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The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has created a paradox for cybersecurity professionals. On the one hand, AI – particularly generative AI – enables attackers to execute attack techniques that we’ve never considered before, and at pace. On the other hand, it is enhancing defensive strategies by automating threat detection, even counterattacking criminals.

All organizations should be striving to stay ahead of malicious actors, and the challenge has never been so great. It's an unavoidable truth that AI is both the solution and the problem to cybersecurity challenges as we move into a new financial year.

While the debate over “whether AI creates more issues than it solves” rages on, one thing is certain – integrating it into cybersecurity frameworks is critical to matching the new AI tools available to the modern-day threat actor.

AI as the Raider – A hacker’s new toy

Unfortunately, AI technology is both more accessible and available to a wider pool of threat actors, and its misuse is accelerating. The surge of AI-generated fakes, from images to convincing audio-based deceptions, enables even amateur hackers to execute worthy cyberattacks. Tools like ChatGPT can be used to craft phishing emails, fake messages and other fraudulent materials with impressive precision.

Social engineering attacks continue to be a central point of exposure for organizations. Cybercriminals are using personal details – often sourced using AI - to generate tailored content with the explicit goal of manipulating individuals into handing over sensitive information.

Such is the quality of this technology, that deepfake videos of company CEOs are being played in boardrooms in a bid to access confidential company data or financials.

These risks are magnified by AI’s speed and adaptability - organizations face an uphill battle to stay ahead of the curve. For example, AI-powered malware is evolving rapidly, automatically learning from prior encounters to elude detection in future attacks.

In a world this complex and fast, organizations must remain both resilient and relentless in their defensive efforts.

AI as the Guardian – the new frontier in security

While AI can pose significant threats for organizations, it remains integral to defending against cyber threats.

AI can analyze vast data sets, notably quicker and with greater accuracy than humans can, to identify patterns and anomalies, often pre-emptively detecting attacks before they occur. By partially automating threat responses, AI can minimize human error and increase reaction times, empowering cybersecurity teams to focus on more strategic priorities.

In an age of increasingly sophisticated AI-driven attack techniques, artificial intelligence can also be deployed to counter the very technology being used by attackers. In other words, it acts as a hacker that fights back.

For example, AI models can analyze new strains of malware—potentially created by AI itself—and rapidly pinpoint areas of vulnerability, enabling organizations to respond swiftly and prevent significant damage before it happens.

It’s not just attackers who are capitalizing on the unprecedented opportunities that AI offers. Looking ahead, cyber experts must consider integrating AI into swarm intelligence tactics.

Much like flocks of birds or swarms of insects, AI nodes should be deployed to focus on an organization's most pressing cyber challenges, providing targeted and adaptive responses where they are needed most.

Harnessing AI’s potential in defense and broader cyber strategies will be essential for maintaining the upper hand in the complex battle against cybercriminals.

The data dilemma

The cornerstone of AI-driven cybersecurity is high-quality, up to date data, and it’s up to business leaders to meet this challenge head-on. Without good data, AI loses its ability to detect anomalies, respond to threats and make intelligent decisions. In short, the AI does not have the foundation it needs to be effective, giving cybercriminals the upper hand.

Organizations can get the most out of AI in cybersecurity by implementing data governance policies for managing, classifying, labelling, and protecting data, whilst also leveraging data quality tools flag and fix low-quality data. Data hygiene remains the single most important factor for realizing the promise of AI.

To maintain the effectiveness of AI in cybersecurity, continuous monitoring of data quality metrics to ensure the accuracy and relevance of data is essential. This is the most effective way to guarantee that AI operates with the highest-quality data, delivering optimal outcomes.

In a game of offence versus defense, AI plays a critical role on both sides – it is both the guardian and the raider. As the technology becomes increasingly accessible, and attackers become more innovative in its use, organizations face a constant and evolving threat from unprecedented and creative attack techniques.

However, AI can also protect organizations from the very threats it facilitates, making it impossible to leave on the sidelines. Unlocking AI’s full potential in cybersecurity hinges on the quality of the data it operates on.

Only by implementing a robust data quality strategy, supported by vigilant oversight and round-the-clock monitoring, can organizations tilt the balance in their favor and keep pace with modern-day cyber criminals.

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

• The US DOD wants to enhance security through unlocking greater supply chain visibility
• A new Software Fast-Track Initiative will arrive in the next 90 days
• The DOGE has already saved the DOD $6 billion

The US Department of Defense (DOD) is planning to overhaul its outdated software procurement systems, which it hopes will enhance security and supply chain visibility in a world of increasing vulnerabilities.

DOD CIO Katherine Arrington introduced the Software Fast-Track (SWFT) initiative to reform software acquisition, as well as authorization and testing, in a memo published online.

Arrington confirmed that, together with the Under Secretaries of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainbment, Intelligence and Security, and Research and Engineering, the DOD will submit the SWFT Framework within 90 days.

Dated software procurement processes

In the memo, Arrington explained the SWFT Framework will define "clear" and "specific" cybersecurity and Supple Chain Risk Management (SCRM) requirements, rigorous software security verification processes, secure information sharing mechanisms and Federal Government-led risk determinations to expedite the cybersecurity authorizations for rapid software adoption.

She continued to explain that current systems are best seen as "outdated," noting that acquisition processes don't enable the agility that departments need.

Arrington also noted that the use of open source software "presents a significant and ongoing challenge," with a lack of visibility into the origins and security of software code particularly troubling.

Malware and partner leaks have already exposed vulnerabilities in DOD systems, with software vulnerabilities among the most popular entry points for attackers.

The DOD's statement emphasizes plans to eliminate duplicative and wasteful processes, and has a ring of DOGE to it. Musk's efficiency department has already saved billions across the US Government's various agencies, with the DOD already said to have saved a cumulative and not-insignificant sum of around $6 billion to date.

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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, May 7 (game #696).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #697) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• PEN
• CUP
• JOY
• WICK
• CHOP
• CANDLE
• OCEAN
• DICE
• YARD
• PENCIL
• AUTHOR
• BOND
• COMPOSE
• JONES
• SCORECARD
• WRITE

NYT Connections today (game #697) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Written composition 
• GREEN: Things used in a popular game
• BLUE: Film characters
• PURPLE: Add a word that rhymes with “thick”

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #697) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: COMMIT TO PAPER 
• GREEN: NEEDS FOR PLAYING YAHTZEE 
• BLUE: HEROES OF ACTION MOVIE FRANCHISES
• PURPLE:  ___STICK 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #697) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #697, are…

• YELLOW: COMMIT TO PAPER AUTHOR, COMPOSE, PEN, WRITE
• GREEN: NEEDS FOR PLAYING YAHTZEE CUP, DICE, PENCIL, SCORECARD
• BLUE: HEROES OF ACTION MOVIE FRANCHISES BOND, JONES, OCEAN, WICK
• PURPLE:  ___STICK CANDLE, CHOP, JOY, YARD

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

James BOND, Indiana JONES, and John WICK feel a lot more like HEROES OF ACTION MOVIE FRANCHISES than Danny OCEAN, but then Connections wouldn’t be Connections without at least one answer that’s a bit of a stretch.

Instead of seeing the link with George Cloney’s heist mastermind it was the ___ STICK quartet that jumped out when I got down to the final eight words.

My mistake came when I rushed in and put together a group of thin things – PEN, PENCIL, WICK, and CANDLE – but I almost immediately saw the error of my ways.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, May 7, game #696)

• YELLOW: NOT INCLUDING BESIDES, BUT, EXCEPT, SAVE
• GREEN: GET BETTER, AS A BROKEN BONE HEAL, KNIT, MEND, RECOVER
• BLUE: TAROT MINOR ARCANA SUITS CUPS, PENTACLES, SWORDS, WANDS
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF GEMSTONES CHORAL, OPEL, PURL, QUARTS

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, May 7 (game #430).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #431) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Well, fancy that!

NYT Strands today (game #431) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• SAINT
• LOON
• HINTS
• SALE
• SHAVE
• DUES

NYT Strands today (game #431) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #431) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 4th column

Last side: bottom, 4th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #431) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #431, are…

• GAUDY
• SNAZZY
• EXTRAVAGANT
• DELUXE
• ORNATE
• LAVISH
• SPANGRAM: OOH SHINY

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 hint

I struggled to get going with today’s search for fancy stuff and used a hint. GAUDY set me on my way and the double Z unlocked SNAZZY.

What this puzzle really needed was a spangram that twinkled at us for added distraction.

OOH SHINY is one of those universal meme phrases, the origins of which have been lost in the mists of time – it could be Pokemon or The Simpsons, it could be The Tick or Minecraft, the cast of Firefly or Gustav Kilimt. Who knows? Gemini AI certainly doesn’t, explaining that: “the phrase 'ooh shiny' has likely gained traction through its repeated use by various characters who embody a childlike or animalistic attraction to bright and glittering things.”

As an easily distracted person, I fall prey to “ooh shiny” quite a lot, although it’s often a packet of something I can eat.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, May 7, game #430)

• ENGINE
• BOXCAR
• HOPPER
• CABOOSE
• FLATBED
• GONDOLA
• SPANGRAM: ALL ABOARD

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, May 7 (game #1199).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1200) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1200) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 4.

Quordle today (game #1200) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1200) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1200) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• E

• G

• P

• E

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1200) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1200, are…

• ELUDE
• GREET
• POPPY
• ELITE

A double-letter day, with every word containing repeats. Not that it made life much easier.

I’m not going to lie, it took me a good 10 minutes to see POPPY – ahead of this I had PONZO and POWOW, both of which were rejected. I got there in the end, though.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1200) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1200, are…

• SCION
• PHONY
• GLARE
• SCOLD

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1199, Wednesday, 7 May: QUOTH, TRUNK, BESET, NAIVE
• Quordle #1198, Tuesday, 6 May: UNITE, SOGGY, FILET, PORCH
• Quordle #1197, Monday, 5 May: WREAK, COWER, STEAD, QUEUE
• Quordle #1196, Sunday, 4 May: PINCH, SMOKE, SCARY, CANNY
• Quordle #1195, Saturday, 3 May: PLUSH, VERGE, WROTE, CONDO
• Quordle #1194, Friday, 2 May: CAUSE, RISEN, MACAW, SMELT
• Quordle #1193, Thursday, 1 May: IDIOM, EXILE, SPOOF, DRAPE
• Quordle #1192, Wednesday, 30 April: BATON, TORSO, ANNEX, DROWN
• Quordle #1191, Tuesday, 29 April: HOVER, HENCE, OCTAL, COPSE
• Quordle #1190, Monday, 28 April: JAUNT, ALLOW, FRUIT, BURNT
• Quordle #1189, Sunday, 27 April: PRIOR, YOUTH, CREDO, CHIDE
• Quordle #1188, Saturday, 26 April: LINGO, LOCUS, THROW, CLICK
• Quordle #1187, Friday, 25 April: SHALT, WRATH, MAMBO, HUMPH
• Quordle #1186, Thursday, 24 April: CHOKE, COLOR, FRAME, CAIRN
• Quordle #1185, Wednesday, 23 April: VALET, PUPAL, CREEP, DRIFT
• Quordle #1184, Tuesday, 22 April: POUTY, CHEST, BROOM, TEPEE
• Quordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACH
• Quordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUE
• Quordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULT
• Quordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTO

You might be able to see if that company is actually looking at applications.

• Apple has added the iPhone 15 lineup to its official refurbished store pages in the US and UK
• Customers can now buy official Apple Certified Refurbished iPhones for substantial discounts
• Discounts range from $110 / £110 for the base model iPhone 15 to $230 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max with 1TB of storage

Apple has updated its Certified Refurbished Store in both the US and UK, adding the entire iPhone 15 lineup to these discounted online stores.

The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max will now be available in Apple-certified refurbished condition via the online store in both countries, subject to availability.

As is standard for Apple Certified Refurbished products, customers can expect some reasonably impressive savings on the refurbished iPhone 15 lineup.

The cheapest model in the lineup – the iPhone 15 with 128GB of storage – checks out at $619 / £589, a saving of $110 / £110 from the launch price of $829 / £799 (keep in mind that refurbished iPhones are unlocked, which adds a small premium to the US starting price).

At the top end, the iPhone 15 Pro Max with 1TB of storage comes in at $1,269 – that’s a solid $230 off the new price.

There are currently no 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max models available on the UK certified refurbished store, but looking at the other models we’d expect a mirrored discount of £230, resulting in a price of £1,269.

So, is that a good deal? Or are you better off looking elsewhere? That depends on a few key factors.

Firstly, when it comes to Apple Certified Refurbished, price isn’t the full story.

As we recently highlighted as part of TechRadar’s Sustainability Week, Apple Certified Refurbished iPhones are all fitted with a new battery and new outer shell, as well as any necessary internal components, which are always official Apple or other first-party parts.

The refurbished handsets are then packaged in new boxes with new cables and accessories, and once purchased are covered by a one-year warranty with free delivery and returns. This is a pretty robust process that adds a lot of value, especially compared to buying second hand via a marketplace like eBay.

Of course, Apple will still sell you a brand new iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus if you want one, but I’d suggest saving your money and buying from the Apple Certified Refurbished store instead, unless the latter is lacking your desired color or storage option.

The iPhone 15 is likely to be discontinued this year, which could make buying from Apple Certified Refurbished more appealing. (Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)

As for third-party retailers, the story is a little more complex. In the UK, Amazon offers the iPhone 15 for £598, while the US, the only listings I could find were for renewed phones – Amazon Renewed is generally considered to be at a lower standard of quality than Apple Certified Refurbished.

Best Buy has the iPhone 15 new for $579.99 in the US, but only if you get it carrier locked – it bumps up to $679.99 for the unlocked model. And back in the UK, John Lewis offers the iPhone 15 starting at £599, albeit with a two year guarantee from the retailer as well as Apple’s one-year warranty.

With other models, retailers come closer to matching the Certified Refurbished price – John Lewis has the iPhone 15 Pro Max with 1TB of storage for £1,299 in the UK, but I couldn’t find any equivalents in the US, where most options are carrier locked.

This is all to say that there are plenty of options available, and though the Apple Certified Refurbished store offers great value with a solid first-party warranty, it’s important to consider which is right for you.

However, with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max officially discontinued and the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus likely to follow later this year, this could be an opportune moment to pick up one of the best iPhones in recent memory.

Would you buy a refurbished iPhone? Let us know in the comments below.

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• Three Golang modules on GitHub were found containing dangerous malware
• The malware was designed to wipe the entire disk of a Linux server
• It was removed from the platform

Dangerous Linux malware, capable of bricking servers, has been found in Golang modules on GitHub, experts are saying.

Recently, cybersecurity researchers from Socket found three Go modules on GitHub: github[.]com/truthfulpharm/prototransform, github[.]com/blankloggia/go-mcp, and github[.]com/steelpoor/tlsproxy.

The three are mimicking legitimate and popular projects: Prototransform (helps convert Protobuf data between different formats), Model Context Protocol (provides encryption and hashing functionalities to AI assistants), and TLS Proxy (a proxy tool providing encryption for TCP and HTTP servers).

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Destroying entire disks

All three do the same thing - as soon as they’re activated, they check to see if they’re running in a Linux environment, and then overwrite every byte of data with zeros.

This essentially bricks the system, as all of the data on it is irreversibly lost. Socket says the disk-wiping code was “highly obfuscated” and triggered as soon as the malware is activated, practically leaving no time to react.

“By populating the entire disk with zeros, the script completely destroys the file system structure, operating system, and all user data, rendering the system unbootable and unrecoverable,” Socket explained.

BleepingComputer says the Go ecosystem’s decentralized organization “lacks proper checks”, allowing packages from different developers to have the same, or similar names. Threat actors are abusing this model to run typosquatting attacks, tricking developers into downloading the wrong solutions.

As soon as Socket discovered the malware, it notified GitHub, which removed it from the platform. We don’t know for how long the modules were hosted, or how many people may have fallen victim to the attack.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to defend against these types of attacks. The best course of action is to be careful when downloading code from open source repositories, to thoroughly analyze the developers and their status in the community, the reviews, and download counts.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Netflix is redesigning your TV homepage
• Generative AI is entering the search space
• There'll also be some vertical video for mobile

The Netflix you see on your TV today was built for streaming movies and TV shows, and for more than a dozen years, that's been enough.

Now, though, the platform is not only overloaded with hard-to-find content, it's also host to games and, increasingly, buzzy and highly-watched live events like NFL games and boxing matches between aging legends and annoying social media stars.

The Netflix of old is no longer purpose-built for the task – but that's changing today with the introduction of Netflix's most radical home screen update yet.

After two years of design work, months of development, and time testing internally and with some customers, Netflix is ready to, as Netflix Chief Product Officer Eunice Kemp described it, take "a giant leap forward."

Kemp told us the new Netflix interface is more flexible, intuitive, responsive, and elevated – and yes, those initials spell 'FIRE'. Subtlety has never been Netflix's thing.

Describing the interface as "a more flexible canvas," Kemp said the new look offers better support for the aforementioned live events, so you know better when to tune in to "catch the action the moment that it happens". The real-time updates might also help with Netflix gaming, letting people join the action "at exactly the right time."

Netflix has a multi-layered plan for helping users find the right content. "Our members do a lot of eye gymnastics when they're scrolling down and right and back and forth between rows and to title details on the homepage," said Kemp.

The visual update seeks to put streaming decision-making content front and center. For example, you'll see 'Emmy Winner' or 'Number One in TV Shows' overlayed on top of the title image.

There's also been some re-sorting of screen elements, such as moving shortcuts for Search and My Lists so they're more visible. Some users might balk at Netflix, which tops our list of the best streaming services, moving classic interface elements, but Netflix told us the feedback it's gotten thus far is all positive.

A touch of AI

(Image credit: Future)

Netflix already uses machine language and AI to suggest the next best streaming experience for you based on your previous viewing, but this update takes AI use to the next level.

Arguably the biggest change, and one that might significantly shorten your next hunt for a movie or show, is the introduction of Generative AI in search. Based on OpenAI's Large Language Model (LLM), the new search feature will let you ask natural-language questions.

Netflix's Chief Technology Officer, Elizabeth Stone, said conversational phrases like "I want something scary but not too scary and also maybe a bit funny but not like 'ha ha' funny" will now yield useful results. Stone told us Netflix fused OpenAI's baseline model capabilities with Netflix's own context about members.

Even without generative AI, Netflix is improving how the platform recommends fresh streaming content. Responsive recommendations will pick up trailers you're watching and searches you're making to refine the recommendations you see on the fly.

"For example, let's say you give Wednesday a thumbs-up. A few rows down, you may see similar titles to Wednesday, or if you're searching for Rom Coms and Glen Powell, we'll subtly adapt your homepage to show you more titles that are related to both," said Stone.

(Image credit: Future)

Netflix is also making some changes to its mobile experience, in particular, the introduction of vertical videos. No, this is not Netflix turning into a social video app; it's just a recognition that this is how people like to consume video on their phones. The videos will be trailers for Netflix shows and movies, and you can watch and scroll, or watch, tap, and open the show in the full Netflix experience.

While the vertical videos are rolling out "in the coming weeks," the TV interface updates are arriving now globally.

All in all, this may be Netflix's most significant interface update to date. "Our redesigned TV homepage is simpler, more intuitive, and better represents the breadth of entertainment on Netflix today," said Kemp.

What do you think of your new Netflix home page? Is it an improvement, or do you prefer the old look? Let us know in the comments below.

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• Nvidia has announced its RTX 5060 arrives on May 19
• The GPU has an MSRP of $299 and comes with 8GB of VRAM (which remains controversial)
• With AMD rumored to reveal its rival RX 9060 XT on May 21, the week after next could be a huge one for gamers seeking a more affordable GPU

Nvidia has announced that its RTX 5060 desktop graphics card will go on sale on May 19, as will the laptop version of this GPU.

VideoCardz caught wind of the date being announced on X (formerly Twitter). It was a launch day that had been previously rumored, with the price tag on the desktop GPU being $299, and the specs already revealed by Nvidia previously (when its sibling, the RTX 5060 Ti, was launched).

Starting May 19 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time, GeForce RTX 5060 graphics cards, desktops, and GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPUs will be available from our partners and retailers worldwide.#GeForceRTX50 pic.twitter.com/VLA9bZUWRWMay 6, 2025

The RTX 5060 Ti arrived in both 16GB and 8GB flavors, but the RTX 5060 will only debut with the latter loadout of video RAM (VRAM), and that has already proved controversial among PC gamers.

Again, like the RTX 5060 Ti, there will only be third-party versions of this graphics card, meaning Nvidia isn’t producing its own Founders Edition model.

To recap on the (already revealed) specs, the RTX 5060 has 3,840 CUDA Cores which is a 17% drop compared to the core count of the RTX 5060 Ti. Clock speeds and other specs are in the same ballpark, but as mentioned, there’s no 16GB spin on the vanilla RTX 5060.

Power usage is also lower with the RTX 5060 at 145W compared to 180W, which could be a consideration for folks who have a lesser power supply and not much room to maneuver when it comes to the overall wattage that their gaming PC can cope with.

Analysis: Lane drain and other VRAM complications

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Not to bang on about it, but the obvious problem with the RTX 5060, as I discussed at length yesterday, is Nvidia’s choice to run with 8GB of VRAM. I won’t go over the same ground I’ve already covered (see yesterday’s piece for the full lowdown), but there are some further points to consider now the launch date is primed and ready to go.

The arguments in favor of accepting 8GB (as a pricing compromise) might include ‘it’s fine for 1080p gaming’ meaning those running at Full HD resolution should be more or less okay with this helping of VRAM. However, various third-party tests have illustrated that with some games and graphics settings, 8GB is a bottleneck at 1080p now, slowing down frame rates substantially.

Yes, Nvidia does have its bag-of-AI-tricks in the form of RTX Neural Texture Compression as revealed with the Blackwell generation, which helps VRAM go much further. But the trouble is, nothing’s happening quickly to bring support in with games for that tech. It could be a long way down the road before texture compression makes a meaningful impact (though it may indeed be a big piece of the puzzle for Nvidia eventually).

As things stand in the here and now, that 8GB loadout is looking plain shaky. The central tempting factor for the RTX 5060, then, is that it’ll be a much more affordable outlay – we hope. With that MSRP of $299, if third-party graphics cards are available at that price level, this GPU could be seen as a decent shot at an affordable gaming card with some limitations that you’ll just have to live with.

At least for those with a motherboard that supports PCIe 5.0, because if you have a PCIe 4.0 motherboard, you’ll experience additional slowdown in scenarios where the 8GB of memory isn’t enough, as evidenced with the RTX 5060 Ti. Why? Because when the on-board VRAM can’t cope, the graphics card taps the main system RAM, using that PCIe 4.0 interface to reach it – and it’s a lot slower than PCIe 5.0.

This gets a bit complicated because it’s worsened by the decision made by Nvidia that all RTX 5060 models, Ti versions included, only support half the available PCIe lanes, and so half the bandwidth. Now, PCIe 5.0 is fine because it’s so fast, halving its bandwidth still leaves plenty of room to pipe data through. However, this becomes a real stumbling block with the slower PCIe 4.0 standard, and even more of a problem with PCIe 3.0 should you have a motherboard running that even older take on the interface.

I should note that the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is okay, because it has that much larger helping of VRAM, and so doesn’t need to run off to grab additional system RAM. And the RTX 5070 above it is fine, too – even if it only runs with 12GB of video RAM, which is arguably still light on the memory – because Nvidia didn’t hamstring that GPU by closing off half the PCIe lanes. The RTX 5070 has the full 16 lanes, rather than just eight as with the RTX 5060 models.

The long and short of it is that those without a new PCIe 5.0-toting motherboard will suffer the more outrageous slings and arrows bogging down performance with any RTX 5060 8GB (Ti, or non-Ti) graphics card. Pricing could also end up being higher than MSRP, too, as we’ve seen with the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, which is currently selling for something like 10% more than its recommended price (that’s the cheapest model at the time of writing in the US).

So, we could end up looking at $330 (around £250 / AU$510) for the RTX 5060 in the US realistically, or $350 upwards for beefier models of this graphics card (and in line with that elsewhere). At which point, given the mentioned shakiness around performance, would-be buyers may have more pause for thought.

Traditionally, the xx60 series has been a big seller for Nvidia, but maybe that won’t be quite as clear cut this time around – especially given the irony that you need a cutting-edge motherboard to most effectively run your affordable-level Blackwell GPU.

Furthermore, we also need to see what competition AMD’s RX 9060 XT will be – although that may also have an 8GB spin (as well as a 16GB model), we don’t know that for sure yet, or how the full specs will pan out. A lot of eyes are watching this lower-mid-range battle, that’s for sure, with the 9060 XT expected to be revealed just after the RTX 5060 goes on sale.

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Nike Vomero 18: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

The Nike Vomero 18 is new for 2025 and is Nike's new king of cushioning. Replacing the Invincible 3, the Nike Vomero 18 combines ZoomX and React X foam, as well as the largest stack height we've ever seen in the Vomero line, 46mm.

They take their place as the third shoe in Nike's recalibrated road running line-up, alongside the Structure range for runners who overpronate, and the popular Pegasus 41 as an everyday trainer.

The Nike Vomero 18 is absolutely a high-mileage shoe designed for slower runs, recovery, and long distances. You won't be setting any track records in them, but as a big, squishy shoe, they're definitely some of the best running shoes out there.

(Image credit: Future)

The Nike Vomero 18 contends with another recent shoe I tried, the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2. Whereas the Elite 2 is a really disappointing package from a style standpoint, the Vomero 18 looks exquisite. We picked them up in the new Men's Barely Green/Hyper Crimson/Barely Volt/Metallic Silver, and I have to say they're absolutely stunning.

The colors are electrifying, although there are more neutral tones available if these look a bit much. The overall silhouette is really impressive, and once on they really stand out. If you want a head-turning trainer for the gym or road, this is a prime contender.

The upper is extremely soft and cushioned, and the whole trainer screams quality. Another gripe of mine with the Elite 2 was the rather cheap-feeling foam. By contrast, the Nike Vomero 18 shoes feel much more premium and exude build quality.

(Image credit: Future)

Stepping into the Vomero 18 for the first time, I was immediately struck by how cushioned and soft the interior felt overall, however, there's one standout catch. Compared to other shoes I've used – including Nike's own Pegasus 41 – the Vomero 18 feels extremely snug.

During all my testing, I found the Vomero 18 to be ever-so-slightly too small at my standard size 10, and on reflection, I would recommend sizing up to pretty much everyone. Coupled with the pronounced arch, the fit is extremely close and feels ripe for going up .5 on the size charts.

(Image credit: Future)

Built with long, slow, steady-state runs in mind, the Vomero 18 has a pronounced 10mm heel-toe drop and an enjoyable rocker design. That's more than the aforementioned Elite 2, and might put some folk off, but I've generally found the rolling motion of the Vomero 18 to be extremely pleasant.

(Image credit: Future)

The combination of the ZoomX and React X foams serves the Vomero 18 extremely well. Compared to the Elite 2, they're still squishy and soft (possibly moreso), but are much more stable by contrast.

I've had absolutely no wobbles or complaints despite the elevated stack height, and the Vomero 18 is very pleasant to run in, mile after mile. With the enormous heel stack, these will naturally favor heel strikers, however, there's so much cushioning on the shoe in general that they'll suit pretty much everyone.

While on the slightly heavier and bulkier side, the Vomero 18 shoes don't feel overly cumbersome, and I've had no concerns with overheating.

Nike Vomero 18: price & availability

• $150 / £135 / AU$220
• Men's and women's options, six colors
• Size up

The Nike Vomero 18 running shoes are available from Nike.com and a host of third-party resellers in the US, UK, Australia, and beyond.

Priced at $150 / £135 / AU$ 220, they have been extremely popular since their launch in February 2025 and are often sold out on Nike's website. As such, they're extremely difficult to find at a discount.

As noted, the Vomero 18 is too snug to be described as true to size. I'd recommend sizing up half a size. If you can, be sure to test these out at your local running store, or buy them from somewhere you can return them if the size isn't right. Most retailers will let you return shoes within two weeks, provided you haven't used them outdoors.

• Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Nike Vomero 18: specifications Nike Vomero 18: scorecard Should I buy the Nike Vomero 18?

(Image credit: Future) Buy if it...

You want a striking long-distance shoe

The Nike Vomero 18 is definitely one of the most stylish long-distance options on the market.

You want brilliant cushioning

The Vomero 18 offers some of the best cushioning I have experienced in a running shoe.

Don't buy it if...

Your feet are on the larger side

The Vomero 18 are very snug; for some, even sizing up may not be enough.

You want a lighter, speedier shoe

The Vomero 18 shoes are fairly weighty and won't see you setting record times.

Also consider

(Image credit: Future)

Altra FWD Via

Our current favorite for long-distance, slow runs, also with a rocker.

Read our full Altra FWD Via review

Under Armour Infinite Elite 2

A slightly more comfortable, but far less stylish alternative.

Read our full Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 review

How I tested

I used the Nike Vomero 18 as my primary running shoe over a number of weeks, testing them at a variety of speeds and distances.

First reviewed: May 2025