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• Hyperkin has announced The Competitor Xbox controller at CES 2025
• This DualSense-like controller is compatible with Xbox and PC
• It features Hall effect sticks, two remappable buttons and a symmetrical thumbstick layout

Peripheral manufacturer Hyperkin has announced The Competitor Xbox controller at CES 2025 (via IGN).

The Competitor definitely stands out in the realm of third-party Xbox controllers with a silhouette very similar to PlayStation's DualSense Wireless Controller. That of course means it also has a symmetrical thumbstick layout which is certainly less common on the Xbox platform.

The Competitor's thumbsticks (as well as the triggers) are also Hall effect, which are significantly more resistant to stick drift. That alone is a pretty sizeable upgrade over the DualSense and the Xbox Wireless Controller, neither of which feature the now-standard gamepad tech.

The Competitor looks like it'll come in two distinct colorways: white-on-black as well as fully black. Additional features include two remappable buttons on the rear of the controller as well as a mic mute button between those symmetrical thumbsticks.

No price or release date has been announced for The Competitor at present, but we'd expect it to launch sometime this year. In terms of price, Hyperkin models do tend to be on the more affordable side. For example, the Hyperkin Xenon - a near 1-to-1 recreation of the iconic Xbox 360 controller - retailed for $49.99 / £34.99. The Competitors will likely be pricier than this, but we'd be surprised if it shoots north of $100 / £100.

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We’re in an age where sensitive data flows freely across networks, and the threat of a cybersecurity breach is constant. While the immediate consequences of a breach are often clear – lost revenue, damaged reputation, and regulatory fines – the long-term implications can be far more devastating.

A financial nightmare

Due inadequate security measures, such as the expanding attack surface from remote work and IoT devices, organizations are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. The projected cost of a major security breach between 2023 and 2024 is a staggering $2 billion, with the average cost per breach reaching $589 million. This figure represents a significant increase from last year's figure of $531 million, highlighting the growing sophistication of cyberattacks, and the increasing vulnerability of organizations.

The increasing vulnerability of organizations, due to factors such as the expanding attack surface from remote work and IoT devices, and inadequate security measures, is a significant contributor to this trend.

However, the financial toll extends beyond direct costs. Impacted companies often experience a significant decline in stock price, with an average 7% drop within just one month of a breach announcement. This loss of shareholder value can have a profound impact on the organization's overall financial health.

In the long term, such decline can affect a company's ability to secure financing, maintain investor confidence, and pursue strategic initiatives. Undoubtedly, the negative publicity and loss of customer trust will lead to a sustained decrease in revenue, as customers will choose to take their business elsewhere. The effect of these long term consequences will hamper organizations' competitive positions and future prospects. Take the recent TFL attack, engineers were forced to shut down certain areas of operations, costing the company ‘several million pounds’.

Beyond the Bottom Line

The costs of a security breach, however, are not solely financial. The reputational damage can be equally severe, eroding customer trust and damaging brand loyalty. A significant example of this was back in 2018, when British Airways suffered a significant data breach that compromised the personal data of hundreds of thousands of customers. Not only did this lead to substantial financial penalties, but a major decline in customer confidence. Once trust is broken, it can be incredibly difficult to rebuild, leading to long-term consequences for the organization.

A breach can disrupt critical business operations, leading to lost productivity and potential service outages. In industries such as healthcare and finance, where sensitive personal information is involved, breaches can be even more severe, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud.

The Synovis attack carried out by Qillin is a poignant example of the severe consequences of a breach in the healthcare sector. The attack not only led to the exposure of sensitive patient information, but also caused significant disruptions to the supply chain of critical medical products. To put this into perspective, Synovis was forced to cancel testing for 20,000 blood samples across 13,500 patients. Thousands of operations and appointments were also cancelled, demonstrating that breaches, like Synovis, can have cascading events impacting not just the targeted information, but the broader ecosystem in which it serves.

The evolving threat landscape

Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, making it increasingly difficult for organisations to stay ahead of the curve. New threats emerge daily, from ransomware attacks to phishing scams, each with the potential to cause significant damage.

As technology continues to advance, so too do the opportunities for cyberattacks. The increasing adoption of cloud computing, IoT devices, and remote work has expanded the attack surface, making it more challenging for organizations to secure their systems. For example, a single compromised IoT device can serve as a gateway for attackers to infiltrate an entire network, and when a singular breach could inflict damages that would generate costs exceeding 10% of their annual profits, this single compromised device is a ticking time bomb.

A proactive approach to security

To mitigate the risks associated with security breaches, organizations must adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity. This includes investing in robust security solutions such as NDR, implementing strong access controls, and regularly training employees on security best practices. organizations should develop a comprehensive incident response plan to minimize the impact of a breach should one occur.

10 strategies for effective cybersecurity

Strong password policies: Enforce strong, unique passwords for all accounts.

Regular security audits: Conduct regular security assessments to identify vulnerabilities.

Employee training: Educate employees on security best practices to prevent human error.

Network segmentation: Isolate sensitive systems and data to limit the impact of a breach.

Incident response planning: Develop a detailed plan to respond to security incidents efficiently.

Data encryption: Protect sensitive data with strong encryption algorithms.

Multi-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to login processes.

Regular software updates: Keep systems and applications up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Network Detection and Response: Identify attack activity in progress and provide the insight needed to stop attacks before they can do significant harm.

Backup and recovery: Implement robust backup and recovery procedures to minimize data loss.

By taking these steps, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of a security breach and protect their bottom line. Remember, the cost of inaction can be far greater than the cost of prevention.

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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

• The Nékojita FuFu from Yukai Engineering was unveiled at CES 2025
• It uses an internal fan to simulate different types of breathing
• It was inspired by a father who wanted help cooling his baby's food

If you've ever struggled to drink your hot, freshly brewed coffee before you rush out in the morning, Japanese company Yukai Engineering has a sweet solution: a tiny 'robot' cat that perches on the edge of your mug or bowl and blows across the surface of your drink to cool it.

The Nékojita FuFu made its debut at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, and is one of the strangest (but cutest) gadgets we've seen at the show so far. The little cat, which the company describes as a "personal meal partner", is the result of an internal make-a-thon, in which a team leader recalled feeling breathless and dizzy after blowing on his young child's freshly cooked food to bring it down to a safe temperature.

The FuFu (an onomatopoeic name that sounds like a person breathing) has an internal fan, and a range of different 'breathing' modes that are randomized to make it seem more lifelike. The modes could change before the little cat is released, but the current list includes 'The Princess' (described as elegant, slow and steady breaths that increase in strength) and 'Look at That!' (which gradually increases in strength "as if it's captivated by how the food looks").

It's not the only oddly cute robot from Yukai Engineering to make its debut at this year's show. Last week we also got our first glimpse of Mirumi, which wraps around the handle of your bag, watches people pass by, and reacts to its surroundings by moving its head.

Yukai Engineering also debuted the Mirumi – a robotic creature that engages in a spot of people-watching when attached to your bag – at CES 2025 (Image credit: Yukai Engineering) Cool for cats

Last year, the company grabbed our attention (and our hearts) with the Amagami Ham Ham, which is a soft robot critter that gently nibbles on your fingertip. A few months later, TechRadar's Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff was sent a Ham Ham of his own, and found the novel nibbling experience interesting, albeit strange.

"There are two algorithmically chosen nibble modes, and I could tell that the dog was alternating between slow, rhythmic biting and enthusiastic nibbling," he reported. "Yukai engineering believes that this sensation of gentle nibbling is comforting. They compare it to a baby or small animal nibbling on your finger. Uh, OK."

Unlike the Ham Ham, the FuFu does have a clearly practical use, and the company hopes it could help both new parents and seniors to bring meals down to a safe temperature. As the aptly named Brian Heater of TechCrunch reports, it's due to go on sale in Japan later this year for around $25 / £20 / AU$40.

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• Researchers have found a fake Telegram Premium Android app
• It is being distributed through a phishing page pretending to be a Russian app store
• Malware is capable of exfiltrating all sorts of sensitive information

Experts have detected a new piece of information-stealing malware posing as one of the most popular messaging apps around.

Cybersecurity researchers from CyFirma recently discovered an Android app, pretending to be a premium version of Telegram, but which actually steals victim’s login credentials and sensitive information.

The researchers explained how back in 2022, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, the West imposed heavy sanctions on Putin’s regime. These sanctions meant Russians could not access Google's Play Store or Apple’s App Store. To provide Russian citizens with access to mobile software, the country’s Ministry of Digital Development, together with VK (the country’s social media behemoth and essentially a Facebook clone) created RuStore, a mobile app marketplace.

FireScam

Cyfirma now claims someone created phishing websites on GitHub designed to look like RuStore. Victims that visit the website will first get a dropper module named GetAppsRu.apk, which lists apps installed on the device, gains access to device storage, and installs additional packages.

Among the additional packages is the main malware, called Telegram Premium.apk. This malware, dubbed FireScam, requests permissions to monitor notifications, clipboard data, SMS, and more. It also displays a fake Telegram login page to steal the credentials.

Furthermore, FireScam will monitor app activity, the clipboard, look for e-commerce transactions, and virtually anything else that could be useful. The data is then extracted to a third-party server where it’s filtered and transferred elsewhere. The information that is deemed worthless is wiped, it was added.

Cyfirma could not attribute FireScam to any known threat actor, but it did describe the operation as a “sophisticated and multifaceted threat” that “employs advanced evasion techniques.” There was no word on the number of potential victims. It also recommended users be careful when opening files from sources they’re not entirely familiar with, or when clicking on potentially dangerous links.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Eli Health’s Hormometer measures your cortisol and progesterone levels
• It does so by measuring your saliva in about 20 minutes
• Eli Health claims accuracy levels close to the FDA gold standard

Although the best iPhones can measure a few metrics relating to your health, they’re much more limited than full-fledged medical devices. Now, though, a new device claims to be able to team up with your iPhone to record your health using just your saliva.

Eli Health’s new Hormometer product claims to be the “first at-home technology providing real-time and lifelong health insights from the hormones in your saliva.” Looking a little like a thermometer, it collects your saliva, then detects which hormones are present and displays the results using test lines on the Hormometer.

To use it, you just need to place the Hormometer’s tip in your mouth for 30 seconds. You then wait 20 minutes for the device to get to work. Once that’s done, your iPhone comes into play.

You’ll need to take a picture of the Hormometer stick with the Eli app, which then gives you a readout of your health insights, alongside tips to improve your health.

“Lab-grade accuracy”

(Image credit: Eli Health)

Right now, Eli Health says that the Hormometer can measure your cortisol levels, which affect a wide range of bodily processes, including stress, metabolism, weight, sleep and more.

It can also apparently analyze progesterone levels, which impact women’s fertility, menopause and perimenopause, reproductive health, and more. The device can conduct “Duo Tests” too, which is a “dual approach” that “reveals the impact of each hormone and their interplay.”

Eli Health says that its technology is “FDA-registered” and claims that the Hormometer offers “lab-grade accuracy.” The device’s progesterone test has been “validated in third-party studies,” the company says, “showing a 94% correlation with the FDA-approved gold standard method.” As for the cortisol test, Eli Health claims it has a 97% correlation with FDA-standard tests.

The Hormometer isn’t on sale yet, but Eli Health is letting people join a waitlist on its website. It’s thought that it will go on sale in the US and Canada in January and will be offered using a subscription model. The company will be at CES 2025 to showcase its device.

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• A Latvian movie has stunned Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 at the 2025 Golden Globes
• Flow beat the Disney box office juggernauts to win this year's best animated film award
• The silent inside flick's victory is all the more impressive due to its tiny production budget

A Latvian indie movie has stunned two Disney box office juggernauts to win the 2025 Golden Globes best animated film award.

Flow, an animated movie with no dialog that stars a black cat, pulled off the biggest shock of the night as it beat two of 2024's most anticipated new movies, Inside Out 2 and Moana 2, to secure this year's prize. The Disney-developed flicks were smash hits last year, with Inside Out 2 earning almost $1.7 billion globally and Moana 2 raking in (at the time of writing) $960 million worldwide. Despite their monstrous ticket tales and animated film award favorites tag after the 2025 Golden Globes nominees were revealed, though, neither sequel was able to defeat a relatively unknown flick whose own box-office haul – in the US, anyway – stands a comparatively meagre $6.8 million.

The Disney duo weren't the only films that Flow beat to win the gong. Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which recently made its debut on Netflix and currently holds a perfect 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, was also bested on the night. Vengeance Most Fowl's fellow claymation flick Memoir of a Snail and Universal's gorgeous, painterly-style animated offering The Wild Robot, which hold 94% and 97% critics RT ratings, also lost out to Flow.

Directed by Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis – he co-wrote the flick with Matiss Kaza – Flow tells the tale of Cat, a solitary animal whose home is destroyed by a great flood. After finding refuge on a boat filled with other animals, Cat soon realizes that, in order to survive and thrive, teamwork really makes the dream work. It seems, then, that its classic tale of unity and triumph over adversity, plus its wonderfully realized visuals, struck a chord with The Globes' 300-plus-strong voting panel and helped it conquer its rivals.

A purr-fect night for independent animated filmmaking

Flow will hope to repeat its Golden Globes success if it's nominated at this year's BAFTAs and Oscars (Image credit: UFO Distribution)

Memoir of a Snail aside, Flow's victory is all the more impressive because of the competition it was up against. Not only did three of the aforementioned movies – Inside Out 2, Moana 2, and The Wild Robot – make it onto my 52 best movies of 2024 list, but they were also made by two of the biggest entertainment studios around in Disney and Universal. Flow wasn't created by a household name, so it was already swimming against the tide ahead of the 2025 Golden Globes ceremony.

Each film's relative production budgets proves how shocking Flow's win was, too. Inside Out 2, which is out now on Disney Plus, cost a reported $200 million to develop, while Moana 2 made a similarly big splash from a cost perspective with its apparent $150 million outlay. The Wild Robot's production cost of $78 million is modest by comparison, but it's still a significant amount of money to spend on an original flick, especially when it's held up against Flow's incredibly tiny budget. Indeed, the indie flick, which contains no dialog and was fully rendered in Blender, a free and open-source software program, cost just $4 million to make.

I'll readily admit that Flow passed me by upon release in late 2024, but it's clear that I've missed out on a beautiful and moving film. Thankfully, I can rectify my error of not seeing it in theaters when Flow makes the leap to digital platforms tomorrow (January 7). The Golden Globe winner will be available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV, and many other online stores, but only in the US. So, if you're Australian or, like me, a UK resident, you'll need to make use one of the best VPN services around to watch it.

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• Microsoft has filed a patent for a ‘haptic trackpad loudspeaker’
• It describes a touchpad using haptic feedback that doubles as a speaker
• It could potentially augment a laptop’s existing speakers, or replace one to create more space for other components

A future Surface Laptop could sport a fresh innovation in the form of a trackpad that also acts as a speaker.

The potential move was noticed by Windows Latest as a patent filed by Microsoft (with the US Patent and Trademark Office) for a ‘haptic trackpad loudspeaker’.

As the name indicates, the idea is a laptop touchpad featuring haptic (tactile) feedback and an integrated speaker.

The proposed implementation of the trackpad involves a touch sensor that functions as a haptic surface – so it simulates a physical ‘click’ when the pad is pressed, to avoid having a mechanical switch for the pad to register a click – and that sensor also acts as a diaphragm for the touchpad speaker.

The patent notes that the speaker can produce audio over a frequency range of 400Hz to 10KHz.

(Image credit: Future) Analysis: A touch of genius?

The idea, then, is to either provide an extra speaker built into the touchpad to enhance the laptop’s other speakers, or to replace a speaker in the notebook chassis, giving more room for other components – a bigger battery, say – or to allow for a slimmer device perhaps.

The Surface Laptop already offers a good level of sound quality, and this could improve its audio chops further (the device currently tops our ranking of the best laptops, incidentally).

The dual-use trackpad – which can provide haptic feedback via low frequency vibrations under 400Hz, and audio using frequencies above that – is a clever twist on the traditional formula, and as such, we can imagine Microsoft might want to use it in a future Surface device.

As ever, though, the thing with patents is that they’re often never realized – they are just concepts, after all, which may not pan out when it comes to the physical design and implementation, or cost. Or indeed they may not work as well as planned. Patents are often filed speculatively, too, so whether we will ever get a Surface Laptop with a speaker integrated into a haptic trackpad remains to be seen.

My worry, if this idea does come to fruition, is whether employing the trackpad’s touch sensor in this dual-use way could lead to an increased chance of it going wrong, as when you complicate designs, that’s the obvious danger. But ensuring that this isn’t the case should be part of the R&D process in developing the trackpad, and part of the judgement about whether to proceed with the invention, or not.

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• Discussions, ongoing since 2023, progressed when Italy’s Prime Minister met Trump
• A five-year contract is on the cards for SpaceX, worth $1.6 billion
• Political elements of the proposal have been criticized

According to a new report by Bloomberg, Italy is in negotiations to commission secure telecomms for its government from SpaceX, making this the largest project of its kind.

Discussions are said to be ongoing; if agreed upon, SpaceX could win a five-year contract to provide the Italian government with telecommunication services.

Unnamed sources familiar with the matter stated that the country’s Intelligence Services and Defense Ministry have already expressed approval for the deal.

SpaceX could supply the Italian government

The deal, believed to be worth €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion), would see SpaceX provide telephone and internet service encryption for the government, but discussions had previously been put on hold until the country’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, visited upcoming US President Donald Trump in Florida over the weekend. Discussions have been ongoing since mid-2023, however some have expressed concerns about how a deal with Musk’s SpaceX could be detrimental to Italian competition.

Under the deal, the Italian military operating in the Mediterranean would also benefit from the encrypted services. Direct-to-cell satellite services are also on the cards, which would provide an important backup when terrorist attacks and natural disasters render cellular connections unusable.

However, the relationship between Meloni, Trump and Musk has been criticized on a global scale. The SpaceX leader’s substantial political contributions and alliances could give him extensive access to the White House and global leaders, harming both politics and market competition.

Should such a deal go ahead, it wouldn’t be the first time that Italy and the US have worked together. Last year, Telecom Italia SpA sold its landline network to KKR & Co, a US private equity company.

The Italian government has explored other options, including building its own satellite constellation and using IRIS, a secure satellite constellation developed by the European Union to support European sovereignty, however SpaceX’s costs are believed to be favorable.

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