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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a Russian cruise missile hit a U.S. electronics plant in the far west of Ukraine. The strike was part of an overnight barrage of more than 600 drones and missiles.

(Image credit: Roman Pilipey)

• Agentforce for Public Sector has already achieved FedRAMP High authorization
• It is hosted on AWS infrastructure for maximum security compliance
• AI agents get to work to boost human workers’ efficiency

Salesforce has introduced Agentforce for Public Sector, a new platform powered by agentic AI specially designed to assist in government agencies.

The branch of Agentforce promises to inject AI agents into government workflows where it matters the most, such as handling repetitive tasks, by improving responsiveness, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

It has also already received FedRAMP High authorization to guarantee security standard compliance, so may be a common sight in US Government services soon.

Salesforce's government-approved Agentforce platform

Salesforce noted the “staffing shortages and rising public expectations” faced by government agencies as a key attraction for Agenforce for Public Sector.

The company's recent Global AI Readiness Index claimed 90% of global constituents are open to engaging with AI‑powered government services, but concerns around privacy and security have slowed adoption within the sector. This FedRAMP approved platform hopes to change that.

The City of Kyle, Texas has already started using the platform. “It’s like having every aspect of town hall instantly accessible 24/7, whether you’re a city employee or a resident seeking help,” Assistant City Manager Jesse Elizondo said.

Among the first features to launch are three key systems – Compliance Management, Complaint Management and Recruitment Management. They use agents for summarizing and analyzing constituent complaints and detecting complaint trends, assisting compliance officers with violations and fee calculations, and screening job applications to match candidates with relevant agencies.

Job recommendation, benefit application and complaint filing bots will also become available from October 2025.

In a bid to provide clarity to government agencies, Salesforce stressed that Agentforce for Public Sector runs on AWS infrastructure, which is built to meet stringent security requirements for high-sensitivity organizations globally.

“With AI agents working alongside dedicated government workers and providing 24/7 support for constituents – helping with everything from routine inquiries to complex, time consuming tasks – Agentforce will power a more responsive, agile, and effective government,” Salesforce EVP and GM of Public Sector Nasi Jazayeri explained.

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• Google showcased new hardware at the Made by Google event
• This includes a mystery smart speaker we haven't seen before
• It could materialize at an event in a few months

The August 20, 2025, Made by Google event gave us plenty of new hardware to feast on – including (of course) the new Google Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro Fold Android smartphones. But in a quick (not-quite-blink-and-you ’ll-miss-it) segment, we caught a glimpse of an unannounced Google smart speaker.

The showcase was packed with cameos, and in one such star-studded showcase, we saw Formula One driver Lando Norris and NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo trade places – and use Gemini’s advice to better tackle the other’s sport.

Pixel 10 phones made an appearance, and Norris also used a new mini speaker with Gemini.

(Image credit: Google)

As you can see in the image above, the device isn’t like anything Google currently makes – our Audio Editor Becky Scarrott described its look as “like a HomePod mini in a Google dress but with an Echo Dot ring around the bottom,” which perfectly sums it up.

It also seems to possess Google Gemini’s reasoning powers based on how it was used, suggesting it might launch as part of the Gemini for Home upgrade Google has promised.

While the Gemini upgrade is also promised for existing smart speakers and displays, it certainly makes sense that Google would want to upgrade its lineup with some new hardware.

(Image credit: Google)

We haven’t had new hardware since the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) in 2021, and before that, the last Nest speaker we got was the Google Nest Audio, which just squeezes into our best smart speakers list (but mostly because it’s the best for Google).

So we’re long overdue for an upgrade, and it seems Google is all set to deliver one in the not-too-distant future.

Most likely we’ll see something “in the fall" (so September through to November) as that’s when Google has promised a major update, which should also solve the many complaints Nest users have about their devices.

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In recent years, Honor has partnered with the likes of Moschino, Porsche Design, and Studio Harcourt on some of the best Honor phones, but the brand’s latest fashion-forward collaboration is undoubtedly its sparkliest yet.

Designed by the titular fashion designer, the Honor Magic V Flip 2 Jimmy Choo edition features a shimmering, glitter-coated rear panel and a metallic hinge embossed with Choo’s full name and academic title (that’s Professor Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat OBE to you).

Honor says the phone’s limited edition color evokes “crushed stardust scattered across a deep blue sea,” which is perhaps the most celestial description of a smartphone I’ve ever heard. But beyond its sparkles, the China-only V Flip 2 is a genuinely impressive rival to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 – for multiple reasons.

On the outside, it boasts a familiar 4-inch OLED cover display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is the same sort of cover screen you’ll find on both the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola Razr Ultra 2025. Honor’s flip phone, though, gets a class-leading IP58 resistance rating, which means it’s slightly more resistant to dust than those two big-name models.

On the inside, the V Flip 2 sports what Honor describes as “the most invisible crease of any flip phone on the market right now,” and in our brief hands-on time with the device, this crease is indeed barely noticeable. It sits between a 6.82-inch OLED display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate and a rival-beating peak brightness of 5,000 nits.

Image 1 of 2

The Magic V Flip 2's rear panel (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

The Magic V Flip 2's 6.82-inch inner screen (Image credit: Future)

In terms of performance, Honor’s latest foldable is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and it ships with up to 16GB of RAM, which puts it in-between the latest Samsung and Motorola flip phones on the power scale (the former uses an Exynos chipset and has a lower RAM capacity, while the latter uses the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and the same 16GB of RAM).

The V Flip 2 does, however, boast an amighty 5,500mAh battery, which is the largest ever in a clamshell foldable at the time of writing.

Honor’s latest foldable also boasts some pretty impressive cameras: you’ll get a 200MP main sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor, the first of which is unheard of in the flip foldable category.

So, even if the sparkly Jimmy Choo-ness of the Magic V Flip 2 isn't for you, it's hard to deny the phone's on-paper credentials. Honor has somehow managed to squeeze a class-leading crease, battery, camera, and resistance rating into its latest foldable, and while it’s not available for purchase outside of China, it certainly takes the fight to the best foldable phones on this side of the pond.

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• Asus announced and unveiled a Tandem OLED gaming monitor at Gamescom 2025
• The monitor will have two layers of pixels for better brightness, power efficiency, and OLED lifespan
• It will have a 520Hz refresh rate at 1440p and 720Hz at 1080p

Gamescom 2025 is well underway, after Opening Night Live hosted by Geoff Keighley revealed world premieres and updates to highly anticipated titles. However, Asus, known for some of the best monitors, is the star of the show so far with new hardware set to enhance gaming experiences – and no, it's not the ROG Xbox Ally.

As reported by The Verge, the new Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W was announced and unveiled at Gamescom 2025, a gaming monitor that offers users a 540Hz refresh rate at a 2560x1440 display resolution and a 720Hz refresh rate at 1080p. Both the Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W and LG's 4th Gen OLED are the fastest OLED and arguably the best gaming monitors on the market.

It's not just regular OLED either; Asus' new gaming monitor will use Tandem OLED technology, which is essentially two layers of pixels used to produce higher and (theoretically) more consistent brightness, deeper black levels, and a reduced risk of burn-in on its 'TrueBlack Glossy' display.

(Image credit: Future / Rob Dwiar)

Most importantly, this should result in lower power consumption compared to other OLEDs, since each pixel isn't working as hard as usual to produce high brightness and deep blacks. Asus claims that the Tandem OLED panel results in '15% higher peak brightness, 25% larger color volume, and 60% longer OLED lifespan'.

If these claims are accurate, this should address one of the biggest issues that OLED monitors suffer from, which is an Auto Brightness Limiter (ABL). Brightness limiting occurs whenever viewing brighter content in HDR or, for example, browsing on a pure white screen, which is done to control power consumption, and of course, reduce burn-in risks.

Since Tandem OLED is used to address OLED lifespan and brightness, it sounds like the ideal solution for ABL issues, and this could further widen the gap between OLED and mini-LED monitors, with the former in the lead.

Analysis: I was gradually getting frustrated with OLED care...

(Image credit: Asus)

The use of Tandem OLED technology may very well be used by a wide range of other monitor manufacturers, and that's fantastic news for me. For a long while, OLED care with constant pixel refreshes and ABL left me considering mini-LED, where neither of those issues (except for ABL, but it's a lot less common compared to OLEDs) exists.

Losing out on consistent high brightness and constantly worrying about burn-in with pixel refresh alerts shouldn't be an issue with Tandem OLED. Of course, it's very dependent on how manufacturers implement this technology on monitors, and whether the claim of a 60% longer OLED lifespan means OLED pixel refreshes aren't required as often.

However, it's already a step in the right direction in terms of the added benefits of deeper black levels and brightness (whether that's with ABL or not), without the cost of using more power.

There's no word on pricing or a release date yet, but I have no doubts that this will cost a fortune, so get your wallets ready if you're interested.

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• Windows 11's Copilot app just got an update for testers
• This introduces a powerful new natural language-based search
• There are also some useful changes for the app's home page

Windows 11's Copilot app is getting a deeper and more powerful search functionality, and more besides – although this is only in testing for now.

The Verge reports that Microsoft is rolling out an update for the Copilot app to Windows Insiders (those running test versions of Windows 11) who have Copilot+ PCs.

Those devices have the necessary NPU to drive this new AI search, which allows you to use natural language in queries, and will dive into files to find results for you.

So, as Microsoft points out, you can ask a conversational query such as 'find the file with the tiramisu recipe' and the Copilot app will hunt through the files on your PC to locate it. Or similarly, you could ask 'find pictures of my dog on the beach' and the AI will pick out those images specifically. Microsoft calls this functionality a 'semantic file search'.

Microsoft is also bringing in a rejigged home page for the Copilot app which surfaces recently used files, apps, and conversations, a move designed to make it easy for you to jump back into whatever you were doing previously.

You can also click on those recently-used files to query them with Copilot, or elect to get help with apps via a specific 'guided help' pane – this fires up a Copilot Vision session to guide you through said app.

Testers who want to give the new Copilot app a whirl should grab the latest update from the Microsoft Store in Windows 11.

(Image credit: Microsoft)Analysis: AI end game

Your immediate concern here may be privacy, and Microsoft has been quick to allay any fears along those lines in its blog post introducing these changes. The company makes it clear that Copilot surfaces recently-used files simply via the standard 'recent' folder that Windows 11 maintains – so the AI app isn't digging into your system any more deeply than the records which the OS keeps itself.

Microsoft clarifies that: "Copilot doesn't scan your entire system or upload anything automatically." However, when you're directly querying a file with Copilot, in that case it is uploaded for processing, but "nothing is shared unless you explicitly do so".

As for the semantic file-search capability, I assume that it functions similarly to the AI-supercharging of Windows 11's search itself on Copilot+ PCs (when Microsoft introduced natural language queries via the search box on the taskbar).

Microsoft seemingly wants to beef up search with AI across the board, and so on Copilot+ PCs we have that powered-up Windows 11 search, as well as Recall (a screenshot-based AI search leveraging the activity on your PC), and now an improved natural language search within the Copilot app itself.

What's the end game with pushing AI in search so strongly? Well, search is an obvious use case for AI, and I'd speculate that eventually, Copilot will take over all Windows search duties entirely.

There will be no basic Windows search at all, in other words – if you want to find stuff on your PC, you'll ask Copilot, end of story. And hopefully it'll complete the search without showing you 15 related 'suggestions' or 'recommendations' about what else you might need to complete whatever task the AI thinks you're carrying out.

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• Audio-Technica has revealed a new limited edition version of the ATH-M50xSTS
• It's in collaboration with virtual singer Hatsune Miku
• It will be available later this week

Esteemed audio brand Audio-Technica has unveiled a cute limited edition version of its best gaming headset in collaboration with virtual idol Hatsune Miku.

Officially called the ATH-M50xSTS-USB MIKU, it's a new variant of the excellent ATH-M50xSTS. The headset, which is based on the professional ATH-M50X monitoring headphones, scored close to full marks in our ATH-M50xSTS review.

It offers sublime audio quality that's particularly impressive for its upper mid-range price point, plus multiple comfortable ear-cup types in the box. Paired with a strong boom microphone, it's a fantastic option for gamers or streamers that want to get away from the usual gaming brands.

A post shared by Audio-Technica USA (@audiotechnicausa)

A photo posted by on

The ATH-M50xSTS-USB MIKU comes in a special limited edition colorway inspired by the singer. This includes blue details on the headband meant to mimic her iconic hair and a colorful green ring on the outside of each earcup.

The headset is covered in little details, like the bright Hatsune Miku emblem on the inside of its ear cups and the futuristic-looking blue ring around the microphone module.

They come in special packaging featuring an illustration by the artist LAM created for the collab. It features a USB Type-A connection, so is definitely geared towards PC users, but does come bundled with a USB Type-C adaptor.

The headset will be available from August 22 for $279 / £239.

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• Users have spotted a new feature that allows free YouTube users to download videos for offline viewing
• It's the first major upgrade for free users – the feature has been exclusive to YouTube Premium subscribers until now
• However, it comes with several limitations, including video download quality

I’ve been using YouTube for free for years while harboring a lingering desire to upgrade to YouTube Premium, and now the platform has quietly rolled out a feature to free users that’s been exclusive to paying subscribers for years.

The video-sharing service has introduced a new download feature, which is the first major upgrade for free users. It was first spotted by a user on Reddit (see below), and allows free users to download YouTube videos and watch them without an internet connection.

New feature allowing users to download videos without premium (At not the best quality) from r/youtube

As well as video downloads, YouTube Premium subscribers have had access to a plethora of additional benefits, such as access to ad-free content and picture-in-picture playback. The company also recently relaunched its YouTube Premium Lite tier, which only offers subscribers ad-free viewing.

If you use YouTube’s free version and have been considering upgrading to Premium as I have, this feature could be a good reason to stick with the free plan for a little longer. However, the new downloads feature in the free version does come with a few catches.

Video quality limits is the biggest setback

Despite it being a big upgrade for free users, the biggest limitation to the feature is the download quality. If you’re using the free version of YouTube you can only download videos at 360p and 144p, which is borderine insulting compared to YouTube Premium’s 1080p and 720p resolution options – but it doesn’t end there.

Paying YouTube subscribers can reap the benefit of unlimited downloads, but if you’re using the free version there’s a capped limit on how many videos you can download, although what this cap will be isn't yet clear.

Since the YouTube Premium Lite tier only offers ad-free viewing for some videos and not an option to download videos, signing up to the cheapest plan doesn't currently grant you download access – although given that limited downloads are being rolled out for free users, YouTube may also be planning to roll out the feature to Premium Lite subscribers.

The final catch is that music videos are excluded from free downloads, and you’ll still be required to upgrade to YouTube Premium if you want to take advantage of this feature. This is particularly disappointing, especially if you rely on YouTube for music video playback as opposed to music streaming services, which I personally do.

With that said, the setbacks that come with YouTube’s latest upgrade don’t come as too much of a surprise, even if they are rather restricted. YouTube had to start somewhere with its first major upgrade for free users, and I’m hoping it will improve it's offering over time.

Is this enough for you to stick with YouTube’s free version? Or will you still consider upgrading to Premium? Let us know in the comments.

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• Hackers are using AI-powered website builders to quickly craft phishing sites
• Thousands of organizations have already been targeted
• Lovable is introduction different protections to combat the threat

Lovable, a popular AI website builder which allows users to craft quality websites by talking to the platform, is being heavily abused in different cybercriminal activities, experts have warned.

Security researchers at Proofpoint have revealed how, since February 2025, they have seen “tens of thousands” of Lovable URLs used in malicious campaigns, being distributed through phishing emails.

“Cybercriminals are increasingly using an AI-generated website builder called Lovable to create and host credential phishing, malware, and fraud websites,” Proofpoint said in its report.

Lovable strikes back

The company added it has observed, "numerous campaigns leveraging Lovable services to distribute multifactor authentication (MFA) phishing kits like Tycoon, malware such as cryptocurrency wallet drainers or malware loaders, and phishing kits targeting credit card and personal information.”

Ever since the emergence of the first ChatGPT version, security researchers have been warning about AI tools lowering the barrier for entry into cybercrime.

At first, threat actors used Generative AI to craft convincing phishing emails, or write malware code quickly and efficiently. However, since website builders started integrating AI as well, criminals found a new toy to play with.

In February 2025 alone, Proofpoint claims to have seen a campaign leveraging file sharing themes to distribute credential phishing, which included “hundreds of thousands of messages” and impacted more than 5,000 organizations.

Fortunately, Lovable isn’t sitting with its hands crossed. One credential phishing cluster with hundreds of domains was taken down by Lovable the same week it was reported.

The company also told Proofpoint it recently implemented AI-driven security protections to make building phishing sites impossible, including real-time detections to prevent creation of malicious websites as users prompt the tool, and automated daily scanning of published projects to flag potentially fraudulent projects.

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A California school district fights chronic absenteeism in kindergarten by helping parents decide whether their kid is too sick to go to school.

Israel plans to call up 60,000 reservists for its new Gaza City offensive. And, North Carolina's Outer Banks is bracing for the flood and damage that Hurricane Erin could bring.

(Image credit: Ariel Schalit)

At a preview event, I got an early look at the upcoming dark fantasy game from publisher Bandai Namco.

Solar experts say there's never been a faster adoption of solar, with panels popping up on rooftops.

(Image credit: Betsy Joles for NPR)

• Where Winds Meet launches on November 14, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and PC
• PS5 pre-orders are now available, while the PC version can be wishlisted
• The Chinese fantasy game is described as "the world’s first original Wuxia open-world ARPG"

Everstone Studio has finally revealed the release date for its highly anticipated open-world action-adventure game, Where Winds Meet.

Announced as part of Gamescom 2025, the Chinese fantasy role-playing game (RPG) is set to launch on November 14, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and PC.

Set in 10th-century China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Everstone describes the game as "the world’s first original Wuxia open-world ARPG that seamlessly blends Wuxia themes with open-world gameplay".

It features authentic Eastern fantasy elements, over 20 distinct regions to explore, populated by more than 10,000 unique NPCs, each possessing their own personality and distinctive responses to the player’s actions.

"In the realm of Where Winds Meet, you will become a young martial arts hero stepping into the tumultuous Jianghu. From the vibrant heart of the imperial capital to the hidden corners of forgotten wilderness, every path is rich with secrets, sights, and stories waiting to be uncovered," the game's description reads.

"In this world, freedom is all yours. There is no singular path you must follow; whether you choose to become a hero or an agent of chaos, the world will respond to your choices. Create disorder, defy the law, and face bounties, pursuits, or even time behind bars. Alternatively, you can walk a nobler path: befriend villagers, forge alliances, and build your reputation as a hero of the Wuxia world. Beyond the main storyline, a web of hidden, fragmented subplots will guide you to discover the darker lore and hidden truths scattered throughout the land."

As a Wuxia-inspired game, Where Winds Meet offers 40 unique Martial Mystic Arts available for mastery, including Tai Chi, Toad Style, and Lion’s Roar, as well as others that can be acquired while exploring the world.

Players can also combine various weapons, Mystic Arts, and techniques learned from different sects, inspired by both traditional Kung Fu movements and fantastical martial arts styles, to create unique combat styles and strategies.

Where Winds Meet is now available to pre-order on PS5, including an exclusive bundle, which includes a customizable outfit pack and a PS5-exclusive name-card background.

PC players can also wishlist the game on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

The game will be free-to-play on release.

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Intermapper stands out in our best network monitoring tools roundup as a veteran solution that's been serving IT teams for years. This network monitoring platform from Fortra focuses on visual network mapping and real-time status monitoring across Windows, Mac, and Linux environments.

TechRadar reviewers spend several weeks researching each major IT platform in the market, testing features and comparing pricing models. We found Intermapper offers solid fundamentals but struggles to compete with advanced solutions like LogicMonitor, our pick for the best network monitoring tool of 2025.

Still, Intermapper's device-based pricing model makes it accessible for growing businesses. While it lacks the bells and whistles of modern competitors, Intermapper's straightforward approach appeals to teams seeking a reliable and no-nonsense monitoring solution.

Intermapper: Features

Intermapper offers a comprehensive but somewhat dated feature set that works well for small to mid-sized networks. The platform excels at automatic network discovery and visual mapping, providing color-coded status indicators that make problem identification straightforward.

While these core features are well-executed and reliable, we noticed gaps in advanced analytics, AI-powered insights, and cloud-native integrations that competitors like Dynatrace and LogicMonitor provide. The pricing feels reasonable for basic monitoring needs, but organizations requiring sophisticated analytics might find better value elsewhere.

Automatic network mapping

Intermapper's standout feature automatically discovers and maps your network infrastructure within minutes. You'll see every IP-enabled device displayed with customizable icons and color-coded statuses that update in real-time. The platform supports hierarchical maps and sub-maps, letting you drill down into specific network segments like building floors or server closets.

Proactive monitoring and alerting

The platform monitors devices 24/7 using SNMP and other protocols, sending alerts via email, SMS, or sound when thresholds are exceeded. Smart alerting capabilities let you customize schedules, assign alerts to specific teams, and set up escalation procedures. Interface-level monitoring allows granular control over what gets monitored and alerted on.

Performance analysis and reporting

Intermapper tracks network performance metrics and generates reports for capacity planning. The platform now supports 64-bit data storage, improving scalability for high-speed network monitoring. Chart data retention policies help manage storage while preserving historical performance data.

PowerShell integration

Recent updates added PowerShell probe and notifier support, enabling automated responses to network events. This feature lets you restart services, run scripts, or perform other remediation tasks automatically when alerts trigger. The integration works particularly well with Windows applications like SQL Server and SharePoint.

(Image credit: Intermapper)Intermapper: Ease of use

Intermapper's interface feels functional but dated compared to modern network monitoring tools. New users face a learning curve during initial setup and configuration, though the visual nature of network maps makes ongoing monitoring intuitive. But the platform lacks accessibility features found in newer solutions. And some users report that recovering from power outages can be challenging without reliable UPS systems.

The software runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms with consistent functionality across operating systems. Once configured, daily monitoring becomes straightforward thanks to color-coded visual indicators and centralized dashboards. However, we noticed that customizing advanced features requires more technical expertise than user-friendly competitors demand.

Intermapper: Pricing

Plan

Starting price (paid annually)

What's included

Intermapper (25 devices)

$1,650/year ($137.50/month)

Network mapping, monitoring, alerting, web reporting, 24/7 support

Intermapper + Flows (25 devices)

$1,930/year ($160.83/month)

Base features plus network traffic analysis

Intermapper + Flows + Analytics (25 devices)

$2,230/year ($185.83/month)

Full suite with automated analytics and advanced reporting

Intermapper's device-based pricing model offers predictable costs that scale with your network size. This approach contrasts favorably with per-element pricing used by some competitors, making budget planning straightforward. However, the entry price of $1,650 annually for 25 devices positions Intermapper in the mid-range market, not as the budget option some reviews suggest. Volume discounts are available for larger deployments, though enterprise-grade features remain limited compared to premium alternatives.

Intermapper: Customer support

Fortra provides 24/7 human support to all Intermapper customers, which sets it apart from vendors offering tiered support models. You can reach the support team via phone, live chat, or email through the Fortra Community Portal. The company also provides technical bulletins, updates, and program fixes to keep your installation current.

Support quality appears solid based on user feedback, though some customers note that complex configuration issues may require escalation to higher-tier technicians. Documentation is comprehensive, covering installation, configuration, and troubleshooting scenarios. The company maintains active release cycles with regular updates and bug fixes, demonstrating ongoing commitment to the product.

Intermapper: Alternatives

Intermapper occupies a middle ground in the network monitoring market, serving organizations that need more than basic monitoring but don't require enterprise-grade analytics. It competes primarily with tools like PRTG Network Monitor and ManageEngine OpManager in the small-to-medium business segment. For larger enterprises, solutions like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, Dynatrace, and LogicMonitor offer more advanced features and scalability.

The platform works best for IT teams managing 100-1000 devices who prioritize visual network mapping and straightforward alerting. Organizations requiring advanced analytics, AI-powered insights, or extensive cloud integrations should consider more modern alternatives. Intermapper's strength lies in its reliability and simplicity rather than cutting-edge features, making it suitable for teams that value stability over innovation.

Intermapper: Final verdict

Intermapper remains a solid choice for organizations seeking reliable network monitoring without complexity. Its visual mapping capabilities and device-based pricing model offer clear value for small to mid-sized networks. The platform delivers on its core promises of network discovery, monitoring, and alerting with minimal fuss.

However, Intermapper shows its age when compared to modern competitors offering AI-powered analytics, cloud-native architectures, and advanced automation features. While it serves its target market adequately, organizations planning significant growth or requiring sophisticated monitoring capabilities should consider more scalable alternatives like LogicMonitor or Dynatrace.

Intermapper: FAQs

What's the minimum number of devices I can monitor with Intermapper?

Intermapper's entry-level license covers 25 devices for $1,650 annually. There's no smaller licensing tier available, making this the minimum investment required. However, you can monitor unlimited components on those 25 devices without additional licensing fees.

Does Intermapper support cloud environments?

Intermapper can monitor cloud-based infrastructure as long as devices are IP-addressable and support SNMP or other monitoring protocols. However, it lacks native cloud service integrations found in modern solutions and works best with traditional on-premises or hybrid environments.

How does Intermapper's pricing compare to competitors?

Intermapper uses device-based pricing rather than per-element pricing, which can be more cost-effective for organizations monitoring many components per device. Compared to enterprise solutions like SolarWinds or LogicMonitor, it's less expensive but offers fewer advanced features.

What happens if my Intermapper server loses power?

Intermapper requires a reliable power source and UPS system to maintain continuous monitoring. Power outages can corrupt network maps, requiring recovery from automated backups. This makes proper power protection essential for reliable operation.

Can Intermapper integrate with automation tools?

Yes, Intermapper's most recent versions include PowerShell integration for automated responses to network events. The platform can also integrate with Fortra's Automate tool for network self-healing capabilities, though this requires additional licensing and installation.

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• Orange is notifying users of a data breach
• A threat actor stole names, emails, and more, on 850,000 people
• An investigation is ongoing

Orange Belgium has confirmed suffering a cyberattack in which the attackers stole sensitive data on hundreds of thousands of users.

In a press release published on the company’s website, Orange Belgium confirmed the breach, and said it spotted the intrusion in late July, 2025. After ousting the attackers, tightening its controls, notifying law enforcement, and launching an investigation, Orange determined that the attackers managed to exfiltrate data on 850,000 of its customers.

The data includes full names, phone numbers, SIM card numbers, PUK codes, and tariff plans. Passwords, email addresses, or financial information, was not accessed, it was said. Affected individuals were apparently notified either via email, or SMS.

No typhoons

Orange did not discuss who the threat actors were, or if this was a ransomware attack or a simple data smash-and-grab.

In a statement, the company said the attack was not linked to the Chinese ‘typhoon’ adversaries that have been targeting telecommunications providers in the West for some time.

It also said it knows who the attackers are, but since the investigation is currently ongoing, it cannot share it with the public.

A subsidiary of the global telecommunications behemoth, Orange Belgium is a major telecommunications provider in the country, servicing roughly 3.5 million post-paid mobile subscribers, and approximately a million cable subscribers.

The parent company is also often targeted by different cybercriminals.

In late February 2025, a member of the HellCat ransomware organization, alias Rey, held access to a “non-critical application”, belonging to Orange Romania, having obtained access by exploiting compromised credentials and flaws in Jira.

Less than a month later, the same subsidiary suffered a second breach, and in January, Orange Spain suffered a “major outage” after a threat actor going by the alias “Snow” obtained a “ridiculously weak” password for an account that manages the global routing table and controls the networks that deliver the company’s internet traffic.

Via BleepingComputer

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Well, I said South Park season 27 episode 3 would be unhinged, and it didn't let me down. Towelie headed to Washington D.C. against the backdrop of the National Guard being deployed on its streets, something that President Trump made happen in real life on August 11. He should of been just a small town towel, living in a lonely world who took the midnight bus going anywhere, to paraphrase Journey. But this is South Park, so obviously he didn't merely pop by The Smithsonian for the afternoon.

But should we be surprised? Not only do we know what kinds of parodies the show historically leans into, but South Park season 27 has particularly come out all guns blazing against the current US government. In as little as two episodes, the show's creators have managed to deepfake a naked version of Trump (who now comes with a miniature sidekick in J.D. Vance), show US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem shooting puppies in a pet store, and featured ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents so heavily that the White House started using screenshots for recruitment purposes on social media.

A naive part of me thought that shifting to Towelie's perspective would be more gentle after the show's controversial premiere and subsequent scheduled break, but I was wrong. Instead, the gates of hell quite literally opened in a brand-new way, and now I'm so disturbed by what the parody really means, I can't sleep.

South Park season 27 episode 3's ending keeps Towelie and Satan stuck in Trump's personal hell

Don't get me wrong: South Park showing Satan and Trump as being... overly chummy... isn't a new concept. Fans saw them in bed together during episode 1, with a naked Trump trying to get Satan to be intimate with him. The White House hit back soon after, describing [via BBC] the Paramount+ series as a "fourth-rate" show that was "hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention". Co-creator later gave a mock apology during a panel at San Diego Comic Con.

This is all disturbing enough, but episode 3 reveals the truth behind why Satan is at the White House in the first place – rather than Trump being under Satan's spell, Satan is being held against his will in Trump's own personal hell, where Towelie soon joins him. After being propositioned by Trump, Satan goes to the bathroom, stating: “What am I doing here?”

Towelie then tells him, “please, I want to get out of here,” with Satan replying: “So do I, but there is no escape from this place.” Cue the fan reactions. "Both Satan and Towelie stuck in Trump’s hell. This season is unreal. Paramount got their money’s worth for South Park," said one on X/Twitter, with another adding: "Satan and Towelie both trapped at the White House with Trump is honestly the darkest ending this season so far."

Trying to follow the plot line. Satan sent Saddam to heaven with the Mormons so that he'd stop bothering Satan in hell. Then Satan went to heaven... was that because he died trying to save everyone from man-bear-pig? If someone knows, please save me from searching for the old…August 21, 2025

I couldn't agree more, but we're also seeing a parody of a parody here. You might remember from previous South Park episodes that Satan had exactly the same bed scene with Saddam Hussein, which basically prompts theories on its own merit. As one fan put it: "Trying to follow the plot line. Satan sent Saddam to heaven with the Mormons so that he'd stop bothering Satan in hell. Then Satan went to heaven... was that because he died trying to save everyone from man-bear-pig?

"If someone knows, please save me from searching for the old episodes. So now Trump clearly has Saddam's voice and personality. I'm sure that'll become relevant to the story at some point."

I'm honestly not sure if I care about the lore too much thanks to the latest South Park scene leaving me incredibly disturbed about what's going on in the real world. If the creators think the real-life is that bad in episode 3, what on earth are we going to see coming next?

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Still, the frame rates you get from its Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 GPU make it a good value for budget shoppers.

As people age, they may be surprised to find that younger folks don't understand what they're going through, but adult children or caretakers can do a lot to help older people adjust to a new reality.