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Cyber extortion continues to be a persistent threat to the cybersecurity landscape. Our latest Cy-Xplorer reveals a significant year-on-year increase in the number of victims in 2024 - 77% year-on-year. While some industries, including manufacturing, healthcare and professional services, found themselves in the firing line most frequently, few industries could consider themselves safe.

While these are sophisticated attacks, in our experience, the best ways to secure an organization against them are less complex and more comprehensive. While many businesses may be looking to AI and large language models (LLMs) as a panacea for all cybersecurity ills, most organizations would benefit from more fundamental changes to their security posture.

AI: A double-edged sword

Generative AI is the technology topic de jour and has already proven to be a powerful tool for both bad actors and cybersecurity professionals. On the threat side, we’ve already seen state-sponsored threat actors often use generative AI to craft more convincing phishing attacks through voice emulation and deepfakes. For cybersecurity professionals, AI can bolster defenses by streamlining threat detection, incident response, and risk management.

Despite the seemingly fast-advancing technology, AI should not be used as a shortcut to robust security protocols. The technology is still nascent, and the economics are still to be worked out. Many organizations have yet to get a handle on AI and where it sits within their technology infrastructure. AI applications can be another attack vector to company servers for bad actors, especially when they don’t adhere to company policies.

This is not to say that AI holds no value for security - far from it - but businesses should not rush into an AI-driven security strategy without first having a strong security posture to build upon. This includes having processes on what systems AI applications are connected to and educating employees on appropriate use cases for AI. In the near term, relying on more classical threat intelligence and pentesting processes will prove the most effective strategies for mitigating risk.

Security starts with culture

It’s always been the case that the weakest link in the security chain has been people, and our latest Security Navigator report reaffirms this point - 37% of cyber incidents in organizations originate internally. As much as we might wish to be able to claim there is a silver bullet to cybersecurity, the truth is that, even in a world of growing cyber threats, no amount of technology will protect your business if your staff aren’t trained in recognizing cyber extortion, social engineering and other cyber threats, and how best to avoid or report them.

Mitigating risks requires integrating security awareness into employees’ daily routines, whether they’re full-time contractors, partners, or suppliers. Continuous training from the likes of CSOs, CIOs, and external experts must solidify this awareness.

There will almost certainly be resistance to these kinds of approaches. Why, after all, should this be the responsibility of your non-cybersecurity employees? To win over naysayers, security leaders must clearly demonstrate the consequences of inadequate security measures and effectively communicate their security strategy across the organization to secure employee buy-in in every function.

Defining cybersecurity success

While strengthening security posture and mitigating risk should always be the core targets, security teams must have realistic goals and targets for cybersecurity success. While a zero per cent incident rate would be ideal - is it realistic? In a landscape of increasingly sophisticated and varied threats, we’d say it isn’t.

Consider more achievable and appropriate targets for your business. One would be reducing incidents, and tracking and reducing the time between detection, reporting and remediation. Systems being brought down will bring business processes to a screeching halt, so if a system is compromised, how quickly can it be brought back online through backups? Consider what sensitive (and therefore particularly valuable) data the company holds - how can security strategy reduce the risk of unauthorized access to that data in particular?

Increasing resilience is a marathon, not a sprint, and no system is impenetrable. Set realistic milestones and goals based on data sensitivity and business responsibility, then build on that posture over weeks, months and years.

People, process and technology alignment

The idea that one technology, or even a suite of technologies, no matter how advanced, is the recipe for robust cybersecurity is a fanciful and risky position to hold. If internal standards around education and processes slip due to an over-reliance on technology, severe system compromises from bad actors are inevitable.

As the threat landscape evolves, security must not be a static barrier. It, too, must change to meet new threats by aligning well-informed people following strong processes supported by technology.

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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

• Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode will feature open-world challenges
• Players will be able to find 'P' switches in the world that will activate challenges
• Collectible Peach Medallions and other hidden features can also be discovered

Nintendo has confirmed that Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode will feature challenges and collectibles.

During the Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct today, we were treated to an over 15-minute showcase of the upcoming Switch 2 launch title, offering a new look at new maps and courses, the Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, new tricks, and Free Roam mode.

Nintendo revealed Free Roam mode during the Switch 2 Direct earlier this month. It will allow players to drive freely around the game's multiple maps, but in today's broadcast, it was revealed that the open world won't be as empty as I initially thought.

While driving through the world, players can come across challenges and missions. In the footage, it's said that players can find 'hundreds' of 'P' switches that will activate challenges, with one that tasks you to grind across rails to collect blue coins on the 'Slackline course'.

It also looks like there will be timed races, as well as collectible Peach Medallions scattered around the world, hidden panels, and more.

It makes me wonder if Nintendo will offer additional challenges post-launch, perhaps in the form of downloadable content (DLC) or content patches.

Mario Kart World will launch the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, for $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.

Pre-orders are now live in the UK, but US pre-orders and Canadian pre-orders have been delayed as Nintendo assesses the potential impact of tariffs.

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• Galaxy Buds FE 2 filings have been spotted in the US (FCC) and India (BIS)
• According to the FCC certification, 'Galaxy Buds Core' could be their name
• Details in the FCC filing even suggest dual-band Wi-Fi (up to 5.8 GHz)

We'd read reports of a fresh set of Galaxy earbuds in 'advanced development', but now they've actually been spotted – on two official certification sites. But is it just a case of another day, another set of affordable earbuds spotted in the wild?

Well, no, because a) September 2023 was a long time ago and that's when the inaugural (and honestly disappointing) Samsung Galaxy Buds FE launched, and b) the US listing mentions dual-band Wi-Fi up to 5.8 GHz.

If true (and as spotted by 91 Mobiles, many thanks for that), that would bring Samsung's typically cheaper-than-Pro 'Fan Edition' buds up in line with Xiaomi's Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi – which can be yours for a cool $239 / £189 / AU$385 (or thereabouts).

But Samsung's original Buds FE sold for just $99 / £99 / AU$149, so surely not? Then again, when 'Fan Edition' has come to mean anything that'll play especially nice with your Samsung Galaxy phone and ecosystem, much not much else, it would certainly fit the bill. For clarity, Xiaomi's list of compatible smartphone source devices for its Wi-Fi toting buds is currently limited to its own Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra so buying a smartphone from another manufacturer after buying Xiaomi buds? Strongly discouraged.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE 2: what we know so far

The Buds FE will soon be updated with a new model – but Wi-Fi? (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

We have not one but two credible Galaxy Buds FE 2 or 'Buds Core' sources now: the Bureau of India Standards (BIS), as spotted by SamMobile, and the Federal Communications Commission (an independent US government agency, usually referred to as the FCC).

Although we can't see any design or pricing specs, the model name is still SM-R410, which ties up with previous reports pertaining to the Buds FE 2. That said, the marketing name on the FCC listing is 'Samsung Galaxy Buds Core'. A new naming strategy for Samsung? We'll wait and see – but whatever the moniker, they'll almost certainly be successors to the entry-level Buds FE.

Specs in the FCC filing suggest a 200mAh battery in the buds with a charging case that houses a 500mAh power pack. Given that the original Galaxy Buds FE's case carried a 479mAh battery (to boast a maximum 30-hour playtime with the buds) it's a nice update – particularly when you consider that in Xiaomi's recent two-strong Buds Pro 5 release, the buds boasting Wi-Fi support actually carried a better battery life claim than the regular Bluetooth set.

That's right! Crucially, the US listing also mentions connectivity dual-band Wi-Fi (up to 5.8 GHz frequency) and because the older September 2023-issue siblings carried 5.2, we'd expect Bluetooth 5.3 at least at this point.

Will they arrive alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 at Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event – which we'd expect to happen some time in July? It's impossible to be sure, but right now it certainly looks like it.

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The past 12 months have seen remarkable advances in AI coding capabilities. To offer some perspective, there’s a benchmark that measures performance on 500 real-world engineering problems derived from real world software projects. Early last year, state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) solved only about 4% of these issues. With this momentum in AI coding agents now drawing significant media attention, I’m asked more frequently: “Will this affect software engineering jobs?”

The tipping point in writing this article was a conversation with a prospective investor who wondered whether his child should continue pursuing an interest in computer science. In true engineering style, I’ll begin with a succinct “TL;DR” (too long; didn’t read) summary and then elaborate in detail below:

TL;DR

- “Indeed says engineering jobs are 70% down.” This is misleading.

- “AI will never fix a bug for me.” Time to wake up.

- “AI will change software jobs.” Absolutely.

- “AI will dramatically reduce the number of software jobs in the near future.” Almost certainly not.

- “Is it still worth learning computer science?” More than ever.

If I’ve still got your attention, let’s dive in.

Misreading the Indeed data

It’s true that software development postings on Indeed have dropped below their pre-pandemic baseline by 29%, and many people are blaming AI. However, here’s an inside secret for anyone outside the recruiting and software engineering circles: hiring for highly paid professionals (and many software developers fall into that category) is simply moving away from Indeed. I’ve hired hundreds of engineers over the course of my career, and I can’t recall the last time I posted a software engineering job on Indeed. It’s been years.

For context, consider that “Education & Instruction” job postings are up 46.8% on Indeed over the same period. Do we attribute that to AI magically creating 50% more demand for educators? Hardly. Until we see data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics or another official source, I’m inclined to classify any direct correlation between Indeed’s dip in engineering listings and AI as a “spurious correlation.”

The tech sector experienced a massive spike during the pandemic, followed by a significant correction that resulted in layoffs and hiring freezes. That had little to do with AI; if anything, AI might be reinvigorating the tech market by attracting new capital and creating specialized jobs.

The evolving landscape of AI coding tools

On the flip side, some individuals remain stuck in a world where “coding assistant” equals GitHub Copilot circa 2022. They’ve grown disenchanted with the market, and I can’t blame them. From overly optimistic claims of “25% productivity boosts” to confusing benchmarks focused on programming Olympiad tasks, AI capabilities can be both overhyped and misunderstood. AI is nuanced; it can perform astonishingly well on one task while failing spectacularly on a similar one.

Keep in mind that Olympiad programming tasks are not reflective of day-to-day software engineering. That’s akin to comparing a Certified Public Accountant’s responsibilities with the role of a company’s founding entrepreneur—they’re wholly different. So the next time you hear that a model “beat a human champion” in a programming competition, don’t assume you can hand it your “Instagram-killer” app and watch it code effortlessly. That said, we’re also not in Kansas anymore. It’s no longer 2022, and GitHub Copilot isn’t the leading edge of coding assistance.

Let me use a simile: have you tried doing legal research with the original ChatGPT? Now compare that experience to using the latest ChatGPT Professional. I have, and my personal conclusion—not legal advice, your mileage may vary—is that while I wouldn’t have used the original model for serious legal research, the newer version impressed me enough to recommend it to my attorney.

The same progression applies to coding assistants. They’re evolving from neat-but-limited tools into powerful agents that can shoulder simple tasks while you stay in the driver’s seat. And as rapid as the last 12 months of progress have been, the next 12 promise to be even more transformative. There are still multiple levers in AI software agents that the industry has yet to pull—so stay tuned.

Unlocking value for businesses and developers

This brings me to how AI coding agents can unlock tremendous value for both software engineers and their companies. Recent breakthroughs in agentic AI are driving a generational shift in coding assistance. These tools now tap into a much deeper contextual awareness, scanning entire codebases to suggest, test, and fix solutions aligned with bigger project goals.

For businesses, this translates to delivering sophisticated applications more quickly, adapting to market shifts in real-time, and expanding the boundaries of what’s possible. For developers, AI coding assistants eliminate the drudgery of repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing them to focus on creativity, innovation, and strategic problem-solving.

Will this reduce the number of software jobs?

So, if AI handles more routine work, does that mean we’ll need fewer engineers? I don’t think so. Over my career, I’ve seen more than a tenfold jump in engineering productivity, thanks to modern programming languages, open-source libraries, and cloud infrastructure.

And that’s on top of another tenfold improvement before I even entered the field. Innovation is the hallmark of technology jobs. The more powerful our tools become, the more room there is for creativity and value creation. That value translates into greater demand in the job market, not less. Our collective drive toward progress is our best job security.

The future of Computer Science education

Finally, let’s talk about learning computer science. The programming languages, libraries, and tools I use today are entirely different from those I studied in school. Yet that education remains the bedrock of my career. The next generation of computer scientists will be more resourceful, more collaborative, and more powerful than ever before.

Universities will adapt their curricula to meet industry needs, and hands-on experiences—like internships and open-source capstone projects—will help students build real-world skills that position them for success. AI will enhance their capabilities, not render them obsolete.

Conclusion

AI coding agents are evolving at breakneck speed, but they’re far from making software engineers obsolete. Instead, they promise to enhance developer productivity and creativity, leading to new opportunities for innovation. And for anyone wondering whether to invest time and effort in a computer science education: there has never been a better moment to do so.

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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

President Trump lashed out at Powell for not acting sooner to lower interest rates. The president's own tariffs make that more difficult, by putting upward pressure on prices.

(Image credit: Vincent Alban)

• Two iOS flaws have been patched by Apple
• The issues could have allowed hackers to carry out targeted attacks
• Geopolitical tensions have meant a rise in state-sponsored attacks

A new iOS software update has been released to patch two security flaws that, when exploited, allowed cybercriminals to hack specific target devices in an “extremely sophisticated attack”, Apple has confirmed.

The vulnerabilities are in CoreAudio and RPAC, and affected iOS, tvOS, visionOS, and iPadOS - and were discovered by Apple and the Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG).

It’s not yet been confirmed how many times these flaws were deployed, or against whom, but Google TAG’s focus is working to “counter government-backed hacking and attacks against Google and our users,” suggesting the exploits were used by nation-state actors, or at least involved in some way.

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Unknown victims

Adam Boynton, Senior Security Strategy Manager EMEIA at Jamf, toldTechRadar Pro the first vulnerability addressed was an “actively exploited CoreMedia flaw that could have allowed malicious code execution through the processing of a media file,” and that Apple has mitigated this by “implementing improved bounds checking.”

The second vulnerability fixed by Apple could allow attackers with read or write access to sidestep Pointer Authentication, which, Boynton told us, is “a security mechanism designed to resist memory disclosure attacks—bypassing it gives an attacker the opportunity to launch attacks and access to parts of the device’s memory.”

“With the security fixes in iOS 18.4.1 addressing two zero-day vulnerabilities, it is essential that all users immediately update their Apple devices,” Boynton.

“The fact that these two vulnerabilities are extremely sophisticated to exploit explains why Apple has only observed attacks against specific, targeted individuals. However, the limited scope of these attacks should not deter users from updating their devices promptly.”

Almost half of UK businesses report an “increasing number” of state-sponsored threat actors in the last 12 months, and elevated geopolitical tensions make for a hostile cybersecurity landscape. Patching known security flaws is a first line of defence for all users, and should be a priority for all security teams.

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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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, April 17 (game #1179).

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 #1180) - 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 #1180) - 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 0.

Quordle today (game #1180) - 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 #1180) - 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 0.

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 #1180) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• G

• B

• P

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

Quordle today (game #1180) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1180, are…

• DEBUT
• GLADE
• BASTE
• PESTO

This is the closest I’ve come to a failure for a while. My downfall was the three attempts it took me to get BASTE. Fortunately, one of my wrong guesses led me to getting PESTO.

A tricky day, I hope you got through it quicker than I did.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1180) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1180, are…

• SLING
• POSER
• UNFED
• GRIND

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURT
• Quordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUT
• Quordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAY
• Quordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCE
• Quordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOP
• Quordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THING
• Quordle #1173, Friday 11 April: FOLLY, PITHY, SCOWL, CURLY
• Quordle #1172, Thursday 10 April: LEAST, SEWER, UNTIE, NOOSE
• Quordle #1171, Wednesday 9 April: LITHE, LEFTY, KNOLL, MULCH
• Quordle #1170, Tuesday 8 April: WIDTH, VISOR, MEDAL, BROOK
• Quordle #1169, Monday 7 April: BROTH, SHOUT, BRUTE, CABIN
• Quordle #1168, Sunday 6 April: AMBER, GAUZE, STORE, SLICK
• Quordle #1167, Saturday 5 April: GUSTY, VAULT, WHINE, BEGAT
• Quordle #1166, Friday 4 April: OAKEN, LOOPY, CURIO, BUTTE
• Quordle #1165, Thursday 3 April: ASCOT, JETTY, DRUNK, JOLLY
• Quordle #1164, Wednesday 2 April: INDEX, QUEEN, INCUR, STOLE
• Quordle #1163, Tuesday 1 April: HUMUS, BALMY, WORRY, ERECT
• Quordle #1162, Monday 31 March: RECUT, MOODY, WHERE, BRACE
• Quordle #1161, Sunday 30 March: CRIME, DRINK, CLOVE, TRUER
• Quordle #1160, Saturday 29 March: LATER, ODDLY, CUMIN, AGREE

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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, April 17 (game #410).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… On the board

NYT Strands today (game #411) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• MILE 
• POSH
• GAME
• CHEERS
• THINK
• CHEEK

NYT Strands today (game #411) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #411) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: right, 3rd row

Last side: left, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #411) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #411, are…

• TILE
• DOMINO
• TOKEN
• CHECKER
• KNIGHT
• BATTLESHIP
• SPANGRAM: GAME PIECES

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 hint

The hint I used to get me going today wasn’t really much help, as TILE could have just as easily applied to things you can attach to a board.

Then I saw DOMINO hiding in plain sight and the remainder was a straightforward mission looking for GAME PIECES – closer to playing Connect Four against a cat than sinking a BATTLESHIP.

I love a board game and I’m happy to play the loser, while I’m learning all the rules and moves.

Sometimes, like with backgammon and chess, that’s a process that’s lasted years. I like to think I’ve ascended beyond competitiveness to a zen-like state of gamesmanship. But then I'll actually win a game and turn into a 12-year-old brat asking their opponent how they like them apples. Boo-ya.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, 17 April, game #410)

• RING
• AVIATOR
• SHINING
• GOONIES
• GODFATHER
• GRADUATE
• SPANGRAM: TITLES

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.

There's only one more day to snap up a discounted Apple TV+ subscription. The current deal on one of the best streaming services lets you get Apple TV+ for three months for only $2.99 in the US, £2.99 in the UK and AU$3.99 in Australia, marking an incredible 70% off the usual price of a subscription.

The offer ends tomorrow on April 24, and applies to both new and returning customers. And if you do snap it up – which you absolutely should – there are five TV shows that should be at the top of your streaming list.

When it comes to the best Apple TV+ shows, its hit sci-fi series Severance is an obvious choice – make sure to read our Severance season 2 review and Severance season 3 guide for more news about its next installment when you're done.

But there's a whole range of shows alongside Severance that are on my radar, spanning dramas, comedies, and thrillers.

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The Studio

• RT score: 96%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~44 minute episodes
• Creators: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Frida Perez

A satirical comedy show that criticises the entertainment industry? Sign me up. A recent addition to Apple TV+'s library of titles, The Studio has already proved itself to be a staple on the platform and has been well received by audiences. With its strong main cast and list of self-starring guests, The Studio sits at the top of my list.

Film production company Continental Studios finds itself struggling to keep up with rapidly changing tastes, and as a result it appoints a new studio head Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) to keep the business afloat. Remick discovers that his job is much more difficult than anticipated, and must save the studio from floundering by keeping up with ongoing social and economic changes.

Disclaimer

• RT score: 76%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~55 minute episodes
• Director: Alfonso Cuarón 

I thoroughly enjoyed Todd Field's psychological drama Tár (2022), and I loved Cate Blanchett even more. This miniseries from Alfonso Cuarón, who directed Children of Men (2006) and Gravity (2013) seems to offer a similar premise and tone to Field's movie, and can easily be binged with this three-month Apple TV+ offer.

Celebrated documentary journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett) has made a career out of exposing the private lives and wrongdoings of others, but the tables are turned when she receives a novel from a mystery author and discovers that she is the main character in a story that reveals her darkest and deepest secrets. To protect herself she attempts to find discover identity of the mystery author, but in doing so she must come face-to-face with her past.

It's pretty much Tár 2.0 the remix, with an even darker spin on the theme of cancel culture.

Ted Lasso

• RT critics score: 90%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~29 minute episodes
• Developers: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly

Ted Lasso is by far one of the most popular shows on Apple TV+, so it would feel like a wasted opportunity to not tick this off my watchlist in the next three months. Not only does its high Rotten Tomatoes scores from both critics and audiences show that it's been well received, but its numerous Emmy nominations and wins are the icing on the cake.

US college football coach Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is recruited to help a British Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond, even though he has no experience in the sport. After gaining ownership of the team following a divorce, owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) hires Ted in that hope that it will lead to the team's downfall, which wouild devastate her ex-husband. But to everyone's surprise, Ted's attitude and personality grows on Rebecca and the rest of the team.

Lessons in Chemistry

• RT score: 83%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~41 minute episodes
• Creator: Lee Eisenberg

Lessons in Chemistry is another miniseries that's ideal for bingeing if you just want to sample the best of Apple TV+ for three months. There are only eight episodes, and whole lot of Brie Larson – my main reason for watching.

Based on the book by Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry is a historical drama set in the 1960s and follows aspiring scientist Elizabeth Zott (Larson) who finds it challenging to reach her goals because of the societal attitudes of the time. After being fired from her job as a lab tech she's presented with a hosting job on a cooking show called Supper at Six, educating housewives on scientific topics. But Elizabeth sees this as the perfect opportunity to teach the entire nation, including men, a lesson that's more than just new recipes.

Pachinko

• RT score: 97%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~47 minute episodes
• Creator: Soo Hugh

Pachinko is an Apple TV+ shows I've only recently come across, and although I've never been drawn to stories that take place over several generations but this show sounds like a powerful and moving account of a family in search of a better life.

Premiering in 2022, Pachinko follows a Korean family between 1915 and 1989. In the early 1930s, Kim Sunja (Kim Min-ha & Youn Yuh-jung) who leaves her family in Japanese-dominated Korea to start a new life in Japan where she finds herself the target of further discrimination as a Korean woman. In an epic search to make a better life for herself, Pachinko highlights the issues of racism and stereotyping in the Korean experience of Japan in the 20th century.

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There's only one more day to snap up a discounted Apple TV+ subscription. The current deal on one of the best streaming services lets you get Apple TV+ for three months for only $2.99 in the US, £2.99 in the UK and AU$3.99 in Australia, marking an incredible 70% off the usual price of a subscription.

The offer ends tomorrow on April 24, and applies to both new and returning customers. And if you do snap it up – which you absolutely should – there are five TV shows that should be at the top of your streaming list.

When it comes to the best Apple TV+ shows, its hit sci-fi series Severance is an obvious choice – make sure to read our Severance season 2 review and Severance season 3 guide for more news about its next installment when you're done.

But there's a whole range of shows alongside Severance that are on my radar, spanning dramas, comedies, and thrillers.

Apple TV+ 3-month subscription: was $9.99 a month now $2.99 at Apple
We don't often see streaming deals for Apple TV+, so we wouldn't wait to snap up this great offer before it expires on April 24. This limited-time Apple TV+ deal brings down the usual three-month price of a subscription to the service to just $8.97, representing a massive 70% saving. There is a catch though: you can't have been a subscriber in the last month, but if that's not you then you're good to sign up.View Deal

The Studio

• RT score: 96%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~44 minute episodes
• Creators: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Frida Perez

A satirical comedy show that criticises the entertainment industry? Sign me up. A recent addition to Apple TV+'s library of titles, The Studio has already proved itself to be a staple on the platform and has been well received by audiences. With its strong main cast and list of self-starring guests, The Studio sits at the top of my list.

Film production company Continental Studios finds itself struggling to keep up with rapidly changing tastes, and as a result it appoints a new studio head Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) to keep the business afloat. Remick discovers that his job is much more difficult than anticipated, and must save the studio from floundering by keeping up with ongoing social and economic changes.

Disclaimer

• RT score: 76%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~55 minute episodes
• Director: Alfonso Cuarón 

I thoroughly enjoyed Todd Field's psychological drama Tár (2022), and I loved Cate Blanchett even more. This miniseries from Alfonso Cuarón, who directed Children of Men (2006) and Gravity (2013) seems to offer a similar premise and tone to Field's movie, and can easily be binged with this three-month Apple TV+ offer.

Celebrated documentary journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett) has made a career out of exposing the private lives and wrongdoings of others, but the tables are turned when she receives a novel from a mystery author and discovers that she is the main character in a story that reveals her darkest and deepest secrets. To protect herself she attempts to find discover identity of the mystery author, but in doing so she must come face-to-face with her past.

It's pretty much Tár 2.0 the remix, with an even darker spin on the theme of cancel culture.

Ted Lasso

• RT critics score: 90%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~29 minute episodes
• Developers: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly

Ted Lasso is by far one of the most popular shows on Apple TV+, so it would feel like a wasted opportunity to not tick this off my watchlist in the next three months. Not only does its high Rotten Tomatoes scores from both critics and audiences show that it's been well received, but its numerous Emmy nominations and wins are the icing on the cake.

US college football coach Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is recruited to help a British Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond, even though he has no experience in the sport. After gaining ownership of the team following a divorce, owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) hires Ted in that hope that it will lead to the team's downfall, which wouild devastate her ex-husband. But to everyone's surprise, Ted's attitude and personality grows on Rebecca and the rest of the team.

Lessons in Chemistry

• RT score: 83%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~41 minute episodes
• Creator: Lee Eisenberg

Lessons in Chemistry is another miniseries that's ideal for bingeing if you just want to sample the best of Apple TV+ for three months. There are only eight episodes, and whole lot of Brie Larson – my main reason for watching.

Based on the book by Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry is a historical drama set in the 1960s and follows aspiring scientist Elizabeth Zott (Larson) who finds it challenging to reach her goals because of the societal attitudes of the time. After being fired from her job as a lab tech she's presented with a hosting job on a cooking show called Supper at Six, educating housewives on scientific topics. But Elizabeth sees this as the perfect opportunity to teach the entire nation, including men, a lesson that's more than just new recipes.

Pachinko

• RT score: 97%
• Age rating: TV-MA
• Length: ~47 minute episodes
• Creator: Soo Hugh

Pachinko is an Apple TV+ shows I've only recently come across, and although I've never been drawn to stories that take place over several generations but this show sounds like a powerful and moving account of a family in search of a better life.

Premiering in 2022, Pachinko follows a Korean family between 1915 and 1989. In the early 1930s, Kim Sunja (Kim Min-ha & Youn Yuh-jung) who leaves her family in Japanese-dominated Korea to start a new life in Japan where she finds herself the target of further discrimination as a Korean woman. In an epic search to make a better life for herself, Pachinko highlights the issues of racism and stereotyping in the Korean experience of Japan in the 20th century.

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Fitness tech brands: take notes. As a Latina wellness editor and native Puerto Rican, Peloton showed me fitness tech can amplify the culture of the people it hopes to serve.

The new Stylus is bringing some of the bigger AI features we've seen to a much lower price.

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Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: one-minute review

(Image credit: Future/Ford James)

The Corsair VOID Wireless V2 is, as you'd expect from the name, the second iteration of the VOID Wireless range. It's been over seven years since we reviewed the Corsair VOID Pro RGB Wireless, which is the V2's predecessor, and the original impressed us at the time. I'm happy to report the V2 improves upon pretty much every aspect, and retains the same price point as the first to boot.

This gaming headset aims to be the only audio device you'll need no matter which platform you play on: it's compatible with PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and iOS/Android (sorry, Xbox players).

Thanks to its dual wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, you can link two separate devices simultaneously and switch between them with the press of a button.

There's really very little to complain about with the VOID Wireless V2: the battery life is excellent, allegedly running at approximately 65-70 hours of continuous use, though that's so long I haven't had it run out despite using it for multiple days in a row without charging it.

It's lightweight at just over 300g, and as a result, very comfortable. The sound quality across every platform is fantastic too, especially PC and PS5 thanks to some special features… more on those below.

Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Price and availability

• List price: $119.99 / £99.99 / AU$189
• Cheaper than many premium gaming headsets
• Offers superb value for money

While you can pick up a budget gaming headset for about half the price of the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, it's not going to turn many heads, nor is it likely to be built to last. And the same goes for the other end of the scale: there are plenty of headsets that will cost double, but will you get double the amount of performance from them? It's unlikely, which makes this one of the best value-for-money gaming headsets you'll find.

At $119.99/£99.99, it's cheaper than some of our favorite products on our best wireless gaming headsets and best PC gaming headsets pages, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro.

It's also more than capable of going toe-to-toe with them, and as the flashy new kid on the block thanks to its April 2025 launch, it's likely to be a headset in demand when gifting season rolls around later this year.

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Specs

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Design and features

• Easy to set up and connect
• Clean, sleek design
• Rotatable - but not detachable or retractable - mic

There's no instruction manual or booklet included with the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, but that's because it really doesn't need one. The box contains the headset, USB 3.0 dongle, and USB 3.0-to-USB-C charging cable, and that's it.

Charge the headset, connect the dongle to your device of choice if you're connecting through the 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, and turn on the headset, the two should automatically pair, and you're away.

A USB-C wireless receiver would be ideal too, as we gradually move away from USB 3.0, and it would also enable another connectivity option for devices like a Nintendo Switch or MacBook, but it'd be harsh to criticize it too much for that.

If you're using the VOID Wireless V2 on PC, you should install both the Dolby Access app and the Corsair iCUE software though. The former will detect your headset if it's set to be your primary audio output and allow you to enable Dolby Atmos' Spatial Audio feature, while the latter is essential for customization and getting the most out of your new cans.

You can change the function of the custom button on the headset, such as making it toggle the mute, or have it play/pause music. Meanwhile, on PS5, you can enable the Tempest 3D Audio via the console's sound settings as usual.

The design of the headset itself is sleek. My review unit is mostly white with light grey memory foam padding and a silver adjustable frame to ensure it sits tight on your head. Two skinny RGB lighting strips complete the look, facing the way you're looking. If you use the headset in a remote work meeting, however, be prepared for your colleagues to comment as if you look like you belong in a sci-fi TV series, as happened to me.

The only complaint here is that while the microphone is easy to use and fits in with the profile of the headset itself, it'd be a huge quality-of-life upgrade if it was detachable rather than just rotatable. You can swivel it up to sit vertically, but if it could be removed, the Bluetooth feature would make this suitable for listening to music on the go. As it stands, though, you don't really want to commute with a microphone attached to your headset.

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Performance

• Lightweight and comfortable to wear
• Terrific 3D audio on PC and PS5
• Incredible battery life

Thanks to how light the headset is, combined with the memory foam cushions, I've worn it for hours at a time without feeling any discomfort. It saw me through a solid eight-hour Atomfall session on PS5 while sitting on my sofa, along with a similar length gaming Sunday playing a variety of games on PC.

On the former, it added to the already eerie, post-apocalyptic atmosphere of the British countryside by enhancing the groans of Ferals and the chatter of Outlaws in the area, along with the Tempest 3D Audio helping me pinpoint exactly where enemies were.

Of all the games I tested it with on PC, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is where the impressive audio was most noticeable. Listening for footsteps and gunshots is incredibly important in the first-person shooter game, and they were crystal clear with the VOID Wireless V2.

I also spoke with friends on Discord while using it on both platforms and had feedback that the voice quality was as good as it could be. It also has very good noise cancellation, which really helps with the immersion.

Finally, I'd be remiss not to talk a little more about the battery life. Coming in at around 70 hours, it blows a lot of its competition out of the water. I tried to use it for a number of sessions repeatedly without charging it, in order to get a rough ballpark for how long it lasts against that claimed 70-hour figure, but the light never changed from green to imply the battery was even starting to die.

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) Should you buy the Corsair VOID Wireless V2? Buy it if...

You’re after one of the latest gaming headsets that has it all
Seriously, you're unlikely to find better than this on the market at this price point. It's one of the best examples of a complete product you'll find.

You find other headsets to be too heavy or uncomfortable
This is so light and easy to wear for long periods, if it weren't for how good the noise cancellation is, you'd forget you're wearing it at times.

You want a headset compatible with multiple platforms
It's simple to unplug the USB receiver from one device and plug it into another, without needing to reconnect it. Connecting via Bluetooth is also as simple as pressing the power button on the headset to open up the pairing. Find the headset in the list of Bluetooth devices nearby and voila!

Don't buy it if...

You need a headset for Xbox
Unfortunately, the Corsair VOID Wireless V2 isn't compatible with Xbox consoles. However, Corsair does have other Xbox headset offerings, such as the HS65 Wireless.

You have a premium headset already
Don't get me wrong, this is one of the best headsets I've ever used, but part of that comes due to its value. If you have a $200+ headset already that you're happy with, you don't need to abandon it for this one.

Also consider...

If, despite all this praise, you're still not sold on the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, consider these two other wireless headsets instead, at slightly more expensive price points but similarly feature-laden.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
It's almost double the price, but the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is currently our best-recommended wireless gaming headset. It offers pretty much everything the Corsair VOID Wireless V2 does, but it's also compatible with Xbox consoles. The design of the headset may also be to your personal preference over the VOID.

For more information, check out our full Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
This offering comes at a much steeper cost, but it does have a few additional features to balance it out. It uses a wireless base station for connectivity, which works in a similar way to a USB dongle receiver but means it can be connected to two sources simultaneously, both wirelessly, as opposed to one through Bluetooth. This one also has a fully retractable mic, making it better suited for non-gaming purposes.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review

(Image credit: Future/Ford James) How I tested the Corsair VOID Wireless V2

• Used for nearly four weeks for all my gaming sessions
• Tested with both PS5 and PC games
• Also used it to listen to music while working, in meetings, and on Discord

Prior to getting my hands on the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, my audio device of choice on PC was the Philips Fidelio X3. That is an absolutely phenomenal pair of headphones, but it is not a gaming peripheral. It's made for music, doesn't feature much noise canceling, and doesn't come with a mic, so I also have a Blue Snowball desktop mic to hand. I'll likely continue to use the Fidelio X3 for all music purposes, but the VOID Wireless V2 has taken over every other aspect because of how well-rounded it is.

It's been used for a number of gaming sessions, both long and short, and thanks to the connectivity range, I can walk around my apartment while still talking to friends on Discord. I've played Atomfall and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PS5, along with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Monster Hunter Wilds on my gaming PC.

First reviewed March/April 2025

Read more about how we test

• New "computer use" feature for Copilot Studio gives AI agents more tools
• Agents can now interact directly with apps or websites
• This can help with data entry, analysis, research and much more

Microsoft is giving its Copilot Studio AI platform more autonomy in accessing websites and apps directly - without any human interaction.

The company has revealed a new "computer use" feature for Copilot Studio, which will allow the platform to directly interact with desktop apps and websites alike, such as clicking buttons, selecting menus, and even typing into fields on the screen.

This means companies will be able to build AI agents with a much greater understanding of such systems (essentially anything with a graphical user interface), treating them as if they were tools, allowing for improved functionality across the board.

"Computer use"

(Image credit: Microsoft)

"Copilot Studio is the end-to-end agent platform designed to help organizations achieve their AI and operational goals," Charles Lamanna, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s business & industry Copilot, wrote in a blog post announcing the news.

"We want to empower you to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and drive innovation."

Computer use will allow agents to handle tasks even when there is no API available to connect to the system directly, and can automatically adapt to any changes in the app or website.

Developers can use the tool to build agents across both desktop and browser applications, with Edge, Chrome, and Firefox all included from the launch.

It works in real-time, using built-in reasoning tools to work out solutions to problems independently, so development can continue uninterrupted.

Lamanna laid out several possible scenarios where computer use could prove especially handy for developers, including automating the input of large volumes of data from various sources into a centralized system, carrying out widespread market research from various online sources, and processing invoices much faster and more accurately than before.

As the tool runs on Microsoft-hosted infrastructure, users don’t need to manage their own servers, and it includes Copilot Studio’s existing security measures and governance frameworks to help ensure compliance with industry standards.

The launch, which will see more attention at Microsoft Build in May 2025, follows a similar announcement of "Actions" in the commercial version of Copilot recently. This system allows for background completion of tasks such as making restaurant reservations, booking event tickets, and purchasing items from online stores.

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Spectrum leads the internet options in the Roscommon area, but there are several alternatives if you want options other than Spectrum.

• The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max has contactless entry via palm recognition
• It doubles as a video doorbell with 2K footage and AI intruder detection
• Footage can be stored either locally, or in the cloud with a subscription

Eufy – the company behind some of the best video doorbells we've tested here at TechRadar – has released a new smart lock with palm recognition for touch-free entry. The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max, which launched today, also has an external camera that offers wide-angle 2K video, plus built-in AI to alert you when a visitor approaches your door – welcome or not.

Eufy was one of the first companies to launch a smart lock with palm-recognition (the other big name being Philips with its 5000 Series Video Palm Recognition Smart Lock), and it has several advantages over fingerprint scanners, which are a more common option for keyless entry.

Palm recognition works by detecting the unique pattern of blood vessels in your hand, and comparing this with a database of authorized images. In the case of the FamiLock S3 Max, this data is stored locally to protect it from potential security breaches. This means it can be opened without physical contact, and its accuracy isn't affected by skin conditions, sweat, or dirt.

Palm recognition also uses more data points than a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition, making it more accurate and much harder to deceive.

(Image credit: Eufy) Who's there?

The FamiLock S3 Max also functions as a video doorbell, so there's no need for two separate devices. It has a 2K camera and a 140-degree field of vision both vertically and horizonally (the same as higher-end Ring video doorbells), giving you a head-to-toe view of visitors, plus packages left on your doorstep.

You'll receive an alert on your phone when someone rings, and the lock's software includes person-detection that can let you know if someone is loitering on your property.

Video footage can be saved in the cloud with a paid-for subscription, or locally with a Eufy HomeBase 3 encrypted external hard drive.

We're currently testing the Eufy FamiLock S3 Max to see how it compares with the best smart locks from other brands, and will bring you a full review very soon. It's available to buy now direct from Eufy and from Amazon for $399.99 (about £300 / AU$630).

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Local libraries are helping to bridge the broadband gap by getting communities online. But federal funding is under threat.

Trump's administration is exploring ways to detain U.S. citizens involved in criminal activity and send them to Salvadoran prisons. And, Trump's tariffs lead Americans to splurge before they hit.

(Image credit: Win McNamee)