News

This devious ransomware is able to hijack your system to turn off Microsoft Defender - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 11:43
  • Experts warn Akira is using SonicWall VPNs to deploy two drivers
  • One is a legitimate, vulnerable driver that allows the other one to be executed
  • The other one disables antivirus and endpoint protection tools

Akira ransomware has dominated the headlines recently due to its abuse of SonicWall SSL VPNs to gain initial access and deploy an encryptor.

However, while initial access is important, it is still not enough to infect a device, especially if it’s protected by an antivirus, or an endpoint protection and response solution (EDR).

Now, security researchers from Guidepoint Security believe they have seen exactly how Akira disables security solutions, which allows them to drop the ransomware.

A handful of targets

In a recent report, researchers from Guidepoint outlined how Akira is engaged in a bring-your-own-vulnerable-driver (BYOD) attack, using the initial access to drop two drivers, one of which is legitimate.

“The first driver, rwdrv.sys, is a legitimate driver for ThrottleStop. This Windows-based performance tuning and monitoring utility is primarily designed for Intel CPUs,” the researchers explained. “It is often used to override CPU throttling mechanisms, improve performance, and monitor processor behavior in real time.”

The second driver, hlpdrv.sys is registered as a service but when executed, it modifies the DisableAntiSpyware settings of Windows Defender within the system registry.

“We assess that the legitimate rwdrv.sys driver may be used to enable the execution of the malicious hlpdrv.sys driver, though we have been unable to reproduce the exact mechanism of action at this time," the experts said.

Multiple researchers have observed attacks coming from SonicWall SSL VPN’s, and since some of the instances were fully patched, they have speculated the threat actors could be exploiting a zero-day vulnerability.

However, in a statement shared with TechRadar Pro, SonicWall said that the criminals were actually exploiting an n-day vulnerability.

“Based on current findings, we have high confidence that this activity is related to CVE-2024-40766, which was previously disclosed and documented in our public advisory SNWLID-2024-0015, not a new zero-day or unknown vulnerability,” the company said.

“The affected population is small, fewer than 40 confirmed cases, and appears to be linked to legacy credential use during migrations from Gen 6 to Gen 7 firewalls. We’ve issued updated guidance, including steps to change credentials and upgrade to SonicOS 7.3.0, which includes enhanced MFA protections.”

Via BleepingComputer

You might also like
Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 live: Blade release time, downtime, and our preview impressions leading up to launch - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 12:00

Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 is now less than 24 hours away. Blade will be added alongside a massive update that refreshes ranked play and tweaks Hero balancing. Here's TechRadar Gaming's live coverage of the launch, including info on the build-up to downtime.

Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 key info

Start time
Downtime
Blade info
Hero Balancing
Ranked Changes

Now that NetEase has revealed the full details for Marvel Rivals Season 3.5, we know that there's not long to wait before we get a whole host of new additions to the game. There's even a full roadmap for Season 3.5, detailing upcoming events, skins, and new maps and modes. It's regular updates like these that have kept Marvel Rivals ranked highly in our best PC games list since it launched.

I've now played hundreds of hours of Marvel Rivals and even got early access to the upcoming season. As such, I've played as Blade, testing out his unique abilities at the Practice Range. He's a powerful Duelist, and I could see him becoming a true contender in the coming days.

Here's everything you need to know about the launch of Marvel Rivals Season 3.5. I'll detail what's been announced as we move towards downtime. After that, you can follow my live impressions of the new season once Marvel Rivals is back online.

Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 start time

(Image credit: NetEase)

Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 will arrive after downtime expected to last 2-3 hours. As such, I've estimated the season's start time below:

  • East Coast (US): 7AM ET (August 8)
  • West Coast (US): 4AM PT (August 8)
  • United Kingdom: 12AM BST (August 8)
  • Europe (Central): 1PM CEST (August 8)
  • Japan (Tokyo): 8PM JST (August 8)
  • Australia (Sydney): 9PM AEST (August 8)
Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 downtime

(Image credit: NetEase)

Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 downtime kicks off at the times below:

  • East Coast (US): 5AM ET (August 8)
  • West Coast (US): 2AM PT (August 8)
  • United Kingdom: 10AM BST (August 8)
  • Europe (Central): 11AM CEST (August 8)
  • Japan (Tokyo): 6PM JST (August 8)
  • Australia (Sydney): 7PM AEST (August 8)

Downtime is estimated to be 2-3 hours according to NetEase, and the last two seasons have followed that guidance. Hopefully, things go according to plan, though I'll be updating this page live on the day with any news of potential delays.

Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 Blade

(Image credit: NetEase)

Blade will release on August 8, 2025, in Marvel Rivals. He's the new Hero that's being added as part of Season 3.5. As a new Duelist, Blade primarily focuses on damage output. He has a block that reduces incoming damage, a dash strike ability, a shotgun ranged attack, and a katana for close range.

Interestingly, Blade is able to unleash his Ultimate using Dracula's Sword. This deals massive damage to foes in a small area, and can even be used on flying enemies. Blade is also being added to the Moon Knight and Cloak & Dagger Team, so he will be able to cloak himself and reposition while staying invisible to opponents.

Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 Hero balancing

(Image credit: NetEase)

A bunch of Heroes are being tweaked for Marvel Rivals Season 3.5. Below, you'll find a summary of who's being nerfed and who's receiving a buff. For the full details on each character, head to this Marvel Rivals blog post.

  • Hero balancing (buffs): Star Lord, Iron Fist, Spider-Man, Dr Strange, Groot, Thor, Adam Warlock,
  • Hero Balancing (nerfs): Black Panther, Wolverine, Magneto, Mantis, Cloak & Dagger
Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 ranked changes

(Image credit: NetEase)

Ranked Mode is changing quite a bit for Marvel Rivals Season 3.5. Here are the key points:

  • New Rewards: Blade- Emerald Blade costume (Gold), new frames for Diamond and Platinum, Crests (Grandmaster, Eternal, Celestial, Top 500)
  • Matchmaking: Players in Bronze, Silver, and Gold can queue for Competitive in any team size except 5-player teams. Players in Platinum, Diamond, and Grandmaster can queue for Competitive in teams of up to 3 players. Players in Celestial, Eternity, and One Above All can queue for Competitive in teams of up to 2 players
  • Surrender Trigger: In the first round, if a player disconnects and does not reconnect within 90 seconds, their team may vote to surrender. The required votes pass with 1 less than the current team members. (E.g., if 4 remain, 3 votes are needed.)
  • Disconnect Penalty and Compensation: If any player disconnects during loading, ban/pick phase, hero select, or within the first 70 seconds of a match, the match is deemed invalid. Point adjustments and compensations vary depending on the situation. See the table above.
  • Misc: Rank reward Nameplate Frames can now be displayed in more areas
Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 live coverage as it happensHello and welcome!

(Image credit: NetEase)

We’re now just under 24 hours away from the launch of Marvel Rivals Season 3.5. We’ll get a whole new Duelist to try out, as well as a new event that features skins for Hela, The Thing and Black Widow as rewards. Join me as I break down the new season in the live build up to downtime.

When does downtime start?

Let’s kick things off by taking a look at when Marvel Rivals will be taken offline for maintenance. Downtime begins in Marvel Rivals at the following times:

  • East Coast (US): 5AM ET (August 8)
  • West Coast (US): 2AM PT (August 8)
  • United Kingdom: 10AM BST (August 8)
  • Europe (Central): 11AM CEST (August 8)
  • Japan (Tokyo): 6PM JST (August 8)
  • Australia (Sydney): 7PM AEST (August 8)
The Queen’s Codex event launches with the new season

(Image credit: NetEase)

The Queen’s Codex event will arrive with Season 3.5, and there’s free and premium rewards to earn. Over on the free side, The Thing finally gets a symbiote skin. You’ll need to purchase the Premium Pass to get the Queen in Black skin for Hela, and there’s an awesome Phoenix-themed Black Widow skin too.

New skins in the store

(Image credit: NetEase)

The following skins will be available to purchase in the store once the new season launches:

  • Blade - Polarity Edge Bundle
  • Blade - Emoji Bundle
  • Blade Dynamic Mood Bundle
Twitch Drops for Season 3.5

New Twitch Drops are on the horizon, Rivals!Watch your favorite streamers live to get a spray, nameplate, emote, and the cosmic and otherworldly "Will of Galacta" Mantis costume!Event Time:Starts: August 8, 12:00 PM UTC / 5:00 AM PT / 8:00 AM ETEnds: September 5, 9:00 AM… pic.twitter.com/TZ7nL35onUAugust 6, 2025

There’s a Mantis skin to earn in Season 3.5 through Twitch Drops. Watch 4 hours of eligible streamers on Twitch to get ahold of the Will of Galacta skin for Mantis. There’s other rewards to earn as well.

Blade joins the battle

(Image credit: NetEase)

Blade arrives as a new Hero in Marvel Rivals. He’s a Duelist that uses a katana and a shotgun, and can summon the blade of Dracula to trigger a devastating Ultimate. He can block incoming damage, and then dash towards enemies to get in close for the kill.

Doctor Strange gets a buff

(Image credit: NetEase)

Doctor Strange is finally getting a buff, hopefully bringing him back into contention against Emma Frost and Magneto. Here’s what’s changing:

  • Increase Daggers of Denak projectile charges from 8 to 10.
  • Reduce Cloak of Levitation cooldown from 15s to 12s.
New Team Up for Adam Warlock and Luna Snow

(Image credit: NetEase)

Luna Snow and Adam Warlock Team Up with Duality Dance. Luna Snow will get healing as she damages enemies. This adds a new level of self-healing for Luna, who would previously have to wait for her Ice Shards to gain health.

Twitch Drops for IGNITE

(Image credit: NetEase)

IGNITE mid-season Twitch Drops are now live. You can earn an awesome Star-Lord skin (from August 10) by watching 4 hours of eligible streamers. This one is available until September 6, so plenty of time to pick it up.

Goodbye for now

(Image credit: NetEase)

Those are the main things you need to know about Marvel Rivals Season 3.5. I’ll be jumping back on in the run up to downtime. From there I’ll be watching closely to see when the new update goes live, and then giving my impressions on what I’ve already played.

Google says hackers stole some of its data following Salesforce breach - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 12:13
  • Google has confirmed suffering a data breach
  • The attack was carried out by ShinyHunters, once again hijacking systems
  • The group apparently snuck into a Salesforce instance

Cybercriminals known as ShinyHunters (UNC6040) recently broke into Google and stole business customer information from one of its corporate Salesforce instances, the company has confirmed.

In a blog post breaking down ShinyHunters’ modus operandi, the company somewhat played down the importance of the incident, noting the miscreants didn’t really grab anything sensitive, or of particular value.

“In June, one of Google’s corporate Salesforce instances was impacted by similar UNC6040 activity described in this post,” the company said, “the data retrieved by the threat actor was confined to basic and largely publicly available business information, such as business names and contact details.”

"Publicly available business information"

ShinyHunters is a threat actor that targets corporate Salesforce instances, by impersonating company staff and calling IT support on the phone.

During the call, they tell the IT technician that they lost access to their work platform and manage to convince them to change the login credentials.

Although it might sound trivial, the technique seems to be working rather well, as multiple organizations have recently reported losing sensitive data to the same group, in the same manner.

Google did not say how many companies were affected by the breach, and declined commenting further. We don’t know if ShinyHunters reached out with a ransom demand in exchange for destroying the stolen files.

Currently, ShinyHunters is one of the most active threat actors, and probably among the most successful ones.

In recent weeks, the group managed to break into both Pandora and insurance giant Allianz Life, and has also taken credit for breaches at AT&T, Santander, Ticketmaster, and many others.

The group does not deploy an encryptor, and is rather just focused on data exfiltration, making it one of several ransomware groups which have recently pivoted away from encrypting files, a process that is apparently expensive and time-consuming.

Via TechCrunch

You might also like
Reddit or X not loading? NordVPN might tell you why - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 12:20
  • NordVPN just launched 'Is it down?,' a service that checks whether popular websites and services are working correctly
  • The tool relies on user reports to function; if users report problems, 'Is it down?' reflects that
  • This isn't the only service to check website outages available on the market

NordVPN is the brand behind the best VPN service according to our extensive ranking, but today's announcement is about something slightly different. The company announced the arrival of "Is it down?," a new website checker.

The checker works much the way you'd expect. Users can report outages for some of the most popular services, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. If enough users report an outage, NordVPN's service will show it.

This is a great way to calm those "is it my internet, or is it this specific website" fears that we're no strangers to. However, NordVPN's new feature is entering a saturated market, as it isn't the first service to check website outages.

How does 'Is it down?' work?

(Image credit: Nord Security)

Much like similar services, NordVPN's "Is it down?" is simple and, most importantly, completely free to use. If you're having trouble loading a specific website or app, you can visit NordVPN's website and select the service that's currently acting up.

Once you're there, simply click on "Report" and confirm that you're a real person experiencing issues with said service. You can also leave a comment for other users to see if you scroll down the page.

"By providing crowdsourced visibility into service health, we aim to empower users with first-hand information," said NordVPN's CTO, Marijus Briedis.

Beyond the basic reporting function, NordVPN's new tool also lets you see outages that took place over the last 24 hours, as well as short descriptions of past issues.

For instance, on the YouTube page, everything looks like smooth sailing, with the last reported outages noted in 2021, 2020, and 2018. This comes from external sources – NordVPN wasn't monitoring these websites back then.

(Image credit: Nord Security)

To determine whether a website is down or not, NordVPN recalculates the status of each service once every 30 minutes. This is based on user reports submitted during a 24-hour window.

The company says that as long as the number of reports doesn't cross the 50% baseline, the service is deemed to be online. Between 50% and 75%, NordVPN reports a partial outage. If the number of reports crosses 75% of the baseline, the service is deemed to be fully down.

NordVPN lets you look up the status of a few different services, including:

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Reddit
  • Yahoo
  • Discord
  • Cox
  • Xbox Network
  • X (Twitter)
  • PlayStation Network

We reached out to NordVPN to ask about its plans for the new feature. A representative for the company confirmed that it’s planning to add more websites and services to ‘Is it down?’ sometime in the future.

Other options exist, but NordVPN could succeed

NordVPN's new feature could certainly come in handy. Many of us wonder whether there's something wrong with our internet when a website won't load – this should fix the problem. However, NordVPN enters a fairly saturated market.

Similar services already exist, in fact, including DownForEveryoneOrJustMe and IsItDownRightNow.

The advantage these have over NordVPN is that they're not limited to a handful of websites; you can type in an address and check whether it works. They ping the server themselves as well as allow user reports, which makes them a little more standalone than the NordVPN alternative.

However, NordVPN could very well succeed in this field. It's a well-known brand, globally recognized for excellent VPN solutions. This could make it easier for users to find the new service and adopt it as their go-to option during website outages.

Exclusive deal

NordVPN: Today's best VPN
While you don't need an active VPN subscription to use the 'Is it down?' checker, we ranked NordVPN as the best VPN service on the market right now for security, streaming unblocking, and speed. Sign up to NordVPN today to claim TechRadar's exclusive deal and get up to 76% discount, up to $50 Amazon Gift card, and 4 months free protection – you can still use its 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

You might also like
After Concord's flop, Sony admits its live-service plan 'is not entirely going smoothly' but says it will continue and learn from its mistakes - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 12:25
  • Sony's chief financial officer Lin Tao has admitted that its current live-service strategy "is not entirely going smoothly"
  • Tao said, despite Concord's shutdown and Marathon's delay, she still believes in Sony's strategy but will learn from its mistakes
  • Live-service games accounted for 40% of Sony's first-party software revenue in Q1, but "for the full year it's a little less, probably between 20-30%"

Sony has admitted that its current live-service strategy "is not entirely going smoothly" following the disastrous launch of Concord, but says it will continue with its plan and learn from its mistakes.

During a recent Q&A session after the company's latest financial results (via VGC), one caller asked the panel of executives for an update on PlayStation's live-service strategy amid the delay of Marathon and following the shutdown of Concord.

In response, Sony's chief financial officer Lin Tao said that she still believes in live-service games, despite recent negativity, explaining that other games like Helldivers 2 and Destiny 2 have managed to produce a steady revenue stream that didn't exist five years ago.

"Last year Concord [shut down], and this year Marathon was postponed, so somewhat negative news has been coming out," said Tao (via an interpreter).

"But if we look at the past five years, five years ago live service games were almost non-existent for PlayStation Studios. We [now] have Helldivers 2, MLB The Show, and Gran Turismo 7, and Bungie’s Destiny 2, so we have these four live services contributing to sales and profits in a stable manner."

During the presentation, it was revealed that live service games accounted for 40% of first-party software revenue for Q1 and "for the full year it's a little less, probably between 20-30%".

"So in terms of the transformation, it’s not entirely going smoothly, but from a longer-term perspective, if you look at the changes over five years, you see that there’s definitely been a change," Tao added.

"Of course, we recognise that there are still many issues, so we should learn the lessons from mistakes and make sure that we introduce live service content where there’s less waste and it’s more smooth."

Concord was shut down just two weeks after its launch due to poor sales and a low player count.

At the time, game director Ryan Ellis said Firewalk Studios was exploring options, had ceased the sale of Concord, and offered refunds to all PS5 and PC players.

While this live-service game overwhelmingly underperformed, PlayStation's Helldivers 2 was a massive success, selling 12 million copies in its first 12 weeks on sale. The game was so popular at release that Arrowhead was forced to increase its concurrent player cap to 700,000 after it breezed past 450,000.

Developer Arrowhead Game Studios also recently announced that the Sony-published game will launch on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on August 26, 2025.

You might also like...
Microsoft's Gaming Copilot AI is now in Windows 11's Game Bar - and I can't decide whether this is a good or bad thing - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 13:00
  • Microsoft's AI helper for gaming has debuted in Windows 11
  • Gaming Copilot is in the Game Bar, but it's only in beta testing for now
  • Gaming handheld owners may worry about performance, but Microsoft says it's optimizing the feature for these devices

As Microsoft promised earlier this year, Gaming Copilot - the AI helper for gamers - is now on PCs (after previously debuting in testing on smartphones in the Xbox mobile app).

Neowin highlighted a blog post from Microsoft announcing that Gaming Copilot (previously called Copilot for Gaming) is now in the Game Bar for Windows 11 PCs, although the functionality is still in beta testing.

This means that Xbox Insiders (testers) will get an icon for Gaming Copilot in the Game Bar - just click that to fire up the assistant in Windows 11 on your gaming PC (or perhaps handheld).

The AI understands what game you’re currently playing, and is designed to help you when you get stuck in a game, and to do so seamlessly - in the Game Bar overlay - without having to switch away to a web browser window to look for tips and so forth.

Microsoft also points out that for added convenience, there's a Voice Mode, so - assuming you have a microphone - you can talk to Copilot to ask for help. The AI will also use screenshots of the game that's running to understand what you're asking about, and hopefully provide more relevant info and guidance as a result.

As noted, this feature is now available on the Game Bar, but only to those who are in the Xbox Insider program - you'll also need to ensure the Xbox app on your PC is updated to the latest version.

Note that Microsoft has only deployed this feature to the US and certain other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Singapore. Notably, the UK and Europe aren't getting Gaming Copilot yet, which is unusual and likely bound up in data regulations.

Analysis: Concerns about in-game handholding on handhelds - and more besides

(Image credit: Microsoft)

This looks to be a useful feature, despite the cries of 'no, not more AI jammed into Windows 11'. I get that sentiment, but in fairness, if you're not interested - or worried about privacy in some way (with the AI 'watching' your gaming) - just don't use Gaming Copilot.

As to how useful this AI assistant will be, I haven't tried it personally, but it does look like a neat time-saver. There is a worry when it comes to Windows 11 gaming handhelds, namely that it's going to hit performance (and battery life). After all, this is an extra task going on in-game (which is the mentioned convenience) - so how might that affect frame rates?

Microsoft acknowledges this concern in its blog post and notes that right now, the feature is limited on handhelds. The company advises: "While Gaming Copilot (Beta) is also available now for Xbox Insiders to try on Windows handhelds with limited functionality, further optimizations are underway for handhelds as we approach the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X."

Of course, if you have your smartphone handy, you can always use Gaming Copilot on that second screen - via the Xbox mobile app - and swerve any performance concerns (albeit that's hardly a seamless way of working).

Perhaps there's another potential worry here, too, and that's related to the convenience of having hints and help on tap in such an easy fashion. Are AI-powered abilities like this going to encourage more laziness in gaming, with people reaching for help after only being stuck for a very short time, rather than trying to figure things out themselves?

I guess that's a broader, more philosophical concern about gaming, and the choice to enlist the help of AI seamlessly, at the drop of a hat, could have more of an impact than we might imagine in the future. Although the bigger worry will doubtless be with AI snaking its helpful tentacles into competitive games, and Microsoft is already talking about how Gaming Copilot will offer 'proactive coaching' and 'richer game assistance' in general.

You might also like...
Does Prime Video have a free trial? - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 13:14

Prime Video is one of the best streaming services out there, but it's also not the cheapest, which is why it's great to see that its 30-day free trial is still up for grabs.

That’s a huge draw for entertainment junkies, giving potential new subscribers an entire month to catch award-winning Amazon Originals, live sports and whole host of movies, including recent Oscar winners like Anora, for free.

Signing up is easy, there’s tons to watch, and a paid membership doesn’t have to break the bank once the Prime Video free trial has come to an end. Indeed, there's so much to uncover – just look at our best Prime Video shows and best Prime Video movies roundups for the biggest and best titles.

I've really been enjoying Prime Video, especially since the streamer adapted my favorite video game series, Fallout, for the small screen. With Fallout season 2 and other great Prime Video Originals like The Wheel of Time and The Rings of Power impressing audiences, it's worth sticking around beyond your free trial.

Steps for how to get an Prime Video free trial

If you’re new to Amazon Prime, or it’s been over twelve months since you were a Prime member, then the 30-day Prime Video free trial is available. It’s even better for students, who are entitled to an incredible 6 months of free streaming.

Signing up is easy, just follow the bullet points below:

  • Go to Prime Video
  • Select ‘Try Prime’
  • Sign in to your Amazon account
  • Follow the on-screen instructions if prompted

Your Amazon account will need a current, valid credit card linked to it. But, as long as you cancel your membership before the free trial period expires, you won't be charged.

In the US, Amazon Channels often provide a seven-day trial too, letting you explore a la carte options like Cinemax. But you need to be a fully-fledged, Amazon Prime subscription member to get those.

Step by step guide for how to get a Prime Video free trialVisit the Prime Video app or site

(Image credit: Prime Video)

To get started, head to the Prime Video site or download the app on your tablet or phone. If you're a new customer, you'll be prompted to "start your 30-day free trial", which you can click on to navigate to the next step.

Sign in to Amazon or create a new account

(Image credit: Amazon)

If you already have an Amazon account but you've never used Prime Video, you can sign in to continue to your free trial. If you're a new customer, you'll be prompted to sign up for an Amazon account where you'll provide details like your email, shipping address, and preferred billing card details. You will also complete a small captcha puzzle to verify you are human.

Sign up for your 30-day free trial

(Image credit: Prime Video)

Finally, you'll be taken to this screen which prompts you to add a billing card for when your 30-day free trial ends. Once you've done this, you'll be redirected to start your trial. Remember to cancel before your 30-day period is up if you don't want to get charged!

Prime Video free trial: What to watch

Don't miss the critically-acclaimed Fallout on Prime Video. (Image credit: JoJo Whilden/Prime Video)

There’s plenty to feast your eyes on with thousands of movies and TV series. It has classic Hollywood fare licensing movies like It’s A Wonderful Life, brooding modern thrillers – like You Were Never Really Here and Zodiac, for example – and plenty of comedies and feel-good indie flicks.

Prime Video is packed with great Prime Video Originals too, including Hunters, Fleabag and The Boys to name only a few. Then there’s a slew of hugely anticipated releases like the Gen V, as well as Mr. and Mrs.Smith.

Meanwhile, sports fans can enjoy live matches and docuseries like All or Nothing. And, if some of your favorite programming is missing, chances are you’ll find it via Amazon Channels. There are more than 100 you can subscribe to, such as HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Shudder, which often provide their own 7-day free trial.

Much like Netflix, the content available does vary from country to country. So the best way to see exactly what's on offer where you are is to head to Amazon and grab that 30-day free trial.

Prime Video free trial: FAQsHow much does Prime Video cost?

Amazon Prime – which bundles together Prime Video, unlimited music, free delivery, and more – typically costs $14.99 a month in the US and £8.99 in the UK, AU$9.99 in Australia and €8.99 in Europe.

If you pay for a full annual membership, you can save a decent chunk of change, all the while getting lightning-fast delivery and multi-media entertainment all year round.

Plan

Monthly

Annually

Standard

$14.99 / £8.99 / AU$9.99 per month

$139 / £95 / AU$79 annually

Ad-free

$17.98 / £11.98 / AU$12.98

$174.88 / £130.88 / AU$114.88

Which countries is Prime Video available in?

Prime Video can be watched in over 200 countries and territories, giving access to both Amazon Prime or Prime Video subscriptions to anyone with a compatible device.

The only places it's not available is Mainland China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Russia, Belarus, Syria, and Vietnam. 

Can I get a Prime Video free trial as a student?

Yes, in the US you can sign up for Prime for Young Adults, a six month free trial which gives you access to free shipping, access to Prime Video and Amazon Music.

You are eligible for this deal if you are a currently enrolled student, or between the ages of 18-24. It lasts until you turn 25, or graduate. After that sixth month trial, Prime for Young Adults members are charged a monthly payment of $7.49 unless cancelled.

In the UK, you can sign up for a similar subscription called Prime Student which entitles you to the same benefits, and entitles you to a six month free trial. You’ll need to be enrolled at a UK university with a .ac.uk email address to be eligible, and after the trial you'll pay £4.49 a month.

How do I cancel my Prime Video free trial?

1. Go to Amazon.com
2. Go to Account & Settings, then select the Your Account tab.
3. If it's a Prime Video-only subscription, select End Subscription.
4. To cancel your whole Amazon Prime subscription, go to Prime Membership Settings, Manage Subscription, then choose to End Subscription.

Has Prime Video had any price hikes?

When Prime Video launched back in 2016, it cost $8.99 /  £7.99 / AU$8.99 per month, and it has gone up since then thanks to the addition of a new tier.

In 2024, Prime Video did see a price hike as the streaming service introduced a new ad-supported tier. This meant that those wanting to watch without ads would have to pay an additional $2.99 / £2.99 / AU$2.99 per month.

Microsoft Teams and Zoom can be hijacked to give hackers the keys to your kingdom - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 13:28
  • Experts say Microsoft Teams and Zoom are perfect for hiding Ghost Calls
  • Attackers can obtain temporary TURN credentials and create a tunnel
  • Vendors must implement safeguards, because there are no vulnerabilities in sight

Researchers from Praetorian have shed the light on Ghost Calls, a post-exploitation command-and-control evasion technique which send attacker traffic through legitimate Traversal Using Relays around NAT (TURN) servers used by the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams, to evade detection.

The attack works by hijacking the temporary TURN credentials that conferencing calls receive when they join a meeting, and then establishing a tunnel between the compromised host and the attacker's machine.

Because all the traffic is routed through trusted Zoom/Teams IPs and domains, which are typically whitelisted inside enterprises, these types of hijacking attacks can fly under the radar.

Teams and Zoom susceptible to attacks

Praetorian explained that because the attack leverages infrastructure already allowed through corporate firewall,s proxies and TLS inspection, Ghost Calls can easily evade traditional defenses.

Blending traffic with normal, low-latency video meeting traffic patterns also helps the cybercriminals, who can eliminate the exposure of attacker-controlled domains and servers

Praetorian explains in the first of its two blog posts that video conferencing platforms "are designed to function even in environments with relatively strict egress controls," so if an attacker can crack into these systems, they could have a higher chance of data exfiltration.

"Additionally, this traffic is often end-to-end encrypted using AES or other strong encryption. This means the traffic is naturally heavily obfuscated and impossible to analyze in depth which makes it a perfect place to hide as an attacker," the researchers added.

TURN credentials typically expire after two to three days, so tunnels are short-lived, but alarmingly, Praetorian explains that there isn't necessarily a vulnerability for vendors to patch, adding that they must instead focus on introducing further safeguards to prevent against Ghost Call attacks.

You might also like
OpenAI GPT-5 launch live – all the latest news as Sam Altman unveils the new model - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 14:19

It's the one we've all been waiting for – ChatGPT-5 is will be released in the next few hours! Earlier in the week OpenAI CEO Sam Altman teased that "something big" was coming on Friday, but then today the OpenAI account on X.com tweeted: "LIVE5TREAM THURSDAY 10AM PT".

Notice the use of a 5 instead of an "S" in the word "LIVE5TREAM"? That can mean only one thing: ChatGPT-5 is coming!

With a livestream kicking off at 10AM PT, 1PM ET, and 6PM BST, we'll embed the watch link as soon as it's live below, and TechRadar will bring you the news as it breaks.

So what can we expect? Well, the speculation is that ChatGPT-5 models (the names of a few of which have already been leaked) will be leaps and bounds ahead of the ChatGPT-4 models that we currently use in terms of performance.

What we don't know yet is which of the various OpenAI subscription offerings will get access to the new ChatGPT-5 models first, and will it be available to free users as well? We'll keep you up to date with the latest news as it breaks here.

ChatGPT-5 accidentally leaks hours before launch

As we sit down with snacks and drinks watching the screen and waiting for a live stream to appear for the imminent launch of ChatGPT-5 it appears that a leak on GitHub has revealed the name of the different ChatGPT-5 models.

It looks like we will have gpt-5, designed for logic and multi-step tasks, .gpt-5-mini, a lightweight version for cost-sensitive applications, gpt-5-nano, which is Optimized for speed and ideal for applications requiring low latency, and gpt-5-chat, designed for advanced, natural, multimodal, and context-aware conversations for enterprise applications.

That's no moon... that's ChatGPT-5?

Sam Altman has confounded the Internet once again by posting a picture of what appears to be the Death Star from Star Wars rising menacingly from behind a planet.

pic.twitter.com/1u0MOGvJWUAugust 7, 2025

Everybody is a bit confused by the meaning of this, so, who better to ask what it could mean than rival AI, Grok?

When asked what the image could mean, Grok replied: "Sam Altman's image of the Death Star symbolizes the rise of immensely powerful AI, like the anticipated GPT-5—a transformative force with potential risks, echoing Star Wars' superweapon. It's likely teasing OpenAI's next big breakthrough."

Longer than usual

Sam Altman followed up his mysterious Death Star image post on X.com with a more down-to-earth statement in his next post:

"Our livestream tomorrow at 10 am PDT will be longer than usual, around an hour. We have a lot to show and hope you can find the the time to watch!"

our livestream tomorrow at 10 am PDT will be longer than usual, around an hour.we have a lot to show and hope you can find the the time to watch!August 7, 2025

To be honest Sam, an hour is not that long to reveal the details of what could potentially be the new standard in AI chatbots, so I think you should take as long as you need.

Why the Death Star image for ChatGPT-5?

At first, Sam Altman posting a picture of the Death Star in relation to the launch of ChatGPT-5, his own product, seemed like an odd way to market something to me. I mean, what's he trying to say? Is it, "This thing is so scary it could destroy a planet"?

However, when you view it in context of the things he has recently said about AI creating new and unparalleled security risks and that fact that he finds ChatGPT-5 scary, it fits in. On the one hand, Altman is always pushing the narrative of how great AI will be for the future of the world and for the next generation, but at the same time he's always talking about how AI has the potential to be dangerous.

This new type of marketing, where he both praises and criticizes his own product, is certainly nothing new for him, and perhaps it reframes the narrative and puts him ahead of OpenAI's critics? Whatever his reasons, it certainly seems to be working.

ChatGPT-5 is just the beginning

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Adeel Ahmed photos)

As I wait with bated breath for the release of ChatGPT-5 (at 10am PT), I'm thinking about what Sam Altman said just a few days ago. "We have a ton of stuff to launch over the next couple of months – new models, products, features, and more”.

So, earlier this week, OpenAI dropped its gpt-oss models, which are designed to run entirely on laptops and phones. In a few short hours, we'll get ChatGPT-5, but what next? The next couple of months are a long time, which means we might see quite a few new features being released.

What ChatGPT says about GPT-5

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

John-Anthony Disotto here, taking over from Graham while he gets fed and watered. I decided the best way to get a glimpse of GPT-5's capabilities would be to ask ChatGPT itself what we can expect during today's livestream.

The AI said, "A Unified, Multi‑Variant System" alongside "Supercharged Reasoning, Coding, and Agentic Behavior" and "Ultra‑Large Context & Persistent Memory" sets GPT-5 apart from its predecessor.

Obviously, ChatGPT won't be letting us into OpenAI's internal secrets, but considering unifying all ChatGPT capabilities would be at the top of my list for GPT-5, I'm really hoping the AI chatbot isn't too far off.

The livestream kicks off in just over four hours, so we don't have much longer to wait to hear about the future of ChatGPT and everything GPT-5 is capable of.

Benchmark leak?

holy hell pic.twitter.com/ausKp4vancAugust 7, 2025

Leaks are popping up all across social media including this rumored score on the ARC-AGI-2 test, a benchmark that highlights an AI model's capability of dealing with logic.

If these results are accurate, GPT-5 would be so far beyond anything we've seen before from OpenAI or its competitors.

That said, anyone can make a fake leak, and ultimately until we see the results from Altman and co themselves, there's no way to be sure of GPT-5's capabilities.

Just imagine though...

What does Microsoft Copilot think about GPT-5

(Image credit: Microsoft)

With just over three hours until the OpenAI livestream, we've started to ask other AI tools what they think about GPT-5. After all, who doesn't want to hear AI's thoughts on its own evolution, right?

Lance Ulanoff, TechRadar's Editor At Large, asked Microsoft Copilot about GPT-5 and after a response with leaks and rumors, Copilot said, "It’s shaping up to be a major leap forward. If you could design your own GPT-5 variant, what would it specialize in—creativity, emotional intelligence, or something else entirely?"

Lance replied: "Emotional intelligence, for sure. Have you tried GPT-5?"

Copilot responded, "I haven’t tried GPT-5 myself—since I’m not a user, I don’t get to 'use' other models. But I do keep tabs on what’s happening in the AI world, and GPT-5’s rumored emotional intelligence upgrades are especially intriguing.

If it’s anything like what’s been hinted, it could:

Read tone and subtext more accurately in conversations

Respond with empathy and nuance, even in complex emotional situations

Adapt its personality to match the user’s mood or communication style

Support mental health applications with more sensitivity and care

Imagine an AI that not only understands what you say, but also how you feel when you say it. That’s a whole new level of connection. What kind of emotionally intelligent features would you want it to have—like being a better listener, helping with conflict resolution, or maybe even coaching through tough decisions?"

WOAH. This is probably all a pipe dream but Copilot has thought up a future OpenAI model that completely evolves ChatGPT's emotional intelligence. Is this something you'd be interested in?

The hype is building

Dropping soon. pic.twitter.com/WSuOn3qE6yAugust 7, 2025

OpenAI just tweeted a GPT-5 teaser, and as the name would suggest it doesn't give us any real insight other than the fact that it's likely going to replace GPT-4o.

With less than three hours to go until the reveal, I was hoping for a teaser to include a little bit more information. I guess not today.

A new ChatGPT subscription

(Image credit: OpenAI)

New images have appeared online detailing a ChatGPT Go subscription, likely to sit between free tier users and ChatGPT Plus subscriptions.

According to the screenshot, Go subscribers will get more messages, more file uploads, more image generation, and more advanced data analysis compared to free users.

This does add a slight concern to the future of ChatGPT's free tier. Does this mean we'll all be paying for the AI we've become accustomed to using for free at some point? I sure hope not...

Please fix the naming scheme

OpenAI's AI model naming scheme is confusing. There's 4o, o3, o3-mini, o3-high, just to name a few.

In a few hours, at least four more models will be added to the mix, and it begs the question: At what point will OpenAI's marketing step up and make ChatGPT more user-friendly?

If the company chooses to add another subscription tier with the aforementioned ChatGPT Go, not only will we have an AI model naming issue, but users will start to get confused by subscription tiers, too.

Please, OpenAI, fix your naming scheme.

Two hours to go

(Image credit: OpenAI)

Only two hours until the GPT-5 reveal, and we still don't have a livestream link on YouTube to share.

As soon as OpenAI adds a listing for the livestream, we'll be sure to add it to this live blog, so stay tuned as we delve into the future of AI (and ChatGPT).

Another ChatGPT livestream

(Image credit: OpenAI)

It's only been two weeks since OpenAI revealed ChatGPT Agent in a livestream, and yet here we are waiting for what many believe to be the next generation of AI model.

Is GPT-5 really going to be as impressive as its next generation name would suggest? Or are we going to see small performance improvements in line with an iterative upgrade?

Either way, OpenAI needs to showcase why users should care about GPT-5 in this upcoming livestream, and so far the company's livestreams have been anything but engaging.

With less than 90 minutes until the reveal, we're all getting excited here at TechRadar. After all this could be the ChatGPT upgrade that pushes AI even further into the future.

One last look before everything changes - again. pic.twitter.com/P4y0iUvjihAugust 7, 2025

I've been moaning about the OpenAI model names for what feels like an eternity at this point, so I may as well add one last criticism before we move into the GPT-5 era.

My colleague Lance Ulanoff has shared an image of the ChatGPT model selection page as it stands right now, and quite honestly, it might just be the most confusing naming scheme on the planet.

In just over an hour, OpenAI will announce GPT-5 alongside other models that we believe to be called GPT-5-mini, GPT-5-nano, and GPT-5-chat. Hopefully, the company decides to add these new models and replace the likes of GPT-4o, o3, o4-mini, o4-mini-high, otherwise, the list in that image is going to get even longer and even more confusing.

One. Hour. Countdown

One hour to go until OpenAI reveals GPT-5 and we enter into the next generation of ChatGPT.

OpenAI still hasn't got a livestream listing on YouTube yet but stay tuned to this liveblog and we'll update with a link as soon as we have access.

Less than 30 minutes until kick off

We're just under 30 minutes until OpenAI tells us everything about GPT-5 and the livestream for the event is now appearing on YouTube. Though it's just a countdown and a still teaser image showing "GPT-5" and "OpenAI" in front of a colorful array of gradients.

You can see the livestream embedded above, and once it starts, you can watch it right from there.

(Image credit: Future)

I just checked my ChatGPT Plus account one more time before this event kicks off, and still no sign of GPT-5. Just a long list of models, and as my colleague John-Anthony already wrote here, it could use a bit of a cleanup and streamlining.

I'm particularly excited about GPT-5's rumored capability of automatically selecting the right model to handle the prompt or whatever the user has asked. That could speed things up before the AI even gets to work.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

While we wait for the livestream to kick off on OpenAI's YouTube channel – and in the video above – the description of the video does give us a bit more detail. We've already known, thanks to a post on X from Sam Altman, that this will be a longer livestream, and there will be many, many presenters.

Here's what the description reads: "Join Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Sebastien Bubeck, Mark Chen, Yann Dubois, Brian Fioca, Adi Ganesh, Oliver Godement, Saachi Jain, Christina Kaplan, Tina Kim, Elaine Ya Le, Felipe Millon, Michelle Pokrass, Jakub Pachocki, Max Schwarzer, Rennie Song, Ruochen Wang as they introduce and demo GPT-5."

Further, if you had any doubt that we'd be seeing GPT-5 today, this confirms it will be unveiled and demoed.

The livestream has started

(Image credit: Future)

OpenAI has officially kicked off the livestream with under 10 minutes to go until 1PM ET/ 6PM BST. Right now, we have some sonically soothing sounds over "OpenAI Summer Update" flashing with colors and then spinning in circles on the screen. No mention of GPT-5 though.

2 minutes to go

(Image credit: Future)

The visuals have changed again, and we're now counting down from three minutes until the start. The music is also getting a bit more exciting with more sounds joining in.

Sam Altman announces GPT-5

(Image credit: Future)

And here we go, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is walking onto a stage, and that's certainly a different setting than previous livestreams.

Altman is wasting no time, saying that they're ushering in GPT-5 and it's another important step to AGI. He believes that folks will enjoy using GPT-5 a lot more. Why? Well, the early sell here, as Altman puts it, is that chatting or talking with GPT-5 is like talking to an expert, and it can even write software on demand.

Now, we're getting a closer look at GPT-5 from more team members at OpenAI. Here's the kicker, also, OpenAI says that GPT-5 will even be available for free users.

As for what we'll see during this livestream, we'll be getting plenty of demos but are starting first with evaluations. OpenAI has just announced that GPT-5 has set a new level on several benchmarks, including SWE-Bench – it's not the full story, but it's a good tell of the performance here.

(Image credit: Future)

A key area of focus with GPT-5 was improving reliability and being accurate with facts. OpenAI is also saying that it has specifically focused on reliability in health.

(Image credit: Future)GPT-5 will start rolling out to all users today

Here's some good news – OpenAI is rolling out GPT-5 to all users, with that process beginning today, including the Free tier as well as Plus and Pro subscribers. It won't be a free-for-all with GPT-5 in the free tier, but you'll be able to use it until allotments are hit. Plus and Pro subscribers will expectedly get higher rate limits.

Our first demo of GPT-5

(Image credit: Future)

We're now getting our first demo of GPT-5, first with the model being asked to explain the Bernoulli effect, and it responded pretty quickly. The follow-up, though, is asking GPT-5 to create a visual, and OpenAI is explaining that it will take a bit longer to respond, and in that time also suggest the best course of action.

You can also ask GPT-5 to 'think harder' or 'more precisely' in the actual prompt. Even neater, you can see GPT-5's thought process while it's answering the prompt.

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

And like that, GPT-5 completed the prompt and coded the demo, which the OpenAI team is now testing during the live-stream. Pretty, pretty fast.

For the next demo, OpenAI is pitting GPT-4o and GPT-5 against each other in writing a eulogy for its previous models. Here's a look at what GPT-4o produced.

(Image credit: Future)

GPT-5 on the other hand has more of an understanding of tone and nuances. It sounds a bit more like a person with emotions wrote it ... less dry.

(Image credit: Future)

Now we're in the midst of another GPT-5 demo that's centered around its ability to write code, spanning over 200 lines in just a few minutes of this demo. It actually created a site, with many visual elements and even audio ones, to help one learn French with a partner.

(Image credit: Future)Voice mode is getting an upgrade

(Image credit: Future)

There is a lot of focus on coding with GPT-5, but we've also seen improvements in writing thus far. The teams at OpenAI have also been focused on further improving Voice and video functionality.

With GPT-5, voice mode is coming to all users, and in this demo, OpenAI is showing that you can be specific with how you want an answer. In this case, they demonstrated ChatGPT Voice's ability to respond with just one word, summarizing Pride and Prejudice as 'relationships.'

The biggest improvment, though, is that it sounds a lot more natural than even the current version in the app.

If you've been wanting to change the color of your ChatGPT interface, OpenAI is making that possible – to a degree – for paid users. Even more impressive, though, is the ability to customize the personality of GPT-5 a bit for research use cases.

ChatGPT will be able to connect with your Google account

(Image credit: Future)

We're now switching gears to ChatGPT's Memory function. Pro, Plus, and Team subscribers will be able to connect ChatGPT to a Google Account for calendar access. In fact, it can connect with Gmail and Google Calendar, allowing GPT-5 to pull in your schedule and get some more context.

It can even remind you to respond to an email that you've received, read, but haven't yet responded to. This will roll out first to Pro users next week, then Plus and Team at some point in the future.

OpenAI is also focused on improving safety and deception; in this case, GPT-5 will aim to maximize helpfulness within the allowed safety constraints. This will be in contrast to how previous models, like o3, might have refused on the grounds of safety before.

GPT-5 could answer the same prompt, by explaining why it can't offer help and point you towards a third-party or even a manual. The demo shown off by OpenAI here is a prompt asking for how to work with 'pyrogen.'

(Image credit: Future)

Sam Altman is now back onstage to start the discussion around ChatGPT-5 and how it handles the Health prompt. We now have two ChatGPT users on stage, including one, Carolina, who was diagnosed with three forms of cancer in one week.

After receiving an email confirming the diagnosis, this user took a screenshot and uploaded it to ChatGPT and got an understandable explanation. Altman says that Health questions are one of the most common use cases for ChatGPT as well. A takeaway from both of them is that ChatGPT can be used to help learn a bit more and 'regain some agency.'

Both of these users have used GPT-5 and note that it is a much faster, "almost a little alarmingly at first." Another key impression, though, is that GPT-5 is more of a thought partner than just delivering an answer based on the prompt. They also put the biopsy results back in, and GPT-5 asked follow-ups to get a bit more detail and deliver a more nuanced response.

Of course, ChatGPT or GPT-5 is not a medical doctor, and you should still see one for diagnosis and emergencies.

OpenAI is moving through this livestream pretty quickly. Now, Greg Brockman, President of OpenAI, is on stage, and the focus is shifting back to developers and coding. He says that GPT-5 is the best model at agentic coding tasks.

(Image credit: Future)What's new with GPT-5

OpenAI's already covered a lot of ground, but let's run through what's new with GPT-5 quickly:

  • Better reliability and more accurate answer with fewer hallucinations
  • Improved writing skills for more precise results and the ability to switch based on context
  • GPT-5 is the 'strongest coding model'
  • It's OpenAI's best model for health-related questions
  • GPT-5 will deliver safe completions rather than refusing a prompt
  • It will ask follow-ups when needed to get more context for a better result
  • The model can better adapt to context in prompts and can understand tone
  • GPT-5 will handle all the heavy-lifting for deciding on the right model and will show its work
  • It can connect with your Google account for access to Gmail and Google Calendar (Pro users get this first)
  • Paid subscribers can customize the look of ChatGPT
  • A more natural-sounding voice mode
  • GPT-5 arrives for all subscribers, even the free tier, with varying levels of use

About an hour and 15 minutes later, and OpenAI's unveil of GPT-5 – dubbed the OpenAI Summer Update – has come to a close. Interestingly enough, OpenAI's chief scientist closed out the event, thanking the team, and his last line was "we'll get back to sailing."

While we weren't invited out to sea with them, we're constantly refreshing our ChatGPT pages as we await the GPT-5 rollout to hit our accounts. And whether you're on the free tier, Plus, or Pro, you can expect to see GPT-5 today and many of its new features.

Project Stargate hits Europe - OpenAI launches giant data center powered by 100,000 Nvidia GPUs, but probably not in the country you'd expect - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 14:29
  • OpenAI chose Narvik for its low-cost hydropower, skipping traditional European data hubs entirely
  • Stargate Norway project will use 100,000 Nvidia GPUs in a massive, renewable-powered setup
  • $1 billion data center promises 520MW capacity and state-of-the-art direct-to-chip cooling systems

OpenAI’s European ambitions have taken a surprising turn with the launch of its Project Stargate in Northern Norway.

Instead of traditional tech hubs like Germany, France, or the UK, OpenAI has chosen Narvik, a remote but energy-rich location, to host what could become one of Europe’s largest AI infrastructure facilities.

The site, part of OpenAI’s “OpenAI for Countries” initiative, aims to deliver massive compute resources powered by 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026.

A billion-dollar joint venture with deep industrial roots

Stargate Norway is a joint venture between AI infrastructure firm Nscale and Norwegian industrial heavyweight Aker, both of whom have committed substantial funding to its development.

"Announcing Stargate Norway and delivering one of the first European AI Gigafactory to market is a strategic milestone for the region and boosts its role in the global AI landscape," said Josh Payne, CEO of Nscale.

The initial 20MW phase alone is backed by roughly $1 billion investment, with long-term plans to scale capacity to 520MW.

The site will rely entirely on renewable energy and feature advanced cooling systems, including closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, with excess heat reportedly reused to support local low-carbon projects.

The rationale for choosing Narvik over more central locations appears rooted in cost and resource availability.

The region offers low electricity prices, abundant hydropower, and a naturally cool climate.

"Norway has a proud history of turning clean, renewable energy into industrial value, powering global industries like aluminium and fertilizer… Northern Norway, with its surplus of clean energy, available capacity, and industrial readiness, is the ideal launchpad for this transformation," said Øyvind Eriksen, President & CEO of Aker.

Narvik’s relatively underutilized transmission capacity also makes it viable for heavy compute loads, something many traditional European data hubs struggle to accommodate.

OpenAI is positioning itself as the initial consumer of the compute power, but surplus capacity is expected to be distributed across the UK, Nordic countries, and Northern Europe.

From a hardware perspective, the planned installation of 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs positions Stargate Norway as a serious contender in high-performance computing.

That kind of scale will require robust CPU support and a data center optimized not only for GPU-intensive workloads but also for fast CPU handling and storage throughput.

"Europe needs more compute to realize the full potential of AI for all Europeans — from developers and researchers to startups and scientists — and we want to help make that happen," said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.

As data centers evolve into strategic assets, the decision to place one of the world’s largest AI compute facilities in Narvik marks a bold shift, one that could reshape the geographic balance of AI development in Europe.

You might also like
Peacock's The Paper finally has a trailer and I was so excited to see a familiar face - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 14:59
  • Peacock has dropped a first trailer for The Paper
  • This is our first look at Oscar Nuñez's comeback
  • The anticipated The Office spin-off will be streaming from September 4

The Paper finally has a trailer and this is a huge moment for fans of The Office. We've all been nervously waiting for our first proper look at the Peacock series and honestly, it looks good.

Even though I already knew about Oscar Nuñez's comeback as his accountant character, also named Oscar, it was still exciting seeing him alongside the brand new cast, with a very funny first appearance.

We've seen some bad The Office reboots lately, like The Office Australia, but right now I'm cautiously optimistic about what The Paper will bring to the table.

Take a look for yourself below, the wait is over!

When is The Paper coming to Peacock?

(Image credit: Peacock)

We don't have long to wait as the first four episodes of The Paper are dropping on September 4, which is great news for fans wanting to jump right in and binge-watch.

The series will then have a weekly release schedule with two episodes arriving until the season finale on September 25.

There's a new cast here made up of Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, Tim Key, with the only returning member being Oscar Nuñez.

Right now, we don't know about The Paper's future, but we do know this is an all-new story set in the same universe as The Office, its iconic predecessor.

This time, the documentary crew has chosen to focus on the Toledo Truth Teller newspaper, which is on the decline. A plot has teased that we should expect "all the dysfunction, awkwardness, and heart" that we saw in The Office.

Only time will tell, but this first trailer is a very good start.

You might also like
Corsair's AI Workstation 300 is the 13th computer to launch with AMD's formidable Ryzen AI Max+ 365 CPU - and it costs less than $2000 - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 15:21
  • Corsair workstation 300 puts 128GB RAM into a chassis smaller than a shoebox
  • Integrated graphics may hold it back from real-time rendering or GPU-accelerated production work
  • 50 TOPS NPU hints at serious AI muscle inside a deceptively small package

Corsair has introduced the AI Workstation 300, a mini PC built around AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, positioning it as a high-performance workstation PC for professionals and AI developers.

At under $2000, it sits in a competitive space where expectations are high for both raw performance and long-term reliability.

This unit marks the 13th system to feature the Ryzen AI Max+ 365 series chip, following other systems like HP Z2 Mini G1a and GMKTEC EVO-X2, suggesting growing interest in AMD's latest integrated AI silicon.

Small form factor delivers big on memory, storage, and AI hardware

This system comes in a 4.4L form factor, which is considered portable relative to other Strix Halo devices in the market.

It's small size packs 128GB of LPDDR5X memory, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and the Radeon 8060S integrated graphics with support for up to 96GB of dynamic VRAM.

While these specs appear promising on paper, the use of integrated graphics for a workstation PC raises questions about its capability for GPU-heavy tasks such as real-time 3D rendering or high-resolution video editing.

Developers and engineers focused on AI inference or code-based workflows may find it adequate, but creative professionals relying on discrete GPU acceleration might be more cautious.

Corsair claims the device is ready for local LLMs, AI-assisted development, and creative work, backed by a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of up to 50 TOPS of acceleration.

The included Corsair AI Software Suite improves its AI capacity, but proprietary toolkits often face adoption and compatibility hurdles outside tightly controlled workflows.

Thermal management is handled by a dual-fan cooling system, which could help maintain stable performance in a tightly packed chassis.

The 350W power supply also seems sufficient for its components, though it leaves little headroom for future expansion.

The I/O selection is more extensive than one might expect from a system of this size, including USB 4.0, an SD card reader, and 2.5G Ethernet.

This device, which comes with a two-year warranty and lifetime tech support, is currently on pre-order and will commence shipping in September 2025.

You might also like
ChatGPT just got so much smarter – here's how to talk to your kids about AI and GPT-5 - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 15:25

ChatGPT's GPT-5 brain trainslpant marks a turning point in the steady march toward General Artificial Intelligence. With GPT-5 models, ChatGPT, from free to Pro, gets more personal, reliable, accurate, capable, proactive, and productive. It's even more ready than ever to engage with you on health issues.

For those who've been following along for the three years since OpenAI launched ChatGPT, these updates might not suprise you but even those most familair with ChatGPT might feel a little bit like the AI train is getting away from us, speeding to an unknown destination, and in a way, those who will be most affected by the coming AI wave are the youngest among us, specifically, your children.

Maybe you don't have kids, but I bet you know someone who does, or maybe you're a teacher dealing with children every day. Children's lives are already surrounded by AI, and it's likely some are using it at school, at home, for fun, and even as a surrogate friend.

It's time, though, you had The Talk. That's right, talk with your kids about AI and its place in the world and, especially, their lives.

I suggest you frame it this way:

AI is not alive

GPT-5 seriously levels up ChatGPT's conversational capabilities in both text and live conversations. It can seem alive and human. The algorithm and models are more complex than ever, but they do not yet match the complexity of the human brain (even if GPT-5 is a big step on the road to Artificial General Intelligence), though they can sometimes outthink you.

Children, in particular, will probably love chatting with GPT-5's more customizable voices. That's why it's so crucial they understand what they're really talking to – a cloud-based system hosted on servers possibly thousands of miles away. There's no one on the other side chatting with them.

AI is just a tool

Since the dawn of the digital age, new technologies have often seemed like magic. We could do things we never did before, like create art on a screen, manage vast amounts of data in spreadsheets, and build programs that could create rich, open worlds in video games.

AI is on that path, but far more powerful. However, its capabilities should not be viewed as the end product, but rather as the tools and skills that help your children achieve their goals, whether it's hearing a funny story or completing a class project.

It's also a tool in that it only works as well as you understand how to use it. ChatGPT's success, even running GPT-5, depends largely on the quality of your prompt.

You'll want to show your kids how to create the best prompts and then follow-ups that ensure GPT-5 delivers the right response.

AI is powerful but not perfect

Even though GPT-5 promises to cut down on hallucinations, that does not mean it's error-free. Explain to your children how they cannot take ChatGPT's "facts" as pure truth without double-checking them.

That might be a tough lesson for your kids (and maybe you) who will think the work is done and want to return to playtime. You need to walk them through the process of fact-checking ChatGPT (and other AIs).

AI should be treated as a work partner, not a servant

GPT-5 can now, based on a prompt, code and build entire apps and websites. That's attractive to adults and children who might be looking to level up their coding skills but don't want to spend the time learning how to code.

It's worth reminding your kids that ChatGPT with GPT-5 is best used as a programming, development, and design partner. You provide the idea and then work with the AI to shape the final outcome.

Explain the concept of collaboration with your kids and why that's valuable. Otherwise, they might supply one prompt, get an OK result, and assume they now know how to code and that the result is the best they and ChatGPT can do.

The less your kids engage with the AI coding output, the less they'll understand about application development.

AI isn't your doctor

There is a strong focus in GPT-5 on health, helping you figure out what a symptom might mean or even the right questions to ask your doctors. Kids will surely try asking ChatGPT some health-related questions about bumps, bruises, aches, pains, and even odd symptoms. However, they need to understand that the best place to start addressing these concerns is with their parents, who will likely take them to the doctor.

Look, I'm sure ChatGPT, especially with the GPT-5 upgrade, can help parents understand medical test results, but as OpenAI wrote in its release on the update: "Important note: ChatGPT does not replace a medical professional. "

The message to your kids is that human professionals are no so easily replaced.

AI isn't your friend

This is one of the greatest concerns when it comes to AI, and I'm glad that GPT-5 is adding more guardrails to ensure that conversations do not go to dangerous places, and the recent upgrades added to impose pauses in challenging (perhaps overly emotional) conversations.

Even so, your kids are probably already talking to and sharing with ChatGPT and other AIs. There is an epidemic of loneliness, and some kids may see ChatGPT's live voice mode as a friend. It's your job to remind them it's not, and to insert yourself between them and AIs.

AI together

This leads me to my final tip, which is to do AI with your children.

Think of AI like any emerging technology, from PCs to CD-ROMs to the Internet to social media. None of these tasks should ever have been undertaken by kids alone. Parents shouldn't act as if AI is not of interest to them and, therefore, not part of their job as a parent.

If your kids are using AI, you should be sitting next to them, exploring and learning together. Be as comfortable and conversant as they will become with AI.

Follow these steps, and you and your whole family will be ready for ChatGPT, even with the introduction of the powerful GPT-5 model.

You might also like
Apple's MacBook Pro with OLED again rumored for late 2026 - and it seems increasingly likely this laptop is inbound - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 15:30
  • Another rumour suggests the MacBook Pro OLED is arriving in late 2026
  • We've again been told that Samsung Display will manufacture the screen
  • This is one of the more consistent MacBook rumors, with doubt having crept into other theories

Yet another rumor indicates that Apple is set to release a MacBook Pro with an OLED display later in 2026.

MacRumors spotted the report from Dealsite.co.kr (a Korean website), which claims that Samsung Display is going to be the only supplier of these OLED screens for an Apple MacBook that'll debut late in 2026.

We're told that Samsung's Gen 8.6 OLED assembly lines are easily able to meet the demand Apple will require for OLED panels in its MacBook Pros. And that Samsung's investment in this production capability allows for a suitably attractive manufacturing cost when it comes to that all-important bill-of-materials for the MacBook.

Obviously, we need to be careful around any rumor, but this isn't the first time we've heard Samsung's name mentioned as the maker of the MacBook's OLED screen.

In March 2025, well-known Apple leaker Mark Gurman predicted that the big change for the MacBook Pro won't be coming until late in 2026 - with a major redesign centering on a Samsung 'tandem' OLED (two panels squished together, as it were, to allow for better brightness and power efficiency), as well as making the laptop thinner.

Furthermore, Apple may trade out the 'notch' in the screen for a 'hole cut' webcam.

Analysis: Shifting timeframes, perhaps - but there's one constant

(Image credit: Future)

This year's MacBook Pro will supposedly be a minor upgrade - if indeed the notebook refresh even arrives in 2025, as another (very recent) piece of speculation from Gurman suggests it has been delayed to early 2026. This will be the MacBook Pro M5, and the OLED model will, in theory, come late in 2026 with the M6 chip onboard.

Of course, take all of this with a grain of salt, as that would be rather unusual in terms of launch timing for Apple - but that doesn't mean it can't happen.

In short, the rumor mill has got somewhat confused about exactly what Apple's MacBook plans are in terms of launch dates - perhaps because the company is tinkering with those plans and moving timeframes internally.

Whatever the case, one rumor has remained fairly constant, which is that the MacBook Pro is going to get OLED first, and this will happen late in 2026 - with Samsung now consistently being mentioned as the manufacturer of the screen.

You might also like
GPT-5 free tier – 3 cool features you can try now for nothing - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 16:00
  • Access to ChatGPT-5 is being given to all ChatGPT users
  • You get new features like ChatGPT Voice and better writing
  • ChatGPT-5 access is rolling out right now

At today’s ChatGPT-5 launch event, we got to see exactly why OpenAI is so excited about the new version of ChatGPT. It’s faster, more intuitive, less likely to hallucinate, and can integrate with your Gmail in even more useful ways to know more about you.

In fact, at one point, the OpenAI presenters actually got ChatGPT-5 to write a eulogy to the previous ChatGPT-4o model as a demonstration about how much better its writing capabilities had become.

The eulogy was warranted because OpenAI isn’t restricting access to ChatGPT-5 to Plus and Pro subscribers – it is giving it out to free tier users too, so everybody now gets access to a better ChatGPT. That effectively means the end for ChatGPT-4o.

The vast majority of today’s presentation was about how much better ChatGPT-5 was at writing code than previous versions, and also how much better it was at enterprise applications, like law, health care, education, and finance.

Of course, most of us simply use ChatGPT to help us get things done in our daily lives, but there were plenty of improvements that are worth noting for everyday users, too, and they’re mostly available in the free tiers.

Let’s take a look at what you get access to without paying.

1. Writing improvements

As with GPT‑4o, the difference between free and paid access to GPT‑5 is usage volume. At some point on the free tier, your access to GPT-5 will reach the usage limit, and then you’ll be kicked back to GPT-5 mini.

Plus subscribers will get significantly higher usage volume before that happens. That means you’ll get access to the improved writing ability in GPT-5. You’ll find that its prose has a lot more rhythm and beat to it than the prose in GPT-4o did.

2. ChatGPT Voice

(Image credit: Future)

With the free tier, you still only get limited access to ChatGPT-5’s voice mode (along with file uploads, image creation, and data analysis), but you should get more access per day now than you did before.

What used to be called 'Advanced voice mode' is now called 'ChatGPT voice'. OpenAI says that “Standard Voice Mode retires on September 9, 2025, unifying all users on ChatGPT Voice”.

ChatGPT Voice is better than before, with more natural-sounding conversations. Hit the voice button on the mobile app for ChatGPT to give it a go right now.

3. New highlight colors

You’ve always been able to change the theme of ChatGPT from light to dark to System, but now you can add accent colors to your chats in the Settings. These apply to elements in ChatGPT-5 like conversation bubbles and highlighted text.

This is the first time color has been used in the ChatGPT interface, and it takes some getting used to, but I think this is a feature you’ll come to enjoy.

What you don’t get

ChatGPT-5 has better memory, reduces hallucinations, and as a free user, you’ll get all that too. So what don’t you get?

Well, as before, access to the Sora AI video generator is restricted to Plus and Pro users, as is ChatGPT Agent. And in terms of new models, the super-powerful ChatGPT-5 Pro is only available to Pro users.

But I’m still suck on GPT-4o?

If you’re frantically hitting the refresh button on your ChatGPT page waiting for access to GPT-5 then you’re not alone right now, but it is on the way.

A message on the OpenAI website says: “We are gradually rolling out GPT-5 to ensure stability during launch. Some users may not yet see GPT-5 in their account as we increase availability in stages.”

You might also like
'Final nail in Intel’s workstation coffin': AMD ThreadRipper Pro 9000 rips through Intel's Xeon in a desperately one-sided review - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 16:06
  • AMD Threadripper Pro 9995WX outpaces Intel Xeon W9-3495X significantly in Premiere Pro benchmarks
  • Video editing PC workloads benefit from AMD’s higher core density and sustained throughput
  • Measured gains in DaVinci Resolve and After Effects highlight Threadripper’s content creation strength

AMD’s Threadripper PRO 9000WX series has delivered a blow that Intel’s Xeon workstation CPUs may not recover from.

Benchmarks from Puget Systems covering real-world content creation applications found the new Threadripper chips outperformed Intel’s Xeon W-3500 series across nearly every category, often by wide margins which left little room for excuses or rebuttal.

At the top of AMD’s stack is the 96-core 9995WX, priced at $11,700, delivering a Cinebench 2024 multi-core score of 7,508, 27% ahead of the previous-gen 7995WX and a staggering 125% faster than Intel’s most powerful Xeon tested.

Threadripper pulls ahead?

Even AMD’s mid-range 9975WX with 32 cores ($4,100) routinely beat Intel’s 60-core w9-3595X in workloads like Blender, DaVinci Resolve, and Unreal Engine compiling.

Intel’s best simply couldn’t keep up, either in raw throughput or clock speed, and often looked inefficient by comparison.

In Photoshop, where high single-core speed matters, AMD's 16-core 9955WX came out on top with an overall score of 11,384 - whereas Intel's Xeon w5-3535X managed only 6,801, barely 60% of AMD’s best showing.

Even the weakest Threadripper 9000 chip tested outperformed every Intel CPU across the board in Adobe’s suite of creative tools, including Premiere Pro and After Effects.

In After Effects 3D workloads, the 9955WX again dominated with a 9% lead over the 9995WX and a 40% advantage over Intel’s top performer.

DaVinci Resolve further emphasized Intel’s problem: the 9975WX scored 180 in Intraframe processing, a 10% improvement over AMD’s previous generation, while Xeons lagged by more than 20%.

AI-related benchmarks using LLaMA.cpp showed consistent scaling on AMD, with the 9995WX processing 16% more tokens per second than its predecessor.

Intel’s Xeon parts trailed even lower-tier Threadripper models here, further underlining their inefficiency in modern workloads.

Workstation tasks like compiling in Visual Studio or shader building in Unreal Engine showed predictable trends.

The 9995WX and 9985WX completed these tasks dramatically faster, with the former finishing Unreal Engine compilation in 68% of the time required by the previous generation.

Intel’s Xeons simply couldn’t compete; even their 60-core chip was outpaced by AMD’s 32-core offering.

While AMD's new processors come with a 10–20% price increase over the 7000WX line, the performance uplift and DDR5-6400 support help justify it.

In nearly every test, AMD’s dominance was clear and systematic, leaving Intel’s Xeon series looking outdated and overpriced.

You might also like
The ISS Crew Is Returning to Earth: Here's How to Watch Online - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 16:53
You can watch the ISS astronauts return home on Friday.
Out of Nowhere: UFO 50 Hits Switch 2 After Indie World Reveal - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 17:03
No release date, no buildup, just a straight-up launch on the Switch.
The Aurora Borealis Is Back: These 18 States Have a Chance to See It Over 2 Nights - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 17:12
Prepare to get away from city lights if you want to see the colorful sky show.
The Tesla Cybertruck May Have Found Its True Calling: Target Practice - Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 17:51
The US Air Force plans to launch missiles at the controversial truck. Can we watch?

Pages