Technology

This MetLife Stadium clash sees the two Group A favorites go toe-to-toe.

One of the biggest differences between being rich and poor is having people to do things for you. When a person moves from being poor to the middle class, they might get a cleaner or take their clothes to a dry cleaner; when they become rich, they might get a driver, a private chef – an entire entourage devoted to making their lives easier.

There’s growing excitement about the rise of AI-powered agents that act on behalf of consumers - not just during product discovery, but right through to purchase. Search-like queries on ChatGPT might only represent 1% of those on Google, but 1% of the colossal global search market is a huge number of searches, with potentially millions in revenue.

Originally conceived as digital concierges to simplify search, these agents are now making actual purchases, and they’re doing it without ever handing control back to the shopper.

Large payments players are laying the groundwork for AI-based commerce. Visa recently launched a Digital Credential Innovation Hub to explore new identity models for agent-based transactions, while Stripe confirmed it is developing secure transaction capabilities for AI agents. And just yesterday, Google revealed plans for an AI agentic checkout for shopping — a move that confirms this shift is no longer speculative, but imminent.

But beyond the optimistic headlines lies a more complicated picture. What happens when an AI agent makes a purchase for you? And more importantly, what can go wrong?

What’s Really Going On Behind the Scenes (Usually)

Let’s be clear: there’s no single “standard” for how agentic shopping works – the process is still evolving, and different platforms take different approaches. That said, here’s a common flow we’ve observed in early implementations.

When a consumer uses an AI agent to shop, the process is superficially simple, but technically intricate. First, the user saves their payment card details — including full PAN, CVV, expiry, billing, and delivery addresses — with their chosen AI platform.

Shoppers are unlikely to be buying very inexpensive items like a pizza or very expensive items like a new car. They probably won’t be using it for goods with a heavy visual emphasis, where part of the enjoyment is browsing until something hits you – clothing being the best example. They are likely, at first, to use agentic AI to help them decide between relatively expensive products that are difficult for non-experts to understand: let’s use a good pair of Bluetooth headphones as an example.

The agent, which could be powered by ChatGPT, Google, TikTok Shop, or Amazon’s AI initiatives, uses natural language to respond to a shopper’s request. Just like a shop clerk, it will ask questions to refine results: how much do you want to spend? Do you want over-ear or in-ear headphones? Are there any features like noise cancelling or waterproofing that you need? It can then refine results and present purchase options.

Once the shopper decides a payment process begins that will be mostly invisible to the shopper:

• The shopper stays in the AI interface and never visits the merchant’s site.
• A “Buy” command within the agent UI triggers the agent to autofill the checkout form on the merchant’s site.
• The merchant receives the full card details as if a human shopper were typing them.
• The agent submits the order, and confirmation is sent via both the agent and the merchant.

Critically, the merchant is unlikely to know that they’re dealing with an agent rather than a human. This introduces risks, because if anything goes wrong — an incorrect item, a delivery mix-up, or pricing error - the shopper must resolve it directly with the merchant, even though they never interacted with the merchant’s website themselves.

In other words: don’t talk to me – talk to my agent.

Known Risks (So Far)

There are several emerging pitfalls already evident:

Security vulnerabilities: In January 2025, Chinese AI platform DeepSeek was hacked, exposing users' stored credentials. The centralization of payment data in AI agents makes them lucrative targets.

Susceptibility to scams: Fraudsters may design sites specifically to trick agents into completing fake checkouts.

Ambiguity in liability: If an agent misplaces an order or inputs incorrect details, it’s unclear whether the AI provider or the consumer bears responsibility.

Poor compatibility:

• It may not support alternative payment types like PayPal, digital wallets or bank transfers (which account for roughly 45% of eCommerce volume in the EU).
• It can’t easily handle additional checkout steps (e.g. seat selection, delivery slots).
• Struggles with card declines, especially in international transactions, where decline rates can be anywhere from 5 to 30%.

In markets like the EU or Japan, legal requirements around Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) mean that consumers must approve each card transaction, making AI-led flows problematic or non-compliant.

The Bigger Picture: Are We Witnessing a Commerce Revolution?

Beyond the immediate risks and logistics, the rise of agents raises fundamental questions about the structure of digital commerce.

Will this model gain traction with consumers? It could fizzle like voice commerce and Amazon’s Dash buttons, which failed to take off due to trust and usability issues. Or it could explode, much like the rise of marketplaces or in-app mobile buying. The answer depends on how much value consumers place on convenience, and how well AI agents can overcome trust and control issues.

If AI agents become the preferred interface for eCommerce, the web as we know it may fragment. Why visit a merchant site at all, when your agent can do the work? This shift could drive the development of Model Context Protocols (MCPs) - AI-optimized data layers that replace websites altogether. Some merchants may respond by blocking known agent IPs or designing checkout flows that frustrate automated systems to force direct interaction. Industries like marketing would fundamentally change as it becomes more important to engage with AI agents than human beings.

Meanwhile, platforms like ChatGPT will need to find ways to monetize their newfound influence. That might mean charging merchants referral fees, sparking the emergence of a new SEO-for-AI ecosystem. But such monetization introduces new questions about trust: if your agent is taking commission from merchants, how unbiased are its recommendations?

As we stand on the edge of this transformation, one thing is certain: the infrastructure of digital payments is being rewritten. The question now is whether consumers - and merchants - are ready to follow their agents into this new era.

And I, for one, will be watching closely - either directly, or via my agent.

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

Looking to improve your internet connection throughout the house? Here are CNET's top picks for Wi-Fi extenders.

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 266, for June 16.

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 16.

We’ve known that Cyberpunk 2077 is eventually coming to the Mac, and developers CD Projekt Red (CDPR) have been hard at work – and still are – at getting the title fit to run on any Apple Silicon-powered device. That means the massive AAA title, which has been frequently used to benchmark systems, will be able to run on the M1 chip or newer.

It was reconfirmed at WWDC 2025 – Apple’s week-long developer conference – that it would be arriving later this year, and back with the launch of the new Mac Studio, TechRadar saw a demo of it running on that super-powered computer.

Now, though, I had the chance to get another demo of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition – a newer version of the in-development title – on a 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Max chip and 128GB of RAM.

It was on ‘Ultra’ settings with a buttery smooth and excellently rendered 120 frames per second. And yes, this performance is derived from Apple’s M4 Max chip – no discrete GPU required. Further, this was fully taking advantage of Apple's Metal 4, coming later this year, including MetalFX Frame Interpolation.

It looked fantastic and was responsive, but that had me thinking about the plans to launch this on any Apple Silicon Mac.

I was curious about performance on less powerful chips within Apple’s lineup, as the requirement for the title is expected to be Apple Silicon, meaning it should run base M1, M2, M3, or M4 chips as well as the more powerful creations.

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

I asked Pawel Sasko, Associate Game Director of CD Projekt Red, about what performance might look like on other Macs with different levels of performance from various chips, like even a MacBook Air.

He first explained that Cyberpunk 2077 is running on CDPR’s proprietary Red Engine Four, which is designed to be scalable. “It's trying to use everything that given platform provides,” Sasko explained and called out that the title is available on a variety of devices already, including the Nintendo Switch 2 ahead of its release on the Mac.

"Red engine is basically trying to check what hardware you have and squeeze out the max you can have,” he continued. Meaning that Cyberpunk 2077 will work to run and deliver the best performance based on the chip you have inside. Sasko couldn’t give a specific number yet based on the chip or a potential Mac SKU, but that’s because the game is still not finalized – CDPR is still working on it and polishing it.

Sasko even shared that they’ll work on optimizing performance until the very end, and recently CDPR figured out how to optimize cloth, also known as what a character is wearing, to make it look better.

Suffice to say, he shared that “We're trying to squeeze everything that given hardware gives us,” meaning it will run the best it possibly can on the Mac – which likely means that a more powerful chip, like an M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max, will deliver the best results.

And the good news is that we’re likely only a few months away from one of the biggest AAA titles arriving on the Mac – the CDPR team wouldn’t give an exact time frame, but Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will arrive in 2025.

I also got to see this demo of the title shortly after Apple unveiled macOS 26 Tahoe, which will introduce the Games app. Although CDPR hasn’t announced if it will be integrating with the new hub, it will work with the new ‘Game Overlay.’

This is a sidebar that can be brought to the top right-hand side of the screen, making it easy to enable game mode, adjust brightness or volume, and even switch controllers, as well as connect with friends. You can also opt to push your MacBook further with different energy modes.

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• Hostinger Reach promises powerful emails from a simple prompt, no tech skills required
• Built-in AI writes and designs professional emails in minutes, not hours
• Deliverability tools like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC come automatically configured with Hostinger domains

Hostinger, a company long recognized for its affordable web hosting services, has now entered the competitive field of email marketing.

With the launch of Hostinger Reach, the company has set its sights on established players like Mailchimp and Omnisend.

Email remains a highly active marketing channel, boasting a global user base of over 4.4 billion in 2024. Often praised for its return on investment, ranging from $36 to $45 per dollar spent, it’s clear success depends not just on tools, but on how they’re used.

A marketing platform baked into the ecosystem

Hostinger Reach is more than just a standalone app; it’s part of a broader ecosystem. Integrated tightly with Hostinger’s Website Builder, its key selling point lies in seamless syncing via hPanel.

The platform also offers built-in support for form synchronization and automatic domain configuration for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, aiming to improve email deliverability.

Hostinger says this should help users “land in inboxes, not spam”, though in practice, deliverability is influenced by many factors beyond DNS records.

At launch, the platform includes standard features such as contact management, campaign analytics, and compliance with GDPR and CAN-SPAM regulations.

It also introduces AI-powered tools for email creation and performance tracking, features typically found in top-tier email marketing software and social media marketing tools.

With AI assistance, Hostinger Reach claims users can go “from idea to inbox in minutes” simply by prompting the tool with a message theme.

The platform then generates a complete email, including layout suggestions and brand-aligned styling.

This could save significant time for solo entrepreneurs and small teams. However, skeptics may question whether AI-generated content can match the nuance and personalization seasoned marketers expect.

A free tier is available, allowing up to 200 monthly emails to 100 unique subscribers, sufficient for experimentation, but not for scaling.

Paid plans offer expanded capabilities, though pricing details remain unclear at this stage.

One notable limitation is the lack of deep third-party integration. While current Hostinger users benefit from smooth syncing with Website Builder forms, WordPress support is still “coming soon.”

This delay could be a drawback, especially given the widespread use of WordPress among small businesses.

Hostinger may offer one of the best web hosting services, but whether that reputation translates into a truly competitive email marketing platform remains to be seen.

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• AI-generated documents are replacing traditional forgeries and bypassing verification faster than ever imagined
• Synthetic identity fraud has surged 195% globally, with Europe and North America hardest hit
• Most fraud now happens after onboarding, using tricks like credential stuffing and device spoofing

Synthetic identity document fraud is now spreading at an alarming pace globally, driven almost entirely by the misuse of generative AI, experts have warned.

New data from Sumsub has claimed the creation of fake documents using AI grew by 195% worldwide between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025.

The most dramatic spike was recorded in Europe, where synthetic ID fraud surged by 378%, followed by North America (311%) and the MENA region (258%).

Traditional forgery declines

This trend appears to be gaining ground on traditional document forgery, which has declined sharply in most regions, dropping by 82% in Africa and 50% in North America - with Europe the exception, where traditional forgeries increasing by 33%.

This shift suggests scammers are moving from conventional techniques to AI-generated identities, which can now be produced in seconds using largely unregulated tools.

The industries most affected by this trend include crypto, trading, transportation, fintech, and gambling, all sectors which often rely on rapid onboarding processes and may not yet have strong enough safeguards to detect synthetic documents before damage is done.

Compounding this vulnerability is the fact over three quarter (76%) of fraud now occurs after the onboarding stage, using methods such as device fingerprint spoofing, credential stuffing, and so-called “money muling.”

“The rise of AI-generated fraud is exposing critical flaws in traditional verification systems, and this data shows sophisticated fake documents are becoming a key tool in the fraudster’s arsenal,” said Pavel Goldman-Kalaydin, Head of AI/ML at Sumsub.

“We expect companies like OpenAI to strengthen safeguards controlling the use of its programs to generate passports, IDs, and other personal documents.”

Parallel to this trend is a dramatic rise in deepfake-related fraud, where North America saw a staggering 1,100% increase in such cases, with Europe following at 900%.

Nations like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Germany saw the highest individual surges, raising concerns about the future role of manipulated visual media in identity fraud schemes.

For individuals and organizations trying to protect themselves, relying solely on conventional KYC protocols may no longer be enough. Businesses are advised to use identity management software and multi-layered verification systems for stronger protection.

Consumers should also consider top-rated ID theft protection solutions, especially those that monitor for synthetic identity use. Using reputable people search tools can add an extra layer of safety when verifying unknown contacts or confirming someone’s legitimacy online.

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Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 470 for June 16.

Here are hints and the answer for today's extra-difficult Wordle No. 1,458 for June 16.

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 16, #736.

• Fake wallet apps ask for your 12-word phrase and quietly drain your crypto funds
• CRIL found over 20 Play Store apps built solely to steal users’ crypto credentials
• Malicious apps used WebView to fake real login pages from PancakeSwap and others

New research by Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs (CRIL) has uncovered a large-scale phishing campaign involving more than 20 Android applications listed on the Google Play Store.

These apps, which appeared to be legitimate cryptocurrency wallet tools, were created with a singular purpose: stealing users’ mnemonic phrases, the crucial 12-word keys that provide full access to crypto wallets.

Once compromised, victims risk losing their entire cryptocurrency holdings, with no possibility of recovery.

How the apps work and what makes them dangerous

Many of the malicious apps were built using the Median framework, which enables the rapid conversion of websites into Android applications.

Using this method, threat actors embedded phishing URLs directly into the app code or within privacy policy documents.

These links would then load deceptive login pages via a WebView, tricking users into entering their mnemonic phrases under the false belief they were interacting with trusted wallet services such as PancakeSwap, SushiSwap, Raydium, and Hyperliquid.

For example, a fraudulent PancakeSwap app used the URL hxxps://pancakefentfloyd[.]cz/api.php, which led to a phishing page mimicking the legitimate PancakeSwap interface.

Likewise, a fake Raydium app redirected users to hxxps://piwalletblog[.]blog to carry out a similar scam.

Despite variations in branding, these apps shared a common objective: extracting users’ private access keys.

CRIL's analysis revealed that the phishing infrastructure supporting these apps was extensive. The IP address 94.156.177[.]209, used to host these malicious pages, was linked to over 50 other phishing domains.

These domains imitate popular crypto platforms and are reused across multiple apps, indicating a centralized and well-resourced operation.

Some malicious apps were even published under developer accounts previously associated with legitimate software, such as gaming or streaming applications, further lowering user suspicion.

This tactic complicates detection, as even advanced mobile security tools may struggle to identify threats hidden behind familiar branding or developer profiles.

To protect against such attacks, CRIL advises users to download apps only from verified developers and avoid any that request sensitive information.

Using reputable Android antivirus or endpoint protection software, along with ensuring that Google Play Protect is enabled, adds an important, though not infallible, layer of defense.

Strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication should be standard practice, and biometric security features should be enabled when available.

Users should also avoid clicking on suspicious links received via SMS or email, and never enter sensitive information into mobile apps unless their legitimacy is certain.

Ultimately, no legitimate app should ever request a full mnemonic phrase through a login prompt. If that happens, it’s likely already too late.

Full list of the 22 fake apps to avoid

• 1. Pancake Swap
  Package: co.median.android.pkmxaj
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://pancakefentfloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 2. Suiet Wallet
  Package: co.median.android.ljqjry
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietsiz.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 3. Hyperliquid
  Package: co.median.android.jroylx
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 4. Raydium
  Package: co.median.android.yakmje
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://raydifloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 5. Hyperliquid
  Package: co.median.android.aaxblp
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 6. BullX Crypto
  Package: co.median.android.ozjwka
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://bullxni.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 7. OpenOcean Exchange
  Package: co.median.android.ozjjkx
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://openoceansi.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 8. Suiet Wallet
  Package: co.median.android.mpeaaw
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietsiz.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 9. Meteora Exchange
  Package: co.median.android.kbxqaj
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://meteorafloydoverdose.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 10. Raydium
  Package: co.median.android.epwzyq
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://raydifloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 11. SushiSwap
  Package: co.median.android.pkezyz
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://sushijames.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 12. Raydium
  Package: co.median.android.pkzylr
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://raydifloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 13. SushiSwap
  Package: co.median.android.brlljb
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://sushijames.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 14. Hyperliquid
  Package: co.median.android.djerqq
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 15. Suiet Wallet
  Package: co.median.android.epeall
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietwz.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 16. BullX Crypto
  Package: co.median.android.braqdy
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://bullxni.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 17. Harvest Finance blog
  Package: co.median.android.ljmeob
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://harvestfin.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 18. Pancake Swap
  Package: co.median.android.djrdyk
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://pancakefentfloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 19. Hyperliquid
  Package: co.median.android.epbdbn
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 20. Suiet Wallet
  Package: co.median.android.noxmdz
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietwz.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 21. Raydium
  Package: cryptoknowledge.rays
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://www.termsfeed.com/live/a4ec5c75-145c-47b3-8b10-d43164f83bfc
• 22. PancakeSwap
  Package: com.cryptoknowledge.quizzz
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://www.termsfeed.com/live/a4ec5c75-145c-47b3-8b10-d43164f83bfc

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• SoftBank and Intel plan low-power memory to rival South Korean HBM
• Saimemory aims for 2030 launch but faces major market delays
• Intel and SoftBank are already stretched across AI chips and tech investments

SoftBank and Intel are reportedly teaming up to develop a new type of AI-focused high-bandwidth memory that they hope will rival HBM products produced by South Korean tech giants Samsung and SK Hynix.

A report from Nikkei Asia, claims the pair are aiming to create stacked DRAM chips with a new wiring structure that cuts power consumption by half, compared to current HBM chips.

The initiative will be led by a new company called Saimemory, with a prototype expected within two years, and commercialization targeted before 2030.

Too little too late?

Despite the technical ambition, the timeline poses a serious challenge. Samsung and SK Hynix are already several product generations ahead and comfortably dominate the global HBM market. By the time Saimemory brings its alternative to market, the existing players are likely to have extended their lead further.

A SoftBank executive told Nikkei Asia that if the project is successful, “we want priority for the supply,” reflecting just how early-stage the effort remains.

The memory is intended for use in AI data centers, where energy consumption and high throughput are growing concerns. SoftBank hopes the new chips will support large-scale AI training more efficiently and at lower cost.

Stronger domestic supply chains could also reduce Japan’s reliance on Korean suppliers.

Nikkei Asia notes Japan once held over 70% of the global DRAM market but exited as South Korean and Taiwanese players rose. Elpida, Japan’s last DRAM manufacturer, went bankrupt in 2012 and was acquired by Micron, which itself is currently seeking a bigger slice of the $100 billion HBM pie.

SoftBank is the largest investor in Saimemory, with a 3 billion yen stake in the 10 billion yen project. Intel is contributing technology, while the University of Tokyo and other Japanese academic institutions are providing patents. Government support is also being considered.

Although this is a promising endeavor, both SoftBank and Intel have a lot on their plates right now. Intel is managing its foundry expansion, pushing AI chips, and trying to reclaim CPU market share. SoftBank is focused on growing Arm and expanding its AI investment portfolio.

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• Android 16 is causing problems for some Pixel devices
• Navigation buttons and gestures are freezing
• As yet Google hasn't said anything officially about the bugs

Android 16 was officially pushed out to Pixel owners last week, but reports are coming in of the software update causing some pretty major bugs on certain handsets, related to gestures and interface and navigation.

As noted by Android Headlines, the reports say certain navigation buttons and gestures don't respond as they should – meaning certain operations (like going back to the previous screen) take seconds to complete, or don't happen at all.

It's not difficult to find users having problems: on Reddit, we've got posts about unresponsive buttons on a Google Pixel 8, swiping up not doing anything on a Pixel 9 Pro XL, and multiple gestures not functioning on a Pixel 6.

Over on X (formerly Twitter), Artem Russakovskii from Android Police says the back gesture only works intermittently since updating to Android 16 – and there's a screen recording included so you can see what happens (or rather, doesn't happen).

Problems for some

Here's a demo of the back button randomly not working on Android 16.I grabbed a bug report and submitted it to Google engineering along with this reproduction screencast. Hopefully, they'll figure it out. pic.twitter.com/nEmifqQRvbJune 14, 2025

While there are numerous reports of issues online, these problems clearly aren't affecting everyone: since upgrading to Android 16 on my Google Pixel 9 phone, I haven't noticed any problems using the navigation gestures.

As yet, Google hasn't yet said anything officially about these problems. If you are affected, you can report the bug to Google. With so many users now complaining, no doubt this is going to get addressed sooner rather than later.

What makes these bugs particularly annoying is that they relate to a fundamental part of the user experience, and affect multiple apps and screens. Being able to get around your phone is a pretty fundamental part of using it.

Android 16 brings with it a number of useful upgrades, including a new Pixel VIPs feature for your favorite contacts, but we're still waiting for the big Material 3 Expressive revamp to arrive – which should be along later this year.

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Group B gets underway with an all-European clash.

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, June 15 (game #1238).

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 #1239) - 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 #1239) - 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 #1239) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #1239) - 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 #1239) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• R

• S

• D

• F

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

Quordle today (game #1239) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1239, are…

• RETRY
• SCALD
• DINGO
• FEIGN

There was one word that stopped me roaring home today and that was DINGO. Despite having all five letters I really struggled to find an actual word before finding the wild Australian dog.

RETRY took a little while too, until I accepted the possibility of a repeat letter – first E, then the correct choice of R. 

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1239) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1239, are…

• FIFTY
• ENNUI
• SIREN
• ROACH

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVEN
• Quordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONIC
• Quordle #1236, Friday, 13 June: REPEL, LARGE, SNIDE, CARRY
• Quordle #1235, Thursday, 12 June: SCANT, BATCH, UNDER, PARSE
• Quordle #1234, Wednesday, 11 June: CRAVE, ROOST, ANGLE, FLOOD
• Quordle #1233, Tuesday, 10 June: DECRY, CHEEK, FILET, EASEL
• Quordle #1232, Monday, 9 June: DERBY, LEMON, WRITE, HOVEL
• Quordle #1231, Sunday, 8 June: REBAR, ALERT, PAYEE, FLUME
• Quordle #1230, Saturday, 7 June: FLUNK, ESTER, SPITE, CHEAP
• Quordle #1229, Friday, 6 June: ELUDE, KHAKI, VISTA, SMOKY
• Quordle #1228, Thursday, 5 June: CHIDE, RABBI, GUSTY, LANCE
• Quordle #1227, Wednesday, 4 June: BANAL, STOUT, SEDAN, HIPPO
• Quordle #1226, Tuesday, 3 June: FUGUE, SYRUP, FLACK, WORST
• Quordle #1225, Monday, 2 June: THINK, BELLE, CRONE, BOULE
• Quordle #1224, Sunday, 1 June: POINT, MERIT, WHOOP, APHID
• Quordle #1223, Saturday, 31 May: CRUMB, ELFIN, DRIER, QUITE
• Quordle #1222, Friday, 30 May: RAJAH, CAUSE, BLACK, ETUDE
• Quordle #1221, Thursday, 29 May: CRIER, DRAPE, STRUT, NEIGH
• Quordle #1220, Wednesday, 28 May: HELLO, BEADY, VIGIL, PURER
• Quordle #1219, Tuesday, 27 May: TWEET, RANGE, POPPY, RADAR

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, June 15 (game #735).

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 #736) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SHIPSHAPE
• INANIMATE
• CARBON
• ROD
• GLASS
• WOODEN
• BRACKET
• GARNISH
• BUSBOY
• TRAINEE
• FLAT
• STRAW
• BLANK
• HOOK
• COASTER
• CURTAIN

NYT Connections today (game #736) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: No emotion
• GREEN: Hang on
• BLUE: Bartender accoutrements
• PURPLE: Needed to get from A to B

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 #736) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: EXPRESSIONLESS 
• GREEN: DRAPERY HANGING ITEMS 
• BLUE: WHAT A DRINK IS SERVED WITH 
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION 

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

NYT Connections today (game #736) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #736, are…

• YELLOW: EXPRESSIONLESS BLANK, FLAT, INANIMATE, WOODEN
• GREEN: DRAPERY HANGING ITEMS BRACKET, CURTAIN, HOOK, ROD
• BLUE: WHAT A DRINK IS SERVED WITH COASTER, GARNISH, GLASS, STRAW
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION BUSBOY, CARBON, SHIPSHAPE, TRAINEE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

EXPRESSIONLESS was easy enough to get, but from here my progress was purely down to lucky guesses.

DRAPERY HANGING ITEMS I only got because I thought we were looking for things linked to furniture, so I used up one guess by including COASTER.

Then, for the purple group I would like to have seen STARTING WITH METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION but I didn’t. I put four random words together from the eight that were left and got lucky with a ‘one away’, then managed to guess correctly.

I suppose I could have pretended I was clever enough to see all today’s links but the truth is I fudged it all the way.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, June 15, game #735)

• YELLOW: SLANG FOR COFFEE BREW, JAVA, MUD, ROCKET FUEL
• GREEN: "AW, HECK!" BLAST, CRUD, CURSES, FUDGE
• BLUE: CONSIDERATIONS FOR MOVIE RATINGS ACTION, LANGUAGE, NUDITY, SMOKING
• PURPLE: WHAT "POP" MIGHT MEAN BURST, FATHER, POPULAR, SODA

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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, June 15 (game #469).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Key notes

NYT Strands today (game #470) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• REPEAT
• NEEDS
• LICE 
• SAUCE
• PLATE
• CLUE

NYT Strands today (game #470) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #470) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 3rd column

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #470) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #470, are…

• ETUDE
• SUITE
• MINUET
• NOCTURNE
• SONATA
• PRELUDE
• SPANGRAM: PIANO PIECES

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 hint

I desperately needed a hint to start me off today and the word that I was given – ETUDE – is one that I’m only familiar with from playing Wordle spinoff Quordle, where it has appeared several times this year.

It’s a piece of music that’s used as practice for students and is intended to stretch and test their abilities. 

Once I had this prompt I managed to find the other words without any further assistance.

All of these words for PIANO PIECES are familiar, but I was uncertain what they all meant. MINUET, for example, I had assumed meant a very short piece but is actually a slow, stately dance in triple time. Everyday’s a school day with Strands.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, June 15, game #469)

• CHALUPA
• CRAWDAD
• POPCORN
• PAPARAZZI
• POPSICLE
• SPANGRAM: FATHERS DAY

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.

The German giant takes on Oceania's only representative in the tournament.

• Denmark wants out of Microsoft's grip, turning to Linux and LibreOffice for independence
• The Danish government is choosing open source over vendor lock-in and foreign tech control
• LibreOffice might be free, but can it match Microsoft Office’s compatibility?

Denmark is embarking on an ambitious effort to reduce its reliance on proprietary software from foreign tech giants by transitioning its government systems away from Microsoft offerings Windows and Office 365.

The Danish Ministry of Digitalization reportedly plans a phased migration to Linux operating systems and LibreOffice for office productivity.

The initiative is driven by concerns over digital sovereignty and the strategic risks of depending on foreign providers, particularly those based in the United States.

Open-source tools as a strategy for independence

Danish officials cite widely used open-source office suite LibreOffice as the best alternative to Microsoft Office for their needs.

The ministry aims to gain greater control over software updates, data storage, and security while avoiding vendor lock-in.

This effort is not solely about cutting costs, although reduced licensing fees are expected to yield financial benefits.

The core objective, according to Minister Caroline Stage, is strategic: to safeguard Denmark’s digital infrastructure from the uncertainties of geopolitical tensions and the risk of disrupted access to US-based services.

The move aligns with a broader trend across Europe, where governments are increasingly cautious about the long-term implications of depending on foreign tech companies.

Denmark’s initiative is not without precedent. More than a decade ago, Germany, most notably the city of Munich, attempted to replace Microsoft products with Linux and LibreOffice.

Despite initial enthusiasm, the project was eventually reversed due to compatibility issues, user dissatisfaction, and challenges in maintaining productivity.

Given this history, observers may question whether Denmark’s approach can yield different results.

The Danish government, however, appears to be proceeding with greater caution. The rollout will be gradual, and the ministry has stated that it will temporarily revert to Microsoft tools if serious disruptions arise.

This pragmatic stance indicates a willingness to prioritize operational continuity over strict adherence to the transition timeline.

While LibreOffice is often described as the leading alternative to Microsoft Word, its real-world performance in government settings remains a subject of debate.

Compatibility with Microsoft Office documents and user adaptation to a new interface may pose significant challenges.

Likewise, while Linux is frequently praised as a powerful and secure operating system, its stability and support can vary depending on the chosen distribution.

Ultimately, Denmark’s initiative represents a broader political and technological experiment, one that raises important questions about control, resilience, and the future of national digital infrastructure.

Whether it will succeed where others have stumbled remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the move is less about software preference and more about who holds the keys to government technology.

Via Guru3D

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