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With the news that several large corporations such as Amazon are insisting their employees return to the office full time, it could be thought that the hybrid working revolution was merely a blip caused by lockdown necessity.

It remains to be seen whether this reversion will be successful or whether it will cause another wider adjustment as employees seek the employment that best reflects their needs.

Certainly, it should be seen as part of the continuum of an accelerating process of realignments as issues including trust, technology, productivity, creativity, family, finance and mental health shape the future of work.

Why hybrid working is still a necessity

Whether hybrid working remains a part of an organization's primary working strategy or not, it is critical that they retain the capability to do so to ensure business resiliency. The disruptions that impact physical office attendance will continue to exist and may well increase as the world becomes more unpredictable. From severe weather events to social unrest and global political shifts, there are a plethora of problems which will undermine attempts to confidently forecast mid to long-term plans.

The ability to flex as challenges and opportunities arise must be a fundamental consideration for all businesses. Developing an effective capability for remote and hybrid work enables employees to work from home or other locations if the office becomes inaccessible. Disregarding any other outcomes from recent years, this is a lesson that should not be forgotten.

Why technology is a key enabler for business resilience

Adopting technologies will be key for businesses to achieve the level of business resiliency required to support all working policies. For example, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) supports remote and hybrid working and can also be leveraged to improve other aspects of business resiliency, security, scalability and efficiency.

VDI situates PC or workstation resources on a server, rather than a laptop or desk-based device. This enables resources to sit alongside other server-based services in a central location, whether that be an office server room, a data center or the cloud. The virtual desktops are accessed with a low-spec device, often an inexpensive laptop or ‘thin client’, through an application or browser, over the network or internet. The experience for the end user remains the same so long as the service has been appropriately specified and configured, meaning employees can work from almost anywhere with an internet connection.

The key benefits of VDI

To ensure greater business protection, VDI (and its related infrastructure) should be located in a high-end data center to guarantee additional levels of resiliency. These would generally include dual and diverse power and connectivity, backup power generators, high levels of environmental management and physical and network security (such as DDOS protection). Such measures are important to reduce the risk of downtime, whether your employees are working from home or the office. Public and private cloud vendors will offer this level of service as a rule.

Centralizing all business resources also improves security. Data stays within a centrally managed network, rather than being located or replicated across multiple external devices, which exponentially increases vulnerability to attack. Employees only have inexpensive, dumb devices in hand, which are harder to hack and less problematic if stolen or damaged. Reducing the use of VPNs, replication and edge device data reduces the attack surface considerably.

Many VDI providers also offer scalability for organizations to flex their resources in line with their current needs. This type of dynamic resourcing is one of the big promises of cloud computing and is extremely attractive, especially when long-term forecasting is a challenge. There is a cost associated with such dynamism, but balancing this with less expensive, dedicated core resources allows for both reliability and agility.

Perhaps the most under-appreciated aspect of VDI is the efficiency that it can introduce to computer estate management. Administering through web-based control panels enables IT administrators to manage everything remotely, regardless of where the end user is based. Virtual desktops can be spun up or disabled in minutes, creating huge savings in the time that would otherwise be spent on physical device deployments and decommissioning. Resources can be reallocated across machines, users quickly reassigned and fresh images deployed rapidly, simplifying office moves and reorganizations.

Embracing the VDI opportunity for all working policies

There exists some understandable nervousness about hybrid working and VDI. For many organizations, this still seems a step too far from their long embedded and comfortable working practices and technologies. Alongside the recent push for a return to office working by some organizations, there has also been a parallel shift with other early adopters moving away from public cloud services; the latter primarily due to its expense and lack of ROI. Thankfully there are growing private cloud services that offer better and more accessible offerings, which ensure that the promise of cloud and VDI can still be realized. This will be important in the coming years which are sure to be full of new challenges and opportunities.

We've listed the best free remote desktop software.

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

• Tensions between WP Engine and Mullenweg drive user curiosity
• Users worldwide show rising interest in website builder alternatives
• Ongoing conflict highlights the risks of relying solely on WordPress

Global search interest for WordPress alternatives has surged dramatically as the conflict between WP Engine and Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, intensifies

Data from Google Trends noted search requests around the website builder boomed in October 2024, especially on October 8, where it reached a peak score of 100.

The spike in interest signals a shift in user behavior, indicating an active search for options which align more closely with user expectations around performance, control, and transparency.

Possible triggering events behind the surge

Before October 8, Google Trends data shows the search interest for WordPress alternatives was essentially dormant, with no recorded searches from October 4 to October 7.

Observers attribute this surge to the escalating legal and public disputes between WP Engine and Mullenweg, who accused WP Engine of trademark infringement and compromising WordPress’s open-source ethos.

The contention centers on WP Engine’s handling of WordPress features, including limiting revision history for posts and its allegedly confusing use of the “WP” branding, which Mullenweg argues misleads users into believing WP Engine is directly affiliated with WordPress.

The tension reached new heights with Mullenweg calling WP Engine a “cancer to WordPress”. Both WP Engine and Automattic have since exchanged cease-and-desist letters, with WP Engine contesting Automattic’s claims, asserting its use of WordPress trademarks falls under fair use.

This back-and-forth intensified when Mullenweg blocked WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org resources, including updates for plugins and themes, which severely impacted WP Engine-hosted websites, leaving some vulnerable to security risks. While this ban was briefly lifted, the damage to WP Engine’s reputation and the broader WordPress community was significant, leaving developers and users frustrated.

WP Engine has also sued Automattic's CEO for attempted extortion. The company told TechRadar Pro:

“...Matt Mullenweg’s conduct over the last ten days has exposed significant conflicts of interests and governance issues that, if left unchecked, threaten to destroy that trust. WP Engine has no choice but to pursue these claims to protect its people, agency partners, customers, and the broader WordPress community.”

More recently however, a US district court has ordered Automattic to stop blocking WP Engine access to the WordPress servers.

The data from October 4 to November 4, 2024 highlights a notable shift in user behaviour globally, with countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Brazil showing an increased interest in exploring WordPress alternatives.

Following the October 8 peak, search interest for WordPress alternatives continued, though at a lower intensity. Between October 21 and October 30, scores ranged from 20 to 36, indicating a steady but less urgent curiosity among users for alternative CMS options.

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• Hackers are abusing Microsoft tools more than ever before

• A company called Life's Echo is using AI and in-depth interviews to create interactive simulations of people when they pass away.
• They clone your voice to make effective 'digital ghosts' full of information about your life.
• Post-death AI mimics are slowly becoming more prevalent, but Life's Echo is more comprehensive than most.

Imagine going to a family reunion and reminiscing about a loved one who has passed away, only for someone to open an app to reveal an AI-fueled replica of the departed you can have a conversation with.

You ask about their childhood, first job, or their emotions on their wedding day, and they answer correctly, in their own voice and words. That's the vision of a new company called Life’s Echo, which offers a suite of AI tools to enable you to produce a digital ghost of yourself capable of conversing with your loved ones after you’ve died.

Life’s Echo is designed to capture the essence of who you are before you shuffle off this mortal coil. The idea is that your stories, voice, and personality don’t have to vanish. Instead, they can be preserved in a digital format with which your friends and family can interact, even when you’re long gone. It’s a way to keep a version of you alive – in the most uncanny valley way possible.

Here’s how it works: you sit down with an AI interviewer named Sarah, who conducts five 45-minute interviews. Sarah asks about your childhood, family, career, love life – all the big stuff. She digs deep with over 1,000 questions in her database, encouraging you to share your most personal stories and details. These interviews are casual and conversational, almost like therapy, but with a digital afterlife twist.

Once the sessions are complete, the conversations are transcribed, and the AI builds a unique model of you. It’s not just a recording; it’s a digital clone of your voice, stories, and personality. This is your “AI Echo.” Your family members can then ask this AI version of you questions, and it will respond with answers drawn from the life stories you provided. Imagine your daughter, decades from now, asking, “How did you feel when I was born?” and your AI Echo delivering a heartfelt answer as if you were right there.

AI tools like Character.AI have enticed users by offering to simulate the personalities of current and historical celebrities. Then, there are AI voice cloning tools like ElevenLabs and Respeecher that have demonstrated that AI can mimic people's voices incredibly well. At the same time, MyHeritage turns old still photos into moving videos. But Life's Echo is going for something deeper.

"Like most people, I am familiar with the lives of my parents and grandparents but I know nothing about my great grandparents. After three generations, knowledge of our existence almost completely vanishes," CEO Ruth Endacott said. “Life’s Echo will help to preserve a lasting record that allows future generations to engage with and learn intimate and very important details about our lives, key experiences, and perspectives."

AI Eternity

Ruth co-founded Life's Echo with her husband, Steve Endacott. Appropriately, Steve Endacott is already known for his efforts to bring AI into the public sphere thanks to creating "AI Steve," the UK’s first AI candidate for Parliament.

The sentiment behind Life's Echo is touching and could be very heartwarming for the right people. But, it's undeniably an eerie concept too. Picture your virtual self relying on those interviews to convey who you were and what you were like to people who won't be born for a long time. It's uncomfortable to envision your voice, your memories, and your personality all distilled into an algorithm available for a posthumous chat at any time.

But, if you're really into the idea, you can use the same AI tools and interviews to produce a personalized autobiography for your funeral, record your own eulogy to be delivered by the AI version of yourself, and even a whole script for the person running the funeral based on your stories and preferences. It’s like having a ghostwriter who knows precisely what you’d want said at your send-off.

Of course, this isn’t the first time tech has tried to offer a digital afterlife. Other services, like Eternos and Project Lazarus, have explored similar ideas, where AI models of deceased loved ones can answer questions and share memories. But Life’s Echo goes beyond them with the voice mimicry and depth of its interviews.

There are other questions, of course. Even if you like the idea, will talking to a digital version of a loved one help people grieve, or will it keep them stuck in the past? How do you explain it to kids? And if your AI Echo exists in the cloud, who controls it after you’re gone? Regardless of whether you're curious or queasy imagining it, you may be having conversations with deceased loved ones before you know it.

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

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

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

NYT Connections today (game #556) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• TAP
• TUG
• KEG
• BARREL
• TABLE
• SUB
• BARGE
• HAMMER
• COUNTER
• LADDER
• GORILLA
• SHELVE
• JUNK
• DELAY
• STOOL
• POSTPONE

NYT Connections today (game #557) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Raincheck
• GREEN: Saloon staples
• BLUE: Vessels
• PURPLE: Nintendo classic

Need more clues?

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

NYT Connections today (game #557) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: DEFER
• GREEN: BAR FIXTURES 
• BLUE: WATERCRAFT 
• PURPLE: SEEN IN "DONKEY KONG" 

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

NYT Connections today (game #557) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #557, are…

• YELLOW: DEFER DELAY, POSTPONE, SHELVE, TABLE
• GREEN: BAR FIXTURES COUNTER, KEG, STOOL, TAP
• BLUE: WATERCRAFT BARGE, JUNK, SUB, TUG
• PURPLE: SEEN IN "DONKEY KONG" BARREL, GORILLA, HAMMER, LADDER

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 2 mistakes

In the mental Venn diagrams I was drawing today, two or three words could have gone in several categories – TABLE (Yellow and Green), JUNK (Yellow and Blue), BARREL (Green and Purple) and I fell for them all…

First I put JUNK instead of TABLE into what would become the Yellow group, then, thinking I was onto a sure thing, put BARREL in the Blue group – Barrel Boats are a thing right? Er… maybe not.

Having never played Donkey Kong (I’m more of a board game person) I was thankful that this group was the leftovers and done for me.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, 18 December, game #556)

• YELLOW: DEAL WITH FIELD, HANDLE, MANAGE, TACKLE
• GREEN: STYLES OF BEER BITTER, BOCK, SOUR, STOUT
• BLUE: INVESTMENT VERBS HEDGE, HOLD, SHORT, TRADE
• PURPLE: _DOME CAPITOL, CHROME, ONION, TEAPOT

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NYT Strands today (game #291) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Roll with it

NYT Strands today (game #291) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• ROCK
• PRESS
• SKIN
• TILT
• RAGE
• VITAL

NYT Strands today (game #291) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Swaying

NYT Strands today (game #291) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: right, 4th row

Last side: left, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #291) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #291, are…

• GLAM
• METAL
• PROGRESSIVE
• GRUNGE
• PUNK
• ALTERNATIVE
• SPANGRAM: ROCKING

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 hint

After yesterday’s SPINNERS, today we had rolling, although it wasn’t the kind that comes from moving along a surface and was instead the one that goes with ROCKING.

There are hundreds of rock genres from Acid Rock to Yacht Rock but Strands took it easy on us and went with the A-listers – although I did go with Prog before seeing the full-length PROGRESSIVE.

I used to have a friend whose brother was massively into Prog Rock and as children we’d marvel at their album collection and the gatefold sleeves, which would invariably involve pyramids and some form of nudity. We’d attempt to make sense of the music, with its 12-minute-long jams and songs about mice called Gerald, but mainly it was looking at the album covers. Who doesn’t love a pyramid?

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, 18 December, game #290)

• DRYER
• EARTH
• TIRES
• FOOTBALL
• PINWHEEL
• BALLERINA
• SPANGRAM: SPINNERS

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

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

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

Quordle today (game #1060) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

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

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

Quordle today (game #1060) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1060) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1060) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

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

Quordle today (game #1060) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• J

• G

• T

• I

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

Quordle today (game #1060) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1060, are…

• JEWEL
• GNOME
• TRAMP
• IDLER

Today’s experiment was to see if loading the board with Es would give me a head start.

It sort of worked, but I had to use the next two attempts with the other vowels – and getting very lucky with ANNOY, which gave me no other option than GNOME.

Despite this good start I was still sweating by the end. With my current run I’m beginning to wonder if it is ever possible to complete Quordle with a couple of spaces to spare.

Meanwhile, I’m hitting it out of the park with the Daily Sequence, so maybe I’m overthinking my tactics on the Classic version.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1060) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1060, are…

• EMCEE
• STINK
• EATER
• AGAIN

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
• Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
• Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
• Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
• Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
• Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
• Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
• Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
• Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
• Quordle #1050, Monday 9 December: TITAN, FORTE, SPEED, BRIAR
• Quordle #1049, Sunday 8 December: BUNCH, SHINY, MOULT, INTRO
• Quordle #1048, Saturday 7 December: SHAKY, CROOK, GHOUL, VERSE
• Quordle #1047, Friday 6 December: BRAWL, UNTIL, DOWRY, STING
• Quordle #1046, Thursday 5 December: AGING, BICEP, CLOVE, SPILL
• Quordle #1045, Wednesday 4 December: JUDGE, GIVER, GNASH, CLOAK
• Quordle #1044, Tuesday 3 December: FUDGE, THICK, CRANK, STASH
• Quordle #1043, Monday 2 December: TROPE, HOVER, SAUNA, SHAPE
• Quordle #1042, Sunday 1 December: NAIVE, CIRCA, STEAD, MICRO
• Quordle #1041, Saturday 30 November: MAMMA, SNUCK, CRYPT, TAROT
• Quordle #1040, Friday 29 November: JOIST, DROOL, DUSKY, GLIDE

• New phishing email scam impersonating Ledger spotted
• The emails claim the user's Ledger wallet seed phrase was compromised, and asks for confirmation
• Users that provide the seed phrase lose all their money

Criminals are trying to steal cryptocurrency by impersonating hardware wallet firm Ledger and sending phishing emails.

Victims have reported receiving emails pretending to be from Ledger, and claiming that their seed phrase (also known as recovery phrase, or mnemonic seed) is compromised. To protect their digital belongings, the victims are invited to “verify the security” of the recovery phrase through the “secure verification tool”.

The email comes with a “Verify my recovery phrase” button which leads people through an AWS website, to a domain "ledger-recovery[.]info". There, users can enter their recovery phrase, which is then saved on a server and relayed to the attackers.

Providing the right data

A recovery phrase is used to load the contents of a cryptocurrency wallet into a new device, or new software wallet. It usually comes as a series or either 12, or 24 random words. Whoever has access to this phrase, also has access to the funds, so it is absolutely pivotal that these remain offline, hidden, and not shared with anyone.

To make sure they’re getting the real deal, the scammers added several safeguards to the phishing page. The site is limited to 2048 valid words that can be entered as part of the mnemonic seed phrase. Furthermore, whatever the user enters, they will get the response that the seed phrase is wrong - most likely to allow the victims to double down on their entries and thus confirm they have provided the right information.

Phishing emails often used to have poor grammar and spelling and could typically be identified by clumsy, amateurish wording. However, with the introduction of generative AI, that is no longer the case. In this case, though, the clue was in the email address, since it came from the SendGrid email marketing platform. Furthermore, the link redirects through an Amazon AWS website, which should also be a red flag.

It is impossible to know how many people (if any) fell for the trick, but those that did lost their money permanently.

Via BleepingComputer

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• EVO-X1 features AMD Strix Point architecture for enhanced performance
• Unique cubic design optimizes cooling for high-performance components
• Expect higher noise levels with increased processing power

As mini PCs continue to surge in popularity, companies like GMKtec with its NucBox series have been pivotal in driving demand.

The company has now unveiled its first official image of the new EVO-X1, suggesting the device will come with an advanced cooling design and a variety of connectivity features.

The new model distinguishes itself by integrating AMD’s latest Strix Point architecture, allowing it to exceed typical performance benchmarks for mini PCs. Unlike many competitors that prioritize low-power and quiet operation, the EVO-X1 is designed to attract gamers, designers, and power users by offering high-performance options in a small form factor.

Unique and compact design

The EVO-X1 looks to depart from the typical look of mini PCs, as GMKtec has opted for a cubic design taller than usual, a move that could hint at a specialized cooling solution needed to house high-performance components within a small footprint.

Along the front panel, the EVO-X1 features several connectors, including the standard 3.5mm audio jack, USB4 Type-C ports, and two USB 3.2 Type-A slots. Unusually for a mini PC, GMKtec has also included a DisplayPort output, allowing for a streamlined display connection without needing adapters.

The EVO-X1 stands out from similar mini PC models by its integration of AMD’s Strix Point processor, specifically the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. GMKtec plans to push the performance of this chip beyond AMD’s official recommendations, providing users with the option to operate at up to 70 watts.

While AMD suggests a 15 to 54-watt range, the higher power setting could offer a noticeable increase in processing speed and efficiency, though it might come at a cost to noise and temperature levels. GMKtec indicates this setting would be accessible through BIOS, giving tech-savvy users control over whether they prioritize power or quieter operation.

On the GPU end, this device will use the Radeon 890M. GMKtec claims that the EVO-X1 will deliver performance akin to a machine fitted with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060. This GPU upgrade could offer notable improvements for users seeking a mini PC that can handle gaming or more graphics-intensive work without needing a separate graphics card. However, as is often the case with manufacturer statements on graphics performance, this claim might need to be approached cautiously until users can put the mini PC through real-world tests.

It is important to note that running the AMD Strix Point processor at 70 watts will require the EVO-X1’s cooling system to work harder, likely pushing the fan to its maximum capacity. This could result in higher noise levels than typical mini PCs, which are often optimized for low-noise performance in small workspaces.

For those prioritizing processing power, the fan noise may be a worthwhile trade-off, but users who prefer a quieter setup may find this aspect less appealing.

GMKtec has yet to disclose the EVO-X1’s price or release date, and we've reached out for further details on pricing, availability, and full specifications.

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Of all the arguments TikTok owner ByteDance could've made to retain ownership and still operate in the US, Freedom of Speech might be the weakest and one it's unlikely to win when it argues its case before the US Supreme Court on January 10.

Look, I'm no legal expert, but even I know that one of the benchmarks for measuring if you are somehow infringing on speech is if there are limited avenues for someone to share similar views.

TikTok is not unique. I love it and use it myself (and TechRadar is very busy on it), but there are other platforms just like it, including Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts (not to mention BlueSky, X, and Threads). They fall far short of TikTok's creative capabilities, but the results are essentially the same: delivering your pithy vertical social videos to a wide, public audience.

Here's what the First Amendment promises:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It's not a lot of text and is open to interpretation, but I find it hard to see how banning the TikTok app in the US (unless ByDance sells to a US entity) meets any of those benchmarks. Sure, the loss of TikTok would close off one avenue for speech. But social media content is like water; when you seal off one spigot, it freely travels to the next available one.

Not the right dance move

TikTok arguing that this infringes on Freedom of Speech is like me arguing that Twitter (now X) shutting down Vine was a First Amendment violation. Yes, losing the ability to create and share six-second videos on the platform was awful, but I was soon using other tools to create animated unboxings. Eventually, I discovered TikTok, where I post an even wider variety of short videos.

I'm not arguing that I agree with the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act and its inclusion of TikTok as a national security threat. I believe the work TikTok and its parent company ByteDance did over the last few years – moving data to the US, hiring a US-based staff to run it, and more transparency – has addressed most of these concerns. I do not trust the Chinese government but have long believed that just having a popular app like TikTok in the US is such a point of pride that China has no interest in undermining it by trying to use TikTok as a wide-scale spying tool.

You might consider my views pollyannish, but perhaps you can agree that this law and TikTok's inclusion are government overreach. Since when is the US government making sweeping rulings about private businesses run on US soil?

No chill

I get that the climate is changing and that the US government has been taking potential action against a broad swath of companies operating in or through enemy nation-states (mostly but not exclusively in China). I'm not sure that's the right approach, either. I'm certainly not a fan of DJI drones potentially being banned in the US.

However, in the case of TikTok, the US Government is ignoring the will of its own people. Back in August, support for the ban was less than a third of those polled by Pew Research. That was a decline from earlier in the year, and it stands to reason that support has slipped even further.

Unfortunately, most legislators and people at the highest level of government figuratively have their fingers in their ears and are working hard to drown out the growing support for a TikTok pardon.

If, as I fully expect, TikTok loses its argument to stay the ban, the clock will start ticking on its departure. There will be a nine-day window between the expected SCOTUS decision and the inauguration of the next president of the United States, Donald Trump, a returning executive who may play the role of unlikely savior.

While Trump has waffled more than a bit on the topic, he most recently expressed some affection for the platform and even entertained TikTok CEO Shou Chew at his Mara Largo estate.

That could be seen as a positive sign. Trump could write an executive order to postpone the ban indefinitely while still maintaining pressure on ByteDance to slow-walk a divesture.

It could happen. Anything could happen. If none of this makes sense, perhaps the following will help.

An Edict from the US Goverment

With apologies to Clement Moore:

'Twas the twilight of TikTok and all through the house,

We paused in swiping to consider and grouse

TikTokers were stirring, all ready to pounce

Its fate hung in the balance for nine justices to pronounce

The platform it hung on the precipice of a ban

SCOTUS will listen and ponder if speech-making feels crammed

Arguments were nestled in briefs that we pled

But the chances of success we less better than dead

Influencers in cosplay and filters that slap

When all that was heard was some pre-presidential snap

A guy in a business suit, his blonde hair a flap

Held his hand to his heart and said

I have warmth for some of that

To the top of the White House, this guy did appear

And he grinned a bit too hard because

It's up to him, I fear

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• BishopFox scanned the internet for SonicWall VPNs and found hundreds of thousands that can be accessed via the internet
• Tens of thousands were running old, vulnerable software versions
• Some were past their end-of-life date, putting them at risk of attack

Tens of thousands of SonicWall VPN firewall platforms are vulnerable to different flaws, putting their users at risk of remote exploitation, data breaches, privilege escalation, and more.

Cybersecurity researchers at BishopFox scanned the internet with Shodan and BinaryEdge, and running proprietary scripts to analyze the returning data, discovered there were 430,363 endpoints exposed to the internet.

While this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re vulnerable, endpoints such as these ones should not be connected to the wider internet to begin with, since it means crooks could try to access them and look for holes.

End of life

"The management interface on a firewall should never be publicly exposed, as this presents an unnecessary risk," BishopFox said in its report. "The SSL VPN interface, although designed to provide access to external clients over the internet, should ideally be protected by source IP address restrictions."

Drilling deeper, BishopFox found that almost 120,000 endpoints were running versions affected by serious vulnerabilities, including 25,485 endpoints with critical severity flaws, and 94,018 endpoints with high severity bugs. Furthermore, they said that 20,710 endpoints were running versions of the software that are no longer supported by the vendor.

This presents a rather large attack surface that threat actors can exploit. SonicWall SSL VPN devices are often targeted in different campaigns, including the recent strikes by both Fog and Akira ransomware groups. These threat actors were abusing flaws to gain initial access to corporate networks, where they later deployed ransomware encryptors and wreaked havoc across enterprise infrastructure.

To tackle the threat, businesses should make sure they are always running the latest versions of their software, and that their endpoints are still supported by their respective vendors.

Via BleepingComputer

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Day 10 of the 12 Days of OpenAI went a little retro to make ChatGPT far more accessible than before. OpenAI has introduced new ways to interact with ChatGPT using a much older form of communication technology: a phone number. Specifically, you can text with ChatGPT through WhatsApp and by calling a toll-free phone number. AI by landline has arrived. Naturally, the number to call or message is 1-800-CHATGPT.

You can start a conversation with ChatGPT on WhatsApp by texting 1-800-242-8478 on the app. You can message ChatGPT like any other WhatsApp chatbot but get responses matching those from the free tier of ChatGPT on the mobile app or website. Not every ChatGPT feature is available on WhatsApp either. You can’t ask the AI to search for things online or analyze images, at least for now.

If you’d rather have your AI answers by audio, you can pick up your phone to dial 1-800-CHATGPT (that’s 1-800-242-8478), and a very friendly, very human-like female voice will answer all the same queries you might type out to send to ChatGPT. The experience is pretty much like ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode, where you ask questions, and the AI responds in real-time. It can help you translate a sentence, give recommendations, or chat about whatever’s on your mind.

Even if you still you have a phone like this, you can call ChatGPT. (Image credit: Future) Search AI

There are obvious accessibility benefits to OpenAI in making ChatGPT far more globally available, even with all of the limits and caveats. It’s the same reason Google set up a phone number for Google Assistant that people could call to interact with the voice assistant. But, it also points to how OpenAI and its rivals want to see AI integrated into more communication channels. That’s why both OpenAI and Apple were keen to add ChatGPT capabilities to Siri, augmenting the iOS assistant with the AI model.

There are also limits to ChatGPT on WhatsApp and by phone. You can only message ChatGPT on WhatsApp a limited amount a day, though OpenAI is vague about what that limit actually is. You’ll get a warning when you approach the limit, so you’re not surprised by the cutoff. Similarly, ChatGPT phone conversations aren't unlimited. Instead of a message cap, you get 15 minutes a month for verbal interactions with the AI. And the phone number only works in the U.S. for now. An automated phone number was certainly a surprise for OpenAI’s latest ‘present,’ akin to finding an old wooden train under the wrapping paper. I'd expect that OpenAI will probably take a more future-facing approach to the final two gifts before the event ends.

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• Amazon's flagship Fire TV Omni Mini LED TV series will now support Dual Audio.
• This feature will allow it to stream sound to a supported hearing aid and through the TV speakers.
• A raised QR Code with access to setup instructions is being included within select Amazon Device packaging.

Amazon’s had a pretty packed few months – including new Kindles, a Fire TV Stick refresh, and an entry into Mini LED TVs – and is now debuting a new accessibility feature, expanding another, and highlighting an accessible addition for some product packaging.

A variety of Fire TV devices already support the ability to beam audio directly to hearing aids thanks to support for the Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) protocol. Amazon’s latest move, though, is dubbed “Dual Audio” and is exclusive to the Fire TV Omni Mini LED TV series for now – with this, you can send audio using ASHA to a hearing aid and audio through the TV’s speakers.

This is the first time a Fire TV device can send audio out in two streams. This way, if you’re wearing a hearing aid, you can watch TV with family members and have it be a communal experience without any delays. It’s exciting to see this launch for the Fire TV Omni Mini LED TV series, but I do hope Amazon can expand this to other Fire TV devices as well – be it a Fire TV 4-Series model or a streaming stick.

(Image credit: Amazon)

A software update will be required to enable this, and it will start rolling out to the Fire TV Omni Mini LED TV series in the ‘coming weeks.’ Once it’s installed, you’ll be able to turn on ‘Dual Audio’ in Settings under Accessibility. You’ll pair a compatible hearing aid with the TV to start the process, and then with it, you can have audio through the aid as well as the TV speakers. After that first setup, you can also use quick settings to turn the feature on and off.

More broadly, beyond just the Fire TV Omni Mini LED TV series, Amazon is expanding the types of hearing aids that can be paired with its Fire TV family of devices. Now supported via the audio streaming protocol for hearing aids are Widex Moment Behind-The-Ear (BTE) and Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) aids. BTE and RIC hearing aids will be supported on all ASHA-enabled Fire TV devices like the Omni TV lineup, Fire TV Cube, and the 2- and 4-Series Fire TV models.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Beyond support for more types of hearing aids and Dual Audio on the Fire TV Omni Mini LED TV series, Amazon has also added a tactical-marked, raised QR code inside the packaging of select devices. The QR code, which features raised dots, is designed to help customers who have low vision or are blind easily access quick setup guides and other support documents. You’ll scan the QR code and be taken to these; the raised QR code is found on the “top left corner on the back panel of the device Quick Start Guide” inside the packaging.

It’s not found on every device that Amazon makes, but it is found on some of the new Kindles – Colorsoft, Paperwhite, and Scribe – the Fire TV Soundbar and Soundbar Plus, Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series, Echo Spot, Echo Show 15, and Echo Show 21.

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• Microsoft revives PC accessories with Incase, rebranding classics like the Modern Mobile Mouse and keyboards.
• Affordable, ergonomic, and wireless options headline the new lineup, starting with 23 versatile accessories.
• Surface remains Microsoft's premium gear focus, blending cutting-edge tech with its signature Surface branding.

Some people might not know that until pretty recently, Microsoft made computer accessories - and it looks like Microsoft is dipping its toe in again. The company actually has a considerable history of creating PC accessories, from ergonomic keyboards to high-precision mice. After discontinuing its own brand of PC accessories last year, Microsoft has partnered with Incase to bring back some of those back.

Incase put out a post announcing the partnership starting in 2024, promising to combine both companies’ expertise to bring you 23 computer accessories to start with and possibly more to come. You can get products that some might recognize, such as the Modern Mobile Mouse or Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard, but now with the Incase logo and branding.

(Image credit: Incase) What Incase and Microsoft have to offer

In practical terms, these accessories will work just as well as the originals and they come at great prices that won’t make you jump out of your seat. For example, the $24.99 Mobile Mouse 1850 is a lightweight, reliable wireless mouse that’s perfect for everyday tasks, while the $39.99 Modern Mobile Mouse offers a sleeker design with better performance for on-the-go professionals. This new lineup also includes keyboards that are wireless, ergonomic, and compact, along with headsets and a webcam.

While Microsoft has pretty much entirely left the PC accessory market, its Surface range includes Surface-specific gear, like the Surface Desktop Keyboard with its AI-powered Copilot+ key, which shows off Microsoft’s commitment to its premium Surface lineup. So, whether you’re looking for dependable classics under the new “Incase Designed by Microsoft” label or cutting-edge tech under the Surface brand, Microsoft has something for everyone.

Those who are familiar with Microsoft’s computer accessories will probably welcome this announcement. While some have complaints about products like Microsoft 365, Edge, and, of course, Windows, it is still a highly trusted company, and with Incase’s collaboration efforts, I think these will be pretty decent quality for the price.

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• CISA issues BOD 25-01, the first binding directive of the year
• It addresses Microsoft 365 security, which is under threat
• Other cloud providers will be added soon, as well

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued its first binding operational directive for 2025, which includes a set of rules and requirements to make sure the Microsoft 365 cloud environments meet its cybersecurity standards.

BOD 25-01 is mandatory for all Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) systems and assets, but CISA advises enterprises in the private sector to follow along, as well.

It revolves around deploying a custom automation configuration assessment tool (ScubaGear for Microsoft 365 audits), integrating with CISA’s continuous monitoring infrastructure, and then fixing any deviations from the list of required secure configuration baselines (SCB).

Mandatory policies

"Recent cybersecurity incidents highlight the significant risks posed by misconfigurations and weak security controls, which attackers can use to gain unauthorized access, exfiltrate data, or disrupt services," CISA said.

"This Directive requires federal civilian agencies to identify specific cloud tenants, implement assessment tools, and align cloud environments to CISA's Secure Cloud Business Applications (SCuBA) secure configuration baselines."

Here is what CISA demands FCEB organizations do:

- Identify all cloud tenants within the scope of this Directive by February 21, 2025.
- Deploy all SCuBA assessment tools for in-scope cloud tenants no later than Friday, April 25, 2025
- Implement all mandatory SCuBA policies effective as of the Directive’s issuance no later than Friday, June 20, 2025
- Implement all future updates to mandatory SCuBA policies
- Implement all mandatory SCuBA Secure Configuration Baselines

The list of all mandatory policies can be found on the Required Configurations website. At press time, it included secure configuration baselines for Microsoft 365, Azure Active DIrectory / Entra ID, Microsoft Defender, Exchange Online, Power Platform, SharePoint Online & OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams.

Google and other cloud platforms are set to follow in the coming months.

CISA also has a list of mandatory actions, you can read more about those here.

Via BleepingComputer

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• LG's Signature OLED T transparent OLED TV is now available to buy in the US for $59,999.
• The design-forward TV permits a range of installation options, including in front of windows.
• Connections are made to the Signature OLED T wirelessly using LG's Zero Connect box, with 4K 120Hz support.

LG has announced that its 77-inch Signature OLED T transparent OLED TV is now available to buy. The world’s first transparent OLED TV with wireless audio and video transfer, the Signature OLED T made a big splash when it was demonstrated at CES 2024, where it was shown without any confirmed release date or price.

We now have that information: The 77-inch Signature OLED T is available at select LG retailers, Best Buy, and LG.com for $59,999 in the United States. Availability in other markets will be announced at a future date.

The LG Signature OLED T’s screen can transform from transparent to opaque at the push of a button, allowing for a range of display options, including installation in front of windows. When in transparent mode, objects on-screen appear to float in 3D space. In opaque mode, a roll-up back panel transforms it into a regular display for streaming movies and TV, and the Signature T is also optimized for gaming, with 4K at 120Hz support, AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility, and Nvidia G-Sync certification.

According to LG’s press release, the Signature OLED T provides three separate display options:

• T-Objet: an always-on display mode.
• T-Bar: an info-ticker that runs along the screen’s bottom edge, displaying info such as sports results and weather forecasts.
• T-Home: a standard smart TV interface displaying apps, settings, and other services.

Transparent TVs get real

(Image credit: Future)

Transparent displays captured our imagination at CES 2024, with LG and Samsung making them a primary focus of their “Innovation room” exhibits. Of the two, LG’s Signature OLED T looked the most ready for prime time. Although no availability date was given, it was said to arrive in 2024.

LG has clearly made good on its promise, with the Signature OLED T arriving just in the nick of time in mid-December 2024. At $59,999, the transparent OLED is quite a bit more expensive than the best OLED TVs, even 83-inch 8K models such as the LG Z3.

Still, for those craving a design-forward TV that pushes the limits of tech and captures the imagination, the Signature OLED T might just be the ticket.

@techradar

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• Huawei may be adding HBM support to Kunpeng SoC
• Clues hint at a replacement for the Kunpeng 920, launched in 2019
• New SoC with HBM may target HPC, server market rivals

Huawei engineers have reportedly released new Linux patches to enable driver support for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) management on the company’s ARM-based Kunpeng high-performance SoC.

The Kunpeng 920, which debuted in January 2019 as the company’s first server CPU, is a 7nm processor featuring up to 64 cores based on the Armv8.2 architecture. It supports eight DDR4 memory channels and has a thermal design power (TDP) of up to 180W. While these specifications were competitive when first introduced, things have moved on significantly since.

Introducing a new Kunpeng SoC with integrated HBM would align with industry trends as companies seek to boost memory bandwidth and performance in response to increasingly demanding workloads. It could also signal Huawei’s efforts to maintain competitiveness in the HPC and server markets dominated by Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC.

No official announcement... yet

Phoronix’s Michael Larabel notes that Huawei has not yet formally announced a new Kunpeng SoC (with or without HBM), and references to it are sparse. Kernel patches, however, have previously indicated work on integrating HBM into the platform.

The latest patches specifically address power control for HBM devices on the Kunpeng SoC, introducing the ability to power on or off HBM caches depending on workload requirements.

The patch series includes detailed descriptions of this functionality. Huawei explains that HBM offers higher bandwidth but consumes more power. The proposed drivers will allow users to manage HBM power consumption, optimizing energy use for workloads that do not require high memory bandwidth.

The patches also introduce a driver for HBM cache, enabling user-space control over this feature. By using HBM as a cache, operating systems can leverage its bandwidth benefits without needing direct awareness of the cache’s presence. When workloads are less demanding, the cache can be powered down to save energy.

While we don't have any concrete details on future Kunpeng SoCs, integrating HBM could potentially allow them compete more effectively against other ARM-based server processors, as well as Intel’s latest Xeon and AMD EPYC offerings.

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• Secret Level will return to Prime Video for season 2
• Right now, no release date, cast, or story details have been revealed
• The news comes after more episodes dropped on the streamer yesterday (December 17)

Secret Level is getting a second season on Prime Video, even though its first season has received a mixed response from critics and fans. Nevertheless, one of the best streaming services has decided to commission more episodes following the release of season 1's final few entries yesterday (December 17).

We don't have a confirmed release date for season 2 yet, and we also don't know if any of the big stars from season 1 will return in potential sequels to the standalone stories.

The first season features plenty of big names including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart, and Keanu Reeves, all of whom provided voices for an anthology series that celebrates the world of gaming, with episodes based on the likes of Dungeons & Dragons, Sifu, New World, Unreal Tournament, and Warhammer 40,000 all appearing.

What has been the response to Secret Level season 1?

Currently, Secret Level season 1 has a 67% Rotten Tomatoes critical score, meaning it's not eligible to appear on our best Prime Video shows list. Indeed, reviewers haven't been overly impressed, with TechRadar's very own senior entertainment reporter Tom Power criticizing the series in our weekly round-up on December 13, saying: "I've seen all 15 episodes and, while I can vouch for how gorgeous some of them look and the intriguing stories they tell, many of them come across as hollow, cash-grab-esque advertisements".

Adding further fuel to the "not good enough" fire, it's received five "rotten" scores from critics on the reviews aggregation website as well. So, while audiences seemed happy enough to give it a 'Popcornmeter' score of 82%, it hasn't done enough to win over critics.

Still, there's always room for improvement and I'm interested to see if season 2 will make it onto our best Prime Video shows list now that its chief creative team has had feedback from gamers worldwide everywhere. Over to you, Amazon and Blur Studio.

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I recently reviewed the DJI Mic Mini and Rode Wireless Micro – both are superb quality wireless mics for content creation, designed to be ultra simple for capturing better audio with smartphones.

I'd recommend either in general, but if I were to pick one for myself, it would be the teeny tiny DJI Mic Mini, no question. Overall, it's a more versatile bit of kit for smartphones and cameras, with reliable connectivity via its receiver or Bluetooth, and the price difference between the two kits is negligible.

If you shoot with DJI cameras such as the Osmo Pocket 3 or Osmo Action 5 Pro, it's an even easier choice because those cameras feature built-in receivers for streamlined pairing with DJI's mics, including the pricier DJI Mic 2 – our camera accessories product of the year.

What's more, you can buy Mic Mini components individually, meaning you can save yourself a packet just picking up a mic for those DJI cameras, rather than the full kit with receiver.

All that said, more people shoot video just with smartphones, and for those people the simpler Rode Wireless Micro takes the DJI out with a knock-out punch.

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) The winning one-trick pony

DJI's Mic Mini works for cameras and smartphones, while the Rode Wireless Micro is just for smartphones. I shoot with both so the choice is clear. But for smartphone-only creators, I think Rode's mic makes more sense.

The best method to connect the mics with your phone is through a receiver. That's the only method for Rode's mic, and the receiver slots neatly across the underside of your phone, connected to your USB-C (or Lightning) charging port (see gallery below). It's slim and it's simple too – there are no controls on it or the mics whatsoever.

You plug the receiver into your phone, follow the on-screen prompts (which might include selecting the wired mic option in favor of your phone's built-in mic in the camera app menu) and you're up and running in seconds. Everything is automated.

The Mic Mini's receiver is bulkier. Every time I used it with a phone, I was concerned I would snap it off – it sticks out, it's a little awkward, and a better fit with cameras, like into the hotshoe / coldshoe port. DJI's offering has another trick up its sleeve though that bypasses the receiver.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

The DJI Mic Mini's receiver is better designed for cameras, while the Rode Wireless Micro's is purpose-made for phones.

Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

You can also connect the DJI Mic Mini to your phone using Bluetooth, meaning no receiver whatsoever. However, I wouldn't trust a Bluetooth connection for video recording in the same way that I would a purpose-made receiver, and audio quality drops from 24-bit depth to 16-bit depth when using Bluetooth instead of the receiver.

Bluetooth connectivity is fine at a pinch and still beats the audio quality of your phone's built-in mics, even when you're armed with voice enhanced audio, like you get with the latest Google Pixel handsets.

The Mic Mini also has a few manual controls to play with. There's a one-push noise reduction mode, plus ±12db audio level control on the receiver. These are great tools to have, but for phone users I think Rode's simpler approach – an automated 'Intelligent GainAssist technology' – again makes more sense.

And so while the DJI Mic Mini outstrips the Rode Wireless Micro in most ways, it's the Rode mic's outright simplicity that wins through for smartphone creators. I just hope Rode makes the Wireless Micro components available individually in the future – some of us could save a few pennies that way, especially if replacement parts are needed.

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• AWS to invest a further $10 billion in Ohio, bringing 2030 total to $23 billion+
• Amazon says it has created 110,000 jobs in total across the state since 2010
• Ohio’s renewable energy projects will generate 2.9 GWh of energy annually

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has confirmed plans to invest another $10 billion in Ohio by the end of the decade as part of an ongoing spending spree to fuel its AI-related growth.

Together with the $7.8 billion AWS announced for Ohio earlier in 2024, and $6 billion invested in 2022, total AWS data center investment in the state is set to reach more than $23 billion by 2030.

Overall Amazon investment since 2010 stands at $35 billion, as it aims to meet the increasing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data centers.

AWS invests billions in Ohio

Roger Wehner, AWS VP of Economic Development, said the multi-billion dollar sum will go into creating hundreds of new AWS jobs in technical roles like data center engineers, network specialists, engineering operations managers and security specialists. Locally, telecommunications, facilities maintenance and electricity generation roles are also set to benefit indirectly from increased AWS activity in the region.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine commented: “AWS’s substantial investment in Ohio will help keep our state at the forefront of the global technology.”

Amazon says that since 2010, it has contributed $31 billion to Ohio’s state GDP, including 38,000 direct jobs and a further 72,000 indirect roles.

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted added: “These are significant investments from AWS that support Ohio’s growing reputation as the tech hub of the Midwest.”

The company also noted its commitment to matching its consumption with renewable energy generation, and its Ohio projects have proven instrumental to this, including 23 wind and solar projects that will generate 2.9 gigawatt hours of electricity annually.

Wehner concluded: “The cloud is powering innovation across all sectors of the modern economy. AWS is proud to expand our cornerstone investment beyond Central Ohio to help drive the next generation of cutting-edge technologies such as AI.”

More broadly, the company has been on a spending spree to back its AI advancements, including an $11 billion injection into Indiana and $10 billion in Mississippi, all announced in 2024.

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• Elden Ring: Nightreign will feature enemies from the Dark Souls series
• Game director Junya Ishizaki confirms this "small number" of enemies will be featured "thanks to the influence of the Night King"
• The Elden Ring spin-off game is expected to launch next year

FromSoftware has confirmed Elden Ring: Nightreign will feature enemies from Dark Souls.

The 10th-anniversary ceremony for The Game Awards 2024 was an exciting night filled with world premiere trailers and announcements, and among them was the surprise reveal of a brand new Elden Ring spin-off game called Nightreign, a standalone co-op roguelite experience coming in 2025.

The announcement arrived alongside an action-packed trailer, but eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice a few familiar faces from previous FromSoftware releases, notably Dark Souls 3's most formidable boss, the Nameless King.

Although the studio is keeping quiet about the bosses players will be able to encounter in Nightreign, game director Junya Ishizaki has now shared a teaser of what to expect.

Speaking to Famitsu (translated by Eurogamer) Ishizaki confirmed that the spin-off will feature a "small number" of enemies from the Dark Souls series "thanks to the influence of the Night King", adding that it reinforces the sense of "chaos" of the night.

What this means, we can't be sure, but the developer has since shared a teaser on social media hinting at the game's plot, which reads, "In the Night, ancestral foes await - remnants of a fire that once burned bright."

At this time, it's unclear if enemies from other FromSoftware games will appear in Nightreign, but there may be references to Bloodborne's Lady Maria and a grappling hook similar to the one used in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice featured in the game (via IGN).

There's no release date for Elden Ring: Nightreign just yet, but a network test is scheduled for next year.

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