TechRadar News

• AMD is rumored to be planning a faster take on its RX 9070 models
• This ‘Ultimate Navi 48’ GPU is supposedly being readied for a Q2 release
• AMD is apparently aiming for a performance level of between the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080

AMD could be releasing a faster take on its RX 9070 GPUs as soon as Q2 2025, according to a fresh rumor.

Moore’s Law is Dead (MLID) has a new video out on YouTube which discusses a range of topics across AMD’s new RDNA 4 GPUs, with the excellent RX 9070 XT and vanilla 9070 having gone on sale yesterday – and part of the chatter here is more reinforcement of what we’ve already heard about the MSRPs of these boards.

Before I get into that, though, the most interesting revelation here (in my book) is that AMD is purportedly set to produce a new RDNA 4 graphics card using the Navi 48 chip – the one RX 9070 models are built on – with the GPU pushed to the absolute max.

According to one of MLID’s sources at a big US retailer, AMD’s graphics card making partners have been briefed on an ‘Ultimate Navi 48’ GPU which could be released in Q2, though I’d guess this would be more towards June than April (as this is the first whisper of such a board).

Team Red is apparently shooting for a performance level of between the RTX 5070 Ti and the RTX 5080. Naming-wise, this GPU would presumably be an RX 9070 XTX (or 9070 XT Extreme Edition as MLID suggests).

MLID doesn’t have anything else to share about this theoretical graphics card in terms of how the spec might pan out, so this is an early-stage rumor, for sure.

As mentioned, the YouTuber also talks about the RX 9070 launch supply, which was apparently triple the volume of the entire amount of Blackwell GPUs (all RTX 5000 models) that have arrived so far since the end of January.

MLID asserts that the supply of RX 9070 boards is going to be more robust than Nvidia’s RTX 5000 models going forward – not just at launch – with one obvious caveat.

That catch is that only a percentage of the entry-level RDNA 4 graphics cards were sold at MSRP, and as we saw yesterday, once that initial batch was gone, those baseline boards got a fair bit more expensive.

If you’re hoping to grab one of AMD’s new graphics cards, don’t forget, we’re here to give you a leg up with securing your purchase courtesy of our guide on where to buy the RX 9070 XT and RX 9070.

Analysis: An explosive Q2 beckons – and AMD is clearly off to a better start than Nvidia

Presumably with the supposed RX 9070 XTX, or Extreme Edition, we’d be looking at beefed up clock speeds, and possibly more VRAM (perhaps with the memory notched up on the speed front, too, MLID speculates). Whatever the case, however AMD might go with the spec, the intention is clear enough – to produce a GPU that would be roughly equivalent to a (theoretical) RTX 5070 Ti Super, or thereabouts.

What’s also planned for Q2 officially, as announced by AMD at the RX 9070 reveal at the end of February, is the debut of RX 9060 models, bringing more wallet-friendly fodder to the GPU world. So, in theory there’s plenty to look forward to as we head into Q2 which starts in only a few weeks.

As for the RX 9070 launch, from what I saw, stock did appear to be present in reasonable quantities – even if MSRP-level graphics cards sold out quite quickly (but not in the blink of an eye).

Is it fair that there aren’t any MSRP boards left now, because AMD is only willing to subsidize a limited number of RX 9070 graphics cards to get them at that price level for the on-sale day, so the recommended launch price is technically correct?

Well, it’s not an ideal situation, of course. We’re told by MLID that the entry-level price for the RX 9070 XT is likely to be around $670 going forward in the US, and looking at UK pricing now, entry-level 9070 XT boards are actually in stock, but they’re now 10% over the MSRP (roughly the same as that expected US price).

However, as MLID points out, at least a 10% hike isn’t terrible – when the 9070 XT looks good value in the first place, certainly – and there is still stock available in the UK at least (not in the US, mind, that I can see at the time of writing).

With restocking expected to be more robust, too, with AMD’s RDNA 4 graphics cards, this is at least a lot better than the situation with Nvidia’s RTX 5000 GPUs. That said, it’d be difficult to imagine a launch scenario much worse than Blackwell has been, sadly.

Team Red has done okay here, then, on balance, but it remains disappointing to me that the MSRP of RX 9070 models has proved to be something of an illusion spell cast by AMD. Still, with some Black Friday or Prime Day magic, those asking prices may well return later this year…

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• A new Geekbench 6 benchmark hints at the M3 Ultra for the Mac Studio only being slightly faster than the M4 Max
• The benchmark reveals the M3 Ultra's supposed 8% performance lead in multi-core processes over the M4 Max
• Its 80-core GPU may be the highlight, specifically for gaming

Apple has finally introduced a new Ultra chip, not yet for its recent M4 lineup but rather for the M3 family. The new Mac Studio is slated for launch on March 12, with configurations using both the M4 Max and the new M3 Ultra - however, the latter may only be a slightly stronger processor, at least in some ways.

As reported by 9to5Mac, an early Geekbench 6 benchmark of the new M3 Ultra chip suggests it may only be 8% faster than the M4 Max in multi-core performance while being 20% slower in single-core performance. The benchmark indicates that this is the top-end configuration of the upcoming M3 Max Mac Studio (it utilizes a 32-core CPU and an 80-core GPU).

It's important to note that the comparison made here is with the MacBook Pro's M4 Max, with its top-end configuration using a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU. While we should wait for more benchmarks when the Mac Studio launches, it looks like the M3 Ultra's winnings over the powerful M4 chip could be present in its graphical processes, specifically gaming.

The high-end M4 Max model (using 1TB storage and 128GB of unified memory) is available for pre-order at $3,699.00 / £3,799.00 / AU$6,049.00, while the best M3 Ultra model (using 1TB storage and 96GB of unified memory) is available for pre-order at $5,499.00 / £5,699.00 / AU$9,249.00.

Based on the early benchmark (which should be taken with a grain of salt), the M3 Ultra may not be the ideal choice between the two chips for CPU processes (considering the supposed minor uplift and the significant gap in pricing), but should be right up the alley for gamers - and that may end up justifying its high cost.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Mykola Churpita) This might be the best Mac gaming experience yet...

While plenty of Apple's Mac devices have provided capable hardware for great gaming performance, it looks like the M3 Ultra Mac Studio may be the best yet.

An 80-core GPU is an exceptional amount dedicated to graphical processing (and its price doesn't surprise me in the slightest), which means it should be able to storm its way through demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077. That's not to say the CPU and unified memory won't matter here, but it's safe to suggest that the GPU will do the heavy lifting for gamers.

Now it's all well and good that gamers will have a monster GPU at their disposal, but there's still more that needs to be done for Mac gaming - games are often optimized for Microsoft's Windows operating system and games aren't coming to Mac devices day one.

The addition of titles like Cyberpunk 2077 is a great sign of the Mac gaming library's rapid growth, and I'm hoping the M3 Ultra is Apple's way of telling us that gaming is now one of its main focuses.

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If there’s one thing that entices music lovers to sign up to Spotify Premium, it’s the seamless ad-free listening. However, a recent bug in the Spotify app has snuck in ads in between music streams, proving that even the best music streaming services have their faulty moments.

First reports of the bug surfaced online four weeks ago in the Spotify Community forum, and it quickly proved to be a common occurrence for a lot of Premium subscribers, causing significant frustration among those who pay to hear ad-free music. A few days following the online complaints, Spotify acknowledged the issue and set about fixing the bug, sharing the following statement: “We have good news from our teams – a fix for the instances where Premium users noticed ads when listening to music has been deployed and you should notice a difference right away”.

But that was four weeks ago, and almost a month after the issue with ads in Spotify Premium was raised, it seemed many paying music fans were still finding ads playing between songs. Although Spotify has been vocal about running into promotional content mainly within podcasts, ads should still have no place in the Premium tier for those who subscribe.

At long last, Spotify finally addressed the issue (again) just this week by taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, March 6, to share the status of the problem (see below). This is the last update we’ve received from the company, therefore, we can only assume that Spotify is currently tackling the issue head-on.

We’re aware of some issues with the app right now and are checking them out! We'll keep you posted here: https://t.co/lOcqE1o9OeMarch 6, 2025

Could this bug indicate the arrival of Spotify HiFi?

Spotify has surely had its work cut out for it, especially following its crackdown on ‘cracked’ apps, but it’s awfully convenient that these bugs have surfaced - particularly in the wake of the recent rumors that Spotify HiFi could arrive later this year.

As opposed to launching a brand new tier for lossless audio, we can expect Spotify HiFi to be an add-on to its Premium tier. One of the more interesting parts of Spotify’s next business ventures is the possibility of a new ‘superfan’ tier, which promises enhanced fan experiences through deeper music catalogs and even deals on concert tickets.

Given that Spotify has experienced not one, but two bug issues within a short space of time, it only raises my suspicion that it could be in the middle of making room to introduce its next tiers and subscription add-ons. Spotify has borne the brunt of a lot of criticisms, not just because of its ads-in-Premium bug but also its five-year lossless audio delay. There’s a lot of pressure on Spotify to get it right, and I just hope it can redeem itself.

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• Microsoft says it discovered a major malvertising campaign
• The goal was to deploy infostealers as wide as possible
• The company removed an undisclosed number of GitHub repositories in response

More than a million PCs have been infected by infostealers through a massive malvertising campaign, new research from Microsoft’s security researchers has revealed.

The campaign starts on illegal streaming sites where people can watch pirated content. Apparently, cybercriminals injected ads into those videos, which sent visitors through a roller coaster of redirects, before landing on one of many GitHub repositories under the attackers’ control.

There, they would download the first payload which would run system discovery and collect system information (operating system data, screen resolution, memory size, etc.), exfiltrate it to a server under the attackers’ control, while deploying the second-stage payload.

Infostealers in action

The second-stage payload depends on the compromised device. In some cases, it will be a NetSupport remote access trojan (RAT), followed by the Lumma Stealer or Doenerium infostealer. This malware can grab people’s login credentials, cryptocurrency information, banking details, and more. In other cases, the malware will download an executable file which runs a CMD and drops a renamed AutoIt interpreter with a .com extension.

AutoIt then runs a few additional steps which ultimately lead to the same outcome - the exfiltration of sensitive files from the target system.

In most cases, the payloads were hosted on GitHub, and Microsoft said it took down an undisclosed number of repositories. However, malware was also hosted on Dropbox and Discord. It did not attribute the campaign to any particular threat actor, and said that the victims were found in a wide range of industries.

"This activity is tracked under the umbrella name Storm-0408 that we use to track numerous threat actors associated with remote access or information-stealing malware and who use phishing, search engine optimization (SEO), or malvertising campaigns to distribute malicious payloads," Microsoft said.

"The campaign impacted a wide range of organizations and industries, including both consumer and enterprise devices, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attack."

Via BleepingComputer

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• The UK Government's guidelines no longer include mentions of E2EE
• The move follows a dispute between the British Government and Apple
• Apple recently pulled its encryption service in the UK after a backdoor request

The dispute between the UK government and Apple continues, with the former quietly deciding to remove its recommendation in using the tech firm’s end-to-end encryption (E2EE), also known as Advanced Data Protection (ADP).

The move, spotted by blogger Alec Muffett, comes weeks after Apple pulled ADP from the country following the Government’s alleged request to build a backdoor into the encryption for law enforcement - which would have allowed agencies to access protected photos, messages, and other data.

Previously, in advice from the NCSC and GCHQ, the agencies recommended barristers, solicitors, and legal professionals turn on encryption, including ADP for iOS - but the encryption advice is no longer available.

The importance of encryption

Apple doubled down on its encryption, promising to “never build a backdoor”, and privacy campaigners argue that this “jeopardizes the security and privacy of millions.”

Encryption is a tool that scrambles information, and end-to-end means that this is done both as the information is sent, and received. Apple’s ADP means that even Apple cannot access the data.

The tech firm argues that once a backdoor, or ‘master key’, is built, that leaves the risk that the key will be stolen by threat actors, or that the information could fall into the wrong hands.

“With Apple removing Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for UK users, consumers need to focus on alternative ways to secure their data,” said Matt Aldridge, Senior Principal Solutions Consultant at OpenText Cybersecurity.

“While iMessages, Facetime, Health data and iCloud keychain remain secure, users should review what they store in iCloud, especially with backups no longer being encrypted. Sensitive files and data may need to be stored securely elsewhere, such as on external encrypted drives or alternative cloud services that still offer end-to-end encryption.”

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• Android 16 beta 2.1 is reportedly causing major battery drain for some users
• Comments posted to Reddit complain about the need to charge as much as twice a day
• Android 16 is expected to release at some point between April and June

Android 16 is due to release some time between April and June this year, and as we get closer to that window Google is continuing to roll out beta versions of its latest mobile operating system.

However, these beta versions are still pre-release builds designed to trial and test new features, and as such can have unfortunate side effects – in fact, a recent Android 16 beta seems to be hitting users’ phone batteries’ harder than expected.

As Android Authority reports, users with Android 16 beta 2.1 installed have been reporting a serious impact on battery life as a result of updating.

A Reddit thread started by the official u/androidbetaprogram account in the r/android_beta subreddit contains multiple reports of this battery issue.

User u/jordanl171 said: “The battery life on 2.1 is so much worse than it was on 2.0 [on the] Pixel 9 Pro”.

Others complained of unspecified charging issues, while a now-deleted user said they were “forced to charge twice a day”.

Naturally, this isn’t the type of change you’d want to see with a newer version of any operating system, but I’m not particularly worried about this battery bug.

Beta versions of operating systems are bound to have some annoying or even experience-breaking issues every now and then – it’s part of the process, and much better for users and developers that these issues come to light before full release.

So long as Google follows up on its community outreach via platforms like Reddit and other social media, I’m fairly certain that this issue will be fixed before launch, and probably even in a later beta build.

Though I’ve not been affected by this battery drain issue myself – I don’t have a Google Pixel phone and at the moment you need one to access Android 16 betas – I don’t think this will still be a red light for anyone looking to update to Android 16 at release.

However, it might be worth skipping this particular build. Phone batteries are consumable components, with maximum lifespans that decay over time, so having to recharge more often might have an impact on your device’s longevity.

In any case, I’m still excited for Android 16 to make it to the best Android phones later this year. Let us know what you want to see from the new Android update in the comments below.

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• Google Maps has become the first app to support Live Updates in the latest Android 16 beta
• The new notification style allows some information to persist on the lock screen and status bar
• Android 16 is expected to release some time between April and June 2025

Though many of the best Android phones just recently got support for Android 15, beta versions of Android 16 are already available for Google Pixel users, bringing key upgrades to the operating system as well as to Google’s suite of default apps.

One of the most keenly anticipated upgrades coming with Android 16 is Live Updates, a new notification feature that allows notifications to display much more information as well as persist on the lock screen. A comparable feature, called Live Activities, rolled out to iOS devices last year.

As it turns out, Google Maps is the first app to support this new feature, with Android 16 adding the ability to see directions, time until your next turn, and your estimated time of arrival all in one Live Update notification.

This new Live Update is visible on the lock screen, and an estimated time of arrival persists in the status bar when the phone is unlocked, though as Android Authority notes, the new notification style is currently collapsed on the always-on display.

In a prior build of Android 16, Live Updates were available on the always-on display as an outline, so Google will likely re-enable this in the stable release or later betas.

Live Updates were technically introduced with the first beta of Android 16 back in January 2025, but as mentioned, no apps have supported them until now.

Android 16 is rolling out at a faster pace than normal, and we’ve previously heard that the next mainline update to Google’s mobile operating system will arrive sooner than usual in the second quarter of 2025 – that’s somewhere between April and June.

The update is due to bring Live Updates to a wide selection of the best Google Pixel phones as well as Android phones from other brands like Samsung and OnePlus. Of course, there’s much more on the way than a new style of notification – other keenly awaited Android 16 features include new camera tools and better app resizing for folding phones.

We’ll have the latest through our dedicated Android coverage, but for now, let us know what you’d like to see from Google’s next mobile operating system in the comments below.

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• Researchers find malicious browser extensions can assume the appearance of any other installed in the browser
• It can also disable other extensions, completely tricking the victim
• The extension can steal sensitive passwords, cryptos, and more

Cybersecurity researchers have found malicious shapeshifting Google Chrome browser extensions in the wild, able to change their appearance to pretty much anything else installed on the target device, opening the doors for credential theft, cryptocurrency theft, and possibly even wire fraud.

Researchers from SquareX said they spotted a malicious browser extension which at first, seems benign. It can be an “unassuming AI tool”, or pretty much anything else. When it’s first installed, it will behave as expected, for at least a while, while it analyzes which other extensions are installed in the browser.

If it spots anything particularly interesting (such as a crypto wallet, for example), the extension will completely transform its appearance, including the interface, the shortcut icon, and everything else, to look exactly the same. It will then disable the legitimate extension, so that it is the only one offering that particular functionality - meaning it is almost impossible for the victim to realize they are being targeted.

Feature, not a bug

To make matters worse, the researchers said that the malware just abuses the design of browsers and extensions.

There is no bug, no vulnerability being exploited, meaning that cybersecurity solutions, antivirus programs, and other endpoint protection tools, cannot flag it or remove it. It gets worse, too - the extensions only require medium risk permissions, the same ones required by password managers and similar tools. Therefore, the malware cannot even be spotted by Chrome Store and other security teams simply looking at the code.

They are calling them “polymorphic extensions” and believe they are an entirely new class of malware. They said the malware impacts “most major browsers, including Chrome and Edge”.

“Browser extensions present a major risk to enterprises and users today,” commented SquareX founder, Vivek Ramachandran.

“Unfortunately, most organizations have no way of auditing their current extension footprint and to check whether they are malicious. This further underscores the need for a browser native security solution like Browser Detection and Response, similar to what an EDR is to the operating system.”

Google has been notified, but has yet to respond.

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There seems to be a rather large elephant in the room of the smartphone industry right now. The likes of Samsung, Apple, and Google are investing heavily in the development (and marketing) of AI software, but consumers seem less than interested in a technology that has yet to be proven game-changing for their everyday lives.

At least, that’s the impression we get from reader comments, and a recent survey of more than 2,000 iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users found that 73% of iPhone-owning respondents and a whopping 87% of Galaxy-owning respondents feel that AI adds little to no value to their smartphone experience. That’s got to be tough reading for the technology executives who are collectively betting hundreds of billions on an AI-powered future.

Of course, adoption takes time, and Samsung, for its part, is committed to the long game. At MWC 2025, I spoke to Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience (MX) VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK, who spoke on the company’s “number one aim” with Galaxy AI – and whose own adoption figures paint a more optimistic picture.

“Last year we launched Galaxy AI into the market, and we've now got over 5 million people using it on a regular basis in the UK. It took the internet eight years to get to that figure," said Bizon. "Once you start using something, it becomes behavior, and our job is to change behavior, so people can see the benefits."

“Now,” Bizon continued, “you can only change behavior if people do see a benefit. So [that’s the] number one aim. The second thing for us: Galaxy AI is our hero messaging because we want to own that space and bring credibility to that space. But we also need to demystify it, right? Because AI means a million things. Look around today [at MWC]. What we're saying is: AI makes the mundane easier. It makes you more creative, giving you back time to do the things you love. However, you can't forget that people buy a phone for the camera, the battery life, the durability. Those are principles that will sit below every single product we bring to market.”

Galaxy AI was a key feature of Samsung's latest Galaxy Unpacked showcase (Image credit: Samsung)

It’s clear, then, that Samsung hasn’t forgotten about the importance of hardware to consumers – despite the dizzying number of Galaxy AI-related ads you’ve likely seen over the past year. AI is Samsung’s “hero messaging”, but it’s a matter of synergy, not prioritization.

“If you think about hardware and software, they work together,” Bizon told me. “AI optimizes the battery on your phone, AI optimizes the camera on your phone – you can always iterate through hardware, but when you start adding AI into that, you really take the whole experience up to another level.

“[Our customers are using AI] because it's making their lives easier, whether that be Circle to Search, Live Interpreter, or the fact that I can book a restaurant through my voice and send an invite directly to my friend's calendar. That's all about saving time. If you save time, and you’ve got the best hardware [working alongside] the best software, you start to really change the customer experience. And that’s the important thing. Working in a way where technology works for you rather than you working for technology. AI is the space where we see all of our [technology] coming together – it’s like a PA in your pocket.”

Democratization is key to adoption

The mid-range Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 launched with AI last week (Image credit: Future)

Where smartphone-based AI was the preserve of the very best phones only a year or so ago, companies have now pivoted to offering AI at almost every step of the price ladder.

Google, for instance, offers the same AI features on the budget-friendly Google Pixel 8a as it does on the premium Google Pixel 9 Pro, while Apple recently debuted the Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone 16e, lowering the cost of entry to its AI feature suite. Removing the exclusivity from AI will allow these companies to refine and stress-test their AI features in a way that simply isn’t possible with a limited sample size, and Samsung, to its credit, realized this earlier than most.

After launching Galaxy AI in January 2024 on the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung rolled out the same features to the Galaxy S23 series just two months later. Galaxy AI compatibility now covers everything from the high-end Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to the mid-range Galaxy A55.

We've got over 5 million people using Galaxy AI on a regular basis in the UK.

Annika Bizon, Samsung

“AI for All is really important to us,” Bizon explained. “Everybody has a chance to use AI. Personally, I’m really proud of the fact that we took the step last year to take [Galaxy AI] onto previous-generation devices – that’s over 200 million devices globally, and we gave people the opportunity to experience it. You can only really get adoption when you've got a mass market to do that with.”

What’s more, the figures behind AI aren’t all bad. Those aforementioned survey results reflect the current sentiment towards smartphone-based AI, but recent research conducted by TechRadar publisher Future suggests people are increasingly swapping traditional search engines for AI tools such as ChatGPT.

Consumer habits are changing, and although Galaxy AI might seem gimmicky now, it won’t be long before millions of smartphone users really are using their voices to make restaurant reservations. Consider this: cars, laptops, and cheeseburgers were all perceived as dumb fads when they originally came to market. Now they’re crucial to the global economy.

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• King Charles III has pre-recorded a radio broadcast for Apple Music 1 to celebrate Commonwealth Day
• The broadcast features personal anecdotes and songs that have helped shape His Majesty's soundtrack to his life
• It will be available to listen on the 24/7 Apple Music 1 radio station on Monday March 10

As well as its stature of being one of the best music streaming services, Apple Music’s commitment to delivering top-notch listening experiences extends beyond albums, playlists and podcasts into radio, with stations such as Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits. For its next special radio broadcast Apple Music has enlisted a bona fide music lover, yet an unexpected one – King Charles III.

To celebrate Commonwealth Day happening on March 10, the sovereign himself will step into the role of emcee in a special broadcast for Apple Music 1 which was pre-recorded at Buckingham Palace.

Set to air at 6am GMT / 1am ET on March 10 on Apple Music 1, The King’s Music Room will take a dive into His Majesty’s experiences with music from around the Commonwealth and even reveal some hidden parts of his music identity.

The King’s Music Room has been described as “a musical journey that reflects His Majesty’s personal taste” as per Apple Music’s blog post, packing a recollection of personal anecdotes that recall His Majesty’s experiences with traveling Commonwealth countries and how these have impacted the evolution of the soundtrack to his life. Weaved in between these reflective moments are pockets of personal insights to his favorite songs and artists – and his taste might surprise you.

So, what will a playlist curated by the sovereign sound like? Well, it’s pretty much a given that there’ll be quite a bit of vintage, so you can expect to hear the sounds of smooth 1930s jazz. But what may come as a surprise is that King Charles III has his ear to the ground when it comes to new music releases, as artists such as Raye and Kylie Minogue have crept their way into the King’s Apple Music special.

In addition to music legends Grace Jones and Bob Marley, King Charles III’s Apple Music 1 broadcast promises a mixed-genre spectacle from Afrobeats, to Reggae, to modern pop and RnB.

There’s no denying that music has a very special place in His Majesty’s life, elaborating on his passion through a video statement: “Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. I know that is also the case for so many others. It has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories flooding back from the deepest recesses of our memory, to comfort us in times of sadness, and to take us to distant places”.

If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can listen to The King’s Music Room anytime on demand, after the initial broadcast. However, you don't need a subscription to listen to the broadcast live on Apple Music 1.

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• United Airlines has installed Starlink on its first regional aircraft
• The install time is just four days per aircraft versus 10+ days for other Wi-Fi systems
• The airline expects to install Starlink on over 40 aircraft a month starting in May

Back in January, right ahead of the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, United Airlines announced that it was speeding up its rollout and installation of Starlink across its fleet. It was good news as Grant Milstead, VP of Digital Technology for the airline, told us that it was “kind of enabling the living room in the sky experience.”

How? Well, once Starlink is installed on United Airline’s aircraft, the result is free, fast Wi-Fi while on the ground and in the air as long as you are a member of MileagePlus, which is free to join. United Airlines sped up its planned rollout by confirming that the first commercial flight was expected on an Embraer E175 in the spring and that its entire regional fleet would be covered by the end of the year. Its first mainline aircraft would also have Starlink installed by the end of the year.

Now United Airlines has successfully installed Starlink on its first regional aircraft, learned some new lessons, and confirmed some theories about what this process would look like. And for anyone who flies United Airlines, it’s great news as you’re one step closer to getting this stronger, more stable connection in the sky.

(Image credit: United Airlines)

The most significant learning is that installing the Starlink antenna, the wiring, and the wireless access points inside the cabin of the aircraft is a lot less time-consuming than a typical antenna for traditional airline Wi-Fi. United says that it takes about eight hours to install the Starlink equipment, which is about 10 times faster than the current in-flight Wi-Fi equipment (though that eight-hour window doesn’t include de-installation or the testing equipment).

And here’s the best part for me as someone who tends to fly United Airlines, and for any others who do – you can expect Wi-Fi speeds up to 250Mbps on these regional aircraft, which is 50 times faster than current internet speeds. That means, when connected, you won’t have to worry about missing a text – even one with images – being able to browse the web, stream a show, or be productive and accomplish some work while cruising in the sky. I, for one, can’t wait to put that to the test.

Additionally, the Starlink antenna and corresponding equipment weigh 85 pounds and are electronically steered, which means no moving parts inside. That makes it easier to move, and less likely to need maintenance. It’s also a lot lighter (other antennas weigh upwards of 300 pounds) and United Airlines says it “means the aircraft requires less fuel to operate than with other inflight providers.”

The faster installation process also means the aircraft will be out of service for a shorter time. Currently, non-Starlink Wi-Fi installations for United take over 10 days, meaning the plane will not be flying for that period. United Airlines expects the Starlink installation and testing to take just four days, and that includes removing the old equipment. Remember, it’s outside on the aircraft's hull and inside under panels, where access points are located.

(Image credit: United Airlines)

Here are the steps for the installation process as it stands for United Airlines regional aircraft:

• Uninstall the existing Wi-Fi system.
• Install the Starlink system, which consists of the main antenna, an internal reinforcement structure, wireless access points for the cabin, and a power supply.
• The install team tests the whole system before and after closing the aircraft's interior.

It’s clear that United Airlines is still operating on this sped-up schedule and is eager to get Starlink-powered internet to more passengers, starting with regional aircraft. It’s not a small set of flyers either – while United Airlines' entire fleet is over 1,000 aircraft, the regional fleet is over 300 airplanes.

With one of those airplanes already done, United Airlines expects to install Starlink on over 40 aircraft a month starting in May before wrapping at the end of 2025. The goal is to cover all regional aircraft and then at least one mainline airplane.

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• Garmin Fenix 6, Enduro, Marq and Tactix watches are getting a new update
• The update fixes a list of bugs, including a problem which could cause the watches to crash
• The update is currently in beta

If you've got a Garmin Fenix 6, original Garmin Enduro, Quatix, Tactix Delta or MARQ watch, a new update is on the horizon, although it's currently only available to those who've signed up to Garmin's public beta program.

The update, version 28.01, doesn't add any of the new software features present on the best Garmin watches to these older watches, so it might not seem terribly exciting at first glance. However, it does make a few vital fixes to some potential issues on these watches.

Notably, Notebookcheck reports at least one user complaining that accessing music controls on their Garmin Enduro watch resulted in the device unexpectedly crashing, and others mentioning that update 28.00 results in faster-than-expected battery drain. Both issues are reportedly fixed in beta, according to Garmin's change logs.

Other issues fixed during the update include a user interface problem on the Garmin MARQ Aviator, errors with loading courses saved to the watch, and slow notifications.

What if I'm not part of Garmin's public beta program?

If you're experiencing any of the problems above, and you're not part of Garmin's public beta, don't fret: this means the fix is being actively trialled on user watches, and will be coming to the wider community very soon.

Garmin's public beta program, like all beta testing, is a bit of a double-edged sword: yes, you can access new features to test before anyone else, but you also open up your watch to a lot of potential bugs, which helps Garmin solve these issues before pushing them out in wider updates.

It's a necessary service for a smoothly-run, regular update schedule, but it does mean your day-to-day experience can be a little inconsistent.

If you'd like to know more about signing up for Garmin's public beta program, our guide on how to sign up for the Garmin Beta Software program can get you started.

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Leading VPN firm, ExpressVPN, has just released its biggest ever update to its Linux app, promising to deliver a user-centric experience with usability and enhanced security at its core.

ExpressVPN's new Linux application finally introduces the much-requested Graphical User Interface (GUI), meaning that users will be able to interact with the same easy-to-use interface used across other platforms. The upgrade also includes some new features like an advanced kill switch, split tunneling, and more.

The new Linux VPN app is currently available for beta testing only and is compatible with Ubuntu 24.04+, Debian10, Fedora30, Raspberry Pi OS Buster, Mint 20, and Arch. If you wish to keep using the command-line interface (CLI) app, you can still benefit from the upgraded version and its new advanced features.

More customization and security, with an intuitive interface

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN providers on the market, known for its feature-packed and easy-to-use applications. The upgrade comes then as a response to the popularity of Linux products and the need for high-quality VPN solutions.

"We recognized that the rapidly growing Linux community needed a powerful and intuitive VPN experience and got to work immediately," said Himmat Bains, ExpressVPN Head of Desktop apps.

This is where the new GUI comes in. The improved interface, which is available in light and dark modes across 17 languages, allows users to take control of their digital life in just a few clicks.

As Bains points out, though, the GUI is only one part of the upgrade. He said: "The new app integrates a host of advanced features that enable users to tailor their digital security experience – for more control and privacy while benefitting from the ease of use that ExpressVPN is known for."

For the first time, in fact, also Linux users can benefit from a split tunneling feature to select specific apps or IPs to be routed through the VPN or bypass it. An advanced kill switch option (here called Network Lock) also allows them to prevent internet access at all times unless the VPN is connected.

Image 1 of 3

Thanks to the new light and dark modes, you can fully customize your app's look in 17 different languages. (Image credit: ExpressVPN)Image 2 of 3

Head on the network tab to enable the advanced kill switch protection and LAN access. The latter allows you to securely connect to local devices on your network. (Image credit: ExpressVPN)Image 3 of 3

From the split tunneling tab, you can select which apps and IP you want to either include or exclude from the VPN connections for better usability. (Image credit: ExpressVPN)

Other security features that come with the new ExpressVPN's Linux app also include post-quantum encryption, alongside some advanced protection features to block intrusive ads, web trackers, malicious websites and adult content.

As with other platforms, the Linux app also comes with a choice of VPN protocol options that include OpenVPN and ExpressVPN's very own Lightway. Users will also be able to choose across servers in 105 countries worldwide.

As mentioned earlier, ExpressVPN will keep supporting CLI users, too, extending many of the same upgrades also for its Linux CLI new version. The provider suggests uninstalling your existing ExpressVPN Linux app (v3 and older) before installing the new Linux app (v4) to avoid any issues.

ExpressVPN’s new Linux app is now available for download in beta from the ExpressVPN website.

All in all, Bains said: "At ExpressVPN, our users have always been the driving force behind our innovations. Our major Linux enhancements are just one example, and reinforce our mission of making robust privacy protection accessible to everyone."

• S-RM outlines how a company was targeted by Akira ransomware gang
• It was protected by an EDR solution, but had an unprotected webcam
• The webcam allowed Akira to deploy a Linux-based encryptor

Criminals from the Akira ransomware group have been found using an unsecured webcam to launch their attack and encrypt their target’s entire network.

This is according to cybersecurity researchers S-RM, who found the threat actors first accessed their target’s remote access solution, either by brute-forcing the login credentials, or buying them off the black market. From there, they installed AnyDesk to pivot to other devices on the network, establish persistence, and steal sensitive data.

Then, they tried to deploy the encryptor for Windows, but were stopped by the company’s Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) mechanism. After hitting this roadblock, Akira looked for other devices, outside EDR’s watchful eye, and found a live webcam vulnerable to remote shell access.

Avoidable incident

The webcam ran on a different operating system based on Linux, allowing Akira to use its Linux encryptor. Speaking to BleepingComputer, S-RM said Akira used the webcam to mount Windows Server Message Block (SMB) network shares of the company's other devices. Then, they encrypted the network shares over SMB, successfully working around EDR.

"As the device was not being monitored, the victim organization's security team were unaware of the increase in malicious Server Message Block traffic from the webcam to the impacted server, which otherwise may have alerted them," S-RM said.

To make matters worse, S-RM confirmed that a fix for the webcam was available, meaning the entire attack could have been avoided with timely patching.

Other details were not disclosed, so we don’t know who the victims were, or what type of files Akira stole in this attack. We also don’t know if the company paid any ransom demands, or if the stolen files made it to the dark web.

Next to the infamous LockBit, Akira remains one of the bigger ransomware threats out there, so users should be on their guard.

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• Another leak predicts the thinness of the iPhone 17 Air
• However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may get thicker
• The iPhone 17 Air could also feature a high-density battery

It sounds very much like we're going to get a brand new iPhone model this year in the form of the iPhone 17 Air – which is apparently replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – and a couple of fresh leaks give us a bit of a better idea about what to expect from it.

First up, in his post about Apple's plans for a foldable iPhone, well-respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentions that the folding iPhone will "use the same high-density battery cells as the ultra-thin iPhone 17".

The suggestion is that both the iPhone 17 Air and the foldable iPhone will make use of tweaked battery tech that packs more capacity into a smaller space – very handy when you're talking about super-slim handsets (one of which folds).

That should allay some concerns about the iPhone 17 Air having a relatively short battery life, due to its thinness. The new Apple C1 chip that made its debut in the iPhone 16e should also improve internal efficiency and help battery life on the iPhone 17 series.

Size matters

Exclusive revelation: The length, width, screen size, and bezel（same iPhone 16 Pro Max） of the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max are exactly the same.Only the thickness is different. The iPhone 17 Air is 5.5mm thick, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max is 8.725mm thick. pic.twitter.com/YjcMFva5IWMarch 7, 2025

So, how thin is the iPhone 17 Air going to be? Regular tipster @UniverseIce suggests it's going to be a mere 5.5 mm (0.22 inches) front to back, which fits in neatly with what we've previously heard from other sources.

The same tipster also hints at the dimensions of the iPhone 17 Air, which are apparently also the same as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max: a height of 163 mm (6.42 inches) and a width of 77.6 mm (3.06 inches).

However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is said to have a thickness of 8.725 mm (0.34 inches), compared to the 8.3 mm (0.33 inches) of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This increased thickness could be down to improved cameras and a significant redesign.

So the iPhone 17 Pro Max is likely to be going thicker, while the iPhone 17 Air goes thinner – something for everyone, no matter what the size of your hands or pockets. If Apple sticks to its usual annual schedule, these phones will appear in September 2025.

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• The latest Xbox Insider Program Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead update seems to be causing problems
• Users are reporting that their profiles have been wiped from their consoles with others unable to install the update at all
• The issue has now reportedly been fixed, but you should still be careful

I've got some bad news if you're a member of the Xbox Insider Program, as it seems as though the latest update pushed to the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead channels could be wiping user profiles from Xbox consoles.

According to the comments on a recent post to the r/xboxinsiders subreddit, users were finding their Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles seemingly reset when turning them on over the last couple of days. If you're unlucky enough to be impacted, this means that you will have to go through most of the setup process again in order to sign in with your Xbox account. While your purchases and game installations are thankfully unlikely to be impacted, customization settings and quick resume data are going to be missing and it might take a bit of time to get back to your desired setup.

Some users also reported being unable to get the update working at all, with multiple failed installations. One unlucky Redditor even stated that the language setting of their Xbox console is now "randomly set in what appears to be Chinese" leaving them completely unable to use the system because they "can’t read anything".

The issues have now reportedly been resolved, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't tread carefully. This is a good reminder that you likely shouldn't have your main Xbox console signed up to the Xbox Insider Program as, while very rare, there is always a chance that early updates like this can go wrong.

This latest update was first released on March 5, becoming mandatory on March 6. It was intended to introduce a few small fixes to the profile system, TV options, and various small localization tweaks.

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• Official Google Pixel 9a images appear to have just leaked
• They show four colors including what appears to be a new purple version
• Google also appears to be ditching the iconic camera bar bump

If the rumors are to be believed, the Google Pixel 9a could make its official debut sometime later this month – but while we're waiting, a plethora of leaked images have found their way online, showing off the mid-range handset.

These pictures come from well-known tipster @evleaks, and look to be official marketing images from Google. We get a look at all four colors – Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Peony (pink), and Iris (purple) – though it's the purple that features the most.

Some key Android features are shown off in these images, such as access to the Google Gemini AI assistant, and built-in theft protection. There are also some lifestyle shots showing the phone in use in a variety of scenarios.

One of the pictures shows the Pixel 9a splashed with water, which makes us think it's going to retain the IP67 dust and water resistance of the Google Pixel 8a that launched last year, and which this handset will be replacing.

Ready for a close-up

The leaked images suggest the Pixel 9a will bring new color options compared to the Pixel 8a (above), including black, white, pink and purple (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

These leaked images also give us a close-up look of a controversial design choice Google has seemingly made with the Pixel 9a: the iconic Pixel camera bar bump is going away, with the rear camera sitting almost flush against the back of the device.

You can see from one of these pictures that there is what appears to be a very slight camera bump – and we do mean slight. That suggests the phone won't actually lie perfectly flat on its back when you put it down.

It's a bold move for Google to take away the one design choice that made the Pixel series distinctive, but it's a move that's been rumored for a while. It's possible that Google wants to get its mid-range phones and its flagship phones looking less similar to each other.

Whatever the thinking, this will all be official very soon. Most rumors are pointing to Wednesday, March 19 as the launch date for the Pixel 9a – and of course as soon as Google makes its announcement, we'll bring you the news here.

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• Philips Hue Impress outdoor lights are now available in the US
• The three weather-resistant lights were previously only on sale in Europe
• They're available from the Philips Hue online store, starting at $159.99

There's a new set of Philips Hue lights available in the US, specifically designed for use outdoors. The Impact series were previously only available in Europe, but they're now getting a wider launch, so you can use them to add a dash of light and color to your yard.

As Fabian of fan site Hueblog.com explains, the Philips Hue Impress series comprises three weather-resistant lights to brighten up your garden: the Impress Outdoor Wall Light, Impress Wide Outdoor Wall Light, and Impress Pedestal Light.

All three are fitted with Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance bulbs, meaning you can set them to white light at a color temperature of your choice, or take your pick from 16 million RGB colors. You can use them on their own, or as part of a larger Hue setup.

You can install the low-voltage Philips Hue Impress Pedestal Light anywhere in your yard using the spike on the bottom (Image credit: Philips Hue) Make a good impression

The standard Impress Outdoor Wall Light (priced at $159.99) is the only one of the set that's designed to be hard-wired into the wall so there are no visible exterior cables. It contains two Hue White & Color Ambiance bulbs, and its case measures 9.4 x 6.1 x 5 inches.

The Impress Wide Outdoor Wall Light ($179.99) is a low-voltage light that's designed to be easy to install and extend yourself without the help of an electrician. As the name suggests, it's the larger of the two wall-mounted fixtures, measuring 11.7 x 6.8 x 8 inches.

The Impress Pedestal Light ($189.99) is another low-voltage unit that you can safely install yourself, and is held in place with a spike so you can position it anywhere you like outdoors. Its dimensions are 15.7 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches.

All three require a Philips Hue Bridge, which creates a mesh network that connects all your Hue lights, switches, sensors and cameras to your home Wi-Fi network, and to each other.

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• ChatGPT can now automatically insert code directly into Xcode
• That means you no longer need to copy and paste code back and forth
• It could save developers a great amount of time in the long run

One of the main uses of ChatGPT is helping with coding and programming, and it’s one of the best AI tools for that purpose. Now, the latest version is able to generate code and add it directly into Apple’s Xcode development app in macOS without any longwinded steps. That could help make the whole process run much more smoothly than before.

In a post on X, ChatGPT developer OpenAI explained that the latest ChatGPT update features a new “Apply” button that automatically inserts the generated code into the correct location in your project. There’s also a toggle to “Auto-apply code,” which streamlines the workflow even further.

You’ve been able to spin up code in ChatGPT for a while now, which has helped make it more capable than even the best text editors for your coding needs. Yet ChatGPT has previously required you to manually copy and paste the generated output into Xcode yourself. Now, the two apps are much more tightly integrated.

ChatGPT can detect the code editing app that you’re using, whether that’s Xcode, VS Code, or something else. That allows it to automatically insert the code it creates in the right spot.

Coming to Windows soon

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Elle Aon)

ChatGPT’s developer OpenAI says that these changes are coming to all desktop ChatGPT users on Mac, including those on the app’s free plan. It also sounds like these capabilities will be coming to additional apps and integrated development environments in the future, although OpenAI didn’t specifically explain which ones.

Windows users don’t need to miss out either, as OpenAI staff member Alexander Embiricos confirmed on X that this functionality will be coming to Microsoft’s operating system “soon.”

The update brings ChatGPT in line with GitHub Copilot and Xcode’s own Swift Assist tool, which is already built into the app. Swift Assist runs on Apple’s private cloud servers, and the company says that your code is not stored or used for training. That might make it a more secure option than ChatGPT if you’re concerned about your code being swept up by a third-party artificial intelligence (AI) tool.

With Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) set to open its doors in June, we could see further updates to Swift Assist at that time, and it’s a good bet that ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot will receive plenty of new features in the meantime. That means if you’re looking for an AI coding assistant, you’ve got plenty of options.

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The global AI race is intensifying with new developments coming every week - take China’s launch of DeepSeek for example, which caught the industry by complete surprise. Despite a united approach being attempted with the publication of the International AI Safety Report, countries across the globe continue to strive for leadership.

The new US government had already been quick to announce 500 billion dollars of private sector investment in Project Stargate to build advanced AI infrastructure, with a landmark collaboration of backers including OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank. This came hot on the heels of the UK’s recent launch of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, supported by funding of £14 billion from leading tech firms.

The widening regulatory disconnect

However, while both the UK and US set out aggressive plans for growth, the gap between regulatory approaches is widening. The US government swiftly revoked its earlier Executive Order which was supposed to guard against the risks AI posed to consumers and national security, which had required important safety disclosures regarding development. The about turn underlines the new administration’s commitment to prioritize AI innovation above what it deems as barriers to progress, even those relating to security, privacy, and bias.

Following suit to some degree, the UK is maintaining a lighter touch to governance than the EU. Its AI Action Plan sets out a commendable vision for the future, but, arguably, with insufficient regulatory oversight. This is potentially leaving the UK exposed to cyber threats and undermining public trust in AI systems.

The proposal to create a new National Data Library to unlock the value of high impact public data to support AI development also raises more security questions than it answers. How will the data sets be assembled? Who is responsible for their protection? And how can their integrity be guaranteed several years down the line when they are part of many AI models integral to businesses, public sector services, and the supply chain?

In sharp contrast, the EU is moving forward with its AI Act, a comprehensive, legally binding framework that clearly prioritizes regulation of AI, transparency, and prevention of harm. It sets out unequivocal obligations for AI development and deployment, including mandatory risk assessments and significant fines for non-compliance.

Adapting security principles to AI

This regulatory divergence is creating a complex landscape for organizations building and implementing AI systems. The lack of cohesion makes for an uneven playing field and conceivably, a riskier AI-powered future.

Organizations will need to determine a way forward that balances innovation with risk mitigation, adopting robust cybersecurity measures and adapting them specifically for the emerging demands of AI. Areas already raising concerns include data poisoning and the data supply chain.

Poisoning data models

Data poisoning, where bad actors deliberately manipulate training data to alter the performance of models, will be a major risk for AI. This could be subtle changes that are difficult to identify, perhaps slight modifications that generate errors and incorrect outcomes. Or attackers could alter code so they can remain hidden inside a model and gain ongoing control over its behavior. Such imperceptible tampering could slowly compromise a business over time, leading to bad decision-making and financial ruin. Or even, if politically motivated, could promote biases and influence attitudes.

The stealthy nature of these attacks makes them hard to detect until the damage is too late to reverse, as bad data can blend seamlessly with legitimate data. Combatting data poisoning requires robust data validation, anomaly detection, and continuous monitoring of datasets to identify and remove malicious entries as poisoning can be perpetrated at any stage. It may occur initially during data collection, later injected into data repositories, or maybe introduced inadvertently from other infected sources.

Protecting the data supply chain

The government’s proposal to create a National Data Library highlights the risk of apparently reliable models becoming compromised and flowing rapidly through the supply chain. In a couple of years, it’s likely many organizations will be dependent on such models to run their business and daily operations. With criminals already taking advantage of AI’s capabilities to supercharge their attacks, the consequences of rogue AI entering the supplier ecosystem could be catastrophic and widespread.

Business leaders will need to have strong protection and defenses to ensure resilience throughout their supply chain and have tried and tested disaster recovery plans. Effectively this means prioritizing the applications that really matter, and defining what constitutes a minimum viable business and acceptable risk posture. Ony then can they be confident that critical backups can be restored quickly and completely in the event of compromise.

Staying mindful of the risks

While AI offers immense potential for innovation, it's crucial to consider its implementation with caution. The vast capabilities of AI bring equally substantial risks, particularly in terms of cybersecurity, privacy, and ethics. As AI models become more ingrained in organizational infrastructures, the scope for security breaches and abuse will escalate dramatically.

Maintaining reliable safeguards, transparent development processes, and ethical standards are vital to mitigate these risks. Only by balancing innovation with zero tolerance of misuse can businesses safely reap the benefits of AI and protect against its dangerous downsides. In tandem, although its looking unlikely, coordinated government-led regulation remains essential for establishing enforceable frameworks for AI safety and security worldwide.

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