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Five years after the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic, there has been progress — and backsliding in the way the world responds to infectious disease.

(Image credit: Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Premium compact cameras are trending and increasingly harder to secure, so stock of Leica's D-Lux 8, supposedly delivered within a week, is a welcome surprise.

Meanwhile, there are still lengthy lead times for Fujifilm X100VI orders a year since its release, and finding a Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III is no tall order after it blew up on TikTok (as did its price).

And so here I am, as surprised as anyone to say that the Leica D-Lux 8 is available to buy now and that its $1,595 / £1,450 / AU$2,790 list price feels somewhat reasonable against rivals, and it's actually a bit less than the Fujifilm X100VI in the US and UK. Pick my jaw off the floor.

Leica's cheapest camera (besides the Sofort 2 instant camera) packs a 17MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 lens and premium design touches inspired by the Leica Q3. It's an all-round tidy and versatile compact.

However, it's only a minor update of the D-Lux 7 which precedes this decade, with somewhat dated tech when compared to the latest premium compacts like the X100VI, so should you still buy one?

The D-Lux 8 is a dinky and well-rounded red-dot compact, with snappy zoom lens and premium build quality. (Image credit: Future) Pull the trigger?

Our Leica D-Lux 8 review awarded the MFT compact 3.5 stars, so it's clearly not the best of its kind. It's dated hardware was a big factor in that score, while a tilt or vari-angle touchscreen would have been appreciated rather than the fixed one.

That said, there's not been a lot of movement in this space, meaning compact cameras with hardware several years old still hold up well today.

So does the D-Lux 8 compete with other popular models? I reckon it outguns the PowerShot G7X Mark III in almost every way, but likewise is outdone by the Fujifilm X100VI.

The D-Lux 8 and X100VI are different premium compacts for sure – the Leica has a zoom lens and is much smaller, while the Fujifilm model packs a prime lens and larger 40MP APS-C sensor for sharper images, together with a lovely hybrid viewfinder and tilt screen.

If I was to pick one of the Leica and Fujifilm cameras it would have to be the X100VI. However, for many people the choice isn't even there because of limited availability.

For now, compact camera popularity shows no signs of dropping off. I've included retailer links to TechRadar's favorite models below. If you're unsure, bear in mind that Leica cameras tend to hold their value well, so it could be worth pulling the trigger to secure a D-Lux 8 while it's available.

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Symphony orchestra audiences aren't known for their rowdiness, but the Vice President and Second Lady Usha Vance were loudly booed by the crowd as they entered the Concert Hall Thursday night.

(Image credit: Julian Thomas)

The Federal Trade Commission is in a "dire resource situation," a federal lawyer said on a call about its major lawsuit against Amazon. Within hours, he retracted the claim.

(Image credit: Jose Luis Magana)

The former Philippine president, accused of crimes against humanity over his deadly "war on drugs," spoke via video link in his initial appearance at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

(Image credit: PETER DEJONG/POOL)

• Juniper Networks has patched a vulnerability in its routers
• The flaw was being abused by Chinese threat actors
• Multiple devices were vulnerable

Juniper Networks has released a patch for a vulnerability that was being exploited in the wild to attack some of its router brands.

According to the company’s security advisory, the bug is an improper isolation, or compartmentalization weakness, and it’s tracked as CVE-2025-21590. It was given a severity score of 6.7 (medium).

The bug is used by Chinese hackers, who had been exploiting it since 2024 to backdoor vulnerable Juniper routers that reached end-of-life, a recent Madiant security report revealed.

Chinese hackers

"In mid 2024, Mandiant discovered threat actors deployed custom backdoors operating on Juniper Networks' Junos OS routers," the cybersecurity company explained. "Mandiant attributed these backdoors to the China-nexus espionage group, UNC3886. Mandiant uncovered several TINYSHELL based backdoors operating on Juniper Networks' Junos OS routers."

UNC3886 was observed in the past targeting defense, technology, and telecommunications organizations with sophisticated malware, deployed through zero-day vulnerabilities.

It affects at least these models: NFX-Series, Virtual SRX, SRX-Series Branch, SRX-Series HE, EX-Series, QFX-Series, ACX, and MX-Series, however, Juniper Networks said that it is still investigating the vulnerability and that the full list could be different.

The bug can be exploited to allow local attackers with high privileges to run arbitrary code on the routers, and thus compromise them.

"At least one instance of malicious exploitation (not at Amazon) has been reported to the Juniper SIRT,” Juniper said in its advisory. “Customers are encouraged to upgrade to a fixed release as soon as it's available and in the meantime take steps to mitigate this vulnerability."

The issue was resolved in 21.4R3-S10, 22.2R3-S6, 22.4R3-S6, 23.2R2-S3, 24.2R1-S2, 24.2R2, 24.4R1, and all subsequent releases.

At the same time, CISA added the bug to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (KEV), confirming reports of in-the-wild abuse, and giving Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies three weeks to apply the patch, or stop using vulnerable solutions.

Via BleepingComputer

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The smaller Air is the perfect student laptop, but once you are out of school you should graduate to the larger but still highly portable 15-inch model.

• Koei Tecmo's Rise of the Ronin runs poorly on the RTX 4090 with stuttering in multiple segments
• Frame rates in-game can be high, but gameplay suggests otherwise with slow-motion NPCs
• It adds to the list of poorly optimized games on PC this generation

Koei Tecmo's Rise of the Ronin recently launched on PC after being exclusive to Sony's PS5 for almost a year - and yet again, it's another story of a poorly optimized PC port reportedly struggling even on high-end configurations.

According to TweakTown, Rise of the Ronin struggles to run on an RTX 4090 at 4K with constant stutters and slow-motion bugs while using DLSS. The in-game frame rate counter supposedly indicates a range of between 40 to 60fps (frames per second), but the gameplay suggests otherwise - and Steam reviews corroborate these complaints as many users are refusing to recommend buying the title until the issues are addressed.

It's worth noting that a patch has already been released that is supposed to offer a fix for stuttering in certain 'stages and circumstances' in the game - but again, feedback from players indicates this has done little to resolve the major performance concerns.

Considering the consensus regarding the game's graphical fidelity - it’s been accused of being quite poor for AAA standards - it's a bigger surprise to see that the game fails to run at acceptable levels. Usually, games that have advanced graphics like Cyberpunk 2077 are expected to be demanding (while still being well optimized) even for high-end hardware, but Rise of the Ronin's graphics don't even come close to that level, and yet it fails to perform well.

(Image credit: Shutterstock) Don't bother looking for a GPU upgrade, not until game developers optimize games better

There's nothing that infuriates me more about PC gaming than poor game optimization, and it's a shame this continues to be a trend in 2025. Gamers paying for a GPU like Nvidia’s RTX 4090 and still facing major frame rate drops in games (even with upscaling), is downright unacceptable.

It's even worse when you realize that games cost a ridiculous $70 / £70 / AU$100 while failing to run without game-breaking bugs and frequent stutters, leaving gamers having to wait for future patches. Game developers also seem to be increasingly relying on upscaling technologies like DLSS to resolve cases of poor optimization, which is concerning.

I can see why PC gamers are getting exasperated by poor PC game versions, especially if they've paid a lot of money for a high-end GPU, and it looks like one of the best ways to show your frustration is by voting with your wallet and not buy any game that has excessive issues on PC - and making sure you get a refund if you are unhappy with your purchase (most game stores like Steam have a way to request your money back).

It's about time this trend of poor PC ports comes to an end, so we can all finally enjoy PC gaming without any restraints on performance.

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For $10,000, you get a small, warm room with a sound system and party lights!

Since Visual Concepts’ WWE 2K wrestling game series hit current-gen platforms after a year off – skipping a 2K21 – it’s been a genuinely great series instead of a middle-of-the-road yearly sports release. From WWE 2K22 onwards, the games have been steadily improving with smart changes and new features, and WWE 2K25 is once again a great wrestling game that improves on what came before.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 / PS5 Pro
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Release date: March 14, 2025

The core wrestling feels like a great mixture of arcade and simulation styles, with counters, combos, and freeform carry moves giving each wrestler a deep moveset. This year’s entry brings back the Chain Wrestling mechanic that was last seen in WWE 2K20; this allows matches to kick off in a far more realistic way. Wrestlers will lock up in a grab and use a minigame to maneuver around their opponent to get the edge at the start of the match; it’s only available at the beginning of a bout and gives the early match a momentum more akin to what you see on TV, as opposed to just going all out right away.

It’s also the best-looking game yet, with wrestlers now being covered in welts and bruises as a match goes along, and those who wear body paint having it come apart over the course of the match. Meanwhile, the TV-style presentation is top-notch, with camera cuts akin to real WWE TV.

The big new addition this year is intergender wrestling, allowing men and women to compete against each other. This features heavily in this year’s My Rise storyline, but outside of that, I feel like it could be more. For example, title matches are available in the mode, but it’s only for designated ‘intergender’ titles, which mostly consist of 2K’s made-up titles and a handful of official WWE titles like the 24/7, cruiserweight, and hardcore titles, but without being able to have Chelsea Green win the WWE Championship, it feels a little half-baked.

(Image credit: 2K) Bloodline rules

This year’s 2K Showcase focuses on ‘The Bloodline’ – the WWE canon name for the Anoaʻi/Maivia family of Samoan professional wrestlers, including the likes of The Rock, Roman Reigns, Yokozuna, and Umaga. Where previous editions have followed single wrestlers, you take on the role of a majority of the family members this time around.

This mode is presented and narrated by Paul Heyman this year, who is already the greatest talker in WWE history, and his rundown of the events is fantastic and keeps you engaged throughout the long cutscenes.

Since not all Bloodline members are created equal, 2K25’s matches are split into three categories. The usual reliving prominent wins (like Yokozuna beating Hulk Hogan at King of the Ring 1993) returns. But for those members who don’t have any big wins or standout matches, there are rewritten and dream matches like Tamina winning the first women’s Money in the Bank or having The Wild Samoans take on The Dudley Boyz.

The last few years of 2K Showcase intercut real-life match footage during gameplay, leading to players sitting and watching matches without commentary instead of playing the game for long stretches. This year, 2K has mercifully ditched that and recreated match cutscenes in engine and added new commentary from the game’s announce team. This style makes Showcase way less of a slog this year and turns it into a standout mode.

The only real issue with the mode this year is the goals. When recreating matches, the game wants you to redo certain beats from the real match, which will unlock new items when done correctly (you can play the match normally too, but you’ll miss these unlocks). This year’s game introduces timed goals, which usually require you to do a certain move or an amount of damage. But if you don’t get it in time, it’s skipped, and you’ll need to replay the match entirely if you want another crack at it.

Some of these timers are ridiculously short, and in multi-person matches like Money in the Bank, another wrestler doing one grab to you is enough to guarantee you failing it. The dream match goals, on the other hand, are terribly bland, mostly being ‘do x amount of damage’ and then ‘now win.’

(Image credit: 2K) Mutiny on the Bounty

This year's My Rise – an original story following your created wrestler – is a mixed bag. It’s far and away the best storyline found in any of these modes. It follows a faction of former NXT wrestlers attempting to take over WWE with their new NXT Mutiny brand, and your character leading the fight against them. It’s full of great twists and turns and kept me engaged the whole time. But, instead of the two gender-specific stories, this time you have to make a male and female-created character to go through the story.

Best bit

The Bloodline showcase features highlights of many members of the family. But the section dedicated to Umaga was not only the best match in this year’s mode but was also a genuinely lovely tribute to an incredible talent gone too soon.

The big deal this year is choices. There's stuff that will affect certain story beats, like where your wrestler came from (Indies, MMA) and their relationship with the other wrestler you make (used to date, best friends) that introduce different dialogue. And there are bigger choices, like which wrestlers you recruit to fight Mutiny. This means there’s a bigger focus on replayability too, which becomes a bit of a hindrance when there are unlockables involved. From what I can tell, you’ll probably need to play through the mode a good three or four times to get all of the extra characters and arenas available.

There only being one story isn’t the only cutback this year either. There are no more side missions, and the runtime feels shorter than in previous years. There are ‘Live Events’ that allow you to do generic fights, which also have unlocks attached to your star rating. Assuming you get five-star matches every time (which takes a while), it’s still 56 fights to unlock everything. I can’t help but feel like things were cut down in favor of another mode.

(Image credit: 2K) Here comes the money

The Island is the brand-new mode exclusive to the current-gen versions of the game (not PC, though), and despite being the big thing for WWE 2K25, it’s easily the worst thing about it. The mode plays out like a bad MMO where you go talk to NPCs, play matches, and compete against others.

But the mission structure is so bland; one of the early questlines has you walking in and out of the same building to talk to two different sets of NPCs multiple times. Plus, the story is told via still images with text, with the occasional video of Roman Reigns. It would be a harmless, kind of bland mode, but then its character progression shows its true colors.

You create a new character for The Island, and this character’s stats are upgraded via VC – the game’s premium paid currency. Not only that but there are also exclusive cosmetic items for your characters that also cost VC. You can earn VC while playing matches, but it’s a pittance compared to the prices of gear, leading you to either grind like mad or pull out the credit card.

Every online match (which took ages to find and disconnected immediately most times) in the mode placed me against the sweatiest-looking created wrestlers with maxed-out stats, so the mode is also basically pay-to-win, although thankfully it’s not interesting enough that I care. I play these games for around 80+ hours every year, but I don’t see myself touching this mode after the review.

(Image credit: 2K)

Speaking of money, My Faction – 2K’s take on Ultimate Team – returns with all the same problems as before. Exclusive characters are locked behind ‘Persona’ cards, which are either a massive grind to get or require random drops from card packs. The new ‘World Tour’ within My Faction is the best thing added to the mode in years (allowing you to unlock some of those ‘Persona’ cards), but it also has walls that require you to have specific card types to continue through it.

My GM is another mode that has similar problems to before. I love GM Mode with all my heart, but the weird penalties in 2K’s version are off-putting. Characters all have roles and styles; some vibe well with others, and your matches are worse off if you don’t have the right pairings.

But this isn’t emblematic of what WWE is like in real life; CM Punk and Seth Rollins are in the midst of a blood feud right now on TV; both of them are good guys. This mode has the potential to be the best thing about WWE 2K, but the same old restrictions once again overwhelm any improvements.

WWE 2K25 is the best wrestling game of the modern era. The Showcase and My Rise modes are the best they’ve been with some minor issues, and the core wrestling feels great with an ever-increasing number of match types keeping it fresh. But the money-hungry Island and My Faction modes – which can’t even be ignored due to their unlockable content – hold it back from its rightful place at the head of the table.

Should you play WWE 2K25? Play it if...

You want a fantastic wrestling game
WWE 2K25 is the best wrestling game I’ve played since 2K took the series over. The core wrestling is fantastic and is only improved with the likes of chain wrestling. Some of the side modes aren’t amazing, but it has a ton of content for you to play through until next year’s entry releases. Plus, there are hundreds of wrestlers from WWE’s past through to the current day.

You acknowledge Roman Reigns as your Tribal Chief
The 2K Showcase documentary mode is the best it has ever been this year. Looking back at the Bloodline’s past and future gives it a ton of variety, and Paul Heyman’s narration is incredibly engaging throughout. Plus, removing the real footage helps the pacing massively.

Don't play it if...

You’ll be annoyed at missing content
Variants of characters are locked to ‘Persona’ cards found behind a grind or random card packs in My Faction mode, or through various My Rise replays. Unless you’re willing to put a massive amount of time in, you’re probably not unlocking everything.

Accessibility

Accessibility-wise there’s not much to write home about. The various mini-games for the likes of pins and submissions are customizable. There’s rapid button pressing for submissions, which can be switched for a slider minigame, while pins are a timed minigame that can be swapped for rapid pressing. There’s also an option for rapid press inputs to be replaced by holding buttons. However, these changes are not available in any online modes (including vs the CPU in My Faction).

How I reviewed WWE 2K25

I played 30 hours of WWE 2K25 between a PS5 Pro on a Samsung Q60D TV and a Samsung HW-T450 soundbar. I also played on a PS5 on a Samsung Odyssey G5 gaming monitor with a PlayStation Pulse 3D Headset.

During this time I played all of the Showcase mode (including both sides of the Wargames match), one playthrough of My Rise, a year of My GM, a few months in Universe, and about five hours of My Faction. I also played through the first few chapters of The Island, with a couple of PVP matches in the mode.

First reviewed March 2025

• Android 16 Beta 3 is here, bringing new features to enrolled users
• Users need a Google Pixel 6, or more recent Google Pixel phone, to get the beta
• New features include battery health tools and accessibility options

Android 16 Beta 3 is here, bringing a handful of new features to those participating in the Android beta program.

The new features included in Android 16 Beta 3 include a new battery health monitoring screen, new accessibility settings, and new tools to keep your local networks safe.

The beta is available to users of select Google Pixel phones who are enrolled in the Android beta program: to access Android 16 betas, you’ll need a Google Pixel 6 or more recent Google Pixel handset, such as the Google Pixel 9 or Google Pixel 9 Pro.

The stable release of Android 16 is scheduled for Q2 2025, which we’re already in. If Google sticks to its target, we should see Android 16 released by the end of June.

Until then, Android 16 Beta 3 offers users some neat new features to test out. Below, we’ve rounded up the four most useful features from the latest test version of Android.

A new battery health page

Most phone users are now aware that phone batteries are consumable components that become less effective over time, as its maximum capacity diminishes with each recharge

Android 16 Beta 3 adds a handy new way to keep track of your battery’s health, with a new screen in settings offering an estimate of your battery’s current capacity as a percentage of its total capacity when new.

As Android Authority notes, the new settings page also includes links to resources that include tips on how to preserve battery health.

In a reversal of the norm, this is a feature that iPhone users have had access to for quite some time – now Android users have more information to pair with the operating system’s existing battery preservation features, like adaptive charging.

Text outlines

(Image credit: Matthew McCollough / Google )

Text can be hard to read on a smartphone display, especially on smaller screens – luckily Android 16 Beta 3 adds a new accessibility feature that should make it easier than ever to parse through the text on screen.

The new feature replaces the current high-contrast text option with outlined text, adding a high-contrast background.

This feature is specifically aimed at users with visual impairments, but it’s available to all who might want an easier time reading on-screen text.

Audio broadcast

Another accessibility feature lands with Android 16 Beta 3, in the form of Auracast audio broadcast support.

This allows users with hearing aids and earbuds paired to their smartphone to loop into public broadcasts – examples given include airports, concerts, and classrooms.

The Android developers blog notes that this makes use of the LE Audio standard, a form of Bluetooth audio.

Network security tools

Android 16 Beta 3 also includes new tools to keep prying eyes away from your local network by altering the scope of app permissions.

As it stands, any app that has permission to access the internet can access devices and files on your local network – this beta changes this by requiring a separate permission to access local networks.

This should give users more control over how much of their information is shared between apps and services.

As mentioned, Android 16 should land on the best Android phones by the end of June. Let us know what you want to see from Google’s next mobile operating system in the comments below.

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Apple is my bread and butter. I saved up for ages as a kid to buy my first MacBook, I invested all my time as a teenager learning all there was to know about the iPhone, and I started working at the Genius Bar in my local Apple Store as a young adult.

When I got my “big break” in journalism I was thrilled to finally be able to merge my passion for tech and knowledge for Apple with my talent for writing. After working for a few years at iMore, an Apple-enthusiast site, I moved to TechRadar to cover AI, ready to take on a new challenge that I thought would, yet again, be shaped by some kind of Apple-infused impact: Apple Intelligence.

Fast forward to now, I’ve been part of the Apple Intelligence journey since day one, covering all the major AI announcements at WWDC 2024 and using Apple’s take on “AI for the rest of us.” since its very early beta days.

At first, the Apple Intelligence features were confusing, with tools scattered across the UI, but Apple’s take that AI should be there for when users need it rather than forced down their throats felt like a refreshing approach to the tech world’s favorite buzzword that’s hard to avoid.

The thing is, the more we fast forward through the first year of Apple advertising AI as the headline feature in all its hero products, the more the cracks have begun to show, and there’s no more damning visual than Apple’s need to push back (with no timeframe) the key to Apple Intelligence’s success, Siri.

(Image credit: Apple)

I was off work last week, so I missed the whole announcement of the delay to the upcoming Apple Intelligence-powered Siri where an Apple spokesperson said, “It is going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year.” Off the grid, I had no idea what was waiting for me on Monday morning, and when I saw the news the disappointment hit me like a tonne of bricks.

You see, I’ve championed Apple Intelligence for months. Not so much because of its “intelligence” but because I have full belief in Apple’s ability to do something the right way, and based on the company’s track record it would’ve been a safe bet to place.

I’ve been writing about how I believed consumer AI’s success was reliant on Apple Intelligence’s success and if any company in the world could make AI make sense for my nephew and my parents alike then it would be Apple.

Over the last nine months, I’ve tested everything Apple Intelligence has to offer, from features that I’ve used once and not touched since like Writing Tools to the more endearing options like Genmoji.

When it launched I said “Apple is onto something with Genmoji, and it might just be the best Apple Intelligence feature, ready to expose other AI tools to the average customer” to this day I use the AI tool whenever regular emojis just don’t fit the situation.

But let’s be real, the Genomji, Image Playground features of the world are not needle movers, they are simply nice-to-haves that come in handy whenever you want to cheer up a friend or family member. The Siri showcased at WWDC 2024, on the other hand, is a needle mover, a system seller if you will - that would be if it actually existed.

I’ve been talking with my colleague and TechRadar’s US Managing News Editor, Jacob Krol, about this for months and how I was starting to worry about Apple Intelligence’s prowess considering we hadn’t really seen anything to suggest it was even capable of improving people’s lives in the way Apple would make you believe.

John Gruber’s damning criticism of Apple’s AI situation captured that feeling perfectly, highlighting the lack of even a guided demo or showcase of Siri 2.0 at WWDC in June or at the launch of the iPhone 16 in September, leaving the question: Does it even exist?

In recent times, Apple’s AirPower charging mat springs to mind. I remember working at the Apple Store when it was announced and the excitement from customers who wanted an easy-to-use wireless charging solution that could charge multiple devices at once. Then… nothing. AirPower was never released, and two years after its initial announcement in 2017 the product was canceled and sent into the abyss.

AirPower was a fairly niche product, unlike Apple Intelligence which Apple has been touting as the main selling point of the current best iPhones, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

After the unveiling of the iPhone 16 in September, I wrote an article highlighting my dismay with the Apple Intelligence launch. The piece was titled “The Apple Intelligence launch is a mess – don’t buy the iPhone 16 or install iOS 18 based on the promise of what’s to come” emphasizing the fact that Apple was selling consumers a smartphone that wasn’t shipping with any of its headlining features.

I said, “This is where my bigger concern lies: the promises of what’s to come. I’ve used Apple Intelligence as part of the iOS 18.1 developer beta and I like what I’ve tried so far, but Genmoji, Image Playground, and the wonder of an actually useful Siri are all just pipedreams right now. No one outside of Apple has even seen these AI tools in the flesh; they aren’t even in beta testing yet as part of a Developer Beta.”

Since then, we’ve seen Genmoji and Image Playground, in fact, they are now available on compatible devices, but Siri (the feature we’re all waiting for) is still nowhere to be seen. It was meant to launch as part of iOS 18.4 in April or May, and I was waiting patiently, giving Apple the benefit of the doubt, hoping for Siri to bring the keys to unlock AI on the iPhone.

I’ve had countless conversations with colleagues where I’ve explained how it’s tricky to critique Apple Intelligence fairly without having all the pieces to the puzzle, and how Apple’s “beta” moniker makes it unfair to criticize. But honestly, with this Siri delay and delving deeper into the capabilities of Android with Gemini integration, I feel completely let down by Apple and I feel like it’s only right to make that clear.

If I had to describe Apple Intelligence, the umbrella term for all things AI in iPhone, iPad, and Mac, I’d call it underwhelming. There’s not one AI tool on my iPhone 16 Pro right now that fulfills Apple’s ultimate goal of simplifying life. It’s so insignificant, in fact, that I had it switched off after an update for about two weeks without even noticing the AI features were disabled.

If Siri’s Apple Intelligence upgrade was available then we’d be a step closer to the personal assistant in your pocket that everyone is hopeful for, but as it stands iPhone users and loyal Apple customers are living in the AI-less past while even non-flagship smartphones like Google’s Pixel 8a have excellent AI integration.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

I’ll admit it, I’m sometimes blinded by the Apple bubble and therefore spend most of my life using Apple products instead of the competition. Because of that, I think sometimes Apple's aura clouds purchasing decisions and consumers miss out on the capabilities of the other side.

I know the grass isn’t always greener, but when it comes to AI it definitely is. Take Gemini in Gmail for example, which allows users to quickly ask AI to help take control of their emails right from the Gmail app, it’s a neat feature and the kind of useful AI tool that serves a purpose, not just a nice-to-have.

Gemini is integrated throughout Android 15 and now that Apple has decided to delay Siri even longer, those of us who trusted the concept of Apple Intelligence are being punished. I don’t have faith that the iPhone 16, a device sold as the best place for Apple Intelligence, will even have a Siri capable of Gemini’s prowess before the iPhone 17 launches – and that’s just not cool Apple.

We’ve become accustomed to Apple doing what’s right for its consumers and ultimately creating hardware and software that’s beautiful to look at and easy to understand. With AI it feels like Apple was blindsided and has taken for granted just how quickly artificial intelligence would become part of our daily lives.

In the past Apple has been able to hide behind limitations by marketing them with its consumers in mind: Siri isn’t as good as Alexa or Google Assistant because Apple doesn’t access your data.

But when it comes to AI, the privacy focus doesn’t bear the same weight. Competitors, while not offering the same world-class privacy and security as Apple, have caught up to a certain extent and consumers want AI that genuinely makes a difference, removing the mundane from their lives. That means that people are more likely to overlook things that might’ve been a sticking point in the past, purely to gain access to tools that significantly enhance the user experience.

I could write about this situation all day, but I’m going to push the brakes. Ultimately, Apple has overpromised and by doing so has significantly disappointed its most loyal customers. Owning a flagship iPhone with a gorgeous OLED display and an incredibly fast Apple-produced chip means nothing if the software is living in the past compared to its competitors.

Whether you like AI or not, the last year has proven that this is one of the most significant software productivity jumps we’ve ever seen, and unless Apple gets its game together it’s going to be completely left in the dust.

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• A new version of RCS is on the way that will allow encrypted messaging between iOS and Android
• Apple has previously never offered encrypted messaging outside the iMessage standard
• This follows Apple's adoption of unencrypted RCS last year

A new announcement from the GSM Association confirms Apple is bringing end-to-end encryption to RCS messaging on iPhone for the first time, marking a major step for cross-platform communications.

Encrypted messaging on iPhone was previously limited to Apple’s own iMessage standard, which is only available to Apple users and as such is only possible between two or more iPhones or other Apple devices.

Apple initially enabled RCS on iPhone in 2024, after 17 years of forcing iPhone users to text other platforms over SMS, with the caveat that end-to-end encryption would not be an available feature.

Now, the GSM Association – the non-profit industry body that represents the world’s mobile network operators – confirms that a multitude of industry partners, including Apple, have collaborated on a new RCS standard that supports end-to-end encryption across multiple platforms.

Apple spokesperson Shane Bauer told The Verge: “We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.”

RCS, which stands for Rich Communication Services, has been the standard of choice for the Android phones for a few years now, but Apple has been slow to adopt the universally available communication protocol.

From the beginnings of the iPhone in 2007 up until last year, Apple only allowed iPhones to text other kinds of phones over SMS, which offers no encryption and very limited options for sharing media.

End-to-end encryption, where messages are only displayed in deciphered form to senders and recipients, is a key selling point of RCS and a proudly-touted feature of other major messaging services like WhatsApp.

My take: a win for everybody

(Image credit: Shutterstock / DenPhotos)

As TechRadar’s mobile computing staff writer, I see my fair share of Apple cynicism, but having gotten my frustration at Apple for delaying the adoption of RCS mostly out of my system last year, I’m feeling optimistic about this latest announcement.

As the iOS and Android ecosystems continue to diversify, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that the duopoly of Apple and Google isn’t going away any time soon, and with the best iPhones and the best Android phones all offering top-flight performance and feature sets, its likely the people in your life will represent a blend of the two user bases.

This new version of RCS is a win for everybody: better communication over a secure channel, without the need for third-party apps. I’m particularly glad that less tech-savvy users will be able to rely on Apple’s default Messages app to keep their texts and sent media secure.

I’m also glad to see Apple showing a bit of willingness to collaborate with its rival for the greater benefit of its user base. Apple continues to show itself as a company that genuinely cares about user privacy – even if, we recently saw in the UK, that means battling with governments to achieve its vision of data protection.

What do you think of this announcement? Is Apple on the right track, or is this too little, too late? Let us know in the comments.

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• Wix announces a new automation builder
• The tool aims to save businesses time by making it easier to automate repetitive tasks
• The platform features a "dynamic visual canvas" and includes built-in email automation capabilities

Wix, one of the market's best website builders, just launched a new automation builder designed to streamline business workflows through a customizable automation engine.

In a press release shared with TechRadar Pro earlier this week, the company said that the tool features a “dynamic visual canvas” that allows users to design, modify, and manage complex automation logic with ease.

Since all of task management is handled from a single automation table, the process is centralized and allows users to track trigger counts, monitor key metrics, view workflow summaries, and make real-time adjustments.

Furthermore, the automation builder incorporates conditions and formulas, allowing users to create workflows that “adapt dynamically to business needs”.

Wix says that the feature should help businesses automate repetitive tasks and customize processes based on real-time information, thus improving operational efficiency.

Available now

The automation builder is integrated with Wix Services, meaning businesses can leverage contextual data to build intelligent solutions.

For example, companies can generate personalized discount codes based on a customer's purchase history, spending habits, or specific items that they bought in the past.

Businesses can also automate notifications, such as sending appointment reminders, invoice due alerts, or follow-up emails for abandoned carts.

The platform includes built-in email automation capabilities that provide detailed engagement statistics, Wix further explained, stating that users get to track email open rates, click-through rates, and other performance indicators.

Automated SMS messaging is also available, giving businesses an additional channel to reach customers with timely updates, offers, or reminders. Users receive a limited number of free actions, though, such as sending emails and SMS. Extra options can be unlocked through premium upgrades, Wix said, although it did not elaborate on what these were.

The Wix automation builder is now available on both Wix and Wix Studio, offering a new solution for businesses looking to optimize workflows and improve customer engagement.

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• GitLab releases patch for nine flaws, including two critical severity ones
• The critical flaws allowed threat actors to bypass authentication and could lead to data exfiltration
• Patch is available now, with GitLab urging users to apply it

GitLab has patched nine vulnerabilities affecting its Community Edition (CE) and Enterprise Edition (EE) solutions, and urged users to apply the patch immediately.

In a security advisory published, GitLab said that among the nine flaws are two critical severity ones, which allow threat actors to bypass authentication.

Users are urged to bring their GitLab CE/EE to versions 17.7.7, 17.8.5, and 17.9.2, as soon as possible. GitLab.com is already patched, and GitLab Dedicated customers will be updated automatically, so no action is required on their end. However, users who run self-managed installations will need to patch up, as well.

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Mitigating and patching

"We strongly recommend that all installations running a version affected by the issues described below are upgraded to the latest version as soon as possible," GitLab said.

The two critical severity flaws are tracked as CVE-2025-25291 and CVE-2025-25292. They were both discovered in the ruby-saml library, which is used for SAML Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication at the instance or group level. An authenticated attacker, with access to a valid signed SAML document, can impersonate another user with the same SAML Identity Provider (IdP) environment, and thus gain access to their account.

This, in turn, could lead to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and more.

Users who cannot apply the patch immediately should mitigate the risk by making sure all users on GitLab self-managed instances have 2FA set up (2FA at the identity provider level does not help). They should also disable the SAML two-factor bypass option, and should request admin approval for auto-created users.

GitLab stressed that these should only be seen as temporary mitigations, and that the only way to permanently address the issue is to apply the patch.

GitHub says its platform is not affected by this discovery, since it stopped using the ruby-saml library more than a decade ago,, BleepingComputer found.

"GitHub doesn't currently use ruby-saml for authentication, but began evaluating the use of the library with the intention of using an open source library for SAML authentication once more," GitHub said.

Via BleepingComputer

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Data centers are playing an increasingly key role in the modern digital economy, but as demand for these critical infrastructures continues to grow, ensuring their sustainable operation becomes increasingly important. By adopting innovative strategies and cutting-edge technologies, data centers can enhance their environmental performance and achieve greater energy efficiency. Retrofitting existing facilities (upgrading rather than building anew) provides an innovative way to achieve these goals while maximizing the value of existing resources.

Far from simply being a stopgap measure, retrofitting breathes new life into legacy buildings, unlocking efficiencies, potentially lowering carbon emissions, and maximizing the use of existing resources. Delivered well, it helps ensure uninterrupted operations while setting a benchmark for sustainability in urban environments.

Managing complexity and leveraging opportunities

Upgrading an operational data center is a complex undertaking, where maintaining uninterrupted service becomes a critical challenge. These facilities often support critical functions for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and public safety. Consequently, planning upgrades while minimizing downtime requires precision and creativity.

Older buildings present additional challenges. Legacy facilities may struggle to support advancements in technology such as high-density server racks that support Artificial Intelligence applications and advanced cooling solutions due to the limited availability of space within existing data halls. Here, retrofitting efforts must carefully navigate these spatial constraints, adding further intricacies to the process.

Cooling systems are among the most energy-intensive components of any data center, making them a central focus for retrofitting projects. Traditional water-based cooling methods, while effective, pose challenges in regions already grappling with water scarcity. To address this, modernization efforts are exploring innovative alternatives such as air-based cooling systems and advanced energy-efficient designs. These solutions not only alleviate pressure on water resources but also offer the dual benefit of reducing operational costs while helping operators meet their sustainability objectives.

Energy optimization is another key focus, with advanced techniques transforming how cooling is managed. Implementing hot and cold aisle containment systems, for example, enhances airflow by preventing the mixing of hot and cold air, directing cooling efforts precisely where they’re most needed.

This targeted approach enhances efficiency while reducing overall energy consumption. Economizers, which tap into free cooling methods by utilizing outside air, add another layer of innovation. Together, these measures provide significant environmental benefits while lowering operating costs, demonstrating how modernization can achieve both sustainability and financial efficiency.

Embracing a circular sustainability model

Beyond technological upgrades, retrofitting aligns perfectly with the principles of a circular economy. By reusing and repurposing materials during upgrades, operators can reduce construction waste and lower embodied carbon.

Salvaged materials such as metals, furniture, and equipment can, for instance, be donated to local charities, schools, and businesses, turning what might have been waste into valuable resources. This approach not only mitigates environmental impact but also fosters community engagement. A recent Telehouse project in London generated over £30,000 for local charities by recycling extracted materials, directly supporting community initiatives and decreasing landfill contributions.

This model of sustainability extends to operational practices as well. Retrofitting offers the opportunity to integrate energy from renewable sources and energy-efficient systems. Facilities can also incorporate solar panels, on-site battery storage, and advanced power management systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

These improvements not only help operators meet their own ESG goals but also make retrofitted facilities more attractive to clients with their own sustainability commitments. In a market where environmental considerations increasingly influence decision-making, the ability to demonstrate greener practices provides a competitive edge.

Building resilience and community impact

The benefits of retrofitting extend beyond environmental improvements. Engaging with and supporting the community are essential elements of successful projects, especially in urban areas. Modernization initiatives often create local jobs in construction, engineering, and project management, while also supporting apprenticeships in fields such as electrical systems, HVAC maintenance, and sustainable design. This contributes to both economic and social resilience.

Additionally, thoughtful project planning can ensure that disruptions to surrounding areas are minimized, whether by managing construction noise or adopting green procurement practices to reduce transport emissions. Some projects even involve outreach efforts, such as introducing young people to careers in data center management and construction, ensuring a steady flow of local talent for the future.

When carried out with care, retrofitting projects can have a positive impact beyond the data center itself, acting as catalysts for community improvement. By integrating charitable activities, educational opportunities, and sustainable design, operators can leave a lasting legacy that benefits both people and the wider environment.

A vision for the data center future

As the data center industry continues to evolve, retrofitting is set to play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping its future. Advances in technology, such as liquid cooling systems and heat reuse capabilities, promise even greater efficiencies, allowing facilities to achieve more with fewer resources.

Urban settings, where space is limited, present unique challenges. Retrofitting older facilities provides a practical solution by transforming them into state-of-the-art hubs that meet modern demands while preserving valuable real estate. This approach also avoids many of the logistical and regulatory hurdles associated with developing new builds in densely built areas.

Collaboration is key to fully realizing the potential of retrofitting. Operators, engineers, local authorities, and community stakeholders must work together to share knowledge, adopt best practices, and scale successful models across the industry.

Ultimately, retrofitting is about more than just modernizing data centers. It’s about creating a smarter, greener future - one where innovation, sustainability, and community impact go hand in hand. For operators, the message is clear: retrofitting isn’t merely a choice; it’s a responsibility and an opportunity to lead by example.

Transforming data centers has emerged as a crucial strategy in the pursuit of sustainable modernization. By enhancing energy efficiency, optimizing operational capacity, and fostering community and environmental benefits, this approach addresses both current demands and future challenges. As the industry progresses, embracing modernization will be essential in building resilient, data centers that support the ever-growing digital economy while contributing positively to the communities they serve.

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

Xbox is reportedly working with PC hardware giant Asus to make its first handheld console, which could be released at the end of 2025.

This news comes from Jez Corden at our sibling publication Windows Central, who reported that his sources have corroborated claims made by reporter Tom Warren at The Verge that the Xbox handle – apparently codenamed Project Kennan – will be made in partnership with Asus.

All this follows a report from a few days ago that noted Xbox is reportedly teaming up with a mystery manufacturer to launch a PC gaming handheld this year.

From a purely logical standpoint, Asus as a hardware partner makes a lot of sense given it already has the ROG Ally, which is a fairly robust Windows 11 handheld PC that can run games in the Xbox Game Pass PC catalog both natively and via cloud-powered streaming.

And as Corden reports, the Xbox handheld will resemble a ROG Ally in a lot of respects, only with design cues that make it more of a device one would associate with the Xbox brand; I’d expect to see an Xbox Wireless Controller button layout and triggers with a glowing Xbox home button.

“According to our trusted sources, Kennan will blend Asus' stylings with updated design conventions more typical of an ‘Xbox’ style device, with more prominent grips and a dedicated Xbox guide-style button,” said Corden.

A perfect Ally?

(Image credit: Future)

But logic aside, this information raises one of my eyebrows a little. First off, this may just be a new ROG Ally, perhaps even a full second-generation model that may simply have more tightly integrated Xbox elements rather than being an Xbox-first machine.

My colleague Matt Hanson, Managing Editor of Core Tech at TechRadar, told me he thinks a full Xbox-centric ROG Ally-type machine is a tad unlikely, though did note an Xbox-branded version of Windows 11 that's better for handhelds would certainly be welcome.

I’m inclined to agree with that view as it leads me to my second point: I’d expect a dedicated Xbox handheld to come running a version of the Xbox operating system rather than anything that's identifiably Windows 11 in a practical sense. This approach would likely tighter integrate the hardware with the software and cut out the overheads needed for running what’s a fully-fledged operating system on the current ROG Ally models.

Equally, I’d be surprised if Asus were to make an ROG Ally that didn’t have full Windows 11 support, and thus access to a whole range of PC gaming services and stores. So I could definitely see a next-gen ROG Ally of sorts take on Windows 11 that’s better tuned for handheld gaming than it currently is.

(Image credit: Backbone)

On the flipside I could also see Microsoft having its own Xbox handheld with an interface very much like the Xbox Series X; this could still be made by Asus on the hardware side but not have any software involvement from the company.

Such a machine would be tuned for running Xbox games rather than having a heavy PC element, which could then yield better performance than one might expect from a handheld PC due to the aforementioned tighter hardware and software integration.

"I could also see Microsoft having its own Xbox handheld with an interface very much like the Xbox Series X"

That’s something I’d particularly want as it would be the key for such an Xbox device to stand out from the other handheld PCs that all have access to the Xbox gaming platform in one way or another.

However, the reports tend to indicate that the Xbox handheld will be designed to run PC titles rather than native Xbox games.

So my speculation might not hold much weight here, especially with Microsoft seemingly trying to better integrate the Xbox ecosystem with the Microsoft one.

(Image credit: Steam / Asus)

Given the ROG Ally is arguably the closest rival to the excellent Valve Steam Deck, I do think Asus would probably be the best hardware partner for an Xbox handheld. But my hope is whatever device gets cooked up, it stands a little apart from the current crop of handheld PC and instead sports some of the clean and slick design language seen in Microsoft’s Surface devices.

Time will tell how this all plays out but with Xbox boss Phil Spencer having confirmed Microsoft is working on a handheld games console, we could see something sooner than later.

In the here and now, if you want to play Xbox games on a handheld the ROG Ally is probably your best bet out of the box, but with a bit of patience and digging you can get the Steam Deck to run Xbox Cloud Gaming in a rather effective fashion; it was how I finished Starfield's main quest a while back, so give it a go.

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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Friday, March 14 (game #642).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #643) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• PEG
• SUE
• MOVE
• NEEDLE
• MAY
• BARB
• NECK
• TONIGHT
• BRIDGE
• MIGHT
• WISH
• STRING
• BRISTLE
• SERVE
• SPINE
• CHARGE

NYT Connections today (game #643) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Pointy 
• GREEN: Plucky devices
• BLUE: See you in court
• PURPLE: Nursery rhyme words

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #643) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: SHARP PROTRUSION 
• GREEN: FEATURES OF STRINGED INSTRUMENTS 
• BLUE: LITIGATION VERBS 
• PURPLE: IN "STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT" 

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

NYT Connections today (game #643) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #643, are…

• YELLOW: IMPOSE, AS A PENALTY ASSESS, CHARGE, FINE, LEVY
• GREEN: CHECKOUT LINE IMPULSE BUYS CANDY, CHAPSTICK, CHARGING CABLE, MAGAZINE
• BLUE: MOVIES OF VARIOUS LENGTHS EPIC, FEATURE, FILM SERIES, SHORT
• PURPLE: ___ ROAD DIRT, HIGH, ROCKY, SILK

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 2 mistakes

Thanks to PEG and SUE, my first thought today was the song Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly. Being a classic of the rock'n'roll era it did help guide me towards the Green group – although I did initially think I was looking for parts of a guitar, rather than the more general FEATURES OF STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

SHARP PROTRUSION I got after making a mistake by thinking it was about heckling someone, so I had PEG instead of SPINE before then thinking it had something to do with hedgehogs – which was sort of correct.

My next mistake was thinking there was a group that was linked by dithering (oh, the irony) with MAY, MIGHT and WISH. It took me foolishly adding SUE and getting “one away” before I saw LITIGATION VERBS. A case of trial and error.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, 14 March, game #642)

• YELLOW: IMPOSE, AS A PENALTY ASSESS, CHARGE, FINE, LEVY
• GREEN: CHECKOUT LINE IMPULSE BUYS CANDY, CHAPSTICK, CHARGING CABLE, MAGAZINE
• BLUE: MOVIES OF VARIOUS LENGTHS EPIC, FEATURE, FILM SERIES, SHORT
• PURPLE: ___ ROAD DIRT, HIGH, ROCKY, SILK

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, March 14 (game #376).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #377) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Free for all

NYT Strands today (game #377) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• ROYAL
• SNAG
• WEDGE
• BLOT
• BARD
• ROAD

NYT Strands today (game #377) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 7 letters

NYT Strands today (game #377) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 5th row

Last side: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #377) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #377, are…

• NOTEBOOK
• LANYARD
• TOTE
• DECAL
• SHIRT
• BOTTLE
• PENCIL
• SPANGRAM: SWAG BAG

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 hint

In the UK there’s a famous businessman called Sir Alan Sugar (like Donald Trump he's made his name on our version of The Apprentice) who has a word he likes to use for the objects listed in today’s search. He calls it “toot”, in other words cheap items that have little value other than that you can add with marketing nous.

Anyone who’s been to a conference or launch event will be familiar with the SWAG BAG described and despite the fact that you know will never use the TOTE or BOTTLE (mainly on account of it being toot) you can’t help but be thrilled at receiving all this stuff for free. It’s a very strange transaction.

The best swag bags I ever got were at the end of the marathons I used to do; then you’d get really vital stuff like a banana, an energy bar and some water. In this kind of circumstance they’d never put in a PENCIL in, on the off-chance that some exhausted runner accidentally would eat it.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, 14 March, game #376)

• APPLE
• PEACH
• PECAN
• CHERRY
• PUMPKIN
• BLUEBERRY
• SPANGRAM: CLASSIC PIES

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.