Technology

You're probably not washing your sheets, comforter and pillowcases the right way.

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No offense, but your TV probably doesn't look as good as it could.

To finance their travels, these people turned to the bank of friends, family, and strangers.

There's no let up in the Samsung Galaxy S25 leaks – and there probably won't be until the handset series gets unveiled sometime in January – and two new images have made their way online that give us some idea of the design of the Ultra version.

We've already heard that the Galaxy S25 Ultra is going to adopt a more rounded design next year that's more comfortable to hold in the hand, but based on a new post from well-known tipster Ice Universe, the rear camera design won't be changing much.

The post supposedly shows a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra case, and there are the six holes you would expect based on the design of the current model (​four for the actual cameras, and a flashlight and a laser distance meter for autofocus too) – see our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review for details.

For reference, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a 200 MP wide + 10 MP telephoto + 50 MP periscope + 12 MP ultrawide camera setup that's capable of up to 5x optical zoom. There has been talk of upgrades to some of those cameras this year, even if this link suggests the layout is going to be pretty similar.

Another image leak

R angle and bezel：S24+ and S25 Ultra pic.twitter.com/LNy4DmiCUlSeptember 21, 2024

There's more from Ice Universe to report, as the tipster has also posted a rendering showing the corner and bezel of the current Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus up against what we're expecting from the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

It's been rumored that Samsung is going to be able to shrink the bezels even more on next year's handsets, and you can see that in this leaked image. You can also see the rounded design of the corners we mentioned earlier.

For comparison, you can check out leaked renders of the Galaxy S25 Ultra that have previously surfaced: not much change around the back of the handset, but an overall look and shape that's more consistent with the other models in the series.

As is normally the case, we've heard more about the Ultra model that's coming rather than the standard or Plus models. We've seen reports, for example, that the screen size on the Ultra model will be increased ever so slightly to 6.86 inches (up from 6.8 inches).

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The late nineties and early aughts ushered in another Golden Age of Television, changing the way we talk about small-screen storytelling with the likes of serious, dramatic fare like The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and The Wire. 

While those more elevated series scooped awards and critical acclaim, at the same time that era gifted us arguably the last great sitcom: Friends. Its ongoing popularity since being added to the best streaming services is only more testament to that.    

Why is Friends still such a go-to for many of us?

(Image credit: Prime Video)

At the time of its release in 1994, I was a mere 12 years old, not exactly the target demographic, and yet I was hooked from the moment of its UK television premiere on Channel. I rushed home from band practice every Friday to catch the latest episode even though its premise wasn't designed to lure me in. 

A series about six pals making their way in Manhattan, Friends emerged the brainchild of showrunners David Crane and Marta Kauffman and as a risky addition to the NBC slate. With the then-unknown Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer cast as the titular sextet, their anonymity gave the series a fresh slate to reflect youthful '90s attitudes. 

“There's nothing to tell! It’s just some guy I work with,” says Cox's Monica Geller, a twenty-something chef excited about an upcoming date. The show's first line of dialogue hints at some of its initial pull; Monica’s date with “Paul the wine guy” results in him spending the night. Granted, it's hardly a wild, out there storyline. In the context of the 1990s it certainly betrays typically-safe, family-oriented sitcom themes right out of the gate. 

(Image credit: Prime Video)

That pilot storyline – much like Ross’ divorce – set the show apart at time of release, lending it a bit of edge. Through a 2024 lens? It feels a tad vanilla. But those story choices, once so risque, now form part of its lasting appeal, cementing the tone for what’s now a comfort watch for many. Settling down for a few episodes of Friends – check out our roundup of the best Friends episodes – is like hunkering down in a buttery-soft oversized sweatshirt. It evokes feelings of safety and belonging: a wholly separate vibe than prestige television.

Not only that, it’s easy to dip in and out. For me, returning home from work some evenings I'll pop on a few episodes to wind down before bed. Doesn't matter where I start or even if my partner watched some without me. The storytelling is accessible no matter where you dive in. If I see Friends as an in-flight entertainment option but the smattering of episodes is from the middle of season 7 and my rewatch at home is only on season 4, do I pass it over? No way. I might not recall exactly what’s happening but in a matter of moments I pick it up. “Oh, right, this is the one where Monica’s mad about Rachel kissing Ross."

Clowning around with your best buddies

(Image credit: Prime Video)

A lot of the draw is the platonic intimacy. Is there any human that doesn’t crave that level of intimate and unconditional love, regardless of romance or not?

The show's serialized elements enrich the experience, but you aren’t required to remember painstaking quantities of backstory to enjoy – one of the biggest criticisms leveled at the Marvel Cinematic Universe's ever-expanding slate. 

Once you sink in, it offers sharp and still-relevant observations about relationships and making it as a twenty-something. Much is said about the nostalgia it evokes for the idealism of the 1990s, made emblematic now by the resurgence of formerly-counterculture '90s apparel being dragged back into the mainstream. 

But Friends boasts another form of longing: human connection. The Internet was not as widespread as it is today, and smartphones wouldn’t be invented until years after the series ended. Don’t worry, I'm not about to rag on technology. I love my smartphone (in fact, I’m writing this article on a commuter ferry thanks to my iPhone) and I advocate for easier access to information at my day job. So while it doesn’t affect us all, isolation due to the surge in online culture is very real. 

Much like Seinfeld (read our pick of the best Seinfeld episodes) did for a slightly older demographic, Friends captures the distinct feeling of goofing off. You know, just hanging out. The feeling that there is nowhere you would rather be than clowning around with your best buddies. How many shows or movies for that matter take that same “risk” as Friends by decentralizing romantic love and placing platonic love at its heart? 

(Image credit: Max)

I distinctly recall – sure, I was 12-22 for the series’ run – my life with my friends revolved around figuring out the world together. A friend of mine echoed this, aptly in a conversation over text: "In my opinion, I think a lot of the draw is the platonic intimacy. Is there any human that doesn’t crave that level of intimate and unconditional love, regardless of romance or not?"

It’s a cozy example of community. Who hasn’t missed that over the last few years? I know I have. The gang live close by one another with four of the six living in the same building, while it's implied that Ross and Phoebe's apartments are within walking distance (and even closer once Ross moves across the street). They have keys to each other’s places. They hang at Central Perk. They frequently hangout doing activities that are now relegated to "things we do on our own" such as putting together furniture and doing laundry.

It's like you're always stuck in second gear

(Image credit: Amazon)

It comes to me as no surprise that in 2024 the show remains as popular as ever. Second screen shows – that allow for a watcher to scroll their phone while watching – are huge. At the height of the pandemic, reruns became must-watch TV for their soothing, comfort factor. 

Generation Z in particular latched onto shows like Friends that withstand repeat viewings – my partner's 21 year-old sister informs me that she's seen Friends at least ten times all the way through: "Whenever I need a feelgood show, I put on Friends." 

That same friend of mine echoed this after I told her I was writing this piece: "I literally was watching it in the background earlier today. I’ve been making my way through from the beginning lately. Again. For the zillionth time. Lol." 

Who knew that the series' catchy-as-hell theme song would adopt another meaning all these years later? That it's the show itself that's been there for us. 

Friends is one of the best Max shows, with 10 seasons streaming on the platform in the US. For those in the UK and Australia, you can catch it on Netflix (Aussies can also find it on Stan).  

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Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 469 for Sept. 22.

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1191 for Sept. 22.

Here are some hints, and the answers, for the Sept. 22 Strands puzzle, No. 203.

There aren't many providers in the City of 100 Lakes, but most households can get service through Spectrum, Frontier or T-Mobile. Let's dive in.

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

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Wordle hints and answers, Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too.

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

NYT Connections today (game #469) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• PASTEL
• POOL
• SUNTAN
• SCULPTURE
• PRINT
• THIRD
• NEUTRAL
• DRAWING
• NEW
• ALLOY
• OPEN
• NEON
• LOTTERY
• SAVE
• GRAYSCALE
• RAFFLE

NYT Connections today (game #469) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• Yellow: Different tones
• Green: Click here
• Blue: Are you feeling lucky?
• Purple: Copper and tin

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 #469) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: COLOR TYPES
• GREEN: FILE MENU OPTIONS
• BLUE: CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE
• PURPLE: WHAT “BRONZE” MIGHT MEAN

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

NYT Connections today (game #469) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #469, are…

• YELLOW: COLOR TYPES GRAYSCALE, NEON, NEUTRAL, PASTEL
• GREEN: FILE MENU OPTIONS NEW, OPEN, PRINT, SAVE
• BLUE: CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE DRAWING, LOTTERY, POOL, RAFFLE
• PURPLE: WHAT “BRONZE” MIGHT MEAN ALLOY, SCULPTURE, SUNTAN, THIRD

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Those of you who play Connections on a laptop or PC may have had an advantage over people playing on their phones today, because you'll have had a big hint for the green group. That connection is FILE MENU OPTIONS, and the fact that I was on my laptop to play and then write this column meant they were staring me in the face. OK, not literally – they were hidden within the menu – but they were certainly fresh in my mind. By that point I'd already solved blue, too, with LOTTERY and RAFFLE clearly going together and the other two not too hard to find (I did struggle a little with DRAWING).

Two down, one to go – and inevitably I found yellow rather than purple, although neither was actually too bad today.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, 21 September, game #468)

• YELLOW: CLAIRVOYANT MEDIUM, MYSTIC, ORACLE, PSYCHIC
• GREEN: SPECIAL EDITION ADJECTIVES COLLECTIBLE, EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED, RARE
• BLUE: “GREAT JOB!” IMPRESSIVE, NICE, PROPS, WELL DONE
• PURPLE: EXTREMELY AWFUL, BLOODY, REAL, WAY

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

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

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.

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

NYT Strands today (game #203) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… I've got you under my skin

NYT Strands today (game #203) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• TRAIN
• THEM
• RIVER
• ROLE
• HATE
• HATER

NYT Strands today (game #203) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• They keep you going

NYT Strands today (game #203) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First: left, 5th row

Last: right, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #203) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #203, are…

• BRAIN
• LIVER
• HEART
• KIDNEYS
• STOMACH
• LUNGS
• SPANGRAM: INTERNALORGANS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

As is so often the case with Strands, the key today was in working out what the theme was, because once you had that the answers were all pretty obvious. The theme clue of 'I've got you under my skin' was a nice one – cryptic, but not to the extent that you didn't have any idea what kind of thing you could be looking for. I found BRAIN by accident, and that was enough to make it clear what the other solutions would be. Finding the likes of KIDNEYS and LIVER was easy enough, and once the spangram was in place there was very little room for failure.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday 21 September, game #202)

• ARENA
• STADIUM
• NIGHTCLUB
• THEATER
• FESTIVAL
• SPANGRAM: CONCERTVENUE

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

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

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles.

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

Quordle today (game #972) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

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

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #972) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #972) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #972) - 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 #972) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• Z

• M

• A

• D

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

Quordle today (game #972) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #972, are…

• ZESTY
• MEATY
• ALIVE
• DRAWN

It's been a while since we've had an uncommon letter in Quordle – you'd have to go back to SEIZE on September 10. And as with that game, it was a Z that appeared today to make things more complicated. I needed all nine guesses to complete today's puzzle, partly due to that letter tripping me up for ZESTY, but it wasn't the only word I struggled with. DRAWN also caused me problems (and W is another fairly uncommon letter), and this wasn't a game I sailed through with ease.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #972) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #972, are…

• ABASE
• LATCH
• WHOLE
• SHINE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #971, Saturday 21 September: VITAL, FRAIL, SPEAR, EERIE
• Quordle #970, Friday 20 September: ELIDE, DITTO, SHAWL, BONUS
• Quordle #969, Thursday 19 September: MARRY, OWING, DICEY, LUCKY
• Quordle #968, Wednesday 18 September: CEDAR, VENOM, MIGHT, MEDIC
• Quordle #967, Tuesday 17 September: ETHOS, COUNT, PRINT, THREE
• Quordle #966, Monday 16 September: ROUGE, SWAMP, FUGUE, UNDUE
• Quordle #965, Sunday 15 September: VILLA, SMOKE, BULKY, THRUM
• Quordle #964, Saturday 14 September: ESSAY, GENRE, WIMPY, CHUTE
• Quordle #963, Friday 13 September: LEANT, ORGAN, FILLY, PLAIT
• Quordle #962, Thursday 12 September: ARBOR, STARK, LEAVE, GOOFY
• Quordle #961, Wednesday 11 September: ROUGH, CACTI, SAVOY, ODDER
• Quordle #960, Tuesday 10 September: PLUMB, SEIZE, EARLY, ASSET
• Quordle #959, Monday 9 September: CHIRP, BEADY, THETA, MINUS
• Quordle #958, Sunday 8 September: TEASE, AGATE, PRIDE, PLATE
• Quordle #957, Saturday 7 September: LASSO, TILDE, BUNCH, PRONG
• Quordle #956, Friday 6 September: FARCE, WOOLY, LOCAL, NIGHT
• Quordle #955, Thursday 5 September: SNIDE, EGRET, AMONG, SHINY
• Quordle #954, Wednesday 4 September: POINT, WITTY, GAFFE, ABUSE
• Quordle #953, Tuesday 3 September: ATOLL, ANGER, OCEAN, SWEEP
• Quordle #952, Monday 2 September: HABIT, LODGE, PLAIN, DRIFT

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iodyne has announced the Pro Mini SSD, a portable, bus-powered storage solution designed for professionals. The Pro Mini features a durable machined aluminum chassis with Frore AirJet membrane vibration cooling to prevent thermal throttling and ensure the SSD delivers consistent performance even under heavy data loads.

Iodyne claims the device achieves sustained performance of over 3GB/s, making it ideal for tasks like video editing, media offloading, and data transfer. Pro Mini provides solid security through XTS-AES-256 encryption and RAID-6 data protection, safeguarding data even in the event of a hardware failure. Passkeys replace traditional passwords, allowing users to securely unlock the device with their phone or computer. It offers NFC tap-to-unlock functionality too.

The SSD includes a customizable digital label that displays project names or other relevant information on its 2.1-inch e-ink display. The multiple containers feature allows users to divide the SSD into distinct partitions, each with its own filesystem.

Available in 4 and 8TB capacities

The Pro Mini comes with USB 4 and Thunderbolt (40 Gbps) ports so you can plug in a wide range of devices, including phones, tablets, cameras, and computers. Additionally, Find My tracking helps users locate lost or misplaced devices, while Fleet Management via the iodyne app allows for remote provisioning and management of multiple drives.

Mike Shapiro, Co-President iodyne said, “There is so much powerful performance and revolutionary engineering packed into the Pro Mini. Every single feature was thoughtfully designed with the specific needs of production professionals in mind - innovative breakthroughs thanks to our collaboration with Frore Systems to bring solid-state active cooling to portable SSDs.”

Pro Mini comes in 4TB and 8TB capacity, ideal for those needing to store large amounts of data, such as 4K video footage. It is available to preorder now and is expected to ship in Q1 2025.

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