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• YouTube might be planning a big redesign of its TV app's homepage
• The new layout will reportedly incorporate more streaming services
• Creators will be able to display their content in episodes and seasons

YouTube has been teasing some big changes to its TV app, and it looks like one of these new features might see the addition of more on-demand streaming content from the likes of third-party services such as Netflix.

That's according to a new report from The Information as seen by The Verge, which reveals that a new redesign of the homepage is expected to be launched in the "next few months."

The update is expected to make it easier to see which of the best streaming services you're subscribed to through the YouTube TV app, which you can access via Primetime Channels. The big difference that the change will make is instead of hiding away this content in the 'Movies and TV' tab, it will reportedly include it on the homepage alongside your favorite creators' videos.

That's similar to the interfaces of apps like Apple TV and Prime Video, which act as hubs for all your subscriptions. However, not every service is available via Primetime Channel, which varies depending on your region.

For example, US users can access Max on YouTube's Primetime Channels, while UK and Australian users can't. This is expected to change as part of the redesign's shift, though, as YouTube reportedly told The Information that it stopped offering new services due to its struggle to integrate paid content into the app.

YouTube's streaming dominance

YouTube has been the most popular streaming platform for a while now – it had an 11.1% majority share of TV and streaming viewership in the US in December 2024, according to a report by Neilsen.

That's not surprising when you consider that watching YouTube on TVs has become the preferred device to access the video sharing platform compared to phones and laptops, making it even more embedded into our home cinemas.

As part of YouTube's broader plans to make its app more like your favorite streamer, the service has also previously said that it will give its creators a new feature that lets them format their content into episodes and seasons – just like one of the best Netflix shows.

That change was announced in September last year and is expected to be further expanded with plans to add functionality that will let you automatically preview a movie or show on the homepage when scrolling over it – just like you would see on the homepage of Netflix.

Kurt Wilms, YouTube’s senior director of product management, told The Information that the service envisions these new automatic previews blending content from third-party apps with creators' videos.

What the new YouTube TV app will look like and whether these new features will become available is not yet definite, of course, but we'll be keeping an eye out for any updates and will report back as soon as we have more news from YouTube on the changes it plans to launch.

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The company is also adding six other games to the service.

It's the latest lawsuit abandoned by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau since Trump appointees have taken over at the bureau.

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Right now, Apple’s iPad lineup is a strong four, two of which come in two sizes. Just this morning, Apple ushered in the next generation of the iPad Air and the entry-level iPad, which is now dubbed iPad (A16).

Even with the gorgeous Dynamic OLED display on the iPad Pro, the bite-sized build of the iPad mini, and the sheer value of the iPad Air – now with M3 – the entry-level iPad is still a perfect balancing act.

On paper, the most recent upgrade seems minimal – it’s a jump from the A14 Bionic chip to the A16, which Apple promises delivers up to 50% better performance and a doubling of the internal storage from 64GB to 128GB. Both of these keep this iPad ticking, but what it doesn’t bring is support for Apple Intelligence.

It's kind of a surprise, yes, but it also shows that Apple isn’t necessarily on a quest to bring it to every device, or at least not at this time. Further, I think it’s a sign of what this entry-level iPad is all about and a testament to the fact that the rest of the hardware here makes it a pretty perfect package.

High-end looks with likely stellar performance

(Image credit: Apple)

There is no knocking the iPad (A16) for its looks – it still comes in some fun colors and boasts an iPad Air-esque design with rounded edges and a healthy bezel around the now-called 11-inch Liquid Retina display that’s still 10.86 inches. It looks modern in every sense of the word, even though it’s stuck in the design language that was used when it was the tenth Generation.

This was also the first iPad with a front-facing camera on the landscape side and Apple’s still sticking with that placement on everything but the iPad mini. You also get an easy way of unlocking and purchasing with Touch ID built into the power button, and there is a camera on the back should you want to take photos with your iPad.

The Apple Pencil situation here is still a little complicated as the iPad (A16) has a USB-C port but supports the first-generation Apple Pencil even though it has a Lightning port built-in. To charge it, you’ll need an adapter and a USB-C to USB-C cable – it’s incredibly clunky, but it works.

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You can also opt for the Apple Pencil with USB-C, which you can slide the top over to expose the USB-C port to plug it in for charge. That’s equally clunky. It does magnetically attach to the side of the iPad (A16) for safe-keeping, but that won’t charge it.

Once you figure out how to keep it charged, it works like an Apple Pencil should – giving you an experience that’s close to writing with pen to paper or drawing on a surface. Scribble is supported here, letting you write a message, and the iPad automatically translates it to text. It was kind of an Apple Intelligence-like feature before that was dubbed the name for Apple’s suite of AI functionality.

The A16 chip here should be plenty powerful for all the major tasks one would want to use an iPad for, like:

• Following a recipe
• Browsing the web
• Playing a game from the App Store or Apple Arcade
• FaceTiming with friends or family
• Reading a book
• Listening to Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run
• Scrolling through photos or editing some
• Typing a story … maybe even this one?
• Taking notes with an Apple Pencil
• Endless other things
• Streaming movies and TV shows

You get the point, but the vast majority of things that one can do on an iPad are all possible here (with the notable exception of Apple Intelligence). No, it might not replace a high-performance workflow that you’d need an iPad Air or iPad Pro for, but for the basics and even some more fun processes, the iPad (A16) is more than capable.

After all, to deserve the name of iPad, it needs to be an iPad. But when my friends or family ask me which one is best, if they aren’t doing anything crazy and simply want an iPad to join the bandwagon, as a secondary device, or as one for streaming content, this entry-level iPad checks off the boxes.

It has the better Magic Keyboard

(Image credit: Apple)

If you want to use the iPad for email, spreadsheets, or other productivity tasks, it also works with my favorite Apple keyboard accessory. The Magic Keyboard Folio has two parts: one that magnetically snaps to the back with a kickstand that you can prop up at various heights, and a keyboard on the front complete with function keys and a good-sized trackpad.

When you don’t need the keyboard, that front piece can snap to the back with the keys facing inward so you don’t accidentally have the keys pressed. It’s great and super functional; it’s not the cheapest, though, at $249.

The previous tenth-generation iPad is our pick for the ‘Best iPad’ overall, and on our Best Tablets page, is the best for most. I expect that this iPad (A16) will quickly shuffle into that spot with better performance after we go hands-on, even without Apple Intelligence.

So if you can live without Image Playground, summarized notifications, or writing tools and want an iPad for drawing, browsing the web, FaceTiming with friends or family, gaming, and streaming your favorite content, don’t dismiss the entry-level iPad … it’s pretty awesome. And I can’t wait to test one out, hopefully in Yellow or Pink.

Apple's taking preorders now for the iPad (A16) with a starting price of $349 / £329, and it will formally launch on March 12, 2025.

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The year's biggest phone show, Mobile World Congress, often has some wild handsets -- here's the cream of the bizarre crop.

Human rights organizations say the cuts have undermined years of global democracy-building and free-speech initiatives and put the lives of their staff at risk.

• Analysts says Microsoft has cancelled leases with at least two data center operators
• It could be reassessing AI infrastructure investments amid potential oversupply
• Despite adjustments, Microsoft maintains its $80 billion AI commitment

Microsoft may not be quite as all-in on investing in AI infrastructure as recent reports have suggested. MarketWatch reported on a research note written by TD Cowen analysts which claims Microsoft has cancelled leases in the US with at least two private data center operators.

The leases totaled “a couple hundred megawatts” and Microsoft is also is not converting “so-called statements of qualifications into leases”. The same analysts also report that Microsoft has moved a portion of planned international spending to the US.

This is despite a recent interview with Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Satya Nadella, who said AI supply and demand will have to meet and that tech firms will need to exponentially invest to make this happen.

Raising broader questions

“When coupled with our prior channel checks, it points to a potential oversupply position for Microsoft,” said lead analyst Michael Elias. The group believes the shift is linked to OpenAI which Microsoft has close ties to.

“Consider this: Microsoft was the most active lessee of capacity in 2023 and 1H24, at which time it was procuring capacity relative to a capacity forecast that contemplated incremental OpenAI workloads. However, as we believe is indicated by its decision to pause construction on a data center in Wisconsin - which our prior channel checks indicated was to support OpenAI - there is capacity that it has likely procured, particularly in areas where capacity is not fungible to cloud, where the company may have excess data center capacity relative to its new forecast,” the analysts said.

Writing about the news, Bloomberg said, "A potential lease pullback by Microsoft raises broader questions about whether the company - one of the frontrunners among Big Tech in AI - is growing cautious about the outlook for overall demand. The company has said it expects to spend $80 billion this fiscal year on AI data centers, and on a late January earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella said Microsoft has to sustain spending to meet “exponentially more demand.”

“While we may strategically pace or adjust our infrastructure in some areas, we will continue to grow strongly in all regions," a Microsoft spokesperson told Bloomberg. "Our plans to spend over $80 billion on infrastructure this FY remains on track as we continue to grow at a record pace to meet customer demand.”

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• Pixel feature drop for March adds several new features to Google's tech
• Scam Detection is coming to Google Pixel 9 phones in the US
• Multimodal Gemini Live tools are coming to the Pixel 6 and newer phones

The latest Pixel feature drop update for March and Android update are bringing some impressive new tools to your Google Pixel phone and Watch devices, including improved scam protection and US FDA-cleared Loss of Pulse Detection.

Starting with the major new Pixel phone features, the headliner is AI-powered scam protection. Using on-device AI this tool will apparently alert you in real time if the person you’re calling or text messaging is using language that's common among scammers, and everyone with a Google Pixel 6 or later can access the tool for texts in the UK, US and Canada; meanwhile Google Pixel 9 phones in the US can also use the call protection tool. Note, however (as Google itself warns), that scammers can mix up their tactics, and so the AI won’t be 100% effective, so don’t over-rely on this protection and drop your guard.

Continuing with the safety trend, Google’s Find My Device service is getting a new live location-sharing tool in-app, so you can easily update your friends and family on your whereabouts – either to let them know you got home safe, or to help coordinate a meetup. The app will also regularly remind you that you’re sharing your location, and with who, so you can remember to turn it off when it’s not needed. This feature isn’t a Pixel-exclusive – it’s coming to all Find my Device-compatible Android phones.

Beyond safety, the Pixel drop also includes new creative tools. New text-to-image tools in Pixel studio will let you create stickers and images of people and scenes on the Google Pixel 9, and if you love to stream your activities on YouTube, TikTok and other platforms from your phone, there's a new multi-cam feature – using a Pixel 9 phone as the primary device you can sync with a Pixel 6 or later Google phone, or a GoPro Hero10 Black or newer camera, to stream with a multi-cam setup.

Three features for the Pixel Watch 3

The (Image credit: Future)

Google Pixel Watch 3 users are also getting some nifty tools, starting with its Loss of Pulse Detection feature, which is launching in the US after being cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. This feature can detect when you experience a loss of pulse (perhaps due to cardiac arrest, circulatory failure, or an overdose or poisoning) and will contact emergency services, and it’ll start rolling out to Watch 3 users at the end of the month.

Pixel Watch 3 users can also now take advantage of new on-device menstrual tracking. This can help you monitor your period, and perhaps even predict when you might get your next one, all from your wrist.

Finally, all Pixel Watch devices are now set to offer improved step tracking precision, as the devices are now supposedly better at detecting when your walking pattern deviates – being able to tell the difference between someone jogging, pushing a shopping cart, or hiking with poles.

There are also a few more minor improvements coming to Google Pixel and Android devices, which you can check out in full on the official Google website, but the above features are the ones we’re most excited to try out – scam protection seems especially useful, and I’m excited to see how well it works.

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• A travel tracking software firm has suffered a data breach
• The researcher discovered 10 open Lost & Found databases
• Over 800,000 Lost & Found customers could be exposed

A dataset containing 820,750 records totaling 122GB has been discovered online, most likely belonging to German tracking software firm Lost & Found, which primarily services the aviation industry.

As revealed by security researcher, Jeremiah Fowler, this was in an unprotected and publicly exposed dataset of 14 databases in total, 10 that were accessible and 4 that were restricted. Within these, the researcher found shipping labels, lost item reports, and screenshots, ranging from personal electronics, wallets, bags, medical devices, and other personal effects travelers often take on flights.

That’s not all though, as a number of personally identifiable documents were also included, such as passport scans, drivers licenses, employment documents, and more. The researcher suggests these could either be lost and uploaded by airport staff, or used to file claims and identify ownership of lost documents.

Customers at risk

Once a disclosure notice was sent, the databases were restricted “within hours”. It’s not yet known whether the databases were owned and managed directly by Lost & Found, or if a third-party contractor had control. It’s also unclear how long the dataset was exposed, or if threat actors accessed the information.

Since there is a possibility that the information was accessed by threat actors, this leaves anyone exposed in the breach at risk. Since IDs and passports were included, this means the primary risk is identity theft, as criminals could use these scans to apply for loans, credit cards, or bank accounts.

To protect against this, anyone concerned they may be affected should closely monitor their account, transactions, and statements, and immediately report any suspicious activity to their bank.

Alongside this, be vigilant against any social engineering attacks by carefully inspecting any unexpected communications you receive from unknown sources - especially those prompting action.

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Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review

The Bose Solo Soundbar 2 is a diminutive yet powerful 2.0 channel soundbar that sets out to take your viewing experiences to the next level. With a list price of $199 / £179.95 / AU$359.95, it’s certainly on the affordable side for Bose – but there are a lot of budget soundbar competitors doing their thing for even less. So, is the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 hot enough to compete in a fiery market?

Well, before we jump to any conclusions, let’s talk about setup. Getting the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 hooked up to your TV is easy enough. It comes with a digital optical cable and an AC adapter that you can plug in for instant access to Bose soundbar goodness. Alternatively, you can use coaxial or AUX connections, but as is often the case, the cables for this aren’t included in the box.

But although setup is straightforward, you’ve probably picked up on a standout omission. That’s right: there’s no HDMI here. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand this isn’t the newest model on the market – specifically, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 was released in 2021. But still, by then, I’d expect a soundbar at this price point to have HDMI ARC as a connectivity option. It’s an absolute must to qualify as one of the best cheap soundbars.

(Image credit: Future)

The lack of HDMI means you won’t be able to adjust the soundbar’s volume with your usual TV remote – instead you’ll have to use the included separate remote. I also typically find digital optical cables to be more fiddly and awkward than larger, easier-to-handle HDMI cables. One final note on HDMI: without it, you’re going to be locked out of fancy audio features like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – something that doesn’t always work out with small, cheap soundbars – but that’s worth noting if you’re expecting truly immersive three-dimensional audio.

So, look, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 and I didn’t get off on the best foot. But I wasn’t going to write it off without a good listen and test session first. And I’m glad to report that the sound quality on offer is a major redeeming factor. I tried watching the movie Smile on Netflix and found that the dialogue was clear and natural-sounding when two women conversed in an isolated room.

At one point during this exchange, tensions flare as one woman falls to the floor – and imposing bass ripples through the scene. I felt that the low-end power on offer was substantial for a small soundbar like this. It grabbed me instantly and filled our medium-sized TV testing room effectively. Some of the lowest notes sounded a touch thin, however.

(Image credit: Future)

I threw on The Matrix and during the famous rooftop showdown scene, deeper bass didn’t have that rumble you’d get from more premium models, especially those with a standalone subwoofer. But given a lot of cheap, standalone soundbars struggle with bass, this can be forgiven – low-end output remains steady. I would say, however, that there was pretty limited width to the soundstage, perhaps accentuated by this soundbar’s small size. So when watching epic movies such as this, don’t expect that room-filling, immersive surround sound that more talented standalone soundbars, like the Sony HT-S2000 can imitate pretty effectively.

It’s also worth noting that you can raise (or lower) bass levels to your liking using the Solo Soundbar 2’s remote. That’s something that even some fantastic budget rivals, like the Sony HT-SF150, skip on. And although this model will still struggle to hit those super-low depth notes, the bass controls still work nicely and provide some much-needed weight to blockbuster movie soundtracks and gaming scores.

(Image credit: Future)

Enough about bass, though. I’d like to loop back around to dialogue. This is generally quite crisp, but you can improve things further by activating Dialogue Mode. The most noticeable effect here is that volume is given a substantial boost. But I tried watching a scene in Smile where four characters were chatting in a busy outdoor seating area and the difference was considerable. With Dialogue Mode on, the characters of interest had their speech lifted a layer above, relegating background chatter to… well, the background. When listening to the Kermode & Mayo’s Take podcast in Dialogue Mode, I certainly felt satisfied with the crispness and forwardness of the hosts’ vocals.

So, if you’re fed up of turning subtitles on to understand what’s being said in your favorite movies or TV shows, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 will certainly supply a way out of that life. Even some of the best small TVs, for example, tend to have limited audio capabilities, so if you own one of those, the mini, solid-sounding Solo Soundbar 2 could be right for you. Especially if you’ve used up all of your HDMI ports.

Sound rarely gets harsh or abrasive, even at higher volumes. And this thing can get pretty loud, thanks to its maximum power output of 100W. Not bad for a small lil’ fella. The only time I felt sound quality took a significant dive was when I played some music over Bluetooth. For instance, I blasted Electric Tooth Brush by Toronto and was met with an almost ‘boxed-in’ sound and bass didn’t have the thump I’d usually look for. Similarly when tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the soundbar lacked the dynamism required to faithfully replicate the track – especially as the bouncing bass running throughout the track sounded a touch flat.

(Image credit: Future)

Having said that, music didn’t sound tinny or horrible and vocals in Black Eye were certainly clear enough. I just wouldn’t recommend using this as your main way to stream music at home, especially when there are some excellent options to pick from in our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers.

Something I did like about the Solo Soundbar 2, though, is its design. It’s a fairly attractive mini bar with a classy black speaker grille and famous Bose logo imprinted front and centre. OK, it’s a little plasticky – but that’s to be expected at this price point. And the included remote is pleasingly slim and sleek, which adds a few more style points anyway. Of course, the soundbar's compact size can limit the expansiveness of audio, but in terms of practicality, it doesn’t get a whole lot better.

All in all, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 is a decent, small-sized option if you’re looking to upgrade your TV’s underwhelming audio. It sounds surprisingly powerful and looks pretty sweet too. And if you’re all out of HDMI slots, then it might be worth a look.

But in my view, it’s not the best value for money option, let alone the best quality one in its class. You can get the Hisense HS214 – a cheaper, more modern, HDMI-ready mini bar if you’re short on space. You could even grab the Panasonic SC-HTB100 if you want clear audio with a bit more width. And both of these alternatives are considerably cheaper than the Solo Soundbar 2, so make sure to weigh up your options before pulling the trigger on a purchase. Speaking of options, you can check out our list of the best soundbars if you want a best-in-class soundbar for truly cinematic sound.

(Image credit: Future) Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review: Price and release date

• $199 / £179.95 / AU$359.95
• Launched in 2021

The Bose Solo Soundbar 2 (sometimes stylised ‘Bose Solo Soundbar Series II’) released in 2021 with a list price of $199 / £179.95 / AU$359.95. Now, a few years later, you can often find it at a discounted price. For instance, I spotted this model for less than £150 directly through the Bose UK website, so keep your eyes peeled for a tasty price drop.

Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Bose Solo Soundbar 2? Buy it if...

You want to add some power to your TV setup
It didn’t always hit the lowest notes and audio wasn’t pitch perfect all of the time, but it’s hard to deny this Bose soundbar’s power. Considering its short length and slim build, it plates up a solid 100W maximum power output with impressive bass levels and general loudness.

You’re a little short on space
If you’re a little limited in terms of room, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 will likely be a fantastic fit. It’s pretty slim and not long at all, meaning it should seamlessly slot into your TV unit.

Don't buy it if...

You want premium sound quality
Considering its miniature size and low price, you’ll likely not be expecting audiophile-grade audio from the Bose Solo Soundbar 2. And you’d be correct to expect that. It doesn’t sound bad at all, but if you’re looking for detailed, rich, expertly controlled sound, you’ll be better served by an option like the Sony HT-S2000.

You’re on the search for surround sound
If you want true surround sound, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 isn’t going to be the answer. It’s a basic 2.0 channel soundbar with no surround or virtual surround capabilities. If you want truly immersive, three-dimensional sound, I’d recommend checking out our guide to the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.

Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review: Also consider

Sony HT-SF150
I loved my time with the Sony HT-SF150. It’s a premium-looking standalone soundbar with surprisingly good virtual surround sound technology. There’s nothing like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X compatibility here, but audio is decently expansive, dialogue is clear and there are loads of ways to connect. That includes HDMI ARC, by the way. Read our full Sony HT-SF150 review.

Hisense HS214
The Hisense HS214 is pretty similar to this bar from Bose. It’s a small, slim soundbar that musters up an impressive amount of power and keeps dialogue nice and clean. Its built-in surround mode is poor, but there’s a built-in subwoofer to offer a leg up to low-end sound. Again, this one has HDMI ARC connectivity among a number of other options, so it's a bit better equipped for the modern era. Read our full Hisense HS214 review.

Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review: How I tested

• Tested across one week
• Used in our TV testing space at Future Labs
• Connected up using the soundbar’s digital optical port

I spent hours testing the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 at our TV testing space at Future Labs. During this time, I used the digital optical connectivity option and hooked the Solo Soundbar 2 up to the excellent Panasonic MZ1500 TV.

For my tests, I viewed a variety of TV shows, videos and movies – mainly using streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. In addition, I connected the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to the soundbar to assess audio quality over Bluetooth. I made sure to play tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist as well as my own personal library to judge the capabilities of the soundbar’s Bluetooth mode.

• First reviewed: February 2025
• Read more about how we test

• Microsoft has patched a loophole in Windows Copilot
• Copilot will no longer inadvertently aid in unlicensed OS copies
• The company has yet to tackle the wider issue available online

Microsoft has updated Windows Copilot to prevent the AI-powered assistant from recommending third-party tools to aid in the piracy of its popular operating system.

Previously, it's claimed that Windows Copilot was not only recommending the use of third-party tools, but was also outlining ways to bypass Microsoft's licensing system where other AI programs, such as ChatGPT, were not generating activation keys for the operating system.

When testing Windows Copilot for workarounds, it will now completely reject any prompts for activation codes, third-party tools, and how-to information. Additionally, it stresses how unauthorized copies of the operating system are illegal, violate the terms of service, and recommends contacting official Microsoft support to get a legitimate copy.

Despite the Windows Copilot loophole getting plugged, it goes to show Microsoft's commitment to refining its AI assistant, which has been a core component of the operating system as laptops (and newer desktop processors) have utilized dedicated NPUs to better aid AI workloads. However, the technology is still in its infancy, which is causing some embarrassing issues, such as this one.

With that all said, many methods of unlicensed and authorized Windows 11 activations are still available online, they are just not being actively promoted by Microsoft's own AI assistant. It's about getting things under control as AI-generated content becomes more widely adopted.

A step forward for policing AI content

One of the major privacy concerns around AI has been the unregulated and unauthorized way that it can scrape and produce content for the end user. With Microsoft's Copilot, it was previously (inadvertently) being tricked into showing users ways of bypassing Windows licensing protocols. While it never directly gave out working activation codes, it was making things as easy as possible in other respects. Certainly not something Microsoft would like.

There have been discussions around updates, upgrading and alleged downgrading of Copilot since it first emerged in November 2023. In October 2024, it received a substantial visual makeover, and was able to interact with online and local (on the device) content.

It's a bid to make Copilot stand out against the bulk of its AI-powered rivals such as X's Grok, Google Gemini, and Open AI's ChatGPT. While some of its alternatives may help users bypass Microsoft's security measures, at least it won't be happening on its own platform anymore.

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