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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, July 3 (game #487).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #488) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… ... Let's have a picnic!

NYT Strands today (game #488) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• BARN
• LORE
• BUGS
• STAR
• TRACE
• SNORE

NYT Strands today (game #488) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #488) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 4th column

Last side: bottom, 4th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #488) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #488, are…

• BURGERS
• SALAD
• COLESLAW
• BRATS
• BEANS
• WATERMELON
• SPANGRAM: BARBECUE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I roared through today’s word search at rapid speed. Most likely because I’m hungry and I’d love a BURGER – not one from a BARBECUE, though. In my experience that’s a bad idea. But also because there was little to challenge us here beyond the twisty-turny WATERMELON.

It may be different in the United States, where people who don’t usually cook have more opportunities to practice burning meat, but in the UK a barbecue is a rare event that usually results in some form of drama caused by drinking in the sunshine alongside a long list of food hygiene infringements.

Again, most likely different in other parts of the world, but the traditional British barbecued burger is burnt to a crisp on the outside and raw, bordering on still frozen, on the inside – and served on a bun that is chemically closer to rubber than bread. Strangely, I don't feel hungry anymore.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, July 3, game #487)

• CHERRY
• COFFEE
• BUTTERSCOTCH
• BROWNIE
• PISTACHIO
• SPANGRAM: ICE CREAM

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, July 3 (game #753).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #754) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• DRAB
• BLOW
• MISS
• SPOKE
• TIRE
• DUCT
• WASTE
• FATIGUE
• EXHAUST
• RIM
• KHAKI
• HOSE
• LOSE
• PIPE
• HUB
• CAMO

NYT Connections today (game #754) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Circular car component
• GREEN: Army garments 
• BLUE: Let it flow
• PURPLE: A chance that slipped away

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #754) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A WHEEL 
• GREEN: MILITARY CLOTHING DESCRIPTORS 
• BLUE: USED IN VENTILATION 
• PURPLE: FAIL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, AS AN OPPORTUNITY 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #754) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #754, are…

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A WHEEL HUB, RIM, SPOKE, TIRE
• GREEN: MILITARY CLOTHING DESCRIPTORS CAMO, DRAB, FATIGUE, KHAKI
• BLUE: USED IN VENTILATION DUCT, EXHAUST, HOSE, PIPE
• PURPLE: FAIL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, AS AN OPPORTUNITY BLOW, LOSE, MISS, WASTE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

After a terrible streak it felt good to complete a round of Connections without making a mistake. 

I can only conclude that today’s edition was an unusually easy one; even the purple group would be at yellow-level on some days. 

My only pause for thought was over MILITARY CLOTHING DESCRIPTORS; CAMO, FATIGUE, and KHAKI all seemed common enough, but DRAB was a guess based on how dull army clothing is.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, July 3, game #753)

• YELLOW: CORRESPONDENCE CONTACT, DEALINGS, EXCHANGE, INTERACTION
• GREEN: AIRPORT BOARD INFO ARRIVAL, DESTINATION, FLIGHT, GATE
• BLUE: PRO ATHLETE DATA COLLEGE, NUMBER, POSITION, TEAM
• PURPLE: FARMERS' THINGS ALMANAC, INSURANCE, MARKET, TAN

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, July 3 (game #1256).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1257) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1257) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1257) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1257) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1257) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• F

• S

• G

• F

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1257) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1257, are…

• FAVOR
• SKUNK
• GAWKY
• FLUFF

Today was a great example of a mistake leading to a tricky answer I might not have solved otherwise. I incorrectly guessed “snuff” instead of SKUNK and the F-F ending opened up FLUFF.

Incidentally, fluff is one of a small number of five-letter words with just three unique letters. Only one English five letter word has two unique letters. Don’t know it? Ask your mamma.

Sorry for the terrible dad joke.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1257) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1257, are…

• THEME
• MULCH
• DEUCE
• OCCUR

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1256, Thursday, 3 July: DANCE, EYING, GLAZE, EGRET
• Quordle #1255, Wednesday, 2 July: INANE, SCOUR, ELITE, ULCER
• Quordle #1254, Tuesday, 1 July: REBAR, YEARN, FORTH, CROWD
• Quordle #1253, Monday, 30 June: INGOT, INFER, TAPIR, CLUED
• Quordle #1252, Sunday, 29 June: MIRTH, APTLY, SCRUB, SMACK
• Quordle #1251, Saturday, 28 June: AWOKE, SMOKY, DEVIL, SWING
• Quordle #1250, Friday, 27 June: SPEAK, EAGLE, AVERT, SUING
• Quordle #1249, Thursday, 26 June: SLUMP, REBUS, GUAVA, MONEY
• Quordle #1248, Wednesday, 25 June: SOGGY, CLASH, MODEM, SQUAD
• Quordle #1247, Tuesday, 24 June: QUALM, SQUIB, AXIAL, FLACK
• Quordle #1246, Monday, 23 June: PIXEL, FJORD, STEAL, EXIST
• Quordle #1245, Sunday, 22 June: WREST, CRAZE, PAPAL, SCION
• Quordle #1244, Saturday, 21 June: BUDDY, GROUT, BEGIN, MADAM
• Quordle #1243, Friday, 20 June: BRAID, DULLY, HASTE, LURID
• Quordle #1242, Thursday, 19 June: BRUSH, ISLET, FRUIT, PRIVY
• Quordle #1241, Wednesday, 18 June: MEDIA, SHARK, GUPPY, MOURN
• Quordle #1240, Tuesday, 17 June: LEAPT, PRISM, ADMIN, WHINE
• Quordle #1239, Monday, 16 June: RETRY, SCALD, DINGO, FEIGN
• Quordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVEN
• Quordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONIC

• Hackers are actively targeting a messaging app used by federal agencies
• The app was also involved in the Signalgate scandal
• Hackers have already stolen chats and metadata from 60 government officials

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has warned a popular Signal messaging app clone being used by federal agencies is under attack.

The clone, TeleMessage, was found to have some serious issues, including a lack of proper end-to-end encryption.

Hackers have been exploiting two flaws, CVE-2025-48927 and CVE-2025-48928, to access federal chat logs and metadata. CISA has given federal agencies until July 22 to apply patches.

Federal chat app hacked

The new comes months after then-US national security advisor Mike Waltz accidentally added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief at The Atlantic, to a secret Signal chat discussing ongoing US strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Waltz was then removed from his position as a result.

Following investigations into the fiasco, it emerged that Waltz and others weren’t using Signal, but a clone of the app called TM SGNL, which was developed by TeleMessage.

The app was then subsequently targeted in an attack that saw the chat logs and metadata of around 60 government officials including Secret Service members and a White House official leaked online.

The first flaw listed by CISA, CVE-2025-48927, has a CVSS score of 5.3, and allows hackers to extract sensitive data from memory dumps exposed by a Spring Boot Actuator misconfiguration in the TeleMessage app that exposes the /heapdump endpoint.

The second flaw, CVE-2025-48928, has a CVSS score of 4.0, and allows an attacker to access exposed passwords sent over HTTP by stealing a memory-dump file through local access to the TeleMessage server.

No other details on the flaws have been released by CISA, but the agency has said that federal agencies must patch the app by July 22 or stop using it altogether.

Via The Register

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• AMD's RX 9070 XT is now considerably faster than it was at launch
• It's 9% quicker, in fact, with the latest graphics driver compared to the initial release
• That's based on benchmarking across a suite of games conducted by Hardware Unboxed, and those results are broadly reflected elsewhere, too

AMD's RX 9070 XT graphics card is considerably faster than it was when the GPU first launched thanks to improvements in Team Red's drivers, going by some new testing.

This comes from Hardware Unboxed on YouTube (as highlighted by VideoCardz), which had seen reports of performance boosts and wanted to verify those claims.

And they turned out to be correct, because based on benchmarks conducted across a suite of 16 games (at 1440p resolution) by Hardware Unboxed, the RX 9070 XT was 9% faster than with its launch graphics drivers (from back in March 2025).

This game benchmarking used the latest AMD Adrenalin graphics driver (version 25.6.3), but also included Nvidia's RTX 5070 Ti not just for perspective, but also to ensure that these gains were achieved due to the drivers.

This was to eliminate the possibility that the near-10% boost witnessed by the RX 9070 XT might have been the result of patches applied to the games. So, if the RTX 5070 Ti had shown similar gains, the conclusion would be that this was down to game, not driver, optimizations – but that isn't the case.

Granted, with some games, the RTX 5070 Ti witnessed similar frame-rate gains to AMD's graphics card, which could indicate that those improvements were indeed down to an update for the game (or multiple updates over time). Or indeed that Nvidia's drivers have improved, too, by a similar amount, which is of course perfectly possible. There were some victories for the RTX 5070 Ti, as well, though they were more outliers, like a 36% gain in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (which was due to a bug fix).

The broad thrust of Hardware Unboxed's findings, though, is that the RX 9070 XT does considerably better, with the mentioned 9% boost (going from 116 frames per second to 126 on average) compared to a gain of 2.5% (119 frames per second to 122) for Nvidia's upper-mid-range GPU. That include a 27% speed gain for the AMD graphics card in Spider-Man Remastered.

Analysis: AMD's increasingly tempting value proposition

Of course, there are a lot of moving parts here in terms of the games chosen to be tested and graphics settings applied (and the test PC configuration). There wasn't much difference at 4K resolution, it's worth noting, with a 4% gain for the 9070 XT versus 3% for the 5070 Ti.

So, this is hardly a definitive result, and we should exercise some caution around it. Still, the difference at 1440p appears to be large enough to warrant some raised eyebrows, and these kinds of gains have been observed elsewhere, too, as noted.

It appears, then, that AMD has made considerable progress in honing its Adrenalin graphics drivers – much more so than Nvidia – since the RDNA 4 range of graphics cards was launched. Or, to a certain extent, this could reflect Team Red smoothing out wonkiness with performance at lower resolutions (given that the boost at 4K is much less, and barely any different to what Nvidia has managed with the RTX 5070 Ti).

This is great news for those who bought an RX 9070 XT already, of course, and effectively a substantial free speed boost, as it were. It's also evidence of the 'fine wine' effect that's commonly associated with AMD drivers, meaning they age very well as time goes on.

What about the situation for those who are looking at buying either an RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT? For starters, they can check out our head-to-head comparison of those GPUs, but performance-wise in this Hardware Unboxed test, there's not much between them.

At 1440p – the resolution these graphics cards will mostly be used at – AMD has pulled its socks up a good deal as noted, and the 9070 XT is now the faster board, but only by 3%. There are other arguments in favor of Nvidia, too, around the benefits of DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation, so it's a very close battle here.

That means, then, that pricing is absolutely key – and of course regional price tags, too – and this is where AMD scores the win, certainly in the US, UK and Australia. At Newegg US currently, the Nvidia GPU is 20% more expensive (it's normally more, though), and in Australia the gulf is more like 30%. Wherever you live, the story is likely to be very similar, unless you can find a really good outlier of a deal on the RTX 5070 Ti (like this one in the UK currently).

And given that, unless you're really hungry for DLSS 4, the RX 9070 XT is now looking very much the stronger of these GPUs in terms of that all-important overall price/performance ratio.

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• Microsoft reportedly set for another round of job cuts
• Next move could see 6,000 cut from the company's Gaming division
• The cuts make up less than 4% of Microsoft's global headcount

Microsoft is cutting 9,000 jobs with most of those facing the ax being employed in the Gaming division.

“We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace,” a Microsoft spokesperson said (via CNBC).

The job cuts seek to reduce the layers of managers standing between individual contributors and top executives, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC.

Microsoft reveals another round of cuts

Cutting jobs seems to be the growing trend for many large companies, with Microsoft cutting just under 1% of its workforce in January 2025.

Another 6,000 workers, mostly programmers, were cut in May and a further 300 jobs cut in June.

Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s CEO of gaming, wrote in a Wednesday memo, “To position Gaming for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas, we will end or decrease work in certain areas of the business and follow Microsoft’s lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness.”

Amazon has also gone through several waves of layoffs this year, with CEO Andy Jassy repeatedly saying that AI could replace some of its workers.

For Microsoft though, the layoffs are more to do with improving business performance and reducing internal friction.

Intel has also lined up a significant wave of layoffs, with the company looking to cut 15-20% of its factory workforce.

Intel already laid off 15,000 people in August 2024. But while Intel has been struggling with declining revenues and market performance, Microsoft reported nearly $26 billion in net income on $70 billion in revenue for the March quarter.

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Presumed Innocent season 2: key information

- Renewed in July 2024
- Rachel Brosnahan cast as lead star
- Jake Gyllenhaal to return as executive producer
- Release date currently unknown
- Plot to follow Jo Murray's Dissection of a Murder
- No official trailer yet

Presumed Innocent season 2 is on the way, which is not surprising given the prodigious success of Apple TV+'s dark and twisting adaptation of the Scott Turow novel of the same name.

And while viewers had yet to find out whether Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal) did or didn’t murder his mistress, it seems they never will. A new lead star has been cast with a whole new plot to follow. So, there's plenty to talk about that doesn't concern Rusty at all.

It's one of the best Apple TV+ shows and as we look ahead to what season 2 has to offer for this gripping procedural drama before it returns to one of the best streaming services. Here's what we can expect from release date, plot details, confirmed cast, trailer speculation and more.

Presumed Innocent season 2 release date

New season. New case.Presumed Innocent has been renewed for season 2. pic.twitter.com/FeKFmAWueiJuly 12, 2024

There's no Presumed Innocent season 2 release date just yet, but with the official renewal from Apple TV+ happening back in July 2024, it doesn't feel too far away.

I'd predict we'll be seeing season 2 around early 2026, but I'll be sure to update here as soon as I hear any news.

Presumed Innocent season 2 trailer

New season. New case.Presumed Innocent has been renewed for season 2. pic.twitter.com/FeKFmAWueiJuly 12, 2024

Unfortunately, it's not going to take a district attorney to work out that a Presumed Innocent season 2 trailer won’t be expected until a few weeks before the show drops on Apple TV+. But, I'll post it here when it does.

Presumed Innocent season 2 cast

A post shared by Apple TV (@appletv)

A photo posted by on

Full spoilers to follow for Presumed Innocent season 1.

The only confirmed Presumed Innocent cast member so far is Rachel Brosnahan as Leila Reynolds. In June, it was officially revealed by Apple TV that she would be taking on the lead role for season 2.

Despite Gyllenhaal playing the lead in this series, it seems very unlikely that he'll return as Rusty for season 2 given there will be an entirely new storyline (more on this below).

But, he will be staying on as an executive producer alongside David E. Kelley, J.J. Abrams and Scott Turrow.

And while Peter Sarsgaard played Tommy Molto in season 1, he was very clear about his position on returning for season 2, as reported by IndieWire: “I’m not really that interested in sequels. I think I’ve only ever done one season of anything… I think I’m a one-season person.”

That doesn't mean there can't be any crossover though, as Deadline revealed: "There had been an idea for a character or two from Season 1 to carry over for continuity in the vein of HBO's The White Lotus; it is unclear whether that is still a possibility". Though reps from Apple TV+ and WBTV declined to comment.

Presumed Innocent season 2 plot details & rumors

A new season and a new courtroom (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

As discussed in the cast section, Presumed Innocent season 2 will be based on an entirely new source material. While Scott Turrow is on board as co-executive producer, it won't be another of his books that season 2 will follow.

Instead, it has been confirmed that it will be based on the debut legal thriller Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray. And that is, in part, due to the fact there was no clear path for season 2.

As per the Pan Macmillan's official synopsis, we have a great insight into the plot: "When Leila Reynolds is handed her first murder case, she's shocked at how high-profile it is: the murder of a well-respected, well-known judge.

"This shouldn't be the kind of case she's leading; it's way beyond her expertise. But the defendant, Jack Millman, is clear. He wants her, and only her.

"To make things worse, he's refusing to talk. How is she supposed to prove herself on what appears to be an unwinnable case?"

Oh, and Deadline also revealed that the prosecutor in Leila's case is also her husband. Adding: "Things are still in flux but Dissection of a Murder is expected to serve as inspiration for the second season of what is shaping up to be a true anthology series."

Will there be more seasons of Presumed Innocent?

Presumed Innocent season 2 paves the way for an anthology (Image credit: Apple TV+)

There's no news of any future seasons of Presumed Innocent, but that shouldn't come as a shock since there's not even a season 2 release date yet.

What we do know is that the popular Apple TV+ drama is shaping up to become an anthology series, which does create a much wider scope for any future seasons and their subsequent plots.

As always, I imagine it'll depend on the success of season 2 before a decision is made around more. But, since season 2 was renewed two weeks before season 1 concluded, there's every hope that there'll be more to come.

For more Apple TV+ coverage, read our guides on Severance season 3, Ted Lasso season 4, Silo season 3, and Slow Horses season 5.

• Catwatchful data leak affects 62,000 victims, including 26,000 victims' phone data
• The dodgy developer outed himself by reusing an email address
• Google has committed to warning users about the app

Security researcher Eric Daigle has revealed information about a serious data breach affecting Catwatchful, an Android spyware app disguised as a child monitoring tool.

A full user database with plaintext passwords and email addresses affecting over 62,000 users has been leaked as a result, with phone data like messages, photos, location, mic and camera feeds also putting 26,000 victims at risk.

According to the report, the spyware app runs in stealth mode hidden from users, collecting and uploading information.

Catwatchful app is full of spyware

As is typical from stalkerware like this, Catwatchful is an app that operates outside of the Play Store, requiring physical installation via a process known as sideloading.

The app's admin, Uruguay-based developer Omar Soca Charcov, has been exposed because the email he used for Catwatchful had been reused on LinkedIn.

Daigle also noted that Charcov's admin account was the first record in the breached database, with password recovery linked to his personal email address.

The data was stored on Google Firebase, sent via a custom API that was unauthenticated, resulting in open access to user and victim data. The report also confirms that, although hosting had initially been suspended by HostGator, it had been restored via another temporary domain.

Most affected devices affect users in Mexico, Colombia, India, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia.

Daigle was able to exploit a SQL injection vulnerability to get access to the database, leading him to conclude that Firebase was not the source of the vulnerability, but rather the API.

Google has been notified, and although the app isn't distributed on the Play Store, the company has added Google Play Protect alerts for Catwatchful.

To stay protected from threats like this, it’s important to use the best antivirus software, reliable malware removal tools, and strong endpoint protection.

Even well-known apps and tools can have flaws, so running trusted security software and keeping all apps current helps reduce the risk of malware slipping through unnoticed.

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• Nvidia and AMD 8GB GPUs sales numbers are low at a German retailer
• The Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti and AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB models have sold significantly higher
• It's a strong indication that gamers prefer GPUs with more VRAM

We're now deep into Nvidia and AMD's new GPU launches, with the former recently releasing the new low-end RTX 5050 8GB GPU. However, one retailer has made it alarmingly clear that consumers are looking elsewhere for gaming GPUs.

As reported by Wccftech, a German retailer, Mindfactory, has a low number of units sold on Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (8GB) and the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT (8GB), noticeably less than their 16GB counterparts – this is thanks to the retailer showing how many units have been sold on each product.

Essentially, it's an indication that PC gamers don't want 8GB GPUs, or at least a large majority prefer GPUs with more VRAM capacities. While it could also be a suggestion of low availability, that's not been an issue for these lower-end GPUs in most regions recently, with inflated prices throwing consumers off.

It's not a secret that games are becoming more VRAM-hungry, and while 8GB isn't completely useless (it's still relevant for 1080p gaming), it's not the best option for games today. Frame Generation, which would significantly help performance with 8GB GPUs where necessary, increases VRAM consumption – and that's the last thing these GPUs need.

Analysis: Hopefully, this is the last generation of 8GB GPUs...Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Mindfactory)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Mindfactory)

So far, Intel appears to be the only one among the three major tech giants to abandon 8GB GPUs. AMD and Nvidia have stuck with 8GB configurations for their new GPUs, and if I'm honest, I don't see any benefit to it.

Again, I'm not suggesting 8GB GPUs are pointless; there's certainly a significant number of PC gamers on a budget who don't need mid to high-tier hardware, which is where an 8GB card would make sense. However, the current trend of poor performance in PC games, combined with inflated prices of GPUs above their retail price, makes these graphics cards a hard sell.

The only place I would tolerate 8GB GPUs being used is in low-end and affordable gaming laptops. Laptop GPUs don't match up to discrete desktop GPUs performance-wise, so expectations of decent frame rates are expected. But it's not the same case when you build a desktop rig, where you expect a bang for your buck – and I don't think 8GB of VRAM can achieve that.

It's all besides the point, though, as the simple case of more VRAM-hungry games should be enough to put an end to 8GB cards. I'm just hopeful this generation will be the last we see of them...

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• An unannounced MMO from The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Game Studios has been canceled
• The project is just one of many that have been canceled amid mass layoffs at Microsoft
• ZeniMax Game Studios head Matt Firor has also stepped down

Microsoft has canceled an unannounced massively multiplayer game (MMO) from The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Game Studios.

This comes amid mass layoffs at Microsoft that have seen 9,000 staff members affected, as well as multiple other games to be canceled, including Perfect Dark and Everwild.

The project, code-named Blackbird, was said to be an MMO and a brand new IP unrelated to The Elder Scrolls or Fallout. Development began in 2018 and has been in the works for seven years. It appears that the team has also been cut as part of the layoffs.

According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier on Bluesky, "some employees at ZeniMax Online Studios are now watching their Slack accounts abruptly get locked out," and they've received no word from HR or been informed about the status of their employment, "just an ominous Slack deactivation."

In addition, ZeniMax Game Studios' head Matt Firor has stepped down from his position and been replaced by Joseph Burba.

"After more than 18 years leading ZeniMax Online Studios, I'll be stepping away later this month," Firor said on X / Twitter.

"While I won't be working on the game anymore, I will be cheering you on and adding to the thousands of hours I've already spent in-game. There are many more stories to be told, adventures to be had, and I know this amazing community will carry that shared legacy and success forwards."

Please read this update from ZOS President, Matt Firor. pic.twitter.com/M00G1QZZrHJuly 2, 2025

Jill Braff, head of studio for Bethesda and ZeniMax, also shared a staff memo announcing the leadership changes while also commenting on the latest job cuts (via IGN).

"Dear Team. Building on Matt’s note below, I first want to take a moment to acknowledge the changes happening today across Microsoft Gaming, including Bethesda/ZeniMax," Braff wrote.

"Saying goodbye to talented colleagues and friends is painful. These individuals have contributed meaningfully to our studios, our games, and our culture. I want to thank them for the contributions they have made that shaped our journey as a team and as a company.

"I also want to share today that Matt Firor has decided to step down from his role as the head of ZeniMax Online Studios, effective July 14. I want to offer heartfelt thanks to Matt for his incredible leadership of ZOS over the last 18 years. As a driving force behind the success of The Elder Scrolls Online, Matt has grown the game into one of the most enduring and beloved MMOs in the industry."

He continues, writing, "I’m pleased to announce that Joseph ('Jo') Burba will be taking over for Matt Firor as the new Studio Director for ZOS. With over 20 years in the industry, his extensive experience in live service multiplayer titles, and a strong background in various roles across ZOS the past thirteen years, Jo is well-prepared to lead the team into its next chapter.

"Matt, Jo, and I will work together to finalize our transition plan – more to come soon. In the meantime, please join me in wishing Matt all the best and congratulating Jo on his new role. Thank you to all of you for your dedication to Bethesda/ZeniMax, our community, and to each other."

Braff references a prior memo from the head of Xbox Game Studios, Matt Booty, in which he confirmed the many game cancellations, the closure of developer The Initiative, and the cancellation of "several unannounced projects".

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• Oracle will more than double its cloud revenue in FY2028 with a $30 billion deal
• OpenAI's Project Stargate will see $500 billion invested across the US
• The AI firm is set to lease an additional 4.5GW from Oracle

OpenAI has said it is set to lease an additional 4.5 gigawatts of data center power on top of its current portfolio from Oracle to fuel its upcoming Project Stargate – a major initiative to expand its AI data center infrastructure across the United States.

The huge deal is part of OpenAI's $500 billion plan announced in January 2025 alongside major partners including Oracle and SoftBank.

With Oracle CEO Safra Catz recently revealing the company has secured a major contract worth $30 billion in annual revenue, many are beginning to speculate whether OpenAI could be the cloud giant's biggest client.

OpenAI to rent even more data center power from Oracle

Although OpenAI failed to share specific details about Project Stargate, we do know that it centers around a $500 billion investment spanning four years, beginning with an initial $100 billion investment.

We also know that Oracle has plans to build new data centers in Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin and Wyoming, with further sites in New Mexico, Georgia, Ohio and Pennsylvania also potentially on the cards (via Bloomberg), which broadly aligns with Project Stargate's plans to "secure American leadership in AI" and "support the re-industrialization of the United States."

Commenting during the company's fiscal 2025 earnings release – a period when total company revenue rose 8% – Catz wrote: "FY25 was a very good year—but we believe FY26 will be even better as our revenue growth rates will be dramatically higher."

"Oracle is well on its way to being not only the world’s largest cloud application company—but also one of the world’s largest cloud infrastructure companies," Catz added. Oracle has a market cap of $645.98 billion, putting it several paces behind its key multi trillion-dollar hyperscaler rivals.

Oracle did not respond to TechRadar Pro's request for a comment on the mystery $30 billion deal, which is set to come into play in fiscal 2028.

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• Some Pixel 6a units will soon have much worse battery performance
• Affected users can claim a free battery replacement, or may be able to get cash
• Other Pixel models could be next in line

Usually, software updates bring desirable new features or bug fixes, but one upcoming Google Pixel 6a update could actually make your phone worse.

Google has announced that it will be rolling out a mandatory update to some Pixel 6a models, which “will reduce battery capacity and charging performance” after the phone reaches 400 charging cycles. So if your phone isn’t yet at 400 charging cycles then these changes won’t kick in yet, even once you download the update.

There are good reasons for these changes though, with Google stating that this will “reduce the risk of potential battery overheating which could pose a risk to users” – and we know how that can play out, as there have been multiple reports of Pixel 6a units catching fire.

Still, a battery that charges slower and needs charging more often than before isn’t exactly going to be desirable to users.

The Google Pixel 6a (Image credit: Future)

This update will start rolling out on July 8 as part of Android 16 – so at least you’ll get some Android 16 goodies to go with your battery downgrade.

Interestingly though, only some Pixel 6a units will get these new battery management ‘features’. It’s unclear why that is – perhaps Google used different batteries in some versions of the phone, but to see whether yours is affected, you can head to this support page.

If it is, then you will have some options other than just putting up with a battery downgrade.

For one thing, if you’re in the UK, US, or select other locations then Google will let you get a battery replacement at no charge. Alternatively, you may be able to claim either a discount off a new Pixel or a cash payment – though the exact amount of cash/discount and availability of these options hasn’t yet been disclosed.

Not the first and maybe not the last

Worryingly, the Google Pixel 6a might not be the last device to get this battery weakening update. It wasn’t the first, with Google applying a similar update to some Pixel 4a models back in January, so that’s reason enough to think that more models might endure this in future.

But that’s not the only reason to think this could apply to other models too, as Android Authority has also found evidence in a teardown of Google’s Settings Services app that devices with poor battery health will be forced to use the company's Battery Health Assistance feature, which reduces capacity and charging speeds as the battery ages.

This feature is so far optional, other than in the case of the Google Pixel 9a, which has it permanently enabled.

The only silver lining to all this – other than these changes minimizing the risk of your phone catching fire – is that at least in the case of the Pixel 6a and Pixel 4a, these mandatory battery updates have only applied to select units.

So it’s possible your phone has a less troublesome battery that won’t ever need these changes, but this does rather make it sound like Google might want to change some of its battery suppliers.

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• The Galaxy tri-fold could go on sale by the end of 2025
• A new report tips a 10-inch screen and a Snapdragon processor
• We can expect a high price and limited availability

We've been patiently waiting for the Samsung tri-fold phone to launch since it was briefly teased back in January, but a new report suggests the waiting isn't over yet – while also hinting at some of the key specs of the foldable.

This information comes from South Korean outlet The Bell (via well-known tipster @Jukanlosreve), and perhaps the most interesting detail here is that mass production of the device will begin in September. That means it should be available to buy sometime in the fourth quarter of 2025 (October, November, or December).

The report matches up with what we've previously heard about the tri-fold arriving later than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 – which have a single fold to split the main display into two panels. These foldables should be unveiled at the next Unpacked event on Wednesday, July 9, and go on sale shortly after.

From this latest report, it sounds as though Samsung may announce some details of the Galaxy tri-fold at the July 9 event, even if it won't be on sale for a while. Previous rumors have suggested it could be called the Samsung Galaxy G Fold.

It's going to cost you

The Huawei Mate XT is already in the wild (Image credit: Huawei)

The article from The Bell goes on to say that Samsung is only manufacturing a relatively small number of these tri-fold phones – it's apparently more of a tech demonstration showcase than a handset that's expected to shift a significant number of units.

There's also a mention of a high price for the tri-fold, which is to be expected given the technical complexity here. That will affect sales too, and earlier rumors pointed to an asking price of $3,000-$3,500 (about £2,195-£2,560 or AU$4,560-AU$5,320), as well as suggesting that the Galaxy G Fold is only going on sale in South Korea and China.

We've previously seen the Huawei Mate XT tri-fold go on sale for around the price of four PS5 Pros, so it's no surprise that Samsung's equivalent is going to cost a significant amount of cash. The Huawei model is currently only available in a limited number of Asian countries, which is perhaps another indicator of what Samsung might do.

We should get a few more official details next Wednesday, and of course we'll be covering the launch live. The Bell says the Samsung tri-fold will feature a 10-inch screen and run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, matching up with previous leaks.

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• HPE's $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks has now completed
• EU and UK approval came quickly, US approval not so much
• The networking business could account for 50% of revenue

More than 18 months after HPE initially disclosed plans to acquire Juniper Networks, and several regulatory hurdles later, the merger has now been completed.

With Juniper's shares ceasing trading on the NYSE and HPE's networking business set to double, HPE hopes the $14 billion acquisition will allow it to focus on higher-margin, higher-growth areas, creating "long-term profitable revenue growth."

The news comes shortly after the US Department of Justice approved the merger, subject to two key conditions which require HPE to divest its Instant On business and auction a license for Juniper’s AI Ops for Mist source code.

HPE-Juniper merger is now complete

"In addition to positioning HPE to offer our customers a modern network architecture alternative and an even more differentiated and complete portfolio across hybrid cloud, AI, and networking, this combination accelerates our profitable growth strategy as we deepen our customer relevance and expand our total addressable market into attractive adjacent areas," HPE CEO Antonio Neri commented.

Juniper Networks CEO Rami Rahim described the merger as an, "opportunity to disrupt the networking industry at the most important and relevant time."

HPE noted that the merger aligns with its vision for customers to access silicon, hardware, operating system, security, software and services all in one place.

Looking ahead, HPE envisions the combined networking business to contribute to more than half of the company's entire operating income, which stood at $7.6 billion, up 6%, in its most recent quarter.

Despite some conditions imposed by the DOJ, HPE was quick to gain approval from the European Commission, which found "no competition concerns in the European Economic Area" nearly a year ago. Just a couple of weeks later, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority also granted approval to the deal.

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• Apple has added more child protection features to FaceTime in iOS 26
• The latest one blurs videos when it detects nudity is present
• It currently affects adult accounts too, but that might be a bug

Apple has been adding parental control features that are designed to protect minors for years now, and it looks like a new one has just been found in the iOS 26 beta. Yet it’s turning out to be pretty controversial, as there are concerns that it could be something of an overreach on Apple’s part.

Specifically, the new feature has been added to the FaceTime video-calling app. When FaceTime detects that someone is undressing on the call, it pauses the call and instead displays a warning message that reads: “Audio and video are paused because you may be showing something sensitive. If you feel uncomfortable, you should end the call.” There are then buttons labeled “Resume Audio and Video,” and “End Call.”

At its WWDC 2025 in June, Apple published a press release covering new ways its systems will protect children and young people online. The release included a feature that lines up the new FaceTime behavior: “Communication Safety expands to intervene when nudity is detected in FaceTime video calls, and to blur out nudity in Shared Albums in Photos.”

The actual implementation was noted by iDeviceHelp on X. Below the post, @user_101524 added that the feature can be found in the Settings app in iOS 26 by going to Apps > FaceTime > Sensitive Content Warning.

By default, the feature is disabled, so it needs to be switched on by the user, but that hasn't stopped it from stirring up online debate...

Generating controversy

(Image credit: iDeviceHelp / Future)

While this new feature might seem sensible, it has actually generated a degree of controversy. That’s because right now, it seems to affect all users of iOS 26, not just those who are using a child account. This has ruffled some feathers among people who feel that Apple is potentially censoring the behavior of consenting adults.

As well as that, some users have questioned how Apple knows what is being displayed on-screen and whether the company has access to customer video calls. On this point, Apple has said the following:

“Communication Safety uses on-device machine learning to analyze photo and video attachments and determine if a photo or video appears to contain nudity. Because the photos and videos are analyzed on your child’s device, Apple doesn’t receive an indication that nudity was detected and doesn’t get access to the photos or videos as a result.”

Like many of Apple’s features, the on-device processing means that content is not sent to Apple’s servers and is not accessible by the company. Rather, it is using artificial intelligence (AI) to flag video content that likely contains nudity, then censoring it.

The fact that Apple’s Communication Safety features are aimed at protecting minors suggests that this latest FaceTime feature might not be intended to cover adults as well as children. Its inclusion on all accounts, therefore, might be an oversight or bug. While we don’t know for sure, we should find out by September when iOS 26 comes out of beta and releases in full to the public.

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• More layoffs are underway at Xbox
• Perfect Dark developer The Initiative has been shuttered, on top of other game cancelations and cuts
• Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said Xbox has "never looked stronger" in an email to staff

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer claimed that the Xbox "platform, hardware, and game roadmap have never looked stronger" amid a studio closures, game cancelations, and widespread layoffs.

As reported by Bloomberg, Microsoft's gaming division has been hit by significant layoffs. This includes job cuts at mobile game maker King, ZeniMax, Rare, Halo Studios, and Turn 10 Studios.

The upcoming Rare game Everwild has seemingly been culled, as has an unannounced game from The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios. The planned Perfect Dark reboot has been canned too, with the studio behind it, The Initiative, shut down.

In an email sent to staff, Spencer said that these decisions were intended "to position gaming for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas" plus "increase agility and effectiveness" overall.

"I recognize that these changes come at a time when we have more players, games, and gaming hours than ever before. Our platform, hardware, and game roadmap have never looked stronger. The success we're seeing currently is based on tough decisions we've made previously," he continued.

These "tough decisions" presumably include previous studio closures and layoffs, such as the shuttering Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Games, Roundhouse Games, and Tango Gameworks last year.

"We must make choices now for continued success in future years and a key part of that strategy is the discipline to prioritize the strongest opportunities. We will protect what is thriving and concentrate effort on areas with the greatest potential, while delivering on the expectations the company has for our business. This focused approach means we can deliver exceptional games and experiences for players for generations to come."

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When it comes to cleaning habits, opinions vary massively. I manage all the floorcare articles on TechRadar, and while I have some of the very best vacuum cleaners in my cupboard, and spend a lot more time thinking about vacuuming than the average person, that doesn't mean I'm actually doing it that regularly.

To find out if my cleaning habits are up to scratch, I decided to find out – from a cleaning expert – exactly how often we should all be vacuuming our floors. I spoke to Kiril Natov, a carpet and upholstery cleaning technician and CEO of cleaning company Premium Clean, with 18 years of experience in the industry. Here's what he had to say…

How often should you vacuum carpets?

"Aim to vacuum carpets at least twice a week, even if they don't appear dirty," suggests Natov. If you have pets or children, he recommends upping that frequency.

Does it matter what kind of vacuum you use? "For cut pile carpets, use a vacuum with a beater bar or brush to enhance cleaning," Natov advises. A beater bar is just a rotating roller within the cleaner head, often with bristles, which helps agitate the carpet fibers. When the TechRadar team is recommending the best vacuums for carpet, we also look for models that have enough suction to pull up dust and debris that's wedged deeper into the carpet.

Natov also suggests you could use a robovac. My experience is that even today's best robot vacuums don't have enough suction to really deep clean carpet, but they are great for staying on top of regular, light cleans.

A beater bar will help agitate the carpet fibers (Image credit: Future)How often should you vacuum hard floor?

"We recommend vacuuming hardwood floors once a week," says Natov. He suggests using your vacuum's hard floor setting if it has one.

What kind of vacuum should you use for hard floors? "Any vacuum can suck dust, hair, and crumbs off your hardwood, tile, or vinyl floors, but some models do it better than others," says Natov. "To avoid scattering debris or possibly damaging delicate flooring, look for a vacuum that either lets you switch off the spinning brush roll or has a special cleaner head with soft bristles."

My own top picks for the best vacuum cleaners for hardwood floor are models that include a dedicated fluffy floor head – as Natov says, these are perfect for cleaning dust and debris from the surface of even delicate hard floors. Examples include the Dyson V15 Detect and the Dreame R20.

For hard floors, look for a vacuum with a dedicated soft roller – Dyson's version comes with a laser to highlight dust (Image credit: Future)How often should you vacuum your sofa?

"We recommend vacuuming the furniture and upholstery fabric once a month," says Natov, noting that pet owners might want to increase that to fortnightly. He suggests paying special attention to your sofa – it's one of the most high-traffic areas in your home, so it's bound to pick up dirt and dust.

When it comes to cleaning furniture and upholstery, it's all about the attachments. If you're buying a cordless vacuum, look for one with a mini motorized cleaner head – kind of like a shrunk-down version of the main floor head. This will help you cover larger, uneven surfaces like sofa cushions.

A mini motorized tool is ideal for cleaning sofas and other soft furnishings (Image credit: Future)

Natov's final hot tip for ensuring a thorough clean is to stay on top of vacuum cleaner maintenance. Clean your filters regularly (and make sure they're completely dry before putting them back into the machine – or your vacuum will start to smell), replace filters in line with manufacturer guidelines, stay on top of emptying the dust cup, and don't forget to clean the attachments, too.

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• Kaspersky recently analyzed FunkSec, a new ransomware group
• This group uses AI to generate code in the encryptors and other tools
• Ransomware is steadily growing as a threat

The future of ransomware threats lies in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), as hackers are increasingly using the nascent technology to improve and streamline their coding processes, experts have warned.

The latest State of Ransomware report from Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) analyzed FunkSec, a relatively new ransomware group, first spotted in late 2024.

Despite its junior status, FunkSec already made a name for itself, “quickly surpassing many established actors by targeting government, technology, finance and education sectors across Europe and Asia,” Kaspersky said.

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Lowering the barrier for entry

Analyzing the code in its products, the researchers determined that the group is actively using GenAI.

Telltale signs include generic placeholder comments (for example “placeholder for actual check”) and technical inconsistencies (commands for different operating systems that don’t align), they said.

Furthermore, they observed declared but unused functions such as modules included upfront but never utilized, which is something large language models are apparently used to doing.

“More and more, we see cybercriminals leveraging AI to develop malicious tools. Generative AI lowers barriers and accelerates malware creation, enabling cybercriminals to adapt their tactics faster. By reducing the entry threshold, AI allows even less experienced attackers to quickly develop sophisticated malware at scale,” said Marc Rivero, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky’s GReAT.

AI-powered attacks will probably require AI-powered defenses, as well. Today, many of the best antivirus and endpoint protection services use AI and machine learning, mostly to detect threats that traditional signature-based methods would miss.

Companies like CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Sophos, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Palo Alto Networks, and many others, are vocal about their AI/ML capabilities, often emphasizing speed, accuracy, and lower false positives compared to legacy solutions.

In this report, Kaspersky recommended users enable ransomware protection for all endpoints, keep everything updated, and focus defense strategies on detecting lateral movements and data exfiltration, among other things.

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• Xbox has canceled Everwild, Perfect Dark, and an unannounced game from ZeniMax
• Perfect Dark developer, The Initiative, has also been shuttered
• Layoffs have occurred at several studios

Microsoft has once again made significant cuts to its gaming division, as Xbox cancels a handful of games, closes a studio, and performs yet another round of mass layoffs.

As reported by Bloomberg, Xbox has closed down studio The Initiative and subsequently canceled the upcoming Perfect Dark reboot. Rare's Everwild has also been canceled, as well as an unannounced online title from The Elder Scrolls Online developer Zenimax Online Studios.

Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, has said in an email to Xbox staff that the cuts “reflect a broader effort to adjust priorities and focus resources to set up our teams for greater success within a changing industry landscape.”

To facilitate these adjustments, Xbox has reportedly laid off staff across a number of its studios. These include ZeniMax, Candy Crush maker King, Call of Duty support studios Raven Software and Sledgehammer Games, Forza Motorsport developer Turn 10 Studios, and Halo Studios which is responsible for the wider Halo franchise.

In total, it seems that a harrowing 9,000 staff members have been affected by the cuts. Back in May 2025, Microsoft also cut an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 employees from its workforce, meaning the company has potentially let around 15,000 staff go in this year alone - a terrifyingly high number.

It's not the first time Xbox has elected to close entire studios, either. Last year, the company shuttered Arkane Austin, as well as Alpha Dog Games, Roundhouse Games, and perhaps most controversially, Tango Gameworks. Thankfully, the Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within developer was able to be rehoused under South Korean publisher Krafton, but not every studio was so lucky.

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• Leaked photos show the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 from various angles
• You can see it in a stylish blue shade, and it looks very thin
• Another leak suggests the phone will only have an IP48 rating

At this point, we’ve seen numerous leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, but so far we haven’t seen much in the way of photos. One leaked photo showed the back of the phone, but that was about it – until now.

Today, @Jukanlosreve – who has a great track record for leaks – has shared photos showing the front, back, and sides of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, and while the details are no different to what we’ve already seen in renders, the phone looks much better in the flesh.

You can see that it’s in a blue shade here, which could be the ‘Blue Shadow’ that we’ve previously heard might be one of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 colors – though from the name we’d expect that to be darker.

Z Fold 7 pic.twitter.com/h8EhC7LbTPJuly 3, 2025

In any case, you can also see a triple-lens camera, and one of the photos provides a good look at just how slim this phone might be.

Previous leaks disagree on exactly how thin it will be, with sources pointing to anything from 3.9mm to 4.5mm when unfolded, but anywhere in that range would make it a lot thinner than the 5.6mm thick Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

A dust disappointment

Fold7 IP48 pic.twitter.com/o9icyqDTmfJuly 2, 2025

In other Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 news a leaked energy rating label shared by @MysteryLupin lists it as having an IP48 rating. That’s the same as the current model, and is at odds with some earlier leaks that pointed to better dust resistance.

If the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 does have this rating, then while it will be able to survive submersion in water to depths of 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes, it will only have minimal dust resistance, so that would be disappointing.

We suspect this leaked label is correct though, since foldable phones always struggle with dust resistance, and since leaker @PandaFlashPro also recently claimed it has an IP48 rating.

We should find out for sure soon, as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is set to launch on July 9, alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7.

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