TechRadar News

• Apple's Self Service Repair scheme launched in 2021
• Parts for the iPhone 16 models are now available
• Only attempt repairs if you're sure you can carry them out

For a few years now, Apple has offered a Self Service Repair scheme, which means you can source official parts direct from the company and save some money by carrying out repairs yourself – and the iPhone 16 series is now supported.

The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max went on sale in September, and as MacRumors has spotted, you can now get parts for the phones through the Apple Self Service Repair Store.

You can order both the parts and the tools needed to fit them in the US, the UK, and numerous European countries. The Apple Self Service Repair scheme isn't currently available in Australia, however.

The parts available include displays, cameras, batteries, and speakers, and these are all genuine Apple products. The tools on offer, like nylon probes and adhesive cutters, will be familiar to anyone who's ever seen a phone teardown.

To self repair, or not to self repair

Apple announced the service in 2021 (Image credit: Apple)

Apple's move to make its devices repairable by users themselves, with official Apple parts, has definitely been a positive step: it's usually cheaper than a professional repair, and means phones and laptops can be used for longer too.

However, these repairs can be quite complex – you need to be sure you know what you're doing, otherwise you run the risk of causing further damage. Have a look at the repair manuals on the Apple website (like the one for the iPhone 16) for full instructions.

Many people are going to find it more convenient, if a little bit more expensive, to get Apple or an authorized repair service to do the job instead. However, it's definitely good to have the option of carrying out a self repair.

Since the launch of the self repair service, Apple has continued to expand the number of devices covered, and you can go all the way back to the iPhone 12 series which was launched back in October 2020.

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• Arcane's showrunners have explained why a big 'CaitVi' incident was delayed until season 2
• The moment felt like a better fit for season 2's story
• The show's animated team couldn't have done it justice in season 1, either

Full spoilers immediately follow for Arcane season 2 episode 3.

The creators of Arcane have opened up on why season 2's third episode was the perfect place to finally give fans a big moment they've waited years for: an official Caitlyn and Vi kiss.

In an exclusive chat with TechRadar, which took place before Arcane season 2 premiered on Netflix yesterday (November 9), Alex Yee and Christian Linke explained the reasons behind holding back that crowd-pleasing moment until season 2 act 1's final chapter.

The pair's smooch has, as I mentioned, been a long time coming. Ever since Caitlyn and Vi – or, as Arcane's fandom affectionately dubbed them, 'CaitVi' – met in season 1 episode 4, viewers have been convinced they have feelings for each other. There was plenty of evidence to suggest this throughout one of the best Netflix shows' first season, too, especially as the Piltovan enforcer and Zaunite brawler grew closer with each installment.

Open your eyes. Arcane Season 2 Act I is NOW PLAYING. pic.twitter.com/JEHkitnhNONovember 9, 2024

Unfortunately, due to more explosive story beats, 'CaitVi' fans were left hanging about the pair's 'will they, won't they' dynamic. Indeed, with no resolution forthcoming by the end of season 1, and its sequel season taking three years to land on the world's best streaming service, audiences have endured a long wait for this moment.

At long last, though, it's happened. This season's third episode, titled 'Finally Got The Name Right', sees the pair let their guard down and confirm their attraction to one another. And that long-awaited kiss will be celebrated by Arcane's global fanbase. Even so, why did Yee and Linke wait until this chapter to give the people what they want? Expectedly, it all boils down to the story that the pair and Arcane's wider writing team wanted to tell.

Oh my god it's finally happening! Everyone stay calm! (Image credit: Netflix)

"They've both just lost something at the start of season 2," Linke said, alluding to the fact that Caitlyn's mom was one of the councilors revealed to have perished in Arcane season 2's premiere and that Vi's estranged sister Jinx was the culprit. "I think they're both very afraid of change, too, and they have that moment in episode 3 where they're still holding onto those things that have slipped away from them because they're starting to tread down this dark path [of seeking revenge on Jinx].

"In the wake of what Caitlyn's lost, Vi can sense there's a fragile trust in this relationship they have, and there's this moment coming up where they'll both have to decide how they're going to be when they're staring down the barrel when they find and fight Jinx. It's a fragile moment, the calm before the storm, and they're both thinking 'this may be the last moment we're going to have together.'"

I think they're both very afraid of change

Christian Linke, Arcane co-creator

"In that moment, Vi is making a big commitment to Caitlyn by choosing her over Jinx," Yee added. "And I think that's ultimately why Caitlyn takes the lead [in instigating the kiss].

"It feels wrong not to give a shout-out to [lead writer] Amanda [Overton] at this point. The relationship between Caitlyn and Vi is something that fans have carried for a very long time, and we knew it was something we wanted to bring to fruition. Amanda really championed that cause and a lot of the specific mechanics of that dynamic she had a huge part in."

'It wouldn't have been possible from a technical standpoint'

Caitlyn and Vi could've kissed in season 1, but I'm glad they didn't (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche)

The decision to delay Caitlyn and Vi's first kiss wasn't only determined by Arcane's storytellers, though. Linke also revealed that Fortiche Production, the animation studio that brought Riot Games and Netflix's first League of Legends (LoL) adaptation to life in such gorgeous detail, wasn't confident it had the talent or technology to do justice to such a beautifully delicate scene if it had been included last season.

"Interesting tidbit: I actually spoke to Bart [Barthelemy Maunoury], our animation director, about the kiss last week," Linke said. "He was asked the same question and he later told me if we'd written that last season, the animation team wouldn't have been able to do it well because they weren't technically capable yet.

"So, he thanked us for not doing that!" Linke jokingly added. "He said 'I don't think we would've done a good job. We couldn't have done it in season one', so it was interesting to hear that it wouldn't have been possible from a technical standpoint, even if we'd have wanted to do it."

I've got more to share from my exclusive chat with Yee and Linke, but you'll have to wait until season 2 act 2 arrives on November 16 to read more. In the meantime, check out more of my coverage of Arcane's second and final season below. Alternatively, read my Arcane season 2 review for more teases about its next three episodes, or my Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained piece for answers to your biggest queries after the first three entries.

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As the demand for cybersecurity solutions continues to rise in response to complex threats, iStorage has made a strategic move to boost the encrypted data storage landscape with the acquisition of Kanguru Solutions.

iStorage is probably best known for its PIN-authenticated, hardware-encrypted portable data storage and cloud encryption devices, and Kanguru for offering secure hardware-encrypted devices and advanced duplication and remote management capabilities.

The company says its acquisition will enable iStorage to provide a more comprehensive product lineup, offering customers greater flexibility and security when managing sensitive data across multiple devices.

Enhancing global security offerings

"This acquisition is transformative for iStorage, reinforcing our commitment to delivering ultra-secure, flexible, and affordable data management solutions," noted John Michael, Founder & CEO of iStorage.

"Joining the iStorage family allows us to expand our encryption and storage solutions to a wider audience, especially across North and South America. Together, we will drive innovation and redefine the possibilities in data protection," said Nate Cote, Managing Director of Kanguru.

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• Phishing attacks are becoming more complex and harder to detect
• Attackers are using new techniques such as QR codes and deepfakes
• Some businesses are receiving 36 phishing emails per day

Phishing attacks are consistently on the rise and becoming more sophisticated, as cybercriminals no longer rely solely on basic email schemes, instead incorporating new tactics such as QR code phishing (quishing), AI-powered attacks, and multi-channel phishing to enhance their effectiveness.

A new Egress report has revealed phishing attacks spiked in the second quarter of 2024, with a 28% rise in the number of phishing emails compared to the first quarter.

Phishing attacks are also becoming more sophisticated. Cybercriminals now use a variety of new tactics to bypass secure email gateways (SEGs) and native defenses like Microsoft 365’s security features. In Q2 2024 alone, there was a 52.2% increase in phishing attacks that successfully bypassed SEG detection.

Commodity attacks - a mass-produced threat

One type of phishing that has seen a notable increase in 2024 is commodity attacks. These are mass-produced, malicious campaigns that impersonate well-known brands on a large scale to trick users into clicking on fake promotions, images, or hyperlinks.

The report reveals that during these attacks, organizations experience a staggering 2,700% increase in phishing attempts, with organizations over the 2,000 employee mark would have to deal with over 1,128 phishing emails over 31 days, which is about 36 phishing emails per day. The sheer volume of these attacks can overwhelm many companies' security systems, making it increasingly difficult to prevent every malicious email from reaching an employee's inbox.

One of the methods used to bypass SEG is HTML smuggling, where attackers hide malicious scripts inside HTML attachments. Once opened by the user, the script assembles itself on the victim’s device, bypassing traditional signature-based detection. Another tactic involves embedding phishing links within seemingly legitimate documents or exploiting vulnerabilities in trusted websites to host malware.

Businesses must now implement advanced security measures and foster a culture of awareness to better protect themselves against the growing threat of phishing.

Phishing attacks are increasingly using AI-powered tools to scale their operations. AI allows cybercriminals to automate and personalize phishing campaigns, making them more convincing and harder to detect. Deepfakes and AI-generated chatbots are now major tools of choice for cybercriminals.

These technologies allow attackers to impersonate trusted individuals or organizations, further increasing the likelihood of success. This year, there has been a significant rise in "payloadless" attacks which rely solely on social engineering rather than traditional malicious attachments or links, accounting for nearly 19% of phishing attempts in 2024, up from 5.4% in 2021.

Cybercriminals are also using multi-channel phishing tactics, allowing hackers to target victims across multiple platforms such as email, SMS, and even collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams. This multi-channel approach has become more common in 2024, exploiting the relative lack of security on non-email platforms.

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• Arcane's creators have explained why those councillors died in season 2 episode 1
• The duo say it was "always planned that way"
• There were never any discussions about killing off other Piltover council members

Full spoilers follow for Arcane's season 1 finale and season 2 premiere.

Arcane's showrunners have revealed how they decided who died – and who didn't – as a result of Jinx's explosive attack on Piltover's council chamber.

Speaking exclusively to TechRadar ahead of Arcane season 2 making its Netflix debut yesterday (November 9), Christian Linke and Alex Yee discussed the process of determining which characters they were going to kill off.

In the season 1 finale, titled 'The Monster You Created', Jinx used her Hextech-powered Fishbones rocket launcher to fire a missile at Piltover's council chamber. At the time, the so-called City of Progress' leaders were meeting to validate Jayce's plan to give Zaun – Piltover's deprived cousin, which deuteragonists Jinx and Vi are citizens of – its independence. In practice, that would mean Zaunites wouldn't be governed by Piltover's council anymore.

Don't worry, Mel and Jayce survived (Image credit: Netflix)

Jinx's attack, though, ends any hopes of Zaun being an independent state. Even worse, the projectile that causes such devastation, as evidenced by season 2's opening scene, kills three Piltovan council members: Irius Bolbok, Torman Hoskel, and, most importantly, Cassandra Kiramman, Caitlyn's mom and Jayce's patron. Meanwhile, Jayce's scientific partner Viktor is severely wounded by the blast, while two other councillors – Shoola and Salo – are also injured, with Salo coming off worse out of the pair when falling masonry paralyzes him from the waist down.

With eight Piltovans, Jayce and his fellow councillor/love interest Mel included, present in the chamber during the attack, any of them could've died in the hit Netflix show's season 1 finale. Of course, thanks to some characters' established history in League of Legends, Riot Games' popular video game franchise that Arcane is based on, at the very least I expected Jayce and Viktor to survive. Indeed, I stated as much in my piece on eight huge questions that Arcane season 2 needs to answer before the animated series ends.

The aforementioned duo notwithstanding, though, how did Linke and Yee decide on who, out of the remaining six individuals, would die in one of the best Netflix shows' season 2 premiere?

Piltover's memorial to its deceased council members is unveiled later in episode 1 (Image credit: Netflix)

"I think it was always planned that way [for that trio to die]," Linke said. "It [Jinx's attack] was supposed to bring out Mel's abilities [to shield those in close proximity to her], and it also forced Jayce's hand with what happens with Viktor and how Jayce uses the Hexcore to save his life."

"Hoskel and Bolbok, though..." Yee interjected, before he jokingly added: "There are some big fans on the team for those counselors!"

The time for talk is over.Stream the final season of #Arcane now, only on @netflix. pic.twitter.com/g4EyIjoHyNNovember 9, 2024

Speaking of things that were planned – or, in this case, weren't planned – Linke and Yee also told me that it was "never the plan" for Arcane to run for five seasons on the world's best streaming service. Even if it had, though, I'm convinced that there would be enough plot armor to protect Jayce and Viktor for many more episodes to come. Still, let's all pour one out for Cassandra. I guess we should do likewise for Hoskel and Bolbok, too, even though they continually riled up viewers with their decision-making in season 1.

Anyway, you can expect more exclusives from my chat with Linke and Yee in the days and weeks ahead. For now, read my Arcane season 2 review for more details about the next three episodes, plus my Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained piece for answers to your biggest questions after its first three chapters.

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• LG Electronics wants to expand its B2B offerings
• The goal is to hit $7.5 billion in B2B revenue by 2030
• The tech giant is looking to expand into digital signage and medical monitors

LG Electronics has revealed plans to intensify its focus on the B2B sector as the company seeks to offset declining demand in consumer electronics.

The company's strategy aims to boost its B2B revenue to KRW 10 trillion (approximately $7.5 billion) by 2030, with projections indicating that B2B sales could account for 45% of total revenue by that time. This shift is driven by the stability of B2B operations compared to consumer markets, as well as the potential for long-term customer relationships that foster mutual growth.

LG plans to enhance its offerings in key areas such as digital signage, hospitality solutions, and medical monitors, while also expanding into new sectors like electric vehicle chargers and smart factory solutions.

LG B2B transition

LG’s CEO, Cho Joo-wan has since revealed the company’s ambitious vision of achieving 100 trillion won in annual revenue by 2030. Since Cho took over as CEO in 2021, the company has actively pursued growth in its B2B operations to offset challenges in the consumer segment.

The areas of focus for LG’s B2B expansion include automotive electronics, heating and ventilation systems (HVAC), smart factory solutions, built-in appliances, and mobility technologies. Among its four business divisions, the Business Solutions unit plays a crucial role in driving growth through products such as commercial displays, EV chargers, and robots.

The Business Solutions division will further solidify LG’s position in the commercial display market by enhancing its digital signage portfolio. Since 2019, LG’s information display segment has grown at an average rate of 7% annually, demonstrating consistent demand for its products.

The company’s strategy includes emphasizing premium fine-pitch LED displays, such as All-in-One and Micro LED models. While it plans to introduce new AI-powered Micro LED displays later this year, it also aims to improve its hospitality TVs by adding features such as Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay for better connectivity.

Furthermore, the South Korean manufacturing giant will expand its cloud-based services through the LG Business Cloud platform, while deepening collaborations with global partners like Ricoh to develop enterprise solutions.

LG Electronics is also focusing on new growth opportunities in electric vehicle (EV) charging systems and medical monitors, aiming to become a leading player in both markets. The company has set a goal to capture 8% of the US fast-charger market by 2030 and has opened an EV charger production facility in Texas to support this effort.

It currently offers six types of EV chargers and plans to roll out additional models later this year, including a 350 kW ultra-fast charger for North America and two slower chargers—30 kW and 7 kW—targeted at the European market. LG’s partnership with ChargePoint, a major provider of EV charging solutions in North America, is expected to bolster its product offerings and drive innovation.

In the medical technology sector, LG aims to become one of the top three global providers of medical monitors within the next five years. Despite high entry barriers due to strict medical regulations and high display standards, LG has steadily grown its presence in this niche market.

Since entering the medical monitor space in 2016, the company has expanded its product line at a double-digit annual rate across North America and Europe. LG currently offers 14 different medical monitors, including clinical, diagnostic, and surgical models, along with six types of X-ray detectors (DXDs) in 50 countries.

According to market research firm Omdia, the global medical monitor market is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2030, presenting LG with significant opportunities for growth.

LG’s ambitious B2B transformation reflects its strategy to adapt to shifting market trends and reduce its reliance on consumer electronics, however, it will face some challenges and will need investments in innovative solutions and strategic partnerships.

In a press conference, Jang Ik-hwan, president of LG Business Solutions Company at LG Electronics said the company is open to mergers and acquisitions to foster its new B2B growth engines.

“Going forward, we will leverage this expertise to offer tailored services and differentiated solutions to our business customers, further cementing our reputation as a trusted partner in the competitive B2B market.”

“LG Business Solutions is seeking to double its current revenue, reaching KRW 10 trillion by 2030…I can’t comment on the exact timing but the company would (again) invest in a new growth business like its investment in Bear Robotics Inc. when we are ready," Jang added.

Via Kedglobal

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

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

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

Quordle today (game #1021) - hint #1 - Vowels How 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 #1021) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

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

Quordle today (game #1021) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #1021) - 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 2.

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 #1021) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• G

• F

• F

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1021) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1021, are…

• GROIN
• FAULT
• FERRY
• SUITE

Those of you who follow this column regularly (hi!) will know that I start with the same three words each day, STARE, DOILY and PUNCH. And you may also know that I sometimes play an unofficial fourth word when I'm stuck: BEFOG. This is great, because it features three of the common consonants not found in my starters, and it came up trumps again today.

I solved SUITE easily, because I had all five letters there, then got stumped by ---RY with a yellow E. I could see that BERRY, BEERY and FERRY were all possibles, so rolled out my magic BEFOG… and turned my fortunes in one go. Not only did it give me the F that I needed for FERRY, but it turned the E green there too, gave me the F for FAULT, and the G for GROIN. Easy-peasy.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1021) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1021, are…

• PERIL
• RODEO
• RIPER
• CHAIN

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1020, Saturday 9 November: FLUME, THERE, ATOLL, SANER
• Quordle #1019, Friday 8 November: DELAY, NAVAL, MOLAR, SWARM
• Quordle #1018, Thursday 7 November: REPAY, SYNOD, LOATH, PITHY
• Quordle #1017, Wednesday 6 November: SASSY, DRUID, THREW, SLOSH
• Quordle #1016, Tuesday 5 November: BEGET, AMUSE, STONY, LOUSY
• Quordle #1015, Monday 4 November: CHILL, TACKY, GRAPH, PLAZA
• Quordle #1014, Sunday 3 November: QUIRK, HEART, ELBOW, KNOWN
• Quordle #1013, Saturday 2 November: SWUNG, FLOOR, PARER, CRUST
• Quordle #1012, Friday 1 November: FIFTY, GULCH, RECUT, TWEET
• Quordle #1011, Thursday 31 October: TWINE, RIGID, BELCH, AMEND
• Quordle #1010, Wednesday 30 October: SLOOP, BRINE, BROOD, FLUID
• Quordle #1009, Tuesday 29 October: CLIFF, BURNT, SNAKY, POLYP
• Quordle #1008, Monday 28 October: MACAW, LIEGE, GOUGE, CARGO
• Quordle #1007, Sunday 27 October: STUNG, CLOUT, SOWER, BASIS
• Quordle #1006, Saturday 26 October: DUCHY, CANNY, BLOCK, SMART
• Quordle #1005, Friday 25 October: PRANK, EXIST, RUDDY, PICKY
• Quordle #1004, Thursday 24 October: DAIRY, RALLY, CURLY, LABEL
• Quordle #1003, Wednesday 23 October: DROSS, ANNEX, GRAVE, BROKE
• Quordle #1002, Tuesday 22 October: ADORE, SMITH, AFOOT, LUCID
• Quordle #1001, Monday 21 October: TREAD, NINTH, GRIEF, UNSET

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

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

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

NYT Connections today (game #518) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• RAVEN
• GOLFER
• PILOT
• PENDULUM
• DRUM
• USHER
• SALOON DOORS
• CASK
• COWBOY
• CYLINDER
• STEER
• JET
• TANK
• RAM
• SWING
• SHEPHERD

NYT Connections today (game #518) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• Yellow: Could hold beer, oil etc
• Green: Show the way
• Blue: Bear is another
• Purple: They make a side-to-side motion

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 #518) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: BARREL-SHAPED CONTAINER
• GREEN: GUIDE
• BLUE: N.F.L. TEAM MEMBER
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT SWING

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

NYT Connections today (game #518) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #518, are…

• YELLOW: BARREL-SHAPED CONTAINER CASK, CYLINDER, DRUM, TANK
• GREEN: GUIDE PILOT, SHEPHERD, STEER, USHER
• BLUE: N.F.L. TEAM MEMBER COWBOY, JET, RAM, RAVEN
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT SWING GOLFER, PENDULUM, SALOON DOORS, SWING

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I can't help thinking it's a bit of a cop out for the NYT to include the word SWING in a group where the answer is, um, SWING. I mean come on! This was the purple group, too, so supposedly the hardest of the four.

Admittedly, the others were easier still. Blue – the second toughest – was N.F.L. TEAM MEMBER, and even a UK soccer/cricket fan such as myself could spot that COWBOY, JET, RAM and RAVEN were the answers. Green, meanwhile, was simply four things that were all BARREL-SHAPED CONTAINERs: CASK, CYLINDER, DRUM and TANK. My finger hovered over the submit button with that one, because I thought it couldn't possibly be as easy as that. But it was, and for once I completed this game with no trauma.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, 9 November, game #517)

• YELLOW: CONTORTED BENT, GNARLY, TWISTED, WARPED
• GREEN: SMALLEST AMOUNT LICK, OUNCE, SHRED, TRACE
• BLUE: ALGEBRA TERMS EXPONENT, POWER, RADICAL, ROOT
• PURPLE: WORDS BEFORE “ROOM” TO MEAN LAVATORY BATH, POWDER, REST, THRONE

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NYT Strands today (game #252) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Nice fit

NYT Strands today (game #252) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• TILL
• HILL
• BILL
• DUST
• THERE
• WELL

NYT Strands today (game #252) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Fits the bill

NYT Strands today (game #252) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First: left, 5th row

Last: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #252) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #252, are…

• JUMP
• CIVIL
• STRONG
• BUSINESS
• BIRTHDAY
• LEISURE
• SPANGRAM: WELLSUITED

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 2 hints

I find myself disagreeing with the NYT's choice of theme hint fairly often. This is possibly unfair, because as I know from experience it can be a very tricky thing to think of a clue that is helpful without giving the game away. But even bearing that in mind, the choice of 'Nice fit' here seems slightly misleading. After all, 'nice fit' works perfectly well for the spangram, WELLSUITED, and for some of today's answers – for instance LEISURE and JUMP. But it doesn't work for CIVIL or BIRTHDAY at all; these are types of suit, yes, but they aren't a 'nice fit' in any way. STRONG can be – if something is your strong suit, it is a good fit for you. But CIVIL in particular… no, it needed a different clue here.

That set me on the wrong path here, and I needed two hints to establish that yes, all of the answers were types of suit. Once I knew that it was pretty easy to find the others. And maybe that's why it's best that the hint did throw me off the scent – because without that I'd have probably had yet another perfect game, and that gets boring after a while…

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, 9 November, game #251)

• BLUR
• OASIS
• PAVEMENT
• TOOL
• NIRVANA
• SUBLIME
• SPANGRAM: NINETIESBANDS

What is NYT Strands?

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

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

• New HPE fanless cooler cuts server blade power consumption by 37%
• The system uses direct liquid cooling, perfect for AI technologies
• The architecture is designed to be scalable dependent on business needs

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) recently hosted its AI Day 2024 event, introducing the industry’s first 100% fanless direct liquid cooling architecture.

As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies continue to evolve, power consumption in next-generation accelerators has increased, surpassing the capabilities of traditional air-cooling methods.

Organizations running large-scale AI workloads are now searching for more efficient solutions to manage their infrastructure’s energy demands, and hPE has pioneered direct liquid cooling technology, which has become one of the most effective methods for cooling high-performance AI systems. This approach has allowed HPE to deliver seven of the top 10 most energy-efficient supercomputers on the Green500 list.

100% fanless direct liquid cooling addresses cooling challenges in AI systems

The new cooling system is designed to improve efficiency in several key areas, with HPE saying the fanless architecture reduces cooling power consumption by 90% compared to traditional air-cooling systems and offers significant environmental and financial advantages.

The system is built on four core elements. First, the system uses a comprehensive cooling design featuring an 8-element system that cools the GPU, CPU, server blade, local storage, network fabric, rack, cluster, and coolant distribution unit (CDU).

The second element is that the fanless cooler also offers high-density performance that supports compact configurations backed by rigorous testing, monitoring software, and on-site services to ensure smooth deployment.

Thirdly, for those with a mind for the environment, the new system uses an integrated network fabric that enables large-scale connectivity with reduced costs and power consumption for a more sustainable architecture. Lastly, the architecture runs on an open system design that offers flexibility by supporting various accelerators, allowing organizations to select solutions that best suit their needs.

The fanless architecture reduces cooling power consumption by 37% per server blade compared to hybrid liquid-cooled systems, not only lowering utility costs but also reducing carbon emissions and eliminating data center fan noise. Furthermore, the design allows for higher server cabinet density, helping organizations cut floor space requirements in half.

"As organizations embrace the possibilities created by generative AI, they also must advance sustainability goals, combat escalating power requirements, and lower operational costs,” noted Antonio Neri, President and CEO of HPE.

“The architecture we unveiled today uses only liquid cooling, delivering greater energy and cost-efficiency advantages than the alternative solutions on the market. In fact, this direct liquid cooling architecture yields 90% reduction in cooling power consumption as compared to traditional air-cooled systems."

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• Power-over-Skin developed by researchers at Future Interfaces Group
• Technique transmits power to wearables using the human body
• Paves the way for battery-free devices powered through skin contact

Self-winding watches have existed for a century, but manufacturers are still searching for ways to make modern wearables battery-free. A new research paper from Carnegie Mellon University could have the answer: scientists have developed a technique to power the next generation of wearable tech via skin contact.

Researchers at Future Interfaces Group have found a way to deliver power to wearable devices through the human body. The method is called Power-over-Skin, and it could be the gateway to a future where the best smartwatches no longer need a built-in battery.

In simple terms, the method sends power from a single battery-powered transmitter worn on the body to a range of battery-free devices attached to the skin. Research has found that the human body effectively conducts 40 MHz RF energy, which is what Power-over-Skin relies on to distribute power through the skin.

Researchers Andy Kong, Daehwa Kim, and Chris Harrison found they could deliver power from a single transmitter across the whole body. They also found that the amount of power they could deliver depended on the proximity of the transmitter and receivers. For example, having a transmitter on the forearm with a receiver on the wrist netted higher microwatts.

In their tests, the researchers were able to power an LED earring, a calculator, and a Bluetooth ring with a joystick control. They also experimented with building transmitters into existing objects, including a smartphone, a VR headset, and a shoe. Because the skin connection is capacitive, it can also work through clothing, such as having a transmitter in your pocket.

Skin in the game

The benefits of Power-over-Skin are several. By eliminating built-in batteries, wearable devices could be made much smaller and lighter, unlocking the potential for various versatile applications. One mentioned in the research paper is a slimline medical patch that monitors health metrics. Because there’s no battery to replace, it could, in theory, stay on a patient indefinitely.

Another net gain from Power-over-Skin is that sharing power from a single transmitter source instead of fitting individual wearables with their own batteries reduces the resources required from an environmental perspective.

As the technology develops, refinements should lead to greater efficiency in power delivery. While it’s unlikely that Power-over-Skin will be able to provide enough energy to run high-power devices, it seems reasonable to assume the technology will be leveraged on the likes of smartwatches and fitness trackers in the near future.

In conducting their tests, the researchers proved that Power-over-Skin can run microprocessors, digital displays, and wireless communication modules, albeit ones optimized for the technology. With the right placement of the transmitter and receiver and improvements in component efficiency, there are many possibilities for future wearables.

One concern will be whether using the body as a conduit for RF energy has any negative side effects on a wearer’s health. A factor addressed in the paper is the need to avoid hotspots, where RF energy passes through a small contact area.

According to the research, no participants encountered discomfort or pain during testing. Assuming that there are no complications from long-term exposure, Power-over-Skin could mark a massive shift in how wearables are designed and powered.

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• Samsung to release 400-layer NAND chip for AI data centers
• New BV NAND tech boosts density and minimizes heat buildup
• Plans for 1,000-layer NAND by 2030 to expand capacity

Samsung is working to launch a record-breaking 400-layer vertical NAND flash chip by 2026, reports have claimed.

A report by the Korea Economic Daily says Samsung’s Device Solutions (DS) division aims to advance the NAND flash market with its cutting-edge V10 NAND, designed to meet surging demand in AI data centers.

The company’s memory roadmap, as outlined in the report, shows plans for an advanced 10th-generation NAND that will utilize bonding technology to separately build memory cells and the peripheral circuitry on different wafers, later fusing them into a single chip. Known as bonding vertical NANDFlash (BV NAND), this new approach minimizes heat buildup and maximizes both capacity and performance, creating what Samsung has described as a “dream NAND for AI.”

1,000 layers by 2030

The BV NAND design, boasting a 1.6x increase in bit density per unit area, supports ultra-high-capacity solid-state drives (SSDs) ideal for AI applications.

Samsung’s current 286-layer V9 NAND chips marked a significant milestone, but the 400-layer V10 is expected to redefine capacity limits, potentially breaking the 200TB storage threshold for ultra-large AI hyperscaler SSDs, while improving energy efficiency.

For future releases, world’s largest memory chipmaker plans to introduce 11th-generation V11 NAND in 2027 with a 50% faster data transfer speed, further optimizing performance for high-demand data storage needs.

Samsung’s ambitious NAND roadmap extends even further, with plans for chips exceeding 1,000 layers by 2030, KED reports. This advancement aims to keep Samsung at the forefront of the high-capacity NAND market, where demand is spurred by AI applications that require expansive storage solutions to process vast volumes of data.

In the DRAM sector, Samsung aims to release sixth-generation 1c DRAM and seventh-generation 1d DRAM by the end of 2024, targeting use in high-performance AI chips. According to the Korea Economic Daily report, the company also has plans for sub-10 nm 0a DRAM by 2027, using a vertical channel transistor structure for greater stability and efficiency.

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• The GoPro Max 2 is now expected in 2025
• GoPro execs announced the news in an earnings call
• We were hoping to see it before the end of 2024

We've been waiting a long time for the GoPro Max 2, and it seems we're going to have to wait some more: in the company's latest quarterly earnings call, CEO Nicholas Woodman announced the 360-degree camera would be arriving in 2025.

GoPro originally told us the Max 2 device was "in the works" way back in September 2023, and then in May 2024 we got the estimate of a Q4 2024 launch window – which pointed towards an appearance in October, November, or December.

Now the GoPro Max 2 launch date has slipped again, though we haven't got much information over what's happened. Last time the "development process" was blamed, so presumably it's taking much longer to get this camera finished than GoPro first estimated.

Let's not forget that the first GoPro Max launched in October 2019 – and our GoPro Max review will tell you we were impressed with what it had to offer – and that means it's now been a wait of over five years for a successor.

What to expect

The excellent Insta360 X4 (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

To put this delay in perspective, since the GoPro Max first showed up, Insta360 has launched four iterations of its own 360-degree camera. The most recent is this year's Insta360 X4, and as you can see from our Insta360 X4 review, it's a great camera.

Being able to match Insta360 is going to be a serious challenge for GoPro. We've not heard too much about the GoPro Max 2 so far – apart from its launch date being pushed back and back – but it will apparently come with an upgraded cooling solution.

There should also be some upgrades in terms of video capture quality: the GoPro Max can shoot video at resolutions up to 5.6k. The price should be interesting too, as the first model launched at a cost of $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.95.

We're holding on to older comments from Nicholas Woodman that the 360-degree camera is going to be "worth the wait". Perhaps when it eventually does appear, it'll be fantastic enough to make us forget the delays we had along the way.

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• Adobe is ending perpetual licensing for Elements
• The software will now use a subscription-based pricing model
• New tools and features have been added to remove some of the sting

Adobe has officially ended its perpetual licensing model for the Elements software lineup, meaning users of the 2025 edition will only be able to use it for a maximum of three years before being blocked.

While the change aligns with Adobe's long-term strategy of transitioning to subscription-based models, it has stirred up a mix of reactions from consumers who appreciated the simpler, one-time purchase option.

The removal of perpetual licensing isn't entirely new for Adobe. In fact, it follows a broader shift the company first made in 2013 when it ended perpetual licenses for its professional-grade software like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro. Elements users, however, have been able to enjoy the freedom of owning their software outright—until now.

No more perpetual licenses

The 2025 release of Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements marks the first time this segment of Adobe users will face restrictions after three years of use.

Adobe says the change is an evolution toward a more connected experience, with the 2025 Elements lineup integrating access to companion web and mobile apps.

These services, which likely complement the core software, are aimed at expanding the range of creative options available to users, albeit at the cost of ongoing support after the three-year window closes.

Despite the shift in licensing, Adobe is packing Photoshop Elements 2025 with several new features designed to appeal to users who want powerful photo editing tools without the complexity of full Creative Cloud software. It comes with an AI-powered Remove tool, which allows users to erase unwanted objects in the background of photos.

The Object Removal Guided Edit makes it even easier by guiding users through the process of painting over undesired objects, with AI filling in the area to match the surrounding environment.

Another addition is the Depth Blur filter, which simulates the effect of a shallow depth of field in photos. This feature allows users to mimic the professional look achieved by high-end cameras with wide-aperture lenses, giving portraits or close-up shots an enhanced, dreamy quality. Users will also benefit from new collage tools, which offer creative freedom to combine photos, add motion effects, and adjust object colors.

For video enthusiasts, Premiere Elements 2025 introduces several features designed to streamline video editing and enhance creative control. One key feature is the ability to manipulate color more precisely with color lookup tables (LUTs), allowing users to establish a consistent look across different video clips. Another welcome tool is the White Balance feature, which helps users remove unwanted color casts from their footage. For even more refined color control, the Curves feature offers advanced color tuning options, making it easier to achieve the perfect tone for any video project.

Adobe has set the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for Photoshop Elements 2025 at $99.99, the same price as Premiere Elements 2025. For users looking to purchase both, Adobe offers a combo pack for $149.99. However, the shift away from perpetual licensing may leave some users searching for alternatives.

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Back in 2021, I penned an op-ed on why I’m comfortable being trapped in Apple’s ecosystem, and although I’ve tested (and loved using) many of the best Android phones since then, the comparatively boring iPhone still calls to me each year like a titanium safety blanket in a world of complex software and obnoxiously large camera bumps.

Sure, a big reason for that sustained interest is convenience – as someone who uses a MacBook, an Apple TV, and AirPods away from the office, I’ll always choose inter-device efficiency over innovation – but Apple has damn near perfected its product design, too.

I don’t need to tell you that iPhones and MacBooks are fashion statements as much as they are productivity tools – head to your nearest coffee shop for the proof. And no other Android phone has come close to replicating the iPhone’s unique synergy of simplicity and style. That is, until the Google Pixel 9 Pro.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro was recently crowned TechRadar’s Phone of the Year, and for good reason. It’s the only new flagship in 2024 that feels truly new versus its predecessor, and despite not being the most powerful device on the block, the Pixel 9 Pro nails the things we take for granted: making phone calls, dealing with notifications, sending messages, and so on.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro comes in Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain, Rose Quartz. (Image credit: Google / Future)

Most of all, though, the Pixel 9 Pro is a truly good-looking phone. As we’ve established, I’m a huge iPhone fan, and even I found myself looking twice at the Pixel’s flat aluminum sides, frosted glass rear panel, and perfectly sized pill-shaped module. The phone is impressively durable, too, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and an IP68 dust and water resistance rating to boot. Put simply, the Pixel 9 Pro is a world away from the Google Pixel 8 Pro. Just look at it.

Image 1 of 2

The Google Pixel 9 Pro in Obsidian (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Image 2 of 2

The Google Pixel 8 Pro in Bay (Image credit: Future)

There is, of course, a large elephant in the room here: the Pixel 9 Pro is more iPhone-like than any Pixel phone (heck, any Android phone) that’s come before it. I’m effectively praising Google for leaning on Apple’s design philosophy, when others might criticize the company for not bringing something truly new to the table.

But honestly, why not play to a winning strategy? Just as Samsung is right to take inspiration from Apple’s iPhone design, Google, too, should continue to riff on this cleaner, more industrial aesthetic, one that clearly resonates with consumers of a certain purchasing power.

The iPhone 15 Pro in Natural Titanium (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

In any case, what does Google have to lose by designing an iPhone-style Pixel? We know that more Android users are switching to iPhone than vice versa, and although the Pixel 9 Pro isn’t going to convince iPhone users to switch to Pixel en masse, it might help retain existing Pixel users. Or better yet, convince other Android users to embrace the best Pixel phones instead of, say, the best Samsung phones.

Yes, maybe the Google Pixel 9 Pro represents a loss of personality for the Pixel family – but Apple has proven that personality isn’t what people buy phones for.

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• VIPRE Security Group unveils new endpoint protection systems
• The new solutions offer around-the-clock protection for businesses
• A patch management tools is also included for added protection

VIPRE Security Group has responded to the growing need for advanced enterprise security tools by launching a new all-in-one Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) with a Managed Detection & Response (MDR) package designed to provide businesses with advanced, around-the-clock endpoint protection.

The combination of EDR+MDR can boost the protections available to Managed Service Providers (MSPs), offering threat detection which provides continuous monitoring for both known and emerging threats, ensuring that suspicious activities trigger immediate alerts.

It also incorporates DNS protection to guard against domain-related threats that could compromise network security.

Endpoint EDR+MDR promises 24hour 365 days monitoring

Furthermore, organizations will have access to ransomware protection in the form of rollback, enabling them to recover effectively from ransomware attacks.

The package also includes patch management for automated updates that address software vulnerabilities, and vulnerability management to identify and remediate security weaknesses within systems.

In addition to these features, the VIPRE Endpoint EDR+MDR package offers a fully managed incident response service led by a forensics team. This service includes 24/7 coverage, ensuring that organizations are never left vulnerable, even outside regular business hours.

"The security landscape is complex and challenging. Organisations face escalating threats while dealing with budget limitations," noted Usman Choudhary, General Manager and CTPO at VIPRE Security Group.

"The need for continuous, advanced threat monitoring and remediation strains both security teams and financial resources. Our integrated EDR and MDR solution addresses these challenges cost-effectively, while also reducing the overall total cost of ownership of these solutions."

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• The M4 Mac mini has removable storage, it's been revealed
• It also uses two SSDs for each configuration
• The changes could enable custom upgrades for the Mac

In our Apple Mac mini (M4, 2024) review we described it as potentially the best Mac ever – and certainly the smallest to date – and as users start to pull apart the dinky computer, we're finding even more to like about it.

First up, from an iFixit post (via @MudkipOnYT) we now know the internal SSD storage is modular and can be removed, rather than being soldered to the motherboard. That means there's the potential for custom storage upgrades.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, it's worth pointing out that the Mac Studio (M2 Ultra) has a similar storage setup, but custom upgrades are difficult to do: the computer uses Apple's own bespoke SSDs, you can't just slot in any off-the-shelf replacement.

We'll have to wait and see whether upgrades on the M4 Mac mini are as tricky, but Apple fans have already been able to identify the SSD in question and upgrade the Mac mini to 2TB of storage (you can actually get it with as much as 8TB straight from Apple).

Two for one

Partial teardown of M4 Mac Mini /w 16GB RAM & 256GB SSD. Interesting revealation: Wifi chip & antenna on the back of bottom air intake. SSD on a daughter board. And even the base 256GB version comes in two chips. No compromise in speed. Theoretically also end user upgradable. pic.twitter.com/vA2vQwkl7JNovember 8, 2024

While questions remain about just how viable it's going to be to start swapping SSDs in and out – potentially at a lower cost than buying the equivalent configuration from Apple – it's a promising step forward for Mac mini repairability and customization.

The other upgrade over the previous Apple Mac mini (M2, 2023), as spotted by @ohgkg (via MacRumors), is that even the lowest 256GB version makes use of two SSD modules – allowing for faster read and write speeds, compared with a single chip.

As a consequence, there shouldn't be any difference in SSD speeds between the 256GB storage configuration and any other, which is reassuring for those thinking about buying the cheapest M4 Mac mini option direct from Apple.

Again, it's a welcome change, one that we've also seen happen on the 13-inch MacBook Air (M3, 2023). The Apple M4 Mac mini is available to buy now from Apple, with pricing starting at $599 / £599 / AU$999 for the base model.

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Full spoilers follow for Arcane season 2 act 1 and League of Legends' (LoL) extensive lore.

Arcane season 2 has finally debuted on Netflix – and its first three episodes have left us with more questions than answers.

Unfortunately, season 2's next three episodes, which make up act 2, are – at the time of writing – won't be released for another week. Arcane's creative team, then, is making us wait a bit longer to find out what happens next, which means the eight biggest questions I have about Arcane season 2 won't be answered yet.

That won't stop me from offering my thoughts and theories on what's going to happen. Below, I've tried to answer the biggest questions presented by season 2 act 1, as well as revealing when act 2 will be available. Major spoilers follow for season 2's first three entries so, if you haven't watched them yet, read my Arcane season 2 review first and then stream them before reading on.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: when can I watch episode 4 on Netflix?

"Patience, my dear boy! More episodes are coming very soon" (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche)

Arcane season 2 episode 4 will launch on Netflix on Saturday, November 16.

It won't be the only new installment to air on that date, though. Episodes 5 and 6 will launch alongside it, so you'll have a new trio of chapters to consume soon.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what happens to Vi, Jinx, and Caitlyn?

Caitlyn (left) and Sevika (right) duke it out while Vi and Jinx fight off-screen in act 1's final episode (Image credit: Netflix)

I think the question should be what doesn't happen, really.

After they finally track down Jinx in the depths of Zaun, Vi and Caitlyn think they've got the former's younger sister where they want her. However, the pair don't realize they've been lured into a trap. Indeed, after a tense back-and-forth between the estranged sisters, Caitlyn thinks she spots Jinx and, with Vi's "If you see an opening, take the shot" words still ringing in her ears, fires her Hextech rifle towards Jinx. Unfortunately for Caitlyn, she wasn't actually aiming at Jinx – it was her reflection in a circular mirror. Hey, I told you the duo affectionately dubbed 'CaitVi' by Arcane fans had walked into an ambush.

Anyway, tired of playing Jinx's game, Vi engages her sibling in what appears to be a fight to the death. Caitlyn, meanwhile, is blindsided by Sevika's unexpected appearance; Silco's former lieutenant now teaming up with Jinx to take on Vi and her Piltovan ally.

If that isn't loyalty, Isha, I don't know what is (Image credit: Netflix)

No fight in Arcane is straightforward, though. The duels become more complex due to Jayce-led events taking place elsewhere (more on these shortly) that curiously cause Vi, Caitlyn, and Jinx's Hextech-based weaponry to glitch out, malfunction, and – in the case of Jinx's Fishbones rocket launcher – explode.

In the resulting chaos, Caitlyn incapacitates Sevika and, eyeing another opening, fires at Jinx once more. This time, the Hextech-powered bullet shoots off the middle finger on Jinx's left hand and, as a shocked Jinx tries to come to terms with what just happened, Vi pins her down using her Hextech gauntlets and prepares to end her sister's life.

That would be the case, anyway, if a) Jinx's seemingly final words to Vi cause her older sister to freeze and b) Isha, the young girl Jinx is now protecting, bursts from the shadows, grabs Jinx's gun, dives on top of her hero, and holds Vi at gunpoint. Before Isha can pull the trigger, though, Caitlyn shoots the gun out of her hand. Despite Vi's pleas not to shoot a kid, Caitlyn fires two more times – the first bullet bouncing off Vi's gauntlets and the second being fired into the ground when Vi grabs Caitlyn's rifle to deflect it.

I guess this sets up Pit Fighter Vi's arc in season 2 act 2, then... (Image credit: Netflix)

Sensing an opportunity, a recovered Sevika presses a secret button to detonate a bomb, which blows out the back wall and sends a powerful air blast careering through the expansive location they're in. The resulting gust blows 'CaitVi' away and causes numerous powder-colored, wind-powered blasts to erupt from Piltover's street vents – a warning to the City of Progress' leaders that Zaun isn't to be trifled with.

Jinx has escaped – again – and it's an understatement to say Caitlyn isn't happy. Still grief-stricken over her mom's death at Jinx's hands and angry at Vi's paralysis when it came to killing her sister, Caitlyn physically and verbally lashes out at Vi in a heart-breaking scene that parallels that Vi-Powder scene from season 1 episode 3. Caitlyn leaves to return to Piltover, leaving a distraught Vi alone in Zaun's underground network of tunnels.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: where do Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger go?

That's no wild rune... (Image credit: Netflix)

The answer to this query is less clear. After chatting about wild runes (more on this in a bit), they travel to an underground Hexgate gemstone mesh failsafe to get to the *ahem* bottom of the problem that's affecting the tree at the heart of the Firelights' hideout.

Unfortunately, the group can't solve the conundrum. Just minutes after arriving at their destination, the Anomaly – a giant Hexcore-like object – appears before them. Jayce's curiosity gets the better of him and, as the Piltovan councilor-scientific genius touches the metallo-organic object, it appears to cause a rupture in the space between the material and spirit realms; two of many zones that exist in the LoL universe. It's Jayce's contact with the Anomaly that makes the weapons glitch out during Vi, Jinx, Caitlyn and Sevika's fight.

Stop, hammer glitch time! (Image credit: Netflix)

But I digress. A trippy, kaleidoscopic, Doctor Strange-esque scene plays out before a fearful and hasty Jayce tries to destroy the Anomaly with his Hextech hammer. As he strikes it, Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger are abruptly whisked away to an unknown location.

So, where are they? Some fans may think they've traveled to another dimension. Others might theorize they've been sent to the shimmer-addict district of Zaun, which is where Viktor, Jayce's former scientific partner, is now operating. Unfortunately for you, due to spoilers in act 2, which I've already seen, I can't confirm where they've been transported to in one of the best Netflix shows. Don't worry, though, more, if not everything, will be revealed in episodes 5 and 6.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what are wild runes?

Professor Jayce is on the wild rune case! (Image credit: Netflix)

There's more explaining for Arcane to do here. Essentially, though, wild runes are the naturally occurring runes Viktor hypothesized about when he and Jayce were conducting their Hextech research.

As Jayce tells Ekko in episode 3, titled 'Finally Got The Name Right', wild runes are "patterns that occur naturally where the border between Runeterra [the physical world that LoL is set in] and the Arcane is at its thinnest". They don't communicate in the traditional way other runes do, which gives them a natural or raw quality that's more impulsive or animalistic than Hextech runes. Wild runes, as Ekko suggests, are also akin to the Arcane's "fingerprints", which are left across Runeterran locations where the Arcane is more active.

I suspect we'll learn more about wild runes as season 2 progresses. For now, this is as good an explanation as we'll get.

Arcane season 2 act ending explained: what is Viktor's new mission?

Viktor's glorious evolution begins... (Image credit: Netflix)

To end Zaun's suffering and heal its populace. Doing so, however, means humanity has to evolve – and he's already shown how that'll happen by curing some shimmer addicts of their illness and disfigurements, which was teased in Arcane season 2's official trailer.

Every visionary gains their own following – and it seems Viktor has found his in these shimmer addicts (Image credit: Netflix)

Indeed, armed with his new Hexcore-based powers – remember, the Hexcore fused with Viktor in season 2 episode 1, when Jayce used it to save his friend's life – Arcane's iteration of Viktor is fully embracing his 'glorious evolution' ability from LoL; one he believes will help humanity realize its full potential. An idealistic and altruistic plan, sure, but one that may place him in a secondary antagonist role from this point on.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what is Ambessa's end goal?

Ambessa is really starting to sink her claws into Piltover's finest (Image credit: Netflix)

Of all of season 2's individuals – read my Arcane season 2 cast guide for a rundown of its pre-release character list – Ambessa is arguably the most fascinating. How so? Because it's so difficult to pin down what she wants to achieve this season.

I have two theories about her objectives. The first is simple: bring Piltover under Noxus' rule. Ever since Ambessa unexpectedly showed up in the City of Progress in season 1 episode 7, she's been a prominent figure within the corridors of power. Her importance to Piltover's cause has only grown in the wake of Jinx's attack on the nation's council, while her manipulation of key Piltovans, including Salo and Caitlyn, suggests she's puppeting them to help her gain full control of Zaun's more prosperous cousin. The fact that the Noxian warlord can also acquire Hextech while adding Piltover to her expansionist home nation's empire is an added bonus.

Erm, congratulations on another promotion, Caitlyn? (Image credit: Netflix)

My other theory is a bit more complicated. Based on what we've learned about Ambessa, her family, and her role in Noxian high society, it seems all isn't well for Ambessa back home. Indeed, her son is dead and the secret organization (more on them shortly) reportedly behind his demise has stripped Ambessa of what her daughter Mel's assistant Elora describes as "most of her holdings". Reading between the lines, that's got to be money and/or titles.

If Ambessa has effectively been kicked out of Noxus by the aforementioned enigmatic sect, she could be using Piltover – and Caitlyn, who Ambessa installs as Piltover's new commander-in-chief in episode 3's final scene – as a means to an end. That end being, acquiring Hextech and using Piltover's armed forces to stage a coup on Noxus' throne and eradicate those who've harmed her family and brought shame on her.

My guess? Elements of both theories are true, but the latter seems to have greater weight behind it, especially in light of the covert syndicate operating within Noxus and Piltover's shadows. Speaking of which...

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what are Amara and the Black Rose?

(Image credit: Netflix)

Where Amara is concerned, the short answer is she's a member of the Black Rose, aka the clandestine group that pulls Noxus' strings from the shadows.

According to LoL lore, the Black Rose is, without getting into the *ahem* weeds of Runeterra's history, an organization led by Noxian aristocracy who conceal their identities using masks. The group is so secretive that its members don't actually know who else is a part of it. Nevertheless, they covertly guide whoever sits on Noxus' throne – and seemingly have done so for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

Nope, that's enough magic-based body horror for me, Arcane... (Image credit: Netflix)

Of course, this begs the question: will the Black Rose be revealed as Arcane's Big Bad? I certainly think so. I wouldn't be surprised if Amara – who isn't dead (in my view, anyway) after her episode 3 run-in with Ambessa – is actually revealed as the series' primary antagonist, albeit someone who's disguised themselves as Amara. It's a magical theory that Arcane fans have had about the show's real villain since its official trailer dropped, and there's nothing to suggest they won't be proven right.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what is the monster that Singed is creating?

Allow me to introduce you to Warwick, non-League of Legends fanatics (Image credit: Netflix)

That'll be Warwick. Another LoL champion, albeit a monstrous one, Warwick's backstory hasn't been fully explored in the lore of Riot's multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game franchise. Indeed, the only things we know about this creature are he haunts Zaun's grey alleys, is the product of agonizing, alchemical experiments, and preys on criminals to terrorize Zaunites.

As a LoL prequel, though, Arcane appears to answer some big questions about Warwick's origins or, at the very least, retcons aspects of his history. Season 1 episode 8 revealed Singed, the malicious chemist and creator of shimmer who worked for Silco, had commandeered Vander's shimmer-infused corpse – remember, Vi and Powder's surrogate dad died in last season's third episode – and started experimenting on it.

Murk wolves are only native to the most remote corners of Runeterra's north-most continent (Image credit: Netflix)

In January, Arcane season 2's very first clip teased Warwick would make his debut in the hit Netflix series. Five months later, a gorgeous new season 2 poster all but confirmed the fan-favorite character's arrival – and that Singed was using Vander's remains to create Warwick.

Thanks to season 2 act 1, we know this is 100% true. The final scene in this season's premiere showed Singed tracking down two wolves (I actually think it was a two-headed Murk Wolf; creatures that live on Runeterra's northern continent of Valoran and who've been magically altered by runic energy) in a snow-filled location and using his poison to kill them. Episode 2 revealed he was using their body parts, alongside his poison and Vander's corpse, to create Warwick. Lastly, episode 3 contains the aforementioned clip, which shows Singed transfusing his own blood into Warwick before Singed brings his latest creation to life.

The stage is set, then, for Singed to let Warwick loose on Zaun, and I fully expect him to cross paths with Vi and Jinx at some point. Could a potential heart-breaking reunion between the pair and 'Vander' be the reason why Jinx voice actor Ella Purnell "cried" while recording her lines for season 2's final episode? Don't bet against it.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: who is Janna?

Hi, Janna! Or, as Jinx calls her, "some wispy wind woman" (Image credit: Netflix)

One of the least important season 2 act 1 questions, but nonetheless a fascinating one to answer.

Another of LoL's many champions, Janna – whose original Shurima-derived name is Jan'ahrem – is a mysterious, wind elemental-wielding spirit. According to the lore within Riot Games' hugely popular videogame franchise, she protects dispossessed Zaunites and, as a beacon of hope for the undercity's population, various murals of Janna can be glimpsed throughout season 2 act 1. The most notable ones are seen in episode 2, titled 'Watch It All Burn', as Viktor walks Zaun's streets, and in 'Finally Got The Name Right' before that entry's primary action sequence.

Given the references to Janna in act 1, can we expect to see her before Arcane ends with its second and final season? I don't think so, but, hey, I've been wrong before!

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It was my birthday a few weeks ago, and as if that didn’t make me feel old enough, the Firefox browser has just turned exactly 20 years old today. Yes, Firefox version 1.0 launched on November 9, 2004 – and I've been using it for almost as long as it's been alive, picking it up in the mid-noughties and loading it onto every computer I’ve used in the years since.

Over all that time, I’ve stuck with Firefox through thick and thin (and Chrome's increasing dominance). It’s clear to me that Firefox has always done a few things far better than rivals like Chrome and Safari – things that those web browsers are unlikely to ever match.

Right from when I started using Firefox, what drew me to it was its strong stance on privacy. It’s always been important to me that my data stays my own and is not sold to anyone else for profit. It’s not always possible to stop that happening, but with Firefox, it’s a whole lot easier.

That’s because Firefox blocks all sorts of trackers that can invade your privacy and follow you around the web. Cookies are isolated to stop them building a detailed picture of you, and Firefox limits access to data that can be used to create a digital “fingerprint” of your browsing habits by less conscientious websites and services.

That’s just scratching the surface of its privacy-protecting features, and I’m still glad to have them at my disposal whenever I use the web.

Chrome’s privacy problem

(Image credit: Growtika / Unsplash)

Take a look at Google Chrome and the contrast is stark. Chrome doesn’t block trackers by default, nor does it offer fingerprint blocking. It monitors the websites you visit and uses this data to send you targeted ads. While you can block some of the topics it identifies, you can’t stop it finding other ad topics to share with websites. It’s going to sell your private data, whether you want it to or not.

While Google has considered implementing pro-privacy features, it’s often backtracked when it became apparent how much that could impact third-party advertisers and data brokers. Just look at the Privacy Sandbox, which Google has watered down significantly, or the way Google often uses so-called dark patterns to lure you into sharing as much of your data as possible.

Ultimately, we shouldn’t be surprised at Chrome’s behavior. Google runs the world’s largest advertising network and has a built-in incentive to violate your privacy (and limit what you can do to stop it). Google’s privacy efforts will always be half-hearted as long as implementing policies that keep your info safe hurt its bottom line. Money talks, after all.

Things are different for Firefox because it’s developed by Mozilla, a group that puts privacy at the forefront of its work. Firefox is open source, too, so you know exactly what you’re getting without having to worry about hidden nasties making it into your browsing experience. In other words, it’s the antithesis of Chrome.

Actions speak louder than words, and Mozilla doesn’t just talk the talk – it follows through on what it promises, even when its features might hurt its ability to make money from its users.

In contrast, it’s clear that this is absolutely not the case with Chrome, and nor will it ever be. I know which browser I’d rather trust.

Why don’t I just use Safari?

(Image credit: Photo Illustration by Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

If privacy is a priority for me, why haven’t I switched to Apple’s Safari browser? There’s an argument for me doing so: like Mozilla, Apple is well-known for its pro-privacy stances. Safari is generally faster than Firefox, too, helping it offer the best of both Firefox and Chrome.

But there’s a problem: Safari is limited to Apple’s own devices. I use both Windows and macOS in my day-to-day life, so I need something that will function on every device I own. Safari can’t do that, and given how disappointing Safari for Windows was back when it existed, I doubt Apple is too fussed about expanding the browser beyond its own products.

In contrast, I can get Firefox on any of my devices and it will be set up just as I expect it to be, with all the extensions, bookmarks and tabs right where they should be. I can send a tab from Firefox on my Windows PC to Firefox on my Mac or on my iPhone and it’ll arrive instantly, letting me pick up where I left off whatever device I’m using.

It’s that combination of cross-platform compatibility and rock-solid privacy credentials that have me still using Firefox 20 years later.

Throw in a huge library of excellent extensions and I get everything I need from Mozilla’s browser – there’s no alternative that quite matches what it can do. With 20 years in the bag, I imagine I’ll still be using Firefox in another two decades’ time.

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• Github repositories are being infected with malware
• Trusted repositories can bypass secure web gateways
• Github comments are also being used to hide malicious files

In a new phishing campaign detected by Cofense Intelligence, threat actors used a novel approach by leveraging trusted GitHub repositories to deliver malware. The campaign is aimed at exploiting the inherent trust many organizations place in GitHub as a developer platform.

Instead of creating malicious repositories, attackers chose to embed malware into legitimate ones affiliated with tax organizations such as UsTaxes, HMRC, and Inland Revenue.

This allowed them to bypass Secure Email Gateway (SEG) protections, posing a significant challenge to cybersecurity defenses. The attack also capitalized on the sense of urgency tied to filing taxes after the April deadline in the US.

Phishing tactic – abuse of trusted repositories

Emails associated with the campaign contained links to archives hosted on GitHub. Unlike traditional phishing attacks that rely on suspicious links or attachments, these emails appeared credible because the GitHub repositories used were legitimate and well-known, and can circumvent Secure Web Gateways.

The archive files linked in the emails were password protected, a tactic used to add an air of legitimacy. This protection also made it more difficult for malware scanners to detect and inspect the contents of the archive. Once opened, the password-protected files installed Remcos Remote Access Trojan (RAT) on the victim’s system, granting attackers remote control over the infected device.

A key component of this campaign was the use of GitHub comments to upload malicious files. GitHub comments are typically used by developers to communicate about a repository’s content, propose changes, or document issues. However, attackers exploited this feature by uploading malware-laden files within comments rather than the repository’s source code, allowing them to circumvent the usual security protocols and ensure that the malware remained hidden.

Even if the original comment containing the malware link was deleted, the malware itself remained accessible through the repository’s file directory. This method has been used before, most notably with the Redline Stealer malware, but this campaign represents a significant escalation in the use of GitHub comments as a malware distribution vector.

The campaign primarily targeted the financial and insurance industries, with both sectors being particularly vulnerable during tax season, as they handle a large volume of sensitive financial data.

The attackers appear to have been testing the waters with a smaller campaign, focusing on these two industries. Previous phishing campaigns using techniques like QR codes had broader targets, but the narrower focus of this attack suggests the threat actors were experimenting with the GitHub-based method before scaling up.

Phishing campaigns remain one of the most persistent and effective tactics used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

These attacks typically involve deceptive emails or messages that trick users into clicking malicious links, downloading harmful attachments, or revealing personal details.

Over the years, phishing techniques have evolved, becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Cybercriminals now leverage trusted platforms, disguise malicious intent behind legitimate-looking messages, and use advanced social engineering techniques.

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