Author: alex

Sophie Turner Cast as Lara Croft in Amazon's Tomb Raider Series Amazon's Tomb Raider series has found its Lara Croft: Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) has been officially cast in the lead role. Phoebe Waller‑Bridge serves as the show's creator, writer, executive producer and co‑showrunner, and Chad Hodge joins as co‑showrunner and executive producer. Key details Lead: Sophie Turner as Lara Croft Creator / Co‑showrunner: Phoebe Waller‑Bridge Co‑showrunner: Chad Hodge Production start: Filming begins January 19, 2026 Turner acknowledged the "massive shoes to fill" from previous Lara Croft portrayals (Angelina Jolie, Alicia Vikander) and said she "can’t wait for audiences to see what we have cooking." About the team Phoebe Waller‑Bridge is best known for Fleabag and Killing Eve and has experience with action projects; Chad Hodge is known for…

Apple's "Awe dropping" Event — What to Expect (Sept 9, 2025) Apple's fall event is set for Tuesday, September 9 at 1:00 PM ET from Cupertino. The company is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, introduce iOS 26, refresh Apple Watch models and possibly launch AirPods Pro 3. iPhone 17 lineup — Key rumors iPhone Air (rumored): A super-thin model (~5.55 mm) that could be the thinnest iPhone yet. Likely compromises: a single 48 MP camera and a smaller battery. iPhone 17 (standard): May gain a 120Hz ProMotion display previously exclusive to Pro models. iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max: Possible switch from titanium to aluminum, an expanded rear camera island, and improved telephoto (rumored 48MP telephoto sensor). Anti-glare coating is also reported. iOS 26 The new iPhones are…

Discovery Tour: Medieval Baghdad — Free from Ubisoft Ubisoft has released Discovery Tour: Medieval Baghdad, a free app that adapts Assassin's Creed Mirage into a ~2-hour narrative educational experience. Designed around the game's reworked Baghdad map, the app includes: Two-hour guided narrative set in 9th-century Baghdad Encyclopedic entries on the history, art, and culture of medieval Baghdad and the Abbasid Caliphate Augmented Reality (AR) feature to view 3D models of famous artifacts Interactive mini-games and educational interactions drawn from the game’s research The app is offered free by Ubisoft. Official information and downloads are available via Ubisoft's Discovery Tour pages: Ubisoft Discovery Tour. You can also search for the app on mobile stores by name: "Discovery Tour: Medieval Baghdad" (App Store / Google Play). If you want to buy Assassin's…

Google September Pixel Drop — Material 3 Expressive, Pixel Buds Pro 2 updates, Auracast & AI features Google’s September Pixel Feature Drop expands the Material 3 Expressive UI to Pixel devices released since 2021 (including Pixel 6 and Pixel Tablet) and adds several software improvements across audio, AI, and input tools. Material 3 Expressive (on Pixels since 2021) The new Material 3 Expressive interface lets you customize wallpapers with Live Effects (weather-aware lock-screen effects), tweak contact-card appearance, and enjoy a redesigned Quick Settings pane for faster access and clearer controls. Pixel Buds Pro 2: software upgrades Adaptive Audio: earbuds auto-adjust sound to your surroundings. Loud Noise Protection: limits volume to help protect hearing. Head-gesture controls: nod/shake to accept or dismiss calls and messages. Looking to buy or compare Pixel Buds…

Instagram now optimized for iPad — v396.0.0 released After years of discussion, Meta has released a native Instagram app optimized for iPad with version 396.0.0. The update replaces the scaled-up iPhone experience with an interface tailored to larger screens, improving messaging, Reels viewing and overall usability on iPad. What’s new Native iPad layout and UI optimizations for larger displays Split-view messaging and easier access to messages and notifications Improved, more immersive Reels experience General performance improvements and bug fixes (release notes include the usual performance text) Compatibility: iPadOS 15.1 and later (reportedly). Get the app on the App Store: Instagram on the App Store Further coverage: MacRumors coverage Have you updated yet? Tell us which iPad feature you’ll use first — split messages, Reels, or the new layout?

Streameast Shut Down After ACE-Egypt Sting — What Happened The sports piracy network Streameast, described as the world’s largest illegal sports streaming platform, has been shut down following a coordinated sting by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) and Egyptian law enforcement on August 24. Key points ACE — a coalition of more than 50 entertainment companies including Disney, HBO, Fox, Netflix and Sony — led a yearlong investigation. Streameast reportedly offered free access to around 80 unauthorised domains, allowing users to pirate Premier League, Champions League, NFL, NBA and MLB games. The site attracted roughly 1.6 billion visits in the past year, according to ACE. Egyptian authorities arrested two men in Sheikh Zayed City; laptops and phones were seized during the raid. Investigators reportedly found links to a…

Yale Linus L2 Lite: smaller, cheaper smart lock for Euro cylinders Yale has announced the Linus Smart Lock L2 Lite — a more compact, budget‑friendly variant of the Linus L2 designed for doors with Euro‑profile cylinders. The Lite model focuses on a simplified interior rotary knob, trimming down size and cost while keeping the core convenience of a smart lock. Key points Designed for Euro‑cylinder doors — replaces the indoor thumbturn only (no bulky exterior hardware). Compact form factor similar to Tedee, Nuki or Netatmo compact smart locks. Expected smart features: Bluetooth and Matter support (based on the L2 family), enabling integration with modern smart home ecosystems. Power: likely similar battery setup to L2 variants (rechargeable or AA batteries); exact specs for the Lite model not yet fully confirmed. Price…

Instagram finally launches a native iPad app — redesigned for tablet After 15 years, Instagram has released a native iPad app optimized for the tablet experience. The new app takes advantage of the larger screen with a redesigned layout and some notable changes to how content is viewed and navigated. Key features Opens directly into a Reels feed by default. "Latest" chronological feed option (shows recent posts & Reels first), alongside All/Recommended and Friends tabs. Comments appear alongside Reels for easier engagement while watching videos. DMs use a split layout showing inbox and chat side-by-side, similar to Messenger’s web layout. Stories, Search, Explore and notifications are optimized for the tablet UI. Context This is notable because Instagram didn’t prioritize an iPad app until now — two years ago Adam Mosseri…

Aqara Edge Hub M300 & Aqara Studio Connect — Professional installers' overview Aqara has announced the Edge Hub M300 together with a new software platform called Aqara Studio Connect, aimed at professional installers and integrators. The package is positioned for single-family homes, small multi-family and light commercial projects and focuses on interoperability between consumer and professional smart-home systems. Key features Multi-protocol hardware: Zigbee, Thread, Wi‑Fi, Ethernet and Bluetooth Supports up to ~500 devices Integrations with KNX IP, BACnet IP, Modbus TCP and Matter ecosystems (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa) Studio Connect runs on the M300 for centralized device & system management Targeted at professional installs: HVAC, lighting, security, and building systems Release & availability Aqara is targeting availability in Q4 2025 and planned demonstrations at events such as CEDIA Expo…

iPhone 17 event (Sept 9) — iOS 26: features, compatibility & release timing Apple’s iPhone 17 event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9. If history holds, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 should arrive about a week later (around Sept 16). iOS 26 brings a major visual refresh and several new features — here’s what to expect and which devices will be supported. Key iOS 26 highlights Liquid Glass design: A translucent, depth-focused UI across iPhone and iPad with updated icons, floating buttons, and cohesive visuals across Apple’s OSes. Live Translate: Real-time translation in calls and messages, reportedly with AirPods support for live translation through earbuds. Phone app redesign: Scroll contacts, recent calls, and voicemails on one screen; Hold Assist to notify you when an agent answers. Messages polls: Create polls…