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CES is the launchpad for many of the biggest upcoming tech releases, but this year you'd be forgiven for thinking it’s the new stage for Robot Wars owing to the sheer volume of whacky and innovative robot vacuums roaming the trade show's halls.

Robovac manufacturers from across the globe flocked to Las Vegas to give us the first peek at what’s to come in automated cleaning solutions, with everything from robotic arms to bunny-hopping legs making debut appearances at the show. I had the chance to see most of them in action in person, and it’s made me pretty excited – and just a little nervous – at what’s to come this year.

However, not all of these next-generation robots can win the title of the best robot vacuum we’ve tested, and in fact, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion only a few of the new flagships I’ve seen so far might fit the bill.

Raise your hands in the air

The most obvious and attention-grabbing development has been in obstacle clearance hardware, with both Roborock and Dreame flexing their design skills by adding limbs to their upcoming robot vacuums.

First up, there’s the one-armed Roborock Saros Z70, which won our award for the Best robot vacuum at CES for its retractable robot arm which can collect items weighing up to 300g / 10.5oz (like socks and toys), and safely deposit them in an assigned area to allow for a fuller coverage clean.

Not only is the Z70 informed by its AI and obstacle detection, but there’s also a camera on the arm to help it with fine motor movements. This doubles as a secondary camera for home monitoring, allowing you to get a higher view at home by manually controlling the arm. It’s expected to launch in May or June of 2025, with no official pricing confirmed as of right now. Judging by the hardware and Roborock’s price history, expect anything upwards of $2,000 / £1,500 when it hits the market later this year.

Then there are models like the upcoming Dreame X50 Ultra, a robot vacuum with retractable legs that allow it to climb steps up to 6cm / 2-inches. While it didn't always behave exactly as intended during CES demos, I did manage to catch it in action, and was pretty impressed by its hop-and-pivot technique (less so by the almighty 'thunk' as it traverses back down steps). It will go on sale in the US from February 13 for $1,699.99, and in UK from February 7 at a list price of £1,299.

I’d be remiss to mention that really, this is an iteration on existing retractable wheel-based clearance hardware, with brands like Eureka demonstrating similar tech in its J15 model. It’s also of note that really, steps aren’t what this will be most useful for; small barriers in-between rooms, furnishings with feet that stand proud from the floor and particularly thick-pile carpets are most likely to benefit from this new clearance technology.

I'm testing the X50 Ultra out out as we speak, and am intrigued to see how well it differentiates between dangerous ledges and manageable ones on the descent – nobody wants a robovac that launches itself into the abyss.

Heads down, thumbs up

The next trend rolling out across a range of robot vacuums is retractable LiDAR (or Light Detection and Ranging) or front-mounted sensors. LiDAR is one of the ways in which robot vacuums navigate – this remote sensing technology uses laser pulses to create 3D models of its surroundings, allowing robovacs to access hard-to-reach, dark spaces like underneath furniture.

The problem? Well, many LiDAR sensors are placed on top of robot vacuums, housed in a short beacon which can add anything from an average of 0.75-1.5-inches / 2-4cm to the vacuum’s overall height. Great, except for the fact that this also limits the robovac’s access to those very same hard-to-reach places.

This year at CES, a number of robot vacuum brands demonstrated their workarounds; models like the aforementioned Dreame X50 Ultra as well as the Mova V50 Ultra and Roborock Saros 10 all sport retractable LiDAR scanners, which sink into the device when it’s time to clean underneath low-clearance obstacles. Also great, except for that this might present its own challenges in that without LiDAR, these vacuums will now have lower visibility in the very spaces LiDAR presents the most benefit.

Of course, we won’t know until we’ve tested these bots in the months ahead, but my personal feeling is that models like the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni, which opts for embedded LiDAR sensors without a periscope, might come out on top in the long run.

Mop till you drop

If you’ve been following robot vacuum news for more than a year or so, you’ll know all about the recent boom in combination robot vacuum and mops. More and more flagship devices feature mopping tech, or at least include a combination model as part of the product range.

The issue? Well, I’ve not encountered many robot vacuums that are particularly good at mopping. Whether due to poor on-board spill and dirt detection or just that some stains need a good amount of elbow grease, most combination robot vacuum and mops are decent at best.

That could all be about to change with new mopping form factors and software, however. Models like the new Narwal Flow series at CES opt for roller mops, which could offer faster rotations, improved in-motion mop pad cleaning and better mobility for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.

(Image credit: Narwal)

The Flow’s fabric-covered roller constantly rotates, in the opposite direction to the movements of the robot. It's soaked with clean water by its onboard water tank, while dirty water is fed into a separate, dirty water tank, meaning the robovac cleans itself on-the-go instead of once it returns to the docking station.

It offers wood floor management and edge cleaning, jutting to the side when needed, meaning you can clean all the way up to your skirting boards – though as with vacuuming, those pesky corners are likely to remain an issue. The Flow series is also compatible with Narwal’s automatic water exchange module, which allows you to plumb Narwal robot vacuums for automated clean and dirty water management.

There are other roller mop devices out there, but Narwal’s is among the most detail-oriented I’ve seen. Plus, it also offers some excellent vacuuming features like CarpetBoost cleaning, wherein the device shuffles back and forth to dislodge even the most stubborn hairs and debris with its brushroll, and leverages a brushroll cover to increase the pressure and improve lift.

An honorable mention goes to Ecovacs’ Deebot X8 Pro Omni, which made its debut at IFA last year but had a strong presence at CES. It partners with vacuum-focused sister-brand Tineco to improve its mopping prowess, featuring an on-the-go self-washing mop much like the Dreame X50 Ultra, as well as improved edge cleaning.

Elsewhere, more iterative updates appeared in models like the Eureka J15, which now offers improved transparent spill detection and cleaning, thanks to its dual camera system using both an infrared camera and a full HD camera to create 3D images of your floor.

Robovacs gone rogue

It’s exciting to see disruptive new technologies finding their way into robot vacuums. New mechanized and motorized parts bring more opportunities for intelligent design, but they also mean there’s a whole lot more that can go wrong with these devices.

I’ve seen countless costly robotic cleaners with jammed appendages, or robovacs suffering fatal injuries due to navigation miscalculation. And that’s not what you want from a robot vacuum that costs upwards of $1,500 / £1,000 / AU$3000.

That’s not to say I have any reason to believe the models coming up this year will be bad robot vacuums, but market-first features with complex hardware and software are an easy recipe for a whole load of kooky behavior in real-world settings.

Whether it’s an arm, a leg, or a retractable sensor, I’m a little concerned that this next wave of robot vacuums are more flashy than they are functional. Still, it’s super exciting to see these advances, and competition drives innovation, so hopefully the robot vacuums I saw at CES 2025 are just the first step in improving automated home cleaning.

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The cybersecurity landscape enters a new era of sophisticated threats in 2025. Already, AI is reshaping cyber-attack strategies and in turn defense mechanisms – from threat detection, automated incident response, and intelligent vulnerability management to data and infrastructure protection. In 2025, as organizations wrestle with further evolution of the cyber-attack environment, the need for comprehensive security awareness training becomes increasingly crucial, especially in the face of mounting data breach costs and stricter regulations.

AI-enhanced phishing is a growing peril for small and medium enterprises

Greater adoption of more sophisticated and stealthier AI-powered phishing presents a significant cybersecurity challenge for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to craft highly personalized attacks, using publicly available data and advanced language capabilities, making these scams increasingly difficult to detect. Their approach involves multi-stage attack chains where initial communications appear innocent to gradually build trust before dumping malicious payloads.

These cybercriminals are specifically targeting widely used platforms such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, exploiting their inherent limitations for credential harvesting. Ransomware operators are refining email as a delivery mechanism, using crafty and obfuscated file attachments or links. They have developed their tactics to include "hybrid ransomware" campaigns that combine traditional phishing techniques with highly refined social engineering to manipulate recipients into unsuspectingly downloading dangerous files.

SMEs are particularly vulnerable due to their often limited cybersecurity resources, and so are at risk of becoming prime targets, not only for direct attacks but also use them as potential entry points for wider supply chain attacks against larger enterprises.

AI-based email drafting tools a double-edged sword

Increased mis-delivery-related data breaches are an escalating risk, as organizations increasingly adopt AI-driven email drafting tools. Already, misdirected emails are the most common cyber incident reported to the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) from a GDPR compliance standpoint. The widespread adoption of hybrid work models and the use of personal devices for work-related tasks is exacerbating this risk, leading to misdirection of email, incorrect file attachments, and miscommunication.

The integration of these advanced email writing assistants, while undoubtedly boosting productivity, also introduces additional complexity through features that suggest recipients based on historical patterns. This automation, combined with existing auto-complete and auto-correct features in popular email clients, significantly increases the risk of sensitive information being exposed to unintended recipients. The consequences of such accidental exposure to sensitive information is often costly and severe.

Supply chain vulnerabilities through AI-generated malware

The cybersecurity landscape in 2024 witnessed a noticeable increase in malware attacks levelled at corporate networks, leading to widely publicized data leaks and reputational damage for the organizations involved. Simultaneously, the bad actors exploited supply chain vulnerabilities to infiltrate systems and cause severe disruptions, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of software integrity failures.

As we move through 2025, cybercriminals are advancing their tactics by deploying AI-generated malware to breach both corporate networks and exploit supply chain ecosystems for vulnerabilities. These tools are highly evasive and can bypass traditional detection methods while also automating vulnerability scanning and phishing attempts.

Rising data breach costs and regulatory

The cost implications of data breaches have reached unprecedented levels, with the global average now estimated at $4.88 million per incident. Human error continues to be the primary factor in successful breaches, as cybercriminals successfully exploit the most advanced technologies currently available to breach organizations and cause chaos.

To control this continuously intensifying situation, regulation is becoming more demanding. The EU AI Act has already taken effect, bringing significant implications for organizations using AI in their operations, including cybersecurity and privacy. In the United States, many states are either enforcing or enacting Data privacy laws in 2025 – all focusing on the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data. These laws impose various obligations on businesses, including data protection, breach notification, and consumer rights.

2025 demands enhanced security awareness

As we navigate 2025, the combination of rapidly evolving technology, sophisticated cyber threats, and an increasingly strict regulatory environment, emphasizes the vital need for enhanced security awareness and training across the board. Technological solutions, of course, remain crucial in defending against cyber-attacks, and security professionals respond with proactive and innovative defensive strategies, including measures such as seamlessly integrating zero-trust architecture, embedding AI-powered tools, and implementing rigorous software development practices into their operational workflows.

However, due to the stealthy nature of the bad actors, heightened employee vigilance and understanding of the threat landscape have become ever more indispensable components of effective cybersecurity risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. Organizations, especially SMEs, must recognize that investing in comprehensive, up-to-date security awareness training is no longer optional, but a fundamental requirement for survival in today's cybersecurity threat landscape. Additionally, this training needs to be in line with the latest adult learning trends and best practices. Learner motivation, high engagement, and a focus on information retention are essential to preparing employees to face today’s threats. If not, the training will prove inadequate.

Employees must be made aware of the latest AI threats, including AI-based phishing and compliance, as well as how potentially these coercions can lead to the leakage of confidential information.

Phishing simulation campaigns must better reflect this new AI threat reality. For instance, email phishing templates could be designed to mirror real-life attacks with fewer grammatical and obvious errors to better prepare employees for these scenarios.

In addition to courses, security awareness programs should include additional options to reinforce the training in the workplace, such as posters, digital signage, cybersecurity events, and so forth. Any opportunity to allow employees to be more aware and better prepared will make an impact on de-risking the organization.

Security teams would also do well to consider and implement an AI policy in addition to their broader infosecurity policy(ies). Employees must understand the policies and procedures that align with their organization's AI security strategy.

As AI continues to evolve and shape both offensive and defensive capabilities in cybersecurity, the human element remains both the greatest vulnerability and the strongest potential defense against emerging threats.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

It's fair to say that last week was tumultuous for Garmin owners, to say the least. All around the world, Garmin watches – from those on our best Garmin watches list to entry-level running watches like the Garmin Forerunner 55, suddenly began to get stuck in boot-up mode. Even some other Garmin devices, like cycling computers, were affected.

We spent most of last week reporting on the Garmin outage, and your emails came flooding in. We got at least 500 emails from beleaguered Garmin users, helping us expand our lists of affected devices and providing useful reports of which fixes were working. You also shared stories about your crashing devices affecting weekday run clubs and snowboarding honeymoons. You guys stepped up.

One week later, the dust has settled, and people's devices went back to normal. However, we've not heard from Garmin about what actually caused the outage. Now that we've had a bit of space from the incident, I wanted to pose another question to you, our readers, in the comments below this article – will you trust Garmin again?

(Image credit: TechRadar)

A few of your emails mentioned switching to a rival best running watch brand, such as Suunto, Coros, Apple, and Samsung. Are you still planning to switch, and if so, who to? Or do you consider this an isolated incident, and want to stick to Garmin in the meantime?

For myself, a habitual Garmin user, my instinct (pardon the pun) was initially to stick with Garmin. From the battery life to the layout, a Garmin watch has been my loyal companion across almost every major long-distance race I've run.

However, when I think of the possibility of such an outage happening again and imagine it happening on the eve of, let's say, the London Marathon, I can picture the thousands of disappointed, panicked runners who wished they'd switched brands. If it happened in the middle of a long cycle or a hike, you might be left with no navigational tools but the physical things you brought with you, and your phone's compass app.

My way forward will be to continue using my Garmin watches and keep a Coros Pace Pro, or another one of the best cheap running watches on hand in case of failure. However, I'm in a very privileged position: if I want to test a device, I grab it out of the TechRadar vaults. Besides, these devices perform at their best when each one your primary wearables, accessing your data to tell you more about your performance.

If you're a Garmin user, what will you do?

• Stick with the brand
• Grab a cheap backup watch
• Completely switch allegiances (and if so, which brand will you switch to)?
• If you were planning on getting a Garmin and haven't already, has this outage drama put you off?

Let us know in the comments below! I'll be in there, replying to your posts, and we'll even feature your thoughts in a future article.

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The vast majority of cyberattacks are conducted solely to disrupt organizations, but one type of attack has more than just an organization-wide effect; it also has a personal impact.

Conducted primarily by ransomware threat groups, data exfiltration-based extortion is becoming far more prominent -in fact, a notorious Russian ransomware group known as BianLian has recently appeared to shift its approach entirely towards this new trend - and it’s easy to see why. These attacks provide a more lucrative financial outcome for criminals because it preys on the organization's victims' strongest fears: humiliation and harm to loved ones, and fear about their personal information being available for years to come on the dark web even if payment has been made for its safe return.

Organizations have become accustomed to encryption-based attacks and realize that paying the required ransom doesn’t guarantee they’ll get their files back. As a result of this, the number of organizations that pay a ransom has reduced and criminals are now bypassing this, choosing to steal sensitive data and threatening to hit organizations where it hurts the most—their reputation and also that of their individual employees.

The steps that attackers take when looking to conduct data exfiltration-based ransomware attacks are:

• Gain access: The attacker gains access to the victim’s network. (Via vulnerable assets on the network)
• Locate assets: The attacker locates and secures access to high-value assets
• Exfiltrate data: The attacker exfiltrates the data to their storage network.
• Encrypt data: The attacker encrypts data.
• Demand ransom: The attacker demands a ransom to unlock the data.
• Threaten to release data: If the ransom isn’t paid, the attacker threatens to publicly or sell the data.

Now that organizations have realized that they don’t get their files back after paying, the number of organizations that pay has reduced, and criminals are responding by changing tactics, going for exfiltration and hitting a company or employee reputation.

Data exfiltration: it’s personal

By stealing sensitive data—like scandalous emails, private emails, photos, or embarrassing secrets—and threatening to make it public, attackers are no longer conducting attacks with the aim of specifically targeting the organization. They are now targeting the individual. And it should not come as a surprise that 80% of ransomware attacks now include data exfiltration.

Most employees will go to great lengths to protect themselves and their families from shame, whether in the C-suite or working at the managerial, executive, or junior levels. Picture a CEO desperate to keep a personal secret out of the headlines. It’s powerful leverage, and while an organization might hold firm and refuse to pay, an individual under intense pressure often will cave.

New attacks require new entry points

So, how do attackers manage to pull this off so frequently? The answer lies in the many unknown and unmanaged assets that lie within an organization. Previously, attackers would look to conduct any breach via the front door, but this is no longer the case. Increasingly, attackers are infiltrating company defenses via the side door of unmanaged and unknown assets. These forgotten devices, rogue endpoints, or unpatched systems often fly under the radar of security teams and are increasingly acting as open doors that give attackers an easy way to enter, steal data, and turn their threats into big paydays.

It is paramount for organizations to lock down their environment by uncovering all hidden devices and unseen vulnerabilities.

Preventing the attack before it takes place

This increase in data exfiltration-based extortion is happening in tandem with the changing cybersecurity landscape. The aid of technological developments such as AI is supercharging attacks on IoT and OT systems simply because they tend to be the weakest link. With the increase in system convergence, unmanaged and unknown devices serve as the ideal jumping-off points to other parts of the network. Once there, attackers stay undetected, biding their time until the opportunity to steal sensitive data or demand ransomware payments presents itself.

Even with organizations stepping up their IT defenses, about 60% of assets remain hidden from security teams, creating massive blind spots. To compound matters, the speed at which attackers conduct attacks is only increasing. Studies indicate that 72% of attackers can locate and exploit an organizations vulnerability in a single day. Furthermore, last year, it was seen that unmanaged, internet-facing assets were the cause of 7 out of 10 beaches.

Organizations worldwide must focus on visibility now more than ever. They must have full visibility and understanding of their entire attack surface. This means identifying and cataloguing every IT, IoT and OT device, whether managed or unmanaged, regardless of its function. Only when the light has been shone on all devices and systems can organizations understand their attack surface and lock down weak points, especially those connected to sensitive data. In doing this, security teams can stay ahead of threat groups looking to infiltrate defenses.

Solid discovery of all devices and systems is critical in preventing breaches that lead to data exfiltration-based extortion. This includes spotting all connected assets, uncovering vulnerabilities, and monitoring new assets or changed network environments. Mapping and monitoring the environment, security teams must act precisely once they identify potential issues.

It can’t be understated how important it is to take action once you’ve encountered a potential weakness in your defenses. Whether mapping how attackers might laterally move across the network or highlighting areas where the network needs strengthening, security teams must be proactive to protect against network vulnerabilities and, in turn, minimize the chances of a data exfiltration-based ransom taking place.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Apple is believed to be stepping up the production of its M5 chipset
• It's currently slated for later this year or early 2026
• It's reported to stick with the TSMC 3nm process, with Apple yet to make a move to TSMC 2nm, which offers even greater power efficiency

We're still awaiting Apple's rumored M4 Ultra chip to be unveiled and complete the M4 family later this year (plus M4-powered MacBook Airs are rumored to launch soon) - but it looks like the Cupertino company is already looking at what lies ahead for its future devices.

According to South Korean media outlet ET News (reported by MacRumors), Apple's M5 chipset is already under mass production and could arrive as early as this year. These reports arrive amid speculation from Mark Gurman (who is known for his reliable Apple leaks) regarding the M4 Ultra chip, which is expected to outdo the M4 Max's 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU.

The new rumors also suggest that the M5 base model is currently the main focus during mass production, with the premium models such as the M5 Pro and M5 Max set for later. Apple is reported to stick with the use of TSMC 3nm (nanometer process technology) which allows for good power efficiency and performance with smaller transistors, as seen in current M4 chips - Apple supposedly won't be using TSMC 2nm yet.

While we've yet to see what the M5 chipset will have to offer, we are even seeing rumors that hint that the M6 MacBook Pro (expected for 2026) could feature the biggest redesign yet, with an OLED screen - and of course, a much faster chip with the M6, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

(Image credit: Apple) Apple, please take gaming even more seriously this time around...

Now, I'm not suggesting that Apple hasn't already made an attempt to appeal to gamers (especially with the recent M4 chips) and the ever-growing library of AAA games that are now compatible with Mac hardware - but I really want the M5 chipset and future processors to better cater toward gamers.

This isn't just by providing stronger chips alone, and continuing to improve macOS' ability to handle games, but there is one way that Apple could win over new gamers - and that is with handheld gaming PCs. Seeing how powerful the M series of chips have been for Macs, it’s undeniable how much of a powerhouse this would be if stacked up against the current handheld gaming devices we already have like the MSI Claw 8 AI+ or the Asus ROG Ally X.

Apple clearly has experience in handheld gaming, with the M4 iPad Pro able to run AAA games, plus modern iPhone games are getting increasingly ambitious. The iPad Pro is arguably the closest we’ve got to a Apple handheld gaming console or PC so far, and it would be even better if it ran macOS instead of iPadOS - as it would give us access to Steam and multiple other desktop games.

While there would be a lot to be done on the part of game developers in terms of porting games to Mac devices at launch (something Apple has been working hard to make easier, to be fair), I think the Cupertino company could steal the spotlight with ease. I guess it's just a matter of whether it wants it enough...

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• Security researchers warn of two Zyxel flaws being abused in the wild
• The manufacturer confirmed the findings but said the devices are no longer supported
• Users are advised to migrate to newer models

Zyxel has acknowledged a number of security issues with some of its most popular routers, but says it won't be issuing any patches due to the devices reaching their end-of-life.

Security researchers first discovered two vulnerabilities in a number of Zyxel’s internet-connected devices in summer 2024, and warned earlier this month that the flaws are being exploited in the wild.

In a newly released security advisory, the Taiwanese networking gear manufacturer acknowledged the flaws, and the fact that they’re being abused in the wild, but stressed that the vulnerable devices are past their end-of-life date and thus are no longer supported. Instead, users should migrate to newer, still supported devices.

Wide attack surface

The two vulnerabilities are tracked as CVE-2024-40891 (improper command validation), and CVE-2025-0890 (weak default credentials flaw).

“Zyxel recently became aware of CVE-2024-40890 and CVE-2024-40891 being mentioned in a post on GreyNoise’s blog.

Additionally, VulnCheck informed us that they will publish the technical details regarding CVE-2024-40891 and CVE-2025-0890 on their blog. We have confirmed that the affected models reported by VulnCheck, VMG1312-B10A, VMG1312-B10B, VMG1312-B10E, VMG3312-B10A, VMG3313-B10A, VMG3926-B10B, VMG4325-B10A, VMG4380-B10A, VMG8324-B10A, VMG8924-B10A, SBG3300, and SBG3500, are legacy products that have reached end-of-life (EOL) for years.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that users replace them with newer-generation products for optimal protection,” Zyxel said in the advisory.

In its writeup, BleepingComputer says that both FOFA and Censys are showing more than 1,500 Zyxel CPE Series devices exposed to the internet, suggesting that the attack surface is “significant”. At the same time, VulnCheck also shared a proof-of-concept (PoC) against VMG4325-B10A running firmware version 1.00(AAFR.4)C0_20170615, showing that the attack is more than just theoretical.

"While these systems are older and seemingly long out of support, they remain highly relevant due to their continued use worldwide and the sustained interest from attackers," VulnCheck said. "The fact that attackers are still actively exploiting these routers underscores the need for attention, as understanding real-world attacks is critical to effective security research."

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• Despite previous reports, Samsung Messages has not been discontinued
• Samsung's native messaging app even had RCS support reinstated
• Samsung Messages is now only available via the Galaxy Store

Despite a previous statement widely interpreted as a discontinuation announcement, Samsung’s Google Messages rival is still available for Samsung Galaxy smartphone users – in fact, it just got a new update.

Samsung Messages, which is now only available via the Samsung-run Galaxy Store app, has been upgraded to include Google’s implementation of RCS, or Rich Communication Services.

As we previously reported, RCS enables iMessage-style media sharing and group chats for phones of any platform. Samsung users have had access to RCS via Google Messages for years.

Samsung Messages previously offered a proprietary implementation of RCS – though, as Android Authority notes, this was pulled last year as part of the switch to Google Messages as the default messaging app for Galaxy handsets.

We recently reported that Samsung Messages had been discontinued, and would be made totally unavailable for users of the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra.

This was due to a statement from Samsung, originally reported by Android Authority, which read (in part): “We have opted to migrate all services to Google Messages and are sunsetting Samsung Messages. It’s no longer available in the Play Store; however, those who chose to utilize Samsung Messages are still able to do so.”

Though our coverage, as well that by others like PhoneArena, interpreted “sunsetting” as a lighter way of saying “shutting down”, Samsung later informed us that this wasn’t exactly the case.

A later statement provided to us by Samsung directly, said: “Starting with the new models, the Samsung Messages app will no longer be preloaded. Instead, Google Messages will provide a new and enhanced experience to express your emotions, making communication safe and fun. The Samsung Messages app is still available for download from the Galaxy Store with some features excluded.”

The new models in question are the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and presumably the new Galaxy S25 Edge. Rather than losing access to Samsung Messages completely, it seems owners of the newest Samsung Galaxy phones will have to seek out the app on Samsung’s own Galaxy Store.

There’s been some back and forth about the future of Samsung Messages, but an official update like this suggests it is sticking around for a while, if only as a sidelined alternative to the now-default Google Messages. As a video from Sammyguru’s Jeff Springer demonstrates, Samsung Messages remains unavailable from the Google Play Store.

In any case, it’s unlikely that a messaging app reshuffle will stop the Galaxy S25 series from picking up spots on our lists of the best phones and best Samsung phones.

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Is Monster Hunter Wilds crossplay? That's the big question on prospective players' minds right now. In the past, the series has had a fair few restrictions on cross-platform play, though this newest entry is set to switch things up in a big way.

Monster Hunter Wilds features a bold new direction for the long-running co-op action series. For one, you'll be able to bring two primary weapons into hunts, allowing for a wider variety of play styles. There's extreme weather to contend with too, which will influence the behavior of each map's local fauna. If the Monster Hunter Wilds beta is anything to go on, we could see the game land on our list of best multiplayer PC games by the end of the year.

Here's everything you need to know about Monster Hunter Wilds crossplay, including whether or not you can switch it on and off, and whether PS5, Xbox, and PC players will be able to matchmake with each other.

Does Monster Hunter Wilds have crossplay?

(Image credit: Capcom)

Monster Hunter Wilds will have crossplay at launch. This is a first for the series, which has imposed certain limitations between platforms before. Now, players on PS5 (there's a PS5 Pro-enhanced version too), PC, and Xbox can squad up with each other with no limitations at all.

Monster Hunter Wilds crossplay FAQ

(Image credit: Capcom) Is the Monster Hunter Wilds beta crossplay?

The upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds Beta is crossplay between all platforms. Recently, Capcom revealed what to expect from this second open beta period. You'll get a crack at the new flagship monster, and can even set up private lobbies with friends across all platforms.

Is Monster Hunter Wilds crossplay between Xbox and PC?

Monster Hunter Wilds is crossplay between Xbox and PC. This is new for the series and will allow more players to squad up than ever. If you'll be playing on PC, you'll want to check the Monster Hunter Wilds requirements.

Can you turn off crossplay in Monster Hunter Wilds?

You can turn off crossplay in Monster Hunter Wilds if you wish. This can be enabled and disabled in the Settings menu. Capcom has yet to release the full version of the game, but this is how things work in the beta, and it's expected that isn't likely to change anytime soon.

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• New rumor suggests Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 won’t need a 12VHPWR power connector
• Should make upgrading a lot easier
• If you have a 650W PSU or higher, you should also be fine

It looks like the upcoming Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 graphics cards could prove to be even better value for money than initially thought, as a new rumor suggests that the mid-range graphics cards won’t require Nvidia’s 12VHPWR connector (which the powerful RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 use).

Instead, as VideoCardz reports, a new rumor from Brother Pan Talks Computers (BPTC) claims that the two upcoming GPUs will use standard 8-pin power connectors. BPTC is a Chinese website that appears to have inside knowledge about Zotac, a components company that makes (among other things) third-party GPUs. While this is still an unconfirmed rumor, there could be some truth to it.

The same rumor suggests that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 graphics cards will require 650W power supply units (PSUs), much less than the RTX 5080’s 850W PSU demands.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Less to upgrade, less to spend

If this all seems like a load of numbers and jargon – don’t worry. Essentially, if this rumor is correct, it should be good news for people considering the RTX 5060 Ti or RTX 5060, as it looks like you won’t have to upgrade your PSU or buy any new cables.

This will make upgrading to the GPUs easier and less expensive because if you did need to upgrade your PSU to support the new GPUs, you’d need to spend extra money – and because the PSU is used to power various parts of your PC, swapping it out can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience – trust me.

As with previous xx60 GPUs, like the RTX 4060 and RTX 3060, the RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 will likely be aimed at budget-conscious gamers, so the fact they will likely not need to buy a new PSU will undoubtedly be welcome. Further, it would certainly make them a good value pick (assuming the price, which hasn’t been confirmed, is correct).

Of course, there are caveats to this. First, this is all rumor and speculation, so we won’t know for sure until Nvidia gives us more information about these cards (a recent rumor suggests they’ll launch in March).

Also, as VideoCardz points out, if the RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 will indeed require a 650W PSU, that is a bump up from the 550W requirements of the RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti. This means that some people might still need to upgrade their PSU to use these GPUs, and that will drastically reduce the value proposition for those gamers.

Hopefully, we’ll find out soon when Nvidia provides more information about these hotly-anticipated GPUs, especially as the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 have sold out and are hard to find.

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• Spotify is 'doubling down' on its music offering in 2025, says CEO Daniel Ek
• That could include a long-awaited Hi-Fi tier for super-fans and audiophiles
• Critics of Spotify's payment model say things could get worse for artists

Spotify is planning to "double down" on its music offering after reporting its first-ever full-year profit – but what exactly does that mean for subscribers?

As reported by Variety, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek praised his company's performance in an earnings call this week, saying that “Spotify is not only a great product — it’s now also a great business," adding that "We’re gonna double down on music in 2025, and I’m personally very excited about that.”

These days, the music streaming service boasts a total of 675 million active subscribers, 260 million of which are premium subs on the ad-free tier – helped, as ever, by an end-of-year publicity blitz through Spotify Wrapped that added 35 million new active users.

Analyst Jeff Wlodarczak expects Spotify's operating margins to only increase further this year, too, with increasing subscriber growth alongside the company's tighter monetization strategies.

Doubling down on music could be a great thing for subscribers, if they finally get a Spotify Hi-Fi tier to access better-quality, lossless audio – matching Tidal or Apple Music – which the company has promised for years.

I'd expect it to be a little pricier than the current Premium plan, which comes in at $11.99 / £11.99 / AU$13.99 for an individual subscription, likely twinned with additional perks and bonuses for big music fans – possibly getting access to certain tracks and albums before other users, or enjoying more personally curated playlists. It's likely an easy way for Spotify to monetize heavy users while removing one big reason to switch to another lossless audio platform.

Spotify has focused a lot on its podcast business in recent years, possibly to the detriment of its music offering, but this latest pronouncement from Ek suggests the Hi-Fi tier might finally happen in 2025. It could also mean we get a cheaper, music-only tier which was teased back in 2024.

But is that the whole story here?

(Image credit: Axios) Where does the money go?

It's been a big year for Spotify, but not all of its profit success comes down to increased subscribers.

The company also laid off 20% of its workforce in 2024 in an effort to gain tighter control of its finances, and introduced a few other cost-cutting measures that some consider to have been essentially passed on to artists and musicians to bear.

In early 2024, Spotify decided that artists attracting fewer than 1,000 streams per month through its platform would no longer be monetized. Given artists only receive $0.004 per stream, or $4 per thousand streams, it may seem like a small amount per person, but it also represents a huge cash grab away from those already struggling to gain any income from the service.

There was also reporting from last year claiming that Spotify was filling your recommendations with 'fake artists' from production companies that didn't need the same level of royalties – effectively filling out playlists with sawdust so you didn't notice the lack of bread.

Another feature, called Discovery Mode, also invites artists to reduce their earnings in exchange for being algorithmically pushed to more users.

Measures like these have helped Spotify move confidently into the green, but its plans to further increase its profit margin in 2025 – already built on reduced payouts for artists – are a real cause for concern.

This was the first year that Spotify Wrapped included an AI summary of user's listening habits, and as AI music becomes more widespread, there's a very real fear that this could be the next stage of helping to make Spotify more profitable, offering generated music that doesn't require payment at all as part of various ambient music playlists, replacing streams from artists who need to be paid.

I fully believe that Spotify will "double down" on music – but I hope it means helping me double-down on the real artists I like, not Spotify doubling down on bringing its own low-cost music in to help keep the profits high.

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• ChatGPT Search no longer requires an OpenAI account
• You can access the AI search engine for free without logging in
• ChatGPT Search lets you browse the web directly from within the world's most popular chatbot

ChatGPT Search is now available to everyone, regardless of whether you're signed into an OpenAI account or not.

OpenAI announced the major update on X, bringing ChatGPT Search to the masses, without creating an account or giving any personal information to the world leaders in AI.

ChatGPT Search is a search engine powered by, you guessed it, ChatGPT. It allows you to quickly search the web in the same way you would with Google Search, but get more in-depth results and summaries alongside sources. OpenAI says, "ChatGPT can search the web and get you fast, timely answers with links to relevant web sources directly in ChatGPT. ChatGPT will choose to search the web based on what you ask, or you can manually choose to search by clicking the web search icon."

Until now, ChatGPT Search was completely free to use but you needed to sign into an OpenAI account before being able to look anything up. Now, users can use it just by accessing ChatGPT.com.

This is an excellent addition to ChatGPT, which has been free to use without an OpenAI account for a while and could be the turning point for AI search engines as more and more people look for Google alternatives.

ChatGPT Search will roll out to logged-out users over the next few days, so if you don't see the Search icon under your prompt today, try again tomorrow!

ChatGPT search is now available to everyone on https://t.co/nYW5KO1aIg — no sign up required. pic.twitter.com/VElT7cxxjZFebruary 5, 2025

Is it time to ditch Google Search?

ChatGPT Search is built into ChatGPT and wants to make the AI chatbot your go-to for all your information. In the past, ChatGPT would have a knowledge cut-off date that meant you couldn't ask for information about things that were happening in the world at the time of your prompt. With ChatGPT Search that has completely changed, and ChatGPT can now give you up-to-date information on everything from world politics to the latest sports scores.

Google Search is engrained in society, most of the world's population with access to the internet use Google on a daily, if not hourly basis. OpenAI's alternative is an excellent option for those who want more from a search engine but I find myself opting to use my trusty ol' buddy Google more often than ChatGPT Search, even if it's not quite as knowledgeable.

The joy of the internet is curating your own sources and choosing where you want to get information from. As it stands, ChatGPT Search's approach doesn't really work for me as I want to be in control of what I consume, and having a summary from multiple sources doesn't always give me that. ChatGPT Search is still in its infancy, and it's bound to improve over time. If you haven't ever tried an AI-powered search engine before, there's never been a better time. But is it time to ditch Google Search? I'm not convinced.

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• Security researchers warning of new phishing campaign
• This one abuses Microsoft's authentication system
• The goal is to steal sensitive data and login credentials

Cybercriminals are impersonating Microsoft’s Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) to steal people’s passwords, log into their accounts, and grab any sensitive information found there, experts have warned.

A new report from cybersecurity researchers Abnormal Security noted how the attack starts with a phishing email, impersonating the target company’s IT team, and claiming that the system has been upgraded and that all users need to re-authenticate.

Obviously, the email also comes with a clickable button, which takes the victim to a phishing site that looks identical to their organization's real ADFS login page.

Redirecting the victims

Microsoft's Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) is a single sign-on (SSO) solution that allows users to access multiple applications using a single set of credentials. It extends Active Directory (AD) to provide federated identity management, enabling seamless and secure authentication across different organizations, cloud services, and applications.

This page asks for login credentials and MFA codes.

“The phishing templates also include forms designed to capture the specific second factor required to authenticate the target's account, based on the organization's configured MFA settings,” Abnormal said in the paper.

“Abnormal observed templates targeting multiple commonly used MFA mechanisms, including Microsoft Authenticator, Duo Security, and SMS verification.”

When the victim types in their login details, the landing page redirects them to the legitimate sign-in page, to keep the ruse going. In the background, however, the attackers are already logging in, stealing sensitive data, creating new email filter rules, and trying to move laterally throughout the target network.

Abnormal added that the campaign mostly targets organizations in education, healthcare, and public sector industries. So far, some 150 organizations have been targeted, it added. The goal of the campaign doesn’t seem to be espionage. Instead, it seems to be financially motivated.

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• Verity drones can scan 1,000 RFID tags per second with an accuracy rate of 99.9%
• RFID-enabled drones enhance visibility and real-time item tracking beyond traditional gate systems
• Technology handles low-priority tasks, ensuring human roles remain safe for now, but the future is uncertain

Verity, On, and Maersk recently collaborated to revamp warehouse operations through a combination of AI-powered drones and RFID technology.

Developed by Verity in Zurich, Switzerland, the autonomous drones navigate warehouse aisles independently while scanning RFID tags with precision.

The pilot project aims to enhance inventory tracking by integrating these two advanced systems, enabling greater visibility, control, and real-time item tracking beyond traditional RFID gate systems, thereby removing the need for human intervention.

The power of RFID-enhanced drones

Traditional RFID systems rely on fixed readers, limiting their ability to track inventory efficiently. By incorporating RFID into Verity’s AI-driven drones, warehouses can now benefit from a fully autonomous, mobile inventory tracking solution.

The drones can scan up to 1,000 RFID-tagged items per second, achieving an accuracy rate of 99.9%.

To validate the effectiveness of this technology, Verity, On, and Maersk conducted trials at a high-volume warehouse in California. Over 1,500 drone flights were completed and the system successfully performed 80 million RFID reads and tracked 1.25 million individual tags over a three-month period.

“At Maersk, we are committed to leveraging advancements in logistics through cutting-edge technology,” said Jason Walker, Head of Maersk's North American Contract Logistics.

“The exploration of RFID-enabled drones in our warehouses is a testament to our dedication to innovation and operational excellence," he continued. "Importantly, this technology enhances the capabilities of our team, empowering them to focus on more strategic tasks and drive continuous improvement.”

The rapid advancement of warehouse automation raises concerns about human labor's future in the sector. Verity’s system reduces labor requirements by up to 92% for inventory control tasks.

However, the impact on overall warehouse employment is more complex. Automation has historically supplemented labor shortages rather than entirely replaced jobs. In many cases, human workers prioritize essential tasks, leaving inventory tracking as a lower priority. The new AI-powered drones fill this role, ensuring precise stock monitoring without affecting other warehouse functions.

"By fusing AI, autonomous data collection at scale, and RFID, we are bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds to deliver complete visibility across supply chains,” said Verity CEO Raffaello D’Andrea.

It may be warehouses will evolve into larger, fully autonomous spaces, where machines handle every aspect of operations and tens of thousands of jobs will be lost. Technically, human jobs are safe because this technology is handling lower-priority tasks, but this may just be a sign of things to come.

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• Amazon invites literally spell out 'Alexa' teasing a major update
• The new Alexa could be an autonomous AI agent...
• ... but it might also cost you $5-$10 a month

Amazon sent out invites to a big product launch event in New York City yesterday that contained plenty of Alexa hints (including a familiar shade of blue). And now some details hidden in the invite, plus some fresh rumors, have given us a clearer idea of what to expect on February 26.

We missed the first Alexa AI hint because it's impossible to spot when looking at a single invite. But take one of each of the five different invite styles Amazon distributed and you’ll see they spell “alexa” – with our odd-looking ‘a’ actually being an ‘e’. The puzzle was cracked by The Verge.

This means that Amazon is all-but-guaranteed to to show off the long-awaited, next-gen Alexa that we've been waiting for on February 26 – and we might even see some new hardware for this AI to call home.

(Image credit: Amazon)

We've also now got some potential details on exactly what Alexa AI will do. According to Reuters – which cites three people familiar with the project – the new and improved Alexa assistant will have a few key upgrades.

Firstly, it'll seemingly be better at understanding natural speech and the context of your requests as the new AI will be able to respond to multiple prompts in a sequence.

We're not sure precisely how this will look, but we're imagining a cooking environment where you quickly ask Alexa to start a timer for 30 minutes, plus a recipe to prepare the next part of your meal, and for it to play a relaxing playlist to help you handle the pressure a little more easily. Rather than saying 'Hey Alexa' between each prompt, you could just ask them back-to-back like you can with a service like Gemini Live.

Next, it's said that Alexa will be able to serve as an AI agent – meaning it can perform tasks on behalf of users without needing their direct involvement. Again, it's not clear what form this will take, but perhaps Alexa will learn your routines and automatically turn off smart lights if it knows you aren't home. That said, we're a little timid about Alexa being able to act autonomously – without the right protections, an Agent with access to our credit card and the world’s biggest online marketplace sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Lastly, while Alexa's AI upgrade will seemingly be free with limited usage at first, Amazon has reportedly floated the idea of charging $5-$10 a month for it (probably around £5-£10 / AU$8-AU$16). Thankfully, classic Alexa could remain as an always available free option.

Will Alexa AI be worth paying for?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Based on the leaks so far, we aren't convinced that Alexa AI will be useful enough to justify paying for. It doesn't sound quite significant enough to tempt people who only use it as a voice-activated timer and light switch, but Amazon could give us more compelling reasons when February 26 rolls around.

You might have missed it in the buzz caused by the likes of ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Apple Intelligence and DeepSeek, but Alexa has been surprisingly absent from the AI revolution. The smart speaker assistant once synonymous with at-home AI now feels decidedly dumb as it struggles to engage in natural conversation with the same fluidity as Gemini Live, and with answers to queries that contain far less depth than the likes of GPT-4o.

This is apparently not through lack of trying. Reports have suggested that "technical challenges" have held Alexa’s next-gen upgrade back as it struggled with frequent hallucinations (when an AI makes up information, or makes a mistake) as well as continuing to perform the basic smart home tasks Alexa can do right now (such as turning on smart lights).

These snags apparently set the AI’s release date back to 2025, but it appears Amazon is finally ready to make its efforts public.

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• The Coolpix P1100 boasts a 125x optical zoom with 24-3000mm range
• Dynamic Fine Zoom further pushes the reach up to 6000mm
• It shoots 16MP stills, 4K video, and weighs 1.4kg

Nikon has signaled that it's keeping a toe-hold in the superzoom camera space by announcing the new Nikon Coolpix P1100. It's a modest update of the Coolpix P1000, which was launched in 2018, and once again delivers a class-leading 125x optical zoom with 24-3000mm range, plus a smart Dynamic Fine Zoom mode that doubles that range.

Also known as a bridge camera, the Coolpix P1100 is designed to capture everything from sweeping vistas to distant objects such as landmarks and wildlife, plus everything in between, all with one camera. These cameras are a dying breed – Sony killed off its Cyber-Shot RX10 IV, which we rate as the best bridge camera money can buy, and while Panasonic threw a lifeline to one model with a minor refresh, the Lumix FZ80D / FZ82D, that's all the action we've seen in the last few years.

Nikon keeping its Coolpix superzoom series alive is good news for those looking for one do-it-all camera for their travels, and for beginner wildlife photographers, and it has kept the price competitive – the Coolpix P1100 costs $1,099.95 / £1,049 / AU$1,699.95, which is only a small mark-up over the Coolpix P1000.

But should you buy Coolpix P1100? And, what's new in this latest version? Let's take a look at five things you need to know about the new Coolpix P1100.

1. It has a class-leading 125x optical zoom, just like the Coolpix P1000 Image 1 of 2

Closeup photo of the moon, taken with the Nikon Coolpix P1100 superzoom camera – you'll need a tripod for a shot like this. (Image credit: Nikon)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Nikon)

Zoom range is clearly the big selling point of bridge cameras, and the Coolpix P1100 has the biggest zoom of the bunch – a stabilized 125x optical zoom with 24-3000mm range is ridiculous. It even beats Samsung's stabilized 100x 'space zoom', and that mode is digital, meaning plenty of processing and interpolation (and so loss of quality) is taking place.

The Coolpix P1100 can optically get you closeups of the moon, and lock in tight on distant wildlife such as birds; and if that maximum 3000mm reach isn't enough for you, then a Dynamic Fine Zoom further doubles zoom to 250x – that's 6000mm!

Versatility is the name of the game here – the lens also offers a wide perspective for landscape photography. If you're looking for one lens to do it all, the Coolpix P1100 could be the ticket. But just to be clear though, the lens is exactly the same as the one in the Coolpix P1000.

2. Don't have too high hopes for image quality

Owl nestled in a tree, taken with the Nikon Coolpix P1100 superzoom camera (Image credit: Nikon)

Such zoom versatility comes at a cost, that cost being outright image quality. Compared to a similarly-sized mirrorless camera with a moderate zoom lens attached, the difference in quality is night and day – the modest 3-star rating we gave the Coolpix P1000, which features the same sensor and lens, in our review back in 2018, says it all.

The Coolpix P1100 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor that's capable of 16MP stills and 4K video. For perspective, that sensor size is tiny, equivalent to that in a current entry-level smartphone. If the light is good, image quality is okay; but when the light is low, temper your expectations. The lens' maximum aperture is reduced from f/2.8 at 24mm to just f/8 at 3000mm, which only reduces the amount of light the camera can take in.

It's best to consider the Coolpix P1100 as a beginner camera – highly versatile, with modest image quality. If you want a camera to grow with, it could be worth grabbing the pricier Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV before it sells out – it has a much larger 1-inch sensor and smaller 24-600mm zoom range, and as a result its quality is a big step up. Or look into a mirrorless camera with a moderate telephoto zoom lens if distant subjects are your thing.

3. It's a big ol' camera

With the zoom lens fully extended, and even retracted, the Coolpix P1100 is a beastly camera. (Image credit: Nikon)

The Coolpix P1100 measures 5.8 x 4.7 x 7.2 inches / 146.3 x 118.8 x 181.3mm, excluding projections, and weighs 3lbs 1.8oz / 1,410g. In short, it's an absolute beast – an all-in-one camera it might be, but you won't forget it's slung over your shoulder.

In fairness, the Coolpix P1100's DSLR-style design, together with 2.4m-dot electronic viewfinder and 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD screen, is comfortable in the hand. Its snap-back zoom button is incredibly helpful too, enabling you to quickly zoom out should you lose track of your subject.

If you're going to regularly use that maximum telephoto reach, it's worth factoring in that you'll need to carry a tripod with you, further adding to your load. Yes, the lens is stabilized, but a sturdy support will improve your viewing and photo-taking experience no end.

4. What's new?

(Image credit: Nikon)

All of the above are true of both the new Coolpix P1100 and its predecessor, the Coolpix P1000. So what exactly is new? The answer is, not a lot.

The latest model has some minor design changes and is equipped with USB-C charging, as per today's European standards, plus it features what could effectively be firmware-update-level improvements. These include a new Fireworks Show scene mode (to avoid blown-out highlights), a long-exposure noise reduction feature, selectable AF-area in Bird-Watching mode, plus enhanced Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Any Fn button operation can be assigned to the compatible Nikon ML-L7 Bluetooth remote, too.

Like I say, there are no upgrades really worth writing about. The biggest news here is that Nikon has kept faith with and extended the life of its Coolpix superzoom camera.

5. There are two notable downgrades from the Coolpix P1000

(Image credit: Nikon)

Not only is the Coolpix P1100 only a minor update of the P1000, there are actually two downgrades from its six-year-old predecessor, one being that the optical stabilization has been downgraded from five stops to four stops – that's a real kicker.

When I see a lens with such a long telephoto reach, my first thoughts turn to the effectiveness of the stabilization, because it can increase your hit ratio of sharp images. Optical stabilization can only do so much – it's ineffective for fast-moving subjects like wildlife, but for static subjects it can correct camera shake effectively for clear viewing and crisp images. Losing 1EV of stabilization is hardly a huge deal, and apparently this is a result of adjusted CIPA standards rather than actual loss of performance, but I'll reserve judgment for now.

The second downgrade is the built-in flash's guide number – that's its maximum output – which has been reduced from 16m to 12m. That's a shame for those that regularly use flash for short-range subjects.

Because of these downgrades, I would potentially opt for the older Coolpix P1000 over the new Coolpix P1100 if I had the choice. However, we presumably won't have that choice soon – the former camera has been discontinued, and will likely disappear from the shelves over the coming months. I don't think the downgrades are deal-breakers, but they are head-scratchers.

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• Cisco releases fix for two flaws in Identity Services Engine
• The flaws allowed for remote code execution, sensitive data exfiltration, and more
• The first clean version of Identity Services Engine is 3.4

Cisco has released patches for two critical-severity vulnerabilities plaguing its Identity Services Engine (ISE) solution. Since the flaws can be abused to run arbitrary commands and steal sensitive information, Cisco urged its users to apply the fixes as soon as possible.

In a security advisory, the networking giant first said it patched a “deserialization of user-supplied Java byte streams” vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-20124, and given a severity score of 9.9/10 (critical). By sending a custom serialized Java object to an affected Cisco ISE API, an attacker could execute arbitrary commands and elevate privileges.

The second flaw is an authentication bypass bug, occurring since an API did not perform authorization checks, or properly validated user-supplied data. A threat actor could send a malicious HTTP request to the API on the device to trigger it. This bug is tracked as CVE-2025-20125, and was given a severity score of 9.1/10 (critical).

Authentication required

While these flaws sound dangerous, they’re not that easy to exploit. Cisco said that threat actors would still need to be authenticated, and with a read-only admin account, at that.

Indeed, that means pulling the attack off is a lot more difficult, but still not impossible. As The Register properly noted, cybercriminals can phish for login credentials, or simply buy them off the black market.

“It's worth noting that NCC Group blamed last year's surge in ransomware attacks partly on compromised credentials, so it's not like these are too difficult to obtain. Rogue insiders can also abuse these holes, of course,” the publication said.

In any case, Cisco has already come out with fixes, so patching them should be done as soon as possible. Versions 3.0 - 3.3 were said to be vulnerable, so users should ensure they bring their software to version 3.4, at least. The good news is that there is still no evidence of abuse in the wild.

Via The Register

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• KitchenAid's color of the year for 2025 is a yellow shade called Butter
• The KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer is available in the color starting today
• Butter follows a general trend for kitchen appliances in warm, soft colors

KitchenAid has revealed its color of the year for 2025, and if you're anything like me, it will make you want to redecorate your whole kitchen. Butter is a soft shade of daffodil yellow with a creamy satin finish – and it looks good enough to eat.

Want to spread Butter in your kitchen? This colour of KitchenAid's Artisan stand mixer (as featured in shows such as The Great British Bake Off) is available now, priced at $499.99 (about £400 / AU$800) direct from KitchenAid.

KitchenAid's official color of 2024 was the pearlescent shade Blue Salt, while the color of 2023 was the bright pink Hibiscus (very similar to Pantone's color of that same year, Viva Magenta).

The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is available now in the new color (Image credit: KitchenAid) Butter and brass

Butter follows the recent trend for warm, natural colors in kitchenware, which mark a break from stark black, white, and chrome. For example, late last year KitchenAid unveiled the stunning (but surprisingly controversial) Design Series Evergreen stand mixer, which went against the grain with a broody green body and real walnut wood bowl.

Some bakers were worried that the wood, which needs to be hand-washed and oiled to keep it in good condition, would prove impractical for tasks such as whisking eggs. However, real-world tests proved this wasn't the case, and it worked as well as a metal bowl for everyday mixing.

In January, KitchenAid also announced that its full range of espresso makers is now available in warm porcelain white, and Breville launched a new collection of kitchen appliances with brass details rather than stainless steel. The Brass Accents range includes a new version of the company's best espresso machine, the Barista Touch Impress, which is available in navy, olive green, and off-white.

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• A new trailer posted to the PlayStation Store has seemingly revealed the Metal Gear Solid: Delta Snake Eater release date
• The game will apparently release on August 28, 2025
• The trailer also suggests that the Snake vs Monkey minigame will return

This is not a drill, the Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater release date may have leaked early.

As spotted by users on the popular gaming forum Resetera, a new trailer was uploaded to the PlayStation Store website presumably by accident.

It showed off new footage from the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 3 remake, which honestly looks pretty incredible. We see snippets of a few key boss fights plus plenty of the world, and the visuals are absolutely stunning across the board.

The trailer also seems to confirm that the fan-favorite Snake vs. Monkey minigame, which saw Solid Snake face off against the monkeys from the Ape Escape series, will be returning.

Interestingly, when I sat down with producer Noriaki Okamura at a preview event last and asked whether this mode would be coming back, he replied via a translator that Konami was "still in the process of thinking about what to do with this, and not able to say too much about this at the moment" and requested that I "look forward to any upcoming information."

The trailer ends with a release date of August 8, 2025. Of course, this is not actual official confirmation so should be taken with a pinch of salt. There's a strong chance that this trailer was intended to go live alongside the State of Play presentation rumored for later this month. We'll just have to wait and see...

Konami has previously stated that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater will be released in 2025 for PlayStation 5 and PC.

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• Two new thrillers are coming to Netflix.
• Robert De Niro will star in The Whisper Man, while Ben Affleck and Gillian Anderson are set to appear in crime thriller Animals.
• The Whisper Man follows a widowed crime writer whose son is abducted and Animals centers on a kidnapping.

Netflix's expanding thriller library is stopping me from canceling my subscription, as Robert De Niro is set to star in another nail-bitting title for the streamer, while Gillian Anderson and Ben Affleck have been confirmed for another.

De Niro has already stepped into the role of a troubled former US president in his first Netflix series Zero Day, which is a new political thriller that'll premiere on February 20, and it has since been announced that the Oscar-winning actor will make his second Netflix outing in The Whisper Man, a new psychological thriller that's an adaptation of Alex North’s bestselling novel of the same name.

Meanwhile, DC star Ben Affleck is set to act and direct upcoming kidnapping thriller Animals, with Gillian Anderson reportedly joining the cast, according to Deadline. It's been said that Matt Damon was originally meant to play the lead role, but Affleck stepped in to replace him due to Damon's scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s upcoming movie The Odyssey.

Netflix doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to producing good quality thrillers, with the likes of Missing You, Trigger Warning, and The Perfect Couple all proving to be a rather disappointing watch on the best streaming service. However, with this award-winning star power, it looks like Netflix could be about to rectify its library of badly-rated flops in the genre.

What is The Whispering Man and Animals about?

The official plot of The Whisper Man is: "When his eight-year-old son is abducted, a widowed crime writer looks to his estranged father, a retired former police detective, for help, only to discover a connection with the decades-old case of a convicted serial killer known as The Whisper Man.”

The Whisper Man is Netflix’s sixth partnership with the Russo brothers’ company AGBO, with chief creative officer Angela Russo-Otstot telling Tudum: "The Whisper Man is a gripping thriller but at its core is a poignant and complex story of father and sons. We are grateful to have one of the finest actors of his generation, Robert De Niro, anchoring that story and with the remarkable James Ashcroft directing.”

But what about potential best Netflix movie, Animals? Well, hardly anything has been revealed regarding the plot except Variety writing that "the crime thriller reportedly follows a mayoral candidate whose child is kidnapped."

It's expected that additional casting for Animals will be announced over the coming weeks and casting updates for The Whisper Man will be revealed as production ramps up.

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• Preorder bonuses and trade-in deals are still available for the Samsung Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra
• The Samsung Galaxy S25 series launches on February 7
• Trade-in offers may continue after launch

After months of rumors and weeks of post-announcement waiting, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series is almost here – on Friday, February 7, Samsung fans will be able to get their hands on the Samsung Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra.

However, Samsung's generous pre-order bonuses are still active right up until the phones go on sale, which makes today (February 6) your last chance to save some serious cash on the new flagships.

First things first, Samsung is offering discounted storage upgrades when you pre-order any of the three Galaxy S25 models. For example, pre-ordering the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with 512GB costs $1,299 / £1,249 / AU$2,149, the exact same as the 256GB model. The 1TB model costs the same as the 512GB version will at launch.

This effectively means you can take one step up the ladder storage-wise for no extra cost. More storage space allows you to keep hold of more apps, photos, and videos. And with Samsung positioning the Galaxy S25 and its siblings as long-term AI companions, this could be an offer worth considering to extend the lifespan of your new phone.

However, keep in mind that this isn’t an automatically applied upgrade. The models with lower storage remain available for preorder at the same price as their upgraded counterparts, so be sure to double check you’ve selected the upgraded version before checking out.

Terrific trade-in

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

It’s great to see Samsung offering storage upgrades to all customers, but the real savings come thanks to another one of Samsung’s famously excellent trade-in deals.

In the US, customers can get up to $900 off the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, $700 off the Galaxy S25 Plus, and $500 off the standard Galaxy S25 by trading in their current device.

Those savings are in addition to credit towards storage upgrades. In the US the Galaxy S25 Ultra is technically available for $400 with 512GB of storage, or $519 for the 1TB version – a total saving of $1,140.

Trade-in offers aren’t quite as generous in the UK. Samsung is offering up to $660 off the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and up to £540 off the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus. In Australia, Samsung offers up to AU$850 of trade-in credit for all three models.

Samsung is also offering a variety of discounts on peripherals, such as cases and chargers, which can be added at the checkout. The Galaxy S25 series phones do not include a case or charger in the box, so a discount on these essentials is good to see.

As mentioned, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series is due to launch on February 7 – that’s tomorrow at the time of writing. If the offers listed above look appealing, it could be worth acting fast to get a great deal on what will surely be some of the new best Samsung phones.

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