A dual United States and Estonian citizen has been extradited to the U.S. to face charges alleging he was a member of the Scattered Spider hacking collective.

19-year-old Peter Stokes (who used the online handles “Bouquet,” “Spencer,” and “Jordan”) was arrested in Finland on April 10 while attempting to board a flight to Japan at Helsinki’s airport and is accused of having helped extort millions of dollars from multiple high-profile companies worldwide.

According to court documents, Stokes was involved in at least four Scattered Spider breaches (including a March 2023 hack of an online communication platform, when he was 16 years old) that led to victim companies being asked to pay millions of dollars in ransoms.

The list of victims breached with the suspect’s help also includes an unnamed multibillion-dollar “luxury item retailer” in May 2025, when the hackers allegedly called the company’s IT helpdesk, posing as employees, to reset credentials and gain access to administrator accounts.

While the threat actors demanded an $8 million ransom, claiming to have 100 gigabytes of stolen data, the company refused to pay. However, it still incurred over $2 million due to operations disruption and remediation costs.

Stokes now faces charges of fraud, conspiracy, and computer intrusion and has remained in custody after appearing in federal court in Chicago on Tuesday.

​”The criminal complaint charges Peter Stokes with membership in Scattered Spider, a hacking group that has been involved in over 100 network intrusions, resulting in more than $100 million in ransom payments and millions more in damages to the victims,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva on Wednesday.

“Scattered Spider has repeatedly targeted U.S. companies, extorting employees, inflicting millions of dollars in losses, and disrupting essential operations,” added Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division.

Scattered Spider (also tracked as 0ktapus, Octo Tempest, Scatter Swine, UNC3944, and Muddled Libra) emerged in 2022 as a loosely knit hacking collective mainly composed of teenagers and young adults from the United States and Great Britain.

They are known for using a blend of social engineering, targeted multi-factor authentication (MFA) bombing (aka MFA fatigue), and SMS credential phishing attacks to steal user credentials and sensitive documents for extortion leverage after breaching their targets’ networks.

According to prosecutors, they commonly use the Genymobile Android emulator during their MFA attacks and have also deployed DragonForce encryptor in ransomware attacks against UK retail companies.

Scattered Spider’s list of victims includes many high-profile organizations, including Caesars, MGM Resorts, Riot Games, DoorDash, Reddit, MailChimp, Twilio, Allianz Life, Transport for London (TfL), multiple UK retailers such as Co-op, Marks & Spencer (M&S), and Harrods, and, more recently, WestJet and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

Security teams log 54% of successful attacks and alert on just 14%. The rest move through your environment unseen.

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Apple appears to be growing increasingly confident in its first foldable iPhone. A new report claims the company has raised its production plans for the long-rumoured iPhone Fold to 10 million units for the remainder of 2026.

That’s according to Nikkei Asia, which previously reported that Apple was targeting between seven and eight million foldable iPhones this year. The new figure aligns more closely with an earlier 11 million-unit claim from leaker Digital Chat Station.

If the latest estimate proves accurate, it could signal that Apple is preparing for a much bigger launch than many expected.

Previous rumours suggested manufacturing challenges around the foldable display, hinge and internal circuit board could limit production. However, increasing orders would indicate those issues may now be under control.

The report also offers another clue about timing. Since the 10 million figure covers Apple’s 2026 production plans, it adds weight to speculation that the iPhone Fold could still debut alongside the rest of the iPhone lineup in September instead of slipping into 2027. Some rumours have suggested it could be delayed. That said, Apple could still unveil the device this year and delay shipments until later if production runs into problems.

The looks, for instance, are just distinct enough from the usual ‘cylinder of sound’ design to stand out in a showroom. The specification, which includes a 38mm mid/high driver angled to fire upwards through the top of the cabinet, promises authentic spatial audio performance where many a rival relies on digital sound processing in an effort to achieve the effect. And the appearance of Alexa+ as a voice assistant marks the first time a non-Amazon product is using the technology.

Get ready to navigate a free-for-all of social media handles.

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Opera has introduced Paste Protect, a security feature designed to block ClickFix-style attacks that trick users into executing malicious commands through social engineering.

ClickFix is a widely used technique where victims are deceived into copying dangerous code or commands to the clipboard and then executing them in the command-line interface.

Typically, the ruse is a verification process or some form of problem-fixing instructions. However, they are only designed to trick the target into performing dangerous actions.

The commands execute with the user’s privileges, bypassing existing security defenses, and many times lead to the delivery of information-stealer malware.

The method is to popular with threat actors that Apple recently introduced a security feature designed specifically to detect risky pastes in the Terminal and block them before alerting the user.

Opera’s approach with Paste Protect is similar: it blocks harmful commands before they are copied to the browser clipboard.

The new security mechanism leverages Hijack protection, introduced in 2021, which can detect attempts from external applications to replace copied content (e.g., URLs or bank account numbers) with malicious alternatives, as well as a new component called Injection protection.

Injection protection blocks potentially harmful commands before they reach the clipboard, regardless if the action is initiated by the user or a website they visit.

Opera says it uses platform-specific detection rules to scan copied content for patterns commonly associated with malicious scripts and commands, supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux.

When Paste Protect detects suspicious clipboard content, it blocks the copy operation, displays a warning, and shows a red security indicator in the browser’s address bar.

“If a potential threat is detected, the copy action is automatically blocked,” describes Opera.

“You’ll see a popup explaining what happened, and a red warning icon will appear in the address bar.”

In such cases, users can view the first 120 characters of the blocked script, and they can approve the process of copying it after a 5-second timeout.

Users will also have the option to create allow-lists with trusted websites to minimize the friction from repeated blocks by Opera’s new security system.

“If you really know what you’re doing, for example if you’re a developer who regularly copies scripts or commands from trusted sources like GitHub, you can also set trusted websites where it’s allowed to copy scripts by selecting “Always allow from this site” in the popup,” explained Opera.

Paste Protect is enabled by default in the latest Opera release, and users can manage it through Settings → Privacy & Security → Paste Protect.

As a general recommendation, users should avoid executing commands they found online that they don’t fully understand and treat all such prompts with suspicion.

Security teams log 54% of successful attacks and alert on just 14%. The rest move through your environment unseen.

The Picus whitepaper shows how breach and attack simulation tests your SIEM and EDR rules so threats stop slipping by detection.

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• Nuclear waste may become fuel for decades-long autonomous operations worldwide
• DARPA wants batteries delivering power continuously for up to 30 years
• Project Omega is converting radiation directly into usable electrical energy efficiently

Scientists working with a United States defense programme are developing compact nuclear batteries intended to supply electricity continuously for several decades.

The effort revolves around radioisotope power systems that convert radiation directly into electricity instead of storing energy through chemical reactions.

My biggest pet peeve with meeting apps is that each one has a different shortcut for muting your mic or turning off your webcam. It’s hard to remember which keys do what when you’re mid-meeting and trying to make a point or ask a question. I always wanted a physical, universal button for mute and camera control — something I could hit without thinking. Project Mirage’s Dune, a tiny, three-key aluminum keypad — about the size of a stick of gum — that plugs into your MacBook’s USB-C port, does just that.

The $119 gadget has three buttons, and it changes context based on what app you are looking at. For instance, in meeting apps and sites, it could be toggle mic, toggle video, and bring window to the front. For Excel or Sheets, it could be copy, paste, and undo. For Chrome, it could be refresh, jump to URL bar, and paste. You get the gist. Developers can also use it with apps like VS Code or GitHub to merge, approve, or close a pull request.

The startup builds each unit to match your specific Mac model, so it sits flush against the laptop with no gap underneath. If your ports are already in use, you can connect it through a dongle instead. Dune has no battery and needs no separate charger — it draws power straight from the MacBook.

Currently, the startup supports M2 Air or later and M1 Pro or later models of MacBook running macOS 15 Sequoia or a later version.

The device looks and feels nice, but I felt the keys had more resistance. Right now, it is easy to push a key by mistake. A few times, I mistakenly unmuted myself or killed my camera because my hand brushed the device while reaching for a water bottle or coffee mug. It shouldn’t be this easy to press a key.

Dune ships with a companion app for configuring shortcuts, either per-app or system-wide. Within a given app, you can assign a Dune key to a keyboard shortcut, a command, or a link that opens an app or URL.

Through the app, Dune also syncs with your calendar and surfaces your next meeting a few minutes before it starts, so you can join, dismiss, or send an “I’m running late” message with one tap.

If you want deeper customization, you can write and run your own Python script. If you don’t code, Dune has an easy integration with Claude Desktop: You describe the shortcut you want in plain language, and Claude writes it and assigns it to a key for that app — no manual setup required.

I built a shortcut that, whenever I’m on a startup’s website, pulls up a quick brief on the company: its competitors, investors, and questions I might ask if I booked a meeting with them. For anyone whose job involves sizing up companies quickly — investors, founders, operators — it’s a task tailor-made for Dune. I also built one that converts images to JPEG so I can upload them quickly to WordPress or social platforms. Both were easy to build and needed no manual configuration, though getting a shortcut fully working still takes some back-and-forth with Claude, including debugging once you actually run it.

The app also has a marketplace, from where you can explore skills made by other Dune owners. If the marketplace takes off, it could become core to Dune’s growth and retention strategy — hardware as a thin front end for a Claude-powered skills ecosystem, where each new skill gives owners one more reason to stick around.

However, at the moment, there are only limited skills. Plus, there is no way to test out a skill without assigning it to the hardware button — ideally, the app would let you preview a skill before committing it to hardware. The startup also needs to proactively add more of its own suggested skills for different apps to its users.

Project Mirage’s device retails for $149 after its introductory price expires, and it’s a solid pick for anyone productivity-minded. MuteMe covers just mute/unmute, and Stream Deck offers business-focused macros, but Dune is easier to customize on both hardware and software.

ULTRASONE has launched its largest product push to date, introducing four new wired headphones alongside the compact NAOS MICRO USB DAC. Rather than recycle one familiar platform with a new finish and some fresh adjectives, the German headphone maker is covering five distinct use cases: open-back listening, studio monitoring, compact audiophile listening, bass-heavy portable use, and better desktop or mobile source hardware.

The new lineup includes the Signature QUANTUM, Signature AERO, Signature MASTER PRO, Signature RAYVO, and NAOS MICRO. Preorders are open now, with deliveries expected to begin in September 2026. Wunderbar. The German national team probably wishes these had been available for the flight home after its rather early World Cup exit.

The Bavarian Headphone Brand That Put Space First

Founded in Bavaria in 1991, ULTRASONE has spent more than three decades building headphones for listeners who wanted something other than the familiar Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, or AKG approach. The company established itself first in professional audio and DJ circles with its HFI and PRO ranges, before moving further into high-end consumer territory with its limited-edition Edition series.

The key to the brand’s identity has always been S-Logic. Rather than placing the driver directly in front of the ear canal, ULTRASONE positions it off-center so that sound reaches the outer ear first. The idea is to use the pinna, which helps people locate voices and instruments in real space, to create a broader and more speaker-like image inside a pair of headphones. It is not a subtle design choice, and neither are the results. Some listeners love the larger, more diffuse presentation; others find it unconventional. ULTRASONE has never seemed especially troubled by that.

The company’s reputation in high-end audio was cemented by models such as the Edition 9, Edition 8, Edition 10, and later Edition 15. These were not designed to disappear into the background. They combined premium materials, ambitious pricing, and a distinctly spatial sound that made them favorites among listeners looking for an alternative to the more conventional reference headphone hierarchy. The Edition 8, introduced in 2008, became one of the company’s best-known models by proving that a luxury closed-back headphone could work both at home and on the move without looking like studio equipment borrowed from 1987.

ULTRASONE also developed its ULE, or Ultra Low Emission, shielding system, which uses mu-metal protection around the drivers to reduce electromagnetic emissions. That feature has always been part engineering, part brand signature, but it underlined the company’s willingness to pursue headphone design from angles that other manufacturers generally ignored.

Signature QUANTUM Leads the New Lineup

The Signature QUANTUM (€999) is the most clearly defined audiophile model in the group. It uses ULTRASONE’s 40mm GTC driver, previously found in the more expensive Edition 15 and Founders Series, with a gold and titanium-coated diaphragm, S-Logic5 spatial technology, and both single-ended and 4.4mm balanced LUMINOX cables in the box.

It is a closed-back, foldable design with 40-ohm impedance, 103dB sensitivity, and a claimed 6Hz–44kHz frequency response. At 364 grams without its cable, the QUANTUM is not pretending to be a featherweight travel headphone, but it is clearly intended to work beyond the listening room thanks to its passive isolation, aluminum hard case, and compact form factor.

ULTRASONE Signature QUANTUM Specs:

• Headphone type: Wired, closed-back, foldable
• Driver: 40mm GTC dynamic driver with gold-and-titanium-coated diaphragm
• Technology: S-Logic5; Symmetrical DDF; Balanced Audio
• Impedance: 40 ohms
• Sensitivity: 103dB
• Frequency response: 6Hz–44kHz
• Weight: 364g, without cable
• Ear pads/headband: Sheepskin-covered memory foam
• Cables: 3m LUMINOX 3.5mm cable with screw-on 6.35mm adapter; 1.5m LUMINOX 4.4mm balanced cable
• Other: Swivel ear cups; detachable screw-lock cable connectors; aluminum hard case

Open Back, Studio, and Bass Focused Alternatives

The Signature AERO (€399) is the open-back option, built around a 45mm graphene driver and positioned for listeners who prioritize space, air, and detail with acoustic music, jazz, classical, and more carefully recorded pop. It looks like the model most likely to appeal to existing open-back headphone listeners who want a more spacious presentation without wandering into four-figure flagship territory.

The Signature MASTER PRO (€799) takes the professional route. It features a newly developed 40mm titanium driver, LUMINOX internal wiring, and two high-end LUMINOX cables. ULTRASONE is pitching it toward engineers, producers, musicians, and studio owners who need a neutral and revealing tool for mixing, mastering, and critical listening. That is a crowded field, and it will have to earn its place against Beyerdynamic, Focal, Austrian Audio, Sennheiser, and the usual suspects who have been living in control rooms for decades.

The Signature RAYVO (€299) is the least subtle entry of the group, which is probably the point. It combines aluminum ear cups, a foldable DJ-ready chassis, S-Logic5, balanced connectivity, and a more energetic tuning intended for bass-heavy genres including electronic music, hip-hop, techno, rock, and pop. ULTRASONE is not trying to sell this one as a mastering tool. Thank heaven.

NAOS MICRO Brings Dual DAC Hardware to the Mix

The NAOS MICRO (€169) is an ultra-compact USB DAC with dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 converters, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs, PCM support up to 32-bit/384kHz, and native DSD256 compatibility. ULTRASONE also describes it as providing dedicated headphone amplification, making it more than a basic USB-C adapter for listeners using laptops, tablets, or smartphones with wired headphones.

That could make it a logical companion for the new Signature lineup, particularly for anyone who wants balanced connectivity without dragging a desktop stack into a hotel room. ULTRASONE has not yet published detailed output-power specifications or U.S. pricing, however, so the real-world driving capability remains a question worth saving for an actual test.

ULTRASONE NAOS MICRO Specs:

• Type: Compact USB DAC/headphone amplifier
• DAC section: Dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips
• Outputs: 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs
• Format support: PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz; native DSD256
• Construction: Aluminum-and-glass housing
• Intended use: Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and compact hi-fi systems
• Still unconfirmed: Price, output power into specific loads, gain settings, dimensions, weight, USB input type, and U.S. availability. 

The Bottom Line

ULTRASONE’s five-product launch is unusual because it is not built around one headphone platform dressed up for different audiences. The Signature RAYVO targets bass-heavy and DJ use, the open-back AERO focuses on spacious listening, the MASTER PRO goes after studio users, and the QUANTUM is the premium compact audiophile model. Across the range, ULTRASONE is leaning into its long-standing S-Logic spatial approach, balanced connectivity, and more specialized driver materials rather than chasing the same broad “reference” tuning with every model.

There is still plenty we do not know. The QUANTUM has the most complete specification sheet, but ULTRASONE has not yet published full technical data, U.S. pricing, or confirmed American dealer availability for the entire range. The NAOS MICRO is also intriguing, but without output-power figures it is impossible to say how it will stack up against the iFi GO bar, Questyle M15i, FiiO KA17, or Cayin RU7.

The headphone competition is equally specific. The AERO will face open-back models from Sennheiser, Meze, Beyerdynamic, and Austrian Audio; the MASTER PRO will have to contend with studio standards from Beyerdynamic, Focal, Shure, and Austrian Audio; and the QUANTUM enters a premium closed-back market dominated by Dan Clark Audio, Denon, Focal, Meze, and Audeze.

The differentiator is not merely a graphene or titanium driver. It is ULTRASONE’s attempt to offer a clearly different spatial presentation across multiple categories. Whether that translates into a real competitive advantage will depend on the tuning, comfort, durability, and how it performs.

Pricing & Availability

Preorders are available now directly from ULTRASONE, with global shipping and deliveries expected to begin in September 2026. U.S. pricing and retailer availability have not yet been announced.

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With iPhone Air 2 rumored to be less than a year away, Apple could turn to better cooling or more cameras to make the ultra-thin phone even more popular than the original. Here’s what’s been rumored, and some other possibilities.

Despite what some vocal online detractors say, iPhone Air has its fans. I’m certainly counted among them.

Early reports said Apple’s thinnest phone was a “failure” and that the second-generation was cancelled. Now that we’re three-quarters of the way through the iPhone Air first-year release cycle, it’s more evident that the phone isn’t a “failure” and a second-generation model is coming.

The iPhone Air is said to be twice as popular as the outgoing iPhone 16 Plus it replaced in the lineup. So it’s not all that shocking to see Apple doubling down on the model.

I think there are a few changes that Apple could implement to generate more fans, and based on the latest rumors, it seems Apple could be on the right track.

Here’s how my time with iPhone Air has been and what features version 2 should adopt.

iPhone Air 2 wish list

With day-to-day use, there’s not much iPhone Air falls short on. It is fast, comfortable, and the battery gets me through the day.

What I do start to notice is when I’m taxing the processor for prolonged periods of time, the top (where the guts of the phone live) can get quite hot. I know I push the phone a bit more than most people, but it’s definitely noticeable.

I know the performance can be boosted with better thermals for tasks like video exports or gaming. To combat this, Apple should add vapor chamber cooling as found on the pro line.

This would not only improve the general performance of the phone, but could help with other features, too. It’s possible that the iPhone Air lacks Cinematic Mode because of the cooling situation on the device, but unless Apple says something, we may never know.

The second thing I’d love to see is a secondary speaker. Currently, iPhone Air has a mono speaker situated at the top of the phone.

At first, I didn’t mind this. In fact, it can be beneficial at times because depending on how you hold your phone, there’s no bottom speaker to be blocked by your finger.

Watching videos in landscape on iPhone Air can be annoying with the solo speaker

Most videos I watch on mobile are vertical, while actual landscape videos I save for my iPad or television. But after a lot of recent traveling, I’ve been watching more landscape videos on my iPhone Air and that mono speaker is very noticeable.

This is also one of the most common complaints I see in the comments regarding iPhone Air. To make the second go around better, a second speaker needs to be added.

My final request is for a second camera, but not for the same reason that most others want it. Most probably want an ultra-wide lens for capturing new perspectives with photos.

On the other hand, I want the secondary camera to capture spatial content. Two cameras are necessary to capture that stereoscopic spatial footage.

For the past couple of years, I’ve captured a lot of photos and videos to use with Vision Pro. The iPhone Air lacks this capability due to its solo primary camera.

iPhone Air is a great phone, but the second-generation could be even better

Obviously the Apple Vision Pro isn’t a major hit among consumers. Spatial is something Apple is still heavily invested in, one way or another.

I want to capture spatial content now, versus in the future. These are moments and memories I can’t get back, so if I have the opportunity to capture a few spatial scenes, I want to do that.

There are questions on how this would work on the iPhone Air 2, though. Apple could adopt square sensors, like it did on the front-facing camera with the iPhone 17, but I’m getting into speculation and guessing at that point.

It could be a cool addition though, unlocking portrait or landscape recording in either phone orientation.

Release date

There are a lot of rumors around the iPhone Air 2, but it seems some of my requests may come to fruition. What will be interesting is how Apple pulls them off, such as fitting that second camera module into the plateau, as has been rumored.

Don’t expect iPhone Air 2 to be imminent though. The most recent reporting says Apple is planning a split launch for the iPhone 18 cycle.

iPhone Air has been great, but the second generation may have better battery life, a second camera, and more.

We could see iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the “iPhone Fold” in the fall of 2026, Expected in early 2027 are the iPhone 18e, iPhone 18, and iPhone Air 2 land in the first half of 2027. I think that timing makes sense and helps push earlier adopters towards the higher-tier phones.

Between improved battery, a second camera, and any other new features, the iPhone Air 2 may prove even more popular than the first time around. Sounds like we’ll find out in the spring.