Full spoilers follow for The Umbrella Academy seasons two and three.

Netflix has unveiled the first trailer for The Umbrella Academy season four – and it seems that the Hargreeves family are going to bow out with an almighty bang in the show's final season.

With just two months to go before The Umbrella Academy's final installment launches (it's out on Thursday, August 8), the streaming giant has finally given us some footage to pore over before the hit series ends. Based on what's shown, we can expect more dysfunctional and chaotic family drama, the group powering back up after they lost their superhuman abilities in the season three finale, and one final mission to – yep, you guessed it – save the world from another apocalyptic event.

Curiously, the teaser subverts our expectations about what we'd expected to see in the superhero show's final entry. Season three's final episode indicated that Sir Reginald Hargreeves – the group's adoptive father who, as we know from The Umbrella Academy season two, is also a merciless extraterrestrial – would be the major villain of season four. It seems, though, that he'll be actively helping his foster children to regain their powers to prevent another potentially world-ending event.

The Hargreeves children will need to reacquire said abilities, too, given what Netflix has teased about its plot. "The Hargreeves siblings have scattered after the climactic showdown at the Hotel Oblivion led to a complete reset of their timeline," Netflix's story brief reads. "Stripped of their powers, each is left to fend for themselves and find a new normal – with wildly varying degrees of success. 

"Yet, the trappings of their uncanny new world prove too hard to ignore for very long. Their father Reginald, alive and well, has stepped out of the shadows and into the public eye, overseeing a powerful and nefarious business empire. A mysterious association known as The Keepers holds clandestine meetings believing the reality they’re living in is a lie and a great reckoning is coming. As these strange new forces conspire around them, the Umbrella Academy must come together one last time – and risk upsetting the shaky peace they’ve all endured so much to secure – to finally set things right."

One final ride to save the world – again

https://t.co/KwwTVFGaC7 pic.twitter.com/0k3kZwP95ZMay 30, 2024

See more

The first teaser's debut comes after a new poster, which heralded the trailer's impending arrival, was unveiled two days ago (May 27). It didn't elaborate on the aforementioned plot synopsis ahead of one of the best Netflix show's final outing. However, based on the giant, alien squid-like tentacles that occupy parts of the artwork, it's likely that Ben Hargreeves – whatever version we're up to with him now – will have a big role to play. You know, because Ben has the ability to spawn the monstrous tentacles of an interdimensional Lovecraftian entity, called The Horror, from beneath his skin.

We could also learn more about the origins and constitution of the marigold substance, i.e. the mysterious matter that imbued the Hargreeves children with superpowers. A congealed pool of this liquid-based material can be seen in the poster's bottom right corner, which one of Ben's tentacles – Bentacles, if you will – is reaching out to. There's still plenty we don't know about the marigold, so I suspect season four will give us some more details about where it originated and how it played a role in the Hargreeves children's supernatural births and subsequent abilities.

Your train is arriving… TEASER TRAILER TOMORROW! The final season of Umbrella Academy premieres on August 8 on Netflix pic.twitter.com/4hcEflxkzwMay 28, 2024

See more

Almost two years have passed since Netflix confirmed The Umbrella Academy would meet its apocalyptic end. Given the secretive nature of  the show's truncated final entry – it'll only comprise six episodes, rather than the usual 10 – there was very little we knew about it ahead of the first trailer's release, too. Indeed, eight months passed before we learned anything new – Netflix only choosing to lift its head above the parapet to reveal The Umbrella Academy season four's new cast members in February 2023.

Since then, the streaming titan has been a bit more forthcoming with information about The Umbrella Academy season four. Last November, the show's main cast teased that the show would "hit the ground running" in its "bittersweet" final installment. Then, in early February, Netflix unveiled the briefest of clips from The Umbrella Academy season four before the streaming behemoth announced The Umbrella Academy four's official release date two weeks later.

The Umbrella Academy's last installment flattered to deceive – in my review of The Umbrella Academy season three, I opined it was the show's poorest entry – so I'm hoping that its successor, one of 10 shows I'm excited to see in mid-2024, will be far better and give the series the send-off that it deserves.

You might also like

• Arcane season 2: what we know about the hit Netflix series' return
• Stranger Things season 5: get the lowdown on the wildly successful show's final season
• Netflix's Knives Out 3 will be a mini James Bond reunion as Spectre actor joins the Daniel Craig-starring movie

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/DQhBM85

Lithuanian web hosting company Hostinger grew by 57% with revenues of €110.2 million in 2023 and a positive EBITDA according to its latest earnings report, making it the fifth largest web hosting company by market share, overtaking long-time rivals including GoDaddy.

“Each year, we are growing rapidly towards our ambitious goal of becoming the world's No. 1 web hosting business. 2023 was no exception when we steadily grew our results," noted Daugirdas Jankus, CEO of Hostinger.

"While we may look like a big business in our region, we still have a long way to go in the global market. We will continue to compete for the best talent, learn fast, and apply our knowledge to develop competitive products.”

Reader offer: Get up to 60% on VPS hosting with Hostinger

Enjoy a host of benefits with Hostinger's plans - dedicated IP shields from DDoS attacks, automated backups for easy restores, ensuring uninterrupted gaming regardless of your configuration. Level up your gaming journey with Hostinger today.

Preferred partner (What does this mean?) View Deal

Hostinger also says it has made many behind the scenes updates improving speed with kernel-based virtual machine virtualisation for VPS hosting and an in-house CDN network plus other optimizations improving client experience.

We asked Hostinger what aspects have had a significant impact on making their hosting service so popular, with Saulius Lazaravicius, VP of Product, noting, "during recent years, Hostinger has put a huge focus on improving the customer experience and making website creation easy for everyone. According to data, this also decreased the Customer Support load by two times. Less than 1% of Hostinger's clients seek assistance today."

Hostinger boosts web hosting market share

As of May 2024, Hostinger has over 2.42 million customers in over 150 countries with a global market share of 2.8%, up from 1.4% in May 2023 (according to w3techs.com). 

Its most active user base is from India, Brazil, USA, Indonesia, and France, with the United Kingdom, Spain, Pakistan, Mexico, and Colombia making up the top 10.

Over the last year, Shopify has also had large gains overtaking Newfold Digital Group (BlueHost, Hostgator) as the second largest web host by market share with Amazon in first place holding 5.7% and Newfold Digital Group losing 0.7% in the same period.

• We can see why Hostinger is growing as they make web hosting easy for those wanting to have their own website but don’t want to be locked in with a single website builder like Wix or Squarespace. We rank them first on our best web hosting guide for their ease of use and also highly rank their VPS offerings for their value for money.

More from TechRadar Pro

• These are the best EU web hosting services around today
• We've also rounded up the best small business website builders
• We asked the experts: What are the most important things to consider when choosing a website builder?

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/ztoMDZ4

Hackers are trying to wiggle their way into corporate networks through poorly protected Check Point Remote Access VPN devices, the company has confirmed in a security advisory.

Check Point Remote Access VPN software allows for secure remote access to corporate networks. Employees and authorized users can connect to their organization's network securely over the internet, accessing internal resources, applications, and data, from different devices such as smartphones or laptops, in the same way as if they were physically within the corporate network. 

All Check Point network firewalls come with Remote Access, which can be configured as a client-to-site VPN, or set up as an SSL VPN Portal.

Understanding the trend 

Now, hackers are going after old accounts that are only protected with passwords, to try and get easy access. While, luckily, there haven’t been too many attempts so far, they do represent a trend that needs to be cut short, the researchers said. Also luckily, the remedy is quite simple to implement. 

"We have recently witnessed compromised VPN solutions, including various cyber security vendors," the company's security advisory noted. "In light of these events, we have been monitoring attempts to gain unauthorized access to VPNs of Check Point's customers. By May 24, 2024 we identified a small number of login attempts using old VPN local-accounts relying on unrecommended password-only authentication method."

"We've seen 3 such attempts, and later when we further analyzed it with the special teams we assembled, we saw what we believe are potentially the same pattern (around the same number). So - a few attempts globally all in all but enough to understand a trend and especially- a quite straightforward way to ensure it’s unsuccessful," a Check Point spokesperson told BleepingComputer.

Organizations looking to remain secure should check for vulnerable accounts on Quantum Security Gateway and CloudGuard Network Security products and on Mobile Access and Remote Access VPN software blades. T

hey should also change user authentication methods to something more secure, or alternatively - delete vulnerable local accounts from the Security Management Server database.

More from TechRadar Pro

• US defense sector under attack by China-backed hackers, with NSA confirming Ivanti VPN exploits are to blame
• Here's a list of the best firewalls today
• These are the best endpoint protection tools right now

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/LaQ81Io

Despite making increasingly excellent phones, Google has struggled to build much market share in the smartphone sector, and the latest data suggests that Pixel phones might be getting even less popular.

According to a recent Stocklytics report (via Phone Arena), 57% of surveyed Pixel owners say it’s very likely that they’ll switch to another brand next time they upgrade, with only 25% saying that they’re very unlikely to do so.

The survey included almost 10,000 smartphone users in the US, and for comparison, just 34% of surveyed Samsung phone owners said that they’re very likely to switch, with 44% saying they’re very unlikely. In the case of iPhone owners, 34% again said that they’re very likely to make a move, while 50% said they’re very unlikely to.

(Image credit: Stocklytics)

This isn’t the only sign that Google's Pixel line could be in trouble, either, as earlier in the month, Counterpoint Research (also via Phone Arena) found that Google's share of the US market share had declined from an already low 2% in the first quarter of 2023, to a lower but unnamed percentage in the first quarter of 2024.

So, all of this is a bad sign for the Google Pixel 9 line, which – despite rumors of a new design, a third model (possibly dubbed the Pixel 9 Pro XL), and ever more AI features – could struggle to sell.

These results are slightly surprising, too, since Google makes excellent phones, with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro both getting 4-star reviews from us.

Buggy phones and small sample sizes

The Pixel 8a is the most recent Google Pixel phone (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

So, what’s going on here? Well, Pixel phones have had more than their fair share of bugs and other issues over the years, including overheating and connectivity problems. The latest models seem more stable, though, and Google has for the most part resolved any issues that arose in earlier phones.

It could also be that the Pixel line isn’t in as much trouble as these reports suggest. That aforementioned Statista survey, for example, might sound significant with its almost 10,000 respondents, but given that Google’s US market share is likely under 2%, that would mean that only around 200 of those surveyed actually even have a Pixel phone. When you consider that the smartphone-owning population of the US sits at around 310 million people (according to Statista), that’s an almost meaninglessly small sample size.

On top of which, the US is just one market, and while it is one of Google’s biggest, the Pixel line had a 12% market share in Japan in the second quarter of 2023 according to Counterpoint Research (via Bloomberg), and that was up from just 2% in the same quarter of 2021.

So, if nothing else, Google’s phones are making an impact and growing their market share elsewhere.

Hopefully, then, things aren’t as dire for the Pixel line as some of the data above suggests, and with any luck, Google can further improve the reliability of its phones, to hopefully boost customer loyalty in future.

You might also like

• Google Pixel 9: latest news, rumors and everything we know so far
• Google Pixel 8 review: full of surprises
• Best Pixel phones: we've ranked all the Google Pixel handsets worth buying

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/NF6IvWP

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is reportedly in discussions with the Italian government about a significant investment aimed at expanding its data center operations in the country.

According to Reuters, The rumored 10-figure deal would see the company expand its cloud computing infrastructure in the country to fuel the continued AI growth.

As with other similar moves, the deal will likely also comprise other aspects designed to support the country and its citizens, such as training and upskilling efforts as well as local employment opportunities.

AWS to invest in Italy next

AWS already has a cloud region in Italy, counting clients such as Ferrari and Assicurazioni Generali on its books. With the likely upcoming investment, AWS will be hoping to attract even more customers thanks to more European-centric infrastructure.

AWS’s Italy investment comes amid a broader push to expand its European operations. A colossal $17 billion deal was recently announced in Spain, and a further $8.5 has been committed to expanding infrastructure in Germany. 

Amazon’s focus on building data centers that meet EU data privacy regulations are a clear effort to pacify not only customers, but antitrust regulators on the continent. Its recent Germany investment will fuel the early stages of the cloud giant’s European sovereign cloud efforts.

Accounting for around one-third of the market (the same amount as Microsoft and Google combined), Amazon Web Services has been on somewhat of a spending spree in recent months thanks to a resurging cloud market and heightened interest in artificial intelligence.

Recent Synergy figures support this trend, highlighting the 21% yearly growth that’s being measured across the cloud market, which is now worth an annualized sum of $300 billion as per the most recent quarter’s figures.

TechRadar Pro has asked AWS to confirm plans to invest the as-yet unconfirmed sum into Italy’s cloud sector, but the company did not immediately respond. 

More from TechRadar Pro

• These are the best cloud hosting providers around today
• We’ve rounded up the best AI tools and best AI writers
• AWS to launch Saudi Arabia data centers as part of $5bn investment

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/G5Tx4Lo

We've been hearing rumors for months about how iOS 18 will be a major upgrade – perhaps one of the biggest in its history – and a new report adds some more details about what we should expect when the software is officially unveiled next month.

These details come courtesy of Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, usually one of the most reliable reporters when it comes to accurately predicting Apple's future plans, and leaking its software and hardware announcements ahead of time.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman outlines some of the AI-infused upgrades rumored to be heading to iOS 18 (and macOS 15 in some cases). Here's what we think might be coming, based on his latest update.

1. Voice memo transcribing

Using AI to turn voice memos into text is common practice these days – the Google Pixel Recorder app does it, for example – and this is apparently one of the features heading to iOS 18. It could well be built right into the Voice Memos app that's included with iOS.

2. Photo retouching

This is also something we're now familiar with: see the generative AI editing tools available on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, for example. Options could include moving or erasing objects, or optimizing colors (the Photos app has already been tipped for an upgrade).

3. Better searching

According to Gurman, searches across iOS 18 and macOS 15 will become "faster and more reliable" thanks to AI. As previously rumored, we might see search results from more apps, and improved support for natural language queries when you're looking for something.

4. Automatic replies

It sounds as though you'll soon be able to generate smart AI responses in the Apple Mail and Apple Messages apps, if you want to hand over writing duties. These will be suggestions though: you'll still be able to review and edit them before sending.

5. Safari improvements

Safari is in line for a pretty hefty upgrade this year. Gurman follows up on earlier leaks to say Safari will get an improved web search with the help of AI – this should mean more relevant results, alongside the ability to get quick summaries of the websites you visit.

6. A more natural Siri

As previously reported, Siri is going to get easier to talk to, as well as coming up with better responses – more like a person and less like a bot. Siri will offer more "natural-sounding interactions based on Apple's own large language models" according to Gurman's article.

7. AI-generated emojis

One AI-related feature mentioned in Gurman's report that we haven't heard about before is an AI emoji machine. Apparently this will bring up custom emojis instantly, based on what you're typing – so you'll never be stuck looking for an emoji to match your message.

8. Smart summaries

Expect smart summaries to be everywhere in iOS 18: Emails, webpages, messages, and more. This is something that has leaked before, and which may well cover notifications too. If it works like it sounds like it will, the feature should save you a lot of reading time.

9. Home screen customizations

This isn't strictly speaking AI related, but following up on what he's said previously, Gurman states that iOS 18 home screen app shortcuts can be arranged any way you like – not just in a grid – and that their colors can be changed to match a particular theme.

There's likely to be more besides, once iOS 18 finally sees the light of day – tighter integration between Calendar and Reminders, improved math functions in Notes, smoother song transitions in Apple Music – but the features listed above are the ones Gurman specifically refers to in his new report.

Apple AI and OpenAI ChatGPT

We'll hear a lot more at WWDC 2024 (Image credit: Apple)

Gurman's new report also sheds some light on Apple's rumored partnership with OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT and Dall-E. Apparently, Apple's own AI models – both stored on the iPhone and in the cloud – will be used to handle the core AI tasks listed above, but they won't extend to powering a fully fledged AI chatbot.

For that, Gurman says, Apple will partner with OpenAI to give users the option of ChatGPT on the iPhone. It's not clear how this will differ from simply using the ChatGPT app for iOS, but deeper integration with the iPhone software is presumably on the way. The partnership will be announced at WWDC 2024 on June 10, Gurman says, alongside all these new features for iOS and macOS.

However, Apple doesn't want to rely on OpenAI exclusively, according to Gurman – so talks are still ongoing to offer Google Gemini as an AI chatbot option too. That won't be talked about at the WWDC 2024 event in June though. Other chatbots could also be added further down the line.

This new report also states that Apple will emphasize the privacy of its AI tools – both on-device and in the cloud – compared to those offered by the likes of Google and Meta. Finally, Gurman mentions that the AI features in iOS 18 might come with a 'preview' label attached, to indicate they're still in development.

You might also like

• Apple has already teased some of its new AI upgrades
• 5 of the best features tipped for iOS 18
• Apple recently launched new iPad models for 2024

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/dsJiqED

Retro cameras such as the Nikon Z fc and new Fujifilm X-T50 are all the rage, but should they be? They sure do look the part, but I'm here to say there's a better alternative: full-size mirrorless models. 

The stark contrast between the two types of camera design hit me recently when I was at Photo London, where all of the latest and greatest Nikon cameras were on display given Nikon sponsors the event, including the Nikon Zf, Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z6 II. 

The Zf was drawing the most attention from gallery goers – it, like many other retro models, catches the eye, while the highly capable Z8 and Z6 II stood by in the shadows. I picked up each of Nikon's cameras in turn and what immediately struck me was just how awkward the Zf was to handle versus the full-size Z8 and Z6 II. 

The experience got me thinking: would I be willing to sacrifice outright functionality for the looks? If you've been sucked in by the retro craze, you first need to know three things about these old-school models.

You don't usually get a proper grip with a retro camera, so holding one can be awkward. (Image credit: Future)

1. Their handling is inferior

I've been around cameras long enough to appreciate 2024's retro wave. The popular Nikon Zf and Z fc are directly inspired by the design of 1982's Nikon FM2 SLR camera, but come packed with today's tech. Gorgeous stuff. Fujifilm's business has thrived making retro cameras, too, the latest model being the X-T50. However, camera design has evolved for the better since the good ol' analog SLR days.

If you want to actually use your camera rather than just look at it, a full-size mirrorless model will give you the slickest experience. That's because full-size cameras, like the Nikon Z6 II, have a proper grip for a secure and comfortable hold over extended use. They offer you exposure controls at your fingertips through control dials – you barely needed to move your hands to make adjustments.

Retro cameras usually lack a grip. Their exposure dials sit pretty, but the process of making changes using those dials is fiddlier. You might desire that slow experience, but the simple matter is that retro cameras prioritize looks over function.

Of all Nikon vast range of Z-mount lenses, only two are retro lenses and neither of those have an aperture ring.  (Image credit: Nikon)

2. Their lenses are limited

Most brands that make retro cameras haven't yet created enough lenses that truly match the aesthetic. That's part of the reason why I've currently resorted to reviewing barely-known third-party lenses with the Nikon Z fc. 

None of Nikon's mirrorless lenses even feature an aperture dial, so you must resort to adapting old analog lenses to mirrorless for the authentic experience and make do with old-school image quality.

There's more than skin-deep matters, too. With no grip to speak of, you can forget about pairing a retro camera with a big lens – the balance is completely off. 

Retro cameras are best kept to small lenses for specific genres of photography: street, reportage, portraiture. For example, something like a 35mm f/2.8. Forget about using retro gear to photograph distant wildlife.

If you must go retro, I think the fixed-lens Fujifilm X100-series of compact cameras hits the mark, the latest model being the excellent X100VI. No faffing around with ill-fitting lenses that are an aesthetic mismatch – the X100-series sticks to the sweet spot, being an all-in-one optimized package, unlike interchangeable lens retro cameras like Fujifilm's own X-T50 or Nikon Z fc.

At the time of writing, I'm testing the pricey Voigtlander D 35mm f1.2 Nokton manual focus lens with the Nikon Z fc – Nikon doesn't make these kind of lenses for its Z-mount.  (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

3. They're expensive

Camera brands are cashing in on the retro trend. Retro cameras are expensive by comparison to similarly equipped full-size cameras. If you want the old-school looks, you'll be paying tomorrow's prices.

For most people it's a head versus heart decision, assuming you love the retro camera look in the first place. Retro can put a smile on your face, and the feeling you get with a camera will impact how much you use it, but for me the appeal is usually fleeting, plus retro hits the wallet harder.

If I'm going to use a camera for a proper shoot, it'll be a full-size one. If I want the slickest handling, a full-size camera delivers. If I want a no-limits camera whatever I'm photographing, full-size is the way. If I want a long-time creative tool, and the best bang for buck, you guessed it – a full-size camera is my choice. 

Retro might satisfy your lustful desires, but full-size cameras are the ones to settle down with.

You might also like

• The best camera for photography 2024: top picks for every budget
• Cameras are back – why they’ve grown for the first time in 13 years, despite the power of iPhone and Android phones
• You can’t buy a Fujifilm X100V in 2023 and Tiktok is to blame

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/75V9lxe

As you'll see from our Apple Watch 9 review and Apple Watch Ultra 2 review, Apple's smartwatch is a powerful little computer – and you don't necessarily have to wear it on your wrist, as a new hardware project called the TinyPod proves.

As announced on social media (via 9to5Mac) as "coming soon", the TinyPod puts a strapless Apple Watch inside a case that looks like a miniature iPod. There's even a clickwheel on the front for controlling apps and actions.

If you think about everything you can do with the Apple Watch, it's essentially a smaller and more limited version of the iPhone: you're able to make calls, send texts, listen to music, take down notes, and plenty more besides.

Add in the iPod-inspired hardware design and a pair of the best AirPods, and you've got something that mixes the ideas of an iPhone and an iPod together – all in a little gadget that comfortably slips in your pocket or straps to your clothing.

A phone away from phone

This summer. Live different pic.twitter.com/7qvu5Sm3XvMay 24, 2024

See more

In one of the TinyPod teaser trailers that's already appeared, the device is described as "your phone away from phone", which gives you some idea of how it's being targeted. It's like a secondary device to complement your phone (as is the Apple Watch itself).

Perhaps everything this mini-phone can't do – browse the web, scroll through social media, play videos – helps it be a less distracting and less stress-inducing alternative to your actual iPhone. It might suit times when you don't need a full phone with you.

Now there's still a lot we don't know about the TinyPod, not least how much it's going to cost or when we'll be able to buy it (it's apparently coming in the summer in the US). From what we've seen so far though, it's a promising idea.

This isn't actually the first project we've seen to try and turn the Apple Watch into something else: there's also the Cake gadget, which looks a lot like the Rabbit R1, and which is currently at the prototype stage.

You might also like

• The Apple iPod sells out for the last time
• These are the best iPhones on the market
• iOS 18 music upgrades are rumored

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/kY9GdxQ

Cheyenne, a US supercomputer once ranked 20th in the world and with 8,000 Intel Xeon CPUs and 300TB of RAM (plus a few maintenance issues, including water leaks), was recently auctioned off by US General Services Administration (GSA). 

After a tussle between 27 bidders, Cheyenne went for a respectable $480,085, plus the costs of dismantling and moving it to its new home.

If you fancy owning a supercomputer, but your pockets aren’t quite so deep, or you’d prefer one that isn’t a fixer-upper, then Supermicro has you covered.

Bang for your buck

As spotted by ServeTheHome, Supermicro is selling complete Intel Gaudi 2 servers for $90,000. The price for AI servers isn’t usually advertised, so it’s interesting to see this promotion which is headed (somewhat clumsily): “Supermicro and Intel Team Up for Special Pricing on a Gaudi 2 GPU Server.”

Want to know what you’ll get for your money? This "special configuration" (SYS-820GH-TNR2-01) includes one Supermicro Gaudi 2 system, supporting eight Habana Gaudi-2 OAM Mezz cards (8U), two Intel Xeon Platinum 8368 Processors, 16x 64GB DDR4-3200 ECC RDIMM, two 960GB NVMe PCIe 4.0 (M.2), two 7.6TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 (U.2), one NIC, CX-6 VPI (IB/EN), 100G, Dual Port QSFP56, System Management Software Suite Node License, and eight Intel Gaudi 2 OCP OAM Spec v1.3 with heatsink.

If that doesn’t meet your exact needs, or you want to avail yourself of a discount, you can configure your own Supermicro Gaudi 2 Server, choosing the components that you require. You’ll need to speak to Supermicro directly for pricing, however.

Intel launched Gaudi 3 in April 2024, so you won't be getting the latest hardware. ServeTheHome broke down some of the costs of the advertised server, noting, “The interesting part about this is that it is still using an Ice Lake Xeon platform, so it is on PCIe Gen4 and lower-cost DDR4 memory. The list price for the Intel Xeon Platinum 8368 processors is $7214 each. Those 64GB DIMMs usually price out in new systems at around $3000-$3200 for 16 of them. There is probably another $1500-2000 in SSD content and a bit more for the NVIDIA ConenctX-6 VPI NIC. We only have one of those NICs because Gaudi 2 uses its onboard 100GbE networking directly from the AI accelerators.”

(Image credit: Supermicro)

More from TechRadar Pro

• A US supercomputer with 8,000 Intel Xeon CPUs is being auctioned
• Nvidia has opened the doors to one of the world's fastest supercomputers
• Intel has a new rival to Nvidia's uber-popular H100 AI GPU — meet Gaudi3

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/SionFm9

And so the weekend comes to an end with another Strands game from the New York Times. It's potentially a tricky beast, as many of them are, so read on if you need some hints for it.  

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #84) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Beyond Nashville

NYT Strands today (game #84) - hint #2 - clue words

What are some good clue words today?

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• BRAN

• SAIL

• SULK

• BOOK

• BROOK

• STILL

NYT Strands today (game #84) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Walk the line

NYT Strands today (game #84) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

• First: top, 3rd column

• Last: bottom, 5th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #84) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #84, are…

• HILL
• BROOKS
• CASH
• PAISLEY
• SWIFT
• URBAN
• TWAIN
• SPANGRAM: COUNTRYSTARS

---

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: Perfect

---

This is one of those Strands games where the theme clue potentially makes it very easy – but where that may not help if you don't know a lot about the subject. The subject in question is COUNTRYSTARS, as per the spangram, though whether Taylor SWIFT can really be described as a country star these days is debatable.

Fortunately for me, I'm a huge Johnny CASH fan, and though none of the other musicians listed here and on my personal playlist, I know enough about the genre that I didn't struggle to find any of them. Maybe I would have done if the spangram hadn't been so easy to locate, but with that in place much of the hard work was done.  

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

---

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday 25 May, game #83)

• TIME
• STAKE
• MOOSE
• LEAK
• CHILLY
• MEET
• PAIR
• SERIAL
• SPANGRAM: HOMOPHONES

---

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's currently in Beta and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/JzMCwV3

Lenovo has revealed its 14-inch ThinkPad P14s Gen 5 mobile workstation, powered by an AMD Ryzen Pro 8040 HS-Series processor with Ryzen AI and Radeon integrated graphics.

Aimed at on-the-go professionals who need high performance in a lightweight machine, the ThinkPad P14s Gen 5 weighs in at just 2.89lbs and comes with up to 96GB DDR5 and up to a 2TB PCIe 4x4 Performance SSD.

There’s a choice of touch or non-touch displays in 2.8K OLED (2880x1800) or WUXGA FHD+ (1920x1200), with a 3M Optical Film solution to increases brightness to 400 nits while reportedly using up to 16% less power.

Poor choice of battery

The device comes equipped with an array of ports that include two USB-A, two USB-C Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1 TDMS, a mic/headphone jack, RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet, and optional Smart Card Reader, and Nano SIM2 slot. There’s a 5MP camera with a privacy shutter, or a 5MP RGB +IR webcam if you prefer.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the device supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, along with optional 5G WWAN, and NFC.

Oddly, Lenovo has chosen to saddle this powerful workhorse with a weedy 39.3Whr battery. The reasoning behind this decision remains a mystery, but at least it's a customer-replaceable model and there's the option of upgrading to a more substantial 52.5Whr battery should you want a machine that doesn't require plugging in all the time.

The workstation comes with Windows 11 Pro and is qualified for Ubuntu Linux, Red Hat Enterprise and Fedora. You can choose between a backlit or non backlit keyboard.

Availability for the Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 5 mobile workstation begins in late May 2024. The anticipated starting price is $1,379, but you'll want to factor in the better battery when budgeting for it.

More from TechRadar Pro

• These are the best business laptops around today
• These are the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops you can buy
• Lenovo unveils its new range of ThinkPad L business laptops

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/0gymqpA

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 could well get its official unveiling within the next couple of months, but until then the leaks continue – including a new look at the front cover screen and bezels of the upcoming foldable phone.

This brief glimpse of the handset is provided by the reliable tipster Ice Universe, and according to a follow-up reply to the social media post, the bezels on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 cover screen are going to be the same size on both sides of the display.

While it's not the most detailed of leaks, it does back up what we've previously heard about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 getting thinner bezels than its predecessor. The rumor is that changes to the bezel production process could help keep costs down too.

Another rumor doing the rounds suggests that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is due to get a wider cover display this year, meaning it'll look and function more like a standard smartphone when you've got it closed shut in your hand.

A foldable, or two?

External screen. You know. pic.twitter.com/Zq6lWS2l6SMay 24, 2024

See more

From what we've already heard, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is set to get a 6.3-inch cover screen, with a 22:9 aspect ratio. As you'll see from our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review, that's a change from a 6.2-inch, 23.1:9 aspect ratio cover screen.

It's fair to say this isn't the most comprehensive Galaxy Z Fold 6 leak we've ever seen, but they're all of interest. We've previously seen unofficial renders of this book-style foldable phone from Samsung, and this new picture matches up with them.

In a follow-up to the original post, Ice Universe suggests that we won't be getting a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra model, which has been hinted at in earlier leaks. There has been some confusion in general about the different models we might see.

All will be made clear when this foldable sees the light of day – and according to the rumors that should be July 10, when we're also likely to see the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3, and the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

You might also like

• Samsung's next foldables tipped to get major display changes
• 5 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 upgrades we really want
• Mysterious Z Fold 6 Slim and Z Flip 6 Slim models could be coming

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/mnghdAT

This week we were treated to new Microsoft AI and laptop announcements, the arrival of Sonos’ first-ever headphones, and the launch of the new Sonos Roam 2 speaker.

To get you caught up to speed on these and others, we’ve rounded up the top seven tech news stories that happened in the last seven days.

Scroll down to read them, and we’ll catch you next week for another quickfire tech news round up.

7. The Sonos Ace landed with Dolby Atmos and ANC

(Image credit: Sonos)

In a week that saw the multi-room audio pioneer deal with criticism from fans over how it handled its recent controversial app overhaul, Sonos would much rather you focus on its shiny new product additions – including its first-ever headphones. 

They’re called the Sonos Ace, and they are wireless, over-ear cans with nice slimline ear cups. Yes, the aesthetic is remarkably similar to the Apple AirPods Max, but with more pill-shaped ear cups and a softer Sonos-white finish. However, as you’d imagine, the feature set is quite different. They have Wi-Fi built-in and can connect to a Sonos soundbar to play all your TV's audio from it, in head-tracked spatial audio. That said, this feature only works with Sonos Arc at launch but will come to the Sonos Beam, Sonos Beam Gen 2, and Sonos Ray in the future.

What can’t they do? Surprisingly, they cannot work with your Sonos multi-room system. To explain, they can’t do what the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 lets users of Bowers & Wilkins Formation products do: easily switch between listening at home – maybe on their Zeppelin or Formation Wedge speakers – and listening on the move, with their B&W headphones. That was an industry first, but given Sonos’ admirable collection of speakers, it’s surprising not to see some sort of audio handoff solution in its debut headphones…

• Read more: Sonos announces its first headphones with noise cancellation and Dolby Atmos

 6. Sonos casually released the Roam 2 

(Image credit: Sonos)

Sonos also unveiled a follow-up to its Sonos Roam – one of the best Bluetooth speakers – this week with the Roam 2, though there was much less fanfare for this product than the Ace headphones.

Perhaps because, save for a couple of small design changes – the logo now matches the color of the speaker; there are more color options with green, blue, and red options joining the original’s black and white; and there’s a dedicated Bluetooth button – the Roam 2 doesn’t seem all that different. 

The $179 / £179 / AU$299 price, IP67 waterproof rating, and meager 10-hour battery life all remain. We’ll have to test its audio abilities to see if they’ve improved, but if you already own a Roam, it looks like a Sonos Move 2 might be a better upgrade option.

•  Read more: Sonos casually launches the Roam 2 with easier Bluetooth pairing, but confirms our fears about the stamina

5. Microsoft revealed some serious MacBook Air and iPad Pro rivals

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Apple’s M-series chips were a game-changer for MacBooks and iPads when they landed a few years ago, and this week, Microsoft fought back spectacularly. Its new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro feature new Snapdragon X chips, which should mean blistering performance, battery-preserving efficiency, and AI smarts.

The early signs are promising as well, with early benchmarking tests suggesting that Microsoft’s new laptops could even edge the M3 MacBook Air for performance and battery life (albeit with the assistance of built-in fans). Our hands-on Microsoft Surface Laptop review states that it could be “the most important laptop of the decade," while our early Microsoft Surface Pro review suggests it’ll give the iPad Pro a serious run for its money.

In other words, watch this space – our guide to the best laptops could soon get its biggest shakeup for a while once those full Surface reviews are in.

• Read more: Microsoft says its new Surface Laptops beat the MacBook Air, but is it the right comparison?

4. Copilot got an upgrade

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

As part of Build 2024, Microsoft followed the recent trend of software showcases by demoing new AI-powered features for its Copilot assistant.

Copilot is being integrated into the Windows 11 operating system, and ChaGPT-4o will be added, too. This will allow you to ask the AI to help you navigate an app or game you’ve not tried before – kind of like an interactive walkthrough tutorial. We saw it guide someone through Minecraft... and it was actually surprisingly helpful (though take these curated AI demos with a pinch of salt).

It also announced some new Copilot+ features that’ll be exclusive to powerful hardware. Unfortunately, not everyone is a fan of some new tools, cough Recall’s potentially disastrous privacy implications. 

• Read more: The Microsoft Surface and Copilot AI event as it happened

3. Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature could already be in trouble 

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Also announced at Build 2024, Copilot+ PC users (with powerful enough hardware) can access a tool called Recall. This allows their computer to track everything they do – even taking screenshots every minute or so – so it can remember something they were doing earlier.

Billed by Microsoft as a handy assistant, many users are terrified by the privacy implications of this software and in the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) (which oversees data privacy and related regulations) is reportedly investigating the feature.

Microsoft has said it’s taken several precautions, like only storing this data locally, and saying it won’t be used to train its AI. Still, these promises haven’t assuaged many people’s fears. We’ll just have to wait and see what ICO and others make of the situation.

• Read more: Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water 

2. ChatGPT lost its Sky voice 

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Silvi Photo / OpenAI)

Last week, when OpenAI showcased its new Sky voice for ChatGPT, many people – us included – noted it sounded a lot like Scarlet Johansson’s AI character in Her. It turns out Johansson thought the same thing, and she’s apparently annoyed about it.

She told NPR that she was "shocked, angered and in disbelief" that OpenAI would seemingly use “a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine," especially as she had apparently declined a deal to license her voice to them – having been asked twice, with one request coming very soon before last week’s showcase.

OpenAI, for its part, has rejected claims that Sky is based on Johansson. But that hasn’t stopped it from pulling the voice from the platform due to pressure from Johansson’s lawyers, and their statement might be a little undermined by a Sam Altman tweet made after the showcase that simply said “her.”

Some users took to social media to beg OpenAI to return the Sky voice to ChatGPT, though that’ll likely depend on how this dispute between OpenAI and Johansson continues.

• Read more: Bereft ChatGPT fans start petition to bring back controversial 'Sky' chatbot voice 

1. Panasonic took on the Fujifilm X100VI with its full-frame Lumix S9

(Image credit: Panasonic)

This week, Panasonic announced the Lumix S9, a vibrant and compact new full-frame mirrorless camera clearly designed for social media stars. 

Its size (it's Panasonic's smallest ever full-frame L-mount camera) makes it easier to pack in your bags when you go on your next vacation, and it pairs with a dedicated Lumix Lab app so you can share your snaps directly to your phone, and with your followers.

If you want to pick one up, it'll set you back $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,699 for the body, and then $219 / £219 / AU$349 for the new 26mm f/8 pancake lens, and so far, we've found that it packs a lot of sophisticated video features into a fun package. We have some gripes, though, which we go through in-depth in our Panasonic Lumix S9 review.

• Read more: Hands on Panasonic Lumix S9 review – small, simple, powerful, flawed

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/SuwCGTo

Netflix has revealed that One Piece season 1 was the most popular series among its fanbase between June and December 2023.

In the second edition of its 'What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report' series, the streaming giant confirmed that One Piece's first season was the most-watched show on its platform in the second half of 2023. Considering that it spent three weeks at the summit of Netflix's Top 10 TV chart – a performance that made it king of the TV high seas in mid-August 2023 – and five weeks in the top 10 overall, that'll come as little surprise to some readers. Given its impressive display, you won't be shocked to know that One Piece season 2 is in development.

But I digress. What's most impressive about One Piece's accomplishment is just how popular it proved to be. 

In total, 71.6 million people tuned into watch some of Netflix's live-action adaptation, whether that's a single episode or the full season. Few other series came close to matching one of the best Netflix shows' treasure-like haul of 541.9 million hours streamed, too. In fact, only one other Netflix TV Original managed to do so – King The Land: Limited Series, a Korean rom-com, surprisingly amassed a whopping 630.2 million hours viewed. However, thanks to its incredibly long episodic runtimes (compared to One Piece, anyway), King: The Land was only seen by 33.2 million people – a haul only good enough to net it 14th position on Netflix's latest bi-annual TV chart.

Shock successes dominate the Netflix TV charts

Henry Cavill's final outing as Geralt in The Witcher season 3 drew in enough viewers to give it a top five finish (Image credit: Susie Allnutt/Netflix)

While King: The Land couldn't wrestle the 'most-watched Netflix show' crown from One Piece's grasp, it wasn't the only surprise inclusion in the top-20 most popular series on the world's best streaming service between last June and December.

Obliterated, Netflix's hardcore action-comedy from Cobra Kai's creators that was canceled after a single season, actually performed better than anyone expected, sneaking into the top 20 with a not-too-shabby haul of 27 million views. If it wasn't for the critically acclaimed The Fall of The House of Usher's bigger haul of hours streamed – 223.4 million hours viewed to 184.8 million – Obliterated would have bagged itself a 19th placed finish instead.

There were, though, even bigger shocks than Obliterated. Popular shows including The Witcher, Sex Education, Lupin, and The Lincoln Lawyer all managed to nab spots in the top 10, but none of them came close to reining in One Piece. Indeed, Lupin Part 3 could only muster up 49.7 million views to finish 4th, while The Witcher season 3 (47.9 million), Sex Education season 4 (46.3 million), and The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 (35.7 million) finished 5th, 6th, and 10th respectively.

Despite mixed reviews, Who Is Erin Carter? was a big hit among Netflix's global userbase (Image credit: Netflix)

Okay, so if none of these seemingly popular and/or hit shows finished runner-up to One Piece, which ones did?

In a turn up for the books, Dear Child, a German crime-thriller series, took second place in the period running June to December 2023. It only accrued 252.8 million hours streamed but, thanks to its short episodic runtimes, that translates to 52.5 million total views, which is only 20 million less than Netflix's live-action remake of One Piece accumulated.

Even more bizarre is what finished in the bronze medal position. Who Is Erin Carter?, another thriller series (albeit a British one), snatched third place ahead of its competitors with 286.2 million hours streamed and a total haul of 50.1 million views. Why is Erin Carter's position in the final standings so unexpected? Because, based on its mixed reception – it holds 67% critical and 54% audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes – it shouldn't have been as popular as it is. It just goes to show, then, that using Rotten Tomatoes scores to decide whether you should watch and a show or not isn't always a good idea.

There are other unexpected TV winners and losers on Netflix from the latter half of 2023. The Crown season 6 was, based on its paltry 25.2 million views haul, a certified dud. Netflix's latest engagement report also shows just how popular Suits proved to be following its debut on the streamer last June – the legal drama, which starred Meghan Markle for much of its run, racking up an insurmountable 144 million views across its nine seasons. Even older Netflix originals, such as Wednesday and The Night Agent's first seasons, continued to attract new viewers – the pair mustering up 23.9 million and 19 million views respectively.

What does all of this tell us, then? As much as we think we know which shows will be hits, it's far more difficult to determine what TV series will be popular with the masses. Just look at something like Baby Reindeer, which debuted to little fanfare in early 2024 and has gone on to be Netflix's biggest TV success story so far this year. Don't be surprised if, in six months' time, I'm telling you that Baby Reindeer was the most-streamed series of the period running January to June 2024.

You might also like

• Find out everything we know about Wednesday season 2
• Or get the lowdown on Stranger Things season 5
• Arcane season 2: here's what we know about the hit animated series' return

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/2LQp7Oi

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has finally raced into theaters worldwide. One of 2024's most anticipated new movies, the Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth-starring action flick earned rave reviews from critics ahead of its global launch, so you'll want to head to your nearest theater to catch it on the big screen today.

But what if you want to watch the Mad Max pre-sequel film from the comfort of your own home? Well, you'll be waiting a while to witness Furiosa on your TV screen, as it doesn't yet have a confirmed streaming release date in the US, UK, Australia, or anywhere else for that matter.

Still, that won't stop us from speculating as to when we might see Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on some of the world's best streaming services. Below, we explain when we expect to see George Miller's new magnum opus on Max in the US, as well as when and where it could be available to watch on British and Australian shores. You'll find other important information about it, too, including its official trailer and runtime, in another section further down this page.

But enough stalling – here's what you need to know about Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga's potential streaming launch date.

When will Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga be released on Max?

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga doesn't have an official streaming release date yet but, based on other recent Warner Bros. feature films, we can speculate on when it might.

Let's start with Barbie, which arrived on Max nearly five months after its theatrical debut. The Margot Robbie-starring fantasy comedy-drama landed in theaters on July 21, but didn't make its way onto the super-streamer until December 15. That decision was likely down to its barnstorming box office success – Barbie earned a whopping $1.45 billion globally – as Warner looked to make as much money as possible from ticket sales.

Other Warner Bros. films have joined Max's back catalog much sooner, though. Aquaman 2 made a splash on Max just two months after its December 22 release (February 27, to be precise). Wonka didn't take its sweet time doing likewise, either, as it landed on Max on March 8, almost three months after its arrival in cinemas. Most recently, Dune Part 2 spiced things up on the service on May 21, around 10 weeks after its critically-acclaimed run on the silver screen.

So, when could Furiosa make its Max bow? Based on the above, it's likely to arrive between 10 to 12 weeks after its May 24 theatrical debut, which means the earliest it could land on Max (and join our best Max movies list) is early August. New Max movies, especially Warner Bros' most recent theatrical releases, ordinarily debut on Wednesdays, too, so our most logical guess would be August 2 or 9.

Where can I stream Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in the UK?

Chris Hemsworth's Dementus won't be coming to a UK streamer near you anytime soon. (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

We don't know when or where Furiosa will be available at home in the UK yet. Ordinarily, we'd expect it to make its way onto Sky and Now TV, as this pair are home to various Warner Bros. movies and HBO TV shows, including Zack Snyder's Justice League and House of the Dragon.

However, the likes of Aquaman 2, Wonka, and Dune Part 2 are only available to rent and/or buy via digital stores. Unlike Max, then, Sky and Now TV aren't likely to be the home of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga when it makes its way to British shores. Okay, Barbie is currently available to watch on Sky and Now TV, but that's the exception to the rule, unfortunately.

With all of that said, we wouldn't be surprised if Furiosa is only available to rent and/or buy on stores owned by Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and YouTube when it makes its UK streaming bow. And, with Max not set to debut in the UK until 2026 at the earliest, that'll remain the case for another 18 months.

Once a streaming release date is confirmed for Furiosa in the UK, we'll update this guide.

What streamer can I watch Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on in Australia?

Sorry, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga won't be available to stream in Australia for a while, either (Image credit: Jasin Boland)

Just as for the UK, no Australian streaming launch date has been announced for the fifth installment in the Mad Max movie franchise. And, like their British cousins, viewers down under will likely have to rent and/or buy Furiosa via online stores if they want to watch it in their own home.

There are examples of Warner Bros. movies making their way onto select streamers in Australia, however, such as The Batman (available now on Foxtel), Justice League (Binge/Foxtel), and The Flash (Netflix/Binge/Foxtel). There is a chance, then, that Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga might end up on one of these platforms. Until we hear otherwise, we can't confirm if this will be the case.

What is the runtime for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga?

"Ladies and gentlemans! Start your engines..." (Image credit: Jasin Boland)

Furiosa: A Mad Saga runs for two hours and 28 minutes. That includes its end credits sequence, plus any potential mid- and post-credits scenes that it may contain.

Is it worth buying a ticket to see it on the biggest screen possible, too? Yes, according to its near-universally positive reviews. Per Rotten Tomatoes, Furiosa holds – at the time of writing – an 88% approval rating among critics. That places it behind Mad Max: Fury Road's near-perfect 97% critical score, but it's nonetheless an incredibly impressive showing for a pre-sequel film that arrives nearly a decade after Fury Road. In short: go and watch it right away.

You might also like

• These are the best Max shows to stream today
• House of the Dragon season 2: everything we know so far
• The Last of Us season 2: get the lowdown on the hit show's next installment

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/vVn1zOZ