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Apple fans could be in for some pretty exciting launches in 2025. Like normal, we’re expecting the brand to launch new iPhones this fall, but those who love their Apple home entertainment items are quietly getting excited. Apple rumors are afloat about new items that will be the go-to for streaming all the movies and TV shows that get us through dreary winter months. And we’re hopeful they’ll launch before the end of 2025.

A rumor is still a rumor until it’s proven as fact, so there’s still a chance this speculation might not come to fruition, but there’s no harm in dreaming, right?

An upgraded Apple HomePod mini

Apple first launched the HomePod mini about five years ago, which means we’re well due for the Apple HomePod mini 2 which is rumored to be dropping sometime before the end of 2025. The expectation is that it’ll include a better chip, cutting down on response time.

The current HomePod mini comes with the S5 chip that’s also found in the Apple Watch Series 5. It’s possible Apple will upgrade this to a newer chip and MacRumors is guessing this could be the S11 chip that is likely to launch in the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, assuming those also arrive in 2025.

We’d also be down with new colorway options for the Apple HomePod mini 2. Currently colorway options are pretty bold, aside from the white and black. Getting a Starlight or Sky Blue option similar to that of the MacBook would be welcomed. If you’re not down with waiting for the HomePod mini 2, you can snag the original HomePod mini for $99 at Apple.

A snappier Apple TV 4K

The current model of the Apple TV 4K came out in 2022 and has a A15 Bionic chip. According to Apple’s own code, it seems as if that’s getting an upgrade to the A17 Pro chip, which could spell big performance improvements. The A17 Pro chip is also capable of supporting Apple Intelligence, which requires 8GB of memory. That would mean the Apple TV 4K could be in line for doubling the current storage space from 4GB up to 8GB.

Again, if you’re not willing to wait around for the new model to drop, you can still snag the current model for $149.99 at Best Buy.

Google is rolling out a new safety feature for the Messages app on Android. As spotted by , the company is making Sensitive Content Warnings more broadly available after . Google it last October.

The feature can detect and blur images that include nudity. However, it’ll only work if you’re signed into a Google Account in the Messages app.

When Messages detects and blurs such an image, you will be able to choose between several actions. You can access a resource page called “Learn why nude images can be harmful,” block the sender’s number, return to the main Messages screen or opt to dismiss or view the image (tap Next and then either “No, don’t view” or “Yes, view”).

A warning will appear when you go to send or forward a nude image too. Your device will remind you of the risk of doing so and you will have to acknowledge confirmation before you send the image.

Sensitive Content Warnings is enabled by default for supervised users and parents and guardians can manage it via the Family Link app. Unsupervised teens aged between 13 and 17 can switch off the feature from their Google Account settings. Adults will have to opt in if they want to use the feature. They can do so by going to Google Messages Settings > Protection & Safety > Manage sensitive content warnings > Warnings in Google Messages.

Google has designed this feature with privacy in mind. Your device will process and classify the images locally with the help of Android System SafetyCore tools. No identifiable data, classified content or results associated with this safety feature (including any detected nude images) are sent to Google servers, the company says. Google also notes that the feature isn’t perfect — it may occasionally incorrectly determine that an image contains nudity when it doesn’t, or allow ones that do feature nudity to pass through undetected.

An ongoing malware campaign active throughout 2025 is using malvertising to deliver a sophisticated PowerShell-based framework.

According to Cisco Talos researchers, the malware is named “PS1Bot” due to its similarities with the AHK Bot malware family. It deploys multiple malicious modules capable of stealing sensitive information, logging keystrokes, capturing screens and maintaining persistence.

The infection chain begins when victims download a compressed archive from a malicious advertisement or search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning link.

The archive contains a JavaScript file, “FULL DOCUMENT.js,” embedded with VBScript. Once executed, it retrieves a PowerShell script that polls a command-and-control (C2) server for further modules. These are executed in memory, reducing forensic traces.

Read more on malware leveraging malvertising for distribution: NCSC Publishes Tips to Tackle Malvertising Threat

Talos has identified distinct modules performing:

• Antivirus detection

• Screen capture

• Cryptocurrency wallet and browser data theft

• Keylogging and clipboard monitoring

• System information gathering

• Persistence

Each module reports status updates to the attacker via HTTP requests.

Notably, the “grabber” module targets dozens of web browsers and cryptocurrency wallet extensions, searching local drives for files containing wallet seed phrases or passwords before compressing and exfiltrating them.

The screen capture tool compiles and runs C# code at runtime to generate JPEG screenshots, which are later encoded and sent to the C2 server. The keylogger uses Windows API hooks to capture keystrokes and mouse events, alongside clipboard contents. Persistence is achieved by creating PowerShell scripts and shortcuts that reinitiate the C2 loop on system startup.

While Talos has not observed the Skitnet binary directly, overlaps in infrastructure, module design and URL construction suggest links to campaigns distributing Skitnet/Bossnet.

The researchers also note architectural similarities to AHK Bot, including using drive serial numbers to build C2 paths and a modular design enabling rapid updates.

Talos has assessed that additional, undiscovered PS1Bot modules likely exist. The malware’s flexible framework and active development indicate it will continue evolving as attackers adapt its capabilities.

Is Amazon working on a cheaper version of its color display Kindle?

According to allegedly leaked photos posted on Reddit, the answer is yes. On Wednesday, a redditor shared images of what they claim is a prototype of a smaller Kindle with a color display, via The Verge. The user, writing in Portuguese, said it’s a smaller version of the Kindle 11, Amazon’s latest e-reader. The prototype has a color display like the Kindle Colorsoft which launched in 2024.

The biggest complaint about Amazon’s first colorized e-reader is the cost. The Colorsoft debuted with a flagship version called the Signature Edition for $279.99. This past July, it launched two other iterations for a slightly cheaper price: the Kindle Colorsoft for $249.99 and the Kindle Colorsoft Kids for $269.99. For reference, the black and white standard Kindle costs $109.99 and the Kindle Paperwhite, $159.99. So the Kindle Colorsoft is a steep markup just for reading in color.

In the images of the alleged prototype, the device is called the Kindle Petit Color. But the user says the name isn’t finalized yet, so that could change. The user also shared that the device has “progressive” color so that the text and status bar changes color as you progress and the color quality is much better than the current Kindle Colorsoft.

The anonymous user’s claims haven’t been verified, so take this leak with a big grain of salt. But if this turns out to be a real prototype for an upcoming budget-friendly version of the Kindle Colorsoft, that would make many Kindle readers very happy.