Technology

A no-gift holiday season could be the best decision you make this year.

She's working late because she's hosting a Christmas special. Here's everything you need to know about when it drops and who's expected to guest star.

Don't wait until the new year to earn interest on your savings.

In less than 10 minutes, a US teen made a small fortune selling off a memecoin he’d made on a lark. Traders, feeling swindled, sought revenge.

Roughly 10 years since the original, this vibrating pendant is a reminder that good things can come in small packages.

It’s not often that computer software enters the zeitgeist, but Windows 10 certainly made it. The operating system, launched nine years ago, had well over a billion users at its peak and a host of devotees, many who remain loyal despite Windows 11 having been on the scene since 2021.

With Microsoft set to withdraw support for Windows 10 on 14th October, 2025, users worldwide are facing the end of an era with a bittersweet taste in their mouths.

On one hand, pulling the shutters down represents a fresh start for Microsoft, as Windows 11 brings new security updates, improved performance, and a more streamlined experience. Yet, on the other hand, the move will disappoint some customers who are happy with the status quo and are reluctant to move on from the legacy system, which still commands over half of the market.

The sunsetting also poses risks for the business community and the environment. Beyond the October deadline, Windows 10 will no longer receive free security updates, exposing those who remain to an increase in potential vulnerabilities and malware. Meanwhile, about one in five laptops using the software are estimated to be running hardware incompatible with Windows 11. Without a proper transition plan, these computers could end up consigned to landfill, creating a surge in e-waste as companies upgrade their IT infrastructure.

To help avoid these consequences, here is how businesses can prepare for the Windows 10 shutdown:

Checking for compatibility

The first step is to review your IT networks and verify whether your devices can support Windows 11.

Microsoft’s free PC Health Check tool will show if your hardware meets the minimum compatibility requirements – including an Intel 8th-generation processor and TPM 2.0 support – and guide you through the installation process.

Explore alternatives and budget

While Microsoft has the lion’s share of the PC software market, there are good alternatives if an upgrade to Windows 11 isn't feasible or desirable. Linux offers thousands of open-source applications and is compatible with most computers. You can also consider Google's OS Flex, which turns older Windows devices into cloud-managed systems, similar to Chromebooks.

Whether you plan to stay Team Microsoft or want an alternative system — it’s vital to ensure you back up your sensitive business data securely before making changes.

This will give peace of mind in the event of data being lost or compromised during the transition.

Sustainable solution

Companies looking to sustain their IT infrastructure and prolong its lifespan ahead of the Windows 10 retirement can also consider Remanufacturing as a Service (RaaS. This approach can produce computers that are “equal to or better than new” (as recognized by the BSI) along with extended warranties for up to three years.

Remanufactured computers deliver the performance and experience of a brand-new device, along with considerable economic and environmental advantages. A RaaS remanufactured laptop can be up to 70% cheaper than a brand-new device and not buying new is estimated to cut carbon emissions by about 316 kg per laptop.

Keep calm and (mainly) carry on

Given the popularity and huge user base of Windows 10, Microsoft has been at pains to manage a smooth transition for customers. Although it first trailed the end of support for the system in June 2021, many users still haven't updated, so if you haven’t yet done so you're far from alone. Recently, Microsoft also announced it will offer Windows 10 users a one-year security update extension for $30 (£23), for those wanting to keep the party going.

Sliding doors moment

While some businesses might see Windows 10’s curtain call as an inconvenience or a financial hurdle, others have the opportunity to use it as a springboard to change – particularly around IT and the environment.

An intriguing twist of scheduling means the Microsoft support end date coincides with International E-waste Day, when the world should be reflecting on tackling our disposable tech culture. The run up to 14th October gives customers a golden opportunity to commit to the circular economy, whether through retailer outreach, charitable donations, or remanufacturing efforts.

Businesses must rise to the challenge and ensure the end of Windows 10 helps usher in a new and greener technology era.

We list the best business computers.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Finding the right tech gift is complicated. There are the needs of the gift recipient, the availability of options, comparisons of features and specs, and your budget. As a tech expert, you'd think I'd have an easier time, but my brain is mostly overwhelmed with tech minutiae, and I struggle to boil it all down into a useful and timely decision. It's in these moments where artificial intelligence and a growing legion of generative, large language model chatbots can do the most good.

Put another way, I've been having a week-long conversation with ChatGPT 4o about what to get my mother-in-law, and while the AI has not entirely solved my problem, it gets huge points for patience, persistence, and memory.

My sharp-as-a-tack mother-in-law lives alone, and while she's steady on her feet, we do worry about her in an emergency situation like a fall, which led my wife and me to wonder if a wearable with fall detection might be a good gift.

As we talked, my wife eyed me as if she were waiting for something, and I realized it was a concrete answer: "Which wearable should we get her?" Since Mom is an Android phone user (her aging handset is from LG, a company that no longer makes phones), my first choice, an Apple Watch SE, was out of the question.

I've tested a few Android wearables, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and the best Google Pixel Watches, but I couldn't recall which ones had built-in fall detection. I was preparing to do the research but, daunted by the task (read "lazy"), decided to give ChatGPT 4o a chance.

(Image credit: Future / Matt Evans) The shopping conversation

The benefit of using an AI chatbot is that you can ask complicated questions conversationally, and it'll almost always be smart enough to understand and respond.

Here was my initial prompt:
"I want to find a smartwatch or a fitness watch that has simple notifications, fall detection, and can send an emergency alert. It's for my mother-in-law who does not own an Apple Watch. It has to be Android-compatible. I want it to be incredibly easy to use and under $300."

I put it in once as a straight prompt to ChatGPT and then using ChatGPT search. Since I know that the latter uses the live web to inform its results, I assumed the answer would be more timely and accurate. It turned out that both responses were accurate and more helpful than I anticipated.

ChatGPT replied, "For your mother-in-law, an Android-compatible smartwatch that offers simple notifications, fall detection, and emergency alert capabilities under $300 would be ideal. Here are some recommendations:"

It then listed the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, Google Pixel Watch 2, and the Amazfit GTR 4. The two last-gen smartwatches were canny choices because new models like the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 would be more expensive and probably break my $300 limit.

Then, like a conspiratorial friend, ChatGPT whispered, "Given the ongoing Black Friday deals, you might find these watches at even lower prices. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is currently available at a discounted price." It then cited The Verge as a source for that tidbit. Miffed that it didn't use TechRadar but still impressed, I decided to change tacts.

Narrowing our choices

(Image credit: Future)

As much as I love smartwatch technology, I worried that these wearables might still be a little too complicated – at least regarding setup – for my mother-in-law. In these conversations with ChatGPT, I like to treat it as I would a friend who always knows what I'm talking about and can pick up the context even if I didn't restate the whole premise. I entered this new prompt:

"Are there any fitness wearables that also provide fall detection? I don't necessarily need a whole smartwatch."

ChatGPT correctly noted that fitness trackers are fixated on activity and won't all include fall detection. Still, it did find a few Garmin devices, including the Garmin Forerunner 45 (sourced from Wikipedia[!]), the Garmin Venu Sq 2 (Verge), and the Garmin Forerunner 245 (Wikipedia again).

ChatGPT pointed out the balance of fitness tracking and safety features like "incident detection" which it noted "could be beneficial to my mother-in-law". But ChatGPT wasn't done. Unlike my friends who might hold off giving a recommendation, ChatGPT boldly declared, "Considering your mother-in-law's needs, the Garmin Venu Sq 2 stands out for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features within your budget."

But the thing is, ChatGPT missed a key level of detail that made its suggestion untenable. "Incident detection" on these Garmin watches focuses on mishaps during activity, not the kind of random fall that can happen to the elderly at any time.

Undaunted, I asked ChatGPT to focus on a more feminine design (some fitness wearables can be quite bulky and masculine) and the simplest UI. ChatGPT had now fixated on the Garmin Venu Sq 2 and listed all the ways it was perfect, even though it acknowledged that incident detection and assistance features "are typically active during specific activities and require the watch to be connected to a smartphone."

We went back and forth like this without quite landing on the right device. Separately, my wife and I looked at LifeAlert, a 24/7 service and wearable with a subscription fee. It has no smartwatch capabilities and instead focuses on detecting falls and other emergencies and getting help. It also never needs to be charged.

(Image credit: Amazfit)

I hadn't given up on ChatGPT. A few days later, we picked up the conversation. I offered no context but continued in the prompt thread, "So, I need real, 24/7 fall detection, long battery life, ease of use, Android compatibility, and something a woman would wear. All of that for under $300."

ChatGPT admitted that finding what I was looking for could "be challenging," but it also recommended the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. It was one of its initial favorites, claiming it had better ease of use thanks to the rotating bezel (I can kind of agree that a hardware control works nicely for someone unfamiliar with wearable technology), and pointed to Bixby and Google Assistant as enhancing usability. I think the existence of two digital assistants on one device might be confusing, but maybe that's just me. It also highlighted the $250 price tag and a high degree of Android compatibility (I still have no idea if my mother-in-law's aging LG has an OS up-to-date enough to support these newer smartwatches).

Then I finally asked the big question: is LifeAlert a better option here? Again, no context other than that prompt. Oh, and did I mention that I accidentally called it "LifeLock"? ChatGPT, like the good friend it is, forgave my foibles and translated my nonsense into a detailed comparison of emergency alert systems like LifeAlert versus smartwatches.

It then summarized with this:
"If your mother-in-law values a device with multiple functionalities and is comfortable with technology, a smartwatch like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 could be beneficial. However, if she prefers a dedicated, easy-to-use emergency system with professional monitoring, a medical alert system such as Life Alert may be more appropriate."

You see? I feel like ChatGPT gets me. It's analytical but also almost caring. Granted, I'm no closer to a resolution on this purchase than I was a week ago, but at least I feel better informed. I'm now considering asking ChatGPT to go shopping for me...as if.

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Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Dec. 6.

Here are some hints -- and the answers -- for the Dec. 6 Strands puzzle, No. 278.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 544 for Friday, Dec. 6.

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1,266 for Friday, Dec. 6.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections: Sports Edition No. 74 for Dec. 6.

Google searches might soon be a lot more conversational on Android devices thanks to artificial intelligence, judging from unreleased code discovered by 9to5 Google. The Search app may soon add an AI Mode combining interactive discussions and other features that make Google's foundational service act more than a little like the Gemini AI assistant.

AI Mode, referred to as AIM in the uncovered code, melds the human-like interactions of Gemini Live with Google Search and tosses in the visual understanding and analysis that you get from Google Lens. When in AIM, you'll be able to respond to what Google Search comes up with. Instead of just a list of results, you'll be able to ask follow-up questions, interrupt responses, and otherwise treat Search like it's Gemini Live.

AI Mode should be available as a tab in the Google app's bottom navigation bar if and when it rolls out. In addition to using your voice to search, you can also use photos taken with your phone or other uploaded ones. You can then explain what you want to search for concerning the image. One additional amusing bit of the code is that its placeholder is a winking emoticon.

Gemini or Search?

The idea of AI Mode in Google Search makes sense at first glance but raises a few questions in context. It appears to be so similar to Gemini that it is more of a variation of Gemini Live. That would fit with how Google seems keen to get people to use Gemini for everything. AI Mode isn't identical to Gemini Live, as AI Mode would offer a multimodal experience that combines text, voice, and images, but it's close enough to make it hard to know when you would use one over the other.

AI Mode might just be a road to a more comprehensive service. Augmenting Google Search with Lens's ability to ask questions about photos and videos and boosting the current voice interaction, which transcribes spoken requests, could pave the way for Google Search to become a facet of Gemini or vice versa. It could also change how we think about the most popular search engine in the world.

Instead of turning to Google to say “show me results,” we could simply ask it to “give me a direct, thoughtful answer.”

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Generative AI could have been an existential threat for Canva, which made billions by making graphic design quick and easy. But for CEO Melanie Perkins, it’s simply making the world more visual.

Virtual private server hosting can help you ramp up your website's performance. Here's a detailed look to help you choose the right provider.

Jupiter will be at its brightest all year on Saturday, Dec. 7. Break out your binoculars for a chance at spotting its four largest moons.

The Novosbed mattress has a classic memory foam feel and firmness options to accommodate both side and stomach sleepers.

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 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 #1047) - hint #1 - Vowels How 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 #1047) - 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 0.

Quordle today (game #1047) - 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 #1047) - 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 0.

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 #1047) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• B

• U

• D

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1047) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1047, are…

• BRAWL
• UNTIL
• DOWRY
• STING

I took a shot on a double-letter word today, then having drawn a blank returned for another go. Maybe I should be more tactical, but one of the things I love about Wordle, but which diminishes after the first guess in Quordle, is playing word slot machine and just pumping in whatever letter combinations come into my head. This method is very possibly self-sabotaging but it’s a great feeling when it pays off.

However, no mini fist bumps today as I just scraped home having not many letters left in order to get UNTIL and DOWRY.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #1047) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1047, are…

• PLAIT
• RENEW
• FLOOR
• SKATE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1046, Thursday 5 December: AGING, BICEP, CLOVE, SPILL
• Quordle #1045, Wednesday 4 December: JUDGE, GIVER, GNASH, CLOAK
• Quordle #1044, Tuesday 3 December: FUDGE, THICK, CRANK, STASH
• Quordle #1043, Monday 2 December: TROPE, HOVER, SAUNA, SHAPE
• Quordle #1042, Sunday 1 December: NAIVE, CIRCA, STEAD, MICRO
• Quordle #1041, Saturday 30 November: MAMMA, SNUCK, CRYPT, TAROT
• Quordle #1040, Friday 29 November: JOIST, DROOL, DUSKY, GLIDE
• Quordle #1039, Thursday 28 November: GRADE, WORRY, NOISE, DAISY
• Quordle #1038, Wednesday 27 November: HEART, ROGUE, INEPT, UTILE
• Quordle #1037, Tuesday 26 November: PRIED, FAINT, HURRY, WOOER
• Quordle #1036, Monday 25 November: NUDGE, SNOOP, SHACK, DRYLY
• Quordle #1035, Sunday 24 November: CLOTH, CLAMP, PETTY, CHEST
• Quordle #1034, Saturday 23 November: AVOID, PLANT, FILET, TWIRL
• Quordle #1033, Friday 22 November: CUTIE, ALOOF, ETUDE, SILLY
• Quordle #1032, Thursday 21 November: RABBI, EAGER, COUGH, BRASH
• Quordle #1031, Wednesday 20 November: MINTY, TOPAZ, BRUSH, LAPEL
• Quordle #1030, Tuesday 19 November: NINJA, PENCE, PAINT, FOIST
• Quordle #1029, Monday 18 November: ASCOT, BRINK, WEIRD, HOMER
• Quordle #1028, Sunday 17 November: STATE, BRAWN, SWORE, URBAN
• Quordle #1027, Saturday 16 November: NOTCH, BENCH, BUSED, FOUND

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 clues.

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 #544) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• PUZZLE
• MANIA
• BUZZ
• GATE
• CORE
• HEX
• VEX
• REX
• SLINKY
• STUMP
• POX
• PERPLEX
• JINX
• HAMM
• SPELL
• PILLED

NYT Connections today (game #544) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• Yellow: State of confusion
• Green: Broomstick
• Blue: Playful Pixar pals
• Purple: The people have spoken

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 #544) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: BAFFLE 
• GREEN: CURSE
• BLUE: “TOY STORY” CHARACTERS, FAMILIARLY
• PURPLE: COLLOQUIAL SUFFIXES

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

NYT Connections today (game #544) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #544, are…

• YELLOW: BAFFLE PERPLEX, PUZZLE, STUMP, VEX
• GREEN: CURSE HEX, JINX, POX, SPELL
• BLUE: “TOY STORY” CHARACTERS, FAMILIARLY BUZZ, HAMM, REX, SLINKY
• PURPLE: COLLOQUIAL SUFFIXES CORE, GATE, MANIA, PILLED

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

The first thing that jumped out from today’s Connections was a collection of words ending in X. Surely we’re not going to fall into the trap of thinking they’re a group, right? Er…

No, no, let’s resist. With Wicked in theaters right now, words connected to witches seem timely, so HEX, SPELL, JINX, and POX didn’t require magical skills to spot.

Staying at the movies, the first thing that came to mind with the word BUZZ was the astronaut from the Toy Story movies. It helps being a parent who’s seen the movies about 62 times, of course, but I didn’t know the pig had two Ms until now.

As someone who exists in a near-permanent state of BAFFLEment today’s yellow was straightforward, but Purple had me stumped – my first thought was things connected to wrestling. I'm not sure what PILLED is, but it could be some killer Caretaker move, surely? Instead it was COLLOQUIAL SUFFIXES – every day’s a school day!

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, 5 December, game #543)

• YELLOW: APTITUDE FLAIR, GIFT, INSTINCT, NOSE
• GREEN: EXTERIOR FACE, FRONT, OUTSIDE, SURFACE
• BLUE: TECH COMPANIES AMAZON, APPLE, INTUIT, ORACLE
• PURPLE: __STONE BRIM, LIME, RHINE, YELLOW

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.

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 #278) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Find your people

NYT Strands today (game #278) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• LORE
• SCORE
• CROWS
• ROPE
• FELL
• FILE

NYT Strands today (game #278) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Join the gang

NYT Strands today (game #278) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First: left, 4th row

Last: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #278) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #278, are…

• CLUB
• BUNCH
• GROUP
• CROWD
• CIRCLE
• CLIQUE
• SOCIETY
• SPANGRAM: FELLOWSHIP

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Here’s my confession of the day – even though I only had the Spangram left I still managed to get it wrong – seeing HIP FELLOWS before the correct answer. Well, it sort of works. I’m sure there’s many a CLUB, SOCIETY, or CIRCLE whose members are hip fellows! Although they are most likely the ones where they serve port and people in woollen suits spend the entire day hiding behind enormous newspapers.

I’m an independent soul, not a joiner of things. Still, in my youth I was forever joining organizations in search of FELLOWSHIP and kindred companions who liked the same things I did then after not finding any, never returning. The truth is you need to stick these things out to “find your people” – so I would encourage readers to get with the in CROWD. Or, at least, give it a couple of weeks. We are many they are few and all that. Unless, of course, you want to form your own gang, in which case just a BUNCH will do.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, 5 December, game #277)

• ANGEL
• GRIFFIN
• DRAGON
• STORK
• BUTTERFLY
• FAIRY
• SPANGRAM: WINGED THING

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and 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.