Feed aggregator

• More images of the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 appear
• The phones are sporting a thinner design
• Samsung's tri-fold phone may launch later on

We're expecting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 to be unveiled at the next Unpacked event, scheduled for July 9, and some fresh leaks have shed light on how these foldables might look and when we might be able to buy them.

Well-known tipster @evleaks (via Notebookcheck) has added a couple of unofficial renders to the pile of pictures we've already seen when it comes to these foldables – but they show off a couple of new angles that are worth looking at.

These angles really show off how thin these foldables are likely to be – the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 in particular is predicted to be significantly thinner than the current Galaxy Z Fold 6, which was launched in July 2024.

The pictures also give us an idea of the camera configurations on these phones, and when it comes to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, we can see that the punch-hole camera is back on the main display. On the Z Fold 6, this camera was hidden under the screen.

Tri-fold wait

Samsung has previously teased the tri-fold (Image credit: Future)

These renders aren't the only fresh leaks we need to pass on about these foldables: another widely recognized tipster, Instant Digital (via Android Headlines), says both the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 will go on sale in August after their July unveiling.

It looks as though there might be a longer wait for the tri-fold handset Samsung has previously teased. According to the same source, this handset is also going to be announced in full in July – but won't go on sale until October.

That fits in with previous chatter about the phone arriving later than the standard, double-pane foldables, and makes sense considering that the tri-fold is going to be more difficult to engineer and roll out.

We're still waiting to see how widely available this phone is going to be, while rumors suggest it's going to be called the Galaxy G Fold. All should become clearer on Wednesday, July 9 – and we'll of course be covering all the news live.

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If you’ve tried Apple’s macOS Tahoe developer beta – or just watched the company’s most recent Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) stream – chances are you’ve got some opinions on its new Liquid Glass redesign. The visual overhaul is coming to almost every Apple device, so love it or hate it, you’re going to have to get used to it.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter and renowned Apple leaker Mark Gurman has shared some thoughts on Liquid Glass. While he was impressed with the design on iOS, he was less enamored with it elsewhere, stating that Liquid Glass is “pointless on the Apple Watch and less impressive on non-touch devices like Macs.”

It follows a previous edition of Power On, where Gurman said that Liquid Glass “isn’t very impressive on Macs” due to their lack of OLED and touchscreen capabilities. He also felt it “makes less sense on a big-screen TV.”

After my own testing, however, I disagree – I think macOS is the best platform so far for Liquid Glass, and that a larger display helps mitigate some of the main problems with the new look. To me, the implementation on macOS is much less troublesome than on iOS.

Sure, perhaps the design would look better on an OLED Mac, but since those don’t exist yet and I don’t have a standalone OLED monitor, I’m happy with how it looks. In my eyes, the best MacBooks and Macs are where Liquid Glass truly shines so far.

Objectionable overlaps

(Image credit: Apple / Future)

To understand why Liquid Glass feels right at home on a Mac, you’ve first got to understand the problems the redesign is facing on iOS.

In contrast to macOS, iOS needs to exist on much smaller screens, and that means there are far more overlapping elements in play. The Control Center, notification popups, and app folders all appear on top of other on-screen objects, where they’re forced to share space in a way they aren’t on a larger Mac display. So far, I’ve found that this overlapping often makes it difficult to read text on the screen, especially if the image behind is bright or complex.

With macOS, your larger display means there are likely to be fewer overlapping elements, helping to avoid this problem. With more space to breathe, it doesn’t really matter if the glassy effects make certain things harder to read underneath if there’s nothing below them in the first place.

The times when Liquid Glass in macOS Tahoe uses full transparency – such as when you open the Control Center – are few and far between. In most cases, you can customize the amount of transparency. In fact, Control Center is one of the few occasions where you have to use the full-on glass effect.

And even so, thanks to the Mac’s larger screen, it’s rare for this to overlap anything on the screen below. When it does overlay something, it’s less of a problem because Apple has added a drop shadow behind the Control Center, helping it stand out. It’s not perfect, but it feels less objectionable than on iOS.

At home on macOS

(Image credit: Apple)

Having more screen real estate brings other benefits. For instance, one of my favorite aspects of Liquid Glass is the transparent Dock. I keep my Dock icons solid rather than using one of the translucent options Apple provides, and that results in a set of bright, colorful icons resting on a clear glass slate. It looks beautiful, especially with macOS Tahoe's default blue background. Sure, iOS 26’s Dock can also do this, but it can only hold a handful of icons. The Dock in macOS is far larger, giving me much more eye candy to enjoy.

In other words, I get the subtle effects of Liquid Glass without having to make all of my icons transparent (and thus harder to see). I’m not a fan of the 'totally clear' effect – that’s too much glass for my liking – and using the new design tweaks in moderation really helps the Mac feel like the best place for Apple’s redesign.

And it’s not just iOS that gets trumped by the Mac’s implication of Liquid Glass – watchOS 26 does too. Take app toolbars, which have a new translucent blur effect. This works better than Liquid Glass on watchOS, where I’ve found this blur effect makes it very difficult to see certain figures in the Fitness app. I’ve not come across any such annoyances on my Mac.

(Image credit: Apple)

I’ve written before about how Liquid Glass gave me a welcome nostalgia trip to the days of the Aero theme in Windows Vista and Windows 7. After a few weeks’ usage across macOS, iOS, and watchOS, I can say that Liquid Glass’s implementation on macOS is my favorite across the platforms. Maybe I like it because it reminds me of that old Windows theme, or maybe I like it simply because it feels like it’s most at home on a Mac. Either way, it just feels a lot more natural in macOS than anywhere else.

Every year, Apple uses the beta period to make plenty of changes to its new features, and there’s no doubt Liquid Glass will see a host of adjustments between now and the full version release later in the year. That could mean it becomes a lot more viable away from macOS over the next few months, and given my frustrations with Liquid Glass in iOS and watchOS so far, I’m hoping that proves to be true.

For now, though, I’m very happy with Apple’s new look on macOS – even if it’s left me wishing for improvements everywhere else.

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Take photos, steal art from rich bozos. What's not to like?

• Nearly half of Gen Z believe their bosses don’t understand the benefits of workplace AI
• Employees across generations agree AI should help with tasks, not act as a human replacement
• AI is expected to save Gen Z employees nearly 90 minutes per workday

A growing divide is emerging in the workplace over the role of AI, and Gen Z is increasingly at odds with their managers.

New data from a UKG and Harris Poll survey reveals that 49% of Gen Z employees believe their bosses simply do not understand the real benefits of artificial intelligence.

The findings reveal a potential disconnect between younger employees, who are often teaching themselves how to use AI tools, and older leaders who may be hesitant or unsure about adopting new technologies at scale.

AI should support, not replace

Employees across generations want AI to help with their work, but not replace it, with 89% of all surveyed workers saying AI should be viewed as a tool, not a co-worker.

“Every few decades, breakthrough technology fundamentally changes the way we do everything… AI is quickly becoming ubiquitous and indispensable to work – and ignoring it now is like choosing not to use a computer or the internet,” said Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at UKG.

Most employees (84%) also think that AI should be used to automate tasks, not perform the entire role.

This view is held consistently across organizations of all sizes, from startups to global enterprises.

Despite this consensus, the tension lies in how fast adoption should move, and who is driving it.

Younger workers appear to be the most proactive, and 70% of Gen Z employees say they’ve taught themselves most of the AI tools they use, compared to just 40% of Boomers.

90% of Gen Z believe AI will save them time, with nearly a third expecting to reclaim up to 89 minutes a day.

Tasks like summarizing company policies, building schedules, verifying pay, and managing time-off requests are among the functions they are most eager to hand over to machines.

However, tasks involving empathy, discretion, or complex judgment are not seen as appropriate for automation.

In simple terms, AI should take the repetitive and boring part of the job so that people can focus on the meaningful ones.

“Gen Z may be on the leading edge of AI adoption in the workplace, but this technology has the power to transform work for every generation,” he continued.

“From simplifying and automating everyday tasks to increasing productivity to unlocking more time for creativity, innovation, and personal connection, AI will reshape the employee experience in the years ahead. The sooner organizations act on AI’s potential, the greater competitive advantage they’ll gain.”

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Russia launched the largest aerial assault on Ukraine overnight since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

(Image credit: Gavriil Grigorov)

• GMKtec EVO T1 delivers high-end performance, AI power, and expandability
• Supports local AI tasks, high-speed storage, and multiple 4K displays
• The mini PC offers USB4, dual LAN, OCuLink, and up to 128GB RAM

In recent years, we've seen mini PCs come a very long way, from being simple systems for basic tasks, to now being powerful enough to handle creative workloads, multi-tasking, local AI processing, and even high-end gaming.

With many users turning away from bulky desktops, the appeal of compact systems with full-scale capabilities keeps growing.

The GMKtec EVO T1 is a clear example of how small machines can deliver big performance, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor, which includes 14 cores and reaches up to 5.1GHz.

Demanding AI tasks

The chip is part of Intel’s newer lineup, and is designed to handle demanding AI tasks like local LLM inference. GMKtec claims its new mini workstation can run Deepseek 32B at 15 tokens per second with 77 TOPS AI compute.

The EVO T1 can support up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM and it comes with three M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots.

The inclusion of an OCuLink port also allows for external GPU use, which opens the door to advanced rendering tasks and even a spot of AAA gaming.

Dual 2.5Gbps LAN ports support fast networking, while USB4 promises data transfer at up to 40Gbps.

The EVO T1 can drive up to four displays at once, thanks to HDMI and DisplayPort support.

Something this powerful obviously needs decent cooling to keep system performance steady under load, and the EVO T1 offers a dual-fan system that balances airflow and noise.

There’s no word on pricing or availability yet, but GMKtec says it’s coming soon.

The company’s new AI Max+ 395 powered EVO-X2 AI mini PC, with 64GB and 1TB SSD, has an MSRP of $2199 (it’s currently on sale at $1499), so it’s likely the EVO T1 will come in at around $1299, perhaps as low as $999 with pre-sale discounts.

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My advice: Skip the two-in-one and opt for the clamshell laptop I tested, when it goes on sale.

Elle: key information

- Arriving on Prime Video in mid-2026
- A prequel spinoff TV show of '00s movie, Legally Blonde
- Lexi Minetree will star as Elle Woods
- Plot will follow Elle Woods' high school years
- No official trailer released yet
- With season 1 yet to air, there's no word on more seasons to follow

Legally Blonde is an iconic early '00s movie that made us believe it really could be that easy to get into Harvard after being crowned sorority queen, having the best friends and all while pursuing the man of our dreams.

I mean, I don't think I've ever stopped trying to master the "bend, and snap!" And now, Elle the prequel spinoff TV show is on its way – arriving on Prime Video, one of the best streaming services, in mid-2026.

Sure, there's been Legally Blonde 2 and Legally Blondes, but nothing has been quite as iconic as the first movie – arguably, not even close. Although, that may about to change.

Elle sees a young Elle Woods in her high school years, giving an insight into her earlier life. And it's got the OG Elle magic behind it with Reese Witherspoon acting as executive producer alongside her own production company, Hello Sunshine.

Here's everything we know so far about Elle from release date, confirmed cast, plot, trailer and more.

Spoilers to follow for Legally Blonde.

Elle: is there a release date?

A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon)

A photo posted by on

There's no specific Elle release date just yet, but there is a release window – and that's sometime in mid-2026.

While Prime Video announced plans to produce a Legally Blonde prequel series last year, it followed up on May 12 during the Upfront presentation that Elle would be dropping on the streamer next "summer". This likely refers to the northern hemisphere's summer and so will be sometime from June to August.

And, as of April, Reese Witherspoon took to Instagram to announce: "Harvard was hard. High School was harder. Our new series, Elle, is now in production!"

I'll be sure to update here when we get a more specific date to write on our calendar with our pink fluffy pen.

Elle: has a trailer been released?

There's no Elle trailer to share just yet (Image credit: Prime Video )

With filming of Elle only commencing in April, there's no official trailer to share. As is the case with most Prime Video shows, it's most likely to drop in the months approaching the show's release. So, check back here in the first half of 2026.

Elle: confirmed cast

A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon)

A photo posted by on

There's been a lot of announcements for the Elle cast, but none quite as big as Reese finding her Elle Woods. Here's who we is so far confirmed to be starring in the Legally Blonde prequel:

• Lexi Minetree as Elle Woods
• June Diane Raphael as Eva, Elle's mom
• Tom Everett Scot as Wyatt, Elle's dad
• Gabrielle Policano as Liz
• Jacob Moskovitz as Miles
• Chandler Kinney as Kimberly
• Zac Looker as Dustin
• Jessica Belkin as Madison
• Logan Shroyer as Josh
• Amy Pietz as Donna
• Lisa Yamada as Amber
• Chloe Wepper as Ms. Burke
• David Burtka as Chad
• Brad Harder as Charlie
• Kayla Maisonet as Tiffany

As a prequel series, it seems pretty unlikely that any of the original Legally Blonde movies cast will return. Though I'd love to see Jennifer Coolidge's Paulette one more time.

Instead, casting has been focused on finding the younger version of Reese Witherspoon's Elle, of which there were an abundance of audition tapes. Lexi Minetree (Law & Order: SVU, The Murdaugh Murders) was given the titular role and, as seen in the Instagram post above, they're eerily similar!

Elle: story synopsis and rumors

Prequel series, Elle, follows Elle Woods' high school years (Image credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Full spoilers for Legally Blonde to follow.

As the prequel spinoff TV show for Legally Blonde, Elle will reportedly head back in time to Elle Woods' high school years, documenting her younger life before Harvard Law School.

As per the series official logline, it "follows Elle Woods in high school as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first 'Legally Blonde film."

Speaking to Variety, Reese revealed: "Fans will get to know how Elle Woods navigated her world as a teenager with her distinct personality and ingenuity, in ways that only our beloved Elle could do."

And, as Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, calls it, viewers are being treated to Elle's "origin story".

A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon)

A photo posted by on

In true Elle Woods' fashion, Reese has been excitedly vocal and incredibly bubbly about the show's arrival – taking to Instagram to share her delight.

And in a clip that Legally Blonde fans will recognize as a tribute to the opening credits of the original movie, Reese can be seen getting ready in bright pink with a top secret (and also pink) script.

The caption reads: "Before she became the most famous Gemini vegetarian to graduate from Harvard Law, she was just a regular '90s high school girl. And all of you are going to get to know her, next year on Prime Video. I'm so excited!"

Will there be more seasons of Elle?

No news yet on future seasons of Elle (Image credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Considering Elle season 1 won't be reaching Prime Video until mid-2026, there's no news yet of a possible renewal.

As is the case with many new shows to streamers, it'll likely rely on how well it performs once it hits the platform.

Though with the persuasive powers and adorable charm of Elle Woods behind it, I feel pretty confident that Legally Blonde fans and anyone new to the character will be eager for more to come.

For more Prime Video TV-based coverage, read our guides on The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3, Mr and Mrs Smith season 2, The Rings of Power season 3, and Fallout season 2.

As the mercury rises in the Northern Hemisphere, so does anticipation for the next iPhone, which we’re currently calling the iPhone 17. But as temperatures increase, I also get hot under the collar.

The thing that piqued my temper is kinda not a thing at all... it's the lack of any rumors of a high-refresh rate display for the iPhone 17 and its Plus compadre. It’s been literally years that I’ve bemoaned the lack of a 90Hz or 120Hz display on non-Pro iPhones, and it wasn't until the iPhone 13 Pro that we had such displays even in the most premium iPhones.

Comparatively, Android phones pushed into 90Hz years before Apple followed suit, and now all of the best Android phones offer 120Hz displays, often with adaptive technology, for prices that undercut the standard iPhone 16.

My hope is that Apple will finally move towards a high-refresh rate display for its standard and Plus iPhones, and I'm crossing my fingers in hope that this happens as soon as the iPhone 17.

What brought this to mind was a recent article from my colleague Thomas Deehan who questions the need to go Pro when the standard iPhones are rather good. While I agree with him in part, I also agree with some of the comments on that article which note the non-Pro phones lack the slick displays of their more expensive stablemates and come without the telephoto camera; two things I rather like on my iPhone 16 Pro Max.

But while I can live without a telephoto camera - the telephoto camera on the iPhone 16 Pro still uses a 12-megapixel sensor - I cannot swallow a 60Hz display. Neither should you.

I absolutely get that there are still swathes of people - less tech-savvy - who might not care about their display's refresh rate. Compared to the old Android phones that used a 60Hz display, Apple manages to make its standard iPhones feel smooth and responsive; such is the nature of iOS and Apple having a tight grip over both its phone software and hardware.

I want a refreshing change

(Image credit: Future)

I also understand that sticking with a 60Hz display can help get as much life out of a battery on a single charge as possible.

But having used 120Hz displays on a range of phones for some time now, I feel that rate, or at least 90Hz, should be the minimum standard for phone screens.

Not only does it make the whole experience on both iOS and Android feel notably slicker and more responsive, it's also more comfortable on my eyes.

The best phones with high-refresh rate displays I'd reccomend

I really think I’d struggle going back to 60Hz - but this article is more about why I think others should be able to enjoy higher refresh rates, especially if you are locked into the Apple ecosystem or can’t fork out the cash for an iPhone 17 Pro.

What’s more, when Apple adopts a technology or a technique, it achieves mastery, even if it’s late to the party. I reckon the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max offer some of the best high-refresh rate OLED displays on any smartphones.

By making 90Hz or 120Hz the iPhone screen standard, Apple could help see the tech improve, perhaps making it more efficient or finding ways to reduce eye strain.

The year is 2025 and I think Apple really needs to move past 60Hz displays when the rumored iPhone 17 arrives. Doing so will make the next-generation iPhone the best showcase for iOS 26 and potentially usher in a chapter where iPhones again feel fresh, and not like an iterative update.

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We can each have our own AirPods while we watch a video or movie on an iPhone or iPad.

• Reports of various Nvidia GPU scams keep surfacing, and scammers find new ways to trick shoppers
• Some buyers claim to have received old GPUs or a bag of rice instead of the card they expected to get
• Shopping and selling second-hand is riddled with tricky situations, too — my friend got scammed out of $1,900

It's definitely not a buyer's market for GPUs right now, which might explain why scams are running rampant. I keep hearing about new ways in which scammers target buyers (and sellers) of the best graphics cards, and honestly, some of them are truly baffling.

Some people are getting bags of rice and pasta instead of a high-end GPU; others get a backpack; and some get what looks like a graphics card, but the insides reveal that it'll never work.

To help you navigate the obstacle course of buying and selling GPUs right now, here's a guide to all of the main scams to watch out for – and how to avoid the fate of two of my unfortunate friends.

What kind of GPU scams are out there?

I started noticing the scams in the early days following the launch of the RTX 5090. While trying to find one for sale on eBay, I noticed a lot of listings at MSRP – but checking those listings revealed that people weren't selling the GPU, but rather a printed photo of the card. Yes, a photo, for $2,000 and up.

Since then, I've heard of over a dozen innovative scams. Our sister site Tom's Hardware recently reported on an Amazon customer who ordered a Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5090 graphics card, but upon arrival, found the box to be filled with pasta, rice, and an old, dusty GPU.

I made the wonderful mistake of ordering a 5090 from Amazon Netherlands... from r/pcmasterrace

Meanwhile, an unlucky Micro Center customer got several backpacks instead of the Zotac Gaming RTX 5090 Solid OC they expected to receive.

Northwest Computer Repair recently shared another scam that seems to have migrated from the RTX 4090 to the RTX 5090. The repair shop is receiving cards that have been stripped of the GPU and the memory die, leaving behind an empty shell that looks convincing enough … up until you try to use it, that is.

Another hardware repair YouTuber, this time based in China, was sent four RTX 4090 graphics cards that were reportedly in need of repair, but opening them up revealed modded RTX 3090 and RTX 3080s; three of the cards were beyond saving (via Tom's Hardware).

Buying second-hand isn't a lot easier. A friend of mine recently tried to buy an open-box RTX 5080 from a local Facebook group. He met up with the seller, paid the full price, and went home with a GPU that didn't work. He's now having to turn to the authorities for help in recovering his money.

I got scammed buying at Micro Center in Santa Clara today. from r/Microcenter

Even selling your GPU makes you vulnerable to scams. Another friend once tried to sell his RTX 3090 during the GPU shortage of 2021.

The person he met up with reportedly didn't have cash and instead showed him their banking app, confirming the transfer of £1,400 (around $1,900). It looked legitimate, so he believed it, but it was a fake app, and the money obviously never arrived. Checking Reddit shows me that this scam still exists to this day.

How to stay safe and get a legitimate GPU

Many of the scams I outlined above originated from platforms you'd normally trust. Amazon and Micro Center are both trustworthy, and yet, things like this can happen, so it's important to stay vigilant.

On Amazon, I recommend buying from sellers you know and trust (or directly from Amazon). Smaller sellers, especially those with unintelligible names, are best avoided if the listing sounds too good to be true. The same rule applies to retailers: look into return policies and don't buy suspiciously cheap GPUs.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Aleksandr Grechanyuk)

Given the rising number of scams that involve the GPU box containing something other than what you ordered, make sure to film the whole unboxing process. Ideally, start filming the moment you receive the package, then show step-by-step as you open it. A photo won't suffice, as that's too easy to tamper with. If buying in store, open the box in front of an employee and inspect the contents.

Buying second-hand can be a nightmare. Even meeting up with sellers doesn't always mean that you'll get a GPU that actually works and is real. Your best bet is to meet up at a place that lets you test the GPU before picking it up, but that opens a whole new can of worms, as you'll need to enter a stranger's home. An easier way is to buy through platforms that offer buyer protection and film yourself receiving and opening the GPU.

As a seller, don't be fooled by legit-looking banking apps or promises of sending you money when they get home. Use a platform that protects both you and the buyer. It can be a hassle, but it's wild out there right now, so it's truly for the best.

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• ShortLeash gives hackers root-level stealth and blends malicious activity into everyday network traffic
• LapDogs uses fake LAPD certificates to disguise malware, bypassing even the best endpoint protection systems
• The malware quietly hijacks routers and devices that often go unmonitored for months

A recently disclosed cyber espionage operation, dubbed LapDogs, has drawn scrutiny following revelations from SecurityScorecard’s Strike Team.

The operation, believed to be conducted by China-aligned threat actors, has quietly infiltrated over 1,000 devices across the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

What makes this campaign distinctive is its use of hijacked SOHO routers and IoT hardware, transforming them into Operational Relay Boxes (ORBs) for sustained surveillance.

Stealth, persistence, and false identities

LapDogs is an ongoing campaign, active since September 2023, targeting real estate, media, municipal, and IT sectors.

Devices from known vendors such as Buffalo Technology and Ruckus Wireless have reportedly been compromised.

The attackers use a custom backdoor named ShortLeash, which grants extensive privileges and stealth, allowing them to blend in with legitimate traffic.

According to the report, once a device is infected, it may go undetected for months, and in worst-case scenarios, some are used as gateways to infiltrate internal networks.

Unlike typical botnets that prioritize disruption or spam, LapDogs reveals a more surgical approach.

“LapDogs reflects a strategic shift in how cyber threat actors are leveraging distributed, low-visibility devices to gain persistent access,” said Ryan Sherstobitoff, Chief Threat Intelligence Officer at SecurityScorecard.

“These aren’t opportunistic smash-and-grab attacks—these are deliberate, geo-targeted campaigns that erode the value of traditional IOCs (Indicators of Compromise).”

With 162 distinct intrusion sets already mapped, the structure of the operation suggests clear intent and segmentation.

What is especially unsettling is the spoofing of legitimate security credentials.

The malware fabricates TLS certificates appearing to be signed by the Los Angeles Police Department.

This forgery, combined with geolocation-aware certificate issuance and assigned ports, makes it extremely difficult for conventional detection systems to flag malicious behavior.

Even the best endpoint protection tools would be challenged in spotting such well-disguised intrusions, especially when activity is routed through compromised home routers rather than enterprise assets.

SecurityScorecard compares LapDogs with PolarEdge, another China-linked ORB system, but emphasizes that the two are distinct in infrastructure and execution.

The broader concern raised is the expanding vulnerability landscape. As businesses rely more on decentralized devices and fail to update embedded firmware, the risk of persistent espionage increases.

The report calls on network defenders and ISPs to review devices across their supply chains.

SecurityScorecard compares LapDogs with PolarEdge, another China-linked ORB system, but emphasizes that the two are distinct in infrastructure and execution.

The broader concern raised is the expanding vulnerability landscape. As businesses rely more on decentralized devices and fail to update embedded firmware, the risk of persistent espionage increases.

The report calls on network defenders and ISPs to review devices across their supply chains.

This means there is a need to reconsider reactive solutions and focus on more proactive infrastructure-level measures, such as the best FWAAS and best ZTNA solution deployments.

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• Android 16 will include alerts for fake cell towers and suspicious networks
• Update detects ‘stingray’ devices which pose as cell towers
• Feature likely to arrive with devices that launch on Android 16

Not every mobile network is what it seems. If your smartphone unwittingly connects to a fake cell tower, it could expose your private data to interception. Fortunately, Google is doing something about it: a new security feature in Android 16 is designed to detect suspicious connections and warn you if someone is trying to eavesdrop on your calls and texts.

Cell mast simulators, known as ‘stingray’ devices, create a phoney (pun intended) signal which can trick your mobile into revealing your location and communications. It’s a tricky tactic that’s previously been undetectable to smartphone users. Until now, users have had a very limited toolkit to protect themselves.

To tackle the risk of silent spying, Google has developed a warning system which detects these rogue networks and flags when a connection is not what it seems. Expected to arrive with new Android 16 devices, it’s a background feature with big implications for privacy.

No more phoney towers

Stingrays work by mimicking cell towers. When a smartphone connects to the fake network, its operator can track the device and harvest data, including unique identifiers such as the IMEI. It can also transfer the device to a less secure network in order to intercept calls and messages – all without any indication to the targeted user.

A kind of IMSI catcher, stingrays are known to be used by law enforcement agencies. While they’re sometimes justified in the name of national security, they also have the potential for misuse, particularly if they fall into the hands of nefarious actors.

Stingray devices generally use 2G to target smartphones. Even if you’re on 4G or 5G, most phones can fall back to 2G. This built-in vulnerability can be exploited by stingrays: by broadcasting a strong 2G signal, they can trick nearby devices into connecting. Because 2G networks lack modern encryption standards and don’t authenticate towers, your phone can’t verify if they’re real.

Right now, the best way to protect yourself against stingray attacks is to disable 2G network connectivity altogether.

The Android 16 update adds another layer of protection. According to developer notes on the Android Open Source Project, it introduces ‘network notification’ warnings. Compatible phones will be able to detect when a mobile network requests the device’s identifiers or tries to force it onto an unencrypted connection. Both of these events will be flagged to the end user.

The feature can be configured under ‘Mobile network security’ in the settings menu, alongside the option to enable 2G network protection. The problem is that no Android phones actually have the hardware required to unlock the feature – not even the best Pixel phones. That’s why the setting is currently hidden.

As a result, it’s likely that the first Android phones with the ability to detect fake cell towers will launch later this year. There’s a good chance it will debut on the Google Pixel 10, which might just make it the most secure smartphone ever.

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U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday pleaded for progress in ceasefire talks in the war in Gaza, calling for a deal, and doubled down on his criticism of the legal proceedings against Netanyahu.

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Analog keyboards are more popular than ever, providing gamers with greater tactility and nuance. They allow for modulated presses and customizable actuation points, and come with exclusive features – such as the all-important Rapid Trigger – that make them ideal for elite-level play.

There are plenty of analog boards to choose from, but the best, in my view, is the SteelSeries Apex Pro. We’ve included the 2023 version in our best gaming keyboard guide, and the updated Gen 3 model is no less impressive. So let's dive into what makes the Apex Pro such a fantastic analog keyboard.

Best in class

Let’s start with the build quality: you won’t find many other keyboards built to such exacting standards. Every inch of the Apex Pro looks and feels premium and durable.

The chassis is solid yet not too heavy, making it relatively easy to get into position. As you would expect, it also comes equipped with double-shot PBT keycaps – the gold standard material. These feel great in use, thanks to their subtle but noticeable texture that makes them tactile.

The TKL models and bigger even feature a small screen in the top-right corner. This can be customized to display all manner of content, from pictures and GIFs to vital in-game information for popular titles, such as Counter-Strike 2 and League of Legends. It also has a menu where you can alter various settings, including the global actuation point and Rapid Trigger toggle.

The insane brightness of the G5 OLED allows colorful movies such as Wicked to really pop. (Image credit: Future)

It might not be the most eye-catching gaming keyboard, but beneath that restrained exterior lurks an incredibly high-performing machine. In my SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review, I noted how great those analog switches feel: they’re satisfyingly damped, yet still provide plenty of snap, which makes the Apex Pro ideal for gaming and typing.

What’s more, the keys provide enough feedback and travel to make hitting certain actuation points easier than on other analog keyboards I’ve experienced. The indentations of the keycaps help to get a secure and comfortable position, while the bottom row is easy to use when adopting the WASD position – which isn’t something I can say about every gaming keyboard I’ve tried.

SteelSeries GG software can be used to customize the Apex Pro. You’ll find a multitude of rebinding options, although the selection isn’t quite as vast as you’ll find in other apps, such as Razer’s Synapse. Still, the media and system shortcuts that are available should suffice for most users.

The Hisense C2 Ultra projector delivers excellent colors, but needs a darkened room to really shine. (Image credit: Future)

Naturally, there are various actuation adjustments and features, too. You can set the activation point between 0.1mm and 4mm for each key individually, and you can also choose whether a key activates on its down or upstroke. Along with Rapid Trigger, there’s a dual-actuation mode that lets you bind two inputs to a single key.

GG is quick to run and has an easy layout to navigate, although I wish it provided more visual feedback for actuation, as other analog keyboard software provides.

The wireless variant of the Apex Pro has excellent connectivity, providing both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth methods for greater versatility, and both performed with aplomb on the devices I tested. As I noted in my SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 review, battery life is also quite good, living up to its 40-hour claim according to my experience.

Even with light coming in through the windows to the right of the screen, there's barely a reflection in sight. (Image credit: Future)

About the only drawback I can find with the Apex Pro, aside from its eye-watering price tag, is the wrist rest: it lacks padding, and I didn’t find it wide enough to accommodate my whole wrist – and I don’t have big hands. What’s more, it has an annoying tendency to flip upwards when exerting too much pressure in the wrong place.

Yes, the Apex Pro costs a lot of money, but you’re getting one of the best-made and best-performing gaming keyboards on the market. Also, there are TKL and Mini variants that help to bring the cost down. The latter in particular does a sterling job of compensating for its lack of keys with some useful second-layer shortcuts.

There are wired models that are cheaper too, although the price difference isn’t that great, which is why I would recommend the wireless models (although the Mini is currently wired-only). But no matter which variant you go with, the Apex Pro offers a superlative analog experience.

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Our latest Duda review takes a deep dive into a new yet unique website builder offering, offering you insight into all the pros, cons, features, and tools, helping you make an informed choice.

Duda comes with a wide range of features including drag-and-drop editing capabilities, access to hundreds of templates and widgets, and an advanced AI. This makes it easier to build attractive websites and manage them at scale without any of the usual hassle.

Wix remains our pick for the top website builder of 2025. But this website builder has been built specifically with professionals in mind, offering agency-level functionality and white labeled tools. This makes it one of the best website builders for agencies and freelancers who want to build great websites for their clients.

Duda: 2-minute review

Duda positions itself as a premium website builder designed specifically for agencies, freelancers, and professional web developers. The platform excels at creating responsive websites that look great across all devices, with particularly strong mobile optimization tools that set it apart from competitors like Wix or Squarespace. Its drag-and-drop editor is intuitive yet powerful, allowing users to create professional websites without coding knowledge while still offering advanced customization options for those who need them.

What makes Duda so appealing to agencies is its comprehensive white-label capabilities and client management features. You can customize the platform with your own branding, give clients controlled access to their sites, and manage multiple projects efficiently. The platform runs on Amazon Web Services hosting, ensuring fast loading times and reliable performance. However, Duda's focus on professional users means it comes with a higher price tag than many competitors, and it lacks the free tier that makes other builders accessible to beginners.

What is Duda?

Duda is a cloud-based website building platform that lets you create professional websites without needing to write code. It provides everything you need to build a website — templates, design tools, hosting, and management features, all in one place.

Instead of hiring a team of web developers who specialize in complex programming, you can use the visual editor to drag and drop elements like text, images, and buttons exactly where you want them.

Duda adjusts your website's layout to look great on any screen size, but it also gives you granular control to customize how your site appears on each device type. It also includes built-in features for online stores, contact forms, photo galleries, and other common website functions.

Features

The Duda App Store lets you easily install apps from over 25 different categories. (Image credit: Duda)

The Duda App Store lets you easily install apps from over 25 different categories. Whether you’re looking for ecommerce tools, membership options, or website personalization options, there's plenty of options to choose from.

In more recent updates Duda has focused on rolling out better connectivity. Connectors are a new category available within the Duda App Store. They allow data transfer between Duda and other platforms such as ERPs, the best CRM software, and more. This allows agencies and freelancers to drastically expand the platforms to which they can connect client sites. Since launch Duda has released integrations with ActiveCampaign, MailChimp, Hubspot, Slack, and Facebook Conversions.

Duda has also added Blog APIs to its library. This addition will help agencies boost productivity by allowing the automatic import and push of blog content not created on the Duda platform to the sites they build. This will be especially useful to agencies using external writers or AI for blog writing.

If you’re running an online store, then you need an ecommerce solution. With Duda, we were able to easily set up an online store with its built-in ecommerce tools. We also took advantage of additional features such as payment processing integration and customer management tools.

Duda also provides membership options so that your customers can access exclusive content on your site. Whether it’s videos or podcasts, your site visitor can register for a paid membership to access this content without needing to leave your site. This is a great way to generate additional revenue for your business while offering your visitors more value.

Creating a website from scratch can take a lot of time and effort – but not with Duda. We were able to create a professional-looking website with Duda’s templates. These templates have been carefully crafted by industry experts so that they look great on any device or browser – regardless of size or resolution. Plus, all templates are fully customizable so that you can make them look exactly how you want them to be.

Mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular among web users – and if your site isn't optimized for mobile devices then it won't be seen by these potential customers. Fortunately, with Duda's mobile-friendly sites feature, creating mobile websites is easier than ever before. Not only does this feature allow visitors to view your site on any device or browser – but it also allows them to take advantage of features such as click-to-call buttons which give visitors direct access to contact information such as phone numbers and addresses right from their phones.

Widgets are small pieces of code snippets that add extra functionality and features to websites without needing any coding knowledge whatsoever. During our test, we were able to create custom widgets with drag-and-drop functionality. This can also be used by beginners to customize their sites in no time at all.

Keeping track of client payments is essential if you're offering services through your website - and luckily with the client billing feature in Duda, we were able to keep track of payments with ease. This feature allows you to easily set up invoicing systems through which you can keep track of clients' payments seamlessly - ensuring that all payments are made promptly and accurately every time.

Tools

Click on an object to be presented with numerous customising options… (Image credit: Duda)

Despite being an AI website builder, Duda offers to its credit a powerful platform that has everything that a small-to-medium design or development agency would need. Here are some standout features that we thought were worth highlighting:

Accessibility

Everyone deserves to experience an accessible website regardless of their disability or technology. With the AudioEye tool, businesses get peace of mind knowing the product they are providing meets WCAG 2.0 AA standards for website accessibility in just a few clicks. Duda’s AudioEye tool allows visitors with visual impairments to access your site’s content in Audio format.

Ecommerce

With the Omni-channel ecommerce tool, you can easily drive sales from both your online stores as well as across the web. All products are synced with the store catalog and managed from one convenient platform.

This feature enables customers to shop from anywhere; whether it’s on a computer or mobile device and pay for purchases seamlessly without ever having to leave your site. This helps create a seamless shopping experience that customers will appreciate and come back for again and again.

Member management

The Simple Member Management & Reporting tool makes it easy for you to manage members directly from the Site Overview tab or the side panel of the editor. You can add, edit or remove members quickly while also keeping track of user interactions such as past purchases and more in one convenient place. This simplifies member management while also giving you valuable insight into how people are interacting with your website so you can adjust accordingly.

White labelling

If you are a web developer or web designer working with clients, then hiding your platform is essential for maintaining credibility and professionalism. With Duda’s white-label website builder & preview tools, you can place your client’s entire site-building process under your brand. That way your customers will never know that you are using Duda until you tell them yourself. This tool also includes preview tools so that your customers can get an accurate view of how their site will look before it goes live.

Dynamic pages

The Dynamic Pages tool is one of Duda’s most powerful tools as it allows you to design a single page once and then use it over and over again for different purposes without having to manually enter new information each time. This tool uses collections of text, images, business information, video, and more to automatically populate pages with relevant data based on user input or preferences. You can even sync these collections with Google Sheets or Airtable for even faster results.

Search engine optimization

Duda also leverages AI to help make creating and growing your website easier. All plans come with access to their AI content assistant, which will automatically generate and edit site content for you. Those on the Team plan and higher also get access to the AI SEO assistant. This tool makes following SEO best practices easy by generating metadata for all site pages in just one click.

Along with AI tools, Duda offers users a powerful SEO overview. This tool provides, at a glance, an overview of your site’s search engine optimization, helping you find and fix issues quickly. It also provides insight into optimization opportunities and delivers a simple way to give clients an up-to-date SEO snapshot. Working behind the scenes, this tool will identify and alert you of any issues with essential SEO requirements including external and internal links, page meta tags, image alt text, etc.

Ease of use

It’s incredibly easy to locate the theme you’d like from Duda’s long list. (Image credit: Duda)

When you start your trial, and after you’ve verified your email address (par for the course these days), you’ll be asked about your business — are you a freelancer, a design agency, are you a web designer, or developer, that sort of thing. You’re then promptly sent to Duda’s template selection.

It’s incredibly easy to locate the theme you’d like from Duda’s long list. It’s even possible to preview its look on any type of device with just a click. Once you’ve found the template that’s right for you business, Duda will start setting it all up for you.

Duda has several features that make it easier for you to build the website you want without having to go through a complex process. For instance, you can drag and drop elements wherever you need them on your site. This makes it easy if you don’t have coding knowledge to add images, videos, and text boxes wherever you need them.

The dashboard is also designed in such a way that makes it easier for you to manage and edit your sites. The tools are all clearly labeled and easy to access – which means you don’t have to waste time figuring out how each tool works or where they’re located in the dashboard. This makes it possible for anyone with no web design experience at all to quickly and easily create a beautiful website that looks professionally done.

All of these features combine in such a way that makes Duda an incredibly user-friendly platform that anyone can use.

Pricing

Duda's pricing structure reflects its positioning as a professional-grade platform. (Image credit: Duda)

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Renewal rate (paid annually)

Basic

$25/month

$12.50/month

Team

$39/month

$19.50/month

Agency

$69/month

$34.50/month

White Label

$199/month

$99.50/month

Custom

Contact for pricing

Contact for pricing

Duda's pricing structure reflects its positioning as a professional-grade platform. It has no free tier but a 14-day free trial to test the service. The Basic plan at $12.50 monthly covers single users building one website, while the Team plan at $19.50 monthly adds collaboration features and white-label client access.

The Agency plan at $34.50 monthly includes four websites and advanced features like widget building, making it ideal for growing web development businesses. For larger agencies, the White Label plan at $99.50 monthly provides enhanced branding options and priority support.

Ecommerce functionality requires separate add-ons regardless of your main plan, with three tiers ranging from $8 to $49 monthly per site. While this initially seems expensive, it actually makes Duda more competitive since you only pay for eCommerce features when you need them. Additional websites beyond your plan's allocation cost extra too.

Support

Duda offers comprehensive and up-to-date information through its Knowledge Base & Documentation section. (Image credit: Duda)

Duda offers comprehensive and up-to-date information through its Knowledge Base & Documentation section. This section contains detailed step-by-step instructions on how to use various features on Duda, as well as frequently asked questions (FAQ) about common issues that may arise when using the platform. Additionally, this page also contains links to other helpful resources such as user guides, tutorials, and videos that can help you get started quickly with your website.

If you require more personal help with your website or need assistance troubleshooting something specific, Duda has you covered in this area too. With live chat, you can get quick answers from knowledgeable customer service representatives when needed. Plus, Duda even offers priority support for businesses that need immediate solutions or have urgent requests for their websites.

In addition to having access to direct customer service representatives via live chat or phone calls, Duda also provides users with access to its online forum and community support networks. This is great for users who are looking for advice from fellow web developers or want to learn from others who may have encountered similar challenges as they work on their websites.

However, it is important to note that the level of support you receive depends on the package you choose. Those on Basic or Team plans can only access support via email, whereas those on the more expensive Agency and White Label plans get full access to priority email, live chat, and phone support.

Security

Duda offers an optional SSL certificate for all websites hosted on its platform. (Image credit: Duda)

Duda offers an optional SSL certificate for all websites hosted on its platform. An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a security protocol that encrypts data sent between a web server and a browser. This ensures that any personal information entered into your website is kept secure and protected from any potential hackers or malicious actors. The SSL certificate also adds an extra layer of protection against data breaches and other cyberattacks.

Finally, Duda also provides a Password Manager feature which allows you to store their passwords securely within the platform itself. This means that even if someone does get access to your account, they won't be able to view or use your passwords unless they have the correct login credentials for the Password Manager. This added layer of security further protects your account from malicious actors looking to gain access without authorization.

Alternatives

Squarespace has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes it simple to design a beautiful website from scratch. Squarespace also offers dozens of templates that can help you get started quickly if you don’t have time to build your site from scratch.

If ease of use is what you're looking for in a website builder, then Wix might be the solution for you. Wix doesn't require any coding knowledge - just point and click. It has hundreds of templates available so you can easily create a stunning website in minutes without having any prior design experience. Additionally, Wix offers powerful features like customizable forms and ecommerce solutions so you can easily manage customer orders on your site.

Duda: Summary

Duda offers a complete package of features that make it easy to build and maintain a website. It includes everything from template designer tools, customization capabilities, content management tools, e-commerce integrations, SEO optimization options, and more. All of these features work together to give you control over how your website looks and functions.

In addition to having lots of features that make it easy to customize your website, Duda also offers several helpful support resources. From getting started tutorials to detailed user guides and FAQs, there are plenty of resources available that can help you design the perfect site for your business or organization in no time.

FAQsCan I try out Duda before purchasing?

Yes. Duda offers a 14-day free trial with all the features available in the Team plan so that you can play around with the platform and make sure it fits your needs before making any commitment.

Does my website have to be hosted with Duda?

All websites built on the Duda platform are hosted on servers via Amazon Web Services (AWS). This guarantees your sites maintain a 99.999% uptime. However, if you’re on an Agency or Custom plan, you can export code from Duda - but importing code from an external source isn’t allowed.

What CDN does Duda use?

All websites created with Duda are served via Amazon's Cloudfront CDN for lightning-fast loading speeds. This makes sure visitors have quick access to your website no matter where they are located and that your content is delivered quickly and reliably across all devices.