Website: eq3.com/us/en/aboutus/eq3-trade15. WeezieBenefits: Though Weezie generally offers a 20% discount to designers, other highlights include free shipping, dedicated account support, and applicable tax exemption, plus sneak peeks and early access to products.Website: weezietowels.com/pages/interior-design-programEverything You Need to Know About Setting Up Your Trade DiscountsIn addition to dollars saved, trade accounts afford interior designers benefits like personalized service and access to exclusive products16. Home DepotBenefits: Special discounts and promotions, access to advanced tool and specialized equipment, competitive pricing and quotes for bulk orders, access to a community of fellow professionals, and a rewards program where top-tier members can receive an up to 20% discount on paint, dedicated support lines, and other perks.Website: homedepot.com/c/pro-xtra17. MintedBenefits: Art lovers in the trade can enjoy a 20% to 30% discount on fine art products, as well as complimentary art proposals from in-house curation experts. Members also receive free domestic shipping and no order minimums.Professionals say: When curating a collection, Oakland, California-based designer Susie Novak always mixes in original works from local galleries, vintage pieces from Chairish, and photography from Minted. “[It] offers an amazing trade discount,” she says. “I love the artists they carry, and their affordable prices make building a complete and beautiful collection so much easier.”Website: minted.com/lp/trade18. ChairishBenefits: The online marketplace gives members trade pricing up to 50% off as well as $100 in discounts per $5,000 you spend with Trade Rewards. Deals aside, Chairish also provides 48-hour hold requests, a trade-only hotline for customer service, and shipping discounts on European inventory. They also boast a worry-free return policy.Professionals say: Vintage shopping can often feel like a time-sensitive treasure hunt, but Chairish’s design trade program provides some added peace of mind. “When sourcing one-of-a-king items, the risk of them selling out can be high, so the hold function Chairish offers is particularly useful and exclusively available to trade members,” says designer Emily Vaughn. “Their support staff has been excellent in assisting with shipping arrangements and managing sales tax exemptions.” Plus, in the event that your order arrives broken, Vaughn says the e-tailer is “very accommodating in processing refunds.”Website: chairish.com/trade19. Lulu & GeorgiaBenefits: Members enjoy 20% off all orders, tax-exempt purchases, exclusive previews of new collections and collaborations, as well as contact with dedicated sales and support teams.Professionals say: Oakland, California–based designer Kelly Martin has had only positive experiences with Lulu & Georgia’s trade program. “Its discounts are strong compared to other trade-friendly retailers, and their customer service is really good,” she says. “The selection they have is well curated and true to the brand, so I like using it if it fits appropriately with the project.”Website: luluandgeorgia.com/pages/trade20. Wayfair ProfessionalBenefits: Members of Wayfair’s trade program—which is free to join and extends across the entire Wayfair family of brands as well as luxury-focused Perigold—will receive 15% off orders as well as an extra 10% discount on specialty brands. Delivery on millions of products happens at warp speed and designers can also enjoy consolidated delivery and install packages to streamline the pre-install logistics. Customer support—which runs the gamut from project management to space planning—is also available.

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Another day, another official Dune Awakening dev video, this time highlighting the base building system. While the basics of base building is something we've already seen a lot about, we do get further insight on the late game faction-specific building options for all your Harkonnen and Atreides lovers out there. Read more

Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo LifeWe're still finding out new details about the Switch 2 and one other little update that's recently been discovered is tied to the new Joy-Con 2 controllers. On Nintendo's backwards compatibility page covering the Switch games that will play on Switch 2, some more information about the Joy-Con 2's 'HD Rumble' feature has been revealed. Underneath a segment about Everybody 1-2-Switch! it's mentioned how the volume of force feedback vibrations has been reduced. This could apparently make it "more difficult" to play a certain minigame in this title, and may also impact other experiences.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube811kWatch on YouTube "The volume of the Joy-Con 2 controllers' force feedback vibrations has been reduced compared to the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers, so it may be more difficult to find hidden Joy-Con 2 in the minigame Joy-Con Hide & Seek." So, while HD Rumble is now quieter, it will be harder to play select games (like Everybody 1-2-Switch!) from the Switch library. Here's how they hold up "I’m sure eBay will be very happy hearing about this" Nintendo thought instant input was the "better option" How did you find the noise levels of HD Rumble in the original Joy-Con? What are your thoughts about the volume of vibrations being reduced in the Joy-Con 2 controllers? Let us know in the comments. [source nintendo.com, via videogameschronicle.com] Related Games See Also Share:0 0 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 Nintendo Switch System Update 20.0.0 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes Adds Virtual Game Cards, GameShare and Switch 2 transfers PSA: Redownloading Switch eShop Games Has Now Changed With Latest Update It's for the better, though Bravely Default On Switch 2 May Have Removed One Of The Game's Best Features Close Encounters of Every Kind Nintendo Of America President On Timing Of Switch 2's Release Date Doug Bowser: There's no specific time you "must launch video games" Limited Run's Atlus Switch 2 Collector's Edition Is A 'Game-Key Card' Release Available for $249.99

Amazon on Wednesday released what the company claims is the most capable AI model in its Nova family, Nova Premier. Nova Premier, which can process text, images, and videos (but not audio), is available in Amazon Bedrock, the company’s AI model development platform. Amazon says that Premier excels at “complex tasks” that “require deep understanding of context, multi-step planning, and precise execution across multiple tools and data sources.” Amazon announced its Nova lineup of models in December at its annual AWS re:Invent conference. Over the last few months, the company has expanded the collection with image- and video-generating models as well as with audio understanding and agentic, task-performing releases. Nova Premier, which has a context length of 1 million tokens, meaning it can analyze around 750,000 words in one go, is weaker on certain benchmarks than flagship models from rival AI companies such as Google. On SWE-Bench Verified, a coding test, Premier is behind Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro, and it also performs poorly on benchmarks measuring math and science knowledge, GPQA Diamond and AIME 2025. However, in bright spots for Premier, the model does well on tests for knowledge retrieval and visual understanding, SimpleQA and MMMU, according to Amazon’s internal benchmarking. In Bedrock, Premier is priced at $2.50 per 1 million tokens fed into the model and $12.50 per 1 million tokens generated by the model. That’s around the same price as Gemini 2.5 Pro, which costs $2.50 per million input tokens and $15 per million output tokens. Importantly, Premier isn’t a “reasoning” model. As opposed to models like OpenAI’s o4-mini and DeepSeek’s R1, it can’t take additional time and computing to carefully consider and fact-check its answers to questions. Techcrunch event Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you’ve built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you’ve built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | June 5 BOOK NOW Amazon is pitching Premier as best for “teaching” smaller models via distillation — in other words, transferring its capabilities for a specific use case into faster, more efficient package. Amazon sees AI as increasingly core to its overall growth strategy. CEO Andy Jassy recently said the company is building more than 1,000 generative AI applications and that Amazon’s AI revenue is growing at “triple-digit” year-over-year percentages and represents a “multi-billion-dollar annual revenue run rate.”

Dancing Atoms, a leading animation studio committed to fostering global creative talent, has just announced the selected finalists in its groundbreaking Animation & Filmmaking Competition, run in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This year marks a significant milestone as all 42 selected film projects will be showcased in a comprehensive creative catalogue. This unique new initiative aims to connect talented creators with like-minded individuals, producers, and distributors, fostering global collaborations that bring the diverse and geographically dispersed participants together. The creative catalogue features a wide range of innovative projects: 12 feature films; 18 short films; 9 TV series / limited series; and 3 AR/VR experiences. The complete list of artists and projects is listed below. A large number of the competition finalists will attend the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) Summit that begins tomorrow, May 1, running through May 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The WAVES Animation & Filmmaking Competition, one of 31 challenges that have taken place over the past months within the Indian government’s overall WAVES Competition, will culminate with winner announcements at the Summit, The WAVES Summit showcases the Indian government’s expanding support for Media & Entertainment production. Global revenue generated by these dynamic verticals underscores the immense potential within the animation industry.  The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting notes that in 2024, the global animation market witnessed substantial growth, with: Short Films: Contributing an estimated $20 billion in revenue through various platforms including online streaming, festivals, and educational content is projected to reach $70 billion USD by 2032. Feature Films: Representing the largest segment, generating approximately $30 billion USD to $32.3 billion USD at the global box office and through ancillary markets. TV Series: Experiencing a boom driven by streaming services, accounting for around $512 billion USD in production and licensing revenue. AR/VR Experiences: While a burgeoning sector, the immersive entertainment market, including AR/VR animation, reached an estimated USD 22.12 billion and USD 79.36 billion, with significant growth projections. It further notes: Animation is vast and encompasses: Traditional Animation (Cel Animation), 2D Animation (Vector-Based & Digital), 3D Animation (CGI - Computer-Generated Imagery), Stop Motion Animation (including Claymation, Cutout, Model, Object, Pixelation), Motion Graphics, Motion Capture, Rotoscope, Whiteboard Animation, Typography Animation (Kinetic Typography), Frame-by-Frame Animation, Live-Action Blending, Mechanical Animation, Pinscreen Animation, Paint-on-Glass Animation, Sand Animation, Eraser Animation, Flip Book Animation, Augmented Reality (AR) Animation, Retro Animation, Isometric Animation, Screencast Animation, Minimalist Animation, 360 Animation. Animation's versatility extends across numerous industries, enhancing communication and engagement. From entertainment (film, games, online content) and marketing (explainer videos, ads) to education (instructional content) and science/technology (visualization, medical animation), its impact is widespread. Animation also plays a crucial role in training simulations, software design (UI animation), and diverse sectors like healthcare, architecture, and corporate communications, effectively conveying information and creating compelling visual experiences. AR/VR technologies are transforming sectors including gaming, healthcare, retail, education, and manufacturing, fueled by demand for immersive experiences and substantial investment. While North America holds a significant share, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated for the fastest growth. The Animation & Filmmaking Competition finalists this year are as follows: 18 Short Films: Shreya Sachdev – Vani Shrikant S Menon – Odiyan Prasanth Kumar Nagadasi - Best Friends Shweta Subhash Marathe – Melting Shame Anika Rajesh – Achappam Martand Anand Ugalmugle – Chandomama Kiruthika Ramasubramanian - A Dream's Dream Harish Narayan Iyer – Karabi Triparna Maiti - The Chair Arundhati Sarkar - So close yet so far Gadam Jagadish Prasad Yadav - Symphony of Darkness Vetrivel - The Last Treasure Gargi Gawthe – Godva Shreeyaa Vinayak Pore - Kali (Bud) Harshita Das – Luna Sandhra Mary – Missing Richa Bhutani – Climatescape Hirak Jyoti Nath - Tales From The Tea House 12 Feature Films: Catharina Dian Wiraswati S - Fly! Shubham Tomar – Mahzun Srikanth Bhogi – Rudhra Anirban Majumder, Babar Aur Banno - A friendship saga Nandan Balakrishnan - The Dream Balloon Jacqueline C Ching - Lykke and the Trolls Rohit Sankhla - Dwarka The Lost City of Shree Krishna Bhagat Singh Saini – Red Woman Abhijeet Saxena - Arise, Awake Vamsi Bandaru - Ayurveda Chronicles - Search for the Lost Light Piyush Kumar - Wrong programming..the unleashed wars of ai. Khambor Batei, Kharjana, Lapalang - A Khasi Folklore Reimagined 9 TV Series/Limited Series: Jyothi Kalyan Sura - Jackie & Jilal Tuhin Chanda - Chupi: Silence behind laws Kishore Kumar Kedari - Age of the Deccan - The Legend of Malik Ambar Bhagyashree Satapathy – Pāśa Rishav Mohanty – Khatti Sukankan Roy - Sound of Joy, Atreyee Poddar, Sangeeta Poddar, Bimal Poddar – Moray Kaka Prasenjit Singha - The Quiet Chaos Segun Samson, Omotunde Akiode - Maapu 3 AR/VR Experiences: Sundar Mahalingam - Ashvamedha - The Unsealed Fate Anuj Kumar Choudhary – Liminalism Isha Chandna - Toxic Effect Of Substance Abuse On Human Body Ms. Saraswathi Buyyala, CEO of Dancing Atoms and Creative Director of AFC – WAVES, expressed their enthusiasm for this initiative, stating, “We are incredibly impressed by the creativity and innovation showcased in this year's competition. For the first time, bringing all 42 projects together in one creative catalogue is a testament to the sheer talent we have discovered. Our vision extends beyond just recognition; we are keen on spotlighting this exceptional talent and are actively working towards creating a dedicated fund. This fund will support the further curation and development of these projects, ultimately leading to pitches to the esteemed members of the Waves Advisory Board.” The Waves Advisory Board, comprised of industry veterans and influential figures in media and entertainment, will play a crucial role in evaluating the potential of these projects and guiding them towards production and distribution. Buyyala goes on to note, This competition and the launch of the creative catalogue underscore Dancing Atoms’ commitment to spotlighting creativity and fostering meaningful connections between creators and the industry. By connecting creators and connecting countries, Dancing Atoms aims to be a catalyst for groundbreaking animated content that resonates globally.” Source: Dancing Atoms Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.

What is now Memorial Park in Houston was once Camp Logan, a temporary training facility for the US Army during World War I. Driven by Houstonians seeking to “remember the boys,” the park was created to memorialize the 70,000 young men who trained at Camp Logan. Recently, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (NBW) and the Memorial Park Conservancy (MPC) unveiled plans to revitalize 100 acres of the property into Memorial Groves, a living tribute to the site’s untold World War I history.  “The Memorial Groves project fulfills the vision of the park’s founders, who, a century ago, preserved 1,200 acres of Camp Logan as a living memorial to the soldiers who trained there,” said Thomas Woltz, principal and owner of NBW in a press release. The cypress trees symbolize soldiers standing in formation, evoking the vast scale of Camp Logan and the overall war effort. (Courtesy NBW) An intense drought in the early 2010s destroyed over 60 percent of the tree canopy at Memorial Park. In light of this, a key component of Memorial Groves is a forest of more than 2,000 bald cypress trees, which will be planted around existing, mature trees. This effort is both functional and representative, with the cypress clusters symbolizing soldiers standing in formation.  Primarily located between the Union Pacific rail line and West Memorial Loop Drive, within a narrow north-south oriented tract of land, the 100-acre site encompasses the highest concentration of Camp Logan archeological artifacts in Memorial Park, making it an ideal location for Memorial Groves. The restored landscape will support additional recreational activities, such as hiking and running trails. (Courtesy NBW) As visitors walk among the unearthed foundations of camp buildings, they can learn more about the soldiers at Camp Logan through interpretive signage, exhibits, and other features integrated throughout the landscape. Additionally, the original layout of the camp’s streets will be visualized by a series of linear, open lawns. This allows for both passive and active engagement with the site’s history. A new visitor center designed by Moody Nolan will welcome visitors to the site. The development of historical elements coincides with ecological and recreational advancements to the site. Two key native habitats, a preserved prairie and a 20-acre expanse of savanna, will also be restored as part of the project. The rehabilitated landscape will house walking and cycling trails, a children’s playground, and open areas for group activities. Renders showcase an expansive immersion into nature, allowing opportunity for reflection and engagement with the surrounding environment.  The former Camp Logan streets will be demarcated by open paths. (Courtesy NBW) The $42 million project is part of a 10-year master plan for Memorial Park being led by NBW and produced in partnership with the MPC, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and Uptown Development Authority. Primary goals of the plan include restoring damaged ecologies, upgrading of deteriorating landscapes and facilities, and supporting long-term conservation efforts. Completed projects include the Land Bridge and Prairie initiative, a Running Complex, and the 100-acre Clay Family Eastern Glades. Later this month, preliminary site work including ecological restoration will commence. Construction at Memorial Groves is slated to begin in 2026, with a target completion date of 2027.

k_yu - stock.adobe.com News Government funds training to build UK chip skills The UK semiconductor sector needs talent but a report highlights challenges By Cliff Saran, Managing Editor Published: 30 Apr 2025 15:11 To tie in with funding for the UK’s semiconductor sector, Southampton has become home to an E-beam lithography facility, one of only two such sites capable of manufacturing semiconductors using this new fabrication technology. In chip manufacturing, a process known as photolithography projects a beam of light onto photosensitive material to create the intricate components that make up an integrated circuit. Rather than light, E-beam lithography uses a focused beam of electrons to create patterns in materials. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said the Southampton facility is the first cutting-edge semiconductor facility of its kind in Europe. Technology such as E-beam lithography is regarded as an area the UK can build on to differentiate its chip sector from other countries. But as in other countries, there is a dire lack of skills to support a semiconductor sector. A government report, the UK semiconductor workforce study, notes that the UK is not developing sufficient skills to enable the continued growth of its semiconductor sector. The report warns that nearly half of the semiconductor employers surveyed feel that current university courses – particularly undergraduate programmes – do not fully align with industry requirements. The report also highlights underutilised degree apprenticeships and vocational pathways, hindered by the lack of semiconductor-specific frameworks.  Anecdotal evidence discussed in the report suggests UK semiconductor companies are struggling with recruitment and retention as they face intense competition for talent. The report authors said some strategically important companies have been running at approximately 10% below their required headcount. The DSIT research shows the majority of semiconductor companies perceive a moderate or acute shortage of people to fill key technical roles, including research and development, manufacturing and process engineers, and integrated circuit design engineers. By investing in infrastructure and talent, we’re giving our researchers and innovators the support they need to develop next-generation chips in the UK Patrick VallanceMinister of State for Science, Research and Innovation Discussing the latest funding and the Southampton facility, science minister Patrick Vallance said: “Britain is home to some of the most exciting semiconductor research anywhere in the world – and Southampton’s new E-beam facility is a major boost to our national capabilities. “By investing in both infrastructure and talent, we’re giving our researchers and innovators the support they need to develop next-generation chips right here in the UK.” As part of its drive to bolster high-tech sectors, the government has announced £4.75m in funding to support Labour’s Plan for Change. Vallance said the funding would help more young people develop skills in high-value semiconductor careers. The funding includes £3m for undergraduate bursaries, offering £5,000 each to 300 students starting electronics and electrical engineering degrees this year, alongside specialist semiconductor content to raise awareness of the field, with a focus on courses that include semiconductor design and manufacturing. In addition to the bursaries, the government has committed £1.2m of funding for chip design training, with new courses to teach practical chip design skills to undergraduates, postgraduates and lecturers, as well as a feasibility study for new postgraduate conversion courses. The funding also includes a £550,000 school outreach programme, which DSIT said provides 7,000 students aged 15 to 18 and 450 teachers with hands-on semiconductor experience in partnership with local employers. The programme will be focused on existing UK semiconductor clusters, such as Newport, Cambridge and Glasgow. Read more about the UK chip sector Security partnership to build a silicon valley in South Wales: The £140m acquisition of Newport Wafer Fab by American firm Vishay is to be welcomed but the UK needs security, stability and strategic investment to grow our domestic semiconductor capability. Government funds two semiconductor centres: So-called information knowledge centres in Bristol and Southampton are each receiving £11m. In The Current Issue: Interview: Sarah Hawkins, CEO, National Family Mediation Government faces claims of serious security and data protection problems in One Login digital ID Download Current Issue Brunel versus Putin: next steps for UK tech sector need to be transformational – Data Matters What to expect from Nutanix .NEXT 2025 – CW Developer Network View All Blogs

The internet is a battleground for user privacy. Websites are flooded with ad-sponsored content and tracking scripts, and marketers can scrape browsing histories to fingerprint you, creating shadow profiles across different online services for targeted advertising.These activities are invasive, but you don't have to consent to them, especially if you have chosen a browser that can help you stay anonymous. When looking for a secure browser, investigate how advertising trackers and cookies are managed, whether search histories are stored or shared, and whether there are transparent privacy policies. What is the best secure browser for privacy right now? ZDNET experts have kept a finger on the pulse of the secure browser market for decades, and many of us have tried and tested different privacy-focused options over the years. Brave is my top pick for the best browser for privacy, based on its ad-tracking prevention, security settings, usability, and speed. Read on to find out the rest of my top picks for the best secure browsers for privacy in 2025. Sort by All Best secure browsers for privacy in 2025 Show less View now at Brave Brave is a Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, fingerprinting, and ad-trackers by default. Brave has millions of users worldwide. The company's business model relies on privacy-protecting ads that pay publishers and users when users pay attention to ads. Brave is transparent about this revenue stream, wherein users are rewarded in crypto tokens only if they opt into ad viewing. The company removed Google code from its Chromium version to improve user privacy, including some account integration, background sync, and inline extensions. Brave also has several privacy-enhancing settings, including blocking third-party ad trackers, upgrading unsecured HTTPS connections, and blocking cookies and fingerprinting. The company says disabling invasive ads and trackers improves loading times on desktop and mobile. Also: 10 common dangers VPNs won't protect you from online - and how to avoid themBrave also has a "Tor mode" that provides anonymized onion network routing. The browser developer offers a VPN and firewall service that protects sessions, even outside the browser, and an AI-based search engine. As of version 1.68, Brave became the first iOS browser to automatically attempt to upgrade all sites to HTTPS by default. In version 1.75 on desktop, users can add their own scriptlets to a page, which Brave says, "allows for better control over [their] browsing experience." In recent news, Brave has open sourced Cookiecrumbler, a tool that automatically detects cookie consent notices on websites using open source large language models (LLMs). It will also publish significant crawler issues on GitHub.Brave also offers a feature called "Off the Record" (OTR) for users who may be victims of intimate partner violence. The browser developer says the feature "aims to help people who need to hide their browsing behavior from others who have access to their computer or phone." Many users say the browser exceeds their expectations, although others find some functionality, such as VPN connectivity, could be improved. I enjoy using Brave, and while it takes some time to get used to -- especially if you're using Chrome or Edge -- it's one of the better browser options on the market. As Brave has recently updated its VPN with more device support and server selections, it will be interesting to see if users report a more positive experience. Brave features: Chromium-based | Blocks third-party ad trackers | Private search | Blocks cookies | Incognito windows | Onion routing | VPN | Off the Record browsing | AI assistant | iOS HTTPS by default | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.8 Pros Fast Not in the traditional online ad business Privacy-focused by default Chromium-based Cons Some users report compute resource issues Brave is a Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, fingerprinting, and ad-trackers by default. Brave has millions of users worldwide. The company's business model relies on privacy-protecting ads that pay publishers and users when users pay attention to ads. Brave is transparent about this revenue stream, wherein users are rewarded in crypto tokens only if they opt into ad viewing. The company removed Google code from its Chromium version to improve user privacy, including some account integration, background sync, and inline extensions. Brave also has several privacy-enhancing settings, including blocking third-party ad trackers, upgrading unsecured HTTPS connections, and blocking cookies and fingerprinting. The company says disabling invasive ads and trackers improves loading times on desktop and mobile. Also: 10 common dangers VPNs won't protect you from online - and how to avoid themBrave also has a "Tor mode" that provides anonymized onion network routing. The browser developer offers a VPN and firewall service that protects sessions, even outside the browser, and an AI-based search engine. As of version 1.68, Brave became the first iOS browser to automatically attempt to upgrade all sites to HTTPS by default. In version 1.75 on desktop, users can add their own scriptlets to a page, which Brave says, "allows for better control over [their] browsing experience." In recent news, Brave has open sourced Cookiecrumbler, a tool that automatically detects cookie consent notices on websites using open source large language models (LLMs). It will also publish significant crawler issues on GitHub.Brave also offers a feature called "Off the Record" (OTR) for users who may be victims of intimate partner violence. The browser developer says the feature "aims to help people who need to hide their browsing behavior from others who have access to their computer or phone." Many users say the browser exceeds their expectations, although others find some functionality, such as VPN connectivity, could be improved. I enjoy using Brave, and while it takes some time to get used to -- especially if you're using Chrome or Edge -- it's one of the better browser options on the market. As Brave has recently updated its VPN with more device support and server selections, it will be interesting to see if users report a more positive experience. Brave features: Chromium-based | Blocks third-party ad trackers | Private search | Blocks cookies | Incognito windows | Onion routing | VPN | Off the Record browsing | AI assistant | iOS HTTPS by default | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.8 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less When it comes to DuckDuckGo, user privacy comes first. The company that offers a privacy-focused search engine and browser is a vocal supporter of consumer privacy rights and now handles millions of user search queries daily. There is a growing appetite for privacy-focused alternatives to tech giants like Meta and Google. DuckDuckGo's Privacy Essentials extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge is also popular. Its reputation is built on the idea that it does not collect user data but can provide the same search results as those that do. DuckDuckGo was once only a search engine, but the developers then released a mobile-friendly browser app, followed by a desktop version. The organization's browser provides private search, website protection and blockers, web encryption, and more. Also: 5 great Chrome browser alternatives that put your privacy firstDuckDuckGo is experimenting with AI-assisted technologies to improve its search experience, including anonymously accessing GPT models, known as DuckDuckGo AI Chat. Users appreciate the firm's privacy focus, although some complain of censorship -- a concept DuckDuckGo staunchly denies. So, how does it make money? DuckDuckGo shows ads but does not engage in targeted advertising. DuckDuckGo also offers Privacy Pro, a subscription for $10 per month, or $100 per year, that offers access to a VPN, online personal information removal services, and identity theft restoration. From the start, the DuckDuckGo browser has been designed to be user-friendly, but I consider the overall look to be somewhat bland. I still like how it helps new users import their existing bookmarks and passwords, sets itself as the default, and guides users through its security practices. DuckDuckGo features: Mobile and desktop private browser | Does not collect user data | AI experiments: DuckDuckGo AI Chat | No search engine query trackers | Data removal and identity restoration services | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.1 Pros Available across different operating systems Solid commitment to user privacy Email protection settings Cons Bland browser design When it comes to DuckDuckGo, user privacy comes first. The company that offers a privacy-focused search engine and browser is a vocal supporter of consumer privacy rights and now handles millions of user search queries daily. There is a growing appetite for privacy-focused alternatives to tech giants like Meta and Google. DuckDuckGo's Privacy Essentials extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge is also popular. Its reputation is built on the idea that it does not collect user data but can provide the same search results as those that do. DuckDuckGo was once only a search engine, but the developers then released a mobile-friendly browser app, followed by a desktop version. The organization's browser provides private search, website protection and blockers, web encryption, and more. Also: 5 great Chrome browser alternatives that put your privacy firstDuckDuckGo is experimenting with AI-assisted technologies to improve its search experience, including anonymously accessing GPT models, known as DuckDuckGo AI Chat. Users appreciate the firm's privacy focus, although some complain of censorship -- a concept DuckDuckGo staunchly denies. So, how does it make money? DuckDuckGo shows ads but does not engage in targeted advertising. DuckDuckGo also offers Privacy Pro, a subscription for $10 per month, or $100 per year, that offers access to a VPN, online personal information removal services, and identity theft restoration. From the start, the DuckDuckGo browser has been designed to be user-friendly, but I consider the overall look to be somewhat bland. I still like how it helps new users import their existing bookmarks and passwords, sets itself as the default, and guides users through its security practices. DuckDuckGo features: Mobile and desktop private browser | Does not collect user data | AI experiments: DuckDuckGo AI Chat | No search engine query trackers | Data removal and identity restoration services | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.1 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Firefox is a must-have for individual browser privacy across multiple devices if you're looking for a mainstream option. One of Firefox's most important privacy features is enhanced tracking protection. Mozilla has borrowed Tor techniques to block browser fingerprinting, and Firefox's developers are constantly seeking to improve tracking-prevention features. Firefox is rich with choices to customize the browser for privacy. It blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, tracking in private windows, crypto miners, and fingerprinting scripts. There is also a "strict" mode that might break some sites when trackers are blocked -- but you can allow enhanced tracking protection for trusted sites. Users enjoy Firefox's approach to privacy but note that it can be a resource hog. In my own testing, I find that Firefox is user-friendly and familiar, which means there isn't much of a learning curve to use it, but it can be a strain on PC resources.Also: How to protect yourself from phishing attacks in Chrome and FirefoxAnother option for Firefox fans is Firefox Focus, a privacy-focused browser for iOS and Android that blocks trackers and has a built-in ad-blocker. The company also offers a VPN for $5 per month with the option to connect up to five devices to over 500 servers in 30 countries.You can also check out a range of browsers based on Firefox but with additional protection, such as Librewolf. In recent news, Mozilla said it is working on Anonym Private Audiences, a system for advertisers and platforms to "work together using first-party data to create targeted audiences" without sharing user data.Mozilla Firefox features: Enhanced tracking protection | Firefox Focus for mobile | Strict privacy standards | DNS queries sent to a secure resolver service | Focus on accessibility | Encrypted Client Hello | AI development | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.5 Pros Enhanced tracking prevention Focus on accessibility Trusted by millions of users VPN Cons Strict tracking protection may break websites May require heavy PC resources Firefox is a must-have for individual browser privacy across multiple devices if you're looking for a mainstream option. One of Firefox's most important privacy features is enhanced tracking protection. Mozilla has borrowed Tor techniques to block browser fingerprinting, and Firefox's developers are constantly seeking to improve tracking-prevention features. Firefox is rich with choices to customize the browser for privacy. It blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, tracking in private windows, crypto miners, and fingerprinting scripts. There is also a "strict" mode that might break some sites when trackers are blocked -- but you can allow enhanced tracking protection for trusted sites. Users enjoy Firefox's approach to privacy but note that it can be a resource hog. In my own testing, I find that Firefox is user-friendly and familiar, which means there isn't much of a learning curve to use it, but it can be a strain on PC resources.Also: How to protect yourself from phishing attacks in Chrome and FirefoxAnother option for Firefox fans is Firefox Focus, a privacy-focused browser for iOS and Android that blocks trackers and has a built-in ad-blocker. The company also offers a VPN for $5 per month with the option to connect up to five devices to over 500 servers in 30 countries.You can also check out a range of browsers based on Firefox but with additional protection, such as Librewolf. In recent news, Mozilla said it is working on Anonym Private Audiences, a system for advertisers and platforms to "work together using first-party data to create targeted audiences" without sharing user data.Mozilla Firefox features: Enhanced tracking protection | Firefox Focus for mobile | Strict privacy standards | DNS queries sent to a secure resolver service | Focus on accessibility | Encrypted Client Hello | AI development | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.5 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Tor Project Another excellent choice for improving your privacy on the web is the Tor browser, a nonprofit project focused on anonymizing users online. Its proprietary web browser disguises your internet protocol (IP) address and activity by relaying it through a network of servers, or nodes, run by volunteers. Bouncing your information around makes tracking exceptionally difficult, which is excellent if you don't want your internet service provider (ISP) or anyone else spying on your online activity. Tor can be crucial for whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and people avoiding censorship. The Tor browser is also a popular choice for accessing the deep web -- a collection of websites that are inaccessible through traditional means such as search engines, in what is known as the "clear" web. Also: I found the most private and secure way to browse the web - and it isn't incognito modeThe Tor browser's default search engine is DuckDuckGo, which will not log or store your search queries. While it isn't a mainstream choice, the Tor browser is well-regarded by people who don't want to be tracked on the web. The Tor Project updates it frequently, and the browser is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Users applaud the network's uncompromising approach to privacy but report slow speeds and occasional problems with CAPTCHAs. Due to the architecture of the Tor network, page loads in the Tor browser can be slower, and some sites might not work well. There's also a learning curve to consider. Based on my own experience, I would recommend that interested users read up on the Tor Network and how it operates before downloading. Nonetheless, the Tor browser is one of the best privacy-preserving browsers available.Tor's latest release contains a variety of bug fixes and introduces Connection Assist for Android, which attempts to find unblocking bridges to the Tor Network for mobile users subjected to strict censorship.The Tor browser features: High levels of security and anonymization | Onion routing | DuckDuckGo integration | Access to websites outside the clear web | Blocks trackers and cookies | Fingerprint resistance | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 3.2 Pros High levels of anonymity DuckDuckGo integration Constant updates and improvements Cons Learning curve to use Tends to be slow Another excellent choice for improving your privacy on the web is the Tor browser, a nonprofit project focused on anonymizing users online. Its proprietary web browser disguises your internet protocol (IP) address and activity by relaying it through a network of servers, or nodes, run by volunteers. Bouncing your information around makes tracking exceptionally difficult, which is excellent if you don't want your internet service provider (ISP) or anyone else spying on your online activity. Tor can be crucial for whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and people avoiding censorship. The Tor browser is also a popular choice for accessing the deep web -- a collection of websites that are inaccessible through traditional means such as search engines, in what is known as the "clear" web. Also: I found the most private and secure way to browse the web - and it isn't incognito modeThe Tor browser's default search engine is DuckDuckGo, which will not log or store your search queries. While it isn't a mainstream choice, the Tor browser is well-regarded by people who don't want to be tracked on the web. The Tor Project updates it frequently, and the browser is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Users applaud the network's uncompromising approach to privacy but report slow speeds and occasional problems with CAPTCHAs. Due to the architecture of the Tor network, page loads in the Tor browser can be slower, and some sites might not work well. There's also a learning curve to consider. Based on my own experience, I would recommend that interested users read up on the Tor Network and how it operates before downloading. Nonetheless, the Tor browser is one of the best privacy-preserving browsers available.Tor's latest release contains a variety of bug fixes and introduces Connection Assist for Android, which attempts to find unblocking bridges to the Tor Network for mobile users subjected to strict censorship.The Tor browser features: High levels of security and anonymization | Onion routing | DuckDuckGo integration | Access to websites outside the clear web | Blocks trackers and cookies | Fingerprint resistance | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 3.2 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Mullvad The Mullvad Browser is marketed as the "Tor Browser without the Tor network." The Tor Project team built the browser, but it's distributed by Mullvad, a respected Swedish virtual private network provider.The browser emulates the Tor network by creating a similar fingerprint for all users, improving anonymity. Furthermore, the browser comes with a private mode out of the box, blocks tracking and cookies, and prevents online functions that extract information from visitors such as device identifiers. The Mullvad Browser is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, or as a Firefox extension. You can use the browser as a standalone product or combine it with Mullvad VPN. Users have generally given positive reviews, although you may find yourself signing up for the VPN for the best setup -- and it's not the cheapest on the market. The company has also recently partnered with Obscura VPN. Also: 5 alternative browsers that might just replace Safari on your MacMullvad was subject to a search warrant by the National Operations Department (NOA) of the Swedish Police in 2023. Mullvad staff said that since customer data did not exist, law enforcement left with nothing. To give you another example of Mullvad's approach to user data, the company is removing PayPal subscriptions "to store less data about our customers." Mullvad Browser features: Fingerprint masking approach | Removes online identifiers | Private mode enabled by default | Blocks trackers and cookies | Extension available | VPN available | Defense against AI-guided Traffic Analysis (DAITA) | Google Play rating: 3.8 | App Store rating: 4.2 Pros Heavyweight privacy developers Fingerprint, tracker blocks Tor-based privacy features Cons New, so less thoroughly tested The Mullvad Browser is marketed as the "Tor Browser without the Tor network." The Tor Project team built the browser, but it's distributed by Mullvad, a respected Swedish virtual private network provider.The browser emulates the Tor network by creating a similar fingerprint for all users, improving anonymity. Furthermore, the browser comes with a private mode out of the box, blocks tracking and cookies, and prevents online functions that extract information from visitors such as device identifiers. The Mullvad Browser is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, or as a Firefox extension. You can use the browser as a standalone product or combine it with Mullvad VPN. Users have generally given positive reviews, although you may find yourself signing up for the VPN for the best setup -- and it's not the cheapest on the market. The company has also recently partnered with Obscura VPN. Also: 5 alternative browsers that might just replace Safari on your MacMullvad was subject to a search warrant by the National Operations Department (NOA) of the Swedish Police in 2023. Mullvad staff said that since customer data did not exist, law enforcement left with nothing. To give you another example of Mullvad's approach to user data, the company is removing PayPal subscriptions "to store less data about our customers." Mullvad Browser features: Fingerprint masking approach | Removes online identifiers | Private mode enabled by default | Blocks trackers and cookies | Extension available | VPN available | Defense against AI-guided Traffic Analysis (DAITA) | Google Play rating: 3.8 | App Store rating: 4.2 Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best browser for privacy? Brave is my top pick for the best browser for privacy based on its approach to user privacy, ad-tracking prevention, the wide range of privacy settings on offer, usability, and speed. That said, since no browser is perfect, you should decide which option suits you best. Best browser for privacy Ad tracking prevention? Mobile support? Onion routing? Brave ✓ ✓ ✓ DuckDuckGo ✓ ✓ Available Mozilla Firefox Available ✓ X Tor ✓ ✓ ✓ Mullvad Browser ✓ X Via Tor  Show more Which is the right browser for privacy for you? Choose this... If you want...Brave The best overall browser for privacy. Brave's default focus is on privacy and security, and the addition of optional Tor onion routing is a nice touch. Incognito browsing and off-the-record services are also available.DuckDuckGo A search engine or browser that never stores or logs your search queries. The browser extends the original search engine functionality to mobile and desktop. Private search and web protection are available through the browser.  Mozilla Firefox A mainstream secure browser that focuses on tracking. Firefox's tracking prevention is multi-layered and will help prevent you from being profiled online. The FireFox Focus app is worth exploring as a privacy-first mobile browsing solution.Tor A system based on the onion routing network. You can access deep web websites and remain relatively anonymous. While often slow, Tor provides a level of security suitable for whistleblowers and activists. Mullvad Browser To use it with a virtual private network (VPN). Mullvad is a one-stop shop, meaning you don't need to download and install additional privacy-protecting extensions. The VPN doesn't have the largest server network, but it is reliable and fast.  Show more What is a secure browser for privacy and why do I need one? A privacy-focused, secure browser automatically erases your browsing and search history and cookies. It may also limit web tracking and help hide your location. Privacy-focused browsers may also promote virtual private network (VPN) usage and include features designed to bypass censorship blocks and keep you as anonymous as possible such as via access to onion routing and refusing to log site visits or web searches. If you are concerned about your online privacy, you should install a privacy browser or, at the very least, use an extension made by a privacy browser maker in your current browser. You should consider using a secure browser if you want to reduce the volume of data collected about you online, if you want to mask your activities, and if you do not want your search queries logged. Each browser offers different features, so research which one fits your needs. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a secure browser Choosing the right browser might not seem like a huge deal, but if you want to protect your privacy at the first gate to the web, consider these factors when looking for a secure browser: Online identifiers: Check if the browser tracks your activities or website visits. This data can be used to create targeted advertising profiles and track you across different websites.Search queries: One of the most significant ways we are tracked online and have profiles compiled based on our interests is through our search engine queries. The most secure browsers do not log these records.Revenue: Browser developers, just like any other business, need to make money. One method is to sell user data, search queries, and other datasets. This impacts individual privacy unless there are opt-in and opt-out functions.Ad-blocking: Some privacy-enhancing browsers block ads by default, but this doesn't mean all websites will be clear of ads. If there is a service you access frequently, and you want ad blocking -- YouTube, for example -- it's worth checking to see if these ad-blockers are circumvented or work effectively on your favorite platforms.Audits: The best secure browsers will conduct frequent security audits and have consistent patch releases to fix vulnerabilities and bugs that could expose you.Transparency: The best secure browser developers adopt a transparent approach to user data collection and security.Speed vs. security: Some browsers route your traffic through several servers to reduce the likelihood of you being tracked. You may have to decide how much speed reduction you will accept.VPN: If you want to use a VPN, consider whether the browser works well with one, or if the browser already offers a built-in solution or supports extensions. Check out our recommendations for the best VPNs in 2025.Mobile support: Not every secure browser has a mobile app, which you should consider if you want to use just one browser across all your devices. Show more How did I choose these secure browsers for privacy? While investigating the best secure browsers for privacy in 2025, I compared each of these browsers and extensions to determine what makes them different and which is best for a variety of use cases. Balance: It can be tricky for companies to balance user privacy and funding a business. However, many developers are willing to embrace user security over opportunities to generate more revenue. This mindset sets some browser developers apart.User experience: I reviewed customer feedback to ensure that most users find the browsers easy to install and use, and I prioritized options with a long track record of positive user feedback.Features: I want to see additional privacy-enhancing features, like onion routing and VPN support. I've chosen providers who offer more than standard web browsing experiences and give users extensive control over their browsing sessions.Targeted advertising: I prefer browsers that do not adopt this practice, as it can lead to shadow profiles being generated on their users' behalf and potentially uncontrolled user data sharing between third parties. At the very least, I want users to have a choice in these programs, such as through opt-out mechanisms.Tracking defense: At a minimum, I want privacy-based browsers to have a level of defense against user tracking and fingerprinting. Preferably, there will also be ad-blocking software working in the background.Platform support: I selected browsers offering a range of support for different operating systems and platforms.Mobile: I prefer secure browsers to have mobile apps for Android and iOS, as it's more convenient to use the same browser across your devices. Show more FAQs on secure browsers Do I need a privacy browser? If you are concerned about your online privacy, you should install a privacy browser or at least an extension. We have to take responsibility for our own privacy online these days. You can't rely on companies to do the job for you.Also: 5 reasons why Zen is my new favorite browser (RIP, Opera)A few basics: Download one of the privacy-first browsers listed above that doesn't log your queries and activities, install a VPN, and use messaging apps with end-to-end encryption. Show more Does using a private browsing window hide my IP address? Private browsing sessions do not tend to mask your internet protocol (IP) address, just like how an incognito window doesn't hide your IP address if you're using Chrome. These sessions simply don't store your browser history, the information you've entered into forms, or what permissions you've given to sites you've visited. Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Opera all use a similar form of "anonymous" web window for browsing, but they aren't truly hiding your online identity.If you want to block your IP address from being viewed or tracked, you can download a VPN, which masks your IP address so your service provider -- or anyone else, for that matter -- can't see what you're doing. Show more What is Chromium? The Chromium project is focused on developing a privacy-first and stable browser framework. It's used by many other browser providers -- including Brave -- and as it is open source, anyone can examine its code for privacy flaws or vulnerabilities. Google engineers launched the project.  Show more What is the most common personal web security risk? Oversharing and posting your personal or contact information on social media. If your full name, phone number, address, or place of work is anywhere on your social media, someone can use it to wreak havoc on your personal accounts. To prevent this, avoid using your real name online where possible, turn off location tracking, and don't post about your place of work if you can help it. All it takes is a single piece of personal information for a cybercriminal to get a hold of your entire online presence. If you're posting photos of yourself out of town on holiday, for example, you're letting people know your home is vulnerable.Those innocent-looking name generator memes are another big issue -- the ones that have you type out your first pet's name and your childhood street name to tell you your fortune or personality type. These are answers to common password recovery questions, so by letting the world know that your pet was called Fluffy, you could be handing over all of your personal accounts to internet criminals. Show more Do all search engines track you? No. Privacy-focused search engines, including DuckDuckGo, Startpage, and Ghostery do not log your search queries. If you're wondering how they make money, ads may be shown, but they are not necessarily targeted based on your information. Other search engines may collect information to tailor their results and show you ads. Show more How do I remove private information from search engines? It can be difficult to remove private information from online search engines, but depending on the nature of the information, it may be possible.You can use a service like DeleteMe to remove generic data and online accounts, but you may also need to contact website owners directly in some circumstances. You can also send a request to Google, and the company will consider requests on a case-by-case basis. Show more Is DuckDuckGo actually private? DuckDuckGo started out as a search engine that did not log your queries or allow advertisers to track you. The search engine is still there, but it is now bolstered by a browser, a feature that fans have been requesting for years.DuckDuckGo isn't perfect, but the company behind the service has been an advocate for consumer rights and privacy since its inception and offers one of the most private browsing experiences out there. Show more How do I enable Safe Browsing in Chrome? If you're going to stick with Chrome, enable the browser's Safe Browsing for a layer of protection against malicious websites and online threats. Open Chrome, head to Settings, Privacy & Security, the Security tab, and then Safe Browsing. You have three options: Enhanced protection, which offers Google's highest level of protection; Standard, which protects from "known dangers"; or you can turn Safe Browsing off. Another security setting you should consider is enabling secure connections, which will warn you if you visit a website that doesn't support secure connections. Show more Should private browsing be on or off? Private browsing ensures that the logs of your website visits aren't recorded in the browser's history. This doesn't mean that it is private, safe, or kept away from advertisers and trackers. Instead, these functions are device-based and stop logs from being linked to accounts.For example, if you are Christmas shopping, and you don't want a loved one to catch wind of their present, a private browsing session is useful. You should also enable it if you're using someone else's device. Show more Is Safe Browsing and Incognito the same? No. Safe Browsing and Incognito browsing are not quite the same. Safe Browsing will alert you to potentially malicious websites and will warn you if you encounter an online threat, whereas Incognito will hide your website visits on your browser and your device. Also: Too many tabs? Try these browsers with better tab management than Chrome Show more Other browsers for privacy I've tested Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

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