happy Feet (movie)
Happy Feet Two
(movie)
Heartbreakers (movie)
Letters From Iwo Jima
(movie)
Life
(movie)
Masters of the Universe
(movie)
Midnight Cowboy (movie)
Mississippi Burning
(movie)
Moneyball
(movie)
Nanny McPhee
(movie)
Oblivion
(movie)
Platoon
(movie)
Pixels (movie)
Red Corner (movie)
Return of the Seven (movie)
Rings
(movie)
Road House (movie)
Ronin
(movie)
Serenity
(movie)
Stargate
(movie)
Some Like It Hot
(movie)
The Birdcage (movie)
The Brothers
(movie)
The Greatest Showman
(movie)
The Magnificent Seven (movie)
The Perfect Guy (movie)
The Thomas Crown Affair
(movie)
The Thomas Crown Affair
(movie)
The Town That Dreaded Sundown
(movie)
Twins
(movie)
Valkyrie
(movie)
White Chicks (movie)

Arriving on June 12

American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans (documentary)

Arriving on June 13

ROMCON: Who the F*** Is Jason Porter? (documentary)

Arriving on June 15

The Chosen: Last Supper season 5 (TV show)

Arriving on June 18

We Were Liars (movie)

Arriving on June 20

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (movie)

Arriving on June 21

Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams (documentary)

Arriving on June 23

Head Over Heels (TV show)

Arriving on June 25

Countdown (TV show)

Arriving on June 27

Infiltrada en el búnker (documentary)
Marry My Husband (movie)
Nosferatu
(movie)

Arriving on June 29

Another Miss Oh season 1 (TV show)
Her Private Life season 1 (TV show)
Melting Me Softly season 1 (TV show)
Military Prosecutor Doberman season 1 (TV show)
Mouse season 1 (TV show)
The Heavenly Idol season 1 (TV show)
The Killer’s Shopping List season 1 (TV show)
Touch Your Heart season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on June 30

XXX: The Return of Xander Cage (movie)
Rings (movie)

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Disney+ is rolling out subscriber perks including exclusive competitions, free trials, and shopping discounts

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 10:30
  • US-based Disney+ subscribers will soon have access to a new perks program
  • An international roll-out is expected to happen later this year
  • Hulu plans to follow suit, with its perks program launching on June 2

If you're a US-based Disney+ subscriber, you'll soon have plenty of exclusive perks at your fingertips. The streaming giant has just launched an "Always-On" program featuring discounts, free trials, and competitions.

At the time of writing, this perks program is only available in the US, but Disney+ plans to expand it to international markets later this year, with an exact timeline to be confirmed.

At launch, Disney+ and bundle subscribers will have access to rewards ranging from "one-of-a-kind experiences and limited-time sweepstakes to everyday savings and special discounts", according to their press release.

Hulu will follow suit on June 2, with new perks dropping weekly, including chances to win tickets for big events like Comic-Con San Diego and Lollapalooza, as well as sweepstakes to win merchandise from the best Hulu shows, like The Handmaid's Tale.

What is included in the new Disney+ perks program?

If you're a new or existing Disney+ customer, you'll start to see these perks being advertised on the Disney+ Perks website. Currently, only US subscribers can access this link; however, this will change when the international rollout occurs.

Disney+ has provided some examples of the kinds of things you can enjoy through the perks program, and there are some huge opportunities, like being one of the first to explore their new cruise ship and tickets to movie premieres.

Take a look at some of the offerings below:

  • A chance to win tickets to the Freakier Friday World Premiere and be among the first to see the all-new sequel before it arrives in theaters August 8
  • A chance to win a 4-night cruise on the Disney Destiny, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, sailing from Ft. Lauderdale beginning November 2025
  • A 6-month free DashPass membership** from DoorDash
  • 20% off on adidas.com and in the adidas app
  • 15% off purchases at Funko.com and Loungefly.com
  • A 3-month free trial of CLEAR+
  • A 2-month Super Duolingo free trial
  • Free in-game emoji from Disney Emoji Blitz
  • Early access to the closed release of Disney Pinnacle by Dapper Labs, a monthly Mystery Capsule + until June 26th to claim a $10 Dapper Credit
  • Special summer savings at Walt Disney World® Resort! Stay 2 nights or longer at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels and get rates starting from $99 per night at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Free MONOPOLY GO! and Star Wars™ TIE fighter in-game TOKEN

With Hulu set to follow in Disney+'s footsteps, this is a great way to make the most of your subscriptions across the best streaming services.

It will be interesting to see if rival streamers decide to offer similar perks in the future, but for now, it seems Disney+ and Hulu are leading the charge here.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Yes, I surrendered to Bono's immersive Vision Pro documentary, and I didn't get Vertigo

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 10:00

Bono has been a ubiquitous presence for most of my adult life. I was just coming up in the world when U2's break-out album, War, arrived, and by 1987's Joshua Tree, Bono and lead guitarist Edge felt inescapable. In other words, I saw U2 frontman Bono as less of an enigma and more of a contemporary.

We're both old-ish men now, licking our psychic wounds and (in Bono's case) enigmatically revealing them to the world in, first, 2022's well-received memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, and now as an unusual spoken and musical journey, Bono: Stories of Surrender – the first immersive video feature-length film ever released on Vision Pro. It's a joyous, funny, sad, sometimes frustrating, and often intense guided tour back through Bono's life and career.

Mostly, though, it's a story of Bono (Paul Hewson) and "Da" his deeply Irish dad, Bob Hewson.

Apple provided me with a preview of the film, which I viewed almost entirely through Apple's $3,499 mixed-reality headset. There were, because of the way Apple insisted I access the video, some tech glitches (occasional freezing), but it was generally an immersive and often moving experience.

Shot almost entirely in stark black and white, the film is both a one-man oratory and an occasional musical performance. Director Andrew Dominik uses the Vision Pro's expansive, almost 360-degree canvas to literally paint scenes around Bono as the singer tells particularly Irish tales about, for instance, his mother dying suddenly when he was just 14, and his father never speaking his wife's name again.

(Image credit: Apple)

The stage is spare, featuring little more than a few chairs, a table, and a fake pint of Guinness. But Dominik uses the Vision Pro's native 3D immersive capabilities to embellish the stage and imagery.

Using 3D line drawing, Bono is, even as he performs or talks in front of a live audience, surrounded at points by lyrics, hand-drawn audience members, or boxes and papers that seem to reach to the sky above you.

This is not a concert or a U2 performance. Early on, Bono admits that it's "almost transgressive,' to be on stage without his bandmates. Instead, Bono is backed by the Jacknife Lee ensemble, which features an electronic drum kit and a harpsichordist/backup singer. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it works.

In fact, Bono, now 65, is in fine voice, which is clear, loud, and agile. This becomes less surprising when you learn that his father was a gifted tenor. Late in the film, Bono does some of his own operatic singing, clearly an homage to his late father.

There are some musical performances and even a few moments in the Vision Pro experience where you feel as if you're nose-to-nose with the iconic lead singer (it's unnerving), but most of the singing is done in support of the stories, or rather, the stories explain the origins of songs like Pride, With or Without You, and Sunday, Bloody Sunday.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Apple)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Apple)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Apple)

There's a decent amount of humor, especially a story about Luciano Pavarotti, but more importantly, you do get the origin story of Bono's musical interests and the formation of the band, which coincided with meeting his wife of more than 40 years, Ali Hewson.

The documentary does start off a little slowly and perhaps melodramatically, with Bono's 2016 heart surgery, and while I am deeply grateful Bono survived, I worried that the whole roughly 90-minute doc might be a bit of a slog. Fortunately, that harrowing tale was just the preamble, and soon, Bono was weaving an entertaining tale of hubris, struggles, and epiphanies.

It was, though, frustrating to hear the story behind I Will Follow and not get a full performance of the song. I'll admit that I wanted more of U2's discography, though Bono's fresh interpretations, like the almost a cappella Sunday, Bloody Sunday, were stunning.

In the end, this Bono: Stories of Surrender goes too fast, and it ends just as you feel you were finally getting to know the real Bono, a short singer with big tales and, I think, an even bigger heart. He's still not an enigma, but for the first time in 40 years, I feel as if I might just want to hang out with him.

As for the Vision Pro, it did a brilliant job. 90 minutes is a long time to wear the mixed reality headset (it was down to 10% battery by the end), so make sure you have a comfortable fit. Mine is good (I use the dual-loop band), though I did take a few breaks.

You can watch Bono: Stories of Surrender starting today on either the Vision Pro (for the special immersive experience) or on Apple TV+, where I suspect you'll enjoy it just as much.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Netflix detectives think they've solved Knives Out 3's release date mystery, and they've got the film's first two teasers to thank

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 09:37
  • Netflix fans think they've deduced the release date of Knives Out 3
  • Two new teasers for the mystery-crime thriller might have given the game away
  • Knives Out 3 is expected to feature as part of Netflix Tudum 2025

Netflix sleuths appear to have unraveled the mystery of Knives Out 3's release date ahead of its likely reveal at Netflix Tudum 2025.

This year's edition of Netflix's annual fan celebration, which will take place on Saturday, May 31 – in the US, anyway – is set to unveil plenty about numerous new Netflix movies and the forthcoming seasons of some of the best Netflix shows. From Stranger Things season 5 to Wednesday season 2, there'll be a truck-load of release date announcements, trailer reveals, and more to pore over very soon.

Knives Out 3 – or, to give it its full title, Wake Up, Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – is also part of this year's line-up. Indeed, when Tudum 2025's date and slate were announced in April, the third Knives Out film was among the projects confirmed to appear.

It won't be making up the numbers at Tudum 2025, either. After months of radio silence, the Knives Out X/Twitter account has not only *ahem* come back to life, but also heavily implied that a trailer and release date announcement are imminent.

"The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures." pic.twitter.com/EYTtLlcYUXMay 28, 2025

Two days ago (May 28), a spooky new teaser, which you can view above, was uploaded to said social media account.

The footage, which simply shows a camera panning up to look at a church while its bells ring, doesn't give much away. However, the accompanying caption, which reads "The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures", does.

Before I explain the significance behind that, though, another sinister teaser, which you can watch below, was posted on the same account yesterday (May 29). This time, the camera slowly crawls through a graveyard and comes equipped with the caption "The devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short".

"The devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short." pic.twitter.com/WyrQJJuCHyMay 29, 2025

Alright, what has this duo got to do with Knives Out 3's possible release date?

On the Knives Out Movie Subreddit, detectives have noticed that these captions are actually passages from the Bible. The first is taken from the Book of Proverbs, while the second is directly lifted from the Book of Revelation.

That's not all. As Reddit user Avalon3071 points out, these sentences are taken from specific chapters and verses in their respective tomes. On both occasions, it's 12:12.

You don't need to be a sleuth on the level of Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, or Benoit Blanc to deduce Wake Up, Dead Man's likely launch date from that. But, if you're really struggling to work it out, let me spell it out for you: People think Knives Out 3 will make its debut on the world's best streaming service on December 12, 2025.

Of course, all of this could be a mere coincidence but, if we've learned anything about teasers of this ilk, there's always a secret hidden within. Considering Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, aka the series' second installment, made its Netflix debut in December 2023, the streaming titan could look to replicate the success it had with that festive hit with the franchise's third entry.

In short: don't be surprised if Wake Up, Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery's release date is confirmed to be December 12 at Tudum 2025.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Google Apps Script abused to launch dangerous phishing attacks

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 09:29
  • Hackers are hosting fake invoices on Google Apps Script, experts warn
  • The invoices are sent via email
  • Victims are redirected to a fake Microsoft 365 login page

Threat actors have been seen abusing Google Apps Script to launch convincing phishing attacks and steal people’s Microsoft 365 login details.

Cybersecurity researchers Cofense recently spotted one such campaign where Google Apps Script used to host a fake invoice.

First, the crooks would prepare the usual fake invoice phishing email. That email would carry a link to the invoice which, when hovered (or clicked) would point to script[.]google[.]com. That way, the criminals would create a false sense of legitimacy with the victims who might think the invoice was actually coming from Google or a Google-affiliated service.

M365 credentials

Clicking on the link opens a small landing page stating “you have one pending download available” and a “preview” button. #

The button leads to the actual malicious page, which mimics the Microsoft 365 login page, almost to the last detail. Those who don’t spot the trick and try to log in, end up relaying their login credentials straight to the attackers.

To better hide their tracks, the crooks set up the page so that it redirects back to the actual Microsoft 365 site, as soon as the login credentials are provided.

Google Apps Script is a cloud-based scripting platform that lets users automate tasks and extend Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Drive using JavaScript.

For example, a teacher could have a Google Sheets file with student grades, and by using Google Apps Script, they would be able to send personalized emails automatically, saving hours of manual work.

“Phishing emails like these are a good example of how attackers take advantage of legitimate domains to make their scams look more convincing,” Cofense’s researchers warned. “It is important to stay vigilant and educate employees about the risk of phishing attacks."

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Pages