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Google has streamlined a key feature of its Gemini AI assistant on Android devices, speeding up image sharing and editing, as spotted by Android Authority. The latest Gemini update lets you send images directly from other apps to Gemini instead of the more cumbersome setup that was in place before. 

Now, if you have a picture in, for instance, Google Photos, that you want Gemini to look at in conjunction with a text prompt, you can submit it directly via Android's built-in share sheet as you would to send a text with the image attached. That's much easier than starting in the Gemini app, tapping on the upload image button, locating the image you want, and attaching it. And if your image is in the cloud, you would also need to download it to your device. It might not be more than a minute or even less, but if you want Gemini to explain a photo or use one to inform a new AI-generated image, that extra time and friction might put you off the idea. 

It's not a total revolution for Gemini, however. Submitting images to the AI is faster, but only images. You can't use the sharing button to send text or a link to Gemini. It also doesn't encompass the Gemini overlay, which lets you use Gemini without switching out of the app you're currently using. While the image gets sent to the AI app, you still actually need to switch to the app to use Gemini's features. 

Gemini Speed

Though subtle, the update is part of Google's efforts to smooth the road for intuitive engagement with Gemini. If you often use Gemini for multimedia content, the update could save you time in the long run. Gemini will be able to analyze the image and provide insights, descriptions, or even text content based on what it "sees" more quickly than before. This makes the app more useful for users who need to switch between different types of media in their daily workflows.

Even if Gemini is only an occasional part of your mobile usage, a minute or less can affect whether you decide to skip using Gemini. That's anathema to Google's plans to embed Gemini throughout your mobile device experience and your life in general. It's also another way for users who already rely on Google's ecosystem, such as Photos or Drive, to thread Gemini into how they use those other services. Making Gemini more convenient is clearly a major goal for Google. As ChatGPT and other AI assistants keep upping their multimodal features, Gemini will need this kind of edge to stay ahead, or at least keep even, with its rivals.

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Samsung recently announced that its PM9E1 NVMe Gen 5 SSD has entered mass production. The initial press release was pulled shortly after publication, but the details were later republished by TechPowerUp.

The PM9E1 is the successor to the PM9A1 SSD, which launched in 2021, and brings notable improvements in speed, capacity, and power efficiency.

The SSD appears to be mostly aimed at enterprise customers and those working with AI-driven workloads, offering enhanced storage solutions for data-heavy applications.

Large capacities

The PM9E1 SSD doubles both the read and write speeds of its predecessor, delivering 14.5GB/s read and 13GB/s write speeds. This is a significant improvement over the PM9A1's 7GB/s read and 5.2GB/s write speeds. According to Samsung, the PM9E1 is built with an in-house 5nm controller and eighth-generation V-NAND (V8) technology, which allows it to offer better performance and efficiency.

The drive will be available in four capacities - 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB - with the larger models aimed at users who need high-performance storage for AI-generated content, gaming, and high-resolution video processing. The 4TB option, in particular, is intended for demanding enterprise applications, providing ample space for handling large data sets and real-time AI tasks.

In addition to increased speed, the PM9E1 is 50% more power-efficient than its predecessor, which Samsung claims will extend battery life, making it ideal for on-device AI applications. The SSD also features security enhancements, including Device Authentication and Firmware Tampering Attestation, provided through the updated SPDM Version 1.2 protocol. These features help protect against supply chain attacks and ensure that the device’s firmware remains intact during the production and distribution process.

"Our PM9E1 integrated with a 5 nm controller delivers industry-leading power efficiency and utmost performance validated by our key partners," YongCheol Bae, Executive Vice President of Memory Product Planning at Samsung, said. "In the rapidly growing on-device AI era, Samsung's PM9E1 will offer a robust foundation for global customers to effectively plan their AI portfolios."

While the initial press release was pulled without warning and there is no confirmed pricing or release date, it is clear that Samsung is positioning the PM9E1 as a key component for enterprise and AI-driven applications. More details regarding availability will hopefully be made available soon.

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Tesla's bizarre-looking Cybertruck has suffered through yet another recall. It's a sign that not only is the truck a bit like an experiment on wheels, but that Tesla is increasingly no longer the standard bearer for our EV aspirations.

"Elon Musk is the reason both cars in my driveway are electric. He’s also the reason neither of them are Teslas," wrote Firebird Music CEO Nathan Hubbard on Threads. The post encapsulates a growing sentiment among EV owners and EV curious: Tesla is not necessarily the electric car company that will own the future of the market it all but created.

Post by @nathanchubbard View on Threads

Look, I don't want to dive too deeply here into the unpleasant actions and social presence of Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk. Let's just say that the once inspiring entrepreneur has become, to put it lightly, a polarizing figure. It's not a good look for someone who wants to sell electric vehicles to everyone and not just those who share his world (and off-world) views.

There is, though, no denying that Musk has put Tesla fans in a difficult position and they are perhaps making different choices. As of Q2 2024, Tesla owned, according to the US Energy Information Administration 48.9% of the US EV market. The number is notable because Tesla no longer owns the "majority" of the market. Granted, what's left is split among numerous competitors, including major US auto manufacturers who, over the last few years, moved aggressively into the EV and Hybrid market. It hasn't all gone smoothly.

Earlier this year, Ford pulled back on its aggressive EV plans. Plus, consumers still appear more interested in half-measures. Hybrids, which combine combustion with one or two electric motors appear, based on recent United States Department of Transportation statistics, to be far out-pacing pure EV ones, which, is likely another cause for concern for Tesla.

United States Dept. of Transportation • Bureau of Transportation Statistics EV growth (Image credit: United States Dept. of Transportation)

The EV market continues to shift around Tesla, with more competitors offering comparable products that are, finally, approaching Tesla on the range front and often beating it on sticker price. The point is we now have choices. I know that when I finally make the EV move, it won't be with a Tesla. That's an important shift for me. I was a stalwart Tesla fan who wrote extensively about early Tesla Model S owners and remember fondly being among the first to experience a Model 3 test drive.

Now, though, I can't stomach the idea of enriching Elon Musk. I know Tesla employs over 140,000 people, and most of them probably don't agree with Musk's often publicly stated views, but he remains a highly visible and vocal leader.

On October 10, Musk is expected to finally launch his Tesla robo taxi. That event will be notable, I think, for its lack of direct consumer appeal. There'll be no Model 3 update or a cheaper Tesla. Affordable is not in Tesla's vocabulary. The company recently stopped selling the cheapest version of the Model 3.

@lanceulanoff

♬ original sound - LanceUlanoff

I'd say there's no longer a point in waiting for a truly affordable Tesla. Generally, the automaker's appeal to everyday Americans is, I think, waning, and there may be no better evidence than the Cybertruck.

Over the last six months, I've noticed these awkward-looking vehicles in San Francisco and in New York. No matter when you see them, they look out of place. I've watched countless videos showing some of the odd and potentially dangerous design choices (like a hood that could almost remove a finger or edges that look likely to puncture something).

Considering all that, perhaps these recalls are unsurprising. The latest one from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration relates to rearview mirrors that deliver a feed from rear cameras as you back up. The problem, according to the NHTSA (PDF) is that when you start to back up, it takes an extra second for the feed to appear. Fortunately, the fix will arrive in an over-the-air software update.

Recalls are not inherently a disaster. Untold combustion engine vehicles get them. For Tesla, they're certainly not confined to the Cybertruck. The company has had dozens that range across its most popular models. Still, this is already the fifth recall for the relatively new Cybertruck and it often seems like the EV was built not based on practicality (watch it fail as a "truck"), or elegance but on the design whims and demands of Musk, who I think wanted something that looked more at home on the surface of Mars that it does on Earth.

You can wrap it in black but it still doesn't look normal. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)

When I see a Cybertruck rolling through my neighborhood, I don't admire it; I gawk. It always looks out of place. I also think I instantly know the driver, not personally, but who this person is. They're clearly someone who's bought into not just the Tesla EV strategy but Musk's perspective on trucks, modern transportation, and maybe his twisted worldview. Why else would you spend over $100,000 to drive something that looks like it's well-equipped to survive a nuclear blast but ill-prepared for a casual run to the grocery store?

Cybertruck screams, "Look at me," but as sentiment about Tesla changes in the EV market, that scream sounds increasingly like a cry of desperation, "Look at me, please, while I try to remain relevant."

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The number of phishing emails that masquerade as notifications from Microsoft services is skyrocketing, a new report from Check Point has warned.

In the report, the researchers said that just in September, its service caught more than 5,000 such emails - and to make matters worse, the attackers have gotten extremely good at creating a legitimate-looking email.

The usual suspects - spelling and grammar, color scheme, the email’s outline - all of these things have been brought to perfection: “The language is perfect. The style is familiar. The graphics look impeccable,” the researchers said. “So, what should organizations do?” Furthermore, these emails now come with copy-pasted Microsoft privacy policy statements, or links to Microsoft and Bing, all of which makes spotting the ruse with the naked eye almost impossible.

Training and AI

Ultimately, even the ‘sender’ field in the email looks believable now. Instead of the usual private, or unknown domains, these emails appear to be coming from organizational domains impersonating legitimate administrators.

All of this means there is a higher chance of organizations losing sensitive information, or becoming infected with malware and even ransomware.

In response, organizations need to invest heavily into user awareness training, since employees will no longer be able to hunt for spelling and grammar mistakes in phishing emails, Check Point argues.

Also, they should deploy AI-powered email security, essentially fighting AI with AI, and finally, always keep their software and hardware updated.

We would add that deploying multi-factor authentication wherever possible, and even pivoting towards zero-trust network architecture, can only help in today’s diverse landscape.

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Whether you’re looking to expand your smart home and jump into creating one, I think we can all agree it’s a step and potential purchase that’s best aided by research and ultimately seeing it in action.

A roller to make blinds smart sounds cool, but seeing a shade raised and lowered via voice command is the real showstopper. The same goes for adjusting the temperature with your voice or having it intelligently turn on the AC when you approach home on a hot summer day. It’s really about the experience.

Seemingly on that same notion, Samsung is partnering with Ashley – aka Ashley Furniture, as folks in the United States might know – to create ‘The Connected Home Experience.’ In-store, currently just at Ashley’s flagship store in Brentwood, Tennessee, and online in a new experience, are the two brands looking to showcase how a smart home can live with the latest furnishings for a home.

(Image credit: Samsung)

From shared photos of the in-person showroom, it’s best dubbed as a mix of modern home furniture paired with curated products that work within Samsung’s SmartThings platform to show how things best work together and, honestly, push off some of the mystery around a smart home. Everything from Philips Hue lighting – including bulbs and fixtures – as well as Nanoleaf panels, Kasa smart plugs or switches, and Aqara curtain or shade drivers are shown off in pretty elegant spaces.

Of course, Samsung’s other products are on display, including a Frame TV, which doubles as home furnishing, considering it can display works of art in a cinch. Even the massive and epic Odyssey Ark Monitor, which rotates, is in the Tennesee showroom, though I personally would have paired it in the room filled with Nanoleaf panels on the wall rather than an office environment.

The tech isn’t just with the SmartThings ecosystem or Samsung products, though. Ashley did select some power reclining seating, including Boyington and DuraPell sofas, to pair the tech demos with. This shows that furniture has also had a glow-up, though we’re a little surprised LoveSac’s couches with speakers weren’t shown here as well.

(Image credit: Samsung)

If you’re keen to experience ‘The Connected Home Experience,’ it’s open in Ashley's Brentwood, Tennessee location, and both companies are committed to bringing this to other Ashley store locations in the future. You can also get a taste of it virtually by ‘visiting’ six different locations on Samsung’s website here. Those include work from home, party time, energy management and saving, self-care, meal prep, and family and pet care.

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Major spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 2's final episode.

The Rings of Power stars Daniel Weyman and Markella Kavenagh aren't sure if The Stranger and Nori will cross paths again in the hit Amazon show, but they certainly hope they will.

Before The Rings of Power season 2's final episode was released today (October 3), I sat down with the pair – in separate interviews – to discuss their emotional goodbye in the series' latest installment. And, while both actors don't know if there'll be room for a reunion in future seasons, they're certainly trying to manifest in any way they can.

"I don't have any inclination about [a reunion]," Weyman told me. "But hearing you say it really terrifies me. I mean, I've virtually filmed all of my scenes with Markella, and often filmed things with Megan [Richards, who plays Poppy], so I've got a strong relationship with them. So, it's quite terrifying to think I may never work with them again. I'll have to get onto the showrunners to see what I can do! Fingers crossed they get back together."

Nori bid farewell (for now, she hopes) to Gandalf in season 2's finale, which is titled 'Shadow and Flame' (Image credit: Prime Video)

"I really hope so," Kavenagh added when I asked her the same question. "It's difficult to imagine a world in which I don't act opposite Daniel. It's bittersweet [that they part ways] but hopefully there's a way for them to reunite."

For sections of the Prime Video show's fanbase, The Stranger – I really need to start learning to call him Gandalf because, well, that's who Weyman is actually playing – and Nori's separation may be a satisfying development. After all, some viewers have grown tired of the Harfoots' storyline and, the mystery surrounding The Stranger's true identity notwithstanding, say that Nori, Poppy, and the other proto-Hobbits have offered nothing of value to one of the best Prime Video shows.

That, though, isn't how Weyman and Kavenagh have viewed Gandalf and Nori's Middle-earth adventures in Amazon's Lord of the Rings prequel series. Indeed, the pair believe each character has enriched the other, and the lessons and life experiences they've learned – and shared – along the way have helped to shape the individuals they'll become in The Rings of Power season 3, which co-creators J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay are currently "working on", and beyond.

Gandalf won't be heading into season 3 with Nori by his side (Image credit: Prime Video)

"For now, it's the right thing for both of them," Kavenagh added. "I think they have to embark on their own journeys and really find their purpose but, in my mind, I think Nori knows or feels she'll see him again, albeit not where or when."

"I think these characters have a clear and strong bond," Weyman also mused. "I suppose that understanding friendship, love, honesty, integrity, being able to make mistakes and be forgiven, learning, becoming self-aware, and wanting to be a better version of yourself, all of these things have come from his interaction with the Harfoots. Wherever he goes, that bond is strong and is like an elastic band that connects them, no matter where they'll be in the universe. That's going to be one of his touchstones that he measures his future behaviour against in whatever he comes up against."

Want more exclusive coverage on The Lord of the Rings' TV adaptation? Read my article breaking down The Rings of Power season 2's ending and why Weyman is "still pretty shocked" to learn he was playing Gandalf. Once you're done with those pieces, read snippets from my chats with other members of the high fantasy series' cast, below.

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Amazon is doubling down on ads, with plans to add more commercials to Prime Video in 2025.

The news comes from the head of Prime Video International Kelly Day, who told the Financial Times that ads on the streaming platform would “ramp up a little bit more into 2025” as part of the company's shift into ad-supported streaming.

Prime Video started showing viewers adverts on January 29, 2024, requiring anyone that didn't want to see them to sign up for a new, more expensive ($2.99 in the US and £2.99 in the UK), ad-free tier – much like what Netflix did earlier this year when it kicked subscribers off its old cheap ad-free plan.

At the time, many, including myself, thought that introducing ads to one of the best streaming services would cause subscriber backlash. But that hasn't proved to be the case, according to Day, with its userbase remaining steady.

(Image credit: Amazon)

That's surprising considering Prime Video reportedly has more than 200 million monthly active users, but then this isn't the first time that the incumbent streaming services have proven us wrong – even Netflix's password sharing crackdown led to a subscriptions spike.

“We know it was a bit of a contrarian approach to take to things from us. But . . . it’s actually gone much better than we even anticipated,” Day said, adding that cancellations had “been much, much less than we anticipated . . . we haven’t really seen a groundswell of people churning out or cancelling."

If you were annoyed by Prime Video forcing ads on you, then you'll really be annoyed when next year rolls round because there are three new types of adverts being added to the service, including carousel ads, pause ads and trivia ads – and your Fire TV will not be spared.

How to get rid of ads on Prime Video

With more ads on the way to Prime Video next year, you might be wondering if there is a way to avoid them and fortunately there is. But it involves you either having to pay more – whether that's to upgrade your account or to buy an ad blocker – or cancel your subscription. If you're considering this, here's what's involved:

1. Upgrade your account to go ad-free

(Image: © Amazon)

Unfortunately, the best way to stop ads interrupting the best Prime Video shows and best Prime Video movies is to pay more. If you're already subscribed to Prime Video, then you can upgrade your account to be 'Ad Free' on the Prime Video website by going to 'Account & Settings', selecting 'Your Account', then 'Go Ad Free', followed by 'Start Subscription'. You can also upgrade your account in the Prime Video app by navigating to 'Settings'. However, you'll still see promotional trailers on some content.

2. Install an ad blocker

(Image: © Pinone Pantone / Shutterstock)

This option isn't entirely reliable but it can be an effective way to block ads on Prime Video if you stream movies and shows from a device rather than your TV. Unfortunately, we haven't tested all of the best ad blockers with Prime Video to see which work best but there are plenty to choose from.

3. Cancel your Prime Video subscription

(Image: © Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images)

While we don't yet know the exact date that Amazon will start introducing more ads to Prime Video in 2025, if the time comes and you'd rather cancel your subscription then the process is quick and easy enough. To cancel your Prime Video subscription, go to 'Account & Settings', then under 'Your Account' tab either choose 'End Subscription' or if your subscription is included with your Amazon Prime Membership select 'Edit'.

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Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) has announced a successful operation which disrupted notorious Russian-state actor 'Star Blizzard'.

Since the start of 2023, Microsoft had observed Star Blizzard attack over 30 organizations including NGOs, journalists, and think tanks. The attacks primarily consisted of a spear phishing campaigns to exfiltrate sensitive data from victims and obstruct activities aimed at preserving democratic processes.

At a rate of approximately one attack per week, the group has been found to use more and more sophisticated tactics and has been persistent in identifying and creating personalized phishing emails for high-value targets.

Valuable intelligence

In the now-unsealed civil action, Microsoft’s DCU seized 66 unique domains used to attack its users across the globe.

Star Blizzard has reportedly been active since 2017, and have been targeting military officials in the UK and US, especially those providing support to Ukraine and its allies.

With the 2024 US Presidential election so close, Microsoft is confident this disruption has come at a critical point for Russian operations looking to undermine and interfere in Western democracies. The action is said to have provided valuable intelligence about the group and the scope of its activities.

Together with the Department of Justice, Microsoft has seized over 100 websites from the actor - delivering a serious blow to its infrastructure and operations. Cyber security tends to be a bit of a cat-and-mouse game, so this almost certainly won’t be the end of Star Blizzard, but it's a start.

Malicious cyber attacks and foreign election interference are nothing new, and the ‘shadow war’ has ramped up since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Attacks on critical infrastructure, ransomware, and misinformation campaigns have become commonplace - and over a dozen Russian cyber criminals have been sanctioned by the UK.

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Netflix has released a trailer for its new time-hopping teen slasher movie Time Cut, but even though it seems to be a copy of one of Prime Video's best horror movies Totally Killer, I'm still planning to tune in to watch it this Halloween.

Spooky season is upon us, and the best streaming service is on-hand to provide us with another frightening flick in the form of Y2K sci-fi slasher Time Cut where a nostalgic trip back to the noughties is a matter of life and death – especially for Lucy Field (Madison Bailey), a high school student who travels back in time to save her sister from being murdered.

In the trailer (see below), once Lucy processes the 2003 fashion choices of low-rise jeans, heelies and UGG boots in the school hallways, she goes on a mission to stop the masked killer (sound familiar?) from going on a murdering rampage against her sister. If that wasn't hard enough, it seems she also has the destruction of the space-time continuum to contend with. It certainly seems like Back to the Future meets Scream.

Time Cut vs Totally Killer

While Time Cut has the potential to become one of the best Netflix movies, it seems to follow a similar premise to Totally Killer on Prime Video, which pays tribute to 80s-era slashers and time travel flicks. In Time Cut, which will be released on October 30, Lucy discovers a time machine and decides to try and stop the murder of her older sister Summer (Antonia Gentry), a crime that's haunted her young life.

Meanwhile, in Totally Killer, an infamous killer returns on Halloween night to kill a fourth victim 35 years after the murders of three teens. When 17-year-old Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) meets the masked psycho, she time travels back to 1987. As she tries to navigate the alien environment, Jamie joins forces with her teenage mother (Olivia Holt) to stop the murderer forever.

Although it wouldn't be a bad thing for Time Cut to follow in the footsteps of Totally Killer as the latter has a scarily good Rotten Tomatoes score of 87% and has become one of the best Prime Video movies. Even so, I'm ready to be cut back to the early 2000s in Time Cut.

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Ahead of the release of Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl, GSC Game World has released a documentary recording the lives of its developers amid an ongoing war.

The 'War Game: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Documentary' can now be watched on YouTube, featuring first-hand accounts of members of the development team and what it's been like to make a game since Russia's invasion of their home country Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

The 90-minute documentary touches on the history of the Ukrainian studio and details the personal lives of employees following the invasion, while also depicting the harrowing images that have been documented of the war for the last two years.

Since the war began, the GSC Game World has had to work under challenging conditions to complete Stalker 2, which creative director Mariia Grygorovych calls "the biggest game in the history of the company".

The documentary highlights Ukraine's history and how the Chornobyl nuclear disaster influenced the studio, along with recollections of the months leading up to Russia's invasion.

According to Grygorovych, when rumors began circulating about the invasion in 2021, GSC already had transport booked for its developers to escort them to safety in Uzhhorod, from Kyiv.

As the conflict escalated, the team was ultimately forced to evacuate, with many employees being moved from Ukraine to Budapest, a decision that came with a lot of issues, like roadblocks and crossing borders on foot (via Xbox Wire).

One developer, named Anton, discussed his experience during the invasion, recalling how he had to take shelter in a cellar with his family, saying "Like a Stalker, you have to learn how to live in such situations".

There was no internet for weeks and Anton switched to drawing on paper, "so I didn't stop developing", saying that Stalker 2 was "my goal in life to do this project".

GSC eventually moved the studio to Prague in 2022 where they were able to continue working safely, however, the team had to work from scratch in some aspects.

Some actors who had roles in the game had to be replaced as they had joined up to fight in the war, while others had moved elsewhere or lost contact.

Due to the ongoing war, the game has seen many delays.

The game was set to launch on September 5, but in July, GSC announced a two-month delay for emergency bug fixing.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is now expected to launch on November 20, 2024, for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC and day one on Xbox Game Pass.

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Some of the world’s most popular ecommerce platforms were carrying vulnerabilities that allowed threat actors to run code remotely, deploy malware, and even steal payment information from the customers, experts have warned.

Countless websites using Adobe Commerce and Magento platforms have already been compromised, including heavyweights such as Ray Ban, National Geographic, Cisco, Whirlpool, and Segway, cybersecurity researchers Sansec have claimed.

They claim roughly 5% of all websites powered by these platforms have already been hacked by the vulnerability, dubbed “CosmicSting”, with up to five new ones being added every hour in what they claim is the “worst bug” to hit the two platforms in years.

Chaining flaws

The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-34102 with a severity score of 9.8/10 (critical), is described as “improper restriction of XML external entity reference (XXE)” flaw.

The patch for the flaw was released in June 2024, while CISA added it to its KEV catalog in July, however newer attacks, observed from August onward, were chaining CosmicSting with a vulnerability called CNEXT, and tracked as CVE-2024-2961. Together, these two bugs grant the attackers the ability to run code remotely, and essentially take over the entire system.

The researchers identified at least seven groups that were taking advantage of these vulnerabilities. The groups are not exactly household names in the cybercriminal community - Bobry, Polyovki, Surki, Burunduki, Ondatry, Khomyaki, and Belki. Regardless of their status, they are still a formidable foe, since at least one used CosmicSting with CNEXT to plant skimmer malware to the victim websites.

Skimmers work by stealing payment information during the checkout process, and sending it to the attackers. Crooks can either sell the credit card data on the black market, or use it to fund additional campaigns. Every now and then, we see ad campaigns on Google, Facebook, and elsewhere, promoting malicious websites and programs, and the majority of those campaigns are funded like this.

"Merchants are strongly advised to upgrade to the latest version of Magento or Adobe Commerce," Sansec said. "They should also rotate secret encryption keys, and ensure that old keys are invalidated."

Via TheHackerNews

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Windows 11 24H2 is not long out and already there’s trouble brewing in the bug department, with some PC gamers finding themselves affected by frustrating issues.

So far, the 24H2 update has had a limited rollout (to Windows 11 PCs, that is – Copilot+ PCs ran 24H2 from the get-go, though not with all of its features, we should add, plus a bunch of new AI abilities are now inbound). Still, that cautious deployment hasn’t stopped some problems with 24H2 from rearing their heads, predictably enough, and a couple of these are hitting PC gamers specifically.

According to the Windows release health status dashboard, there’s an issue with Asphalt 8, and a bigger potential problem with some games running Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC). That includes some very popular games such as Fortnite and Apex Legends, for example.

As Microsoft explains: “Some devices using Easy Anti-Cheat stop responding and receive a blue screen.”

Note that not every EAC game is affected, and only those titles running an older version of the anti-cheating tool aren’t playing nice with Windows 11 24H2. Tom’s Hardware reports that versions of EAC that date back before April 2024 will get a ‘Memory Management’ Blue Screen of Death (a complete lock-up, in other words).

Also note that AMD Ryzen processors are not affected, just PCs with Intel CPUs (and not older chips either – only Alder Lake processors or newer from Team Blue).

The Asphalt 8 bug is more straightforward in that it could, from time to time, freeze up and stop responding.

As a result, compatibility holds have been put on PCs that have Asphalt 8 installed, or an out-of-date version of Easy Anti-Cheat, to prevent them from running into trouble.

If you fall into those categories, you won’t get Windows 11 24H2 – and won’t be able to see it in Windows Update – until Microsoft irons out these incompatibility flaws.

(Image credit: Gameloft) Analysis: Sugar on the asphalt

There’s not much you can do about Asphalt 8, except remove the game if you’re desperate for Windows 11’s 24H2 update (though you may still have to wait for it, anyway, given the phased rollout).

In the case of Easy Anti-Cheat, you can try installing the latest patch for any given game that uses this tool – in the hope that the utility is updated within that patch. In that scenario, with a more recent Easy Anti-Cheat version, you’ll hopefully no longer suffer from the glitch.

To be fair to Microsoft, in this case, you’d hope that any developer would have bundled the latest version of Easy Anti-Cheat with their game’s most recent update, and games shouldn’t be running an EAC version from six months ago (or older). If the dev hasn’t pushed a recent EAC build with game updates, that isn’t Microsoft’s fault.

Elsewhere there are some non-gaming problems Microsoft has flagged up with Windows 11 24H2. That includes fingerprint sensors becoming erratic, apps that customize wallpapers causing chaos, and other compatibility issues with PCs that have the Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) driver.

There are no real showstoppers in evidence right off the bat, though, which is obviously something of a relief, though it’s still early days for the 24H2 update. As noted, only a limited number of Windows 11 users have 24H2 thus far.

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What do you do when you are the biggest online retailer in the world, the owner of the largest ecommerce platform ever built, and you already have a successful franchise that you want to replicate? How about going for a radically different franchise that is likely to confuse the hell out of your audience of hundreds of millions?

That’s exactly what Amazon did with its Amazon Prime Big Deal Days (which starts on October 8). Amazon Prime Day is a well-established, perfectly functional event that has been going for almost a decade (it launched on Amazon’s 20th anniversary in 2015).

The introduction back in October 2022, of Big Deal Days (which some also call Big Deals Day), was viewed by many as a cynical-but-pragmatic move from the retailer to suck some of the air out of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday - which takes place six weeks later.

The peak trading period, as it turned out, has become more and more congested with hundreds of other retailers crowding the online landscape. Compelling buyers to spend their hard-earned cache before Black Friday means that rivals like Walmart or Best Buy would have less to contend with.

Ironically, Amazon was the pioneer that kickstarted the whole online BF/CM bonanza, with other retailers jumping on that bandwagon over the years once it became obvious how lucrative that venture could become.

October Prime Day or Big Day Deals?

The internet has spoken, loud and clear. October Prime Day (OPD) is by far the preferred way to refer to Big Day Deals (BDD), according to Google Trends. In 2023 worldwide, OPD gathered nearly 60% more search volume compared to the other search query, during the Big Day Deals week and Google predicts that this will get worse in 2024.

What is even more interesting is that in the US, the biggest territory for Amazon, the gap between the two is even higher, with search volume OPD almost twice as high as BDD in 2023. 2024 is set to be even more lopsided with Google Trends expecting OPD to be three times more popular than its counterpart.

The same trend happens on YouTube, another Google property that has become a popular battleground for all things Prime Day (October or July); Big Deal Days still lags its unofficial moniker by a country mile and there’s nothing Amazon can seemingly do to reverse the trend.

A changing landscape

The first day of Prime Day in July 2023 was Amazon’s single biggest sales day in its history. There was no such announcement in 2024, which may hint at a slowing down of the global economy. With more than 200 million paid Prime subscribers, Amazon is a bit of a bellwether for economists.

Dropping the Big Deal Days label for just October Prime Day may help boost sales by simplifying the messaging across Amazon’s sprawling marketing ecosystem. This could help reduce the current confusion across its millions of customers while strengthening the overall Prime Day brand. I wouldn’t discount a third such annual event in a near future. Rinse and repeat.

Google just announced huge AI updates for Search and Lens, catapulting everyone into an artificially intelligent future whether you like it or not.

Google Search will now be organized by AI, helping you get the results you want faster. The company announced the rollout will begin in the US starting with recipes and meal inspiration on mobile devices like the best iPhone.

Google also announced a new design for AI Overviews that brings links into the summary and make it easier for users to access the websites they are looking for. Not only will you now have links in AI Overviews, but Google is incorporating ads into AI search results and Lens. This means you’ll get recommendations of products related to your prompts, not just summaries and links to helpful webpages.

AI organized search results Google" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K8Cc85f6YBXE3aQRBZ3EGW.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3141" height="1767" attribution="" endorsement="" class="">

(Image credit: Google)

Lens’ major AI updates include a new Voice Search and Video Search, giving you even more ways to use Google’s eyes to do your online searching. Google says you’ll be able to upload videos directly to Lens and ask AI about moving objects.

Google’s example is a trip to the aquarium where you upload a video of the fish in a tank and ask, “Why are they swimming together?” Lens can then produce an AI overview with all the information you need.

Voice Search will act similarly, allowing you to converse with Lens in a way that's similar to ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode and Gemini Live. New ways to interact with Lens are not the only AI updates coming to the platform, however.

Google is adding a significant shopping update that will let you take pictures of products out in the wild and quickly get a new results page with key information on the product and which retailers you can buy it from. All of these updates to Google Lens are now available globally in the Google app for Android and iOS.

(Image credit: Google) Circle to Search for everyone

(Image credit: Google)

Last but not least, Android fans have a new way to interact with Google Search with the arrival of Circle to Search on ‘more than 150 million Android devices.’ Not only will Circle to Search be accessible to more users, but Google has announced that Circle to Search can now identify songs in movies and other audio heard while browsing the web. Hear a song you like in a YouTube video, just simply circle the video and search to get the song title.

Google’s major AI updates

Google’s announcements today usher in a new era for Google Search and Lens, which emphasizes that users will just have to come to terms with the AI revolution. With better AI optimization in search results and new ways to search by using video or voice, it’s clear that Google sees AI as a pillar in the future of the company’s search engine.

AI has slowly been implemented into our regular search results and with constant optimizations, like the addition of links in today’s updates, it’s only a matter of time before you won’t have a choice but to use an artificially intelligent search engine.

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Amazon has just announced new Fire HD 8 tablets with better specs and cameras at an incredibly low starting price – assuming you buy one soon.

The new Fire HD 8 tablets come in two models – 32GB of storage with 3GB of RAM in Black, Hibiscus (Pink) or Emerald for $99.99 / £99.99 with lock screen ads, or $114.99 / £109.99 without. If you need more storage, you can get 64GB with 4GB of RAM that comes in Black for $129 .99 / £124.99 with ads or $144.99 / £134.99 without ads.

Both models’ storage can be expanded with an SD card, boast 13 hours of battery, and have a new 5MP rear camera for taking snaps.

There are also two new Kids' versions that come with a protective case, no ads, six months of Amazon Kids Plus, and a two-year warranty. The new Fire HD 8 Kids costs $139.99 / £149.99, and the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro is $139.99 / £149.99. Both also come with a long-lasting 13-hour battery and a 5MP rear camera.

Beyond the new hardware, there are new AI features coming to these – and Amazon's other Fire tablets – including a writing assistant and a custom wallpaper creator.

The only area that doesn’t seem to have received an upgrade is arguably the Fire HD 8’s weakest feature – at least based on our three-star Fire HD 8 (2022) review – and that’s the display.

While it is technically ‘HD’ at 1280 x 800, it’s not the full-HD (1080p) that we want. This means that while playing games or watching shows on the tablet is a passable experience, using the tablet for reading isn’t ideal though.

On sale already

If the display issue doesn’t put you off picking up a new Amazon tablet, then you might want to act fast. Even if you’re someone who usually likes to wait for Amazon Prime Day for a discount – Amazon Big Deal day, which is taking place on October 8 to October 9 – this time you don’t have to because from now through October 9 the new Fire HD 8 tablets are all up to 50% off.

The cheapest model starts as low as $54.99 / £49.99, which is not bad at all for a brand-new tablet.

Just make sure that you’re buying the ‘New Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet’ which released in 2024. Amazon US and UK are still listing the 2022 versions for sale, and rather unhelpfully (at least at the time of writing) the 2022 model still has a sign on its page saying “You’re viewing the newest model of this product.” It nearly caught us out while we were writing up this story, so make sure you don’t get caught out if you’re actually planning to buy one of the new tablets.

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There are times when you might want to let someone else temporarily use your iPhone – to take a picture of you, for example – without giving them access to everything on your device. But right now, that’s not really possible in iOS 18.

That could all change in the future, though, as a recently published patent indicates that Apple is thinking about bringing some form of “guest access” mode to future iPhones. If it comes to fruition, it could solve a thorny issue that’s been bugging iPhone users for years.

According to the patent, an iPhone's owner could set up a guest mode for other users. This mode would have restricted access to apps and files, with the device owner deciding what is accessible to guest users and what is not. The idea is that you can still let someone else use your iPhone without the risk of them messing with (or deleting) something important.

The patent states that access could be granted to the second user once they are authenticated in some way. This might provide an extra layer of security so that not just anyone can access the guest mode. As well as that, you may be able to control guest access from a second device (like another iPhone or iPad), enabling you to change settings on the fly from a separate location.

Gaining a handy feature from macOS

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Apple has never implemented a feature like this in its iPhones, although a few related alternatives exist. For instance, iOS 18 introduced hidden and locked apps, which can be concealed from view or secured behind a passcode. Similarly, iOS contains a Guided Access feature, although this locks your device into using a single app rather than a suite that you’ve decided on, like in the guest access patent.

The patent idea could help bring some level of parity between the iPhone and the Mac, at least in this area. Mac users have been able to create guest accounts for years, helping to keep vital apps, documents, and operating system functions sequestered away from those who don’t need to access them. Now, iOS users might be able to do the same thing at some point in the future.

It could also bring benefits to the iPad. Apple’s tablets are often used as gaming devices for children or as home-control hubs, and a guest mode would help keep them focused on the tasks they’re being used for without being as restrictive as Guided Access mode.

That said, this is just a patent, and there’s no guarantee that Apple will ever implement it in an actual iPhone. The company frequently files patents for experimental ideas that it ultimately declines to pursue, and this could be another example.

Still, we’re hoping it does eventually make it into iOS to give iPhone users more control over how other people use their devices.

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J Allard, the co-founder of Xbox, has officially joined Amazon as vice president of devices and services.

As reported by GeekWire, the first sign of Allard's career change came from his LinkedIn profile where his latest role was updated to read "vp, product - amazon".

Amazon has since confirmed the news to the publication, stating that Allard has joined the company’s Devices and Services team, the division responsible for Alexa and Echo devices, among other products.

Speaking to The Verge, Allard confirmed his new role but was unable to discuss the projects he'll be working on, saying it's "too early to have anything to say" beyond Amazon's "new ideas".

Allard worked at Microsoft from 1991 to 2010. As chief experience officer and chief technology officer of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, he co-founded Xbox, which was released in 2001, Xbox Live, Live Arcade, and 2005's Xbox 360.

He also helped launch more than 40 products at the company, including the Zune portable media player, as well as had a hand in Windows NT and Microsoft's Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

After leaving Microsoft in 2010, Allard spent time running his own company called Project 529, a community-led service that specializes in combating bike theft and promoting cycling.

Allard rejoined the gaming industry in 2020 at Intellivision Entertainment as the global managing director but left the company a year later.

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The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added a known Ivanti bug to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, signalling that it’s being actively abused in the wild.

The bug that was just added is an SQL Injection vulnerability, found this spring in the Core server of Ivanti Endpoint Manager (EPM) 2022 SU5 and prior. It grants an unauthenticated attacker within the same network the ability to run arbitrary code. It is tracked as CVE-2024-29824, and has a severity score of 9.6 (critical).

Federal agencies now have three weeks to apply the patch, or stop using the product altogether - and organizations in the private sector should take note, too.

Renewed commitment to security

Ivanti Endpoint Manager (EPM) is a software solution designed for IT asset management, offering tools to manage, secure, and troubleshoot endpoints like desktops, laptops, and mobile devices across an organization. It helps automate patching, software distribution, and inventory control, and supports Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and different IoT operating systems.

The company says it patched the vulnerability in May 2024, together with five other RCE flaws. It, too, recently confirmed observing attacks in the wild: "At the time of this update, we are aware of a limited number of customers who have been exploited," the company concluded.

Ivanti is a major technology provider in the B2B sector, with over 40,000 customers globally, and clients spanning various industries, including government, healthcare, education, financial services, and more. These organizations use Ivanti's solutions for IT management, security, and asset management, and as such, they are a major target for cybercriminals.

In recent years, Ivanti has been at the center of much controversy, since many of its products were found to be severely flawed. In response, Ivanti CEO Jeff Abbott issued an open letter to customers and partners in April 2024, promising a renewed commitment to security.

Via BleepingComputer

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Full spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8.

The Rings of Power's Cynthia Addai-Robinson has suggested that the Númenórean civil war between Míriel and Pharazôn isn't over yet.

Before 'Shadow and Flame', aka The Rings of Power season 2's final episode, aired on Prime Video today (October 3), Addai-Robinson and I spoke, in late September, about where this season's concluding chapter leaves Míriel and how it sets up the rest of her story that's yet to play out in the hit series.

So far, Amazon's prequel show has done a stellar job of fleshing out the character of Míriel. Indeed, in J.R.R. Tolkien's supplementary Lord of the Rings literature, little is actually written about Númenor's next true heir, with the texts simply stating that she was forced to marry Pharazôn after he usurped her and seized the island kingdom's throne. Okay, there's a bit more to Míriel's story than that, but I'd be getting into full-blown spoiler territory for Númenórean events to come, so I won't divulge how her story ends.

Míriel may be in chains right now, but I don't suspect that'll remain the case (Image credit: Prime Video)

Regardless, Míriel has had a more prominent and active role in The Rings of Power's Númenor-based narrative. I'll spare myself the trouble of recounting her journey so far, but 'Shadow and Flame' certainly sets up some fascinating story threads heading into one of the best Prime Video shows' next installment. Okay, The Rings of Power season 3 hasn't been officially announced, but its showrunners are "working on it" as I speak, so it's inevitable that another season is on the cards.

What lies in store for Míriel after season 2's final episode, then? After all, she's last seen – in chains, may I add – standing before Pharazôn as one of his lackey's in Lord Belzagar rattles off a bunch of apparent charges on her rap sheet. Remember, after gazing into Númenor's palantir in episode 7, Pharazôn alleged Míriel was in league with Sauron, which is just the latest in a long line of accusations that have been brought against her. 

So, is she going to be imprisoned permanently? Does Pharazôn plan on marrying her as he does in The Lord of the Rings' wider source material? Or, like it's done numerous times already, is The Rings of Power going to deviate from its literary works and do something different with Míriel? Understandably, Addai-Robinson wasn't at liberty to say too much, but she did drop some big hints about what's to come in season 3 and beyond.

Míriel and Elendil's story isn't over yet, folks (Image credit: Prime Video)

"If you know Númenórean lore, here's an order of events to come," she told me. "And I try not to have, or hold tight to, any expectations, but I think it's fair to say that modern audiences have certain expectations so, if certain things aren't executed with a modern lens, they could feel a bit retrograde, dare I say.

"What I love about our show is we've not only got these amazing actresses, but also female characters who have agency. So, I think the idea of her being locked away and having that simply be [is wrong]. She's made this active choice [to fight] and she's clear on that choice. I love that she's intelligent and understands people, and Pharazôn in particular, so she can let him believe that he's ahead of the game [when he's not].

"She's absolutely plotting and planning her course, so I'm excited to see where all of that goes. I also think she deserves a bit of a break! But, ultimately, the story of Númenor is a tragic tale, so she's not going to get one."

Clearly, we're going to see much more of Númenor's civil war in this TV adaptation than I expected – especially now that Míriel has sent Elendil, with the legendary sword Narsil in hand, to rally The Faithful and try to take back the island realm from Pharazôn and The King's Men. You can read more about Míriel's gifting of Narsil to Elendil in my Rings of Power season 2 ending explainer, among other important details about events in 'Shadow and Flame' and what it sets up for season 3. Alternatively, check out some of my other season 2 finale exclusives below.

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Apple TV Plus has announced some sweet news: the hit mystery thriller Sugar is coming back for season 2.

Prior to seeing Colin Farrell as ruthless Gotham criminal Oz Cobb in The Penguin, he was on the right side of the law playing LA private investigator John Sugar who's tasked with finding Olivia Siegel, the granddaughter of a legendary Hollywood producer. As Sugar digs deeper into the case, he unearths dark Siegel family secrets that could put him in danger.

Sugar landed on one of the best streaming services earlier this year and was hailed as “one of the best neo-noir thrillers in years” by ScreenRant. Ahead of its debut, Apple promised that the show would have a "contemporary" and "unique" take on the private detective genre – and it certainly stayed true to the claim. Thanks to a wild twist halfway through the series, the genre-bending Sugar soon broke into Apple TV Plus' hugely successful sci-fi TV show utopia.

What can we expect in Sugar season 2?

According to the Apple TV Plus press release, season 2 of the best Apple TV Plus show "will see Sugar back in Los Angeles, taking on another missing persons case as he continues to look for answers surrounding his missing sister."

Sugar isn't the only sci-fi show receiving a highly-anticipated second season, with dystopian drama Silo, psychological thriller Severance and mind-bending book-to-screen adaptation Dark Matter all set to return.

Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV Plus, said of Sugar's renewal: "Since its premiere, audiences have been gripped by the mysteries and twists of Sugar, with an incredible performance by Colin Farrell at the center. Colin, Simon Kinberg, Audrey Chon and the entire team behind this series have brilliantly blended genres to create a compelling, can’t-miss series that keeps viewers guessing, and we cannot wait to see where Detective John Sugar finds himself in season two."

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