Safari is now the second browser to hit one billion users worldwide

Apple’s Safari browser now has over one billion users, accounting for almost 20 percent of everyone on the internet.

These numbers are from Atlas VPN which conducted a study to identify the most widely used internet browsers. Despite Safari hitting a monumental goal, it doesn’t even come close to Google Chrome’s colossal numbers.

Atlas VPN pulled data from GlobalStates and InternetWorldStats, and according to their numbers, Google Chrome has well over 3.3 billion worldwide users. This means that Chrome takes up a little over 64 percent of the total browser market. After Safari sits Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Samsung Internet. 

• Microsoft Edge takes third place with over 212 million users and a little bit above four percent of the market.
• Firefox is fourth with over 179 million users and around three percent of users
• Fifth is Samsung Internet with nearly 150 million users or 2.85 percent.

Security and availability

Atlas VPN attributes the popularity of most of the top browsers to their wide availability and security features. Chrome is a little different. Atlas VPN claims Chrome’s “application drive design” attracts a lot of people. Google owns a lot of widely used apps like YouTube, Maps, and Drive, which many people use frequently. Those apps, Atlas VPN asserts, lead people to try out Google’s other services and eventually download Chrome. 

Safari’s success gets tied to the fact that it’s instantly available on all iPhones and Macs. What expands on that success, according to the study, is the browser’s security features. Namely, its Intelligent Track Prevention feature which prevents bad actors from tracking people across websites.

Microsoft Edge and Samsung Internet are similar to Safari minus the security features. Edge is the default on all Microsoft devices, plus there was that period of time when it was difficult to switch default browsers, which led to an increase in users, according to Atlas. And Samsung’s proprietary browser is on all of its mobile devices, so the app saw high adoption.

Firefox’s popularity is tied to its security features. The browser has tons of extensions that protect people from various forms of malware. It also has the Secure Shell network protocol, which ensures safe communication between devices and is one of the few browsers that support it.

Analysis: Safari’s next potential update

From June 6 to June 10, Apple will be holding its big WWDC 2022 developer conference. People are expecting to see the next iteration of iOS, macOS, and Apple’s new microchip. It’ll be interesting to see what security changes Apple will bring to its software and how it will impact Safari.

2021 was, maybe, not a great year for Apple in terms of security. Expect to see Apple make renewed efforts on that front.

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You'll finally be able to manage your Microsoft Office account in Windows 11 - but there's a catch

Microsoft is making it easier to update your Office subscription by allowing you to manage your account right on the Windows 11 Settings app.

The new feature is coming in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25126, which can be found on the Dev Channel. You’ll be able to check all the supported Microsoft 365 Office apps that are licensed to your account by going to the Accounts tab in the Settings menu. There you can read product details by clicking View Details and even purchase them if you’d like a subscription.

The revamped Accounts tab also features links to the Microsoft Rewards page and your personal OneDrive storage. Build 25126 is slowly rolling out to Insider participants, so you may not be aware you have it. Make sure you have the latest build installed on your computer if you’re part of the Insider program.

You can join the Windows 11 Insider Program by first registering on Microsoft’s website and then joining on your PC. Open the Settings menu and go to Windows Update. You’ll see a tab that says Windows Insider Program; click on that tab and follow the instructions given.

There is a possibility that the new 365 Office feature won’t make its way to non-preview builds. It all depends on the feedback Microsoft gets, which you can add to by opening the Feedback Hub in Settings. The Hub is under User Profile Accounts Settings.

Patching up

The rest of Preview Build 25126 is a collection of fixes. According to the blog post, Microsoft fixed an issue with Personalization that caused preview images to appear backward when using Arabic or Hebrew as the display language. They also patched the Search bar that would randomly crash and made sure open context menus kept the same visual style as the Task Manager.

Microsoft did state they are aware of problems affecting video games and live captioning on some apps. Apparently, some games will crash if you use Easy Ant-Cheat. Certain video players, Microsoft didn’t say which ones, will sometimes not show live captions or throw the captioning app to the top of the screen.

Ups and downs

Microsoft's Windows updates can be a bit of a roller coaster ride. It fixes bugs with some builds and introduces new ones with others.

There have been reports, for instance, of a recent Windows 11 update (standard, not Insider) breaking parts of the Trend Micro antivirus. The update apparently introduced a compatibility issue with the antivirus, resulting in some features not working. Trend Micro is working on a solution whereas Microsoft has stayed silent. Hopefully, this bug is acknowledged and quickly patched.

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Stranger Things 4 finally gave Netflix some extraordinarily good news

Netflix finally got some good news, courtesy of fan-favorite Stanger Things Season 4.

The fourth outing of the retro scarer, specifically, Stranger Things 4, Volume 1, rustled up a record-breaking 286.79M hours viewed in its first weekend, according to Netflix's own internal measurement systems.

People may be leaving the world's biggest streaming services, but millions clearly hung around to watch Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) and the rest of the Hawkins gang confront a whole new kind of weird. Netflix on Tuesday characterized it as "the biggest premiere weekend ever for an English language TV show on Netflix."

While the scale of this hit is startling, Stanger Things has been a consistent, out-of-the-gate hit for Netflix. Season 3 pulled in over 40 million households within three days of its 2019 launch. Stranger Things Season 2 notched 15 million viewers in three days. To put the 287M hours watched in perspective, Netflix said in a release that Stanger Things Season 1 netted 38.05M hours viewed.

What accounted for the massive leap in viewership? It might've been the early reviews. Our Tom Power called the first six episodes (the 8-episode season is broken into two parts, with a pair of lengthy Volume 2 episodes arriving in July) "an absorbing, action-packed, and horror-fuelled entry that's bursting with revelations aplenty."

This author found the first episode creepy enough that he decided to hold off watching more until he could ensure viewing occurred in daylight hours.

Not out of the upside-down

While Stranger Things 4, Volume 1's massive numbers are good news for the beleaguered streaming giant, this likely doesn't change its trajectory or the changes it's preparing to make later this year.

The company is still testing a password-sharing surcharge in Chile, Peru, and Costa Rica, though recent reports indicate that might not, at least in Peru, be going all that well.

Netflix is also still considering the ad-supported tier, though it hasn't shared any further details on its plans since its most recent earnings call.

Our sense of all this, though, is that Netflix is content to leave password sharing and its current tiers alone, at least until summer is over or, Stanger Things 4 completes its record-breaking run in July.

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Bradley Cooper is unrecognizable in first images from Netflix's Maestro

Do you hear that? That's the sound of Netflix clearing space on its shelf for the Oscars it'll likely win for its upcoming Leonard Bernstein biopic, Maestro, as it offers our first look at an almost unrecognizable Bradley Cooper in the title role.

Maestro is said to span 30 years in the famous American conductor, composer, author and pianist's life, with Cooper playing Bernstein throughout various stages of his life alongside Carrie Mulligan as his wife, Felicia Montealegre.

As you can see from the images above and below, we expect Maestro to at least be a shoo-in for the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Academy Award, with Cooper sporting some of the most convincing old age prosthetic makeup we've ever seen.

From the set of MAESTRO. pic.twitter.com/y3qsYILk6PMay 30, 2022

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Apart from his acting duties on the film, Maestro is Cooper's long-awaited directorial follow-up to the award-winning megahit A Star Is Born, and sees him also take on co-writing duties alongside Spotlight screenwriter Josh Singer.

The film originally started out as a potential project for Steven Spielberg to direct. As explained by Cooper in a recent interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Spielberg only wanted Cooper to act as Bernstein initially, but became convinced he should also direct it partway through his first viewing of A Star Is Born.

Spielberg, who famously said Netflix films should not win Oscars, would stay on as producer alongside Martin Scorsese. Coincidentally, Spielberg went on to direct a remake of West Side Story, which features music written by Bernstein. You can watch this portion of Cooper's interview with Colbert below.

As pointed out by Deadline, Leonard Bernstein's extraordinary life could fill an entire Netflix series – the conductor was thrust into stardom at age 25 when he filled in for a sick Bruno Walter to lead the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall with less than 24 hours notice.

He was later accused of being a communist due to he and his wife's political outspokenness and civil rights activism, which included support for the Black Panther Party, landing him on the FBI's security index.

This would lead to his blacklisting in Hollywood, only to have his reputation cleared right before he composed his score for On The Waterfront, directed by Elia Kazan, who infamously "named names" of suspected communists in the filmmaking industry and who would go on to become a Hollywood pariah.

Needless to say, Cooper has plenty of material to work with in Maestro, which is expected to release on Netflix after a small theatrical run (for awards purposes) sometime in 2023.

• These are the best movies on Netflix right now

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Major Google Drive update could be a blessing for IT teams

Google has announced that admins can now place shared drives into sub-organizational units (OUs) in certain editions of its Workspace suite.

In what could be a boon for IT teams working with Google Drive cloud storage, admins will now be able to configure sharing policies, data regions, and access management at a granular level. 

This feature is available now as an open beta, which means you can use the feature without opting-in to a specific program. 

What does this mean for users?

Currently, all shared drives reside in the “root” OU and are, as such, subject to the same policies. However, this update gives admins more options when it comes to cloud storage management.

Read More:

> Everyone’s favourite time-saving shortcut is coming to Google Drive

> Google Drive is finally opening up to your least favourite workplace app

> One of the best Google Drive features is now coming to Docs, Sheets and Slides

Admins will be able to move shared drives to sub OUs within their organizations, “Marketing” or “Legal” for example, which Google says allows for more control over the privacy and security of the shared drive's contents on a case-by-case basis.

For example, admins can restrict sharing of a shared drive belonging to the legal department because it contains highly confidential information.

Additionally, Google says this gives admins more flexibility over applying default sub OUs to newly-created shared drives, ensuring each new shared drive is subject to appropriate cloud backup security policies.

How to get started

Admins can assign shared drives to various OUs using the new “Organizational Unit” column found in "Apps > Google Workspace > Drive and Docs > Manage Shared Drives".

Users can visit Google’s Help Center to learn more about shared drives and managing shared drive users and activity.

This feature is currently not applicable for end users and is not available for users of Google Workspace Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Frontline or legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers.

• Interested in improving communications within your organization? Checkout our guide to the best file transfer solutions.

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New Microsoft Edge feature solves one of the most common file-sharing frustrations

Microsoft is readying an upgrade for its Edge web browser that should solve a common frustration for users.

Included in the latest early-access build - available to members of the Canary Channel - is a new feature called Drop, which gives Microsoft Edge users an easy way to transfer notes, links and other assets between their devices.

As reported by Neowin, the Drop feature sits in a collapsible window on the right hand side of the screen and looks much like a chat interface. By dragging content into the window, users can set it aside for easy access on another device, provided both are registered to the same Microsoft account.

File-sharing in Microsoft Edge

The transition to hybrid working has meant that many of us are using multiple devices for work, from business computers and smartphones to laptops and tablets. A common frustration for employees in this scenario is the need to ensure files and other assets are available at all times, across all devices.

Although cloud storage and file transfer services like OneDrive and Dropbox go some way to relieving these issues, there is still a gap for a simple tool for sharing the odd image or link, without having to faff with uploading and syncing them across services.

Read more

> Browser wars: Has Microsoft Edge lost its way?

> Microsoft enters the VPN wars with new service built into Edge

> Microsoft Edge update will stop you making an embarrassing blunder

Until now, people have had to resort to sending themselves private messages over email or collaboration platforms like Slack, but by building the same functionality into the browser itself, Microsoft is providing a more sensible way to achieve the same objective.

As ever, all good things come at a cost; the new Drop feature won’t provide unlimited file transfers, but rather count towards the user's OneDrive cloud storage capacity, which will vary depending on their subscription plan.

Although the feature is not yet available to regular users, barring any disasters in testing, we expect Drop to land with a public Edge build in the coming months.

• For additional peace of mind, make use of one of the best cloud backup services around

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Microsoft Teams update will finally eliminate this unnecessary headache

Microsoft is preparing to update one of the most annoying things about its Teams collaboration platform, the company has revealed.

A post to the Microsoft 365 roadmap explains that Teams will soon allow users to choose which local folder that files will download to.

"Teams will now enable users to select the default download location where they would like to have their files downloaded," the company says. "This is applicable only on the desktop client. Teams on the web will continue to honor the setting in the browser."

The roadmap update was added on May 23 before being updated on May 26, so Microsoft is currently working on making this change into a reality. The company seems to optimistically think the update will shift this very month. 

While it might not sound like the most world-changing update ever, it will make a difference for anyone that regularly gets sent files on Teams, which is a fair few of us. Being able to choose a specific folder makes a big difference, especially for more ephemeral files.

Keeping it fresh 

Even as the pandemic begins to recede, hybrid working and remote working are here to stay – the office is no longer the hub of all work. 

One of the winners has been Microsoft, thanks to its deep relationships with enterprises, and the Microsoft 365 suite of services, including Microsoft Teams. 

Microsoft makes some of the best productivity tools around but nothing is ever perfect and we keep a pretty close eye on the Microsoft 365 roadmap page. 

With Google Workspace hot on its heels, Microsoft has to remain nimble and willing to make incremental but regular changes to Teams and its suite of office software more broadly.

READ MORE

> This 40-year-old Microsoft Excel rival is making a surprising comeback

> One of our favorite Microsoft Word features is coming to the web app

> I tried Google's text-to-image AI and was shocked by the results

An exclusive TechRadar Pro survey recently showed that Microsoft 365 is the chosen productivity suite for nearly 60% of US businesses, compared to just 15% who chose Google Workspace.

But complacency is the killer of innovation and Microsoft cannot afford to rest on its laurels to retail that position.

Making sure that Teams caters to the need of all users, not just the users Microsoft wants to listen to, is the key to continued success. Well, alongside having the deepest relationships with huge enterprises, of course. 

• Work more cheaply with the best free office software

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WWDC 2022 is next week - what we expect to see from Apple's event

Apple announced its developer conference to begin on June 6, where it's expected to announce iOS 16, macOS 13, and more for its iPhone, iPad, Watch, and Mac products.

The keynote conference where these updates will most likely be announced, has been confirmed to be held on June 6, which we'll be covering to give you all the updates as they arrive.

Similar to the last two years, WWDC will mostly be going remote for the first week of June, with a one-day event on June 6 where developers will be able to watch the keynote, and talk to Apple representatives.

Unlike Google, Apple moved its WWDC conference to be a fully online event in 2020 due to the pandemic, rather than canceling it. Some were hoping to see a mix, similar to this year's Google IO of remote and in-person events, but Apple is understandably playing it safe for 2022.

We suspect Apple's CEO Tim Cook will kick off the keynote, confirmed to start at 10AM PDT / 6PM GMT on June 6 as before, which we expect will be free to stream.

It's one of my favorite times of the year! #WWDC22. Can’t wait for June 6th. 🥳 pic.twitter.com/98gag4zGeIApril 5, 2022

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We won't know officially until the June 6 keynote what Apple intends to show off, but that's not stopping us from contemplating what we hope and expect to see from the company. Below, we'll predict Apple's software and hardware lineup for WWDC 2022, and explain how the virtual event will work.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? Apple's yearly developer conference
• When is it? June 6 - June 10, 2022
• How can I register / how much does it cost? Free for everyone to watch throughout the week.

(Image credit: Apple)

What are the WWDC 2022 dates?

Apple revealed that its developer conference would take place from Monday, June 6 through Friday, June 10. Apple regularly schedules its annual five-day conference for June, so it wasn't a surprise to expect to see WWDC around this time again.

(Image credit: Apple)

Is WWDC 2022 online-only?

Apple normally holds WWDC and its subsequent developer sessions across the week in physical gatherings at the San Jose Convention Center in California, where COVID-19 restrictions on large events are slowly being lifted across the country. 

But with WWDC 2021 repeating the same plan as 2020, many had assumed that WWDC 2022 would follow in the same vein. This has turned out to be true, as you will be able to attend sessions and watch the keynote remotely.

However, there is a one-day event on June 6, where developers could register their attendance to watch the keynote, and also chat with Apple representatives.

While submissions have closed, it's the first attending event that Apple has hosted since 2020, due to the pandemic.

How WWDC 2022 will work

In previous years, you could buy a pass to attend Apple's keynote on Monday, alongside being able to attend developer sessions, one-on-one demos with Apple engineers, and other events for professionals or hobbyists arranged by Apple enthusiasts around the event.

This year, most of those events look to be virtual and free again, with Apple announcing more details as the event gets closer, most likely through its WWDC app.

Some WWDC 2022 sessions will be free to all and rewatchable on-demand, as in previous years. But there will be other events that will be in person, and if you're there, will most likely require you to reserve a slot due to its popularity.

(Image credit: Apple)

What to expect at WWDC 2022

Based on Apple's annual product and software calendar, plus all the leaks and rumors we've heard about, we have a general idea of what Tim Cook, Craig Federighi, and other Apple execs will discuss during the WWDC 2022 keynote on June 6. Here are the highlights:

(Image credit: Apple)

iOS 16

Apple will almost certainly be introducing iOS 16 at WWDC, the next iteration of what powers the iPhone. Usually, a preview for developers is released the same day as it's made official, with a public beta for you to try a month later.

While we've spoken of our hopes to see some better customization options and a dedicated app to manage our AirTags, AirPods, and other peripherals, it seems like 2022 could be a maintenance year for iOS.

Cleaning up some corners of the software to make it leaner and faster would be a great angle for iOS 16, especially with rumors swirling about different designs that the iPhone 14 Pro could be showcasing soon.

There's already some rumors that we may see a significant design in some areas in iOS 16, but it's not clear as to what this will be just yet.

(Image credit: Angelo Libero Designs)

macOS 13

Every year since 2012, Apple has announced a new version of the software that powers its Macs, and we expect the same for WWDC.

macOS 13 will be the next version, with another name to match the trend of naming previous versions after Californian landmarks. Our money is on 'Mammoth' for this year's version, especially as Apple trademarked the name, alongside Monterey at the start of 2021.

macOS gets the short straw in features compared to iOS, as it usually plays catchup - dark mode and a new look arrived in macOS Big Sur, one year after iOS gained these. Shortcuts also arrived in 2021, while it's been in iOS since 2019.

We expect the same to occur here, with widgets hopefully moving out of a sidebar, and onto your Mac desktop instead, alongside a hope for the fantastic Weather app from iOS 15 to see an appearance on macOS 13 as well.

(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)

'M2' Apple Silicon

Users were caught off-guard at Apple's March event, where another M1 variant was announced, the M1 Ultra, which is available to be used in its Mac Studio.

But WWDC 2020 was when Apple announced the move from Intel chips to Apple Silicon, and with the company making sure to mention in March that the M1 Ultra was the last chip of M1, the M2 looks all but certain to appear.

Expect the M2 chip to be more optimized compared to the M1, with a focus on better battery life and more cores for its GPU.

There are rumors that we could see it appear on a redesigned MacBook Air that could mirror the 2021 iMac, but whether we will also see this laptop at WWDC remains to be seen.

(Image credit: Apple, with modification by TechRadar)

Less likely: Apple VR Headset and iCar

As WWDC is focused on developers, we don't expect to see new hardware appearing. Rather, we do see a better chance of the software for its rumored VR/AR headset to be showcased in some way, instead.

We've spoken of a rumored 'rOS' before that could power this wearable, and to demo what it's capable of for developers, before it's available to customers, could be a good opportunity to load up its App Store before it's available to buy.

(Image credit: Future)

Apple's car project has been one of its longest-running rumors in recent memory, allegedly called 'Project Titan' by the company.

There's still next to nothing that's leaked out, but Apple is at least investing millions into an automobile. It still feels too early for Apple to publicly acknowledge this project for 2022 - expect to hear something towards the end of the decade instead.

• Apple, lets fix FindMy's notifications for iOS 16

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Google hits back at claims Gmail inbox filters are biased

Google's Gmail is easily one of the best email services around, but that doesn't shield the company from criticism - far from it. 

In fact, tensions ran high in a recent meeting between Google's staff and Republican Senators after the lawmakers criticized Gmail for allegedly having a bias against right-wing fundraising and campaign emails. 

The genesis for the frustration was a recent study of 300,000 emails during the 2020 election that claimed Gmail was 50% more likely to designate messages from Republicans as spam than those from Democrats. 

Now, whether unsolicited spam messages should be getting into inboxes in the first place remains a topic for debate, but perhaps there is something there. 

Google certainly disagrees and has released a blog post written by Gmail's Neil Kumaran, who is responsible for product safety. Rather than answering specific allegations, Google offered a lesson in how best to work with Gmail. 

"To improve email delivery to inboxes, the recommended tool for bulk senders is our Postmaster Tools site, where any bulk sender can see the health of their domain," the company says. "We encourage bulk senders to engage with the Postmaster Tools site to access data and diagnostics that will help them better understand how to successfully reach their intended recipients." 

"Our filtering capabilities and security protections are built to give users the best overall Gmail experience by delivering the email they want to see. We will continue to explore ways to empower users to further personalize their spam filtering, while also enabling bulk senders to better identify themselves and improve inbox deliverability." 

Analysis: Threading the line 

It's not the first time a big technology company has been accused of bias against conservative or right-wing users by Republicans – and it won't be the last. 

Google is likely more focused on user retention and whether email users are 'enjoying' the content that arrives in their inboxes, as opposed to whether a political party can send countless fundraising emails.

READ MORE

> Microsoft 365 may finally make Outlook actually pleasant to use

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But political problems need to be avoided, especially if Republicans overturn the Democrats' House majority later this year and begin to launch investigations into Gmail.

A Republican operative has recommended a plan to build a more open algorithm to guide spam filtering, estimating that Republican-linked groups have lost up to $2 billion in contributions to the spam folder since 2019. 

Whether this is true is hard to know, but treading carefully seems like the best tactic for Google, especially as people seem to genuinely love its Gmail services. 

• Improve your inbox experience with the best email clients around

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The Boys showrunner reveals the iconic DC superhero he wants to spoof next

The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke has revealed which iconic DC superhero he still needs to satirize in the R-rated TV series.

Ahead of The Boys season 3's release on June 3, Kripke told TechRadar (and other media outlets) via a roundtable discussion that he was looking to find a way to parody Batman in the popular Prime Video show.

The Dark Knight may seem like an odd choice for Kripke to choose. After all, the legendary DC superhero, who has had his fair share of movie adaptations down the years – including Matt Reeves' critically acclaimed The Batman film – is the chief inspiration behind Black Noir, one of The Boys' most powerful Supes. Both characters wear all-black suits, do their best work in the shadows and as stealthily as possible, have similar abilities, and aren't afraid to dole out punishment (in more life-ending terms where Black Noir is concerned, too) when it's necessary.

However, Kripke believes that there's room to include another Batman-esque character in The Boys in a future season. As he explains, there are other parts of the Batman mythos that are ripe for exploration and mocking in the show, albeit using a different character.

Is there more Batman to mine out of Black Noir in The Boys TV show? (Image credit: Amazon Studios)

"[In season 3], we have an Ant-Man character and, obviously, Soldier Boy is a Captain America reference," Kripke says. "When we're coming up with heroes, we're always thinking 'what are the archetypal heroes that we haven't done yet.

"The one we haven't figured out yet is Batman – he remains a character we still need to touch on. And we should, because he's basically a capitalist nightmare who was oppressing lower classes of criminals just to advance his family's wealth, so you'd think we should get into that! Actually, I think I'm going to get into that right now."

If Kripke and his fellow writer on The Boys find a way to infuse another character with Batman's persona and other thematic elements, it'll be interesting to see if this individual would be added to The Seven's line-up. As fans of the show (and the original graphic novel series) will know, The Seven are a satirized version of the Justice League, DC's iconic supergroup. You know, Homelander is Superman, Queen Maeve is Wonder Woman, A-Train is The Flash, and so on.

Black Noir is already on The Seven's roster, so Vought International's most popular superhero team isn't in dire need of a Batman-like character. Still, it'll be intriguing to see how Kripke and company bring other Batman aspects into The Boys' universe, especially as the series may only run for another two seasons.

For more on The Boys, find out why one of its stars was stunned to learn about what happens in the third season's most shocking episode. Meanwhile, where Batman is concerned, read up on how to watch the Batman films in order. And be sure to check in with TechRadar later this week for more exclusive content about The Boys season 3.

• These are the best superhero movies of all time

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iOS 16 could be the most radical iPhone update in years

As we get nearer to WWDC, rumors are starting to appear with one of Apple's upcoming updates, with iOS 16 looking to get a few significant new features, including improvements to your iPhone's lock screen.

According to Mark Gurman's 'Power On' newsletter (paywalled), there's going to be further improvements to notifications, Messages and Health apps, alongside some help with iPad multitasking.

However, the significant takeaway here is the lock screen seeing a redesign. Since the debut of iOS in 2007, we haven't seen major changes to this, except for a Camera shortcut and a 'Today' notification where it gives you a brief overview of your day. Yet we may see interactive widgets soon, alongside a further benefit for iPhone 14 users, where an always-on screen will be able to constantly show notifications, thanks to a new display.

As iOS 15 was arguably a release that stepped back from major features and focused on existing ones, it looks as though iOS 16 is going to go full steam ahead in new features that are going to change how you manage your content.

---

Analysis: Lock screen has been overdue for a facelift

(Image credit: Apple)

Granted, seeing further improvements to Messages and Health will be welcome, although it would be good to see Health appear as its own app on iPad and Apple Watch.

Multitasking on iPad has clearly been a tough nut to crack by Apple, as we've seen up to three different ways in managing three windows, but the iPhone's lock screen is something that's been left by the wayside.

While notifications have been redesigned and improved with iOS 12, and a 'Today' view was added with iOS 15 where it would show you the day's weather, there's not been anything substantial for the lock screen itself.

However, with widgets redesigning our iOS home screens, there's an opportunity for the lock screen to see the same level of change with widgets and other aspects. Notifications that look similar on an Apple Watch, which can show even when the iPhone 14 is in low-power mode, would be a useful addition.

Regardless, it looks as though almost any user that will be able to run iOS 16 will be able to see a big upgrade even before they've accessed their home screen.

• We rank every iOS release, from worst to best so far

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Live: Memorial Day sale round up - deals from $20 at Amazon, Home Depot and more

The Memorial Day sales have officially launched, and we're covering all the latest news and deals to help you get the most bang for your buck today. 

All the major retailers are currently showing good online stock levels, and we're expecting a few killer deals to launch later this morning. We'll highlight them here, along with other standout offers from the Memorial Day sales, as soon as we see them.  

Memorial Day sales: quick links

• Amazon: 40% off Fire TV Stick, kitchen items and pet food
• Apple: up to $800 off iPads, Apple Watch, iPhone
• Best Buy: $400 off major appliances from Samsung and LG
• Dell: cheap laptops starting from $244.99
• Home Depot:  half-price tools, lawn and garden items 
• Lowe's: 40% off patio furniture and major appliances
• Macy's: 60% off couches, beds, and patio furniture
• Mattress Firm: mattress deals starting at $199.99
• Nectar Sleep: $100 off mattresses + $499 in free bedding
• Nordstrom: 60% off fashion and beauty in the half yearly sale
• Overstock: up to 70% off home good and kitchen items
• Saatva: save $350 on luxury mattresses - exclusive deal
• Samsung: up to $400 off washers and dryers, dishwashers and ranges
• Target: 30% off outdoor furniture and decor
• Walmart: 40% off pools. tech and fashion
• Wayfair: patio furniture sets starting at $399
    

Right now, the best deals are at a handful of retailers. Best Buy is our top pick for TV deals and major appliances; while Walmart is leading the way for pools, grills and fashion discounts.

Memorial Day sales: TechRadar's top stories

1. The best Memorial Day TV sales - from $99
2. 33 of the best Memorial Day mattress deals
3. Galaxy S22 Ultra deal: $1,000 off and a free Galaxy Watch

Meanwhile, Amazon is worth browsing for its sheer range of deals on everything from tech to pet food; and Lowes and Home Depot are the best places for patio furnitue and outdoor items. Here's everything you need to know about the Memorial Day sales, from the biggest discounts and most interesting deals, through to our pro tips on how to save money today.

Welcome to our live coverage of the Memorial Day sales

Good morning, and welcome to our coverage of the Memorial Day sales. It’s just after midnight on Monday, so let’s take a look around at what’s happening. Here are some of the latest headlines.

• Amazon hasn’t launched an official Memorial Day sale, but there are still hundreds of deals today, including up to 40% off Fire TV sticks, kitchen and dining, and pet food
• Best Buy has the most impressive TV deals, with smart TVs from $99
• Walmart’s best offers include 40% off pools, tech and fashion
• Home Depot leads its Memorial Day sale with half-price tools, lawn and garden items
• Lowes has cut up to $750 off major appliances in its official sale
• Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Macy’s and IKEA stores are open today
• Costco warehouses are closed for Memorial Day
• Most grocery stores in the US are open, but may have different hours

Almost 40% off Fire TV Stick

Amazon's opening its deal section with a 38% discount on the Fire TV Stick: it's now $24.99, down from $39.99. That's $5 off the lowest price we've seen for the Alexa-voice remote, and likely as low as it's going to get this side of Prime Day.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Pools, patio furniture, grills and lawnmowers from $24.99 at Walmart

Walmart's Memorial Day sale is the place to go for all things outdoors. There are hundreds of deals on everything you need to jumpstart your summer, from patio furniture to grills, outdoor tools, lawnmowers, fire pits, garden accessories, and more with prices starting at just $24.99. 

Read more: The best deals in the Walmart Memorial Day sale

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Big appliance savings at Best Buy

Tech superstore Best Buy doesn't have quite the range of appliance stock that Lowes has, but its sale is strong as we head into the morning, with up to $800 off refrigerators, washers, dryers and dishwashers from big-name brands including Samsung, LG, KitchenAid, Whirlpool, and Maytag. There's also an extra 10% off when you purchase four or more Samsung appliances, plus a free $200 or $300 e-gift card with some Samsung laundry packages. 

If you're planning some home improvement over the holiday, you might find best Buy's home expert service useful. It offers free design and product guidance for every room in your house - handy.

Read more: Best Buy Memorial Day sale - 50 top deals

(Image credit: Future)

The best-value mattress sale is at Nectar

Mattresses always get some of the biggest discounts in the Memorial Day sales, and despite inflation, this year is no different. The absolute best deal if you're looking for sheer value for money today is on the Nectar Memory Foam mattress, over on the Nectar site.

We were impressed with this lower-mid-range memory foam mattress when we tested it - we gave it 4/5 stars in our Nectar Mattress review, and it sits at number two in our best mattress guide. It's particularly comfortable for side and back sleeping, with good pressure relief and temperature regulation. (If you're a hot sleeper though we'd recommend a hybrid like the Saatva Classic instead). 

The Nectar mattress was already competitively priced, but it now has $100 off, which drops the price of a queen from $899 to $799 - plus you get $499-worth of free sleep accessories, including two pillows, sheets and a mattress protector (which we always advise to prolong the life of your investment). Only the Cocoon Chill comes close for value for money, but Nectar still takes the crown. 

The other thing we like about Nectar is you get a whole year to decide whether it's right for you, and there's a forever warranty as well. Bargain.

Nectar mattress: from $499 $399 + $399 of gifts
Nectar's Memorial Day sale includes up to $100 off the popular Nectar Memory Foam mattress - plus $499-worth of free sleep accessories added to your order. Our top pick is the Nectar Memory Foam mattress: it's medium-firm, with a cooling cover, and we found it to be extremely comfortable and supportive.View Deal

Read more: Memorial Day mattress sales - 33 of the best deals

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This 40-year-old Microsoft Excel rival is making a surprising comeback

Lotus-1-2-3, an ancient spreadsheet program from Lotus Software (and later IBM), has been ported to a new operating system.

As reported by The Register, a Lotus 1-2-3 enthusiast called Tavis Ormandy (who is also a bug-hunter for Google Project Zero), managed to successfully port the program onto Linux, which seems to be quite the feat of reverse engineering. 

It’s important to stress that this isn’t an emulated program, but rather the original 1990 Lotus 1-2-- for x86 Unix running natively on modern x86 Linux.

Killer application

“There are a few kinks that need to be ironed out, and I need to port over my terminal driver, but it is 100% usable,” Tavis wrote in a blog post, detailing the work. “At the moment, the DOS version running under emulation looks better - but this can be fixed!”

Ormandy also developed an entirely new display driver for the program, which can now be run on more than just the 80x25 window.

Lotus 1-2-3 was the first killer application of the IBM PC, and was a major hit in the 1980s. It offered three key solutions: spreadsheet calculations, database functionality and graphical charts. Together with dBase and WordPerfect, it was considered an essential app.

Read more

> Google Sheets are about to become even more chaotic and unwieldy

> The tyranny of Microsoft Excel may finally be over

> Google Sheets vs Microsoft Excel

However, when Microsoft came out with its GUI-based products in the early 1990s, such as Excel, it left Lotus-1-2-3 out in the cold. Lotus was slow to respond to the disruptive new products, and despite being purchased by IBM in 1995, never really recovered. 

IBM continued to sell Lotus offerings, only throwing in the towel in 2013. In June that year, IBM announced the withdrawal of the Lotus brand, including Lotus 1-2-3 Millennium Edition V9.x, IBM Lotus SmartSuite 9.x V9.8.0, and Organizer V6.1.0. 

"Customers will no longer be able to receive support for these offerings after 30 September 2014,” the company said at the time. “No service extensions will be offered. There will be no replacement programs."

• Collaboration software has cone a long way. Check out the best tools right now

Via The Register

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I tried Google's text-to-image AI and was shocked by the results

Text-to-image artificial intelligence programs aren’t anything new. Indeed, existing neural networks like DALL-E have impressed us with their ability to generate simple, photorealistic images from brief yet descriptive sentences.

But this week I was introduced to Imagen. Developed by Google Research’s Brain Team, Imagen is an AI similar to that of DALL-E and LDM. However, Brain Team’s aim with Imagen is to generate images with a greater level of accuracy and fidelity, using that same short and descriptive sentence method to create them.

An example of such sentences would be – as per demonstrations on the Imagen website – “A photo of a fuzzy panda wearing a cowboy hat and black leather jacket riding a bike on top of a mountain.” That’s quite a mouthful, but the sentence is structured in such a way that the AI can identify each item as its own criteria.

The AI then analyzes each segment of the sentence as a digestible chunk of information and attempts to produce an image as closely related to that sentence as possible. And barring some uncanniness or oddities here and there, Imagen can do this with surprisingly quick and accurate results.

Imagen can draw better than me. (Image credit: Google / Imagen)

A little too wholesome?

If you’ve checked out Imagen or other neural networks for yourself, then you’ve probably noticed the overwhelming focus on a select few subjects. DALL-E, for example, likes to create images based on everyday household items, like clocks or toilets. Imagen, at least for now, seems to put cute animals at the forefront of its image generation capabilities. But there’s actually a very good reason for this.

Google’s Brain Team doesn’t shy away from the fact that Imagen is keeping things relatively harmless. As part of a rather lengthy disclaimer, the team is well aware that neural networks can be used to generate harmful content like racial stereotypes or push toxic ideologies. Imagen even makes use of a dataset that’s known to contain such inappropriate content.

“While a subset of our training data was filtered to remove noise and undesirable content, such as pornographic imagery and toxic language,” Brain Team notes, “we also utilized LAION-400M dataset which is known to contain a wide range of inappropriate content including pornographic imagery, racist slurs, and harmful social stereotypes. 

“Imagen relies on text encoders trained on uncurated web-scale data, and thus inherits the social biases and limitations of large language models.”

This was one of the less uncanny photos I was able to generate with Imagen. (Image credit: Google / Imagen)

This is also the reason why Google’s Brain Team has no plans to release Imagen for public use, at least until it can develop further ‘safeguards’ to prevent the AI from being used for nefarious purposes. As a result, the preview on the website is limited to just a few handpicked variables.

Ultimately, it’s the right call. There have been examples in the past of AI programs being unleashed onto the online public… with extremely undesirable results. You may remember Microsoft’s Tay, an AI Twitter account brought to the social media platform roughly five years ago.

Tay was a pretty ballsy experiment on Microsoft’s part. Its intention was to see how an AI would react to and interact with real people in a social media environment. However, within hours, Tay went from a wholesome chatbot to a dispenser of anti-semitic talking points. This was despite the bot being “modeled, cleaned and filtered” according to Microsoft (thanks, The Verge).

Given the precedent set by AI like Tay, then, it’s easy to see why Imagen has been reigned in. Clearly, even extensive filtering might not be enough.

Still far from perfect

While I was immensely impressed by Imagen, and had a lot of fun mixing and matching sentences to create all kinds of bizarre pictures, it’s definitely not something I’d consider to be overwhelmingly convincing. At least not for the time being.

More often than not, Imagen returned some frighteningly hilarious results. Animals, in particular, often appeared with all kinds of wacky proportions. Seeing a raccoon with a massive head, or human-like girthy arms gripping a bike’s handlebars was a pretty common sight. While very funny, these peculiar results blended with the photorealism often churned out disturbingly uncanny results.

The option to generate an oil painting was actually a good deal more convincing, and most of what Imagen was able to produce here wouldn’t look out of place in a school project. And I mean that in the nicest possible way. As it turns out, a Persian cat strumming a guitar translates far more convincingly to a painting than it does a realistic photo.

As noted, it’s highly likely we won’t get a public release of Imagen anytime soon. Or ever, for that matter. The risks posed by AI programs and neural networks being able to generate unsavory content are still far too great. For now, though, I’m content with Imagen being a fun little curio for those looking to spend a bit of time generating funny cowboy hat-wearing animals skateboarding down a mountain.

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One of our favorite Microsoft Word features is coming to the web app

Microsoft Word is set to receive an update that will extend a fan-favorite feature to the web application.

According to a roadmap entry released by Microsoft, those that use the word processor exclusively on the web will soon benefit from the popular dark mode feature.

"Dark Mode in Word for Web will provide a modern look for documents while giving users the ability to reduce eye strain and accommodate light sensitivity from long hours at a computer screen," the company explains. 

The roadmap says the feature is currently in development, although it lists the general availability as May 2022, which either suggests the rollout is imminent or that the release timeframe is a little longer than stated.

Easy on the eyes 

Microsoft Word is easily among the best office software products going right now, especially if you work at a big organization or study as a student. It's ubiquitous, with good reason. 

While Google Docs is really good (and, obviously, free), Word offers so many powerful features for pros and anyone who wants to delve into settings to get their document just right. 

Given how much time we collectively spend looking at screens, especially during work hours, having a dark mode is an essential feature for pretty much all software in 2022. 

READ MORE

> Google Docs now gives you ultimate control over your text

> Hackers have found a sneaky new way to infect Windows devices

> These updates for Google Docs and Meet aim to make your work life a breeze

I've had my iPhone 13 Pro Max on dark mode since the day it arrived, even in bright sunshine, because it's a lot less strain on the eye can light mode. 

Anyone pulling an all-nighter in the library or working on a document until late into the evening will appreciate this upcoming feature for Word. 

We can only hope that a dark mode also makes it way to the rest of the Microsoft 365 web application suite sometime soon. 

• Get productive at a discount with the best Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 deals

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11 new movies and TV shows to stream on Netflix, Prime Video and more in June 2022

Happy "it's nearly June" time, everyone! It's remarkable to think that we're nearly halfway through 2022, isn't it? It only feels like yesterday that the world's biggest streamers were preparing to drop their first productions of the year. And, while there's been plenty of audiences to enjoy over the past five months, things are about to hot up even more in the battle for viewers' attention.

It's endured a fair deal of bad press in recent weeks, but Netflix is laying down a marker with its sizeable content offering in June 2022. The streaming giant will no doubt be on a high after Stranger Things season 4 part 1's release on May 27, but that's just the start of its summer (or winter, depending on where you live) push to be the go-to streamer over the next four weeks.

Of course, it'll have competition from Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and more. Those vying for Netflix's streaming crown have a number of top-tier movies and TV shows to put in front of your eyes, too, so don't discount what they have to offer you. From superhero-based content to comedies, and rom-com dramas to action or sci-fi oriented films, you'll find something worth checking out in our 'top picks for June 2022' list below.

Here, then, are the 11 biggest movies and TV series you'll want to catch on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and more in the coming weeks.

Interceptor (Netflix)

When to stream it: Friday, June 3

Australian action-thriller novelist Matthew Reilly makes his feature film debut with Interceptor, an action-drama flick co-produced by Marvel movie star Chris Hemsworth and starring the Thor actor's wife Elsa Pataky.

Pataky plays Captain JJ Collins, an army officer who is reluctantly stationed on a Pacific Ocean-based nuclear missile interceptor base after she's wrongfully forced to leave her dream job at the Pentagon. When the charismatic US soldier-turned-criminal Alexander Kessel (Luke Bracey) infiltrates the offshore camp, alongside his expertly-assembled crew of mercenaries, with the aim of carrying out a potentially apocalyptic plan, Collins becomes the last line of defence in preventing Kessel and company from carrying out their villainous plan.

The upcoming Netflix movie looks like your average action-thriller, but there are bound to be some great and gripping action sequences throughout. One to watch if you're looking for a weekend film where you can switch your brain off for a couple of hours.

The Boys season 3 (Prime Video)

When to stream it: Friday, June 3

The first of three superhero shows to arrive in June. The R-rated Prime Video series is back for its third outing after nearly two years away and, based on the trailer above, The Boys season 3 could be the funniest, goriest, and most emotional entry yet.

Picking up one year after the season 2 finale, The Boys finds the show's morally complex heroes and villains in various positions of power that they want (or don't want) to be in. Homelander's wings have been clipped following the fallout over Stormfront, Billy finds himself reluctantly working for the government (with none other than his former protégé Hughie supervising him), and the world itself in a relative time of peace.

Unsurprisingly, it isn't long before things spiral out of control. When The Boys learn of an anti-Supe weapon that may finally put an end to Homelander's reign of terror, their quest to find it puts them on a collision course with Homelander and the Seven. Civil wars start erupting within the two groups' ranks, but the re-emergence of Soldier Boy, Vought's first ever Supe, may force them to put their differences aside to combat a threat graver than Homelander himself.

The first three episodes of The Boys' third season simultaneously land on June 3. Subsequent episodes will follow weekly until the finale on July 8. And we expect it, as well as the live-action show's adaptation of the Herogasm storyline, will be truly diabolical.

Ms Marvel (Disney Plus)

When to stream it: Wednesday, June 8

If The Boys is a bit too adult-themed for you, why not check out Ms Marvel, aka the latest MCU Phase 4 project, when it arrives on June 8?

Starring newcomer Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, Ms Marvel charts the origins of the titular superhero as she tries to balance her school, social, and superpowered lifestyles upon acquiring her own abilities. The Pakistani-American teenager is a massive fan of the Avengers, so it seems all of her dreams have come true when she becomes a superhero in her own right. As Ms Marvel's Disney Plus series will explore, though, dreaming of being a superhero and actually becoming one are two entirely things.

Early social media reactions have suggested that Ms Marvel will be another win for Marvel Studios, but it remains to be seen if it'll be as critically acclaimed as Loki, WandaVision, or Moon Knight. There has been pushback from Ms Marvel's fanbase over the heroine's powers being altered, after all, with Marvel Studios president Kevine Feige and the character's co-creator trying to explain why that creative decision has been taken.

Even if it doesn't end up being as popular as previous Marvel TV shows, we're confident it'll be another strong entry in the MCU. We'll be reuniting with Kamala/Ms Marvel in 2023's The Marvels, too, alongside Brie Larson's Captain Marvel and Teyonah Parris' Photon, so you'll be seeing more of Vellain's version in the future.

Hustle (Netflix)

When to stream it: Wednesday, June 8

Netflix will be hoping that Adam Sandler's latest film can be as big of a hit as Uncut Gems, the A24-developed 2019 crime thriller that landed a number of prestigious prizes on the 2020 awards circuit.

Like Uncut Gems, Hustle will see Sandler's on-screen character looking to unearth a diamond in the rough. However, Hustle will be much more of a feel-good, sports-oriented flick, with Sandler's Stanley Sugerman finding renewed purpose and love for basketball when he discovers a new talented but raw player in Bo Cruz, who's played by actual NBA player Juancho Hernangómez.

Sugerman, a travel-weary scout for the Philadelphia 76ers, strikes up a father-son style bond with Bo, the pair's passion for basketball shining through. Somewhat expectedly, the duo team up to prove that they can make it as a professional coach and NBA player respectively. But, with naysayers lurking around every corner, their journey will test their resolve and desire to make it to the top. Be prepared to laugh and cry at this likely inspirational drama.

For All Mankind season 3 (Apple TV Plus)

When to stream it: Friday, June 10

Apple TV Plus has a flair for creating stunning sci-fi shows. Foundation and Severance are arguably the pick of the bunch, but For All Mankind is another superb addition to Apple's original TV series offerings.

Fans of this fictional space race story will be delighted to hear, then, that it's coming back for its third season. After a time jump from 1983 to 1995 in season 2's final episode, For All Mankind's next entry will likely chart the US and Russia's battle to colonize Mars. You know, after the first astronauts set foot on the red planet in the final moments of season 2 episode 10.

We'll see a new storyline play out in the show's third season, while some new faces will join its stellar cast. According to an official Apple TV Plus press release, season 3 will see "the Red Planet becomes the new frontier in the Space Race, not only for the U.S. and the Soviet Union, but also an unexpected new entrant with a lot to prove and even more at stake." Curiously, though, it's not another nation that throws its hat into the ring. You'll have to watch the trailer above to find out who it is.

Peaky Blinders season 6 (Netflix)

When to stream it: Friday, June 10

Following its six-episode return on the BBC in the UK, Peaky Blinders season 6 finally arrives on Netflix for its international fanbase. The period piece makes its Netflix return on June 10, with all episodes dropping on the streaming giant on that date. Unlike British fans, then, those based in the US and further afield will be able to binge watch it over an entire weekend, if you so wish.

So where does the Netflix show pick up in season 6? Unsurprisingly, straight after the season 5 finale, with Cillian Murphy's Tommy Shelby in a dark, dark place. No sooner have we caught up with Tommy and company, however, and the show jumps forward four years to 1933, putting our favorite characters in new situations that are every bit as tense, suspenseful, and captivating as the previous five seasons.

With Peaky Blinders season 6 set to be the final instalment in the series, you'll be pleased to know that UK fans and critics have lauded it as the best entry in the show's history. You can be the judge of whether they're right or not, but you should prepare yourself for a thrilling end to what's been one of the best British shows of recent years.

Spiderhead (Netflix)

When to stream it: Friday, June 17

The Netflix content wheel keeps on turning as June progresses and, if a sports-based film or TV period drama aren't your thing, maybe this sci-fi thriller will be instead.

Spiderhead stars Chris Hemsworth – yep, him again – as Steve Abensti, a so-called brilliant and charismatic visionary who founded the state-of-the-art, offshore penitentiary known as Spiderhead. Here, inmates can sign up to an experiment, which fits with a surgically attached device that administers doses of mind-altering drugs, in exchange for their lengthy jail terms.

Two such subjects in Jeff (Top Gun: Maverick's Miles Teller) and Lizzy (Birds of Prey's Jurnee Smollett) agree to sign up to the program, and quickly form a connection as a result of their drug-fuelled interactions. But, as is always the case with such trials, things start to go wrong – very wrong, in fact – and it isn't long before Abnesti's experiment forces Jeff and Lizzy to question everything about who they are, what they're doing here, and how they can potentially escape.

Based on George Saunders' short story for The New Yorker, Spiderhead is directed by Joseph Kosinski, whose previous credits include the underrated Tron: Legacy, the Tom Cruise-starring Oblivion, and, as mentioned, Top Gun: Maverick. While you're here, read our chat with Kosinski on how he filmed some of Maverick's most spectacular sequences.

The Summer I Turned Pretty (Prime Video)

When to stream it: Friday, June 17

One for the romance fans out there now. Based on Jenny Han's New York Times best-selling book trilogy of the same name, The Summer I Turned Pretty is billed as a multigenerational drama-coming of age tale that largely focuses on the love triangle between Isabel 'Belly' Conklin (newcomer Lola Tung) and two guys she falls for. The problem? Belly's would-be suiters are brothers. Uh-oh...

The Prime Video series will explore other aspects of, well, love and everything to do with relationships. Amazon Studios suggests that the show will also tackle the ever-evolving dynamics between moms and their children, the power of female friendship, and the nostalgia of those perfect summer nights spent with people you really care about.

Sure, The Summer I Turned Pretty won't be for everyone, but there's bound to be an audience for it. It's getting released at the right time – i.e. those long summer nights we mentioned above – so why not check it out?

The Umbrella Academy season 3 (Netflix)

When to stream it: Wednesday, June 22

The third and final superhero-centric show to launch in June, Netflix's The Umbrella Academy follows in The Boys' footsteps in receiving its third outing in the very near future.

After the Hargreeves family successfully averted another apocalypse, the misfit siblings thought they had finally traveled back to their own timeline. Naturally, their joy is short-lived – turns out, they've been transported to an alternate reality where their recently deceased father Sir Reginald Hargreeves is alive and well. 

Not only that, but The Umbrella Academy has been replaced by a more powerful, collaborative, and cool superhero team called The Sparrow Academy. Oh and, thanks to their continual messing with the timeline, The Umbrella Academy have created yet another world-ending event. This time, they've only got five days to prevent this doomsday from occurring. Time's a tickin', guys and gals.

The Umbrella Academy season 3 will launch in full on June 22, with the show's main cast all returning for its latest instalment. Expect plenty of drama, musical dance numbers, witty retorts, and dysfunctional family-based action to play out across its 10 episodes. If you want a rundown on what season 3's episodic titles may tease from a plot perspective, read our expert guide.

Westworld season 4 (HBO Max)

When to stream it: Sunday, June 26

Everyone's favorite sci-fi western-thriller series returns on HBO Max in June, with Westworld's fourth season debuting on WarnerMedia's streaming platform following a two-year hiatus.

The acclaimed HBO Max show will see all of its biggest stars reprise their roles from previous instalments, including Evan Rachel Wood (True Blood), Jeffrey Wright (The Batman), Thandiwe Newton (Reminiscence), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Tessa Thompson (Thor: Ragnarok), and Ed Harris (Top Gun: Maverick). It's a good job we know about which actors are back for season 4, too, as there's little in the way of a plot synopsis for us to entice you with.

Right now, showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy are keeping their cards very close to their chest. WarnerMedia is being similarly coy about what to expect from season 4, with the company only revealing a teaser trailer and a brief logline that teases the show's fourth season will depict "a dark odyssey about the fate of sentient life on earth". Sounds ominous.

Unlike most other TV series we've included in this list, Westworld season 4's eight episodes will all be released weekly. The fourth season's premiere will be the only entry to drop on launch day, meaning new episodes will arrive every Sunday until the season finale on August 14.

Only Murders in the Building season 2 (Disney Plus/Hulu)

When to stream it: Tuesday, June 28

The hit Hulu and Disney Plus murder-comedy series is back! Or, rather, it will be when it arrives on both streaming services in late June. US audiences will be able to catch Only Murders in the Building's second season on Hulu, while UK and international audiences can stream it on Disney's streaming service.

The series will pick up right where the first season left off, with Steven Martin's Charles-Haden, Martin Short's Oliver, and Selena Gomez's Mabel wrongfully implicated in the murder of Arconia Board President Bunny Folger. Determined to prove their innocence, the trio must stick together, try and clear their names, and bring the real culprit to justice.

Unfortunately, that'll be easier said than done. Their New York neighbors believe them to be guilty, while the real murderer keeps hiding police evidence in their department. Still, these amateur detectives won't be deterred in their quest absolve themselves of all blame.

Season 2 will receive a two-episode premiere when it arrives on June 28, with episodes releasing weekly after that until the finale on August 23. If you're yet to watch this truly underrated whodunnit, you've got plenty of time to catch up before it returns.

• What's the best streaming service to subscribe to in 2022?

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