BBC Studios is using AI to recreate the voice and likeness of late detective story author Agatha Christie for the purpose of featuring it in digital classes that teaches prospective writers “how to craft the perfect crime novel.” A real life actor, Vivien Keene, is standing in for Christie, with her appearance augmented by AI to resemble the author. The new class, called Agatha Christie Writing, is available today on BBC Maestro, the company’s $10-per-month online course service that usually gives you access to content from living professionals teaching things like graphic design, bread making, time management, and more.Deepfaked Agatha Christie’s teachings are “in Agatha’s very own words,” her great-grandson James Prichard said in a press release. It uses insights from the real Christie and is scripted by academics — so the actual content appears to be human-made and not generated from a model that’s been fed all of her work. BBC collaborated with Agatha Christie Estate and used restored audio recordings, licensed images, interviews, and her own writings to make this all happen.Live now, the class has 11 video lessons with 12 exercises for prospective writing students, including how to “structure an airtight plot” and “build suspense.”

The Meta AI app could soon get a paid tier, similar to the ones offered by rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the plan during a Q1 2025 earnings call on Wednesday, saying there’s an opportunity to offer a “premium service for people who want to unlock more compute or additional functionality” in Meta AI.As part of Meta’s efforts to compete with ChatGPT, the company launched a standalone Meta AI app this week, allowing you to interact with the chatbot and generate images from within the app. The chatbot, which Meta says now has nearly 1 billion users, was previously only available within apps like Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp.OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot all offer paid subscriptions that give users access to more advanced features and compute. Meta reported earning $42 billion in revenue over the past few months and revealed that it now expects to invest up to $72 billion on AI, rather than the up to $65 billion Zuckerberg announced previously.Additionally, Zuckerberg mentioned incorporating “product recommendations or ads” within Meta AI. It’s not clear when ads, or a paid tier, might roll out, as Zuckerberg said, “I expect that we’re going to be largely focused on scaling and deepening engagement for at least the next year before we’ll really be ready to start building out the business.”

While Microsoft was on a rampage of adding ads to its software and operating systems, it feels like its efforts have dwindled somewhat over time. If they truly have, it's likely because the company was instead focusing on making Copilot happen. With its new Copilot Pro subscription plan and its Copilot+ devices, Microsoft was set to make bank off of its new AI-powered services.

The WiZ HDMI sync box can make your WiZ lights dance with movies and music.Budget smart lighting brand WiZ has announced a new HDMI sync box that syncs with its line of Wi-Fi-based LED lights to match what’s playing on your TV. WiZ’s HDMI Sync Box with TV backlight will be available next month. It comes in two models: one with a TV backlight strip for screens 55 inches to 65 inches in size for $89.99, and the other for screens 75 inches to 85 inches in size for $109.99.The new HDMI box is similar to that of WiZ’s sister brand, Philips Hue. But Hue’s HDMI Play Box starts at $249.99, with light strips sold separately. (Hue and WiZ are both owned by Signify, but their bulbs are not compatible with each other.) WiZ bulbs also use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, whereas Hue relies on Bluetooth and Zigbee (via a hub).Unlike camera-based light syncing systems from companies like Nanoleaf and Govee, WiZ and Hue’s sync products read the signal directly from the video source, which can help avoid latency issues. This makes WiZ’s option a great budget alternative for those put off by Hue’s high prices. However, there are some concessions. The WiZ box only has one HDMI input, whereas the Hue Play supports four. This means if you have multiple devices connected to your TV, you’ll have to manually switch between them. The WiZ Sync Box supports HDMI 2.0 and video formats up to 4K at 60Hz with HDR10 Plus and Dolby Vision. Hue’s latest Play HDMI Box supports up to 8K video, HDMI 2.1, and refresh rates up to 120Hz for 4K for console gaming. It also costs $350The WiZ box also features a built-in microphone that captures audio, allowing the lights to change in sync with music as well as movies. The box can be controlled with the WiZ app, with voice via Google or Alexa, or the WiZ remote control.According to the company, the Sync Box can connect to any color-capable WiZ light that supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, including its new Gradient Light Bars ($59.99) and Gradient Floor Light ($89.99), which can sit alongside your TV to add more ambient light. As with all of WiZ’s lighting products, these support the Matter smart home standard, so are compatible with most smart home systems. 

For a long time, I’ve been waiting for an encrypted calendar with access to other secure productivity apps, like Google or Outlook Calendar, but actually private and secure. Enter Proton. I started using Proton Calendar via its free plan several months back. I can access Proton’s other end-to-end encrypted apps like Mail, Docs, and VPN through it. I liked it enough to get a paid subscription.

Amazon’s annual Gaming Week celebration kicked off on Monday, April 28th, and will run through Sunday, May 4th. Whether you’re looking for a new headset, an internal SSD, or other gaming essentials, there are plenty of deals to explore. That being said, not every discount is worth your time and money — in fact, most aren’t — so we took the liberty of sifting through the deals to bring you the very best.From premium headsets like Sony’s InZone H9 and mice like the Glorious Model D to games like Resident Evil 4, Street Fighter 6, and Visions of Mana, here are the deals actually worth shelling out for.If you’re looking for a budget headset, Razer’s wired BlackShark V2 is on sale at Amazon for $35.99 ($15 off), which is $1 shy of its lowest price to date. The comfy, lightweight headset features a 3.5mm audio cable, so while it’s primarily designed for gaming on an Xbox Series X and Series S, it’s also compatible with PCs. It also features crisp sound and leather-like ear cups, as well as a noise-canceling cardioid mic and a truly excellent tactile knob on the left ear cup that allows you to quickly adjust the volume.You can grab a Meta Quest 3 with a carrying case, a three-month trial of Meta Quest Plus, and a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow at Amazon for $544.64 (about $25 off), which is $6 shy of the bundle’s all-time low. Meta’s last-gen virtual reality headset is slimmer and more comfortable than the newer Quest 3S, with higher-resolution pancake lenses, a wider field of view, and a dedicated depth sensor for more immersive mixed reality experiences. Read our review.The Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is currently on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo for $129.99 ($20 off), which is about $13 shy of its best price to date. The handy, midrange macro controller features 15 programmable LCD buttons you can use to create shortcuts for various computing and smart home tasks, allowing you to quickly change your Slack status, hit the lights, and carry out a host of actions with the touch of a button. The MK.2 model also features a detachable stand and user-swappable faceplates, letting you add a bit more customization to your setup.If you plan on sticking with your Nintendo Switch or Switch OLED for the foreseeable future, the PDP Travel Case Plus Glow is on sale at Amazon in a variety of designs starting at just $14.99 ($10 off). The inexpensive carrying case features a protective 3D-molded design, a handle, and pockets for stowing game cartridges and other accessories; it also sports an integrated stand, if you find your console’s built-in kickstand to be lacking.You can pick up a physical copy of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection for the Nintendo Switch at Amazon for $26.99 ($23 off), which is a new low price. The classic arcade bundle features seven 2D fighting titles that can be played either solo or online, including X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000).The HyperX QuadCast S is available for $99.99 ($60 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Target, which is $10 shy of its record-low price. In terms of recording quality, the original model — not to be confused with the newer QuadCast 2 S — maxes out at 16-bit/48kHz, but it still delivers solid voice and audio quality for the price thanks to multiple pickup patterns. The USB-C mic also features attractive LED lighting, which can be further customized using HyperX’s companion app.Amazon is selling the original Glorious Model D Gaming Mouse in black for $26.99 ($23 off), which is $2 shy of its best price to date. The ultra-lightweight wired mouse weighs just 68 grams and features an ergonomic build with a right-slanted design for enhanced comfort. It also sports six customizable buttons and a 1,000Hz polling rate, as if the adjustable RGB lighting and honeycomb design weren’t enough.If you’re looking to upgrade your streaming setup, the first-gen Elgato Key Light is on sale at Amazon and B&H Photo for $139.99 ($20 off), nearly matching its best price to date. The Wi-Fi-enabled LED panel is designed specifically for streamers and content creators, and as such, it delivers up to 2,800 lumens of adjustable brightness. You can also easily tweak the color temperature of the clamp-style light, which can wirelessly connect to your smartphone, PC, and other devices.You can grab a physical copy of Street Fighter 6 for the Xbox Series X / S for $27.99 ($32 off) or for the PlayStation 5 for $29.95 ($30 off), which is the lowest price we’ve seen on either configuration. The latest installment is a fantastic addition to Capcom’s long-running fighting series, with smooth gameplay, great visuals, and a new single-player mode that lets you explore the world with your own fighter. Read our review.You can grab a physical copy of Visions of Mana for the PS5 or Xbox Series X at Amazon for $34.99 ($25 off), an all-time low. Square Enix’s long-awaited action RPG marks the first main entry in the Mana series in almost 20 years, and though it suffers from a few flaws, it features a rewarding class system, lush environments, and a memorable cast of characters. The Amazon edition also includes a sticker set, but is otherwise identical to the standard edition.Samsung’s beefy 49-inch Odyssey G9 gaming monitor is on sale for $949.99 ($650 off) at Amazon, marking one of its better prices to date. The curved ultrawide is loaded with features, including an OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, great gaming performance, and a speedy 0.03ms response time. It’s also wonderful to look at, unsurprisingly, thanks to its deep contrast levels and support for HDR10 and HDR10 Plus.

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2025 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $70.1 billion in revenue and a net income of $25.8 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 13 percent, and net income has increased by 18 percent. Microsoft was expected to report $68.42 billion in revenue, so the results have beaten Wall Street expectations.Cloud growth appears to be the main driver of improved revenues, with overall Microsoft Cloud revenue reaching $42.4 billion, up 20 percent. Microsoft hasn’t split out its AI revenues, so it’s still unclear exactly how much that part of its business is growing, though.With all eyes on the impact of the Trump tariffs and consumer spending, Microsoft also reported Windows OEM and devices revenue growth of 3 percent year-over-year. Businesses and consumers are upgrading PCs and laptops ahead of the Windows 10 end of life in October, but there hasn’t been a big upswing in Windows OEM revenue yet. Microsoft does say that Windows OEM growth was partly down to “inventory levels remaining elevated due to tariff uncertainty.”Microsoft now combines Surface revenue with Windows OEM revenue, so it’s no longer clear exactly how its Surface line is doing. Microsoft hasn’t launched any new consumer Surface devices in the recent quarter, but the company did start selling Intel-powered versions of the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 in February for businesses. Microsoft is also rumored to be launching smaller versions of the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop soon.On the gaming side, Microsoft warned last quarter that Xbox hardware revenue would decline and it has again. Xbox hardware is down 6 percent this quarter, in a period when Microsoft has been launching a variety of games into Game Pass. Overall gaming revenue at Microsoft is up 5 percent.Xbox content and services, which includes Game Pass, is up 8 percent, though. Microsoft isn’t revealing any new Game Pass subscriber numbers though, and the last time we got an update was in February 2024 when Microsoft revealed there were 34 million subscribers, including the Xbox Game Pass Core (previously Xbox Live Gold) members.Over the past year Microsoft has been pushing ahead with its strategy to bring more previously Xbox-exclusive games to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. The move has proven to be a successful one, with preorders for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Forza Horizon 5 topping Sony’s own PlayStation Store last month.“We ended the quarter as the top publisher by preorders and preinstalls on both Xbox and PlayStation Store,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the company’s earnings call. PC Game Pass revenue also increased 45 percent year-over-year, and “cloud gaming set a new record, surpassing 150 million hours played for the first time this quarter,” revealed Nadella.Microsoft’s Xbox everywhere strategy — which I’ve been covering closely in my Notepad newsletter over the past year — will also include titles for the Nintendo Switch 2. Microsoft is preparing a similar list of games to port over to the Switch 2 this year.As is always the case for Microsoft’s earnings, the company’s Office and cloud businesses are once again the stars of the show. Microsoft 365 commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 11 percent year over year, and even office consumer is up 10 percent in revenue. Microsoft 365 consumer subscribers are up to 87.7 million now.Microsoft bundled its Office AI features into Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions earlier this year and raised prices. Previously, Microsoft 365 subscribers had to pay an extra $20 per month to get Copilot inside Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as part of a Copilot Pro subscription, but Microsoft now offers these AI features inside Microsoft 365 apps for an extra $3 per month. Existing subscribers have been able to opt out of the AI features and not suffer the price increase, but it’s not clear how many have actually decided to do that. Microsoft does note that it has seen “growth in revenue per user” from the January price increase, which has been partially offset by a “continued mix shift” to the $1.99 monthly Microsoft 365 Basic subscription.Microsoft’s revenues in what it calls intelligent cloud have increased by 21 percent year-over-year to $26.8 billion, which is exactly double the revenue generated by Windows, Xbox, and search and news advertising (more personal computing). Server products and cloud services revenue increased 22 percent, with Azure growth of 33 percent.Update, April 30th: Article updated with comments from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

One of the drawbacks of renting apartments was that I couldn't go crazy with my network setup. Between landlord restrictions on pulling cables through the walls and not wanting to see visible Ethernet cables stapled to the baseboards, I had to limit myself to putting in a good mesh router kit. But now I've got my own house, and even better, the builders pulled cable runs to several rooms through conduit so that I can fish fiber through at some point.

Alongside all the rumors lately about a big visual redesign for iOS and a more Mac-like iPadOS experience, there’s one interesting one that’s been bubbling up: the iPhone could get a desktop mode of sorts. Majin Bu, who has a mixed history with leaks, wrote last week that unnamed sources had said iPhones with USB-C will offer “a Stage Manager like interface” when connected to an external display. It wouldn’t be quite a full desktop experience, but would “allow users to extend their screen space, great for presentations, editing, or enhanced viewing.” They added that there “may be some limitations possibly in resolution or the number of apps displayed at once.” Given Bu’s history, it’s hard to put too much stock in that all on its own.Then again, in a new episode of the 9to5Mac’s video series iOS Decoded, Jeff Benjamin says that he’s seen Stage Manager working with an iPhone and, tantalizingly, it had “full-on external display support.” In an article accompanying the video, he writes that 9to5Mac has been able to test the feature using the iOS Xcode Simulator. He doesn’t think it’s likely Apple will roll that out to iPhones in the real world, but it’s notable that Apple has been interested enough in the idea to test it out.Apple wouldn’t be the first to try this — there were attempts that predated even Samsung’s DeX — but it’s an intriguing idea all the same. iPhones already have limited external display support, using cables or wirelessly through AirPlay, but that support is generally limited to either screen mirroring or on a per-app basis — like casting a YouTube video to an AirPlay-enabled TV.

Nintendo Switch 2's Cyberpunk 2077 could end up being the definitive version of the title when it's all said and done. It unofficially revaled the game on its website on Thursday (April 24th)—the same day that the console was up for pre-order nationwide. The game is dubbed Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and saw the title becoming available for pre-order on Nintendo's site.

Mini PCs are having a bit of moment, offering solid power in a compact size. Most importantly, they are extremely versatile, providing a number of ways that they can be used, like functioning as a desktop for home or at work, becoming your media PC, or being the heart of your home lab.

If you're paying attention to the video game industry, you know there's always a good crop of video games to be excited about each new month. For the upcoming month of May 2025, there's a massive release that many people, including me, are excited about. But it's not the only significant release of the month, so I put together this list of the games I'm most excited about over the month.