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Plus: Google’s U-turn on creepy “fingerprint” tracking, the LockBit ransomware gang’s teased comeback, and a potential US ban on the most popular routers in America.

The NFL is reaching more Latinos than ever. Here's how they've scored with a Spanish-speaking audience.

(Image credit: Rebecca Blackwell)

On Christmas Eve, NASA's fastest-moving probe will come closer than ever to the surface of the sun.

Astronomers hope the Proba-3 mission will help them get a better view of the corona, the sun's outer atmosphere, which is even hotter than the sun's surface.

(Image credit: ESA-P. Carril @ESA)

Sony LinkBuds Fit: Two minute review

The Sony LinkBuds Fit are the latest addition to Sony’s mid-range true wireless earbud lineup. Sony has a solid reputation for making some of the best high-end buds, while also catering to people on a budget with more affordable options. The LinkBuds range has already impressed in the past, with models like the original Sony LinkBuds, which have an open-ear design, and the Sony LinkBuds S with a closed design that are perfect for smaller ears.

The LinkBuds Fit take a slightly different approach. The name tends to suggest these buds are targeted at fitness lovers – and they are – but it also hints at their best feature, a fantastic fit. They stay put throughout rigorous workouts, but are also light and comfortable enough for all-day wear while you work.

They won’t beat the very best earbuds when it comes to sound quality or noise cancellation. Sony’s high-end models, like the WF-1000XM5, are considerably better on those fronts and Bose is still ahead of the competition when it comes to ANC, with the QuietComfort Ultra.

But although the LinkBuds Fit don’t have top-tier features, they make up for it with an option that we think is a reliable and versatile choice for most people. They’re perfect for movement, sports, and anyone who has struggled to find earbuds that fit securely without sacrificing comfort.

(Image credit: Future)

Let’s start with the fit, which is genuinely excellent. I’ve reviewed many earbuds in this mid-range price bracket, including fitness-focused models, and these are among my favorites. They’re small, lightweight, and versatile, making them ideal for almost anything – whether you’re working at a desk all day or doing intense workouts at the gym.

The fit stands out for several reasons. Each earbud weighs just 4.9g, so light that you might forget you’re wearing them. While there are lighter options – like the budget Jlab Go Pop ANC at 4.1g per bud – few fitness-oriented earbuds with noise cancellation and robust features are this light. For comparison, the Jabra Elite 8 Active, some of my favorites, weigh 5g per bud, and the Sennheiser Momentum Sport buds come in at 6.4g per bud, which is a significant difference for such small devices.

The stability and comfort are enhanced by two key features. First, the silicone tips, which are standard with most true wireless earbuds. Although there are only three sizes included, I found the pre-installed tips surprisingly perfect for my ears, even though I usually size down. That said, the limited tip selection might not suit everyone. Second, the earbuds feature silicone fins that fit snugly into the cartilage of your ear. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of how the fins looked, but they’re very effective at holding the buds in place, which won me over.

These earbuds aren’t just comfortable; they’re incredibly stable. I tested them while running in the rain, perfecting calisthenics skills upside down on parallel bars, attending a yoga class, and working out at the gym. No matter the activity, they stayed firmly in place without ever feeling tight or uncomfortable.

Aesthetically, they have a minimal yet playful design, with an almost bubble-like appearance for both the buds and the charging case. Their small size and lightweight build make them look discreet in your ears, without protruding too much, like some competitors. The design seems aimed at a younger audience, which makes sense given they’re marketed as a collaboration with singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo.

The charging case is a bit chunkier and less streamlined than those of rival buds. While I personally love its unique, slightly marble-like finish (available on the white and green versions), it might not be as pocket-friendly. If you want other colors, the Sony LinkBuds Fit also come in black and violet.

(Image credit: Future)

The Sony LinkBuds Fit have two noise-cancelling modes: standard and ambient. The standard mode isn’t best-in-class. For example, I could hear myself typing at my desk and a baby crying in a cafe. However, it effectively blocked out low-frequency sounds like the hum of a heater or the rumble of a train. It seems particularly effective at dampening hums and rumbles rather than completely silencing all noise.

With that in mind, if you want near silence, the Sony LinkBuds Fit might not be the right choice. They’re designed to reduce noise rather than eliminate it completely, which I personally appreciate as it keeps me aware of alarms or emergencies. For those needing to hear their surroundings, the ambient mode also reduces noise while still allowing announcements and other key sounds to come through.

These settings can be adjusted in the Sony Connect app, which is packed with features. You’ll find expected options, like EQ settings (with an intuitive process to determine your favored presets), head-tracking sound, and multipoint pairing. There are also more unique features, such as a mode that makes your music sound more like background noise, adaptive sound control that adjusts based on what you’re doing, and a speak-to-chat feature that pauses music when you talk. If this all feels overwhelming, the good news is you don’t need to customize every feature to enjoy a great experience right out of the box.

Connectivity is robust, with Bluetooth 5.3 supporting AAC, SBC, LDAC, and LC3 codecs, catering to a wide range of preferences and devices.

You can also customize gesture controls via the app. Sony claims you can tap the area below your earlobe or between your ear and sideburn to activate gestures, but I couldn’t get this to work reliably. Instead, I had to tap the buds themselves, which occasionally required a firm tap to register.

Battery life is solid, offering 5.5 hours with noise-canceling on and eight hours without. This matched my testing, though it varies depending on the audio codec and extra features you’re using. With the case, you’ll get just over 20 hours in total. While decent by modern true wireless standards, it’s not exceptional. For example, the more affordable Sony WF-C510s deliver 11 hours of playback but lack noise-cancelling – so your choice depends on your priorities.

As expected for workout-focused earbuds, the LinkBuds Fit have an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to sweat. However, don’t take them in the shower or to the swimming pool.

(Image credit: Future)

During testing, the Sony LinkBuds Fit delivered a sound that’s best described as powerful and punchy. While I wasn’t blown away by the detail or richness of the audio, the experience was undeniably enjoyable. The buds provide a bouncy, bass-heavy sound that’s perfect for powering through workouts.

If you’re a fan of boomy, high-energy tracks, these earbuds will hit the mark. I even boosted the bass in the EQ settings for extra impact. While this became fatiguing over time, tracks like Armani White’s Billie Eilish and Hanumankind’s Big Dawgs had an adrenaline-pumping intensity. Similarly, heavy rock like Queens of the Stone Age’s Sick, Sick, Sick sounded meaty and immensely satisfying.

Dramatic ballads like Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence also worked well, delivering an emotional punch. For work sessions, I found melodic tracks by Ólafur Arnalds especially enjoyable, often pairing them with the background music effect to improve focus.

However, these buds sacrifice some detail and subtlety in favor of their bass-forward profile. Sony’s DSEE tech, which upscales low quality sound, maybe worked some magic. But it felt like something was lacking a little when I listened to classical music, and expected the richness and expansiveness found in higher-end earbuds. At higher volumes, complex arrangements sounded a bit messy and restrained.

Which is all to say that the LinkBuds Fit excel at delivering a robust, energetic soundtrack for daily activities and workouts. However, if you’re looking to analyze every nuance of your favorite tracks, you’d be better served by a more refined option.

Sony LinkBuds Fit: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Priced at £179 / $179 / AU$348
• Released in October 2024

The Sony LinkBuds Fit cost £179 / $179 / AU$348. Although the buds are currently discounted on the Sony website in some regions. At the time of writing, the price in the UK has dropped from £179 to £149.

This price puts the buds in the mid-range category. Cheaper than Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds at $299.99 / £259 / AU$499 but more expensive than the Sony WF-C700N at $119 / £99 / AU$199.

Other competitors in this space are the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC at $179 / £179 / AU$299 and the JBL Live Beam 3 at $199.95 / £179.99 / AU$249. There are several at a similar price that are also considered workout-friendly buds too, like the Jabra Elite 8 Active at $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329, and the Beats Fit Pro at $199 / £199 / AU$299.

What this means is that although you will find good buds that are cheaper and can pay more for better audio performance and features, the wealth of features, the comfy fit, the design and the fitness-friendly specs make the Sony LinkBuds Fit competitively priced and good value.

Sony LinkBuds Fit: Specifications Sony LinkBuds Fit: Scorecard

(Image credit: Future) Sony LinkBuds Fit: Should I buy? Buy it if...

You’ve struggled to find buds that fit

Whether your ears are small or you get stressed when buds stick out and think you're going to lose one, give these a go. We can't make promises, but think some people will be pleasantly surprised.

You work out a lot

These buds did it all. They came running with me through fields and along the beach, to the gym, the yoga studio and swung around on some parallel bars. They’re super stable and not going anywhere.

You like a cute and considered design

They’re not premium-looking or particularly design-y, but the rounded shape, the marble case, the shiny surface and bubble-like vibe make them cute and Instagrammable.

Don't buy it if...

You want excellent ANC

I personally enjoyed what the noise-canceling here had to offer, but they’re not fantastic. No near-silent cocoon of sound to be found. Choose Bose or higher-end Sony buds instead.

You prioritize longevity

At 5.5 hours from the buds themselves, it's not like the battery life is bad, but you can find better if that’s a priority for you.

You value a seamless experience

I had to tweak the sound here a little and there's a lot to play around here in the app in terms of features. Is this a good thing? Yes But does it require a fair bit of setup? Also yes.

Also consider

Beats Fit Pro

A very similar proposition with enjoyable sound and decent ANC, as well as silicone ear fins. More expensive than the Sonys, but they've been around a while so you can find solid discounts.

Beats Fit Pro review

You'll find a better battery and more durable build from these Jabras – there's a Gen 2 version out now, too. They're also the only workout buds that come close to the Sonys in terms of comfort for me.

Jabra Elite 8 Active review

How I tested

I tested the Sony LinkBuds Fit every day for two weeks. This gave me the chance to trial them in a range of different environments and all sorts of situations.

I mostly used them to listen to music and podcasts on my iPhone 14 Pro with Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube music. I tested them when I was travelling on a train, working in a busy cafe and a quiet library and at home at my desk. I also took them to the gym when I was using the cardio machines and lifting weights, to the yoga studio, along the beach for several runs, and to an outdoor pull-up bar.

I’ve tested many headphones and earbuds over the past 12 years, with a focus on fitness devices. I’m interested in tech that prioritizes comfort and ease of use.

First reviewed: December 2024

Microbes found in green spaces can transfer into your body, increasing bacterial diversity and potentially boosting the strength of the immune system.

The most visible use of AI in many countries was to create memes and content whose artificial origins weren't disguised. They were often openly shared by politicians and their supporters.

(Image credit: Dibyangshu Sarkar)

Yellowjackets season 3: key information

- Renewed in December 2022
- Will be released on February 14, 2025
- First trailer officially revealed
- Main cast expected to return
- Hilary Swank and Joel McHale to guest star
- No official plot details released yet
- Season 2 finale teases potential story threads
- Showrunners have plans for more seasons

Yellowjackets season 3 is undoubtedly hotly-anticipated considering it's one of the best shows on Paramount Plus. A delicious mix of survival thriller and coming-of-age drama, the show follows two timelines – one in 1996 as a group of female high school soccer players find themselves deserted in the wilderness after their plane crashes, and one, in the present day where they're attempting to cope with the fallout.

Season 1 and 2 laid out the girls fight for survival, resorting to cannibalism to stay alive. Yet, in the present-day timeline, the survivors are still trying to piece their lives back together, 25 years on, with the past coming back to haunt them. As the show’s official logline says, “the past is never really past”.

Season 3 returns on February 14, 2025. Yes, that's Valentines Day, and no, we're not expecting Yellowjackets to suddenly become a romance. Though, even as a show filled with horror and hard-to-watch moments, there's still a multitude of storylines to explore in season 3, one of which delves deeper into a connection. Here's everything you need to know from cast predictions, to plot speculation, and more.

Full spoilers follow for Yellowjackets season 1 and 2. Potential spoilers are also discussed for season 3.

Yellowjackets season 3 release date

A post shared by Yellowjackets (@yellowjackets)

A photo posted by on

Yellowjackets season 3 officially has a release date – and it's February 14, 2025. The show was renewed back in December 2022, before season 2 was even released, so it's no surprise that we've got news to share. The first two episodes will drop on Valentine's Day, if you're craving a thrilling night-in, and the rest will follow on February 16.

Entertainment Weekly previously reported a bonus episode was coming to bridge the gap between season 2 and 3, though Lyle confirmed: “The truth is that there is a bonus episode but we may need to wait a bit longer for it.” There's not long left for this secret drop to happen, but we'll keep our eyes peeled.

Yellowjackets season 3 trailer

The Yellowjackets season 3 trailer teases more spine-chilling savagery and was unveiled in early December, just a couple of months before season 3's arrival. Across 80 seconds, it hints that: “the past will come back to haunt you", which is suitably apt for the way Yellowjackets has gone so far.

It also continues to tease that someone is trying to kill the island’s survivors. And that's not the only threat as an unknown person is seen hiding behind a Yellowjackets survivors’ notorious cannibalism mask, meaning there’s most likely going to be more people-eating in season 3. Most notably though is a brief glimpse at Hilary Swank's guest-starring role. Though we don't know who she plays yet, it seems she's been bloodied by something and doesn't look particularly calm about it.

Yellowjackets season 3 confirmed cast

Taissa, Van, Jeff and Shauna in Yellowjackets season 3 (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

Spoilers follow for Yellowjackets season 1 and 2.

Here's the confirmed cast for Yellowjackets season 3 so far:

• Melanie Lynskey as Shauna
• Christina Ricci as Misty
• Tawny Cypress as Taissa
• Simone Kessell as Lottie
• Lauren Ambros as Van
• Sophie Nélisse as young Shauna
• Sophie Thatcher as young Natalie
• Samantha Hanratty as young Misty
• Courtney Eaton as young Lottie
• Jasmin Savoy Brown as young Taissa
• Liv Hewson as young Van
• Steven Kreuger as Coach Ben
• Elijah Wood as Adam
• Hilary Swank as TBC
• Joel McHale as TBC

There’s two new cast members joining Yellowjackets season 3; Hilary Swank and Joel McHale. Deadline revealed in September 2024 that Swank was joining the cast as a recurring guest star. In the report, it also said: “I hear there is an option for her to become a series regular should the hit series get a fourth season.” From the trailer featured above, we know that she exists in the present-day timeline, though her character is yet to be revealed. For Joel McHale, as per Variety, Yellowjackets season 3 will also see the Community alum guest star. Though exact details of his character are also being kept firmly under wraps.

Yellowjackets season 3 story synopsis and rumors

What's next for Misty in Yellowjackets season 3? (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

Full spoilers follow for Yellowjackets seasons 1 and 2.

There’s a lot to discuss when it comes to where Yellowjackets season 3 could take the story next. In an exclusive first look, Entertainment Weekly spoke to co-creator Ashley Lyle who revealed that, “there’s a little bit of a time jump in both timelines” in season 3.

The best place to start when it comes to the plot synopsis for Yellowjackets season 3 is by taking a look at the season 2 finale where both timelines were in trouble. In the past, the shelter where the girls had been staying was burnt to the ground in an epic finale. How? It appears as though Coach Ben was responsible, as well as locking the girls inside, since he was last seen standing outside with a box of matches. Very suspicious.

The group also have a new leader and Antler Queen – Natalie. While Shauna was left seething from the choice that Lottie made, there’s clearly some tensions to explore in season 3. During an interview with EW, Sophie Thatcher who plays young Natalie said: “I have no idea if people will actually follow through with her being leader. That’s exciting to think about. But the writers are always surprising us.”

Season 2 saw Lottie's wellness retreat take center stage (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

In the present-day timeline, Shauna became the next target as Lottie led the women on another hunt. Though she’s saved, by her daughter, just in time. Lottie, Van, Natalie, Misty, Taissa, and Shauna reunited at Lottie's sinister wellness retreat.

The reunion quickly took a turn when Lottie stated that they needed to sacrifice someone to the wilderness, beginning the ritual they created in the past. From this stemmed one of the most shocking parts of the season 2 finale, the death of Natalie (Juliette Lewis). Viewers witnessed as she was accidentally killed by Misty (Christina Ricci), who was trying to save her and kill Lisa instead. The repercussions of which are sure to play out in season 3.

Nickerson reveals plans to further explore Van and Taissa's relationship (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

Plus, there’s the relationship between Van and Taissa to explore. Co-creator Bart Nickerson told EW: “One of the things that we have always been trying to play with, but maybe this season even more so is that, as a result of a lot of their experiences, they’ve obviously put a lot of terrible stuff away, but they’re also trying to recapture some of the best of themselves from that time, too. Some of that will be explored through that relationship.”

Speaking with Vanity Fair, Lyle said, when it comes to season 3, there's "at least two very big questions" that they'll be answering. Adding: "We are going to learn more about what happened in the wilderness that they are so afraid of coming out. We hope it will be both satisfying and at times unexpected." Plus, in a X/Twitter post, she said: "Are we gonna get weirder? Probably! Will the fallout of *redacted*’s death affect our (anti)heroes in massive ways? Will our girls’ struggle to survive against the elements (and themselves) get even down and dirtier? Do we still have to tell the story of Pit Girl? You betcha!"

Where to watch Yellowjackets season 1 and 2?

Yellowjackets is available for Paramount Plus with Showtime subscribers (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

Wondering how to watch Yellowjackets season 1 and 2? Both seasons of Yellowjackets are available to stream for those with a Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription, one of the best streaming services right now.

Will Yellowjackets return after season 3?

For Yellowjackets, there's a lot more story to explore (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

While there's no official news around Yellowjackets season 4, the show was renewed for season 3 before season 2 even came out, so there could be something to share sooner rather than later. Though Melanie Lynskey, who plays Shauna, posted on X/Twitter: "Look I'll do this show forever if they let me."

And it appears while it may not be forever, there could at least be a couple more seasons of Yellowjackets coming. Speaking with EW, Lyle revealed: "The original plan was about five seasons, and we feel like we're still on track for that." Though she added: "There's always room for things,' though "we don't really see this as being more than a five-season show. I think that there are shows that can go forever, but I think that when you're telling such a deeply serialized story and it's about these characters' lives, you want to reach a satisfying conclusion and not just drag things out forever."

For more Max-focused coverage, read our guides on the best Max shows, best Max movies, The Last of Us season 2, and Peacemaker season 2.

It’s past time we applauded the creative skills of LLMs—and it might make us appreciate humans more too.

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

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

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

Quordle today (game #1062) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

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

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

Quordle today (game #1062) - 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 #1062) - 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 #1062) - 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 3.

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 #1062) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• B

• S

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1062) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1062, are…

• STRIP
• BUDGE
• SAPPY
• SHELF

Having three words that started with the same letter was a big help today, as was getting all five letters of STRIP and four of SAPPY with my opening guesses.

My streak nearly ended when I gambled that there would be a second double-letter word, but I still made it home with a space to spare. More of this form and I might give Extreme a go.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1062) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1062, are…

• CHECK
• TAWNY
• ERODE
• DRIED

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1061, Friday 20 December: PENAL, EAGLE, DILLY, QUITE
• Quordle #1060, Thursday 19 December: JEWEL, GNOME, TRAMP, IDLER
• Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
• Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
• Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
• Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
• Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
• Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
• Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
• Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
• Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
• Quordle #1050, Monday 9 December: TITAN, FORTE, SPEED, BRIAR
• Quordle #1049, Sunday 8 December: BUNCH, SHINY, MOULT, INTRO
• Quordle #1048, Saturday 7 December: SHAKY, CROOK, GHOUL, VERSE
• Quordle #1047, Friday 6 December: BRAWL, UNTIL, DOWRY, STING
• Quordle #1046, Thursday 5 December: AGING, BICEP, CLOVE, SPILL
• Quordle #1045, Wednesday 4 December: JUDGE, GIVER, GNASH, CLOAK
• Quordle #1044, Tuesday 3 December: FUDGE, THICK, CRANK, STASH
• Quordle #1043, Monday 2 December: TROPE, HOVER, SAUNA, SHAPE
• Quordle #1042, Sunday 1 December: NAIVE, CIRCA, STEAD, MICRO

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 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 #559) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BAND
• SLEIGH
• BALONEY
• PAN
• BUNK
• GROUCH
• CIRCLE
• CANOPY
• CROCK
• O
• STATUETTE
• POT
• RING
• MURPHY
• CASSEROLE
• HOOP

NYT Connections today (game #559) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Circumference
• GREEN: Bake off
• BLUE: Sleepy?
• PURPLE: What Academy and Wilde have in common

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 #559) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: LOOP 
• GREEN: COOKING VESSELS 
• BLUE: KINDS OF BEDS
• PURPLE: THINGS CALLED "OSCAR" 

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

NYT Connections today (game #559) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #559, are…

• YELLOW: LOOP BAND, CIRCLE, HOOP, RING
• GREEN: COOKING VESSELS CASSEROLE, CROCK, PAN, POT
• BLUE: KINDS OF BEDS BUNK, CANOPY, MURPHY, SLEIGH
• PURPLE: THINGS CALLED "OSCAR" BALONEY, GROUCH, O, STATUETTE

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

Even though I only had eight words left I still struggled to find one of the two final groups of four today.

I knew BUNK and CANOPY were beds, but couldn't think of what the other two could be, and used a mistake guessing O, which I thought could be what you call those big circular beds that people with huge houses and extensive collections of soft toys might have. It’s not. But I discovered that the American name for those ingenious beds that fold up against a wall is MURPHY.

Google “Murphy bed” and you’ll discover that accidents, or fear of an accident, are a major concern for owners and prospective owners. It turns out their fears are unfounded – despite its slapstick reputation. A recent report studying 24 years of injuries found that zero fatalities were caused by Murphy Beds. Ceiling fans, on the other hand, cause approximately 25 deaths per year in the US. Every day’s a school day!

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, 20 December, game #558)

• YELLOW: CONCOCTION COCKTAIL, COMPOUND, MIXTURE, SOLUTION
• GREEN: TYPES OF SENTENCES COMMAND, EXCLAMATION, QUESTION, STATEMENT
• BLUE: KINDS OF BROS CRYPTO, FINANCE, PHARMA, TECH
• PURPLE: COMPLAINT HOMOPHONES GROWN,MOWN, WHALE, WINE

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Keeping the faith

NYT Strands today (game #293) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• MELT
• STEEP
• MORE
• SEEP
• SEED
• PREY

NYT Strands today (game #293) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Places of worship

NYT Strands today (game #293) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: right, 4th row

Last side: left, 6th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #293) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #293, are…

• ABBEY
• TABERNACLE
• MOSQUE
• TEMPLE
• MONASTERY
• SPANGRAM: SACRED SPACES

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Today’s theme was an obvious one, but for one fleeting moment I thought Strands could be paying tribute to the Northern Soul musical movement of the 1970s, whose slogan was Keeping The Faith.

The scene is quite an anomaly in the history of British music and was centered around a handful of SACRED SPACES (night clubs) in northern English towns, which put on all-nighters playing rare soul records – and the rarer the better. Despite being relatively short lived it had a huge legacy, thanks to the music and the passion and fervour of its followers.

Right, Strands done, I’m off to listen to Tainted Love.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, 20 December, game #292)

• LOOP
• FLAKE
• CHARM
• SMACK
• PEBBLE
• CRUNCH
• CHEERIO
• SPANGRAM: CEREAL

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.

• Disney has created a fun, free, interactive game within Galaxy's Edge.
• With a MagicBand+ and smartphone, you can join the Bounty Hunters’ Guild.
• Thanks to technology in the band and around the land, you can explore and find bounty.

One of the best things about a Disney Parks visit is that you get immersed into the storyline of whichever park you’re in, and the company is known for going the extra mile. One of the best examples is Galaxy’s Edge, found at Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida.

The Imagineering arm spared no detail; I mean, you can walk right up to the Millennium Falcon – and pilot it or part of it with Smuggler’s Run – go on a mission in Rise of the Resistance, or simply walk around Batuu spending credits and drinking blue or green milk. You may even spot a Wookie, a resistance hero, or a Stormtrooper.

However, one of the more hidden-in-plain-sight, immersive aspects is the ability to become a bounty hunter, much like Mando in The Mandalorian. You can use your MagicBand+ with an iPhone or Android app (or just the latter) to join Bounty Hunters’ Guild and scour around Batuu searching for bounty.

It’s one of the many perks of a MagicBand+, which there’s a good chance you already have to gain entry in the park and can use to interact with other aspects around parks, including other attractions and even performing a mini light show during fireworks and parades.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

How does this work in Batuu, though? Well, when you enter Batuu at either Disney World or Disneyland, your MagicBand+ will glow, and you’ll need to find a terminal to enroll in the Bounty Hunters’ Guild. You’ll tap your band to the terminal and get a Bounty assigned. From there it’s sort of a treasure hunt – rather, bounty hunt – around the Black Spire Outpost area of Galaxy’s Edge at either park. As you get near where a bounty could be hiding, your MagicBand+ will light up and vibrate – either faster or slower – to basically tell you if you’re hot or cold.

Once you identify an area, you’ll take out your iPhone or Android phone and open up the ‘Play Disney’ app, which in turn transforms your phone into a Data Pad Scanner that the epic tech lets you scan and see behind doors or walls. You might just encounter the bounty you're after and can capture it. This is all possible thanks to AR (augmented reality) overlaying on your phone’s camera, but when you’re in the park, it pulls you further into your own Star Wars story.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

It’s also an example of when technology isn’t front and center but creating some sense of wonder or magic behind the scenes, like Disney Imagineer’s lovely road to success. Through the power of the tech in wearable sensors that can interact with sensors throughout the land – while also simultaneously being your ticket into the park, payment, reservation unlocker, and more – it can also be used to deliver an interactive game.

If you’re at Galaxy’s Edge with a MagicBand+, I’d encourage you to give the Bounty Hunters’ Guild a go, and while it might not be as thrilling as a true ride, of which there are two to go on, it’s a bit more adventurous in that you never know what you might encounter.

After you’ve caught some bounty, you can go back to the terminal and see how many credits you might score. And the best thing? You can get another bounty and explore more of Batuu, and it’s very repeatable, with many different bounties to potentially score. And considering Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters first hit the scene in 2022, it’s sort of a sleeper hit and leads me to wonder what experience might be cooked up next.

@jakekrol

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• 15% of Steam users' playtime dedicated to 2024 games
• 47% of playtime on games up to eight years old
• Many reasons for this, including more older games to play

Steam’s end-of-the-year review has always revealed some fascinating PC gaming trends and this year’s is no exception. According to 2024’s stats, only 15% of Steam users spent their total playing time on games that launched in 2024.

Looking further at the data that PC Gamer reports on, 47% of the total playing time on Steam was spent on games released in the last seven years, while 37% of that time was spent on games that launched eight years or more ago. Now the question is, why and what does this mean?

One possible explanation is that gamers could be focusing more on their backlogs rather than new releases. We do know that playtime for current releases is higher this year than in 2023, as there was an increase from 9% to 15%, which means players are buying new titles at least. There are other possibilities for this trend as well.

Other possibilities for this statistic

One reason could be that older games are easier to access due to their cheaper prices, especially due to the many Steam sales. There’s also the influence of the Steam Deck and what’s considered ‘Steam Deck playable,’ since many recent AAA games may be too demanding for a portable PC.

There’s also the fact that older live service games like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and PUBG have made up Steam's Most Played charts, while newer titles have an incredibly difficult time breaking through and building a player base.

Another reason is that Steam has over 200,000 titles released over the course of decades, compared to the relatively paltry 18,000 games released in 2024 according to SteamDB. So naturally, more users will spend more time playing older games versus recent ones.

Regardless, 15% of playtime dedicated to new games is rather impressive, compared to 2022’s 17% stat. It means that the numbers are recovering after the massive dip in 2023. Hopefully next year we’ll see another increase, as gamers delve into more new titles.

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• OpenAI announced upcoming o3 and o3-mini AI models.
• The new models are enhanced "reasoning" AI models that build on the o1 and o1-mini models released this year.
• Both models handily outperform existing AI models and will roll out in the next few months.

The final day of the 12 Days of OpenAI, brought back OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to show off a brand new set of AI models coming in the new year. The o3 and o3-mini models are enhanced versions of the relatively new o1 and o1-mini models. They're designed to think before they speak, reasoning out their answers. The mini version is smaller and aimed more at carrying out a limited set of specific tasks but with the same approach.

OpenAI is calling it a big step toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is a pretty bold claim for what is, in some ways, a mild improvement to an already powerful model. You might have noticed there's a number missing between the current o1 and the upcoming o3 model. According to Altman, that's because OpenAI wants to avoid any confusion with British telecom company O2.

So, what makes o3 special? Unlike regular AI models that spit out answers quickly, o3 takes a beat to reason things out. This “private chain of thought” lets the model fact-check itself before responding, which helps it avoid some of the classic AI pitfalls, like confidently spewing out wrong answers. This extra thinking time can make o3 slower, even if only a little bit, but the payoff is better accuracy, especially in areas like math, science, and coding.

One great aspect of the new models is that you can adjust that extra thinking time manually. If you’re in a hurry, you can set it to “low compute” for quick responses. But if you want top-notch reasoning, crank it up to “high compute” and give it a little more time to mull things over. In tests, o3 has easily outstripped its predecessor.

This is not quite AGI; o3 can't take over for humans in every way. It also does not reach OpenAI's definition of AGI, which describes models that outperform humans in the most economically valuable projects. Still, should OpenAI reach that goal, things get interesting for its partnership with Microsoft since that would end OpenAI's obligation to give Microsoft exclusive access to the most advanced AI models.

New year, new models

Right now, o3 and its mini counterpart aren’t available to everyone. OpenAI is giving safety researchers a sneak peek via Copilot Labs, and the rest of us can expect the o3-mini model to drop in late January, with the full o3 following soon after. It’s a careful, measured rollout, which makes sense given the kind of power and complexity we’re talking about here.

Still, o3 gives us a glimpse of where things are headed: AI that doesn’t just generate content but actually thinks through problems. Whether it gets us to AGI or not, it’s clear that smarter, reasoning-driven AI is the next frontier. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see if o3 lives up to the hype or if this last gift from OpenAI is just a disguised lump of coal.

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