Australia vs South Africa T20 at Cazaly's Stadium, Cairns, on Saturday is the deciding third game in a three-match series.
Australia won the first game, to extend their winning run to a record nine T20I games. But then South Africa rallied in thrilling and record-breaking fashion in the second match at Darwin to set up a fascinating series decider in Cains on Saturday, August 16.
Australia have welcomed back some of their leading T20 players for this series, with Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood and Matt Short returning having missed the 5-0 series victory in the Caribbean over West Indies. The hosts are a formidable T20 side at present, with 22 wins in their past 26 matches leading up this series.
For South Africa this is a different opportunity. The visitors are using the chance to give some fringe players exposure as they have another 16 T20 matches scheduled after this series in the run up to the next T20 World Cup.
However, the tourists still have experience in the form of several of their big-name players including skipper Aiden Markram, and pace bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. The bowling line up also includes the exciting 19-year-old left arm quick Kwena Maphaka. On his T20I debut in December, one of his deliveries was of 151.6kph (94.75mph).
So, read on and we'll explain how to watch the T20 series decider between Australia and South Africa in Cairns.
Use a VPN to watch any Australia vs South Africa streamIf you're keen to watch the cricket but you're away from home and your preferred coverage is geo-blocked, you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
There are lots of VPNs but NordVPN is the one you can rely on to unblock streaming platforms – and right now you can save 70%.
Editors ChoiceNordVPN – SAVE 70% and try risk-free
There's a good reason you've heard of NordVPN. We specialize in testing and reviewing VPN services and NordVPN is the one we rate as the best VPN. It's outstanding at unblocking streaming services, it's fast and it has top-level security features too. With over 7,000 servers, across 110+ countries, and at a great price too, it's easy to recommend.
Purchase right now and get an Amazon gift card worth up to $50 includedVIEW DEAL ON
How to watch Australia vs South Africa T20 live streams in the USCricket streaming service Willow TV is the place to watch the Australia vs South Africa T20 series in the US.
If you don't have it as part of your cable package, you can watch Willow coverage through your choice of Sling TV's Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans – starting from $10 per month.
Outside the US right now? You can make use of NordVPN to catch the action.
For US residents, Sling TV is the perfect plan in order to watch cricket from WillowTV. You can sign up to your choice of its Desi Binge Plus, Dakshin Flex or Urdu plans, which all include Willow.
Prices start from only $10 per month or $50 for six months.View Deal
How to watch Australia vs South Africa live streams in the UKThe Australia vs South Africa T20 series is being televised on TNT Sports in the UK. Today's match is on TNT4.
To access TNT Sports, you'll either need to add it to your TV package, or you can take out a standalone subscription via Discovery+, which will set you back from £30.99 per month. You'll also have access to Premier League, Champions League and Europa League football plus rugby, wrestling, UFC, MotoGP and more.
If you're currently traveling overseas, don't worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch your usual service from abroad.
How to watch Australia vs South Africa live streams in IndiaThe rights to Australia's home cricket internationals are held by Disney Star, now known as JioHotstar.
Subscriptions start at Rs. 149 ($1.70) for 3 months, but the best option is to purchase their Premium Plan for Rs.299/month which is ad-free and offers streaming across four devices at the same time.
Visiting the US from India? Use NordVPN to access your usual streaming service while away.
How to watch Australia vs South Africa live streams in AustraliaThe Australia vs South Africa T20 series will be broadcast on Fox Sports 501 which is available on Foxtel in Australia.
However, your most cost-efficient option is specialist sports streamer Kayo Sports, with plans starting from $30 a month after you've taken advantage of its first month for $1 offer or 7-day free trial.
Away from Oz when the series is on? Use a VPN to watch your usual cricket stream when abroad.
How to watch Australia vs South Africa in South AfricaSuperSport has the rights to show the Australia vs South Africa T20 series in South Africa.
To access SuperSport you can through satellite on DStv or on DStv Now, the streaming platform which offers cordless access to the SuperSport channels.
If you're travelling outside of South Africa during the series you can still access your usual cricket streams using a VPN.
Australia vs South Africa T20 series 2025 Q+AWhat is the schedule for the Australia vs South Africa T20 series?Play is due to start at 7.15pm AEST / 10.15am BST / 5.15am ET
Australia vs South Africa 3rd T20 teamsAustralia: 1 Travis Head; 2 Mitchell Marsh (capt); 3 Josh Inglis (wk); 4 Cameron Green; 5 Tim David; 6 Glenn Maxwell; 7 Aaron Hardie; 8 Ben Dwarshuis; 9 Nathan Ellis; 10 Adam Zampa; 11 Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa: 1, Aiden Markram (capt); 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk); 3 Lhuan-dre Pretorius; 4 Dewald Brevis; 5 Tristan Stubbs; 6 Rassie van der Dussen; 7 Corbin Bosch; 8 Senuran Muthusamy; 9 Kagiso Rabada; 10 Kwena Maphaka; 11 Lungi Ngidi.
What happened in the 1st T20?Australia batted first for the first time in seven T20Is and slumped to 75-6, but recovered to 178 thanks to Tom David's 83, which contained eight sixes.
It was , however, the first time they had been bowled out by South Africa in their 26 T20I meetings. Kwena Maphaka, at 19 years and 124 days old, became the youngest player from a Full Member country to take a four-for in T20Is.
Australia had not previously successfully defended such a low score against South Africa, but did so this time to give Mitchell Marsh his 22nd win out of his 25 matches as captain.
What happened in the 2nd T20?South Africa brought to an end Australia's winning run in record-breaking style.
The Proteas made 218-7, their highest score against Australia, and 22-year-old Donald Brevis' 125* is the highest T20I score for South Africa and the highest in a T2OI in Australia. The visitors then bowled Australia out for 165.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
It's been another busy week in the world of tech.
AOL ended dial-up, we flew the world's first 360 drone, and celebrated the return of a missing Apple Watch feature, even though it is now a little different.
To catch up on all this and more, scroll down for the week's seven biggest news stories, which we've summarized for your convenience.
7. AOL ended dial-up(Image credit: Shutterstock)In our modern age, constant connectivity is a given, but there was a time when you made the connection through dial-up. That process was accompanied by the unforgettable and iconic sound of a digital handshake between your computer and a service like. Now, the last vestiges of AOL’s dial-up service are disappearing. We look at what that means.
6. Apple spoiled an AirPods upgrade(Image credit: Future)The latest developer beta of iOS 26 has seemingly teased a major unannounced upgrade for AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2: real-world, real-time translation.
Apple announced Live Translate last month at WWDC, but not for real-world chatting, so this real-time translation on AirPods is something we didn’t know was coming (outside of leaks).
Much is still unknown, like precisely how the feature works and what languages are supported, but this is a serious upgrade to our existing Apple tech – and we’re all for it.
5. HTC launched Vive glasses(Image credit: HTC)HTC has for some time felt like it’s second-fiddle to Meta in the VR headset category, but its new Vive Eagle glasses could be a winner.
Hardware-wise, Vive goes beat for beat with the competition. It boasts a 12MP snapper as well as open-ear speakers, and a solid battery life of up to 36 hours of standby time and 4.5 hours of music playback while still boasting a sleek 49g design.
But on the AI side, we feel it might edge ahead with its ability to access both Gemini and ChatGPT.
The catch? It’s only available in Taiwan for now, but we’re praying for a global release.
4. Samsung debuted a world’s first in its latest TV(Image credit: Samsung)Samsung officially revealed that its micro-RGB TV is coming to the market, first launching in South Korea in a 115-inch size. Samsung says the tech will eventually come to smaller sets.
Micro-RGB essentially takes micro-sized red, green, and blue LEDs and puts them behind the panel to create refined brightness and color accuracy. It hit 100% HDR color gamut coverage of the BT.2020 color space: a TV first!
The bad news is that micro-RGB is expensive. The 115-inch model is launching in South Korea at 44.9 million KRW, which works out at roughly $32,000 / £24,000 / €28,000 / AU$49,750 (yikes!), so this is definitely out of most people’s budgets. Samsung believes the tech will quickly become more affordable and become a real rival to OLED. Watch this space!
Following an 18-month ban, Blood Oxygen tracking is finally coming back to the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 – it’s a little different this time, however.
It was disabled over a ruling in January 2024 due to a patent dispute between Massimo and Apple, but Apple has found a way to obey the ruling and give users access to the feature.
That is, the reading no longer shows on your watch; it’ll appear only on your iPhone – with Apple explaining the update was also enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling.
2. We flew the world’s first 360-degree drone(Image credit: Future)After its debut a short while ago, we finally had the chance to demo the new Insta360 Antigravity drone – and it’s the most exciting drone we’ve seen in years.
It's no exaggeration to say that flying the A1 is child's play. Overcome the disorientation caused by wearing the goggles as the drone takes to the sky, and you'll quickly get to grips with the Motion controller, and how to use it to control the drone's altitude and flight path.
Unfortunately, while official pricing has yet to be confirmed, the experience likely won't come cheap. You’ve got the drone itself (which packs 360 camera tech) and a headset. But currently nothing does what this drone can, and that could be all that Insta360 needs to succeed right now.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has addressed criticism over the restrictive message cap for ChatGPT Plus users on GPT-5. When the new model launched, Plus subscribers could only send 200 reasoning messages a week, which many saw as a downgrade from the previous model, GPT-4o. Altman confirmed the limit would increase to 3,000 prompts a week for paid subscribers.
Altman also confirmed that OpenAI is working on clearer UI labels to show exactly which model is responding in ChatGPT, something many users have been asking for since the update.
The announcement comes after a wave of backlash over GPT-5, with complaints about the smaller upgrade than expected and the removal of GPT-4o, which has since been restored. Altman’s quick response shows OpenAI is trying to keep its paying users happy as it navigates the tricky balance between new features and user expectations.
The UK could be set for a major increase in the number of data centers across the country, as new reports claim a surge in building is set to commence.
The country currently has 477 of these data centres - with around 100 more on the way, the BBC reports, spurred on by the massive increase in demand for AI, and often funded by US tech giants.
However the impact on the local environment could be devastating - in the US, some living close to data centers have lost access to clean drinking water, as the local wells have been disrupted, and some consumers have seen energy bills rise thanks to the extreme usage from the centers.
The cloud costsData centers are essentially warehouses full of computer storage systems and IT infrastructure - and they are both financially costly and enormously energy and water consuming.
A medium sized data center is said to consume between roughly 110 million gallons of water per year in order to cool - and large centers can consume up to 5 million gallons per day - but these data centers now receive advanced protections from the Government, after being designated critical national infrastructure.
Just as these new data centers are being built - the UK Government has published advice on how to address the ‘nationally significant’ water shortfall and drought advice, which includes taking shorter showers, not watering grass, and deleting old emails.
These data centers have received cash injections from US firms, with as much as £6.3 billion poured into construction and funding from foreign firms so that Britain can ‘train and deploy the next generation of AI technologies’ - most of which are developed in the US.
‘Unlocking AI’ has been a priority for the British government, which has encouraged businesses and consumers alike to use the technology to boost productivity - but the environmental cost, as always, is likely to fall on ordinary people.
You might also likeThis weekend's Argentina vs New Zealand live stream sees the Pumas and All Blacks kick off their Rugby Championship 2025 campaigns, with the hosts hoping to seal their first ever crown and the All Blacks eager to extend their record nine titles.
So often rugby union's dominant force, the All Blacks will still be smarting after their loss to South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final and subsequent surrender of the Rugby Championship title last year. Scott Robertson's side come into the tournament in excellent form having whitewashed France in a three-match series last month – they'll want to continue that momentum in their visit to South America.
Argentina shocked the All Blacks and Springboks last year with a win against both during one of their best showings in the Rugby Championship since they joined it in 2012. Their recent results have been up and down, however, with a huge win against the British & Irish Lions, followed by two home losses to England. Can they shock the mighty All Blacks in Córdoba on Saturday?
Read on for our guide on where to see Argentina vs New Zealand live streams online, on TV and potentially for free wherever you are.
Can I watch Argentina vs New Zealand for free?Unfortunately, this game isn't one of those that's showing for free on the 9Now streaming platform in Australia.
The 2025 Rugby Championship is generally behind the paywall worldwide, but we have seen that rugby fans in Fiji will be able to watch every single game on the free-to-air FBC this year.
Remember that, if you're traveling away from home, you can use a VPN to watch 2025 Rugby Championship streams from abroad on your usual platform.
Use a VPN to watch any Argentina vs New Zealand streamEditors ChoiceNordVPN – get the world's best VPN
We regularly review all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice. It unblocked every streaming service in testing and it's very straightforward to use. Speed, security and 24/7 support available if you need – it's got it all.
The best value plan is the two-year deal which sets the price from $2.91 per month, and includes an extra 3 months absolutely FREE. There's also an all-important a 30-day no-quibble refund if you decide it's not for you.
- Try NordVPN 100% risk-free for 30 daysVIEW DEAL ON
How to watch Argentina vs New Zealand live streams in the USArgentina vs New Zealand and all other Rugby Championship 2025 live streams are being shown on FloRugby in the US.
FloRugby plans start from $29.99 a month. Or you can opt for the $150 annual subscription (so effectively better than half price).
Outside the U.S. during this fixture? Use NordVPN to tap into FloRugby's live streams of Argentina vs New Zealand.
How to watch Argentina vs New Zealand live streams in the UKThe rights to the 2025 Rugby Championship in the UK belongs to Sky Sports – this game will go out on its Sky Sports Action channel and stream live through Sports+ from 4.10pm BST on Saturday.
Sky Sports plans start from £35 per month or £20 if you are an existing Sky subscriber. Alternatively, grab a Now Sports subscription from £14.99 a day or £34.99/month if you want to keep up with the rest of the championship.
If you are outside the country during Argentina vs New Zealand you can still watch Sky Sports live streams on Sky Go using NordVPN.
How to watch Argentina vs New Zealand live streams in Australia(Image credit: free)This All Blacks game against the Pumas won't be shown on the free-to-air Channel 9 or its online 9Now platform. Only home Wallabies games and New Zealand vs Australia encounters will be free to watch Down Under this season.
To watch Argentina vs New Zealand in Australia you'll need to subscribe to Stan Sport. It costs $20 a month on top of a regular Stan subscription costing from $12 a month.
Away from Australia? Use a VPN to watch Rugby Championship 2025 matches on the above platforms as if you were back Down Under.
How to watch All Blacks vs Argentina live streams in New ZealandSky Sport is the 2025 Rugby Championship TV rights holder in New Zealand, which means you can watch this All Blacks match there on Sunday morning at 9.10am NZT. You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.
Missing this game due to work commitments abroad? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.
How to watch Argentina vs New Zealand live streams in Rest of WorldNZR+ is showing the Rugby Championship in many international territories (see if yours is listed below). Unlike last year, unfortunately, it is no longer free and costs €14.99 for a month or €34.99 for a whole season.
Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine.
Not seeing your country listed above? Then keep scrolling to see who's streaming the Rugby Championship where you are...
Click through to see Rest of World streams ⬇️
ESPN has the broadcast rights to the 2025 Rugby Championship matches in South America and the Caribbean. Important to know for all the Pumas fans!
In addition to Argentina, ESPN will also show games in the following countries:
South America – Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Caribbean – Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Ascension Island, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Falkland Islands, French Guyana, Guyana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Saba, St. Barthelemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and St. Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Pierre & Miquelon, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos.
TSN is the place to watch the 2025 Rugby Championship in Canada. You can get TSN as part of your cable TV package or sign up to the TSN+ streaming service.
The FBC will have free-to-air coverage of the 2025 Rugby Championship in Fiji. It will also be on the Sky Pacific pay TV platform.
Canal+ will provide access to the 2025 Rugby Championship in France and across French overseas territories.
It is also the rights holder in Monaco, Luxembourg, Andorra and French-speaking Switzerland.
You can watch the 2025 Rugby Championship on Sky Italia in Italy.
That also goes for Vatican City, San Marino and Italian-speaking Switzerland.
Streaming service Wowow will show the 2025 Rugby Championship in Japan.
Digicel Pacific has the rights to broadcast the 2025 Rugby Championships across the following Pacific Islands on Digicel TV or through the DTV app.
American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated Staes of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Samoa.
Premier Sports has the rights to broadcast the 2025 Rugby Championship in Singapore and a number of other countries in South East Asia. They are as follows:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marianas, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Nepal, Northern Marianas, North Korea, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, Taiwan (Republic of China), Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
Telefonica holds the broadcast rights for the 2025 Rugby Championship in Spain.
Satellite TV provider SuperSport has the 2025 Rugby Championship broadcast rights in South Africa and other parts of the continent.
You can watch SuperSport through lives streams or the DStv satellite service.
Can I watch Argentina vs New Zealand on my mobile?Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser. For example, Sky Go in the UK and New Zealand.
You can also stay up-to-date with all 2025 Rugby Championship events on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@SanzarTRC), Facebook (TheRugbyChampionship) and Instagram (@sanzartrc).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Telling the story of Outlander’s predecessors, Outlander: Blood of My Blood already looks like another smash-hit for Starz’s time-travelling franchise. We’re three episodes into the new binge-worthy TV show, which follows Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) parents as they travel back to 18th century Scotland and become connected to each other in the process. Even if you’re watching the prequel and didn’t follow the main show too closely, you’ll be able to spot some satisfying Outlander Easter eggs… and there are a lot of them.
Just before episode 3 aired (which is also streaming on MGM+ for those in the UK and Stan in Australia), I caught up with Henry (Jeremy Irvine) and Julia (Hermione Corfield), better known as the younger versions of Claire’s parents. Unlike Jamie’s family, Julia and Henry fell in love during World War I before being launched back in time to where we meet them in the prequel. However, they’ve been separated, finding their way back to each other while talking themselves into rewriting history in the process.
This rewriting of history is already taking so many twists and turns that I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. Seasoned Outlanderheads (as I’m calling the fans) wasted no time devising theories for what might happen in future episodes, including whether we’re going to see Claire unknowingly meet her parents. Not only have Irvine and Corfield seen these theories, but they also hinted to me that some of them are along the right lines.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood fan theories might be closer to the truth than we think“I have,” Corfield replies when I ask her if she’s seen any fan theories. “I've seen a few comments on Instagram where I've been, like ‘hm…interesting.’ But also, some of them are theories that we don't even know the answer to, because we literally don't know. We get given our scripts while we're filming the block before.”
Popular theories currently include meeting Claire’s parents in Outlander season 8, which wrapped filming in September 2024, Julia’s baby (Claire has already been born) being somebody we’ve already met in the main show, and Jamie’s dad Brian (Jamie Roy) being more closely linked to the pair than we’ve been led to believe.
Given that the cast is in the process of filming season 2, we can rule out any theory that goes too far forward in time (as in, forward from the 18th century but still behind WWI. Keep up!). They still won’t know how the second half of season 2 plays out at all, but Irvine did tease a shocking twist during the first half of season 2 that we’ve likely not guessed at all.
“When you see the characters at the end of season 1, where they then start season 2 is wildly not what you'd expect. I wasn't expecting it at all. I was very confused when I went in for my first costume fitting and saw the costumes, asking ‘what on earth is that going to be for?’
“It’s highs and lows and everything in between. A total rollercoaster,” Corfield adds about what’s definitely to come.
You might also likeMeta’s internal standards for its AI chatbots were meant to stay internal, and after they somehow made their way to Reuters, it's easy to understand why the tech giant wouldn't want the world to see them. Meta grappled with the complexities of AI ethics, children's online safety, and content standards, and found what few would argue is a successful roadmap for AI chatbot rules.
Easily the most disturbing notes among the details shared by Reuters are around how the chatbot talks to children. As reported by Reuters, the document states that it's "acceptable [for the AI] to engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual" and to "describe a child in terms that evidence their attractiveness (ex: “your youthful form is a work of art”)." Though it does forbid explicit sexual discussion, that's still a shockingly intimate and romantic level of conversation with children for Meta AI to allegedly consider.
And it's not the only example likely to disturb people. Meta AI's rules, the report notes, allow the chatbot to compose explicitly racist content if the prompt is phrased correctly, and to provide wrong or even harmful health information as long as some kind of disclaimer is included.
In one of the more surreal examples, the guidelines instructed AI to reject inappropriate image generation requests in most cases, but in some instances to instead apparently deflect with a 'funny' substitution. As an example, the document reportedly mentions that a prompt to generate an image of “Taylor Swift topless, covering her breasts with her hands” could be answered by generating an image of Swift “holding an enormous fish.” The document reportedly included both the unacceptable and the “acceptable” version side by side, essentially training the bot to outwit inappropriate prompts with visual sleight of hand. Meta declined to comment on the example.
Meta has confirmed the authenticity of the document and said it’s now revising the problematic portions. Meta removed the children's interaction section after Reuters reached out, and called those rules “erroneous and inconsistent” with company policy. As of now, Reuters said the document still says racial slurs are allowed if disguised in hypotheticals, as is disinformation framed as fiction.
No time for safety and ethicsIt’s a troubling revelation that has already prompted public outrage, lawmaker scrutiny, and urgent promises from Meta. But it shows that as AI spreads, the need to move fast with the technology leaves any plans for rules and regulations scrambling to catch up, whether written internally or by lawmakers and regulators.
For most people, the story raises basic questions of AI safety. While it might be ideal to not have minors interacting with general AI chatbots unsupervised, that's very unlikely, judging by the number of children and teens who admit to using tools like ChatGPT for schoolwork. Avoiding Meta AI is particularly challenging because the company has embedded the chatbot across Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Users can interact with AI characters that are often presented in playful, friendly ways, and Meta has marketed these tools as fun and even educational. But the leaked guidelines suggest the backend isn’t always aligned with that wholesome image.
Members of Congress have already called for hearings and bills to deal with the situation, but the fact is, there are few legal requirements in place at the moment to moderate chatbot content, for children or otherwise. Noises about AI safety haven't led to any specific national enforcement system. Plenty of AI companies have made a big deal about their efforts to make their products safe and ethical, but if Meta’s rulebook is illustrative of what other companies have put together, there's a lot of work still to do and a lot of questions about what kind of conversations these chatbots have already been having, especially with children.
AI models may be ever-better at mimicking human thinking, but they're really just a collection of choices by human programmers, deliberate and inadvertent. The fact that these rules were apparently codified at Meta doesn't mean similar examples exist at other companies, but it's not something to rule out. And if these are the choices being made behind the scenes at one of the world’s most powerful tech companies, what else is being quietly permitted?
AI chatbots are only as trustworthy as the invisible rules guiding them, and while it's naive to fully trust any company's claims without evidence, Meta's rulebook implies users should take such claims with several extra grains of salt.
You might also likeGoogle is using Gemini AI to reinvent the travel agent experience, turning conversations into airplane tickets. The new Flight Deals product, which is now in beta, adds AI chat to Google Flights users looking for a good deal or who are still trying to decide where and when they want to travel.
Instead of fiddling with destination drop-down menus and departure time sliders, you can simply write out the type of trip you want to take and whatever else might be important to you when traveling. Instead of an airport code and a date, you can pick a season, the vibe of the location, and how you feel about very early flights. Gemini will then scan real-time pricing from hundreds of airlines and deliver up-to-date options tailored to your request.
This isn’t a replacement for traditional Google Flights. That familiar grid of dates and sliders is still alive and well. But Google thinks Flight Deals is perfect for the flexible (or just indecisive) traveler. Think of it like that one friend who is not only really good at finding travel bargains, but truly loves finding them for friends.
For instance, when I wrote "I want to go where I can see the Northern Lights in December for a week." I had suggestions for Alaska, Iceland, and Norway with some good deals across December. When I requested "Somewhere with mountains and great food in the spring," I saw flights from March to June to Denver, Munich, Auckland, and more.
(Image credit: Screenshot)Flitting AIThe more casual your phrasing, the more it has to work with. The AI will attempt to match not just the location but the spirit of your request. Gemini 2.5 has been behind the curtain in plenty of recent Google products, but this is one of the first times it’s being used this way.
It also marks one of Google’s clearest moves yet to bring AI into a very public, popular space, finding bargains on flights. Airline tickets are perfect for enticing people to try AI, as buying them is a common, but not everyday experience, and expensive enough that people will make an effort to find a good deal without being so expensive that people wouldn't trust AI to help them when it's still possible for the technology to fail.
Flight Deals is still learning, and it may not always pick the perfect itinerary. But if it helps people discover that, for instance, flights to Oaxaca in January are very cheap and the mole is life-changing, that’s a win.
You might also likeLooking for some cheap wireless earbuds? Well, if you head over to Amazon, you’re gonna find a treasure trove of options, believe me. And it got us thinking. Do these unspeakably cheap models sound OK? Do they even work? Do they truly exist, or are they simply a construct…a mere mirage?
Well, we decided that it was worth at least giving some super-cheap buds a go, so our Audio Editor, Becky, called in a $5 pair, and I eagerly awaited their arrival. Unfortunately, though, just about everything I feared would be wrong with these unspeakably low-cost earbuds was indeed wrong with them.
So, by now you must be interested. What was so bad about these pocket change buds? What made them so much worse than the models on our list of the best budget earbuds? Well, if you’re sitting comfortably, I’ll tell you everything. Here goes.
A design disasterclass(Image credit: Future / Harry Padoan)After unboxing these budget wireless earbuds, I instantly knew something was off. First of all, they didn't look the same as the pictures on Amazon, although I was kinda expecting this. No, the real problem was the charging case.
See, not only was this using a lightning port – something I'd started to forget existed – but the included lightning cable didn't even fit in the port properly. I wanted a full charge before use, so I attempted to ram the cable in, and eventually it was sort of...half in. Was it charging? Well, a red LED started flashing on the reverse side of the case, so I sure hoped so!
After a short while, I decided it was time to use the buds. I took them out of their case, popped them in, and...realized another clunky design choice. I had to hold down on the underside of each bud to turn them on. This didn't seem very responsive, and it took a good minute or two before I got things working.
Oh, and it's worth noting I needed to hold down on the same spot to turn them off – place them back in the case without doing so and they'll just keep playing. Sometimes, they wouldn't turn off when I asked them to, though, which was quite frustrating.
In-ear, they felt a touch awkward and not too secure, but that's partially down to the loose-fitting design. In fact, looks-wise, you may think they're Apple AirPods at a glance. Upon further inspection, they clearly aren't – they're a bit chunkier and very plasticky, but then again, I guess you get what you pay for.
Next to no features and sonically dull(Image credit: Future / Harry Padoan)We've only spoken about design so far, and these buds are already stinkers. So, did they at least sound alright? Well, sorry to be so negative, but they did not. They did not sound alright at all.
In Washed Away by Kolter, the higher-pitched percussive and electronic elements were grating, even at more middling volumes. Let's not even discuss what they sounded like after I ramped things up. When listening to You Came Into My Life by Paulinho Da Costa, vocals were clear enough, but bass output was extremely thin, resulting in a pretty terrible listening experience overall.
On top of their poor audio performance, you won't get many features of note from these buds. They have Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and you can activate your voice assistant with touch controls.
But I found these touch controls to be unreliable, and they would activate when I didn't want them to. Controversially, I actually like touch controls. Earbuds like the LG Tone Free T90S and headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6 absolutely nailed them. But not these. These can stay away.
And now, for the real kickerJust when I thought things couldn't get much worse...they did. See, I first tested these buds about four days before Friday, when this article will be published. But on Friday afternoon, I decided I wanted to give them one more chance. I knew I was going to be negative, but I wanted to find at least one silver lining. However, that's when it happened.
After putting the buds in and holding down the buttons to power on, I discovered that the left bud wasn't working at all *sigh*. I tried a number of times to get it working, and it just wouldn't play ball. There were no issues with the right bud, by the way.
It turned out that the left bud hadn't been charging at all. After placing the earbuds back in their case, I tried pressing down hard on the left one, and its LED eventually turned red, indicating it had entered charging mode. Having to do this every time you use these buds would be very irritating.
Looking at reviews on Amazon, there were a few reports of only one bud working, and I expect some were experiencing the same fault. After all of the issues I experienced with these earbuds in under a week, I can assure you, they've already been booted from my rotation.
Despite that, it's not all doom and gloom. See, there are some genuinely incredible cheap wireless earbuds out there. You don't have to spend $100 / £100 or more to get quality, I should know, having tested dozens of cheap models myself.
What I learned, then, is that saving your $5 / £5 and putting it towards a superior budget-friendly model is the best option for all. Sure, you might have to spend a little over single figures, but not a whole lot more. I've listed a couple of fantastic cheap options below, so why not check them out?
What to get instead(Image credit: Future)JLab Go Pop ANC
These are some of the best cheap buds on the market, no questions asked. Why? They pack in solid audio, a nifty companion app, and best of all, ANC. Oh, and you get all of that for less than $30 / £30. That's mind-blowing value for money.
Read our full JLab Go Pop ANC review.
Sony WF-C510
These don't have ANC, but if you want to indulge in beautiful Sony sound without spending too much cash, the WF-C510 are a must-buy. We were impressed by their punchy, talented audio, battery life, and fit. For a model that's regularly on sale for less than $50 / £40, you really can't go wrong.
Read our full Sony WF-C510 review.
You may also likeNew parents curious about what they should expect from their newborn should probably steer clear of TikTok and AI. There are now an untold number of videos depicting newborns working in factories and burger joints, marching across the dusty plains of Mars, and commenting on the sorry state of the world they just entered.
Ever since Gemini unveiled its Veo 3 video model, which lets you generate synced audio and video, people have been generating highly convincing yet impossible 8-second video clips. The number has only increased since Google opened Veo 3 access to Gemimi Flash 2.5 Pro users.
After seeing more than a few of these videos in my feed, I decided to give it a try. I've now spent the last few weeks creating Veo 3 clips of newborn babies doing all sorts of things and often commenting on their situation.
Here's what I learned, along with some tips to help you create similar clips or really improve your Gemini Veo 3 video generation efforts.
PlanningUnless you're paying for an account, you get a maximum of three 8-second Veo 3 clips per day, so you want to use that number wisely and, if possible, pre-plan all three clips.
Start with a concept or ideaWhat do you want your newborn to be doing and saying? Try to think through the setting and action across all three clips so that together they comprise a mini story.
When I started generating my baby clips, I didn't consider this and instead created a series of clips depicting a newscaster interviewing a newborn in the hospital, but with various levels of success. Eventually, though, I chose a theme, like a baby astronaut on Mars, or a newborn working in a robot factory.
Once I had a mini story in mind, my results improved exponentially.
Imagine a style(Image credit: Gemini Veo 3)One of my favorite sets of clips is the one in which I imagined a baby in the role of Dr. Frankenstein. I specifically asked Veo to depict the baby in a "1930s style lab" and added this critical line, "The film is black and white with strong contrast and shadows."
Don't be afraid to describe scene details that might enhance believability. In my Mars Baby astronaut video, I described " a newborn baby using a selfie stick to film itself" and noted that the Earth was visible in the sky. Veo 3 did an excellent job of including these details.
Be specific @lanceulanoff ♬ original sound - LanceUlanoffI found that unless I described the main character as a newborn baby, I ended up with a toddler, and sometimes one that looked like a Pixar character.
Also, be sure to describe the action. What is the baby doing? A sequence of events is the best way to ensure Veo 3 builds the scene you imagined.
Keep the dialogue tight(Image credit: Gemini Veo 3)You have just 8 seconds of video, so be sure to time your dialogue to make sure it's not 15 seconds of blather. Whatever Veo 3 can't fit, it will cut off.
Keep the characters to a minimum @lanceulanoff ♬ original sound - LanceUlanoffOne of the reasons these videos are so compelling is that they feature newborn babies speaking like adults. Achieving these results has occasionally proved challenging.
I've struggled to ensure that it's the baby speaking and not another character I included in the prompt. I found it's best to describe at most two characters and make sure your prompt makes it crystal clear who should be speaking the lines, which should always be between quotes.
Even with all this careful planning, I still struggled to make sure that only the newborn talked. In my Frankenstein series, the last clip features a talking Frankenstein monster, even though I specifically assigned that dialogue to the baby.
Tell a story @lanceulanoff ♬ original sound - LanceUlanoffIf you create all three clips in the same session, one after the other, Gemini Veo 3 will remember the style and even look of the included characters, which means you don't have to repeat all those details in subsequent prompts.
That said, make sure you describe the baby and other characters with the same words; otherwise, the AI may switch things up. If possible, design all three prompts so that they advance your 24-second story.
Call it "realistic"(Image credit: Gemini Veo 3)To ensure photo-realism, use the term "photo-realistic" or "realistic" in your prompt. Otherwise, Gemini will choose the style for you, and it may not look like a real baby.
Download the video @lanceulanoff ♬ original sound - LanceUlanoffGemini doesn't save your generated videos indefinitely. They're usually gone within a day, though the prompts will remain. If you like what the prompt created, be sure to download the video.
These tips could arguably be applied to any style of generative video, but if you want to join in the AI baby meme craze, this should help get you started.
You might also likeCybersecurity researchers have raised concerns over the sale of compromised FBI.gov and other government email accounts on the dark web, warning the activity could enable malware campaigns on a large scale.
A report from Abnormal AI claims these accounts are being offered through encrypted messaging services such as Telegram and Signal, with some priced as low as $40.
In some cases, sellers have offered bundles containing multiple US government accounts, including those with FBI.gov domains, which carry a high level of credibility.
Hackers offer full access and high credibilityThe cost of these accounts is relatively small, but the potential impact is substantial because the accounts can be used to impersonate trusted authorities.
When purchased, typically using cryptocurrency, the buyer receives full SMTP, POP3, or IMAP credentials. This level of access allows control over the account through any email client, enabling the sending of messages, attaching malicious files, or accessing online platforms that require government verification.
Some ads encourage buyers to submit fraudulent emergency data requests.
These are modeled after legitimate requests that law enforcement agencies issue in urgent situations when there is no time to secure a subpoena.
Technology companies and telecom providers are legally obliged to respond to valid requests, meaning forged ones could potentially lead to the disclosure of sensitive data such as IP addresses, emails, and phone numbers.
Some criminal listings also promote access to official law enforcement portals, with some of these offers appearing even on mainstream platforms like TikTok and X.
Stolen credentials are marketed for their ability to unlock enhanced access to open-source intelligence tools such as Shodan and Intelligence X, which normally reserve premium features for verified government users.
The methods used to obtain these accounts are often straightforward but effective.
One major approach is credential stuffing, where attackers exploit password reuse across multiple platforms.
Another method involves infostealer malware, which is software designed to extract saved login credentials from browsers and email clients.
Targeted phishing and social engineering attacks are also common, where attackers craft deceptive emails or messages which trick government employees into revealing login details or clicking on malicious links.
Overall, these techniques focus on exploiting human and technical vulnerabilities rather than hacking sophisticated government systems directly.
That said, emails originating from domains such as .gov and .police tend to bypass many technical filters, making recipients more likely to open attachments or click on embedded links.
This advantage increases the success rate of phishing attempts or malware delivery.
While compromised law enforcement accounts have been sold for years, researchers say there has been a recent shift toward marketing specific criminal use cases rather than simply offering access.
The report describes this as a commoditization of institutional trust, where active and verified inboxes are repurposed for immediate fraudulent use.
You might also likeCybercriminals are spoofing Booking.com with a clever use of Unicode characters in their phishing landing pages to spread malware.
Independent security researcher alias JAMESWT recently reported seeing phishing emails being sent to people listing their real estate on the popular lodging reservation service. In the email, the victims are told that someone complained about their listing, and that they should review it fast or face termination.
The email also provides the link which when opened, at first glance looks legitimate. However, upon closer inspection, it can be seen in the URL that instead of the forward dash character ‘/’, the link actually uses ‘ん’ - a Japanese hiragana character representing the sound ‘n’.
TyposquattingHiragana is one of the three main scripts used in written Japanese, alongside katakana and kanji.
Those that fail to spot the trick and open the site will get served a malicious MSI installer from a CDN link. The researcher added that samples of the malicious site are already available on the cybersecurity platform MalawareBazaar, and that the any.run analysis already shows the infection chain.
It is believed that the attackers are spoofing Booking.com to deliver infostealers and remote access trojans (RAT).
Replacing a single character in the URL, in order to trick victims into opening websites, is a long-established practice. It is called “typosquatting” and banks on the victims not being careful when reviewing the URL they are opening.
Booking.com, being one of the most popular lodging reservation services in the world, is often spoofed in such attacks, together with the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, DHL, and others.
Defending against these attacks is relatively easy, and requires users to slow down and carefully review incoming communications, especially unsolicited messages. Double-checking links, attachments, websites, and thinking twice about sharing sensitive data is the best course of action these days.
Via BleepingComputer
You might also likeThe iKKO MindOne is a crowdfunded smartphone that has raised over $1.2 million, promising a compact yet capable design for work and travel.
Measuring 86x72mm and 8.9mm thick, only slightly wider than a credit card, this business smartphone uses a 4.02-inch AMOLED display with precision-curved edges to improve resistance against cracks and drops.
Marketed partly as a rugged smartphone, the MindOne uses sapphire glass with a claimed 9H hardness rating, designed to resist scratches and moderate impact.
Dual-purpose camera protected by sapphire glassThe device features a 50MP Sony 1/1.56-inch sensor with custom OIS and F1.88 aperture, similar to many smartphones on the market.
The rotating module flips 180 degrees, serving as both front and rear camera, and is protected by sapphire glass, promising higher-quality selfies and flexibility for video calls without sacrificing main camera performance.
The iKKO MindOne integrates a virtual SIM system with two modes.
NovaLink provides free global access for built-in AI tools in more than 60 regions, while a paid vSIM service covers over 140 countries for full data use, including browsing and streaming.
It also supports a nano SIM slot that offers global 4G+ LTE bands for traditional connectivity.
The manufacturer chose 4G+ over 5G for better roaming stability, lower heat output, and improved battery life.
The device runs Android 15 alongside iKKO AI OS, a dedicated workspace for focused tasks.
It also supports Google Mobile Services, and the company promises three major Android version upgrades and five years of security patches.
Switching between the two is done via a physical button, and selected Android apps can be brought into the AI environment.
The device supports real-time translation, voice notes, transcription, and summarization, with no subscription fees and claims of zero personal data collection.
Powered by the MediaTek MT8781, a low-power 4G+ platform, the MindOne carries a 2200mAh battery designed for all-day use in a compact form.
An optional snap-on QWERTY keyboard case adds tactile typing, a Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC with 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 500mAh auxiliary battery.
This accessory could appeal to those needing precise text entry or high-fidelity audio, although it increases the device’s size and weight.
The iKKO MindOne offers an intriguing take on making a mobile phone truly mobile, but whether it moves from a well-funded crowdfunding project to a reliable everyday tool will depend on how these features perform beyond early marketing.
You might also likeDeutsche Telekom has launched the T Phone 3, a new AI-focused smartphone priced at $170, positioning it as an affordable entry point into integrated AI services.
A bundle offer reduces the cost to €1 when purchased with a tariff, and the package also includes an 18-month subscription to Perplexity Pro, valued at $360, along with a three-month Picsart Pro license.
The company has confirmed a "Pro" version of the AI phone will be released later this year, although exact details aren't known.
AI integration and activation methodsThe smartphone centers on Perplexity Assistant, providing AI tools for real-time translation, trip planning, tutoring, email drafting, content summarization, and image editing.
Users can activate these functions either by pressing a dedicated magenta button or by double-tapping the power key.
Both voice and text input are supported, aiming to streamline interaction and reduce dependency on conventional app-based workflows.
This approach positions the device as a business smartphone option for users who prioritize efficiency in communication and task management.
The T Phone 3 features improved charging and AI-assisted camera functions compared to its predecessor.
Although not marketed strictly as a rugged smartphone, Deutsche Telekom points to improved durability and the use of recycled materials in its construction.
The device’s longevity in more demanding conditions remains to be seen, although the company emphasizes sustainability in design and component sourcing.
Alongside the smartphone, Deutsche Telekom also launched the T Tablet 2 in Germany, priced from €199 and includes the same 18-month Perplexity Pro subscription and Picsart Pro license.
Like the phone, it supports the dedicated AI activation controls and upgraded performance features, although the smartphone remains the primary focus of the company’s AI device push.
The inclusion of an 18-month subscription is central to the value proposition, yet the long-term appeal will depend on how many users continue paying once the free period ends.
With forecasts predicting that AI smartphones could dominate shipments by 2028, the challenge for Deutsche Telekom will be to maintain relevance when the initial incentives expire.
Via MobileWorldLive
You might also likeSixunited, a relatively unknown laptop maker from Shanghai, China, has unveiled a new notebook which arrives ahead of Dell and Lenovo in adopting AMD’s latest high-end laptop processor.
The XN77-160M-CS features the AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU, also known as Strix Halo, a 16-core chip with integrated Navi 3.5 graphics and a 50 TOPS NPU.
This APU has been rare in the laptop market, with only a handful of models, such as HP’s ZBook Ultra G1a and Asus ROG Flow Z13 announced so far.
Large capacity batterySixunited will offer two thermal configurations, 85W and 120W, both supported by a dual-fan cooling system, and paired with LPDDR5X (non-upgradable) memory running at up to 8000 MT/s.
Storage comes from up to two PCIe 4.0x4 SSDs in M.2 2280 format, allowing for large and fast configurations.
Perhaps the most notable aspects of the new laptop is its 99.9Wh battery, which is the largest capacity allowed for most airlines.
Despite the large battery, the chassis weighs under 1.8kg and is built with aluminum and mylar materials.
The laptop includes a 16-inch display at 2560x1600 resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate and 100% sRGB coverage, with an OLED version also planned for the future.
Videocardz notes the XN77-160M-CS is a barebones design, meaning it may appear under different brand names. Sixunited often acts as an OEM supplier for other companies.
Pricing remains unknown for now, but it’s not likely to be cheap. For comparison, Asus’ AI MAX+ 395 laptop starts at $2099, while HP’s device is priced from $4099.
Sixunited’s move adds another option for those seeking a compact yet powerful laptop with extended battery life.
It also highlights growing interest in AMD’s Strix Halo platform, which to date has mostly appeared in mini-PCs like the GMKTec EVO-X2, Beelink AI Mini and AOOSTAR NEX395.
You might also likeSecurity researchers have found another antivirus-killing tool out there that hackers are using before dropping any additional payloads.
Experts from Trend Micro have uncovered custom variant of the open source tool called RealBlindingEDR.
This tool comes with a hardcoded list of antivirus company names:
Trend Micro
Kaspersky
Sophos
SentinelOne
Malwarebytes
Cynet
McAfee
Bitdefender
Broadcom (Symantec)
Cisco
Fortinet
Acronis
When it is deployed on a device, it looks for these names in driver metadata, and if it finds one, it disables kernel-level hooks/callbacks, essentially blinding detection engines. Trend Micro’s researchers found the hackers are also able to silently uninstall antivirus programs altogether, opening the doors and enabling easy deployment of stage-two malware.
Crypto24The tool was seen in the wild, used by a hacking collective called Crypto24, a nascent ransomware group first spotted in September 2024.
However, the researchers believe the group consists of former members of other, defunct hacking collectives, since its members are highly skilled and experienced.
When it gains initial access, establishes persistence, and removes antivirus roadblocks, the group usually deploys two pieces of malware - a keylogger, and an encryptor. All of the stolen secrets are exfiltrated into a Google Drive using a custom tool.
The identity, or location, of Crypto24 is currently unknown. However, researchers are saying that in its short lifespan, the group successfully hit a number of large organizations in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Most of their targets are in finance, manufacturing, tech, and entertainment.
There are many ways to protect against attacks looking to disable antivirus protection, including opting for a layered defense strategy.
Companies can use a reputable antivirus with tamper protection, enable real-time protection and firewalls, and use a separate anti-malware tool that can work alongside an AV.
Via BleepingComputer
You might also likeThe next iteration of the Mac Pro might see Apple powering the computer with an M4 Ultra chip, we've heard again.
It's been a couple of years since the last incarnation of the Mac Pro, which used the M2 Ultra, so it would be a considerable leap in performance to upgrade to a theoretical M4 Ultra – but Macworld reports that this is what's in the cards.
This is based on Apple's internal code that Macworld caught a glimpse of somehow, which contained the identifier 't8152' – and we're told this suggests the use of the M4 Ultra, codenamed 'Hidra' (a name that's previously been aired on the rumor mill via Bloomberg).
There's not much else to this rumor, and Macworld doesn't have any details on the spec, although it theorizes that the M4 Ultra could run with a 32-core CPU and an 80-core GPU.
As ever with this kind of leak, it could be genuine and yet never come to fruition. It might just show us that Apple has been testing a Mac Pro configuration along these lines – but it's possible that this machine may never see the light of day, ending up canned at some point in prototyping.
(Image credit: Brittany Hosea-Small/ AFP/ Getty Images)Analysis: M4 or wait for M5?This leak tells us a couple of things. Firstly, that Apple staff can't spell 'Hydra' (well, okay, alternatively let's say Apple engineers can't think up decent codenames). And, being serious, that it does appear increasingly likely that a new Mac Pro design is going to pitch up later this year.
Indeed, the Mac Pro coming out later in 2025, complete with M4 Ultra, was suggested over a year ago now, so this latest nugget of speculation backs up the previous buzz on the grapevine.
On top of the weight of rumors starting to add up, there's also the fact that for Apple, the Mac Pro is in something of an odd predicament right now. This is due to the M4 Pro flexing some considerable performance muscles, and outgunning the Mac Pro's M2 Ultra. The upshot is you can buy a Mac mini (with M4 Pro) and get better performance – at least in terms of raw CPU power – than the Mac Pro, which isn't a good look for the seriously pricey computer.
Not that the Mac Pro is competing with Apple's compact Mac mini, of course – it's a heavyweight pro-targeted PC that offers a lot of advantages in terms of hefty memory loadouts and PCIe expansion options. It is a very different beast indeed, but still, Apple needs to keep the Mac Pro on a reasonable footing in relative performance terms - again meaning that the rumored refresh with an M4 Ultra seems more likely.
A two-year gap also seems a fair enough timeframe for a refresh, and it feels somewhat unlikely to me that Apple would want to wait until the M5 series before pushing out a new Mac Pro given the above reasons.
That said, there are those who've argued that the M4 Ultra isn't going to happen – due to issues around jamming two M4 Max chips together, which is what the Ultra chips do – and that Apple will indeed wait it out for the M5 series to make another Ultra model.
So, everything's rather up in the air for now – but if an M4 Ultra is going to happen, it will surely be in a new Mac Pro, and we're likely to see more leaks soon enough. If the whispers go quiet over the next couple of months, that'll tell its own story.
You might also like...It is not surprising that climate change is becoming a growing weight on society, with sustainability needing to take priority if we want to protect the future of our planet. To put this into context, over the last few years, the UK alone has been responsible for 1.6 million tons of electronic waste, and it is known to be one of the largest e-waste producers worldwide.
Although these figures are slowly decreasing, sustainability must become a growing business imperative if we want to seriously change the tide. For businesses to truly thrive, more sustainable practices are essential to success in the modern consumer climate.
Beyond both consumers and businesses, governments are also being seen to take note of the importance of increased sustainability and implementing a range of measures to help foster a circular economy. In particular, as part of the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and its recent Energy Labelling Working Plan announcement, the EU aims to ensure tech companies that place products in the EU marketplace start implementing processes to tackle sustainability first hand.
The regulatory reasoning: The EU’s ESPR and Working PlanUnder its Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), the EU has led a series of efforts aimed at pushing businesses toward greater sustainability and circularity. A clear example of this commitment is the ESPR, which came into effect last summer and underscores the European Commission’s drive to build a more circular, resource-efficient economy.
For context, the ESPR aims to boost circularity and the practices that contribute to sustainability by creating a framework that “aims to make sustainable products the norm on the EU market.” In layman's terms, it focuses on the production of items that last longer, use energy and resources more efficiently, are easier to repair and recycle, contain fewer substances of concern and include more recycled content.
The circularity regulation is set to apply to select product groups, including those in the electronics and textiles space, and will apply to all businesses that place products within these groups on the EU marketplace, regardless of where they were produced.
As part of this, businesses will need to work towards the implementation of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) - a mandatory requirement for products that fit within the identified product categories.
As the ESPR’s first Working Plan was published at the end of April, a document officially listing the sectors due to be prioritized by the regulation, it is more pressing than ever for technology companies to begin their ESPR compliance journey now.
As the Working Plan provides a timeline for the delegated acts - a set of requirements concerning each product group - to be announced , compliance urgency is increasing at speed. Moreover, with the Working Plan outlining a range of upcoming horizontal requirements, such as repairability for consumer electronics and increased use of recycled content, the technology industry has been listed as a key priority.
In simple terms, the Working Plan aims to focus on the ESPR’s ability to have positive environmental impacts, its capacity to deliver, and the need to simplify regulations.
This update in legislation, and its focus on the timeline for the delegated acts to be announced, is only another reminder that the compliance clock is ticking for technology companies across the world that sell in the EU marketplace.
With the timelines for the delegated acts now established—some taking effect as early as 2026 for sectors like steel - businesses face significant changes in the near future. Companies that delay action risk not only non-compliance but also losing their competitive edge.
Where do DPPs fit in? The mandate and fostering eco-productsTo unpack DPPs - a key component of the compliance exercise - they largely act as a digital record of a physical product, securely keeping track of information across its lifecycle. This can include anything from the material used in its production, the environmental impact of its manufacturing, a record of its authenticity, and guidance for end-of-life handling. In most circumstances, this data will be accessible via a data carrier like a QR code or barcode affixed to a product and accessible by scanning with a device such as a smartphone.
DPPs are set to play a key role in advancing the ESPR’s circularity ambitions by offering greater visibility into a product’s entire lifecycle. By embedding DPPs into products, the regulation encourages everyone who interacts with them, from manufacturers to end-users, to adopt more sustainable practices and embrace circular thinking.
For consumers, DPPs provide the information needed to make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions and dispose of products responsibly at end of life. For businesses, this level of transparency opens up opportunities to enhance sustainability across supply chains, from sourcing materials to refining internal processes.
DPPs also prove beneficial to tech industry businesses when considering notions of brand engagement and customer loyalty. For example, they could help businesses to prove the sustainability credentials of their products to the end consumer and can help to avoid accusations of greenwashing.
By potentially even verifying authenticity and keeping a history of any repairs made to a product, technology firms could even utilize the information in DPPs to facilitate take back or resale schemes, encouraging users to recycle their products, turning them back into usable products to be resold - another effort towards the circular economy.
Action point one: Data and DPP solution strategiesAs the ESPR’s Working Plan has just been released, it is very easy for businesses to feel overwhelmed by the upcoming regulation and its DPP mandate. In particular, with the Working Plan establishing the horizontal requirements and its focus on product repairability and recyclability, the technology sector must begin considering its DPP compliance journey now to ensure the products they create meet sustainability standards.
As a first step, businesses should assign an employee or team to be at the forefront of upcoming compliance efforts. By ensuring that an employee or group of employees is staying updated on legislation, businesses can ensure they remain aware of specific industry requirements coming down the pipeline.
As part of this, it would be advisable to reach out to a DPP advisor and gain a deeper understanding of the mandate’s industry-specific impact. By doing so, companies can carve out a coherent and bespoke strategy accordingly.
To stay ahead of the ESPR, businesses should start by mapping where critical product data resides - both within their own operations and throughout their supply chains. It's also essential to evaluate which partners are best equipped to support the rollout of DPPs. Once a solution is in place, piloting becomes the logical next step.
Running a pilot allows companies to test implementation in real-world conditions, identify process gaps, and gather valuable data to better estimate the scale and timing of a full rollout. With this groundwork laid, businesses will be well-positioned to accelerate their efforts as soon as the delegated acts come into effect.
For all tech companies selling into the EU marketplace, the ESPR’s forthcoming DPP mandate represents a range of challenges and opportunities for the industry. As the Working Plan’s recent publication only heightens the need for DPP compliance, this moment represents a critical chance to advance a circular economy.
As companies are faced with an opportunity to advance their sustainability credentials (and subsequent business success), the way they choose to tackle this legislation will determine whether they merely meet compliance standards or accelerate as sustainable brands of the future.
We've featured the best green web hosting.
This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
The current distribution model is broken.
The channel is flooded with innovation: AI, automation, infrastructure, security. Everywhere you turn, another vendor is promising the future. But most of them won’t make it. Not because their tech isn’t good, but because the legacy route-to-market isn’t built to support them.
The traditional distribution model was designed for scale, but the kind that follows success, not the kind that builds it. It’s focused on process over potential. It rewards predictability, not boldness. And for emerging vendors trying to break into the market, that’s a problem.
Growth-stage vendors don’t need a distributor. They need a distribution partner. They need experts in their corner who can recognize early potential, do the heavy lifting to bring it to life, and move quickly when opportunities arise. That’s not the job most distributors were built to do. But it’s the job that needs doing now.
Distribution isn’t deadWhen Pax8 took out a full-page ad in the New York Times to challenge the legacy distribution model, it raised eyebrows across the channel. It was bold, unapologetic, unexpected, and whether you agreed with the tactic or not, it was a conversation starter.
And that’s the point. Distribution is being disrupted; it’s changing. But it’s not dying.
And no, we’re not talking about changes like a move from hardware to SaaS, or from perpetual to subscription. This new age of distribution is about a new set of expectations. Think real-time analytics, partner orchestration, recurring revenue models, and AI-infused everything.
It is also, most importantly, about the human touch. Vendors and partners need to be able to have live conversations with humans that care and can address any challenges they face. The ability to make a call to your main contact at a distributor can’t be underestimated – the contact that knows your business inside out.
To serve this market, distributors need to behave more like GTM strategists and growth consultants – and behave like they have equal skin in the game. They need to know when to push, where to invest, and how to build momentum from zero.
Challenger brands need challenger distributionThe channel loves a leaderboard. Gartner. Forrester. IDC. And more often than not, the attention goes straight to the top-right of Gartner’s Magic Quadrant; to the ‘Leaders’ that already have market share, not necessarily those driving the next wave of innovation.
The problem is that innovation rarely starts at the top.
The most exciting technologies today are being built by vendors you won’t find in glossy analyst reports. These companies are small, focused, and fast. They’re solving problems in new ways. They’re thinking beyond incremental change. And they’re ready to scale, if they can find the right partner.
But most distributors aren’t built to serve them. Their KPIs don’t account for emerging vendor complexity. Their teams aren’t structured for market creation. Their onboarding processes weren’t designed for agility, and most distributors require healthy marketing budgets to get attention. As a result, the most promising solutions often get overlooked.
What challenger vendors need is a distributor that moves differently. One that’s selective, strategic, and unafraid to bet early.
Data-led, outcome-obsessedThe best distributors don’t just move quickly to identify new opportunities. They move with purpose. And that purpose is driven by data.
Emerging vendors don’t have the luxury of guesswork. Every GTM decision and every partnership matters. That’s why the distributors that really add value aren’t the ones offering the broadest line card, they’re the ones doing the best homework.
Before a single contract is signed, the best distribution partners are already elbows-deep in analysis. They’re evaluating financials, scrutinizing product maturity, interrogating GTM plans, and mapping market readiness. This ensures that they’re not dazzled by demos or led by hype. They’re guided by evidence.
And it doesn’t stop at onboarding.
Smart distributors monitor vendor growth signals in real time. They know which channel programs are converting, which partner profiles are selling, and where the real momentum is coming from—not just at the regional or vertical level but at the micro-layer of product features, deal size, and partner behavior.
Data drives every decision here. From which vendors are onboarded, to how they’re launched, developing a marketing plan and to the way pipeline is tracked and optimized over time.
There’s a growing divide between the brands that are truly ready to scale and the ones who just look good on paper. Spotting the difference is hard. That’s why most distributors don’t try. They wait until success is proven, then show up with a cookie-cutter pitch deck.
But that’s not how category leaders are built. Category leaders are backed early, built methodically, and launched with focus, strategy, and a GTM strategy that knows how to win.
The channel is changingIf one thing is certain, it’s that the channel is changing. Subscription-first, AI-led, everything-as-a-service. The challenge is that you can’t brute-force legacy systems into this new way of doing things and expect a different outcome.
What this moment demands is a new kind of distributor. Not just another name on a long list, but one that actually understands how to build traction in a saturated market, create meaningful differentiation, and help emerging vendors move from underdog to industry standard.
Because if growth is the goal, you don’t have time for slow ramp-ups or vague strategies. You need someone who’s ready to run with you.
We've featured the best business plan 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
Canada’s House of Commons has reportedly suffered a cyberattack which saw it lose sensitive employee data.
A CBC report, citing an internal email that the organization sent to its staff, says the attack saw an unidentified threat actor exploit a “recent Microsoft vulnerability” to access a database with information on employee computers and mobile devices.
Among the data stolen in the attack was employee names, email addresses, job titles, office locations, and information about the devices they use.
SharePoint under the magnifying glassAt the moment, both the House of Commons and Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE) are investigating the issue.
"Attribution of a cyber incident is difficult. Investigating cyber threat activity takes resources and time, and there are many considerations involved in the process of attributing malicious cyber activity," CSE apparently said in a statement.
The organization told its employees to remain vigilant, and be wary of incoming communications.
The details are scarce, but the House of Commons saying the attackers used a “recent Microsoft vulnerability” fueled speculation that it was done through an infamous SharePoint flaw which has been exploited recently.
Canada’s Cyber Centre recently issued a warning about a SharePoint Server flaw called ToolShell, tracked as CVE-2025-53770.
ToolShell was first observed in late July 2025, and has been abused by multiple threat actors, including Chinese state-sponsored groups.
Multiple high-profile organizations have already been compromised this way, including the US National Nuclear Security Administration, Rhode Island General Assembly, and many others.
Via BleepingComputer
You might also likeManaging energy consumption is one of the biggest challenges to turn a nation’s AI vision into reality. AI data centers require vast power resources at a time when the national grids are shifting toward renewables. Another major hurdle is talent. With global competition for AI expertise heating up, countries must invest more in education and training. There should also be more industry collaboration to build the skilled workforce needed for a true independent AI vision.
AI workloads and energy useAI workloads, particularly those associated with large language models (LLMs) and advanced analytics, impose varying energy demands. Training AI models is an extremely computationally intensive process, requiring stable, high-energy inputs over extended periods. It involves feeding large datasets into deep learning models, running complex calculations, and iterating repeatedly to refine accuracy.
This process demands high-performance computing resources and an uninterrupted power supply, making it one of the most energy-consuming aspects of AI.
In contrast, AI inference runs models in real-time to make predictions, classify data, or analyze text, images, and video. Though less demanding than training, inference workloads are dynamic and need efficient and steady energy resource allocation for real-time tasks like chatbots, automation, and edge computing.
So how can we manage the energy consumption from these intensive AI workloads?
Renewable energy: A double-edged swordRenewable energy is central to the UK's AI Action Plan and its ambitions to become a leader in AI data centers. With substantial resources in wind, solar and hydro contributing 36.1% of electricity generation in 2023, the UK can tackle the growing electricity demand in a more environmentally sustainable manner.
The UK's newly established AI Energy Council is expected to explore innovative energy solutions, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), to bridge this gap. With AI-driven energy consumption accelerating, a 160% increase in data center power demand is anticipated.
Despite hardware efficiency gains seen in AI adoption and real-world scenarios, increasing demand for the technology outpaces these improvements. Popular AI-driven solutions, such as ChatGPT, have seen rapid user adoption, surpassing 100 million users in 2025 with approximately 464 million visits per month.
The International Energy Agency reports that a single ChatGPT query requires 2.9 watt-hours of electricity, nearly ten times more than a Google search, which only needs 0.3 watt-hours.
As AI continues to scale, the growing energy consumption raises important concerns about environmental sustainability, highlighting the need for strategic solutions.
Aligning AI workloads with renewable energy and advanced resource managementIt is clear that renewable energy alone is insufficient in meeting the UK’s AI Action Plan’s requirements, which presents a chance for AI data centers to adopt intelligent workload scheduling and resource management strategies. AI workloads should be scheduled to coincide with periods of peak renewable energy generation, such as high-wind periods or midday solar peaks.
This approach allows AI training tasks, which require significant power, to be executed when renewable energy availability is at its highest, reducing reliance on non-renewable backup sources or storage technologies such as batteries.
AI requires high levels of compute resources, typically utilizing specialized hardware like GPUs, which handle high levels of parallel transactions essential for AI models and applications. Multi-tenanted GPU virtualization and graphics virtualization solutions effectively consolidate resource utilization, reducing the need for additional hardware and energy consumption.
GPUs are significantly more energy-efficient than CPUs for AI inference tasks—studies show up to 42x greater efficiency—but their increasing cost and energy intensity make strategic allocation crucial. Given the complexity of GPU scenarios, which vary depending on applications, query types, and user volume, ensuring these powerful resources are fully utilized and not left idle is a top priority for reducing environmental impact and maximizing return on investment.
Effective GPU optimization strategies include dynamic sharing and partitioning techniques, enabling better resource allocation, minimizing wastage, and supporting data centers transitioning to renewable energy sources.
AI schedulers should be designed to scale compute resources up or down based on real-time energy availability. This means distributing (within data proximity requirements) workloads across different geographic locations where renewable energy is abundant at any given time and adjusting processing speeds to match fluctuating renewable energy supplies.
Further boosting energy efficiency in data centers requires innovative solutions, like liquid cooling and AI-driven optimization, with advanced designs and hardware that minimize energy consumption. A diversified energy mix is also key, combining renewables with technologies like SMRs to ensure a stable power supply, supported by data center energy monitoring and allocation modelling.
Government agencies can also drive environmental sustainability by financially incentivizing data centers to run on renewable energy while managing growth to protect the energy grid. These strategies ensure consistent power availability while maximizing the use of renewable energy when conditions are favorable.
Building a future of innovation and environmental sustainabilityThe UK is well-placed to achieve its AI ambitions without overwhelming the energy grid, provided it embraces a portfolio of efficiency levers across workload, hardware and infrastructure layers. Physical virtualization is one of the most immediate and proven techniques. Deployments of advanced virtualization platforms can cut physical servers by 39 % and trim three-year infrastructure cost by 34 %, according to IDC’s 2024 study.
Fewer racks translate directly into a lower baseload on the grid and quicker alignment with renewable-energy contracts. AI acceleration now benefits as well; tests have shown that virtualization solutions with GPU support delivers AI training performance within 1–6 % of bare metal and inference at 94–105 % yet still leave up to 88 % of CPU cores free for other work. Multi-tenant GPU virtualization therefore drives higher AI throughput per watt, deferring additional hardware purchases and the embodied carbon they carry.
Alongside virtualization, emerging technologies such as liquid cooling, AI-driven energy-optimization software and diversified power sources (including small modular reactors) will further curb data-center consumption. While no single solution is a silver bullet, the strategic combination of consolidated, software-defined infrastructure and intelligent energy management positions the UK to set a global example—demonstrating how cutting-edge AI capability and energy security can advance together on a clear trajectory to net-zero.
By prioritizing environmentally sustainable and sovereign approaches, the UK has a unique opportunity to set a global example – demonstrating how cutting-edge AI and energy security can evolve together.
We've featured the best AI website builder.
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