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• PowerSchool said that in late December, threat actors accessed its student information system and stole data on students and teachers
• We don't know exactly how many people were affected by the breach
• The data was allegedly deleted

PowerSchool, a major education technology software platform for K-12 schools, has confirmed suffering a cyberattack resulting in the theft of sensitive student and teacher information. Furthermore, the company decided to pay a ransom demand to have the data deleted.

In late December 2024, an unidentified threat actor used stolen credentials to access its PowerSchool Student Information System (SIS) platform. From there, they were able to use the “export data manager" customer support tool to exfiltrate “Students” and “Teachers” database tables to a CSV file, which was then stolen.

The information grabbed in this attack includes names, and postal addresses, and in some districts, the threat actors also obtained Social Security numbers (SSN), personally identifiable information (PII), medical information, and grades.

A ransomware attack

PowerSchool notified the affected individuals via a breach notification letter, and stressed that not all PowerSchool SIS customers were impacted.

Only a subset of customers received the update, with a PowerSchool spokesperson adding items such as customer tickets, customer credentials, or forum data were not exposed or exfiltrated.

We don’t know exactly how many people were exposed in the incident, but apparently, the data was deleted.

PowerSchool said hile this wasn’t a ransomware attack, it still paid the attackers to have the data wiped.

"With their guidance, PowerSchool has received reasonable assurances from the threat actor that the data has been deleted and that no additional copies exist." The publication asked the company how much money it paid for this, but did not get a straight answer: "Given the sensitive nature of our investigation, we are unable to provide information on certain specifics."

In recent times, some ransomware operators stopped deploying the encryptor and started focusing solely on data exfiltration, since it’s cheaper, easier, and more convenient, with the same end result.

Via BleepingComputer

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CES 2025 has been packed full of innovation, announcements and of course, talk of the town AI has taken center stage for the most part. In comes the ASUS Zenbook Duo (2025), a step up on the company’s flagship dual screen laptop which now features Intel AI Boost.

The Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) is pretty revolutionary device, allowing those who are on the go or don’t want to commit to a full desktop setup to still take advantage of multiple screens. You also get the flexibility to use the device as a normal laptop when two screens might be a bit overkill.

Thanks to Intel AI Boost, delivered by up the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, you get amazing efficiency for AI driven tasks. Pair this with some pretty hefty specifications all packed into a lightweight, slimline design, and you’ve got a powerhouse of a machine which you can easily stick in a backpack and use anywhere.

Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / Jasmine Mannan)

With a starting price of $1,699.99 (UK and AUS pricing yet to be confirmed), the Asus Zenbook Duo isn’t the most expensive piece of kit on the market, but is by no means a budget option either.

Of course, you’re paying a premium for the dual screen option which in turn could save you money down the line as you won’t have to invest in a second monitor.

The ASUS Zenbook Duo will be available for purchase from February 10, 2025.

Design

(Image credit: Future / Jasmine Mannan)

On first inspection, the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) resembles a normal laptop, but lift the wireless keyboard and underneath is a second screen, which is only activated when the keyboard is removed so you don’t have to worry about power draw.

As well as standard laptop mode, the Asus Zenbook Duo allows you to utilize dual screen mode - as you’d expect - as well as other options like desktop mode and even screen sharing. While it might sound intimidating at first, swapping between different modes is easy and seamless, allowing you to go from laptop mode to dual screen mode within seconds thanks to the built-in kickstand.

You get stunning dual 3K, 120Hz OLED panels which look absolutely breath taking. Visuals are gorgeous on this device, with amazing breadth of color and all the other advantages of OLED screens.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / Jasmine Mannan)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future / Jasmine Mannan)

Both displays are also touch screen and support the Asus Pen 2.0, meaning you could easily use one as a drawing tablet for photo editing or graphic design. Better yet, the Asus Pen 2.0 is included, meaning you don’t have to go out and spend extra cash to utilize the feature.

Weighing in a 2.98 lbs (1.35kg) and just 14.6mm thick, the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) is heavier than some other lightweight options out there, but is by no means going to put a strain on your back when carried around. These measurements don’t include the keyboard; however it’s essentially paper thin and weighs next to nothing, and the device is still super compact with it thrown in.

On the keyboard, when separate from the device itself, it does feel somewhat flimsy but this isn’t the end of the world.

Despite its slimline design, you still get a whole load of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB type A port, an audio jack and a HDMI 2.1 out.

Specifications

(Image credit: Future / Jasmine Mannan)

With a 75Wh battery life, you’ll supposedly get 8 hours of usage even when using both screens, which is by no means revolutionary but is made even better thanks to fast charging capabilities (allowing you to charge up to 60% charge in less than 50 mins).

Of course, one of the major benefits of the Asus Zenbook Duo 2025 edition is the (up to) Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor which utilizes Intel AI Boost. You get a range of AI ready features, as well as a dedicated NPU and graphics making tasks easier with AI enhancement. You get all the benefits of Copilot+ to help save time with day-to-day tasks.

All-in-all, the Asus Zenbook Duo is a stunning and versatile piece of kit. The flexibility the dual screen provides is fantastic and it’s simple to use and set up, allowing you to take advantage of two screens no matter where you are. The screens look stunning and are sure to catch eyes if you’re ever using this laptop on the go.

A downside is the battery life not being as powerful as some other laptops on the market, but its by no means disappointing, easily carrying you through a full workday with two displays in use. The keyboard is also a bit flimsy due to how thin it is but could easily be something I’m able to get used to.

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• Delta Air Lines' 2025 CES keynote was an immersive spectacle
• The airline announced partnerships with YouTube, Airbus, and Uber
• A new generative AI assistant called 'Concierge' could make air travel easier

There have been plenty of keynotes this week at the CES 2025, but by far the most impressive and simply the coolest was the one I attended last night, on January 7 at the Sphere. Delta Air Lines put on a keynote that had plenty of razzle and dazzle, but it also made excellent use of the space – I mean, there is nothing like a tech demo, even a pre-recorded one, on a massive screen.

Further, though, it feels as if Delta Air Lines is laying a fresh foundation and between a new generative AI assistant ‘Concierge’ to confirmed vertical takeoff electric aircraft arriving in the next few years with plenty of partnerships, there was certainly a lot of ground to cover.

CEO Ed Bastian led the keynote quite well, speaking to the airline's history, core values, and foundation for future innovation, and that was all accompanied by bold sound, plenty of wind courtesy of a long row of blowers, and the big screen.

So, let’s go through the three most impressive things that Delta Air Lines announced and teased at its 2025 Consumer Electronics Show keynote.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar 1. ‘Concierge’ could make travel a whole lot easier and way more personable

Just like every other company at CES, Delta is joining the AI bandwagon, too. This one has the potential to be helpful though, and it will be a level playing field regardless of where you're sitting on the aircraft – Delta One and standard economy are the same here.

Delta’s ‘Concierge’ is a personalized assistant, so it’ll know your itinerary, where you live, and past flights. From there, it can suggest things like scheduling a Uber to get you through the airport on time and help guide you through the terminal, potentially having dropped you off closer to the best security lane for expedited processing if you have TSA Precheck or Clear. But conversely, if you’re checking a bag it can adjust your routing for that.

Given that it can interface with other apps, the LLM is multi-modal, and potential partnerships down the line could expand this. In a teaser video, via the seatback screen, a customer could confirm a dinner reservation and preview a new suggested route that could get them from the airport to their hotel faster.

It’s really all about making more data accessible in one place and increasing the overall Delta experience – which is something that the employees are very passionate about, just ask me or my colleague Lance as we were seated next to the cheerful group – and ultimately making travel a bit more convenient on the whole.

Now, similar to Apple Intelligence, Concierge will be a tiered rollout, so we can expect the first features to arrive at some point in 2025.

2. YouTube will arrive in flight alongside 4K screens and better Wi-Fi

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

The Delta Air Lines seatback experience is dubbed ‘Delta Sync’ and it will be getting a number of new features. But the one that got a shoutout – and a debut on the Sphere stage – was a partnership with YouTube.

If you’re enrolled in Skymiles – Delta’s free membership program – you’ll unlock ad-free YouTube content ranging from videos to music and podcasts on the Delta Sync screen at your seat.

Judging from teaser photos, it appears that YouTube videos might appear in line with the existing content library, while there will be a widget for YouTube Music. Further, Skymiles members will be eligible for a free trial of YouTube Premium – this way, you can experience ad-free content on the ground or at 30,000 feet.

Not featured on stage but written in a subsequent press release is a promised improvement to Wi-Fi. Delta’s already been offering free Wi-Fi for Skymiles members, but thanks to an already announced swap to provider Hughes for some aircraft, you can expect more stable connections in the future. This comes shortly after United Airlines announced it’s accelerating its planned rollout of Starlink on its entire fleet.

Maybe even more important, though, is the arrival of 4K HDR QLED displays to some seatbacks. If you’re like me and enjoy a window seat, this could let you get crisp, rich views even when the sun is shining in. There will also be an exclusive new show focused on wellness while traveling hosted by Tom Brady dubbed “Well Traveled.”

3. A look at the future of aviation @techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Probably my favorite moment was how Delta used the Sphere's screen – for instance, as you can see in the TikTok we witnessed and felt the air of an Airbus A350 taxining towards us on a runway and then parking with its nose almost touching the folks to the far left side of the Sphere. There was a rumble in the seats, loud roaring jet engines, and wind – yes, wind blowing at us.

And while that’s a look at our current aircraft of today, potentially even the one that some CES attendees arrived in, we did get a peak ahead. Delta Air Lines is partnering with Airbus on innovation labs to help imagine future aircraft including ones that could eventually run on 100% sustainable fuel.

Right now, some planes can fly with a 50% blend of this, but even more interestingly the two companies are working on aircraft with folding wings. So, much like a bird in the sky, a future Delta airplane could change the shape or orientation of its wings for better aerodynamics.

Even more cutting edge, and likely arriving sooner, is the Joby electric aircraft that is capable of taking off or landing vertically. This means it could take to the air or come back down more like a helicopter rather than needing a long runway of asphalt or concrete.

CEO Ed Bastian said on stage that these would be arriving in the next few years, first in Los Angeles and New York City – we even saw how Concierge could call a Joby to ensure you get to the airport on time. It was awesome to see the 160,000 square foot wrap-around screen of the Sphere transform into that futuristic aircraft cockpit, but also the shots of it flying across some beautiful backdrops.

(Image credit: Future)

We’re covering all of the latest CES news from the show as it happens. Stick with us for the big stories on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok for the latest from the CES show floor!

As a whole, Delta Air Lines used the opportunity of its 2025 Consumer Electronics Show keynote to impress visually – as well as audibly with a set from Lenny Kravitz after a grand finale of digital fireworks, which, trust me, were as cool as the real thing – but also aim to elevate the customer experience by using new technology to hopefully create meaningful experiences, some of which will be arriving in the next few months of 2025.

I’m really keen to try out the generative AI ‘Concierge’ experience as it will likely get better with time, but I’ll do anything to speed it up and make air travel a bit easier.

@techradar

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• The Windows 11 gaming user interface is set to become more console-like, taking inspiration from Xbox and simplifying controls
• New design looks to become a more substantial rival to SteamOS and optimize usability
• There will be a focus on enhancing controllers and handheld-specific features for seamless gaming

It looks like Microsoft has finally acknowledged that handheld gaming PCs could be better, primarily when it comes to running Windows 11 on them, and it wants to improve this experience.

Right now, Windows 11 simply isn’t great on these devices; it feels clunky and complicated, probably because Windows 11 is largely designed for desktops and larger devices in general, not compact handhelds without keyboards. This is all the more apparent when compared to the smooth interfaces of Xbox consoles or Valve’s SteamOS, which were specifically designed for their respective devices.

Now, Microsoft wants to bring the Xbox experience to Windows PCs, combining the two systems and elevating the handheld gaming Windows experience. This was hinted at during a roundtable discussion at the recent AMD and Lenovo “The Future of Gaming Handhelds” event by Microsoft VP of “Next Generation” (presumably the Next Generation of Windows handheld gaming PCs) Jason Ronald, which was held during the CES 2025 event in Las Vegas.

Microsoft’s goal appears to be to take the user-friendly, console-like features of Xbox like quick access to games and simple navigation, and integrate them into Windows for handhelds. This would make it easier to use Windows gaming handheld devices more intuitively, allowing you to pick up your device and play without fiddling with complicated settings or dealing with desktop-style menus.

Microsoft’s VP of “Next Generation,” Jason Ronald, hinted that they’re actively working on this and that we’ll see some big improvements this year. It’s not about building a brand-new Xbox operating system for PCs but rather improving Windows 11 itself to feel more like an Xbox when you’re gaming. The big idea? To make handheld Windows gaming as easy and enjoyable as playing on an Xbox, while still allowing you to tap into the flexibility of Windows if you need it.

When speaking to The Verge, Ronald elaborated on this by explaining that this will go beyond the current state of things where there are compact modes for Xbox apps in Windows 11, becoming a simplified experience similar to what you’d use on a games console. This includes tackling aspects like making Windows 11 work better with gaming controllers and designing Windows 11 to make better use of handheld gaming hardware.

(Image credit: Steam Deck) Could a game-changing update take on SteamOS?

This news is very welcome, as I know many people are very vocal about the fact that Windows 11 is the weakest part many gaming handheld PCs, including the Lenovo Legion Go, Asus ROG Ally X, and MSI Claw 8. The PC gaming handhelds that run Windows 11 will often use a proxy user interface to manage and run your games, but this can make for a slower and less-than-ideal experience overall. Furthermore, Windows 11 has SteamOS (a Linux-based operating system) to contend with, as we are beginning to see devices come in a version running SteamOS as well as Windows 11, like the Lenovo Legion S.

SteamOS is an operating system specifically designed to run games, has an easy-to-use dedicated user interface, and none of the baggage and bloat of Windows 11.

The roundtable conversation didn’t clarify if this will mean a special version of Windows for gaming handhelds or if Windows 11 will have additions made to it that make gaming on handheld PCs better. Ronald says his team is working on ‘fundamental interaction models’ that work regardless of what operating system is used by a device, and ensure that users get a solid gaming experience regardless.

It sounds like Ronald and his team perhaps have more in store, however, than just layering software on top of Windows 11 for gaming handhelds. We’ll have to see how this new system looks, performs, and feels, but it sounds pretty promising, especially as handheld gaming PC devices appear to be a booming market.

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• A new rumor suggests Oppo could release an upcoming mini flagship through OnePlus in global markets
• The so-called OnePlus 13 Mini would feature a 6.31-inch display; that's larger than a standard iPhone 16
• Neither Oppo nor OnePlus have confirmed the phone's existence

Oppo has firmly re-established itself in global markets following the launch of the Find X8 and X8 Pro, but it seems the company’s new flagship lineup – and potentially that of its company stablemate OnePlus – isn’t complete just yet.

According to a Weibo post from notable leaker Digital Chat Station (via Smartprix), the Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro are due to be joined by the rumored X8 Ultra and X8 Mini, meaning our list of the best Oppo phones could soon feature some new entries.

The tip also suggests that the X8 Mini may be rebadged and released as the OnePlus 13 Mini or OnePlus 13T in global markets. Since OnePlus operates under the same parent company as Oppo, it frequently releases phones with borrowed designs or specs from existing Oppo models.

Digital Chat Station also provided a speculative list of specs for the supposedly upcoming OnePlus phone, listing various features such as a 6.31-inch display with a 1.5k resolution, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a triple camera system comprising a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom (you'll find two of those cameras on the full-size Oppo Find X8).

Having the power of the OnePlus 13 (pictured) in a smaller form factor is sure to excite fans of mid-sized phones (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

A 6.31-inch display would position the OnePlus 13 Mini outside of what’s typically considered a small phone, and this name is likely relative to the 6.59-inch display found on Oppo's latest flagship.

The OnePlus 13 launched on January 7 at a price of $899 / £899, which, as our OnePlus 13 review notes, is solid value for money. A cheaper mini version would have a decent shot at being the cheapest Snapdragon 8 Elite-equipped phone on the market, depending on OnePlus’ pricing strategy.

Does 'small' mean anything anymore?

Since the standardization of large phones – previously known as phablets – mini phones have failed to catch on in the West. Apple famously discontinued its small-form handsets after just two years when the iPhone 13 mini was replaced by the iPhone 14 Plus in September 2022.

In other markets, regional phone makers like Vivo continue to produce mini phones, though the goalposts seem to move quite easily when it comes to what counts as a small phone in 2025.

At 6.31 inches, the Find X8 Mini and OnePlus 13 Mini are set to launch with larger displays than both the standard iPhone 16 and baseline Samsung Galaxy S24. That’s not exactly small by most people’s standards, and leaves me wondering if the time of small Android phones might just be over.

The iPhone 13 mini was released in September 2021 (Image credit: TechRadar)

Displays aren’t getting larger at the breakneck pace of the 2010s anymore, but it is still a noticeable trend. As it stands, the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 is about as small as you can get in a mainstream, flagship, fully-featured smartphone, though if Apple continues to let the specs of its Pro and Pro Max iPhones filter down to the standard models, we could see this increase to 6.3 inches, in line with the iPhone 16 Pro, over the next few generations.

I’ve written previously about my nostalgia for truly small phones, but at this point, it’s encouraging to see a phone maker taking even a small step back from making things even larger.

With the latest premium flagships from Apple, Google, and Samsung all approaching 7 inches in display size, it’s no bad thing to hear word of a new phone that may keep things a little more sensible – even if the OnePlus 13 Mini spells the end for small Android phones as we once knew them.

So who knows – in ten years' time, maybe I’ll be writing about my nostalgia for the OnePlus 13 Mini and its tiny display. Until then, holding the line is fine, and the Mini title feels fairly earned by any phone that does so.

Neither Oppo nor OnePlus has shared any official information about the X8 Mini or OnePlus 13 Mini. For the latest updates as we hear them, be sure to check out our coverage of Oppo phones and OnePlus phones.

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