TechRadar News

• 'Fix problems using Windows Update' is a handy tool for solving issues
• It lets you quickly reinstall Windows 11
• It's only available in Windows 11 22H2 or newer

Windows 11 has been having a rough time of it recently, with Microsoft releasing a series of controversial and sometimes faulty updates – but to be fair, it’s also been releasing tools to help its users who encounter problems, and one of the most promising is called, with a refreshingly straightforward name, ‘Fix problems using Windows Update.’

As Neowin reports, while the tool first appeared for testing back in 2023, it’s now officially been added to Windows 11, and Microsoft has released support documentation explaining what the tool does, saying it “will reinstall the current version of Windows on your device.”

Over my many years of helping friends, family, and - most importantly of all - TechRadar readers fix their PCs, one sure-fire way of getting things running normally again is to reinstall Windows. In the past, this was usually left as a last resort due to how time consuming reinstalling the entire operating system was.

To Microsoft’s credit, reinstalling Windows 11 is now a much easier process, as you don’t need to dig out a DVD or product key, and there are options to ‘reset’ your PC while keeping your personal files (rather than having to back them up to external storage).

It looks like ‘Fix problems using Windows Update’ will be another easy way to reinstall Windows 11 with (hopefully) minimal disruption to users. Windows 11's Settings app says the tool will “Reinstall your current version of Windows (your apps, files, and settings will be preserved).”

I’ve not tried it yet (thankfully I’ve not needed to) but when it mentions preserving your apps, hopefully that means your applications remain installed, rather than what currently happens when you reset Windows 11, which removes all programs, but gives shortcuts to redownload apps from the Microsoft Store.

Not for everyone

The tool can be found by going to Settings > System > Recovery, and will also appear if an update fails to install.

This does seem to be a genuinely useful tool that is sadly increasingly necessary as more Windows 11 problems emerge. The issue Microsoft has, which Apple doesn’t face with its macOS operating system, is that there are essentially an infinite range of PCs it needs to support with a mixture of hardware from different companies, and this means that issue-free releases for Windows can be rare. Making it easier to reinstall important files and fix problems is a good step in the right direction.

However, not everyone with Windows 11 will be able to use the tool – you’ll need to have Windows 11 22H2 or newer installed with the February 2024 optional update also installed. People on older versions of Windows 11, or use Windows 10, are out of luck.

You might also like...

• Microsoft doesn’t care if your unsupported PC can run Windows 11 – it wants you to stop using it right now
• Windows 11 remains an unloved OS – but why won't people upgrade?
• Microsoft’s claim that Arm-based Copilot+ PCs are “fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs” is debunked on X

• Longmire will move from Netflix to Paramount Plus on January 1, 2025
• Paramount Plus is becoming the home of contemporary western dramas
• The author of Longmire novels shared desires for the series to be revived

Over the years, Paramount Plus has built up a packed library of neo-Western dramas. It's not just responsible for the behemothYellowstone, along with its two prequels 1883 and 1923, but it's also home to other modern Westerns like Joe Pickett and Deadwood.

The streaming service has added another hit Western to its sprawling catalog with Longmire, which is set to leave Netflix after a decade on the US platform on January 1, 2025, according to What's On Netflix.

Longmire is Netflix's version of Yellowstone if you will, and premiered on A&E Network in 2012, before being added to the best streaming service where it completed its six-season run in 2017. Longmire is regarded as one of the best Western shows of all time by ScreenRant, so it's a shame to see it leave Netflix especially since the genre has had a resurgence thanks to the likes of Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone.

While Longmire is still a popular series with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics, it was ahead of its time as it was released before Yellowstone rode onto the scene and made cowboys popular again. However, it is a relief to hear that Longmire has found a new home on Paramount Plus, which could give the series a new lease of life and attract a wider audience.

What is Longmire about?

Based on the Walt Longmire Mysteries novel series by Craig Johnson, Longmire follows Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), who investigates major crimes in a small town in Wyoming with the help of his staff, friends and daughter following the death of his wife.

With the news that Longmire was being moved to Paramount Plus, author Craig Johnson took to social media (see below) to share his hopes that the series would be revived and what he thought about the show leaving Netflix.

Posted by OfficialCraigJohnson on 

We can only hope that Paramount Plus will bring back another season of one of the best Netflix shows, especially since there's plenty of source material to inspire more seasons. After the show came to an end, Johnson published eight new books including Depth of Winter, Land of Wolves, Next to Last Stand, Daughter of the Morning Star and more.

You might also like

• Paramount Plus is getting another price hike in the UK and Ireland, and I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it
• Yellowjackets is claimed to have ‘copied’ its concept from a thriller movie you can stream on Tubi
• Paramount Plus is the latest streaming service to offer an ad-supported tier and I can't help but feel like we're going back to cable TV

• Former PlayStation chief Shawn Layden thinks hardware innovation "is starting to plateau"
• Layden doesn't think there will be another PS1 to PS2 jump in performance
• He says the real competition is "content"

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden has said there likely won't be another major jump in hardware performance as it's already been 'maxed out'.

Speaking in a recent interview with Eurogamer, Layden discussed the future of PlayStation amid the company's 30th anniversary, as well as the technological advancement of today's current consoles compared to that of the PS1.

"I think we're at a point where the console becomes irrelevant in the next... if not the next generation then the next next generation definitely," Layden said.

When asked if he thinks consoles could see another major leap in performance ever again, like the recent release of the PS5 Pro, the ex-PlayStation chief said he isn't sure what that would look like.

"I don't think so. I mean, what would that leap look like? It would be perfectly-realized human actors in a game that you completely control. That could happen one day. I don't think it's going to happen in my lifetime," he said.

"We're at a point now where the innovation curve on the hardware is starting to plateau, or top out. At the same time, the commoditization of the silicon means that when you open up an Xbox or PlayStation, it's really pretty much the same chipset. It's all built by AMD. Each company has their own OS and proprietary secret sauce, but in essence [it's the same]. I think we're pretty much close to final spec for what a console could be."

Layden went on to discuss the release of PlayStation's consoles over the years and how each improved upon the other in some way, however, he doesn't think the market will see something as significant as the jump from PS1 to PS2 again.

"If you look at it from my lens, which is of course the PlayStation lens, the leap from PS1 to PS2 was dramatic..." Layden said, before touching on the following generations.

He explained that the jump from PS2 to PS3 was "remarkable" with HD standard and the introduction of 60 FPS gameplay and network capability.

"Then PS3 to PS4 was just, like, getting the network thing done right. Then to PS5, which is a fantastic piece of kit, but the actual difference in performance... we're getting to the realm, frankly, where only dogs can hear the difference now," Layden added.

"You're not going to see another PS1 to PS2 jump in performance - we have sort of maxed out there. If we're talking about teraflops and ray-tracing, we're already off the sheet that most people begin to understand."

Layden concluded by saying that the "real competition" will be "content", which "should be the competition for publishers, not which hardware you get behind."

You might also like...

• PS5 Pro users should find the PS5 data transfer process much easier thanks to the latest system update
• PlayStation's Head of Indies Shuhei Yoshida announces he will retire from the company in January: 'PlayStation is in really good hands'
• Sony is reportedly getting ready to release black versions of several PlayStation accessories, including the DualSense Edge controller, Pulse Elite, and Pulse Explore

• MirrorFace pivoted to spear phishing to target high-profile Japanese
• The group is looking for information regarding China-US relations
• It is using backdoors not seen in years

MirrorFace, a Chinese state-sponsored threat actor also known as Earth Kasha, has been observed stepping away from its usual practice to target specific individuals, with even more specific backdoors.

Cybersecurity researchers from Trend Micro recently observed MirrorFace engaging in spear phishing attacks, targeting individuals in Japan.

Previously, the group was focused on business entities, and abused vulnerabilities in endpoint devices such as Array Networks and Fortinet for initial access.

Targeting individuals

This time around, MirrorFace seems to be particularly interested in topics around Japan’s national security and international relations, the researchers stressed. They came to this conclusion after analyzing the victims, and the lures used in the spear phishing emails. The lures were mostly fake documents discussing Japan's economic security from the perspective of the current US - China relations.

"Many of the targets are individuals, such as researchers, who may have different levels of security measures in place compared to enterprise organizations, making these attacks more difficult to detect," Trend Micro said. "It is essential to maintain basic countermeasures, such as avoiding opening files attached to suspicious emails."

Those who failed to spot the attack, ended up getting two backdoors - NOODPOOR (also known as HiddenFace) and ANEL (also known as UPPERCUT). Trend Micro said the latter was particularly interesting, since it was basically nonexistent for years.

"An interesting aspect of this campaign is the comeback of a backdoor dubbed ANEL, which was used in campaigns targeting Japan by APT10 until around 2018 and had not been observed since then," they said. APT10 is likely MirrorFace’s umbrella organization.

Earth Kasha is quite an active group these days. In late November, researchers saw the group targeting organizations in Japan, Taiwan, India, and even Europe, through holes in Array AG, ProSelf, and FortiNet. They were also seen using SoftEther VPN, a legitimate open-source VPN tool, to bypass a target’s firewall and blend into legitimate traffic.

Via The Hacker News

You might also like

• US government agencies told to patch these critical security flaws or face attack
• Here's a list of the best antivirus
• These are the best endpoint protection tools right now

US authorities are urging Americans to use encrypted messaging apps to secure their sensitive data against foreign attackers.

The security call comes in the wake of an "unprecedented cyberattack" on the countries' telecoms companies, NBC News reported. The attack is considered among the largest intelligence compromises in US history and isn't yet fully fixed.

The China-linked Salt Typhoon group was first spotted targeting US telecoms with a new backdoor malware a few months ago. It has reportedly hacked the likes of AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies to spy on their customers' activities.

The need for strong encryption

"Encryption is your friend, whether it’s on text messaging or if you have the capacity to use encrypted voice communication. Even if the adversary is able to intercept the data, if it is encrypted, it will make it impossible,” said Jeff Greene, executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Tuesday – as per NBC News.

Encryption refers to scrambling the data into an unreadable form to prevent third-party access. From messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Session to secure email services like ProtonMail and Tuta, online communications are expected to remain private from the sender to the receiver (end to end) thanks to this technology.

Besides encrypting chats and calls leaving your device, FBI officials also suggest keeping your smartphone up-to-date and enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible to protect your accounts against phishing attacks.

Do you know?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has also published new guidance for helping enterprises defend against Salt Typhoon's threats, which includes a series of best practices and other security tips to stay protected.

Tech and privacy experts have welcomed the US authorities' endorsement of using encrypted communication software. They have long advocated for the necessity of these tools on both privacy and security grounds, in fact, strongly rejecting any attempts from lawmakers to undermine their efficiency in combating crime.

Commenting on this point, Greg Nojeim of the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) – a member of the Steering Committee of the Encryption Coalition – said: "If anti-encryption advocates had their way, the United States would now be defenseless to this type of mass snooping from a foreign power."

That said, Salt Typhoon hackers aren't just targeting the content of Americans' communications, but also their call record metadata – as Reuters reported.

Metadata privacy is becoming a growing issue nowadays. Attackers can now harvest the power of AI tools to find patterns and trace back people's data even without the need to access the encrypted content.

Artificial Intelligence is introducing a new wave of technological capabilities, and therefore, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to integrate it into their products and day-to-day operations. As businesses race to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence, they increasingly recognize that cloud infrastructure is essential. It may come as a surprise, however, that although 67% of companies report having advanced cloud infrastructure, only 8% have fully integrated AI into their business processes (Infosys & MIT, 2024). And this figure highlights a clear disconnect that, despite cloud maturity, businesses are lagging behind when it comes to AI implementation.

This article will explore the reasons behind this lag and outline the key strategies for businesses to align their cloud infrastructure with the specific demands of AI to unlock its full potential.

Why is there a disconnect between cloud and AI readiness?

There are many factors to consider when implementing AI and the most important of which is cost. Currently, the biggest challenge in adopting AI is the significant upfront investment required to create an AI-ready environment. The hardware costs alone often don't match the short lifecycles of the technology, as it evolves rapidly and organizations need to continually upgrade their systems to meet the demands. As a result, it can be difficult to justify the long-term ROI of AI.

Many organizations are rushing to integrate AI tools into their operations without fully considering the infrastructure implications. Despite widespread recognition of AI's potential, as evidenced by 98% of executives expecting increased AI spending on the cloud, businesses often neglect the specific technical requirements of AI.

To effectively support AI workloads, organizations must prioritize compatibility, scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness. However, performance remains a critical factor, and striking the right balance between Graphics Processing Units (GPU) requirements and costs is essential. AI's demanding nature necessitates cloud environments capable of handling intensive data processing, low-latency response times, and specialized hardware like GPUs or custom accelerators.

Another factor influencing the disconnect is the IT industry’s ongoing skills gap, with 84% of UK businesses currently struggling to source the talent they need to address their IT challenges. Since there are a limited number of skilled professionals who can manage AI workloads, even businesses that have prepared their cloud infrastructure may lack the expertise needed to fully embrace AI’s capabilities.

Key considerations for AI

1. AI workloads

The specific AI requirements of different companies can vary significantly. For example, a company developing an advanced image recognition system may have different infrastructure needs than one building a sophisticated chatbot. To address these unique demands, bespoke cloud optimization strategies are essential for businesses to consider.

Each AI project has unique resources and high-performance computing requirements. For example, one of our customers is developing an alternative to neuro-symbolic architecture, combining neural and symbolic learning, which acts similarly to the human brain. The company needed a hosting provider for training one of their products - the Expert Verbal Agent (EVA) model, an LLM designed for thoughtful queries and problem-solving. Unlike many AI models, which only run on GPUs as their computational model, EVA can use CPU, GPU, or both. Consequently, they required a CPU-powered server for software development and testing.

2. Scalability

Scalability is vital for AI, but it must be balanced with cost-effectiveness. An AI environment should be able to adapt to changing demands, providing additional processing power when needed but this can be expensive.

AI workloads can be unpredictable and fluctuate in size. It's common for AI workloads to be needed only for short, intensive periods of time, for example to regenerate a model. This often means that the hardware involved sits idle for long periods of time and therefore does not generate a return on investment. This is an important consideration for companies looking to build AI-enabled platforms, who should consider leasing time on pre-built environments as an alternative to ensure the best and most resource-efficient outcome. While public cloud models offer flexibility, they tend to be more expensive for such projects, especially during peak usage periods. Organizations need to carefully consider their scalability demands and choose the infrastructure that is right for them.

3. Security

Security is critical in AI projects, especially when outsourcing GPU or processing components. Sensitive data must be protected to safeguard customer privacy. While public cloud models can be convenient, they may not offer the same level of security as private or hybrid cloud solutions, where servers are dedicated solely to a business. Businesses should evaluate the sensitivity of their data and select a cloud environment that aligns with the security and control requirements of their AI workloads.

AI security in the cloud is a critical concern as organizations increasingly leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to process and analyze vast amounts of data in cloud-based environments. The first key aspect of AI security in the cloud involves protecting the AI models and data. Encryption and access controls are vital to ensure that sensitive AI models and training data are safeguarded from unauthorized access or breaches. Additionally, regular audits and monitoring are essential to detect any unusual activities or vulnerabilities that could compromise AI systems in the cloud.

4. Performance

Certain AI tasks require specific hardware to run most effectively. In some scenarios, GPUs are essential, while some projects require specialized AI chips or TPUs (Tensor Processing Units). These chips are specifically designed to deliver the best performance when processing machine learning workloads. It is extremely important for companies to understand the specific technical needs of each project when choosing the perfect architecture for running an AI model, as there are many variations of hardware that can be used for these platforms.

Understanding the memory requirements of the AI model being trained is also extremely important. Some models will not fit on a basic graphics card, while others will require huge amounts of onboard RAM to be processed at all. NVIDIA's latest cards, such as the H100 NVL, have a whopping 188GB of HBM3 memory, allowing very large models to be trained. Cloud providers often have access to advanced hardware and infrastructure that can significantly improve the performance of AI algorithms and reduce training time.

Steps to bridge the disconnect

To bridge the gap between cloud readiness and AI integration, businesses can start by understanding their key requirements and clarifying desired goals for the AI. This will allow the creation of a comprehensive brief which is an essential first step.

Next, evaluate existing cloud capabilities and identify key goals and requirements in order to identify any gaps in performance, scalability, or data handling – all necessary for the effective use of AI applications. Furthermore, establishing data management, security, and compliance policies ensures that quality data is readily available for AI initiatives.

Companies should also consider which cloud infrastructure best suits the unique needs of each AI project. For example, if security and regulatory compliance are priorities, hybrid or private cloud models, with infrastructure dedicated to a business rather than shared across businesses, maybe a better fit than public cloud options.

Finally, incorporating regular performance evaluations and iterative infrastructure adjustments will help maintain alignment with evolving AI capabilities, ensuring a strong foundation that adapts as AI technology advances.

Working with a Managed Service Provider

These steps can seem overwhelming to tackle alone, which is why some businesses opt to work with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) on their AI integration. Currently, 65% of UK businesses work with MSPs as they offer a holistic approach to AI optimization by supporting infrastructure design, compliance, and ongoing optimization. MSPs also help companies with their security posture through continuous monitoring to protect cloud environments from threats and vulnerabilities.

Additionally, MSPs can help bridge the skills gap, which remains a common barrier to successful AI adoption. In fact, 46% of businesses use MSPs to address the ongoing skills shortage. MSPs can help businesses achieve their AI goals cost-effectively by providing the most efficient infrastructure and hardware backed by their expertise and service. Collaborating with cloud infrastructure management experts also reduces the risk of misconfigurations as well as unnecessary costs, ensuring that businesses have an optimized and secure foundation for AI.

Cloud readiness and AI go hand-in-hand

As AI continues to transform our lives and modern businesses AI integration will be essential for companies aiming to stay competitive. By tailoring cloud infrastructure to AI-specific requirements and leveraging the expert knowledge of MSPs, organizations can overcome the most pressing hurdles (financial, technical, and talent-related), to make the most of AI's potential. With a strategic approach and the right support, businesses can lay a solid foundation that can not only meet current demand but also adapt as AI technology evolves.

We've featured the best cloud storage.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Companies today operate in a world defined by information overload. The figures are mindboggling. In 2010, the global datasphere totaled 2 trillion gigabytes (2 zettabytes). By 2020, it had expanded to 64 zettabytes, and by 2026, the International Data Corporation (IDC) expects that it will reach 221 zettabytes.

With approximately 252,000 new websites being created every day, it is becoming increasingly difficult for knowledge workers to locate the right resources and information needed to make informed decisions.

Solving the information overload problem

To solve this problem, many knowledge workers have begun leveraging generative AI platforms as a new information finding resource. It’s easy to see why – when provided with a simple query, AI can quickly provide answers, removing the need for knowledge workers to endlessly scour through search engine results to no avail. And so it’s no surprise that the launch of OpenAI’s new search platform, ChatGPT Search, was highly anticipated, touted by many as a competitor that could truly take on Google as the primary resource for knowledge workers.

However, while the potential is there, significant concerns about the use of generative AI as an information gathering tool remain. Yes, these new tools are fast, scalable and cheap. Yet, in a very human way, they can also lie. In their eagerness to respond, we’ve seen many AI platforms hallucinating information which to date has caused several notable, high-profile blunders.

In multiple incidents, lawyers using ChatGPT have been found to cite non-existent legal cases – something that can result in significant impacts, from case dismissals and fines to a broader erosion of trust in the legal system. Elsewhere, meanwhile, an NYC chatbot was found to be providing incorrect and illegal information and advice to business owners.

As a result, skepticism over the use of AI rightly remains. In fact, in a survey of 1,000 business decision makers, we found that over three quarters (78%) of knowledge workers say popular generative AI models like ChatGPT are eroding people’s trust in AI.

While these are powerful tools for consumers, they’re simply not built to drive effective decision making in the business world, as these high-profile blunders have shown.

Instead, many business leaders continue to put their faith in trusty search engine, with this being the second most trusted information gathering method behind official/third party reports. In fact, almost three quarters of decision makers (72%) never or rarely go past the first page of a search engine when seeking information, showing just how big of an influence search engines have on decision making.

Four steps to improving trust in AI as an information gathering tool

Such is the degree of trust in Google, the Department of Justice is considering breaking up the tech giant’s monopoly as an antitrust remedy, driving debate over where people can and should source information. However, if AI is to rival Google, we need to build trust in it, finding ways to eliminate key issues such as hallucinations.

I personally see a future in which generative AI will augment our knowledge, advise on potential choices, interrogate our thoughts to expose weaknesses in our thinking, and even make decisions autonomously. But for it to do any of these things, we first need to trust it wholly – from the content that trains it, to the references it uses and analyses it applies.

Can we bridge the gap that currently exists, and turn AI into a viable tool for supporting effective, trusted decision making? To even begin to do so, it is critical that several steps are taken:

1 – Craft effective inputs to guide AI responses The first step is to ensure we are guiding AI in the right way. By providing clear context and specific instructions, using examples to demonstrate desired output formats and implementing constraints to limit unwanted responses, we can reduce the scope for ambiguity and misinterpretation and boost output relevance and accuracy.

2 – Retrieve relevant information from external knowledge bases Second, it’s also important to leverage relevant information from external sources to guide more effective outputs. By integrating up-to-date, curated information sources into the input process, ideally through efficient retrieval mechanisms, we can both increase factual accuracy and benefit from verifiable sources for generated content.

3 – Guide AI to break down complex problems with reasoning processes Third, it’s possible to assist AI in solving complex problems with the right processes. By prompting the AI to show its work or explain its reasoning, encouraging intermediate steps in problem solving, and implementing self-correction mechanisms, logical consistency will be improved.

4 – Implement self-awareness and self-evaluation capabilities We can also develop mechanisms for the AI to assess its own confidence levels and recognize where knowledge gaps exist. Doing so can help encourage the AI to provide caveats or qualifications with its outputs, serving to enhance transparency into AI certainty and limitations.

If trust can be achieved, then the opportunity is massive

For AI to become an effective information gathering tool, it is vital that guardrails such as these are put in place to ensure that it can be trusted. To reiterate, decision makers are to be rightly wary of AI right now. Indeed, our survey shows that 80% have knowingly made a business decision based on information they were not sure about, with 88% of decision makers having discovered inaccuracies in information used for business decisions post decision.

However, if current issues can be addressed, and the trust gap that currently exists can be bridged, then the opportunity for AI to excel in supporting knowledge workers is significant.

We’re talking about a powerful tool that can quickly answer queries. If the right mechanisms can be put in place to ensure those answers are credible, logical and accurate, then users will be able to source exactly the information they need at speed. Critically, 95% of decision makers believe that better access to information will improve decision making. By taking the right steps to ensure that AI becomes a trustworthy information gathering asset, the decision making process can be vastly accelerated for knowledge workers.

We've featured the best AI website builder.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• UK CMA gives the go-ahead for Vodafone and Three’s £15 billion merger deal
• The companies must invest in the UK network and cap their prices
• Together with VMO2, they expect to support 50 million customers

After a year-long investigation, Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given approval to the Vodafone-Three merger, a deal worth £15 billion ($19 billion).

By consolidating their UK operations, Vodafone and Three will become a market leader with 29 million customers, making the merged giant even bigger than EE, which claims to have 25 million customers.

As part of the process, the CMA stipulated that the two companies must “sign binding commitments to invest billions to roll out a combined 5G network across the UK.”

Vodafone-Three merger given the go-ahead

Under the agreement, Vodafone will have a 51% stake, with Three owner CK Hutchison taking the remaining 49%.

Previously concerned about the potential for higher prices due to decreased competition and less advantageous terms for virtual network providers, the CMA concluded: “The group has confirmed it is now satisfied that the proposed network commitment, supported by shorter term protections for both retail and wholesale customers, resolve its competition concerns.”

The CMA says that by upgrading their networks over the course of the next eight years, Vodafone and Three’s work would actually boost competition. As a component of the terms set out by the CMA, Vodafone and Three must also cap their mobile tariffs and data plans for three years to protect customers against sharp price rises in the early years of the merger.

Stuart McIntosh, chair of the independent inquiry group leading the investigation, commented: “Having carefully considered the evidence, as well as the extensive feedback we have received, we believe the merger is likely to boost competition in the UK mobile sector and should be allowed to proceed – but only if Vodafone and Three agree to implement our proposed measures.”

Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle said: “Consumers and businesses will enjoy wider coverage, faster speeds and better-quality connections across the UK, as we build the biggest and best network in our home market.”

Given that Virgin Media O2 agreed earlier this summer to a long-term network-sharing agreement with Vodafone and Three, subject to the now-approved merger, an anticipated 50 million UK customers will see the benefits.

You might also like

• Check out the best SIM-only deals this month
• Benefit from upgraded networks with the best business smartphones
• Vodafone and Three hit out at UK competition watchdog over further merger delays

• Nothing phone owners can now play Snake
• The game as available as a home screen widget
• It's been developed with input from the Nothing community

If you've got a hankering for classic mobile games of yesteryear and you own a Nothing phone, good news: the iconic Snake game made popular by Nokia handsets has made a return as a Nothing home screen widget.

Co-created by Nothing and its community members, the widget can be downloaded for free from Nothing's new Community Widgets app now (via Android Authority). It should work on every Nothing handset, including the latest Nothing Phone 2a Plus.

The Snake game first began as a concept put forward by Nothing user Rahul Janardhanan – together with nine other widget ideas – and has since been made a reality by developer Thomas Legendre on behalf of Nothing.

If you're too young to remember Snake, its appeal lies in its simplicity: you take charge of an ever-expanding and perpetually moving line of dots, and have to collect more dots without hitting the edges of the screen or the line itself.

Get involved

Snake just got a reboot. Head to Google Playstore to get involved. pic.twitter.com/9MVKM1yKBcDecember 4, 2024

Right now, Snake is the only widget available in the Community Widgets app, but Nothing is promising that more are on the way – and if you have your own ideas for future widgets that could be included, Nothing wants to hear from you.

"Our ambition is to curate a selection of quality community created widgets and bundle them together into an app hosted on the PlayStore," Nothing says. "Keep those concepts coming – it could be your idea next!"

After installing Community Widgets, you can add Snake by tapping and holding on an empty part of the home screen, and choosing 'Widgets'. If you're using beta Nothing OS 3 software, you may need to reboot to see the widget, Nothing says.

You can move the snake left and right by swiping on the screen, and your challenge is to pick up as many red dots as possible before the game ends. Double-tapping on the screen pauses the action.

You might also like

• Nothing could launch three new phones in 2025
• The best Android phones you can buy
• Everything we know about the Nothing Phone 3

• A new PS5 system update has been released
• The latest patch makes the data transfer process between consoles smoother
• Other features like usability have also been improved

Sony has released a new system update for the PlayStation 5, simplifying the data transfer process.

Version 24.08-10.40.00 is now live and is a fairly small patch that primarily aims at improving the process of transferring data from one PS5 to another, alongside messages and usability.

Now that the PS5 Pro is out in the wild, users will be looking to transfer their PS5 Pro-enhanced games and other data over to their new system, which can be a hassle.

Thankfully, Sony has made this task much easier, and explained in the patch notes that it's also "enhanced stability when transferring large amounts of data, such as captures".

PS5 Version: 24.08-10.40.00 - Patch Notes

• We've improved the process of transferring data from another PS5 and enhanced stability when transferring large amounts of data, such as captures.
• We've improved the messages and usability on some screens.

Earlier this week, Sony kicked off its PlayStation Store 30th Anniversary sale. Until December 20, users can take part in the massive sale which sees discounts for almost 500 games across PS4 and PS5, like The Last of Us Part 1, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Elsewhere, a new leak claims that a black version of the PlayStation Portal will be released in "limited" quantities "soon" and be priced the same as the original white model.

You might also like...

• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's official launch trailer showcases new gameplay ahead of release
• PlayStation's Head of Indies Shuhei Yoshida announces he will retire from the company in January: 'PlayStation is in really good hands'
• Sony is reportedly getting ready to release black versions of several PlayStation accessories, including the DualSense Edge controller, Pulse Elite, and Pulse Explore

OpenAI is expected to launch Sora, its AI video generator, in the coming days after the company announced '12 days of OpenAI' in the run-up to Christmas.

In a tweet on X posted yesterday (December 4) the company behind ChatGPT wrote "12 days. 12 livestreams. A bunch of new things, big and small. 12 Days of OpenAI starts tomorrow."

Following the announcement, OpenAI employees started to tease what's to come on X, with Sora lead Bill Peebles replying to a tweet that said "unbelievably back", with "Correct."

To add fuel to the fire, The Verge has since reported that OpenAI is going to launch Sora and a new reasoning model during the 12-day event according to "sources familiar with OpenAI's plans."

It would come as no surprise to see Sora arrive soon, after the AI video generator was briefly leaked last month by artists protesting against OpenAI using their art for unpaid research and development.

Sora allows users to create videos from text prompts, and from what we've seen of the AI model it's incredibly impressive at doing so.

The Sora website reads, "We’re teaching AI to understand and simulate the physical world in motion, with the goal of training models that help people solve problems that require real-world interaction."

12 days.12 livestreams.A bunch of new things, big and small.12 Days of OpenAI starts tomorrow.December 4, 2024

The future of AI video generators

(Image credit: OpenAI)

We've seen the proliferation of the best AI image generators over the last couple of years, with OpenAI's Dall-E among the trailblazers. Now, OpenAI is set to compete with competitors like Google, whose VEO AI video generator model is currently available as a private preview.

OpenAI had previously said that Sora would be available by the end of the year, and with 2024 coming to a close, it looks like we won't have much longer to wait. It will be interesting to see how Sora establishes itself, and whether the backlash from artists subsides. Regardless, you should be able to generate your own Santa Claus video just in time for the Christmas holidays, and maybe even some reindeer too.

You might also like...

• Why you're wrong about AI art, according to the Ai-Da robot that just made a $1 million painting
• Coca-cola recreates iconic ad with AI
• OpenAI’s Sora and other AI video makers look amazing in their demos – why won’t they let us try them?

• Creature Commandos episode 1 references Wonder Woman three times in its first five minutes
• However, the iconic DC superhero doesn't appear in the R-rated animated show
• The Max series' showrunner "can't say" if they hint at what's to come in the DCU's Paradise Lost TV show

Creature Commandos' first two episodes are out now on Max – and the animated show has wasted no time in referencing one of DC's iconic trifecta of heroes.

The DC Cinematic Universe's (DCU) series' first two chapters, titled 'The Collywobbles' and 'The Tourmaline Necklace', have officially kickstarted James Gunn and Peter Safran's rebooted superhero franchise. It's the first of those episodes that drops three clear references to Wonder Woman without actually naming her, too.

Full spoilers immediately follow for Creature Commandos episode 1!

The Sons of Themyscira have been retooled for the first project set in James Gunn's DCU (Image credit: DC Studios/Max)

It takes less than a minute for the first DCU Chapter One project to drop its first big hint about Wonder Woman. Indeed, Rick Flag Sr. and ARGUS chief Amanda Waller are watching a breaking news report about a group called the Sons of Themyscira – an all-male group who appear in DC Comics, but who've been humorously reworked into a bumbling, incel terrorist organization for the DC Extended Universe's (DCEU) successor.

The next clue is mentioned immediately after. As part of the same news bulletin, the "rogue" Amazonian sorceress called Circe is the group's de facto leader and the mastermind behind the militia's impending invasion of the Eastern European nation called Pokolistan. In DC Comics, Circe is one of Wonder Woman's many adversaries, but she's also been a thorn in the side of other legendary heroes including Superman and Supergirl. A seemingly immortal being, she possesses abilities ranging from telekinesis to being able to alter an individual's physical appearance, which she does to The Bride in episode 2's tentpole battle.

The Amazonians are a race of all-female warriors who live on the idyllic island nation of Themyscira (Image credit: DC Studios/Max)

The final reference – one that's already been alluded to – concerns Themyscira itself. The idyllic island nation is home to an all-female race of superhuman warriors known collectively as the Amazons. As the news anchor says in Creature Commandos' first episode, Circe believes she's the rightful heir to the Amazonian throne and will lead the Sons of Themyscira's invasion of the sovereign state after they've helped her to tackle the so-called threat posed by Pokolistan.

When will Wonder Woman make her first appearance in the DCU?

Gal Gadot won't be playing Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in James Gunn's new look DC Cinematic Universe (Image credit: Warner Bros)

By the sounds of it, not for a long time. When James Gunn announced the DCU Chapter One line-up – also known as 'Gods and Monsters' – in January 2023, a Wonder Woman-led project was conspicuous by its absence. Indeed, while Gunn confirmed DC's two other most popular superheroes – Superman and Batman – would star in their own solo films, there was no mention of a movie centered on Diana Prince.

There is a Wonder Woman-adjacent project in development at DC Studios, though. Paradise Lost, a TV series that'll eventually be released on Max, is part of the 'Gods and Monsters' release schedule. Aside from the fact that it's being billed as Game of Thrones-esque story, however, little is currently known about it.

With Creature Commandos foreshadowing Wonder Woman's DCU debut and Paradise Lost's possible plot, then, I sought clarity on how the former might impact the latter pair. Unfortunately, Creature Commandos showrunner/executive producer Dean Lorey refused to give anything away.

Creature Commandos' showrunner is staying tight-lipped on how it potentially sets up Wonder Woman's DCU debut (Image credit: Max/DC Studios)

"I can't say," Lorey coyly replied. "I haven't seen anything about Paradise Lost, so I genuinely don't have answers to [your question] and couldn't tell you what's in it. But James has been very clear that events in Creature Commandos are canon in the DCU, so I suppose we could extrapolate anything from those references."

Fine, keep your secrets, Mister Lorey! Thankfully, he was more forthcoming with other queries I had about Creature Commandos and how it impacts the DCU. You'll have to wait for those answers, though, because they're related to episodes that haven't aired yet.

While you wait for one of the best Max shows' third episode to drop, get an idea of what lies in store for the rest of the plot in my spoiler-light Creature Commandos review. Alternatively, read more exclusive coverage on the adult animated show below.

You might also like

• As Creature Commandos prepares to kick off James Gunn's DCU, its showrunner says he's 'thrilled' to be leading the charge ahead of the next Superman movie
• Creature Commandos star Sean Gunn explains why the first DCU TV show will 'feel very different' to Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy movies
• Creature Commandos is full of social outcasts and grieving misfits, but the voice actor for Rick Flag Sr is convinced he's the DCU TV show's most 'tragic' character

• My First Gran Turismo is arriving on December 6
• It offers a bite-sized, free-to-play version of Gran Turismo 7
• The demo includes a handful of race events and 18 cars t collect

Gran Turismo 7 is getting a free demo version as part of the PlayStation 30th Anniversary celebrations. And better yet, it's out very soon.

Titled My First Gran Turismo, the demo aims to give players a bite-sized version of the best racing game on PS5. In an official PlayStation Blog post about the game, series creator Kazunori Yamauchi describes it as "a special free-to-play invitation to dive into the exhilarating world of motorsports."

"This experience holds a special place in my heart," Yamauchi explains, "as it pays tribute to the origins of the first Gran Turismo, where players of all generations discovered the joys of driving. Whether it’s introducing kids to the joy of racing for the first time or reigniting a forgotten passion for driving, My First Gran Turismo was designed to be both approachable and immersive, created for everyone, with no limits on age or driving skill level."

My First Gran Turismo - as its title might suggest - seems designed to introduce new players to the sim racing series in a very beginner-friendly format. Developer Polyphony Digital looks to have gone above and beyond the effort placed into your average demo, with a bespoke user interface and its own suite of achievements related to progress throughout the experience.

In terms of content, My First Gran Turismo offers access to the License Centre tutorial, three race events, three time trials, three Music Rally stages and 18 cars to collect. As a bonus, the PS5 version of My First Gran Turismo will also include PSVR 2 support.

As for when you can play it for yourself, that's the best part. My First Gran Turismo will be available to download and play for free on December 6 on both PS5 and PS4. It also doesn't seem to be a limited time thing, unlike those PlayStation 30th Anniversary themes that you can access on PS5 right now.

You might also like...

• PSVR 2 gets surprise hand tracking update, and Sony should be making a bigger deal of it
• Black Ops 6 CODMAS: what to expect from this year's Call of Duty Christmas event
• Sony announces its PlayStation 30th Anniversary sale, offering discounts on hundreds of games

• Xbox Year in Review 2024 is available now
• It shows your most played games this year
• You can see yours via the Xbox website

The Xbox Year in Review 2024 has landed, with gamers everywhere learning just how many hours they’ve wasted in the last 12 months. The annual list, which is something like Spotify Wrapped for those that don’t leave the house, highlights your most played Xbox games from across the year.

My personal Xbox Year in Review 2024 shows that I spent the most time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, with Dead Island 2 coming in at a close second. Next up is Forza Motorsport, where I am apparently in the top 40% of the game’s most active players despite only really playing the single player modes.

You get a quick-fire list of other favorites too, highlighting 20 more top games from your collection. For me that included the likes of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Grounded, and more embarrassing entries like Rumble Roses XX.

There’s also a breakdown of the number of achievements you’ve earned, your preferred platform, the balance of genres you chose, and more.

For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, you’re also presented with a little section that displays the number of months you’ve been subscribed, the total number of minutes spent in Game Pass titles, and you’re most played of the bunch.

Overall, it makes for some quite interesting reading and is undeniably quite a fun little end of year bonus.

If you’re an Xbox player, you can see your Xbox Year in Review 2024 by heading to a special landing page on the Xbox website. Sign into your account if prompted and you should be greeted with a personalized page displaying all of your stats.

Of course, PlayStation players also have their own year in review to look forward to. If previous years are anything to go by, it should be launching some time within the next couple of weeks.

You might also like...

• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's official launch trailer showcases new gameplay ahead of release
• Nintendo Switch 2 accessories have reportedly appeared for sale online, but I've seen Bigfoot photos that are more believable
• Black Ops 6 CODMAS: what to expect from this year's Call of Duty Christmas event

• Garmin has released a new software update
• The latest version is reportedly playing havoc with some Forerunner models
• Users are complaining of touchscreen issues and Wi-Fi sync problems

A new software update released by Garmin appears to be disrupting the functionality of many of the best Garmin watches out there. However, confusion abounds as to what Garmin has actually changed, and what may or may not be broken in the latest version, specifically for users of the popular Forerunner range.

Garmin rolled out version 21.19 of its software on December 2. Improvements listed include updates to Pool Swim workouts, the new Meditation activity, and fixes to a range of bugs and quirks.

Since the update, Forerunner users have reported various issues, specifically regarding Wi-Fi sync and using the touchscreen on their devices. So what's going on, and what do you need to know?

Garmin Forerunner software update chaos

(Image credit: Garmin)

To start with the more straightforward issue, some users are reporting problems with Wi-Fi sync following the update. "After installing Forerunner 955 - Software Version 21.19 the wi-fi sync does not work," one user reported December 4.

Plenty of comments indicate a similar issue, and Garmin does note in its release notes that "it is recommended users sync their devices using Garmin Express or Wifi to expedite the transfer of files required for the meditation activity." The bulk of the new update, which is laden with new features, may be causing Wi-Fi sync issues, but whatever the case, there doesn't seem to be a clear cause or fix.

Even more confusing are the changes/bugs relating to the touchscreen.

Multiple users are reporting a bug that means the Forerunner touchscreen is always enabled during activities, even when the 'Touch Disabled' setting is turned on. "I was out for a run in the rain at lunchtime today & noticed the same as the wet sleeve of my jacket was swiping through the data fields," one user confirmed. This sounds like a bug, and Garmin has commented on at least one thread to say "We are aware of this disruption and are currently investigating. I apologize for any frustration!"

The issue is muddied, however, because there's another touchscreen 'bug' affecting users that Garmin says is actually an intentional change. in 21.19, the Forerunner's Stopwatch is controlled by the buttons on the device, not the touchscreen. "I can not control the stopwatch using a touch screen after software update 21.19. I can only use the buttons to start/stop/reset it. Touch screen does work in the timer," one user lamented.

Garmin has since confirmed in response that "This was an intentional change. You now must use the buttons on the Stopwatch and Timer screen to start, stop, and reset the time. I'm sorry for any disappointment regarding this change!"

To sum up, the latest Garmin update definitely has some bugs regarding Wi-Fi and using the touchscreen during activities. However, if you've found your stopwatch no longer works via touchscreen and can only be controlled using buttons, Garmin says this is an intentional change. Whether it was a good one or not remains to be seen.

Between this latest kerfuffle and the recent issue with Garmin watch faces crashing, it's been a choppy few days for the company's software division.

You may also like

• Garmin just revealed all the free new features in its December update
• If your Garmin watch faces keep crashing, you're not alone – and Garmin is working on it
• Garmin smartwatches could soon get support for one of the hottest and odd-sounding trends in fitness alongside the launch of the Instinct 3

Now it's December, we are creeping closer to the highly anticipated release of Severance season two. As one of the best Apple TV shows out there and my personal favorite from one of the best streaming services, I have been impatiently waiting for its return. So, I was thrilled when Vanity Fair dropped a massive exclusive preview full of new images and quotes, and one thing in particular caught my eye.

Vanity Fair's preview teases a little more about Gwendoline Christie's character, one of the newcomers to Severance season two. Right now, our experience within Lumon has not stretched much further than two departments; Macrodata Refinement and Optics and Design, but it looks like her new character is from a new one entirely.

I'm excited about this for many reasons. First of all, knowing we'll be branching out into new areas is great, and secondly, I love Gwendoline Christie. From her portrayal as my favorite Game of Thrones character Brienne of Tarth to her principal character in the Netflix series Wednesday, she always impresses.

Here's just a quick glimpse at what director Ben Stiller and writer and creator Dan Erickson have teased about the series.

What do we know about Gwendoline's character in Severance season 2?

(Image credit: HBO)

Ben Stiller and Dan Erickson have teased some of the new characters showing up in the second season, with Christie's mysterious new arrival among them. And it's exciting stuff because they've teased her character is doing work that's not in an office. To be fair, I never saw that coming when I put together my Severance season two questions piece. Season one felt pretty claustrophobic at times, so there's a chance we're expanding further than we thought.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, they said: "There are three new people in MDR, in the place of our regular group. Lumon is aware that these three Innies [Mark, Helly, and Irving] have somehow breached the severed floor and activated their overtime contingency. The new people who are in place there are somehow in reaction to this. Seeing new people at the desks would definitely bring up questions, especially for Mark."

"In terms of Gwendoline, it’s pretty clear she’s in a different department. She is doing some kind of work where she’s not in an office. There are people who are not in the white-collar aspect of what goes on at Lumon but who get their hands dirty and are working towards other ends. And one of the fun parts of the show I think is also trying to figure out how all these different departments connect with each other."

You might also like

• Severance season 2's first trailer is so unpleasantly upbeat and trippy, I can't wait to return to the office on Apple TV Plus
• 3 new movies and shows on Apple TV Plus that I can’t wait to watch in December
• Wolfs director cancels Apple TV Plus movie sequel, despite being the most-watched feature film on the streaming service

Samsung’s Ultra phones are always pricey propositions. After all, they sit at the top of the Galaxy S line, and that’s Samsung’s top non-foldable smartphone series.

So outside of the best foldable phones there aren’t many handsets that cost much more than a Galaxy S Ultra, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is unlikely to be any exception to that.

But you probably guessed this phone would be expensive, the real question is exactly how much it might cost. For that, we don’t yet have a definitive answer, but thanks to leaks and previous pricing we can make some predictions.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra price predictions

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

One thing we can say almost for certain is that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra won’t cost any less than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. So the best case scenario is probably it retaining the current model’s price.

That would mean a starting price of $1,299.99 / £1,249 / AU$2,199, but you can see full pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s various configurations in the chart below.

The prices in that chart are a best case scenario then, but there’s a high chance that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will actually cost more than that.

While we haven’t heard any exact prices yet, we have heard that this phone will probably use a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. And that in itself could mean a higher price, as Qualcomm said this chipset would be more expensive than the previous model, which is used by the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Tipsters have got a bit more specific, with one saying that the Snapdragon 8 Elite costs around 20% more, and another saying this chipset is roughly $40 (around £30 / AU$60) more expensive.

In which case, if Samsung passes that price increase on to buyers, then the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could start at more like $1,340 / £1,280 / AU$2,260. However, there are a lot of other potential variables that could affect the price too.

On the positive side, Samsung sells so many phones that it might have been able to work out a favorable deal with Qualcomm, reducing the price per unit of the chipset.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

But on the other hand, inflation could also push the price up, as could the various improvements we’re expecting in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Indeed, we've elsewhere heard that the price to produce the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has apparently risen by $110 (around £85 / AU$170), making a price rise "unavoidable."

Still, however much it costs you could be getting a significantly better phone for your money than you would with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Beyond the likely presence of a far more powerful chipset, leaks also point to an upgraded ultra-wide camera, more RAM, a bigger screen, and a refined design.

So the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specs could be quite an upgrade, and may go some way towards justifying any price increases.

Still though, this is sure to be an expensive phone, and right now if we had to guess, we’d say it’s likely to cost even more than its predecessor, albeit probably not too much more.

We should find out in January, as the Samsung Galaxy S25 series release date is rumored to be January 22.

You might also like

• Samsung Galaxy S25 cameras: every expected camera on every model
• Samsung Galaxy S25 predicted colors: every rumored shade
• Best Samsung phones: top Galaxy handsets ranked

OpenAI proudly debuted ChatGPT search in October as the next stage for search engines. The company boasted that the new feature combined ChatGPT's conversational skills with the best web search tools, offering real-time information in a more useful form than any list of links. According to a recent review by Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism, that celebration may have been premature. The report found ChatGPT to have a somewhat lassie-faire attitude toward accuracy, attribution, and basic reality when sourcing news stories.

What's especially notable is that the problems crop up regardless of whether a publication blocks OpenAI’s web crawlers or has an official licensing deal with OpenAI for its content. The study tested 200 quotes from 20 publications and asked ChatGPT to source them. The results were all over the place.

Sometimes, the chatbot got it right. Other times, it attributed quotes to the wrong outlet or simply made up a source. OpenAI's partners, including The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and the Axel Springer and Meredith publications, sometimes fared better, but not with any consistency.

Gambling on accuracy when asking ChatGPT about the news is not what OpenAI or its partners want. The deals were trumpeted as a way for OpenAI to support journalism while improving ChatGPT's accuracy. When ChatGPT turned to Politico, published by Axel Springer, for quotes, the person speaking was often not whom the chatbot cited.

AI news to lose

The short answer to the problem is simply ChatGPT's method of finding and digesting information. The web crawlers ChatGPT uses to access data can be performing perfectly, but the AI model underlying ChatGPT can still make mistakes and hallucinate. Licensed access to content doesn't change that basic fact.

Of course, if a publication is blocking the web crawlers, ChatGPT can slide from newshound to wolf in sheep's clothing in accuracy. Outlets employing robots.txt files to keep ChatGPT away from their content, like The New York Times, leave the AI floundering and fabricating sources instead of saying it has no answer for you. More than a third of the responses in the report fit this description. That's more than a small coding fix. Arguably worse is that if ChatGPT couldn’t access legitimate sources, it would turn to places where the same content was published without permission, perpetuating plagiarism.

Ultimately, AI misattributing quotes isn't as big a deal as the implication for journalism and AI tools like ChatGPT. OpenAI wants ChatGPT search to be where people turn for quick, reliable answers linked and cited properly. If it can’t deliver, it undermines trust in both AI and the journalism it’s summarizing. For OpenAI's partners, the revenue from their licensing deal might not be worth the lost traffic from unreliable links and citations.

So, while ChatGPT search can be a boon in a lot of activities, be sure to check those links if you want to ensure the AI isn't hallucinating answers from the internet.

You might also like...

• Top 3 things you have to try with the new ChatGPT search
• Meta AI is now a Reuters newsboy
• I tried ChatGPT Search and now I might never Google again

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

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

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

Quordle today (game #1046) - hint #1 - Vowels How 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 #1046) - 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 #1046) - 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 #1046) - 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 #1046) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• A

• B

• C

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1046) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1046, are…

• AGING
• BICEP
• CLOVE
• SPILL

Small spelling differences often catch us out in the UK (where I am) when doing US-based puzzles like Quordle – and it was almost my nemesis today when I plumped for the highly unlikely AXING instead of AGING.

BICEP I should have seen quicker, not least because C and P are unusual, but also because I love listening to a bit of the Northern Irish duo Bicep when I’m down the gym working on my biceps in an attempt to curb ageing or aging.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1046) - the answers

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1046, are…

• GULCH
• ANGST
• VIDEO
• WOOER

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1045, Wednesday 4 December: JUDGE, GIVER, GNASH, CLOAK
• Quordle #1044, Tuesday 3 December: FUDGE, THICK, CRANK, STASH
• Quordle #1043, Monday 2 December: TROPE, HOVER, SAUNA, SHAPE
• Quordle #1042, Sunday 1 December: NAIVE, CIRCA, STEAD, MICRO
• Quordle #1041, Saturday 30 November: MAMMA, SNUCK, CRYPT, TAROT
• Quordle #1040, Friday 29 November: JOIST, DROOL, DUSKY, GLIDE
• Quordle #1039, Thursday 28 November: GRADE, WORRY, NOISE, DAISY
• Quordle #1038, Wednesday 27 November: HEART, ROGUE, INEPT, UTILE
• Quordle #1037, Tuesday 26 November: PRIED, FAINT, HURRY, WOOER
• Quordle #1036, Monday 25 November: NUDGE, SNOOP, SHACK, DRYLY
• Quordle #1035, Sunday 24 November: CLOTH, CLAMP, PETTY, CHEST
• Quordle #1034, Saturday 23 November: AVOID, PLANT, FILET, TWIRL
• Quordle #1033, Friday 22 November: CUTIE, ALOOF, ETUDE, SILLY
• Quordle #1032, Thursday 21 November: RABBI, EAGER, COUGH, BRASH
• Quordle #1031, Wednesday 20 November: MINTY, TOPAZ, BRUSH, LAPEL
• Quordle #1030, Tuesday 19 November: NINJA, PENCE, PAINT, FOIST
• Quordle #1029, Monday 18 November: ASCOT, BRINK, WEIRD, HOMER
• Quordle #1028, Sunday 17 November: STATE, BRAWN, SWORE, URBAN
• Quordle #1027, Saturday 16 November: NOTCH, BENCH, BUSED, FOUND
• Quordle #1026, Friday 15 November: PURER, TRUSS, TORCH, FORUM

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Gonna fly now!

NYT Strands today (game #277) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• WIFE
• GRAY
• ROOTS
• DRAY
• TASK
• TUBE

NYT Strands today (game #277) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Flappy bird/non-birds

NYT Strands today (game #277) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First: left, 4th row

Last: right, 1st row

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

NYT Strands today (game #277) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #277, are…

• ANGEL
• GRIFFIN
• DRAGON
• STORK
• BUTTERFLY
• FAIRY
• SPANGRAM: WINGED THING

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

We all have our quirks, and one of mine is that I suffer from mild entomophobia (fear of flying insects), so I found today’s Strands a tiny – emphasis on the word tiny – bit triggering. My first thought was that this was another air travel theme, and it took me a hint before I realized it was a different variety of wings we were looking for.

It’s not entirely pleasing that the puzzle was made up of a mixture of both real and fantastical WINGED THINGs – the DRAGON has little in common with a BUTTERFLY (imagine, if you will, Game of Thrones with butterflies instead of dragons; yeah, it doesn't really work, does it?).

Anyway let's not discuss wings any further or I might faint.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, 4 December, game #276)

• GRAVE
• ACUTE
• TILDE
• UMLAUT
• CEDILLA
• CIRCUMFLEX
• SPANGRAM: DIACRITICS

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.