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It wasn’t a great year for smartphone AI. While AI tech advanced in leaps behind the scenes, the actual AI products we got to use seem less useful than ever. Even though AI computations make the best camera phones fantastic, we feel like we're being exposed to more bad AI than good AI. I’m here to offer a ray of sunshine through the cloud! AI is going to be very good for mobile devices. It’s going to make everything so much easier that you won’t ever think about having AI on your phone.

Before then, AI will have to overcome its bad rep. As I’ll explain, AI is going to be everything, but we’re not there yet. I don’t think today's situation is due an AI failure. I blame people, not AI. I’m hopeful about AI – I predict it’s going to be an inseparable aspect of mobile computing in a couple of years. You won't consider buying a phone without it.

Today’s AI isn’t even version 1.0. The features we have today – generative AI for creating images and text, live chat agents – aren’t the AI, but rather the tools that will build AI. These aren’t finished products. They aren’t even products at all, they’re tricks that the nascent AI systems can perform on the way to being functional.

Today's AI makes me ask 'Why do we need this?'

I can’t write an email or text message without my AI assistant offering to help screw it up

I may be cynical, but look at the AI features that we’re being force fed. We’re getting image generators rife with stereotypes, copyright violations, and potential for fraud and violence. We’re getting language models that offer inaccurate facts and incorrect summaries. Minor features like handwriting recognition and photo lighting effects now rely on cloud computing, draining untold power and adding steps to the process for minimal usability gains.

Everywhere you look, pushy AI features try too hard. I can’t write an email or text message without my AI assistant offering to help screw it up with gobbledygook. In Google Photos, new AI tools offer to search for the pics I want, then return results that are useless compared to the older, AI-less search capability.

A stereotypical AI wallpaper image of robots partying hard (Image credit: Freepik)

New AI wallpaper tools are ubiquitous, but they create wallpapers that are impersonal at best, and they may be a bit racist at worst. Were we running low on wallpaper creators? Why do we even need generative AI for wallpapers?

If these tools were all we could expect from AI, I’d say it’s time to shut down the project and go home. It’s time to look for what’s next.

I think that will probably be smart glasses, but it’s clear that smart glasses, and any future mobile technology, will rely on AI and machine learning to deliver a robust experience. That’s why I’m still optimistic about smartphone AI. I have to be optimistic. It’s going to get better, a lot better.

When AI solves a smartphone problem, it will become valuable

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

I don’t think I could change my home screen ... without searching the Settings menu, and I’m a bona fide smartphone expert

Today’s AI doesn’t solve any big problems for users. What’s the biggest problem you have with your phone? The battery dies too quickly. Okay, AI might help with that, and I can attest that Qualcomm’s newest AI-forward processors are also the most efficient high-end smartphone processors I’ve ever benchmarked. So, what else?

Smartphones are still too difficult to use. I really want to use all the cool features, but I don’t know how. I know that my phone can do a million and one things, including a million things I never use because I don’t know how.

Do you know how to share a photo by tapping your phone to another phone? Do you know how to charge your earbuds using your phone’s battery? Have you ever created a safety Check In on your way home at night? I know that my phone can do all of that, but I’d need a refresher to figure it out. Honestly, I don’t think I could change my home screen from Light Mode to Dark Mode without searching the Settings menu, and I’m a bona fide smartphone expert.

AI will solve this problem. I won’t need to know whether it’s ‘Reverse wireless charging’ on my OnePlus versus ‘PowerShare’ on my Galaxy versus USB-C Power Delivery with my iPhone. I’ll just tell my phone’s AI what I want to do and it will turn on wireless power to charge my Galaxy Buds.

I won’t have to know that the iPhone hides the safety Check-In feature under iMessage, while Google hides the same feature in the little-known Safety app. I’ll just tell my phone to ‘let my Dad know when I’ve gotten home safely’ and it will do the rest.

In the future your smartphone's AI will be the entire interface

Today’s slate of AI features are parlor tricks. Watch as I pour beer out of this bottle without picking it up! Bet me that I can’t insert Mickey Mouse into our group photo! See me compose a message using AI and no thought whatsoever! Okay, cool, but that’s not something I want to do every day, or maybe even more than once.

Thankfully, that’s not the future for AI. In the near future, we’re going to interact with what Qualcomm and other tech companies call AI agents. Think Siri, Gemini, and Bixby, but more capable and understanding. The AI is going to be the interface. You’ll be able to swipe, or open apps, but you won’t have to. Just tell the phone what you want, and don’t worry about the AI. When AI finally makes our smartphone lives easier, instead of more complicated, it’s going to be amazing.

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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 clues.

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 #569) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BALL
• DROP
• DART
• GAME
• ATTENTION
• DEAR
• BRAND
• NAMES
• THRILL
• FOR
• FLY
• BLAST
• BOLT
• KICK
• TO
• DASH

NYT Connections today (game #569) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: In a hurry
• GREEN: Good times
• BLUE: To whom it may concern
• PURPLE: Your given moniker

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 #569) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: MOVE QUICKLY 
• GREEN: FUN TIME 
• BLUE: WORDS BEFORE AN ADDRESSEE 
• PURPLE: NAME 

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

NYT Connections today (game #569) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #569, are…

• YELLOW: MOVE QUICKLY BOLT, DART, DASH, FLY
• GREEN: FUN TIME BALL, BLAST, KICK, THRILL
• BLUE: WORDS BEFORE AN ADDRESSEE ATTENTION, DEAR, FOR, TO
• PURPLE: NAME _ BRAND, DROP, GAME, NAMES

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Today’s grid included several potential groups: things that come before “off”, names for potential delivery apps, various seekers of things, how someone from the 1950s might communicate happiness.

Despite these distractions, the actual groups were a little more obvious, although I did have to time travel back to a period when I actually received written communication in order to get WORDS BEFORE AN ADDRESSEE. Once, I received dozens of letters a week FOR my ATTENTION, but now the only regular communications I get through my letterbox are fast food menus, including one quite accurately addressed to The Pizza Lover.

A good Connections to end 2024 with. In fact, it was a BLAST.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, 30 December, game #568)

• YELLOW: LUNCH ORDERS CLUB, HERO, MELT, WRAP
• GREEN: USED TO MAKE COFFEE BEANS, FILTER, GRINDER, WATER
• BLUE: PAY, WITH "UP" ANTE, COUGH, PONY, SETTLE
• PURPLE: NAMES FEATURING "!" AIRPLANE, JEOPARDY, PINK, YAHOO

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.

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 #303) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Resolutions

NYT Strands today (game #303) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SOLD
• GREEN
• CLOSE
• TENSE
• CLONE
• LOVING

NYT Strands today (game #303) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Done and dusted

NYT Strands today (game #303) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 2nd row

Last side: right, 8th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #303) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #303, are…

• CODA
• ENDING
• CLOSURE
• FINALE
• EPILOGUE
• CONCLUSION
• SPANGRAM: ITS OVER

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 hint

When I saw today’s theme I began looking for things that could be New Year’s Resolutions, but quickly realised “lose some weight”, “be the best version of me” “learn Japanese”, etc would not make the greatest of puzzles. Instead, clever Strands gave us various alternatives for IT’S OVER.

Although that’s not strictly true, as an EPILOGUE is an additional piece of information or storyline after you think it’s over in films, books, and plays, then after the epilogue it really is over – or is it? Epilogues are often there to wrap up all your unanswered questions about the characters, what happened in the years after the CONCLUSION of the story – or at their worst to tease the next instalment of the franchise. Either way, we live in a time when leaving a film before the credits reach the soundtrack listings is a gamble.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, 30 December, game #302)

• SONATA
• PRELUDE
• CONCERTO
• SYMPHONY
• OVERTURE
• SPANGRAM: COMPOSITION

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and 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.

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 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 #1072) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* 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 #1072) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

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

Quordle today (game #1072) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do 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 #1072) - 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 #1072) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• P

• T

• I

• I

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

Quordle today (game #1072) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1072, are…

• PLUMP
• TUBER
• IRATE
• ICILY

Another late show for me today, although I put a mental pin in TUBER after my fourth go and decided to resist the temptation of filling in the word, in favor of going after the other words instead – then returned to it later.

I’ve still not hit on a winning technique for Quordle other than skin-of-the-teeth completions, but there was at least some strategy involved in my approach here – and that's a start, right?

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #1072) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1072, are…

• SANER
• FUNKY
• CLANG
• SOOTY

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1071, Monday 30 December: TODDY, GROIN, GROWN, VERVE
• Quordle #1070, Sunday 29 December: PURER, SPLAT, RABID, EMCEE
• Quordle #1069, Saturday 28 December: BUNCH, LABOR, TRIPE, BUNNY
• Quordle #1068, Friday 27 December: BRAWL, LYING, ORGAN, CRONY
• Quordle #1067, Thursday 26 December: TATTY, OVERT, FLOUR, SWEPT
• Quordle #1066, Wednesday 25 December: LIVER, CRIER, SHORE, MURKY
• Quordle #1065, Tuesday 24 December: TIPSY, SCALE, FLYER, VALVE
• Quordle #1064, Monday 23 December: SNAKE, SAVVY, ELBOW, TWEED
• Quordle #1063, Sunday 22 December: DOUBT, SLURP, PAPER, CIVIL
• Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF
• Quordle #1061, Friday 20 December: PENAL, EAGLE, DILLY, QUITE
• Quordle #1060, Thursday 19 December: JEWEL, GNOME, TRAMP, IDLER
• Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
• Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
• Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
• Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
• Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
• Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
• Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
• Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF

There’s nothing quite like looking up at the night sky. It’s always brought me a deep sense of peace and wonder, especially during difficult times.

One of my favorite tools to help me identify the stars as I journey through them from the ground is Sky Guide, an augmented reality app that overlays the sky to show constellations.

I often plan my evenings around events that it highlights, like when the International Space Station passes overhead (I always wave)! And, like many people, I’ve developed a strong connection to the Moon. I like to stare up at it when it’s just a sliver, when it’s round and full, and when it looks like a big smile suspended in the sky.

But as much as I’ve loved using apps to enhance my stargazing, I’ve been yearning for something more. A few years ago, a very kind friend gave me a telescope for my birthday.

Though I never made much use of it while living in a basement flat in London, UK, I’m now up in Yorkshire with darker skies – and I’m ready to make 2025 the year I truly up my astronomy game.

How to choose the right telescope for stargazing

If you’re considering taking your stargazing to the next level, the first step is finding the right telescope.

“The best telescope is the one you’ll actually use." This is what amateur astronomer and astrophotographer Nazmus Nasir, known as Naztronomy online, tells me. “For most people, it's the one that's easiest to set up and takes the least amount of time to maintain.” Otherwise it’ll just end up gathering dust – as mine has been doing for two years.

Tips for photographing the aurora with your phone

Photographer Rebecca Douglas shares her top tips:
1. Night mode or long exposure:
Use a 3- to 10-second exposure with night mode, or set ISO to 800-3200 in manual mode to balance light and noise.
2. Stabilize your phone:
Use a tripod or prop it against a sturdy surface. Or hold it steady with both hands, elbows tucked in, and press the button while holding your breath.
3. Focus on the sky:
Lower screen brightness to adjust your eyes to the dark and give the camera time to focus in low light.
4. Edit your photos:
Use built-in tools to enhance saturation, contrast, and sharpness for more detail.

To get to grips with what kind of telescope might work for you, Thomas Burbine, visiting assistant professor in Astronomy at Mount Holyoke College, offers practical advice. “Visit an amateur astronomy club or a star party. Talk to people who already have telescopes. If they have observing nights, try viewing a few objects through them. Too many people buy expensive telescopes they never use. It’s best to get as much hands-on information as you can before making a purchase.”

For beginners, Naz recommends tabletop Dobsonian telescopes. “They’re a really great starter type of scope,” he explains. “They’re small reflectors that you can put on a table and they give you the best bang for your buck.” He recommends taking a look at popular models, which include the Orion Starblast 4.5, Zhumell z114, and Sky-Watcher Heritage 130p. They're easy to set up and can provide excellent views of celestial objects.

You could also consider a refractor telescope. Naz suggests starting with a small, wide-field scope. “These are easier to use, require almost no maintenance, and are ideal for taking photos,” he explains.

Naz warns to steer clear of cheap telescopes that seem too good to be true, as their optics often disappoint. Instead, look for reputable brands, like Celestron, Apertura, Astro-Tech, and Sky-Watcher. While some of these can be pricey, their quality is leagues ahead of budget options.

The Seestar S50 (above) is one of the new breed of smart telescopes, but simpler tabletop Dobsonian telescopes like the ones recommended above cost half as much. (Image credit: Seetar)

Once you’ve chosen a telescope, consider upgrading your setup with a sturdy mount or tripod. “A mount with slow-motion controls makes it easier to track objects,” says Naz. For even more precision, a tracking mount with “go-to” capabilities is a game-changer. “You can tell it what to find and it’ll also keep the object in view so you don’t have to fidget with the gear,” Naz explains. He recommends models like the Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi and Star Adventurer 2i; by keeping objects in view, they open up possibilities for better imaging.

If you’re interested in instant gratification, smart telescopes, like the Seestar S50, are worth exploring. These compact, automated devices handle everything for you, from locating celestial objects to taking and stacking photos. “The only downside is that they don’t have eyepieces, so you can’t look through most of them like a traditional telescope,” Naz says. But they’re perfect for beginners looking for quick results.

How to take photos with your telescope

Seeing the wonders of the night sky is incredible, but what if you want to capture them to share or revisit later? Luckily, you don’t need a lot of new gear to get started. With just a smartphone and a few clever accessories, you can take impressive astrophotography shots right alongside your telescope.

For telescope users, Naz suggests getting a phone mount, which allows you to attach your device to the eyepiece. Once you’ve secured it, you can play around with what works best for the objects you want to photograph. “For moon and planets, a single exposure would be fine. For deep sky objects, you can do exposures that are several seconds long,” Naz says.

(Image credit: Astroshader)

He suggests starting with an intervalometer app to take regular photos, or using apps like Deep Sky Camera and AstroShader(above) to capture stunning night shots – especially of star trails or meteor showers. You can also check out our guide on how to take night sky images with your phone.

If you’re ready to move beyond your phone, consider investing in one of the best DSLRs or best mirrorless cameras. “Learn to use the manual mode,” Naz advises. “Experiment with ISO settings and exposure times to achieve different results.” Some good starting settings and tips can be found in our guide to photographing the Blue Moon and Milky Way.

Dedicated t-adapters can also connect your camera to your telescope. “This essentially turns your telescope into your camera's lens,” Naz explains.

How to take photos with your phone

Not ready to invest in a telescope? Binoculars are an excellent alternative. “Even a small pair can enhance your view of the night sky,” says Naz. “The Moon looks spectacular through binoculars. You may also be able to see the core of the Andromeda Galaxy more easily or even the Galilean moons of Jupiter..”

Even without advanced equipment, the night sky offers plenty of opportunities for capturing its beauty. Thanks to advancements in smartphone technology, creating stunning photos is more achievable than ever.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Photographer Rebecca Douglas explains just how far we’ve come. “10 years ago when I started shooting the night sky, it was impossible to capture anything on a phone,” she says that’s changing. “But there are quite a few things you need to know to be able to capture images that resemble the majesty you’re seeing with your eyes.”

She recommends using apps like Star Walk 2 for celestial identification and PhotoPills for planning your shots. She also tells me that a tripod and remote trigger are must-haves for reducing any motion blur.

But I love that Rebecca reminds me that astrophotography isn’t just about technology. “The night sky connects us to something much bigger than ourselves,” she says.

Whether you’re using a phone, binoculars, or a telescope, she says that stargazing offers a profound sense of awe. “Whether it’s ancient starlight, the swirling colors of an aurora, or the Milky Way’s vast ribbon across the sky, there’s a little magic waiting for you up there every time.”

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• U7inh instance has 1,920 virtual CPUs and 32TB of memory, and you can run 4 of these
• Need to sustain SAP workloads is what encouraged HPE to work with AWS
• However, there's also the fact HPE may be helping AWS get newer, lucrative leads

As businesses face relentless data growth, challenges like data silos and outdated legacy systems, such as Unix-based servers, increasingly stand in the way of progress.

HPE has positioned its Compute Scale-up Server 3200, which it launched in 2023, as the answer to these challenges, promising scalability and performance for mission-critical applications.

The server supports workloads like SAP HANA and ERP with up to 16 sockets and 32TB of shared memory, enabling seamless scalability and reduced server sprawl. Powered by 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Sapphire Rapids), it doubles core counts, integrates AI accelerators, and features DDR5 memory with PCIe 5.0 for enhanced performance and bandwidth, ideal for data-intensive applications.

Eroding on-premises market share?

AWS has now announced the general availability of a new Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) U7inh-32tb.480xlarge instance which runs on the 16-socket HPE Compute Scale-up Server 3200 and is built on the AWS Nitro System.

While that sounds like a positive move for HPE customers, it does raise concerns about the strategic implications.

AWS’s new U7inh instance features 1,920 vCPUs, 32TB of DDR5 memory, 160 Gbps of EBS bandwidth, and 200 Gbps of network bandwidth. AWS says, “You can run your largest in-memory database workloads like SAP HANA or seamlessly migrate workloads running on HPE hardware to AWS.”

As The Register notes, however, AWS’s announcement of the new offering mentions "customers that currently run on-premises with HPE servers have also asked how we can help them migrate to AWS to take advantage of cloud benefits while continuing to use HPE hardware."

By partnering with AWS, HPE potentially opens the door for the cloud giant to gain access to customers running critical workloads on-premises who may be considering cloud migration.

This partnership could inadvertently help AWS capture more enterprise leads, potentially eroding HPE’s on-premises market share. The timing is particularly striking, as AWS has acknowledged a growing trend of customers revisiting on-prem solutions.

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• New cybersecurity requirements may soon be introduced for US healthcare firms
• The new rules will aim to protect systems which hold sensitive information
• These will cost an estimated $9 billion in the first year

A new set of requirements have been proposed by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for healthcare firms in the country to ensure the personally identifiable information of patients and company data is adequately protected. The proposal includes routine vulnerability and breach scans, data encryption, and multi-factor authentication.

The new requirements would also make it mandatory to use anti-malware protection for systems which handle sensitive information, as well as network segmentation, implementing separate controls for data backup and recovery, and yearly audits to check for compliance.

Healthcare organizations have been increasingly targeted by threat actors due to the amount of sensitive data they hold and the crucial service they provide - meaning the organizations are often forced to pay large ransoms for their systems and information in order to continue operating.

The cost of updated standards

Implementing these requirements will cost an estimated $9 billion in the first year, and $6 billion in the following two years, according to Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, Anne Neuberger.

Despite the cost, Neuberger points out that these requirements add necessary protections given that the number of large scale security breaches and ransomware affecting healthcare organizations has skyrocketed by 102% since 2019.

Healthcare data is being repeatedly sold across the dark web, with an attack on UnitedHealth Group leading to over 100 million US customers exposed - which was disruptive to both patients and staff.

"In this job, one of the most concerning and really troubling things we deal with is hacking of hospitals, hacking of healthcare data," said Neuberger.

“Hospitals have been forced to operate manually and Americans' sensitive healthcare data, mental health information and other information are "being leaked on the dark web with the opportunity to blackmail individuals."

Via Reuters

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• President Jimmy Carter passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2024.
• He was the 39th President of the United States and known as a 'President for Peace.'
• Apple CEO Tim Cook shared his remembrance on X on the 29th, and Apple has now updated its homepage with a takeover honoring the former President.

Yesterday, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100, and now Apple has updated its homepage for a rare takeover, paying tribute to the 39th President of the United States.

It comes a day after Apple CEO Tim Cook shared his respects on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Today, we honor President Carter’s lifetime of service and his commitment to leaving the world better than he found it. May he rest in peace.”

The homepage takeover is a bit more subtle and in line with previous home takeovers, though there have only been a few in recent history.

Apple’s homepage shows a photo of Jimmy Carter, the same one shared by Tim Cook on social, in front of a construction site. Likely speaking to the President’s impact during his time in the White House and the following years. Carter, who become president in 1977, soon after Apple was founded in 1976, would leave office in 1981 after serving a single term.

Today, we honor President Carter’s lifetime of service and his commitment to leaving the world better than he found it. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/cXl99kT7lrDecember 29, 2024

President Jimmy Carter's time in office is perhaps best remembered for the Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Israel and Egypt. After his time as President, Carter remained in the public eye, serving as a humanitarian for many causes, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He was known as a “President for Peace” and was friends with musicians including Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, hence the ‘Rock N’Roll’ President moniker.

Apple’s homepage takeovers have been few and far between, normally happening for product launches. Still, the most notable other remembrance post would be for former Apple CEO and founder Steve Jobs after his passing in 2011.

You can view the homepage takeover on Apple.com here and learn more about Jimmy Carter and his legacy here.

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• Ransomware group Space Bears claims ransomware attack on Atos
• No evidence has been found and no ransom demands received
• Space Bears, a new group, has already targeted many companies

French tech giant Atos has confirmed it has been hit by a cyberattack, but has noted the threat might just be a false alarm.

The company shared details of a threat by ransomware group Space Bears, which claimed to have compromised an internal Atos database.

However, Atos said that initial investigations revealed no evidence of any compromise or ransomware affecting any of its systems in any country, or those of its subsidiary Eviden.

Atos ransomware attack?

Apart from the lack of evidence, Atos says it has not received any ransom demand, however it still takes the threat “very seriously.”

The company, which has an annual revenue of €10 billion ($10.4 billion), says it has put together a dedicated cybersecurity team to investigate the allegat

ion. No further updates have been issued by the company.

For context, Space Bears is a ransomware group believed to have emerged in early 2024.

The attackers has already targeted several victims globally, targeting Canadian software development company Haylem and two related companies, Un Museau Vaut Mille Mots and Lexibar.

The group claimed to have obtained database information, including employee and client information.

Other December 2024 attacks by the group include Canada’s JRT Automatisation and India’s Aptus.

No further updates have been shared since Atos’ first announcement on December 29. TechRadar Pro has asked the company for further details, but we did not receive an immediate response.

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The gym is a scary place, at least at first. Everyone there is so focused that it can be awkward to walk through the doors, let alone pick up the weights.

When I started working out in 2012, I did so with a cursory induction session and was left to my own devices. I got more familiar as time went on, but without any real instruction (and no money for a personal trainer), I always felt like I had a ceiling for my progress.

I discovered Fitbod a couple of years ago, and in the time since I’ve racked up over 1000 workouts, meaning it was easy to include in our best fitness app roundup. Here’s why I like it, and why I think you should give it a spin in 2025.

A task-based workout

(Image credit: Fitbod)

I’m a very task-oriented person, and if I wasn’t writing about workout apps right now there’s a good chance I’d be extolling the virtues of a task manager instead.

There’s something about ticking items off of a list that fills me with satisfaction, and Fitbod works so well for me because it essentially offers a sort of 'to-do list' when I’m working out.

Once a workout is generated (more on that in a moment), I know that I can get to the gym, open the app, and hit “Start Workout” to get going.

Fitbod is constantly learning and adjusting its algorithms, so I can look at a series of five or six exercises and tackle them as I see fit. Naturally there’s a feeling of dread when I see squats coming up (anyone who says they enjoy them is factually incorrect), but ticking each item off the list almost gamifies working out.

And, just as in a video game, you 'level up' in a way with Fitbod’s workout reports. These get more detailed year after year, and show you a handy line graph over a week, month, six months, or a year to show how you’ve improved.

That’s a fantastic motivator, as are the little “trophies” for hitting new personal bests. There’s even a Spotify Wrapped-style roundup at the end of the year, too.

Less guesswork, more leg work

(Image credit: Fitbod)

One of the hardest parts about walking into a gym for the first time is not knowing where to start. Sure, you can narrow it down to cardio or strength training, but which exercises are best? Which equipment should you use?

Fitbod takes a lot of the guesswork out of working out. It has six categories ranging from general fitness to olympic weightlifting, and will recommend workouts based on time intervals of 15 - 90 minutes. It also targets your recovered muscles by default, so you can rest those you’ve most recently used.

Better yet, you can filter by equipment, including a setup with no equipment at all if you have 15 minutes and no weights, and if you do need guidance, it offers GIF walkthroughs on your phone or Apple Watch to show you how to do each exercise safely.

Any workout works

(Image credit: Fitbod)

One of my favorite Fitbod features is how it pulls in data from other workout apps (if you let it). While it can track your runs, indoors our outdoors, it doesn’t have the metric tracking of something like Strava.

Thankfully, I have it set up to import Strava workouts into my activity feed, showing when I’ve run and factoring it into my muscle tiredness. It also lets you tie in with Apple’s own Fitness app, meaning my walk to and from the gym can be tracked, too – of the more than 1,000 workouts I’ve done, it’s fair to say a lot of them are long strolls.

You can also ask Fitbod to export data to Strava or Fitbit, as well as Apple Health.

Thanks to Fitbod, I’ve hit heights with strength training I didn’t think were possible even a few years ago – and I’m working out muscles I’d otherwise have neglected (looking at you, legs).

My overall fitness has really leveled up, and that’s why Fitbod’s iOS widget has a permanent spot on one of my home screens at all times.

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• From January 4th to 5th, 2025, Apple TV Plus will be free.
• Apple TV Plus will let anyone stream its content.
• Take advantage and watch shows like Severance and Ted Lasso for no cost.

After a few teasers across its social channels, Apple TV Plus has confirmed via Instagram (see post below) that a free weekend of streaming is coming in fast. So whether you want to watch some Ted Lasso, Shrinking, or get caught up on Severance but don’t want to sign up – either as a new customer or a returning one – to Apple TV Plus, this is your chance to watch anything from its entire library for free.

From January 4–5, 2025 – likely a whole 48-hour event – you’ll be able to stream any of the Apple TV Plus original TV shows, movies, and documentaries for free. It’s not just occurring shortly after the holiday season and just four days into 2025, but it’s also right before the much-anticipated season 2 of Severance begins streaming on January 17, 2025.

Further, considering the teasers and free-weekend formal announcement all feature characters from the show, the timing of this free weekend likely isn’t a coincidence. It could serve to build up hype around the show’s return and even encourage folks who haven’t ventured into the halls of ‘Lumen’s’ halls to do so without needing to subscribe.

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While free weekends for streaming services aren’t unheard of, this is the first for Apple TV Plus. The streaming service routinely offers an Apple TV Plus free trial of about seven days, but that requires a sign-up. And the timing comes before a major series return and at a time when there is a boatload of great content to watch on Apple TV Plus.

There is plenty to watch on the service, including Mythic Quest, Schmigadoon!, The Morning Show, Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, and For All Mankind, among many others. You can see TechRadar’s full list of the best Apple TV Plus shows here, which will give you an idea of where to start this upcoming weekend. And when you're done there, make sure to check on our ranking of the best Apple TV Plus movies for more.

(Image credit: SOPA Images)

While you can find Apple TV Plus’ vast library of content within the Apple TV app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV 4K streaming box, it’s available on other devices, too, and even on the web. Most major streaming OSs, including Roku, Google TV, and FireOS, offer the Apple TV app for easy streaming, and it’s also built into both Samsung and LG TVs.

Apple TV Plus’ free weekend of streaming will kick off on January 4, 2025, and wrap at the end of January 5, 2025. And while we don’t yet know if it’s available in the UK, Australia, and all countries where the service is available, we’ve reached out to Apple to ask and will update this story if we hear back.

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For the first decade of the smartphone industry’s lifetime, progress was absolutely rapid. We went from the iPhone in 2007 to the iPhone X in 2017, with phone makers implementing massive changes to design, performance, and software with each new generation.

However, in the last five or so years this progress has tapered, with phone makers pushing for marginal gains, squeezing the absolute most performance possible out of existing technologies. Again looking at Apple, the jump from the iPhone 13 to iPhone 14 in 2022 felt more like a hop as the latter phone launched with the same camera, design, and chipset as its predecessor.

Indeed, at the start of 2024 we saw a phone market dominated by broadly very similar pieces of hardware – whether you prefer the iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S24, or Google Pixel 9, the average flagship sports a powerful processor, roughly 6.2-inch display that looks fantastic, a double or triple rear-camera system that takes great photos, and a long battery life. A plateau had formed.

With phone makers effectively neck-and-neck in terms of hardware, it looked like AI would be the next great decider between brands, with Apple Intelligence and Google Gemini ushering in an era of software rivalry not seen since the early days of iOS versus Android.

However, as the year pushed on, I kept hearing of new hardware technologies popping up time and time again in rumors, or bundled into new flagships from lesser-known phone makers. Now, looking to the new year, I’m confident that we’ll see the phone hardware race reignited in 2025.

A battery boost

The first development that has me truly excited for phone hardware next year is the silicon carbon battery. Though not technically brand new – the first phone with a silicon-based battery was released in 2023 by Honor – this past year has seen the adoption rate of this excellent new technology begin to speed up.

Since penning our Oppo Find X8 Pro review, I’ve been daily driving the phone and its 5910mAh battery, which continues to amaze me. Lithium-ion phone batteries are more common at the moment, but as Tom’s Guide notes silicon has a higher energy density, meaning a silicon battery can store more charge in the same amount of space.

What this translates to for a large flagship such as the Find X8 Pro is charging once every two days and leaving the house with 30% charge knowing it’ll see you through an evening. For smaller phones like the iPhone 16, silicon-carbon technology could finally give users truly reliable all-day battery life. Having tried it myself, I reckon it could change the game in 2025.

A powerful performance push

Sticking with internals, 2024 was the first year in a few in which we saw significant gains in the world of chipsets. After a few lackluster generations from both Apple and Qualcomm, we were treated to a push forwards on both sides.

The A18 chipset found in the iPhone 16 boasts 30% faster processing and 40% faster graphics than the A16 found in the iPhone 15. While the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite nearly doubled the performance of the A18 Pro found in the iPhone 16 Pro when our US Mobiles editor Philip Berne ran benchmarks to compare the two.

The first Snapdragon 8 Elite phones are starting to emerge from Chinese phone makers like Xiaomi and Nubia, though I’m especially excited to see what Samsung does with the chipset in the rumored Galaxy S25 Ultra. The world’s most powerful phone with the world’s new most powerful chipset? That’s reason enough to be excited right there.

MediaTek has also emerged as a worthwhile challenger to Apple and Qualcomm, supplying plenty of mid-range and budget phones as well as Chinese flagships. Speaking from experience, the top-end Dimensity 9400 chipset found in the Find X8 Pro absolutely rips – I’ve yet to find a way to slow the thing down. It’s great to have a new competitor in the mix as we head into the new year.

Finally, some decent zooming

There’s plenty to be excited about in terms of photography, too. If rumors are to be believed, 2025 could be the year we see a leading flagship launch with a 1-inch sensor thanks to the rumored Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. There have been other phones produced with a 1-inch sensor, like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Oppo Find X7 Ultra. But these aren’t widely available – a 1-inch sensor camera from Samsung, Apple, or Google would set a very high bar for the entire industry, and no-doubt shake up our list of the best camera phones in the process.

I’m expecting telephoto cameras to get more and more impressive in 2025, too. The iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to ship with a 48MP 5x zoom camera optimized for video – that’s four times the resolution of the 12MP zoom snapper found on the iPhone 16 Pro. Further tips suggest that Samsung has developed a telephoto lens with a brighter aperture to aid with low-light portraits. Some might consider this a niche aspect of phone design, but I’ve long thought that zoom is a crucial part of the phone camera experience and am hyped to see some progress made.

With some of these technologies already available, and others still only existing in the aether of rumors and tip offs, it’ll be up to phone makers to either take up the potential with new models or develop rumored tech into reality. I’m also hoping for further surprises in display tech, sustainability and repairability, and adventurous design choices.

With that all said, one thing remains clear: the stage is set for some exciting phone hardware developments in 2025.

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• A 9th victim has been identified in the Salt Typhoon hack
• No attackers are thought to be lurking on the networks
• The White House wants to go on the 'offensive' against cyber threats

An ongoing assessment of the notorious Salt Typhoon hack has claimed there are no longer any lurking hackers present in the breached networks, and that all networks are now secure. This is the latest development in one of the most far reaching cyber-espionage campaigns in recent memory, which has just claimed its 9th victim, the White House confirmed.

Major telecoms firms like AT&T and Verizon were amongst the victims of the campaign, with over 100,000 routers compromised in just one network, which allowed broad and full access, allowing the attackers to "geolocate millions of individuals, to record phone calls at will."

It’s believed that fewer than 100 individuals were affected personally by the attack, with the group specifically identifying a small number of devices around the Washington DC area, with a goal of identifying and monitoring government targets to collect intelligence.

White House retribution

The attack has sparked response from the White House, as incoming President Trump has vowed to go on the offensive. Officials claim years of cyberdefense has been ineffective, and Mike Waltz, new national security advisor has warned the US will need to ‘start imposing’ on nation state actors who pose a threat.

Whilst the investigation is ongoing, it seems unlikely that the scale of the intrusion will ever be fully understood, with damage limitation and mitigating follow-on risk now a high priority.

“That’s why we’re looking forward and saying ‘let’s lock down this infrastructure,’ and frankly, let’s hold the Chinese accountable for this,” said Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for cyber and emerging technology.

“From what we’re seeing regarding the level of cybersecurity implemented across the telecom sectors, those networks are not as defensible as they need to be to defend against a well-resourced, capable, offensive cyber actor like China.”

Via Reuters

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With 2024 coming to a close, I’m looking back on everything that happened with 4K Blu-ray over the past year. Needless to say, it’s been a year of ups and downs. We’ve seen some excellent releases, especially from independent distributors. We’ve also seen brands and retailers exit the 4K Blu-ray market, whether it’s selling discs or players.

As one of TechRadar’s TV reviewers, the best 4K Blu-ray players and discs are crucial for testing the best TVs as they provide not only the best picture quality thanks to a higher bitrate than streaming but also better-quality audio for testing a TV’s built-in speakers and the best soundbars.

But 2024 really has been a rollercoaster year for us 4K Blu-ray fans. There have been reports of increasing disc sales from major UK retailers, and then elsewhere you read that the state of physical media is in decline and it’s all very doom and gloom. So what did happen in the world of 4K Blu-ray in 2024?

Disney and Best Buy sabotage, plus a Sony savior

Without Sony, movies like Deadpool & Wolverine wouldn't have made it to 4K Blu-ray (Image credit: Future)

In two of the major news stories for 4K Blu-ray, Best Buy decided to stop stocking 4K Blu-ray discs and then Disney announced its decision to cease 4K Blu-ray releases. Still, 4K Blu-ray remained alive and well thanks to the efforts of smaller distributors like The Criterion Collection and Arrow Video, both of which released superb remasters and gorgeous special editions of classic movies. I bought The Warriors from Arrow Video US and it’s an incredible release.

But, these small companies can’t be expected to do all the work and whatever you think of Disney’s current filmography, its back catalog is vast and it owns production companies like Fox. Plenty of critic- and audience-lauded movies, such as All of Us Strangers, would miss out on being presented in the best quality, starving home theater fans of a 4K Blu-ray release.

However, an unexpected savior appeared when Sony agreed to take over distribution rights for Disney’s physical media. This meant that movies and TV shows from Disney, Marvel, Fox and others would now get physical releases. It was some much-needed good news for the world of 4K Blu-ray.

Retailers and brands come and go

Panasonic is one of the few remaining brands offering mid-range 4K Blu-ray players (Image credit: Future)

Disney and Best Buy weren’t the only major brands to pull out from 4K Blu-ray, with another blow dealt as recently as December when LG announced it was discontinuing production of 4K Blu-ray players. That leaves Panasonic and Sony as the only remaining mainstream brands providing ‘new’, budget and mid-range Blu-ray players (Oppo and Samsung pulled out of the 4K Blu-ray player market in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and remaining brands like Magentar and Reavon are aimed at the premium end of the market). While some players are still available on the second-hard marketplace, you can expect stock to become increasingly scarce.

Despite more woes, some retailers have decided to get on the 4K Blu-ray train. For example, US retailers Fred Meyers and GameStop announced they would stock 4K Blu-ray discs back in May, providing more outlets for 4K Blu-ray fans to get movies.

4K Blu-ray in 2025

My 4K Blu-ray obsession accelerated in 2024, with the best purchase being this stunning 4K Blu-ray Special Edition of The Warriors from Arrow Video. Who knows what I'll add in 2025? (Image credit: Future)

So, what’s the outlook for 4K Blu-ray in 2025? Honestly, I'm hopeful. Here at TechRadar, we’ve noticed an appetite for 4K Blu-ray info, with more readers getting in touch and more eyes on any 4K Blu-ray-related news. So much so that we’ve launched the Blu-ray Bounty, where we look at great 4K Blu-ray releases each month, with our first edition showcasing Double Indemnity, Power of the Dog and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Spending more time with 4K Blu-ray has also fuelled my obsession. Along with The Warriors, I’ve recently added The Crow, The Dark Knight Trilogy and The Lord of the Rings to my collection, among many others that would take too long to list!

But, that’s the state of Blu-ray for us here at TechRadar. What about the wider world? Again, signs point to a minor revolution. That may sound exaggerated, but with the best streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus constantly raising prices people are going to get fed up. Prime Video not only added ads for all users unless you paid $2.99 / £2.99 to go ad-free in January 2024 but it’s set to add even more ads in 2025. This is just one example of streaming services squeezing the pennies out of people, with Netflix also kicking people off its cheapest ad-free tier, forcing an upgrade or a cancellation. I’d list more cases from 2024, but we’d be here all day.

Another frustration I’ve found is the constant hot potato that these streaming services play with movies and TV shows. Too many times have I gone to watch a favorite or a classic that’s caught my eye one month to find next month it’s gone. With discs, you own the content and it’s there to watch. I’ll be keeping an eye to see how many other people get fed up with this in 2025 and opt to trust in good ol’ physical media.

Final thoughts

I'll be testing the best 4K Blu-ray releases as much as I can in 2025, so expect more Blu-ray Bounty! (Image credit: Future)

4K Blu-ray and physical media in general has faced a year of highs and lows in 2024 and while I’m hopeful for its future in 2025, I know there is still uncertainty. Physical media sales overall remain on the decline and despite rising prices, streaming services are still the main way people watch movies and TV shows.

But, 4K Blu-ray is the best way to enjoy movies on your home theater system and the more people get to experience this wonderful format, the more popular it will become. I can recommend two players and five movies that will get you started on your journey if you’re new and, rest assured, I’ll be flying the 4K Blu-ray flag in 2025!

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• An attack on FreshClick has exposed customer payment details and more
• The extension is used by Zagg’s ecommerce provider, BigCommerce
• Affected customers are getting free credit monitoring for a year

Zagg has notified affected customers of a data breach that put highly sensitive information at risk, including payment card details.

In a letter dated December 26, 2024 (via the Office of the Maine Attorney General), the company confirmed a 12-day-long attack between October 26 and November 7, which it became aware of one day later on November 8.

The problem stems from an attack on FreshClick, a third-party application used by Zagg’s ecommerce software platform provider BigCommerce.

Zagg confirms cyberattack

“We learned that an unknown actor injected into the FreshClick app malicious code that was designed to scrape credit card data entered as part of the checkout process for certain ZAGG.com customer transactions between October 26, 2024 and November 7, 2024," the company confirmed.

Names, shipping and billing addresses, and payment card information could be at risk as a result.

In recognition of the severity of the attack, Zagg is giving affected customers 12 months’ access to credit monitoring through Experian. It’s also urging customers to monitor their financial accounts, place fraud alerts and consider credit freezes to prevent identity theft.

BigCommerce said (via Bleeping Computer): “Acting in the best interest of our customers and their shoppers, we immediately uninstalled the app in their stores, which removed any compromised APIs and malicious code.”

Basic internet hygiene principles like being cautious about sharing certain information and following potentially malicious links go a long way to protecting consumers against potential attacks, however when an attack affects a third-party service such as this, there’s very little that consumers can do, highlighting the widespread risks of online activity.

Apologizing for the inconvenience, Zagg has established a dedicated phone line for concerned customers to seek further answers and advice.

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• Infinity Nikki Version 1.1 is out now
• It introduces new limited-time events, plus a fresh Mira Journey battle pass
• You can also claim free log in rewards

Magical fashionistas rejoice, cause cozy open-world dress-up adventure Infinity Nikki has received its first major update.

The Version 1.1, or ‘Shooting Star Season’ update, introduces a wide range of new events with some great rewards. This includes the ‘Star-Kissed Wishes’ event, which allows you to earn Diamonds and the exclusive ‘Memory's Stardust’ earrings sketch. There’s also the limited-time ‘Celestial Wishes’ Resonance event, with the five-star ‘Wings of Wishes’ and four-star ‘Starfall Radiance’ outfits up for grabs.

Both outfits grant unique effects. Wearing the full ‘Wings of Wishes’ set allows you to float around gracefully on the wings of a paper crane, while wearing the full ‘Starfall Radiance' set fills the sky with beautiful shooting stars.

The ‘Into a Starry Night’ event will also be unlocked, letting you complete tasks in order to claim the free three-star ‘Path of Starlight’ outfit. This is on top of the ‘Adventures under the Stars’, ‘Let’s Touch Shooting Stars!’, and ‘Take the Bait, Pink Ribbon Eel!’ events, which will each offer their own rewards.

New check-in bonuses will be available too, with those who log in for a total of seven days receiving 10 Revelation Crystal.

As you might expect, the update brings a handful of new quests. Notable additions include the ‘Call of Beginnings’ Interlude Chapter, which rewards you with a sketch for the five-star ‘Silvergale’s Arial’ Miracle Outfit free of charge. A new Mira Journey battle pass has been enabled, letting you level up through a fresh series of rewards.

Some novel features are being added, such as Assisted Path. If you frequently fail at a dungeon stage, you will be able to enable Assisted Path in order to quickly clear it, which sounds incredibly useful.

All of this has been bundled with plenty of fixes and optimizations, improving the Infinity Nikki experience. You can read the full patch notes via a recent post to the game’s official X / Twitter account.

Infinity Nikki is available now as a free-to-play title on PC, PlayStation 5, Android, and iOS.

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Reacher season 3: key information

- Set to debut on Prime Video next February
- First trailer released in early December
- Based on Lee Child’s seventh Reacher book, which is titled 'Persuader'
- Alan Ritchson and Maria Sten returning from previous seasons
- New supporting cast revealed
- Plot synopsis detailed by Amazon
- Season 4 is already in the works

Ready to rock and roll with Reacher season 3? You're in luck. Indeed, we don't have to wait much longer for a show that's been dubbed “peak Dad TV” by numerous observers to return to our screeners.

Why? Because Reacher's latest season will make its Prime Video debut on February 20, 2025. At the time that this article is going live, then, the hit Amazon series is less than two months away from making its comeback. Before it does, you'll want the latest news and rumors about Reacher season 3, including its full release schedule, cast details, early story teases, and more. Good job we've put in the hard yards and rounded all of that up for you, then, eh?

Major spoilers follow for Reacher's previous two seasons. Potential cast and plot spoilers also follow for the forthcoming season, too.

Reacher season 3 release date

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Reacher season 3 will officially makes its bow on Prime Video, aka one of the world's best streaming services, on February 20, 2025. The announcement was made during Amazon's CCXP Brazil panel in early December, with Ritchson taking to the stage to unveil Reacher season 3's release date and trailer (more on the latter shortly).

Like the action show's second season, this chapter will launch with a three-episode premiere. New entries will air weekly until the season finale on March 27 after it debuts.

Reacher season 3 trailer

Reacher season 3's full trailer hasn't dropped online yet, but a 30-second teaser received its world premiere at CCXP Brazil. Typically, it showed off plenty of explosive action, the return of Reacher's most trustworthy ally in Maria Sten's Frances Neagley, and introduced us to a towering new henchman who's not only taller than the eponymous hero, but also the one individual who's been able to properly know Reacher to the ground with a single punch.

Reacher season 3 confirmed cast

Alan Ritchson returns to take names and kick butt as the titular character (Image credit: Prime Video)

Possible spoilers follow for Reacher season 3.

Here's the confirmed cast list for Reacher season 3 so far:

• Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher
• Maria Sten as Frances Neagley
• Olivier Richters as Paulie
• Anthony Michael Hall as Zachary Beck
• Sonya Cassidy as Susan Duffy
• Brian Tee as Quinn
• Johnny Berchtold as Richard Beck
• Robert Montesinos as Guillermo Villanueva
• Daniel David Stewart as Steven Elliot

Ritchson and Sten reprise their roles from Reacher's previous seasons, but there are plenty of new faces joining them for the show's next outing.

The *ahem* biggest news is that Dutch bodybuilder Olivier Richters, who stands at over seven foot, is playing an absolute colossus going by the name of Paulie. He was seen briefly in season 3's first trailer as the individual who gives Reacher a taste of his own medicine from a brute force viewpoint.

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In February, Amazon announced two other new hires in Hall and Cassidy. The former is playing Zachary Beck, aka "a formidable and successful businessman, Beck is a widow and single father of a 20-year-old son, Richard. He is the owner of a rug import company that Reacher and his cohorts suspect is a cover for a more nefarious operation". Cassidy, meanwhile, will portray Agent Susan Duffy, "an extremely intelligent and tough DEA agent from Boston with a sharp and sarcastic sense of humour."

One month later, Amazon MGM Studios confirmed four more actors had landed roles. Tee will play Quinn, a "physically imposing and intimidating Lieutenant Colonel in the army, who Reacher investigated ten years ago when he sold military secrets to hostile nations". Berchtold is on board as Richard Beck, the only son of Zachary, who we’re told is a "sensitive and artistic college student."

Elsewhere, Montesinos will star as Villanueva, a DEA agent on the verge of retirement. Villanueva is Duffy's mentor and described as "paunchy with bad knees and a good natured sense of humour, he really loves and cares about Duffy even though they bust each other's chops all the time". Lastly, Stewart will play Steven Elliot, a clean-cut rookie DEA agent, who is "lovable, fresh-faced, new to the job and still learning."

Reacher season 3 story synopsis and rumors

Frances Neagley will, once again, aid Jack Reacher throughout this season (Image credit: Prime Video)

Mild spoilers follow for Reacher season 3's plot.

Here's the official story synopsis for season 3: "In the third season of the action-packed series, Reacher hurtles into the dark heart of a vast criminal enterprise when trying to rescue an undercover DEA informant whose time is running out. There he finds a world of secrecy and violence – and confronts some unfinished business from his own past."

The forthcoming season is based on 'Persuader', the seventh book in Lee Child’s global best-selling book series. And, based on what Ritchson told ComicBook.com, this season could be one of his most personal stories yet. "There's a lot of classic Reacher stories which are just adventures that he gets sucked into in a big way," the man mountain actor said. "We get to enjoy Reacher in a new world. It may not have anything to do with family [or] with his past – he's just living that adventure out and that's kind of the direction that we've gone and it seems to really be working."

Elaborating further on what fans can expect from the threequel, Ritchson told Collider: "Things get pretty dangerous. Things get – and I mean this, I would never lead you astray – there's been a little tiny something in each season where I've been like, 'I wish we could do that better.'

"Season 3 is by far the best season we've ever made," he continued. "Start to finish, this is high octane action, this is peak TV, and I cannot wait for everyone to watch this. I don't want to ruin it for you. In 'Persuader', Reacher has to go undercover, and he's gotta do some heavy lifting, both to stay alive and to find someone he's looking for. Things get quite dangerous. But he also comes across his most formidable foe yet in Paulie."

Sounds like the titular roamer is in for a rough ride, then! February 2025 can't come soon enough.

Has Prime Video said anything about Reacher season 4 yet?

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It has – in fact, Amazon MGM Studios confirmed it has greenlit Reacher season 4 in October. Not only that, but the e-commerce giant's entertainment division also announced a spin-off project, which will center on Sten's Neagley.

"Reacher has become a phenomenon that continues to resonate with our global customers beyond our wildest expectations and we are thrilled to bring the series back for an additional season," Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios, said in a Prime Video statement. "We are looking forward to more action and adventure from the immensely talented team behind the series including Nick Santora, Alan Ritchson, Lee Child, Skydance, and CBS Studios."

Considering there are 28 (!) books in Lee Child's Reacher novel series, there's still plenty of source material for the series to draw from. Given how popular Reacher continues to be – season 1 was an unexpectedly massive hit, while its sequel was the most-streamed Amazon TV Original of 2023 – as well, its massive audience isn't like to get tired of seeing Ritchson beat up more goons in the years ahead. Don't expect Reacher season 4 to be the show's last installment, then.

For more Prime Video coverage, read our guides on Invincible season 3, The Rings of Power season 3, Mr and Mrs Smith season 2, and Fallout season 2.

• A potential Nintendo Switch 2 colorway may have leaked
• A new image suggests that the console will come in black / orange
• The rumored 'C' button is also visible

The good news is that we might finally know what kinds of colors the Nintendo Switch 2 could be available in. The bad news is that the potential colorway suggested by a recent leak is absolutely hideous.

The information comes from prominent leaker ‘NextHandheld’, who has been sharing images purportedly showing a finalized Nintendo Switch 2 retail unit on X / Twitter over the last few weeks. They respond to a user asking whether the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature blue and orange Joy-Con controllers, posting a cryptic photo that appears to support that claim.

In the image, we see the long-rumored ‘C’ button, a mysterious new input that has shown up in other recent leaks. It’s not entirely clear what it does quite yet, though some have speculated that it could be related to new online functions or a new hardware feature present on the system’s redesigned Joy-Con controllers.

The bottom of the home button can also be seen at the top of the image, which would indicate that this is a photo of the right Joy-Con. Interestingly, the colors are quite unlike anything we’ve seen with the Nintendo Switch thus far. The Joy-Con itself is black, but it's impossible to ignore what looks like a bright orange strip to the left of the controller.

It’s unclear whether this is part of the Joy-Con itself, the mechanism by which it will attach to the console, or just an accessory. It seems safe to assume that the other Joy-Con will feature an inverted version of this color scheme, presumably replacing the orange element with the blue claimed by the leaker.

I’m not the biggest fan of this color scheme, as the orange shown in the leak is quite garish and honestly looks like something you’d see on a piece of construction equipment rather than a gaming console. It’s definitely a bit of a downgrade compared to the now iconic Neon Red/Neon Blue configuration of the original Nintendo Switch, at least in my opinion.

Luckily, Nintendo does tend to release its consoles in a couple of different variants so, if this leak is accurate, there might be a nicer option to choose from when it finally arrives.

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• Model numbers for three phones spotted
• Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Flip 7 look likely
• Another SE foldable should be coming

Our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review will tell you we've been impressed by Samsung's foldable offerings this year, and now we have a better idea about what's coming through the course of 2025.

The team at Android Authority has been digging into the beta code for One UI 7 (Samsung's take on Android 15), and has discovered some interesting new model numbers that match up with numbers for the current phones.

We can see the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 here – designated by the codenames SM-F966 and SM-F751, respectively – and it seems we're also getting a successor to the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition.

That last phone, codename SM-F968, could perhaps get a global launch – unlike the model it's replacing, which is currently only available in South Korea. The current Z Fold SE is lighter and thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, with better cameras and bigger screens, so we'd like to see the next iteration sold more widely.

A full year of Samsung phones

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Unfortunately, these code snippets don't tell us too much about what's actually coming with these foldable phones. The names of the phones aren't even included, though Android Authority has made some educated guesses.

In fact, we haven't heard much at all about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7. These phones do at least appear to be on the way, though it's not clear what we can look forward to in terms of upgrades.

For the time being at least, the focus is on the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, which we're expecting to get a grand unveiling at some point during January. This year the usual three models might get joined by a new Galaxy S25 Slim edition.

We might even get a tri-fold from Samsung sometime during 2025, the thinking being that it wants to push out more form factors and compete directly with the Huawei Mate XT. It's shaping up to be another busy year for Samsung phones.

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• Christmas Eve attack sees Cyberhaven Chrome extension hit
• Some data could have been exfiltrated, Cyberhaven systems secure
• Users are being told to change their passwords

Cyberhaven has confirmed its Google Chrome extension was the subject of a Christmas Eve cyberattack, exposing sensitive customer data like passwords and session tokens.

In a statement, the data loss prevention company noted the attack showed signs of being part of a “wider campaign” to target other companies, too.

The attack started as many others do – an employee fell for a phishing email and shared their credentials, giving the threat actor access to Cyberhaven’s systems.

Cyberhaven shares details of Christmas Eve attack

More specifically, the attacker obtained the worker’s Google Chrome Web Store credentials, allowing them to post a malicious version of its Chrome extension to the marketplace. Only version 24.10.4 was affected on Chrome-based browsers that auto-updated; the code was active between 1:32 AM UTC on December 25 and 2:50 AM UTC on December 26.

CEO Howard Ting said the compromise was detected by the firm’s security team at 11:54 PM UTC on Christmas Day – it was removed within an hour, noting, “I’m proud of how quickly our team reacted, with virtually everyone in the company interrupting their holiday plans to serve our customers, and acting with the transparency that is core to our company values.”

No other Cyberhaven systems, such as CI/CD processes and code signing keys, were compromised, however users’ cookies and authenticated sessions for certain targeted websites could have been exfiltrated.

Users are now being advised to maintain basic internet hygiene principles, such as ensuring that their extensions are up to date (in this case, version 24.10.5 or newer), reviewing logs for suspicious activity, and revoking or rotating all passwords that aren't FIDOv2.

The company has already implemented additional security measures to prevent similar future attacks and is actively cooperating with law enforcement.

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