A new Microsoft Teams update could let you pull the ultimate power move whilst on your next call - but could also cause you to severely annoy everyone in your team.
The video conferencing service has officially launched a new feature that will allow call participants to mention everyone in a group all at once.
The new "Mention Everyone" feature is similar to how Microsoft Teams users can currently "@ mention" a particular person within a chat - just a whole level above, as users will now be able to have the option to @ mention “Everyone’.
Microsoft Teams @Everyone
However, doing so will also mean all participants in the chat will receive a notification, potentially causing a deafening tidal wave of pings and alerts on the various smart devices across your office.
In its entry on the official Microsoft 365 roadmap, the company says the new feature will be, "removing the hassle of mentioning each person’s name one by one or missing someone." Just how true (or anxiety-inducing) this may prove to be, time can only tell.
The feature seems to take inspiration from Microsoft Teams' great rival Slack, which already allows chat participants to mention everyone in a chat by typing "@here".
The new addition is rolling out now, and is available to all Microsoft Teams users across Android, Desktop, Web, Mac and iOS.
The news is the latest upgrade to the Microsoft Teams chat feature as the company looks to make the platform a comprehensive communications offering for users everywhere.
This includes a fix that will let users track down full chat conversation threads after clicking on a search message results. The update means that when users search for a chat message in Microsoft Teams and click on a message result, they are taken to a view that contains the full thread that features the desired message, rather than just a single line of text as had been the case.
The company is also reportedly hard at work on a new build of Teams that will offer major performance upgrades, helping save your device's battery life. The rewritten "Microsoft Teams 2.0" software is designed for modern machines, meaning it should be more efficient, resulting in a speedier experience and reduced battery drain for laptops.
Microsoft says “Teams 2.0 will consume half the memory of the same consumer account on Teams 1.0”, noting the reduction in RAM and CPU usage could see businesses issuing more scaled-back hardware to some workers, seeing them save costs. End users should also be able to notice the resulting battery improvements when using the software.
The number of dangerous Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks saw a significant rise in 2022, a new report is saying.
Analysis from Qrator Labs said that the number of attacks, as well as their duration, all spiked in 2022 compared to previous years - with the minimum figures for the last ten months “significantly higher” than peak values seen in the past.
The duration of DDoS attacks increased ten times in just a year, showing increasingly capabilities from the attackers in terms of their hardware.
Targeting banks and the media
Breaking the numbers down, Qrator says the total number of attacks rose 73% year-on-year, with threat actors focusing mostly on the media (18.5%), but also on banks (10%), and payment systems (13%).
“Banks and payment systems are the most profitable sectors for attackers, and the media is always on the cutting edge when there are any social and political conflicts in society,” explained Alexander Lyamin, founder of Qrator Labs.
The first quarter of the year is when the majority of the attacks - 43.2% - took place. The second quarter registered 23.3%, while the third one, 20.5%. The fourth quarter took up 13.11% of all DDoS attacks for the year.
When it comes to the duration of the attacks, they increased tenfold in just 12 months. While in the first quarter of 2021, the maximum duration of an attack was 10 hours, a year later it rose to more than 10 days. What’s more, the complexity of these attacks also rose.
One of the reasons for this significant increase in the duration is the fact that threat actors no longer need to optimize botnet usage time intensively. The researchers found that hackers have plenty of resources (meaning, enough powerful bots in the botnet) to keep the attack going for weeks.
Getting one of the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessories is an ideal way to enhance your experience when on the go. Microsoft's premiere cloud gaming option works effortlessly with iOS and Android devices, so if you want to make the most of the gaming handsets' potential, investing in some of the best gaming accessories is the best way forward.
Whether you're rocking one of the best gaming phones or just one of the best phones in general, you're sure to be satisfied with our top picks for the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessories. There are more options than ever when it comes to gamepads and grips for more traditional controllers as well. If you're someone who wants to take the best of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate wherever you are you'll be right at home with these budget and premium offerings.
The best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessory for iPhone users
Comfortable to use
Updated for larger iPhone sizes
Great buttons and sticks
Many cases won't fit in it
The Backbone One iOS easily stands takes our top spot for the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessory if you've got an iPhone handy. There's very little that we were able to fault this mobile controller on in our testing, as we found its overall construction to be head and shoulders above many other offerings in its price bracket.
The Backbone One iOS retails for $99.99 / £99.99 meaning it's not quite the cheapest offering you'll find to get rigged up to Xbox Game Pass, but we think it justifies its reasonable price tag with its excellent build quality and features. The sticks and buttons here feel on par with the latest console controllers, and we found in our testing that the iPhones of choice were held in securely but not too tightly, too.
The very best way to play games on your iPhone
Backbone One iOS review
The only thing we can slight the Backbone One on is that you're not going to be able to use many iPhone cases with it due to the snug fit. This is likely fine if you've got a thinner covering, but there's a high chance you'll need to slot your Apple device in without that layer of protection.
There's also intuitive software here that you won't find from some similarly priced competitors either. This includes the likes of button mapping as well as screen capture and social overlays, meaning that it's really easy to get creative if you're someone who wants to record or take snapshots as you play Xbox Game Pass streaming games. Nothing really compares if you're an iOS user for the money really.
The best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessory for Android
Latency-free wired connection
No weight balancing issues
More-or-less universal
No button mapping
Replaced by the Razer Kishi V2
We think that the Razer Kishi is the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessory if you've got an Android phone. Even though it's been replaced by a V2 model, the original still has a lot to offer. Arguably the most compelling reason to go with the first-generation is the price point, as it's now entirely possible to get your hands on this Junglecat successor for just $39.99 / £64 in the US and the UK respectively.
Regardless of that substantial of a discount though, you're likely always guaranteed to find it substantially cheaper than the original launch MSRP of $79.99 / £79.99 depending on where you are in the world. In our testing, we found that the Razer Kishi is a remarkably built and tactile mobile controller which benefitted beautifully from its sleek and small form factor.
The Kishi is a great buy, as it elevates the gaming experience when you’re using it.
Razer Kishi review
We found that many different sizes of Android phone fit just fine inside the Razer Kishi thanks to its extendable nature, but some of the biggest ones on the market may struggle. In our opinon, we found this gamepad to be every bit as hardwearing and ergonomic as the current Xbox Wireless Controller and the DualSense models in terms of buttons and sticks as well. If you game on the go and use an Android phone, you can't do much better at this price point.
The best Xbox Game Pass Streaming conventional controller
Decent battery life
Includes clip for your phone
Durable and ergonomic feel
A few minor build quality concerns
The PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus looks like an Xbox Series X Controller, but this is 100% a pad for streaming on the go. It’s a Bluetooth controller with a clip-on phone holder that offers 220 degrees of rotation. This effectively means you can angle the screen as you like, thanks to the dual hinge mechanism in the phone stand.
The PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus Bluetooth Controller does a fantastic job, thanks to its great inputs, flexible removable clip, and integrated backup battery
PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus review
With its reasonable asking price of around $55 / £51 depending on colorway, the PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus is the full package as you're effectively paying less for a dedicated controller and a clip than you would for both together in most instances.
It accommodates phones up to 79mm wide, which covers the majority, including some housed in their cases. So why opt for the Mega XP5-X when you could pick up Xbox’s official pad and a clip-on accessory for less? Because it comes with a 3,000mAh power bank, so you can play without killing your phone’s battery.
In terms of the best cheap Xbox Game Pass streaming accessory, the PowerA MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip 2.0 is a hard value proposition to argue against. Priced at $14.99 / £9.99, this revised addon for your existing Xbox gamepad attaches to the top and holds your phone in place ready for gaming on the go.
As the name may suggest, this is the second edition of what we consider to be the best clip of its kind and that's thanks to its durable nature and ergonomic fit for the latest Microsoft controllers on the market right now. If you're looking for something cheap and cheerful that does the job from a reliable brand then we can wholeheartedly endorse this one for what it is.
(Image credit: 8BitDo)
5. 8Bitdo SN30 Pro For Xbox Cloud Gaming
The best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessory for smaller hands
Retro-inspired design
Phone-mount clip included
Relatively small and light (for portability
Could be a little light and small for some
No modern gamepad grip
8Bitdo is a purveyor of fine third-party pads for many platforms, which bear resemblance to SNES controllers. All use the same core hardware, but hunt down the specific “for Xbox Cloud Gaming” unit to pair with Xbox Game Pass. It features the iconic Xbox button, an (almost) all-black paint job, and comes with the 2-axis clip that connects the pad to a phone.
Other than some remnants of retro charm, its size is a key appeal: the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro For Xbox Cloud Gaming is smaller than an Xbox pad. This makes it handy for portable use. In addition, it weighs just 111g, which is less than half the weight of an Xbox One Controller without batteries, and the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro For Xbox Cloud Gaming has an 18-hour lithium rechargeable battery built in.
Again, that’s great for bag-stashing, but not ideal for balancing a larger phone, which could easily weigh 200g on its own. Despite its small size, the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro For Xbox Cloud Gaming makes room for all the primary Xbox pad buttons, including dual triggers on each side.
Best Xbox Game Pass Streaming Accessories - FAQs
What devices work with Game Pass streaming?
Game Pass streaming works on pretty much any device that has a display and can run through a solid internet connection. For many, this could be the smartphone in your pocket, but as there's no processing power involved, you can also use the likes of a work laptop or a Chromebook, too.
Can I play Game Pass without an Xbox?
You don't necessarily need an Xbox Series X or Series S to enjoy Game Pass as any device capable of streaming the service gets you access to over 300 titles. You may have the best experience from a pick up and play point of view if you're also a console gamer, but that's not strictly necessary here.
How fast does my internet need to be for Game Pass streaming?
Microsoft recommends a high speed internet connection of at least 10 Mbps on mobile devices and 20 Mbps on console, which is fairly average and less demanding as rates go. Of course, a faster connection is going to mean a smoother experience in a higher resolution, so if you've got rates far above these then you will be absolutely fine.
The Warzone 2 update for season 2 is live now, bringing big changes to the popular multiplayer Battle Royale.
Available to play until the season ends in April, you can dive into the action on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC right now. There's never been a better time to get involved as Activision has packed a ton of new features into this season including, new weapons, maps, and game modes.
Ready to suit up and parachute in? We’ve gathered all the news and confirmed details surrounding Warzone 2 below.
Warzone 2 update: cut to the chase
What is it? Season 2 of Call of Duty's second multiplayer battle royale
When can I play it? Available now until April 11
What can I play it on? PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC
Warzone 2 update release date and platforms
(Image credit: Activision )
The Warzone 2 update for season 2 is available now until the season ends on April 11, 2023. Season 2 of Warzone 2 is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Warzone 2 update trailers
Latest trailer
The latest trailer showcasing the Warzone 2 update for season 2 explained the 100 new tiers of the Battle Pass. Within these levels, there are new operators, weapons, skins, and other rewards.
More trailers
While there are other key Warzone 2 trailers within this article you can check out Activision's Call of Duty official YouTube channel for more video content.
Warzone 2 update new content
(Image credit: Activision )
New weapons
In the new Warzone 2 update for season 2 Activision has confirmed six new weapons and guns. There are three available in the season 2 Battle Pass for free, one available during the launch window for the Path of the Ronin Event (ends March 24), and the final two are coming later in the second season.
These are the weapons available in said order:
ISO Hemlock Assault Rifle
Dual Kodachi melee weapon
KV Broadside Shotgun
Crossbow
Shuriken lethal equipment
Tempus Torrent Marksman Rifle
New Operator
The Warzone 2 update has seen Ronin return in Season 2. First appearing in the third season of the first Warzone, it's been some time since we've seen his friendly face.
Ronin was forced to make the jump from the first to the second Warzone due to his ties with the map Verdansk. Some of his unlockable challenges are tied to this fictional city meaning that once this map was switched out of the first Warzone he became impossible to complete.
New map
The Resurgence game mode is back with the Warzone 2 update for season 2. This time it's set on Ashika Island, off the coast of Japan. This classic game mode allows teammates to respawn as long as there is still one ally still alive. As this new island is smaller than the previous map it's better equipped to provide a fast-paced alternative to Warzone's traditional battle royale.
The new feature 'Restore Honor' added in season 2, lets players drop a dog tag after their first death in a game. If this is collected by yourself or a teammate then you are rewarded with cash and a single UAV ping that can reveal supply boxes and enemies.
New event
The new event in the Warzone 2 update see's Ronin transfer over from the first Warzone.
The Path of Ronin event began on season 2's launch and according to the in-game timer is set to finish on March 24. This event has seven challenges spread across Warzone 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 remake that are based on the Seven Virtues of Bushido: Compassion, Courage, Honor, Integrity, Loyalty, Respect, and Sincerity. All but Loyalty and Respect are currently playable, the last two become active on February 28.
Warzone 2 update patch notes
(Image credit: Activision )
As we are well into Season 2 there are plenty of Warzone 2 update patch notes to sink your teeth into. You can read them here.
Season 2 notable patch notes
The most recent patch notes, released on February 16, addressed the rampant game crashes in Warzone 2 as well as an issue that would freeze players after they'd revive a teammate.
A new Indiana Jones game has been confirmed by Lucasfilm Games. The globe-trotting archeologist's next adventure is being developed by MachineGames, the folks behind Wolfenstein. The title is also set to be executive produced by Bethesda Game Studios' director: Todd Howard.
These are early days, so the new Indiana Jones game is shrouded in mystery. Key details such as the release date, storyline, and the game's title have yet to be shared. However, we do know that the game will tell an original, standalone story set at the height of Indy's career and we've also been able to glean some details from the teaser trailer that could give us an idea of what to expect.
It looks like we're in for a classic Indiana Jones adventure channeling the pulpy heroics and derring-do of the movies. Want to know more? Read on for everything we know so far about the new Indiana Jones game.
New Indiana Jones game: cut to the chase
What is it? A new standalone Indiana Jones game with an original story
When can I play it? TBC
What can I play it on? TBC
New Indiana Jones game release date and platforms
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
MachineGames hasn't confirmed when we'll get our hands on the new Indiana Jones game, but we're expecting it won't release for a few years yet.
In an interview as part of GameSpot’s Play For All event in June 2021, Bethesda's senior vice president of global marketing and communications, Pete Hines, stated that the game was still in the “very, very, very early stages of development” suggesting that it's still a few years out from release.
Given Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax Media, it's likely that we'll see the title released on PC, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S (with PS5 less certain) – however, platforms have not yet been confirmed.
New Indiana Jones game trailer
Latest trailer
Bethesda shared a teaser trailer on Twitter in January 2021 that officially announced the new Indiana Jones, though it had more Easter Eggs than game details. The trailer pans across a desk covered with books, a camera, and papers before landing on Dr. Jones' signature fedora hat and whip. It's not much, but it's enough to get us excited. There seem to be plenty of clues lurking about, too.
Though the teaser trailer is the only offering so far, MachineGames will almost certainly release more teasers in the future. If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of any new Indiana Jones developments, keep an eye on the official Bethesda Twitter page.
New Indiana Jones game story and setting
(Image credit: Disney)
As it stands, we have a limited amount to go on when it comes to sussing out exactly what the game's story will be. Given it's an Indiana Jones game, however, it seems likely that we'll be able to expect an exciting, pulpy adventure full of brash heroism and relics of antiquity.
However, the teaser trailer does offer some useful tidbits which an enterprising viewer could use to piece together some parts of the plot. Given the trailer shows a map of Vatican City as well as writing that partly says, "I will be arriving in Rome", it looks like we'll see Dr. Jones adventuring in Rome.
Given the fact that Indy's plane ticket is dated 1937, it's possible that our hero will have to contend with the machinations of Italy's ascendant fascist party as Europe teeters on the brink of the Second World War. This also means that the game will be (at least partially) set a year after the first Indiana Jones movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The books of "Ancient Circles", "Forbidden Stones" and "Myths that Made Us" suggest that, in typical Indiana Jones fashion, the adventure will feature occult myths and ancient artifacts with supernatural powers.
Forspoken, the action RPG from Luminous Productions, the co-developers of Final Fantasy 15, is out now.
Available for PS5 and PC, Forspoken follows the tale of Frey, a young woman from New York who is transported to the beautiful (but cruel) fantasy world of Athia. She must then use her magical abilities to try to get home, all the while battling fearsome enemies who are out to get her.
Want to know more? Read on for everything you need to know about Forspoken, including what you can expect from the gameplay and story.
Forspoken: cut to the chase
What is it? An action RPG set in a fantasy universe
When did it come out? January 24, 2023
What can I play it on? PS5 and PC
Score? At the time of writing, Forspoken has a Metascore of 64
Forspoken trailers
Launch trailer
Ahead of Forspoken's release for PS5 and PC on January 24, 2023, a launch trailer for the game was released on January 19, 2023, which showcased what players can expect from Luminous Productions' fantasy RPG.
More trailers
We've included some key Forspoken trailers throughout this article but you can find all the trailers that have been released to date on publisher Square Enix's official YouTube channel.
Forspoken story and setting
In Forspoken, players step into the shoes of Frey, a young New Yorker desperate to escape the city. Her wish is granted when she finds a mysterious bracelet that transports her to the beautiful fantasy world of Athia. But while Athia was once a peaceful place, it now teeters on the brink of destruction, ruled by figures known as the Tantas who were beloved but have become oppressors.
Guiding Frey through her journey is Cuff, the sentient bracelet that transported her to Athia in the first place. With Cuff's help, Frey will need to hone her newfound magical abilities to traverse sprawling landscapes and battle monstrous creatures if she ever wants to get home again.
Forspoken gameplay
Upon landing in Athia, Frey finds she has magical abilities which are critical to combat and traversal.
Frey has access to a variety of spells that she can use in the game's real-time combat. Each time you complete a combat encounter, experience points will be rewarded that can then be used to learn new spells. Frey's cloak and necklace can also be upgraded, using resources found in the world, to improve her combat stats, while different nail polishes can be applied to give her special abilities.
Magic parkour is a big part of Forspoken and allows Frey to travel through the open world of Athia with fluidity, letting her quickly cover huge distances in a short amount of time.
The holiday weekend has arrived, which means Presidents' Day TV sales are live with some fantastic deals on a range of gorgeous displays. We've been hunting for weeks to find all the best Presidents' Day TV sales, and we've rounded up the top 15 offers available right now.
The Presidents' Day sales event is an excellent opportunity to grab a cheap TV, and our list includes everything from a high-end QLED display to a big-screen budget set, with prices starting at just $89.99 from retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Samsung, and Amazon.
See more of the best Presidents' Day TV sales below, most of which include record-low prices, so we don't expect you'll find a better deal on Presidents' Day proper. Most offers end tomorrow at Midnight, so you should take advantage of today's discounts while you can.
15 best Presidents' Day TV sales
LG C2 65-Inch 4K Smart TV (2022):was $2,099.99 now $1,599.99 at Walmart Today's best Presidents' Day deal is the stunning 65-inch LG C2 OLED TV on sale for a new record-low price of $1,599.99 at Walmart. Praised for its intense brightness and vivid colors in our LG C2 OLED review – and rated as our best TV – the LG TV packs an a9 Gen5 AI Processor, Dolby Atmos, and voice control. If you want the latest and greatest TV, then this Presidents' Day deal is for you. View Deal
Amazon Fire TV Omni Series 65-inch 4K TV:was $759.99 now $539.99 at Amazon
One of our favorite big-screen budget TVs in today's Presidents' Day TV sales is the highly-rated 65-inch Amazon Omni Series for just $539.99. You're getting the Fire TV experience, which makes it fast and easy to find whatever you want on all the major streaming services, plus compatibility with Amazon Alexa for hands-free control.View Deal
Samsung 85-inch 4K Smart Tizen TV (2022):was $1,399.99 now $1,199.99 at Best Buy This Samsung 4K Smart TV was a best-seller during Black Friday, and Best Buy's Presidents Day sale has this massive 85-inch model on sale for $1,199.99 - a fantastic price for a display that size. The Samsung TV features a solid 'Crystal' UHD 4K processor and smart capabilities powered by Tizen.View Deal
Hisense 58-inch 4K UHD Roku Smart TV:was$338now $298 at Walmart Walmart's Presidents' Day TV sale includes some of today's best cheap TVs, like this 58-inch Hisense TV, on sale for just $298. A fantastic value, you're getting 4K Ultra HD resolution, compatibility with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and the Roku experience built-in for easy streaming. View Deal
Samsung 85-inch AU8000 Crystal 4K Smart TV:was $1,499 now $1,299.99at Samsung If you don't need a QLED display but still want a premium picture experience, Samsung's AU8000 Crystal series is a fantastic option, and you can grab this 85-inch model for $1,299.99. The AU8000 models omit fancy features like a local dimming backlight, quantum dots, and 120Hz input for gaming, but if you're looking for a great deal on a big TV, this here is it.View Deal
LG A2 77-inch OLED 4K TV:was $2,799.99 now $1,799.99 at Best Buy This massive LG 77-inch A2 OLED TV is on sale for $1,799.99 at Best Buy. That's a whopping $1,000 discount and the lowest price we've ever seen. The LG Alpha α7 Gen5 processor delivers sharp images and great upscaling from HDR, and Dolby Vision HDR support makes the most of movies and TV. LG's smart TV software is also excellent, and there's a great range of streaming services included.View Deal
Samsung 75-inch 4K Smart TV:was $799.99 now $679.99 at Samsung Samsung's Presidents' Day TV sale has this entry-level 75-inch 4K TV down to just $679.99. A solid choice for a big screen on a budget, this 4K UHD from Samsung is one of the company's entry-level displays and packs a solid 'Crystal' UHD 4K processor, an easy-to-use Tizen operating system, and full HDR support.View Deal
LG 70-inch 80 Series QNED Mini-LED 4K Smart TV: was $1,299.99 now $1,099.99 at Best Buy Best Buy has this LG 70-inch QNED TV on sale for a record-low price of $1,099.99. You get a stunning picture with brilliant, bright colors thanks to the LG's Quantum Dot NanoCell display, plus Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos webOS 6.0 for seamless streaming.View Deal
TCL 55-inch 4-Series 4K Roku TV:was $319.99 now $299.99 at Best Buy If you're looking for a mid-size budget display, you can get this TCL 55-inch 4K Roku TV that's on sale for $299.99. The manufacturer has built a reputation for cheap but solid TVs and we think they're definitely worth buying if you need a straightforward and basic set. The 4-Series supports 4K, HDR, and Dolby Digital+ audio – plus, you get a voice remote and built-in Roku TV to access all top streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney Plus, and Prime Video.View Deal
Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV (2022):was $1,499.99 now $1,199.99 at Samsung Samsung's Presidents' Da TV sale includes the best-selling 55-inch The Frame TV on sale for $1,199.99, thanks to today's $300 discount. The gorgeous display transforms into a beautiful piece of art to seamlessly blend into your home's decor and includes customizable bezels, a QLED screen, and smart capabilities.View Deal
Samsung 55-inch S95B OLED TV:was$2,199now$1,699 at Samsung Samsung’s first range of OLED TVs is very impressive, utilizing the vivid color accuracy and contrast of OLED panels, the brightness of QLED technology, and a beautifully slim design. The S95B is very good, and this $500 discount on a brand-new television is a shoo-in for one of the best Presidents' Day TV deals currently going.View Deal
LG 50-inch Nano 75UQA TV:was $549.99 now $429.99 at Best Buy Best Buy has a $120 discount on this mid-range 4K TV from LG, nabbing a 50-inch screen for half the price of an equivalent OLED. With 4K HDR, the brilliant webOS smart platform, and a new a5 processor, you get a lot for that $649.99 price tag, even if you have to do without fancier screen technologies and formats.View Deal
Hisense 43-inch A6 Series 4K UHD Smart TV:was $269.99 now $229.99 at Best Buy You can grab this 43-inch Hisense A6 Series 4K TV on sale for a record-low of just $229.99 at Best Buy right now. The Hisense set packs in Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10, smart capabilities with the Google Assistant, and a voice remote - all for under $230, which is an incredible value.View Deal
Insignia 43-inch F30 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV:was $299.99 now $209.99 at Best Buy Best Buy's Presidents' Day TV sale has the best-selling Insignia 43-inch 4K smart TV on sale for a stunningly low price of just $209.99. You're getting the Fire TV operating system, 4K Ultra HD resolution, DTS Studio Sound, and a handy Alexa voice remote.View Deal
Onn. 32-inch LED Roku Smart TV:was $144 now $98 at Walmart Our cheapest Presidents' Day TV deal is this 32-inch smart TV from Onn. on sale for just $98. It's a fantastic buy if you're looking to add a small display to an extra bedroom, plus the smart TV comes with the Roku experience for easy streaming, and the compatible app allows you to use your voice to launch shows, browse movies, adjust the volume, and more.View Deal
If you're using WhatsApp on iOS there's another update to look out for: developer Meta has started rolling out support for video call picture-in-picture mode, so you can still see who you're talking to while using other apps on your iPhone.
The update (via 9to5Mac) is simple enough, and comes with version 23.3.77 from the App Store. When you're on a video call inside WhatsApp, simply minimize the app, and you'll get a persistent video thumbnail on screen that you can drag around as needed.
WhatsApp announced the feature was on the way last year, and it would seem beta testing has gone well enough for the picture-in-picture mode to make its way out to everyone. Everyone with an iPhone, that is – there's been no word on whether this same functionality will make its way to Android at some point.
The iOS update includes some other improvements as well, such as the ability to add captions to documents, support for longer group chat names and descriptions, and personalized avatars that can be used as stickers.
The app that keeps on updating
Meta is of course going to be keen to keep millions of people coming back to WhatsApp, which is no doubt part of the reason it keeps its software developers so busy – very few apps get updates that are as numerous and as frequent as they are for WhatsApp.
Whether it's being able to send messages even when the internet is down, or upgrades in the number of photos and videos you can post to a chat, we don't usually have to wait very long before another update appears for WhatsApp.
These are most often updates that are useful and well thought out too, with the most recent one a good example of that: being able to stay on a video call while working in other apps definitely improves the user experience.
Don't forget the sheer number of apps under the WhatsApp banner, either. You can get native applications for Windows and macOS as well as Android and iOS, and there's even a version that runs in a web browser. All we need now is an iPad version.
Changes are afoot at Twitter, again: the social network owned by Elon Musk has announced that securing accounts via SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) is going to be an option exclusive to paying Twitter Blue users from this point on.
As per the blog post explaining the change, you won't be able to set up 2FA with SMS after March 30 unless you pay for Twitter Blue. If you currently use this method to protect access to your account, you've got 30 days to either subscribe to Twitter Blue or switch to a different 2FA method, such as an authenticator app or a security key.
"We encourage non-Twitter Blue subscribers to consider using an authentication app or security key method instead," says Twitter in its statement. "These methods require you to have physical possession of the authentication method and are a great way to ensure your account is secure."
Effective March 20, 2023, only Twitter Blue subscribers will be able to use text messages as their two-factor authentication method. Other accounts can use an authentication app or security key for 2FA. Learn more here:https://t.co/wnT9Vuwh5nFebruary 18, 2023
See more
Pay up or switch
In its blog post, Twitter mentions abuse of the SMS 2FA system by "bad actors" as one of the reasons behind the switch. From an Elon Musk tweet, it also seems that Twitter was losing a substantial amount of money from bot accounts abusing the SMS 2FA method.
Now if you want to stick with SMS to set up Twitter on new devices, you'll need to pay for the privilege. Twitter Blue costs $8 a month, or $11 a month if you sign up through Android or iOS, and it's also available for a whole year for $84. Amongst other perks, you can edit tweets and undo the posting of tweets.
While it's perhaps not the worst change that Twitter has seen under Musk's stewardship, the move has kicked up a fair amount of anger – on Twitter, of course – from those who see it as putting one of the most crucial security measures behind a paywall.
Analysis: set up two-factor authentication, install an app
Two-factor authentication is absolutely something you should set up on Twitter, and everywhere else (here's how): it adds an extra level of protection that means something else is required to log into your account on unknown devices, besides a username and password (details which can be tricked out of you or indeed leaked out online).
That "something else" can be a text message sent to your phone, but at this stage SMS is the weakest option for 2FA. Text messages can be intercepted and redirected, and it's a much better idea to install a free app on your phone to generate an authentication code instead – among the ones available are Authenticator from Google and Authy.
The weakness of SMS 2FA begs the question of why Twitter didn't just ditch it altogether – but it would seem that there are still users who genuinely need this functionality. It's not clear how big this group is, but anyone still in it is now going to have to pay for the privilege of getting their 2FA codes sent over SMS.
One of the risks here is that SMS 2FA users who don't want to pay will simply switch off 2FA completely – something we definitely wouldn't recommend. To keep your account as secure as possible, get 2FA set up and use a mobile app as the authentication method, whether or not you're subscribed to Twitter Blue.
As regular TechRadar readers will know, the heavily promoted AI chatbot enhancements recently added to Bing haven't had the smoothest of launches – and now Microsoft is making some changes to improve the user experience.
In a blog post (via The Verge), Microsoft says the tweaks should "help focus the chat sessions": the AI part of Bing is going to be limited to 50 chat 'turns' (a question and answer) per day, and five responses per chat session.
This has been coming: Microsoft executives have previously gone on record saying that they were looking into ways of cutting out some of the weird behavior that's been noticed by early testers of the AI bot service.
Put to the test
Those early testers have been testing pretty hard: they've been able to get the bot, based on an upgraded version of OpenAI's ChatGPT engine, to return inaccurate answers, get angry, and even question the nature of its own existence.
Having your search engine go through an existential crisis when you were just looking for a list of the best phones isn't ideal. Microsoft says that very long chat sessions get its AI confused, and that the "vast majority" of search queries can be answered in 5 responses.
The AI add-on for Bing isn't available for everyone yet, but Microsoft says its working its way through the waiting list. If you're planning on trying out the new functionality, remember to keep your interactions brief and to the point.
Analysis: don't believe the hype just yet
Despite the early problems, there's clearly a lot of potential in the AI-powered search tools in development from Microsoft and Google. Whether you're searching for ideas for party games or places to visit, they're capable of returning fast, informed results – and you don't have to wade through pages of links to find them.
At the same time, there's clearly still a lot of work to do. Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Microsoft's version of it aren't really 'thinking' as such. They're like supercharged autocorrect engines, predicting which words should go after each other to produce a coherent and relevant response to what's being asked of them.
On top of that, there's the question of sourcing – if people are going to rely on AI to tell them what the best laptops are and put human writers out of a job, these chat bots won't have the data they need to produce their answers. Like traditional search engines, they're still very much dependent on content put together by actual people.
We did of course take the opportunity to ask the original ChatGPT why long interactions confuse LLMs: apparently it can make the AI models "too focused on the specific details of the conversation" and cause it to "fail to generalize to other contexts or topics", leading to looping behavior and responses that are "repetitive or irrelevant".
The iPhone 15 leaks and rumors aren't showing any signs of stopping, and we now have new renderings of the Pro model of the flagship that's expected in September – a rendering which shows quite a few changes from the model currently on sale.
This comes via information obtained by 9to5Mac: the renders are based on details supplied by a "reliable case manufacturer", and this is a source that we're more likely than not to trust when it comes to previews of Apple hardware.
As for those differences from the iPhone 14 Pro, we've got thinner bezels around the sides of the screen, and a more rounded shape overall. The Lightning port has been swapped out for a USB-C one, which is something we were already expecting this year.
This could be the iPhone 15 Pro(Image credit: 9to5Mac)
Curves and bumps
"The frame itself is also more curved than before, resembling the design of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros and new M2 MacBook Air," writes 9to5Mac. "This could make the phone more comfortable to hold and less prone to accidental touches."
We've also got a thicker camera bump on the back, again something that's been mentioned in earlier rumors. We're probably looking at an upgraded rear camera module, though this leak only deals in the external aesthetics of the smartphone.
These renders match up with a leaked photo of the iPhone 15 Pro that emerged yesterday: it only shows the USB-C data and charging port on the phone, but there are also hints that the frame and edges of the device are going to be a little more rounded.
Analysis: further iPhone refinements
If these renders are accurate – and we've got no real reason to think that they aren't – it shows that we're in for a subtle shift in the design of the iPhone in 2023. This isn't going to be a year when Apple throws out tradition and does something significantly different.
From what we can tell from this leak, we like the direction Apple is going in with this, with the flatter and more angular edges of the iPhone 14 models getting rounded off a little. It's a friendlier looking phone than the ones that came before it.
As for the slimmer bezels (again previously predicted), that's always a win. It means more screen space in a phone that's the same size, although the resolution of the displays are unlikely to change – there are still going to be the same number of pixels.
It's also good to see Apple switching the iPhone over to USB-C, in line with the iPads, even if it might come with strings attached. It should mean devices like cables and chargers are easier to swap between Apple devices in the future.
Continental rail service Eurostar has been getting in contact with customers with online accounts, requesting they reset their passwords as the company works to enhance the security of its users.
However, technical issues have resulted in users being unable to reset them or even log in to their accounts, effectively locking them out entirely.
The official email from Eurostar to customers states that in order to continue using their account, they will have to reset their passwords, followed by a link to the page where they can do this.
The problem is, following this link and commencing the process throws up this error message form the site: "Sorry, we're having a few technical problems so we can't send the email at the moment. Please try again a little later."
A potential security breach?
BleepingComputer recently tested the issue and found that it has continued to persist. Customers are understandably frustrated, with some venting their anger on social media.
When customers keep trying to enter their account, they are greeted with the password reset prompt, which then results in the aforementioned technical error message, so they are trapped in this unresolvable loop and unable to access their accounts at all.
Another twitter user speculated that this error sounded like a "data breach situation", and others suspected the official email they received as a phishing scam due to the presence of the link and not addressing them by name.
This debacle follows hot on the heels of another at the railway operator, as last Friday, there were issues with Club Eurostar members having their booking disappear completely, but it assured customers that the bookings were still on its system - just not visible to users.
On this issue, the company advised "If you are unable to access your account, clear the cookies from your device and reset the password. If you are not receiving the reset password link, re-register using the same email address used for your account."
However, some customers replied to say these solutions didn't work for them, and given the more recent password reset issue, this part of the advice doesn't work either.
BleepingComputer could not confirm whether the technical issues were due to a security incident, and when they reached out for comment, a Eurostar spokesperson replied with the following statement:
"Our customers were contacted to reset their password following an update to our customer authentication system. The sudden volume of customers who attempted to do this caused some technical difficulties and we are working to resolve this as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused."
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