TechRadar News

• VulnCheck found a bug being actively exploited in ProjectSend
• Crooks are using it to create rogue accounts and deploy malware
• Thousands of instances are at risk, experts warn

Researchers have warned hackers are taking advantage of a critical vulnerability in ProjectSend giving them access to servers and the ability to run arbitrary commands remotely.

ProjectSend is a free, open source file-sharing software businesses can use to securely upload, manage, and share files with clients, team members, or other designated users. It's commonly used by businesses, freelancers, and nonprofits that don’t want to rely on third-party services such as Dropbox.

Apparently, an older version, that predates May 16, 2023, carried a critical authentication bypass vulnerability - and since the bug was never assigned a CVE, and thus was never publicly disclosed, most users were unaware of its existence.

Multiple attackers

As a result, the vast majority of ProjectSend users - 99% of them - were operating an older, unpatched and vulnerable version. In total, there are apparently 4,000 public-facing instances, and just 1% are using a patched version.

Once VulnCheck, a cybersecurity platform that focuses on identifying and analyzing vulnerabilities, observed the bug being actively exploited in the wild, it was given a designation CVE-2024-11680. Crooks were using it to create new accounts under their control, plant webshells, and embed JavaScript code.

VulnCheck added the exploitation picked up pace in September 2024, when Metasploit and Nuclei both released public exploits for the flaw.

"VulnCheck noticed that public-facing ProjectSend servers had started to change their landing page titles to long, random-ish strings," the platform said. "These long and random-ish names are in line with how both Nuclei and Metasploit implement their vulnerability testing logic."

"Both exploit tools modify the victim's configuration file to alter the sitename (and therefore HTTP title) with a random value."

At this time, there is no information about the identity of the attackers, or their motives, however it was said that the attempts came from at least 100 different IP addresses, meaning that numerous groups and individual hackers were taking advantage of the bug.

Via BleepingComputer

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AI is rapidly becoming a lifeline for businesses around the world, helping them to streamline operations and serve their customers better.

Small businesses, many with limited staff, experience and funds, are likely to see some of the greatest benefits, and they’re already taking steps to harness its opportunities. According to Shopify’s global 2024 Merchant Survey, 49% of British retailers plan to use AI to help them generate content like product descriptions or social media. A third (30%) also said they’re using it to enhance the product imagery on their websites, and the same are deploying it within their marketing efforts.

It’s clear AI has the power to revolutionize how businesses large and small operate. Yet there’s still room for improvement, notably making the shopping experience better for customers. For brands to thrive as consumer expectations grow, they need to implement AI strategies across every aspect of their business.

Consumer expectation vs AI reality

Our new 2024 Holiday Retail research report found that consumers see the benefits of AI and want more, highlighting how it can make the shopping experience better, elevate the service they receive from brands, and specifically improve the in-store experience (36%).

However, while merchants have obviously noted some of the ways AI can help them, the customer experience is sadly lacking. Only 20% of retailers plan to use it specifically to improve that area of their business this year. With so much consumer interest in AI, now is the time for brands to differentiate themselves by delivering AI-enhanced customer experiences.

Personalization through innovation

AI is going to be critical to helping merchants achieve the balance of running their business and establishing meaningful relationships with their customers. To elevate it beyond making imagery and marketing campaigns more interesting to consumers, businesses should also think about how they can incorporate AI to help drive greater personalization at scale.

Providing a personalized service to many customers at once – each who expects a service that aligns with their unique preferences – is rapidly becoming a differentiator for retailers. Thankfully AI can step in to lighten the load on these businesses. Much like Netflix recommends shows based on past viewing habits, retailers can use the data they have from customers to drive engagement.

AI can also be a useful tool to help businesses expand into new markets faster. By using AI functionalities to create product descriptions in local languages and apply sensitivity to different cultures, it can accelerate relevance and credibility for brands with local audiences.

AI and personalization isn’t limited to online though. With the rise of unified commerce – which connects all the dots across sales channels into one view of the customer – retailers can offer the same experience to shoppers in-store too.

Combined, the insights that AI solutions create could even help to lower customer acquisition costs, by enabling marketing and sales teams to focus on serving the right product to the right customers.

Maintaining the human touch

While AI has the potential to supercharge businesses, it cannot be a replacement for human interaction and creativity. A theme that consistently comes up when speaking to consumers is that, while they want fast, efficient and personalized experiences from the brands they interact with, they don’t want to feel like they are just interacting with a robot.

For businesses there is a balance to be struck. Incorporate AI into the tasks that teams either don’t have the skills or time to work on, so they can focus on delivering a best-in-class, and most importantly, human service to customers.

The AI-driven future of retail

Operations, such as product imagery enhancements and descriptions, marketing campaigns and more will all benefit from AI-based optimization. Such solutions, alongside real human interactions, are already having a material impact on what the customer experience looks like.

As expectations grow as to what customer experience should look like and a seamless online and in-store experience becomes the must-have, AI’s importance will grow further. While retailers can source and collate that data, it’s only with AI and digital tools that they can identify and act on the insights it provides to give consumers the unified and personalized service that they are looking for.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

The best streaming services generally slow down just before the holidays, but not Hulu: it's adding absolutely tons of new movies and TV shows this month, and you can see everything new on Hulu for December 2024 here.

One of the reasons there's so much to stream this month is of course because Hulu is the home of so many Hollywood movies. And that means you're absolutely spoilt for choice no matter what genres you prefer.

With so many new movies to choose from it's hard to pick favorites, but we're going to do just that anyway: this month's Hulu haul includes one of our very favorite action movies, one of the best Christmas family movies and a modern, transatlantic take on a Kurosawa classic.

Speed

RT Score: 95%
Age rating: R
Length: 1h 55m
Director: Jan De Bont
Arriving:

Some films never grow old, and Speed is definitely one of them: it has a fantastic concept – Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are trapped in a bus, and if its speed drops below 50 it's explosion time – tremendous pacing and Dennis Hopper chewing the scenery as the deranged bomber. You absolutely have the need for Speed this month: as The Hollywood Reporter said at the time, "there should be traffic jams at the box office as Fox picks up many busloads of riders for its fast and furiously entertaining thriller Speed."

Miracle on 34th Street

RT Score: 96%
Age rating: PG
Length: 1h 36m
Director: George Seaton
Arriving:

Forget the nineties remake: the vastly superior 1947 original of this Christmas classic is the one you want to stream this season. It's a brilliant alternative to the saccharine sweetness of so many festive films.

The tale of a man who stands in for a sloshed Santa in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and then claims he's the real Santa Claus is "light, it is charming, it is delightfully funny and completely captivating. It is all that, and something more," says the New York Daily News, while TIME says it's "A surefire, brightly cynical bit of whimsy."

Living

RT Score: 96%
Age rating: PG-13
Length: 1h 42m
Director: Oliver Hermanus
Arriving:

"This British remake of the Japanese classic, Ikiru, scripted by the novelist Kazuo Ishiguro, is a moving experience," says the iNews newspaper. Bill Nighy plays a strait-laced accountant who decides it's time to live after receiving the worst possible news.

The original was hailed as a masterpiece, and this reimagined version has garnered lots of five star reviews from the likes of Empire, who wrote: "It’s gorgeously executed by Hermanus, whose carefully-considered, gently-paced classical filmmaking recalls the modernism of David Lean or Carol Reed; it’s rare that a colour film has felt so black-and-white."

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The artificially intelligent classroom is already with us. It’s not about robot teachers, or VR headsets: instead, the AI classroom offers technologies that ‘upgrade’ flesh-and-blood teachers and make new educational experiences possible. The AI education market is forecast to grow at an incredible rate this decade, hitting $88.2 billion worldwide by 2030, all driven by technologies that create lesson plans, mark papers and track progress. But perhaps the most exciting application of AI technology in education is in upgrading the way lessons are taught, and the way children learn.

Generative artificial intelligence can not only deliver personalized and adaptive learning experiences, it can also offer teachers instant feedback, and parents insight into how a child is performing. For parents, teaching is all too often a ‘black box’, and for educators, feedback is often something that is too expensive for institutions to deliver. Research by Stanford University has already highlighted the value of automated feedback delivered by AI systems, with educators in the study helping to build on students’ contributions, and students happier with classes where AI feedback was used.

The promise of the ‘AI classroom’ is to enhance the way teachers deliver lessons. For example, by using generative AI to analyze recordings of lessons, AI can become a tireless assistant that offers advice to upgrade the education experience for parents, pupils and teachers.

Forging connections

AI in education can help to break down the barriers that have historically existed around the teaching process. The Stanford study highlights the promise of offering educators feedback on their teaching, but a world where this could be applied to mainstream learning spaces would deliver entirely new learning experiences, addressing challenges from accessibility of learning materials to the historic lack of transparency in the classroom.

Automatically generated lesson transcripts (or ‘lesson summaries’) can offer parents a ‘window’ through which they can see how their child is performing. Teachers can get instant feedback on what works, and what does not. For teachers, the feedback not only cuts admin (by suggesting areas for further study), it can deliver insight which can ‘upgrade’ the teaching process and deliver learning personalized to the needs of that particular child.

Supporting the human

People often depict the classroom of the future as a dehumanised, robotic place. But the role of AI is to enhance the human. A 2024 scientific paper published in the journal Computers and Education highlighted that the teachers who are keenest on generative AI are ambitious teachers, teachers who prize autonomy and teachers who are stressed out by their burden of work. Artificial intelligence can be a workhorse that handles admin, with flourishes such as creating quizzes instantly, or generating complex lesson plans in a matter of minutes. The teacher is freed to focus on delivering for pupils, becoming a curator as well as a creator.

In education, human insight and creativity will always be at the center. AI algorithms can only work with existing data, and lack the inspiration and reasoning that human beings can bring. The best teachers of the future will be people who can create new ideas and new approaches, but who also engage with technology to deliver the best possible experiences for children. AI-augmented teachers, armed with instant feedback and content creation tools, will be able to deliver more than their unaugmented colleagues.

The classroom of the future

This is just the beginning. As more and more teachers adopt AI tools, there will be more data at the fingertips of those who are designing such tools. The most successful autonomous car projects are those that ‘learn’ from the cars around them and from the streets. In the same way, artificial intelligence will ‘learn’ from how educators deliver success, and will deliver personalized, incredible experiences. For example, if a young child is a Star Wars fan, an AI tutor could appear as Darth Vader.

For children, it will be natural to interact with advanced AI in this way. For us, it feels unusual, but for children, it will be no different to playing a video game. This evolution is going to come rapidly. For me, the AI revolution is like the Internet revolution, but the speed of iterations has increased. In five years, if AI is implemented effectively well in education, it’s going to be possible to give kids access to education that we never imagined to be possible, so that every kid has the perfect teacher, augmented by artificial intelligence.

A new way to teach

If allowed to, Artificial intelligence will totally change what is possible in education. It can work seamlessly behind the scenes to improve learning for children, while also boosting the abilities of teachers by delivering invaluable feedback. Politicians and leaders in the sector should be aware of this, and work to build AI into the teaching journey, ensuring that educators are trained in how to use AI tools, and that access to AI is considered a standard part of the educational journey for young people. Over the longer term, AI will deliver enormous good for children - and this is just the beginning.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Laptop sales are set to grow even more next year, but not all will be AI PCs, report claims
• Windows 10’s official 2025 end of life will force many to upgrade
• Businesses can’t see the benefit of expensive AI PCs just yet

After a stagnant period, the global laptop market is forecast to grow by 4.9% to 183 million units in 2025, however it might not be for the reason you think.

Although AI PCs are stealing the headlines, new research from TrendForce suggests commercial upgrade cycles and the October 2025 Windows 10 end-of-life could be the key driving forces.

If projections turn out to be accurate, 2025 would see better growth than 2024, which is on track for a 3.9% year-over-year increase in shipments to 174 million units.

PC upgrades are still being driven by Windows 10 EOL

The report claims high interest rates and geopolitical uncertainties have tampered with consumer demand in 2024, but the hope is that reduced political uncertainty following the US presidential election and Federal Reserve rate cuts could stimulate more cash flow next year, leading companies that were previously holding off on upgrades to take action.

Most prominent is the Windows 10 end-of-service deadline, as the ancient software still somehow accounts for three-fifths (61%) of all installs, which is nearly double Windows 11’s 36% market share. Still, the figures are finally heading in the right direction for Microsoft after slow uptake of its flagship AI-packed operating system.

On the other end of the scale and despite industry hype, AI-integrated laptops are not yet a major market driver. Currently carrying a 10-15% premium over their non-AI counterparts and offering little in terms of perceivable upgrade given that they’re still in their infancy, businesses are failing to see the clear use cases for them.

An Intel study also recently found that many of those who have bought into AI-capable PCs are failing to see the benefits due to an initial learning curve.

During this year’s third quarter, industry tracker Canalys found that AI PCs accounted for one in five new shipments; Windows Copilot+ PCs accounted for more than half (53%) of those.

"Despite the positive momentum, significant work must still be done to convince both channel partners and end customers of the benefits of AI-capable PCs," noted Principal Analyst Ishan Dutt, adding how the upcoming Windows 10 transition will lead to potential growth in the consumer and business sectors.

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Max's December 2024 schedule is a little frosty when it comes to Christmas titles. Aside from HGTV's annual White House Christmas decorating special and OWN's festive TV movies, there's not much else offering the Christmas spirit in the list below. But, if you're hunkering down during the cold, winter months, you will be pleased to hear that there's an abundance of movies and TV shows joining the platform for the whole family to enjoy.

In November, one of the best streaming services brought us all the Christmas cheer it could seemingly muster up. So, while we go fully festive, those titles are still on offer alongside some of the best Max movies. And during December, there's new seasons of some of the best Max shows, comedy specials, documentaries, and lots of other content to add to your watchlist. Plus, Clint Eastwood is back in the director's chair for new movie, Juror #2. Here's everything new on Max in December 2024.

Everything new on Max in December 2024

Arriving on December 1

Cedar Rapids (movie)
Clash of the Titans (movie)
Cop Out (movie)
Death Race (movie)
Glee The 3D Concert Movie (movie)
Hamlet 2 (movie)
How I Live Now (movie)
Invisible Stripes (movie)
It All Came True (movie)
Jupiter Ascending (movie)
Key Largo (movie)
Kid Galahad (movie)
King of the Underworld (movie)
Lightning Strikes Twice (movie)
Lord of the Rings (movie)
Man from God's Country (movie)
Marine Raiders (movie)
Marked Woman (movie)
Meet Me in St. Louis (movie)
Megamind (movie)
Mr. Popper’s Penguins (movie)
National Velvet (movie)
Ninja Assassin (movie)
Overland Telegraph (movie)
Passage to Marseille (movie)
Person to Person (movie)
Pistol Harvest (movie)
Results (movie)
Riders of the Range (movie)
Saddle Legion (movie)
San Quentin (movie)
So This Is Paris (movie)
Stagecoach Kid (movie)
State's Attorney (movie)
Strike Up the Band (movie)
Take This Waltz (movie)
Teen Titans Go! 400th Episode (TV show)
The Goonies (movie)
The Hobbit (movie)
The Maltese Falcon (movie)
The Oklahoma Kid (movie)
The Return of Doctor X (movie)
The Return of the King (movie)
The Roaring Twenties (movie)
The Secret Fury (movie)
The Shop Around the Corner (movie)
The Threat (movie)
The Two Mrs. Carrolls (movie)
The Wagons Roll at Night (movie)
The Woman on Pier 13 (movie)
They Drive by Night (movie)
Tomorrow is Another Day (movie)
White Bird in a Blizzard (movie)
White God (movie)
Words and Music (movie)
You Can't Get Away with Murder (movie)

Arriving on December 3

90 Day: The Last Resort Between the Sheets season 2 (TV show)
90 Day: The Last Resort season 2 (TV show)
Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North (documentary)
Kids Baking Championship: Frosting the Snowman (TV show)
Mecum Full Throttle: Las Vegas NV 2024 (TV show)

Arriving on December 5

Creature Commandos season 1 (TV show)
Roadworthy Rescues season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on December 6

Batwheels, The Great Christmas Caper season 2 (TV show)
Mini Beat Power Rockers season 4 (TV show)
Mini Beat Power Rockers: A Villain's Carol (movie)
Teen Titans Go! season 8 episodes 30-34 (TV show)
The Official DC Podcast (Max Original)
Tiny Toons Looniversity: Winter In Blunderland season 2 (TV show)

Arriving on December 7

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (documentary)
Evolve and Flex episode 1 (TV show)

Arriving on December 8

A Season to Remember (movie)
Motortrend: Mecum Presents: The 2025 Kissimmee Preview Show (TV show)
Motortrend: Mecum Presents: The Steve McQueen 917K (TV show)

Arriving on December 9

999 Murderer Calling season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on December 10

Nature of the Crime (documentary)

Arriving on December 12

Bookie season 2 (TV show)
Fear Thy Neighbor season 10 & 11 (TV show)
Lost in the Amazon: The Rescue That Shocked the World (documentary)
Was I A Sex Object? (documentary)

Arriving on December 13

Batwheels season 2 episodes 22-37 (TV show)

Arriving on December 14

Evolve and Flex episode 2 (TV show)

Arriving on December 15

Frozen Planet II season 2 (TV show)
Mistletoe & Matrimony (movie)

Arriving on December 16

Truck U season 20 (TV show)
Two Guys Garage season 23 (TV show)
Very Scary People season 6 (TV show)
White House Christmas (TV show)

Arriving on December 17

Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports: Is Ozempic Right For You? (documentary)

Arriving on December 19

Fast Friends (TV show)
Rose Matafeo: On and On and On (comedy special)
Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot (documentary)
The Head season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on December 20

Juror #2 (movie)
X-Rated Queen season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on December 21

Evolve and Flex episode 3 (TV show)

Arriving on December 22

Build for Off-Road season 1 (TV show)
24-Karat Christmas (movie)

Arriving on December 23

Alien Files: Reopened season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on December 27

Building Outside the Lines season 2 (TV show)
In with the Old season 7 (TV show)
The Flipping El Moussas season 2 (TV show)

Arriving on December 28

Evolve and Flex episode 4 (TV show)
Mecum Full Throttle: Kansas City MO 2024 (TV show)

Arriving on December 30

Home Town season 9 (TV show)
Teen Titans Go! season 8 episodes 35-37 (TV show)
Yellowstone Wardens season 6 (TV show)

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• T-Mobile details how Salt Typhoon accessed its routers
• It explained what the hacker's methods and how they were spotted
• T-Mobile's CSO stresses hackers didn't steal any data

T-Mobile has revealed the hackers who recently targeted its infrastructure were seen running commands on its routers, but stressed its defenses worked as intended and that no major damage was done.

The declaration follows recent news of an incident where Salt Typhoon, an infamous Chinese state-sponsored threat actor, breached T-Mobile's network in a cyber-espionage campaign on behalf of the country’s government.

The FBI also recently confirmed the group had successfully gained access to networks and private communications of members of the US government.

Working as intended

Now, T-Mobile’s Chief Security Officer, Jeff Simon, told Bloomberg the attackers were spotted while running commands, usually used in the reconnaissance stage of a cyberattack, on company routers. Some of the commands used matched indicators of compromise previously linked to Salt Typhoon, he added.

At the same time, Simon published a blog post in which he said the company’s defenses worked as intended, so Salt Typhoon was unable to cause any significant damage, or steal any sensitive customer or company information.

"Many reports claim these bad actors have gained access to some providers' customer information over an extended period of time – phone calls, text messages, and other sensitive information, particularly from government officials. This is not the case at T-Mobile," Simon said.

"Our defenses protected our sensitive customer information, prevented any disruption of our services, and stopped the attack from advancing. Bad actors had no access to sensitive customer data (including calls, voicemails, or texts).”

Simon also said that the attack originated from a wireline provider’s network that was connected to T-Mobile. "We quickly severed connectivity to the provider's network as we believe it was – and may still be – compromised."

After blocking the access, T-Mobile said it now sees no additional attacker activity, suggesting Salt Typhoon abandoned the initiative. In any case, the information was shared with government and industry partners.

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• The Roku Channel has teamed up with Walmart for an interactive festive movie
• While free to watch, it will let viewers buy products on their TV during specific parts of the story
• This is the retailer's second attempt after trialling a social media romcom series

It's the end of November, and as the most wonderful time of the year approaches everyone is settling down to watch Christmas movies. There's plenty on offer whether you want a cozy classic, a cheesy Hallmark guilty pleasure, or some alternative horror festive offerings (I'm usually the latter, admittedly). The best streaming services have a lot on offer, but the Roku Channel has announced a very different kind of movie, one that might end up costing you more than you planned.

Jingle Bell Love is currently streaming on The Roku Channel, one of the best free streaming services. It stars Joey McIntyre, a member of the boy band New Kids on the Block, who plays a single father visiting his late wife’s hometown where he finds love in an unexpected place. So yeah, exactly the kind of feel-good romance you'd expect!

But it's not your average movie, it's interactive because it allows viewers to buy products from Walmart on their TV during specific parts of the story. So if you've ever seen something in a movie and thought "Hey, I want one of those", now's your chance.

Take a look at the trailer below.

How does Jingle Bell Love's interactive elements work?

Reaching into the TV and taking something is a concept that's still not yet available, as cool as the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie made it look. So Walmart has a different approach to what they're describing as a "shoppable TV".

Prior to Jingle Bell Love, the supermarket trialed a social media romcom series Add to Heart, which had 23 episodes released on TikTok, Roku, and YouTube last December. Clearly a lot of work went into this, as even some of the best Netflix shows don't have 23 episode runs.

During each minute long episode, we saw a bunch of products like an ELF lipgloss and a drone, and the YouTube description had a link to buy the products featured in that episode.

According to Business Insider, they're going one step further with Jingle Bell Love, as it's a feature length movie and Walmart will make it easier to buy products seen on the TV screen by enabling account connections between Walmart and Roku, so that payment information can be filled out automatically. Feedback off the back of Add to Heart suggested that it was "too much work to buy stuff."

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• NordLayer introduces Download Protection, a tool that scans files in download
• The tool was previously introduced to NordVPN
• It comes at no additional cost, but currently only to Windows users

NordLayer has introduced a new feature called Download Protection in order to better protect its users from internet-borne threats.

NordLayer provides secure remote access, private gateways, and encrypted connections to enhance cybersecurity and support modern work environments. It is a sister company to NordVPN, one of the biggest and most popular VPN providers around today.

NordVPN introduced Download Protection as part of its Threat Protection Pro upgrade in early 2024, allowing users to scan files for malware during downloads, helping to prevent malicious content from infecting devices - and the same tool is now being added to NordLayer, as well.

Download Protection in NordLayer

“Download Protection, a reactive anti-malware solution with easy-to-understand single-toggle controls, is adopted from our sister company NordVPN where it has already been used and trusted by millions of users worldwide,” noted Evaldas Kasnauskas, product manager at NordLayer.

“By bringing this proven technology to NordLayer, we’re enhancing our customer’s defense against cyberattacks that spread and are executed through infected files as well as strengthening our Secure Web Gateway (SWG) offering.”

Download Protection is a simple tool - whichever files the user downloads, it will scan for potential malware.

NordLayer said it works at all times, even if a user is not connected to a VPN. It was also said the tool works in real time, removing infected files before they land on the computer, and “seamlessly integrates” with existing security measures. The functionality is enabled by a single click of a button, and comes at no additional cost to all NordLayer subscription tiers.

At the moment, the new feature is available to Windows app users, and is managed through the cloud-hosted NordLayer Control Panel. Other desktop platforms are soon to follow, it was concluded.

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• Three more Sega Genesis games have been added to Nintendo Switch Online
• ToeJam & Earl: Panic on Funkotron, VectorMan, and Wolf of the Battlefield: Mercs are now available
• The three titles now bring the total number of Genesis games to 47

Nintendo has added three more classic Sega Genesis games to its Switch Online subscription service.

As part of the latest November 2024 update, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass members can now enjoy even more classic titles for the Sega Genesis collection, bringing the total number to 47.

First up, we have ToeJam & Earl: Panic on Funkotron, which was released in 1993 and is the sequel to 1991's ToeJam & Earl.

The 2D platformer was well-received back in the 90s and finds ToeJam and Earl, two aliens, on a new adventure after escaping where they originally crash-landed.

Vectorman is another 2D side-scrolling platformer and was developed and released by BlueSky Software in 1995 for the Sega Genesis. The game later received a re-release on the Wii, Steam, as well as part of the Sega Forever line of mobile releases.

Finally, there's Mercs, also known as Wolf of the Battlefield II and originally released as Senjō no Ōkami II in Japan in 1990 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive.

The Capcom game is a sequel to the 1985 arcade game Commando and features two different game modes, including Arcade Mode and Original Mode.

To play these latest titles, Nintendo Switch users must be subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online + the Expansion Pack, which costs $49.99 / £34.99 / AU$59.95 for a 12-month pass.

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• A leak has provided our first look at a phone believed to be the OnePlus 13R
• It looks a lot like the higher-end OnePlus 13
• The phone reportedly uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset

While we’re still waiting for the global launch of the OnePlus 13 (following its October launch in China) we’re already seeing leaks about a mid-range sibling to the phone, likely to be dubbed the OnePlus 13R, and now we’ve seen a leaked image supposedly showing this handset.

Shared by leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo (via NotebookCheck), the image is technically said to be of the OnePlus Ace 5, but based on past form that phone will probably launch as the OnePlus 13R outside China.

In any case, the image shows a sleek, stylish phone that looks quite a lot like the OnePlus 13, especially with its circular, off-center camera island. Like that phone it appears to have a triple-lens camera, and round the front it has a flat display, unlike the curved OnePlus 12R.

(Image credit: Digital Chat Station) High-end specs at a likely mid-range price

You can also see that there’s an alert slider on the left edge, and what looks to be a metal frame. The source adds that the OnePlus 13R will use a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. That’s not the latest Snapdragon chipset, so this phone likely won’t be as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Elite-packing OnePlus 13, but the 8 Gen 3 is still a speedy option, as it’s used in the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

There’s nothing else in this leak, but previously the same source has said the OnePlus 13R will have a huge 6,000mAh battery, a 50MP primary camera, and a 50MP telephoto one.

If that all pans out – coupled with a likely mid-range price tag – the OnePlus 13R could be a very tempting alternative to other mid-range models we’re expecting in 2025, like the iPhone SE 4, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, and the Google Pixel 9a.

The OnePlus 13R could also launch before any of those phones, as based on past form we’d expect to see it in January or February.

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• GSMA report claims cybersecurity spend set to rise by the end of the decade
• Unsurprisingly, 5G is set to get 2.5x more investment than 4G by 2030
• Telcos need to help enterprises undergo digital transformations

Most enterprises are not reacting to tough economic conditions by cutting costs, but rather they’re looking to boost revenue, new research has claimed.

A new GSMA report has said three-fifths of firms are now prioritizing revenue growth, customer experience and competitive positioning to help grow their companies rather than make reactive decisions to reduce costs.

But the study also found cybersecurity is at the top of many companies’ lists, with investments set to continue growing long-term.

Companies are investing in future growth

The report noted enterprises are planning to allocate a considerable 9% of their revenue during 2024-2026 to cybersecurity, with that figure climbing two percentage points to 11% during 2027-2030.

Besides increasing security, enterprises have also expressed a commitment to investing in artificial intelligence and improving their connectivity.

Most (85%) now see 5G networks and connectivity as important, with an average of 21% of digital transformation budgets set to be earmarked for connectivity – 13% for mobile and 5G and 8% for fixed and Wi-Fi. Between 2024 and 2030, investment in 5G is expected to be 2.5x great than in 4G, with high mobility sectors like automotive, transportation, logistics and warehousing driving much of this investment.

Finally, AI spend is set to continue as companies seek productivity and efficiency boosts. It already makes up for 14% of enterprise technology expenditure, with 90% of companies having incorporated the tech in some form, however the scope for growth is tremendous given that only one-third are using it in “advanced” ways.

“Telcos need to go beyond just providing network services since enterprises are increasingly looking for partners who can help them throughout their full digital transformation journeys, combining technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT and cloud to improve efficiency, security and drive revenues," noted GSMA Intelligence Head of Research Pablo Iacopino.

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• Spotify Wrapped is expected to arrive imminently according to new teaser
• Spotify says it might not appear if you haven't updated the app
• Last year proved so popular it seemed to overwhelm the servers

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat and it's very nearly time for Spotify Wrapped 2024, the annual analysis of what you've been listening to – assuming of course that you've been listening to it on Spotify.

We're expecting the annual recap to be released any day now – as we noted in our Spotify Wrapped 2024 release date predictions, the smart money is now a December 4 roll-out, based on a combination of historical dates and recent rumors. Although Spotify could go rogue and choose December 11 or another date instead.

But how do you make sure Wrapped turns up safely? Historically, the roll-out has been slightly staggered across different regions, so the timing of its arrival is a little out of your hands – but Spotify has posted some details on how to make sure you get Wrapped on time for those all-important social media shares.

Head to the Spotify app on either Apple's App Store (if you're on iPhone) or the Google Play Store (for Android fans) and see if an 'update' button appears. If it does, update the app to the latest version. That's currently version 8.9.94 on iPhone or 8.9.96.476 on Android, though Spotify may well roll out another update before Wrapped 2024 lands.

We reckon the smart thing to do is make sure you're app's updated early next week – and also have a backup plan, in case Wrapped runs into some issues like it did last year...

Preparing for a Wrapped wrinkles

Last year's Spotify Wrapped 2023 roll-out had some early teething issues, which meant it wasn't appearing immediately for some users. (Image credit: Future)

Last year, some users encountered issues where Wrapped just didn't appear.

Some of those issues appeared to be the result of overloaded Spotify servers, but there are some troubleshooting tricks that may come in handy if there's a repeat this year. The tips to keep in your back pocket are:

• Update or reinstall the app
• Do it manually: try typing spotify:datastories:wrapped or 2024 wrapped in the search bar
• Try the Spotify mobile website

Still, there's always a chance that Wrapped might go a little more smoothly this year, so making sure the app is updated remains the best best advice.

So whether you want to impress people with your top-notch taste in music – or in my case, your worrying Charli XCX obsession – or just see how Spotify follows up 'Sound Town' or its artists video messages this year, you shouldn't have long to wait.

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The best streaming services tend to take it easy in the run-up to the holidays, with lots of festive-themed entertainment already added. But there's usually at least one big blockbuster for the season, and looking at everything new on Netflix in December this year Netflix's one is the high-octane and equally highly rated Mad Max: Fury Road, which comes with screaming tires and people towards the end of the month.

It's not the only best Netflix movie you'll find on the service this December. Kathryn Bigelow movies are always worth streaming; the surprisingly nuanced Zero Dark Thirty is coming to Netflix this month. And if you want to feel deeply disturbed, the critically acclaimed Compliance makes its Netflix debut this month too.

Mad Max: Fury Road

RT Score: 97%
Age rating: R
Length: 2h 0m
Director: George Miller
Arriving: December 30

This is the perfect blockbuster for the holidays: it's big in every sense of the word and has a near-perfect 97% rating. Although officially a Tom Hardy movie the real star of the show is Charlize Theron as Furiosa, a character so good she got her own movie afterwards.

According to Alternative Lens: "It's like an insane 80's B-movie, but one made with thought, effort, and enough of a budget to match its deranged aspirations." Flickering Myth says that "Mad Max: Fury Road is a rare successful franchise resurrection; it is an 80s action film with the budget of a modern era film with mind-blowing cinematography". And The Monitor suggested that "Mad Max: Fury Road is the perfect chick flick for the discerning viewer who prefers her protagonist to be more Ellen Ripley than a musical Charlie's Angel."

Zero Dark Thirty

RT Score: 91%
Age rating: R
Length: 2h 37m
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Arriving: December 1

Although it's a work of fiction, Zero Dark Thirty is based on very real events: the hunt for terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden. Jessica Chastain delivers a superb performance as the woman who tracked him down, and provided you don't treat it as a history lesson it's a very powerful and thrilling movie.

Empire magazine gave it the full five stars, saying that it's a complex film that isn't quite the good-guy bad-guy story you might expect: "Like Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker, it’s a relatively new kind of American patriotic war movie, counterprogramming jaded paranoid fantasies like the Bourne movies or the liberal horror stories (Redacted, Rendition, In The Valley Of Elah, Green Zone etc.) thrown up by the War On Terror. It’s measured, seething with suppressed emotion, unafraid of slow stretches and false trails, snapping shut like a mantrap when blood is shed."

Compliance

RT Score: 89%
Age rating: R
Length: 1h 30m
Director: Craig Zobel
Arriving: December 5

This is an unusual one. It starts with a phone call to a burger bar and becomes a meditation on how humans can be persuaded to do inhuman things, and while it's not 100% successful – it attracted very mixed reviews – it's a deeply disturbing tale of a young woman subjected to increasingly hostile interrogation.

According to MovieFreak.com: "It took me places I did not want to go, got me in a mindset so infuriating I was angry at myself for thinking the thoughts I was." And Metro UK points out that sometimes reality is just as worrying as fiction. "Plausibly acted, if implausibly directed by Craig Zobel (Great World Of Sound), the credulity of this provocative scenario would snap had it not actually happened more than 70 times across 30 US states."

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• Shuhei Yoshida announces he will leave PlayStation in January 2025
• The current Head of Indie's has worked at PlayStation for 31 years
• Yoshida said that after he hit 30 years, he thought it was "time for me to move on"

The head of PlayStation's indies, Shuhei Yoshida, has announced he will retire from the company in January 2025 after 31 years.

The news of his upcoming departure comes from a new PlayStation Blog post, where Yoshida reflected on his time at PlayStation and why he ultimately decided to leave the company behind.

"I’m leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment on January 15, 2025… it’s like announcing the launch date of a new game, [something] I haven’t done for a long time," Yoshida said.

Yoshida joined PlayStation in 1993 when Sony was still developing the PS1 and was later promoted to president of Sony Computer Entertainment, which is now known as Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SIE).

In his current role, Yoshida overlooks independent studios as the head of Sony's Independent Developer Initiative.

"I’ve been with PlayStation from the beginning, and this is my 31st year with PlayStation. And when I hit 30 years, I was thinking, hmm, it may be about time for me to move on," Yoshida said.

"You know, the company’s been doing great. I love PS5, I love the games that are coming out on this platform. And we have new generations of management who I respect and admire. And I’m so excited for the future of PlayStation.

"So you know, PlayStation is in really good hands. I thought, okay, this is my time."

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• Apple’s running shoe emoji is based on a famous New Balance design
• An artist has turned this emoji into a real pair of sneakers
• You can buy them from the artist’s website for $219

All the best phones come with a bewildering array of different emoji – with new ones being added all the time – but they mostly stay confined to the digital realm. Now, though, one designer has turned Apple’s running shoe emoji into a real pair of kicks that you can purchase for yourself.

Artist Jose Wong took inspiration from Apple’s particular take on the running shoe emoji, using it to create a pair of sneakers available in sizes five to 12. The upper consists of full grain nubuck leather and mesh, with EVA foam and a polyurethane rim on the midsole and heel.

There’s five percent recycled rubber in the outsole, while the insoles are printed with a chipboard design inspired by iPhone circuitry and Apple silicon chips. The packaging the shoes will arrive in also takes its cues from Apple, with a plain white paper insert reading “Designed by Josewong in China.”

You can buy a pair of the sneakers from Wong’s ABCD brand shop, where they will set you back $219.90 (around £175 / AU$340). Even the product’s URL incorporates the sneaker emoji.

Why New Balance?

(Image credit: Jose Wong / Future)

When new emoji get created and approved by the Unicode Consortium, operating system creators can interpret them in their own way. That’s why emoji can look slightly different across iOS and Android, and even on different apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and more.

Apple’s version of the running shoe emoji – the one that inspired Jose Wong – is itself a reference to the New Balance sneakers worn by Apple’s late founder Steve Jobs.

The former Apple CEO was famous for his “uniform” consisting of a black turtleneck sweater, blue jeans, and New Balance 991 or 992 shoes. Interestingly, Apple’s sneaker emoji is actually based on the New Balance 574, albeit with some subtle changes (including to the logo), but the similarities to Jobs’ chosen footwear are striking.

If you love the iOS running shoe emoji and want a pair for yourself in the real world, Jose Wong’s creation might be appealing. It’s far from the only emoji to debut IRL – giant emoji plushies are common around the world – but it might be one of the more practical ones.

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Google is planning to give Gemini a major boost in absorbing and explaining software code, as discovered in as-yet unreleased code by Android Authority. The upgrade could simplify developers' lives using the AI assistant on Android devices.

Specifically, the unreleased programming points to Gemini, adding the ability to analyze entire code folders instead of one file at a time like now. That's less of a breakthrough than a way for Google to keep up with its rivals like ChatGPT, which can already take on multiple files of code.

Based on the report, Gemini users would be able to upload a codebase of up to 1,000 files and 100MB in a single folder. You could then ask Gemini about the code, what it does, and ways to improve it. That might not seem like a big change, but the single file limit makes Gemini's insight into code much less helpful for developers.

Even if they like how Gemini explains the code, uploading a thousand files in a folder that could all go up at once takes a long time. By putting it all together in a single upload, Gemini could provide a more holistic view of a project and its strengths and weaknesses. At the very least, debugging would go a lot faster.

The raw code doesn't indicate when the new feature will be available or if it will be restricted to premium subscribers, but expect a lot of excitement from coders who would prefer to use Google's AI over OpenAI or GitHub Copilot, the coding assistant run by the Microsoft subsidiary.

Code Gemini

Even with folder uploading as an option, Gemini won't be taking over for programmers everywhere. A maximum of 1,000 files and 100MB per folder might be sufficient for smaller projects or individual developers, but it could fall short for larger, enterprise-level codebases.

Even on a smaller scale, AI tools can really only supplement human expertise. Debugging and optimizing code is one thing, but you'll still want a human checking the result of anything the AI writes. And the creative aspect of programming is not an area where AI can really shine, at least without mimicking existing ideas.

Still, many independent developers and small teams will undoubtedly welcome Gemini's upgrade as it makes coding more accessible to those with less experience and fewer resources. Imagine a junior developer using Gemini to understand a complex open-source project or a solo creator resolving all of the bugs in their app. The ability to ask plain-language questions about an entire codebase could streamline that process enormously.

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• Only one in three firms are fully utilizing cloud-based solutions
• More companies are using complex multicloud systems than last year
• Two-thirds want to upgrade their systems because of lack of confidence

Many UK businesses are falling behind when it comes to adopting critical technologies like cloud-based solutions, which is limiting their potential for growth, new research has claimed.

A report from OneAdvanced says only one-third (35%) of UK businesses fully utilize cloud-based solutions, with just 14% having successfully integrated artificial intelligence at the strategic level where it can help improve the efficiency of data-driven decision-making.

OneAdvanced’s findings are somewhat contradictory, given nearly half (44%) of Britain’s leaders identified efficiency and productivity as their top objectives for 2024.

Britain is slow to adopt new tech, it’s confirmed

It’s not always a pretty picture when companies do invest, though, because many fail to get it right. Around half (48%) of AI projects fail due to poor implementation, and despite the majority (85%) of execs recognizing AI’s potential benefits, many businesses lack the right infrastructure and expertise.

“It’s not at all surprising that so many leaders say that efficiency and productivity are their top priorities, but to find that so few are actively embracing the technology and services that will allow them to grow is quite astonishing," OneAdvanced CTO Andrew Henderson commented.

The report added says this reluctance to go all-in on cloud could also be costing businesses by increasing complexity – 42% now use a mix of cloud and on-prem systems, up from 36% last year.

“Without the proper adoption of cloud solutions and a lack of availability of reliable data, businesses will continue to find it hard to realise the full potential of AI tech," Henderson noted.

Looking ahead, two in three leaders plan to upgrade digital systems, with 15% currently lacking confidence that their existing infrastructure could support the growth they need.

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• The Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra have all been certified by US regulators
• They will seemingly all charge at the same speed as their predecessors
• The Samsung Galaxy S25 doesn't appear to have ultra-wideband

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and its siblings are among the best Android phones you can buy, but one thing they’re far from the best at is fast charging, with even the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s charging speeds being dwarfed by some rival handsets. Sadly, it looks like the Samsung Galaxy S25 series will charge just as slowly.

Following a recent FCC (Federal Communications Commission) certification for the Samsung Galaxy S25 in the US, the Galaxy S25 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have also now been certified, as spotted by 91Mobiles, and those certifications reveal the likely charging speeds.

In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S25 that speed is 25W, just like its predecessor, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and Ultra look like they’ll charge at 45W, which again is the same as the current models.

Technically these certifications don’t reveal the phones' charging speeds, but they do reveal the speeds of the power adapters associated with each phone, which in most cases would match what the phone is capable of.

Well behind rivals

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

So that’s unfortunate when you consider that the Xiaomi 14T Pro, for example, offers 120W wired charging and 50W wireless, while the OnePlus 13 supports 100W wired charging and 50W wireless – and those are just a couple of examples of much faster-charging Android phones.

And speaking of wireless charging, 91Mobiles interprets the FCC information as saying that the base Samsung Galaxy S25 will offer just 9W wireless charging, down from an already-slow 15W on the Samsung Galaxy S24.

However, that seems an unlikely downgrade, and indeed leaker @Jukanlosreve spotted that, based on the FCC documentation, it’s actually reverse wireless charging (the ability to wirelessly charge other devices with the phone) that’s 9W, while wireless charging is probably still 15W. That would actually be an upgrade for reverse wireless charging, as that tops out at 4.5W on the Galaxy S24.

Charging speeds aside, there’s not much of interest in these FCC certifications, though they do state that the Samsung Galaxy S25 will lack UWB (ultra-wideband). This is a wireless communication protocol that can be used for things like unlocking car doors and more precise tracking of devices like Samsung’s SmartTag 2.

UWB is present on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Ultra, but not on the base model, and it sounds like the same will be true of the Samsung Galaxy S25 line. So in short, almost none of the things that these certifications mention seem to be changing from the Galaxy S24 series.

We’d still take all of this with a pinch of salt, but the FCC should be working off official information, so these details are likely correct. We’ll probably find out for sure in January, as that’s when the Samsung Galaxy S25 series is expected to launch.

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(Image credit: Future/Sony)

The Black Friday PS5 deals are well and truly underway, and they are even bringing with them bona fide PS5 Pro discounts, as well as a host of discounts on complementing games and accessories.

I've been tracking gaming hardware deals, writing about gaming tech for years, and covering sales periods for years now. That includes covering the PS5 stock shortage of a few years ago, as well as covering record-low prices on a host of the best and our favorite gaming tech across the years.

• See all of today's best deals at Amazon

The Black Friday PS5 deals are always a staple of the November sales period and often represent the best time to invest in hardware and accessory upgrades as well as pick up the latest and greatest games going too. This year, we've got the introduction of the PS5 Pro to contend with too, and I'm hoping for some value-busting bundles on that machine that will include the disc drive and vertical stand at a reduced retail price. This would increase the value proposition and help offer a way into the new console in a more fulsome way - and with it being so hard to buy a PS5 disc drive right now, this would be incredibly welcome.

Away from that new console, be it PS5 Slim bundles, or discounts on the best PS5 headsets, controllers, storage solutions, or PS5 and PS5 Pro-enhanced games, I'm here to guide you through the swathes of deals and discounts we'll across the whole Black Friday period. And we'll start with a few of my top picks.

US Black Friday PS5 deals - quick links

• PS5 Pro: Walmart's got the best Pro price
• PS5 Slim consoles: Save $75 on both Slim models
• PS5 Slim bundles: Get the Fortnite Cobalt bundle for $75 off
• Controllers: Save up to $31 on all DualSense pads
• Games: Save $20 on Silent Hill 2, Metaphor: Refantazio
• Headsets: Get $20 off the official Pulse Elite headset
• SSDs: Get our favorite SSD for $100 off
• TVs: Pick up our favorite OLED TV for PS5 for its lowest-ever price
• Monitors: Get the five-star Samsung OLED G8 for a record-low price

UK Black Friday PS5 deals - quick links

• PS5 Pro: Get the Pro for just £659 at EE
• PS5 Slim consoles: Pick up the disc Slim console for under £400
• PS5 Slim bundles: Save up to £90 on Slim bundles at Currys
• Controllers: Save over £20 on all DualSense pads
• Games: Save on Astro Bot, Stellar Blade, and more
• Headsets: Get my favorite PS5 headset for a record-low price
• SSDs: Get 2TB PS5 SSDs with heatsink from just £115
• TVs: Pick up our top-budget gaming TV for a lowest-ever
• Monitors: 4K PS5 monitors from £199

My top US Black Friday PS5 deals

The PS5 Pro itself remains in steady stock in the US with a whole host of retailers offering ways to buy the upgraded console.

Also in stock at: $699.99 at Amazon | $699.99 at Target | $699.99 at Best Buy | $699.99 at PlayStation DirectView Deal

If you're after the best-value PS5 Slim console as well as the best-value bundle, then this Fortnite Cobalt Star listing at Walmart is the way to go.View Deal

If you're happy to go digital then the same price cut is available on the Fortnite PS5 Slim Digital Edition bundle and represents excellent value for money if you haven't jumped into all things PS5 yet.View Deal

Adding an extra controller to your setup is never a bad thing and Black Friday is almost always the best time of year to buy a DualSense. Luckily all the colorwayts under the sun(almost) are discounted, but starting with the original white one is always worth a shout.View Deal

The Sony Bravia 8 4K TV is our pick for the best PS5 OLED TV and will be a brilliant companion for any PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 5 Pro this holiday. Our Sony Bravia 8 review will shine a more detailed light on why.View Deal

Horizon Forbidden West is probably the best-looking game on a console I've ever seen since testing it for my PS5 Pro review this month. It's one of the best games to get first for Pro owners and a superb one for a Christmas list for any PS5 player. Ten bucks off is nothing to sniff at either, which is also its lowest-ever price.View Deal

The Nova 5 is my favorite gaming headset of this year and is exceptional value at this price. Offering supreme comfort, brilliant audio quality, and battery life, as well as excellent flexibility when used in tandem with the Arctis Companion App, this is all the PS5 headset you'll ever need.View Deal

The PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds at their lowest-ever price in the US makes for a much more compelling proposition. They've never offered better value and this brings their price down right into the face of the competition. Go planar for less with this deal.View Deal

This new lowest-ever price for Astro Bot is the easiest PS5 game deal recommendation I can make in 2024 - I've just completed it myself and am so close to the platinum. It's easily one of the top games to play on PS5 and a bargain at this price just a few months after release.View Deal

If you're looking for a quality 4K gaming monitor to team with your PS5 Pro or PS5, then this Acer model is worth considering with over $120 off its list price. It's got a 28-inch panel, so isn't too massive, and channels all that make Acer screens great with loads of ports, a 1ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate and it's also G-Sync compatible for PC gaming too. It's only $20 or so off its lowest-ever price right now.View Deal

This is a brilliant game deal with the Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition now at a new lowest-ever price. This version of the critically acclaimed horror mystery game includes all the DLC and even a free copy of Alan Wake Remastered for the complete experience. Plus, it's PS5 Pro enhanced for good measure.View Deal

My top UK Black Friday PS5 deals

Amazon is our top pick for making a PS5 Pro order today, but the new, mid-generation upgraded console is in stock at a host of others right now too.

Also in stock at: £699 at Amazon | £689.99 at Argos | £699 at Very | £689 at Currys | £699.99 at PlayStation DirectView Deal

For those in the UK looking for the best-value PS5 bundle (or console deal generally, to be honest) then the Fortnite bundle is for you offering a few free Fortnite discounted console. Nice.View Deal

Digital gaming fans in the UK looking for a new PS5 can get the Digital Edition PlayStation 5 console for a massively discounted rate this Black Friday too. Yup, it's got the Fortnite bits in it too which makes it slightly better value.View Deal

The DualSense controllers are discounted in the UK too, with prices dropping across the whole color range which is excellent news for those who need another or are building a collection (like me).View Deal

This new lowest-ever price makes the premium Alienware AW3225QF QD-OLED monitor the best value it's ever been. If you're looking for a premium beauty of a screen to go with your PS5 Pro or PS5 then look no further than this. Add code AFF5MON to get another 5% off and get it down to the above price.View Deal

This white variant of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the same price as the black version but, being white, is more in-keeping with the slick PS5 aesthetic. It's a brilliant headset, and this new lowest-ever price makes it a great hit for those looking to go big this month.View Deal

The Pulse Explore earbuds are excellent value for money at this price and probably should have launched at this rate to begin with. They offer exceptional audio and are perfect for anyone on PS5 or PlayStation Portal.View Deal

This chunky discount takes the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro wireless gaming headset down a few notches and to a much more tempting (though still premium) proposition at £199. If you've been after a top-end gaming headset for less then this is a fine one to consider.View Deal

While EE doesn't list this as an official discount, it certainly is one with the Portal not receiving a price cut from Sony, and still retailing at its MSRP of £199.99 almost everywhere else. Regardless, this is a solid price on the PS5 remote play device and could make an excellent augmentation to any new PS5 Pro setup.View Deal

This edition of one of 2023's finest bags you all the expansions as well as the base game and only came out recently too! A neat saving of a fiver is very welcome and it's also one of the best Pro-enhanced games you can get right now.View Deal

The DualSense Edge is a superb premium PS5 controller that's usually just a touch too expensive to recommend. This current sale price is more in line with similar controllers on the market, and thus it's much easier to recommend currently.View Deal

This is a terrific price to bag Assassin's Creed Mirage, with John Lewis offering it for less than 15 quid. It's a new lowest-ever price and is absolutely worth it at this low price.View Deal

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is one of the sleeper hits of the year and is an absolute banger if you're into third-person action shooters. Even better if you're a Warhammer 40K fan. Even better at this new lowest-ever price.View Deal

Welcome to my live coverage of the Black Friday PS5 deals!

The big day itself arrives tomorrow but we're already swimming in a veritable sea of PS5 deals and discounts from everything from the latest console - the PS5 Pro - to this year's biggest games, and from the best headsets and controllers, to the very best TVs for PS5.

Join me as I sort all the great deals from the good ones, and highlight a bunch of the best discounts going - along with some bits of advice I've picked up and discovered over the years.

(Image credit: Future)

There's no better place to start our roundup - especially in the UK morning hours - with the excellent PS5 Pro discount that appeared and has remained so soon after the new console came out.

The discount over at EE is great for two reasons. First, it's a solid discount of 41 quid off the retail price of the console, but the shop is also offering an attractive trade-in offer that could see you bag up to £260 for your old console (a trade-in value that's then boosted by a code emailed to you).

This would take your cash outlay on a new PS5 Pro down to £399 which is pretty attractive if you were thinking of upgrading and definitely cements this as the best route to maximizing the value on a PS5 Pro in the UK.

PS5 Pro: was £699.99 now £659.99 at EE

However, another bundle might be attractive at Very...

(Image credit: Future/PlayStation/Sony)

But if you're looking to ensure you can get the Pro and a disc drive right now in the UK, then Very is the best place to head to with the retailer offering a bundle that bags you the two together.

It was once a pre-order but now the retailer says this package is in stock and ready to go right now which is excellent news - and does hint at a restock of the disc drive too. It only saves you a couple of quid compared to the combined price of both things, but if getting a Pro and the disc drive together is the most important thing then this is the way to go.

PS5 Pro + disc drive: £798 at Very

A tip for today

One thing I often get asked in the week of Black Friday, particular on the couple of days before the big day itself it 'should I wait for Friday or buy [This Thing] now?'

While we might see a flurry of new deals appear on Black Friday itself, nowadays - with retailers trying to get you to spend with them earlier and earlier - the deals we see right now are going to be Black Friday prices.

As a result, if you see something today that we highlight or through one of the links above then I say absolutely go for it right now. The current price being the sales price works in your favor, but so do retailer price guarantees - promises from retailers that,. should the price drop further after you've bought a product, they'll refund the difference.

All in, now is a great time to strike on a Black Friday PS5 deal!

(Image credit: Future/Sony)

Back to the deals!

If you've been waiting for the excellent Pulse Explore earbuds to go on sale to team with your PS5 or PlayStation Portal then now is the best time to commit as we're seeing record-low prices on both sides of the Atlantic for the planar-magnetic driver-driven buds.

US - PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds: was $199.99 now $169.99 at Amazon US

UK - PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds: was £182.87 now £149 at Amazon UK

(Image credit: Future/Sony)

A PS5 controller very dear to me has been discounted for Black Friday and I love that it has - it could help loads more gamers get into and enjoy PS5 gaming as a result.

The PlayStation Acces Controller has received a chunky discount for Black Friday which means that Sony's hardware aimed at increasing inclusivity and removing barriers to play is more accessible than ever. As somewhat the target audience for this controller - I have different hands and digits to normal folk - this is a personal, but I think very important little deal among the many this Black Friday.

The discount is only in the UK by the looks of it - I think the US one has either passed or stopped (for now) - but this is still absolutely worth highlighting for folks like me.

PlayStation Access controller: was £75.09 now £64.99 at Amazon

(Image credit: Future)

At Amazon, you can now grab the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P wireless gaming headset for under $135 dollars from its original $180 price tag. This headset features a lengthy battery life and excellent microphone quality, which is ideal for all your online gaming needs on the PS5. The UK price is a belter too.

US - SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P: was $179.34 now $134.99 at Amazon

UK - SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P: was £169.99 now £109.99 at Amazon

(Image credit: Future)

If you're after a top game of this year for less - and that's enhanced for PS5 Pro, no less - then Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, is one of the best to consider right now.

The price cut it has received for Black Friday means doing so is now as cheap as ever, too, on both sides of the Atlantic. If you're a long-time fan or new to the series this is a banger of a game and this lowest-ever price makes it very, very attractive.

US - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: was $49.99 now $39.99 at Amazon

UK - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: was £58.99 now £34.99 at Argos

(Image credit: Future)

If you're on the lookout for an affordable 4K gaming monitor for PS5 or PS5 Pro, then we've found an absolutely excellent deal.

Right now, Amazon is offering a massive 33% discount on the 27-inch Acer Predator XB273K, saving you a whopping $150 and a new lowest-ever price! It also features a refresh rate of 165Hz, which is perfect for playing the latest PS5 Pro-enhanced games or, well, anything on PS5, frankly.

Acer Predator XB273K: was $449.99 now $299.99 at Amazon

(Image credit: Future)

If you're looking for a premium controller this sales season then the official Sony DualSense Edge is potentially what you're after.

And if you're in the UK, then you'll have a bit more luck saving some money on it right now. At Amazon UK, the premium pad has dropped by a chunky 30 pounds or so which is a new lowest-ever price.

In the US, there's no real official or massive discount, but it can be acquired for $10 less than usual at the likes of Walmart, which we've linked below.

UK - PS5 DualSense Edge controller: was £209.99 now £179.97 at Amazon

US - PS5 DualSense Edge controller: was $199.99 now $189.99 at Walmart

(Image credit: Future)

If you're looking for a deal on Dragon Age: The Veilguard on PS5 then we are seeing some price cuts on the game, despite only having launched earlier this month. It's also PS5 Pro-enhanced and looks fantastic on the new console too which is a bonus.

Considering the new-ness of the game, its size, and pedigree, I think both these options are relative steals if you're looking to sink some hours into one of the best RPGs of 2024.

US - Dragon Age: The Veilguard: was $69.99 now $61.43 at Amazon

UK - Dragon Age: The Veilguard: was £69.99 now £57.93 at Very

(Image credit: Future)

If you're looking for a cheap gaming headset to go with your PS5 or PS5 Pro and don't mind keeping things wired then we've got a solid deal for you right here.

With excellent audio quality and a crystal-clear microphone for online gaming, the Inzone H3 is a great mid-range piece of hardware - and now it's at a record-low price on both sides of the Atlantic!

US - Sony Inzone H3: was $99.99 now $58 at Amazon

UK - Sony Inzone H3: was £89 now £44.99 at Amazon

(Image credit: Future)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, another recent release, has received a price cut in the UK (sorry, US readers) which is excellent news for such a big game so soon after its release.

It's a great time to jump into the latest installment as Season One has recently launched, offering free updates in the form of new maps, Operators, weapons, modes, and more. If you're looking for the lowest Black Ops 6 PS5 price then we've spotted this price at Argos (the Amazon listing ran out of stock) which saves you £16.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6: was £69.99 now £53.99 at Argos

(Image credit: Future / Sony)

If you're considering going big this year on the TV front then you can usually find smashing deals on the ever-so-slightly-older TVs that are still absolutely belting - and that's what I've got for you right now.

Sony's excellent A95L TV is brilliant and perfect for gaming and PS5, and has had its price slashed on both sides of the Atlantic for Black Friday in its 65-inch form and well worth a look if you want to upgrade your TV this month with PS5 gaming at the forefront of the choice.

US - Sony A95L 65-inch QD-OLED 4K TV: was $3,499.99 now $2,998 at Amazon

UK - Sony A95L 65-inch QD-OLED 4K TV: was £3,599.99 now £2,699 at Amazon (lowest ever price)

(Image credit: EA)

If you are yet to pick up the behemoth sports game of 2024 that is EA Sports College Football 25 then there's a deal that's perfect for you. And it'll make you feel vindicated for waiting to pick it up.

You can currently get the game for PS5 at Amazon for less than half price which is wild value for money.

EA Sports College Football 25 for PS5: was $69.99 now $29.99 at Amazon

(Image credit: Future)

If you've got a PS5 Pro recently, or are just looking at investing in more storage for your launch or Slim PS5, then a PS5 SSD deal could be just the ticket for you - and we have exactly that for you right now.

Currently, the WD Black SN850X SSD is on offer at Amazon thanks to a 31% discount. High-end SSDs tend to be on the expensive side, but this offer will save you some cash while offering a solid and handy 1TB of storage - perfect for a PS4 game library on PS5 Pro, for example.

The 4TB model is also reduced and is now at its lowest price ever at Amazon. This deal will save you over $100, so if you don't mind splashing an extra bit of cash for more storage, I'd go for it; it'll be all the storage you'll ever need!

WD Black 1TB SN850X SSD: was $129.99 now $89.99 at Amazon

WD Black 4TB SN850X SSD: was $379.99 now $269.99 at Amazon

(Image credit: HyperX / Future)

Hardware Writer Dash jumping in here to quickly recommend a deal of my own!

If you're searching for an affordable pair of gaming earbuds this Black Friday sales season, then don't miss this stellar discount on the HyperX Cloud Earbuds II. They are currently 51% off at Amazon, taking them down to a new lowest-ever price and under 20 bucks.

And yes, they are fully compatible with the PS5, PS5 Pro, and even PS4. Just pop the 3.5mm connector into your controller's headphone jack and you're good to go.

They come with a nifty carrying case, which should make it a little harder to lose them, and a few alternate ear tips to help find the perfect fit.

HyperX Cloud Earbuds II: was $39.99 now $19.49 at Amazon

(Image credit: Ubisoft / Future)

Rob again, back to say that Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft's open-world action-adventure game, is now 43% off at Amazon thanks to this excellent Black Friday offer.

This deal will save you $30 and even better, is for Amazon's exclusive Limited Edition version, which includes additional in-game content to enjoy.

This a new lowest-ever price at the retailer too - so a proper bargain.

Star Wars Outlaws - PS5: was $69.99 now $39.99 at Amazon

The big day is here! Black Friday has finally arrived and there's going to be so many deals and discounts to sift through and peruse!

It's the biggest shopping day of the year and there's so much PS5 hardware and games to save on and I'm back to help you find what you need.

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation)

UK shoppers: If you've been hoping to see more 30th Anniversary DualSense stock then have we got the Black Friday miracle for you.

Although not selling the 30th Anniversary DualSense pad individually, EE is throwing it in with PS5 bundles - that include savings! There's a bunch of disc console bundles on offer that include the special DualSense, and you can also get it with the digital console.

You'll have to scroll down a little to find the bundles that include the 30th Anniversary DualSense but they are there and the extra clicks are worth it for the limited edition gear!

PS5 Fortnite bundles (disc edition): from £459 at EE

PS5 Fortnite bundles (digital edition): from £375 at EE

(Image credit: Future)

If you're after a PS5 audio upgrade this Black Friday, then this deal at Amazon could well have you covered. The retailer is now offering the Sony Inzone H9 wireless gaming headset at a lowest-ever price in the US and a near-lowest-ever price in the UK.

Sony knows how to do audio supremely well, and this is a quality premium wireless gaming headset changing price categories completely.

US - Sony Inzone H9: was $299.99 now $198 at Amazon

UK - Sony Inzone H9: was £228 now £179 at Amazon

(Image credit: Future)

If you're looking for a top PS5 game or perhaps a PS5 Pro-enhanced game of the Creed variety, then this deal is for you.

Right now, Assassin's Creed Mirage has had its price slashed and it's the perfect time to pick up a copy.

US - Assassin's Creed: Mirage: was $39.99 now $19.99 at Best Buy

UK - Assassin's Creed Mirage: was £28.99 now £15.99 at Argos

(Image credit: Future)

If you're looking for a quality 4K PS5 monitor for less this Black Friday then looking at Samsung's ever-so-slightly older models is a very sensible and value-busting way to go.

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 is one such monitor, and it'll get you a glorious 32-inch 4K UHD panel complete with 165Hz refresh rate and Samsuing's brilliant display pedigree. This is a huge discount too so not one to be missed!

US - Samsung Odyssey Neo G7: was $1,099.99 now $599.99 at Samsung

UK - Samsung Odyssey Neo G7: was £1,066.48 now £688.98 at ebuyer

(Image credit: Future)

DualSense discounts are some of the very best Black Friday PS5 deals, and there are some deep discounts on a lot of colorways on both sides of the Atlantic right now.

We've got the discounted price of the standard white controller below to get you going but you can use Walmart and Amazon UK's pages respectively to browse the other variants when you click through.

US - Sony PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller: was $74.99 now $54 at Walmart

UK - Sony PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller: was £62.48 now £39.99 at Amazon

Potential disc drive restock alert!

We're seeing Amazon UK's listing page for the PS5 disc drive come up as having stock intermittently in recent minutes so it might be worth sticking around on that page and camping on it to see if you can make the most of any imminent restocks of the accessory.

PS5 disc drive: £99.99 at Amazon UK - Going in and out of stock recently, Black Friday late morning

(Image credit: Future)

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Limited Edition is enjoying huge discounts right now at Amazon.

This is a gorgeous game to get stuck into this holiday season - and represents great value right now too with these lowest-ever prices.

US - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora: was $69.99 now $19.99 at Amazon

UK - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora: was £38.99 now £24.99 at Amazon