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It’s no secret that cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, while simultaneously growing in number and volume. Research from the Business Continuity Institute reports that cyber threats have increased in severity over the past year, with 75% of respondents reporting a rise in attempted breaches and 39.4% falling victim to a successful cyber-attack.

And this worrying trend is only expected to rise. In fact, our own research shows that a staggering 70% of UK business leaders expect their organizations to be hit by a cyberattack within the next year.

But, despite these concerns for the near future, the same study shows that only 35% of those leaders believe they are adequately prepared to handle such an incident. Clearly, there is a significant disconnect between the perceived risk of cyber threats and the level of preparedness among the nation’s businesses.

So, as the digital threat landscape continues to evolve, UK businesses find themselves in an increasingly delicate position when it comes to cybersecurity. The growing number of incidents facing modern companies is well documented in today’s headlines, leaving organizations in no doubt that this is a serious issue that every business should have near the top of their agendas.

In this landscape, how can companies become more confident in their ability to defend themselves against modern cyber threats?

Rising cyber threats: a reality for UK businesses

The gap between the anticipated risks of cyberattacks and the preparedness of businesses to address them speaks volumes about the current state of cybersecurity in the UK.

This discrepancy isn’t a question of ignorance but of confidence – or the lack thereof. With almost half (48%) of UK organizations reporting a cybersecurity incident in the past year according to our data, the threat is very real, and the same research reveals that the UK now holds the unfortunate title of being the most targeted country in Europe. And still, only one in three business leaders feel they have the necessary defenses in place. This points to a critical issue: while awareness is growing, true preparedness remains worryingly low.

That’s despite the real-life ramifications that can be expected when a business suffers a breach.

Not only could an incident have serious consequences for the business itself, but it could also have a negative impact on your employees and customers. Whether it’s financial losses, regulatory penalties or reputational damage, the stakes are high when it comes to having a lack of robust defense mechanisms. For example, in September 2023, MGM Resorts International suffered a devastating ransomware attack that cost the company an estimated $100 million – equivalent to roughly £76 million. A cyber-attack is a devastating blow to any company – but there are lessons to be learned when an incident like this makes the headlines.

Learning from experience

What stands out from the Cloudflare data is that sectors with higher attack frequencies, such as IT and technology, report feeling more prepared for future incidents. This is logical – experience breeds resilience. This confidence also likely stems from the sectors' early adoption of advanced cybersecurity tools and practices, equipping them to handle the evolving threat landscape.

SolarWinds is a great example of a business that took significant steps to overhaul its security practices after a breach – and come out stronger. The company enhanced its software development process with its Secure by Design principle, adopted a Zero Trust architecture, and increased transparency by openly communicating with customers and regulators. SolarWinds also collaborated with cybersecurity experts to continuously improve their defences, while contributing to industry-wide efforts to bolster software supply chain security. These actions helped the company recover, educate the wider sector and become more resilient against future cyber threats.

But while the IT and tech sectors are more prepared for such an incident, others are lagging behind. Industries like education and healthcare, which have faced fewer attacks in the last 12 months, display a shocking level of complacency. With our data showing that only 19% and 18% of these sectors feeling prepared for an attack, one has to wonder: are they playing a dangerous waiting game?

Just because businesses have been lucky enough to avoid an attack so far, it doesn’t make them immune in the future. And the industries that have yet to face a cyberattack are worryingly underprepared. A report from Microsoft and Goldsmiths, University of London has found that just 13% of UK businesses are resilient to cyberattacks, with 48% deemed vulnerable and the remaining 39% facing high risk. Given the sensitive nature of the data handled in industries like healthcare, a significant cyberattack could have devastating consequences. And as cyber threats become more sophisticated and frequent, hope is not a strategy.

Cybersecurity as a catalyst for business modernization

Despite the challenges posed by the growing threat of cyberattacks, there is a positive shift in how business leaders are approaching cybersecurity. Our research shows that over two-fifths (44%) see it as a driving force for modernization and the same amount consider it a key to getting boards to invest in essential projects.

According to a report by Aviva, attitudes towards cyber security are shifting, with more businesses recognizing the importance of robust defenses against potential threats. The company’s data shows that worries over cyber-attacks have risen from 40% to 57% since 2020.

This evolving perspective is encouraging, as it suggests organizations are recognizing the strategic value of strong cybersecurity measures. It highlights a recognition that robust defenses can offer more than just protection – driving innovation, streamlining operations and enhancing overall efficiency, as well as offering opportunities for operational improvements and data protection. This forward-thinking approach turns cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic advantage.

By embedding cybersecurity into top-level decision-making rather than treating it as an afterthought, businesses are positioning themselves to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The need for proactive cybersecurity measures

In an era where digital risks are evolving rapidly, businesses must invest not just in advanced technologies but in fostering a culture where cybersecurity is treated as a strategic priority. Simplified, consolidated solutions are key, but without the right mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement across the whole organization, they will fall short.

Every company, regardless of its industry, must recognize the evolving threat landscape and take proactive steps to mitigate the risks. It’s time for every business to acknowledge that preparedness is more than just a checklist; it’s a mission-critical element of modern business strategy. Instead of being a reactive measure dusted off after a breach occurs, cybersecurity should be considered a proactive, central part of every organisation’s future-proofing plan. UK businesses are waking up to the reality of cyber threats – now they must ensure they are ready to face them head-on.

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The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could be the best Android phone of 2025, and you probably won’t have to wait until late in the year for it, with this handset likely to land in January or February.

As the launch is now fast approaching, we’ve unsurprisingly heard plenty about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra through apparent leaks and rumors, so we have a good idea of what to expect. This includes a bigger screen, a powerful new chipset, an upgraded ultra-wide camera, and possibly even a new name.

Below, you’ll find all the credible claims we’ve heard about this phone so far, and we’ll be regularly updating this article, so check back soon to stay in the loop.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next top-end Samsung phone
• When is it out? Probably early 2025
• How much will it cost? Likely upwards of $1,299.99 / £1,249 / AU$2,199

A very high price

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Likely to land in January or February
• Could cost more than the S24 Ultra

Surprisingly, we haven’t heard any release date rumors yet, but Samsung usually launches new Galaxy S models in either January or February, so we’re expecting the same next year, meaning there’s probably not long to wait.

News about the potential price of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is less promising though, as numerous sources have said the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset that we’re expecting it to use will cost more than its predecessor.

One source claimed the Snapdragon 8 Elite would cost around $40 more, with another saying the Snapdragon 8 Elite will be roughly 20% more expensive, and even Qualcomm itself (which makes the chipset) has said the Snapdragon 8 Elite will be pricey.

In which case, there’s every chance Samsung will pass that cost increase on to buyers, which means we might be looking at a starting price higher than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s $1,299.99 / £1,249 / AU$2,199.

Can you trust these rumors?

We predict the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will probably cost more than the S24 Ultra, given that its chipset is almost certainly more expensive, but we doubt it will be a drastic price increase.

A possible name change

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Could instead be called the Samsung Galaxy S25 Note

In one surprising claim, we’ve heard that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra might instead launch as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Note.

There’s some logic to this, since the Ultra line in its current form is quite similar to Samsung’s discontinued Galaxy Note line anyway, but it’s something that so far only one source has mentioned.

Can you trust these rumors? 

We're very skeptical of this claim, as while there could be some logic to a name change, it's only something we've heard from one source.

A bigger screen

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Image credit: Future)

• Could have a larger 6.9-inch display
• Likely to have more rounded corners than the S24 Ultra

Rumors suggest the main design change coming the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could simply be more rounded corners.

You can see this change in leaked Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra renders below. We’ve seen Galaxy S25 Ultra renders from multiple sources, and they all show more rounded corners, and an otherwise similar design to last year.

You can also see this design in claimed leaked images of a Galaxy S25 Ultra case, and a leaked photo seemingly showing dummy units of all three Samsung Galaxy S25 models.

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A leaked render of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Image credit: @UniverseIce)Image 2 of 3

A leaked Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra render (Image credit: Android Headlines / @OnLeaks)Image 3 of 3

A leaked photo of Samsung Galaxy S25 series dummy units (Image credit: @UniverseIce)

Beyond that, we’ve heard from tipster @Jukanlosreve that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will have a 6.86-inch screen, but that disappointingly it will use the same M13 panel technology as the Galaxy S24 Ultra, meaning it might not be as efficient or have as long a lifespan as the M14 used by the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Serial phones tipster @UniverseIce has likewise said that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will have a 6.86-inch screen. This would likely be marketed as 6.9 inches, and would be marginally larger than the 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

They added that the display will be 73mm wide, making it a little bit wider than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s, but that thanks to smaller bezels and a slimmer frame the overall handset width of the Galaxy S25 Ultra would be slightly slimmer at 77.6mm.

The same source has said the full dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will be 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm. Another source has pointed to similar Galaxy S25 Ultra dimensions of 162.82 x 77.65 x 8.25mm.

For reference, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is 162.3 x 79 x 8.6mm, so that would make the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra a tiny bit taller, but narrower and thinner. We’ve also heard that the Galaxy S25 Ultra might be lighter at 219g, rather than the 232g of its predecessor.

And we have an idea of the colors it might be available in, with one Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra colors leak pointing to Black, Blue, Green, and Titanium shades. That said, another Galaxy S25 Ultra colors leak instead hinted it will come in Titanium Black, Titanium Blue, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Silver shades, so there's some disagreement.

Though even if one of these claims is correct, we’d expect additional shades will be made exclusive to Samsung’s online store, as that’s what the company usually does.

Can you trust these rumors?

We've now seen numerous leaked images of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, so we're quite confident of the design. As for a screen size increase, that's believable too as it would bring the phone in line with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

A new ultra-wide camera

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Image credit: Future)

• Could have a new 50MP ultra-wide camera
• The other cameras are likely to be the same as on the S24 Ultra

We’ve not heard much about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s cameras yet, but the most recent and credible leak on that front suggests the Galaxy S25 Ultra will have a new 50MP ultra-wide camera, up from 12MP on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

However, they add that the other sensors will have the same megapixel counts as their predecessors, meaning a 200MP main camera, a 50MP periscope camera (likely with 5x optical zoom), and a 10MP telephoto camera (likely with 3x optical zoom).

Way back in February we did hear a different selection of camera specs from leaker @BennettBuhner. They claimed that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will have a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a 50MP 10x zoom camera, a 50MP 3x-5x variable zoom telephoto camera, and a new main camera that will stay at 200MP but have a larger 1-inch sensor. However, not only is this an early leak but they don’t have a very good track record.

Can you trust these rumors? 

We've heard surprisingly little about the cameras, so it's hard to say for sure what might feature, but a new 50MP ultra-wide sounds believable. The older camera claims mentioned here seem less likely.

A powerful Snapdragon chipset and more RAM

A Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra running Call of Duty Mobile (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Likely to use a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
• Could have 16GB of RAM
• Might once again have a 5,000mAh battery

There has been some debate over which chipset certain Samsung Galaxy S25 models will use, but the consensus seems to increasingly be that every model will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite – and even when there was a debate, most sources suggested that the Ultra at least would use the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Numerous sources have now spoken of the Snapdragon 8 Elite being used in the Galaxy S25 line, while talk of the other potential options – namely the Exynos 2500 and the MediaTek Dimensity 2400 – has died down, with the former apparently encountering major manufacturing difficulties, and the latter perhaps just being used in the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. That said, we can’t completely rule them out yet.

All of these are top-end chipsets in any case, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite sounds particularly impressive, and should provide a major improvement to both the phone’s AI capabilities and its gaming skills.

Indeed, an early benchmark for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra using this chipset suggests it could be even more powerful than the A18 Pro powering the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Along with a powerful new chipset, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra might also have 16GB of RAM, which is up from 12GB in the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and that should also help with AI.

As for the battery, the only credible leak so far points to a 5,000mAh one in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which would mean no change from the current model’s capacity.

Can you trust these rumors? 

We'd be very surprised if the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra didn't use the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Claims of more RAM and the same battery size this year are believable too, though as we've only heard these things from one source we'd take them with a pinch of salt.

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Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 28

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections: Sports Edition No. 35 for Oct. 28.

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1,227 for Oct. 28.

Here are some hints, and the answers, for the Oct. 28 Strands puzzle, No. 239.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 505 for Oct. 28.

Nextbase makes some of the best dash cams, including the iQ, which we labelled the smartest dash cam ever. However, the UK-based company's first smart dash cam is also the priciest add-on car security solution around, with some wide-ranging smart features that could be overkill for many users. That's where the new Nextbase Piqo comes in.

Think of the Piqo as a baby iQ: it has a similar fresh look, but is a much smaller and simpler package, with cleverly implemented 'Lite' versions of IQ's smart features that are designed to appeal to younger drivers.

The Piqo is available globally from the Nextbase website and leading retailers in two versions: 1K (HD 1080p) for just $129.99 / £99.99 / AU$199 and 2K (HD 1440p) for $149.99 / £129.99 / $299. Contrast that to the iQ, which starts at $399.99 / £349.99, and the Piqo's appeal is clear – particularly when you consider that you also need to pay for a monthly data plan to make the most of the more expensive model's smart features.

That's a big difference in price, so let's take a look at what the Piqo can do and where necessary compromises have been made.

(Image credit: Nextbase) A cleverly watered-down iQ

Video resolution in the 1K HD version of the Piqo is actually slightly more detailed than standard 1080p, with a 2560x1080 pixel resolution and 140-degree field of view. The 2K version, meanwhile, has a max resolution of 2560x1440 pixels and 145-degree field of view. Unlike the iQ, there's no 4K version of the Piqo.

I asked Bryn Brooker, Nextbase's Head of Marketing, why there's no 4K version of the Piqo, and he told me that according to Nextbase research, at least 83% of UK dash cam owners see no need for a pricier 4K dash cam, plus Nextbase is confident in the video quality of the Piqo.

Bryn also told me that the dash cam market is evolving. In 2020 the majority of dash cam customers were 45 years of age and older, but four years later and this demographic has reversed. Nextbase has consequently adapted the Piqo's design and features to appeal to a younger audience.

It doesn't have a screen – because most people today use their phones, after all. Instead, you can connect to the Piqo through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and view the video feed and recordings through an entirely new Nextbase app that's currently exclusive to the Piqo. The app is stripped back to make it easy for you to do key things such as view and share videos.

There are also new 'skins': customized overlays that display crucial stats on your video, such as speed. They're more for fun than anything else, but you get one skin thrown in with the free 'Solo' subscription, and can get more via the paid-for 'Protect' plan that costs £29.99 per year.

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(Image credit: Nextbase)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Nextbase)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Nextbase)

With its own data plan, the pricier iQ is an always-connected camera, with smart features such as emergency SOS, Guardian Mode, Witness Mode and Smart Parking that can update you in realtime, like if your car has been pranged while parked, or tell your loved ones if you've had an accident and upload the footage to the cloud for you. The Piqo has all of these modes, too, but here they're light versions.

For example, in Guardian Lite mode your emergency contact gets a text from the Piqo rather than the video being sent to them, which is what the iQ does. Likewise, Witness Lite mode uploads content when you are back home with a Wi-Fi connection.

Elsewhere, smart parking auto-records any prangs, but like any dash cam you'll need constant power for a feature like this. Nextbase sells two kits for constant power separately, the pro install cable kit and the connect cable kit. The Piqo is also equipped with G-Sense tech and automatically increases sensitivity when it detects the car is parked.

Other features include 10Ghz GPS and voice control, plus a newly designed and rigorously tested click mount. Overall, the Piqo seems like a clever implementation of smart iQ tech in a simpler and cheaper dash cam. We're currently reviewing the Nextbase Piqo and will share our experiences very soon.

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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 Wordle hints and answers, Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too.

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 #505) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SPELL
• LOVE
• PLEASE
• HOLD
• PRESTO
• MEAN
• THANK YOU
• SHAZAM
• AUDIBLE
• ABRACADABRA
• SIGNIFY
• TIDAL
• SUGGEST
• HAVE
• PANDORA
• CHERISH

NYT Connections today (game #505) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• Yellow: Not Spotify
• Green: Point towards
• Blue: I do
• Purple: Could conjure up a good response

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 #505) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: AUDIO APPS
• GREEN: INDICATE
• BLUE: CHURCH OF ENGLAND WEDDING VOW VERBS
• PURPLE: MAGIC WORDS

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

NYT Connections today (game #505) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #505, are…

• YELLOW: AUDIO APPS AUDIBLE, PANDORA, SHAZAM, TIDAL
• GREEN: INDICATE MEAN, SIGNIFY, SPELL, SUGGEST
• BLUE: CHURCH OF ENGLAND WEDDING VOW VERBS CHERISH, HAVE, HOLD, LOVE
• PURPLE: MAGIC WORDS ABRACADABRA, PLEASE, PRESTO, THANK YOU

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 hint

There's no way that yellow today is the easiest one. Or if it is, it just points the way to this being a relatively tricky Connections to solve. The four AUDIO APPS here – AUDIBLE, PANDORA, SHAZAM and TIDAL – are all familiar to me, sure, but I'm a technology journalist and former music journalist. I sincerely doubt the average person will spot all four of these. It feels more like a blue group, or even purple.

To make matters worse, one of the words here – SHAZAM – could easily have gone with ABRACADABRA and PRESTO as part of MAGIC WORDS. Instead, the missing two were PLEASE and THANK YOU – which gave me a proper moment when I realized what the NYT had done here. Smart.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, 27 October, game #504)

• YELLOW: SASSY CUTE, FRESH, SMART, WISE
• GREEN: AMBIENCE AIR, FEELING, MOOD, QUALITY
• BLUE: UNITS BAR, BEL, LUX, MOLE
• PURPLE: THE LITTLE ___ MERMAID, PRINCE, RASCALS, TRAMP

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.

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 Wordle today, NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles.

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 #1008) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* 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 #1008) - 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 3.

Quordle today (game #1008) - 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 #1008) - 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 #1008) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• M

• L

• G

• C

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

Quordle today (game #1008) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1008, are…

• MACAW
• LIEGE
• GOUGE
• CARGO

Quordle really threw all of the repeats at us today, with MACAW, LIEGE and GOUGE each containing one. These are all fairly tough words in their own right, too. MACAW has a W at the end, which isn't a common thing, while LIEGE is just not a widely used word at all. I solved all four thanks to help from my start words but I suspect others won't be so lucky today.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1008) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1008, are…

• LINGO
• MAIZE
• PLACE
• SWEAT

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1007, Sunday 27 October: STUNG, CLOUT, SOWER, BASIS
• Quordle #1006, Saturday 26 October: DUCHY, CANNY, BLOCK, SMART
• Quordle #1005, Friday 25 October: PRANK, EXIST, RUDDY, PICKY
• Quordle #1004, Thursday 24 October: DAIRY, RALLY, CURLY, LABEL
• Quordle #1003, Wednesday 23 October: DROSS, ANNEX, GRAVE, BROKE
• Quordle #1002, Tuesday 22 October: ADORE, SMITH, AFOOT, LUCID
• Quordle #1001, Monday 21 October: TREAD, NINTH, GRIEF, UNSET
• Quordle #1000, Sunday 20 October: CORAL, WHOSE, HEIST, SOAPY
• Quordle #999, Saturday 19 October: GUSTY, BROKE, ENJOY, HAZEL
• Quordle #998, Friday 18 October: PUPIL, MOCHA, EGRET, NATAL
• Quordle #997, Thursday 17 October: BUILD, BIRTH, LURCH, SASSY
• Quordle #996, Wednesday 16 October: EERIE, SMIRK, HUNCH, EMBED
• Quordle #995, Tuesday 15 October: UMBRA, BRIEF, GRAVY, TORUS
• Quordle #994, Monday 14 October: ROGUE, STORY, EMCEE, AUNTY
• Quordle #993, Sunday 13 October: UNFIT, NYMPH, THUMB, PUREE
• Quordle #992, Saturday 12 October: SAUCY, UNDUE, EGRET, HELLO
• Quordle #991, Friday 11 October: RINSE, ANIME, PUSHY, ZEBRA
• Quordle #990, Thursday 10 October: UNTIL, MARSH, METAL, WINDY
• Quordle #989, Wednesday 9 October: TRIAL, HUSKY, DOWNY, TRADE
• Quordle #988, Tuesday 8 October: TROUT, HATER, BARGE, DOZEN

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 Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Fall fun

NYT Strands today (game #239) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• PUMP
• PLUS
• AIDE
• PAID
• DIRE
• CHAMP

NYT Strands today (game #239) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Pick your own

NYT Strands today (game #239) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First: left, 5th row

Last: 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 #239) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #239, are…

• PUMPKINS
• APPLES
• MAZE
• CIDER
• DOUGHNUTS
• HAYRIDES
• SPANGRAM: ORCHARDS

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 2 hints

I suspect many people will find today's Strands a lot easier than I did – but it may well depend entirely on where in the world you live. If that's the United States, then this may be easy enough, with the theme of 'Fall fun' and the spangram of ORCHARDS making perfect sense. For me, born and bred in the UK, it was all a bit alien. Sure, I know what an orchard is but it has no connection to 'fall' particularly, let alone to CIDER, MAZE or HAYRIDES. And then there's DOUGHNUTS, which seems entirely out of place here – and indeed out of place among all that fresh fruit and outdoor goodness. I think we have to chalk this one off as a case of transatlantic differences.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 27 October, game #238)

• CLASS
• PARTY
• LITTER
• LIFE
• CREAM
• CROP
• HEAD
• PICK
• SPANGRAM: PERFECTPAIR

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.

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Japan is often seen as a global leader in cutting-edge technology, known for innovations in robotics, electronics, and high-speed trains - however, the country is also known for its tendency to hold onto older technology long after it has been abandoned elsewhere.

Only recently has Japan begun to phase out floppy disks in government offices, and far too many of its laptops and devices still come equipped with legacy features like VGA connectors. Most recently, we covered a PCI Express adapter that adds a parallel port to modern PCs, allowing buyers to connect long-forgotten devices like HP LaserJet or dot matrix printers. For bonus nostalgia points, the driver for it comes on a CD, and it’s compatible with Windows XP and newer.

But now, Planex Communications has embraced Japan’s unwillingness to fully move on with the release of its PL-US56K2(A) USB-connected 56K modem, ideal for anyone who still needs to dial into the internet like it’s 1999.

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For around 5,980 yen (about $40) on Amazon, this device is designed for PCs without built-in modems, enabling access to analog public phone lines for internet connectivity, data transmission, and even faxing - all without needing to install any drivers.

The modem supports the ITU-T V.90 and V.92 protocols, offering a maximum theoretical data reception speed of 56Kbps and a transmission speed of up to 33.6Kbps. At those speeds, you won’t be streaming HD videos, but you can at least check your emails or send a fax while reflecting on how far technology has come - or hasn’t, depending on your perspective.

Powered via USB 2.0, the PL-US56K2(A) is small and light, weighing just 28 grams and measuring a compact 25mm x 75mm x 18mm, making it easy to tuck away next to your other relics from the late '90s like your floppy disks, PalmPilot, and that stack of AOL free trial CDs.

The PL-US56K2(A) isn’t likely to take the world by storm, but it’s a handy solution for anyone still navigating the world of dial-up or needing to send the occasional fax.

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