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The presidential election is over, and the complicated two-month sprint has begun to hand over the levers of power from one administration to the next.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

The findings, which used DNA from the plaster casts of people who died in the Mt. Vesuvius eruption two millennia ago, challenge the traditional gender and familial assumptions about the Pompeiians.

(Image credit: Lefteris Pitarakis)

Chinese business people may be able to find creative ways to avoid U.S. tariffs, but for Beijing, its concerns for the incoming Trump presidency go beyond trade.

(Image credit: Frederic J. Brown)

When it comes to unique mattresses, you can't go wrong with Purple. After trying out all the Purple mattresses, even the latest ones, here's what I think about who they might be good for.

Can Los Blancos avoid a third successive defeat at the Bernabéu?

Within two days after Election Day, right-wing activists and two Republican state lawmakers in Pennsylvania withdrew thousands of last-minute challenges to voters’ absentee ballot applications.

(Image credit: Hannah Beier)

Election deniers have spent the past four years focused on false claims that 2020 was rigged. This year, it raised similar alarms about fraud — only for those claims to evaporate as returns came in.

(Image credit: Ed Jones)

Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector: Two-minute review

The Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector are spectacularly unspectacular. For a pair of cheap wired earbuds, they do everything you’d expect – nothing more, nothing less: audio that’s average at best, a basic yet decently practical design and a lightweight feel.

So, of course, it’s worth starting with a disclaimer. These earbuds have a very low list price of just $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95. As a result, it’s unreasonable to expect great audio from these buds – even if Belkin itself insists that they offer “superior sound quality” (spoiler alert, they don’t). And perhaps unsurprisingly, the overall listening experience you get from the Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector – which will here-on be known as the Belkin SoundForm USB-C – isn’t a good one.

The key issue here is that audio is often pretty tinny. When I compared them to the Skullcandy Set USB-C – which sit on our list of the best wired earbuds – I found the Belkin buds to offer less clarity and instruments often sounded inauthentic. For instance, when I tuned into Holy, Holy by Geordie Greep with the Belkin buds, bass was quite muddy, the choppy guitar lacked sharpness and the usually theatrical, showstopping vocals couldn’t find their defined, satisfying position in the overall mix. Percussion in the treble frequency range would often sound quite grating at higher volumes too, making for a pretty unimpressive listening experience.

I should say, though, that if you’re not too picky on sound quality and just want cheap buds, these can certainly do the job. There were no horrible technical hiccups like audio cutting out, low volume levels or compatibility issues with devices. Sure, a lack of instrumental separation and narrow soundstage can leave music sounding pretty restricted, but bass has a decent (albeit not booming) kick and treble – although sometimes grating – can be bright when listening to more upbeat tracks.

However, some sonic shortcomings could admittedly be quite frustrating, even if you’re a more casual listener. When listening to Rains again by Solji, the vocalist’s high notes came through in a rather brash manner, which was a little uncomfortable on the ear. On a slightly different note, I found cable noise to be pretty prominent with the SoundForm USB-C. This is accentuated when you’re on the go or moving around a fair bit, making these far from ideal if you need some buds for workouts or walks. In fairness, however, cable noise is pretty typical with wired earbuds and you often have to splash a bit more cash to avoid this – pricier models like the Shure AONIC 3 are pretty competent in tempering the issue.

Other than cable noise, I had very few problems with the Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector’s design. The attached controller, although a little on the chunky side, is responsive, works well and has volume controls, as well as a play/pause button that can also be used to take calls or skip songs. The actual USB-C connector is decent too, didn’t protrude out of the port when using a Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and isn’t too large when holding the device in-hand. To cap that off, these have a pleasingly comfortable in-ear feel. Unlike a lot of cheap buds, I never felt that these were falling out of my ears, even when listening for multiple hours consecutively. Belkin also includes a selection of different sized ear tips, so no matter your ear size you can form a pretty tight seal for use.

On the topic of fit, it’s important to get a strong seal when using the SoundForm USB-C. As wired buds; they’re not going to offer active noise cancellation and instead rely on passive noise isolation for banishing external noise. I used the medium-sized ear tips and found passive noise isolation to be quite good. I could still hear some external noises such as typing with volume at around 60-70%, but this was pretty dulled. For the price you pay, I definitely felt that the quality of noise isolation was above average.

If you’re concerned about the SoundForm USB-C accruing damage when walking in the rain, you can rest assured. These have an IPX5 waterproof rating, meaning they can survive direct contact with water jets – so even if it’s raining cats and dogs you should be good here. Alas, this is where my praise meets its bitter end.

That’s because it’s time to talk about the actual look of these buds. In my view, these aren’t at all easy on the eye. Sure, the rounded shape of the buds is decent and pretty practical, plus the Pink and Blue color options (available in the US and Australia) are quite appealing, but that’s about it. The buds themselves look very plasticky and the glossy exterior only really accentuates that. In addition, the wire is flat, rather than rounded, making for a not-so-elegant appearance. Beyond that, I found the wire to kink pretty easily, so don’t expect peak durability. The “tangle-free” claim is also an exaggeration – I found, like most wired buds, the SoundForm USB-C could get in a twist after pocketing them or placing them into tight spaces.

Finally, a word on the inbuilt mic, which Belkin says can offer “clear” call quality. But it can’t. I tried making a voice recording and I won’t dress it up – the results were poor. My voice sounded pretty tinny and there was an audible hiss present throughout the recording. When making a phone call, my voice was clear enough to hear on the other end of the line, but it wasn’t particularly clean and there was static too. So, if you want an upgrade on your phone’s inbuilt mic, don’t expect to be satisfied by what the SoundForm USB-C have to offer.

So, despite the low price-point of the Belkin SoundForm USB-C are they really worth considering? In my view, no. There are definitely some positives here – noise isolation is pretty good, you get a comfortable fit and the IPX5 waterproof rating is a nice touch. But as always, what matters most is sound and these buds don’t fare well in this department. Overall audio is pretty tinny, narrow and treble can get quite grating too. On top of that, mic quality is disappointing and the buds’ design lacks finesse. Sure, these have an ultra-low price and are totally functional, but you’ll certainly find better quality from competitors in our guide to the best cheap headphones.

(Image credit: Future) Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector review: Price and release date

• $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95
• Launched in 2019

The Belkin SoundForm USB-C earbuds released in 2019, so they’re not the freshest on the market, but will work perfectly well with any modern handset or device with USB-C. On Amazon UK they’re only available in Black and White, although Amazon US and Australia have them in more enticing Pink and Blue options.

These wired buds have a list price of $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95, meaning they’re a super-cheap option. This is a pretty competitive space – there are some good options from the likes of Skullcandy and Final, so make sure to assess alternatives before snapping these up.

Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Should you buy the Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector? Buy them if...

You’re searching for decent passive noise isolation at a cheap price
For all of their shortcomings, the Belkin SoundForm USB-C do offer pretty solid passive noise isolation. They’re super cheap too, so if you’re not picky about audio quality, these could be an option for you.

You hate charging your wireless earbuds
If you’re someone that often forgets to charge wireless buds, then it could be time to re-familiarize yourself with the way of the wire. Of course, you won’t have to charge these, although there are better wired options about.

Don't buy them if...

You’re an audiophile
At this point it’s a given, but if you have a keen ear, don’t buy the Belkin SoundForm USB-C. Audio is regularly tinny, there’s a narrow soundstage and treble can come through in a harsh manner.

You want a fancy feature-set
If you want exciting features like active noise cancellation or EQ settings, you need to look beyond these wired buds. In fact, the vast majority of wired buds have little in the way of a feature-set, so you may be better off going for a cheap pair of wireless buds, such as the great JLab Go Pop ANC.

Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector review: Also consider

Skullcandy Set USB-C
If you’re looking for some better USB-C earbuds than these ones from Belkin, the Skullcandy Set USB-C are a very decent challenger. In honesty, they don’t offer amazing audio, but it is better than the SoundForm USB-C. The sound profile isn’t massively detailed and full-sounding, but grating sound and tinniness is less common with these – even at higher volumes. The main attraction here is the sleek, curved design of the buds, not to mention the diverse set of funk color options to choose from. Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review.

SoundMAGIC E80D
OK, reader, I’m fully aware that the SoundMAGIC E80D are a fair step up price-wise over Belkin’s buds, but these are still an incredible value pick. For less than $50/£40/AU$70 you get wired earbuds that boast detailed, balanced audio – in part thanks to an inbuilt DAC. You also get impressive noise isolation and a comfortable fit, making these a very strong option overall. Read our full SoundMAGIC E80D review.

Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested over the course of multiple weeks
• Used in the office, while on walks and at home
• Predominantly tested using Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

I put the Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector to the test over the course of multiple weeks. I predominantly used them while listening to music on Tidal with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, but I also played tunes on Spotify and watched video content via YouTube. I used the buds in an office environment and while out on walks near busy roads to trial their noise isolation capabilities, but also at home for more zoned-in listening sessions.

When listening to tunes I played tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains tracks from a variety of genres, although I also spent hours blasting bangers from my personal library. When appropriate, I pitted these buds against the similarly priced Skullcandy Set USB-C, to compare audio quality, comfort and design choices, among other things.

• First reviewed: November 2024
• Read more about how we test

AT&T Fiber tops our list of the best internet providers in Asheville but if it is not available at your address, there are several other options to consider.

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Spoilers follow for Arcane season 2's first six episodes.

I love Arcane. Just ask anyone who's listened to me wax lyrical – with increasing regularity, some might say – about the history-making Emmy award winner since it made its Netflix debut in November 2021.

With its predecessor ending on a stunning cliffhanger, the wait for Arcane season 2 has been excruciating. However, as the saying goes, "good things come to those who wait", so I've constantly reminded myself that the three-year gap between seasons would be worth it.

And it absolutely was. Having watched its first six episodes, I staunchly believe Arcane's second and final chapter is a monumental artistic and narrative achievement that, its final three installments notwithstanding, is a near-perfect duology capper to Netflix, Fortiche Production, and Riot Games' first League of Legends (LoL) animated adaptation.

The hunt begins

Caitlyn (center) forms a strike team to hunt down Jinx after the latter's attack on Piltover's council (Image credit: Netflix)

Season 2 begins mere moments after its forebear's dramatic finale. Jinx's (Ella Purnell) deadly attack on Piltover's council leaves three of its members dead, including Caitlyn's (Katie Leung) mom Cassandra, and many others, Viktor (Harry Lloyd) among them, severely wounded.

As the council's traumatized leader Jayce (Kevin Alejandro) attempts to save Viktor's life and his fellow councillor/love interest Mel (Toks Olagundoye) mobilizes the rest of Piltover's scarred ministers to plan their next move, a grief-stricken Caitlyn takes matters into her own hands. Establishing a five-member strike team that includes Jinx's estranged and guilt-riddled sister Vi (Hailee Steinfeld), Caitlyn leads her newly-formed squad into Zaun with three aims: capture Jinx, shut down production of the dangerous and addictive substance known as shimmer, and neutralize anyone still loyal to Zaun's recently deceased defacto leader Silco (Jason Spisak), such as Sevika (Amirah Vann).

Arcane's main strength lies in its approach to compelling us to emotionally invest in each individual's journey

Succeeding won't be easy. Silco's death has ignited a civil war among Zaun's chem-barons, with gang bosses like Smeech (Lenny Citrano) taking advantage of the current power vacuum to try to become the undercity's new crime kingpin.

Caitlyn's squad, then, may have a hard time tracking down Jinx at such a tempestuous time. Plus, with Zaunites learning of Jinx's successful strike on PIltover's powerbrokers, Vi's younger sibling suddenly finds herself installed as a revolutionary figure they can rally behind – a development that'll make Caitlyn and Vi's mission even harder to accomplish.

Ambessa enjoys a far bigger role in this season than Arcane's first installment (Image credit: Netflix)

As a character-driven spectacle, Arcane's main strength lies in its approach to compelling us to emotionally invest in each individual's journey. It's not unlike HBO's Game of Thrones in that respect, with the evolution – and, in some instances, de-evolution – and decision-making of its morally complex cast provoking viewers to frequently switch allegiances between them. Indeed, the war that erupts between Piltover and Zaun will flip audiences' devotion to some characters on its head, with Zaun's major players adopting more heroic roles early in season 2 and Piltover-based individuals positioned as Arcane's new antagonists-in-chief.

Arcane's overarching story undergoes its own evolution in its final season

What struck me most, though, is how the overarching plot undergoes its own structural evolution. Like season 1, episodes follow multiple storylines, with some converging to satisfyingly form conducive, singular narratives as season 2 progresses. However, each chapter's focus on specific characters – established members of its strong female contingent gifted even more agency than last season, or otherwise – lends them an unexpected yet gratifying individuality.

Elora and Mel get caught up in a supernatural and political thriller as season 2 progresses (Image credit: Netflix)

Take episode 1, titled 'Heavy Is The Crown', for instance, whose narrative is anchored by a heartbroken and vengeance-fuelled Caitlyn. Meanwhile, season 2's third episode, aka 'Finally Got The Name Right', sheds light on Ambessa's past, her reasons for traveling to Piltover, and the mysterious dangers that lurk in the shadows of her home nation Noxus. Then there's episode 4, named 'Paint The Town Blue', where Jinx learns of her symbolic position among Zaun's downtrodden populace that instigates her transition from villain to unlikely anti-hero. There's a natural, appropriate progression to most characters' season 1 arcs, too, with plenty of space devoted to exploring the vulnerabilities, desires, and newly-formed motivations that trigger Arcane's so-called heroes to explore their dark sides, and vice versa with their supposedly villainous counterparts.

Season 2's genre expansion adds new storytelling dimensions and narrative weight that I didn't expect

Season 2's exploration of additional subgenres is a welcome bonus, too. Whether it's the gradual evolution of Mel's storyline that becomes a conspiracy thriller-cum-supernatural horror, the slasher-style introduction of a terrifying new LoL champion teased in Arcane season 2's first clip and a gorgeous season 2 poster, or the highbrow sci-fi aspects that punctuate Viktor's arc, season 2's genre expansion adds new storytelling dimensions and narrative weight that I didn't expect. If season 1 was a largely grounded story with fantasy and sci-fi elements weaved into it, its sequel is almost the complete opposite, especially once season 2 reaches its midway point.

Daring and in-demand dynamics

Isha and Jinx's endearing relationship is one of many new dynamics in season 2 (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche Production)

Arcane's final season is just as eager to introduce new character dynamics, too. Tense alliances Ambessa shares with Caitlyn and Singed, plus a three-pronged team-up between Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger, make particularly engrossing viewing due to each character's wildly different backgrounds and upbringings. The inclusion of Isha (Lucy Lowe), a young girl Jinx saves from chem-baron Chross' goons, is equally fascinating, wit Isha's sibling-like idolization of Zaun's reluctant freedom fighter reminding me of Jinx's sisterly reverence of Vi in season 1's first act.

Make a mental note for a specifically 'CaitVi' moment in episode 3 that's... as crowd-pleasing and sensitively handled as you'd expect

You shouldn't worry about previously established relationships being overshadowed by these new coalitions, either. For instance, there are plenty of captivating and heart-rending moments centered on 'CaitVi', the Arcane fandom's affectionate term for Caitlyn and Vi's 'will they, won't they' dynamic. Indeed, season 2 reunites them just 10 minutes into its premiere for a scene that offers the briefest insight into the compelling and explosive escalation of their romance-fuelled, melodramatic bond this season. I'd advise you to make a mental note for a specifically 'CaitVi' moment in episode 3 that's not only been a long time coming but is also as crowd-pleasing and sensitively handled as you'd expect.

Season 2 provides opportunities to explore new partnerships, such as an Ekko-Jayce team-up (Image credit: Netflix)

Vi and Jinx's seemingly irreparable bond gets a striking amount of airtime as well. Outside of what Arcane season 2's official trailer teased, I don't want to ruin what's in store for the deuteragonists' shared storyline. However, I will say it goes to some unexpected places and that viewers should anticipate numerous incendiary and tear-jerking scenes – some of which occur earlier than I'd foreseen – involving the iconic pair. I'm not afraid to admit that I cried, just like Arcane star Ella Purnell told me she did, during some emotionally charged scenes that herald the beginning of the end of Vi and Jinx's story.

Similarly fraught but respect-laced bonds are also examined to varying degrees, including Jayce and Viktor's increasingly unprincipled partnership, and Jinx and Sevika's burgeoning odd-couple dynamic that juxtapose 'CaitVi' in histrionic and amusing ways. Season 2 finds ample opportunities to devote more screen time to Arcane's supporting cast, too. Smeech, Piltover councillors Salo (Josh Keaton) and Shoola (Mara Junot), and another newcomer in Piltovan enforcer Maddie (Katy Townsend) feature enough to make me believe that their inclusion, and overall importance to the story, is worthwhile.

Lore lessons and animated enhancements

Netflix, Riot, and Fortiche get creative with season 2's drop-dead gorgeous animation and art styles (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche Production)

And what of Arcane's Art Nouveau-inspired painterly animation style? Already mesmerizing to look at, season 2's rich visuals are not only more cinematic in scope but creatively ambitious in design. Whether it's the somberness of the sketch-penciled backdrops that contrast the vivid colors of 'CaitVi' during Cassandra's funeral, episode 3's pop-art-influenced opening sequence, or visual flourishes like the vapor trails from Jinx's pistol spelling out 'Poow' in episode 2, Fortiche has dialed Arcane's visual fidelity all the way up to 11.

Sevika's season 2 showdown with Smeech... is easily in my top three fights

Fortiche's determination to refine every aspect of this show is further evidenced by its animated improvements. Season 1 was jaw-dropping, but its successor feels bolder and more innovative, especially from an action viewpoint. Duels and large-scale battles – of which there are many, for anyone who felt the first season was lacking in physical confrontations – are more violent, heart-pounding, and breathtaking than before. Anime-inspired graphics energize some fights, such as Sevika's season 2 showdown with Smeech, in laugh-out-loud ways, too – honestly, the Sevika and Smeech bout is easily in my top three fights in Arcane, it's that inventively fun.

Some of season 2's fight scenes have a real anime quality to them (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche Production)

Long-time LoL fans will be very satisfied with Arcane's attention to detail from a lore perspective as well. Season 1 wasn't lacking in references to Riot's hugely popular game series – neither is season 2, with episode 5's game of tellstones one of myriad nods to LoL – but its follow-up fleshes out this region of Runeterra in an engrossing manner. The expansion of LoL's mythology, particularly from Hextech, Hexcore, and Rune standpoints, is fulfilling for League devotees and casual viewers alike. Elsewhere, confirmation about a long-standing rumor concerning Singed, coupled with intriguing glimpses into Vander and Silco's collective past, may rewrite some key aspects of Runeterran history and League mythos, and go some way to answering eight big questions I had heading into Arcane's second season.

Yes, Viktor, I'm disappointed with these slight season 2 problems, too (Image credit: Netflix)

Infatuated as I am with Arcane, I have a couple of minor gripes with this masterpiece of an animated show's final hurra.

For one, its occasionally chaotic pacing leaves little room to deal with the fallout, or rekindling, of some relationships, nor does it find the time to fully examine the existential themes in its middle act. It's commendable that Arcane's creators want to maintain consistency across the show's episodic runtimes. The lack of self-indulgent plot exposition means viewers' intelligence is not insulted and episodes don't suddenly grind to a halt, too. Indeed, season 2's exposition dumps are kept to a minimum, with characters only filling in the narrative gaps where absolutely necessary. Still, periodically slowing things down a smidge, for non-plot expository reasons, wouldn't have been to season 2's detriment.

The abrupt discarding of some supporting characters is just as curious. Some viewers may not mind this, but I found it slightly galling that individuals like Sevika, Maddie, and another newcomer Loris (Earl Baylon), whose roles are seemingly pertinent to Arcane's overarching plot, are side-lined at a moment's notice. I hope it doesn't continue, or is even pleasingly resolved, in season 2's final three episodes.

My verdict

Arcane season 2 doesn't just cement the show's place as one of the best Netflix shows ever created, but also as one of the greatest animated TV series of all-time. That's a bold claim to make but, if its final three episodes are as extraordinary as the rest, I'll be fully justified in suggesting as much. If Arcane had run for the five seasons it was reportedly going to do – its creators told me this was "never the plan", for what it's worth – I'd have even more evidence to back that up.

Netflix, Riot, and Fortiche can feel similarly vindicated in their fastidious approach to season 2's development. It may have taken over three years to make Arcane's final season as good as it can be, but it absolutely shows. This is a once-in-a-generation TV series, created with real love and ambition, that tells an intelligent, meticulously crafted, and emotionally captivating story (one set to a banging original soundtrack that'll top my 2024 Spotify Wrapped list). I don't think I'll see a show as ground-breaking as Arcane, nor one I'll worship as much, for a long time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch this two-season wonder, whose story is tailor-made to be streamed back-to-back, again.

Arcane season 2 act 1, comprising its first three episodes, is out now on Netflix. Act 2 and act 3 launch on November 16 and November 23 respectively.

I got a sneak peek at the first batch of episodes for the League of Legends show.

Welcome to another quick hit of tech news courtesy of TechRadar's ICYMI, the column that condenses all of the week's big stories into one handy list so you can catch up on what you might have missed.

What do we have in store for you this week? Well, the task of getting our PlayStation 5 Pro, MacBook M4 and Kindle Colorsoft reviews in front of you dominated our time, and you can see what we thought of them all below, but they were far from the only interesting tech stories. There were also new product releases, some beta software tests and a couple of very tasty leaks to stay on top of, so read on and find out what happened.

7. DJI unveiled its cheapest-ever FPV goggles

(Image credit: DJI)

DJI unveiled the Goggles N3, its cheapest-ever FPV (First Person View) goggles for immersive drone flight. At less than half the price of the Goggles 3, they look like an excellent pairing with the Neo, DJI's cheapest-ever 4K drone with multiple flight control options, including FPV.

In fact, DJI has made a new DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo, which includes the Goggles N3 plus additional batteries and charging hub, all for less than the pricier Goggles 3 alone.

Low price doesn't mean low quality, either – the Goggles N3 pack a crisp 1080p screen with an immersive 54-degree field of view, and can perform aerial acrobatics such as flips and rolls with a tilt of your head. They also boast DJI's latest O4 transmission, negligible 31ms latency and neat augmented reality features. At half the price of the Avata 2 with goggles, this new pairing opens up the adrenaline-fuelled world of FPV flight to a whole new audience.

• Read more: DJI’s new cheap goggles make the Neo more affordable for immersive flying

6. iOS 18.2 beta showed us major Apple Intelligence upgrades

(Image credit: Apple / Future)

Apple Intelligence landed with iOS 18.1 but it isn’t quite as spectacular as everyone hoped it would be, largely because some of its most exciting features are currently unavailable. That could change soon, though, and the iOS 18.2 update beta has given us a taste of these missing features.

Genmoji is arguably the big one here. This allows users to create a custom emoji and we’ve already fallen in love with it, declaring it "the kind of feature that will instantly impact society and our online lives." That aside, the iOS 18.2 beta also includes ChatGPT being baked into Siri (though it’ll have restrictions for free users), and the arrival of Image Playground, which offers a more standard alternative to the best AI image generators than Genmoji does.

Beyond AI, 18.2 will bring new camera control tools, easier sharing of lost item information through the Find My service, and the first hints of Siri getting abilities to understand what’s on screen.

• Read more: Apple is adding 3 more useful upgrades to your iPhone with iOS 18.2

5. A leaked benchmark got us excited about the Samsung S25 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

Apple has long maintained bragging rights over Samsung when it comes to the sheer under-the-hood power of its smartphones, but 2025 could see a momentum shift in favor of the Android manufacturer.

According to a new report, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could be even more powerful than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with the upcoming Android flagship having performed exceptionally well in early benchmark tests.

We’re all but certain that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will use Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset under the hood, and given that the likes of Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Honor have already confirmed that their respective flagships will use the same platform, the future looks extremely bright for Android fans.

• Read more: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could be the most powerful phone on the planet

4. Google leaked its Jarvis AI

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Oh dear! Jarvis, Google’s rumored AI agent that searches Chrome on your behalf, was accidentally leaked by the company itself earlier this week, popping up briefly in Chrome’s extension store before being swiftly removed.

While it didn't stick around for long, it gave us proof that this automated web browser – which Google describes as “a helpful companion that surfs the web with you” – is a real thing. The AI agent is expected to launch in December and will seemingly be able to surf the web, buy products, and even book flights on your behalf.

We're expecting plenty of these agents to spring up over the next few months, as companies try to innovate in the AI space; Anthropic has already released an automated agent to developers, and there also rumors that OpenAI could enter the mix, although we don’t have any information on what a ChatGPT AI agent could look like.

When will Jarvis appear for real? That's unclear, but if you’re excited at the prospect of AI doing mundane web browsing on your behalf, you might not have long to wait.

• Read more: Google accidentally leaks its AI agent that browses the web

3. Amazon’s color Kindle got off to a rough start

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

We got our hands on the Kindle Colorsoft – awarding it four-and-a-half stars in our review – but we and others noticed that over time it started to develop a frustrating yellow tint at the bottom of its display.

Not every Colorsoft seems to be affected, and in our case the yellowing was not very noticeable, but that hasn’t prevented the store page from being flooded with negative reviews – with Amazon even calling those negative reviewers to learn more about the discoloration problem.

Amazon is still trying to implement whatever hardware or software fix it needs to, but if you already have a yellowed Colorsoft, the company has said it will offer you a refund or a replacement device.

• Read more: The Kindle Colorsoft faces shipping delays

2. We tested the PS5 Pro…

(Image credit: Sony)

The PS5 Pro is finally here and the good news is that it’s a fantastic console that offers an excellent gaming experience. It also introduces the wizardry of PSSR (that's Playstation Spectral Super Resolution, for the uninitiated). However, its price tag and lack of included disc drive really are hefty stings in its tail.

The graphical advancements offered by the PS5 Pro beautifully blend super-high levels of fidelity with fluid and smooth frame rates at the same time, and from our testing, can tangibly elevate the experience of playing games. The extra spec uplifts – such as Wi-Fi 7, an extra 2TB of storage, as well as boosts to non-enhanced PS5 and PS4 games – help to round out a premium package for those who want to be at the bleeding edge of console tech and desire the most performant console going.

All of which is great, but it’s nonetheless a bit of a hard sell for current PS5 users or anyone who's not, y'know, rich, because the advancements here are not truly transformational. Still, if you’re a PlayStation enthusiast and always want to get the most out of both performance and graphics then you'll love it.

• Read more: PS5 Pro review: a high-performing enthusiast console

1. …and we reviewed – and loved – the new M4 Macs, too

(Image credit: Apple)

We’ve also been testing the new M4-powered Macs from Apple – and it's fair to say that we're impressed. And then some…

For instance, our Apple iMac 24-inch review describes the new model as the “best all-in-one computer you can purchase”, a fact helped by its new more affordable price, while our Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch review labeled the laptop “a pro-grade portable that impresses in every area.”

It’s no surprise then that both of those computers were awarded scores of 4.5/5 scores, but we want a step higher for the revamped Mac mini, awarding it one of our rare five-star reviews.

Per our Managing Editor of Core Tech Matt Hanson in our Apple Mac mini review, “Apple has made what was already the best small form factor PC even better thanks to a more compact design, and it packs the new M4 and M4 Pro chips – all while offering incredible value for money as well. I can't recommend this Mac enough.”

• Read more: Apple Mac mini (M4, 2024) review: smaller, faster, better

Smart, compact and comfortable, there's a lot I love about the Logitech MX Keys Mini.

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Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Nov. 9.

• New custom malware loader written in JPHP is wreaking havoc
• The custom payload is difficult to detect using cybersecurity tools
• The malware-loader can deploy custom payloads as required

Trustwave SpiderLabs says it has recently uncovered a new form of malware known as Pronsis Loader, which is already causing trouble due to its unique design and tactics.

Pronsis Loader makes use of JPHP, a lesser-known programming language rarely utilized by cybercriminals, and alsoemploys advanced installation techniques, making it more challenging for cybersecurity systems to detect and mitigate.

JPHP, a variation of the popular PHP language, is rarely seen in the world of malware development. While PHP is commonly used for web applications, its integration into desktop malware development is unusual, giving Pronsis Loader an advantage in avoiding detection.

JPHP – a rare choice in cybercrime

Pronsis Loader can evade signature-based detection systems, which are typically designed to recognize more common programming languages in malware. JPHP gives the malware a layer of “stealth” allowing the malware to fly under the radar of many security tools.

The malware also uses obfuscation and encryption methods to hide its presence during the initial infection phase. Upon execution, it deploys complex methods to avoid triggering traditional antivirus software and endpoint protection systems. The loader first installs itself silently in the system, disguising its activities by mimicking legitimate processes or applications, making it difficult for both automated security tools and human analysts to spot.

Once installed, Pronsis Loader can download and execute additional malware, including ransomware, spyware, or data exfiltration tools. This modular approach makes the malware highly flexible, allowing attackers to tailor the final payload based on the target’s system or environment. Pronsis Loader is part of an increasing trend in malware development where attackers use loaders as a first step in multi-stage attacks. These loaders, designed to introduce other malware into a system, provide attackers with flexibility.

To combat these evolving threats, security teams should adopt more advanced monitoring and analysis methods, such as behavior-based detection, which can identify malware by its actions rather than its code signatures alone. Additionally, continuous updates to threat intelligence can help identify the use of rare languages and methods like those employed by Pronsis Loader.

"Pronsis Loader marks a notable shift in how cybercriminals are deploying malware, employing JPHP and silent installations to evade traditional detection methods. Its ability to deliver high-risk payloads like Lumma Stealer and Latrodectus makes it particularly dangerous,” said Shawn Kanady, Global Director of Trustwave SpiderLabs.

“Our research uncovers not only the malware’s unique capabilities but also the infrastructure that could be leveraged in future campaigns to give security teams a chance to strengthen their defences,” Kanady added.

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