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U.S. officials confirmed a case of the flesh-eating parasite in a person who traveled from El Salvador. Screwworm typically affects cattle in South America, but has spread north in recent years.

(Image credit: AP)

Revamp your home security system with these reliable security cams, tested by CNET experts.

At its peak, China Evergrande Group was worth more than $50 billion. But it all came crashing down in 2021. It was massively in debt and unable to complete some existing projects.

• Finchetto develops photonic packet switch eliminating electronic control bottlenecks
• Dual-wavelength innovation enables optical routing without electronic memory slowdown
• Future-proof passive optics promise scalability beyond terabit network generations

Photonics chip startup Finchetto is working on an optical packet switch which could help hyperscale networks scale into the AGI era. The design could potentially switch data up to 1000 times faster, while using less power and remaining scalable for future network speeds.

At a basic level, a digital packet switch receives data on one port, reads the header stored in memory, and forwards the packet out through the right port. That is straightforward in electronics, but not in photonics.

The problem with an optical packet switch is that light cannot be stored. A light beam carrying a data packet cannot be paused while its header is read, so conventional designs revert to slower electronic processing.

Future-proof

Finchetto’s co-founder, Mike Pearcey, realized that the data and header could instead be transmitted on two separate wavelengths simultaneously.

One carries the payload, the other the destination, allowing the switch to route packets optically.

Finchetto CEO Mark Rushworth told Blocks & Files: "We’ve eliminated the electrical control signal, the rate limiter on how granular you can get your switching in the circuit switches. We’re talking tens of microseconds, reconfiguration time, others are looking at less than a microsecond reconfiguration time, but that’s not fast enough to do a hundred gig network even, which is fairly low small fry these days. By eliminating that electronic control signal that says; switch this way, switch that way; that’s taking tens of microseconds or hundreds of nanoseconds and replacing it with light controlling lights, we’ve reduced that switching time to low nanoseconds."

He added that the processing part of the switch “is actually taking those two parallel wavelengths and it is transposing the data onto the addressed wavelength. So only one wavelength comes out … on the destination wavelength, and then you have demultiplexer would send them out. Then you can physically get the data to the correct destination based on what wavelength it is on.”

Rushworth also stressed, “The packet remains integral as an Ethernet or Infiniband packet. Whatever protocol you’re using stays so that it can be understood at each end without any issues. We keep the same protocol that the system has.”

He argued the all-optical design is inherently future-proof: “At the moment, cutting edge is 800 gigabits per second. They’re pushing on 1.6 terabyte per second. In two, three years it’ll be 3.4 and so on. But because the switch is passive optics, it doesn’t matter what speed the signal comes in, because whatever the speed, we’ll pass it through.”

Finchetto is still in the early stages, with hurdles ahead including flow control in a bufferless optical system and completing the firmware, software, and management layers needed for a full network solution.

If successful, the company expects to have a lab-ready product within 12–18 months.

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Seven years after they merged, the soft drink maker and coffee pod innovator will become separate companies again. CEO Timothy Cofer said separate coffee and beverage businesses would be more nimble.

(Image credit: Richard Drew)

Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2: review

The Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 is a peculiar, yet undeniably fun creation. It’s a webcam for Nintendo Switch 2 that’s modelled on the classic Super Mario enemy, Piranha Plant. You know, the one that rears its head from a pipe in an attempt to eat you whole.

This model is produced by video game accessory producer Hori, but licensed by Nintendo itself. Yes, it’s a lot more character-filled and extravagant than the official Switch 2 camera, but still, it costs a fair chunk less, coming with a list price of just $59.99 / £33.99 / AU$64.95. But why?

Well, before we get to that, I want to talk about this thing’s design – which is more unique than even the best webcams. Not only is it playful and perfect for any Nintendo fan, but it’s pretty well made too. It comes with a poseable stem to angle the webcam with, a leaf part – which you can attach to its stem – and a mouth that can be opened and closed to reveal or conceal the camera.

(Image credit: Future)

On top of that, there’s a plant pot, which can be kept closed and used as a stand, or opened to mount the plant on top of your monitor or TV. For the most part, I kept the pot closed, and connected it up to my Nintendo Switch 2 via the included USB-C cable. The open position wasn’t wide enough to fit on top of my TV, which I expect will be the case for a lot of users.

If you’re playing in handheld mode, you can plug the Piranha Plant into your Switch 2’s USB-C port directly, which makes it a highly versatile option. I also appreciated a 3.5mm right-angle adapter, which enables you to use one of the best Nintendo Switch headsets wired, without the leaf part obstructing your cable.

So far, it all looks very rosy for this lil’ plant. But we haven’t really addressed the key reason for that low price point yet. And it is, unfortunately, tied to performance. Yes, Hori’s Piranha Plant camera offers a 480p resolution, which would’ve been fine 20 years ago but, in 2025, it’s simply not good enough.

As you can imagine, 480p is highly restrictive, and the picture quality you get from this camera is poor. I tried playing some Mario Kart World with my friend, and details on my face and clothing were unclear, while colors lacked vibrancy and that true-to-life tone. On top of that, I tried sitting about one meter from my TV in docked mode, and my picture was extremely blurry. In fact, my face looked almost as if it was melting. Thankfully it wasn’t, but the Plant made me question that.

(Image credit: Future)

One thing I’ll commend the Piranha Plant on, though, is that it tracked my face fairly well. In Mario Kart World, a webcam can be used to show your face in a small circle on the results page, or alongside your character mid-race. Throughout, the Piranha Plant was able to keep me well-centered, even if the actual sharpness of my picture was lacking.

It’s worth noting that there aren’t all too many titles with webcam functionality right now. Yes, it adds a fun touch to Mario Kart World's online multiplayer, and it unlocks a few extra minigames in Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV, but that's about it right now.

With that said, is it worth purchasing Hori’s Piranha Plant webcam? Well, its 480p resolution makes it impossible for me to recommend outright – that is unless you want to reminisce over the camera quality of the Nintendo DSi and 3DS.

And so ultimately, it matters not how much I adore the very sight of this dashing plant. For I cannot help but feel despair – no… anguish – over its tragic picture quality. It makes me wonder, then, how can we possibly reconcile two such polarising emotions for just one individual. Well, maybe we can’t. Maybe that conflict is, at its core, what makes this plant so intriguing. Its beauty is undeniable, yet so are its flaws. To buy it is to experience conflict in its rawest form.

(Image credit: Future)Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price & specs

Price

$59.99 / £33.99 / AU$64.95

Resolution

480p at 30fps

Field of view

85 degrees

Dimensions

65 x 44 x 150mm (camera); 49 x 49 x 47 (base)

Weight

30g (camera); 80g (base)

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2, Windows, MacOS

Should you buy the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2?

(Image credit: Future)

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Fun, endearing look, flexible stem, mount works well, but won’t fit every screen

4.5/5

Performance

Dismal 480p resolution, very blurry at a distance, but framing works well

2/5

Value

Considerably cheaper than official Switch 2 camera, but at a quality cost

3/5

Buy it if...

You’re a big fan of Piranha Plant
Honestly, there’s a case to pick this lil’ guy up as a collectible, or a statement piece – rather than to use as your Switch 2 webcam. The Piranha Plant cam is well made and oozing with character, and it can add a splash of color to your TV unit or monitor.

You want a flexible design
I appreciate the versatility of the Piranha Plant webcam a whole lot. You can find the perfect angle for your living space using its poseable stem and L-shaped mount, and it can be used in either handheld mode, or in TV mode (using the mount or plant pot base).

Don't buy it if...

You value strong picture quality
Oh what could’ve been. See, this Piranha may look pretty neat on the outside, but on the inside, it’s not really equipped for peak performance. That’s due to its resolution being capped at 480p – the same as that of the DSi, which first released in 2008. Ouch.

You want an ultra-secure, highly versatile mount
The L-shaped mount on this webcam is good enough to sit on top of most monitors, and a good amount of slim TVs. Still, it’s not exactly the most secure mount I’ve used, and if you’ve got a chunkier TV, then it won’t be able to sit on top. You can instead place it inside the pot and on top of a TV unit, if the mount isn’t working out, of course.

Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2: also consider

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera
Well, I’ll be honest, there aren’t too many Switch-2-oriented competitors out there right now, so if you’re not sold on this plant creature, I’d just suggest picking up the official Nintendo Switch 2 Camera. It offers far higher picture quality, thanks to its 1080p resolution, and even if that’s the only reason to pick it over this model, it’s a pretty major one!

How I tested the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one week
• Used at home in handheld and TV mode
• Predominantly tested while playing Mario Kart World

I tested the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for a week, using it as the primary camera for my Nintendo Switch 2. During this period, I used the camera in both handheld and docked mode, with my console connected to the Sky Glass Gen 2 television and Samsung HW-Q800D soundbar.

There aren’t all too many titles that support camera functionality on the Nintendo Switch 2 just yet, so for the most part, I tested this model’s picture quality on Mario Kart World. To do this, I entered GameChat with my Future colleague, Nikita, and assessed the quality of my picture from various distances.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: August 2025

The Reds head to the north-east to face the Magpies, with the Alexander Isak transfer saga still rumbling on between the two teams.

The lawsuit alleges that Apple and OpenAI's deal to bring ChatGPT to iPhone users is an "anti-competitive scheme" that hurts Musk's xAI.

• European firms are deeply locked into foreign office suites and systems
• American platforms manage the communication backbones of Europe’s largest corporations
• Reliance on external providers exposes utilities and healthcare to foreign oversight

For years, European governments and corporations leaned heavily on American technology offerings instead of nurturing local alternatives.

That choice now carries visible consequences, as sanctions and shifting trade rules brought in by the Trump administration drastically reshape the balance of power.

A recent analysis of business email domains across Europe by Proton shows a striking majority of publicly listed firms rely on American providers such as Google and Microsoft.

Data reveals the depth of reliance

Behind the rhetoric of digital sovereignty, the reality is that much of Europe’s digital infrastructure rests on technology stacks that entities outside its borders control. This is not just about convenience software but also about essential systems that underpin finance, healthcare, and utilities.

Email may appear mundane, but it often serves as the gateway to office software, online collaboration platforms, and cloud-based storage.

When a company commits to a provider for email, it usually adopts the full suite, embedding foreign technology deep into its operations.

This trend is not limited to smaller economies but also includes the continent’s largest players, where dependence cuts across industries from energy and telecommunications to pharmaceuticals.

In countries like Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, over 90% of publicly listed companies rely on American services for email and related infrastructure.

However, the shocker is probably Ireland, which is at loggerheads with the US on several policies, but 93% of its businesses depend on American tech.

The UK, although mostly an ally of the US, has an alarming 88% of businesses relying on US tech, while other European heavyweights like Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland recorded 74%, 72%, and 68% of businesses relying on US tech, respectively.

Even France, which often champions its own autonomy, sees two out of three (66%) companies tied to US providers.

Eastern European countries like Bulgaria (16%) and Romania (39%) are the least dependent on American tech, and Russia is not even on the list of nations dependent on the US.

National security concerns emerge when utilities, transport systems, and healthcare facilities communicate through networks governed by foreign jurisdictions, but perhaps not when the network belongs to the US.

The reliance stretches far beyond convenience; it embeds itself in the very systems Europeans use every day - dependence on foreign technology does not just present a financial vulnerability; it raises questions about surveillance, geopolitical leverage, and the future of innovation.

AI training programs outside Europe’s control can sweep in sensitive business data, while reliance on external platforms exposes companies to warrantless legal demands.

This arrangement has also fostered a talent and capital drain, as engineers and investors direct their focus toward Silicon Valley rather than strengthening European ecosystems, whether through proprietary services or alternative Linux distros.

Some argue that American technology simply offers the best tools available, which may be true in terms of efficiency and global reach, yet the consequences of reliance are increasingly hard to ignore, since the US can turn off the switch at any time, and thousands of companies will be in crisis.

The fact that so many European firms cannot operate without American software demonstrates the fragile nature of Europe’s autonomy.

Rather than securing independence, Europe risks locking itself further into external dependencies at a moment when political winds in Washington are shifting.

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It began on the edgy margins of a mainstream festival — which it's now eclipsed. But nearly 80 years on, performers and spectators say rising costs threaten the Fringe's alternative vibe.

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While industry analysts are predicting Apple will release new AirPods Pro 3 this fall, they're also saying the second-gen AirPods Max won't be arriving anytime soon.

• Adjustable channels for 3D immersive audio
• Hi-res audio via TIDAL Connect and Google Cast
• New dialog enhancement mode

Sennheiser's flagship soundbar, the Ambeo Max, is getting a major firmware update called AMBEO OS2 that should deliver a serious audio upgrade to what's already a very impressive soundbar.

This is the most important upgrade since the Sennheiser Ambeo Max launched back in 2019, and it keeps the soundbar current with more recent high-end examples of the best soundbars from the likes of Sony and KEF.

There are three key components to the upgrade. There's customizable 3D audio; extended hi-res lossless audio performance; and a voice enhancement mode to deliver better vocal clarity in movies, TV shows and sports.

(Image credit: Sennheiser)Sennheiser Ambeo OS2: what's new and how to get it

OS2 delivers adjustable volume levels for the side, top and center channel speaker virtualization, enabling you to tweak the 3D audio to suit your room and your own personal preference.

The existing Dolby Atmos Music on TIDAL has been supplemented with support for audio up to 24-bit/192kHz via TIDAL Connect. And you can now stream at up to 24-bit/96kHz via Google Cast for Audio.

Last but not least, there's a new Voice Enhancement Mode that Sennheiser says "ensures dialog remains clear and intelligible even when sound effects or music dominate the mix". I wonder how that'll cope with Christopher Nolan's Interstellar.

Ambeo Max owners can get the new upgrade in two ways: via the Smart Control app on iOS or Android, or by downloading it to a USB drive from sennheiser-hearing.com.

This is obviously good news for Ambeo Max owners. But I think it's worth noting for prospective Sennheiser soundbar purchasers too, since a company delivering an update this significant after five and a bit years is a pretty impressive commitment to its customers.

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Joe Gebbia, who also did work for Elon Musk's DOGE project, says he wants government services "to be as satisfying to use as the Apple Store."

• Google released a study outlining how much energy and water its AI uses
• Experts say the figures lack important context
• Google insists these figures represent the average user experience

A new study from Google claims its Gemini AI model only uses very minimal water and energy for each prompt - with the median usage sitting at around 5 drops (0.26 milliliters) - the equivalent electricity used for 9 seconds of TV watching (roughly 0.24 watt-hours), resulting in around 0.003 grams of CO2 emissions.

Experts have been quick to dispute the claims, however, with The Verge claiming Google omitted key data points in its study, drastically under-reporting the environmental impacts of the model.

Whilst models and data centers have become more efficient, it seems there’s more to the story than Google is letting on.

The tip of the iceberg

One of the authors of a paper cited in the study, Shaolei Ren, associate professor of electrical engineering at the University of California told the publication; “They’re just hiding the critical information. This really spreads the wrong message to the world.”

AI models like Gemini are supported by data centers - huge warehouses full of servers which consume intense amounts of water and energy, straining local resources.

Governments across the globe have been sanctioning the building of these data centers, despite the destruction they could bring to local countryside - and consumers are likely to be the ones paying for the extra energy used.

One of the biggest concerns with Google's study is that it omits indirect water usage in the estimates, which form the majority of the use related to AI. Whilst the figures are technically correct, the missing context of the extreme energy use paints a misleading picture.

The study only looks at the water used by data centers to cool their servers, but left out is the electricity these data centers demand, which in turn leads to new gas and nuclear plants - which also cool their systems with water, or use steam to turn turbines.

Water isn’t the only metric Google misrepresented though, with the paper only outlining a ‘market based’ carbon emissions measure, which offsets the figure using Google’s promises to use renewable energy to support power grids. Savannah Goodman, Head of Advanced Energy Labs told TechRadar Pro,

"We hope to share environmental metrics that are representative of a typical user's behavior, and reasonably comparable over time. However, with the rapidly evolving landscape of AI model architectures and AI assistant user behavior, there are outliers either from small subsets of prompts served by models with low utilization or with high token counts."

"In order to share metrics that represent a typical user’s experience and are robust to this rapidly evolving field, we chose to measure metrics for the median prompt — which is robust to extreme values and provides a more accurate reflection of a typical prompt's energy impact."

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If you’re buying a flashy new pair of over-ear headphones, what are you looking for? Amazing sound quality, top-tier noise cancellation, and high levels of comfort are surely all crucial. But something I’m also keen to assess here at TechRadar is looks – how clean do a pair of headphones appear on the ear? What sets them apart from competitors?

Yep, if like me, you wear over-ear headphones all the time, even when taking public transport and out and about, I’m sure you’ll want them to look as good as they sound. So, I’ve compiled a list of 5 headphones that I and the wider TechRadar team have tested, all of which really are stunners.

And although this isn’t a list of the best headphones overall, I’ve made sure that each model listed supplies a strong audio performance, comes with a nice array of features, and feels pleasant in use. Interested? Then let’s get into the list.

1. The budget beauty: 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

(Image credit: Future)

The 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are our pick for the best budget cans that money can buy, and their aesthetic plays a significant part in that.

Like a lot of 1More cans, they have an extremely sleek curved on-ear look, giving them a sharp, well-defined appearance. They combine that with an attractive matte black finish, red detailing on the ports and earcups, and a slim headband. Bring that all together, and you’re looking at a really attractive pair of over-ears.

They also offer surprisingly effective ANC, a highly customizable sound, and outrageously long battery life – 65 hours with ANC on and 100 hours with it off! All of that for less than $100 / £100? Oh, go on then.

Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review.

Not really your thing? Then how about the awesome value Sony WH-CH720N, which appear higher in quality than their low price may suggest.

2. The magnificent mid-ranger: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

(Image credit: TechRadar)Check this out

(Image credit: Future)

Want to know what tracks I use to test headphones here at TechRadar? These are the 7 failsafe tracks I use when reviewing audio gear

Right, a quick disclaimer, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are mid-rangers in my book for UK buyers – they’re regularly available for well under £200. In the US, they’re a fair bit pricier, but these are simply too suave for me to omit from the list.

These five star-rated headphones combine large oval-shaped earcups, a unique fabric headband, and a far smoother appearance than their predecessors, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless. I specifically really like the variant that has copper-colored detailing around the outside of the earcups as well as the Sennheiser logo – it really makes this model pop.

Of course, you know that’s not all. They’ve got a pleasantly neutral, crisp sound signature, awesome battery life, and better noise cancelling than you might expect. Talk about the full package.

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review.

Want something a little different? Then how about the comfort kings that are the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro

3. The majestic mid-to-premium model: Marshall Monitor III ANC

(Image credit: Future)

Even though the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the pair of headphones I use daily, they’re not my favorite headphones you can buy looks-wise. That award would go to the Marshall Monitor III ANC, which are absolutely stunning, in my opinion.

They have a faux-leather exterior, visible wires to represent the brand’s rock ‘n’ roll roots, and gorgeous golden details. I see a lot of stylish people donning the Marshall Major IV on-ears, and I don’t mind those, but I prefer the slimmer form of the Monitor III’s.

My colleague at Future, Nikita, wears these cans everyday, so I wanted to get her opinion. She said: “There's a very good reason why Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong is the posterboy for these headphones, and that's because they make me look and feel like a rockstar. They look like a million bucks and I love how sleek and compact they are as well. Based on looks alone, the Monitor III’s are the best-looking headphones I've owned”.

Pretty high praise, right? But there’s more! I adore the red-velvet-lined carry case, immersive sound, and seemingly endless playtime these headphones offer. They’re a true standout option in today’s market, but for all the right reasons.

Read our full Marshall Monitor III ANC review.

They’re divisive, but if you want something truly eye-catching, the Nothing Headphone (1) is an S-tier option.

4. The pretty and premium pick: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

OK, we’re getting into expensive territory now, but with headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, you’re getting what you pay for. I could speak for hours on end about their spacey, hypnotic sound signature, but it's looks we’re talking about here, and these have them in abundance.

The earcups are slim and well built, there’s a satisfying feeling fabric headband, and stellar color options – there’s Anthracite Black, Canvas White, or Indigo Blue. If you want cans that indicate you value sound highly, these should be a go-to.

We love the audio quality, evolving feature-set, and enhanced ANC on the Px7 S3, so if you’ve got around $450 / £400 to spend, you can’t really do much better than this.

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review.

If you’re not sold on the Bowers, I also personally like the Sonos Ace – they’re amazing for movies, very solid for music, and super stylish.

5. The luxurious looker: Dali IO-8

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

At the time of writing, our guide to the best over-ear headphones places the Dali IO-8 in first place for design. Yes, we’ve described them as “the best over-ear headphones for ultra-luxe looks as well as sound”.

These cans have exceptional build quality, using brushed, anodised metal on the exterior, memory foam lining the inside of the earcups, and a tasty choice of ‘iron’ black or ‘caramel’ white finishes. Their perfectly circular earcups also have a minimal, yet premium look that’s timeless.

One issue some may take with the IO-8 is that there’s leather on them. There’s no vegan alternative either, unfortunately, but the aforementioned Marshall Monitor III ANC are a nice vegan-friendly alternative.

The Dali IO-8 aren’t only beautiful, they’re also able to offer positive, detailed audio, with support for the hi-res aptX Adaptive codec also on the menu. They appear to be somewhat elusive and highly expensive in the US, but UK buyers should be able to scoop these up for less than £500.

Read our full Dali IO-8 review.

Apple fans, if you don’t own them already, the Apple AirPods Max are a seriously sexy pair of cans; they’re my alternate option in this bracket, no questions asked.

So, those are my personal picks, but I’d love to hear from you. Do you have any of these headphones? What do you make of them? Or are there some other models that you really like the look of? Let me know in the comments.

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I adore my Nintendo Switch 2, but as many predicted, it faces a familiar challenge: battery life. It's by no means dreadful, but I definitely find it runs out a little faster compared to my Switch OLED (and the original Switch before that).

Of course, it does feature a bigger battery than its predecessors, but that's mostly to account for improved performance. Still, I've not second-guessed my generational upgrade once.

However, since I travel often and frequently forget to charge up when there's the opportunity, even a slightly diminished handheld battery life can prove irritating. There are heaps of Switch 2 cases on sites like Amazon, and an ample supply of the best power banks on offer too, but given the Switch 2's innate portability, I'm loath to pack my bag with too many loose gadgets.

That's where Belkin's Charging Case for Nintendo Switch 2 comes in. This bad boy packs a 10,000mAh battery pack complete with a display, and also comes with its own USB-C charger. I snagged one of the sage cases myself, and it's washed away my battery anxiety overnight – but there's a lot else to love.

The case is also available on Amazon in the UK here for £49.99, or from at Belkin Australia for AU$99.95.View Deal

First up, let's talk about protective measures. Now, it could be the slightly larger frame in contrast to its ever-thin profile (or the loftier price tag...), but I've been nursing my Nintendo Switch 2 like a newborn babe for fear of it being damaged, especially when I'm travelling.

Available in three chic colors (black, sand, and sage), Belkin's charging case is well-padded and made with a durable polyester outer shell and a wraparound zip. I adore the trendy sage colorway, which is slightly more green than grey and matches my largely matcha-influenced aesthetic for 2025.

Open up the case and you'll find a soft velvety interior as well as some built-in storage; namely, a mesh pocket for wires and other accessories (including a fitted Apple AirTag pocket), and a flat panel with 12 elasticated game card holders. On the other half, there's a recess to house the battery with a velcro strap to keep it secure, and the Switch 2 slots in neatly above this in a fitted bed to keep it snug.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Future)

With the Switch 2 in tow, it weighs in at 2.6 lbs / 1.84kg; a little meaty, yes, but far more compact than the alternative loose portable battery. It's backed by a two-year warranty, too, so you're covered on multiple fronts.

All this contributes to far greater peace of mind for me when I'm out and about with my Switch 2, whether that's through keeping me charged and ready to play, protecting my case from damage, or offering peace of mind that, should it get lost, my Apple AirTag can easily help me relocate it.

You can grab Belkin's charge case for $69.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.95, but there's also a non-charging version available for $29.99 / £17.99 / AU$39.95. If you've not yet bought Nintendo's latest handheld, you can read TechRadar’s full review of the Nintendo Switch 2 here.

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• Windows 10's extended support offer is currently rolling out
• A fair few people aren't seeing it, though - myself included
• Microsoft has said that the rollout is happening 'slowly' but that it will be available for everyone before Windows 10's End of Life in October 2025

If you're running Windows 10 and hoping to get extended support for the OS in order to avoid having to upgrade to Windows 11 come October 2025, you may be wondering exactly where the offer of that support is.

While it's officially rolling out, as of a month ago in limited form, Windows Latest reports that the extended security updates (ESU) scheme hasn't reached many people yet.

The button to kick off the enrolment wizard that allows you to sign up for the scheme - which can be done for free, as you may have seen - should appear in the Windows Update panel. However, a good few people - including Windows Latest readers - just aren't seeing this button at all, so they can't sign up.

The tech site contacted Microsoft about this and was told by the company that the enrolment wizard is indeed rolling out currently - as was officially announced recently - it's just that this is happening "slowly".

There's nothing you can do to prompt the button to appear in Windows Update; you just have to wait.

(Image credit: Shutterstock - Wachiwit)Analysis: a seemingly cautious rollout

I am still running Windows 10, and I'm planning to take the offer of extended support (for reasons I've discussed in-depth recently), but I also haven't yet seen it on my PC. There are scattered reports on various online forums from people wondering where the offer is, so it does seem like the rollout is on the cautious and slow side, as Microsoft indicates.

The good news is that Microsoft has assured Windows Latest that the enrollment wizard will arrive on all Windows 10 PCs before the End of Life of the older operating system, which is mid-October 2025. So, it's just a case of being patient, although personally I'd rather not leave signing up for the program until the last minute.

Hopefully, Microsoft will kick the ESU rollout into a higher gear with the next big update for Windows 10, which arrives on September 9, 2025. We shall see, and perhaps ironing out bugs in the wizard has been part of the issue here - there was a notable glitch whereby the sign-up process was failing for some folks, a problem Microsoft resolved the week before last.

Meanwhile, as Windows Latest points out elsewhere, Microsoft is stepping up its full-screen nags being displayed to Windows 10 users, urging them to upgrade to Windows 11, as of the most recent August update. These are pop-ups that have been seen before, and it's likely they'll be fired out again next month and when October rolls around, when support is cut off for those who haven't signed up for the ESU.

I'm going to avail myself of the free option for extended updates, which requires syncing PC settings to OneDrive, as this is something I already do anyway. For those who'd rather not do so - and remember, it is just your Windows settings, not your files and data that's synced - they can still pay $30 (or equivalent in their currency) to join the ESU (which was the only option initially).

A third route is to cash in 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, provided you have accumulated that many.

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When we sit down to watch our favorite TV series online, we rarely consider the streaming process – we just hit play. In reality, there’s a video codec seamlessly managing the compression and decompression of the data to deliver that effortless, high-quality viewing experience. For example, High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC or H.265) has been one of the more widely used video standards across streaming platforms and consumer devices for the last decade.

In more recent years, Versatile Video Coding (VVC or H.266), the next generation codec launched, offering significantly improved video compression efficiency and performance over HEVC. The benefits of using VVC include streaming higher resolution content at lower bitrates, improved data efficiency and better visual quality.

However, while VVC delivers a superior performance to HEVC, widespread adoption of new codecs often takes time due to standardization process timelines, compatibility conditions and hardware requirements.

VVC is gaining traction, particularly around the development of software decoders but hardware support is still playing catch up. Several steps must now happen for VVC to achieve full industry endorsement.

The benefits of VVC and catalysts to adoption:

As viewer expectations for quality increase and streaming platforms continue to develop, VVC is well positioned to meet future video compression needs. The codec has a robust technical architecture and clearly established intellectual property policies. It also delivers an impressive 50% bitrate reduction compared to HEVC, for the same perceived quality. The result? Reduced buffering and improved delivery of 4K and 8K content, without high data costs.

VVC can be used across many applications rather than one specific use case driving adoption. Technologies that would benefit most from VVC, such as 8K, VR (Virtual Reality), and volumetric video are growing in use cases, but are not yet widely adopted by consumers and businesses. While they definitely show promise, they haven't yet reached the scale of demand needed to drive immediate uptake of VVC.

The area showing most promise so far in driving VVC adoption is broadcast. VVC's superior compression efficiency makes it particularly valuable here, as bandwidth limitations mean that improved compression directly impacts cost efficiency.

In the broadcast sector, there's growing momentum from both European (DVB) and North American (ATSC) standards bodies supporting VVC, with Brazil launching experimental VVC-based transmissions in May, in advance of a subsequent commercial rollout. ATSC has recently incorporated VVC into its 3.0 specification.

Removing VVC adoption roadblocks:

Despite clearly demonstrating the capabilities of VVC, one obstacle to implementation is that firmware in some devices – such as certain Smart TVs - will require updating to enable it, despite already having the necessary hardware. This can create market fragmentation where some devices are provided with updates while others remain without VVC support.

In terms of mobile platforms, VVC has been proven to run efficiently on older mobile devices in software, easing concerns about its computational demands. However, this is an area where adoption is still slightly behind.

That said, creating a viable option to enable VVC via firmware updates in consumer electronics presents an opportunity to accelerate rollout without requiring hardware refreshes. But integration in devices must be accompanied by the availability of VVC content and services.

Overcoming regional differences:

Some markets have already integrated HEVC into their landscapes, meaning a new migration could take time and further investment. Yet regional discrepancies can also work as an advantage for VVC. For instance, broadcast markets such as Australia haven't yet completely migrated to Advanced Video Coding (AVC) - the codec that came before HEVC. This might mean that they bypass HEVC entirely and move directly to VVC, potentially speeding up uptake in these specific areas.

VVC also faces competition in the video codec landscape, particularly from AV1 (AOMedia Video 1). Developed by the Alliance for Open Media, AV1 has achieved significant adoption in streaming platforms and web-based applications, and the next generation codec, AV2, is expected to be finalized soon. However, AV1's performance characteristics make it less suited for complex content, meaning that, in terms of coding efficiency, AV1 and VVC aren't direct competitors in high-end applications.

The future for VVC development looks bright

We’ve recently seen VVC being demonstrated publicly. Most notably, the technology was used to power 8K trials at the Paris Olympics, with a private demonstration delivered to premier broadcasters. The practicality of VVC for streamers has been enhanced by Fraunhofer HHI’s release of the VVdeC/VVdeC software decoder (Versatile Video Encoder/ Decoder) in 2020. This software has been ported to various platforms and web browsers, so that developers wishing to integrate VVC don’t necessarily need to start from scratch.

Real-world deployment of VVC is still in its early stages. However, continued market education, industry collaboration, and integration into a variety of devices and applications will help drive implementation throughout 2025 and beyond. As a doorway to widespread VVC adoption, major streaming platforms need to begin offering VVC streams.

Even one major service adopting VVC could create a significant domino effect, where competitors follow suit and create momentum across the entire ecosystem. So the next time you sit down to stream your favorite series, you may just be pioneering the very latest video codec, in full 4k or even 8k glory.

VVC’s unique position at the intersection of broadcast, streaming, and emerging immersive media makes it a pivotal technology in the evolving digital video landscape. As content delivery networks face increasing bandwidth demands, VVC's compression advantages could become increasingly valuable, potentially reshaping how video is distributed across global networks. For businesses in these industries, it’s certainly a technology to monitor.

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

New and sophisticated threat actors known collectively as "Scattered Spider" have emerged as one of the most concerning challenges facing organizations worldwide. These groups – including UNC3944, Oktapus, and Muddled Libra – have, yet again, fundamentally transformed the attack paradigm by prioritizing human psychology over traditional malware deployment.

A new breed of cyber adversary

What sets Scattered Spider groups apart from conventional cybercriminals is their masterful exploitation of human vulnerabilities rather than system weaknesses. These threat actors have perfected the art of social engineering, employing sophisticated techniques such as voice phishing (vishing), SMS phishing (smishing), and chat-based manipulation to convincingly impersonate legitimate employees and trusted contacts.

The success of these groups lies in their ability to establish initial network access through carefully orchestrated human interactions. By studying organizational structures and employee behaviors, they craft highly personalized approaches that bypass traditional security measures through the simple act of conversation. This ‘human-first’ methodology is proving remarkably effective against even well-defended networks.

The mechanics of deception

The true danger of Scattered Spider operations becomes apparent when examining their sophisticated approach to multi-factor authentication (MFA) bypass. Through strategic SIM-swapping attacks and carefully orchestrated helpdesk manipulation, these criminals exploit the inherent trust relationships within organizations. They convince IT support personnel to reset MFA credentials or transfer system control, often using information gathered through extensive reconnaissance to appear legitimate.

Once inside target networks, Scattered Spider groups demonstrate exceptional operational security by employing "Living off the Land" tactics. This approach involves leveraging legitimate administrative tools already present within most enterprise environments – including PowerShell, PsExec, AnyDesk, and even credential-harvesting utilities like Mimikatz. By utilizing these ‘authorized’ tools for malicious purposes, the groups effectively operate beneath the detection threshold of traditional security solutions.

This minimal malware approach presents a significant challenge for organizations relying heavily on signature-based detection systems. Traditional antivirus solutions and legacy security tools may never register suspicious activity, allowing attackers to maintain persistent access while conducting their operations with impunity.

The attack unveiled

The Scattered Spider groups’ attack methodology follows a predictable, yet highly effective pattern. The process typically begins with extensive reconnaissance and credential harvesting, where attackers gather detailed information about target organizations, their employees, and internal processes.

Following this intelligence-gathering phase, the group leverages AI-driven phishing techniques and sophisticated voice cloning technology to craft highly personalized smishing campaigns. These messages appear remarkably authentic, often incorporating specific organizational terminology, recent company events, or industry-relevant information scraped from LinkedIn and dark web data, which lends credibility to their deceptive communications.

The social engineering component represents perhaps the most insidious aspect of their operations. By impersonating legitimate employees, these criminals manipulate helpdesk staff and telephony personnel into performing security-compromising actions. They skillfully exploit the helpful nature of IT support teams, often creating artificial urgency or leveraging apparent authority to bypass standard verification procedures.

Once initial access is established, Scattered Spider groups focus on persistence through strategic deployment of remote management tools, using credential dump tools such as Mimikatz, secretdump, and ADRecon to escalate access. They also utilize internal tools and tunneling such as Ngrok, RSocx to hide movement, ultimately leading to data exfiltration or ransomware deployment, depending on the group's specific objectives for each engagement.

The warning signs

Security teams must develop heightened awareness of specific indicators that may signal Scattered Spider activity within their environments. Sudden increases in remote-access sessions, particularly those involving tools like AnyDesk or ScreenConnect, warrant immediate investigation, especially when these sessions occur outside normal business hours or originate from unfamiliar geographic locations.

Multiple MFA reset requests channeled through phone-based support within compressed timeframes often indicate systematic attempts to manipulate helpdesk personnel. Organizations should also monitor for unrecognized SIM-swap alerts or unexpected one-time password deliveries to employees, as these frequently signal active credential compromise attempts.

Perhaps most concerning are instances where security tools experience mysterious disabling or unauthorized administrative actions appearing in system consoles. These events, particularly when coupled with anomalous lateral movement patterns involving valid employee credentials used in atypical ways, strongly suggest advanced persistent threat activity.

Industry impact and future implications

While recent intelligence suggests Scattered Spider groups have begun targeting the aviation industry following successful retail sector exploits, security professionals must recognize that no industry remains immune to these sophisticated attacks. These groups’ methodology proves effective across diverse organizational structures and business models, making widespread vigilance essential.

Building defense strategies

Protecting against Scattered Spider groups requires a carefully orchestrated multi-layered approach that simultaneously addresses technical vulnerabilities and human factors. Email security solutions are needed to provide crucial frontline defense by intercepting phishing attempts, credential-harvesting campaigns, and smishing attacks before they reach employees. Advanced anti-impersonation features within these solutions help reduce CEO and CFO fraud schemes commonly leveraged in these sophisticated campaigns.

Modern endpoint security and endpoint detection and response solutions are the next layer of defense required for essential visibility, as they detect unauthorized remote access tools, identify credential dumping attempts, and flag unusual lateral movement patterns from compromised endpoints. Additionally, advanced behavioral analytics can identify "Living off the Land" techniques even when traditional malware signatures are absent, catching attackers who rely on legitimate system tools for malicious purposes.

However, technology alone cannot adequately address this rapidly evolving threat. These sophisticated attacks underscore a fundamental shift in cybersecurity: humans, not machines, have become the new perimeter that organisations must defend. Therefore, security awareness training serves as a critical human-layer defense, empowering staff to recognize deception tactics early in the attack chain.

The emergence of Scattered Spider groups represents more than just another type of cybercriminal outfit – it signals a paradigm shift requiring organizations to layer traditional technical controls with identity safeguards, behavior-based detection systems, and continuous employee education to create truly comprehensive protection against human-centric cyber threats.

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