Mortal Kombat 12 is expected to release in 2023. In a recent earnings call, Warner Bros. reportedly announced the fighting title for this year. A clip from the meeting is also being circulated on the social media platform Twitter. According to a report by IGN, Warner Bros. Discovery’s executive VP of global investor strategy, Andrew Slabin, has also confirmed that Mortal Kombat 12 is set to release in 2023. As per the report. Slabin has said, “There’s lots more to come, including the highly-anticipated Mortal Kombat 12 and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, games also set for release this year with ambitious launch projections.” However, the company is yet to share an official statement regarding the launch of the fighting title.
Mortal Kombat 12 release teased by others Andrew Bowen who is the voice actor for Johnny Cage also teased the upcoming title. In September 2022, Bowen posted a video of him standing in the Warner Bros. studio. Apart from this, NetherRealm’s creative director, Ed Boon also said that the team was “working on another game”. However, Boon didn’t mention the name of the game at that time, the report adds. Other fighting games coming in 2023 Capcom is also set to launch Street Fighter 6 in 2023. The gaming studio has already offered a first look at three characters from the title. These three characters will complete the 18-character launch lineup. Street Fighter 6 is set to be released on several platforms including — PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X on June 2.
Street Fighter 6 – Zangief, Lily, and Cammy Gameplay Trailer
Moreover, Bandai Namco Entertainment has also recently shared the trailer for its upcoming Tekken 8 fighting game. This game is also expected to release in the same window as Mortal Kombat 12.
Tekken 8’s trailer focuses on the character Kazuya Mishima. The game is set to release for multiple platforms including — PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam.
The performance race continues, as a newly leaked AMD review guide revealed that the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is between 5-6% faster than the Intel Core i9-13900K.
The confidential data, which was leaked by HDTecnologia (opens in new tab) and reported on by VideoCardz (opens in new tab), shows how well the Ryzen 9 7950X3D flagship Zen4 model equipped with extended L3 cache performs against the Intel 13th-gen processor. According to said data, the 7950X3D is 5.6% faster in gaming based on games like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Borderlands 3, Cyperpunk 2077, Dirt 5, and more played at 1080p resolution.
AMD tested the Ryzen 9 7950X3D using two graphics cards, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX and the Nvidia RTX 4090, with both systems featuring two 16GB DDR5-6000 memory. When using the Radeon RX 7900 XTX, the gap between the two processors is 5.6%. That gap increases to 6% when using the Nvidia RTX 4090.
The new AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D model was also compared to the original model, the 7950X, without the extra cache, and testing found that the new 3D V-Cache processor is up to 16% faster than the original version.
AMD is using world-class bait but will buyers bite?
Team Red is heating things up by offering what seems to be the best AMD processors‘ performance compared to Team Blue’s current lineup. However, the crux of the matter is whether gamers are willing to shell out more money for the increase in performance.
Currently, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is priced at $699 as of its launch, while the Core i9-13900K can be purchased at around $589 (with Amazon (opens in new tab) currently charging $569.99). That’s a pretty huge gap in cost. And, while there is a notable performance improvement, it’s hard to justify spending over $100 more for about a 6% difference.
It’s also no secret that PC games haven’t even fully caught up with last-gen specs, let alone anything this gen has to offer. Plus, for gamers, getting the latest processor is really meant to prevent performance bottlenecking unless you’re playing a real-time strategy game. As for creatives and workers, cheaper CPUs are perfectly fine.
We’ll see if sales numbers prove that buyers will invest in any performance improvements or if there’s a limit to those generous pockets.
Apple is expected to launch its next-gen iPad Pro lineup in 2024. The Cupertino-based tech giant has reportedly partnered with display makers Samsung and LG to supply OLED panels for the upcoming tablets. According to a report by Business Korea, Apple has already placed orders for developing OLED panels from the two display companies. The report also mentions that Apple might not be considering Chinese display maker BOE for the OLED panels. Another report suggests that the company is yet to finalise the order volume of OLED displays for the upcoming iPad Pro models. However, it is expected to divide the order equally between the two Korean suppliers. Apple iPad Pro 2024: What to expect Display industry analyst Ross Young has earlier claimed that Apple is developing 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models with OLED panels that are likely to debut in the first quarter of 2024. Previous reports suggest that the iPad Pro models with OLED panels are expected to arrive with slimmer bezels and might not change the overall size of the device. Currently, Apple sells two different models of iPad Pro. The bigger 12.9-inch iPad Pro sports a mini-LED display, while the 11-inch model comes with an LCD panel. The iPad Pro models that are expected to debut in 2024 may resort to feature parity between the two iPad Pro models.
Apple MacBook 2024: What to expect Apple is also planning to launch new MacBook models with OLED displays. However, the launch timing of the upcoming MacBook models is still unknown. The report claims that 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with OLED displays are expected to arrive by 2026. Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that Apple may launch a new MacBook Pro with an OLED display in 2025. This model is also likely to be the first Mac to come with a touchscreen. Apart from this, Young also claimed is Apple is developing a 13-inch MacBook Air with an OLED display which is also expected to launch in 2024. This MacBook Air model may debut along with the OLED iPad Pro models. Moreover, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also claimed that the first MacBook with an OLED display may launch in 2024.
New details for Garmin’s upcoming smartwatch, the Forerunner 965, have been leaked by yet another hasty online store giving us our first high-resolution look at the device.
The images come from swimming retailer SwimOutlet (opens in new tab) showing off the device in two different colors: a metallic black and a bright greenish-yellow. At a glance, it appears the bezel around the watch face is smaller compared to the Forerunner 955. The extra room is probably for the new 1.4-inch AMOLED screen the upcoming watch is reported to have. Other shots reveal what the system UI will look like on the device such as more information being displayed at once on the main screen. The map feature has also been revamped. This time around, step-by-step directions will take up less space on the Forerunner 965’s face, making it easier to see where you’re going when using the map.
Other than that, not much else was revealed in the SwimOutlet listing. It’s unknown what other features, new or returning like the ECG app, will be on the Forerunner 965. There is, however, a price tag for the smartwatch: $599.99 making it cheaper than initial guesses. The release date remains a mystery although a screenshot from the iRun.Fr website (opens in new tab), an online French fitness retailer, hints at a March 2 launch which is less than a week away. But even that date is debatable as others have claimed it is actually March 14.
Besides the Forerunner 965, some new marketing images of the upcoming Forerunner 265 and 265s duo also leaked (opens in new tab). Very little was revealed apart from the wide assortment of colors the two devices will sport. The Forerunner 265 will be available in black/gray, aqua blue, and whitestone whereas the smaller 265s model comes in a striking black and yellow combo, light pink, and a lighter whitestone shade.
It’s worth pointing out that both watches will launch with what appears to be an AMOLED screen. This is backed up by previous leaks, but without official confirmation, it’s hard to say for sure. Specs-wise, nothing else was leaked that hasn’t already been covered. Previous rumors state Forerunner 265 has a battery life of “up to 13 days in smartwatch mode [or] 20 hours in GPS mode” and will cost somewhere around $449 to $499 – depending on the region.
Of course, take everything here with a grain of salt. Things can always change at the last minute. However, given the frequency of these leaks in the past month or so, we probably won’t have to wait very long for Garmin to announce something.
Be sure to check out TechRadar’s recently updated list of the best Garmin watches for 2023 if you don’t feel like waiting for the new watches. It includes both of the previous models: the Forerunner 955 and the more affordable Forerunner 255.
Smart TV interfaces provide a necessary portal to streaming, smart home control, cloud-based gaming, and multiple other apps and services, but they are typically cluttered with unwanted content recommendations, free ad-supported TV offerings, and, now more often than not, in-your-face advertisements.
Google TV, which powers Google’s Chromecast with Google TV streaming stick and is also used as the smart interface on the best 4K TVs from the likes of Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Philips, is one of the more prominent third-party streaming options for TV makers. But it has also been faulted for screen clutter, and more recently for leaning heavily into ads. The company does occasionally tweak its interface to make it more user-friendly, however, with the latest improvements coming to Google TV users this week.
Citing research that average households now subscribe to more than five different apps for entertainment, Google TV has launched four new content pages to help viewers find programs they want to watch without having to leap from app to app.
The Movies page lets viewers browse selections by genre, title, or topic and also shows new and trending releases. It provides personalized recommendations, something I’ve found that Google TV does with a higher level of accuracy than other smart TV platforms.
Shows presents new releases from services you subscribe to, along with popular and trending ones you may want to check out. And when you finish watching an episode, Google TV will suggest other ones that Google thinks you will enjoy.
The new Español page offers a central location to check out Spanish-language programs, everything from movies to telenovelas. You can access Spanish-language apps here as well, and find a collection of Spanish dubbed and subtitled movies and shows.
Family unsurprisingly gathers a range of movies with PG or lower ratings on one page so families can easily access wholesome entertainment that both kids and parents can watch together.
The new pages, which will be available to Google TV users in the US, are located below the apps row on the For You tab. Google TV is also getting navigational improvements, with a profile switcher moving to the top left of the screen so multiple users in the same household can easily access personalized settings, and a Search button moving to the top right. Those specific changes are being rolled out globally.
The new Movies page is one that can be accessed separately within the main Google TV interface. (Image credit: Google)
Analysis: Smart TV clutter is a problem, and Google’s new Pages could be a solution
As a TV reviewer, I’ve come to accept that Smart TV interfaces are generally cluttered and that finding something specific I want to watch is going to require work. An increase in advertisements plastered on the main screen has only made the situation worse, and so have Free ad-supported TV portals, something basically all TV brands now carry, that push out notifications enticing me to check out shows I have absolutely no interest in watching.
Free ad-supported TV portals and recommendation engines can occupy a fair amount of the smart screen interface, and while there is some benefit for viewers simply looking for anything to watch without paying for a streaming service, not everyone fits in that category.
By offering specific page links within its smart TV interface, Google TV is making it easier for viewers to more quickly find what TV shows and movies they are looking for, and even better yet, let them limit listings to some degree to specific services they already subscribe to. That’s a definite step in the right direction when it comes to reducing smart TV screen clutter.
I like Google TV – it has good personalized recommendations and its ability to link up with Google Photos to display slideshows from that service is something I can appreciate. But Google TV also lacks the clean, elegant interface you get with an Apple TV 4K, not to mention the Roku one found in TVs like TCL’s 6-Series models.
Adding specific pages for viewers to discover movies, TV shows, and more, especially from services they already subscribe to, is a definite improvement, and it’s one that will make Google TV a more competitive and compelling option in the smart TV world.
Consumer electronics brand Fitshot has launched a new smartwatch for the Indian market. The company claims that the latest Fitshot Saturn is packed with several features. Fitshot Saturn is designed to help users to help with their workout goals. The wearable supports 100+ sports modes and comes equipped with the single-chipset Bluetooth calling technology called SoloSync. The product also offers a 1-year warranty and is available only via online channels. Fitshot Saturn: Price and availability This new smartwatch which is originally priced at Rs 5,990 is now available at a special launch price of Rs 1799. The wearable ships in four different colour options — Black, Green, Sky Blue and Brown. Customers can currently purchase Fitshot Saturn on the e-commerce site Flipkart and the company’s official website. Fitshot Saturn: Key specs and features Fitshot Saturn sports a 1.32-inch round CosmicDisplay screen. The smartwatch supports 360×360 pixel resolution and a peak brightness of 500 nits brightness along with a 60Hz refresh rate. The wearable also includes 100+ cloud-based watch faces and an AI watch face feature. This feature will allow users to click pictures and generate their personalised watch faces using AI. The watch also includes an Advanced Bluetooth calling technology called SoloSync which is based on a single chipset. This new tech claims to lower battery consumption and support pairing with a one-click connection. Fitshot Saturn is also equipped with a built-in speaker, microphone, and fast dialler for direct phone calls. The Da Fit app can be used to control and pair the watch. Furthermore, it has a built-in Voice assistant that allows users to control their smartwatch with their voice.
The smartwatch claims to deliver up to seven days of runtime on a single charge. Fitshot Saturn also has an IP68 rating to ensure protection from dust and water. The smartwatch even supports 100+ sports modes that can track strength and cardiovascular activities and other low and moderate-intensity activities. Fitshot Saturn’s built-in 24-hour Heart Rate Sensor, SpO2 Monitor, Sleep Tracker and Step-Counter can track fitness levels and activities throughout the day. Other features like breathing, guided meditation mode and sedentary reminders are also available for users. The smartwatch even includes a Remote Camera Shutter, Stopwatch, Alarm Clock, Remote Music Player Control, Timer, Weather Forecast, Drink Water Reminder, Do Not Disturb Mode, and several other features. Users can also attach different straps (available in multiple colour options) to Fitshot Saturn.
Some Microsoft Exchange folders and processes, which the company previously suggested be excluded from antivirus (opens in new tab) scans for stability reasons, should no longer be excluded, it has announced.
Explaining the change of heart, Microsoft said the processes no longer affect the stability, or the performance, of Exchange servers, adding that it could even be beneficial as some threat actors could have hidden backdoors in there, as well.
Some of the processes and folders include Temporary ASP.NET files, Inetsrv folders, as well as the PowerShell and w3wp processes.
Exclude no more
“Keeping these exclusions may prevent detections of IIS webshells and backdoor modules, which represent the most common security issues,” the Exchange Team said. “We’ve validated that removing these processes and folders doesn’t affect performance or stability when using Microsoft Defender on Exchange Server 2019 running the latest Exchange Server updates.”
The new recommendations affect Exchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2013. However, Microsoft added that IT teams should monitor these processes just in case anything goes south.
Here’s a full list of no-longer-needed exclusions:
%SystemRoot%Microsoft.NETFramework64v4.0.30319Temporary ASP.NET Files
Threat actors had been observed using malicious Internet Information Services (IIS) web server extensions and modules, to add backdoors to unpatched Microsoft Exchange servers.
The best way to stay safe is to always apply the latest Exchange patches and updates, to use antivirus programs, restrict access to IIS virtual directories, prioritize alerts, and constantly inspect config files and bin folders for any suspicious files, the publication added.
Finally, IT teams should always run the Exchange Server Health Checker script after updates, to address any possible misconfiguration issues.
Exchange Servers are one of the most popular targets for cybercriminals worldwide, as they’re often unprotected, or misconfigured. At the same time, many offer a real treasure trove of sensitive information that can be sold on the black market, or used as leverage in a ransom negotiation.
Mac users are being targeted by malicious code hidden in pirated Final Cut Pro copies, claims cybersecurity company Jamf Threat Labs. According to the report, the malicious code is a cryptojacking malware that makes unauthorised use of system resources, in the background, to mine cryptocurrency. It further claims that the malware has been discreet enough to evade detection by Apple’s security checks on Mac till now. It has been doing so by disguising itself as Final Cut Pro, Apple’s own video editing software. The nitty-gritties of the malware involve using Invisible Internet Project to download malicious code and transfer the mined cryptocurrency to the attacker’s crypto wallet.
‘Silicon warning’ Cryptocurrency mining is inherently a resource-hungry task and requires significant processing power. Jamf has also warned that the power of Apple Silicon Macs may make them increasingly popular targets for cryptojacking attacks, where malware uses users’ machine’s processing power to mine cryptocurrencies for the benefit of attackers. Apple’s response to cryptojacking malware claims In its reply to 9to5Mac, Apple said, “We continue to update XProtect to block this malware, including the specific variants cited in JAMF’s research. Additionally, this malware family does not bypass Gatekeeper protections.”
Additionally, the company stressed the effectiveness of its digital storefront’s security. It added, “The Mac App Store provides the safest place to get software for the Mac. For software downloaded outside the Mac App Store, Apple uses industry-leading technical mechanisms, such as the Apple notary service and XProtect, to protect users by detecting malware and blocking it so it can’t run.”
After Apple, Samsung is also reportedly planning to move its manufacturing from China to India. The South Korea-based smartphone maker might be considering this move as the US export restrictions on China increase. According to a report by Business Korea, starting from semiconductors to phones, Samsung Electronics is preparing to make India a potential manufacturing hub for different products. The tech giant already manufactures a host of entry-level and mid-range phones in the country. Now, the company is reportedly planning to ramp up its dependency on its infrastructure across the Indian subcontinent. The latest report suggests that Samsung might be preparing to manufacture its next-gen foldable smartphones in the country. Samsung Galaxy S23 series manufactured in India With the release of the Galaxy S23 series, Samsung has already moved forward with manufacturing high-end phones in India. The company claims that the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra models that are sold in India are already manufactured locally. Apart from this, some of the latest additions to the One UI operating system were also developed at the Samsung R&D Institute in Noida. The engineers at this institute also helped in adding several features to the Galaxy S23 series. Samsung may manufacture Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 in India As per the report, Samsung is preparing to make major investments in India to set up a new manufacturing hub for its next-gen foldable smartphones. If the company’s plans turn out to be true, it is expected to manufacture and assemble the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in the country. The report didn’t mention if the company is considering making all the foldable models ( including the ones to be sold in the global market) in India. Samsung may stick to its Galaxy S23 series strategy to manufacture and sell locally.
The report also adds that Samsung is also likely to diversify its foldable phone supply chain. Despite the US restrictions on China, Samsung may add BOE to its list of suppliers and stop depending entirely on its display arm for the foldable phones, the report adds. This means that the company may use BOE panels for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 which will be assembled in India.
The iPhone 14 may have pioneered the idea of the satellite-connected smartphone, but now the first Android phone has launched with the feature – and it’s already more powerful than Apple’s Emergency SOS. Just to rub it in, Motorola has also launched a Bluetooth add-on that brings satellite messaging to both Android and iOS devices.
The Motorola Defy 2 (or CAT S75 if you live in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) is a beefy-looking, fully waterproof Android phone that delivers two-way satellite communication that isn’t just limited to contacting emergency services. Qualcomm and Samsung are also bringing satellite messaging capabilities to the next Galaxy phones – but unfortunately, the Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup likely don’t have all the necessary components, so you’ll have to wait for the Galaxy S24.
In a similar way to the iPhone’s Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, you’ll be able to text via the Bullitt Satellite Messenger when you don’t have any cell service and aren’t connected to Wi-Fi. These messages can be sent to an SOS service, or to one of your contacts.
The advantage of being to message anyone is that it gives you the ability to check in with friends and family while you’re exploring the wilderness and let them know you’re safe. That way if they don’t hear from you they know they may need to contact emergency services – as you could be injured or incapacitated and unable to message for help yourself.
We were really impressed whenwe tried out the iPhone’s satellite phone capabilities, even though we hope it’s a feature we never have to use. Emergency SOS via Satellite allowsiPhone 14 owners to communicate with emergency services even when their phone isn’t connected to Wi-Fi or a cell tower.
While standing outside and aiming your phone at a satellite (a task the phone helps you with) you’re able to send and receive texts from emergency services, letting them know what has happened and where you are so they can be rescued.
Sure, the messages were slow to send and receive, but that’s the nature of satellite phone communications, and otherwise, the tool was pretty simple to use. Its inclusion in the iPhone 14 will almost certainly save people’s lives, and so we’d been hoping Android devices would get the feature soon, too.
The Motorola Defy Satellite Link (Image credit: Motorola)
That’s now the case, starting with the Motorola Defy 2. But if you like the phone you already have then don’t worry – Motorola and Bullitt have also unveiled the Defy Satellite Link (opens in new tab). That Bluetooth device that can turn any Android or iOS phone into a satellite phone that can communicate via the Bullitt Satellite Messenger. The rugged device has an IP68 waterproof rating and Motorola claims its 600mAh battery is enough to last for multiple days of use.
The Defy Satellite Link is launching later this year for $99 / £99, while the Motorola Defy 2/CAT S75 will sell for $599 / £549. Though you’ll need to pay extra to actually use the Bullitt service.
In the US, the Defy 2 comes with a 12-month subscription to the Essential plan, while in the UK you’ll get three months for free. After that, you’ll need to pay $4.99/€4.99 for the Essential plan which gives you the ability to send 30 two-way messages per month and access to SOS assist for 12 months. There are more expensive plans that give you access to higher message counts if you feel 30 messages isn’t enough.
