Technology

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Absolution, the latest book in Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach series, begins with a mysterious alligator experiment that seems to have gone wrong. Read the first two chapters here.

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

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

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

Cut to the chase

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

Look out for it in September

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

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

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

While there’s no news yet on that front, Apple almost without exception launches its new phones in the first half of September, so we can be quite confident of that much.

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

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

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

We haven’t heard anything about the iPhone 17 Pro Max price either and that’s a bit harder to predict, since we don’t know whether Apple will raise the price from the iPhone 16 Pro Max or not. For reference, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, so it’s likely that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will cost at least that much.

Can you trust these rumors?

So far there aren't any price or release date leaks yet, so it's all just educated guesses, but we'd be surprised if this phone wasn't announced in September.

One button replacing three

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

• Could combine the volume and Action buttons into one key
• May be sold in a Teal Titanium shade
• Likely to once again have a 6.9-inch screen

So far we’re not expecting drastic design changes, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max might at least gain a new button – or perhaps more accurately lose some buttons, as one report suggests it will have a single key that replaces the two volume buttons and the Action button.

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

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

(Image credit: Majin Bu)

We’ve also heard that Apple could hide the Face ID components under the screen in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which might allow for a smaller Dynamic Island, though a smaller Dynamic Island could instead be achieved through using a new ‘metalens’ technology for the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s proximity sensor.

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

The same source also says to once again expect a 6.9-inch screen, and we’ve elsewhere heard that the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s display might use a type of glass that’s less reflective and more resistant to scratches.

Can you trust these rumors?

So far only one source has mentioned a new button, so we'd take this with a pinch of salt, especially as the Action button is a recent addition, so it would be strange to remove it already. A smaller Dynamic Island is possible, and has leaked multiple times, but it's more likely to be achieved through a new proximity sensor design than under-display Face ID.

A new telephoto camera

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

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

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

However, this snapper will probably still offer 5x optical zoom, and it might be the only rear camera that’s getting a significant upgrade – meaning 48MP main and ultra-wide cameras could make a return.

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

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

Can you trust these rumors? 

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

As for a mechanical aperture, we're skeptical of this, as it sounds like a major yet niche upgrade, but it's always possible.

A powerful chipset and loads of RAM

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

• A powerful A19 Pro chipset
• 12GB of RAM

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

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

We haven’t heard anything about the battery yet, but reportedly the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a thinner and lighter motherboard than the current model, which in turn might leave space for a larger battery.

Can you trust these rumors? 

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

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Microsoft has announced another significant expansion of its AI capabilities with the introduction of autonomous agents designed to integrate more tightly into business operations.

Available in public preview, the agents are designed to let organizations use AI-powered automation to complete a variety of workloads, and can be customized from the company’s updated Copilot Studio platform.

Microsoft says that its agents can operate on behalf of employees to automate tasks, provide insights and streamline operations, with their uses being most anticipated in challenging industries like retail, finance and legal services.

Microsoft set to launch AI agents

Key to the success of Microsoft’s digital agents will be its upgraded Copilot Studio, which promises to combine personal, business and analytical data to help businesses build agents with greater control and transparency.

The enhanced Studio allows developers to tailor their agents according to different paths. By displaying underlying logic, such as key details, steps and systems involved, developers will have a deeper insight into an agent’s reasoning and context, helping them to tweak outputs and iron out bugs.

In light of the demand for maximum transparency surrounding AI tools, Microsoft has also added a new ‘Activity’ tab for workers to identify progress, blocks and trends in a complete log of past runs.

Announced at its recent Microsoft AI Tour event in London, the news was also accompanied by the release of 10 new prebuilt agents within Dynamics 365 to help sales, service, finance and supply chain teams. These agents will use some of the latest models, including the OpenAI o1 series, to handle complex tasks with little to no human intervention.

Acknowledging that artificial intelligence requires a specific and advanced skillset, Microsoft declared any company can become an AI-first company with agents helping plug the gaps where companies are struggling with ongoing talent shortages to help them remain unique – a competitive advantage that they should not lose.

It also added that security remains a priority, with robust data protection measures and governance tools in place.

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Gaming furniture manufacturer Secretlab has unveiled the Ergonomic Recliner, a new add-on that is compatible with all Secretlab Titan Evo and Secretlab Classics Series chairs.

It’s designed to introduce dedicated calf support and bring some of the comfort of traditionally bulky recliner chairs to a much more desk-friendly format. The Ergonomic Recliner is effectively a large leg cushion with a pneumatic gas spring mechanism that clips seamlessly onto the bottom of your chair.

It can be adjusted by up to 80 degrees, which is enough to support a wide range of seating positions and is made using the company’s soft high-density Plushcell memory foam. I’ve been testing the product with a Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 for the last few weeks and have been pretty impressed with it on the whole.

Whether you want to kick back and relax with a movie on your PC monitor or lie in an almost fully reclined position for a quick nap in between games of Counter-Strike 2, I’ve found that the Secretlab Ergonomic Recliner does add quite a bit of additional comfort. I’m also a big fan of how it can be neatly tucked away underneath the seat when it’s not in use.

That said, this accessory really doesn’t come at a very affordable price. The standard edition will be available for $199 / £159 in early 2025. There’s also the limited edition $249 / £199 Founder’s Edition which is on sale now. This features an extra layer of cooling gel, plus a unique quilted pattern and an exclusive Founder’s Edition metal plated tag.

Whether this is a worthwhile investment for you is likely going to come down to your usage habits. If you frequently lie back in your chair and are willing to splash out for an improved experience, then I can see this being a great addition to your setup. 

For even more on the accessory, you can read my full Secertlab Ergonomic Recliner review now.

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Apple is preparing to showcase something big for Severance season 2 tomorrow (October 23) – and I'm convinced it'll be the official trailer for the hit show's next chapter.

Uploaded with little fanfare, a placeholder for a virtual Severance meeting was added to the Apple TV Plus YouTube channel today (October 22), which signals a big reveal is inbound for the hugely popular sci-fi show's return. Understandably, the teaser has whipped fans into a frenzy, with many – myself included – believing that a season 2 trailer is inbound. Hey, why else would Apple tell us to join an all-hands meeting at 9am ET / 6am PT / 2pm BST / 10pm AEST tomorrow, on YouTube no less, if it wasn't gearing up to release season 2's first proper trailer?

If – or, rather, when – the teaser is unveiled, it won't be the first official footage we've actually seen for Severance's sophomore season. Indeed, in July, we were treated to a 30-second montage from one of the best Apple TV Plus shows' next installment that, due to its incredibly short runtime, did little to satiate our appetite for season 2. Still, at least Severance season 2's first albeit brief teaser confirmed when it'll debut on Apple's streaming service: January 17, 2025, for anyone who didn't know.

Before then, the only footage we'd seen of Severance's next entry came in mid-June, and even then it only gave us a tiny glimpse of Adam Scott's Mark Scout staring intently into the camera. That blink and you'll miss it clip was part of a wider look at an Apple TV Plus bonanza trailer that ran as part of Apple's WWDC 2024 event, so it's high time that a real season 2 trailer *ahem* became an 'outie' after being an 'innie' for so long.

It's likely that a Severance season 2 trailer won't be the only things that Lumon Industries 'treats' us to, either. With the highly-rated series set to return in just a few months' time, a confirmed cast list and story synopsis wouldn't go amiss, so don't be surprised if those details are 3D printed and sent out to us alongside this season's teaser.

While we wait for Severance to make its highly-anticipated return on one of the world's best streaming services, read our article on five big questions that Severance season 2 needs to answer. Alternatively, if you haven't seen the psychological thriller show yet, get the spoiler-free lowdown on its first season by reading our Severance season 1 review.

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Hackers are abusing a vulnerability in the Roundcube Webmail to steal emails and other sensitive data, new reports have claimed.

Cybersecurity experts from Positive Technologies sounded the alarm, saying the popular email client carries a flaw that is being actively exploited against government organizations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region (former Soviet Union).

Roundcube Webmail is a popular browser-based email client with a user-friendly interface that mimics the look and feel of a desktop application. It supports standard email protocols like IMAP and SMTP, and offers features such as message search, contact management, and plugin customization.

Hiding with HTML

The bug is tracked as CVE-2024-37383, and described as a medium-severity stored cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw, allowing the execution of malicious JavaScript on the Roundcube page.

To trigger the vulnerability, the crooks would draft and send a unique email. The email’s body appears empty, and only comes with a .DOC attachment. But the attackers would hide harmful code in the email using specific HTML tags (in this case, the tag), which is processed by the email client, while being invisible to the target user.

The payload is a piece of JavaScript code masquerading as a ‘href’ value. It downloads a decoy .DOC file, while injecting an unauthorized login form into the HTML page, which requests messages from the mail server. The form prompts the victim for their username and password, which are then relayed to the attackers.

All versions up to 1.5.6, as well as versions between 1.6 and 1.6.6. were said to be vulnerable to the flaw. Versions 1.5.7 and 1.6.7, released on May 19, are the earliest ones to have addressed the bug, and users are advised to upgrade their clients as soon as possible.

Via BleepingComputer

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We might be getting another entry to our best Max shows list if the first trailer for Get Millie Black is anything to go by. I'm a huge fan of British crime thrillers and the new limited series looks like it'll be a good one when it arrives on the streaming platform on November 25.

The series will air on HBO in the US and Channel 4 in the UK, joining the likes of Uzumaki and Smiling Friends, so we've really been spoiled with great new additions to both networks recently. Not only that, but Max recently teased a bunch of cool stuff at New York Comic Con – is it any wonder it's one of the best streaming services?

Take a look at the gripping trailer for Get Millie Black below.

What do we know about Get Millie Black?

The series is the television debut for Marlon James, an author known for titles such as The Book of Night Women and Moon Witch, Spider King. It follows detective Millie-Jean Black (Tamara Lawrance), who is forced out of Scotland Yard and returns home to join the Jamaican Police Force. She investigates missing person cases alongside her partner Curtis (Gershwyn Eustache Jnr).

However, things start to go awry when Scotland Yard detective Luke Holborn (Joe Dempsie) shows up in Kingston and their investigations cross paths. There's plenty of drama already and I am personally thrilled to see Dempsie in this, as I loved him in Skins back in the day and also in HBO hit Game of Thrones, so it'll be interesting to learn more about his new character. I'm definitely adding this one to my watchlist in November.

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Naughty's Dog's unannounced game will reportedly focus on "player freedom".

According to MinnMax founder Ben Hanson during the latest episode of The MinnMax Show, a source "very in the know, who worked on the game" said that fans "aren't ready" for the studio's next project" and that it will feature "a lot of player freedom" (via VGC).

"The tone was like, you are all not ready for how amazing this thing is going to be, and the tone was - I’m not going to say the game that they referenced to compare it to because I don’t want people to be like, MinnMax said it was going to be exactly like this - but they compared it to a game with a lot of player freedom," Hanson said.

When asked if the game in question was Hitman, which has an incredible amount of player freedom, Hanson said it wasn't.

At this time, Naughty Dog hasn't officially announced its next title. The studio, which is perhaps best known for the Uncharted and The Last of Us series, is famous for keeping its development plans under wraps until it's ready.

However, earlier this year Naughty Dog's co-president Neil Druckmann confirmed that "multiple single-player" projects are in development at the studio, saying "I promise you, we will not be The Last of Us studio forever".

Last year, Druckmann also said that he'd like the team to focus less on cutscenes and a "traditional narrative" in future projects.

"I’m more recently intrigued by stuff like Elden Ring and Inside, that don’t rely as much on traditional narrative to tell a story," Druckmann said in an interview with The Washington Post.

"I think some of the best storytelling in The Last of Us - yes, a lot of it is in the cinematics - but a lot of it is in the gameplay, and moving around a space, and understanding a history of a space by just looking at it and examining it. To me that, right now, is some of the best joy I get out of games - [those] that trust their audience to figure things out, that don’t hold their hand. That’s the stuff I’m really intrigued by going forward."

In December 2023, Naughty Dog canceled its The Last of Us Online game after concerns that it would impact the studio’s future single-player games, a project that was reportedly in development for four years.

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The US Government is looking to introduce new restrictions on how companies can sell 'bulk US sensitive personal data' to certain countries.

The proposed new rules from the Department of Justice (DoJ) would impose a blanket ban on the sale of this sort of data to six states the US deems ‘countries of concern’; China, Iran, Russia, The DPRK (North Korea), Cuba, and Venezuela.

It would cover a number of categories, including Social Security and driver’s license numbers, biometric identifiers, geolocation data, human genomic data like DNA, and health and financial information.

Some exceptions

The target of the regulations is to address national security risks that stem from foreign entities having access to American’s bulk sensitive data. By restricting the sale of information, the US hopes to curb foreign influence campaigns and to stop countries of concern from exploiting data to collect information on activists, journalists, or political opponents.

There are several proposed exemptions from this ban, including telecommunications services and clinical trial data needed for research approval or for FDA applications.

“Under the proposed rule, U.S. persons transacting in these kinds of data will need to establish a compliance program based on the individual risk profile of their activities,” said a senior DoJ official.

“They will need to understand the kinds and volumes of data they transact, who they are doing business with and how that data is being used, and the safeguards they use to control access to that data.” the official said.

In the age of never-ending data breaches and cyberattacks, these restrictions certainly won’t mean the end of foreign entities' access to American’s personal data, but it will likely prove to be a barrier for threat actors.

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