Technology

• Google Gemini has added its Deep Research AI model to iPhones
• Deep Research searches the web, compiles, and reports back to Gemini Advanced subscribers
• The information is refined and organized into results viewable on Google Docs

iPhone users who love Google’s Gemini AI assistant have a new tool to help them condense information from the internet. The tech giant has added its Deep Research feature to iOS devices, at least if you’re a Gemini Advanced subscriber. Deep Research debuted on Gemini's web portal in December and rolled out to Android users earlier this month.

Deep Research is an AI-powered tool for compiling information. Essentially, it takes the classic Google search collecting of links and extends it several steps to read what's at those links and organize what it finds into something useful. It’s the first “agentic” feature in Gemini, meaning the AI is more proactive and doesn't just answer questions; it carries out an entire research project.

If you do subscribe to Gemini Advanced and have the app on your iPhone, you can switch to Deep Research by picking it from the model list. Select “1.5 Pro with Deep Research” near the newer experimental 2.0 Flash model. Then, just ask Gemini a research question, something big and messy and complicated if you want to test its limits. Gemini will respond with a step-by-step plan it will undertake on your behalf. You can tweak the approach if you don’t like it, deleting parts or adjusting the focus, and then tap the “start research” button. Gemini then heads off on a digital scavenger hunt, digging through sources, running multiple searches, and refining its findings in real-time.

Don't expect instant answers. It can take between five and ten minutes to complete, longer if it's an especially difficult topic. You don’t have to babysit it, though. Gemini will send you a notification when the work is done, and you can check your chat history later to review the results. Once it’s ready, you’ll get a structured report, complete with sections, tables if necessary, and a full list of sources. And if you want to make it look even more official, you can export it directly to Google Docs.

Of course, Google isn’t letting you run wild with infinite research requests. There are daily limits, and the app will politely remind you how many you have left, just in case you were planning to outsource your entire workload to AI. Right now, Deep Research runs on Gemini 1.5 Pro, but Google has hinted that it will eventually move to the more powerful 2.0 Pro once that model exits its experimental phase.

Ads AI

The launch of Deep Research on iPhones matters for more than just access reasons. The pitch to iOS users signals how aggressively Google is leaning into Gemini for all kinds of productivity demands. Unlike a standard chatbot response, which can sometimes feel like a slightly smarter autocomplete, Deep Research attempts to simulate how a human researcher breaks down a topic, refines their findings, and presents something meaningful.

It’s also a direct response to how rival AI companies are pursuing similar goals. OpenAI's version of this kind of feature even shares the Deep Research Name. But, with OpenAI, Meta, and Apple working on more advanced AI-driven assistants, Google is clearly betting that features like Deep Research will make Gemini a must-have.

Deep Research is, in some ways, just another tool in Google’s AI arsenal, but it's a powerful one. It's easy to see the appeal to people who feel like they are drowning in information when online. It may not remake the experience of looking things up online, but it could set Gemini up as the crowning jewel for future digital research projects.

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• Sci-fi shooter Metal Eden has been revealed
• It features FPS combat and fast-paced parkour
• It is set to launch on May 6, 2025

As part of today's State of Play, developer Reikon Games has unveiled Metal Eden, a new sci-fi first-person shooter (FPS) that looks like an incredible mix of Doom and Ghostrunner.

Set in a dark sci-fi universe where robots are powered by cybernetic Cores that contain digitized human souls, you play as the advanced android Aska as she fights to save a lost human colony. Throughout your journey, you will be accompanied by a sentient spaceship, Nexus, that gradually reveals more about the world and your purpose in it.

The combat system mixes powerful weapons with the ability to rip out enemy energy cores and use them to boost your own attacks. This is on top of plenty of fast-paced parkour, which sees you dashing, grappling, and wall-running your way around its eight futuristic levels.

You can see the trailer and get an early glimpse at the game for yourself below.

All things considered, it looks pretty impressive - especially in the visual department. It's definitely a massive step up from the studio's previous release, Ruiner, which, while very enjoyable, had a much more of an isometric, indie look.

I'm definitely keen to try Metal Eden when it launches for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S on May 6, 2025.

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• Ultra-low GPU temps sound impressive until you consider the power bill
• Cooling a GPU with an AC unit may work, but the size and risks make it impractical
• A 12,000 BTU AC for GPU cooling: it works, but at what cost?

A Chinese techtuber has integrated a 12,000 BTU air conditioning unit into the liquid cooling system of the RTX 4090 and an Intel Core i9-13900K processor.

ESC’s setup replaces a conventional PC-mounted radiator with a household air conditioning unit. The modified Xiaomi KFR-35GW air conditioner serves as the primary cooler component while the system directs chilled liquid through a loop connected to the PC.

ESC plans to pair a Intel Core i9-14900K processor paired with the incredibly elusive Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, but the lack of an available water block for the RTX 5090 has put a - ahem - dampener on that.

AC + CPU + GPU = R U OK?

In initial tests, the RTX 4090 maintained a temperature of just 20°C under stress testing. When the air conditioning unit was moved outdoors, GPU temperatures remained exceptionally low, reaching 2°C at idle and 20°C under load.

So, air-con cooling demonstrates impressive cooling performance, but there are several practical concerns.

First, integrating an HVAC system into a PC is an involved process, involving welding, refrigerant management, and custom piping. That's just not suitable for the average user, and introduces risks related to handling refrigerant gases and electrical components. On the off chance you even want to try this at home; don't.

Another concern is energy consumption. The air conditioning unit in this setup typically draws around 1.2 kW of power, which is significantly higher (and more expensive) than traditional PC cooling solutions.

Extreme cooling can lead to condensation, which poses a serious risk to the longevity of workstation components; without proper insulation and moisture control, the system could suffer from unintended damage due to a build-up of water in the chassis.

Consider, also, the size of the AC unit, which measures 765 x 268 x 550mm, significantly larger than a 360mm PC cooling radiator and even bigger than the PC tower it is cooling. It's incredibly impractical, and so I can't see this as anything other than a click-baiting hobby project.

Via Tom's Hardware

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• Volkswagen has teased an image of its upcoming entry-level EV
• The new car will kick off the marque’s ID range
• A show car will be unveiled at the end of March

Electric vehicles are typically considered the preserve of early adopters and high earners, but the price of everyday, pure-battery EVs is tumbling – and Volkswagen is the latest to announce the introduction of its most affordable electrified model to date.

Scheduled to go on sale in 2027, we will see a preview of the so-called ID.One in a month or so, with the German marque confirming that it plans to sell the small hatchback for €20,000 in Europe, which is just £17,000 in the UK or around $20,800 / AU$33,000 at current exchange rates.

Solely aimed at European buyers (small cars rarely do well in the US), the new model will sit underneath the upcoming ID.2all (yes, that's its name) electric car that is planned for next year.

However, the official name hasn't been revealed yet and we could well see a return of the Up! badge, as this everyday EV has been designed to fill the void that the Up! left, offering “low-cost entry-level mobility” to the masses.

Alongside the ID.2 all, which is expected to cost around €2,000 more, Volkswagen hopes it can turn around some of its patchy EV fortunes with a handful of attractive small cars that the majority of buyers can afford.

The early teaser image looks good, revealing a squat, purposeful front end and clear Volkswagen design cues. The German marque will bring its reputation for quality but spare some of the additional niceties in order to keep production costs down.

As a result, we expect the battery range to be modest, designed primarily with city driving in mind, while the in-car technology could be kept to a minimum.

Speaking to Autocar, Volkswagen technical development boss Kai Grünitz hinted that customers might use their own devices, rather than having "a huge infotainment system", for example.

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(Image credit: Volkswagen)

There has been a noticeable shift in the sort of electric vehicles that are coming onto the market in recent months, with larger, more luxurious EV launches becoming far less frequent, as more manufacturers turn towards entry-level models.

In Europe, the Renault 5 E-Tech has captured the imagination of many, scooping numerous awards from industry panels, as well as outselling the Tesla Model Y mere weeks after it was launched in France.

Similarly, Citroen has just announced the new C3 Aircross, which will come with the option of a small petrol engine, but is also offered in a pure EV version that starts at just £22,990 (around $28,500 / AU$45,500).

Below this, the Dacia Spring has been making waves with its ridiculously low £14,240 asking price (around $18,000 / AU$28,600), although Dacia is a brand that isn’t afraid to offer the absolute barebones as it chases affordability.

On the other hand, Volkswagen has a long and successful history of offering entry-level cars that look and feel like more expensive propositions, getting buyers on board at an early age with a view that they will remain VW customers for life.

This €20,000 car has the potential to do what the Polo and Up! have done for the brand in previous decades, but 2027 feels like a lifetime away.

If Renault continues its retro-inspired EV success with the promise of even smaller and more affordable models to come, it could well beat the Germans to it.

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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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, February 12 (game #1115).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

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

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

Quordle today (game #1116) - 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 #1116) - 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 1.

Quordle today (game #1116) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1116) - 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 #1116) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• D

• A

• T

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

Quordle today (game #1116) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1116, are…

• SCALP
• DWELL
• AMPLE
• TRUNK

Saved by the bell today – the bell in my head going “Nooooooo!”. With one guess left I was typing out Dwelt, as that was the only word I could think of that began D-W-E-L when the alarm went off, I woke up and realised I couldn’t use T, and the word I was looking for was DWELL.

I’m sure some people find Quordle a doddle, but I’m not one of them.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1116) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1116, are…

• GREET
• CONIC
• GUAVA
• BORNE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1115, Wednesday 12 February: SHOOK, GRADE, POLAR, SEEDY
• Quordle #1114, Tuesday 11 February: HEAVY, CIRCA, PESKY, SCION
• Quordle #1113, Monday 10 February: TWIXT, FRESH, GUISE, TABBY
• Quordle #1112, Sunday 9 February: TAPIR, SHAKE, TOKEN, SEVEN
• Quordle #1111, Saturday 8 February: AFOOT, ALIKE, HUMUS, TOWEL
• Quordle #1110, Friday 7 February: PETAL, ABASE, AMONG, CORER
• Quordle #1109, Thursday 6 February: MADAM, SCAMP, FAUNA, TRACK
• Quordle #1108, Wednesday 5 February: SIXTH, VERVE, BLURB, CACTI
• Quordle #1107, Tuesday 4 February: BIRTH, DRAWN, MILKY, JOIST
• Quordle #1106, Monday 3 February: SLEET, TENSE, SEIZE, SCAMP
• Quordle #1105, Sunday 2 February: LOUSY, PENNE, CHUMP, SALVE
• Quordle #1104, Saturday 1 February: FACET, BLISS, FLUFF, FRANK
• Quordle #1103, Friday 31 January: PARER, SYNOD, BRAWN, BANJO
• Quordle #1102, Thursday 30 January: WEEDY, CHIRP, STALE, SUGAR
• Quordle #1101, Wednesday 29 January: CROWN, SCENE, AGILE, CRANK
• Quordle #1100, Tuesday 28 January: TOKEN, DAISY, INANE, PLIED
• Quordle #1099, Monday 27 January: ANGEL, GLOBE, MAYOR, BRAVE
• Quordle #1098, Sunday 26 January: WATER, ORBIT, BRIDE, TOUCH
• Quordle #1097, Saturday 25 January: GIVER, GROOM, GUSTO, MAKER
• Quordle #1096, Friday 24 January: GRIND, STOCK, SERVE, TOUCH

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, February 12 (game #346).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… It's in the cards

NYT Strands today (game #347) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• IRATE
• SOAPY
• TWIN
• GANG
• REAR
• TANG

NYT Strands today (game #347) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Mark the occasion

NYT Strands today (game #347) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 4th column

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #347) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #347, are…

• BIRTHDAY
• BABY
• WEDDING
• SYMPATHY
• CONGRATS
• LOVE
• SPANGRAM: GREETINGS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and one of the biggest days of the year for makers, creators and purveyors of GREETINGS cards.

I get why you would send a card to someone you wanted to be in a relationship with. However, in order to make the most from their biggest shot at turning a profit outside of Christmas, companies such as Hallmark have convinced us that we need to tell our partners we love them in card format – even if we see them every day and can tell them our feelings in a way that’s much more personal than sending them a folded piece of paper with a picture of a train beside the words “I CHO-CHOSE YOU”.

The alternative view is that greetings cards are a nice thing and who wouldn’t want a card telling them they’re loved and worth sticking with, despite it all. Signed The Romance Grinch.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, 12 February, game #346)

• TRAIN
• TOOK
• GIRL
• TOWN
• SMALL
• LONELY
• WORLD
• MIDNIGHT
• SPANGRAM: JOURNEY

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.

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, February 12 (game #612).

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 #613) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• GUILT
• MIGHT
• MOLD
• EGO
• POWER
• EXPRESSION
• TOKEN
• MUST
• HEAD
• WILL
• GUIDE
• GESTURE
• CAN
• MODEL
• SYMBOL
• BLUEPRINT

NYT Connections today (game #613) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: A pattern to follow
• GREEN: Giving regards 
• BLUE: A probability
• PURPLE: Add a word that rhymes with hip

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 #613) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: TEMPLATE 
• GREEN: DEMONSTRATION, AS OF APPRECIATION 
• BLUE: MODAL VERBS 
• PURPLE: TRIP 

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

NYT Connections today (game #613) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #613, are…

• YELLOW: TEMPLATE BLUEPRINT, GUIDE, MODEL, MOLD
• GREEN: DEMONSTRATION, AS OF APPRECIATION EXPRESSION, GESTURE, SYMBOL, TOKEN
• BLUE: MODAL VERBS CAN, MIGHT, MUST, WILL
• PURPLE: __ TRIP EGO, GUILT, HEAD, POWER

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

I struggled with Purple and Blue today. Thinking that the link was about drive and desire, I made up a group containing MIGHT, WILL, EGO, and POWER before seeing the much more obvious MODAL VERBS.

I wonder if the art of compiling Connections is to make up a list of five words and then take the easiest and most obvious word out. If __ TRIP had included Road, then I think I would have got it. Although I may just be on an EGO trip.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, 12 February, game #612)

• YELLOW: DOCUMENTS OF OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATE, DEED, RECEIPT, TITLE
• GREEN: BITS IN A VARIETY SHOW DANCE, MONOLOGUE, SKETCH, SONG
• BLUE: PROPS FOR CHARACTERS ON "THE SIMPSONS" DONUT, PACIFIER, SAXOPHONE, SKATEBOARD
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH "SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL" ANDROID, RATTLESNAKE, ROLLERBLADE, SHAKESPEARE

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.

We won't use the word "finally," but...