Technology

Don't get caught out in a heat wave without these safety tips.

• The Robera Neo is an autonomous golf cart that follows you using AI
• A built-in camera can record every stroke for instant video analysis
• It’s already raised more than $300,000 on Kickstarter

Golf is no stranger to tech. From the best GPS golf watches to launch monitors, the game has embraced innovation. But Robera’s latest invention might be golf’s biggest evolution to date: an autonomous cart that carries your clubs and critiques your swing while trailing you from hole to hole.

Launched on Kickstarter, the Robera Neo has raised more than $300,000 (around £225,000 / AU$470,000) – over 6000% of its original target. First delivery is slated for July 2025 and those numbers suggest plenty of golfers are ready to upgrade their trolleys.

Follow-me carts aren’t a new concept. But unlike traditional electric models, the Neo doesn’t rely on a Bluetooth handset or wireless tether. Instead, it uses an AI-powered vision system to track your position and shadow you as you chip down the fairway. That also means it can steer around hazards, whether that’s a bunker or your golf buddy.

The Neo doesn’t just take the effort out of carrying your clubs: it can also shave strokes off your score. Parked next to the tee, it uses a built-in camera to record your swing. You can then review frame-by-frame analysis on the cart’s detachable tablet, for feedback to rival a human caddy.

Teeing off with autonomy

Because golfers have enough gear to worry about, the Neo majors on hands-free control. The smart follow system supports gesture and voice commands, allowing you to summon or dispatch the cart at a distance. If you’re sure of the shot, you can even send it on ahead. You can also use the remote to hail it from 100 meters away.

With a database of 40,000 courses on-board, the Neo uses GPS mapping to dynamically plan the most power-efficient route forward. It’s not an entirely autonomous experience, though: while the consumer version can find its way along the fairway, traveling from one fairway to the next requires a manual route input. Only the commercial model supports full-course navigation.

Still, the Neo can handle tricky conditions like a pro. An IPX5 rating means it can play in the rain, while treaded wheels help it tackle inclines of up to 25 degrees. A removable 288Wh battery can also see it through a solid 27 holes. And thanks to 100W fast charging, the Neo can go for another round after lunch.

It’s all designed to be clever and convenient. It is heavier than a standard golf trolley at 15kg, but the folding design should make it easy enough to stash in the garage. It’s also significantly more expensive, with the base-level early bird package costing $1,979 (around £1,500 / AU$3,100). The tablet version starts at $2,639 (around £2,000 / AU$4,150).

That’s a lot for a trolley. But it’s cheaper than paying a pro for personalized coaching every time you play. If you want something to carry your clubs and give you feedback, without the need for small talk between swings, the Neo could well be the way forward.

Whether it replaces your caddy or simply gives your game a boost, it certainly promises to upgrade your game. The follow-me mode is nifty, but getting instant feedback without a lesson or launch monitor is what will appeal to many. Plus the fact that a robot won’t roll its eyes when you shank a shot. All of the usual crowd-funding warnings apply, but I'm looking forward to see if it's up to par.

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• RCS invites are spotted inside Google Messages
• They could encourage your contacts to turn RCS on
• So far the new invites haven't been made available

The RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard intended as a replacement for the older SMS (Short Message Service) is now available in Google Messages for Android and Messages on the iPhone – and Google is keen for more users to sign up for it.

As it stands, RCS is an opt-in upgrade inside Google Messages, so not everyone has it turned on. The team at Android Authority has spotted hidden text in the latest version of the app that could be used to nag people to turn on RCS.

The text strings include "invite this contact to RCS chat" and "we can share high-quality media and send secure messages when we're both on RCS", so it looks as though you'll be able to encourage your contacts to enable RCS with a couple of taps.

These messages aren't live yet, but they are included in the app code, so Google could enable them in the near future. It looks as though a prompt to invite someone to RCS will appear if Google Messages determines that they don't have it turned on.

Modern messaging

How the invites might look (Image credit: AssembleDebug / Android Authority)

If you haven't yet enabled RCS in Google Messages for Android, you can do so by tapping your avatar on the chats list (top right), then Messages settings and RCS chats: There's a Turn on RCS chats toggle switch you can use.

RCS brings with it modern messaging features, like read receipts, proper group chat support, and typing indicators – but everyone inside a chat has to use RCS, otherwise everything will fall back to the old SMS standard.

We're continuing to see upgrades to RCS inside Google Messages too, with the expansion of animated Screen Effects, and media file management, for example. Earlier this month, a snooze feature for chats was rolled out as well.

With Android 16 now out in the world too, it shouldn't be too long before Google Messages gets its Material 3 Expressive update – the revamped look for Google's mobile operating system that adds more color and emotion.

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A Thousand Blows Season 2: key information

- A second season was confirmed during the week of the show's premiere

- It was filmed back-to-back with the first season

- A date is yet to be confirmed for its release, but creator Steven Knight said “you won’t have to wait long"

- Most of the main cast are expected to return

- There will possibly be a small time jump forward as they take it more towards the 21st century

A Thousand Blows season 2 has not only been confirmed, but it's already been written and filmed.

Just a few weeks before the cultural juggernaut that was Adolescence was released, actors Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty partnered up in another gritty drama – but this one was set in Victorian London, and which told a tale of boxers and an all-female gang of thieves.

A Thousand Blows – which streamed on Disney+ in the UK and Hulu in the US – told the story of real life Jamaican boxer Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby), and how he rose to fame in the rough community of London’s East End, meeting Mary Carr (Doherty), leader of the Forty Elephants gang, and menacing pub owner and bare-knuckle boxer Sugar Goodson (Graham).

Unusually, though, when the show launched in February 2025 in London during a Q&A session with the actors and the writer, Steven Knight, they revealed that not only had a second season been confirmed, but it had been written and shot back-to-back with the first. So in a world where a follow-up TV series can sometimes take up to five years between seasons, we’re hopefully not in for a too long wait to find out the fate of Hezekiah, Mary, Sugar and co.

Here’s everything we know so far about A Thousand Blows Season 2, including when the release date might be, if there’s a trailer yet, who will be in the cast and what the plot’s likely to focus on:

A Thousand Blows season 2: release date prediction

"Go on, givvus another season!" (Image credit: Disney+ / Hulu)

Now we know that season 2 is already in the can – a canny decision, presumably saving money all round on set, costumes, actors etc – the decision still lies with Disney+ as to when the second season will premiere. “You won't have to wait too long,” Knight told The Playlist when asked for a release date.

There’s the option of streaming it later in 2025, or perhaps they might want to leave a more traditional year gap, in which case it would be released in February 2026. As soon as there’s confirmation on the date, we’ll let you know.

A Thousand Blows season 2: trailer, is there one?

(Image credit: Disney+ / Hulu)

No, although the production will have all the footage for a teaser of what’s to come, there’s been nothing officially released just yet.

A Thousand Blows season 2: possible cast

Stephen Graham lashes out as the fierce Sugar Goodson (Image credit: Disney+ / Hulu)

Our main trio are most likely to return, so that’s Hezekiah (Kirby), Mary (Doherty) and Sugar Goodson (Graham).

Much of the supporting cast are also likely to return are:

• James Nelson-Joyce as Edward 'Treacle' Goodson
• Hannah Walters as Eliza Moody
• Darci Shaw as Alice Diamond
• Morgan Hilaire as Esme Long
• Jemma Carlton as Belle Downer
• Caoilfhionn Dunne as Anne Glover
• Nadia Albina as Verity Ross
• Daniel Mays as William 'Punch' Lewis
• Tom Davis as Charlie Mitchell
• Gary Lewis as Jack Mac
• Robert Glenister as Indigo Jeremy
• Susan Lynch as Jane Carr
• Ella Lily Hyland as Marianne Goodson

One character who won’t be returning is Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), who died in the penultimate episode. Another maybe-maybe not is Mr Lao (Jason Tobin) who escaped from jail but was forced to go to Liverpool to start a new life.

A Thousand Blows season 2: plot

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

The end of the first season saw Hezekiah defeat Buster Williams in the fight, but he didn’t win the prize money, as Buster died, so the fight was declared void. This meant Hezekiah and Mary didn’t have the money to flee to America; but then even worse news followed – Hezekiah found out from Sugar about her involvement in his best friend Alec’s death, and he told her that she is dead to him.

The next series will likely pick up on the fall out of this, as well as another fall out following a brutal beating that Sugar gave his brother, Treacle, who swore never to have anything to do with him again.

As for the Forty Elephants, Mary, and Jane Carr (Susan Lynch), for season 2, it’s likely to be complicated, as is the relationship with the Elephant Boys gang.

When asked at the Q&A, Knight was understandably tight-lipped: “I can't give a lot away, but it's more of the same, expect the unexpected but the stakes are higher.”

He added that there might be a little time jump forward from the 1880s, where this season is set: “But we do have the second series in the can and we all want to keep this story going and I think we will and just take it towards the 21st Century.”

A Thousand Blows season 3: what’s the future?

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

While no official confirmation has been given for future seasons beyond season two, it’s clear that the writers and the actors are keen to keep this universe running for a while.

Doherty told The Guardian that she wanted to keep one of Mary's rings from set that looks like an heirloom, but "as much as she thought about taking it home, she ultimately decided not to tempt fate, while waiting to see whether there will be a series three and four."

Could this be as long running a series as Peaky Blinders? Keep it ringside to find out.

For more Disney+ and Hulu TV coverage. read our guides on Daredevil: Born Again, X-Men 97 season 2, and Andor season 2.

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 272, for June 22.

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 22.

To succeed in the digital age, businesses must not only establish a strong online presence but continuously adapt their digital strategy as the virtual landscape evolves.

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for rapid business expansion, a practical and impactful step is the use of country code top-level domains, or ccTLDs, to build consumer trust and enhance local visibility.

Subject to some regional requirements, these domains - such as .ai for Anguilla or .au for Australia - offer a simple yet effective way to signal geographic relevance and credibility.

Despite the growing convenience of modern search tools, the value of country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) remains largely untapped.

Often perceived as minor variations at the end of a URL, ccTLDs in fact play a crucial role in branding, security, economic development, and regional search engine optimisation (SEO).

Modern registry services and registrar tools offer streamlined management, making it surprisingly efficient for businesses to expand their global digital footprint while maintaining local relevance.

Local loyalty: Building consumer trust and visibility

To attract customers in new regions, building a trustworthy brand is essential. Without trust, business growth is unlikely.

Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) serve as a signal of credibility, increasing the likelihood that customers will not only make a visit but also return and potentially make a purchase.

According to au Domain Administration’s (auDA) “Why .au” survey, half of Australians only buy from online businesses with a .au domain.

Moreover, three in four Australians are more likely to trust a business if its website ends in .au, underscoring the powerful role domain names play in fostering consumer confidence.

For businesses expanding into new markets, a localised domain name demonstrates long-term commitment to the region and signals an intention to build lasting customer relationships.

Customising the website to reflect local culture and language further enhances this connection, delivering a more personalised, hyperlocal experience for both new and returning visitors.

Equally important, using a relevant ccTLD can sometimes improve a site's ranking in region-specific search engine results - boosting organic visibility and driving growth. Search engines often use ccTLDs as a strong geographic signal, helping them to serve relevant content to users in specific regions.

Trend-setters: Harnessing trend-driven ccTLDs

Although traditionally used to signal geographic relevance, ccTLDs are increasingly proving their value on the global stage.

Amid shifting global trends and surging interest in emerging technologies, certain ccTLDs have evolved into powerful marketing tools - delivering substantial economic benefits to their countries of origin. A prime example of this is Anguilla’s now-coveted .ai domain.

As artificial intelligence (AI) has gained global prominence, demand for the .ai domain has surged - growing nearly 400% over the past five years. This rapid adoption has generated substantial revenue for Anguilla.

The Independent reported that, in 2023 alone, .ai accounted for about 20% of Anguilla’s total government revenue. The same article revealed that this windfall has helped fund vital national projects, including airport expansion, improved healthcare for the elderly, and accelerated development of the island’s vocational training centre.

Anguilla is not an isolated case. Other nations have also reaped economic rewards from their ccTLDs - such as .tv for Tuvalu, .pr for Puerto Rico, and .ly for Libya.

In a crowded digital landscape, these domains allow brands to differentiate themselves and quickly convey their niche. This clarity is especially powerful when it comes to driving growth and establishing a strong, memorable presence online.

ccTLDs can also be chosen for their strategic relevance to a specific industry or offering, even if they aren't globally viral. For instance, a one-to-one business might find a .me (Montenegro) or a local artisan in Italy might prioritize a .it for credibility within their local community.

Universal acceptance: How ccTLDs preserve community

Beyond boosting national economies and enhancing consumer trust, ccTLDs also serve as digital homes for smaller communities and cultures.

While widely spoken languages like English, Spanish, and Chinese dominate the web, approximately 3,078 of the world’s 7,168 living languages are classified as endangered as of 2023.

In the effort to preserve cultural heritage, it's essential that the internet remains inclusive - free from limitations based on language or geographic origin. This is where ccTLDs play a vital role in supporting linguistic and cultural diversity online.

At the heart of this mission is the principle of Universal Acceptance - the idea that all domain names and email addresses should function seamlessly across every internet-connected device and software, without technical barriers or bias.

In this context, ccTLDs act as digital beacons, enabling diverse communities to establish an online presence that reflects their unique identity.

For small and medium-sized businesses, using a ccTLD isn't just about reaching customers - it’s about fostering a sense of belonging. By choosing a domain that resonates with a specific cultural or regional audience, these businesses can build not only a customer base, but a community.

The enduring importance of ccTLDs

ccTLDs offer businesses a unique opportunity to build trust, enhance local visibility, and connect authentically with diverse communities.

Beyond their traditional role in indicating geographic relevance, ccTLDs have evolved into powerful tools for branding, economic growth, and cultural preservation. By strategically leveraging ccTLDs, businesses can not only stand out in a crowded digital landscape but also position themselves for sustained success both locally and globally.

To explore how a specific ccTLD can strategically enhance your brand's localized strategy and serve as a powerful asset in your digital toolkit, begin by researching the availability and relevance of domains in your target markets.

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

• TSA warns public USB ports can be loaded with malware that silently steals your data without detection
• "Juice jacking" attacks can capture text messages, contact lists, and even keystrokes from your device
• Free Wi-Fi may cost nothing, but it could be the gateway to losing your identity

As millions of Americans prepare for summer vacation, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a timely cybersecurity alert warning travelers about criminal tactics designed to steal personal information.

The risk include tampered USB charging stations at airports and fake public Wi-Fi networks.

The former, know as “juice jacking,” sees cybercriminals install malware on public USB charging stations - once a user plugs in their phone, the compromised port can silently transmit malware or extract data from the device.

Public USB ports and free Wi-Fi risks

The warning comes amid heightened concerns about identity theft and digital surveillance as more people rely on connected devices while traveling.

Though some skeptics argue that widespread, confirmed cases are rare, the theoretical risk remains a concern for cybersecurity professionals.

When a USB port serves both data and power functions, an attacker could modify the circuit or insert a small data-sniffing implant inside the terminal, allowing them to harvest contact lists, text messages, and even keystrokes, depending on the vulnerability of the device.

To reduce exposure, the TSA recommends travelers use their own wall adapters or power banks, or simply avoid direct USB connections through untrusted sources.

Another tactic flagged by the TSA involves free public Wi-Fi networks.

These so-called "honeypot" networks appear legitimate, often named after the airport or airline, but are controlled by criminals.

Once connected, the attacker can perform a man-in-the-middle attack, intercepting all the data a traveler transmits, including credit card numbers, passwords, and business logins.

In more advanced cases, they might inject fake web pages that trick users into revealing credentials.

This attack can slip through the strongest passwords and cause identity theft, therefore, it is important for users to have their virtual private networks (VPNs) and ensure their devices are protected with the best identity theft protection software.

If you must use a public Wi-Fi, the TSA warns that you should never “enter any sensitive info while using unsecure WiFi.”

This advice aligns with broader recommendations often found in best antivirus and endpoint protection guides, which frequently emphasize physical device safety in addition to digital security tools.

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Here are hints -- and the answer -- for today's Wordle No. 1,464 for June 22.

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• Cybercriminals are recycling expired Discord links to launch silent, devastating multi-stage malware attacks
• A fake Discord bot tricks users into running PowerShell commands disguised as CAPTCHA fixes
• Old community invite links now lead to malware servers stealing your data and digital assets

Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting a lesser-known flaw in Discord’s invitation system to target unsuspecting users, particularly gamers, new research has claimed.

A report from researchers from Check Point found attackers manage to register previously valid invite links with custom vanity URLs.

The tactic involves hijacking once legitimate and trusted expired or deleted Discord invite links and redirecting them to malicious servers hosting multi-stage malware campaigns.

From trusted links to dangerous redirects

These hijacked links, often embedded in old forum posts, community pages, or social media, are being used to silently funnel users to Discord servers operated by threat actors.

Once on these fake servers, users are greeted with what appears to be a standard verification process.

A bot named “Safeguard” prompts visitors to click a “Verify” button, which initiates an OAuth2 process and redirects them to a phishing site.

The site employs a social engineering method called “ClickFix,” where users are tricked into copying and running a PowerShell command under the guise of fixing a broken CAPTCHA.

This action silently launches the malware installation chain, with the attackers using cloud services such as Pastebin, GitHub, and Bitbucket to deliver the payloads in multiple stages, allowing them to blend into normal network traffic.

Initial scripts download executables that retrieve further encrypted payloads, which include AsyncRAT, a tool that gives attackers remote control over infected systems, and a tailored variant of the Skuld Stealer designed to extract credentials and cryptocurrency wallet data.

Gamers have become a prime target, with campaigns even disguising malware as tools like The Sims 4 DLC unlockers - one archive named Sims4-Unlocker.zip was downloaded over 350 times, highlighting the campaign's reach.

Through clever evasion techniques such as delayed execution and command-line argument checks, the malware often bypasses detection from even the best antivirus software.

The threats extend beyond typical malware infections. The Skuld Stealer used in these attacks can extract crypto wallet seed phrases and passwords, effectively granting full control over victims’ digital assets.

Considering the focus on cryptocurrency theft and credential harvesting, individuals should reinforce their defenses with robust identity theft protection services.

These tools can monitor for unauthorized use of personal information, alert users to breaches, and assist in recovering compromised digital identities.

While some might assume that endpoint protection tools would shield them from these tactics, the multi-layered, modular structure of the attack often flies under the radar.

To stay safe, users must be wary of Discord invite links, especially those embedded in old content. Also, avoid running unexpected scripts or following suspicious verification steps.

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• Venice CPU doubles bandwidth with up to 256 Zen 6 cores
• 2027 AI rack expected to deliver 144 GPUs with Verano chips
• AMD plans Verano and MI500 rollout with 36-rack infrastructure

At its recent Advancing AI event, AMD revealed some of the first technical details about its next-generation Zen 6-based processor, code-named "Venice.”

Built on a 2nm process and packing up to 256 Zen 6 cores - a 33% increase from the current generation EPYC 'Turin' processor - AMD is seeking to raise the bar for AI-optimized compute power.

It is expected to more than double memory bandwidth compared to current EPYC CPUs, hitting 1.6TB/s per socket. Venice also supports PCIe Gen6, offering faster communication between CPUs and GPUs.

Pushing the envelope

"Venice extends our leadership across every dimension that matters in the data center," said Lisa Su, AMD CEO. "More performance, better efficiency, and outstanding total cost of ownership."

"It delivers 70% more compute performance than our current generation leadership Turin CPUs," she added. "And to really keep feeding MI400 with data at full speed, at even at rack scale, we have doubled both the GPU and the memory bandwidth and optimized Venice to run at higher speeds. Now we just got Venice back in the labs and it is looking fantastic.”

While Venice headlines AMD's 2026 platform, Su also gave us a glimpse at what the chip giant is working on for 2027.

"We are already deep in the development of our 2027 rack that will push the envelope even further on performance, efficiency and scalability with our next generation Verano CPUs and Instinct MI500-series GPUs, so lots and lots of stuff to come from AMD," she revealed.

This new system builds on the "Helios" rack shown for 2026, which houses 72 MI400 GPUs across 18 racks. For 2027, AMD is planning an even more expansive setup with 36 racks.

Assuming a similar configuration, the next-gen AI rack could contain 144 GPUs. The Verano platform is expected to maintain the high bandwidth and performance efficiency established by Venice, likely with more memory and compute per rack.

AMD has not officially named its 2027 rack, but we hear it’s being informally referred to in industry circles as a larger-scale continuation of Helios.

Via Tom's Hardware

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It's time for me to replace my current king mattress, but I'm not ready to choose. This mattress topper bought me some time -- and it's on sale now.

I've been hoping for a long while that bad performing PC ports would become a thing of the past, but over the last few years, that hasn't panned out. The biggest examples of recent games are Rise of the Ronin (which I've covered previously), Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Monster Hunter Wilds, which all suffer from constant stuttering and rely on upscaling methods like DLSS for performance stability.

It's not just performance either; the lack of ultrawide compatibility in some games today is alarming, as there's no secret that ultrawide displays have become more mainstream than ever before.

Fortunately, Shift Up's Stellar Blade is one of the recent outliers, with fantastic performance and optimization, including ultrawide compatibility up to a 32:9 aspect ratio.

This also applies to cutscenes, as some titles that do have ultrawide introduce black bars during cutscenes – and yes, I know this is to prevent some strange glitches from happening where you're not supposed to see them. However, I want more titles to include the option to disable black bars (as some games do).

There are numerous popular games I've mentioned before that don't have ultrawide support whatsoever; I won't go into a full deep dive again, but Stellar Blade is another game coming from Sony's PlayStation 5 console that both runs well and adheres to multiple user configurations well – so this is another plea for other game developers to do better.

Stellar Blade is a dream for most desktop and handheld gaming PCs

(Image credit: Sony / Shift Up)

To give you an idea of how good performance is in Stellar Blade, I've been able to achieve over 60fps at 1080p on medium graphics settings on my Asus ROG Ally, sometimes even reaching low 80fps. Switching on AMD Frame Generation sees the frame rate shoot up to 112fps – and notably, it doesn't feel choppy or laggy, since frame generation tech works best when the base frame rate is up to a good standard (and 60fps is perfect for that).

With the Steam Deck, 60fps on lower settings is easily achieved, too, and this is perhaps one of the very few games that is Deck Verified, and lives up to it. It only gets better if you're using a device like the MSI Claw 8 AI+, which boasts more horsepower than its competitors.

On the side of desktop PCs, Stellar Blade easily runs at over 100fps consistently without the use of Nvidia's Frame Generation, on the highest graphics settings. It's possible thanks to an RTX 4080 Super and an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D, and it's a huge indication of just how powerful PC hardware can be when games are made to run optimally.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there aren't other games that don't impress with good optimization, but rather, there are too many bad apples among triple-A titles. Those bad PC ports leave a sour taste behind for those who spend on high-end hardware, because as good as those systems may be, there's only so much they can do to brute force things.

It's also worth noting that handheld gaming PCs are becoming mainstream (or arguably already have), and while a portion of them utilize very powerful hardware, it's not the case with others like the Steam Deck. So, ports like Stellar Blade on PC are great for fans to see, and I'm hoping game developers and publishers can look at this as a template going forward.

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For a while now, we've been hearing rumors about how thin the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is going to be – and a newly leaked hands-on video, supposedly showing a dummy unit for the foldable, gives us more evidence of the foldable's svelteness.

This video comes from TheSinza on YouTube (via 9to5Google), and the dummy unit is compared directly to Samsung's current foldables in terms of its thickness and dimensions, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

These dummy units often appear ahead of phone launches, and are based on schematics and information leaked from the supply chain. They don't actually work as phones, but they can be useful for accessory makers getting their wares ready for launch day.

Based on the new video, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be 4.5 mm thick when unfolded, so it's going to be significantly slimmer than it's predecessor (5.6 mm), while not quite taking the honor of being the thinnest foldable phone away from the Oppo Find N5 (4.21 mm).

Long-running rumors

Rumors that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 would be super-slim have been swirling since last year, and while nothing is confirmed until this handset is official, it'd be a surprise if it didn't shed some millimeters compared to the 2024 model.

It was only yesterday that we saw freshly leaked renders of this foldable, which again showed off how thin the handset is going to be, front to back – and hinted that the camera bump might be rather large too.

Camera quality is always a concern when you've got a really thin phone, as is battery life. The rumor is that Samsung will introduce new and improved battery tech so that decent battery life can be maintained, even with less space to accommodate a battery.

We've had a leaked release date too: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is apparently going to see the light of day on Wednesday, July 9. At the same event we should also see the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and at least one Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 model.

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• TerraMaster D4 SSD packs massive storage and extreme data transfer speed up to 40Gbps
• Designed for silence, this SSD stays whisper-quiet even when under full creative workflow load
• With USB4 and NVMe support, it rivals internal storage in speed and reliability

TerraMaster has introduced the D4 SSD, a 4-bay direct-attached storage (DAS) device that promises to combine ultra-fast speeds with a portable design.

Built to accommodate up to four M.2 NVMe drives, the D4 supports a maximum capacity of 32TB, up to 40Gbps data transfer bandwidth, and read/write speeds up to 3224MB/s when configured as RAID 0 via macOS Disk Utility.

However, it achieves this only under ideal conditions with top-tier drives such as the Samsung 990 PRO. In single-disk operations, read speeds taper to about 1608MB/s, which is more in line with what many expect from high-end external drives.

Design priorities: small footprint, silent operation

The D4 SSD is barely larger than an Apple Mac Mini, yet it houses four high-performance SSDs.

Its compact design, along with an active convection cooling system featuring a second-generation temperature-controlled fan and four internal heat sensors, ensures stable performance during heavy workloads.

Noise levels drop to 19dB in idle mode, keeping it virtually silent, which is important for audio-sensitive environments like editing suites.

Its compatibility with 12–20V input adapters allows it to share power bricks with common laptops and monitors, reducing the need for extra accessories during travel.

TerraMaster’s decision to support USB 4 means broad compatibility across Thunderbolt and legacy USB protocols.

It says this device is optimized for media professionals and aims to match the performance of internal NVMe storage, whether in 8K footage editing or expanding a macOS boot drive.

It also supports automatic backup tools for Windows and mobile platforms and integrates seamlessly with macOS Time Machine.

This level of flexibility might give it an edge over the best portable hard drive options, but only for those needing such advanced throughput.

While the D4 SSD presents an appealing profile for its intended audience, it is not the only compact device with high storage potential.

The GMKtec NucBox G9 mini PC, for instance, functions as a full NAS system at a lower price.

Although it can't reach the nearly 40Gbps speeds of the D4, nor is it a DAS, it includes broader capabilities like networking, compute power, and a more integrated interface for home labs or small businesses.

The D4 SSD straddles the line between high-end convenience and niche overkill. It could be the best external SSD for professionals who need fast, reliable, and compact storage, but more casual users or those on tighter budgets might consider alternatives.

This device is available on the TerraMaster official website and Amazon for $299.99.

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• Spider-Man: Brand New Day will feature a major character from Daredevil: Born Again
• They aren't one of the two individuals that Marvel fans want to see in the movie
• Audiences have long clamored for a Spider-Man and Daredevil big-screen team up

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to include a major character from Daredevil: Born Again.

That's according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), who claims the forthcoming movie will feature a fan favorite who's appeared in Daredevil's first TV show on Netflix and its recently released sequel on Disney+.

So, who's the individual in question? Have Sony and Marvel finally answered fans' perennial prayer for a big-screen team-up between Tom Holland's webslinger and Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock? Or is Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk set to feature as Spider-Man 4's primary antagonist?

Sorry to disappoint you all, but it's neither of those actors. Instead, Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle/The Punisher is the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) character who's reportedly set to turn up in Spider-Man's next solo flick. Now, a lot of people – myself included – are big fans of Bernthal and his take on Frank Castle. Nonetheless, I'm sure MCU devotees were hoping Cox or D'Onofrio was the individual who'd appear in Spider-Man 4.

If THR's sources are to be believed, Brand New Day would represent the second time that Holland and Bernthal have teamed up on a project. The duo were also part of the cast for Pilgrimage, an Irish medieval film that arrived in theaters in July 2017.

What role could The Punisher play in Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

How will Frank Castle fit into Spider-Man 4's story? (Image credit: Netflix/Marvel Television)

Nobody outside of the Marvel Phase 6 movie's chief creative team knows, but we can certainly speculate on Frank Castle's involvement.

For one, his inclusion suggests that Brand New Day's plot might be more grounded than its predecessor. Indeed, 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, aka one of the best Marvel movies post-Avengers: Endgame, was a multiversal affair. If The Punisher is part of Brand New Day's growing ensemble, it would be bizarre to include him if Sony and Marvel haven't collaborated on a film with street-level story sensibilities.

It's possible that he may be drafted in to help tackle one of the original Avengers who's also slated to appear, too.

In late May, rumors emerged that Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/The Hulk will have a major role in Spider-Man 4. Industry insiders indicate that The Hulk will, well, Hulk out at some point in Brand New Day. If he does, Spidey could use Castle's assistance in stopping the big, mean, green machine if he goes rogue and/or starts rampaging through New York City. Castle has worn the War Machine armored suit in Marvel Comics, too, so he could make use of James 'Rhodey' Rhodes' super-suit to help tackle The Hulk.

Of course, the biggest question of all concerns the level of violence Brand New Day will contain. Bernthal's Castle has only appeared in R-rated MCU projects – those being, Daredevil, Daredevil: Born Again, and The Punisher, all of which are among the best Disney+ shows around.

However, the wallcrawler's next film is nailed on to be a PG-13 film (in the US, anyway) when Brand New Day releases on July 31, 2026. Given how one of Bernthal's non-negotiables was the retention of the character's hyperviolent tendencies in Born Again season 1 and other projects he's set to appear in, such as The Punisher's standalone Disney+ special and Daredevil: Born Again season 2, it'll be interesting to see how an ultraviolent character like The Punisher is utilized in a more family-friendly Marvel production.

Do you think Bernthal will appear in Spider-Man 4? Is Frank Castle a good inclusion if he does? Let me know in the comments.

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• Marvel leak might have revealed Spider-Man: Brand New Day villains – and there could be three of them

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 Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, June 21 (game #741).

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 #742) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• PORT
• PURSUIT
• PROGRESSIVE
• SUCCESSION
• HAPPINESS
• DEPARTED
• FLASH
• LIBERTY
• WIRE
• EUPHORIA
• REMAINING
• ENTOURAGE
• INSECURE
• BULLETIN
• LIFE
• REPORT

NYT Connections today (game #742) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Breaking!
• GREEN: We hold these truths to be self-evident
• BLUE: Box-set staples
• PURPLE: Not right

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 #742) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT
• GREEN: NOUNS FROM A FAMOUS LINE IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
• BLUE: HBO SHOWS
• PURPLE: WHAT “LEFT” MIGHT MEAN

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

NYT Connections today (game #742) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #742, are…

• YELLOW: NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT BULLETIN, FLASH, REPORT, WIRE
• GREEN: NOUNS FROM A FAMOUS LINE IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE HAPPINESS, LIBERTY, LIFE, PURSUIT
• BLUE: HBO SHOWS ENTOURAGE, EUPHORIA, INSECURE, SUCCESSION
• PURPLE: WHAT “LEFT” MIGHT MEAN DEPARTED, PORT, PROGRESSIVE, REMAINING

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

My first thought on seeing the word board today was that surely ENTOURAGE, EUPHORIA and SUCCESSION went together as examples of glossy US TV shows. But what to add to them? The WIRE, maybe, but it was missing the definitive at the start, so seemed unlikely. Was there a show called DEPARTED maybe – or was that The Departed? Or it could be LIFE, as that's definitely a TV show – but a British one.

In the end I got cold feet on that and looked elsewhere, spotting that LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS were all NOUNS FROM A FAMOUS LINE IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

That gave me an easy green, so I decided to next search for the supposedly easier still yellow. Yellow groups are almost always just straight groups of words with no subterfuge or misdirection, so I looked at the board with a clear mind and spotted FLASH, REPORT, WIRE and BULLETIN as examples of a NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT.

With one more needed I looked again at the TV shows one, now shorn of LIFE and WIRE, and played those three with DEPARTED. That gave me 'one away', but I added INSECURE as another possible and got it right. Turns out they were all HBO shows.

That just left purple and WHAT “LEFT” MIGHT MEAN, a nice oblique group with DEPARTED, PORT, PROGRESSIVE and REMAINING.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, June 21, game #741)

• YELLOW: STOCKY SOLID, SQUAT, STOUT, THICK
• GREEN: COMPANY CONCERN, FIRM, HOUSE, OUTFIT
• BLUE: APPLE PRODUCTS BRANDY, BUTTER, CIDER, SAUCE
• PURPLE: STARTS OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES GERM, LUXE, MALT, PORT

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 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 Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, June 21 (game #1244).

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 #1245) - 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 #1245) - 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 #1245) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1245) - 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 #1245) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• W

• C

• P

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1245) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1245, are…

• WREST
• CRAZE
• PAPAL
• SCION

Today's Quordle gave us a difficult selection of words, and I duly struggled to uncover them, needing all nine guesses to complete the set.

SCION was for sure a tricky one, although I got that first, helped by having all five letters in place. Likewise CRAZE, with its Z, was also difficult – and I lost a guess here playing CRAVE first.

When I messed up WREST, playing TRESS first, I was down to my final attempt and was relieved with PAPAL proved to be correct even though when I played it I had only one green and two yellow letters.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1245) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1245, are…

• DANDY
• OMBRE
• GROVE
• STILL

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1244, Saturday, 21 June: BUDDY, GROUT, BEGIN, MADAM
• Quordle #1243, Friday, 20 June: BRAID, DULLY, HASTE, LURID
• Quordle #1242, Thursday, 19 June: BRUSH, ISLET, FRUIT, PRIVY
• Quordle #1241, Wednesday, 18 June: MEDIA, SHARK, GUPPY, MOURN
• Quordle #1240, Tuesday, 17 June: LEAPT, PRISM, ADMIN, WHINE
• Quordle #1239, Monday, 16 June: RETRY, SCALD, DINGO, FEIGN
• 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