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• Google could freeze the Pixel Watch 4 price
• The Pixel Watch 3 started at $399 / £349 / AU$579
• We should see the new wearable next month

With a Made by Google event scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, it looks as though we don't have too much longer to wait for the Pixel Watch 4 – and a fresh pair of leaks point to the pricing and features we can expect on this new wearable.

According to Dealabs (via Android Authority), the Google Pixel Watch 4 is going to set you back from €399 for the 41 mm version, or €499 with added LTE. The equivalent prices for the 45 mm model are reportedly €449 and €549 respectively.

There's not much point giving you currency conversions on those numbers, because that's not how Google will set prices in other countries, but the important takeaway is that those are the same prices that the Google Pixel Watch 3 launched at.

That suggests you can expect to pay $399 / £349 / AU$579 and up for the Pixel Watch 4 in other countries, which in the US and UK was the same price as the Pixel Watch 2 – so full marks to Google for staying consistent, if this leak is indeed accurate.

With added strength training

Look out for new training features (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Our other Pixel Watch 3 leak here is from Android Headlines: apparently the wearable is going to arrive with a new strength training experience, which you'll be able to configure through a special workout builder that Google is readying.

The idea seems to be that the feature lets you customize your own warm ups, cool downs, and workouts, in order to maximize performance gains and reduce the risk of injuries. Another feature, AI run recommendations, will be available through Fitbit Premium.

Add in previous Pixel Watch 4 rumors around a bigger battery and improved repairability, and this is shaping up to be a substantial smartwatch upgrade from Google. As always though, nothing is certain until it's made official.

The Pixel Watch 4 won't be the only new device that's on show on August 20, because we should also see the unveiling of the Google Pixel 10 series. Of course, we'll be covering all the news and announcements live on the day.

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- A spinoff series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was announced in February, with Hulu ordering the pilot

- Ryan Kiera Armstrong has been cast as the next slayer, and Sarah Michelle Gellar will reprise her role as Buffy Summers. She will also serve as executive producer

- No release date, trailer or plot details have been revealed yet

A Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel spinoff series is officially in development. After years of toying with the possibility of rebooting one of the best TV series of all time, the series is finally on the way with a pilot ordered by Hulu – one of the best streaming services.

News of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot series first came in February when it was announced that the series would be returning after 20 years. At the time of the announcement, Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) was named the show’s director, and Nora and Lilla Zuckerman (Poker Face) were announced as writers.

The next big question was whether the slayer herself Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the role of Buffy Summers, would be returning. And in short, yes, Gellar will be returning to Sunnydale, joining the team as an executive producer – but what about the show’s original production team?

The original ‘90s show was written and directed by Joss Whedon, who in 2021 was accused of creating a toxic work environment on the set of the show as well as its spinoff series Angel. Therefore, it’s confirmed that Whedon won’t be returning to work on the next chapter in the Buffyverse. With that said, original Buffy the Vampire Slayer producers Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, and Dolly Parton (yes, the Dolly Parton) will all be returning.

It’s still early days into the spinoff’s production, but we’ve had our ears to the ground when it comes to all the recent updates regarding the show. Here’s everything we know about the next chapter of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Full spoilers follow for Buffy the Vampire Slayer seasons 1-7.

Release dates speculation

The OG slayer herself will be returning to the new spinoff series, reprising the iconic role as well as serving as executive producer. (Image credit: Prime Video)

Though the pilot is currently in early stages of production and a new lead slayer has been cast, an exact release date has yet to be determined. According to IMDb, it’s billed to be released next year, but again, an official announcement is yet to be made – so we wouldn’t rule out 2027.

Predicted cast

A post shared by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar)

A photo posted by on

As well as stepping into the shoes of executive producer, Sarah Michelle Gellar will also be reprising her role as Buffy Summers. However this time, Buffy won’t be at the centre of the reboot. Instead, Buffy will be a recurring character and a brand new slayer will be the focus – and she’s been found.

Back in May, it was revealed that young actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong would be taking on the lead role in the sequel series. Gellar told the news to Armstrong herself sharing the announcement via an Instagram reel where she said 'Welcome to the new Sunnydale' – a possible nod at the show's title maybe?

Prior to scoring the role as this generation’s next slayer, Armstrong kick-started her career in productions from some of the best streaming services including the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and Netflix’s Anne with an E.

So far, Armstrong and Gellar are the only names attached to the spinoff’s confirmed cast. But while we still wait for more names to surface, Gellar has expressed her desire to bring back characters from Buffy’s past sharing with Vanity Fair Italia “My dream is to bring back everyone who has died, but space will have to be made for new stories as well”.

If Gellar’s dream comes to fruition, there’s an endless slew of characters from Buffy’s past that could be resurrected, but the fandom will certainly have its favorites – Joyce Summers being one of the frontrunners, who died in season five.

Other names that could crop up range from Jenny Calendar, who suffered a heart-shattering death at the hands of Angel in season two, Tara who was shot in front of her lover Willow in season six, and even Anya who died during the final moments of the finale episode. But as exciting as this may sound, it hasn’t been confirmed.

Plot rumors

Could the new spinoff series see best friends Buffy and Willow reunite? (Image credit: Paramount+)

Similar to its release date, we’re not exactly sure what direction the show will take plot-wise, however the reboot has been described as ‘the next chapter in the Buffyverse’, says Deadline. Additionally, Sarah Michelle Gellar also revealed to Vanity Fair that the reboot “Will be lighter than the last few seasons of the original”, adding “We will try to find a balance between new and old characters”.

Still, it doesn’t reveal a whole lot about which direction the reboot will go plot-wise. Saying that, TV Line shared details on a possible plot outline, which we’re taking with a pinch of salt for now.

According to the outlet the new slayer will lean more into the characteristics of Willow, Buffy’s timid yet intellectual sidekick with a knack for witchcraft rather than the combat, kick-ass Buffy-esque persona. TV Line also said that the new slayer could be named Nova, though it admits that this could very much be a placeholder name until more details are revealed.

Another speculation is around the new slayer’s group of friends, which TV Line says could replicate a similar one to the ‘Scooby gang’ from the original series consisting of Buffy, Xander, Willow, Buffy’s watcher Giles, and other recurring characters depending on the season. TV Line states that the new ‘Scoobies’ will be ‘Hugo, an out-and-proud nerd who comes from money, and Gracie, a young expert on vampires who’s an acolyte of Gellar’s Buffy’.

Alternatively, there’s another direction that the plot could take. Despite the golden rule of there being only one slayer at a time, the Hulu reboot could flip this on its head and explore the possibilities of there being multiple slayers – just as its season seven finale did. But this is simply a personal hypothesis.

Where to watch

(Image credit: Hulu )

Want to catch up on all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer before its spinoff series is released? There are plenty of platforms where you can stream all seven seasons including Hulu (US), and Disney+ and Paramount+ (UK and AU) – though only one season is available to stream on Disney+ in Australia.

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, July 19 (game #1272).

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 #1273) - 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 #1273) - 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 #1273) - 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 #1273) - 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 #1273) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• G

• C

• E

• G

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

Quordle today (game #1273) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1273, are…

• GRACE
• COUNT
• EGRET
• GIANT

I don’t think I’ve ever had a more straightforward round than this one, with every word ending up being a very easy-to-solve anagram.

EGRET was the only one of the quartet that required me to do a small bit of thinking, but with G-R-E-T in the correct positions it was hardly a stretch. 

Daily Sequence today (game #1273) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1273, are…

• DROVE
• IMAGE
• HORSE
• FILLY

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1272, Saturday, 19 July: EARLY, CLICK, TRITE, SPREE
• Quordle #1271, Friday, 18 July: CINCH, FOYER, FUDGE, TAFFY
• Quordle #1270, Thursday, 17 July: CRESS, TABOO, POWER, HATER
• Quordle #1269, Wednesday, 16 July: UNCLE, NADIR, REMIT, BROOM
• Quordle #1268, Tuesday, 15 July: VILLA, FLECK, TIGER, CRANE
• Quordle #1267, Monday, 14 July: SURGE, PIZZA, PAPER, POPPY
• Quordle #1266, Sunday, 13 July: KAYAK, DECRY, RUDDY, HATER
• Quordle #1265, Saturday, 12 July: WREAK, NANNY, CLASP, STAIN
• Quordle #1264, Friday, 11 July: LAPEL, DRAIN, FROND, GROSS
• Quordle #1263, Thursday, 10 July: CROSS, WHEEL, UNDID, PENCE
• Quordle #1262, Wednesday, 9 July: SHIRE, SIXTH, SINGE, IMAGE
• Quordle #1261, Tuesday, 8 July: PLIED, PRANK, GAWKY, OXIDE
• Quordle #1260, Monday, 7 July: DROLL, TRUCE, TWIRL, SINCE
• Quordle #1259, Sunday, 6 July: AMPLY, SPAWN, EXTOL, RIDGE
• Quordle #1258, Saturday, 5 July: HAVEN, SNAKE, DREAM, TORUS
• Quordle #1257, Friday, 4 July: FAVOR, SKUNK, GAWKY, FLUFF
• Quordle #1256, Thursday, 3 July: DANCE, EYING, GLAZE, EGRET
• Quordle #1255, Wednesday, 2 July: INANE, SCOUR, ELITE, ULCER
• Quordle #1254, Tuesday, 1 July: REBAR, YEARN, FORTH, CROWD

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, July 19 (game #769).

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 #770) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• ВОР
• DRAW
• CROSS
• BUZZ
• DRY
• LOAN
• PULL
• SWAY
• BOUNCE
• TWIST
• DRAG
• SHAKEN
• PASS
• GROOVE
• GIN
• PUFF

NYT Connections today (game #770) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Almost dancing
• GREEN: Breathe in
• BLUE: Not stirred
• PURPLE: Add a word

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 #770) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: MOVE TO THE MUSIC
• GREEN: INHALATION
• BLUE: MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS
• PURPLE: ___WORD

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

NYT Connections today (game #770) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #770, are…

• YELLOW: MOVE TO THE MUSIC BOP, BOUNCE, GROOVE, SWAY
• GREEN: INHALATION DRAG, DRAW, PUFF, PULL
• BLUE: MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS DRY, GIN, SHAKEN, TWIST
• PURPLE: ___WORD BUZZ, CROSS, LOAN, PASS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

Today I got the idea stuck in my head that there was a group about a card game, so I had DRAW, PULL, PASS and CROSS. Fortunately, I abandoned this idea before I made any more mistakes.

Getting MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS helped narrow things down and led to me finding the green and yellow groups.

A good thing, as I would have struggled to find the fourth member of the purple quartet after BUZZ, cross and pass, but today I learned that loanword is a word adopted from a foreign language with little or no modification.

There are some obvious examples, such as safari, karaoke and guru, but also some surprising ones like cookie, which comes from the Dutch language, and cartoon – which originated in Italian.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, July 19 game #769)

• YELLOW: SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER RAIN, SPRING, TAP, WELL
• GREEN: THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH A FOOTBALL PASS, PUNT, SNAP, SPIKE
• BLUE: SHARP FASTENERS BRAD, NAIL, PIN, TACK
• PURPLE: STARTS OF TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES DON, LEO, MIC, RAP

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, July 19 (game #503).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Shore thing!

NYT Strands today (game #504) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• BEAR
• HATS
• DATA
• CHAT
• PAGE
• SONG

NYT Strands today (game #504) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #504) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 3rd row

Last side: right, 8th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #504) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #504, are…

• WRAP
• BIKINI
• SARONG
• TRUNKS
• SANDALS
• SWIMSUIT
• SPANGRAM: BEACH ATTIRE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

An easy search today. One that we could do from the safety of a sun lounger without having to tax our brains too much, although initially I did think we were looking for ocean geography.

Some people have very different ideas about BEACH ATTIRE to the ones we searched for.

I don’t think I’ve ever worn anything other than shorts and SANDALS whenever I’ve visited a beach. This is not the case with my whole family, as my grandparents would wear their regular clothes to the beach – and my grandfather’s idea of regular attire was a three-piece suit.

The one concession to their whereabouts would be to place knotted handkerchiefs on their heads, but their cardigans and jackets would stay firmly on regardless of the weather.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, July 19, game #503)

• STICKY
• BALMY
• MUGGY
• SCORCHING
• SWELTERING
• SPANGRAM: SUMMER WEATHER

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.

Ever fancy having a collection of software to help you tackle photo editing, page design, and vector illustrations all under one roof? Well that’s what CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2025 is all about.

It's part graphic design software, part photo editor, and one of the most comprehensive alternatives to Adobe Photoshop around. We tried out the latest version to see how it compares to rivals.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2025: Pricing & plans

(Image credit: Corel // Future)

• The Corel suite is cheaper than a lot of the competition, and on top of that, you also have the option of purchasing a licence, if you prefer that over subscribing. The 15-day trial is also welcome

We know it’s been six years since the momentous occasion, but it’s worth mentioning often: after a 20-year absence from the field, Corel finally made its professional apps compatible once more with the Mac in 2019, and version 2025 is no exception: whether you own a Windows or Mac computer, you can download this suite and test it out free for 15 days by clicking here.

After the trial is up, you’ll need to open your wallet, although unlike companies like Adobe, Corel offers you a choice: a one-time purchase for $549 / £659, or an annual plan, where you pay $22.42 / £26.58 each month (which means a one-time purchase is roughly equivalent to two years of rental, but without any possibility of upgrades, and the loss of some additional features which we’ll explore below).

This price includes PHOTO-PAINT (a Photoshop equivalent) and DRAW (an Illustrator equivalent). Quickly checking the competition, you’ll find subscribing to those two Adobe apps would cost you around twice as much ($45.98 / £45.96), so right there Corel’s offering is a pretty good deal. But what can you do with the suite?

• Score: 4/5

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2025: The suite

(Image credit: Corel // Future)

• 6 apps, but really only 2 major ones, comprise this suite. The online service is a good addition but it’s only for subscribers, and why couldn’t they include ‘Capture’ with the Mac version, or at least reduce the Mac’s price since it doesn’t include all the apps that are part of the Windows suite?

This Graphic Suite comes with a host of creative apps. The main one, the one the suite borrows its name from, is CorelDRAW. This is a vector illustration and page layout program. If you’re familiar with Adobe Illustrator, it’s similar. CorelDRAW comes with PowerTRACE, which is an AI-powered bitmap-to-vector tracing tool, and is a massive time saver (as all good time-saving AI tools should be).

Next is Corel PHOTO-PAINT, which is Corel’s Photoshop equivalent. With it, you can edit images and create pixel-based projects. Corel Font Manager is an alternative to your computer’s default font management tool which we found fun and easy to use, and also gives you direct access to over 1,000 Google fonts.

CorelDRAW Web, is a browser-based service that lets you create projects online, wherever you may be. There is one drawback to it, mind: it’s only available to customers who subscribe to the suite. Those who opted to purchase their licence are sadly out of that loop.

And finally, there’s Capture, a screen capture tool which is sadly Windows only. Even though Mac users pay the same price for the suite, they end up with 5/6th of what Windows users get. Be that as it way, we’ll take a brief look at the two main apps, PHOTO-PAINT and DRAW.

The integration between all apps in the suite allows for the sharing of numerous features, including Pantone Dualities, which bring powerful colour management between all apps in the suite, designers and printers, through industry recognised palettes.

• Score: 4/5

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2025: Corel PHOTO-PAINT

(Image credit: Corel // Future)

• We found this image compositing program to be very competent, with tools similar to its competition, even if its way of working is different and will necessitate a bit of a learning curve if you’re used to the way other apps do things

One of the two main apps of this suite is PHOTO-PAINT, which is designed to be as welcoming as it can be. OK, you must sign in (or create an account) before you can use it, but once you’re in, you’ll be greeted with a welcome page offering you numerous online tutorials to help you understand which features are available and how you can make use of them.

Even when you open a file, you’ll find a ‘Learn’ sidebar on the right to guide you through any creative process, but if you don’t need this, just close it to get on with your work.

If you’re familiar with other image compositing tools, it won’t take you long to acquaint yourself with PHOTO-PAINT as the concept is pretty much the same: you have tools in a sidebar on one side, with an inspector sidebar on the other, and contextual parameters above.

You’re offered a range of tools to retouch or enhance an image, and of course create one from scratch. If you’re used to Photoshop or other tools that borrow easily from that program’s interface, you will quickly feel comfortable in PHOTO-PAINT, although there are enough differences to impose a learning curve on you. Still, for most of the basics, you’ll find yourself up and running in no time. All the tools you’d expect are there, from drawing and painting, to selecting, colour correction, filters and effects.

We did find it taxed our computer’s CPU the longer we experimented with it though, forcing us to quickly relaunch the program to resolve the issue - something we haven’t encountered with other image compositing software. Still, it could be because we were using an oldish Mac (a 2019 Intel Core i9 MacBook Pro with 64GB of RAM), but we thought it worth mentioning nonetheless.

• Score: 4/5

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2025: CorelDRAW

(Image credit: Corel // Future)

• CoreDRAW is an impressive vector-based drawing package with powerful tools, which seamlessly combine bitmap drawings and photos with resolution independent vectors

When you launch CorelDRAW, you’ll be graced with a very similar welcome page to PHOTO-PAINT, along with tutorials and a ‘Learn’ section when you’re in the app proper. This family resemblance extends to file formats, as CorelDRAW can open PHOTO-PAINT documents. The reverse is not as seamless, as the DRAW files need to be converted; DRAW can handle bitmap content just as well as vector ones in its files.

CorelDRAW is a program designed to work with vectors, essentially resolution independent art, represented by mathematical equations. You have at your disposal powerful tools and brushes to design complex artwork which will look sharp and crisp at any resolution. Perhaps the most impressive tool we explored is PowerTRACE, which is fully embedded within CorelDRAW itself.

Its purpose is to convert a bitmap image (i.e. any photo, or any drawing created in PHOTO-PAINT, Photoshop or similar), into a vector equivalent. Depending on your image’s complexity and your computer’s power, it may take a few seconds for the action to complete, but we were highly impressed by the results. We chose particularly complex images, and the output was truly excellent.

Other impressive tools are the Painterly brushes, which allow you to replicate realistic brush strokes inside CorelDRAW: it’s a pixel-based brush tool that’s controlled by vector curves, combining the best of both worlds when it comes to design and illustration. This means you get great detail and effects, which are easily scalable with zero resolution issues. CorelDRAW comes with hundreds of preset brushes but if you feel the urge to own more, there's an online store which you can access via the Welcome screen, where you can purchase additional packs. Also, as yet another incentive to get you to subscribe rather than buy, you’re given a further 100.

A further bonus for subscribers is CorelDRAW Web, which allows you to perform quick edits to projects directly from a compatible web browser, from any machine. You can upload existing work and carry on with this online, or bring projects you started in the browser to further refine in CorelDRAW itself. It’s a very nice touch, and it’s pretty amazing what you can achieve from within a web browser these days - for those who don’t mind renting their software, that is.

• Score: 4.5/5

Should I buy CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2025

(Image credit: Corel // Future)

Buy it if...

You’re looking for an affordable design suite that allows you to work with bitmap pixel-based images, and vectors, work online when you need to, gain access to Google fonts, and even record your screen (PCs only)

Don't buy it if...

All you want is to draw a little and don’t wish to feel overwhelmed with a powerful set of tools with far too many features, and you don’t like that those who buy get fewer features compared to those who subscribe.

It's almost time for the final Marvel movie of 2025. The Fantastic Four: First Steps launches worldwide in late July, and before it arrives, you might be wondering who's in the upcoming superhero film.

Below, I've compiled a list of the most prominent cast members who'll appear in the first Marvel Phase 6 project. I'll also tell you which characters they're playing and where you might have seen these actors before.

Before we begin: this article only contains actors confirmed to appear and whose role hasn't been cut from the final film (RIP John Malkovich's Red Ghost). My ultimate guide to The Fantastic Four: First Steps provides more information on that character's absence and looks at some big cast rumors, so read that once you're done here.

Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic

Man-of-the-moment Pedro Pascal will play Reed Richards' latest live-action iteration (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

One of the most popular and prolific A-listers of recent years, Pascal was rumored to be Mister Fantastic way back in November 2023. Last February, he was all but confirmed as Reed Richards before Marvel officially unveiled who'd be playing The Fantastic Four in the group's latest big-screen reboot.

For those unfamiliar with the character, Richards is the de facto leader of Marvel's First Family. He's also an incredibly intelligent individual with an ego to match that of Tony Stark's. Unlike his fellow genius, though, Richards can lack the ability to emotionally connect with people, so he often comes across as cold. Oh, and he can stretch his body and limbs, too. Richards acquired this superpower when he and the rest of The Fantastic Four encountered cosmic radiation that altered their DNA and imbued them with superhuman abilities.

Following his breakout TV roles in Narcos and Game of Thrones, Pascal has appeared in numerous big films and shows, including The Last of Us, Gladiator II, The Mandalorian, and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

Most recently, he's starred in the A24 movie duo Materialists and Eddington. He'll next be seen in the Star Wars film The Mandalorian and Grogu and Avengers: Doomsday, which arrive in March and December 2026.

Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman

The team's matriarch will be played by The Crown and Mission: Impossible alumnus (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

After Kirby dropped a huge hint about her involvement in First Steps – she told me it would "be an honor" to play Sue Storm in August 2023 – it was inevitable she'd be cast as the super-team's only female character.

Also known as The Invisible Woman, Storm is one of the most powerful beings in the entire Marvel Universe. In the comics, she can turn invisible, fly, and create force fields to protect or catch objects. Numerous teasers, including First Steps' official trailer, revealed she'll possess some of these powers and confirmed a big fan theory about Sue Storm that's ended up being one of the movie's two worst-kept secrets.

Kirby rose to fame for portraying Princess Margaret in seasons 1, 2, and 5 of the hit drama The Crown. Since then, she's appeared in three Mission: Impossible movies, Pieces of a Woman, Apple Movie Original Napoleon, and various other big- and small-screen projects. Following First Steps, viewers can see her in Night Always Comes and Avengers 5.

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch

Flame on! The hot-headed Johnny will be portrayed by a former Stranger Things star (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Sue's hot-headed brother, who was portrayed by former Captain America star Chris Evans and Black Panther actor Michael B. Jordan in prior Fantastic Four live-action films, will be played by Stranger Things alumnus Joseph Quinn in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Given his impulsive nature and 'Human Torch' superhero alias, it'll come as no surprise to learn that Johnny Storm has pyrokinetic abilities. Indeed, he can create fire – in environments where oxygen is present, anyway – to use as a weapon against his foes and/or enable him to fly. He also possesses the ability to absorb heat energy, which would be a handy ability to have if he ever became a firefighter.

Aside from playing fan-favorite character Eddie Munson in Stranger Things season 4 on Netflix, a role that turned him into an overnight sensation, Quinn has also appeared in other TV projects like Dickensian, Catherine the Great, Small Axe, and Strike. On the big screen, he featured alongside Pascal in Gladiator II, and also had roles in A Quiet Place: Day One and Warfare. Like the above pair, he's also part of Avengers: Doomsday's initial 27-strong cast.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing

One of The Bear's biggest actors is playing Grimm/The Thing in Marvel's cinematic franchise (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The Bear stalwart Ebon Moss-Bachrach is on board as the fourth and final member of the titular team, Ben Grimm/The Thing. The handsome pilot underwent the biggest physical transformation due to the galactic radiation the group encountered, and his skin turned into an orange, rock-like substance.

Grimm's mutated, rocky exterior allows him to withstand hits that would floor many other individuals. He also possesses superhuman strength, endurance, and stamina, and is effectively immortal in Marvel literature. Given how much it's been teased in various trailers and TV spots for one of 2025's most exciting new movies, don't be surprised if he utters his famous phrase "It's clobberin' time!" at some point, too.

Arguably most famous for co-starring in The Bear, aka one of the best Hulu shows and best Disney+ shows, Moss-Bachrach has also had roles in The Punisher, Girls, Andor, We'll Never Have Paris, and No Hard Feelings. He's also due to appear in Avengers: Doomsday.

Ralph Ineson as Galactus

Marvel is withholding a full reveal of Galactus until First Steps is publicly released (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The planet-devouring cosmic entity known as Galactus will be First Steps' primary antagonist. His appearance was all but confirmed when Marvel teased key story details about the film last April. One month later, The Office UK star Ralph Ineson was tapped to play him, but it wasn't until late April that we got our first proper look at Galactus, albeit via a Lego toy leak. Indeed, Marvel didn't reveal Galactus' full form in First Steps' inaugural trailer and hasn't done so in other footage we've seen since.

A terrifying, immortal space god who feasts on planetary bodies to sustain himself, Galactus will be a near-impossible force for The Fantastic Four to overcome. Indeed, he maintains mastery over the Power Cosmic, a source of unlimited power that grants him an infinite amount of superhuman abilities, including, but not limited to, size alteration, teleportation, matter transmutation, energy projection, and creation of interdimensional portals.

Ineson was most recently seen in Foundation season 3 on Apple TV+, but viewers may also recognize him from appearances in Nosferatu, The Northman, The Green Knight, Ludwig, The Jetty, Chernobyl, and Game of Thrones, among many other films and series.

Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/The Silver Surfer

Some viewers might recognize Garner from Netflix TV hit Ozark (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The latest incumbent to portray Galactus' Herald, Julia Garner will play a female version of The Silver Surfer, whose real name is Shalla-Bal.

A surfboard-riding humanoid who reluctantly agrees to become Galactus' harbinger to save their world, Zenn-La, The Silver Surfer boasts superpowers that are also borne from the Power Cosmic, including super-strength and endurance, heightened senses, and the ability to traverse interstellar space and hyperspace via their surfboard.

Best known for playing Ruth in Ozark, aka one of the best Netflix shows, Garner has also starred in The Americans, Dirty John, Inventing Anna, Apartment 7A, and Wolf Man, among others. Her next major role will be in August's supernatural horror flick Weapons before she starts work on Madonna's film biopic, in which Garner will play the so-called 'Queen of Pop'.

Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/Mole Man

Hauser rose to prominence as the antagonist in Apple TV Original Black Bird (Image credit: USA Today/Marvel Studios)

Unlike Malkovich, Hauser will appear in a bit-part role in First Steps, with The Afterparty and Black Bird actor tackling the role of Mole Man.

Another member of The Fantastic Four's rogues gallery, Mole Man spends much of his time (in the comics, anyway) trying to conquer Earth's surface world. The scientific genius usually does so with the aid of the Moloids, mole-human hybrids who dwell in the subsurface nation of Subterranea and whom Mole Man rules over.

The aforementioned Apple TV Original aside, Hauser has also featured in Cobra Kai, Reno 911!, Kingdom, Inside Out 2, and Orion and the Dark. Post-First Steps, his next role will be the Jeremy Allen White-led Bruce Springsteen biopic, which comes out in October.

Matthew Wood as H.E.R.B.I.E

Wood is most famous for voicing various characters in Star Wars (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The eponymous supergroup's robot assistant, H.E.R.B.I.E will be voiced by Matthew Wood. H.E.R.B.I.E isn't a fully CGI creation, either – indeed, Marvel created a fully functioning robotic puppet that could interact with the iconic quartet, and my colleague Jacob Krol even got to meet it in person!

But back to Wood. The sound editor/voice actor is best known for playing General Grievous in Revenge of the Sith, i.e., the third and final installment in Star Wars' prequel film trilogy. He's also had various small voice roles in other Lucasfilm and MCU projects, such as Star Wars: Visions, What If...?, and Willow.

Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman

Natasha Lyonne, seen here in Poker Face season 2, isn't playing the character we thought she was (Image credit: Peacock)

Following her addition to First Steps' cast last May, MCU fans were convinced Natasha Lyonne was the perfect hire for a specific Marvel character in Alicia Masters. Having seen some of the movie, though, I can confirm she's playing someone named Rachel Rozman. No spoilers for what role she'll play, though.

Lyonne is the star of Netflix's brilliant time-travel-inspired Russian Doll TV Original and the Peacock whodunnit series Poker Face (its second season has just ended). She's also had roles in Orange is the New Black, What If...?, Portlandia, His Three Daughters, Ad Astra, and the latest Smurfs movie reboot. Lyonne's instantly recognizable voice will also be heard in The Bad Guys 2, which launches worldwide on the same day as First Steps.

Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols

Niles was last seen in Amazon MGM Studios' Heads of State movie (Image credit: Dimitrious Kambouris)

Another ally of Richards and company, Sarah Niles has signed on as Lynne Nichols, the CEO of The Future Foundation. A stand-in for the United Nations in the alternate universe (Earth-828) that The Fantastic Four resides in, Nichols oversees the day-to-day running of The Future Foundation, which was originally set up by Sue Storm.

Best known as Doctor Sharon Fieldstone in the multi-award-winning sports comedy show Ted Lasso, Niles is slowly becoming a household name. Indeed, whether it's her appearances in films like the Brad Pitt-starring F1, or John Cena and Idris Elba's Amazon Original Heads of State, the rise of the Beautiful People and Catastrophe actor is long overdue. Up next for Niles is The Thursday Murder Club, Netflix's live-action adaptation of Richard Osman's best-selling murder-mystery book.

Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert

Ted Gilbert is the fictional host of a TV talk show that the iconic quartet appears on (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Another actor with a small role in First Steps, Mark Gattis is in line to play Ted Gilbert, the host of a TV talk show that Marvel's First Family appears on.

Known for co-creating and appearing in UK comedy horror series The League of Gentlemen, Gatiss' writing and acting credits extend to the BBC's modern-day retelling of Sherlock Holmes (the one starring Doctor Strange star Benedict Cumberbatch), Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, The Favourite, and Mission: Impossible 7. Most recently, Gatiss is the brainchild behind Bookish, a crime drama that's just started airing on various global networks, such as HBO Max and U&Alibi.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives globally on Friday, July 25. The group's three other live-action movies are available to stream now on Disney+.

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• The iPhone 17 Air battery could be under 3,000 mAh
• This fits in with previous leaks about the handset
• iOS 26 could extend battery life to last an entire day

When Apple gets around to launching the new iPhone 17 series in September, it looks very likely that there's going to be a brand new model: the super-slim iPhone 17 Air. As per a new rumor, that slimness could come at the expense of battery capacity.

Well-known tipster Instant Digital (via MacRumors) says the iPhone 17 Air is going to come with a battery that's under 3,000 mAh in terms of its capacity. The iPhone 16, in comparison, is fitted with a 3,651 mAh battery.

Of course we don't know how that's going to translate into actual battery life, but it seems the new handset might struggle to match the time between charges that the current models offer. According to Apple, the iPhone 16 gives you 22 hours of video playback on a single charge, though more demanding tasks use up more battery life.

As per the same tipster, the power saving mode on the iPhone – which is being enhanced with a new adaptive mode in iOS 26, also due in September – will mean you can get through a day's moderate use with the iPhone 17 Air.

Battery size and battery life

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is another ultra-thin phone (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

It's perhaps no surprise that the iPhone 17 Air is going to come with a smaller-than-normal battery. It makes sense that if the thickness of the chassis is shrinking, then there's going to be less room for a battery to power the handset.

Previous leaks have put the iPhone 17 Air battery size at 2,800 mAh, which fits in with the new information. However, there have also been rumors around upgraded battery tech that could enable more battery life to be provided by smaller batteries.

It's also worth mentioning that battery capacity isn't the whole story when it comes to battery life, though it does of course have a major role. iPhones typically have smaller batteries than the best Android phones, but can maximize battery life through design efficiencies and software optimizations.

Bear in mind that none of this is certain until Apple makes it official. If you're wondering what a high-end, ultra-thin phone might actually be like to use in 2025, check out our Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review.

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