Were barely a couple of months into 2025, but this year has already seen several data breaches affecting the personal information of millions of individuals, including everything from student records to phone data and sensitive health information.Last year, 2024, saw more than one billion records stolen. If the first two months of this year are anything to go by, 2025 looks set to be an unprecedented year for data breaches.PowerSchool breach likely affects tens of millions of students and teachersThe breach of ed-tech giant PowerSchool is one of the biggest breaches of student data in recent history. While we still dont know exactly how many records were stolen (PowerSchool has repeatedly refused to disclose this figure), reports claim that the breach affected more than 62 million students and 9.5 million teachers in the United States.PowerSchool, which provides K-12 software to more than 18,000 schools across North America, first disclosed the data breach in January. At the time, PowerSchool said that unnamed hackers used a single compromised credential to access its customer support portal, granting access to the wealth of data in its school information system, PowerSchool SIS, which schools use to manage student records.The hackers accessed sensitive personal information, including students grades, medical information, and Social Security numbers. Multiple schools affected by the breach have told TechCrunch that other highly sensitive information, including highly sensitive student data, including information about restraining orders, was accessed.PowerSchool hasnt confirmed or denied the reported 62 million figure, but various filings have confirmed that millions of people were affected by the breach. A filing with the Texas attorney general revealed that nearly 800,000 state residents had their data stolen, while the Rochester City School District confirmed that 134,000 students are affected.PowerSchool recently confirmed to TechCrunch that around 16,000 people in the United Kingdom also had data stolen in the breach.Musks DOGE access represents a huge compromise of U.S. federal government dataThe first few weeks of the Trump administration saw a different kind of breach and one that will likely go down in history as the largest ever compromise of U.S. government data.Individuals working for Elon Musk, who is behind the Trump administrations so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, took control of top federal departments and datasets to access huge troves of sensitive federal data. DOGE made up of mostly private-sector employees from Musks own businesses seized wide access to the U.S. governments critical payment systems containing the personal information of millions of Americans and responsible for disbursing trillions of dollars every year.Since then, a coalition of more than a dozen U.S. states have filed a lawsuit to block Musks team of cost-cutters from accessing government systems that contain the personal data of Americans. More than 100 current and former federal officials have also sued Musks DOGE agency for accessing the sensitive personnel records of Americans without proper authorization.Community Health Center, a Connecticut-based nonprofit healthcare provider, said in January that a hacker had accessed the sensitive data of more than a million patients.CHC, which provides services including school-based healthcare and substance abuse programs, said that the unnamed hacker compromised its network on January 2 to steal patients personal data and sensitive health information. This data includes patients addresses, phone numbers, diagnoses, treatment details, test results, Social Security numbers, and health insurance information.Stalkerware apps Cocospy, Spyic, and Spyzie expose phone data of millions of peopleA trio of stalkerware apps exposed the personal data of millions of people who unwittingly have them planted on their devices, a security researcher revealed to TechCrunch in February.The three apps Cocospy, Spyic, and Spyzie all share the same security vulnerability that allows anyone to access the personal data, including messages, photos, and call logs, from devices that have the apps installed, typically without the device owners knowledge.The easy-to-exploit bug also exposes the email addresses of the people who signed up for the stalkerware apps. That allowed a security researcher to scrape the email addresses of around 3.2 million email addresses of Cocospy, Spyic, and Spyzie customers, which was provided to breach notification site Have I Been Pwned.U.S. employee screening service DISA confirms breach affecting over 3 million peopleDISA, a Texas-based provider of employee screening services including drug and alcohol tests and background checks, confirmed in February a massive data breach that happened almost a year earlier in April 2024.In a filing with Maines attorney general, DISA said the breach affected more than 3.3 million people who had undergone employee screening tests. While the company said its internal investigation could not definitively conclude what specific data was stolen, a separate filing in the state of Massachusetts confirms that Social Security numbers, financial information, and government-issued identity documents are among the stolen data.DISA blamed the breach on an unidentified hacker, who had access to a portion of the companys network for more than two months before they were noticed.

Founders, VCs and startup experts, nows your chance! Have crucial scaling insights to offer? Share them with 1,200+ founders, investors, and entrepreneurs at TechCrunch All Stage 2025 presented by Fidelity, on July 15 in Boston, and share your expertise!Were assembling the best minds from the startup and VC communities to lead exciting sessions, interactive roundtables, and dynamic breakouts. Step up and share your insights to help founders navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses.Submit to speak at TC All StageThis is your chance to dive into essential scaling topics for startups at every stage. Hit the Apply to Speak button on this event page and submit your topic. TC All Stage is the perfect platform to share your expertise on scaling successful startups.Then, choose your preferred format and topic:Breakout Session: Gather a team of up to four presenters (with a moderator) to lead a 35-minute session. A mix of presentations, panel discussions, and audience Q&A will fuel impactful conversations.Roundtable Session: Host two 30-minute encore sessions with up to two speakers. These informal sessions encourage interactive, deep dives into your topic, with no video or slides to limit the conversation.Image Credits:Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunchImage Credits:Halo CreativePerks of speakingIts more than just exposurethis is your all-access pass to the TC All Stage experience! While raising your brands visibility, youll get exclusive access to founder and VC talks in breakouts, roundtables, and invaluable networking with top industry leaders.Plus, TechCrunch will give your brand a major boost with:Event agenda listings (web & app)A mention in a shared TechCrunch.com articleSocial media promotionLeave your mark on the startup ecosystemLead, inspire, and leave a lasting mark! Play a pivotal role in helping startup leaders navigate scaling and build your reputation as a respected expert in the field. Apply nowtime is running out! TC All Stage is set for July 15, but speaker applications close on April 18. Get your application in and be a part of this incredible event!

Breakdown & ShowreelsThe Witcher IV: Behind the Scenes Cinematic Reveal Trailer by Platige ImageBy Vincent Frei - 28/02/2025 Step behind the scenes with Platige Image and discover how they brought Ciris return to life for The Witcher IV! From early concept art to motion capture and impressive CG animation, see every stage of this epic creation!// The Witcher IV: Cinematic Reveal TrailerWANT TO KNOW MORE?Platige Image: Dedicated page about The Witcher IV on Platige Image website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

On March 12, the Facades+ conference series will be held in Washington, D.C. at the Westin Downtown. Celebrating its 13th year, the event returns with an exciting day of programming that was put together in collaboration with Vaki Mawema and JJ Rivers, both principals at Gensler. Attendees should also check out our Methods + Materials gallery, which features 24 exhibiting building product companies.Click here to find more information and register. Redefining High Performance: Under Armour Global HeadquartersIn the first session of the day, architects from Gensler will showcase the Under Armour corporate campus, which is nearing completion in Baltimore. The new building features a mass timber structure and is shaded by a large canopy constructed using ETFE and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). The use of these sustainable building technologies reflects the companys commitment to high performance which extends well beyond athletic gear.Materiality & Urban Scale: The T. Rowe Price HeadquartersNext up is a presentation of the new T. Rowe Price Headquarters, presented by KPF and Beatty Development. To integrate the new building within the industrial context of its siteBaltimores harbor frontthe design team crafted large steel window bays that wrap the exterior of the project. In this session, the panelists will discuss material selection and detailing while also sharing takeaways from the construction phase of the project.Architects from HGA will explore the use of marble cladding on Capital One Hall. (Alan Karchmer)Capital One Hall: A Return to Marble VeneerIn the following session, Alex Terzich and Nat Madson of HGA will explore the use marble panels across the facade of Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia. Focusing on sourcing, detailing, and attachment challenges related to the use of marble, the pair will also discuss how prior examples of bowing marble on other projects informed the design of the new building. Bio-Based Materials and Low Carbon SolutionsIn a roundtable discussion, Jack Becker, principal and founder of BLDUS, Ada Ayuk, sustainable design coordinator of EskewDumezRipple, as well as Katie MacDonald and Kyle Schumann, cofounders of After Architecture, will examine the AEC industrys slow-moving adoption of low-carbon natural materials such as mass timber, cork, hemp, wool, and more. Each panelist approaches the topic of natural material use from a different perspective, including a mixture of academic research and commercial practice.To symbolize the rugged natural beauty of Australias desert interior, the countrys new embassy utilizes a copper cladding, a material that happens to be one of the nations major exports. (Joe Fletcher)Natural Allusions: The Australian Embassys Copper FacadeIn the final session of the day, presenters from KCCT, SGH, and Enclos will share the facade design of D.C.s new Australian Embassy. Inspired by the color palette of The Outback, treated copper panels were applied to the buildings envelope. Copper also happens to be one of Australias major mineral exports. Panelists will describe the design process, the procurement and assembly of the buildings curtain wall, as well as challenges experienced during construction.

Published February 28, 2025 10:00am EST close Never forget to send a text message again with iOS 18's new Send Later feature Apple's iOS 18 gives users the ability to schedule text messages for future delivery. With so much of our lives contained on our devices, especially our iPhones or iPads, it can feel particularly devastating if you accidentally delete a message you still need.Whether it is informational or personal, it can be panic-inducing to not be able to retrieve a message or conversation you need.Fortunately, Apple has a built-in way to recover recently deleted messages.STAY SAFE & IN THE KNOW AT NO COST! SUBSCRIBE TO KURTS THE CYBERGUY REPORT FOR FREE SECURITY ALERTS & TECH TIPS A woman recovering a deleted text on her iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Enabling Message Filtering on iPhone or iPad to organize your textsDeleted a text message or conversation thread on your iPhone or iPad? The directions below depend on whether you have turned on Message Filtering or not. What Message Filtering does is categorize your messages into separate lists, such as known senders, unknown senders and unread messages. However, some of you may not have this feature enabled yet. If you want to enable Message Filtering, here are the steps:Open theSettings app on your iPhone or iPadScroll down and tapAppsTapMessagesScroll to the Message Filtering section and turn on the switch forFilter Unknown Senders Steps to enable Message Filtering on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Once enabled, this feature will automatically sort your messages into different categories, making it easier to manage your inbox and reduce clutter from spam or unwanted texts. You'll be able to view filtered messages by tapping the "Filters" button in the top-left corner of the Messages app. With Message Filtering turned on, you'll have access to four main categories:All Messages: Shows all your texts, regardless of senderKnown Senders: Displays messages from contacts in your address bookUnknown Senders: Lists messages from numbers not in your contactsUnread Messages: Shows all unread texts Message Filtering categories on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)This filtering system not only helps organize your messages but also reduces notifications from unknown senders, potentially decreasing the number of interruptions from spam or unwanted texts.How to recover deleted text messages on your iPhone or iPadNow, let's recover those deleted messages on the iPhone or iPad. For devices running iOS 16 later or iPadOS 16.1 or later, you can retrieve deleted conversations in the Messages app using the following steps:If you have not turned on Message FilteringOn your phone or iPad, open theMessages appTapEdit in the top left corner Steps to recover a deleted text message if you have not turned on Message Filtering (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)SelectShow Recently Deleted in the drop-down menuYou can either tapRecover All in the bottom-right corner if you want to recover all deleted texts, then confirm your choice by tappingRecover Messages;Or you can tap theindividual text message you want to recover, then selectRecover in the bottom-right corner and then confirm your choice by tapping Recover Message Steps to recover a deleted text message if you have not turned on Message Filtering (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)If you have turned on Message FilteringOn your phone or iPad, open theMessages appTapFilters in the top left cornerSelectRecently Deleted Steps to recover a deleted text message if you have turned on Message Filtering (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)You can either tap Recover All in the bottom-right corner if you want to recover all deleted texts, then confirm your choice by tapping Recover Messages;Or you can tap the individual text message you want to recover, then selectRecover in the bottom-right corner and then confirm your choice by tappingRecover Message Steps to recover a deleted text message if you have turned on Message Filtering (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Please note: Only messages and conversations deleted within the last 30-40 days can be recovered. Additionally, if you deleted a message before you updated to iOS 16 or iPadOS 16.1 or later, you cannot recover these messages or conversations.Kurts key takeawaysWhether your fingers were moving too fast and you accidentally hit delete or you now need to refer to a message you have already deleted, Apple has built in an option to help you recover your recently deleted messages. If you are running the latest OS, you should be able to recover recently deleted messages easily.Have you ever accidentally deleted a text message you realized later you needed? How did you recover your messages? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

There are a ton of advantages of having a smaller tablet--it's more portable, charges faster, and is often way less costly than larger options.The display sizes of small tablets can range from six to 10 inches. Despite the size, many still offer long battery life, fast performance, vibrant displays, and plenty of customizable features. Our top picks include theiPad Mini (7th gen)and other best smallAndroid tabletslike the Boox Tab Mini C or cheap small tablets.Apple iPad Mini (7th gen) | Best small tablet overall Apple iPad Mini (7th gen) Best small tablet overall View now View at Amazon Amazon Fire 7 Tablet | Best budget small tablet Amazon Fire 7 Tablet Best budget small tablet View now View at Amazon Boox Tab Mini C | Best small tablet for note-taking Boox Tab Mini C Best small tablet for note-taking Color e-reader display View now View at Amazon Amazon Kindle (12th gen) | Best small tablet for reading Amazon Kindle (12th gen) Best small tablet for reading View now View at Amazon Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite | Best Samsung small tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite Best Samsung small tablet View now View at Walmart What is the best small tablet right now?Based on our extensive hands-on testing with various tablets of all sizes, our pick for the best small tablet is the iPad Mini (7th gen), thanks to its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and weight of just under one pound. At the moment, you can pick one up at Amazon for only $399, which makes this small tablet extremely affordable compared to others on the market.We have also researched and tested compact-sized tablets from Samsung, Amazon, and other brands for those looking for something more compact and easy to carry. Read on to find out our top recommendations for the best small tablets to buy.Also:Best Windows tablet in 2025 Sort by All The best small tablets of 2025 Show less Apple's iPad Mini is our top pick for the best small tablet thanks to its A17 Pro Chip--the same powerful processor found in theiPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max--that is also compatible with Apple Intelligence.The iPad Mini was updated last year with new features including support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence capabilities that include Writing Tools, the redesigned Siri, Priority Notifications and Messages, Summarization tools, Smart Reply, and the Clean Up tool in Photos.There's a spot on the right side of the tablet to charge the Apple Pencil, making it a great tablet for drawing or writing notes. Customers who bought the iPad Mini reported in reviews that they were impressed by its battery life, durability, and display. They also noted its portability to fit in purses and bags, particularly for entertainment purposes.ZDNET writer Maria Diaz tested the Apple iPad Mini and said, "The iPad Mini 7 is compact and fast, and its Apple silicon processor is built to last for years." She alsoadded, "buy the iPad Mini 7 for the entertainment tablet it is."If you're interested in picking up an iPad Mini, Amazon and Best Buy are offering $100 off the 128GB model, bringing the cost down to $399.iPad Mini tech specs: Display: 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display|Processor: A17 Pro|Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB|Colors: Space gray, blue, purple, starlight|Cameras: Rear: 12MP, 4K video Front: 12MP UltraWide with Center Stage|Weight: 0.65 pounds |Dimensions: 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches |Connections: USB-C |Battery life:10 hours Pros Light and compact Supports Apple Pencil Pro for premium note-taking Apple Intelligence features Cons Expensive upgrade from previous generation Apple's iPad Mini is our top pick for the best small tablet thanks to its A17 Pro Chip--the same powerful processor found in theiPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max--that is also compatible with Apple Intelligence.The iPad Mini was updated last year with new features including support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence capabilities that include Writing Tools, the redesigned Siri, Priority Notifications and Messages, Summarization tools, Smart Reply, and the Clean Up tool in Photos.There's a spot on the right side of the tablet to charge the Apple Pencil, making it a great tablet for drawing or writing notes. Customers who bought the iPad Mini reported in reviews that they were impressed by its battery life, durability, and display. They also noted its portability to fit in purses and bags, particularly for entertainment purposes.ZDNET writer Maria Diaz tested the Apple iPad Mini and said, "The iPad Mini 7 is compact and fast, and its Apple silicon processor is built to last for years." She alsoadded, "buy the iPad Mini 7 for the entertainment tablet it is."If you're interested in picking up an iPad Mini, Amazon and Best Buy are offering $100 off the 128GB model, bringing the cost down to $399.iPad Mini tech specs: Display: 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display|Processor: A17 Pro|Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB|Colors: Space gray, blue, purple, starlight|Cameras: Rear: 12MP, 4K video Front: 12MP UltraWide with Center Stage|Weight: 0.65 pounds |Dimensions: 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches |Connections: USB-C |Battery life:10 hours Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon If you're looking for something even smaller and cheaper than the iPad Mini, the Amazon Fire 7 tablet is a great budget tablet pick. The Fire tablet's 7-inch screen has a 1024 x 600 display, so you can stream movies or play video games without hauling around a bulky tablet.Former ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani reviewed the Amazon Fire 7 tablet and said it offers "a well-rounded experience as long as you take the cost into account when setting expectations." Even though performance may be a bit slow, Cipriani said that's expected at an affordable price point, considering the tablet is a colorful Kindle, a dedicated Alexa smart display, and a smart home controller all in one device.Review:Amazon Fire 7 (2022)Along with the ability to ask Alexa questions, you can view and manage your Alexa-connected smart home devices. You can control cameras, lights, and outlets using your voice or by tapping the dedicated Devices button in the bottom navigation bar.While the 16GB model is out of stock at many retailers, you can opt for a refurbished item orthe 32GB version at Amazon with an $80 price tag. If you're willing to pay a little more, you can remove lockscreen ad support.Amazon Fire 7 tech specs: Display: 7-inch, 1024x600 display |Processor: MediaTek MT8168V/B |Storage: 16GB or 326GB |Colors: Black, denim, or rose |Cameras: 2 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p HD video recording |Weight: 9.9 ounces |Dimensions: 7.11 x 4.63 x 0.38 inches|Connections: 2 USB-C, 3.5mm jack |Battery life:10 hours Pros Affordable Good battery life Can double as an Alexa smart display Cons Performance is slightly slow Cameras aren't as great as other options If you're looking for something even smaller and cheaper than the iPad Mini, the Amazon Fire 7 tablet is a great budget tablet pick. The Fire tablet's 7-inch screen has a 1024 x 600 display, so you can stream movies or play video games without hauling around a bulky tablet.Former ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani reviewed the Amazon Fire 7 tablet and said it offers "a well-rounded experience as long as you take the cost into account when setting expectations." Even though performance may be a bit slow, Cipriani said that's expected at an affordable price point, considering the tablet is a colorful Kindle, a dedicated Alexa smart display, and a smart home controller all in one device.Review:Amazon Fire 7 (2022)Along with the ability to ask Alexa questions, you can view and manage your Alexa-connected smart home devices. You can control cameras, lights, and outlets using your voice or by tapping the dedicated Devices button in the bottom navigation bar.While the 16GB model is out of stock at many retailers, you can opt for a refurbished item orthe 32GB version at Amazon with an $80 price tag. If you're willing to pay a little more, you can remove lockscreen ad support.Amazon Fire 7 tech specs: Display: 7-inch, 1024x600 display |Processor: MediaTek MT8168V/B |Storage: 16GB or 326GB |Colors: Black, denim, or rose |Cameras: 2 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p HD video recording |Weight: 9.9 ounces |Dimensions: 7.11 x 4.63 x 0.38 inches|Connections: 2 USB-C, 3.5mm jack |Battery life:10 hours Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Boox is an e-reader and drawing tablet with vivid color display, so your e-book's illustrations and color-coordinated notes will pop as you read. (Speaking of which, the note-taking templates on the Tab Mini C are extremely handy.)Whether you're a student taking Cornell-style notes, a desk job employee making an hourly plan for your day, a musician crafting a piece of sheet music, or a historian drafting a timeline, the Tab Mini C offers a template for that.Also: Best note-taking tablet: Bright displays, ample storage, & moreAnother fun feature is the tablet's four customizable refresh modes. These modes help stream videos on YouTube that need a smoother display, or you can tweak the active mode for e-reading purposes. With adjustable warm and cool lights, you can customize your blue light level to tone the display before bedtime for an easier-on-the-eyes reading experience.ZDNET editor Nina Raemont, who contributed to this article, has been using the tablet to manage her work-life calendar, build lists for grocery shopping, meeting agendas, and more. It's become Raemont's deskside companion and staple note-taking device. Because of its lightweight and effortless portability, it has replaced the trusty Moleskin notebook she avidly used to plan her day.The robust battery life lasts many days to even a week or two depending on usage, and the tablet comes with a magnetically attached stylus with pressure detection for drawing. The tablet's sleek design has a minimalist feel and careful use of popping colors. However, Reddit users note that you may have to tinker with the tablet's settings to maximize your experience.The Boox Tab Mini C is available from Amazon for $399.Boox Tab Mini C specs: Display: 7.9-inch screen, electronic ink |Processor: Advanced Octa-core|Storage: 64GB |Colors: Black |Cameras: None |Weight: 11 ounces |Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.33 inches |Connections: USB-C |Battery:5,000mAh Li-ion Polymer Value for money 7 Storage 8 Performance 8 Display quality 9 Battery life 9 Pros Long lasting battery life Gorgeous design and display Great templates for taking notes Easy reading Cons Expensive Some complaints of lag Boox Tab Mini C Best small tablet for note-taking 4.1 / 5 Score Boox is an e-reader and drawing tablet with vivid color display, so your e-book's illustrations and color-coordinated notes will pop as you read. (Speaking of which, the note-taking templates on the Tab Mini C are extremely handy.)Whether you're a student taking Cornell-style notes, a desk job employee making an hourly plan for your day, a musician crafting a piece of sheet music, or a historian drafting a timeline, the Tab Mini C offers a template for that.Also: Best note-taking tablet: Bright displays, ample storage, & moreAnother fun feature is the tablet's four customizable refresh modes. These modes help stream videos on YouTube that need a smoother display, or you can tweak the active mode for e-reading purposes. With adjustable warm and cool lights, you can customize your blue light level to tone the display before bedtime for an easier-on-the-eyes reading experience.ZDNET editor Nina Raemont, who contributed to this article, has been using the tablet to manage her work-life calendar, build lists for grocery shopping, meeting agendas, and more. It's become Raemont's deskside companion and staple note-taking device. Because of its lightweight and effortless portability, it has replaced the trusty Moleskin notebook she avidly used to plan her day.The robust battery life lasts many days to even a week or two depending on usage, and the tablet comes with a magnetically attached stylus with pressure detection for drawing. The tablet's sleek design has a minimalist feel and careful use of popping colors. However, Reddit users note that you may have to tinker with the tablet's settings to maximize your experience.The Boox Tab Mini C is available from Amazon for $399.Boox Tab Mini C specs: Display: 7.9-inch screen, electronic ink |Processor: Advanced Octa-core|Storage: 64GB |Colors: Black |Cameras: None |Weight: 11 ounces |Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.33 inches |Connections: USB-C |Battery:5,000mAh Li-ion Polymer Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less The upgraded 12th-generation Kindle offers most of the specs from the previous model, with a few new additions. These include different exterior colors (Matcha and Black), a brighter front light, a higher contrast ratio, and a faster page-turn rate.ZDNET editor Nina Raemont also tried the new Kindle hands-on and was particularly impressed with its lightening-fast performance, especially when compared to older models.Review:Amazon Kindle (12th generation)"While I was reading, I noticed that the page-turning and book-loading speeds were significantly quicker than on my Kindle Oasis or Kindle Paperwhite from 2022," she wrote.The anti-glare 300ppi display makes it easy to read in any light, and dark mode is a warm welcome when you're trying to read at night without letting blue light interrupt your sleep cycle. Plus, its small size (it weighs just .35 pounds) means it'll fit most bags and backpacks, so you can take your library with you wherever you go.The 12th-generation Amazon Kindle is available for a budget-friendly price of $100 at Amazon and Best Buy.Amazon Kindle tech specs: Display:6-inch, 300ppi glare-free |Storage:16GB |Colors:Black or denim |Weight:5.56 ounces |Dimensions:6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches |Connections:USB-C |Battery: Up to six weeks Pros Faster performance and page-turning Super lightweight and portable Dark mode Cons Web browser functionality could be better No warm light option The upgraded 12th-generation Kindle offers most of the specs from the previous model, with a few new additions. These include different exterior colors (Matcha and Black), a brighter front light, a higher contrast ratio, and a faster page-turn rate.ZDNET editor Nina Raemont also tried the new Kindle hands-on and was particularly impressed with its lightening-fast performance, especially when compared to older models.Review:Amazon Kindle (12th generation)"While I was reading, I noticed that the page-turning and book-loading speeds were significantly quicker than on my Kindle Oasis or Kindle Paperwhite from 2022," she wrote.The anti-glare 300ppi display makes it easy to read in any light, and dark mode is a warm welcome when you're trying to read at night without letting blue light interrupt your sleep cycle. Plus, its small size (it weighs just .35 pounds) means it'll fit most bags and backpacks, so you can take your library with you wherever you go.The 12th-generation Amazon Kindle is available for a budget-friendly price of $100 at Amazon and Best Buy.Amazon Kindle tech specs: Display:6-inch, 300ppi glare-free |Storage:16GB |Colors:Black or denim |Weight:5.56 ounces |Dimensions:6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches |Connections:USB-C |Battery: Up to six weeks Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Walmart Samsung's tablet lineup spans price, capability, and screen size. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a small Android tablet that combines affordability and usefulness. Its 8.7-inch screen features a 1340x800 display, making it worthy of streaming, working, and more.The lightweight design and small display make the Tab A7 Lite portable enough to take anywhere, especially if you're using it to entertain kids with educational apps. Plus, the metal frame adds some added ruggedness.In addition, you can expand your storage beyond the 32GB or 64GB allotted. The tablet allows up to 1TB of expandable storage, twice as much as the previous model. Overall, 91% of Best Buy customers would recommend buying this tablet, giving it an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.ZDNET author Charlie Osborne, who contributed to this article, selected this model to help a family member start a new business. The reason? It's affordable, has a small enough form factor to slip easily into a handbag, and is able to handle day-to-day tasks such as checking email and using mobile apps with ease.You can pick up this tablet for $170 at Amazon.Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite tech specs: Display: 8.7-inch, 1340x800 display|Processor: MediaTek MT8768N|Storage: 32GB or 64GB |Colors: Gray|Cameras: 2MP front and 8MP rear |Weight: 0.81lbs|Dimensions: 8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 inches |Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C |Battery:10 to 12 hours Pros Expandable storage Low price point Long-lasting battery Cons Performance could be better Samsung's tablet lineup spans price, capability, and screen size. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a small Android tablet that combines affordability and usefulness. Its 8.7-inch screen features a 1340x800 display, making it worthy of streaming, working, and more.The lightweight design and small display make the Tab A7 Lite portable enough to take anywhere, especially if you're using it to entertain kids with educational apps. Plus, the metal frame adds some added ruggedness.In addition, you can expand your storage beyond the 32GB or 64GB allotted. The tablet allows up to 1TB of expandable storage, twice as much as the previous model. Overall, 91% of Best Buy customers would recommend buying this tablet, giving it an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.ZDNET author Charlie Osborne, who contributed to this article, selected this model to help a family member start a new business. The reason? It's affordable, has a small enough form factor to slip easily into a handbag, and is able to handle day-to-day tasks such as checking email and using mobile apps with ease.You can pick up this tablet for $170 at Amazon.Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite tech specs: Display: 8.7-inch, 1340x800 display|Processor: MediaTek MT8768N|Storage: 32GB or 64GB |Colors: Gray|Cameras: 2MP front and 8MP rear |Weight: 0.81lbs|Dimensions: 8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 inches |Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C |Battery:10 to 12 hours Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best small tablet? The best small tablet is the iPad Mini because of its sharp display and impressive cameras. Plus, the A17 Pro chip is packed with power in a small package. But if you're unsure, the factors below may sway your decision.TabletPriceScreen sizeDisplayApple iPad Mini$3998.3 inchesLiquid RetinaAmazon Fire 7$807 inches1024x600 pixelsBoox Tab Mini C$3997.8 inchesElectronic inkAmazon Kindle$1006 inches300ppi glare-freeSamsung Galaxy A7 Lite$1708.7 inches1340x800 pixels Show more Which small tablet is right for you? Choose this small tablet...If you want...Apple iPad MiniThe best overall small tablet with USB-C port for quicker charging and data transfers. It also comes equipped with Apple Intelligence.Amazon Fire 7A budget-friendly and well-rounded tablet with excellent battery life and smart assistant functionality. Its 7-inch screen has a 1024x600 display.Boox Tab Mini CThe best close-to-high-end tablet that functions as an e-reader, note-taker, illustrator, and web-surfer. With a vivid display, long-lasting battery life, and customizable settings for the ultimate user experience, this tablet is the stylish and sleek deskside companion you need. Amazon KindleA small and portable tablet designed for reading with dark mode and six weeks of battery life. Its 300ppi is the same display as the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis.Samsung Galaxy A7 LiteA small Samsung tablet with expandable storage and an exceptional battery life. The tablet allows for up to 1TB of expandable storage. Show more Factors to consider when choosing the best small tablets: We know there are a lot of tablets and tablet sizes to choose from, but ultimately, these factors should be considered before making a purchase:Size:These tablets range between six and eight inches, which defines a tablet as small. Consider whether you want one of the smallest options or you want a model at the higher end of the range.Display:Small tablets shouldn't have to compromise on an already smaller display, and many tablets now pack a punch in relation to resolution and display technologies.Use cases: One of the most important deciding factors in selecting a new tablet is what you plan to use it for. If you intend to use resource-heavy applications, for example, opt for a model with a powerful processor. You may prioritize storage space if you want a tablet for storing TV shows, books, and films.Battery life:A device's battery life is important no matter its size, so we considered devices that can last you all day -- but expected battery life can vary.Operating system: What's your favorite mobile operating system? Your choice of small tablet may hinge on whether you like iOS, Android, or another OS.Accessories: While a small factor in your decision, you might want a specific color, case, or stylus. Research what's available before you buy.Price:Tablets vary in price range from affordable to expensive depending on brand and purpose, so we made sure to choose tablets at various price points to accommodate different budgets. Show more How we test tablets The ZDNET team chose all of the tablets included in this list based on their performance whentested in the real world. When we test tablets, we typically follow the same routine for each one to see which performs best.Display: We measure the brightness level in different lighting conditions and assess color accuracy.We also compare the display's performance with what the manufacturer promised, test the screen's responsiveness to touch, and assess the performance of any extra features, like a manufacturer's stylus.Performance:For real-world performance metrics, our reviewers measure how quickly the tablet reacts to input, assess game performance and frame rates, test how the tablet handles having multiple apps running simultaneously, measure the time it takes to launch apps, and even assess the tablet's temperature during intensive tasks.Battery life: We test different scenarios for battery life, including measuring how long the battery lasts while streaming, web browsing, using productivity apps, and playing games.Camera and audio:For cameras, we evaluate features like resolution, aperture, low-light performance, autofocus accuracy, dynamic range, color accuracy, image quality, sharpness, and video quality. For audio, we look at the sound quality and overall listening experience, including audio clarity at different volumes, stereo separation of left and right audio channels, maximum volume level in various environments, and if there is perceived distortion.For a deeper look into our testing process, check out our comprehensivetablet testing methodology. Show more Small tablet FAQs What is the smallest tablet screen size? The smallest tablet screen size on the market is 6 to 7 inches. Anything smaller would be more similar to a smartphone.It's why you want to consider your primary uses when considering which small tablet is right for you. To demonstrate, if you travel often, one with a smaller screen will be perfect for carrying/using on an airplane. If your aim is to read more e-books or draw, you'll want one with a larger screen. Show more What brand of tablet is best? Tablets made by Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft are the best-made tablets in terms of quality. Amazon has well-rounded tablets in its Fire lineup but with fewer performance-focused features. Boox is also proving to be an industry underdog, with impressive tablets that function as e-readers and illustrators.Keep in mind in certain cases (Apple, Samsung), you can pair your other devices with the tablet. In the case of Apple tablets, you can log in using your Apple ID to access the same apps, pictures, and more from your phone on your iPad.Meanwhile, with Samsung devices, you can implement Samsung Flow. Download the app on your phone and tablet. You can connect your tablet to your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Show more Are mini Android tablets worth it? Yes, they can be. Small Android tablets allow you to do everything you would normally do, like reading e-books and video calling, without the higher price tags.Their lightweight body and compact design make them perfect traveling companions. So, if you're searching for the best Android tablet with great battery life and lightweight design, the minis are an enticing choice. Show more What is the smallest iPad? The smallest iPad is the iPad Mini which has a screen size of 8.3 inches. It's also lightweight at just under one pound. Show more Other tablets we've tested ZDNETs Tablet Guide Tablet Roundups Tablets Reviewed & Compared Tablets Explained ZDNET Recommends

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The all-new CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controllers are absolutely gorgeous, and may well set a new ... [+] bar for rhythm action gaming.CRKDFor the first time in years, rhythm gaming is getting a new, fully endorsed guitar controller. Upstart peripheral creator CRKD has unveiled its gorgeous new Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller range, which aims to deliver the most modern technological experience to Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Clone Hero, and more and keep the genre alive.While PDPs 2024 RiffMaster ax is a solid offering for the dedicated rhythm action market hardly surprising, given its form with the superb Victrix Pro BFG and Gambit pads this newcomer has a specific edge. The CRKD team has worked with former developers from RedOctane, the company responsible for designing the original Guitar Hero controllers, to create something that will meet the needs of both longtime players and newcomers, offering customizable features and improved precision.Did I mention CRKDs controllers are absolutely stunning? The Pro Edition is the the type of thing you might consider buying just to stare at.CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller specsThe new guitar peripheral comes in two versions:The Pro Edition in a sumptuous Blueberry Burst finish, which includes an Advanced Fret System for greater responsiveness and a Hall-effect strum bar with haptic feedback; andThe Encore Edition in black, which features a standard fret and strum buttons.Additional core features on both guitars include multiple connectivity options wired, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth and an eight-button navigation hub, an analog stick for menu navigation, and a Hall-effect whammy bar for enhanced durability. The controllers also offer customizable RGB lighting and CRKD Tilt, which allows players to activate Star Power by flicking their guitar; a common complaint about the RiffMaster was its poor sensitivity in this department, so CRKD is clearly learning from its rivals.Is the neck broken? Don't fret, just replace it.CRKDWhats more, both models have a modular design, meaning players can swap out components for a personalized experience and potentially offset any potential broken parts in the future. Its music to the ears of someone like me, who went through about eight Rock Band drum kits in the space of four years (five pedal snaps, three red drum failures).Choose your platformPlayers can choose between a multi-platform version or a slightly pricier Xbox-specific model, which presumably costs more because its officially licensed with Microsoft. However, it could require more components and testing to make it work to the manufacturers standards.However, the latter option isnt just Xbox and done. While the multi-platform controllers work with PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, and some Guitar Hero and Rock Band games on PlayStation, the Xbox version can be used with Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One as well as PC and Android devices. On top of that, both versions of the guitar are compatible with Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna.You can pre-order the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controllers now at the companys website, and theyre expected to ship in June. The Encore Edition comes in at $109.99 for the multi-platform model and $119.99 for the Xbox version; the Pro Edition costs $119.99 and $129.99 respectively.If form is to be trusted, chances are that CRKDs newest controllers will be a slam dunk. Its Nitro Deck, NEO S, and even those delightfully tiny Atom controllers have all proved to be great investments. We might even get a couple of dependably great designs from POPeART along the way.Even though Ive rallied for CRKDs next project to be an alternative to the Switch Pro Controller, this is a welcome next step sure, licensing prevents me from playing all those songs I downloaded and extracted from previous Rock Band games, but maybe renewed interest through this tech might help encourage developers to create a new game or two. Or, you know, we just continue to experiment with a customized Clone Hero experience.

The Brutalist was shot in VistaVision, a film format from the 1950s. Sony PicturesWith 10 nominations, one of the leading contenders at the upcoming Academy Awards on 3rd March 2025 is The Brutalist. These include Best Director for Brady Corbet, Best Actor for Adrian Brody, and Best Picture, but, for me at least, the most interesting will be Best Cinematography.This is because The Brutalists director of photography, Lol Crawley and Corbet made the unusual choice of filming on a format called VistaVision. As someone interested in both the digital revolution and the power of old formats, this piqued my interest.To understand why the makers of The Brutalist chose to do this, we need to dive into the fascinating history of cinematic film formats.When Cinema Strikes BackIn the 1950s, cinema was threatened by a technology that encouraged people to stay home rather than venture out of the house for their entertainment (this would never happen today of course). It was called television and by the 1950s it had moved from niche to mainstream popularity. At that time, the standard movie aspect ratio was 1.37:1 (the Academy ratio), which was very similar to the shape of the picture on the small square box in the home.To complete, the cinema industry felt the need to create something different. To that end, in 1952, 20th Century Fox introduced Cinerama, which offered an incredible 2.59:1 aspect ratio projecting onto new huge screens, an eye-grabbing step change. Soon after, 20th Century Fox introduced CinemaScope, which used anamorphic lenses to arrive at a wide 2.35:1 aspect ratio image.However, both formats presented either exhibition or filming challenges. Cinerama required three projectors at once pointing at a huge, curved screen, while CinemaScope required anamorphic lenses which often suffered from edge distortion.What is VistaVision?Paramounts response was VistaVision, which used standard 35mm film but, like in a stills camera, rotated it 90 degrees producing an eight-perforation-wide (8-perf) widescreen frame. This resulted in a negative that was over 2.66 times bigger than standard 35mm film, thus able to capture more light and produce a much more detailed and color-rich image.The aspect ratio was also widescreen without requiring the anamorphic lenses. For exhibition, VistaVision was usually transferred to standard 35mm film, retaining much of the quality of the original VistaVision without exhibitors having to buy specialized projection equipment or reduce the number of seats to accommodate a super-large screen.VistaVision's aspect ratio and the distortion-free field of view make it is a great match to convey ... [+] large structures such as the Golden Gate Bridge, as seen here in Hitchcock's Vertigo.Creative CommonsThe first film to be shown in VistaVision was White Christmas in 1951, which was a huge success, and in the following years, other major movies used the format, including The Ten Commandments (1956) and Vertigo (1958).However, VistaVision was also not immune to technical issues. As the frame was larger, it needed to run through the camera gate faster than regular vertical 35mm, which meant the costly prints often got damaged.Soon the arrival of the even larger Todd-AO 70mm format, meant that by the end of the decade, VistaVision was all but obsolete. The last Hollywood VistaVision film of the era was One-Eyed Jacks shot in 1958 and released in 1961.A New HopeBy the 1970s, VistaVision was a technology from a long time ago, a memory from far, far away. However, its star was about to shine again.In 1976, a group of rebel filmmakers, working from a hidden warehouse, was looking for a way to bring the unique vision of a new and exciting director to the big screen.His name was George Lucas, who in 1976 assembled a fledgling visual effects house, newly dubbed Industrial Light & Magic, to work on his bold science-fiction fantasy space adventure; Star Wars.(The story is well told in the book Droidmaker: George Lucas And the Digital Revolution, by Michael Rubin. If you're interested in how George Lucas changed the landscape of film, gaming, and design, it's worth getting hold of).As Rubin explains, the key technical challenge facing the group was how to realistically depict the storys space battles. While in 1968 Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey had broken the mold of science fictions notoriously primitive effects, that film was deliberately slow-paced. Lucas, however, wanted to combine the visceral feeling of high-speed World War II dogfights with the realism of 2001. When that films special effects supervisor, Douglas Trumball turned the offer down to work on Star Wars, Lucas turned to one of Trumballs team, John Dykstra: who proceeded to change the face of cinema.To achieve the desired look would require numerous visual effects elements, such as multiple ship miniatures, and additional details such as light and engine flares, all appearing on screen together at the same time, but all at high speed.To make this work, Dykstra devised a way to combine a film camera with a computer, enabling each ship-miniature movement to be repeated precisely over multiple runs, at different angles: a system known as motion control.This was combined with blue screen techniques to separate each pass, with each one then printed onto film. Eventually, all the versions were composited together using an optical printer. The problem was however that each time a layer was combined in the optical printer image quality was degraded. To output at film quality they needed to minimize the impact of the generational loss.This made it essential to capture each layer of visual effects at the maximum possible quality. The natural choice here would be to use 70mm film, but this was very expensive and thus out of the question for a relatively low-budget film.A Format Long RememberedThe answer was Dykstras next stroke of genius: rediscovering VistaVision. Its 8-perf large format frame offered enough size to keep the quality high even after multiple layers of effects were combined in the optical printer. Whats more, instead of being unaffordable, as VistaVision equipment was, literally, gathering dust, its likely Paramount would have been only too happy to have let these young unknowns, take the equipment and remaining film stock off its hands.The motion control system, dubbed Dykstraflex helped the film win an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in July 1977 and that original system is now on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.While the format never came back into fashion, VistaVisions method of film passing through the gate horizontally to maximize area was repeated by a rather more familiar format that applied the same principle but to 70mm film stock: IMAX.Today this gives us the beauty of 1.43:1 films, projected on huge Grand Theatre screens, such as Oppenheimer. While IMAX was first introduced in 1970, it wasn't until Christopher Nolan used it to film parts of The Dark Knight in 2008, that use in feature films became more common at least in other Chris Nolan productions. In a nice touch, for both The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, Nolan used VistaVision cameras to get full coverage of certain scenes due to the small number of available IMAX cameras.Brutalist ArchitectureWhich brings us back to where we started with The Brutalist. As cinematographer Lol Crawley explains in this video, VistaVision was the ideal way to capture tall buildings that are central to the movie. You're not forced to shoot on wider angle lenses for a wider field of view. You know, you can get the same field of view on a longer lens, which obviously minimizes distortion. That was something that Brady was very keen to do.While film will likely always stay as a niche way of shooting films, as a wise old Jedi might have said, as long as theres a use for it, no old technology, is ever really gone.

Facepalm: Training new and improved AI models requires vast amounts of data, and bots are constantly scanning the internet in search of valuable information to feed the AI systems. However, this largely unregulated approach can pose serious security risks, particularly when dealing with highly sensitive data. Popular chatbot services like Copilot and ChatGPT could theoretically be exploited to access GitHub repositories that their owners have set to private. According to Israeli security firm Lasso, this vulnerability is very real and affects tens of thousands of organizations, developers, and major technology companies.Lasso researchers discovered the issue when they found content from their own GitHub repository accessible through Microsoft's Copilot. Company co-founder Ophir Dror revealed that the repository had been mistakenly made public for a short period, during which Bing indexed and cached the data. Even after the repository was switched back to private, Copilot was still able to access and generate responses based on its content."If I was to browse the web, I wouldn't see this data. But anyone in the world could ask Copilot the right question and get this data," Dror explained.After experiencing the breach firsthand, Lasso conducted a deeper investigation. The company found that over 20,000 GitHub repositories that had been set to private in 2024 were still accessible through Copilot.Lasso reported that over 16,000 organizations were affected by this AI-generated security breach. The issue also impacted major technology companies, including IBM, Google, PayPal, Tencent, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services. While Amazon denied being affected, Lasso was reportedly pressured by AWS's legal team to remove any mention of the company from its findings.Private GitHub repositories that remained accessible through Copilot contained highly sensitive data. Cybercriminals and other threat actors could potentially manipulate the chatbot into revealing confidential information, including intellectual property, corporate data, access keys, and security tokens. Lasso alerted the organizations that were "severely" impacted by the breach, advising them to rotate or revoke any compromised security credentials. // Related StoriesThe Israeli security team notified Microsoft about the breach in November 2024, but Redmond classified it as a "low-severity" issue. Microsoft described the caching problem as "acceptable behavior," though Bing removed cached search results related to the affected data in December 2024. However, Lasso warned that even after the cache was disabled, Copilot still retains the data within its AI model. The company has now published its research findings.