TechRadar News

• Jessica Jones is making a comeback in Daredevil: Born Again season two
• Krysten Ritter has confirmed she's returning as the character she introduced on Netflix in 2015
• Ritter alluded to "much more in store" for the character

Talking about Daredevil: Born Again season two alongside Charlie Cox at the Disney Upfront presentation, Krysten Ritter has officially announced her return as Jessica Jones.

According to Variety, Ritter said, “It’s so great to be back… I’m so excited to bring back this iconic character, and without giving too much away, there is much more in store for Jessica Jones. This is going to be an incredible season!”

When Netflix canceled its Marvel TV series, and Disney Plus resurrecting some of the characters, it was probably just a matter of time before the Defenders found a new home.

Charlie Cox's Daredevil was the first – returning as "a really good lawyer" in 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, Vincent D’Onofrio's Kingpin appeared in Hawkeye and everyone was delighted to see the reintroduction of Jon Bernthal's The Punisher in season one of Daredevil: Born Again.

And now, it’s exciting to know that Ritter’s Jessica Jones will continue the fight alongside Daredevil after The Defenders ended on Netflix.

That said, we don’t know exactly what her role is going to be in season two. It could well be a small one, but Ritter hinting that there’s “much more in store” for her character lends gravity to this announcement. And, as we saw in The Defenders, the two characters align well, so it makes sense for the two to pair up again.

The nine-episode first season wrapped up in April on Disney Plus and we’re yet to find out when the second season will release – but here's everything we know about Daredevil: Born Again season two.

Why Jessica Jones' return is a smart move for Disney

(Image credit: Netflix)

While I'm excited to see the return of Jessica Jones, it also makes sense from a financial standpoint for Disney because it might well be cheaper. A series centered on a grounded investigator with super strength – but not Hulk-level strength – should be much cheaper to make than the stunt-heavy Daredevil.

Sure, Disney doesn't necessarily need to pinch pennies; however, Andor – which will complete its second and final season this week – was originally slated for four or five seasons and I find it hard to believe its reported $645 million cost had nothing to do with it.

I am, of course, speculating and we really don't know what the future holds for Jessica Jones, but Ritter is a great actor, and I personally rank Jessica Jones just behind The Punisher. Even my parents, who wouldn’t touch a Marvel movie with a 10-foot pole, enjoyed the latter when it was on Netflix.

If Disney can take lesser-known characters like Jessica Jones, get good actors to play them and create grittier, realistic stories with some superpowers sprinkled in, it could be a successful show that might cost closer to $100 million. Unlike The Acolyte, which despite a promising premise, suffered from weak writing and performances that held it back.

We don’t yet know if Mike Colter (Luke Cage) or Finn Jones (Iron Fist) will join the MCU in the future. I'd be interested to see how they'd play in these new-look series – but, for now, I’m excited to see my favorite alcohol-loving, super-strong detective back in action. Teaming up with Daredevil is just a bonus.

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• ChatGPT’s Deep Research feature can now export reports as PDFs
• The PDFs come complete with tables, images, and citations
• This update makes it easier to archive, share, and even reuse ChatGPT’s research in other tools

I've spent a lot of time experimenting with ChatGPT’s Deep Research feature, and I've produced all kinds of strange (though comprehensive) reports. There's always been a notable gap in its functionality, though, until now. OpenAI has augmented the Deep Research feature with the ability to export your reports as fully formatted PDFs. No more ChatGPT links or screenshots necessary to share what I've learned about the Lake George monster.

It's a small interface upgrade, but one that feels like it should have been built into Deep Research from the beginning. Here’s how it works. You make your Deep Research report or pull up one from a while ago, then click on the share icon at the top of the page. You'll see that the usual 'share link' button now has a companion 'download as PDF' button. One click and your report will be a fully formed, citation-rich PDF in your downloads folder.

This export option isn't universally available at the moment. You'll need a subscription to ChatGPT Plus, Team, or Pro. Enterprise and Education users don’t have it yet, but OpenAI said it’s coming soon. That's good, as students and professionals are among those I would bet would use Deep Research the most.

Deep PDF

You can now export your deep research reports as well-formatted PDFs—complete with tables, images, linked citations, and sources.Just click the share icon and select 'Download as PDF.' It works for both new and past reports. pic.twitter.com/kecIR4tEneMay 12, 2025

With downloadable PDFs, you can finally do all the things you’d expect to do with your research. That might mean putting it with other research projects, sharing it with teammates, or just attaching it to an email as part of a bet you're going to win.

So yes, this is just a PDF button. But it’s a PDF button that fixes what used to be one of ChatGPT’s more frustrating aspects. Now, with downloadable PDFs, you can finally do all the things you’d expect to do with your research: archive it, share it with teammates, attach it to an email, or even – this is my new favorite – upload it to another AI.

Yes, really. With the PDF in hand, I popped it into Gemini’s NotebookLM, Google’s own experimental research assistant. Suddenly, the AI was summarizing my Deep Research report, making flashcards, and suggesting related reading. Then I tried uploading the same PDF into a podcast tool and got an AI-generated episode script out of it. Which means, in a roundabout way, ChatGPT just became a content pipeline. One that exports research and lets other tools remix it into whatever format you need.

And that’s a huge deal.

Because the more AI tools we use, the more we’re going to need bridges between them. OpenAI doesn’t need to be the everything app, but it does need to be interoperable. Giving users a PDF option is low-hanging fruit, sure, but it’s also the kind of fruit that lets you bake an entirely new pie. It makes Deep Research portable. It gives it legs. It means I don’t have to keep 14 tabs open just to reference a well-organized write-up on the history of Japanese vending machines.

Of course, OpenAI’s implementation still has quirks. It’s a little confusing that the “Download as PDF” option isn’t in the main chat share menu. Most people will assume it’s not there unless they know where to click. And for a company whose whole pitch is about reducing friction and increasing clarity, burying this behind a second share icon feels oddly off-brand. Still, I’ll take “slightly hidden but fully functional” over “completely missing” any day.

More importantly, this change signals something else: OpenAI is listening. Maybe not always quickly. Maybe not always intuitively. But enough people have clearly asked for this (or screamed about it on Reddit) that it finally happened. And in a product landscape where most updates feel like AI models arguing over who’s better at summarizing Aristotle, it’s refreshing to get a feature that solves a real-world problem.

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The new Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge combines some of Samsung's best technology from its leading flagship phones and adds some new wrinkles to deliver an exciting new Android smartphone that is already widely known as one of the slimmest handsets on the market.

It doesn't have a new chip, but the one it has, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, is the best you can possibly get for Android. It lacks a telephoto lens, but includes the equivalent of Samsung's best 200MP camera. It's a mostly uncompromising smartphone that promises virtually every feature you could find on the more expensive Galaxy S25 Ultra (save the S Pen).

But what you're paying $1,099.99 / £1,099 / AU$1,849 for is an incredibly svelte titanium frame, one that feels thin and, at just 163 grams, exceptionally light. Even though I know the specs - 5.8mm – I struggled to find a way to put that measurement in perspective.

That's why I brought a small collection of quarters to my first hands-on experience with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. I think a stack of quarters next to Samsung's newest Galaxy S phone helps contextualize these thickness claims.

Is it as thin as a stack of six quarters? What about five? And how does that compare to other phones, even classic thin handsets of a bygone era?

That's the thing about thinness. It seems to go in and out of fashion. Sometimes we prefer zaftig for, say, the battery benefits it offers, and other times, we grow weary of carrying all that extra weight and dream of paper-thin phones.

Thin phones, though, have their risks.

The arc of time bends

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When we think back to the icon of handset thinness, the iPhone 6 Plus, many of us also less than fondly remember bendgate. That was when Apple built a 6.9mm thick iPhone that could not stand up to a butt, or at least withstand being squeezed between a butt and a hard surface like a chair or concrete ledge.

A year later, Apple followed that up with the 7.1mm iPhone 6s and, after that, the iPhone 7, which featured a reinforced, higher-grade aluminum. That ended Bendgate and, for a time, our desire for ultra-thin phones.

Now, though, they're back. Apple is reportedly prepping an iPhone 17 Air that might surpass even the S25 Edge in thinness. Samsung, though, has the edge, working on thin phones even before the S25 Edge release.

Company execs told me that Samsung's work on its folding line has well prepared it for building this slim handset. Unfolded, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is just 5.6mm thick. Yes, even thinner than the S25 Edge.

If you're wondering why the S25 Edge is a couple of millimeters thicker than the Z Fold, remember that Samsung can split that device's 4,200 mAh battery between the two halves. Samsung had to fit the S25 Edge's 3,900 mAh battery into a single 5.8mm panel.

Could this little slice of technology heaven lead to another "bendgate"? I doubt it.

The flat titanium band surrounding the S25 Edge's body is far more rigid and less bendable than the all curved aluminum body of the iPhone 6 Plus. Also, Samsung is using the brand-new Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the display to further strengthen the phone.

It was with all this in mind that I pulled out my stack of quarters and got to work measuring true thinness based on a coin scale.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Image 3 of 4

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(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

• Classic iPhone 6s (7.1mm): 4 quarters
• iPhone 16 Pro Max (8.25mm): 5 quarters
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (8,2mm) 5 quarters
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (5.8mm): 3 quarters

While this isn't an exact science, the modern US quarter has reliably remained at 1.75mm thickness since at least the 1930s. Still, my results make sense when you compare the actual thickness of each phone in millimeters. The S25 Edge is the clear leader.

My tiny experiment proves that in the most physical sense, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is one of the thinnest phones on the market. Sure, it might not seem like much of a test. But, hey, what else was I going to do with this stack of quarters?

For now, I suggest you head to a Samsung retailer to at least touch the super-thin Galaxy S25 Edge for yourself. Quarters are optional.

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• Most former WordPress users don’t regret switching to other CMS platforms
• Switchers report fewer plugin issues and no major increase in cost
• Migration was smoother than expected with most avoiding major disruptions

A new survey from Liquid Web suggests switching away from WordPress is paying off for the majority of users.

While much of the conversation around CMS migration focuses on risk, the new data shows that many businesses are seeing clear benefits after making the move.

Of the former WordPress users surveyed, 7 in 8 said they don’t regret switching to a different CMS. Nearly 70% reported no increase in costs after the transition, and 72% said they’re not considering a return to WordPress. Shopify was the most common destination among switchers at 42%, followed by Wix at 38% and Squarespace at 6%.

Plugin fatigue

Plugin fatigue is a common pain point on WordPress, and 78% saw improvements in this department after the switch. While 22% said fatigue worsened, the majority experienced relief from the updates, compatibility issues, and maintenance that often come with large plugin stacks.

The process of switching itself wasn’t as difficult as some were expecting either. Only 23% ran into trouble with content migration, meaning 77% were able to move their sites without major disruption.

The same percentage said they didn’t find the new CMS harder to learn, and only a relatively small group (21%) said they missed features they had before.

Tiffany Bridge, Product Manager, eCommerce Applications at Liquid Web, said CMS platforms can deliver better experiences when setup is done right. “Many users leave WordPress looking for simplicity and come back realizing it wasn’t the CMS, it was the setup. Hosting makes all the difference between fatigue and flow.”

While WordPress still appeals to many for its flexibility, the survey shows that switching isn’t always a downgrade. In fact, for many users, it’s a step toward a simpler, more manageable experience.

The numbers point to a growing group of businesses that have made the move, and aren’t looking back.

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• Saudi Arabia partners with Nvidia to build massive AI infrastructure by 2030
• New AI data centers will deploy hundreds of thousands of GB300 chips
• HUMAIN and Nvidia plan national AI training and simulation skill programs

Nvidia has signed a strategic agreement with HUMAIN, a new AI-focused subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, as part of an ambitious plan to establish the kingdom as a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2030.

The partnership includes large-scale infrastructure development, workforce training, and a massive hardware rollout featuring hundreds of thousands of Nvidia’s latest GB300 chips.

HUMAIN plans to deploy up to 500 megawatts of AI computing capacity, beginning with 18,000 GB300 Grace Blackwell superchips powered by Nvidia’s InfiniBand networking. These chips will be used in hyperscale data centers across Saudi Arabia, designed to train and operate sovereign AI models at scale.

Broader digital transformation goals

The move is intended to support the country’s broader digital transformation goals and economic diversification outlined in Vision 2030.

The partnership also includes the adoption of Nvidia’s Omniverse platform. According to HUMAIN, this will enable the development of physical AI and robotics applications across industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and energy.

By using digital twins and simulation tools, companies in the kingdom will be able to optimize physical environments for greater efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Workforce development is a key component of the collaboration. HUMAIN and Nvidia plan to upskill thousands of Saudi citizens and developers in areas such as robotics, simulation, and digital twin technologies.

“AI, like electricity and internet, is essential infrastructure for every nation,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia. “Together with HUMAIN, we are building AI infrastructure for the people and companies of Saudi Arabia to realize the bold vision of the Kingdom.”

His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, added: “This lays the groundwork for a new industrial revolution, anchored in advanced infrastructure, talent and global ambition. This is how Saudi Arabia continues to lead as a partner of choice in shaping the future of AI.”

Our partnership with Nvidia is a bold step forward in realizing the Kingdom’s ambitions to lead in AI and advanced digital infrastructure,” said Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN. “Together, we are building the capacity, capability and a new globally enabled community to shape a future powered by intelligent technology and empowered people.”

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• LegoGPT is a new AI model that turns text prompts into Lego designs you can actually build
• LegoGPT uses AI models and physics simulations to generate brick-by-brick instructions
• Carnegie Mellon researchers built LegoGPT as open-source and free to try

If you’ve ever stared at a pile of Lego bricks and despaired at making them match the vision in your head, you may be in luck thanks to a new, free AI tool that turns text prompts into real, buildable Lego designs. Describe what you want to build and the aptly named LegoGPT will produce a step-by-step plan using a limited palette of real Lego bricks, with a handy list of which bricks to use and how many you'll need..

To function in the real world, LegoGPT is notably cautious in its approach. While many AI image generators can comfortably spit out wild 3D shapes with zero regard for the laws of physics, LegoGPT runs every design through a literal physics simulator. It checks for weak points. It identifies problem bricks. And if it finds something unstable, it starts all over, reworks the layout, and tries again. It's like how most AI chatbots are a kind of auto-complete for words, hunting for the right one to add to a sentence. Except LegoGPT is predicting the next brick to auto-build a (digital) Lego model.

With LegoGPT's answers, you can learn how to turn that colorful plastic pile into brick art. You don’t need a PhD in structural engineering or a childhood spent mastering Technic sets, or even the Lego-building robot shown off in a video made by the Carnegie Mellon University researchers behind the new tool.

Brick AI

The magic behind LegoGPT comes from a very large dataset called StableText2Lego. The researchers made the dataset by building more than 47,000 stable Lego structures and pairing them with text captions describing their appearance. Rather than spend months or years on that tedious chore, the researchers roped in OpenAI’s GPT-4o AI model to analyze rendered images of the Lego structures from 24 different angles and come up with a detailed description they could use.

LegoGPT’s code, data, and demos are all publicly available on the researchers’ website and GitHub. There are some caveats. LegoGPT currently only builds with eight standard brick types, all rectangular, and operates inside a 20-brick cubed space. So you’re not getting intricate curved architecture or sprawling castles just yet. Think more early-70s Lego catalog than 4,000-piece Millennium Falcon. Still, the results are fun and very sturdy.

(Image credit: LegoGPT)

The broader implication for generating real-world objects with AI from casual language makes LegoGPT exciting beyond the novelty of making toy blueprints from text descriptions. It promises designs that aren’t just possible, but verified to be physically buildable. This could become a cornerstone of prototyping, architectural modeling, and, of course, a weekend activity for Lego hobbyists. But don't dwell too much on the details. You don’t need to understand the underlying math to enjoy it.

The limitations in size, scope, and brick variety ensure LegoGPT will not replace Lego’s in-house designers anytime soon, but it is a leap toward making design more accessible, playful, and connected to the real world. Also, right now, the system doesn’t care about color, unless you ask it to. The default focus is purely structural. However, the researchers have already added an optional appearance prompt feature that lets you layer on color schemes. So if you want your electric guitar built in metallic purple, go for it.

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Google put on an Android Show today to offer a glimpse at its upcoming interface changes with Android 16, in addition to a slew of Gemini news. It didn’t show off any new devices running the new look; instead, Google offered advice to developers and an explanation of its overall design philosophy. That philosophy seems very… purple.

The new Material 3 Expressive guidelines call for extensive use of color (especially shades of purple and pink), new shapes in a variety of sizes, new motion effects when you take action, and new visual cues that group and contain elements on screen.

A screengrab of examples from Google's Material 3 Expressive blog post (Image credit: Google)

Google says it has done more research on this design overhaul than any other design work it's done since it brought its Material Design philosophy to Android in 2014. It claims to have conducted 46 studies with more than 18,000 participants, but frankly, I’m not a UX designer, so I don’t know if that’s a lot.

Google's Material 3 Expressive is the new look of Android 16

After all of that work, Google has landed on this: Material 3 Expressive. The most notable features, once you get past the bright and – ahem – youthful colors, are the new motion effects.

For instance, when you swipe to dismiss a notification, the object you are swiping will be clear while other objects will blur slightly, making it easier to see. The other notifications nearby will move slightly as you swipe their neighbor. Basically, there will be a lot more organic-looking motion in the interface, especially on swipes and the control levers.

New shapes are coming to Android 16 with Material 3 Expressive (Image credit: Google)

There will be new type styles as well built into Android 16, with the ability to create variable or static fonts. Google is adding 35 more shapes to its interface library for developers to build with, along with an expanded range of default colors.

Google didn’t say that its new Material 3 Expressive design language was targeting iPhone fans, but the hints are there. The next version of Android won’t look cleaner and more organized, instead, Google wants to connect with users on an ‘emotional’ level. According to Google’s own research, the group that loves this new look the most are 18-24 year olds, ie, the iPhone’s most stalwart fan base.

Will this look win over the iPhone's biggest fans? We'll see in the months ahead (Image credit: Google)

In its official blog post, Google says, “It's time to move beyond 'clean' and 'boring' designs to create interfaces that connect with people on an emotional level.” That connection seems to be much stronger among young people. Google says that every age group preferred the new Material 3 Expressive look, but 18-24 year olds were 87% in favor of the new look.

Apple’s iPhone fanbase is strongest in this age group, if not the generation that’s even younger. It makes sense that Google is making big changes to Android. In fact, this refresh may be overdue. We haven’t seen many inspiring new features in smartphones since they started to fold, and foldable phones haven’t exactly caught on. I’m surprised Google waited this long to improve the software, since there wasn’t any huge hardware innovation in the pipeline (temperature sensors, anybody?).

Material 3 Expressive is coming to more than just Android phones

The new Material 3 Expressive look won’t be limited to Android 16. Google says Wear OS 6 will get a similar design refresh, with more colors, motion, and adaptable buttons that change shape depending on your watch display.

Wear OS watches will also be able to use dynamic color themes, just like Android phones. Start with an image or photo and Wear OS will create a matching color theme for your watch to complement what it sees.

Google demonstrated new buttons that grow as they fill more of the Wear OS display (Image credit: Google)

Even Google’s apps will start to look more Expressive. Google says apps like Google Photos and Maps will get an update in the months ahead that will make them look more like Android 16.

Google borrows a few iPhone features for Android 16, including a Lockdown Mode

Google also demonstrated Live Updates, a new feature that borrows from the iPhone to show you the progress of events like an Uber Eats delivery. The iPhone does this in the Dynamic Island, and Google is adding this feature to the top of the Android 16 display.

Security was a big focus of the Android Show, starting with new protections against calling and text message scams. Google is securing its phones against some common scammer tactics. For instance, scammers might call pretending to be from your bank and might ask you to sideload an app.

With Android 16, you won’t be able to disable Google’s Play Protect app-scanner or sideload any apps while you are on a phone call. You also won’t be able to grant permission to the Accessibility features, a common workaround to get backdoor access to a phone.

Google’s Messages app will also get smarter about text message scams. It will filter out scam messages that ask you to pay overdue toll road fees or try to sell you crypto.

The iPhone already has an extreme protection mode called Lockdown (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

Google is also enabling Advanced Protection, its own version of Apple’s Lockdown Mode, on Android 16. Advanced Protection is a super high-security mode that offers the highest level of protection against attacks, whether over wireless networks or physically through the USB port.

Basically, if you’re a journalist, an elected official, or some other public figure and you think a government is trying to hack your phone, Google’s Advanced Protection should completely lock your phone against outside threats.

(Image credit: Google)

If you don’t need that much security but you still want more peace of mind, Google is improving its old Find My Device feature. Android 16 will introduce the Find Hub, which will be a much more robust location to track all of your devices, including Android phones, wearables, and accessories that use ultra-wideband (UWB), similar to Apple AirTags.

Google is introducing new UWB capabilities to help find objects nearby, and those will roll out to Motorola’s Moto Tag first in the months ahead. The new Find Hub will also be able to use satellite connectivity to help locate devices and keep users informed. Plus, if you lose your luggage, Google is working directly with certain airlines like British Airways to let you share your tag information so they can go look for the bag they lost.

Gemini is coming to your car... and your TV... and your watch, and...

Today’s Android Show wasn’t all about Android. Google also made some big announcements about Google Gemini. Gemini is coming to a lot more devices. Gemini is coming to Wear OS watches. Gemini is coming to Android Auto and cars that run Google natively.

Gemini is coming to Google TV. Gemini is even coming to Google’s Android XR, a platform for XR glasses that don’t even exist yet (or at least you can’t buy them). For a brief moment in the Android Show, we caught a glimpse of Google's possible upcoming glasses.

Could these be Google's new XR glasses? Hopefully we'll find out at Google I/O (Image credit: Google)

You’ll be able to talk to Gemini Live and have a conversation in your car on the way to work. ‘Hey Gemini, I need advice on asking my boss for a promotion!’ or ‘Hey Gemini, why is my life so empty that I’m talking to a machine in my car when I could be listening to music or a true crime podcast?’

I may sound like an AI skeptic, but Google’s own suggestions are equally dystopian. Google says on the way to your Book Club, you might ask Gemini to summarize that book you read ages ago (and mostly forgot) and suggest discussion topics. That does not sound like a book club I want to join.

Google did not offer any specific timing for any of the features mentioned in the Android Show, and only said these concepts would appear in the months ahead. It’s unusual for Google to share so much news ahead of Google I/O, which takes place May 20-21 near its HQ in Mountain View, CA. I’ll be on the scene at Google I/O with our News Chief Jake Krol to gather up anything new.

With the Pixel 9a launch already passed, and now team Android spilling all the beans, I suspect Google I/O is going to be mostly about AI. Google is getting these tidbits out of the way so that I don’t waste time asking about new phones when it wants to talk more about Gemini and all the new AI developments. Or perhaps, even better, the Android XR news today was just a hint of what’s to come. Stay tuned, we’ll know more next week!

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• Huawei is ditching Windows and replacing it with HarmonyOS on all future laptops
• HarmonyOS is gunning for a billion users as it spreads far beyond smartphones
• HarmonyOS Next ditches Android roots and is now a fully in-house Huawei operating system

Huawei’s software ambitions are rapidly expanding. What began as a survival strategy in response to U.S. sanctions has evolved into a bold initiative to position HarmonyOS as a dominant operating system across smartphones, tablets, TVs, and soon, PCs.

Now aiming to surpass one billion users, HarmonyOS is preparing for a new era of computing after Huawei lost access to Microsoft Windows licenses.

Originally unveiled in 2019 after seven years of development, HarmonyOS, known as Hongmeng in China, was Huawei’s answer to being cut off from Google’s Android ecosystem.

A billion smartphones powered by HarmonyOS

The operating system first appeared on smart TVs and quickly expanded to smartphones in 2021. By late 2024, over 900 million devices were already running HarmonyOS, with that number expected to cross the one-billion mark soon.

This rapid adoption is reflected in Huawei’s mobile performance; its smartphones recently overtook Apple’s in Chinese market share, reaching 19% compared to Apple’s 17%.

This growth has laid a strong foundation for Huawei to scale HarmonyOS across more devices as it seeks to unify its ecosystem, mirroring Apple’s seamless integration between iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

In March 2025, Huawei’s license to use Microsoft Windows expired. Due to ongoing U.S. sanctions, the company cannot renew the agreement. As a result, Huawei is taking another bold step by replacing Windows with HarmonyOS on its future laptops.

The company has already showcased a new, unnamed laptop running HarmonyOS 5, also referred to as HarmonyOS Next. Unlike previous versions, this edition is no longer based on Android and is fully developed in-house. Huawei is expected to officially launch the device later this month.

The new OS supports core productivity tools such as WPS Office and enterprise apps like DingTalk. Thousands of HarmonyOS mobile apps are expected to run on the new laptops, offering users a familiar, mobile-like experience on desktop devices.

With its large ecosystem, spanning smartphones and beyond, HarmonyOS could soon emerge as one of the best Windows alternatives, particularly in regions where access to Microsoft's operating system is restricted or banned.

However, if these laptops continue to use AMD or Intel chips, users may still have the option to install or dual-boot Windows, or even explore alternative Linux distros.

Via Tomshardware

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• Beelink AI Mini packs 16 cores and 126 TOPS into a Mac Studio rival
• This mini PC doubles as a local AI server, no cloud required
• Built for developers and creators handling massive AI workloads

In a bold attempt to rival Apple's Mac Studio, Beelink, a Chinese company, has announced its new mini workstation, dubbed the AI Mini. This compact yet powerful device is designed to meet demanding computing requirements.

The AI Mini is Beelink's second mini PC powered by AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, which combines the Zen 5 CPU architecture with a high-performance integrated Radeon 8060S graphics card.

This 16-core, 32-thread chip delivers up to 126 TOPS of AI compute capability. Its APU architecture merges CPU and GPU processing into a unified platform, improving efficiency for both general-purpose computing and AI-specific tasks.

Huge RAM for handling large datasets

According to Beelink, the AI Mini can function as a local AI server, making it ideal for developers running intensive models like DeepSeek R1, without the need for external GPUs or cloud-based infrastructure.

The device supports up to 128GB of RAM, boosting its appeal as a high end workstation for professionals handling large datasets, video rendering, or machine learning workloads.

Beelink has confirmed the inclusion of dual USB4 ports, each capable of speeds up to 40 Gbps, along with a USB Type-C port located on the front panel. Additionally, the AI Mini supports dual 10 Gbps Ethernet ports, delivering seamless connections to multiple devices.

Priced at $1,999, this business PC is not inexpensive, at nearly double the cost of Beelink's previous SER9 HX-370. However, similar devices based on AMD’s Strix Halo chip, such as the GMKTec EVO-X2, have also crossed the $1,500 mark.

Via Beelink

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Airbnb has been a disruptor since it hit the scene in 2007. Now, at its annual Summer Release event, it’s redesigning its app to make navigating easier and ultimately leveling up what you might expect from a stay at one of its many properties worldwide.

For instance, while you get a bit more space with an Airbnb, you might lose out on some amenities, be it a gym, an attached restaurant, or even some self-care. The tech company's answer is dubbed Airbnb Services, essentially a way to book a service like a massage, a haircut, or even a chef to arrive at wherever you’re staying.

That aims to fill in the missing gap of what you might get from a hotel, but it also gives you, the visitor, a bit more control, with the option of looking through the available options and picking the ones that fit your needs the most.

Similarly, Airbnb Experiences aims to replace the mundane with memorable, allowing you to book activities from locals in the cities where you stay to get the most out of them. These seem especially fun, and at a launch event, Airbnb certainly brought out the talent to up this.

Then, tying this all together is a redesign app that looks a lot easier to navigate and acts more like a helpful companion. If you have a stay booked, as well as services or experiences, it can bundle them as an itinerary for you, listing important reminders.

1. Book a haircut, massage, or a catered meal with Services

(Image credit: Airbnb)

Services seem like the most approachable addition, and probably one of the most requested. Rather than finding out if the host approves of a third-party, Airbnb handles the vetting and will offer 10 categories of services at launch. Those include chefs, photographers, massages, spa treatments, personal training, hair treatments, makeup, nails, prepared meals, and catering.

It’ll launch in 260 cities across the globe at first and lives directly in the Airbnb app – there is an entire ‘services’ category at the top, and after you book a location, or are considering, you can see recommended services.

Airbnb is vetting the service providers and promises that each has around 10 years of experience in the respective industry. Additionally, each instructor or provider has to go through a verification process and list out applicable trainings or certifications.

(Image credit: Airbnb)

Services will start at $50 in the US (we’re waiting for exact starting prices to be confirmed in the UK and Australia, but that converts to around £40 / AU$80) and are rolling out now. Airbnb is also encouraging providers to apply to become hosts for services on the platform.

The real kicker here, though, and one that potentially could have TaskRabbit concerned, is that you don’t need to book an Airbnb home for a stay to use Services or Experiences (more on this in a bit).

If you need a photographer for a birthday party or a shower, you could fire up Airbnb on your iPhone or Android phone, look through reviews, and hire a professional. Same for a hibachi chef for a girls' night out – at an Airbnb or in your own home – or for a caterer specializing in soup dumplings.

2. Memorable moments dubbed Experiences

(Image credit: Airbnb)

Next to Services up-top in the Airbnb app will be ‘Experiences’ with a hot-air balloon icon. And similar to the 'Icons' homes that Airbnb lets folks enter to win a stay in – like the house from Up or the control room from Inside Out – Experiences is a bit more pie-in-the-sky, in the best way possible.

These are unique activities run by folks from where you’re staying that aim to let you really immerse yourself in the locale. It could be a cooking class or a dining experience, but rather than just a meal at a restaurant, it’s interactive and potentially led by a Michelin-star chef, or you can freshen your wardrobe with a celebrity stylist.

(Image credit: Airbnb)

Similarly, rather than just visiting a historical place, you can be led through the site with a dedicated historian or take a workout class with an expert in that specific field. The idea is to have true experts for a more compelling, well, experience.

Experiences will be launched in 650 cities worldwide, and Airbnb says that will be expanding. There will also be a higher tier dubbed Airbnb Originals, which the company promises could lead you to eating barbecue with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City or playing volleyball with an Olympian. There’s no word on pricing for these, but I suppose these might be more similar to Airbnb Icons, in that you enter for the chance to use these.

More likely, you’ll find yourself with the more standard Airbnb experiences, which aim to be more than just standard.

3. App redesign

(Image credit: Airbnb)

Helping to make all of these more appealing, and honestly more integrated into the booking of an Airbnb – maybe a beach bungalow, a fancy loft, or a classic cabin – the app is also getting smarter in some key ways. The layout aims to make this flow a bit easier, and for the app to act as a companion serving up reminders and suggestions.

The biggest change, though, is that Airbnb now allows users to search for properties worldwide alongside the best services and experiences all in one place. Under the hood, Airbnb says it’s built an entire new tech stack that adds capacity for these new offerings and sets up a large runway for the future.

And I think that hints at the broader play here – Airbnb doesn’t want to be an app you open once or twice a year for a big vacation or trip. Rather, it’s there and is an app with more tools in its chest, allowing you to book more casual everyday services but also more memorable ones, whether you’re on the go or for a staycation.

Carolina Milanesi, President and Principal Analyst at Creative Strategies, told TechRadar, “Expanding into services makes a great deal of sense as it allows for a richer experience than the stay itself and can certainly add to it by adding a more visceral component to the stay – say you are using a personal trainer while you travel or organizing a photographer for your girls reunion weekend. The option of booking even when you are not staying shows they are trying to expand and deepen the relationship with a customer by having multiple touch points through the year.”

It certainly adds up, and this could grow Airbnb’s user base as well. We’re going hands-on with the new app, and maybe even an experience or two soon, so we’ll report back with more. But if you’re keen to give it a go, update to the latest version of the Airbnb app now.

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• Windows 11 has a new preview build in the Beta channel
• It comes with an AI agent in Settings to help you change options
• Also a new hardware-related FAQ has been introduced in Settings, too

Windows 11 has a new preview build out and it comes with a big change: the introduction of AI to the Settings app in order to help Copilot+ PC owners find and choose the options they need.

This is a new piece of work Microsoft announced last week, but the company just said that it was coming to testing soon, at some stage this month. Well, that stage has now been set, and this ability has debuted in preview build 26120.3964 in the Beta channel.

That preview release comes with the full AI agent present in Settings, although of course, this is just the initial stages of testing. Also note that this is for Copilot+ PCs only, it won’t be applicable to normal Windows 11 PCs, as it leverages the peppy NPU that’s on board Copilot+ devices. (Microsoft also revealed fresh goodies inbound for non-Copilot+ machines, it should be noted too).

As I’ve covered before, the AI agent works via the usual query model. You type in what you’re looking for in Settings via a bar at the top of the panel using normal conversational language. For example, you could ask something like, “How do I put the YouTube video playing on my laptop onto my TV screen?” and the AI will find that relevant setting for screen mirroring.

The idea is to make tweaking settings or finding various capabilities a good deal easier, and with some options, AI will even recommended specific choices for you.

Another change to the Settings app in this preview build is a new hardware-related FAQ that provides info on your PC specs and how good they are. This nestles in the System > About panel within Settings, underneath the list of device specifications.

The questions-and-answers specifically relate to your PC, so if you only have 8GB of RAM for example, and you’re worried that might slow down apps – or moreover PC games – there’ll be a section on exactly what that memory loadout means for you in terms of expected performance levels.

Analysis: PC spec cards and AI accuracy

(Image credit: Future)

This is the first time we’ve seen this hardware FAQ appear in testing, though oddly, it’s not partnered with the related ‘PC spec cards’ (small info panels) that carry the individual details of your CPU, GPU, system RAM and storage (which have been spotted in testing before, minus the FAQ).

Presumably, these pieces of the puzzle are going to come together soon, delivering a useful extra for relative PC newbies who may not be so sure about what all these specs mean.

As for the AI agent, it looks nifty and offers plenty of promise, but there are a few notable catches here. Firstly, AI could get things wrong when it comes to the specific recommendations given for certain settings (but hopefully not in terms of the basic finding and displaying of relevant options).

So, we need to be cautious in that respect, and it’ll be interesting to see how accurate Windows 11 testers find the system, and what the initial feedback is – because this could be one of the best uses of AI Microsoft has found yet. Or the worst if it comes horribly off the rails, but Microsoft doesn’t appear overly ambitious here – yet – so that shouldn’t happen.

Secondly, only the English language is supported by the Settings agent for now. Finally, just Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon processors are supported in testing to begin with, but Microsoft has said the agent will come to Copilot+ devices with AMD and Intel CPUs soon enough. Perhaps that’ll be the next preview release, then.

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• Alibaba's ZeroSearch can generate training material for its AI
• Cost savings of up to 88% are possible
• The tech requires additional GPUs

Alibaba's Tongyi Lab has found a way to train AI search models without using real search engines, which it says can reduce search training costs by up to 88% compared to commercial APIs like Google.

In a paper entitled "Incentivize the Search Capability of LLMs without Searching," Alibaba explains how the development uses simulated AI-generated documents to mimic real search engine outputs.

Interestingly, Alibaba's researchers also note that using simulated documents can actually improve the quality of training, because "the quality of documents returned by search engines is often unpredictable" and risks introducing noise into the training process.

Alibaba will train AI search models on AI-generated documents

"The primary difference between a real search engine and a simulation LLM lies in the textual style of the returned content," the researchers wrote. ZeroSearch can also gradually degrade the quality of documents in order to simulate increasingly challenging retrieval scenarios.

Of course, the key benefit to this technology is the significant cost saving available. Training with ZeroSearch's 14B model costs around $70.80 per 64,000 queries, compared with around $586.70 via Google's APIs. Costs are even lower for the 7B and 3B models, at $35.40 and $17.70 per 64,000 queries, and yet all three of the ZeroSearch models and the Google API method take the same amount of time.

However, Alibaba acknowledged that one, two, or four A100 GPUs are required for its ZeroSearch method, compared with no GPU requirement via the Google API method, which could present a negative impact in terms of sustainability, like energy consumption and emissions.

"Our approach has certain limitations. Deploying the simulated search LLM requires access to GPU servers. While more cost-effective than commercial API usage, this introduces additional infrastructure costs," the researchers concluded.

Still, challenging the reliance on expensive and gated platforms like Google Search APIs and reducing the costs could help democratize AI development even further.

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• Amazon's robots handled 224 units/hour, compared with humans at 243 units/hour
• Robots are more consistent, but humans can be quicker in some cases
• Further research is needed to prevent damages

After a series of robotics announcements over the past few years, including its latest Vulcan robot which has a sense of touch, Amazon is testing next-generation models named 'Stow' and 'Pick', and their names say it all – they're designed to assist in the stowing and picking processes at fulfilment centers.

However, the company has acknowledged that current robot technology is in no place to replace human workers despite achieving promising results.

According to its performance testing, humans averaged 243 units per hour compared with robots, at 224 units per hour. The difference is small, but Amazon also highlighted some nuances.

Amazon's robots are good, but not human good

Where the robots stand out is in consistency. "It was also found that humans had greater variation in stow rates: people can quickly stow many small items efficiently, but are slower with large items, crouching for lower bins, or when using a step ladder to reach the top bins," Amazon explained.

The company also observed how humans can perform multiple tasks at once with two hands, such as pulling out a storage bin with one hand and stowing an item with the other – something that the current generation of robots fails to do.

Still, the gap is closing, with Amazon's robots stowing at greater than 85% success at a similar stow rate to humans across more than half a million tests.

That said, there are some challenges with implementing robotics across Amazon warehouses, including damages caused by dropping products, inserting products into stowage bins, and crushing lightweight boxes.

As such, while full human replacement is not feasible yet, hybrid systems are proving to be highly effective, with more work needed on improving handling and reducing damages caused by robots.

"Deeper research into predicting complex item interaction may be required in scaling manipulation more general," Amazon's researchers added.

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• Rockstar insider 'Tez2' says a Grand Theft Auto 4 port could be released later this year
• 'Tez2' claims someone at Rockstar "hinted" at a GTA 4 port and "by now it should've gone up a year in development"
• The insider also says a possible Max Payne 3 remaster will be released next, after the GTA 4 port

Grand Theft Auto 4 is reportedly coming to PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S later this year, followed by a possible Max Payne 3 remaster.

As reported by Eurogamer, this latest rumor comes from Rockstar insider 'Tez2', who shared on the GTA Forum that someone at Rockstar Games "hinted" at a GTA 4 port for modern consoles and "by now it should've gone up a year in development".

'Tez2' also said that "we may end up seeing it drop later this year" and that a port of the 2008 game is one of the reasons why the Liberty City Preservation Project, a fan-made GTA mod, was taken down by the studio earlier this year.

It's also claimed that Rockstar is developing a Max Payne 3 port that will potentially release after the GTA 4 port.

"If they still follow their plan laid out from the pandemic days, they'll do an MP3 port after IV. So that is an opportunity to do a bundle or a Definitive Edition. Max Payne 1 & 2 remakes, and a Max Payne 3 port," 'Tez2' posted.

Rockstar Games is notorious for keeping development projects quiet, and no announcements of a GTA 4 or Max Payne 3 remaster have been made at this time.

The studio released Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition back in 2021, which contained GTA 3, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas, so it would make sense for it to want to port GTA 4 to modern consoles as well.

A GTA 4 remaster would tide fans over while we wait for Grand Theft Auto 6, which was recently delayed from its original 2025 release and is now slated to launch on May 26, 2026.

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• Sony has launched the new Xperia 1 VII flagship smartphone
• Hardware improvements include a new ultra-wide camera, while software sees the introduction of Xperia Intelligence
• The phone costs £1,399 in the UK, with no US availability at the time of writing

Sony has launched the Xperia 1 VII smartphone, bringing a slew of hardware and software updates to the company’s creator-focused flagship handset.

The Japanese tech giant is keen to emphasise the incorporation of technologies from its various tech brands in the new phone, specifically Alpha-branded photography tools, Bravia display tech, and Walkman-branded audio.

It’s good to know that Sony has thrown the full weight of its tech talent at the Xperia 1 VII, especially considering the phone is no cheaper than its predecessors – at £1,399, it’s one of the most expensive flagships on the market.

As well as sporting the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, the phone’s headline hardware features include a new ultra-wide camera, an upgraded headphone jack, and improved display calibration.

Sony has given the Xperia 1 VII a new 48MP ultra-wide camera with a 1/1.56-inch sensor, up from a 12MP 1/2.5-inch camera on the previous generation Xperia 1 VI.

In the official Xperia 1 VII product page, Sony states that the new ultra-wide camera can achieve "clear night shots equivalent to full-frame cameras", and while a larger sensor should increase low-light performance, this claim seems dubious given that full-frame sensors are more than twice the size of the Xperia 1 VII's ultra-wide sensor.

This new ultra-wide sits alongside two cameras carried forward from last year’s Xperia 1 VI – a 48MP main camera and 12MP telephoto camera with continuous 3.5x-7.1x telephoto zoom. The camera system is controlled by a dedicated shutter button with half-press focus, the same as prior iterations.

As mentioned, the Xperia 1 VII is one of the only phones on the market that still has a headphone jack – an elegant feature for a more civilized age. The phone has inherited components from Sony’s line of Walkman media players to enhance wired audio quality, while AI-enabled DSEE Ultimate processing can add clarity to compressed audio streams.

And in collaboration with Sony Bravia, a light sensor has been added to the rear of the phone to assist with brightness and color calibration in indoor and outdoor conditions.

Even bigger steps have been taken on the software side – the Xperia 1 VII is the launchpad for Xperia Intelligence, a suite of tastefully subtle AI tools centred around photography and filmmaking.

For example, the AI Camera Work tool assists in keeping video footage stable, while the AI Auto Framing tool keeps a human subject in the center of the shot. That Auto Framing tool also allows users to film a second vertical close-up video of said subject while filming a wider horizontal shot.

The phone also comes with Google Gemini installed, with access to tools like Circle to Search.

The Sony Xperia 1 VII is out now in three colors – Moss Green, Slate Black, and the eye-catching Orchid Purple option. It’s likely to top our list of the best Sony phones, but let us know if you think this £1,399 handset will be worth its high price in the comments below.

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• Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa says the Switch 2's high price is a factor for the company's 15 million unit sales forecast
• Furukawa says that limits to hardware production capacity and US tariffs were not a factor
• Nintendo also expects to sell 45 million units in Switch 2 software, excluding copies of Mario Kart World included in Switch 2 bundles

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has said the lower than expected sales prediction for the Nintendo Switch 2 is due to the console's high price point.

Following its financial report last week, where Nintendo said it expected to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles during its launch window last week (via VGC), investors have since asked the company why it has predicted lower sales than some analysts were anticipating.

"We are forecasting Nintendo Switch 2 hardware sales of 15 million units for this fiscal year," Furukawa said in a new Q&A published today. "We set this figure with the aim of reaching the same level of sales we achieved with Nintendo Switch in the roughly 10-month period between its launch in March 2017 and December that year."

Furukawa also said that the console's high cost of $449.99 / £395.99 is a key factor in its predictions, but that its backward compatibility and software bundles will increase sales before the end of the first fiscal year.

"Nintendo Switch 2 is priced relatively high compared to Nintendo Switch, so we recognize that there are corresponding challenges to early adoption," the Nintendo president explained. "That being said, Nintendo Switch 2 can play compatible Nintendo Switch software, so there is continuity between the platforms. We are taking steps like bundling software with the hardware to accelerate adoption in the first fiscal year, aiming to get off to the same start we did with Nintendo Switch."

Furukawa continued, saying that limits to hardware production capacity "were not a factor" in its sales prediction, and that the recent rise in US tariffs or the possibility a recession "did not affect our sales volume forecast either".

"In order to achieve sales of 15 million units, we will need to manufacture the hardware in quantities greater than that. Our first goal is to get off to the same start we did with Nintendo Switch, and we are working to strengthen our production capacity so we can respond flexibly to demand," he added.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

After acknowledging the positive feedback from the Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on events around the world, before returning to the topic of the console's high price in comparison to the original Switch, saying that "even if there is momentum around the launch, we know it will not be easy to keep that momentum going over".

"We have been working to ramp up Nintendo Switch 2 hardware production since even before we held the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events and began My Nintendo Store applications. Our sales volume forecast was not determined based on any limit to production capacity," he said.

Nintendo also predicted that it sell 45 million units in Nintendo Switch 2 software, excluding the Mario Kart World copies included in Switch 2 bundles, which would surpass the 52 million units of software sold for the Switch in the 10 months after its launch.

It was said that this is in part due to "a more robust line-up" of games from publishers and the availability of Switch 2 Edition titles.

Furukawa was later asked to confirm the impact of expected US tariffs on the sales forecast after Nintendo was forced to raise the price of some of its upcoming accessories last month.

"Our financial projections were created based on the assumption of U.S. tariffs of 10% on products produced in Japan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and 145% on China," he explained, but couldn't disclose the impact of tariffs on individual products, like some accessories and amiibo, that are produced in China.

"Our basic policy is that for any country or region, if tariffs are imposed, we recognize them as a part of the cost and incorporate them into the price," Furukawa added. "On the other hand, the fiscal year ending March 2026 is the launch period for our first new dedicated video game system in eight years. If the tariff assumptions change, we will consider how to handle the situation while keeping in mind the importance of platform momentum and growth of the hardware install base."

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches globally on June 5, 2025. UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are now live.

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• The Bear season 4 and Alien: Earth are arriving over the coming months
• Alien Earth arrives in June and The Bear arrives in August
• Both shows are available on Hulu in the US, and Disney+ internationally

Hulu has just announced the release dates for two exciting new arrivals: both The Bear season 4 and Alien: Earth are coming to one of the best streaming services over the next few months.

Fans eagerly awaiting both dramas will be pleased to hear that The Bear returns on June 26 and the new sci-fi series Alien: Earth arrives on August 13. So, whether you want stressful cooking or creepy xenomorphs, Hulu has got you covered. Both shows can be found on Disney+ in non-US territories.

The Bear is already on our best Hulu shows round up, but could Alien: Earth join the list? So far, it seems promising, but the franchise has been hit and miss over the years so we'll have to wait and see.

What do we know about the new shows?

(Image credit: FX)

As release dates creep closer, Hulu has dropped some first look images to get fans excited for what's to come.

Plot wise, season four of The Bear sees Carmy, Sydney, and Richie are determined not only to survive, but also to take The Bear to the next level. However, that's no easy task and there'll be challenges around every corner forcing them to think on their feet and decide what's worth holding onto.

Meanwhile, Alien: Earth follows the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot as it crash-lands on Earth. It's set in the year 2120 where Earth is now governed by five corporations, one of which has uncovered a new dawn in the race for immortality; a hybrid prototype who encounters mysterious lifeforms with deadly consequences.

While these shows are very different they seem to be connected by sounding stressful, as The Bear has often been regarded as one of the most stress-inducing comedy shows of all time, so both are guaranteed to get your pulse racing when they arrive later this year.

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• Co-op is experiencing disruption following a cyberattack
• Reports suggest that hackers may still have access to systems
• This follows a similarly destructive attack on fellow retailer M&S

British retail giant Co-op is still experiencing severe disruptions from a cyberattack, with some stores unable to restock selected products thanks to critical logistical systems being kept offline amid fears that the hackers may still have access to the company’s networks, The Record reports.

Co-op has spent the last two weeks fending off attackers by shutting down IT systems - and there has been “significant disruption” to operations as a result. Co-op’s CEO confirmed that a “limited amount of customer data” was accessed by criminals, and that the organization is working to fully understand the impact of the attack.

“As previously communicated, we have established that the cyber criminals were able to access a limited amount of member data. This is obviously extremely distressing for our colleagues and members, and I am very sorry this happened. We recognise the importance of data protection and take our obligations to you and our regulators seriously, particularly as a member-owned organisation,” she confirmed.

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Lingering hackers

Deliveries from Co-op’s large depots were reportedly well below 20% of their normal capacity, outlining the serious disruptions that these attacks can bring.

“All our stores are open and trading and we are now making deliveries to all of our stores, flowing in an increased level of fresh, chilled and frozen products alongside cupboard essentials,” a spokesperson confirmed to The Record.

“Some of our stores might not have all their usual products available and we are sorry if this is the case for our members’ and customers in their local store. We are working around the clock to reduce disruption and are pleased [to] have resumed delivery of stock to our shelves,” they added.

The nature of the attack is yet to be revealed, although it comes alongside a similar incident for another retailer, M&S, who suffered an outage that is most likely linked to ScatteredSpider ransomware.

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• NordVPN has just released a new Linux VPN app with a full graphical user interface (GUI)
• A GUI Linux VPN app makes privacy more accessible for Linux users, thanks to rich visual elements
• To install the new GUI version, users need to modify the command of the previous Linux app

NordVPN has just unveiled a long-awaited upgrade for all Linux users – a full graphical user interface (GUI) for its VPN client.

The updated Linux VPN app makes privacy more accessible for the Linux community, thanks to rich visual elements that promise to ease the use of advanced features.

"This launch is a natural progression of our mission to make cybersecurity accessible and seamless for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned Linux user or new to the OS, we believe this GUI will enhance your NordVPN experience," said NordVPN's CTO, Marijus Briedis.

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 a minute to complete!

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

NordVPN new GUI Linux VPN

Briedis explains that the new GUI brings the simplicity of other NordVPN applications to Linux for the first time, all while preserving the reliability, speed, and security users expect from one of the best VPN providers on the market.

This means that everyone using a Linux distro or Linux desktop device can now enjoy all the features offered by NordVPN, including Threat Protection, Double VPN, and a kill switch, within a couple of clicks – no matter if you're a VPN pro or beginner.

NordVPN's GUI Linux VPN isn't a brand new application, the provider explains, but a significant upgrade of its seasoned CLI-based software.

It's important to keep in mind, though, that at the time of writing, NordVPN's Meshnet and some other features remain accessible only via the CLI-based version, which continues to be supported in full.

The GUI for NordVPN Linux app comes with both dark and light modes, so that you can choose the version that suits you best. (Image credit: Nord Security)

"Linux users are an incredibly important part of our community, and we’re thrilled to make their experience even better," said Briedis.

The new GUI version of the NordVPN Linux app also comes with support for post-quantum encryption – an upgrade the company released last October – and its latest censorship-resistant protocol, NordWhisper.

NordVPN joins other popular providers offering a full GUI for their VPN client. These include Surfshark, which launched its GUI Linux VPN in 2022, ExpressVPN, offering this feature since March this year, and Private Internet Access (PIA).

How to upgrade to NordVPN GUI Linux app

NordVPN promises a quick installation that should be familiar to everyone who has installed the CLI version before. The steps are the same, in fact, except for one adjustment.

You now need to specify the command to install the GUI version by typing this in the terminal: sh <(wget -qO - https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/install.sh) -p nordvpn-gui

While the GUI is now available through DEB and RPM packages, the provider ensures that a Snap version is coming soon.

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• Hiking app AllTrails has just released a new subscription tier with AI features
• We asked AllTrails' Chief Technology Officer how AllTrails reconciles AI's environmental impact with the app's mission statement to help people enjoy the outdoors
• He says AllTrails takes steps to reduce energy cost and maximize efficiency when deploying AI features

Earlier this week we reported that hiking app AllTrails had launched a new subscription tier: Peak, a more expensive subscription plan which makes use of AI tools to enhance your outdoor experience.

These tools include a Community Heatmap, a common feature on the best fitness apps such as AllTrails and contemporaries like Strava. The Heatmap shows where other users are often hiking, allowing you to sort trails by popularity.

Other features include Outdoor Lens, which uses your phone's camera to identify plants, insects, and landmarks, and Trail Conditions, which provides up-to-date information on not just weather, but ground conditions, snowpack, and even mosquito activity on different parts of your trail.

The AllTrails Peak subscription tier costs $79.99 / £79.99 (around AU$125) per year, likely due to the cost of the AI being used.

It's well known that AI is an energy-intensive technology – one of the most popular statistics bandied about is that ChatGPT-4 uses the equivalent of 519ml of water, slightly more than an average bottle, per 100-word email generated. This stat comes from the University of California, Riverside, in a study produced in collaboration with the Washington Post.

AI doesn't, therefore, appear to be an environmentally friendly technology to use at the moment, due to its energy and cooling requirements. AllTrails, however, says it's dedicated to preserving the great outdoors that its users love; the company is partnered with the Leave No Trace and One Tree Planted nonprofits, and contributes 1% of its annual revenue to environmental organizations.

When I spoke to AllTrails' Chief Technology Officer, James Graham, about the new subscription tiers, I also asked him if AllTrails' use of AI was at odds with the company's environmental messaging.

Being careful about AI

(Image credit: AlLTrails)

"Great question. That's something we think about with every feature we build," Graham told me.

"Our data scientists take time to build features like this more efficiently... We think about the size of the model, and for many of our features, we don’t need to use the largest, highest-intensity model possible, so we don’t always use the top-of-the-line model which consumes the most energy. We’re very deliberate with how we use it."

AllTrails, it seems, tries to mitigate the impact of AI's power consumption and enormous cooling requirements by using smaller, more efficient models specifically developed to implement its features with minimal impact. But Graham also thinks that as AI evolves, its demands will decrease, telling me, "As new technology comes out, we’re already seeing the energy cost of using AI is going down, and we believe that trend will continue,"

While the energy demands for each individual instance of AI use may decrease, the increasing overall usage of AI could offset these savings. A January 2025 MIT report states that data centers already account for 1-2% of global energy usage: by 2030, this could reportedly reach up to 21% due to the demands placed on AI.

If more developers used smaller models and more energy-efficient processes we might avert this dire prediction. However, while the AI tools used by AllTrails look impressive, and are designed to spur more people to spend more time outside, which can be to the benefit of environmental causes, concerns will persist about AI's wider usage, and what it really means to 'leave no trace'.

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