TechRadar News

• Bloober Team has unveiled its next game I Hate This Place, launching Q4 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, and PC
• I Hate This Place is a survival horror game based on Skybound's award-nominated comic book series of the same name
• The studio also shared a sneak peek at Cronos: The New Dawn's upcoming dev diary

Bloober Team, the studio behind the Silent Hill 2 remake and Layers of Fear, has unveiled its brand new horror game I Hate This Place, as well as offered a new look at its upcoming title Cronos: The New Dawn.

During the Future Games Show Spring Showcase today, Bloober Team announced that the game is inspired by Skybound Entertainment's Eisner award-nominated comic book series of the same name, created by writer Kyle Starks and artist Artyom Topilin.

I Hate This Place is launching in Q4 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, and PC and will be developed by Rock Square Thunder.

The first trailer revealed the game to be an all-new isometric survival horror game with a striking visual art style inspired by the 80s retro comic book aesthetics.

In the game, you play as Elena, whose fight for survival begins when she unwittingly awakens a malevolent force, the Horned Man.

"Outmatched and hunted in a hostile world, players must think fast, manipulating their surroundings to even the odds against formidable foes," Bloober Team describes.

Players will also engage in tense gunfights and melee combat "that rewards ingenuity over brute force", as well as craft essential tools to survive the wilderness long enough to reach safehouses before nightfall. There's a day and night cycle too that impacts gameplay dynamics, but players need to beware and avoid the Horned Man at all costs.

Bloober Team is also expected to launch its next game, Cronos: The New Dawn, this year for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

To prepare for the upcoming release, the studio has also shared a sneak peek at the first episode of the game's upcoming dev diary; a behind-scenes video offering a more in-depth look at the survival horror experience with new gameplay footage.

This dev diary will explore the world of Cronos, game mechanics, as well as reveal more about the game's protagonist and the monsters players will encounter.

Cronos: The New Dawn was revealed in October 2024 and is described as a unique horror experience that blends mystery, time travel, and intense survival elements.

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• Equal1’s Bell-1 quantum computer runs on 1600W and plugs into a standard power socket
• Deploying Bell-1 is as easy as setting up workstations
• Equal1’s system offers future-proof quantum power without infrastructure changes

Equal1 has introduced the Bell-1, the first quantum computer designed for real-world deployment, integrating seamlessly into existing high-performance computing (HPC) environments without requiring specialized infrastructure or extensive cooling.

Operating on just 1600W and plugging into a standard socket, it installs easily and stands as one of the best workstations, bringing quantum computing from research labs to practical applications in AI, financial modeling, and scientific research.

It's the first fully rack-mounted system that fits into standard data centers, deploying alongside classical hardware to become one of the most powerful computers for tackling complex problems.

A quantum server ready for any data center

Built on Equal1’s silicon-based quantum processor technology, Bell-1 functions as a plug-and-play solution that delivers quantum acceleration for advanced simulations, cryptography, and optimization without requiring infrastructure modifications.

Bell-1 overcomes one of quantum computing’s biggest engineering challenges by using a self-contained cryogenic cooling system to maintain its silicon quantum processor at 0.3 Kelvin (-272.85°C) without an external dilution refrigerator, making it an engineering marvel that operates efficiently within the noisy and thermally demanding environment of an enterprise data center.

Designed to work alongside classical HPC systems, Bell-1 integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure with its 6-qubit UnityQ processor, handling specialized workloads that classical computers struggle with, making it a compelling option for industries requiring high-performance computing and a strong contender for the best small business servers as a future-proof quantum solution.

The system fits within a standard 600mm x 1000mm x 1600mm server rack and weighs approximately 200kg, making it comparable in size to existing HPC servers.

“Bell-1 represents a paradigm shift in how quantum computing is deployed and utilized. We’ve taken quantum technology out of the lab and into real-world environments where it can drive innovation. This is the dawn of Quantum Computing 2.0—where accessibility, scalability, and practicality take center stage,” said Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1

“By eliminating the barriers of cost, infrastructure, and complexity, Equal1 is empowering businesses to harness the exponential power of quantum computing today—not in some distant future. Bell-1 is not just an advancement—it’s a revolution in computing.”

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• GMKtec EVO-X2 PC delivers flagship performance with the Ryzen AI Max+ 395
• Lisa Su’s autograph marks a milestone as AMD backs GMKtec
• GMKtec secures its place among top vendors

While major brands dominate the mini PC market, smaller vendors like GMKtec are gaining recognition, with the EVO-X2 establishing itself as a high-performance PC distinguished by its AI capabilities.

Per GMKtec, the EVO-X2 is the first mini PC to feature AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, a 16-core, 32-thread CPU designed for advanced computing.

With a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz and an 80MB cache, it delivers the power needed for demanding tasks.

AMD CEO Lisa Su signs the first EVO-X2 unit

Despite its small form factor, the EVO-X2 rivals some of the most powerful computers, with the integrated Radeon 8060S iGPU and 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units enhancing rendering efficiency.

Combined with the XDNA 2 architecture NPU, the system achieves 50 TOPS of AI computing power, making it well-suited for AI inference workloads and complex computational tasks.

In benchmark tests involving large-scale AI models, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 outperformed NVIDIA’s desktop GPUs, including the 5080, making the EVO-X2 a compelling choice for users seeking the best video editing computer.

With its AI-driven architecture and high-performance specifications, the EVO-X2 is more than just a mini PC, offering a strong solution for professional workflows, creative applications, and AI development, making it one of the best workstations in its category.

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• Microsoft is MIA as Amazon, Meta, Google and others join consortium to triple nuclear energy output by 2050

• New iPhone 17 dummy units have appeared online
• They show the glass and metal outlines for the Pro and Pro Max
• A substantial redesign is expected for the top two models

The season of iPhone 17 leaks and rumors is well and truly underway, and just days after dummy units of Apple's 2025 flagship phones leaked online, we've got a different batch to pore over – which shows the iPhone 17 glass and metal redesign in a bit more detail.

These new dummy unit images come courtesy of well-known tipster @SonnyDickson, and it looks as though we've got all four models: the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max (or iPhone 17 Ultra, perhaps).

Dummy units like the ones shown here are based on schematics sourced from the supply chain and give accessory makers a chance to get their products ready for launch day. They also allow the rest of us to check out phone designs in advance.

When it comes to the redesign of the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max – with chunky rear camera bars – it's a look that's been extensively leaked already. We can also see the smaller camera bar expected to appear on the back of the iPhone 17 Air.

New metal and glass design

Here's another look at some iPhone 17 dummies, Notice on the Pro models where the glass will change. pic.twitter.com/lJDc5KXsV9March 20, 2025

What these dummy units add, that previous leaks haven't really shown us, is the way that glass and metal will be combined on these iPhone designs. You can see a faint outline on the Pro and Pro Max models, just below the camera bar.

That outlined section will apparently be glass, enabling wireless MagSafe charging. The other section is rumored to be made of aluminum. That's quite a change from the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Meanwhile, it looks like the design of the iPhone 17 will be along very similar lines to the iPhone 16, while the iPhone 17 Air is a brand new phone, replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – rumored to be super-slim – so we don't have any predecessor to compare it to.

We've also heard rumors of memory and camera upgrades for these phones, improvements in video recording, and perhaps a useful reverse wireless charging feature. The phones should make their debuts sometime in September, and we'll need to wait until then to see what actually comes to fruition when Apple fully unveils them.

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• SanDisk Slim Dual Drive offers 2TB storage, dual USB ports, and fast performance
• Fast read and write speeds enable smooth file transfers and backups
• Universal compatibility makes this SSD a versatile storage solution

SanDisk, known for its high-speed storage and portable SSDs, is set to launch the new SanDisk Slim Dual Drive, offering up to 2TB of storage with a sleek, stick-like form factor that eliminates the need for cables.

Per PC Watch (originally in Japanese), this device features both USB Type-C and USB Type-A ports, making it a versatile option for easy file transfers between older and newer devices without requiring adapters or dongles.

As one of the smallest external SSDs for Mac users, it delivers read speeds of up to 1,000MB/s and write speeds of up to 900MB/s, ensuring smooth performance for large file transfers, video editing, and data backups despite its compact size.

High-speed dual-port connectivity

Measuring just 80 x 18.4 x 10.7mm and weighing only 23g, this device features supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 for fast and reliable data transfer.

Beyond performance, SanDisk has focused on durability and security by equipping the drive with a metal body for added protection and a premium feel, while dedicated encryption software ensures sensitive data remains secure.

Set to launch on the 28th, the SanDisk Slim Dual Drive 1TB model is priced at 18,480 yen (approximately $134) while the 2TB variant is at 38,000 yen (around $256).

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• Bimawen B15.6 TV Pro integrates both smart TV mode and Google TV modes
• Works as both a monitor and media hub
• A budget-friendly monitor with a 60 Hz refresh rate and HDR

Several portable monitors from popular brands offer standard display features, but among the lesser-known options, the Bimawen B15.6 TV Pro integrates Google TV, a remote control, and an Android-based system.

Per Androidpc (originally in Spanish), it functions as a smart entertainment hub with built-in Chromecast, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and access to Google’s app store.

This business monitor includes 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of expandable storage, making it a capable media device for streaming and apps.

A little-known brand with a unique feature set

This device features a 15.6-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, a 60 Hz refresh rate, a 178-degree viewing angle, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio.

While it may not be a high-end graphics solution, the inclusion of HDR400 support and an IPS panel could make it a budget-conscious monitor for digital design.

Designers and content creators can benefit from its accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles, though the 6-bit + FRC color depth is not ideal for professional-grade work. Connectivity options include a mini HDMI port, two USB Type-C connectors, and a 3.5 mm audio jack, ensuring compatibility with a range of devices. With VESA support, it can also be mounted for a desktop setup.

Users can switch between monitor mode and smart TV mode via a remote control, enabling direct access to Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services. Unlike a business tablet, it lacks a touchscreen and internal battery, reinforcing its role as a dedicated monitor.

The Bimawen B15.6 TV Pro is available on AliExpress for approximately 118 euros, with additional discounts using the promo code (ESAS20).

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• Star Wars Andor creator Tony Gilroy has canceled plans to publish the scripts of the show
• The scripts from season one were set to release, but AI is the reason they're not being published
• It's part of a growing trend of the content that AI models are being trained on

AI companies will do anything to get their hands on material to train AI models - just look at what’s happening with music streaming services. It’s only a matter of time before these companies start targeting other areas in the entertainment industry, but the creator of one of the best Disney Plus shows is already taking a stance against the looming reign of AI.

Tony Gilroy, the creator of the Star Wars spin-off series Andor, has pulled the plug on his initial plans to publish the scripts from the show's first season out of fear that his work could be used as material for training AI models. In an interview with Collider, Gilroy shared, “I wanted to do it. We put it together. It's really cool. I've seen it, I loved it. AI is the reason we're not."

The decision to back out doesn’t come easy for Gilroy, who announced his plans to launch a website showcasing not only Andor’s written elements but also a selection of concept art back in 2023.

Still, despite this difficult decision ahead of the imminent release of Andor season two on April 22, it’s clear that Gilroy has grave concerns about the threat that AI has on creative individuals - and I’m glad to see that more artists are taking action to protest AI’s place in the entertainment industry.

(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney) I’ll say it again, we’re witnessing a cultural genocide

For AI, ‘permission’ is a word that ceases to exist. Gilroy is just one of the many concerned figures who have actively expressed a need to protect their work in a culture where AI is infiltrating streaming services daily – mainly for user experience reasons. Still, films and TV shows themselves remain open targets for AI to steal for training purposes.

While notable figures such as Christopher Nolan have called for tighter restrictions on AI, this is the first time I’ve seen the threat of AI cause a screenwriter to take action like this since the SAG strikes. But AI has only scratched the surface with film and TV - you get things like this all the time with music.

The Make It Fair campaign has pressured the UK government to ensure that creative rights are protected amidst its threatening AI proposal. (Image credit: Future)

A prime example is the silent protest album, Is This What We Want?, which was released in light of a UK government proposal allowing AI companies to use copy-righted music to train models and algorithms.

Artists from Kate Bush to Annie Lennox banded together to compile a silent album of ambient tracks of empty creative spaces. Though this won’t actively get the government to change its mind on the proposal, it’s succeeding in showing what it could mean for the future of the music industry while using the streaming profits to raise money for music charities.

Screenwriters and musicians alike should be able to share and publish their work without fear of it being used to enhance AI models. Some of us actually like to read the scripts behind our favorite shows.

I have no doubt that AI developers will eventually get bored of taking existing scripts and music to enhance algorithms and will then find a way to infiltrate the creative process altogether.

Though plenty of AI music software can already whip up a quick beat (thanks, Suno), how long will it be before AI-generated music albums go mainstream or when feature AI-generated movies become a thing?

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• Kioxia launches 122.88TB SSD with PCIe Gen5 and dual-port support
• The LC9 Series NVMe SSD is designed for AI workloads and hyperscale storage
• The new drive comes in a compact 2.5-inch form factor

After nearly seven years at the top, Nimbus Data’s massive Exadrive 100TB 2.5-inch SSD has been dethroned by Kioxia, which has unveiled a new 122.88TB model that not only offers a higher storage capacity but also supports PCIe Gen5, a first for this category.

Several companies have previously announced 120TB-class SSDs, including Solidigm, but Kioxia's LC9 Series 122.88TB NVMe SSD stands out by pairing its ultra-high capacity with a compact 2.5-inch form factor and a next-gen interface with dual-port capability for fault tolerance or connectivity to multiple compute systems.

"AI workloads are stretching the capabilities of data storage, asking for larger capacities and swifter access to the extensive datasets found in today's data lakes, and Kioxia is ready to offer the necessary advanced technologies including 2 Tb QLC BiCS FLASH generation 8 of 3D flash memory, CBA and the complimenting AiSAQ," said Axel Störmann, VP & Chief Technology Officer for SSD and Embedded Memory products at Kioxia Europe GmbH.

Supporting AI system developers' needs

The 122.88TB SSD is aimed at hyperscale storage systems, AI workloads, and other data-intensive applications that rely on capacity and speed. There’s no word on availability or pricing yet, but the company does plan to showcase the new drive at "various upcoming conferences".

"This new LC9 Series NVMe SSD is an instrumental Kioxia product expansion that will support AI system developers' needs for high-capacity storage, high performance, and energy efficiency for applications such as AI model training, inference, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation on a vaster scale," Störmann said.

Reporting on the new SSD, ServeTheHome notes, “This is a hot segment of the market, and it is great to see Kioxia joining. As AI clusters get larger, the shared storage tier is usually measured in Exabytes. Teams have found that replacing hard drives with SSDs often reduces power, footprint, and TCO compared to running hybrid arrays. Moving from lower-capacity drives to the 122.88TB capacity in a 2.5-inch drive form factor really highlights the advantage of flash in these systems.”

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• Nintendo is expanding its partnership with the baseball team the Seattle Mariners ahead of the Opening Season 2025
• The Nintendo logo will be featured on the team's home jerseys and a Nintendo Switch 2 logo on away jerseys
• Seattle Mariner centerfielder Julio Rodríguez will act as a brand ambassador to further the partnership

Nintendo is expanding its partnership with the Seattle Mariners ahead of MLB Opening Season 2025, by becoming the baseball team's first-ever official jersey sleeve partner.

Nintendo announced the new collaboration with a new promotional video released on X / Twitter today, showing Seattle Mariner centerfielder Julio Rodríguez sporting his new jersey with Nintendo's red logo on the sleeve.

The upcoming season is set to begin on March 27, aka Opening Day, and each member of the Seattle Mariners baseball team will be showcasing the Nintendo racetrack logo on their home jerseys, and a Nintendo Switch 2 logo on away jerseys.

"Nintendo and the Mariners have been inextricably linked since 1992," said Kevin Martinez, Seattle Mariners president of business operations, in a press release.

"Now, each time the Mariners take the field, our jersey sleeves will help serve as a reminder of all that Nintendo of America has done for the Northwest community and the team. There isn’t a better partnership in Major League Baseball. We are grateful for our incredible relationship with Nintendo."

Play ball ⚾We’re thrilled to share we’re expanding our long-standing relationship with the @Mariners and will be featured on their jersey sleeve this season!See it for the first time on Opening Day, March 27th! pic.twitter.com/Lig4Aw4bmfMarch 20, 2025

Julio Rodríguez will also further the partnership between the Mariners and Nintendo by serving as a brand ambassador.

"It’s a genuine thrill to be able to partner with such a talented team, including bright stars like Julio," said Doug Bowser, president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America.

"Our history with the Mariners goes back decades so this really feels like coming home. Nintendo has a lot of exciting news this year and through collaborations like this one, we can’t wait to create even more smiles across all generations. Go Mariners!"

This expanded partnership comes just ahead of the Nintendo Direct Showcase on April 2, which will likely reveal a launch date for the Nintendo Switch 2.

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• New research claims downtime from ransomware attacks is costing government agencies thousands
• The average downtime after an attack is over 27 days
• RansomHub is the top offender

New research from Comparitech has outlined that a key underestimated aspect of ransomware is costing Government agencies thousands of dollars per day - downtime.

Of the over 1,000 confirmed ransomware attacks tracked, nearly a month’s worth of downtime was lost per attack on average, costing nearly $84,000 per day.

For government agencies, the average downtime is higher than other sectors, with healthcare averaging 16 days, and 12 days for manufacturers. Although fewer than half of all ransomware incidents end in payment, the total amount paid in previous years has hit over $1 billion, so attacks can be seriously expensive all-round.

Key targets

The research points to government entities being less equipped to overcome attacks, most likely from budget constraints leading to longer recovery times.

On average, attackers demanded $2.2 million in ransom, but it's very rarely confirmed whether a ransom is paid or not - and some governments like the UK have launched proposals which would effectively ban state run organizations from paying ransoms in order to dissuade groups from targeting them.

But this doesn’t stop attackers, with government agencies frequently topping the list of most popular targets.

Critical infrastructure organizations are increasingly at risk of geopolitically motivated attacks, looking to disrupt service providers and undermine trust in public institutions.

The report outlines that notorious group RansomHub is responsible for stealing the most data, with over 730,000 records taken since 2018. Close behind them is ALPHV with 700,000, and Brain Cipher with 650,000 records stolen.

Although it's a fairly new group, RansomHub continues to find success in attacking both public and private organizations, with the group claiming to have made a victim of MetLife earlier in 2025.

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• Qobuz has published its average streaming rates
• Many rivals talk about the total, not what individual rights holders get paid
• At just over 1.8¢ per stream, Qobuz pays more than most

Streaming service Qobuz has done something none of its rivals have been so far willing to do: it's said how much it pays for streaming – and it's had its claims independently examined too.

Publishing independently verified figures is a first for an industry that prefers to talk about the big picture rather than the small details, and it's a very welcome development not just for artists, but for anyone who's trying to be careful about the impact of their money.

According to Qobuz, in fiscal year 2024 it paid an average of US$0.01873 per stream.

That money doesn't go directly to artists – streamers pay the rights owners, typically record companies and music publishers; what artists actually get from that depends on how good or bad their deals with those rights owners are – but it's a significantly higher average rate than other streamers are believed to be paying.

1.8 cents per stream might not sound like much, but Apple – one of the better payers – says it averages 1.0 cents. Some other streamers are believed to pay considerably less, and to offer reduced royalties in exchange for exposure.

(Image credit: Qobuz) Opinion: It's great to see rates, yeah!

It's not exactly easy in today's world, but many people do try to shop fairly ethically where they can – and knowing how much money's being paid to artists is useful if like me you want to support the people that make the music you love so much.

That's particularly true if the artists you love aren't megastars: 1,000 plays on Qobuz pays an average of $18.73, which isn't much. But it's $18.73 more than the rights owner gets on some other services. And that definitely makes me feel even more positive about Qobuz.

Transparency is something I like to see, and it's definitely a factor in the sites and services I choose to use. For example, I increasingly use bookshop.org and libro.fm for my book deliveries and audiobooks because I like how they work with independent bookshops and how transparent they are about who gets what.

The sums aren't much, I know, but it's nice to know that even when I can't make it to my favorite book nook I can still throw a little money their way instead of making a corporation even more cash.

Of course, people choose – or choose to avoid – the best music streaming services for all kinds of reasons. But with everyone essentially offering the same songs, this is another way in which streaming firms can differentiate themselves from their rivals by telling you what kind of company they are. More, please.

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• Apple is shaking up its Siri development team
• Mike Rockwell, the man behind Vision Pro, is taking over from John Giannandrea
• Could this be the pivotal change Apple needed to bring an upgraded Siri to market?

There's a major shake-up at the top of the Apple food chain as Tim Cook opts for a new leader to help the company bring Apple Intelligence-powered Siri to life.

Following reports from earlier this week that Apple Intelligence would be a focal point of Apple's off-site Top 100 exec meeting, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is now reporting that AI head John Giannandrea is no longer going to be overseeing Siri's overhaul.

According to Gurman, "[Apple CEO] Tim Cook has lost confidence in the ability of AI head John Giannandrea to execute on product development, so he’s moving over another top executive to help: Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell."

Rockwell will now be in charge of Siri, according to Gurman's sources, who have asked not to be named, and he'll report directly to software chief Craig Federighi.

With Giannandrea no longer in charge of Siri, he'll now be working on other AI projects. The decision was made during the Apple Top 100 meeting and is said to be confirmed to employees later this week.

Assuming Gruman is right, this major exec shift comes at a pivotal time for Apple – once a pioneer in the voice assistant game but now just a mere passenger – as it tries to devise a solution for Siri.

Apple had advertised its flagship iPhone 16 Pro as the best device for Apple Intelligence, yet nearly seven months after its launch, customers have yet to see the real benefits of AI.

With Apple's Siri delay a public disaster, this shift in leadership could be the catalyst for success that's needed to make the personal context-capable Siri a reality.

Siri's redemption arc?

At WWDC 2024 in June, we got to hear directly from Giannandrea about his vision for the then-newly-announced Siri. He said Siri with Apple Intelligence has a "rich understanding of what’s on your device," and that the voice assistant's knowledge base would "only get richer over time."

Nearly a year later, Siri still can't tell you what month of the year it is and definitely doesn't understand what's on your device.

Rockwell, who can take credit for Apple's Vision Pro development, has the potential to get Siri's development back on track. While the mixed reality headset hasn't necessarily been a commercial success it does achieve some incredible feats.

Tim Cook is likely counting on Rockwell's ability to innovate, as evidenced in the Vision Pro, to make Siri as good as the company advertised back at WWDC. And, if he does, then all the naysayers will have to accept that Apple truly is back on track.

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• Cybernews found an Elasticsearch instance with 870,000 unique records
• They were generated by Collectibles.com, a major collectible cards marketplace
• The database was locked ten days later

Collectibles.com, a major collectible cards marketplace, has been leaking sensitive information on hundreds of thousands of users, exposing them to risk of identity theft, wire fraud, phishing, and more, experts have claimed.

This is according to the research team from Cybernews, who recently discovered, and reported, a non-password-protected Elasticsearch instance.

The team found a 300GB cluster of valuable user data, counting more than 870,000 records, each representing a different person, noting how, “The exposure of user details and transaction histories poses a significant security risk, potentially enabling identity theft, targeted fraud, and account takeovers."

Working around security solutions

Formerly known as Cardbase, Collectibles.com, is an online marketplace and management platform for collectors, allowing users to track, buy, and sell various collectibles, including trading cards, comics, and memorabilia. In a 2024 press release, the company claimed to have roughly 300,000 users.

The data Collectibles.com was leaking includes people’s full names, their email addresses, profile picture links, other user account details, collectible card sales, and transactional data.

Cybernews reached out to the company to report their findings, “but besides an automated response, the company did not acknowledge the data leak,” they said.

The instance was closed ten days later, although we don’t know for how long it remained open before being discovered. We also don’t know if any malicious actors discovered it before Cybernews, and possibly even used the data in phishing.

Exposed databases remain one of the key causes of data leaks. Many organizations hoard sensitive customer data in a cloud database, some of which don’t understand that with cloud, security is a shared responsibility.

Security researchers and cybercriminals alike can use tools like Shodan or Elasticsearch to find these databases and use the information found there to run all kinds of scams.

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• Nvidia's new Game Ready Driver 572.83 is still causing the same black screen issue from previous versions
• The new driver update adds support for new games and RTX 5000 series notebooks
• The issue can occur when installing the driver or when booting into Windows 11 when using a DisplayPort

It's another day and yet another case of many Nvidia RTX GPU users being left frustrated, with Game Ready Driver updates causing numerous issues - and it's one problem, in particular, that can't be shaken off after multiple resolution attempts from Team Green.

Yet again, Nvidia's Game Ready Driver is causing black screen issues for some users - and it's the new driver 572.83 that's the culprit based on complaints on Nvidia's Reddit page. A black screen can remain after installing the new driver (using a DisplayPort), prompting a hard reboot with the same bug occurring at the Windows login screen.

This is a recurring issue that appears to have begun with Nvidia's Game Ready Driver 572.16 which was the official rollout of DLSS 4. I initially thought the issue stemmed from Marvel's Spider-Man 2 or Windows 11 24H2 (which is notorious for weird bugs), but it was indeed the GPU driver.

This update provides support for RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070 Ti notebooks and also adds DLSS 4 Override support for titles like Assassin's Creed Shadows and The Last of Us Part 2. Unfortunately, these additions are vital to the functionality of Blackwell GPU notebooks, so installing the new driver is a risk some may have to take.

It's supposedly not exclusive to the new RTX 5000 series GPUs either, as Redditors using older RTX GPUs have voiced similar complaints. For those who weren't lucky enough to avoid these issues, it may be ideal to roll your drivers back to those more stable based on your configuration.

Comment from r/nvidia Comment from r/nvidia Comment from r/nvidia Comment from r/nvidia

(Image credit: Nvidia) This is a major setback for new game support and new GPU owners

While I and many RTX GPU users have the chance to roll drivers back, it's not the same case for others. As I've stated, Game Ready Driver updates as such are required for functionality, particularly with new RTX 5000 GPUs or notebooks powered by them - and that's very concerning.

I'm looking forward to starting Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows, using DLSS 4 for its improved Frame Generation tech and its incredible new Super Resolution via DLSS Override - without updating to driver 572.83, this isn't possible. Potential detrimental issues to my hardware are not something I want to gamble with, just for the sake of enjoying greater visuals (thanks to the new transformer model) and performance.

It's certainly a setback for those affected, and I'm worried that we won't see a fix anytime soon. Nvidia still has Blackwell GPUs in the pipeline for launch, so we'll likely be seeing similar driver updates - and if the recent ones are anything to go by, it's another reason why you should steer far away right now.

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• An Xbox Wire post highlights that we could see Hollow Knight: Silksong kinda soon-ish
• But Xbox could be trolling here...
• My outside hope is Sthat ilksong becomes an Xbox handheld launch title

In a surprising turn-up in the gaming book that I wasn’t expecting to see today, we could potentially see Hollow Knight: Silksong arrive this year… an emphasis on the aspect of 'potential' however.

In an Xbox Wire post, Guy Richards, director at ID@Xbox noted: “Looking ahead, our lineup is incredible with upcoming games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Descenders Next, and FBC: Firebreak to play across the whole Xbox universe… and of course Hollow Knight: Silksong too!”

Now that could be a bit of an inside gaming joke in that Hollow Knight fans have been desperate for information about Silksong ever since and an Xbox Game Pass trailer back in 2022. It’s become a bit of a running joke that each year we could see the Hollow Knight sequel pop up at an Xbox Summer Showcase or the occasional Xbox indie developer preview stream, yet Silksong never appears.

However, it’s been eight years since Hollow Knight was released and since then the game has become a bit of a darling in the indie games world and spawned numerous content creators that have dived deep into the gamer’s lore and mechanics. So by that logic, a Silksong release date at the very least is something I feel Hollow Knight fans are within reason to expect.

Speaking as one such fan, my hope is we could see the Hollow Knight: Silksong, which tackles the Metroidvania game from the perspective of the first game’s antagonist-helper Hornet, get a proper showcase this year; maybe at a big Xbox Showcase in July.

There are a lot of reasons to be hyped here, as Silksong looks to take the platforming and combat of Hollow Knight and build upon it with more complex abilities and areas to explore.

But, again, this could all be a bit of trolling from Richards.

A great launch title for the Xbox handheld

Yet if there’s any weight to Richard’s words and my speculation, I’d like to run with it. I think it would be a shot in the arm for Xbox hardware if Silksong was used as a form of launch game for the so-called Xbox handheld; whether that takes the form of an Xbox-branded machine or a reworked Asus ROG Ally.

Now Hollow Knight wasn’t a platform exclusive, nor will Silksong be; unless Microsoft has cooked up some deal with developers Team Cherry. But I could see it being a great way to showcase a new handheld PC; I played Hollow Knight mostly on my Nintendo Switch and reckon it’s a great handheld gaming experience and marriage of hardware and software.

Of course, maybe Nintendo could beat Xbox to the punch and use the Nintendo Direct in April, to showcase the Nintendo Switch 2 running Silksong.

But with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond touted to make an appearance, it’s a lot more likely the game series that spawned half of the Metroidvania nomenclature would be used to show off new Nintendo hardware.

Whatever comes of this Xbox Wire post, I’m just glad that Hollow Knight: Silksong is part of the conversation, even if it’s a little dig at fans, as it reminds me that I and others have still got a promising Hollow Knight sequel to look forward to.

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• Three distinct lines of Chromebooks are coming from Acer
• Prices range from €329 (about $430 / £275) to €729 (around $800 / £610)
• Availability begins in May, with some coming later in July, 2025

Acer has announced seven new Chromebook laptops in its extensive lineup of affordable productivity and media machines.

Announced in a press release, the Acer Chromebook Plus and Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise devices have been described as being the "ideal choice for tech lovers, young professionals, students and teachers".

All seven of the newly announced Acer Chromebook models have Google AI built-in, and it's claimed the machines feature "double the speed, memory and storage" when "compared to previous models".

Prices range from €329 (about $430 / £275) to €729 (around $800 / £610) with the Acer Chromebook Tab 311 at the lower end and the Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 514 at the upper end of the spectrum. Availability begins in May through to July 2025, with official US and UK pricing and availability likely to be revealed closer to the time.

Starting with the Acer Chromebook Plus range, it includes three new laptops, all with Intel Core Ultra processors inside. The mainstream offering is the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, with an Intel Core 3 N355 processor, a 14-inch WUXGA display and a 1080p webcam. A version is also available with an Intel Core 7 processor, a QHD (1440p) webcam and a claimed 17 hours battery life.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 utilizes a 16-inch WUXGA display, with a 1080p webcam, and Google AI inside. All three models come with 12 months' worth of Google Gemini Advanced, 2TB of cloud storage, and other benefits of Google One's AI Premium Plan as standard.

Acer's Chromebook Plus Enterprise range also comes in three configurations; the Enterprise 514 is available with either an Intel Core 3 N355 or Intel Core 7 processor, a 14-inch display, and the choice of either a 1080p or QHD (1440p) webcam.

The Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 516 also features an Intel Core 7 processor, a 16-inch WUXGA screen, and a QHD webcam. The biggest difference appears to be the weight and thickness when compared to the Plus range, being 3lbs (1.4kg) in weight and less than 18mm (0.7 inches) thick.

The last of the newly announced Acer Chromebooks is the revised Tab 311 model. Unlike the other models, it isn't powered by an Intel Core Ultra CPU but the tried-and-true MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, with 128GB storage, and up to 8GB LPDDRX memory.

Despite the lower-end specs, it features a 10.95-inch IPS WUXGA display, so it will look the part with its humble specs that are more than enough for the web-based workloads of the Google ecosystem.

Chromebooks are becoming more powerful

Acer's latest lineup could be fast enough to rival some of the best Chromebooks available in 2025, especially those models utilizing an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. Traditionally, Chromebooks are lower-end, affordable laptops for kids, students, and professionals as ChromeOS is exclusively web-based, meaning there's not necessarily a need for the horsepower defining MacBooks and Windows-based x86 machines.

With that said, the utilization of Intel Core Ultra processors means that Acer's latest Chromebooks will be substantially faster in web browsing, media playback, word processing, and other productivity tasks in contrast to the older Intel Celeron and MediaTek processors we usually see in machines costing $300 / £300 to $700 / £700 from other manufacturers.

With the rough pricing revealed alongside the availability, it's looking like Chromebooks as viable alternatives to Windows and Mac machines will offer up more competition. From the specs provided, they sound like good value, but we won't know how they perform and compare to their competition until we go hands-on later in the year.

For how RAM-intensive Chrome (and Chromium browsers) can be, it sounds like a little more power is long overdue. While they're unlikely to rival the best laptops and best ultrabooks, they sound like solid offerings for the wallet-conscious consumer wanting value for money.

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• Asus' AI Cache Boost is said to improve AI workload uplift by nearly 20%
• The tests were conducted with the three most recent AMD Ryzen 9000 processors
• AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D seems to benefit the most

Asus has launched a BIOS feature named AI Cache Boost which is said to increase AI workload performance on AMD's Ryzen 9000 processors by up to 19.35%.

AI Cache Boost comes as part of a new BIOS firmware update for Asus' AMD 800 series motherboards which is said to "pump up the AI performance of your AMD Ryzen system" for AI apps, such as working with large language models (LLMs).

Specifically, Asus has tested the two recently released AMD Ryzen 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D processors and their optimizations benefitting "AI enthusiasts".

To use the tech with a Ryzen 9000 series CPU and an Asus AMD 800 series motherboard, then, you go to the UEFI BIOS utility, head into the Extreme Tweaker tab, and then toggle AI Cache Boost to 'Enabled' and that will have it ready to handle more AI workloads.

Asus claims its AI Cache Boost includes overclocking the Infinity Fabric clock to 2100 MHz, which is said to boost the total bandwidth of data transfers between the Ryzen 9000 series CPU cores, cache, and memory for working with large language models.

The hardware manufacturer's tests were conducted with a ROG Crosshair X870E Hero motherboard, an RTX 5090, and 32GB DDR5 RAM as the test bench. As well as the two most recently released AM5 chips, the 9800X3D was also put through its paces in Geekbench AI with the ONNX DirectML framework as a benchmark.

On average, Asus' AI Cache Boost saw around a 5% increase in Geekbench AI with its Single Precision and Half Precision scores for both the 9950X3D and 9900X3D. However, the 9800X3D saw the highest difference, of 7.93% with its Half Precision Score (comparing the default of 63365 to 68393).

The claimed 12.5% performance bump was also achieved on the 9800X3D with the UL Procyon AI Computer Vision Benchmark, a sweeping improvement of 1680 compared to 1490. Based on the published benchmarks, it seems that the popular gaming CPU may benefit more than the two leading models.

Asus acknowledges that it's still "early days" for the RTX 5090, so it had conducted tests with the previous-generation (but still excellent) RTX 4090 as well. It's this pairing that we see the largest boost, in tandem with the existing BIOS feature Turbo Game Boost (which allows the CPU to operate more efficiently by disabling simultaneous multithreading).

By using both AI Cache Boost and Turbo Game Mode together, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D saw a jump from 1426 to 1702 in the UL Procyon AI Computer Vision Benchmark. Without Turbo Game Mode, however, the difference was minimal at just 1485 (4.1%). To get the best experience, you may need both BIOS features enabled.

A leg up for AI workloads on niche hardware

Asus' benchmarks reveal anywhere from a slight boost to a significant uplift in AI performance on the Ryzen 9000 series, when paired with leading 90-class graphics cards for good measure. Based on the averages, it seems like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D benefits the most (barring one or two top-end exceptions).

With that said, to use this feature, you'll need a specific motherboard series and also the use of Turbo Game Mode to take things further. If you're thinking of building a rig purely for AI workloads then it seems like the new BIOS feature could be a small shot in the arm to make things a little faster and easier, however, it's debatable whether around 3-6% in most tests is worth upgrading.

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• Apple has patented a radical Apple Watch redesign
• It reveals a unique new foldable design with two inner displays and one outer display
• It also features a camera, and even rotating and sliding elements

A new patent has revealed that Apple is considering a radical redesign of the Apple Watch that would deliver a foldable dual-screen display and a camera.

The patent, innocuously dubbed 'wearable electronic device', was filed for by Apple back in September 2023 and published today, March 20.

First spotted by PatentlyApple, the filing reveals a wearable device "including a fixed portion and a movable portion" with a display assembly, and an optical sensor, presumably for registering when the display is opened and closed.

The patent text notes that even the best smartwatches available today "are limited in terms of screen size and functionality relative to their smartphone counterparts," and are as such preferred for many device interactions.

Apple highlights a "constant need for improved functionality of wearable electronic devices," hence its ground-breaking proposed redesign.

Is this the Apple Watch of the future?

(Image credit: Apple / USPTO)

The customary dense patent language is complemented by images that clearly reveal Apple's vision for a smartwatch of the future.

It references a device that contains both an outer display and an inner display, the latter being two displays hidden inside a folding mechanism akin to any foldable smartphone you might be familiar with.

One such iteration of the patent includes a "continuous" display, one unit joined by a folding mechanism, rather than two separate displays that fold out from each other.

There's also a reference to a movable, rotating portion that can move around an axis, as shown in the image above.

Another part of the patent references an outward and inward-facing camera pairing that could be used for taking pictures and answering FaceTime calls.

As you can imagine, this outlandish overhaul of the Apple Watch is nowhere near release, so don't expect to see a folding Apple Watch Ultra 3 with two cameras.

However, Apple has at least explored the idea of overhauling the design of the Apple Watch. By nature its form factor is small and limited in scope, so a folding display mechanism could be a novel solution to solving that problem.

Another recently revealed patent shows Apple is considering blood pressure monitoring tech powered by a liquid-filled sensor in the Apple Watch strap.

Of course, this is merely an idea committed to paper at this point, and may never see the light of day, but it's certainly an enticing look behind the scenes at how Apple considers designs for future tech, especially its wearables.

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• A bunch of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 images reveal how the show's first chapter will end
• Filming is well underway on the Marvel TV series' next installment
• The spoiler-filled stills were posted online in mid-March

It's time to be vigilant, erm, vigilantes, because some huge spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again's season 1 finale have already appeared online.

Surprisingly, though, those details weren't leaked by an industry insider on social media. Instead, they come by way of official behind-the-scenes shots snapped by photographers as filming continues on the Marvel TV show's second season.

I won't directly post the images in this article, but I plan on discussing what they reveal about the final episode of Daredevil's TV revival on Disney+. So, if you don't want to know anything about how season 1 will end or where its sequel will begin, I urge you to turn away now as major spoilers immediately follow.

What do the pictures tell us about Daredevil: Born Again's season 1 finale?

"...what do you mean Born Again season 1's finale has already been spoiled?" (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

The first few images, which have circulated online since they were first uploaded last Tuesday (March 11), don't reveal anything hugely significant.

A couple of them confirm that Genneya Walton's B.B. Urich will be back for more on-the-beat reporting in one of the best Disney+ shows' second season, though, so she's set to survive the events of its forebear. Urich is seen speaking to a new addition to Born Again's cast for season 2, though, in the form of Sydney Parra. It's unclear who she'll be playing in the follow-up to this Marvel Phase 5 project (NB: Born Again season 2 will be part of the Marvel Phase 6 line-up).

Karen and Matt will be reunited in Born Again season 2, if not beforehand (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

It's the photographs that were uploaded to the internet on March 18, though, that contain the biggest spoilers.

For one, the images confirm that Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock will reunite with Deborah Ann Woll's Karen Page. The pair had become estranged after Franklin Foggy Nelson's death in the season 1 premiere. It's made clear here, however, that the duo will patch things up before this season ends or its sequel entry begins.

That's not all. The pictures show Woll's Page sporting a dark red, bob-style haircut, which is a stark contrast to the long, blonde hairstyle she's had since a live-action Daredevil TV series was made. That program originally aired on Netflix, but is now available on Disney+, aka another of the world's best streaming services.

Cox's Murdock is also sporting something of a disguise. He's wearing plain clothes – complete with a goodie to hide his identity – and a knee-length coat, which is also a far cry from Murdock's classier attire in the suits that he wears as a lawyer. His crimefighting costume is nowhere to be seen, either.

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If the duo are wearing what passes as a disguise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), they must be on the run or trying to keep a low profile, right? It appears that way, especially when you read the small print on a missing person's poster – one that confirms Murdock is the MIA individual – that's been slapped on a nearby wall.

"Matt Murdock attended the Mayor's recent gala at Gracie Mansion," it reads. "Where he heroically saved Mayor Fisk's life by blocking an assassin's bullet, but was himself critically injured."

Wait, Murdock saved his archnemesis from being shot?! This isn't the first time that Fisk has been shot – his surrogate daughter Maya Lopez also tried to kill him in Hawkeye – but it's fascinating to read that Murdock actually stopped another Fisk assassination attempt.

What's even more intriguing is that, if Murdock saved Fisk's life, wouldn't the latter be grateful and call off his crusade to eradicate the so-called threat of New York's vigilante contingent? Evidently not, if Murdock and Page have gone into hiding. Oh, and based on the fact that the images also confirm Fisk's Anti-Vigilante Task Force is still patrolling the streets.

Who tries to assassinate Mayor Wilson Fisk? (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

The big question now is: who tries to kill Fisk? Will it be Bullseye, who's currently incarcerated but has the capacity to land every shot he takes? Is it Frank Castle/The Punisher, who'll have an ax to grind with Fisk with the latter going after lawless crimefighters? Could it be Muse, who finally made an appearance in Born Again episode 4? What about someone we haven't seen yet in the show?

Whoever it is, we know how Daredevil: Born Again's first season is largely going to end. Murdock will save Fisk's life, Fisk will continue his pursuit of vigilantes as New York Mayor, and Murdock and any of his allies will have to go into hiding or go on the run. We'll find out what actually happens when season 1's ninth and final episode arrives on April 15 (US) and April 16 (UK and Australia).

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• A popular spyware company has suffered a data breach
• Almost 2 million SpyX records were compromised
• The software monitors devices without the users knowledge or consent

A widely-used consumer-grade stalkerware operation was hit by a data breach in 2024, with millions of customers potentially affected.

A TechCrunch report claims the beach affected SpyX and two related mobile apps, impacting the information of almost 2 million people, including 17,000 Apple iCloud credentials.

Seemingly, neither the targets of the spyware, nor the customers of the software were ever notified of the breach, which reportedly occurred in June 2024.

SpyX breach

SpyX calls itself the ‘best phone monitoring App’, and provides ‘real-time recording, video, audio, and screenshots' of the target’s device.

It markets itself as a ‘parental control’ service, and operates stealthily, running without notifications or icons, so a target could be completely unaware of the invasive software installed on their device.

Exposed in the breach were IP addresses, email addresses, device information, 6-digit PINs, and iCloud credentials likely used to monitor targets through the cloud. This breach is the 25th mobile surveillance software to have suffered a breach or exposed victim or user data since 2017, TechCrunch notes, leaving anyone affected in serious danger of identity theft, fraud, or just a real threat to their privacy.

The existence and legitimization of spyware puts both victims and users at risk, as these malware tools can be injected easily but are incredibly difficult to detect. In July 2024, millions of spyware customers were exposed in a huge breach, and sensitive information was compromised.

Spyware, or stalkerware, lets users who buy the software install the app on devices belonging to children, employees, or partners (or anyone whose device they have access to), without their knowledge or consent.

Although these apps are designed to be undetectable, there are signs you may have been infected, like a device being unusually slow, crashing randomly and more often, or a sudden increase in ads and pop ups.

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