Technology

Looking for a different day?

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

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

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

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

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

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

Need more clues?

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

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

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

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

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

NYT Connections today (game #1161) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

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

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

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

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

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

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

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

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

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

Looking for a different day?

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

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

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

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

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Sacred space

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

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

• BASE
• PULP
• CLAN
• SELL
• CHIP

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

• Spangram has 8 letters

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

• First side: left, 5th row

• Last side: right, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #895) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

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

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

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

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

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

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

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

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

What is NYT Strands?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Setting expectations

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

Quote of the day

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

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

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

Robots of mass production

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wafer bonding

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

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

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

Next-generation infrastructure

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

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

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

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

Nothing gets old as fast as the future.

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

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

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

Cook and his Apple legacy

A post shared by CBS News (@cbsnews)

A photo posted by on

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The complication of legacy and compromise

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There's no denying that the Samsung 990 Pro SSD is an incredible SSD - we called it "stellar" in our review when we took it out for a spin. But while the 990 Pro 2TB is still down to $390 (was $640) at Amazon, I recommend professionals running heavy workloads check out the 9100 Pro instead.

Right now, you can get the Samsung 9100 Pro 2TB, running at $400 from Amazon. This next-gen PCIe 5.0 internal SSD delivers twice the speeds of the 990 Pro, up to 14,700 MB/s for just $10 extra.

If you're upgrading the rest of your gear for performance, I've also found a Corsair Vengeance RGB CL30 Cherry Blossom DDR5 RAM kit deal right now, too.

9100 Pro SSD (2TB): $399.99
Offering up to 14,700MB/s read speeds, this PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD pairs 2TB of storage with hardware encryption, advanced thermal control, Magician Software support, and excellent performance for creative workloads, AI applications, and demanding multitasking.View Deal

990 Pro SSD (2TB): was $639.99 now $389.99
The Samsung 990 Pro is one of the best SSDs around for most general uses. In our review, we hailed it as "an absolutely stellar M.2 SSD for both professional users and gamers." View Deal

Why we recommend it

When we reviewed the 9100 Pro, we called it "the best there is," delivering professional-specific performance in a way that other Pro drives from Samsung can't match. It earned 4.5 stars after testing, and a TechRadar Recommends badge.

While not everyone will get use from a PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD like this, ultimately we found that "for pros, there's none better than the 9100 Pro."

Capable of hitting read speeds of up to 14,700MB/s, the 9100 Pro is designed for use in workstations, or AI workloads where speed and performance matter more than, say, gaming or general computing.

The SSD uses a 5nm controller for improved power efficiency compared to older generations.

And, in keeping with the professional focus, it also includes hardware encryption for security-minded business users.

Price context & historical value

At $400, this seems to be the going rate for the Samsung 9100 Pro right now. With rising component costs, I can't see it dropping to its all-time low of $170 any time soon. That came in October 2025. For most of 2026, it's been priced anywhere between $300 and $500, but since at least July, $400 has been the going rate, down from a high of $680.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Samsung 9100 Pro if...

You're a professional business user or creator who demands fast PCIe 5.0 speeds and seamless multi-tasking during demanding and complex workloads.

❌ Skip the Samsung 9100 Pro if...

You just need a simple, speedy but brilliant SSD for general day-to-day tasks, which is where the Samsung 990 Pro shines, or your system lacks support for PCIe 5.0.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

Since it's designed for professional use, most general users will never take full advantage of the speeds delivered by the Samsung 9100 Pro. And to actually hit those ultra-fast 14,700 MB/s speeds, you'll need to make sure your motherboard supports PCIe 5.0. However, if your rig allows for a Gen 5 SSD, then it's still worth the extra $10 over the 990 Pro for future-proofing your set-up.

• See all internal SSDs at Amazon

The Smart Tank series is HP's answer to the refillable-ink trend we've tracked closely, and for the price, it's worth checking out the HP Smart Tank 5101 all-in-one printer for $170 (was $260) at Amazon.

Based on our experience testing HP printers, this one's an easy recommendation for home offices, as well as the back-to-school prep and dorm rooms. First, the bottled ink refills are much cheaper than traditional inkjet cartridges, saving you money - and it includes two years' of ink in the box. Second, the model features a built-in scanner and copier for work and study.

Smart Tank 5101 Wireless: was $259.99 now $169.89
Refillable ink tank system with 2 years of ink included in the box, print, scan, and copy functionality, and wireless connectivity over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Mobile printing supported through the HP Smart app.View Deal

Why we recommend it

Having tested all the best HP printers, the brand is one of our top-rated in the printing field (our hardware editor has been using his HP printer for almost ten years now).

Refillable ink tank printers have become the more sensible long-term option for anyone who prints regularly, since the upfront ink supply eliminates the recurring cartridge cost that makes budget inkjets expensive over time.

HP, including two years of ink in the box with the Smart Tank 5101, removes a lot of the math you'd otherwise have to do around break-even points.

It also covers the basics well: printing, scanning, and copying are all handled through the HP Smart app, and setup requires nothing beyond connecting to Wi-Fi.

For more top picks, we've tested the best ink tank printers and the best home printers, too.

Price Context & Historical Value

This is the general sale price for the HP 5101, and it's been this price since at least July as part of a series of back-to-school deals. Back in December 2024, it briefly dropped to $140 for an all-time low, but I'd consider that relatively rare and I haven't seen that price since then.

A $90 discount off $259.99 comes out to about 35 percent off, one of the more substantial cuts in this roundup. Given that the ink already included would otherwise cost a meaningful amount on its own, the effective value here is higher than the sticker discount alone suggests.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the HP Smart Tank 5101 if...

You print often enough that cartridge costs add up, you want to avoid replacing ink cartridges every few weeks, or you're comparing refillable-tank printers and want a known brand at a lower price.

❌ Skip the HP Smart Tank 5101 if...

Your router setup relies on 5GHz for reliable wireless printing, you need faster print speeds for high-volume jobs, or you want a unit we've already reviewed hands-on.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

We haven't tested this unit ourselves, so we're going off HP's general reputation and our testing experience with other Smart Tank printers rather than hands-on verification. It's also worth noting the wireless connection is 2.4GHz only, not dual-band, so if your router setup leans on 5GHz for print traffic, you'll want to confirm compatibility before buying.

• See all printer deals at Amazon.

More Star Wars news is likely on the way as Disney kicks off its D23 fan celebration event.

• iVANKY FusionDock Ultra packs 26 ports into a desktop workstation dock
• Four external 6K displays can run natively on compatible Apple Silicon Macs
• Up to 120Gbps bandwidth supports demanding display-focused professional workflows simultaneously

The iVANKY FusionDock Ultra is a 26-port desktop dock designed specifically for Apple Silicon Macs and demanding professional workstations.

The company says its dock supports native quad 6K monitors, high-speed connectivity, and charging capabilities for professional users.

Unlike many universal docking stations, this model does not support Windows PCs, Intel Macs, or Chromebooks, limiting its audience considerably.

Built around high-end Apple Silicon workstations

The dock uses a dual-chip architecture intended to keep multiple displays, storage devices, networking equipment, and peripherals operating simultaneously under sustained professional workloads.

It supports up to 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth, while display-heavy configurations can reach 120Gbps through asymmetric data allocation across connected devices.

An included 80Gbps active cable is designed to support the connection speeds required by demanding storage and multi-display workflows during professional production sessions.

On compatible Apple Silicon systems, the dock can drive four external 6K displays without relying on DisplayLink or third-party display drivers.

However, the number of supported screens, resolutions, and refresh rates still depends on the specific Mac chip and connected monitors.

That native approach may appeal to creators who want additional displays without introducing another software layer into their macOS workstation.

Apple's hardware limitations are not bypassed, meaning buyers still need a compatible Mac capable of supporting their intended display configuration.

The dock also provides 10Gb Ethernet, giving users a high-speed wired connection for network storage, shared files, and other demanding workflows.

Its 26 ports include USB-C and USB-A connections, DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.0, UHS-II card readers, and optical audio.

It features front and rear 3.5mm audio connections, allowing microphones, headphones, speakers, and other audio equipment to remain connected.

The magnetically articulated dual-cable connectors are designed to accommodate different Apple Silicon computers, including MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Studio.

Cooling and power for extended workloads

Power delivery is another major part of the dock, with up to 140W available for compatible MacBook Pro systems during demanding workloads.

A separate 45W USB-C power-delivery port can charge devices such as an iPad, iPhone, or another compatible accessory.

The cooling system combines passive heat dissipation with two adaptive fans that increase cooling activity as workloads become heavier.

iVANKY claims noise levels of 44 to 46 dBA at one centimeter under controlled conditions, with lower noise expected farther away.

That cooling design is intended to maintain stable connections and performance during extended sessions involving displays, storage, networking, and other peripherals.

At a promotional price of $649.99, reduced from an RRP of $749.99, the FusionDock Ultra enters an expensive docking market.

The company says the current price represents a 13% discount, although buyers should consider their actual requirements before paying for its extensive connectivity.

If you are not running an Apple Silicon Mac, this particular dock was never really built with you in mind.

Windows users, Intel Mac owners, and Chromebook owners are shut out entirely, regardless of how much they might want in.

If you're a seasoned anime fan, you'll understand the unique sense of excitement that comes with binging a brand-new show — and it's exactly how I feel about Crunchyroll's breakout series, BLACK TORCH.

As of writing, we're now six episodes into the epic adventure, following high-schooler Jiro, who just also happens to be a ninja descendant who can talk to animals. He's rescued an injured black cat named Rago, who is actually a powerful mononoke, or demon spirit.

I'll let Crunchyroll explain the next part: "After Jiro is mortally wounded protecting Rago from hostile spirits, Rago fuses with him, creating a human-spirit hybrid. Jiro is then recruited by Japan's covert Bureau of Espionage into a special unit called 'Black Torch' to fight rogue mononoke."

It's a classic anime storytelling format with a new twist, and so far, its six episodes have successfully blended high-intensity action with a strong emotional core. Even the intro song feels a cut above the rest, and I'm not surprised that anime fans are lapping it up.

With six episodes left to go, what can we expect from the second half of BLACK TORCH? According to English dub cast AJ Beckles (Jiro) and Ryan Colt Levy (Ryosuke Shiba), you're best off expecting the unexpected.

'It's more of what we've had... but bigger'

"Expect the unexpected," Beckles tells me. "It's more of what you've got, but bigger. As we reach the end of the season and these episodes start to come out, there more high-octane, serious moments. There's a lot to look forward to, for sure."

It's a vague response, but this doesn't surprise me. Even the above trailer showed almost no signs of what was to come in the actual series, which was a refreshing decision. Of course, we can expect the drama to follow the original manga, but this can't be assured as a given.

But has there been any pressure for either actor knowing that these episodes are airing to a pre-existing fanbase?

"I don't know if it's necessarily like a pressure... I like to think of it as a responsibility," Levy says. "No matter what, there are people out there that you are making this for, and where we may never get to have that face-to-face feedback, we have access. People will put so much passion into that.

"We approach this no matter what with the intention to make sure that people who love it feel seen, and feel like they are spending time with the characters that they want."

"We've been cast and It's a ginormous responsibility, because it could have gone to anybody," Beckles agrees. "So the fact that it went to us means that we have a duty to do a good job. We're not necessarily thinking about the end result. The focus should be on, 'Am I thinking as Jiro is thinking? Am I serving this character?' Because if I do so to the best of my ability, someone will resonate with that."

I've got no idea how I'm going to feel about the upcoming second half of BLACK TORCH, but hearing the sheer passion that the voice cast has for its craft fills me with hope — and the joy that my initial burst of anime excitement seems set to continue.

“Mercenary spyware” isn’t targeted at everybody, but don’t skip the notification if you see it.

• Study finds young people are increasingly pessimistic about AI
• Nearly half say AI will have a negative impact on their careers
• They're also suspicious of leading AI figures and executives

Younger Americans are becoming increasingly distrustful not only of AI, but also the executives and evangelists who promote the technology, a new study has claimed.

A CNBC/Generation Labs survey of 1,088 Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 found the vast majority saying they distrusted the leaders of major companies investing in AI, including the likes of Elon Musk, Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg.

The reasons behind this distrust were fairly clear to spot - with nearly half (45%) of respondents saying AI would have a negative impact on their careers, compared to just 10% who believed the technology will help them.

AI villains

The study covered a range of wider concerns young people may have around the future, with worries around the economy and jobs among the biggest pressures, however the threat of AI was seemingly ever-present, with the technology increasingly influencing all areas of everyday life.

This expands to the figures becoming the poster children for AI - respondents were given nine key people in the AI industry and asked whether they trusted each of them to act responsibly on AI moving forward.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, every figure was marked negatively - with Palantir CEO Alex Karp scoring the worst, as 81% of respondents saying they do not trust him. Karp was followed by Palantir Chairman Peter Thiel (79%), Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai (75%) and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei (75%).

Other notable figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk all scored about the same 70% figure - but there was 'better' news for Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who recorded the "highest" score, with just 65% of respondents saying they don’t trust him.

Looking at technology's place in the wider world, 40% of Americans said they believed “the federal government” should establish rules for AI, with just over a third (36%) believing “an independent expert body” should do so - and just 8% said they think AI “shouldn’t be regulated.”

Keeping with the spirit of protests across the nation, nearly two-thirds (60%) of Americans believed data center construction “must be slowed,” with just 15% saying they wanted to be “speeding it up.”

Looking forward, the when asked about how they would rate the American economy, nearly 80% said they had a negative sentiment - and when asked about the future of the economy, 50% believed it “will get worse,” compared with just 22% who said it “will get better.”

• Socket's Threat Research Team found 737 fake VPN and proxy extensions on the Chrome Web Store, with more than 75,000 combined installs
• The add-ons pose as trusted names like Proton VPN and NordVPN while routing your entire browser session through proxies run by one operator
• Hundreds are still live, so it's worth checking your browser now and removing anything suspicious

A new investigation has exposed a huge cluster of counterfeit VPN extensions that promise privacy while rerouting your traffic.

Socket's Threat Research Team said it identified 737 free VPN and proxy extensions published across at least 40 Chrome Web Store developer accounts. More than 27o of these impersonate 66 of the best VPN services and privacy brands, including big names like NordVPN and Proton VPN.

Between them, the extensions racked up more than 75,000 installs, mostly among Russian-speaking users hunting for ways to reach blocked services.

If you use Chrome and rely on a browser add-on to stay private, it's worth making sure the one you installed is a genuine product from a real provider rather than one of these lookalikes.

What the researchers found

Socket's team traced the whole network back to a single Russian VPN subscription business trading as Myxa VPN.

The researchers linked the extensions using a shared analytics account, clustered domain registrations, common hosting, and leaked Windows build paths pointing to one project folder. The free extensions appear to act as a funnel, nudging users toward a paid subscription.

Some of the paid promises were pure fiction. Socket says the premium tiers advertised servers in countries like Japan, Singapore, and Australia, but when it tested 200 premium hostnames across 40 domains, none returned an A record, meaning those servers simply did not exist.

Socket’s Threat Research Team found 737 Chrome VPN extensions in one campaign. 274 impersonated trusted brands, while 520 routed all browser traffic through shared infrastructure.The campaign’s paid plan listed 200 server hostnames. Not one resolved.https://t.co/Nwz02e3ncbAugust 11, 2026

The core trick is the same across nearly every extension. Once you press Connect, everything you browse gets pushed through a server the operator controls, with no per-site exceptions.

It adds no encryption, so it isn't doing the protective work a real VPN would. Worse, 104 extensions resolved their proxy addresses through Cloudflare or Google DNS-over-HTTPS and handed Chrome a raw IP, a technique that makes the operator's servers harder to block or spot.

Why fake VPN are dangerous, and how to stay safe

Sitting in the middle of your traffic gives the operator a clear view. Socket says the setup lets whoever runs the proxy observe the websites you visit, TLS SNI metadata, your source IP address, and any data sent over unencrypted HTTP. That means anything you type into a non-HTTPS page, including logins, could be exposed.

Socket doesn't know whether this data has actually been collected or misused, but the fact that it can be is the problem. It's the same pattern behind earlier warnings about fake VPN extensions in the Chrome Web Store and Google's own alerts about spyware posing as VPN apps.

Google has already acted, but not completely. By the time Socket collected its data, 221 of the 737 extensions had been removed, while 516 remained listed, so the threat hasn't fully gone away.

If you think you installed one, the advice from Socket is straightforward. Remove the extension immediately, then check that Chrome's proxy configuration has returned to normal and change any credentials you entered on non-HTTPS sites while it was active. You can review your proxy settings by heading to your browser settings and searching for "proxy."

• Researchers uncovered “Download more RAM” flaw in consumer DDR4/DDR5 memory
• Attack bypassed Windows VBS and HVCI, disabling antivirus and protections
• Microsoft patched CVE‑2026‑23670; tools now help enable memory write protection

Microsoft has recently fixed a vulnerability that allowed threat actors to bypass advanced security measures, disable antivirus software, and expose the target device to full system takeover.

All of this, it seems, could have been possible with a very simple script, and a single click from the victim’s side.

Luckily, the vulnerability was discovered by white hat hackers, reported to Microsoft and remedied before falling into the wrong hands.

Download more RAM

During the 2026 USENIX Security Symposium, security researchers from the University of Birmingham and Durham University presented a discovery they called “Download more RAM”.

According to the researchers, some consumer memory chips (DDR4 and DDR5 DIMM) allowed software to alter the configuration reports it sends to the motherboard. In practice, it means that a threat actor could instruct the RAM chip to tell the computer it was bigger than it actually was, making the device “think” it has twice as much RAM memory as it actually has.

The researchers then established that this phantom extra memory can serve as an alias for real memory locations, granting them the ability to both read, and modify, memory allocations that should be under the processor’s, and Windows’ protection.

This window let them work around both Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and Hypervisor-Enforced Code Integrity (HVCI).

VBS, first introduced with Windows 10, is a security feature that uses hardware virtualization to isolate critical security functions from the OS, while HVCI uses virtualization to make sure only trusted and verified code can run in the Windows kernel.

The researchers also used the flaw to disable both antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) software, re-introduce older, vulnerable drivers, compromise corporate systems under lockdown, and bypass kernel-level game anti-cheat protections.

The worst part is that this entire process can be chained together into a one-click script. In theory, if a victim is served this script as a file and they run it, they would trigger a chain of events that includes creating memory aliases, rebooting the computer, and disabling security protections.

"Our work exploits the fact that all processes share the same memory to bypass Windows' strongest security guarantees,” said Professor Tom Chothia, from the University of Birmingham. “Previous attacks of this kind needed a screwdriver and physical access to the machine. This one just needs a script. That changes who can carry it out and how far it can spread."

Who is vulnerable and how to stay safe

The attack surface is rather large, as well. The researchers analyzed the market and found three major manufacturers (Corsair, G.Skill, and ADATA) shipping at least one consumer memory product line in which the configuration chip was left entirely unprotected. Together, these vendors make up more than half (55%) of the high-performance consumer memory market and more than 70% of the gaming market (this doesn’t mean that 55% of the high-performance market is vulnerable - many devices are running other modules, too).

Modules from Crucial, Kingston and HyperX, and some G.Skill lines, were found to use partial write protection, but still enough to keep the device secure.

Before publishing their work, the researchers disclosed their findings to Microsoft, who quickly addressed it. The bug is now tracked as CVE-2026-23670, and is described on the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) as an “untrusted pointer dereference in Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave” which “allows an authorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.”

The bug was given a severity score of 5.7/10 (medium), and was fixed as part of the April 2026 Patch Tuesday cumulative update. Therefore, systems with Secure Boot running should be protected against this vulnerability.

Corsair added a feature to its iCue tools that lets users retroactively enable write protection on their memory modules. There is also a free tool called HWinfo with the same functionality, the researchers said, stressing that it mitigates the issue on non-Corsair models. Also, some motherboards offer a BIOS setting to block writes to memory configuration chips, which users can enable as an interim measure.

“The ‘Download More RAM’ attack demonstrates once more the importance of understanding systems, especially in terms of security guarantees. If a lower layer can become compromised, it puts the full system at risk,” said Dr Marius Muench, from the University of Birmingham.

“Windows makes a strong promise: that even an attacker with administrator rights can't touch the secure kernel. We found that promise rests on the assumption that your memory is telling the truth about itself - on a lot of the memory people actually buy, it doesn't have to."

The performance and value of Epson's EcoTank range has consistently impressed our senior printer editor during tests. And for photography, the stand-out model is the Epson EcoTank ET-8550, now $600 (was $750) at Amazon.

Earning 5 stars in our review, we rate this ink tank printer for two core reasons. First, it uses six Claria ET Premium inks, including Photo Black and Gray designed for high-quality photos, graphics, and creative projects. These delivered stunning results during our review. Secondly, it's capable of wide-format photo printing up to 13 x 19 inches.

Beyond that, you get the usual benefits of cheaper printing using bottled ink, a complete all-in-one unit, with scanning and copying alongside automatic duplex printing and wireless control from smartphones. For UK readers, the ET-8550 is down to £629 (was £780) at Amazon.

EcoTank ET-8550: was $749.99 now $599.99
This wide-format all-in-one combines six-color cartridge-free printing, 13 x 19-inch media support, scanning, copying, automatic duplex printing, speeds up to 16ppm, mobile controls, and refillable high-capacity ink tanks.

In the UK: now £629 (was £780)View Deal

Why we recommend it

The ET-8550 tackles one of the biggest drawbacks of printing your own photos: ink costs. Instead of repeatedly replacing small cartridges, its six refillable tanks use high-yield bottled ink, with Epson estimating around 4 cents of ink for each 4 x 6-inch photo.

Alongside Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow, Epson includes Black, Photo Black, and Gray inks, giving the ET-8550 a setup specifically intended for photography and creative work. The ET-8550 scans and copies, supports automatic duplex printing, and can handle a wide range of paper sizes.

In his glowing 5-star review, our expert Jim called it: "a premium A3 printer with superior six-ink photo print quality that’s also economical to run." He also said it "succeeds on all fronts. The ink tanks integrate perfectly in this refined, low-profile design and you have great ease of use thanks to the touchscreen. The broad selection of features and media compatibility is impressive, but more so is the print quality. Whether you’re printing monochrome or color photos, or plain word documents, the results are always excellent."

For more options, take a look at our rounds up of the best home printers, best ink tank printers and best Epson printers.

Price context & historical value

Amazon has reduced the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 from $749.99 to $599.99, taking $150 off the regular price, or 20%. It has been $100 lower than that in the past, but even so this is still a solid deal.

Yes, it's still considerably more expensive than a basic home EcoTank, but the appeal here is getting wide-format 13 x 19-inch photo printing, a specialized six-color ink system, and refillable tanks in one machine.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 if...

You print a lot of photos, artwork, or other color-heavy projects at home and want to bring your ongoing ink costs down. Epson says a set of replacement bottles can produce up to 6,200 color pages, while the printer comes with enough ink for up to two years.

The ability to print up to 13 x 19 inches also makes it much more interesting for photographers and creators. You can produce everything from everyday documents and 4 x 6-inch photos to large prints.

❌ Skip the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 if...

You primarily print text documents, shipping labels, or the occasional school or work assignment. You're paying a premium for the six-color photo system and wide-format capabilities, and a cheaper EcoTank would make more sense if you won't take advantage of them.

It's also a substantial printer, clocking in at 29.8 x 20.6 x 16.9 inches, so check your available desk space rather than just assuming it will fit.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The ET-8550 makes the most financial sense if you're actually going to print regularly. Its low estimated per-photo ink cost can help offset the relatively high purchase price over time, but occasional printers may never produce enough photos to realize that advantage.

There's also no automatic document feeder listed here, which is worth knowing if you regularly scan or copy multi-page documents. This is primarily a photo and creative printer that can handle everyday office jobs, rather than an office-focused all-in-one.