TechRadar News

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, August 24 (game #539).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Back to school

NYT Strands today (game #540) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• BACK
• SOLO
• STOKE
• TALL
• LAST
• CORK

NYT Strands today (game #540) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #540) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: right, 5th row

Last side: left, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #540) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #540, are…

• LAPTOP
• NOTEBOOKS
• FOLDERS
• BACKPACK
• CALCULATOR
• SPANGRAM: SUPPLIES

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

I had a bit of a back-to-front day today tapping out “top” and “lap”  before I saw we were searching for LAPTOP and tapping out “book” and “note” before seeing NOTEBOOKS.

I just about got through without using a hint although I was sorely tempted after a slow start. 

You will never need as many SUPPLIES for the rest of your life as you do at school. Well for your first day of school anyway. After the first week you wise up and realize you don’t have to fill your gigantic BACKPACK with every single piece of stationery item you may possibly need for the next decade.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, August 24, game #539)

• BLASTING
• LOUD
• BOOMING
• NOISY
• STRIDENT
• BOISTEROUS
• SPANGRAM: HUBBUB

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.

I think I finally understand why my mind so often wanders back to that picture-perfect day in Redmond, Washington, and the Windows 95 launch event on August 24, 1995.

Put simply, it's a combination of the sensory overload of attending my first carnival-atmosphere-level tech launch event and the fact that I was 31 years old, and realizing that I'd found the career and lifestyle that would sustain me possibly for the rest of my life.

Bill Gates at the Windows 95 launch in Redmond, Washington. (Image credit: Getty Images)

In a way, Microsoft and I had this in common: 1995 (and that August 24 launch) marked a turning point for Windows, which had, even with Windows 3.1, been a pale imitation of the Macintosh OS graphical user interface (GUI). Windows 95 put Microsoft's Start button approach to desktop computing in the hands of millions, cementing its position as the PC platform leader just as Apple was sliding into temporary obscurity. In my life, I was a rising tech editor at the number one tech publication in the world, and at home, just months earlier welcomed my first child in our still relatively new home.

In a way, I think I'm nostalgic for that moment. Microsoft felt a little scrappy and a lot nerdy. I was a curly-headed, over-enthusiastic nerdy tech writer who was never quite sure how to climb the media ladder.

Image 1 of 2

My ticket and press pass for the event. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)

Microsoft's Windows 95 launch event was the culmination of a year-long marketing effort, but it also felt as if Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and company were reaching, without much success, for a little bit of the Apple cool. When Apple launched the iconic Macintosh more than a decade earlier, it did it with an extraordinary TV commercial, one that almost said, 'We don't need you, you need us."

Microsoft hired Jay Leno, an amiable Tonight Show host who has never and will never be "cool," as the master of ceremonies and paid The Rolling Stones a still unknown sum for the opening bars of its salacious Start Me Up (go read the lyrics, I'll wait). Even that didn't make Microsoft cool.

None of that mattered, though, because, at the time, Windows 95's relevance quotient was through the roof.

While I was wandering around the Redmond campus carnival, pausing briefly to watch Jay Leno deliver a standup routine to a dozen or so people seated on the perfectly manicured green lawn and to share a couple of words with Bill Gates who stood behind all of them, watching, thousands of people around the world were lined up at retail stores to buy the first copies of the $99 Windows 95 operating systems (it went on sale at midnight that evening).

That's right. They lined up. Long before Apple inspired consumers to queue up at Apple stores for the first iPhone, Bill Gates had marketed the heck out of Windows 95 and turned everyone into either Windows fans or at least software collectors.

Image 1 of 7

This Special Edition Windows 95 package was handed to us at the launch event. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)Image 2 of 7

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)Image 3 of 7

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)Image 4 of 7

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)Image 5 of 7

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)Image 6 of 7

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)Image 7 of 7

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)

I remember lots of little bits about the day. It felt important, and I, by extension of my invite and ability to cover it, also felt like I mattered a little more.

In the ensuing decades, I'd visit Microsoft's campus again (most recently the same spot for the company's 50th anniversary), travel to Cupertino for Apple, South Korea for Samsung, Austin, TX, for Dell, and Las Vegas for almost two dozen CES events. But Microsoft's Windows 95 launch was the first. It was the original tech spectacle and rewrote the script for where technology would live in consumers' lives and how they would learn about it.

Within a few years, the Internet would be ubiquitous and Microsoft, which launched Windows 95 without a web browser, would race to catch up, belatedly delivering Internet Explorer.

The original Windows 95 upgrade software (left) and on the right the Plus package that later added, among other things, Internet Explorer. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff)

The web splits our attention across an untold number of niche interests. Getting millions to focus on one singular event was becoming virtually impossible.

These days, we craft our own information channels.

Just this past week in Brooklyn, NY, Google launched its new Pixel line with Jimmy Fallon, the SNL comedian who took over for Leno, as host. It was a slightly strange and mildly amusing event that I attended and wrote about. But this isn't 1995, and it wasn't a circus, just another big tech company trying to garner attention. Instead of Ferris wheels, games, and songs about sex, we got the milqutoast Jonas Brothers and a legion of influencers who were either on stage or in the audience, all there to spread the word.

Most of them were either born years after the Windows 95 launch or are too young to remember it.

You might also like

• I've been covering Microsoft, DOS, and Windows since the 1980s, and Microsoft turning 50 is more important than you think
• Windows 10 is ten years old and it had some of the best and worst ideas ever
• I've been using a MacBook Air for a month and, no, I don't miss Windows

• iOS 26 will unlock extra charging speeds on the iPhone 16 models
• 25W is going to be possible using third-party chargers
• We should see the final version of the software roll out in September

Since iOS 26 was announced in June, it's been through several cycles of beta testing ahead of its expected full release next month, and we now know it's going to bring an extra bonus to existing iPhone 16 handsets: faster wireless charging.

As spotted by MacRumors, iOS 26 unlocks the full capabilities of the Qi2 wireless charging standard on the iPhone 16, which means wireless charging speeds of up to 25W on third-party Qi chargers. Previously, the limit was 15W.

To get the best charging speeds, you need several different elements to line up: the phone hardware, the charging standard, and the software support. The Qi2 standard was built-into the iPhone 16 handsets when they launched last September, and then updated to support 25W back in July.

Right now though, that 25W upgrade hasn't been unlocked on the 16 iPhone series – you can only get 25W wireless charging from official Apple MagSafe chargers. When iOS 26 rolls out in full, that will change.

Wireless boosts all round

Official MagSafe accessories can already get up to 25W on the iPhone 16 (Image credit: Apple / Future)

Thanks to the improved charging capabilities, you'll be able to get an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro up to 50% battery from zero in as little as 30 minutes, according to Apple's own figures for its MagSafe range of products.

Belkin has moved fast, and is releasing three new chargers to take advantage of the incoming update. It's not something Apple has specifically referred to yet, though that may change when the iOS 26 beta period ends.

This is also confirmation that the iPhone 17 handsets are going to support the latest Qi2.2 standard, with wireless charging up to 25W, as has been widely expected – although as third-party charger support gets a bump up to 25W, we might see MagSafe capabilities go all the way up to 50W, according to one leak.

It's almost certain that Apple is going to unveil the iPhone 17 series sometime in September, and the indications are that something could happen around September 9. As always, we'll be bringing you all the news and announcements as they happen.

You might also like

• iOS 26 beta 6 brings more surprise upgrades
• Everything we think we know about the iPhone 17
• Apple's iOS 26 is changing CarPlay in a big way

• The latest Samsung tri-fold leak has appeared
• It relates to how One UI will work on the handset
• We can expect to see the phone in October

We shouldn't have much longer to wait before Samsung finally launches its much-anticipated tri-fold handset, and a fresh software leak may have just revealed how the new handset will have the edge over the recently launched Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The team at SammyGuru (via 9to5Google) has somehow got hold of hidden One UI 8 elements that show the tri-fold is going to have the ability to show three apps side-by-side on the main screen – the ultimate in multitasking.

While you can get three apps up at the same time on the main 8-inch display of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (and its predecessors), one of those apps has to take up the top half or bottom half of the screen. That leaves the other two squashed into the corners.

Another improvement that's apparently on the way: the Samsung tri-fold will be able to show up to three home screens as well, mirrored from three home screens on the outer display (where they can be cycled through with a swipe).

The rumors so far

The main display of the Samsung tri-fold will have three sections, like the Huawei Mate XT (Image credit: Future)

These are promising leaks in terms of software, because it sounds as though Samsung has thought carefully about what makes a tri-fold different. According to this latest report, support for these features will roll out with One UI 8.5.

Considering One UI 8 is already on certain devices, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, that suggests the tri-fold isn't too far away from launching. Previous rumors have suggested that Samsung's grand unveiling would be sometime in October.

As you may remember, Samsung first teased the device all the way back in January, at the Galaxy S25 launch, so it's definitely coming. However, there's been little official information about the handset since then.

If the leaks and rumors are right, the phone is going to come with a titanium frame, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a triple-lens rear camera, rather ordinary charging times, and a 9.96-inch display. Oh, and it's going to cost you quite a bit of money, too.

You might also like

• Samsung says it hasn't forgotten about the Galaxy tri-fold
• This tri-fold concept phone is my new favorite thing
• Samsung may have just solved the tri-fold naming problem

You can watch the 2025 US Open live on 9Now, streaming for free from August 25th to September 7th. The free coverage includes live matches, English commentary and all the big names as the biggest stars in tennis compete for the final grand slam of the year.

The Australian platform will broadcast the US Open in HD throughout the tournament, ensuring all tennis fans get the best quality coverage of the grand slam.

Are you wondering how you can watch the US Open for free in the U.S., U.K and Canada too? And on which apps?

No need to panic - Here's our guide on how to watch the US Open for free on 9Now

How to watch the US Open on 9Now for free

If you're looking for English commentary and HD coverage, 9Now (Australia) is our pick for FREE US Open coverage.

In order to watch 9Now's footage, you will need to create an account if you haven't done so already. You can do this for free, it just asks for your email account.

Travelling or working outside of Australia? You can watch 9Now's coverage of the US Open from anywhere in the world with a VPN.

Our favorite VPN to stream the tennis on is NordVPN, the picture quality is amazing.

How to watch the 2025 US Open from anywhere in the world

The US Open is available across the globe, however, it is only being streamed for FREE in Australia.

No need to worry though tennis fans, if you're travelling or working outside of these countries, you can use a VPN to access your usual streams.

There are heaps of different VPN's on the market but NordVPNis our # 1 ranked, meaning you can rely on them to unblock your streams and enjoy the US Open coverage on 9Now.

NordVPN – try the world's top VPN for the US Open

Want to watch the US Open live streams whilst travelling abroad? If you're away from home right now, use NordVPN to access your domestic streaming services like 9Now as if you were back home. We've tested all major providers and rate NordVPN as the best VPN. With 24/7 support, a 30-day money-back guarantee and over 70% off with the current deal, it's perfect for streaming the US Open. Check out full details in our NordVPN review.

Try NordVPN 100% risk-free for 30 daysView Deal

It's really simple to use a VPN to watch the US Open when you're away from home:

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is #1 ranked.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For example, if you're traveling in the US but from Australia, select 'Australia' from the listed countries.

3. Sit back and enjoy the tennis. Head to your streaming site or app and watch US Open 2025 action.

US Open Q+AWhat does 9Now's US Open coverage include?

(Image credit: Getty Images- Elsa )

As well as excellent coverage of the tournament, including the men's and women's final, 9Now also offer fans expert analysis.

Tennis fans can expect to see former Australian tennis superstars Jelena Dokic and Todd Woodbridge providing analysis on their screens, with Sam McClure and Georgie Parker hosting and commentating across the tournament.

9Now offers a wide range of content surrounding the US Open, and is the place to go for your FREE coverage.

If you're travelling abroad, don't forget to use NordVPN to gain access to the coverage.

Which devices can I use to watch US Open on 9Now with?

Here's a list of all the devices you can download the 9Now app on.

Apple iPhones and iPads. iOS 12+

Android phones and tablets. 5.0+

Web Browser - 9Now

Amazon Fire TV

Android TV

Apple TV

Chromecast

Fetch TV

Foxtel iQ

Freeview

Hisense TV

LG TV

Roku

Samsung TV

Is 9Now the best way to watch the US Open for FREE?

We've tested 9Now and the service is user-friendly (you'll need a VPN when travelling outside Australia) and dependable. Owned by Nine Network, a leading Australian broadcaster, it offers reliable streaming with excellent replays and full free streams of matches across the 2025 US Open with English commentary.

Additionally, 9Now will cover other major sports events, providing more live sports coverage for free. Just make sure you have a strong internet connection for the best experience and you're good to go.

For catching up, 9Now provides free highlight clips of select US Open matches, lasting around 8 minutes.

• How to watch Premier League 25/26
• Should you use a VPN to watch tennis online
• Best VPN in 2025

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.

The Gilded Age season 4: key information

- HBO confirmed renewal on July 28, 2025
- Current speculated release window between 2026 to mid-2027
- Main cast expected to return, Morgan Spector's George less certain
- Plot details are currently under wraps

The Gilded Age season 4 was greenlit by HBO shortly before the penultimate episode of the third season aired.

According to Deadline, ahead of The Gilded Age season 3 finale, the drama series was "adding viewers at a rate nearly 50% higher than in previous seasons." HBO's head of drama series and films Francesca Orsi added: "We couldn’t be prouder of the undeniable viewership heights The Gilded Age has achieved this season.

"Transporting us to 1880s New York City, Julian Fellowes and the enormously talented cast and crew have created a 'cant-miss it' entertainment experience from week to week, and we’re delighted to continue exploring these characters’ grand ambitions for what we promise will be a thrilling fourth season."

For the uninitiated, the hit HBO Max TV show is basically an American version of Downton Abbey (which was also created by Fellowes), following upper-class families in NYC at the turn of the 19th century. Old money has been against new money since the start of season 1, and thanks to the continued drama between Bertha (Carrie Coon), George (Morgan Spector) and Gladys' (Taissa Farmiga) recent marriage, that's not going to stop.

But things have changed in New York society, and that's potentially about to change Bertha's life for good. But what do we actually know about The Gilded Age season 4 so far, and what can we expect?

The Gilded Age season 4 release window speculation

(Image credit: HBO)

As of writing, no confirmed release date has been given for The Gilded Age season 4. This isn't surprising considering season 3 isn't even cold yet, and it's likely going to be a while before we get anything more concrete than the renewal news itself.

That doesn't mean we can't made an educated guess, though. Season 1 premiered in January 2022, with by season 2 in October 2023, and season 3 in June 2025 (though it's worth bearing in mind that the latter two seasons were impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes). Hopefully, this means the gap between seasons 3 and 4 won't be as long as we've seen previously, giving us a rough timeline of summer 2026 to spring 2027 for new episodes.

The Gilded Age season 4 trailer: is there one?

(Image credit: HBO)

Unsurprisingly, there's no trailer for season 4 yet and there won't be for a while (it's not even started filming yet). We'll be sure to update this page as soon as one drops.

The Gilded Age season 4 cast rumors

Morgan Spector (George) and Bertha (Carrie Coon) in The Gilded Age season 3. (Image credit: HBO)

Essentially, we're looking at the main players from season 3 all returning, though nothing has been confirmed as of yet. Only John Adams (Claybourne Elder) actually died in season 3 – we'll come back to George a little later – so there's nothing to suggest anyone else will be leaving at this stage. Of course, an actor can always be written out if they want to or to save scheduling clashes, but let's assume that's not going to happen.

Here are the cast members we'd respect to return for The Gilded Age season 4:

• Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell
• Phylicia Rashad as Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland
• Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook
• Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn
• Harry Richardson as Larry Russell
• Denée Benton as Peggy Scott
• Jordan Donica as Dr. William Kirkland
• Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook
• Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell
• Ben Lamb as The Duke of Buckingham
• Blake Ritson as Oscar van Rhijn)
• Audra McDonald as Dorothy Scott
• Kelley Curran as Enid Winterton
• Kelli O'Hara as Aurora Fane
• Donna Murphy as Mrs. Astor
• Ben Ahlers as Jack Treacher
• Douglas Sills as Monsieur Baudin
• Celia Keenan-Bolger as Mrs. Bruce
• Simon Jones as Mr. Bannister
• Jack Gilpin as Church
• Debra Monk as Armstrong
• Phylicia Rashad as Elizabeth Kirkland
• Brian Stokes Mitchell as Frederick Kirland

Of course, there's an elephant in the room: will Morgan Spector be returning as George? The jury is currently out after his unexpected departure. Other societal outcasts such as Nathan Lane (Ward McAllister) also have a question mark against them.

The Gilded Age season 4 plot rumors

Season 4 totally depends on what George chooses to do next. (Image credit: HBO)

Major spoilers follow for The Gilded Age season 3.

Let's recap what we learned in the season 3 final episodes. George’s life hung in the balance in the closing scene of season 3 episode 7. He’d previously won out against Clay (Patrick Page) and Mr. Sage (Peter McRobbie), getting the business back on track in spite of their rivalry. However, this comes at a price. A courier soon visited George’s office, pulling a gun on his secretary before aiming it straight at George himself. The gun went off, the screen goes black and we had no idea whether he’s alive or died.

In episode 8, we find out that George was indeed shot, but managed to make a miraculous recovery. Hooray! Lives are saved and the Russells can return to being the stoic force in New York society that they’ve always been, right? Wrong. Once George is well enough to remember he’s being streamed live on HBO Max, he promptly tells wife Bertha that he’s not even sure if he loves her or trusts her, leaving for New York without so much as an amicable thought between them.

Just as Gladys announces she is pregnant right in the episode's final moments, George is seemingly out of the picture. This means Bertha got everything she'd been working towards, but now has been left without a stable family unit of her own.

As far as Carrie Coon is concerned, Bertha won’t take any of this lying down. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she explained: "It’s heartbreaking, of course. But, at the same time, her wheels are already turning about how she’s going to fix it. You know she’s not going to give up on it. She’s indefatigable, of course. So I think she’s looking out that window and she’ll have a moment of grief, and then she’s going to get to work on some kind of plan.”

She later told Variety: "I don’t know [if they'll get back together]. It depends what George wants." She added of George's reveal, "That feels very real to me in long-term relationships. One person can go through a very transformative experience that the other person doesn’t have access to, and it takes them a while to find their way back to each other."

However, Morgan Spector was optimistic, telling TVLine: "Because we know how good this couple can be together, it would be really fascinating to see them spend a season figuring out how to get back to each other."

Obviously, Bertha and George aren't all that's going on the show. Marian and Larry are still on course to be wed, Peggy is newly betrothed to William (despite his mother's objections) and Oscar may be headed toward a lavender marriage with Enid. Of course, we'll be seeing Gladys' pregnancy play out too.

"I hope I don't have to play pregnant too long," Taissa Farmiga told Marie Claire. I don't want to have to wear a corset with a pregnancy belt. Let's just throw this out there – maybe Julian reads this. But also I'll do what I have to do!

"I think she will be more inspired by George's parenting than by Bertha's parenting. I think she's going to want to give more of the emotional comfort that Bertha doesn't give, even though we know Bertha loves her children. She loves them so much, but sometimes a child needs a hug and a gentle smile, not like a firm guiding hand. Sometimes it's just acknowledging their feelings."

You might also like

• IT: Welcome to Derry – everything you need to know about the new Max horror series
• Harry Potter TV show: everything we know so far about the upcoming HBO adaptation
• The Last of Us season 3: everything we know so far about the hit HBO Max show's next chapter

• A software developer sabotaged his employer after being demoted
• Davis Lu created a "kill switch" that would lock out all users
• He was sentenced to four years in jail and additional three years of supervised leave

A disgruntled worker has been sentenced to four years in prison after installing “kill switch” malware on his employer’s network which was set to trigger if he ever lost network access.

According to a Department of Justice (DoJ) press release, a Chinese national named Davis Lu was working for an unnamed software company between November 2007 and October 2019. In 2018, he was demoted and lost system access, after which he “began sabotaging his employer’s systems”. By early August 2019, he introduced malware that crashed systems and prevented other users from logging in.

Court documents also revealed he created “infinite loops” that crashed servers, deleted coworker profile files, and ultimately built a “kill switch” that would lock out all users if his access to Active Directory was revoked. In early September 2019 he was asked to surrender his laptop, after which the kill switch was triggered.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages

Investigators found plenty of incriminating evidence on that laptop, including that on the day he turned his device in - he deleted encrypted data.

An analysis of his search history showed he was looking for ways to escalate privileges, hide processes, and quickly delete files. Finally, the kill switch code was named IsDLEnabledinAD, short for “Is Davis Lu enabled in Active Directory”.

A month after the malware ran, Lu was arrested, and later stood trial in front of the jury.

During the trial, it was shown that Lu’s employer suffered “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in losses, as a direct consequence of his actions. Now, Lu will spend four years in prison, with an additional three years of supervised release.

"The FBI works relentlessly every day to ensure that cyber actors who deploy malicious code and harm American businesses face the consequences of their actions,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division.

“I am proud of the FBI cyber team’s work which led to today’s sentencing and hope it sends a strong message to others who may consider engaging in similar unlawful activities. This case also underscores the importance of identifying insider threats early and highlights the need for proactive engagement with your local FBI field office to mitigate risks and prevent further harm.”

Via The Register

You might also like

• British Museum forced to partly close following cyberattack by ex-worker
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

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 23 (game #804).

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 #805) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• GLASS
• CORAL
• TORN
• CURTAIN
• RENT
• RATTLE
• COLD
• BOTTLE
• KING
• BOOTY
• CARAFE
• SPLIT
• CLOSE
• GARTER
• CLEFT
• DECANTER

NYT Connections today (game #805) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Receptacles for a drink
• GREEN: Divided
• BLUE: Slithering things
• PURPLE: [Blank] thing you can do with a phone

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 #805) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: WINE VESSELS 
• GREEN: RIPPED
• BLUE: KINDS OF SNAKES
• PURPLE: ____ CALL

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

NYT Connections today (game #805) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #805, are…

• YELLOW: WINE VESSELS BOTTLE, CARAFE, DECANTER, GLASS
• GREEN: RIPPED CLEFT, RENT, SPLIT, TORN
• BLUE: KINDS OF SNAKES CORAL, GARTER, KING, RATTLE
• PURPLE: ____ CALL BOOTY, CLOSE, COLD, CURTAIN

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

After an easy game yesterday, I was expecting a more cryptic round today – and so it proved. WINE VESSELS was easy enough to get, but the rest of today’s Connections was really difficult.

I was pleased when I managed to finally get KINDS OF SNAKES, but it took me three tries before I finally achieved it. I was pretty sure about the category and had RATTLE, KING and CORAL locked down, but was clueless about the fourth.

I didn’t really know what I was looking for with the last two groups, but thinking that SPLIT, CLEFT and TORN must belong together, I tried CURTAIN first before swapping in RENT for no reason other than a blind guess. 

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, August 23, game #804)

• YELLOW: U.S. PRESIDENTS ADAMS, FORD, GRANT, WASHINGTON
• GREEN: ACTORS WHOSE LAST NAMES ARE ALSO VERBS CHEVY CHASE, CHRISTOPH WALTZ, GEOFFREY RUSH, TOM CRUISE
• BLUE: KINDS OF POKER DRAW, OMAHA, STRIP, STUD
• PURPLE: PROPER NOUNS AFTER GERUNDS IN '90S MOVIE TITLES AMY, JOHN MALKOVICH, LAS VEGAS, PRIVATE RYAN

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new 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 23 (game #538).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Plug your ears

NYT Strands today (game #539) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SITE
• BOON
• SMOG
• BONUS
• LOST
• BORE

NYT Strands today (game #539) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 6 letters

NYT Strands today (game #539) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: right, 5th row

Last side: left, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #539) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #539, are…

• BLASTING
• LOUD
• BOOMING
• NOISY
• STRIDENT
• BOISTEROUS
• SPANGRAM: HUBBUB

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

I was expecting today’s search to be about explosions. Especially as the first word I found was BLASTING, but BOISTEROUS and STRIDENT describe LOUD people rather than detonations.

Recently I’ve been finding the spangram fairly quickly and working my way around the board from there, but I found today more difficult and didn’t get HUBBUB until near the end. 

I did manage to get through without taking any hints, but it was far from a straightforward search, with BOISTEROUS taking me a while to get through. A Sunday stretch.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, August 23, game #538)

• DETECTIVE
• STRANGER
• LOVER
• RIVAL
• SPOUSE
• HEIR
• SPANGRAM: ITS A MYSTERY

What is NYT Strands?

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new 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 23 (game #1307).

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 #1308) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* 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 #1308) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1308) - 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 #1308) - 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 #1308) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• R

• G

• A

• O

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

Quordle today (game #1308) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1308, are…

• ROVER
• GONER
• ANTIC
• OUTDO

The curse of the letter V hit me again today when I plumped for every possible other letter in the middle position taking four guesses before finally getting ROVER. When will I learn?

Despite the error I still – just about – managed to complete the puzzle before the 9th round. Phew!

Daily Sequence today (game #1308) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1308, are…

• FABLE
• PLANT
• WAFER
• HAZEL

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1307, Saturday, 23 August: DEMON, GRATE, FLYER, SHEEP
• Quordle #1306, Friday, 22 August: TROOP, SCOPE, TORSO, BRINY
• Quordle #1305, Thursday, 21 August: QUEST, SPARK, WHITE, ACUTE
• Quordle #1304, Wednesday, 20 August: DOLLY, MERRY, BUGLE, WORST
• Quordle #1303, Tuesday, 19 August: KNAVE, SMART, CARRY, MAMMA
• Quordle #1302, Monday, 18 August: FIBER, TRADE, RAYON, TEASE
• Quordle #1301, Sunday, 17 August: FUNGI, AMITY, DRIER, CHECK
• 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

• Jetson T5000 claims 2070 TFLOPS performance through Blackwell GPU architecture
• Jetson AGX Thor Developer Kit transforms a compact board into workstation-level computing
• T4000 is positioned as a lighter, cost-efficient alternative option

Nvidia has expanded its Jetson lineup with the Jetson AGX Thor Developer Kit, a compact platform that carries the new Jetson T5000 system-on-module.

Marketed as a developer system, the dimensions and form factor place it firmly in the realm of a mini PC, although its design and purpose align more with edge AI deployment than home computing.

Nvidia says the Jetson T5000 delivers “2070 TFLOPS (FP4, Sparse),” made possible by its 2560-core GPU based on the Blackwell architecture, with 96 fifth-generation Tensor Cores and Multi-Instance GPU features.

Raw power behind the Jetson T5000

This system is paired with a 14-core Arm Neoverse-V3AE CPU and 128GB of LPDDR5X memory.

Networking is handled by four 25GbE connections, with support for NVMe storage through PCIe.

The Jetson AGX Thor kit includes video encode and decode support across multiple 4K and 8K streams.

There is also a lower-end option, the Jetson T4000, which is still in development, but early specifications list “1200 TFLOPS (FP4, Sparse)” performance, a 1536-core GPU, and 64GB of memory.

Both modules operate across a wide power range, with the T5000 rated between 40 and 130 watts and the T4000 between 40 and 75 watts.

This device is designed to provide researchers and engineers with a complete platform for testing robotics and edge workloads.

For connectivity, it ships with a reference carrier board equipped with a WiFi 6E module, 1TB NVMe SSD, and standard debugging interfaces.

Networking includes a QSFP28 interface with four 25GbE channels and a 5GbE RJ45 connector, highlighting its focus on sensor-heavy applications.

The kit also supports expansion through M.2 slots and offers HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4a outputs, along with multiple USB ports.

Its physical dimensions are 243.19 x 112.4 x 56.88 mm, making it larger than a business PC but still compact compared with most workstation PC designs.

Nvidia positions this release alongside earlier initiatives such as the DGX Spark, which was presented as a desktop AI development platform.

The Jetson AGX Thor differs by targeting humanoid robotics, visual AI systems, and sensor integration, supported by the company’s Isaac, Metropolis, and Holoscan software frameworks.

The Jetson AGX Thor Developer Kit is listed at $3,499 and is available for pre-order from selected distributors, with shipments expected to begin on November 20, 2025.

Via Cnx-software

You might also like

• These are the best mobile workstations you can buy right now
• We've also listed the best mini PCs for every budget
• Python isn't dead - despite funding cuts, programming language powers on

• Geekom mini PC combines AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor with Radeon 890M graphics
• Ships with 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD, expandable to 128GB RAM and 8TB storage
• Wide port selection includes USB4, HDMI 2.1, and support for four 8K monitors

Geekom has launched the A9 Max, a compact desktop usually priced at $1,199 but currently available for $999.

The PC combines AMD’s latest Ryzen AI 9 HX370 processor with Radeon 890M graphics, 32GB of DDR5 memory, a 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, and support for up to four 8K monitors.

The HX370, based on AMD’s Zen 5 architecture, is built on TSMC’s 4nm FinFET process and features 12 cores and 24 threads, a maximum boost clock of 5.1GHz, and 24MB of L3 cache, with a configurable TDP of up to 54W.

Plenty of ports

It integrates a dedicated AI engine capable of 80 TOPS, making the A9 Max well suited for on-device AI acceleration in workflows such as content creation and professional applications that benefit from local processing power.

The Radeon 890M integrated GPU is based on RDNA 3.5 and offers performance typically beyond what most mini PCs have provided in the past.

It comes with 32GB of dual-channel DDR5 RAM (expandable up to 128GB) and a 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD. Two PCIe 4.0 slots allow storage expansion up to 8TB.

As you'd expect from a modern mini PC, the A9 Max offers a good selection of ports. On the front panel, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A that remains powered even when the system is off.

The rear panel includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB4 Type-C ports with DisplayPort Alt-mode and power delivery, another USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, and one USB 2.0 Type-A.

It also includes dual 2.5Gbps RJ45 Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, as well as an SD card reader and a Kensington lock.

The chassis is built from metal, keeping the form factor small while maintaining durability. Geekom says it can endure up to 200kg of pressure without bending.

The IceBlast 2.0 Cooling System with a large copper heatsink, dual heat pipes, and high- performance fan, should keep things cool even when under load or during prolonged use.

Compact systems like the A9 Max show how mini PCs are now powerful enough to replace traditional desktops for many users.

They save space, reduce clutter, and still provide the memory, storage, and processing power needed for both professional and everyday work.

A9 Max comes with Windows 11 Pro installed, a three-year warranty, and 24/7 support. It is available to buy from Geekom’s site and Amazon now.

(Image credit: Geekom)You might also like

• These are the best mobile workstations around right now
• And these are the best workstations available today
• These are all the AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 mini PCs in the world right now

• BenQ PV3200U is a 32-inch 4K monitor with calibrated color display for content creators
• It has an integrated 2.1 audio system with woofer but headphones may still be required
• A wireless Hotkey Puck lets users make quicker adjustments during editing

BenQ has taken the wraps off its new 32-inch 4K monitor designed primarily for video creators who want better audio than usually found in mid-range monitors.

The PV3200U’s display combines a calibrated panel with an integrated 2.1 sound system. The monitor offers 95% DCI-P3 coverage along with full Rec.709 and sRGB, aiming to deliver consistent visuals across platforms.

With factory calibration at Delta E ≤ 2, BenQ says editors can expect color stability whether producing for Mac, Windows, or mobile playback.

Wireless Hotkey Puck

M-book Mode and ICCsync are included to match Mac devices more closely, which can help reduce unwanted shifts once projects move beyond the editing stage.

While most monitors only include basic speakers, the PV3200U introduces a small 5W woofer alongside dual 2W speakers to produce a fuller sound. It’s hard to say without hearing it in action, whether it will be good enough to replace headphones for detailed audio editing, so you may want to try before you buy.

PV3200U has a useful Studio Mode designed to preserve audio detail by avoiding unnecessary processing, something BenQ says will provide users with an accurate reference point.

To reduce clutter and simplify setup across multiple devices, the monitor makes use of a single USB-C cable to carry 4K video, transfer data, and provide up to 65W charging.

A wireless Hotkey Puck is included, giving users quicker access to adjustments during editing.

The ergonomic stand supports tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, which should be handy for different working styles.

“Creators shouldn’t have to guess how their content will look and sound once it’s live,” said Peter Huang, President of BenQ Corporation.

“Too often, post-production color shifts and flat audio edits hamper YouTubers. PV3200U’s precise color, clear sound editing, and seamless device compatibility empower creators to trust the creative process from first cut to final upload.”

By combining color precision, integrated audio, and simplified connectivity, BenQ is positioning the PV3200U as an all-in-one editing solution for YouTubers and the like, but whether it can truly do away with the need for external gear is up for debate. Many creators will need convincing that a single screen can replace dedicated speakers and other hardware for critical work.

The PV3200U monitor is priced at £699 in the UK and available to buy from here. No word on global availability yet.

You might also like

• These are the best 5K and 8K monitors that you can buy right now
• And these are the best monitors for photo editing on any budget
• LG has a new 5K monitor with a Thunderbolt 5 port, and I love that it is curved

Let me start off with an apology: I’m sorry I’m writing this article now, as we’re probably only three weeks away from the launch of the next-generation iPhones, which we and many others in the tech world have dubbed the iPhone 17.

That means you should almost certainly wait for the reveal of the new iPhones rather than rush out and buy one unless you absolutely need it; even then it might be better to get a pre-owned older model or an iPhone 16e that to tide you over and one that’ll act as a backup phone once you have a fully new iPhone.

So yeah, I could end the article there and apologize that I’m late to the game here; we’ve had a big Prime Day sale event and the launch of the Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold to distract me.

But there are two questions that I can still mostly answer: if you have waited, should you be excited? And if you’ve just got an iPhone 16 model, did you make a mistake? I think I can answer them both at the same time.

Apple anticipation

Starting with the second question first: No, I don’t think you made a mistake, as I think all the iPhone 16 models are rather good. While I don’t love that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus still use 60Hz displays, they are still fine phones if you’re happy to play in Apple’s walled garden.

And I’m a big advocate for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, the latter of which I use as my personal phone, as they blend performance, sleek industrial design, and great cameras into a seamless user experience. They may be a tad boring and incremental compared to some of the best Android phones, but you simply can't go wrong with these iPhones.

Going by the rumors so far, I'm not convinced that the iPhone 17 series will offer a big step up from the current crop of phones. There’s a hint that there'll be 120Hz displays for all four new iPhones, which I’d very much welcome as I love a high-refresh-rate display. And the Pro iPhones are tipped to get a 48-megapixel telephoto camera, which should help give a boost to zoomed-in shots.

There is the rumored iPhone 17 Air, which could replace the Plus model and offer a tall but slim iPhone option, but I don't expect it to be a revolution in Apple phone design.

Aside from that and likely improved A-series chips, it doesn't feel like this year will usher in a big step-change for the iPhone. So my feeling is you don’t need to be super excited for the next Apple event from a phones perspective, but you can pretty much guarantee that an iPhone 17 will once again offer the best iPhone experience, even if it’s only an incremental upgrade over the iPhone 16.

It’s on the AI side that I think Apple will garner a bit more attention with the iPhones this year. The launch of Apple Intelligence wasn't a smooth one, and it’s only recently that I’ve started to feel some of the benefits of it. As such, I reckon Apple will focus a bit more on the new AI features that’ll come with the new iPhones, as well as emphasize those revealed at WWDC 2025 with the showcase of iOS 26.

I’d expect the Cupertino crew to really focus on what Apple Intelligence features will be available for the iPhone 17 straight out of the box, rather than those that may have a regional or staggered rollout. Of course, if you have an iPhone 16, you’ll almost certainly be able to run these features after an update, yet that’ll still mean an iPhone 17-centric Apple event is worth watching.

With that in mind, TechRadar will be looking at bringing you all the news, announcements, and analysis live for the next Apple event, and in the run-up, we’ll be perusing the rumors and last-minute leaks. So keep an eye out for that.

And do let me know in the comments below if you're looking forward to the next-generation iPhones.

You might also like

• 5 smart privacy features on iPhone you need to know about
• How to download the iOS 26 public beta
• Ready for an iPhone upgrade? Here's why you (probably) don't need to buy a Pro

• Apple may stick with the Camera Control button
• Previous rumors suggested it wouldn't be on the iPhone 18
• We may see a simpler button on future iPhones

Last week we heard a rumor that the iPhone 17 would be the last to sport the Camera Control, which was only introduced last year with the iPhone 16 – but a fresh leak suggests the button will live on, albeit in a different form.

The new rumor comes from well-known tipster Instant Digital (via MacRumors), which states that Camera Control components are in production for the iPhone 18. That refutes the idea that Apple would get rid of it as it's not seeing a lot of use.

There is a twist though: Apple is apparently removing the capacitive sensor next year to cut down on costs. That's the sensor that detects any kind of touch or swipe, enabling users to gradually change settings like exposure or zoom.

That will leave only the pressure sensor, detecting distinct touches of different strengths. We'll have to wait and see how that might affect the different functions of Camera Control – some of them might be remapped or replaced, with the help of iOS.

Mixed reactions

We're expecting Apple CEO Tim Cook to introduce the iPhone 17 next month (Image credit: Getty Images)

When the Camera Control was introduced with the iPhone 16 models, Apple described it as a feature that "elevates the camera experience" and which is "packed with innovation" – offering easier access to various camera controls and Visual Intelligence.

In our iPhone 16 review, we described it as "major enhancement" for the Apple handsets, and in fact the "best addition" to the 2024 handsets. However, it didn't make an appearance on the iPhone 16e that Apple launched the following February.

Despite our enthusiasm for the small button, it's fair to say the reaction overall has been mixed. Some have struggled to find a real purpose for the Camera Control, but it seems that some time and effort investment is required to make the most of it.

What seems clear is that we'll get the standard Camera Control button back again with all four iPhone 17 handsets in September – including, if the leaks are to be believed, the iPhone 17 Air that's supposedly replacing the iPhone 16 Plus this year.

You might also like

• I found the best use for Camera Control
• These are the best iPhones you can buy right now
• The iPhone 17 could cost $50 more

I've been a happy iPhone owner since the 3GS way back in 2009, and yes, I have upgraded since then. Not once in those 16 years have I been genuinely tempted to switch to Android or a Pixel phone. But watching the Google Pixel 10 launch this week was the first time in a while that I've started to at least entertain a non-Apple future.

Google's new Pixels are far from perfect, and I'm still a long way from switching. But it was the overall tone of the event (from a tech perspective, rather than the celebrity cringe-fest) that left me sensing a momentum shift in smartphones. Pixels will continue to be niche compared to iPhones, but Google knows that AI is its era – and the Pixel 10 launch showed that its bullishness is well-founded.

The Pixels are the most iPhone-like phones on Android – rather than flashy specs and benchmark battles, they're all about features. And it's those features, plus Google's surprise push into repairability and fun accessories, that caught my eye as a long-time Apple fan.

Here are the five things that I think Apple needs to respond to at its iPhone 17 launch in September.

1. Genuinely useful AI features

The big asterisk here is we don't know exactly how well Google's new AI features, like Magic Cue, are going to work in practice. And I've also lost count of the number of times Google has promised us seamless AI wizardry, only for it to fall apart on contact with the real world.

But my impression from the Pixel 10 launch is that Google has some great ideas and, most importantly, is in the best position to pull them off. Take Magic Cue, for example – it's billed as the AI smartphone assistant we've all wanted for the past few years, popping up with relevant files or calendar entries when we're messaging or phoning friends.

(Image credit: Google)

Even as an iPhone user, I'm still very much in Google's world as a user of Calendar, Maps, and Gmail. I even use the Gmail app instead of Apple Mail on my iPhone. So the idea of an AI assistant that can make connections between all those services is an appealing one – and I don't really see Apple Intelligence doing that better than Gemini anytime soon.

Obviously, there are privacy concerns, and it'll likely be a slow-burn feature initially, but a lot of Google's AI features, like voice translation, work well on-device. It's long felt like Apple is playing catch-up in the AI spaces that appeal to me most, which aren't Genmojis and Image Playground. And the Pixel 10 launch really rammed that home.

2. Foldable first steps

Google knows it isn't a leader in foldables, but I like the fact that it's willing to at least throw its hat into the ring and iterate. As our hands-on Google Pixel 10 Fold review concludes, it isn't a reinvention and remains a few steps behind the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 due to its inferior weight, thickness, and cameras.

But the foldable's existence makes the Pixel 10 lineup feel more exciting. If I were on Team Pixel rather than Apple, I'd be comforted in knowing that while Google isn't a foldables champion, it's at least refining its craft and getting the real-world feedback it needs to make a great Pixel Fold one day. Maybe.

(Image credit: Google)

After so many years with Apple, I know that isn't how it rolls with new technology. It waits for others to publicly iron out the kinks before leapfrogging everyone with the polished version they've been stumbling towards. In theory, at least.

Am I confident it'll do this with foldables? Not particularly, if the Apple Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence are anything to go by. The iPhone Fold is rumored to be solving a lot of foldable issues (screen creases, weak hinges, and more), but by the time it launches, I might be more excited about screen-less AI gadgets that'll make foldables look like a Psion Organizer.

3. AI health coach

Health and fitness is the area where I'm most excited about AI's personalized potential. While I've long been a fan of open-water swimming and triathlons, I've never been a true data nerd with BPM and VO2 max – so that's why Google's new AI health coach really appeals.

Unfortunately, we didn't hear much in the way of specifics, but the concept is exciting – a personal AI health coach, trained on your exercise, sleep, and nutrition data, that can make little tweaks to your plans based on your metrics and how you're feeling.

I've always struggled with the tension between training plans and real life, with injuries, poor sleep, and other events often clothes-lining my good intentions, and leading to prolonged breaks. In theory, the new AI health coach for the redesigned Fitbit app could solve this – for example, letting me conversationally chat with the assistant about exercises for my stiff back or the best alternative workout for my sleep-deprived body.

Is Apple making something like this? Almost certainly, with rumors about Project Mulberry recently suggesting that an AI health coach will be part of a revamped Apple Health app. But I'm again not convinced that Apple is best-placed to win here – Google's AI coach is powered by Gemini, and so far Apple Intelligence features have been underwhelming.

4. Camera consistency

I've long been a buyer of Pro model iPhones, because cameras are important to me – but I don't see why telephoto cameras should be reserved for pricier models anymore. The Pixel 10 series has done away with this disparity, with even the base model now coming with a 5x telephoto camera.

This reflects well on the Pixel series as a whole. They're much friendlier to the average photographer than iPhones, which are rumored to again be keeping their telephoto cameras restricted to Pro models on the iPhone 17 range. Even as a Pro owner, that feels a bit mean.

(Image credit: Google)

This sense of making photography accessible to everyone is also behind Camera Coach, a new AI feature that tells you how best to compose and shoot photos. It isn't a feature I'd use, but I like the concept and I'm glad that it exists.

That said, I'm not a fan of all of Google's AI camera features. Its new 100x Pro Res Zoom feature (not to be confused with Super Res Zoom) sounds like it's overstepping the mark when it comes to how much AI-created detail is in our photos. It doesn't yet work on people, and Pro Res Zoom photos are tagged as 'edited with AI tools', but it still feels like a slippery slope for a default camera app to me.

5. The Pixel Watch 4's repairability

I'm a longtime Apple Watch owner, but the new Pixel Watch 4 has beaten it to a very cool feature. As long as you have a Torx screwdriver, you can replace its battery or display at home.

Impressively, this much-needed feature doesn't affect the smartwatch's waterproofing. The only downside is that Google has had to move the charging pins to the side of the device, which means yet another new charging dock. Still, that dock also looks pretty cool, and the repairability is overall a big net win.

(Image credit: Google)

While I'm expecting the Apple Watch to match the Pixel Watch 4's other big upgrade –phone-free satellite connectivity for emergencies – I'm less confident we'll see any major design changes to this year's Apple Watch 11.

The rumors are pointing to a major redesign for the Apple Watch 12, but there's still nothing in the speculation about repairability. It's another area where it again feels like Apple is lagging behind and happy to rest on its 'Carbon Neutral' laurels, but I hope I'm pleasantly surprised come September.

You might also like

• 13 things we saw at the wild Google Pixel 10 launch – including the best Pixel phones yet
• Google has ditched Battery Share on the Pixel 10 – but for a good reason
• The Google Pixel 10 Pro might be even worse for gaming than the Pixel 9 Pro

• Cadence tool helps Nvidia model Rubin GPU power demands across billions of cycles
• Early analysis will help Nvidia improve chip efficiency and power consumption levels
• Nvidia and AMD hardware both contribute to Cadence emulation and prototyping platform

Cadence Design Systems has created a Dynamic Power Analysis tool designed to handle very large chip designs, including Nvidia’s Rubin GPU which carries more than 40 billion gates.

eeNews Europe reports the software operates on the Palladium Z3 emulator, allowing engineers to examine with incredibly high accuracy how energy is consumed across billions of cycles in only a few hours.

This is especially useful for AI accelerators like Rubin, where workloads vary widely and can stress different areas of the design at different times.

Addressing early bottlenecks

Power modelling is increasingly important as chips grow larger and energy demands rise.

Rubin could draw around 700W for a single die, with multi-chip configurations consuming up to 3.6kW. By running early simulations, design teams can size networks more accurately, spotting and addressing bottlenecks before the chip even reaches production.

eeNews says Rubin has been reported to require a respin. It taped out with TSMC in June on its 3nm N3P process, but Nvidia is looking to further boost performance in preparation for a battle against AMD’s upcoming MI450.

This could delay the first Rubin samples into 2026, although shipments are still expected to begin towards the end of that year.

The Cadence DPA app will play a central role in navigating these challenges, eeNews says. The emulator can reportedly handle up to 48 billion gates, supporting chip-level estimation of peaks and averages in power draw.

This enables developers to balance performance with efficiency while also limiting risks of delay from underpowered or oversized networks.

The Palladium Z3 platform itself uses Nvidia’s BlueField data processing unit and Quantum Infiniband networking to connect with the Protium X3 FPGA prototyping system.

The Protium platform is based on AMD Ultrascale FPGAs, which can run RTL models of designs, enabling early software testing before silicon is available. In this way, both Nvidia and AMD hardware are involved in supporting Rubin’s design cycle.

Cadence first introduced a DPA app in 2016, but the rising complexity of AI processors has since made such tools essential.

In Rubin’s case, the analysis and prototyping platforms will help engineers manage power demands at a scale not seen before, and the lessons learned here are expected to filter down into consumer products as the technology matures.

You might also like

• AMD gets ready for Nvidia Vera Rubin with 432GB MI400 GPU monster
• Nvidia unveils next-generation Rubin AI chips, the new era of AI
• Megawatt-class AI server racks may well become the norm before 2030

• iOS 26 will usher in CarPlay’s biggest overhaul in years
• Expect big improvements to Maps and other popular driving apps
• Live Activity widgets allow more information to be displayed on-screen

This September, Apple users will receive a notification to update their numerous devices to iOS 26 – which is arguably one of the biggest updates to its products in recent years.

Alongside a new “Liquid Glass” interface, the Californian tech giant will introduce a number of new features and app updates that will benefit those who like to plug in their iPhone and make use of CarPlay convenience on the road.

Arguably the hottest new feature involves Live Activities making its debut in the CarPlay environment, acting as a handy widget that can sit alongside navigation instructions and audio apps to give easy-to-digest updates on important live events.

In the examples Apple has released so far, Live Activity appears as a flight-tracking app that shows the flight’s progress and flags if it is delayed or not – very handy for picking up friends and family from the airport.

Other uses for the feed include live weather updates, keeping up with sports scores or tracking the progress of an Uber Eats delivery. But it isn't the only update coming to CarPlay in iOS 26 – here's what else is changing...

1. Keep things personal

(Image credit: Apple)

The new Liquid Glass look will also afford CarPlay users greater control over the way their CarPlay system feels. Rather than simple Light and Dark modes, there is also the option to lightly customize the background from a pre-selected list of wallpapers.

Users can also choose a ‘transparent’ appearance that offers more separation between the app icons and the background. Early insights, like this one from Tom's Guide, claim that is less distracting and easier to use while driving.

2. First responder

(Image credit: Apple)

In the current generation of CarPlay, incoming text messages are chiefly handled by Siri, which means responses have to be composed using vocal prompts.

Anyone that uses CarPlay on a regular basis knows that this can be a little hit-and-miss, with the often noisy car environment confusing Siri, resulting in garbled messages. Personally, it often takes me several attempts to draft a coherent response.

In iOS 26, CarPlay will offer a 'Tapback' function to incoming messages, allowing quick replies via a pre-populated list of common responses – much like you can on an iPhone right now.

This negates the need to compose a message, as you’ll simply be able to reply with “I’m driving, call you later” or something to that effect via a single tap.

On top of this, Apple is building in Call Screening, which gathers information from the caller and delivers it to the driver, so you can decide whether or not you need to interrupt that fascinating podcast and take the call.

3. Home screen hero

(Image credit: Apple)

Alongside the ability to customize the look and feel of CarPlay to a degree, Apple will also introduce widgets to a dedicated panel, which will allow things like a digital clock, a calendar and even Apple Home shortcuts to be organized on a home screen for effortless viewing.

This set-up can act as an overall shortcut to more iPhone integrated content. For example, clicking on a calendar entry could also bring up any associated location, which will then open in a mapping service of choice.

Overall, there should be less need to pick up your iPhone and interact with it when behind the wheel, which is not only distracting and dangerous, it's also highly illegal in many countries.

4. Video on-demand

(Image credit: Apple)

Following this summer’s WWDC 2025 show, Apple quietly revealed that CarPlay would allow videos to be played on vehicle infotainment displays via its AirPlay streaming standard, meaning users could enjoy content when parked up.

However, there are a couple of major caveats, the first being that not all entertainment apps support AirPlay, so you won’t be able to watch Netflix, for example.

Secondly, we reported earlier this year that automakers will need to enable this feature separately to the rest of the CarPlay functionality, so it will be added on a case-by-case basis, taking into account local laws and legislations.

It’s not a massive issue, as many modern vehicles are already offering a number of popular streaming services natively via their various infotainment systems. But the ability to stream video could also be a boon for those with older or less capable infotainment systems.

You might also like

• I’ve tried Apple CarPlay Ultra – it fixes everything that’s irritating about CarPlay, but there’s a catch
• Apple CarPlay Ultra looks dead on arrival as another automotive giant distances itself – here's what needs to change
• I'm ditching Waze for in-car infotainment systems in EVs – here's why

This week, we had Made by Google, the annual showcase where Google debuts its latest Pixel devices – and it served up a real treat!

We also got some brand new streaming goodies, including Peacemaker Season 2 (following Superman, we’re a lot more keen to see what the DCU is serving up nowadays).

To catch up on all that and more, scroll down for the 7 biggest tech news stories of the week (spoilers: there’s a fair bit of Google in here, but that’s no bad thing).

7. Silksong got a release date at Gamescom

(Image credit: Future)

Kicking things off with a different G, Gamescom 2025 was this week, and by far the biggest announcement is that Silksong finally has a release date, and it's in just two weeks on September 4. This writer couldn’t be more excited, and taking a Switch 2 with us to IFA has transitioned from a good idea to a must.

There’s also a new Lego Batman game. Legacy of the Dark Knight looks to combine elements of the most iconic Batman stories from across comics and the films, as well as gameplay which looks ripped from the Arkhamverse games – with, of course, a healthy dollop of iconic humor Lego titles are synonymous with.

We also got Black Ops 7 details, a look at Fallout Season 2, a Lords of the Fallen 2 trailer, a first look at the Sekiro No Defeat anime, and a teaser for Black Myth: Zhong Kui – among so, so, so much more.

• Read more: Everything announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025

6. Apple TV+ got pricier

(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Another day, another streaming service hiking up its prices – and this time, it’s Apple TV+. Apple’s streaming service shocked this week by raising prices for the third time in three years.

The changes took immediate effect on Thursday (August 21) for new subscribers, while existing customers will see their next renewal bill jump from $9.99 to $12.99 in the US, from £8.99 to £9.99 in the UK, and from AU$12.99 to AU$15.99 in Australia.

If you’re considering canceling your subscription off the back of the news, then it’s worth looking at ways you can avoid the Apple TV+ price hike, as you can save money by signing up for an annual account, bundle, or Apple TV+ free trial – which is essential if you’re a Slow Horses fan!

• Read more: Apple TV+’s sudden price hike will see people paying 30% more – and angry subscribers are already canceling

5. Spotify stole and improved an Apple Music feature

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Taner Muhlis Karaguzel)

Earlier this week, Spotify unveiled a new in-app feature that allows users to transition seamlessly between songs in new and existing playlists by tapping the ‘Mix’ button in the filter toolbar. The feature is similar to Apple Music’s AutoMix function, but Spotify is allowing you to customize your own cross-overs.

When you enable the feature, tabs will appear between each track in your playlist, marking each transition. The ‘Auto’ preset will be applied at first, meaning that Spotify will automatically transition the songs for you, but you can also choose from a selection of presets such as ‘Melt’ and ‘Wave’, or create your own transitions by playing around with its volume, EQ, and effect curves functions to craft a perfectly-blended playlist from start to finish.

According to Spotify’s blog post, its answer to Apple Music’s AutoMix is being rolled out in beta to ‘eligible Premium users’, but we don’t know when it will be available for all paying Spotify subscribers just yet.

• Read more: Spotify’s new rival to Apple Music’s AutoMix is here

4. We watched Peacemaker Season 2

(Image credit: HBO Max)

As another terrifically written and acted installment of the HBO Max Original, Peacemaker season 2 gets more than a thumbs-up from us.

Set a few months after Gunn's Superman movie, Peacemaker season 2 reunites us with Chris Smith (John Cena), aka the eponymous anti-hero, as he continues to struggle with reconciling his past.

It’s an impressive, entertaining, and startlingly thought-provoking continuation of its predecessor. A series packed with the usual trappings of a James Gunn project – dark and awkward humor, heart-wrenching moments, action-heavy sequences, a banging soundtrack, reams of melodrama, and broken characters you can't help but adore – it's must-see TV for DC comic book devotees, nascent DCU fans, and casual observers alike.

• Read more: I watched the first five episodes of Peacemaker season 2

3. Google Pixel Buds 2a made their debut

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Google has launched the Pixel Buds 2a, aka the new most affordable Pixel earbuds. And in case you already own the Pro 2, Google gave those some useful free upgrades (coming September) at the same time.

As well as being the first A-series earbuds to get active noise cancellation (which Google says is 1.5x better than the noise-nixing you’d find in the original Pixel Buds Pro), they’re the smallest and lightest Pixel Buds to date, with Google's Silent Seal 1.5 to help block unwanted ambient audio – and we've given it a try in our early Pixel 2a hands-on.

As you'd expect, they work with Google's Gemini – but it’s good to see the latest 'Live with Gemini' variation of the service for real-time conversational responses.

And what of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 updates? There's a new color option, Moonstone (to match the Google Pixel 10 phone range), plus a free software update for all the other perks.

From September 2025, Pixel Buds Pro 2 will gain Adaptive Audio (Google's take on adaptive noise cancelling) alongside Loud Noise Protection and head gesture control, so you can pick up calls and reply to texts hands-free. They’ll also get better audio processing for using Gemini in noisier environments, Live with Gemini support, plus extra notifications about your battery level of the earbuds' case, so you're never caught short.

• Read more: I tried Google’s Pixel Buds 2a

2. Pixel Watch 4 dropped with first-of-its-kind features

(Image credit: Google)

While the Google Pixel 10 phones were the headline attraction at the Made by Google event this week, the Pixel Watch 4 also got some attention. With features new to the smartwatch category, such as emergency satellite connectivity, replaceable batteries and screens, a fully-domed screen, and simple raise-to-talk access to Google Gemini, the future looks bright for Google's smartwatch (especially due to its 3,000-nit brightness screen). It arrived alongside the announcement of a personal AI health and fitness coach headlined by Stephen Curry, although there aren't too many details on this front.

• Read more: Google’s Pixel Watch 4 packs plenty of health features, and a repairable design

1. We got new Pixel Phones

(Image credit: Google)

As expected, we got a whole new collection of Pixel phones from Google, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which brought some nice upgrades on the camera side, like better selfie cameras and a 5x optical zoom on the base model (unheard of).

Visually, none of the four phones, including the lovely Pixel 10 Pro Fold, got much of an update, but there are features that I think Pixel fans will appreciate. They’re all running the new Tensor G5, and, naturally, that’s powering all that AI and photo assistance, including the Camera Coach, which might make a great photographer out of any of us. Add Me can now add animals, and your phone can now do live translation in your voice.

Still, if we had to boil it down to the two most talked about updates, it might be IP68 protection for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold (a first in the folding space) and Pixel Snap, Android’s own version of Apple’s MagSafe. All we can say is, “It’s about time.”

• Read more: 13 things we saw at the wild Google Pixel 10 launch

• Stream all 21 stages of 2025 Vuelta a España free on SBS On Demand (Aus)
• Unblock SBS with NordVPN (Try 100% risk-free)
• Today: Stage 1 from Torino Reggia di Venaria → Novara

You can watch the 2025 Vuelta a España on SBS On Demand, streaming for free from Saturday, August 23. The free stream includes live coverage with start times varying each day between 10:30am BST (5:30am ET) and 3pm BST (10am ET).

This year Jonas Vingegaard will be eyeing his first Red Jersey after a previous unsuccessful attempt in 2023. Other challengers include Joao Almeida, Richard Carapaz and Egan Bernal.

SBS On Demand will stream all three weeks so you don't miss a twist or turn. But how can you watch the 2025 Vuelta a España on SBS from anywhere? Can you get the free 2025 Vuelta a España stream in the UK and the US too? And what devices is SBS On Demand available on?

Here's our full (and quick) guide to how to watch the 2025 Vuelta a España on SBS...

How to watch Tour de France 2025 on SBS

SBS are streaming the Vuelta a España for FREE to Australian residents.

To watch SBS: visit the SBS On Demand website or download the SBS On Demand App (iOS / Android ).

SBS is free – but you will need to register for an account with an an Australian postcode (e.g. NSW 2000)

Register – sign up with your Gmail (we did back in May during the Giro d'Italia and the coverage was superb)

OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA? ACCESS SBS FROM ANYWHERE WITH NORDVPN

How to watch 2025 Vuelta a España on SBS from anywhere

Although SBS is a brilliant streaming platform, it is only available in Australia.

Cycling lovers traveling or working outside Oz will need to use a VPN to access SBS's free Vuelta stream across the next three weeks.

There are lots of VPN's but NordVPN is our pick to unblock ITVX and stream the Tour de France like a pro.... and you can save 70% right now.

NordVPN deal: 3 Extra Months Free

Boasting lightning fast speeds, great features, streaming power, and class-leading security, NordVPN is our #1 VPN.

✅ 3 months extra FREE!
✅ 74% off usual price

Use Nord to unblock SBS and watch the 2025 Vuelta a España live on SBS with our exclusive deal.View Deal

It's really easy to use a VPN to watch 2025 Vuelta a España action on SBS.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is the best choice.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting Canada and want to watch your free Australian SBS stream - you'd select Australia from the options.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to the SBS website, sign in, and watch the 2025 Vuelta a España for free.

SBS Q+AWhat will SBS's 2025 Vuelta a España coverage include?

You can watch all the action from the 2025 Vuelta a España live and free on SBS On Demand from 23 August to the 14 September, with all the replays and highlights also on the platform.

The SBS Sport website will also provide cycling news, analysis and much more.

In addition to the 2025 Vuelta a España, SBS also shows live soccer as well as the other major grand tours across the cycling season.

Which devices can I watch the 2025 Vuelta a España on SBS with?

• Amazon Fire (Tablets, Cube, Stick, TVs)
• Android TV (please note: some models aren’t supported)
• Android (Mobile & Tablet) - Android 7.0 and above
• Apple TV (tvOS 14 or later)
• Google TV (Chromecast with Google TV and NVIDIA Shield)
• Freely
• Freesat (please note: some models aren’t supported)
• Freeview Play (TVs and set-top boxes) (some models aren’t supported)
• iOS (iPhone & iPad) - iOS 14 and above
• LG Smart TVs (2016–2024)
• NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes (minimum firmware v11.5.0)
• PlayStation (PS4 and PS5)
• Roku (Stick & Roku-OS powered TVs, minimum firmware v11.5.0)
• Samsung Smart TVs (2017 and above)
• Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream puck
• Virgin Media (360, Stream, TiVo)
• YouView (BT, Humax, Sony, TalkTalk)
• Xbox (One, Series X, Series S)

2025 Vuelta a España Stages

Stage 1 | Saturday, August 23 | Turin → Novara | 183 km
Stage 2 | Sunday, August 24 | Alba → Limone Piemonte | 157 km
Stage 3 | Monday, August 25 | San Maurizio Canavese → Ceres | 139 km
Stage 4 | Tuesday, August 26 | Susa → Voiron | 192 km
Stage 5 | Wednesday, August 27 | Figueres → Figueres (TTT) | 20 km
Stage 6 | Thursday, August 28 | Olot → Pal (Andorra) | 171 km
Stage 7 | Friday, August 29 | Andorra la Vella → Cerler (Huesca La Magia) | 187 km
Stage 8 | Saturday, August 30 | Monzón → Zaragoza | 158 km
Stage 9 | Sunday, August 31 | Alfaro → Valdezcaray | 195 km
Rest Day | Monday, September 1 | Pamplona
Stage 10 | Tuesday, September 2 | Sendaviva (Arguedas) → El Ferial Larra Belagua | 168 km
Stage 11 | Wednesday, September 3 | Bilbao → Bilbao | 167 km
Stage 12 | Thursday, September 4 | Laredo → Los Corrales de Buelna | 143 km
Stage 13 | Friday, September 5 | Cabezón de la Sal → L'Angliru | 202 km
Stage 14 | Saturday, September 6 | Avilés → Alto de La Farrapona | 135 km
Stage 15 | Sunday, September 7 | Vegadeo (A Veiga) → Monforte de Lemos | 167 km
Rest Day | Monday, September 8 | Pontevedra
Stage 16 | Tuesday, September 9 | Poio → Mos (Castro de Herville) | 172 km
Stage 17 | Wednesday, September 10 | O Barco de Valdeorras → Alto de El Morredero (Ponferrada) | 143 km
Stage 18 | Thursday, September 11 | Valladolid → Valladolid (ITT) | 26 km
Stage 19 | Friday, September 12 | Rueda → Guijuelo | 159 km
Stage 20 | Saturday, September 13 | Robledo de Chavela → Bola del Mundo | 159 km
Stage 21 | Sunday, September 14 | Valdeolmos‑Alalpardo → Madrid | 101 km

• 2025 Vuelta a España Full Guide
• BleeqUp's new 4-in-1 cycling glasses review
• Best streaming VPN's 2025

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.