According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is going full steam ahead on a lighter and cheaper version of Apple Vision Pro, addressing some of the biggest pain points with the first generation headset. There’s also a second headset in the works, which aims to reduce latency concerns with real world applications. Vision Pro 2 Gurman reports that Apple had previously been planning a ‘more basic refresh’, essentially just jumping from an M2 chip to an M5 chip without any major hardware changes. Now, that won’t be the case. The product that we currently refer to as Vision Pro will be prioritizing enterprise applications, where the latency of an all-wireless setup was too much of a concern: Instead, it’s now working on a Vision Pro that plugs into a Mac. The difference between the two ideas is the level of immersion.  With the ultra-low latency of a wired connection, the headset would be useful for viewing images during surgery or for flight simulators, according to Gurman. A previous version of this product used transparent lenses, but this product will continue to utilize pass-through like current generation Vision Pro. ‘Lighter and cheaper’ refresh Additionally, a lighter and cheaper model is being worked on. There had previously been mixed reporting on whether or not this product had been seriously postponed, but it’s still a high priority to Apple. Gurman notes that the current Vision Pro headset weighs nearly 1.5 pounds, and can cause neck/head strain. He also adds that Vision Pro is seven times the price of Meta Quest 3, and that this headset will “seek to address” both of these issues Other than that, there aren’t many details on how Apple will achieve a lighter and cheaper design – but it does get Tim Cook one step closer to his ultimate vision of AR glasses. My favorite Apple accessories on Amazon: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Image by Kevin Winter via Getty / FuturismStudiesAs cosmetic procedures surge in popularity, lip fillers have never been more ubiquitous — but men, apparently, are not impressed.In a new study out of the University of Sydney, psychological researchers looked gender differences in whether thinner or plumper lips are considered more attractive. Intriguingly, men tended to prefer images of women with thinner or unaltered lips — but women preferred plumper lips in other women and thinner lips in men.Using what the school calls "digitally manipulated proxy image[s] for a human face," the researchers spoke to 32 students recruited from their psychology classes — 16 men and 16 women — about lip size and perceived attractiveness.The students were, as the paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B explains, shown 168 of these digitally altered images in quick succession on a loop. With less than two seconds to decide what was hot and what was not, these strange, disembodied faces (as per the figures from the paper) were apparently meant to stand in for the real thing.To be clear, there was a lot of weirdness evident from the jump. Along with the small sample size and bizarre manipulated photos — which were apparently all supposed to be white — the researchers didn't disclose the participants' races or their sexual orientation.Though these results are certainly intriguing, it's not entirely surprising that the men in the 32-student group didn't tend to go for big lips on either type of gendered face. Though people are generally more accepting of cosmetic surgery and other non-surgical procedures than they were in the past, men still exhibit glaring double standards, most rooted in misogyny, when asked about the way they want women to look versus the amount of effort and money that goes into those aesthetics.Still, the gendered differences in these results are intriguing.Indeed, in the school's press release, psychology researcher and lead paper author David Alais said that the study "highlights the subjective nature of beauty and the powerful influence of social and cultural factors.""As cosmetic procedures become more accessible," Alais added, "it's crucial to understand how these interventions can shape our perceptions and potentially lead to unrealistic beauty standards."As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder — though in this case, the lips have a lot to say as well.More on attractiveness: Straight People Are Comically Wrong About What the Opposite Sex Finds AttractiveShare This Article

Microplastics are everywhere, including in your diet. These are the top foods that hide more than you think.

PCs will be exempt from Trump's tariffs, but consoles will not As analysts warn of possible anti-US backlash, it's unclear if this is intentional or merely an oversight. Image credit: Nintendo / Eurogamer News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on April 13, 2025 While PCs and smartphones will be exempt from Trump's retaliatory tariffs in the US, consoles will not. That's according to former GamesIndustry.biz boss Chris Dring, who confirmed in his newsletter, The Game Business, that not only could Nintendo's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console be impacted by the tariffs, but so too will PlayStation and Xbox's hardware. Xbox currently has more first-party games coming to PlayStation 5 this year than Sony.Watch on YouTube At the time of writing, it's unclear if the exemptions for other tech components like SSDs and PCs were intentionally not applied to consoles or if it's merely an oversight. On the plus side, it looks as though Nintendo Switch cartridges will be spared the extra 125% levy. Nintendo had already directed the vast majority of its Switch 2 manufacturing output from Vietnam towards the US over the first two months of this year, as the threat of Trump's now-confirmed tariffs loomed, but the stinging tariffs applied to Vietnam - a key manufacturer for Nintendo - and China continue to cause considerable uncertainty. This may also have the ripple effect of piting Asian players against US game studios. "It is not far-fetched to think that even if 'a deal is struck' for tariffs and other issues between the US and China, Chinese consumers would protest the economic uncertainty by avoiding US products and even by avoiding US technology and games," said Lisa Hanson, CEO at Niko Partners. "In fact, Chinese social media already has consumer discourse about a consumer-led rebuke against US-products. The same could become true in Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and so many other countries. Chinese regulators could very well block US games from ISBNs, and may even take a closer look at blocking Steam International, which is currently a major part of China’s gaming ecosystem despite officially illegally operating." Earlier this month, US trade group the Entertainment Software Association said the Trump administration's tariffs will "have a real and detrimental impact" on the video games industry as a whole. David Cole - founder of games industry marketing and research firm DFC Intelligence - told Eurogamer his firm expected Nintendo to stick with its $450 launch pricing for Switch 2, despite temporarily briefly pausing pre-orders in the US and Canada. Pre-order invites for American players are now expected to go out "starting 8th May". For more on the upcoming console, here's everything announced at the Switch 2 Direct, including pricing, games, and more.

Bank of America Discloses Data Breach After Customers’ Documents Disappear, Says Names, Addresses, Account Information and Social Security Numbers Affected Bank of America says efforts to locate sensitive documents containing personal information on an undisclosed number of customers have failed. The North Carolina-based bank says it is unable to recover the documents, which were lost in transit and “resulted in the disclosure” of personal information. “According to our records, the information involved in this incident was related to your savings bonds and included your first and last name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and account number… We understand how upsetting this can be and sincerely apologize for this incident and any concerns or inconvenience it may cause. We are notifying you so we can work together to protect your personal and account information.” The second-largest US bank by total assets says it is taking various measures to protect its customers’ sensitive data, and it will let affected customers know if they notice any suspicious activity. “We will work with you to resolve unauthorized transactions on your Bank of America accounts related to this incident if reported in a timely manner.” The lender also says it is offering affected customers a two-year membership to an identity theft protection service. Follow us on X, Facebook and Telegram Don't Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox Check Price Action Surf The Daily Hodl Mix &nbsp Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing. Generated Image: Midjourney

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube807k Both Madden NFL and EA Sports FC have been locked in for the Switch 2, so what can sports enthusiasts expect when they kick off? EA has recently told Eurogamer how "both experiences are being built specifically for the new handheld platform". As for how exactly this translates in terms of feature and visual parity - while not a direct answer, EA says its general aim across platforms is to "always" deliver a consistent player experience "as much as the hardware allows". "We're excited to bring two of our most beloved franchises - EA SPORTS FC and Madden NFL - to Nintendo's Switch 2, giving fans even more ways to play the sports they love, anytime and anywhere...We look forward to sharing more soon."Throughout the Switch generation, EA delivered multiple "Legacy Editions" of the latest FIFA games, which were missing certain modes and features included in the main versions on other platforms. However, this changed with the arrival of FC 24 which delivered "full feature parity with other consoles" and got a back-to-back win with FC 25. In terms of other 'Switch 2 version' details like crossplay - EA won't reveal any specifics just yet, with more information to come at a "later date". It's also not willing to provide details about the final names of the Switch 2 versions of Madden NFL and EA Sports FC just yet. When asked a hypothetical question by the same outlet about whether the Switch 2 versions are different SKUs to "current and upcoming EA Sports games", the reply was these "experiences" are designed for Switch 2. Whatever the outcome is, it should at least be a major technical step up on EA Sports' experience on the OG Switch thanks to the Switch 2's hardware upgrades. Details thin on the ground, however We'll soon be playing with power We've been to Haaland back What are you expecting from the new FC and Madden games now that EA can tap the power of Switch 2? Leave your thoughts in the comments. [source eurogamer.net] Related Games See Also Share:0 1 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles It's Official, Switch 2 Joy-Con Will Not Feature Hall Effect Sticks Controllers have been designed from the ground up Where To Pre-Order Nintendo Switch 2 Where to buy Switch 2 consoles, accessories & games Nintendo Confirms US Price For 'Switch 2 Welcome Tour' Quick, act surprised! Round Up: The First Impressions Of Mario Kart World Are In The race begins this June Round Up: The First Impressions Of Donkey Kong Bananza Are In He's finally back...

The tech industry may not be safe from new tariffs, according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The Trump administration announced Friday evening that consumer electronics such as laptops and smartphones would be exempt from the tariffs it unveiled earlier this month. (While Trump delayed many of those tariffs this week, he left a 10% baseline tariff in place, and also levied an additional 125% tariff on Chinese goods.) Reports about the exemptions noted that tech products might still be affected by targeted tariffs to come, with semiconductors coming under particular scrutiny. Lutnick made that more explicit on Sunday morning during an interview with the ABC show “This Week,” saying that Trump is making these products “exempt from the reciprocal tariffs” but including them in “the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two.” “All those products are going to come under semiconductors, and they’re going to have a special focus type of tariff to make sure that those products get reshored,” Lutnick said. “We need to have semiconductors, we need to have chips, and we need to have flat panels — we need to have these things made in America.” Pressed on whether tariffs will mean higher prices for American consumers, Lutnick said, “I don’t think so,” and again emphasized, “I think the idea is that we can manufacture in America.” (Others have said Lutnick’s vision that “the army of millions and millions of human beings screwing in little screws to make iPhones, that kind of thing is going to come to America,” is a fantasy.) Trump himself was asked about semiconductor tariffs this weekend, and he said, “I’ll give you that answer Monday.”

Minecraft’s young fans are loving the meme-filled movie, but most would say a little too much as chaos now reigns in theaters.

In context: Apple has always kept its Maps app locked away in its walled garden. The company recently started expanding access to it. Last year, it launched a beta version of Apple Maps for web browsers – though it was a work in progress. Initially, users could only access the Maps web app from desktops or tablets. Now, Apple has quietly dropped the beta tag from the URL and opened the service to other mobile devices, including its rival – Android. Whether Android users will want to use Apple Maps is an entirely different question. The web app functions more like a website than the native Maps app. We tested it and found no inherent advantage over Google's market-leading Maps app. It's a fairly limited experience and doesn't support logins for saved data, transit maps, 3D buildings, and other advanced features. It feels subpar for Apple products. It feels like a minimal effort to appease regulators. The Cupertino powerhouse has faced intense antitrust pressure domestically and abroad. Regulators, particularly in Europe, have pushed the company to open its ecosystem. So now Apple Maps has a web app. Nobody said it must be good, and Cupertino has no interest in competing in the webspace. Whatever the motives, any user on any device can now access Apple Maps from any browser by going to "maps.apple.com." The web app supports search and navigation functions. It also has Apple's Look Around street-level imagery (added a few months back), similar to Google's Street View. Users who want a more seamless native-app-like experience can add the web app to their home screen. Just tap the "Add to home screen" button on Chrome. Doing this creates a quickly accessible shortcut to the website for those who plan to use it frequently. // Related Stories Apple has recently expanded its services footprint, gradually bringing products like Apple TV+ and Apple Music to rival Windows and Android systems. So, who's to say a native Apple Maps app for Android isn't in the cards? Still, Cupertino would likely need a monetary incentive to make that move.

Table of Contents Table of Contents Home networks are more at risk than you think 5 ways to protect your home network from hackers How can you tell if your router has been compromised? Did you know that home network devices see an average of 10 attacks during the span of 24 hours? As our homes are increasingly connected to the internet, every new device opens another gateway for hackers. Routers are among the most critical devices in your home cybersecurity arsenal, and yet, they’re often overlooked beyond the very basic upkeep. I spoke to TP-Link Systems Inc. experts to find out how to keep your home network safe, and these are the best 5 ways to do it, alongside other useful tips every internet user should be aware of. Recommended Videos TP-Link It doesn’t matter if you use one of the best routers available. If it’s compromised (and they all can be), every single device connected to your network can be in danger, from PCs to things like a smart plug or a home security camera. And, as our homes get smarter and our routers handle more and more connections, threat actors — or simply put, hackers — are always coming up with new ways to attack. Related A recent report from Netgear and Bitdefender found that there’s a shocking number of threats being blocked every single minute. Bitdefender alone blocks an average of 2.5 million threats over a 24-hour window, which means 1,736 threats per minute. Meanwhile, the highest number of vulnerabilities in 2023 was discovered in devices many of us own, with TVs leading the way (34%), followed by smart plugs (18%), digital video recorders (13%), and finally, routers (12%). According to a SonicWall report, Internet of Things (IoT) spiked 107% in the first half of 2024. I had the opportunity to speak to TP-Link Systems Inc. (which I might at times call TP-Link for ease) about the matter of home router security. “TP-Link recognizes that home networks are integral to smart devices, and, as such, IoT security must be a top priority without compromising ease of use. No one company can fully secure the IoT ecosystem on its own,” says a TP-Link Systems cybersecurity expert. The company makes it clear that it’s important for us all to stay vigilant, too. “Consumers worried about home network security should definitely be proactive about safeguarding their digital environments.” DigitalTrends.com I asked TP-Link about the best ways to keep your home router secure. Here’s what I learned. 1. Keep firmware and software up to date This might seem like an obvious one, but it’s definitely something a lot of us overlook. Routers, like many other internet-connected devices, receive updates from time to time. In the case of routers, these updates are especially critical, as they often contain fixes to known cybersecurity threats. TP-Link underscored just how important these updates are throughout our conversation, saying: “It’s important to regularly check for and install software and firmware updates for home networking equipment, as these updates often contain critical security patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.” It might not seem like a big deal, but it turns out that a lot of issues get patched — it’s just that not everyone downloads the updates. “The most common and widespread attacks against home networking equipment specifically target known vulnerabilities that already have patches available, making it especially crucial to keep your software and firmware current to safeguard against these preventable threats,” TP-Link warned. When asked how to update the firmware of a router, many people would have no idea where to start. If that’s where you’re at, I don’t blame you. It’s not exactly common knowledge. Fortunately, you might not even need to do anything to stay safe. TP-Link Systems says: “The good news is that many modern software applications (including many TP-Link routers) automatically check for and install updates and can be configured to perform the updates at times that are least impactful to your schedule.” In the event that your router doesn’t automatically source and install firmware updates, the path is a little less straightforward. Start by logging into your router’s admin panel by typing 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 into a browser window. Your router should have a label with default credentials if you haven’t changed them. Once you’re in, search for the current firmware version, take note of the exact model of your router, and head to the manufacturer’s website to download the update. 2. Change default admin passwords 1Password / AgileBits Speaking of passwords … have you changed yours lately? No? Then you should. One of the leading causes of various attacks on home routers is the fact that many people just use their default passwords indefinitely, making it very easy for threat actors to attack them. TP-Link Systems shared some tips on keeping your router’s password secure. In all fairness, these tips apply to pretty much every account and device you own, so I recommend following them for the ultimate internet security. First of all, make sure your passwords are strong, unique, and contain a mix of lower and upper-case letters, symbols, and numbers. Do not reuse passwords across multiple accounts; that’s just asking for trouble if your password ever gets leaked, or should I say, “pwned.” The term comes from Have I Been Pwned, which is a popular tool that lets you check if your credentials have been leaked anywhere. TP-Link adds to this: “Pay special attention to your router’s default administrator password. Changing it reduces the risk of attacks exploiting default credentials, helping to protect your network from unauthorized access. This practice should extend beyond your home router; always change default passwords on any device or software.” 3. Use antivirus software Many hold the belief that antivirus software is unnecessary now that our devices are more fit to face the dangers of the internet, but that’s not a universal truth. Hackers keep finding new ways to break into people’s PCs, steal their data, or even their money — so using one of the best antivirus programs is still very much recommended. TP-Link refers to this as “endpoint protection.” An endpoint is essentially any device that connects to a network, but the term “endpoint protection” really covers more than just antivirus software. It includes tools for things like: Malware detection and removal Firewall management Ransomware protection Behavior-based threat detection Data encryption TP-Link Systems’ representative clarifies: “Endpoint protection can automatically identify, quarantine, and eliminate malware, including viruses, worms, and ransomware. Most endpoint protection solutions are simple to install and user-friendly and may already be built into your desktop operating system (e.g., Windows Defender).” 4. Set up and configure your firewall Digital Trends A firewall may seem like a nuisance at times if it ends up blocking the wrong thing, but believe the experts if you don’t believe me — it can really help. TP-Link stressed the importance of using a firewall to protect your home network. “Set up a firewall at the edge of your home network to protect against external threats. A firewall blocks malicious traffic from entering your network and can alert you to suspicious activities. When properly configured, it also helps contain internal threats by preventing unwanted or harmful software from connecting to the internet,” advises the network giant. The simplest firewall to use is the one built into your operating system, such as Windows 11 or macOS. Make sure that it’s enabled and make exceptions if you must, but on the whole, keep it on. TP-Link says that most routers will have some protection of their own, too: “Most modern wireless routers come equipped with a configurable, built-in firewall offering features like access controls, web filtering, and denial-of-service (DoS) protection, which can be customized to suit your needs. If your router has these enhanced features, you should take advantage of them.” 5. Get rid of unused software and devices It might seem that leaving something that you’re no longer using is harmless, but that’s not true. As devices and software age and go for longer periods of time without any updates, they become more vulnerable to attacks over time. “Disable unnecessary services and remove unused software to significantly reduce the attack surface of your devices and network. Unused or unwanted services often create vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit,” explains TP-Link. Strangely enough, this might be more relevant to you if you have one of the best laptops — or overall, a recent PC. It’s a fairly new practice, but prebuilts, laptops, and mobile devices often come with pre-installed software that you might not want to use; that stuff can be dangerous if left alone, as per TP-Link. “This is particularly relevant for new computer systems, which frequently come with pre-installed trial software and applications that may not be useful to you. Eliminating these reduces potential security risks and improves system performance.” TP-Link Even with all the protections in place, it’s still not impossible for your router to get hacked. This isn’t just a TP-Link thing — some cybersecurity experts admit that there might not be such a thing as a device that’s 100% impossible to hack, or a network that’s 100% impossible to breach. However, if your home network gets breached, it’s not like it’ll all go up in flames. The signs are more subtle, but they’re definitely there. I asked TP-Link to clarify what the top signs of a home router being targeted by hackers or otherwise compromised are, and the company gave me some helpful tips. First of all, the representative emphasized that yes, we should be worried about the possibility of our routers being hacked. Why does it matter? Because your router is the gateway to every other connected device on your home network. While the router itself might not contain your private data, your PC, smartphone, and other devices certainly do. “A compromised router can expose personal and professional data, allow unauthorized access to devices, and even serve as a launch point for further attacks,” says TP-Link. So, what are these signs to watch out for? An obvious one is internet speed; if your internet is slow and your provider isn’t the problem, your router might be, and the reason behind that is quite sinister: “This can occur because attackers might be using the router to carry out tasks such as participating in botnet activities, launching Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, or siphoning bandwidth for illicit purposes.” kasarp studio / Shutterstock Weird network activity is another tell-tale sign. This includes things like unknown devices appearing on your home network or excessive data usage without any explanation. The cause could be that hackers might have tinkered with your router’s settings, such as changing its DNS configuration to intercept your data. There’s also DNS hijacking, and the way TP-Link describes it, it does not sound fun. (I’ve definitely known a few people affected by this before, so it could be fairly widespread.) TP-Link has this to say about DNS hijacking: “Additionally, users may notice they are being redirected to suspicious or unfamiliar websites when attempting to visit legitimate ones. This is a potential sign that attackers have tampered with the router’s DNS settings. This tactic allows threat actors to manipulate internet traffic, potentially leading users to phishing sites designed to steal personal information, such as login credentials or financial details.” The good news is that following the above guidelines will go a long way in keeping your home router safe. Even if you can never be fully sure, staying vigilant will already put you far ahead of the curve and (hopefully) out of harm’s way. Editors’ Recommendations