Feed aggregator

• Sony unveils its first-ever wireless fight stick, codenamed Project Defiant
• The fight stick is launching in 2026 and is designed for PS5 and PC
• The controller can be used wirelessly via PlayStation Link technology for ultra-low latency gameplay, or wired using a USB-C connection

Sony has revealed its first-ever wireless fight stick, codenamed Project Defiant, and it's releasing in 2026.

Announced during PlayStation's June State of Play, Project Defiant is designed for a variety of fighting games and can be used wirelessly or wired for the PlayStation 5 and PC.

"This sleek new controller will give players more flexibility to play their favorite fighting games, whether that is wirelessly with the innovative PlayStation Link technology that provides ultra-low latency, or through a wired connection on PS5 or PC," said Edwin Foo, Vice President, Product Development, SIE, in a PlayStation blog post.

Project Defiant features a high-quality digital stick that’s custom-designed by Sony, toolless interchangeable restrictor gates (square, circle, and octagon) for the stick, buttons with mechanical switches, and a touch pad like the one found on the DualSense wireless controller.

The controller also boasts a sturdy, ergonomic design for long gaming sessions, features a storage compartment for restrictor gates for convenience, and a PS Link USB adapter.

Like the DualSense wireless controller, Project Defiant also supports the ability to wirelessly wake up the user's PS5 by pressing and holding the PS button on the top side of the device.

As previously mentioned, input timing has been refined thanks to Sony's PS Link wireless technology, but there's also an option for players to plug in to play by using a wired USB-C connection.

Sony has also confirmed that the fight stick will come packaged with a sling carry case, which includes a lever gap to keep the digital stick safe, allowing players to take the hardware on the go.

Since Project Defiant is just a codename, we'll likely learn the name of the fight stick closer to launch.

You might also like...

• Nintendo Switch 2 launch day live: all the latest news and updates as the console starts arriving with fans and at retailers
• Nioh 3 has been announced for 2026, but PS5 owners can play an exclusive demo right now
• The first trailer for 007 First Light reveals a young James Bond and it's coming to PC and console in 2026, including Nintendo Switch 2

Airbnb’s redesign, and its push into enabling users to Airbnb more than just a vacation spot or getaway, has been out for a few weeks now. The idea is that you’ll Airbnb more than just a lovely cottage on a beach – also turning to the service, for example, when you want to experience a city that’s close to home or add some adventure to your trip abroad.

We’ve already broken down the additions, including the launch of Experiences and Services, as well as the new look for the app. It all feels a lot sleeker, with visuals that adjust on the fly, a mini social network, and a passport of sorts that saves all the information from your trip. So, if you have a favorite spot, you can easily share it with a friend. It all feels very material.

Here we're taking a look under the hood and finding out how Airbnb is making the app work better for you. The company has rebuilt its entire tech stack for the app and the service as a whole, meaning you'll find easier navigation with three choices at the top: Homes, Experiences, and Services.

Furthermore, there's a redesigned profile that makes it easier for you to take a look back and even reconnect with people you've had experiences with. The rebuilding effort enables what's already launched, while also setting Airbnb up for the future, a note that Jud Coplan, VP of Product Marketing at Airbnb, shared with TechRadar.

“One of the huge benefits of rebuilding the architecture and rethinking, really, the infrastructure of the app was that we created something that can expand beyond the 10 categories of services.” Coplan told me.

He was referencing the 10 that currently exist – chefs, photographers, massages, spa treatments, personal training, hair treatments, makeup, nails, prepared meals, and catering – but hinted that expansion is very possible, adding, “We've created a new Airbnb that can go even beyond what we've been talking about today.”

(Image credit: Airbnb)

That could mean we see grocery deliveries integrated, so you can be well stocked when you arrive at your Airbnb to make dinner, or maybe that even means you can order directly to your home.

It’s really an expansion of the platform to book these services, whether you’re in your home city or on a trip. Coplan told me how his family had booked an experience in their home city of San Francisco, a kind of a staycation excursion.

The 10 aforementioned options are further themed by activity, such as cooking, city walks, learning a new skill, and even more exclusive ones featuring celebrities.

During the keynote, Airbnb’s CEO, Brian Chesky, highlighted the importance of people, noting that it’s real folks who are experts offering these experiences and services, and it’s real people offering up their homes, lofts, or apartments for Airbnb.

There is an element of AI being used here, one example being an AI-powered photo tour, as Coplan explained. “For homes, if you upload all your photos, we recognize them, we organize them, we present them really nicely,” all with the aim of making the listing easier and theoretically helping to encourage more bookings. There are also quick replies powered by AI, in which, for a host, the app will automatically suggest a response that could be sent.

For services and experiences, the two new offerings from Airbnb utilize AI to recommend what you might find most appealing. It bases this off of “where they are in their journey, their past bookings, their current trip, what they've told us about in their profile,” explained Coplan.

Lastly on AI, Coplan also shared that Airbnb began rolling out an AI assistant for customer service in the US in English, “that allows people to do is have a natural language conversation with customer service and get answers to questions really easily.” It’ll be interesting to see how this performs, and what feedback users provide.

(Image credit: Airbnb)

On the app’s new look and flow, it was clear that Coplan and the team at Airbnb focused on the human element, emphasizing that what one can book is all tied back to a real person. He noted that the color palette, animations, and dimensionality all tie back to the real world, giving a sense of what you might experience.

Even more interesting, and maybe hinting at Airbnb’s future, is the community aspect. “We didn't want this to be a place where you have followers, where you meet people online,” explained Coplan. “The people you see are people that you know from the real world, and so that connections page within your profile, those are people you've traveled with and those are people you've met on your experiences.”

It’s certainly a unique approach and a more intentional one, rooted in a shared experience. Now, it’s entirely opt-in, and there are privacy controls that allow you to turn off this community aspect.

Separate from the community, but also housed within the profile, is a sort of passport-like experience, allowing you to look back at where you’ve been and easily share details. Much like a card in Apple Wallet, it has a shimmer and shine effect when you move your phone around.

While Airbnb’s main event is its annual summer release, and that’s done with for 2025, I suspect we’ll hear more from it sooner than a year from now, and I’m intrigued to see just how far the tech stack can go. For now, I’m on the hunt for an experience to try.

You might also like

• I carried the Galaxy S25 Edge for two weeks and it slimmed down my pockets but didn’t blow me away
• The Airbnb app just got a massive redesign – here are 3 new features to look out for
• Your Amazon delivery person might soon be a robot, which isn't as terrible as it sounds

Since taking the helm more than 100 days ago, Patel has yet to shutter the FBI headquarters and reopen it as a museum as he once said he would, but he has begun trying to remake the bureau.

(Image credit: Jim Watson)

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play: two-minute review

The Avid Ingenium Plug&Play is a belt-driven unsuspended turntable and it’s the very smallest and simplest turntable that the company makes. This might sound surprising for a turntable with a price tag of £1,500 (about $2,500 / AU$2,500, where available) but it is a reflection of quite how far up the Avid range goes.

If you want to purchase the brand's flagship Acutus Reference Mono turntable, Nexus V2 arm and Ruby cartridge, you will need a not inconsequential £48,950 (or around $66,250 / AU$102,260, give or take) to do it. Judged by this metric, then, those aforementioned prices are indeed fairly entry level.

Most importantly, the Avid Ingenium Plug&Play is built around the same principles as the top-tier Acutus. Everything that Avid does is developed from the top down. The company begins by making the best example of something that they know how to make. When they want to make a more affordable version, they change the absolute minimum number of parts and design elements. Then, when a more affordable version still is required, this second level becomes the point from which development begins. By this process, the Acutus has become the Ingenium.

This process also means that the Ingenium is designed with different priorities to some of the best turntables at the price and it looks and feels different as well. Is the result exactly what you need in a turntable or do other approaches work better?

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Price & release date

The original Ingenium has been around for over a decade but it has changed a little in that time. Originally, it could be ordered with different cutouts from the factory that allowed you to choose different arms. You could also have one that had a longer chassis that allowed it to work with 12 inch arms. Not only that, if you were feeling really keen, you could order one where the chassis extended in both directions and could mount two arms at once. As someone who is the very definition of keen when it comes to turntables, I have owned a twin-armed Ingenium for many years as it is a fantastic piece of test equipment.

The Plug & Play was released in 2018 and quickly became the sole version of the Ingenium. By simplifying the versions, Avid could keep the price down and ensure that installing one is as simple as possible. Though there is only one version for sale, the company makes a series of upgrades that can be added at a later date, which we will cover as well.

As of May 2025, an Ingenium Plug & Play is £1,500 in the UK. In the US, the current liveliness around imports makes the price a little volatile but it appears to be around $2,500. In Australia, it is yours for AU$2,500.

This price is inclusive of everything you need to get up and running out of the box, with the exception of a phono stage. Avid does make these if you need and, as the Ingenium Plug & Play is fitted with a moving magnet cartridge, many owners will have a phono stage built into their existing electronics that will allow them to connect directly.

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Features

• Metal chassis built around a custom bearing
• Motor acts on subplatter with MDF or optional metal platter
• Upgradable power supply
• Arm and cartridge fitted

Every Avid turntable from the Acutus down is designed around the same principle. It is intended to dissipate energy away from the playing surface via the bearing. The chassis of the Ingenium Plug&Play takes the form of a two-piece cruciform with the longer section housing the bearing and tonearm mount, and the shorter crossbeam adding stability. The motor is not attached to the chassis; instead it sits in free space behind the main chassis member. The feet are pliant rubber and add some useful isolation from the outside world.

The bearing is hugely important to how the Ingenium works and considerable attention has, rightly, been lavished on it. It is set forward from the center of the chassis which means that you can see the entire assembly from the front. The bearing comprises a shaft, with the actual bearing itself sat at the top. A subplatter sits on top of this and this is what the belt acts on. On top of this, the platter is then fitted.

This platter is cork topped and used on other Avid turntables. As standard, it is made of MDF and feels pretty substantial but you can also order the Plug&Play with a metal platter. This looks very similar to the standard one but is much heavier and more inert. The upgraded platter comes with bolts that screw into the underside. These drop into holes in the subplatter to tighten up the relationship between the two. Order the metal platter at the same time as the Ingenium and it will cost you £350 ($475, AU$730 where sold) or you can order it later on for £450 ($610 / AU$940, where sold).

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

The Ingenium makes use of another Avid design feature in the form of a clamp. This screws down via a threaded spindle to physically press the record against that energy-dissipating bearing. This is another feature present on all Avid turntables and is absolutely integral to how they work.

As supplied, the Ingenium's motor plugs directly into the wall and simply has an on/off switch most of the way up the wire. Depending on how you place the Avid, this can make it hard to reach and it means that changing between 33 and 45 RPM is a matter of lifting the platter off and moving the belt from one motor pulley to another.

Both of these can be corrected by upgrading to the Electronic PSU. This allows for electronic speed control via a motor with a different pulley that allows two belts to be run at the same time. This is not a cheap upgrade – at £1,500 ($1,355 / AU$2,085 approx.) it’s the same price as the turntable itself and there is no saving to be had ordering it at the same time.

The arm that comes pre-fitted is something Avid calls the TA1. It is designed with a view to working with the supplied cartridge but will accept others that are content working with its fixed anti-skate system. It outputs via a captive lead and Avid has ensured that the VTA is correct out of the box. This arm is not expensive; it appears with the same cartridge on a turntable that costs £330 ($445 / AU$690, where sold) but it reflects Avid’s design priorities. Their argument is that, unless the turntable itself is correctly engineered, nothing else will be right. For some people, this price balance will seem somewhat lopsided but is a ratio that Avid employs on many of their turntables.

Should you wish to change it in future, any arm using the same mount and geometry should fit but this does not include either of the arms that Avid makes. Something that can also be done, though, is to change the stylus on the cartridge. By origin, this is an Audio Technica design called the AT-91 and it has sold in huge quantities. Roll your sleeves up and get online and you’ll find a variety of upgraded stylus options for it that simply slide on in place of the existing one and can offer substantially better performance.

• Features score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: sound quality

• Exceptionally cohesive and controlled performance
• Excellent bass; made even better with the upgrades
• Some limitations to fine detail
• Can be very good fun

Turntables are fascinating and slightly maddening things. They perform one job that has very few variables – at the most basic level, support a record and rotate it at 33 or 45 RPM, and yet, the performance they offer varies hugely. Put simply, every single design and engineering decision makes a difference to how the turntable performs. Done well, this manifests itself in how the information on the record is presented. The more capable the turntable, the better it avoids information on the record becoming congested and confused.

It doesn’t take very long listening to the Ingenium Plug&Play to realize that, at its fundamental core, it is incredibly capable. I’ve been using The Cinematic Orchestra’s Man with a Movie Camera as a piece of test material for years. The version of Burn Out used here is bigger and has a larger overall sense of scale than the original and, as the track builds, it can start to sound a little muddled. On the Avid, this simply doesn’t occur; it has the bandwidth and ability to keep everything sounding as it should. The Ingenium hangs together, even when a number of similarly priced rivals are beginning to struggle.

It also possesses extremely good bass and when I say, ‘good bass’ I mean more than straightforward low-end thudding. From the moment that lower midrange starts to become bass, there is a heft to it that is perfectly judged – weighty without tipping over into being dominating or overblown. It does rather justify Avid’s belief in the turntable itself as the final decider of the quality of playback. I have never heard anything else using a remotely similar arm and cartridge achieve the same level of sheer low-end tone and texture as what the Ingenium extracts from it.

There is more to be had from it. Avid supplied an example of the upgrade platter with my review sample and fitting this improves the bass response even further. Not only does the absolute extension improve but the texture and control to low notes improves even further. Rogues Gospel by Duke Garwood is an exceptionally natural recording, underpinned by surprisingly deep bass notes. With the metal platter present, the percussion is better defined against the mix and it starts and stops with greater precision.

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

Adding the external power supply (I also used the motor from my own Ingenium for this as it has the correct pulley and connecting cable) yields more performance. It might sound odd that changing the power feed for the motor has any effect on the performance but it’s important to remember that this is the only part of the turntable where electrical power is added – everything else is entirely passive. The power supply allows me to more easily listen to a 45RPM version of Peter Gabriel’s eponymous third album. The already orderly and spacious presentation takes a further step forward. Without losing the building urgency of Family Snapshot, the Avid is astonishingly capable.

There are some limits, though, that would need attention before spending £1,500 (approx. $1,355 / AU$2,085) on the power supply. The Avid extracts more from its cost-effective arm than you would ever credit but it will show its limitations. Compared with the arm and cartridge combination used regularly on my resident Ingenium (which I am compelled to admit costs more than the Plug&Play and the optional power supply combined), there is a loss of fine detail and tonal realism that is the absolute limiting factor to the Avid’s performance. As noted, changing the stylus would be a cost-effective means of starting to correct this, and there is a decent choice of arms that will bolt straight on that I would probably look at ahead of the power supply.

Crucially, though, you won’t need to rush to do this. In the time the Avid has been in situ, it’s been sharing a rack with more expensive, and notionally more capable, decks but I’ve never rushed to switch over from listening to it. What it does so effectively is balance attributes I have long associated with Avid turntables – a confidence and realism that is unaffected by the scale and complexity of the material being played, with the ability to be plain and simple good fun when you want it to be.

Playing the belated vinyl release of Superabundance by the Young Knives on the Ingenium is a neat demonstration of this. Even after a remaster, it’s not a great recording but the Plug&Play takes in its stride and will have you yelling along to the utterly nonsensical chorus of Terra Firma in fine style.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Design

• Simple, but attractive with it
• Superbly made
• Easy to set up
• No dust protection or cover of any kind

Avid is first and foremost an engineering company. They don’t really go in for ‘styling’ as it might be defined in the usual sense. There is absolutely nothing on the Ingenium Plug&Play that doesn’t need to be there for it to work. Despite this (or, partly because of it), I love it. The Avid doesn’t set out to be pretty but thanks to the absolute lack of frippery and adornment, it looks fantastic. You don’t need to know anything about vinyl to know it’s a very special thing.

It is also superbly made. Extracting the Avid from its box allows you to get a handle of the sheer heft of the metalwork and the precision involved in the construction. I won’t insult your intelligence by calling it cheap but I don’t know of many turntables at the price that feel anything like as substantial. It very effectively gives a little taste of just how incredibly well assembled the company’s more premium offerings are.

It also delivers on the name as well. It can be momentarily intimidating to see all the parts sat in the box when you open it but, thanks to a genuinely good set of instructions, the Avid is a pleasure to put together and should not be beyond even a complete novice. The quality and care of the execution is evident from the moment you start slotting the parts together and the whole process inspires confidence in what you're doing. Pay attention, avoid distractions and you should be spinning a record within 10 to 15 minutes of opening the box.

Something to remember when choosing an Ingenium Plug&Play is that as a 'skeleton' deck, the Avid has no dust or child protection as standard. This means that it is rather more vulnerable than some rivals to the outside world. Avid offers some covers, and other options are available, but this of course will come at an extra cost. I have generally kept an old record on my Ingenium's platter to help keep dust off the playing surface.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Value

There are two levels to judging the Plug&Play. Judged on what you get in the box for £1,500 (about $2,500 / AU$2,500, where available), it’s good but there are other turntables that can keep it honest, ones which also offer lids, electronic speed control and other niceties. The Ingenium is competitive and can hold its own but it doesn’t deliver a knockout blow.

The thing to consider, though, is that the Ingenium can be taken to places that almost nothing else for the price can. My twin-armed one has the upgrade platter and the power supply and uses arms that cost more than the Plug&Play does on its own. It’s still mechanically the same basic turntable as the review unit but it can deliver a level of performance far beyond what the basic unit is capable of.

If you know you are committing to vinyl for decades to come, this is a turntable that will grow with you. Viewed in this way, the Ingenium represents rather more impressive value.

• Value score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)Should I buy the Avid Ingenium Plug&Play?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Metal chassis, with possible upgrades available

4 / 5

Sound quality

Cohesive and controlled with excellent bass; some limitations to fine detail

4.5 / 5

Design

Simple and attractive; superbly made; easy to set up

4.5 / 5

Value

A little pricey, but good-quality equipment means it grows with you

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Accuracy matters
The Avid is a capable and revealing source that is able to handle complex material in a way that even similarly priced designs can struggle with. It’s effortlessly capable.

You want simplicity
Everything you need turns up in the box and putting the Ingenium together is straightforward and logical. This is a top-tier vinyl experience but it’s not an intimidating one.

You’re in this for the long haul
The upgrades available from Avid and the basic adaptability of the turntable itself means this is something you can spend your money on, enjoy it as it is and then begin to upgrade it at a later date.

Don't buy it if…

You need electronic speed control
Adding this feature to the Avid will set you back some cash and, while it will boost performance, it's an extra expense when some rivals have it included.

You need a lid
Got cats or a low flying toddler? The Ingenium probably isn’t the turntable for you. It’s more vulnerable than models with a cover.

You live for tiny details
Out of the box, the supplied cartridge on the Plug&Play is good but not the last work in detail retrieval. At the very least, it will need a stylus change to start to rival what some more sophisticated pickups can do.

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Also consider

Rega Planar PL1
The snap and timing of the Rega make it a real contender. Everything is in the box, too.
Read more on the Rega Planar PL1

Technics SL-1500C
If you like the power of a direct drive, then the Technics is the one for you. It's got a sturdy build to it, too.
Read our Technics SL-1500C review here

Pro-ject Debut Carbon Evo
When it comes to effortless flow, the Pro-ject is peerless, and is a wildly detailed listen.
Read our full Pro-ject Debut Carbon Evo review here

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)How I tested the Avid Ingenium Plug&Play

The Avid was parked on a Quadraspire rack and run both in out-of-the-box and upgraded forms, connected to a Cyrus Classic Phono phono stage, which outputted to a Cambridge Audio Edge A integrated amplifier and Kudos Titan 505 speakers. As the Cyrus has four inputs, it meant other turntables that live here all the time could be run alongside and everything played through my standard reference system.

All listening took place in a 3.5m x 4m lounge that I use as a listening space. As well as the listed recordings, I used a huge selection of records, ranging from very audiophile indeed to Boss Drum by The Shamen which, with the best will in the world, is not.

• First reviewed: June 2025
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

The federal government is scaling back data collection used to calculate the inflation rate. Economists warn that could make for less accurate cost-of-living measures.

(Image credit: Yuki Iwamura)

My Switch 2 isn't coming till tomorrow, but I was able to go hands-on with Belkin's new Switch 2 cases.

• Official teaser shows off new camera in silhouette
• Voiceover describes the X-E rangefinder-style line as an “essential” part of X Series history
• Expect a full launch at the Fujifilm X Summit on June 12 2025

A 15-second teaser video, released today ahead of next week’s Fujifilm X Summit event, appears to all but confirm that the Fujifilm X-E5 is being announced imminently.

The short film shows a compact camera and lens in silhouette, with most of its details dark and obscured, while a voiceover says, “There’s another rangefinder-style series that’s just as essential when telling the story of our X Series history”.

Given said image follows those of X100 and X-Pro series cameras in the teaser, the remaining Fujifilm rangefinder-style series this refers to is undoubtedly the X-E range, and so it follows that the obscured image must be of the long-rumored X-E5.

The X-E series of cameras have APS-C sensors and a compact rangefinder-style body, just like the popular X100VI – but also support interchangeable lenses.

What could the X-E5 have in store for us?

The X-E4's minimalist approach to physical controls wasn't beloved by Fujifilm enthusiasts. (Image credit: Fujifilm)

The X-E5 would be the first new X-E range release since the X-E4, which launched in 2021. It had a 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, no in-body stabilization (IBIS), no viewfinder, no weather-sealing and only a single SD card slot.

The X-E4 also stripped back physical controls like dials and buttons to the bare minimum. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing in a camera, but some felt Fujifilm went a little too minimalist for its own good here – to the point where it actually impacted on the camera’s user-friendliness.

If I was to draw up a personal wish list of improvements I want for the X-E5 (bearing in mind that it’s always going to have to make compromises here and there to keep its price affordable), I’d love to see the inclusion of IBIS and weather-sealing, which would give all-round image performance an overall boost while making the camera a bit hardier and more travel-friendly. Throw in a viewfinder and it might be the perfect affordable street photography camera.

Previous rumors about the X-E5 suggest that at least one of my wishes is coming true. Fuji Rumors has reported that the camera will have IBIS and a 40MP X-Trans V sensor, bringing it more in line with Fujifilm’s fixed-lens superstar, the X100VI.

Of course, the X-E5 will also be an interchangeable lens camera, so it’ll offer greater versatility than the X100VI. In fact, it seems likely to be launching alongside a new X-mount prime lens, the XF23mm f/2.8. This is rumored to be a low-profile pancake lens, portable and discreet – and mounted on a body like the X-E5, the two should make a very compact pairing.

There’s not long to wait now to find out exactly what Fujifilm has up its sleeves for the X-E series. That June 12 X Summit can’t roll round fast enough. Let us know what kind of camera you’d like to see unveiled next week in the comments below.

You might also like...

• The rumored Fujifilm X-E5 is the camera I'm most excited about in 2025 – here's why
• Fujifilm X half review: Who needs film?
• Best Fujifilm camera 2025: top mirrorless and compact cameras

• Threat actors are creating fake DocuSign and Gitcode websites
• The sites come with fake CAPTCHA and other scam mechanisms
• Victims are tricked into downloading a Trojan

Security researchers have found fake Gitcode and DocuSign websites distributing remote access trojan (RAT) malware using the infamous ClickFix method.

Experts from DomainTools Investigations (DTI) found “malicious multi-stage downloader Powershell scripts” hosted on spoofed websites inviting visitors to pull up the Windows Run terminal and run a script copied into their clipboard.

"Upon doing so, the powershell script downloads another downloader script and executes on the system, which in turn retrieves additional payloads and executes them eventually installing NetSupport RAT on the infected machines,” the researchers said in their report. These multiple stages and downloads are designed to evade detection, and help the campaign “be more resilient to security investigations and takedowns."

SocGholish

They also said they don’t know exactly how victims end up on these websites. However, it is safe to assume that social engineering, email spam, and possibly malvertising, are a part of the methodology. In some cases, the fake websites also come with a fake CAPTCHA verification mechanism which, to be solved, requires the victims copy and paste a code into the Run program, effectively downloading the malware.

TDI could not confirm the identity of the attackers, but did stress it had observed a similar campaign late in 2024, which was attributed to SocGholish:

"Notably, the techniques involved are commonplace and NetSupport Manager is a legitimate administration tool known to be leveraged as a RAT by multiple threat groups such as FIN7, Scarlet Goldfinch, Storm-0408, and others,” the report concluded.

SocGholish, also known as FakeUpdates, is known for its fake browser and fake software update alerts. After compromising a website, the crooks would inject a popup, notifying the visitors that their browser, or operating system, needs “fixing” or “updating”.

This is the “original” ClickFix method, one that spun from the ancient “you have a virus” popup that imitated popular antivirus programs and delivered - viruses.

Via The Hacker News

You might also like

• Devious new ClickFix malware variant targets macOS, Android, and iOS using browser-based redirections
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

While I was thoroughly impressed with Sony's PlayStation VR 2 virtual reality headset, after putting it through its paces I’m sad to admit I’ve not used it in more than a year. The hardware is very slick and Horizon: Call of the Mountain is one immersive experience, but there’s been a lack of games to really pull me back into Sony’s VR world.

However, the recent PlayStation State of Play might just have me dusting off my PSVR 2. That’s because the game showcase featured Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow.

This is a VR game all about sneaking around infiltrating buildings and complexes in a pseudo medieval/Renaissance city to steal persons items.

The big hook is this is a Thief game, a series that gamers of a certain vintage will remember as the progenitor of salary games and immersive sims way back in 1998 with Thief: The Dark Project on PC. I am one such gamer, and absolutely love the quiet, smart exploring and pilfering the games offered; I think they even hold up today, mechanically speaking.

Thief was a smart game about knowing your environment and using tools to navigate it, such as noise arrows to distract guards, moss arrows to put a layer of soft flora on creaky wooden floors and, somewhat against traditional game logic, making areas darker rather than lighter as you creep through them.

While player character Garrett has a sword and a ‘blackjack’ club, he wasn’t designed for combat, with guards easily able to kill the thief. So the game was equally about running away as it was sneaking; if a guard caught you, Garrett’s nimble speed meant scarpering from the authorities was a totally legit tactic.

And I reckon this will translate really well into VR. While I’ve enjoyed faster paced games like Superhot in VR, I feel slower paced, more tactile experiences work better in virtual reality.

(Image credit: Sony)

Having more time to scope out an area, delicately shifting ornaments and peeking behind walls, and shifting paintings to uncover hidden alcoves, as shown in the Thief VR trailer, looks to be a more immersive experience that lends itself to the PSVR 2 and its tech, such as foveated rendering and eye tracking.

I can also see the dynamic mechanics of Thief working equally well in VR; the feel of carefully drawing back a bowstring to unleash a rope arrow or reaching out with one’s real and virtual hand to pinch out a candle, all supported by the haptics and smart tracking of the PSVR 2’s controllers.

While I’d not say Thief was known for the most captivating storytelling, the series had some interesting plotlines. This time you’ll be put in the padded boots of Magpie, who looks like she’ll stumble across some more intriguing things than just some valuables to snatch. And I think seeing The City and its characters in VR will definitely help suck one into the story.

It’s been a while since I’ve felt excited by a VR game, but Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow has both caught my next-gen gaming attention and also tickled my nostalgia. We could seen a new dawn for PlayStation VR games grow out of the shadows some time this year.

You might also like

• Nintendo Switch 2 restocks live
• Despite its co-op framework feeling stuck in the past, after 30 hours with Elden Ring Nightreign, I just want to keep playing it for years
• Summer Game Fest 2025 live build-up: where to watch and everything you need to know before the Geoff Keighley showcase

France stands in the way of Spain making a third successive appearance in a European Nations League final.

We simulated real fire smoke, battery alerts and more: Here are the definitive results on which fire alarms are worth considering.

It's still spring, but summer heat is here in much of the country. Here's how to keep your kitchen from turning the whole house into a steam bath.

In an uncertain economy, safeguard your money and protect yourself with this action plan.

U.S. aid cuts could jeopardize the supply of donated drugs that are hailed for their effectiveness in combating neglected diseases like river blindness, schistosomiasis and trachoma.

(Image credit: Andy Crump)

• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles launches on September 30 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2
• The remaster of the 1997 classic will offer enhanced features like improved graphics, new battle features, and difficulty options
• The game will also be voice-acted with actors like Ben Starr, and cameos from Final Fantasy 7 Remake's Cody Christian and Briana White

Following months of rumors, Square Enix has officially announced a remaster of its 1997 classic, Final Fantasy Tactics.

Revealed during the June PlayStation State of Play, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is set to launch on September 30 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.

This enhanced version has been created by a team composed of original and new developers. It includes all the features of the 1997 game, along with numerous enhancements.

The Ivalice Chronicles offers an overhauled UI to "make the game even more approachable and intuitive", as well as quicker and easier for players to control their units and see their turn order.

Since it's a remaster, the game's graphics have also been updated for HD displays, new difficulty levels have been introduced, and two new battle features have also been added: Tactical View and Battle Speed.

Tactical View will make it easier for players to get an overview of the land and plan their action across the battlefield, while Battle Speed essentially speeds up battles to allow players to get through easy fights quicker.

The remaster's story is also fully voice-acted in English and Japanese from a cast of recognisable talent, including Joe Pitts (Ramza), Gregg Lowe (Delita), Hannah Melbourn (Agrias), Timothy Watson (Cidolfus), and Harry McEntire (Mustadio).

Final Fantasy 16 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor Ben Starr will also offer the voice for Dycedarg, and cameos from Final Fantasy 7 Remake actors Cody Christian (Cloud Strife) and Briana White (Aerith Gainsborough) will also be featured.

Square Enix has confirmed that The Ivalice Chronicles will also include the classic version of Final Fantasy Tactics, which "stays true to the original in almost every aspect, but includes some handy features such as auto save."

Pre-orders for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles are now live. You can check out the version and pre-order details below.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - Pre-order Bonuses:

• White Equipment for Ramza
• Weapon: Mythril Knife
• Accessory: Spiked Boots (Increase a unit's Jump attribute while equipped)
• Consumable items: High Potion x10
• Consumable items: Ether x10

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - Deluxe Edition

• Full game
• Weapon: Akademy Blade (Raises a unit's speed attribute slightly while equipped)
• Headwear: Akademy Beret (Prevents the Charmed status while equipped)
• Combat Garb: Akademy Tunic (Grants Shell while equipped)
• Accessory: Ring of Aptitude (Boosts JP earned while equipped)
• Consumable Items: Phoenix Down x10
• Black Equipment for Ramza
• Red Equipment for Ramza

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - Collector's Edition (Square Enix Store exclusive)

• Special Art Box
• Ramza Beoulve Figure (Akademy Version)
• Zodiac Stones Acrylic Art Set
• Chocobo Mini Plush set
• Pop-up Art - “Outlying Church”
• Art Sheet Set

You might also like...

• Nintendo Switch 2 launch day live: all the latest news and updates as the console starts arriving with fans and at retailers
• Nioh 3 has been announced for 2026, but PS5 owners can play an exclusive demo right now
• The first trailer for 007 First Light reveals a young James Bond and it's coming to PC and console in 2026, including Nintendo Switch 2

A unanimous Supreme Court ruled that Catholic Charities can opt out of participating in a state unemployment compensation program in Wisconsin.

(Image credit: Kayla Bartkowski)

Summer Game Fest is almost here! It's no E3, but you know what? It might just be the next best thing.

This annual video game event showcases some of the most exciting upcoming video games for all major platforms. Hosted by the charismatic presenter Geoff Keighley it's an enjoyable watch, especially the main opening show.

Started back in 2020, some big titles shown at past events include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, The Last of Us Part 1, Zenless Zone Zero, Black Myth: Wukong, and more.

This year we have no idea what to expect, but some of the most anticipated games include Hollow Knight: Silksong, Arc Raiders, and a potential new Resident Evil title.

This is one gaming event that you won't want to miss, so read on for everything that you need to know about the event - plus my live reactions as things get into gear.

Summer Game Fest 2025 schedule

Here is the full schedule for Summer Game Fest 2025.

Summer Game Fest 2025 schedule

June 3

June 4

June 6

June 7

June 8

June 9

State of Unreal Showcase (6:30AM PT)

PlayStation State of Play (2PM PT)

Summer Game Fest Main Show (2PM PT)

Day of the Devs (4PM PT)

Frosty Games Fest (4PM PT)

Death Stranding 2 Game Premiere (7PM PT)

Devolver Digital showcase (5PM PT)

Xbox Games Showcase / Outer Worlds 2 Direct (10AM PT)

Black Voices in Gaming (9AM PT)

IOI Showcase (6PM PT)

PC Gaming Show (12PM PT)

Wholesome Direct (9AM PT)

Women-Led Games (10AM PT)

Latin American Games Showcase (11AM PT)

South Asian Games Showcase (12PM PT)

Green Games Showcase (1PM PT)

Summer Game Fest main show start time

Only interested in catching the main event? The Summer Game Fest main show (that's the one with Geoff on a stage showing us lots of cool trailers) is set to kick off at the following time:

June 6, 2025 at 5PM ET / 2PM PDT / 10PM BST / 11PM CEST.

Xbox Games Showcase start time

If you just want to watch the Xbox Games Showcase and subsequent Outer Worlds 2 Direct, here's what you need to know.

It takes place on June 8 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT / 6PM BST / 7PM CEST.

Hello and welcome to the beginning of my Summer Geoff Fest - sorry, Summer Game Fest coverage!

The main show is set to kick off tomorrow, and will almost certainly be filled with exciting reveals.

Our team has boots on the ground (well, currently boots in the air as he is still flying over to Los Angeles) ready to cover the event in full.

Here. We. Go...

State of Play recap

(Image credit: Sony)

Though seperate from the main show - yesterday's PlayStation Sate of Play presentation was part of Summer Game Fest. I covered the event live (absolutely obliterating my sleep schedule in the process) and it was definitely a strong showing.

If you missed the chance to watch it at the time, I've got you covered with a full list of everything announced in the order in which it happened.

Check it out below!

• Lumines Arise, PS5, PSVR 2
• Pragmata, 2026
• Romeo is a Dead Man, 2026
• Silent Hill f, , September 25, 2025
• Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, 2026
• Digimon Story Time Stranger, October 3 2025
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, September 30, 2025
• Baby Steps, September 8, 2025
• Hirogami, September 3, 2025
• Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots, September 5 2025
• Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, July 31 2025
• Cairn, November 5, 2025 (demo available today)
• Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection, 2025
• Project Defiant fight stick
• Metal Gear Solid Delta, August 28 2025
• Nioh 3, early 2026 (demo available today)
• Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow, PSVR 2
• Tides of Tomorrow, Feb 24, 2026
• Astro Bot free DLC later this month + the Astro Bot DualSense returning
• Sea and Remnants, 2026
• Sword of the Sea, August 19
• 007 First Light, 2026
• Ghost of Yotei, gameplay demonstration coming in July
• Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls, coming to PS5 and PC in 2026

Who is Geoff Keighley?

(Image credit: The Game Awards)

If you're interested in Summer Game Fest, then you've undoubtedly heard the name Geoff Keighley more times than you can count. But who exactly is he?

A former game journalist turned present, Keighley had a strong career writing for outlets like Kotaku and GameStop, mainly focusing on long-form deep-dives into major games and studios.

He also frequently appeared on television, becoming a prominent face at events like E3.

Now, he helms his own events and shows acting as both the host and organizer - including the Game Awards and Summer Game Fest.

• Cisco patches three vulnerabilities in ISE and CCP tools
• One of the three has a 9.9/10 severity score
• Some ISE deployments are not vulnerable

Cisco has patched three vulnerabilities in its Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Customer Collaboration Platform (CCP) tools, including a critical-severity issue which has a public proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit.

Recently, three vulnerabilities were discovered, now tracked as CVE-2025-20286, CVE-2025-20130, and CVE-2025-20129. The former is described as a static credential reuse vulnerability, found in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) cloud deployments of ISE.

It has a severity score of 9.9/10 (critical), and stems from improper generation of login credentials, when ISE is deployed on cloud platforms. As a result, different Cisco ISE deployments can share the same credentials, as long as the software release and cloud platform are the same.

Proof of Concept available

As a result, threat actors could access ISE instances deployed in other cloud environments through unsecured ports, gaining access to sensitive data, being able to execute limited admin operations, modify system configurations, and even disrupt different services.

The silver lining here is that the flaw is exploitable only if the Primary Administration node is deployed in the cloud. If it’s on-prem, then the instance is not vulnerable.

"The Cisco PSIRT is aware that proof-of-concept exploit code is available for the vulnerability that is described in this advisory,” Cisco said.

ISE is a security policy management platform that provides secure network access control and visibility for devices and users, and CCP is a collaboration platform, allowing businesses to engage with their customers.

Here is a list of ISE deployments not vulnerable to attacks, according to Cisco’s advisory:

“- All on-premises deployments with any form factors where artifacts are installed from Cisco Software Download Center (ISO or OVA). This includes appliances and virtual machines with different form factors.

- ISE on Azure VMware Solution (AVS)

- ISE on Google Cloud VMware Engine

- ISE on VMware cloud in AWS

- ISE hybrid deployments with all ISE Administrator personas (Primary and Secondary Administration) on-premises with other personas in the cloud.”

Via BleepingComputer

You might also like

• Cisco has patched a worrying flaw which could have let attackers hijack devices
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

CNET editors share where they buy their contact lenses online. These top picks offer convenience, savings and fast shipping.

The Court dismissed Mexico's claim that U.S. gun manufacturers aided and abetted the pipeline of weapons from the U.S. to Mexican drug cartels.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)