This year’s Apple iPhone SE has the same design that it had for its last generation, which was based on the iPhone 8. However, it seems that the next iPhone SE will have a design similar to the iPhone XR.
The iPhone SE 4, as it is being now referred to, will ditch the old form factor of the iPhone 8 with huge bezels and a Home button in favour of a more modern design with reduced bezels, notch, and Face ID.
While the current iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch LCD display, the iPhone XR-based iPhone SE4 will have a larger 6.1-inch LCD display. It will also have some other advantages over the 2022 iPhone SE, such as a significantly larger battery.
Other details about the new iPhone SE remain unclear at this point. In the past, Apple has added its latest chip to the entry-level iPhone SE – the current model uses the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13.
However, given that the non-Pro models in the upcoming iPhone 14 will keep using the A15 chipset from iPhone 13, we cannot say for sure what new chipset will the iPhone XR-based SE 4 will use.
As for the cameras, both the 2022 iPhone SE and the iPhone XR have very similar sensors with a single 12-megapixel rear camera with f/1.8 aperture and a 7-megapixel front camera with f/2.2 aperture. Of course, Apple could improve the camera sensors for the next iPhone SE, or at least add new software features like Night Mode, which, so far has been unavailable on entry-level iPhones.
The rationale behind the iPhone SE series is that it is meant for people looking for cheaper and smaller iPhones as opposed to the regular or Max options. However, demand for the 2022 iPhone SE has been quite low, which means that people are no longer interested in buying a phone designed almost a decade ago. Furthermore, this also means that a 4.7-inch is rather too small and that people would prefer something larger.
Given that Apple has been rather sporadic about the launch of the iPhone SE series, it cannot be said with certainty when the next iPhone SE will be launched. Last time, it took two years between the launch of the second-generation and the third-generation iPhone SE.
Having said that, with declining smartphone sales across the world and with a recession looming over the world, it would actually be a perfect time for Apple to launch the iPhone SE 4 just a few months after they launch the iPhone 14 series.
The Rings of Power isn't ready to give up its plot-based secrets for a while – but it is willing to reward eagle-eyed Tolkien fans who might spot some unexpected Easter eggs and Middle-earth references throughout its first season.
The forthcoming Prime Video series, which is on track to be the most expensive TV show ever made, counts many Tolkienites among its extensive cast and crew. Unsurprisingly, then, there are plenty of intricate details and blink-and-you'll-miss-it secrets hidden within The Rings of Power's multiple sets, costumes, and weaponry.
Speaking exclusively to TechRadar at The Rings of Power's UK junket, co-showrunner Patrick McKay revealed that it would take multiple viewings of the first season's 10 episodes to even crack the surface of the high-fantasy show's immeasurable amount of secrets and Tolkien references.
"We wanted the visual language to be as rich and layered as we found the books to be," McKay explained. "If you're looking at any frame of the show, there are all kinds of stories being told that might not be apparent on first viewing. If you enjoy the first couple – or all of – the episodes, watch them again and you may find some really interesting secrets."
Some Middle-earth references will be immediately obvious to viewers. The wood-based armor worn by Ismael Cruz Cordova's Arondir, for example, is a clear nod to his silvan elf heritage (silvan elves primarily reside in forest cities including Lothlórien).
Others, though, will only be picked up on by the biggest Tolkien fans – McKay offered one example of the sheer amount of detail that went into every design for The Rings of Power's considerable cast of characters and various realms.
"Look at every piece of jewellery that [Elven High-King] Gil-galad wears," McKay said. "Each of his rings carry significance, and they even lock together to form brass knuckles, because he's known as the Warrior King. Every single character throughout all of our locations has that level of imagination and detail in their costume."
McKay isn't being hyperbolic, either. Markella Kavenagh, who plays Nori Brandyfoot – a member of a nomadic Hobbit precursor race called the Harfoots – revealed how one particular element of each Harfoot costume symbolizes how important the themes of family and community are to Middle-earth's halfling race.
"Each member of the Harfoot community has these necklaces of apple seeds," Kavenagh explained. "Some members, such as the elders, have many more because they've lost more Harfoots during each migration they've embarked on. So the amount of apple seeds represents how many members of the Harfoot community have passed away during each migration. It's such a small detail, but it's pivotal to the unity within their community."
Clearly, The Rings of Power has been painstakingly crafted to deliver a visual feast for the eyes. Established Tolkien fans, as well as newcomers to the franchise, will want to keep their eyes peeled for a seemingly infinite amount of big and small details in Amazon's Lord of the Rings series.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's first two episodes will exclusively launch on Prime Video on Friday, September 2 in most world regions. However, US audiences will be able to stream the two-episode premiere on Thursday, September 1 – read our in-depth Rings of Power episode 1 and 2 release time guide for more details.
TechRadar will be bringing you plenty of content surrounding the Rings of Power over the next few days. Firstly, find out how you can stream both episodes in 8K with Samsung devices, or check out the show's final trailer before launch day arrives.
Be sure to check back later today (August 31) for our spoiler-free review of The Rings of Power's first two episodes, too, and keep an eye out for more from our exclusive chats with the show's cast and crew later this week.
As a result of the widespread shift to remote working brought about by the pandemic, many businesses are now embracing a hybrid working model. This means that instead of bringing employees back to the office full-time, organisations are enabling their staff to split their time between their home and the office.
This move, which enables employees to enjoy the benefits of working remotely while also allowing them the option to collaborate in person, means businesses need to ensure their workforce is equipped with devices that keep up with their demanding productivity workflow. This means high-performance laptops are a must, as well as machines that enable fuss-free remote manageability and enterprise-class security tools.
The AMD Ryzen™ 6000 PRO processor has enabled a new generation of laptops that have been designed with hybrid workers in mind, complete with unparalleled performance for video conferencing, endless connectivity options, and a huge array of business-grade security features.
We take a look at some of the features that are a must-have for your hybrid workers.
Remote working, and the shift to hybrid working that has followed, has enabled a new type of working. Time spent on Microsoft Teams, for example, increased by 100% from 2020 to 2021, and employees are now spending more time than ever using cloud-based applications that allows them to better collaborate with their colleagues working from different locations.
Your employees need a business-grade laptop that will keep up with these ever-changing and ever-demanding tasks. An AMD Ryzen™ 6000 PRO processor-based laptop can do just that; not only does its 6nm “Zen 3+” architecture enable fast performance but it also has been designed with flexible working in mind. For example, the HP EliteBook 865 G9 - which packs an AMD Ryzen™ 7 6800U processor - makes use of the CPU’s intelligent features to accelerate performance while employees are using Microsoft Office applications while running a conference in Microsoft Teams.
What’s more, thanks to the next-gen connectivity options offered by the built-in CPU’s built-in AMD RDNA™ 2 graphics, the EliteBook 865 supports the latest HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.0 standards, up to four 4K screens, and the latest high-quality codecs, ensuring your staff have the ultimate working from home setup.
Battery life is another must-have for today’s employees who need reliable portability for hybrid work anywhere. The aforementioned HP EliteBook 865 - which also boasts a 14-inch 16:10 aspect ratio display, a sleek and lightweight design, and runs Microsoft’s Windows 11 out of the box - has been rated the best business-grade laptop when it comes to battery life, offering up to 26.15 hours of non-stop productivity from a single charge.*
* All battery life claims are approximate. Battery life tested by HP as of 4.7.22, using the Bapco MobileMark 18 benchmark test on an HP Elitebook 865 G9 laptop configured with a 76WHr battery, Ryzen PRO 6850U processor with Radeon graphics, 256GB HDD, 8GB memory, Win 10 Pro, video resolution of 1920 x 1200 x 60 Hz and the power slider set to “better battery.” Actual battery life will vary based on several factors, including, but not limited to: product configuration and usage, software, operating conditions, wireless functionality, power management settings, screen brightness and other factors. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and use. AMD has not independently tested or verified the battery life claim. For more information about HP’s published battery life testing and the MobileMark 18 benchmark test, see https://results.bapco.com/fdr/63601890f0f14ab5c99c634be6721d95 . RMP-33
Security is another key consideration when choosing the right hardware for your hybrid workforce.
An AMD Ryzen™ 6000 PRO processor-powered laptop helps protect your employees against even all kinds of attacks. The CPUs, which are the first x86 processors to integrate the Microsoft Pluton security processor*, are designed to offer chip-to-cloud protection against cyberattacks. The Pluton chip helps to eliminate vectors of attack while helping to protect critical data - such as users’ identifying information and encryption keys - from falling into the hands of hackers.
What’s more, if you opt for a Ryzen™ 6000 PRO processor-based laptop such as the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, you’re also gaining a number of additional security tools from the built-in privacy shutter to the fingerprint scanner embedded into the laptop’s business-grade keyboard.
* As of January 2022, only AMD Ryzen™ 6000 Series processors include the Microsoft Pluton security processor, while AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series processors and Intel's latest 11th and 12th Gen processors do not. RMB-24
With employees splitting their time between their home and the office, not to mention coffee shops and various co-working spaces, manageability has become a difficult task for IT admins, forced to contend with a multitude of devices and an endless number of networks.
However, with an AMD Ryzen™ 6000 PRO processor-based laptop, managing your fleet of devices is simple. The CPU’s come with an integrated AMD Manageability processor, which offers simplified deployment and management that is compatible with your current infrastructure - so no expensive overhauls required.
For example, let’s say you equip your employees with Ryzen™ 6000 PRO processor-powered Lenovo Z16 laptops. You’ll be able to deploy hardware quickly and easily thanks to the CPU’s support cloud-based tools such as Windows Autopilot, you’ll have flexibility thanks to the processor’s open standards and features, and management at scale with be easier than ever thanks to Ryzen™ 6000 PRO’s support for modern management solutions, such as Windows Endpoint Manager.
The AMD Ryzen™ 6000 PRO processor-based laptop, which is sure to offer your hybrid workers all of the tools they need to work quickly and reliably from any location, is already shipping in a number of business-grade laptops.
There’s the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, which not only offers unmatched performance and an all-day battery life, but also boasts a high-resolution 13.3-inch touchscreen display, a Dolby Audio Speaker System for high-quality audio, and up to 2TB PCIe SSD storage.
Lenovo has also upgraded its ThinkPad Z16 with an AMD Ryzen™ 6000 PRO processor. This means the stylish laptop is now the ideal machine for employees with demanding workflows, as well as those working in the creative industries that require pin-sharp visuals and slick graphics performance. Alongside its powerful internals, the ThinkPad Z16 packs a massive 16-inch display, an edge-to-edge keyboard, and support for endless accessories thanks to its array of built-in ports.
HP, too, has been quick to upgrade its top-of-the-line EliteBook 845 with an AMD Ryzen 6000 processor. The compact laptop also boasts optional 4G for on-the-go-working.
Whichever AMD Ryzen™ 6000 PRO processor-based laptop you choose for your workers, you can rest assured that the device will protect against hackers, enable your employees to keep up with the most demanding of tasks, and ensures they can be easily managed wherever they’re working.
Poco is gearing up to launch the Poco M5 and the Poco M5s mobile phones globally, on September 5 in an online event. The mobile devices will be yet another addition to their already impressive mid-range devices.
The event can be streamed at Poco’s YouTube channel and other social media platforms and will start at 5:30 PM IST.
Apparently, the Poco M5 is the same long-rumoured device from Poco that was previously teased to be running the MediaTek Helio G99 SoC. Some of the other specifications of both the devices have also leaked online.
Poco M5: expected specifications
The Poco M5 is said to have a 6.58-inch Full HD+ LCD display. As stated, it is likely to be powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC. The chip will be paired with up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage.
The Poco M5 will reportedly be a 4G handset and will be running on Android 12 with MIUI 13 on top, out-of-the-box.
The handset is said to pack a 5,000mAh battery with at least 33W fast charging support. A Poco M5 model with 5G support could be reportedly launched in the future. The Poco M5s is likely to be specced very similarly.
The handset is said to feature a “chic-leather-like” back panel design. The Poco M5 could also reportedly get a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security. It could feature dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v5 connectivity support.
Poco M5: expected pricing
The pricing is still under wraps, but judging by the specifications of the devices, the Poco M5 is likely going to be priced under Rs 15,000 for the base 4GB + 64GB variant, whereas the Poco M5s might be priced slightly lower than the M5.
2FA firm Authy is the latest company revealed to have been impacted by the Twilio data breach.
A company update spotted by TechCrunch outlined how the app, which is owned by Twilio, had seen details of 93 user accounts exposed.
Twilio, which provides customizable tools to build communications platforms, acquired Authy in 2005. The app has around 75 million users worldwide, making it one of the most popular two-factor authentication services around.
In its report on the incident, Twilio says the hackers were able to use the extra access gained from the initial attack to register additional devices to the 93 affected accounts.
The company says it has now identified and removed the "unauthorized devices” from these accounts, but that users should review their linked logins and look for signs of suspicious activity, as well as disabling the app’s “Allow Multi-device” option.
"Twilio believes that the security of our customers’ data is of paramount importance, and when an incident occurs that might threaten that security, we communicate what happened in a transparent manner," the company wrote. "To that end, we are providing an overview of this incident impacting customer information and our response."
The news comes after security-focused messenger app Signal had the details of over 1,900 users compromised as a result of its exposure to Twilio.
Okta has also revealed that 38 Okta-related phone numbers were compromised via Twilio’s administrative portals, according to a data breach report by the company.
Group IB has said that 10,000 accounts at more than 130 organizations were impacted by the phishing campaign, including marketing companies Mailchimp and Klaviyo.
Russian-founded cybersecurity firm Group-IB Threat Intelligence attributed the Twilio data breach to a criminal group dubbed "0ktapus".
The group allegedly used 169 unique domains as part of a large-scale phishing campaign that has been operational since March 2022.
According to the firm's research 0ktapus mainly targeted US-based companies, providing IT, software development, and cloud services, with the aim of getting the credentials needed to access private data, corporate emails, and internal documents.
Group IB's research said it was not yet clear if the attacks by 0ktapus were planned "end-to-end in advance or whether opportunistic actions were taken at each stage".
Via TechCrunch
So far, most iPhone 14 Pro camera rumors have focused on the main sensor, which will reportedly jump from 12MP on the iPhone 13 Pro to 48MP this year, but it sounds like the ultra-wide snapper could be in for a major upgrade too.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo – an analyst with a great track record for Apple information – in a tweet spotted by Apple Insider, the company is using larger 1.4µm pixels in the ultra-wide camera on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. That’s up from 1.0µm pixels on the current models.
This new camera will have pixels that are around 40% larger then, and that means this camera should perform a lot better in low light, as larger pixels can capture more light.
So while we’re not currently expecting an increase in megapixels on this sensor – with 12MP looking likely – it could be in for a big upgrade in other ways.
As ever we’d take leaks like this with a pinch of salt, but we’re now only a week away from the September 7 launch of the iPhone 14 range, and this close to launch the leaks tend to have a high degree of accuracy.
It’s sounding like the cameras on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max could be a huge improvement, with big changes coming to both the primary and ultra-wide snappers, and 8K video recording also rumored for inclusion.
But what about the telephoto? So far, most signs suggest this won’t be in for any significant upgrades. That means you can probably expect a 12MP camera with 3x optical zoom once again, and that’s a spec that’s looking increasingly dated.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – and a number of other Samsung phones – offers 10x optical zoom, while even the likes of the Pixel 6 Pro offers 4x optical zoom, and there are many other examples of Android phones that can zoom further than Apple’s.
Still, we might only be waiting another year until Apple starts to catch up, as there is talk of a 5x zoom camera coming to the iPhone 15.
For long, gaming has been a man’s domain. We have had a few women gamers who competed in professionally, and then went on to become very successful content creators, but most of them, if not all, were from southeast Asian, American or European countries. Indian women gamers were nowhere to be seen.
However, this scenario has changed rapidly over the last couple of years. We have had some really successful women gamers who are competing at the highest level and are emerging as serious content creators. Furthermore, women are also participating in game development in India, which has led to some really unique and progressive perspectives in the industry. Tech brands, too, are stepping up and sponsoring more and more women gamers.
We had a chat with Sooraj Balakrishnan, Head of Marketing, Acer India and discussed what challenges women face when it comes to gaming in India and taking it up as a serious career, the inclusion of e-sports as a medal event in the 19th Asian Games, and how that will boost the Indian gaming industry. Edited Excerpts:
Gaming, be it mobile, console, or desktop, has been perceived to be a man’s domain for a long time. Is the situation changing in India?
Yes, there has been a shift in how gaming is perceived today. I believe it is no longer about gender but the opportunities and mediums that are available to people. Traditionally gaming was perceived as a male-dominated industry as most men were at the centre stage when gaming was talked about. However, today there is a change in narrative and the increasing degree of women’s participation is encouraging and a testimony that the situation is changing in India.
There is also the fact that people’s mindset has evolved over the years. Today there is acceptance, and gaming is not typecast as a male thing. Brands and even the government are encouraging women’s participation in esports and other gaming tournaments. So yes, the perception has changed and women in gaming will continue to increase in the coming future.
In India, what percentage of gamers are women?
As per ‘Think with Google APAC – Play like a Girl Report 2022’, 18% of all gamers in India are women. And the interesting fact is the number of women is increasing at a faster rate than the number of male gamers in India. The same study also highlights that more than 43% of the Indian smartphone gamers population were women and this is across all age groups. This is a great and positive sign for the representation of women in the gaming industry. The rise of online gaming has proved to be a positive push for women gamers.
What are the challenges women gamers are facing in India?
The gaming industry today is witnessing an increasing number of women gamers not only at the player level but at the developer level as well. These women are equally competitive as their male counterparts and are making their presence felt in the industry. However, there is no denying that breaking the monotony of a male-dominated industry is challenging. In general, convincing, and making the family understand that you are a gamer is difficult, irrespective of gender. But I believe for women gamers it becomes more challenging because society is not used to women playing games especially if you wish to take it up as a career. So, they might face more roadblocks in comparison but again it depends on individuals. With gaming gaining visibility and recognition people will be more accepting of gaming as a career for both genders.
Other challenges that women have spoken about facing is the online harassment, the gender pay gap, and ignoring women as a target group as most of the games are designed keeping in mind the male audience. However, according to me as the industry evolves and more women take up gaming and become part of the developing games the scenario is bound to change for the better.
How do we get women to participate more in gaming, and take it up as a legitimate career?
I think a slow change is taking place. Today leading brands and companies are actively encouraging women gamers to participate in gaming by coming up with different initiatives and campaigns. The fact that there is a constant increase in women gamers also means that women are actively participating in gaming. The popularity of online gaming is also aiding in that progress.
Gaming is not just looked like a hobby, but women today are pursuing a career in it. From professional gamers, and game designers to a programmer all the avenues are open for women to take up a career. As mentioned before inclusion of Esports as a medal event in the 19th Asian Games will also help encourage women to take up gaming as a career.
Is there a difference in the different genres of games that men and women like to play? If yes, what genres of games do women feel drawn to more?
I think it depends on preferences and it’s not possible to differentiate based on the genre of games. It depends on person to person. Ideally, you could say that men are more drawn to action games and women to puzzles or games that stimulate the brain more than gore and violence. But that cannot be proven because there are women who like playing action games and men solving mysteries and puzzles. So, I don’t think that you can club them based on genre, it’s more based on personal preference.
Amateur and hobbyist gaming lobbies have a very vitriolic culture, especially in terms of the language used. How can game developers ensure that this is a safe space for women?
According to me, technology has proven to be a solution for tackling many things nowadays. Similarly, AI can be used to block out offensive language in games. There is software available that does exactly that. It bleeps the offensive word during the game. I think this can also be developed further and developers can add a feature where they have an option to report the incident and ensure that strict actions are taken about the complaints so that nobody can abuse or make gamers feel unsafe.
E-sports has been included as a medal event in the 19th Asian Games. How will this impact gaming, especially in India? Is Acer sponsoring any teams at the event?
I think the inclusion of e-sports as a medal event will help give a boost and encouragement to people who are planning to take up esports as a career. In India, esports is slowly becoming one of the most sought-after professions among the youth today. Despite the industry being relatively new, there is a huge potential in terms of popularity, reach, and even in terms of earnings. With this, the opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship are increasing in the gaming sector. Low-cost & high-speed internet has opened gaming as an avenue of employment.
At Acer, we aim to develop the esports community as a whole and not just sponsor one team at an event. Global brands like ours in collaboration with government bodies are part of this ecosystem and driving the growth of esports. We see a huge potential in the esports sector in India going forward.
Acer has been taking some initiatives in making gaming more accessible for women. Can you please shed some light on the different initiatives that Acer has taken?
Our Predator League is held annually to reinforce the Predator brand’s commitment to supporting the gaming industry and, in the Asia, Pacific region. Predator is the brand with a complete gaming device line ranging from laptops, desktops, monitors, and accessories, and the Predator series offers the latest technology in gaming, made especially to enhance the gaming experience of any hardcore gamer. Starting in 2018, Predator League rolled through the Pan Asia Pacific in two phases. In 2019, the cross-continent tournament included more than 10 countries, bringing top-tier talent. This year we have our Predator League from 12th August – 3rd September 2022 and the final will be held in November in Japan. This League brings gaming enthusiasts irrespective of gender under a platform and allows them to compete to claim the title.
The league attracts millions of audiences and thousands of gamers playing for hundreds of hours throughout the month-long festival. This league is the pioneer in developing the gaming community and is instrumental in the growth of e-sports in India. In our flagship predator gaming tournament, we had an exclusive for women where we saw great participation from women gamers. It was encouraging to see women take up gaming seriously. E-sport is a very gender-neutral tournament where women can also compete in the same tournament as men, and they can achieve the same level of excellence as well. So, it’s a very attractive industry for women and we find more and more women taking to esports.
We believe that women will play a big role in the growth of the gaming industry and the industry will be more gender-balanced as we move forward, and as gaming becomes more mainstream. Acer will continue to stay invested in the growth of the women’s gaming community.
What’s next for Acer in India, as far as gaming is concerned? Will we see more initiatives and touchpoints from the company for amateurs and enthusiasts in India?
At Acer, we are always looking at innovating and trying to bring the best products to our customers. We have a full stack of gaming laptops starting from Aspire gaming series up to Predator. The Aspire 5 and 7 laptops are ideal for both amateurs and even gaming enthusiasts.
During our global press conference this year, we also announced the launch of our high-end gaming laptop – Predator Helios 300. This laptop comes with a 365Hz high refresh rate, and a lineup of stereoscopic 3D products expands with a pair of new standalone, portable displays for creators and gamers. There are two additions to the product, Acer SpatialLabs Views for personal entertainment and Acer SpatialLabs View Pro for commercial audiences. This product also brings glasses-free stereoscopic 3D technology to gamers and home – entertainment enthusiasts to give them an immersive gaming experience.
In the wake of a tepid response, Netflix decided to can their TV show adaptation of Resident Evil on Friday - and many have breathed a sigh of relief.
The series garnered a rating of 3.9 on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting the largely negative response of many diehard fans of the Resident Evil Capcom game franchise, which made its PlayStation debut back in 1996.
If you're dejected by its cancellation, however, you can rest assured that Albert Wesker will be back soon in Dead By Daylight's upcoming Project W chapter.
In a Deadline exclusive, it was announced that the popular streaming service decided not to renew the action-horror show after its first season failed to break the skin for many viewers.
On Saturday, actor Lance Reddick, who played the iconic villain and Umbrella Corporation heavyweight Albert Wesker, posted a heartfelt message to the show's supporters on his Twitter account.
"The haters and the trolls notwithstanding, I wanted to give a special thank you to all the fans who watched the show, who got what we were doing, and who really loved it - because there is a hell of a lot of you," he said in a short video on his personal Twitter.
He then went on to thank showrunner Andrew Dabb, his fellow co-stars, and "the executives at Netflix who believed in the show."
Off the back of this, fans of Wesker and the legacy he brought to Resident Evil will be excited to learn that the date for Dead By Daylight's Project W chapter release has been announced.
On September 30th, the asymmetrical horror game will add Wesker to their roster of bloodthirsty Killers as players pick a side and fight for escape - or for sacrifice - in The Entity's domain.
Get stuck in with the best PC gaming headsets to optimize your experience as you smash and dash your way around the Raccoon City Police Department.
AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X, the incoming flagship for next-gen Zen 4 processors, has been spotted boosting up to 5.85GHz – but there are caveats to be observed here.
This latest Zen 4 leak comes from a Weibo user (a social media platform in China), so must be treated with more caution than usual, and it was flagged up by HXL on Twitter (a regular source of hardware leakage, with the tweet being highlighted by VideoCardz).
Raphael 2x Durango CCD 16x Persephone CoreRyzen 9 7950X 5.7GHz (PBO/XFR 5.85GHz)5.85 vs 5.8（Intel RPL）https://t.co/BZM5fHaU5G pic.twitter.com/Uc5VDMZ0bKAugust 28, 2022
As you can see, the leaker purportedly has a Ryzen 9 7950X that hits 5.85GHz as mentioned – huge amounts of salt required, of course, and exactly what that speed means, we’ll discuss shortly – and Intel’s Raptor Lake flagship will apparently reach 5.8GHz at top speed in comparison.
The speed of 5.85GHz does line up with a previous top speed floated for the Zen 4 flagship by Angstronomics (a well thought of source), and the Weibo leaker does also provide a CPU-Z screenshot of the pre-release 7950X.
Clearly this is one we need to be pretty skeptical about, but if true, the 7950X being capable of that kind of boost is obviously quite the eye-opener. Now, the leaker makes the point that the Ryzen CPU actually boosts to 5.7GHz, with 5.85GHz recorded via PBO (Precision Boost Overdrive – in other words, the automated overclocking mode you can switch on to get a bit more performance out of your chip).
However, as another well-known Twitter leaker (Uzzi38) chimes in, what’s actually happening with this sample 7950X is that it is hitting 5.85GHz with no PBO needed, but this is just a peak frequency – reached probably pretty briefly, here and there. In other words, the quoted max boost on the box of the flagship Zen 4 chip will be lower than this (more like the mentioned 5.7GHz).
Exact speeds will, as ever, depend on the quality of the processor you buy – there’s always some variance within CPU models, known as the silicon lottery – but whatever the case, AMD will have an official (default) max boost set at a suitably low level so all chips can reliably hit it, for obvious reasons.
Whatever the case for the exact top boost speed for the Ryzen 9 7950X, it looks like it’ll be very close to the same ballpark as the Raptor Lake champ, the Core i9-13900K. Once again, this is another hint that the battle between Zen 4 and Intel’s 13th-gen silicon will be a very close one.
We’ll know a lot more about Ryzen 7000 tomorrow, as AMD has its launch event for the next-gen processors going ahead via a livestream. There’s a good chance we’ll find out the official rated boost speed for the flagship 7950X at this event.
We know that Apple has a launch event scheduled for September 7, at which we might well see the Apple Watch 8 as well as the iPhone 14 – but it now seems likely that another new Apple smartwatch is going to make an appearance too.
A new post up at Macotakara (via MacRumors) points to the existence and the imminent arrival of an Apple Watch Pro. The wearable is said to have a larger 47 mm casing, and is also rumored to come with a flatter design than the standard Apple Watch.
We've heard leaks about such a device before, but this seems to be more evidence that those previous predictions were actually accurate. A more durable titanium casing and longer battery life have also been mentioned in relation to this new wearable.
A tweaked, flatter design for the Apple Watch 8 has been rumored for a while, and indeed was first tipped to appear with the Apple Watch 7. Now it would appear that the updated aesthetic is going to be exclusive to a new model in the series.
The 47 mm size information is new – you can currently get an Apple Watch in 41 mm and 45 mm sizes – but there has been plenty of talk about an Apple Watch Rugged Edition. This seems to be the same as the Apple Watch Pro, and it's also been referred to as the Apple Watch Extreme Edition by some sources.
Whatever the naming strategy, Macotakara says Apple will make a grand show of unveiling the Apple Watch Pro, perhaps giving it the "one more thing" treatment that has previously been used to introduce new products (including the original Apple Watch).
The Apple Watch has clearly been a successful product for Apple, whatever metric you want to use. It's the biggest seller as far as smartwatches go, and successive iterations of the product have improved and expanded its features over the years.
If the rumors about an Apple Watch Pro (or whatever it's name is) turn out to be accurate, then it seems Apple wants to give iPhone owners even more reason to buy an Apple Watch: don't like the standard edition? Well, here's a larger, more resilient, more expensive version you can buy instead.
Take a look at the rugged, outdoor smartwatches out there – particularly the excellent Garmin range – and there's a market that Apple has yet to tap into. These wearables appeal to people who are a bit more serious about their running, hiking, walking, cycling, or whatever the activity happens to be.
Just how durable and long-lasting the new Apple smartwatch ends up being remains to be seen, but it can't hurt Apple to have multiple watch editions on sale – and let's not forget the more affordable Apple Watch SE option either.
Based on the latest from the rumor mill, we're still going to get brand new iPad Pro tablets from Apple for 2022 – but the jump forward in specs and performance might not quite be as significant as it could have been.
The well known (and usually well informed) Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the new iPad Pro models are going to go into the mass production stage in the last quarter of 2022 (so that's October, November and December).
However, Kuo also states that Apple supplier TSMC isn't going to have its 3nm chips ready before 2023, so the iPad Pro will be sticking with a 5nm chipset. That number is a size in nanometers, and the smaller it is, the more performance can be packed into a processor.
While Kuo says the iPad Pros will indeed be getting new chipsets inside – the current models currently run the M1 chip – they'll stick to the current 5nm architecture. The recently launched M2 chip is a 5nm processor as well, and may well feature in the next iPad Pro tablets.
It's a similar story for the refreshed MacBook Pro models we're hoping to see before 2022 is out. Updated M2 Pro or M2 Max chipsets look set to launch at some point in 2023, and then after that we'll have another wave of Apple computers to look forward to.
All of which means that while this year's iPad Pros will be faster than last year's, the performance jump won't be quite as massive as a switch to 3nm would have been (see also the iPhone 15). Another improvement the drop to 3nm should bring is better battery life, as the chips should be significantly more efficient in terms of power draw.
It was way back in April 2021 that the fifth generation iPad Pros were announced: the 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021. Since then there's been a lot of rumor and speculation around what Apple might be planning as a follow up.
As mentioned in the article above, improved performance is to be expected – but it remains to be seen whether Apple will go with an upgraded M1 Pro or M1 Max processor, or the newer M2 processor. We might also see a bump in terms of the internal RAM and the internal storage options.
Aside from the core specs, it would appear that the connectors used to attach peripherals are changing as well, which might mean you have to go out and buy a whole new Magic Keyboard. We wouldn't be surprised if Apple also introduced MagSafe charging technology to the iPad Pro line, as it has done with its iPhones.
There's still some time to wait before this all gets revealed, however. While the iPhone 14 is set to be unveiled in September, most reports are saying that the iPad Pros won't get shown off until October – when iPadOS 16 should finally be ready.
Once upon a time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe had a reputation for near-perfect interpretations of its comic-book heroes, but coming up short when it came to the villains. In recent years, however, the likes of Black Panther’s Erik Killmonger, Thor: Ragnarok’s Hela and, of course, Avengers antagonist Thanos have gone some way to redressing the balance. And now, in Kang the Conqueror, the MCU may be about to unveil its biggest bad guy yet.
Played by Lovecraft Country’s Jonathan Majors, Kang is all set to enter the microscopic world of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, before setting out to conquer the wider Marvel multiverse. These efforts will presumably culminate in 2025’s superhero team-up Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
Majors has already appeared as He Who Remains in Loki, but there are plenty of questions about how that (reportedly entirely different) character ties in with his dangerous doppelganger.
In this explainer, we’ve pulled together everything you need to know about Kang the Conqueror, from his comic-book origins to how he might fit into the wider MCU. This being Marvel, concrete facts about his involvement in the movies and TV shows are thin on the ground. But when you’re looking at a character with nearly six decades of backstory, the clues are definitely out there…
Kang the Conqueror may not be a household name yet, but we can expect his familiarity to start rocketing very soon – just as #Thanos became a topic of conversation after his brief cameo during the end credits of The Avengers.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe moves into Phase 5, Kang is poised to become the MCU’s Biggest Bad, creating plenty of multiverse-spanning headaches for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. First of all, however, he’ll be making his official big-screen debut in February 2023’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Kang the Conqueror is a genuine Marvel Comics veteran, dating back to the glory days of the early ’60s when the company was churning out iconic superheroes and supervillains at an awe-inspiring rate. Like the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men and Thor, Kang was the brainchild of the writer/artist dream team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and he made his debut in 1964’s The Avengers #8.
Kang was originally Nathaniel Richards, a genius scientist born in the 30th century of Earth-6311, aka “Other-Earth”. This version of reality was more advanced than the Earth-616 of the prime MCU timeline – basically, the Dark Ages never happened – but was also extremely prone to war. Nevertheless, a ceasefire was established after the arrival of another Nathaniel Richards, a time-traveler from Earth-616 who just happened to be the dad of Fantastic Four founder Reed Richards/Mr Fantastic – and may also have been an ancestor of his Earth-6311 namesake.
Richards-6311 wasn’t a fan of peacetime, however, and after discovering time travel tech invented by perennial Fantastic Four antagonist Victor von Doom (another potential ancestor), decided to experience history for himself. He subsequently used his knowledge of the future and mastery of advanced technology to – as his name suggests – conquer numerous worlds.
Richards’ original destination was ancient Egypt, where he ruled as Pharoah Rama-Tut. In fact, Marvel’s Rama-Tut first appeared in 1963’s Fantastic Four #19, before being retconned to become an earlier incarnation of Kang. (Other aliases the character has adopted during his timeline-hopping misadventures include Iron Lad, Scarlet Centurion, Victor Timely and Immortus.)
Rama-Tut eventually decided to return to his original time period, but his journey back to the 30th century was disrupted by a time storm that carried him to a war-ravaged 40th century Earth. With the planet’s residents now unsure how to use the past tech that was still abundant in their world, Richards seized an opportunity to take control. Assuming the Kang the Conqueror moniker, he subsequently became the ruler of Earth, before making moves on the rest of the galaxy – a course of action that repeatedly brought him into conflict with the Avengers.
As befits a character with a history of traversing universes, there are multiple Kang “variants” in the comics. The original “Prime Kang” even established a Council of Kangs with two of his most ruthless alternative selves, and they set about eliminating every other ‘lesser’ Kang in the multiverse. Prime Kang then replaced the deposed Kangs with robot duplicates so he could rule their realms remotely.
Other notable Kang variants include Kangaroo the Conqueror from Peter Porker: The Spectacular Spider-Ham, and a female Kang from Marvel’s alternative Ultimate universe.
Like Batman or Iron Man, Kang has no superhuman attributes beyond his genius-level intellect. Having the ability to travel through time is true the source of his power, and he navigates the space-time continuum in a time-ship capable of shifting between limitless time periods and realities.
Kang also walks around in super-advanced battle armor and has access to the most powerful weapons imaginable. In other words, there’s a strong chance he could have even an Infinity Stone-powered Thanos for breakfast.
Yes and no. Jonathan Majors, the Lovecraft Country/The Harder They Fall actor who’s long been signed up to star as Kang in the MCU, did appear in the season finale of Loki, but he was playing an entirely different character – more or less.
In Loki, Majors showed up as He Who Remains, the founder of the Time Variance Authority (TVA), the bureaucratic organization with a remit of keeping the space-time continuum on track. He resides in the so-called the Citadel at the End of Time, and it’s here that Loki and Sylvie (the trickster god’s variant from another timeline) confront him about the TVA’s ongoing efforts to suppress free will.
In a lengthy and very talky exposition scene, He Who Remains reveals that a variant of himself was once a scientist on Earth in the 31st century. He discovered that there were multiple parallel universes “stacked” on top of his own, just as other variants in other realities stumbled on the same Earth 616-shattering revelation. They subsequently made contact with one another and shared knowledge that would improve their respective worlds, but peace didn’t last for long. Soon, multiversal war erupted as each variant fought to preserve their own universe.
He Who Remains ended the conflict by using Alioth (a massive creature that consumes time and space) to isolate a single “Sacred Timeline”. He then established the TVA to manage the flow of time and ensure it didn’t stray from a pre-determined playbook.
After all those lifetimes living alone at the end of time, however, He Who Remains is tired and looking for someone to fill his shoes in the Citadel. He sees Loki and Sylvie as ideal candidates but they don’t fancy the gig – so much so that Sylvie kills He Who Remains, and plunges the timeline(s) into chaos.
He Who Remains had warned that his death would leave the Sacred Timeline exposed, and allow for countless other variants of himself to return – most of whom, he claims, are much more dangerous than he is. This prediction is seemingly borne out at the end of the Loki finale, when Loki lands in a subtly altered version of the TVA that features a massive statue of He Who Remains as its centerpiece.
Whether this new management at the TVA is Kang or another variant is unconfirmed, but it seems likely that Kang was unleashed when Sylvie killed He Who Remains.
Kang has long been confirmed as an antagonist in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the first movie released in the MCU’s Phase 5 (due in theaters February 17, 2023). Appearing on stage at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Majors teased that “there will be conquering”, while director Peyton Reed told the thousands in the audience that the movie will “explore the Quantum Realm, which is not always what you think it is”. Footage screened at SDCC (though not yet released publicly) also hinted strongly that this sub-microscopic world – that famously made time travel possible in Avengers: Endgame – will be where Ant-Man, the Wasp and co cross paths with Kang.
The first poster released for the movie revealed that the look of Majors’ Kang will be heavily influenced by his comic-book counterpart:
1ST look at ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA! Poster I illustrated for @MarvelStudios @Comic_Con Honored to work again w/ @MrPeytonReed #PaulRudd @EvangelineLilly & 1st time Cassie @kathrynnewton & KANG #JonathanMajors #antmanandthewaspquantumania #Quantumania #antmanwasp #kang pic.twitter.com/Mf8tL3wg6wJuly 23, 2022
Kang’s involvement in the MCU won’t just be limited to one-off villain duties in Quantumania, however. Given that a statue of his likeness featured heavily in the first season finale, there’s a strong chance that Kang (or another variant of He Who Remains) will crop up in Loki season 2 – especially as former TVA boss Ravonna Renslayer (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) was romantically linked with Kang in the comics.
Meanwhile, the fact that Kang’s namechecked in the title of the fifth Avengers movie, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (due in 2025, directed by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ Destin Daniel Cretton), implies very heavily that he’ll be Phase 6’s multiverse-threatening answer to Thanos – indeed, the use of the word “dynasty” implies multiple Kangs could be involved. We’d also expect Kang’s malign influence to carry over into Avengers: Secret Wars, the conclusion of the current cycle of MCU storytelling.
And don’t be surprised if the villain makes an appearance in the MCU’s new take on the Fantastic Four (due in November 2024) – after all, his original incarnation in the comics, Nathaniel Richards, is distantly related to the FF’s Reed Richards. Could Marvel’s first family be setting up Kang’s bid for multiversal domination?
Of course, now that Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness have opened the doors of the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse beyond the well-established Earth-616, there’s potentially no limit to the places (and times) Kang, He Who Remains and their variants could pop up.
If you're a Raspberry Pi aficionado looking for alternatives to the sought-after microcomputer, you might be pleased to know that Rockchip-powered boards will now be available from the UK-based online store OKdo.
Rockchip, a manufacturer based in Fuzhou, China produces popular Raspberry Pi alternatives under the "Rock" brand name, such as the Rock Pi 4.
The announcement, revealed via eeNews Europe, comes as the longstanding relationship between RS Group, owner of OKdo, and the Raspberry Pi Foundation lapsed after almost a decade.
OKdo says the move will boost the availability of customizable single-board (CSB) computers as a result of its engineering expertise, technology, ecosystem partners, supply chain and global distribution channels.
The range of products includes the ROCK 4 SE, a cost-reduced version of Radxa’s ROCK 4C Plus board that uses the RK3399-T six-core ARM processor.
The motherboard boasts two Cortex-A72 cores with a performance capacity of 1.5GHz and four 1.0GHz Cortex-A53 cores, as well as ARM’s T860MP4 Mali GPU with 4GB of 64bit LPDDR4 RAM.
Today's news could be music to the ears of hardware tinkerers or those simply interested in upskilling their python development, as Raspberry PI has suffered some serious shortages in the past year.
In an interview with The Verge, the boss of the trading arm of Raspberry Pi foundation Eben Upton described the shortages as "very bad".
He added: "We sold the same number of Raspberry Pis last year that we sold the year before, but we entered last year with about a half-million unit customer backlog, and we left last year with several million units of customer backlog."
Richard Curtin, Co-Founder and CTO of OKdo, believes Raxa, a Rockchip design partner, is particularly well suited to weathering the storm of the supply chain crisis.
Curtin said: "Considering the supply chain constraints that Taiwan Semiconductors have had lately, there is a significant risk of stock shortages when the production of semiconductors is solely located in Asia or in one wafer fab."
He added that Rockchip's use of several different types of wafers "was one of the main attraction points when we initiated the design, manufacture, and distribution partnership with Radxa".
While we wait patiently for the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro to be fully launched, complete with the upgraded Tensor 2 chipset, we've got news about the Tensor 3 CPU that is likely to power the Pixel 8 when it comes out next year.
As per GalaxyClub (via 9to5Google), Samsung and Google have already been testing an upgraded Tensor chipset, which logic dictates is going to be called the Tensor 3. The third-gen chip apparently has the model number S5P9865 and is being tested on a developer board codenamed Ripcurrent.
That distinguishes it from the Tensor 2, which is believed to have the model number S5P9855 (and is being tested on a board codenamed Cloudripper). The original Tensor chipset has the model number S5P9845, so you can see the pattern.
What we don't have here is any indication of how much more powerful the Tensor 3 CPU is likely to be – and we don't actually know much about the Tensor 2 at this point, except that it's going to be powering the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro.
No doubt there will be some performance upgrades, and even more in the way of capacity for artificial intelligence processing, but it's notable that Google is continuing to partner with Samsung on these chips as the Pixel line progresses. The Tensor processors are believed to be based on Samsung Exynos technology.
Speaking of Exynos, the GalaxyClub report also states that a chip likely to be the Exynos 1380 is also in development, the successor to the Exynos 1280 that's currently found in several mid-range Samsung phones (like the Samsung Galaxy A53).
While the original Tensor chipset has a lot going for it, it's fair to say that it doesn't match up with chipsets like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or the A15 Bionic processor that you'll find inside the iPhone 13 at the moment.
However, developing its own silicon in partnership with Samsung does mean that Google can customize it very specifically to the needs of its Pixel phones. That means making sure the architecture is right for the AI processing required to carry out tasks with Google Assistant and the Pixel's advanced photo processing features.
For example, we know that the original Tensor chip helps with face detection when taking photos, and powers the live translation feature that's available on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Expect more of the same with the Tensor 3, when it eventually appears inside a phone, most likely sometime next year.
Even taking the perspective that benchmark scores aren't the most important part of a mobile processor's performance, Google is still going to want a flagship that can keep up with its competitors, and it'll be interesting to see how the new chip does in that regard.
We heard recently that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra would look very similar to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, with almost identical dimensions and some similar specs too. Now, the source of that claim has revealed more design details, which point to both similarities and differences.
According to @UniverseIce – a leaker with a good track record – the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is “100% confirmed” to have exactly the same camera design as the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
We’d obviously take this with a pinch of salt, but they seem very sure of it, meaning Samsung’s floating lens design might stick around for at least one more generation of phone.
They do note one thing that might change in the design of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra though, and that’s the shape, with the top and bottom edges – or "fuselage" as they call it – apparently being less curvy on the S23 Ultra.
That could make for a blockier appearance, with a more squared-off look, as you can see below.
But this will apparently be the “biggest difference” visually between the S22 Ultra and the S23 Ultra, so if @UniverseIce is right, these two phones will look extremely similar.
It's time to test your imagination. The biggest difference of the S23 Ultra is that the curvature of the fuselage has changed. It looks like this from the top. Can you imagine it? pic.twitter.com/2BNRbxd6laAugust 25, 2022
Samsung only changed to this camera design with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, so it would make sense to keep it around for at least one more year.
Likewise the rest of the design doesn’t really need overhauling every year, and it was largely new for the S22 Ultra. So it’s both reasonable and believable that little would be changing visually for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
And of course, that doesn’t mean things won’t be changing under the hood. A previous leak from the same source suggested that the battery and screen would remain much the same, but the chipset is sure to be upgraded, and sticking with the same camera design doesn’t mean using the same lenses and sensors, so we could see changes there too, with a 200MP camera having been rumored.
We’ll likely find out for sure in early 2023, as that’s when the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will probably be unveiled. But whatever the case, we’d be surprised if it didn’t end up ranking among the best Samsung phones.
Full spoilers follow for The Boys season 3.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan has joined the cast for The Boys season 4.
Revealed on Twitter, Morgan has officially signed on in an undisclosed but recurring guest role for the hit Prime Video show's next installment. The Walking Dead star is currently filming a spin-off of the hugely popular zombie series but, according to the star himself, AMC and Amazon Studios came to an agreement – shooting schedule wise – that will allow Morgan to be part of both shows.
Chuffed to welcome @JDMorgan to The Boys S4. Can't confirm if he's gettin' any tights, though. pic.twitter.com/ApDpQgo0QCAugust 25, 2022
Morgan's casting comes just days after The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke confirmed that principal photography had begun on season 4. Taking to his personal Twitter account, Kripke revealed that the R-rated Prime Video series' next season was in full swing, posting an image of season 4 episode 1's title as proof of confirmation:
Day One#Season4 #TheBoys #TheBoysTV @TheBoysTV @PrimeVideo @SPTV pic.twitter.com/M66rk8tpR1August 22, 2022
Interestingly, Morgan's casting continues a recent trend that's seen Kripke team up with actors he worked with on another hit TV show, aka Supernatural. The Boys season 3 – check out our spoiler-free review if you missed it – saw Supernatural star Jensen Ackles tackle the role of Soldier Boy in the superhero parody series. Morgan, who played Ackles' father in 13 episodes of Supernatural, is the latest actor from the dark fantasy TV series to team up with Kripke on The Boys.
Unfortunately, it's unlikely that we'll see Morgan and Ackles reunite on screen in The Boys' fourth season. The Boys season 3 finale – read our ending explainer if you need more context – saw Ackles' Soldier Boy put back into cryostasis after the season's climactic showdown between the Boys and the Supes. Unless Soldier Boy is unfrozen in season 4, we won't see Morgan and Ackles fight alongside (or against) each other.
Morgan's casting in The Boys is a two-year journey in the making, too. In January 2020, Morgan and Kripke conversed on Twitter about the possibility of re-teaming on The Boys season 3. Clearly, that dream didn't happen, but now it's one that's come true for the duo.
Regardless, Morgan feels like an ideal fit for The Boys, with the former Grey's Anatomy and The Good Wife star has made a name for himself playing morally gray characters.
Morgan portrayed the complex, washed up superhero known as The Comedian in 2009 superhero film Watchmen, while his horrifying turn as iconic Walking Dead villain Negan has made him a household name and award-winning actor. Now considered more of an anti-hero in AMC's live-action adaptation of The Walking Dead, Morgan's Negan will co-star in spin-off show The Walking Dead: Dead City alongside Laurie Cohan's Maggie sometime in 2023. No matter whether Morgan is playing a new Supe or a devilish politician in The Boys, you know he'll deliver a fascinating and villainous performance that viewers will lap up.
Morgan's addition to The Boys season 4 cast is the show's third new hire in recent weeks. Valorie Curry (The Tick, Detroit: Become Human) and Susan Heyward (Orange is the New Black) have joined the Supe ranks as Firecracker and Sister Sage respectively. Meanwhile, Cameron Crovetti, who played Homelander's son Ryan in a guest starring role in seasons 2 and 3, has been bumped up to a series regular.
For more content surrounding The Boys, read our in-depth chat with Kripke and the season 3 cast on the show's latest installment. Alternatively, watch the final trailer for another Prime Video series in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, or read why we think Jungle could be Prime Video's next surprise hit.
5G services in India are soon going to be operational. As per recent reports, the Government of India would officially launch a number of 5G services at the inauguration of the India Mobile Congress, or IMC, on September 29, 2022.
To recall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech had said that the 5G will launch in India sooner than one can expect and its speed will be 10 times faster than 4G network.
Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio are in a race of sorts to launch the first 5G services in India. If certain reports are to be believed the telecommunication giants are going to launch their services by the end of this month.
5G services in India will be rolled out in a phased manner. In the first phase, only 13 selected cities would get speed 5G internet services from either Airtel, Jio, or both. These 13 cities are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jamnagar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune.
Reliance Industries Group announced hosting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2022 later this month. As per reports, the meeting will be held virtually on August 29, during which, it is being speculated that Reliance will be announcing the rollout of 5G services, as well as Jio’s upcoming 5G smartphone.
It is important to note that not everyone in these cities will be getting 5G services from the first day itself. It isvery likely that most telecom companies will provide access to 5G in selected areas of these cities, which have not been confirmed yet.
Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday asked telecom service providers to gear up for the 5G launch post the issuance of spectrum allocation letters. The DoT has received payment of around ₹17,876 crore from service providers like Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Adani Data Networks and Vodafone Idea for the spectrum they won in a recent auction.
The Department of Telecom had also issued spectrum assignment letters on the same day the successful bidders of radio waves made upfront payments.
Spoilers follow for She-Hulk episode 2 and Shang-Chi.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law episode 2 has arrived on Disney Plus – and it may have secretly set up Marvel Studios' forthcoming Thunderbolts movie.
The second entry in She-Hulk's live-action series – Superhuman Law – is on the short side from a runtime perspective. However, it's an installment packed with Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) references, including the overdue return of Tim Roth's Emil Blonsky, aka Abomination.
The last time we saw Abomination was in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, with the supervillain taking on Doctor Strange's Wong in a cage fight. Before that, Roth hadn't been seen in an MCU project since 2009's The Incredible Hulk. Now, though, he's back in the MCU, making his long awaited return in She-Hulk's Disney Plus show.
As we see in episode 2, Jennifer Walters is hired by rival law firm GLHK – to front their new superhuman law division, no less – after she's let go by her former employer. You know, because she lost her court case in episode 1. Oh, and the fact that she's a Hulk-sized liability. Go figure.
Anyway, after she's picked up by GLKH, Walters' first assignment is to represent Blonsky/Abomination during his parole hearing. Blonsky's been imprisoned at the Department of Damage Control – remember them from Spider-Man: No Way Home and Ms Marvel? – since he was beaten by Hulk in the latter's solo MCU movie. Now, apparently he's a reformed citizen, and it's up to Walters to convince the parole board that he should be released back in society.
It's during Walters' first meeting with Blonsky that his likely involvement in Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts movie is teased. We previously reported that Abomination may be part of the Thunderbolts' line-up when the Marvel Phase 5 film lands in theaters in July 2024. And it seems that Blonsky/Abomination could be part of that anti-hero team, based on what he tells Walters during their exchange.
After Blonsky tells Walters that he chooses not to turn into Abomination anymore, he lists a number of other descriptions for himself – he's Russian born, British raised, was a Royal Marines Commando and, most interesting of all, is "on loan to the US government".
What does that mean? Reading between the lines, Blonsky/Abomination can be called upon by the US government to carry out covert missions for them. Currently, there's no Avengers team to defend the world against superhuman threats, so why wouldn't the US government put an anti-hero taskforce together to protect Earth from interdimensional invaders? After all, a similar scenario plays out in Marvel comics, so it stands to reason that a comparable situation could play out in the MCU.
So, will Blonsky/Abomination be part of Thunderbolts' line-up when the movie arrives in cinemas? TechRadar recently put that exact question to head writer Jessica Gao. And, while Gao didn't fully confirm he would, her answer hinted at such a possibility.
"I don't think I'm allowed to say," Gao revealed. "I don't want to end up in an unmarked grave at Disneyland! But there is more Blonsky in She-Hulk – I believe I'm allowed to say that. So don't worry, it doesn't just end there from where you watched."
Of course, we know Roth's Blonsky will appear in future She-Hulk episodes. As episode 2's story reveals, Walters has to convince his parole board that he should be released in prison in the show's next entry. Meanwhile, a recent TV spot confirmed Blonsky will show up post-episode 3.
It's possible, though, that Gao's mention that "it doesn't just end there from where you watched" could imply his appearance in Thunderbolts. Sure, it's more likely she's referring to Blonsky turning up throughout the MCU Phase 4 TV show, but it could also be a slight tease towards his possible role in the forthcoming Marvel movie. That's what we're reading into it, anyway.
For more MCU-based content, check out our She-Hulk episode 2 post-credits scene explainer article. Alternatively, read our Marvel movies in order guide to see where the series fits on the confusing MCU timeline.
