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The Creality Sermoon P1 is a handheld 3D scanner and follows similar use lines to the superb Sermoon S1 that I looked at earlier in the year. However, unlike the S1, it can be used in isolation: no wires, no need for a computer; everything needed from the scan to the display is held within one small, portable box.

This includes the initial capture, point-cloud fusion, mesh creation, editing, and multi-scan merging, all of which can be handled on the device, which is impressive considering the amount of data being captured. Inside is an eight-core Qualcomm processor with 24GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and the scans appear on a six-inch Full HD touchscreen.

The fact that everything is contained makes a difference to the user compared with wired models. When I reviewed the Sermon S1 earlier this year, the biggest limitation I had was the Y-cable connecting the S1 to the computer, especially when I knocked it mid-scan. As the P1 essentially has an onboard computer and no wires, this isn’t an issue.

Of course, this does mean that the P1 is heavier at 830g compared to the S1's 508g, but shaped a little like an oversized game controller, the shape and extra weight really aren’t an issue when you have that freedom to walk around an object without watching out for the cable catching.

Compared with the Sermon S1, the P1 is a complete device with a scanner and screen that lets you see the scanning process without needing to be constantly connected to a computer or a power source.

There are essentially two scanning modes: blue laser with lines that sweep across the object to be scanned and require markers to be stuck to the object, and then IR for objects where markers can’t be stuck; the scanning quality is also a small step up from the S1, although through the test I’d say they were actually pretty much on a par.

Physically, the large game-controller design of the handset, with its two substantial grips, makes it easy to handle, and at 830g, it’s thankfully not to weighty. As the device is completely standalone, it’s powered by a swappable 3,300mAh battery, with the kit including two; each charges to 80% in 50 minutes.

As you scan, everything is shown on the touchscreen, which is bright and responsive. While the screen is glossy and does show reflections, they weren’t too much and remained easy to see throughout scanning.

Like the Sermon S1, the scanning technique was still the sticking point; it was a test. Again, preparation is important to give yourself a good chance of a decent scan, and pumping light into the screen is also key.

Using the blue lasers to scan, after the initial calibration, marker placement, lighting, and placing marker cubes around the object helped with getting a successful scan. So did elevating on transparent blocks, all helped with the success of the scan.

While having everything in the handset is a step forward, the most significant feature here, as with all scanners, is a slow, methodical approach.

Creality Sermoon P1: Price and Availability

The Sermoon P1 is available direct from Creality in the US for $3299, and in the UK, the Creality store has it in stock for £2799.

You can also pick up the 3D scanner along with bundled items such as an automatic turntable and scanning markers. Depending on your use-case and workflow, they're well worth checking out.

Creality Sermoon P1: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The P1 features a compact, game controller-like body with a grip on either side and a large touchscreen. The weight is actually pretty modest at 830g, and it feels solid enough with its rubberised plastic exterior, which suggests it was designed for use out in the field as well as in the studio.

The six-inch touchscreen is where things really differ from the other handheld 3D scanners I’ve used, as it lets you control object scanning and editing without a computer connection. However, a data connection is still available if needed.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Handling the device around an object is easier than with the wired 3D scanner, and the grips make it easy to handle and manoeuvre, although I still find that using a turntable is the best solution.

One of the issues with a wireless handheld device is that the batteries will inevitably drain. Thankfully, Creality has designed this so the battery can be swapped out, with two pinch clips embedded in it that make it relatively easy to remove when needed. More importantly, they lock firmly into place so there is no possibility of the battery coming out at any point.

The feature that I was pleased to see, despite this being a handheld device, is the 1/-inch thread on the base. This means it will fit a rig if you have one and will actually make the whole scanning process far less painful for many objects. I also found that using a turntable is a must for higher-quality scans.

• Design: 5/5

Creality Sermoon P1: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Specs

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

CPU: Qualcomm eight-core processor, up to 3.36GHz, with FPGA acceleration
Graphics: Adreno 740 GPU
RAM: 24GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 256GB UFS 4.0
Left Ports: USB-C
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, wired USB-C to PC, wireless PC scanning
Audio: Integrated speaker for onboard guidance
Camera: Four-lens scanning system with global-shutter RGB colour camera
Size: 209 x 129 x 53mm
Weight: 830g
OS Installed: Creality onboard scanning and mesh-processing software; companion software for Windows and macOS
Display: Six-inch Full HD touchscreen, 160-degree viewing angle
Battery: Two hot-swappable 3,300mAh batteries, 65W PD 3.0, 80% in 50 minutes
Scanning technologies: 22 cross blue laser lines, seven parallel lines, single blue line, dual NIR VCSEL
Claimed accuracy: Up to 0.02mm laser, up to 0.075mm NIR
Volumetric accuracy: 0.02mm + 0.06mm/m
3D resolution: 0.05- 2 mm blue laser, 0.1- 2 mm NIR
Scan volume: 5 x 5 x 5mm up to 4,000 x 4,000 x 4,000mm
Maximum speed: Up to 60fps standalone, 100fps connected to a PC

A big feature of this and several other Creality 3D scanners is the dual light source, which enables different scanning technologies to be used depending on what you’re scanning.

The blue lasers, which are my preferred method of scanning, handle precise geometry. At the same time, dual NIR VCSEL projectors cover larger or more organic subjects, and the scanner switches between them rather than just using one.

As with the S1, there are three blue-laser modes that you can use to cover different types of jobs. The most common object, and the one to start with, is the 22 crossed lines that enable you to scan-sweep large surfaces quickly. Then there are the 7 parallel lines that capture more detailed features. Finally, there’s the single line, which can be used to probe deep into scanning holes, gaps, and recesses. Creality quotes a depth-to-diameter ratio of up to 5:1, tested on a 29.08mm pipe at a depth of 152.31mm; in the test, this was enough to reach the bottom of the coffee cup without issue.

Two features change from the Creality Sermoon S1 I reviewed. The fast mode drops from 34 crossed lines to 22, while volumetric accuracy improves from 0.02mm + 0.08mm/m to 0.02mm + 0.06mm/m. Fewer lines with better-stated accuracy should mean that the wider field of view is doing the work

The fact that the P1 has been designed as a standalone device means that all 3D scanning and modelling is processed internally.

When I first got started with the P1, I had to run through a similar calibration process that takes between 5 and 10 minutes, and during the test I found that it was best to recalibrate at each new location.

In use, its small internal eight-core Qualcomm processor, Adreno 740 graphics with FPGA acceleration, 24GB of memory, and 256GB of storage enable capture, point-cloud fusion, mesh editing, and multi-scan merging, all running on the device.

If you do want to connect to a PC, you still can with three options: wireless or wired PC, with Wi-Fi 7 handling the wireless link.

Alongside the 3D scanning, surface texture is captured using a global-shutter RGB camera and 12 white LEDs, which together record surface colour.

If you have used 3D scanners before, you’ll be used to scanning spray. Here, Creality states that blue-laser modes capture dark and metallic surfaces without requiring a spray scan. However, some reflective surfaces will still benefit.

• Features: 4.5/5

Creality Sermoon P1: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Sermoon P1 arrives in a semi-hard case rather than the plastic waterproof cases that I’ve seen with previous Creality 3D scanners, which is a bit of a shame in some respects. However, it still keeps everything neatly packed in one case and, of course, offers protection during transport.

Before getting started, the 3D scanner needs to be calibrated. For some, this process will be fast and straightforward, while for others, adjusting the angle and moving the scanner up and down to align with the points on the 6-inch screen can be surprisingly challenging.

For the glass calibration chart, place it flat on the table and follow the on-screen instructions, such as aligning the markers by repositioning the handset. The first run of this takes some time and can be tricky; however, as I found during the test, regular recalibration is a good idea, and the more often you calibrate, the quicker it becomes.

Once calibration is complete, you can start scanning. I've found that starting with small objects is always the best place to begin, then gradually increase as your familiarity with the scanning process improves. I’ll also point out that 3D scanning is a skill, not something that you can just do out of the box. The first 10 attempts will more than likely be a disaster.

From experience, I know that a methodical approach works, and diving in headfirst almost always ends up in disaster. However, diving in headfirst is exactly where I decided to start, and with the first scan of whatever came to hand, I selected Infrared. I also just left it on the desk next to me and started the process.

Usually, this would be an instant fail; however, I was surprised that, on the first pass, the quality was usable, though not perfect. With a bit of mesh fixing and filling the hole in the bottom of the mesh, I’d managed quite a decent scan that would be perfectly printable on the K2.

I then noted at the bottom of the screen the “Colour Mapping”; clicking this, the texture from the mug was applied, which was even more impressive. What the scan and application of the mapping showed was that the light levels were a little low, so the graphics of the print looked duller than I would have liked - a good place to start, with the Original PRUSA INDX waiting in the wings for a full test.

I switched to the blue lasers, then grabbed the Chilli water bottle and covered it with markers. This didn’t go so well, and try as I might, I just couldn’t get a scan. This was also surprising as it’s usually the other way round.

However, this is where the methodical approach comes in: placing marker blocks around the bottle, elevating it onto transparent blocks, and placing it on a turntable with decent lighting suddenly showed what was actually possible.

I then selected a range of smaller objects and used the Infrared and Blue lasers to scan, switching between the line mode in the Blue Laser and the Object type in the Infrared.

The first point about the scanning process is that this is far easier to handle than the Sermoon S1 that I had looked at previously, and while it still takes some skill, I’m at about 50% after a few months' practice; this design definitely makes things easier, although still not quite perfect.

The screen's scan quality looked excellent, and what I really liked was the in-Studio workflow. Essentially, after scanning a few objects, I sat back in the studio, ready to download the models, which I expected would be a bit of a process.

However, using the provided USB cable, I plugged it into my MacBook Pro M1 Max, clicked through the usual authorisations, and loaded CrealityScan. When I plugged it in, I got the option to choose between Data Sharing and Scan Connection. You can then connect and share the files to the desktop software.

During the test on the Mac, the wired connection didn’t seem to work at all; however, it worked smoothly on the PC, whereas the Wi-Fi connection was straightforward, although you do need to switch your computer's Wi-Fi connection to the Wi-Fi hotspot of the Sermoon P1 even if both devices are connected to the same wireless network.

Checking over the scan, for the majority of objects, while there is some smoothing of finer textures, the detail is surprisingly good. What really stands out is the dimensions of the objects scanned; they remain one-to-one, so you get an exact scale match to whatever you're scanning.

I also really like the texture mapping; with the filament-mixing features of the latest multi-tool 3D printers, it suddenly becomes especially interesting. Although I haven’t as yet had much success, the potential here is massive.

Once again, the main issue I had was with the tracking, and despite having plenty of markers around and over the object, I had to be focused and methodical with the scans to get the results I expected. Again, practice is needed.

There were also times when the blue light scan would just lose the object or report not enough markers, even when things were covered.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

What I really liked about the Yuse, however, was the fact that everything is in one place and in a far more portable form. The fact that you can take two scans of an object and blend them on-site quickly makes a massive difference.

Again, the frame rate and scanning techniques really come into play with many objects, and the auto-switching of scanning modes didn’t tend to deliver exactly what I expected; it was only my prior knowledge that enabled me to get the decent scans I wanted for this review.

What I will say is that, while Creality has worked on the user guide, it’s still a little clunky; a better getting-started guide is definitely needed, as the potential of these machines is now massive.

At the start of the test one of my big worries was that the internal processing was going to be slow, but actually from the scanning to editing the speed is actually pretty decent, there are some pauses in the scanning, which I get from the desktop version as well, but the process is quite smooth and this is a big step forward for the technology but also the ease of scanning.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Creality Sermoon P1: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Sermoon P1 is a step forward in 3D scanning technology, and after some time spent mainly practising the techniques, I am impressed by its capabilities. The initial scans showed a flip in the ease of scanning wth trhe different techniques. Infrared, which I usually fail to scan with any real success, worked well, whereas I had initial issues with the Fine blue-laser modes.

However, stepping back and being more methodical about the process again yielded the results I expected, and what impressed me was the speed of the onboard processing and the scanner's flexibility, which didn’t require a direct connection to a machine. This also made it easier to scan in various places.

As I looked through the scans, the quality can be excellent, but this really depends on you and the time you put into it. When I reviewed the Creality Sermoon S1, the verdict came down to a steep learning curve, and the P1 does circumvent some of the issues that I had with that scanner.

The cable and the laptop are essentially gone, unless you need them. When it comes to the calibration, marker placement, lighting and coverage, all remain much the same.

The Sermoon P1 really does make sense if you’re moving between the workshop and a client's site where setting up a tethered rig takes more time than the scanning itself. The purchase price once again keeps it out of hobbyists' hands, but as the technology advances, this will, of course, change.

As it is, if you put in the time and take things step by step, this has huge potential.

Should you buy the Creality Sermoon P1?

Value:

Professional capability at a professional price, with a cheaper sibling close behind

4

Design:

Exceptional hybrid scanning and a genuinely standalone workflow

5

Features:

Fast and stable in use, pending full measured results

4.5

Performance:

Impressive when the preparation process is right. Steep learning curve, but results improve with practice.

4.5

Total:

The most self-contained scanner at this level

4.5

Buy it if...

You scan small engineered parts.

For reverse engineering, inspection, or digital archiving, the blue-laser modes capture sharp geometry, deepish holes, and fine surface detail without tethering the scanner to a computer.

You work on site rather than at a bench.

Swappable batteries, onboard storage, and a responsive screen let you capture, process, inspect, and export a model anywhere, removing the need for a laptop onsite.

Don't buy it if...

Your scanner lives next to a PC.

If you scan at a fixed bench, the Sermoon S1 currently sells for a lot less and delivers comparable scan quality.

You need production-ready colour textures.

Geometry is this scanner's strength rather than colour, and inconsistent lighting around the object produces visible exposure issues.

For more crafting essentials, I've also tested out the best 3D printers and best laser engravers

The Creality Sermoon P1 is a handheld 3D scanner and follows similar use lines to the superb Sermoon S1 that I looked at earlier in the year. However, unlike the S1, it can be used in isolation: no wires, no need for a computer; everything needed from the scan to the display is held within one small, portable box.

This includes the initial capture, point-cloud fusion, mesh creation, editing, and multi-scan merging, all of which can be handled on the device, which is impressive considering the amount of data being captured. Inside is an eight-core Qualcomm processor with 24GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and the scans appear on a six-inch Full HD touchscreen.

The fact that everything is contained makes a difference to the user compared with wired models. When I reviewed the Sermon S1 earlier this year, the biggest limitation I had was the Y-cable connecting the S1 to the computer, especially when I knocked it mid-scan. As the P1 essentially has an onboard computer and no wires, this isn’t an issue.

Of course, this does mean that the P1 is heavier at 830g compared to the S1's 508g, but shaped a little like an oversized game controller, the shape and extra weight really aren’t an issue when you have that freedom to walk around an object without watching out for the cable catching.

Compared with the Sermon S1, the P1 is a complete device with a scanner and screen that lets you see the scanning process without needing to be constantly connected to a computer or a power source.

There are essentially two scanning modes: blue laser with lines that sweep across the object to be scanned and require markers to be stuck to the object, and then IR for objects where markers can’t be stuck; the scanning quality is also a small step up from the S1, although through the test I’d say they were actually pretty much on a par.

Physically, the large game-controller design of the handset, with its two substantial grips, makes it easy to handle, and at 830g, it’s thankfully not to weighty. As the device is completely standalone, it’s powered by a swappable 3,300mAh battery, with the kit including two; each charges to 80% in 50 minutes.

As you scan, everything is shown on the touchscreen, which is bright and responsive. While the screen is glossy and does show reflections, they weren’t too much and remained easy to see throughout scanning.

Like the Sermon S1, the scanning technique was still the sticking point; it was a test. Again, preparation is important to give yourself a good chance of a decent scan, and pumping light into the screen is also key.

Using the blue lasers to scan, after the initial calibration, marker placement, lighting, and placing marker cubes around the object helped with getting a successful scan. So did elevating on transparent blocks, all helped with the success of the scan.

While having everything in the handset is a step forward, the most significant feature here, as with all scanners, is a slow, methodical approach.

Creality Sermoon P1: Price and Availability

The Sermoon P1 is available direct from Creality in the US for $3299, and in the UK, the Creality store has it in stock for £2799.

You can also pick up the 3D scanner along with bundled items such as an automatic turntable and scanning markers. Depending on your use-case and workflow, they're well worth checking out.

Creality Sermoon P1: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The P1 features a compact, game controller-like body with a grip on either side and a large touchscreen. The weight is actually pretty modest at 830g, and it feels solid enough with its rubberised plastic exterior, which suggests it was designed for use out in the field as well as in the studio.

The six-inch touchscreen is where things really differ from the other handheld 3D scanners I’ve used, as it lets you control object scanning and editing without a computer connection. However, a data connection is still available if needed.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Handling the device around an object is easier than with the wired 3D scanner, and the grips make it easy to handle and manoeuvre, although I still find that using a turntable is the best solution.

One of the issues with a wireless handheld device is that the batteries will inevitably drain. Thankfully, Creality has designed this so the battery can be swapped out, with two pinch clips embedded in it that make it relatively easy to remove when needed. More importantly, they lock firmly into place so there is no possibility of the battery coming out at any point.

The feature that I was pleased to see, despite this being a handheld device, is the 1/-inch thread on the base. This means it will fit a rig if you have one and will actually make the whole scanning process far less painful for many objects. I also found that using a turntable is a must for higher-quality scans.

• Design: 5/5

Creality Sermoon P1: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Specs

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

CPU: Qualcomm eight-core processor, up to 3.36GHz, with FPGA acceleration
Graphics: Adreno 740 GPU
RAM: 24GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 256GB UFS 4.0
Left Ports: USB-C
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, wired USB-C to PC, wireless PC scanning
Audio: Integrated speaker for onboard guidance
Camera: Four-lens scanning system with global-shutter RGB colour camera
Size: 209 x 129 x 53mm
Weight: 830g
OS Installed: Creality onboard scanning and mesh-processing software; companion software for Windows and macOS
Display: Six-inch Full HD touchscreen, 160-degree viewing angle
Battery: Two hot-swappable 3,300mAh batteries, 65W PD 3.0, 80% in 50 minutes
Scanning technologies: 22 cross blue laser lines, seven parallel lines, single blue line, dual NIR VCSEL
Claimed accuracy: Up to 0.02mm laser, up to 0.075mm NIR
Volumetric accuracy: 0.02mm + 0.06mm/m
3D resolution: 0.05- 2 mm blue laser, 0.1- 2 mm NIR
Scan volume: 5 x 5 x 5mm up to 4,000 x 4,000 x 4,000mm
Maximum speed: Up to 60fps standalone, 100fps connected to a PC

A big feature of this and several other Creality 3D scanners is the dual light source, which enables different scanning technologies to be used depending on what you’re scanning.

The blue lasers, which are my preferred method of scanning, handle precise geometry. At the same time, dual NIR VCSEL projectors cover larger or more organic subjects, and the scanner switches between them rather than just using one.

As with the S1, there are three blue-laser modes that you can use to cover different types of jobs. The most common object, and the one to start with, is the 22 crossed lines that enable you to scan-sweep large surfaces quickly. Then there are the 7 parallel lines that capture more detailed features. Finally, there’s the single line, which can be used to probe deep into scanning holes, gaps, and recesses. Creality quotes a depth-to-diameter ratio of up to 5:1, tested on a 29.08mm pipe at a depth of 152.31mm; in the test, this was enough to reach the bottom of the coffee cup without issue.

Two features change from the Creality Sermoon S1 I reviewed. The fast mode drops from 34 crossed lines to 22, while volumetric accuracy improves from 0.02mm + 0.08mm/m to 0.02mm + 0.06mm/m. Fewer lines with better-stated accuracy should mean that the wider field of view is doing the work

The fact that the P1 has been designed as a standalone device means that all 3D scanning and modelling is processed internally.

When I first got started with the P1, I had to run through a similar calibration process that takes between 5 and 10 minutes, and during the test I found that it was best to recalibrate at each new location.

In use, its small internal eight-core Qualcomm processor, Adreno 740 graphics with FPGA acceleration, 24GB of memory, and 256GB of storage enable capture, point-cloud fusion, mesh editing, and multi-scan merging, all running on the device.

If you do want to connect to a PC, you still can with three options: wireless or wired PC, with Wi-Fi 7 handling the wireless link.

Alongside the 3D scanning, surface texture is captured using a global-shutter RGB camera and 12 white LEDs, which together record surface colour.

If you have used 3D scanners before, you’ll be used to scanning spray. Here, Creality states that blue-laser modes capture dark and metallic surfaces without requiring a spray scan. However, some reflective surfaces will still benefit.

• Features: 4.5/5

Creality Sermoon P1: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Sermoon P1 arrives in a semi-hard case rather than the plastic waterproof cases that I’ve seen with previous Creality 3D scanners, which is a bit of a shame in some respects. However, it still keeps everything neatly packed in one case and, of course, offers protection during transport.

Before getting started, the 3D scanner needs to be calibrated. For some, this process will be fast and straightforward, while for others, adjusting the angle and moving the scanner up and down to align with the points on the 6-inch screen can be surprisingly challenging.

For the glass calibration chart, place it flat on the table and follow the on-screen instructions, such as aligning the markers by repositioning the handset. The first run of this takes some time and can be tricky; however, as I found during the test, regular recalibration is a good idea, and the more often you calibrate, the quicker it becomes.

Once calibration is complete, you can start scanning. I've found that starting with small objects is always the best place to begin, then gradually increase as your familiarity with the scanning process improves. I’ll also point out that 3D scanning is a skill, not something that you can just do out of the box. The first 10 attempts will more than likely be a disaster.

From experience, I know that a methodical approach works, and diving in headfirst almost always ends up in disaster. However, diving in headfirst is exactly where I decided to start, and with the first scan of whatever came to hand, I selected Infrared. I also just left it on the desk next to me and started the process.

Usually, this would be an instant fail; however, I was surprised that, on the first pass, the quality was usable, though not perfect. With a bit of mesh fixing and filling the hole in the bottom of the mesh, I’d managed quite a decent scan that would be perfectly printable on the K2.

I then noted at the bottom of the screen the “Colour Mapping”; clicking this, the texture from the mug was applied, which was even more impressive. What the scan and application of the mapping showed was that the light levels were a little low, so the graphics of the print looked duller than I would have liked - a good place to start, with the Original PRUSA INDX waiting in the wings for a full test.

I switched to the blue lasers, then grabbed the Chilli water bottle and covered it with markers. This didn’t go so well, and try as I might, I just couldn’t get a scan. This was also surprising as it’s usually the other way round.

However, this is where the methodical approach comes in: placing marker blocks around the bottle, elevating it onto transparent blocks, and placing it on a turntable with decent lighting suddenly showed what was actually possible.

I then selected a range of smaller objects and used the Infrared and Blue lasers to scan, switching between the line mode in the Blue Laser and the Object type in the Infrared.

The first point about the scanning process is that this is far easier to handle than the Sermoon S1 that I had looked at previously, and while it still takes some skill, I’m at about 50% after a few months' practice; this design definitely makes things easier, although still not quite perfect.

The screen's scan quality looked excellent, and what I really liked was the in-Studio workflow. Essentially, after scanning a few objects, I sat back in the studio, ready to download the models, which I expected would be a bit of a process.

However, using the provided USB cable, I plugged it into my MacBook Pro M1 Max, clicked through the usual authorisations, and loaded CrealityScan. When I plugged it in, I got the option to choose between Data Sharing and Scan Connection. You can then connect and share the files to the desktop software.

During the test on the Mac, the wired connection didn’t seem to work at all; however, it worked smoothly on the PC, whereas the Wi-Fi connection was straightforward, although you do need to switch your computer's Wi-Fi connection to the Wi-Fi hotspot of the Sermoon P1 even if both devices are connected to the same wireless network.

Checking over the scan, for the majority of objects, while there is some smoothing of finer textures, the detail is surprisingly good. What really stands out is the dimensions of the objects scanned; they remain one-to-one, so you get an exact scale match to whatever you're scanning.

I also really like the texture mapping; with the filament-mixing features of the latest multi-tool 3D printers, it suddenly becomes especially interesting. Although I haven’t as yet had much success, the potential here is massive.

Once again, the main issue I had was with the tracking, and despite having plenty of markers around and over the object, I had to be focused and methodical with the scans to get the results I expected. Again, practice is needed.

There were also times when the blue light scan would just lose the object or report not enough markers, even when things were covered.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

What I really liked about the Yuse, however, was the fact that everything is in one place and in a far more portable form. The fact that you can take two scans of an object and blend them on-site quickly makes a massive difference.

Again, the frame rate and scanning techniques really come into play with many objects, and the auto-switching of scanning modes didn’t tend to deliver exactly what I expected; it was only my prior knowledge that enabled me to get the decent scans I wanted for this review.

What I will say is that, while Creality has worked on the user guide, it’s still a little clunky; a better getting-started guide is definitely needed, as the potential of these machines is now massive.

At the start of the test one of my big worries was that the internal processing was going to be slow, but actually from the scanning to editing the speed is actually pretty decent, there are some pauses in the scanning, which I get from the desktop version as well, but the process is quite smooth and this is a big step forward for the technology but also the ease of scanning.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Creality Sermoon P1: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Sermoon P1 is a step forward in 3D scanning technology, and after some time spent mainly practising the techniques, I am impressed by its capabilities. The initial scans showed a flip in the ease of scanning wth trhe different techniques. Infrared, which I usually fail to scan with any real success, worked well, whereas I had initial issues with the Fine blue-laser modes.

However, stepping back and being more methodical about the process again yielded the results I expected, and what impressed me was the speed of the onboard processing and the scanner's flexibility, which didn’t require a direct connection to a machine. This also made it easier to scan in various places.

As I looked through the scans, the quality can be excellent, but this really depends on you and the time you put into it. When I reviewed the Creality Sermoon S1, the verdict came down to a steep learning curve, and the P1 does circumvent some of the issues that I had with that scanner.

The cable and the laptop are essentially gone, unless you need them. When it comes to the calibration, marker placement, lighting and coverage, all remain much the same.

The Sermoon P1 really does make sense if you’re moving between the workshop and a client's site where setting up a tethered rig takes more time than the scanning itself. The purchase price once again keeps it out of hobbyists' hands, but as the technology advances, this will, of course, change.

As it is, if you put in the time and take things step by step, this has huge potential.

Should you buy the Creality Sermoon P1?

Value:

Professional capability at a professional price, with a cheaper sibling close behind

4

Design:

Exceptional hybrid scanning and a genuinely standalone workflow

5

Features:

Fast and stable in use, pending full measured results

4.5

Performance:

Impressive when the preparation process is right. Steep learning curve, but results improve with practice.

4.5

Total:

The most self-contained scanner at this level

4.5

Buy it if...

You scan small engineered parts.

For reverse engineering, inspection, or digital archiving, the blue-laser modes capture sharp geometry, deepish holes, and fine surface detail without tethering the scanner to a computer.

You work on site rather than at a bench.

Swappable batteries, onboard storage, and a responsive screen let you capture, process, inspect, and export a model anywhere, removing the need for a laptop onsite.

Don't buy it if...

Your scanner lives next to a PC.

If you scan at a fixed bench, the Sermoon S1 currently sells for a lot less and delivers comparable scan quality.

You need production-ready colour textures.

Geometry is this scanner's strength rather than colour, and inconsistent lighting around the object produces visible exposure issues.

For more crafting essentials, I've also tested out the best 3D printers and best laser engravers

Google may have moved on from its previous line of Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers, but these devices remain some of the best options for tracking your health and exercise. And now, one of the more affordable and entry-level options just got a welcome discount, which drops the Fitbit Inspire 3 on Amazon to £58.99 (was £84.99).

If you've been put off by the cost of other more premium smartwatches, then this is a super-low price for a great beginner fitness tracker. I like it if you want to dip your toes into the tech, as it offers all the essentials you need, with heart rate, sleep, and exercise tracking all on-wrist.

Another benefit of going with the Fitbit Inspire 3 is that it offers a solid 10-day battery life. Most smartwatches and many other fitness trackers fall way behind this, with some of the more advanced options requiring recharging every day or two.

So, if you want the convenience of not having to worry about battery life all the time, all the basic tracking features you might need, and phone notifications beamed to your wrist, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a fairly feature-rich option for under £60.

Today's best Fitbit deal at Amazon

The discount may be small, but the Fitbit Inspire 3 is an excellent value-for-money device for newcomers or those curious about the usefulness of exercise and health tracking. The tracker is packed with features and content that a beginner needs to get started, including heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, stress management scoring, and sleep tracking. Plus, the battery lasts for a lengthy ten days, it can receive notifications from your phone, and six months of Fitbit Premium are included for free.View Deal

As if to prove my point, we called the Fitbit Inspire 3 "a great entry point to the health and fitness-tracking world" in our four-star review. As well as being packed with all the health and fitness tracking features a beginner might need, it is also very easy to use, thanks to the bright AMOLED display — even if it can be a little fiddly given its small size.

Altogether, it's easy to see why it's on our guide to the best Fitbit as the one we'd pick if you're on a budget.

• RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra tells banks that AI trained on alternative data such as cash flows, GST filings, and utility payments can extend credit to borrowers that manual underwriting cannot currently assess
• The pitch came bundled with caution, insisting that banks take safety and visibility measures including complete AI inventories, red-teaming before deployment, and the capacity to explain lending and fraud decisions
• The RBI insists, however, that accountability stays human; banks, not their algorithms, will be answerable to customers, auditors, and the Reserve Bank when AI-driven decisions go wrong

The governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has told the country's banks to put artificial intelligence at the heart of their lending patterns.

The approach is based on the assumption that models trained on unconventional data can identify and leverage data points that manual underwriters would struggle to spot or justify easily.

This would, as per RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra, both strengthen the credit market and enable financial inclusion by adding a new class of borrowers previously overlooked by conventional methods.

Cautious AI optimism from one of the world's largest central banks

The Reserve Bank of India is not a small central bank by any measure, and remarks by its governor therefore can often shape not only domestic but global markets.

His position on unlocking credit markets for users with little or no financial history by adding raw compute that considers other signals such as cash flow, GST tax filings, utility payments, and one's digital footprint considerably changes the landscape in a part of the world where banks are traditionally more conservative than their global peers when it comes to lending.

Malhotra also noted that this is exactly the data that a first-time borrower, a gig worker, or a small enterprise without formal books lacks, even as AI enables better monitoring of debtors' financials.

“Predictive models can identify borrowers on the cusp of default early enough to counsel rather than merely recover,” he added. “Used well, AI may be the most powerful accelerator to financial inclusion.”

It is important to point out Malhotra wanted AI to be used as an assistant here - not that AI should overrule loan officers on applications they have already rejected.

His claim is narrower and arguably more persuasive: entire categories of borrowers are effectively invisible to conventional credit assessment because the paperwork it requires does not exist, and machine learning, over other data, can make those borrowers assessable to banks and vice versa.

Malhotra also cited concerns that most modern AI models are black boxes and do not always explain their reasoning fully or adequately, and that borrowers are generally entitled to know why they were turned down. This could help keep potential algorithmic bias in check and rationalize such decisions at a time when AI models are known to be vulnerable to data poisoning attacks.

This would require a human touch, especially when it comes to accountability for such decisions, rather than the complete hands-off approach that AI enthusiasts sometimes suggest is inevitable.

To this end, the conclusion of his speech may be the most telling of what India's central bank feels about an increased AI footprint in the banking industry: Malhotra said that the winners of the AI era will not be the fastest or heaviest adopters but the institutions that best understand what they deploy, own its outcomes, and keep customer trust, something he equated to the enduring capital of Indian banking.

Love is in the air — including for Olaf.

Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack will be the stars of the third Incredibles movie.

Whether you haven’t played Pokémon Pokopia since the town-builder launched earlier this year or you’ve been waiting to dive in, you might want to mosey on down to your favorite cozy gaming corner and download the free update. Especially when paired with the newly released Expansion Pass, the game (which I already gave five stars, our highest score, and called one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games) reaches new heights. Or rather, depths.

Bubbly Basin is the first of a three-part DLC package (with parts two and three releasing in late 2026 and sometime in 2027, respectively), bringing a new underwater town based on Cerulean City and a tonne of aquatic Pokémon to discover.

Facilitating this expansion is a free update that gives Ditto a new ability — Dive — which select Pokémon like Smeargu and Tinkmaster can also learn to help you build and decorate underwater.

That’s not all that came with the free update; a raft of quality-of-life updates mean most criticisms I had of Pokopia after months of play are next to non-existent.

Introductory dialogue remains a real strong-suitFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForcePray, tell me more, StaryuFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceCrying tears as big as your head must be pretty exhaustingFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceStarmie gets philosophicalFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceNo, sir, I am trying to figure out how these spotlights work underwaterFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceUnder the sea

But first, let’s start with Bubbly Basin. I’ve spent most of the last week exploring its depths, and for several reasons, it’s my new favorite town in Pokopia.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Cerulean City, the inspiration behind Bubbly Basin; Misty is one of my favorite characters from the franchise, and I favor water-type Pokémon. Now almost entirely submerged, it’s the perfect playground to explore with the new Dive ability and get creative with underground building.

Water levels are notoriously a pain across all areas of gaming, but building-based games in particular can suffer (I’m looking at you, Minecraft). Thankfully, Game Freak and Koei Tecmo's Omega Force prove adept at thinking ahead; there are few instances where removing or placing blocks leads to any disruption to the water (glass panes and roof tiles can cause a very brief empty block), and the only time I’ve been able to cause any unseemly flowing water tiles is when messing with the surface layer; even that has been mitigated impressively, though that's another component of the 2.0.0 free update. Navigation, as we’ll touch on in the free updates section, is a doddle once you get to grips with the swimming controls, too.

Much like Rocky Ridges and Sparkling Skyland, there’s a lot of verticality to the town too, with flooded subterranean tunnels, a few ruins above sea level and new murky depths that need to be lit so you can better take in your surroundings. Amongst the ruins, you’ll find treasure maps that help you locate the six Pokéballs necessary to build Starmie’s habitat, which gives a bit more purpose to the dowsing tool and search abilities.

Bubbly Basin definitely feels like one of the most photogenic towns in the gameFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceAnd we lived beneath the waves

There’s plenty to work through in terms of quests and activities, and it’s really well paced, with 50 new Pokémon and 36 habitats to restore. I’ve especially loved working to connect and re-imagine the various hotspots in Bubbly Basin more than in any other town so far; bridging the deep ravine, tunneling through hillsides and transforming all of its many nooks and crannies into unique dwellings for local Pokémon has never felt more fun.

It’s probably the best-looking town too; it’s vibrant and teeming with life, and though clearing out the sand is a bit of a pain, it’s at least far less of an eyesore than the compressed junk, ash, and black sludge that plague the base game towns. The new flora follows suit; I can’t wait to put some time into adding coral and the new Seafloor Algae blocks to Bleak Beach and Palette Town to spruce up the somewhat dismal coastlines there, too.

Two new building and furniture aesthetics are introduced in Bubble Basin, both of which I love: a seashell- and coral-inspired set, but also Japanese temple-themed furniture and building blocks.

The latter might not feel particularly native to the Cerulean town we know, but one Reddit user speculates it’s a reference to Ryūgū-jō, the mythical undersea palace belonging to the dragon god of the sea in Japanese folklore. It’s a nice touch and brings a great set of new blocks to design with.

Future / Game Freak / Omega ForceFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceFuture / Game Freak / Omega ForceThe best things in life are free

A huge part of what makes Bubbly Basin so enjoyable is the free updates that came with the 2.0.0 patch, which added a range of quality-of-life features. Dive is fantastically implemented; swimming feels fluid and free, and it’s still super easy to build even without Magnet Rise. It’s really important to pay attention during the tutorial, though; I missed two huge time-saving moves (underwater surf and spinning to sink), which wasted a lot of time.

There’s much more to it than Dive, though. Now, you can build a safe but also a portal pod, a universal storage system which can be accessed in all locations. I’ve taken to keeping one on me at all times as a kind of backpack-extender, and it’s making moving items between worlds a whole lot easier.

There are new recipes, new emotes, hair colors, and more paintable items too, but perhaps my favorite additions are the simplest. You can now bulk move items between the storage box and bag, but also delete items placed inside trash cans.

Some tweaks have been made to annoying in-game quirks, too; if you destroy a Pokémon’s habitat and rebuild it nearby, it’ll move back in of its own accord, you can open your bag and inhale items while using Rollout, and Leafage can now return farm soil to a normal soil block. This, plus a raft of bug fixes, makes the game more frictionless than ever before.

Such a hearty version 2.0 update so soon after the game’s release is a huge win for Pokopia fans; hype for the game has just barely subsided, and with in-game events being a little middling at best thus far, I for one am hoping this is just the beginning of Game Freak and Omega Force’s plans to keep the game feeling fresh and fun for players old and new. And if Bubbly Basin is anything to go by, the next town (which arrives as the final part of the Expansion Pass next year) could be a magnum opus for Pokopia.

• Dolby says that Dolby Vision HDR movies can be upgraded to Dolby Vision 2 using an automated process based on the existing mastering information
• This means support may be more widespread than expected, since apparently it will be relatively low-effort for streamers to achieve
• The Authentic Motion and Precision Black features will be excluded from this, because Dolby says they they require human judgment to get right

If you're wondering where all the Dolby Vision 2 media is going to come from, we've got good news: it's already here, at least partly. Dolby Laboratories told me that it's created a process that can upgrade existing Dolby Vision media to add most features of the new HDR standard using an automated process based on the existing mastering data — and there are only two key features that are excluded, because they're areas that depend on new input from creators.

With Dolby Vision 2 arriving on TVs from this month, I caught up with Dolby Laboratories' director of business strategy, Jonas Klittmark, to find out the details: what it could do for 4K Blu-rays, what benefits it'll bring to streaming and most importantly of all, what to watch.

One of the biggest concerns with Dolby Vision 2 is that creators just won't be inclined to master video for it when it doesn't have widespread support — but it's unlikely to get widespread support if there's no content. But it turns out that existing Dolby Vision masters can be adapted to use many of its features without being reworked.

"There is a bunch of new features in Dolby Vision 2 that don't rely on new content at all," Turkstra told me. "Because you already have all the Dolby Vision content in the world... the streaming providers will have more to say about this later, but the existing Dolby Vision library will start to get converted and the new metadata for Dolby Vision 2 will be added."

The Hisense UR8 is one of the first TVs to support Dolby Vision 2 — but there needs to content to make it worthwhile… (Image credit: Future)

Klittmark estimates that there are around 33,000 movies and TV show episodes available in Dolby Vision. "There's no realistic chance that all that content is going to get remastered from scratch," he says.

"The cost of doing that is just astronomical. So what we're offering instead is a semi-automated way of doing it where we're using modern techniques such as machine learning to assist in the creation of the additional metadata that's needed to make the most of Dolby Vision 2."

He elaborated that "many of the features, including the image engine, including the new version of LightSense, the intensity control, the pro settings, and sports optimization, all of those features can work through a combination of existing metadata."

That metadata is based on existing mastering data, and as will all of Dolby Vision 2, the next-gen data is in addition to the existing data; it doesn't replace it, so the automation won't affect the visuals of, or compatibility with, TVs that have the first generation of Dolby Vision but not the second.

What Dolby Vision 2 features can arrive automatically – and what ones can't

The two exceptions to the automated upgrade are Authentic Motion, which enables creators to control how strong your TV's motion processing is applied on a moment-to-moment basis, and Precision Black, which is designed to address dark scenes that looked great in the creators' mastering suite but appear too dark on TVs.

Klittmark said: "Authentic Motion is an example of a feature where it's just too sensitive. I don't know if you've been following the fairly polarized debate about motion that has been playing out over the years, with Tom Cruise making public service announcements, and things like that. That feature is so sensitive that we don't generate that metadata, it has to be manually authored."

I've seen Dolby Vision 2's Authentic Motion in action, and I think it's a great addition — it means that judder can be removed in scenes that need it, but motion smoothing can be deactivated in scenes that don't. I suspect that actually it probably could be automated to good effect, but as Klittmark says, I don't thing anyone would really trust that, so it's best that Dolby is leaving that to humans.

When it comes to Precision Black, Klittmark says this can't be automated because in order to get it right you need to know all about the creator's environment: "how dark was their ambient light, what kind of reference monitor were they using, et cetera... that cannot be speculated about or generated, so that needs to come manually from the creative."

When is Dolby Vision 2 not Dolby Vision 2?

I asked if this meant that movies might be labelled as supporting different Dolby Vision 2 features, but Klittmark says the firm doesn't want to make things complicated in that way.

"We've taken the simplest possible approach for consumers' benefit, which is that all the content is going to be Dolby Vision. There is no asterisk. There's no 'Dolby Vision 2' content, for example. There's no 'Dolby Vision 2 Max' content or anything like that. It's just all Dolby Vision content," he says. "And that way, it's very simple for a consumer to know what to look for. If you see that the content is in Dolby Vision, then you are getting the best experience you can get with that particular movie or whatever it is you're looking for."

I think this makes sense — your TV will be labelled as Dolby Vision 2 or Dolby Vision 2 Max, and potentially could tell you which features of the format are active, but when it comes to browsing the library, it makes sense to simply use the Dolby Vision logo to indicate that you're getting as many advanced features as the service has added, regardless of what they are.

Klittmark pointed out that this would be new to Dolby Vision 2, either. "The original version of Dolby Vision had tons of features in it, and not all creatives chose to use all of them all of the time. And there was no way to know that. And that's essentially a choice up to the creative. Which of the Dolby tools do they need do they feel like they need to use for which content? We leave that decision to the creative," he said.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices.

• Ukrainian drone forces have proved so successful against US troops in exercises that “destroyed” equipment had to be reintroduced into the simulated combat
• Over the course of the two-week-long exercise, US forces improved at camouflage, dispersing, and using electronic warfare against the aerial attacks
• The Combined Resolve military exercise took place in Germany earlier this year

US forces engaged in military exercises were stunned to be defeated quickly by Ukraine drone teams, so much so that the units were allowed to be re-added into the scenario.

Taking place in Germany earlier in 2026, the event was one of several exercises intended to simulate real drone warfare and develop responses and countermeasures to attacks. Ukraine's drone warfare has proved vital in its ongoing war with Russia, with its successes in the conflict defining the country as a pioneer of Unmanned Systems Forces and electronic warfare integration.

The US isn’t the only country to have engaged in wargames with Ukraine, with the UK, Estonia, and Sweden all recently outmatched

Recording a “kill”

Despite the US incorporating long-range drones into its arsenal during the War on Terror, it has had mixed results in defending against drone attacks, both in combat and in exercises. The simulated conflict with Ukraine took place in April and May 2026, and while the Fort Hood-based US forces may have come away from the event with some pride, the speed and decisiveness of the Ukraine drone forces clearly took them by surprise.

Rather than using live ammunition in these exercises, an observer is employed to determine whether a “kill” has been made. This is usually achieved by the drone controller hovering the craft above a vehicle or other combat equipment long enough for a potential kill to have been made.

In this particular incident, the Ukraine drones were recording kills so quickly that vehicles had to be sent back as new units, like a video game respawn.

However, as the exercises progressed, the US forces were able to improve their performance. Their responses to drone attacks relied on faster camouflage and concealing, effective dispersal, and employing electronic countermeasures to block the drones.

Ukrainian drones dominate

As part of the training, Ukrainian drone controllers also switched sides to assist the US troops in making effective offensive use of drones.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s top military leader, stated that “You can’t get training like this in the United States,” but observed a noted improvement in NATO forces after training: “The change is remarkable.”

It isn’t just the Americans that have struggled with Ukrainian drone warfare in simulated scenarios. Other events in 2026 have revealed shortcomings in handling drone attacks in exercises involving the UK, Estonia, some US troops, and other NATO forces. In addition, a military exercise involving Swedish-led NATO troops and Ukraine's drone warfare resulted in the NATO side being outmatched.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Friday, August 14 (game #1663).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,500 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today — or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1664) — hint #1 — VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1664) — hint #2 — repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1664) — hint #3 — uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1664) — hint #4 — starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1664) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• R

• M

• M

• L

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1664) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1664, are…

• RIDER
• MOLDY
• MEALY
• LYMPH

Another day featuring a word without vowels.

I already had the Y here, so it was simply a case of finding the P to make up LYMPH.

Y was the hero letter of the day featuring in the trickiest word but also helping out at the end of two others — MOLDY and MEALY — making for an easier game than usual.

Daily Sequence today (game #1664) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1664, are…

• FIBRE
• JUMPY
• LATHE
• LIVER

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1663, Friday, 14 August: SEIZE, MYRRH, SANER, GLOAT
• Quordle #1662, Thursday, 13 August: TOPAZ, PURGE, WHINE, SIGHT
• Quordle #1661, Wednesday, 12 August: HOTLY, CROWD, HEART, SWASH
• Quordle #1660, Tuesday, 11 August: ONSET, BRAWL, TEPID, SLANG
• Quordle #1659, Monday, 10 August: GAVEL, CRUSH, SPEED, ETHOS
• Quordle #1658, Sunday, 9 August: KAPPA, WIDEN, FOLIO, STEEP
• Quordle #1657, Saturday, 8 August: FUROR, BUGLE, REUSE, SCOOP
• Quordle #1656, Friday, 7 August: AMISS, SHIRK, SALSA, RABBI
• Quordle #1655, Thursday, 6 August: AMUSE, BRAND, CEDAR, BLURB
• Quordle #1654, Wednesday, 5 August: MOUND, WRONG, STOOD, WEIRD
• Quordle #1653, Tuesday, 4 August: GOOEY, TARDY, HUMAN, CHALK
• Quordle #1652, Monday, 3 August: FUNGI, MUDDY, DEBUT, MANIA
• Quordle #1651, Sunday, 2 August: BOOTH, EASEL, REACH, MAKER
• Quordle #1650, Saturday, 1 August: OMEGA, BIRCH, SMOCK, EERIE
• Quordle #1649, Friday, 31 July: MANIA, SINGE, STOOL, LOFTY
• Quordle #1648, Thursday, 30 July: MODAL, IDLER, CHUMP, LUMPY
• Quordle #1647, Wednesday, 29 July: GAWKY, ALLOY, AUDIT, LATCH
• Quordle #1646, Tuesday, 28 July: SMITE, ROACH, RUDDY, GLOBE
• Quordle #1645, Monday, 27 July: TAFFY, FIGHT, GUILD, WAGER
• Quordle #1644, Sunday, 26 July: STOMP, LIMIT, FUNKY, STEAD

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Friday, August 14 (game #1160).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1161) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• GRINCH
• BEANSTALK
• STAGE
• LANYARD
• HIGHTAIL
• LEG
• SOUNDTRACK
• HOTFOOT
• BEAT
• STRETCH
• FRIED
• CHAMOMILE
• SPENT
• EYESHADOW
• PHASE
• WORN OUT

NYT Connections today (game #1161) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Shattered
• GREEN: A part of something bigger
• BLUE: Imperial segments
• PURPLE: Creepy segments

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1161) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: EXHAUSTED
• GREEN: SEGMENT
• BLUE: ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH
• PURPLE: ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1161) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1161, are…

• YELLOW: EXHAUSTED BEAT, FRIED, SPENT, WORN OUT
• GREEN: SEGMENT LEG, PHASE, STAGE, STRETCH
• BLUE: ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH CHAMOMILE, GRINCH, HOTFOOT, LANYARD
• PURPLE: ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY BEANSTALK, EYESHADOW, HIGHTAIL, SOUNDTRACK

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I was thrilled when I spotted the words ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH straight off the bat, but then disappointed when it turned out to be blue instead of purple.

The hardest group of the day honor went to another set of words where the ending was significant, in this case ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY.

I missed the purple group completely and I think it's because I had already connected one ENDING group and assumed there would not be another. I really should know better, as this is classic Connections trickery.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, August 14, 2026, game #1160)

• YELLOW: BLACK-AND-YELLOW: BUMBLEBEE, CAUTION TAPE, CHARLIE BROWN, WOLVERINE
• GREEN: PLACES WHERE EVERYONE THINKS THE SAME WAYS: BUBBLE, ECHO CHAMBER, HIVEMIND, SILO
• BLUE: COMIC BOOK ARTIST'S TOOLS: BRISTOL BOARD, DIP PEN, INDIA INK, STRAIGHTEDGE
• PURPLE: TRIANGLE LOGOS: BASS ALE, CITGO, DELTA AIRLINES, GOOGLE DRIVE

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, August 14 (game #894).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #895) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Sacred space

NYT Strands today (game #895) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• BASE
• PULP
• CLAN
• SELL
• CHIP

NYT Strands today (game #895) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #895) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

• First side: left, 5th row

• Last side: right, 5th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #895) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #895, are…

• PULPIT
• BIBLE
• ALTAR
• HYMNAL
• CANDLES
• LECTERN
• SPANGRAM: INCHURCH

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Some days the theme puzzles me, but today was one of those where you get it immediately and spot the spangram first.

After this it was just a case of finding the various churchy things — of which there are legions.

My favorite thing you see INCHURCH was not included: stained glass windows. I love them and think they should be everywhere — schools, supermarkets, police stations, stadiums — not just picturing the life and times of saints but also the incredible wonders of the secular world.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, August 14, game #894)

• SLINKY
• VELCRO
• PLASTIC
• MICROWAVE
• PENICILLIN
• SPANGRAM: INVENTIONS

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Microsoft has sharply reduced its China footprint, but Azure and AI demand from Chinese companies operating abroad are giving it a reason to stay.

The post Microsoft Nearly Left China. AI Gave It a Reason to Stay appeared first on TechRepublic.

WhatsApp is testing an on-device Scam Alert feature that flags suspicious messages while keeping analysis local and preserving end-to-end encryption.

The post WhatsApp Begins Limited Test of AI Scam Alerts for Unknown Senders appeared first on TechRepublic.

Humanoid robots are on the rise, with a slate of companies building several different prototypes. Whether they're designed to be on the production line or engineered to roam around your house performing various chores, different kinds of machines are on the cusp of mass production.

Setting expectations

Australian roboticist Brooks remarked on the appearance of robots in the first of his own three laws of robotics, inspired by Isaac Asimov, in a blog post that he self-published.

Quote of the day

This article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.

The co-founder of robotics company iRobot, which created the Roomba robot vacuum, Brooks explained that the anthropomorphization of humanoid robots – both by engineers and by consumers – could be counterintuitive.

While the form is necessary to gain pubic acceptance, engineers must deliver on performance and capabilities. Adopting a similar form to that of humans may imply a level of humanlike intelligence or competence in navigating the real world. Should robotics companies fail on that count, people will see straight through the ruse.

Robots of mass production

Brooks' laws focus on the competency and capabilities of robots and the need for creators to ensure that they are trained, that they're capable, and that they don't remove human agency.

Plenty of highly polished demos, recorded promotional videos, and on-stage appearances have done well to highlight the fact that these machines are not ready for prime time – despite impressive capabilities in highly controlled environments. That's evidenced by a series of 'robot fails' when they're introduced into real-world settings.

Companies, however, say they're improving the AI technology powering these machines, as well as the dexterity of appendages. They plan on ramping up production toward the end of this year, with the first machines set to be deployed in commercial settings by 2027.

OpenAI’s latest feature can use your clicks, keystrokes and other interactions to supplement ChatGPT and Codex context.

Android users have had to click a few extra times to add Aptoide Games.

• Quad-Level-Cell (QLC) 3D flash memory sets the industry benchmark for performance, bit density, and power efficiency
• It is the first QLC 3D flash to reach a 4.8 GB/s interface, ensuring super-fast data transfer between storage and processor
• This is the breakthrough that could deliver 1 PB (petabyte) storage to data centers

SanDisk has unveiled the chip that could revolutionize data centers and push cloud storage and AI to the next level with its QLC 3D flash memory technology, developed with Kioxia. Employing the companies’ CMOS directly Bonded to Array (CBA) technology, the 10th generation Quad-Level-Cell 3D flash memory has set a new industry standard, representing the baseline for competing memory manufacturers.

The chip has a 60% increase in bit density compared to the 8th generation 3D flash memory, also setting the benchmark for performance and power efficiency.

With a 37 Gb/mm² (gigabits per square millimeter) density, the QLC 3D flash can be used to assemble the first 1 petabyte (that’s 1,000 terabytes) solid-state drives for data center servers.

Wafer bonding

The CMOS directly Bonded to Array technology, in which CMOS wafers are bonded with cell array wafers after separate manufacturing, is at the heart of the QLC 3D flash memory development. Using “high-precision wafer-to-wafer alignment,” the new chips are the first to hit a 4.8 Gb/s interface (under test conditions) using the QLD 3D technology.

The die capacity and packaging density for a potential 1 PB SSD based on the QLC 3D flash memory are not practical (both in cost and space) for home systems but can be adapted for ultra-dense 1U and 2U rack servers in modern purpose-built data centers.

The size of the chips makes other uses impractical and requires advanced 3D packaging in 64- or 128- die stacks to hit the 1 PB SSD target, using the ruler-like, 318 mm long EDSFF E1.L and E3.L form factor PCBs, as well as the recently defined E2 form factor (measuring 200 mm x 76 mm). This was specifically designed to handle 1 PB drives.

Next-generation infrastructure

The march towards implementing AI across the connected world requires increasingly sophisticated storage so that agent-based, physical AI, and generative AI can be efficiently delivered. A chip that is dense enough to deliver a 1 PB SSD is key to this next step.

“By redefining the performance and efficiency envelope of QLC NAND, our 10th-generation QLC 3D flash memory delivers simultaneous gains in density, bandwidth, and energy efficiency and establishes a new paradigm for high‑capacity flash storage to provide a scalable foundation for next‑generation infrastructure applications," noted Sandisk’s Chief Technology Officer Alper Ilkbahar.

Kioxia’s CTO Hideshi Miyajima adds, “QLC technology enables the efficient storage of rapidly expanding data volumes, helping deliver greater performance and scalability for AI systems.”

For AI data centers and cloud providers, this is a long-awaited development, and places Sandisk and Kioxia ahead of the main competitor in this area, Samsung, which is approaching the challenge using more layers (1,000+ in ultra-tall stacks, compared with Sandisk/Kioxia’s 332-layers). Additionally, this announcement suggests that a 1 PB Sandisk/Kioxia SSD could ship in 2027, ahead of any forthcoming 1 PB Samsung SSD.

Nothing gets old as fast as the future.

As Tim Cook prepares to vacate his role as Apple CEO on September 1st and John Ternus assumes control, people have asked me what Cook is like and how he compares to Ternus. I can't say I know either man well, but I do know them and have, over the years, had the opportunity to speak to each of them.

In due time, both will be part of a very small club: men who have stepped into running one of the biggest and most important tech companies on the planet. When Cook took over, it was shortly before one of Apple's most important launches: the iPhone 4S and, not coincidentally, Siri (yes, the original Siri). 15 years later, Ternus becomes Apple CEO at another pivotal moment: the launch of the first folding iPhone (maybe called the iPhone Ultra) and the full release of Siri AI.

How Cook in his day and Ternus next month deal with consequential moments is surely tied to their personalities. Leaving aside the scripted moments and the strategic imperatives that drive such days, it's who these men are that define the events. I'm not sure I ascribe to the idea that a company reorients itself in the image of its CEO, but it's hard to argue with the notion that who a person is does impact products, partnerships, and corporate culture. Even relationships with people like me (media journalists) will vary depending on leadership.

Cook and his Apple legacy

A post shared by CBS News (@cbsnews)

A photo posted by on

I thought about all of this as I watched Cook struggle a bit this week with a question from CBS News Correspondent Jo Ling Kent, who was interviewing the outgoing Apple CEO at the opening of a new Mac Mini plant in Houston, Texas, the first such US plant in ages to build consumer-grade Macs on US soil.

Kent reminded Cook that he once said Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs' legacy was innovation and wondered what his would be.

Anyone who knows Cook or has spoken to him even a little bit would know that he's not the self-aggrandizing type and is not obviously introspective. In my conversations, I found a genial and extremely polite man who could be a bit guarded (though he is far more approachable than Steve Jobs ever was). He's quick with a handshake and smile, but not one to slap you on the back and share a joke or a secret.

I somehow knew that Cook would not be defining his own legacy. Instead, he told Kent that should be left to others, but he hoped that "people say I was a good and decent man, then I feel like I will have achieved something."

Fashion model Karlie Kloss, Professional basketball player Anthony Davis, and Tim Cook (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)

In direct interactions and for much of his Apple tenure, I think Cook's basic decency was on display. Far more so than his predecessor, Cook spoke about Apple as a force for good, helping people, protecting the environment, and adding DEI principles to Apple's corporate policies that remain in place to this day.

Cook's reputation for goodness and decency may have taken a hit in public discourse when he appeared to align himself and Apple with divisive US President Donald Trump. The work has mostly been part of an effort to bring manufacturing back to the US, though some might argue Apple was strong-armed into it by Trump's threat of exorbitant tariffs. In fact, the completion of the Mac Mini plant is a direct result of the promises Cook made to Trump.

The complication of legacy and compromise

I, like many others, have struggled to reconcile the Cook I know with the man I saw handing Trump a golden trophy. Cook has since said the trophy was not a political statement and later told Esquire, "I’ve interacted with governments all around the world, some that I have very different views on. But I think until you engage, you never know — you never understand — where somebody else is coming from. And you have no influence at all."

This statement dovetails neatly with Cook's southern personality, which is focused on politeness and compromise, but also an iron will that allows you to ride the middle while still getting things done.

Cook would never tell you what he thinks of Trump, certainly not now or even when he becomes Executive Chairman on September 1, though I doubt Cook would be surprised if he heard Trump say he's unconcerned if people think he's been a good and decent man.

Lance Ulanoff, Apple Global SVP of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak, and incoming Apple CEO John Ternus (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)

Which brings me to Ternus. Over the years, I've spoken to him mostly about products and technology, but have had a few moments where we just chatted (briefly), and I could immediately see how different he is from Cook. Ternus seems quicker to laugh, joke, and is maybe a little less guarded and focused on politeness. Perhaps it's his bi-coastal background (born in California, schooled in Pennsylvania), but there's no southern gentility here.

Apple CEO is not, fundamentally, a personality-driven role, not since Jobs, a true iconoclast, died. Cook has ultimately been more of a traditional CEO whose personality came second to the job. Ternus will surely be no different.

Whatever Cook's true legacy (services, health, Apple Watch, a trillion-dollar valuation), it'll soon be Ternus's time, and his moment to start building his own legacy, one that will also be judged and declared by others.