Memorial Day weekend isn’t just for barbecues and beach trips — it’s also a chance to score some of the best tech deals you’ll find all season. And despite the fact the holiday isn’t until Monday, May 26th, multiple retailers are already offering steep discounts on some of our favorite gadgets, from big-ticket items to everyday essentials.RelatedBelow, we’ve rounded up a few highlights, from LG’s C4 OLED and the Sonos Move 2 to the Garmin Forerunner 265, all of which are down to their best price to date. We’ve also included practical (and affordable) finds like video doorbells and Bluetooth trackers, so you can keep your valuables safe while you’re off on summer adventures. Our miscellaneous section is full of surprises, from discounted laptops and tablets, to affordable trinkets that’ll make life a little better. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or hunting for a last-minute graduation gift, there’s a little something for everyone, so let’s dive in.In this articleSpeaker dealsSonos Move 2$336$44925% off$336With double the battery life of its predecessor and better-sounding stereo audio, the Sonos Move 2’s improvements don’t stop there. It supports line-in audio, can stream Bluetooth audio to other Sonos speakers, and more.The second-gen Sonos Roam is available for an all-time low of $134 ($45 off) from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Sonos. Unlike its predecessor, the portable speaker is ready to use right out of the box and features a dedicated button for Bluetooth pairing. It isn’t as powerful as the Move 2 — and it doesn’t offer line-in support — but it still sounds great and integrates well with the rest of the Sonos ecosystem, which makes it relatively easy to switch music between the company’s speakers.Anker’s tiny Soundcore Select 4 Go is matching its all-time low of $19.99 at Amazon, down from $49.99. Along with IPX67 waterproofing, the Bluetooth speaker offers up to 20 hours of battery life and can be paired with a second Select 4 Go for stereo sound.Sony SRS-XB100$38$6037% off$38Sony’s adorable SRS-XB100 speaker offers USB-C charging, a built-in strap, and great sound for the price, rendering it a terrific travel speaker or home office companion. Read our review.The Beats Pill is on sale for around $99.95 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is $2 shy of its best price to date. The portable speaker offers noticeably improved sound over the previous model, along with support for lossless audio via USB-C. It also offers twice as much battery life, adds IP67 water and dust resistance, and includes native Find My support on both Android and iOS. Read our review.You can buy the JBL Clip 5 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for around $49.95 ($30 off), which nearly matches its best price to date. The Bluetooth speaker offers a built-in carabiner so you can easily attach it to, say, a backpack, along with IP67 water resistance. The Clip 5 also offers Auracast support, so you can pair it with compatible JBL speakers for a stereo sound.Bose SoundLink Max$299$39925% off$299Bose’s SoundLink Max improves on the smaller flex with true stereo sound — and very powerful sound at that. It’s got a removable handle for easy transport, and there’s an aux input for playing audio when you want to listen at a higher quality than what Bluetooth can deliver.$299 at Amazon$299 at Best BuyAirPods Max (USB-C)$480$54913% off$480The revised AirPods Max are much like the original model from 2020, but now with new color options and a USB-C port instead of Lightning.If Sony’s new $449 WH-1000XM6 headphones are out of your budget, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 are on sale starting at $298 (about $100 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is one of their better prices to date. While they don’t fold down for easy storage, they still deliver top-tier noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. The new model does offer some improvements, but the upgrades aren’t significant, making the XM5 a good option at this price. Read our review.Right now, you can pick up Bose’s QuietComfort Headphones from Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose for $229 ($120 off), which is one of their best prices to date. They’re foldable and exceptionally comfortable — much like their predecessor, the Bose QC 45 — and they retain lengthy battery life. However, the newer headphones sport adjustable noise cancellation and custom modes, though they lack support for higher-quality Bluetooth codecs and the immersive audio mode found on the QC Ultra Headphones.The Beats Studio Pro are available at Amazon in white starting at $169.99 ($170 off) or for $30 more at Best Buy and Target. The comfortable headphones offer improved noise cancellation and sound over their predecessor, with support for lossless playback over USB-C. They also work well with both iOS and Android devices, providing native support for each platform’s fast pairing and FindMy features. Read our review.Samsung Galaxy Buds FE$65$10035% off$65Samsung’s Galaxy Buds FE offer very good sound and noise cancellation for the money. They also feature a return of the wing tip design from the older Galaxy Buds Plus, the fit of which some may prefer. Read our review.Sony WH-CH520$38$6037% off$38The Sony WH-CH520 offer a lot for very little. The on-ear Bluetooth headphones provide 50 hours of battery life and support hands-free voice assistants, including Google Assistant and Siri. They also offer multipoint Bluetooth support and can tap into Google’s Find My Device network.Does a gaming headset count as headphones? SteelSeries’ Arctis Pro Nova Wireless for the PlayStation, Switch, mobile, and PC platforms is steeply discounted at Amazon, costing $226.71 (normally $349.99). We adore this model, having called it “close to the be-all, end-all gaming headset” in our 2022 review. Despite being a couple of years old, it’s still worth a buy, especially at this price.TV and streaming device dealsLG C4 OLED TV$797$150047% off$797The LG C4 is a 4K OLED TV that’s great for gaming, with a max 144Hz refresh rate and support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate tech. It has a brighter panel and overall better picture quality than its predecessor.The latest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for $39.99 ($20 off), which is $7 shy of its best price to date. The 4K streaming device is faster than the previous model, with double the storage and support for Wi-Fi 6E. When not in use, it can also act as an Echo Show display of sorts, so you can use it to see reminders, check the weather, and view other useful widgets. You can also have it display famous artwork or your own custom AI-generated images.You can also buy the latest Amazon Fire TV Cube at Amazon, Best Buy, and The Home Depot for $99.99 ($40 off), which is just $10 shy of its all-time low. The third-gen Cube functions as both a traditional Echo speaker and a Fire TV streaming device with support for Wi-Fi 6E, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and HDR. The 4K device also integrates well with Amazon Alexa for extensive hands-free voice control.You can buy the standalone Amazon Fire TV Remote for $27.99 ($7 off) at Amazon, which is $3 shy of its all-time low. The remote offers a pair of programmable buttons and backlighting, along with a useful remote finder feature that lets you quickly find it using your voice or by pressing a button in the app.Hisense U65QF TV (2025)$530$80034% off$530The Hisense U65QF TV boasts a 144Hz QLED display with full-array local dimming. It also comes with Google’s TV software built in, along with Dolby Atmos support.Smart home dealsRing Battery Doorbell Plus$100$15033% off$100This wireless Ring doorbell has great video quality, head-to-toe view, and speedy response times for a battery doorbell. It works with Amazon Alexa and can send alerts for people and packages with a Ring Home subscription.The Blink Mini 2 has returned to its all-time low of $19.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. If you want to use the 1080p wired camera outside, you can also grab it with the weather-resistant power adapter for $29.98 ($20 off) at Amazon. The camera offers improved image and audio over the prior model, along with a wider 143-degree field of view and USB-C. It also retains useful features like two-way audio and motion alerts in an easy-to-mount design.Mill is selling its Mill Food Recycler for $874, down from $999. That’s not quite on par with its all-time low of $799, but it’s still a small way to save on the high-tech trash can, which can transform kitchen scraps into a compost-like material for your garden overnight. It helps keep your kitchen from smelling bad, cuts down on food waste, and reduces the trash you generate. Read our review.iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max and Autowash Dock$779$139944% off$779Through 5/24 at midnight, Verge readers can get a big discounts on this model by using the code VERGE620 at checkout. Read more about this model in our in-depth coverage.$779 at WellbotsThe Meross Outdoor Smart Plug is on sale for $20.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, which is just a few cents shy of its lowest price to date. The IP44-rated waterproof plug features a pair of independently controlled AC outlets and support for Apple Home, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings, allowing you to schedule and control your outdoor gadgets with just your voice.SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher$21$3030% off$21If you’ve ever wished you had a robot that could push a button for you, that’s precisely what the SwitchBot Bot does. It’s simple, smart, and works on anything with a button. Stick it on the device you want to turn on or off, and you’re set.$21 at Amazon (with on-page coupon) $24 at SwitchBot (with code LMTM20)You can currently buy Coway’s Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty from Amazon and Coway for $169.99, down from $229.99, which is one of the better prices we’ve seen in recent months. The small HEPA air purifier features a four-stage filtration system that’s ideal for smaller rooms, and it automatically powers down after 30 minutes once it detects the air is clean.The weatherproof Blink Outdoor 4 is 50 percent off at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, where you can pick it up for $49.99 for a limited time. The 1080p security camera includes upgrades like person detection, improved image quality, and a wider field of view than prior models, all while retaining support for motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. It can also last up to two years on a pair of AA batteries.Amazon is selling a single Eero Pro 7, which can cover up to 2,000 square feet, for $549.99 ($150 off); you can also grab a pair for $799.99 ($150 off) or three units for $949.99 ($150 off). The dual-band mesh router supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, offering speeds up to 3.9Gbps. Each unit also includes two 5Gbps ethernet ports and can function as a smart home hub with Matter support, a Zigbee radio, and a Thread border router.Blink Video Doorbell with Sync Module 2$35$7050% off$35Blink’s Video Doorbell is the best if you’re looking a budget-friendly buzzer that offers motion-activated recording and alerts, night vision, two-way audio, and up to two years of battery life.The Shark AI Ultra is on sale at Amazon for $349.99 ($249.99), which is about $55 shy of its all-time low. The robot vacuum navigates your home using lidar and uses Matrix Clean navigation to clean in a grid pattern for a more thorough and precise clean. It also comes with a self-cleaning brush roll, which is useful for cleaning up pet hair, along with a bagless, self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days’ worth of debris.The second-gen Ring Indoor Cam is available at Amazon and Best Buy for $34.99 ($25 off), which is $5 shy of its best price to date. The wired camera features a physical privacy cover that lets you block the camera and microphone, while its redesigned mount lets you easily adjust the camera’s angle. It also retains a number of features from its predecessor, including 1080p resolution, color night vision, and two-way audio.Smartwatch and wearable dealsGarmin Forerunner 265 (42mm)$350$45022% off$350Garmin’s midrange Forerunner watch adds a new OLED display, a week’s worth of battery life, and dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy. Read our review.Garmin’s 41mm Venu 3S is on sale at an all-time low of $349.99 ($100 off) at Amazon and REI. The Venu 3S is our favorite Garmin smartwatch, one that combines contactless payments and other smart features with a broad swath of health tools, including period tracking, abnormal heart rate alerts, and fall detection. It features a microphone and speaker for taking calls, too, though you’ll need your phone to take advantage of said feature since the 3S lacks built-in cellular connectivity. Read our review.The 49mm Apple Watch Ultra 2 is on sale for $739 ($60 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is one of the better prices we’ve seen this year. The rugged wearable offers the brightest display of any Apple wearable, along with the longest battery life. It also packs Apple’s S9 SiP and second-gen ultra wideband chips, allowing you to take advantage of Apple’s handy double tap feature. Read our review.Google Pixel Watch 2 (41mm, Wi-Fi)$150$25040% off$150The Pixel Watch 2 lasts a reliable 24 hours on a single charge with the always-on display enabled. It offers the same Qualcomm processor as the newer Pixel Watch 3, along with a multipath health sensor, Wear OS 5 compatibility, and a host of welcome safety features. Read our review.Best Buy is selling the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 in the 40mm / Wi-Fi configuration starting at $219.99 ($80 off) with an extra Samsung band. The latest Samsung wearable is faster than its predecessor and can track your location even more accurately courtesy of its new dual-frequency GPS. It also sports a host of new features, like FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection and irregular heart rate notifications. Read our review.Garmin Fenix 8$800$100020% off$800The Garmin Fenix 8 adds smart features like the ability to take calls on the wrist, and an on-board voice assistant.Outdoor and travel dealsGarmin inReach Mini 2$300$40025% off$300Garmin’s palm-size inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator provides off-the-grid contact with subscription plans starting at $14.95 a month.The LifeStraw Peak Series Straw — which can filter bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water — is on sale at Amazon and REI starting at $17.58 ($7 off), one of its best prices to date. You can use the handy outdoor gadget to drink directly from streams or rivers, yet the convenient design also allows you to attach it to bottles or connect it to gravity hose systems. The Peak Series model also features a more durable design and faster flow rate than earlier models, which is a boon for anyone in the backcountry.You can buy the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter starting at $19.54 at Amazon. The all-in-one adapter sports a single USB-C port and four USB-A ports, so you can power up a wide range of gadgets in more than 200 countries, including the UK, Japan, Australia, Italy, and more.Best Buy is selling the Starlink Mini for $499.99 ($200 off). The DC-powered Mini comes with a built-in Wi-Fi 5 router that’s integrated directly into the portable satellite dish. It delivers speeds over 100Mbps and takes just minutes to set up, offering quick and easy internet access while on the go (with a qualifying internet plan starting at $50 a month). Read our review.Tile Mate$20$2520% off$20The latest Tile Mate helps you keep track of your personal belongings from up to 350 feet away, which is 100 feet wider than its predecessor’s range. It’s also platform-agnostic, and can send SOS alerts if you pay for the $14.99 monthly Life360 Gold subscription.You can buy the AeroPress Original for around $31.95 ($8 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Target right now. The 3-in-1 coffee maker is one of our favorite coffee gadgets, as it easily brews 10 ounces of regular coffee or multiple espresso-style shots in about a minute. It’s also easy to clean and comes with accessories like a scoop, stirrer, and paper macro filters, so brewing up a cup of coffee on the go is even easier.The Thermacell E90 Mosquito Repeller is available for $42.49 (about $7 off) at Amazon. The rechargeable device repels bugs within a 20-foot radius for up to nine hours at a time using its built-in battery. It also comes with a nine-hour cartridge, though 40-hour refills are also available.BioLite FirePit Plus$300$40025% off$300BioLite’s portable FirePit Plus cuts back on unwanted smoke, functions either as a charcoal or wood-fueled grill, and fans the flames via a large battery pack and built-in fan.Other miscellaneous dealsDell’s 16 Plus Windows laptop that released earlier this year is seeing steep discounts when you buy directly through Dell itself. We’re particularly impressed with the discount on the model that has a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution screen (instead of FHD+ in the base configuration), 16GB of RAM, Intel’s Core Ultra 7 256V processor, and 1TB of NVMe storage for $799.99 (normally $1,149.99).2024 iPad Mini$399$49920% off$399The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.Amazon’s latest Fire Max 11 tablet is on sale for $174.99 ($50 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The slate is the most powerful and capable in Amazon’s current lineup of budget-friendly Fire tablets. It sports a bright 11-inch display and support for optional accessories like a keyboard and stylus, though it’s still better suited for entertainment than real work. Read our review.You can buy an Anker 341 USB-C Hub for $25 ($14 off) at Amazon, which is just $2 shy of its best price to date (Anker is also matching the price when you use promo code WS7DV2R8BLKO). The 7-in-1 hub packs a variety of ports into a compact, travel-friendly design, including two USB-A 3.0 ports, a USB-C data port, a USB-C power port with up to 100W passthrough charging, and both SD and microSD card slots.Belkin’s older MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand is down to $73.99 ($17 off) at Amazon, which is one of the lowest prices we’ve seen. It delivers up to 15W of power to MagSafe-compatible iPhones, with a pad that can also charge a pair of AirPods or a second Qi-enabled device, all while propping up your phone at a convenient viewing angle.Glocusent book light$20$229% off$20Glocuscent’s book light hangs around your neck to illuminate whatever you’re reading, while offering adjustable brightness and warmth settings.$20 at Amazon (with on-page coupon)You can pick up PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller starting at $35.62 ($25 off) at Amazon, which is $3 shy of its best price to date. A number of designs are on sale, too, ranging from an Animal Crossing-inspired option to Mario-themed ones. Overall, the colorful gamepad is a good budget model for the Nintendo Switch, complete with support for Bluetooth, remappable buttons, and motion controls.Anker’s 610 Magnetic Phone Grip is on sale for $12.79 (about $3 off) at Amazon. The sturdy donut-shaped ring attaches securely to MagSafe-compatible iPhones while also doubling as a kickstand.Hoto 3.6V Screwdriver Tool Set$70$11036% off$70Hoto’s tool set is an exercise in practical minimalism. The handy starter kit includes a variety of starter tools aimed at small- to medium-sized jobs, including pliers, a claw hammer, a self-locking tape measure, and — of course — Hoto’s classic LED-lit electric screwdriver.$70 at Amazon$80 at HotoIf the mere prospect of summer already has you sweating, Jisulife’s adorable handheld fan is on sale at Amazon in an assortment of colors starting at $14.39 (about $4 off), matching its all-time low. Jisulife’s bag-friendly option is a pretty no-frills affair, though it does pack a built-in stand and can charge via USB-C; it also doubles as a 4,800mAh battery pack, as if its base functionality and the adorable bear ears weren’t enough.The Slice Auto-Retractable Box Cutter is on sale for $14.60 (about $5 off) at Amazon, which is its best price so far this year. The ceramic blade automatically retracts, making it a safe tool for opening packages around the house or office.Update, May 23rd: Checked prices and added the iRobot Combo 10 Max, the Dell 16 Plus laptop, the Bose SoundLink Max, and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.See More:

A few months back, Serene Industries made waves in the mechanical keyboard world with the Icebreaker – a striking, brutalist-inspired keyboard milled from a solid block of aluminum. Now, the company is back with a refined take on the concept: the Cleaver, a more minimalist yet equally bold keyboard designed to bring industrial design sensibilities into the modern workspace and your home. Created by Denis Agarkov, the Cleaver continues Serene Industries’ tradition of monolithic design while pushing both form and function further. While the Icebreaker showcased an assertive and angular silhouette, the Cleaver dials back some of that raw visual weight. It sheds the prominent aluminum overhangs and edges, resulting in a cleaner, more office-friendly profile – yet it remains unmistakably brutalist, with sharp geometry and a cohesive color palette that evokes architectural concrete forms. Despite its sleeker appearance, the Cleaver is a feat of precision engineering. The chassis is CNC-milled from a single block of aluminum, and the internal components are encased in a custom overmolded silicone core. This silicone isn’t just there for aesthetics – it plays multiple functional roles: it acts as a sound dampener, provides grip via integrated non-slip feet, and protects the internal electronics by completely enclosing them. The silicone itself contributes to the keyboard’s unique acoustics and tactility. Hidden cavities beneath the non-slip feet help shape the typing sound while also creating a subtle suction effect that improves stability on your desk. These carefully considered details speak to Serene’s philosophy of obsessive design refinement. One of the most defining features of the Cleaver is its use of Hall Effect sensors in combination with magnetic switches. Originally developed in the mid-20th century and once used in early IBM terminals, Hall Effect keyboards have seen a resurgence in premium mechanical designs for their durability and responsiveness. Unlike traditional mechanical switches that rely on physical contact between metal parts, Hall Effect switches detect key presses magnetically. Each key has a small magnet, and when it’s pressed, the magnet’s movement alters the magnetic field, which is then detected by the Hall Effect sensor on the PCB. This contactless mechanism allows for smoother, more consistent actuation and drastically reduces wear over time. Because of this non-contact design, Serene was able to take an unconventional step: submerging the electronics entirely in silicone. Not only does this improve sound and tactile feedback, it also provides dust and splash resistance while maintaining structural integrity. The Cleaver also introduces a reimagined set of keycaps – each milled from aluminum and laser-perforated with pinpoint precision. Every character on the keyboard is rendered through a grid of tiny holes – 1,204 in total across the entire keyset – allowing RGB backlighting to shine through in a unique, diffused glow. As expected from a modern enthusiast board, the Cleaver supports hot-swappable switches and interchangeable keycaps, giving users room to experiment with the typing experience and visual customization. Two colorways are available at launch: a silver “clear” finish reminiscent of the original Icebreaker, and a matte black version that lends itself to more understated or minimal desk setups. Connectivity is handled via a durable USB-C port located discreetly on the back – chosen for its ruggedness and its role in the overall sealed design. There’s no wireless functionality here, and that’s by design. Serene Industries has chosen to focus purely on reliability and uncompromising build quality. At $850, Cleaver isn’t just a casual purchase. But in a world of high-end mechanical keyboards, it represents a statement piece where design, engineering, and performance meet. Cleaver is available at serene.industries. Photography courtesy of Serene Industries.

Marks and Spencer (M&S) leadership believes that it may take at least another month to fully recover following a ransomware attack that it now looks likely will cost it at least £300m. It has also emerged that the incident may have begun through the systems of a third-party supplier of IT services, where tech support staff had their credentials stolen via social engineering, according to CEO Stuart Machin. The admission that the attack began via social engineering lends credence to the theory that the Scattered Spider hacking collective is indeed behind the attack. The gang has previously used similar techniques against other targets. According to Reuters, the initial target of the cyber attack may have been Tata Consulting Services (TCS), which runs the M&S IT helpdesk. Pushed by reporters on this on results day, Machin declined to state if this was accurate, and Computer Weekly understands TCS has also made no comment. Nor did Machin reveal whether or not M&S has paid off its attackers, stating advice from incident responders. He did, however, say that M&S has heavily invested in cyber tooling in the past 24 months which may have helped it spot and respond to the attack quicker. He also said M&S had not “left the door open” to its hackers. “Over the Easter bank holiday it became clear that we were facing a highly sophisticated and targeted attack,” said Machin in a prerecorded video accompanying the retailer’s latest results. “We called in several cyber experts and assembled the best support team including technology partners and notified the authorities immediately. “As a result we were able to take control of the situation very quickly and take the right actions to protect the business, our customers, our suppliers, and keep our shops empty and trading. This meant proactively taking down some of our systems which resulted in short-term disruption – but we think that was the right thing to do.” Jason Gerrard, senior director of systems engineering at cyber resilience company, Commvault, said M&S’ experience was a useful reminder to others that the ability to recover fast must be built into cyber resilience plans. “Behind the scenes, teams are scrambling to rebuild systems, trace breach origins, and restore customer data with forensic precision – all while execs are juggling regulators, insurers, auditors and shareholders,” said Gerrard. “The longer it takes to return to ‘normal’, the more that ‘normal’ drifts further away,  both in business operations and public perception. While recovery takes 24 days on average, some organisations don’t achieve business-as-usual for over 200 days. “This headline-grabbing downtime should be a warning to others that preparation for such a scenario is vital. Having a tried and tested recovery plan in place and identifying your Minimum Viable Company (MVC) ahead of time can help to reduce some of the damage that can very quickly spiral out of control,” said Gerrard. “Understanding your MVC – the essential systems needed to stay operational – is central to achieving cyber resilience and maintaining continuous business, even amidst a cyber attack. “The true power of the MVC model is not simply about responding to threats – it builds future-ready organisations that can adapt, recover, and lead.” Timeline: UK retail cyber attacks 22 April 2025: A cyber attack at M&S has caused significant disruption to customers, leaving them unable to make contactless payments or use click-and-collect services. 24 April: M&S is still unable to provide contactless payment or click-and-collect services amid a cyber attack that it says has forced it to move a number of processes offline to safeguard its customers, staff and business. 25 April: M&S shuts down online sales as it works to contain and mitigate a severe cyber attack on its systems. 29 April: The infamous Scattered Spider hacking collective may have been behind the ongoing cyber attack on M&S that has crippled systems at the retailer and left its ecommerce operation in disarray. 30 April: A developing cyber incident at Co-op has forced the retailer to pull the plug on some of its IT systems as it works to contain the attack. 1 May: Co-op tells staff to stop using their VPNs and be wary that their communications channels may be being monitored, as a cyber attack on the organisation continues to develop. 1 May: Harrods confirms it is the latest UK retailer to experience a cyber attack, shutting off a number of systems in an attempt to lessen the impact. 2 May: The National Cyber Security Centre confirms it is providing assistance to M&S, Co-op and Harrods as concerns grow among UK retailers. 7 May: No end is yet in sight for UK retailers subjected to apparent ransomware attacks. 13 May: M&S is instructing all of its customers to change their account passwords after a significant amount of data was stolen in a DragonForce ransomware attack. 14 May: Google’s threat intel analysts are aware of a number of in-progress cyber attacks against US retailers linked to the same Scattered Spider gang that supposedly attacked M&S and Co-op in the UK. 20 May: Cold chain services provider Peter Green Chilled, which supplies the likes of Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, has been forced to halt operations after succumbing to a ransomware attack. Meanwhile, M&S says it has now moved into full recovery mode and is trying to get back on its feet. Machin said: “Customers should be able to shop in our stores as normal. Our food business is delivering stock to stores in the normal way and all customers should find much better availability and should find what they need. Stock is flowing well. “But of course, in fashion, home and beauty, online orders are still paused but our plan is to reopen online in the coming weeks. It is a complex operation so it is going to take us some time to bring up our online systems.” Looking ahead, Machin said M&S would use the cyber attack as a net positive, bringing up a previously-announced digital transformation plan and condensing a two-year plan into just six months. “This has been a challenging time,” said Machin. “[but] our business is in good shape with strong performance, strong foundations, and a solid financial footing. This has bolstered our resilience meaning we can recover at pace and regain momentum. “We will draw a line under this and move on to business as usual,” he said. Besides thanking M&S staff and suppliers for their hard work and support, and customers “who have given us so much help and encouragement”, Machin also gave thanks to his peers in the business world. “So many chief executives have called me over the past few weeks who have all gone through similar events,” said Machin. “They told me firstly this will be one of the most challenging situations you face as a CEO. Secondly they told me we need to watch out for burn-out ... in the first few weeks. And thirdly they said to me it will take longer [to recover] than you would like and you would hope for, and it could be a distraction in the short-term. “We’re only four and a half weeks into this incident. It feels like four and a half months if I’m honest,” he added.

Peter Green Chilled, a major distributor of chilled and fresh products to British supermarkets, has reportedly fallen victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by an as-yet unnamed cyber criminal operation, becoming the latest organisation in the British retail sector to be affected by a security incident. Established as a haulage company working with Somerset dairy suppliers 60 years ago, Peter Green has grown into a little-known but well-established player in the nation’s cold chain – temperature-controlled warehousing and transport – sector, supplying the likes of Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Tesco among others. It is also a supplier of IT services including transport and warehouse management systems (T/WMS), electronic data interchange (EDI), stock and temperature control systems, and vehicle tracking and monitoring. According to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Wake up to money programme – which was first to report the story – the attack appears to have begun on the evening of Wednesday 14 May and has left the organisation unable to accept new orders. A spokesperson for Peter Green told the programme it was not in a position to be able to discuss the incident further. However, one of the organisation’s customers, The Black Farmer founder Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, said that almost a week into the incident, he had been offered no solution for how Peter Green was going to get stock he had already delivered to its warehouses out to retailers. “If they’re not delivered in the next couple of days, because they’re fresh products, they have to be thrown away,” said Emmanuel-Jones. “For a small business it is pretty devastating. To make matters even worse is that we’ve just also got a delivery that’s come in from Sweden that is stuck at a port because Peter Green is not taking in any other stock from any suppliers, so we have to try to find some way of getting it to the supermarkets.” Emmanuel-Jones told the radio programme that his business could stand to lose up to £100,000, losses that would be hard for a small organisation to bear. Computer Weekly reached out to Peter Green Chilled but found its email addresses non-responsive. Absent further information from Peter Green, at the time of writing, any links to the ongoing DragonForce/Scattered Spider incidents affecting Marks and Spencer (M&S) and Co-op are unproven and merely speculative. However, David Mound, senior penetration tester at third-party risk specialist SecurityScorecard, said the firm’s team was closely monitoring the “emerging pattern” of cyber attacks impacting food retailers. He said that in drawing other household names into the fray, the developing Peter Green incident highlighted the fragility of interconnected digital supply chains, and was creating a cascading effect throughout the retail sector. “These incidents reflect a growing trend among cyber criminal groups to exploit sectors where time sensitivity and perishability heighten pressure to restore operations, increasing the likelihood of ransom payments,” said Mound. “In food retail, even short-term disruption can lead to spoilage, logistical bottlenecks and loss of consumer trust. “Attackers are no longer just targeting data; they’re targeting urgency,” he said. “In environments where product expiration and just-in-time delivery are business-critical, threat actors understand that every hour offline amplifies the pressure to pay. “Many critical logistics and IT providers are insufficiently risk-tiered or assessed,” added Mound. “There is an urgent need for sector-wide collaboration on third-party risk intelligence and resilience standards. “SecurityScorecard urges all organisations in the food and retail sectors to re-evaluate their third-party risk posture and ensure suppliers are assessed not only for compliance, but for operational resilience under duress.” Timeline: UK retail cyber attacks 22 April 2025: A cyber attack at M&S has caused significant disruption to customers, leaving them unable to make contactless payments or use click-and-collect services. 24 April: M&S is still unable to provide contactless payment or click-and-collect services amid a cyber attack that it says has forced it to move a number of processes offline to safeguard its customers, staff and business. 25 April: M&S shuts down online sales as it works to contain and mitigate a severe cyber attack on its systems. 29 April: The infamous Scattered Spider hacking collective may have been behind the ongoing cyber attack on M&S that has crippled systems at the retailer and left its ecommerce operation in disarray. 30 April: A developing cyber incident at Co-op has forced the retailer to pull the plug on some of its IT systems as it works to contain the attack. 1 May: Co-op tells staff to stop using their VPNs and be wary that their communications channels may be being monitored, as a cyber attack on the organisation continues to develop. 1 May: Harrods confirms it is the latest UK retailer to experience a cyber attack, shutting off a number of systems in an attempt to lessen the impact. 2 May: The National Cyber Security Centre confirms it is providing assistance to M&S, Co-op and Harrods as concerns grow among UK retailers. 7 May: No end is yet in sight for UK retailers subjected to apparent ransomware attacks. 13 May: M&S is instructing all of its customers to change their account passwords after a significant amount of data was stolen in a DragonForce ransomware attack. 14 May: Google’s threat intel analysts are aware of a number of in-progress cyber attacks against US retailers linked to the same Scattered Spider gang that supposedly attacked M&S and Co-op in the UK.

Why it matters: As the keyboard space continues to evolve, Cherry's latest innovations show how far switch technology has come. By combining advances in sensing, efficiency, and feel, Cherry is refining its legacy and reshaping what users can expect from future keyboards – whether that means quieter typing, longer battery life, or a more satisfying press. German keyboard maker Cherry has unveiled a "bold new chapter" in its history at Computex 2025, headlined by the debut of its first inductive switch and three new additions to its MX mechanical lineup. The announcements mark a clear push to modernize its catalog with improved durability, efficiency, and typing feel across multiple use cases. Leading the charge is the Cherry IK, a next-generation analog switch built on patented inductive sensing. Instead of relying on physical contact for actuation, the switch detects electromagnetic changes, enabling contactless operation. It supports RGB lighting and customizable actuation points, delivering a more versatile typing experience. Compared to traditional magnetic switches, the IK reportedly uses 50 percent less power and just 5 percent of what Hall effect switches consume, representing a substantial leap forward for wireless keyboard battery life. Cherry plans to launch the IK switch this fall. The company also introduced three MX mechanical switches targeting different user needs. First up is the MX Honey, a silent tactile switch tailored for office environments. It's part of the MX2A family and features a reworked spring design with factory-applied lubrication for smoother keystrokes. For fans of ultra-light linear switches, the MX Blossom is now Cherry's lightest mechanical offering, requiring just 35 centinewtons of actuation force. Like the MX Honey, it shares the MX2A's upgraded internals. Finally, the MX Falcon caters to heavy typists and keyboard enthusiasts who want a strong tactile experience. Drawing inspiration from classic keyboards and the distinct click of typewriters, this switch features Cherry's first long-pole stem design, perfect for those who crave more pronounced typing feedback. // Related Stories With these launches, Cherry is diversifying its switch lineup – moving from mainstream mechanical designs toward specialized, high-performance innovations aimed at professionals and hobbyists. All three MX switches debut in prebuilt keyboards this June, with standalone kits expected to follow.

Published May 20, 2025 10:00am EDT close Google's AI unleashes new powerful scam-busting features for Android The CyberGuy explains steps you can take to protect yourself from scams. Scammers are always coming up with new tricks. Just when you start feeling confident about spotting phishing emails, suspicious links and fake banking apps, they find a new angle. Lately, they have been getting more creative, turning to the built-in features of our phones to pull off their schemes. One of the latest targets is NFC, the technology behind tap-to-pay. It might seem harmless, but a new scam is using it in ways most people would never expect. An Android malware called SuperCard goes beyond just stealing your card details. It gives attackers the ability to use your card remotely for real transactions. And the worst part is that it all begins with something as simple as a text message. An Android phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What makes SuperCard X different?SuperCard X stands out from other Android malware because of how it operates. As reported by researchers at Cleafy, instead of stealing usernames, passwords or verification codes, it uses a method called NFC relay. This allows attackers to copy card data from a victim's device in real time and use it elsewhere to make payments or withdraw cash. The process does not require physical access to the card or knowledge of the PIN.The malware is offered through a Malware-as-a-Service model, which means different cybercriminals can use it in their own regions. This makes the threat more scalable and harder to contain. Unlike most banking trojans, SuperCard X is not focused on one specific institution. It targets any cardholder regardless of which bank issued their card.Another key difference is how stealthy the malware is. It uses minimal permissions and does not include extra features that would make it easier to detect. This lean approach helps it avoid detection by antivirus software and allows it to operate quietly on infected devices. SuperCardX fully undetectable (FUD | Cleafy) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How the scam worksThe fraud begins with a message sent through SMS or WhatsApp. It pretends to be from a bank and warns the recipient about a suspicious transaction. The message includes a phone number and urges the person to call to resolve the issue. This is the first step in gaining the victim's trust.Once on the phone, the attacker poses as a bank representative and walks the victim through a fake security process. This may include asking them to confirm personal details or adjust settings in their mobile banking app, such as removing spending limits on their card.Next, the attacker asks the victim to install a mobile app that is described as a tool to verify the account or enhance security. In reality, this app contains the SuperCard X malware. After the installation, the attacker instructs the victim to tap their card against the phone. The malware then captures the NFC data from the card and sends it to a second phone controlled by the attacker.Using the copied data, the attacker can make contactless payments or make ATM withdrawals almost instantly. This method allows them to steal funds quickly and leaves little opportunity for banks or victims to intervene in time. A woman scrolling on her phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)8 ways you can stay safe from SuperCard X malware1) Be cautious of suspicious texts and calls. Use strong antivirus software: Fraudulent campaigns often begin with an SMS or call that seems to come from your bank. These messages usually claim there's suspicious activity on your account and urge you to click a link or dial a number to resolve the issue. However, this is a tactic used to gain access to your personal information. Always approach such messages with skepticism.The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.2) Avoid installing apps from untrusted sources: One of the key ways malware like SuperCard X spreads is through deceptive apps that victims are persuaded to install. These apps often look harmless, posing as tools for security or account verification. If you receive a link to download an app via SMS, email or messaging apps like WhatsApp, do not click on it. Instead, only download apps from trusted sources, such as the Google Play Store. Additionally, carefully review app permissions and avoid granting unnecessary access, particularly to sensitive data like NFC, location or personal contacts.3) Turn off NFC when not in use: NFC, or Near Field Communication, is a useful feature that allows contactless payments and data exchanges. However, it can be exploited by attackers to capture your card information without you even realizing it. To minimize your risk of falling victim to NFC-based malware like SuperCard X, turn off NFC when you're not actively using it. On most Android devices, you can do this by going to "Settings," then "Connected Devices" or "Connection Preferences," where you’ll find the NFC toggle. By disabling NFC, your phone won't transmit data wirelessly, which helps protect your payment card information from being stolen by nearby attackers.4) Keep a close eye on your bank accounts and cards: If your device has come into contact with the SuperCard or anything similar, it’s possible your banking details are already compromised. That’s why it’s important to regularly check your transaction history for anything odd, like a small payment you don’t remember making or a charge from a strange location could be a sign of misuse. If you spot anything suspicious, report it to your bank right away. It’s also worth checking your credit reports every now and then to catch signs of identity theft before they snowball into bigger issues.5) Use a personal data removal service: If scammers have targeted you once, there's a higher chance they’ll try again, especially if your personal details (like your phone number, address or email) are easily found online. Data removal services scan people-search sites and brokers, then request the removal of your info. This reduces your exposure and helps prevent future phishing or social engineering attacks.While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.6) Contact your bank and freeze your cards: If you think you’ve tapped or handled a suspicious card, or if your phone acted strangely afterward, don’t brush it off. Call your bank and let them know what happened. They can freeze your card to stop any unauthorized payments and issue a new one for added safety. You should also ask them to monitor your account more closely for a while. On top of that, place a fraud alert with a credit bureau so no one can easily open a new line of credit in your name.7) Consider enrolling in identity theft protection services: If you've been targeted by a sophisticated scam like SuperCard X, there's a chance your personal information, not just your card data, may be at risk. Identity theft companies can monitor personal information, like your Social Security number, phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.8) Report the scam to your national cybercrime authority: Whether or not you lost money, reporting the scam helps authorities track emerging threats and warn others. You can report such fraud to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Federal Trade Commission. Your report could help catch the people behind the scam or at least shut down their infrastructure.Kurt’s key takeawayThe SuperCard X malware campaign represents a significant shift in how cybercriminals are targeting individuals and financial institutions. By exploiting NFC technology and combining it with social engineering tactics, attackers have found a way to bypass traditional fraud detection systems. What's especially concerning is how quickly these attacks unfold, making them harder to detect before the damage is done. As this threat evolves, it's important for both consumers and institutions to recognize the potential risks of these multilayered fraud strategies.Do you think Google is doing enough to protect you from malware? 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 to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.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 Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Choosing the right phone in 2025 involves more than just deciding between Android and iPhone. There are well-rounded options across various market segments, whether you are a budget-conscious buyer, a dedicated iPhone fan, or an Android enthusiast. We've structured our smartphone buying guide to reflect the most relevant categories for tech enthusiasts, with clear-cut recommendations if you're looking for top-tier performance, reliable midrange versatility, or affordable essentials. Additionally, upgrade cycles vary among consumers – some prefer to upgrade every year to keep up with the latest technology, while others may opt for longer intervals, prioritizing durability and value over cutting-edge features. Explore our top picks below to find the phone that best fits your needs. The Best Value Phones Google Pixel 9a | OnePlus 13R | iPhone 16e In numbers Price: $499 Google guarantees seven years of OS upgrades and security patches for its Pixel phones. As the brain behind Android, Google's updates are as prompt as Apple's iOS patches. The Google Pixel 9a has been hailed for being almost as good as the Pixel 9 at $300 less, but in reality the difference is often just $100. In this case, it helps to know what the other differences are. The 6.3-inch, 1080p, 120Hz display is almost identical, offering the same 20:9 aspect ratio. The Pixel 9a's battery is slightly bigger at a typical 5,100mAh versus 4,700mAh, but the Pixel 9 offers wireless charging that's twice as fast, and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly. The Pixel 9a's 48MP main camera (taking 12MP photos) sounds similar to the Pixel 9's 50MP, but the pixels are significantly smaller and capture less light. For the same reason, the Pixel 9a's 13MP front camera isn't better than the Pixel 9's 10.5MP, especially as it doesn't offer auto-focus. However, the biggest difference is the ultrawide camera, where the Pixel 9 uses a 48MP sensor to capture 12MP photos, and the Pixel 9a offers a much smaller 13MP sensor. Both phones include the Tensor G4 processor and 256GB of storage, but the Pixel 9 has 12GB of RAM rather than just 8GB, which allows for two extra AI features: Pixel Screenshots scans your screen captures for information you may need later, and Call Notes can transcribe and summarize your phone conversations. The Pixel 9 also supports Wi-Fi 7, and G5 mmWave. What makes the Pixel line stand out is the editing tools offered by the Tensor SoC. Audio Magic Eraser is useful for removing background noise from videos. Magic Editor allows to move, resize and remove people and objects in photos. 'Best Take' allows you to combine faces from different times into the same photo – a feature that was actually introduced by BlackBerry in 2013. Add Me does the same, but with people's entire body. Auto Frame can not only crop photos, but also expand them using AI, and Reimagine completely replaces the photo's background. All of this may sound unethical, but the era of photos being more reliable than drawings is over anyway. OnePlus 13R If you prefer raw horsepower and a bigger display over optimized software and AI photo features, then the OnePlus 13R is a good alternative. For $600 you get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The 6.8-inch display features a non-standard width of 1264p and a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone offers a large 6,000mAh battery and exceptional 80W wired charging (55W with the standard, included charger). Four years of OS updates and six years of security updates are long enough at this price point. The main camera can save 50MP photos, but those can look under-exposed compared to the default 12.5MP. The same is true for the telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. The selfie camera takes 16MP photos. The 8MP ultrawide lens is functional, but nothing more. Other than that, the phone's main drawbacks are mediocre water resistance and lack of mmWave support. iPhone 16e In our previous phone buying guides, we'd recommend two-year-old iPhone models over the outdated iPhone SE as the cheapest option for most Apple fans. In 2025, Apple made things simpler, discontinuing both in favor of the iPhone 16e. The 16e is $200 cheaper than the iPhone 16 with the same storage (starting at 128GB), but how does it compare? It has the same display as the iPhone 14, with a bigger notch that's attached to the top of the 6.1-inch screen. The ring/silent switch has been replaced with the programmable Action button. The iPhone 16e has the same A18 processor with 8GB of RAM and Apple Intelligence support, but with four active graphics units instead of five. The most visible difference is the lack of the ultrawide lens. Other than that, it doesn't offer mmWave, and the iPhone 16e supports Qi wireless charging rather than the faster MagSafe. Back to top ▵ Best Phones for Most People iPhone 16 | OnePlus 13 | More Alternatives In numbers Price: $799 The iPhone 16 offers a newer and brighter display than the iPhone 16e. The notch is smaller and integrated into the "dynamic island," which is useful to display key information from apps running in the background. As an overall package, it delivers the full iPhone experience with a solid balance of well-built hardware and polished software features, except for the 60Hz screen, which is at a disadvantage compared to competing Android handsets in the same price range and even cheaper ones. With the touch-sensitive Camera Control button, you can finally focus on your subject while taking a photo. The main camera can capture 48MP images but defaults to 24MP for better dynamic range and faster shutter speed. The ultrawide lens offers 0.5x optical zoom and, like the front camera, captures 12MP photos. If you want a larger screen and battery, you can get the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus for an extra $100. OnePlus 13 With improvements across the board, the OnePlus 13 makes it hard to justify buying more expensive Android phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor rivals the Apple A18 in single-core performance, and beats it in multi-core. The OnePlus 13 has an IP68/IP69 rating, meaning it's resistant not only to immersion but also to high-temperature water jets – making it safe to use even if you work at a car wash. With a 6,000mAh battery, the OnePlus 13 provides great battery life despite the 1440p, 6.8-inch display. Unlike the OnePlus 13R, it's a dual-cell battery, so it will charge faster with the same charger. The main, ultrawide and telephoto (with 3x zoom) cameras all provide a 50MP resolution. The selfie camera shoots at 32MP, but its fixed focus makes it less optimal for usage with a selfie stick. The OnePlus 13 starts at $899 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and for another $100 you can increase that to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Many phones are cheaper, but none of them offer similar hardware specifications. Samsung Galaxy S25 At this point, the Samsung Galaxy S has remained mostly the same on the outside for several years, while competitors from OnePlus and Google have kept improving. So why do we recommend the Galaxy S25 for some? Because it's the only Android phone that's as powerful as the OnePlus 13 and as compact as the Pixel 9 with a 6.2-inch display. With the compact size comes a smaller 4,000mAh battery, but the smaller, 1080p display somewhat makes up for that in battery life. The 50MP main camera (saving 12MP photos by default) remains, and the rest of the setup is well-rounded but basic, with 12MP front and ultrawide lenses, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S25 starts at $800 (although frequent discounts bring the price closer to $700) with 128GB of storage, and to match the OnePlus 13's 256GB you'll need to add $60. Samsung's advantage over OnePlus is the promise of seven years of OS and security updates. For those who favor larger screens, the Galaxy S25+ offers a 6.7-inch display (with a higher 1440p resolution), a bigger battery to compensate, and 45W wired charging compared to the base model's 25W. Additionally, it features ultra-wide band (UWB) support, ideal for pinpointing Bluetooth-linked items such as Galaxy SmartTags. The Galaxy S25+ starts at $1,000 (though it's often available for ~$850), providing 256GB of base storage, so if you were planning to get that amount anyway, it's only $140 more expensive than the S24. On the other hand, the Galaxy S25 Ultra adds too little for too much money, especially now that the S Pen no longer supports Bluetooth functionality. To fold, or not to fold? Foldable phones, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, might seem tempting. However, their design restricts battery and camera configurations. With a prev-gen SoC and a noticeable crease when unfolded, the Flip 6's $1,100 price point (often discounted to $900) is higher the Galaxy S25+, and it's more scratch-prone and less dust-resistant. If you really need the unique form factor, you should wait for the reviews of the Motorola Razr (2025), named after the legendary Razr V3 and promising a higher-quality external display that can fully replace the main one more often. Otherwise, you should probably look elsewhere. Back to top ▵ Best Budget Phones Samsung Galaxy A16 and A26 In numbers Price: $176 on Amazon If you're in the market for an affordable $200 device that can handle the tasks most users demand from their phones – albeit not always as proficiently – the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a compelling option. Six years of Android and security updates are more than you are going to get anywhere else for this price. The 6.7-inch 1080p AMOLED display offers great contrast, and it also runs at 90Hz. Additionally, the phone supports NFC for contactless payments. The Galaxy A16 features a 13MP front-facing camera, and on the rear three cameras: a 50MP primary lens, along with a 5MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro sensor. The phone is available with 4GB, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage, which can be expanded with microSD. Thanks to the 5,000mAh battery, the phone features good battery life, and it also supports 25W charging. On the other hand, the mono speaker is as basic as you can imagine. For $100 more, the Galaxy A26 features Gorilla Glass on the front and back, IP67 dust/water resistance, an always-on 120Hz display and an upgraded 8MP ultrawide camera. Motorola Moto G Power (2024 model) If you replace your phone often, you can check out the Motorola Moto G Power. Just make sure you are getting the 2024 version, as the more expensive 2025 model has a slower CPU. The older phone won't receive OS updates beyond Android 15, but it will get security updates until 2027. The LCD display runs at 120Hz. The main and ultrawide cameras are similar to the Galaxy A26's, and the 16MP front camera is equivalent with slightly smaller pixels. The differentiating features are wireless charging, stereo speakers and a headphone jack. The main problem is the amount of bloatware that Lenovo installs on the phone. Back to top ▵ Best of the Best Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max In numbers Price: $1,199 The iPhone 16 Pro Max sports a 6.9-inch OLED display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate. The always-on display provides users with glanceable information without waking the device. The camera system includes a 48MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide lens with autofocus for improved macro photography, and a 12MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom. The upgraded ultrawide sensor delivers enhanced detail and macro capabilities. Video recording is also enhanced with support for 4K at 120 frames per second, and the inclusion of four studio-quality microphones improves audio capture. The iPhone Pro line differentiates itself with the A18 Pro SoC (with six active graphical units and double the cache), and supporting USB 3.1 (or "3.2 gen 2") speeds via USB-C. On paper, Apple's top-tier smartphone may appear to offer similar features to those found in mainstream products from other companies. However, thanks to iOS and its finely-tuned apps, its performance is notably superior. The hardware is also top notch and more carefully built than most, using titanium instead of aluminum. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the only model that's not available with 128GB of storage. Starting at $1,200 with 256GB, it is steep, especially when contrasted with a $700 iPhone 16e with the same 256GB. If it plays any kind of factor in your equation, a well-preserved iPhone Pro Max can typically be traded in or sold for around $400 – $500 after two years. If you're inclined towards a more compact device, the regular iPhone 16 Pro will save you $100 though the Max is where its at for the most pixels and biggest battery. Back to top ▵ The Best ePaper Phone Bigme HiBreak Pro | Mudita Kompakt In numbers Price: $439 Until recently, if you wanted to remain available on a camping trip lasting several days, your main option was an outdated and limited feature phone. Now, you can also opt for a phone with an efficient monochrome e-paper display. These phones remain perfectly usable in direct sunlight, and utilize front light to work in the dark. Except for the 21Hz display, the Bigme HiBreak Pro is a fully modern smartphone, with Android 14 and 5G support. The 6.1-inch, 824p display may not be ideal for watching video, but for reading it's arguably better than any other. Combined with a 4,500mAh battery, it's built to last for days between charges. While it's not designed for media consumption, the HiBreak Pro can still shoot color photos and videos with its 20MP rear camera and 5MP front camera. For the price, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is solid. Unusually, it includes an infrared sensor, so it can double as a remote control. The main thing missing is an official IP rating. Mudita Kompakt If you don't want a full-featured smartphone, the Mudita Kompakt offers a de-Googled version of Android, with 13 apps optimized for its monochrome display (yes, including chess). It doesn't support 5G and lacks a front-facing camera to accompany the 8MP one on the back. The smaller 4.3-inch, 480p screen helps balance out the modest 3,300mAh battery. Due to its custom software, the Kompakt costs nearly as much as the HiBreak Pro. It only includes 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage but does offer a microSD card slot and a headphone jack. If you're buying a phone because you want just a phone, it may be your best option. Back to top ▵ Masthead credit: Amanz

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA), a Ministry of Justice-backed civil and criminal legal aid and advice service covering England and Wales, has fallen victim to a cyber attack that appears to have led to the compromise of personal data on anybody who applied for legal aid through its digital service in the past 15 years. The body said it first became aware of a cyber attack on its online digital services – used by legal aid providers to log their work and receive payment from the government – on 23 April 2025. These services were quickly taken offline. Following this, working alongside the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the agency’s IT team took action to reinforce security while the wider LAA reached out to the providers affected. The LAA’s investigation initially appears to have shown that only legal aid providers were affected. However, on 16 May, it became apparent that the attackers had dug themselves far deeper into its systems than was first thought and accessed data on legal aid applicants dating back to 2010. This includes not just those facing criminal prosecution, but individuals involved in family law cases, victims of domestic violence, and more. It said the data includes contact details and addresses, birthdates, national ID numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data. According to the Guardian, the intruders have stated they have accessed 2.1 million data points, although this is not verified. “I understand this news will be shocking and upsetting for people, and I am extremely sorry this has happened,” said LAA CEO Jane Harbottle. Since the discovery of the attack, my team has been working around the clock with the NCSC to bolster the security of our systems so we can safely continue the vital work of the agency Jane Harbottle, Legal Aid Agency “Since the discovery of the attack, my team has been working around the clock with the NCSC to bolster the security of our systems so we can safely continue the vital work of the agency.” She continued: “However, it has become clear that to safeguard the service and its users, we needed to take radical action. That is why we’ve taken the decision to take the online service down. “We have put in place the necessary contingency plans to ensure those most in need of legal support and advice can continue to access the help they need during this time,” said Harbottle. “I am incredibly grateful to legal aid providers for their patience and cooperation at a deeply challenging time.” The agency urged anyone who has applied for legal aid since 2010 to take immediate steps to safeguard themselves. As is frequently the case, the breadth of the data breached makes it useful to fraudsters and scammers involved in downstream cyber crime activity. Should the data be leaked, those affected may see an uptick in suspicious activity such as unsolicited text messages or phone calls. The agency gave no indication as to whether or not it is dealing with a ransomware incident. Toby Lewis, head of threat analysis at Darktrace, said establishing the full facts of what has gone wrong would be the number one priority for the investigators. “The Legal Aid Agency breach represents a significant but not unusual cyber incident facing public services today. Without confirmation of ransomware or system outages, we’re likely looking at either pre-ransomware exfiltration caught early or straightforward data theft. If it’s the latter, this could be as simple as misconfigured cloud storage or as complex as a nation-state operation targeting bulk personal data, similar to previous international government breaches,” he said. “What’s crucial now is determining which scenario we’re dealing with to properly assess the broader implications for government digital security.” Recent UK cyber attacks A cyber attack at Marks & Spencer has caused significant disruption to customers, leaving them unable to make contactless payments or use click-and-collect services. A developing cyber incident at Co-op has forced the retailer to pull the plug on some of its IT systems as it works to contain the attack. Harrods confirms it is the latest UK retailer to experience a cyber attack, shutting off a number of systems in an attempt to lessen the impact.

In 2025, no brand, regardless of its heritage or customer loyalty, is immune to cyber threats. This April, we saw a very public example of that when Marks & Spencer—one of Britain's most beloved high street retailers—fell victim to a series of cyberattacks. This wasn't just a shocking example of large-scale criminal activity. It was also a stark reminder of how quickly a brand's reputation can be placed in jeopardy. Three weeks after the attack, the retailer continues to grapple with its aftermath, with online orders still suspended and customer data compromised. So, what lessons does this offer to legacy brands navigating an increasingly treacherous digital landscape? We asked leaders from the creative industry for their thoughts. What happened? First, though, let's remind ourselves what actually happened. The trouble began over the Easter weekend when M&S experienced difficulties with contactless payments and click-and-collect orders. By 23 April, CEO Stuart Machin confirmed the company was dealing with a cyber incident, and two days later, M&S suspended all orders through its website. The attack has since been attributed to 'Scattered Spider', a splinter group of the hacking collective Lapsus$, which has previously targeted high-profile organisations, including Transport for London and MGM Resorts. The sophistication of the attack has left M&S struggling to restore normal operations even weeks later. Last Tuesday (13 May), the situation worsened when M&S revealed that personal customer data had been stolen in the breach. The compromised information could include telephone numbers, home addresses, dates of birth and online order histories. While the retailer emphasised that no usable payment details or account passwords were taken, the incident has raised serious concerns about identity fraud for its customers. The financial impact has also been substantial, with analysis from Bank of America Global Research estimating that the retailer is losing approximately £43 million per week in sales. Moreover, M&S is reportedly preparing to make a cyber insurance claim that could total as much as £100 million. How has it damaged the brand? For a legacy retailer like M&S, though, the impact extends far beyond immediate losses. The sustained disruption has placed significant strain on customer loyalty and trust, two cornerstones of its long-established brand identity. salarko - stock.adobe.com With an estimated 9.4 million active online customers affected, the scale of the reputational damage is immense. The company's inability to process online orders for weeks has not only frustrated customers but also raised questions about its digital preparedness. "This should act as a stark reminder for other brands of the importance of building brand resilience," says Dave Mayer, senior partner for marketing and customer strategy at Lippincott. "While hacks are more frequent than ever, this sustained attack and suspension of online ordering has placed a significant strain on customer loyalty for the brand." The importance of brand equity in a crisis At the same time, there is some good news for the retailer. "Our research tells us that M&S is a 'comfort' brand, a brand loved by its customers," Dave points out. "And comfort brands are usually forgiven when things go wrong." Here's where the importance of brand equity comes in. "For M&S, the ability to bounce back from crises like these hasn't been built overnight," Dave notes. "It comes from the consistent implementation of long-term brand-building techniques to boost affinity, trust and loyalty with their customers. Coupled with open and honest communication, M&S has chartered these turbulent waters with success thus far." Sue Benson, founder and CEO of The Behaviours Agency, agrees that M&S appears to be weathering the storm better than many would expect. "The attack has undoubtedly caused disruption and impacted sales, but brand trust has remained remarkably stable," she explains. "This resilience speaks to M&S's legacy and long-standing reputation, which appear to have shielded it from long-term damage. "From a behavioural science perspective, the principle of reciprocity is key: M&S's history of delivering customer satisfaction is now being repaid with trust and loyalty. Lesser-known brands may not have been shown the same grace." Crisis management: communication as a key tool That doesn't mean, of course, that things aren't extremely challenging for M&S right now. "In these moments, brand management must shift gears rapidly," says Lewis Jones, managing partner at Coley Porter Bell. "Transparency becomes a brand's most powerful tool. The design and delivery of information, rooted in the clear expression of a brand's values, is vital." He stresses that the message itself and the way information is delivered are critical. "If a crisis hub is hard to find, visually inconsistent, the tone of voice is unsympathetic and off-brand, or updates are buried in poorly structured pages, the brand's reliability erodes further. Strong brand design can bring order to chaos, signpost clarity, reinforce identity, offer reassurance in a moment of doubt, and maintain consumer confidence." chrisdorney - stock.adobe.com In short, this is no time to innovate or start changing the brand's story. As Charlotte Black, chief strategy officer at Saffron Brand Consultants, says: "What's critical is returning to the original commitments brands have made to customers and delivering communications in that same style. A crisis is no time to deviate." So far, it seems that M&S has been following such advice, with CEO Stuart Machin personally communicating with customers about the breach. In his statement, he acknowledged that "unfortunately, some personal customer information has been taken" while reassuring customers that there was "no evidence that the information has been shared". The company has also taken proactive steps by emailing all website users, prompting customers to reset account passwords "for extra peace of mind," and reporting the case to relevant authorities. This approach aligns with what Charlotte describes as "staying true to its distinctive brand voice, with a flexible tone that effectively matches the circumstance." Learning from past examples Of course, M&S isn't the first brand to fall victim to criminal actions, and there are valuable lessons to be drawn from previous incidents. Sue points, for example, to British Airways' response to its 2018 data breach as an example of how to do things right. "Full-page apologies leaned on transparency and the honesty bias, reducing uncertainty and reinforcing sincerity," she recalls. "BA also tackled loss aversion by reassuring customers and outlining preventive measures, something M&S would do well to follow." As M&S works to restore its systems and services, the focus will ultimately shift from crisis management to rebuilding customer confidence. Dave recommends that "beyond better cybersecurity, M&S will benefit from continuing its communication with its shoppers and working to rebuild the goodwill it's just drawn down, with a thank-you to current and recently lapsed shoppers." Five key lessons Here are five essential lessons for legacy brands facing similar crises. 1. Invest in brand resilience before crisis strikes: As Lewis puts it, "Trust isn't built in a single moment. It's the result of years of consistent investment in the brand and the development of well-managed brand systems across the entire business." 2. Maintain authentic communication: Charlotte emphasises that brands must communicate in line with their established values and voice. "Defining and living up to brand values and having a clear voice with an adaptable tone is how brands weather these sorts of storms," she reasons. 3. Deploy transparency as a strategic tool: Lewis highlights how the delivery of information in a crisis is critical: "This is where brand values, expression, and UX come into their own." So, clear, accessible, and empathetic communication about what happened, what the company is doing about it, and how customers might be affected is essential. 4. Acknowledge the impact on customers: It's crucial to recognise and address customer frustrations directly. Sue notes how "with online sales still paused after 17 days, customer frustration is rising. M&S must not rest on its laurels". 5. Use crisis as a catalyst for improvement: Dave suggests that recovery should include not just fixing the immediate problem but strengthening the brand's overall value proposition. For M&S, this means considering "new ways to not only be loved but also provide products and services that shoppers can't get anywhere else". Conclusion The M&S cyberattack serves as a powerful case study of how legacy brands can leverage their heritage and customer loyalty during times of crisis. While the incident has undoubtedly damaged the retailer financially and operationally, the brand's deep reserves of trust have provided a cushion that many newer companies would not enjoy. As Charlotte puts it: "This is when 'brand' becomes a real asset. If a business has the right foundational tools in place, it has the guidance it needs to navigate both good times and bad." The lesson is clear: brand building is not just about driving sales during good times; it's about creating resilience for the inevitable storms. The true test of a legacy brand is not whether it can avoid crises altogether but how effectively it can deploy its accumulated trust and goodwill when disaster strikes. In a world where cyber threats continue to evolve in sophistication, this resilience is not merely advantageous; it's essential. The M&S case demonstrates that while no brand is impervious to attack, those with strong foundations can emerge from even the most significant challenges with their core identity intact.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Report: Siri might loose the crown of iPhone's exclusive voice assistant in the EU Aditya Tiwari Neowin @TheLazyAvenger · May 19, 2025 02:18 EDT Apple is already finding it hard to make its voice assistant Siri compete with ChatGPT and Gemini. A fresh Bloomberg report suggests upcoming changes in the EU will challenge Siri's monopoly on the iPhone. In other words, Apple is working to comply with the EU regulations around Siri and allow EU users to choose a default voice assistant other than Siri. In theory, this could open doors for AI assistants such as Gemini, ChatGPT, or DeepSeek as the default on the device. The report expects the change to trickle down to other Apple devices, such as Mac and iPad. Apple announced its AI features suite last year, enabling ChatGPT to work with Siri when answering complex queries. There have been reports that Apple is working with Google to make Gemini an alternative to Siri. However, the rumored plans to change iPhone's default voice assistant would remove Siri as the middleman and allow EU users to interact with third-party assistants directly. It has been months since it was known that an upgraded version of Siri as part of Apple Intelligence would arrive. But those plans are only facing delays. The Cupertino giant even faced a class-action lawsuit accusing it of misleading customers into buying the iPhone 16 series and promising features that do not exist, or at least not yet. The delay in Siri's upgraded version has reportedly postponed other Apple projects, such as its Smart Home Hub and robotic display. Bloomberg, citing insiders, said that Apple's inability to get Apple Intelligence in order threatens iPhone's dominance and other futuristic plans. Last year, the European Commission launched two new proceedings against Apple to enforce interoperability rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). One concern was Apple's restricted access to iPhone features like its voice assistant Siri and contactless payment system Apple Pay. It remains to be seen how Apple resists regulatory pressure before introducing the rumored feature. However, it doesn't seem out of the question as Apple has already dug a few holes in its walled garden. It has been almost five years since the company allowed iPhone users to change the default email and browser apps. Apple added support for more categories and a dedicated default apps section in iOS 18. Source: Bloomberg via Apple Insider Tags Report a problem with article Follow @NeowinFeed