Technology

Here are some hints -- and the answers -- for the Dec. 23 Strands puzzle, No. 295.

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1,283 for Dec. 23.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections: Sports Edition No. 91 for Monday, Dec. 23.

We’re in the midst of the Apple Vision Pro’s first holiday season – I know, we all can’t wait to wish it season’s greetings – and there is a fantastic update in the form of VisionOS 2.2. And no, it’s not the arrival of Apple Intelligence.

First teased back in June 2024 at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference was a major upgrade to the Mac Virtual Display experience – new display sizes, including a behemoth ultrawide curved monitor view. It’s always been a popular feature of the $3,500 Spatial Computer, the fact that you can stream your Mac display – as long as it’s an M-series-powered unit – directly to your Vision Pro with almost no noticeable lag.

Whether you’re stuck in a middle seat on an airplane, yearning for a larger screen, or just working from home and wanting a bigger monitor that can be stretched to what feels like infinity, Mac Virtual Display on the Vision Pro simply got the job done. Still, it was a classic flat monitor digitized; it didn’t have a wrap-around effect.

That’s solved now, though. In a demo where I got to play Lies of Pi streamed from a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and do some daily business in macOS Sequoia from a Mac mini with M2 or a 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3, it was a lightbulb moment.

Wide or Ultrawide feels like a new dimension for the Vision Pro

(Image credit: Apple)

In the demo, I sat in a pretty cozy chair, selected Mac Virtual Display by simply staring at a 16-inch MacBook Pro in Space Black, and then was greeted by a sub-menu instead of just firing up the display. You can now choose from three sizes: standard, wide, or ultra-wide.

Standard is, as you might suspect, the standard experience we’ve had since day one on the Apple Vision Pro with two key differences – it’s now at a 5K resolution and is slightly curved to make it more natural to use.

Wide is cool at 21:9, but Ultrawide kicks it into well ultra-high-gear at 32:9, which is the equivalent of two displays side-by-side, as what Apple says is a 5K resolution.

It looks undeniably sharp and really gives the impression that it wraps around you. Much like any window within VisionOS, you can stretch it up by looking at the bottom corner and simply pulling with your pinched thumb and forefinger. I especially liked this, and unlike a conventional curved monitor – maybe one from TechRadar’s best gaming monitor list – you’re not locked into whatever size you select based on the monitor you can buy.

I was able to resize the monitor to a supersized curved screen that filled the room when I wanted to be in the action of Lies of P, but I could also shrink it down to see other folks in the space or even dim the lights to an evening on the Moon. It’s especially immersive for gaming, and I like that audio from the Mac can pass through the Spatial capable speakers on Vision Pro or AirPods Pro.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

It also makes the Vision Pro an even better fit for extending the power of the Mac – be it a Mac mini, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro. Many, if not all, of the M-powered Macs, can handle these AAA gaming titles and dozens of Apple Arcade titles, but there’s also something to be said about working within Vision Pro and just using your Mac. In fact, I wrote this piece on the ultra-wide screen.

Of course, you need to be comfortable wearing a headset and invest in the Vision Pro at $3,500 (starting). We’ve been wondering about a potential killer app or experience for the Vision Pro.

My colleague Lance Ulanoff wrote about one year of Apple’s Spatial Computer earlier this year. Still, this type of experience with the Mac is really spectacular. Rumors of a potential collaboration with Sony PlayStation for more supported controller types make the prospect of future games you could play on a Mac in UltraWide on the Vision Pro quite exciting.

It was a long road for visionOS 2.0 to release fully, and visionOS 2.2 finally delivers a better view of the Standard Mac Virtual Display and two new sizes; it makes the experience even better.

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Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

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

Quordle today (game #1064) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* 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 #1064) - 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 2.

Quordle today (game #1064) - 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 #1064) - 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 2.

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 #1064) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• S

• E

• T

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

Quordle today (game #1064) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1064, are…

• SNAKE
• SAVVY
• ELBOW
• TWEED

I crashed out today, guessing the wrong double letters twice for SAVVY.

All was going so well as I landed on SNAKE and ELBOW fairly quickly, and had TWEED been my guess of TWEET I’m certain I would have completed the quartet.

Some days you just have to accept that you’ve been beaten.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1064) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1064, are…

• CRUSH
• ENSUE
• SCOUR
• BEGIN

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1063, Sunday 22 December: DOUBT, SLURP, PAPER, CIVIL
• Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF
• Quordle #1061, Friday 20 December: PENAL, EAGLE, DILLY, QUITE
• Quordle #1060, Thursday 19 December: JEWEL, GNOME, TRAMP, IDLER
• Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
• Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
• Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
• Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
• Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
• Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
• Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
• Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
• Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
• Quordle #1050, Monday 9 December: TITAN, FORTE, SPEED, BRIAR
• Quordle #1049, Sunday 8 December: BUNCH, SHINY, MOULT, INTRO
• Quordle #1048, Saturday 7 December: SHAKY, CROOK, GHOUL, VERSE
• Quordle #1047, Friday 6 December: BRAWL, UNTIL, DOWRY, STING
• Quordle #1046, Thursday 5 December: AGING, BICEP, CLOVE, SPILL
• Quordle #1045, Wednesday 4 December: JUDGE, GIVER, GNASH, CLOAK
• Quordle #1044, Tuesday 3 December: FUDGE, THICK, CRANK, STASH

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

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

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

NYT Connections today (game #560) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BOAT
• U
• BOWL
• M
• THOU
• CREW
• V
• YOU
• 8
• EWE
• SCOOP
• GLUE
• TUESDAY
• K
• GRAND
• YEW

NYT Connections today (game #561) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Soundalikes
• GREEN: T-shirts
• BLUE: Money slang 
• PURPLE: “Man” would be another 

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 #561) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: HOMOPHONES
• GREEN: NECKLINES
• BLUE: WAYS TO EXPRESS 1,000 
• PURPLE: SUPER 

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

NYT Connections today (game #561) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #561, are…

• YELLOW: HOMOPHONES EWE, U, YEW, YOU
• GREEN: NECKLINES BOAT, CREW, SCOOP, V
• BLUE: WAYS TO EXPRESS 1,000 GRAND, K, M, THOU
• PURPLE: SUPER 8, BOWL, GLUE, TUESDAY

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

I knew today was going to be a tough one when I saw the M, U, 8, and K and so it proved, for me at least, as I struggled with a mind block after getting HOMOPHONES.

Had SUPER included Man instead of TUESDAY I would have got there. Living in the UK, our Tuesdays are just your regular Tuesdays and none have ever been described as Super. It’s probably the last day of the week that should be described as “Super”. Monday you have the hope of a fresh week and new possibilities, Wednesday you’re nearly over the midweek hump, Thursday is virtually Friday and Friday is almost Saturday – an actual Super day.

THOU also threw me, as I got stuck on the archaic pronunciation, rather than WAYS TO EXPRESS 1,000, and M confused me too, with my mind going to the James Bond character before the Roman numerals – something the Super BOWL uses to differentiate between years.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, 22 December, game #560)

• YELLOW: SLANG FOR HEAD COCONUT, CROWN, DOME, SKULL
• GREEN: PALINDROMES ABBA, KAYAK, NUN, STATS
• BLUE: POLICE PROCEDURALS BONES, ELEMENTARY, KOJAK, MONK
• PURPLE: FIRST IN A COMEDY DUO ABBOTT, FRY, KEY, LAUREL

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Pass the eggnog

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• BRING
• BEAR
• DRAY
• PEEP
• BARD
• MAIN

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Festive taste

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 1st column

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #295) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #295, are…

• COCOA
• GINGERBREAD
• CRANBERRY
• PEPPERMINT
• SPANGRAM: HOLIDAY FLAVOR

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Call me fussym but I’m not a great fan of raw eggs in drinks and just the idea of them makes me feel suddenly queasy – so, yes I will pass on the eggnog.

Every other Christmas/HOLIDAY FLAVOR then I am all in, although my favorite – cinnamon – hasn’t made today’s short and sweet Strands. Which is odd, as you’d surely rank it higher in the list than PEPPERMINT, which has 12 months of the year to star on people’s taste buds thanks to its domination of the gum and toothpaste markets. Mmmmm… the holiday flavor of toothpaste.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 22 December, game #294)

• SNOW
• BELLS
• GLISTENING
• WALKING
• SLEIGH
• SPANGRAM: WINTER WONDERLAND

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.

• Memristors to bring brain-like computing to AI systems
• Atomically tunable devices offer energy-efficient AI processing
• Neuromorphic circuits open new possibilities for artificial intelligence

A new frontier in semiconductor technology could be closer than ever after the development of atomically tunable "memristors” which are cutting-edge memory resistors that emulate the human brain's neural network.

With funding from the National Science Foundation’s Future of Semiconductors program (FuSe2), this initiative aims to create devices that enable neuromorphic computing - a next-generation approach designed for high-speed, energy-efficient processing that mimics the brain’s ability to learn and adapt.

At the core of this innovation is the creation of ultrathin memory devices with atomic-scale control, potentially revolutionizing AI by allowing memristors to act as artificial synapses and neurons. These devices have the potential to significantly enhance computing power and efficiency, opening new possibilities for artificial intelligence applications, all while training a new generation of experts in semiconductor technology.

Neuromorphic computing challenges

The project focuses on solving one of the most fundamental challenges in modern computing: achieving the precision and scalability needed to bring brain-inspired AI systems to life.

To develop energy-efficient, high-speed networks that function like the human brain, memristors are the key components. They can store and process information simultaneously, making them particularly suited to neuromorphic circuits where they can facilitate the type of parallel data processing seen in biological brains, potentially overcoming limitations in traditional computing architectures.

The joint research effort between the University of Kansas (KU) and the University of Houston led by Judy Wu, a distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy at KU is supported by a $1.8 million grant from FuSe2.

Wu and her team have pioneered a method for achieving sub-2-nanometer thickness in memory devices, with film layers approaching an astonishing 0.1 nanometers — approximately 10 times thinner than the average nanometer scale.

These advancements are crucial for future semiconductor electronics, as they allow for the creation of devices that are both extremely thin and capable of precise functionality, with large-area uniformity. The research team will also use a co-design approach that integrates material design, fabrication, and testing.

In addition to its scientific aims, the project also has a strong focus on workforce development. Recognizing the growing need for skilled professionals in the semiconductor industry, the team has designed an educational outreach component led by experts from both universities.

“The overarching goal of our work is to develop atomically ‘tunable’ memristors that can act as neurons and synapses on a neuromorphic circuit. By developing this circuit, we aim to enable neuromorphic computing. This is the primary focus of our research," said Wu.

"We want to mimic how our brain thinks, computes, makes decisions and recognizes patterns — essentially, everything the brain does with high speed and high energy efficiency."

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• Androxgh0st’s integration with Mozi amplifies global risks
• IoT vulnerabilities are the new battleground for cyberattacks
• Proactive monitoring is essential to combat emerging botnet threats

Researchers have recently identified a major evolution in the Androxgh0st botnet, which has grown more dangerous with the integration of the Mozi botnet’s capabilities.

What began as a web server-targeted attack in early 2024 has now expanded, allowing Androxgh0st to exploit vulnerabilities in IoT devices, CloudSEK’s Threat Research team has said.

Its latest report claims the botnet is now equipped with Mozi’s advanced techniques for infecting and spreading across a wide range of networked devices.

The resurgence of Mozi: A unified botnet infrastructure

Mozi, previously known for infecting IoT devices like Netgear and D-Link routers, was believed to be inactive following a killswitch activation in 2023.

However, CloudSEK has revealed Androxgh0st has integrated Mozi’s propagation capabilities, significantly amplifying its potential to target IoT devices.

By deploying Mozi’s payloads, Androxgh0st now has a unified botnet infrastructure that leverages specialized tactics to infiltrate IoT networks. This fusion enables the botnet to spread more efficiently through vulnerable devices, including routers and other connected technology, making it a more formidable force.

Beyond its integration with Mozi, Androxgh0st has expanded its range of targeted vulnerabilities, exploiting weaknesses in critical systems. CloudSEK’s analysis shows Androxgh0st is now actively attacking major technologies, including Cisco ASA, Atlassian JIRA, and several PHP frameworks.

In Cisco ASA systems, the botnet exploits cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, injecting malicious scripts through unspecified parameters. It also targets Atlassian JIRA with a path traversal vulnerability (CVE-2021-26086), allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive files. In PHP frameworks, Androxgh0st exploits older vulnerabilities such as those in Laravel (CVE-2018-15133) and PHPUnit (CVE-2017-9841), facilitating backdoor access to compromised systems.

Androxgh0st’s threat landscape is not limited to older vulnerabilities. It is also capable of exploiting newly discovered vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2023-1389 in TP-Link Archer AX21 firmware, which allows for unauthenticated command execution, and CVE-2024-36401 in GeoServer, a vulnerability that can lead to remote code execution.

The botnet now also uses brute-force credential stuffing, command injection, and file inclusion techniques to compromise systems. By leveraging Mozi’s IoT-focused tactics, it has significantly widened its geographical impact, spreading its infections across regions in Asia, Europe, and beyond.

CloudSEK recommends that organizations strengthen their security posture to mitigate potential attacks. While immediate patching is essential, proactive monitoring of network traffic is also important. By tracking suspicious outbound connections and detecting anomalous login attempts, particularly from IoT devices, organizations can spot early signs of an Androxgh0st-Mozi collaboration.

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• TrueNAS recommends hardening systems to mitigate risks
• Pwn2Own showcases diverse attack vectors on NAS systems
• Cybersecurity teams earn over $1 million by finding in exploits

At the recent Pwn2Own Ireland 2024 event, security researchers identified vulnerabilities in various high-use devices, including network-attached storage NAS devices, cameras, and other connected products.

TrueNAS was one of the companies whose products were successfully targeted during the event, with vulnerabilities found in its products with default, non-hardened configurations.

Following the competition, TrueNAS have started implementing updates to secure their products against these newly discovered vulnerabilities.

Security gaps across multiple devices

During the competition, multiple teams successfully exploited TrueNAS Mini X devices, demonstrating the potential for attackers to leverage interconnected vulnerabilities between different network devices. Notably, the Viettel Cyber Security team earned $50,000 and 10 Master of Pwn points by chaining SQL injection and authentication bypass vulnerabilities from a QNAP router to the TrueNAS device.

Furthermore, the Computest Sector 7 team also executed a successful attack by exploiting both a QNAP router and a TrueNAS Mini X using four vulnerabilities. The types of vulnerabilities included command injection, SQL injection, authentication bypass, improper certificate validation, and hardcoded cryptographic keys.

TrueNAS responded to the results by releasing an advisory for its users, acknowledging the vulnerabilities and emphasizing the importance of following security recommendations to protect data storage systems against potential exploits.

By adhering to these guidelines, users can increase their defences, making it harder for attackers to leverage known vulnerabilities.

TrueNAS informed customers that the vulnerabilities affected default, non-hardened installations, meaning that users who follow recommended security practices are already at a reduced risk.

TrueNAS has advised all users to review its security guidance and implement best practices, which can significantly minimize exposure to potential threats until the patches are fully rolled out.

Via SecurityWeek

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• First look at Dell Pro Max 18 Plus emerges in new images
• Pictures show a completely redesigned mobile workstation laptop
• Pro Max could either replace popular Precision range or be a whole new range, offering up to 256GB RAM and up to 16TB SSD

Leaked details have suggest Dell is developing a new addition to its workstation offerings designed to deliver high-performance capabilities for professional workloads.

Available in two sizes, the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus is expected to debut officially at CES 2025 and could either replace the popular Precision range or form an entirely new lineup.

The device allegedly features an 18-inch display, while the Pro Max 16 Plus provides a smaller 16-inch alternative with similar specifications. According to information shared by Song1118 on Weibo, which includes Dell marketing slides, the laptops will be powered by Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra 200HX “Arrow Lake-HX” CPUs. For graphics, the series will reportedly feature Nvidia’s Ada-based RTX 5000-class workstation GPUs, though the exact model isn’t named in the leaked documents.

Triple-fan cooling system

The Pro Max series is set to offer up to 200 watts for the CPU/GPU combination in the 18-inch version and 170 watts in the 16-inch model. VideoCardz notes that while we have already seen much higher targets in ultra-high-end gaming machines, “this would be the first laptop confirmed to offer 200W for a next-gen Intel/Nvidia combo.”

The laptops will reportedly support up to 256GB of CAMM2 memory. The 18-inch model can accommodate up to 16TB of storage via four M.2 2280 SSD slots, while the 16-inch version supports 12TB with three slots. The heat generated by these high-power components will be managed by an “industry first” triple-fan cooling system.

Additional features look to include a magnesium alloy body to reduce weight, an 8MP camera, and a tandem OLED display option. Connectivity options include Thunderbolt 5 (80/120Gbps), WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and optional 5G WWAN. The two laptops also feature a quick-access bottom cover for easy serviceability and repairability of key components like batteries, memory, and storage.

The Dell Pro Max 16/18 Plus laptops are expected to be officially unveiled along with pricing at CES on January 7, 2025, with a mid-2025 release window.

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