TechRadar News

• There’s a new update out for Windows 11 24H2 in preview
• It offers a whole load of features, albeit some are Copilot+ PC exclusives
• New abilities include a supercharged search in Settings, cross-device resume with OneDrive files, useful new HDR options and much more

Windows 11 version 24H2 is set to receive a towering pile of new features soon, and they’re already out in an optional patch for those who want to test the waters early.

The preview update for May (picked up by Neowin) will become the full June patch next month, and it comes with some changes for Copilot+ PCs only, as well as plenty of goodies for those with a traditional Windows 11 PC.

We’ll start with the latter, given that most folks still have a standard Windows 11 device, and an interesting addition for everyone with update KB5058499 is a new Cross Device Resume feature.

As Microsoft explains, you can now resume working on a OneDrive file on your PC if you were previously playing about with it on your smartphone (Android or iOS). Windows 11 will prompt you with a notification to check if you want to resume working on a file you were just using on your phone within the past five minutes, which is a nifty touch.

There are improvements for those with an HDR display, too, with new options in Settings, including a better explanation of what enabling ‘Use HDR’ means, and a toggle to turn on Dolby Vision (or turn it off) independently of HDR. Windows 11 will also now stream HDR video in all its glory even if you have HDR turned off (for the OS environment, games and so forth).

New share options (as previously seen in testing) now pop up when you drag a file out of a folder (in File Explorer), with suggested apps appearing in a tray at the top of the screen, so you can drop the file there to conveniently share it directly to any of those applications.

Furthermore, when typing with Voice Access, you can now turn off the profanity filter, and in the Settings app, a FAQ has been implemented which tells you more about the spec of your PC and what it really means. (Putting some perspective on how good your graphics card is, or how the amount of system RAM you have might affect the performance of Windows 11).

Also worth noting is that Microsoft has reintroduced the ability to open Copilot with the Windows key + C shortcut as an alternative for those who don’t have a dedicated Copilot button. Also, if you hold that shortcut (or the Copilot button), you’ll invoke ‘Press to talk’ with the AI assistant, whereby you can use voice commands (if you have a mic).

Copilot+ PC exclusives

(Image credit: Microsoft)

In the case of Copilot+ PCs, the May optional update goes to town with fresh features for Click to Do, the companion feature introduced with Recall that provides context-sensitive AI-related actions.

That includes a new Ask Copilot option within the Click to Do menu that appears when an image or a block of text is selected, which opens the AI assistant with the highlighted content ready to go as a query.

Also, the intelligent text actions which were previously only available with Snapdragon (Arm) Copilot+ PCs are now out for devices with AMD or Intel processors. This gives you options within Click to Do to quickly summarize or rewrite text (or turn it into a list), all of which is achieved using the AI powers built into Windows 11. (Specifically, this is the ‘Phi Silica’ Small Language Model, and it means that the work is done right on the device, not in the cloud).

Microsoft has also made it so that those with a stylus can have the shortcut button on the pen open Click to Do (with either a single or double click), and it’s now possible to make the feature one of the four specified apps in the pen menu.

Furthermore, Click to Do is now being made available in the European Economic Area, with all these fresh moves in tow.

Finally, there’s a big move with Copilot+ PCs in the introduction of a supercharged search leveraging AI for the Settings app. You can type a natural language query in the Windows 11 search box on the taskbar to find any setting you want, such as ‘change my desktop wallpaper’ which will bring up the relevant part of the Settings app.

Also with Narrator, the screen-reading tool built into Windows 11, AI now produces descriptions for images on web pages (or other content) where that alternative (alt) text hasn’t been provided.

Analysis: A gradual rollout of nifty powers

(Image credit: Future / Jasmine Mannan)

Bear in mind that this is an optional update as noted, so if you grab this now, you may encounter bugs. Given that, the generally perceived wisdom is that most users will be better off waiting until the preview update becomes a full release, which will happen next month (on June 10 to be precise).

If you can’t wait to test out some of these features, then jump on this upgrade by all means – you’ll find it by checking in Windows Update as usual. However, remember that these features are all labelled as having a gradual rollout, so it may take a bit of time for some of this functionality to filter through to your PC. In this case, that’s another reason to be patient and wait until June.

There are some nifty powers here, certainly, and the changes to HDR, the hardware FAQ in Settings, and extra file-sharing options are all welcome. The supercharged search is a definite highlight, but that’s only for Copilot+ PCs, so most people won’t get that.

Another noteworthy move is Cross Device Resume, which looks smartly implemented, and this is a space to watch because Microsoft is set to expand this ability in the future. We should see this become a much broader piece of work, allowing for all apps to be resumed in this way across your phone and PC eventually, not just OneDrive files.

In short, this should be Microsoft’s equivalent to Apple’s Handoff feature, or at least that’s the theory based on weighty clues the company recently dropped (and swiftly retracted).

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• CD Projekt has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2 is currently in pre-production
• The Cyberpunk 2077 DLC Phantom Liberty has also reached over ten million copies sold
• Cyberpunk 2 will likely launch after The Witcher 4, which is also in the works

Developer CD Projekt has confirmed that a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, which it is now calling Cyberpunk 2, is now in pre-production.

The news comes from the studio's latest earnings report, which stated that sales of the Cyberpunk 2077 expansion Phantom Liberty have now surpassed ten million copies in less than two years.

This major milestone, according to the developer, "confirms sustained interested in the Cyberpunk universe on the part of the gaming community."

It goes on to reveal that the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, previously referred to as Project Orion, has now "wrapped up its conceptual phase and entered pre-production".

Pre-production is an important step in game development, largely focused on nailing down the core concepts of the game that you're developing and drafting out key design documents.

As the name would suggest, however, it does mean that the game is still in its very early stages. I wouldn't expect a Cyberpunk 2 release any time soon, especially when you consider that it took almost eight years to complete its predecessor.

Cyberpunk 2 is being developed alongside The Witcher 4, a fantasy role-playing game (RPG) and sequel to the highly popular The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

The Witcher 4 was officially revealed in a cinematic trailer at The Game Awards 2024, following an initial tease all the way back in 2022. Given the release of its reveal trailer, The Witcher 4 is likely much further along in development than Cyberpunk 2, and will almost undoubtedly release sooner.

Hopefully we'll see more of it, potentially in the form of a new trailer, soon.

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• Check your Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order ASAP, as some retailers are reportedly cancelling them
• CostCo is the latest US retailer to confirm Nintendo Switch 2 stock
• Nintendo has updated its Switch 2 game compatibility page, identifying over 100 titles with 'start up issues' on the upcoming console

• Photo shows 'DJI Romo' product boxed on shipping pallet
• Rumors suggest Romo will combine vacuum and mop functions, plus pet avoidance
• It would be DJI's first vacuum – but the company has shown willingness to enter new market sectors recently

It appears that the rumored DJI Romo, a robot vacuum with integrated mop, is not only real but moving closer to launch.

A photograph tweeted by China-based drone leaker OsitaLV shows what appears to be a shipment of six boxed Romo vacuum cleaners on a pallet and ready for shipping, which suggests that the product could be poised to go on sale very soon.

I'm sure this thing has no NFZ! pic.twitter.com/TRkv9G80iuMay 29, 2025

We first heard rumblings about the Romo back in November 2024, where a leaked image purported to show the robot’s design. However, even if this picture was real, it wasn’t clear at the time whether or not the product was merely in prototype form or destined for a real-world release. It now seems likely that it’s very much a real product, coming to stores imminently.

DJI has never confirmed the existence of the Romo. However, initial speculation suggested that the Romo would combine vacuum and mop functions, and include features like individual room controls and pet detection.

More recently, other leaked imagesof what appears to be Romo's companion app, suggest it'll match the best robot vacuums with features like automatic self-emptying and powerful obstacle avoidance (which is something DJI's drones are known for).

While the Romo's release would represent DJI’s first foray into the robot vacuum market, we think it's highly plausible that the Chinese company would make a move into this market sector.

Why a robot vacuum?

The DJI RomoMaster S1, the company's educational robot, was released in 2019. (Image credit: DJI)

DJI is best known for its aerial photography drones (like the new Mavic 4 Pro), action cameras and smartphone gimbals. But its proficiency in automated motion, obstacle avoidance and battery technology make it well-positioned to produce a self-guiding domestic robot. It’s even made a ground-based educational robot in the past: the 2019-released RoboMaster S1.

Diversifying its product line-up could prove a canny strategy for DJI, given that its drone business seems to be under threat – in the US, at least – on account of the Trump administration’s chaotic tariffs plans and general US regulatory hostility towards Chinese-made drones. The Mavic 4 Pro hasn't even been launched in the US, for instance, despite it being DJI's new flagship camera drone.

The robot vacuum market could also be ripe for disruption, with no clear dominant manufacturer in place. Check out our best robot vacuums guide, for instance, and you’ll find it contains a wide mix of brands, each with varying strengths.

If we hear any more on the DJI Romo, we’ll bring you further updates.

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When choosing the best antivirus software for your device, its important to know how to use it - otherwise you could be paying for a service that isn't actually protecting anything.

Running a virus scan is actually quite easy. You open an antivirus of your choice, click the usually prominent ‘Scan’ button, wait for the program to do its thing, and take care of anything that gets flagged. Or at least, that’s the gist of it and the bare minimum a user can do.

In reality, the process can have a bit more to it than. So, we decided to write a detailed guide for conducting virus scans and everything else that comes with it, such as protecting all of your devices.

Select the right security software

Before we get to the matter at hand, picking the right software for the job is the first step in doing a proper virus scan. Personal antivirus tools are a dime a dozen, with a lot of features and additional security options that go beyond just running a virus scan.

With no shortage of options on the market sporting different features, the key is to discern between the stuff you need and what you can do without. That said, it’s always a good idea to pick an antivirus that has these features:

• Real-time protection
• Automatic updates
• Ransomware protection
• Web protection
• Firewall integration
• Email scanning

Bonus points if the software is lightweight so that it doesn’t slow down your system. That said, you want to avoid any free tools with excessive ads, poor reviews, or that come bundled with bloatware.

Keep your antivirus up to date

It’s prudent to do some preparation work prior to the scan, as keeping antivirus software up-to-date is something you don’t want to forget. This includes doing (boring but important) stuff like updating antivirus definitions and signatures, applying the latest software patches, and similar, either automatically or manually.

The main reason you need to do this is that malware evolves rapidly, no thanks to the increasing use of AI. As a result, users face all kinds of attacks, such as advanced persistent threats, ransomware-as-a-service, or targeted attacks. Granted, it’s more likely that businesses (big and small) will be attacked by more advanced threats, though individual users aren’t exempt from it either, especially if they have valuable data on their devices.

Hence, outdated software can easily miss these threats or just fail to protect you altogether, and then you’ll be in quite a pickle. In the best-case scenario, your device will now be very slow with subpar performance, prompting a big clean-up, and that’s always a hassle.

Also, if you’re using a subscription-based software, it might be an idea to keep the renewal option on, so you don’t end up without any protection.

If you’re unaware that your device has been infected, do note that there are always signs. These include, but are not limited to, sudden slow performance, excessive ads, new browser toolbars or search engines, apps opening or crashing on their own, unknown files or shortcuts on the desktop, and more. In case any of these happen, run a full scan immediately.

Choose an appropriate scan type

When it comes to actual scans, there are several types available, with some more suitable than others depending on the needs. A quick scan can be a good choice for routine operations and daily or continuous monitoring of high-risk areas like memory or system files.

A full or deep scan takes time and is more fitting for weekly or monthly checkups across all files, especially after patch cycles or any security incidents. It checks every file, app, folder, and system component on your device, but it takes a long time.

In the event of newly introduced devices, a custom scan will do the trick, more so if a targeted scan on high-value assets and suspicious directories is required. USB drives are a good example.

In some instances, a boot-time scan might be the best option if malware is deeply embedded. This type of scan runs before an operating system starts, catching hidden or rootkit malware.

Whatever the occasion, automated and policy-driven scan schedules are essential as they minimize manual work and guarantee consistency.

Executing scans

With all the preparation in place, we’ve reached the crux of this guide - actually running a scan. There shouldn’t be any complications here, as with the right tool, performing a scan is straightforward and easy. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

For instance, don’t use heavy apps while scanning because they may slow down the scan and your system. Antivirus software has the ability to pause the scan, so use that if the device is busy or if you ever need to take a break for other reasons.

If you’re using a laptop, keep it charged and plugged in. This might sound silly, but people sometimes forget the simplest things.

During the scan, your antivirus may detect potentially unwanted programs called PUPs. It’s usually adware, but don’t ignore them since they can very easily be malicious.

Remember, the goal here is to minimize operational disruption while still maintaining a thorough security coverage.

Analyzing scan results and taking action

After the scan is done, it’s time to go over the results. Simply detecting malware isn’t enough. Detailed reporting is a must, and the reports should include threat names, severity ratings, affected files, and recommended actions. This is obviously under the assumption that something harmful was found.

In that case, you should try to correlate detections with known vulnerabilities if there are any. Otherwise, make sure you thoroughly read the report so you’re aware of what you’re dealing with.

If the threat is detected, there should be a structured response to it (preferably a fast one) before the damage is done. At a minimum, you want to reduce its impact.

Get to know what kind it is, and either quarantine or delete it. Normally, malware or suspicious files are auto-quarantined or erased from the system, but it never hurts to check.

In some situations, you’ll have to perform a device restart since some malware can't be removed while the operating system is running. For particularly pesky threats that keep returning, try boot-time scanning and reinstalling the antivirus.

You can always manually remove the infected file by following the antivirus instructions. This shouldn’t be an issue, as most top-rated AVs are capable of dealing with problems like these. If all else fails, perhaps pick a different antivirus - you might have more luck with it.

What’s more, it’s not a bad idea to maintain exportable logs in case you need to learn more about the threat or Google it.

Afterward, its a good idea to analyze how the malware entered. For example, malicious files often enter your system through phishing, unpatched vulnerabilities, or some other method. It’s essential to know so it doesn’t happen again.

Post-scan security measures

Once the immediate threat is neutralized, there is still some work left. Namely:

• Patch operating systems and applications to remove vulnerabilities
• Change passwords if keyloggers or credential-stealing malware were detected
• Perform a system backup after confirming the system is clean
• Maintain a regular backup and recovery plan

Most antivirus programs allow you to automate scans and enable real-time protection, so absolutely make sure you do that. You can schedule weekly quick scans, run full scans monthly, get notified if definitions are out of date, and so on.

Generally speaking, antivirus works best when set and forgotten - that is, after you’ve configured it correctly and thoroughly. Make sure to always check the reports, though.

There is a human element to keeping your device free of viruses, namely:

• Avoid clicking on unknown links or email attachments
• Only download legitimate software from official websites
• Use strong, unique passwords for each account
• Back up important files to a cloud service or an external drive
• Keep your browser and plugins up to date
• Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible

Regular virus scans make all the difference

In today’s technology-led world, cybersecurity plays a huge role that only grows with every new attack and data breach. So, regular virus scans go a long way in helping you stay secure online. They will protect intellectual property, financial data, and personal information, as well as avert downtime, performance and time loss, and numerous other things that can hurt an everyday user.

As such, consumers ought to consider integrating virus scanning into their daily online activities and device use. After all, prevention is the best medicine.

• Spotify is rolling out new features for its library of podcasts, bringing you closer to the shows you love
• This includes a new Following feed in the Home page, which groups all the podcasts you follow
• There's also a new function that helps you to discover new shows, which Spotify has been criticized for lacking in the past

Spotify has introduced a small slurry of new podcast features, all designed to boost the presence of its library of audio and video podcasts to the same level as its music catalog - the most notable new addition being a new Following feed.

Yesterday the platform announced the new functions in a blog post and although they’re minor additions to Spotify’s interface, they play their part in bringing you closer to the podcasts you love while helping you discover your next favorite show. They also give creators an upper-hand, with Spotify adding ‘it gives them new ways to reach even more audiences around the globe’.

The new features are already starting to roll out to users and are widely available, with the exception of one which Spotify says will be ‘rolling out globally in the coming weeks’. So if you’re a keen podcast fan, or you’re at least trying to be, these are the three new tools to test out.

1. New podcasts Following feed

(Image credit: Spotify)

The main podcast feature of the three is the new Following feed, a dedicated space for shows you already follow. It puts them all into one place in the Spotify Home page, allowing you to stay on top of new episodes and releases from the creators you listen to the most.

When you go to the Spotify Home page and use the Podcasts filter at the top of the screen, it now displays an extended Following tab that you can enable. From there, all of the latest episodes from the podcast you follow will appear. It’s simple, and easily accessible.

2. Podcast recommendations in your Home feed

(Image credit: Spotify)

As well as bringing you closer to your favorite creators Spotify is doubling down on its podcast discovery features. The second new feature is a recommendation-focused function in your Home page.

Just under your Home page shortcuts, Spotify has started displaying recommendations for new audio and video podcasts, ready for you to play or save. This new addition is designed to save you time when scrolling through Spotify’s podcasts categories in search of a new show, while adhering to its own ethos of optimizing exposure for creators.

3. New ‘In this episode’ section

Spotify recently launched its ‘Follow-Along’ feature for audiobooks, and it’s doing something similar with podcasts. In the coming weeks, Spotify will be rolling out a new ‘In this episode’ section for podcasts, which allows creators to link to content they mention in episodes that’s also available on Spotify.

For example, if a creator mentions a specific album, song, or audiobook in a podcast episode, the ‘In this episode’ section will show those titles and give you the option to explore the referenced content.

(Image credit: Spotify)

For the past few years, Spotify has given much attention to bringing new features allowing users to optimize music discovery, however it has received criticism for not applying the same to podcasts. But these features mark a step towards Spotify’s new strategy for podcast discovery.

The battle for the best podcast platform continues, and Spotify is putting up a fight to compete with the likes of Apple Music and YouTube, the latter of which is the current reigning champion for podcast fans in the US.

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Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are supposed to be the internet’s cloak of invisibility. Long embraced by corporations to secure remote access and by individuals to shield their browsing activity, VPNs have built a reputation as tools of privacy, security, and digital freedom. But that reputation is now under threat.

A growing number of criminal groups are repackaging open source VPN frameworks into malware-laced products, disguising their intent behind familiar language, friendly branding, and fake reviews. What looks like a quick fix for accessing overseas content or bypassing geo-restrictions is, in many cases, an entry point for data theft, surveillance, and fraud.

It’s ironic in many ways. The promise of privacy has become the perfect lure for privacy-hacking criminals. Users who download these malicious VPNs often think they’re outsmarting content restrictions – watching football matches from abroad, placing bets where they legally shouldn’t, or cashing in on digital deals restricted by region.

At the very least, they might think that having a VPN shields them from the prying eyes of online snoopers. In reality, they’re likely handing over control of their device to a shadow network. These fake VPNs quietly turn home networks into residential proxies, harvest personal and financial data, and open the door for broader criminal operations – all while maintaining the illusion of security.

This isn’t to say that VPNs are bad. Far from it. But a user's choice of VPN matters today more than ever before. With so many affordable, easy options flooding the market, latching onto a cheap VPN to cloak your device or access geo-restricted content is a gamble – and the cost of losing that gamble simply isn’t worth the risk.

Behind the mask: How VPNs are being weaponized

What makes these VPNs so effective as attack vectors is how seamlessly they blend into the digital noise. Many operate through traffic distribution systems (TDSs) like Vextrio, which funnel users toward seemingly legitimate downloads. These platforms don’t just advertise VPNs – they create an entire illusion of trust, complete with sponsored search results, polished websites, and glowing reviews on platforms like Trustpilot.

Some VPNs are free, others charge modest monthly fees, but the business model is the same: install the software and you unwittingly join a network of compromised machines. These apps often double as information stealers – scraping keystrokes, intercepting browser activity, and quietly logging banking credentials.

Worse still, the infected device becomes part of a much larger infrastructure. Malicious VPNs routinely convert users’ home internet connections into residential proxies, effectively turning everyday consumers into unknowing enablers of criminal activity.

This allows attackers to route their own traffic through compromised systems, making it harder for authorities to trace or block malicious behavior. It’s like a parasite worming its way in unnoticed – users pay for access to content they’re not legally allowed to watch, while criminals profit by harvesting their data and hijacking their connections. Users think they’ve found a clever workaround, but in reality they’re simply being exploited.

DNS, RDGAs, and the art of evasion

The success of these criminals depends on their ability to hide and deceive. To maintain the illusion of legitimacy and avoid detection, malicious VPN operators rely heavily on rapidly generated domain aliases (RDGAs) and DNS tunneling. These tactics allow them to constantly shift the endpoints used by their software, cycling through thousands of domains so that if one is flagged or taken down, the service continues uninterrupted.

Take “Reckless Rabbit” and “Ruthless Rabbit” for instance – two recently discovered investment scam actors that use RDGAs to scale their advertising campaigns and lure victims using well-known names to appear trustworthy. Unlike legitimate providers, whose infrastructure remains relatively stable, these actors thrive on churn.

The fast rotation of domains not only obscures the true nature of the traffic but also makes it nearly impossible for traditional blocklists or IP reputation tools to keep up. From the outside, it simply looks like a user is accessing routine web services, when in fact, DNS is being manipulated to mask criminal infrastructure.

This constant domain hopping is part of a broader evasion strategy. DNS tunneling, in particular, allows attackers to disguise command-and-control traffic as benign DNS requests. It’s a method often used to sneak malware past firewalls or send data out of restricted environments without detection.

When embedded within VPN software, this technique becomes even more insidious: not only is the app encrypting the user's traffic, but it’s also silently exfiltrating information and receiving instructions from remote servers, all under the cover of what appears to be a legitimate privacy tool. This is how VPNs, when co-opted, transform from protective wrappers into full-fledged vehicles for criminal communication.

Snakes and Ladders: Why do people fall for it?

Contempt for the conners, compassion for the conned. That’s how this particular form of cyber-abuse should be viewed. Because the appeal of these rogue VPNs isn’t just technical – it’s psychological. Users are drawn in by the promise of unrestricted access: the ability to stream content blocked in their country, gamble on overseas platforms, or use region-specific services with no questions asked. For many, it feels like a harmless workaround.

But that desire to outsmart the system is precisely what these criminal operators rely on. They know users will trade caution for convenience. They know a free or cheap download that promises to “just work” will attract attention. But once it’s installed, the cost is no longer just a few dollars a month – it’s your identity, your credentials, and even your bandwidth.

Unwitting participants in criminal schemes

It’s not just about personal risk either. By participating in these networks, even unknowingly, users help power a much larger criminal economy. Their machines become part of an invisible infrastructure used to launder traffic, evade detection, and launch further attacks. In some cases, VPN clients are bundled with gambling or scam platforms, creating a double-loss scenario: victims hand over their data and their money.

It’s not just that the VPN didn’t protect them – bad enough though that is – it was that the VPN was the bait all along. The irony stings: in trying to gain more freedom, users end up more surveilled, more exploited, and more vulnerable than they were before.

Can app stores and search engines be trusted?

When we need a service, we Google it. Or perhaps we scan our app store of choice to find a suitable candidate. We might look at a few reviews, but by and large we’re programmed to trust what we find in these places. But in the case of malicious VPNs, that trust is being actively abused. Traffic distribution systems like Vextrio are skilled at manipulating search rankings – pushing sponsored ads and SEO-optimized domains to the top of results pages within days.

A quick search for “free VPN” or “VPN for Netflix” often leads users straight into their funnel. From there, everything is choreographed: the convincing website, the high user ratings, the false claims of speed and security. Even cautious users, seeing a top result or an official-looking listing in an app store, may assume legitimacy – especially when the app promises what they want to hear.

Apple’s App Store and Google Play are not immune. Despite vetting processes, threat actors have found ways to sneak past these controls by rebranding malware over and over again – changing logos, names, domains, and shell companies with each iteration. Dozens of malicious VPNs have slipped through, some remaining live in the stores long after being flagged.

Even the reviews can’t be trusted – so many of them are fabricated or bot-generated, designed to drown out real complaints and boost visibility. The emergence of tools like ChatGPT have made these bogus reviews all the more convincing and harder to spot. The result is a distorted marketplace where bad actors operate in plain sight, shielded by the very platforms users rely on for safety.

How to choose a VPN without compromising yourself

So how can users protect themselves without sacrificing privacy? The first step is a healthy dose of good old skepticism, particularly toward any VPN app that’s unfamiliar, heavily discounted, or promises unlimited access for free. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Instead of trusting search engine rankings or user reviews, consumers should rely on well-established providers with transparent business models and a long-standing track record.

Brands like NordVPN, ProtonVPN, and Malwarebytes are trusted not because they’re perfect, but because they’re accountable. They don’t need to hide behind a fresh logo or fake domain every time scrutiny increases. Reputation in this space isn’t just branding – it’s a proxy for security, support, and scrutiny.

Equally important is understanding what a VPN can and can’t do. A VPN won’t make a user anonymous, and it doesn’t guarantee safety if the software itself is compromised. In many cases, Protective DNS offers a more targeted layer of defense, alerting users to suspicious activity, blocking access to malicious domains, and providing visibility into where traffic is really going. Whether on a personal device or in an enterprise setting, layered protection matters.

VPNs were built to protect. But in the wrong hands, they become a perfect disguise for exploitation. Criminals are counting on users to trade caution for convenience, wrapping malware in the language of privacy and selling it as freedom. The safest path isn’t the fastest download or the highest-ranked result – it’s a trusted name, a transparent provider, and a double-dose of skepticism. Because when privacy tools are weaponized, the price of easy access can be far greater than it first appears.

We list the best free VPN.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Google Gemini is heading to Android Auto soon
• A new video shows how the integration will work
• The new AI will replace Google Assistant in cars

Gemini is taking over from Google Assistant across all of Google's apps and devices, and Android Auto will be making the switch soon – as shown by a new demo video that gives us an idea of how the AI assistant is going to work on your car's dashboard.

The video was captured at Google I/O 2025 and posted by 9to5Google, and you can see how Gemini slots in on the right-hand of the screen (or perhaps the left-hand, depending on the rules of the road in your country).

If you've used Gemini on your phone, the interface will be familiar, with the glowing blue-ish ripples showing that Gemini is active. You're then free to ask whatever questions you have on the road, using natural language.

You might want to see nearby gas stations for example, or have Gemini pull up the location of an event you're heading to from your Google Calendar. Anything you can do on your phone you can do through Gemini on Android Auto.

More flexibility

One demo Google showed off was using Gemini to compile a list of ingredients for a particular meal in Google Keep, then asking for directions to the local grocery store to pick up the necessary supplies – all very impressive.

Generally, it's much more flexible and more intelligent than Google Assistant. All of your in-car chats will be synced back to Gemini on the web and on your phone, so you can pick up where you left off on other devices and carry on the conversation.

With Android Automotive (so the version built right into cars), the interface is a little more subtle, with a small pop-up bar showing Gemini. However, the exact look can vary depending on your vehicle and the dashboard screen configuration.

It's not clear exactly when Gemini will show up on Android Auto, but Google has said it's coming soon, and we've seen numerous signs that it's on the way. Gemini is already the default AI assistant on new Android phones.

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• Pokémon Legends: Z-A will officially launch on October 16 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
• A digital or physical Switch version can be upgraded to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition via a $10 upgrade pack
• The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will "offer improved graphics and frame rates"

The Pokémon Company has announced that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will officially launch on October 16 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

Pre-orders for the next major Pokémon game begin on June 5, and it's been confirmed that players who purchase either a digital or physical version on the Switch can upgrade their copy to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition via a $10 upgrade pack on the Nintendo eShop and My Nintendo Store.

It might be worth investing in the Switch 2 Edition as The Pokémon Company has also revealed in a social media post that the version will "offer improved graphics and frame rates", but there's no new trailer for us to compare to the Switch version just yet.

In addition, players who pre-order Legends: Z-A through the Pokémon Center in the US, UK, and Canada will receive a random, exclusive Pokémon Sitting Cuties plush featuring Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile.

According to Nintendo, those who pre-order a version of the game from My Nintendo Store will receive a Partner Pokémon figurine as a bonus item, and Mega Evolution, Trainer, and Champion's Choice bundles will also be available."

#PokemonLegendsZA arrives October 16, 2025!In addition to the #NintendoSwitch title, a #NintendoSwitch2 Edition will offer improved graphics and frame rates! The digital and physical versions of #PokemonLegendsZA can be upgraded to the #NintendoSwitch2 Edition via upgrade pack pic.twitter.com/DqAcfYPxiKMay 28, 2025

We've also received brand new cover art for the game, along with an official blurb, which reads: "Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a new frontier for the Pokémon video game series, blending an RPG story unfolding in a single city with action elements and a real-time battle system unlike anything seen before in the franchise.

"Trainers can look forward to the beginning of a new adventure in Lumiose City — one woven by people and Pokémon together!​"

Pokémon fans won't have to wait long for another look at the game because the next Pokémon Presents livestream will air this summer on July 22.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches next week on June 5 for $449.99 / £395.99, and $499.99 / £429.99 for the official Mario Kart World bundle, which comes with a digital copy of the game.

UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are now live. If you missed out on securing a pre-order, GameStop and Best Buy have announced that they will be restocking Switch 2 units in-store and online during the console's launch.

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• The new version of macOS will be revealed on June 9 at WWDC
• Several older Intel-based Macs might be incompatible with it
• Apple is rumored to be switching to a year-based “macOS 26” name

Apple releases a new version of its Mac operating system every year, and when that happens, there are inevitably older Macs that are no longer supported.

We’re just a week or two away from Apple unveiling its latest iOS and macOS updates at its WWDC 2025 event, and we’ve just found out exactly which Macs might be left behind.

That information comes from AppleInsider, which cites “people familiar with the matter.” These sources have revealed that a slate of Intel-based Macs will be incompatible with the forthcoming software update, meaning they’ll be stuck on older versions of Apple’s operating systems.

Specifically, AppleInsider says the following Macs will be compatible with the next version of macOS:

• MacBook Pro 2019 or later
• MacBook Air M1 or later
• iMac 2020 or later
• Mac Pro 2019 or later
• Mac mini M1 or later
• Mac Studio

That means there are some notable omissions. The 2018 MacBook Pro, 2020 Intel-based MacBook Air, 2017 iMac Pro, and 2018 Mac mini all work with the current version of macOS (macOS Sequoia) but are left off AppleInsider’s list. That suggests that they won’t be able to upgrade beyond macOS Sequoia.

What’s in a name?

(Image credit: Future / Apple)

Interestingly, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has also claimed that Apple is set to switch up its operating system naming conventions. Instead of the previously expected iOS 19 and macOS 16, Apple could name its platforms after the calendar year. So that means we’ll have iOS 26 and macOS 26, Gurman believes.

Alongside the name change, these operating systems are expected to come with sweeping changes to their visual styles and user interfaces, something that AppleInsider’s sources also confirmed. Unfortunately, that means that the aforementioned Macs will miss out on this new look as well.

If you have one of the Macs that are set to miss out on macOS 26, you might want to think about upgrading. Not only will that ensure you get all the latest macOS features, but you’ll likely get hardware improvements and better battery life too.

If you’re thinking about it, our guide to the best Macs and MacBooks should help you decide which one to get.

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• Marvel fans are worried about the fate of Thor in Avengers: Doomsday
• A video uploaded to Chris Hemsworth's YouTube channel has sparked fears about his potential MCU exit
• Chris Hemsworth has been playing Thor in the MCU since 2011

Avengers: Doomsday is 18 months away from landing in theaters, but Marvel fans are already fearing the worst about one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) longest-serving heroes.

Yesterday (May 28), a new video was uploaded to the personal YouTube channel of Chris Hemsworth, who's played Thor since 2011 and is one of the MCU's six original Avengers.

Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a big deal. Hemsworth and/or his social media team regularly post videos on the A-lister's account, so the arrival of a new video shouldn't come as a shock.

This video is different to the usual ones that get posted, though. Titled 'Thank You! The Legacy of Thor', the two-minute-long video comprises footage of Hemsworth's various appearances as the God of Thunder over the past 14 years. The clips are interspersed with behind-the-scenes footage, plus interviews with Hemsworth and other creatives who have worked on the Thor films, too.

Taken at face value, there's an air of finality to the video's title and the footage contained within. That's before you read the earnest video description accompanying said footage, which has seemingly been written by Hemsworth and reads: "Playing Thor has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

"For the last 15 [sic] years I've held Mjolnir and then Stormbreaker as the God of Thunder, but what made it truly special was sharing it with all of you. Your passion, your cheers, and your love for this character have meant everything to me. Thank you for making my journey through the MCU unforgettable. Next up, Doomsday!"

Thor is one of the MCU's most iconic heroes, so his potential demise would be felt acutely among viewers (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Predictably, Hemsworth's latest YouTube upload has sparked fears among MCU fans, with many drawing the conclusion that Thor is going to be killed off in Avengers 5. After all, Hemsworth was confirmed to be part of Doomsday's initial 27-strong cast. With filming now underway on one of 2026's most anticipated new movies, why would Hemsworth, who's probably seen a script and/or starting shooting scenes, post a video like this now if there wasn't a significant reason to do so?

Fan worries aren't consigned to a single corner of the internet, either.

Indeed, threads on the r/Marvel subreddit and ResetEra, plus the comments section of Hemsworth's latest YouTube video, are full of viewers expressing concerns that the Asgardian's MCU journey will soon come to an end. Is he going to be murdered by Doctor Doom in the same way that Thanos killed Loki in Avengers: Infinity War? It would certainly prove how powerful Doom is if he kills someone like Thor who's survived so many life-threatening events in the MCU.

Comment from r/marvelstudios

There are people who aren't convinced this is the end of the line for Hemsworth, though.

Some believe this is nothing more than a promotional video for Thor: Love and Thunder, aka the character's latest Marvel film that was released in July 2022, which has been uploaded to Hemsworth's channel three years too late.

Meanwhile, others say their fellow fans are reading too much into the video, with some pointing out that Marvel and Hemsworth have consistently talked about the possibility of making a fifth Thor solo movie. In fact, just three weeks ago, industry insider MyTimetoShineHello, whose recent track record has been patchy at best, suggested Thor 5 is still in the works. If that's the case, the God of Thunder won't perish in Doomsday.

Ultimately, it's hard to determine why this video has made its way onto Hemsworth's YouTube channel. I can see why people are scared about the possibility that Thor will die in the Marvel Phase 6 movie. However, I also understand the argument that some are putting two and two together and getting five.

If I had to get off of the proverbial fence, I'd err on the side of caution and agree that people are reading too much into this video. I don't think Hemsworth's time in the MCU is done yet, but I guess we'll know for sure when Avengers: Doomsday is released worldwide on its revised launch date of December 18, 2026.

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• Windows has released a new business backup tool
• The tool will help organizations transition to Windows 11
• Businesses can sign up for the limited public preview

Windows Backup for Organizations has now entered public preview, offering businesses a new tool to backup Windows settings when resetting or reimaging a user’s device.

The tool works when backing up both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems, making it even easier for businesses to transition to the latest Windows operating system - a process that many have been putting off for the past three years.

The business backup tool was first announced at Microsoft Ignite in 2024, and has now entered limited public preview.

All aboard for Windows 11

In an announcement, Microsoft said, “You can back up your organization’s Windows 10 or Windows 11 settings and restore them on a Microsoft Entra joined device. This capability helps reduce migration overhead, minimize user disruption, and strengthen device resilience against incidents.”

In order to sign up for the public preview, an organization needs to be using Microsoft Entra joined Windows 10 or Windows 11 systems, alongside an active Microsoft Intune test tenant and Microsoft Intune service administrator permissions.

As for businesses unable to upgrade to Windows 11 before Windows 10 stops receiving updates on October 14 2025, there is the option to register for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will provide additional security updates beyond the end-of-life date. Home users can also opt in to this program for $30.

Microsoft also announced a new tool designed that allows developers to have their software seek updates via Windows Update, with Microsoft stating that the tool would offer a “unified future for app updates on Windows” across applications, system components, drivers, and more.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Framer introduced four new features
• Two features are powered by generative AI
• The company wants to simplify website creation without taking away the "magic"

Website builder platform Framer has announced a new suite of features, available now to all users. The features, some of which are powered by artificial intelligence (AI), are designed to “boost productivity, enhance creativity, and remove barriers between ideas and execution”.

The new features are called Wireframer, Workshop, Vector, and Advanced Analytics. As the company explained in a press release shared with TechRadar Pro, Wireframer is a “smart layout assistant” that allows users to create custom webpage structures through prompts. Workshop, the second AI-powered feature, can build custom components while keeping the site’s style in mind (think colors, fonts, layout, and more).

Vector is a new set of graphics and icon drawing tools that should enable more users to start designing their site with Framer. Vectors can be animated and customized, exported, and combined into icon kits.

Ideas front and center

Wireframer, Workshop, and Vector are available to all users, with no Beta access needed. However the fourth feature, Advanced Analytics, is only available to enterprise customers. Advanced Analytics allows users to measure the site’s effectiveness by setting up metrics, running tests “within minutes”, and then generating comprehensive reports.

Framer believes the new features make the platform friendly for both casual web builders and professional designers. According to Koen Bok, Framer’s CEO and Founder, the new features were introduced after thorough customer feedback on “how AI can support productivity without taking away the ‘magic’ of building a site.”

“We’re simplifying the journey from concept to live site, so ideas can take center stage,” Bok added.

Most of the best website builders around, including Wix, Hostinger, and Squarespace, have already introduced Generative AI in some capacity. The new technology allows developers to “chat” to the platforms to create everything from wireframes and sitemaps to full-blown websites, including the content and the multimedia.

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• Samsung has confirmed it will ship its next foldable phones with Android 16
• That will likely make them among the first handsets to run Android 16 out of the box
• Samsung's customizations are focused on AI, security, and convenience

Usually, Samsung’s new foldable phones launch with the previous year’s version of Android, as in the past Google had been launching new Android versions later in the year than Samsung’s phones. But that’s all changing this year.

We already know that Android 16 will roll out soon, with June looking likely, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will probably launch in July. So that makes it viable for them to launch with Android 16 out of the box, but until today we weren’t certain that would happen, since Samsung still needs time to make its own software modifications.

However, the company has now confirmed that these phones will ship with Android 16, which is likely to make them among the first handsets to run Android 16 out of the box.

Android 16 on a Samsung phone (Image credit: Samsung)Faster than normal

This is slightly surprising since Samsung can often be slow to update its handsets, but the company claims this was achieved through “open communication” and “real-time feedback” with Google.

Specifically, you’ll be getting One UI 8 on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. This is Samsung’s customized take on Android 16, and – as you might have guessed – it puts a lot of focus on AI.

That said, Samsung also highlights security and “convenient, intuitive tools” like allowing you to connect to Bluetooth audio devices effortlessly by scanning a QR code.

Of course, you won’t have to buy one of Samsung’s upcoming foldables to get Android 16 and One UI 8 – the company has already launched a One UI 8 beta on the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, so those devices will also probably get access to the finished version of this software soon after it’s available.

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• Surfshark has just launched a new 7-day free trial for new users
• The provider previously offered a 30-day money-back guarantee as its 'trial' offering
• Surfshark is now one of the few VPN providers offering a free trial option

If you are looking for a new VPN service but don't want to invest the money blindly, good news – Surfshark now offers a 7-day free trial to all new users.

Until now, you could find out if Surfshark was the right service for you only after subscribing – risk-free, though, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee policy. Now, while this policy remains in place, you can try the service for a whole week without putting your hands on your wallet.

One of the best VPN services out there, according to TechRadar's latest testing, Surfshark is now among the very few providers that offer new users a free trial option.

Surfshark – 7-day free trial
Try out all that Surfshark has to offer for 7 days on up to three different devices at once, completely free of charge. You can expect a host of security and privacy features, great streaming unblocking results, and fast connection speeds. If, after that, you decide to subscribe, you'll even be able to use the VPN service across unlimited devices simultaneously. No worry too much, though, as you'll still be able to change your mind thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

Why use Surfshark 7-day free trial

A virtual private network (VPN) is a crucial tool nowadays to boost your online experience as it allows you to enjoy a more private and secure internet, while enabling you to unlock otherwise geo-restricted content, among other things.

Yet, not all VPN services are made equal. That's why we found the opportunity to test premium services without committing to a paid subscription very advantageous.

As mentioned earlier, Surfshark isn't the only VPN with a free trial on the market – but it's perhaps the best option out there.

For instance, CyberGhost offers some shorter free trial options for new subscribers depending on the device they use – 24 hours for Windows and Mac users, 3 days on Android, and 7 days on iOS devices. Private Internet Access also offers a 7-day free trial, but only for Android and iOS users who activate it via the official app stores. NordVPN does something similar, but only for new Android subscribers.

By contrast, any new users can enjoy Surfshark's 7-day free trial – no matter the device they use – and they can do so directly from the provider's official websites. Even better, Surfshark's free trial can be active on three devices at once.

TechRadar needs you! We want to know what you think about the world of VPNs. Whether you're a novice or a VPN pro, we want to hear your thoughts. Don't worry, though, your responses are completely anonymous, and it takes less than five minutes to complete!

To take part, click the link below: https://futurenet.questionpro.eu/tr-vpn

How to use Surfshark 7-day free trial

Taking advantage of Surfshark's new 7-day free trial couldn't be easier.

You start by choosing the plan that best works for you between Surfshark Starter (which also includes its Alternative ID and CleanWeb services), Surfshark One (which also adds the provider's antivirus, Alert ID, and search engine tools), and Surfshark One+ (which includes all of the above plus the data removal service Incogni).

To do so, you'll have to enter your email address and payment details "to confirm you’re a first-time user," the provider explains on its dedicated page.

The next step is to create an account by filling in the login credentials.

Once you do that, you can download, install, and start using Surfshark for a week free of charge.

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• A Chinese telecomms certification has revealed a pair of new Samsung devices set to launch in July
• As previously rumored, it looks like we're getting the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and the Watch 8 Classic
• There is no mention of a Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, indicating it may not be coming this year

Samsung's Galaxy Watch line is expected to get another update in the coming months at this year's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked summer showcase. According to a recent report, it looks like there will only be two models making their debut: the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Classic series takes the standard Galaxy Watch line and adds a dive watch-style rotating bezel, which also serves as a way to engage with the watch's UI outside of the buttons and touch screens.

As spotted by XpertPick, the Chinese telecomms certification board CMIIT has passed two devices labeled SM-L3350 and SM-L5050, believed to be the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic. It appears they'll both launch in July 2025—around the time of Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event.

The report follows previous news that generation eight of the Samsung Galaxy Watch line could bring back the Classic form factor. Classics tend to appear every other year –we got a Watch 4 Classic and a Watch 6 Classic, so it's likely we'll get a Watch 8 Classic too.

However, the absence of a Watch Ultra 2 certification suggests we're not getting a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra follow-up this year.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 not coming this year?

While the lack of a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 certification is a surprise, the rumor mill suggests that the standard and Classic watches are expected to get a similar squircle-style chassis that would at least mean it's there in spirit.

The certification conflicts with previous rumors that made the rounds in April, suggesting that a new Ultra model would be revealed in July.

Away from the Ultra-specific news, as well as the rotating bezel, the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic are expected to get Google's Gemini AI assistant on-wrist. Google's upcoming Wear OS 6 release will bring Gemini to more wearables, including new Samsung devices.

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• Microsoft has a grand vision of Windows Update delivering updates for all software installed on the PC
• This is mainly aimed at the business world to begin with, but there’s no reason why consumers won’t eventually benefit as well
• Developers will need to be persuaded to hook up their apps to Microsoft’s new unified delivery platform, though

Microsoft plans to have Windows 11 itself handle all software updates via the Windows Update system, or that appears to be the idea for the future.

The Verge spotted a Microsoft blog post that outlined a vision of the “unified future for app updates on Windows,” as penned by product manager Angie Chen.

While this is a post on the IT Pro blog, and as such it’s targeted at IT admins and organizations, as Microsoft pushes forward in this direction, there’s no reason why consumers won’t benefit from this too.

This is surely the plan, even if it isn’t mentioned explicitly, as the post announces that a private preview of the new system is now kicking off, which any app developer can join to start getting their software ready for Microsoft’s brave new world of updates.

As it stands now, Windows Update provides relevant updates for the operating system itself (of course) and related frameworks, as well as drivers sometimes. When it comes to individual apps – or suites of software – you are reliant on the developer to deliver these through their own mechanisms.

Microsoft wants to change this by introducing a “Windows-native update orchestration platform” that allows any app developer to make use of Windows Update to deliver patches for their software alongside regular Windows 11 updates.

As Microsoft explains, there are several benefits to working in this way, not the least of which is that it keeps things simple and streamlined to get all your updates from one source.

Additionally, you’ll be able to view a history of all updates across your entire PC via the update history in the Windows 11 Settings app. Furthermore, developers will be able to use the operating system’s powers in terms of deciding when to apply updates, such as obeying the user's or admin’s time windows for updating, for example.

Analysis: A sensible path forward

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

All this makes some sense, and the convenience of combining all updates under one hub managed by Windows itself is surely taking a step forward.

After all, with updates reliant on the delivery methods of individual software developers, it can be easy to fall behind, especially if the update mechanism is tucked away somewhere and doesn’t happen automatically. Or indeed, if you don’t run a piece of software for ages, it could be hanging around in the background in a miserably unpatched state.

With Windows Update handling all this, you’d be on top of your software updates consistently, at least in theory. That said, cynics might be quick to pounce on the reliability of Windows Update.

Failed installations of updates are not exactly uncommon and are reported with some regularity. However, remember that these are updates for Windows 11 itself – more complex, knotty OS upgrades – and small app updates are unlikely to suffer any such wrinkles. And whether they do, or not, will presumably be down to the devs anyway, to a large extent.

It’s worth noting that you do get updates piped through to Windows apps automatically with software installed via the Microsoft Store, but of course, far from every developer wants to use that store.

Worried about app support, and some software being left out? Every base should be covered, with support for all common app types (not just Microsoft’s own creations, such as MSIX apps), as outlined in the blog post.

However, there could still be a catch here, namely that it’s up to software developers to use Microsoft’s new platform. And nothing is forcing them to hook up to the system, so will they bother?

That’s the multi-million-dollar question, but from my perspective, it all seems a sensible enough idea. While this may be a plan targeting the business world initially, I can envision a broader move towards this model of Windows updates for all kinds of app developers eventually. And as more make the leap, others could be persuaded to follow…

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• Acer accidentally listed RTX 5050 GPUs in some gaming laptops
• The spilled details showed power usage and clock speeds
• We didn’t get any other specs shared, though, and chatter about the desktop variant of the RTX 5050 has gone quiet, too

Acer has leaked the Nvidia RTX 5050 mobile GPU, giving us a glimpse of some of the key specs of this laptop graphics card.

Not so long ago, Nvidia introduced RTX 5060 models (the 5060 Ti spin came first), and before those arrived, there were rumors flying around about them and the RTX 5050, too.

While the RTX 5050 hasn’t been officially announced, we’ve been seeing numerous leaks about it recently. VideoCardz reports that the latest leak comes from Acer, courtesy of a list of GPU specs for Predator and Nitro gaming laptops.

This mentioned an RTX 5050 in quite a few of the Nitro notebooks, and I use the past tense there because Acer has caught the error and deleted the offending listings – but not before VideoCardz took a screenshot as evidence. Other sources have also taken note, so this is likely genuine – although still take it with a grain of salt, as with all rumors.

We can see from this screengrab that Acer is set to offer the RTX 5050 in five different power options, ranging from 50W up to 100W, with correspondingly faster clock speeds for each, from 1500MHz up to 2550MHz. Note that there’ll also be an ‘Acer OC’ (overclocked) boost of 15W with these models, meaning the most powerful model will be able to provide 115W in a pinch.

Sadly, we don’t see any specifications other than power usage and clocks, which are tied together in a direct relationship – the faster the clocks are pushed, the more wattage the GPU will consume.

Analysis: A laptop RTX 5050 feels imminent – but what about the desktop model?

(Image credit: Peter Hoffmann)

The specs we see here don’t give us much of a clue as to how powerful the RTX 5050 will theoretically be. That said, the maximum power envelope advertised is quite substantial at 115W, but we don’t know enough about this mobile GPU to draw any definitive conclusions. Key factors will include the core count, which isn’t disclosed, and the type of video memory (VRAM) used.

I should note that on the latter front, there were rumors that Nvidia could opt for slower GDDR6 VRAM, rather than the GDDR7 employed elsewhere with the Blackwell generation. However, more recent rumors have suggested Nvidia will stick with GDDR7 (8GB of this VRAM, which is an expected configuration for an entry-level GPU).

At any rate, what this apparent mistake from Acer does indicate is that the RTX 5050 laptop graphics card could be close to arriving, otherwise it wouldn’t be popping up on spec sheets – and this is backed up by the fact that we’ve had a lot of leaks around this GPU recently. Indeed, one of those mentioned a planned launch date of Q2 for the RTX 5050, and so a June release appears to be a distinct possibility at this point.

In other words, we might be seeing the revelation of the Nvidia RTX 5050 for laptops in the next week or two. What about the desktop RTX 5050? Yes, it’s rumored Nvidia is going to produce a desktop flavor of this bottom-tier Blackwell GPU, which runs counter to what happened with the previous Lovelace generation (there was no desktop RTX 4050, only a laptop variant).

However, any gossip around the desktop RTX 5050 seems to have dried up, giving me pause for thought on whether Nvidia might have abandoned that idea, at least for the time being. Or maybe it was never happening in the first place; we never know with rumors.

I’m really hoping Nvidia can provide a more affordable desktop GPU for budget gaming PCs this time around, though, but whether that’ll actually happen is something I’ve always been doubtful about. Simply because of how Nvidia has neglected the budget end of the graphics card spectrum in more recent times.

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• Fake AI video editor ads are targeting Facebook users
• Threat group UNC6032 has been identified spreading malware
• The ads have reached over 2 million users

Google’s Mandiant Threat Defense group has identified a campaign, tracked as UNC6032, which “weaponizes the interest around AI tools” - specifically tools used to generate videos based on user prompts.

Mandiant experts identified thousands of postings of fake “AI video generator” websites that actually distribute malware, which has led to the deployment of payloads, “such as Python-based infostealers and several backdoors.”

The campaign sees legitimate AI generator tools like Canva Dream Lab, Luma AI, and Kling AI impersonated in order to trick victims, which have collectively reached “millions of users” across both LinkedIn and Facebook - although Google suspects similar campaigns may be targeting users on multiple different platforms too.

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AI tool risks

The group, UNC6032, is thought to have ties to Vietnam, but EU transparency rules allowed researchers to see that a sample of 120 malicious ads had a total reach of over 2.3 million users - although this does not necessarily translate to that many victims.

“Although our investigation was limited in scope, we discovered that well-crafted fake “AI websites” pose a significant threat to both organizations and individual users,” the researchers confirm.

“These AI tools no longer target just graphic designers; anyone can be lured in by a seemingly harmless ad. The temptation to try the latest AI tool can lead to anyone becoming a victim. We advise users to exercise caution when engaging with AI tools and to verify the legitimacy of the website's domain.”

Be sure to thoroughly vet any adverts on social media, and manually search any software deals into a search engine before downloading anything in order to properly verify the source.

We also recommend checking out the best malware removal tools to keep your devices secure.

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• No need for conventional speakers and no increase in thickness
• Could be used for in-car displays, smartphones and headsets

For years now the TV industry has been thinking about pixels: how to make them brighter, how to make them smaller, how to put them together in the best possible way. And now there's a new push: how to make them sound.

As spotted by Science Daily, researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH for short) have created a 13-inch OLED panel where every pixel makes sound as well as light.

And that tech could one day deliver multi-channel sound with incredible precision – without requiring speaker drivers.

Pixels should be heard as well as seen

(Image credit: Wiley / POSTECH )

As Science Daily reports (hat tip to Notebookcheck), the team have called their invention 'Pixel-Based Local Sound OLED technology'. And as they explain, the problem with TV audio is that it's really hard to get accurate positional sound with conventional speakers.

"The core issue is that traditional exciters – devices that vibrate to produce sound – are large and heavy, making it difficult to deploy multiple units without interference or compromising the OLED's thin design," the researchers say. "Additionally, sound crosstalk between multiple speakers leads to a lack of precise control over localized audio."

Their solution was to embed piezo-electric exciters within the OLED display frame. "These piezo exciters, arranged similarly to pixels, convert electrical signals into sound vibrations without occupying external space. Crucially, they are fully compatible with the thin form factor of OLED panels."

That enables each pixel to become an independent sound source, and the team says that they were able to completely eliminate crosstalk – so that sounds coming from different parts of the display didn't interfere with one another.

The applications of the technology go beyond TVs. One suggestion is that in-car displays could send different audio to different people, for example by giving vocal directions to the driver while the passenger listens to music. And in phones or headsets the audio could change as the head, hand or device moves.

According to Professor Su Seok Choi, "This technology has the potential to become a core feature of next-generation devices, enabling sleek, lightweight designs in smartphones, laptops, and automotive displays – while delivering immersive, high-fidelity audio."

The "has the potential" bit is key, however: this is a proof of concept, not a product – and there's a big difference between producing audio and producing excellent audio. And of course what works in a 13-inch prototype may prove much more difficult to achieve in panels of larger sizes.

There's also the question of cost – so while the announcement is definitely exciting I think the best soundbars can breathe easy for a good few years yet.

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• Apple may be developing a dedicated gaming app for iOS, macOS and more
• The app will contain things like achievements, leaderboards and messages
• It could be announced at WWDC in June

For years, Apple has been trying to convince the world that it’s taking gaming seriously, and with the popularity of IOS gaming and the appearance of AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 on macOS, there’s some truth to the company’s assertion.

Just in case you needed more convincing, there’s a new rumor from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman that Apple will soon launch a dedicated gaming app in iOS 19 to woo players to its platforms. As a Mac-owning gamer, I'm cautiously optimistic about the rumors – even if we still need more affordable hardware and games before it gets anywhere close to being a Windows competitor.

If you missed the news, the app will apparently “serve as a launcher for titles and centralize in-game achievements, leaderboards, communications and other activity,” Gurman said, adding that it will also feature “editorial content from Apple about new titles, offer access to the App Store’s game section and promote [Apple] Arcade.” It’s expected to be revealed on iOS, macOS, iPadOS and tvOS as soon as Apple’s WWDC 2025 event on June 9.

The move makes sense – after all, the iPhone is a phenomenally popular gaming platform, and announcing a move like this at WWDC could help to cement the popularity of iOS 19 before it’s even out the door. Apple might also be hoping that it will tempt more gamers to switch from Windows to the Cupertino firm’s platforms – but on this point, I’m not entirely convinced.

Destination of choice for gamers

(Image credit: Apple)

This app might work well in iOS 19, where gaming tends to be a little more casual than on desktop computers. But things might look very different on macOS.

As a gamer who also owns a Mac, I’ve been encouraged over the last few years by Apple’s strides in the gaming world. It’s nowhere near parity with Windows yet, but the situation today is much better than it was just a few years ago.

For a long time, the problem was the chicken-and-egg nature of Mac gaming. Gamers didn’t want to switch to macOS due to the lack of games, and developers didn’t want to bring games to the Mac due to the lack of players. That’s slowly starting to change, with big-name titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Baldur’s Gate 3 helping to dispel the idea that the Mac is a gaming wasteland.

However, the impact of a dedicated gaming app will likely be limited. Beyond my contention that gamers care more about hardware and game availability than launcher apps, Gurman is also skeptical, saying that “testers of the software say it probably won’t change the perception among players and makers of high-end titles.”

Any advance for gaming on Apple’s platforms is welcome in my eyes, and this app could help by making gaming more prominent among users of iOS and macOS. But what’s really needed – on the Mac at least – is a greater number of attention-grabbing titles and more affordable access to components that offer exceptional gaming performance.

Until that happens, Windows will always be the destination of choice for gamers.

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