Google is emailing Chromecast users today to apologize for an issue thats been causing certain Chromecast models to fail when people try to cast to them. The company says that its working on a fix.Below is the text from the email, which some Verge staffers received, titled, Important information about your Chromecast.Were contacting you because of a disruption affecting Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio devices. We apologize for the issue and understand your frustration. We are working to roll out a fix as soon as possible and will share updates and guidance on the Nest Community page. We appreciate your patience as we resolve this issue.Chromecasts started failing over the weekend, giving Untrusted device errors on the devices that users were trying to cast with. When The Verge reached out, Google acknowledged that it was aware of the issue and said it would share more information as it was available.Yesterday, a Google Nest Community Manager said that the team has identified the cause of the issue and that it was working on a fix.Google hasnt said what caused the issue, but one Reddit user claimed that it was most definitely due to the certificate baked into the Chromecast having expired. The user said that the certificate specified that it was no longer valid after March 9th, 2025, which was the day before the Chromecast models started failing.

The Discovery Plus app is getting a much-needed upgrade. On Wednesday, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that its finally migrating the service to the same technology used by its flagship streaming service Max, which should offer improved app and video performance.The company says Discovery Plus will have a more refined homepage and navigation, along with better content recommendations. The video player will also now allow you to switch between episodes and content recommendations. Im just hoping the update will make it easier to scrub through episodes, as the video player is currently very laggy.Some other improvements include the ability to sign into the app using a QR code, as well as a way to share show recommendations through text or social media on mobile. The update is rolling out now to most devices in the US and Canada, but Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson Jaclyn Mandelbaum said, Updates may take a few days to roll out across platforms.Even after the launch of Max, which folds in a lot of Discovery Plus content like 90 Day Fianc, Naked and Afraid, and Property Brothers, the standalone app has largely lagged behind. This update could at least help justify the $1 price hike Discovery Plus rolled out earlier this year, bringing the ad-supported plan to $5.99 / month and the ad-free plan to $9.99 / month.

Independent game developer Kyrylo Burlaka has revealed Fracture Point, his new fast-paced roguelike first-person shooter that promises procedurally generated levels with looter shooter elements "in a realistic dystopian metropolis engulfed in a war between a powerful corporation and the resistance."Making your way up the corporation's skyscraper, you'll scavenge for gear and loot to upgrade your character as you go floor-by-floor fighting mercenaries, going toe-to-toe with security forces, and facing off against bosses. Watch the announcement trailer above and take a look at the first screenshots in the gallery below.Fracture Point - First ScreenshotsFracture Point reminds me a lot of Criterion's classic PS2-era first-person shooter Black, and perhaps you'll agree when you watch the trailer. When I mentioned this to Burlaka, he said, "Criterion's games were a big part of my gaming experience growing up," so perhaps the comparison is warranted.If you're interested in following Fracture Point's development progress and playing it as soon as it's ready, you can wishlist it on Steam.Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

Dark Regards is easily the most intriguing new indie comics to come along in quite some time. It's a book whose back-story is as wild and crazy as the comic itself. But you can be the judge in our exclusive preview of Dark Regards #1.Check out the slideshow gallery below for an exclusive look inside the new series, but beware of some NSFW language ahead!Oni Press' Dark Regards #1: Preview GalleryDark Regards is the brainchild of comedian/writer/musician Dave Hill and artist Artyom Topilin (Cruel Universe, I Hate This Place). The four-issue series is inspired by Hill's own experiences forming a fictional Satanic metal band called Witch Taint and the unexpected spiral of chaos that ensued. Here's Oni Press' official description of the series:Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band set out to rock their high school auditorium in a fury of heavy metal hellfire. They failed miserably. Years later, Dave has made a new life for himself as a rising star in the New York comedy scene a career where getting laughed at on stage is the entire point and not just a tragic consequence. But when Dave's metal ambitions are re-awakened by the ber self-serious, Satanic genre of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously hyperbolic alter ego and a band to match that, together, reignite the spark of his forgotten rock 'n roll fantasy. But when Dave's internet-fueled rumors of Witch Taint a metal band so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area when their music is played spreads all the way to Europe, his story will spiral dangerously out of control as Norway's most extreme black metal butchers come to reap their revenge . . . and put everything and everyone Dave holds dear in the crosshairs (of their axes, which, truth be told, don't actually have crosshairs, but, hey, it's a metaphor).A few years back, I sat down in my underwear late one night and decided to let my obsession with Norwegian black metal run wild by emailing a Norwegian black metal record label, telling them all the bands on their label sucked despite the fact that I had never listened to any of them, and suggesting they sign my extremely extreme black metal band Witch Taint, which had yet to record any music and didn't even exist beyond the band name I'd just made up on the spot, said Hill in a statement. This first email led to months of correspondence with the record label that I never intended for anyone to see. But the Internet being the Internet, eventually a lot of people saw it and things got nuts. Now, beyond my wildest dreams, this story has become my first comic book series Dark Regards, written by me and illustrated by the amazing Artyom Topilin. If you don't devour every single issue, you are basically insane.PlayDark Regards #1 is priced at $4.99 and will be released on May 13, 2025.For more exclusive comic book previews, check out a look at the final issue of TMNT: The Last Ronin II and The Dark Knight Returns-inspired Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell.Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.

Spring is a time of renewal. You want to swap the harshness of winter for the softer days of spring. And while warmer weather, fresh blooms, and happier moods are all sure signs summer is on its way, your home may still be stuck below zero. Its natural to hunker down during the colder months. Flannel sheets and Christmas-themed candles bring us the joy we need to endure the wind chill. However, its time to shed those layers. Let the changing seasons inspire your next home reset. Spring cleaning isnt the only home project we recommend this yearwhy not make your space feel new with some fresh touches?Spring is all about renewal and warmth, and these simple updates can make a space feel lighter, fresher, and full of life without a major investment, says Danielle Chiprut of Danielle Rose Design Co. Not sure where to start? We tapped 10 interior designers to reveal how they refresh their own homes for spring. Their recommendations give you a big impact for a small investment. Related StoriesBring the Outdoors InJoseph KrammA dining room in Woodstock, designed by Melissa Anderson of OAD Interiors. See the entire home.I like to incorporate fresh greenery: live plants, branches, or even a simple bowl of citrus on the counter. Its also great to embrace natural light by opting for airy, sheer curtains and cleaning your windows for that crisp, sunlit glow. Danielle Chiprut, Danielle Rose Design Co.Deep Clean EverythingThe first thing I always do is a deep clean, including window treatments and area rugs. These two items specifically collect dust, dog hair, etc., and a deep cleaning helps freshen the home. Additionally, open all the windows and air out the stuffy home, and let some new fresh air in. Mark Schubert, Phillip Harrison InteriorsSort and DeclutterI purge! As a designer and world traveler, its easy to collect unique items quickly. To keep my space in check, I go through my decor during spring cleaning and pick at least 10 things to let go of. I either give them to neighbors or donate them. Purging not only makes room for new things (or nothing at all), but it also creates space for fresh energy. Jill Romine, Jill Romine Interior DesignSwap Decorative ObjectsCarmel BrantleyA dining room by Janie Molster. Tour the entire home.Layering in new textures and small decorative elements can make a huge impact. Swapping lamp shades for woven or pleated options, updating coffee table styling with seasonal books and fresh flowers, or incorporating a new oversize mirror to reflect light can transform a space without major renovations. Galey Grimes, Galey Grimes InteriorsInvest in Quality FloralsAs a new mom and business owner, I dont have the time to take care of flowers. I am eyeing the Emily By Emily Faux Purple Allium florals. They are the perfect touch to bring a soft spring hue into any room. Im on a purple kickI just redesigned my home office in a deep purple limewash (hand-painted by Michelle Kole Art), and I am obsessed! Its the perfect color for spring yet warm enough for a bit of moodiness in the winter. Kelsey Matyas of Kelsey Deirdre Designs Refresh Your TablescapeJenna PeffleyAn outdoor dining area by French & French in Santa Fe. Tour the entire home.I love entertaining, and spring inspires me to refresh my tablescape with vibrant glassware and handcrafted ceramics. Paired with linen napkins and fresh florals, it creates the perfect seasonal update. Ive been looking for new outdoor furniture, and with the warmer weather approaching, Im excited to spend more time outside. Recently, Ive been considering these outdoor loungers from CB2. Brianna Untener of Brianna Scott InteriorsTry a New ScentScent also plays a big role in seasonal transitions for meswitching to candles with fresh, botanical, or citrus notes instantly shifts the atmosphere and gives a space a whole new vibe. Its all about those small, intentional changes that make a home feel lighter and more in tune with the season. Im about to launch my vase collection this spring, and I couldnt be more excited! The designs are inspired by the natural forms of flowers, bringing a sculptural and organic touch to any space. Becky Shea, Becky Shea DesignEmbrace Lighter TextilesJoseph KrammDesigned by Melissa Anderson of OAD Interiors. See the entire home.I will change out my bedding seasonally, including a lighter duvet and sheets like a percale, and this is a great time to layer in a new pattern or color into your bedroom with redesigning the entire space. Mark Schubert, Phillip Harrison InteriorsSeek Out Seasonal ShadesNathan SchroderA home in Dallas designed by Carla Fonts. Tour the entire home.Im gravitating toward warm neutrals, soft greens, and muted earth tonesnothing overly neon, just colors that feel fresh and grounding. Material-wise, Im loving woven textures, handmade pottery, and light oak finishes to bring an organic, natural feel to my spaces. Spring is the perfect time to breathe new life into a home, and sometimes, all it takes is a few thoughtful swaps to make it feel completely transformed.Stephanie Wiott of Stephanie Wiott DesignsPaint the WallsAs spring approaches, I begin to think about a refresh. Not just for my own home but also for all my clients. We cannot forget a fresh coat of paint. Those nicks and scratches make a home feel tired. Adding a fresh coat of paint or a great wallpaper can really bring a space to life. Amy Kalikow of Amy Kalikow DesignShow Off Your InspirationPeople are moving past the idea of adding a vase of tulips and calling it a spring refresh. Its feeling more personal now, with favorite seasonal cookbooks brought out and vintage, textured pieces in colors that feel right for the season. I love treating the kitchen and outdoor space like an extension of each other. Bring herbs and citrus inside, let the outdoor table feel like part of the kitchen, and blur the line between cooking and dining.Hema Persad, Sagrada StudioIncorporate NatureKirsten FrancisA living room designed by Celerie Kemble. Tour the entire home.Accentuating biophilic design feels on point. I always use natural light, plants, and organic shapes, except pushing this to an even more extreme feels relevant. Adding some touches of maximalism warrants play too. Look to House of Hackney, a brand thats brilliant with their pattern composition and use of bold color. Brittny Button, Button AtelierFollow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Apple was originally expected to launch a new Home product this month, which Ive been calling HomePad. However, reports have pointed to delays related to Apples challenges developing new Siri capabilities. Now, per Ming-Chi Kuo, it seems that iOS 19s new design might be related to HomePads delayed launch too.Ming-Chi Kuo writes in a post on X:Three months ago, I predicted that mass production of the new display-equipped HomePod would slip from 1Q25 to 3Q25 (after WWDC) due to software development issues. Beyond Apple Intelligence, the issues also involve ensuring the HomePods interface aligns with new OS updates (like iOS 19) set to roll out across other devices in 2H25. This alignment is essential for seamlessly integrating new products into Apples ecosystem.Kuo did predict back in December that software issues would push back Apples display-equipped HomePod into the third quarter of 2025.At the time, Mark Gurman was still reporting the device would launch in March, and even when that date started slipping for him, it seemed as though HomePad could still launch some time in the spring.Many of us assumed that the software issues plaguing HomePads release were entirely related to Apple Intelligence.The new device is expected to tap into the AI Siri capabilities that were originally planned for iOS 18.4, but have now been officially delayed until some time in the coming year.But now, per Kuo, it sounds like Siri was only one part of the complication. The expected major redesign coming in iOS 19 is another key component.9to5Macs TakeIt makes a lot of sense that Apple would need to align the user interfaces across its products, especially since that sounds like a major goal of iOS 19, macOS 16, and more.However, Kuos explanation doesnt necessarily justify delaying a major product. Siris development challenges are one thing, but if the new homeOS that HomePad will run offers a sneak peek of whats coming with iOS 19, I dont see how thats a bad thing at all. Unless, perhaps, Apple expects iOS 19s design to be in flux over the beta season this summer. In that case, maybe it wants to save itself the trouble of redesigning homeOS elements after the fact by just shipping the new OS once its design plans are more stable.What do you make of Kuos HomePad delay explanation? Let us know in the comments.Best HomeKit smart home accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple just wrapped up a busy couple weeks of product launches, like the M4 MacBook Air and iPhone 16e. But its next major launch seasonthis fallis shaping up to be far more exciting. In fact, all the rumors so far point to Apple preparing its biggest fall lineup in years.Apples fall lineup could be especially exciting this yearFall is Apples busiest and most exciting time of year. Major new software releases launch publicly after a summer beta season, the flagship new iPhone lineup debuts, and there are always a variety of other major launches too.This year though, things are shaping up to be even more exciting than usual. Heres why.iOS 19 redesignLast year was a huge one for Apple software, with iOS 18 and its subsequent updates packing a ton of new features.This year, while details on new features are light, iOS 19 is expected to get a lot of attention for one reason alone: a rumored major redesign.Earlier this week, Mark Gurman reported that iOS 19 would bring the biggest visual overhaul to iPhone software since iOS 7s redesign all the way back in 2013. And this isnt the first time an iOS 19 redesign has been rumored.Its not unusual for whispers of an iOS redesign to crop up periodically, but Gurmans reportwhile light on detailslends a lot of weight to 2025 being the year it actually happens.As great as new features can be, theres no easier way to stir up excitement among iPhone usersand potentially other strong emotionsthan a big iOS redesign.Innovative iPhone 17 lineup with at least one new modelFor a lot of users, iPhone hardware updates have gotten a little too boring and iterative. The iPhone 16 line looks and works a lot like the iPhone 15 line, and 14, and so on.But with the iPhone 17 lineup, some big changes are in store.It starts with the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Airs debut. This new model in the lineup should spark significant interest and excitement, despite its expected drawbacks.Apple is also bringing design changes to the iPhone 17 Pro line, specifically focused around the camera bump.There are even hints that the company could rebrand its new Pro Max model as an iPhone 17 Ultra instead. This would undoubtedly make the iPhone 17 lineup the most innovative and exciting in years.AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and more big upgradesThe highlights of Apples fall will likely be the iPhone 17 line and iOS 19. But there are a variety of other major products launching too, such as:Plus several smaller products like HomePod mini 2, new Mac Pro, and Apple Watch SE 3. There have also been rumors the company will launch an M5 iPad Pro.Apples fall lineup: wrap-upTaken all together, Apple has an extremely compelling product lineup for the fall. All of these hardware launches, anchored by major software releases like iOS 19 and an innovative iPhone 17 lineup, could easily make this Apples most exciting fall launch season in years.What are you most looking forward to from Apples fall lineup? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

As a "show of confidence" in his buddy Elon Musk, president Donald Trump on Tuesday turned the White House lawn into a Tesla advertisementin all but name. The day before, Trump had promised that he'd immediately buy a brand new Tesla to support Musk, whose automaker is currently facing falling sales and a plunging stock price.The resulting spectacle was a bizarre and alarming mingling of the official powers of public office with naked salesmanship. Here was a sitting president plugging the cars made by his close confidante and biggest donor, who bankrolled his campaign to the tune of an astonishing $288 million.In short, it exuded that brand of sleaziness unique to American car dealerships. And nothing exemplifies this more than Trump's speech notes from the event, which a photographer managed to capture clearly."Teslas can be purchased as low as $299/month or $35k," reads one part of the handwritten notes, indistinguishable from what you'd hear from the booming narrator of a car commercial.The notes also lists the prices of Tesla's fleet when bought with the Full Self-Driving mode activated, including like the Model X (Silver) for $112,490 and the Cybertruck (Gray), for $114,000 price tags firmly out of reach for many of America's working class. Meanwhile, the cheapest listed vehicle, the Model Y (Red), cost $59,990.The relationship between Trump and Musk, both showy businessmen by trade and the latter a conflict of interest incarnate now that he's working for the White House, has been heavily scrutinized since its inception. Much attention has been paid to Musk's role in slashing federal spending and the size of the federal workforce through his Department of Government Efficiency, which is where the conflict of interests come in: his companies like SpaceX receive tens of billions of dollars in government contracts.But that's backroom stuff. In his comments Tuesday, Trump didn't even bother to dress up his intent in the typical rhetoric of protecting American industry. Instead, the president made it clear that the reason he was buying from the electric vehicle manufacturer was "as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk," who he alleged was under attack by "Radical Left Lunatics"that are "illegally" boycotting Tesla. With his Tesla car show, Trump has brought his shady ties with a fellow billionaire out into the open even more clearly than before, producing surreal moments from the aging president as he comes face to face with newfangled tech."The one I like is that one," Trump told the cameras, pointing at a red Model S, as quoted by the New York Times. "And I want that same color.""Everything's computer!" he exclaimed after getting behind the wheel.More on the president: Trump's Failing Truth Social Was Doing Much Better Under BidenShare This Article

Unelected White House official Elon Musk is reportedly hoping the federal government grinds to a halt so he can dismantle it even more ruthlessly.As Wired reports, Musk is hoping that a government shutdown could allow him to more easily fire hundreds of thousands of federal workers, a potentially existential threat for many government agencies.His purported desire could fly in the face of the interests of the Trump administration. Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported, the White House tried to convince House Republicans to vote for a stopgap measure, called a continuing resolution, to fund the government through September.With a Friday deadline looming, the measure would need Democratic votes in the Senate. But whether they'll fall in line remains uncertain. Trump's escalating trade war has sparked a major stock market crash, straining relations with Congress.Yet a shutdown could end up being beneficial to Musk's continued plundering of the federal government. The mercurial CEO has been ransacking agencies with the help of his so-called Department of Government Efficiency."A shutdown has been his preference," a Republican source told Wired. "I think hes boxed in there by the president. I think it would be really hard for him to get around that."As The Hill reports, Senate Democrats are caught between a rock and a hard place. They either have to fund the government and stop a potentially calamitous shutdown that could drag on for weeks or even months or oppose the continuing resolution to ensure the Trump administration doesn't get what it wants.A shutdown could prove disastrous, even without Musk firing workers left and right, leading to close to one million "nonessential" government workers being furloughed.But even putting all of those workers on ice could only save roughly $110 billion a year, falling far short of the $1 trillion Musk hopes to eliminate by 2026.Shutdown or not, Musk has been eviscerating government agencies with alacrity. The Department of Education announced this week it would cut half of its workforce, which could prove to be a debilitating blow.And a shutdown could make things far worse. After 30 days, some furloughed workers could become permanently laid off as part of "reduction in force" proceedings."There are concerns anyone deemed nonessential will be DOGEd," a State Department employee told Wired.What exactly will happen if it drags on for that long remains unclear given the lack of precedent. Only one partial shutdown has lasted over 30 days, starting in late 2018.And many other workers could eventually be forced out as they look for other sources of income."I suspect the greatest impact of a long-term shutdown is that it will encourage federal employees to leave public service sooner rather than later," University of Minnesota School of Law professor Nick Bednar told Wired. "Even though federal law permits back pay, federal employees still need to pay for rent, groceries, and other essentials."Share This Article

Mar 12, 2025Ravie LakshmananCyber Espionage / VulnerabilityThe China-nexus cyber espionage group tracked as UNC3886 has been observed targeting end-of-life MX routers from Juniper Networks as part of a campaign designed to deploy custom backdoors, highlighting their ability to focus on internal networking infrastructure."The backdoors had varying custom capabilities, including active and passive backdoor functions, as well as an embedded script that disables logging mechanisms on the target device," Google-owned Mandiant said in a report shared with The Hacker News.The threat intelligence firm described the development as an evolution of the adversary's tradecraft, which has historically leveraged zero-day vulnerabilities in Fortinet, Ivanti, and VMware devices to breach networks of interest and establish persistence for remote access.First documented in September 2022, the hacking crew is assessed to be "highly adept" and capable of targeting edge devices and virtualization technologies with the ultimate goal of breaching defense, technology, and telecommunication organizations located in the United States and Asia.These attacks typically take advantage of the fact that such network perimeter devices lack security monitoring and detection solutions, thereby allowing them to operate unimpeded and without attracting attention."The compromise of routing devices is a recent trend in the tactics of espionage-motivated adversaries as it grants the capability for a long-term, high-level access to the crucial routing infrastructure, with a potential for more disruptive actions in the future," Mandiant said.The latest activity, spotted in mid-2024, involves the use of implants that are based on TinyShell, a C-based backdoor that has been put to use by various Chinese hacking groups like Liminal Panda and Velvet Ant in the past.Mandiant said it identified six distinct TinyShell-based backdoors, each carrying a unique capability -appid, which supports file upload/download, interactive shell, SOCKS proxy, and configuration changes (e.g., command-and-control server, port number, network interface, etc.)to, which is same as appid but with a different set of hard-coded C2 serversirad, a passive backdoor that acts as a libpcap-based packet sniffer to extract commands to be executed on the device from ICMP packetslmpad, a utility and a passive backdoor that can launch an external script to perform process injection into legitimate Junos OS processes to stall loggingjdosd, which implements a UDP backdoor with file transfer and remote shell capabilitiesoemd, a passive backdoor that communicates with the C2 server via TCP and supports standard TinyShell commands to upload/download files and execute a shell commandIt's also notable for taking steps to execute the malware by circumventing Junos OS' Verified Exec (veriexec) protections, which prevent untrusted code from being executed. This is accomplished by gaining privileged access to a router from a terminal server used for managing network devices using legitimate credentials.The elevated permissions are then used to inject the malicious payloads into the memory of a legitimate cat process, resulting in the execution of the lmpad backdoor while veriexec is enabled."The main purpose of this malware is to disable all possible logging before the operator connects to the router to perform hands-on activities and then later restore the logs after the operator disconnects," Mandiant noted.Some of the other tools deployed by UNC3886 include rootkits like Reptile and Medusa; PITHOOK to hijack SSH authentications and capture SSH credentials; and GHOSTTOWN for anti-forensics purposes.Organizations are recommended to upgrade their Juniper devices to the latest images released by Juniper Networks, which includes mitigations and updated signatures for the Juniper Malware Removal Tool (JMRT).The development comes a little over a month after Lumen Black Lotus Labs revealed that enterprise-grade Juniper Networks routers have become the target of a custom backdoor as part of a campaign dubbed J-magic that delivers a variant of a known backdoor named cd00r."The malware deployed on Juniper Networks' Junos OS routers demonstrates that UNC3886 has in-depth knowledge of advanced system internals," Mandiant researchers said."Furthermore, UNC3886 continues to prioritize stealth in its operations through the use of passive backdoors, together with log and forensics artifact tampering, indicating a focus on long-term persistence, while minimizing the risk of detection."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE