TechRadar News

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep, the second animated film set in Netflix's Witcher-Verse, won't be releasing this year after all.

Announced in a Geeked Week 2024 video starring voice actor Doug Cockle, who reprises his iconic role as Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher videogame series in the forthcoming film, Sirens of the Deep won't arrive before 2024 ends. Instead, it'll now aim to cast a spell on viewers worldwide on February 11, 2025.

The movie's official release date was revealed alongside a new clip, which shows Geralt and Jaskier, another fan-favorite character from The Witcher, enjoying a meal by a campfire as they discuss Essi, a rival bard and friend of Jaskier's.

Sirens of the Deep was expected to launch on the world's best streaming service sometime in late 2024. Indeed, Netflix said as much upon The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep's official unveiling last November, but the streaming titan has, for reasons unknown, handed the adult animated flick a revised launch date.

For anyone who needs to know, Sirens of the Deep is based on 'A Little Sacrifice', a short story companion piece to Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher book series that expands on Geralt's adventures across The Continent. Per a Netflix press blast that was released alongside the movie's official announcement in late 2023, it'll see the famous monster hunter "investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village" before Geralt "finds himself drawn into a centuries-old conflict between humans and merpeople". It'll be up to everyone's favorite mutant, and allies old and new, to prevent all-out war erupting between the land-dwelling and sea-faring kingdoms. 

Joining Cockle on the voice cast roster is Christina Wren (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), who'll voice Essi. Joey Batey and Anya Chalotra, who play Jaskier and Yennefer in Netflix's live-action take on The Witcher novels, will voice their respective characters in Sirens of the Deep, too.

A temporary hiatus for Netflix's flagship fantasy franchise

The Witcher season 4 is in the midst of its filming schedule (Image credit: Netflix)

With The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep not due to launch until early next year, 2024 will be the first proper year where Netflix won't release a new Witcher-Verse project.

Indeed, since The Witcher's first season debuted in late 2019, Netflix's live-action and animated retellings of Sapkowski's adored book series has always delivered something new for new and established fans to enjoy and/or bristle with frustration over. The aforementioned debut of one of the best Netflix shows notwithstanding, 2021 saw The Witcher season 2 and The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf unleashed on the world, 2022 gave us the critically-panned The Witcher: Blood Origin, and 2023 saw fans bid farewell to Henry Cavill after his final outing as Geralt in The Witcher season 3.

2020 was the only other year when a new Witcher production didn't see the light of day, but there were mitigating circumstances, with the pandemic heavily impacting season 2's development. If not for Covid-19, then, Netflix likely would've released a new season or standalone production, every year for the past five years.

As it stands, with Sirens of the Deep not releasing until February 2025, The Witcher season 4 in the middle of its development cycle, and The Rats' live-action spin-off being cancelled, there'll be no Continent-based jaunts for viewers to check out. Still, with The Witcher suffering from diminishing returns on the critical and commercial front, taking a year off may be a blessing in disguise. After all, thanks to the 2023 Hollywood strikes, Marvel was forced to reduce its output in 2024, and look at how the MCU's flagging fortunes have turned around as a result. Why can't Netflix's Witcher-Verse enjoy a similar renaissance period in 2025 with Sirens of the Deep and, if it's ready, The Witcher season 4?

You might also like

• The Witcher season 4 clip reveals first look at Liam Hemsworth's Geralt, and fans have thoughts on Henry Cavill's successor
• Castlevania: Nocturne season 2's Netflix release window has been confirmed, but it won't terrify us in time for Halloween
• Netflix renews Emily in Paris for season 5 – so move over Gabriel, I'm rooting for her new Italian beau

The US government has initiated a new round of sanctions against commercial spyware makers and their organizations.

In a press release published by the US Department of the Treasury, the country's government outlined further punishments on Intellexa executives, associates, and organizations that were part of the consortium.

In March 2024, the US government sanctioned Intellexa Consortium, a company that developed and sold the notorious Predator spyware. The group consists of Intellexa S.A. (Greece), Intellexa Limited (Ireland), Cytrox AD (North Macedonia), Cytrox Holdings ZRT (Hungary), and Thalestris Limited (Ireland).

Executives and firms

Predator is a piece of commercial spyware that grants access to data stored and transmitted from target devices such as smartphones. It is a potent piece of malware that works without victim interaction, and was allegedly often sold to authoritarian governments targeting political opponents, dissidents, journalists, human rights activists, and similar individuals.

At the time, the US government also sanctioned the group’s founder, Tal Jonathan Dilian, as well as Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, a corporate off-shoring specialist providing managerial services. This week, five new people were added to the list, and another company.

The people are Felix Bitzios (an owner of a company that supplied Predator to an unnamed foreign country), Merom Harpaz and Panagiota Karaoli (top executives in the consortium), Andrea Nicola Constantino Hermes Gambazzi (the beneficial owner of Thalestris Limited and Intellexa Limited, members of the Intellexa Consortium), and Artemis Artemiou (Artemiou) (general manager and member of the board of Cytrox Holdings Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag).

Among the sanctioned entities is now Aliada Group, a British Virgin Islands-based company and member of the Intellexa Consortium. The Treasury claims this form enabled “tens of millions of dollars of transactions involving the network”.

“The United States will not tolerate the reckless propagation of disruptive technologies that threatens our national security and undermines the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens,” said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. “We will continue to hold accountable those that seek to enable the proliferation of exploitative technologies, while also encouraging the responsible development of technologies that align with international standards.”

More from TechRadar Pro

• US sanctions top spyware maker over claims it targeted thousands of Americans
• Here's a list of the best firewall software around today
• These are the best endpoint security tools right now

As part of its LogiPlay 2024 event, gaming hardware brand Logitech G has unveiled a new line of Racing Series products. This collection of sim racer gear includes a new wheel hub, a range of customizable wheels, and more.

The most significant new arrival is the Logitech G RS Wheel Hub, which is designed for versatility and wide compatibility with a range of racing titles. It features customizable RGB lighting and adjustable gear shifters and is compatible with any wheels from the Racing Series in addition to some newly announced Logitech G x Momo steering wheels.

There will be a dedicated PC version of the Logitech G RS Wheel Hub that will cost $129.99 / around £100 and an Xbox and PC variant that will come in at a slightly more expensive $149.99 / around £115. Logitech G states that both versions of the RS Wheel Hub will also function on other platforms depending on the compatibility of the Wheel Base that they are attached to.

The Logitech G RS Track Wheel has also been announced, a lightweight wheel that is compatible with the Logitech G RS Wheel Hub out of the box. It features an ergonomic design fashioned from aluminum and TPU with a breathable grip pattern that is ideal for endurance and performance over lengthy races.

Those who prefer a more traditional wheel shape should take note of the Logitech G RS Round Wheel. As the name would suggest, this new wheel is round and designed for virtual rally racing. It is constructed using silicone leather and lightweight aluminum and is also compatible with the Logitech G RS Wheel Hub. Both the Logitech G RS Track Wheel and Logitech G RS Round Wheel will cost $69.99 / around £55.

Of course, no setup would be complete without a gear shifter and handbrake. The new Logitech G RS Shifter & Handbrake offers seamless two-in-one switching that allows you to alternate between sequential shifter and handbrake functions. It also comes with a range of mounting options and a height-adjustable handle to make it easier to position comfortably.

Two can be paired for use as a separate dedicated shifter and handbrake, which seems ideal for those craving the most realistic possible feel. The Logitech G RS Shifter & Handbrake will be the most expensive entry in the Racing Series, coming in at $149.99 / £129.99.

Finally, the brand has also announced the Logitech G RS QR adapter. This adapter is compatible with a range of Logitech G Pro racing bases and, according to the manufacturer, almost any steering wheel option. It allows you to use the vast majority of 70mm and 50.8mm PCD steering wheels with your PC, giving you total customizability and control over your setup. It will cost $59.99 / around £45.

All products in the Racing Series will be available on September 17 via the Logitech G website. Although far from cheap, many Logitech G products rank among some of the best racing wheels and best Xbox racing wheels on the market right now so these new peripherals are well worth keeping an eye on.

You might also like...

• Our guide to the best racing games right now
• PS5 Pro: everything you need to know
• PS5 Pro pre-orders – here's when you can buy one, and the likeliest retailers to try

As part of this year’s Logi Play 2024 event, gaming hardware manufacturer Logitech G has unveiled the Astro A50 Gen 5, a brand new multi-platform gaming headset.

Joining the existing Astro A50 X, the Astro A50 5th Generation Wireless Gaming Headset and Base Station is intended as a streamlined alternative with many of the same premium features. This includes Playsync Audio, which allows for seamless platform switching via a USB-C connection to the headset’s charging base station. The Astro A50 X, in contrast, offers both audio and HDMI video switching together.

The Astro A50 Gen 5 boasts Pro-G Graphene audio drivers, which are also found in the Astro A50 X. I was very impressed with the audio quality of that latter headset in my Astro A50 X review, so this is definitely a good sign. This is in addition to a 48 kHz high-resolution microphone for more clear communication and, potentially, even livestreaming.

In terms of overall design, the Astro A50 Gen 5 looks an awful lot like the Astro A50 X albeit minus the HDMI ports on its base station. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, as the Astro A50 X feels robust and is incredibly comfortable to wear thanks to its impressively soft memory foam ear cushions. The Astro A50 Gen 5 does introduce some small red highlights, though, which gives it some distinct flair.

Regarding the reveal of the headset, head of marketing for console and cloud at Logitech G Gabriel Whyel said that “the A50 X has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to its beloved design, premium sound, and advanced Playsync audio and video switching technology for the ultimate living room gaming experience. Our new A50 Gen 5 features Playsync audio that focuses on 3-system audio switching via USB, perfect for multi-platform gamers who have their consoles and PC connected to one or more monitors.”

The Astro A50 Gen 5 is compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Up to three systems are supported simultaneously and can be switched between in an instant via a button on the headset, which sounds incredibly convenient.

The headset is available to pre-order now via the Logitech G website and costs $299.99 / £299.99, putting it significantly below the $379.99 / £359 price tag of the Astro A50 X.

You might also like...

• PS5 Pro: everything you need to know
• PS5 Pro pre-orders – here's when you can buy one, and the likeliest retailers to try
• PlayStation Pulse Elite review: excellence in PS5 audio, powered by planar drivers

Gaming hardware brand Logitech G has announced a new multi-year partnership to produce an official Genshin Impact PC gaming line of products at Logi Play 2024. The initial line up includes a number of special edition gaming mice with designs inspired by various Genshin Impact characters.

The first of these to arrive will be a Logitech G309 Lightspeed gaming mouse with a special design based on the icy and majestic Kamisato Ayaka. It’s an eye-catching combination of a white palm grip and pink side buttons, with art of the character and a blue background pattern printed prominently on the main mouse buttons.

Some little details, like a small pink print of the character's name, really elevate the overall look. It features all the bells and whistles of the regular Logitech G309 Lightspeed too, such as its Lightforce hybrid switches, a 600+ hour battery life in Bluetooth mode, and the ability to save up to five on board profiles.

Pre-orders for the mouse are available now via Amazon for $79.99 in the US with shipping expected towards the end of the month. As someone with an entirely blue and pink PC setup, this has already shot straight to the top of my wishlist.

Three new G305 Lightspeed models have also been announced and are expected to arrive early next year. Each is white, with a colorful character print on the main mouse buttons. This includes a baby blue Sayu design, an orange Thoma design, and, my personal favorite, a fiery red Shikanoin Heizou design.

There are also even more Genshin Impact products on the horizon, including headsets, keyboards, and keyboard and mouse bundles.

Regarding the collaboration, vice president of global business development at Genshin Impact developer HoYoverse Fish Ling said that “we are excited to work with Logitech G as both teams share the passion for gaming and technology, and pay great attention to detail.”

“With reliable technology from Logitech G and delicate designs inspired by our beloved Genshin Impact characters,” he continued, “we hope the official Genshin Impact gear can be a helpful companion during the daily and Teyvat adventure for our fans and gamers.”

Alongside this announcement, an update has also been released for the Logitech G Cloud handheld which has enabled built-in controller compatibility in Genshin Impact.

You might also like...

• PS5 Pro: everything you need to know
• The best mouse for CS:GO and CS2 in 2024
• PS5 Pro pre-orders – here's when you can buy one, and the likeliest retailers to try

Toshiba has announced its Mx11 family of hard disk drives, aiming to challenge the dominance of Western Digital and Seagate in the high-capacity storage market.

The new Mx11 series includes the MG11, offering up to 24TB using conventional magnetic recording (CMR), and the MA11, which reaches 28TB with shingled magnetic recording (SMR).

Both models are designed to address the growing demand for storage in data centers and enterprise environments. Featuring a 10-disk, helium-sealed design and operating at 7,200rpm, Toshiba claims these drives offer improved storage density and energy efficiency.

Stiff competition

The MG11 supports cloud, data center, and video applications with options for a 6Gbps SATA or 12Gbps SAS interface, and advanced security features such as sanitize instant erase (SIE) and self-encrypting drives (SED). Built with Toshiba’s FC-MAMR technology, the MG11 is designed for higher density and power efficiency. Engineered for 24/7 reliability, it features a 1GiB buffer, a workload rating of 550TB per year, and an MTTF of 2.5 million hours. With a 9% improvement in sustained transfer speeds, reaching up to 295MiB/s, it is ideal for fast, high-capacity storage applications.

The MA11, focused on higher capacity, achieves up to 28TB per disk by using shingled magnetic recording (SMR) technology. This allows for overlapping tracks on the disk to increase storage density, making the 28TB drive especially suitable for data centers with software optimized for SMR. Like the MG11, the MA11 is available with a 6Gbps SATA interface and self-encrypting drive options for enhanced security.

“Backed by 50 years of continuous HDD innovation, the Mx11 Series delivers new levels of capacity and total cost of ownership (TCO) efficiency, enabling customers to optimize operational costs while expanding their data center infrastructure,” said Larry Martinez-Palomo, Vice President and Head of the Storage Products Division at Toshiba.

Despite the impressive specifications, Toshiba faces stiff competition. Seagate offers the Exos X26z, a 25TB host-managed shingled magnetic recording (HM-SMR) unit, and the Exos Mozaic 3+, a 30TB HDD. Western Digital's offerings include the 24TB WD Gold Enterprise class SATA HDD, as well as 26TB, 27TB, and 28TB models in its Ultrastar DC HC680 range. Larger models are already being developed.

Shipments for the MG11 Series are set to start soon, with the MA11 expected to be available by the end of 2024.

More from TechRadar Pro

• These are the fastest hard drives on offer today
• These are largest SSDs and hard drives you can buy now
• Someone reviewed a stealth HDD that's not supposed to exist

The divide between Apple’s iMessage and the Google Messages app has been the source of much debate ever since iMessage launched in 2011.

iOS 18 – which launched on September 16 and will ship with the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – brings the universal Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol to the iPhone for the first time. 

This means that chats between iPhone and Android users will finally have high-quality media sharing, tapback reactions, audio messages, and other experience-improving features, where previously, these features were restricted to chats conducted within Apple’s ecosystem, or within the Android ecosystem.

RCS has been the standard for Android phones for a while now, and Google is celebrating Apple’s acceptance of RCS as a step in the right direction, treating the rollout as a victory of its #GetTheMessage campaign.

We’ve put together this guide to bring you up to speed on all the ways RCS improves messaging between iPhone and Android – and we've also highlighted a few things we still want to see added. 

How to enable RCS

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

First of all, it’s a good idea to check that RCS is enabled on your iPhone or Android phone. 

On iPhone, head to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging, and slide the toggle to On. 

Most modern Android phones have RCS enabled by default, but to be sure, head to the Google Messages app, tap on your profile picture, scroll down to the Messages Settings section, and tap the RCS chats tab to find a similar toggle. 

Benefits 1. Group chats

(Image credit: Future / Apple)

Creating a group chat between iPhone and Android users without using a third-party app like WhatsApp was previously possible – with some major caveats. 

A group chat between iPhone users offers everyone involved the full set of iMessage features, like audio messages, tapback reactions, and Memoji stickers. Adding an Android user to the mix, however, would previously cause all of these features to disappear, as the entire chat is switched over to MMS.

RCS doesn’t replicate all of the functions of iMessage, but it does at least allow for the sending of high-quality media, audio messages, and a smaller range of tapback reactions.

This has the dual effect of allowing everyone in a group chat to use these modern features, and putting less pressure on Android users who want to join iPhone-only conversations.

2. High-quality media

Messaging between iPhone and Android phones has, until now, been limited to the SMS/MMS standard, which only allows users to send and receive text, images, and videos up to a maximum of 5MB, or 30 seconds for video. 

Due to this small file size limit, media sent over MMS often has to be heavily compressed, meaning the recipient may receive pixelated images and video (for reference, one minute of uncompressed 1080p MP4 video takes up about 20MB).

The RCS standard coming to iPhone supports a maximum file size of 105MB per message, meaning images and video can be sent and received in high quality. That said, you may still need to use a dedicated file transfer or storage service for larger files. 

3. Read receipts 

(Image credit: Beeper)

What’s the one thing worse than being left on read? Not knowing whether you’ve been left on read.

Read receipts – the notes or symbols that tell you when your recipient has seen your message – are a source of certainty that most users take for granted. 

SMS and MMS messages lack the time-stamped read receipts found on nearly every other messaging service. iOS 18 and RCS finally bring this now basic feature to cross-platform messaging.

4. Typing indicators  

(Image credit: Google)

It can be hard to get a sense of the flow of a conversation when you’re looking at a screenful of text, which is why typing indicators are so valuable. 

Often represented as a message bubble containing animated ellipses, these notifications pop up on screen when someone is typing. 

RCS support enables typing indicators for cross-platform messaging, so you’ll be able to see when your friends are getting their responses ready no matter the platform. 

5. Location sharing 

(Image credit: TechRadar)

iMessage, and third party apps like WhatsApp, allow users to share a location within an interactive map, which has become a key feature for safety and convenience.

Apple’s implementation of RCS allows users to share a location pin within text conversations.

This doesn’t match the live tracking functionality of iMessage or third party apps like WhatsApp, but again, it’s a step in the right direction. 

6. Send messages over Wi-Fi 

(Image credit: Apple)

RCS brings more options to stay connected by allowing users to chat over mobile data and Wi-Fi. For comparison, MMS messages can only be sent over a cellular network. 

This has long been a selling point of third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Signal, but these apps lack the ability to access cellular networks. For comparison, iMessage already supported Wi-Fi, mobile data, and cellular network compatibility.

Overall, that's a solid handful of new features, but there is more Apple could do to make RCS messaging on iPhone even better. 

Downsides 1. No encryption – seriously 

(Image credit: Future)

The RCS protocol supports end-to-end encryption, meaning your message is scrambled into code before being sent to the recipient, whose device has the unique key needed to decipher your message. In theory, unencrypted messages can be intercepted by third parties as they are transmitted from sender to receiver. 

As The Verge notes, Apple has opted to use the basic version of RCS – the Universal Profile – to add end-to-end encryption to its implementation of RCS, meaning iMessage is still the only way to send encrypted messages through Apple’s first party service. 

We aren’t a fan of this move by Apple. Companies need to differentiate their products, but doing so by offering suboptimal security is genuinely anti-consumer. 

2. No video calling 

(Image credit: Shutterstock.com / sdx15)

While RCS supports video calling, it’s easy to see why Apple hasn’t included this in its basic messaging service. 

FaceTime was so impactful that this branded name is still used as a generic term for video calling 14 years after it was first introduced. 

Apple likely wants to keep its first-party video calling options centralized. Android users can join FaceTime calls from a web browser via a link sent from an Apple user, but they can’t initiate a call themselves. 

3. Green bubbles are here to stay  

(Image credit: Apple)

The famous – or infamous, depending on who you ask – green text bubbles associated with Android phones are here to stay.

Practically, these green bubbles simply signal that a message originates from outside Apple’s iMessage protocol, but the otherness this implies has inspired enough stigma to fuel an anti-trust case, countless memes, and an entire song by global rap star Drake. 

This effect is probably amplified by Apple’s large market share in the US, which hovers around 55%. A report by Bloomberg Intelligence found that 79% of Generation Z prefer iPhone to Android – this is a demographic which includes teenagers who are growing up increasingly reliant on technology for their social lives.

So, as pointless as the stigma around green texts is, it is real, and we hope that RCS implementation helps to allay this bizarre phenomenon. 

The iPhone 16 lineup is the first to ship with iOS 18, but RCS will be available on all iPhones that support the update, the oldest of which are the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max. 

For tips and updates about all the new features coming to iPhone, be sure to check out our dedicated iOS 18 coverage.

You might also like

• The best cell phone deals for September 2024
• iOS 18 will warn you if your iPhone charger is too slow
• iPhone 16 colors: every shade for every model

Two of the best Netflix shows come together in the new Heartstopper season 3 trailer as Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey transforms from regency rake to celebrity crush for his cameo role in the hit teen romance that's arriving on October 3.

Early 2022 was a special time for the best streaming service. First it was Bailey's Anthony Bridgerton stepping into the spotlight for his will-they-won't-they romance with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) in Bridgerton season 2 and next came Heartstopper. The queer coming-of-age drama adapted from Alice Oseman's graphic novels of the same name was met with critical acclaim, with the series being renewed for a second and third season just one month after its debut.

Now, the two wildly different worlds collide as Bailey takes on the role of Jack Maddox, an Instagram-famous classicist and Charlie Spring’s (Joe Locke) celebrity crush. We got a first look at Bailey's appearance in the new Heartstopper season 3 trailer (see below) as Charlie and his boyfriend Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) meet him at a book launch where a shy Nick struggles to form a sentence, before gushing about how attractive he is.

Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in Bridgerton season 2. (Image credit: Netflix)

That's not the only exciting addition to the cast though as the trailer offered us a first look at Hayley Atwell (Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One) as Nick's aunt Diane who offers him advice about his relationship with Charlie, and Eddie Marsan (Supacell) as Charlie's wise therapist, Geoff.

Meanwhile, the trailer also teases emotional turmoil for Charlie and Nick as they face their biggest challenges yet and we get a glimpse at the other personal struggles the teens are set to face, with Elle (Yasmin Finney) confiding in Tao (William Gao) about her gender dysphoria. Get the tissues ready!

What can we expect in Heartstopper season 3?

Heartstopper series creator and writer Alice Oseman told Tudum that the story for season 3, which was one of most notable projects that was leaked online after a huge Netflix data breach in August, will focus on Nick "beginning to understand the extent of Charlie’s mental health issues". "Mental health, sex, university ambitions, and more: Nick, Charlie, and the Heartstopper teens are getting older, learning more about themselves and each other, and experiencing new desires, new fears, and new joys as they approach adulthood."

Heartstopper season 3 will also offer something new to the dedicated fanbase while still staying true to its core message, as Oseman added: “I’m so excited because it’s going to feel like a really different season, and I love that we are doing something different. It would be easy to be like, ‘Oh, Heartstopper Season 3, let’s just do the same kind of thing that we’ve always done. People like it.’ But we are doing something that will feel very different, and people will be surprised, and I can’t wait.” 

All of our favorite chracters are returning, with Tobie Donovan (Isaac), Corinna Brown (Tara), Kizzy Edgell (Darcy), Rhea Norwood (Imogen), and Jenny Walser (Tori) all navigating the trials and tribulations of being a teenager as they must learn to lean on the people they love when life throws a curveball. We can't wait!

You might also like

• Netflix confirms Bridgerton season 4 is in production – and announces new cast additions after Sophie Baek actor reveal
• Netflix renews Emily in Paris for season 5 – so move over Gabriel, I'm rooting for her new Italian beau
• I can't wait to see Anna Kendrick take on the Dating Game Killer after seeing the trailer for new Netflix movie Woman of the Hour

Google has introduced a new ‘Sanitize’ feature for its operating system for Chromebooks. The feature is part of ChromeOS 128, the most recent version of Google’s operating system that started rolling out earlier this month, and it’s a kind of softer alternative to the existing ‘Powerwash’ ability.

Powerwash works similarly to factory reset functions on other devices. It wipes all user data such as files, any custom settings you’ve applied, and any apps you’ve installed, resulting in the Chromebook being returned to an essentially ‘blank’ state, ready for you to start fresh. 

If you want to clean up your Chromebook without wiping out absolutely everything, that’s what the new Sanitize option is for. Chrome Unboxed spotted the freshly introduced functionality but noted that you won’t find Sanitize by searching in your Chromebook’s settings because it’s that new.

So how do you find it? Just search for the Powerwash option, which will show up, and you’ll see the Sanitize button directly underneath it.

Google hasn’t provided any extensive documentation about this feature yet, but Chrome Unboxed provides a screenshot of a notification that tells us what Sanitize does in a nutshell. It reads:

"Getting unwanted pop-ups, or other unexpected behavior? Sometimes, apps and extensions that you install can change your ChromeOS settings without you knowing.

"This will disable extensions and reset your settings to safe defaults. Tabs, files, and cookies will be preserved."

It sounds pretty straightforward, and will just reset certain settings, leaving your files and installed apps in place. If your Chromebook is acting up, Sanitize will neutralize elements such as browser extensions and any settings that have been modified that might be causing trouble. Hopefully, this will cure your Chromebook of any odd behavior and have it running smoothly again, without needing to do a full reset (where you lose everything).

(Image credit: Unsplash) How Sanitize works in practice

Chrome Unboxed tried out the feature and found that after running Sanitize, a summary window is presented informing the user of what’s been changed. You can then revert any changes you’re not happy with, and also peruse suggestions of other settings to check out should you wish to dive deeper into other possibilities.

For those who don’t customize their Chromebook much, or don’t use a ton of Chrome extensions, this might not be all that big a deal - but it’s still handy to know about.

It’s certainly a useful way to untangle things that might be causing serious problems without doing anything too drastic that affects your device and data. Sanitize is not the most difficult troubleshooting or clean-up process to try, and it’s a handy measure to employ if you’re having issues with your Chromebook, and don’t want to go to Powerwashing extremes.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

• How to use a Chromebook
• Great news for Chromebook users: one of Windows 11’s best features just landed in ChromeOS
• Google Chrome is making it simpler to access passwords across all your devices

Hundreds of thousands of personal documents were left sitting in an unprotected database available to anyone who knew where to look, cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler has claimed.

Talking toWebsitePlanet, Fowler outlined how he discovered the database belongs to FleetPanda, a cloud-based fleet management and dispatch software designed to streamline fuel distribution operations.

The platform offers real-time tracking, automated order management, and seamless integration with various back-office systems.

FleetPanda reacts

The company kept a non-password-protected database containing 780,191 documents, with a total size of 193 GB. It held various .PDF, .JPG, and other files, which contained information on fuel and petroleum shipments to and from different companies, industries, and even pipelines. Other files included invoices, delivery tickets, but also driver applications, high-resolution images of driver’s licenses, and background checks that contained personally identifiable information (PII).

The files were generated between 2019 and August 2024, and were listed as cache files. The invoices also contained billing and delivery information such as bill to, delivered to, delivered by, ticket, PO or order numbers, truck numbers, and other internal identifiers or tracking data.

Fowler said that he disclosed his findings to FleetPanda, which locked the database a few days later - without a word. Therefore, we don’t know how long the database was kept unlocked, if a third party was maintaining it, and if anyone accessed the contents before Fowler did.

We reached out to the company with these questions and will update the article accordingly.

With most companies being “data companies” these days, and with the omnipresence of cloud computing, the majority of firms are holding their data in cloud storage. Therefore, unprotected databases remain one of the most common causes of data leaks.

More from TechRadar Pro

• Top security guard firm exposed over a million files online
• Here's a list of the best firewalls around today
• These are the best endpoint security tools right now

Lego Fortnite's latest update is officially here, introducing a brand-new explorable map called the Lost Isles.

Epic Games released version 31.20 today (September 17) for all platforms, making it the second major expansion for the Lego spin-off within Fortnite.

Lost Isles is quite a hefty patch but the major takeaway is the titular island itself, which players will be able to head to instantly through any Battle Bus Station.

On the island, players will discover five distinct Lego biomes, the Beach, Plains, Jungle, Mountains, and Floating Islands, each one unique in appearance while also featuring their own respective challenges.

Epic teases the Beach as "a great place to pursue relaxation" but with pirates on the prowl, while the Jungle is lush with plants that can heal you, but also ones that can deal damage like the Bomb and Stink Flowers that players can you to defend themselves.

While exploring, players can also find new weapons and gear, like the Pirate Musket, Flint-Knock Pistol, and dynamite-laden Boom Shield, which are standard issue weapons dropped by Pirates.

There's also Throwing Spears from the Peely Tribe found in the Plains, while the Storm-Wild Tomatoes are known for carrying the Explorer's Machete and the Knockback Shield.

The Essence Table has been upgraded to the Rune Forge with the latest update, where players can craft Runes for strengthening tools.

While venturing through the Jungle environment, players may also encounter a new creature called Klombos. Feeding a Klombo a Klomberry can make them a friend and a mount, allowing players to travel greater distances much faster.

(Image credit: Epic Games)

As with every major update, Lost Isles also arrives with a new Battle Pass. Called the Tropical Treasures Lego Pass, this version includes a bunch of unlockable build items for players to obtain.

The Premium Reward Track costs 1,400 V-Bucks and has 11 additional rewards to unlock, while also unlocking rewards from the free reward track.

Here’s how the Tropical Treasures Lego Pass works:

• After selecting the LEGO Fortnite experience in Fortnite, go to the LEGO Pass button in the top navigation.
• Here is where you’ll see the LEGO Pass and a button to view Quests. These Quests are about exploring Lost Isles. Complete them to earn Studs!
• The more Studs you collect, the further you’ll progress in the LEGO Pass! Unlock in-game rewards from the free reward track as you progress. If you want, you can also unlock in-game rewards from the purchasable Premium Reward Track.

You might also like...

• Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 5 release date and Season 4 ending
• Best free games 2024: gaming fun at no cost
• Warhammer 40,000: Darktide may finally be coming to PS5

Google is set to upgrade its post-quantum encryption protection on its web browser desktop with the new Chrome 131 release.

This comes as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) officially released the first three quantum-resistant approved algorithms on August 13, 2024. The Tech giant first introduced hybrid quantum-safe encryption back in April based on the experimental Kyber TLS key exchange system and has now decided to switch to the new ML-KEM standard.

While the full implementation of quantum computing being a ways off still – experts estimate Q-day to happen between five and 10 years for now – it's just a matter of time before current encryption methods become obsolete. Hackers know that and they've already begun executing what's known as "store now, decrypt later (SNDL) attacks." This is why it is crucial for all software providers using encryption to kick off the post-quantum transition as soon as possible.  

Switching to the ML-KEM algorithm  

After over a decade of testing more than 80 algorithms, NIST released the first three quantum-resistant encryption standards last month which are designed for specific tasks.

The Module Lattice Key Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM) is the primary standard for cryptographic key exchanges. This is essentially the process of protecting the exchange of information across a public network like in the case of web browsers or the best VPN apps. The ML-KEM algorithm is based on what was previously known as CRYSTALS-Kyber, exactly what Chrome adopted back in April. 

As Google explains in a blog post: "The changes to the final version of ML-KEM make it incompatible with the previously deployed version of Kyber.

"We do not want to regress any clients’ post-quantum security, so we are waiting until Chrome 131 to make this change so that server operators have a chance to update their implementations."

(Image credit: Getty Images) Why do we need post-quantum encryption?

For the less techy out there, encryption is the process of scrambling data into an unreadable form to make sure that only the sender and receiver can access the information.

For instance, today's VPN protocols often leverage RSA-based key exchanges to ensure only you and your receiver can encrypt and decrypt the information. Web browsers like Google Chrome use a similar methods based on TLS key exchange to secure your data in transit.

As mentioned earlier, today's encryption is set to eventually lose its effectiveness due to quantum computers's ability to process computations that stump current machines, within minutes. If you want some more technical details on how quantum computing breaks encryption, I suggest you watch the explainer below from Veritasium:

The biggest takeaway here is that the cryptographic world must get ready to fight back against new security threats coming from a mass adoption of quantum computers.

The NIST standardized algorithms come, in fact, with instructions on how to implement them and their intended uses to better support developers to embark on their PQ transition.

At the time of writing, just a handful of VPN providers have already embraced the new era of VPN security, while more companies are working to upgrade their protections. Secure messaging app Signal also added post-quantum encryption last September. On July 2023, secure email provider Tuta (formerly known as Tutanota) also shared its plans to bring post-quantum cryptography to the cloud with its PQDrive project.

We expect more and more developers to join the PQ revolution. As experts at NIST pointed out, in fact, "full integration will take time." 

iOS 18 has now landed with a host of new software toys, but the biggest one for photographers may be a handy new customizable lock screen trick. You can now replace Apple's basic Camera app in the lock screen with more powerful ones – like Halide and Moment's Pro Camera.

Halide Mk II and Pro Camera continue to be among the best camera apps around thanks to pro-grade features like manual focusing and bracketing. Thanks to updates for both, you can now put them on your lock screen, effectively bypassing the stock Camera here for the first time.

To do this, you need to update to both iOS 18 (go to Settings > General > Software Update) and have the latest version of Halide Mk II (2.16) or Pro Camera (5.5). Now, long-press your lock screen and tap the 'Customize' button at the bottom of the screen. Tap the Lock screen on the left and you'll see the option to change your lock screen shortcuts.

Tap the Camera icon in the bottom right to remove it, then tap the '+' icon that takes its place. You'll now be given a much longer list of possible options, including the Halide and Moment apps in the 'Capture' section.

To change the default Camera shortcut on your lock screen, long-press your lock screen to bring up the Customize button (1), tap it to reveal the shortcuts (2) and find Halide or Moment in the new lock screen options (3) (Image credit: Future / Apple)

Once you've added your chosen camera app, hit 'done'. You'll now be able to open Halide or Moment directly from the lock screen – and this time, all without the need to unlock your phone using Face ID or a password. 

If you're looking for a powerful camera app that you can fire up in milliseconds, this could be quite a helpful upgrade. The only downside is that Halide II does require a subscription of £19.99 / £19.99 / AU$29.99 a year or $2.99 / £2.49 / AU$4.49 a month. There are also one-time purchase options of $59.99 / £59.99 / $99.99. Moment's app costs $8.99 / £8.99 / AU$14.99, but does contain further in-app purchases for other features.

Appy days

Apple launched the Final Cut Camera app (above) earlier this year for video shooters, but has kept a more simple approach for stills shooters (Image credit: Apple / Future)

There have long been calls for Apple to make a Pro version of its stock Camera app – and the recent arrival of Final Cut Camera, which contains pro video controls, suggested that may just been on the cards.

Instead, it appears that Apple is happy simply making its stock Camera app for casual shooters, and letting third-party apps from the likes of Halide and Moment fill the gap for more demanding shooters – even now letting them live on its lock screen.

Those two apps aren't the only impressive third-party camera apps for the iPhone, with Obscura, Lightroom, and ProCam all being popular options for different reasons.

However, Halide and Moment are among the few to push out app updates that take advantage of this particular iOS 18 feature, letting you put them front and center on your lock screen at the expense of the stock Camera app. If you need to quickly take a shot using focus peaking, histograms, or more, that could be a very handy little tweak indeed. 

You might also like...

• The Apple Intelligence launch is a mess – don’t buy the iPhone 16 or install iOS 18 based on the promise of what’s to come
• iOS 18 will warn you if your iPhone charger is too slow
• iOS 18 is available right now – how to get it and 5 reasons why you should

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) accused a Chinese national, named Song Wu, of stealing sensitive information and proprietary software from NASA and other high-profile government and private organizations in the United States.

In a press release published on the DoJ website, the organization noted Wu was working at the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) as an engineer. AVIC is the country’s aerospace and defense conglomerate.

While employed at AVIC, between 2017 and 2021, he was sending phishing emails to people working at NASA, the Air Force, Navy, and Army, the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as people working at universities in Georgia, Michigan, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio.

Successful phishing

In these emails, he was impersonating other people working at these organizations, casually asking for things such as source code, proprietary software, and similar. The software is used in aerospace engineering, missile and weapons development, and more.

One of the emails, showcased in the indictment, read: "Hi [Victim 2], I sent Stephen an email for a copy of NASCART-GT code, but got no response right now. He must be too busy. Will you help and sent (sic) it to me?"

NASCART-GT, short for Numerical Aerodynamics Simulation via CARTesian Grid Techniques, is a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver developed at Georgia Tech. It simulates complex aerodynamics, including supersonic and hypersonic flows, for various aerospace applications.

Apparently, the strategy worked, as at least some people ended up giving Wu what he needed. The DoJ does not say what was stolen:

"In some instances, the targeted victim, believing that defendant SONG … was a colleague, associate, or friend requesting the source code or software electronically transmitted the requested source code or software to defendant Song."

Wu, 39, is now facing 14 counts of wire fraud, and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft. He remains at large, and if arrested, could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, and two years for each count of aggravated identity theft, The Register reports.

Via The Register

More from TechRadar Pro

• Chinese companies are being targeted in phishing attacks by malicious SquidLoader
• Here's a list of the best firewall software around today
• These are the best endpoint security tools right now

Anna Kendrick is known for many things. Whether its Pitch Perfect, A Simple Favor or the wonderfully bizarre The Voices, she's got quite the catalogue under her belt. Now, she's tackling true crime in her directing debut for Woman of the Hour, which arrives on Netflix on October 18.

We've already seen a variety of announcements coming out of Netflix Geeked Week, and this latest one is arguably the most unsettling of them all. The best streaming service has teased the new Netflix movie with a creepy trailer that will chill anyone to the core.

While Woman of the Hour is not technically a horror movie – it's billed as a crime drama – our first look at the project is definitely scary. In a trailer that does not give much away (hooray!), we see Kendrick's Sheryl Bradshaw on an uncomfortable date with Rodney Alcala (It Follows star Daniel Zovatto). Unbeknownst to her, she is sitting opposite a very dangerous man.

Take a look at the trailer below.

What else should we know about Woman of the Hour?

To paint a clearer picture of the movie, it's based on a 1978 episode of The Dating Game where Rodney Alcala appeared alongside contestant Sheryl Bradshaw. But this seemingly average bachelor was hiding a horrifying secret: he was in the middle of a killing spree and had managed to get himself on TV to potentially do it again.

According to CNN, a criminal profiler suggested that Acala's rejection following the dating show could have been the catalyst for further murders. He eventually went on to be convicted of seven, though could have committed over 100, before dying in 2021.

The movie is based on this case, where Kendrick's movie "zeroes in on Alcala’s victims and the lives he cut short", according to Tudum. I'm very excited to see this and hope it has the potential to join our best Netflix movies recommendations!

You might also like

• Castlevania: Nocturne season 2's Netflix release window has been confirmed, but it won't terrify us in time for Halloween
• Netflix unleashes the trailer for its new werewolf series Wolf King but that’s not the only animated show I’m excited for
• Netflix confirms Bridgerton season 4 is in production – and announces new cast additions after Sophie Baek actor reveal

Last month we reported that Sonos' next soundbar, which was believed to be called the Sonos Arc Ultra. And now a newly leaked image that looks very much like an official Sonos product page appears to confirm it, and has given it a price tag too.

The image was shared to the r/sonos subreddit and includes the image above. The copy calls the Arc Ultra the "Premium Smart Soundbar" (which is the exact same description as the original Sonos Arc) and says that it is "The definitive Home Theater soundbar. Enhanced with immersive Sound Motion technology. And did someone say 'Bluetooth'?" The listed price: $1,199.

As ever with internet images, this could be a total fake. But it does fit with recent credible rumors, including a Google AI leak that appeared to share its specifications. We've reached out to Sonos for comment and we'll update you with any response.

What we think we know about the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar

The Sound Motion technology is almost certainly Sonos's name for HeartMotion, a technology developed by Mayht – a firm Sonos bought in 2022. HeartMotion promises a huge upgrade to speaker technology by delivering drivers that are much smaller than normal speakers and considerably lighter too, so they need less power to drive them. As Sonos explained when it took over the company, Mayht "has invented a new, revolutionary approach to audio transducers. Transducers are the foundational element within speakers that create sound, and Mayht has re-engineered them to enable smaller and lighter form factors without compromising on quality."

That makes the Arc Ultra really interesting, because it could mean better audio quality, and a more immersive sound stage. The presence of HeartMotion ties in with previous rumors that the codename Lasso soundbar would look like the Arc but deliver a massively improved sound, especially at the low end, which HeartMotion is especially suited to.

According to Google's AI, as shared to r/sonos last week, there are eight woofers and three tweeters in the Arc Ultra, backed by 11 Class D digital amps. There's support for Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2, and it'll be the first Sonos soundbar with Bluetooth. However, Google's AI has also claimed that fatal mushrooms are safe to eat and that you should put glue in pizza, so maybe take that with a big pinch of salt for now.

If the leaked image is an accidental upload by Sonos's marketing people then a launch can't be far away. We're also expecting to see a new version of the Sonos Sub, which is likely to launch around the same time. 

This price is higher than most of the best soundbars and is serious high-end stuff, but if can meet its potential of delivering fulsome bass and incredible 3D sound from a single bar, then it could be very special.

You might also like

• I compared premium Samsung and LG OLED TVs side-by-side – and this one key difference surprised me
• Google TV hits new mark of 150 free channels as the TV Streamer prepares for lift-off
• Sonos Ace reportedly aren't selling and the TV set-top box is delayed once again – has Sonos lost its shine?

A few months back we reported that Sony was rumored to be developing new versions of its popular Linkbuds true wireless earbuds. And now a new report says we can expect not one but two new versions: LinkBuds Open and LinkBuds Fit. 

The report comes from The Walkman Blog (via What Hi-Fi?), which says that the two previously rumored YY2964 and YY2975 models will launch very soon – and the new names rather than letter/number combinations are part of a new naming strategy that'll hopefully make its way to other Sony products, whose (to consumers) largely meaningless names are often a pain to research when you're looking for reviews and comparisons. We love the Sony WF-C510, but would you really know that they're a totally different and newer product than the Sony WH-C520?

As yet, we don't have any concrete information on a launch date, and as the same blog recently reported at least one of the models has been put back a bit: Sony has asked the FCC regulator to dismiss its application for certification of the LinkBuds Open. But a late 2024 release for both buds still seems likely.

What to expect from the next generation of Sony Linkbuds

We described the original 2022 Sony Linkbuds as "the weirdest true wireless earbuds we've ever seen" due to their open-ear design, but praised their spacious soundstage, ingenious controls and impressive sound quality. The Linkbuds S released later that year are more traditional but again, deliver good sound and are compact, light and comfortable for long listening sessions – we rate them among the best earbuds for smaller ears.

From the name alone, it seems likely that the Linkbuds Fit will be a fitness-focused pair, so water and sweat resistance is likely to be a key selling point.

What we don't yet know is how the two models will differ, although prevous leaks suggest that sound quality won't be too far from the superb Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, most likely because they'll share the same chipset. The Walkman Blog suggested earlier this year that the new Linkbuds will "push the boundaries of audio innovation" with some form of noise cancellation as well as an upgraded audio system.

Sony makes some superb earbuds, but the newly upgraded AirPods Pro 2 and the new AirPods 4 have both raised the bar – and at $179 / £179 / AU$299 for the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation version, the AirPods 4 are exceptionally good value for ANC earbuds, and . However, new Linkbuds with improved specifications but a similarly low price to the current versions could mean Sony has another hit on its hands, especially for Android users. 

You might also like

• I tried the surprise sequel to the best ultra-cheap earbuds, and they offer amazingly good noise cancelling for under $30
• AirPods as hearing aids will be great, but there's one big problem Apple didn't talk about
• Apple's new AirPods Pro 2 features miss one trick that I loved in these rival earbuds

The PS5 version of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has been rated in Taiwan, suggesting an upcoming platform release.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide first launched in 2022 for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, as well as a day one Xbox Game Pass exclusive, but it was never confirmed for PS5.

However, it looks like the cooperative shooter could finally be making its way to PlayStation sooner than we think.

As spotted by Gematsu on X / Twitter today, September 17, the Taiwan Entertainment Software Rating Information (TESRI) has given the PS5 version of Fatshark's Warhammer 40,000 title a rating of 18 and above, with the details confirming it will feature violence, terrifying scenes, and drugs (via GameRant).

Although an official announcement for the PS5 version has not been made at this time by the developer, the new rating strongly suggests a release is imminent.

A PlayStation 5 version of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has been rated in Taiwan.It's currently available for Xbox Series and PC.Gematsu page: https://t.co/llg9N2FXMI pic.twitter.com/AHu08vSTosSeptember 16, 2024

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide launched with a bunch of problems, but developer Fatshark has continued to update the game over the past two years.

Players of the spiritual successor to the Warhammer: Vermintide series can also expect a free update on September 26 called Unlocked and Loaded, which will add a ton of new improvements, along with additional features like a new class.

Focus Entertainment recently launched the latest game in the popular role-playing franchise from Saber Interactive, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

In TechRadar Gaming's review, Cat Bussell called the shooter a "well-crafted power trip elevated by stellar combat and awe-inspiring visuals".

You might also like...

• After the PS5 Pro reveal, PlayStation's co-CEO says consoles will remain "the core of our business"
• PS5 Pro pricing "not that bad" and "makes sense" according to Respawn's CEO - but he would still prefer it to be cheaper so more people could have it
• The next PlayStation handheld may be in development according to PS5 Pro specs leaker

Microsoft’s latest update for Windows 11 arrived last week, and the patch for September 2024 delivers some nice boosts for PC gaming on some machines with AMD Ryzen processors - but it has emerged there are some catches reportedly present in the form of bugs.

The September patch (KB5043076) comes packing the full release of the branch prediction code improvements that benefit Ryzen 7000 or newer CPUs that we saw in last month’s optional update. We’re talking about frame rate boosts to the tune of 10% or more in some cases, which will doubtless delight gamers. (These improvements were actually witnessed in Windows 11 24H2 first, but were backported to the current 23H2 version).

Because of this major stride for gaming on modern Ryzen processors, more folks have rushed to download the latest cumulative update for Windows 11 - and they’ve encountered some nasty problems.

(Image credit: aslysun / Shutterstock) If you install update KB5043076 and face issues, you're not alone

Unfortunately, Windows Latest reports that some users have found update KB5043076 fails to install, or they’ve hit other problems like File Explorer crashing when trying to open it from the taskbar. 

A similar problem with File Explorer was observed in August’s optional update, so it seems that this bug has carried over into the September update. 

Another problem you might bump into after installing this update is that your device’s Phishing Protection in Windows Security (which is important for keeping you safe from online scams) might be switched off after restarting or shutting down your PC.

Furthermore, one user has taken to Microsoft’s Feedback Hub to report issues with specific Windows system files that affect certain key features like User Account Control. 

Other issues that have been observed are Windows 11’s search feature taking longer than usual to load, certain apps failing to run, issues with internet connectivity, and the PC’s restart and shutdown functions not working.

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Zamrznuti tonovi) How you can deal with these problems (for now)

KB5043076, the update for September 2024, is a mandatory patch, meaning it will automatically be delivered to your Windows 23H2 (or 22H2) PC. If these reported problems make you nervous, you could pause your updates - although only for up to a month on Windows 11 Home installations. Remember, though, that without the September update, you will be lacking some vital security fixes that are inevitably part of these patches.

Those experiencing problems already having installed the September patch could remove it. To do so, simply go to Windows Update (in Settings) and then Update History, where you’ll find the option to Uninstall Updates - here, you can find the patch which is KB5043076 as we’ve mentioned, and elect to uninstall it. After that, you can pause updates (for a month, as noted).

Microsoft has yet to comment on these reported issues with the September 2024 update, but we’ll let you know if we hear from the company, or anything about fixes being implemented.

We are waiting for the full rollout of Windows 11 version 24H2, which should be coming pretty soon, and patches like this one don’t give me the greatest confidence in Microsoft, it has to be said.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

• Microsoft is giving some default Windows 11 apps a major performance boost – and you could feel the payoff soon
• Windows 11's latest major update isn't even out yet for most users, but it's already causing problems
• Time's up for Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2: Microsoft's final call before its next Patch Tuesday mandatory update to 23H2

Watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez quick guide

US viewers can watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez live on linear channel FX or through an OTT service like Sling TV. Alternatively, stream new episodes next day on Hulu. The show will air on FX Now in Canada, but there’s no release date yet for UK or Australian viewers.

Currently out of the country? Use a VPN to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez online on your usual streaming service from anywhere.

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez – Preview

The fourth anthology series in Ryan Murphy’s Emmy-winning franchise, American Sports Story will examine the troubled life and crimes of Aaron Hernandez, the New England Patriots star convicted of first degree murder. This 10-part FX drama brings his shocking true story to life, and our guide below explains how to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez online from anywhere.

Created by Stu Zicherman (The Shrink Next Door) and based on podcast series Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc., the first installment dives into the NFL player's difficult past.

A bulked up Josh Andrés Rivera (West Side Story) will play Hernandez, the talented athlete convicted of Odin Lloyd's murder in 2015, with Ross Jirgl (Butch vs Sundance) as Tom Brady and Patrick Schwarzenegger (The Boys) as University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Below we have more details on how to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Fernandez online wherever you are.

How to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez online in the US

The first season of American Sports Story arrives on Tuesday, September 17, when viewers can enjoy two back-to-back episodes on FX at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT. Subsequently, episodes air one per week in the same timeslot, with the series concluding on November 12.

If you already have FX, you’re good to go. But if you're a cord-cutter, we recommend Sling TV – specifically the Sling Blue package which includes FX.

Hulu subscribers can also watch FX live with a Hulu with Live TV plan (at $76.99 per month). But the cheapest option might be to catch episodes next day on Hulu with its $7.99 a month on-demand only service. The basic plan also provides a whopping 30-day Hulu free trial.

Away from the US? Use a VPN to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez on Hulu from abroad.

How to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez online from outside your country

If you’re out of the country when American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez airs, then you can always download a VPN to overcome any regional restrictions (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised how simple it is to do.

Use a VPN to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez from anywhere:

Editors Choice

NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
We regularly review all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice. It unblocked every streaming service in testing and it's very straightforward to use. Speed, security and 24/7 support available if you need – it's got it all.

The best value plan is the two-year deal which sets the price at $3.99 per month, and includes an extra 3 months absolutely FREE. There's also an all-important 30-day no-quibble refund if you decide it's not for you.

- So, try NordVPN 100% risk-free for 30 daysVIEW DEAL ON

How to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez online in Canada

Canadian viewers can watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez on linear channel FX and catch the first two episodes of this gripping true story every Tuesday from September 17 at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT.

It’s also possible to catch up with the series online with FX Now. Bear in mind, however, that you'll need an FX cable subscription to watch new episodes live or through the app.

If you already have an FX package, but aren’t at home in Canada right now, you can still catch the latest episodes by downloading a VPN and pointing your location back to Canada.

Can I watch American Sports Story online in the UK?

Has someone dropped the ball? We haven’t seen a UK release date for American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez yet, so viewers across the Pond might be in for a long wait if they want to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez online.

FX shows like Feud: Capote vs. The Swans tend to land on Disney Plus a few months after their US debut.

American abroad? A VPN will let you effortlessly connect to your usual streaming services, from anywhere in the world.

Can I watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez online in Australia?

At present, there's no way for Aussies to watch American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez online. Neither Binge, which is the Australian home of Ryan Murphy’s other entries in the American Story franchise, nor Disney Plus, whose content library includes FX series like The Old Man and Shogun, are confirmed as streaming the show Down Under. As soon as we hear otherwise, though, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Lastly – if you’re an American abroad in Australia, you won’t be able to connect to regional services like Hulu or Sling TV. The solution? Simply download a VPN to use your VOD service and stream American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez just like you would back home.

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez trailer American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez cast

• Josh Andrés Rivera as Aaron Hernandez
• Patrick Schwarzenegger as Tim Tebow
• Lindsay Mendez as Tanya Singleton
• Tony Yazbeck as Urban Meyer
• Jake Cannavale as Chris
• Catfish Jean as Ernest "Bo" Wallace
• Jaylen Barron as Shayanna Jenkins
• Tammy Blanchard as Terri Hernandez
• Ean Castellanos as DJ Hernandez
• Thomas Sadoski as Brian Murphy
• Norbert Leo Butz as Bill Belichick
• Kwadarrius Smith as Gameday Deion Branch
• Ross Jirgl as Tom Brady
• Casey Sullivan as Sam Bradford

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez episode guide

• Episode 1 - "If It’s To Be": Tuesday, September 17
• Episode 2 - "Consequences, With Extreme Prejudice": Tuesday, September 17
• Episode 3 - "Pray The Gay Away": Tuesday, September 24
• Episode 4 - "Birthday Money": Tuesday, October 1
• Episode 5 – “The Man”: Tuesday, October 8
• Episode 6 – TBA: Tuesday, October 15
• Episode 7 – TBA: Tuesday, October 22
• Episode 8 – TBA: Tuesday, October 29
• Episode 9 – “What’s Left Behind”: Tuesday, November 5
• Episode 10 – “Who Killed Aaron Hernandez”: Tuesday, November 12