News

Russia passes law against VPN usage and ‘extremist’ content search - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 11:15

Russian Parliament passed a law to punish online searches for so-called 'extremist' content
The law also adds new penalties for VPN users, making its usage to access extremist content a crime as an aggravating factor
WhatsApp is the latest app set to be banned in Russia

People in Russia are set to face new fines for "searching for or accessing knowingly extremist materials," including through VPN services.

Russian Parliament, the State Duma, passed the new law on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with 306 votes in favor, 67 against, and 22 abstaining – as reported by Russian Independent news outlet Meduza.

The law has so far attracted strong criticism, even among pro-government figures, according to Reuters. Digital rights experts are also raising the alarm.

Russia VPN – what's changing with the new law?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a crucial tool for people in Russia, thanks to its IP-spoofing capabilities that allow bypassing of government-imposed geo-restrictions, as well as strong encryption to help fight back against online surveillance. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Kremlin's fight against VPN usage certainly isn't new. As more people in Russia have turned to the best VPN apps to bypass ever-stricter internet censorship, authorities have been doing their best to prevent this.

From deploying sophisticated VPN blocking techniques in March 2024, the government introduced for the first time a law to criminalize the spread of information about ways to circumvent internet restrictions.

That's likely the basis that led the Kremlin's infamous censorship body regulator Roskomnadzor, to issue VPN removal demands against the Big Tech giant. Apple was the most complainant of the lot, killing at least 60 VPN apps, including the popular Russian service Amnezia VPN, from July 2024 onwards alone.

Now, the new law introduces additional penalties for violating rules on VPN usage. This means that advertising VPN services can now cost individuals between 50,000–80,000 rubles ($640–$1,020). This rises to 80,000–150,000 rubles ($1,020–$1,900) for officials, and 200,000–500,000 rubles ($2,550–$6,380) for legal entities.

As Meduza reported, lawmakers also adopted a provision that makes using a VPN to access extremist content "a crime as an aggravating factor."

How Russia's new law affect VPN users?

According to the Kremlin, banning the online search of so-called extremist content comes as an alternative to completely blocking foreign platforms.

"In our understanding, this [the adoption of the bill] allows us to strike a balance: on the one hand, to prevent the further dissemination of extremist materials, [and] on the other hand, to refrain from blocking major Western platforms for now," said Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev – Interfax reported.

Crucially, Shadayev also assures that "ordinary users will not be affected," despite failing to explain how.

This assurance isn't, however, convincing digital rights experts who now fear stronger repercussions against dissidents.

Talking to The Moscow Times, co-founder of Russian digital advocacy group Roskomsvoboda, Sarkis Darbinyan said: "If you have a VPN on your phone, that alone might be enough to trigger a deeper check. Eventually, we could see criminal charges for VPN use after just one or two warnings – like with the law on foreign agents."

It's also worth mentioning that the highly popular WhatsApp app is now likely to be restricted in Russia.

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Cancelling a Subscription? Apple Lets Devs Make You an Offer You (Maybe) Can't Refuse - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 16:12

The change to Apple's API comes after the "Click to Cancel" rule was shot down in a US court.

The Next Planet Parade Takes Place at the End of August. Here's How to See It - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 16:44

Eagle-eyed sky watchers will be able to catch Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus in the sky at the same time.

Gig Speeds for Every American? Trump FCC Moves to Drop One of the Group’s Most Ambitious Goals - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 17:26

The Federal Communications Commission will vote on adopting the new rules next month.

New Speed Test Results Reveal AT&T Fiber as the Fastest Internet Provider in the US - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 18:06

Ookla just released its first Speedtest Connectivity Report for 2025.

Yes, You Can Still Get Student Loan Forgiveness With IBR. What You Need to Know - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 19:05

Forgiveness on IBR plans has been paused. Expect delays, but forgiveness will resume eventually, says this expert.

Social Security: A Guide to Applying for Retirement Benefits - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 19:40

Here's how to apply for Social Security Benefits, and what you need to have ready when you do.

9 Wickedly Creative Lego Sets Debuting at Comic-Con 2025 - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 20:30

New Stranger Things, Batman and Wicked bricks are rolling out, along with a Game Boy pack.

Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, July 24 - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 22:09

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 24.

This devious RFQ scam is letting hackers steal real-life goods - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 12:10

Proofpoint observed hackers using stolen files to spoof businesses
The threat actors would send RFQ emails and ask for Net 45 financing terms
The goods would end up sold in African countries

Cybercriminals have found a way to leverage stolen company files to obtain actual physical goods, and it revolves around a business practice called Request for Quote (RFQ).

An Request for Quote is when one business asks another how much it would cost to purchase certain products, and is used when buying in bulk, wanting to compare prices, or looking for volume-based discounts.

But according to security researchers at Proofpoint, scammers are using files stolen in other cyberattacks to spoof the businesses and create convincing RFQ emails.

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Shipping to Ghana

In the emails, they would ask for all kinds of equipment, from networking gear, to CCTV cameras, healthcare hardware, and similar.

After receiving a quote, they would then ask for Net 15/30/45 financing terms - payment terms that give the buyer 15, 30, or 45 days to pay the full invoice amount, with interest, *after* receiving the goods - which is common practice in B2B transactions.

If the victim business agrees, the scammers would share a shipping address. Sometimes, these are residential addresses, and other times, they lead to rented warehouses across the US. From there, the crooks would hire shipping forwarding services that specialize in sending goods to West African countries like Nigeria and Ghana, where the gear ends up (likely to be sold).

The victim, on the other hand, never gets their money as the scammers just disappear.

Proofpoint also stated the shipping forwarding services most likely don’t even know they’re transporting stolen goods, and that people living in houses listed as the shipping address can be scammers, or former scam victims themselves looking to pay off a debt.

The researchers also said they were tracking and blocking emails associated with RFQ scam groups, and partnered with the company’s Takedown Team to successfully take down 19 domains associated with these scams.

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Wednesday season 3 is confirmed by Netflix and I’m thrilled this Tim Burton series isn’t dead in the ground - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 12:11

Wednesday has been renewed for season 3
This news comes ahead of the season 2 premier on August 6
The creators have teased they "want to continue digging deeper into characters while expanding the world of Nevermore"

Wednesday season 3 is officially happening, with Netflix confirming the news ahead of the upcoming Wednesday season 2 premier on August 6.

The news was confirmed on Wednesday (of course), July 23, when Netflix shared a new poster featuring the iconic disembodied hand, aka Thing, holding a crystal ball with the number 3 on it.

A post shared by Wednesday Netflix (@wednesdaynetflix)

A photo posted by on

The tagline reads "bad things come in threes", focusing on the Addams Family's tendency to focus on the macabre and thankfully not the quality of the series. It's one of our best Netflix shows for a reason after all.

Speaking about the renewal, co-creator and co-showrunner Alfred Gough said in a press release: “Our goal for season 3 is the same as it is for every season: to make it the best season of Wednesday we possibly can. We want to continue digging deeper into our characters while expanding the world of Nevermore and Wednesday.”

What's coming up on Netflix's Wednesday?

The wider Addams Family will be explored in Wednesday season 2. (Image credit: Netflix)

Right now it feels like the world is Wednesday's oyster, as Wednesday season 2 is shaping up to be bigger and better than the first installment. I enjoyed the first season immensely and can't wait to see the new one.

Season 2 will focus on the wider family, much to Wednesday's horror, with creator Tim Burton teasing to Tudum: "This year, we bring the family to Nevermore. Your family at school is the worst thing possible, isn’t it?”

We should expect to see an expansion of the lore focusing on both Nevermore Academy, the school for outcasts which Wednesday attends, as well as meeting some more members of the morbid family.

Following Gwendoline Christie's departure in season 1, legendary actor Steve Buscemi steps into the role of Nevermore's principal, while British icon Joanna Lumley plays Wednesday's grandmother. So there's an expansion of the already brilliant cast this season, as seen in this sneak peek which teases bucketloads of Addams Family lore.

As for season 3, we'll have to wait and see where the story goes but I'm confident it'll keep going from strength to strength. With plenty of dark and comical Addams Family lore to dive into, I could quite happily watch many more seasons of this.

The new season is split into two parts this time, mirroring popular shows like Stranger Things season 5. The second part of Wednesday season 2 releases on September 3, so there's not too much of a wait.

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Dangerous new malware exploits Windows accessibility tools to hijack banking accounts - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 13:03

Banking trojan Coyote now abuses Microsoft’s UI Automation framework
The framework allows it to spot when a person opens a banking site
It can cross-reference the data in the browser with a hardcoded list of banking and crypto apps

Coyote, a known banking trojan malware capable of attacking dozens of crypto and banking apps, has been upgraded to identify crypto exchanges and bank accounts opened in the web browser, experts have warned.

Cybersecurity researchers Akamai, who have been warning about Coyote since December 2024, noted how in previous iterations, Coyote would either log keys or present phishing overlays, in order to exfiltrate login information for 75 banking and cryptocurrency exchange apps. However, if a user would open these accounts in the browser, Coyote wouldn’t be triggered.

However this new variant abuses Microsoft’s UI Automation framework to identify which banking and crypto exchange sites the victim opened in their browser, too.

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Brazilians in the crosshairs

Microsoft's UI Automation (UIA) framework is an accessibility system that helps software interact with Windows apps.

It’s especially useful for things like screen readers and automated testing, as it lets programs “see” buttons, menus, and other parts of an app, and even click or read them.

According to Akamai, Coyote can now use UIA to read the web address found in the browser’s tabs or address bar, and then compare the results with a hardcoded list of 75 targeted services. If it finds a match, it will use UIA to parse through the UI child elements, trying to find which tabs or address bars there are.

"The content of these UI elements will then be cross-referenced with the same list of addresses from the first comparison,” they explained.

Akamai says that Coyote primarily targets Brazilian users. The banks it usually goes after are Banco do Brasil, CaixaBank, Banco Bradesco, Santander, Original bank, Sicredi, Banco do Nordeste, Expanse apps, and different crypto exchanges (Binance, Electrum, Bitcoin, Foxbit, and more).

The researchers first warned about UIA being abused in credential theft late last year, and now their predictions seem to have come true, since Coyote is apparently the first one to use this tactic in the wild.

Via BleepingComputer

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The DCU's most unlikely TV show is reportedly moving forward at HBO Max as Booster Gold finds its showrunner - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 13:15

Booster Gold is said to be moving ahead on HBO Max
The DC Universe TV show has reportedly had its pilot episode greenlit
Our Flag Means Death's showrunner is apparently on board to helm it

It's been two and a half years since James Gunn announced the original line-up for Chapter One of the new-look DC Universe (DCU) – and, finally, one of its most unexpected projects appears to be moving forward.

According to Deadline, Booster Gold, a TV series we've heard nothing about since Gunn confirmed it was part of his and Peter Safran's DCU Chapter One plans, has had its pilot episode greenlit by HBO Max.

The series has also seemingly found its creator. David Jenkins, who's best known for his work on Our Flag Means Death, aka one of the best HBO Max shows that was unceremoniously canceled after two seasons last January, is believed to have signed on to helm its first entry.

If HBO executives like what they see, Deadline's sources have indicated it'll order a whole series, with Jenkins in line to be installed as its showrunner.

A post shared by Deadline (@deadline)

A photo posted by on

If true, Booster Gold will be the second DCU project that's received a development, well, boost in recent days.

On July 21, Gunn confirmed the lead writer for the DCU's Wonder Woman movie. Meanwhile, Clayface, one of two DC comic book films set for release in 2026 alongside Supergirl, may have found its lead actress in Star Wars alumna Naomi Ackie, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, published yesterday, July 22, 2025.

But back to Booster Gold. There's only one way we'll know if Jenkins is involved and whether the show's pilot has been approved, and that's by hearing from Gunn.

At the time of publication, the DC Studios co-chief hadn't taken to social media to confirm or deny Deadline's report. I'll update this article if he does and/or if I hear back from HBO, whom I've reached out to about the forthcoming TV project.

Who is Booster Gold?

Created by Dan Jurgens, Booster Gold – real name Michael Jon 'Booster' Carter – is a US footballer-turned-superhero who actually hails from the future. In DC literature, he wasn't born until the 25th century, but like Batman, he calls Gotham City his home.

Or, he used to. You see, Carter was a rising football star for Gotham University. However, after his deadbeat father re-entered his life and convinced him to deliberately lose games for gambling reasons, it wasn't long until Carter was exposed for his crimes and expelled from studying at the prestigious institution.

Carter's days of breaking the law weren't over, though. After taking a job as a nightwatchman at the Metropolis Space Museum, he learned all about the 20th century's most famous heroes via the superpowered artifacts on display.

Long story short: with the aid of his robot sidekick Skeets, Carter steals some of the aforementioned tech, travels back in time to the 20th century, and uses his newly-acquired gadgets to remodel himself as Booster Gold, a showboating metahuman who can fly, create energy blasts, gains the usual superhuman abilities via his power-suit and, of course, time travel.

Despite making his debut in 'Booster Gold' #1 in February 1986 and being a member of popular DC superteam The Justice League, Carter hasn't gone on to achieve the level of fame in the real world that Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have. If anyone can breathe new life into this C-list superhero and turn him into a household name, though, it's Gunn – with more than a little help from Jenkins, of course.

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Dell will have a laptop with 256GB RAM later this year thanks to CAMM2 - Pro Max 18 Plus eschews AMD Ryzen and I can't quite understand why - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 13:27

Dell Pro Max 18 Plus workstation already supports up to 128GB of CAMM2 RAM
256GB configuration is expected soon for data-heavy or AI-driven work
Oddly no AMD support despite clear AI and performance-focused design goals

Dell is planning to offer a high-end workstation laptop with a massive 256GB memory option later this year.

The Dell Pro Max 18 Plus is already available to buy now and sits at the top of Dell’s mobile workstation lineup, as we predicted it would last year.

It’s powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor, paired with up to an Nvidia RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell GPU, and supports up to 4TB of SSD storage, making it one of the best business laptops around.

But no AMD option?

Memory configurations start with a single 16GB 6400MTs DDR5 CSoDIMM and users can upgrade to 32GB or 64GB using dual modules.

There’s also the option for 128GB of 6400MTs CAMM2 dual channel memory, although you’ll pay a premium for it – an additional $1,895 to the total price in fact.

And if 128GB still isn’t enough, Dell plans to offer a 256GB CAMM2 RAM option later in the year.

While 256GB will be well beyond what most users need, it could appeal to engineers, researchers, and developers who regularly work with demanding datasets and compute-heavy workloads.

Dell has made thermal improvements to the Pro Max 18 Plus to keep performance consistent under load. It claims up to a 44 percent increase in graphics performance compared to the previous 18-inch model.

The system also features better serviceability, with a modular USB-C port and an easy-access upgrade panel.

Combined with Dell’s manageability tools and security features, it is clearly built for enterprise environments.

One noticeable omission is AMD support. Dell’s Pro Max 14 includes Ryzen AI processors and is part of the Copilot+ lineup, which makes it all the more unusual that the 18 Plus, positioned as the most capable model, doesn’t offer AMD options.

With Ryzen processors widely praised for their NPU performance and strong efficiency, their absence may be something of a deal breaker for users looking for AI-focused alternatives.

We can only hope that Dell sees the error of its ways and brings AMD options to future Pro Max models.

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Everything new on Disney+ in August 2025: stream 26 new TV shows and 4 new movies, including Eyes of Wakanda and more - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 14:00

At the moment, there's a lot going on over at Disney+, who's gearing up to release a slate of new titles in August. Indeed, when it comes to its next monthly schedule, it's TV shows galore.

New Marvel animated miniseries Eyes of Wakanda lands on Disney+ August 27, marking the 15th television installment in the MCU and the first series in Phase Six. As well as the new Marvel show, there are plenty of documentary and reality shows to choose from, including new episodes of Limitless: Live Better Now with Chris Hemsworth and Project Runway – which has reached an impressive 21 seasons.

While it's exciting to see fresh shows come to one of the best streaming services, it's best to note that the availability of the following Disney+ titles are subject to change and will vary by region – so it's best to keep this in mind when looking for your next TV obsession.

August 1

King & Prince: What We Got (Japanese Version)
Outdoor Adventure Stream

August 3

Naming the Dead season 1 episodes 1-6

August 6

Christmas Wars season 1, episodes 1-2
Christmas Wars season 2, episodes 1-4
Low Life season 1, episodes 1-2
Rachael Ray’s Holidays season 1, episodes 1-4
Raising Asia season 1, episodes 1-13
Wild Vietnam season 2, episodes 1-2
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder season 3

August 7

Ancient Aliens: Origins season 1, episodes 1-12
Project Runway season 21, episode 3

August 8

Christmas Hotel (movie)
A Christmas in Tennessee (movie)
The Christmas Pact (movie)
Radio Christmas (movie)
SuperKitties: Su-Purr Adventures: Shorts season 2, episodes 1-10

August 10

Traveling with Snow Man episode 2

August 12

Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends season 1, episodes 1-6

August 13

Chibiverse season 2, episodes 1-3
Chibiverse season 3, episodes 1-12
Low Life season 1, episodes 1-2

August 14

Project Runway season 21, episode 4

August 15

Limitless: Live Better Now episodes 1-3
Stand Up to Cancer 2025

August 17

Disney Jr. Ariel - The Little Mermaid: Songs from the Crystal Cavern Shorts season1, episodes 1-10

August 20

Ice Road Rescue season 7, episodes 1-8
Ice Road Rescue season 8, episodes 1-8
Ice Road Rescue season 9, episodes 1-9
Reminder season 1, episodes 1-8

August 21

Me & Winnie the Pooh season 2, episodes 1-6
Project Runway season 21, episode 5

August 22

Disney Jr.’s Ariel season 1, episodes 1-8

August 25

The Last Rhinos: A New Hope (documentary)
LEGO Disney Princess: Villains Unite
Princess Stream

August 27

Chibi Tiny Tales: Shorts season 6, episodes 1-6
Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends season 4, episodes 1-3
Eyes of Wakanda episodes 1-4
Shipwreck Hunters Australia season 2, episodes 1-6

August 28

Project Runway season 21, episode 6

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Everything new on Netflix in August 2025: stream 49 movies and 31 TV shows, including Wednesday season 2 and more - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 15:00

Netflix never fails to let us down with its monthly additions of new movies and shows, and it's August schedule is no different. But there's one new show in particular that makes this month a rather exciting one.

After it shot to the top of the Netflix charts in 2022, comedy drama series Wednesday returns after a long three-year wait for a second season, with part one arriving August 6 and part two September 3. With the return of one of the nest Netflix shows just around the corner, we can't wait to see where Wednesday's journey will go next – but also Lady Gaga's cameo, which is what I'm most looking forward to.

As it is with every Netflix schedule, the first day of the month is packed with its usual slew of new movies. So, whether you're a big fan of crude comedies such as American Pie (1999) or sci-fi epics like Jurassic Park (1993), you're bound to find something new and exciting to add to your watchlist.

Everything new on Netflix in August 2025

Arriving on August 1

American Pie (movie)
American Pie 2 (movie)
Anaconda (movie)
Clueless (movie)
Dazed and Confused (movie)
The Departed (movie)
Despicable Me (movie)
Despicable Me 2 (movie)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (movie)
Fire Country season 2 (TV show)
Groundhog Day (movie)
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (movie)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (movie)
Jurassic Park (movie)
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (movie)
Jurassic Park III (movie)
Megamind (movie)
Minions (movie)
My Oxford Year (Netflix original movie)
Pawn Stars season 16 (TV show)
Perfect Match season 3 (Netflix original series)
Rush Hour (movie)
Rush Hour 2 (movie)
Rush Hour 3 (movie)
Thirteen (movie)
Weird Science (movie)
Wet Hot American Summer (movie)
Wyatt Earp (movie)

Arriving on August 2

Beyond the Bar (Netflix original series)

Arriving on August 5

Love Life seasons 1-2 (TV show)
SEC Football: Any Given Saturday (Netflix original series)
Titans: The Rise of Hollywood season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on August 6

Wednesday season 2 part 1 (Netflix original series)

Arriving on August 8

Stolen: Heist of the Century (Netflix original documentary)

Arriving on August 10

Marry Me (movie)

Arriving on August 11

Outlander season 7 part 1 (TV show)
Sullivan's Crossing season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on August 12

Final Draft (Netflix original series)
Jim Jefferies: Two Limb Policy (Netflix original comedy)

Arriving on August 13

Love Is Blind: UK season 2 (Netflix original series)
Fixed (Netflix original movie)
Saare Jahan Se Accha: The Silent Guardians (Netflix original series)
Songs From the Hole (Netflix original documentary)
Young Millionaires (Netflix original series)

Arriving on August 14

In the Mud (Netflix original series)
Miss Governor season 1 part 2 (Netflix original series)
Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II - The Ashes of Rage (Netflix original movie)
Quantum Leap seasons 1-2 (TV show)

Arriving on August 15

The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea’s Tragedies (Netflix original documentary)
Fatal Seduction season 2 (Netflix original series)
Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser (Netflix original documentary)
Night Always Comes (Netflix original movie)

Arriving on August 16

The Fast and the Furious (movie)
2 Fast 2 Furious (movie)
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (movie)
Fast Five (movie)
Fast & Furious 6 (movie)
Furious 7 (movie)
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (movie)

Arriving on August 18

CoComelon Lane season 5 (Netflix original series)
Extant seasons 1-2 (TV show)

Arriving on August 19

America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys (Netflix original series)
Titans: The Rise of Wall Street season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on August 20

Fisk season 3 (TV show)
Rivers of Fate (Netflix original series)

Arriving on August 21

The 355 (movie)
Death Inc. season 3 (Netflix original series)
Fall for Me (Netflix original movie)
Gold Rush Gang (Netflix original movie)
Hostage (Netflix original series)
One Hit Wonder (Netflix original movie)

Arriving on August 22

Abandoned Man (Netflix original movie)
Long Story Short (Netflix original series)
The Truth About Jussie Smollett (Netflix original documentary)

Arriving on August 27

Fantasy Football Ruined Our Lives (Netflix original movie)
Her Mother's Killer season 2 (Netflix original series)

Arriving on August 28

Barbie Mysteries: Beach Detectives (Netflix original series)
My Life With the Walter Boys season 2 (Netflix original series)
The Thursday Murder Club (Netflix original movie)

Arriving on August 29

Two Graves (Netflix original series)
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (Netflix original documentary)

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This nifty iPhone case gives your old model a USB-C upgrade to free you from dongle headaches - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 15:00

A new iPhone case gives older Lightning models a USB-C port
It supports fast charging ,and there are versions for most older iPhones
The iPh0n3 case is available now and costs around $55 / £40 / AU£85

If you have an older iPhone that frustrates you with its dated Lightning port, an engineer has just come up with a nifty solution – a phone case that gives it a USB port instead.

The Swiss engineer Ken Pillonel, who runs the YouTube channel Exploring the Simulation, previously achieved internet fame in 2021 for making the first ever USB-C iPhone. While that iPhone X mod was more a proof-of-concept, his new 'iPh0n3' USB-C case is available to buy right now at the Obsoless store.

The case, made from Nylon 12 plastic, is available for most pre-iPhone 15 models, dating back to the iPhone XS and XR (and older models). It supports wireless and MagSafe charging, as well as fast charging and CarPlay.

The only drawback is that accessories that need power from the phone, like external storage or displays, unfortunately won't work with the USB-C port, as they're locked down to only work with Apple adapters.

But otherwise, the case can help bring your older iPhone into the dongle-free world of USB-C charging and accessories. The 'iPh0n3' case starts from 43.90 CHF (around $55 / £40 / AU£85) – and while quite a few models are already sold out, many are due back in stock by the end of August.

How it was built

While the USB-C iPhone case doesn't functionally do much more than put a Lightning-to-USB-C adapter inside a case, the engineering process (explained in the video above) was more complex than you might think.

In Ken Pillonel's attempts to solve the fast charging conundrum, he discovered that many existing Lightning adapters employ simple tricks that prevent them from working correctly with all USB-C cables.

Instead, his case uses various techniques, including parasitic powering, to help it detect which way your cable is plugged in, so it always supports 9V fast charging. Whether you're looking to buy the case or not, the video is an interesting watch.

The ultimate aim of the project is to lure you away from an unnecessary iPhone upgrade by giving your older model USB-C connectivity. Naturally, it can't lengthen the amount of time Apple will support your iPhone for (typically 7-8 years in terms of security updates), but it looks like a neat accessory that some will appreciate if they want to move to a Lightning-free life without upgrading their phone.

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Finally! Asus' 6K rival to Pro Display XDR will debut within weeks and will cost a fraction of its Apple rival - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 15:33

Asus ProArt PA32QCV offers 6K clarity and HDR600 without the eye-watering XDR price
Factory-calibrated color accuracy claims sound good on paper, but longevity remains an open question
HDR10 support and 10-bit color make this panel interesting for high-contrast workflows

Asus has announced the ProArt Display PA32QCV, a 6K-resolution business monitor aimed at creative professionals who require accurate color and sharp detail.

Priced at $1,299, it undercuts Apple’s $4,999 Pro Display XDR while targeting similar use cases in media production.

The PA32QCV delivers 6K visuals at 6016x3384 resolution, producing a pixel density of 218 pixels per inch, more than three times that of a standard 1080p monitor.

ProArt PA32QCV brings impressive specs that remain to be tested

This device also supports HDR10 and meets the VESA DisplayHDR 600 standard, which allows for brighter highlights, deeper contrast, and are particularly useful when working with high-dynamic-range content. The extra detail helps with crisper text, sharper lines, and more precise visuals.

In terms of color accuracy, Asus promises factory-calibrated Delta E<2 performance, backed by Calman Verification. The display covers 98% of the DCI-P3 color space, and it also offers 100% sRGB support and 10-bit depth, delivering over a billion colors.

This makes it a strong option for video editing and other color-critical tasks, although how long the factory calibration remains accurate is unclear.

The monitor includes dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, supporting data transfer, charging, and video passthrough through a single cable.

Other connectivity options include HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-A, and additional USB-C ports.

Auto KVM support adds flexibility, letting users control two connected computers with a single keyboard and mouse.

These features suggest it could serve well not only as a display for photo editing but also as a capable all-purpose business monitor.

Asus also emphasizes Mac compatibility. macOS users can adjust settings using the DisplayWidget Center app.

A new M Model-P3 preset aligns the display’s output with macOS devices.

Users can change brightness, contrast, and color temperature with a mouse, and MacBook brightness keys can control the monitor directly.

This may appeal to Mac-focused creatives, although such software tools often lack long-term support.

Asus is promoting a Creative Cloud giveaway with the display in some markets, but the value of bundled software depends on the user’s needs.

The bigger question is whether this 6K screen, despite its impressive specs, will meet the demands of professionals over time.

Via Techpowerup

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New noise-cancelling earbuds with Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC, and now a sub-$25 price? The audio world's gone loopy… - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 16:00

If I were to ask you to guess the price of a pair of noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds with hi-res audio streaming, incredibly long battery life and a six-mic setup for active noise cancellation, I suspect you'd start with a three-digit number. And yet Baseus's Bass BP1 Pro earbuds are less than twenty-five bucks on Amazon right now.

This is a triple-discounted price: the BP1 Pro earbuds are down from $39.99 to just $23.78. First of all, Amazon has dropped the price down to $27.99, and then it's added a second 15% off voucher that takes another $4.20 off the total price.

And you can get a free charging cable included that's ostensibly worth $18.99 included in that price, which has a screen on the cable that's supposed to show how charged your device is, handily.

Features like this are pretty rare in mid-tier earbuds, let alone in super-budget ones. I sure hope someone isn't getting fired for this blunder deal.

Don't forget to click the Redeem button next to the voucher details: this is a double discount but the second part isn't added until you click that button. And when you do it drops the price of these adaptive ANC, LDAC-streaming, 55-hour earbuds down to a frankly ridiculous $23.78 and gives you the option of a second pair for free. The deal applies to all three colors in the range: space black, ocean blue and moon white. And once you've done that, be sure to also click on the "How to claim" link next to the "Get 1 free item when you buy 1 select item(s)" offer, and follow the instructions for your free cable.View Deal

Baseus Bass BP1 Pro: lots of features for very little cash

At under $25, these buds are duking it out with the kind of headphones I'd go out of my way not to listen to. And yet the spec is very impressive, with support for LDAC hi-res audio, while active noise cancellation claims to reduce noise by up to 50dB. There are five different ANC modes, and a bass boost for music.

Battery life is decent, with up to 12 hours from the buds and a total 55 hours via the case, all with ANC off. With ANC on, you're still getting 7 hours from the buds and 36 hours from the case, which is pretty impressive and above average overall.

The buds also support rapid charging that'll give you 2.5 hours of music from 10 minutes on charge.

Bluetooth is 6.0 – 6.0! – and there are six mics for calling, and the buds are IP55 rated for dust and water. That makes them a pretty good option for the gym that I don't go to and the rainy walks my dog makes me go on. It's actually not that common for earbuds to be this well-waterproofed (it's often IPX4 at most), so it's another impressive box ticked here.

What do they sound like? I've no idea, but at this price I don't think I'd mind too much if they fall a bit short of the AirPods Max I paid nearly 20 times more for: they could sound like I'd been thrown into a metal waste bin that's being hit with baseball bats and I'd still consider getting them for the ANC alone, for times when I really need it from a pair of buds I can throw into any bag to take anywhere with me.

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