Technology

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, August 9 (game #889).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Back it up

NYT Strands today (game #890) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• FAST
• CURE
• STARE
• FIST
• TROOP
• STIFF

NYT Strands today (game #890) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 13 letters

NYT Strands today (game #890) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

• First side: top, 3rd column

• Last side: bottom, 4th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #890) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #890, are…

• DATA
• FACTS
• FIGURES
• STATISTICS
• SPECIFICS
• SPANGRAM: PROOFPOSITIVE

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: Perfect

I spotted “positive”, “proof” and “specific” as non-game words before seeing them as the spangram and adding an S to get to the SPECIFICS.

This, then, was a game of feeling around in the dark before gradually completing the board, rather than a smashing through — or maybe I was slower just because it’s a Monday?

Either way, it was a pleasure to complete a game celebrating the bedrock of good journalism, as opposed to the opinion and bluster that makes up most of the media landscape.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, August 9, game #889)

• LUXURY
• EXTRAVAGANCE
• TREAT
• INDULGENCE
• FRILLS
• SPANGRAM: IMWORTHIT

What is NYT Strands?

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, August 9 (game #1155).

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 #1156) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BILLY GOAT
• BALANCE DUE
• WILLY-NILLY
• MAIL DELIVERY
• BILL TO
• HELTER-SKELTER
• WILL CALL
• THE DEVIL
• DOCTOR
• STRANGE
• ORDER NUMBER
• ANY OLD HOW
• MOBILE TICKET
• UNIT PRICE
• COLONEL SANDERS
• PRINT-AT-HOME
• AT RANDOM

NYT Connections today (game #1156) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: All over the place
• GREEN: Methods of concert entry
• BLUE: Parts of a request for payment sheet
• PURPLE: Notable small beard owners

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 #1156) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: HAPHAZARDLY
• GREEN: WAYS TO RECEIVE EVENT TICKETS
• BLUE: SECTIONS ON AN INVOICE
• PURPLE: FAMOUS GOATEES

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

NYT Connections today (game #1156) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1156, are…

• YELLOW: HAPHAZARDLY: ANY OLD HOW, AT RANDOM, HELTER-SKELTER, WILLY-NILLY
• GREEN: WAYS TO RECEIVE EVENT TICKETS: MAIL DELIVERY, MOBILE TICKET, PRINT-AT-HOME, WILL CALL
• BLUE: SECTIONS ON AN INVOICE: BALANCE DUE, BILL TO, ORDER NUMBER, UNIT PRICE
• PURPLE: FAMOUS GOATEES: BILLY GOAT, COLONEL SANDERS, DOCTOR STRANGE, THE DEVIL

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

The key to my “purple first” success today was saying aloud to myself “not by the hair on my chinny chin-chin”. This in turn made me think of Colonel Saunders and his resplendent white goatee and although I have never seen Doctor Strange I was pretty sure I’d seen a poster of Benedict Cumberbatch sporting some hair on his chinny chin chin.

The other groups I found much harder and I made a mistake assembling the green group.

I knew that the thread was something to do with buying tickets, but didn’t understand WILL CALL, so selected ORDER NUMBER.

In the process, I remembered a recent concert I went to where the only entry was via MOBILE TICKET, but my phone battery was at 1%; I made it in just as the screen died.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, August 9, 2026, game #1155)

• YELLOW: TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH: CHANGE TACK, COURSE-CORRECT, RECALIBRATE, SHIFT GEARS
• GREEN: CLASSIC CHILDREN'S BOOKS: CAPS FOR SALE, CORDUROY, GOODNIGHT MOON, MADELINE
• BLUE: MOVIE SUBGENRES: BUDDY COP, NEO-NOIR, SPACE OPERA, SPAGHETTI WESTERN
• PURPLE: THINGS PEOPLE TRY TO GET OUT OF: BAD DREAM, ESCAPE ROOM, JURY DUTY, LABYRINTH

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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, August 9 (game #1658).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,500 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 #1659) — 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 #1659) — 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 #1659) — hint #3 — uncommon lettersDo 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 #1659) — 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 #1659) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• G

• C

• S

• E

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

Quordle today (game #1659) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1659, are…

• GAVEL
• CRUSH
• SPEED
• ETHOS

I’m glad I held back from getting GAVEL until later in the game.

Before eliminating the letters there were dozens of possibilities, but as the letters vanished it reduced down to one.

Daily Sequence today (game #1659) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1659, are…

• PRISM
• SNAKE
• CRAMP
• SALON

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1658, Sunday, 9 August: KAPPA, WIDEN, FOLIO, STEEP
• Quordle #1657, Saturday, 8 August: FUROR, BUGLE, REUSE, SCOOP
• Quordle #1656, Friday, 7 August: AMISS, SHIRK, SALSA, RABBI
• Quordle #1655, Thursday, 6 August: AMUSE, BRAND, CEDAR, BLURB
• Quordle #1654, Wednesday, 5 August: MOUND, WRONG, STOOD, WEIRD
• Quordle #1653, Tuesday, 4 August: GOOEY, TARDY, HUMAN, CHALK
• Quordle #1652, Monday, 3 August: FUNGI, MUDDY, DEBUT, MANIA
• Quordle #1651, Sunday, 2 August: BOOTH, EASEL, REACH, MAKER
• Quordle #1650, Saturday, 1 August: OMEGA, BIRCH, SMOCK, EERIE
• Quordle #1649, Friday, 31 July: MANIA, SINGE, STOOL, LOFTY
• Quordle #1648, Thursday, 30 July: MODAL, IDLER, CHUMP, LUMPY
• Quordle #1647, Wednesday, 29 July: GAWKY, ALLOY, AUDIT, LATCH
• Quordle #1646, Tuesday, 28 July: SMITE, ROACH, RUDDY, GLOBE
• Quordle #1645, Monday, 27 July: TAFFY, FIGHT, GUILD, WAGER
• Quordle #1644, Sunday, 26 July: STOMP, LIMIT, FUNKY, STEAD
• Quordle #1643, Saturday, 25 July: SALON, SHEEN, BURST, GOURD
• Quordle #1642, Friday, 24 July: DOLLY, EDIFY, LAGER, PRANK
• Quordle #1641, Thursday, 23 July: LADEN, EVICT, WOVEN, SHIRE
• Quordle #1640, Wednesday, 22 July: COYLY, SINGE, AWASH, AWOKE
• Quordle #1639, Tuesday, 21 July: TRUSS, AXIAL, SWINE, THING

• The system connects directly to a standard alternating-current power outlet
• Sulfur co-implantation gave engineers precise control over individual diamond qubits
• Single-qubit fidelity reportedly reached 99.98%

German startup Saxon Q has launched the world's first portable diamond-powered quantum computer operating at room temperature without requiring complex cryogenic cooling equipment.

The system fits inside a standard server rack, connects directly to a conventional alternating-current power outlet, and supports configurations reaching 128 qubits.

The company says larger 512-qubit systems will become available next year, while its long-term roadmap aims to exceed 10,000 qubits after 2030.

Synthetic diamonds replace cryogenic cooling with a different quantum approach

The system relies on nitrogen-vacancy defects created inside synthetic diamonds, where nitrogen atoms occupy positions beside empty spaces within the crystal structure to function as quantum bits.

Scientists manipulate these qubits using lasers and microwave pulses, allowing them to represent quantum states extending beyond conventional binary computing methods.

Although nitrogen-vacancy technology has existed for years, producing stable systems beyond 10 qubits has remained difficult because creating reliable defects at larger scales proved technically challenging.

Saxon Q says its breakthrough came from introducing sulfur alongside nitrogen during manufacturing, allowing engineers to improve stability while gaining greater control over individual qubits.

“That's the key technology point. Because the sulfur lifts the chemical potential to a point that it's negatively charged,” said Marius Grundmann, professor of experimental physics at Leipzig University and co-founder of Saxon Q.

“The sulfur supplies the electron; the sulfur also makes the vacancy attached to the nitrogen with a very high yield.”

According to the company, this manufacturing process enabled qubits to achieve 99.92% fidelity before error correction, representing fewer than one error for every 1,000 operations.

However, it later updated its data, saying subsequent measurements increased single-qubit fidelity to 99.98%, although those figures have not yet received independent verification.

The hardware is currently available in rack-mounted systems supporting up to 128 qubits, while 512-qubit configurations are expected next year and expansion beyond 10,000 qubits remains the long-term objective after 2030.

Practical deployment offers advantages while scalability questions remain unresolved

Unlike many quantum systems that require cryogenic refrigeration and extensive infrastructure, Saxon Q says its hardware can operate directly within conventional computing environments without dedicated cooling facilities.

“We have a fully functioning quantum computer… We have a quantum computer that can execute quantum code that you can reach via the network, and it is a multiuser, multitasking, multicore system,” Grundmann added.

The company believes local deployment could reduce dependence on cloud-based quantum services for applications including robotics and autonomous driving, where communication delays may become unacceptable.

Researchers still caution that comparing nitrogen-vacancy systems directly with superconducting quantum computers remains difficult because both technologies emphasize different engineering approaches and operating characteristics.

Existing studies generally indicate superconducting systems deliver faster processing, although the balance between processing speed, cloud latency, and practical deployment remains uncertain across different workloads.

Another unresolved challenge involves increasing chip density, since current devices support only eight or 16 qubits per chip.

Future applications may require hundreds of thousands or even millions of interconnected qubits operating within significantly larger quantum arrays.

Via Live Science

The world is full of weird and wonderful inventions that never really took off, with the Segway perhaps one of the most overhyped technologies out there. Invented by Dean Kamen, it was once considered the future of how people would move around towns and cities – and it had plenty of huge supporters.

Codename Ginger

Speculation ran wild when these leaked comments by Jon Doerr hit the mainstream media at the start of the 21st century.

Quote of the day

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

This statement was initially disclosed when a copy of a book proposal by journalist Steve Kemper was leaked to the media and published on the online tech magazine Inside.com. They were centered around an exotic new invention described only as 'Codename Ginger' – but the trouble was that nobody knew what it was.

What Kamen was working on behind closed doors was, in fact, a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal vehicle that used smart sensors and motors to keep the rider upright. This was the Segway – and, well, we all know how that story ended.

Wheels of time

Some predicted at the time that cities would be redesigned around the Segway – but the product sold less than 150,000 units before production was shuttered. It's now widely considered the most overhyped invention in history, with high costs and huge regulatory hurdles proving insurmountable obstacles for mass adoption.

The last Segway was actually manufactured as recently as 2020, with the company now transitioning to other forms of transportation, like e-scooters and UTVs. There are still uses in security and in tourism, but it's largely a redundant technology.

As for Kamen, his most recent venture, DEKA, is focusing its efforts on machines in the biotech space. Specifically, he has recently invented a large-scale regenerative medicine manufacturing and organ preservation system.

The computer company has notified all customers of a data breach.

I asked chefs about the snacks, ingredients and guilty pleasure foods they can’t stop buying.

I've been a fan of Zoner Studio since first reviewing it in 2025 - it's a fusion of Lightroom and Photoshop-style tools for photographers, with some compelling advantages over both.

My team recently re-reviewed the photo editing and organizing software, complete with its big summer updates roll-out, where it earned an even higher score for 2026 (read our Zoner Studio review).

I spoke to Zoner's Thomas Urban to find out what's new in this Windows-only photo editor, why the devs prefer meaningful features over flashy gimmicks, and how the software handles the messy realities of shooting.

Adobe has a near-monopoly on creative software. What is the elevator pitch to a photographer who is locked into the Lightroom/Photoshop ecosystem to try Zoner Studio?

Great point, they are a household name. If you want a single interface for all your editing, faster culling and RAW capabilities, not being stuck in a catalog while being able to work with local files if you’d like and all of this for a lower price, then you should try out Zoner Studio.

I hope with time, society as a whole, we make our way back to authentic things that matter

In your summer update, you intentionally avoided “flashy new features you’ll use once a year.” Why do you think so much of the industry is chasing AI gimmicks instead of fixing core editing speed?

Perhaps they think people will find these types of upgrades boring? Maybe the core issues are more difficult to address? And, some of these features like a completely revamped search engine, just aren’t visually that striking, for sure.

When you’ve taken thousands of photographs though and just want to get through the culling in a responsible and effective way with quality metadata and organisation, these less flashy things are going to save your time down the road and your mental state.

It seems the entire world now has the attention span of a few seconds and everyone is fighting for a fraction of your attention, god forbid your undivided attention. It may be that in order to actually present those important features, you need the flashy stuff to catch the attention first.

I hope with time, society as a whole, we make our way back to authentic things that matter, things that last and things we’re proud of because they’re done well.

Most suites force you to lock in your RAW edits before moving to layers. What’s the practical advantage of keeping a photographer’s entire pipeline inside a single workspace?

Photo editing should match that fun and complement this process instead of being a chore

Simplicity. We all started this whole photography thing because it was fun and gave us something we kept coming back to. Photo editing should match that and complement this process instead of being a chore.

We want photographers to have a proper partner to their camera and being able to do everything in a single UI just felt like the natural solution.

The fact that each photographer can stay in the same interface allows them to stay in the creative flow rather than worry about whether or not this particular photo is now good enough to move on to layers. That just seems counter to what we're trying to do as photographers.

(Image credit: Future)Cleaning sensor dust or portrait blemishes across a massive shoot is soul-crushing work. Where does your Smart Healing excel, and where do complex textures still force a photographer to step in manually?

Our tools are non-destructive and fast compared to our competition (which is a rare combination)

Our tools still require manual inputs as we don’t have automatic detection of dust or blemishes. Our tools however, are non-destructive and fast compared to our competition (which is a rare combination).

Source search is on the verge of being possible without the use of AI and they also allow for very complex retouching. Retouching is divided into individual layers, and individual strokes are separated on the layers.

Within strokes, the user can utilize entire strokes (some only allow circles) or subtract from them, brushes have all parameters and we have the best tablet pen integration on the market. It’s possible to customize and map out your parameters based on your pen pressure.

Again, I wanted to remind you of the non-destructive model because this combination is not common for most of these operations in other photo editors. Users have to go to bitmap editors like Ps or Affinity whereas with Zoner Studio, you don’t even have to leave the Develop module.

This makes it easy and there’s no need to make a complicated trip from one program to another while also considering the correct order of operations.

Manual keywording and file tagging is a major chore. How does your Search engine let someone instantly pull up shots without forcing them to build a rigid catalog first?

Our Catalog serves more as a cache. The photographer is not locked into Zoner Studio’s infrastructure

Yes, this is a core issue with many photo editors. To start, the difference between Zoner Studio and most of the competition is that you don’t need to create a Catalog as a blackbox per se but rather a Catalog built on market standard files or data that sits next to these common files.

Because of this, our Catalog serves more as a cache and does not contain unique data that the photographer could lose and is always “rebuildable” based on the data stored in those photos. Therefore, the photographer is not locked into Zoner Studio’s infrastructure.

We still rely on manual keywording and tagging (unfortunately, the program cannot replace manually entered data because it’s our interpretation of structures) and we’re also working robustly with names and the folder structure, which are an important part of manually entered data and are often ignored by other photo programs.

We also focus on working effectively with them and also with regards to the data that is inherently in the photos themselves. Then based on your knowledge of your data, you can effectively find a lot of things.

(Image credit: Future)Automatically grouping and merging panoramas or focus stacks sounds great in theory. But how did you design the software to handle the messy reality of real-world shooting?

In our opinion, a large number of future disruptive technologies will be built on automatic stacking

For us, it’s not only good in theory but is great in practice. Of course, we can always improve but we have been optimizing the algorithms for several periods and are still working on them.

If the photographer uses the automatic camera functions like exposure and focus bracketing, and doesn’t make major mistakes when taking photos, we have an almost 100% hit rate.

Of course, it’s ideal to catch those deviations and we are very grateful to the user base for supplying us with samples. We’re really happy that in most cases it simply boils down to a shooting error. In our opinion, a large number of future disruptive technologies will be built on automatic stacking.

It’s necessary to realize that it’s not only about stacking panoramas and others that form a fraction of what a photographer processes but also continuous shots and generally similar images with which the user works as a whole and, for example, selects the best shot.

From turning burst sequences into time-lapses to simulating long exposures without an ND filter, what do you think are the most underrated creative tricks hidden in Zoner Studio?

Back to the basics; LUT's. There are plenty of them on the internet and they are great for everyone.

They'll be liked by the user who still can't click and use sliders to achieve their desired results and by the user who has the ability to accurately utilize the entire RAW processing pipeline.

We aren't exactly fans of the sort of "tricks" philosophy idea but if we had a choose an underrated function that can pull some serious weight, it would be the preview function in the Manager module that allows photographers to preview multiple images at once

Ready to start shooting? We tested the best cameras for photography.

• Telefónica upgrades 2,756 network sites before Spain's August solar eclipse
• More than 400 observation points received detailed mobile coverage assessments beforehand
• Engineers adjusted base station settings to handle expected traffic surges efficiently

Spain's upcoming solar eclipse is expected to attract large crowds, prompting Telefónica to strengthen its mobile network before millions of photographs and videos begin flowing online.

The telecommunications company has spent several months preparing for the event after assessing likely visitor numbers and network demand across hundreds of planned observation locations.

Rather than waiting for congestion to develop, the operator is adjusting network capacity in advance to maintain reliable mobile services during the eclipse.

Network upgrades span thousands of kilometres

Telefónica's preparations cover 31 Spanish provinces and 2,756 network sites distributed across the extensive path where the August 12, 2026 solar eclipse will be visible.

Engineers examined coverage conditions at more than 400 officially identified observation points before determining where additional network resources would be required during the event.

The operator expects unusually high demand from domestic and international visitors gathering to photograph, record, and share images across mobile networks simultaneously.

Instead of relying solely on additional infrastructure, engineers are adjusting technical settings inside existing base stations to match anticipated traffic patterns more effectively.

Those network changes redistribute available bandwidth and equipment capacity, helping mobile users maintain stable connections even when thousands attempt uploading content from the same locations.

People using AI tools to edit eclipse photographs and videos could also increase mobile data demand as content begins appearing online.

Eclipse preparations form part of a wider summer programme

The eclipse initiative forms one element of Telefónica's broader summer network programme, which includes more than 500 infrastructure improvements across different parts of Spain.

The seasonal programme also covers 34 strategic coastal locations alongside network optimization supporting 440 events expected to attract substantial visitor numbers throughout the summer period.

Additional mobile units have been assigned to locations expected to receive the largest crowds, expanding network resources wherever unusually high demand is anticipated.

Areas expected to experience particularly strong interest include Aragon, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Castile – Castilla-La Mancha, Castile and León, Catalonia, Madrid, the Valencian Community, Galicia, La Rioja, Navarre, and the Basque Country.

Telefónica began organizing its eclipse preparations approximately five months before the event, allowing engineers sufficient time to analyse coverage requirements and technical priorities.

"This technical effort reflects our day-to-day commitment, as Telefónica always strives to be the best gateway for citizens to digital technologies, guaranteeing more and better services over the best network," said Juan José Marfil, Director of Network, IT and TV at Telefónica España.

TP-Link Roam 7: 30-second review

The TP-Link Roam 7 is a compact travel router that lets you connect to whatever internet you can find and turns that into your own private network. This helps reduce the need to reconnect all your devices in each new location; just connect the router and all other devices will connect automatically through it.

The Roam 7 differs from a mobile router insofar as there's no internal SIM or battery; power is supplied through a USB source such as a power bank, and the internet connection comes from a range of available options, including Ethernet at a hotel or business, public Wi-Fi, your phone tethered or a USB modem.

The size and weight are compact, so it’ll fit easily in a backpack or travel bag. The design is simple with a vented front: two fold-down aerials, and a customisable button on the side.

Setup is quick with the mobile Tether app, which lets you use the QR code on the base of the box to complete setup and configure logins. If you want anything more involved then once your device is connected to the router you can access the full web admin at 192.168.0.1.

This is all very clean and while it looks a little dated next to the app, it goes far deeper on the options and settings enabling you to manage the primary and guest networks, assign clients to 2.4GHz or 5GHz, configure Multi-Link Operation so one device takes priority over another, and monitor live CPU and memory usage. Considering this is a travel router, the amount of control is impressive.

There’s also a good level of built-in protection, which is helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi or hotel networks. While the more advanced protections, including VPNs, are all paid options, there’s a good basic level of security and parental controls built in. The Web interface also gives you a huge amount of options.

Through the test, the one feature that really stood out as I wrote this review was the failover; with the router connected to the Netgear Nighthawk M7 through LAN and public Wi-Fi in a café. The café Wi-Fi was initially good, but as the hour progressed and the place filled, the speed dipped, and the router automatically switched over to the stronger SIM connection.

Overall, this is a well-balanced product that, at the price, offers far more than most, especially that Wi-Fi 7 connection speed. The internal hardware is, however, mid-range, and with only three devices connected, the web admin showed a CPU load of 40-60%. However, as a few more devices were added, the figure remained around the same.

If you work in different locations with multiple devices, then an option like the TP-Link Roam 7 makes absolute sense. Connect the router to the internet, then connect all other devices to it; no need to reconnect each. It offers a balanced set of security features, including VPN support, making it a great solution at a lower price than most mobile routers.

TP-Link Roam 7: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? From $139 / £99
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Directly from tp-link and online retailers

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Roam 7 is available directly from TP-Link here for $139.99 / £99.99. In the US, it's also available for $130 at Amazon (down to $90 at time of review). In the UK, it's priced at £99.99 at Amazon.co.uk. Outside of that, it's widely available from online retailers.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

TP-Link Roam 7: Specs

RAM: 512MB
Rear Ports: One 2.5Gbps WAN, one 1Gbps LAN, one USB-A 3.0, one USB-C power input
Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, Ethernet, public Wi-Fi, USB phone tethering, 3G/4G/5G USB modem
Wireless Speed: 2,882Mbps at 5GHz and 688Mbps at 2.4GHz
VPN: OpenVPN, WireGuard, PPTP and L2TP, client and server
Size: 126 x 93.5 x 36mm
Weight: Approximately 250g
Power: 5V/3A USB-C, no built-in battery
Accessories: Power adapter, Ethernet cable, USB cable, quick-installation guide and Wi-Fi information card

TP-Link Roam 7: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Roam 7 is a relatively compact black box that measures 126 x 93.5 x 36mm and weighs in at 250g. It features a large front vent and two aerials that fold flat against the sides when transporting. One thing to note about the design is that it’s noticeably larger than a pocket hotspot but still small enough to slip into a backpack or bag easily.

It’s also worth noting that while the Roam 7 is relatively small, it requires a power supply, and an AC plug is included in the box; alternatively, you can plug it into a power bank, and in this review I’ve used the Ugreen 145W. On top of the power supply, you’ll also need a way to connect the router to the internet, and this is where the clever bit of this device comes into play.

You can either connect directly to a WAN or LAN via the two ports at the back, hardwire a phone via a USB cable and piggyback off the phone's cellular network or use it as a pass-through for a Wi-Fi network, say, if you’re in a café.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Once plugged in, a simple status LED on the front illuminates to indicate connections or activity. While the design is simple, with most options and settings being controlled through the app or web interface, there is a physical toggle button on the side that can be configured to control power, the status LED, or the VPN connection.

The rear panel houses all the connections: a 2.5 Gbps WAN port, a 1 Gbps LAN port, USB-A 3.0 for storage or tethering, and USB-C for power.

As this is a travel router, it would have been great to see a carry case supplied as well. Unfortunately, aside from the power supply, USB-C-to-USB-A adapter, and network cable, there are no other accessories.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

TP-Link Roam 7: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Taking a look at the feature set, it really highlights how the Roam 7 differs from a standard router or mobile router. In the case of the first, the compact size and weight mean it can be taken anywhere, and the build and design are robust and highly portable, with power supplied via USB-C rather than the standard barrel-style connector to mains power, which is more common.

Unlike a mobile router, it has no built-in battery or SIM card, so it relies on other devices for both. I’ll come on to why this can be a great option in the performance section.

The Roam supports dual-band BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 with Multi-Link Operation, 4K-QAM, and four wireless streams, rated at 2,882 Mbps on 5GHz and 688 Mbps on 2.4GHz. Those are link rates rather than throughput figures, and there is no 6GHz band, so this is Wi-Fi 7 in its dual-band form rather than the full tri-band specification.

Looking through the different operating modes, there are seven in total: cover router, hotspot or WISP, USB tethering, USB modem, access point, range extender and client. Switching between Ethernet, USB tethering, USB modem, and hotspot occurs through the web interface, and in testing, it took around 45-50 seconds to switch between each. USB tethering to an iPhone was slower, occasionally up to a minute, but on Android it was far faster.

One of the modes I was pleased to see was Failover, as it lets you connect to a mobile router and a tethered phone at the same time, and the Roam 7 prioritises whichever provides the better connection.

There’s also VPN support for major brands, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, PPTP, and L2TP, as both client and server. A VPN connection can run alongside ordinary traffic rather than being on all the time; the physical switch on the side can be allocated as a quick on/off for the VPN, so for general browsing you can switch it off, and for financials, shopping, etc you can switch it on for that additional protection.

The device management is also well thought out, with two options tailored to the type of user, or you can switch between them, as I find myself doing. For most people, the Tether app, which enables initial setup via a QR code, provides access to most of the settings.

During the test, there were a couple of occasions when I was unable to find the settings I wanted through the mobile app, such as assigning the connection type. The Web Admin, however, made this easy and offered a more traditional approach to router and network settings along with many advanced options, including what I was looking for, which was an easy way to switch between inputs.

The web admin panel can be located once you have connected to the router through 192.168.0.1 in your browser, and once you log in, you have all the primary and guest network management, assigning clients between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, Multi-Link Operation configuration to give one device priority over another, and a live view of CPU and memory load, which is interesting especially as more devices connect.

The best way to look at the two options is that the app is for consumers and the web client is for businesses, so actually having both is a good balance.

Another point about this router is that, as it doesn’t have its own power source, it will be a drain on whatever it’s plugged into. However, a check of the power usage shows it is extremely low at less than 4W; still, TP-Link do offer three power modes. Boost is the default and the option I used in the test to maximise performance; below it are Balance and Eco for managing speed, heat, and power draw. The MLO mode that I mentioned earlier will increase power use, but again, this power usage is extremely well managed.

Alongside the hardware admin, there’s a good level of software support, including HomeShield, which adds a network scanner, parental controls, and device-level quality of service. For each of these features, there is a Free tier, but the more robust parental controls and Security+ features require a paid subscription.

• Features: 4 / 5

TP-Link Roam 7: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Benchmarks

Boot time: 1 minute 52 seconds, plus roughly a further minute to connect a client and get online
Time to internet from cold, MacBook Air M3: 2-3 minutes
Mode switching time: 45 seconds; up to 1 minute when switching to iPhone USB tethering
Power consumption, three clients connected: 3.8W with MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone attached
Router load, three devices connected: CPU 40-60%, memory steady at around 50%

Throughput over a public café connection
One device: 87.3Mbps down / 98.5Mbps up
Two devices, device 1: 46.6Mbps down / 101.8Mbps up
Two devices, device 2: 61.3Mbps down / 27.3Mbps up
Three devices, device 1: 11.5Mbps down / 9.08Mbps up
Three devices, device 2: 75.4Mbps down / 44.4Mbps up
Three devices, device 3: 17.0Mbps down / 72.5Mbps up

These figures measure results via the cafe’s internet connection through the router, not the router's own wireless capability. The three-device total of 103.9 Mbps down exceeds the single-device figure of 87.3 Mbps, highlighting the influx of people into the cafe and the effect on bandwidth.

Initial setup is relatively straightforward, as there’s nothing to install. Or charge. Once unboxed, the AC adapter of a power bank can be plugged in, and the front light glows orange. You then go to the Tether Mobile App, scan the QR code, complete the rest of the process, and you’re set.

After that initial setup, I took the Roam 7 to a café, plugged it into a power bank, joined the venue's Wi-Fi via the Tether app, connected my MacBook to the router's network, and enabled the VPN. The whole sequence took between two and three minutes depending on the connection type and strength. It required no laptop configuration at all, having already connected to the router at home; likewise, the same for the connection to my phone and iPad, which were all previously connected.

One issue that struck me early on was the number of wires and gadgets I had suddenly accumulated around the MacBook; I had my phone, the power bank, and the router all connected along with wires. While it didn’t take up a huge amount of space, it was more than I’m used to.

One point about the connection speeds is that the public Wi-Fi connection was faster than connection tethered through my mobile phone. During testing on location, the 4G connection showed as full, however connected to the Wi-Fi without a VPN, I saw speeds of around 150 Mbps, down to around 120 Mbps with VPN on.

Through a series of checks to see how long it takes to connect in the café location from cold, it I found it took just under two minutes to boot, and connecting and getting the computer online added another minute. There’s also time to unpack the three devices you need to make that connection: the router, the power bank, and the mobile device.

The average connection time in the test was just under three minutes from nothing to a working connection on a public Wi-Fi network. OK, it’s faster to connect directly, but a public Wi-Fi, isn’t secure and the cost saving of the Roam 7 compared with a mobile router is huge.

Through the test, I was interested to see how long it would take to switch between connection types, say, from Wi-Fi to a tethered mobile connection. To do this you need to dip into the web interface, not the app, and the switchover took around 45-50 seconds.

As highlighted, there is no internal power, so the draw from the host machine is an important factor for travel, and surprisingly it’s very low. With a MacBook Pro, an iPad and an iPhone all connected, the router pulled 3.8W. This is really nothing, and my 145W power bank essentially ran through a working day without issue. It was also good that I was able to set up a local network, and the colleagues were also able to connect as guests, again all easily set up through the web interface.

For the most part, I was piggybacking off the wireless network in the café, and, interestingly, a single device connected, I saw 87.3 Mbps down and 98.5 Mbps up. With three connected, the individual figures ranged from 11.5 Mbps to 75.4 Mbps down, but their combined total came to 103.9 Mbps, more than that first single device. The issue is that the café's internet is open to the public, so there will be some fluctuation due to other users.

Internet speed is part of the picture, especially as more devices connect. One of the features I liked was that, through the web admin, you can see live CPU and memory usage. With only three devices connected, CPU load averaged 40-60%, while memory sat at around 50% of the installed 512 MB.

TP-Link states that it supports up to 90 devices, which I think may be a little bit hopeful. Still, for the three I had connected during the test, all checking the internet speed, then watching a 4K YouTube video and uploading files to an ftp this speed generally felt stable and fast.

A travel router like this has a very focused job and won't be for everyone; however, if you connect multiple devices to an internet connection away from home and need something lightweight and portable, this is a great solution that balances features, performance, and cost.

• Performance: 4 / 5

TP-Link Roam 7: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

At first it may be difficult to see why you would want the Roam 7 over just connecting directly to your mobile phone or the public Wi-Fi. But then, in the workplace, where you may have multiple devices you use while travelling, or you’re dubious about using public Wi-Fi, this well-priced travel router makes sense.

Setup is easy, and whatever connection mode you use, once you’ve run through the process a few times, it all makes sense. Essentially, arrive, plug in, order a coffee, and by the time you’ve unpacked and set up your computer you’ll be ready to go.

Overall, the connection seemed robust, especially with the failover. While the router can only be as good as the local connections, the test proved it was a solid option, switching from mobile to Wi-Fi to enable the fastest connection without issue.

I had to ask: with mobile routers also available, who is this best for? The Roam 7 is an ideal solution if you travel and use multiple devices. It essentially lets you connect all devices to it, and you just need to connect it to an internet connection. When you arrive at your destination, you connect to the router, and everything else follows suit, without you needing to log in to every device individually.

While you can do this with your mobile, the added network features and the ability to turn your phone into a mobile router are definitely appealing and much cheaper than a dedicated mobile router.

Then there’s the price, which at a fraction of dedicated mobile routers and with all the additional features suddenly makes this very appealing as an option to use anywhere, be that travelling or in a location that you just want to set up a private network, such as in an office, studio or workshop where a separate network can be useful.

Should I buy a TP-Link Roam 7?

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Value

Excellent value at around £90, although you’ll need power and internet connection in addition

4.5/5

Design

Compact, design perfect for slipping into a backpack, though no case is supplied

4.5/5

Features

Seven modes, including full VPN support, storage sharing and decent web admin 

4/5

Performance

Quick to set up and low power consumption, balanced by the mid-range hardware

4/5

Overall

A flexible, business travel router that will keep you connected and safe as you travel 

4/5

Buy it if...

You travel with several devices.

No need to log in with multiple devices to hotels, airports, cafés and other open networks; connect the router and then all devices through the router, far easier.

You need to work from wherever you land.

With a range of connection options and VPN support, you can connect to the internet, public Wi-Fi, phone tethering, and USB modems, all of which can feed into the same private network.

Don't buy it if...

You want maximum range and speed.

A full-size home router will offer far better long-distance signal and speed; the Roam 7 is designed for smaller areas.

You want an all-in-one.

To get this to work, you need extras, and at the basic level that’s your mobile and a power bank. So while the device is small, the mound of tech you need can quickly accumulate.

For more connectivity solutions, we've reviewed the best Wi-Fi routers.

RingConn Gen 3: One minute review

RingConn has always been a solid challenger to Oura in the smart ring space, and after spending two weeks testing it, I can safely say the new RingConn Gen 3 continues that trend. You’ll get most of the same health, sleep and recovery tracking features as rivals in our best smart rings guide here, but without the monthly subscription that puts some people off buying a smart ring altogether.

The Gen 3 tracks heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, respiratory rate, stress, activity and sleep. New additions include a haptic motor for some alerts and reminders, improved battery life and new vascular health trend insights, which are designed to give you a picture of your cardiovascular wellbeing over time.

However, this version does feel similar to the Gen 2 that came before it. The design and app experience feel largely unchanged and many of the core features will already be familiar to anyone thinking of upgrading from a RingConn Gen 2.

Although that's not necessarily a bad thing. The lightweight titanium design is still incredibly comfortable to wear and the app is simple to navigate. RingConn also continues to stand out by offering useful features like sleep apnea monitoring, something that still isn't standard across the smart ring market.

(Image credit: Future)

The experience here isn't perfect. During my testing, I found that some health insights can feel generic, certain wellness scores lack meaningful context and some of the messaging around features like vascular insight trends can be confusing. And, while the app is clean and easy to use, it still doesn't feel quite as refined or polished as Oura's.

But RingConn continues to occupy a compelling middle ground. It isn't the cheapest smart ring you can buy, but it undercuts premium competitors while delivering a similar experience overall.

The RingConn Gen 3 may not be the most exciting smart ring launch of the year, but for anyone looking for comprehensive health tracking without an ongoing subscription, it's shaping up to be one of the easiest smart rings for me to recommend.

RingConn Gen 3: Specifications

Component

RingConn Gen 3

Price

$426 (silver, gold, matte black) / $454 (brushed silver and brushed rose gold); £322 / £343 (approx)

Dimensions

2.3mm thick

Weight

2.5g to 3.5g (depending on size)

Finish

Silver, gold, matte black, brushed silver, brushed rose gold

Sizes

6 to 15

Material

Titanium body, medical-grade epoxy interior with a PVD coating

Battery life

10 to 12 days (with vibration on), 11 to 14 days (with vibration off)

Sensors

Optical Heart Rate Sensor, Temperature Sensor, 3-Axis Accelerometer and Vibration Feedback Motor

Connection

Bluetooth 5.0

Water resistance

IP68 / 10ATM

(Image credit: Future)RingConn Gen 3: Price and availability

• Priced at $426 / $454; £322 / £343 (approx)
• Rolled out from late May 2026
• No subscription needed

Pricing starts at $426 for the silver, gold and matte black versions. That rises to $454 if you’d like the new brushed silver and brushed rose gold finishes.

I only tested the standard silver, but the brushed effect is really appealing. At least what I can see from promo shots, it makes the ring look a little more refined and if I was buying one myself I’d probably pay extra for that finish.

UK pricing hasn’t yet been confirmed at the time of writing, but that US pricing works out at approximately £322 to £343, depending on the finish you choose.

That places the RingConn Gen 3 firmly in the premium smart ring category. It's not cheap by any means. You can now find more affordable smart rings, like the Circular Ring 2, which starts at $349 / £280 / AU$497.

However, it still manages to undercut some of its biggest competitors, making a tempting value proposition. For context, the new Oura Ring 5 starts from £399. Which, granted, isn’t that much more expensive. But you do need to factor in the ongoing monthly subscription, which you’ll need to unlock all of the Oura’s features. That costs $5.99 / £5.99 per month. So paid monthly, that’s around an additional $70 / £70 per year.

What makes RingConn stand out is that there are no subscription fees here. Once you've bought the ring, you get access to all of the core health and wellness features without any additional monthly costs.

It’s worth mentioning that other smart ring brands are offering their devices without a monthly subscription too. And the gap between RingConn and its premium competitors isn't quite as large as it once was, especially as smart ring prices continue to rise across the board. But when you factor in the lack of subscription fees and the breadth of features on offer, the RingConn Gen 3 still represents good value.

• Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)RingConn Gen 3: Design

• Lightweight and comfortable design
• Distinctive squared circle shape
• New finishes and expanded sizing options

The first thing you'll notice about the RingConn Gen 3 when you take it out of the box is its unusual shape. Rather than being perfectly round, it has a subtle squared-off design. It looks a little unusual at first, but I really liked it. Plus it seemed like a refreshing choice in a market where so many smart rings are almost indistinguishable from each other.

At between 2.5g and 3.5g depending on which size you get, and measuring 2.3mm thick, the ring is light and discreet enough to forget you're wearing it. I wore it day and night when I was testing it, including while sleeping, without any issues.

That weight and thickness are both fairly standard compared to other smart rings. The only notable exception is the new Oura Ring 5, which has been designed to be slimmer and lighter than previous generations and almost all rivals.

The Gen 3 ring is made from titanium with a medical-grade resin interior and is rated IP68 and 10ATM for water resistance. In practical terms, that means you can wear it in the shower, while swimming and during workouts without worrying about taking it off. During testing, I rarely had to think about removing it, whether I was washing up, showering or exercising — though I did remove it when lifting weights to avoid any scratching.

RingConn has also expanded its sizing range this time around, now offering up to size 15. Many competing brands don't go beyond size 14. One thing to be aware of here is that RingConn says the Gen 3 sizing may differ slightly from standard ring sizing and other smart rings. Which means it may be worth using the sizing kit first just to be safe. Although I tested my usual size without any issues.

There are several new finishes available, including brushed silver and brushed rose gold. I tested the glossy silver model, which held up surprisingly well during testing. After more than a week of daily wear, there were no visible scuffs or scratches, even on close inspection.

That's really notable because when I’ve tested many smart rings in the past I've found that some finishes, particularly matte black ones, can start showing signs of wear after only a few days.

That said, if I were buying this ring myself rather than reviewing it, I'd probably choose one of the new brushed finishes, even though they cost a little more. After years of testing smart rings, I've come to think that the super glossy finishes are often what make them look like gadgets rather than jewellery. So if making sure a smart ring blends in is important to you, the brushed options are probably worth considering.

My only real criticism is that there isn't an obvious external marker showing which way round the ring should be worn. That's really nit-picking, but it's something some competitors have added. While it's easy enough to identify the correct orientation from the sensor placement inside the ring, a small external indicator, like a tiny notch, would make it quicker and easier to position correctly for the most accurate readings.

The charging case is handy. It's compact, easy to throw into a bag and feels more refined than previous versions. Unlike some competitors, it's also not tied to a specific ring size, which might be useful for you if you know someone else who has a RingConn ring.

• Design Score: 4/5

RingConn Gen 3: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Subtle haptic alerts
• Comprehensive health and wellness tracking
• Sleep apnea monitoring and vascular insights

You’ll find all of the health and wellness features you'd expect from a premium smart ring here. The Gen 3 continuously tracks heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate, skin temperature, stress, activity levels and sleep. There's also menstrual tracking and a Baby Prep mode to support ovulation prediction.

Alongside these core features, RingConn offers a few more advanced tools that are designed to help it stand out from rivals. One of the most useful is sleep apnea monitoring. Once enabled, it monitors for the core signs of sleep apnea and provides short-term risk indicators alongside longer-term trends.

Like any wearable health feature, it's not designed to diagnose a medical condition. But I think it could be useful if you're concerned about your sleep quality or breathing patterns and want some additional information before you speak to a doctor.

New for the Gen 3 is a built-in haptic motor, which means the ring can now vibrate for health alerts, inactivity reminders and low-battery warnings.

At first, I was conflicted about this addition. Part of the appeal of smart rings for me is that they collect data in the background without demanding attention in the way a smartwatch can. Fortunately, RingConn has taken a restrained approach. The vibrations are subtle, focused on health-related notifications rather than phone alerts and can be disabled entirely if you'd prefer that.

Another notable addition is RingConn's vascular health tracking. Rather than attempting to estimate blood pressure directly, the feature combines overnight vascular load data with blood pressure readings and lifestyle information to provide longer-term cardiovascular insights.

To use it, you'll need to periodically enter blood pressure readings from a traditional blood pressure cuff. Initially, I wasn't convinced of the value of this feature. Wouldn’t you just use a cuff instead of the ring if you have one? But it became clear during testing that the goal here isn't to replace a blood pressure monitor. Instead, it's designed to help identify broader patterns over time.

One reason for the confusion is likely that in the app this section is labelled as 'blood pressure trends', which RingConn tells me is out-of-date copy and will be changed to 'vascular insights' soon to make it clear this isn't just a blood pressure reading feature.

Because the data you get here is about circulation stress tracking, which RingConn describes as a measure of how effectively your body moves between activity and recovery. Results are then also broken down into areas such as day-night rhythm, sleep breathing, post-exercise recovery and stress response.

The insights aren't especially deep, and if anything is flagged you'll need to go and search for what it means, but they're among the most detailed explanations available in the RingConn app and provide useful context without becoming overwhelming.

• Features Score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)RingConn Gen 3: Performance

• Clean, easy-to-use app
• Excellent battery life
• Strong sleep and wellness tracking

As with any smart ring, the Gen 3 relies heavily on its app, and RingConn gets a lot right here. While it doesn't feel quite as polished as Oura's software, I found it easy to navigate through the different menus. I also liked the flower-like Wellness Balance graphic at the top of the dashboard, which provides a quick visual snapshot of your overall health.

The app makes it easy to check key metrics at a glance, while more detailed charts, historical trends and explanations are there if you click through into each dedicated section, including sleep, activity and stress. Stress tracking was a particular highlight, making it easy to spot recurring patterns and periods of higher pressure throughout the day.

Some of the written insights can feel a little generic though, as daily summaries occasionally surfaced observations that felt obvious or lacked enough context to be genuinely useful. Sleep insights tended to be more helpful, with more detailed explanations and recommendations.

Sleep tracking is one of RingConn's strongest areas. The app presents sleep duration, efficiency, stages, overnight heart rate and movement data clearly without overwhelming you with information. During testing, it also handled my occasionally unusual sleep schedule surprisingly well, which meant that on nights when I woke up for an hour in the early morning before falling back asleep, RingConn correctly identified this as a brief 'awake' period rather than ending the sleep session entirely.

In terms of accuracy, I wore the RingConn Gen 3 alongside a Whoop 5.0. The two devices produced very similar results. Whoop measured a 84% sleep performance, 6 hours and 31 minutes of sleep and a 49bpm average overnight heart rate. RingConn gave me a 77 sleep score, recorded 6 hours and16 minutes of sleep with a 48bpm average overnight heart rate

Sleep stage breakdowns also aligned closely, with only minor differences in deep and REM sleep estimates. No wearable tracks sleep perfectly, but the results were broadly consistent.

I also appreciated how RingConn handles unusual readings. Rather than generating alarming warnings whenever a metric moves outside of its normal range, the app generally presents changes with reasonable context. I'd still like more explanation in some areas, particularly when a metric is flagged. I was often felt feeling a little frustrated at the lack of context and additional information as to why a reading deviated and what that really means. But the overall approach feels useful and sensible.

Sleep apnea monitoring is well implemented here. The feature presents trends clearly, includes some useful explanations and feels more mature than some of the app's other health insights. It's worth noting though that monitoring won't function properly once battery levels drop below 30%.

Exercise tracking is more basic than what you'll get from a dedicated sports watch, although that's true of most smart rings. During testing, the ring automatically detected walking, running and strength-training sessions without requiring manual input. You just need to acknowledge it’s identified your activity correctly and there are a wide range to choose from.

In the activity section you’ll find useful information like activity intensity, active time, calories burned and step count, which should be enough for most users.

Step tracking was accurate, although RingConn did seem to slightly under report compared to other devices. On one test day it recorded 5,167 steps versus 5,500 on the Whoop, a pattern I noticed in a few other comparisons.

Battery life is still one of RingConn's biggest strengths. The company claims between 11 and 14 days per charge, and in my testing the ring lasted nearly 12.5 days with both vascular insights and haptic alerts enabled.

That comfortably exceeds most rivals these days. For comparison, the Oura Ring 5 offers up to 7 days, the Samsung Galaxy Ring up to 7 days, while the Ultrahuman Ring Air and Circular Ring 2 both offer around 6 days.

For me, this is one of the RingConn's biggest selling points. The less often you need to remove a wearable for charging, the more likely you are to wear it consistently and collect uninterrupted data. RingConn also displays both remaining battery percentage and an estimate of days remaining in the map, which is a small but useful touch.

Overall, the RingConn Gen 3 delivers a strong experience. The app isn't quite as refined as Oura's, and some insights could go further, but the combination of comprehensive health tracking, clear data presentation, excellent battery life and a subscription-free model makes it one of the most compelling smart rings currently available.

• Performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)RingConn Gen 3: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

There's no subscription and it undercuts major rivals. But not by all that much.

3.5/5

Design

It's lightweight, comfortable and has a non-standard squared circle design. Nice glossy finish with several more available in this version too. There's no wearing indicator and sizing might differ this time around.

4.5/5

Features

A solid set of health and wellbeing features. Vascular insights are welcome, though not intuitive to use — you'll need a separate cuff. Otherwise, it is pretty similar to the Gen 2 that came before it.

4/5

Performance

Solid insights presented simply in the app. Which is a little less refined than rivals, but easy to use. The battery life is standout and I found myself really engaging with the data rather than forgetting to check — a testament to a solid experience.

4/5

RingConn Gen 3: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You don't want to pay a subscription
All of the features on offer here are free, which sets it apart from rivals like Oura that charge a monthly fee.

You want a light and comfortable smart ring
It's very easy to wear, even at night. And despite reported changes to sizing, I got the size I usually wear with no issues.

You want general health insights
Look, smart rings are not the last word in fitness tracking. There's some of it here but they're best at general health insights and an overall picture of your wellbeing.

Don't buy it if...

You have the Gen 2 or Air
Yes, there are some significant improvements here, but not everyone would be able to justify an upgrade. It depends whether the changes are a priority for you.

You want to save money
Compared to rivals, it's solid value. But there are now cheaper options that might not beat the RingConn Gen 3, but do the basics well.

You're considering Oura
As you'll learn below, Oura is pricier with a monthly subscription. But it is an elevated experience over RingConn in most ways.

Also consider

Oura Ring 5

The Oura Ring 5 is here and it's one of the best choices out there, especially now the latest version is even slimmer than previous iterations. We rated its improved design and comfort in our recent review. Yes, it's more expensive than the RingConn Gen 3 and you'll need to add on the recurring monthly subscription. But if it's the most advanced smart ring you're after and you're willing to pay for it, take a look at the Oura Ring 5 instead.

Read our full Oura Ring 5 reviewView Deal

RingConn Gen 2

I know, I know. This is the older model, but it's been significantly reduced now the Gen 3 is here. Which makes it even better value. Granted, you're not getting the improved battery life, extra finish options, upgraded tracking and vascular insights. But if saving money is a priority, you find a good bargain and you don't need the latest tech, it's a solid choice in my books.

Read our full RingConn Gen 2 reviewView Deal

How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

I tested the Ringconn Gen 3 for just over 2 weeks. I wore it all day and all night, only taking it off to either charge it or lift weights — I've learned many times in the past that smart rings are very easy to scratch with metal dumbbells. The smart ring was on throughout workouts, while I was working, out socializing, relaxing on an evening and sleeping at night.

I've been reviewing smart rings since the very first version of the Oura ring came out back in 2017. Since then, I've tested almost every generation from every smart ring brand that came after it. This puts me in a solid position to not only test the newest rings, but compare the models, tell you which one might be right for you and bring you loads of context about the smart ring space.

• First reviewed: June 2026

These days, millions of us have smart devices strapped to our wrists, fingers and arms, measuring our metrics and building a picture of the “quantified self” to make us healthier, more active and better prepared for a medical emergency.

Wearables can help improve our wellbeing and nudge us towards better habits, but it’s less common to hear about the flipside: the anxiety at failing to close your rings, the frantic exercise to ensure you maintain your streak, and the obsession with meeting your targets on a daily basis.

These are feelings I know all too well. Having worn some of the best Apple Watches for close to a decade, I’ve watched it become an essential part of my life — so much so that I’ve tried closing my rings when I’m ill, on vacation, or should otherwise be resting and recuperating. I obsess over those little rings on my watch.

I know this is a problem for me. But what I wanted to find out was whether this is a more widespread issue, and if it is, what can be done about it. Is wearable tech making us more anxious? And can it be redesigned to push back against these tendencies and help us feel more relaxed, not less?

To find out, I spoke to tech and wellness experts who shared their thoughts on the ways wearables can impact our health — for better or worse.

The endless streak

(Image credit: DMstudio House / Shutterstock)

During the FIFA World Cup in July, I was preparing to wake up in the early hours to watch England play Mexico at 1am local time. I set my alarm, went to bed early, and got ready to cheer on my team without waking the neighbors.

Yet there was one thought that I couldn’t get out of my mind as I contemplated the looming disruption to my sleep: my Apple Watch is going to hate this.

It’s now become part of my morning ritual to check my sleep score on my Apple Watch. Every high score gives me a little dopamine hit, every low result a crushing sense of disappointment. And I knew that waking up at 1am and staying awake for two hours in the middle of the night was going to make my Watch very disappointed indeed.

In the end, I rolled over and went back to sleep when my alarm woke me for the game. I didn’t watch it, and I know that was only partly because I was woken at some ungodly hour — it was also because, to a certain extent, I’ve allowed the scores and metrics on my Watch to govern the way I live my life.

That’s not the only way this has happened to me. I recently hit a streak of closing my Move ring for 2,000 consecutive days. But I’d be lying if I said there weren’t some days when I entered a fake exercise to get me past my calorie goal on a day when I was ill, tired or simply unmotivated.

Why cheating is fine, but resting is not, is something I admit doesn’t make much sense. But what I do know is that the thought of losing my streak absolutely fills me with dread. 2,000 consecutive days on my Move streak sounds like a lot, but knowing myself, I’m sure I’m going to try to continue it until the day I die, such is the anxiety associated with the idea of my streak ending.

The dark side of wearable tech

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve long had perfectionist tendencies, but it’s through observing the way I interact with my Watch that it’s really become clear to me how strongly my device’s gamification of fitness has struck a chord with me — and led me into some unhealthy, possibly obsessive behaviors.

I spoke to Dr Dana McKay, Associate Dean of Interaction, Technology & Information at RMIT University in Australia, to get her opinion.

“These technologies are often designed to help us form habits,” McKay pointed out. "They often use tools for so called ‘persuasive design’.... to persuade us to do something we wanted to anyway when we bought the device."

There are two problems with this:, Dr McKay points out: the possibility of becoming “unhealthily focused” on the device, and the prospect of being convinced to don a wearable by an outside party, like an insurance company, and sharing data we don’t want to share. Some private health insurance companies may subsidise the purchase of a wearable in exchange to access to lower premiums, and sharing your tracker's information to an insurer's app.

Yang Wei, Professor of Wearable Technology at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, agreed, saying that while wearables can help us form positive habits, we also need to be careful around them.

“For many people, wearables can be motivating and empowering,” Wei noted, “but for some users they can also create pressure, anxiety, guilt, or unhealthy dependence on data.” After all, wearables “create a framework for what counts as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ activity, sleep, recovery, or productivity,” Wei said. If that data is framed the wrong way, it can push users in an unhelpful direction.

Wei also warned that “One of the risks is that people may start to trust the device more than their own body. For example, someone may feel they slept badly because their watch gave them a poor sleep score, even if they felt fine. Or they may feel they have failed because they did not close a ring or reach a step target, even if they had a perfectly reasonable day.”

That certainly resonates with me: I consciously work to close my Apple Watch’s rings, viewing it as a requirement for each day. A full set has almost become a condition for having a ‘good’ day, regardless of how I’m feeling or what I’ve achieved. And this overreliance on a piece of tech strapped to my wrist feels key to the negative habits I seem to have formed. So what can I do about it?

How to push back

(Image credit: Kanut Photo / Shutterstock)

If wearables have the potential to form negative habits, what can we do to put things right? The answer is often remarkably simple, both McKay and Wei believe: take your watch off from time to time.

“There is no need to wear your device while on vacation unless a health practitioner recommends it,” McKay advised. If your relationship with your fitness tracker has become a problem, “start by turning all the notifications off, limit checking of goals to help reduce obsession, and consider not using the device at all if possible.”

You also need to understand why you are using the device in the first place, Wei contends. “Is it to be more active? To understand sleep? To monitor a specific health concern? Or simply to be more aware of daily patterns? Having a purpose makes it easier to keep the technology in perspective.”

“I would also encourage people to treat wearable data as guidance, not judgement,” said Wei. “These devices can be useful, but they are not perfect and they do not understand the full context of a person’s life. Illness, stress, caring responsibilities, disability, travel, recovery, or simply needing rest can all affect what a ‘good’ day looks like.”

And both McKay and Wei said that if your device is causing significant anxiety or obsessive behavior, it might be best to speak to a medical professional. As Wei put it, “The aim should be for the wearable to support the person, not control how they feel about themselves.”

(Image credit: Future)

But this has to go beyond the user’s own actions — wearables themselves should be designed to better support healthy habits and discourage negative ones. For McKay, that includes “allowing people who use trackers to set the number of notifications they get” and hide those they don’t want to see, as well as “removing gamification elements like badges and sharing (competing) with friends and family.”

Many of these features, like push notification controls, are already buried in the watch's settings, but a lot of smartwatch users don't go looking for them.

“I think we need to move from a data-driven relationship with wearables to a more reflective and human-centered one,” Wei added. That means designers should “move away from purely addictive or performance-based features” and towards focusing on “long-term wellbeing rather than daily judgement.”

Ultimately, Wei said, “I think the best wearable technologies will be those that help people feel more confident and informed, not more anxious or dependent.”

I can’t change how Apple designs its smartwatches, but I can reduce the pressure on myself to hit my goals day after day, even when my body is telling me to rest. Staying fit and healthy is a worthwhile pursuit, but when it comes at the cost of anxiously worrying what will happen if your streak ends, it might just be time to bite the bullet, take off the watch, and enjoy some tech-free time with friends and family. After all, losing a streak is not the end of the world.

Recently, I had the chance to attend High End Vienna, where I bore witness to an incredible array of audio gear. Whether it was new flagship loudspeakers from Bowers & Wilkins, futuristic looking headphones, or innovative portable DACs, there was a lot to get excited about. But one product really caught my attention.

As I walked through the Austria Center Vienna, I could hear the sounds of birds singing and crickets chirping. I followed the sound through and discovered a tropical-rainforest-themed room, and within it, sat the Dynaudio Opus One — a large, premium soundbar with mechanized wooden fins. It really was unlike anything I’d seen before.

I got the chance to check out the soundbar for myself, I attended a listening demo, and I even got to speak with Dynaudio Chief Commercial Officer, Julien Bergere, about the one-of-a-kind product ahead of its launch.

Opus One: an introduction

(Image credit: Future / Harry Padoan)

So what is the Dynaudio Opus One? Bergere describes it as “a new, immersive sound product for the home” for both movies and music. It's the first product in the company’s Symphony line of products that are expected to connect together to create a home ecosystem — in a similar vein to Sonos’ multi-speaker array systems, for example.

Something that’s instantly striking about the Opus One is its grand width — it measures 73.4 inches / 1864mm across. Larger TVs have become a lot more popular in recent years, and I asked Bergere if this had influenced the decision to make the Opus One so large. “Absolutely,” he said. “More premium soundbars are usually the size of a 55-inch TV, but there is no solution if you have a bigger TV or a bigger room, and this one is bringing a new dimension in terms of, you know, bass and immersive rendering”.

Opus One specs at a glance

Price: €13,000 (about $15,000 / £11,000)
Drivers: 24 precision speaker drivers (6x soft-dome tweeters, 14x mid/bass drivers, 4x dual-diaphragm force-cancelling subwoofers)
Amplification: 1,500W digital amplification
Weight: 99.2lbs / 45kg
Dimensions: 73.4 x 9.3 x 8.1 inches / 1864 x 236 x 207mm

On the topic of immersion, I was curious as to whether the Opus One would support formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Bergere responded: “It will support all the major audio formats including immersive audio, but we're not done yet with the certification.” In addition, the soundbar makes use of spatial sound algorithms designed in Denmark, where Dynaudio is based.

But it’s not all about immersive movie watching. “It can also be used as a stereo device,” said Bergere. “If you have stereo in, you can also play in pure stereo with only the left section and the right section activated to play in a really pure stereo rendering.” You’re able to take the center channel out of the equation entirely, he said, and I’ve personally seen quite a few premium soundbars skip on such a feature, resulting in weaker left and right channel separation. The soundbar can also upmix some stereo content into a more immersive format, but the option for a more purist stereo experience is certainly captivating.

There are a number of ways to experience the Opus One. You can connect to your TV via HDMI ARC, stream music over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or make use of an AUX port. There’s also an Ethernet port on the soundbar, enabling you to access more stable connectivity. The Opus one also features a massive array of drivers — 24 to be exact — with six soft-dome tweeters, 14 mid/bass drivers, and four dual-diaphragm force-cancelling subwoofers. They come with 1500W of digital amplification, enabling the Opus One to deliver roaring power.

Wooden fins made in Japan bring serious style

(Image credit: Future / Harry Padoan)

As well as its impressive connectivity, power, and size, the Opus One is a joy to look at. It only seems natural to begin with the mechanized wooden fins, which move as you watch a movie or listen to music. “We call them kinetic fins,” said Bergere.

There are 72 mechanized fins on each unit of the Opus One, all of which are handmade, and personify Dynaudio’s ambition to forge a premium audio and visual product.

“[The fins] are actually made in a white oak from Hokkaido by Karimoku,” he said, noting that Karimoku is one of the largest furniture makers in Japan. “We are trying to mix technology and lifestyle… trying to hide the technology [in] beautiful objects but also bring a touch of magic, in this case, with the fact that the fins are moving and can be used to create surprise.”

Bergere confirmed that the wooden fins have no sonic benefit, but did note one functional benefit. “When the product is off, they’re [the fins] actually sealed, so they’re hiding the speaker drivers and protecting them at the same time," he said. He also pointed to acoustically transparent fabric, used on the top and side of the Opus One, which is just as stylish as it is practical.

It's a very new concept for us, you know. Dynaudio is more known as a maker of more traditional audio systems, mostly passive stereo speakers — studio speakers as well, active ones and some wireless stereo speakers — and this one is really a new direction for us, more into lifestyle, luxury lifestyle

Julien Bergere, CCO, Dynaudio

As you’d expect, the fusion of designer-grade materials with such a premium, 24-driver model, means that the Opus One is pretty pricey. Specifically, the Opus One comes in at €13,000 (about $15,000 / £11,000) — a lot more than premium bars you’d see from the likes of Samsung, JBL, and Sonos. In addition, Bergere told me that accessories, such as stands and mounting gear, will cost between €500 and €5,000. “So together with a good quality screen, it’s around €20,000 for a complete setup with the floor stand,” he said.

Sound check: raw power and impressive imaging combine

(Image credit: Future / Harry Padoan)

With a price like this, you’re going to expect stellar sound from this soundbar to match its undoubtedly gorgeous look. And luckily, I got the chance to hear the Opus One for myself in a demo room. And yeah, it’s fair to say I was pretty impressed.

In 2025’s F1, I was astonished by the thunderous bass output that the Opus One conjured up — the roar of cars whizzing by was palpable, showing off the model’s 1,500W amplification to full effect.

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Something else that struck me was the effectiveness of spatial audio effects. Whether it was vehicles zooming across the screen or fireworks blasting into the sky, the Opus One tracked each movement with precision and care.

We listened to some music too, including a stereo mix of Eric Clapton’s Tears In Heaven, where vocals were beautifully defined, subtle strings came through with great clarity, and warm bass came through cleanly.

With Atmos music, I felt similar — vocal-led tracks were beautifully detailed, instruments were well separated, and percussion in the treble range was articulate and expressive. Individual sounds also dispersed across the listening space to create an expansive, immersive experience.

The Opus One officially launched in June, but availability is still relatively limited. To begin with, Dynaudio has opted to release the soundbar in its home market, Denmark, as well as China — though Bergere said Dynaudio plans to launch the product across “more markets in 2027”. It’s available in two different finishes: one with White Oak fins, and another with Appalachian Walnut.

I’ve always been a fan of premium formats at the cinema, and thanks to the combination of a large screen, rich visuals, and sound that really packs a punch, Dolby Cinema has long been my go-to choice — even over IMAX.

This week, I ventured to a local AMC in New Jersey for Spider-Man: Brand New Day in Dolby Cinema. The theater featured stadium-style seating and was practically sold out, with only a handful of seats remaining in the front row. Considering the film has grossed more than a billion dollars globally, including over half a billion dollars in the US alone, it’s no surprise that tickets for Dolby Cinema and theaters in general have been hard to come by.

So, while my screening came a few days after opening, it was well worth the wait and ended up being one of my favorite Dolby Cinema experiences in a while.

For starters, the dual 4K laser projectors that power Dolby Cinema did a fantastic job with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Colors were rich and vibrant, while the finer details in darker scenes remained visible without losing that cinematic contrast. Yes, a Dolby Cinema screen is typically smaller than a true IMAX screen, but that didn’t bother me here. Between the picture quality and the audio, I still felt completely immersed in the world of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

I was pulled into the action almost immediately, and the combination of the screen, seating, and sound made the theater itself almost disappear.

You could, of course, opt for ScreenX, which wraps the image around you across the side walls, or catch Brand New Day on select IMAX screens in the US for a limited time. Just remember that those screenings aren’t necessarily the same as seeing a film presented in true 70mm IMAX — an important distinction when talking about premium cinema formats.

But for me, the real highlight was the Dolby Atmos sound.

Dolby Cinema’s audio setup is an expansive, full-range system designed to deliver sound throughout the theater, and Brand New Day makes particularly good use of it. It can pack a serious punch when the action kicks in, but what impressed me most was the low end. The bass wasn’t simply loud; it had weight and presence, adding another physical dimension to explosions, movement, and the film’s bigger action sequences.

Spoilers lie ahead

Spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day ahead

(Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

As noted above, the real highlight for me was the sound. While the entire mix was well done and made excellent use of Dolby Cinema’s audio capabilities, there is one scene in particular that stands out — hence the spoiler warning, as it revolves around a pretty major plot point.

As Peter Parker begins to deal with the rise of arachnid traits in his genes — see a taste in the image above — he starts experiencing heightened senses. When he heads onto a rooftop, the sequence becomes a fantastic showcase for what a well-designed cinema sound system can actually do.

You hear the rush and bustle of New York City around Peter. Footsteps take on a heightened presence. An empty bag of chips scraping and tumbling along the ground suddenly becomes an important part of the soundscape. Instead of simply hearing these sounds as background noise, you’re placed inside Peter’s heightened perception of them.

And this is where Dolby Atmos really shines, especially when it all rushes together.

From a spatial perspective, the mix does a tremendous job of pinpointing where sounds are coming from and matching them to what’s happening on screen. Sounds move around the theater in a way that feels deliberate rather than gimmicky, helping put you directly into Peter’s headspace. The result is a sequence that feels less like you’re watching someone experience heightened senses and more like you’re experiencing them alongside him.

It’s a real tour de force for the sound team — and arguably one of the better demonstrations I’ve experienced of what premium cinema audio can add to a movie beyond simply making things louder.

When I head in for my second viewing of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it’ll most certainly be in Dolby Cinema again. The picture is excellent, the seating and presentation are fantastic, and the overall experience is incredibly immersive.

But ultimately, it’ll be for the sound.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day reminded me that when Dolby Cinema is firing on all cylinders, the audio can be just as important to the cinematic experience as what’s happening on the screen.

• Voyager drone boats tracked smugglers before US Navy forces intercepted the shipment
• Autonomous vessels helped seize cocaine worth more than $81 million offshore
• Electric-powered drone boats can patrol continuously for more than 100 days

Unmanned surface vessels have helped the US Navy intercept a cocaine shipment worth more than $81 million in the Caribbean Sea.

Two Voyager drone boats, built by California-based Saildrone, tracked a vessel of interest before coordinating directly with naval forces stationed nearby.

This coordination allowed a Navy ship to move in, intercept the suspect craft, and seize its illegal cargo without delay.

Built for extended maritime patrols

The Voyager measures over 10 meters (33 feet) in length and runs on an electric motor rather than conventional fuel.

It can operate continuously for more than 100 days before returning to port for maintenance work.

Saildrone describes the vessel as a high-capacity platform supporting advanced sensor integration across a wide range of maritime surveillance missions.

According to the company, Voyager remains the only unmanned surface vessel maintaining continuous operations with the Navy's Fourth Fleet.

This fleet oversees the Caribbean along with sections of the Atlantic and Pacific near Central and South America.

Unlike a typical budget drone built for hobbyist use, this system is a purpose-built military asset designed for sustained, long-range ocean surveillance.

A growing role for autonomous systems

Saildrone argues that the recent seizure shows how autonomous vessels can support real operational missions rather than remaining limited to experimental demonstrations.

“The continuity of Saildrone’s presence along the southern border for nearly three years demonstrates the strategic value we bring as the world's most experienced operators of unmanned surface vehicles,” said John Mustin, president of Saildrone.

“Our unmatched ability to remain on station and on mission in critical regions for months at a time is why our fleet serves as a powerful deterrent to bad actors.”

The company expects continued cooperation with the Navy as maritime security efforts extend across the country's southern approaches and border regions.

It describes the Voyager as a high-capacity platform capable of supporting numerous surveillance sensors while maintaining long endurance without requiring frequent maintenance or logistical support.

The US Navy previously awarded Saildrone a task order worth $16.3 million to expand Voyager operations across the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific region.

That contract specifically supports efforts to combat drug trafficking alongside other illicit activity occurring across international waters.

Whether autonomous drone boats can consistently replace crewed vessels for high-risk interdiction work still remains an open question for naval planners.

However, the technology clearly reduces risk to personnel by allowing unmanned surface vessels to do the hard job before a US Navy ship swoops in.

What started as something closer to a beginner drone concept for coastal monitoring has evolved into a sophisticated tool for international drug enforcement.

Via The DroneFront

After falling in love with Disneyland Handcrafted, I was excited to dive into the studio's latest documentary movie, Disney Worldbuilders. Directed by Leslie Iwerks, the new movie has a tiny runtime of 58 minutes and call me greedy, but I really wanted more.

Disney Worldbuilders gets up-close-and-personal with some of Disney's most influential voices, where we learn about creative processes and their lasting impact on both cinema and the Disney Parks around the world.

Even though I loved what I saw, I did feel as though Worldbuilders tries to squeeze too much into its runtime. Unlike Handcrafted, which solely focuses on Walt's vision for Disneyland in Anaheim, this jumps around between subjects, and I wish we'd had an episode for each person interviewed so we could've taken a deeper dive.

The stacked line-up is made up of Bob Iger, James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Jared Bush, and Josh D’Amaro. That's a lot of people to talk to in under an hour, so I really wish we'd had more time with all of them!

Bob Iger in particular deserves a documentary of his own, and I hope we get one so we can properly examine the huge impact he's had on the Walt Disney Company, because it's not to be sniffed at. His segments didn't seem to fit with the rest of the interviews.

Still, that doesn't mean Worldbuilders is not worth your time. Far from it, in fact; I think it gives some really valuable and inspiring insights from some of the biggest names across Disney properties like Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel, and it's hard not to smile when you're greeted with this footage.

Jennifer Lee and her sister have an emotional scene in Disney Worldbuilders. (Image credit: Disney)

The scale of the Disney Parks really is fascinating, and I liked how we were able to see the early days of areas such as Hollywood Studios' Galaxy's Edge and Animal Kingdom’s Pandora, especially how the directors of those movies responded to seeing their creations come to life. Now, fans get to walk through the worlds we see on screen, and the constant innovation going on across the global parks is jaw-dropping.

I found myself getting emotional during certain parts, particularly Jennifer Lee's reaction to World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris. Seeing her wandering around with Olaf and reflecting on her relationship with her sister is incredibly touching, given how Anna and Elsa are such inspirational figures to a lot of people out there.

Even though the interviews with each subject are short, we do get a lot of heartfelt anecdotes which I found to be very interesting. As someone who has been enamored with filmmaking from a young age, it's inspiring to see how these amazing creatives can help shape future attractions for all ages. In Worldbuilders, they reflect on their own childhoods and how they ended up working for one of the biggest media companies in the world.

Ultimately, this would have worked so much better in an episodic format because I could have happily watched eight hours of this, as opposed to the one hour we did get. I am hopeful that Disney will do more long-form Parks-focused documentaries like this, especially ones that talk to the creatives responsible for writing these worlds we know and love.

Disney Worldbuilders comes to Disney+ on August 20. While you wait, why not check out the best Disney+ movies and best Disney+ TV shows to stream right now.

• Army seeks NGCM missile capable of defeating larger drone threats faster
• New missile programme builds on proven Coyote counter-drone launch infrastructure
• Army demands rapid launch capability with extended interception range against drones

The US Army has launched a search for a new surface-to-air missile called the Next Generation C-sUAS Missile (NGCM), designed to destroy small drones while extending the range of existing counter-unmanned aircraft systems.

According to the Army's requirements, the missile should engage Group 2 drones like Boeing's ScanEagle, weighing between 21 and 55 pounds, flying below 3,500 feet at speeds under 250 knots.

It must also defeat larger Group 3 drones like Insitu's RQ-21 Blackjack, weighing less than 1,320 pounds, operating below 18,000 feet while remaining under 250 knots.

Army seeks faster missile with longer reach

The Army expects the missile to leave its launcher within five seconds after the operator issues a firing command during an engagement.

Initial performance requirements call for intercepting drones at 6 kilometers altitude beyond 16 kilometers, while future objectives extend engagement beyond 25 kilometers at 8 kilometers altitude.

Guidance should rely on a radar seeker, allowing the missile to operate alongside existing air defense networks supporting broader battlefield surveillance.

“The Army is looking for NGCM to be produced and integrated into the existing Coyote Launch System to provide extended range, rapid launch time, and reduced time-to-target over current effectors,” the notice said.

"The missile must be compatible with the Coyote Launcher with minimal to no modifications," it reemphasized.

The repeated references to the Coyote Launcher indicate that the Army wants the NGCM to integrate with its existing counter-drone infrastructure.

The requirement indicates the Army intends to build on its existing air defence architecture rather than introduce a new launch platform.

Compatibility is also required with Sentinel A3 and A4, LTAMDS, and TPQ-53 radar systems, allowing easier integration without extensive infrastructure changes.

Contractors have until August 20 to respond to the Army's Sources Sought notice outlining the proposed capability.

Cost questions remain despite procurement ambitions

The Army plans both a fixed-site configuration using multiple sensors and a mobile version mounted on tactical vehicles capable of operating while stationary or moving.

Officials want the programme to reach Technology Readiness Level 7 through field prototype testing before the end of fiscal 2027.

The procurement schedule also requires contractors to supply 50 missiles for operational assessment by the beginning of 2028 before larger production decisions proceed.

Army planning documents indicate an ambition to acquire 5,000 missiles costing less than $150,000 each through bulk procurement arrangements.

This missile will be considerably cheaper than the Patriot interceptor, which costs roughly $4 million.

Though, it is still a far cry from the Iranian Shahed-136 drone costing an estimated $35,000 and can therefore be launched in swarms.

This comparison partly explains continuing investment in laser and microwave technologies, which promise significantly lower costs per engagement under suitable operating conditions.

However, missiles continue to operate in weather conditions that may reduce the effectiveness of laser systems.

Via Defense News

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, August 8 (game #1154).

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 #1155) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SHIFT GEARS
• JURY DUTY
• SPACE OPERA
• LABYRINTH
• CAPS FOR SALE
• ESCAPE ROOM
• NEO-NOIR
• COURSE-CORRECT
• BAD DREAM
• BUDDY COP
• CORDUROY
• CHANGE TACK
• MADELINE
• RECALIBRATE
• SPAGHETTI WESTERN
• GOODNIGHT MOON

NYT Connections today (game #1155) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Take a new path
• GREEN: Bedtime stories
• BLUE: Types of fims
• PURPLE: In need of an exit strategy

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 #1155) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH
• GREEN: CLASSIC CHILDREN'S BOOKS
• BLUE: MOVIE SUBGENRES
• PURPLE: THINGS PEOPLE TRY TO GET OUT OF

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

NYT Connections today (game #1155) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1155, are…

• YELLOW: TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH: CHANGE TACK, COURSE-CORRECT, RECALIBRATE, SHIFT GEARS
• GREEN: CLASSIC CHILDREN'S BOOKS: CAPS FOR SALE, CORDUROY, GOODNIGHT MOON, MADELINE
• BLUE: MOVIE SUBGENRES: BUDDY COP, NEO-NOIR, SPACE OPERA, SPAGHETTI WESTERN
• PURPLE: THINGS PEOPLE TRY TO GET OUT OF: BAD DREAM, ESCAPE ROOM, JURY DUTY, LABYRINTH

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Everyone’s knows that GOODNIGHT MOON is one of a handful of CLASSIC CHILDREN’S BOOKS (the “bowl full of mush” always puzzled me) and I was sure MADELINE was too, but I couldn’t see any others — so decided to put this possible group to one side. In fact, you could say I decided to TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

After landing the yellow group I decided that SPACE OPERA and SPAGHETTI WESTERN belonged together and guessed that NEO-NOIR and BUDDY COP could also be labeled as MOVIE SUBGENRES.

With eight tiles left the titles of children’s books were not popping out for me, so I took a risk connecting things that sounded like you could get trapped in and added JURY DUTY as a random fourth tile.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, August 8, 2026, game #1154)

• YELLOW: QUAINT EXPRESSIONS OF EXCITEMENT: HOT DOG, HURRAH, WHOOPEE, YAHOO
• GREEN: CONVEY: COUCH, EXPRESS, FRAME, PHRASE
• BLUE: WORDS ABBREVIATED WITH LETTERS AS HOMOPHONES: CUTIE, EASY, EFFECTS, I OWE YOU
• PURPLE: SAFETY _____: BELT, GOGGLES, PIN, RAZOR

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, August 8 (game #1657).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,500 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 #1658) — 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 #1658) — hint #2 — repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 3.

Quordle today (game #1658) — hint #3 — uncommon lettersDo 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 #1658) — 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 #1658) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• K

• W

• F

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1658) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1658, are…

• KAPPA
• WIDEN
• FOLIO
• STEEP

I love it when the correct guess pops into your head after a period of blankness.

I got this today with my final word of FOLIO, where the key was thinking of a word that ended in I-O.

Daily Sequence today (game #1658) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1658, are…

• CHEAP
• MONTH
• BROOM
• SOLVE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1657, Saturday, 8 August: FUROR, BUGLE, REUSE, SCOOP
• Quordle #1656, Friday, 7 August: AMISS, SHIRK, SALSA, RABBI
• Quordle #1655, Thursday, 6 August: AMUSE, BRAND, CEDAR, BLURB
• Quordle #1654, Wednesday, 5 August: MOUND, WRONG, STOOD, WEIRD
• Quordle #1653, Tuesday, 4 August: GOOEY, TARDY, HUMAN, CHALK
• Quordle #1652, Monday, 3 August: FUNGI, MUDDY, DEBUT, MANIA
• Quordle #1651, Sunday, 2 August: BOOTH, EASEL, REACH, MAKER
• Quordle #1650, Saturday, 1 August: OMEGA, BIRCH, SMOCK, EERIE
• Quordle #1649, Friday, 31 July: MANIA, SINGE, STOOL, LOFTY
• Quordle #1648, Thursday, 30 July: MODAL, IDLER, CHUMP, LUMPY
• Quordle #1647, Wednesday, 29 July: GAWKY, ALLOY, AUDIT, LATCH
• Quordle #1646, Tuesday, 28 July: SMITE, ROACH, RUDDY, GLOBE
• Quordle #1645, Monday, 27 July: TAFFY, FIGHT, GUILD, WAGER
• Quordle #1644, Sunday, 26 July: STOMP, LIMIT, FUNKY, STEAD
• Quordle #1643, Saturday, 25 July: SALON, SHEEN, BURST, GOURD
• Quordle #1642, Friday, 24 July: DOLLY, EDIFY, LAGER, PRANK
• Quordle #1641, Thursday, 23 July: LADEN, EVICT, WOVEN, SHIRE
• Quordle #1640, Wednesday, 22 July: COYLY, SINGE, AWASH, AWOKE
• Quordle #1639, Tuesday, 21 July: TRUSS, AXIAL, SWINE, THING
• Quordle #1638, Monday, 20 July: ICING, SLICK, GAILY, RISEN

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, August 8 (game #888).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Isn’t that a bit much

NYT Strands today (game #889) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• RANG
• WRATH
• FRIED
• RULER
• FLIRTED
• THERE

NYT Strands today (game #889) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #889) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

• First side: left, 1st row

• Last side: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #889) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #889, are…

• LUXURY
• EXTRAVAGANCE
• TREAT
• INDULGENCE
• FRILLS
• SPANGRAM: IMWORTHIT

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

It was hard to ignore the two Xs on the board, so that’s where I began first — spying LUXURY and then EXTRAVAGANCE, although I did manage to start the latter with the wrong letter E, quite a drag for a 12-letter word.

After this burst I ground to a halt and busied myself with finding some interesting non-game words. A hint gave me TREAT, but I had to spend a good couple of minutes staring at these five letters before I connected them in the right order.

After all this, I think I’m going to pamper myself with a scoop of vegan ice cream.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, August 8, game #888)

• TRACK
• DROP
• LOOP
• CUTBACK
• TUNNEL
• CORKSCREW
• SPANGRAM: ROLLERCOASTER

What is NYT Strands?

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

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