Technology

• Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.0 arrives on January 15
• It adds a new world for players to explore
• This is in addition to two new five-star playable characters

Hoyoverse has announced some new details about the Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.0, or ‘Paean of Era Nova’, update and it seems absolutely massive.

First and foremost, it kicks off a new chapter in the main story and allows players to experience the new world of Amphoreus.

Isolated from the rest of the universe, residents of Amphoreus worship the Titans - 12 legendary beings that created the planet. After a series of tragedies that saw the world overtaken by an evil black tide, humanity is isolated in the besieged Holy City of Okhema, which is protected by the Worldbearing Titan Kephale.

Players will encounter a mysterious but adorable new companion quickly named ‘Mem’ thanks to their inability to make any other sound. Mem can be summoned in battle, gradually charging Energy. At full charge, Mem will trigger a Support effect that deals additional True DMG that can help turn a dire battle around.

You will also be free to wander around Okhema, which features distinctive landmarks like the vast Marmoreal Palace, grand baths, and more.

That’s not all, however, as there will also be the city-state of Castrum Kremnos to explore. The home of the Strife Titan, players will be able to use a unique time-travel power to transport themselves to the city in its golden age.

This is on top of a few other environments, including the world’s starting point of The Vortex of Genesis.

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The Herta (Image credit: Hoyoverse)Image 2 of 2

Aglaea (Image credit: Hoyoverse)

The update will also introduce two new powerful five-star playable characters. The first is The Herta, who players have previously only been able to encounter through her magical puppets. She is an Ice-Type Erudition character with a focus on massive area-of-effect damage, targeting up to five enemies at once. She can stack Interpretation on enemies and allies, increasing her damage output further.

The second character is Aglaea, a native of Amphoreus. She is the first limited five-star Remembrance character and can summon the Garmentmaker memosprite to fight alongside her in battle. Together they dance around the battlefield, attacking with an enchanting cadence.

Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.0 will arrive on January 15 in the US and January 16 in the UK. The free-to-play game is available now on PC, Android, iOS, and PlayStation 5.

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• PS Plus's monthly free games for January are coming soon
• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered, and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe head the lineup
• They'll be available across every PS Plus tier from January 7

The PS Plus free games for January have been officially revealed, and it's looking like a pretty strong start to the year for the subscription service.

Announced via the official PlayStation Blog, January's PS Plus monthly games are headlined by Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered, and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe. The three games will be available to download from January 7 across all three PS Plus tiers.

Subscribers currently have until January 6 to download and keep December's monthly offerings, which are It Takes Two, Aliens: Dark Descent and, Temtem.

While Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League didn't do much to impress upon launch - with an exhausting live service model and heavily repetitive gameplay - it's still worth checking out for free this month as the now content-complete version of the game offers plenty to do. It's also deeply discounted at the PlayStation Store's January sale if you'd prefer to acquire the game that way.

Meanwhile, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered is an absolute must-play. This is arguably Criterion's best work since the Burnout series and much of that DNA translates over to Hot Pursuit. With two campaigns that pit cops and racers against each other, it's a thrilling experience and certainly one of the best racing games of recent memory.

Finally there's The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, a comedic game that offers some brilliant, thoughtful commentary on the nature of video game storytelling and the legacies great games leave behind. It's a very relaxed experience but definitely one worth checking out if you fancy a good, hearty laugh in tandem with an unforgettable and endlessly creative narrative journey.

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• Expect more improvements to the PlayStation Portal experience as Sony plans "incremental steps" to make game streaming better
• Will the Nintendo Switch 2 feature AI upscaling? This patent suggests it’s on the cards
• Did anybody buy the PlayStation Portal? Apparently so, with almost two million units sold so far

• Vodafone Italy gets snapped up by Swisscom in a €8 billion deal
• It no longer operates networks in Italy or Spain
• Vodafone is focused on growth in the UK

Vodafone has confirmed the completion of the sale of its Italian business (Vodafone Italy) to Swisscom AG in a deal with €8 billion ($8.3 billion).

Switzerland’s Swisscom, primarily operating in its home country through its self-named network and mobile virtual network operators like Coop Mobile, already has some market share in Italy with its Fastweb brand, which it partly acquired in 2007 (€3 billion for 82%) before fully acquiring in 2010.

As part of the deal, Vodafone has agreed to continue providing certain services in Italy for up to five years post-completion.

Vodafone sells off Italian subsidiary to Swiss giant

The company confirmed that the proceeds of its sale would go toward reducing the Group’s net debt.

Walter Renna, CEO of Swisscom’s Fastbweb, will head the new Fastweb + Vodafone brand.

The sale of its Vodafone Italy follows the sale of its Spanish business in late 2023 – the Zegona Communications deal was worth €4.1 billion in cash.

At the time, company CEO Margherita Della Valle said that the sale would “enable [Vodafone] to focus [its] resources in markets with sustainable structures and sufficient local scale.”

Vodafone has also had a busy few months in the UK, following CMA approval of its merger with Three at the beginning of December 2024. The deal, set to benefit “tens of millions of consumers and businesses,” will see the two former network giants invest £11 billion ($13.7 billion) into the UK’s 5G infrastructure.

Margherita Della Valle commented: “Today’s approval releases the handbrake on the UK’s telecoms industry, and the increased investment will power the UK to the forefront of European telecommunications.”

Speaking about the sale of Vodafone’s Italian business, Swisscom CEO Christoph Aeschlimann said: “The improved positioning in Italy will create long-term value for all stakeholders – thanks to growing cashflows and dividends in the future.”

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Something special is coming to Las Vegas this month, and if you're looking for home entertainment Heaven then you're going to want to tune in for the big reveal. That's because Yaber plans to unveil the ultimate in home entertainment.

You might not know the Yaber name just yet, but it's becoming a really big deal in home entertainment technology. The youthful brand – the "Y" in its name represents the innovation and youthful energy of Generation Y – is developing an enviable reputation for pushing the boundaries of audio-visual innovation while delivering incredible value for money.

Yaber has already won shelves full of awards including the Red Dot Award, the IDEA Award, the VGP Award and the CES Innovation Award 2024. And we're quietly confident that what Yaber's about to unveil will gain them even more gongs.

(Image credit: Yaber) The start of something special

Yaber was founded in 2018 and launched the world's first entertainment projector the following year, pioneering a whole new category in audio-visual excellence. Its combination of superb visual quality and exceptional audio made it an instant hit, and today Yaber entertainment projectors are delighting millions of streaming fans, gamers and movie buffs in over 120 countries.

The firm has been making lots of great friends, too. Yaber has been working with audio legends JBL since 2023 to bring its speaker smarts to Yaber's equally clever projectors. In late 2024 Yaber announced an exclusive partnership with the studio of legendary artist Keith Haring to release a special edition of its T2 protector inspired by his art, and Yaber has also collaborated with the Pantone Color Institute to debut an exclusive version of the flagship K3 projector to light up Paris Fashion Week.

(Image credit: Yaber) What to expect from Yaber's big reveal

We've been sworn to secrecy about what Yaber will unveil at CES 2025. But we can tell you that it builds on the optical excellence and innovative technology of its very best award-winning entertainment projectors, the Yaber K3 Series and the Yaber T2 Series.

Let's take the K3 Series first. It's Yaber's premier home theatre projector, capable of truly amazing visuals on an epic scale. The pictures it projects are stunningly clear and bright, and it's able to create a projection from 40 inches to a massive 200 inches – ideal for the biggest blockbusters. It's a super-smart, super-low-noise projector with one-tap operation, voice control, NFC screencasting and effortless setup to give you a perfect picture in seconds. And with dual 15W JBL speakers, it sounds as good as it looks.

Its sibling, the super-portable Yaber T2 Series, is even smaller and just as incredible. The T2 Series comes in two flavors: the regular projector and a special Keith Haring Edition.

The Keith Haring Edition features Haring's iconic motifs and a classic color palette of red, white and black, adding a splash of artistic flair to transform everyday entertainment. "Partnering with Yaber to bring Keith Haring's art onto a projector for the first time is a wonderful way to extend his legacy," said David Stark, Founder and CEO of Artestar, who represents the Keith Haring Studio. “This product allows his art to be experienced by a new audience, bringing awareness to his work and adding a special vibrancy to everyday viewing experiences.”

Whether you go for the fun and funky Keith Haring Edition or prefer the clean good looks of the standard version, we think you'll be amazed by how big an entertainment experience such a small projector can deliver both indoors and out. Both versions of the Yaber T2 Series are small enough to hold with one hand, with an integrated handle that makes them ideal for taking anywhere - so you can have the full cinema experience at a party or just in your own back yard when the weather’s nice.

The T2 Series are perfectly portable, but those small projectors think big. That’s because they can produce silky-smooth visuals up to a massive 120 inches in size. They both come with JBL speakers and Dolby Audio support for immersive audio, plus auto-focus and auto keystone correction for effortless setup. And with over 7,000 smart apps to choose from, you'll always be able to stream something worth watching on that giant display.

That’s not all. With the T2 Series’ music mode, you can also use your projector’s superb sound system as a portable Bluetooth speaker to get the party started. Thanks to their built-in batteries you don’t need to worry about finding a power socket: in music mode they can keep the music going for up to 18 hours.

(Image credit: Yaber) Share the secret of exceptional entertainment

There's not long to wait for the future of home entertainment to be revealed: Yaber will be unveiling the ultimate in home entertainment, its very first ultra-short throw projector and a cinema-level sound projector, on 6 January 2025 at the CES exhibition. If you're lucky enough to be in Las Vegas it's all happening at Caesar's Palace at 4pm local time, but if you can't make it along don't worry, because Yaber will be sharing all its secrets online immediately afterwards.

Click here to find out more about Yaber's story and its incredible products. And don't forget to save the date!

Max has announced its new slate of January 2025 content and there are some excellent movies for you to stream. Max is easily one of the best streaming services because it has a massive library of films covering a whole range of genres with new titles added every month. But with so many options, figuring out what’s worth your time can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in.

Our everything new on Max in January 2025 guide covers every addition to the platform this month, but if you’re looking for the best of the best, we’ve got you covered. We’ve spotlighted three must-watch movies below, all boasting stellar critical ratings on Rotten Tomatoes that make each one of the best Max movies.

Whether you’re craving a mix of action and sci-fi dystopia, a stunning and heart-wrenching romance, or a gripping historical drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat, these picks deliver. Read on to discover your next movie night masterpiece.

Call Me By Your Name

Score: 95%
Rating: R
Run time: 132 minutes
Director: Luca Guadagnino

Call Me By Your Name is a visually stunning and tender romance set in Italy, which follows the story of Elio (played by Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (played by Armie Hammer). In career-defining performances, the pair have a passionate summer fling.

Expect to be completely stunned by this beautiful coming-of-age masterpiece that does an incredible job at capturing the bittersweet nature of first love with authenticity and depth. Directed by Luca Guadagnino (also known for Challengers, Queer and Suspiria), it’s set against a backdrop of sun-dappled vistas and piano melodies. It’s one of those movies you'll be thinking about long after the credits roll.

The Imitation Game

Score: 90%
Rating: PG-13
Run time: 113 minutes
Director: Morten Tyldum

An incredibly gripping historical drama, The Imitation Game tells the real life story of Alan Turing (played by Benedict Cumberbatch). Turing was the genius mathematician who famously cracked the Enigma code during World War II. Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Turing is heartbreaking and brilliant. He captures both the triumphs and struggles of a man whose groundbreaking work helped to end the war and yet his personal life was filled with deep injustice.

Yes, it's a biopic but The Imitation Game feels more than that, a celebration of perseverance and intellect, but also a grim reminder of the prejudice and persecution he faced only decades ago. It's a movie that's both thrilling and deeply moving.

Mad Max (1980)

Score: 90%
Rating: R
Run time: 88 minutes
Director: George Miller

Sure, George Miller has returned to direct a newer version of this gritty action classic, but the original 1980 version is where it all began for the iconic Mad Max franchise. This movie introduced audiences to Miller's dystopian world, as well as Mel Gibson's Max. Expect a relentless ride filled with car chases, combat and a very dark vision of the future.

Granted, the movie may look dated compared to modern-day standards, but it's still a must-watch classic. It's also a testament to inventive filmmaking, and revolutionized the action genre at the time.

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Woot is offering this portable charging wonder for 58% less than you'd normally have to pay for it.

• Sony is planning gradual, measured updates to the PlayStation Portal experience
• Executive Hiromi Wakai explains "incremental steps" will be taken to improve gaming on the device
• Peak time for PS Portal usage is around 9pm, according to Sony

It seems that more PlayStation Portal improvements will be coming in 2025 and potentially beyond, and Sony is paying close attention to community feedback.

That's according to Sony Interactive Entertainment's vice president of product management, Hiromi Wakai. In an interview with Game File, Wakai explained that Sony will likely be taking a more measured, long-term approach to expanding PlayStation Portal's feature set.

“PS Portal was a new type of product for us, so we wanted to be extra careful to ensure our users get the best possible user experience,” Wakai said, referencing the addition of PS5 game streaming via the cloud to PlayStation Portal. She added: “We want to continue that approach with PS Portal, and make incremental steps based on community reception on the beta.”

Wakai also noted that PS Portal owners might just be bigger gamers than you, telling Game File: “Players who own a PS Portal tend to spend more time playing games than those who don’t. Of course, it’s likely that users who purchase PS Portal were naturally more engaged in the first place, however, our data shows that PS Portal owners tend to spend more time playing games compared to non-owners.”

It's also stated in the interview that peak time for PlayStation Portal usage appears to be around 9pm - roughly an hour later than the PS5 console itself. This could suggest that players are hopping off of their consoles and continuing play sessions on the Portal, whether that be to wind down with a game in bed or to hand the TV over to someone else in the house.

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• CarPlay 2.0 has missed its 2024 deadline
• Small updates were spotted in November
• A full launch could still happen in 2025

You may remember Apple teasing a next-gen CarPlay experience back in December 2023, with Porsche and Aston Martin apparently signed up to help – and we were then promised that the software would be rolling out in the US sometime in 2024.

Well, it's now 2025 – happy new year by the way – and CarPlay 2.0 has yet to arrive. As MacRumors notes, at the time of writing the official Apple website still says the first models fitted with the next generation of CarPlay will "arrive in 2024".

That raises the question of whether Apple is still working on this improved version of its in-car software, or whether it's abandoned the idea of a more integrated experience – in the same way that it's apparently abandoned plans for an Apple Car.

Apple hasn't spoken about a CarPlay upgrade for quite some time, though a few updated icons did appear in the code for iOS 18.2, which was pushed out in November. It seems the project might be delayed, rather than completely dead.

What is CarPlay 2.0?

The current CarPlay runs on top of existing in-car software (Image credit: Shutterstock / Hadrian)

Apple went into quite a bit of detail about this new and improved CarPlay at its WWDC event in June 2024. We heard about branding that would be tweaked for each car maker, and new apps offering deeper hooks into the different parts of the vehicle.

Essentially, that's what Apple CarPlay 2.0 is about: deeper integration into features such as climate control, on-board cameras, and electric vehicle charge status, which the current version of CarPlay can't access.

All of this will require help from the automobile manufacturers, which may be the reason for the delay. Getting these companies to commit to Apple's car software rather than their own is perhaps one of the major stumbling blocks in the way.

We were a little concerned about the delay back in December – but let's hope it is just a delay and not a full cancellation. Another WWDC show will no doubt be set for June, and we might have heard more by then.

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• A Nintendo patent could reveal some of the AI upscaling technology that will power the Nintendo Switch 2
• It details a method to increase picture quality using machine learning
• The patent suggests this could be used to keep game file sizes low

Another day, another huge flurry of potential information about the Nintendo Switch 2. This time we’ve learned more about the kind of upscaling technology that we might see implemented in the upcoming console.

The information comes from a patent filed by Nintendo in July 2023 and recently made public. The patent details a technology that is capable of “converting images of one resolution into another (e.g. higher) resolution and may be used in real-time applications from images generated by, for example, a video game engine”.

It’s powered by machine learning algorithms and, put simply, would allow a video game console like the Nintendo Switch 2 to increase the resolution of its picture output with little additional hardware strain. A few examples of how it could be used are included in the patent, which outlines how a 540p picture could be upscaled to 1080p for “increased graphical fidelity”.

It might be tempting to assume that this means that the Nintendo Switch 2 will target a 1080p output, but it’s important to bear in mind that such examples are included for illustrative purposes only. The patent is also careful to clarify that “whenever 1080p is mentioned in connection with a target image, the techniques [...] may also be applied to 4K images”.

We also don’t know for sure that this technology will even be implemented in the Nintendo Switch 2, though of course it seems highly likely given the given the document's focus on video game applications.

Interestingly, the patent suggests that the technology could be used to keep game file sizes low “so as to fit onto relatively smaller sized physical media”. This would be achieved by, for example, lowering the resolution of the textures downloaded by the player and then using the AI upscaling technology to increase it to produce a final picture.

It’s clear that AI upscaling tech is becoming an increasingly important part of the gaming landscape. Solutions such as Nvidia's DLSS and AMD's FSR are popular ways to boost video game performance on PC. The PS5 Pro recently shipped with Sony’s PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaling. We’ll have to wait for the console's official reveal to see whether Nintendo will opt to follow suit.

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• Experts warn executives are being hit with personalized AI phishing attacks
• AI tools can process huge amounts of data on targets
• 90% of successful cyber attacks start with a phishing scam

Top businesses such as eBay and Beazley are reporting huge increases in the volume of personalized phishing attacks levied against high-level employees.

A recent report by the Financial Times, outlined the growing concerns about the growing use of AI in targeted scams against executives at major firms.

“This is getting worse and it’s getting very personal, and this is why we suspect AI is behind a lot of it,” Beazley’s chief information security officer Kirsty Kelly told the publication. “We’re starting to see very targeted attacks that have scraped an immense amount of information about a person.”

Expensive consequences

By processing vast amounts of data, AI can quickly scrape and retain information about victims, and mimic the tone and style of an individual or company. This means that the hyper-personalized phishing scams are becoming increasingly convincing and harder to spot.

As these attacks become more sophisticated, they are costing victims more and more. Almost all (90%) of successful cyber attacks originate with a phishing email, and the global average cost of a data breach has risen almost 10% to $4.9m in 2024, IBM reports.

Phishing attacks have been on the rise for a long time, with some businesses receiving up to 36 phishing emails per day, and reports reveal a 28% increase in phishing attacks in the second quarter of 2024.

Until recently, phishing attacks were generally impersonal, including only vague information with a reasonably low success rate. However, AI tools are lowering the entry threshold for these types of attacks, with ‘polished and closely targeted’ scams being seen in huge volumes.

“Businesses need a multi-layered approach to avoid any damage as a consequence of phishing attacks.” said Tim Callan, Chief Compliance Officer at Sectigo.

“Employees should be trained in order to be able to realise when they could be targets of phishing attacks, but businesses should also look at tried-and-tested technologies and implement phishing prevention infrastructures through their IT ecosystems.”

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This year Meta’s Quest app (called Meta Horizon) – which is required to set up the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S headsets – once again rocketed to the top spot of the App Store’s free app chart on Christmas day, and I’m hardly surprised the VR headsets were seemingly the top tech gift of 2024.

The Quest success was spotted by Upload VR who noted that this is the third time Meta has achieved this feat – with it doing so in 2021, 2023, and now 2024 (it missed out in 2022, with that being blamed on the controversial Meta Quest 2 price hike).

Adding to the Meta Quest 3 and 3S’ success are Amazon sales figures, with Amazon.com saying the Quest 3S was bought by over 100,000 people in the past month, and the Quest 3 was bought by over 50,000 Amazon shoppers (together, that’s well over the number of PS5, PS5 Pros, and Xbox Series S and X models sold in the same month combined); it seems shoppers took advantage of those excellent Black Friday Meta Quest deals we saw in the run up to Christmas.

But beyond sales making the VR headsets look like an even better deal than usual, I’m not surprised the Meta Quest 3 and 3S proved popular – and those of you without one should consider changing that and joining all those Christmas buyers.

VR is better than its ever been

(Image credit: Meta)

In 2024, the biggest reason you should get a VR headset (specifically a Meta Quest 3 or 3S) is that the devices feel like they’ve truly come into their own. There’s a fantastic suite of games and apps across various genres and uses – you can become Batman, experience immersive simulators, watch TV and play non-VR games on massive virtual screens, and even use it for work with productivity tools.

And this is across both fully immersive VR, and the blended real and virtual experiences offered by mixed reality (MR); thanks to the decent-quality, full-color cameras on these Quest 3 headsets, booting up an MR app feels like a worthwhile experience rather than simply a novelty, as has been the case in the past.

Additionally, while I think the full-on Meta Quest 3 is worth the price bump, the Meta Quest 3S costing only $299.99 / £289.99 / AU$499.99 means it delivers superb bang for your buck. Yes, the displays aren’t as crisp and it’s bulkier, but the Quest 3S’ games and apps still run just as well as they would on the pricier system, and the price is much easier to justify to yourself – or your parents if you wanted it as a gift – when you’re looking to pick up a gadget.

Plus, as standalone headsets, these systems don’t require any extras like a PC or PS5 – unlike the PSVR 2 headset, for example. This makes it easier to set the systems up for newcomers to VR or gaming, and reduces the effective cost of the systems.

Oh, and that Batman experience I mentioned – which is titled Batman: Arkham Shadow – is being included with Quest 3 purchases for free until the end of April 2025. It’s a truly superb game, a must-play for Batman fans, and only goes to further sweeten the deal for anyone interested in picking up either the 3 or 3S.

If that’s you – or you’ve already snagged one – then I’d recommend also browsing my picks for my favorite VR games and apps of 2024 so you can download them and start your Meta Quest 3 journey off right.

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• Creature Commandos episode 6 reveals the DCU's Batman for the first time
• The Dark Knight can be seen near the end of the Max show's latest chapter
• There's still no word on who'll play him in James Gunn's rebooted superhero franchise

Creature Commandos episode 6 has provided a first official look at the DC Cinematic Universe's (DCU) Batman, and it's a justifiable disappointment.

The Max show's penultimate episode, titled 'Priyalat Skelet', gives us our best look yet at the DCU's take on the legendary crimefighter. Well, if you discount Batman's appearance in Creature Commandos episode 4's harrowing Justice League premonition.

Full spoilers immediately follow for Creature Commandos' latest chapter, so turn back now if you haven't seen it yet.

Oh no, it's The Bat! (Image credit: Max/DC Studios)

So, when does Batman show up? The Caped Crusader can be seen in the final flashback of Doctor Phosphorus's tragic backstory. After the irradiated supervillain enacts revenge on Rupert Thorne for killing his wife and son, Phosphorus takes control of Thorne's Gotham City-based criminal empire. A montage of Phosphorus reimagining Thorne's enterprise in his own image follows, with the former scientist clearly trying to use his newfound status and wealth to replace what he's lost and bury his trauma.

Unfortunately, Phosphorus's days as a Gotham crime lord are numbered. During a party at one of Phosphorus's night clubs, the lights suddenly go out. Unsure what's going on, Phosphorus looks up at the night club's skylight to see the Dark Knight gazing down at the criminals on display. A flash of lightning – a pleasing nod to the beloved Batman: The Animated Series' intro sequence – lights up the sky behind Batman. We don't get to see what happens next but, considering Phosphorus is one of the five metahumans incarcerated at Belle Reve Penitentiary at the start of Creature Commandos, it's clear he was apprehended by Bruce Wayne's vigilante and sent to jail.

The DCU's Batman was first spotted during Circe's premonition in episode 4 (Image credit: DC Studios/Max)

Really, we should've expected Batman to appear at some point in one of the best Max shows. Phosphorus is just one of many members of Batman's iconic rogues gallery, so it makes sense that he'd run into the legendary superhero in this DCU Chapter One project.

What's less surprising is the fact that we still don't know who'll play Bruce Wayne and his brooding alias in the DCU. Batman doesn't speak in the R-rated animated show's sixth episode, so nobody isn't credited as playing him in Creature Commandos' latest instalment. DC Studios co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran haven't found somebody to play him in Warner Bros' rebooted superhero franchise, either. Indeed, The Brave and the Bold, the first Batman-fronted project in the DCU, is still in very early development, so it'll be some time before a cast announcement is made. In short: Batman's appearance in Creature Commandos isn't as satisfying or stunning as it could've been but, given the circumstances, his silent cameo is nonetheless forgivable.

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As 2025 kicks off, artificial intelligence isn’t just something to look forward to in the future anymore, it's here right now, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot of room to grow.

After a jam-packed 2024, there are still plenty of plans in place from OpenAI with ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Apple Intelligence, Meta AI, and others. All of the AI developers are racing to outdo each other, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Here are some of our predictions for what your life might look like with AI in 2025.

Your AI agent

AI assistants are pretty good already at answering questions, but 2025 will likely see a lot more proactive action and anticipation of your needs. Imagine ChatGPT reorganizing your day based on traffic updates and weather, rescheduling a missed doctor’s appointment without you needing to ask, and even drafting a birthday card for your friend (complete with suggestions for gifts they’ll love). Google Gemini is working on embedding similar predictive features into Google Workspace, while companies like Amazon are rumored to be enhancing Alexa with task prioritization and advanced calendar integration of their own.

The rise of these tools means people might finally put an end to juggling apps and to-do lists. Instead, your smart homes and mobile devices will become a hub from which your AI assistant will juggle your personal and professional life. Think of it as having an omnipresent executive assistant, but one that doesn’t require lunch breaks or overtime pay.

Smart(er) devices

Though the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin may not have been the successes their creators predicted, you're going to see some very smart gadgets in the coming year. Some will be because AI is embedded in smartphones and existing products. Apple Intelligence will keep adding more features, and that's powered by OpenAI models. iPhones and Apple Watches will feature a Siri that's more active than ever. The same goes for Gemini's ongoing integration in Android, especially with Google Pixel phones, and the Chrome browser.

You'll see similar AI upgrades in appliances. Companies like LG and Samsung are doubling down on AI in refrigerators, ovens, and washing machines. A 2025 fridge could scan its contents, recommend recipes, and automatically add missing ingredients to your grocery app.

And there will be plenty of AI right on your body, particularly sitting on your face as 2025 is certain to be the year of AI smarglasses. That includes Meta's next-gen Ray-Ban smart glasses and Orion augmented reality headset. It will be like having an extra brain right in front of your eyes.

Seeing and hearing AI

Multimodal AI exploded this year, with image, audio, and video creators popping up and adding new features in what felt like weekly updates. Those are often treated as separate systems, but that's going to be a thing of the past. Gemini and ChatGPT are already encouraging users to make images within their text conversations, and ChatGPT added Sora's AI video maker to the tools available. Text, images, audio, and video that you submit and that the AI produces will become interchangeable depending on context. This means you could snap a picture of a broken household item, and your AI could suggest repair steps, find the replacement part on Amazon, and even connect you to a local repair service.

Apple is reportedly exploring multimodal AI for its Vision Pro headset, expected to launch a more refined version in late 2025. This headset might take advantage of multimodal AI to overlay real-time information on physical objects in your environment. For example, it could guide you through assembling furniture by identifying each part and providing step-by-step AR instructions.

In creative fields, Adobe’s AI-enhanced Creative Cloud tools are already using multimodal capabilities to improve workflows. By 2025, these tools might automatically generate mood boards or edit videos based on a simple text prompt. For professionals, Microsoft’s integration of multimodal AI into Teams and Office suites could offer features like summarizing video calls and turning meeting notes into PowerPoint presentations with relevant visuals.

We're expecting an upgraded Vision Pro in 2025, with Apple Intelligence added. (Image credit: Apple) Social media AI

Meta has been vocal about its intentions to make AI a cornerstone of Facebook and Instagram, and 2025 is shaping up to be the year these plans hit full stride for both brands and its other social media services. Expect to see AI-generated characters popping up everywhere, from influencers to online marketplaces. These AI bots will interact with users, offering everything from travel planning advice to fashion tips. For example, a chatbot on Instagram could help you plan a trip to Tokyo, providing restaurant recommendations and activity ideas while syncing with your Google Calendar for booking confirmations.

Meta’s rumored project, known internally as 'Metabots', might also become a key feature of Messenger. Imagine messaging a virtual stylist who curates outfits for your weekend based on your budget and favorite brands. These bots could even act as customer service agents, instantly resolving issues like order refunds or account troubleshooting without the dreaded 'please hold' music.

The flip side is that distinguishing between human and AI accounts could become a major headache. Platforms will need to walk a fine line between using AI to enhance user experience and eroding trust by overloading feeds with synthetic content. Meta has promised safeguards, but skepticism remains.

Less work, more fun

AI in 2025 will touch nearly every aspect of our lives, from how we shop and communicate to how we work and relax. For the average person, this could mean less time spent on mundane tasks, more personalized tech experiences, and some awkward moments navigating whether that Instagram influencer is real or AI-generated. Either way, one thing is clear: AI is no longer on the horizon—it’s firmly in the driver’s seat. Buckle up.

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• Nationwide CEO says leaders need to have a “physical presence” in the office
• The company’s RTO mandate has been in force for 12 months
• Extra childcare support should be offered to support this

The debate surrounding hybrid working continues to rumble on, with UK banking giant Nationwide taking a stance against working from home in favor of job opportunities.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's ‘Today’ programme (via the BBC), its CEO, Debbie Crosbie, stated a “physical presence” helps employees access more career growth opportunities at work.

Last month marked the 12-month anniversary of the company’s return to office mandate, but the two-day-per-week policy has been less demanding than the tech industry standard three-day policy.

Nationwide is against WFH

Crosbie didn’t write off working from home altogether, acknowledging that it can offer the flexibility needed for workers with caring responsibilities, however on the flip side, she indicated that leaders should be present to set an example and be on hand for their teams, suggesting that office-based working is a crucial part of becoming a leader.

She added: “Being seen and then seeing other leaders is a really important part of development… I benefited enormously from watching some really excellent leaders and how they navigated challenging problems.”

The boss’s stance on remote working marks a significant shift from her predecessor, Joe Garner, who supported the flexible working setup.

At Nationwide specifically, men have proven more likely to work from the office than women, leading Crosbie to urge businesses to support female workers and families with flexible childcare options.

Despite championing office-based working, Crosbie is desperate not to discriminate against those who are less able to leave home: “We just need to be careful that we don't inadvertently prevent women from taking some of the opportunities by not being in the office when they feel it's beneficial both to their skills and to contribute to the business.”

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Max's January 2025 schedule features an impressive lineup to start the new year right. From timeless classics and kid-friendly favorites to edge-of-your-seat thrillers, there’s no shortage of excellent movies to watch on Max this month. Plus, several new seasons of top Max TV shows are ready to binge.

As one of the best streaming services out there, Max consistently delivers fresh content for those who love movies, TV shows and even documentaries. In this guide, we’ve rounded up all of the titles arriving in January 2025 to keep you entertained through the winter chill. If you’re after the cream of the crop, don’t miss our separate guides to the best Max movies and best Max shows. For now, here’s everything coming to Max this month.

Everything new on Max in January 2025

Arriving on January 1

A Star is Born (movie)
Act of Valor (movie)
Annabelle Comes Home (movie)
Annabelle: Creation (movie)
Balls Out (movie)
Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World (documentary)
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (movie)
Batman: The Killing Joke (movie)
Best Of Enemies (movie)
Bitter Creek (movie)
Black Gold (movie)
Blue Velvet (movie)
Buffaloed (movie)
Calamity Jane (movie)
Call Me by Your Name (movie)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (movie)
Cow Country (movie)
Crazy Rich Asians (movie)
Desperately Seeking Susan (movie)
Destination Tokyo (movie)
Diggers (movie)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (movie)
Each Dawn I Die (movie)
Eat Pray Love (movie)
Fast & Furious (movie)
Floyd Norman: An Animated Life (movie)
Free Birds (movie)
Green Lantern (movie)
Heaven Help Us (movie)
Home Again (movie)
Hot Tub Time Machine (movie)
Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (movie)
House at the End of the Street (movie)
I Am Love (movie)
Injustice (movie)
Iris (movie)
It Follows (movie)
It: Chapter Two (movie)
Jason Bourne (movie)
Johnny Angel (movie)
Justice League vs. Teen Titans (movie)
Justice League: Doom (movie)
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (movie)
Justice League: War (movie)
Keeping Up with the Joneses (movie)
Kept Husbands (movie)
Kicks (movie)
Lemon (movie)
Mad Max (movie)
Matilda (movie)
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (movie)
Morgan (movie)
Mortdecai (movie)
Mrs. Doubtfire (movie)
My Favorite Wife (movie)
Mystic Pizza (movie)
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (movie)
Night and Day (movie)
Nocturne (movie)
Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band (documentary)
Paddington (movie)
Rebel Without a Cause (movie)
Red Light (movie)
Reframed: Next Gen Narratives, Season 1 (TV show)
Room for One More (movie)
School Life (movie)
Sex and the City 2 (movie)
Shining Vale, Season 1 (TV show)
Shining Vale, Season 2 (TV. show)
Showing Up (movie)
Silver Linings Playbook (movie)
St. Vincent (movie)
Steel Magnolias (movie)
Stephen King's It (movie)
Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (documentary)
Sully (movie)
Supergirl (movie)
Superman & Lois, Season 4 (TV show)
Tangerine (movie)
Task Force (movie)
Teen Wolf (movie)
Tennessee Johnson (movie)
The Accountant (movie)
The Addams Family 2 (movie)
The Adventures of Robin Hood (movie)
The Big Year (movie)
The Birth of a Nation (movie)
The Boondock Saints (movie)
The Cable Guy (movie)
The Conjuring 2 (movie)
The Craft (movie)
The Curse of La Llorona (movie)
The Imitation Game (movie)
The Leopard Man (movie)
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (movie)
The Mouthpiece (movie)
The Narrow Margin (movie)
The Prince and the Pauper (movie)
The Prisoner of Zenda (movie)
The Purge: Election Year (movie)
The Red Badge of Courage (movie)
The Student Prince (movie)
The Usual Suspects (movie)
The Whistlers (movie)
The Wrong Man (movie)
Volunteers (movie)
Warcraft (movie)
Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic (TV show)
Whitey: United States of America V. James J. Bulger (documentary)
Wild Boys of the Road (movie)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (movie)
Woman in Gold (movie)
World Without End (movie)

Arriving on January 2

Expedition Files, Season 1 (documentary)
Isadora Moon, Season 1A (TV show)
My 600-lb Life, Season 13 (TV show)

Arriving on January 3

Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renovation, Season 10 (TV show)
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Season 49 (TV show)
The Front Room (movie)

Arriving on January 4

Belle Collective, Season 5 (TV show)

Arriving on January 5

Craig of the Creek, Season 6B (TV show)
Mecum Top 10, Season 10 (TV show)
Totally Spies, Season 7A (TV show)

Arriving on January 6

Worst Cooks in America Celebrity Edition: Heroes vs. Villains (TV show)

Arriving on January 7

Cleats & Convos with Deebo Samuel, Episode 111 (TV show)
How It Really Happened, Season 8 (TV show)
Kids Baking Championship, Season 14 (TV show)
The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter, Season 3 (TV show)
The Edge with Micah Parsons, Episode 219 (TV show)

Arriving on January 8

7 Little Johnstons, Season 15 (TV show)
CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute (TV show)
Fixer to Fabulous, Season 6 (TV show)
Wildcard Kitchen, Season 2 (TV show)

Arriving on January 9

Aaron Hernandez and the Untold Murders of Bristol (documentary)
Sons of Ecstasy (documentary)
The Pitt, Season 1 (documentary)

Arriving on January 10

Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This? (TV show)
Black Butterfly (movie)
Holla (movie)
Look Into My Eyes (movie)
Vinnie Jones: In the Country, Season 1-2 (TV show)

Arriving on January 12

Naked and Afraid Spain (Aventura En Pelotas Espana), Season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on January 13

Barney's World, Season 1B (TV show)

Arriving on January 14

Baylen Out Loud, Season 1 (TV show)
Death by Fame, Season 3 (TV show)
The Curious Case of..., Season 1 (TV show)
The Last Party: Death on Tresco, Season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on January 15

An Update On Our Family (documentary)
Cult of Fear: The Asaram Bapu Story (documentary)
Marshall (movie)
Uncharted (movie)

Arriving on January 16

Becoming Hitchcock: The Legacy of Blackmail (documentary)
Divided By Design, Season 1B (TV show)
Harley Quinn, Season 5 (TV show)
Murder Under the Friday Night Lights, Season 4 (TV show)
My Sesame Street Friends, Season 15 (TV show)
Sesame Street, Season 55 (TV show)

Arriving on January 17

A Different Man (movie)
Better Off Dead (movie)
Real Time with Bill Maher, Season 23 (TV show)
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (movie)

Arriving on January 21

Contraband: Seized at the Airport, Season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on January 22

Expedition X, Season 8 (TV show)

Arriving on January 23

C.B. Strike: The Ink Black Heart (TV show)

Arriving on January 24

Harpoon Hunters, Season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on January 25

Bugs Bunny Builders, Season 2B (TV show)

Arriving on January 27

Scars of Beauty (Beleza Fatal), Season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on January 28

Chopped, Season 60 (TV show)

Arriving on January 29

The Flip Off, Season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on January 30

Mermicorno: Starfall, Season 1A (TV show)
The Other Side (Del Otro Lado Del Jardín) (movie)

Arriving on January 31

Guy's Ultimate Family Cruise (TV show)
The Eastern Gate (Przesmyk), Season 1 (TV show)

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