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Web.com website builder review 2025

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 08:18

Our detailed Web.com review examines a website builder that has undergone significant changes following its integration with Network Solutions. Web.com, which has been helping small businesses create user-friendly online experiences since 1997, has now been reworked for even more ease of use with AI. But for those seeking advanced website building options, check out our guide to the best website builders.

TechRadar reviewers have spent thousands of hours testing 140+ website builders to bring you authoritative insights. Web.com offers a straightforward approach to website creation with over 200 templates and AI-assisted design tools. While it provides solid functionality for basic websites, it faces stiff competition from more advanced platforms like Wix, our top pick for the best website builder in 2025.

Web.com, now the Network Solutions Website Builder, emphasizes simplicity over complexity, making it appealing to users who want to get online quickly without technical expertise. However, its focus on ease of use comes at the cost of advanced customization options that more experienced users might expect.

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Web.com: 2-minute review

Web.com positions itself as a beginner-friendly website builder that prioritizes simplicity. The platform offers a section-based editor rather than true drag-and-drop functionality, which simplifies the building process but limits design flexibility. With over 200 templates covering various industries and AI-powered tools for content generation, Web.com provides a solid foundation for small businesses and individuals looking to establish an online presence quickly.

The company's recent integration with Network Solutions has led to a radical shift in its business model. Founded in 1997, Web.com has built a reputation for serving small businesses. But its acquisition and merger with the Network Solutions brand combines decades of web hosting and domain expertise. Still, this provider occupies a middle ground between ultra-simple platforms and professional-grade tools — though there are better alternatives currently available in each category.

What is Web.com?

Web.com, or Network Solutions Website Builder, is a website building platform designed to help individuals and small businesses create professional websites without coding knowledge. Think of it as a digital toolkit that provides everything you need to build a website — templates, design tools, hosting, and domain registration. The platform uses what's called a "section-based" editor, which means you build your site by adding pre-designed sections (like headers, galleries, or contact forms) rather than placing individual elements wherever you want.

Network Solutions targets website creators who want to get online quickly without dealing with technical complexities. It handles the behind-the-scenes technical aspects like hosting, security, and maintenance, so you can focus on creating content and managing your business. The platform also includes AI-powered tools that can help generate website content and suggest design improvements, making it even easier for beginners to create professional-looking sites.

Features

Web.com positions itself as a complete website building platform with marketing and ecommerce. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Web.com positions itself as a complete website building platform with marketing and ecommerce, designed for simplicity over flashiness. The platform offers a solid foundation of essential features, including over 200 templates across four main categories, AI-powered content generation tools, and integrated marketing capabilities through SocialBooster, AdSpend, and email marketing platforms.

Its section-based editor, while marketed as drag-and-drop, provides a more structured approach to website building that streamlines the design process for beginners but limits creative freedom for advanced users.

The platform's feature set is clearly geared toward small businesses and beginners who need to establish an online presence quickly without technical complexity. Web.com also includes practical business tools like appointment scheduling, Google Analytics integration, and basic SEO.

The AI copywriting tool helps generate SEO-friendly content for various purposes, while the marketing suite provides social media scheduling and advertising campaign management. However, the platform lacks the kind of app marketplace found in competitors like Wix, which offers over 800 apps compared to Web.com's basic built-in tools.

Tools

Web.com provides a suite of tools designed to help users build, manage, and grow their online presence. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Web.com provides a suite of tools designed to help users build, manage, and grow their online presence. The platform combines website building capabilities with marketing tools and business features to create an all-in-one solution.

Website builder

The core website building tool uses a section-based editor that allows users to add and customize pre-designed sections. While marketed as drag-and-drop, the interface is more structured, with elements that can be moved within defined parameters to maintain design consistency.

AI-powered content tools

Web.com includes AI tools for generating website content and marketing ideas. These tools can help create text for different sections of your site and suggest improvements to enhance user engagement.

E-commerce features

The platform offers built-in e-commerce capabilities including unlimited product listings, multiple payment options, abandoned cart recovery, and inventory management. Higher-tier plans include marketplace selling and advanced inventory features.

Marketing suite

Web.com provides integrated marketing tools including SocialBooster for social media management, AdSpend for advertising campaigns, email marketing capabilities, and MyLinks for creating custom branded links.

SEO and analytics

The platform includes SEO health checks, Google Analytics integration, and website analytics tools to help users track performance and improve search engine visibility.

Ease of use

Web.com prioritizes simplicity throughout the user experience, making it particularly accessible for beginners. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Web.com prioritizes simplicity throughout the user experience, making it particularly accessible for beginners. The onboarding process includes an AI chatbot that helps generate a starter website, though some users find its initial setup process underwhelming compared to more sophisticated builders. A section-based editor keeps your design process focused, by providing pre-built sections that can be customized and rearranged to create a unique website.

The interface features a clean, intuitive design with a left-side menu containing essential tools like Pages, Blog, and Appointments. Adding new elements is straightforward — you simply click the blue + icon to access different content blocks like buttons, text, galleries, and Google Maps. The platform shows layout guides at the bottom of the editor, helping users understand how elements can be positioned within each section.

While the simplified approach makes Web.com very beginner-friendly, it does limit design flexibility for users who want more control over their site's appearance. You can't change templates for existing pages, and the selection of blocks and elements is more limited compared to advanced website builders. However, the platform compensates with reliable performance, featuring 100% uptime in testing and fast loading speeds averaging 1.2 seconds for the Largest Contentful Paint metric.

Pricing

Web.com's offers significant new-user discounts, with prices reduced by 67-100% for a 12-month term for every new user. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Renewal rate (paid annually)

Website Builder

$1.99/month

$16.99/month

Website + Marketing

$3.99/month

$21.99/month

Ecommerce

$9.99/month

$29.99/month

Web.com's offers significant new-user discounts, with prices reduced by 67-100% for a 12-month term for every new user. But on the flip side of that, you can expect a sharp incline in subscription fees once the initial term has passed.

But while the entry-level pricing is higher than many competitors, Network Solutions' overhauled pricing removes any significant price hikes for those looking to upgrade. Web.com's most expensive plan costs $29.99/month during renewal, even with the upgraded features and hardware needed to support ecommerce.

Security

Web.com provides essential security features including SSL certificates and secure website hosting across all plans. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Web.com provides essential security features including SSL certificates and secure website hosting across all plans. The platform offers automatic SSL certificate installation and renewal, ensuring data encryption between websites and visitors. However, the company isn't particularly transparent about its comprehensive security measures, and some security features that competitors include for free may require additional payment.

The platform includes basic security monitoring and protection through its hosting infrastructure, though it lacks some advanced security features found in enterprise-grade solutions. Web.com's integration with Network Solutions brings additional security expertise from a company with 45 years of experience in web services, potentially strengthening the overall security posture. Users seeking enhanced security should consider the platform's SiteLock integration, which offers cloud-based scanning and real-time threat detection.

Support

(Image credit: Network Solutions)

Network Solutions offers a wide range of ways to get in touch with its team, including an online chat feature, phone support, and email support. You could reach out at any time of the day or night, which is great if your team is spread across time zones.

Another great thing is the knowledge base articles. These resources are incredibly helpful, especially for newbies who don't know much about building websites from scratch. There are step-by-step tutorials for setting up your account, as well as more general advice on topics such as SEO optimization and social media marketing.

Alternatives

WordPress.com is one of the most popular website building tools in the world today, and for good reason. It's easy to use and completely customizable, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes and types. The platform also comes with plenty of features, including customizable themes and plugins that can help you create an effective and attractive website in no time at all.

Wix is another great alternative to Web.com website builder if you are looking for something that's easy to use while still providing plenty of features and customization options. With Wix, you can create a professional-looking site without any coding knowledge or technical skills at all—all you need is a drag-and-drop interface and a few clicks of the mouse.

Squarespace is another excellent alternative to Web.com if you want something that's both powerful and easy to use at the same time. Squarespace lets users customize their websites quickly and easily with its intuitive drag-and-drop editor as well as dozens of templates designed specifically for businesses in mind.

Web.com: Summary

Web.com serves as a solid choice for beginners and small businesses seeking a straightforward website building experience with AI-powered assistance. The platform excels in ease of use, performance reliability, and customer support, making it particularly suitable for users who prioritize simplicity over advanced customization.

However, its section-based editor limits design flexibility, and the steep renewal pricing structure may deter cost-conscious users in the long term. While Web.com's recent integration with Network Solutions adds credibility and technical expertise, the platform faces strong competition from more feature-rich alternatives that offer better value propositions.

Web.com: FAQsHow do I create a website on Web.com?

Creating a website on Web.com is easy and straightforward. All you need to do is sign up for an account, select the type of website you want to create (such as an e-commerce store or portfolio site), and then customize it with your own design elements and content.

You can even add features like contact forms, galleries, blogs, and more. Once you’re happy with the design of your site, click “Publish” and your new website will be live for everyone to see.

Can I build an online store with Web.com?

Yes, Web.com offers a dedicated plan for those who want to build an online store. The plan comes with a host of dedicated ecommerce features including secure online payments, the ability to sell via platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and marketplaces, as well as promotional tools such as discount codes and abandoned cart delivery.

Does Web.com offer a free trial?

Unfortunately, Web.com does not offer a free trial of its website builder service at this time. However, they do offer several different pricing plans to suit any budget, so if you have some money saved up you can try out its service without breaking the bank.

Can I create a web page with Web.com?

Yes. With Web.com’s easy-to-use tools, you can create a basic web page in no time at all - no coding experience required.

Categories: Reviews

New PS5 games 2025: most anticipated PS5 release dates

TechRadar News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 08:09
What's the next big PS5 game to release?

(Image credit: Mohsen Vaziri / Shutterstock.com)

There are many big PS5 games to look forward to over the next couple of months, including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake. Beyond that, there's Ghost of Yotei, as well as Borderlands 4. Hopefully, we'll continue to get release dates in the coming weeks. Now that the PS5 Pro is here, you can check out our PS5 Pro review, to see how the best PS5 Pro games make use of the updated hardware, and get an idea as to how future games could run on the enhanced console.

There's an excellent line-up of PS5 games set to launch in 2025. It's certainly shaping up to be a very good year to be a PlayStation fan, with big releases like Ghost of Yōtei sure to impress on Sony's newest consoles.

New PS5 games will start coming out in the next few weeks, with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 kicking things off in style. In the rest of 2025, many exciting new PS5 exclusives are still set to be announced – with some even likely to land on our list of best PS5 games. It's a great time to be a PS5 owner for sure, especially when you consider that there's even more to follow in late 2025 and into 2026.

Read on to learn the release dates for the biggest new PS5 games. As new release dates are revealed, or if certain games are delayed, this page will be updated. For now, here's what you'll be playing in the next 6 months or so, and beyond!

New PS5 games 2025: this year’s most anticipated releases

(Image credit: Xbox México)

Here's a short list of 2025's biggest and most anticipated new PS5 games. These all have release dates, which will be updated if there are delays or cancellations. As it's still early on in the year, expect even more games to be announced as we go.

  • Gears of War Reloaded - August 26, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Metal Solid Delta: Snake Eater - August 28 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Borderlands 4 - September 23 (XSX|S, PS5, PC)
  • Ghost of Yōtei - October 2, 2025 (PS5)
July

(Image credit: Activision)
  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 - 11th July (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch)
  • Wuchang Fallen Feathers - July 24, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Ninja Gaiden Ragebound - July 31, 2025 (PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
August

(Image credit: Ultizero Games)
  • Mafia: The Old Country - August 8 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Sword and the Sea - August 19, 2025 (PS5)
  • Dying Light The Beast - August 22, 2025
  • Gears of War Reloaded - August 26, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Metal Solid Delta: Snake Eater - August 28 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Lost Soul Aside - August 29 (PS5, PC)
  • Shinobi: Art of Vengeance - August 29 (PS5, PS4, XSX|S, XBO, Switch, PC)
September

(Image credit: 2K)
  • Hell Is Us - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle DLC - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Everybody's Golf Hot Shots - September 5, 2025 (PS5, Switch 2, PC)
  • Baby Steps - September 8, 2025 (PS5, PC)
  • Borderlands 4 - September 23, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Silent Hill f - September 25, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Sonic Racing Crossworlds - September 25, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - September 30, 2025 (PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
October

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)
  • Directive 8020 - October 2, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Ghost of Yōtei - October 2, 2025 (PS5)
  • Digimon Story Time Stranger - October 3, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Ninja Gaiden 4 - October 21, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Jurassic World Evolution 3 - October 21 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • The Outer Worlds 2 - October 29, 2025 (XSX|S, PC, PS5)
2025 and TBC

(Image credit: Insomniac)

Now for the games that, while we know are coming, have yet to receive full release dates. Hopefully we'll hear more about the following games sooner rather than later.

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Categories: Technology

Upcoming games 2025 for console and PC

TechRadar News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 08:05

Now that we're well into 2025, there's plenty of big games to look forward to in the coming months. These include a few games that were delayed out of last year, as well as some very highly anticipated titles indeed.

From Donkey Kong Bananza to Borderlands 4, the games slated for upcoming release look to be a very fine line-up indeed, regardless of whether you're playing on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox or PC. Some games are much closer than others however, so it can be a little tricky to keep track of everything. That's where we come in.

Below, we’ve collated release dates and windows for the biggest confirmed games of 2025 and beyond. So whatever genre you go for, there will likely be at least one game on this list that you’ll want to mark on your calendar. Here's the upcoming games to look forward to in 2025.

Upcoming games 2025: this year’s biggest games
  • Donkey Kong: Bananza - July 17, 2025 (Switch 2)
  • Borderlands 4 - September 23 (XSX|S, PS5, PC)
  • Ghost of Yōtei - October 2, 2025 (PS5)
  • The Outer Worlds 2 - October 29, 2025 (XSX|S, PC, PS5)
  • Pokemon Legends Z-A - October 16, 2025 (Switch, Switch 2)
July

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Now onto July, which sees a new Donkey Kong game launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.

  • Mecha Break - July 1, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 - July 11 (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch)
  • Donkey Kong Bananza - July 17, 2025 (Switch 2)
  • Wuchang Fallen Feathers - July 24, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Ninja Gaiden Ragebound - July 31, 2025 (PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
August

(Image credit: Konami)

August brings the long awaited release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Here's what else is planned:

  • Mafia: The Old Country - August 8 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Sword and the Sea - August 19, 2025 (PS5)
  • Dying Light The Beast - August 22, 2025
  • Gears of War Reloaded - August 26, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Metal Solid Delta: Snake Eater - August 28 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Lost Soul Aside - August 29 (PS5, PC)
  • Shinobi: Art of Vengeance - August 29 (PS5, PS4, XSX|S, XBO, Switch, PC)
September

(Image credit: 2K Games)

Players will be able to jump into a brand new Borderlands game in September, as well as the new shooter from Bungie:

  • Hell Is Us - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle DLC - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Everybody's Golf Hot Shots - September 5, 2025 (PS5, Switch 2, PC)
  • Baby Steps - September 8, 2025 (PS5, PC)
  • Borderlands 4 - September 23, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Silent Hill f - September 25, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Sonic Racing Crossworlds - September 25, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - September 30, 2025 (PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
October

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)
  • Directive 8020 - October 2, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Ghost of Yōtei - October 2, 2025 (PS5)
  • Digimon Story Time Stranger - October 3, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Pokemon Legends Z-A - October 16, 2025 (Switch, Switch 2)
  • Ninja Gaiden 4 - October 21, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Jurassic World Evolution 3 - October 21 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • The Outer Worlds 2 - October 29, 2025 (XSX|S, PC, PS5)
Rest of 2025 and TBC

(Image credit: Rockstar)

Finally, here's a list of games that have been announced, but either don't have more than a release year attached to them yet, or are much further out. For now, they're simply TBC, but once each game does receive a release date, this page will be updated.

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Categories: Technology

Get in Shape With the Best Rowing Machine Picks Tested by a Fitness Expert

CNET News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 08:00
Consider these rowing machines for your home gym for an effective full-body workout.
Categories: Technology

Why I Recommend Lenovo’s Gaming Tablet Over the iPad Mini

CNET News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 08:00
With smooth performance and nice extras, the 8-inch Legion Tab Gen 3 tablet is hands-down my new favorite mobile gaming device.
Categories: Technology

Maxell's Bluetooth cassette player is probably the tape revival player you're most likely to want to own – if you can get one

TechRadar News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:59
  • Maxell MXCP-P100 is a portable Bluetooth cassette player with up to 9 hours battery life
  • No recording or noise reduction circuitry
  • Not currently (officially) available outside Japan

Maxell's new cassette player has given me a massive nostalgia rush – and if you were around in the '80s you'll know exactly why. Maxell created one of the most iconic TV ads of all time – embedded below – in which the sound from its tapes was so powerful it was like sitting in a wind tunnel.

This Bluetooth player doesn't go quite so loud, but every inch of the outside screams "eighties!" - and of course, the inside is considerably more modern.

Maxell MXCP-P100 tape player: specs, price and availability

As you can see from the images, it's a compact cassette player with the usual control buttons on top and a headphone out and volume on the side.

There are two additional bits you won't find on an '80s tape player, though: a Bluetooth button and a USB-C charging port. This player uses a rechargeable battery rather than old-school AAs, and it can stream wirelessly to your Bluetooth headphones. The Bluetooth version is 5.4.

(Image credit: Maxell)

Battery life is a claimed nine hours with wired headphones and seven without.

There's no recording here, and no Dolby noise reduction either; the battery is built-in so you'll need to take a cable if you're taking the player travelling. And sadly there's one more caveat: it's not available officially outside of Japan, although there are tons on eBay.

The prices are variable, to say the least: I'm looking at listings ranging from $202 / £147 to $398 / £300.

That makes it quite a bit more expensive than the We Are Rewind equivalent player that also has Bluetooth, but you might be more like to want to buy the Maxell because it's so much smaller – the We Are Rewind player is a chunky, heavy beast.

And the Fiio CP13 is also way cheaper and closer to being the right size, but that doesn't have Bluetooth, so again the Maxell might be the better option if you want to actually use it out and about.

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Categories: Technology

Capcom reveals new Resident Evil Requiem footage, but still won't tell us if Leon is in the game

TechRadar News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:48
  • More Resident Evil Requiem footage appeared as part of the latest Capcom Spotlight
  • The stream also featured brief interviews with some developers
  • These touch on the topic of Leon as a potential protagonist

Developer Capcom has revealed some new Resident Evil Requiem footage as part of the latest Capcom Spotlight.

The 'Creators' Message' trailer also features some members of the development team speaking about the upcoming horror game. They confirm that Resident Evil Requiem will be a single-player, offline experience with a renewed focus on scares.

The protagonist will be FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, who is described by director Koshi Nakanishi as "introverted and easily scared." The intention, he added, is to create a protagonist who experiences horror in the same way as the audience and learns to overcome her fears over the course of the story.

There has been no shortage of speculation that fan-favorite Resident Evil staple Leon Kennedy will feature in the game. Although Nakanishi did not outright deny that Leon will appear, he remarked that "making a horror game based around it is difficult" because "he wouldn't jump at something like a bucket falling."

"No one wants to see Leon scared by every little thing," he continued, "so he's actually quite a bad match for horror."

The video also touches on some of the work that went into crafting the impressively life-like graphics, including the fact that a real-world wig was used to model the physics of Grace's hair.

It also reaffirms the fact that the game will feature both a first-person and third-person camera, previously revealed to us as part of a behind-closed-doors demo shown to the press at Summer Game Fest 2025.

A few more details about the setting are also outlined. The game is set roughly thirty years after the destruction of Raccoon City and the initial zombie outbreak portrayed in Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3.

Resident Evil Requiem will launch on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.

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Categories: Technology

Monster Hunter Wilds best graphics settings for PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X

TechRadar News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:43
What's new in Monster Hunter Wilds?

(Image credit: Capcom)

Capcom just revealed the full details for Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 2. This will add Lagiacrus and Seregios on June 30, 2025. There's Layered Weapons too, as well as the option to change which Support Hunters come to your aid after you send up an SOS Flare. You can read more about Monster Hunter Wilds' roadmap here, covering the latest event quests, challenge quests, and more.

The best Monster Hunter Wilds graphics settings for PS5 and Xbox could make a world of difference considering the game can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of visual consistency.

On most platforms, players will need to choose between three main modes, before further tweaks can be made to clean things up. I've now played close to 50 hours of Monster Hunter Wilds, experimenting with a whole host of settings to improve the graphics.

Monster Hunter Wilds is another step forward for the long-running co-op action franchise. This time around, there's a seamless open world to explore, filled with monsters great and small, and plenty of valuable resources to loot. You can read my full Monster Hunter Wilds review to find out why I've placed the game on our best multiplayer PC games list.

Here are the best Monster Hunter Wilds graphics settings for PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S. I'll cover whether to choose the prioritize Resolution or Framerate modes or if it's worth selecting the Balanced Mode. Then, you'll find some specific settings that can be tweaked to clean up the muddy image that can be found on certain platforms by default. Let's get started.

Monster Hunter Wilds best graphics settings for PS5

(Image credit: Capcom)

On PS5, you'll have the choice between three main graphics modes in Monster Hunter Wilds. You can see the key info on each in the table below:

Performance settings

Output resolutions

Rendering resolutions

Ray Tracing

Frame Rate

Prioritize Resolution

3840 x 2160

3072 x 1728

Disable

30fps

Balanced

3840 x 2160

2496 x 1404

Disable

40fps

Prioritize Framerate

3840 x 2160

1920 x 1080

Disable

60fps

Monster Hunter Wilds is an action-heavy game, that requires you to make split-second dodges, counters, and attacks. Because of this, 60fps (frames per second) is the way to go, so you'll want to choose the Prioritize Framerate mode here. Unfortunately, this does mean a hefty hit to the resolution, but, in my opinion, it's worth it. In general Monster Hunter Wilds doesn't really have the best performance on the base consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X|S), though there are some tweaks you can make to clean up the image.

Firstly, switch off Motion Blur. Then, go into the HDR settings and turn down the HDR Highlights bar to decrease overall Luminosity. You'll also want to darken the shadows using the slider. This will go a long way in cleaning up the washed-out look that is especially prevalent during the Inclemency seasons.

Monster Hunter Wilds best graphics settings for PS5 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

Now onto PS5 Pro, which, in terms of graphics settings at least, is the best place to play Monster Hunter Wilds on console. As before, there are three settings to choose from:

Performance settings

Output resolutions

Rendering resolutions

Ray Tracing

Frame Rate

Prioritize Resolution

3840 x 2160

3840 x 2160

Enable

30fps

Balanced

3840 x x2160

2496 x 1404

Enable

40fps

Prioritize Framerate

3840 x 2160

1920 x 1080

Disable

60fps

If you're playing Monster Hunter Wilds on PS5 Pro, I recommend starting the game in Balanced Mode if you have a 120Hz display. This allows for a decent frame rate, and thanks to the Pro's extra power, you'll get to enjoy the game's Ray Tracing features.

If you find that you'd rather have a higher FPS, then you can switch to Prioritize Frame Rate. From here, there are options to cap the frame rate at 60fps or leave it uncapped.

I preferred to keep it capped for more consistent performance, but try uncapped to see if you like it first, especially if you are using a VRR-capable display. It's clear that the PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) features of the PS5 Pro are at play here, using machine learning to enhance resolution and clarity. It's something we praised in our full PS5 Pro review.

As with the base PS5 or PS5 Slim, you'll want to turn off Motion Blur, and go into the HDR settings to tweak things like highlights (lower them to 6), and then shadows (darken them to remove washed-out look).

Personally, I went for the Prioritize Frame Rate mode for the vast majority of my playtime with Monster Hunter Wilds. Thanks to PSSR, the game still looked great, even at 1080p, and the frame rate was extremely consistent. These upgrades are a big part of why I've placed Monster Hunter Wilds onto TechRadar's best PS5 Pro games list.

Monster Hunter Wilds best graphics settings for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Miguel Lagoa)

Finally, let's take a look at the best Monster Hunter Wilds graphics settings for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S:

Performance settings

Output resolutions

Rendering resolutions

Ray Tracing

Frame Rate

Prioritize Resolution

3840 x 2160

3072 x 1728

Disable

30fps

Balanced

3840 x 2160

2496 x 1404

Disable

40fps

Prioritize Framerate

3840 x 2160

1920 x 1080

Disable

60fps

Series S

1920 x 1080

1920 x 1080

Disable

30fps

As you can see, the Xbox Series X is in line with the PS5 settings for Monster Hunter Wilds. As such, I recommend the Prioritize Frame Rate Mode. There's no Ray Tracing to take advantage of here, so you may as well get the game running at a consistent 60fps.

Just like with the PS5, you'll want to turn off Motion Blur on the Xbox Series X and lower the luminosity of the highlights in HDR settings. Darkening the shadows makes things look better as well.

For those with an Xbox Series S, there are no modes to choose from, with the game locked at 1080p and 30fps. Try the visual tweaks mentioned above to clean up the image, however.

How to make Monster Hunter Wilds look less washed out

(Image credit: Capcom)

Monster Hunter Wilds is a visually inconsistent experience on consoles, especially in certain biomes and seasons. In particular, the Windward Plains during Fallow can be extremely washed out, with colors being muted and grey across the board. To remedy this, go into the HDR settings and adjust it to suit your screen. Then, lower the Highlights bar, and darken the shadows slightly. This can really help make colors and shadows pop, while cutting out some of the hazy-gray elements that you'll run into while out on hunts. Hopefully, Capcom releases patch to address the washed-out issues in Monster Hunter Wilds, but for now, try the steps we mentioned.

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Categories: Technology

I've Used AllTrails Consistently for Nearly 10 Years. Here's How to Navigate the App Like a Pro

CNET News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:20
Get in, loser. We’re going hiking. Here are my favorite features of this popular outdoor app and why you should use it on your next adventure.
Categories: Technology

ModRetro Chromatic Review: The Perfect Game Boy Restomod

CNET News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:00
ModRetro went in a dramatically different direction with this Game Boy recreation, and it succeeds in capturing the original's charm.
Categories: Technology

Samsung S95F OLED TV Review: Fantastic Picture, Superior Anti-Glare

CNET News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:00
The Samsung S95F OLED's ability to ban reflections helps it produce the best TV image quality yet.
Categories: Technology

This Is the Least Rewarding Card in My Wallet. Here's Why I Still Use It

CNET News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:00
My Capital One VentureOne Rewards card is my ticket to safer and more convenient online shopping, thanks to its virtual cards feature.
Categories: Technology

Apple Ads Aren't Cool Anymore. Here's What I Think Changed

CNET News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:00
Commentary: You don't need an 81-slide deck to convince your parents to buy you a Mac for college. Apple should change its tone to get its advertising groove back.
Categories: Technology

This AirTag experiment just revealed the surprising truth about what happens to your clothes donations

TechRadar News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 06:33
  • Someone put an AirTag in a pair of sneakers and donated them to a charity
  • The shoes ended up traveling 800km across Europe
  • This experiment shows just what can happen to your donated clothes

When you donate clothes to a charity, do you actually know where they end up? In most cases you don’t, but one TikTok user decided to find out by fitting a pair of sneakers with an Apple AirTag tracker and seeing where they went – and the result was pretty surprising.

The experiment was carried out by Moe.Ha on TikTok. They slipped an AirTag into a pair of donated sneakers, then placed them into a Red Cross collection bin in Munich, Germany.

Across the span of five days, the footwear left Germany and crossed through Austria, Slovenia and Croatia, before eventually arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 800km from their starting location. Once there, they wound up on a shelf in a second-hand store.

Moe.Ha decided to follow the donated sneakers to Bosnia and Herzegovina and managed to locate the store, where the shoes were found sitting on a shelf, waiting to be bought for about 10 euros. According to an employee in the store, the items were brought in by their boss, who lives in Germany.

How did this happen?

(Image credit: Apple)

You might wonder how a pair of donated shoes ended up so far from their original location – after all, wouldn’t it make more sense to send them to a goodwill store in the local area to be sold there?

The reality, however, is more complicated. According to the German Red Cross’s website (via translation), there are two different routes donated clothes can take. One option is the “recycler model,” which results in the entire contents of a donation collection being sold to a recycling company.

The other model is the “clothing depot model,” where clothes are sorted by the Red Cross and suitable items are distributed to depots and thrift stores, with excess pieces being sold to a recycler. This route appears to be the process that Moe.Ha’s sneakers underwent. Whichever route is taken, though, the proceeds go towards the Red Cross’s work.

An experiment like this shows the value in attaching a tracker like an AirTag to an important item, just in case you lose it. Even though the shoes traveled 800km across Europe, Moe.Ha was still able to follow them using Apple’s Find My app.

Hopefully any items you lose won’t go quite so far, but if you’ve got an item tracker attached to them, you might be able to hunt them down regardless.

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Categories: Technology

Forget the Blue Screen of Death – Windows is replacing it with an even more terrifying Black Screen of Death

TechRadar News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 06:28
  • Microsoft is replacing its Blue Screen of Death with a Black Screen of Death
  • This comes after decades of service from the original BSoD
  • It's slated to roll out later this summer

Microsoft is gradually remodeling Windows 11, with an upgraded Xbox app aligned for the new ROG Xbox Ally handhelds that introduces an Aggregated Game Library – but it looks like gaming upgrades aren't the only things on Microsoft's radar.

As reported by The Verge, Microsoft is replacing the Windows 11 Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) with a Black Screen of Death, after decades of the latter's presence on multiple Windows iterations. It apparently wants to provide more clarity and concise information to help troubleshoot user errors easily.

This new design should begin to roll out later this summer, and if I'm honest (even though Microsoft hasn't stated it), it seems like this change is part of the big upgrade package built for a more handheld-friendly gaming experience. However, (as The Verge suggests) it may also be a response to 2024's CrowdStrike outage.

It seems like an odd design change, at least in the sense of going from blue to black, especially after the original being around for many decades. At the very least, we'll still be able to continue calling the error message 'BSoD' for short. The stop code will still be present, though, which helps provide greater insight into potential issues.

Analysis: Don't fix what isn't broken Microsoft...

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

While I'm not entirely mad at this change, I'm more concerned about whether this introduces issues. In my experience, there's hardly much wrong with the current BSoD error message; I'm sure this update will be beneficial for troubleshooting, but I get the sense of 'don't fix what isn't broken'.

Going by Microsoft's track record with updates recently, it doesn't instill any confidence that the transition to Black Screen of Death won't end up breaking functionality in one way or another. Sure, there's always going to be a bug or two with different Windows 11 builds, but some of its updates earlier this year have been alarmingly troublesome.

I've also remained coy on updating the OS, as well as Nvidia's GPU drivers, both of which previously caused errors. Windows left games like Assassin's Creed Origins and other Ubisoft titles crashing or unable to run, while (speaking of the new Black Screen of Death) Nvidia's GeForce drivers kept causing black screen errors during driver installations or at user login.

If this is implemented without any complications or major bugs, then I'll be happy; it will mostly come in handy for Windows handheld gaming PCs, as the decreased amount of text is easier to analyze on a smaller screen. I'm just hoping that doesn't become a bigger issue than it needs to be. Goodbye BSoD, and welcome the new BSoD...

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Categories: Technology

SMBs are being hit by malicious productivity tools – Zoom and ChatGPT spoofed by hackers

TechRadar News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 06:25
  • Zoom, Microsoft Office and ChatGPT are among the most impersonated
  • Attacks can vary, from phishing campaigns to malware
  • Setting clear software adoption procedures is crucial

Cyberattacks mimicking ChatGPT rose 115% in early 2025, according to new research from Russian cybersecurity Kaspersky, which is warning workers of fake productivity apps.

According to the analysis, 8,500 small and medium-sized businesses were targeted using malicious files disguised as productivity apps and AI tools.

Among the most commonly fakes apps were Zoom, Microsoft Office, ChatGPT and DeepSeek, with Kaspersky tracking more than 4,000 unique malicious files using this type of attack.

Zoom, Office and ChatGPT spoofed in latest cyberattacks

The cybersecurity company explained that cybercriminals exploit popular and hyped tools to lute victims during a sense of excitement and urgency. Phishing and spam campaigns are used to present fake offers, impersonating brands to steal data or distribute malware.

"The more publicity and conversation there is around a tool, the more likely a user will come across a fake package on the internet," security expert Vasily Kolesnikov said.

Being that Kaspersky's warning discusses productivity apps as a whole, and not one specific campaign, there isn't one type of warning being issued. Instead, workers are being advised to be aware of downloaders, trojans and adware, with phishing campaigns targeting banking, delivery and account credentials.

Kaspersky's tracking revealed a 13% increase in Zoom-related fake files in 2025, with Google Drive rising 12% and Teams rising a staggering 100%. Other Microsoft apps, including Outlook and PowerPoint (16% each), Excel (12%), Word (9%) and Teams (5%) accounting for a large proportion of the attacks observed by Kaspersky.

The company is advising businesses to set clear procedures for software adoption and to define access rules for emails, cloud files and other documents. Regular backups can also provide a reliable failsafe in the event of an attack.

"Always check the correct spelling of the website and links in suspicious emails. In many cases these links may turn out to be phishing or a link that downloads malicious or potentially unwanted software," Kolesnikov added.

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Categories: Technology

Supreme Court to decide on 6 cases today. And, new details on U.S. airstrikes on Iran

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 06:18

The Supreme Court is expected to decide on six remaining cases of its term today, including one on birthright citizenship. And, new details about the U.S. air strikes on Iran's nuclear program.

(Image credit: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

Categories: News

The Nothing Phone 3 design just leaked in full – and it's like Lego designed a smartphone

TechRadar News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 06:07
  • The design of the Nothing Phone 3 has leaked in full
  • It's an unconventional aesthetic that looks modular
  • The phone could launch as early as next week

The Nothing Phone 3 is booked in for its grand unveiling sometime next month, and if you're interested in spoilers for what it's going to look like, a bunch of new, unofficial renders have now made their way online.

These pictures come from Android Headlines and tipster @MysteryLupin, and the design is certainly... unconventional. The back casing is covered with squares, and looks like a classic sliding block puzzle game, or like a phone made in partnership with Lego.

It's also reminding me of the Project Ara prototype that Google developed during the 2010s, a modular phone that sadly never made it to production. The look here is all aesthetic though – you can't actually move parts in or out.

There's a little Glyph Matrix window up in the top-right corner on the back, as teased by Nothing itself. It looks like this could be used for some custom stylings, or perhaps to display unread notification counts or something along those lines.

Splitting opinion

Phone 3 pic.twitter.com/PQqxkCzPMVJune 26, 2025

The reactions I've seen on social media range from very positive to very negative, so however you feel about this design, you're not alone. Personally, I like it – though admittedly it takes some getting used to.

It's rare these days for a smartphone design to be in any way surprising or interesting, so whatever your opinion, you have to give Nothing some credit for that. It also looks as though some of those stylings on the back might be functional buttons.

Aside from the outside appearance, we're also expecting some changes in terms of Nothing's software too, which will once again be based on Android. Earlier leaks suggest the phone is going to go big on AI this year.

Nothing has said the phone is launching in July, and unconfirmed leaks suggest Tuesday, July 1 as the big day – so there's not long to wait at all. No doubt we can expect a few more official teases and unofficial rumors between now and Tuesday.

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Best Resume Writing Services for College Grads, Career Changes and Promotions in 2025

CNET News - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 06:00
Whether you're a college grad entering the job market, seeking a promotion or looking for a career change, you'll want a strong resume. These resume writing services could help you to kickstart or find the next step in your career.
Categories: Technology

I tested the EnGenius EOC655 bridge, an innovative product that combines Bluetooth and GPS

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 05:59

The EnGenius EOC655 outdoor bridge features two Wi-Fi 6 radios offering a combined throughput of 2 Gbps.

Specification

CPU: Dual-core Qualcomm ARM CPU

RAM: 1GB

Storage: 8GB NAND

Radios: Two 2x2 5GHz Wi-Fi 6, One 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for management

Wireless throughput: Theoretical 2Gbps

Ports: 1Gb Ethernet with PoE, 2.5Gb Ethernet with proprietary PoE

Weight: 1.84 kg

Dimensions: 26.7 cm x 22.7 cm x 8.2 cm

Power Consumption: 21W maximum consumption, 15W with one client connected

MSRP: $999

The manufacturer-specified range of 10km is under ideal conditions. In reality, a reliable link is achieved at 1km or less. Its IP67 rating delivers reliable operation under harsh outdoor conditions, and with dual GbE ports, it can extend the reach of a remote location with wired Ethernet to over 100 meters. AES-256 encryption boosts security, and optional support for FIPS-140-2 compliance ensures reliable and secure communication.

The built-in GPS enables accurate device location and network mapping, making it essential for asset tracking and seamless network integration.

Web-based monitoring and management through the unified cloud service and mobile app allow auto-provisioning and large-scale deployments. The EOC655 consumes 21W, making it ideal for remote locations where energy supply is limited, such as a solar farm. A dual-core A53 CPU, supported by 1GB of RAM and 8GB of eMMC, provides premium features such as quality of service and VLAN support.

The EOC655 costs $999 per unit and does not include an external antenna. The same unit, equipped with two 18dBi antennas, costs $1100 and can cover up to 10 km. The EOC655 can be bundled with an even better antenna, providing up to 10km of range at higher throughput for $1300.

EnGenius EOC655: Design

The EnGenius wireless bridge ships with one accessory box containing the mounting kit, Ethernet wires, and a PoE adapter. A metal ring secures the unit to a outdoor post with screws. The white plastic enclosure lacks a heat dissipator and will become warm over time. Two Ethernet connectors link the box to the network while two N-type female connectors allow the addition of external antennas to boost the bridge’s range. The box measures 27 cm x 23 cm x 82 mm and weighs 1.84kg.

Internally, the EOC655 is based on a Qualcomm chipset. The processor is a Dual-Core 1GHz ARM CPU supported by 1GB of RAM and 8GB of flash memory. The two Ethernet ports can connect to 2.5 Gb and 1 Gb networks, supporting speeds as low as 10 Mbps. The connectors have a plastic enclosure that surrounds the Ethernet cable, preventing water from entering the bridge.

The two Ethernet ports function as PoE ports, but they differ slightly in operation. The 2.5 Gb port supports a proprietary version of PoE that is compatible only with the supplied adapter. The 1Gb port supports the regular 48V PoE and can be connected to a standard PoE switch. To facilitate installation, the bridge features additional hardware, including a GPS module and Bluetooth connectivity.

The two-radio architecture allows the use of both internal and external antennas. The maximum power for transmission is set to 27 dBm, which is higher than that of consumer products. The C18 model has built-in antennas with gains of 3.5 dBi at 2.4 GHz and eight dBi at 5 GHz. The second radio uses an N-type connector for the 5 GHz band. The base version of the bridge drops the 5GHz internal antenna, resulting in both radios operating through N-type connectors.

(Image credit: Future)EnGenius EOC655: In Use

At least two units are needed to start the setup. A base unit connects to the wired network that needs extension. A second EOC655 is a subscriber and associates with the base over Wi-Fi 6. There is no visual indicator to show if things are working well. If a PoE switch is available, connecting the base unit will likely occur through the 1G port, as the faster 2.5G port is only compatible with the proprietary power supply.

The setup is entirely completed through the Engenius SkyConnect mobile app, available on Android and iOS. It is frustrating that an additional app is required for this process, as Engenius's other products, including access points, utilize the more familiar Cloud-To-Go platform. Once powered, the base unit emits a management SSID and waits for remote units to reply. The EOC655 supports up to 16 subscriber stations, working in a star configuration. As such, adding stations won’t necessarily increase the network's range.

Integrating a GPS module and a dedicated 2.4 GHz radio for management simplifies the installation process. The GPS provides real-time unit location and an accurate time source for the embedded NTP server. The 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth channels prevent downtime during Wi-Fi 6 radios configuration and firmware updates. Finally, a built-in compass provides additional help when no GPS signal is present.

(Image credit: Future)EnGenius EOC655: Competition

The EOC655 bridge is an innovative product that combines various technologies, including Bluetooth and GPS, under a single roof. For this reason, it is challenging to find a suitable competitor.

The Zyxel WAX655E offers many features similar to those of the EnGenius, and it is faster, boasting a 4x4 radio architecture. The WAX655E lacks the convenience provided by the GPS module, making installation more difficult. The Zyxel product does not have a second Ethernet port, which prevents the network from being extended further without an Ethernet switch.

EnGenius EOC655: Final Verdict

The EOC655 meets the requirements when long-range Wi-Fi is needed. It's not a router or an access point; it is pretty useless on its own. It shines when two or more are used in a mesh configuration to extend the reach beyond one kilometer. And it does it well. The installation is smooth, thanks to features such as geolocation via GPS and setup via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. The throughput isn’t the best, but it will be reliable over larger distances.

We appreciated that you could install external antennas, which offer better gain than embedded ones. However, the lack of visual cues on the unit makes working with the mobile app a necessity.

Buy the EOC655 if you want to extend the reach of your network without sacrificing reliability.

Don’t buy the EOC655 if you want the best throughput available.

We list the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.

Categories: Reviews

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