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Latest Tech News

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• Google confirms that Instagram for Android is draining excessive battery power compared to similar apps
• The issue apparently lies with the standard Instagram app
• Google’s advisory urges users to fix the issue by updating their app

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Think your Android smartphone’s battery life has been dropping faster than normal recently? The culprit may have been identified.

Noticing excessive battery drain in recent weeks, Android users on Reddit have been speculating that the Instagram app is responsible. In battery drain comparisons with other apps, Meta’s social media app appeared to be consuming far more of their capacity than it should for the amount of usage.

One Redditor, using a Samsung Galaxy A53, noticed that 54 minutes of Instagram screen time used 12.4% of their battery capacity, while 49 minutes of WhatsApp screen time used only 2.4%.

Google has now stepped in to apparently confirm what many suspected. In an advisory post entitled “Battery drain on Android devices”, posted on the Android support site, a Google community manager identified Instagram as the cause of said drain, and urged Android users to immediately update their Instagram app.

How to fix the Instagram battery issue

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The latest build of the app at the time of writing (build 382.0.0.49.84) appears to resolve the issue, so if you’ve been noticing your smartphone losing battery power faster than expected, it’s well worth ensuring that you’ve downloaded this update.

Of course, there are lots of other ways to extend your battery life. These range from putting unused apps to sleep (go to Settings > Battery > Background Usage Limits) to turning on Power Saving or using Dark Mode.

So if you’re still having power problems after the update (or if you don’t even use Instagram) check out our guides below to keep things ticking along on your Android phone for as long as possible.

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Latest Tech News

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• A new leak claims the DJI Osmo 360 will be launched in July 2025
• The "DJI Osmo Nano" has mentioned in a recent FCC filing
• Tariff uncertainty could mean US launches are postponed

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DJI’s long-rumored 360 camera may be only weeks away from release – and it might not be the only action camera the brand has in store for us this summer.

In a report published today, Chinese website IT Home claims that the DJI Osmo 360, DJI’s first consumer 360 camera, will be launched in July 2025. Aside from that rather vague and tantalizing rumor, the news piece is light on new info – but given that some commentators have speculated that this camera would never see the light of day at all, it’s something.

We’ve already heard plenty of rumors about the Osmo 360, however: it was first mentioned in an FCC filing back in October 2024, with the first leaked shots hitting the internet in February 2025, followed by a claim that it would use 1/1.3-inch image sensors in March.

And then, earlier this month, dozens of images apparently showing the camera design were leaked alongside snaps of its instruction manual, which revealed details such as a 1,950mAh battery, on-board touchscreen and compatibility with the DJI Mimo mobile app.

👉To break your boredom, here are some photos of the DJI Osmo 360 prototype💁‍♂️#dji #djiosmo360 pic.twitter.com/Ywi3cChOeDMay 4, 2025

If this rumor of a July launch turns out to be true, we’d certainly welcome another challenger to take on the superb Insta360 X5.

With a full-blooded GoPro Max 2 apparently suffering repeatedly delays, and GoPro’s refreshed Max offering only modest updates over the 2020 original, Insta360 currently dominates our guide to the best 360 cameras. Some stiffer competition is sorely needed, and that's hopefully en route according to these fresh rumors.

And what of the DJI Osmo Nano?

The modular DJI Action 2: could the Osmo Nano be bringing back this approach? (Image credit: Future)

The Osmo 360 may not be DJI’s only upcoming camera launch of the summer, either. The online rumor mill is also speculating about an ultra-compact action camera called the DJI Osmo Nano, following its appearance in two listings with the FCC.

The Osmo Nano appears to be a return to the modular design of the DJI Action 2, which allowed tiny separate components to be magnetically attached to each other.

While the small size and clever design did impress, DJI subsequently abandoned the modular approach, opting for a GoPro Hero-style design with its more recent Osmo Action cameras. The Nano could be a return to that approach.

We’ve also heard that a DJI Osmo Action 6 will be released this year, replacing the superb Osmo Action 5 as the brand’s leading ‘standard’ action camera. So, it seems that DJI has a busy few months ahead of it.

One thing we do wonder about, however, is whether all (or any) of these cameras will make it to the US or not. Citing uncertainty over the tariff situation, DJI has postponed launching its new Mavic 4 Pro flagship camera drone in the States – could these action camera in line for a similar fate until some stability returns? It seems we won't have to wait long to find out.

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Latest Tech News

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• Over 1.6 million files have been discovered online by researchers
• These seem to belong to Etsy, Poshmark, and TikTok Shop customers
• Personally Identifiable Information is included

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Two apparently unsecured Azure Blob Storage containers holding a combined 1.6 million files have been discovered by CyberNews researchers, allegedly belonging to online shopping platforms Etsy, Poshmark, and TikTok Shop.

The researchers say these files contained personally identifiable information, such as full names, home addresses, email addresses, and shipping order details.

Anyone who uses these services should keep a close eye on their accounts and take a look at the best identity theft monitoring tools if they are concerned.

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Customers at risk

Both of the exposed instances “contained shipping email confirmations in HTML format,” researchers confirmed, and the vast majority of users exposed are in the United States, with some from Canada and Australia.

The exact origin or ownership of the datasets is not yet known, but the nature of the information suggests that these belonged to one particular storefront (across multiple shopping platforms), in particular a Vietnamese-based embroidery service.

It’s also not known whether cybercriminals have accessed these datasets, but only an internal forensic audit would reveal this information.

Researchers outlined the risk this brings to those exposed, such as convincing social engineering attacks from cybercriminals posing as Etsy or TikTok shop - urging customers to give their details, resulting in potential financial loss.

“With access to personal information like full names and addresses, attackers could impersonate trusted shipping providers or Etsy itself, making fraudulent communications seem more credible and urging victims to take actions such as confirming personal details, making payment, or clicking malicious links,” the researchers said.

Data leaks are unfortunately all too common for internet users today.

We recommend regularly checking whether your details have been exposed, using services like Have I Been Pwned - and monitoring your accounts, statements, and transactions - and immediately reporting any suspicious or unexpected activity with your bank or credit card provider.

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Latest Tech News

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• Each OLED pixel can be a sound source too
• No need for conventional speakers and no increase in thickness
• Could be used for in-car displays, smartphones and headsets

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For years now the TV industry has been thinking about pixels: how to make them brighter, how to make them smaller, how to put them together in the best possible way. And now there's a new push: how to make them sound.

As spotted by Science Daily, researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH for short) have created a 13-inch OLED panel where every pixel makes sound as well as light.

And that tech could one day deliver multi-channel sound with incredible precision – without requiring speaker drivers.

Pixels should be heard as well as seen

(Image credit: Wiley / POSTECH )

As Science Daily reports (hat tip to Notebookcheck), the team have called their invention 'Pixel-Based Local Sound OLED technology'. And as they explain, the problem with TV audio is that it's really hard to get accurate positional sound with conventional speakers.

"The core issue is that traditional exciters – devices that vibrate to produce sound – are large and heavy, making it difficult to deploy multiple units without interference or compromising the OLED's thin design," the researchers say. "Additionally, sound crosstalk between multiple speakers leads to a lack of precise control over localized audio."

Their solution was to embed piezo-electric exciters within the OLED display frame. "These piezo exciters, arranged similarly to pixels, convert electrical signals into sound vibrations without occupying external space. Crucially, they are fully compatible with the thin form factor of OLED panels."

That enables each pixel to become an independent sound source, and the team says that they were able to completely eliminate crosstalk – so that sounds coming from different parts of the display didn't interfere with one another.

The applications of the technology go beyond TVs. One suggestion is that in-car displays could send different audio to different people, for example by giving vocal directions to the driver while the passenger listens to music. And in phones or headsets the audio could change as the head, hand or device moves.

According to Professor Su Seok Choi, "This technology has the potential to become a core feature of next-generation devices, enabling sleek, lightweight designs in smartphones, laptops, and automotive displays – while delivering immersive, high-fidelity audio."

The "has the potential" bit is key, however: this is a proof of concept, not a product – and there's a big difference between producing audio and producing excellent audio. And of course what works in a 13-inch prototype may prove much more difficult to achieve in panels of larger sizes.

There's also the question of cost – so while the announcement is definitely exciting I think the best soundbars can breathe easy for a good few years yet.

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Latest Tech News

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• Apple may be developing a dedicated gaming app for iOS, macOS and more
• The app will contain things like achievements, leaderboards and messages
• It could be announced at WWDC in June

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For years, Apple has been trying to convince the world that it’s taking gaming seriously, and with the popularity of IOS gaming and the appearance of AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 on macOS, there’s some truth to the company’s assertion.

Just in case you needed more convincing, there’s a new rumor from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman that Apple will soon launch a dedicated gaming app in iOS 19 to woo players to its platforms. As a Mac-owning gamer, I'm cautiously optimistic about the rumors – even if we still need more affordable hardware and games before it gets anywhere close to being a Windows competitor.

If you missed the news, the app will apparently “serve as a launcher for titles and centralize in-game achievements, leaderboards, communications and other activity,” Gurman said, adding that it will also feature “editorial content from Apple about new titles, offer access to the App Store’s game section and promote [Apple] Arcade.” It’s expected to be revealed on iOS, macOS, iPadOS and tvOS as soon as Apple’s WWDC 2025 event on June 9.

The move makes sense – after all, the iPhone is a phenomenally popular gaming platform, and announcing a move like this at WWDC could help to cement the popularity of iOS 19 before it’s even out the door. Apple might also be hoping that it will tempt more gamers to switch from Windows to the Cupertino firm’s platforms – but on this point, I’m not entirely convinced.

Destination of choice for gamers

(Image credit: Apple)

This app might work well in iOS 19, where gaming tends to be a little more casual than on desktop computers. But things might look very different on macOS.

As a gamer who also owns a Mac, I’ve been encouraged over the last few years by Apple’s strides in the gaming world. It’s nowhere near parity with Windows yet, but the situation today is much better than it was just a few years ago.

For a long time, the problem was the chicken-and-egg nature of Mac gaming. Gamers didn’t want to switch to macOS due to the lack of games, and developers didn’t want to bring games to the Mac due to the lack of players. That’s slowly starting to change, with big-name titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Baldur’s Gate 3 helping to dispel the idea that the Mac is a gaming wasteland.

However, the impact of a dedicated gaming app will likely be limited. Beyond my contention that gamers care more about hardware and game availability than launcher apps, Gurman is also skeptical, saying that “testers of the software say it probably won’t change the perception among players and makers of high-end titles.”

Any advance for gaming on Apple’s platforms is welcome in my eyes, and this app could help by making gaming more prominent among users of iOS and macOS. But what’s really needed – on the Mac at least – is a greater number of attention-grabbing titles and more affordable access to components that offer exceptional gaming performance.

Until that happens, Windows will always be the destination of choice for gamers.

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Latest Tech News

At first, I wasn’t sold on the idea of titanium being used in phone chassis, dismissing it as a bit of a marketing gimmick rather than a truly useful feature. But then I spent time with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and then their successors, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra, made me a titanium convert

My 180-degree turn in opinion about titanium stems from my habit of not using cases for flagship phones, as part of my appreciation for slick industrial design. This doesn't mix with an inherent clumsiness and bad luck that often sees these expensive phones take a plunge towards hard floors and surfaces in one way or another.

Those with a stainless steel chassis would tend to chip, dent, and scratch, but the aforementioned titanium-sporting phones benefit hugely from the toughness of the metal and basically shrug off the accidental battering I give them.

So it’s my hope that more phones, including the likely upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 make use of titanium.

However, despite its toughness and relative lightness, the rumored iPhone 17 Air will eschew titanium for an aluminium frame, all with the idea of maximising thinness and lightness. We’ve heard this rumor a few times, with the latest tip coming from the Korean-language yeux112‘s blog.

The blog, which supposedly has insider or supply chain information, claims aluminum will be used for the frame of the iPhone 17 Air, as toughness takes a back seat in favour of lightness.

Leaving me alumi-numb

(Image credit: Future)

Having recently been at a wedding, I’m all for thinner and lighter phones that can help me avoid unwanted bulges in my suit (stop laughing at the back). But I don’t want this to come at the expense of toughness, so the idea of aluminum in the iPhone 17 Air has me raising a wary eyebrow.

I also rather like the heft of iPhones; there’s just something reassuringly solid and premium with the older Pro models and their stainless steel chassis.

I’ve since embraced titanium for the larger Max phones as the lighter weight makes the larger phones easier to handle one-handed. But much lighter would run the risk of making these flagship Apple phones feel potentially cheaper than their list prices.

That being said, Apple can still be innovative from time to time, and I’d not be surprised if the Cupertino crew is working on some form of alloy or design that’ll thread the line between a super-light and thin phone and one that’ll not be ruined by the odd fall.

We’ve seen Apple do that with its Ceramic Shield glass, so perhaps we could see the advent of ‘Aluminium Armor’ with the iPhone 17 Air; time will tell, and it'll likely be at a September Apple event.

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Latest Tech News

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• Sekoia researchers warn of new ViciousTrap botnet
• So far, it compromised more than 5,000 dated Cisco routers
• The devices are vulnerable to an old improper validation bug

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A high-severity vulnerability plaguing old Cisco routers is being used to build a malicious, global botnet, experts have warned.

Cybersecurity researchers Sekoia published an in-depth report on the threat actor - dubbed ViciousTrap - which is using a vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-20118, to target Cisco Small Business RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers.

This flaw, found in the web-based management interface, allows an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device, made possible due to improper validation of user input within incoming HTTP packets.

PolarEdge's little brother

Unfortunately, Cisco won’t be patching the bug since the affected devices are past their end-of-life date, WNE Security reported.

The vulnerability allowed ViciousTrap to execute a shell script named NetGhost, “which redirects incoming traffic from specific ports of the compromised router to a honeypot-like infrastructure under the attacker's control allowing them to intercept network flows,” Sekoia explained.

So far, almost 5,300 devices, found in 84 countries around the world, were assimilated into the botnet. The majority of the victims are located in - Macau (850).

This is not the first time Sekoia is ringing the alarm on CVE-2023-20118. In late February 2025, TechRadar Pro reported Sekoia was warning about a botnet named PolarEdge, using the same vulnerability to target a range of devices from Cisco, ASUS, QNAP, and Synology. At the time, roughly 2,000 devices were said to have been affected.

For ViciousTrap’s work, all exploitation attempts came from a single IP address, the researchers further discovered, stating that the attacks started in March 2025. It was also said the threat actors repurposed an undocumented web shell previously used in PolarEdge attacks.

Although these things are always difficult to confirm, Sekoia believes the attackers are Chinese in origin.

Via The Hacker News

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Latest Tech News

Today, TCL announced pricing and availability for its new QM8K series mini-LED TVs. The latest models replace last year’s flagship TCL QM851G, one of the best TVs TechRadar tested in 2024, and provide “up to 35% more dimming zones and up to 65% higher peak brightness” than the mid-range TCL QM7K series, according to the company.

The new TVs will be sold in 65- to 98-inch screen sizes, with the 65- and 85-inch models available now, and the 75- and 98-inch models arriving next month. Pricing for the QM8K series is as follows:

• 65-inch QM8K: $2,299.99
• 75-inch QM8K: $2,999.99
• 85-inch QM8K: $3,799.99
• 98-inch QM8K: $6,499.99

A key feature of the QM8K series is TCL’s new CrystGlow WHVA Panel with ZeroBorder. This new panel design boasts an anti-reflective coating to reduce screen glare along with an ultra-wide viewing angle that TCL claims “virtually eliminates color shift, with a 40% wider color viewing angle” than last year’s QM851G series.

ZeroBorder refers to the vanishingly narrow 3-4mm width between the TV’s edge and the display in the QM8K series, a design feature that TCL achieved using a one-piece aerospace-grade aluminum alloy mold and anodized ceramic film to stabilize the display panel.

Another QM8K feature is TCL’s Halo Control System. This uses a new “Super High Energy” LED chip, along with a “Super Condensed” micro lens, 23-bit backlight controller, and a Dynamic Light Algorithm to enhance color accuracy and reduce mini-LED backlight “halo” artifacts. Helping in this regard is the increased number of backlight local dimming zones in the QM8K series, with up to 3,500 in the 98-inch model.

TCL QM8K series TVs have a 144Hz native refresh rate and FreeSync Premium Pro for gaming. They support both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats and feature Audio by Bang & Olufsen, with upfiring drivers in the TV to deliver Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X sound.

Google TV is used in the QM8K series as a smart TV platform, and it features an enhanced GUI, hands-free voice control, and an Art Mode with AI Art. QM8K series TVs also feature a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner for NextGen TV broadcasts.

Ultra-wide viewing angle: a welcome addition

A new ultra-wide viewing angle feature in the QM8K series could make it a perfect TV for sports viewing (Image credit: Future)

One of the biggest weaknesses of mini-LED and regular LED TVs is off-axis uniformity. This essentially means that both picture contrast and colors shift when viewing the TV from off-center seats, so that a viewer seated anywhere other than directly in front of the screen will experience reduced picture quality.

When I reviewed the TCL QM851G, I found its picture quality to be fantastic overall, with one main exception: off-axis uniformity. To quote from the review, the QM851G’s “colors and contrast were both diminished when viewing from far off-center seats.” This was the key reason I gave it a 4.5 instead of a 5-star rating for picture quality, and it was the one point that held it back from getting a full endorsement as a recommended TV for sports viewing.

The best OLED TVs don’t suffer from the same off-axis uniformity issue, and some of the best mini-LED TVs also implement features to expand the viewing angle. TCL’s specs for the QM8K indicate that it will have a 40% wider viewing angle, so I’m hopeful this new model will provide a vast improvement when it comes to off-center viewing.

TechRadar will soon be reviewing the TCL QM8K, so we’ll have more to say about the matter very shortly.

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