TechRadar News

• Dell Pro Max 18 Plus workstation already supports up to 128GB of CAMM2 RAM
• 256GB configuration is expected soon for data-heavy or AI-driven work
• Oddly no AMD support despite clear AI and performance-focused design goals

Dell is planning to offer a high-end workstation laptop with a massive 256GB memory option later this year.

The Dell Pro Max 18 Plus is already available to buy now and sits at the top of Dell’s mobile workstation lineup, as we predicted it would last year.

It’s powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor, paired with up to an Nvidia RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell GPU, and supports up to 4TB of SSD storage, making it one of the best business laptops around.

But no AMD option?

Memory configurations start with a single 16GB 6400MTs DDR5 CSoDIMM and users can upgrade to 32GB or 64GB using dual modules.

There’s also the option for 128GB of 6400MTs CAMM2 dual channel memory, although you’ll pay a premium for it – an additional $1,895 to the total price in fact.

And if 128GB still isn’t enough, Dell plans to offer a 256GB CAMM2 RAM option later in the year.

While 256GB will be well beyond what most users need, it could appeal to engineers, researchers, and developers who regularly work with demanding datasets and compute-heavy workloads.

Dell has made thermal improvements to the Pro Max 18 Plus to keep performance consistent under load. It claims up to a 44 percent increase in graphics performance compared to the previous 18-inch model.

The system also features better serviceability, with a modular USB-C port and an easy-access upgrade panel.

Combined with Dell’s manageability tools and security features, it is clearly built for enterprise environments.

One noticeable omission is AMD support. Dell’s Pro Max 14 includes Ryzen AI processors and is part of the Copilot+ lineup, which makes it all the more unusual that the 18 Plus, positioned as the most capable model, doesn’t offer AMD options.

With Ryzen processors widely praised for their NPU performance and strong efficiency, their absence may be something of a deal breaker for users looking for AI-focused alternatives.

We can only hope that Dell sees the error of its ways and brings AMD options to future Pro Max models.

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• Booster Gold is said to be moving ahead on HBO Max
• The DC Universe TV show has reportedly had its pilot episode greenlit
• Our Flag Means Death's showrunner is apparently on board to helm it

It's been two and a half years since James Gunn announced the original line-up for Chapter One of the new-look DC Universe (DCU) – and, finally, one of its most unexpected projects appears to be moving forward.

According to Deadline, Booster Gold, a TV series we've heard nothing about since Gunn confirmed it was part of his and Peter Safran's DCU Chapter One plans, has had its pilot episode greenlit by HBO Max.

The series has also seemingly found its creator. David Jenkins, who's best known for his work on Our Flag Means Death, aka one of the best HBO Max shows that was unceremoniously canceled after two seasons last January, is believed to have signed on to helm its first entry.

If HBO executives like what they see, Deadline's sources have indicated it'll order a whole series, with Jenkins in line to be installed as its showrunner.

A post shared by Deadline (@deadline)

A photo posted by on

If true, Booster Gold will be the second DCU project that's received a development, well, boost in recent days.

On July 21, Gunn confirmed the lead writer for the DCU's Wonder Woman movie. Meanwhile, Clayface, one of two DC comic book films set for release in 2026 alongside Supergirl, may have found its lead actress in Star Wars alumna Naomi Ackie, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, published yesterday, July 22, 2025.

But back to Booster Gold. There's only one way we'll know if Jenkins is involved and whether the show's pilot has been approved, and that's by hearing from Gunn.

At the time of publication, the DC Studios co-chief hadn't taken to social media to confirm or deny Deadline's report. I'll update this article if he does and/or if I hear back from HBO, whom I've reached out to about the forthcoming TV project.

Who is Booster Gold?

Created by Dan Jurgens, Booster Gold – real name Michael Jon 'Booster' Carter – is a US footballer-turned-superhero who actually hails from the future. In DC literature, he wasn't born until the 25th century, but like Batman, he calls Gotham City his home.

Or, he used to. You see, Carter was a rising football star for Gotham University. However, after his deadbeat father re-entered his life and convinced him to deliberately lose games for gambling reasons, it wasn't long until Carter was exposed for his crimes and expelled from studying at the prestigious institution.

Carter's days of breaking the law weren't over, though. After taking a job as a nightwatchman at the Metropolis Space Museum, he learned all about the 20th century's most famous heroes via the superpowered artifacts on display.

Long story short: with the aid of his robot sidekick Skeets, Carter steals some of the aforementioned tech, travels back in time to the 20th century, and uses his newly-acquired gadgets to remodel himself as Booster Gold, a showboating metahuman who can fly, create energy blasts, gains the usual superhuman abilities via his power-suit and, of course, time travel.

Despite making his debut in 'Booster Gold' #1 in February 1986 and being a member of popular DC superteam The Justice League, Carter hasn't gone on to achieve the level of fame in the real world that Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have. If anyone can breathe new life into this C-list superhero and turn him into a household name, though, it's Gunn – with more than a little help from Jenkins, of course.

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• Banking trojan Coyote now abuses Microsoft’s UI Automation framework
• The framework allows it to spot when a person opens a banking site
• It can cross-reference the data in the browser with a hardcoded list of banking and crypto apps

Coyote, a known banking trojan malware capable of attacking dozens of crypto and banking apps, has been upgraded to identify crypto exchanges and bank accounts opened in the web browser, experts have warned.

Cybersecurity researchers Akamai, who have been warning about Coyote since December 2024, noted how in previous iterations, Coyote would either log keys or present phishing overlays, in order to exfiltrate login information for 75 banking and cryptocurrency exchange apps. However, if a user would open these accounts in the browser, Coyote wouldn’t be triggered.

However this new variant abuses Microsoft’s UI Automation framework to identify which banking and crypto exchange sites the victim opened in their browser, too.

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Brazilians in the crosshairs

Microsoft's UI Automation (UIA) framework is an accessibility system that helps software interact with Windows apps.

It’s especially useful for things like screen readers and automated testing, as it lets programs “see” buttons, menus, and other parts of an app, and even click or read them.

According to Akamai, Coyote can now use UIA to read the web address found in the browser’s tabs or address bar, and then compare the results with a hardcoded list of 75 targeted services. If it finds a match, it will use UIA to parse through the UI child elements, trying to find which tabs or address bars there are.

"The content of these UI elements will then be cross-referenced with the same list of addresses from the first comparison,” they explained.

Akamai says that Coyote primarily targets Brazilian users. The banks it usually goes after are Banco do Brasil, CaixaBank, Banco Bradesco, Santander, Original bank, Sicredi, Banco do Nordeste, Expanse apps, and different crypto exchanges (Binance, Electrum, Bitcoin, Foxbit, and more).

The researchers first warned about UIA being abused in credential theft late last year, and now their predictions seem to have come true, since Coyote is apparently the first one to use this tactic in the wild.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Wednesday has been renewed for season 3
• This news comes ahead of the season 2 premier on August 6
• The creators have teased they "want to continue digging deeper into characters while expanding the world of Nevermore"

Wednesday season 3 is officially happening, with Netflix confirming the news ahead of the upcoming Wednesday season 2 premier on August 6.

The news was confirmed on Wednesday (of course), July 23, when Netflix shared a new poster featuring the iconic disembodied hand, aka Thing, holding a crystal ball with the number 3 on it.

A post shared by Wednesday Netflix (@wednesdaynetflix)

A photo posted by on

The tagline reads "bad things come in threes", focusing on the Addams Family's tendency to focus on the macabre and thankfully not the quality of the series. It's one of our best Netflix shows for a reason after all.

Speaking about the renewal, co-creator and co-showrunner Alfred Gough said in a press release: “Our goal for season 3 is the same as it is for every season: to make it the best season of Wednesday we possibly can. We want to continue digging deeper into our characters while expanding the world of Nevermore and Wednesday.”

What's coming up on Netflix's Wednesday?

The wider Addams Family will be explored in Wednesday season 2. (Image credit: Netflix)

Right now it feels like the world is Wednesday's oyster, as Wednesday season 2 is shaping up to be bigger and better than the first installment. I enjoyed the first season immensely and can't wait to see the new one.

Season 2 will focus on the wider family, much to Wednesday's horror, with creator Tim Burton teasing to Tudum: "This year, we bring the family to Nevermore. Your family at school is the worst thing possible, isn’t it?”

We should expect to see an expansion of the lore focusing on both Nevermore Academy, the school for outcasts which Wednesday attends, as well as meeting some more members of the morbid family.

Following Gwendoline Christie's departure in season 1, legendary actor Steve Buscemi steps into the role of Nevermore's principal, while British icon Joanna Lumley plays Wednesday's grandmother. So there's an expansion of the already brilliant cast this season, as seen in this sneak peek which teases bucketloads of Addams Family lore.

As for season 3, we'll have to wait and see where the story goes but I'm confident it'll keep going from strength to strength. With plenty of dark and comical Addams Family lore to dive into, I could quite happily watch many more seasons of this.

The new season is split into two parts this time, mirroring popular shows like Stranger Things season 5. The second part of Wednesday season 2 releases on September 3, so there's not too much of a wait.

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• Proofpoint observed hackers using stolen files to spoof businesses
• The threat actors would send RFQ emails and ask for Net 45 financing terms
• The goods would end up sold in African countries

Cybercriminals have found a way to leverage stolen company files to obtain actual physical goods, and it revolves around a business practice called Request for Quote (RFQ).

An Request for Quote is when one business asks another how much it would cost to purchase certain products, and is used when buying in bulk, wanting to compare prices, or looking for volume-based discounts.

But according to security researchers at Proofpoint, scammers are using files stolen in other cyberattacks to spoof the businesses and create convincing RFQ emails.

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Shipping to Ghana

In the emails, they would ask for all kinds of equipment, from networking gear, to CCTV cameras, healthcare hardware, and similar.

After receiving a quote, they would then ask for Net 15/30/45 financing terms - payment terms that give the buyer 15, 30, or 45 days to pay the full invoice amount, with interest, *after* receiving the goods - which is common practice in B2B transactions.

If the victim business agrees, the scammers would share a shipping address. Sometimes, these are residential addresses, and other times, they lead to rented warehouses across the US. From there, the crooks would hire shipping forwarding services that specialize in sending goods to West African countries like Nigeria and Ghana, where the gear ends up (likely to be sold).

The victim, on the other hand, never gets their money as the scammers just disappear.

Proofpoint also stated the shipping forwarding services most likely don’t even know they’re transporting stolen goods, and that people living in houses listed as the shipping address can be scammers, or former scam victims themselves looking to pay off a debt.

The researchers also said they were tracking and blocking emails associated with RFQ scam groups, and partnered with the company’s Takedown Team to successfully take down 19 domains associated with these scams.

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• Microsoft has fallen back on its $80 game price standard, starting with The Outer Worlds 2
• It comes after the cancellation of Perfect Dark and the shutdown of The Initiative developer
• It's another example of the impacts of consumers voicing frustrations about rising game prices

After the Nintendo Switch 2 showcase, Nintendo revealed a new $80 game price standard, and it didn't take very long for Microsoft to follow suit for Xbox titles. Now, it's taken a drastic turn just weeks after the controversial announcement.

As reported by our friends at Windows Central, Microsoft is backtracking on $79.99 game prices for its mainline titles, starting with The Outer Worlds 2, an upcoming title for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It will also process refunds for players who have already pre-ordered the title, releasing on October 29, 2025.

In a statement to Windows Central, Microsoft said: "We're fully focused on bringing players incredible worlds to explore and will keep our full-priced holiday releases, including The Outer Worlds 2, at $69.99, in line with current market conditions".

This comes shortly after the cancellation of its recently announced titles, Perfect Dark, Everwild, and an unannounced project, along with the shutdown of Perfect Dark's developer, The Initiative.

This also isn't the first time we've seen a backtrack on the controversy of new game prices; Gearbox Software announced Borderlands 4 won't cost $79.99, but instead stick with the current $69.99 standard, after major uproar due to Randy Pitchford's comments.

It's now left the door wide open for Nintendo to revert to industry-standard game prices, and perhaps acts as a warning to Sony and other game publishers who intend to raise prices.

(Image credit: Xbox)Analysis: The game development excuse is out of the window, so don't stop voicing your frustrations now

While I can't say I'm surprised since I've said multiple times that voting with your wallet can make changes, Microsoft's reasoning for its return to the $69.99 standard is one that has exposed something significant.

The excuse of video game development costs ultimately leading to higher retail prices is now bogus, as Microsoft cited this as a reason. So, what suddenly changed overnight?

The backlash towards The Outer Worlds 2's price is simply another example of why consumers mustn't ignore egregious stunts, and I'm certain that's why Microsoft has conceded. It also makes me wonder what would have happened if consumers applied the same pressure on the industry when game prices suddenly jumped to $69.99 (which I still want gone).

Will Nintendo follow suit? No, I don't think so, because I think it's already too late since the Switch 2 has launched, and Mario Kart World, an $80 game, is selling like hotcakes.

Do I think it will scare Sony and other publishers? Yes, and rightly so, because the last thing we need is for the dust to settle on game prices, leading to yet another increase in the near future.

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Only Murders in the Building season 5: key information

- Renewed for season 5 in 2024
- Filming wrapped in early July
- Releases on September 9, 2025, no trailer yet
- Show’s main cast to return
- Renée Zellweger, Keegan-Michael Key, Christoph Waltz and more joining the cast
- Plot details scarce, bar speculation on season 4’s finale
- Co-creator John Hoffman hopes for more seasons

In the Arconia, the murder-solving, podcast-making trio of Only Murders in the Building can't seem to catch a break. While it appeared there was finally some resolve in the season 4 finale, the show, once again, got quickly turned on its head. And so, the iconic trio of Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short must return to solve yet another mystery in one of the best Hulu shows.

In Only Murders in the Building season 4, the trio's famed podcast was catapulted into a movie production, then overshadowed by a flurry of murders, including the death of Charles' beloved stunt double, Sazz Pataki. Unfortunately, as has been the case for the past four seasons, murder seems to follow wherever they go – and it did so all the way into the finale. So, with Only Murders in the Building season 5 almost on screens, here's everything you need to know, including cast, plot, and when it could be released on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally).

Full spoilers follow for Only Murders in the Building seasons 1 to 4.

Only Murders in the Building season 5 release date

Season 5 of #OnlyMurdersInTheBuilding premieres September 9 on @hulu and with #HuluOnDisneyPlus. Drop a ⛲️ if you can't wait! pic.twitter.com/3tjFcTwSakJuly 23, 2025

It's official! Only Murders in the Building season 5 is returning to screens on September 9, 2025. We'll get the first three episodes on its debut date, with the rest of the series released on a weekly basis. This only falls short of our original prediction of an August drop by a few weeks, but hey, what's a bit of extra time when you know brilliance is on the way?

We've also got a first-look image at the new season, with our main trio re-enacting the 'hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil' saying on the floor of what looks like wine cellar. Why are they there? With these three, that's anybody's guess.

Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin in Only Murders in the Building season 5. (Image credit: Hulu/Disney+)

Filming for season 5 started in March and was confirmed to have wrapped in early July. Given there's only a few weeks between filming and new episodes being released, we really can't complain... that's a darn quick turnaround.

Only Murders in the Building season 5 trailer: is there one?

Only Murders in the Building season 5 only wrapped filming a few weeks ago as of writing, so there’s no trailer to share yet. We’ll update this section once the trailer drops, which historically has come out mere weeks before the show’s return. So, hold tight until we get a little closer to September.

Only Murders in the Building season 5 confirmed cast

A flurry of guest stars will join the trio in Only Murders in the Building season 5 (Image credit: Disney)

It wouldn’t be Only Murders in the Building without the charismatic and endearing trio of Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin, who will all be returning. We also have a confirmed guest star for season 5 - Téa Leoni - who appeared in the season 4 finale, which we'll discuss more in the plot speculation below. Plus, an abundance of guest stars are also joining the show.

Here's the confirmed Only Murders in the Building season 5 cast so far:

• Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage
• Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora
• Martin Short as Oliver Putnam
• Meryl Streep as Loretta Durkin-Putnam
• Téa Leoni as Sofia Caccimelio
• Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Detective Donna Williams
• Jackie Hoffman as Uma Heller
• Ryan Boussard as Will Putnam
• Michael Cyril Creighton as Howard Morris
• Keegan Michael-Key as TBC
• Renée Zellweger as TBC
• Christoph Waltz as TBC
• Logan Lerman as TBC
• Jermaine Fowler as TBC
• Beanie Feldstein as TBC

Despite already having a star-studded main cast to lead the show, Only Murders in the Building has proven that it will always bring in an incredible list of guest stars - from Tina Fey in season 1 to Meryl Streep in season 3. Although Streep has since become a recurring cast member. Not forgetting, there’s the Charles, Mabel, and Oliver of the season 4 movie adaptation, played by Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, and Zach Galifinakis.

And season 5 is no different. In a flurry of cast announcements, Deadline exclusively revealed that Keegan Michael-Key, Renée Zellweger, Logan Lerman, Jermaine Fowler and Beanie Feldstein are all joining the Only Murders in the Building season 5 cast.

Variety also revealed the addition of Christoph Waltz in a "recurring role". Though details of their characters are being kept firmly under wraps, which is no surprise in a show as mysterious as this one.

Only Murders in the Building season 5 synopsis and story rumors

Who killed Lester? (Image credit: Hulu/Disney Plus)

Major spoilers follow for Only Murders in the Building season 4.

Here's the official season 5 synopsis: "After their beloved doorman, Lester, dies under suspicious circumstances, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel refuse to believe it was an accident. Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond – where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters, and the mysterious residents of the Arconia. The trio discovers a deeper divide between their storied city they thought they knew and the new New York evolving around them – one where the old mob fights to hold on as newer, even more dangerous players emerge."

While the trio successfully solved yet another murder by the end of season 4 - this time of Charles’ stunt double, Sazz Pataki - it felt once again like they’d finally be free to relax. But, it wouldn’t be a show without another murder.

As the trio enjoyed the fact that Oliver’s wedding day to Loretta (Meryl Streep) had gone unspoiled, they’re quickly brought back to reality as they find Lester, The Arconia’s doorman and beloved recurring star of the show, dead in the fountain. As has been the case with previous seasons, this cliffhanger ending sets up the tale for the next investigation - and season 5.

But, that’s not the only investigation hinted at as season 4 wrapped up. A mysterious woman, who introduces herself as Sofia (Téa Leoni), asks Charles and Mabel to find her husband, Nicky ‘The Neck’ Caccimelio. Now, we heard this name on a news report in episode nine saying Nicky, the dry-cleaning King of Brooklyn with links to the Caputo crime family, had disappeared. A report that Mabel reacts to. Sofia says she’ll pay them well to help her, to which they explain they only investigate murders in the building. Her reply, his disappearance has everything to do with the building. Though they turn her away, she leaves her card and the hint that her story will very much be intertwined in season 5.

A hint that has since been confirmed by co-creator John Hoffman to Deadline: "I think she's the great tease at the end of the finale and a little bit of an intriguing bump forward." Adding: "But beyond that, it's a world opened up potentially that we haven't talked about too much yet in New York, so she holds a lot of intrigue."

There’s even more to discuss though - murders aside. The finale saw Oliver and Loretta wed, though Loretta’s TV show has relocated to New Zealand, and so did she. Leaving Oliver behind at The Arconia with his friends, they agree that they’ll make their unconventional relationship work, even with distance. Given this, we’d assume this won’t be the last we see of the newlywed, Loretta Durkin-Putnam.

Then, there’s the shocking return of Jan Bellows (Amy Ryan), who despite being imprisoned in season 1, saves the trio by shooting and killing Marshall P. Pope, aka Rex Bailey, aka Sazz’s killer. Though she appeared earlier in the season, Charles was also hallucinating Sazz, so it wasn’t clear whether he had imagined Jan, too. Fortunately, she wasn’t a pigment of his imagination and consequently killed to avenge Sazz, her friend after a visit in prison in season 2, and save Charles (and Mabel and Oliver). But, as the police took her away in handcuffs, Jan said: “It’s not goodbye, Charles. It never is with us. We’re endgame.” To this, we’d predict, that we haven’t said farewell to Jan after all.

Only Murders in the Building season 4 also concluded with the movie still filming. So, a return of Eva Longoria, Zach Galifinakis, and Eugene Levy could well be on the cards for season 5. Plus, with another murder in the building, we’d expect the return of the usual stalwart Arconia residents (who haven’t been murdered, yet) returning to aid in whatever way they can, especially now it involves a man who has helped them all before.

While we also met some of the unusual residents of the West Tower in season 4, it’s not clear whether they’ll be returning to help with Lester’s death, or return to their lesser-known side of The Arconia.

And when it comes to the recurring role of Paul Rudd - first as actor Ben Glenroy in seasons 2 and 3, and then as Ben’s stunt double, Glen Stubbins in season 4, co-creator John Hoffman told TVLine: “ The fact that he likes the show as much as he does, and keeps at it with us, moves me to the point of making terrible choices. Dramatically, I can’t take anything off the table for him or for Jane Lynch. Or anyone else, frankly.”

Only Murders in the Building: future seasons?

There's hope for more seasons of Only Murder in the Building (Image credit: Hulu)

Back in season 3, showrunner John Hoffman told Screen Rant he was very eager to return for many seasons: “This is one of those shows where everyone involved in it is so happy doing it – and I know I speak for the trio and everyone else.”

Continuing: “I hope it gives it a good long life.” While three seasons have now turned into five, we can only hope for more.

Hoffman certainly has ambition for more, if Hulu wants it. During an interview with Variety, he said: “Once you get over the hump of how many murders can happen in one building, you’re really stepping back and looking ultimately at the true original concept, which is three lonely people in New York City brought together by a common interest in true crime.

"Hopefully, we’ve tethered out our stories and hit reflections of things that we all recognize about life and death — and being that close to it and examining and investigating and following that, and then reflecting back. All of that feels very fertile always, so I’ll go as long as they’ll have us.”

There’s no official news past season 5 though. With a swift renewal in the midst of season 4, if we’re going to hear more, we imagine it’ll be after season 5 has got underway.

For more Hulu and Disney+ TV-based coverage, read our guides on Shōgun season 2, Daredevil: Born Again season 2, and X-Men 97 season 2.

The first two episodes of The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 dropped on Prime Video last week, and boy did they come hurtling out of the gate with problems.

Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) didn’t manage to graduate on time, then proposed haphazardly to Belly (Lola Tung) without a ring, but has also cheated on her in the interim… twice. Add to this the fact that Belly’s brother Steven (Sean Kaufman) woke up from a coma after being in a car accident on exactly the same day Jeremiah chose to propose, and it’s a wonder the hit Prime Video show had anywhere to go after here.

But luckily for us, it does. The main crux of the show is the love triangle that develops between Belly, Jeremiah and his brother Conrad (Christopher Briney) during one of 16-year-old Belly’s annual family summer trips to Cousins Beach. Fast forward three seasons and Conrad is having to watch his brother badly propose to the love of his life, even though Jeremiah is absolutely tanking, if you were measuring the two against each other.

Sadly for Belly, making stupid decisions as a kid is par for the course, with the aftermath of the proposal playing out in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 3. Unsurprisingly, nobody is that impressed with Belly’s news, but it’s Conrad’s reaction that’s set to become this week’s viral internet meme.

Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 3 leaves us all feeling bad for Conrad

Christopher Briney as Conrad in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3. (Image credit: Amazon Prime Video)

I mean, just look at that face. When Belly shows Conrad her engagement ring, which frankly needs a magnifying glass in order to be seen with the naked eye, Conrad can’t hide his emotions on his face. If anything, it’s the perfect microcosm for the wider issues at play, with Conrad helplessly watching Belly run towards half-hearted efforts she doesn’t deserve. It’s Conrad’s big return to the series as well, and this is the news he’s met with? Can’t the boy catch a break?

What’s even worse is how abundantly clear it is that Conrad isn’t over Belly in the slightest. He’s come back in time (just) for his mother’s memorial garden ceremony to find the girl he loves announcing she’s getting married in a few weeks time. He’d previously been open to the idea of “exposure therapy” to get over Belly, equally being willing to take on a job at Garth’s (Jeremiah Fisher) lab. But now his world has been rocked so horribly, will any of his plans actually happen?

I doubt we’ll even start to scratch the surface of this in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 4, with Conrad’s fight to win Belly back likely stretching over the course of the season. There’s no point in assuming any therapy will work on him – not only is he in too deep, but that doesn’t make for a compelling storyline – so the heat will be on Conrad to make Jeremiah accountable for his disappointing actions. If I was Belly I’d ditch them both and just lie on the beach all day, but she won’t figure out life is much more peaceful when she prioritizes herself until she’s at least 30.

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• Russian Parliament passed a law to punish online searches for so-called 'extremist' content
• The law also adds new penalties for VPN users, making its usage to access extremist content a crime as an aggravating factor
• WhatsApp is the latest app set to be banned in Russia

People in Russia are set to face new fines for "searching for or accessing knowingly extremist materials," including through VPN services.

Russian Parliament, the State Duma, passed the new law on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with 306 votes in favor, 67 against, and 22 abstaining – as reported by Russian Independent news outlet Meduza.

The law has so far attracted strong criticism, even among pro-government figures, according to Reuters. Digital rights experts are also raising the alarm.

Russia VPN – what's changing with the new law?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a crucial tool for people in Russia, thanks to its IP-spoofing capabilities that allow bypassing of government-imposed geo-restrictions, as well as strong encryption to help fight back against online surveillance. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Kremlin's fight against VPN usage certainly isn't new. As more people in Russia have turned to the best VPN apps to bypass ever-stricter internet censorship, authorities have been doing their best to prevent this.

From deploying sophisticated VPN blocking techniques in March 2024, the government introduced for the first time a law to criminalize the spread of information about ways to circumvent internet restrictions.

That's likely the basis that led the Kremlin's infamous censorship body regulator Roskomnadzor, to issue VPN removal demands against the Big Tech giant. Apple was the most complainant of the lot, killing at least 60 VPN apps, including the popular Russian service Amnezia VPN, from July 2024 onwards alone.

Now, the new law introduces additional penalties for violating rules on VPN usage. This means that advertising VPN services can now cost individuals between 50,000–80,000 rubles ($640–$1,020). This rises to 80,000–150,000 rubles ($1,020–$1,900) for officials, and 200,000–500,000 rubles ($2,550–$6,380) for legal entities.

As Meduza reported, lawmakers also adopted a provision that makes using a VPN to access extremist content "a crime as an aggravating factor."

How Russia's new law affect VPN users?

According to the Kremlin, banning the online search of so-called extremist content comes as an alternative to completely blocking foreign platforms.

"In our understanding, this [the adoption of the bill] allows us to strike a balance: on the one hand, to prevent the further dissemination of extremist materials, [and] on the other hand, to refrain from blocking major Western platforms for now," said Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev – Interfax reported.

Crucially, Shadayev also assures that "ordinary users will not be affected," despite failing to explain how.

This assurance isn't, however, convincing digital rights experts who now fear stronger repercussions against dissidents.

Talking to The Moscow Times, co-founder of Russian digital advocacy group Roskomsvoboda, Sarkis Darbinyan said: "If you have a VPN on your phone, that alone might be enough to trigger a deeper check. Eventually, we could see criminal charges for VPN use after just one or two warnings – like with the law on foreign agents."

It's also worth mentioning that the highly popular WhatsApp app is now likely to be restricted in Russia.

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• Russia is considering banning WhatsApp
• The Meta-owned app is the most popular messaging service in the country
• Max, a domestic messaging app integrated with government services, will be installed on every new device from September 2025

People in Russia may soon need to find a replacement for WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app across the country.

Talking to Reuters on Friday, July 18, 2025, the Deputy Head of the Russian parliament's Information Technology Committee, Anton Gorelkin, said that "it's time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave the Russian market," adding that Meta has been designated as an extremist organization in Russia.

On Tuesday, July 22, Russia passed a law to punish online searches for so-called 'extremist' content, while adding new penalties to those using VPN services.

How likely is WhatsApp to leave Russia?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Russian authorities haven't shared any details on how or when the WhatsApp ban will be enforced.

That said, Meta, the provider behind WhatsApp, has already been designated as an extremist organization, with two of its other services (Facebook and Instagram) being banned since 2022.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, however, also reiterated the fact that WhatsApp "has certain duties under laws of the Russian Federation" that must be fulfilled – Interfax reported.

Two more government sources have then confirmed to Meduza, a Russian Independent media outlet, that "there’s a 99-percent chance" the WhatsApp block will happen.

The looming WhatsApp ban comes as the Kremlin is developing its own messaging app with government services integrated. From September 2025, Max is set to be installed on every device sold in Russia, the Independent reported.

Can a VPN help?

A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts users' internet connections while spoofing their real IP address. The latter skill is generally used to bypass this type of internet geo-blocking – something Russian authorities have been trying to prevent for a long time.

From ever-sophisticated VPN blocking tactics, which make many VPN services stop working, the Kremlin even criminalized the spread of information about ways to circumvent internet restrictions in March 2024, forcing the likes of Apple to remove some of the best VPN apps from its official App Store.

Now, a new law further complicates things for VPN users. Starting from July 22, there are new penalties for people searching for and accessing "knowingly extremist materials," including when they do that while connected to a VPN.

Furthermore, lawmakers have reportedly also adopted a provision that makes using a VPN to access extremist content – something that WhatsApp may be set to become – "a crime as an aggravating factor."

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• OpenAI figures claim ChatGPT now has 500 million users globally
• Younger workers use it more, but the youngest aren't the biggest users
• OpenAI wants to democratize artificial intelligence and support workers

OpenAI has released new research claiming its AI tools technology is providing major productivity benefits - whilst also recognizing it could majorly disrupt some areas negatively.

This year, ChatGPT has been used by 28% of US adults for work purposes, up from 8% in 2023, suggesting more and more are getting to grips with its productivity and efficiency benefits.

Among its most popular use cases are learning and upskilling (20%), writing and communication (18%), programming, data science and maths (7%), creative ideation, business analytics and even translation.

ChatGPT looks to boost productivity

Interestingly, while we usually see younger generations adopting emerging technologies more quickly, OpenAI revealed that more 25-34-year-old use ChatGPT (32%) compared with 18-24-year-olds (24%), suggesting that generative AI could be more beneficial to slightly more senior positions than entry-level roles.

Lawyers, customer support agents, consultants, government workers and teachers have all reported considerable time savings when using AI.

OpenAI's 'Unlocking Economic Opportunity' paper also claimed AI helps to lower the barrier to entry for entrepreneurship and small businesses, with Y Combinator's 2025 cohort growing at around 10% weekly due to the growing number of AI-first startups.

However, even OpenAI acknowledges AI can bring disruption despite its significant productivity promises.

Claiming it now supports more than 2.5 billion messages per day from 500 million users globally, the company noted it has a responsibility to guide the change – not halt it – by democratizing access, supporting workers and building inclusive systems.

"We’re off to a strong start, creating freely available intelligence being used by more than 500 million people around the world, including 3 million developers," the company wrote.

"OpenAI looks forward to working with policymakers, workers, educators and the public to better understand how AI is changing the economy and ensure that the economic gains that AI brings result in widespread growth and expanded opportunity."

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• The Pro-Ject E.12 turntable costs £249.00 / €329.00
• No Bluetooth, no USB, no phono stage, no automatic operation
• The same core features as more expensive Pro-Ject turntables

Pro-Ject makes some of the best turntables around, and now there's a brand new affordable model designed for buyers on a budget. At just £249 / €329 (about $339) AU$515), it's a very low price for a serious turntable, although you'll need to provide your own phono stage (or an amp with a phono input), which might be a stumbling block for beginners, and perhaps one more cut than is ideal when it comes to features.

The claim is the Pro-Ject E1.2 gets rid of anything that isn't essential, whether that's Bluetooth, USB, any automatic operation, or the phono stage as I mentioned above. The focus is on taking the same core components as Pro-Ject's more expensive turntables and focusing just on the quality of sound-per-pound.

(Image credit: Pro-Ject)Pro-Ject E1.2 turntable: key features

As the name suggests, the E1.2 is an upgrade from the existing Pro-Ject E1 that I really liked in my Pro-Ject E1 review from last year. Its platter is now a 730g die-cast aluminium design with a built-in TPE damping ring, and according to Pro-Ject it delivers more stable rotation and better wow and flutter performance.

The sub-platter comes from the Pro-Ject Debut turntable and is made from glass-reinforced ABS for improved speed control and lower resonance.

The tonearm has a heavy-mass gimbal bearing for smooth movement, and it comes with a carbon-reinforced headshell and a Pick It MM E cartridge, which is a new, low-mass design with a conical diamond stylus and a miniature neodymium magnet. It's factory pre-aligned and apparently delivers precise tracking, smooth tonal balance and reduced distortion.

The E1.2 also has a single-button speed control for 33 and 45rpm, damping feet and OFC cables with gold-plated connectors.

The plinth is a solid, CNC-machined block of rigid composite fiber, and it's finished in a choice of high-gloss black, satin white or walnut.

The Pro-Ject E1.2 launches this month, July 2025. It's going to be a very tempting proposition when it comes to sound at this price, but there might be a bit of a disconnect between it being so affordable and it also not being especially beginner-friendly – we totally understand dropping the digital elements to keep the price down, but lacking a phono stage could trip up a lot of beginners.

Still, those getting back into vinyl might love this budget option, or maybe you're looking for a second turntable for another room – I'm sure it'll find its audience. And for those who do want something with a phono stage, Pro-Ject has a lot of options… in particular, the Pro-Ject E1 Phono might be what you need.

There's no word on a US or Australian launch yet, but it'll definitely be available in the UK this month.

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• Happy Gilmore is the 6th most watched movie on Netflix in the past week
• Fans are streaming the movie ahead of Happy Gilmore 2's release on July 25
• The sequel is yet to receive a Rotten Tomatoes score, but I'm hopeful about it

Happy Gilmore has seen a surge in popularity on Netflix in the week ending July 21 as fans prepare for the release of the sequel, which arrives on July 25.

While the iconic golfing comedy movie hasn't knocked K-Pop Demon Hunters off the top spot, it's still firmly in this week's top 10, taking the sixth spot in the most-watched chart, so it's safe to say everyone looking forward to the return of Adam Sandler's titular character.

It's been 29 years since Happy Gilmore was released but I have high hopes that the sequel is well worth the wait. With some great recurring characters and some new faces, it's certainly shaping up to be good. But will it be a worthy of spot on our best Netflix movies list? Only time will tell.

Why Happy Gilmore 2 seems to be in good shape

I know, it's always anxiety inducing when a sequel is announced. When you love a movie so much it can be difficult to know if a follow-up will be any good, but in my opinion, this movie has the potential to be great.

First of all, it wasn't rushed. They've clearly given this some thought and have decided to bring back Adam Sandler's hockey player turned golfer for another round, almost three decades after the original.

Fans may be disappointed that it's going directly to one of the best streaming services, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be bad. In fact, with Netflix having so many hits over the years, it fills me with a surprising amount of confidence.

Not only that, but the cast list looks amazing. Alongside Sandler we've got the return of Ben Stiller's former orderly Hal, Julie Bowen as PR director Virginia Venit, and of course, Christopher McDonald as the villainous Shooter McGavin. There's some great newcomers like Benny Safdie, Margaret Qualley and Sandler's real-life daughter Sunny, so it's shaping up to be quite the ensemble.

Perhaps I'll eat my words in a few days but if a comedy movie about golf could charm me, someone who hates the sport, I'm sure the sequel can attempt to do the same.

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• AMEOS Group hit by worrying cyberattack
• sensitive patient, employee, and partner information all lost in attack
• Users warned to be on their guard in case of threats or scams

Major European healthcare provider AMEOS Group has confirmed suffering a cyberattack in which it lost sensitive patient, employee, and partner information.

In a short announcement recently published on its website, the company said despite “extensive” security measures, it was unable to prevent a “brief” access to its IT systems.

During that “brief” outing, the attackers stole data belonging to patients, employees, and partners, as well as contact details related to individuals or companies. AMEOS did not discuss the data further, so we don’t know how extensive contact details are, or if healthcare or payment information had been stolen.

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A warning to patients

“It cannot be ruled out that this data could be misused online or made accessible to third parties, potentially to the detriment of those affected,” the company stressed.

We also don’t know how many people are affected by the attack, just yet. However, AMEOS is a rather large healthcare provider, so it’s safe to assume this is a major incident.

The organization counts 18,000 staff members in more than 100 hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes, operating across Central Europe - in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and is one of the largest private hospital groups in the broader DACH region, counting more than 10,000 beds and with annual revenue exceeding $1.4 billion.

It is safe to assume that the numbers of affected individuals will be published after a more thorough investigation.

AMEOS concluded its announcement by saying it took all the usual steps after an incident like this one: it disconnected its networks, shut down its IT infrastructure to contain the damage, brought in third-party IT and forensic experts, reinforced existing security measures, notified the police and relevant government authorities.

Finally, it urged customers to be wary of incoming emails:

“Attackers may use data such as email addresses to involve you in fraud schemes. Please be cautious of unauthorized, excessive, or suspicious-looking advertisements or job offers in your inbox.”

Via BleepingComputer

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• Users are reporting multiple issues with Google smart home gadgets
• Commands aren't working or being responded to slowly
• Most Google Home and Nest devices haven't had updates for years

Have you checked in on your Google Home devices lately? It seems that Google Home and Google Nest gadgets are gradually becoming less reliable and more buggy, and many users are venting their frustrations at Google apparently abandoning the ecosystem.

A lengthy Reddit thread details a long list of problems, as highlighted by an article at Android Authority – an article which itself has dozens of comments bemoaning how unreliable Google smart home devices have become.

The issues listed include commands not working, automations and routines breaking, audio and video streams being unavailable, and devices going offline, not talking to each other, or being very slow to respond – it's not a pretty picture.

One user's lament that "I can only get it to work without some kind of error 25% of time these days" is typical, and many of the people logging complaints say they're planning to switch to different products in the absence of any response from Google.

Where are the new devices?The Enshittification of Google Home from r/googlehome

There aren't many signs of life from the Google Home and Google Nest ecosystem at the moment. The Nest Protect smoke alarm was discontinued in March, and we've not had a new Nest security camera since 2021. For the latest Nest smart speaker or smart display launch you have to go back further, to 2020.

We did get a new Nest Thermostat last August, but it was only made available in the US, and older models are no longer sold in Europe. Add in the increasing number of bugs being reported, and it's understandable that users are upset.

Google does have a track record of getting interested in something and then abandoning it, from Chromecast devices to Google Stadia – which is obviously going to put people off from investing their time and money into whatever Google offers in the future.

Google's latest favorite toy is of course Gemini AI, and it's possible that we'll see new smart home devices with Gemini on board in the future. However, given how little attention Google has recently paid to the hardware it's already got in this category, there'd be no guarantee any new gadgets would be supported in the long term.

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• Apple has just announced AppleCare One, a new device protection plan
• The $19.99 a month subscription covers three Apple devices
• The bundle offers Theft and Loss protection for the Apple Watch and iPad

Apple has long offered AppleCare and then AppleCare+, but if you’ve been hoping for a bundle of sorts that covers several devices like on of the best iPhones, an iPad, and a Mac with just one plan, the Cupertino-based tech giant’s latest move will be right up your alley.

The aptly named AppleCare One is a new $19.99 a month subscription that provides everything you’d expect from standard AppleCare+ for three devices – that could be an iPhone, one of the best iPads, and a Mac; or one of the best Apple Watches, an iPhone, and iPad, or really any number of combinations, including the Vision Pro, HomePods, AirPods, and Apple TV streaming boxes.

If you need to cover more than three devices, it’s $5.99 per month to add additional ones.

The idea of the AppleCare One bundle itself is entirely new, and it also ushers in two key changes that are firsts for AppleCare at large. First, Apple will now offer Theft and Loss protection for the Apple Watch and iPad, giving you peace of mind in the event they’re stolen or misplaced. That’s standard with AppleCare One but can now also be added to AppleCare+ for those device types.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Second – and this is the big one – is that you have a much wider time frame to add a device to AppleCare One. Yes, if you get a new iPhone, you can easily add it to your AppleCare One plan and drop the one you trade in or sell. However, you can also add any device that’s in good condition and up to four years old to AppleCare One.

That’s a significant jump from the current 60-day window to enroll in AppleCare, and Apple defines ‘good condition’ as the device being able to be powered on, and being free from scratches for the most part.

You’ll be required to run a diagnostic test on the device, and may need to bring it to an Apple Store location for evaluation. However, if you have an old Mac or iPad that you wish you'd bought AppleCare for, and you don’t want to rely on a third-party, this is pretty stellar news.

(Image credit: Apple)

At launch, AppleCare One is just available in the United States, and Apple isn’t saying anything about an expansion. However, here’s what you get for $19.99 a month for the three devices – and a lot of this should be familiar if you’re currently enrolled in AppleCare.

• Unlimited repairs for accidents, including spills, drops, or other damage
• Unlimited battery replacements for the device
• Theft and Loss protection for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
• 24/7 priority support

That’s a pretty extensive list. Regarding battery replacements, these are offered for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch whenever the battery’s maximum capacity falls below 80%. This is particularly beneficial if you plan to keep your devices for the long haul. AppleCare One is eligible on these devices for as long as they stay on the plan.

Considering the variable costs of enrolling in AppleCare+ and extras like Theft and Loss, AppleCare One aims to make it a bit simpler, and in some cases more affordable – if you’re covering an iPhone, MacBook, and Apple Watch for $19.99 a month with AppleCare One, that would save you about $5 versus using AppleCare, and it jumps to nearly $10 in savings if you’re covering those three plus an iPad.

You’ll also be able to enroll in AppleCare One directly from your devices in Settings, and when you set up a new device you'll see a splash screen that breaks down the differences between the bundle and AppleCare+, which is still available as an protection plan for individual devices.

There’s no limit to the number of Apple devices you can add to Apple One, but they all must be tied to your Apple ID – meaning no family sharing is offered here. Therefore, you’ll need to pay the AppleCare cost for each Apple account associated with the devices. You can enroll devices in AppleCare One once you've signed up using the digital system, and Apple will also offer enrollment at retail locations in the United States.

(Image credit: Apple)

AppleCare One on paper seems like a really nice, and potentially cost-saving, solution, if you have several devices within the ecosystem and want the protection that Apple Care offers. You could also make the case that it would pay for itself if you qualify for an accidental damage or battery replacement.

If you’re sold, AppleCare One will become available for enrollment and purchase in the United States from July 24.

It might be a solid option if you have an older device that you forgot to enroll in AppleCare, since it extends the coverage from 60 days to four years, and the addition of Theft and Loss coverage for Apple Watch and iPad is certainly anxiety-reducing. The latter will also be available with AppleCare+, either as a new plan or as an upgrade to your existing plan.

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• Windows 11 has a new optional update
• It's a big one, delivering a whole load of new features
• These include an AI agent in Settings, a new quick-recovery option for PCs that won't boot, and added AI features for many Windows 11 apps

Windows 11 has a new update in preview, and it's a hefty download which packs in a lot of features, many of which are AI-related (and for Copilot+ PCs only, with their beefy NPUs).

This is patch KB5062660 for Windows 11 24H2, and it should be noted that this is an optional (preview) update, meaning that it's still in testing, so the various features may still have bugs (install it at your own risk, in other words).

Everything should be fully knocked into shape by the time the full update for August arrives, which is when all these features will be officially deployed (or should be – although some are on a 'controlled rollout', meaning they'll be drip-fed out).

So, with those caveats out of the way, what have we got to look forward to with this optional update (and next month's full upgrade)?

Here's my pick of the top features rolling out with KB5062660 (again, bear in mind that some are for Copilot+ laptops only).

1. AI agent in Settings

The headline functionality here is, sadly for most of us, for Copilot+ PCs only, and it's the addition of the first so-called Windows Agent. This is an AI agent specifically for the Settings app, and it lets you find and manipulate the options you need in a much more convenient way.

Normally, trying to find a setting involves using the search functionality, which can be rather hit-or-miss. With the AI agent, you're essentially getting an intelligent search where you can simply ask a question (in natural language) pertaining to what you're trying to do in Windows 11, and the agent will (hopefully) immediately surface the correct setting.

The AI doesn't just find the right setting for you, but can also make suggestions as to what changes you might want to make as well. Check out the video clip above of the agent in action to get a flavor of how it all works.

This is just rolling out to Arm-based Copilot+ PCs (with Snapdragon CPUs) to start with, but support for AMD and Intel chips is "coming soon" (it's also for the English language only initially).

Suffice it to say this is one of the more impressive uses of AI in Windows 11 I've seen so far, alongside more intelligent Windows 11 search from the desktop (for both Copilot+ laptops, and other PCs too). Yes, Microsoft appears to be progressing overall search capabilities nicely with AI, which is good to see.

(Image credit: Getty Images)2. Click to Do benefits

Click to Do is Microsoft's array of context-sensitive AI-powered options in Windows 11 (for Copilot+ PCs), and a few more shortcuts (for selected text or images) have been added here. That includes a choice to fire up Reading Coach, which is a free app (installed via the Microsoft Store) that aims to help you polish up your reading skills (pronunciation and more besides).

Secondly, Immersive Reader is now in Click to Do, which takes any text and presents it in a "distraction-free environment", allowing you to adjust text size, font, spacing, and a bunch of other parameters to make everything more easily readable. It also helps with reading skills (breaking down words into syllables, providing a picture dictionary, and more).

Draft with Copilot is also now in Word (for Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers), allowing you to turn a sentence (or short summary) into a lengthy full draft penned by the AI.

(Image credit: xavier gallego morell / Shutterstock)3. Quick recovery from boot failure

Microsoft's Quick Machine Recovery (or QMR) is now arriving for all PCs (not just Copilot+ devices), which is the ability to recover from a problem that means your PC won't boot. This is the nightmare scenario we all dread, and the idea is that you'll be able to get help via the Windows Recovery Environment (which can be accessed if your system won't boot to the desktop).

QMR allows for diagnostic data to be sent to Microsoft and hopefully a patch can be sent back to cure the problem, or that's the idea. Another avenue of troubleshooting – one that's completely automated – is clearly a good idea, and I'm looking forward to seeing how useful this will be. (And I should clarify, I'm keen to see how competent this feature is – not to personally use it, with any luck. We can all hope that it's a screen we don't ever have to visit).

4. Image-related AI powers in Photos, Paint and Snipping Tool

A bunch of new AI-powered functionality for images is now inbound (for Copilot+ PCs), as previously seen in testing. That includes a Relight ability in the Photos app – allowing you to place virtual light sources to change the lighting in an image – and object select in the Paint app, which uses AI to select any given object (so you don’t have to do so manually).

A similar feature to the latter is coming to the Snipping Tool called 'perfect screenshot', which lets you roughly select an area of the screen you want to grab, and then automatically makes a precise crop of that element, taking the pain out of that process. (Again, check the above video to see how this works).

(Image credit: Microsoft)Other moves – including an important fix

There's quite a lot going on with this update, as mentioned, and another development is that Recall is now being deployed in Europe. Previously, this AI-supercharged search (that works using regularly taken screen grabs) wasn't out in the European Economic Area (EEA), but it is now, and it comes with a new ability. This is the option to export its screenshots (called snapshots) to "trusted third-party apps and websites" (wherever you want, basically - should you wish to share this data).

Furthermore, all Recall users are getting a reset button, which deletes all data relating to the feature and restores Recall to its original settings, should you wish to start afresh (or indeed abandon the ability and turn it off).

Also, the Black Screen of Death is now official, so wave goodbye to the blue version that's been with us so long, and say hello to a more streamlined effort whenever your PC is unfortunate enough to witness Windows 11 locking up. (I'm not sure about this change, as I've discussed elsewhere at length recently).

The Gamepad layout in the virtual keyboard for Windows 11 now benefits from "enhanced controller navigation" which includes word suggestions and better handling of menus, as well as the ability to use a gamepad to sign in from the Windows lock screen (via the PIN panel).

Finally, this preview update fixes a problem with the May 2025 update for Windows 11 which caused some PCs to suffer instability issues (crashes). Microsoft says this was a "rare" bug that didn't affect many, but it sounds like a truly nasty one, so having it resolved will doubtless be a relief.

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• New ransomware proposals set to be implemented by UK Government
• These include a ban on ransom payments for public services
• Ransomware attacks cost the UK economy millions per year

A new set of cyber regulations are being introduced by the UK government in a move to protect British public services from the growing threat of ransomware.

Under the new guidelines, public organisations like the NHS, local councils, and schools will all be banned from paying ransom demands - a move which looks to dissuade criminals from targeting public institutions.

“Ransomware is estimated to cost the UK economy millions of pounds each year, with recent high-profile ransomware attacks highlighting the severe operational, financial, and even life-threatening risks,“ the Government’s statement argues.

Criminal business model

Amongst the high-profile attacks on public services in recent times is a ransomware attack on an NHS hospital, the disruptions from which contributed to a patient death - outlining just how damaging and harmful these attacks can be, not just financially but on a personal level too.

Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is a multi-million pound industry, and one which preys on vulnerable organisations without premium cybersecurity protections.

Public organisations in the UK with chronic budget restraints are particularly vulnerable, not just because they can’t afford first-rate security, but also because they provide critical services that have devastating impacts if disrupted.

Under the new set of proposals, businesses that are not covered by the ban are required to notify the government if they intend to pay the ransom - giving the government the opportunity to provide them with ‘advice and support, including notifying them if any such payment would risk breaking the law by sending money to sanctioned cyber criminal groups, many of whom are based in Russia.’

“Ransomware is a predatory crime that puts the public at risk, wrecks livelihoods and threatens the services we depend on,“ comments Security Minister Dan Jarvis. “By working in partnership with industry to advance these measures, we are sending a clear signal that the UK is united in the fight against ransomware.”

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If you’re going to watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps during its opening weekend, you’ll also be able to catch the very first trailer for Avatar 3 (better known as Avatar: Fire and Ash). As if I didn’t think my job could get any better, I was treated to an exclusive first look at what’s to come in the next installment of James Cameron’s smash-hit sci-fi series, in 3D, with a cocktail shaped like a delicious fiery explosion.

It was a similar fanfare for the release of The Way of Water, but I still couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Objectively, it seemed absurd for a trailer to have its own launch event, but as soon as the lights went down and I put my 3D glasses on, I completely understood why. Even in a matter of minutes, Cameron creates something so majestic, something so beautiful that stops time itself, that you can’t do anything other than sit back in amazement.

Obviously, I’m not going to tell you any specific details about the scenes in the Avatar 3 trailer – you’ll need to trust me when I say you need to see it to believe it. But I can tell you more about what to expect, and when you need to pay extra attention in order to work out what’s to come when the full film is released on December 19, 2025.

The Avatar 3 trailer is going to blow your mind, and the action is about to get a lot darker

Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) in Avatar 3. (Image credit: 20th Century Studios)

Here’s the genius about the Avatar 3 trailer launch. I watched the footage through, in 3D, three times, and I still haven’t got the vaguest idea what the core storyline actually is. Essentially, this means the trailer is functioning as it should, not giving away everything we’re going to see in the full film, but simply alluding to it instead. But even if you can’t remember the ins and outs of Na'vi lore, it only takes a few seconds to work out that the next installment is going to be a lot darker.

As we already know, conflict on Pandora is about to escalate once again, with Sully (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and the rest of the family encountering the aggressive Mangkwan Clan for the first time. They’re the “fire Na'vi,” and they’re viciously on the offensive from the moment they arrive in the trailer. We don’t know what their backstory is or why they have such an issue with outsiders, but as the trailer confirms, the meeting isn’t going to end in flowers and rainbows.

While the two Na'vi clans battle it out, Pandora itself has never looked more jaw-dropping. You can expect some ridiculously beautiful set pieces from Cameron in the trailer, elevating the 3D experience we got back in The Way of Water. It boggles the mind to think how they got there, but somehow, Cameron and his creative team has made something more visually astonishing that anything we’ve ever seen before.

What you need to watch out for

Sully (Sam Worthington) in Avatar 3. (Image credit: 20th Century Studios)

Even though I was as busy as everyone else getting lost in the wonder of Pandora, there was a particular scene that caught my attention, and potentially has the power to change everything we know about the Avatar franchise. Blink and you’ll miss it, because it’s on screen for less than a full second. Again, no outright spoilers here, but all you need to know is that the only familiar character involved in this fleeting moment is Sully.

From the first Avatar movie, we’ve known there’s a huge human element in Pandora’s world now, and you only need to look at Sully himself to understand how that’s adapted over time. However, it’s easy to forget that presence in Avatar 2, shifting the worldbuilding focus to different Na'vi tribes coming into contact. All I’ll say is that Avatar 3 has the power to bring the Na'vi vs. Na'vi vs. humans hate triangle back into play, all by introducing an entirely new perception of human popular culture into the mix (you’ll know it when you see it, I promise).

If 3D isn’t your thing, you’ll be able to catch the Avatar 3 trailer in full on YouTube from July 28. If you can’t wait that long… I suggest you get yourself down to your local cinema quick sticks.

• Stream all Avatar movies in the US on Disney+
• Stream all Avatar movies in the UK on Disney+
• Stream all Avatar movies in Australia on Disney+

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• Roku Channels adds 17 new channels
• Channels for wellness, reality TV, music, plus MGM's Stargate and American Gladiators
• Ambient TV channels combining visuals and low-key tunes

Roku has announced the addition of 17 new channels to its already huge selection, and that's terrible news for the productivity of home workers like me: there's an entire channel dedicated to American Gladiators, and another for Xena: Warrior Princess.

That's terrible news for my future paychecks but it's pretty good news for Roku subscribers, because the claim that there's something for everyone is actually true here: in addition to Gladiators and Xena, there are gripping documentaries, exciting music, and an entire channel dedicated to dogs.

What new channels is Roku adding?

Roku has already passed the milestone of offering more than 560 channels, and the 17 new additions are (thanks to Cord Cutters News for the channel numbers):

• 204 Swerve Sports: "the best in women’s football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, gymnastics, boxing, rugby and more."
• 205 Team Liquid: esports, with competition and commentary from the popular esports team
• 207 PFL MMA: the Professional Fighters League deliver bone-crunching mixed martial arts
• 329 Xena: dedicated to Xena, Warrior Princess
• 576 Revolt Mixtape: hip-hop, R&B and much more
• 579 Cirque du Soleil: the legendary circus troupe deliver dazzling performances
• 586 Stingray Naturescape: "awe-inspiring landscapes, time lapses of serene night skies, aerial views of lush, tropical beaches, and the cozy glow of crackling fireplaces."
• 587 Zenlife by Stingray: wellness and meditation to help you relax
• 588 Stingray Stargaze: cosmic visuals, starry nights and ambient music
• 589 Stingray Cozy Cafe: lo-fi beats and, er, "inviting coffee shop interiors"
• 590 Stingray Cityscape: awesome aerial views set to down-tempo tunes
• 623 American Gladiators by MGM: MGM's take on Gladiators drew from both the US and UK versions, and was tons of fun
• 635 Paternity Court by MGM: edge-of-the-seat courtroom dramas drawn from real life
• 636 Life Below Zero: stories of surviving in some of the world's harshest environments
• 637 To Catch a Smuggler: real-life stories of law enforcement battling smugglers
• 638 Dog Whisperer by Cesar Millan: how to make bad dogs become perfect pooches
• 748 Stargate by MGM: superb sci-fi spanning the Stargate franchise

Sure, not all of these are going to be up everyone's alley – but I bet there's something there make you raise your eyebrows, even if it's just the idea of being able to watch Cirque du Soleil performers do something mind-blowing any time you feel like it.

The channels should be available right away on Roku TVs (including our favorite, the Roku Pro Series), and Roku devices such as the new Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which we recently gave a positive review to.

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