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The final weeks of 2024 are upon us and now that Max has dropped its 2025 teaser trailer (see below), I can’t help but think ahead and get excited for all the new shows coming to one of the best streaming services next year.

As well as a slew of new titles, including the upcoming release of Dune: Prophecy, the teaser trailer highlights some of the best Max shows set to return for a second and third season – some of which we also get a first-looks for.

Already, you can expect 2025 to be non-stop for Max with one thrilling TV show after the next. From returning fan-favorites like The Last of Us season 2 to new series such as It: Welcome to Derry, these are the shows I’m most excited to watch on Max in 2025.

The Last of Us season two

We already know that The Last of Us season 2 will be arriving in the first half of 2025 after its unsettling first trailer dropped in September, revealing new cast member Catherine O’Hara.

There’s no denying that its first season was more than a smash hit as it's currently sitting at a staggering 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its second season teasers show that its next installment will undoubtedly be just as good, if not more tense, action-filled, and emotional than its first.

The White Lotus season three

(Image credit: HBO)

It’s not new to us that The White Lotus season 3 is lined up for a 2025 release date. After two years since the release of The White Lotus season 2, Max’s teaser trailer finally gives us the first-look of its next installment that we’ve been patiently waiting for. In addition to new cast members Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, and Blackpink’s Lisa, the trailer shows Natasha Rothwell returning to her role as Belinda from the show’s first season.

Mike White never intended his anthology series to surpass a first season, but six Primetime Emmy awards later and two unforgettable performances from Jennifer Coolidge, the show is still standing strong with viewers with a third season on the way.

While the first season was set on a holiday resort in Hawaii and the second season in Sicily, the upcoming third season takes us to Thailand where the drama will resume and unfold. What makes The White Lotus a successful TV show is its shape-shifting cast members and as for season three, newcomers Walton Goggins and Lisa from the K-Pop band Blackpink are drawing me back in. But I know I'm going to deeply miss Jennifer Coolidge as Tanya McQuoid.

Peacemaker season two

(Image credit: WarnerMedia)

Peacemaker season 2 also scored a first-look snippet in the trailer, featuring leading man John Cena as well as new cast member Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. It’s been a two-year gap since the superhero show’s debut, which has yet to announce a specific 2025 date for its next season.

Max's superhero show Peacemaker is a direct spin-off to James Gunn's 2021 movie The Suicide Squad, a faithful reimagining of David Ayer's catastrophic attempt at the supervillain movie Suicide Squad (2016). While the superhero genre isn't my go-to, Peacemaker's bright and colorful action sequences as well as its 93% Rotten Tomatoes score could convert me in 2025.

Untitled Rachel Sennott Project

Rachel Sennott next to Ayo Edebiri in the coming-of-age movie Bottoms. (Image credit: MGM Studios / Amazon)

Rachel Sennott's upcoming comedy series on Max is still in its early days (I mean, it doesn't even have a name yet), but as a fan of Sennott's skills as a writer and actor in movies Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) and Bottoms (2023), the element of mystery surrounding her new show has me intrigued.

We still don't know exactly when in 2025 the show will air, but from Max's new teaser trailer I'm at peace with the fact that it's well into production. I'm not sure exactly what to expect from Sennott in her new project for Max, but I can only guess that it will pack the classic dead-pan comedy she's known for – and the quick snippet of her flashing herself while in the back seat of a convertible points to even more silliness on Sennott's part.

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• The new monitor was first announced in August, after its predecessor’s launch in 2024
• MSI’s MGP 491CQPX includes a range of improvements, notably its refresh rate and ClearMR certification
• Its previous model (MGP 491CQP) is now on sale ahead of Black Friday

MSI launched an impressive super ultrawide gaming monitor earlier this year, which we delve deeper into in our MPG 491CQP review, opening the gateway for more competition among the best ultrawide monitors on the market this Black Friday. Now, we have more good news: an enhanced version of this has just launched, the brand-new MPG 491CQPX QD-OLED Super Ultrawide Gaming Monitor, which comes with a host of upgrades across the board.

While it maintains the 49-inch display size and 5120x1440 resolution, the advantages over the previous CQP model include a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms GtG response time, HDMI 2.1 ports, 98W PD (power delivery), and a superior ClearMR 13000 motion clarity certification from VESA, the display industry standards body.

With 49 inches of ultrawide screen real estate, the MPG 491CQPX is as luxurious as it gets for PC gamers. (Image credit: MSI)

OLEDs may be great at providing the best image quality for displays, but this doesn’t stop the possibility of unwanted blur, especially in fast-paced games. The aforementioned CQP 144Hz model offered a ClearMR 8000 certification, but with this improvement to VESA’s 13000 rating, blurry pixels in-game will be reduced significantly.

The next-gen QD-OLED panel from MSI (which was used in the 491CQPX’s predecessor) promises enhanced ‘sub-pixel arrangement’ which should produce sharper images and better text (a notable point of contention for some people with OLED monitors).

QD-OLEDs are well-known for their ability to provide the best contrast and deep black levels, all while utilizing a wider color gamut compared to LCD displays, so this combination is a huge benefit for users.

So, what about burn-in? How much will it cost?

Whilst we currently have no info on its cost, looking at the MPG 491CQP’s price ($1099/ £1098.95 / AU$1,699), it’s fair to say that it will be priced close within its range. The good news is if you’re in the UK, you can get your hands on the previous model for just £799 at Scan thanks to the Black Friday sale - a pretty good deal, right?

Both the old and new models utilize MSI’s OLED Care 2.0 software - it’s no secret that OLEDs are prone to burn-in, which can quickly become frustrating. Similar to the display care tools found in Dell’s Alienware AW3423DWF gaming monitor, OLED Care 2.0 sends you a pop-up to shift and refresh pixels on your display after about four hours of continuous use to protect your monitor from burn-in.

Despite its necessity, this sort of automated maintenance is one of the biggest downsides of owning an OLED display, but the benefits easily outweigh this. If you’re willing to take this in stride (or just don’t use your PC for more than four hours at a time), the CQPX will ultimately take your gaming experience to new heights.

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PS5 Pro pre-orders

(Image credit: Future/Sony/PlayStation)

The Black Friday PS5 Pro deals will become part of the wider PS5 deals we'll see later this month, and there should be a host of discounts on offer to PS5 Pro owners.

• See all of today's best deals at Amazon

While the PS5 Pro is brand new and we can't expect too much in the way of discounts on the machine itself, we're hopeful of seeing some tempting propositions on accessories and games that are adjacent to it. After all, every PS5 accessory and game is usable and playable on the Pro.

We're also quietly hoping for some more value offerings on the PS5 Pro too: perhaps some bundles that include the disc drive and vertical stand at a reduced retail price. This would increase the value proposition and help offer a way into the new console in a more fulsome way - and with it being so hard to buy a PS5 disc drive right now, this would be incredibly welcome.

Anyway, be it such bundles, discounts on the best enhanced PS5 Pro games, or other products that will enhance your PS5 Pro experience, we're here to gather up all the best deals as we steamroll our way to Black Friday later this month.

PS5 Pro pre-orders - US Quick Links

• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Amazon
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Walmart
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Best Buy
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Target
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at PlayStation Direct
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at GameStop

US Black Friday PS5 Pro deals - quick links

• TVs: Save $800 on 2024 Sony TVs perfect for the Pro
• Headsets: Get the Razer Kaira Pro headset at less than half price
• Monitors: Save up to $200 on 4K 120Hz monitors from the likes of AOC at Walmart
• Controllers: Get the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro controller for $50 off at Best Buy, and more
• SSDs: Save $150 on the Samsung 990 Pro at Best Buy, and more
• Games: Save more than $30 on games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart at Walmart

PS5 Pro pre-orders - UK Quick Links

• PS5 Pro pre-order: £699 at Amazon
• PS5 Pro pre-order: £699.99 at Argos
• PS5 Pro pre-order: £699 at Very
• PS5 Pro pre-order: £699 at Currys
• PS5 Pro pre-order: £695 at EE Store
• PS5 Pro pre-order: £699.99 at PlayStation Direct

UK Black Friday PS5 Pro deals - quick links

• TVs: 4K 120Hz screens from as little as £299 at Amazon
• Headsets: Save more than £60 on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
• Monitors: Get more than £250 off a 4K 144Hz BenQ monitor for PS5 Pro
• Controllers: Save over £10 on the White DualSense at Very
• SSDs: Get the 1TB Samsung 980 Pro with heatsink for less than £100 at Amazon
• Games: Pick up the Pro-enhanced Jedi Survivor game for less than half price

My top US early Black Friday PS5 Pro and PS5 deals

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

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

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

The Samsung S90C OLED is our current top pick for a TV for any use, but it's also our top pick for a gaming TV - and right now you can have it at a record-low price of $1,299.99. Our Samsung S90C review is worth a look for more detail but the headlines are its stupendous picture quality and abundance of gaming features that make it an excellent PS5 Pro companion.View Deal

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

The Nova 5 is my favorite gaming headset of this year and is exceptional value at this price - plus this is nearly $40 off! Offering supreme comfort, brilliant audio quality and battery life, as well as excellent flexibility when used in tandem with the Arctis Companion App, this is all the PS5 headset you'll ever need.View Deal

My top UK early Black Friday PS5 Pro and PS5 deals

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

Also in stock at: £699.99 at Argos | £699 at Very | £699.99 at Currys | £695 at EE Store | £699.99 at PlayStation DirectView Deal

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: Future/Sony/PlayStation)

Hello and welcome to our coverage of this year's Black Friday PS5 Pro deals and sales. if you've been looking for a place to browse for deals on the new Pro console itself (hopefully) or any of the best enhanced games, or accessories to team with your PS5 Pro then you're in the right place.

While we're hopeful, but not expectant, of some better value offerings on the Pro itself - perhaps via bundles that include extras like the disc drive - we're definitely going to see price cuts on some top games, as well as a plethora of accessories from TVs to headsets, and from controllers to storage.

I recently reviewed the PS5 Pro so know a thing or two about it and what it can offer you - and what it needs to be better value - and I've also been a PlayStation and gaming hardware editor and writer for years, covering the PS5 launch and stock shortage, and the PlayStation Portal stock debacle too, to name a couple of examples. Importantly, though, I'm also another PlayStation-head who loves to save money on games and accessories so I know what makes a good PS5 Pro deal and PS5 discount. So sit back, and let's begin.

What kind of Black Friday PS5 Pro deals will we see?

Particularly given the PS5 Pro is so fresh and brand new, you may be wondering what kind of deals I'm going to be concentrating on here - which is a fair question!

While I don't necessarily expect to see any discounts on the console itself, I am just a tiny bit hopeful of seeing some better value offerings on it. I'd really love to see some retailers bundle up the disc drive and vertical stand with the Pro and shave some money off the price tag, for example. These kinds of bundles will still be expensive, of course, but might be enough to convince folks to jump in and get everything they need in one hit.

Adjacent to the console itself, on things like PS5 Pro games, and PS5 Pro accessories, is definitely where we are going to see discounts and deals galore. PlayStation first-party games, and major games of the past couple of years which are Pro enhanced will drop in price , so look out for discounts on the likes of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the Horizon games, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (and more).

Then we're definitely going to see discounts on accessories and complementing hardware to the PS5 Pro too. Headsets, controllers, SSDs, racing wheels, TVs, monitors, and everything else will have prices slashed so look out for those - and we'll be highlighting a bunch here - throughout the sales period.

• Ryzen 9800X3D has sold out everywhere, including a big German retailer
• That retailer, MindFactory, had a fair bit of initial stock, but it’s all gone
• The restock estimate from MindFactory is the end of December, worryingly

AMD’s Ryzen 9800X3D has been very well-received, but the problem with the CPU is that keen PC gamers who want to buy the chip aren’t able to – amidst scalping woes – and if a new rumor is right, they could be waiting for quite some time for an opportunity to pull the trigger on a purchase.

Many retailers went out of stock of the Ryzen 9800X3D pretty much straightaway when the processor hit the shelves – certainly online, anyway – although one major German retailer, MindFactory, appeared to have a good amount of stock initially.

Not anymore, though, because as VideoCardz spotted, MindFactory has now sold out of the new Ryzen CPU.

The retailer still has pre-orders open, but the expected delivery date for the Ryzen 9800X3D is, worryingly enough, the end of December 2024. In other words, the year might be almost over before a restock takes place at MindFactory, and if that’s the case for a big European retailer, could it be true more broadly?

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Analysis: Is there any hope of seeing much Ryzen 9800X3D stock this month?

How is stock for the Ryzen 9800X3D faring in general, then? Very badly. With US retailers, the CPU isn’t available at all currently (some have even dropped the listing for the Ryzen 9800X3D).

In the UK, it’s the same story, though Tom’s Hardware noticed a couple of retailers apparently picking up a little stock yesterday (November 11). We’ve just checked and that’s gone, though, unsurprisingly – even though one of those retailers had jacked up the price above the MSRP (a nauseating tactic, but not unexpected).

A slightly more optimistic glimmer for PC gamers keen to get this CPU is seen with the UK retailer Scan, which is predicting that stock will be back in come November 29. That’s still over two weeks away, though, and the chances of picking up a Ryzen 9800X3D in November appear to be pretty slim, from what we can tell.

Meanwhile, on eBay, in the US scalpers have the processor on sale from $640 upwards, a minimum of a third price hike on the CPU’s MSRP, hoping to tempt those who are desperate to get the Ryzen 9800X3D. Whatever you do, just wait – don’t encourage the price gougers, as if they fail to make a profit (or not much of one), they won’t be doing this again.

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Digital privacy and security is a dynamic sector that constantly evolves to keep up with new online threats and technologies. The best VPN services, for instance, regularly add new features to offer the best way to access a free and secure web. However, there are times when getting rid of unused tools achieves better results.

This is why Mullvad VPN has decided to say goodbye to the OpenVPN encryption protocol. In this way, the provider explains, developers can focus all their energy on improving the service around WireGuard in the future.

The removal of OpenVPN has now begun and is set to be completed by January 15, 2026, or earlier.

Mullvad OpenVPN will be gone by 2026

A VPN protocol is a set of instructions a VPN and server use to establish a connection and communicate. It defines all the aspects of how your connection works, including the encryption method used, server and app identification processes, and so on. All of today's top VPNs offer a few options to choose from, with OpenVPN and WireGuard being the most common and secure.

As Jan Jonsson, CEO at Mullvad, told me, less than 7% of Mullvad users currently use OpenVPN. The team expects this number to drop even further in the coming year. Despite this, 28% of Mullvad VPN servers use OpenVPN.

"For obvious reasons, it would be better to convert these servers to WireGuard servers," Jonsson told me. "Focusing on one protocol will free resources in terms of servers, but also allow our developers and operational team to develop solutions for WireGuard instead of maintaining a service that fewer and fewer people are using."

We are removing support for OpenVPN on the 15th January 2026.Read more here: https://t.co/I2b9LNExwTNovember 8, 2024

As of November 8, 2024, the provider officially kicked off the process of removing OpenVPN from its service. The process is expected to be completed by January 2026 at the latest.

Mullvad's Android and iPhone VPN apps already support only WireGuard at the time of writing. So, the transition will only affect desktop clients, namely Mac, Linux, and Windows.

If you're using a router VPN or third-party app based on OpenVPN, the provider "strongly advises" migrating to WireGuard. You can find instructions on how to use WireGuard on Mullvad's website.

Is WireGuard the future?

As mentioned earlier, WireGuard and OpenVPN are the most common VPN protocols. The latter was first released more than 20 years ago but is still widely used due to its reliability and secure reputation For instance, many services offer VPN obfuscation – the technology that makes your VPN connections look like normal traffic – via this protocol.

WireGuard is relatively new to the market, with the first version launched at the end of 2016. Fully open-source, WireGuard is a faster and lighter protocol thanks, primarily, to the fact that it's composed of fewer lines of code. Developers describe it as generally more secure and faster – and our tests confirm that the fastest VPN speeds were achieved when using WireGuard.

Mullvad understood WireGuard's potential since the beginning. Back in 2017, co-founder Fredrik Strömberg wrote a blog post to explain why, in his view, "WireGuard is the future" for VPN security. "Our intention is to make WireGuard our default VPN protocol. We encourage others to do likewise," wrote Strömberg at the time. Now, that moment seems to have come.

The removal of OpenVPN has now begun and it is set to be completed by January 15, 2026 or earlier.

As Jonsson explains, OpenVPN isn't "outdated," but WireGuard is more beneficial for several reasons. Its simple design, for example, makes it easier for developers to integrate new features. WireGuard is also so-called "cryptographically opinionated," which means that it supports only one cryptographic suite.

"Supporting multiple suites, so-called 'cipher agility,' may sound more optimal, but history has shown that this introduces unnecessary complexity and leads to security vulnerabilities," Jonsson told me. "The WireGuard protocol design, however, allows for changing to a new suite should there ever be a problem."

The provider has been building up to this moment over the years, so the removal of OpenVPN should not affect your experience too much.

Let's take its VPN obfuscation techniques, for example. Mullvad has been using Shadowsocks obfuscation since 2019 as a default setting for its OpenVPN protocol to help users bypass firewalls and censorship. Last month, the provider extended Shadowsocks support to the WireGuard protocol.

"We will offer WireGuard, WireGuard over TCP, WireGuard over Shadowsocks, and other solutions," Jonsson told me. "We are doing this because we believe it will be better for all our users and to allocate even more resources to help improve connectivity using WireGuard."

• GoPro is sunsetting its Quik desktop video editing app
• The Mac version will be removed from the App Store on December 31
• GoPro says it'll no longer be launching a Windows version

GoPro has pulled a surprise U-turn and announced that it's sunsetting its Quik desktop editing app – less than a year on from bringing it back.

The Quik Desktop for Mac app will disappear from the App Store on December 31, according to a GoPro blog post. Meanwhile, the long-promised Windows version, which never arrived, will "not be released".

The app was a handy video editing option for GoPro subscribers, and its return was announced in late 2023 after GoPro discontinued a previous free version in 2017. But after finally launching the Mac version in February, GoPro says it's now "shifting gears to focus solely on mobile-focused editing solutions".

That means the GoPro Quik app for iOS and Android will soon be the only GoPro-made way to edit your videos and boost their stabilization. If you'd prefer to edit on desktop, GoPro says it'll be releasing updated versions of its plug-ins for some of the best video editing software like Adobe Premiere and After Effects.

GoPro does also have a web app for subscribers who've stored their videos and photos in the GoPro Cloud service, but that's strictly for watching and sharing footage rather than editing.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott) Why the U-turn?

GoPro is clearing going through some challenging times, with its main focus in 2024 being growing its subscriber base. But while the Quik desktop app was part of that plan (being only available to GoPro subscribers), it clearly wasn't moving the needle enough to justify the development costs.

As GoPro recently revealed in its latest earnings call, the GoPro Max 2 – its long-awaited challenger to the best 360 cameras like the Insta360 X4 – now definitely won't be launched until sometime in 2025.

That's a big delay considering it was confirmed to be "in the works" back in September 2023, so it's no surprise that the Max 2 is a bigger priority than shipping a Windows version of the Quik desktop app.

When the Max 2 does eventually arrive, it'll be interesting to see what editing options GoPro provides, because 360-degree clips are notoriously demanding and often better edited on a desktop machine.

Until then, current GoPro owners who prefer desktop editing will need to either continue with an out-of-date Quik Mac app or switch to the likes of Adobe Premiere, After Effects or (hopefully) DaVinci Resolve, if GoPro makes a plug-in for the latter.

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• Spyro Reignited Trilogy is coming to Xbox Game Pass today
• Xbox initially confirmed the news in a cryptic social media post
• This follows months of rumors that the game would get a release on the subscription service

After months of rumors, Spyro Reignited Trilogy has finally been confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft announced the news in a new blog post, sharing that the 2018 trilogy will be coming to the subscription service today November 12 for all tiers including Game Pass Standard, Game Pass Ultimate, and PC Game Pass, for cloud, console, and PC.

"Xbox players have been able to explore the Dragon Realms with Spyro since 2018 with the release of the Reignited Trilogy, and now we’re excited to invite our community to jump into these incredible adventures once again and relive the fun and nostalgia that only Spyro can bring," Microsoft said.

Some crystal-shattering news!The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is coming to @XboxGamePass and @XboxGamePassPC tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/fChY2mKj0JNovember 11, 2024

Before the news broke, the X / Twitter accounts for Xbox Game Pass and Spyro hinted at a release in a series of cryptic tweets suggesting an official announcement was on the way.

This followed months of rumors that more Activision games were to be added to Xbox Game Pass. In July, a leaker accurately predicted the release of the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 & 2 on the service, while also suggesting that Spyro Reignited Trilogy was "coming very soon".

The Reignited Trilogy features all three original games built from the ground up for current-gen consoles and PC, including Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon.

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• The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's inner screen costs $1,199.99 / £1,127.99 to fix
• iFixit calls the repair 'Difficult'
• Foldable are a delight, but should be handled with care

You're likely trying to take good care your Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but you might want to be extra careful with the foldable, as iFixit has listed its repair kit (spotted by 9to5Google) for the phone’s inner screen, and it costs $1,206.99 / £1,134.99 (that's about AU$1,830) with the screen on its own costing $1,199.99 / £1,127.99.

That’s about as much as an iPhone 16 Pro Max or a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which means that if your foldable screen smashes you might be better off just buying a whole new device from our best phone guide instead of fixing it.

Interestingly it’s also pricier than the same part for the Google Pixel Fold – which costs $909.99 / £904.99 (about AU$1,400) for the kit or $899.99 / £894.99 for the part only. The only saving grace is that at least a replacement is available, as iFixit doesn’t provide repair kits for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

You'll only need to spend this much if you want to repair your phone yourself. If your phone is under warranty, or if you have Google’s Apple Care-like Preferred Care plan for your foldable, the cost of fixing it won’t be quite as steep.

If you do need to arrange the fix yourself, taking it to a professional will also save you a lot of time, as iFixit says replacing the inner screen will take roughly three to four hours and rates it as a “Difficult” fix – advising you to “Proceed with caution and patience” when undertaking it.

Buy with caution

(Image credit: Future)

Ideally, of course, you don't want to have to fix your foldable, so it’s important that you don’t mistreat it.

While you can’t buy inner screen protectors for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, you can get phone cases which should be able to absorb the shock of a drop better than the phone’s chassis alone. And bear in mind that the non-dust proof devices shouldn’t be taken to the beach, or anywhere particularly dusty.

That’s not to say you shouldn't still consider getting a foldable despite these challenges. I’ve tried out the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and I’m currently testing the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and love both phones.

That larger inner screen is a delight for games and reading – effectively giving you a mini tablet in your pocket – and with the Pixel foldable its full-sized outer screen means you won't always feel the need to unfold it (something which isn’t as much the case with the Z Fold 6).

That said, it's worth considering a foldable’s added cost and extra fragility before you commit to making what will be an expensive investment.

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• Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is now available to preload
• It requires roughly 150GB of console storage space
• The game will launch on November 20

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set to launch on November 20 and can be preloaded now on Xbox so that you’re ready to play when the big day comes around.

There is a catch, though, as the game comes in at an absolutely massive 146.58GB, which puts it right up there with some of the largest games on the platform.

Ensuring you have enough space for the download is going to be a bit of a hassle if you already have a substantial game library, especially for those using the original 512GB Xbox Series S which only has about 350GB of usable space out of the box.

If you don’t have around 150GB available, your best bet is to start uninstalling games or invest in any of the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs, like the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card, for a big storage boost.

Three editions of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl can be purchased now: the standard version, the Deluxe Edition, and the Ultimate Edition. The game is also available via an Xbox Game Pass subscription. All three versions are eligible for preloading, including for those accessing the standard version through Game Pass.

Luckily, if you can’t manage to muster up the storage space before launch day, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl will also be offered as Xbox Cloud Gaming. This won’t be much consolation for those with poor internet connections, but it does offer some the option to give the game a try before committing to a full download.

Throughout its development, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl was hit with multiple delays partly due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the region where developer GSC Game World is based, and the desire to polish out any ‘technical imperfections’.

In addition to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, the game will also be launching on PC.

If you do need a last-minute storage upgrade, you can see the best prices in your region below.

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• Amazon has confirmed data has been breached through a third party
• The MOVEit cyberattack left the data of hundreds of thousands exposed
• The third party did not have access to highly sensitive data

The MOVEit Transfer cyberattack that swept the world across the second half of 2023 is apparently continuing to wreak havoc, with Amazon confirming some of its employee details have been leaked via a breach in a third-party provider.

The compromised data includes employee work contact information, for example work email addresses, desk phone numbers, and building locations.

Amazon did not state how many employees had their data stolen, but confirmed the unnamed third-party did not hold sensitive data such as Social Security numbers or financial information.

MOVEit breach effects continue

Speaking to TechCrunch, Amazon spokesperson Adam Montgommery said, “Amazon and AWS systems remain secure, and we have not experienced a security event. We were notified about a security event at one of our property management vendors that impacted several of its customers including Amazon.”

The original MOVEit attack impacted an estimated 2,600 organizations after the Cl0p ransomware gang used SQL injection to compromise public-facing servers and steal data using LemurLoot from connected organizations.

Amazon’s confirmation of a breach comes shortly after a threat actor published data on BreachForums, a site used by cyber criminals to advertise stolen data for sale. ‘Nam3L3ss’, the original poster of the data said in their forum post that they had data stolen from 25 major organizations including Amazon, U.S. Bank, HP, Delta Airlines, Lenovo and many more (via HudsonRock).

Nam3L3ss also emphasized that “What you have seen so far is less than .001% of the data I have. I have 1,000 releases coming never seen before.”

The data stolen in the original breach remains a threat to affected organizations and could be used in a number of harmful ways, including phishing, social engineering, and fraud.

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• A video has shown off an iPhone 14 Pro prototype
• This unreleased design has haptic volume and power buttons
• The unified volume button design is reminiscent of a rumored iPhone 17 Pro feature

Apple seems to have developed an obsession with buttons during the last couple of iPhone generations, specifically with changing buttons (consider the move from a mute switch to an Action button) and adding them (see the new Camera Control button).

Previous leaks suggested that Apple had also experimented with various other iPhone button changes in recent years, and now we’ve seen a prototype showing one of these proposed changes in action.

YouTuber Apple Demo (via 9to5Mac) has shown off a prototype iPhone 14 Pro, complete with a haptic volume button. Rather than the two volume keys on current iPhones, the model in question just has a single button, and it’s a solid-state button rather than a mechanical one – meaning it won’t move when pressed, but is designed to provide haptic feedback, so you know the press has been registered.

This prototype uses the same technology for the power button, but it’s the volume buttons that we’re most interested in here, because an iPhone 17 Pro leak suggests this upcoming phone could have a single button in place of the volume buttons and the Action button.

That, then, would be different to what we see here, but with this prototype, Apple has already replaced two volume keys with a single button, so it’s partway to what this leak suggests.

Possibly still planned

Now, this iPhone 17 Pro leak doesn’t say whether a solid-state button will be used, but this is an idea Apple has seemingly spent a while exploring, with Apple Insider previously sharing images of an iPhone 15 Pro Max prototype that also had a unified, haptic volume button. On top of which, some leaks even suggested Apple might equip the iPhone 16 series with solid-state buttons.

That of course didn’t happen, and leaks suggest Apple eventually gave up on the idea due to its complexity. But given the company’s current obsession with changing up the buttons on its phones, and the aforementioned leak about a new combined button on the iPhone 17 Pro, it’s possible that Apple is still working on some version of this concept.

Of course, that doesn’t mean an iPhone 17 Pro with unified volume buttons – let alone solid-state ones – will actually launch, but it’s a possibility. And if not, then this iPhone 14 Pro prototype is still an interesting look at what could have been.

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• Some users have complained about how videos are displayed in iOS 18
• Apple has adjusted video layouts in the third beta of iOS 18.2
• Bezels have been removed and videos automatically fill the screen

Apple made major design changes to the Photos app in iOS 18, with a new layout and new navigation system. But the redesign hasn’t been universally praised, and Apple has had to backtrack on a number of the changes it introduced – and now it's altered the Photos app again to reverse a change to the way it handles videos.

Previously, when you opened a video in Photos it would be displayed with thick bezels around the top, bottom and sides, with the video squashed down slightly in order to fit within these borders. When you tapped the video, the playback controls would disappear and the video would expand to fill the screen.

That’s all done differently in the third beta of iOS 18.2, as videos now fill the screen automatically when you open them. The playback controls – including the play and mute buttons, as well as the video timeline – are still visible and overlaid on top of the video. When you tap the screen, the playback controls disappear but the video retains its regular dimensions.

It’s a similar situation to how the Photos app worked before iOS 18, and should be good news to people who weren’t fond of Apple’s alterations to video layouts.

On the left is the video playback layout in iOS 18. The iPhone on the right shows how the video playback design has changed in the third beta of iOS 18.2 (Image credit: Future)

It’s not the first time that Apple has had to revert changes it’s made to the Photos app. One of the headline features of the Photos app was a carousel of highlighted images and videos, but Apple ditched it in iOS 18 beta 5. The app is highly customizable, which means you can tweak its layout if you don’t appreciate its default arrangement.

The Photos app is very different in iOS 18 compared to earlier versions of the iPhone operating system, with most of the app’s various categories, features and highlights placed in a single page. Apple says this is to “help users easily find and relive special moments.”

To get the latest update, you’ll need to enroll your device into Apple’s beta software program on the company’s website, then open the Settings app on your iPhone and head to General > Software Update > Beta Updates and enable the iOS 18 developer beta.

Note that you shouldn’t install the beta on your main device, as it could come with bugs and issues that may cause problems for your phone. We’ve got a full guide on installing the iOS 18 developer beta if you need more details.

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• Apple Music's 100 best albums are now available in book form
• Strictly limited to 1,500 hand numbered copies
• Yours for just $450

If you've moved from buying music in a physical format (CD, vinyl, cassette tapes… 8-tracks?) to streaming it, you've probably encountered an important issue: what do you do with all the shelf space you previously needed for music? The answer, it seems, is "spend $450 on a big book".

This is no ordinary book, though. Apple Music: 100 Best Albums is a hand numbered limited edition and very fancy guide to – yes! – the 100 best albums on Apple Music, as chosen by – yes! – Apple Music. And it features the same liner notes you'll find on – wait for it! – Apple Music. The foreword is by Zane Lowe and the book promises insights from the likes of Pharrell Williams, Mark Hoppus and Charli XCX.

Apple Music is believed to pay artists $0.01 per stream, so if an artist wanted to earn enough to buy a copy of the book, they'd need their music streamed 45,000 times.

Apple Music: 100 Best Albums – the details

So what do you get for your $450 compared to reading Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, which is free and has 400 more things for you to listen to?

The book is a strictly limited edition of 1,500 copies, each one housed in a transparent acrylic slipcase etched with the Apple Music logo. The linen hardcover is embossed with the same logo, and the book edges are gilded with a gold finish that mirrors the title on the spine.

Inside, you'll find coverage of records from 1959 to the present day, with 208 pages and 97 illustrations. The book weighs a whopping 8lbs and is 16 inches by 11 inches and 2.5 inches thick. The sub-editor of this piece checked though, and an IKEA Billy bookcase shelf has a depth of just over 11 inches and maximum load limit of 66lbs, so you're good.

You can probably tell by the snark that this book isn't going to be in my letter to Santa. But then, it's not really aimed at the average Joe or Jane. It's part of the Assouline Legends Collection, which includes expensive tomes dedicated to fine watches, famous artists, designer brands and similarly refined subjects. So if you see it casually slung on a Le Maé coffee table soon, next to your flat white, consider yourself fortunate.

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• The new changes in Windows 11’s settings aim to streamline how users select their default apps, addressing longstanding complaints about the difficulty of switching from Microsoft’s default programs
• Microsoft’s insistence on setting Edge as the default for certain link types, like hyperlinks in Outlook and Teams, has caused frustration among users and app developers. Microsoft claims this was meant to improve workflow, but it has spurred criticism about limiting user choice
• This update, discovered by Windows observer Albacore in a Windows 11 preview build, is still in development. Microsoft’s willingness to adjust the default app settings could signal a shift toward more user-friendly options, though it remains to be seen if the final implementation will fully address user concerns

Microsoft has taken to redesigning Windows 11’s settings for its default apps, bringing changes to how people choose their preferred apps in the operating system (OS). This will affect apps that automatically open certain types of files or web links. It’s suspected to have to do with Microsoft’s reluctance to let users pick an app not made by the company, such as using the Chrome web browser instead of Microsoft Edge, for example.

The tech giant has been fairly forceful in trying to steer users towards its own browser that comes installed on new Windows 10 or 11. It’s become a common point of complaint for users, as lots of us have own own apps that we prefer to use.

Microsoft is also sometimes suspected of making it hard to change what apps you use by default. Neowin found evidence that indicates that Microsoft deliberately added parts to its software to make modifications when users change their default apps. When speaking to Neowin in May 2023, Microsoft expalined that it added a modification that defaulted hyperlinks included in messages in Outlook and Teams to be opened with Edge. Apparently, this was meant to improve users’ workflow.

This position by Microsoft has triggered complaints from other software companies and individual users alike, which Neowin describes in-depth, as some feel the company has an unfair advantage. Luckily, it looks like Microsoft might actually be listening to these complains and making some user interface (UI) changes in the page about default app choices in the Settings app.

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Mojahid Mottakin) We expect to see new default-app related settings soon

The development was discovered and shared by X user and eager Windows observer Albacore, who often shares peeks of the newest additions and changes in Windows 11. This is a part of a recently released Windows 11 version 24H2 preview build (build number KB5045885), which was released in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program.

Configuring default apps is getting an overhaul. It's a mess of placeholders and broken viewmodels at the moment, all very early. pic.twitter.com/C3Pg7Pm9MKNovember 10, 2024

The change is still in development, with the rest of the new page in the Settings app being mostly filled with placeholder labels such as one titled "Set a default for a file type or link type."

If Microsoft fleshes this out, it could be seen as evidence that the company is still thinking about the user experience of its products. People want to be able to customize their user experience, and it can be especially annoying when Microsoft puts artificial blocks to changes to force people to use apps that they might not want to. We’ll have to see if Microsoft’s efforts bear fruit or if they fall by the wayside as the Windows 11 preview build makes its way with testers.

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This year has seen an increase in businesses addressing a wide range of software vulnerabilities. Most recently, the CrowdStrike outage caused thousands of flight cancellations and disruptions for companies relying on devices running Windows 10 and 11 in their daily operations. This highlights the critical need for rigorous, high-quality testing to prevent similar incidents. Software engineers and quality assurance (QA) testers are working diligently to mitigate and keep up with the rise of such events. However, a significant roadblock is exacerbating the problem: shortage of technically skilled, qualified talent to meet the increasing requirements of the modern QA/test engineer.

Job openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected to grow by a significant 17% between 2023 and 2032. If this gap remains unfilled, the United States economy stands to lose $162 billion in annual revenue. The growing complexity of software, coupled with rapid technological advancements, makes it increasingly difficult for companies to find skilled professionals. This shortage leaves organizations of all sizes vulnerable to escalating defects, delays, and cyberattacks.

Organizations must focus on optimizing their QA processes to mitigate the impact of the QA talent shortage. Testing and QA are essential in safeguarding against these threats. By leveraging the proper tools and software platforms, teams can streamline test planning, execution, and reporting, freeing up valuable time for higher-level and more specialized testing.

The QA talent shortage

Entire enterprises, especially their software development departments, are under immense pressure to ensure that system vulnerabilities are identified and addressed before they potentially escalate into major security breaches. Unfortunately, many development teams struggle to keep pace with increasingly rapid technological advancements. A recent Harvard Business Review article noted that some tech skills become outdated in as little as 2.5 years. This quick turnover is particularly problematic for QA engineers within development teams, where deep expertise in testing and processes is essential to maintaining software quality.

As systems grow more interconnected and the environments in which they operate become more complex, even the most experienced professionals find it difficult to stay ahead of emerging threats. Without adequate personnel, QA professionals are often bogged down with repetitive, low-level tasks—such as manual testing or bug triaging—leaving little time to focus on strategic priorities such as vulnerability management and advanced threat mitigation. This creates bottlenecks that can delay projects, weaken security, and limit the organization's ability to seize market opportunities.

For organizations looking to thrive in today’s fast-paced tech landscape, addressing the QA talent shortage is no longer just an operational concern—it’s a business imperative.

Software vulnerabilities: the growing concern

Software vulnerabilities pose significant operational and financial challenges for organizations. Unaddressed defects lead to delays in time to market, higher development costs, and missed business opportunities. Software that lacks rigorous testing not only hampers efficiency but also exposes the company to long-term reputational harm. Without experienced and capable QA-focused engineers on development teams, these issues will continue to escalate, stalling the entire development pipeline and driving up costs.

As these operational setbacks compound and technology continues advancing, cybersecurity threats’ growth in both sophistication and complexity makes them increasingly difficult to detect and prevent. Without proper QA processes in place, businesses are exposed and vulnerable to disastrous breaches. According to IBM, the average cost of a data breach is projected to reach $4.88 million by 2024, emphasizing the financial pressure organizations face to prevent these incidents. For industries like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, the stakes are even higher. Not only do they risk financial and reputational damage, but they also face legal repercussions and regulatory penalties for failing to safeguard sensitive data.

The solution to the QA talent gap

While the QA talent shortage presents a significant challenge, companies can take strategic steps to mitigate its impact. One of the most effective approaches is optimizing QA processes by leveraging advanced test management tools. These tools help alleviate some of the pressure on development teams by creating highly visible and transparent metrics for continuous state of quality monitoring for a product or software development life cycle, and they also significantly enhance overall software quality and speed to market.

Modern test management platforms streamline the entire testing lifecycle—from planning and execution to tracking and reporting. By centralizing these processes, entire development teams can collaborate effortlessly, track progress in real time, and ensure thorough, timely testing. These platforms also strengthen collaboration between departments, supporting a more cohesive and agile software development process that adapts easily to shifting requirements.

QA teams can improve both efficiency and development timelines by leveraging common test management platform features such as templates or various integration options, which can free up their skilled individuals to focus on higher-priority testing, such as vulnerability assessments and complex test scenarios. Test management platforms enable software development teams to scale testing efforts without increasing headcount, risking stability, or compromising on security, a critical advantage in the face of a talent shortage.

The QA talent shortage is a growing concern, and the risks posed by software vulnerabilities and high impact production defects are only becoming more severe. Testing and QA are an essential step in preventing cyber-attacks and defects from having debilitating effects on businesses. Organizations that proactively address the QA talent gap and strengthen their testing capabilities will be well-positioned to tackle future challenges and protect against the rising threat of software vulnerabilities. By investing in innovative technology and tools, organizations can ensure that their software vulnerabilities are minimized and their software testing and quality practices remain strong, even in a challenging talent market.

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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

• Samsung's database shows 83-inch QD-OLEDs for 2025
• Some models may use W-OLED panels instead
• Official launches are expected in January 2025

Samsung appears to be planning the launch of its largest-ever QD-OLED TV in 2025 – and it's bringing the tech to its S95 series OLED TVs.

That's according to the famous Samsung leaker... Samsung.

The news comes via Samsung's own parts database, which lists QD-OLED panels of up to 83 inches with 2025 model numbers. The details were originally posted to Reddit, and they've since been corroborated by FlatpanelsHD.

What's coming to Samsung TVs in 2025

QD-OLED is a direct competitor to LG's W-OLED panel tech, and it's currently used in the best OLED TVs such as the Samsung S95D as well as other firms' models, such as the Sony A95L. Until now it's maxed out at 77 inches, so the 83-inch panels in Samsung's database represent a welcome size increase.

According to FlatpanelsHD, the information in the database indicates that the 83-inch Samsung S95F will be available with both QD-OLED and W-OLED – part of a "panel lottery" we've seen this year where it's sometimes unclear what panel is inside a specific Samsung TV. For example, the QN90 QNED TV comes with either a VA LCD panel or an IPS LCD, and there are differences in the contrast levels between each panel kind.

For now, the details of the new TVs only live in the parts database. But if Samsung sticks to its usual schedule we should see its new TV range make its debut at CES 2025 in January, with the inevitable flurry of last-minute leaks in the weeks leading up to that event.

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• US government agencies speak out about memory-unsafe languages
• C/C++ are a “risk to national security,” the economy, public health and safety
• Developers working with critical infrastructure advised to follow further guidance

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI have advised businesses not to use the popular C and C++ programming languages, citing security concerns.

The joint report, titled ‘Product Security Bad Practices,’ forms part of the CISA’s ‘Secure by Design’ initiative, and hopes to guide software manufacturers away from risky practices when creating products for critical infrastructure.

Using memory-unsafe languages, like C and C++, was highlighted as one of the key threats to security in the report.

CISA and FBI warn against use of C/C++

Described as “dangerous” and a “risk to national security, national economic security, and national public health and safety,” the agencies advise against using memory-unsafe languages where memory-safe languages are a viable alternative.

Other recommended action includes publishing a memory safety roadmap by January 1, 2026, detailing steps to address vulnerabilities, particularly for sensitive components, however products with support ending before January 1, 2030 will be exempt from this guidance.

More broadly, a Stack Overflow survey of more than 3,000 UK developers last month revealed that nearly two-thirds (63%) of developers in Britain preferred JavaScript, which is a memory-safe language.

The agencies also highlight some common security oversights, suggesting that companies build products in such a way that they prevent the introduction of SQL injection vulnerabilities and command injection vulnerabilities. The advisory also recommends avoiding using default passwords by requiring the use of secure credentials upon installation.

In terms of ongoing support, the two agencies also call for companies to issue CVEs in a “timely manner,” particularly for critical and high-impact vulnerabilities, whether they are discovered internally or by a third party.

Full details of the advisory can be found on the CISA’s website.

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I heard it before I saw it: a big black van emblazoned with that all-too-familiar Amazon grin. It wasn't the sizeable van's engine. No, I heard some unidentifiable 80s hair band rock blaring from the van's expansive cabin.

My wife and I, who were on one of our daily walks, paused to gawk at the van, one of a handful that had started showing up in my neighborhood over the last month or so. Though as big as a UPS truck, these Rivian-built vans cruise silently through our streets, delivering on a promise Amazon made in June to launch a fleet of 15,000 electric delivery vans across the US (it's also rolling EV delivering trucks out in Europe), with the ultimate goal of seeding at least 100,000 such vans. The company currently has at least 90,000 gas-powered vehicles delivering your precious packages.

Amazon isn't alone in its efforts to remove fossil fuel-guzzling delivery trucks from the road. The United States Postal Service unveiled its fleet of EVs in January and planned to start using them in Georgia. The rollout didn't really get underway, though, until September.

UPS, which claims to have been driving EVs for almost a century, reports over 18,000 "alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles" on the road.

Amazon and UPS have reported building out charging networks to support these growing EV fleets, though.

These efforts matter because some estimates put the number of holiday package deliveries in the billions, and that's just for the USPS.

A shift to electric is unlikely to impact the speed of your Black Friday and holiday gift deliveries, but the long-term impact on the environment might be measurable. A 2015 study reported that medium- and heavy-duty delivery trucks account for 30% of all pollution produced by vehicles.

A sound decision

I thought about some of this as I reflected on the still-shiny delivery van before us, admiring the tall, narrow build, low-slung chassis and surprisingly small wheels. We were about to move on when a voice from behind us called out, "Pretty cool, huh?"

We spun around to find a young, bearded Amazon delivery guy who seemed as excited about his truck as we were interested (and maybe a bit confused by his music choice).

He told us it was electric and like driving the future. "It has cameras all around."

In addition to electric motors, these Rivian vans are packed with cutting-edge features like automatic braking, collision warnings, automatic doors that open as the driver approaches, and a nice large display next to the steering wheel as a viewport for all those cameras.

I smiled and wondered how soon he might hop back in and drive his music out of my neighborhood, but it turned out there was a method to his madness.

I remarked at how quiet these vehicles were, perhaps in part to obliquely tell him that his music was breaking that silence. The delivery guy smiled back at me and said, "Yeah, that's why I blast my music." No one hears me coming. I've been right behind people, and they have no idea."

With that, the driver waved goodbye, hopped back into his future-leaning delivery truck, and silently sped away (with his music still playing, of course).

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With the frequency of identity theft incidents rising worldwide, NordVPN has decided to expand its cybersecurity empire with a new ID theft protection tool. This tool will help you protect your identity online and recover from any losses or damages.

NordProtect is currently available for all NordVPN Prime users in the US only. The provider expects to unveil further support and a standalone product in the first half of 2025.

NordProtect: what is it and why you should use it?

As Tomas Sinicki, managing director of NordProtect, explains, you can have all of the necessary cybersecurity tools installed, but just one careless click can give cyber criminals your identity.

He said: "Here’s when NordProtect comes to the rescue by recovering and restoring lost identity assets.”

NordProtect is an all-round ID theft protection service that includes:

• Identity recovery and restoration. You can receive up to $1M to cover identity theft recovery costs, including legal costs or lost wages. To do so, NordProtect connects you with an identity restoration case manager who will assist you with everything you need to recover from identity theft.
• Secure credit monitoring. NordProtect also makes sure you are notified about any suspicious credit activity while sharing an individual credit score report each month.
• 24/7 dark web monitoring. This feature ensures you are receiving alerts if your credentials, phone numbers, social security numbers (SSNs), or other identity assets have been leaked.
• Cyber extortion protection. You have up to $100,000 to use for covering expert assistance and payments in response to cyber threats. These include deleting or releasing your stolen information as well as restricting access to your data or smart devices.

"Identity theft is a global problem, and its frequency is on the rise, which is why enhancing current features and adding new tools to NordProtect is a continuous effort,” said Sinicki.

Do you know?

(Image credit: Future)

NordVPN was recently confirmed, yet again, as TechRadar's top VPN choice following a new successful round of testing. Reviewers were especially impressed by its impeccable speeds and unblocking results, coupled with numerous improvements across different platforms.

In 2024, data breaches have grown in size and frequency, with many incidents targeting consumers' data. In May, over 500 million users' data was put up for sale online when Ticketmaster was breached in one of the biggest incidents of the year.

Other statistics also show the rise in identity theft, with over 550 million reported cases in the US through the first half of the year alone.

Hence, the need for diversified cybersecurity protection has become increasingly relevant. NordProtect is just the last tool developed by the provider to give you more control over your most sensitive information.

Today's release expands on the work started in December last year with the launch of cyber insurance plans for the UK and US markets. In 2024, the security company also released a global eSIM card, Saily, and NordStellar, a threat exposure management solution for businesses.

NordProtect is currently available only for people in the US subscribing to NordVPN's Prime subscription, which starts from $7.89 per month. The team is expected to launch NordProtect for other markets and as a standalone product in the first half of 2025. So, if you're not based in the US, stay tuned as more support should come soon.

Incogni, a personal data removal service, is already available alongside the virtual private network and other products with some NordVPN bundles for users worldwide.

• Legendary British TV talk show host Michael Parkinson to return in AI form
• Polish radio station Off Radio Krakow sacks its hosts and uses AI instead
• New Tom Hanks movie Here uses AI to de-age its stars

AI is being used to launch a new podcast from the late, great British TV talk show host Michael Parkinson, who died in 2023 aged 88. While that might sound creepy to some, the project called Virtually Parkinson is being fully backed by Mike Parkinson, the son of the legendary talk show host, and his estate.

Virtually Parkinson has been produced by Deep Fusion Films and will be an 8-part series launching later this year. Each episode will be unscripted, with the guests talking to the AI-generated Parkinson on headphones, as if he was a real person.

Michael Parkinson, known as “Parky”, was a legend of the British talk show scene, most notable for his TV show called simply Parkinson, which launched in 1971 and was a mainstay of British television until 1982. The show was brought back in 1998 and ran until 2004.

You can hear the AI-generated Michael Parkinson talk on a recent episode of ‘The rest is entertainment’ podcast. The fact that this isn’t Michael Parkinson talking is particularly creepy because it sounds just like him. His son however appears to be totally on board with the project. Each episode of the show is signposted to indicate that this is an AI-generated Michael Parkinson talking, so there is no attempt to deceive the listener. Talking to Podnews, Mike Parkinson commented “The podcast is really a tribute to my Dad. I want audiences to marvel at the technology, the cleverness and the cheekiness of the concept, but mostly I want them to remember just how good he was at interviewing and enjoy the nostalgia and happy memories. Through this platform, his legacy can continue, entertaining a new generation of fans.”

The future of podcasts

Earlier this year I wrote about NotebookLM, Google’s podcast generator that produces a complete AI-generated podcast in minutes from analyzing an article or YouTube video. What astounded, and unnerved me, most about Notebook LM was not how it managed to talk knowledgeably about any subject, but how difficult it was to tell that the podcast was completely AI-generated. The presenters sounded completely human. I knew at that point that this was only the beginning of AI podcasting.

While each podcast NotebookLM creates currently has the same two presenters, it’s still early days for its development and surely it won’t be long before a variety of presenters will be available. At that point, you have to start wondering if there’s even a future for humans presenting podcasts, talk shows, and radio shows.

Recently in Poland, the entire presenting team of radio station, Off Radio Krakow, was replaced with AI bots, and the resulting furore actually helped revive the station’s flagging fortunes. The three Gen Z presenters, Emilia, 20, Jakub, 22, and Alex 23 who come complete with pictures on the station’s website are completely AI-generated. The station isn’t limiting AI to the hosts either, it even bagged an interview with Wislawa Szymborska, a Polish cultural icon, recently, even though she died in 2012. Despite the revived fortunes of the station, which previously had hardly any listeners, the backlash to the sacking of human presenters for AI hosts caused the station to abandon its AI experiment in the end.

Character AI can be used to recreate and interact with famous people from any time in history. (Image credit: Character AI) AI killed the video star

AI mimics of human presenters won’t stop with podcasts and talk shows. Chatbot website Character AI has already hit the headlines and drawn some controversy, for its unrestricted ability to let you talk to long-dead historical figures like Socrates and Cleopatra, but also to more modern celebrities, both real and fictional like Steve Jobs and Harry Potter.

As the capabilities of AI video generation continue to improve there has been a lot of speculation about AI replicating actors in movies after their death. One Hollywood star who is not keen to be represented by AI in the afterlife is Robert Downy Jr. The star of the Marvel Avengers and Iron Man franchises recently declared that "I will sue all future executives who make AI replicas of me," during an episode of the On With Kara Swisher podcast.

Currently, it seems that AI is being more commonly used to unsettlingly enhance or manipulate living actors. The $50 million movie Here recently used AI to de-age Tom Hanks and Robin Wright over a 60-year time period, using AI models that require no additional hardware and show the results during filming. It’s a technology that wouldn’t have been possible three years ago, and that is much more efficient than using costly CGI to de-age actors on a frame-by-frame basis.

There’s a lot of concern from the creative industries, particularly among artists and illustrators, that AI is going to steal or devalue their jobs, as AI image creation becomes better and more realistic, but as Virtually Parkinson and the movie Here has shown, AI can actually be used to create experiences that wouldn’t have been possible before. It remains to be seen if, ethically at least, audiences will be comfortable with them.

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