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Several large U.S. companies deleted some or all DEI references from their most recent annual reports to investors, an NPR analysis finds. And, unusual trends are driving winter respiratory viruses.

(Image credit: Arturo Holmes)

Elon Musk and DOGE are moving fast and breaking things that can’t afford to be broken.

• GeForce Now does not have any plans available at all right now
• Day passes will be back in a couple of weeks, we’re told
• The wait for full subscriptions could be much longer, due to Nvidia’s transition to a new payment system for the service

Nvidia’s GeForce Now streaming service is currently not open to any new subscribers – on any of its plans – and apparently that situation is not going to change anytime soon.

Polygon reports that it has heard from Nvidia spokesperson Stephenie Ngo that day passes are coming back before too long, with Ngo informing us that new sign-ups for the single day experiences should return in “roughly two weeks.”

However, it’ll be a good while longer before the full subscriptions (monthly and biannual) that most gamers want come back into play, and we aren’t told exactly when. So those who are fed up with not being able to buy an RTX 5080 or 5090, and are thinking about going to the streaming side of the gaming pond instead, are rather out of luck.

We are given a reason for this disruption via an official announcement delivered on the GeForce Now subreddit. It’s because Nvidia is transitioning from a third-party payment processing system to take over these duties itself.

The firm said: “We expect the transition will take a minimum of 5 weeks.”

Ouch. There’s good news for existing subscribers, though, who won’t be billed during this period.

Nvidia noted: “Starting January 31, 2025, billing will be waived while we transition payment services. Even though you won’t be billed, your account remains in good standing.”

(Image credit: NVIDIA) Analysis: High demand plus payment change combo

Aside from the free time given to existing subscribers, which is clearly a nice bonus for those using the streaming platform already, this is also good news (in theory) for the service longer term. The hope is that it shows a commitment to GeForce Now, as bringing this system in-house is no small matter for Nvidia, as we can see from the length of the downtime here. In other words, it’s a move that was doubtless not taken lightly.

Still, that’ll be small comfort to those who might want to sign up for a subscription plan right now or in the near future.

There’s no clarity as yet as to whether GeForce Now subscribers will have to re-enter payment details for their subscription, but this shouldn’t be much of a hassle, even if it is required with the new system.

All this comes off the back of Nvidia temporarily halting most subscription plans a couple of weeks ago, seemingly due to high demand on the servers. Given this, it seems perhaps an odd time to also shift payment providers, but maybe Nvidia is taking the opportunity to perform server or infrastructure upgrades at the same time as repositioning its payment system.

Who knows, your guess is as good as mine – but hopefully after this next month or two of bumpiness in terms of subscription availability, it’ll be back to business as usual for GeForce Now and those who’d like to fully join the cloud gaming club. Quite possibly before there’s any big jump in the stock levels of Nvidia’s high-end Blackwell graphics cards, to be fair.

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Full spoilers follow for Severance season 2 episode 4.

You were warned, Severance fans. Before the critically-acclaimed series returned on January 17, numerous members of the press – myself included – said that season 2 episode 4, titled 'Woe's Hollow', would emotionally stun you. Indeed, I teased as much in my Severance season 2 review, but I wasn't convinced that many fans had taken any notice.

Now that 'Woe's Hollow' is out on Apple TV Plus, though, the critically-acclaimed series' fanbase is losing its collective mind over what happened in Severance season 2's latest chapter. As the dust settles on one of the show's best episodes so far, I'm here to answer your biggest questions about its ending, which mysteries it solves, and discuss some new theories that I have in the wake of its release.

This is your final warning: huge spoilers immediately follow for Severance season 2 episode 4. Bookmark this page for later, go and watch it right now, and then re-open this article once you've made it through the end credits.

Severance season 2 episode 4 ending explained: wait, that's not Helly R...

"Goddamn it, Seth, do it!" #Severance pic.twitter.com/Pv9wq1Ox6nFebruary 7, 2025

Ever since episode 1 of the hit Apple TV Original's second season landed on one of the world's best streaming services, fans have suspected that something was amiss with Helly R. Many of us believed that she hadn't returned to Lumon alongside her fellow 'innies' and that Helena Eagan, the daughter of Lumon's current CEO, had infiltrated the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) team to spy on them for the nefarious biotech corporation. That's one of seven big theories I proposed following the release of Severance season 2's first episode.

Well, it turns out I and many others, including Irving B, were right. Irving B has been suspicious of Helly R since MDR discussed what they saw in the outside world in Severance's season 1 finale. Thanks to a weird dream he has (more on this later), plus the fact that Helena cruelly mocks him during a tense campfire conversation midway through this episode, Irving B determines that Helena is masquerading as Helly R. Confronting her the next day near Woe's Hollow's waterfall, he almost drowns Helena in a last-ditch, desperation-filled attempt to force Lumon's hand and confirm his suspicions.

Long story short: Irving B is right. Helena was planted as a mole within MDR to keep tabs on them and seemingly woo Mark S (the 'innie' of Mark Scout), so he gives up on finding Gemma, the wife of his 'outie', and uncovering more of Lumon's sinister working practices.

Severance season 2 episode 4 ending explained: what is the Glasgow Block?

"Yes... DO IT, Seth!" (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Okay, but how did Helena manage to infiltrate MDR? The elevator, which leads to the Severed Floor, contains the technology that causes a severed employee's 'outie' to be replaced by their 'innie' when they begin their latest shift at Lumon. So, how was Helena able to bypass this when she "goes to work" at Lumon? And why didn't Helly R appear alongside her co-workers when the 'innies' were transported to the real world for the field trip (or ORTBO, as Severed Floor manager Seth Milchick calls it) that takes place in episode 4?

It's all down to the Glasgow Block. Another program at Lumon's disposal, it seemingly allows the company's unsevered managers to prevent a severed worker's 'innie' from materializing in certain situations. You know, like when the daughter of your company's CEO has been tasked with spying on some severed employees... Anyway, we know this is the name of this software because Milchick tells someone (presumably back at Lumon HQ) to turn it off as Irving B drowns Helena.

Interestingly, 'Glasgow' is one of the program names that we first glimpsed in the final episode of Severance's first season. Remember when Dylan G used the Overtime Contingency (OTC) to send Mark S, Irving B, and Helly R into the real world? When he's cycling through Lumon's override systems in its security room, 'Glasgow' is one of the pieces of software that appears alongside OTC. Clearly, Lumon has had the Glasgow Block application lined up for a while in case it needed to use it for myriad reasons. That raises questions about what the other programs do and whether we'll see them in action in future seasons.

Severance season 2 episode 4 ending explained: did Kier Eagan really have a twin brother called Dieter?

Praise Kier!... or, rather, don't (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

'Woe's Hollow' doesn't just confirm that Helena was spying on MDR and what the Glasgow Block is. Indeed, the latest episode of one of the best Apple TV Plus shows also lifts the lid on some apparently critical details about Kier Eagan, aka Lumon Industries' founder who's worshipped by many of its employees. Revelations about Kier include him writing a fourth, secret appendix that few Lumon workers know about, his first encounter with Woe, one of the so-called Four Tempers, and that he supposedly had a twin named Dieter.

Of course, that begs the question: was Dieter a real person? I'm not buying that for one second. For one, Kier's claims about what happened to Dieter are incredibly outlandish. In the fourth appendix, Kier writes that, essentially, Dieter was turned into a tree after committing the cardinal sin of, well, masturbating. Go figure.

In my view, Dieter never existed – instead, he's the 'evil twin' to Kier's morally righteous persona that Kier must exorcise, whether that's through taming the Four Tempers or doing something else. Despite its sci-fi vibes and aesthetic, Severance is as much of an exploration of religious symbolism and ideologies (the battle of good versus evil and cultism to name just two), and man's duplicitous nature – after all, this is a show where people have an 'innie' persona and an 'outie' persona. Dieter, then, is just Kier's evildoing persona that he fabricated and then "defeated" to become the upstanding, virtuous individual he's depicted as within Lumon.

Want one last piece of evidence? Dieter is derived from its fellow German name Dietrich, which roughly translates to "people ruler". What does Kier Eagan do, even though he's long since passed from this world? Laud it over Lumon. He's the ruler of the people who work for him. Get it?

Severance season 2 episode 4 ending explained: what is the Montauk Project?

Severance's Montauk Project may have ties to some real-world mysteries (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Severance season 2's fourth episode might have solved some big mysteries, but it also creates new questions and theories that need answering.

One of those is the Montauk Project. After he falls asleep, Irving B dreams that he's in a far more sinister version of the forest that MDR's company retreat is being held in. Surrounded by thorny shrubbery, he walks towards an unsettling sound, which turns out to be a group of moths that are flittering around a computer monitor. Or, rather, four monitors, because he stumbles upon an office layout not unlike the set-up that the MDR team has at Lumon.

There, Irving B sits at his desk and stares at what's on the screen. In the top left hand corner, the word 'Montauk' can be seen. Rows of numbers also litter the screen, but they're soon jumbled together to form the face of Helena Eagan. Some of the numbers also turn into letters that spell out her surname – clues that confirm to Irving B that he's right in his assumptions about Helena's infiltration.

Comment from r/SeveranceAppleTVPlus

But I digress. Unfortunately, there's no indication about what Lumon's Montauk Project is. I don't recall seeing it as one of company's 'innie' programs like the OTC or Glasgow Block from season 1 episode 9, so it's unlikely to be another piece of software that allows them to control the 'innies'. I doubt it's got something to do Project Cold Harbor, either, which is the project that Mark S needs to complete at Lumon and somehow has ties to Gemma.

'Montauk' is a name with real-life historical significance, though. For starters, there's a real-world conspiracy theory called The Montauk Project, which alleges that the US government conducted experiments surrounding psychological warfare and time travel in Montauk, New York. There's also The Montauk Monster incident – an event that saw an unidentifiable rotten animal carcass wash up on the shores of the New York City district in July 2008. MDR see a similarly styled carcass on their way to Woe's Hollow, which is a neat callback to this real-world mystery. It's possible, then, that references to Montauk in Severance season 2's fourth chapter are just the creative team's way of adding to the fictional and real-world puzzles within the show itself.

Severance season 2 episode 4 ending explained: is Irving B dead?

I'm not convinced that Irving B is dead (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

It certainly seems that way. After almost drowning Helena to force Lumon to admit she's been spying on the MDR team, a furious Milchick tells Irving B that there's no choice but to "retire" him. As we know, that's code for "yeah, your 'innie' is toast". Considering Irving B almost committed "collegial murder" (Milchick's words, not mine"), it seems his time is up as a Lumon employee for his 'innie' and 'outie'.

Fortunately, Severance's creators spare us the pain of seeing Irving's 'innie' draw his last breath. Indeed, the screen cuts to black as Milchick tells Lumon to, well, sever Irving for what appears to be the final time. So long, Irving B.

That said, I don't actually think Lumon destroys a person's 'innie' when it 'retires' them – and it's got something to do with the previously mentioned Glasgow Block. You see, in the real world, there's a scientific tool called the Glasgow Coma Scale. It's used to determine a person's level of consciousness after a serious brain injury or some other traumatic experience.

they killed irving b bc he was too smart, too clever, too wise. little do they know he’s gonna make a comeback and burn the severance building like he promised #severance pic.twitter.com/4FN4fxFvj5February 7, 2025

I theorize, then, that the Glasgow Block is the program utilized by Lumon when it wants to 'retire' an 'innie'. That doesn't mean that said 'innie' is bumped off, though. Instead, I think they're simply placed into a comatose state. If required, Lumon can simply reawaken an individuals 'innie' if it needs them to.

If I'm right, that means that all of the supposedly dead 'innies' are still somewhere inside the brains of Irving B, Burt G, and any other severed employee who's been let go by Lumon. Long story short: there must be a way to bring them back and I wouldn't be shocked if one of the company's other 'innie' programs has the capacity to do so.

Severance season 2 episode 4 ending explained: why did Irving tell Dylan to "hang in there"?

Will Dylan G understand what Irving B said to him? (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Before Irving's 'innie' is shut down (I refuse to believe he's dead), a guilty Dylan G shouts down to him to apologize for not believing him over Helena. Irving B responds by telling Dylan that it's okay and that he just needs to "hang in there".

This is an incredibly important callback to Severance season 2 episode 1. After Mark S' co-workers are welcomed back to Lumon and as they sit through that bizarre 'Lumon Is Listening' video (yes, that's Keanu Reeves voicing Lumon's anthropomorphic building in Severance season 2's premiere), a poster with the words 'Hang in there' can be seen on one of the walls. It also recreates the scene from season 1 episode 9 where Dylan G holds onto the two OTC switches to activate it.

Hang in there poster (Break room) from r/SeveranceAppleTVPlus

What does all of this mean? Irving B has hidden something behind that poster and wants Dylan G to find it. Remember: in last week's episode, Irving B told Dylan G that he'd sketched the painting (the one that his 'outie' has made numerous times) of the long, dark hallway with an elevator leading down.

I believe Irving B has been playing the long game here. He knew he was going to fired by Lumon if (or, rather, when) he forced them to admit Helena had been spying on MDR, so he put plans in place for his colleagues to continue their quest to find out what Lumon was really up to. Long story short: I think Irving B has hidden his sketches behind that poster. if Dylan G is clever and brave enough to find them, he can tell Mark S and Helly R about the sketches, and they can use them to find the elevator and, potentially, Gemma.

Severance season 2 episode 4 ending explained: hang on, are those clones of the MDR team?

That's... not creepy at all (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Given other shocking events that transpire in 'Woe's Hollow', it's easy to forget another deeply unsettling moment that happens earlier in season 2 episode 4. As the MDR team begin their journey towards the titular location, they're apparently aided by silent versions of themselves, who point them in the direction of Woe's Hollow.

Severance fans have long believed that Lumon Industries' primary objective is unlocking the secret of human cloning. There are numerous threads on the main Severance Reddit page theorizing this is the case, with some viewers suggesting the series' adorable goats are all clones, Ms Casey is a clone of Mark's wife Gemma, and that the Severed Floor's newly installed deputy manager Ms Huang is a clone of Gemma or even what would've been Mark and Gemma's daughter. The purpose of all of this? To resurrect Kier by implanting his consciousness in a clone of his own body.

If – and it's a big if – this is the crux of Severance's story and/or biggest mystery, it would explain why MDR sees cloned versions of themselves as they try to find Woe's Hollow. Sure, these 'clones' could just be a mirage, but I'm struggling to determine how Lumon would make the 'innies' have hallucinations of themselves. I suppose they could be animatronics (Lumon has used them before), but the clone theory just makes more sense to me.

Severance season 2 episode 4 ending explained: how will MDR react to events at Woe's Hollow?

Mark S is going to have a very difficult conversation with Helly R in episode 5... (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

If Severance doesn't provide answers to questions 4 through 7 in its next episode, it's a sure fire bet that it'll provide answers to this and all of the below?

How will Helly R react to the fact that Helena has been masquerading as her? Will Mark S tell her that he slept with Helena (he thought she was Helly, for what it's worth) and, if so, will it destroy their burgeoning romance? Will Milchick keep his job as Severed Floor manager? And is Dylan G going to take Irving B's advice or will he sacrifice it in favor of seeing the wife of his 'outie' again?

It's going to be a long week to get answers to all of these questions and more. So, as Irving B said: "hang in there".

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• More revealed on Microsoft Teams "Storyline" feature
• Facebook-esque news feed would let co-workers share updates
• Likes, shares, and more could all be coming to Microsoft Teams

Keeping up with all the latest updates from your colleagues and co-workers could soon be a bit more difficult to avoid thanks to a new addition apparently coming to Microsoft Teams.

A report from The Verge has claimed a full social media news feed-esque feature is coming to the video conferencing platform soon, letting users post updates, news and more, with the ability to like and share.

"Multiple sources" at Microsoft have apparently confirmed the plan, the report says, with the feature, called Storyline, currently undergoing testing within the company.

Microsoft Teams Storyline

Storyline is not a new idea, having been quietly announced at Microsoft Ignite in November 2024, with echoes actually calling back to summer 2022 as an identically-named part of Viva Engage, but the report now offers a bit more clarity on how it will actually work.

Housed within the Chat section of Microsoft Teams, users will now see the option to add a "new storyline post" alongside creating a new message or channel post.

Posts will be shared across the new Storyline tab, accessed via a user profile, with users able to follow and subscribe to updates from their co-workers, along with the ability to write comments or react using emojis.

Microsoft says the new function can be used to celebrate or recognize particular work events or anniversaries, as well as major updates from employers and co-workers alike.

“Employee communications are often scattered across multiple locations, leading to frustration, delays, and overload," Microsoft had said about the feature at Ignite 2024.

"Storyline in Teams empowers leaders to share communications with an entire company, and simplifies the ways you and your colleagues share and connect. The Storyline integration provides a new way to discover content, contribute your ideas and perspectives, and express yourself while staying in your flow of work in Teams.”

Storyline is expected to launch for a public preview in Q1 2025, but there's no concrete release date just yet.

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• Google Maps is celebrating its 20th birthday
• These are some of the most popular spots and locations in its history
• Google has also shared some handy tips and tricks

Happy birthday, Google Maps: the venerable app has turned 20, and to celebrate, Google has listed some of the most popular places on its maps, as well as sharing a bunch of Google Maps tips and tricks that you might not have come across before.

The list of "some of the most-reviewed and most-photographed places" on Google Maps over the last couple of decades include restaurants, parks, monuments, museums, castles, and more – from Hard Eight BBQ in Texas to Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

Google has also shared some of the locations most popular in Immersive View on Google Maps, where you can actually see ground-level photography around and inside places: the Eiffel Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, Big Ben, and the Griffith Observatory are included.

At the end of the round-up there are also some funny Street View photobombs, featuring animals snapped by the Street View cameras. The list is well worth checking out in full – see how many spots you've visited, and how many you could plan to see in the future.

Leave a tip

Air quality is one of the layers available on Google Maps (Image credit: Future)

Continuing the birthday celebrations, Google has shared a list of 20 things you didn't know you could do with Google Maps. If you did already know about any of these tips and tricks, you can consider yourself above average when it comes to tech knowledge.

A couple that caught our eye are the recently added Gemini AI integration that we previously reported on, and the air quality report you can find for wherever you're traveling to – tap on the layers icon (top right corner) to find it.

Google also mentions the offline maps feature (tap your profile picture then Offline maps in the mobile app), and the lists feature that lets you bookmark destinations and share them with others – switch to the You tab in the app to find your lists.

Here's a bonus tip Google doesn't mention: if you're using your phone with one hand, you can still zoom in and out of the map by double-tapping on it, then sliding your finger or thumb up and down. You're welcome.

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• Football Manager 2025 has been completely cancelled by developer Sports Interactive
• The game had already been delayed twice
• The developer stated that it "hasn't achieved what we set out to do"

Sports Interactive has announced the complete cancelation of the next entry in its behemoth football strategy and management sim franchise, Football Manager 2025.

Announced on the developer's social media accounts, such as the below on X (formerly Twitter), Sports Interactive apologized to fans, saying "we're sorry to have let you down." as the normally annual series will now skip a whole entry.

Sports Interactive regret to inform that, following extensive internal discussion and careful consideration with SEGA, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Football Manager 25. pic.twitter.com/tLRbq8305KFebruary 7, 2025

Previously touted by the developer as the biggest graphical and technical step up the series has ever seen, the transformation has not been deemed good enough for release yet, and Sports Interactive will now "shift our focus to the next release".

The developer also, interestingly, reveals that total cancelation was preferable to releasing the game in its current state and then patching it with regular updates - a practice almost always seen with video game releases, annual or not.

Addressing that choice, the statement says "We could have pressed on, released FM25 in its current state, and fixed things down the line - but that's not the right thing to do."

Sports Interactive adds that playtesting and internal evaluations have established that they "are getting close" but then added that "we're too far away from the standards you deserve."

It continued: "Each decision to delay the release was made with the aim of getting the game closer to the desired level but, as we approached critical milestones at the turn of the year, it became unmistakably clear that we could not achieve the standard required."

One can only hope that this means Football Manager 2026 will be something truly incredible, given the extra time that this disappointing news also offers the developer.

Usually released in October or November time, a couple of months into the European football season, all eyes will now turn to Football Manager 2026 with fans having to endure more of a wait, and a test of their patience.

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• Nvidia is apparently scaling back RTX 4060 production, big time
• This is another hint that the RTX 5060 could be arriving in March
• Don’t panic if you want an RTX 4060, though, as they aren’t going to be disappearing off shelves anytime soon

Nvidia is now drastically reducing the production volume of its RTX 4060 graphics cards, if fresh speculation from those apparently in the know is correct.

The first thing to be aware of is that this comes from the Board Channels forum in China (via VideoCardz), a regular source of gossip on hardware-related happenings populated by folks who are close to the supply chain over in Asia.

As such, the rumor pertains specifically to that region, but if Nvidia is pulling back supply of chips for RTX 4060 graphics cards in Asia, the same thing will surely be happening on a global scale.

According to the post on the forum, from February – so this is already underway – Nvidia is reducing RTX 4060 chip supply to its third-party graphics card manufacturing partners by at least 60% (compared to the final quarter of 2024).

Put simply, that means we could be looking at only a third of the volume of chips being produced by Nvidia and supplied to card makers, which would mean an identical drop in the level of new RTX 4060 (and 4060 Ti) graphics cards coming to the market.

As ever, though, this is just a rumor, so be careful about believing it too readily.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Analysis: Even if this is correct, the move will take time to filter through

The reason why Nvidia might be running down production – to a large extent – on a popular graphics card would seem to be obvious. In short, this is another clear indication that the RTX 5060 is imminent, with a number of rumors suggesting that this graphics card is set to launch in March 2025.

So, if the successor to the RTX 4060 is due to be unleashed next month, it’d fully make sense that this current-gen graphics card would start to be ushered out the door by Nvidia from around about now.

Again, exercise caution around the rumors for the RTX 5060 launch, but all these small pieces of the puzzle seem to be fitting together nicely enough.

Does this mean that, in theory, you soon won’t be able to buy an RTX 4060? No, it’s not as simple as that. Even if this two-thirds slashing of production is underway right now, it will take a while before that impact is felt on graphics cards that are actually shipping. Furthermore, there’s going to be quite a lot of stock in warehouses and other parts of the distribution cycle, too, and even when all of that sells through, there will still be some RTX 4060 boards being made.

This graphics card is still going to be on shelves for some time, then, but it will become rarer as this year rolls on, assuming this rumor is correct, as the RTX 5060 takes the limelight on the lower-mid-range GPU stage.

I’ll put my hands up and admit, I was skeptical that Nvidia would launch the RTX 5060 as soon as March, following the RTX 5070 so closely – but it increasingly seems like this is going to be the case.

It’s also worth noting that we just heard another positive rumor on the topic of the RTX 5060 and its cabling, with the GPU apparently not needing a 12VHPWR power connector (which will make upgrading a lot easier, and we go into exactly why this is the case here, if you’re interested).

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These accessories might not cure your anxiety or insomnia, but they can feel like a hug when you really need one.

Federal workers, doctors and everyone else can use this free app for encrypted messaging.

• Apple’s new Invites app has an interesting interface design
• It’s more reminiscent of visionOS apps than those made for iOS
• It might be a hint at iOS 19’s upcoming design rethink

Occasionally, we get a sneak peek at what Apple has planned in its future devices, and that seems to have happened with the recent launch of the company’s new Invites app. Because far from being a simple party-planning app, Invites sheds light on the sort of design we could end up seeing in iOS 19.

Open up Invites and the first thing you’ll notice is how much it has in common with apps made for Apple’s Vision Pro headset. As Apple enthusiast Parker Ortolani has noted, the app’s glassy, floating boxes and colorful backgrounds are very reminiscent of what you’ll find when using the Vision Pro.

It’s unlike most other Apple apps, which share a more familiar design language that has been present in iOS for years. With visionOS – the operating system that runs on the Vision Pro – Apple changed things up, and that seems to have translated across to Invites.

Interestingly, it’s not the first time we’ve seen an Apple app take a new direction in terms of the user interface. Ortolani pointed out that Apple’s recently-launched Sports app was also a departure from the traditional design ethos we’re used to seeing. And a recent leak of what’s claimed to be a new look for the Camera app in iOS 19 shows an interface that is similarly inspired by the Vision Pro.

Reading the tea leaves

(Image credit: Future)

With the firm’s two most recent apps both taking a turn away from the design principles of past Apple apps, does that mean something new is on the horizon? That seems to be Ortolani’s belief, at least. If Apple is starting to follow the Vision Pro’s lead when it comes to app design, this could perhaps portend a shift when iOS 19 is previewed in the summer at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

The last time we saw a significant app design shift was when iOS 7 launched in 2013. When that happened, Apple ditched the skeuomorphism that defined its past design philosophy and adopted a much flatter look for both the operating system and its apps.

It’s been over a decade since that major change, so it may well be time for another design rethink. And if Apple’s latest apps seem to be shifting closer to those found in visionOS, perhaps we’ll see a much bigger overhaul when iOS 19 is revealed to the world.

Ultimately, ensuring its apps share a common design language makes sense for Apple, as it means its users can find familiar elements and systems whatever device they’re using. And if that’s the goal, it’s possible that Apple’s other devices – from the Apple Watch to the Mac – could end up heading the same way.

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• Amazon is the “top corporate purchaser of renewable energy in Europe”
• 10 European countries got solar and wind power investments
• Amazon wants to be net-zero carbon by 2040

Amazon has boldly declared it is now the “top corporate purchaser of renewable energy in Europe,” giving it another string to its bow against Microsoft and Google.

In 2024 alone, the ecommerce and cloud computing giant says it added 26 renewable energy projects and 20 onsite installations up and down Europe, consisting primarily of solar and wind farms.

The biggest beneficiary of Amazon’s 2024 energy investments was Spain, with 15 new solar and wind farms and a further two onsite solar installations.

Amazon is betting big on European renewable energy

Amazon’s total reach now spans more than 230 solar and wind projects across Europe, with its renewable energy portfolio generating 9 GW of energy – enough to power the equivalent of 6.7 million European homes annually.

Italy, Greece, Finland, the UK, Germany, France and the Czech Republic also benefitted from extensive solar investments, with Northern Ireland and Portugal receiving investments in wind farms.

“Increasing the amount of renewable energy on Europe’s electricity grids is the fastest and cheapest way to help Europe’s economy decarbonize at scale and fight against climate change," noted Amazon’s EMEA Director of Energy for Europe, Lindsay McQuade.

Amazon is yet to release its 2024 Sustainability Report, but in 2023 the company said that it used "lower-carbon materials" like steel and concrete, and switched some of those out for wood, to save 46,700 tonnes of CO2e that year – the same amount of emissions that 11,100 US cars would produce in 12 months.

AWS is also reconsidering its backup generators, with sites in Ireland, Sweden, and Oregon now using hydrotreated vegetable oil for fuel rather than diesel.

Chief Sustainability Officer Kara Hurst confirmed Amazon's plans to smash Paris Agreement plans, reaching net-zero carbon emissions a decade early in 2040. She also confirmed that the entire company reached 100% renewable energy consumption seven years early in 2023.

The company also wants to be water-positive by the end of this decade – a topic of contention in the world of data centers, where powerful computers consume vast amounts of water for cooling.

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Rates are holding steady for now, but don't wait too long to lock yours in.

• The Google Pixel 9a could start at the same price as its predecessor in the UK
• The UK pre-order date is reportedly March 19, just like in the US
• Some of the Pixel 9a's colors might only be available on the 128GB model

The Google Pixel 9a is expected to land in March, but while most leaks so far have addressed the phone's US price and availability, we’re now hearing about Google’s possible plans for the Pixel 9a in Europe.

According to Dealabs (via GSMArena), the Pixel 9a will go up for pre-order on March 19 in the UK and the rest of Europe, and begin shipping on March 26. Those are exactly the same dates as we’d heard for the US, so it’s not overly surprising, but this both adds credence to those original claims and should reassure European buyers that they won’t have a longer wait.

This site also reveals the possible pricing for the UK market, stating that the Pixel 9a will start at £499, for which you’ll get 128GB of storage. That’s exactly the same starting price as the Google Pixel 8a, so you might not have to pay any more for this newer model.

The Google Pixel 8a (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Pushing up the price

However, the phone's price could increase for the 256GB version, with Dealabs claiming that this model will cost £599, while the 256GB version of the Pixel 8a costs just £559. We’d take these claims with a pinch of salt, but a previous Pixel 9a price leak pointed to the same thing in the US, so there’s a good chance this is accurate.

We also have a bit more information on the possible Pixel 9a colors, with Dealabs echoing previous reports that the phone will be sold in Porcelain (off-white), Obsidian (black), Peony (pink), and Iris (bluish-purple), but adding that, in Europe at least, the 256GB model will only be sold in Obsidian and Iris, while the 128GB version will apparently be available in all four shades.

Given that all signs point to the Pixel 9a landing in mid-March, we should find out how accurate this information is soon. But based on other leaks, this phone could be worth waiting for, as it reportedly has a Tensor G4 chipset, a new main camera, a bigger screen than its predecessor, and a large 5,000mAh battery.

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• India’s Reserve Bank is launching new .bank.in and .fin.in domains
• They will prove the authenticity of a banking website
• Digital fraud is on the rise in the country

India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is set to introduce a brand-new ‘.bank.in’ domain in April 2025 to combat digital fraud (via Reuters).

The central bank governor warned lenders against rising instances of frauds in digital payments – the new secure website domain is hoped to stamp out dodgy financial activity by proving authenticity.

Additionally, a separate ‘.fin.in’ domain is also set to be rolled out for non-bank financial institutions in the country, all in a bid to tackle rising cases of fraud.

Indian banking domains launched to tackle fraud

The governor confirmed that the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) will be the only domain registrar for the new .bank.in and .fin.in domains, imposing strict controls over who can register them.

The updated domains will help users differentiate between legitimate banking websites and fraudulent ones. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said that the initiative would also help reduce cyber threats like phishing attacks, which India has been struggling with more than ever.

Fraudsters typically use slightly different domain names that can look similar to legitimate ones, therefore having an exclusive set of trusted domains will help strengthen security. That said, threat actors could still use ‘typosquatting’ techniques, such as swapping the letter ‘i’ out for an ‘l’, so Indian banking customers will still need to bear this in mind when checking the domain in their address bar.

Other security measures employed by India’s financial sector include the Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA) for domestic digital payments.

Malhotra summarized: “The surge in digital frauds is a matter of concern, warranting action by all stakeholders.”

Detailed guidelines regarding the new domains are set to be issued separately by the RBI.

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The future of quality assurance (QA) and software development is AI-powered. While this future certainly presents exciting opportunities for innovation, it also brings about challenges and anxieties for QA professionals. The accelerated pace of change is increasing the volume of code that needs to be tested, putting immense pressure on QA teams. In response, QA teams are adapting by leveraging the best AI tools to streamline their workflows.

A majority of QA professionals are already using AI for tasks such as test case design, automation, and execution. In 2025, success hinges on embracing these intelligent solutions that enhance quality, accelerate delivery, and improve overall efficiency. Here are five key areas where organizations can leverage AI effectively in 2025:

1. Accelerate Testing Through AI Automation

As 2025 unfolds, we'll witness a growth in how AI disrupts test automation by streamlining repetitive tasks such as regression testing and defect detection. Expect a surge in AI tools that predict potential failure points and simulate complex user scenarios, enabling teams to accelerate testing cycles.

We'll also see an uptick in modern test management platforms incorporating AI capabilities. These platforms empower QA teams to scale their operations and free up resources for strategic initiatives like enhancing user experiences. As a result, we can anticipate a substantial reduction in human error, leading to increased precision and reliability in the testing process.

2. Elevate QA with AI-Powered Security Testing

We live in a digital age riddled with daily cyber threats, and new ones are always on deck as cybercriminals continue to train and become more advanced. This means that elevating QA processes with AI-powered cybersecurity testing is no longer an option but a necessity.

AI tools can identify vulnerabilities, simulate potential attacks, and recommend improvements to strengthen defenses. This proactive approach minimizes risks and ensures compliance with regulatory standards, empowering organizations to build secure and resilient applications.

QA teams must collaborate closely with security professionals to ensure that testing covers functional and security requirements, reducing the likelihood of breaches. AI can also monitor code changes in real time, alerting teams to security risks that could arise from newly introduced vulnerabilities.

3. AI: The Catalyst for Enhanced Collaboration with Real-Time Insights

Real-time data and predictive analytics, accessible through shared dashboards, will empower teams to identify and address bottlenecks before they become a problem, optimize test coverage, and maintain unwavering alignment. This will reduce costly rework, ensuring projects stay on schedule and within budget.

Organizations should invest in centralized tools that offer precise, actionable data to improve communication and coordination across departments. Real-time updates reduce unnecessary back-and-forth, helping projects stay on track and within budget. By promoting a culture of transparency through AI-enabled tools, teams can work cohesively to deliver high-quality software efficiently.

4. Prioritize AI Upskilling for QA Teams

Organizations must invest in developing their QA teams' AI proficiency to fully leverage the power of AI-driven tools. This necessitates a shift in skill sets. Prioritizing training programs that equip QA professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize AI technologies is crucial.

Upskilling enhances efficiency and productivity and plays a vital role in retaining top talent. By providing continuous learning opportunities through workshops, certifications, and collaborative learning sessions, organizations empower their teams to stay relevant and contribute to cutting-edge innovations.

Businesses that prioritize skill development will foster higher engagement and productivity within their QA teams, ultimately improving project outcomes and gaining a competitive advantage.

5. The Human-AI Synergy in QA

The success of QA in 2025 will depend on a symbiotic relationship between AI and human expertise. While AI excels at automating repetitive testing tasks, it cannot replace the critical thinking and nuanced judgment that human testers bring to the table.

A key aspect of this human-centric approach is clearly defining the scope of AI automation. AI can efficiently generate test cases, but human intervention is crucial for evaluating user experience, assessing overall product usability, and making critical decisions that require ethical considerations.

By fostering a synergy between human expertise and AI capabilities, QA teams can maintain the highest quality standards while ensuring software's ethical and responsible development now and in the coming years.

Adapting to Change with Purpose

Embracing AI is not a one-time event. It's an ongoing process of continuous evaluation, refinement, and adaptation. Teams must remain agile, readily adopting new technologies that enhance speed, accuracy, and collaboration. And as the saying goes, "Change starts at the top." Strong leadership is pivotal in creating an environment driven by AI innovation across the enterprise.

With knowledge of these industry trends and adhering to these key principles, QA and development leaders can empower their teams to overcome challenges and effectively integrate AI into their workflows. The results will depend upon how these leaders set clear goals, provide necessary resources, and encourage open communication.

We've compiled a list of the best DevOps tools.

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

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