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• Marvel has finally released Daredevil: Born Again's first trailer
• The teaser arrives less than two months before its March 4 launch date
• It had been delayed due to the devastating wildfires that are currently ravaging LA

After what's felt like an eternity, Marvel has finally released Daredevil: Born Again's first trailer to the public.

Just two days after Daredevil: Born Again star Vincent D'Onofrio revealed the teaser had been delayed due to the LA wildfires, a Stories post on Marvel's official Instagram account confirmed that the trailer would arrive today (January 15). And, with the two-minute video debuting at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm GMT, you can now watch it below.

As has become the norm with Marvel trailers, there's tons to unpack from the TV-MA-rated show's first teaser. There's a surprising and increasingly tense meeting between Cox's Matt Murdock and D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk in a diner. Then there's the multiple shots of bloody and wince-inducing action sequences. Oh, and brief looks at the series' stacked ensemble cast, including confirmation – if more was needed – that two fan-favorite Daredevil characters in Karen Page and Foggy Nelson are definitely back for Born Again. In fact, there are plenty of familiar faces, including Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle/The Punisher and Wilson Bethel's Bullseye, among a whole host of newcomers, such as the late Kamar de los Reyes' White Tiger and this season's other villain in Muse, a serial killer who's being played by, well, we don't actually know yet.

The trailer may have only just been revealed, but we've know about the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) show's story synopsis for a while. For those who haven't read it, here's what it tells us about Born Again's plot: "Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course."

Outside of that, we know Born Again will be a direct continuation of the story told in Daredevil, which originally ran on Netflix (it was one of the streamer's most beloved TV Originals) between 2015 and 2019. You can learn more details about the the Marvel Phase 5 project's confirmed cast and story details in my Daredevil: Born Again hub.

Marvel Television’s all-new series #DaredevilBornAgain premieres March 4 at 6pm PT/9pm ET. Only on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/4POqX6A8DVJanuary 15, 2025

Daredevil: Born Again's first trailer has been a long time coming. The Disney Plus show's inaugural teaser received its worldwide debut at D23 Expo 2024 last August. However, it was exclusively shown to attendees, so the rest of us have had to wait five months for its public reveal.

We have caught glimpses of the highly-anticipated series since then, though. Marvel revealed the briefest of sneak peeks at Daredevil: Born Again in a video celebrating the comic titan's 85th birthday in August 2024. A further 20 seconds of new Born Again footage formed part of Marvels 2025 TV line-up trailer last October, too, but that's all we'd been treated to until today's full trailer debut. Well, aside from leaked set photographs that have Daredevil fans worried about the fate of a beloved character.

Daredevil: Born Again will premiere exclusively on Disney Plus, aka one of the world's best streaming services, on March 4 (US) and March 5 (UK and Australia) – and I, for one, cannot wait.

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Since the inception of the internet, passwords have been the primary authentication factor to gain access to online accounts. Yubico’s recent Global State of Authentication survey of 20,000 employees found that 58 percent still use a username and password to login to personal accounts, with 54 percent using this login method to access work accounts.

This is despite the fact that 80 percent of breaches today are a result of stolen login credentials from attacks like phishing. Because of this, passwords are widely understood by security experts as the most insecure authentication method that leaves individuals, organizations and their employees around the world vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated modern cyber attacks like phishing.

In fact, even passwords which are considered ‘strong’ by websites – i.e., they contain more than a dozen characters comprising uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols – can still be easily guessed or stolen by bad actors. Once they obtain the password, they can then bypass all legacy multi-factor authentication (MFA) systems and access individuals’ personal details with ease. Combined with the fact that people tend to reuse passwords across multiple accounts – which gives hackers the ability to breach multiple accounts with a single login – it becomes abundantly clear that passwords as an authentication method are flawed and extremely insecure in countless ways.

Surprisingly, there remains a lack of awareness regarding best practices for authentication: according to the same Yubico survey, 39 percent of individuals believe a username and password is the most secure form of authentication, while 37 percent consider mobile SMS one-time passcodes (OTPs) the most secure authentication method. While any form of MFA is superior to relying solely on a password, it’s important to recognize that not all MFA methods offer the same level of security. Traditional MFA techniques, including SMS-based OTPs and mobile authenticator applications, have significant vulnerabilities, with cyber criminals displaying an ability to easily circumvent these through phishing attacks.

As individuals and organizations become increasingly aware of the cyber risks associated with passwords and legacy MFA, enterprises have started to transition away from outdated authentication methods and move towards stronger, more cyber resilient technologies, in the form of phishing-resistant, passwordless solutions like passkeys.

A passwordless future with passkeys

Understanding the risks that passwords bring, organizations and individuals around the world are looking for a solution that provides improved security and a better user experience. Passkeys have taken the world by storm as the de facto authentication solution across apps and websites to replace passwords – helping both individuals and enterprises achieve this easily. Passkeys seamlessly authenticate users by using cryptographic security “keys” stored on their computer or device. They are considered a superior alternative to passwords since users are not required to recall or manually enter long sequences of characters that can be forgotten, stolen or intercepted.

As passwordless-enabled FIDO credentials, passkeys deliver phishing resistance and accelerate a move away from problematic passwords that are easily breached. Passkeys are utilized for logging into applications and services efficiently and safely, thereby improving both productivity and online security. For example, passkeys require verification of possession as well as the user's physical presence during the login process, which effectively safeguards them from interception or theft by remote cyber criminals.

Beyond enhanced security, accessibility is also improved significantly by using a passkey – highlighted by two different forms of passkey options: authentication protocols can either be stored in the cloud (synced passkey) or on a device like a hardware security key (device-bound passkey).Then, it is then exchanged effortlessly at login via a swipe, press, tap, or biometric gesture.

From a security perspective, passkey login makes it far more challenging for malicious actors to exploit credentials and gain unauthorized access since it utilizes public key cryptography based on mathematical principles. They can also be conveniently, and securely stored on hardware security keys, which offers a higher level of security as it prevents the passkey from being copied or shared across the cloud and other devices. However, each passkey option brings different benefits – and it’s important to understand which type is right for your situation and threat model.

The right passkey strategy for you

Firstly, it is important to establish the difference between synced and device-bound passkeys. Synced passkeys are primarily designed for broad consumer use rather than enterprises, and are stored in the cloud. This means the credentials can be copied across all the devices connected to a user’s account. For individuals and families sharing devices and accounts, this can be a big advantage. However, for organizations, this can create some concerning failure points and expose major flaws in key enterprise scenarios such as remote working and supply chain security.

Device-bound passkeys offer greater manageability and control of their FIDO credentials than synced passkeys - making them better suited for security savvy and high-risk individuals, as well as businesses. Device-bound means that authentication must originate from one particular piece of hardware separate from everyday devices, where the passkey cannot be copied or shared. Despite the lack of flexibility that comes with having to register each device separately, these solutions deliver higher security assurance as the only method of authentication is to possess a specific, previously registered device.

However, even within device-bound passkey options there are important differences: some options are located in general purpose everyday devices like smartphones and laptops, and others that reside in hardware security keys, that are recognized as offering the highest security assurance. Hardware security keys equip organizations with reliable credential lifecycle management and the necessary proof to validate the security of their credentials, ensuring enterprises can achieve optimal security and remain compliant with the most rigid requirements across different industries.

In cybersecurity, finding a balance between accessibility and security is imperative – and it is no different when considering passkeys. Enterprises should opt for a passkey solution that provides security and convenience in equal measure. The solution ought to enhance the security of online accounts and sensitive data, as well as protect users and the wider organization against phishing and unauthorized access, while at the same time allowing employees to take advantage of a seamless login experience.

As we navigate the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, the integration of passwordless authentication, particularly through the widespread implementation of passkeys, will prove to be instrumental in protecting our digital identities and securing the systems and services that are integral to our daily lives.

We've featured the best identity theft protection.

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 world of portable monitors is incredibly vast and diverse, and it has only been going on more these last few years with people working from home, coffee shops, and their couches. I'm writing this paragraph from my home office away from my home office -- my dining room table, my couch, or my chair in my bedroom. Yes, there are plenty of times that I work strictly from my laptop, but sometimes, there are tasks that I could benefit from having a second display. When it's time to complete those tasks, and I am unable to grab my monitor, I opt for a portable monitor instead.

Over the years, I have tried many portable monitors; I always used my 11in iPad Pro as a portable monitor (until I swapped it for an iPad Mini 7). Though all of those portable monitors are fantastic for one reason or another, there is something incredible about the Plugable 15.6-inch Portable USB-C Monitor. It's not the most brilliant-looking display, at only 1920 x 1080, it's not the largest display at 15.6 inches, and it's not the fanciest display, but it is the one I have been grabbing most frequently over the last few months of working from home a ton with sick family I am taking care of.

Plugable has somehow found a way to give me what I need in this regard, without any fluff. One of the best portable monitors I've used, this one is incredibly lightweight, easy to use, and even upgradable (but more on that later).

Plugable 15.6" Portable USB-C Monitor: Price and Availability

The Plugable 15.6" USB-C Display is sold through the official Plugable website (click here) and online retailers such as Amazon for $199.95 and is backed by lifetime support. This purchase gets you the monitor, a magnetic folio, and a USB-C Cable to connect to your device.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Plugable 15.6" Portable USB-C Monitor: Unboxing and First Impressions

As I previously said, I have tried a lot of portable monitors and monitors in general. The one thing that immediately stood out about this monitor was its light. I was blown away taking it out of the box and thought something was wrong. Then, once I added the folio case, it was barely any heavier. I quickly got acquainted with the ports and a couple of buttons on the monitor, grabbed the USB-C cable, and plugged it into my laptop. It sprung to life immediately, showcasing how easy this monitor is to use.

Right off the bat, I thought the monitor looked great and wanted to use it. The folio base is excellent for stability on a couch, bed, chair, table, desk, café, and everywhere I have tried. The folio adds protection to the screen without needing another pouch or sleeve that will go unused, helping this setup stay incredibly minimal, and this portable monitor is super easy to slide into a bag, backpack, or purse to bring with you anywhere and everywhere.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Plugable 15.6" Portable USB-C Monitor: Design and Build Quality Specs

Screen Size: 15.6 inches.
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz.
Panel Type: IPS with LED backlight.
Brightness: 300 nits.
Ports: 1x USB-C for host connection, 2x USB-C 10Gbps hub ports with pass-through charging
Weight: 840g (1.85lbs) with folio.
Viewing Angles: 178° vertical and horizontal.

The Plugable 15.6" portable USB-C Display is incredibly slim, portable, minimalist, and durable. I've taken this monitor with me on numerous trips, putting it in my backpack for some and in a suitcase for others, and it just keeps working. Something about it being so slim and light makes me think it won't hold up, but I'm surprised every single time that it's durable, too.

In addition to being durable, it's packed with the valuable features you need and none that you don't. This portable monitor has three high-speed USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports with up to 10Gbps data transfer and up to 100W PD (85W charging) for your laptop or another connected device through TAA-compliant ports that will work with most USB-C, USB4, and Thunderbolt, and USB-C cables. It also has a glare-resistant screen, a sharp 300-nit IPS LED display, universal compatibility, and even playback-protected content (HDCP) from streaming services, which some displays block.

Lastly, the folio with this display works as the stand, meaning it's incredibly minimal and does not need additional accessories to hold the display up.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Plugable 15.6" Portable USB-C Monitor: In use

The Plugable 15.6-inch portable USB-C display has been a game changer for me for the last few weeks. It is not the best in every area, but it's phenomenal in most places that count, which makes it just right for almost everyone. To quickly list a few things this doesn't have, there is no VESA mount option or any Magsafe or stand options even though the folio snaps into place, nor is this a high-resolution or high-brightness screen. Instead, it's a 1920 x 1080 display with 300 nits of brightness, a few ports, and a folio stand.

But, what this has been able to do for me is extend my work to another screen pretty much anywhere I am. It's helped me get so much more done when another screen is helpful, whether I have my fancy home office, another monitor to plug into, or a proper workspace. This monitor offers 85W charging, which is plenty for even my 13" M2 MacBook Pro, or most of my laptops. Plus, I can do that with the third port if I ever need to charge another device (such as my laptop light bar modification (more on this later) or transfer data with a drive, all with whatever computer I am using as long as it has USB-C, which is all even semi-recent computers.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

There are a few things that I have added to this monitor that have taken it to another level. Since I have used it heavily for the past few months, especially on trips or working at night away from my home office, I have worked a lot in the dark, either late at night or early in the morning. I don't know about you, but the glaring difference between a screen and a dark room can sometimes be very straining on my eyes, or if there are other things I am referencing or other things around my workspace, even a drink, I like seeing my workspace a bit, if nothing else to help me stay awake on those very long nights.

So, what I did was I added the BenQ Laptop Light Bar to my portable monitor; this way, it can stay as a single desk setup, and I can unplug my laptop, go wherever else I may need to go and come right back to a complete setup. I did this by adding a MagSafe adhesive on the back of the monitor (specifically, it was an extra one from a Rolling Square attachment I have on my laptop). Then, the laptop light bar magnetically sticks to that. Now, anywhere I am working, I can have a replica of my full desk setup in a tear-down that can easily fit in a backpack. I also added a right-angle adapter to the end of the USB-C cable to pull my laptop close to the monitor and have the cable out of the way, but this is just a personal preference.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Plugable 15.6" Portable USB-C Monitor: Final verdict

The Plugable USB-C Portable Monitor stands out as an excellent tool for professionals seeking an extra screen. Its premium build, IPS display, and seamless connectivity make it a valuable asset for productivity and entertainment on the go. While its brightness limits outdoor use and the resolution may not be the best for graphic designers or video editors, it remains a solid choice for anyone in need of a versatile portable monitor.

For more display options, we've reviewed the best business monitors.

• Analyst firm Context has shared sales data for Q4 2024
• Copilot+ PCs didn’t see much growth, despite price cuts
• More affordable Arm-based Copilot+ PCs are likely to help Microsoft’s cause in 2025

Microsoft and its manufacturing partners reportedly dropped prices for Copilot+ PCs substantially at the tail-end of last year, but the cuts didn’t stimulate sales, according to an analyst firm – which could be a worry indeed for the future.

The Register highlighted the move seemingly made in the final quarter of 2024, in which these AI laptops were reduced by 10% - going by the average distributor sale price in Europe.

Marie-Christine Pygott, a senior analyst at Context, told The Register: “While price reductions helped stimulate some interest in Q4, the value proposition of these devices [Copilot+ PCs] still needs to be communicated more effectively to users.”

On a more positive note, Pygott added: “As the concept matures, awareness grows, and a greater range of price points is being addressed, we expect adoption rates to increase in 2025.”

The analyst tells us that more broadly, PC sales in Europe (for desktop computers and tablets, as well as laptops) witnessed some solid growth in the final quarter of last year, and sales for December were up 7% year-on-year, in fact.

During the quarter, AI-capable laptops saw their adoption rate grow to 32%, up from 22% in Q3 – but despite the upward movement, that didn’t match some forecasts (of 40% growth).

However, the definition of an AI-capable laptop is any device with an NPU to pep up AI workloads, no matter how strong that NPU is. Copilot+ PCs are a separate category within that, calling for a powerful NPU of at least 40 TOPS, and in that subdivision, growth was much weaker – it went from 3% to only 5%, according to Context.

Pygott told The Register that the leading notebooks in the world of AI PCs were Apple MacBooks (in Europe and the UK), but Lenovo and HP were making strong headway for market share (based on distributor sell-through data, we should note, not retailer sales).

Whereas Microsoft’s Surface devices are in pole position among the subcategory of Copilot+ PCs, unsurprisingly given how good these laptops are (the latest Surface Laptop is not just a great Copilot+ device, but also our best laptop overall, in fact).

(Image credit: Future) Analysis: Pricing and perception

We must be cautious around a single set of analyst figures, but the sales picture presented here does look rather weak. What to do, then, for Microsoft and its big Copilot+ PC project?

As Pygott points out, there are two obvious problems. Firstly, these devices were too costly at launch, and secondly, people don’t really understand what the AI in an ‘AI PC’ adds to the whole experience (with good reason, and we’ll come back to that).

As Pygott observes: “These [Copilot+ PCs] are currently in the premium price range, but their value add is not always clear to users. We believe this will change as it becomes clearer to users what these PCs can do, and how the way they use a PC will change with AI, but it will take some time.”

As to the issues around cost, as Pygott tells us, a “greater range of price points is being addressed,” which refers to the progress made in bringing in cheaper Snapdragon X chips. This will facilitate the release of more affordable Arm-based Copilot+ PCs (and Arm CPUs are still the majority for these devices).

First off, we had the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor arrive in September 2024 ushering in more affordable Copilot+ PCs around the $800 level. Then, the new vanilla Snapdragon X was revealed at CES 2025, and this promises to reduce the cost of these AI laptops to around the $600 mark.

The evolutions of these Arm-based notebooks may cut down the Snapdragon CPU, but crucially they do not mess with the powerful integrated NPU – it’s the same as in higher-tier Snapdragon chips – so they still fully qualify as Copilot+ PCs, just models in truly affordable territory (come Black Friday or the like, we might see $500 price tags). And that should go a long way to helping stoke sales, which, after all, have been predicted to really take off this year (and going forward into the rest of the decade).

The other sticking point of getting folks to realize the benefits of an AI-focused laptop is a trickier proposition, involving Microsoft bolstering the AI tricks infused in Windows 11, and particularly the Copilot+ PC exclusive features, naturally – such as Recall.

That’ll be the first order of the day – getting Recall out of testing, and working well so the feature sheds its controversial reputation (if indeed that is possible, at this stage of the game). But it feels like a tall order for Microsoft to have its suite of AI capabilities make a real impact on public perception, at least in 2025, anyway.

The danger is that if it takes a lot longer for that to happen, the Copilot+ PC project is going to be saddled with a sense of confusion and pointlessness around these devices, which won’t do the brand any favors.

On a more positive note, it’s not like good things aren’t being done with this category of devices – they certainly are. As noted, Microsoft’s latest Surface devices seriously impressed us here at TechRadar, and a Copilot+ PC from Asus was one of the most promising laptops we saw at CES 2025 recently. But while these might be great machines in many respects, the idea of where AI fits, and why it’s such a key aspect – when it isn’t really, not yet – remains the thorny issue.

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• Marc Benioff calls “this Copilot thing” “a huge disaster” for Microsoft
• He was responding to Satya Nadella who, on a completely different podcast, forecasted that software-as-a-service will collapse with the rise of easy-to-create AI chatbots
• Benioff also pointed out Microsoft is leveraging external technology with its deal with OpenAI - “they’re not even making the AI themselves”

Marc Benioff, the CEO of top CRM software firm Salesforce, has clapped back at his Microsoft counterpart Satya Nadella after the latter suggested software-as-a-service companies like Salesforce could go bust in the wake of the AI chatbot agent boom.

Speaking on The Logan Bartlett Show, Benioff claimed, “customers don’t look at them and don’t take them seriously”.

“I’ve spoken to these customers,” he went on, “they barely use it, and that’s only if they don’t already have a ChatGPT license or something like that in front of them.”

Salesforce’s Agentforce 2.0 platform

Benioff pointed out that Salesforce has its own “agentic platform” in production, while adding Microsoft “[isn’t] even making the AI themselves” - referring to its $10 billion USD investment into OpenAI - the company behind ChatGPT.

Nadella made his remarks on the Bg2 podcast in December 2024, albeit without referring to Salesforce by name.

Salesforce even launched Agentforce 2.0, an AI chatbot agent creation platform, in December 2024 - a clear effort to keep up with the AI trend, so it’s not entirely clear why he has Microsoft in his sights, because Microsoft doesn’t seem to have Salesforce on its own radar.

Benioff does have form for taking aim at Microsoft’s Copilot AI, mind you. At Dreamforce 2024, he compared Copilot to Microsoft’s erstwhile mascot Clippy, and has maintained that comparison in tweets.

Back in a missive from October 2024, he wrote “Copilot’s a flop because Microsoft lacks the data, metadata, and enterprise security models to create real corporate intelligence.”

Via IT Pro

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Netflix has revealed the full trailer for Apple Cider Vinegar, a new series launching on February 6, 2025 – and it looks like a relentless ride of outrageous influencer grifting.

Set during the early days of influencers really breaking out and becoming a dominant voice in the media, it follows self-styled two wellness gurus who both encourage a healthy diet and lifestyle to overcome cancer. Belle Gibson (Kaitlyn Dever) builds an empire based on her diet that 'cured' her cancer… except she never had cancer in the first place.

The series looks like it'll dig deep into the delusions that take hold among competitive personalities in a world in which success defined by how many people will listen to you, and the fear of what will happen if someone else has a more compelling story is ever present.

It's described as "true-ish" by Netflix, which says it's based on a real person and real events, but with heavily fictionalized elements and characters added to tell the story in the way the creators want to… which is basically the norm for this kind of series, so it's nice that Netflix is acknowledging that more than usual. However, it's possible that this has less to do with conscientiousness, and more to do with the lawsuit over Baby Reindeer being a 'true' story.

Apple Cider Vinegar seems like it'll be a deep and unflinching look at the insecurity and desperation that leads someone down the path of inventing a third cancer to fake-survive, and how the structures of social media can support and encourage such behavior.

I think Kaitlyn Dever is an excellent actress who's been slightly underused since breaking out in Booksmart, though I did really enjoy No One Will Save You, and Dopesick was a big hit. Apple Cider Vinegar looks like it'll give her something really unhinged to chew on, and I'm absolutely here for that.

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Some people team up with an "accountability partner" or "accountability group" to accomplish big goals or tasks. Here's how to set up a successful partnership.

(Image credit: cienpies)

• Biden wants to roll out more powerful AI data centers across the US
• “Frontier AI data centers” will be able to develop powerful AI models
• Operators must also factor in clean energy and security measures

US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to expedite the construction of data centers in the country.

The order outlines a focus on the development of domestic AI infrastructure, as well as plans for how the White House intends to improve national security while also addressing environmental concerns like clean energy generation.

Key to the order is that the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy must each identify three suitable sites for so-called “frontier AI data centers” by early 2025.

Biden wants the US to lead the way with AI data centers

The President described “frontier AI data centers” as facilities “capable of being used to develop, within a reasonable time frame, an AI model with characteristics related either to performance or to the computational resources used in its development that approximately match or surpass the state of the art at the time of the AI model’s development.”

As part of the intended data center expansion, President Biden said the operators must match their electricity consumption on an hourly basis with clean energy like geothermal, nuclear, wind, and solar.

Just days before he hands over office to Donald Trump, and in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions, Biden also said campuses should impose stringent physical and cyber security standards, including further along the supply chain.

“The executive order announced today will ensure the United States has the infrastructure — including large-scale data centers and clean power facilities — necessary to maintain America’s competitive advantage and safeguard our national security interests," noted Vice President Kamala Harris.

The news comes shortly after President-elect Trump confirmed Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani would invest $20 billion, or more, in America’s AI infrastructure.

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A few weeks ago, the 2025 Golden Globes kicked off the start of this year's awards season, with the first glitter-ball event of the year celebrating some of the best movies of 2024.

Now, it's the turn of the 2025 BAFTAs, whose nominations were announced today (January 15). And, just like the 2025 Golden Globes nominees list, this year's contingent has got us all talking about the surprises (and snubs) that are part (and not part) of its selection.

Edward Berger's religious thriller Conclave leads the pack with 12 nominations, while Emilia Perez (11) and The Brutalist (nine) follow closely behind. Of all of 2024's new movies that released in theaters and/or on the world's best streaming services, though, there's only one – the Zendaya-starring Challengers – that's stunned me over its lack of recognition.

Challengers received zero nominations at the 2025 BAFTAs (Image credit: Prime Video )

Being one of, if not the most memorable movie scores of 2024, the fact that Challengers wasn't considered worthy of a nod in that category is unforgivable in my eyes. Compared to this category's actual nominees – The Brutalist, Conclave, Emilia Pérez, Nosferatu, and The Wild Robot – it's a travesty that, at the very least, Challengers wasn't given the nod in this field. To say it's been overlooked in this category (or any category, for that fact) is an understatement. Here's hoping the Oscars committee sees more sense when this year's Academy Awards are revealed on January 19.

Despite my clear disappointment, this was – in my eyes, anyway – the 2025 BAFTA nominations list's only major disappointment. Indeed, seeing Rich Peppiatt's Kneecap receive six nominations was a welcome surprise, as was The Substance's Coralie Fargeat being the only female nominee for best director and Anora getting the same recognition as it did on the other side of the pond. Sure, Daniel Craig arguably deserved better for his performance in Queer but, given how competitive the Best Actor award always is at the BAFTAs, somehow had to miss out. And, unfortunately for Craig, he was this year's big omission.

BAFTA 2025 full nominees list: Conclave, The Brutalist, Kneecap, and more

Rich Peppiatt's Kneecap is nominated for six BAFTAs, including Outstanding British Film (Image credit: Prime Video )

Best Film

Anora

The Brutalist

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Emilia Pérez

Outstanding British Film

Bird

Blitz

Conclave

Gladiator II

Hard Truths

Kneecap

Lee

Love Lies Bleeding

The Outrun

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Best Leading Actress

Cynthia Erivo, Wicked

Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez

Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard Truths

Mikey Madison, Anora

Demi Moore, The Substance

Saoirse Ronan, The Outrun

Best Leading Actor

Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown

Colman Domingo, Sing Sing

Ralph Fiennes, Conclave

Hugh Grant, Heretic

Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice

Best Supporting Actress

Selena Gomez, Emilia Pérez

Ariana Grande, Wicked

Felicity Jones, The Brutalist

Jamie Lee Curtis, The Last Showgirl

Isabella Rossellini, Conclave

Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez

Best Supporting Actor

Yura Borisov, Anora

Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing

Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown

Guy Pearce, The Brutalist

Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice

Best Director

Anora, Sean Baker

The Brutalist, Brady Corbet

Conclave, Edward Berger

Dune: Part Two, Denis Villeneuve

Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard

The Substance, Coralie Fargeat

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer

Hoard

Kneecap

Monkey Man

Santosh

Sister Midnight

Best Film Not in the English Language

All We Imagine As Light

Emilia Pérez

I'm Still Here

Kneecap

The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Best Documentary

Black Box Diaries

Daughters

No Other Land

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Will & Harper

Best Animated Film

Flow

Inside Out 2

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

The Wild Robot

Best Children's and Family Film

Flow

Kensuke's Kingdom

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

The Wild Robot

Best Original Screenplay

Anora

The Brutalist

Kneecap

A Real Pain

The Substance

Best Adapted Screenplay

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Emilia Pérez

Nickel Boys

Sing Sing

EE Bafta Rising Star Award

Marisa Abela

Jharrel Jerome

David Jonsson

Mikey Madison

Nabhaan Rizwan

Best Original Score

The Brutalist, Daniel Blumberg

Conclave, Volker Bertelmann

Emilia Pérez, Camille, Clément Ducol

Nosferatu, Robin Carolan

The Wild Robot, Kris Bowers

Best Casting

Anora

The Apprentice

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Kneecap

Best Cinematography

The Brutalist

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez

Nosferatu

Best Costume Design

Blitz

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Nosferatu

Wicked

Best Editing

Anora

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez

Kneecap

Best Production Design

The Brutalist

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Nosferatu

Wicked

Best Make-Up and Hair

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez

Nosferatu

The Substance

Wicked

Best Sound

Blitz

Dune: Part Two

Gladiator II

The Substance

Wicked

Best Special Visual Effects

Better Man

Dune: Part Two

Gladiator II

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Wicked

Best British Short Film

The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing

Marion

Milk

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Stomach Bug

Best British Short Animation

Adiós

Mog's Christmas

Wander to Wonder

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Acer Predator controller: one-minute review

The Acer Predator controller is more than a little disappointing given the brand’s track record of producing high-quality gaming hardware. It’s apparent that this is one of Acer’s first forays into the realm of gaming controllers, as the Predator is pretty bare-bones for what it offers in terms of features. That, and its overall build quality, leaves something to be desired.

Much of this could be forgiven if it wasn’t for the Predator’s retail price. It comes similarly priced to some of the best PC controllers and best Nintendo Switch controllers, including the GameSir Tarantula Pro and the 8BitDo Ultimate. But unlike those, the Acer Predator hardly does anything to stand out from the crowd.

Don’t expect remappable buttons, trigger locks, or even basics like a good overall build quality here; the Predator’s closest analog is probably the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. And even there, Nintendo’s official pad has the Predator beat on both build and battery life.

This isn’t to say the Acer Predator isn’t at least worth a look. It still gets plenty of things right. Hall effect sticks allow for a controller that could last you years, and it does support Switch-friendly features like gyro aiming for games like Splatoon 3. It is a bit lamentable that the Predator requires AA batteries to be used wirelessly, but both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity are supported here and overall battery life is pretty decent at around 20 hours on average.

In summary, if you’re after a simple, no-frills controller similar to the official Nintendo Switch option, the Acer Predator might just be for you. However, when its peers are handily one-upping it in terms of design, features, and performance - often at the same price or less - it probably shouldn’t be at the top of your list.

(Image credit: Future) Acer Predator controller: Price and availability

• £69.99 (around $87.99 / AU$139.99)
• Purchasable from Acer’s website in certain regions
• Limited overall availability, with the controller seemingly not available in the US

While the Acer Predator controller seems to be unavailable (at time of writing) in the US, it is available for £69.99 in the UK and can be purchased from Acer’s own website. Unlike most other third-party controllers, availability (at the time of writing) appears to be extremely limited. The controller isn’t listed at retailers like Amazon, Argos, or John Lewis in the UK. Moreover, Acer itself doesn’t have a store page for the controller in the US or Australia.

In terms of price, the Acer Predator is fairly competitive when you consider that many other top controllers fall within that £60-£70 price bracket. As mentioned, though, it’s not the most complete feeling controller out there when compared to other pads in this range. It would have been a more attractive purchasing option, I feel if it came in at £10 or even £15 cheaper than its current retail price.

Acer Predator controller: specs

(Image credit: Future) Acer Predator controller: design and features

• Simple, but nonetheless eye-catching sci-fi-esque livery
• Lacking in build quality in comparison to its competitors
• D-pad and triggers feel noticeably spongy

Starting off with the positives, I really like the aesthetic touches on the Acer Predator controller. It’s emblazoned with cool sci-fi-looking patterns that definitely lend it some unique identity, but it’s understated enough to not stand out in a garish way. The bumpers up top also offer a soft, tactile clicky feel. Thumbsticks also feel great here with a comfortable amount of concavity for your thumbs to firmly rest on.

Other aspects of the controller don’t fare as well. The d-pad and face buttons have an overly mushy feel. It doesn’t help that the former is extremely basic and rather flat in design which did make for an occasional mispress during gameplay. Triggers, meanwhile, did grow on me after some time, but these are fairly wide and offer an unsatisfyingly spongy feel. A pretty mixed bag overall, then, in terms of buttons and modules.

It’s also worth noting that the Acer Predator’s 2.4GHz dongle is not separate in the box. Rather, it’s housed within the controller’s onboard battery compartment. So make sure you’re taking that out first before inserting any AA batteries if you’re planning to use it wirelessly on PC.

It’s a slightly strange choice for a controller, and it does take a little bit of wrestling to release it from the controller’s slot. But it does at least offer a safe way to store the dongle to prevent you from losing it when not in use.

(Image credit: Future) Acer Predator controller: performance

• Hall effect thumbsticks make for a long-lasting controller
• Well-developed rumble that offers a robust and impactful play experience
• Battery life is decent but may vary depending on your battery brand of choice

Design issues aside, the Acer Predator does perform admirably as a controller, with few notable faults. Despite the pad feeling outdated in some aspects, I’m grateful for the inclusion of Hall effect sticks first and foremost. This will make for a long-lasting gamepad that’s resistant to stick drift issues. On that front alone, the Predator is worth considering if you’re tired of cycling through controllers on a semi-regular basis.

What surprised me most here is the Predator’s incredibly effective rumble tech. It’s not exactly haptic feedback a la the PS5’s DualSense wireless controller, but it feels significantly less flat than many other controllers in this regard.

Playing action-heavy titles like Wuthering Waves, Zenless Zone Zero, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, I was really impressed with the impactful register of sword swipes and other special abilities. It’s a well-rounded vibration that successfully adds a good layer of immersion to whichever game you’re playing. However, you still may wish to switch off vibrations for competitive play as I do feel such a strong rumble could disrupt things like aim or other desired inputs.

The Acer Predator controller also matches many of its peers on compatibility and connection types. It works with Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile devices (both Android and iOS) and supports 2.4GHz and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, as well as USB-C for wired connections. Switch compatibility is an especially big plus here, as I feel the Acer Predator makes for a decent alternative to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

Battery life is also pretty decent overall. Acer’s own website states you’ll get around 25 hours here, but this will of course vary based on the AA battery brand used. The controller comes with a pair of Energizer AA batteries included in the box. With these, I managed to get around 20 hours of playtime before needing to swap them out. Again this will vary based on brand and the types of games you play, but this is an overall decent number that means you shouldn't have to swap out batteries too often.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Acer Predator controller? Buy it if...

You want a good Switch Pro Controller alternative
While many of the best Nintendo Switch controllers do outshine Nintendo’s official pad in terms of design and features, the Acer Predator still puts up a decent show and is a good pick if you’re looking for a reliable Hall effect controller.

You like rumble
This is arguably the Acer Predator controller’s standout feature and really comes alive in action-heavy games. While not quite haptic feedback or Nintendo’s own HD Rumble, it’s nonetheless very robust and impactful here.

Don't buy it if...

You want better, sturdier build quality
There is an overtly cheap feel to the Acer Predator controller, from its chassis to its individual buttons and modules. While not the absolute worst we’ve ever tested in this regard, it still leaves much to be desired.

You want a more reliable wireless solution
It’s quite rare for contemporary controllers to run on AA batteries, and if you don’t like the idea of having to purchase these to keep playing wirelessly, you should consider a controller that offers a more modern charging solution.View Deal

Also consider...

If the Acer Predator is proving to be a hard sell, refer to the table below in which we compare its specs to two other great controllers.

8BitDo Ultimate
The 8BitDo Ultimate still finds itself at the top of our best Nintendo Switch controllers guide for good reason. Superb build quality, lovely additional features, and an included charging dock all at a very reasonable price.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate review

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Despite lacking modernities like Hall effect sticks, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is still a real workhorse of a gamepad, with excellent build quality and best-in-class battery life for the console.

Read our full Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review

How I tested the Acer Predator controller

• Tested for one week
• Platforms tested: Nintendo Switch, PC
• Compared to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and 8BitDo Ultimate

I tested the Acer Predator controller over the course of a week, hopping between PC and Nintendo Switch. By doing this, I was able to test multiple connection types from 2.4GHz to Bluetooth and wired, while also sampling a wide range of excellent games including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Astral Chain, Zenless Zone Zero, and Wuthering Waves.

While certainly far from the best controller I’ve ever tested, it did eventually somewhat win me over thanks to its broad compatibility, strong rumble tech, and impressive battery life - even if I’m not personally a fan of having to rely on AA batteries for wireless play.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2025

Make the most of every 24 hours.

• Nvidia will bring Frame Generation enhancements to the RTX 4000 series
• DLSS 4 will be accessible to all RTX GPUs
• This may prove to be beneficial for the longevity of older GPUs

During Nvidia's RTX 4000 GPU series launch in 2022, we saw plenty of criticism from PC gamers (including myself) regarding both the sky-high pricing and DLSS 3 with Frame Generation being exclusive to the new generation. This time around, with the new RTX 5000 series reveal, it seems Nvidia is making amends.

As highlighted by Wccftech, starting 30 January (the RTX 5090 and 5080 launch date), RTX 4000 series GPU owners will receive enhancements to Frame Generation, promising to use less VRAM while boosting performance with higher frame rates. That’s not all, either: all RTX GPUs will have access to the improved upscaling of DLSS 4, which is a massive change as all RTX 2000 and 3000 owners have only had access to DLSS 2 since way back in 2020.

While the new Multi Frame Generation feature will be exclusive to the RTX 5000 series (likely due to hardware requirements), these enhancements for the RTX 4000 series owners (using DLSS 4), may prove highly beneficial in improving performance across multiple games. Despite the online controversy surrounding Team Green's Frame Generation and the potential disregard for optimization from game developers, it's a nice gesture to maintain support for older GPUs, especially considering previous circumstances.

This should naturally be taken with a pinch of salt, but Nvidia's own showcase sees better framerates and less VRAM use with the improved Frame Generation for RTX 4000. (Image credit: Nvidia) Is there any need for an RTX 5000 series GPU now?

With DLSS 4 soon available for all RTX users and Frame Generation enhancements on the way for compatible GPUs, it begs the question - is there an urgent need to upgrade to the new RTX 5000 series? Honestly, I'm not sure, at least regarding the wallet-busting RTX 5080 or 5090 for now. While we’re still awaiting actual performance results, there's a strong chance that DLSS 4 will prove to be a massive benefit to the older GPUs.

I imagine that the leap from DLSS 2 to DLSS 4 for, say, an RTX 3060 GPU will work wonders at providing a performance boost - while it may not completely revolutionize performance, it could potentially net users a few more years of use from their current GPUs before they really need to start contemplating an upgrade.

Granted, when looking at the newly announced RTX 5070, its $549 / £539 / AU$1,109 price tag and Nvidia's claims of RTX 4090-level performance (while using DLSS 4 with frame-gen enabled, to be clear), I can say that upgrading to this GPU will likely end up being worth it for any PC gamers without sky-high budgets - but we'll have to wait and see once reviews are available.

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• Half of businesses are finding it hard to recruit the right talent
• LinkedIn's UK Jobs on the Rise list comprises brand-new and emerging roles
• Businesses are preparing to upskill workers with AI and sustainability

LinkedIn has identified a concerning trend among HR professionals, who now claim finding the right talent is harder than ever.

A new "UK Jobs on the Rise" report from the online recruitment platform revealed the time-consuming nature of candidate sourcing, with around one in four (23%) HR workers spending an average of three to five hours daily sifting through applications.

Moreover, two in five (42%) said not even half of the applicants meet all listed criteria, making it an unrewarding task.

Finding job candidates is getting harder

LinkedIn's data revealed two-fifths (41%) of candidates apply to more roles than ever, but they’re receiving fewer replies than previously. Now, more than half (54%) of job seekers and four in five (79%) HR workers say that the hiring process has become more difficult.

The challenges have been amplified by evolving skills demands across all industries, with the rise of AI-induced automation tweaking job roles in the name of operational efficiency.

Over half (55%) of the roles appearing on the UK Jobs on the Rise list didn’t even exist 25 years ago, with many new AI and sustainability roles emerging.

As a result, half (49%) of the HR professionals studied find it hard to find the right people with the necessary technical skills.

It’s not a story of lost hope, though, because two in three (65%) organizations intend to prioritize AI upskilling efforts, and a similar number (64%) will focus on sustainability.

Apart from AI’s effects on job opportunities, AI is also playing a crucial role in the hiring process. Two in three (67%) HR professionals believe AI makes it easier for them to find qualified candidates to the point that 45% are calling for more tech to streamline the process.

“With work and hiring changing so rapidly - the skills needed for jobs are expected to change 70% by 2030 - businesses must find a way to bridge any gaps within their organisations," LinkedIn UK Country Manager Janine Chamberlin commented.

Chamberlin added how, ultimately, a shifting landscape presents “a very exciting opportunity for both ojb seekers and leaders to think differently about skills and stay competitive.”

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• Microsoft unveils new Copilot Chat AI tool
• Available as part of existing Microsoft 365 subscription
• Copilot Chat brings AI creativity, collaboration and productivity gains

Microsoft is continuing its mission to get its Copilot AI platform in the hands of as many users as possible with a new expansion.

The company has announced Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, an upgrade to the current free chat tool in its office software platform which will provide access to AI tools at no extra cost.

The move will mean everyone in your business can now get the most out of Copilot and AI agents, bringing workers at all levels up to speed on the latest technology.

Microsoft Copilot Chat

The new edition will provide a secure AI chat service powered by GPT-4o, with agents accessible directly within the chat.

It will be offered alongside the current $30 Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription, meaning customers can customize their AI investment for the needs of their workforce, and that access to agents can be priced on a metered basis.

All the existing familiar capabilities of Copilot will be included in the new chat services, with users able to upload any documents and then ask questions or have Copilot carry out tasks such as summarization or data analysis.

There's also access to Copilot Pages, allowing for greater collaboration across your business with co-workers and AI services, and the ability to create and add in AI-generated images to spice up your presentations.

AI agents can be created directly within Copilot Chat using natural language, hopefully boosting productivity and freeing up time previously spent on manual processes or tasks. Company-wide agents can also be created thanks to Copilot Studio, with agents deployed to all workers needing them.

"Copilot Chat enables your entire workforce — from customer service representatives to marketing leads to frontline technicians — to start using Copilot and agents today," Microsoft's Jared Spataro, CMO AI at Work, noted in a blog post.

"Moving forward, every organization will have a mix of Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot – our best-in-class offering – to drive AI transformation at scale."

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• EcoAir AVS inactivates virus particles using heat
• Traditional purifiers capture, rather than inactivating, harmful microbes
• EcoAir's claims have been independently verified by a scientific research company

We're all familiar with air purifiers, but air care appliance brand EcoAir has apparently gone one better, launching what it claims is the world's first air sterilizer. The EcoAir Anti-Covid AVS can apparently eliminate viruses and bacteria – including colds, flu, and (you guessed it) Covid – from the air.

Today's best air purifiers can only capture virus particles, not inactivate them – is this new approach your new best defense agains seasonal bugs? I got in touch with EcoAir co-founder and CEO Noel Fok to learn exactly how it works.

“A virus is not a living organism, so it can’t be killed. However, it can be inactivated or destroyed by exposure to heat," Fok explains. "The EcoAir AVS air sterilizer eliminates 99.9% of viruses by removing them from the air, passing them through Thermo-Clean tech, which reaches a core temperature of over 200C [392F], inactivating the harmful microbes."

He adds: "AVS will kill Bacteria because it is a living organism, through the same exposure to Thermo-Clean technology. In both cases the harmful microbes are disintegrated by the heat and not released back into the air.”

Those claims have been independently tested and verified by MRIGlobal – a research organization focused on health and safety innovations.

(Image credit: EcoAir)

Also notable is how quickly this 'air sterilizer' works. It can eliminate airborne viruses and bacteria in a single pass, and does so pretty much instantly, in just 0.01 seconds. Lab tests from MRIGlobal found the EcoAir AVS could inactivate 99.9% of viruses in a 30m³ room in 90 minutes.

The future of air purifiers?

I also asked Fok to explain more about the benefits of the EcoAir AVS in comparison to a regular air purifier. "Traditional air purifiers capture microbes and store them through the use of HEPA filters, which need to be changed, incurring additional expenses," he told me. "Inactivating the virus destroys it, meaning it cannot infect a living organism and become active, causing illness."

The EcoAir AVS does have a filter, but it's reusable and doesn't need to be changed that regularly. The nano silver filter should be washed every two weeks, and EcoAir suggests it's replaced every year.

There are also other, existing methods of destroying viruses and bacteria, although they're significantly slower than EcoAir AVS's 0.01-second process. ION systems take around 30 seconds and UV-C takes nine seconds, for instance.

While the practical results of this appliance are similar to that of a good air purifier, Fok's claims that the AVS represents "a huge breakthrough, not only for EcoAir but for the industry as a whole" could prove accurate. The new process certainly seems more thorough and efficient, and it's not significantly more expensive than a good air purifier either – the EcoAir Anti-Covid AVS is currently available to buy from the EcoAir website, priced at £349.98 (it's not currently available in the US or Australia, but that's equivalent to around $430 / AU$700). Could this be the new technology that changes the way we purify air?

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Chinese manufacturer Oppo, which also makes the OnePlus range of Android phones and wearables, looks set to debut a new watch next month, likely to be the OnePlus Watch 3. A promotional image, shared on Weibo by OPPO product manager Zhou Yibao, showcases a cool new feature: blood pressure monitoring, indicating hypertension risk.

Accurate blood pressure monitoring via LEDs remains a “holy grail” health feature for even the best smartwatches, proving frustratingly out of reach. The Huawei Watch D2 is the most accurate so far, including in its technology a strap packed with inflatable bladders, acting as a portable blood pressure cuff.

However, it doesn’t look like this feature will elude smartwatch manufacturers for much longer. We reported yesterday that Apple is likely to debut this technology in September, on the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and perhaps the Apple Watch SE 3, but Oppo might beat it to the punch, if this promotional image is any indication. We can't embed the image from Weibo, but you can view it here.

A report by Neowin.net indicates the OnePlus Watch 3, also referred to here as the Oppo Watch X2, is likely to launch next month in China, with an international release to follow.

(Image credit: Luke Baker)

Rather than wait until the blood pressure monitoring technology gets approval from the US Food & Drug Administation, or a similar governing body (FDA approval is a clear signifier of quality, and clears these features for medical use), it seems as though Oppo will follow the route Apple is expected to take, and use BP readings as an indication that you should get checked out by a medical professional.

This approach has served Apple, and other smartwatch manufacturers, well in the past: the Cupertino giant’s sleep apnoea detection feature it debuted on its Apple Watch Series 10 and watchOS 11 last year also provides an indication to see a medical professional only, rather than a clear diagnosis.

Apple doesn’t usually debut a feature unless it has a pretty good idea that it works: it’ll be interesting to compare this next generation of smartwatch features against a medical-grade blood pressure cuff to determine accuracy.

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