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• Microsoft will end operations in Pakistan 25 years after it moved there
• Political and financial instability join tech barriers as motivations to pull out of Pakistan
• Neighboring India is set to receive $3 billion in Microsoft investments over the next two years

After reducing its headcount and operations to the bare minimum, Microsoft has now fully pulled out of Pakistan, 25 years after it opened up in the country.

The news was revealed via a LinkedIn post by Jawwad Rehman, the founding head of Microsoft Pakistan, without a formal public announcement from the company itself.

However the move was all but confirmed already, with full operations shut down in Pakistan and only a liaison office with around five employees remaining.

Microsoft shuts shop in Pakistan after 25 years

Although it's believed service and customer agreements will remain unaffected through partners and regional offices, Microsoft ultimately had to pul out over economic instability, political volatility and tech barriers.

"This is more than a corporate exit. It’s a sobering signal of the environment our country has created.. one where even global giants like Microsoft find it unsustainable to stay," Rehman wrote on LinkedIn.

Unstable currency, barriers to importing tech hardware, frequent political regime changes, unstable governance, internet shutdowns, content blocks and difficulty moving funds and tools across borders are among the long list of factors likely to have influenced Microsoft's decision.

In a separate post, Rehman asked the Honourable Minister of IT and the Government of Pakistan to "actively engage Microsoft’s regional and global leadership" so that the company can maintain a presence within Pakistan.

Neighboring India has emerged as a key destination for tech investment in South Asia, with Microsoft announcing plans to invest $3 billion into the country over a two-year span earlier this year.

"India is rapidly becoming a leader in AI innovation, unlocking new opportunity across the country," CEO Satya Nadella wrote.

The news comes just a few months after Microsoft also revealed plans to end its joint-venture operations in China.

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Watch the original Naked Gun movie or the first Happy Gilmore, plus dozens of other titles, all for free this month.

It goes way beyond a new Vision Pro this year.

• The MSI Claw A8 is now available for pre-order in China
• It has an official price of 6,999 RMB without subsidy, which is roughly $970
• It's expected to launch this July in China, and potentially the same in other regions

MSI announced its latest handheld gaming PC at CES 2025 without any word on release date or pricing, so official details have been a long time coming – but it looks like we may finally have our answer.

As reported by VideoCardz, the MSI Claw A8 is now available for pre-order in China, with a confirmed launch this July. Its official price (according to its China pre-order listing) is 6,999 RMB, which is roughly $970 (including tax), making it even more costly than its MSI Claw 8 AI+ predecessor.

There's also a subsidized price at 5,949 RMB (around $737), thanks to the Chinese government offering a 15% subsidy on some products, but this likely won't be relevant for other regions.

As the first handheld to use AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor (if it releases before the ROG Xbox Ally), it's expected to outperform most handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and the Nintendo Switch 2. However, if the converted price is accurate for its retail price when it becomes available in the US and other regions, some prospective buyers could be put off.

The MSI Claw 8 AI+, the Claw A8's predecessor, is already an expensive handheld; it can be argued that it backs up its pricing with great gaming performance, but that doesn't change the fact that it prices out most gamers.

The Claw A8 potentially having a higher price would suggest the Z2 Extreme is the more powerful chip than the Claw 8 AI+'s Core Ultra 258V – but it's hard to see it selling well if it's pushing even closer to a $1,000 price point.

Analysis: Don't muck this up please, MSI...

(Image credit: MSI)

While nothing is confirmed for other regions just yet, I'd say it's highly likely that the purported price based on its Chinese listing (or somewhere within that ballpark) is accurate.

It's hard to believe that the Claw A8 will be significantly cheaper than the Claw 8 AI+, especially if the Ryzen Z2 Extreme turns out to be the better option for performance. It would have been unreasonable to expect a major price shift, then, but that doesn't mean the pricing won't affects its appeal.

If it's pricier than the handheld that's already difficult to buy (since the Claw 8 AI+ is scarce), then we can forget about it truly challenging other handhelds and the Switch 2.

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is already pushing it with its $899 / £899 / AU$1,799 price tag, and it's worse with price rises due to tariffs. I have no doubts that it will be one of the best handhelds on the market in terms of performance, but I can't say I'm not worried about the impression its cost will leave on consumers...

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• A new search ability is rolling out for the Copilot app
• It gives Windows 11 and 10 users an AI-powered search, offering natural language queries
• Copilot can also peek inside files and find relevant info you need, saving you the legwork

Windows 11 is getting a new ability for Copilot to help you find files on your PC, and quickly glean info from those files, should you want to.

Windows Latest reports that the extended search powers facilitated by AI, which were previously in testing (a few months ago) with Windows 11, are now rolling out to all users (including those on Windows 10 too).

The folk at Windows Latest have already got the new functionality for the Copilot app and tested it out, being generally impressed by the feature.

It allows the user to fire up a local search of the PC – although there are limitations on the locations covered (I'll come back to that) – within the Copilot app simply by typing a natural language query. For example: "Find my resume for that job application I made last year."

Clearly, it's nice to have the ability to search just by asking a question like this, rather than trying to use Windows search itself and (attempting to) figure out the best query – after all, who can remember exact file names, especially with older files?

Analysis: A commendably useful feature... with some caveats

(Image credit: Windows Latest / Microsoft)

Windows Latest observes that this Copilot search is fast, as it's a local search – which also includes any synced files in OneDrive – and leverages Windows search itself. In other words, there's no waiting for the Copilot app to send data to the cloud, or wait for a reply from Microsoft's servers – everything is happening on the device, and so it's pretty nippy.

The search provided is also better than a basic Windows 11 search - even though this is still how the query is ultimately being resolved - as you can use natural language as noted. Indeed, this is a kind of makeshift alternative to the nifty AI-supercharged search in Windows 11 which is offered with Copilot+ PCs - and I'm glad to see it, because most of us don't have one of those devices (I certainly don't).

On top of this, the Copilot app search also lets you surface info from files you're hunting out without even opening them. So, if you're searching for a document file full of recipes, and you want a particular recipe for a curry, say, you can ask for exactly that - and the AI will extract it from the document there and then.

This Copilot-powered search also lets you sidestep some of the bugs with the standard Windows 11 search functionality (even though it still leverages the latter to get results).

Okay, so it all sounds good overall - but not everything is sweet smelling roses. There's a notable thorn in that the scope of the search is limited to commonly used files (meaning obscure file formats may not show up). Furthermore, by default the locations covered by this AI search are limited to your essential personal folders (such as Documents and Downloads). You can, however, expand that reach and grant Copilot access to further folders if you wish.

The thornier issue still for many, though, will be privacy. It's important to note that this search capability is turned off by default, which is good, and frankly necessary, given that there are plenty of people out there who are very much against Copilot 'nosing around in their files'.

It's also worth noting that there's not just a toggle to turn on the local file search ability for Copilot, but also a separate slider to allow the AI to read your files. The latter is obviously needed for Copilot to surface material from within a file (like the aforementioned curry recipe), so if you want to perform that trick, you'll obviously need to let Copilot 'nose around' in your stuff.

If you don't want the AI to have that kind of access, you can still use the feature, but leave this second slider alone and it won't look in your files (but you'll only get the basic search in the Copilot app).

There will still be plenty of doubters around this kind of feature, mind, but as long as it's off by default, it isn't going to be a problem - you can take it or leave it. If this functionality sounds useful to you, then you can go ahead and enable it - with the rollout now apparently underway, it should hopefully be turning up on all Windows 11 and 10 PCs before too long.

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Panasonic Lumix S1 II: two-minute review

The S1 II is Panasonic's most powerful Lumix camera yet, debuting a partially-stacked 24.1MP sensor and an embarrassment of riches for video recording, including 19 pages of video codecs in the menus.

There are 6K and 4K options in various aspect ratios up to 60fps and 120fps respectively, plus a new open gate 5.1K option up to 60fps. Furthermore, ProRes Raw format is available in-camera with bitrates up to 4.2Gbps (that's not a typo), as is a Dynamic Range Boost mode – the latter delivers quite possibly the most detail-rich video I've seen at this price point.

The boost in performance from the partially stacked sensor extends to photography too, with up to 70fps burst shooting (or 10fps using the mechanical shutter) and an option for 1.5 seconds pre-capture.

Both photo and video capture benefit from class-leading in-body image stabilization – the Boost IS mode gave me some of the smoothest handheld videos I've shot – plus Panasonic's most effective autofocus yet, with subject-detection autofocus now extended to 'Urban Sports' such as parkour. Autofocus speed, versatility and accuracy are still not quite as complete as rival cameras such as the Nikon Z6 III, but it's impressive nonetheless.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

As for the design, the Lumix S1 II's body is identical to the Lumix S1R II's – which is a good thing considering that it's the best Lumix design yet.

I've enjoyed the crisp 5.76m-dot EVF, 1.84m-dot vari-angle touchscreen, durable body and a generous handgrip, complete with vents that keep the camera cool during long record sessions.

The Lumix S1 II feels uncharacteristically expensive for a Lumix, but I'm still struggling to think of a better mirrorless camera at this price point for video-first users – it really is one of the best video cameras. As a photography-first user, the 44.3MP Lumix S1R II is the more obvious choice for me, even if it can't match the S1 II's raw power.

Panasonic also launched the Lumix S1 IIE on the same day as the Lumix S1 II. The two cameras are identical, except that the 'E' version has a regular 24MP full-frame sensor rather than a partially stacked one, which means a slower performance in a few areas and fewer video modes to choose from. It's $500 / £500 cheaper.

I feel like there's much more of a case for the S1 II than there is for the S1 IIE, especially given there's the cheaper Lumix S5 II in the picture, which is yet another 24MP Lumix. The Lumix S1 II is agonizingly close to a five-star rating, but its price point puts it among fierce competition, and takes it down a peg.

Panasonic Lumix S1 II: price and release date

• Body-only price is $3,199 / £2,899 / AU$5,299
• It was announced on May 13 2025 and is available now
• A Lumix S1 IIE version costs $2,499 / £2,399 (about AU$4,100)

The Lumix S1 II was announced on May 13, 2025, and it costs $3,199 / £2,899 / AU$5,299 body-only. The 44.3MP Lumix S1 R II costs $100 / £100 more, while the Nikon Z6 III, which is another obvious alternative, is a fair bit cheaper.

Alongside the Lumix S1 II, Panasonic unveiled the Lumix S1 IIE, which has the same skin and feature set, but a regular 24MP full-frame sensor rather than a partially stacked kind. The S1 II's partially stacked sensor delivers faster performance in several areas, and more video record modes.

Both cameras are available now.

• Price score: 4/5

Panasonic Lumix S1 II: specs Specs

Sensor:

24MP full-frame, partially stacked

Video:

6K 60p, 5.1K 60p, 4K 60p, 4K 120p (1.2x crop), open gate, 10-bit

Cont. shooting

Up to 70fps using electronic shutter, up to 10fps mechanical

Viewfinder:

5.76m-dot OLED

LCD:

3-inch, 1.84m-dot vari-angle LCD touchscreen

Battery (CIPA rating):

Up to 350 shots or up to 130 mins record time

Weight:

1.76lbs / 800g (incl battery and card)

Dimensions:

5.29 x 4.03 x 3.61 inches / 134.3 x 102.3 x 91.8mm

Panasonic Lumix S1 II: design and handling

• Rugged body, weighs 1.76lbs / 800g
• Clear and detailed 5.76m-dot OLED EVF
• Cooling vents for long record times without overheating

We've already reviewed the Lumix S1R II, and the Lumix S1 II's design is essentially identical. At 1.76lbs / 800g, it's a tiny bit heavier – that's because it features a partially stacked sensor – but that's the only real difference.

To briefly recap from our Lumix S1R II review, this second generation of Lumix S1 cameras is slimmed down from the first, being approximately 20% lighter and a little smaller in every dimension.

The S1 II, S1 II and S1R II trio are very comfortable to hold, and the S1 II balances really well with most of Panasonic's L-mount lenses – I had the 24-105mm F4 Macro OIS for this review.

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I think Panasonic has evolved the design nicely – not only are the new S1 II / S1R II / S1 IIE models the best in the hand yet, but they're rugged, weather-proof, and feature built-in vents to keep them cool – an essential feature for big video hitters like the Lumix S1 II.

There's a slight feel of function over form here: the Lumix S1 II speaks video production work to me, rather than go-out-and-create. That said, the camera handles well in any situation.

As a hybrid mirrorless camera, no stone is left unturned – the Lumix S1 II features full-size HDMI, mic, and headphone ports, plus USB-C charging that doubles up for external SSD connection and recording.

There are twin card slots – one is CFExpress Type B, which you'll need for some of the higher-quality video codecs, and the other is SD UHS-II.

The vari-angle screen can spin around to the front for selfie recording, and the display features a helpful red border prompt during recording, together with front and rear tally lights – these are useful visual aids for busy filmmakers. There are also twin red buttons to start recording: a large one on the front of the camera, and a smaller one on the top.

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Photographers in particular will enjoy the EVF – it's a bright and detailed 5.76m-dot OLED display. I also like the feel of the rear joystick, especially for navigating autofocus points and modes.

The button layout is all very sensible, and I also appreciate how simple Panasonic menus are (in general). For example, the video mode menu only has six pages in all, so features like image stabilization are easily found.

The same can't be said for video codecs – there are a staggering 19 pages of Full HD, 4K 5.1K, 5.8K and 6K video modes to choose from, with various aspect ratios, bitrates and formats.

Thankfully, it's possible to create custom profiles for your most-used settings, otherwise navigating between the options is a time sink.

• Design score: 5/5

Panasonic Lumix S1 II: features and performance

• Incredibly effective image stabilization for video
• Rapid 70fps burst shooting mode or a more sensible 10fps using mechanical shutter with continuous AF
• Average 350-shot battery life
• Panasonic's best autofocus performance to date

Panasonic stuck with a contrast-detection-based autofocus system for years when rivals had adopted a hybrid phase / contrast-detection setup, which is more effective for video. It was a big mark against Panasonic's otherwise-excellent video cameras.

Thankfully, Panasonic finally rectified the situation with the Lumix G9 II / Lumix S5 II in 2023, introducing a hybrid autofocus system which Panasonic says is now 1.6x faster in the Lumix S1 II.

Certainly, the Lumix S1 II packs Panasonic's best-ever autofocus, with an increased array of subject-detection modes. I've been shooting anything from grassroots sports to animal portraits with it, and on the whole have been really impressed.

While not scientific, my testing suggests that Panasonic's autofocus is still a little way behind the likes of Canon, Sony and Nikon, but not by much; in simple terms, autofocus performance is no longer a strike against Panasonic. You can see in the gallery below a range of subjects I've photographed, and my hit ratio of sharp shots was roughly 8/10.

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What is less ideal is battery life, which is CIPA-rated at 350 shots, or up to 70 minutes record time. I've been able to squeeze more photos out of a fully charged battery than that, and there's on-the-go UBS-C charging too. However, Sony cameras, for example, boast better battery life.

Where the Lumix S1 II really shines is its in-body image stabilization, which is rated up to 7EV. In practice, I've found it to offer the most effective stabilization of any camera for video recording, especially in the Boost IS mode. There's a small crop of the image area in this mode, but handheld videos on the move are silky smooth.

There's also an extremely rapid 70fps burst-shooting mode. Personally, I find this to be overkill for the casual action photography I typically do, but to have a mechanical shutter that ticks over at 10fps for what are essentially unlimited sequences is a great to have.

Overall, the Lumix S1 II is able to sustain its high-speed performance to a level that the Lumix S1R II can't. I photographed a grassroots soccer match at last light (see below), and the camera's speed and autofocus held up well.

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There's the option for data-heavy ProRes RAW video recording in-camera, which further highlights just how powerful a camera the Lumix S1 II is.

I also must commend the new(ish) Lumix Lab app, which is the most reliable camera app Panasonic has made yet. Unlike previous apps, which have frustrated me no end with my previous cameras such as the Lumix GH5, Lumix Lab provides a quick and reliable connection between camera and phone, together with remote control, image upload, and access to Lumix resources such as custom color profiles.

• Features and performance score: 4.5/5

Panasonic Lumix S1 II: image and video quality

• 24MP partially stacked sensor is a great all-rounder
• A generous range of video codecs, bitrates and aspect ratios, up to 6K 60p
• Color profiles and real-time LUTs can be imported from the Lumix Lab app

If you want the best-possible video quality, you'll struggle to find a better camera than the Lumix S1 II at its price point.

It tops out at 6K resolution, whereas high-resolution alternatives such as the Lumix S1R II, Canon EOS R5 Mark II, Nikon Z8 and Sony A1 II offer 8K, but otherwise the Lumix S1 II's video quality is top-drawer.

Not only does it offer more video formats and bitrates than rivals, but also aspect ratios which are taken from the full height and width of the sensor (open gate) and include 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 17:9 and 2.4:1.

I've shot with a wide range of the video modes, and you can see what to expect across the various resolutions and frame rates in the (lengthy) sample video, below.

Special mention goes the the Dynamic Boost mode, which delivers quite possibly the best and most detail-rich video quality straight out of the camera that I've seen from a hybrid camera. You lose various features, such as slow-motion frame rates, but for outright quality it's incredible.

Something the Lumix S1 II does better than the higher-resolution Lumix S1R II is handle rolling shutter distortion. Yes, it's a way more capable all-round camera for recording video.

There are also a range of color profiles, including V-Log, plus any number of custom profiles made by pros in the Lumix community, and which can be imported directly to the camera from the Lumix Lab app for video and photo. You can see a range of looks in the photo gallery below.

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If you're mainly going to be shooting photos, and appreciate the Lumix S1 II's all-round capabilities, then the Lumix S1 IIE could be a better shout. It's widely reported that partially stacked sensors can have an adverse impact on image quality in low light versus a regular sensor; it's a subtle difference, but images can be a little noisier. I haven't made direct comparisons between the Lumix S1 II and Lumix S1 IIE, but it's something worth thinking about.

Overall, however, I have no complaints regarding the photo quality of the Lumix S1 II. I'm used to full-frame 24MP cameras; they balance speed, performance, and image quality nicely.

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• Image and video quality score: 5/5

Panasonic Lumix S1 II: testing scorecardPanasonic Lumix S1 II

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Excellent features, but it's pricey for a 24MP Lumix

4/5

Design

Panasonic's best Lumix camera design: it's rugged, easy in the hand and a sensible control layout

5/5

Performance

Partially stacked sensor delivers the speediest performance of any Lumix to date, and its best autofocus, but there's fierce competition at this price point

4.5/5

Image and video quality

Photo quality is decent, but it's the video quality that truly shines

5/5

Should I buy the Panasonic Lumix S1 II?Buy it if...

Your focus is video, but you shoot photos too
Because of its hybrid design, serious video-only users could be better served overall by a Blackmagic camera than the Lumix S1 II. However, for video quality, especially the dynamic boost mode, I can't think of a better camera for the money, and it's a capable stills camera too.

You want a versatile video camera
There are a staggering 19 pages of video codecs which cover an unmatched choice of resolutions, aspect ratios, bitrates and formats up to 6K, including open gate recording. Panasonic beats Sony, Canon and Nikon on this front.

You need a reliable performer
The Lumix S1 II is rugged, plus it can shoot for sustained periods without overheating.

Don't buy it if...

You want an all-day battery
A 350-shot battery life, or up to 70 minutes record time depending on the video codec, is pretty mediocre. However, USB-C charging on-the-go is possible.

You're a photography-first shooter
It's a capable stills camera for sure, but there's no denying that the Lumix S1 II is geared for video. The Nikon Z6 III has the edge for photography, as does the higher-resolution Lumix S1R II.

You're a casual filmmaker
For many filmmakers, the Lumix S1 II could be overkill. If you don't need the full suite of record modes and features, the Lumix S5 II could be a more cost-effective choice.

Panasonic Lumix S1 II: also consider Nikon Z6 III

The 24MP partially stacked sensor might be new to Lumix, but we've seen it before in the Nikon Z6 III. Without diving too much into where each model betters the other, it's fair to say that the Lumix S1 II is more-featured packed for video, and the Z6 III more so for photography. Both are incredibly capable hybrid cameras, but the Z6 III is quite a lot cheaper now.

Read our in-depth Nikon Z6 III review

Panasonic Lumix S1R II

With the same design and virtually the same price, the Lumix S1R II is another option. The key difference is the sensor – the Lumix S1R II features a regular 44.3MP unit, the Lumix S1 II a partially stacked 24MP one. Put simply, the Lumix S1R II is better equipped for high-resolution photography and video, whereas the Lumix S1 II is a speedier performer for stills, and overall more geared to video. Both are capable hybrid cameras in their own way.

Read our in-depth: Panasonic Lumix S1R II review

How I tested the Panasonic Lumix S1 II

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

• Panasonic loaned me the Lumix S1 II for one month, together with the 24-105mm F4 lens
• My main focus of testing has been the video modes, though I have also used the camera in various photography scenarios
• In general, I've tested the camera in fair weather and fair light

I've had a good long time with the Lumix S1 II – over one month in all. Panasonic loaned me a 24-105mm F4 lens for the test, and this was the only lens I used the camera with.

My testing reflects the typical audience for the Lumix S1 II – I've shot a lot of video with it, using the various resolutions, codecs and frame rates, and recording onto a top-spec CFExpress Type B card.

That's not to say I've neglected photography – far from it. I've shot everything from grassroots soccer at last light to animal portraits and everyday subjects, mostly in fair weather and fair light.

First reviewed June 2025

• Ford CEO Jim Farley believes half of white-collar jobs will be lost to AI
• Amazon, Anthropic, Fiverr and other companies all agree
• Unsurprisingly, OpenAI and Nvidia think we're overreacting

Ford CEO Jim Farley has stated he believes "literally half" of all white-collar jobs in the US could be lost to artificial intelligence (via TechSpot).

Speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Farley stated, “Artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the US...AI will leave a lot of white-collar people behind.”

This of course comes from the automaker responsible for revolutionizing the manufacturing process, and aligns with similar expressions shared by other influential execs.

Will AI take my job?

Despite widespread warnings from business leaders and analysts globally, AI's real effects on the human workforce are yet to be fully determined – countering this common view, many believe AI might simply redefine roles, removing some and creating others.

AI is certainly on track to replace some roles at Amazon, with its CEO Andy Jassy recently stating many positions will become redundant due to advancements in generative AI.

However, Jassy did note that new STEM-related roles could be created, marking a shift rather than a total wipeout.

Dario Amodei, CEO of AI giant Anthropic, also predicted that around half of entry-level white-collar jobs could be at risk, leading to unemployment rates 10-20% higher within five years.

Micha Kaufman, CEO of Fiverr, which has its eyes on the freelancer community, suggested that programmers, designers and lawyers could be at risk, while JPMorgan Chase expects headcount to drop by about 10% due to AI adoption.

Then, there are the companies that have halted hiring efforts altogether. It is believed that Apple's hiring freeze continues since it was first revealed in 2022, with Spotify CEO Tobi Lütke pausing recruitment to assess whether AI can do the job first.

It's not all doom and gloom, though, with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI's COO, Brad Lightcap, saying there's been little evidence so far of widespread entry-level job loss from AI. Lightcap believes the impact will be slower and more limited than some of the above views, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang calling them "overly alarmist."

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• More support options for Pixel 6a owners have been revealed
• You can get a $100 payment or $150 in Google Store credit
• Google has set up a website where you can make your claim

The long-running Google Pixel 6a battery saga continues, and Google has now provided details of how owners of the 2022 handset can claim up to $150 (about £110 / AU$230) back from the company – money that could be put towards a new phone.

If you're just getting up to speed with this story, Google is in the process of rolling out a mandatory update for some Pixel 6a phones that could be in danger of overheating. In recent weeks there have been multiple reports of these handsets catching fire, which is obviously something Google doesn't want to see continue.

The update will "reduce battery capacity and charging performance" according to Google, and will show up as part of Android 16. Only some Pixel 6a phones are affected and in danger of overheating though – Google hasn't provided too many details about this, but you can check if your device will be included via Google's website.

Now 9to5Google has uncovered some extra details. Affected Pixel 6a owners will get three options: a free battery replacement for their phone, $100 (about £75 / AU$155) in cash, or $150 (about £110 / AU$230) in Google Store credit.

How to claim

Some Pixel 6a owners have been given a voucher towards a Pixel 9a (Image credit: Future)

The battery replacement option presumably means the battery limits put in place by Android 16 will be removed again – though you'll have to do without your phone for a few days while Google takes care of the repair job.

Whatever option you prefer, you can head here to choose it. You'll need to provide your email address and the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of your phone to prove your eligibility – you can find your handset's IMEI number by heading to About phone from Settings.

I can't work through the steps on Google's site because I don't have a Pixel 6a IMEI number to use, but the screenshots grabbed by 9to5Google show that Payoneer will be used to deliver the cash compensation. If you're outside the US, the $100 or $150 figures will be converted into your local currency.

Interestingly, 9to5Google reports that some users have been sent vouchers for $125 (about £90 / AU$190) to put towards a Google Pixel 9a (retail price $499 / £499 / AU$849), so check your inbox – though these vouchers apparently can't be used with the $150 credit.

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The still rumored iPhone 17 Pro Max will almost certainly be one of the biggest and best phones of 2025, headlining the iPhone 17 line – which will also probably include the iPhone 17 itself, the iPhone 17 Pro, and a new iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim model.

That final phone may steal much of the attention, but it’s the iPhone 17 Pro Max that will probably have the most impressive specs.

And while we’re not expecting it to land until September, leaks and rumors are already emerging – all of which you’ll find below.

Latest news

The iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a massive battery.View Deal

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next top-end iPhone
• When is it out? Probably September 2025
• How much will it cost? Likely upwards of $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149

Look out for it in September

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

• Likely to launch in the first half of September
• Will probably cost at least $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149

The iPhone 17 Pro Max – along with the rest of the iPhone 17 series – will probably be announced in September of 2025.

One source has specifically pointed to a September launch for the iPhone 17 line, and Apple almost without exception launches its new phones in the first half of September, so we can be quite confident of that much.

Prior to the iPhone 16 series Apple also usually announced the phones on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but with the iPhone 16 it went with a Monday instead, so we can’t be quite as confident of the exact day as in previous years.

Still, the second week of September is the most likely based on past form, meaning likely Monday September 8, Tuesday September 9, or Wednesday September 10. The Thursday or Friday is also possible, but those aren’t days we usually see Apple go for.

Either way, pre-orders for the iPhone 17 Pro Max will most likely start on the Friday of the announcement week, so our best guess for that is Friday, September 12 – though a week earlier on Friday, September 5 is also possible. And the phone will likely ship on the following Friday – meaning probably September 19 but possibly September 12.

We haven’t heard much about the iPhone 17 Pro Max price either, but reportedly Apple is considering raising the price from the iPhone 16 Pro Max. That seems ever more likely given the ongoing threat of tariffs.

For reference, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, so it’s likely that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will cost at least that much.

Can you trust these rumors?

So far there aren't any release date leaks yet, so it's all just educated guesses, but we'd be surprised if this phone wasn't announced in September. We also wouldn't be surprised if it cost more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

One button replacing three

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

• Could combine the volume and Action buttons into one key
• Might have a new camera design
• Likely to once again have a 6.9-inch screen

So far we’ve heard of several possible design changes, including that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might gain a new button – or perhaps more accurately lose some buttons, as one report suggests it will have a single key that replaces the two volume buttons and the Action button.

Details on this button are light, but if it emerges, we’d imagine it might sport a similar design to the Camera Control key, so you can swipe across it to change the volume, or press it to trigger a custom action.

You can also get some idea of how it might look in an iPhone 14 Pro prototype, which includes a unified volume button (though this only combines two buttons into one, not three). According to various leaks, Apple has been working on versions of this idea for a long time, but it remains to be seen whether this sort of change will actually appear on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Another big design leak suggests that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have an aluminum frame rather than titanium, and that the top half of the back will also be aluminum (rather than glass), with the bottom half still being glass. The same source claims that the camera bump will be larger this time too.

We've also seen an image of how this might look, thanks to a leaked iPhone 17 series frame, pictured below, which has a Pixel 9-like camera cut-out.

(Image credit: @Jukanlosreve)

On the other hand though another source has said the iPhone 17 Pro Max will stick with titanium, which seems more likely.

And we've seen another possible new iPhone 17 Pro Max camera design, as you can see in the image of an iPhone 17 Pro below. You can see a similar design in some iPhone 17 Pro Max metal molds and iPhone 17 dummy units that have leaked, and it's a design that the internet isn't impressed by, and that Google has taken to teasing.

(Image credit: Front Page Tech / @asherdipps‬)

That said, more recent leaked dummy units of the iPhone 17 Pro show a version of this design that looks far better and more polished.

However, another source suggests that contrary to the picture above, the iPhone 17 Pro Max won't have a two-tone color scheme. They add though that the camera layout will have major changes, and that not much is changing on the front of the phone. We've since seen how a single-color iPhone 17 Pro might look.

We've also heard that at least some iPhone 17 models might have curvier edges than the iPhone 16 series, which could make them more comfortable to hold.

Also on the design front, one source claims that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available in one of the three colors pictured below. These, from left to right, are apparently dubbed Dark Green Titanium, Teal Titanium, and Green Titanium. And apparently all three are being considered, but only one would be used if any, with the source speculating that Teal Titanium is the most likely.

(Image credit: Majin Bu)

However, it seems Apple may have moved away from these shades, as this source has more recently said that Sky Blue is the most likely option, with Titanium Blue and Titanium Purple also in contention.

Interestingly, the iPhone 17 Pro Max might be thicker than its predecessor, coming in at 163.04 x 77.59 x 8.75mm according to one leak, which also shows how a dummy unit compares to the far thinner iPhone 17 Air.

We’ve also heard that Apple could hide the Face ID components under the screen in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which might allow for a smaller Dynamic Island, and Apple now even has a patent for a technology that could enable this.

That said, a smaller Dynamic Island could instead be achieved through using a new ‘metalens’ technology for the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s proximity sensor, which is a claim we've heard more than once. Then again, another source claims the Dynamic Island won't be shrunk after all.

The source of the metalens claim also says that unsurprisingly the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a titanium frame, just like the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The same source also says to once again expect a 6.9-inch screen, and we’ve elsewhere heard that the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s display might use a type of glass that’s less reflective and more resistant to scratches. On the other hand, a more recent leak suggests the iPhone 17 Pro Max won't get this display upgrade after all.

Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro Max's screen might use a new technology that makes it more power efficient and durable.

Can you trust these rumors?

So far only one source has mentioned a new button, so we'd take this with a pinch of salt, especially as the Action button is a recent addition, so it would be strange to remove it already.

We're also slightly skeptical of the phone switching from titanium to aluminum, as that could be seen as a downgrade.

Changes to the camera design are possible, but this would be a big switch for Apple so we'll reserve judgment until more leaks emerge.

A smaller Dynamic Island is possible too, and has leaked multiple times, but it's more likely to be achieved through a new proximity sensor design than under-display Face ID.

A new telephoto camera

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

• Could have a new 48MP telephoto camera
• The front-facing camera might be boosted to 24MP
• The main sensor might be downgraded

We’ve heard quite consistent tips about the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s cameras, with the most exciting claim being that the telephoto will have a new 48MP sensor, up from 12MP on the current model. We’ve heard this claim of a 48MP telephoto camera for the iPhone 17 Pro Max from multiple sources, including reputable leaker Mark Gurman, so this is very likely accurate.

However, this snapper may offer just 3.5x optical zoom rather than the 5x optical zoom of its predecessor, according to one source, though with 5x and 7x 'lossless' zoom possible through cropping.

This might also be the only rear camera that’s getting a significant upgrade – meaning 48MP main and ultra-wide cameras could make a return.

The front-facing camera might also be improved though, with one of the same sources saying the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a 24MP selfie camera, up from 12MP currently.

We've also heard that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might be able to record video in up to 8K quality, up from 4K on the current model.

And in more surprising news, one source has claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a mechanical aperture, allowing you to adjust the aperture, changing the depth of field in the process.

It might not all be upgrades though, as we've elsewhere heard that the main sensor on the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be smaller than on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Finally, we've heard that Apple might be testing a 200MP sensor, though there's no indication that this would be included on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. More likely it would arrive on a later model.

Can you trust these rumors? 

Numerous sources have mentioned a 48MP telephoto camera, so that much is very likely. The 24MP selfie camera hasn't been leaked as much, so we'd take that with a pinch of salt, but the claim comes from a credible source.

As for a mechanical aperture, we're skeptical of this, as it sounds like a major yet niche upgrade, but it's always possible. We're also not currently convinced that Apple would reduce the main sensor size.

A powerful chipset and loads of RAM

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

• A powerful A19 Pro chipset
• 12GB of RAM

The iPhone 17 Pro Max will almost certainly have an A19 Pro chipset – after all, the current model has an A18 Pro. Multiple sources have mentioned an A19 Pro chipset, and they’ve also said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the current model.

That could be a major boon to its AI capabilities, and we've heard this 12GB claim numerous times. Though there’s some debate over whether both iPhone 17 Pro models will get 12GB of RAM or whether this RAM upgrade will just be for the Pro Max.

We've also heard that Apple could add a vapor chamber to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, helping it stay cool and perform better. A second source has also now said to expect a vapor chamber in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

As for the battery, reportedly the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a thinner and lighter motherboard than the current model, which in turn might leave space for a larger battery. More recently we've heard that the phone may indeed have a larger battery, with a leak suggesting the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a 5,000mAh battery, and we've also heard that it could offer reverse wireless charging.

For software, we're almost certain the iPhone 17 Pro Max will run iOS 26, and this software has now been announced, so we know it includes an overhauled design, streamlined app layouts, new Apple Intelligence features, and a new Apple Games app, among other things. In short, it's a major update.

Can you trust these rumors? 

The iPhone 17 Pro Max will almost certainly have an A19 Pro chipset based on past form, and we'd say an increase to 12GB of RAM is very believable too, since it could help with AI.

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(Image credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Slow Horses season 5: key information

- Will arrive on September 24
- Teaser trailer revealed after season 4 finale
- Main cast set to return
- Plot to follow Mick Herron’s ‘London Rules’ novel
- Already renewed for season 6 and 7
- Potential Slough House spin-off in the works

Slow Horses season 5 will arrive on Apple TV+ on September 24. In true Slow Horses fashion though, the gritty spy thriller hasn't made us wait too long between seasons.

And it appears there's plenty more action-packed scenes, gripping drama, and incredible acting on the way as Jackson Lamb and his Slough House team make their return.

Adapted from the books by Mick Herron, there's a lot more plot to unravel and a lot more seasons to do it over with the renewal of season 6 and 7 already locked in. For now, here’s everything we know about Slow Horses season 5 so far including release date, trailer, plot, confirmed cast and more.

Potential spoilers follow for Slow Horses seasons 1 to 4.

Slow Horses season 5 release date

A post shared by Apple TV (@appletv)

A photo posted by on

Apple TV+ has confirmed a release date for Slow Horses season 5 – and it's September 24. Not only that, but the first two episodes will be premiering at the same time with the season consisting of six episodes.

No doubt this news will come as a huge relief for fans of one of the best Apple TV+ shows after Apple TV+ renewed Slow Horses for a fifth season back in January 2024. But, the wait is almost over.

Slow Horses season 5 trailer: is there one?

The teaser trailer for Slow Horses season 5 isn't available on YouTube (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

In what appears to be establishing itself as a Slow Horses tradition, there was a season 5 teaser trailer shared at the end of the season 4 finale.

In less than a minute, someone tries to kill Roddy, a terrorist plot threatens London, and once again, the police turn to Lamb to help them predict the next move.

Plus, an unknown killing, although if Slow Horses’ history is anything to go by, it could be anyone – no cast member is safe. We’ll get into more about what the teaser trailer alludes to when it comes to plot below, and we'll update here as soon as we have a full trailer to share.

Slow Horses season 5 confirmed cast

Nick Mohammed will guest star in Slow Horses season 5 (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Full spoilers follow for Slow Horses season 4.

Thanks to an announcement by Apple TV+ combined with the teaser and first look images, here’s the confirmed cast for Slow Horses season 5:

• Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb
• Jack Lowden as River Cartwright
• Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner
• Saskia Reeves as Catherine Standish
• Christopher Chung as Roddy Ho
• Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Shirley Dander
• Rosalind Eleazar as Louisa Guy
• Ruth Bradley as Emma Flyte
• James Callis as Claude Whelan
• Tom Brooke as J.K. Coe
• Hugo Weaving as Frank Harkness
• Joanna Scanlan as Moira Tergorian
• Jonathan Pryce as David Cartwright
• Nick Mohammed as TBC
• Hiba Bennani as TBC

Though Hugo Weaving's character, Frank Harkness, was not seen in the trailer, Digital Spy confirmed his return back in November 2024, while also suggesting Joanna Scanlan (Moira Tregorian) is expected to reprise her role, too. Though, no official word yet.

With no sign of Naomi Wirthner (Molly Doran) or Samuel West (Peter Judd) in the season 4 finale teaser and the Apple TV+ announcement, it's not clear whether they'll be returning for season 5.

Slow Horses season 5 potential plot synopsis and rumors

Slow Horses season 5 will be adapted from 'London Rules' (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Major spoilers follow for Slow Horses seasons 1 through 4.

Slow Horses season 5 is confirmed to be an adaptation of Mick Herron’s ‘London Rules’ novel, the sequel to ‘Spook Street’ which acted as the basis for season 4.

To get a strong look at the possible plot for season 5 then, here’s the book’s official synopsis: “Regent's Park's First Desk, Claude Whelan, is learning this the hard way.

"Tasked with protecting a beleaguered prime minister, he's facing attack from all directions himself: from the showboating MP who orchestrated the Brexit vote, and now has his sights set on Number Ten; from the showboat's wife, a tabloid columnist, who's crucifying Whelan in print; and especially from his own deputy, Lady Di Taverner, who's alert for Claude's every stumble. Meanwhile, the country's being rocked by an apparently random string of terror attacks, and someone's trying to kill Roddy Ho."

Over at Slough House, the crew are struggling with personal problems: repressed grief, various addictions, retail paralysis, and the nagging suspicion that their newest colleague is a psychopath.

But collectively, they're about to rediscover their greatest strength - that of making a bad situation much, much worse. It's a good job Jackson Lamb knows the rules. Because those things aren't going to break themselves.”

The team at Slough House get another chance at redemption (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

From the season 5 trailer, we know that much of the show will stay true to the book. We also catch a glimpse of most of the main cast to confirm their return to Slough House, and there's an awkward kiss between River and Louisa that we're keen to unpack.

And in the official Apple TV+ announcement, there's even more insight into what will be unfolding this time round: "In season five of Slow Horses, everyone is suspicious when resident tech nerd Roddy Ho has a glamorous new girlfriend.

"When a series of increasingly bizarre events occur across the city, it falls to the Slow Horses to work out how everything is connected. After all, Lamb knows that in the world of espionage, the London Rules – cover your back – always apply".

Following suit with the previous seasons, Slow Horses always runs for six episodes with the plot spanning the events of two or three days. It appears with season 5, they’ll be sticking to this tried-and-tested method, as Smith spoke to Collider: “You feel if you stretch it beyond that — I mean, you can invent — I worry it would feel like padding, and it would take you away from what is great about the books. So, six, I think, is the magic number.”

Roddy finds himself with a glamorous new girlfriend (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

In season 4, River met his biological father, Jack (Hugo Weaving), which only looked to strengthen his relationship with Lamb. But what about more from Frank? Well, the man himself spoke to Forbes, further confirming a reappearance: "You probably know that Frank is in one of the other books, and so the assumption is at the end of this season, and certainly to anyone who had read the books, is that Frank will be coming back.”

He adds: "Frank gets to play his Get Out of Jail Free card, which he has had all along because he knows that MI5 and David Cartwright tried to set him up. He knows he's got that, so he can say that fabulous line, 'I'll get the next train.' He can be that sort of a character because he actually is a survivor and excellently slippery."

Though, in an exclusive chat with Radio Times, showrunner Will Smith said there's one part of the book that won't feature: "In season 5, the challenge we had with that was Mick does a brilliant thing at the beginning where there's an attack, and he writes it, and you think you're somewhere in the Middle East, and then you reveal it’s Derbyshire, and that is brilliant. We cannot do that in the show."

But with confirmation of 'London Rules' and teaser trailer as a starting point, it's fair to say the core plot is etched out. But, for those who haven't read the books, and with the unique additions of the cast & crew, Slow Horses will undoubtedly bring twists and turns that you won't see coming.

Will Slow Horses get more seasons on Apple TV+?

Who's that calling? It's Slow Horses seasons 6 and 7 (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Slow Horses has already been renewed for season 6 and 7, so yes there’s most definitely more to come.

As reported by Deadline, season 6 will be based on Mick Herron’s ‘Joe Country’ and ‘Slough House’ which are the sixth and seventh books in the series. Revealing: “In season 6, the spies head out on the run as Diana Taverner embroils them all in a fatally high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge.”

And it appears Gary Oldman has already finished filming his parts in season 6. During an interview with Deadline in February, when asked about the next, next season, he said: "I wrapped about two weeks ago." Though he said some of the other cast were still working.

While season 6 will take its plot from two novels, that leaves only one behind in the series. Well, that is until September, when Herron's ninth book 'Clown Town' is released.

And, according to Deadline, season 7 will "begin shooting in the UK in late September or early October".

In conversation with Gary Oldman, he added: "That is truly the wonderful gift that keeps on giving. I just adore the hell out of it, and the people. It is just such a wonderful thing really to be part of".

Furthermore, Smith adds that there’s interest from his perspective in a spin-off, “I do think, though, there’s a great book he wrote, the last book that came out, which is in the Slough House universe, and Slow Horses do come into it, which is called The Secret Hours. That could be a movie or a more limited number just because of the nature of that story.”

For more Apple TV+ coverage, read our guides on Ted Lasso season 4, Foundation season 3, Presumed Innocent season 2, and Silo season 3.

• Dying Light developer Techland has seemingly canceled two titles
• It's uncertain which games are affected
• The studio has confirmed that no jobs have been cut

Dying Light developer Techland has reportedly canceled two upcoming projects.

The Polish studio, which is a subsidiary of Chinese technology giant Tencent, posted record losses of $37.3 million / £27.4 million in 2024 according to Polish business site Puls Biznesu. This followed losses of $25 million / £18.3 million in 2023.

The losses are attributed to the "decisions to discontinue further work on two projects" though it is currently unclear exactly what this means. We do know that Techland was working on an open-world fantasy action RPG with some former The Witcher 3 developers, leading to speculation that the project may have been canned.

In a statement provided to GamesRadar regarding the news a Techland representative said that "game development is never a straight line, and sometimes fresh approaches are necessary to make great games."

Interestingly, the reported cancelations seem to have not led to any layoffs. "What's important here is that none of the reported changes have resulted in staff reductions," the statement continued. "Developers were moved to other projects and are working on a number of games in our pipeline."

Right now the studio is gearing up for the launch of Dying Light: The Beast. The next entry in the zombie-slaying series, The Beast sees the return of original Dying Light protagonist Kyle Crane as a super-powered mutant.

It's set to release on August 22 for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One.

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• The iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a 5,000mAh battery
• That would make it over 300mAh higher capacity than the iPhone 16 Pro Max's
• This could be one of the main spec upgrades on this phone

We’ve heard quite a lot about the iPhone 17 Pro Max at this point, but surprisingly one of the biggest potential upgrades has only just leaked.

According to leaker Setsuna Digital (via GSMArena), the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a 5,000mAh battery, and while that’s a common capacity for Android phones, it’s far higher than we’ve so far seen from an iPhone.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the biggest battery Apple has so far put in a phone, but it’s still only 4,685mAh. So if this leak is correct, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have an extra 315mAh to play with.

Boosting the battery to 5,000mAh would finally make Apple’s battery specs more comparable with Android phones, and would likely mean the actual life of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is far greater than most Android handsets, as iPhones tend to be very power-efficient.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)A bigger boost than usual

So that’s all good news, though we’d take this with a pinch of salt, as while the source of this tip has a solid track record we haven’t heard this from anyone else yet, and that would be a slightly bigger battery jump than we tend to see from Apple.

But if the iPhone 17 Pro Max really does have a 5,000mAh battery then that could make for one of the most exciting upgrades on a phone that so far doesn’t sound like it will be a vast improvement on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Going by current leaks, the main change could be to the design – though the chipset and some of the cameras will probably also be improved. So a boost in battery life could help this phone feel like more of an upgrade than it might otherwise.

And while this leak only talks about the iPhone 17 Pro Max, if it really is getting a big battery boost then there’s a fair chance the other iPhone 17 models will too. We should find out in September, as that’s probably when Apple will unveil these new handsets.

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Commentary: This Emmy-winning thriller was a game-changer and one of the best thrillers to ever hit television. Now, for the first time ever in the United States, it is available to stream in full on Netflix.

• Pilou Asbaek has outlined what fans can expect from his villain in Foundation season 3
• The Mule is an incredibly powerful antagonist who threatens Empire and The Foundation
• The series newcomer has also revealed why it's so fun to play villainous characters

Foundation season 3 will introduce the show's most terrifying villain yet in The Mule – and actor Pilou Asbaek has teased what viewers can expect from his take on the fan-favorite antagonist.

Speaking to TechRadar ahead of Foundation's return on July 11, Asbaek revealed that his version of the character will be something of a departure from how he's depicted in Isaac Asimov's original book series.

In Asimov's best-selling novels, The Mule is a weedy individual who proves looks can be deceiving. Indeed, The Mule is one of the most powerful Mentalics – humans who possess incredibly potent psychic abilities – to ever live in Asimov's fictional universe. Due to his weak appearance, he's constantly underestimated by his foes, which allows him to conquer vast swathes of the galaxy before The Imperium or The Foundation can muster a response to the growing threat he poses.

The Mule retains his telepathic superpowers in Apple's live-action adaptation. But, as Foundation season 3's official trailer revealed, he's a far more physically imposing character than in the books.

The Mule is the most dangerous antagonist we've seen in Foundation so far (Image credit: Apple TV+)

"He needs to be a big, immediate threat to Empire and The Foundation," Asbaek told me of the decision to make The Mule taller and more muscular in the Apple TV+ space opera. "So, he's physically different. He's a pretty big, wide guy who's also more roguish, brutish, and impolite than he's described in Asimov's brilliant books."

The Mule's altered build is less of a surprise when you think back to last season. As I covered in my Foundation season 2 ending explained piece, The Mule makes a brief cameo before the finale's end credits sequence rolls. The unhinged villain, who was played in that scene by Mikael Persbrandt before he was replaced by Asbaek as part of a season 3 cast shake-up, was similarly tall in stature. So, there's some continuity between Persbrandt and Asbaek's iterations of the character from a physical perspective.

Nevertheless, Asbaek is well aware that some long-time fans of Asimov's literary works might take exception to how The Mule is depicted in one of the best Apple TV+ shows. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he's already prepared himself for any potential backlash.

"I've done a few adaptations – Ghost in the Shell and Game of Thrones (GoT), for example – so I've been down that path," he mused. "I know that some people will like it [my take on The Mule] and some won't, but it's my job to make the best possible version in collaboration with the creative team.

"I didn't know Mikael had done it, but I knew of the show and what I wanted to bring to the character," he added. "It's the same thing as someone doing an adaptation of a Shakespearean play. We've seen a million different versions of Hamlet, so this is just my interpretation of The Mule."

As for how The Mule differs from GoT's Euron Greyjoy, the unlikeable and power-hungry character that Asbaek played in one of the best HBO Max shows, or any other villain he's played, Asbaek said: "He's probably the most human one I've ever played. He's got the biggest storyline I've had with playing a villain, but he's also the most chaotic, tortured soul of of them all. I'm not going to spoil it, but I can say you'll get a sense of why [that's the case].

"At the end of the day, he's just a little boy who wants to be loved," Asbaek continued. "I was very inspired by French novel 'The Little Prince'. That's also the reason why he [The Mule] wears a red coat, because I wanted to look like the Little Prince, who comes to our world because he wants to know what it is to be human and have emotions. That's the only thing that The Mule doesn't have. He's one of a kind and, throughout this season, you'll find out what happens when he doesn't get what he wants."

Are you excited to see Asbaek as The Mule? Let me know in the comments. And, before the sci-fi epic's next installment arrives, read my Foundation season 3 review to see if it's better than its predecessors.

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• Hunters International struck many private and public entities, including Tata and Telecom Namibia
• The group says it is disbanding "in light of recent events"
• It even released decryption keys for their victims

A major ransomware operation has announced a complete shutdown and the public release of decryption keys - however, some are skeptical that this is the last we’ve seen of this particular group.

The operators, known as Hunters International, published a short announcement on their dark web site, notifying their followers, affiliates, and the wider cybercriminal community, that they will no longer operate.

“After careful consideration and in light of recent developments, we have decided to close the Hunters International project,” the announcement reads. “This decision was not made lightly, and we recognize the impact it has on the organizations we have interacted with.”

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While the group mentions “recent developments”, it doesn’t elaborate, so we don’t know if this means they were seized by law enforcement, or they simply extorted enough money to call it quits.

TechCrunch, on the other hand, believes there could be a third option - a smoke-and-mirrors effort to throw the police off. Discussing the matter with threat intelligence analyst from Recorded Future, Allan Liska, TechCrunch learned the group might be rebranding to World Leaks.

“I think this is more of a ‘cutting of ties’ with the old infrastructure,” Liska told the publication. This wouldn’t be the first group that rebranded to try and hide their tracks.

After the Colonial Pipeline attack, DarkSide, rebranded into BlackMatter, and later Alphv/BlackCat, and REvil (Sodinokibi) was preceded by GandCrab.

As for releasing decryption keys, while commendable, it doesn’t mean much for the attackers, Liska argues. These are mostly older victims who had no intention of paying anyway, so for the group - nothing was lost.

“As far as releasing decryption keys, at this point they aren’t likely to make any money from any Hunters’ victims who are still out there, so they probably see it as a gesture that doesn’t really cost them anything,” Liska concluded.

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• Samsung has accidentally revealed storage and RAM amounts for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE
• The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will seemingly come with more RAM than its predecessor in the top configuration
• A leak has also shown off some Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 cases, some of which have magnets

Despite Samsung’s best efforts to stop them, phone leaks are inevitable, but usually, it’s leakers intentionally sharing details rather than the manufacturer accidentally doing so.

In the case of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, though, we’ve now encountered two accidental leaks from Samsung itself.

The first was the sharing of some colors on Samsung’s Irish website, and now leaker Roland Quandt has spotted a terms and conditions document on a Turkish Samsung site, which mentions RAM amounts and storage capacities for these upcoming phones.

The document states that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 comes with 12GB of RAM paired with either 256GB or 512GB of storage, and that there's also a 16GB version with 1TB of storage. Those storage capacities are the same as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, but in all cases, that phone comes with 12GB of RAM, so at the top end, you should be able to get more with the Z Fold 7.

The Flip 7 and the Flip 7 FE

Next up, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is listed as having 12GB of RAM and a choice of either 256GB or 512GB of storage. Those are the same specs as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.

There are also Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE specs listed here, with the phone said to have 8GB of RAM and come in a choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage.

Since this all comes directly from a Samsung site, these details are almost certainly accurate, but we still can’t be 100% certain until Samsung announces the specs on July 9 – and it’s possible, too, that some regions will have different configurations to others.

Magnetic charging could require a case

A Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 case with magnets built in (Image credit: Android Headlines)

In any case, we’ve also now seen leaked case renders for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (shared by Android Headlines) and Galaxy Z Fold 7 (shared by NieuweMobiel).

These don’t reveal much about the phones that we haven’t already seen or heard, but it’s worth noting that some of the cases include magnets, which means that these phones will probably both have the same magnetic charging support as the Samsung Galaxy S25 series.

Specifically, you’ll probably be able to magnetically attach chargers and other accessories, much like with Apple’s MagSafe system, except the magnets won’t be built into the phones themselves, so you’ll need to equip them with a magnetic case first. If so, that would be disappointing but not surprising.

Samsung is expected to unveil all of these phones at the next Galaxy Unpacked on July 9, so we should find out exactly what they have to offer very soon.

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