More than 200 individuals were arrested for cybercrime activities during INTERPOL’s Operation Ramz, which focused on the Middle East and North Africa.
Law enforcement also identified another 382 suspects across 13 countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, and the UAE).
In addition to the arrests, authorities seized 53 servers used for phishing, malware, and online fraud that affected at least 3,867 confirmed victims, as determined from nearly 8,000 intelligence packages retrieved from the equipment.
“The operation focused on neutralizing phishing and malware threats, as well as tackling cyber scams that inflict severe cost to the region,” reads the INTERPOL announcement.
INTERPOL collaborated with several private cybersecurity firms to track the malicious infrastructure, including Kaspersky, Group-IB, The Shadowserver Foundation, Team Cymru, and TrendAI.
Some highlights of ‘Operation Ramz’ include:
This is the third major cybercrime crackdown operation INTERPOL has concluded this year.
In March, the authorities announced ‘Operation Synergia III,’ which resulted in sinkholing 45,000 malicious IP addresses, the seizure of 212 devices and servers, and the arrest of 94 individuals across 72 countries, for participating in phishing, hacking, fraud, and malware distribution.
Earlier, in February, INTERPOL announced the arrest of 651 suspects across 16 African countries, as part of ‘Operation Red Card 2.0,’ targeting investment fraud, mobile money scams, and fake loan apps linked to more than $45 million in losses.
Automated pentesting tools deliver real value, but they were built to answer one question: can an attacker move through the network? They were not built to test whether your controls block threats, your detection rules fire, or your cloud configs hold.
This guide covers the 6 surfaces you actually need to validate.
All eyes are on South Korea today as officials bid to avert a strike by more than 45,000 Samsung workers that could impact global semiconductor supply chains.
With a planned walkout set to begin on 21 May, Samsung Electronics and its workers’ unions began what could be a final round of talks today (18 May), following the collapse last week of a first round of South Korean government-mediated negotiations, according to Reuters.
The threatened 18-day strike comes amid an already severe global shortage in memory chips – essential components in AI data centres, smartphones and laptops – that has fuelled massive profits at Samsung and its peers in recent months.
The dispute centres on Samsung’s performance-based bonus system. According to CNBC, the union is seeking bonuses equivalent to 15pc of Samsung’s operating profit, plus other measures, while Samsung’s management has countered with an offer of 10pc of operating profit.
The economic stakes could hardly be higher. CNBC quotes prime minister Kim Min-seok, who estimates direct strike losses at 1trn won ($664.7m), potentially rising to 100trn won if chip production disruptions force Samsung to scrap wafers already in production.
The company accounts for 22.8pc of South Korea’s exports and revenue equivalent to 12.5pc of GDP, according to CNBC. Kim described Monday’s talks as the last opportunity to avert the strike, warning that “the economic losses we will face will be beyond imagination”.
Pressure on the unions mounted further today when the Suwon District Court partially granted Samsung’s injunction request against two unions, ordering that staffing levels required for safety, facility protection and product quality must remain at normal levels during any industrial action.
The Financial Times cited corporate lawyer Hyeseop Sim, who said the ruling “will significantly weaken the scope of the strike and the negotiating power of the unions”, adding that chip production was therefore unlikely to be significantly disrupted.
Samsung chip division executives have also warned that key customers including Nvidia indicated they might temporarily halt shipments during a strike over product quality concerns, according to Reuters. President Lee Jae-myung called for balance on Monday, posting on X that “labour must be respected as much as corporations, and corporate management rights must be respected as much as labour rights”.
“Workers must be able to receive fair compensation for the labour they provide, and shareholders who have invested while bearing risks and losses have a share in corporate profits,” he continued.
Samsung chairperson Lee Jae-yong issued a rare public apology to customers worldwide on Saturday for causing “concern and anxiety”, according to local Korean media.
All eyes will be on the talks that are reportedly due to finish tomorrow, as the industry fears yet another hit to the global chip supply chain.
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Catch the Canadian Grand Prix live on a service that isn’t Apple.
Heads up, racing fans. May 22-24 is the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix and for the first time, Netflix viewers in the US can tune in live to watch the high-speed action.
Streaming services are typically pretty protective of their exclusive deals, but Apple has taken a different approach with F1 programming. Even though Apple TV is the primary source for watching F1 content this year, in February the company agreed to grant Netflix the rights to air select races. The partnership makes sense, considering Netflix has seen success with its Formula 1: Drive to Survive documentary series, and this deal will allow Apple TV to also air that show’s eighth season.
Live events have become a bigger portion of Netflix’s programming in recent years, from Major League Baseball events to the return of BTS.
Valve, the team behind Steam and the much loved Steam Deck, has recently unveiled three new additions to its hardware lineup.
Alongside the Steam Controller and Steam Frame headset, Valve has introduced the Steam Machine, a PC optimised for gaming on the big screen.
While the Steam Machine hasn’t officially launched yet, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the upcoming gaming PC. Read on to see what you should expect from the Steam Machine.
Otherwise, make sure you visit our list of the best game consoles and best gaming laptops too.
Last updated: 18th May to include rumours for gaming titles
| CPU | Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T |
| GPU | Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB or 2TB |
| Dimensions | 152 mm tall (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wide |
| Weight | 2.6kg |
| Operating System | SteamOS (potentially version 3.8.1) |
| Desktop | KDE Plasma |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 dedicated antenna |
Although Valve announced the Steam Machine, alongside the Steam Frame and Steam Controller, back in November 2025 and promised all devices would launch in “early 2026”, the exact launch date is still currently unknown. Not only that but, at the time of writing, the pricing is still unconfirmed too.
However, in a statement published back in February, Valve promised that although it has needed to “revisit” its shipping schedule for the hardware, the “goal of shipping all three products in the first half of the year has not changed”. With this in mind, we can reasonably hope to see a launch by July 2026 latest.
So, what has actually happened for Valve to need to reassess its launch date? Perhaps unsurprisingly, Valve has revealed that the ongoing RAM crisis is to partly to blame.
Essentially, the fact that there’s limited RAM availability and prices are continuing to rise, Valve has reported that it’s needed to reassess its initial shipping and pricing strategy.
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Valve’s Lawrence Yang addressed the obstacles including “RAM shortages, memory shortages, price hikes” which have gotten in the way of the launch. Despite those unavoidable issues, Valve has confirmed the team are “doing [their] best” to ensure the product will still be available at “as good and competitive a price” as possible.
But what does this mean for pricing? Although Valve hasn’t revealed any clues as to how much the Steam Machine will likely cost, internet sleuths did apparently manage to track down a listing for the console online. Although the listing, which was found on Czech retailer Smarty’s website back in January, didn’t publicly show a price, internet detectives worked out that if you inspect the site via the browser developer console then the hidden price is there.
Seriously, there’s no hiding anything from internet sleuths.
For the 512GB model the price is listed as 19,826 CZK which is roughly $950, while the larger 2TB model is listed for 22,305 CZK, which is around $1070.
The OP on Reddit disclaims that you should keep in mind that this pricing is from an external retailer, so the “final price directly from Steam could be lower”.
However, do keep in mind that this so-called discovery was found before Valve gave its statement addressing the ongoing RAM prices issue. With this in mind, it’s not unreasonable to assume the cost of the Steam Machine might end up being higher, as Valve is still discussing the best possible pricing strategy.
Fans have also found evidence that could point to the hardware costing upwards of €1000. As shared on Reddit, an update in the source code chunk containing the hardware reservation system indicates that they have prepared the system for hardware that requires over €1000. However, we should note that it’s unclear whether or not this price refers to the Steam Machine or Steam Frame, and whether this is a bundle or not.
While there’s plenty of rumours and supposed leaks circulating the internet, at the time of writing we simply don’t know how much the Steam Machine will cost.
Although Valve hasn’t confirmed neither the release date nor price of the Steam Machine, the company has certainly managed to build intrigue by revealing its design and specifications.
At its surface, the Steam Machine looks like a neat, fuss-free console thanks to its roughly six-inch cube design. It doesn’t look dissimilar to the Fire TV Cube, and is designed to blend into your home entertainment or desk set-up.
Despite its compact size, the Steam Machine is impressively well equipped with plenty of ports. There’s a total of four USB-A ports available, plus a USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet and a DisplayPort. Not only that but regardless of whether you opt for the 512GB or larger 2TB version, you’ll benefit from expandable storage thanks to the microSD card slot too.
There’s also a customisable LED strip at its front, which is fitted with 17 individually addressable LEDs. This, Valve explains, can be customised to suit your preferences, used as a visual indicator to determine a download’s progress, or turned off altogether.
At the rear is a nifty fan that promises to ensure the Steam Machine stays cool and runs quietly, even during the “most demanding games”.
Before we dive into the Steam Machine’s specs, it’s worth noting that they might look a bit different after launch. According to PC’s official listing, some of the specifications are “subject to change ahead of availability”.
Otherwise, considering that it’s promised to be up to six times more powerful than the Steam Deck, these initial specs undoubtedly sound promising.
As is to be expected, the Steam Machine is optimised for gaming and promises up to 4K gaming at 60fps with FSR. However, Valve has disclaimed that there are some titles that require more upscaling than others, and advises that “it may be preferable to play at a lower framerate with VRR to maintain a 1080p internal resolution”.
Valve continues that it’s working on HDMI VRR, investigating improved upscaling and optimising ray tracing performance in the driver.
Otherwise, although the Steam Machine is a gaming device, thanks to its semi-custom AMD desktop class Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU, it lends itself to be a pretty decent PC too – allowing you to install your own apps or even another operating system if you like. Plus, the Steam Machine’s NVMe 2230 or 2280 SSD and memory are both accessible and upgradeable too.
Finally, although it is hailed as being “made for Steam Controller”, as the Steam Machine comes with a built-in wireless adapter specifically for pairing with the Controller, you can also pair other PC and gaming accessories to the Machine too.
Unsurprisingly, the Steam Machine will come equipped with SteamOS. There’s much to love about SteamOS as it’s designed to offer a plug-and-play experience without a needlessly complicated set-up. Valve also states that it’s expanding the Verified program to include ratings for Steam Machine, which means you’ll be able to see how well a game will run on before committing.
We actually have a bit more detail on what SteamOS version the Steam Machine will likely come running on. On April 10th, Steam released SteamOS 3.8.1 in beta, which is currently available for those who have opted in via their device’s Settings. The OS update includes general fixes and improvements to features, such as better support for screencasts in Game Mode and resolved issues in certain titles where the game window would have an incorrect position or could crash. However, what’s really caught our attention is the addition of “Initial support for upcoming Steam Machine hardware” listed in its feature updates.
With this in mind, it certainly seems as if we’re edging closer to the launch of Steam Machine, as Steam’s latest OS offers support for the hardware. However, remember this software update is still in beta and we don’t know when it’ll become readily available.
While Valve has stated that it’s expanding the Verified program to include ratings for Steam Machine, we don’t have a direct list of titles. However, one title that has particularly drummed up attention is the possibility of the long-awaited sequel to 2004’s Half-Life 2: Half-Life 3.
Although former Valve writer Chet Faliszek stated he had “no interest” in working on Half-Life 3, there are still plenty of rumours surrounding the possibility that the title will launch for Steam Machine. As exciting as this rumour is, we should disclaim that this is pure speculation at this point.
The Steam Machine is already set to be one of the most exciting gaming launches of 2026, thanks to its impressive specs, fuss-free design and a generous selection of connectivity ports.
However, as its exact price is still at large, it’s looking likely to end up being a pricey PC, it’s difficult to determine just how appealing the Steam Machine really is. With this in mind, we’ll have to wait until its official launch to see whether the price is right. While we patiently wait for more updates, visit our guide to the best game consoles to see our current favourites.
Opinion
Most consumer-grade night vision devices are basically a standard camera without the usual filter to block near infrared (NIR) light, which are then paired with a NIR light source that’s not visible to the human eye. Unlike the passive night vision provided by a photomultiplier tube, these can’t resolve objects beyond the beam of their illumination source. On the other hand, if, as [Project 326] did, you use an infrared laser to illuminate the scene, you can still get a very long range out of these devices.
[Project 326]’s device consists of a previously-built reflecting telescope focusing a distant scene in to a webcam with the infrared filter removed, with the infrared laser illuminating the scene. Finding a suitable laser took some effort: the first option, a secondhand fiber-coupled industrial laser, was accidentally over-volted and destroyed during testing. The second had a fiber output which proved extremely hard to terminate, and a third laser couldn’t be collimated correctly. The final laser was a Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VSEL) diode array element driven at about two Watts and collimated by a small lens.
This illumination setup is safe at a long range, but only at a long range. The laser was strong enough to burn cardboard at close range, but out at about 500 meters, the beam had spread until it was less than a hundredth of the standard safety limit. To make sure that nothing else would get in the way of the beam, it was shone down from the top of a tall building. Testing with a power meter also showed that at a long range, the beam was weaker than expected. It turned out that the wavelength used (940 nm) is attenuated by water vapor, to the point that up to 70% of the beam’s strength was lost before reaching the target. Despite this, and despite a rather linear beam profile, a somewhat dark image was still visible at 650 meters.
If you’re looking for a somewhat more versatile long-range night vision device, check out one based on a photomultiplier tube. Another approach is to use a very high-sensitivity camera.
Thanks to [Keith Olson] for the tip!
Current users reach for this tablet first thing in the morning and keep it close until lights out. The 11th generation iPad brings the A16 chip, priced at $299 (was $349), into the mix, and the difference shows up right away in how quickly apps open and switch. Scrolling through photos, editing a quick document, or jumping between notes and a browser feels immediate, without any lag that pulls you out of the moment.
Screen size lands at a comfortable eleven inches, measured diagonally across a sharp Liquid Retina panel. Colors look natural under different room lights thanks to True Tone, and brightness hits enough nits to stay clear even near a sunny window. Whether watching a show on a long flight or reading an article in bed, the display draws you in without tiring the eyes after hours of use.
Sale
Even if you use it heavily, the battery will easily last the entire day. You can watch movies, check your email, sketch up ideas, and still have enough juice for some nighttime reading. The capacity works out to roughly twenty-nine watt-hours, which translates to practical endurance that matches how most folks actually spend their time with a tablet.
The A16 chip is more than capable of handling daily tasks. So, whether you’re using many apps at once or doing something more demanding, everything works smoothly as silk. Even photo changes and video clips seem faster than you’d expect from a tablet like this. Casual games also load quickly and play smoothly, allowing you to use it for genuine work when the first joy of unwrapping has gone off.
Both the front and back cameras are 12 megapixels, and the front one does an excellent job of keeping you in focus during video conversations. The back camera may capture clear photos of whiteboards, receipts, or even family interactions, as well as video suitable for a quick social media post. These cameras simply perform what most people expect from a tablet camera, without going overboard.
Accessories transform this item into a completely new tool. Use the Apple Pencil, either the new USB-C version or the old one with its simple adaptor, and writing or drawing becomes effortless. The Magic Keyboard Folio transforms the iPad into a full-fledged portable workstation, ideal for those extended typing sessions. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 provide up-to-date connectivity, allowing you to quickly get files and downloads while keeping your wireless accessories linked. Because it is USB-C, you can charge it with a single cable and transfer files to a laptop if necessary.
The Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual 9-Quart Air Fryer is an excellent choice for those who love the convenience of cooking two different types of foods at different temperatures. No more waiting for one item to finish baking so you can take it out and load in the second item, or resorting to using another appliance to cook the rest of your meals at the same time. Having presets for some of the most popular foods are an additional convenience that takes the guesswork out of preparing meals. However, if you tend to make a lot of food, the two 4.5-quart baskets may be too small for your needs. And if you need a temperature that exceeds 400 degrees, this may not be the air fryer for you.
Two air fry baskets
Cook two foods at different temperatures
Eight presets
Shake/flip reminders at halfway point
No window to view cooking progress in the 9-quart model
Max temperature is 400°F
Dual baskets
Cook meat on one side, and veggies on the other, at different temperatures – and have them finish cooking at the same time.
Shake/flip reminders
If you’re not paying attention to the countdown timer, the air fryer beeps when it’s time to shake or flip food – with separate reminders for each basket.
Air fryers are quite a life-changing invention. (Okay, I’m sure they said that about regular ovens, and microwaves as well.) The ability to cook a complete meal in a small box that sits on your countertop, instead of having to heat up an entire oven (and your kitchen) is not only more convenient, but also faster. There’s only one thing that has kept air fryers from being perfect: if you’re preparing two types of foods, you’ll either need to crank up the regular oven, use the microwave, or wait until your air fryer finishes with the first item, and then insert the second one.
Admittedly, there are air fryers with dividers for cooking two meals at the same time, for example, back in 2023, my colleague David Ludlow, reviewed the highly-rated Ninja Foodi FlexDraw Air Fryer, which uses a removable divider. However, if you prefer a slightly smaller (9-quart vs 10-quart) option with two separate baskets, the Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual Air Fryer is definitely worth a look. The two baskets can cook two foods at different temperatures and times, or you can sync the baskets to mirror each other, and/or sync them to finish at the same time. Combined with the presets and user-friendly design, this air fryer is a winner.
The Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual 9-Quart Air Fryer arrived in a brown cardboard box, and inside of that, a white, branded cardboard box with a convenient carry handle on top, which made it much easier to transport the appliance up the stairs to the kitchen. The air fryer is 20” W x 13” H x 10” D. It’s bigger than the average air fryer – but since it has dual baskets, that’s to be expected. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it’s not heavy, weighing only 16.3 pounds.
The air fryer consists of the main body, 2 baskets with handles, and 2 basket racks. There’s also a quick start guide and a user manual.
The control/display panel is easy to read and very user-friendly. It includes general selections, and also specific selections for each basket.
The general controls are as follows:
The Start/Stop button is used for both baskets. If only using one basket, the number (1 or 2) will be illuminated.
The Cooking Preset buttons will automatically set both the time and temperature for 8 foods (which are displayed as icons): fries, chicken, fish, bacon, burgers, steak, vegetables, and shrimp.
The Sync Baskets button programs both baskets to cook at the same time and temperature.
The Sync Finish button ensures that the two baskets finish at the same time, even if they have different cooking times and/or temperatures.
Each basket also has its own controls:
The Time/Temp buttons select the time and temperature.
The + and – buttons are used to increase or decrease the time and temperature.
The Shake Lights illuminate at the halfway point as a reminder to shake the basket or flip/turn the contents.
The Running Lights illuminate when the basket is in use.
I only had one concern with the design of the Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual 9-Quart Air Fryer: There’s no window, so I couldn’t view my food to see how it was progressing (without pulling out the baskets). However, Chefman also makes two 6-quart models – one with a window, and one without it.
Although the Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual 9-Quart Air Fryer tested nearly flawlessly, I discovered that the maximum temperature is 400°F.
Initially, I didn’t think this was such a big deal. However, after perusing some of my other air fryer reviews, I noticed that when I air-fried wings in the Chef iQ MiniOven, the instructions were to set the temperature to 450°F. The Ninja French Door Premium Air Fryer Oven Toaster recommends setting the temp to 450°F when making Cheesy Bread with Marinara Sauce, and Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza.
However, I don’t think any of the foods that I tested in the Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual 9-Quart Air Fryer suffered from being cooked at a lower temperature, although it probably increased the cooking times. However, I wanted to bring this to your attention, in case the temperature range is a factor that you consider when choosing an air fryer.
In my first test, I cooked steak-cut fries in the left basket at 400°F for 20 minutes, and chicken breast in the right basket at 375°Ffor 30 minutes. I used the presets for Fries and Chicken (adjusting accordingly), and chose the Sync Finish setting. The Sync Finish delays the start time on the basket with the shorter cooking time – in this case, the fries.
At the halfway point for each (which was at different times), the Shake lights came on (not that I saw them since I wasn’t standing close by), and the air fryer also beeped, which I did hear. I flipped the fries, and later, I turned the chicken over. (Note: the shake lights and beep will occur regardless of what you’re cooking. If you don’t need to shake, flip, or turn anything over, you can just ignore the alerts.)
The fries came out perfectly. They were slightly crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside.
The chicken was very crispy around the edges, but moist and tender on the inside. Both baskets have a removable basket rack (with a center grip bar that makes it easy to remove). One advantage of the racks is that they keep food off the bottom of the basket – which means that oil drains off, so food is not greasy.
If you look at the photos, sometimes, the control panel displays the remaining time, sometimes it displays the temperature, and other times, it displays the status lights. That’s because every few seconds, the controls cycle through each of the indicators. And they don’t necessarily sync, so you may see the temperature on the left side, and the remaining time on the right side.
In my second test, I air fried chicken legs in the left basket, and tossed some frozen veggies in the right basket. I selected the Chicken and Veggies presets, adjusted accordingly, and selected Sync Finish. As you can see, one basket can easily hold four legs.
The chicken legs cooked perfectly, and they were tender and delicious.
However, the veggies were rather dry (I knew this was a possibility, but wanted to test my theory), and a few of the veggies were singed.
In another test, I cooked frozen Alaskan Seafood coho salmon in one of the baskets. It cooked perfectly, and was so soft that it fell apart when I tried to pick it up.
On another occasion, I toasted bread. One of my concerns with having 2 baskets that were only 4.5 quarts each was that some families would find it too small to hold enough bread. However, I was able to fit 2 slices of bread into each basket. And since they were both cooking for the same time and at the same temperature, I selected Sync Baskets.
The toast in both baskets came out perfectly browned and was slightly crunchy. In the photo above, I flipped one piece of toast so you can see the other side.
No test is complete without testing the air fryer’s ability to make cookies. TheNestle Tollhouse Cookies came out crunchy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside.
In another test, I cooked chicken wings. I was able to put 10 wings in one basket, with room enough for several more. The chicken wings came out well. They were crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and quite flavorful.
Cleanup is also relatively easy, as the nonstick baskets are dishwasher safe.
Steak and potatoes, chicken and fries, this air fryer is great for preparing two items – and you can cook them at the same or different temperatures.
While it’s a 9-quart air fryer, each basket is only 4.5 quarts, so you won’t be cooking a whole turkey or pizza.
The only thing better than one air fryer is two air fryers. Admittedly, most people complain of not having enough countertop space, so two of these appliances are impractical. However, the Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual 9 Quart Air Fryer has dual baskets – and they can operate independently, or be synced to cook at the same temperature/time and/or to finish cooking at the same time. There are eight presets: chicken, fries, burger, bacon, fish, veggies, steak, and shrimp, making it super easy to cook these popular foods. The digital display is user-friendly and easy to read.
Unlike other sites, we test every air fryer we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
It can reach 400°F, which is a little lower than the competition. That might make some food not quite as crispy and extend cooking times, but overall results in my tests were very good.
| Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual 9 Quart Air Fryer |
|---|
| Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual 9 Quart Air Fryer Review | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | – |
| Size (Dimensions) | 13.54 x 13.15 x 6.38 INCHES |
| Weight | 16.3 LB |
| Release Date | 2026 |
| First Reviewed Date | 09/04/2026 |
| Model Number | Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual 9 Quart Air Fryer |
| Accessories | Dual baskets |
| Stated Power | 1750 W |
| Number of compartments | 2 |
| Cooking modes | Eight presets |
SpaceX has raised prices on every consumer Starlink plan by $5 to $10 per month and doubled Standby Mode from $5 to $10, effective immediately for new customers and from 18 June for existing subscribers. The increases come as Starlink crosses 10 million users and SpaceX prepares for its IPO.
SpaceX has raised the price of every consumer Starlink plan in the United States, adding $5 to $10 per month across its residential and mobile tiers while doubling the cost of its budget Standby Mode from $5 to $10. The increases, which took effect immediately for new subscribers and will apply to existing customers from their next billing cycle on or after 18 June, come as SpaceX prepares for what would be the largest initial public offering in history and as its only serious competitor, Amazon’s satellite internet service, approaches commercial launch.
The new pricing touches every consumer tier except the recently introduced Roam 300GB plan, which remains at $80 per month. Residential plans, designed for fixed-location use at homes, rose across the board: the 100 Mbps tier went from $50 to $55, the 200 Mbps tier from $80 to $85, and the MAX tier, which offers the fastest available speeds, from $120 to $130. Roam plans, which allow mobile use at speeds of up to 100 mph and work across international borders, also increased: Roam 100GB moved from $50 to $55, and Roam Unlimited from $165 to $175.
The most notable change is to Standby Mode, a feature introduced in 2025 that allows subscribers to pause their active service while maintaining a minimal 500 Kbps connection for emergency use, firmware updates, and basic connectivity. At $5 per month, Standby was an attractive option for seasonal users, RV owners, and anyone who wanted to keep their Starlink hardware alive without paying for full service. At $10, the calculus shifts: the doubled price, combined with recent restrictions that removed in-motion use from Standby in March and eliminated the demand surcharge shield in April, makes the feature substantially less appealing than when it launched.
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SpaceX’s justification was terse. The company told customers in an email notification that the adjustment “supports ongoing improvements and investment in affordable, high-performance products and services as global operating costs continue to rise.”
The price increases arrive at a moment when SpaceX’s satellite internet business has never been stronger. Starlink crossed 10 million subscribers worldwide in February 2026, roughly doubling its user base in a single year. The constellation now consists of more than 10,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, representing approximately 65 per cent of all active satellites, and covers between 125 and 155 countries and territories. Revenue for 2025 reached $11.4 billion, with EBITDA margins of 63 per cent.
SpaceX’s public IPO filing targets a valuation of approximately $1.75 trillion and a raise of $75 billion, which would make it the largest public offering in history. A February 2026 all-stock merger with Elon Musk’s AI company xAI valued the combined entity at $1.25 trillion but also imported xAI’s cash burn onto SpaceX’s balance sheet for the first time, with the merged company posting a net loss of $4.94 billion in 2025 despite $18.67 billion in combined revenue.
The price increases, applied across more than 10 million accounts, could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in additional annual revenue, a meaningful contribution to the revenue growth story that SpaceX will need to tell public market investors. Notably, SpaceX actually reduced prices for its business-focused Local Priority plans earlier this month, suggesting a strategic decision to test consumer price elasticity while keeping enterprise rates competitive.
For most of its existence, Starlink has operated without meaningful competition in the consumer satellite broadband market. That is about to change. Amazon’s satellite internet service, rebranded from Project Kuiper to Amazon Leo, entered enterprise beta in April 2026 with commercial availability targeted for mid-2026. Amazon has authorisation to launch more than 3,000 broadband satellites and has signed beta partnerships with Verizon, AT&T, Vodafone, JetBlue, and NASA.
European alternatives like Eutelsat are also building competing constellations, though none has yet reached the scale or coverage that Starlink offers. The timing of SpaceX’s price increases, just months before Amazon Leo’s commercial launch, suggests either confidence that its first-mover advantage is durable or a calculation that it needs to extract maximum revenue now before competitive pressure constrains pricing.
Early analysis of the satellite broadband market projected that low-earth-orbit internet could save American consumers $30 billion a year by introducing competition into markets dominated by a single terrestrial provider. That projection assumed competitive pricing among satellite operators. If Starlink raises prices in the absence of competition and Amazon matches those prices upon launch, the savings may never materialise.
The increases are modest in isolation, $5 to $10 per month, but they follow a pattern. SpaceX has changed Starlink’s pricing, plan structure, or feature availability at least five times in 2026 alone: the Standby in-motion removal in March, the demand surcharge shield removal in April, the new Roam 300GB plan introduction in May, the business plan price decreases in May, and now the consumer price increases. The company also introduced a new travel registration policy in May requiring passport and selfie verification for international roaming.
For residential customers in areas with no terrestrial broadband alternative, the increases are an unavoidable cost of being connected. For mobile users who rely on Starlink’s Roam plans for RV travel, maritime use, or remote work, the combination of price increases and feature restrictions makes the service incrementally less attractive at a time when cellular networks are expanding rural coverage through T-Mobile and SpaceX’s own direct-to-cell partnership.
The Standby Mode doubling is particularly significant for seasonal users. At $5 per month, keeping a Starlink dish alive during the off-season was effectively a rounding error. At $10, some users may choose to cancel entirely and reactivate when needed, a process that currently carries no additional fee. SpaceX may be betting that the friction of reactivation, or the risk that it introduces one, will keep enough subscribers on Standby to justify the higher price.
The broader picture is a company that has built an extraordinary product, satellite broadband that genuinely works, delivered to 10 million people in places that no terrestrial provider had any commercial interest in serving, and that is now monetising its monopoly position before competition arrives. Whether the pricing reflects the genuine cost of maintaining and expanding a 10,000-satellite constellation or simply the leverage of being the only option, the answer for most Starlink customers is the same: there is, for now, nowhere else to go.
Sony is raising PlayStation Plus prices for new customers from May 20, adding another cost increase to an already pricey console generation. The change applies in select regions and affects the shorter subscription options.
According to PlayStation’s official post, one-month plans will start at $10.99, €9.99, or £7.99, while three-month plans will start at $27.99, €27.99, or £21.99. Current subscribers are mostly protected for now. Sony says the new pricing will not apply to existing members unless they change their plan or allow the subscription to lapse. However, subscribers in Turkey and India may also see the change.
Sony’s latest PlayStation Plus price hike appears to mainly affect Essential tier users who pay monthly or renew in shorter bursts. The monthly plan is increasing by $1, while the three-month plan is going up by $3.
Sony has blamed “ongoing market conditions,” but the timing is hard to ignore. The change comes roughly six months before GTA 6, one of the most anticipated games ever, and a title likely to bring many players back to online multiplayer.
GTA Online remains a major draw even 13 years after GTA 5 launched. A Welcome Hub widget in a PlayStation beta build reportedly showed that GTA 5 still had more than 5 million active players last week. Given GTA Online’s popularity, it likely accounted for a significant share of that activity. If GTA 6 sees a similar rush (which it likely will), many casual players may return to PlayStation Plus just to access online play. Those short-term subscribers are exactly the ones now being asked to pay more.
The response has been predictably frustrated. On Reddit and X, many players questioned why a digital subscription needs a market-conditions explanation, especially when basic features such as online multiplayer and cloud saves remain tied to PlayStation Plus Essential.
Some also speculated that Sony may be trying to offset pressure from underperforming first-party projects, including Bungie’s Marathon and Housemarque’s Saros. Sony has not said anything of the sort, so that remains criticism rather than fact.
The gaming giant has not said whether annual PlayStation Plus plans, or the Extra and Premium tiers, will see similar changes later. For now, the clearest impact is on people who subscribe in shorter bursts through the Essential tier. If your membership lapses after May 20, coming back may cost more than before.
Looking for websites where you can find apps and software that are not available on typical app stores is difficult. While searching for this, you may have come across a similar website, Softonic. But of course, such sites where you can download free software come with doubts and confusion. You are not alone in this; many people have questions about whether it is legit and is softonic safe to use.
In this blog, we will talk about its reliability, how to use it, and what you can do to stay protected from any mishaps while using Softonic.
Softonic is a website that allows people to download applications and software for computers and mobile devices. It not only offers downloads, but also describes the user reviews and ratings of that application. It also suggests alternatives when a software is not available on traditional app stores, especially for desktops.
This software directory lists apps and PC programs for multiple devices and platforms, including Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.
Yes, it feels convenient; moreover, when it’s free and away from official sources. But sometimes convenience can come at a cost.
Even in recent times, Softonic faced several backlashes and news around its free downloads coming at a cost of someone else’s (a developer’s) hard work. As Softonic is a website that allows free downloads but then fills apps with its own ads, and earns the revenue instead of the person who has actually made the app.
In April 2013, the company was accused of delivering an adware that would be installed regardless of the user’s permission. Later in May 2013, there was news that this software website was displaying a fake Flash alert that led to a fake installer download.
In October 2025, Softonic launched its security reports, stating a few safety measures:
The website claims to offer multilayer APK & binary verification thats give antivirus protection, malware and spyware detection, privacy policy review for mobile apps, and more.
Some users on Reddit reported that when they downloaded an app, they got the McAfee antivirus out of nowhere. One user labeled it as a horrible website that takes you near to downloading some sort of malware. One user said that the website itself isn’t evil.
The need for software and apps across devices, operating systems, and platforms is never-ending. And in today’s time, there are several skilled people with a lack of tools and technical expertise due to financial constraints. Websites like Softonic help them get access to various tools, applications, and software at no cost. Here is a list of alternatives to Softonic.
FileHippo offers the latest version of the best and safest software. The website claims to provide apps without bundles or any added toolbars. Also, they are malware and adware-tested. They have various categories of platforms, devices, and systems. It also keeps the older versions if you need them. Users prefer it because of its simpler and less cluttered features compared to Softonic.
It is a website that gives you a combination of downloads along with editorial reviews. It is a part of the tech site CNET. The website has different types of coupons. You can download free software for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS.
The website has the latest software with its legal and safe versions. It provides direct download links from official sources to avoid bundles or PUPs (potentially unwanted programs).
It is a two-decade-old and highly reputable software download repository that has hand-tested software for different operating systems. Particularly offers system utilities, safety tools, and freeware. It offers only 4 starter or better reviewed softwares along with resources to learn to use them.
In the case of many software, Softonic does not provide direct links from official sources, and this can be a big concern. There is a high risk of tampered files and outdated versions with vulnerabilities. You must understand these few points to consider when downloading software.
We discussed the mixed reviews and risks involved in using Softonic, but if you still choose to use it, you must gear up the defenses. It is not just about staying safe from malware, but also preventing tracking, deceptive ads, and surreptitious installers. These hints can help keep guards up against all this.
Considering the recent reports from the official website and views on public forums, Softonic is safer than it was in its initial years. The ‘Softonic Downloader’ tool was retired in 2015, with significant safety compliance on the website and updates on management of hosted content.
We also discussed some of the widely used Softonic alternatives and what you can do to use them in the safest way possible. Though this does not mean every download is risk-free. Ads that can lead to inappropriate websites are still a problem, and some files can also link you to unwanted sources. So, if your question is still, is Softonic safe? The answer is Yes, it is safe, but only if you use it cautiously.
A jury ruled unanimously Monday that Elon Musk waited too long to file his lawsuit against OpenAI, Sam Altman, and Microsoft, finding the defendants not liable on all claims after less than two hours of deliberation.
The nine-person jury found Altman, co-founder Greg Brockman, and OpenAI not liable on the breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment claims. On the same statute-of-limitations grounds, the jury rejected Musk’s claim that Microsoft aided and abetted a breach of OpenAI’s charitable trust.
The verdict, reached on the first morning of deliberations, caps a three-week trial in federal court in Oakland that drew testimony from some of the most prominent figures in the tech industry and threatened to reshape the AI landscape.
Steven Molo, a lawyer for Musk, reportedly said in court that he was preserving the right to appeal but had not yet decided how to proceed.
Microsoft’s statement: “The facts and the timeline in this case have long been clear, and we welcome the jury’s decision to dismiss these claims as untimely. We remain committed to our work with OpenAI to advance and scale AI for people and organizations around the world.”
Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 as a nonprofit dedicated to the safe development of artificial intelligence, contributing an estimated $38 million before leaving the board in 2018.
He filed suit in 2024, claiming Altman, Brockman, and others had transformed OpenAI into a for-profit venture, betraying the mission he helped fund. Microsoft, which has invested more than $13 billion in OpenAI since 2019, was later added as a defendant.
The three claims that went to trial are breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment against OpenAI, Altman, and Brockman, and aiding and abetting breach of charitable trust against Microsoft. The nine-person jury’s verdict is advisory; U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will make the final determination on liability.
The trial ran for three weeks in federal court in Oakland, with testimony from Musk, Altman, Brockman, former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott, among many other witnesses called by the parties in the case.
Internal emails, text messages, and deposition transcripts revealed the inner workings of the Microsoft-OpenAI partnership, including Nadella and other Microsoft executives weighing in on the composition of OpenAI’s board during the crisis that briefly ousted Altman as CEO in November 2023.
A central exhibit for Musk’s case was a March 2018 email in which Scott questioned whether OpenAI’s donors knew about its commercial plans, writing that he couldn’t imagine they had funded an open effort “so that they could then go build a closed, for profit thing on its back.” Microsoft went on to invest billions anyway.
Scott testified that he wrote the email as a skeptic evaluating the deal, not raising an alarm about its mission — and that he had donor Reid Hoffman, not Musk, in mind.
In closing arguments, Microsoft’s attorney Russell Cohen of Dechert told jurors the email showed only that “Microsoft took time to get answers to those questions before entering a risky and important partnership.”
A key defense argument across both closing days centered on a September 24, 2020 tweet in which Musk wrote that OpenAI had come to “seem like the opposite of open” and appeared “essentially captured by Microsoft.”
Cohen argued the post proved Musk believed his alleged promises were broken years before he filed suit — potentially putting his claims outside the three-year statute of limitations. He closed his argument by urging jurors to find the claims time-barred.
“We just ask you to remember one thing, the tweet,” Cohen said, asking them to find that the statute of limitations prevents Musk from making the claims against Microsoft.
On the opening day of trial, Microsoft and OpenAI announced an amended partnership, making Microsoft’s IP license non-exclusive, freeing OpenAI to serve products on any cloud provider, and ending Microsoft’s revenue-share payments to OpenAI. Amazon moved the next day to bring OpenAI’s models to its cloud platform.
Musk has asked the judge to remove Altman and Brockman from their roles at OpenAI, unwind the company’s 2025 conversion to a for-profit public benefit corporation, and return what he calls wrongful gains to the OpenAI nonprofit.
His damages expert initially put the combined figure as high as $134 billion. The judge questioned those numbers, and the remedies phase is being heard separately.
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