Anthropic has restored customer access

iPhone, iPad, and Mac owners, it’s time for another update. As usual, this one is designed to resolve a number of security vulnerabilities. And though none have yet been exploited by attackers, you’ll still want to update your device. A few of the patches address bugs in the OS kernel, while most focus on security flaws in Apple’s WebKit browser engine. To update, head to Settings (System Settings on a Mac), select General, and then select Software Update. Download and install the latest update for your device. ZD Net

The extent of Sony’s marketing alliance with Rockstar on GTA 6 is gradually beginning to emerge, and it’s looking like a full-blown collaboration between the pair. After initially declaring the anticipated open world “plays best” on PS5 via the PS Blog, now the developer itself has started using the slogan on its social media accounts. A new post, encouraging you to “pre-order now on PS5” includes an image of the game’s cover art and a custom logo saying ‘Plays Best on PS5’. PushSquare

Fiat will launch a new tiny four-seat EV called the Multiplina, which will feature retro styling cues and be around the same size as the 1950s 500, as part of its continued focus on small vehicles. The new urban runabout has been previewed with the Multiplina Concept, shown during a micromobility event at the Vatican City. The 2028 production version will sit above the Italian firm’s current two-seat Topolino but below the current Fiat 500 and the affordable electric city car due to be shown later this year. Autocar 

The competition watchdog has launched an in-depth investigation into Virgin Media O2’s £2bn bid to take on BT in the broadband market. In a complex deal, VMO2’s parent companies – Liberty Global and Telefónica – plan to take control of Netomnia, which is the second-largest “alt-net” in the UK, covering around three million homes. The transaction has been struck through the companies’ joint venture Nexfibre, which is also backed by the French private equity firm InfraVia. Telegraph 

Retailers including Amazon, Argos and Currys have been found to advertise e‑scooters for use on public roads and paths, despite this being against UK law. An investigation from the Press Association (PA) found major brands and independent sellers were promoting their use on the roads. But only rented e-scooters can legally be ridden on roads, cycle paths and in parks in the UK. Privately-owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. BBC 

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O2 has issued an urgent warning to consumers regarding a new phishing scam that attempts to steal login credentials by impersonating the telecommunications provider.

The fraud involves messages claiming that a customer’s SIM card is about to be deactivated for failing to sign updated terms and conditions.

The messages direct recipients to a sophisticated, fraudulent website designed to mimic a legitimate O2 portal. Once there, victims are prompted to “log in” to accept the terms, providing scammers with the necessary usernames and passwords to gain unauthorised access to the customer’s MyO2 account.

An example of the deceptive text reads: “O2UK: IMPORTANT: Your SIM Card(s) will be inactive on 04/06/2026, because you have NOT signed our Terms and Conditions. Logon [site removed] to sign”.

While Virgin Media O2 has already blocked over one billion scam messages and continues to restrict access to known fraudulent URLs, the company warns that scammers are constantly evolving their tactics.

This initiative to protect consumers was recently discussed during a meeting between major UK telecoms providers, including Virgin Media O2, BT/EE, and VodafoneThree and the Minister for Fraud, Lord Hanson of Flint.

Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasised the growing sophistication of these criminal efforts, noting the use of increasingly believable, urgent requests.

Mackenzie urged the public to remain vigilant and reminded customers that reporting suspicious activity is crucial in helping the company act faster to shut down scams at their source.

How to protect yourself from scams

• Verify before acting: O2 will not contact you via text to request that you sign updated Terms and Conditions to avoid SIM deactivation.

• Ignore urgent pressure: Be extremely cautious of messages that use threatening or highly urgent language intended to force a quick reaction.

• Check the source: Genuine messages from O2 often appear under a verified “O2” contact name on many smartphones, rather than coming from a standard mobile number.

• Avoid suspicious links: Never click on links in unexpected texts. Instead, visit the MyO2 app directly or call 202 from an O2 device to verify any account requests.

• Report the fraud: Forward any suspicious messages to 7726, the official reporting service used by telecoms providers to investigate and block malicious numbers.

• Act if compromised: If you believe you have entered your details into a fake site, change your account password immediately.

• Stay informed: For further advice on protecting yourself from fraud, visit the government’s “Stop! Think Fraud!” national awareness campaign.

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Kia has announced the introduction of a new “Storm” trim level for its EV5 and Sportage models, bridging the gap between the existing “GT-Line” and “GT-Line S” variants.

The new special edition trim integrates a range of premium features as standard across both model lines, including an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, heated and ventilated front seats, a memory-function driver’s seat and customisable ambient lighting.

Exterior updates for the Storm models include new alloy wheel designs and full LED lighting, with the EV5 also gaining an exclusive Dark Ocean Blue exterior paint option. Pricing for the Sportage Storm starts at £34,395 for the 1.6-litre internal combustion engine manual model and rises to £37,895 for the hybrid version.

The EV5 Storm is priced at £43,145 on-the-road. Order books for all these new variants open today, 1 July 2026, with customer deliveries expected to begin later this year.

Expanded EV5 powertrain options

Alongside the introduction of the Storm trim, Kia is diversifying its EV5 line-up by adding an all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain option for the “GT-Line” and “GT-Line S” grades.

This new dual-motor configuration adds an induction motor to the rear axle, increasing total power output to 261bhp compared to the 214bhp found in the front-wheel drive model.

Kia claims this update improves performance, reducing the 0-to-62mph time from 8.4 seconds to 7.4 seconds, while simultaneously boosting maximum braked towing capacity to 1,800kg.

Despite these mechanical changes, the AWD models retain the standard 81.4kWh battery pack, ensuring that charging performance – such as the ability to achieve a 10-to-80% charge in 30 minutes – remains consistent with the rest of the range.

The EV5 GT-Line AWD is priced from £45,645, while the top-tier GT-Line S AWD starts at £50,145. 

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Nissan has bolstered its electric vehicle offering in the UK with the launch of a new 52kWh battery option for its all-new, third-generation LEAF.

Available to order from today, July 1st, 2026, the latest addition to the range aims to provide a highly competitive entry point into the EV market, priced from £28,849 inclusive of the government’s £3,750 Electric Car Grant.

Building on the success of the 75kWh version introduced earlier this year, the 52kWh variant offers a range of up to 280 miles (WLTP) on a single charge. Nissan highlights this model as one of the most efficient electric vehicles currently available in the UK, boasting a leading miles-per-kWh ratio.

Production of the right-hand drive LEAF is officially underway at Nissan’s Sunderland manufacturing facility. This development reinforces the role of the Sunderland plant as a cornerstone of the company’s EV36Zero project, which aims to integrate electric vehicle production, renewable energy and battery assembly.

“We are excited to introduce the new 52kWh battery option on the All-New Nissan LEAF,” says Aditya Moorthy, Product Manager at NMGB. “Designed for everyday driving, it combines confident electric performance with the comfort, technology and practicality customers expect from the LEAF nameplate.”

The new battery configuration is available in two trim levels: Engage, starting at £28,849, and Advance, starting at £30,849. Both trims come well-equipped, featuring dual 12.3-inch displays, an 11kW onboard charger, and Nissan’s signature e-Pedal step technology.

Stepping up to the Advance trim introduces more premium features, including a heated steering wheel and front seats, a dimming panoramic sunroof and the integration of Google Built-in technology.

The LEAF, which made its debut in 2010 as the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle, has seen over 700,000 units sold globally. The current generation has already garnered significant industry recognition, including being named the 2026 Auto Express Car of the Year and the Supreme Winner at the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year 2026 awards.

With production ramping up in the North East, the first units of the 52kWh LEAF are expected to reach UK dealerships later this summer.

52kWh LEAF is available in the following grades:

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Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil its highly anticipated first foldable iPhone this autumn, with the device expected to take centre stage alongside the premium iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that Apple will stick to its traditional launch schedule, pointing to September 8, 2026, as the most likely date for the event, with September 9 remaining a strong possibility.

The foldable device – often referred to in rumours as the “iPhone Fold” or “iPhone Ultra” – is expected to feature a sophisticated “book-style” folding design. Leaks suggest it will sport a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen.

To maintain its ultra-thin profile, the device is rumoured to use a side-mounted Touch ID sensor instead of Face ID and will be powered by Apple’s next-generation A20 chip.

This launch marks a significant shift in Apple’s strategy. Rather than releasing its entire iPhone lineup at once, the company is reportedly splitting its launch cycle.

While the high-end iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the new foldable will debut this September, the more affordable standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are being held back for a spring 2027 release.

Expected Pricing

The new foldable iPhone is poised to be the most expensive model in Apple’s history. Consistent reports indicate a starting price of at least $2,000. Higher-capacity configurations, such as 512GB or 1TB models, are expected to push that price significantly higher, with some estimates suggesting a range between $2,300 and $2,900.

The price hike extends to the standard Pro lineup as well. Due to rising costs for memory chips and the transition to 2-nanometer chip manufacturing, analysts expect the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will see a price increase of approximately $200 compared to their predecessors.

While Apple has not confirmed these details, the “Ultra” foldable is shaping up to be a niche, luxury offering that will likely be produced in much smaller volumes than the mainline iPhone series.

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WhatsApp is rolling out a new privacy-focused feature that will allow its three billion users to communicate using unique usernames rather than sharing their personal phone numbers.

The change, which is being deployed globally over the coming months, is designed to give users more control over their personal information, particularly when interacting in group chats or with people they do not know well.

The primary advantage of this feature is enhanced privacy. By replacing visible phone numbers with usernames of up to 35 characters, users can avoid sharing their primary contact details with strangers or businesses.

To maintain security, WhatsApp has confirmed there will be no public directory of usernames, and account holders will still be able to block or report unwanted messages.

For those concerned about unwanted contact, the platform plans to offer optional “username keys”– short numeric codes that must be shared alongside a username to initiate a conversation.

However, the move has drawn mixed reactions from privacy experts. While the feature offers a layer of protection, critics argue that WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has a poor history regarding data privacy.

Professor Carisa Veliz of Oxford University noted that while the username feature is a positive step, it does not change the fact that the app collects significant metadata about its users for advertising purposes.

There are also concerns that usernames could make it easier for scammers to operate on the platform. In response, WhatsApp has stated that it has “multiple layers of defence” in place to detect and block abuse patterns.

For users interested in the feature, the option to reserve a name will appear in account or profile settings once it becomes available on their device. The platform also plans to allow creators and businesses to claim the same usernames they use on Instagram or Facebook to ensure branding consistency, though this will require linking accounts through Meta’s Accounts Centre.

Despite these additions, users will still be required to provide a phone number to register for a WhatsApp account in the first place.

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Chips are measured in nanometres, one billionth of a metre. The current standard size of a chip is around 2nm. But once the new chip has been manufactured, it will measure 0.7nm, making it around a third of the size of most current models and the first sub-1nm chip announced to the market.

The New Chip Design

Current transistors are fitted horizontally along the chips. Rather than trying to fit yet more transistors to chips in this way, IBM’s new design incorporates multiple sheets of transistors on top of one another.

It follows a NanoStack design already being explored by other manufacturers, but IBM has apparently come up with a way to layer more stacks and, therefore, generate more power.

IBM’s Nanostack Makes AI Scaling A 3D Problem

IBM’s sub-1 nanometer chip announcement is easy to misread. The headline sounds like a smaller transistor story. The more useful signal is that AI hardware scaling is becoming a stack design problem.

IBM says its new 0.7 nm, or 7… pic.twitter.com/ucKgXLJDyW

— Daniel Ball (@dball1126) June 25, 2026

After tests, the company said the new chips will be 50% more powerful than their existing 2nm chips. What’s more, they will also be 70% more energy efficient, which could mean greatly improved battery life for power-hungry devices like mobile phones and laptops.

Greater energy efficiency could also help overcome some of the main complaints regarding AI development.

Source: Unsplash

Processor Shortages

The industry has been suffering from a microchip shortage for more than five years. Most of us think of microprocessors as being used in home computers and laptops, where they are used in CPUs and GPUs. As 5G internet has improved, users have become increasingly dependent on more powerful processors.

We stream and download content every day, requiring processor power. We also game online, and even industries like iGaming have become more processor-dependent. From live casino games to the latest video slots UK players can play, advanced features and improved visuals, both of which aim to improve immersion and enjoyment, require processing power.

However, computers only account for a very small percentage of microprocessor demand. In fact, 98% of processors are used in embedded control applications. They are found in appliances, cars, and mobile phones. Even modern doorbells, toothbrushes, and wearables use them.

Most recently, the advance of AI technology has seen a huge increase in demand for chips, especially in the hyperscale data centres that AI agents rely on. There has been some pushback against AI, including in its energy consumption.

A single AI query uses ten times as much power as a simple web search, and training an AI model can use as much power as thousands of homes.

Some companies have taken steps to reduce energy consumption, but improved chips like IBM’s new chips could go a long way to helping solve the issue.

However, while the new chips could be hugely beneficial across the tech industry, there is still some way to go before they will hit the market. IBM has said it would take around five years to start production, and they haven’t announced a manufacturing partner yet.

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Insta360 is perhaps best known for its range of 360-degree products, including an industry-first 360-degree camera drone, the Anti Gravity A1.

However, the Luna Ultra marks the company’s foray into the vlogging market, a category long dominated by the DJI Osmo Pocket series. The Luna Ultra aims to change the landscape for compact gimbal cameras by offering a level of versatility that single-lens rivals cannot match.

Indeed, it seems the competition between the two Chinese companies is becoming quite intense, with DJI suing Insta360 for copyright infringement and Insta360 countersuing in response.

Design

The Insta360 Luna Ultra follows a path similar to the DJI Osmo Pocket, using a tall, upright design that fits comfortably in the hand. It features a three-axis gimbal that houses two separate lenses, a feature that distinguishes it from most DJI models, which typically house only one lens.

In fact, it looks a bit like a small “Wall-E” in your palm, which takes some getting used to compared to simpler, single-lens cameras. While it is slightly bulkier than its closest rivals (measuring 6.7 by 2.0 by 1.5 inches and weighing about 233g), this extra space is used for a more powerful cooling system and complex internal hardware.

Perhaps the most innovative feature is the detachable 2-inch OLED touchscreen. Unlike older models with fixed screens, this can be removed to act as a wireless remote control with HD video transmission up to 20 metres. This allows you to frame shots, adjust settings, and start recording while the camera is mounted on a tripod or placed in a difficult spot.

The remote module even includes a built-in microphone for basic audio capture. While the gimbal head is obviously a delicate mechanical part, the overall build quality feels solid and well-suited for regular use by vloggers.

Performance

Certainly, the Luna Ultra stands out among its rivals, largely due to its dual Leica Summicron lens system. The main camera uses a 1-inch sensor with an f/1.8 aperture capable of 8K video, while the secondary 3x telephoto lens uses a 1/1.3-inch sensor with an f/2.0 aperture.

This setup lets you switch between wide-angle shots and tight, close-up portraits without needing to move around or change lenses.

For zooming, the camera offers 3x optical zoom, 6x lossless in-sensor zoom, and up to 12x digital zoom. While digital zoom can look a bit blurry at the extreme end, the optical and lossless settings are very sharp, offering much more flexibility than cameras with only one lens.

It also supports high-end recording features including 10-bit I-Log and Dolby Vision, plus a “PureVideo” mode that uses an AI chip system to reduce noise in low light.

Having fun with @insta360 Luna Ultra playing with 360 degree option that stitches together 19 different shots for a 360 degree panorama. pic.twitter.com/4xVIIzIGxr

— ShinyShiny (@shinyshiny) June 23, 2026

The camera is packed with smart features to help you capture the perfect shot. Active Zoom Tracking (deep tracking) automatically keeps your subjects in the frame during filming, and I was particularly impressed with the camera’s lenses, particularly when taking photographs.

For example, I achieved stunning, professional results shooting nature during dog walks using the 37MP “UltraPhoto” mode. The landscape details were incredibly crisp, and the 3-axis gimbal made it easy to get steady photos even while walking over uneven ground.

Performance-wise, it certainly holds its own against the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. While the Pocket 3 is more affordable at around $499.99, the Luna Ultra’s $769.99 price tag is justified by its dual-lens versatility and the unique detachable controller.

Audio is managed by a four-microphone system and the device works well with external gear such as the Insta360 Mic Pro for high-quality stereo sound. The battery lasts for about four hours and it supports fast charging, reaching 80% capacity in about 23 minutes.

Verdict

The Insta360 Luna Ultra is a highly capable camera that makes professional-grade video easy to capture in a pocket-sized form. While it is a bit bulkier and more expensive than basic single-lens cameras, the versatility of the dual-lens system and the very useful detachable remote make it a top-tier choice for solo content creators.

It isn’t perfect – it is a little fiddly to navigate onscreen menus – but it is undoubtedly one of the most complete devices in this category. Highly recommended.

Pros:

Dual-lens versatility: The combination of a wide-angle 1-inch sensor and a 3x telephoto lens offers framing flexibility that single-lens rivals simply can’t match.
Detachable remote control: The 2-inch OLED screen doubles as a wireless controller, allowing for easy remote operation and framing without needing a phone app.
Exceptional photo quality: The 37MP UltraPhoto mode delivers stunning, crisp images, proving it is highly capable for still photography during outdoor activities.

Cons:

Bulky form factor: Its larger size and “Wall-E” aesthetic make it less discreet and slightly less portable than the slimmer DJI Osmo Pocket series.
Difficult to navigate menus: Because the Luna Ultra offers so many different shooting options, navigating all of the menus takes a lot of getting used to.
High price: At £649/$769.99, it is significantly more expensive than many popular single-lens gimbal cameras, making it a larger investment.

Specifications – Insta360 Luna Ultra
Price: US$769.99/GB£649.99

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Ford has rehired more than 300 veteran quality inspectors to bolster its manufacturing processes after discovering that artificial intelligence tools fell short of replacing human expertise.

The move marks a strategic shift for the automaker, which had previously sought to aggressively integrate AI across its industrial operations to cut costs and boost productivity.

In recent years, Ford has deployed hundreds of AI-powered cameras across its plants to detect quality issues. However, the company acknowledged that relying solely on automated systems to interpret design requirements failed to yield the high-quality results expected.

“Artificial intelligence is a fantastic tool, but it’s only as good as the information you use to train it,” said Charles Poon, Ford’s vice president of vehicle hardware engineering. “Over prior years, we didn’t pay as much attention as we should have to the experience of our most knowledgeable engineers who have been with us through many product cycles.”

Poon explained that the company had mistakenly assumed that ingesting design data into an AI system would be sufficient. Instead, the automaker found that automated tools lacked the nuanced “hard-earned wisdom” of human technicians, many of whom had departed the company before their expertise could be properly codified. These veteran engineers are now being brought back to mentor younger staff and help train the AI systems more effectively.

“We recognised that for us to enhance some of our automation and machine learning and artificial intelligence tools we needed to ensure that they were trained by the most experienced individuals,” Poon added.

Ford’s admission comes alongside a notable success for the brand: it has officially reclaimed the top spot among mainstream automakers in the FordUS JD Power Initial Quality Study, a benchmark ranking it has not held since 2010.

In a statement regarding this achievement, the company credited its improved performance to a “significant talent refresh.” This effort went beyond rehiring the veteran engineers. It also involved the replacement of senior leadership across its supply chain, engineering, and manufacturing divisions.

By blending the precision of automated systems with the practical experience of its most seasoned workforce, Ford aims to maintain its momentum in vehicle quality.

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BT and the US mobile company Verizon

Japanese telecommunications operator KDDI Corporation disclosed a data breach where threat actors gained access to one of its email systems used by five other internet service providers (ISPs) in the country. The company says that it discovered the compromise on June 17 and responded immediately by blocking the attacker and implementing defense measures. The investigation determined that the hackers exploited a vulnerability in an unnamed third-party software that KDDI Corporation used on its system. Bleeping Computer 

Shell’s tiny Triple 10 Challenge Concept car charges very quickly, has excellent efficiency, and promises to reduce its carbon footprint by half compared to today’s European EVs. However, the really important part is the fluid that makes it work. The big innovation with this one-off study is how it cools its battery, which is completely different from how everybody else does it. It features a cooling system that, unlike in most other EVs, where the battery cells are indirectly cooled, uses a different coolant that can safely come into contact with high-voltage parts. InsideEVs

Hot on the heels of its record IPO, SpaceX’s massive $25 billion bond issuance was met with heavy selling in the secondary market. The aggressive financing pace of the chronically loss-making rocket and artificial intelligence company quickly backfired on investor confidence, causing its bond spreads to widen sharply, pushing them close to speculative-grade (i.e., “junk”) levels. As of Friday, SpaceX corporate bonds went from “red-hot demand” on the books to a full-blown rout within just 48 hours of pricing. PA News 

Working in a high-flying role in Silicon Valley has been many people’s dream job for more than a decade. As the financial crisis made working on Wall Street unfashionable, hordes of graduates flocked west to seek their fortune. Silicon Valley’s bumper profits allowed its companies to pay six-figure starting salaries and job security at the world’s biggest companies seemed all but certain. But now, the dream is over. Despite profits being at record highs, big tech companies are laying off staff in droves, in a wave of job cuts. Telegraph 

Sharp has announced its first smartwatch, and it comes with a feature that’s unlike anything offered by Apple, Garmin or Samsung. The new Karada Mate Watch claims to automatically estimate calorie intake using a bioelectrical impedance sensor. Developed with California-based health technology company HEALBE, the system measures changes in the body’s water movement and sugar levels to estimate how much you’ve eaten throughout the day. T3.com

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has finally unveiled the last remaining characters joining its launch roster with its latest trailer. The final team is the Samurai Outriders, led by the previously-announced Ghost Rider, and he’s joined by Blade, Loki, and Deadpool. Check them out below. Push Square 

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