Error message

  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in menu_set_active_trail() (line 2405 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/menu.inc).

Feed aggregator

New forum topics

Marvel fans are convinced that the new Daredevil: Born Again trailer includes a Spider-Man Easter egg, but I'm not buying it

TechRadar News - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:48
  • Marvel sleuths think Daredevil: Born Again's first trailer contains a Spider-Man reference
  • Fans have long clamored for an MCU team-up between the two superheroes
  • Some aren't convinced that the show's teaser has a Spider-Man Easter egg, though

Marvel fans have dreamed of a Daredevil and Spider-Man team up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – and now some are more convinced than ever that it'll happen sooner rather than later.

Yesterday (January 16), the first trailer for Daredevil: Born Again was finally released to the public. And, while there was a lot to unpack from the forthcoming show's two-minute-long teaser, there's one supposedly hidden detail that's got fans excited.

So, what is it? Some viewers believe that, right before the trailer ends, Spider-Man's iconic 'thwip' sound can be heard. And, when I say the very end of the teaser, I mean it, because fans think they can hear the sound of Spidey's webslinging cue right as the Disney Plus logo appears on the screen – you'll need to scroll all the way to the 2:04 mark to hear it.

Upon first viewing, I noticed that something was a little... different about the normal 'click' sound that accompanies the Disney Plus logo's appearance at the end of trailers for one of the streamer's new projects. I'll readily admit, though, that I couldn't work out why it sounded unusual, and it wasn't until I started scouring the internet for clues that I saw what other fans were saying.

what if we get a spider-man cameo toward the end of DD Born Again pic.twitter.com/KIxnEr8KiGJanuary 15, 2025

Long story short: there are a fair few people who've turned detective and claim that Spider-Man will appear in Daredevil: Born Again. On the ResetEra Etcetera forum, users including Miles Iz Ded, RayCharlizard are convinced that Spidey is loosing one of his webs as the trailer ends.

Unsurprisingly, that's sparked a revival of the conversations fans have had about Tom Holland's wallcrawler appearing in a Daredevil project or vice-versa. ResetEra user Gotchaforce said "[A] grounded Spidey movie [with Daredevil] vs [Wilson] Fisk... would be Avengers-level awesome". Similar sentiments were expressed on Reddit, with YNWA1616, Vekastu, and pseudoveritas all stating their desire to see the duo join forces to take down a common foe.

The devil's in the details

Some fans don't believe Born Again's trailer is hinting at a Spider-Man cameo (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

Other fans, though, are baffled by suggestions that Spider-Man will show up in Daredevil's standalone MCU TV show.

For starters, ResetEra member Pai Pai Master appeared to pore cold water on the claims that Spidey's 'thwip' sound can be heard at the end of the Marvel Phase 5 show's first trailer. Indeed, they suggest that it's Daredevil's billy clubs, which can be joined together by a cable that extends and retracts, are what's making the noise, which makes far more sense to me.

Other users are similarly unconvinced about Spider-Man's potential appearance, but for a whole different reason. Roxas and Nacho took to ResetEra to opine that Sony Pictures, which owns the rights to the webslinger, wouldn't allow him to appear in a Marvel TV series. Sure, we don't know the ins and outs of the deal that allows Holland's wallcrawler to appear in the MCU, but I'd be very surprised if Sony allowed him to appear any live-action MCU TV project. Holland has starred in TV shows, such as The Crowded Room on Apple TV Plus, so it's not as if he'd turn down the opportunity to pop up in a small-screen production. Nevertheless, Sony has a big say in where Spidey will appear, and I just can't see it happening here.

Some people don't believe Tom Holland's webslinger will show up in Born Again (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Sony)

Crowd-pleasing as it would be for me to see Daredevil and Spider-Man team up in Born Again, there is the odd fan or two who bizarrely don't want it to happen. Admittedly, ResetEra users like Uzzy are in the minority about this, but there are clearly people who either want a team-up to happen in a Marvel film, such as Spider-Man 4, or not at all.

Do you think Spider-Man will stun us all and actually appear in Born Again? Let me know in TechRadar's recently-reintroduced comments section below! Alternatively, get the complete lowdown on everything we know about the series by reading my Daredevil: Born Again hub.

Daredevil: Born Again arrives on Disney Plus, aka one of the world's best streaming services, on March 4 (US) and March 5 (UK and Australia).

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Best Internet Providers in Palm Coast, Florida

CNET News - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:33
This Florida city has internet plans offering speed, reliability and simple service details. Here are the best ISPs in Palm Coast.
Categories: Technology

Nintendo Switch 2 live - Nintendo has officially revealed its next console!

TechRadar News - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:31

Nintendo Switch 2 leaks, rumors and speculation have been rampant over the last few months, but it's looking like we could get our first official announcement today (January 16). This comes from sources such as The Verge's Tom Warren, who teased a potential reveal this week.

In terms of concrete information from Nintendo itself, there is precious little. However, we do know that the console is to be revealed before the end of Nintendo's fiscal year, as stated by company president Shuntaro Furukawa. That gives us a hard deadline of March 31, 2025. There's still every chance Nintendo could play the waiting game a bit further, but signs are pointing to a debut announcement today.

As it stands, all unofficial information on Nintendo Switch 2 should be taken with a huge pinch of salt. That includes renders from accessory maker Genki at CES 2025, as well as the apparent logo for the console which leaked a few days prior.

In the run-up to any potential announcement today, we're bringing you all the latest Nintendo Switch 2 coverage. This will include official information from Nintendo itself, as well as the most prominent points of speculation and our own predictions and wishes.

What we know so far

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Wachiwit)

In terms of official Nintendo Switch 2 information, there isn't a whole lot to talk about. However, as mentioned in the intro, we do know that Nintendo “will make an announcement about the successor to [the] Nintendo Switch within the fiscal year” as per company president Shuntaro Furukawa.

Also confirmed by Nintendo is that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with original Switch games. Furukawa stated: “at today's Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch.”

Furukawa then added that the Nintendo Switch Online "will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well," so it's reasonable to expect your Nintendo account will also carry over to the new console.

What time should we expect?

(Image credit: Nintendo)

We're expecting the Nintendo Switch 2 to be revealed at some point today, but what time should you get ready for? Although there's obviously no word on an official reveal window, we can make an educated guess as to when it might be.

A lot of it depends on the current time in Japan, which is 9 hours ahead of coordinated universal time (UTC). At the time of writing it's almost 8PM, so we might even see some news in the next few hours before Japanese Nintendo fans head to bed.

That said, we suspect that that the reveal will be a bit later than that, potentially even tomorrow morning in Japan. 7AM Japan time would be about 5PM EST in the US, which would allow the news to reach two large audiences at once. Fingers crossed!

How will Nintendo reveal the Switch 2?

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The way in which Nintendo will reveal the Switch 2 remains a mystery even today, as we've still heard nothing in regards to what we can expect from that first reveal.

For the original Nintendo Switch console, we got a fairly comprehensive reveal teaser that showed the Switch's use cases. It demonstrated its docked and handheld mode capabilities while also showing off a number of unannounced titles like Super Mario Odyssey and a port of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. This was shortly followed by a full in-person presentation detailing specs, pricing and game announcements.

If Nintendo doesn't reveal anything concrete today, then an announcement of an announcement would be the next best thing - perhaps a social media post telling us exactly when a potential reveal will happen. We are still expecting a teaser video, potentially followed by a more in-depth Nintendo Direct presentation for the hardware.

Similarly, we don't expect Nintendo to just shadow drop a Switch 2 video or presentation. As with any Nintendo Direct, we do anticipate there will at least be some lead-up to the event itself.

What color will the Nintendo Switch 2 be?

(Image credit: Nintendo)

One of our biggest questions is of course what color the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be. Based on recent leaks, we actually have a pretty concrete idea of how it might look.

Like the original Nintendo Switch we think that it will come in two colorways, one plainer black option for all the boring gamers out there and something more adventurous for those who love a bit of whimsy.

We suspect that the latter will be a striking combination of black, orange, and blue. The orange and blue elements will likely come into play most on the refreshed Joy-con, with colored rings around the thumbsticks and a bright rail where it attaches to the system.

What new Nintendo Switch 2 features should we expect?

(Image credit: Future)

As ever, Nintendo hasn't revealed anything official for Switch 2 features as of yet, but some leaks have given us things to speculate over.

First up is the mysterious 'C' button which surfaced in a Nintendo Switch 2 rumors Discord server (via Game Rant). It's suggested that this could stand for 'Campus', a feature that had been previously datamined. We're still not exactly sure what Campus could be, but folks are speculating it to be a new social feature that's potentially similar to the Wii U's excellently charming Miiverse.

As for the hardware itself, it's heavily rumored that the Switch 2 Joy-Con will feature magnetic connectivity, as opposed to the current Switch's rail attachment system. This should make the Joy-Con easier to disconnect and reattach while in handheld mode.

It's potentially going to be a bigger handheld, too, with rumors stating the Switch 2's display will be around 8 inches. That's slightly larger than the Nintendo Switch OLED's 7.2-inch display. That could be a great thing for overall image clarity, but will likely mean the device will be a bit less portable-friendly overall.

Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be backwards compatible

(Image credit: Nintendo)

One of the very few pieces of concrete information we have about the Nintendo Switch 2 is that it will be backwards compatible with Nintendo Switch software. This was confirmed in an X / Twitter post by a Nintendo corporate account on November 6 last year.

What does this mean? Well, you won't have to worry about your existing library of Nintendo Switch games not working on the new console. The company has also stated that Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the Nintendo Switch 2, too, so you should be able to carry over your save data via the cloud.

You can see the company's full statement below.

This is Furukawa. At today's Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well. Further information about…November 6, 2024

Will there be any Nintendo Switch 2 launch deals?

(Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, it's very unlikely that we'll see any substantial Nintendo Switch 2 deals for the launch or pre-order phase. Nintendo will likely offer bundles with at least one major launch game included but this will almost certainly be at full price.

Your best chance to get a saving will be to trade in your current Nintendo Switch (or any other existing console) and put that towards an upgrade to the Switch 2.

As we saw with the recently released PS5 Pro, this was one of the better ways to get the console for less. In the UK, the phone network EE bumped up its trade-in rebate for the original PS5 by £30 to £260 when you also bought a PS5 Pro, making it one of the largest discounts from all retailers.

It's best to expect something similar to that trade-in discount whenever the Nintendo Switch 2 is up for sale – at least until the major end-of-year sales get underway in November for Black Friday.

Nintendo unveils its Switch successor

Nintendo has officially unveiled its Nintendo Switch successor, officially called the Nintendo Switch 2, via a new trailer posted to YouTube.

In the trailer we see the console showed off for the first time and it looks... almost exactly how we predicted! You can see it for yourself below.

Categories: Technology

The Clock Is Ticking on High APYs. Today's CD Rates, Jan. 16, 2025

CNET News - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:30
Don't let rates up to 4.65% APY pass you by. Open one of these high-yield CDs now.
Categories: Technology

A New Jam-Packed Biden Executive Order Tackles Cybersecurity, AI, and More

WIRED Top Stories - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:30
US president Joe Biden just issued a 40-page executive order that aims to bolster federal cybersecurity protections, directs government use of AI—and takes a swipe at Microsoft’s dominance.
Categories: Technology

Trump's energy secretary nominee faces questions over climate posts and LA fires

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:08

Trump's pick for secretary of energy, fracking executive Chris Wright, faced questions about a past social media post calling wildfires "hype."

(Image credit: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

Categories: News

What happens after a wildfire destroys your home? A survivor has tips

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:01

"What the hell just happened to my future?" — that's the immediate thought for many people when they learn a fire has destroyed their home, says consumer advocate Annie Barbour.

(Image credit: Ryan Kellerman)

Categories: News

The Transportation Department sues Southwest Airlines for alleged oft-delayed flights

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:00

The agency is seeking civil penalties against Southwest Airlines, and also fined Frontier Airlines for its continuous delays.

(Image credit: Mario Tama)

Categories: News

Fast-Track Your Savings Goals With APYs Over 4%. Today's Savings Rates for Jan. 16, 2025

CNET News - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:00
Even if rates aren't as high as they once were, experts still recommend opening a HYSA.
Categories: Technology

Trump's pick for secretary of the Interior Department is Doug Burgum. Here's what to know

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:00

Doug Burgum, former North Dakota governor and businessman is President Donald Trump's pick to be Secretary of the Interior. The confirmation hearing is scheduled for Thurs., Jan 16, 2025.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

Categories: News

Trump wants a quick end to the Ukraine war. That's a tall order

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:00

The war has reached a critical point. A real peace seems unlikely, but a ceasefire is possible, most experts agree. The question is whether it can be achieved without placing Ukraine in further peril.

(Image credit: Genya Savilov)

Categories: News

A need for speed: Several states are looking for ways to count votes faster

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:00

Lawmakers in California and other states want to change vote-counting rules to speed up the process. One key question is whether counting can be sped up without sacrificing access to the ballot.

(Image credit: Etienne Laurent)

Categories: News

We asked experts to grade Biden's job on education. They gave it a C average

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 04:00

We asked more than a dozen educators, researchers, advocates and experts how they would grade Biden's education legacy. He got two F's, no A's and lots of votes in the middle.

(Image credit: Demetrius Freeman)

Categories: News

How Gen AI enhances data governance initiatives

TechRadar News - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 03:48

Organizations increasingly depend on accurate insights from their data to drive decisions, fuel innovation and maintain their competitive edge. Yet, the ability to extract meaningful, high-quality insights from this data is dependent on effective data governance.

Implementing data governance is critical, but like all data initiatives, it requires internal adoption and organizational fit. Generative AI is emerging to transform the way organizations streamline data management processes.

Data governance and its challenges

Effective data governance is the backbone of data-driven decision-making, but it is more than just a process. It is a strategic framework that ensures data is accessible, secure and aligned with organizational goals.

Data governance relies on four core pillars for success. The first is having people to define and execute the policies and standards. Secondly, the process outlines the workflows for managing data while the third pillar, technology, provides the tools for tasks like ingestion, integration, security and compliance. Finally, standards ensure data consistency and interoperability across the organization, enabling effective collaboration and decision-making to maintain the quality and usability of data assets.

However, data governance is not a simple task and requires coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, such as business users, data teams and IT departments, along with the technical expertise and tools to implement, manage and monitor it. Managing data sources across platforms, applications and business departments requires a governance policy that is tailored to the complexity of the organization's structure.

Organizations face two primary challenges: the complexity of managing diverse data sources, and how to encourage widespread adoption of governance practices among users.

Organizations are required to handle data from various sources, such as customer databases, web traffic, or after acquisition, which can be formatted in many ways from structured and semi-structured to unstructured. This diversity, along with the growing volume of data, makes integration, management and effective use difficult.

However, data is only useful if it is being utilized to serve business initiatives, and yet many enterprises continue to wrestle with the fact that user adoption remains a challenge. Business users often see governance as a burden, rather than a benefit, limiting their access to data access and therefore ability to use it effectively.

They may also lack the skills to follow data governance policies. This can lead to non-compliance and the creation of data silos or shadow IT systems that compromise data quality and security.

How generative AI accelerates data governance

Leveraging generative AI helps organizations take a new approach to data governance. By automating, optimizing and simplifying core functions, generative AI enables them to realize the full potential of their data assets. Adopting techniques like deep learning and natural language processing, generative AI can also create relevant and accessible outputs including text, audio, and images.

It can transform data governance in several ways. By automating labor-intensive data management tasks such as ingestion, cleansing, classification and profiling to ensure data accuracy, it helps data teams efficiently scale data management. It also aids data discovery by providing metadata, lineage and context information, generating natural language summaries for all data assets to make it easier for users and businesses to understand data value.

This accessibility fosters a more inclusive data culture across a business and transforms data governance in several ways to achieve operational benefits. By providing natural language recommendations or suggestions alongside analysis results, Generative AI makes insights accessible to both technical and non-technical users, helping users optimize the impact of the data and ensure that it is effectively leveraged for decision-making and innovation.

By enabling users to interact with data effectively, generative AI can ultimately increase the adoption of governance practices, and foster a data-driven culture across the organization. This not only enhances data quality but also strengthens security and promotes seamless integration across systems.

Data trust and its role in governance

Data trust is the mission-critical consequence of effective data governance. In an environment where data is increasingly shared across departments and even external partners, ensuring trust in data for all purposes is essential. Trust is built through the transparency in data management practices, clear policies on data access and robust security protocols.

Generative AI can play a significant role in enhancing data trust by providing continuous transparent monitoring, automated auditing, and anomaly detection to ensure data integrity and compliance with standards. AI-powered insights can validate the data’s accuracy which helps to maintain trust as the data moves across different systems and teams.

Gen AI in decentralized data governance

As organizations adopt modern IT paradigms like data mesh and data fabric, data governance models are shifting from centralized to decentralized or federated frameworks.

In decentralized models, individual business units retain autonomy while following governance principles. Federated models strike a balance, with a central data team providing guidelines and decentralized teams managing data at the local level.

Generative AI is particularly well-suited for these frameworks, acting as a bridge between central governance bodies and decentralized teams. It facilitates communication, ensures alignment of goals, and provides localised, tailored insights while adhering to enterprise-wide standards.

Effective data governance is essential for unlocking the full potential of an organization's data, but managing complexity and encouraging user adoption remain significant challenges. Generative AI is a powerful tool for data teams to bring value from their organization's data to the business users efficiently and accessibly.

Generative AI bridges the gap between oversight and autonomy by ensuring data quality, bolstering security and supporting robust, bespoke data governance models. Embracing this technology enables organizations to overcome common governance challenges, drive innovation, and maximize the value of their data assets to ensure continued business competitiveness.

We show what we think are the best AI tools.

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

Categories: Technology

FeatherSnap Scout bird feeder camera review: superb design and performance, somewhat modest camera experience

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 03:00
FeatherSnap Scout bird feeder camera: one-minute review

If you're new to bird feeder cameras and want an easy and affordable starting point, the FeatherSnap Scout is just the ticket. It's easy to set up, and offers a robust design, reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, durable battery performance with solar charging, plus a straightforward app through which you can enjoy watching your garden visitors. These attributes combine to great effect, and made this review both easy to write and highly enjoyable, while assuring me that the FeatherSnap Scout is one of the best bird feeder cameras available.

I live in the countryside in the UK, and we get plenty of feathered visitors in the garden. I already have regular bird feeders set up in various spots, so why not swap one out for a feeder with a camera? Doing so enabled me to get a closer look at the birds I otherwise only see from a distance, from the comfort of my home, and has been a wonderful experience.

In fact, while writing this review at TechRadar's offices, many miles from home, I've been able to keep the FeatherSnap Scout's live feed active on my phone to see (and hear) which birds are stopping by – a welcome distraction that puts a smile on my face.

Setting up the FeatherSnap Scout is simple. Having pinpointed the best spots to position the bird feeder, it took me a matter of minutes to unbox the camera, head into the garden and fix it to my chosen tree using the supplied strap. I've tried placing it in a couple of spots, and once I've established the best position I'll screw it in place more securely.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

With the FeatherSnap Scout in place and filled with feed, I connected it to my home Wi-Fi network via FeatherSnap's free app (available for iOS and Android) – I was able to get connected promptly, despite there being a large distance between the camera and my home router.

The app is easy to navigate, though you'll want the paid-for subscription to get the very best features – for me the video downloads proved the real highlight. Still, without the subscription you can still receive pictures that the camera takes when it detects movement, plus enjoy the live feed, complete with audio.

Image quality is what I'd expect from a basic camera with ultra-wide angle lens; color depth and resolution are limited. However, the same can be said of all bird feeder cameras, and the detail here is pretty sharp. Over the weeks using the FeatherSnap Scout I've learnt that it's a breeze to get started, reliable, offers decent battery life, and comes in at a highly competitive price point. Top stuff.

FeatherSnap Scout bird feeder camera: price and availability
  • $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$TBC
  • App subscription plan $59.99 / £49.99 per year or $6.99 / £5.99 per month

Compared to a premium option such as the 5 star-rated Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo, the FeatherSnap Scout is a snip at just $179.99 / £159.99 (availability and pricing for Australia is TBC), especially when you consider that it features two built-in solar panels. That said, to get the most out of the camera features, you'll want the paid-for Unlimited Plan, which costs $59.99 / £49.99 per year, or $6.99 / £5.99 per month. Without it you can't access some of the best features, which for me means video downloads, although personally I can take or leave the bird identification features, which didn't always prove to be accurate. At the time of writing, the best price can be found on the FeatherSnap website and Amazon – for the latter make sure to select FeatherSnap as the seller to get the prices above.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman) FeatherSnap Scout bird feeder camera: specs FeatherSnap Scout bird feeder camera: design
  • Motion detection camera with ultra-wide lens and stable 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi connection
  • Strap or screw-in mount
  • Potentially unlimited battery life thanks to twin solar panels

The FeatherSnap Scout arrives fully assembled, with no construction needed, complete with twin solar panels built into its roof. The camera unit is packaged separately and snaps securely into place, attached through its USB-C port which connects it to the solar panels for continuous power.

The fiddliest part of setting the feeder up was strapping it to a tree. For a tree with thinner trunk I wrapped the strap around twice, and it feeds through a lock that's completely secure and stable. For another, larger tree, I wrapped the strap once and the setup was equally secure. I wouldn't be against attaching the camera to a tree using screws, once I know I'm fully happy with its position for year-round coverage, and if I can do that without damaging the tree.

My review period took place over the winter months in the UK, which means cold weather, short days and limited sunlight. The rugged device has withstood inclement weather, including a category 2 storm, and countless visitors (although I'm lucky that the squirrels haven't discovered it yet), and all remains well.

Image 1 of 7

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 7

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 7

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 7

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 5 of 7

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 6 of 7

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 7 of 7

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Initial pairing to my home Wi-Fi network took no time at all through FeatherSnap's app, and I was impressed with the stability of the connection considering the distance between my router and the device. In one position the app showed a strong connection with a distance of around 50ft / 15m, while from another side of the house, as much as 82ft / 25m, the connection was weaker but still worked.

A large battery unit is supplied, and this has a USB-C port built into it for direct wired charging. In one of the locations where I set the feeder up it was almost entirely in the shade and daylight hours were few, with the weather hovering around 32F / 0C, plus the camera was regularly active snapping visitors, and the battery was losing about 15% of its charge each day, so that's good for about a week of use.

I repositioned the camera where it would get more sunlight on sunny days, and the battery life increased. By my reckoning, provided the camera has reasonable exposure to daylight, it'll maintain its charge thanks to the twin solar panels, and most people will seldom if ever need to charge the battery.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

FeatherSnap says the bird feeder camera has a -20F to 130°F / -29C to 54.4C operating temperature. Such extremes have never been recorded where I live, but the device has worked flawlessly in freezing temperatures. It's also proved durable, in the wind and rain, and I have little doubt that it'll be up and running in my garden for a long time to come.

I will caveat any notes about durability by saying the feeder has only had feathered visitors during my review period, the largest of which was a curious magpie. Squirrels could be a different matter – they have tormented other bird feeder camera reviewers for TechRadar, damaging the likes of the otherwise-stylish Netvue Birdfy Bamboo. The FeatherSnap Scout's open trays mean that squirrels aren't likely to root around too much and damage it, and from what I can tell the extendable perch is the most likely weak point.

Something the FeatherSnap Scout lacks, which can be found in some other premium bird feeder cameras from the likes of Bird Buddy, is a speaker to project sounds, which is typically used to deter and scare away unwanted visitors. That's not been an issue in my case, but it could be for you if you get a lot of squirrels.

FeatherSnap Scout bird feeder camera: performance
  • 4MP photos are sharp enough, though color depth and dynamic range is limited
  • Full HD videos of up to 15 seconds in length taken from photo gallery in app
  • Excellent Wi-Fi performance and stable connection for a live feed, complete with sound

The FeatherSnap Scout relies on a single camera with an ultra-wide field of view. It's motion sensitive, and it snaps into action when visitors come, capturing 15-second video clips distilled into a set of three photos in the 'Snaps' gallery. Should you like any of those photos, which you can view in a chronological feed in the app, you can download them at an image size of 4MB.

That image size is pretty modest, but so far as bird feeder cameras go, it's respectable. As someone who's spoilt by using the best professional cameras, however, I've been underwhelmed by the image quality of the FeatherSnap Scout. Color depth and dynamic range is very limited, with little latitude for bringing back highlight details during sunny days or adding punch on cloudy days, to the JPEG-only files.

I'll qualify those disappointments by saying that the same is true from all bird feeder cameras that I've seen – don't get your hopes up regarding image quality. In its defense, the FeatherSnap Scout's images look pretty sharp, especially if you're mainly viewing them on a smartphone.

Image 1 of 10

One of my more exotic visitors – a great spotted woodpecker (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 5 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 6 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 7 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 8 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 9 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 10 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

In addition to photo downloads, you can request the video captured by the camera. These Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel sequences are 15 seconds in length, and can be viewed at 1x or 5x slow motion, but you can't download the latter. Video downloads are only available with the paid-for subscription. The camera's live feed is another way to enjoy feeder's visitors in real time.

During my review, I've accumulated hundreds of videos / image sequences, and these are stored / viewed in the app. You can request a download of those images, and they'll remain in the app for up to 72 hours (with the free plan) or 10 days (with the paid-for subscription) before being wiped from the gallery.

I'd love an easier way to manage all of those files, especially considering that 95% of the content in my gallery is of the same five bird species. There are bird identification functions in the app – which by the way incorrectly identified a rare visit of a great spotted woodpecker to be that of a great tit – so I'd assume there's potential for AI to play its part in managing files.

It would be nice to get a highlights of the day reel, or have a method of selecting which birds are snapped and which ones are ignored – say based on your own Bird Book (which is used to log your sitings in the app). Perhaps that's too complicated an ask, and in fairness the present setup of wiping the gallery after 72 hours / 10 days is a sensible and simple approach.

Should you buy the FeatherSnap Scout bird feeder camera? Buy it if...

You want a close-up view of your feathered visitors
Bird feeder cameras remain one of the more affordable bits of gear for getting a close-up view of the wildlife around you, and for me the live feed provided welcome entertainment / distraction.

You're after a gift that keeps on giving
The FeatherSnap Scout is relatively affordable, and could make a great gift for a nature-loving family member.

You're looking for your first bird feeder camera
The FeatherSnap Scout is super-easy to get started with, and performs flawlessly thanks to a stable wireless connection and stellar battery life. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You're expecting award-winning garden wildlife images
Bird feeder cameras in general are better seen as viewing and documenting devices – their basic cameras can't match the quality of even your smartphone's.

You don't want to be tied down to a paid-for subscription
The FeatherSnap Scout can be used completely for free through the app, but to get its best features – namely video downloads – you'll need the premium package.

You'll likely need to deter unwanted visitors

Unlike the best bird feeder cameras from the likes of Bird Buddy, FeatherSnap Scout lacks features designed to deter squirrels.

How I tested the FeatherSnap Scout bird feeder camera
  • Mounted to a couple of different trees and connected to my home Wi-Fi
  • Operated through cold winter months, with little daylight / sunlight
  • I monitored the visiting birds daily using the FeatherSnap app, with the paid-for subscription unlocking premium features

I set up the FeatherSnap Scout by strapping it to two different trees over the course of several weeks. Screwing the feeder into place is another option, provided you take the necessary steps to avoid damaging the tree.

My test was conducted in the UK over cold winter months, when days were short and sunlight limited. I was able to connect the FeatherSnap Bird Feeder camera to my home Wi-Fi and monitor any visitors the camera detected via the live feed, and the pictures stored in the gallery.

I used the paid version of the app to unlock all the premium features, including video downloads and bird identification.

  • First reviewed January 2025
Categories: Reviews

Best Internet Providers in Clarksville, Tennessee

CNET News - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 02:03
With CDE Lightband available to every home in Clarksville, finding internet is a breeze. Looking for more options? CNET’s experts have the top options for you.
Categories: Technology

Identifying the evolving security threats to AI models

TechRadar News - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 01:49

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved into a cornerstone of technological and business innovation, permeating every sector and fundamentally transforming how we interact with the world. AI tools now streamline decision-making, optimize operations, and enable new, personalized experiences.

However, this rapid expansion brings with it a complex and growing threat landscape—one that combines traditional cybersecurity risks with unique vulnerabilities specific to AI. These emerging risks can include data manipulation, adversarial attacks, and exploitation of machine learning models, each posing serious potential impacts on privacy, security, and trust.

As AI continues to become deeply integrated into critical infrastructures, from healthcare and finance to national security, it’s crucial for organizations to adopt a proactive, layered defense strategy. By remaining vigilant and continuously identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities, businesses can protect not only their AI systems but also the integrity and resilience of their broader digital environments.

The new threats facing AI models and users

As the use of AI expands, so does the complexity of the threats it faces. Some of the most pressing threats involve trust in digital content, backdoors intentionally or unintentionally embedded in models, traditional security gaps exploited by attackers, and novel techniques that cleverly bypass existing safeguards. Additionally, the rise of deepfakes and synthetic media further complicates the landscape, creating challenges around verifying authenticity and integrity in AI-generated content.

Trust in digital content: As AI-generated content slowly becomes indistinguishable from real images, companies are building safeguards to stop the spread of misinformation. What happens if a vulnerability is found in one of these safeguards? Watermark manipulation, for example, allows adversaries to tamper with the authenticity of images generated by AI models. This technique can add or remove invisible watermarks that mark content as AI-generated, undermining trust in the content and fostering misinformation—a scenario that can lead to severe social ramifications.

Backdoors in models: Due to the open source nature of AI models through sites like Hugging Face, a frequently reused model containing a backdoor could lead to severe supply chain implications. A cutting-edge method developed by our Synaptic Adversarial Intelligence (SAI) team, dubbed ‘ShadowLogic,’ allows adversaries to implant codeless, hidden backdoors into neural network models across any modality. By manipulating the computational graph of the model, attackers can compromise its integrity without detection, persisting the backdoor even when a model is fine tuned.

Integration of AI into High-Impact Technologies: AI models like Google’s Gemini have proven to be susceptible to indirect prompt injection attacks. Under certain conditions, attackers can manipulate these models to produce misleading or harmful responses, and even cause them to call APIs, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilant defense mechanisms.

Traditional Security Vulnerabilities: Common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) in AI infrastructure continue to plague organizations. Attackers often exploit weaknesses in open-source frameworks, making it essential to identify and address these vulnerabilities proactively.

Novel Attack Techniques: While traditional security vulnerabilities still pose a large threat to the AI ecosystem, new attack techniques are a near-daily occurrence. Techniques such as Knowledge Return Oriented Prompting (KROP), developed by HiddenLayer’s SAI team, present a significant challenge to AI safety. These novel methods allow adversaries to bypass conventional safety measures built into large language models (LLMs), opening the door to unintended consequences.

Identifying vulnerabilities before adversaries do

To combat these threats, researchers must stay one step ahead, anticipating the techniques that bad actors may employ—often before those adversaries even recognize potential opportunities for impact. By combining proactive research with innovative, automated tools designed to expose hidden vulnerabilities within AI frameworks, researchers can uncover and disclose new Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). This responsible approach to vulnerability disclosure not only strengthens individual AI systems but also fortifies the broader industry by raising awareness and establishing baseline protections to combat both known and emerging threats.

Identifying vulnerabilities is only the first step. It’s equally critical to translate academic research into practical, deployable solutions that operate effectively in real-world production settings. This bridge from theory to application is exemplified in projects where HiddenLayer’s SAI team adapted academic insights to tackle actual security risks, underscoring the importance of making research actionable, and ensuring defenses are robust, scalable, and adaptable to evolving threats. By transforming foundational research into operational defenses, the industry not only protects AI systems but also builds resilience and confidence in AI-driven innovation, safeguarding users and organizations alike against a rapidly changing threat landscape. This proactive, layered approach is essential for enabling secure, reliable AI applications that can withstand both current and future adversarial techniques.

Innovating toward safer AI systems

Security around AI systems can no longer be an afterthought; it must be woven into the fabric of AI innovation. As AI technologies advance, so do the methods and motives of attackers. Threat actors are increasingly focused on exploiting weaknesses specific to AI models, from adversarial attacks that manipulate model outputs to data poisoning techniques that degrade model accuracy. To address these risks, the industry is shifting towards embedding security directly into the development and deployment phases of AI, making it an integral part of the AI lifecycle. This proactive approach is fostering safer environments for AI and mitigating risks before they manifest, reducing the likelihood of unexpected disruptions.

Researchers and industry leaders alike are accelerating efforts to identify and counteract evolving vulnerabilities. As AI research migrates from theoretical exploration to practical application, new attack methods are rapidly moving from academic discourse to real-world implementation. Adopting “secure by design” principles is essential to establishing a security-first mindset, which, while not foolproof, elevates the baseline protection for AI systems and the industries that depend on them. As AI revolutionizes sectors from healthcare to finance, embedding robust security measures is vital to supporting sustainable growth and fostering trust in these transformative technologies. Embracing security not as a barrier but as a catalyst for responsible progress will ensure that AI systems are resilient, reliable, and equipped to withstand the dynamic and sophisticated threats they face, paving the way for future advancements that are both innovative and secure.

We've compiled 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

Categories: Technology

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launches massive New Glenn rocket on first test flight

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 01:23

The rocket was supposed to launch Monday, but ice buildup caused a delay. It's built to haul spacecraft and eventually astronauts to orbit and also the moon.

(Image credit: John Raoux)

Categories: News

Pro-Stacey Abrams groups to pay record fine for breaking Georgia campaign finance law

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 00:35

The two groups' current leadership admitted 16 instances of illegal activity in a consent decree and will pay a $300,000 fine, the largest in state history, according to the commission.

(Image credit: Ben Gray)

Categories: News

Onyx Boox Go 6 review: bugs and performance woes undermine a promising entry-level ereader

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 01/15/2025 - 23:35
Onyx Boox Go 6: Two-minute review

The Go series is Onyx’s latest Boox range of ereaders and e-paper writing tablets, with the Boox Go 6 being the newest – and smallest – member. It was released a couple of months after the first two Go series devices, giving Onyx time to fix the software issues I had highlighted in my Boox Go Color 7 review. And given how much I like the Boox Go 10.3 as a writing tablet, I had high expectations from this 6-inch entry-level ereader.

Its design doesn’t disappoint at all, with a slim, compact and lightweight body that makes it very portable indeed. Despite this light build, it still manages to feel quite robust. It also uses the latest E Ink Carta 1300 screen that makes reading a far superior experience over the Amazon Kindle (2024), and can easily hold its own against the Kobo Clara BW and the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024), both of which use the same display. Plus, having a microSD card tray to expand the 32GB internal storage if you need more space is a bonus. And that’s where the positives end for me.

While it’s adequate as an ereader, Onyx hasn’t quite taken full advantage of that fabulous display because ghosting is still a problem on Boox devices, even though Amazon has seemingly found a way to completely eliminate this issue in its 2024 Kindles.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Then there are the software and performance woes. To be fair to Onyx, my issue with the unlinked Fonts folder has been rectified – you no longer need to manually create a separate folder within the Storage tab to make third-party fonts work – but I ran into other issues instead.

For starters, while I can connect to my Google Drive account, during my testing, files couldn’t be transferred wirelessly as it wouldn't give me access to anything other than the existing Onyx folder from previous Boox devices. As a Mac user, I couldn’t even use a wired connection to move ebooks onto the Go 6 as only Windows machines register the Boox tablets as external devices and, despite OTG (USB on-the-go) support and the device reading my external hard drive, I still couldn’t move my files. Thank goodness for BooxDrop!

I will admit that the Boox Go 6 powers on or wakes up much quicker than any Kindle or Kobo I have tested (even the latest ones), but page turns are rather slow. I found that pages with images on them can take over a second to flip over. While most users won’t necessarily be reading graphic novels, comics or history books with image plates, it’s still sluggish compared to the competition. Even battery life is disappointing here.

I’m also quite miffed that Onyx has chosen to use Android 11 as the Go 6’s operating system when the other devices in this series run on Android 12. And while not really a deal breaker, there’s no waterproofing here either.

As much as I admire Onyx for churning out ereaders and writing tablets every few months, I think the company ought to slow down to perfect the performance of its ereaders. It seems to be able to do that for its writing tablets, so why not its basic reading devices too?

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Onyx Boox Go 6 review: price & availability
  • Announced August 2024
  • List price: $149.99 / €169.99 / AU$279
  • Available now directly from the Boox Shop and select third-party retailers

Compared to Kindle or Kobo, Boox devices have always been a little on the expensive side. The Boox Go 6 is no exception, listed for $149.99 / €169.99 (about £143) / AU$279 at the time of writing. That’s significantly more than the equivalent Kindle or Kobo.

The Amazon Kindle (2024) costs $129.99 / £104.99 / AU$199 sans ads on the lock screen, although you only get 16GB of storage (half that of the Boox Go 6) and it uses the older E Ink Carta 1200 screen. On the other hand, the Kobo Clara BW – which also only comes with 16GB of storage – will set you back $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$239.95 at full price, but it boasts the E Ink Carta 1300 display and is IPX8-certified waterproof, which the Go 6 isn't. It also happens to be repairable.

In fact, the Boox Go 6 is only marginally cheaper than the 7-inch Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024), which costs $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$299 for the version without ads and 16GB of storage, but you get waterproofing and a larger Carta 1300 screen that has no performance issues.

• Value score: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Onyx Boox Go 6 review: specs Onyx Boox Go 6 review: Design & display
  • Very sharp and clear 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display
  • Robust build quality with microSD card tray
  • Lacks waterproofing

The one thing I’ve always been impressed by is the design of the Boox devices – they all look premium, and the Boox Go 6 is no exception. Despite being made from plastic, the black chassis appears metallic on the front – something Amazon and Kobo ought to learn to do – and, despite being the same thickness as the 2024 base Kindle, it feels a lot more solid in the hand… and much more secure too. That doesn’t imply the rear panel is textured – it’s a matte finish compared to the shiny front, but it attracts every single fingerprint, far more than any other ereader I've had the joy of using. Thankfully Onyx makes an optional sleepcover (identical to the one used with the Onyx Boox Poke 5) to keep the body smudge-free.

The only embellishment on the Go 6 is the Boox branding on the front and rear. The former is in grey printed on the large lower bezel, while the latter is embossed black on black. The power button is on the right corner of the top edge, and you’ll find the USB-C port, microphone and microSD card tray on the bottom edge. There are no speakers here, like you’ll find on some other Boox devices and that’s a good thing – I’ve never found the sound to be nice enough to use anyway.

While it looks very much like the Boox Poke 5, it’s lighter at 146g compared to 160g, which also makes it a touch lighter than the latest edition of the base Kindle (158g) and the Kobo Clara BW (174g).

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

This lightweight body houses what is arguably the best e-paper screen that E Ink (the company that supplies the displays to ereader makers) has made. And it makes reading a lovely experience. Everything is displayed sharp and clear, with very good contrast. However, compared to the Kindles released in 2024, ghosting remains a major problem on Boox devices, which tells me optimization isn't...well, optimal.

Like all current Boox devices, the frontlight is adjustable for both brightness and temperature. This makes the display comfortable to use in any environment, whether indoors or out, and even at night when yellow light can reduce eye strain.

Also like the Boox Poke 5, the Go 6 also misses out on any kind of waterproofing, which is a shame as it’s more expensive than the Kobo Clara BW, which does get you some security from accidental dunks in the kitchen sink, bath or pool. That said, waterproofing doesn’t seem to be too important to Onyx as even the Go Color 7 is listed as being just “splashproof” (with no rating provided).

• Design & display score: 4 / 5

The rear panel looks good but it's a smudge magnet (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Onyx Boox Go 6 review: Software
  • Runs Android 11 – other Go series devices run on Android 12
  • Slightly more streamlined UI than older Boox devices
  • AI Assistant app is superfluous

I have to hand it to Onyx for trying to simplify the user interface on the Boox Go 6. There are fewer customization options in Settings as compared to older Boox ereaders, which makes it a little easier to use. Despite that, if you’ve never used a Boox device before, you’ll likely still need a little time to wrap your head around some of the settings. Other important ones, though, like for the library, are still hidden away.

The initial setup is also annoyingly complicated when it really doesn’t need to be. While you just have to follow the on-screen instructions, there are too many pop-ups, and being asked to set up Gestures even before you log in is unnecessary. You’ll also need to accept Onyx’s user agreement and privacy policy twice before you can connect to your Wi-Fi network – surely once would do. I was even presented with the keyboard audio recording pop-up before the full setup was complete, not when I needed to use the keyboard for the first time. These little bits and bobs are useful, I understand, but can be set up later rather than at the startup process.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

One thing I’m really pleased about is Onyx fixing one of the software issues that has plagued Boox devices from the start – having to create a new fonts folder within Storage to make third-party sideloaded fonts work. The existing Fonts folder has now been linked correctly and that extra step is no longer needed.

However, I’m surprised the company chose to use Android 11 as the OS, rather than the newer Android 12 that’s running on the other two Go series devices. Admittedly it’s a perfectly acceptable choice for an ereader's operating system, but disappointing nonetheless.

As with all Onyx devices, you can choose any of the five tabs as your home screen via System Display in the Settings tab: Library, Store, Storage, Apps or Settings. These are accessible at the bottom of the screen. Personally, I prefer Apps or Settings as my home screen as I find the library can tend to look a little messy, but that’s just me.

Apps is where you will find all the native applications, including a browser, the Google Play Store and the AI Assistant. While I find most of the apps useful, the last one is rather superfluous. You can use the built-in AI to write a short story or start a simple conversation, but I really found no need to use it on a basic ereader. In fact, I thought it was gimmicky on the Boox Go Color 7 too and I didn't take any advantage of it on the Go 10.3 either.

Image 1 of 2

Onyx has fixed the issue with the fonts folder in Storage... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

..which is now correctly linked for third-party fonts (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The bookstore isn’t going to be much use to most readers as all you can find are classics and titles available in the public domain. However, you can purchase content via the browser or by installing the Kindle or Kobo apps, but then you will need to use the respective apps to read or listen to the content you purchase. These will not be added to the device’s library.

You will need to sideload titles if you want to use the native library application. Transferring files to the Go 6, in theory, can be done both wirelessly and via a USB-C cable plugged into your computer, although I ran into trouble in both cases. I’ve previously linked my Google Drive account to transfer files to the other Boox devices I've tested but, this time, although I could access Drive, it only presented me with my existing Onyx folder that had notes and files from older devices, nothing else. Even after moving my ebooks folder to within my existing Onyx subfolder within Drive, I was still unable to see it. Multiple restarts of the device didn't help, neither did a full factory reset. Which meant I couldn’t download any ebooks I had stored on the cloud. As a MacBook user, I’ve found that no Boox ereader gets registered, so there’s no way for me to use a wired connection either.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

There is OTG support here, which allows you to plug an external storage device directly into the Go 6 to access files. In my case, I tried both the Samsung T5 portable SSD and the T7 – while they registered as USB-C connected devices on the Go 6 and I can view the files, I was unable to transfer any of them, as has been the case previously on all other Boox tablets I've used.

I had to rely on Onyx’s own BooxDrop application, which allows me to use a web-based platform to ‘push’ files onto the ereaders for a wireless transfer. It’s not a bad way to do things, but when there are easier options, I’m saddened that bugs and software glitches don’t allow them to work as expected.

• Software score: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Onyx Boox Go 6 review: User experience
  • Easier to use but unnecessarily complicated setup process
  • Screen could be better optimized
  • Can have issues with wired and cloud transfers

With software bugs still plaguing Boox ereaders, the user experience, for me personally, is far from smooth, even though reading on it is wonderful. As I’ve already mentioned, the lackluster user experience begins right at the start, thanks to an unnecessarily complicated setup process that could throw off first-time users. Both Amazon and Kobo do a much smoother job of getting users set up on their new devices, so I don’t know why Onyx can’t adopt a similar approach.

File transfers also shouldn’t be as difficult as I found them to be. Sure, BooxDrop works a charm, but using a wired connection can be quick. And with no Windows machine at my disposal to use a cable to transfer files, or with OTG never having worked for me on any Boox device with support, I was hoping to use Google Drive. While that has worked for me previously, I'm not sure what happened this time round. It could be an isolated issue, but a full factory reset didn't help, so I can't be so sure.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Fixing the fonts folder problem was fabulous, but then I had to restart the Go 6 three times to get the sideloaded Bookerly font to work. These are little things, but they do clock up for a user.

That said, I can't emphasize how good the display is for reading. I think it's better than the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024), which uses the same screen. I compared them both side by side, with the same Bookerly font for the same page on the same page – the smaller screen with a tighter pixel density definitely works in the Go 6's favor. I even compared it right beside the Amazon Kindle (2024 release), with both books covers and text looking darker and sharper. However, it doesn't offer as much joy reading as the overall user experience isn't as good.

While the user interface isn’t as complicated as it used to be on older Boox devices, a learning curve is still required if you’ve never used one of Onyx’s ereaders before. More so because many important settings, like those for the library (NeoReader) app, are hidden away. They’ll require a tap or two more on the top of the screen when the app is in use to bring them up, and it’s not particularly intuitive. What I really like about the Boox library app is the Floating Toolbar that can be customized for functions you use the most.

Image 1 of 2

The Boox Go 6 (left) has a better, higher contrast display than the 2024 Amazon Kindle (right) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

The Boox Go 6 (left) displays the same page of the same ebook just as well as the 2024 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (right) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Onyx really has the makings of a good ereader in the Boox Go 6, but until its user experience is refined and simplified, plus the software issues ironed out, it will be hard to recommend over a Kindle or a Kobo ereader.

• User experience score: 3 / 5

Onyx Boox Go 6 review: Performance
  • Ghosting is still a problem
  • Sluggish page turns
  • Middling battery life

When it comes to overall performance, the other two Go series devices are better devices than the Boox Go 6. I was critical about the Go Color 7 and loved the Go 10.3, but sadly the Go 6 disappoints in comparison and I’m struggling to find anything positive to say here.

Some important library settings are hidden away behind 2 taps on the screen (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Where the other two Go series tablets use the 2.4GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, the Go 6 has an older 2GHz octa-core CPU. That shouldn’t have been an issue on an ereader, as it really doesn’t need too much processing power, but is seems to have had an effect here.

Page turns are sluggish even when only a single title is open in the library app (the library can have several tabs open). During my testing, I found that ebooks with images are particularly slow, sometimes taking up to a second to load the next page. Those with only text, though, are quicker, although at an average of 500ms per turn, they are a touch slower than what I’ve experienced on the 2024 Kindles and Kobos.

Image 1 of 2

Images on the Boox Go 6 invariably have a ghosting problem... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

..with a light overlay of the previous page still visible (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Pages with images also suffer from significant ghosting, where a dim overlay of the previous page is visible. In fact, I encountered ghosting even when trying to sign into Google Drive when setting up the device. In comparison, the Go Color 7 was more impressive with a lot less ghosting, although this has been a major issue with other Boox devices I’ve tried.

In use, I’ve found third-party apps can crash often. Both the Kindle and the Kobo apps, while quick to open, can crash immediately after, or while in the middle of loading a title. That said, other apps like CPU X, which I have used on all three Go series tablets to determine certain specs, have worked just fine.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Another disappointment is the battery life. While it uses the same 1,500mAh capacity as the Boox Poke 5, the drain on the Go 6 is a lot more than the former. I found that the battery level drops 1% every couple of minutes when the display is on, but not being used (meaning, no titles are being read or any apps in use), which does seem excessive. And this is with the screen light set at low levels. When in use, the drain on the battery increases slightly, with about 3% to 4% dropping every couple of minutes.

That means I got no more than 2 weeks of use, reading for about 30 minutes per day with the brightness set to a low level and the system’s refresh rate set to per 5 taps. Wi-Fi, though, was always on, as was Bluetooth. Switching them off didn’t make too much of a difference during my testing. As a point of comparison, the Kobo Clara BW also uses a 1,500mAh battery and gave me about 4 weeks of use on a single charge, as did the Boox Poke 5.

Top-up time for the battery, however, is quick. Connected to a 67W wall charger via a good quality USB-C to C cable raised battery levels from 4% to 56% in 45 minutes. It was fully topped up in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Of course, charging time will be much longer if you use your computer or one of the best power banks to top up the Go 6, but if that isn’t much of an issue, I’d say the battery charging times of this ereader is the best I've encountered.

• Performance score: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Should I buy the Onyx Boox Go 6? Buy it if...

You want a very portable ereader indeed
As one of the lightest ereaders I’ve tested, the 6-inch Boox Go 6 will pop into a jacket pocket easily enough or slip into any bag.

You want plenty of storage
If you’re an avid reader, the 32GB onboard storage will serve you well. And if even that is too little, you can always use a microSD card to expand it further. While Onyx hasn’t specified the maximum storage capacity for the card tray, previous Boox devices have been able to manage up to 1TB.

You have an existing library of ebooks and audiobooks
Given the built-in bookstore isn’t ideal, the best use case for Boox ereaders would be to sideload your own existing library you’ve purchased from elsewhere. Or you use the Kindle or Kobo apps on the device. And given the amount of storage you can get, you can carry around thousands of titles with you everywhere.

Don't buy it if...

You want an easy-to-use basic ereader
It’s not bad, but given the user interface isn’t the most intuitive there is, first-time users might have a hard time getting to grips with the Go 6, or any other Boox ereader. If it’s a simple reading device you want, consider a 6-inch Kindle or Kobo and they’ll be cheaper too.

You need top performance
There are too many little software issues and performance problems with the Go 6. If you want a smoother reading experience, you’d be better off looking at Amazon's ereaders or a Kobo.

You’re already part of the Amazon or Kobo ecosystems
If you’ve used either a Kindle or Kobo ereader before and are looking for an upgrade, you might be better off sticking to your already-chosen brand, particularly if you’ve got subscriptions to Kindle Unlimited or Kobo Plus.

Also consider

I’d be very surprised if you’d consider opting for the Boox Go 6 after reading my review, but if you are keen on a new ereader, the three options listed below would serve you better. I’ve also included another Boox device that I think is worth considering if you want don't want to get caught up within either Amazon's or Kobo's ecosystems.

Kobo Clara BW
Arguably the best 6-inch entry-level ereader on the market, the Kobo Clara BW not only takes full advantage of the E Ink Carta 1300 display, but has no performance issues at all. And, unlike other entry-level ereaders, it’s actually got IPX8 waterproofing.
Read my full Kobo Clara BW review to learn more

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
For a little extra cash, you'll get a much smoother user experience, the same screen but larger at 7 inches, and a bookstore that will keep you reading lifelong and still not let you finish scratching the surface.
Read my in-depth Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) review

Onyx Boox Page
It might still have a relatively complicated user interface, but if you want a Boox ereader specifically, I'd recommend the Page. With physical page-turn buttons, it's ergonomic. It's also got far fewer software issues – at least it did when I tested it – than the Go 6. It's the older Carta 1200 screen but it's 7 inches, but these advantages will cost you more.
Learn more in my full Onyx Boox Page review

How I tested the Onyx Boox Go 6
  • Used as a daily ereader for about 6 weeks
  • Sideloaded books, music, image files and more via BooxDrop
  • Changed settings to test battery life for different scenarios
  • Downloaded different third-party apps via the Play Store
Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

While I usually sign into my existing Onyx account to sync files across devices, I took a different tack with the Boox Go 6. I set it up as a new device first, then signed into my Google account to access Drive and the Play Store. While I could use both, the former only gave me access to my Onyx folder that had notes and PDF files from other Boox writing tablets, but wouldn’t allow me access to any other folder I had (like my ebooks), and that’s despite moving my book collection into the Onyx folder. Instead, I used BooxDrop to transfer ebooks, music files and some photos to the Go 6.

As for third-party apps, I downloaded CPU X to determine what hardware was under the hood of the Go 6, as well as the Kindle and Kobo apps to access my existing library on the respective platforms.

I used NeoLibrary to read the sideloaded ebooks, used the native music player to listen to the audio files and, out of curiosity, opened the photos I had transferred in the Gallery application to see what they looked like.

I read on the Go 6 for about 30 minutes to an hour each day during the trial period, although there were a few days when I exceeded 2 hours of reading. I kept an eye on the battery life as I use it, and also altered brightness settings to see how it affected battery drain.

While I didn’t use the AI Assistant app on the Go 6, my previous experience on the Go Color 7 wasn’t particularly good enough for me to want to try it again. Moreover, I found no need to use an AI for anything while I was reading, especially since the Go 6 is more an entry-level ereader rather than an advanced one like the Boox Note series.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed January 2025]

Categories: Reviews

Pages

Subscribe to The Vortex aggregator