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Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: key information

- Coming to Disney+ in December
- Filming has officially wrapped
- No official trailer, but a short teaser announcement
- Main cast to return
- Lots of new cast announcements revealed
- Already renewed for season 3

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 is on its way — and it's set for a December release date on Disney+. Based on the iconic teen fantasy novels by Rick Riordan, Percy's story was brought back to life on the streamer, after movie adaptations fell a little short.

And what a life it's had so far, quickly becoming one of the best Disney Plus shows and topping charts as one of the top five most-watched original series across all streaming upon season 1's release. And so, one of the best streaming services is bringing the show back for more. Here's everything we know about Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 from release date, to cast, to plot, rumors and more.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: is there a release date?

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A photo posted by on

Disney officially announced that Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 would debut on the streamer in 2025.

And, as per Deadline, it has been announced that the show will land in December. Though no specific release date has been revealed yet, we'll update here as soon as we know.

But, filming has wrapped. In February 2025, Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan revealed in a Bluesky post that principal photography was complete, so all good signs for December.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: has a trailer been released?

There's no full trailer for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, but for now, there is a teaser. Though it's mainly filled with clips from season 1, it does confirm one thing that was highly suspected and that's that season 2 will follow Riordan's second Percy Jackson novel, The Sea of Monsters. Once there's a full trailer, we'll be sure to share it.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: confirmed cast

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With the cast and crew having officially wrapped filming for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, a post on the show's Instagram confirmed some of the main cast returning and there's been plenty of cast announcements for new characters, too:

• Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson
• Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth Chase
• Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood
• Charlie Bushnell as Luke Castellan
• Dior Goodjohn as Clarisse La Rue
• Daniel Diemer as Tyson
• Tamara Smart as Thalia Grace
• Courtney B. Vance as Zeus
• Timothy Simons as Tantalus
• Sandra Bernhard, Kristen Schaal, and Margaret Cho as the Grey Sisters
• Rosemarie DeWitt as C.C.
• Aleks Paunovic as Polyphemus
• Beatrice Kitsos as Alison Simms
• Kevin Chacon as Chris Rodriguez

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A photo posted by on

As far as new cast announcements are concerned, there's been a lot. Firstly, Daniel Diemer is joining as a series regular role playing Percy's half-brother Tyson, a Cyclops and son of Poseidon, as revealed by Deadline.

Deadline also shared that Tamara Smart has joined the cast as Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus. And there's been a recasting following the death of Lance Reddick who played Zeus, as Courtney B. Vance will be taking on the role.

In a statement on an official Instagram post, executive producer Dan Shotz said: "Finding someone to step into this role going forward was not an easy task, but when icon Courtney B. Vance answered the call, we knew the Gods were listening."

Other cast announcements include Timothy Simons as Tantalus, as revealed by Variety, as well as Sandra Bernhard, Kristen Schaal, and Margaret Cho as the Grey Sisters. And there's Rosemarie DeWitt as C.C., Aleks Paunovic as cyclops Polyphemus, Beatrice Kitsos as Alison Simms and Kevin Chacon as Chris Rodriguez.

In the final piece of exciting news, Andra Day will play Annabeth's mother, the goddess Athena, as seen above.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: story synopsis and rumors

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 follows the second book, The Sea of Monsters (Image credit: 20th Television/Disney Plus)

Full spoilers for Percy Jackson and the Olympians seasons 1 to follow. Plus, potential spoilers for season 2.

The second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians will follow on with Rick Riordan's award-winning series. This time, adapting his second novel, The Sea of Monsters.

For this, Percy will return to Camp Half-Blood a year later to find everything a little bit... off. As per the book's official synopsis, it's revealed: "Percy Jackson's seventh-grade year has been surprisingly quiet. Not a single monster has set foot on his New York prep-school campus.

"But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get . . . well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of Percy’s friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed."

So, a whole new adventure awaits for Percy and his friends, old and new. Sure, Percy completed his quest, but there's plenty more to do.

Another epic quest for Percy, Annabeth and Grover awaits (Image credit: Disney Plus)

And the official logline matches, unsurprisingly, with the book: "[Percy's] friendship with Annabeth is changing, he learns he has a cyclops for a brother, Grover has gone missing, and camp is under siege from the forces of Kronos. Percy’s journey to set things right will take him off the map and into the deadly Sea of Monsters, where a secret fate awaits the son of Poseidon."

As the Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 1 finale concluded, viewers watched as trio Percy, Grover and Annabeth split up.

With Percy hoping to reconnect with his mother returning from the underworld, Annabeth going to see her father and Grover finally amble to embark on his quest to find Pan, they agreed to meet again at the Thalia tree after a year.

And it all seemed pretty idyllic as Percy awoke in the final scene to his mother, Sally, greeting him as promised. Of course, there's also Luke's shocking betrayal and disappearing act, the repercussions of defeating Areas, and a Zeus reunion to contend with.

But, as The Sea of Monsters sets the pathway for season 2, for any avid readers of the series, you'll know what's coming. And if you don't, then December 2025 will reveal all.

Will there be more seasons of Percy Jackson and the Olympians?

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A photo posted by on

Yes, there will definitely be more from the show as Disney Plus renewed Percy Jackson and the Olympians for season 3 in March 2025. Alongside the announcement, made before season 2's launch, it was revealed that season 3 will be based on Rick Riordan's third book, The Titan's Curse.

Riordan told Disney that the third season "will be new territory for the screen, bringing fan favorites like the Hunters of Artemis and Nico di Angelo to life for the first time."

Adding: "It's a huge sign of commitment from Disney, and speaks volumes about the enthusiasm with which the fandom has embraced the TV show. Thank you, demigods worldwide."

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, co-showrunner Dan Shotz said around hopes of more seasons: "Being able to get to book five — and I know Walker loves book five — would [be amazing]. That culmination is just very exciting to think about. We have the benefit of, even in making season one, we have all those books to look forward to and tease and play into all those elements that we know are to come."

Considering there's seven books in Riordan's Percy Jackson series, if the show continues to impress on the streamer, we'd hope to see many more seasons in the years ahead.

For more Disney+ TV-based coverage, read our guides on Daredevil: Born Again season 2, Only Murders in the Building season 5, and The Bear season 4.

In 2024, the adoption of cloud computing by organizations has reached remarkable levels, with around 94% of companies now utilizing cloud-based services, according to Rightscale’s report. However, cloud solutions bring significant security challenges, as they rely on shared resources and connectivity, making them susceptible to data breaches, misconfigurations, and account hijacking. Let’s explore essential rules that can help minimize these risks and protect cloud environments effectively.

Cloud infrastructure offers organizations an average savings of 40% on physical space and reduced operational expenses. Furthermore, these environments enable faster time-to-market and improve overall business agility. Over half of organizations have stated that cloud adoption has accelerated their product and service delivery, allowing them to respond more promptly to customer needs.

Security is another major reason for businesses to migrate to the cloud. Approximately 60% of business executives believe that cloud computing enhances their security posture, particularly as it enables automated updates and reduces the risks of human error.

The common threats to cloud environments

Despite all the advantages, there are still some risks associated with cloud computing. For instance, last year, MITRE, a U.S.-based non-profit organization renowned for its work in technology and defense research, experienced a significant cloud security incident. In April 2024, attackers exploited two zero-day vulnerabilities in Ivanti’s Connect Secure VPN, gaining unauthorized access to MITRE’s Networked Experimentation, Research, and Virtualization Environment platform.

This breach resulted in the exposure of sensitive research data, including technical findings, development methodologies, and simulation results related to cybersecurity frameworks MITRE ATT&CK® and CALDER, which are widely used by government agencies and private organizations. It is unlikely that national security data was directly compromised.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the incident was perpetrated by a foreign nation-state threat actor. The successful breach was attributed to unpatched software and compromised devices, which provided the attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive areas within the cloud environment.

Another major cloud security incident in 2024 involved the popular project management tool Trello. In January, the company experienced a data breach, compromising 15 million user accounts. Hackers utilized a public API to connect an existing database of email addresses with Trello account information, which included usernames, full names, and other details.

Overall, according to the 2024 Cloud security report by Check Point Software, 61% of organizations experienced at least one security incident related to public cloud use in 2024 - a significant increase compared to the 24% figure in 2023. Out of these incidents, 21% resulted in data breaches.

Among other common vulnerabilities in cloud environments are misconfigurations, which can lead to the exposure of sensitive data if not promptly addressed, and insider threats, where employees or contractors inadvertently or maliciously compromise cloud security. Additionally, companies often struggle to keep pace with the rapid proliferation of cloud solutions, and a lack of staff skills to operate in the cloud environment becomes a significant security threat in itself.

Ways to protect your cloud

Luckily, businesses that rely heavily on cloud infrastructure can avoid such devastating attacks. The key is to follow seven essential rules. Each of them provides a specific approach to securing a critical aspect of the cloud environment, from access management and data encryption to monitoring and employee training. They complement each other and contribute to a well-rounded cloud security posture.

Rule 1: continuously monitor and log all cloud activities

In 2024, according to SailPoint, around 83% of organizations reported that continuous monitoring helped them catch security incidents early, preventing potential data leaks and system compromises​.

Effective network monitoring helps identify threats such as unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and misconfigurations that might expose sensitive data. By continuously tracking activities and analyzing logs, organizations can quickly pinpoint unusual behaviors, such as access attempts from unknown locations, unusual data transfers, or unauthorized use of privileged accounts.

Rule 2: implement strong identity and access management (IAM) policies

Effective IAM ensures that only authorized users have access to specific cloud resources. A key component of these policies is multi-factor authentication, which requires users to verify their identity through two or more authentication methods, such as a password and a one-time code sent to a mobile device. This ensures that potential attackers would need more than just a password to gain entry.

Role-based access control (RBAC) is another critical IAM strategy, assigning permissions based on user roles within an organization. For example, an employee in the finance department might have access to financial records but be restricted from viewing IT infrastructure details. With RBAC, users are given the minimum level of access required for their roles, significantly reducing the risk of misuse of sensitive data.

Rule 3: encrypt data in transit and at rest

It's important to encrypt data both when it's being transmitted (in transit) and when it's stored (at rest). This ensures that even if attackers intercept or access the data, it remains unreadable without the correct decryption keys.

To implement encryption effectively in your cloud environment, you should use both transport layer encryption (like transport layer security, TLS) for data in transit and disk encryption for data at rest. Many cloud providers offer built-in encryption tools that facilitate these practices.

Rule 4: regularly update and patch cloud resources

Cloud environments, like any other IT infrastructure, are susceptible to vulnerabilities as software ages or new exploits are discovered. When systems remain unpatched, they become easy targets for attackers who often scan for outdated software and exploit known vulnerabilities. A recent study found that approximately 60% of cloud breaches could be attributed to unpatched or misconfigured systems.

Regular updates help protect cloud resources from these risks by addressing known issues before attackers can take advantage of them. Cloud platforms typically make it easy to set up automated backups for persistent resources like databases or virtual machines. These backups ensure that, even in the event of a major attack or human error, data can be recovered without significant disruption.

Rule 5: use data retention policies

To protect against malicious attacks, such as ransomware, it’s essential to establish policies that prevent the immediate deletion of resources in the cloud. Many cloud providers offer this feature, allowing you to configure a delay period. This ensures that even if an attacker gains access to your account and attempts to delete critical resources, those resources won't be removed right away.

For instance, with a 30-day delay, a resource marked for deletion would remain recoverable for that entire period. This delay provides two key advantages: it allows time to detect and respond to unauthorized actions, and it gives you the opportunity to restore data before it is permanently lost. If your cloud provider does not offer this safeguard, it may be worth reconsidering whether they meet your security needs.

Rule 6: keep your costs down

In the event of a DDoS attack, cloud infrastructure can manage the surge in traffic by automatically scaling resources. However, this scaling can rapidly increase costs, potentially putting a strain on the company’s finances. To avoid these unexpected expenses, ensure that your cloud provider offers strong DDoS protection and mitigation options.

These measures can help absorb and filter attack traffic, minimizing the impact without leading to excessive resource scaling. If your provider’s built-in protections are inadequate, consider using third-party DDoS mitigation tools. This approach will help safeguard both your systems and your budget during an attack.

Rule 7: train employees on cloud security awareness

According to the Ponemon Institute, 82% of data breaches are caused by staff mistakes, such as clicking on phishing links, using weak passwords, or falling for social engineering attacks. To prevent these issues, it's essential to invest in ongoing, thorough security training programs. In fact, companies with comprehensive training programs can save an average of $2.66 million per breach.

What these programs might include? Phishing simulations that help employees identify suspicious emails and avoid disclosing sensitive information. Additionally, providing cloud-specific security training, which focuses on secure data handling, password management, and understanding cloud-specific threats, ensures that employees are well-prepared to handle security challenges effectively.

We've compiled a list of the best identity management software.

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

• iStorage launches world’s first 26TB PIN-authenticated encrypted desktop storage
• diskAshur DT3 offers FIPS 140-3 security and Common Criteria certified microprocessor
• Aimed at businesses, governments, and users needing top-tier offline data protection

While cloud storage offers convenience and accessibility, it may not always provide the level of security some users need, especially when dealing with private data you simply cannot afford to lose or have fall into the wrong hands.

If security is a priority, and you have large volumes of sensitive files to protect, a PIN-authenticated, hardware-encrypted secure drive like iStorage’s diskAshur DT3 or diskAshur DT2 could be the answer, especially as both models are now available with a massive 26TB capacity.

iStorage, a global leader in hardware-encrypted data storage, has built these drives (and others) to deliver government-grade protection for organizations that require reliable, offline security.

Not an unreasonable outlay

The diskAshur DT3 is one of the first encrypted hard drives currently pending certification under the new FIPS 140-3 Level 3 standard, the latest benchmark for cryptographic security.

It features TAA compliance, FIPS PUB 197-validated AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption, and a Common Criteria EAL5+ certified microprocessor.

The DT2 remains a strong option too, holding certifications from NCSC CPA, FIPS 140-2 Level 3, NLNCSA BSPA, and NATO Restricted.

“At iStorage, innovation and security go hand in hand," noted John Michael, CEO of iStorage/Kanguru. "Launching the world’s first 26TB PIN-authenticated, hardware encrypted desktop drive is not just a milestone for us, it’s a statement to the industry. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, so too must our solutions."

"The diskAshur DT3 and DT2 represent the highest standards in data protection, and with our recent acquisition of Kanguru, we are now even better positioned to provide organizations around the world with the most secure, reliable and scalable data storage solutions available.”

While these drives offer exceptional protection, they also place responsibility squarely on the user. If you forget your PIN or lose your backup data, there are no reset options or cloud recovery here.

The new models are available now via iStorage, Kanguru, and select global partners. The 26TB diskAshur DT3 is priced at $1,814, while the diskAshur DT2 comes in at $1,541.

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• Lenovo ThinkCentre neo Ultra 2025 squeezes high-end AI hardware into a tiny, 3.6-liter case
• Delivers big performance and power efficiency at just 300 watts
• It supports large language models with up to 14B parameters

Apple’s Mac Studio continues to dominate the conversation around compact high-performance desktops, but Lenovo is pushing back with its ThinkCentre neo Ultra series.

Originally released at CES 2024, the first ThinkCentre neo Ultra featured a 14th Gen Intel processor. Just six months later, Lenovo refreshed the device with Intel’s Core Ultra CPUs, and also upgraded the GPU in a separate system, the Lenovo Yoga Portal mini PC.

Now, Lenovo has introduced yet another update to the ThinkCentre neo Ultra series - a new mini workstation equipped with Intel’s high-end Core Ultra 9 285 CPU and a 16GB RTX 5060 Ti GPU rated at 180W.

Portable yet powerful

“Small Stature, Big Energy” is how Lenovo describes this year’s model, and the tagline fits. Despite its compact 3.6-liter chassis, this mini PC delivers a total performance output of 825 TOPS and upgrades from the desktop-grade LGA-1700 to the newer LGA-1851 socket.

The power supply has been reduced from 350W in the previous version to 300W, suggesting improved power efficiency.

Although this model still avoids unlocked K-series CPUs, it aims for a balance between thermal limitations and computational performance that should appeal to its business-focused audience.

One of the standout features is the upgraded graphics. Replacing the RTX 4060 with a 16GB RTX 5060 Ti offers a substantial boost for users handling AI inference, 3D rendering, or high-resolution video workflows.

Lenovo also hints at a dedicated NPU card, though it’s unclear whether this refers to separate hardware or is tied to Intel’s Arrow Lake architecture.

Either way, the system supports locally deployed large language models with up to 14 billion parameters - an appealing option for organizations looking to run AI workloads in-house.

Lenovo says the system earned a CES 2025 Best New Tech for Home and Workplace Award, adding further credibility to its performance claims.

Base configurations include 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, with pricing set at 14,999 RMB (about $2,056) for the Core Ultra 5 and RTX 5060, or 19,999 RMB (about $2,741) for the Ultra 7 and RTX 5060 Ti.

Pricing and availability for the Core Ultra 9 and RTX 5060 Ti 16GB variant have yet to be announced, and there's no word on international launch details.

Via Videocardz

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• Over 7 million pixels of SDQHD resolution will make your old monitor look ancient
• Not 5K or 8K, but the JapanNext vertical monitor is perhaps what your desk needs
• If you code, write, or edit all day, this monitor should be your new friend

JapanNext has expanded its unique lineup of business monitors with the release of the JN-IPS276SDQHD-HSPC6-CMS, a new 27.6-inch SDQHD display boasting over 7 million pixels – a viable option that could enhance your office or work-from-home setup.

Much like the Alogic 28-inch vertical monitor, this nearly square display offers a 2,560 x 2,880 resolution with a rare 16:18 aspect ratio.

It's particularly well-suited for coding, working with lengthy documents, and editing spreadsheets or web layouts, as the elongated format, similar to LG's DualUp monitor, reduces scrolling and helps improve focus.

A new shape for modern work

The screen features a matte IPS panel that covers 100% of the sRGB spectrum and 97% of DCI-P3, making it a strong option for color-sensitive tasks. It offers a peak brightness of 300 cd/m², a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, and wide 178° viewing angles in all directions.

For comfort during extended use, the monitor includes flicker-free backlighting, blue light filtering modes, and HDR support.

Targeting hybrid workers, the JapanNext monitor integrates a retractable webcam and microphone at the top edge of the panel, supported by dual 5W built-in speakers.

Connectivity is extensive, including HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB Type-C with 65W power delivery, and a USB-A hub.

Productivity features such as Picture-by-Picture (PBP), Picture-in-Picture (PIP), and an integrated KVM switch add further utility for users managing multiple systems.

All of this comes in a chassis weighing approximately 6.2kg, with 100mm height adjustment, 45° swivel range, full pivot support, and VESA 75x75 compatibility.

The JN-IPS276SDQHD-HSPC6-CMS is priced at 109,800 yen (around $765), offering strong value compared to higher-end 5K and 8K monitors.

A review sample of this device is expected to arrive on our desk very soon.

Via PC Watch

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• 10 Lego cars just drove around Miami's F1 track
• They're each built from around 400,000 Lego bricks
• A 26-person team took over 22,000 hours to build all 10 cars

A new kind of electric vehicle just took to the Miami Grand Prix ahead of Sunday’s Formula 1 race there: 10 fully drivable racecars built almost entirely out of Lego.

The bespoke big builds – one for each of F1’s 10 teams – are close to 1:1 scale with their F1 counterparts. They were constructed out of 400,000 Lego bricks each and powered by an 8kW electric engine, which allows them to reach speeds of 20km/h (roughly 12mph).

Real tires, Lego everthing else (Image credit: Lego)

The only non-Lego elements are the engine, the wheel rims and tires (which were each sourced from their respective F1 teams and Pirelli for authenticity), the steering wheel (though it is decorated with Lego), and the steel frame attaching all these elements.

Also, glue and bolts are holding the bricks and frame together.

Otherwise, the designers and engineers behind the builds told me that they wanted this to be something that a kid (with enough Lego bricks) could build at home, or perhaps construct a smaller version using fewer bricks and Lego Technic motors that can drive around on a more manageable scale.

Built to drive

The steering wheel uses non-Lego elements for comfort (Image credit: Lego)

The team behind the F1 big builds explained that each car is based on its respective Speed Champions Lego set, blown up from minifigure to human scale. The only changes to the Lego design were to incorporate space for two passengers rather than one and replace stickered elements with the same detailing constructed from bricks (such as the branding and logos decorating each vehicle).

Once the outer Lego design was decided, the engineers had to work out how a steel frame and engine would be incorporated to make it move.

“We are Lego so our designs are always bricks first,” they explained. “So we created the Lego design then built a frame and engine design that would fit inside the Lego rather than the other way around.”

Apparently, their only major challenge with this brick-first approach was working out how to make the front wheels turn, given the tight space the steel frame had to move. They were forced to come up with a new approach compared to their previous moving Lego big builds, but once that was solved, they were off to the races.

The team's inspiration (Image credit: Lego)

The project has been a major labor of love.

The 26-person strong design team spent over 22,000 combined hours working on the cars in Lego’s Kladno factory located in the Czech Republic, and it was their first time working on so many cars at once in a tight time frame.

“We had around eight months to build all 10 cars, which is the time we might take for one.”

But roughly 4 million bricks later (which account for around two-thirds of each big build’s 1,500kg weight) they said seeing all 10 cars together for the first time in Miami was “definitely worth it.”

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• Most CFOs say they still can't make money from AI yet
• Traditional pricing fails in a usage-driven artificial intelligence economy
• AI monetization now sits firmly on the boardroom's priority list

Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, but a new report has claimed many companies are failing to capture its financial value.

A global study of 614 Chief Financial Officers conducted by DigitalRoute found nearly three-quarters (71%) said they were struggling to monetize AI effectively, despite nearly 90% naming it a mission-critical priority over the next five years.

Only 29% of companies currently have a working AI monetization model, and the rest are either experimenting or “flying blind,” according to the data, and over two-thirds (68%) of tech firms say their traditional pricing strategies are no longer applicable in an AI-driven economy.

Second digital gold rush?

“AI is in the second digital gold rush,” said Ari Vanttinen, CMO at DigitalRoute. “But without the usage-level visibility, companies are gambling with pricing, profitability and even product viability. Our data shows CFOs urgently need real-time metering and revenue management to turn AI from a cost line into a genuine profit engine.”

Boardrooms are taking notice - nearly two-thirds (64%) of those surveyed say AI monetization is now a formal board priority, yet just one in five businesses can track individual AI consumption, leaving finance teams with limited tools for accurate billing, forecasting, or margin analysis.

70% of CFOs cite pricing complexity as the biggest barrier to scaling AI, and more than half report misalignment between finance and product teams.

Legacy systems are also a challenge: 63% of companies are investing in new revenue management infrastructure, acknowledging that traditional quote-to-cash systems aren’t fit for usage-based AI pricing models.

The study also highlights regional differences. Nordic countries lead in implementation but struggle with profitability, while France and the UK are showing stronger early commercial returns. The US remains a global leader in AI development, but the data suggests a slightly more cautious approach to monetization at the organizational level.

Although American businesses clearly understand the importance of AI, many are still developing the internal frameworks needed to scale effectively.

The US scores highly on perceived significance but lags slightly behind the UK in terms of perceived criticality, indicating a broader, more experimental AI culture that has yet to fully transition to commercial execution.

The report recommends three steps for success: first, meter AI consumption at the feature level; second, model value-based and usage-based pricing before launch; and third, align product, finance, and revenue teams around shared data.

As Vanttinen puts it, “Every prompt is now a revenue event. When businesses can see, price and bill for AI usage in real-time, they unlock the margins the market expects.”

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• Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4 offers powerful AMD performance for professionals
• It delivers up to 96GB memory, Ryzen AI PRO chips, certified graphics support
• It's good for mobile work, but HP’s ZBook Ultra still leads in AI power

Lenovo has refreshed its ThinkPad portfolio aimed at meeting the evolving demands of professional and AI-driven workflows.

Leading the announcement is the ThinkPad P16s Gen 4, Lenovo’s most powerful AMD-based mobile workstation yet, designed for content creators, engineers, and technical users who need serious performance in a portable form factor.

With an AMD Ryzen AI PRO 300 series processor, support for up to 96GB of memory, and certified graphics for CAD and BIM applications, the ThinkPad P16s Gen 4 builds on Lenovo’s recent shift towards Copilot+ PCs, featuring up to 82 TOPS of AI processing performance, seamless multitasking, and improved energy efficiency.

Solid performance

Lenovo pairs the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 CPU with integrated AMD RDNA 3.5 graphics, offering solid performance for complex workloads without the thermal and power trade-offs of discrete GPU models.

The new laptop weighs around 3.9lbs and will be available in May 2025 starting at $1,619.

In addition to the P16s, Lenovo also announced the ThinkPad P14s Gen 6, a thinner and lighter mobile workstation starting at 1.39kg, as well as a range of updated ThinkPad L Series laptops and refreshed X1 Aura Editions.

While the new ThinkPad P16s is certainly a capable performer, HP’s ZBook Ultra, launched earlier in 2025, remains ahead.

It's powered by an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 processor with discrete AMD Radeon Graphics, 128GB of unified LPDDR5X memory and the ability to allocate up to 96GB directly to the GPU.

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• Apple may launch a battery case with the iPhone 17 Air
• All-day battery life isn't guaranteed for the new model
• The phone could also lose a speaker and be eSIM only

The rumors around an iPhone 17 Air have been swirling for months at this point, but we just got some fresh information about this super-slim phone, which is set to replace the iPhone 16 Plus – including the potential return of a retired Apple accessory.

According to a new report in The Information (via 9to5Mac), Apple is planning to release an optional accessory at the same time as the iPhone 17 Air: a case with an integrated battery pack. This is apparently to make up for shortfalls in the battery life of the iPhone 17 Air.

You may remember that back in the day, Apple made a Smart Battery Case for its iPhones. As MagSafe and its wireless charging was introduced with the iPhone 12 though, the battery case was discontinued.

Now, it looks as though it might be coming back. Sources speaking to The Information say the thinness of the iPhone 17 Air means it only lasts a day without a recharge for 60-70% of users – whereas for other models, it's more like 80-90%.

eSIMs and speakers

Remember the iPhone 11 Smart Battery Case? (Image credit: Apple)

Battery life isn't the only concern around the iPhone 17 Air though. The report in The Information also suggests there's no space for a physical SIM, so it'll be eSIM all the way – which may cause issues with regulators in China.

What's more, there's only going to be room for one speaker on the device, which may impact sound quality. We've previously heard both these rumors, around the eSIM and speaker, and we've more inclined to believe them now they've been repeated.

It's set to be quite a year for the Apple iPhone. We've already had a new model in the shape of the Apple iPhone 16e, and later in the year with the Air we'll be getting another new model that doesn't really have a direct predecessor.

The same report from The Information suggests that there might be even more changes to come next year, with Apple planning to split the launches of the iPhone 18 models so that they launch at different times throughout the course of 2026 and 2027.

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• JPMorganChase open letter calls for urgent industry-wide action on SaaS risks
• Third-party SaaS models expose critical infrastructure to cascading cybersecurity threats
• Firms rely on insecure integrations that collapse trust boundaries between systems

JPMorganChase, the largest bank in the world, has warned about the dangers of SaaS technology used by organizations across the world every single day.

Writing in an open letter, CISO Patrick Opet outlined growing concerns that the speed of SaaS adoption has outpaced security development.

In particular, Opet noted that vendors have prioritized rapid feature delivery over secure architecture, creating systemic vulnerabilities across the software supply chain.

A call to arms

“An AI-driven calendar optimization service integrating directly into corporate email systems through "read only roles" and "authentication tokens" can no doubt boost productivity when functioning correctly,” Opet said.

“Yet, if compromised, this direct integration grants attackers unprecedented access to confidential data and critical internal communications.”

Opet went on to warn thousands of organizations are now embedded in ecosystems that depend heavily on a small group of service providers - so if one is compromised, the ripple effects could be devastating.

"Modern integration patterns dismantle these essential boundaries, relying heavily on modern identity protocols (e.g., OAuth) to create direct, often unchecked interactions between third-party services and firms’ sensitive internal resources," Opet said.

"In practice, these integration models collapse authentication (verifying identity) and authorization (granting permissions) into overly simplified interactions, effectively creating single-factor explicit trust between systems on the internet and private internal resources. This architectural regression undermines fundamental security principles that have proven durability."

JPMorganChase has already experienced a number of third-party breaches over the past three years, requiring swift action to isolate compromised partners and mitigate threats. These incidents have emphasized the risks tied to highly connected third-party ecosystems.

"Fierce competition among software providers has driven prioritization of rapid feature development over robust security," Opet wrote.

"This often results in rushed product releases without comprehensive security built in or enabled by default, creating repeated opportunities for attackers to exploit weaknesses. The pursuit of market share at the expense of security exposes entire customer ecosystems to significant risk and will result in an unsustainable situation for the economic system."

He also cited new threats emerging from token theft, opaque fourth-party dependencies, and privileged access without sufficient transparency.

"The most effective way to begin change is to reject these integration models without better solutions,” Opet concluded. “I hope you’ll join me in recognizing this challenge and responding decisively, collaboratively, and immediately.”

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Some of the most-wanted vinyl releases aren't new records; they're remastered versions of old favorites. But those remasters might not sound as good as you hope even when played on the best turntables – and in some case they might actually sound worse than the originals.

Remastering – creating a new master copy of the record that's then copied to discs and/or digital – is commonplace because it's a great way for record companies to sell you a record all over again. And it's catnip for music fans, because it promises to take an album you already adore and make it even more magical.

With a lot of old music, remastering really does deliver a massive improvement, so for example it can give you the clarity and low-end thump that's often lacking from early rock records because not everyone making music or playback kit really knew what they were doing back then. But for some remasters, it might be wise to wait until others have taken the plunge before deciding if you want to sign up.

It's all about the loudness war. If you've heard of it, you've probably heard of it in the context of digital music: CD, and more recently digital files. It existed before digital, but it was more of a skirmish until digital formats entered the battlefield.

The loudness war is what you get when records are being made to sound as loud as possible on digital formats and low-quality speakers, even if that takes all the dynamics out of the performance. And while vinyl is an analog medium, not a digital one, that doesn't mean it can't be collateral damage.

A very fine turntable can't help if the wax isn't right (Image credit: Audio-Technica) 1, 2, 3, 4, I declare a loudness war

In a fascinating post, Jeff from Magic of Analog, Vinyl, Digital and Spatial Sound sets out the issue: some vinyl releases have been made from master copies that were created for a digital release, and that can be a problem.

Making vinyl records is as much of an art as a science, and there are physical limits to what you can do – so for example, if the bass is boosted too much in the recording, when that translates into the etching on the record, the needle can move so much it bounces out of the groove on some turntables, particularly cheaper ones.

With digital, that's not a problem, so when the song's being mastered the bass can turned way up – and that's fine… unless you then use that digital master to make the vinyl version.

The key weapon in the loudness war is compression, which reduces the dynamic range of music. Dynamic range is the distance between the loudest bits and the quiet bits, and it's what makes music breathe; artists use dynamics to make their music more involving. To paraphrase Spinal Tap, if everything's turned up to 10, where do you go from there?

Compression can turn it up to eleven and keep it there.

Used judiciously, compression can make a song sound better, and more punchy. But too much of it can create a wall of volume, and that's something you hear every day: it's why ads on TV are so loud, because they're heavily compressed so they'll get your attention.

In music, if you overcook things too much you get Californication.

How to avoid catching Californication

When the Red Hot Chili Peppers released Californication in 1999, it sounded dreadful – and the band will almost admit that now. "When it comes on the radio you want it to be the loudest thing that comes on," drummer Chad Smith told SiriusXM about the "too hot" mastering.

Producer Rick Rubin got mastering expert Vlado Mello to achieve exactly that. The resulting album was indeed the loudest thing that came on the radio. But it also sounded distorted. "Audiophiles were getting upset about it," Smith admitted.

Audiophiles were right to be. What's mastered to sound massive on a cheap radio (or in a more modern sense, on tinny laptop or smartphone speakers) is not being mastered to sound good on a McIntosh system or even something as good as a pair of AirPods Pro 2, and when you listen to it on decent kit it can be positively painful, tedious and tiring.

If you're going to spend the money on gear like this, you've got to make sure the sound you're putting into it is worthwhile (Image credit: Future / Howard Kneller)

There's a lot of music out there that's been given the loudness war treatment since its original release. Jeff uses Prince's Purple Rain as an example, comparing the waveforms of the CD master with the 2015 remaster. The former looks like a song with lots of dynamics, and sounds that way too: it ebbs and flows like rainfall. The latter is like being thrown off Niagara Falls.

Jeff says the same applies to some remastered records by Bruce Springsteen, David Gilmour, Norah Jones and others – although some genres such as jazz, blues and classical are pretty safe for loudness pacifists.

What does this mean for vinyl buyers? The short answer is: it depends. There are some absolutely astonishing remasters out there – The Beatles' 2014 remasters are rightly regarded as masterpieces, pun fully intended – and remasters that are made specifically for vinyl are usually approached with respect rather than a desire to assault your eardrums unless, of course, that was the artists' intent.

The ones to watch out for aren't the audiophile editions, the reverent restorations. They're the cynical cash-ins made from masters that were only ever destined for digital. Know your enemy – and be careful out there.

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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, May 4 (game #693).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #694) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• TORPEDO
• BAT
• COAST
• LEVEL
• САРЕ
• BATON
• PLATEAU
• HOAGIE
• SETTLE
• CRUISE
• CIGAR
• CASTLE
• FLOAT
• FLATTEN
• FANG
• DRIFT

NYT Connections today (game #694) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Easy street
• GREEN: Resident of Transylvania
• BLUE: Same as it ever was
• PURPLE: A shape in common

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #694) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: GLIDE
• GREEN: ASSOCIATED WITH COUNT DRACULA
• BLUE: STOP CHANGING 
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT ARE LONG AND CYLINDRICAL 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #694) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #694, are…

• YELLOW: GLIDE COAST, CRUISE, DRIFT, FLOAT
• GREEN: ASSOCIATED WITH COUNT DRACULA BAT, CAPE, CASTLE, FANG
• BLUE: STOP CHANGING FLATTEN, LEVEL, PLATEAU, SETTLE
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT ARE LONG AND CYLINDRICAL BATON, CIGAR, HOAGIE, TORPEDO

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

It probably says a lot about me that I didn’t get the purple group because I thought we were searching for bread products, as in the TORPEDO roll, a HOAGIE sandwich… er, to be honest it wasn’t a long sidebar

Still, this was one of those rare easy Connections days – a CRUISE around four groups you could say, rather than something to sink your metaphorical FANGs into.

I’m pretty sure I got ASSOCIATED WITH COUNT DRACULA not because of Transylvania’s famous resident, but because I’ve been watching a lot of What We Do In The Shadows. One of the greatest TV comedies of the past decade imho, about a group of four vampires who live in Staten Island. It’s wonderful.

My favourite WWDITS character is Colin Robinson, an energy vampire, who prefers to drain mental energy from his victims rather than blood – making him far more believable than the regular type of vampire. We all know someone like Colin.

Having said that, doing a daily column about Connections is exactly the kind of job Colin Robinson would do. Er…

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, May 4, game #693)

• YELLOW: QUALITIES OF OVERCOOKED MEAT CHEWY, DRY, STRINGY, TOUGH
• GREEN: PLAY SOME ELECTRIC GUITAR JAM, NOODLE, SHRED, SOLO
• BLUE: INGREDIENTS IN BUBBLE TEA BOBA, MILK, SUGAR, TEA
• PURPLE: PLANETS/ DWARF PLANET WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED BLUTO, CARS, DARTH, GENUS

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, May 4 (game #427).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #428) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… On the side

NYT Strands today (game #428) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• KEYS
• STIR
• MEEK
• FORTS
• HOST
• RICE

NYT Strands today (game #428) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #428) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: right, 4th row

Last side: right, 1st row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #428) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #428, are…

• STEAK
• HOME
• CURLY
• WAFFLE
• CRINKLE
• SHOESTRING
• SPANGRAM: FRENCH FRIES

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

FRENCH FRIES or Freedom Fries as some like to call them, or Chips as we say in the UK, are the single reason why the potato is by far the best vegetable. That you can get so much flavor, crispy wonder and variety from of a bland starchy tuber is a miracle.

Today’s search, has of course made me hungry, although I didn’t exactly work up an appetite doing it (no thermometer headaches today), and got me wondering what my favourite type of "fry" is.

If push came to shove I think I’d have to go for a fat chip shop chip (aka STEAK fries) drowning in salt and vinegar with some curry sauce “on the side”.

Right, that’s enough of this puzzling, I’m off to the chippy!

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, May 4, game #427)

• PLANET
• EMPIRE
• SPACE
• LONG
• TIME
• GALAXY
• REBEL
• SPANGRAM: OPENING CRAWL

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, May 4 (game #1196).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1197) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1197) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1197) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1197) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1197) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• W

• C

• S

• Q

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1197) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1197, are…

• WREAK
• COWER
• STEAD
• QUEUE

Well, that was fun! Getting QUEUE ended up being easy and instead of a rare letter tripping me up it was a common four-letter ending.

I went through three wrong -REAK words before finally getting to WREAK and just one shot at my final word.

Fortunately, with five letters in the wrong positions, COWER just needed some rearrangement.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1197) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1197, are…

• ASCOT
• HAUTE
• RECUT
• IMPLY

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1196, Sunday, 4 May: PINCH, SMOKE, SCARY, CANNY
• Quordle #1195, Saturday, 3 May: PLUSH, VERGE, WROTE, CONDO
• Quordle #1194, Friday, 2 May: CAUSE, RISEN, MACAW, SMELT
• Quordle #1193, Thursday, 1 May: IDIOM, EXILE, SPOOF, DRAPE
• Quordle #1192, Wednesday, 30 April: BATON, TORSO, ANNEX, DROWN
• Quordle #1191, Tuesday, 29 April: HOVER, HENCE, OCTAL, COPSE
• Quordle #1190, Monday, 28 April: JAUNT, ALLOW, FRUIT, BURNT
• Quordle #1189, Sunday, 27 April: PRIOR, YOUTH, CREDO, CHIDE
• Quordle #1188, Saturday, 26 April: LINGO, LOCUS, THROW, CLICK
• Quordle #1187, Friday, 25 April: SHALT, WRATH, MAMBO, HUMPH
• Quordle #1186, Thursday, 24 April: CHOKE, COLOR, FRAME, CAIRN
• Quordle #1185, Wednesday, 23 April: VALET, PUPAL, CREEP, DRIFT
• Quordle #1184, Tuesday, 22 April: POUTY, CHEST, BROOM, TEPEE
• Quordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACH
• Quordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUE
• Quordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULT
• Quordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTO
• Quordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURT
• Quordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUT
• Quordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAY

Soundbars are an effective way of boosting your TV’s built-in sound, as the built-in speakers even on the best TVs can’t match the quality of their picture.

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is one of the best soundbars on the market, delivering punchy, immersive performance across movies and music at a mid-range price.

The mid-range soundbar market is extremely competitive, with various brands offering alternatives to the Sonos Beam. One such brand is Sony.

I recently got to test the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6, a 3.1.2 channel soundbar, side-by-side with the Sonos Beam. The Theater 6 comes with a subwoofer in-box, something that isn't the case for the Sonos Beam (though it does have effective bass for an all-in-one soundbar).

How would these two similarly priced soundbars fare against one another? I hooked them up to the Panasonic MZ1500, a brilliant OLED TV, and used some reference 4K Blu-rays to test that out.

A quick note first: the Sony Theater 6 is a better value in the UK. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is priced at $449 / £449 / AU$799, and the Sony Bravia Theater 6 is priced at $649 / £499 / (roughly AU$1,000 converted from US price), meaning you’re getting a closer price match in the UK.

The case for Sonos Image 1 of 2

The Beam delivers impressive sound for its size (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

The Beam could be seen as having one big obstacle to overcome out-of-the-box: no included subwoofer. For that reason, you’d think it would have significantly weaker bass compared to the Bravia Theater 6, but that didn’t exactly turn out to be the case.

Watching a chase scene from The Batman, the Beam delivered punchy, weighty bass for a compact soundbar, perfectly capturing the rumble of the Batmobile’s roaring engine. The same was true watching Top Gun: Maverick, as the ignition of the Darkstar jet’s engine in the Mach 10 scene was impactful.

Speech clarity was another area where the Beam performed well despite its size. Watching various musical performances from A Complete Unknown (the Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet), vocals were delivered precisely without sacrificing other elements in the mix. In Wicked, Elphaba’s soaring, powerful vocals in the ‘Defying Gravity’ scene were delivered accurately through the Beam. I also found myself preferring the Beam over the Bar 6 when it came to the music sequences in A Complete Unknown.

The Beam’s sound connected to the action on screen as well, accurately placing effects such as screeching tyres and careering cars in The Batman, and the jets in Top Gun: Maverick.

The case for Sony Image 1 of 2

The Bravia Theater Bar 6 delivers impressive bass and height effects, and it has a wide soundstage (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 external subwoofer gives it one big advantage over the Sonos Beam. Although the Beam is great for its size, it cannot compete with Bar 6 when it comes to bass.

Sony’s mammoth sub means the Bar 6’s bass is room-filling and delivers plenty of heft. Watching the same scene from The Batman, the rumble of the Batmobile’s engine was more powerful and engaging than what the Beam could muster – I even had to turn the bass level down. Bass was also tightly controlled and nuanced. For sheer sound power, the Bar 6 was the winner in this contest.

With two height speakers positioned on the soundbar, the Bar 6 does a better job of delivering height effects than the Beam. The sound of rain throughout The Batman was more prevalent, even during the Batmobile chase with its propulsive score and loud explosions. And in the Mach 10 scene from Top Gun: Maverick, where the Darkstar jet flies over Admiral Cain, the trajectory of the jet was more accurately mapped by the Bar 6 than by the Beam.

The Bar 6 soundbar is significantly wider than the Beam (37 inches / 950mm to the Beam’s 25 inches / 651mm), which gives it a wider soundstage. During the defying gravity scene in Wicked, the winds and direction of sound felt more immersive on the Bar 6 as Elphaba took flight on her broom, although the Beam also did a credible job here. And activating the Sound Field mode on the Bar 6 made the sound even more immersive.

During the musical performances in A Complete Unknown, the Bar 6 delivered a fuller, more spacious sound than the Beam. For instance, as Dylan and Joan Baez played at the Newport Folk Festival, the applauding crowd sounded clearer on the Bar 6, and the vocals and guitars had a more sprawling, expansive quality.

Beam vs Bar 6: the verdict Image 1 of 1

Which soundbar is better will ultimately depend on your circumstances (Image credit: Future)

Both the Beam and the Bar 6 are great examples of how effectively mid-range soundbars can improve a TV’s sound, and both have their unique strengths. The Beam shines with music-related content and has an impressive soundstage and bass considering its size.

But the Bar 6 with its included subwoofer has the more powerful bass, a wider soundstage thanks to its wider size, and upfiring speakers that deliver more accurate height effects than the Beam.

Which soundbar is ultimately better will depend on your circumstances. If you have a smaller space, the Beam will be more than enough. But if you have a medium-sized room and are looking for more powerful, spacious sound, the Bar 6 is the way to go. If you’re in the US, it will be tough to ignore the $200 price gap between the two. The Beam arguably delivers better bang for your buck in that case, but in the UK, it’s a much closer contest.

Since I’m in the UK, I’d choose the Bar 6 over the Beam, but the latter is a fantastic example of what an all-in-one soundbar can do. In the end, you’re spoilt for choice with these two great soundbars.

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• Apple is rumored to be splitting the iPhone launch schedule
• The changes could be made in 2026
• Apple wants to boost sales of all four flagship models

For many years now, we've got used to Apple launching its best iPhones all together every September – most recently the iPhone 16 series – but if a new report is to be believed, that scheduling could be set for a major shakeup in the years to come.

According to The Information (via MacRumors), Apple is planning to stick to September releases for the Pro and Pro Max models, while shifting the other iPhones to springtime in the US (so presumably around March time).

The idea is that splitting up the iPhone launches like this will "rejuvenate long-stagnant sales", the report from The Information says. There also seems to be some uncertainty over how well the upcoming, ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air is going to sell.

It seems these changes aren't planned for this year, but will instead be put into place next year – with the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone 18 Air launching in September 2026, and the standard iPhone 18 and quite possibly the iPhone 18e then arriving in March 2027.

All change

The high-end iPhone 16 Pro Max on launch day (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The Information acknowledges there are risks involved in shaking up this long-established schedule. However, it's thought that it'll persuade consumers to upgrade more regularly, while also easing the production pressure on Apple's manufacturing partners.

Another reason for the switch: to make room for the foldable iPhone, expected sometime in 2026. Pushing the less expensive iPhones to a launch window earlier in the year will mean more production capacity for a new model.

None of this is confirmed yet, of course: we'll have to wait and see what Apple does in the months ahead. It's possible that Apple itself hasn't fully decided whether or not to try and mix up its release schedule in 2026 and 2027.

If the company does go through with it, it's going to be a substantial shift in the annual phone launch calendar. We've already seen Samsung and Google move their flagship phone launches to earlier in the year – and it's possible that these moves are part of the reason Apple is thinking about a revamp of its own.

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• Minisforum's G1 / G1 Pro mini PC takes its design cues from Sony's game console
• The device supports desktop-class RTX 5060 GPU with up to 120W draw
• It's powered by a Ryzen 9 8945HX CPU and 350W PSU in console-sized case

At the recent Japan IT Week Spring event, Chinese mini PC maker Minisforum unveiled two exciting new systems: the MS-A2, which is a superfast AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX CPU powered follow-up to the MS-A1 micro workstation (but really the spiritual successor to the MS-01), and the G1 / G1 Pro gaming mini PC.

It’s fair to say the latter takes more than a few design cues from the Sony PlayStation 5, with a vertically oriented white chassis and a center-mounted black I/O strip that closely mimics the PS5's iconic silhouette.

Spotted by PC Watch, the G1 / G1 Pro is Minisforum’s latest living-room-friendly system aimed at gamers who want desktop-level power in a console-style form factor. The slim, upright unit - reportedly scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2025 - is the direct successor to Minisforum’s AtomMan G7 Ti.

Not just for gaming

The standout feature of the new mini PC is support for a desktop-class GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card (up to 120W), installed using a low-profile, dual-slot configuration. Minisforum says users will eventually be able to upgrade the GPU themselves.

Inside, the system is powered by AMD's Ryzen 9 8945HX processor, making it well-suited for demanding gaming workloads - or other creative tasks, if you like the look of the PS5 but aren’t that into gaming.

Storage support includes up to two M.2 SSDs, and there's a built-in 350W power supply to help reduce cable clutter in a media center setup.

Despite its compact size (216 x 315 x 57.2mm), the G1 series offers two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, two DisplayPort 1.2 outputs, 5 Gigabit Ethernet, and audio I/O jacks.

By combining console-style design with true gaming hardware, Minisforum aims to deliver a compact alternative to traditional towers without compromising performance or upgradeability.

Pricing and global availability have yet to be announced but, as with the MS-A2, more details are expected soon.

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The Studio, streaming now on Apple TV+, seeks to answer one central question: Can you make great art and still make a billion dollars doing it? And in case you were wondering, the answer is no, but we’re going to have a lot of fun along the way!

The Studio follows the daily trials and tribulations of Matt Remick, played by Seth Rogen, who lands his dream job as head of Continental Studios, a movie studio whose job is to make 'movies' not 'films', you know, the sort of movies that make a lot of money at the box office, but aren’t necessarily going to win an Academy Award.

I got into all of this cause I love movies. Now I have this fear that my job is to ruin them

Matt from The Studio

The problem is that Remick is a film devotee who dreams of making great films, the sorts of films that mean something to people. The kind of films that are actually shot on film. Unfortunately, his efforts get thwarted at every step, normally by his own cowardice and eagerness to abandon all his principles in order to keep his job, often with hilarious results.

What follows, over ten immaculately-crafted and performed episodes, is an ensemble comedic performance worthy of every award going. Think of the great workplace-based comedies like The Office or Parks and Recreation, but put them into the world of LA hotels, parties and movie sets dripping in all the luxury and celebrities that only Hollywood can provide. And that's not to mention the supporting cast that casually throws acting giants like Kathryn Hahn and Bryan Cranston into the mix.

Many of the celebrities and movie directors here are playing themselves, so many in fact that the cameo list (courtesy of Collider) is longer than the cast list on most feature films.

We get treated to appearances by Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, Zack Snyder, Charlize Theron and more all playing exaggerated versions of themselves. In fact, there are so many celebrities in each episode that some of them, like Ben Stiller, just appear in the background and aren’t even part of the plot.

But it’s not just that The Studio has some of the sharpest satirical writing you’ll find in any TV show, it’s made in such a captivating way. Long, single-camera shots are used almost all the time with whip pans across the screen at dizzying speed putting you right in the conversation, which is further fueled by a jazz drumming accompaniment that feels improvised, as if the drummer was playing live while the actors riff their lines back and forth at each other. The drumming often reflects the mood of the scene, starting slow and building to a crescendo, then tense and tight when it needs to be before signaling a sudden breezy change of atmosphere when a key plot point is resolved.

• Watch The Studio on Apple TV+ in the US
• Watch The Studio on Apple TV+ in the UK
• Watch The Studio on Apple TV+ in Australia

Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, Chase Sui Wonders and Seth Rogen in The Studio. (Image credit: Apple)

The one moment when you realize that The Studio isn’t just another Apple TV+ show on one of the best streaming services, but is something genuinely special is halfway through episode one when Remick is trying to find a director for his ridiculous Kool Aid movie. Martin Scorsese actually appears, playing himself, pitching his movie script to Remick, who despite being handed the gift of one of the world’s all-time great directors wanting to actually direct his ridiculously dumb movie, then goes on to fumble the ball spectacularly with hilarious results.

There are so many other great set pieces that you’re guaranteed at least one genuinely unbelievable moment in each episode, but I don’t want to spoil the fun. Let me just say that the burrito incident sticks out in my mind in particular.

When you consider how much money Apple TV+ is losing a year (current estimates are around the $1 billion dollars mark) to make TV like this, I wonder if we’ll look back at 2025 as a high point in ridiculously good streaming shows and if we’ll ever see their like again, because The Studio is up there with the best Apple TV+ shows.

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Nobody Wants This season 2: key information

- Premiering on Netflix later this year
- Currently in production in Los Angeles
- No official trailer released yet
- Main cast set to return
- New cast members announced, including Leighton Meester
- Erin Foster teases potential for season 3

Nobody Wants This season 2 is on its way to Netflix later this year and the cast are officially back in production. So, what's next for Joanne the 'shiksa' and Noah the 'Hot Rabbi'? Well, it turns out quite a lot.

An instant hit on Netflix, season 1 premiered in September 2024 and quickly became one of the best Netflix shows to watch on one of the best streaming services. Hearing it got renewed for a second series then made for some pretty exciting news.

And fortunately, there's plenty more where that came from. Here's everything we know so far about the return of Nobody Wants This from release date, to cast, to plot and so much more.

Nobody Wants This season 2: is there a release date?

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix)

A photo posted by on

Nobody Wants This season 2 may not have an official release date yet, but it has been confirmed that the show will premiere on Netflix later this year.

As per the Instagram post above, the cast and crew commenced filming for season 2 in early March and it appears the first episode will be called, 'Dinner Party'.

If we take a look at season 1, filming was carried out between February and May 2024 with the show launching in September of the same year. So, since filming for season 2 started in March, that may well mean an October release date, or thereabouts. But, we'll have to wait and see.

Nobody Wants This season 2: has a trailer been released?

There's no official Nobody Wants This season 2 trailer yet, which is not surprising considering the cast and crew only started filming in March. Usually a trailer comes a little closer to the release date, so we'd expect to see one later this year.

What we do have though is the season 2 renewal announcement that plays out over a montage of clips from season 1, and it's always nice to have a quick refresher of where we left off. When a trailer drops, we'll be sure to update here.

Nobody Wants This season 2: confirmed cast

The main cast are all set to return (Image credit: Netflix)

Good news! For Nobody Wants This season 2, the main cast are all set to return:

• Kristen Bell as Joanne
• Adam Brody as Noah
• Justine Lupe as Morgan
• Timothy Simons as Sasha
• Jackie Tohn as Esther
• Michael Hitchcock as Henry
• Stephanie Faracy as Lynne
• Paul Ben-Victor as Ilan
• Tovah Feldshuh as Bina
• Sherry Cola as Ashley
• D’Arcy Carden as Ryann

A post shared by Nobody Wants This (@nobodywantsthisofficial)

A photo posted by on

And, excitingly, there's a bunch of new cast members joining the show. One of which is Adam Brody's real-life wife, Leighton Meester. As revealed in Tudum, Leighton will guest-star as Abby, 'Joanne's nemesis from middle school who is now an Instagram mommy influencer'.

Leighton isn't the only one joining the romantic drama though. There's also Miles Fowler who will play Lenny, 'Noah's Matzah Ballers teammate who gets set up with Morgan (Justine Lupe)'.

And there's some more recurring guest stars including Alex Karpovsky playing Big Noah, 'an overly confident rabbi at Noah's temple' and Arian Moayed as Dr. Andy, 'a charming, highly regarded (particularly by himself) psychotherapist who might just be the perfect match for Morgan.'

There's also some new additions to the crew, with Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan, both of Girls fame, joining as showrunners alongside the series' creator, Erin Foster.

Nobody Wants This season 2: story synopsis and rumors

Can Noah and Joanne move past their differences? (Image credit: Netflix)

Full spoilers for Nobody Wants This season 1 to follow. Plus, potential spoilers for season 2.

Nobody Wants This season 1 left viewers on quite the hopeful love heart eyes cliffhanger ending. The couple's tumultuous relationship was seemingly held at a religious stalemate towards the end of season 1, despite them finding plenty of reasons to stay together.

But, Joanne did not feel ready to convert to Judaism, and so it seemed that love was lost. Until, Noah made a grand gesture outside a Bar Mitzvah. Hope restored.

But, when it comes to season 2, Adam Brody told Tudum: "In the light of day, will he still feel that way? I don't know. It's an open question." And fortunately, it seems season 2 will provide the answers.

Brody added: "I think that's what the show an explore. What should we do? What should she do? What versions of sacrifice is worth it? What constitutes growth, or what constitutes dimming yourself to be with someone else? It's a sacrifice, but ideally, you grow together and you're better for it – you don't have to [lop off a limb]."

So, there's clearly some big life-altering questions that the couple need to find answers for if they're going to navigate moving forward, in spite of their cultural and familial differences standing firmly in the way.

An unexpected connection was also sparked in Nobody Wants This season 1 (Image credit: Netflix)

But, it's not only Noah and Joanne that have a love life to navigate in season 2. Joanne's confident and bolshy sister/podcast co-host, Morgan, formed a bond with Noah's married brother, Sasha, in season 1. And many viewers have spoken on how keen they are to see them take that relationship a step further in season 2. But, seemingly that won't be the case.

Speaking to ScreenRant, Timothy Simons who plays Sasha brushed the gossip away, saying: "It's not particularly funny to break up a family". Adding: "Justine, I think, looked straight into the camera when we were at the Golden Globes and was like, "They're not getting together," so I think we can dispel that rumor."

Instead, if we take a look at the new cast members joining for Nobody Wants This season 2, there's new love interests in town for Morgan. And that's why we get to say: "Come on down, Miles and Dr. Andy."

Of course, Noah and Joanne stand at the center of this emotional and captivating drama, praised for its ability to shine a light on a complicated religious relationship. And there's plenty more to unravel in Nobody Wants This season 2.

Will there be more seasons of Nobody Wants This?

Could the 'Hot Rabbit' return for another season? (Image credit: Netflix)

Nobody Wants This season 2 was renewed the month after season 1 aired. Because of this, we aren't sure what the future holds as far as a season 3 is concerned, since season 2 hasn't yet premiered.

But, Erin Foster has hinted of more. Speaking to People alongside her sister Sara, with which she also runs a podcast like the show, she suggested a possible cameo appearance in season 3: "I always thought that it'd be fun to do that, but I never created a character that I thought was the perfect character."

Sara then replied: "Maybe season 3, Morgan and Joanne go on sabbatical and then it's us." To which Erin replied: "Oh, we just replace them."

So, while there's no official line from Netflix yet, there's most definitely hope.

For more Netflix-based coverage, read our guides on 3 Body Problem season 2, Stranger Things season 5, Arcane season 2, and One Piece season 2.

• North Korean agents use AI to apply for remote tech jobs
• Simple questions about Kim Jong Un instantly derail their job interviews
• Laptop farms and deepfakes help agents bypass remote hiring defenses

At the recent RSA Conference in San Francisco, security experts raised the alarm over a growing and increasingly sophisticated campaign by North Korean operatives to infiltrate global companies through remote job applications.

Speaking at a panel, Adam Meyers, senior vice president of CrowdStrike's counter adversary division, said thousands of North Korean workers have managed to secure roles in Fortune 500 companies.

According to Meyers, these infiltrators use tools like generative AI to produce polished LinkedIn profiles and job applications, as during technical interviews, multiple collaborators work behind the scenes to complete coding challenges while a single individual handles video calls, sometimes unconvincingly.

An unexpected question

"One of the things that we've noted is that you'll have a person in Poland applying with a very complicated name," Meyers explained. "And then when you get them on Zoom calls it's a military age male Asian who can't pronounce it."

Meyers shared his favorite method of exposing such candidates: asking an off-script question. "How fat is Kim Jong Un? They terminate the call instantly, because it's not worth it to say something negative about that," he said.

Once inside a company, the infiltrators often excel, thanks to team-based efforts behind a single identity.

FBI Special Agent Elizabeth Pelker said this success can make employers hesitant to remove suspected agents. "I think more often than not, I get the comment of 'Oh, but Johnny is our best performer. Do we actually need to fire him?'"

The goals of these North Korean infiltrators are twofold: collecting wages and gradually exfiltrating intellectual property, often in small amounts to avoid detection.

Pelker recommended conducting coding interviews within the corporate environment to observe behavioral red flags. If detected and dismissed, these workers may still hold credentials or leave behind dormant malware for later extortion attempts.

The operation has evolved further. Meyers described how laptop farms in the U.S. allow remote workers to spoof local IPs. In one case, the FBI busted a farm in Nashville. Meanwhile, false identity schemes have emerged in Ukraine, with citizens unknowingly supporting North Korean efforts.

Pelker warned that deepfake technology is also being used to fool hiring teams. Education and vigilance, she said, remain the best defense. As one panelist put it, organizations should be wary of hiring fully remote workers and consider personal meetings whenever possible.

Via The Register

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