Technology

At the ‘It’s Glowtime’ event on September 9, Apple revealed that you will soon be able to edit the playback speed of your recorded videos right on your iPhone. Yet it nestled this announcement inside the show’s iPhone 16 Pro segment alongside a slate of other high-end features, giving the impression that this is a feature that’s exclusive to Apple’s top-end flagship iPhones.

Fortunately, it turns out that’s not the case – you’ll actually be able to edit the playback speed of your videos with any iPhone that can run iOS 18. That includes the newest entry-level iPhone 16, as well as any phone going all the way back to the iPhone XS.

At the iPhone 16 launch event, Apple demonstrated how the new Photos app in iOS 18 will let you tap a stopwatch icon when viewing a video, which brings up a ‘Playback Speed’ menu. This contains frame-rate options for the video, including 120fps, 60fps, 30fps, and 24fps. You can then switch to any of them to adjust the playback speed of your video on the fly.

Perhaps the best part of this is that you don’t need to make the frame rate decision before shooting – you can apply your changes after the video has been saved. That gives you a lot of flexibility to change your mind if your needs alter over time. And with this feature being available on a wide range of iPhones, you don’t need to upgrade to the latest models to be able to use it.

Repair Assistant makes its debut

(Image credit: Apple)

This video upgrade is not the only new change coming to iOS 18. If you’ve had an iPhone component replaced by a third-party repair shop – or have replaced a part yourself – you’ll now be able to configure it as a genuine Apple part (providing it is a genuine Apple part, of course) using the Repair Assistant tool, which ensures all of the part’s features work correctly.

For instance, if you’ve replaced your iPhone’s display and have used an official screen from Apple, configuring it with the Repair Assistant in iOS 18 will make sure that features like True Tone, automatic brightness options, and more all work as expected. To enable this configuration process, you just need to open the Settings app and head to About > Parts and Service, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Apple first introduced the Repair Assistant in April 2024, and it’s now being rolled out to iOS 18 users. Whether you’re interested in replacing an iPhone part yourself or want to get it done somewhere else, it should help guarantee your iPhone is back up and running as quickly as possible.

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Every single new Apple iPhone 16, from the basic to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, can shoot spatial photos and videos, and now I think this is the first real sign we have that Apple is developing a mixed-reality headset that will appeal to all consumers.

I admit, I was confounded by Apple's embrace of spatial photos and videos, going so far as to reposition cameras on all the handsets it introduced at its Glowtime Event, including the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

In case you didn't notice, the diagonal configuration is gone, replaced with two vertically aligned cameras. Apple did this because when you hold the phone in landscape mode, the cameras are perfectly positioned to grab stereo imagery, which captures two slightly off-angled photos of the same thing. Your two eyes combine those images in a VR headset to create the illusion of 3D.

With this new area set up and the Spatial option in the Camera app in iOS 18, you can capture stereo photos and videos with all iPhone 16 phones...and do what?

When I first heard this, I was confused. Why would Apple make such a significant change to all its devices for what is, at best, an edge case? Apple Vision Pro is an incredible mixed reality device that lets you go full virtual reality immersion or blend realistic-looking AR content with your real world. It can track your gestures, eyes, and face. The headset also costs $3,499.

Apple has not shared sales numbers, but even anecdotal evidence makes it clear this is not an iPhone-level seller – it's not even a Mac or iPad-level one. Most consumers do not own a Vision Pro, but now Apple has redesigned the camera array on its most affordable iPhone to support it. There can be only one reason.

Vision Pro for the rest of us

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Apple is readying a much more affordable Vision Pro, let's call it Vision Lite, and it could show up much sooner than most analysts predicted.

I did not invent the concept of a cheaper Vision Pro (often called "Vision Pro 2"). Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has been talking about it for a while, but he predicts it won't arrive until 2026.

Gurman might be right but then why is Apple delivering spatial photography to the masses now? Do we really need more than a year to prepare? You can indeed port spatial imagery captured on the iPhone to a Meta Quest headset, but when does Apple do something for the competition? It's not helping you build a library of immersive content to support Mark Zuckerbnerg's competing products.

No, I'm convinced that this is the first real sign we have that Apple is hurrying up on getting a cheaper Vision Pro headset out the door. And it cannot come soon enough. Even though Apple has been updating Vision Pro since its launch over a year ago, and VisionOS 2 brings some really cool new features, like transforming flat photos into spatial imagery, Apple has done nothing on the price front, and consumers are unmoved.

If Apple is committed to mixed reality – it is, trust me – it must deliver Vision Pro Lite or 2 well before 2026 and the iPhone 17. I think the iPhone 16 and its new camera array signal that Apple agrees with me, and that means next spring (think June and WWDC 2025) could be a watershed moment for the Vision Pro strategy and broad consumer access to Apple's vision for mixed reality.

So go ahead, buy an iPhone 16, and start taking lots of spatial photos and videos right away. Before you know it, you will have an incredible new product – one that you can afford – with which to view it.

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If you've got an appetite for adventure, Disney Plus is giving you the chance to escape into some great TV shows for less. If you're frustrated by the service's recent subscription price hike, then you might want to take advantage of this incredible new deal that gets you three months of Disney Plus Standard with Ads for just $1.99 / £1.99 per month. This offer is also available outside of the US and UK, with those based in Australia able to get the same marvellous Disney Plus deal.

This deal runs from September 12 (08:00 BST) through September 28 (07:59 BST) and is available for new and returning customers. After the three month period, it will auto-renew at the regular Disney Plus price until cancelled, so make sure you don't get caught out. 

Disney Plus Standard with Ads (3 months): was $9.99 per month now $1.99 at Disney Plus

The timing of this deal couldn't be better. With Disney's recent price hike coming into effect on October 17 for Disney Plus, Hulu and EPSN Plus, there's no better time take advantage of an offer that will give you access to a huge catalog of movies and shows, from Star Wars to Marvel.  View Deal

But three months is plenty of time to take advantage of many of the streamer's offerings. Outside of the best Disney Plus shows and best Disney Plus movies, the deal coincides with the 20th anniversary of the hit TV show Lost, so I've put together some similar adventure-based shows if you want to watch various people being put through their paces.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

RT Score: 91%
Age rating: TV-PG (US); PG (UK); PG (AUS)
Length: ~32-43 minutes
Creators: Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg

Lost was definitely not kid-friendly, but Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a great adventure series the whole family can enjoy. Based on the beloved books by Rick Riordan, the series takes us on a mythology-filled adventure where the twelve-year-old demigod Percy Jackson is accused by the Greek god Zeus of stealing his thunderbolt. Look, I'm no expert, but you probably shouldn't annoy Zeus. Bad idea.

It's an adaptation with a lot of love and it's so easy to get sucked into the world it builds. There's good news if you devour it quickly too, as season 2 is on the way. So there's plenty more where that came from.

Renegade Nell

RT Score: 87%
Age rating: TV-14 (US); 12 (UK); M (AUS)
Length: ~45 -55 minutes
Creators: Sally Wainwright

I do love any excuse to recommend Sally Wainwright. Her gritty crime series Happy Valley had my jaw on the floor (that finale though) and Gentleman Jack is a wonderful exploration of LGBTQ+ trailblazer Anne Lister. Her track record of hits just continues with Renegade Nell, a period drama that definitely fits into the adventure category.

After being accused of murder, Nell Jackson becomes a notorious outlaw in 18th-century England. Guided by Billy Blind, she travels with her two sisters and realises that fate has a lot in store for her. Unfortunately, it was cancelled after one season but the episodes we do have are a real joy.

Limitless With Chris Hemsworth

RT Score: 88%
Age rating: TV-14 (US); 12 (UK); M (AUS)
Length: ~43–45 minutes
Creators:  Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel

Adventure isn't just fictional! There's plenty to explore in the real world, and you can watch Thor himself as he takes on some tough challenges and pushes himself to live better for longer. I'm not going to comment on the amount of times I've watched this idling on the sofa while eating snacks, mind your own business.

Anyway, give this show a go if you want to see him teaming up with world-class experts, family, and friends to learn more about the human condition. It's fascinating stuff and might get you inspired. 

The Mandalorian

RT Score: 90%
Age rating: TV-14 (US); 12 (UK); M (AUS)
Length: ~25-47 minutes
Creators:  Jon Favreau

I do kind of feel sorry for Din Djarin (the titular Mandalorian). You've got a three season show and an upcoming movie named after you, but most people's attention is on the rebellious toddler alien that keeps you company. Well, that was just the creator's fault for making him so cute, I suppose.

If it's adventure you want, you won't find better than The Mandalorian. As a great show for both Star Wars fans and relative newcomers, we travel the galaxy alongside this bounty hunter, encountering numerous threats and fascinating things along the way. The fact he's basically adopted this child doesn't make any of that any easier, but hey, it's hugely entertaining.

American Born Chinese

RT Score: 94%
Age rating: TV-PG (US); PG (UK); PG (AUS)
Length: ~29–43 minutes
Creators: Kelvin Yu

Everything Everywhere All at Once stars Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan are back and continuing to deliver great performances in this eight part series. A must watch for fantasy lovers, this one delves into Chinese folk tales and mysticism, thrusting the viewer into a battle between mythical gods.

Protagonist Jin Wang gets a lot more than he bargained for and soon his problems become far bigger than juggling school life and his personal life. Alongside a new student, who is also Chinese, this is a journey in both the physical and metaphorical sense. 

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Months after NordVPN initially launched its consumer-focused eSIM, Saily, the company has now released a business-oriented version designed to cater to the unique needs of travelling workers.

Saily Business comes as a response to numerous community requests for such a product and the success of its consumer counterpart, the company said.

“Staying connected while working from abroad is paramount for today’s companies. This is why we listened to our customer feedback and launched Saily Business," noted Saily CEO Vykintas Maknickas.

Saily launches a new Business option

Saily brands itself as an affordable and user-friendly eSIM package for those travelling to countries outside of their existing SIM’s roaming zones. Customers benefit from 24/7 support, flexible plans with varying data packages at different price points, and global coverage.

Business users get a dedicated account manager on top of this.

Nord Security B2B Chief Commercial Offiver Justas Morkunas commented: “Now, with remote work being the new normal, we see a need for a more flexible and convenient way to stay connected while traveling – without extra hidden fees or limits set by the provider.”

Saily Business adds to Nord Security’s existing portfolio of business-focused solutions, including the newly added NordStellar threat intelligence solution and other popular products like password manager NordPass and network security solution NordLayer.

Maknickas told TechRadar Pro in an email: "Currently, the pricing structure will depend on how much your company travels and consumes, but it will be in line with Saily B2C - prices will be better than regular roaming.

"According to our research, our current consumer pricing is already more advantageous than what the majority of carriers offer for businesses as well. Therefore, with our business solution we try to focus more on convenience, time saving benefits for organizations, and a bit less on additional discounts and offers."

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If you’ve stuck with Windows 10 because you don’t like how Microsoft is seemingly pumping Windows 11 full of adverts then we have some bad news, as it looks like the company could start doing the same with Windows 10’s Start menu. 

The tech giant is currently testing out bringing the “Microsoft account manager” flyout menu in a couple of different layouts to the Start menu. This would enable Windows 10 users to manage their Microsoft accounts in various ways, including switching between different accounts, changing account settings, or signing out completely. 

This would be fairly benign if that was the whole story, but it appears that Microsoft account manager could be used to encourage users to sign up for Microsoft’s own products and services like Microsoft 365, a subscription service for apps like Word, Excel, and OneDrive. 

Windows Latest explains that Windows 10 users might start seeing more notifications and prompts reminding you (or as some might put it, nagging you) that your Microsoft account actually exists, to set up a recovery plan, and to learn more about Microsoft 365. Apparently, this doesn’t go away even if you've subscribed to the basic Microsoft 365 plan. 

(Image credit: Shutterstock/insta_photos) More bad news - it looks like you can't get rid of it

As reported by Windows Latest, Microsoft seems to be playing around with a couple of different designs for this account manager feature. In screenshots provided by Windows Latest, you can see the dedicated button in different parts of the left-hand Start menu sidebar, and while it’s not fully functional at the moment, it does look like it could be easier to jump to account management (if that’s something you’re after). 

I personally don’t manage my Microsoft account that often so this wouldn’t do very much for me, and unfortunately, if you want to remove this feature, it doesn’t appear that there’s a straightforward way to switch it off. 

I’ve gone through cycles of frustration with Microsoft and it’s a bummer that this intrusive method of pushing its own services appears to be the new normal. Also, it wants to convert its Windows 10 user base to Windows 11, even if users are reluctant to do so. However, Microsoft also peppers Windows 11’s UI with ads so it doesn’t look like there will be an easy escape from these kinds of interruptions - unless you switch to a different, non-Microsoft, operating system such as macOS 15 Sequoia or Linux.

Of course, Microsoft understandably wants more people to subscribe or purchase its products and services, but there’s a real danger that this heavy-handed approach could do more harm than good. In these financially uncertain times, many people are looking to cut down on their subscriptions, for example, and they won’t like feeling like they are being encouraged to sign up for more.

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Developer Rebellion has revealed brand-new Atomfall merchandise ahead of its 2025 release.

The survival-action game may not be arriving until next March, but that doesn't mean fans can't already secure some exclusive merch ahead of time.

Today, the indie studio behind Sniper Elite: Resistance and Zombie Army announced the Atomfall Survival Pack, a unique merchandise bundle inspired by the upcoming single-player game.

Starting today and running until October 11, fans can preorder the bundle for £89.99 (around $116.99) to get their hands on some limited-time goodies that will ship when the game launches next year.

The Atomfall Survival Pack is bundled within a Tin Box Cache Replica and comes featured with some decorative items like a poster and postcards, a badge, a diorama, and more.

Those who preorder the limited-time pack will also receive exclusive downloadable content (DLC) including the metal detector cosmetic skin which can be redeemed at launch. It's important to note that the Atomfall Survival Pack does not come with a copy of the game.

(Image credit: Rebellion Developments)

Atomfall Survival Pack includes:

• Diorama – a 20cm diorama of the classic British red phone box
• Postcards – A perfect way to treasure your idyllic visit to the village of Wyndham with its rolling green hills and friendly locals.
• Tin Box Cache Replica – Store your survival necessities in this replica cache measuring 20 x 14 x 7cm
• The Old Bridge Beer Mat– A local favourite
• BARD Pin badge – An essential for any member of the British Atomic Research Department
• Poster – Help keep your community safe and educate your neighbours on the dangers of playing with robots
• British flag Rosette – Carry on and show your national pride
• 3 x Skill patches – Display your newly learnt skills
• Exclusive DLC – Cosmetic metal detector skin (will be emailed in March 2025 to a provided email address)

Atomfall, which was first announced as part of the Xbox Games Showcase in June, is coming to PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and is a first-person survival game inspired by the real-life events set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England.

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Leica's M11 line-up is now seemingly complete with the announcement of the M11-D, the luxury German brand's costliest and most niche digital rangefinder yet. It's niche because of what it lacks: a screen, and I'm all for it. 

The screen-less model follows the Leica M11, Leica M11 Monochrom, and the content credentials-featuring M11-P, debuting an ISO dial on the camera's rear in place of a touchscreen. 

Anyone who's used an analog Leica rangefinder, such as the Leica M-A or Leica MP, will appreciate Leica's design choice here – the dial is where the ISO dial is usually located on Leica's classic film cameras.

By removing the instant feedback provided by a screen for image composition and playback, and installing a traditional ISO dial instead, Leica gives us about as authentic an analog photography experience as one could hope for from a digital camera. 

Instead of in-camera playback, your 61MP photos can be sent via Bluetooth to your phone and viewed in Leica's Fotos app, and the DNG raw and JPEG files edited with your favorite mobile editor app, plus of course you can upload photos stored in the camera's built-in 256GB memory or UHS-II SD memory card to your computer at a later point.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Leica)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Leica)

Battery life is an impressive 700 shots using the rangefinder mode, which can be bolstered to 1,700 shots using Leica's adapted shooting cycle.

We still get Leica's 'Made in Germany' quality, and the understated all-metal, all-black M11-D weighs just 540g – that's 115g lighter than its peers, most likely because the touchscreen has been stripped out.

There's also the same C2PA-approved Content Credentials hardware as found in the M11-P, designed to help guarantee the authenticity of your digital images.

Otherwise, the M11-D packs the same 61MP sensor as found in other M11 models and the Leica Q3, with an uncropped 9528 x 6328 pixel resolution, and DNG raw file sizes in the region of 100MB and JPEGs around 15MB.

Leica has set the body-only price of the M11-D at $9,395 / £8,100 / AU$15,990. That's expensive even for Leica, and especially for a standard-issue version that lacks a screen – but perhaps it isn't logical to expect a screen-less Leica to costs less.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Leica)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Leica)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Leica) Does a screen-less digital camera make sense in 2024?

If you're used to shooting pictures with a digital camera or your phone, then not being able to check exposure on-screen and seeing your images immediately after capture will be an uncomfortable reality. However, if you want to get right back to the photography basics, it's a revelation. 

On the M11-D you have manual shutter speed and ISO dials, together with the aperture ring on the attached lens, and precious little else to navigate. There's a steep learning curve to nail manual focus and image composition through the viewfinder, but I find it an addictive way of taking pictures, even if it's unsuitable for most photography genres – rangefinders sure do slow you down. 

I recently had the Leica MP analog rangefinder for an extended period, and it was as refreshing as it was challenging. But I reveled in the experience, and I suspect I'd get a similar feeling with its digital equivalent, the M11-D, without the exorbitant ongoing cost of buying and developing film. 

I feel a little pompous to champion a $9,395 / £8,100 / AU$15,990 digital camera that doesn't even have a screen, but for anti-tech, Leica, and analog photography fans, the M11-D makes the most sense of all. It's just a shame that I'm never likely to be able to afford one.  

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It's been almost three years since Sony launched the A7 IV, a mirrorless hybrid that we still consider the world's best camera for most people – and now fresh rumors are finally predicting a release date for its successor.

According to the pretty reliable Sony Alpha Rumors and its "two trusted sources", the Sony A7 V will be "on the market between January and March 2025". That's apparently a little later than planned, with the camera apparently due to have been announced in October 2024.

Still, it's good to hear that an announcement is on the cards (potentially in late 2024) with Sony Alpha Rumors claiming that "the camera will start shipping in Q1". That means, at worst, sometime before the end of March.

What upgrades can we expect to the full-frame camera that our Sony A7 IV review called "the best hybrid mirrorless camera you can buy right now"? The specs are a little hazy right now, but Sony Alpha Rumors claims the big upgrades will be related to "speed" and "new AI features".

We don't have to look too far for a glimpse of what those might be – since the A7 IV launched, the Sony A7R V and Sony ZV-E1 have come equipped with an AI chipset that delivers some genuinely useful video features. 'Auto Framing' crops into the full image and intelligently tracks your subject as they move around the frame, while Sony's subject-detection autofocus remains the best around.

Two things we shouldn't expect, according to the rumors, are 8K video powers or global shutter, as seen on the Sony A9 III. For most people, those are relatively niche features, so wouldn't be a great miss – and we'd imagine that the A7 V could also inherit the A7R V's handy four-axis touchscreen, too.

The new sweet spot?

The Sony A7 IV (above) already offered excellent subject-detection for its autofocus, which produced a good hit-rate –but the Sony A7 V would likely take that up a notch. (Image credit: Future)

The main appeal of the Sony A7 IV was that it combined most of the best features of Sony's stills and video cameras in one small, approachable body – so if the A7 V can repeat that trick, it could be a real contender to take the crown at the top of our guide to the world's best cameras.

Our only real complaints with the A7 IV, other than its price hike from the classic Sony A7 III, were its relatively modest burst shooting ceiling (of around 9fps) and its heavily cropped 4K/60p video. If the A7 V improves on those, as the rumors predict it will, while adding AI features, it could be a near-perfect camera for those who like to shoot an even mix of photos and video. 

The only real stumbling block could be outside of Sony's hands. Canon recently announced in Japan that it was "experiencing delivery delays" for new products like the Canon EOS R5 Mark II due to "the impact of global parts supply". We don't know if that's the reason for the A7 V's seemingly delayed announcement, but Sony certainly has been quiet on the announcements front this year. 

Still, Sony Alpha Rumors says that a Sony A1 II is also en route "within the next 6-7 months" alongside a new 24-70mm f/2 lens and another mystery lens. So it seems the Sony camera drought could end in spectacular fashion soon, even if it does all come a bit too late for Christmas. 

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North Korean state-sponsored threat actors Lazarus Group is evolving its “fake job” hacking campaign, researchers have warned.

Lazarus has been creating fake LinkedIn accounts and posting fake job ads across the internet for years. They offer their victims, often developers, enticing packages, high salaries, and plenty of perks. But instead of getting the job, after a few interview rounds, the only thing these people would get is malware, often from .PDF files posing as job details and such.

Now, cybersecurity researchers from ReversingLabs are saying that Lazarus is still going about the same thing, but now targeting Python developers with a fake coding test project.

Moving the WHOIS server

Apparently, the group would still start the same way - by impersonating someone on LinkedIn. This time around, it is the Capital One bank. Then, they would host the malware on GitHub, masquerading it as a password manager project. After that, they would find suitable victims, and at one point - ask to test their skills.

The “test” includes downloading and installing the password manager, and then “hunting” for bugs. The entire thing must be finished within half an hour. The crooks would argue that the limit prevents the candidates from cheating, but ReversingLabs says it’s to prevent the victims from spotting the ruse and acting on it.

The malware acts as a downloader, granting the attackers the ability to deploy secondary malicious code, depending on the compromised environment. The campaign is dubbed “VMConnect campaign” and it’s been active since August 2023, more than a year now. ReversingLabs believe the campaign is still ongoing.

North Koreans are usually targeting developers working on cryptocurrency projects, as that allows them to steal people’s money and use it to fund the state apparatus and the country’s weapons program. One of Lazarus’ biggest heists netted them more than half a billion dollars.

Via BleepingComputer

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Researchers at Checkmarx recently identified critical Cross-Site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities on the website of polling firm Gallup which they say could have been used by malicious actors to gain access to the survey company’s platform.

The research notes XSS is a vulnerability that might enable attackers to gain ‘full control over an application’s functionality and data’, especially if the user impersonated has been granted special access.

By allowing the execution of arbitrary code, the vulnerability could have even given threat actors the ability to add unauthorized items to user’s shopping carts (as the site also sells customizable surveys and books).

Misinformation risk

The vulnerabilities were discovered in June 2024, but have since been resolved - but in a time where reliable and safe information is so vital, especially relating to political opinion, the consequences of the flaw could have been dire. It is possible a malicious actor could have posted false polling results or information to the site, confirmed the Checkmarx team.

“In an era where misinformation and identity theft pose significant threats, the security of survey platforms is crucial, particularly during pivotal global election cycles," the report notes. "It's important to note that this endpoint is commonly used to access Gallup surveys, which may make users more susceptible to exploitation.”

The 2024 election cycle has seen particularly high rates of misinformation and election interference attempts, so it’s important for firms with influence or prominence to ensure security on their sites to keep information safe.

Web defacement is a relatively common practice for hackers to use to spread their message or embarrass the site owners, but in this case the information could easily have been disguised as legitimate, with the intention of swaying voters. In a remarkably close election race, swing state votes in particular are impactful, so any potential vulnerabilities should be closely monitored.

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