Thank you. Listen to this article using the player above. ✖
Want to listen to this article for FREE?
Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.
Most of Earth’s water is in the oceans and too salty to drink. Desalination plants can make seawater drinkable, but they require large amounts of energy. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Energy Letters have developed a sponge-like material with long, microscopic air pockets that uses sunlight and a simple plastic cover to turn saltwater into freshwater. A proof-of-concept test outdoors successfully produced potable water in natural sunlight in a step toward low-energy, sustainable desalination.
This isn’t the first time scientists have created spongy materials that use sunlight as a sustainable energy source for cleaning or desalinating water. For example, a loofah-inspired hydrogel with polymers inside its pores was tested on chromium-contaminated water and, when heated by the sun, the hydrogel quickly released a collectible, clean water vapor through evaporation. But while hydrogels are squishy and liquid-filled, aerogels are more rigid, containing solid pores that can transport liquid water or water vapor. Aerogels have been tested as a means of desalination, but they are limited by their evaporation performance, which declines as the size of the material increases. So, Xi Shen and colleagues wanted to design a porous desalination aerogel that maintained its efficiency at different sizes.
The researchers made a paste containing carbon nanotubes and cellulose nanofibers and then 3D-printed it onto a frozen surface, allowing each layer to solidify before the next was added. This process formed a sponge-like material with evenly distributed tiny vertical holes, each around 20 micrometers wide. They tested square pieces of the material, ranging in size from 0.4 inches wide (1 centimeter) to about 3 inches wide (8 centimeters), and found that the larger pieces released water through evaporation at rates as efficient as the smaller ones.
In an outdoor test, the researchers placed the material in a cup containing seawater, and it was covered by a curved, transparent plastic cover. Sunlight heated the top of the spongy material, evaporating just the water, not the salt, into water vapor. The vapor collected on the plastic cover as liquid, moving the now clean water to the edges, where it dripped into a funnel and container below the cup. After 6 hours in natural sunlight, the system generated about 3 tablespoons of potable water.
“Our aerogel allows full-capacity desalination at any size,” Shen says, “which provides a simple, scalable solution for energy-free desalination to produce clean water.”
Reference:Zhao X, Yang Y, Yin X, Luo Z, Chan KY, Shen X. Size-insensitive vapor diffusion enabled by additive freeze-printed aerogels for scalable desalination. ACS Energy Lett. 2025. doi: 10.1021/acsenergylett.5c01233
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here.
Eevee’s so awesome that July 2025 will mark its third appearance in Pokémon GO Community Day events. July’s Community Day Classic featuring Eevee takes place July 5 and 6, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. local time, proving once again that Eevee’s magic can’t be contained to a single day. During this time, Eevee will appear more frequently in the wild, and fortunate Trainers might even encounter Shiny Eevee.
As always, event bonuses are hotter than Flareon’s fiery breath, and the following bonuses will be in effect throughout the event.
Evolve Eevee into Espeon after exploring 1 km with Eevee as your buddy (through July 12, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time)
Evolve Eevee into Umbreon after exploring 1 km with Eevee as your buddy (through July 12, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time)
Evolve Eevee into Sylveon after earning seven hearts with Eevee as your buddy (through July 12, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time)
1/4 Egg Hatch Distance
Lure Modules activated during the event will last for three hours
Incense (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) activated during the event will last for three hours
Trainers who evolve Eevee before July 12, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time will get an Evolution that knows a featured attack. Catch or evolve Eevee to get the following attacks.
Eevee caught or hatched during this time will know the Charged Attack Last Resort
Vaporeon will know the Charged Attack Scald
Jolteon will know the Charged Attack Zap Cannon
Flareon will know the Charged Attack Superpower
Espeon will know the Charged Attack Shadow Ball
Umbreon will know the Charged Attack Psychic
Leafeon will know the Fast Attack Bullet Seed
Glaceon will know the Charged Attack Water Pulse
Sylveon will know the Charged Attack Psyshock
It would be a slight exaggeration to say there are as many research opportunities as there are Eevee Evolutions. But between the event’s Special Research, Special Background Timed Research, and Field Research, there are plenty of ways to keep busy and earn useful rewards. July Community Day Classic–themed Field Research tasks are mostly focused on catching Eevee to earn rewards such as Stardust, Great Balls, additional encounters with Eevee, and more.
Tickets for Community Day Classic Special Research are available in the in-game shop for US$1.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency). Evolve your research game by completing the tasks to earn rewards including one Premium Battle Pass, one Rare Candy XL, additional encounters with Eevee and its Evolutions, and three encounters with Eevee that have a Delightful Days–themed Special Background.
Last but certainly not least, keep the momentum going with Special Background Timed Research. Log in during the event to receive Timed Research leading to an encounter with an Eevee with a Delightful Days–themed Special Background. Trainers will also have an increased chance of encountering Shiny Eevee in these research task rewards. Tasks associated with Timed Research must be completed and rewards claimed by July 12, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time.
Have a nice, normal Community Day Classic, Trainers!
Last month at WWDC, Apple announced a major upgrade for Apple TV: TVOS 26. This upgrade introduces a significant visual overhaul and several unprecedented entertainment features. The platform offers a new layout and interface, along with smart features that weren’t available in TVOS 18.
At the heart of the update is a new design language called Liquid Glass, which gives the interface a more vibrant and expressive look. Across iOS 26 devices, Liquid Glass offers floating, three-dimensional menus and windows, translucent UI elements like icons and menus allowing background visibility, and a rounded design with softer edges for a more organic interface look.
Also: The best Apple TV VPNs of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed
For Apple TV, in particular, the redesign will now showcase cinematic poster art for a more immersive browsing experience. The update also streamlines profile switching and app logins, making it easier to access personalized content. Apple’s TVOS 26 is also expected to incorporate new Apple Intelligence features in the coming year.
Apple
Additionally, Apple Music Sing will now let users sing along — karaoke style — with friends using their iPhones (as a microphone) with on-screen lyrics. Even better, multiple iPhones can be connected simultaneously, allowing friends and family to join in. They can queue up their favorite tracks and send emoji reactions that appear on the TV screen in real-time.
Other notable updates include a more personalized FaceTime experience with the addition of Contact Posters and an expansion of Live Captions to translate languages like Spanish, French, German, and more.
Also: The 5 biggest MacOS features announced at WWDC 2025
The beloved Aerial screen savers are also enhanced with captivating landscapes, and for the first time, users can choose which categories of screen savers to display. Finally, a key audio upgrade will now allow users to designate any AirPlay-enabled speaker as the permanent, default audio output for their Apple TV.
Lastly, at WWDC 2025, Apple TV+ announced new content options on its streaming app. A short list includes: “Foundation,” “Chief of War,” “Slow Horses,” “The Savant,” and several others.
Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moriadeveloper Free Range Games has reportedly laid off the entire development team of an unannounced game, which totaled around 80 employees.
Via LinkedIn, multiple developers shared the news and announced their job searches over the past week. This includes senior UX/UI designer Quinn Le, senior technical narrative designer James Binns, executive producer Jacob Van Rooyen, quest designer Tracy Runanin-Telle, and senior producers Adrienne Daniel and Joseph Knox.
“On Monday, the project I’ve been working on for the last 4 years was pulled from our hands, and our entire development team was laid off,” Lee wrote. “We are all saddened, off-balance, but most of all, looking to the future.”
Knox said that the project had “its publisher pull funding,” which has affected “80 devs.” Daniel also mentioned this figure in their farewell post. Runanin-Telle’s profile mentions an unannounced project, in which the designer did “content creation for multiple quests in an open-world setting,” amidst a myriad of other tasks.
Free Range Games is yet to make an announcement acknowledging the latest reported layoffs. Two weeks ago, at least five developers wrote a post saying they were now seeking new work opportunities. Four of them used the same messaging, which reads as follows: “Hi everyone! I’m seeking a new role and would appreciate your support. If you hear of any opportunities or just want to catch up, please send me a message or comment below.”
Related:Xbox closes The Initiative and cancels its Perfect Dark reboot
Shortly after, one of them, lead quest designer Adam Alim, wrote, “here we are again with the layoffs,” sharing details about their past experience alongside a portfolio.
Free Range Games previously laid off employees in April 2025
According to the company’s LinkedIn profile, there are at least 117 employees associated with it. The reported layoffs mark the second time the company has let go of workers this year. The first took place three months ago, which the studio announced via social media.
The company didn’t disclose the exact number of employees affected in the earlier layoffs, but it did say that “some of them” had “chosen to share their profiles” along with the announcement. The list included 13 people across multiple departments.
The studio is currently working on an online skateboarding game called Wrekless, which is set to release “soon” on Steam Early Access. It’s unclear if this is the project that was reportedly shut down. The studio has previously served as an external developer on games like The Callisto Protocol and Oddworld: Soulstorm.
Related:Former Ubisoft execs convicted for sexual assault, psychological harassment
Game Developer has reached out to Free Range Games for comment on the matter.
In my three-plus decades of watching Microsoft, I’ve seen the company do some truly dumb things. The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 deserves a spot at the top of the list. What’s most impressive is that the strategy it’s been executing is bad for Microsoft’s customers, and bad for the company’s bottom line. A real lose-lose proposition.
Also: Microsoft unveils Windows 11 25H2 – here’s who can try it now and how
In 2021, when Microsoft’s engineers were putting the finishing touches on what would become Windows 11, the plan was to make it a conventional release that would have allowed most Windows 10 PCs an easy upgrade path. But someone at Microsoft killed that plan, creating a series of headaches that will become exceptionally costly and painful for businesses and consumers at the end of 2025.
And it didn’t have to be this way. To understand why, we need to talk about the long history of Microsoft Windows support policies.
Microsoft’s 10-year support lifecycle
Since the mid-1990s — the start of the modern Windows era — Microsoft has committed to support every new commercial release of Windows for at least 10 years — five years of mainstream support and five years of extended support. That commitment was formalized a quarter-century ago with the release of Windows 2000; it expanded to officially include consumers in 2012.
And that 10 years was about the operating system, not the hardware. Because of the company’s obsessive focus on backward compatibility, you could pretty much count on your PC being able to run the latest version of Windows for at least a dozen years and maybe even 15 years. If you bought a PC with Windows 7 preinstalled in 2010, you were able to upgrade it to Windows 8 in 2012 and then Windows 10 in 2015, and many of those devices are still running Windows 10 productively in 2025.
Also: How to get Windows 10 extended security updates for free: 2 options
That’s why it was such a rude shock when Microsoft released Windows 11 in 2021 with a set of unexpectedly rigid hardware restrictions. The requirements were so severe that they blocked upgrades even on PCs that had been purchased new only two or three years before Windows 11 was released. That effectively reduced the support lifecycle to well under 10 years for hundreds of millions of PCs designed and built between 2016 and 2019.
If you felt like you’d just had the rug pulled out from under you by someone in Redmond, well, you’re not alone.
The chaotic launch of Windows 11
Windows 11 went through one of the most compressed development cycles in the long history of the OS. Announced in June 2021, tested in an Insider Preview cycle for about three months, then released in October 2021.
The way that announcement played out was just an absolute mess from a corporate communications standpoint. The online launch event on June 24, 2021, was so glitchy that most of the invited press and analysts were unable to watch it. And that was just the start. To remind myself of how insane that week was, I reread a piece I wrote at the time: “Will your PC run Windows 11? Even Microsoft can’t say for sure.”
Also: Can’t upgrade your Windows 10 PC? Here are your options before it all ends in 3 months
Oh man, did that bring back a flood of unpleasant memories. I encourage you to read that post and look at the number of times I had to update it after Microsoft execs backtracked, revised, hemmed and hawed with every detail of the launch. They then memory-holed the confusing record they had created, doing such a thorough job that even the Internet Archive can’t locate the original documents.
But after doing that research and reading contemporaneous posts from other sources covering the same topic at the same time, I think I know what happened.
When Windows 11 was announced, Microsoft had prepared two sets of system requirements.
The first set of requirements included detailed CPU compatibility checks as well as the requirement for a TPM 2.0. Microsoft called this the Soft Floor.
The second set would have allowed any machine that was made for Windows 10 to be upgradeable to Windows 11, although they would see a message warning them that an upgrade is not advised. This was called the Hard Floor, and it would have given PCs built between 2015 and 2018 an upgrade path that would keep them running after Windows 10 support ended in 2025.
Those requirements were public on June 25, 2021, when a Microsoft volunteer moderator on the Windows community discussion forum reassured some anxious questioners that their unsupported processors were a “soft floor requirement.” He even quoted from the Compatibility Cookbook.
Also: How to install Windows 11 your way (and avoid Microsoft’s restrictions)
The next day, he edited the post to acknowledge that the information was no longer valid and that the referenced pages had been removed. You can see the original text in strikeout mode here:
In a matter of about 48 hours, Microsoft changed and then memory-holed its original system requirements for Windows 11.
Screenshot by Ed Bott/ZDNET
Oops.
What happened?
I have no inside knowledge about what was going on inside the conference rooms at One Microsoft Way that week, but my guess is that two factions in the executive suite were fighting over what to do with one Windows 11.
One group was holding out for allowing both sets of requirements to coexist so that they could retain Microsoft’s traditional 10-plus-year support lifecycle.
Also: How to do a clean install of Windows 11: See which option is best for you and why
All the documentation that came out around the Windows 11 announcement in June 2021 acknowledged both sets of requirements. The engineers who had been building Windows 11 wanted to release a broad set of compatibility recommendations that discouraged — but did not prohibit — upgrades on older PCs that met the hard floor. “Devices that do not meet the hard floor cannot be upgraded to Windows 11, and devices that meet the soft floor will receive a notification that upgrade is not advised.”
The other group wanted to draw a line in the sand, customers be damned.
Guess who won.
As part of their victory lap, those hard-liners ruthlessly erased every trace of the original requirements, at least in document form. For more than three years, a Microsoft Support page called “Ways to install Windows 11” included detailed instructions on how to modify the registry and create installation media to upgrade Windows 10 PCs that contained at least a TPM 1.2 and had an unsupported CPU. Microsoft removed those instructions in December 2024. (You can find a copy of the original page on the Internet Archive.)
But it didn’t remove the registry keys and other workarounds that had made it possible to upgrade those older but still functional Windows PCs so they could have their normal 10-plus years of life. You can still use those small tweaks today to install and run Windows 11 on hardware that met the “hard floor” requirements. (That’s Option 1 in my guide: “How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 – 2 free options.”)
Also: How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why you shouldn’t wait to do it)
Blocking those perfectly functional machines from upgrading was rude, it was thoughtless, and it was, from a purely capitalist point of view, an amazingly effective way to alienate a huge proportion of your customer base.
Why did this happen?
Hundreds of millions of PCs that are running Windows 10 today can’t be upgraded to Windows 11 using supported tools. How many? Who knows? My best guess is that about 50% of the Windows 10 installed base is ineligible for an upgrade, which adds up to at least 500 million PCs — maybe a couple hundred million more, if you believe Microsoft’s optimistic numbers.
For PCs in managed corporate environments, Microsoft can squeeze out $427 per machine for a three-year subscription to the Extended Security Updates program, or convince those customers to upgrade to new hardware or move those workloads to cloud-based Windows 365 PCs. Either strategy will put money in Microsoft’s pocket.
Also: 6 things I always do after setting up Windows 11 – and why you should too
As for consumers and small, unmanaged businesses, well, y’all have been an afterthought for the past four years. But the prospect of having all those machines suddenly cut off from security updates runs the risk of creating a security nightmare at the end of this year. So, in a move that any reasonable person could have predicted four years ago, Microsoft in late June caved — not by extending the end-of-support date for Windows 10 but by agreeing to give away one-year ESU subscriptions to consumers with Microsoft accounts who are willing to jump through a few hoops.
That doesn’t solve the problem. It just kicks the can down the road for 12 months and gives consumers and small businesses something to be even more confused about. I expect to receive an avalanche of email this fall from people unsure about their options and nervous about whether it’s safe to keep using their old, perfectly good PC. Some of them will simply pay the $30.
And let’s be clear: If these requirements are really about security, then why is Microsoft willing to take money from its business customers to allow it to keep delivering updates to the “insecure” older operating system for three full years after the end-of-support date? And why is it limiting individual customers and small businesses, who are running the same OS on identical hardware, to a one-year extension?
Also: 7 quick ways to make Windows 11 less annoying right now
It’s almost like Microsoft thinks those small-fry customers are more trouble than they’re worth, just a headache. It can squeeze out some revenue by making Windows more annoying, but those commercial/enterprise customers are a much more dependable and lucrative source of revenue.
Bottom line: It didn’t have to be this way. Microsoft could have chosen to roll out Windows 11 in a more traditional way, giving a compatibility break to older machines. Instead, it chose this path. And now it’s paying the price.
Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.
The Roku Ultra is a streaming device available for $100.
The Roku Ultra is the perfect streaming device for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to team iOS with an Apple TV 4K or team Android with a Google TV Streamer.
There are a few drawbacks to getting a Roku Ultra, like the lack of a headphone jack on the remote.
more buying choices
The Roku Ultra streaming device is on sale for $79, the lowest price we’ve ever seen.
Although I’m an iPhone user with an Apple TV 4K, I love using different streaming devices — I never feel committed to a single brand. Different brands offer different features, and adding a new device to an older TV can make it feel like a brand-new television. This happened with my Fire TV when I added a Roku Ultra.
Also: The Google TV Streamer surprised me in the best way – and I’m an extreme cord cutter
I have a habit of getting deeply discounted Fire TVs during major shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. I got a 50-inch 4-Series Fire TV during Prime Day 2022 and a 43-inch Omni Series Fire TV during Prime Day 2023. The 4-Series television looks great, but its FireOS platform has begun to slow down significantly even though the model came out only three years ago – I guess it’s the price you pay for an inexpensive TV.
This could be a storage issue, but I’ve tried deleting apps I don’t need and the cache on apps I do, and nothing makes a significant difference. The TV only has 2GB of RAM, so it could also be unable to keep up with all the apps I run on it.
This set is the main character in my family’s TV room and gets many streaming hours courtesy of my kids. This room is adjacent to their playroom, so it’s like a one-stop shop where they play, draw, read, and watch TV. It’s also where we have family movie nights.
When I began testing the new Roku Ultra, I ditched the built-in FireOS and added the new streaming device to the TV. The Roku Ultra made the 4-Series Fire TV perform better than when it was first purchased, and it also looks better than ever, likely thanks to the extra memory on the device.
Also: Apple TV vs. Roku: Which streaming device should you buy?
Testing the Roku Ultra has made it one of my favorite streaming devices, and it’s all due to a single underrated benefit among smart devices: simplicity.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
The Roku Ultra is an unassuming device with a simple operating system that is easy to learn and navigate, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. It doesn’t bombard you with ads and suggested content when you turn on your TV and lets you dive right into navigating its intuitive, app-based platform.
Also: The Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED is great for gaming and streaming, and still 25% off
The Roku platform has ads, but they’re banner ads rather than obnoxious content that plays automatically when the TV is idle on the home screen (looking at you, FireOS). The Roku Ultra is also compatible with Wi-Fi 6, though not with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, as other streaming players are.
Faithful to simplicity, the Roku Ultra doesn’t feature extra bells and whistles; instead, it keeps all the technology within the device and remote control. The Roku Ultra looks similar to previous versions, if a bit larger, but the new remote is an absolute winner.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
Aside from being 30% faster than other Roku streaming devices, the new Roku Ultra comes with the latest Roku Voice Remote Pro. This is easily the best remote control among streaming devices, packed with all the features you’ll need: backlit buttons, a customizable shortcut button, a rechargeable battery with a USB-C port, and a voice-controlled remote finder feature.
Also: The most immersive gaming speaker system I’ve ever tested is almost 30% off at Amazon
Since my kids seem to always be in the TV room watching our Fire TV, the remote control is often lost. It’s been squished into the reclining mechanisms on one of the chairs, resulting in a cracked Alexa Voice Remote that, thankfully, still works. Now I only have to say, “Hey Roku, find my remote” when I can’t see it.
Among streaming players, Roku also features the most free channels; Roku Channel offers more than 400 live channels. If live TV is something you’ve been missing since cutting the cord, I’d definitely recommend Roku’s subscription-free live TV system.
ZDNET’s buying advice
The Roku Ultra is perfect for anyone looking for a fast, reliable streaming device that is easy to use with almost any smartphone. Unlike the Apple TV 4K and the Google TV Streamer, direct competitors catering to specific audiences, the Roku Ultra supports both Apple AirPlay and screen mirroring from Android, so you can cast your media to your TV regardless of the operating system on your phone.
I’d recommend the Roku Ultra streaming device to anyone looking for a fast, intuitive device who doesn’t want to marry a single mobile operating system.
Also: I tested Amazon’s Mini LED Fire TV, and it competes with more expensive Samsung and LG models
Though Fire TV devices also support screen mirroring from iOS and Android, the FireOS platform is more cluttered than the Roku system, with a lot of suggested content on the home screen and more ads. I also find that Fire TV devices are more prone to slowing with age, seemingly bogged down by updates and memory issues.
While many sales events feature deals for a specific length of time, deals are on a limited-time basis, making them subject to expire at any time. ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best offers to help you maximize your savings so you can feel as confident in your purchases as we are in our recommendations. Our ZDNET team of experts constantly monitors the deals we feature to keep our stories up-to-date. If you missed out on this deal, don’t worry — we’re continually sourcing new savings opportunities at ZDNET.com.
Google last month released Android 16 to Pixel devices and select OEMs, bringing performance improvements, new Material You changes, and more upgrades. If you want to try this update but are hesitant because you’ve noticed your Android phone or tablet already feels too sluggish, clearing app and browser caches can give it a fresh boost and free up some storage space.
Over time, cached data can accumulate, become corrupted, or simply get outdated, which may slow down your device. Restarting your phone often helps, but a targeted cache-clear is a quick way to boost responsiveness without upgrading hardware.
Also: I changed 12 settings on my Android phone to give it an instant battery boost
In this guide, I’ll show you how to clear cached data on Android. If you’re an Apple user, here’s how to clear the cache on an iPhone.
How to clear cached data from Android apps
What you’ll need: Any Android device. The exact steps may vary slightly by manufacturer, but the general process remains the same.
Open Settings, go to Storage, and tap Apps. If you don’t see a dedicated Apps entry, use the search area in Settings to quickly find it.
Also: Your Android phone just got a major feature upgrade for free – including these Pixel models
Also in the Storage menu, some Android devices now include a “Free up space” suggestion via the Google Files app. To use this, open Files, tap the three-line menu in the top-left, and select Clean. Review each suggestion (e.g. unused apps, large files, duplicates) and follow the steps to delete any files you no longer need.
Show more
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Repeat for any apps that use a lot of space. You can start with data-heavy hogs like social apps or streaming services.
Also: How to factory reset your Android phone without unlocking it
Also, while you’re in the Apps menu, some Android versions make it easy to see which apps take up the most space. Simply look for the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Sort by Size.
Show more
How to clear cache from Chrome
What you need: The Chrome app on your Android 16 device.
1. Go to History settings in Chrome
Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu > History > Clear browsing data.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
2. Choose the data you want to delete
Select the time range and check “Cached images and files” (and any other data you wish to remove). Then tap “Clear data.”
Also: My 7 favorite new Android 16 features include delights for every Pixel user
Each option explains what it does and how it affects your experience. For example, clearing cookies and site data will log you out of many or all websites, while clearing cached images and files might cause Chrome to load images slower next time you visit a site.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
3. Optional: A simpler shortcut
On newer versions of Chrome for Android, tapping the menu button displays an option called Clear Browsing Data. When you select this, a pop-up will appear asking you to clear browsing data from a specific period. If you select More Options, you’ll be taken to the Browsing Data screen, where you can choose the data to delete and select the time range.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
What does cached data mean?
Cache stores temporary files — like images, scripts, and other resources — to speed up apps and websites. Clearing it removes these files without affecting personal settings or login credentials.
Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why you shouldn’t wait to do it)
For example, in the Facebook app, cached data might include profile pictures, photos, and videos. Deleting cached data from the Facebook app will remove these temporary files on your device, but won’t log you out.
Show more
Will clearing cache delete my app data?
No. Clearing cache only removes temporary files. Your accounts, settings, and app data remain intact.
Will clearing cache make my device faster?
Yes. It frees up storage and removes potentially corrupted or outdated files, which can resolve slowdowns and glitches.
How often should I clear cache?
Whenever you notice slowdowns or app glitches. For most users, every three to six months is sufficient.
Also: I made 5 simple changes on Android to instantly make my phone sound better
Is clearing cache only for storage?
Clearing cache can also fix app issues by forcing apps to rebuild their temporary files. It’s a quick troubleshooting step, not just a storage cleanup.
Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.
Google has patched yet another critical security bug in Chrome, which means all of you who use the browser should update it ASAP. On Monday, the company revealed a high-severity vulnerability that could allow a remote attacker to run malicious code on your system.
In its release notes for the latest version of Chrome, Google pointed to the security flaw tagged as CVE-2025-6554. The NIST page on this one describes it as: “Type confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 138.0.7204.96 allowed a remote attacker to perform arbitrary read/write via a crafted HTML page.”
Also: This Google Chrome update could change the fundamentals of browsing – here’s who gets to try it first
V8 is an open-source JavaScript and WebAssembly engine that Google uses in Chrome. Here, a programming problem in the code could give a remote attacker the means to create a malicious web page designed to steal data, install malware, or take over your system. The vulnerability has already been exploited in the wild, which means the bad guys are onto it and have used it to target unsuspecting Chrome users.
This particular bug was discovered by Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group on June 25. To assist with its bug-hunting efforts, Google’s researchers typically turn to such tools as AddressSanitizer, MemorySanitizer, UndefinedBehaviorSanitizer, Control Flow Integrity, libFuzzer, and AFL.
Thankfully, Google has rolled out a fix for this flaw with the latest versions of the browser, specifically version 138.0.7204.96/.97 for Windows, 138.0.7204.92/.93 for the Mac, and 138.0.7204.92 for Linux.
How to update Chrome
To update Chrome, open the browser, click the three-dot icon at the top, move to Help, and select About Chrome. The program will automatically download and install the latest update. Relaunch Chrome, and you’ll be fully protected, at least until the next critical vulnerability rolls around.
Chrome does have a history of being hit by security flaws, many of them critical. Google tends to respond fairly quickly with the necessary patches. But with so many vulnerabilities and so many patches, updating the browser seems like a never-ending job. Still, any flaw that’s already been exploited in the wild should be taken seriously. That’s why you’ll want to update Chrome now if you haven’t already done so.
Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.
Casper Canada is pulling back the covers on what perfect sleep really looks like with the launch of its bold new brand campaign: ‘This is Perfect Sleep’, the brand’s first collaboration with GUT Toronto.
Forget models in pristine bedrooms, smiling while “sleeping” in perfectly made beds. Perfect sleep is real, messy, and entirely human. From smushed faces to tangled hair and unusual positions, this campaign shows that when we’re truly asleep, we finally stop caring what anyone thinks.
Casper Canada has evolved from a revolutionary mattress-in-a-box pioneer into a Canadian-based brand obsessively focused on sleep and leading in sleep innovation. In 2023, Casper Canada became Canadian-owned and operated. This transition marked an exciting milestone in the brand’s history, enabling Casper to deliver the best sleep experience, personalised to Canadians coast to coast. They remain a premium sleep company, offering a diverse range of quality sleep essentials to inspire Canadians to achieve their perfect sleep.
“At Casper Canada, we believe the best sleep happens when we don’t care how it looks,” said Sarah Badun, vice president and general manager at Casper Canada. “We wanted to show people what real, restorative rest looks like. That starts with ditching perfection and embracing the reality of true restful sleep. We’re excited to help Canadians across the country achieve true, uninhibited, deep sleep.”
By tossing out the tropes of modern sleep advertising, Casper Canada embraces the beautifully chaotic reality of actual rest. The campaign is shot in real bedrooms and features a series of raw, intimate, and often humorous portraits of deep, unfiltered sleep on a Casper mattress and bedding.
“We wanted to break the traditional mold of sleep ads.” said Max Geraldo, chief creative officer at GUT Toronto. “The insight was simple: if sleep looks good, it probably wasn’t real. So we embraced the mess, tangled sheets, unflattering angles and elevated it with rich visuals and an original, joyful, ‘70s-inspired track. The result is beautifully honest rest: a bit weird, relatable, and a little vulnerable. Just like sleep is.”
Casper Canada and GUT Toronto produced this omnichannel campaign, which can now be seen across Canada through connected TV ad spots, social platforms, and out-of-home placements starting this September.
New MTG Series Introduces Newly Developed Structure Using Advanced Materials and Innovative Technology
DOVER, N.J., July 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Casio America, Inc., is excited to unveil the MTGB4000, the newest addition to its premium MT-G lineup and the first G-SHOCK timepiece developed through a design process combining human ingenuity with generative AI technology. This launch marks a new era of innovation in watchmaking, where advanced computational design meets G-SHOCK’s signature shock-resistant engineering.
New MTG Series Introduces Newly Developed Structure Using Advanced Materials and Innovative Technology
The MTGB4000-1A and MTGB4000B1A2 debut a newly developed, distinctive frame that redefines G-SHOCK’s iconic toughness and refined craftsmanship. Development began with initial sketches from G-SHOCK’s designers, which were then optimized using AI to enhance structural performance while preserving the bold aesthetics of the MT-G line. The result is a timepiece that achieves a new harmony of strength and elegance, pushing the frontiers of functional beauty, delivering both rugged durability and elevated visual appeal.
Building off of the MT-G line’s signature construction, the new launch combines the strength of metal and resin for a bold yet functional design. This new model features an evolved Dual Core Guard structure with integrated band connection parts, allowing the frame to absorb external shocks and reducing the load on the inner case. This innovation further enhances the MTGB4000’s shock resistance while giving the watch a bold and cohesive form.
The frame is cut from laminated carbon and glass fiber sheets, producing a dimensional silhouette with visible layering along the sides. The top of the bezel is adorned with precision finishes, including Sallaz polishing, a high-end technique that produces smooth, distortion-free mirror surfaces. Contrasting hairline and mirror finishes highlight the craftsmanship behind each metal detail, adding richness and depth to the overall design. The MTGB4000B1A2 is further distinguished by a newly developed blue-gray IP coating, offering a rich, futuristic aesthetic.
Crafted using metal injection molding (MIM), the case back features intricate shaping and a highly durable form. Clarity and scratch resistance come courtesy of a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, while the multi-dimensional dial is expertly produced through precision processing at Yamagata Casio.
The new timepieces come equipped with the following features:
The MTGB4000-1A ($1,250) and MTGB4000B1A2 ($1,350) will be available for purchase on July 2nd at select Retailers, gshock.com, and the G-SHOCK Soho store. For more information about the G-SHOCK brand, visit gshock.casio.com/us.
About G-SHOCK
CASIO’s shock-resistant G-SHOCK watch is synonymous with toughness, born from the developer Mr. Ibe’s dream of ‘creating a watch that never breaks’. Over 200 handmade samples were created and tested to destruction until finally in 1983 the first, now iconic G-SHOCK hit the streets of Japan and began to establish itself as ‘the toughest watch of all time’. Each watch encompasses the 7 elements; electric shock resistance, gravity resistance, low temperature resistance, vibration resistance, water resistance, shock resistance and toughness. The watch is packed with Casio innovations and technologies to prevent it from suffering direct shock; this includes internal components protected with urethane and suspended timekeeping modules inside the watch structure. Since its launch, G-SHOCK has continued to evolve, continuing to support on Mr. Ibe’s mantra “never, never give up.”www.gshock.casio.com/us/
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT: 5WPR [email protected]
Sue VanderSchans / Cecilia Lederer CASIO AMERICA, INC. (973) 361-5400 [email protected] [email protected]
