Error message

  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6591 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in menu_set_active_trail() (line 2405 of /home/cay45lq1/public_html/includes/menu.inc).

Technology

New forum topics

Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 10 (game #1141)

TechRadar News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 10:00
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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 9 (game #1140).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 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 #1141) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* 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 #1141) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 4.

Quordle today (game #1141) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do 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 #1141) - 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 #1141) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• A

• T

• T

• G

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

Quordle today (game #1141) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1141, are…

  • AVAIL
  • THESE
  • TITAN
  • GAUGE

You know when there’s a really obvious word but you go for some random one instead? Well I did that today, completely missing THESE and putting, er, TESTE instead. What a balls up.

It had been going very well, with my Quordle muscle memory kicking in to land TITAN and AVAIL.

Oh well, at least I didn’t crash out.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1141) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1141, are…

  • STRAW
  • SNIDE
  • MUDDY
  • TRACK
Quordle answers: The past 20
  • Quordle #1140, Sunday 9 March: SKILL, IDEAL, WHERE, REHAB
  • Quordle #1139, Saturday 8 March: WATCH, LAPSE, WREST, HEFTY
  • Quordle #1138, Friday 7 March: GLEAN, SHINY, DECRY, MANGA
  • Quordle #1137, Thursday 6 March: TRICE, EIGHT, BELCH, RIPER
  • Quordle #1136, Wednesday 5 March: PLEAD, TWANG, MAJOR, RISKY
  • Quordle #1135, Tuesday 4 March: FLOWN, ETUDE, TOPAZ, JOKER
  • Quordle #1134, Monday 3 March: FRILL, KAYAK, REBAR, WORDY
  • Quordle #1133, Sunday 2 March: TUNIC, GLOSS, DEBUG, LARGE
  • Quordle #1132, Saturday 1 March: DENSE, BONEY, KITTY, SMEAR
  • Quordle #1131, Friday 28 February: PASTA, RAZOR, PLUMB, DROOL
  • Quordle #1130, Thursday 27 February: THIEF, CHAIR, ETHER, GRIME
  • Quordle #1129, Wednesday 26 February: LOVER, SPIED, VAPOR, METER
  • Quordle #1128, Tuesday 25 February: TWIST, TWEAK, MEANT, CLEAR
  • Quordle #1127, Monday 24 February: LEASH, LEVER, TOTEM, CREME
  • Quordle #1126, Sunday 23 February: RABID, RELIC, SCRAM, BASIS
  • Quordle #1125, Saturday 22 February: ETHER, SONIC, VAUNT, ROUSE
  • Quordle #1124, Friday 21 February: STIFF, PRIZE, SCOWL, DONUT
  • Quordle #1123, Thursday 20 February: HASTY, DRAPE, FICUS, CRAZE
  • Quordle #1122, Wednesday 19 February: ABATE, TROVE, VENUE, DRAPE
  • Quordle #1121, Tuesday 18 February: TAMER, SCRUB, BRICK, DRIFT
Categories: Technology

NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 10 (game #638)

TechRadar News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 10:00
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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 9 (game #637).

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 #638) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

  • MONA LISA
  • STATUE OF LIBERTY
  • BOWLING
  • SPHYNX
  • VENUS DE MILO
  • JOKER
  • RUSSIAN BLUE
  • RUG
  • WHITE RUSSIAN 
  • LIBERTY BELL
  • COMEDY MASK
  • TURKISH ANGORA
  • RAGAMUFFIN
  • CHESHIRE CAT
  • BATHROBE
  • TOWER OF PISA
NYT Connections today (game #638) - hint #1 - group hints

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

  • YELLOW: Types of kitty
  • PURPLE: Coen Brothers classic
  • BLUE: Altered tourist attractions
  • GREEN: All-star grins

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 #638) - hint #2 - group answers

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

  • YELLOW: CAT BREEDS 
  • PURPLE: ASSOCIATED WITH "THE DUDE" LEBOWSKI 
  • BLUE: ATTRACTIONS ICONICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THEIR ORIGINAL
  • FORMS 
  • GREEN: FAMOUS SMILES 

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

NYT Connections today (game #638) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #638, are…

  • YELLOW: CAT BREEDS RAGAMUFFIN, RUSSIAN BLUE, SPHYNX, TURKISH ANGORA
  • GREEN: FAMOUS SMILES CHESHIRE CAT, COMEDY MASK, JOKER, MONA LISA
  • BLUE: ATTRACTIONS ICONICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THEIR ORIGINAL FORMS LIBERTY BELL, STATUE OF LIBERTY, TOWER OF PISA, VENUS DE MILO
  • PURPLE: ASSOCIATED WITH "THE DUDE" LEBOWSKI BATHROBE, BOWLING, RUG, WHITE RUSSIAN
  • My rating: Hard
  • My score: 2 mistakes

Even though I guessed there was a CAT BREEDS category from my first look at the grid, I still made hard work of it. I thoughtlessly put WHITE RUSSIAN instead of RAGAMUFFIN. It was the realization that it was The Dude’s beverage of choice that set me on the right path.

My errors didn’t end there, though. Despite deducing Tourist Attractions was a link I tried to make a group containing MONA LISA rather than LIBERTY BELL, confusion which I can’t help but suspect was part of today’s cunning plan to baffle players.

Mona Lisa and CHESHIRE CAT aside, FAMOUS SMILES was quite the stretch. The JOKER maybe makes the cut, but COMEDY MASK?

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, 9 March, game #637)
  • YELLOW: COMPUTER INPUT DEVICES MICROPHONE, MOUSE, SCANNER, TABLET
  • GREEN: BUILDING MATERIALS BRICK, CONCRETE, METAL, STONE
  • BLUE: HELPFUL DEED FAVOR, KINDNESS, SERVICE, SOLID
  • PURPLE: #1 SONGS FROM 1982 ABRACADABRA, CENTERFOLD, MICKEY, PHYSICAL
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.

Categories: Technology

Best Internet Providers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

CNET News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 09:41
From cable and fiber to high-speed connections, Oklahoma City offers a wide range of internet options. These are CNET's top picks.
Categories: Technology

New iPhone 17 Air leak may have revealed some key specs – and how it compares to the iPhone 17 Pro Max

TechRadar News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 09:30
  • iPhone 17 Air screen size and camera specs leak
  • The handset could start at 128GB of storage
  • It's set to be slightly smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro Max

It seems likely that the iPhone 16 Plus is going to make way for the iPhone 17 Air this year – and a new leak gives us a better idea of the specs the new phone will bring with it, and how it is set to stack up against the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

These specs come from tipster @OreXda (via Notebookcheck), and suggest the iPhone 17 Air is going to come with a 6.7-inch screen running at a resolution of 2796 x 1290 pixels. A main camera resolution of 48MP and a selfie camera resolution of 12MP are also mentioned, as well as 128GB of storage (with other options probably available too).

That compares to a 6.9-inch screen for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, running at a resolution of 2868 x 1320 pixels. The same camera resolutions are listed – though the iPhone 17 Pro Max will probably have another couple of rear cameras too – and for this phone the internal storage apparently starts at 256GB.

If all that is accurate, then the iPhone 17 Air would be sitting between the 6.3-inch display of the iPhone 17 Pro and the 6.9-inch display of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, in terms of screen size – so there'll be plenty of choice on offer.

Thinner and thinner

pic.twitter.com/JL27Do53HXMarch 8, 2025

None of the specs listed here are designed to make the iPhone 17 Air stand out – instead it's going to be the super-slim frame that will carry the most appeal. The rumors are that the handset will measure just 5.59 mm front to back.

And 2025 could well be the year of the ultra-thin phone. We've already seen the launch of the thinnest foldable to date, the Oppo Find N5, and we're getting ready for the full reveal of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge – a phone we've only had a brief look at so far, and which will be going head-to-head against the iPhone 17 Air.

Based on unofficial renderings that have already popped up online, the iPhone 17 Air is going to come with a single rear camera, housed in a raised camera bar that extends all the way across the top of the back casing. It looks likely that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have raised camera modules too.

The usual chipset upgrades are to be expected, but it'll be interesting to see how Apple prices the iPhone 17 Air, which marks a new series within the iPhone family. Last month, Apple debuted the iPhone 16e, which starts at $599 / £599 / AU$999.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Premier League Soccer: Stream Man United vs. Arsenal From Anywhere

CNET News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 08:30
The Gunners look to tighten their grip on second place as they travel to Old Trafford.
Categories: Technology

The TCL QM6K Trades Picture Punch for Refined Performance

WIRED Top Stories - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 08:03
TCL’s upgraded 6 Series skips the brightness blast for impressively balanced performance.
Categories: Technology

GHD’s Chronos Max Review: High Tech, Not High Heat

WIRED Top Stories - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 07:32
This new wide-plate straightening iron has only one temperature setting, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Categories: Technology

India vs. New Zealand: How to Watch 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final Cricket Live From Anywhere

CNET News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 07:21
The Black Caps are looking to pull off a memorable upset in Dubai.
Categories: Technology

How to Clean Everything On Your Bed (2025)

WIRED Top Stories - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 07:09
From comforters to sheets, pillows, and bed frames, here’s how to keep your bed in tip-top shape.
Categories: Technology

This Flying Car Prototype Soars Over a Stopped Car

CNET News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 07:00
New video from Alef Aeronautics shows the company's flying car prototype driving, taking off and flying over another vehicle in a simulation of a blocked traffic scenario.
Categories: Technology

New Proofs Expand the Limits of What Cannot Be Known

WIRED Top Stories - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 07:00
By proving a broader version of Hilbert’s famous 10th problem, two groups of mathematicians have expanded the realm of mathematical unknowability.
Categories: Technology

Best Internet Providers in South Lake Tahoe, California

CNET News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 06:36
Which ISP offers the best broadband in South Lake Tahoe? We’ve identified the top provider and the next best options.
Categories: Technology

Dynabook's newest laptop has a 4-year warranty, a swappable battery, a weight of under 1 kg, and even a LAN port

TechRadar News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 06:24
  • Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N offers customizable configurations and extended warranties
  • Microsoft Secured-core PC integrates chip-to-cloud security for businesses
  • Live Captions provide real-time transcription for accessibility and efficiency

Dynabook has introduced the Portégé Z40L-N, a business-focused Copilot+ PC business laptop powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra processor (Series 2), featuring a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) optimized for AI tool workloads.

There's also Intel Arc Graphics for smooth performance in data visualization, video editing software, and video conferencing software.

The business notebook features a 14-inch 16:10 display and weighs under 1 kg, similar to the Dynabook X8/Y and X6/Y released in 2024.

AI-powered efficiency and security

The Z40L-N, however, is housed in a MIL-STD-810H-compliant magnesium alloy chassis, a design typically reserved for rugged laptops to provide protection against drops, shocks, and harsh environmental conditions.

Dynabook has also fitted this lightweight AI notebook with a user-replaceable battery. Additionally, the device supports an AI-driven power management system, including Adaptive Dimming, which optimizes energy consumption based on workload demands to extend battery life.

Designed for professionals who require both mobility and performance, the laptop incorporates AI-driven enhancements such as Windows Studio Effects, which refines video calls with background blur, lighting adjustments, and eye contact correction.

It also includes AI-assisted gesture control for touch-free navigation, allowing users to switch slides and control media with simple hand movements, enhancing presentations and workflow efficiency.

Live Captions provides real-time audio transcription, improving accessibility and workflow efficiency, while security features include Human Presence Detection, which locks the screen when the user steps away, and Peek Alert, which warns of unauthorized onlookers.

As a Microsoft Secured-core PC, the Z40L-N prioritizes security with chip-to-cloud protection and integrates Windows Hello biometric authentication, enabling quick and secure login through facial recognition or fingerprint scanning.

“Businesses today demand smarter, more efficient computing solutions that keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital workplace," said James Robbins, General Manager, Dynabook Americas, Inc.

"The Portégé Z40L-N represents a new era of AI-powered business laptops—one that not only enhances productivity but also redefines how professionals interact with technology.”

Despite its compact form, the Z40L-N offers a full range of connectivity options, including USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, USB-A, and a LAN port, while Wi-Fi 7 support ensures faster, more stable wireless connections.

The Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N comes with a 3-year warranty on preconfigured EZ-Buy models and a 4-year warranty for Built-to-Order versions, with optional on-site support available to minimize downtime.

The laptop is available immediately, with preconfigured models starting at $1,699. Custom configurations are also available.

“By harnessing numerous productivity- and performance-focused applications for edge AI in our latest systems, Dynabook is empowering organizations with unparalleled intelligence, security, and mobility," Robbins added.

"We’re dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation to ensure our customers stay ahead in an increasingly intelligent world.”

You may also like
Categories: Technology

How to Arrange Your Room for the Best Sleep

WIRED Top Stories - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 05:33
These tips and tricks will help your dreams stay sweet.
Categories: Technology

A breakthrough in computing: Cortical Labs' CL1 is the first living biocomputer and costs almost the same as 'Apple's best failure'

TechRadar News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 05:26
  • Cortical Labs has built the first deployable biological computer, priced at $35,000
  • The CL1 integrates living neurons with silicon for real-time computation
  • The next step will be to build a biological neural network server stack

Despite the unquestionably impressive advancements we’ve witnessed in recent years, AI is still lagging far behind human intelligence. While it can process vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and generate responses at speed, it lacks true understanding and reasoning, and although it’s getting better, the issue of hallucinations - when the AI makes stuff up - remains a problem.

Two years ago, researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Australia, together with scientists at Cortical Labs in Melbourne, suggested that the answer to real, less artificial AI was organoids - computers built with human brain cells. Fast forward to today, and Cortical Labs has turned the theory into reality with the production of the world’s first commercialized biological computer.

The CL1, which will be manufactured to order but is available for purchase online (the option to buy time on the chips will also be offered), is a Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI).

Connecting directly to neurons

“Real neurons are cultivated inside a nutrient-rich solution, supplying them with everything they need to be healthy. They grow across a silicon chip, which sends and receives electrical impulses into the neural structure," the company says.

The world the neurons exist in is created by Cortical Labs’ Biological Intelligence Operating System (biOS) and “runs a simulated world and sends information directly to the neurons about their environment. As the neurons react, their impulses affect their simulated world. We bring these neurons to life, and integrate them into the biOS with a mixture of hard silicon and soft tissue. You get to connect directly to these neurons.”

By deploying code directly to the real neurons, the company claims the CL1 can solve today’s most difficult challenges, “The neuron is self-programming, infinitely flexible, and the result of four billion years of evolution. What digital AI models spend tremendous resources trying to emulate, we begin with.”

"Today is the culmination of a vision that has powered Cortical Labs for almost six years," noted Dr. Hon Weng Chong, Founder and CEO of Cortical Labs. "However, our long-term mission has been to democratize this technology, making it accessible to researchers without specialized hardware and software. The CL1 is the realization of that mission. While today's announcement is incredibly exciting, it's the foundation for the next stage of innovation. The real impact and the real implications will come from every researcher, academic, or innovator that builds on top of it."

A report from New Atlasclaims Cortical is constructing a “first-of-its-kind biological neural network server stack, housing 30 individual units that each contain the cells on their electrode array, which is expected to go online in the coming months.” The site reports the company is aiming to have four stacks available for commercial use via a cloud system by the end of 2025.

As for pricing, the CL1 will be surprisingly affordable. “The units themselves are expected to have a price tag of around US$35,000, to start with (anything close to this kind of tech is currently priced at €80,000, or nearly US$85,000),” New Atlas adds.

For context, Apple’s “best failure” the Lisa, which paved the way for the Macintosh and even Microsoft Windows, sold for $9,995.00 in January 1983 which, adjusting for inflation, works out to a comparable $32,500 today. Will the CL1 prove be as important to computing’s future as the Lisa was? It's impossible to say, but for now its impact will largely depend on scalability, practical applications, and how well it integrates into existing AI and computing systems.

You might also like
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for March 10, #638

CNET News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 04:00
Hints and answers for Connections for March 10, No. 638.
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for March 10, #372

CNET News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 04:00
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 372 for March 10.
Categories: Technology

Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for March 10, #1360

CNET News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 04:00
Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle No. 1,360 for March 10.
Categories: Technology

Andor is the best Star Wars TV show I’ve ever watched – here are 3 reasons why you should catch season 2 when it releases in April

TechRadar News - Sun, 03/09/2025 - 04:00

If, like me, you grew up with the original Star Wars movies as a kid then you will love Andor. It’s the backstory of Cassian Andor, a Rebel Alliance intelligence officer we first met in the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story film, and his five year journey from scavenger and thief to passionate revolutionary that leads up to the events of the film. In a way, his journey parallels Han Solo’s transformation from smuggler to General in the Rebel Alliance.

Unlike other recent offerings from the Disney Star Wars universe, like Skeleton Crew and The Acolyte, which while fun are really made for kids, Andor is a Star Wars TV show that’s aimed squarely at the Gen X audience who were there for the original Star Wars trilogy.

Andor season 2 is set to launch on Disney+ on April 22 in the US and April 23 for those in the UK and Australia. Not sure if the new Star Wars Disney Plus show is for you? Here are three good reasons why you won’t want to miss it.

1. It captures the magic of the original Star Wars

(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)

It’s hard to explain what it was like to see the original Star Wars in a cinema as a child. From the opening shot showing an absolutely huge Star Destroyer chasing down a Rebel Alliance vessel you were transported to another universe. Everything about Star Wars was believable, from the grisly way a lightsaber could cut through flesh to the constantly malfunctioning droids. I’d never seen anything like it before and I didn’t want it to end.

Looking back, and with the benefit of hindsight, I think the Ewoks in Episode VI – Return of the Jedi were a foreshadowing of the way things were going to go further down the line with Star Wars franchise, but I wasn’t emotionally prepared for the chasm of despair (Darth Maul aside) that the George Lucas’ Episode I, II and III films were going to create in my soul.

Sure, I can accept that they were made for children who were the same age as I was when I watched the original trilogy, but they were very different films and the fact that George Lucas himself had happily gone down the route of CGI-laden slop with zero emotional connection to the characters just made it all the worse.

2. It’s part of the Rogue One universe, one of the best Star Wars movies ever made

When the third trilogy of films kicked off with Episode VII – The Force Awakens, I was interested again. It had promise. It laid the groundwork for some interesting plot developments and the characters were intriguing. Then, Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One appeared out of nowhere filling in the story before A New Hope started, and it had that same thrill and excitement that the original Star Wars movies had given me as a kid. Things were looking up again.

Sadly, Episode VIII – The Last Jedi and Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker seemed utterly pointless and directionless, casually throwing away good story lines and demoting key characters to mere bit parts, destroying my faith in the Star Wars universe.

Until, that is, Andor, one of the way-too-many Star Wars spin-off shows that Disney had invested in, appeared in 2022 and changed everything. I didn’t really know anything about Andor when I started watching it, but I was instantly hooked.

In a way each Star Wars TV show or movie has its own universe. Andor exists in the serious Star Wars universe of Rogue One. It’s not made for kids and it tackles the big issues of life. We get to revisit the characters we met in Rogue One and find out exactly how they got there, what events shaped their lives, and what sacrifices they had to make along the way.

It's highbrow, but in a good way

(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)

It’s been noted that the first season of Andor was a Marxist allegory. It follows a group of characters dealing with an oppressive regime (the Empire) and we can watch how a revolution by the proletariat begins, but you don’t need a degree in politics to appreciate the show. What matters is how well it’s made.

Series one of Andor apparently cost Disney a staggering $271.6 million, which was all money well spent if you ask me. It looks amazing, the acting is first rate, the plot is gritty, and the characters are believable. While it moves at a slower pace than the modern world often demands and expects, Andor delivers the kind of emotional punch that you only get from slow burn introductions to fully fleshed-out characters that you really care about.

As much as I loved the original Star Wars films, the concept of the light side of the force vs the dark side that underpinned the whole trilogy was laughably simplistic. In Andor you are asked to inhabit a world of complexity where nothing is truly black and white. Good people have to occasionally do bad things and bad people can still have redeeming features.

If you need further persuading to join the resistance and fight the empire, the first season of Andor has a 96% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and an 87% audience score, and if you haven’t seen it then there’s still time to watch it before season two drops.

You may also like
Categories: Technology

ChatGPT remains the most popular AI tool in offices worldwide, survey finds, with India leading the way

TechRadar News - Sat, 03/08/2025 - 22:06
  • DeskTime study finds 75.9% of offices have ChatGPT in their workflow
  • Time spent using ChatGPT in US workplaces increased by 42.6%
  • Security concerns limit ChatGPT adoption in some major global companies such as Apple, Amazon, and Bank of America

The rapid rise of Chinese AI DeepSeek was unprecedented, but the buzz surrounding its surge is now fading, with new research offers fresh insights into global AI adoption.

A DeskTime study, conducted between January 2023 and December 2024, surveying 2,385 employees across 97 companies using its time-tracking tool claims ChatGPT remains the most widely used AI tool in workplaces worldwide, with adoption rates continuing to grow.

The survey found that as of December 2024, 75.9% of global offices had integrated ChatGPT into their workflows, with India leading the way, with 92% of workplaces surveyed there reporting using the tool.

US ChatGPT adoption lags behind the global average

In the US, workplace adoption rose from 68% in 2023 to 72% in 2024. Although this growth was slower compared to other regions, the time spent using ChatGPT increased significantly, with 42.6% of employees reporting greater usage.

Meanwhile, individual adoption reached 28.3% of employees in the US, a notable rise from 17% in 2023. This suggests that while more employees are incorporating AI into their work, broader company-wide implementation has slowed.

DeskTime’s study also found 75% of US offices used AI tools, including ChatGPT and other similar platforms, in 2024, marking a slight decline from 76% in the previous year.

Interestingly, AI adoption fluctuated throughout the year, with usage dropping to 63% in January 2024 before rising to 81% by October. These variations suggest seasonal work trends, company policies, or evolving attitudes toward automation may influence AI adoption rates.

Despite widespread use, the slower pace of new workplace adoption of ChatGPT indicates that businesses without prior exposure to it are hesitant.

“Although ChatGPT adoption varies across offices, it's still in use across nearly 75% of US workplaces. The slow growth in ChatGPT use could be attributed to the adoption of other generative AI tools, as well as company policies that prohibit or restrict the use of ChatGPT for work purposes due to concerns about data security and confidentiality," said Artis Rozentals, CEO of DeskTime.

"For example, Apple, Amazon, and Bank of America are well-known names known to have restrictions on the tool’s use.”

You may also like
Categories: Technology

Pages

Subscribe to The Vortex aggregator - Technology