Error message

  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in menu_set_active_trail() (line 2405 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/menu.inc).

TechRadar News

New forum topics

Subscribe to TechRadar News feed
Updated: 5 hours 3 min ago

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will offer players 'more choice and freedom'

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 13:00
  • New details about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach have been revealed ahead of the game's release next month
  • The story, which is set 11 months after the first game, finds Sam in Mexico and Australia and "unfolds at a faster pace"
  • New features like a day and night cycle, an aerial view camera, and environmental hazards that affect gameplay have also been added

New details about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach have been revealed ahead of the game's release next month.

The latest comes from PlayStation Blog's hands-on impressions, which offers fresh insight into Death Stranding 2, including information about the game's story, gameplay, and newly added features.

In terms of narrative, the sequel is set 11 months after Death Stranding and finds Sam Bridges living in Mexico in a quiet life with his BB Lou, until he gets caught up in an incident that brings him to Australia where he is once again tasked with traveling across the map to "re-connect a fractured society".

Compared to the first game, Death Stranding 2's story "unfolds at a faster pace" and will give players access to new equipment and structures earlier on.

The story will start in Mexico, but new footage of the Australia map showcases the expansive terrain. During travel, players will be able to switch to an "aerial camera" that will show Sam from a bird's-eye view, allowing a further look at the environment surrounding them.

It's also said that the game will offer "more choice and freedom in terms of strategy and decision-making", which applies to the new equipment, as well as transportation, infrastructure, weapons, smoke grenades to avoid combat altogether, and more.

Alongside new enemy types, like a new BT called "the Watcher" that detects and attacks through sight, gameplay appears to be much more reactive this time around, with the addition of a new day and night cycle.

For instance, terrain and enemies are more visible during the day, but threats can locate the player more easily. Meanwhile, night-time offers more opportunities for stealth at the cost of visibility.

Environmental hazards, like earthquakes, flash floods, and heavy rain, will also impact the world around Sam, meaning players will need to find alternate routes from time to time.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, for PlayStation 5. Sony has also revealed a new limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller inspired by Death Stranding 2, which will release alongside the game.

You might also like...
Categories: Technology

Meta's next smart glasses might have an always-on AI – I don't care how useful it is, I'm never turning it on

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 13:00
  • Meta is apparently working on glasses with always-on AI
  • It can recognize people's faces and remind you of things you forget
  • Existing glasses apparently have all the same sensors, but too small a battery for the feature to be worthwhile

Meta’s next smart glasses might always be watching with a new AI that can track everything you do.

That’s according to a leak from The Information (behind a paywall), which details two pairs of specs the company is working on, according to insiders.

Internally codenamed Aperol and Bellini, the two pairs of specs would feature a new live AI. You start it with a command phrase, like “Hey Meta, start live AI,” and the glasses would start recording your every move.

This includes being able to recognize people with facial recognition, and to remind you of things like your house keys if the glasses saw you forgot them.

(Image credit: Meta)

The current Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses models are apparently already packed with the sensors they’d need to pull off this same feat of AI.

Unfortunately, those familiar with Meta’s tests with the existing glasses have said the feature cuts their battery life to only 30 minutes, which isn’t ideal.

Meta’s current focus is reportedly to have its in-development glasses – and a pair of Meta earbuds that will supposedly also boast cameras and super sensing software – run for hours on a single charge with this feature switched on.

(Image credit: Ray-Ban / Meta) Always watching

In many ways, I can see the advantage of this always-live AI assistant. Anyone who has locked themselves out wishes they’d had a little software assistant reminding them to pick up their keys before they leave home.

At the same time, it sounds like a privacy nightmare.

People who point somewhat nervously at my Meta Ray-Ban glasses and ask, “Are those recording us right now?” always seem to relax when I show them they’re switched off or explain they only record when instructed, like if I say, “Hey Meta, take a picture.”

Now, imagine I instead say, “Yeah, they’ve been recording you the whole time.” I imagine I’d lose a few teeth.

The Information's report also suggests Meta has reworked its privacy and safety policy to speed up innovation, which, in conjunction with the huge amounts of data this live AI will collect, isn’t something that fills me with joy. Personally, this seems like the time to tighten your privacy policies to ensure sensitive data isn’t shared in a way it shouldn’t be.

I love my Ray-Ban smart glasses, but I'm not keen on an always-on AI (Image credit: Future)

I expect this AI would come with some of Meta’s existing safety features, such as the light on the glasses being on while you’re recording, and it is at least a feature you have to manually activate, but (call me old fashioned) I can’t imagine ever wanting a camera to record my every move.

Others will probably feel similarly about these potential new always-on AI glasses. Just look at the backlash against Microsoft’s always-on AI feature, Recall – and that was an app that just took computer screenshots.

As with all rumors, we’ll have to wait and see what Meta announces officially, but I’m hoping the final product isn’t anything as scary as it sounds right now.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Far Cry 4 and Assassin's Creed 3 director 'hates' the Nintendo Switch 2 Game Key Card system, 'We’re losing some of what made the business special'

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:57
  • Far Cry 4 and Revenge of the Savage Planet director Alex Hutchinson thinks Nintendo's Game Key Cards are "sort of lame"
  • The director thinks Nintendo will "get away with it" because of "the power of nostalgia in our business"
  • He believes "we’re losing some of what made the business special"

Alex Hutchinson, the director of Far Cry 4 and Assassin's Creed 3, has said that the Nintendo Switch 2's controversial Game Key Cards are "sort of lame".

Speaking in an interview with VideoGamer following the release of his new game, Revenge of the Savage Planet, Hutchinson said he sees the appeal of digital downloads as someone who has released both physical and digital games, but that he isn't a fan of Nintendo's new system.

"It’s funny that Nintendo is going to get away with it," Hutchinson said. "It just shows you the power of nostalgia in our business that the way they will beat up Microsoft versus Nintendo is just not the same, especially in Europe. It’s like, 'oh, Nintendo’s doing it, alright we’re not gonna say much.'

"I hate it," he continued. "I think it’s sort of lame. I don’t know, I just feel like it’s getting away… we’re losing some of what made the business special. Trading Game Boy cartridges at school, or, you know, DS for the modern audience. There’s something nice about that."

Game key Cards are physical Switch 2 games that will contain a download "key" on the cartridge, but don't include the full game data.

While new Switch 2 titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza will offer standard physical game cards like the original Switch, some third-party titles like Star Wars Outlaws, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and more will be Game Key Card only releases.

There are also rumors that Elden Ring Tarnished Edition will be a Game Key Card, as well as The Duskbloods, but we'll have to wait and see.

In case you missed it, the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, for $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle. UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are now live.

You might also like...
Categories: Technology

Like King Arthur and Excalibur, here's yet another AI startup trying its luck at dislodging Nvidia from the AI stone

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:33
  • VSORA raises $46 million to build Europe's alternative to AI giants
  • Jotunn8 chip targets inference with lower power and higher throughput
  • French startup challenges Nvidia’s lead in a training-focused chip market

French chip designer VSORA has raised $46 million in new funding as it aims to offer Europe’s main alternative to AI processors from the likes of Nvidia, AMD, Intel, and Google.

The Paris-based startup is betting big on a custom-built inference processor called Jotunn8, which it plans to bring to silicon in the second half of 2025 using 5nm production at TSMC.

While Nvidia’s GPUs dominate training workloads, VSORA is targeting inference with its chip which it says is faster and more efficient where it matters.

Ensuring Europe’s technological AI sovereignty

The funding round was led by Otium and a French family office, with additional backing from Omnes Capital, Adélie Capital, and the European Innovation Council Fund.

The investors are backing VSORA’s goal to carve out a space in a crowded and mostly non-European market.

“In a market dominated by global giants like Nvidia, VSORA is a unique opportunity for France and Europe, home to world-class engineering talent,” said Gaspard de Veyrac, Principal at Otium.

"With this funding, VSORA has the necessary tools to reshape the future of AI computation and secure a significant position in the global AI chip market.”

VSORA’s chip isn’t trying to be everything for everyone. Unlike GPUs, which are built mainly for training models, Jotunn8 is designed just for inference so focuses on performance per watt, latency, and cost per query.

The company claims Jotunn8 delivers more than three times the performance of current solutions while using less than half the power.

It’s aiming for 3,200 teraflops of compute power and will target workloads like ChatGPT-style generative AI, autonomous driving, and edge devices.

“This funding marks a pivotal moment for VSORA as we accelerate our mission to revolutionize AI chips and ensure Europe’s technological sovereignty in AI computing,” said VSORA founder and CEO Khaled Maalej.

“It will drive the finalization of our technology and the launch of our production, enabling VSORA to play a crucial role as the sole alternative to non-European chip designers. We are grateful for our investors’ trust and look forward to continuing our collaboration with industry leaders to bring our chip to market.”

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Honor takes a swipe at Samsung in teaser for its upcoming Galaxy A56 rival

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:21
  • Honor has referenced Samsung in a new promotional image for the Honor 400 series
  • The Honor 400 Pro is expected to rival the Samsung Galaxy A56
  • The Honor 400 series will be announced on May 22

It’s always fun to see smartphone manufacturers taking playful jabs at one another, and the latest put-down from Honor targets its longtime rival Samsung.

In a promotional image announcing the May 22 release date for the Honor 400 series, Honor has included a suite of clues to excite fans about the phones’ most exciting features. Among these hidden pointers is a message reading “Not the same,” with ‘sam’ appearing in bold blue letters – clearly a reference to Honor’s competitor.

This is the same typeface Honor used to poke fun at Samsung for the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s supposed lack of innovation back in January, so the brand clearly has a bee in its bonnet with Samsung, specifically. The Honor 400 is expected to rival the midrange Samsung Galaxy A56, so “not the same” could be a reference to the uniqueness of Honor’s phone, or indeed an outright jab at the perceived recent sameness of Samsung’s affordable smartphone lineup.

Spark Daily Wonder with HONOR 400 Series | Coming 05.22We've hidden some clues about our upcoming new device in this poster. Quote-rt this post - using the hashtag #HONOR400 - with what you think they are for a chance to WIN a new HONOR 400 device.#SparkDailyWonder… pic.twitter.com/0KcycsqaJAMay 7, 2025

Sure, that’s big talk for a company of Honor’s size, but the brand’s confidence in its own product could be well-founded. In a separate teaser image (below), Honor has confirmed that both the Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro will boast a 200MP “ultra-clear AI camera”, which sounds like more than a match for the 50MP main camera on the Galaxy A56.

Both the Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro will have a 200MP main camera (Image credit: Honor)

The Honor 400 Pro could also have a dedicated telephoto lens, with rumors hinting at a 50MP sensor paired with the zoom – the Galaxy A56, meanwhile, has a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 5MP macro lens.

We haven’t heard much else about Honor’s next mid-rangers, but the aforementioned teaser image does strongly suggest that one or both phones will feature some unique AI software and impressive water resistance.

The May 22 release date for the Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro will come a month after the Honor 400 Lite hit shelves. We described that budget-friendly model as a “solid handset with some appealing features” in our Honor 400 Lite review, but Honor’s upcoming phones will have their work cut out if they hope to compete with Galaxy A56, which we praised for being an “impressive jack-of-all-trades” and one of the best cheap phones around.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Samsung can make the Galaxy Z Fold 7 as thin as it likes, I'm not buying a phone with a 22:9 screen

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:19

As we recently reported here at TechRadar, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could become the world’s thinnest booklet-style folding phone at launch – the latest rumors suggest an unfolded thickness of just 3.9mm.

The previous record-holder, the Oppo Find N5, boasted an impressive unfolded thickness of 4.2mm – and as I noted in my full Oppo Find N5 review, this formed a massive part of the phone’s wow factor.

And across all phone makers, the progress of folding phone designs has been a pretty marvelous thing to witness. Samsung certainly deserves due credit for taking the first step way back in 2019 with the original Samsung Galaxy Fold – the difference between that early model and modern folding phones is simply night and day.

However, I’m not so sure that Samsung should make a priority of releasing the thinnest folding phone possible – in fact, I’d go so far to say that there’s another crucial aspect of the Galaxy Z Fold design that needs attending to first.

Cover screen compromises

The OnePlus Open sports an unusually wide cover screen for a folding phone (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

It goes without saying that a folding phone’s cover display will probably never look quite the same as the display found on a slab phone.

To achieve a roughly square inner display, folding phones sport narrower, taller-looking cover displays intended for answering messages quickly and taking calls.

With that said, phone makers have tended towards widening the cover display of folding phones as much as possible – apart from Samsung, which equips the current-gen Galaxy Z Fold 6 with a tall display that has a 22:9 aspect ratio. For comparison, the Galaxy S25 and most modern smartphones have a 19.5:9 aspect ratio.

Let me quickly add that I’ve never used the Galaxy Z Fold 6 for any substantial length of time – but I have briefly gotten hands-on with Samsung’s booklet-style foldable.

I’ve also used the aforementioned Oppo Find N5, which has a 20.7:9 cover screen, and its older cousin the OnePlus Open, which has a 20:9 cover screen. Having used these phones as daily drivers, I can confidently say that I wouldn’t want to use a phone with an even narrower cover display.

Though the key selling point and most technically impressive aspect of folding phones are their large inner displays, the experience of using the cover screen still matters.

After all, there are plenty of use cases where opening the inner display doesn’t quite make sense – on a cramped train, at the gym, or checking something quickly on Google.

I definitely noticed that articles, social media feeds, and games felt more cramped when using the aforementioned foldable phones, so I’m not convinced the experience would be much better on the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s expected 22:9 display.

However, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has been tipped to get a larger cover display – a 6.5-inch panel, up from 6.2 inches on the current Galaxy Z Fold 6 – I’m certainly keen to see whether a larger panel at the same aspect ratio would be a satisfactory fix.

The thin phone revolution

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge could usher in a new era of thin phones (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

As hopeful as I am for a wider cover screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it’s far more likely that Samsung will push ahead and release a thinner, lighter version of its iconic folding phone with few other design updates.

And if the product strategy Samsung hinted at last year is anything to go by, we could be in for a few years focused on thin designs.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is set to release on May 12, and as I wrote in a previous feature, I think Samsung is likely to keep this new product line running for at least a few years as phone makers split their product offerings into heavier performance and camera-centric handsets and ergonomic thin phones.

I am a bit surprised that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 would land in the latter camp, given Samsung’s framing of the Z Fold line as focused on productivity, but if the Z Fold is to play a part in the thin phone revolution, I reckon we’ll see most of Samsung’s design prowess spent on ergonomics, ie. thinness, with the next few iterations.

So, that’s me sticking with OnePlus and Oppo when it comes to book-style folding phones – at least for now. Most of the above is based on rumors, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn’t expected to release until later this year, so be sure to keep an eye on our Samsung Galaxy phones coverage for the latest updates.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

These are the worst web browsers for sucking up all your data, so you may want to stop using them

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:57
  • Google Chrome is the most data hungry mobile web browser, with 20 data types being collected
  • Most other mobile browsers collect an average of 6 data types
  • Chrome and Safari command a 90% mobile browser market share

The world’s most popular web browsers are also the most data hungry, new research from Surfshark has found.

Analyzing download statistics from AppMagic, Surfshark found Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari account for 90% of the world's mobile browser downloads.

However, Chrome sucks up 20 different types of data while being used, including contact info, location, browsing history, and user content, and is the only browser to collect payment methods, card numbers, or bank account details.

Chrome data collection

Surfshark does point out the reason some financial information may be stored by Chrome is because users can opt in to store their banking information for easier transactions, however.

Microsoft's Bing took second place for data collection, hoovering up 12 types of data, closely followed by Pi Browser in third place with nine data types, with Safari and Firefox collecting eight types and sharing fourth place.

At the other end of the scale, both Brave and Tor are the least data hungry browsers, with Brave requiring identifiers and usage data, and Tor collecting no data at all.

When it comes to the types of data collected, Pi Browser, Edge, and Bing all collected the most tracking data, usually sold to third parties to be used for targeted advertising.

Pi Browser collects browsing history, search history, device ID, product interaction, and advertisement data, while Edge collects customer support request data, and Bing collects user ID data.

In the US, Safari takes a 50% mobile browser usage share, with Chrome filling another 43% - and the UK follows a similar trend, with Chrome at 47% and Safari at 43%.

Luckily, there are ways to prevent data collection, and if you’re looking to keep your data safe while browsing, it may be worth taking a look at our guide to the best VPN.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

US government warns of "unsophisticated" hackers targeting oil and gas systems

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:07
  • CISA warns of 'unsophisticated' attacks targeting oil and gas industries
  • 'Basic and elementary' techniques are being used
  • Critical infrastructure is increasingly at risk from cyberattacks

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a warning outlining an increase in ‘unsophisticated’ and ‘basic’ cyberattacks targeting Industrial Control Systems and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (ICS/SCADA) systems in critical infrastructure sectors - the oil and gas industries.

This isn’t entirely unexpected, as critical infrastructure has long been a top target for cybercriminals. The services that these industries provide are often key to the daily lives of many, so any downtime can be catastrophic and costly - meaning that attackers have serious leverage if they are able to gain systems access.

The attacks that have been observed, particularly against Energy and Transportation Systems, often include ‘basic and elementary intrusion techniques’, CISA confirms - but even basic attacks can harm an organization in the right conditions.

Cyber Hygiene

Poor cyber hygiene and exposed assets can escalate these threats, CISA warns, and can lead to “significant consequences such as defacement, configuration changes, operational disruptions and, in severe cases, physical damage.”

Guidance for critical infrastructure on threat protection often includes robust detection capabilities, frequent and up-to-date patching of known vulnerabilities, enforcing strict password policies mandating strong and unique passwords are used at all times, and training staff on all levels in the basics of cybersecurity.

“The authoring organizations urge critical infrastructure entities to review and act now to improve their cybersecurity posture against cyber threat activities specifically and intentionally targeting internet connected OT and ICS,” CISA’s guidance fact sheet outlines.

Critical infrastructure is facing a difficult set of challenges as rising geopolitical tensions see hackers increasingly target key industries, and developments in AI tools mean that the barriers of entry are now lower for cybercriminals, who are able to send out attacks at a much higher frequency and that require much less skill - perhaps explaining the increase in ‘‘basic and elementary” techniques.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

What is the release date and time for Doctor Who season 2 episode 5 on Disney+ and BBC One?

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:00

We're officially at the midpoint of Doctor Who season 2. Indeed, four episodes of the sci-fi show's latest installment have aired so far, so there are another four to go.

"But when will episode 5 of Doctor Who's latest season be available to watch?" I hear you cry. Worry not, for I'm here to tell you when and where you can stream it in the US, UK, and Australia.

You'll also find a full release schedule for the remaining entries below, so you can schedule your weekend plans around each episode of Nu-Who.

When can I watch Doctor Who season 2 episode 5 in the US?

This season's fifth chapter, titled 'The Story and the Engine', will be released on Disney+ on Saturday, May 10 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

What time will Doctor Who season 2's fifth episode come out in the UK?

You know things are bad when The Doctor looks worried (Image credit: BBC One/Disney+/Bad Wolf Studios)

Just like its four predecessors, The Doctor and Bel's next adventure will air on BBC iPlayer. It'll be available to watch on Saturday, May 10 at 8am BST.

Those of you who want to catch the legendary Time Lord's return via terrestrial broadcast can do so on BBC One. However, it won't be released until 7:10pm BST on the same day – Saturday May 10 – so, if you don't want any of its plot points ruined, I'd advise you to watch it on BBC iPlayer.

What is the release date for episode 5 of Doctor Who season 2 in Australia?

Arachnaphobes, turn away now! (Image credit: BBC One/Disney+/Bad Wolf Studios)

Everyone's favorite Gallifreyan will travel the cosmos in his famous Tardis once again in Australia on Saturday, May 10 at 11am AEST.

Like their US counterparts, Whovians Down Under can stream it on Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services.

Doctor Who season 2 full episode launch schedule

Bel and The Doctor have three more adventures to go on after this season's fifth chapter (Image credit: BBC One/Disney+/Bad Wolf Studios)

Want to know when new episodes of Doctor Who , aka one of the best Disney+ shows, will materialize where you live? Read the list below for more details.

  • Doctor Who season 2 episode 1 – out now
  • Doctor Who season 2 episode 2 – out now
  • Doctor Who season 2 episode 3 – out now
  • Doctor Who season 2 episode 4 – out now
  • Doctor Who season 2 episode 5 – Saturday, May 10
  • Doctor Who season 2 episode 6 – Saturday, May 17
  • Doctor Who season 2 episode 7 – Saturday, May 24
  • Doctor Who season 2 episode 8 – Saturday, May 31
You might also like
Categories: Technology

Rock 'n' roll will never die –and neither will this modular Bluetooth speaker with an 'unlimited' battery life

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:00
  • The PINE Beat uses swappable, affordable, rechargeable batteries
  • The manufacturer says you'll be able to install better Bluetooth too
  • It costs £170 (about $225 / AU$351)

If you listen to lots of music, you'll know that there are many things that will never die – such as rock 'n' roll (according to both AC/DC and Neil Young), love (The Miracles), hardcore (Mogwai) and many more. But to the best of my knowledge there are no songs claiming that Bluetooth speakers will never die. Maybe someone should write one, because the UK-made Pine Beat speaker wants to do an Oasis and Live Forever.

The idea behind the Pine Beat is simple enough. Most portable Bluetooth speakers are sealed units with rechargeable batteries somewhere inside, and when those batteries wear out it isn't easy or economic to swap them – so when your speaker doesn't have sufficient stamina for Metallica's black album it's less Enter Sandman, more Enter Landfill. So why not make the battery swappable?

This is hardly a new idea: swappable batteries are as old as, well, batteries. But the way it's been implemented in the Pine Beat is smart.

Pine Beat speaker: why you might want your speaker to live forever

Dun dun dun... DUN DUNNNNNN! (Image credit: POCA Audio)

With the Pine Beat, a 30-hour battery pack only costs £25 – comparable to a budget power bank – and you can swap it instantly, so if you're going on a long trip far from a power socket then packing a spare will give you a week's worth of daytime listening. And because the Pine Beat is also a power bank, you can charge other things, too.

The key goal here is to keep your speaker out of landfill, so when the battery goes you can recycle it without having to put the entire speaker in the trash. And according to creator Poca Audio, the circuit board has also been designed with future upgrades in mind. The example given is swapping in a new, better Bluetooth module when the next generation arrives.

What Poca is offering here is essentially what some luxury hi-fi brands offer, which is the promise that your purchase won't become obsolete in the foreseeable future – although of course to deliver on that promise the manufacturer needs to stay in business and needs to keep on making the relevant parts.

While the unique selling point here is longevity, the Pine Beat is no slouch in the specs department. It's a 40W speaker with a woofer, tweeter and bass radiator, a frequency response of 58Hz to 20KHz and the ability to pair with up to 100 more speakers. There's a custom EQ as well as multiple presets, a range of accessories for hanging it up, attaching it to things and securing it in sand or grass, and a generous 30-month warranty.

The Pine Beat is available now for £170 (about $225 / AU$351) from Poca Audio.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

I love my iPhone too much to give it up in 10 years, even if Eddy Cue says that might be the future

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 10:55

Experts predict that by 2035, AI will have remade society, altering everything from healthcare to jobs and human interaction, and, if you believe Apple's Senior Vice President of Services, Eddy Cue, it might also signal the end of our deepest tech relationship: the one we have with our iPhone.

In testimony during the US Department of Justice's antitrust case against Google parent Alphabet, Cue, according to Bloomberg, shared this revelation: "You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now as crazy as it sounds."

Queue Apple CEO Tim Cook spittake. While Cook wipes the coffee from his MacBook screen, let's discuss.

I agree, that's crazy-talk from an Apple executive charged with expanding Apple Services far and wide, often with the iconic iPhone as the portal. However, Cue's comments came amid a larger discussion about the growing impact of AI and its place as a changemaker.

In the near term, it's meant Apple is reportedly now looking at the possibility of shifting Google from its prime spot as the default search engine for iPhones, iPads, and Macs in Safari. The replacement? Possibly an AI search engine.

This makes sense. We're already seeing people replace traditional search results and their endless pages of useful blue links with summaries from Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, ChatGPT, Copilot, etc. They may not all be accurate, but they are, it seems, good enough for most people.

This doesn't add up

I have trouble, though, squaring Cue's contention that we might not need the iPhone and (by extension) other smartphones in a decade. It's almost like he said it to signal, "Hey, we're all under threat from the rapid expansion of AI, even Apple's most profitable business segment [iPhone accounted for almost half the $95B Apple made last quarter], so when you think about – just spitballing here – monopolies and closed systems in any sector, don't look at us. We might be fighting for our lives by 2035."

Think about your relationship with your iPhone or Android. It's deep. It's personal. You hold it and cradle it like a loved one

AI is a fantastic tool, but it won't be floating in the ether 10 years from now. Artificial Intelligence, large language models (LLMs), and interfaces (text or voice) must live somewhere. We've already seen that most people are not interested in wearable AI. They still want screens, preferably ones that fit in their pockets, backpacks, or bags.

We won't walk around a city shouting prompts into space, hoping that a local AI beacon hears us and responds. Will we?

The love of your life

Leaving aside AI for a second, just stop and think about your relationship with your iPhone or Android. It's deep. It's personal. You hold it and cradle it like a loved one – you certainly stare at your phone screen longer than you hold any other human's gaze. Is that relationship going to be any different in 10 years?

I highly doubt we'll put all our critical information somewhere else – all those apps, services, and digital currency, we need them at our fingertips. What will you tap to pay if not your phone? Okay, maybe your watch, but the phone will still be in your hand in 2035, and I bet you'll still be using it.

It's possible that Cue is trying to tell us something else, and this speaks to Apple's other long-term strategy: AR glasses.

What about wearables?

We know Tim Cook loves augmented reality, and while the Vision Pro has not been the global hit Apple hoped for, lightweight AR glasses are certainly in Apple's strategic plan. Assuming they have a wide field of view interface, voice and gesture control, and the excellent Apple Intelligence AI we've been promised (a Siri that can finally compete with ChatGPT), they could be an iPhone replacement for many.

If, and it's a big if, Cue is really talking about Apple iGlasses, then the iPhone's loss of utility almost makes sense. But that's a big stretch. Making such a bold statement that we may not need iPhones in a decade is borderline irresponsible and assumes that AI will not only be ubiquitous but so good that we will no longer need hardware-based assistants.

I think AI will be better and smarter, but even more fraught. There may, by 2035, be such a massive backlash that half the population is anti-AI and refusing to use it in any form. The iPhone might be their primary tool for communicating, organizing, and spreading the good anti-AI word. Good luck ripping that device from their sweaty grips.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

US lawmakers slam UK encryption backdoor order to Apple, warning against "systemic vulnerabilities"

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 10:53
  • Two US lawmakers are warning against the security risks of the UK encryption backdoor order to Apple
  • Such a backdoor to encryption, they said, could be exploited by cybercriminals and authoritarian regimes
  • Apple killed its iCloud's end-to-end encryption feature in the UK in February and is now challenging the order in Court

Two US lawmakers have slammed the UK encryption backdoor order to Apple, arguing that this could lead to potential cybersecurity risks for all users worldwide.

As reported by Reuters on May 7, 2025, US House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast wrote a joint letter to Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to warn how such a backdoor would create "systemic vulnerabilities" that cybercriminals and authoritarian regimes would be able to exploit.

Apple killed its iCloud's end-to-end encryption feature in the UK in February after being hit by a Technical Capability Notice (TCN) under the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act to allow law enforcement to assess users' data – no matter if these are encrypted. The Big Tech company is now challenging this request in Court.

At the time of writing, UK users cannot benefit from E2E protections on these data categories: iCloud Backup, iCloud Drive, Photos, Notes, Reminders, Safari Bookmarks, Siri Shortcuts, Voice Memos, Wallet Passes, and Freeform. (Image credit: Shutterstock / nikkimeel) "Systemic vulnerabilities" for everyone

"Creating a backdoor into end-to-end encrypted systems, as the TCN does, introduces systemic vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors, including cybercriminals and authoritarian regimes," reads Jordan and Mast's letter, as reported by Reuters.

"These vulnerabilities would not only affect UK users but also American citizens and others worldwide, given the global nature of Apple's services," Jordan and Mast added.

Recent events like the Salt Typhoon attack on all the major US telecoms have shown the crucial role reliable encryption and encrypted tools (like the best VPN services and messaging apps) play for the privacy and safety of everyone's data. Even FBI and CISA experts have been calling citizens to switch to encrypted services in the aftermath of this unprecedented cyberattack.

Jordan and Mast also urge the UK Home Secretary to disclose the full content of the order to the US Department of Justice so that lawmakers can check if it complies with current laws. As per the US/UK agreement made under the CLOUD ACT in 2023, law enforcement cannot require companies to decrypt data.

"We urge the Home Office to reconsider the issuance of TCNs that require the weakening of encryption, as such measures conflict with international human rights standards, including the European Court of Human Rights' ruling that undermining encryption violates privacy rights," conclude the US lawmakers.

Apple decided to kill its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature in the UK to avoid building a backdoor into its system.

The ADP is an optional feature that provides an extra layer of protection on all iCloud-stored data by using end-to-end encryption technology. This means not even Apple can access these files.

Apple's decision to remove Advanced Data Protection comes after experts warned that an iCloud backdoor "jeopardizes the security and privacy of millions."

Apple has nevertheless ensured that all the iCloud data categories encrypted by default remain protected. These include users' health data, passwords, iCloud messages, and Apple Pay transactions, as well as iMessage and FaceTime data. You can see all the others on Apple's support page.

The Big Tech firm has now sued the UK government, and the legal battle is currently ongoing behind closed doors.

TechRadar needs you! We want to know what you think about the world of VPNs. Whether you're a novice or a VPN pro, we want to hear your thoughts. Don't worry, though, your responses are completely anonymous, and it takes less than a minute to complete!

To take part, click the link below: https://futurenet.questionpro.eu/tr-vpn

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Netflix has just added the best horror-romance movie of the year and I can't wait to watch it again

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 10:51
  • Heart Eyes is now streaming on Netflix in the US
  • It can be bought or rented in other territories, but there's no international streaming date yet
  • The movie has an 81% Rotten Tomatoes score

I've already recommended eight new horror movies on Netflix, Shudder, Max and more to stream this month, but now I'm throwing another one into the mix.

I was delighted to find out Heart Eyes is now streaming in the US on Netflix, meaning we'll get more eyes (no pun intended) on this awesome horror-romance movie that has an impressive 81% Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics.

Seasonal horror movies are always fun, and while Valentine's Day has passed for another year, it's definitely going to be one I rewatch every February. But honestly, you can watch it whenever!

Why is Heart Eyes so good?

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

With so many slashers out there, you might be wondering what sets this apart from some of the best horror movies. This one is a great blend of genres, managing to mix sweet romantic comedy vibes with the blood and shock of a good slasher horror, and the result is something very special indeed.

The link is a clever one, as the serial killer here is irritated by public displays of affection, giving that juxtaposition between romance and gross violence, making it a fun watch for those of us who don't like streaming rom-coms.

Any good slasher needs an iconic villain too; we've had Ghostface, Jason's hockey mask and now, the Heart Eyes killer and their creepy glowing hearts. Much like Scream, you'll find yourself trying to figure out who did it, and the answer might surprise you. Or maybe you'll feel smug because you figured it out!

It's got plenty of gore and shocking moments, with many scenes being quite over the top but it's definitely going to satisfy any horror cravings. It's not one for the more squeamish among us as it goes all out, but if you don't mind a little movie 'magic', it's one of the best Netflix movies to watch with a crowd.

Unfortunately, Heart Eyes is not yet streaming in other territories other than the US but hopefully that will change soon.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Ransomware hackers target a new Windows security flaw to hit businesses

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 10:28
  • Multiple ransomware groups seen abusing Windows Common Log File System bug
  • Among the abusers are RansomEXX and Play
  • The bug is used to drop backdoors, encryptors, and more

Notorious ransomware actors have been abusing a zero-day vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System to gain system privileges and deploy malware on target devices, multiple security researchers have confirmed.

The zero-day flaw was discovered, and patched, as part of the Microsoft Patch Tuesday April 2024 cumulative update.

Given a severity score of 7.8/10 (high), it is tracked as CVE-2025-29824, and described as a use after free bug in Windows Common Log File System Driver that allows an authorized attackers to elevate privileges locally.

Get Keeper Personal for just $1.67/month, Keeper Family for just $3.54/month, and Keeper Business for just $7/month

​Keeper is a cybersecurity platform primarily known for its password manager and digital vault, designed to help individuals, families, and businesses securely store and manage passwords, sensitive files, and other private data.

It uses zero-knowledge encryption and offers features like two-factor authentication, dark web monitoring, secure file storage, and breach alerts to protect against cyber threats.

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Chats leaked

Microsoft was among the first companies to sound the alarm on the bug, saying that hackers are using it to target IT and real estate firms in the US, financial organizations in Venezuela, software firms in Spain, and retailers in Saudi Arabia.

The researchers said the bug was used by a threat actor called RansomEXX, who used it to drop the PipeMagic backdoor and other malware, including an encryptor. However, Symantec also found Play, an infamous ransomware player, using the bug to access a US target.

"Although no ransomware payload was deployed in the intrusion, the attackers deployed the Grixba infostealer, which is a custom tool associated with Balloonfly, the attackers behind the Play ransomware operation," Symantec explained in its report.

"Balloonfly is a cybercrime group that has been active since at least June 2022 and uses the Play ransomware (also known as PlayCrypt) in attacks."

Play, also known as Playcrypt, is a threat actor that emerged in mid-2022. In the first year and a half of its existence, it claimed roughly 300 victims, some of which were critical infrastructure organizations. In late 2023, the FBI, CISA, and other security agencies, published a joint security advisory, warning about the dangers posed by Play.

"Since June 2022, the Play (also known as Playcrypt) ransomware group has impacted a wide range of businesses and critical infrastructure in North America, South America, and Europe," the advisory read. "As of October 2023, the FBI was aware of approximately 300 affected entities allegedly exploited by the ransomware actors."

Via BleepingComputer

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Tesla launches cheaper Model Y in the US, but confirms it's ditched the Cybertruck's promised range extender

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 10:27

Tesla has just released a more affordable version of its recent refreshed Model Y in North America, which sees the All Wheel Drive Long Range variant joined by a single motor version that now costs $44,990 – $4,000 less than the faster and more powerful option.

Since going on sale in the US, Tesla only offered the refreshed Model Y in a fully-loaded Launch Edition model, which came with exclusive paint colors, a rear spoiler and an aerodynamically optimized alloy wheel finish, but it cost a staggering $60,000.

That car was then joined by a cheaper Long Range All Wheel Drive variant that started at $49,990, but many customers were crying out for an even more affordable option that might have compromised on the performance that dual motors provide, while still offering the most generous battery range... 357 miles in total.

As a reaction to a general cooling of demand for Tesla vehicles in the US and Canada – with Electrek reporting that the company hasn't been enjoying its typical backlog of orders for new Model Y since it launched – the cut-price EV has arrived at a pivotal moment.

However, the Long Range Rear Wheel Driver version has been on sale in Europe and China for a number of months, where sales have continued to plummet.

According to CNN, April sales were down 62% in the UK, 67% in Denmark and 81% in Sweden. Sales from its plant in Shanghai fell 6% from the previous year in April.

Perhaps the damage has been done and no matter how much Musk chooses to drop his prices, customers simply don't want to be seen in a Tesla.

Range rage for Cybertruck owners

(Image credit: Tesla)

News also surfaced this week that Tesla has now officially given up on its plans to mass produce a range-extending battery pack that would sit in Cybertruck’s load bed (eating into space) and deliver the sort of range figures that Elon Musk promised during its launch in 2023.

Customers could put down a small deposit for the $16,000 optional extra, but Inside EVs says that these down payments are now being refunded, meaning the $100,000 tri-motor Cybertruck can only manage 320 miles in-between charging, not the 500 that was once promised.

Just last month, Tesla quietly removed the option to place a $2,000 deposit on the range extending battery pack from its website, but it has now reached out to Cybertruck customers to inform them the project is shelved.

Alas, this is just the latest in a long line of disappointment for Cybertruck owners, as alongside a massively over-egged range, it turns out that the vehicle will also not be receiving the firm’s Auto Steer technology, which autonomously detects road markings and remains in lane when cruise control is activated… similar to the Lane Departure Assist systems found on many modern vehicles.

Instead, Tesla is offering Cybertruck customers access to free Full Self-Driving (FSD) for a year, but after that, the features disappear if the customer isn’t willing to continue coughing up the $99 a month subscription fee.

Maybe Musk has been watching one too many episodes of Black Mirror, with 'Common People' clearly on repeat.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

DDoS-for-hire operation taken down in major police sting

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 09:47
  • Europol announced shutting down multiple stresser/booter services in the EU
  • Four people were arrested in Poland
  • Law enforcement in The Netherlands, Germany, the US, and Poland, participated in Operation PowerOFF

Law enforcement has dismantled a major DDoS-for-hire operation, and arrested four individuals suspected of running it.

In a press release, the international police force said the arrests were part of Operation PowerOFF, an ongoing effort targeting the infrastructure behind DDoS-for-hire activity.

Polish authorities arrested four people who are suspected of running multiple stresser/booter services: Cfxapi, Cfxsecurity, neostress, jetstress, quickdown and zapcut.

Get Keeper Personal for just $1.67/month, Keeper Family for just $3.54/month, and Keeper Business for just $7/month

​Keeper is a cybersecurity platform primarily known for its password manager and digital vault, designed to help individuals, families, and businesses securely store and manage passwords, sensitive files, and other private data.

It uses zero-knowledge encryption and offers features like two-factor authentication, dark web monitoring, secure file storage, and breach alerts to protect against cyber threats.

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Chats leaked

These services are thought to have facilitated “widespread attacks on schools, government services, businesses, and gaming platforms” between 2022 and 2025.

They featured a “slick” interface that lowered the barrier for entry: users didn’t need any particular technical knowledge to mount an attack. All they needed to do was know the victim’s IP address, and to have €10 to pay for the attack (the cost would increase depending on the desired length of the attack).

As part of the effort, Dutch authorities were deploying fake booter sites, designed to warn users looking for DDoS-for-hire services. They also seized data from booter websites hosted in data centers in the Netherlands, providing their partners with crucial information needed to make the arrests.

In the US, the police seized nine domains associated with booter services, and in Germany, the police identified one of the suspects. Europol said it provided analytical and operational support throughout the investigation.

The difference between usual DDoS botnets and stresser/booter services is that DDoS botnets are usually run by a single threat actor, which also works on expanding the botnet by deploying backdoors and malware.

Stresser/booter services, on the other hand, are advertised as a white hat solution, offering a “legitimate” service to test the resilience of a network or a website. However, in most cases, these are just cover-ups for obvious illegal activities, which is why law enforcement usually shuts them down.

Via Infosecurity Magazine

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Apple TV+ drops trailer for a new nightmarish thriller that sees Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney unravel a mystery

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 09:31
  • The Apple TV+ Original movie Echo Valley has a first-look trailer
  • It teases a huge star-studded cast from popular shows like The White Lotus and Fallout
  • The movie will be released exclusively on Apple TV+ on June 13

We've got the potential to add a new title to our best Apple TV+ movies list now that Echo Valley has its first trailer, and a confirmed release date of June 17.

I'm a huge Apple TV+ fan, and I'm not alone as we crowned it Streaming Service of the Year in 2024. It's going from strength to strength whether it's the record-breaking Severance season 2 or comedy hit Ted Lasso, and I'm thrilled to see its movie library expanding too.

I'm hoping for good things with Echo Valley especially since it's got a huge cast including Julianne Moore, The White Lotus star Sydney Sweeney and Fallout's Kyle MacLachlan.

What do we know about Echo Valley?

(Image credit: Apple TV+)

Echo Valley has a very gripping plot, as it follows Julianne Moore's character Kate Garrett who works on a farm training horses, living a fairly quiet life. But when her daughter Claire, played by Sydney Sweeney, arrives covered in blood that isn't hers, Kate has to decide how far she'll go to protect her.

If you love a good thriller, I'd keep an eye on this one because it deals with a nightmarish situation and family bonds as we unravel what happened to Claire and why she's found herself in such a state. Right now we don't know much and that's a good thing, this is the kind of movie you want to go into knowing as little as possible!

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Hidden data center threat: how fraudulent hard drives are jeopardizing business operations

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 09:16

The modern economy is built on data. Every business, from small enterprises to multinational corporations, relies on massive amounts of storage infrastructure to keep operations running smoothly.

But what if the very foundation of this infrastructure—your hard drives—weren’t what they claimed to be? A growing crisis is emerging in the data storage market: fraudulent hard drives, falsely sold as new, are infiltrating the supply chain, putting businesses, government agencies, and data centers at risk.

The growing threat of counterfeit and fraudulent hard drives

The problem of counterfeit and fraudulently resold hard drives is escalating, and enterprise-grade drives such as Seagate Exos and IronWolf Pro HDDs are primary targets. Fraudsters manipulate serial numbers, QR codes, and firmware data to conceal prior usage, effectively repackaging used drives as new. Some reports indicate that these drives have logged over 27,000 hours of prior use—equivalent to more than three years of continuous operation—before being repurposed and resold.

This issue has profound implications beyond mere financial loss. For industries where data integrity is paramount—such as finance, healthcare, and cloud services—using compromised drives can lead to catastrophic failures, security vulnerabilities, and compliance violations.

The hidden dangers of fraudulent drives

When businesses unknowingly purchase fraudulent drives, they expose themselves to several critical risks:

1. Data security vulnerabilities

Previously used drives may contain residual data, raising concerns about data leakage and cybersecurity threats. Even if formatted, data remnants can sometimes be recovered, posing compliance issues in regulated industries like healthcare (HIPAA) and finance (GDPR, PCI-DSS).

2. Reliability and performance issues

Hard drives degrade over time due to mechanical wear and tear. A drive that has already been in use for years has a significantly higher failure rate than a truly new drive, leading to unexpected downtime, data corruption, and loss of operational efficiency.

3. Compliance and regulatory risks

Regulatory compliance standards demand strict control over IT hardware procurement. Fraudulent drives introduce an unknown element into an organization's infrastructure, potentially violating compliance policies for data protection and hardware lifecycle management.

4. Increased maintenance costs

Organizations that unknowingly install used drives in critical systems may face higher replacement costs, increased IT support requirements, and lost productivity due to premature failures. What initially seemed like a cost-saving purchase can quickly turn into a financial liability.

The root cause: unauthorized supply chains

Fraudulent drives often originate from unauthorized or gray-market resellers who source used hardware, repackage it, and sell it as new. Without robust verification mechanisms, even reputable procurement channels can unknowingly distribute counterfeit storage devices.

Experts recommend buying only from manufacturer-authorized distributors, where drives arrive factory-sealed and untouched. But even this approach is not foolproof, as counterfeiters continue to refine their methods. Organizations must take a proactive stance in verifying the authenticity of their hardware purchases.

A solution: industry tools for hard drive verification

Recognizing the widespread nature of this problem, industry experts and organizations have developed drive verification tools that allow businesses to check the actual usage history of a hard drive. These tools extract key drive metrics such as:

  • Power-on hours: Identifying how long the drive has been in operation.
  • SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) data: Providing insights into drive health and past failures.
  • Firmware authenticity checks: Detecting tampering with drive identification.

IT teams should look for solutions that are available as open-source utilities, allowing them to verify their hardware before installation. Organizations should incorporate these verification steps into their procurement and deployment processes.

A call for greater transparency in IT procurement

The rise of fraudulent hard drives represents a serious and growing challenge for businesses worldwide. As organizations continue to expand their digital infrastructure, ensuring the authenticity and reliability of hardware components is essential. Data security, regulatory compliance, and operational stability depend on it.

The responsibility lies with both vendors and buyers to implement stricter verification processes. Businesses must insist on transparency from suppliers and leverage verification tools to confirm that they receive genuine, factory-new drives. By adopting a proactive approach, organizations can protect their data infrastructure from unseen threats and avoid the costly consequences of fraudulent hardware.

We've featured the best privacy tool and anonymous browser.

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

Categories: Technology

Netflix subscribers say its ‘new design sucks’ but I hope the new vertical discovery feed stays

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 09:06

Netflix recently unveiled big updates to the design of its platform, and while there’s some interesting features to look forward to in the future, some subscribers remain unconvinced.

While the streamer started life as a place to catch your favorite shows and movies without having to traipse to the rental store, the platform has evolved over the years to play host to a plethora of video games, and various live events, including weekly WWE shows and big NFL games. The content pivot from the streamer has led to some subscribers becoming frustrated with the one-size-fits-all approach of a UI that has barely changed since its inception.

All that is due to change though, with a new homepage designed to give users the best experience with the media they mostly use the platform for, be that sports, gaming or TV and movies. Netflix's chief product officer Eunice Kim says of the project: “We wanted to create an experience that was more flexible for our broad entertainment offerings, more intuitive and responsive to our members’ needs.”

Changes include real time recommendations based on current mood and interest, extra information on titles across the platform such as “Emmy Award Winner” or “#1 in TV shows” and a new, cleaner design for the platform’s landing page.

Are all these changes a good thing?

However, these new features come with downsides too, with it being widely speculated that the removal of interactive TV specials such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Unbreakable Kimmy Scmidt finale Kimmy vs the Reverend is a result of the new software no longer being able to support these types of content.

And that’s not the only thing subscribers are unhappy about, with one Reddit user stating the “NEW DESIGN SUCKS!!” and calling for the engineers responsible to be fired, comparing the new UI to the notoriously difficult to navigate Prime Video.

NEW DESIGN SUCKS!! from r/netflix

However, some responses to the original post were more positive, with one reply stating “I love the new design,” while others remained cautiously optimistic saying “I’m nervous but hopeful”.

Some of the new features look great

(Image credit: Netflix)

For my money though, while it’ll definitely take some getting used to, there are some very cool new features on the horizon.

For starters, the small change of moving shortcuts for Search and My List away from the sidebar and to the top of the page will save getting bogged down in menus while trying to find basic features – I for one have changed profile more than once while trying to search for a particular show. Also intriguing is the use of Generative AI in the search function, meaning that users can use conversational phrases to zero in on the type of content they like to watch, for example “I want to watch a mid-2000s mumblecore movie” rather than scrolling through endless comedies.

One of the features I hope makes it to the new design is the vertical discovery feed – illustrated above – which is set to be tested over the coming weeks. The new feed looks to replicate the feeling of scrolling through TikTok watching movie clips, except here, if one piques your interest, rather than engage in an infuriating search through the comments to find the title, you can simply tap on the video to be taken directly to the full movie or show.

It’s definitely set to be a new era for Netflix, and one that understandably has some subscribers nervous, but with the site becoming increasingly overloaded by its breadth of content, it could be a very welcome update.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

The challenges preventing businesses from achieving good digital health

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 09:03

As we head into 2025, UK businesses are making strides in their digital transformation efforts. But with rapid evolutions in technologies such as AI, businesses are under increasing pressure to keep up.

Economic turbulence, driven by factors like inflation and rising interest rates is putting a strain on budgets and many companies are facing higher operational costs, reduced consumer spending, and tighter access to capital. Over a quarter (28 per cent) of UK businesses responding to Zoho’s Digital Health Study * reported having ‘good’ digital health.

Meanwhile, customers, feeling the financial squeeze themselves, are becoming more discerning, demanding greater value and efficiency from the businesses they interact with. In this landscape, companies that fail to accelerate their digital maturity risk losing competitiveness, struggling with inefficiencies, and ultimately falling behind more agile competitors.

The impact of digital maturity on AI adoption

AI is a hot topic in business and boardroom discussions, from the AI Actions Summit to regular government investments and governance debates. However, not all businesses are reaping the benefits of AI equally.

Businesses that are lagging in digital health will struggle to gain any return from investment in AI as it demands a foundation of digital maturity. As a result they will, miss out on its potential to drive innovation and productivity. The benefits and efficiencies that AI systems can deliver are no secret, and the businesses that are struggling, or even neglecting to adopt, risk missing out on a competitive advantage.

For example, when it comes to customer experience, many businesses are deploying AI to provide detailed insights in order to deliver personalized experiences, and boost efficiency through tools such as AI agents or chatbots. These systems increase the likelihood of a business anticipating customer needs and creating a smooth, seamless customer journey, all of which is built on the foundation of good digital health.

Navigating integration complexities

Integration complexities typically arise from fragmented IT ecosystems, outdated legacy systems, and inconsistent data structures that prevent smooth communication between platforms.

Legacy ERP systems, for example, can struggle to integrate with modern cloud-based applications, which results in inefficiencies and data silos. The complexity also extends to customer-facing systems, where disconnected platforms lead to inconsistent user experiences.

Businesses are increasingly turning to cloud platforms to overcome these integration hurdles.

To address integration challenges, companies should adopt strategies like application programming interfaces and middleware solutions that promote interoperability, or should seek to use vendors who provide these, or provide easy ways to customize integration points.

Additionally, consolidating platforms can streamline processes, reduce complexity, and enhance efficiency. However, with larger companies, it is usual that several platforms are in place, so more work needs to be done to optimize interoperability.

Beyond technology, businesses should also invest in robust change management strategies and upskill their workforce to maximize the benefits of integration and ensure adoption.

Ensuring that teams are equipped to work seamlessly across new digital ecosystems, as well as to understand how the changes can help them in their roles as well as the business overall, is just as critical as the technology itself.

Overcoming infrastructure management challenges

Managing digital infrastructure remains a significant challenge for business and technology leaders, with the difficulty lying in balancing scalability and cost-efficiency while maintaining high system performance. Traditional infrastructure does not have the flexibility for modern digital demands, which leads businesses towards cloud-based models.

The rapid growth of IoT devices adds another layer of complexity, as businesses must manage a growing network of connected devices while maintaining data security and integrity.

To maintain compliance and ensure data privacy, businesses need solutions that are transparent, user-friendly, and easily governed by technology leaders. Simplified tools should offer automated compliance monitoring and centralized dashboards, while robust security measures include encryption, access controls, and threat detection.

Good digital health means good digital transformation

Businesses that navigate the obstacles of digital transformation tend to see significant benefits and improvements in areas such as customer experience, operational efficiency, and employee engagement.

Those with good digital health are more likely to be able to automate workflows effectively, integrate AI systems, and adopt cloud platforms to boost data-driven decision-making and overall employee productivity. These transformations drive agility and resilience, allowing businesses to adapt quickly to market shifts and competitive pressures.

On the flip side, for businesses with poor digital health, resistance to change, skills gaps, and budget restraints are among the common barriers hindering the progress of digital transformation. These challenges, coupled with fragmented IT infrastructures, make integration complex and limit agility.

Addressing them requires strategic investment in scalable technology and workforce upskilling, not just to modernize operations, but to optimize costs in an unpredictable economy and ensure resilience against evolving market demands.

The real driver of digital transformation success lies in aligning technology with business goals. Consolidating platforms and fostering strong vendor partnerships are not just efficiency plays; they reduce operational complexity, enhance compliance with regulatory shifts, and position businesses to stay ahead of rapid technological advancements.

Equally important is cultural alignment, which ensures that digital tools are not only implemented effectively but also fully adopted by users. Vendors play a crucial role in this process, as they must take a long-term view of their relationships with customers, providing the necessary support, education, and guidance to help businesses unlock the full value of their investment.

Ultimately, digital transformation is a journey, not an immediate fix. Businesses must move away from the notion that simply switching on a tool will yield instant benefits. Instead, they should embrace a comprehensive, strategic approach to drive adoption, overcome challenges, and realize the significant opportunities that effective digitization can offer. With this, by next year, they’ll be far more likely to have good digital health.

We've featured the best business intelligence platform.

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

Categories: Technology

Pages