VeVe and Lucasfilm launch a new Star Wars digital collectible series featuring Stormtrooper helmets and AR Podracers, priced from USD $10, to celebrate May the 4th. Read...

The funding, over 7 years, will establish a new science platform hosted by the Robinson Research Institute at Victoria University of Wellington. Read...

The Technology Users Association urges New Zealand to boost its digital strategy, tackling cybersecurity and tech skills gaps to remain globally competitive. Read...

When was the last time you used a USB flash drive? I had to think for a moment myself — and to be honest, I can’t remember exactly. For years, the USB stick was the device of choice when it came to fast and uncomplicated data transfer. Why do these practical storage aids hardly play a role today, and are they possibly even on the verge of extinction? A look at current developments sheds some light on this. Why USB flash drives are no longer popular? As compact and handy as they are, USB sticks have lost much of their relevance in recent years. One of the main reasons is their comparatively low storage capacity. Many commercially available models end at 256GB or 512GB, which means that large amounts of data such as 4K videos, complete photo archives, or system backups can only be transported to a limited extent. Although there are also some high-end sticks with up to 2 terabytes of memory, such as the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD, many people prefer to use an SSD for such capacities. The reason: SSDs generally use more powerful flash chips, which ensure higher data transfer rates and a longer service life. Another problem: The classic USB-A connection is hardly suitable for modern devices. Most laptops and tablets rely on USB-C, as do smartphones. mentioned in this article Seagate Ultra Compact SSD Read our review Best Prices Today: $79.99 at B & H Photo Although there are now USB sticks with Type C connectors, such as the aforementioned Seagate Ultra Compact. There are also so-called dual sticks with USB-A and USB-C connections, but in practice this is often a compromise. Many of these models rely on simple controllers and cheaper flash memory, which results in significantly slower transfer rates — especially when writing large files. Modern alternatives to USB flash drives External hard drives: lots of storage for little money External hard drives, such as SSDs, are robust and powerful — with significantly more storage space than the average USB stick. External hard drives — whether classic HDDs or fast SSDs — are among the most popular alternatives to USB sticks. They offer significantly more storage (up to 4TB and more), and SSDs in particular impress with their high transfer speed via USB-C or Thunderbolt. While HDDs offer a lot of space at a favorable price, SSDs are the better choice for large amounts of data, as they are faster, more robust, and hardly more expensive in higher storage classes than comparable USB sticks. Advantages: Significantly more storage space than USB sticks Shock-resistant and durable, higher-quality flash chips Ideal for backups or large amounts of data Disadvantages: Larger and heavier than a USB stick Sometimes more expensive, especially for SSD models Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB (portable NVMe SSD) External drive with SSD technology 2.5 inch, USB-C, up to 2,000 MB/s read and write, NVMe SSD, IP65, 5-year warranty Buy it on amazon Crucial X10 Pro 1TB Portable SSD External drive with SSD technology, USB-C, up to 2,100MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write, IP55 Buy it on Amazon SSK 2TB portable, external NVME SSD External drive with SSD technology, NVMe SSD, 2.7 inch, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write speed Buy it on Amazon Further reading: The best external drives we’ve tested SD cards: Small, fast – but not universal SD memory cards can be used to expand mobile phone memory, for example.SanDisk SD cards (or microSDs with an adapter) are also a compact alternative to USB sticks. They are standard, especially for cameras, drones, and mobile devices, as well as some laptops. In combination with a USB-C card reader, SD cards can even be used as mini storage drives for notebooks. Further reading: SD cards, demystified: How to decipher the confusing jumble of specs The advantage over classic USB sticks: SD cards can be used more flexibly in many areas, are often cheaper per gigabyte and — depending on the class and model — also achieve high transfer speeds. They are also easy to replace or permanently integrate into devices, such as cameras or laptops with card readers. So if you work with memory cards anyway, you can easily use them as a mobile drive (and save yourself the extra stick). Advantages: Extremely small and light Good speeds with modern UHS-II cards Can be used directly in many devices Disadvantages: Susceptible to loss or damage A card reader is usually required for use on a PC Amazon Basics microSDXC 128GB SD memory card with 128GB and SD adapter, 100MB/s maximum read speed Buy it on Amazon Sandisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I memory card 512GB Sandisk UHS-I memory card, 512 GB, V30, transfer speed 200 MB/s, U3, 4K UHD videos, Sandisk QuickFlow technology Buy it on Amazon Cloud services: Storage space always with you The cloud is probably the most modern alternative to USB sticks. Services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or OneDrive offer storage space on the internet that you can access from any device — without a physical drive. Advantages: Access from anywhere with an internet connection Ideal for collaboration and shared files Automatic synchronization possible Disadvantages: Dependent on a stable internet connection Limited free storage, followed by a paid subscription Data protection and encryption are important issues Conclusion: USB drive only for special cases? The humble USB flash drive has not yet completely lost its place — it is quite common and ideal for simple data transfers, firmware updates, or as a boot stick. But as an everyday solution, it is long outdated. The combination of limited memory, decreasing compatibility, and growing requirements makes it a discontinued model. Modern alternatives such as SSDs, SD cards, or cloud services offer better performance, more flexibility and, in many cases, a better price-performance ratio. Further reading: 6 genuinely helpful uses for the USB port on your router Read...

The technology giant says US tariffs will add around $900m to its costs this quarter. Read...

EZVIZ has established itself as a market leader in smart security cameras. The brand has a robust lineup of products to suit every household, including options with solar panel support, high-resolution video, pan and tilt tracking, security lighting and more. It doesn’t stop there, though. EZVIZ also has a lineup of smart entry products that can further enhance your home security. These solutions provide convenient entry to your home for yourself and your guests, as well as advanced security features for peace of mind when you’re away. EZVIZ has been recognised for its advancements in smart entry tech, and it recently won a prestigious Plus X Award as the Best Brand for Smart Entry Products 2025. Let’s take a closer look at some of the brand’s solutions to find out why. EZVIZ HP7 Pro 4K Palm Vein Video Doorphone The HP7 Pro is EZVIZ’s latest innovation, and if you’re looking for solutions to upgrade a large house or a villa, it could be just what you need. The HP7 Pro is so slick that it has been awarded Gold Winner at the MUSE Design Awards. The HP7 Pro is a video doorphone that’s designed to replace an aging intercom system, and it installs easily using the existing wiring. It combines many of the benefits of the other products mentioned in this article, offering keyless entry, remote access, two-way talk and more. If that wasn’t enough, the HP7 Pro takes keyless entry a step further. It benefits from palm vein recognition technology, as well as facial recognition. So, rather than fumbling for your RFID card, you can unlock your gate with a wave. It’s great for older relatives and children who might not have a smartphone to unlock the property, as the camera will recognise them automatically. The staggered launch of the HP7 Pro will begin worldwide in May. Stay tuned. EZVIZ DL05 Smart Fingerprint Lock EZVIZ Keys have been around for thousands of years, and they serve their purpose, but they can be annoying to carry, and even more annoying if you lose them. With the EZVIZ DL05 smart lock, you can make keys a thing of the past. The DL05 supports multiple keyless entry methods, including fingerprint scanning, NFC cards, passcodes and smartphone unlocking. What’s more, you can share temporary passcodes for visitors, or even grant access remotely – if a maintenance worker arrives when you’re away, for instance. Installation is simple, and the battery lasts for up to a year on a charge, so maintenance is barely an inconvenience. It’s also weatherproof, so no matter which door you want to upgrade, it’ll be well sealed against the elements. Learn more about the EZVIZ DL05 Smart Fingerprint Lock EZVIZ EP3x Pro Battery-Powered Video Doorbell EZVIZ If you get a lot of packages, the EP3x Pro is a dream come true. This innovative video doorbell includes a second camera that points down towards your doorstep, so you can check on your packages while away from home. At the same time, you get a wide-angle forward-facing camera with a crisp 2K resolution, so you can see visitors and the front of your property. The EP3x Pro is packed with useful features like human motion detection, package detection, two-way talk and color night vision. It can be easily installed with no need for wires, thanks to a capacious 5200 mAh built-in battery. The battery life is outstanding as standard, but if you want to go even longer between charges, it’s available with a solar panel kit to keep it topped up all year round. Learn more about the EZVIZ EP3x Pro Battery-Powered Video Doorbell EZVIZ HP2 Wire-Free Peephole Door Viewer EZVIZ If you live in an apartment complex, you likely have an old-school peephole on your front door. It’s better than nothing, but with this simple and affordable upgrade from EZVIZ, you can make your peephole so much more useful. It installs easily without requiring modification to most doors with an existing peephole. Then you’ll be able to see who’s at the door on a large 4.3-inch color screen, rather than pressing your face up to the tiny hole. What’s more, the camera feed can be viewed remotely using the EZVIZ app on your mobile phone. So, even if you’re away from home, you can keep an eye on your hallway. Learn more about the EZVIZ HP2 Peephole Door Viewer Read...

When was the last time you used a USB flash drive? I had to think for a moment myself — and to be honest, I can’t remember exactly. For years, the USB stick was the device of choice when it came to fast and uncomplicated data transfer. What is the reason for these practical storage aids hardly playing a role today, and are they possibly even on the verge of extinction? A look at current developments sheds some light on this. Why USB flash drives are no longer popular? As compact and handy as they are, USB sticks have lost much of their relevance in recent years. One of the main reasons is their comparatively low storage capacity. Many commercially available models end at 256GB or 512GB, which means that large amounts of data such as 4K videos, complete photo archives, or system backups can only be transported to a limited extent. Although there are also some high-end sticks with up to 2 terabytes of memory, such as the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD, many people prefer to use an SSD for such capacities. The reason: SSDs generally use more powerful flash chips, which ensure higher data transfer rates and a longer service life. Another problem: The classic USB-A connection is hardly suitable for modern devices. Most laptops and tablets rely on USB-C, as do smartphones. mentioned in this article Seagate Ultra Compact SSD Read our review Best Prices Today: $79.99 at B & H Photo Although there are now USB sticks with Type C connectors, such as the aforementioned Seagate Ultra Compact. There are also so-called dual sticks with USB-A and USB-C connections, but in practice this is often a compromise. Many of these models rely on simple controllers and cheaper flash memory, which results in significantly slower transfer rates — especially when writing large files. Modern alternatives to USB flash drives External hard drives: lots of storage for little money External hard drives, such as SSDs, are robust and powerful — with significantly more storage space than the average USB stick. External hard drives — whether classic HDDs or fast SSDs — are among the most popular alternatives to USB sticks. They offer significantly more storage (up to 4TB and more), and SSDs in particular impress with their high transfer speed via USB-C or Thunderbolt. While HDDs offer a lot of space at a favorable price, SSDs are the better choice for large amounts of data, as they are faster, more robust, and hardly more expensive in higher storage classes than comparable USB sticks. Advantages: Significantly more storage space than USB sticks Shock-resistant and durable, higher-quality flash chips Ideal for backups or large amounts of data Disadvantages: Larger and heavier than a USB stick Sometimes more expensive, especially for SSD models Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB (portable NVMe SSD) External drive with SSD technology 2.5 inch, USB-C, up to 2,000 MB/s read and write, NVMe SSD, IP65, 5-year warranty Buy it on amazon Crucial X10 Pro 1TB Portable SSD External drive with SSD technology, USB-C, up to 2,100MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write, IP55 Buy it on Amazon SSK 2TB portable, external NVME SSD External drive with SSD technology, NVMe SSD, 2.7 inch, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write speed Buy it on Amazon Further reading: The best external drives we’ve tested SD cards: Small, fast – but not universal SD memory cards can be used to expand mobile phone memory, for example.SanDisk SD cards (or microSDs with an adapter) are also a compact alternative to USB sticks. They are standard, especially for cameras, drones, and mobile devices, as well as some laptops. In combination with a USB-C card reader, SD cards can even be used as mini storage drives for notebooks. Further reading: SD cards, demystified: How to decipher the confusing jumble of specs The advantage over classic USB sticks: SD cards can be used more flexibly in many areas, are often cheaper per gigabyte and — depending on the class and model — also achieve high transfer speeds. They are also easy to replace or permanently integrate into devices, such as cameras or laptops with card readers. So if you work with memory cards anyway, you can easily use them as a mobile drive (and save yourself the extra stick). Advantages: Extremely small and light Good speeds with modern UHS-II cards Can be used directly in many devices Disadvantages: Susceptible to loss or damage A card reader is usually required for use on a PC Amazon Basics microSDXC 128GB SD memory card with 128GB and SD adapter, 100MB/s maximum read speed Buy it on Amazon Sandisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I memory card 512GB Sandisk UHS-I memory card, 512 GB, V30, transfer speed 200 MB/s, U3, 4K UHD videos, Sandisk QuickFlow technology Buy it on Amazon Cloud services: Storage space always with you The cloud is probably the most modern alternative to USB sticks. Services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or OneDrive offer storage space on the internet that you can access from any device — without a physical drive. Advantages: Access from anywhere with an internet connection Ideal for collaboration and shared files Automatic synchronization possible Disadvantages: Dependent on a stable internet connection Limited free storage, followed by a paid subscription Data protection and encryption are important issues Conclusion: USB drive only for special cases? The humble USB flash drive has not yet completely lost its place — it is quite common and ideal for simple data transfers, firmware updates, or as a boot stick. But as an everyday solution, it is long outdated. The combination of limited memory, decreasing compatibility, and growing requirements makes it a discontinued model. Modern alternatives such as SSDs, SD cards, or cloud services offer better performance, more flexibility and, in many cases, a better price-performance ratio. Read...

Intel said Tuesday that the company’s Arizona fab has run the first lots of the company’s Intel 18A wafers, the manufacturing technology powering its Panther Lake chips, while announcing a high-performance derivative process. Intel also offered a sneak peek at its 14A process, the next-generation manufacturing technology, which will include “turbo cells” for faster clock speeds. Intel made the announcements at its Foundry Direct Connect symposium on Tuesday, as the company tries to convince Wall Street and its customers that its manufacturing processes are back on track. Despite Intel executives’ on-stage promotion of their foundry roadmap, the products consumers will purchase directly influence Intel’s process roadmap. Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake processors will be manufactured on Intel’s 18A process node, completing the “five nodes in four years” goal that former chief executive Pat Gelsinger laid out. Intel’s next-gen 14A should be the technology Intel uses to fabricate “Nova Lake,” due in 2026. Intel has used foundry partner TSMC to fabricate many of the tiles found within its disaggregated processors like Lunar Lake, and bringing that production in-house will save Intel money as well as demonstrate to customers that it can compete with TSMC. Intel chief executive Lip-Bu Tan has said previously that Intel 18A is now in “risk production” and will reach volume production this year. Intel 18A includes technologies like RibbonFET, a next-gen “gate all around” transistor, as well as PowerVia, a backside power delivery architecture that can nudge up power performance by 4 percent. Intel 18A is “ready for full product design start” — just another way that Intel is saying that it’s ready to go. This is Intel’s process technology roadmap as of April 2025.Intel On top of the generic 18A process, Intel has now added two new variants: what it calls 18A-P, designed for “enhanced performance” to a small subset of customers; and 18A-PT, which “builds on 18A-PT performance and power efficiency variants.” Early wafers based on Intel 18A-P are in the fab now, the company said. Intel 18A-PT can be connected to the top die using Foveros Direct 3D with a hybrid bonding interconnect pitch of less than 5 micrometers, Intel said in a statement. Intel 14A, by contrast, improves upon PowerVia with a new technology called PowerDirect, its second-gen power delivery network. RibbonFET 2 will also improve upon RibbonFET, Intel said. Intel was supposed to move next to an intermediary 20A process but cancelled it. The most intriguing part of the new 14A process may be something called “turbo cells,” which Intel refers to as a “boosted cell technology.” It will further enhance speed (including CPU maximum frequency and GPU critical paths) when paired with RibbonFET 2, Intel said. That might be key, as Intel and other chipmakers continually struggle with how to improve chip performance. “Turbo Cells allows designers to optimize a mix of more performant cells and more power-efficient cells within a design block, enabling a tailored balance between power, performance, and area for target applications,” Intel said. It will be combined with High Numerical Aperture (High NA) EUV technology for smaller process features. Intel 14A and Intel 18A-PT dies can be packaged together, Intel added, using Foveros Connect 3D stacking and embedded multi-die interconnected bridging, or EMIB. Intel is also announcing EMIB-T for future high-bandwidth memory needs as well as two additional Foveros derivatives, Foveros-R and Foveros-B. Read...

For some years now, smartphones have had a built-in feature that protects against unauthorized access via USB. In iOS and Android, you get pop-ups that ask for confirmation when a data USB connection is established before you can actually start transferring data. However, this guard against “juice jacking”—a hacking method in which charging stations are manipulated to inject malicious code, steal information, or allow access to the device when plugged in—is apparently not as secure as expected. Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a serious loophole in this system that can be easily exploited. A new way to hack smartphones via USB As Ars Technica reports, attackers can use a new method called “choice jacking” to ensure that access to smartphones is easily authorized without the user being aware of it. To do this, attackers first install a feature on a charging station so that it actually appears as a USB keyboard when connected. Then, via USB Power Delivery, it executes a “USB PD Data Role Swap” to establish a Bluetooth connection, trigger the file transfer consent pop-up, and approve consent while acting as a Bluetooth keyboard. The charging station can therefore be used to bypass the protection mechanism on the device, which is actually intended to protect against hack attacks with USB peripherals. In the worst case scenario, hackers could gain access to all files and personal data stored on your smartphone in order to take over accounts. The researchers at Graz University of Technology tested this method on devices from various manufacturers, including Samsung, who sells the most smartphones alongside Apple. All tested devices allowed data transfer as long as the screen was unlocked. No real solution available for most devices Although smartphone manufacturers are aware of the problem, there still isn’t sufficient protection against choice jacking. Only Apple and Google have implemented a solution, which involves users first entering their PIN or password before they can add a device as a trusted source and start the data transfer. However, other manufacturers have not implemented sufficient protection against such attacks yet. If your device has USB debugging enabled, it’s especially at risk because USB debugging can allow attackers to gain access to the system via the Android Debug Bridge and install their own applications, execute files, and generally use a higher access mode. How to protect yourself The easiest way to protect yourself from choice jacking attacks via USB charging stations is, of course, to never use a public charging station or any charging station that isn’t your own. USB charging stations in high-traffic areas—like airports—are especially dangerous. It’s better to use your own power bank when traveling and make sure that your smartphone is always up-to-date with the latest security updates. Further reading: Your USB cable could be hiding hacker hardware Read...

It’s common sense that if you have a Windows PC, you need a third-party security suite to protect it. Right? Well, maybe not. That might’ve been the common sense mantra for decades, but things are starting to change and it may not be true anymore. With added protections incorporated into Microsoft’s latest version of Windows, you may not actually need a separate security solution. Are Windows 11’s built-in antivirus and security features enough for everyday users? The answer is, “Yes… but.” Here’s why. Further reading: The best Windows antivirus software Windows Security in a nutshell Windows has always had some security measures in place to protect you against hackers, cybercriminals, and malware. Those security measures have dramatically improved over the past decade, and they’ve never been better than they are in Windows 11. Although the additional requirements to even install the latest version of Windows might be annoying if you’re running older (ineligible) hardware, mandating secure boot and other protective features help make Windows 11 the most secure version of Windows yet. Indeed, Windows 11 has several protective measures that come installed by default, and they’re packaged together as Windows Security. Together, these features make Windows 11 secure enough for the average user to not need third-party antivirus software. Mostly. Here’s a look at each major aspect of Windows Security, what it tries to do, and how it protects you from threats. Further reading: Windows Security vs. Microsoft Defender: Vital differences you should know Microsoft Defender Antivirus You can manage Microsoft Defender from the Windows Security dashboard in Windows 11.Jon Martindale / IDG Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the latest iteration of the classic Windows Defender software that first launched as an anti-spyware tool alongside Windows XP. With Windows 11, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is fully integrated and installed with the operating system, and it stays on watch for you. It offers real-time protection to detect malicious files before they harm you, but you can also run manual or scheduled malware scans. Related reading: Help! How do I remove malware from my PC? In third-party testing, Microsoft Defender Antivirus showed itself to be just as effective at detecting malware threats as other free antivirus solutions, though in our own testing it did throw up a few false positives. Better safe than sorry, but we understand that can be annoying. Microsoft Defender Antivirus also offers basic ransomware protections by locking down your files and folders and preventing malicious alterations without admin approval. Microsoft Defender Antivirus also leverages the cloud to provide faster malware identification, and is regularly updated with new malware signatures to keep your protection up to date. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen If you’ve ever tried to run a standalone indie game or an app your friend developed and had Windows try to stop you, that was Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in action. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is an anti-phishing, anti-malware tool that protects you from malicious websites and applications. Related: The most common phishing scams, explained It analyzes the websites you visit and the apps you run to see if they seem suspicious or potentially harmful. If it senses something off, it’ll raise a flag and block you from visiting that site or running that app. You can easily get around Microsoft Defender SmartScreen by clicking a few buttons, but the warning prompt should at least give you enough pause to double-check what you’re trying to do. Windows Firewall Windows Firewall filters network traffic to protect you against malicious apps and hackers who want to access your network and devices. It can filter network traffic based on various criteria, including the IP address of the device trying to access your network, the port number it’s using, and what kind of app or service it’s trying to interact with. It can also limit network traffic to certain apps, preventing inbound and/or outbound traffic to/from applications and services. If Windows Firewall detects an untrustworthy connection attempt, it will automatically block the connection and prevent it from accessing your device and your network. You can customize Windows Firewall, including whether it runs on just public networks or private ones too, and what kind of traffic it filters. Microsoft Defender Guards Windows 11 also has some bespoke “Guards” as part of Microsoft Defender that enhance its anti-malware protections. Microsoft Defender Application Guard works across a range of Microsoft apps, including Edge and the Microsoft Office suite. It detects potentially malicious websites and/or files, and instead of opening them within Windows, does so within a sandbox that prevents any potentially malicious code from affecting your system. Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard helps eliminate common vectors for malware attacks. For example, it can prevent all executables from running within an email client or webmail service, or it can prevent applications from running after clicking links within Office documents. There’s also Microsoft Defender Credential Guard, which uses virtualization technology to isolate secret information (like password hashes) so that only privileged system software can access it. The different Microsoft Defender Guards are all enabled by default, but also have additional options and protective measures for enterprise users, offering greater granular control over how they work and how much they lock down certain Windows functions. When do you need more than just Windows Security? Not every antivirus or antimalware solution works with Microsoft Defender.Jon Martindale / IDG Back to the original question: Are Windows 11’s built-in antivirus and security features enough for everyday users? For the most part, yes. The actual security features are effective at what they set out to do. As far as detecting malware and prompting you with warnings when suspicious things happen, Windows 11 works and you probably don’t need a standalone antivirus solution. But Windows Security still puts the onus of safety in your hands. Certain features need to be properly configured ahead of time, and the overall protection offered by Windows Security is baseline. You still need to smart, careful, and aware by: Not visiting shady websites Not downloading unsolicited files Not clicking links in emails or social media messages If you trust that you’re good enough to keep yourself safe, and if you don’t mind shouldering the responsibility of maintaining good cybersecurity practices, then Windows Security should be enough. Related: Our full review of Windows Security But if you have frequent lapses in judgment, if you’re anxious about falling prey to malware or cybercriminals, or if you need additional features not included in Windows Security, then consider a paid antivirus suite. The best paid antivirus solutions offer more comprehensive protections against malware and phishing, along with additional features like VPNs, password managers, identity protection, parental controls, defense against remote access, and more. Some top-of-the-line services may even monitor your bank accounts and insure you against losses. If you’ve decided that Windows Security is good enough, make sure you change these settings to maximize its performance and security. Read...