Feed aggregator

• Google's Gemini Utilities Extension upgrade is being rolled out
• It will give Gemini more of the powers of Google Assistant
• Gemini Live is still waiting for a similar upgrade

Google Gemini is taking another step closer to becoming the fully-fledged virtual assistant that we all want thanks to a new update rolling out now called “Gemini Utilities Extension” that can control your Android mobile device and apps. While the update is on the way, it could take a few days to reach everybody with an Android device.

The new update means that Gemini will be able to take over tasks like opening websites, apps, and settings that it currently has to farm out to Google Assistant. The Gemini Utilities Extension will work with apps on Android devices only,

The full list of upgrades that the Gemini Utilities Extension contains includes setting timers and alarms, taking a photo or screenshot (even from the lock screen), and controlling media playback.

Gemini vs Gemini Live

(Image credit: Future, Lance Ulanoff)

While the Google Gemini app is a massively powerful upgrade to the original Google Assistant, giving you the ability to search your inbox, produce summaries, and provide helpful advice, Android devices are currently in a strange situation where the Gemini AI still has to revert back to Google Assistant it for some tasks, especially ones that require interaction with an app or Settings. Now, with Gemini Utilities Extension, you'll no longer need to rely on Google Assistant to perform these tasks.

It’s also important not to confuse Gemini with Gemini Live, which is Google’s voice-controlled version of the AI, that enables you to have much more free-flowing conversations than the standard Gemini voice feature in the Gemini app allows. The improvements ushered in by the new Gemini Utilities Extension will not give the same powers to Gemini Live, which still can’t interact with apps and settings on your device.

There is still no news from Google about when we can expect upgrades to Gemini Live that will give it these capabilities. A note on the Gemini Apps help website says simply, “We’re gradually releasing updates to Gemini Live, so the latest changes might not be available to you just yet.”

You might also like...

• Gemini AI starts riding shotgun on Google Maps
• Google's next-gen Gemini 2.0 AI model is rumored to be launching in December
• Gemini will soon call and text for you, without you needing to unlock your phone

• HPE releases patch for six serious security vulnerabilities
• The bugs affected multiple products, and could be used in destructive cyberattacks
• Patching is advised, but workarounds are available

Two critical security bugs were found plaguing Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) endpoints, the company has confirmed, as it released a patch and follow-up security advisory.

As per the bulletin, multiple Aruba Networking Access Points (AP), powered by thee Instant AOS-8 and AOS-10 operating systems, were vulnerable to a total of six flaws, which allowed crooks to mount authenticated remote command execution attacks, create arbitrary files, perform unauthenticated command injection, and more.

Of the six, two were particularly dangerous: CVE-2024-42509, and CVE-2024-47460. These were assigned severity scores 9.8 and 9.0, and could have been abused by sending specially crafted packets to Aruba’s Access Point management protocol (PAPI).

End of life

The remaining four vulnerabilities are tracked as CVE-2024-47461, CVE-2024-47462, CVE-2024-47463, and CVE-2024-47464.

All of them plague AOS-10.4.x.x: 10.4.1.4 and older releases, Instant AOS-8.12.x.x: 8.12.0.2 and below, and Instant AOS-8.10.x.x: 8.10.0.13 and older versions.

If your product is older, and isn’t among the ones listed here, then it’s likely reached its end-of-life status and as such will not be patched. In such cases, HPE advises users to replace the instance with a newer model that is still supported.

Those who are still under HPE’s support should update their access points to these versions:

AOS-10.7.x.x: Update to version 10.7.0.0 and later.
AOS-10.4.x.x: Update to version 10.4.1.5 or later.
Instant AOS-8.12.x.x: Update to version 8.12.0.3 or newer.
Instant AOS-8.10.x.x: Update to version 8.10.0.14 or above

There are also workarounds for those who cannot install the patch immediately, which include blocking access to UDP port 8211 from all untrusted networks, restricting access to the CLI and web-based management interfaces, and controlling access with firewall policies at layer 3 and higher.

At press time, there was no evidence of in-the-wild abuse.

Via BleepingComputer

You might also like

• Major Palo Alto security flaw is being exploited via Python zero-day backdoor
• Here's a list of the best firewalls today
• These are the best endpoint protection tools right now

Cybersecurity is an unending challenge for businesses. Just as they catch up, the bad guys innovate their techniques to continuously stay one step ahead. It’s an issue that will persist meaning cyber risk has become a business risk.

Organisations know anything that threatens their IT, threatens their company. It's a pattern we continue to see – businesses getting breached and reputational and/or financial damage following. As such, cybersecurity is now a board issue and a permanent topic of conversation within corporate leadership teams. Yet, organizations need to take bigger steps towards making their cybersecurity posture as strong as possible – their business depends on it.

Assessing cyber risk

Businesses understand the ramifications a cyberattack can have on the whole company, with research finding that nearly one third (31%) experienced six or more attacks between June 2023-4, compared to the same period the year before.

The impact of an attack is vast, the repercussions of which affect the entire company. As such one of the most crucial tasks of a CISO is to rank cyber risks in order of impact. This requires an equal understanding of the business and its technology stack and isn’t an easy task.

Part of this assessment requires understanding the priorities inside the organization's value chain and securing them accordingly. The second part of the challenge is to then look beyond the business itself and understand what outside forces may impact it. Among these external forces, we find the compliance framework – laws and regulations necessary to protect human beings, intellectual property as well as innovation.

The duality regulation brings though is a challenge. While necessary for protection, they cap and stifle IT teams who need to integrate legal considerations into their defenses. The more known about cyber risks and regulation however, the better. Knowledge is the feather in an IT team’s cap, and IT teams and boards should work together to take learning from other parts of the business and other regulations within their security practices.

Mitigating technical risk

Defense strategies are a must when it comes to cybersecurity resilience. Assessing the right combination of products, services, staffing and processes is crucial. Less is more in this matter. This is especially the case as, after years of technological accumulation, CISOs are realizing the hard way that a mass of products and vendors is not efficient. The next era of security will happen via convergence, not addition.

Getting your board on side

CISOs have a tough job, but core to their success alongside the steps we have already discussed is ensuring their board truly understands cyber risk and gives them the support necessary to fight it. This can be done not only through education but, vitally, through offering options. When faced with a cybersecurity challenge, CISOs must provide information and an array of solutions on which their board has final say. It’s part of the CISOs job to offer scenarios as a series of documented steps, making a first suggestion, followed by a second and third suggestion. This ensures the CISO becomes an empowered execution leveler and gets a consensual decision on how to move ahead, rather than being pinpointed and blamed if something goes wrong.

Alongside this, it’s vital for CISOs and CEOs to be aligned with the CISO reporting directly to the CEO. The consequences of this not happening is unclear or diluted support. With the survival of the company at stake during a cyberattack, cybersecurity must be built into an organization's strategy and CISOs must have direct access to the top decision maker.

Final thoughts

Cybersecurity is not about avoidance but is instead an approach which embraces the fact that it’s only a matter of time before a business is attacked. Prioritizing cyber risk management and recovery is core and organizations need to do this through better connected and secured systems.

Whether your solutions are legacy, old-school, best-of-breed or brand new, the number of technologies, vendors, processes and digital transformations requires simplification in the race to security.

We've featured the best antivirus software.

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

• The Windows 11 24H2 update has caused some users to experience black screens or freezes when using the Alt + Tab shortcut, which should switch windows but now delays or glitches instead
• Some users have found turning off Game Mode can help as a temporary fix. Alternatively, users can revert to a previous version of Windows 11 if the issue is too disruptive
• Microsoft is aware of the problem and plans to release a patch in December 2024, though Windows 11’s reputation is being impacted by recurring update issues

Windows 11 24H2 was only released on October 1, 2024, but we’ve already seen a steady stream of issues reported about it since, and now there seems to be a new problem with the widely-used Alt + Tab keyboard shortcuts. Pressing these keys together reportedly triggers a black screen for some users after updating, rather than switching windows, as the shortcut should do.

Unfortunately, after updating to Windows 11 24H2, some users have been experiencing their PC freezing or just showing a black screen after using this shortcut. This was initially picked up on by Windows Latest, which links to posts on Reddit and on the Windows support forum about how some users have been dealing with the issue for weeks. So, if you are experiencing this glitch, you’re not alone.

According to reports, users are seeing their screens go black for about ten seconds before the shortcut finally works as intended. What should be a straightforward time saver in Windows 11 has become a pretty frustrating, unexpected pause.

What you can try next if you're experiencing this issue

According to PCWorld, Microsoft is aware of the problem but hasn’t released a fix just yet, although it’s promising to release a patch update in December 2024. Currently, you have a few options if you really wish to keep using the Alt + Tab shortcut as intended.

First, you can try turning off Game Mode. Some users in the above mentioned posts claim that this is a temporary workaround.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Go to Gaming in the left panel.

3. Select Game Mode and toggle the Game Mode setting to Off.

If this works, you’re probably okay to keep using the Alt + Tab shortcut for at least a while.

Otherwise, you can postpone installing Windows 11 24H2 or uninstall it and use an earlier version of Windows 11 until the problem is resolved. This would only be my recommendation if you really can’t live without this shortcut, as you’ll uninstall all the features, changes, and fixes the 24H2 update also brought. If you can bear it, I suggest you stay put until we get an official fix from Microsoft for it.

Windows 11 24H2 brings some useful and intriguing new features, but it’s in danger of developing a reputation that Microsoft will have to put effort into recovering from. All hope is not lost, as Windows 10 had some nasty bugs that were introduced in updates, yet it now it remains very popular among users. I suppose we’ll have to see how Windows 11 will continue to fare, and hope that Microsoft ends this run of faulty update and ultimately shape the operating system into something worth sticking with.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

• Windows 11 24H2 misery continues, as Microsoft’s buggy update is now breaking printers – especially on Copilot+ PCs
• Windows 11 update fails are becoming a joke – but it looks like Microsoft is working hard on fixing them
• New Windows 11 24H2 glitch sends File Explorer menu to the top of the screen – here’s how to get it back

When it comes to technology, we often credit the companies creating the tech as those driving disruption. But the real power behind big innovations? The consumer. Just like the rise of mobile tech was fueled by everyday users, the explosion of generative AI can be traced back to the consumers who actually use it. The presence of Gen AI in B2B started when people asked, “why can’t I have that at work?” In many cases, Gen AI took off in the workplace because it took off at home. When OpenAI released ChatGPT, it wasn’t just a shiny, new gimmick – it was a game-changer that sparked a wave of consumer interest, and one which quickly caught the attention of businesses everywhere. And while many companies have been working in the Gen AI space for years, the push from B2C really accelerated this technology in the B2B space.

What makes Gen AI so appealing is that it’s something people can easily understand and use. And it’s amazing. Gen AI has captured the imaginations of consumers and businesses alike. As tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft look to weave Gen AI into their products, the real fight isn’t just about who can build the most advanced AI, but who can keep up with the growing consumer demand.

Software companies are now in a race to roll out Gen AI features as fast as they can. But the real challenge lies in meeting the expectations of employees and customers who are eager to see the benefits of AI in their day-to-day lives.

With that in mind, here are my top tips on how companies can stay ahead of the curve in this fast-paced, constantly shifting environment.

Empower your developers

The heart of any software company is its developers. Gen AI offers a boon to supercharge their creativity and productivity. By providing developers with access to the latest AI tools, organizations are not just enabling them to automate more mundane tasks like code generation, documentation, and bug fixing—but are also unlocking their potential to tackle bigger, more complex issues.

This has also unleashed improved collaboration between tech and business teams. From better communication to explaining what the code is doing in natural language; Gen AI makes the connection between software engineers and other business teams more effective. In fact, 78% of software professionals are optimistic about Gen AI’s potential to enhance collaboration.

Gen AI can even act like a brainstorming buddy, tossing out ideas and solutions that might not have crossed your developers’ minds yet. This collaborative vibe speeds up the rate of development and keeps teams on their “A” game – as well as providing opportunities for consistent learning and improving. As developers get more comfortable with AI, they’ll push the boundaries of what’s possible, an all-important competitive edge in this evolving landscape.

Data remains king

Software companies have another huge advantage when it comes to Gen AI in that they own their data. The more structured the data is, the easier it is to train against it. This gives software companies an advantage in providing Gen AI around their services. The more features a customer can get, the more likely that customer is to buy into a company completely.

Imagine a life insurance company has built its CRM system around a particular vendor, its data repository off a different vendor and those disparate systems don’t connect. How can this life insurance company leverage Gen AI? Well, if the CRM vendor has all this structured data around the customer, it can create and provide great Gen AI features where the client doesn’t need to go anywhere else to tackle the challenge of disparate data. They can get all the Gen AI features they need from their CRM vendor, thereby eliminating the need for the data repository vendor. That’s a major competitive win for the CRM vendor. It’s a race, and our take on the race is that we want to empower our clients’ developers to work better with Gen AI so they can do all these things faster and we want to work with CIOs to help them use Gen AI internally faster to pave the way. It’s all about finding the right balance between speed and relevance, paired with developer productivity against structured data.

Transform your processes with “Agentic Roles”

Bringing generative AI into your business isn’t just about making things more efficient – it’s about transforming how you work. By embedding it into day-to-day operations, organizations can streamline workflows, cut down on manual tasks and make smarter decisions faster. Think real-time data analysis that provides instant insights and helps talent make better calls in areas like customer service, supply chain, and product development. But what was thought about as a process in the past now must be thought of as a series of Gen AI Agents serving the role of key human decision makers along the way. This is re-engineering on steroids.

Automating repetitive tasks with AI doesn’t just save time – it can also save money. And with those extra resources, companies can begin to focus on more strategic, fruitful projects. The trick is to not see AI as a separate part of the tech stack, but as a new way to work.

Adopt a platform mindset

In the rush to adopt AI features, it’s easy to think of Gen AI as just another tool in the box, but to really unlock its potential, enterprises need to think bigger—adopt a platform mindset. This means seeing AI as the foundation that supports and enhances all your products and services, not just a one-off feature. AI can be the moment in the sun for VPs of Engineering and Platforms. No longer are they a forgotten enabler to get features to market, but they ARE the future of the business.

A platform mindset encourages the development of AI-driven solutions that are scalable and adaptable across different areas of your business. Defining the work you do through Agents cements this role. This approach not only helps create versatile platforms that deliver long-term value but also ensures that AI is smoothly integrated into the entire value proposition of your organization. By thinking in terms of platforms instead of solely products, organizations are better equipped to meet the evolving needs of their customers and stay ahead in the AI game.

The real battle for Gen AI in software isn’t just about who can build the best tech—it’s about maintaining momentum in a sea of mounting consumer demand. Companies that empower their developers, transform to agentic thinking, and adopt a platform mindset won’t just keep pace with this demand—they’ll lead the charge in this new era of innovation. Those that come out on top will be the ones who understand that generative AI isn’t just about making cool products—it’s about driving real, meaningful change that resonates with both businesses and consumers.

We've featured the best AI phone.

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

• Arcane's creators have revealed the truth about the hit show's rumored five-season plan
• It was always going to end after two seasons, despite what a recent report claims
• The rumor was born out of a prank pulled on co-showrunner Christian Linke years ago

Arcane's creators have dismissed reports that the hugely successful show was originally going to run for five seasons.

Speaking exclusively to TechRadar before Arcane season 2 makes its Netflix debut on November 9, Christian Linke and Alex Yee said the situation had been blown out of proportion. Indeed, the pair admitted it was all just a simple misunderstanding, with its origins stemming from a prank that former Riot Games CEO Nicolo Laurent pulled on Linke years ago.

Linke and Yee's response comes hot on the heels of a Variety article published on November 6. Citing sources close to the Netflix series' production, the outlet suggested that Arcane was originally going to run for five seasons. Unsurprisingly, the story spread like wildfire across the internet, leading to fans – myself included – to ask why Riot and Netflix had decided to call time on Arcane after two seasons.

We're not laughing about this, either, Jinx... (Image credit: Netflix)

As it happens, Arcane season 2 was always going to be the hit animated show's final chapter – Linke telling me that a two-season arc was settled on "from the beginning". And, as Linke and Yee went on to explain, Vi and Jinx's story was always going to be concluded after two seasons.

"When we started building out the story after the pilot [that we showed internally at Riot], that's when we were like 'Okay, it's going to be two seasons,'" Linke revealed. "It was never the plan for it to last five seasons.

It's almost the opposite of what people have interpreted it to be

Alex Yee, Arcane co-creator

"But, what happened was – I think we had the pilot or a few episodes, but we still hadn't had the green light for a full season. At the time, Nicolo thought it would be really funny to pull me into a room and say 'Hey, I know you haven't had the green light yet, and I decided I'm not going to give it to you'. I sat there, looking pretty upset, before he added 'Because I'm giving you the go-ahead for five seasons!'. We both laughed but it was, you know –"

"It's almost the opposite of what people have interpreted it [the five-season rumor] to be," Yee interjected. "Making an animated series – it has such a long development pipeline that it was a lot for us to ask them [Riot's executive team] to trust us with one season. But we also said 'If you want there to be another season soon after that, we need to start working on it while we're finishing the first one'. So, that five-season joke was their way of saying 'Hey, we want to give you a lot of runway with this.'"

"Yeah, then we said 'okay, it's going to be two, and then we'll grow from there,'" Linke added.

Ready?Only 24 hours left until #Arcane Season 2 premieres on @netflix. pic.twitter.com/0Qf6ixBBLINovember 8, 2024

That "we'll grow from there" quote still suggests that there may have been talk of another installment, though. So, were there any discussions about stretching out season 2's original plot across two more entries? After all, a similar approach is being taken by HBO regarding its TV adaptation of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part 2 video game, whose story will span The Last of Us season 2 and a sequel season.

"Honestly, the story that's concluding with this season is the one we plotted out from the get-go with the rest of the team," Yee confirmed. "I think we imagined ways that it could go beyond that, but one more season was the milestone we always wanted to hit."

"Long story short," Linke added, "five seasons was nothing but tomfoolery on our part."

I'll be bringing you more exclusive content from my chat with one of the best Netflix shows' showrunners in the days and weeks ahead, so check back in with me soon for further insights. In the meantime, read some of the other season 2-focused articles I've written before Arcane's return on the world's best streaming service below.

You might also like

• Arcane season 2 cast and character guide: who's playing who in the popular Netflix show's final chapter?
• 8 huge questions I need Arcane season 2 to answer before the highly-rated Netflix show ends
• Arcane season 2's official soundtrack has been revealed, and I'm already convinced it'll take the number #1 spot on my 2024 Spotify Wrapped list

• US federal agency issues warning against cellphone usage for work calls
• Warning comes in the aftermath of the breach of several US telecoms providers
• Attack has been attributed to Salt Typhoon, who also breached a number of ISPs

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a warning to its workers that personal mobile devices should not be used for sensitive work calls due to the recent Chinese probing of US telecommunications networks.

The email sent by the CFPB acknowledges that “While there is no evidence that CFPB has been targeted by this unauthorized access, I ask for your compliance with these directives so we reduce the risk that we will be compromised.”

The warning also extends to contractors working for the CFB, and highlights the scale of the attack against US telecoms by the China-related group tracked as Salt Typhoon.

Telecoms attack worries federal agencies

There is no indication on exactly what data may have been exfiltrated from the telecoms providers, but initial reports suggest that call logs, unencrypted texts and some phone audio was exfiltrated by the attackers, including audio from a number of high-profile individuals related to the Harris and Trump campaigns alongside potentially hundreds of thousands of US citizens.

US officials are also cutting down on their phone use in response to the hack, with a former US official who spoke to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) stating, “There is a general reticence to use their cellphones.”

Salt Typhoon also managed to breach several internet service providers (ISP) in early October, including Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen, with the attackers also gaining access to a lawful wiretap used for surveillance by US authorities.

As the WSJ notes, a federal agency issuing a specific warning against the use of personal mobile phones indicates the depth and breadth of the attacks.

“Do NOT conduct CFPB work using mobile voice calls or text messages,” the CFPB email recommended. The email also stated that staff should only use authorized online collaboration platforms such as Cisco WebEx and Microsoft Teams to make calls and send messages that contain non-public data.

You might also like

• These are the best endpoint protection solutions
• Cisco issues patch to fix serious flaw allowing possible industrial systems takeover
• Take a look at the best business VPN

• Automation could be stopping us from climbing the career ladder
• Robotics decreased the average local market career value in the 2000s and 2010s
• Low-skilled workers affected by technological change are more likely to vote for Trump

Increased automation through artificial intelligence and robotics could be diminishing career opportunities, new analysis has warned.

Although concerns that AI could replace human workers have largely been squashed, with experts seeing the tech more as a co-worker, it could indeed be preventing us from getting our dream careers, a new research paper has claimed.

While the impacts of artificial intelligence are yet to be quantified, the study explores the deployment of robotics through the late 2000s and 2010s to provide an indicator as to what we might be able to expect.

Automation could ruin our chances of getting our dream jobs

According to the study, one additional robot per 1,000 workers decreased the average local market career value by $3,900 between 2004 and 2008, and by $2,480 between 2008 and 2016. The effects are particularly apparent across industries that are heavily exposed to robotics, such as manufacturing. Following the introduction of more tech, low-skilled workers experience declines in upward job mobility.

Bledi Taska, one of the study’s co-authors, shared on LinkedIn: “It’s not just about robots replacing jobs. It’s about robots reducing the opportunities for people to improve their lives. For many workers, particularly low-skilled ones, the ladder to higher-paying jobs is disappearing.”

The study also explored the “connection between declining career prospects and political behavior” – areas most affected by robotics reportedly saw stronger support for populist candidates like Donald Trump during his first term as president.

This is likely because, as workers lose out on opportunities to climb the career ladder, they look toward politicians who promise economic reform.

Taska summarized: “We can shape a future where technology enhances human potential instead of diminishing it—if we act now.”

You might also like

• Find your next career with the best job sites and best recruitment platforms
• AI-powered humanoid robots are closer than we think, says Nvidia exec
• We’ve listed the best productivity tools

It's that time of the week again. No matter how busy or relaxing the past five working days have been for you, it's time to kick back and watch numerous new movies and TV shows that have recently debuted on the world's best streaming services.

There's plenty to check out on Netflix, too, with the return of hit shows in Arcane and Outer Banks, plus the debut of Netflix's first holiday season film of 2024 (yes, they're releasing earlier each year). If you're not signed up to Netflix, though, we come bearing gifts from three of its streaming rivals as well, so you'll find something entertaining to watch before Monday arrives. Enjoy! – Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Arcane season 2 (Netflix)

I love Arcane. Ask anyone who I work alongside, or my family and friends, and they'll all claim that there isn't a bigger fan of Netflix's first League of Legends animated adaptation than I.

Almost exactly three years after one of the best Netflix shows' first season absolutely blew me away, its follow-up's highly-anticipated and long overdue debut is upon us. Arcane season 2 is finally here, and I've never been happier for one of my all-time favorite series to return. Before you watch it, check out my Arcane season 2 review to see me wax lyrical about how utterly gorgeous, action-packed, melodramatically soul-crushing, and epic it is. Be sure to visit our Arcane tag page, too, because there's lots of exclusive content from my recent chat with co-creator Christian Linke that's worth reading.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch season 2 act 1, aka its first three chapters, for the third time this week.

Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

• Watch Arcane season 2 on Netflix

Outer Banks season 4 part 2 (Netflix)

We already know Outer Banks has been renewed for season 5 and that it'll be the final outing. Thankfully, we're not done with season 4 yet, and the second part is finally here. You've no doubt been quietly cursing them after episode 5's shocking finale, too – indeed, if you think ending a two-part season on a cliffhanger is cruel, you're not alone!

Don't worry, though, you'll get all the answers (we hope!) in part 2, which has five more episodes to devour. While we haven't had to wait quite as long as some gaps between episodes (I'm still frustrated about the wait for Severance season 2, just saying), you'll be forgiven for wanting to cancel your weekend plans and find out what happens next. I'm not judging.

Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Outer Banks season 4 part 2 on Netflix

The Old Man season 2 (Disney Plus)

If you're from the US, you'll likely have seen that The Old Man season 2 is already out on Hulu. For the rest of us, who've been patiently waiting to see what the next installment of the thriller series has in store, we'll finally be able to this weekend as the whole season was made available on Disney Plus on November 6.

Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes reveal season 2 doesn't have a similarly high critical rating as season 1 did, but that shouldn't stop you from finding out what happens next to Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges). The first season earned a place on our best Hulu shows list for its thrilling story and Bridges' compelling performance, and there's even talk of a third season on the cards, according to Variety. Will there be one last mission? We wouldn't put it past Chase to take on another.

Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor

• Watch The Old Man season 2 on Disney Plus (internationally)

Meet Me Next Christmas (Netflix)

Christmas has certainly come early with one of November's new Netflix movies Meet Me Next Christmas. The festive rom-com sees Layla (Christina Milian) race across New York City to find a ticket to a sold-out Pentatonix Christmas Eve concert to reconnect with the man of her dreams.

Milian is no stranger to Netflix's romance section with movies like Falling Inn Love and Resort to Love, so it's bound to be a charming affair with her as the lead. While we wait and see if Meet Me Next Christmas becomes one of the best Netflix movies, I can't wait to kick off the holiday season with this feel-good rom-com.

Grace Morris, entertainment writer

• Watch Meet Me Next Christmas on Netflix

Citadel: Honey Bunny (Prime Video)

Some of the best Prime Video shows and best Prime Video movies are action packed, and Citadel: Honey Bunny has the potential to join our line-up of recommended action hits. Not only that, but it's a spin-off to mainline show Citadel, which my colleague Tom Power wasn't a fan of upon its debut in April 2023. The spin-off is directly linked, too, as the two main characters here are – spoilers! – the parents of Chopra's character Nadia, so expect plenty of backstory.

There are two separate timelines, swapping between 1992 and 2000, picking up with Bunny, a stuntman in films, who recruits a struggling actor Honey for a side gig that endangers her life. The six-part series will focus on their relationship and Nadia's early life, so it's a must watch if you need more Citadel in your life.

Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Citadel: Honey Bunny on Prime Video

My Old Ass (Prime Video)

My Old Ass is the latest collaboration between LuckyChap and Amazon MGM Studios, and following the movie's standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, I have high hopes for one of November's new Prime Video movies. The studios have previously worked together on Saltburn and are co-producing The Sims movie next, so I'm excited to see how their latest project turned out as it sounds like another wild trip.

No, really. The plot for this coming-of-age comedy involves a mushroom trip, which is the catalyst for a sci-fi scenario where an 18-year-old Elliott (Maisy Stella) suddenly comes face-to-face with her 39-year-old future self (Aubrey Plaza). You can expect plenty of epiphanies to come next as you follow Elliott on this heartfelt journey of discovery as she prepares to leave home. Make sure to check in on our best Prime Video movies guide to see if it makes the cut.

Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor

• Watch My Old Ass on Prime Video

The Day of the Jackal (Peacock)

The Day of the Jackal, which is already out on Sky in the UK, is a modern day reimagining of Frederick Forsyth's 1971 novel of the same name. In this cat-and-mouse thriller, Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) stars as the steely contract killer hired to assassinate a powerful tech tycoon. Trying to put an end to his killing spree is MI6 agent Bianca (Lashana Lynch) – but can she stop him before it's too late?

If Oscar-winning actor Redmayne and the captivating Lynch (No Time to Die) wasn't enough to have me tune in to this action-packed killer thriller, the rave reviews certainly will. The Standard wrote that The Day of the Jackal is "slick, stylish, and cinematically cool" and that "Redmayne is at his most enigmatic in the role of a chilly killer in this breathless thriller series." Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to watch this series – and I most certainly accept.

Grace Morris, entertainment writer

• Watch The Day of the Jackal on Peacock (US only)

For more streaming suggestions, read our guides on the best Disney Plus movies, best Hulu shows, best Paramount Plus movies, and best Apple TV Plus shows.

He’s not even the biggest one. Monumental change will instead come from tech—from AI.

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: 30-second review Specs

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
Graphics: ASUS ProArt RTX 4060Ti
RAM: 32GB DDR5 5200
Storage: 2 x 1TB M.2 1 x 4TB IronWolf
Rear Ports: 2 x USB 2.0, HDMI, BIOS Flashback button, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3 of which are Type-A and 1 Type-C, Display Port, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DP, optical S/PDIF out port, 5 x audio jacks, HDMI 2.1a 3 DisplayPort 1.4a and HDCP Support.
Top Ports: 3.5mm audio in, 3.5mm audio in-out, 2 x USB A and a USB Type-C
Connectivity: Dual Band 1200Mbps, Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet, Realtek 1Gb Ethernet
Audio: Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio 
Camera: N/A
Size: 435 x 215 x 465mm
OS installed: Windows 11 Pro
Accessories: N/A

Stormforce Gaming is known for making high-end gaming machines. However, they also make some of the most stylish creative machines on the market, including the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601.

This machine is pitched as a workstation for creatives with the hardware and feature set that is perfectly tuned to what designers, illustrators, photographers and even videographers require from a machine. The system is based on an ASUS ProArt B650-Creator motherboard, which is complemented by a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7700x CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060TI GPU. While this combination sounds incredibly high-end when it comes to power and abilities for a standard desktop, these specifications actually pitch the machine at the entry-level when it comes to professional creative use. I've reviewed plenty of the best video editing computers and best photo editing PCs, and this one of the top machines I've tested. 

What's interesting here is that Stormforce has pulled on the company's years of experience with their high-powered gaming machines and adapted them to suit the needs of high-end enthusiasts and professional creatives. As such, this machine strikes a balance between performance and price and offers a core system that will enable you to get up and running with ample power and capacity to handle most jobs. 

Then, as your demands on the machine grow for additional storage and other expansions, the machine can grow and adapt as needed. This is a full-sized powered workstation that has been designed to grow and adapt to you. 

While the machine itself offers plenty of power from the outset, it's the look and design of the machine that initially stand out. The case from Fractal Design reflects the styling of modern creative spaces. While the casing is larger than your standard desktop machine, the style will make you want this computer on display with the wooden frontage, glass side panels, and matte black finish, not only being functional but also a real statement.

Meanwhile, Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is powerful when it comes to professional workstations that power sit at the entry-level, with the option to upgrade all components easily around the motherboard. However, the CPU and GPU are powerful mid-range models, as are the RAM and internal SSDs, which will be more than enough for most pro users, with upgrades really only required to the system if you need to edit longer-length 4K and 8K RAW video. As it stands, however, this machine is outstanding at a price and for the features and future potential that it offers. 

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Price & availability

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is available directly from Stormforce Gaming for £1999 - you can check out the full details by clicking here.

• Price: 4/5

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Design & build

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Like almost all the best workstations tested here, the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is essentially designed for professional use or, at the very least, for high-end enthusiasts. Considering what you get for the price, it's extremely well-balanced. When it comes to the base design, it looks like a standard desktop, just a touch larger, which is due to the fact that it has been designed to house a large CPU and GPU, along with all the additional support that those components require. It also means that there's plenty of room for expansion and additional drives and, more importantly, enables lots of airflow around the machine to keep things cool when under load. 

While the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is large, the company has been careful to balance style with functionality, and the choice of the Fractal Design North Mid Tower case is striking. The front of the machine features a wooden slatted design reminiscent of the style that is being adopted by many design studios installing soundproof walling panels. 

Otherwise, when it comes to the design and function, the machine is nice and simple, with a few quick access ports along with the power button on the top and the rest of the ports and connectivity at the back. 

If you want to gain access to the inside of the machine to install additional hardware or upgrade the existing, then the side panel is held in place by a few hand-tightened bolts, which are easily removed. Once done, the glass side panel that gives you a view of the inner workings can be removed, and the internals can be accessed. Again, the design is stylish and neat. Colourful LEDs are common in gaming machines, and again, here, there are a few lights. Still, it's all nicely understated and gives the machine an altogether more professional and stylish aesthetic. 

• Design: 5/5

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Workstation is larger than your average desktop, so it is really more likely to be placed on the floor rather than on the desk, where it would dominate the surface. As such, the casing has been designed with a range of sockets on top, such as the 3.5mm audio in and out as separate sockets, two USB A and a USB Type-C, enabling you to plug in hard drives and other accessories easily and these all sit alongside the large gold power button.

On one side there's the glass tinted window so that you can see the layout of the inside of the machine's components; then, around the back, you have the full array of ports, including 2 x USB 2.0, HDMI, BIOS Flashback button, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3 of which are Type-A and 1 Type-C, Display Port, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DP, optical S/PDIF out port, 5 x audio jacks, these are all from the motherboard. In addition to these ports there's also an HDMI 2.1a 3 DisplayPort 1.4a and HDCP Support which are intergrated into the GPU.

As this is a workstation, everything is easily accessible, so if you want to get into the inner workings to swap the SSDs, RAM or otherwise, all you need to do is unscrew the securing knobs, which can be done by hand, and the panel to access the inside can be removed. In our review sample, the machine arrived with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, which can be upgraded to 192 GB. There's also plenty of storage with 3 x M.2 slots and 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports. As standard, there are 2 x 1TB drives and a 4TB IronWolf Pro, which is an ideal starting point. You then have the option to add more storage in the form of additional SATA drives.

The volume of accessibility options further reinforces the professional level of this machine; there's plenty more to add to the highlights. But at the core its the ASUS ProArt B650-Creator motherboard with AMD Ryzen 7 7700X AMD Wraith Optimised cooling, ASUS ProArt NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060Ti, 32GB DDR5 5200 RAM, 4TB IronWolf Pro SSD alongside two 1TB SSDs that give this machine the power needed for most types of creative use. Essentially, if you put together a no-fuss wish list for a high end entry-level creative machine, then this is it.

• Features: 5/5

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Read: 3653.70MB/s
Crystal Disk Write: 2611.94MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single: 2457
GeekBench CPU Multi: 13525
GeekBench Compute: 135702
PC Mark: 8087
CineBench CPU Multi: 17175
CineBench CPU Single: 1616
Fire Strike Overall: 29901
Fire Strike Graphics: 33701
Fire Strike Physics: 30592
Fire Strike Combined: 15909
Time Spy Overall: 13288
Time Spy Graphics: 13464
Time Spy CPU: 12374
Wild Life: 74864
Windows Experience: 8.9

Setup of the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is fast enough, and once unboxed and plugged in, it boots into the standard Windows 11 Pro setup process, and you can fly through the options and settings quickly. The Wi-Fi connection is fast, with the dual band wifi card, enabling fast connection to the local network and enabling the applications required for the test to be downloaded and installed quickly. 

Starting a look at the benchmarks and the CrystalDiskMark scores of 3653.70MB/s read and 2611.94MB/s write show a mid-range performance for the SSD, enabling applications to open quickly and for Creative Cloud apps to access and write files to the drive at speed. While the drive is mid-range when it comes to speed, it's more than enough for most tasks, including working with Premiere Pro and reviewing footage prior to editing. Likewise, the speed at which edits are rendered and exported is fast, and for standard 4K and 8K video, the overall performance on this front is impressive. 

Checking out the Geekbench scores and the single-core result shows excellent performance, this result is experienced with smooth, fluid brush strokes in Photoshop and scrubbing through footage in Premiere Pro. There are essentially no glitches, and the workflow is smooth and natural. Reinforcing the CrystalDiskMark scores the Multi-Core score from Geekbench again sees the speed of video renders in the timeline and exported from various apps. handled with ease. Finally, looking at the Compute scores from Geekbench and you can see the impact on applications as visual filters and effects are applied to footage, and again, these are handled well. The only time things do start to slow is when RAW footage is used and effects start to get layered, but again, this is just part of the process of waiting for the timeline to render properly. 

Again, checking the results for Cinebench and 3D Mark further reinforces just how good this machine is for content creation across the board. Its level pitches it at designers, illustrators, and photographers, and in all those cases, this machine has all the power that you need, with the option to expand on the storage if and when you need. Likewise, videographers and content creators using DSLR and Camcorders to shoot standard 4 and 8K footage will be able to edit short-form video without issue; however, as you start to add effects or switch to RAW footage, you'll start to see the system slow a little as rendering takes place. 

When it comes to gaming, Stormforce obviously makes gaming PCs. While this PC is aimed directly at the creative sector, it has the power and ability to handle most games with ease. Through the test, we played Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption II, and all played smoothly using the standard settings. Many enabled the options to be pushed to enhance the graphics further.

Looking at the final results from the benchmark tests and the PC Mark and Windows experience scores, we see that the machine takes word processing, spreadsheets, and administrative work in its stride without breaking a sweat. 

• Performance: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601?

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 has been designed with creatives in mind, and with this machine, you can run any of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications without issue. If you're a designer, illustrator, artist or photographer; you'll be able to get on with your work without issues or slow down from this machine. What Stormforce has done with this machine is perfectly balance quality components with the requirements of the intended user, as such, it doesn't go over the top processing power, graphics, RAM or storage; it just balances it at a point that is slightly above what most people will need and at a great price. 

However, this is more than a machine that will just meet your business's demands for today; the ASUS ProArt B650-Creator motherboard is one of the best out there and utilises the latest technologies for speed as well as upgrade potential and expandability. Essentially, for most professionals, this machine will meet your needs directly from the box; if you do need an extra boost of power for higher-end video editing, then the RAM, storage and all other components can essentially be upgraded as far as your budget allows.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Buy it if...

It would help if you had creative power

Featuring the ASUS ProArt motherboard and Ryzen 7 7700X CPU, the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is perfect for artists, designers, and photographers needing strong processing and graphic performance with plenty of upgrade options.

Want a stylish design

The Fractal Design North Mid Tower case with the wooden front panel and tinted glass side provides a modern style and aesthetic, making it a perfect workstation choice for a studio or office.

Don't buy it if...

You prefer compact desktops

While it looks like a desktop, it is larger and better suited for floor placement and may feel intrusive on a smaller desk. If you need more workspace or a compact, minimalist setup, a smaller form factor might be a better fit.

You edit RAW video footage

Even then, this is a great starting point. It's just that on occasion, you will need to wait for some footage to render before making the edits and if you're just editing short-form video, It'll be fine; anything longer than five minutes with effects, and you'll want a power boost.

We've tested the best mobile workstations - and these are our top picks.

• A bug Palo Alto addressed last summer is being abused in the wild
• CISA added it to its KEV catalog, giving federal agencies a deadline to patch
• The bug can be abused to take over accounts and steal data

A critical bug found in Palo Alto Networks’ Expedition program is being abused in the wild, the US government has warned.

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added CVE-2024-5910 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, which means there is evidence of abuse in the wild.

This vulnerability, discovered in Expedition in the summer of 2023, is described as a “missing authentication for a critical function” bug, which can lead to Expedition admin account takeover for crooks with network access. Since Expedition is a tool that helps with configuration migration, tuning, and enrichment, it may contain secrets, credentials, and other data, which would then be at risk of theft.

Proof of concept

Users are advised to apply a patch immediately, since the vulnerability allows threat actors to take over admin accounts, steal sensitive data, and more.

When CISA adds a vulnerability to KEV, it gives federal agencies a deadline to patch it, or stop using the afflicted applications completely. The due date for Palo Alto Networks Expedition is November 28, 2024.

CISA did not share any further details about the attacks, but BleepingComputer dug up a report from Horizon3.ai, who released a proof-of-concept exploit in October 2024. By chaining the bug with CVE-2024-9464, crooks could gain unauthenticated arbitrary command execution capabilities on vulnerable Expedition servers.

This additional vulnerability was also discovered, and patched, last month. Palo Alto Networks said it could have been used to take over admin accounts in firewalls, and take over PAN-OS instances.

For those unable to install the patch immediately, a workaround is available, which includes restricting Expedition network access to authorized users, hosts, and networks, only.

"All Expedition usernames, passwords, and API keys should be rotated after upgrading to the fixed version of Expedition. All firewall usernames, passwords, and API keys processed by Expedition should be rotated after updating," Palo Alto Networks concluded.

Via BleepingComputer

You might also like

• Major Palo Alto security flaw is being exploited via Python zero-day backdoor
• Here's a list of the best firewalls today
• These are the best endpoint protection tools right now

These are our favorite Windows laptops, MacBooks, Chromebooks, and Linux portables.

These nontoxic beds and bedsheets are easier on the environment and your health—and they feel like a dream.

Whether you’re shopping for a book lover, organizer, or perpetual phone dropper, a cheap holiday gift can always be a fun one.

Xbox Series S 1TB: two-minute review

If you’re currently debating whether to pick up the Xbox Series S 1TB or the original Xbox Series S model, then the choice is clear.

If you can afford that extra $50 / £50 / AU$50 for the 1TB edition, then it’s absolutely the version to go for and easily the best gaming console for the price. You get more than double the usable storage capacity (more than 800GB out of the box) for a fraction of the cost of any of the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs, finally addressing what was easily the biggest shortcoming of the launch model for most buyers.

A capable current-generation machine for just $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$549 is nothing to sneeze at and, while the performance is definitely behind the fully-fledged Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, it’s still going to be more than enough for most people. Titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Dead Island 2 look absolutely stunning on a 1080p or 1440p display, though those with a 4K TV are much more likely to notice the decreased resolution and lower visual settings.

The lack of a disc drive helps the console maintain such a staggeringly small size, but does restrict your access to physical releases. Still, an Xbox Game Pass subscription will help save a bit of cash if you want to sample some of the best Xbox Series X games for less. Although no additional titles are on the horizon, Xbox’s backwards compatibility efforts are still leagues above those on PlayStation, making this system a great way to experience older games.

I’ve been loving going back to some real Xbox 360 gems like Alice: Madness Returns and Far Cry 2, an experience that is still just impossible to replicate on the far more expensive PS5. Older games can be absolutely breathtaking too, with some boasting enhanced resolutions and frame rates that help them look better than ever.

Some might lament the lack of desirable exclusives, but when it comes to sheer bang for your buck value the Xbox Series S 1TB is the best of the best.

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future) Xbox Series S 1TB: Price and availability

• $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$549
• $50 / £50 / AU£$50 more than launch model
• Absolutely killer value

The Xbox Series S 1TB is fantastic value overall. For just $50 / £50 / AU£$50 more than the launch model, you’re getting more than double the usable storage space. It also works out significantly cheaper than buying the older console and upgrading the storage via a Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card or WD Black C50 expansion card, which comes in at roughly $80 / £85 / AU$140 for just 512GB.

This makes it by far the best option if you're shopping for an Xbox Series S as, realistically, the cheaper model will not offer enough storage for anyone bar casual players looking for a low-cost way to play one or two popular games like Fortnite, EA Sports FC 25, or Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

At its $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$549 price point, the Xbox Series S 1TB still comes in significantly cheaper than any of its major competitors at retail. If you want to get into current-generation gaming on a budget, then this is the way to go.

Xbox Series S 1TB: Specs Xbox Series S 1TB: Design and features

• Compact size is perfect for a desk
• Slick black or white color options
• No shortage of ports, but lacks disc drive

The Xbox Series S really needs to be seen to be believed, as photos don’t really do its compact size justice. It’s significantly smaller than the Xbox Series X and the original Xbox One, making it ideal if you’re short on space and want a console that won’t struggle to fit on your desk or media center.

The console can be oriented both horizontally and vertically, which makes it easy to incorporate into a wide range of setups too. I have quite a small workspace but still found that it could easily squeeze next to my existing monitor, or on the floor right next to a PS5.

The front of the console is rather plain, with a simple illuminated power button (in the shape of the Xbox logo), a small controller pairing button, and a USB port for any wired accessories. The Xbox Series S 1TB can be found in both black and white colorways, though the latter only became available this year and seems to have since become the dominant model. I tested the black model and really appreciated its slick all-black look, though the white model, which has a few contrasting black elements, definitely has its own charm.

In its horizontal orientation, the top of the console is dominated by a large ventilation grille. The bottom is then completely smooth, bar a small ventilation grille and some tiny text that says both “Xbox” and “hello from Seattle” - a cute reference to the location of Microsoft’s campus. On the back of the console are its main ports. This includes an ethernet port, two USB ports, a HDMI output, a storage expansion port, and a two-pronged connector for the console’s power lead.

It’s a great design overall, but the disc reader is a notable omission. This is a digital-only console, which might be a dealbreaker for some. If you have a sizable collection of physical Xbox games, perhaps Xbox One releases, then this is something to bear in mind before you upgrade.

In the box, you get the console, an HDMI cable, the power lead, and an Xbox Wireless Controller in either Carbon Black or Robot White depending on your choice of console colorway plus two AA batteries to use with it.

Even four years after its introduction, the modern Xbox Wireless Controller remains a fantastic easy-to-use gamepad, with a comfortable shape and brilliant build quality that I find often means that they last substantially longer than your average DualSense Wireless Controller for PS5.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future) Xbox Series S 1TB: Performance

• Perfect for 1080p gaming
• Unbeatable performance for the price
• Easy to notice some imperfections

It’s simply impossible to fault the performance of the Xbox Series S 1TB given its more affordable price tag. Performance is the same as the base model, which means that it targets a 1440p resolution with the ability to upscale to 4K on compatible displays. Every title that I tested looked good on a 1080p display, though the differences between the Xbox Series S and the more powerful Xbox Series X do become quite apparent on a larger 4K TV. The console can also support frame rates of up to 120 frames per second (fps), though realistically most modern games are going to fall closer to the 60 fps mark.

The bright and vibrant world of Dead Island 2 maintained a solid 60 fps frame rate with no noticeable drops, even when experimenting with its impressive gore effects. It runs at 1080p, though, which did lead to a slightly blurry-looking picture on my TV. Compared to my playthrough on PS5, there were also some cutbacks when it comes to reflection and shadow quality though this was only really noticeable when comparing them side by side.

The differences were more apparent in my hours with Microsoft Flight Simulator, which still looks incredibly impressive but nowhere near as photo-realistic as on a high-power PC when you view environments up close. The frame rate was also quite unstable, sometimes dropping into the low 20s in particularly built-up cities like Tokyo.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Microsoft)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Microsoft)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: PLAION)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: PLAION)

The quality of resolution, characters, and lighting in Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, another highly demanding game, also takes a hit and can even struggle to consistently maintain its 30 fps frame rate. It’s still perfectly playable, but did detract from the cinematic atmosphere somewhat.

Forza Motorsport offers two distinct visual modes, Performance and Quality, which target 60 fps at 1080p and 30 fps at 1440p respectively. I chose to prioritize frame rates and was pleased by the smoothness of races on my monitor, which was definitely helped by the smart use of dynamic resolution scaling. This is another case where larger displays will suffer, though, as the 1080p resolution and reduced level of overall detail will be significantly easier to spot. I would therefore recommend sticking to smaller 1440p, or even 1080p, screens for the best experience.

It’s just unfair to deduct any points for this, though, as you couldn’t achieve this kind of performance on a $300 PC. Even systems double or triple the price would struggle to replicate it without extensive settings tweaking and optimizations. If you’re shopping on a tight budget, there’s also quite a strong chance that you don't own a sizable 4K TV, which would stop you from getting the most out of the higher resolutions and greater detail of the PS5 or Xbox Series X anyway.

The roughly 800GB of usable storage will also be more than enough for the vast majority of players, particularly those not splashing out on the newest releases. With an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, I found that it was more than enough to keep a few live-service favorites such as Fortnite and Call of Duty on hand at all times while still having room for a rotating selection of games that I wanted to try.

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future) Should I buy the Xbox Series S 1TB? Buy it if...

You’re after the best value Xbox
If you’re buying an Xbox right now, then this is the model to choose. The extra storage space is worth the added cost compared to base Xbox Series S and could even save you money compared to buying an expensive Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card down the line.

You’re on a budget
The Xbox Series S remains unbeatable value almost four years after its original launch. If you want to get into the world of current-gen gaming without breaking the bank, it is by far the best option out there today.

You're content to game in 1080p or 1440p
The visual cutbacks on the Xbox Series S are much less noticeable if you play on a smaller display. Many games run at 1080p or 1440p making it a good fit if you haven’t upgraded to 4K quite yet.

Don't buy it if...

You crave the greatest performance
The Xbox Series S delivers amazing performance for the price, but is still noticeably behind the more expensive Xbox Series X and PS5. Those are better choices if you want higher frame rates and a 4K resolution.

You have an extensive physical game library
The Xbox Series S is still a digital only console. If you have an extensive physical game collection, it will most likely be cheaper to splash out for an Xbox Series X rather than repurchase them all digitally.

Also consider...

If you’re not fully on board with the Xbox Series S 1TB, then consider these two strong alternatives.

Xbox Series X Digital Edition
If you’re set on picking up a digital only console but want even greater performance, then the Xbox Series X Digital Edition could be for you. This clean white console comes in a little cheaper than the full-fat model, potentially a worthwhile saving.

For more information, check out our full Xbox Series X Digital Edition review.

Xbox Series X
If you want to access your physical library of Xbox games on a current generation machine, then the original Xbox Series X is your only choice right now. It boasts better performance than the Xbox Series S with resolutions up to 4K, though does come in significantly more expensive.

For more information, check out our full Xbox Series X review.

How I reviewed the Xbox Series S 1TB

I tested the Xbox Series S 1TB over the course of two weeks, alternating between using it with a Samsung 4K TV and a Lenovo 1080p monitor. Throughout my time with the console, I relied on the included Xbox Wireless Controller, in addition to a few extra peripherals such as a Seagate Game Drive for Xbox external hard drive and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 headset for audio.

I played a wide range of games on the console, both from my personal library and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Some of my favorites included Senua’s Saga: Hellblade, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Gears 5, Forza Motorsport, Call of Duty: Warzone, Dead Island 2, Fortnite, Cities Skylines Remastered, Forza Motorsport 7, Starfield, and Minecraft. I also tried plenty of backwards compatible games, such as Alice: Madness Returns, Mirror’s Edge, Skate 3, and Rumble Roses XX.

I constantly compared my experience to my hands-on testing of the original 512GB Xbox Series S, in addition to Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October/November 2024.

Diet, exercise and sleep are fundamental to our health, but so it our relationship to light. A massive, new study suggests light-driven disruption can take years off our lives.

(Image credit: Mar Lei)

• Digital Foundry believes PSSR is a huge advancement for PS5 games
• Some of the biggest improvements are visible in Stellar Blade
• Nvidia’s DLSS 3 successor may have some competition

Sony’s PS5 Pro was released on November 7, 2024, giving many people the chance to finally put the new PSSR upscaling method to the test, with strong comparisons to Nvidia’s DLSS on PC.

Digital Foundry’s John Linneman praised the impact PSSR has made on the visual quality of multiple titles, stating, ‘It’s a gigantic leap, it's probably the best implementation I have seen yet in terms of image quality.’

This comes after multiple Digital Foundry tests in titles like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and The Last of Us Part II performed before the console’s official release. The stand-out improvement for Linneman now that the console has been released is visible in Stellar Blade (which runs at 80fps using the game’s PSSR Pro Mode and VRR). Despite the inability to achieve a constant 60 frames per second in games like Elden Ring, the image quality enhancements bode well for Sony’s eventual PlayStation 6 console, which will likely make use of this technology to provide even more impressive graphics and performance.

Nvidia’s DLSS 3 has been the leading upscaling method for RTX 4000 series GPU owners, providing great image quality and frame rates across multiple games (even with ray tracing enabled).

Considering PSSR’s leap over FSR 3 with better anti-aliasing for smoother edges on objects on screen (in performance mode), it brings it closest to Team Green’s upscaler - and while PSSR doesn’t manage to surpass Nvidia’s DLSS (especially in comparison to Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart), it manages to do a great job at providing a decent level of image stability within its performance modes as pointed out by Digital Foundry.

(Image credit: Digital Foundry) How would PSSR fare against DLSS 3’s successor?

We still have no official word on when Nvidia could reveal the new RTX 5000 GPU series, so there is little to go off of when it comes to DLSS 3’s successor, which will likely launch alongside the new GPUs. What we do know is that Nvidia has pushed DLSS 3 as a major selling point of RTX 4000 series GPUs, helping PC gamers get the best out of their hardware.

Since PSSR isn’t better than DLSS 3, it would be hard to imagine the new upscaler standing toe-to-toe with what Team Green has cooking. Don’t let this make you write PSSR off of competition though.

It’s already a great start for Sony for this generation of gaming hardware, and by offering better performance than DLSS’ main competitor, AMD’s FSR, it seems as though PSSR has arrived at the perfect time, especially as Team Red also plans on providing an AI-driven FSR 4. There’s also plenty of chance for PSSR to receive numerous updates and improvements over time.

Does this justify a PS5 Pro purchase? If you’re on PC or plan to make the shift to the platform, I don’t think so. But if you plan on sticking with console-only, especially with titles like GTA 6 now closer than ever (there won’t be a PC version at launch), it might be worth considering a purchase if you want the best that Sony has to offer.

You might also like...

• New No Man’s Sky PS5 Pro details reveal 8K support
• Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is coming to PS5 with PS5 Pro support at launch
• PS5 Pro review: a high-performing enthusiast console with a pricey sting in the tail

This nifty security camera is down by 32%, but only as a limited-time deal.

Owning your own in-home treadmill can help you stick to your workout plan. We ran for miles and miles on the most popular models to help your choose.