Feed aggregator

• A researcher claims a DOGE employee's data was found in four infostealer logs
• A security expert claims the employee wasn't actually hacked
• Since Waltz's Signal fiasco, US gov employees' security hygiene is being scrutinized

A DOGE worker has had his personal computer infected by infostealer malware on multiple occasions, a researcher claims, hinting that the US government’s security lapses go way past Mike Waltz’s Signal fiasco. Not everyone agrees with this assessment, however.

As picked up by The Register, recently a security researcher named Micah Lee took a closer look at the security posture of one Kyle Schutt, allegedly a 37-year-old "DOGE software engineer". Wired also reported that Schutt was “on the CISA staff”.

Lee claims that Schutt’s personal computer was compromised by infostealer malware at least four times so far, saying that they found his data in four different infostealer logs.

Save up to 68% for Techradar readers

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

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Infostealing malware

“Stealer logs are collections of URLs paired with usernames and passwords, compiled with the help of malware. If malware infects your device, it can do things like log your keystrokes or record everything entered into forms in your web browser – building a list of your usernames and passwords for various websites – and then send this data back to the person who controls the malware. This is where stealer log data comes from,” Lee explained.

Lee also said that he doesn’t know enough about these incidents - when they happened, and if they occurred on Schutt’s personal, or work devices (or a single device that does both).

The media were quick to pick up on this information, but not everyone agrees with Lee’s assessment. For example, Alon Gal, CTO and co-founder of Hudson Rock, an Israeli cybersecurity company specializing in cybercrime intelligence, thinks Schutt was not infected by malware and believes that Lee’s research means nothing:

“I checked the data myself, and this is not true,” Gal said in a LinkedIn post. “Since the article has been picked up and is currently going viral, I figured I'll make it clear that Kyle Schutt was in fact not infected by malware,” he added.

Via The Register

You might also like

• DOGE planning “hackathon” to build a “mega API” for accessing all IRS and taxpayer data
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, May 12 (game #1204).

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 #1205) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* 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 #1205) - 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 #1205) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1205) - 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 #1205) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• A

• P

• Y

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

Quordle today (game #1205) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1205, are…

• SCENT
• AGAPE
• POLAR
• YEARN

I’m reeling from not seeing POLAR despite knowing all five letters it contained – somehow I found an alternative word by misspelling what I thought was the answer.

Thankfully, I didn't make any more errors, although this was a far from easy Quordle round.

Even though I knew it was incorrect I wanted to enter the word GRAPE, as it was taking me so long to think of anything else. Tapping in X-G-A-P-E finally unlocked my blocked thinking.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1205) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1205, are…

• EMAIL
• WOMEN
• GLEAN
• ABLED

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1204, Monday, 12 May: ROYAL, ARGUE, BUNCH, READY
• Quordle #1203, Sunday, 11 May: QUASH, MUNCH, ALTER, UNDUE
• Quordle #1202, Saturday, 10 May: RELIC, BADGE, CHAMP, SATIN
• Quordle #1201, Friday, 9 May: MINUS, CRIME, NOSEY, SLAIN
• Quordle #1200, Thursday, 8 May: ELUDE, GREET, POPPY, ELITE
• Quordle #1199, Wednesday, 7 May: QUOTH, TRUNK, BESET, NAIVE
• Quordle #1198, Tuesday, 6 May: UNITE, SOGGY, FILET, PORCH
• Quordle #1197, Monday, 5 May: WREAK, COWER, STEAD, QUEUE
• 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

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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, May 12 (game #435).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Keep on keeping on

NYT Strands today (game #436) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• BEGS
• PEST
• SALT
• DUNE
• PATE
• SNORE

NYT Strands today (game #436) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #436) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #436) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #436, are…

• LAST
• ENDURE
• SURVIVE
• ABIDE
• PERSIST
• PERSEVERE
• SPANGRAM: STAY STRONG

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Today’s Strands theme immediately made me think about running the London Marathon a few years ago and all of the emotions you need to muster in order to get to the finish line.

In fact, you need them to get to the starting line too – as that is half the battle with endurance events, especially running ones. 

Everyone I know will be yawning at the mention of the London Marathon. I do tend to go on about it a bit, but I see it as a metaphor for life’s eternal struggle. Plus, I like seeing the shock on people's faces that someone as unfit as me could run 26 miles.

Of course, today’s search words are relevant to plenty of other situations. The human ability to SURVIVE and find a way forward is always something worth celebrating – even if it comes in the form of a word search.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, May 12, game #435)

• STANDING
• CHARACTER
• REPUTATION
• STATURE
• NAME
• SPANGRAM: STREET CRED

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 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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, May 12 (game #701).

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 #702) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BAZAAR
• SUPREME
• VACUUM
• VEGGIE
• EVERGREEN
• BATHROOM
• FAIR
• HAWAIIAN
• PIPE
• INFRARED
• PLAIN
• OUTLET
• MARIGOLD
• MARKET
• DRY
• QUICKSILVER

NYT Connections today (game #702) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Buy stuff here 
• GREEN: Types of slice 
• BLUE: Words with colorful endings
• PURPLE: Add a word that rhymes with “meaner”

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 #702) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: PLACES TO SHOP 
• GREEN: KINDS OF PIZZA 
• BLUE: ENDING WITH COLORS 
• PURPLE: ____ CLEANER 

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

NYT Connections today (game #702) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #702, are…

• YELLOW: PLACES TO SHOP BAZAAR, FAIR, MARKET, OUTLET
• GREEN: KINDS OF PIZZA HAWAIIAN, PLAIN, SUPREME, VEGGIE
• BLUE: ENDING WITH COLORS EVERGREEN, INFRARED, MARIGOLD, QUICKSILVER
• PURPLE: ____ CLEANER BATHROOM, DRY, PIPE, VACUUM

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I like getting the Connections groups in order of difficulty. I feel like my brain is slowly ratcheting through the gears in preparation of the hardest quartets.

However, I can’t deny that I also feel a sense of disappointment when I get yellow first – especially on a day when all four seemed equally easy!

The only group I felt doubt over was KINDS OF PIZZA, but this was due to cultural differences. PLAIN pizza is not something that exists in the UK, although I’m guessing it means cheese and tomato as opposed to dough with absolutely nothing on it.

I met someone at a festival a couple of years ago who ran a pizza restaurant and he said that he banned anyone who asked for a HAWAIIAN or pineapple on their pizza.

This seems incredibly snobbish and harsh, as cheese, pineapple and ham is a classic combo – or at least it was in the 1970s, when each of them would be found together on a cocktail stick. And as we know all the best food originates from the 1970s!

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, May 12, game #701)

• PURPLE: THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR LIPS CURL, PUCKER, PURSE, SMACK
• BLUE: THINGS TRACKED BY WEB ANALYTICS CLICK, HIT, PAGE VIEW, VISIT
• GREEN: REBOUND BANK, BOUNCE, CAROM, RICOCHET
• YELLOW: PLACES TO FIND PAPER MONEY ATM, CASH REGISTER, TIP JAR, WALLET

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.

• Purchasing V-Bucks using Epic Games' payment service on PC or mobile now grants a 20% Epic Rewards rate
• This gives you 20% back as credit for each transaction
• The company has also announced a limited-time 20% Epic Rewards rate for Epic Games Store purchases

Epic Games has revealed that those purchasing Fortnite in-game currency using the publisher's own payment service on PC or mobile will now benefit from a 20% Epic Rewards rate.

This gives you 20% back on every purchase, which you could then save to spend on even more V-Bucks in the future, letting you get your most wanted skins for less.

To give you a practical example of what this means, buying 2,800 V-Bucks for $22.99 using the Epic Games Store payment system will give you $4.60 back in Epic Rewards. Do that twice and you can get 1,000 extra V-Bucks (normally $8.99) effectively for free.

This is absolutely fantastic and one of the most generous reward systems that I've seen in gaming yet. It's no coincidence, however, that this announcement comes ahead of the expected return of Fortnite to the US iOS App Store.

It follows a landmark ruling that allows app developers to link to payments in external app stores, without giving any commission to Apple. The lack of commission, which is usually 30%, means that Epic Games is able to pass on some of the savings to consumers through this program while still increasing the revenue it receives from each transaction.

Aside from Fortnite, that 20% rate will apply to purchases in other Epic Games titles such as Rocket League and Fall Guys.

The company has also announced that purchases on the Epic Games Store using Epic's payment system will receive a boosted 20% Epic Rewards (up from the usual 5%) for a limited time. This is in place until August 31 and includes games from companies distributed via the store.

If you've been waiting for the chance to add the likes of Alan Wake 2 to your PC games library, then this limited offer period could be the time to strike.

You might also like...

• I spent 18 hours ripping and tearing through Doom: The Dark Ages and it left me yearning for a return to Eternal’s movement
• Marvel Rivals tier list: my picks for the best characters to use in Season 2 after playing hundreds of hours of the game
• If you want to pre-order the Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition DualSense when it goes live, I've got all the information and the best links to bookmark right now

• Rumors from supply chain suggest Nvidia’s hiked pricing for GeForce GPUs
• Blackwell gaming GPUs could be set for 5% to 10% price increases
• Trump’s new deal with China over tariffs has just happened, but the rumored hikes could already be in the pipeline

A gloomy cloud of potential price hikes is hovering over Nvidia’s GeForce graphics cards, despite the news that there’s been a climbdown with Trump’s tariffs, which have been a major worry regarding the pricing of those (and other) GPUs.

Tom’s Hardware highlighted a report from DigiTimes (the Taiwanese site – so bear in mind translation issues from Chinese) which contends that Nvidia recently raised its prices for “almost all of its products,” with partners hiking their own prices simultaneously.

The report claims to have info from the supply chain over in Asia that indicates this is the case, and that Nvidia is facing “multiple crises” in terms of its overall business, with gaming graphics cards (GeForce models) affected as well as AI products.

DigiTimes gives an example of an Asus RTX 5090 model which has just risen in price by 10%, while some of Nvidia’s other graphics cards are facing price hikes of between 5% to 10%. The serious business of AI GPUs is hit worse, with up to 15% price increases, we’re told (obviously sprinkle plenty of seasoning with all this).

The causes of this trouble include the direct ban on AI GPUs being sold to China (which includes the RTX 5090, even though that’s a top-end consumer board, it’s also great for AI tasks), as well as the new trade tariffs of recent times. On top of that, another point to bear in mind is that Nvidia has moved the production of Blackwell (RTX 5000) chips to TSMC’s US factory, which has also inflated costs.

Analysis: Uncertain and turbulent times

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Dean Drobot)

That’s an unfortunate combination of factors, although as noted at the outset, there has just been a development in terms of Trump’s tariffs imposed on China (and vice versa) in the form of a 90-day pause (and reduction by 115% for imports in both markets).

However, if the above chatter from the supply chain is true, these price hikes are already in the system. In other words, they’ll still potentially be coming through to increase prices on gaming graphics cards anyway. There’s still a lot of uncertainty around where these trade wars are going in the near future, too, despite this undoubted positive bit of relief to the situation.

Besides, the tariffs aren’t the only element in this pricing equation, because there’s also the cost of Nvidia rejigging its production plans for Blackwell GPUs. More broadly, Nvidia’s graphics cards remain difficult to find – at least anywhere near their recommended prices – and it doesn’t feel like that situation is going to turn around anytime soon.

We do have some hope for the future, though. When production disruption settles, and if the trade tariffs are addressed with longer-term positive policies to resolve the battle between the US and China, we should start to see GPU pricing improve. There’s still some way to go before I start feeling more optimistic about this, though.

Meanwhile, AMD will hopefully attack with competitive pricing when its rumored RX 9060 XT graphics cards pitch up in (theoretically) just over a week. However, there’s speculation that Team Red may not go as low as I’d ideally like with those RDNA 4 GPUs. What with Nvidia’s current pricing, there isn’t a lot of pressure to drive AMD to be thinking about more affordable price tags itself, of course. (We’re not short of rumors to that effect, sadly – but we’d take them with a fistful of salt, to be fair).

You might also like...

• AMD Radeon RX 9070 review: a great choice if the RX 9070 XT and RTX 5070 are out of reach
• Microsoft is digging its own grave with Windows 11, and it has to stop
• Here's one of the strangest ways gamers are trying to buy an RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 - unsurprisingly, it's not working

Stocks soared — and businesses breathed a sigh of relief — as the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily slash their triple-digit tariffs.

(Image credit: Timothy A. Clary)

• North Korean hackers have been impersonating job applicants
• These applicants gain employment in western firms
• New research suggests these campaigns have been going on since 2016

North Korean hackers have been making the headlines recently by fraudulently gaining employment in western firms. Research from Sophos’s Counter Threat Unit (CTU) has been tracking this as the Nickel Tapestry campaign, identifying infrastructure links that suggest money-making schemes have been operating since 2016.

The research shows that the campaign is increasingly targeting European and Japanese organizations - probably thanks to increased awareness amongst American companies. These fraudulent job applicants have been observed impersonating Japanese, Vietnamese, and Singaporean professionals, as well as American personas.

Previous research has shown that North Korean hackers are posing as software development recruiters to target freelancers, spreading malware through the recruitment scams and stealing cryptocurrency from victims.

Save up to 68% for TechRadar readers!

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

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Dual objectives

The salaries earned by the hackers seem to help fund the government interests of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - and record breaking crypto scams have also successfully earned the Lazarus hacking group $1.5 billion. Around $300 million of this was successfully converted by the group into unrecoverable funds from this one incident alone, so these campaigns are lucrative for the state.

That’s not all though, as the fraudulent workers have also been observed stealing credentials and exfiltrating data, as well as deliberately gaining employment in industries with sensitive data, like defense, aerospace, and cybersecurity.

These roles allow the workers to use remote access software and AI generated writing, CV building, image editing, and video enhancing tools to impersonate legitimate workers and circumvent default systems.

Organizations are urged to remain vigilant and to check candidate identities thoroughly, and review their CVs and addresses thoroughly, even suggesting in-person interviews where possible.

As remote positions become increasingly popular, companies should “monitor for traditional insider threat activity, suspicious usage of legitimate tools, and impossible travel alerts to detect activity often associated with fraudulent workers” Sophos confirms.

You might also like

• Take a look at our picks for the best malware removal software around
• Check out our choice for best antivirus software
• PowerSchool hit by cyberattack which saw student and teacher data stolen

• Freepik unveils new AI plan for enterprise users
• Unlimited users and legal protections among benefits
• It seems to me, the company's trying to take on Adobe's own "commercially-safe" AI generation

Freepik, the creative design suite, has unveiled a new plan aimed at attracting large B2B teams to its platform - and comparisons to Adobe’s own approach to AI tools for business users is hard to miss.

Dubbed Freepik Enterprise, the plan offers a range of benefits to business users, including rights over their AI-created assets, third-party integrations with the likes of Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Adobe Creative Cloud, and that all important legal indemnity.

On the face of it, this looks to me like the company is starting to park its tanks on Adobe’s lawn. As adoption of Adobe Firefly rises, Freepik will be keen to move some of its 64 million users over to the new enterprise plan with a host of business-centric features and benefits.

What can users expect from Freepik’s enterprise plan?

According to Freepik, this new tier is designed for those who need “secure, scalable creative tools,” with the company aiming to attract teams across media, marketing, and technology who want to integrate AI into the wider workflow.

With this in mind, users are being offered, among other things, free reign to create on-brand assets, training AI with internal assets, single sign-on (SSO), and greater legal protections. Centralised management is also part of the package, with the company claiming this will help streamline account and asset administration.

Arguably, the most attractive benefit is the unlimited aspects, where users will have full access to the AI suite for generating images, video, and content. Expect no user limits here, as Freepik states this plan is “built for real teams.” Firms will also own the rights over AI-generated content, with the option to use and modify what they create across the board, covered by legal indemnity, protecting users against possible lawsuits when deploying them in a commercial setting. What I especially like is the guarantee that neither Freepik, nor its third-party providers, will re-use enterprise subscribers’ AI-generated assets or data for future AI training.

Support forms a large part of the offering. The company says it intends to deliver guidance, training, and legal assistance around IP and copyright - one of the chief concerns around AI usage in the workplace.

Given this is targeting corporations, security and compliance are also topping the bill, where GDPR, ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002, SOC 2 Type II are built into the service.

Speaking about the new plan, José Florido, Chief Market Development Officer at Freepik, said: “It’s no longer just about downloading visual assets. Large companies are looking for solutions that help them integrate AI across all their processes, offering scalability, legal compliance, and deep customization of their resources. Freepik Enterprise directly addresses that need.”

You can check out Freepik Enterprise by clicking here, and the company is currently giving users a three-month trial before an annual subscription is required.

You might also like

• Get ahead with the best business laptops we've reviewed
• ‘It's like magic and everything just works’: We spoke to Adobe’s AI maestro to find out what’s new with Firefly and how it levels up creativity for all
• We've rounded up the best AI image generators tools.

• MSI has a new Claw 8 AI+ model ready to ship for consumers on July 15
• The Polar Tempest Edition features a new snow-white color scheme, and an optional 2TB of storage
• It will be available at $999 / around £990 / AU$1,890

MSI has quietly revealed a new model of its recent handheld on its main site, which features more powerful and beneficial specifications over the Nintendo Switch 2 - and it's coming shortly after the console's launch on June 5.

As highlighted by VideoCardz, the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition features a new snow-white color scheme and an optional 2TB of storage available at $999 (around £990 / AU$1,890). It will reportedly ship to consumers on July 15.

The base model starts at $900 / £899 / AU$1,799, and provides fantastic performance across several games using Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V processor. It's also worth noting that battery life is key with the Claw 8 AI+; it uses an 80 WHr battery and can still yield high frame rates at only 17W power usage.

This could likely be significantly better than the Switch 2's 5220mAh battery, which should be roughly around 20 WHr. While the Claw 8 AI+ is undoubtedly the more expensive option, it's likely going to outperform the Switch 2 in every region in terms of hardware and game performance.

In a world of inflated GPU prices, consumers looking to dive into PC gaming could potentially be spending over $1,000 for hardware parts alone - and that's without mentioning the cost of a pre-built system - and MSI's handheld seems to be in a league of its own versus competitors like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally X.

The only issue is that the base model already seems scarce in terms of availability in the US, and there's a chance the same could happen to this new Polar Tempest Edition. Even worse, it could see a major price jump due to US tariffs.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) If US tariffs affect the MSI Claw 8 AI+ price, then I'll take back everything I've said

Without sugarcoating it, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a very expensive piece of hardware - and it's quite possibly the only reason I wouldn't recommend it for most gamers. It's potentially only going to get worse if US tariffs impact its price; the 90-day pause on tariffs is keeping things steady for now, but if this changes, I'll eat my words.

However, compared to buying parts for a desktop gaming PC, it's much cheaper, and its $450 (or more, depending on the configuration) higher cost over the Switch 2 is worth it considering the greater gaming performance capabilities. Traditionally, PC games are also cheaper to buy (especially since Nintendo revealed Switch 2 games could cost as much as $70), so if you want a large library, it could save you money in the long run (though, of course, you’ll be missing out on Nintendo’s first party exclusives, which could be a deal breaker).

The Switch 2 is using Nvidia's T239 chip, which will give users access to DLSS upscaling, but it's hard to see this being enough to power demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, let alone compete with other handheld gaming PCs.

I won't pretend that $900 / $899 / AU$1,799 isn't much, especially for most gamers on a budget, but if I had the choice of buying a Switch 2 or saving for an MSI Claw 8 AI+, I'm picking the latter.

You may also like...

• Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live: stock is live at Currys in the UK, while invites to buy are out in the US
• Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: comparing price, specs, design, features and more
• I wanted Nintendo to wow me with the Switch 2 – instead it’s made me hug my ROG Ally X handheld even closer

Prime Video has no shortage of notable films and shows, but not all of them are free with your subscription. Some of these movies sometimes even disappear without warning, so the best Prime Video movies might not even be safe.

It's hard to tell exactly what's leaving Prime Video because there isn't a dedicated filter that neatly lists expiring titles, including the best Prime Video shows. So, we've taken the time to comb through the library for the best movies you should watch before they leave the library.

Rotten Tomatoes ratings are one of the most 'objective' ways to determine a film's critical reception. If it has a 'Certified Fresh' rating, it generally means critics liked it, even if the score isn't 90 or above. Here are three 'Certified Fresh' movies on Rotten Tomatoes that you should watch before they leave Prime Video.

Forrest Gump (1994)

• RT score: 75%
• Directors: Robert Zemeckis
• Age Rating: PG-13
• Length: 2 hr 22 min
• Leaving on: TBA

Forrest Gump only has a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it's a fan-favorite film that's got more cultural appeal than most. It follows the life of Forrest Gump and his romance with his childhood friend, Jenny.

Tom Hanks stars as the innocent yet simple Forrest Gump, who is bullied in his youth for a physical disability and below average intelligence. When his leg braces come off, folks realize he's an exceptionally fast runner, which helps him throughout his life in many situations like playing football, serving in the army, and running marathons. Thus, the iconic quote, "Run, Forest, run!".

Unlike the usual 'Leaving Prime in XX days' label, it only has a caption that reads 'Limited time offer. Terms apply'. These types of promotions are unpredictable and may disappear at any time between the next few days to the next few weeks. Since we can't go back in time to confirm when it became a limited-time offer, I'd suggest watching it ASAP!

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

• RT score: 79%
• Directors: Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone
• Age Rating: R
• Length: 1 hr 26 min
• Leaving on: May 16

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is a comedy mockumentary musical directed, produced, and starring the members of the The Lonely Island comedy group: Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, and Andy Samberg. It stars the fictional rap star Connor Friel (played by Samberg) and follows his rise to fame, starting from his days as part of a rap group with his childhood friends to his lessons and struggles with stardom after his solo debut.

While it received positive reviews from critics, it never quite reached the same popularity with viewers. If you want to see where you stand on the matter, you can watch (and hopefully laugh at) Popstar before it leaves Prime Video.

A Royal Affair (2017)

• RT score: 90%
• Directors: Nikolaj Arcel
• Age Rating: R
• Length: 2 hr 17 min
• Leaving on: May 12

A Royal Affair is what it sounds like – a story about the relationship between Caroline Matilda of Great Britain and German doctor Johann Friedrich Struensee, who is the royal physician to Christian VII of Denmark.

It not only follows the affair between the queen and the physician, but also the complications of politics within the Danish court. I'd especially recommend it for folks who enjoy dramatic romances and historical fiction.

It received two Silver Bears (second highest honor) at the Berlin International Film Festival and multiple nominations as an international film. Just a heads up: You'll probably have to read, unless you know Danish. A Royal Affair is dubbed in Danish with English subtitles.

You might also like

• 5 environmental movies with over 93% on Rotten Tomatoes
• The Wheel of Time cast hasn't given up hope the show's renewal
• G20 is Prime Video's #2 movie but critics are calling it chaotic

• IoT in the enterprise is a major liability, the UK government claims
• Most organizations are running old and outdated software
• They are also not adhering to security standards

Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the enterprise are a major security liability. This is according to a new report from the cybersecurity professionals NCC Group, on behalf of the UK’s government.

“The government is concerned about the security of these products as vulnerable devices can provide a route for hostile actors to attack the IT systems used by businesses,” the UK government said in an announcement for the report. “As part of the government’s work to address this issue and improve cyber resilience across the UK economy, the government commissioned NCC Group to conduct a vulnerability assessment of some commonly-used enterprise connected devices.”

The results have shown that UK businesses have plenty of reasons to be concerned. Apparently, NCC Group found a “number” of software and hardware vulnerabilities that could lead to remote code execution (RCE) attacks, granting threat actors full control of a device, over the network.

Outdated software

One of the bigger problems was outdated software. The report states that unpatched solutions were “prevalent across devices”, also stating that one of the analyzed devices ran a 15-year-old bootloader.

The UK government also said that in “most cases”, an attacker with physical access to a device would be able to fully compromise it, installing a persistent backdoor to be used in future attacks. The majority of the tested devices ran all of their processes as the highly privileged “root” user, which means there’s no access granulation and the consequences of a breach could be dire.

There is nothing particularly unique about these IoT devices, or the vulnerabilities they carried. The UK government said they were “generally insecure”, especially when it comes to configuration of services, applications, or features. It also warned that adherence to the NCSC’s Device Security Principles, and the ETSI EN 303 465 standard was “mixed”.

You might also like

• The hidden risks of IoT: Why businesses need to modernize mobile security
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

The tech company could increase prices of its next flagship product line, as it introduces a thinner design and new features.

• Cisco surveyed 8,000 security and business leaders for a new report
• Most firms suffered an AI-powered attack last year
• Filling cybersecurity roles seems to be a major challenge

Most businesses cannot fill vacant roles for cybersecurity professionals, leaving huge gaps in their defenses which threat actors can easily exploit. These are some of the findings echoed in the 2025 Cybersecurity Readiness Index, a report recently published by networking giants Cisco.

The paper was drafted based on a double-blind survey of 8,000 private sector security and business leaders in 30 global markets. In it, Cisco said that almost nine in ten (86%) of the respondents identified the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals as a “major challenge”. Furthermore, it was said that more than half of the respondents reported having more than ten vacant positions.

The shortage of skilled staff is not a new issue - TechRadar Pro has been reporting on it for years now. Even three years ago, Harvey Nash Group claimed that there is a shortfall of 10,000 people a year in the UK’s cybersecurity talent pool, alone. To make matters worse, those who remain in the industry are overwhelmed with work and often burnt out, resulting in health problems, as well.

Save up to 68% for Techradar readers

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

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Investing in AI

To address the problem, Cisco’s new paper argues that businesses should “invest in AI-driven solutions, simplify security infrastructures, and enhance AI threat awareness.”

“Prioritizing AI for threat detection, response, and recovery is essential, as is addressing talent shortages,” the company concluded.

Artificial Intelligence seems to be the underlying theme of the entire paper. Cisco said the technology is both “revolutionizing security” and “escalating threat levels” adding that 86% of the respondents faced AI-related security incidents last year, and half (49%) were confident their employees are aware of the threat.

Finally, Cisco warned that just 4% of organizations worldwide can be considered “mature” when it comes to the level of readiness needed to effectively withstand today’s cybersecurity threats.

"As AI transforms the enterprise, we are dealing with an entirely new class of risks at unprecedented scale - putting even more pressure on our infrastructure and those who defend it," said Cisco Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel.

You might also like

• Overcoming acute skills shortages in the cybersecurity sector
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM: two-minute review

Wisdom dictates there’s no such thing as an all-purpose lens. Yet in the FE 28-70mm F2 GM, Sony’s had a stellar go at making one. Pitched as a do-it-all solution for photographers who demand versatility without compromise, this is flagship glass that could replace a trio of primes in your kit bag.

Thanks to a constant f/2 maximum aperture, the FE 28-70mm F2 GM delivers the kind of results you’d expect from a prime lens, paired with the versatility of a standard zoom. The sweetener is that it’s packaged with dimensions that are easy enough to work with on a daily basis, more so than Canon's ungainly equivalent.

This isn’t a lightweight lens by consumer standards, but for G Master glass with fast optics, Sony’s done an impressive job of keeping measurements in check. The solid build and weather seals reflect its premium status, as does the way it handles, with tactile control rings and buttons.

In performance terms, the FE 28-70mm F2 GM hits the mark at every focal length. That maximum aperture gives it excellent low-light credentials, allowing you to shoot fast even in dim conditions. F/2 also unlocks beautifully smooth bokeh and striking subject isolation with a shallow depth of field. The lens is as effective for night-time street scenes as it is for 70mm portraits.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

It’s optically excellent too, with no discernible sacrifice in quality for the sake of flexibility. Central detail is consistently sharp across the zoom range, with only the tiniest hint of corner softness when shooting wide open. There’s no shortage of contrast either, with minimal evidence of vignetting or chromatic aberrations.

In-camera correction does address some barrel distortion at 28mm, but this is less impactful than if the lens went to 24mm like most standard zooms. That slight restriction on wide-angle coverage will give some users pause for thought. In practise, the f/2 aperture more than makes up for the slightly tighter focal length.

The only major omission is lens-based stabilization, even this isn’t felt in real-world conditions; with the ability to shoot at fast shutter speeds, paired with rapid, accurate autofocus, you won’t encounter issues with blurring.

In truth, there’s only one drawback to the Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM and that’s the price. There’s no escaping that this lens is a serious investment. But when you consider that this is professional glass which delivers prime performance at several focal lengths, its value is self-evident.

If you want a new go-to lens that’s manageable on a full-frame mirrorless body and can handle everything from landscapes to weddings, this might just be the most complete standard zoom Sony has ever made.

Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM specs Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM specs

Type:

Standard zoom

Mount:

Sony E-mount

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

28-70mm

Max aperture:

f/2

Minimum focus:

0.38m

Filter size:

86mm

Dimensions:

92.9 x 139.8mm

Weight:

32.4oz / 918g

Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM: Design

• Tidily packaged for such a fast zoom lens
• Robust G Master build with weather seals
• Tactile controls with zoom ring switches

Sony has managed to keep the FE 28-70mm F2 GM surprisingly compact for such a fast standard zoom. It’s by no means a lightweight lens at 32.4oz / 918g, but it’s only a fraction larger and heavier than the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM. That’s quite a feat, given the optics required to achieve its f/2 maximum aperture. It’s also significantly more portable than the comparable Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM.

Paired with a full-frame body like the Sony A7S III, the FE 28-70mm f/2 GM balances well without feeling too front-heavy. It helps that the lens is fantastic to handle. You get a full complement of controls, including rings for zoom, focus and aperture. A pair of customizable focus hold buttons offer useful flexibility, together with the familiar AF/MF and aperture lock switches. Two additional switches let you further influence the shooting experience.

We’ve seen the aperture click switch on other Sony lenses. It’s a welcome one, letting you choose whether you’d like tactile feedback while moving through f-stops. More unusual is the torque switch, which gives you the option of tight or smooth zoom ring rotation. The former is helpful for preventing zoom creep, while the latter lets you change focal lengths with a light touch – something that videographers are likely to appreciate.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Given the price and the G Master badge, it’s no surprise that the FE 28-70mm F2 GM feels solid. This is a professional lens that’s built for the elements, with weather seals throughout. It’s all sturdy and purposeful, with a lovely weighting to the controls and no sense of compromise anywhere on the barrel.

It’s worth noting that the large front element requires equally large 86mm filters, which are more expensive than smaller standard thread sizes. That shouldn’t be a revelation: with a lens of this calibre, there’s an expectation that budget won’t be an issue.

Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM: Performance

• Fast f/2 maximum aperture at every focal length
• Strong center sharpness across the zoom range
• Four XD linear motors for rapid, accurate autofocus

When it comes to performance, the FE 28-70mm F2 GM is nothing less than superlative. Autofocus is rapid and reliable, as you’d expect with a quartet of XD linear motors at work. While its size might conjure expectations of a sluggish response, there’s not even a hint of hesitation as the lens hunts for a subject. It’s remarkably quiet, too.

That speed puts another string in the bow of the FE 28-70mm f/2. While a standard zoom wouldn’t be the traditional choice for capturing action, its autofocus capabilities, paired with the ability to use fast shutter speeds at its widest aperture setting, make it a real sporting performer. It had no trouble tracking subjects in motion, locking with laser accuracy.

That constant f/2 maximum aperture is what sets the FE 28-70mm apart from other standard zooms. It unlocks prime performance at every focal length. Whether you’re shooting a night-time street scene at 35mm or a portrait at 70mm, you get the full light-gathering, background-defocusing power of a wide aperture.

F/2 is one stop faster than f/2.8. That means you need half as much light to shoot at the same shutter speed with the FE 28-70mm f/2 GM as you would with the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM. That makes a big difference in the real world, allowing you to shoot sharp and fast even in tricky conditions. Only with an f/1.4 prime would you get a meaningfully faster shooting experience.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

The net result is a standard zoom that can replace several primes in your kit bag. And it can do so without optical compromise: bokeh and background blur at f/2 is exceptionally smooth, with beautiful subject isolation.

Taken all together, that recipe makes the FE 28-70mm F2 GM a uniquely versatile option. For wedding and event photographers who don’t want the hassle of switching lenses throughout the day, it’s a compelling proposition – as it is for any well-heeled photographer who covers a wide range of genres.

Arguably its only limitation besides the price is the slight loss of wide-angle coverage: its 28mm starting point is tighter than on a typical 24-70mm zoom. Whether that extra 4mm makes a difference will come down to how you shoot, but the constant f/2 maximum aperture is your pay-off. For most people, that number is probably the more useful of the two.

Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM: sample images Image 1 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 2 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 3 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 4 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 5 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

A close look at images shot with the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM reveals that it really is a master of all trades. Central sharpness is consistently superb across the zoom range and the lens is able to render magnificent detail. Paired with a high-resolution full-frame sensor, you’ll have no trouble cropping in on stills.

Edge sharpness is also excellent. Only at the wide end does a touch of corner softness become visible. There’s some in-camera correction at play here, addressing minor barrel distortion at 28mm. You’ll need a keen eye to spot it, though. Sony has certainly made its life easier by not extending the zoom range to 24mm, where distortion would have been a more significant issue.

Image 1 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 2 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 3 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 4 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 5 of 5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

In fact, there’s little evidence of any major imperfections. Both vignetting and chromatic aberrations are kept under tight control, with no color fringing to speak of. Contrast is strong as well, with just a trace of ghosting and a few flare artifacts visible when shooting wide open into direct sunlight. Optically, it’s very hard to find fault with this G Master glass.

In short, the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM gives an almost flawless demonstration at every focal length. Even the absence of lens-based stabilization doesn’t hold it back: at f/2, shutter speeds are more than fast enough to eliminate the risk of blur. If you’re willing to dig into your pockets, Sony will reward you with a standard zoom that excels in every respect.

Should you buy the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM? Buy it if...

You want a do-it-all zoom lens

Combining the optical performance of a prime lens with the versatility of a standard zoom, the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM can cover everything from landscapes to portraits with aplomb, whether day or night.

You want quality at every focal length

Sony has made very few optical compromises here. Pin-sharp at the center across the zoom range, the FE 28-70mm F2 GM also displays little in the way of vignetting, aberrations or distortion.

You want a lens you can live with

Cleverly packaged and lovely to handle, the FE 28-70mm F2 GM pairs well with a full-frame Sony body. It’s manageable to walk around with, while the G Master build includes full weather seals.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a tight budget

This is flagship glass that’s priced to match. With a premium build, versatile reach and professional performance, you’re getting your money’s worth, but the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM is still a major investment.

You need a 24-70mm lens

Most standard zooms start at 24mm. Sony’s sacrifices 4mm in favor of a constant f/2 maximum aperture. That’s a stellar trade-off, but if you need the wide-angle coverage, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

You shoot at specific focal lengths

Much of the Sony zoom’s value lies in the versatility of its reach. If you only plan to shoot at specific focal lengths, such as 35mm and 50mm, you’ll get faster apertures for less from a pair of prime lenses.

How I tested the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM

• Tested in-depth for seven days
• Paired with a Sony A7S III body
• Shot a range of test scenes

The FE 28-70mm F2 GM was only available on a short loan from Sony. That gave me a week to run the zoom through a series of in-depth tests. Given that it’s pitched as the kind of lens you’ll keep on your camera by default, that’s exactly how I lived with it. Paired with a Sony A7S III body, I picked it up every time I left the house.

That gave me a good impression of how easy the FE 28-70mm F2 GM would be to live and shoot with as a long-term standard zoom. Walking around with it allowed me to get a feel for its weight and handling, while shooting a range of scenes in different light conditions yielded a diverse catalog of stills. Covering everything from floral close-ups to abstract street scenes, the results gave me a good basis on which to assess its optical performance.

I’ve shot with several Sony lenses recently, including wide-angle primes and super telephotos, so I had a good benchmark for comparing the build quality. I also regularly shoot with both prime optics and standard zooms on my own Nikon camera, which means I know what to look for when it comes to both image quality and the physical shooting experience.

• First reviewed May 2025

The free version of the Duolingo app is getting new mechanics that are meant to help you keep learning.

Pope Leo XIV once attended Villanova University. Catholics packed the St. Thomas of Villanova church to celebrate Sunday Mass and the new pope.

• Windows 11 is getting more Copilot functionality
• An ‘Ask Copilot’ option is arriving for the right-click menu on the desktop
• Copilot is also being deployed in the Microsoft Store to provide buying advice (in testing)

If you’re expecting to see more AI in Windows 11, well, you’d be bang on the money there, as it seems Copilot is creeping into another couple of places in Microsoft’s desktop OS.

Neowin noticed that the latest version of the Copilot app (1.25044.93.0) has planted a new choice to invoke Copilot when working with certain files on your Windows 11 desktop.

So, if you right-click on a compatible file, it’ll offer an ‘Ask Copilot’ option in the context menu (which contains common actions you might like to pursue with any given file).

If you select that Copilot choice, it’ll fire up the app for the AI assistant with relevant options available (for example, if it’s a document, you’ll get the ability to summarize it there and then).

You may have seen that Microsoft recently revealed it’s set to introduce AI actions to File Explorer (the app which displays the contents of the folders on your PC). So, this move appears to be happening now.

Elsewhere, Microsoft is also planning to bring Copilot into the Microsoft Store to advise those browsing through its various wares.

The move – which is still in testing, according to Windows Latest – consists of adding a Copilot button to product pages in the store.

Clicking on that button pops up a small dialog box allowing you to ‘Ask Copilot about this product’ with suggested questions you might want to use, and a ‘compare’ button that allows you to see how the app (or game) stacks up to a rival piece of software.

However, the catch is that this integration in the Microsoft Store is hardly seamless, as all the store does is just throw your query to the Copilot app.

Analysis: Clever or clutter?

(Image credit: Future / Jasmine Mannan)

With the latter change, the idea is to help spur sales in the Microsoft Store with Copilot, although the integration being so basic isn’t going to help there.

It doesn’t feel very advanced to ask for a comparison of two apps, and to then be simply presented with a query of the differences between them in the Copilot app. Yes, it’s still a convenience, but it feels clunkier than the way it works now – but perhaps Microsoft is thinking of improving it down the line. Remember, this is still in testing for now.

Furthermore, not that many folks ever tread the virtual aisles of the Microsoft Store anyway, and the bigger move here is the wider deployment of Copilot as a right-click, context-sensitive option in Windows 11.

With that concept – which wasn’t unexpected, given Microsoft previously announced that this is the course it’s taking – the problem is it’s going to be a love or hate thing.

Those people who use Copilot will appreciate the convenience of added ways in which to easily access the AI direct from files on the desktop. However, those who don’t care about Copilot aren’t going to want an extra line of space taken up in their right-click menu, and will just regard this as additional clutter.

That said, those haters have choices. Neowin points out that you can perform a Registry edit to remove this new functionality from the right-click menu, but I really wouldn’t recommend that. Not unless you’re tech-savvy, and you want to keep the Copilot app, but not this extra option. (And even then, I should warn that messing with the Registry could cause trouble with your system if not immediately, then potentially down the line).

Rather, if you’re getting fed up with the various tendrils of Copilot extending too far into the interface of Windows 11, just uninstall the Copilot app completely. That’ll remove the AI from your context-sensitive menus (and taskbar, and everywhere else). Just find the app in the Start menu, right click it and choose the uninstall option to banish Copilot. Of course, you won’t be able to use the app at all then, so that’s not a good road to travel for those who might want to occasionally fire up the AI.

Not everything is bad about AI in Windows 11 by any means, and I should note that there’s a smart ability inbound, namely additional powers to be able to find and change settings in the OS (something that was promised from the outset by Microsoft, but never delivered until now). I say delivered now, but this hasn’t gone into testing just yet, and it’s only for Copilot+ PCs sadly (as is the case for another really useful AI-related tweak, better Windows search).

So, that’s another rather unfortunate theme for some folks, as well as AI spreading across more of Windows 11 – all of the best functionality is reserved for Copilot+ PCs. This is because some features require the NPU they have on-board for processing AI workloads on the actual device, rather than via the cloud.

You might also like...

• Been hiding from Windows 11 24H2 due to the fuss about all the bugs? There’s nowhere to run now as Microsoft’s made the update compulsory
• Microsoft could be working on the next update for Windows 11 – but 25H2 could end up being a disappointment
• Windows 11 fully streamlined in just two clicks? Talon utility promises to rip all the bloatware out of Microsoft’s OS in a hassle-free way

Suits LA, the West Coast-set spin-off from the hugely successful show Suits, won't be getting a second season. That makes it the second Suits spin-off to be canceled given that Pearson was canceled last year.

The original Suits was a huge success and introduced us to Meghan Markle, becoming the must-watched show of 2023 when it moved from broadcast TV to Netflix. It was the number one streaming show for 12 consecutive weeks. But Netflix chose not to buy this spin-off, so it wasn't exposed to the same huge potential audience as the original show.

Why Suits' spin-offs don't last

While The Hollywood Reporter shared the news of Suits LA's cancellation, it didn't go into the reasons why. But like its fellow spin-off Pearson, the reason is almost certainly poor viewing figures.

As TVLine reported last year, Pearson only averaged 513,000 viewers – half the viewership of Suits Season 9, and lower than all but one USA Network drama at the time (the exception was the final season of Mr Robot, which had 360,000 viewers on average). While 1.07 million people watched the pilot, the finale was watched by 490,000 people – just over half the audience for the Suits finale.

Pearson struggled to find viewers even though it got decent reviews. I suspect Suits LA struggled even more, because its reviews have often been terrible.

The show is currently sitting with just 39% from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and just 54% from the audience. As the AV Club put it: "There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Suits LA is a disaster. In every conceivable way, this offshoot fails to capture the original’s breezy allure."

The first and only season of Suits LA is currently streaming on Peacock in the US. While it's not currently streaming in the UK, those in Australia can catch it on 7plus.

You may also like

• Watch The Rehearsal season 2: stream the groundbreaking comedy from anywhere
• The 27 best Prime Video movies to stream in May 2025
• 7 new movies and TV shows to stream on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more this week

Alexander, a 21 year-old Israeli soldier raised in New Jersey, is the last remaining U.S. citizen captured by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 and held in Gaza, who is believed to still be alive. The bodies of four other Americans are still held in Gaza, according to the U.S.

(Image credit: Menahem Kahana)