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• Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at a July launch event
• A new leak claims the company also has a surprise audio product
• It's reportedly a set of bone-conduction headphones

A new report claims that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 launch will take place in July, accompanied by the unveiling of a surprise new audio product: bone-conduction headphones.

The news comes from famed (and usually reliable) leaker Ice Universe on Chinese social-networking site Weibo, who says, "Sources revealed that Samsung Electronics' MX division will release bone conduction headphones at the Samsung Fold 7 launch event in July."

It sounds like Samsung is coming after the best bone-conduction headphones on the market, offering a new audio solution that's sure to be popular with runners and cyclists who love the lightweight, unobtrusive design of bone-conduction headphones, and the added safety they bring by allowing you to stay attuned to your surroundings.

The leak, first spotted by Android Authority, goes on to claim that the headphones are codenamed project "able", and will feature an "open wireless stereo (OWS) that transmits sound from around the ear instead of plugging the earphones into the ear."

Samsung is launching... something

As exciting as this leak is for runners, cyclists, and others, the second part of the leak muddies the water somewhat. OWS headphones generally refers to headphones that pump sound into your ear via air conduction, while bone-conduction headphones use vibrations to transmit the audio through your skull.

The upshot is the same, though: you get good audio quality while your ear canals remain free and open to listen out for hazards while you're out and about, one of the key reasons they're so popular with outdoor athletes.

There may be a language barrier here, or some confusion about the technology. Or perhaps Samsung has cooked up some exciting headphones that use a combination of bone conduction and air conduction.

Either way, if Ice Universe is correct these headphones will launch in July alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and would differ from the existing Galaxy Buds lineup, which you can find in our round-up the best earbuds.

Whether Samsung's first attempt will be enough to knock off the likes of Shokz off their perch when it comes to exercise headphones remains to be seen, but we're excited to find out.

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• The hit Paramount+ show Landman has been renewed for season 2.
• The Taylor Sheridan series received the most-watched global premiere and finale of any series in the history of Paramount+.
• The series stars Billy Bob Thornton and tells the story of the 21st century Texas oil boom in the Permian Basin.

Taylor Sheridan's creative reign over Paramount+ is set to continue as Landman has been renewed for a second season.

Landman is another rural American drama by Sheridan that's become a huge hit on Paramount+ and even broke records on one of the best streaming services. According to Paramount, Landman had the most-watched global premiere and finale of any series in the history of Paramount+. This fact may be unsurprising to many given Sheridan's history of creating engrossing television with the likes of neo-Western behemoth Yellowstone, Tulsa King, and Special Ops: Lioness under his belt.

Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks, told Variety: "Landman was one of the biggest shows of the year because of Taylor Sheridan’s unique ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist, harnessing the neo-Western themes of rugged individualism, ambition and working-class struggles set against contemporary debates around energy, climate change and economic growth.

"The series has helped drive Paramount+ to new heights as the #2 SVOD in the US for Original hours watched in Q4, alongside our other hit series Tulsa King, The Agency, Lioness and Dexter: Original Sin.”

What is Landman about?

Thanks to Sheridan, Paramount+ has become the home of neo-Western dramas. Landman is an explosive melodrama that's just another addition to Sheridan's acclaimed works that rank among the best Paramount+ shows.

Landman is based on the podcast Boomtown, which is hosted by the show's co-creator Christian Wallace and focuses on the 21st century Texas oil boom in the Permian Basin. In Landman, Billy Bob Thornton stars as Tommy Norris, the overseer of an oil-drilling operation, a role which nabbed him a Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a drama series.

The official synopsis for Landman reads: "Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune-seeking in the world of oil rigs. Based on the notable 11-part podcast Boomtown from Imperative Entertainment and Texas Monthly, the series is an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it's reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics."

Landman features a star-studded cast alongside Thornton, including Demi Moore (The Substance), John Hamm (Mad Men), Michael Peña (Ant-Man), Andy Garcia (The Godfather Part III), and Ali Larter (Final Destination).

If you enjoyed Landman, check out these three Taylor Sheridan series next, plus another gritty drama with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

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Groov-e Boston: Two-minute review

If you had a checklist of everything you wanted from a DAB radio, the Groov-e Boston would mark off almost every point. It lacks good looks and its sound quality could be better but for only £39.99 – it's currently only available in the UK, but that would make it approximately $52 or AU$82 where available in the US and Australia – it’s hard to criticize it too much.

Also, I can see it fitting in nicely in any room of your home, or you can always take it with you to a holiday let, a caravan: you get the idea. It’s lightweight for the size so it’s easy to move around.

A wooden frame isn’t the priciest or most exclusive look but it does make the Groov-e Boston appear a little classier than if it stuck with the speaker grilles' metal styling, or went for plastic casework. This isn’t the radio to show off to friends and family (that’s the Roberts Revival Petite 2) but it has, nevertheless an old-school charm about it.

Audio quality could be better but for a basic DAB radio, the Groov-e Boston is fine. Don’t count on using the Bluetooth connectivity too often to listen to your own music, though, unless you’re really stuck for options.

So, the Groov-e Boston isn’t one of the best Bluetooth speakers but who really cares about that? You’re buying something like this to compete with the best DAB radios. The Groov-e Boston may not have stolen my heart, but my head (and bank balance) do certainly love the price tag.

Groov-e Boston review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

• Released February 2023
• Cost £39.99 (currently only available in the UK)

The Groov-e Boston was released in the UK in February 2023. Availability hasn’t stretched elsewhere – though if you happen to find it in the US or Australia it'll set you back approximately $52 or AU$82 – but if you’re in the UK, this is a cheap DAB radio while still being from a reputable brand.

It’s far cheaper than my beloved aforementioned Roberts Revival Petite 2, as well as the bulky Pure Woodland. There are some obscure brands with DAB radios around the same price point but none from a reputable brand to compete with the budget delights of Groov-e.

Groov-e Boston review: Specs Groov-e Boston review: Features

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

• DAB & FM radio
• Bluetooth streaming
• Built-in alarm clock

Pretty much all the features you could need from the Groov-e Boston are here. It has DAB and FM radio connectivity along with Bluetooth 5.0 for pairing with your phone or other devices. All are easily tapped around thanks to the clearly laid out buttons. It takes seconds to get started with the Groov-e Boston and it never really gets any more complicated.

You can set up 40 presets if you really plan on browsing that many stations regularly and the Groov-e Boston also has an alarm clock function. The latter is a little awkward to set up, though, compared with the simplicity of everything else.

I’d consider the Groov-e Boston primarily as a radio to use at home but it does take batteries if you want to use it out and about. You need four size C batteries to stick in the back – though probably not something you’ll ever actually do, the option is there.

Features score: 4 / 5

Groov-e Boston review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

• A little tinny
• Best for spoken word over music
• Some distortion at high volumes

The Groov-e Boston’s sound quality instantly reminds me of almost every car garage I’ve ever been to. That may be too a specific an anecdote but what I’m getting at is the Groov-e Boston is pretty basic-sounding, with that low-level quality you’d get from a small radio trying to expand to much larger surroundings. The Groov-e Boston transfers that tinny sound to a smaller room.

Mileage will vary depending on the strength of the DAB signal, of course. I found it sometimes improved but there was never any punch such as when listening to Beyonce’s Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) while browsing through some music stations. Spoken word is far better with some time spent with rant-filled LBC sounding reasonably strong, if still a little tinny for want of a better word.

There’s a reasonable stereo effect here but little heft. Crank up the volume and the Groov-e Boston ends up sounding more distorted but it works well enough in a small environment.

Sound quality: 3 / 5

Groov-e Boston review: Design

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

• Useful carry handle
• Lightweight
• Retro stylings

Reminiscent of electronics' stylings a few decades old, the Groov-e Boston is functional if not exactly the device you’ll be posting across all your favorite social media platforms. It has a great metal carrying handle so you can move it from room to room without any bother, while the antenna pulls out easily enough.

In the center is a simple LED display showing the time, date, and whatever you’re listening to. Underneath that are your control buttons which are well laid out and explained, as well as a volume knob, which feels so much more satisfying repeated button bashing. The buttons on this radio are a tad on the noisy-clunky side but at least there’s never any doubt you’re tapping them. As is increasingly the way, there are no tactile bobbles to help those with sight impairments figure things out but the buttons are spaced out well so you can’t mistap anything.

On the back is simply the place for the batteries. No additional ports or anything like that. Also, if you’re keen to pick the right colorway for your decor, this isn’t the device for you. The Groov-e Boston is solely available in its part-gray/metal, part-wooden build.

Design score: 3 / 5

Groov-e Boston review: Value

• Very affordable
• Reputable name for the price
• Fine for short- or long-term plans

Check out any retailer and you’ll be lucky to find a DAB radio for this price that is also from a brand you’ve heard of. The competition is simply more expensive. The likes of the Sony XDR-P1 are in the same ballpark, but still pricier and also nowhere near as pleasant to place on your shelf.

You’ll be unlikely to find much for cheaper but if you want style or better features, you may wish to look elsewhere.

Value score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Groov-e Boston? Buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The Groov-e Boston packs a lot in for the price, even if it isn’t perfect.

You want something that fits everywhere
The Groov-e Boston will look fine in your kitchen as well as your living room, and you can even take it out with you.

You want something lightweight
Ideal for those who need to pack light or can’t carry anything too heavy, the Groov-e Boston won’t overwhelm you.

Don't buy it if... 

You want great sound quality
The Groov-e Boston works well with the spoken word but I was no fan when listening to music. Bear that in mind.

You want something stylish
The functional look will suit some but you won’t be showing off the Groov-e Boston to friends.

You need something more robust
The Groov-e Boston isn’t the weakest radio around but I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking it to the beach or off the beaten path.

Groov-e Boston review: Also consider

Roberts Revival Petite 2

Costing much more but looking gorgeous, the Roberts is just as portable while being something you’ll be proud of owning. Don't blame me when you decide to spend more.

Read our full Roberts Revival Petite 2 review here

Pure Woodland

The Pure Woodland is just as portable as the Boston but is a little more robust, making it ideal for the rugged lifestyle.

Read our full Pure Woodland review here

How I tested the Groov-e Boston

• Used the Groov-e Boston over 14 days
• Listened to DAB radio, FM radio, and music via iPhone 14 Pro and Bluetooth
• Over 10 years' experience testing audio equipment

I’ve spent a lot of time with a lot of different DAB radios over the years. I opened up the box and got started with the Groov-e Boston the moment it arrived. It spent much of its time between my home office, bedroom, and living room. The carrying handle came in useful there. I mostly used it connected to mains power.

I listened to a lot of talk radio (LBC and BBC Radio 5 Live) to keep up with current affairs, while switching over to Heart 90s and 00s along with a local music station to calm my nerves after too much news.

When using the Bluetooth functionality, I connected my iPhone 14 Pro, and listened to Spotify and Apple Music.

• Read TechRadar's review guarantee
• First reviewed in March 2025

• The Galaxy Z Fold 7 could get a 200MP primary camera upgrade
• It's a jump from the 50MP primary camera in the Galaxy Z Fold 6
• The phone should launch alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in July

If the rumors are right, we'll see the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 make an appearance within the next few months – and a fresh leak suggests the latter phone is set for a significant camera upgrade.

According to Galaxy Club (via Android Police), the book-style foldable is going to come with a 200MP primary camera on the back as part of a triple-lens rear camera setup, with the other cameras being a 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP telephoto.

That 200MP primary camera is apparently going to be borrowed from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and would be a major bump over the 50MP primary camera in the current model – see our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review for the details.

The cameras on the Z Fold series haven't been upgraded much in recent years, and even though it seems that only one of them is getting upgraded this time around, we'll take it – better-quality photo and video capture is always welcome.

What else do (we think) we know?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 had a 50MP primary camera (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

There's been no shortage of leaks and rumors around the Galaxy Z Fold 7 so far, and the Galaxy Club report repeats another one alongside the camera upgrade prediction: the foldable is said to be launching in July, like its predecessor.

If the rumors are to be believed, the RAM and storage specs aren't going to change on the new model. However, the processor should get upgraded to the latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset from Qualcomm, as used in the Galaxy S25 series.

Based on leaked renders we've seen, the foldable is going to be slimmer this time around – perhaps with the ultra-thin Oppo Find N5 in mind – and it's also being tipped to get larger displays (the main screen on the current model is 7.6 inches, corner to corner).

And what of the Samsung tri-fold? Samsung has already teased the introduction of a foldable with an extra fold in it, although we're not sure when it's going to launch or what it'll be called, and it may well get a mention at the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launch event in July.

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It’s been 35 years since the first ever documented ransomware attack. Known as the AIDS Trojan, it was released via floppy disk in 1989, long before most people even had a personal computer. However, since then, not only have PCs become ubiquitous in people’s homes around the world, but the volume and variety of cyber-attacks have also grown exponentially, turning cybercrime into a trillion-dollar industry.

Fortunately, cybersecurity experts haven’t stood idly by as the cybercrime industry has exploded. Cybersecurity tools and techniques have also grown and evolved at an incredible pace, enabling individuals, businesses, and nation-states to build robust countermeasures and defenses against the onslaught they face on the digital battleground.

Cybercrime continues to grow at an alarming rate

Since the very first deployment of the AIDS Trojan, the number of cyber-attacks taking place every day has risen at an alarming rate. In its 2024 Digital Defence report, Microsoft stated that its customers now face around 600 million cyberattacks daily, ranging from small-scale attacks carried out by rogue individuals to huge multi-target attacks conducted by state-sponsored attackers.

Organized ransomware groups are also on the rise, with specialist companies actively tracking 73 groups on the dark web in 2025, compared to just 46 groups last year, representing a 56% increase YoY.

The rise of AI-powered cyber attacks

The type of attacks taking place continue to evolve at a rapid rate too, as criminals quickly harness emerging technologies to open new attack vectors and methods. A great example is the arrival of commercial generative AI tools, which have enabled even low-level cyber criminals to start performing much higher-level attacks than were previously possible.

A recent assessment by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) stated that all types of cyber threat actors – state and non-state, skilled and less skilled – are already using AI to varying degrees. In particular, the technology is ‘providing capability uplift in reconnaissance and social engineering, almost certainly making both more effective, efficient and harder to detect’. The 2024-2025 Hacker Powered Security Report found that almost half (48%) of security leaders now view generative AI as one of the most significant risks facing their organizations today.

How organizations are fighting back with ethical hacking

In the face of such a hostile cyber landscape, many organizations are unsure how to go about keeping their data safe, particularly those with only small internal security teams and limited resources. Fortunately, there’s an incredible community of specialist security researchers that organizations can work with to augment internal efforts and ensure robust measures are in place. In fact, a growing number of businesses have started to engage with independent security researchers to vigorously test their applications, networks and other systems for vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by criminals.

These professionals use a variety of techniques to carry out their work, many of which mirror the very methods used by criminal actors. However, the difference is that security researchers use them solely within a legal and pre-agreed/authorized context rather than a malicious one. Some examples of methods used include automated and manual vulnerability scanning to detect known weaknesses, penetration testing to simulate real-world attacks, and meticulous code reviews to spot vulnerabilities and programming errors.

They may also further leverage fuzzing techniques to test software with random inputs and employ reverse engineering to dissect software's inner workings and uncover hidden vulnerabilities. In particular, demand for penetration testing has risen significantly in recent months, with a 67% increase over the past year. These tests uncover an average of 12 vulnerabilities per engagement, with 16% classified as high or critical, demonstrating just how effective they can be in detecting critical vulnerabilities.

AI also presents significant opportunities to cyber professionals

While Generative AI is seen as a top threat by security leaders, it also presents exciting opportunities for cybersecurity professionals. Just as threat actors are learning how to use AI to enhance their attack capabilities, security researchers are also leveraging AI tools and techniques to aid their defense strategies. It has already become a significant tool for writing code and proactively uncovering vulnerabilities that would otherwise be missed. In fact, according to the recent Security Report, nearly 10% of security researchers now specialize in AI to meet the growing demand for AI testing engagements.

Government support remains vital

Of course, all cybersecurity strategies are only as strong as their weakest link, which is why government support remains critical to overall success. National and international regulations, such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and the more recent General Data Protection Regulation, remain amongst the most important factors in ensuring all organizations follow strict data protection principles and are held to account in the event of a breach.

Governments and state agencies have begun enhancing their collaborative efforts to combat the cross-border operations of ransomware and cybercriminal gangs. Additionally, they are implementing vulnerability reward programs to encourage responsible reporting of security vulnerabilities, which helps to reduce the overall threat landscape. That being said, any legislation must tread a fine line between upholding standards and not hindering business productivity, otherwise, the willingness for organizations to remain compliant starts to diminish, negatively impacting all involved.

The cybersecurity landscape is more hostile than ever before, with organized criminal groups quick to utilize emerging technologies like Generative AI for malicious purposes. Fortunately, security researchers leading the fightback are also highly adept at harnessing these technologies alongside tried and trusted methods to ensure robust protections remain in place. Modern cybersecurity is a team effort, and it is only by working together that businesses can maintain the upper hand in this ongoing game of cat and mouse.

We've made a list of the best identity management software.

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

• Assassin's Creed Shadows will be playable on Steam Deck at launch, Ubisoft has confirmed
• The publisher revealed that it's currently awaiting the level of classification from Valve
• Ubisoft previously stated that the game wouldn't be available on the handheld because it was below the minimum specs for PC

Ubisoft has confirmed Assassin's Creed Shadows will support Steam Deck at launch.

In February, the publisher shared a lengthy Q&A where it answered a number of questions about Shadows, its PC and console features, as well as whether the game would be available on Steam Deck.

"At launch, the game will not be compatible with Steam Deck, due to the fact it is below our minimum specs for PC," it said at the time.

However, one week before the game's launch, Ubisoft has now announced in a new X / Twitter post that its next Assassin's Creed game will be playable on Valve's handheld.

"Many of you have been asking about Steam Deck. We are happy to say that we are supporting Steam Deck at launch and are currently awaiting the level of classification from Valve. More info to come soon."

Many of you have been asking about Steam Deck. We are happy to say that we are supporting Steam Deck at launch and are currently awaiting the level of classification from Valve. More info to come soon.March 12, 2025

Valve typically grades new and upcoming games based on Steam Deck's compatibility classifications, so we won't know just yet if Shadows will be fully Verified at launch.

After being delayed once again in early January, Assassin's Creed Shadows is now set to launch on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

Last month, it was reported that the game had leaked ahead of time after some players were able to get hold of early copies. Some footage and screenshots were shared online and Ubisoft later responded to the situation, saying that any footage shared online is not representative of the final product.

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• Windows 11 23H2 has a weird bug that causes printers connected via USB to print random characters upon power-up
• This bug occurs specifically with 23H2 KB5050092, a preview update
• Windows 11 24H2 still has several issues

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update has been the source of many problems for PC users, with a list of puzzling bugs - but 24H2 isn't the only version of Windows 11 to suffer from strange issues, as a specific 23H2 update has some of its own. And, it's pretty funny if you ask me.

As reported by our friends at PC Gamer, Windows 11 23H2 update KB5050092 is causing printers connected by USB to churn out pages of random characters due to a strange bug. You might think an easy solution is to disconnect your USB printer until you need to use it again… but it's not that simple.

Microsoft confirms that the issue mostly occurs when powering on your printer or reconnecting it to your device after being disconnected - so, it isn't exactly an easy fix if you can't take control of the printer before it starts spilling out gibberish. While annoying (and a little spooky), it's certainly a lot less of an issue than Windows 24H2's litany of problems, some of which are still being discovered by users before being officially listed among the known issues.

Unless you're using a printer (specifically a USB printer), you can probably stick with 23H2 without running into system-breaking bugs that have left hardware components with worse performance in some cases.

(Image credit: Microsoft) Yeah, I'm still sticking with Windows 11 23H2 thanks...

The chances of a feature update for Windows 11 (or any operating system) not coming with a list of issues are very low, but the 24H2 update is one of the worst I've seen and I'll gladly stay away for now.

As a gamer, running into strange bugs like frequent Bluetooth connection errors (which still haven't been resolved) and game incompatibility - particularly Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed which forced the devs' hand to push a game update - rolling back to 23H2 has been great so far.

It also doesn't help that Nvidia's recent Game Ready Drivers have caused issues for gamers - a combination of 24H2 and GPU driver fails are problems you really don't want, especially when you could be locked out of your PC.

Windows 11 23H2's printer bug is strange (and also quite funny), and while it can be annoying it’s nowhere near enough of a dealbreaker to warrant going back to 24H2. I'm just hoping that Microsoft can get its latest feature update into good shape soon.

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• Hunters International have added Tata Technologies files to its leak site
• The files include Excel sheets, presentations, and more
• The ransomware group tried selling the archives a few weeks ago

Hunters International, the ransomware operator behind the attacks on the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), US Marshals Service, and others, has leaked some of the data it stole from Tata Technologies earlier this year.

Reporters from TechCrunch have reportedly seen the information being posted on the groups dark web data leak site.

In total, Hunters International is leaking 1.4TB of Tata Technologies data, which include personal details on current and former employees, and confidential information such as purchase orders. In total, more than 730,000 documents (Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, PDF files, and similar) are being leaked.

Selling the data

The company suffered a ransomware attack in February this year. The incident crippled parts of its IT operation, forcing the firm to temporarily suspend some IT services. It wasn’t known at the time who the attackers were.

This isn’t the first ransomware incident the firm has suffered, as Tata Technologies is part of the huge Indian conglomerate Tata Group - which boasts over 100 companies across a range of industries - so is a pretty attractive target for hackers.

Back in October 2022, Tata Power reported a ransomware attack, whilst Tata Steel fell victim in 2021 to a gang dubbed REvil, and Tata Teleservices was reportedly targeted in 2023 - illustrating just how often the firm is hit.

A few weeks ago, news broke that Hunters International was selling the dataset on the dark web for an undisclosed sum of money.

Via TechCrunch

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• New benchmarks show the Ryzen 9 9950X3D runs better on Windows 10
• The chip's performance is stronger in many of today's demanding games
• Windows 11 seems to struggle particularly when VBS is enabled

According to benchmarks circulating online, AMD's self-described "world's best processor for gamers and creators," the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, appears to run faster on Windows 10 than Windows 11.

Spotted by Neowin, testing was conducted by YouTube benchmarker Tech YES City, which found that the 9950X3D performed better on Windows 10 than on Windows 11 for gaming, especially when the operating system's virtualization-based security (VBS) was enabled.

This is most evident with CPU-bound titles featuring the lowest possible graphical settings, such as CS2 in 1080p. Valve's latest shooter averages 745fps on Windows 10 but just 729fps on Windows 11; it drops to 710fps with VBS enabled. While we're only talking about a 2.1% performance difference here, it's curious that it's happening at all, as parity would at least be expected between the two operating systems.

It's a similar story with Fortnite at its lowest settings in 1080p. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D achieves 591fps on Windows 10 but just 541fps on Windows 11 and loses a further 41 frames with VBS enabled for a loss of 9.2%. It may not seem like too big a deal, but these are competitive games where every frame matters, and if there's a slight lead in using Windows 10 over Windows 11, this could be problematic at the top level.

Tech YES City's testing also alleges that Marvel Rivals, Baldur's Gate 3, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 have similar performance differences when running on Windows 10 compared to Windows 11, urging people to disable VBS for best performance. Considering the processor's MSRP, you're going to want to get every penny's worth of power out of this chip, which doesn't seem to play as nicely with the latest operating system compared to the previous version.

Strangest of all is the fact that things did not improve with a custom-tuned version of Windows 11 24H2, which still fell behind what a basic fresh install of Windows 10 could do. It's concerning, given the fact that Windows 10 will be discontinued on October 14, 2025, as security updates will cease, and Windows 11 will be the only option. It may only be a claimed minor lead, but it's disappointing news, considering the bold claims around the CPU.

A discrepency for one of AMD's best processors ever

The Ryzen 9950X3D was released yesterday, March 12, 2025, with a retail price of $699 / £699 / AU$1,349 as an enthusiast-class processor, as the second-generation AM5 chipset to utilize AMD's 3D V-cache. We praised it with a 4.5-star review, citing it was "the best there is" out of the current line of V-cache-enabled CPUs.

In our performance testing, we found that the Ryzen 9950X3D delivers almost best-in-class gaming performance, excelling far beyond the standard 9950X by quite a margin, but losing out (in averages) when compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which we said "might be better value for gamers". This could be a result of only eight of 16 cores having access to the 3D V-cache (split between two pools of 96MB and 32MB for 128MB total) against the 96MB of the 9800X3D.

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• Intel’s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, will step into office on March 18
• The company must make “calculated risks” to catch up
• Interim CEOs will revert to their original positions

Three months after Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announced that he’d be stepping down after a near-four-year stint, the chipmaker has confirmed its new leader.

In an email to workers, Lip-Bu Tan revealed himself to be the company’s new leader, detailing his aim to restore the company’s “world-class” status by focusing on both product development and foundry services.

Tan will take post on March 18, 2025, but he’s already previously served on Intel’s board – something he gave up due to strategic disagreements, says Reuters.

Lip-Bu Tan will serve as Intel’s new CEO

Tan promises an “engineering-focused” Intel and remains committed to innovation. “Intel’s innovation has been at the heart of so many world-changing breakthroughs along the way,” he said.

He continued: “I believe we have a truly unique opportunity to remake our company at one of the most pivotal moments in its history. That’s not to say it will be easy. It won’t be. But I am joining because I believe with every fiber of my being that we have what it takes to win.”

At $89.2 billion, Intel’s market cap lags far behind key rivals like AMD ($163.6 billion) and Nvidia ($2.83 trillion). Lip-Bu said the company must take “calculated risks to disrupt and leapfrog” in areas of the business that are behind the competition.

Analysts are clearly happy with the new leadership, with shares shooting up 12% following the announcement to $23.21.

Tan’s background includes a 12-year stint as Cadence Design Systems CEO between 2009 and 2021, where he delivered a stock price increase of more than 3,200%.

With the appointment of a new CEO, interim CEOs Michelle Johnston Holthaus and Dave Zinsner will step back into CEO of Intel Products and company CFO respectively.

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Full spoilers follow for Invincible season 3 episode 8.

It only feels like yesterday that Invincible season 3 made its Prime Video debut. So, it feels weird to be writing that the critically-acclaimed animated series' latest chapter has just ended, albeit in typically explosive fashion.

As the dust settles on another jaw-dropping season finale, I'm here to answer your biggest questions about this season's eighth episode, titled 'I Thought You'd Never Shut Up'. I'll also talk about where Amazon's TV adaptation might go next.

Full spoilers immediately follow for Invincible's latest episode and the graphic novel series it's based on. Make sure you've streamed it before you proceed!

Does Atom Eve die in Invincible season 3 episode 8?

Don't worry, Atom-Eve doesn't die in the season 3 finale (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Thankfully not. If you've watched episode 8 in its entirety, you'll know that's the case. If you somehow missed how she survived being mutilated and skewered by Conquest, though, allow me to explain.

Atom Eve actually plays a bigger part in the battle against Conquest (more on him later) than she does in the source material. Indeed, she actively tries to stop him from beating Mark to a pulp, and even uses her matter-transmutation abilities to go toe-to-toe with the Viltrum Empire's second-most powerful warrior.

But, as you'll remember from Invincible season 3 episode 7, Eve was seriously injured during the Invincible War event that was hinted at all the way back in season 3's premiere, then later teased in season 3 episode 6's mid-credits scene, and eventually depicted in this season's seventh chapter. She would struggle to take on Conquest when fully fit, let alone having just awoken from a week-long coma and still recovering from the wounds she sustained one episode earlier.

Despite putting up a brave fight, Eve begins to tire and starts making mistakes. That allows Conquest to gain the upper hand, smash Eve's jaw, and appear to murder Mark's girlfriend by disemboweling her right in front of him.

I wouldn't want to be Conquest right now... (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Equal parts furious and distressed over Eve's apparent demise, Mark takes his anger out on his seemingly superior foe, but even his rage-fueled attacks aren't enough to help the series' superhuman protagonist beat Conquest. Eventually, after one last courageous effort on the eponymous hero's part, Conquest overpowers Mark and starts strangling him almost to death.

Cue Eve's death-defying return. Revived by her own superhuman abilities, Eve miraculously self-heals before dealing significant damage to Conquest by firing a giant pink laser that incinerates his costume and burns the skin right off his body. Exhausted, a now-naked Eve collapses, but her intervention proves to be enough to help Mark finally defeat Conquest (don't worry, we're getting to him).

So, how does Eve come back from the dead in one of the best Prime Video shows? As Mark recovers from the injuries he sustained during his battle with Conquest, Eve reminds him (and us) that, when her biological mother was pregnant with Eve, scientists experimented on Eve in the womb and imbued her with superpowers.

What we didn't know is that, while those experiments were ongoing, the researchers installed a failsafe to prevent Eve using her abilities on sentient matter. Essentially, she can't hurt anyone enough to seriously injure or kill them.

However, those mental blocks are overridden when Eve suffers a traumatic event like, you know, almost dying. That allows her to use her abilities without limitations, which is why she was able to self-heal, thereby saving herself from certain death. Oh, and it's why she was able to do so much damage to Conquest with her laser blast.

Is Conquest dead following his battle with Invincible?

Nobody ever stays dead in the Invincible universe (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Initially, it would appear so, but Invincible fans know that nobody really stays dead in this universe (I'm looking at you, Angstrom Levy and Mister Liu...).

After Eve's laser blast attack, Conquest is severely weakened, which allows Mark to inflict as much punishment as he can muster on his adversary.

After an exhausting and brutal duel, Mark finally gains the upper hand. However, both of his arms have been smashed to pieces by the bout that's just ensued, so Mark uses his head – literally – to head-butt Conquest to death.

Or so it would seem. After Mark wakes from the coma he fell into after seemingly killing Conquest, he demands to see his fallen foe's body. Global Defence Agency (GDA) chief Cecil Stedman agrees to let Mark see it and, after viewing Conquest's remains, Mark seems content that there's one less Viltrumite warrior for him to worry about.

Cecil just can't help himself, can he? (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

The problem is that it's not Conquest's body. We later learn that Cecil has lied to Mark – again! – and that the corpse he showed Mark is nothing more than a dummy. Indeed, it was created so that Mark would walk away convinced that Conquest was no more.

Okay, so where is Conquest's real body? The Viltrumite, voiced by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is being held in a secure, secret GDA facility six miles below the Earth's surface. As Cecil tells his second-in-command Donald, the GDA have kept Conquest's body so that, in the event that he wakes up, Cecil will force Conquest to tell him all about the Viltrum Empire and how to stop them. Sure, Cecil, nothing bad will come of this, will it...

Wait, did Conquest recreate that devastating Omni-Man train sequence from season 1?

Season 3's recreation of season 1's train sequence might be even worse than the original (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

He absolutely did. In a call-back to Omni-Man and Invincible's destructive battle in Invincible season 1's final episode, Conquest uses Mark's body to plough through and kill numerous innocent humans on a beach resort around midway through this season's finale.

If further proof was needed, it's another reminder of just how brutal Viltrumites are. I do wonder, though, if it's a mere coincidence that Conquest replicates that Omni-Man train sequence from season 1 episode 8, or if it's a move that all Viltrumites use at some point during fights with their kin. I guess we'll find out if Anissa or any other imposing Viltrum warriors use it in future seasons.

Do we check in with Nolan/Omni-Man and Allen before Invincible season 3 ends?

Alas, there's no Allen or Omni-Man scene in season 3's eighth and final chapter (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Unfortunately not. Much like Invincible season 2 part 1 and Invincible season 2 part 2, we don't spend much time with everyone's new favorite bromance in season 3. So if you were expecting to check in with Nolan and Allen before episode 8 ended, you'll be sorely disappointed.

Spoilers notwithstanding, though, I can say that you'll see much more of them in future seasons. Indeed, the duo take on a much bigger role in the comics following events depicted in 'I Thought You'd Never Shut Up', so expect them to have more screen time moving forward.

What's with that Damien Darkblood mid-credits scene in Invincible season 3's finale?

Hang on, Damien Darkblood is back!? (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

That's hard to answer, because it sets up a storyline that isn't present in Invincible's graphic novel series.

Almost two seasons have passed since Damien Darkblood, a demonic detective, was banished from Earth by Cecil. He was sent back to Hell for disobeying Cecil's orders in season 1 – indeed, Damien previously worked for the GDA and investigated the allegations that Omni-Man was the culprit behind the original Guardians of the Globe team members' deaths in the show's very first episode.

Anyway, this mid-credits stinger reunites us with Damien as he draws a pentagram symbol on the floor of a cave. This summons one of Damien's superiors, with Damien saying he wouldn't have awoken the Great Beast if it wasn't important.

I wonder where this storyline is going... (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Continuing, Damien informs the other demon that he's found a "surface dweller of great power, the likes of which this planet hasn't seen for eons". I'm not sure what planet he's referring to, but I'm assuming it's the one Damien lives on (is Hell an actual planet?) rather than Earth.

Damien ends by saying the unnamed individual possesses a blackened heart that, when bound to the so-called Dark One, could restore the latter to his throne. When asked how this can be achieved, Damien says he's found a way to conjure him.

What does all of this mean? I've no idea. As I said, this storyline is completely new material written for Invincible's TV adaptation and, in the comics, we never see or hear from Damien again after he's banished. Whatever happens next, Robert Kirkman, co-creator of Invincible's comic-book series and its adult animated adaptation, clearly aims to give Damien a much more impactful and substantial arc in the Prime Video series.

What about an Invincible season 3 finale post-credits scene?

Mark and Oliver have had enough fighting for one day (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

You're fresh out of luck on that front, friend. There's no post-credits scene to stick around for.

Is there going to be an Invincible season 4? And when might it get released?

Good news, there will be MORE [slam to Invincible title card] pic.twitter.com/E6fY3qvfADJuly 26, 2024

Yes! Amazon renewed Invincible for a fourth season last July, with the announcement being one of nine big Comic-Con 2024 reveals we were most excited about.

It could be with us sooner than we expect, too. Speaking to Collider in February, Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man voice actor J.K. Simmons confirmed that he'd already recorded lines for the show's next installment.

And, a few weeks later, Kirkman told The Direct that it was his wish to release new seasons every year. Depending on how much work needs to be done on season 4 – I hope the team isn't being forced to crunch to get it out as soon as possible! – it may debut on Amazon's streaming platform, aka one of the world's best streaming services, sometime in 2026.

How does Invincible season 3 set up its sequel season's story?

Prepare for the invasion of the Sequids, everyone! (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

That would be getting into spoiler territory, folks. I wouldn't want to ruin any major surprises for people who haven't read the comics.

I can talk about what's hinted at before season 3 ends, though. I have no insider information, but I'd be surprised if the Sequids storyline, which you can remind yourself about in my Invincible season 2 part 2 ending explained piece, isn't picked up again in season 4's first two or three episodes. After all, we see that the Sequids' human host Rus Livingston has amassed an army of more human hosts, which have allowed the symbiotic alien species to multiply rapidly in the sewers and prepare for a full-scale invasion of Earth.

Well, I don't like the sound of that, Mark... (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

That storyline takes on even greater significance when you consider what Mark tells Oliver, who's also recovering from injuries he sustained during his brief bout with Conquest, in this season's finale. In short: Mark admits that Oliver was right and that, in order to protect the people that he loves, Mark will need to kill anyone who threatens them. If you thought season 3 was a dark chapter in Mark's life, you ain't seen nothing yet.

There are plenty more subplots and character arcs that'll play out in season 4. Battle Beast is still alive, Angstrom and The Technicians are working together on a new scheme, Cecil and D.A. Sinclair continue to work on using the corpses of those multiversal Invincibles to create version 2.0 of the ReAnimen, the threat from the Viltrum Empire still looms large over proceedings, and so much more! So strap in, because things are only going to get crazier from here.

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• SAG-AFTRA strikes are set to continue amidst concerns over AI protections
• The union has published a new chart detailing AI-related issues that remain to be agreed upon
• Several English-voiced games still have many major characters unvoiced in recent updates

Union SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) has created a comparison chart as an update in its ongoing negotiations with the games industry bargaining group. The key takeaway is that both entities remain "frustratingly far apart" on the issue of AI protections for video game voice actors.

IGN reports that the union has published a comparison chart that outlines in detail the issues that it and the bargaining group are still working through. More specifically, the chart "focuses on recent exchanges relating to AI."

Items highlighted in purple in the chart represent issues that have been tentatively agreed upon between SAG-AFTRA and the bargaining group (which is made up of representatives from video game publishing corporations).

However, discussions on several key issues are ongoing. These include protections from "digital replica or generative AI use for all work" as well as the notion that "employers must disclose if it will blend your voice with other voices to make a digital replica."

Alongside the chart, SAG-AFTRA's Duncan Crabtree-Ireland wrote the following statement to the union's members:

"With their previously signed projects dragging their way through the production pipeline, employers are feeling the squeeze from the strike, as SAG-AFTRA members who work in video games continue to stand together and refuse to work without adequate protections.

"This is causing employers to seek other performers they can exploit to fill those roles, including those who don’t typically perform in games. If you’re approached for such a role, we urge you to seriously consider the consequences.

"Not only would you be undermining the efforts of your fellow members, but you would be putting yourself at risk by working without protections against A.I. misuse. And “A.I. misuse” is just a nice way of saying that these companies want to use your performance to replace you - without consent or compensation."

Games industry bargaining group spokesperson Audrey Cooling issued a statement in response, saying: "We have proposed a deal that includes wage increases of over 15% for SAG-AFTRA represented performers in video games, as well as enhanced health and safety protections, industry-leading terms of use for AI digital replicas in-game and additional compensation for the use of an actor’s performance in other games. We have made meaningful progress and are eager to return to the bargaining table to reach a deal."

The negotiations continue amidst cases of popular video game characters remaining unvoiced. Games like Destiny 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero have been particularly affected.

Most recently, Zenless Zone Zero actors Emeri Chase and Nicholas Thurkettle have spoken on their roles for characters Soldier 11 and Von Lycaon, respectively, having been replaced.

In a Bluesky thread, Chase wrote they were "replaced as Soldier 11 because I am unwilling to perform work not covered by a SAG Interim Agreement during a strike for AI protection, the outcome of which will determine the future of our industry."

In response, Thurkettle added: "I'm not SAG but what game companies want to do with AI is an existential threat. I took a personal stand to ask for protection and had to be willing to give up the best thing that's ever happened in my professional life. I stand by my choice."

Read more...

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The Environmental Protection Agency announced yesterday plans to reconsider more than two dozen rules. And, astronauts "stranded" on the International Space Station may be able to return to Earth.

(Image credit: Ting Shen/AFP)

• Three in four decision-makers know that AI is responsible for added data center pressure
• Renewable energy is key, but water cooling is disapproved by one in four
• Leaders see digital twins as ‘game changer’ for innovation

New research from Candence has revealed that the world’s current data centers are being pushed to their absolute limits as companies expand investments in artificial intelligence and other cloud services.

Three-quarters (74%) of decision-makers state that AI demands are putting increased pressure on data centers, with 86% warning that a failure to innovate could have serious to moderate consequences.

Amidst the ongoing battle for data center improvements, companies are also pushing to make them more sustainable, but there remains a lot of work to be done.

We need to focus on data center improvements

Nine in 10 (88%) are now actively working to enhance energy efficiency across their data center operations, however fewer than one in three (31%) feel that they’re actually doing enough. Moreover, nearly three-quarters (70%) feel that the national power grid could be at its limit, highlighting the role that more local renewable energy sources can play at these campuses.

On the topic of sustainability, one in four (26%) went as far as saying that they would never use liquid cooling, which requires large amounts of water and can often have negative impacts on nearby societies.

However, there are plenty of challenges preventing meaningful development, with leaders concerned about the cost of implementing new technologies (42%), a lack of skilled staff (35%), incompatibility with legacy systems (31%), uncertainty about future technologies (30%) and an unclear return on investment (33%).

Although artificial intelligence is frequently seen in natural language assistants (56%), causing the high demand for powerful data centers, Cadence says it can also help tackle the mounting problem. Its uses in automating capacity management (50%), demand forecasting (54%) and fault detection (60%) could play a considerable role in the development of data centers.

Looking ahead, three in four (73%) see digital twins as ‘game changers’ for data center innovation, with four in five (81%) already recognizing their value and one in four (21%) non-users preparing to adopt digital twins in the next 12 months.

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A federal judge has dismissed Fox News as a defendant in a lawsuit filed against former anchor Ed Henry. Former producer Jennifer Eckhart alleges he sexually harassed and raped her.

(Image credit: Yuki Iwamura/AP)