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Up to six months in prison and fines of up to 2 million kyats (almost $1,000). This is what people in Myanmar now risk for using a VPN service without approval after a new controversial cybersecurity law was enacted on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

According to the military junta, the new law aims to "prevent cyberattacks through electronic technology that threatens national sovereignty, peace, and stability, as well as to effectively investigate and bring charges against cybercrimes," as reported by Radio Free Asia.

Yet, experts are worried about the implications on citizens' digital rights, such as online privacy, free speech, and access to information.

Myanmar's internet has been under strict control following the 2021 coup. Social media platforms, along with independent and international media, are all blocked, making the use of the best VPN apps a necessity for staying connected and accessing free information.

Digital rights under siege

As mentioned, legal experts and digital rights groups have warned against the risk the new law poses to people's digital freedoms.

Talking to Radio Free Asia, for example, a legal expert suggests that there should be a limit to authorities' reach in controlling citizens' online activities.

"The VPN law is being misused to control public narratives. The Junta is more interested in restricting independent information flow rather than focusing solely on legitimate cybersecurity concerns," another legal expert from the city of Mawlamyine told a local human rights group.

Beyond VPNs, the 16 chapters and 88 articles-long cybersecurity law also criminalizes other online activities such as online fraud, illegal gambling, and unauthorized financial transactions. Here, prison sentences can range between two to seven years.

The military regime activated the Cybersecurity Law on Wednesday, imposing up to six months in jail or 1-10 million kyats (US$475-4,750) in fines for establishing virtual private network (VPN) connections or providing VPN services without permission. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/4Wo6s2aOIHJanuary 2, 2025

Myanmar's new law appears to be the final act of the Junta's work to prevent citizens from using virtual private network (VPN) apps to bypass government-imposed online restrictions.

We reported back in June last year how an enforced Myanmar VPN ban plunged citizens into online darkness in May. Most VPN services stopped working, with soldiers reportedly inspecting the phones of random pedestrians on the lookout for illegal VPN apps, too.

At the same time, Myanmar was among the nations most affected by internet shutdowns and social media blocks in 2024. As per the latest data, Myanmar suffered the longest with a total of 20,376 hours of online blockage over the 12 months, affecting 23.7 million people.

What's certain now is that the new law makes it even more difficult for everyday citizens to combat daily online restrictions without legal repercussions.

The first big Arctic outbreak of 2025 is expected to bring cold temperatures as well as ice and heavy snow to states into next week.

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Paramount Plus might not rival the popularity of the biggest and best streaming services, but it’s quickly building an impressive library of must-watch movies and TV shows. January 2025 is no exception, kicking off the new year with a bang by adding over 100 new films to its catalog. A handful of fresh TV series land too, but this month it’s the movies that steal the spotlight.

From adrenaline-pumping action and fun family comedies to cerebral sci-fi and spine-chilling thrillers, Paramount Plus offers something to brighten even the gloomiest January days. If you’re less concerned with the newest additions and more interested in the best that Paramount Plus has to offer, then do check out our best Paramount Plus movies guide for only the highest-rated titles. Otherwise, keep reading for a complete rundown of every new movie and TV show arriving on Paramount Plus in January 2025.

Everything new on Paramount Plus in January 2025

Arriving on January 1

2 Days In The Valley (movie)
40 Days and 40 Nights (movie)
A Crime on the Bayou (movie)
A Dog's Purpose (movie)
A Night At The Roxbury (movie)
A.C.O.D. (movie)
Adventureland (movie)
Agent Game (movie)
Allied (movie)
Almost Famous (movie)
Amistad (movie)
An Officer and a Gentleman (movie)
Arrival (movie)
Barbarella (movie)
Basic Instinct (movie)
Becky (movie)
Best Defense (movie)
Big Jake (movie)
Black Noise (movie)
Book Club (movie)
Boomerang (movie)
Bounce (movie)
Breakdown (movie)
Buddy Games (movie)
Chinatown (movie)
Chocolat (movie)
Citizen Ruth (movie)
Clear and Present Danger (movie)
Cold Mountain (movie)
Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (movie)
Cop Land (movie)
Death Wish (movie)
Dirty Pretty Things (movie)
Domestic Disturbance (movie)
Don't Look Now (movie)
Down To You (movie)
Downsizing (movie)
Drillbit Taylor (movie)
Drive Angry (movie)
Drop Zone (movie)
Ella Enchanted (movie)
Emma (1996) (movie)
Face/Off (movie)
Fatal Attraction (movie)
Final Destination (movie)
First Blood (movie)
Florence Foster Jenkins (movie)
Focus (movie)
Footloose (2011) (movie)
Forces of Nature (movie)
Foxfire (movie)
Frida (movie)
Good Boy (movie)
Good Mourning (movie)
Halloween VIII: Resurrection (movie)
Heaven Can Wait (movie)
House of Sand and Fog (movie)
Imagine That (movie)
Indecent Proposal (movie)
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (movie)
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (movie)
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5 Unrated (movie)
Judgement Night (movie)
Just a Kiss (movie)
K-19: The Widowmaker (movie)
Kinky Boots (movie)
Kiss The Girls (movie)
Labor Day (movie)
Labyrinth (movie)
Lady of the Manor (movie)
Like a Boss (movie)
Mr. Malcom's List (movie)
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (movie)
Nightwatch (movie)
Paranormal Activity 2 (movie)
Paranormal Activity 3 (movie)
Paranormal Activity 4 (movie)
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (movie)
Patriot Games (movie)
Pet Sematary II (movie)
Poltergeist (movie)
Rabbit-Proof Fence (movie)
Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown (movie)
Rambo III (movie)
Rambo: First Blood Part II (movie)
Red Eye (movie)
Revolutionary Road (movie)
Rosemary's Baby (movie)
Run & Gun (movie)
Santa Stole Our Dog! (movie)
Scary Movie (movie)
Scary Movie 2 (movie)
Seabiscuit (movie)
Searching For Bobby Fischer (movie)
Sherlock Gnomes (movie)
Shutter Island (movie)
Sidewalks Of New York (movie)
Silence (movie)
Slingshot (movie)
Snake Eyes (movie)
Some Kind of Wonderful (movie)
Stardust (movie)
Staying Alive (movie)
Strictly Ballroom (movie)
Tales From the Darkside: The Movie (movie)
Tammy's Always Dying (movie)
The Addams Family (1991) (movie)
The Aviator (movie)
The Conversation (movie)
The Crow (movie)
The Crow: City of Angels (movie)
The Crow: Wicked Prayer (movie)
The Doors (movie)
The First Wives Club (movie)
The Gambler (movie)
The Honeymooners (movie)
The Hours (movie)
The Long Kiss Goodnight (movie)
The Longest Yard (movie)
The Manchurian Candidate (movie)
The Mechanic (movie)
The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear (movie)
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (movie)
The Night Clerk (movie)
The Original Kings of Comedy (movie)
The Peacemaker (movie)
The Perfect Score (movie)
The Pledge (movie)
The Queens of Comedy (movie)
The Romantics (movie)
The Ruins (movie)
The Running Man (movie)
The Score (movie)
The Soloist (movie)
The Spiderwick Chronicles (movie)
The Switch (movie)
The Talented Mr. Ripley (movie)
The Three Amigos (movie)
The Truman Show (movie)
The Two Jakes (movie)
The United States of Leland (movie)
The Untouchables (movie)
The Virgin Suicides (movie)
The Wolf of Wall Street (movie)
The Words (movie)
The Yards (movie)
There Will Be Blood (movie)
Things We Lost In The Fire (movie)
Three Days of the Condor (movie)
Trainspotting (movie)
Trekkies 2 (movie)
Undisputed (movie)
V for Vengeance (movie)
Virtuosity (movie)
Waking Up In Reno (movie)
War (movie)
WifeLike (movie)
Zeroville (movie)
Zodiac (movie)

Arriving on January 2

Step Up Revolution (movie)

Arriving on January 4

80 for Brady (movie)

Arriving on January 8

Raid the Cage, Season 2 (TV show)
Blippi's Big Dino Adventure (movie)
Blippi's Out-of-this-World Space Adventure (movie)
Blippi's Wonderful World Tour (movie)

Arriving on January 15

Danger Force, Season 3 (TV show)
Matlock, Seasons 1-9 (TV show)

Arriving on January 17

Henry Danger: The Movie (movie)

Arriving on January 21

Long Gone Heroes (movie)

Arriving on January 22

Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship, Season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on January 24

Star Trek: Section 21 (movie)

Arriving on January 26

Watson (TV show)
Who's Your Caddy? (movie)

Arriving on January 28

Killshot (movie)
Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (movie)

Arriving on January 29

The Tiny Chef Show, Season 2 (TV show)
The Land (movie)

Arriving on January 31

NCIS: Sydney, Season 2 (TV show)
A Murder in the Park (movie)
Good Kill (movie)
Manglehorn (movie)
The D Train (movie)
The Seven Five (movie)

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• SafeSend is now owned by Thomson Reuters after $600m deal
• 70% of America’s 500 largest companies use the services
• 25% annual growth predicted “in the next few years”

Thomson Reuters has splashed out $600 million on a company specializing in tax automation software.

The company confirmed it had acquired cPaperless LLC, which operates under the SafeSend name, as it hopes to make tax preparer and taxpayers workflowers more efficient for US customers.

Based in Michigan and with a headcount of 235, SafeSend was founded in 2008. In its announcement of the acquisition, Thomson Reuters revealed that 70% of the US’s 500 biggest companies use the company’s solutions.

Thomson Reuters acquires cPaperless/SafeSend

Tax return ‘last-mile’ processes, like assembly, review, taxpayer e-signature, and delivery, are the key focus of SafeSend software, which helps improve the efficiency of the painful process with an injection of automation.

“By integrating SafeSend's innovative technology with our existing solutions, we're simplifying tax preparation workflows, and meeting the dynamic demands of businesses we serve to help them thrive in an increasingly complex tax landscape," noted Elizabeth Beastrom, president of Tax, Audit and Accounting Professionals at Thomson Reuters.

SafeSend co-founder Steve Dusablon added: “Becoming a part of Thomson Reuters will enable us to accelerate product development efforts and realize our shared vision of an end-to-end tax workflow solution.”

Under its new leadership, Thomson Reuters predicts 25% annual growth for SafeSend “in the next few years.”

SafeSend co-founder Andrew Hatfield added: “We are both excited to be continuing our journey with Thomson Reuters.” His comment indicates that the company could continue to operate normally under its new Thomson Reuters ownership.

A Thomson Reuters spokesperson told TechRadar Pro in an email: "I can confirm that Thomson Reuters is pleased to welcome all SafeSend employees to the company as part of the acquisition."

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• Japanese telecoms giant NTT Docomo hit with a cyberattack
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack affected services for 12 hours
• Telecoms firms are being increasingly targeted by cybercriminals

NTT Docomo, the largest mobile carrier in Japan, has reported it has been hit with a cyberattack which targeted its systems by flooding networks with traffic from multiple sources, rendering its services unavailable.

The Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack hit on systems on Janaury 2, and services were down for roughly 12 hours.

The company has over 90 million subscribers, and users were left without access to the firm’s website, as well as news platforms and mobile payment systems - but core communication and mobile services remained unaffected.

Telco targets

“From around 5:27 a.m. on January 2, 2025, some services, including the goo portal and NTT Docomo services, became difficult to access. Access was restored at 4:10 p.m., although updates to some content may still be delayed. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused,” the company confirmed in a statement.

The telco giant has not yet confirmed who it believes was behind the attack, but there is speculation it may have come from a ransomware group - potentially Randomwed.Vc - who were behind an attack against NTT back in September 2023.

This is the latest in a string of attacks against telecommunications firms, including 9 major US firms, which were targeted by Chinese state-sponsored group Salt Typhoon - who were reportedly targeting high-level targets within the US Treasury Department.

Japanese firms are also frequent targets for cyberattacks, with Casio, Japan Airlines, and Fujitsu all hit in 2024, alongside Japan’s largest port - which suffered a ransomware attack in July causing severe disruption.

DDoS attacks rose by 30% in 2024, and were increasingly politically-motivated, targeting critical infrastructure, government services, and utilities across the globe. These attacks caused widespread disruptions, with 75% of newly established networks involved in DDoS attacks within the first 42 days of inception.

Via The Record

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India has reportedly ordered the removal of some VPN apps from the country's Apple and Google official app stores for allegedly not complying with local rules.

As per the removal notifications reviewed by TechRadar, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued the removal order to both Apple and Google against Hide.me at the end of October 2024. Interestingly, the two notification messages refer to different sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 79 and Section 66 respectively.

A recent report on TechCrunch now indicates that more than half-a-dozen VPN apps have been removed from India's official app stores so far, including Hide.me, PrivadoVPN, and Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1. TechRadar contacted some of the best VPN apps which have all confirmed their apps are still available at the time of writing.

Why is India removing VPN apps?

Despite not being explicitly mentioned in the removal notifications, these orders appear to be the first enactment of India's highly controversial data retention law enforced in 2022.

Under the new Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) directives, VPN providers are required to retain users' logs for at least five years to hand over this data to authorities upon request.

The new rules provoked an exodus of VPN companies from India, with the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Hide.me, Surfshark, and Proton VPN removing their servers physically based in the country to avoid compromising their users' privacy.

This is exactly why for Sebastian Schaub, CEO at Hide.me, the removal orders do not come as a total surprise after the recent law amendments added "an impossible burden on VPN providers to operate legally in the country," he said.

Do you know?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What's happening in India isn't an isolated case. Between July and September alone, about 60 VPN apps silently disappeared from the Russian Apple App Store, bringing the total of unavailable applications in the Big Tech giant's official store to 98.

"We find the actions from the Indian government highly concerning. This sort of censorship should not have a place in a democracy," Schaub told TechRadar, adding that India's decision follows similar actions from Russia and China in the past.

As of today, January 3, 2025, some of the biggest names in the VPN market confirmed to TechRadar they have not received any removal notifications. Their VPN apps also remain available in India's official app stores at the time of writing. These are NordVPN, Surfshark, Mullvad VPN, and PureVPN.

Other providers – Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, Windscribe, and Private Internet Access (PIA) – also confirmed none of the above occurred to their services when first approached by TechRadar back in November 2024.

People in India also cannot sign up or download IPVanish VPN apps. This, however, comes from a voluntary decision the provider took as the new rules were enforced to protect their no-log policy commitment.

"In 2022, IPVanish removed our mobile apps from the App Store and Google Play Store in India, stopped customers in India from signing up on our website, and removed physical servers located in India from our network," an IPVanish spokesperson told TechRadar.

We will keep following the situation as it evolves and update the page accordingly, so check back in if you're concerned your favorite VPN may be impacted.

• An ex-Microsoft designer has showed off some dynamic wallpapers
• These were reportedly destined for Windows 11 23H2
• Microsoft has apparently now abandoned these idea, and the concept of fancy AI-powered wallpapers too

If you were hoping fancy ‘live’ wallpapers might come to Windows 11 – and you might have been, based on some past rumors – then I’ve got some bad news for you.

It seems that so-called live or dynamic wallpapers – embellished with animations and subtle effects to pep them up beyond your average desktop background – were once planned for Windows 11, but that’s no longer the case.

Windows Central picked up on the fact that an ex-Microsoft designer on the Windows team, Sergey Kisselev, shared some purported images of these dynamic wallpapers.

Kisselev explains that: “A variety of dynamic animations and still images were explored for Microsoft’s low-cost devices, primarily targeting educational users.”

As Windows Central’s Zac Bowden tells us, dynamic wallpapers have been spotted in preview builds of Windows 11 in the past, and Bowden believes they were supposed to be introduced with Windows 11 23H2. Of course, that never happened, and according to another person who chimed in on this topic, it never will.

The Verge noticed that Albacore, a well-known leaker on X, informs us that the components for these live wallpapers did ship in 23H2 (and actually 22H2 before it), as the groundwork for this feature – but everything was stripped out in 24H2.

That seems to definitively indicate that Microsoft has canned the idea.

"Have they already been scrapped?" Yeah.The (unfinished) components for this actually shipped with Windows 11 version 22H2 and 23H2 but got removed in 24H2. The same system component also powers the AI / depth effect enhanced wallpapersEverything cool is destined to be canceled https://t.co/YNmEDBLve2January 2, 2025

This isn’t just about the wallpapers aired here, potentially aimed more at educational customers, as noted.

You may also recall that it seemed Microsoft had nifty AI-powered wallpapers in the pipeline, featuring fancy parallax effects, but Albacore notes that the system component which was binned drove this feature, too. In other words, this idea isn’t happening, either – no fancy wallpapers for you, Windows 11 users.

(Image credit: Sergey Kisselev / Behance.net / Microsoft) Analysis: Desktop disappointment

If you were hoping for the desktop to be brought to life in a meaningful way with cool wallpapers, then it looks like your luck is out.

Worse still, the glimpse at what we could have had provided by the ex-Microsoft designer shows off some really smart backgrounds (which notably align with the new Windows 11 design scheme of having the Start menu in the middle of the screen by default).

So, we can but dream of such live backgrounds for Windows 11 – unless either Albacore is wrong somehow, or Microsoft backtracks (the latter seems unlikely). If you’re disappointed, maybe Windows 12 (or whatever the successor OS ends up being named) will give you the dynamic wallpapers you crave.

For now, though, Microsoft’s dynamic background plans appear to have run into a wall – a bland, brick one – and are not going anywhere. If you want a live background in Windows 11, you’ll need to go the third-party app route.

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• LG reveals two new portable, lifestyle projectors ahead of CES 2025
• LG PF600U is a 3-in-1 projector/lamp/speaker
• LG CineBeam S is latest in portable 4K projector lineup

LG has revealed two new speakers ahead of CES 2025 – the CineBeam S and LG PF600U – adding to its range of lifestyle projectors. LG hasn't announced region availability or pricing for either projector as of yet, but this will hopefully arrive at CES 2025 itself.

The LG CineBeam S is a follow-up to the LG CineBeam Q, one of the best 4K projectors released in 2024, and while it also supports 4K,HDR picture, the CineBeam S has the distinction of being LG's smallest ever 4K ultra-short-throw (UST) projector, measuring in at a tiny 110 x 160 x 160mm.

The CineBeam S will also support a wide range of screen sizes from 40-100-inches – the CineBeam Q supports 50-120-inches – with a throw ratio of 0.25. It has 500 ANSI lumens of brightness (the same as the CineBeam Q) and LG says it will cover 154% of the DCI-P3 color space. It will also feature a built-in stereo speaker system that supports Dolby Atmos, and will use LG's own webOS smart TV platform for streaming skills.

The other projector revealed is the LG PF600U, a projector that also serves as a mood lamp and Bluetooth speaker. It supports 1080p Full HD resolution images with 300 ANSI lumens of brightness, and can project from 30 to 120 inches. It will also come with LG's webOS interface built-in for streaming.

Taking on a light pole design measuring 290 x 290 x 983mm, the PF600U is designed to serve a whole bunch of needs by also working as a light source and Bluetooth speaker with a stereo speaker array.

LG combines it all again

(Image credit: LG)

Over the past couple of years, LG hasn't been afraid to experiment with its lifestyle products. Whether it's the StanByME Go, a portable TV-in-a-suitcase with military grade casing or a disco refrigerator with a transparent OLED display, LG isn't afraid to combine its AV and lifestyle/home products into one Frankenstein-esque offering.

While the LG PF600U projector/lamp combo is unlikely to offer picture quality to top the best projectors, it does fit in nicely with LG's whacky products that aim to create the home of the future that many people dream about, supposedly, with every product doing multiple jobs.

The LG CineBeam S on the other hand is a straightforward, portable 4K projector and if it's anything like the LG CineBeam Q, which we rated four and a half out of five in our review thanks to its excellent picture quality and handy design, then LG could be onto another winner.

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• Apple Fitness Plus is kicking off 2025 with a bunch of new classes.
• Apple is also working with Strava to let your workouts easily sync.
• More 'Time to Walk' and 'Artist Spotlight Series' are incoming.

In what’s become an annual drop, Apple Fitness Plus is starting 2025 off strong with new features, workout types, and programming, plus a new integration that should make folks pretty darn happy. It also comes after a pretty big redesign that launched in 2024, which makes classes easier to find.

So let’s start there – after completing your workout in Fitness+, you’ll be able to export all of the data right into Strava, one of our best fitness apps. This way, you can see, log, and review all of the workout metrics alongside your other statistics. You’ll also be able to view the exact title and episode number of the workout, the genre, and even the Fitness+ Trainer.

Beyond that integration, though, you’ll start to see some members of the Strava community in the Fitness+ studio during workouts. Apple says "celebrated athletes from the Strava community will join the Fitness+ trainer team as special guests in workouts throughout the year".

Who those athletes are is being kept under wraps, but given Strava's so ubiquitous throughout the fitness community, we're likely to see sessions similar to ultrarunner Scott Jurek's "Yoga for Runners" collaboration with Fitness+ trainer Jessica Skye. Who knows, you might see Bradley Wiggins drop into a cycling class with trainer Emily Fayette.

Plus, if you’re a Strava subscriber – brand new or already one – you get three months of Apple Fitness Plus for free – meaning you can jump right into using this integration, stream a class in 4K UHD, or dive into a new program.

(Image credit: Apple)

If you’re looking to dive into a program, something a little more regimented that lays out a schedule, ‘3 Perfect Weeks of Strength’ might be up your alley. It’s the newest Fitness Plus program and is all about building and maintaining strength with twelve 30-minute workouts spread across three weeks in these categories: Progressive Overload, Time Under Tension, and Dynamic Power.

Similarly, Apple’s hopping on the pickleball wagon with a dedicated program led by Catherine Parenteau, a champion of the sport. She’ll lead the class alongside Fitness+ trainers with a focus on strength, endurance, and agility for playing your best in the sport.

There is also an ‘Introduction to Breath Meditation’ program arriving, which seems like a great way to reduce stress as the new year takes effect. It’s also a good reminder that meditation and yoga classes are good to mix in among core, strength, and other workout types. These are also a bit more bite-sized in ten-minute-long classes.

(Image credit: Apple)

If you’re keen to start on your yoga journey as well, there are classes focusing on individual poses. This might be one that I give a go – Yoga Peak Poses are billed as an ‘intimate workout’ experience focused on poses like Dancer, Twisted Hand to Big Toe, and Crow.

(Image credit: Apple)

While my favorite Artist Spotlight Series in the Fitness Plus library would have to be the Bruce Springsteen-focused ones, several new ones have also been announced. A quick point is that while much of this content, including the new programs and Strava integration, takes effect on January 6, 2025, their music classes will be on a schedule.

Artist Spotlight Series dedicates the entire playlist used during the workout to one artist or band, and aims to tell a story with the picked tracks. On January 13, 2025, Janet Jackson drops as the first one of the year. Coldplay swiftly follows that on January 20 and Kendrick Lamar on February 3, timed to the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show as he is headlining.

If dancing is more your speed, So You Think You Can Dance star Alex Wong is leading a special 20-minute dance workout that drops on January 6, 2025.

Time to Walk, Fitness+'s series of audio-only guided walks, is back with new episodes from Adam Scott, Maddie Ziegler, Tiffany Haddish, Steve Aioki, Lana Condor, Rita Ora, and Daddy Yankee, all set to arrive this year. With these, you’ll be asked to walk through stories and even favorite tracks as the host walks through stories. It’s a cool experience that works great on the Apple Watch.

As a whole, Fitness Plus is offering new programs that I think existing users will find rewarding and continues to expand its offerings for people who might try Apple’s streaming workout service for the first time. As a reminder, it’s deeply integrated with the Apple Watch, but you can stream and take the classes on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV 4K streaming box. I’m still waiting on a Mac app.

Fitness Plus starts at $9.99 a month or $79.99 for an annual subscription, but alongside the Strava promotion, you can also score free trials by purchasing an Apple device like an Apple Watch, iPhone, or iPad. Additionally, if you’re already subscribed to Apple One Premier, you get access to Fitness Plus for you and your family. In fact, any subscription is for up to six members in total.

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• Despite recent growth, PC shipments are set to slow down in 2025, Canalys predicts
• Proposed Trump tariffs and Windows 11 upgrade costs are to blame
• Import tariffs could increase PC prices by as much as 46%

New research from Canalys has confirmed recent healthy growth in the US PC market, with shipments rising 7% year-over-year to 17.9 million units in the third quarter of 2024, however the outlook for the near future isn’t quite so positive.

The firm stated market recovery could slow down in the months ahead due to potential headwinds related to macroeconomic policies – a result of Trump’s upcoming presidency.

Further factors, like weaker momentum in the Windows refresh cycle despite the outgoing OS, Windows 10, losing support in October 2025, are also set to impact the market.

US PC market facing upcoming challenges

With quarterly growth set to continue into the first quarter of 2025, Canalys is predicting a shrinking market in the second quarter, with third- and fourth-quarter growth barely in single-digit figures.

The predicted 2% growth for 2025 as a whole will be significantly less than the 6% expected in 2024. Last year's figures have not yet been released.

Despite slowing growth, buyer splits remain fairly consistent, with consumers accounting for around 37% of purchases and commercial customers taking 43-44% of the market. Government and education customers make up the remaining buyers.

Canalys Analyst Greg Davis commented: “With the 2024 US Presidential election coming to a close, macroeconomic conditions in the US are not expected to be as stable in the near-term as they have been over the last year or two.”

The company’s release cites recent Consumer Technology Association research, which suggests that proposed tariffs under Trump’s upcoming leadership could increase laptop and tablet prices by as much as 46%. Smartphones could also see a 26% price hike following proposed tariffs of 10-20% on imports from most countries, and 60% tariffs on Chinese imports.

A struggling market and rising costs mark a significant change from Canalys’ expectations from September 2024, when the company declared that US PC shipments could grow by 6% in both 2024 and 2025.

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• Taylor Sheridan's Western movie Hell or High Water is available to watch on Paramount Plus
• The movie has become a streaming hit eight years after its release
• Hell or High Water follows the desperate attempts of two brothers trying to save their family ranch

There's no doubt that Paramount Plus has become the home of neo-Western dramas thanks to the work of TV hitmaker Taylor Sheridan. It all started with his Paramount behemoth Yellowstone, which then spawned into a number of spin-offs like 1883, 1923 and now there are even more in the works.

While Sheridan has mastered the craft of TV making, he's also an acclaimed film writer with the likes of Sicario, Wind River and Hell or High Water all sharing similarities to his small-screen dramas. But if you're looking for more cowboy chaos after the Yellowstone season 5 finale, Sheridan's hit Western movie Hell or High Water was one of the new December arrivals on Paramount Plus in the US.

Eight years after its release, Hell or High Water has now become a streaming hit and has been climbing the top 10 most-watched movies on Paramount Plus, according to MovieWeb. Hell or High Water was also a major success outside of the streaming world as the film earned Sheridan an Oscar nomination for his script, as well as a nomination for Best Picture, Best Editing, and Best Supporting Actor for Jeff Bridges.

What is Hell or High Water about?

Hell or High Water follows two struggling brothers, Toby (Chris Pine) and ex-convict Tanner (Ben Foster) who plan a series of heists against the bank that's about to foreclose on their family ranch. Trying to stop them is Texas Ranger Marcus (Jeff Bridges), but as the pair plot their final robbery, they must also contend with a cunning lawman who isn't ready to back down.

Stories revolving around crime and the challenging lives of the oppressed are Sheridan's signature angles for some of the best Paramount Plus shows. Both Hell or High Water and Yellowstone prove his expertise within the Western genre and his ability to reinvent it in a modern setting. There's plenty of compelling performances, heart-pounding action, and gripping themes of economic desperation to keep you hooked after the Yellowstone finale.

With a 97% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, Hell or High Water goes down as one of the best Paramount Plus movies, but you don't need a subscription to one of the best streaming services to watch this Sheridan spectacle as it's available on Netflix in both the UK and Australia too.

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