Technology

Biohacker Josie Zyner’s new company, Los Angeles Project, is creating a new generation of gene-edited pets.

The Dutch champs are hoping to overturn a 2-1 deficit as they welcome the Serie A team to the Philips Stadion.

• Sales of discs, including 4K Blu-ray, fall for another year
• There was an overall decline of 23.4% year-over-year in 2024
• Subscription streaming services, such as Netflix, grew by 25.3%

Sales of 4K Blu-ray discs (our top format choice for testing the best TVs), Blu-ray discs and DVDs declined for another year in 2024, falling below $1 billion for the first time in the US. Digital movie sales also fell during that time, adding yet more woes for Hollywood studios.

As reported by FlatpanelsHD, the sale of physical media formats fell after a 23.4% year-over-year decline, which is a record low after a peak for physical media sales of $16 billion in 2005. The 4K Blu-ray format accounts for a growing portion of the declining disc sales, though it has seen its sales decrease every year since 2018. Digital movie sales, from places such as Apple TV, fell 10.2% from the previous year.

Interestingly, figures suggest that the home entertainment market is actually growing, up 25.3% from the previous year. That includes revenue from the best streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus and more. At $57.17 billion, it is seven times larger than the US theatrical box office.

This news comes after a year of ups and downs for physical media in 2024, which saw Best Buy and Disney decide to cease selling and distribution of discs, only to be followed shortly thereafter by an agreement between Sony and Disney for the former to take over physical media distribution for the latter. LG also announced it would no longer manufacture 4K Blu-ray players, while retailers such as Fred Meyers and GameStop announced plans to stock 4K Blu-rays.

Are you missing out?

4K Blu-ray remains the best way to view your favorite movies, such as David Fincher's '90s crime epic Se7en (pictured), which had a 4k Blu-ray release in January 2025. (Image credit: Future)

We here at TechRadar are fans of 4K Blu-ray as we use them to test TVs, including the best OLED TVs and even the best soundbars. That’s because playing a disc on one of the best 4K Blu-ray players lets you enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows with superior picture and sound quality compared to streaming.

When you stream from services such as Netflix in 4K, the quality level is actually closer to a 1080p HD Blu-ray. The average video bit rate for a 4K Blu-ray is 128mbps, whereas 4K streaming averages 18mbps, maxing out at 40mbps on services like Apple TV. When I tested Blu-ray vs streaming, however, the impact was felt most with audio: streaming services compress Dolby Atmos soundtracks, whereas the uncompressed version present on Blu-rays sounds much clearer and more powerful.

Another issue with streaming services is that you don’t ‘own’ the movies and TV shows they carry. I’ve consistently found examples of movies I enjoy migrating from one streaming service to another (usually ones I don’t subscribe to) or disappearing altogether. It’s an incredibly frustrating situation that doesn’t happen if you own a physical copy.

The last year was a rollercoaster for 4K Blu-ray and this doom-and-gloom news of falling sales hasn’t got 2025 off to the best start, but I still remain hopeful for 2025. Our readers have shown strong interest in 4K Blu-ray, so much so that we’ve launched a monthly roundup of some of the best 4K Blu-ray releases named the ‘Blu-ray Bounty’, with our latest edition from January 2025 available to read at the link.

For anyone fed up with rising streaming prices, or maybe looking to dip their toe into the world of serious home theater, 4K Blu-ray is an excellent option. If you’re only focused on streaming, you’re missing out on the wonderful world of 4K Bu-ray.

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• Wicked Part One has finally conjured up a streaming release date on Peacock
• The Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-starring musical movie will arrive on March 21
• That means fans of the hit film won't be able to watch it at home before the 2025 Oscars

Get ready to sing your lungs out, everyone, because Wicked has finally landed a streaming release date.

That's right, Universal Pictures' hit film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical of the same name is set to be released on Peacock in the US next month. Indeed, it'll make its streaming debut on the NBCUniversal-owned service on Friday, March 21. At the time of this article's publication, that's just over a month from now.

Holding space for March 21. #WickedMovie will be streaming exclusively on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/xvlWvhmPQtFebruary 19, 2025

That's the good news. The bad news is that Wicked – or, to give its full title, Wicked: Part One – won't be available to watch at home before this year's Academy Awards ceremony. The 2025 Oscars are set to take place on Sunday, March 3, meaning almost three weeks will have passed before one of 2024's best movies is released on one of the world's best streaming services. If you were hoping to catch the multi-Oscar contender before the glitziest event of the year, then, you're bound to be disappointed.

In some ways, it makes sense that Wicked wouldn't be available to stream on Peacock before the 97th Academy Awards take place. Wicked has been nominated for 10 Oscars following its November 2024 theatrical debut, and I'd be very surprised if its cast and crew don't walk away with a few gongs on the night. There'll be more than a few fans who'll want to check it out on Peacock if (or, rather, when) it's won an award or four. That said, the timing of its streaming debut is a bit strange. Interest in Wicked is likely to be at its highest in the week before and after the 2025 Oscars. To me, then, it would be more logical for it to be released on Peacock on February 24 or March 4.

Anyway, if you're interested in watching any of this year's Best Picture Oscar nominees from the comfort of your own home, check out our guide on where to stream The Substance, Conclave, Anora, The Brutalist, and Wicked's other Academy Award competitors.

Where can I stream Wicked in the UK and Australia?

UK and Australian viewers will need to rent or buy Wicked from a digital store if they want to stream it (Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Unfortunately, there's no word on when Wicked will be available to stream for 'free' – that is, by way of owning a subscription to a streaming platform – on British or Australian shores. The only way you can currently watch it at home is by renting or buying it from online retailers, such as Amazon, Apple TV, Microsoft, and Sky.

If you're planning on doing so, you'll need to be quick. The Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-starring movie won't be around for much longer on Amazon and Sky in the UK. As of this article's publication, it's leaving these platforms in three days so, if you're reading this after February 22, you'll be out of luck. Australian audiences only have five days to rent or buy it on Amazon down under, too, so you've got until February 24 to see what all of the fuss is about.

Thankfully, it seems that the Apple and Microsoft stores will still allow you to purchase Wicked permanently or temporarily. Anyone who wants to belt out 'Defying Gravity' from their couch between now and March 3, then, will be able to do so. Just don't be surprised if you get a knock at the door from your slightly annoyed neighbor if you do!

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A win for Arne Slot's men today would give them a 10-point lead at the top of the EPL.

• Apple has announced the new iPhone 16e
• The iPhone SE, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus have been discontinued
• The iPhone 16e is available to preorder on February 21

Apple has announced the iPhone 16e, a cheaper addition to the iPhone 16 lineup that we previously suspected would be known as the fourth-generation iPhone SE. We're still covering the iPhone 16e announcement live as Apple reveals more details.

The new iPhone 16e packs the A18 chipset, 48MP Fusion camera, and Apple Intelligence compatibility of the mainline iPhone 16 into a chassis modeled after the iPhone 14.

However, the announcement of the new mid-range iPhone has in fact signaled the end of the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 product lines altogether.

It seems that the iPhone 16e is a direct replacement for the iPhone SE – the SE’s product page is still accessible for now, but there’s no option to buy the phone anymore.

With the iPhone 16e available to preorder on February 21, and shipping on February 28, it makes sense that Apple would stop sales of the iPhone SE to push customers towards the new iPhone 16e.

The third-generation iPhone SE was modeled after the iPhone 8 and carried the internals of the iPhone 13 – so from an aesthetic and performance point of view, it was getting a little long in the tooth.

Not just a 14 with a new name

As mentioned, the iPhone 16e can be seen as a spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, though it is much more expensive at a starting price of $599 / £599 / AU$999 compared to the third-gen iPhone SE at $429 / £429 / AU$719.

The situation with the iPhone 14 is a little more complex. Until today, Apple had the baseline iPhone 14 on sale for the same price the iPhone 16e launches at: $599 / £599 / AU$999.

However, the iPhone 16e’s A18 chipset, 48MP main camera, and Apple Intelligence support effectively make the iPhone 14 redundant, as the iPhone 14 doesn’t have any of these features. Both phones have the same notched 6.1-inch display and the same dimensions. The only thing the iPhone 16e misses out on that the iPhone 14 has is a secondary ultra-wide camera.

Apple has never concurrently sold two iPhones at the same starting price, so the new iPhone 16e has taken the iPhone 14’s spot in the lineup.

Finally, today brings bad luck for anyone looking to pick up a cheap big iPhone – the iPhone 14 Plus has been discontinued along with its smaller sibling.

Your cheapest option for a 6.7-inch iPhone is now the iPhone 15 Plus, which remains on sale for $799 / £799 / AU$1,399.

We'll be testing the iPhone 16e as soon as we can to see if it ranks among the best iPhones.

What do you make of these changes? Will you miss the iPhone SE or iPhone 14? Let us know in the comments below.

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It feel like it was just yesterday that I was gearing you up for everything new on Hulu in February 2025 – but that's only because the month is as short as it is. Now that a new month is upon us that means you have a new Hulu streaming schedule for March 2025.

It's always exciting to see what's in store for the best streaming services each month, and March is a particularly thrilling month for Hulu as it marks the long overdue release of Sean Baker's Oscar-nominated Anora (2024) on streaming. This new movie comes just in time for the 2025 Oscars (that will be live streaming on Hulu on March 2), which will be accompanied by previous Oscar-winning flicks such as The Social Network and, a personal favorite of mine, Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance (2014).

There's no hiding that Anora is the movie I have my eye on out of all the new titles coming to Hulu in March 2025, and there's an open spot in our list of best Hulu movies waiting patiently for Anora to fill. Which movies and shows are you going to dig into to kickstart the transition into a month?

Everything new on Hulu in March 2025

Arriving on March 1

Akeelah And The Bee (movie)
Alien (movie)
Alien 3 (movie)
Alien Resurrection (movie)
Alien Vs. Predator (movie)
Alien: Covenant (movie)
Aliens (movie)
Aliens Vs. Predator – Requiem (movie)
The Amateur (movie)
American Hustle En Español (movie)
American Hustle (movie)
The Angry Birds Movie (movie)
Anger Management (movie)
Big (movie)
Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) (movie)
Bohemian Rhapsody (movie)
Brooklyn (movie)
Couples Retreat (movie)
Crazy Heart (movie)
Dangerous Beauty (movie)
Firehouse Dog (movie)
Good Will Hunting (movie)
High Fidelity (movie)
Jojo Rabbit (movie)
L.A. Confidential (movie)
The Last King Of Scotland (movie)
The Legend of Zorro (movie)
Life Of Pi (movie)
Lincoln (movie)
My Cousin Vinny (movie)
The Other Guys (movie)
The Other Guys En Español (movie)
Pacific Rim: Uprising (movie)
Predator (movie)
Predator 2 (movie)
Predators (movie)
The Predator (movie)
The Princess Bride (movie)
Prometheus (movie)
Pulp Fiction (movie)
Sideways (movie)
The Social Network (movie)
The Wrestler (movie)
Think Like A Man Too En Español (movie)
Think Like a Man Too (movie)
The Truman Show (movie)
3:10 to Yuma (movie)
True Grit (movie)
The Ugly Truth En Español (movie)
The Ugly Truth (movie)
Unbreakable (movie)
Wadjda (movie)
War Horse (movie)
Welcome To The Rileys (movie)
Whatever Works En Español (movie)
Whatever Works (movie)
Wild Target (movie)

Arriving on March 2

The Oscars
Love Again (movie)
Love Again En Español (movie)

Arriving on March 3

Sensory Overload (movie)

Arriving on March 4

The Gutter (movie)

Arriving on March 6

Deli Boys season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on March 7

The Banger Sisters (movie)
Classified (movie)
Confessions Of A Shopaholic (movie)
Hellboy: The Crooked Man (movie)
The Inner Portrait (movie)
Notes On A Scandal (movie)

Arriving on March 8

Babylon (movie)
Babylon En Español (movie)

Arriving on March 10

American Idol season 8 Premiere (TV show)
The $100,000 Pyramid season 8 Premiere (TV show)
The Benefactor (movie)
Ca$h (movie)
Hesher (movie)

Arriving on March 11

Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna (documentary)
New Life (movie)

Arriving on March 12

Murai In Love season 1 (TV show)
Am I Being Unreasonable? season 2 (TV show)
The Conners seasons 1-5 (TV show)

Arriving on March 13

Control Freak (movie)
After the First 48 season 9B (TV show)
American Godfathers: The Five Families season 1 (TV show)
Brigham Young: Architect Of Faith season 1 (TV show)
Lifetime Presents Women Making History season 1 (TV show)
Parents Gone Wild season 1 (TV show)
Pawn Stars: Best Of season 5 (TV show)
Sentenced to Life: Teen Killers season 1 (TV show)
The First 48 season 26 (TV show)
The Boston Strangler (movie)
The First 48: Critical Minutes (TV show)
Monster Hunter (movie)
Stepmom from Hell (movie)

Arriving on March 14

Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years (TV show)
Fight Club (movie)
Force of Nature: The Dry 2 (movie)
The Last Of The Mohicans (movie)
The Prestige (movie)
True Lies (movie)

Arriving on March 15

Premonition (movie)
Premonition En Español (movie)
The Roundup: No Way Out (movie)
The Roundup: Punishment (movie)

Arriving on March 17

The Sabrina Soto Show season 1 (TV show)
Anora (movie)

Arriving on March 18

Carol (movie)
Exhibiting Forgiveness (movie)

Arriving on March 19

Gannibal season 2 (TV show)
Good American Family (TV show)
Hyper Knife (TV show)
Tokyo Revengers season 2B (TV show)
Magi seasons 1-2 (TV show)
Rega Crimson season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on March 20

O’Dessa (movie)
My Strange Arrest season 2 (TV show)
Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys season 1 (TV show)
The Proof Is Out There: Alien Edition season 1 (TV show)
Rachael Ray in Tuscany season 1 (TV show)
Trapped in the Rocky Mountains (movie)

Arriving on March 21

The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy season 1 (TV show)
I’ve Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on March 22

The Jesus Music (documentary)

Arriving on March 23

The Machine (movie)
The Machine En Español (movie)

Arriving on March 24

Wildflower (movie)

Arriving on March 25

Big Boys season 3 (TV show)
Dandelion (movie)

Arriving on March 26

The Conners season 6 (TV show)

Arriving on March 27

The Conners season 8 (TV show)
Alone season 11 (TV show)
Biography: WWE Legends season 4 (TV show)
Find My Country House season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on March 28

Chosen Family (movie)
The Line (movie)

Arriving on March 31

The Fable season 1 (TV show)
Alex Cross (movie)
Bachelorette (movie)

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• Reviews and benchmarks reveal the RTX 5070 Ti's position between the RTX 5080 and RTX 4070 Ti Super
• It's 20% faster than the RTX 4070 Ti Super in Cyberpunk 2077 at native 4K
• An inflated retail price may ruin its potential success in the GPU market

Nvidia's RTX 5000 series GPU launch hasn't been the best, notably due to supply and scalper issues - but the RTX 5070 Ti's release is on the horizon and reviews suggest it's nearly as good as the RTX 5080, if it can be found at its retail price.

Based on multiple reviews and benchmarks, the general consensus surrounding the RTX 5070 Ti is that it's an RTX 5080 lite GPU - it utilizes the same GB203 GPU die and reports (before reviews went live) suggested its placement in between the RTX 5080 and RTX 4070 Ti Super, as highlighted by KitGuru based on 'leaked' benchmarks.

That appears to be the case: a prime example is KitGuru's benchmarks in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K on maximum graphics settings without using DLSS 4, where the RTX 5080 is 19.2% faster than the RTX 5070 Ti. Sure, it sounds like a big margin, but that's excluding the use of DLSS 4 which is a huge game changer for image stability and would undoubtedly increase the average frame rate for both GPUs.

Compared to the RTX 4070 Ti Super, the RTX 5070 Ti is 20% faster in the same Cyberpunk 2077 test - with advantages like Multi Frame Generation to significantly boost frame rates with reduced ghosting compared to the RTX 4000 series model, it would knock the previous gen GPU out of the water based on this metric. However, the problem doesn't stem from how well the new Blackwell GPU performs, but rather its potential retail pricing.

You're probably not going to get it at its retail price...

Similar to the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, the RTX 5070 Ti will reportedly suffer from a limited supply. Inflated prices (for the RTX 5090 and 5080) are widespread at retailers and scalpers are also an issue - unless you're willing to throw your wallet at either of Team Green's premium GPUs, I doubt you'll find them at their retail prices.

The RTX 5070 Ti will launch tomorrow at $749, but the chances of this being the real listed price are very slim due to high demand and potentially limited availability. It's worth noting that there is no Founders Edition GPU, so you'll be left at the mercy of retailers - some retailers clearly don't care about Nvidia's embargoes since some have already received the GPU, so don't expect the $749 price to be honored.

If you own at least an RTX 4070 Ti Super, I wouldn't recommend the RTX 5070 Ti, especially because you're likely going to be overspending. However, if you're still using one of Team Green's RTX 3000 series GPUs, I'd suggest keeping an eye out for one that is hopefully at its retail price.

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• Snake Keylogger seen in more than 280 million blocked infection attempts
• The malware uses advanced obfuscation mechanics
• There are ways to defend the endpoints

Cybersecurity researchers from Fortinet have warned about a new, dangerous threat called Snake Keylogger.

This information-stealing piece of malware has been observed in more than 280 million infection attempts blocked just by Fortinet’s solutions, meaning the threat is widespread, and the threat actors are casting quite a wide net.

In its in-depth report, Fortinet says that Snake Keylogger is most prevalent in China, Turkey, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Spain, but added that its widespread presence highlights it as a global threat.

Advanced evasion techniques

The malware is primarily being spread through phishing emails with malicious attachments and links, and is used to steal sensitive information from browsers such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Furthermore, Snake Keylogger can log keystrokes, capture credentials, and monitor for clipboard activity. Finally, it uses SMTP (email) and Telegram bots to exfiltrate whatever information it steals.

What makes this malware particularly dangerous is its use of AutoIT for evasion, Fortinet further explains. By hiding malicious code within compiled AutoIT scripts, the threat actors are making static analysis difficult, and ensure that the executables make it past traditional antivirus detection solutions.

There are ways to mitigate risks, though. Fortinet says that users should be careful with incoming email messages, and should avoid opening unsolicited email attachments, or clicking on unexpected links. Furthermore, users should make sure their antivirus software is up-to-date, and should keep their other software patched up, as well.

Finally, the cybersecurity community should continue working on improving user awareness on topics such as phishing, social engineering, and identity theft.

Keyloggers and infostealers are dangerous pieces of malware since they grant attackers keys to the kingdom, which can later be used in ransomware attacks, extortion, and more. In this particular case, Fortinet did not say who built the keylogger, or if they usually target a specific industry.

Via Infosecurity Magazine

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• Bookie has been canceled at Max after two seasons
• The streaming service announced the news in a statement, but did not cite a reason for the decision
• Bookie currently has a 90% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating, so this may come as a surprise

Cancelations are never fun, and it's especially disappointing when a show is well-received by critics. With a 90% Rotten Tomatoes critical score, Bookie could be considered one of the best Max shows, but that still wasn't enough to save it from getting axed after a two season run on one of the best streaming services. So if you were hoping for more, it's unlikely to happen unless it gets picked up elsewhere.

Commenting on the decision, a Max spokesperson told Deadline: "For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast, led by Sebastian Maniscalco, made us laugh while pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting. We won’t be moving forward with a third season, but we are grateful to have worked with such a brilliant team on this laugh-out-loud comedy.”

What else has Max canceled recently?

(Image credit: HBO)

It can be frustrating when our favorite shows are unexpectedly canceled, and while Netflix remains the worst streamer for this especially as it has a habit of axing shows after a single season. We put together 9 canceled Netflix shows that you should still watch, and we're still feeling pretty upset about the fact they're gone.

Most recently, Max canceled Tokyo Vice, and fans of the highly-rated crime series weren't happy, so it suffered a similar fate to Bookie. They also canceled Raised by Wolves after two seasons, and a third has not yet happened. It's also been completely removed from the streamer so you can't even watch previous episodes there, though they can be purchased on Apple TV.

Cancelations are inevitable, and if you are a fan of Bookie, you'll just have to hope someone else takes an interest in it. If not, you can always watch old episodes unless they meet a similar fate as Raised by Wolves, which was entirely pulled from HBO Max in 2023. Let's hope not!

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Apple's new affordable iPhone is slightly more expensive, has a design based on the iPhone 14 and runs Apple Intelligence. Preorders start on Friday.

• Google is adding gesture searching to its Google Lens feature
• The update is coming to the Chrome and Google apps on iOS
• The firm is also working on more AI capabilities for Lens

If you use the Chrome or Google apps on your iPhone, there’s now a new way to quickly find information based on whatever is on your screen. If it works well, it could end up saving you time and make your searches a little bit easier.

The update concerns Google Lens, which lets you search using images rather than words. Google says you can now use a gesture to select something on-screen and then search for it. You can draw around an object, for example, or tap it to select it. It works whether you’re reading an article, shopping for something new, or watching a video, as Google explains.

The best iPhones have had a similar feature for a while, but it’s always been an unofficial workaround that required using the Action button and the Shortcuts app. Now, it’s a built-in feature in some of the most popular iOS apps available.

Both the Chrome and Google apps on iOS already have Google Lens built in, but the past implementation was a little clunkier than today’s update. Before, you had to save an image or take a screenshot, and then upload it to Google Lens. That would potentially involve using multiple apps and was much more of a hassle. Now, a quick gesture is all it takes.

How to use the new Google Lens on iPhone

(Image credit: Future)

When you’re using the Chrome or Google apps, tap the three-dot menu button, then select Search Screen with Google Lens or Search this Screen, respectively. This will put a colored overlay on top of the web page you’re currently viewing.

You'll see a box at the bottom of your screen reading, “Circle or tap anywhere to search.” You can now use a gesture to select an item on-screen. Doing so will automatically search for the selected object using Google Lens.

The new gesture feature will roll out globally this week and will be available in the Chrome and Google apps on iOS. Google also confirmed it will add a new Lens icon in the app’s address bar in the future, which will give you another way to use gestures in Google Lens.

Google added that it is also leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to add new abilities to Lens. This will let it look up more novel or unique subjects, and doing so will mean Google’s AI Overviews appear more frequently in your results.

This feature will also be rolled out this week and is coming to English-language users in nations where AI Overviews are available. For now, it's set to arrive in the Google app for Android and iOS first, with Chrome desktop and mobile availability arriving later.

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Nothing less than a win at the Bernabeu will do for Pep Guardiola's men.

The Parisians boast a three goal advantage for today's home tie.

• Model numbers for four Pixel 10 phones spotted
• The handsets may match the four Pixel 9 devices
• We could see a launch sometime in August 2025

The grand unveiling of the Google Pixel 9 series was back in August 2024, which means we're starting to think about the Google Pixel 10 – and a fresh leak suggests that the next Pixel flagship is indeed on the way.

Model numbers for the Google Pixel 10 handsets have been spotted by the team at Smartprix, and there are four models expected: the Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

That means we'd have four new handsets to match the four we got last year (our Google Pixel 9 review will help refresh your memory). There's no mention of the Google Pixel 10a, but that phone will likely come in 2026.

These numbers come from the official database of the GSMA – that's the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, the industry body responsible for registering new devices – so it's a leak with high credibility.

The Pixel 10 story so far

A successor to the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold seems likely (Image credit: Future)

We haven't heard much about the Google Pixel 10 handsets up to this point, although codenames for the four phones did leak back in September – though the leak didn't really reveal much in terms of design or spec upgrades.

Another leak has suggested that the Pixel 10 will come with a Tensor G5 CPU fitted and offer some photo and video upgrades in the form of AI-assisted tools that help you edit your snaps and clips and even generate new content from scratch.

We might also get a redesign along with the Pixel 10 if recent Pixel 9a leaks are anything to go by. It seems Google is thinking about ditching the iconic Pixel camera bar on the mid-ranger, which is something that may happen with the Pixel 10, too.

From what we've heard so far, it seems we could get the Google Pixel 9a as early as March. That would then fit with an August 2025 launch for the Pixel 10 series, at which point Android 16 should also be available (at least for Pixel phones).

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The increase will likely be seen by US shoppers in March on the company's line of laptops.

The iPhone SE is no more. It’s now replaced by the iPhone 16e, which includes a price hike, Face ID, and USB-C.

• Researchers from Proofpoint observE two groups engaging in "fake update" attacks
• The groups have their separate assignments against macOS devices
• The goal is to distribute FrigidStealer, a new infostealer malware

Cybercriminals are using fake macOS updates to distribute a new piece of malware called FrigidStealer, new research has claimed.

Cybersecurity researchers Proofpoint recently observed two new threat actors distributing the malware, tracked as TA2726 and TA2727, working together on different parts of the same campaign to get macOS users to install FrigidStealer.

They opted for the “fake update” distribution method, where victims would visit a compromised website which would serve a popup. That popup would warn users that they needed to update either their Macs, or their browsers, in order to view the contents of the website.

Targeting Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android

Instead of an actual update, the victims would download and run the installer for the FrigidStealer malware, which did what infostealers usually do - it steals information, including browser cookies, files containing passwords or cryptocurrency-related data, files from Apple Notes, and similar.

Stolen data is stored in the user's home directory before being sent to the attacker’s command and control (C2) server: askforupdate[.]org.

Proofpoint says that the malware is distributed by TA2727, a financially motivated cybercriminal group. TA2726, on the other hand, acts as a Traffic Distribution System (TDS) operator, redirecting web traffic to TA2727’s payloads.

The majority of the targets seem to be located in North America and Europe, and besides FrigidStealer, the crooks are also using Lumma Stealer and DeerStealer for Windows targets, and Marcher Banking Trojan for Android users.

Fake update attacks are nothing new, they’ve been around for years. The SocGholish malware campaign, attributed to the threat actor TA569, is recognized as one of the most prolific users of these attacks. Active since at least April 2018, SocGholish employs malicious JavaScript injected into compromised websites to present visitors with deceptive prompts for software updates, such as fake browser or Flash Player updates.

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Italy is set to require VPN and DNS providers to block access to pirated content within 30 minutes – whether that's a football match or any other live event, on-demand movies and TV series included.

The country's communication regulator AGCOM approved the new anti-piracy measures on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in a major boost to the existing anti-piracy system. Italy enforced the so-called Piracy Shield early last year specifically to fight against live sports piracy mostly via IP blocking.

The news comes as French streaming giant Canal+ is considering blocking VPN usage to prevent citizens from circumventing the country's anti-piracy tactics. Some of the best VPN providers on the market, however, are arguing that targeting their services risks undermining people's internet freedom rather than solving online piracy.

What is Italy's Piracy Shield?

Italy enforced its Piracy Shield system in February 2024 to prevent citizens from accessing live sports events through pirate sites, especially football matches. To do so, rightsholders can demand piracy-related domain names and IP addresses suspected of copyright infringement are blocked within 30 minutes.

While the Italian anti-piracy system has proven effective so far, tech companies have been raising concerns with EU authorities about multiple overblocking incidents.

Yet, industry criticism wasn't enough to stop AGCOM's mission. The country's communication regulator now wants to expand the reach of its Piracy Shield system even further to tackle the piracy plague affecting the movie and audiovisual industries.

As the AGCOM commissioner, Massimiliano Capitanio wrote in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday: "With the resolution voted today, the fight against piracy takes another step forward."

(Image credit: Future) Online piracy and VPNs

Among the new AGCOM measures, "extending the blocking order to VPNs" is surely the one set to create the most discussions.

A virtual private network (VPN) is security software that encrypts all internet connections and spoofs the users' real IP address. While most people use VPNs in Italy and beyond to boost their online privacy, their IP-spoofing abilities also enable users to bypass anti-piracy restrictions.

This is exactly why French rightsholders have presented the likes of ProtonVPN, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfhsark, and CyberGhost with legal action, seeking to block VPN access to people looking to infringe the country's copyright laws.

The targeted VPN firms plan to fight back against France's streaming giant's request, deeming the lawsuit "illogical" and warning this would have "sweeping consequences" for the internet security and privacy of people in France.

On its side, Italy has not shared how the VPN providers are expected to meet the new requirements. Nor it is clear if this would be technically feasible for companies operating no-log VPNs, which cannot supposedly see what users are doing when connected to their service.

We have contacted some of the most popular VPN providers asking for comments and will update the page accordingly.

• Apple unveils its all-new iPhone 16e
• The iPhone SE is no more
• Apple finally designed its own modem chip, the C1

Leave it to Apple to surprise or at least turn the tables on the rumor factory. Yes, we got a new, more affordable iPhone, but it's not an iPhone SE 4. Instead, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, expanding the iPhone 16 lineup with a $599  / £599 / AU$999 5G, Apple Intelligence-ready budget phone.

Featuring the A18 CPU, the same 3-nanometer processor that's in the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup, much of the 6.1-inch iPhone 16e is a step down from the baseline iPhone 16 model.

It has just a single 48MP camera that shoots at 24MP by default (and up to 4K 60fps video).

(Image credit: Apple)

The screen is a Super Retina XDR display, but instead of the Dynamic Island, we're treated to the return of the notch featuring a 12MP TrueDepth camera. The good news is that it does enable Face ID, which can be used for unlocking and securely authenticating.

The iPhone 16e does include the Action Button but with the added wrinkle of being able to program it to run Visual Intelligence. This feature lets you point the camera at animals, plants, restaurants, and even event flyers to get information or take AI-powered actions. It's a notable update because it also means that the Camera Control button on the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup does not carry over to the iPhone 16e.

As for the rest of the build, it's a pace-grade aluminum with a ceramic shield covering the display. The iPhone 16e also boasts an IP68 rating just like the 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone 16e also marks – unless Apple keeps around the iPhone SE 3rd gen – the end of the home button. Touch ID may live on in other buttons (Macs, iPads), but that iconic button is, it seems, finally no more. Pour one out for the Home Button.

(Image credit: Apple)

There is, however, one significant and notable technological update buried inside the new handset: Apple's C1 chip, its first homegrown cellular modem.

Not much is known about this chip yet, but Apple is claiming some battery efficiency as a result of it. Apple claims 26 hours of video playback on a single charge. If that bears out in our reporting, that would be a huge deal for this class of smartphone.

While the iPhone 16e is not a true update to the iPhone SE lineup, it does bring some welcome features to Apple's most affordable smartphone.

The iPhone 16e features a USB-C port for charging but also supports wireless charging. It's running an A18 chip that supports Apple Intelligence and all the features currently supported in iOS 18, including Genmojis, writing assistance, and call transcription. It even includes Satellite communications support and starts with 128GB of storage but can be configured up to 512GB.

Preorders for the iPhone 16e start on Friday, February 21 and the phone starts shipping on February 28. It's available in matte black or matte white.

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