TechRadar News

• Powerbeats Pro 2 images have been leaked by noted tipster Arsène Lupin on X
• The images confirm previous leaks, predicting orange, lilac, and white finishes
• This leak follows rumors that Beats' new buds will feature heart-rate monitors

Another day, another Powerbeats Pro 2 leak, but this one allegedly shows us not only colorways and design tweaks but also a much-requested feature: a heart-rate monitor in the companion app.

The rumor mill's really ramped up a gear in the past couple of weeks, most recently thanks to MacRumors (who spotted a hidden line of code in iOS 18, reportedly revealing that Powerbeats Pro 2 can be used in conjunction with gym equipment to measure heart rate), which came hot on the heels of the Powerbeats Pro 2's appearance in an official database on January 17.

And now, we get to see them in what looks to be unreleased press shots (read: on someone other than baseball star Shohei Ohtani, or quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes Shedeur Sanders – awesome though those images were).

The images were leaked by noted tech tipster Arsène Lupin on X (or Twitter), who has the excellent handle @MysteryLupin, but it's important to note that the photos are just that – leaked images, rather than anything official from Apple. So, take them with as much of your preferred seasoning as you'd like.

pic.twitter.com/NoFOEbFXrNJanuary 27, 2025

Powerbeats Pro 2: what we know now

The ticker-taking button we'd all be hoping for…  (Image credit: Arsène Lupin (via X))

Obviously, these images don't tell us definitively whether or not the incoming Powerbeats Pro 2 will beat AirPods to sporting on-ear heart-rate monitors (although ticker-taking AirPods are likely coming, though perhaps not even as soon as the AirPods Pro 3) but there is one telling image to get excited about. Look at the photo of the woman using the app: see the icons for different spatial sound profiles – and crucially, the separate button labeled 'Heart Rate'?

The images also back up data found in the code for iOS, which mentioned beige, black, orange, and purple color options, which of course checks out here.

Looks-wise (because that's all you typically get with images), we'd been wanting more slender arms and a slightly more pocketable case, and it looks as if that's exactly what we've got.

Obviously, there's no further information on chipset, battery life, stamina, or other additional features within the images (and we've already mentioned that these images are not to be relied upon as concrete evidence), but it's great to see toggles for different sonic profiles – and given the sporty nature of the photos, it looks as if this new Powerbeats Pro iteration is still very much the set of earbuds Beats wants its athletic fanbase to purchase.

Release date? Pricing? Those details are still very much at large. But as we see it, so shall you. It's our job, and we take it very seriously.

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• A listing for the Nintendo Switch 2 has appeared at an online Italian retailer
• The Switch 2 is listed with a €364.99 / $385 / £307 price tag
• This would make the console slightly more expensive than the Switch OLED

Just because the Nintendo Switch 2 has been revealed doesn't mean the leaks have stopped, and the latest may have given us an idea of how much the console will cost.

According to a newly uploaded listing on the Italian retailer Games and Movies the Switch successor will seemingly cost €364.99, which is roughly $385 / £307 (via NintendoLife).

The website also features an apparent release date, reading, "Pre-order product. Estimated availability: 31 December 2025", although it's highly likely that this is just a placeholder date.

Interestingly, the €364.99 / $385 / £307 price point puts the Switch 2 at just €15 / $15 / £12.58 more than the Nintendo Switch OLED, which is the most expensive Switch model currently available.

Nintendo has yet to announce an official launch date for the console, we only know that it will be arriving in 2025, so the retailer's current price listing could prove to be a placeholder to encourage interest in early pre-orders.

For now, we can only speculate on how much the next Nintendo handheld will cost, however, if we consider the console's more powerful hardware it could certainly have a higher price point than its predecessor.

TechRadar Gaming predicts that Nintendo will keep the cost of the Switch 2 at around $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$699.95, or lower.

Alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal earlier this month, it was confirmed that a Nintendo Direct showcase will air on April 2, 2025, which will hopefully provide us with a release date and a deeper look at the hardware and software.

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• The Empress has been renewed for a third and final season
• The German period drama has been one of the most-watched Netflix shows
• Season 3 plot details have not yet been revealed

The Empress (Die Kaiserin) will make one last royal return to Netflix as the German historical drama series has been renewed for a third and final season.

Much like Bridgerton, My Lady Jane, and The Serpent Queen, the Emmy award-winning series has been crowned a global success, with season 1 staying in the global Netflix top 10 most-watched non-English shows ranking for five straight weeks in 2022. The Empress season 2 was just as popular and became one of the most successful Netflix series worldwide in 2024 after making it into the Top 10 list in 84 countries.

Netflix's German social media accounts confirmed that Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz's romance would continue in season 3, with a post translated into English saying: “Love, drama and intrigue. The story continues. Season 3 is coming."

Liebe, Drama und Intrigen. Die Geschichte geht weiter. Staffel 3 kommt. pic.twitter.com/58tII2gBW7January 27, 2025

What can we expect in The Empress season 3?

The Empress, which is one of the best Netflix shows, tells the story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi (Devrim Lingnau), who is forced to navigate complex court politics after marrying Emperor Franz Joseph (Philip Froissant).

While official plot details for The Empress season 3 are yet to be revealed, The Empress season 2, which was one of three new Netflix shows I was excited to watch last year, sees Franz face a powerful European adversary just as the young couple hope to enjoy their newfound marital bliss.

Meanwhile, Elisabeth faces fresh struggles of her own as she's under intense pressure to produce an heir to secure the future of the empire. As fate strikes, their love threatens to break apart and Elisabeth must fight for her family and the integrity of her soul.

Showrunner Katharina Eyssen said of the renewal to Netflix: "It sometimes leaves me speechless to see how many people we have been able to reach and touch all over the world with The Empress. To be able to continue and conclude this story together with our team and the unique ensemble cast is nothing less than a gift."

Alongside The Empress season 3, other period dramas that are coming to the best streaming service are The Law According to Lidia Poet season 3, House of Guinness and The Leopard.

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• The Google Pixel 9a is rumored to launch with a pricier storage upgrade than the Pixel 8a
• The phone is expected in March this year, and will likely feature upgraded specs and a new, surprisingly un-Pixel-like design
• We aren't sure how reliable the pricing rumor is, as the source is anonymous

The Google Pixel 9a may keep the same starting price as the Pixel 8a, but come with a price hike for its higher storage variant, if a new rumor is to be believed.

According to a report from Android Headlines that only credits “our sources”, the Google Pixel 9a will launch at $499 in the US for the model with 128GB of storage – that’s the same as the current-gen Pixel 8a, and if prices hold steady elsewhere, that means we’ll see a launch price of £499 / AU$849 in the UK and Australia.

However, the report also suggests that the expanded 256GB model will come in at $599 – that’s a $40 hike on last year’s model. This may be reflected in pricing for the UK and Australia too, in which case we’d expect to see a price of around £599 / AU$1,000, but Google may elect to change regional pricing individually.

For example, the Pixel 8a launched at $499 / £499 / AU$849, which was the same as the Pixel 7a in the US, but £50 more expensive in the UK and $100 more expensive in Australia.

This pricing structure equates the value of 128GB of storage to $100, which is also the basis for the pricing of the flagship Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro models.

A price hike of any kind is never good news, but a stable launch price is perhaps more important for a phone targeting budget-conscious consumers. And as a follow-up to the Pixel 8a – our present choice for the best budget Android phone – the Pixel 9a is likely to offer great value for money regardless.

A leaked render of the Google Pixel 9a, showing the new design with no camera bar (Image credit: Android Headlines / @OnLeaks)

We’ve been reporting on leaks about the upcoming cheaper Pixel phone for months, and, if these rumors are to be believed, we’ll be getting a very capable midrange handset from Google in March 2025.

We previously reported that the Pixel 9a is rumored to have a 6.3-inch 120Hz display, the flagship-class Tensor G4 chipset, and 8GB of RAM.

As for cameras, we’re expecting the Pixel 9a to sport a 48MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide, and 13MP selfie camera. That main camera might seem like a downgrade on the Pixel 8a’s 64MP snapper, but as T3 reports, this could be the same sensor found on the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which would be considered an upgrade on the 8a.

The Pixel 9a is also expected to get a refreshed design that ditches the iconic Pixel camera bar for an oval cutout, and come equipped with a 5,100mAh battery; that would be larger than the one in the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and even larger than the batteries in the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

We shouldn’t have to wait too long for official details about the Pixel 9a, but for now, the above is based on rumors and leaks. The pricing rumor stems from an anonymous source, so we can't say for sure how reliable it is.

If you can’t wait until March to see whether the Pixel 9a is for you, be sure to check out our lists of the best Android phones and best cheap phones for more options.

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• MSI says there will be a limited supply of the RTX 5090 at launch
• This shortage reportedly stems from miscommunication with Nvidia
• Scalpers may have the upper hand at launch due to limited availability

Nvidia's RTX 5090 is about to launch at multiple retailers on January 30 and considering the power it packs for providing the best gaming performance across the board, many PC gamers are keen to get hold of one - but unfortunately, that might not be easy.

As reported by Wccftech, MSI claims that the supply of the RTX 5090 will be limited at launch, suggesting a chip shortage on Nvidia's part. While this is only one of Team Green's third-party partners, it certainly doesn't spell good news for other partners and those attempting to purchase Founders Edition GPUs.

Considering the history of scalping surrounding the previous generation's RTX 4090, I’m worried it might turn out to be much worse this time around - with an MSRP of $1,999 / £1,939 / AU$4,039 (along with the combination of a limited supply), we could be seeing a far more dire situation. It's also worth noting that most partner cards will be more expensive than Nvidia's Founders Edition, so this may give scalpers an opportunity to go overboard with pricing if demand is suitably high.

According to IT Home (translated from Chinese), the projected short supply at launch stems from miscommunication between Nvidia and partners, plus the 'Spring Festival' (Chinese New Year) affecting factory opening times. Whilst it's not the end of the world for those intent on purchasing the flagship GPU, it does indeed point towards a potential long (and expensive) wait if scalpers are quick to strike.

(Image credit: Future) So, how do you beat scalpers?

Let's face it: there's not much one can do to beat scalpers other than staring at your screen and constantly refreshing the store page to reach the checkout before everything sells out. The same can be said for those camping outside retailers for the RTX 5090 due to the limited supply as highlighted by IGN - besides this, most of it is left to luck and any measures put in place by Nvidia itself or retailers.

We've seen this occur with the likes of Valve's Steam Deck, which was limited to one order per account when in high demand - and whilst it didn't completely eliminate scalping, it did a great job at softening the blow, though at the cost of customers left on edge when awaiting a new batch of units. If you’re wondering where to buy Nvidia’s RTX 5090, we’ve made a short guide on the best online retailers to keep tabs on.

If scalpers manage to beat customers and units sell out quickly, I'd say it's worth waiting patiently to avoid overpaying - especially if you're still using an RTX 4090, as I promise you, you're perfectly fine for the time being.

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• Apple warns users about use-after-free vulnerability being exploited in the wild
• It affects most products, including iPhones, watches, TVs, and more
• A patch is already available, so update now

Apple has released a patch for its first zero-day of 2025, fixing CVE-2025-24085, a use-after-free flaw affecting the CoreMedia component.

CoreMedia is a framework in Apple's ecosystem that handles multimedia. It is important for the playback, processing, and management of both audio and video files, and is found in devices powered by macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

A use-after-free (UAF) flaw is a type of memory vulnerability that occurs when a program continues to use a memory location after it has been freed (deallocated). This can result in unpredictable behavior, such as crashes, data corruption, or execution of malicious code. Attackers can exploit UAF by manipulating the memory space to insert malicious payloads, which the program may execute when it accesses the freed memory.

Patching things up

The issue affects multiple Apple products: iPhones, iPads, macs, TVs, Vision Pro, and watches.

The company said it was being exploited in the wild as a zero-day, but at this time, it did not share any details - although the bug could be exploited through a rogue app, which could grant the attackers more control over the target system.

The relative silence is regular practice for Apple, since it wants to give its users enough time to apply the patch, without tipping potential threat actors off on a new attack avenue.

Speaking of the patch, Apple product users should make sure their devices are updated to the following: iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, and watchOS 11.3.

"A malicious application may be able to elevate privileges," Apple said in a security advisory. "Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 17.2.”

Via The Register

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• Nintendo Switch 2 Experience invites are now being sent out
• The preview event will be held in cities across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania
• Waitlists are scheduled to open on January 29 for those who missed out on an invite

Invites for the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience event are now being sent out.

Following the long-awaited reveal of the Nintendo Switch successor, Nintendo announced that it would be holding an exclusive preview event, offering fans the opportunity to get a closer look at the console ahead of its release.

Sign-ups went live earlier this month and official invites have now been sent out to a selection of lucky members of the public.

Those who did get an invite received confirmation via their emails, verifying their entry and the designated location they registered for, and have since been sharing their excitement through social media.

YOOO I GOT IN!!! Oh my god, against all the odds I actually did it! I can’t wait to see the switch 2 in person!! Now I’m trying to get my best friend irl a ticket so we can go together, but other than that if any of my mutuals or cool people are going at this time, hit me up! pic.twitter.com/yLMGrku14HJanuary 27, 2025

For fans who were rejected, Nintendo has now confirmed that there could be an opportunity to attend the preview event in the case of cancellations. Waitlists are also scheduled to open on January 29 and will be available on a "first-come, first-served basis".

The Nintendo Switch 2 Experience is scheduled to kick off in New York on April 4 and will run until June, though the specific date has yet to be announced.

You can check out the list of locations and dates below.

North America

• New York: April 4 - April 6
• Los Angeles: April 11 - April 13
• Dallas: April 25 - April 27

Europe

• Paris: April 4 - April 6
• London: April 11 - April 13
• Milan: April 25 - April 27
• Berlin: April 25 - April 27
• Madrid: May 9 - May 11
• Amsterdam: May 9 - May 11

Oceania

• Melbourne: May 10 - May 11

Asia

• Tokyo (Makuhari): April 26 - April 27
• Seoul: May 31 - June 1
• Hong Kong: To be announced
• Taipei: To be announced

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• PS5 exclusive Rise of the Ronin is coming to PC
• It will have a range of exclusive features, including 8K support
• It's also cheaper than the PS5 version

PlayStation 5 exclusive Rise of the Ronin is finally coming to PC. Developer Koei Tecmo has officially revealed that the game will arrive on Steam on March 11, 2025.

Interestingly, the PC version will benefit from quite a few exclusive features in the graphics department. This includes support for 8K resolution, DirectX 12 Ultimate, ultra-wide and super ultra-wide displays, 120fps support, ray tracing, and 3D audio. This is on top of a menu UI that has been reworked for mouse controls, plus customizable keyboard and mouse inputs.

In my experience, the original release of Rise of the Ronin often struggled to run on the base PS5 - with a few persistent stutters and a rather muddy looking picture at times. The developer has confirmed that the PC release will benefit from the addition of AMD Fidelity FX Super Resolution and Nvidia DLSS and Reflex support, which might prove a reliable way to smooth out those issues.

The PC release is currently available for pre-order and comes in significantly cheaper than the PS5 version, which retailed for $69.99 / £69.99 when it launched on March 22, 2024. It costs just $49.99 / £39.99, which in my eyes is a great price for such an expansive and unique open world game.

Those who pre-order the PC version will receive the same pre-order bonus as PS5 players did, a pack of Ninja Gaiden inspired items. This includes the Iga Ninja's Katana and Iga Ninja Armor Set, plus early access to four in-game combat styles. Overall, not the most essential addition, but a neat little bonus for those eager to dive in on day one.

In our Rise of the Ronin review, we praised its superb action combat and the sheer number of things to discover in its world. Although it suffers a bit from some samey mission design, it’s still well worth experiencing and the ability for more players to do so can only be a good thing.

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• Some older Apple Watch models have been unable to update properly
• The problem means they may not be able to sync with your iPhone
• It’s almost certainly a mistake by Apple and will hopefully be fixed soon

If you have an older Apple Watch and have noticed that it’s been unable to update properly, you might not be alone. According to info circulating on social media, Apple has mistakenly excluded many Apple Watch users from upgrading their devices to a more recent version of watchOS.

Specifically, the concerns center on the Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5 and first-generation SE models. For instance, X user @MasterMike88 claimed that if one of these Apple Watches is running a watchOS version prior to 10.6.1, it will not be able to update to that version.

This is a problem because it means that users of older Apple Watch models will not be able to get potentially important security and feature upgrades included in watchOS 10.6.1.

We’d always recommend ensuring your Watch is running the latest version of Apple’s software, but in this instance, it looks like that’s not possible. Hopefully Apple will push out a fix soon.

That syncing feeling

(Image credit: Future)

There’s another potential problem: an Apple Watch running an older version of watchOS 10 might not be able to pair with an iPhone if it is affected by this issue. If you can’t pair them, you won’t be able to sync data between the two devices.

It appears that this issue is only limited to Apple Watch models that can run watchOS 10 but not watchOS 11 – in other words, the Series 4, Series 5 and original SE editions that we mentioned earlier. More recent Apple Watches should be unaffected.

Back on X, @MasterMike88 believes that the problem stems from Apple changing the update requirements from CV (Compatibility Version) 22 to 24, which is normally associated with late versions of watchOS 11. Since the affected Watch models can’t run watchOS 11, they can’t install an update that they should have access to (that is, watchOS 10.6.1).

Because of that, we suspect that this is a mistake on Apple’s part rather than any deliberate plan, and that means it’s likely that Apple will fix this issue soon. If you’re affected, you’ll have to hang tight until Apple sorts this issue out.

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• DeepSeek says it is suffering from a huge cyberattack
• The attack has prevented new users from registering
• A DDoS attack is rumored to be the cause of the outage

DeepSeek has had to temporarily pause new signups to its generative AI chatbot due to “large-scale malicious attacks” against the platform.

The open source model was recently released to the public, causing ripples across the technology industry, sending US markets into freefall.

The relatively new platform has shot to number one on the US app store, replacing ChatGPT as the most popular free app, and has been rumored to have cost as little as $5.6 million to develop.

No new users

This growth has apparently resulted in some unwanted attention, and DeepSeek has not shared any details about the attack, but due to the systems the attack is affecting, it is possibly a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack against the platform’s API and Web Chat services.

The DeepSeek status page simply states, “Due to large-scale malicious attacks on DeepSeek's services, we are temporarily limiting registrations to ensure continued service. Existing users can log in as usual. Thanks for your understanding and support.”

While registering for new users is currently unavailable the service can still be accessed by signing in with a Google account, with a user's email, language preference and profile picture being shared with DeepSeek in return.

Despite numerous sanctions enacted by the Biden administration aimed at depriving China of the latest semiconductors, initial tests suggest that the DeepSeek model outperforms its US counterparts despite being developed for a fraction of the cost.

Being released as open source means that the model is free to download and use by other AI developers, significantly disrupting the AI market in the US and causing huge sell-offs of shares in US tech companies. Whether the US will face this new-found competition in the AI arms race with innovation or increased sanctions remains to be seen.

Via CNBC

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• Microsoft Teams is finally introducing a phishing alert function
• The feature will be generally available in mid-February 2025
• Hackers have been abusing external comms to hit organizations with malware and ransowmare

Microsoft Teams has long been a favorite target for hackers looking to infiltrate organizations by impersonating brands or network administrators, but that is all finally about to change.

Numerous threat actors have abused external access, with one Russian group ‘bombing’ a user's email inbox with thousands of emails before pretending to be an IT support worker calling to help fix the spam, before gaining remote access and deploying malware.

A phishing warning for external messages has therefore been a long time coming, with the feature set to be introduced by Microsoft in mid-February 2025.

Phishing detector

The phishing threat alert was first rumoured in October 2024 in the Microsoft 365 roadmap, with a subsequent advisory added to the Microsoft 365 service update page stating the system would be generally available around mid-February 2025.

“This rollout will happen automatically by the specified date with no admin action required before the rollout. You may want to update any relevant documentation. We recommend that you educate your users on what the new high-risk Accept/Block screen means and remind users to proceed with caution.”

Phishing checks will happen every time a user receives a message from an external source for the first time, Microsoft added, further explaining that an ‘Accept or block’ prompt will appear over suspicious chats, with the user being reminded to recognize that the message could be phishy if they choose to click accept.

External access can be disabled in the Microsoft Teams Admin Center, preventing risky external communications entirely, but those who regularly need to use external messaging will have to remain extra vigilant until mid-February. Microsoft recommends that organizations train their employees to spot and report suspicious phishing emails and messages.

Via BleepingComputer

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• OCR and image recognition data are being stored insecurely in OneDrive for Business, expert claims
• Locally stored data is putting companies at risk of leaks
• Hybrid working amplifies the security challenges

Security expert Brian Maloney has criticized Microsoft for storing OneDrive for Business files insecurely on users’ devices.

He claims the popular cloud storage tool allegedly stores data obtained from image OCR in an unsecured database on account holders’ PCs, putting them at risk of data exfiltration.

Although there are benefits to storing data locally, it can pose security concerns if the storage is inadequately protected, Maloney has claimed.

OneDrive for Business storing files locally, but insecurely

Microsoft, together with other companies like Apple, uses OCR (optical character recognition) and image recognition to enhance search and other features.

In a series of X posts, Maloney wrote: “Just a heads up. M$ is OCRing all your images in OneDrive for business in an unsecured database on your desktop/laptop. Happy Friday. #DFIR.”

Because OCR is stored in plain text, attackers who are successful in obtaining access to the databases can acquire potentially sensitive information from unknowing victims.

vx-underground.org added to Maloney’s work on X, sharing: “Any image saved with OneDrive is stored locally in a SQLite file (for offline mode, or something).”

Although business-issued hardware typically involved additional layers of security, such as encrypted storage, biometric security, and access to company systems via protected networks such as VPNs, the rise of hybrid working now means that more workers are accessing their business accounts, including OneDrive for Business, from their own personal hardware, which might not have such strong protection.

TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft to comment on its decision not to protect OCR databases, but we have not received an immediate response.

In the meantime, users should consider only enabling features that they intend to use in order to minimize risk. Employees should also be vigilant to attacks, including avoiding clicking on suspicious links and sharing credentials online.

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• Google is making the code for now-discontinued smartwatch Pebble available to download
• Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky claims to be working on a new smartwatch using PebbleOS
• The smartwatch is still in early development, but will adhere to Pebble’s core tenets

Before the Apple Watch, before the Samsung Galaxy Watch, and before the Google Pixel Watch, there was Pebble. The iconic smartwatch was eventually bought by Fitbit and discontinued in 2016 (and in a cruel twist, the same fate befell many of the best Fitbits after Fitbit was bought by Google), but many users still have fond memories of their Pebbles, and an active community of users are still maintaining functional Pebbles.

Now, it seems like Pebble is ready for a comeback. Google, with no plans to disrupt sales of the Google Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit’s best fitness trackers, don’t seem to care to release an official Pebble, but they are throwing a bone to the community by preparing to make PebbleOS open source, according to a recent blog post.

For the uninitiated, open source means that anyone will be able to download the source code for Pebble watches, make changes, and publish their versions to the internet for free. This will allow tech-savvy Pebble fans to keep their watches operational - and pave a way for the iconic smartwatch’s return under a new name.

Eric Migicovsky, Pebble’s founder, told TechCrunch that he’s devoted himself full time to creating a new third-party smartwatch. In a blog post on his own website, he writes; “The company behind it failed but millions of Pebbles in the world kept going, many of them still to this day.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

“I wear my Pebble every day. It's been great (and I'm astounded it’s lasted 10 years!), but the time has come for new hardware.”

Migicovsky is the project’s only current full-time employee. Using PebbleOS, the future smartwatch, which will be released under a different name than Pebble, will (according to Migicovsky’s blog post) conform to the following tenets:

• Always-on e-paper screen
• Long battery life
• Simple "and beautiful" UX "around a core set of features [Migicovsky uses] regularly (telling time, notifications, music control, alarms, weather, calendar, sleep/step tracking)"
• Buttons
• Hackable

You can sign up for information on the project at rePebble.com.

Analysis: Migicovsky’s perfect watch

Migicovsky’s ideal watch, on the surface, certainly sounds like one I’d wear in rotation. I love the memory-in-pixel screen you can get on the best Garmin watches and other digital watch-style aesthetics, so the e-paper screen with minimal distractions, long battery life and physical buttons are music to my ears.

With watches reaching a sort of inflection point, I believe we’ve already hit ‘peak smartwatch’ and future models are going to look more and more similar from hereon out. A back-to-basics, open source approach sounds like the breath of fresh air this form factor needs. What’s old is new again.

However, I’m acutely aware the project isn’t really off the ground yet, and may never come to fruition. The smartwatch industry has moved on from Pebble, and as much as some users might see it as a welcome change, there’s every chance most users will be too comfortable with their pre-existing watches to give an upstart any time of day. We’ll continue reporting on the new Pebble as new information comes to light.

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As 2025 arrives, it’s clear that the internet’s vast capabilities – spanning cloud services to emerging technologies like AI – depend on robust infrastructure. From smart cities to streaming services, while data might be the lifeblood of modern organizations, connectivity is the beating heart. No single technology can meet the world’s growing and diverse connectivity demands – nor should it. Instead, an intricate digital tapestry will emerge, reshaping industries and transforming the global economy.

To paint a picture of this future, here are my predictions for connectivity in 2025.

1. More people will move beyond fiber – embracing the mmWave spectrum

The notion that fiber will reach every corner of the world will be exposed as unrealistic and undesirable. While fiber makes sense in many areas, it’s not a silver bullet; financial and logistical challenges make it impractical in low-density regions. As such, mmWave will gain more recognition as a practical and desirable complement to fiber. Offering gigabit speeds wirelessly in hard-to-reach areas, mmWave delivers reliable, high-speed internet without the extensive groundwork required for fiber installation – and the wheels are already in motion.

Recently, Verizon unveiled an ambitious plan to double its fixed wireless access (FWA) subscribers to 8-9 million by 2028. By deploying mmWave radio frequency (RF) technology, the operator is targeting coverage to 90 million households, having reached its goal of 4-5 million 15 months early. This momentum reflects the growing importance of mmWave in delivering high-speed broadband services.

In 2025, expect to see a surge in the adoption of mmWave technology, particularly in markets where traditional fiber rollouts are impractical or costly. For example, the UK is preparing for the mmWave spectrum auction, unlocking high-frequency bands that promise blazing-fast 5G and transformative services across industries. From consumer electronics to smart cities, 2025 will reveal just how critical mmWave bands are for transforming our digital economy.

2. Smart cities will adopt wireless infrastructure as a key complement to fiber

Well-chosen technology will make cities safer while improving accessibility and sustainability. Local government leaders that invest in high-capacity, low-latency technologies will be able to support top-tier CCTV cameras, sensors, autonomous systems, and smart grids – strengthening security and improving outcomes for citizens. Those that don’t will struggle with inefficiencies, limited scalability, and safety risks.

For example, 4K CCTV cameras will resolve its most common problem: that CCTV is too low quality to prevent crime effectively or be used convincingly as evidence. Wireless outdoor infrastructure will enable widespread 4K CCTV and leave this problem in the past where it belongs.

Also on the rise are smart poles with integrated connectivity options, which provide urban areas with efficient and scalable networking solutions. According to ABI Research, more than 10.8 million smart poles will be installed by 2030, and it’s expected that 20% will need wireless connectivity. Every pole will need to deliver gigabits per second; as a critical connectivity option for capacity-hungry applications, mmWave will prove a key enabler. With leading players working actively on new solutions, next year will see this shift continue.

And let’s not forget autonomous vehicles: this might seem like a faraway future, but 2024 saw Waymo take driverless technology to new heights with its robotaxis, so it’s only a matter of time before this becomes a reality for public transport. Once this happens, smart vehicles like buses and trams will generate vast amounts of data that needs to be transferred to and from the cloud. This won’t be possible without wireless connectivity; city leaders that prioritize this when IT infrastructure planning will unlock not only greater efficiency but also adaptability, enabling them to keep up with constantly evolving demands.

3. mmWave-based fixed wireless access will help bridge the digital divide

In developed regions and emerging countries alike, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing connectivity challenges worldwide. In established regions like North America, underserved rural areas often lack reliable high-speed internet, despite significant infrastructure investments elsewhere in the country. Meanwhile, in emerging markets like Africa, even cities face limited internet access due to a lack of wireline connectivity and congestion of traditional spectrum options.

2025 will see mmWave-based FWA materialise as a powerful solution to plug these gaps. This is because mmWave technologies operating in the 60GHz band offer a cost-effective way to deliver ultrafast, low-latency connectivity. By bypassing the need for extensive physical infrastructure, mmWave will help democratize internet access and unlock new economic potential on a global scale.

4. 60GHz will gain traction in wireless video and enterprise applications

In 2025, the 60GHz spectrum will come into its own, transforming wireless video applications across sectors. From immersive gaming and entertainment experiences to enterprise-grade video conferencing, ultrafast and low-latency connectivity will underpin the rise of professional applications.

Virtual reality (VR), wireless HDMI, and ultra-wide screens will increasingly rely on the speed and quality of 60GHz connectivity. These developments will also play a crucial role in facilitating impactful AI and big data analysis, alongside cloudification and network function virtualization (NFV).

Additionally, as consumer and enterprise demands grow, it will become increasingly understood that business success depends not just on talent and innovation but on the speed and quality of supporting connectivity infrastructure. As 2025 will prove, time will only become a more precious commodity, so anything that speeds up progress reliably will be most welcome.

So what does this mean for infrastructure suppliers? Pushing the boundaries of connectivity — from power efficiency to manufacturability — means tackling competing demands for high performance, reliability, and energy efficiency, while striving to make products accessible and affordable. It's a constant balancing act between advancing innovation and meeting the real needs of global connectivity; striking that balance will shape 2025 as much as any technical milestone. In practice, this means adopting an adaptable approach that doesn’t just solve today’s problems but also anticipates those of tomorrow. On behalf of all digital citizens, current and future: bring on 2025.

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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

The software development landscape of 2024 has revealed both the potential and limitations of current AI coding tools. While 74% of developers have embraced these tools, a revealing Stack Overflow study shows 36% struggling with code reliability. This isn't a failure of AI – it's a clear indication of where AI tools need to evolve.

The emergence of "AI Debt" – the hidden costs arising from hastily deployed AI-generated code – in industry discussions highlights a crucial challenge: AI-generated code often requires extensive review and optimization before it's production-ready, diminishing the efficiency gains made in the initial code generation process.

However, studies showing tools like Copilot introducing up to 41% more bugs point not to AI's limitations, but to the need for more sophisticated approaches to AI-assisted development. What are these approaches?

Looking ahead to 2025, here are five key developments that will transform how we use AI in software development.

1. Intelligent Context Modelling Will Transform Code Generation

Next-generation AI will move beyond simple pattern matching to true contextual understanding. These systems will build comprehensive models of your codebase, architecture, and development patterns, ensuring every suggestion fits seamlessly into your existing ecosystem.

So instead of producing isolated snippets of code, they will provide suggestions that align with the broader software design and help to predict issues in performance, security and scalability.

This deep context awareness will dramatically reduce the current effort required to adapt AI-generated code to production environments. And not only will this save on developer time, but contribute to a new standard in quality for creating performance-ready AI-generated code.

2. Multi-Large Language Model (LLM) Architectures Will Replace Single-Model Dependencies

The limitations of single-model approaches will give way to sophisticated multi-LLM architectures. These systems will treat coding LLMs as modular infrastructure components, using advanced prompt engineering and model orchestration to leverage the strengths of different models. For example, one model may be optimized for code syntax and another for code refactoring.

This means companies can access parallel processing and use different LLMs best suited to process different tasks, while also enhancing their reliability by being less dependent on one model. Such adaptability will also allow companies to scale more effectively and cost-efficiently.

This architectural shift will free developers from vendor lock-in while enabling more sophisticated code generation and optimization capabilities. We’re already seeing this start to happen as the benefit of multi-modal becomes more apparent.

3. AI-Driven Code Evolution Through Genetic Algorithms

Static code generation will evolve into dynamic code optimization through genetic algorithms. Based on Darwinian principles, these systems will continuously generate, test, and refine code variations, automatically selecting the best performers based on specific metrics. For instance, the first batch of AI-generated code is the gene pool, which then, through the use of genetic algorithms, undergoes evolutionary processes, with code tested against metrics such as processing efficiency and memory usage. It’s survival of the fittest but for code optimization.

This evolutionary approach ensures code continuously improves as system and business requirements change rather than remaining static after initial generation.

4. Automated Validation Will Shift Left in Development

Real-time validation will become an embedded part of the development process. AI systems will automatically verify security, performance, and compatibility as code is written, not after, ensuring low-quality code is filtered out during the process.

This shift-left approach will integrate comprehensive testing and validation directly into the development workflow, significantly reducing post-generation review time. Ultimately, this will accelerate the overall software development cycle while also improving quality.

5. Next-Gen Intelligence Platforms Will Revolutionize Developer Workflows

The culmination of these advances will be intelligent platforms that fundamentally transform development workflows. These platforms will orchestrate multiple AI technologies while continuously learning from every interaction, code review, and deployment outcome.

What makes these platforms revolutionary is their ability to evolve alongside your development practices. By learning from successful implementations, failed attempts, and developer feedback, they'll become increasingly sophisticated in their understanding of what makes code not just functional, but optimal for specific contexts and requirements. They will evolve and improve with each iteration.

For developers, this evolution means moving beyond simple code completion to truly intelligent development assistance that understands your unique technical environment and objectives. These platforms won't just suggest code – they'll help create better, more reliable software while reducing the manual overhead that currently limits AI's potential in development.

Making the move to intelligent development platforms

The rapid development and hype around AI has led to a majority of software developers adopting AI tools for coding. But with this widespread adoption, the next step in the evolution of these tools is to significantly improve the reliability, quality and performance of AI-generated code. With current processes, much skill, time and effort is required to adapt and maintain code after it is generated. This is where the next-generation of tools will start to make their impact.

Intelligent context modelling and multi-LLM architectures will be a new breed of tools significantly reducing the effort involved in code generation and enhancing optimization capabilities. When code is being generated, genetic algorithms will use natural selection principles to ensure the best lines of code remain, while real-time validation will play its part in enhancing quality as the code is being written.

These advances will culminate in the next generation of intelligent platforms which continuously learn and evolve alongside a developer’s specific practices. Ultimately, in 2025, rather than simply using code generation tools, developers will begin to transform their processes with truly intelligent AI assistants.

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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

• Meta AI has added a Memory Boost feature.
• Meta AI will remember key details you share in one-on-one chats for more personalized responses.
• The AI will also use your profiles on Meta platforms to respond based on your location.

Meta AI wants to be more like your good friend who remembers all the important details about you and less like an impersonal AI chatbot. Meta is rolling out updates to its AI assistant across Messenger, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram in the U.S. and Canada to do just that.

Those engaging with Meta AI may find it remembers much more about you between conversations, including some details culled from your profiles on the various connected platforms that can personalize its recommendations.

The new Memory Boost feature is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Meta AI can now remember key details you share in one-on-one chats. Maybe you casually mention that you love hiking or that you’re fluent in Italian. Meta AI will store that tidbit in its digital brain and use it to inform future responses. A friend who remembers how you like your coffee is a good friend. Whether that same is true about an AI pal is debatable. Especially as, in this case, it’s a friend who is also keeping track of your brunch preferences, weekend plans, and which country artists you’ve been streaming.

The system is also context-sensitive, which means Meta AI doesn’t need you to spoon-feed it all the details. If you tell it you’re vegan while asking for breakfast ideas, it’ll note that for the future and stop recommending omelets or fancy frittatas. This memory feature only applies to one-on-one chats, not group conversations; you can also delete its memory whenever you want.

Personal geography

Meta AI won't just remember your personality quirks. AI is becoming more personalized by tapping the data you share via Meta's platforms. For instance, if you’re looking for family activities this weekend, Meta AI might suggest a local concert based on your location, your recent browsing habits, and its memory of you mentioning that you have two kids.

Of course, this level of personalization isn’t entirely new. Meta has been perfecting the art of AI-driven recommendations for years. What makes this different is the assistant’s ability to combine information from multiple sources, including your chat history, profile, and viewing habits, to deliver something relevant.

Trying to stand out by offering this much personalization makes sense as Meta tries to break through the clamor around AI assistants like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and others. Meta’s strategy seems to be doing what it can to embed Meta AI within its existing ecosystem of platforms used by millions of people every day. After all, why would you open a separate AI app when you can just ask Meta AI directly on WhatsApp or Facebook?

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• Ayaneo's latest Windows-based portable is the Ayaneo 3
• Ayaneo comes with modular controls, a first in the market
• Its cheapest price point is $700, and most expensive is $1,800

Ayaneo has been putting out a wide range of high-quality handheld gaming devices. While the Chinese hardware company mainly focused on Android-based portables in 2024, it’s returning to form with the new Windows-based flagship handheld first revealed in November.

The Ayaneo 3 is a direct sequel to its Ayaneo 2, which launched in February 2023 and was released as a rival to the Steam Deck. Not only does the Ayaneo 3 upgrade the specs, but it also adds new features to enhance the gaming experience.

In terms of specs, there are two models to choose from. The first comes equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U CPU with eight cores and 16 threads, 3.3GHz clock speed, and an NPU of 16 TOPS.

The second model features the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU with 12 cores and 24 threads, a base clock speed of 2GHz, and an NPU at 50TOPS. The former will be available in every configuration except the 4TB RAM one, while the latter starts at 32GB instead of 16GB and goes from there.

You can also choose between 7-inch LCD and OED displays for any model with different displays. The LCD screen has a refresh rate of 120Hz/60Hz and maxes out at 500 nits. The OLED has a 144Hz/120Hz/90Hz/60Hz refresh and maxes out at 800 nits.

Why its modular controls matter

What really sets the Ayaneo 3 apart from the rest is its modular controls, which are unique to pretty much any other gaming handheld. Modular controls mean the directional pad, analog stick, and buttons can be physically switched around or rotated to give a more customizable experience. This lets you match controls to controllers like Playstation and Xbox or create your own fighting stick for titles like Street Fighter 6.

The controls themselves are also decked out spec-wise. The joysticks and triggers use Hall-effect sensors with a 4ms response time. The triggers also have two modes: linear mode, which gives you 7.5mm of travel distance to enable precise analog input, and tactile mode, which reduces the travel to 3mm for the repeated button presses known in FPS games.

Right now, you can support the Ayaneo 3 in its crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. The price ranges from $700 for the 16GB/512GB model without a complete set of input modules and $1,800 for the 64GB/4TB with a full set. An extra set runs $100, while a backup storage case — in Starry Black, Sky White, and Retro Power — costs $33.

Though the upper pricing is an eye-watering amount (and the lowest amount is still nothing to sneeze at), it’s meant as a premium portable system with unique features. Its selling point is that its competition, like the Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion Go, can’t match it in that sense. And if the Ayaneo 3 finds its footing, it could carve out a whole new niche in the gaming handheld market.

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• ChatGPT has upgraded Canvas to be smarter and more accessible.
• Canvas now works with the OpenAI o1 model and can visualize code directly.
• It's now available to macOS desktop users.

OpenAI has enhanced ChatGPT's collaborative editing feature, Canvas, with some major upgrades. The updates make Canvas even more flexible in helping you compose and edit content and code. The brainpower boost also comes with better visuals and some love for macOS desktop users.

The most significant upgrade is that Canvas will now work with OpenAI’s new o1 model. The more deliberative o1 model is already better than previous iterations at complex reasoning and problem-solving. With o1, Canvas is better at collaborating and explaining its logic.

Imagine it more like a human partner and less like a hyper-efficient autocorrect. You can enable the o1 model in Canvas by selecting it from the model picker or typing the command “/canvas.” Free users are out of luck for now, though, as only Pro, Plus, and Team users can access the o1 model in Canvas.

But it’s not just brains; Canvas has also received a visual boost – it also now supports rendering React and HTML code. That means you can actually see your projects come to life right in the workspace. You don't have to imagine how the code would perform in a browser or run a separate testing system. Better yet, free ChatGPT users can play with this new ability right now.

Regardless of subscription level, Mac users keen to use ChatGPT more are also getting more access to the AI chatbot feature. There's now full Canvas support on the macOS ChatGPT desktop app, allowing you to do anything Canvas can provide without leaving it.

Canvas companion

The o1 model’s more deliberate thinking aims to address criticisms that AI often feels rushed or too eager to please. With the added ability to visualize React and HTML code, OpenAI has made it clear that it wants Canvas to be a playground for developers, not just a chatroom with a few extra bells and whistles.

That fits with OpenAI's and other AI developers' keenness to make AI chatbots and tools more dynamic. Editing directly within the Canvas interface and being able to comment on and prompt changes to just part of an AI answer is a subtle but powerful improvement over the standard back-and-forth.

Just being able to drop text into Canvas and assigning the AI to advise or help edit is no small thing. Sometimes, you just want criticism without it being redone. That goes double if you share complex code or a very long text.

Ultimatley, Making ChatGPT more proactive and adaptable when it comes to carrying out very specific requests is likely to be a big part of how AI is employed in the future.

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• Report finds remote-first employees log more productive hours, fewer interruptions
• Hybrid model offers flexibility but leads to shorter work breaks
• Healthcare workers face high burnout risk despite increased productivity

ActivTrak Productivity Lab's latest report on workplace productivity trends has revealed work location significantly affects productivity, and remote-first companies, where employees work remotely most of the time, are provider greater productivity, reduce interruptions, and are the most popular.

The survey covers 958 companies and 135,098 employees, offering an overview of productivity across various sectors, such as financial services, healthcare, insurance, and professional services.

It found productivity levels across various industries vary - employees in the financial sector recorded 30 more minutes of productive time per day than their peers in other sectors, with these employees also exhibiting a 9% higher healthy utilization rate, meaning they were working efficiently without the risks of burnout or underutilization.

A matter of balance?

Similarly, employees in the healthcare industry also logged more productive time than the cross-industry average, with an additional 36 minutes of work per day. However, more than one-third of healthcare employees face a high risk of burnout or disengagement, as they fall into either the overutilized or underutilized categories.

In the insurance sector, employees spend 18 fewer minutes per day in collaborative applications than their peers, but there is a 41% lower underutilization rate, suggesting that employees are generally more engaged and working to capacity.

Most companies (55%) adopt the remote-first model where employees spend over 60% of their time working remotely, however, 25% of companies prefer the hybrid approach.

Only 18% of companies use the office-first setups where employees spend the majority of their time in the office while just 2% of companies use the remote-only models, where employees work entirely from home.

Interestingly, remote-first employees log more productive hours per day on average compared to those in other models, likely due to fewer in-person meetings and interruptions. In contrast, office-first employees exhibit the most balanced work patterns, with almost 70% of their time spent in a healthy state.

Hybrid employees take slightly shorter breaks (90 minutes on average compared to 104-120 minutes for other models), suggesting that managing work across both environments might introduce more intensity into their workdays. Despite this, the hybrid model is gaining popularity for its flexibility.

ActivTrak warns that employees who spend over 75% of their time in an overutilized state risk burnout, while those who spend more than 75% of their time in an underutilized state risk disengagement.

For remote-only employees, 31% of their time is spent in an overutilized state, which is the highest among all working models. However, they are also the most focused, spending an average of 4 hours and 24 minutes per day on single tasks without interruptions. Predictably, their collaboration time is very low meaning they have fewer opportunities for group work compared to employees who spend some time in the office.

“Our latest study reveals that workplace model and location — whether office, remote or hybrid – really does impact how we work, focus and collaborate,” said the company's Chief Customer Officer and Head of Productivity Lab, Gabriela Mauch.

“As organizations contemplate flexible workforce policies, a return to the office or other changes in organizational design, it’s critical for leaders to first understand baseline productivity data and the potential impact of location on employee engagement and performance.”

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• Casetify's latest collaboration is with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
• The collection consists of phone cases, charm bracelets, and earbuds case covers.
• Beyond the can of Campbell's soup it also celebrates the iconic banana.

Casetify’s known for some pretty epic cases thanks to impressive collaborations with the likes of sports leagues, Disney, Netflix, and countless others. As for the latest ‘Co-Lab’ you can add to the list, it goes to Andy Warhol – specifically, a partnership with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Of course, the classic can of Campbell’s Soup has been transformed into several fun case designs. However, what really caught our attention is the Co-Labs take on Andy Warhol’s banana that was featured on the album cover of The Velvet Underground's first LP. It’s a classic for sure, and Casetify’s take on this is both ultra-fun, a significant homage, and somewhat impractical.

But then again, some of the most fun phone cases are more talking points than actually protective.

(Image credit: Casetify)

The Andy Warhol Banana Collectible Phone Case is simply an oversized case that takes the shape of a banana. It still gives you access to the power buttons and volume rockers, though we aren't exactly sure about charging. Considering it’s made from silicone, though, you should be able to remove the phone easily.

It also comes with three stickers that can be removed and reattached to personalize the case a bit. While the case itself is inspired by Andy Warhol, you could also use it to live out your dream of having a banana phone or to do some monkeying around—forgive the pun.

Maybe most importantly, though, it lets you pay homage to superstars and rockstars with a really delightful case. Now, if you want something a little more practical and, say, standard-sized, Casetify does have a few more regular iPhone cases with takes of Andy Warhol’s iconic banana on the back. These include the Banana Pattern Case, which places several of the iconic works, and one called the Banana Peel, in which you can peel back the top of the banana to reveal a vibrant, hot pink look at the inside of the fruit.

As you might have guessed, these cases follow Casetify’s normal pricing strategy in that they’re not ultra-cheap. But, you get what you pay for here. The oversized Banana Collectible Phone Case is $106 for most phones, while the more standard cases land around $60 and fall within the brand's ‘Impact’ case lineup. This means it can survive up to 8.2 feet drops – at least, that’s what Casetify promises.

You can check out the full lineup of the Casetify x Andy Warhol here, but if you’re eyeing a case, we would check out soon as these ‘Co-Labs’ are known to sell out.

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