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Updated: 2 hours 17 min ago

Skyworth unveils the world's largest art TV, a full 15 inches bigger than Samsung's The Frame Pro

Mon, 08/18/2025 - 04:52
  • 100-inch Elite art TV
  • 2,000 nits of brightness, 400+ included artworks
  • New 75 and 86-inch Art TVs also revealed

Skyworth has unveiled the world's biggest art TV, the 100-inch Canvas Elite Art TV, alongside a slightly smaller 86-inch model. Both models are bigger than Samsung's largest The Frame Pro art TV, which tops out at 85 inches.

The panel here uses Skyworth's proprietary OmniView Matte technology, a three-layer setup developed in association with BOE that, according to Skyworth, delivers OLED-level performance from mini-LED displays.

If 100 inches are too big, Skyworth also has multiple smaller models in its Art TV collections. (Image credit: Skyworth)Canvas Elite Art TV: key features

The display is a 4K mini-LED with over 1,000 local dimming zones, 2,000 nits of peak brightness and a 144Hz refresh rate. There are three HDMI 2.1 ports with support for 4K/120Hz gaming, and the TV includes two 10W speakers.

The Canvas Elite runs Google TV with Google Assistant voice control, Google Cast and Amazon Alexa compatibility, and it supports Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+ and HLG, Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos. The TV comes with the Art Time virtual art gallery and "400+" free artworks.

In addition to the 86-inch and 100-inch Canvas Elite models, Skyworth has also added a new 75-inch model to its Canvas Art range. That means the firm now has Art TVs of 55, 65, 75, 86 and 100 inches.

The 100-inch Canvas Elite TV has an MSRP of $4,999 and will launch at CEDIA Expo 2025 in September 2025.

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Categories: Technology

Oracle cuts hundreds of jobs as AI push continues

Mon, 08/18/2025 - 04:33
  • Oracle has laid off over 300 workers from California and Washington
  • Company layoffs have so far been low compared with other hyperscalers
  • AI infrastructure spend is eating into staffing budgets

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filings have confirmed Oracle has laid off over 300 workers in Washington and California.

The redundancies consist of 143 workers in Redwood City, California and a further 161 in Seattle, Washington, however further layoffs could also be taking place that are not covered by WARN filings.

A worker familiar with the matter told The Register the figures sound low, suggesting remote workers might not be accounted for – a way of obscuring the scale of layoffs that Microsoft has also been accused of.

Oracle lays off over 300 workers

"It feels like that happened here too, the reported numbers don't quite match up with what my network is saying," the worker said.

"My estimate would be low thousands worldwide... Supposedly this is just the start, too," they added.

Compared with other giants in this space, Oracle's reaction to economic uncertainties has been pretty reserved. Around 200 workers left in 2022, with some more leaving in separate sittings since then.

Compared with the tens of thousands who have lost their jobs at Amazon, Google and Microsoft, Oracle workers have therefore been pretty safe.

Looking ahead, The Register's source suggests thousands could lose their jobs worldwide with offices being closed and large cuts in India (around 10% of its local workforce).

Artificial intelligence has been blamed for ongoing tech layoffs, but instead of AI taking human jobs, companies are having to allocate more capital towards AI data center expansions, effectively cutting their staffing budgets.

In June, Oracle confirmed a revenue increase for fiscal 2025 of 8%. "Cloud Infrastructure growth rate is expected to increase from 50% in FY25 to over 70% in FY26," CEO Safra Catz noted.

TechRadar Pro has asked Oracle to share further context about its recent layoffs. Any update will be posted here.

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Categories: Technology

Ensuring resilience in the IoT revolution

Mon, 08/18/2025 - 03:45

In recent years, we have seen significant growth in the number of IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down, with researchers estimating there could be 40 billion IoT devices by the end of 2030. Our daily lives now rely on connected devices like smart TVs, smartwatches and smart thermostats.

Meanwhile, businesses utilize the IoT for key operations such as managing supply chains, traffic flows and assessing equipment uptime. Users of IoT devices are now also benefiting from advancements in AI and sensing technologies, which provide them with enhanced performance, greater personalization, adaptability, remote control and real-time monitoring.

As we become increasingly dependent on these technologies to provide essential functions in our daily lives, we must recognize the risks that they can pose. Any AI-based IoT device could be exposed to information that is not reliable or accurate.

This is particularly concerning in safety-critical systems such as power grids or transportation networks, where a single faulty sensor or flawed algorithm could result in real-world consequences. While we continue to make IoT devices smarter and more autonomous with AI, we must also ensure we are making them safer too.

From digital risk to real-world disruption

As IoT devices are given the power to act, and not just collect data, the risks are no longer just digital. There are a number of ways that IoT devices can be at risk, such as communication problems, human error, or cyber-attacks. Depending on which sector the systems are deployed in, the effects could be catastrophic for health, the economy, or the environment. Furthermore, IoT systems are highly interconnected, which means faults can spread quickly from one system to another.

As the IoT becomes more integrated into our lives and affects the real-world, the boundaries between cyber and physical are gradually disappearing. It is crucial that we understand the different cybersecurity vulnerabilities of IoT systems, especially when they are operating safety-critical features for individuals or businesses. By identifying real-world scenarios and the potential consequences, we can then develop strategies to detect any anomalies and build more reliable systems.

Rising threats in the energy sector

One example of a sector where issues on IoT devices could result in severe consequences is in energy and power systems. Renewable energy usage is increasing, with the IEA reporting that globally there will be more than 5,500 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity between 2024 and 2030.

With increasing use of renewable energy sources, new solutions and technologies are being utilized, such as smart grids or microgrid paradigms. The IoT plays a crucial role in coordinating the use of resources, such as flexible loads, generators and batteries, to deliver the necessary amounts of power where and when needed.

However, the energy sector is a primary target for cyber-attacks, with notable incidents including the Stuxnet attack in 2010 or the attacks to the Ukraine grid in 2016, 2017 and 2022. In these cases, actors are looking to cause physical damage to infrastructure through so-called cyber-physical attacks, where they are specifically targeting physical assets to cause an impact in the real-world.

For example, by attempting to simultaneously take control of many devices such as smart meters and EV smart chargers, hackers could potentially destabilize the grid and cause widespread blackouts. While not the result of a cyberattack, the massive impact that blackouts can have was seen in April in the grid outages across Europe, where transport, ATMs, traffic lights and even communications systems couldn’t operate.

With cyberattacks on the energy sector being a pressing concern for governments, institutions and companies, there must be a focus on strategies to make the systems more secure and safer.

Protecting the IoT

Fortunately, there are measures that can be put in place to ensure IoT devices are secure, safe and resilient. Importantly, as attacks become more sophisticated, we should involve a range of multi-disciplinary skills, and not just rely on traditional Computer Scientists tools. Control Engineers can play a key role in designing and optimizing systems so that systems behave as intended.

The use of modeling and digital twins can help detect the presence of anomalies. This approach avoids having to retrofit IoT systems to solve issues after deployment. During this process, we should identify key vulnerabilities that IoT devices may have in their hardware components, software, and interconnectedness.

Additionally, it is crucial to consider the entire flow of data within the control loop to assess the levels of accuracy and reliability at each stage. Ultimately, a holistic approach is necessary to consider every step of the IoT device from conception and design to deployment.

Creating safer systems

The IoT is at the forefront of a revolution, with AI offering advanced new capabilities. As we benefit from these innovations, we must also understand the potential risks and ensure that resilience and robustness are built in from the very beginning, to avoid any repercussions in the real-world. By utilizing different skills and leveraging Control Engineering, we can ensure that as we become more connected, our systems are protected.

We've listed the best product management software.

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

Categories: Technology

How to watch EFL Championship 2025/26: live stream options, TV channels and key dates

Mon, 08/18/2025 - 03:44

Watch EFL Championship 2025/26 live streams as Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester aim to go straight back up, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Wrexham and Tom Brady's Birmingham back in the second tier. Below we have all the information on how to watch EFL Championship 2025/26 season from anywhere in the world with details on worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and live streams on TV screens, laptops, tablets and mobiles.

Ipswich have kept plenty of their relegated Premier League squad in tact, including highly rated manager Kieran McKenna, with Sammie Szmodics a proven goalscorer at this level. Southampton have brought in Will Still as gaffer this term after he impressed in France with Reims and Lens. Marti Cifuentes has replaced Ruud van Nistelrooy in the Leicester dugout, and the Foxes have retained their best players, with the exception of Jamie Vardy.

Promoted sides Wrexham and Birmingham will fancy their chances. The Welsh side, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have won three successive promotions from the fifth to the second tier, where they feature for the first time since 1981/82. Josh Windass and Lewis O'Brien are among their summer signings. Blues, part-owned by NFL great Tom Brady, have brought home former youth product Demarai Gray to feed Jay Stansfield up top after a 100-point 2024/25.

Elsewhere, Frank Lampard will hope to go one better with his Coventry City side that fell in the playoffs, Ruben Selles takes charge of Sheffield United, while Millwall could go well under the competitive gaffer Alex Neil.

Whatever happens, expect thrills and spills in arguably Europe's most competitive league in which anyone can beat anyone.

Here's where to watch EFL Championship 2025/26 live streams online from anywhere.

Game of the Week

Norwich vs Middlesbrough — Saturday, August 23, 3pm KO

Middlesbrough have made a flying start to the Championship under new manager Rob Edwards, collecting six points from their first two matches. They'll look to continue that momentum at Carrow Road, where attacks should come to the fore.

Streaming Options: Paramount Plus (US)

Use a VPN to watch any EFL Championship 2025/26 stream

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Use NordVPN to watch your usual EFL Championship 2025/26 free stream from abroad. We test all the providers and we rate Nord as the best VPN. There's 24/7 support available, a money-back guarantee and, best of all, there's currently over 70% off and an Amazon gift card included with this deal.View Deal

How to watch EFL Championship 2025/26 live streams in the US

CBS's streaming service Paramount Plus is the place to catch the EFL Championship 2025/26. Matches picked for international broadcast will be shown on Paramount Plus, CBS or Golazo.

Not yet a subscriber? Paramount Plus costs from $7.99 a month or $59.99 a year. And if you've never used the service before you can take advantage of a FREE 1-week trial.

The Paramount Plus app is available through Apple TV, iPhone and iPad, Android TV, Android phone and tablet, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Portal TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung TV, Vizio TV, LG TV, Roku, Xbox One and Series X, and Xfinity Flex.

If you're traveling abroad and struggling to connect to your Paramount Plus account, don't worry, a VPN will smooth out any issues. We recommend NordVPN – more details and a great discount above.

How to watch FREE EFL Championship 2025/26 live streams in the UK

The EFL Championship 2025/26 live streams will be shared between Sky Sports and ITVX the UK.

Sky Sports will be showing more than 1,000 of the 1,891 matches across the EFL (Championship, League One and League Two), Carabao Cup & Vertu Trophy this season, with every team of the 72 guaranteed to have 20 live games.

Sky Sports packages start from £20 per month. Or you can use a more flexible streaming option, Now (formerly Now TV). Now Sports memberships start at £14.99 for a day pass or £34.99 monthly if you are looking to catch all of the games.

This season, free-to-air ITVX will also be showing 20 live games, with 10 Carabao Cup ties and 10 games from across the EFL's three divisions, which includes the Championship.

All you need is a TV license to sign up and watch. The following are the first tranche of ITVX matches, all Championship fixtures with BST start times, unless otherwise stated.

  • Sunday 13 September Southampton v Portsmouth 12pm
  • Sunday 5 October Ipswich Town v Norwich City 12pm
  • Sunday 23 November Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United 12pm
  • Saturday 6 December Derby County v Leicester City 12.30pm

If you're traveling outside the UK then use a VPN to catch your Sky Go, Now or ITVX streams.

How to watch EFL Championship 2025/26 live streams in Canada

(Image credit: Other)

In Canada, DAZN has the rights to broadcast the EFL Championship 2025/26.

DAZN plans start at CA$24.99/month and you can also watch the Champions League and Europa League soccer, the Bundesliga, Nations League, rugby and tennis.

Traveling outside the Great White North during the season? Make sure to use a VPN so you don't miss any of the action.

How to watch EFL Championship 2025/26 live streams in Australia and New Zealand

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In Australia and New Zealand, the EFL Championship 2025/26 is exclusive to beIN Sports, which offers new users a 7-day FREE trial.

You can add beIN Sports to most pre-existing TV packages, or you can sign up as a separate subscription. It costs AU/NZ$14.99 month or AU/NZ$149 if you pay for a year up front, once that week-long trial ends.

In addition to the EFL Championship, beIN Sports has the rights to loads of soccer and other sports, including La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Carabao Cup and a shed load of tennis and rugby.

Not in Australia or New Zealand right now? Remember you'll need a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the EFL Championship 2025/26 action as if you were back home.

When does the EFL Championship 2025/26 start?

The 2025/26 Championship kicks off on Friday, August 8. The campaign will run over 33 weekend rounds, nine midweek rounds, and four bank holiday rounds.

The final day of the season will be Saturday, 2 May 2026.

EFL Championship Fixture List Week 3

Saturday 23 August 2025

Charlton vs Leicester — 12:30 pm BST / 7:30 am ET

Hull vs Blackburn — 12:30 pm BST / 7:30 am ET

Swansea vs Watford — 12:30 pm BST / 7:30 am ET

Birmingham vs Oxford Utd — 3:00 pm BST / 10:00 am ET

Coventry vs QPR — 3:00 pm BST / 10:00 am ET

Norwich vs Middlesbrough — 3:00 pm BST / 10:00 am ET

Preston vs Ipswich — 3:00 pm BST / 10:00 am ET

Sheff Utd vs Millwall — 3:00 pm BST / 10:00 am ET

Southampton vs Stoke — 3:00 pm BST / 10:00 am ET

West Brom vs Portsmouth — 3:00 pm BST / 10:00 am ET

Wrexham vs Sheffield Wed — 3:00 pm BST / 10:00 am ET

Can I watch EFL Championship 2025/26 on my mobile?

Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.

You can also stay up-to-date with all 2024/25 Premier League key moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@SkyBetChamp), Instagram (@efl), and YouTube (@theEFL).

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Categories: Technology

Security’s blind spot: the problem with taking CVE scores at face value

Mon, 08/18/2025 - 02:53

The modern software supply chain is operating under unprecedented pressure as new vulnerabilities emerge at a record pace. In 2024 alone, more than 33,000 new Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) have been reported – a record figure pushing security teams and developers to triage vulnerabilities at scale while trying to stay focused on their core vulnerabilities.

Yet, despite the high number of CVEs labelled “critical”, a closer look reveals that many of these threats aren’t nearly as severe in practice. In fact, recent research found that just 12% of these CVEs were flagged as “critical” by official sources truly warranted that designation.

This disconnect highlights a growing challenge for the cybersecurity industry. Although established CVE scoring systems like MITRE offer a useful baseline, they often fail to account for the unique context of each organization's environment. As a result, teams risk focusing on theoretical risks while genuine threats may be overlooked.

Take, for example, CVE-2024-45490 – a vulnerability in a widely used software tool that received a 9.8 CVSS Score. Although it received a “Critical” rating, further analysis and context revealed it is only applicable in 10% of cases. Exploiting this flaw would require a very specific and unlikely set of conditions for developers, making real-world exploitation extremely improbable.

To bring greater clarity to teams evaluating CVEs, security leaders should establish a checks and balances system of evaluating these threats with the necessary contextual analysis. This approach can help teams cut through the noise of low-risk vulnerabilities and ensure resources are directed toward their most pressing security problems.

Why context matters more than classification

A recent analysis of 140 high-profile CVEs revealed that 88% of Critical and 57% of High CVE scores were not as severe as the CVSS scoring would have you believe. Only 27 CVEs (15%) were found to be truly highly exploitable.

This highlights the importance of assessing the real-world context of CVEs. Without this information, misclassification can lead to alert fatigue, drain productivity and morale, and increase the risk of human error, which can cause more harm than the vulnerabilities themselves.

By factoring in aspects of the CVE like exploitability in their specific environment, exposure levels, and business impact, teams can make more informed decisions about which vulnerabilities demand immediate attention.

The toll on developers and security teams

The constant flood of security warnings and CVE disclosures makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish real threats from less urgent issues. Over time, this overwhelming volume of alerts can erode focus, leading to burnout, slower response times, and a greater likelihood of dangerous mistakes. As threat actors grow more sophisticated, the risk of critical issues slipping through the cracks only intensifies.

A major contributor to this fatigue is the prevalence of false positives. When security tools flag benign activity as malicious, analysts are still required to investigate these alerts to rule out real threats. Instead of focusing on building new features or improving existing products, developers are also often pulled away to respond to a barrage of other security notifications, many of which turn out to be inconsequential.

Ultimately, vulnerability fatigue not only hampers the effectiveness of security teams and developers alike but also puts organizations at greater risk of serious security incidents. To break this cycle, organizations need smarter, context-driven prioritization that empowers teams to focus on what truly matters.

A smarter way forward

The ever-growing list of CVEs demands a smarter, more strategic approach, one that goes beyond surface-level assessments. Context is king. By taking the time to understand how vulnerability applies to their unique environment, organizations can avoid unnecessary panic and instead zero in on risk.

Adopting a context-first mindset also facilitates better alignment between security leaders and business decision-makers. It supports a more measured, collaborative approach to risk that balances security with agility, resilience, and innovation.

In a world where every alert can feel like a fire drill, the ability to distinguish real threats from false alarms is more than a convenience. It’s a necessity.

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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

Categories: Technology

Murderbot season 2: everything we know so far about the hit Apple TV+ show's return

Sun, 08/17/2025 - 04:00
Murderbot season 2: key information

- Officially renewed in July
- Release date yet to be revealed
- No trailer released yet
- Main cast expected to return
- Season 2 may follow more than one of the book series
- Hope for future seasons

Murderbot season 2 is officially on the way, which is great news (and no surprise) given season 1's success.

The first ten episodes, based on the novels by Martha Wells, saw Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård) unlock his full potential and subsequently setting out on a path to discover who he truly is. Oh, while murdering anyone or anything that tries to kill the team he's assigned to protect.

It's a super hit for Apple TV+, scoring 96% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing, and vying for a spot in the best Apple TV+ shows. And given how season 1 left matters, there's plenty more to explore – and plenty more novels from Wells to seek inspiration.

Here's everything we know so far about Murderbot season 2 from release date prediction, expected cast, plot rumors and more.

Potential spoilers follow for Murderbot season 1.

Murderbot season 2 release date

A post shared by Apple TV (@appletv)

A photo posted by on

A Murderbot season 2 release date is a little while away yet considering season 2 only wrapped on July 11. But, what we do know is that the sci-fi comedy thriller has been officially renewed.

Just a day before season 1's epic finale, Apple TV+ confirmed the show's renewal with head of programming, Matt Cherniss, saying: "Chris, Paul, Alexander and the entire 'Murderbot' team have delivered a brilliantly original, addictive, witty and vibrant adaptation that has captured the imagination of audiences everywhere.

"We can't wait to unveil what's next for Murderbot and, of course, 'Sanctuary Moon' in season two."

If I were to make a Murderbot season 2 release date prediction, I'd say since season 1 premiered in May 2025, we'll be looking at late 2026/early 2027 before we get to see what Murderbot gets up to next.

Murderbot season 2 trailer: is there one?

A Murderbot season 2 trailer isn't flying in just yet (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

There's no Murderbot season 2 trailer to share – and there won't be for a while. For season 1, the trailer came out, as is usually the case, just a month before the show premiered on Apple TV+.

So, I wouldn't expect a trailer until nearer to the release date that we don't yet have! I'll be sure to update here when it does though.

Murderbot season 2 predicted cast

The main cast are all expected to return (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Full spoilers follow for Murderbot season 1.

The Murderbot season 2 cast is most likely going to consist of the following main characters from season 1:

  • Alexander Skarsgård as Murderbot
  • Noma Dumezweni as Mensah
  • David Dastmalchian as Gurathin
  • Sabrina Wu as Pin-Lee
  • Akshay Khanna as Ratthi
  • Tamara Podemski as Bharadwaj
  • Tattiawna Jones as Arada
  • John Cho as Captain
  • DeWanda Wise as Navigation Unit
  • Clark Gregg as Lieutenant
  • Jack McBrayer as Navigation Officer

It's seems incredibly likely that the stars of the TV show within a TV show 'Sanctuary Moon' will return, too, considering Matt Cherniss's statement after the season 2 renewal.

Murderbot season 2 potential plot synopsis and rumors

A new path for Murderbot? (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Major spoilers follow for Murderbot season 1.

Murderbot season 1 was full of sci-fi adventure, weird laughs, bug blasting and plenty of binge-watching episodes of 'Sanctuary Moon'.

However when it comes to the plot for season 2, the show, much like its titular character, may start to form its own path.

Speaking to ComicBook, Murderbot's executive product David S. Goyer said: "The only difference between the books and next season is that the economics of making a TV show requires you to book series regulars.

"Now that we have done a season and have X amount of series regulars, most of those characters aren't in the second book. You might see a little bit of a remix of a couple of the books."

And so, while there's rumors of Murderbot season 2 picking up on the second novel of Martha Wells's series, Artificial Condition, and season 1 ending true to how the first book did, it might not be that linear.

If it does follow along with book two though, the official synopsis reads: "It has a dark past―one in which a number of humans were killed. A past that caused it to christen itself “Murderbot”. But it has only vague memories of the massacre that spawned that title, and it wants to know more.

"Teaming up with a Research Transport vessel named ART (you don’t want to know what the “A” stands for), Murderbot heads to the mining facility where it went rogue. What it discovers will forever change the way it thinks…"

What's next for Murderbot? (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

The Murderbot season 1 finale set viewers up with a strong plot line to pick up on for episodes to come though.

Murderbot, after nearly dying and saving Mensah's life, wakes up with his memory wiped. With the team coming to save him and even Gurathin stepping up to help Murderbot recapture what he's lost, the future for Murderbot looks hopeful.

When they do gain Murderbot back, buying him from The Company, they let him be free. But, what will Murderbot do with this newfound freedom?

Armed with his autonomy and some serious killing skills, he boarded another ship. And while this may be the one mentioned in the book two synopsis, it's a plot kept firmly under wraps.

But, the season 1 finale was an incredibly thoughtful conclusion and after an intense battle in the penultimate episode, it stripped the pace back to let Murderbot feel all his feelings. And, I'm sure, there's plenty more of this to explore in Murderbot season 2.

Will Murderbot get more seasons on Apple TV+?

No news on future seasons of Murderbot, just yet (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

There's no news currently on what lies beyond Murderbot season 2, which is not all that surprising given it only got renewed for its second outing in July.

But, in conversation with ComicBook, Goyer did mention something that could possibly, hopefully, hint at more: "I would say there are five other books that Martha Wells has written, so there’s a lot more material. I don’t know if the show will last five, six seasons."

Sure, if Murderbot season 2 becomes more of a mashup of Wells's iconic series, that may limit how many seasons are left in the pipeline. But, with a stellar cast and unique premise behind it, there's perhaps space for at least a couple more seasons.

Time will tell and I imagine we won't hear much more about it until at least season 2 premieres. For now, I'll emulate Murderbot's enhanced senses and listen out for any news on the ground.

For more Apple TV+ coverage, read our guides on Ted Lasso season 4, Foundation season 3, Presumed Innocent season 2, and Silo season 3.

Categories: Technology

This is the most exciting printer design I've seen in years - and it reminds me of an obscure vertical Panasonic printer

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 17:28
  • SMÅ Printer simplifies printing with only three buttons and a single LED for status updates
  • The top-feeding paper design saves desk space while holding up to 120 sheets reliably
  • Maintenance is intuitive, allowing one-handed ink replacement without spills or awkward handling

Our printers have long been seen as bulky, frustrating gadgets that occupy too much desk space and often require complicated maintenance.

The SMÅ printer, designed by Jakob Höxtermann, challenges these assumptions with a design that emphasizes simplicity, sustainability, and compactness.

Unlike many home and business printers that are built with glued components, the SMÅ uses screws to hold its parts together, making it easier to take apart and recycle at the end of its life.

Streamlined functionality - not for heavy duty printing

Traditional printers often overwhelm users with buttons, menus, and unclear indicators.

The SMÅ simplifies this with only three buttons: power, stop, and a setup option for occasional adjustments.

A single LED communicates the printer’s status using intuitive colors, allowing users to know instantly when everything is ready, when ink needs replacing, or when a paper jam occurs.

The design of this printer encourages reduced paper and ink usage, while its straightforward interface makes it easy to operate.

Remember the Panasonic SP-70 and SPV series with a vertical screen printer? The SMÅ printer recreates this vertical layout, which sets it apart visually and functionally from standard horizontal designs.

By feeding paper from the top, the SMÅ conserves valuable desk space while also offering storage for up to 120 sheets without the need for additional trays.

A transparent extension ensures that stacked paper remains stable, which is a subtle but practical feature often overlooked in other printers.

Maintenance is equally straightforward: replacing ink involves lifting the outer shell and sliding in a new cartridge with one hand, avoiding messy spills or awkward handling.

Visually, the SMÅ adopts a minimalist style with soft edges that blend naturally into contemporary home or office environments.

It does not dominate a desk or appear as an industrial tool, which can make it easier to integrate into spaces where aesthetics matter.

This printer pushes intuitiveness and can be set up with smartphones or PCs.

That said, this device does not include advanced features found in high-end business printers and will not cater to heavy-duty needs.

Via Yanko Design

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Categories: Technology

OpenAI rival gets free publicity by offering to buy Google Chrome for just under $35 billion - so does that mean it will kill Comet?

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 15:34
  • Perplexity AI stunned the industry with an unsolicited $34.5 billion cash offer for Google Chrome
  • Chrome browser remains a key part of Google’s AI tools and long-term LLM development strategy
  • Perplexity’s own valuation is less than half of the amount it offered to acquire Chrome

Perplexity AI has attracted attention with an unsolicited $34.5 billion cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser.

The proposal comes despite Chrome not being officially for sale, and its deep-set integration into Google’s broader AI strategy, not to mention its wider software platform.

Analysts view the bid as an ambitious move aimed at boosting publicity, given Chrome’s role in driving search traffic, supporting AI tools, and collecting user data essential for Google’s long-term machine learning and large language model (LLM) development.

Bid details and competitive implications

The proposed acquisition terms reportedly commit to keeping Chromium, the underlying browser code, open source, with Perplexity saying it would invest $3 billion over two years and maintain Chrome’s current default search engine.

The company claims these steps would protect user choice while potentially easing regulatory concerns.

However, the offer is below the $50 billion valuation that some industry figures, including DuckDuckGo’s CEO, believe Chrome might fetch if divestiture were ever mandated.

Regulatory context plays a huge role in this situation, as the US Justice Department has pursued a Chrome divestiture as part of remedies in a broader antitrust case against Google, which was found to hold an unlawful monopoly in search.

Federal Judge Amit Mehta is expected to issue a ruling on remedies soon, but experts suggest a sale order could face years of appeals.

Experts also claim that higher courts, including the D.C. Circuit and potentially the Supreme Court, tend to be skeptical of forced divestitures.

Perplexity’s own financial position is raising questions, mainly because the company was founded just three years ago.

It raised around $1 billion from backers such as Nvidia and SoftBank and was last valued at $14 billion.

It has not disclosed exactly how it would finance the acquisition, but says multiple unnamed funds have offered full financing.

The scale of the bid, more than twice its valuation, recalls Perplexity’s earlier high-profile but unrealized proposal to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations.

The bid also highlights shifting dynamics in how people interact with the web.

Browsers, once considered stable infrastructure, have regained strategic importance as more users turn to AI tools and chatbot interfaces for information.

By acquiring Chrome’s three billion users, Perplexity could potentially accelerate the adoption of its AI-driven browser, Comet, which is currently limited to waitlisted users and premium subscribers.

For now, it appears the bid is primarily a publicity stunt, and the likelihood of Google accepting the offer is very low, as Chrome remains integral to Google’s AI roadmap, including features like “Overviews” that provide AI-generated search summaries.

If Perplexity’s bid is mainly a visibility strategy, it may succeed in drawing attention to Comet, but it will likely not scratch Chrome’s dominance.

Via Reuters

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Categories: Technology

Can a robot vacuum effectively mop your floors, too? I've tested all kinds of hybrid robovacs, and here's what I've found

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 15:00

Most modern robot vacuums don't just vacuum your floors – they can also mop them for you. This type of robovac is sometimes referred to as a 'hybrid robot vacuum', and it's increasingly difficult to find bots that don't offer mopping these days.

But how much should you focus on the mopping part? How does it work, and is it actually any good? I review robot vacuums for a living, and I've tested out cheap bots with the very simplest mops, right up to the very best robot vacuums on the market, with complex wet cleaning setups. Here's everything you need to know about robot vacuum mops, and if they're worth your time.

How does the mopping work on a robot vacuum?

The exact setup varies by model, but essentially, there will be a mop pad (or two) that's fed water from a tank in the main part of the robot. The robot vacuum will pull the pad(s) across your floors to clean them.

Sometimes the pad might spin, vibrate, or press down to dislodge dirt. Some robovacs will vacuum at the same time as mopping – the idea being that it cuts down on overall cleaning time. Others can be set to mop after vacuuming, or just do one or the other.

If you opt for a more advanced dock type, it might refill the bot's onboard water tank for you, so you don't need to top it off yourself as frequently. It might also wash and dry your mop pads for you. However, with cheaper, more basic bots, you'll need to take care of all this yourself.

What kinds of mop are there?

Some robot vacuums can mop much better than others. Here's a quick rundown of the main mop types, and my experience of how well each one cleans.

D-shaped pad

This is one of the most common mop types. It consists of a fixed, D-shaped pad that can be cleaned and reused. The pad is fed with water from an onboard tank as it's dragged along the floor. On more advanced bots, this pad might vibrate or press down as it goes, to help dislodge dried-on dirt.

A fixed, D-shaped pad will do a decent wipe-down job (Image credit: Future)

In general, I've found this style of mop pad pretty effective. It'll do a good job of wiping down your floors and picking up any lingering dirt. However, the dragging pad doesn't offer much by way of scrubbing – and especially so if it doesn't press down or vibrate – and because the pad isn't getting cleaned as it goes, if you have a spillage on the floor, it might end up getting dragged about a bit.

Two spinning discs

Another common type of robovac mop. Two disc-shaped pads are attached to the base of the bot and spin to scrub away dirt. They're fed with water from an onboard tank as they clean.

Spinning circular pads tend to be better at scrubbing (Image credit: Future)

This is probably my favorite mop type. It's similar to a D-shaped pad, but the rotation means these mops are a little better at scrubbing; some can even handle dried-on stains.

The pads can be removed and popped into the washing machine for a deep clean. However, because they're not getting cleaned as they go, big spillages will likely end up getting spread around, and I wouldn't use this kind of mop to tackle sticky or smelly substances.

Rotating roller

This is a less common type of robot vacuum mop, consisting of a mop pad on a track, like a tank. Fresh water is applied as the pad rotates around, but where this mop style has the edge on other setups is that there's a scraper that siphons off dirty water and any general gunk that's been picked up, too.

(Image credit: Future)

Roller mops are relatively new to the market right now, but are getting more popular. I wonder if we'll start seeing a lot more of them before long.

I haven't had a chance to test out a bot with a roller mop yet, but my reviewers who have done so have been impressed. In our Eureka J20 review, our tester found it "did a fantastic job of cleaning up spills," although noted that it wasn't as successful with dried-on dirt, suggesting that, like most robovac mops, it's more of a wiper than a scrubber.

Just a wet wipe

It's rare to see, but some budget bots just have space to attach a wet wipe, which is then dragged across the floor. This is the least effective type of mop.

The pads have a smooth surface rather than a grippy one, and do very little by way of scrubbing. They also can't be washed or reused, so you're generating waste if you opt for this style of mop, and you'll need to factor in the ongoing cost of replacing the wipes.

Wet wipe style mops are more fiddly, and only provide a light wipe (Image credit: Future)

The most high-profile brand to use this approach is Switchbot with its mini robovacs. I've yet to test one of these models out myself, and opinions differ as to whether this kind of mopping is worth the effort at all.

Our SwitchBot K10+ Pro Mini Robot Vacuum reviewer called it "perfunctory at best" and commented that he couldn't see anyone bothering to purchase a new set of wet wipes once the provided pack ran out.

However, my teammate Cat Ellis finds the setup useful for everyday cleaning: "It definitely isn't a substitute for proper mopping, but I've found it very handy for keeping everyday dust under control on my dark floors (which show up every speck of dirt). I'm often surprised by just how much it manages to pick up in the hallway, even when I've vacuumed recently."

Is the mopping any good?

Generally, my experience is that robot vacuum mopping is good enough to be a significant effort-saver – especially if you have lots of hard flooring that requires regular mopping. They're great for everyday maintenance cleaning, but not good enough that you won't need to resort to manual cleaning occasionally.

Regardless of mop type, I wouldn't leave one to tackle a big spill (it'll get stuck on the mop cloth and end up being spread around the floor) or a dried-on stain (the bot won't scrub hard enough to clear it).

Will my carpets get wet?

Maybe – depends which model you go for. Mid-range robot vacuums and above can often detect when they're going over carpet, and lift their mop pads so they're not dragging. Some premium bots have magnetic mops that they'll drop off in the dock when tasked with vacuuming carpet.

Some bots have a thin, removable water tank, and the mopping is 'on' whenever it's attached (Image credit: Future)

However, cheaper, more basic robot vacuums will drag their damp mop pads over carpets if you don't remove them. On some, the water is automatically 'on' when the mop pad and/or water tank is attached, so you'll need to shut the bot in the room you need mopping so it doesn't try and give your carpets and rugs the same treatment.

Will the mops start to smell?

If you leave them damp and don't clean them, yes. More basic robot vacuums will need to have their mop pads removed to dry after mopping, and you'll also want to hand-wash them or run them through the washing machine fairly regularly to keep them fresh and hygienic.

More advanced robot vacuums have docks that will take care of some mop maintenance for you. For example, they might be able to wash the mop pads – sometimes with hot water, to cut through grease – and dry them off, too. That cuts down the amount of intervention required from you. You'll pay extra for these kinds of features, though.

More advanced docks can take care cleaning the mop pads for you (Image credit: Future)Can you use floor cleaner?

Sometimes, but generally no. Most hybrid robot vacuums recommend you just use water, although it's worth checking the manufacturer's instructions as to whether it's okay to mix in cleaning solution.

The most advanced bots will let you use cleaning fluid, but they'll stress that only their proprietary cleaner is allowed, and it's invariably very expensive. Some will have a cleaning fluid tank that sits alongside the water tanks in the dock, and dispenses fluid evenly as the bot's onboard tanks are refilled.

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Categories: Technology

Remember floppy disks? This YouTuber set out to build his own from scratch - see how he got on

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 14:33
  • Floppy disks were officially deemed obsolete in 2010, yet persisted in surprising places for years
  • Polymatt used CNC machining and PET film to craft a functioning magnetic storage disk
  • Iron oxide coating allowed the handmade disk to store and retrieve basic magnetic data

Floppy disks, once a staple of personal and professional computing, have been phased out for over a decade - but while the technology was officially declared obsolete in 2010, some organizations kept using it surprisingly long.

The Japanese government only moved away from the format in 2024, while the German Navy followed suit the same year. In the United States, the last official use of 8-inch floppy disks for nuclear launch coordination ended in 2019, with San Franciso's government also finally cutting ties with floppies in 2024.

Against this backdrop of obsolescence, a YouTuber known as polymatt decided to recreate one from scratch, using modern tools and consumer-grade equipment.

Engineering a working floppy from the ground up

Polymatt began the project by carefully measuring and modeling the disk enclosure and internal components using Shapr3D and MakeraCAM software.

He then cut aluminum parts with a Carvera Air CNC machine, ensuring precise tolerances for the mechanical structure.

For the magnetic disk surface, he laser-cut PET film and coated it with a suspension of iron oxide powder, replicating the material properties needed for magnetic data storage.

After assembling the components, he managed to magnetize the disk and write to it.

While the data handling capabilities were basic, the fact that a functioning magnetic storage medium emerged from raw materials marked a notable technical achievement.

The process was not without difficulties, but persistence and methodical experimentation allowed him to complete the build.

Today, cloud storage services allow vast amounts of data to be accessed from anywhere, without the physical limitations of older media.

SSDs deliver high-speed and durable storage in compact formats, while an external SSD offers portable capacity far exceeding what was once possible with floppy disks.

A single modern SSD can store millions of times more data than the recreated floppy, with speeds that make the older medium seem impractically slow by comparison.

While polymatt’s recreation is unlikely to be used in practical applications, it demonstrates the enduring appeal of hands-on engineering projects.

Building a floppy disk in 2025 serves more as a tribute to a pivotal era in computing than as a viable alternative to current storage methods.

For those who once relied on them, the familiar clunk of a floppy drive reading data is part of a technological heritage that shaped modern computing.

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Categories: Technology

The Apple Watch may get a major redesign – but not in time for the Apple Watch 11

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 11:30
  • A new report outlines changes to the Apple Watch 12
  • We could get new sensors and an exterior redesign
  • The wearable won't be launching until September 2026

It looks likely that the Apple Watch 11 will be unveiled sometime next month, if Apple sticks to its usual schedule, but a new report suggests that its 2026 successor is going to feature a pretty significant redesign.

This tip comes from a report in DigiTimes (via MacRumors), based on supply chain sources, although we don't get too much information about what it might involve – and this isn't a device that has changed much in terms of its looks through the years.

The article does mention an increased number of sensors, presumably for more accurate health and fitness tracking, or perhaps to add to the metrics that can be tracked. These additional sensors may form part of the redesign.

In the past we've heard rumors of an Apple Watch with a camera and an Apple Watch with a touch-sensitive glass frame, but these potential upgrades aren't specifically mentioned in the latest reporting from DigiTimes.

Battery boost

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Image credit: Future)

The new article also mentions improved power efficiency too, which hopefully means we can look forward to better battery life with the Apple Watch 12, and perhaps the Apple Watch Ultra 4 (the Apple Watch Ultra 3 should arrive this year).

In terms of this year's model, the report does say that the Apple Watch 11 will be getting some Apple Intelligence features. However, based on what we've seen of watchOS 26, it seems likely that these will mostly be managed on a connected iPhone.

Given what DigiTimes is predicting for 2026, it seems the Apple Watch 11 might be a more minor upgrade. The publication does have a mixed track record for Apple gadget predictions though, so bear that in mind.

We'll no doubt get plenty more leaks and rumors about the Apple Watch 12 over the course of the next year, but before that we've got the Apple Watch 11, which should appear alongside the iPhone 17 handsets at some point in September.

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Categories: Technology

The end of laptops at work? Desktop as a service is now cheaper and easier to run, reports claim

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 11:02
  • DaaS could be more effective than laptops for 95% of workers by 2027
  • Hosted machines are twice as popular as they were in 2019
  • DaaS spending could grow to $6bn by 2029

New Gartner research has suggested hosted PCs, otherwise known as Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), are now cheaper to operate than on-prem business laptops.

By 2027, Gartner expects DaaS to be cost-effective for around 95% of the workforce, up from 40% in 2019, with more users set to use hosted machines as their main workspace as a result (20%, compared with 10% in 2019).

However, for the time being, most organizations only deploy DaaS to a minority of employees to assist with securing remote work. But a growing emphasis on cost, operational efficiency and sustainability could change this.

More companies are considering DaaS

Gartner predicts DaaS spending to grow from $4.3 billion in 2025 to $6.0 billion in 2029, thanks to the fact that the total cost of ownership has now dropped below laptops for many use cases, especially with thin clients.

"DaaS solutions allow remote workers, offshore workers, third-party employees, contractors, frontline workers and office workers to access virtual desktops hosted in the cloud," Gartner explained.

Microsoft was rated as a top leader, with strengths in digital workplace, cloud and AI, and products including Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 and Microsoft Dev Box.

For Microsoft in particular, Gartner estimates that 60% of its DaaS clients belong to mid-sized organizations (100-4,999 employees), with larger companies (5,000+ employees) accounting for 30% and just 10% coming from smaller orgs (up to 99 employees).

"Gartner rarely speaks to an organization that is planning to deploy a new on-premises VDI solution. Net-new deployments are almost exclusively using DaaS, and on-premises deployments are either migrating to DaaS or moving to a cloud control plane, except for a few land-locked use cases," the company concluded.

Looking ahead, businesses are now looking into the cost-efficiency benefits of DaaS with scaling opportunities further amplifying the potential savings.

However, as a relatively small portion of the overall PC market that's in its early stages with limited regulation, there raises some questions around vendor lock-in and licensing complexity, meaning that early adopters could have to put up with headaches until regulators weigh in.

Via The Register

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Categories: Technology

Chaos at DeepSeek as R2 launch crashes into hardware problems – rivals gain huge advantage

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 10:09
  • DeepSeek delays R2 launch due to persistent technical difficulties with Huawei Ascend chips
  • Nvidia H20 systems remain more reliable for AI training than domestic Ascend hardware
  • Alibaba’s Qwen3 exploits DeepSeek’s delays, incorporating core algorithms while improving efficiency and flexibility

Chinese AI giant DeepSeek has apparently encountered unexpected delays in releasing its latest model, R2, after facing persistent technical difficulties with Huawei’s Ascend chips.

The company had been encouraged by Chinese authorities to adopt domestic processors instead of relying on Nvidia’s H20 systems, which are generally regarded as more mature and reliable.

Despite Huawei engineers being on-site to assist, DeepSeek could not complete a successful training run using Ascend chips - and as a result, the company relied on Nvidia hardware for training while using Ascend for inference tasks.

Technical challenges delay R2 development

The R2 launch, originally scheduled for May 2025, was postponed due to these technical obstacles and longer-than-expected data labeling for the updated training dataset.

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the model’s progress, emphasizing the need for additional development time to produce a model capable of maintaining DeepSeek’s competitive edge.

Meanwhile, competitors like Alibaba’s Qwen3 were able to take advantage of this delay, as it has incorporated DeepSeek’s core training algorithms while improving efficiency and flexibility, showing how rapidly AI ecosystems can evolve even when a single startup struggles.

Beijing’s broader push for AI self-sufficiency has placed pressure on domestic firms to adopt local hardware.

In practice, however, this strategy has revealed gaps in stability, inter-chip connectivity, and software maturity between Huawei chips and Nvidia products.

Developers continue to play a crucial role in shaping the success of AI ecosystems - Nvidia has emphasized maintaining access to Chinese developers is strategically important, warning that restricting technology adoption could harm economic and national security interests.

Chinese AI companies, meanwhile, must balance government pressures with practical realities in developing and deploying LLMs.

Despite these setbacks, DeepSeek’s R2 model may still be released in the coming weeks.

The model is likely to face scrutiny regarding its performance relative to rivals trained on more mature hardware, offering a clear example of the tension between political ambitions, technical capability, and real-world AI deployment.

Via Arstechnica

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Categories: Technology

Wix vs Weebly: How these top website builders compare

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 09:32
Wix

Wix offers a fast yet flexible way to build your site. You get thousands of templates, an easy drag-and-drop editor, and powerful security. AI tools make setup super simple. We can see why many businesses prefer its features and freedom to customize.

Pros
  • Huge template library
  • Flexible drag-and-drop editor
  • Powerful built-in features
  • AI site builder
  • Strong app market
Cons
  • Higher monthly price
  • Can’t change template later
  • Overwhelming choices
  • No email support
  • Slower performance at times
Weebly

Weebly makes website building simple for everyone. It’s very affordable and its editor is easy to learn. You get free ecommerce on the basic plan, although many design features are limited as Weebly has not received updates since its acquisition by Square.

Pros
  • Very affordable
  • Unlimited free plan
  • Free ecommerce option
  • Simple drag-and-drop editor
  • Easy setup process
Cons
  • Fewer template choices
  • Outdated design features
  • Limited customization
  • Mobile editing not supported
  • Rarely updated platform

Building a business website today is simpler than ever. We have many accessible no-code platforms at our fingertips, designed for people who aren't coding experts. These website builders let anyone create a functional and good-looking site without needing to learn how to code.

Wix and Weebly are both popular options for beginners in 2025. But the differences matter quite a lot. Wix has endless features, flexible editing, and strong AI tools. Weebly is affordable and easier for small shops, but many features feel outdated. We’re going to break down what’s great, what’s not, and help you choose the best fit.

Wix vs Weebly: A detailed breakdown

Feature

Wix

Weebly

Starting price: USD/month

$17

$10

Free plan: Yes/No

Yes

Yes

Templates

2,000+ highly customizable

50+ basic options

Editor type

Flexible drag-and-drop, AI builder

Simple drag-and-drop

Ecommerce features

Advanced (paid plan needed)

Free on basic plan

Mobile editing

Yes

No

SEO tools

Advanced and customizable

Basic guides only

Customer support

Solid, but no email support

24/7 only on premium

Apps/Integrations

800+ options

350+ options

AI features

Yes, AI website builder

None

Customization

High design freedom

Low customization power

Performance

Sometimes slow

Fast, but very basic

Both Wix and Weebly are designed with ease of use in mind. However, Wix may have an edge when it comes to user-friendliness. The platform features an intuitive editor that makes it easy to add content and design your website exactly how you want it. Weebly’s editor is also straightforward to use, but it doesn’t offer quite as much flexibility as Wix.

When it comes to templates, both Wix and Weebly offer a good selection of modern and professional- designs. However, Wix arguably has the edge when it comes to template quality and variety. So, if you’re looking for more choices when it comes to designing your website, Wix is the better option.

Additionally, Wix and Weebly offer a good selection of features to help you build a professional-looking website. However, Wix offers more advanced features than Weebly, such as an app market, password-protected pages and the ability to sell products on your website. 

Wix vs Weebly: Features

Weebly has a traditional drag-and-drop interface that's easy to use but very restrictive. Meanwhile, Wix uses a more modern approach that relies on AI, templates, and drag-and-drop components to help you create websites. Weebly offers about 500 templates while Wix has over 2,000. Also, Wix's templates are more recent, with better design and accessibility.

Wix and Weebly both offer a wide range of features, including e-commerce, contact forms, and social media integration. However, Wix tends to have way more unique and innovative features, such as the Wix App Market and the Wix AI.

Weebly has an HTML/CSS editor for advanced customization, but very limited built-in flexibility. Wix also has an HTML/CSS editor, but it's also got many more tools for no-code development plus more recent updates to its platform. However, Weebly does have a fully free starter plan with no time restrictions and functional ecommerce features, which is absent with Wix. This is incredibly rare since most no-code tools charge for ecommerce features.

So, which platform is better? Wix has the clear higher ground here, but if youjust want an easy-to-use platform with a generous free plan, Weebly is a good choice. Just know that you won't have as much room to grow once you decide to upgrade to paid tiers for better scalability.

Wix vs Weebly: Ease of use 

Weebly is known for its ease of use. The platform’s editor makes adding content and creating pages simple. You can drag and drop elements onto your pages with ease, plus you don’t need any coding skills to create a top quality website. Since the options here are very limited, you could say that this platform is a better playground for beginners who haven't used these tools before.

Wix also has an easy-to-use editor, but it is not as simple as Weebly’s. Wix’s editor can be a bit confusing and overwhelming for first-time users, since it packs way more into its interface. It takes some time to get used to the platform, but once you do, you can create stunning websites that won't be possible with Weebly.

Wix vs Weebly: Support

Wix delivers solid support. It’s got a huge help center, tons of video walkthroughs, live chat, and phone support for premium users. Our experience shows answers are quick, especially if you pay for their higher plans. The only catch: you can’t get direct email support anymore. Social channels step in for fast fixes.

Weebly covers the basics with a detailed knowledge center and community forums. Most help comes from help articles or the integrated support button. You get live chat and phone support, but only if you pay for their upper plans. Free users might wait longer for help.

In general, Wix offers better customer support than Weebly. Both platforms are good at providing timely and helpful assistance when you need it, but the former is more complex and therefore features a more efficient support ecosystem.

Wix vs Weebly: Pricing and plans

Wix and Weebly both start free if you just want a basic site. Wix’s paid tiers begin at $17/month and go up to about $152/month. The most entry-level plan (Core) is $17/month, still giving you plenty: custom domain, lots of storage, and basic ecommerce tools. Want better features or top analytics? You’ll pay more.

Weebly makes pricing simpler. Paid plans are $10/month (Personal), $12/month (Professional), and $26/month (Performance). Even the cheapest one lets you sell products online for free, which is rare. You get fewer templates and not as many add-ons, but the website works.

We’ve found Wix offers much more for businesses wanting features and flexibility, but costs add up faster. Weebly saves you money and lets you try e-commerce without risk, yet it isn’t as robust. Serious businesses or those needing growth tools should spend for Wix, while smaller shops or simple sites will be happy with Weebly.

Weebly wins for budget users, Wix for those needing a richer site and more features.

Wix vs Weebly: Final verdict

Wix is the clear winner for 2025. It brings advanced features, powerful AI tools, and unmatched freedom to customize your site. We’ve seen Wix consistently improve its platform, staying ahead with fresh updates and solid support. If you want the best website builder for creative control, design, or scaling your business, Wix is your go-to.

Weebly still deserves a look, especially for beginners and budget-focused users. Its free eCommerce features and simple editor make it ideal if you just want a functional site with no fuss. We can say Wix wins for most, but Weebly is better if affordability and fast setup matter most to you.

Wix vs Weebly: FAQsWhich builder is easier for beginners — Wix or Weebly?

Weebly takes the crown for ease. Its editor keeps things simple, guiding you through site creation step by step. You don’t need any web know-how. Wix is more powerful but can feel overwhelming if you’re brand new to site building. Wix’s new AI builder does help, but Weebly still wins for pure UI simplicity.

Can I sell online using Wix and Weebly’s free plans?

Weebly lets you start selling products with its free plan. You get solid ecommerce basics without spending a cent. Wix, on the other hand, requires you to upgrade to a paid plan before you can open an online shop. This gives Weebly a big edge for budget-conscious sellers starting out.

Is Wix worth the higher price compared to Weebly?

If you want rich features, AI design, and lots of customization, Wix’s extra cost is justified. We know Wix isn’t cheap, but you get great value. Weebly remains the budget pick, especially for small sites or basic shops. But for most businesses aiming to grow, Wix pays off over time. For personal projects or local shops, Weebly keeps things very affordable.

Which platform offers better design flexibility?

Wix is far more flexible. Its editor lets you move anything, anywhere, no grid lock or restrictions. You can pick from thousands of templates and tweak every detail. Weebly’s templates are fewer and its editor keeps you within the lines. If creative freedom matters, Wix is the choice.

How do support options compare in 2025?

Wix covers more ground with live chat, a massive help center, and phone support for paid users. You get help quickly and there are tons of video tutorials. Weebly offers basic help articles and community forums. Premium users get phone and chat support, but free users might wait longer. Wix is faster and more complete for most support needs.

  • The best web hosting service will accompany your top quality website builder to create the perfect site
Categories: Technology

Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, August 17 (game #1301)

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 09:00
Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, August 16 (game #1300).

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 #1301) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

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

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #1301) - 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 #1301) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• F

• A

• D

• C

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

Quordle today (game #1301) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1301, are…

  • FUNGI
  • AMITY
  • DRIER
  • CHECK

Another day where I struggled to find my final word and thought about entering an incorrect one – it was going to be “admit” – just to keep the game moving and attempt to turn a few letters green.

AMITY was an experiment as it sounded like a word (as well as the town in Jaws) but it turned out to be correct (it means friendly relations).

Daily Sequence today (game #1301) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1301, are…

  • PUFFY
  • WEIGH
  • SHEIK
  • STRIP
Quordle answers: The past 20
  • Quordle #1300, Saturday, 16 August: OWING, QUAKE, SLIDE, ELITE
  • Quordle #1299, Friday, 15 August: WHALE, PRISM, DRAKE, TEPEE
  • Quordle #1298, Thursday, 14 August: LAPEL, IDIOM, RENEW, LIVER
  • Quordle #1297, Wednesday, 13 August: CACTI, HOMER, EMAIL, ALBUM
  • Quordle #1296, Tuesday, 12 August: SPOOL, TITLE, JAUNT, OVINE
  • Quordle #1295, Monday, 11 August: ADULT, BROOM, PURER, CRUEL
  • Quordle #1294, Sunday, 10 August: SCRUM, PIPER, TROLL, SPORE
  • Quordle #1293, Saturday, 9 August: NOOSE, INLET, ELEGY, VIRUS
  • Quordle #1292, Friday, 8 August: KNEEL, KINKY, RALPH, BOOZY
  • Quordle #1291, Thursday, 7 August: PLUNK, PROXY, CURVY, PEARL
  • Quordle #1290, Wednesday, 6 August: RISKY, APART, FAUNA, HANDY
  • Quordle #1289, Tuesday, 5 August: ROAST, SLICK, AUDIT, BILLY
  • Quordle #1288, Monday, 4 August: MACAW, SINCE, COLON, CHIRP
  • Quordle #1287, Sunday, 3 August: MOTIF, LEERY, LOFTY, BURST
  • Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
  • Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
  • Quordle #1284, Thursday, 31 July: STYLE, VALET, AGONY, ALLOY
  • Quordle #1283, Wednesday, 30 July: DEBAR, ADMIN, FOLIO, USAGE
  • Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
Categories: Technology

NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, August 17 (game #798)

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 09:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, August 16 (game #797).

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 #798) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

  • PRESS
  • CLOSE
  • WELCOME
  • STAMP
  • OPEN
  • SPEECH
  • HANDY
  • ADDRESS
  • PETITION
  • ENVELOPE
  • PUSH
  • ACCESSIBLE
  • NAME
  • NEARBY
  • ASSEMBLY
  • EXIT
NYT Connections today (game #798) - hint #1 - group hints

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

  • YELLOW: Local places
  • GREEN: Put it in the post
  • BLUE: Seen at an entrance 
  • PURPLE: Protected by the US Constitution

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 #798) - hint #2 - group answers

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

  • YELLOW: CONVENIENTLY LOCATED
  • GREEN: NEEDS FOR SENDING A LETTER 
  • BLUE: WORDS ON A DOOR 
  • PURPLE: FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS

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

NYT Connections today (game #798) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #798, are…

  • YELLOW: CONVENIENTLY LOCATED ACCESSIBLE, CLOSE, HANDY, NEARBY
  • GREEN: NEEDS FOR SENDING A LETTER ADDRESS, ENVELOPE, NAME, STAMP
  • BLUE: WORDS ON A DOOR EXIT, OPEN, PUSH, WELCOME
  • PURPLE: FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS ASSEMBLY, PETITION, PRESS, SPEECH
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: 1 mistake

I made one mistake today and it came from rushing to put together a quartet before properly considering all 16 tiles. 

Thinking I was collecting words linked to pressure on an opposing team, I grouped together PRESS, CLOSE, PUSH and ADDRESS.

I abandoned this pursuit and studied the board a bit more carefully immediately seeing NEEDS FOR SENDING A LETTER and then FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS, something I’m surprised warranted being a purple group.

The oddity of the round for me was completely overlooking the yellow group – something on reflection I really should have seen ahead of anything else.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, August 16, game #797)
  • YELLOW: INTREPIDITY FORTITUDE, GRIT, PLUCK, RESOLVE
  • GREEN: RENOVATIONS CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS, UPGRADES, WORK
  • BLUE: TROUNCE CREAM, CRUSH, ROUT, SHELLAC
  • PURPLE: KINDS OF SOFT/LIGHTWEIGHT PAPER CREPE, ROLLING, TISSUE, TOILET
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.

Categories: Technology

NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, August 17 (game #532)

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 09:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, August 16 (game #531).

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

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Think again!

NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • TINT
  • GRAIN
  • STEER
  • FILTH
  • TRIVIA
  • TUNA
NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 4th column

Last side: top, 6th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #532) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #532, are…

  • CREATIVITY
  • FEELINGS
  • SPONTANEITY
  • INTUITION
  • SPANGRAM: RIGHT BRAIN
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

The day after giving us the theme of left brain with a spangram running down the left of the puzzle, today Strands followed it up with RIGHT BRAIN. 

Activities associated with this side of our brains are those that involve visual-spatial processing and imagination, whereas the left involve logical, analytical, and sequential processing (I engaged the center of my brain – which I like to call 'Google' – to bring you these facts).

Despite the tricky words – SPONTANEITY always trips me up – this was a relatively easy puzzle to complete, but a worthwhile exercise all the same, as it’s always nice to be reminded about the wonder of our brains and the multitudes they contain.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, August 16, game #531)
  • LOGIC
  • ANALYSIS
  • LANGUAGE
  • NUMBERS
  • ORDER 
  • REASON
  • SPANGRAM: LEFT BRAIN
What is NYT Strands?

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

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

Categories: Technology

James Gunn drops major hint over Supergirl age rating – and it's what I expected for the DC comic-book movie

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 08:00
  • James Gunn has dropped a big hint about Supergirl's age rating
  • The DC Studios co-CEO indicated that "everyone" will be able to see it
  • Gunn's comment suggests it'll have a similar rating to Superman

James Gunn had dropped the biggest hint yet over Supergirl's age rating – and, if you were expecting it to a mature movie, you'll be disappointed.

Speaking as part of a roundtable attended by TechRadar to promote Peacemaker season 2, Gunn heavily implied that the Milly Alcock-starring DC Universe (DCU) film won't be as age-restricted as some viewers might have expected. Instead, Gunn indicated that it'll fall within the same bracket as Gunn's Superman movie, which carried a PG-13 rating in the US and a 12A classification in the UK.

As part of a wider answer about how each DCU Chapter One project's age rating is determined, especially in a shared cinematic world where characters from R-rated productions could appear in more family-oriented ones and vice versa, Gunn replied: "I think it's exciting to be able to tell different stories for different groups of people.

"So, you know, Superman was for everyone. Peacemaker is for an adult audience. Supergirl will be for everyone. We have the Krypto shorts [included on Superman's forthcoming physical release] that are for children. Then, we have Clayface, which is an R-rated horror film. So, I really like the idea of telling truly different tales within a singular universe."

Have you seen #Superman in theaters yet? pic.twitter.com/p4s60RWBXdAugust 9, 2025

Supergirl, which was known as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow until Gunn confirmed its shorter title in June, will be the next DCU film that flies into theaters. Supergirl's official release date was confirmed in June 2024, and it'll make its global theatrical debut on June 26, 2026.

We haven't had to wait for our first glimpse of Alcock in Gunn and Peter Safran's new-look DC comic-book universe, either. In January, the movie's first image showed Alcock's Kara Zor-El in a place that'll be very familiar to DC comic fans. Then, after teasing that Superman would include characters Gunn hadn't publicly revealed yet, one of the DCU film's final scenes included a crowd-pleasing cameo from Alcock's Kryptonian – and that 30-second teaser was all I needed to have full confidence in the DCU's Supergirl movie.

Following Kara's all-too-brief appearance in her cousin's latest big-screen adventure, Supergirl's first poster revealed a near-full first look at her superhero costume, and put a rebellious spin on Superman's 'Look up' tagline. If you were expecting her to be a squeaky clean as Clark Kent/Kal-El, you're sorely mistaken.

For more on the DCU's next silver-screen project, check out my dedicated guide on Supergirl and then find out why Jason Momoa's Lobo is such a vital part of its story.

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Categories: Technology

I’m going to ruin The Bear for you – but without spoilers

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 05:30

I’m a little late to the table, but I’ve recently started season 4 of The Bear on Disney+ with the hope that the slow simmering of season 3 is replaced with one that reaches the boiling points of the earlier ones.

It’s early days for me to fully chew into what season 4 has on the menu, but the steaks have been raised and it looks appetizing to add to my TV series diet. Yet there’s one ingredient in The Bear that’s made in through all four seasons, and has started to turn sour.

This could ruin The Bear for you, regardless of which season you’re on, as once you see it, there’s potentially no going back…

Heady flavors

That thing is the nodding. So. Much. Nodding.

Very noticeable in the first two seasons, to my eyes, every time key characters have a deep and meaningful interaction, they tend to nod a lot at each other. Speech pauses, the camera fixes on their individual faces and cuts between them, nodding to each other.

Fixing on faces and having slower moments is a fine tool to emphasise the emotion or impact of a scene, especially when the story is centered on chef Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto’s coping with trauma, death, and a dysfunctional restaurant. And Carmy’s nodding is almost a signature emote brought to the character by actor Jeremy Allan White.

This is all fine until you start to notice other actors and characters also nodding away in close-up scenes, often with eyes full of sadness or damp emotion. Used a few times, it’s a neat touch and seasons a scene or interaction.

Can we appreciate Carmy’s signature head nod for a moment??? from r/TheBear

As such, now that we’ve got to season 4, I find myself struggling to watch The Bear without fixating on spotting the incessant nodding, be it big and bold or just a subtle dusting of y-axis head movement. Though with a little sprinkle of irony, I don’t think this season is quite as full of nodding as the others, with the exception of Carmy’s bobbing head.

But there’s still a heck of a lot of slow scenes with characters staring into the void or at each other, which I fear is blunting the pace of The Bear and leaving episodes to feel a bit spongy in terms of proper narrative progression.

The Bear is less about food and more about the characters as they process challenges and changes, jeopardy and joy, all in the pressure cooker of a busy restaurant kitchen. But after the frenetic pace of the first two seasons and some standout episodes, The Bear’s focus on the characters is starting to taste a little samey without much in the way of big changes to push the narrative forward at a speed that’s in sync with the 30-minute runtime of each episode.

It feels like more development could be coming after my appetiser of two episodes. My hope is that season 4 rounds out with a perfectly baked story, and characters that don’t feel like they’ve been left in the emotional oven for too long or underdone like Edwin Lee Gibson’s Ebraheim, who I felt didn't get much time to sizzle on screen.

And I do hope the nodding is kept in check, as otherwise I’m going to be driven slowly mad by The Bear, which would be a shame given a fifth season has been greenlit.

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Categories: Technology

Forget a hosepipe ban - UK government suggests we help combat drought by deleting old emails and pictures

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 05:26
  • England’s drought was declared nationally significant after the driest six months since records began in 1976
  • The UK government urges the public to delete old files as part of a nationwide water conservation strategy
  • Hosepipe bans remain in place while reservoirs across England drop to alarmingly low seasonal levels

The UK government has proposed an unconventional way to contribute to water conservation during the country’s ongoing drought - deleting old emails and pictures.

ThE suggestion came from the National Drought Group, which includes government agencies, water companies, and environmental experts.

The ongoing drought in England has been declared a “national incident” following the driest six months since 1976.

Six months of extreme dryness prompt government-level alert

The reasoning behind the advice is linked to the operation of data centers, which support services such as email hosting, cloud storage, and email services.

These facilities use large volumes of water to cool servers and maintain optimal performance, so by reducing the amount of stored data, the argument goes, demand on data center capacity could be lowered, potentially cutting water consumption.

However, the real-world effect of such personal digital cleanups is uncertain.

While data centers do consume large amounts of water, particularly in high-density computing operations, experts have not presented clear evidence showing that deleting small amounts of personal data measurably reduces their cooling needs.

Critics suggest that structural changes, like reducing leaks and improving water infrastructure, would have a more immediate and tangible impact.

The drought has already prompted hosepipe bans in parts of Yorkshire, the South East, and other affected regions.

Reservoirs have dropped to 67.7% capacity on average across England, far below the early August norm of over 80%.

Some are now below 50%, with river flows at historically low levels in certain areas.

Prolonged dry conditions and multiple heatwaves have worsened the situation, affecting agriculture, wildlife, and public water supply.

Water companies have intensified leak repairs, with some fixing over 800 each week, and smart meters are being used to identify problem areas.

Public awareness campaigns have encouraged traditional water-saving actions such as taking shorter showers, fixing leaking toilets, and collecting rainwater for garden use.

The inclusion of a digital storage cleanup in official conservation messaging reflects a broader recognition that water consumption is linked not only to domestic and industrial activities, but also to the infrastructure supporting online life.

The growing demand for cloud storage and generative AI has added to the load on data centers, and environmental reports have shown measurable water use from AI processing tasks.

Whether deleting old files will have an impact on water supplies remains open to question.

However, England is in dire need of a solution for the drought, and small, everyday actions, whether at home or online, are part of the collective effort to protect the country’s strained water resources.

"Simple, everyday choices, such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails, also help the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife," said Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency.

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Categories: Technology

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