Feed aggregator

One of the brightest stars in the night sky seems to be orbited by a planet like Jupiter. The news is sure to cheer fans of the Avatar series, which centers on a moon that orbits a fictional gas giant planet in this particular star system.

(Image credit: R. Hurt (Caltech/IPAC))

After spending some time with the impressive Taycan, its range and charging speed impressed me more than its speed and performance handling.

I've spent some time sat in the Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, and it's a gorgeous car.

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09: two-minute review

The Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 is a tower fan and air purifier combo with smart capabilities, which allows for easy control and air data reviewing via the MyDyson companion app.

With a list price of $749.99 / £549.99 / AU$999.99, the white and gold Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 purifying fan is well-priced in the UK and Australia, but curiously costs much more for the nickel and gold colorway at Dyson US. Fortunately, I’ve spotted the white and gold model at a discounted rate from third-party retailers, with Walmart offering it for just $519 at the time of writing.

Replacement filters are on the pricey side at a list price of $79.99 / £75 / AU$99, and Dyson recommends changing them every 12 months, so it’s important to factor this cost into your budget.

(Image credit: Future)

I really like the aesthetics of the UK model I tested, the white and gold colorway is a little more exciting to look at than the standard white and nickel we see on other Dyson purifying fans – though I must say, I consider the color of the shroud to be more copper than gold.

There are 10 fan speeds on offer, plus an auto mode that rouses the TP09 into action whenever it detects contaminants. And it's able to detect these from an impressively wide range of sources, including PM2.5 and PM10, VOCs, formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide.

As well as having better detection skills than cheaper Dyson purifying fans, the TP09 also boasts Diffused mode, which diverts the airflow out of the back of the loop amplifier. This means you don’t have to worry about it blasting cold air toward you as it tackles contaminants in the winter months.

The MyDyson companion app proved insightful and responsive when communicating air quality changes and when I was using it to control the TP09. It offered insight into the air quality readings and also provided access to some great additional controls, such as selecting the point to begin oscillating from, saving me from needing to adjust the position of the TP09 manually.

Image 1 of 5

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 5

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 5

(Image credit: Future)Image 4 of 5

(Image credit: Future)Image 5 of 5

(Image credit: Future)

The TP09 reacted promptly to contaminants both in testing and day-to-day use. It was quick to notice whenever I sprayed myself with perfume on the other side of the room, and automatically increased the airflow to tackle the detected VOCs. Despite this though, it didn’t have any noticeable effect on the fragrance in the air.

The TP09 delivered an impressive performance overall. It proved easy to operate, the controls were responsive, and it was quick to react whenever contaminants were introduced. It didn’t appear to tackle odors well, but I’m yet to test an air purifier that performs particularly proficiently in this area.

Considering the range of contaminants the TP09 is capable of detecting and reacting to, plus the responsive controls, air quality breakdown and air quality history available on the MyDyson app, you get plenty of bang for your buck with the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09. I highly recommend shopping around for the best price if you’re in the US, though.

In fact, I’m such a fan of the purifying abilities of the TP09 that I could easily see it sneaking its way into our list of the best air purifiers. The fan’s very good too, but at this price point, you’re better off checking out our guide to the best fans if you’re not interested in the purifying element.

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 review: price & availability

• List price: $749.99 / £549.99 / AU$999.99
• Available now in the US, UK, and Australia

Available to buy from the Dyson website and other third-party retailers in the US, UK, and Australia, the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 purifying fan has a list price of $749.99 / £549.99 / AU$999.99. This is an attractive price in the UK and Australia, but a little high in the US.

If you’re in the US, then I’d highly recommend shopping around. While the nickel and gold model is pricey on the Dyson website, at the time of writing, I’ve spotted the white and gold Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 for much more reasonable prices at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, with the latter offering the TP09 for just $519.

(Image credit: Future)

When shopping for an air purifier, it’s always a good idea to check out the prices of replacement filters, so you don’t get a nasty shock when it comes time to switch them out. Dyson recommends changing the HEPA H13 filter every twelve months, based on it running twelve hours a day. As a replacement filter for the TP09 has a list price of $79.99 / £75 / AU$99, it’s worth factoring this cost into your budget.

If you’ve got your heart set on a Dyson purifying fan, but don’t have the budget for this model, I’d recommend taking a look at the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan instead. However, if you can afford the extra spend, it’s worth it for the benefits of the air quality data, app control, and the diffused mode.

• Value score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 review: specs

Type

Purifying tower fan

Fan speeds

10

Oscillation

45, 90, 180, 350 degrees

Timer

Yes

CADR (Clean air delivery rate)

Requested

Filter

HEPA H13 and activated carbon

Particle sizes detected

PM2.5, PM10, HCHO, VOCs, NO2

Dimensions

8.7 x 8.7 x 41 inches / 22 x 22 x 105cm

Weight

10.7 lb / 4.85kg

Control

Onboard power button, remote control, app, and voice control

Additional modes

Auto, Night mode, Diffused mode

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 review: design and features

• Attractive design and colorway
• Diffused mode for purifying when you don’t need cooling
• Capable of detecting and reacting to a wide range of contaminants

With its large loop amplifier, it doesn’t take a second look to know that the TP09 purifying fan is a Dyson. The materials look and feel good quality, and the overall build feels satisfyingly sturdy. I’m also a big fan of the white and gold colorway, though I’d say it’s really more of a copper tone than gold, personally.

A clever combo of a bladeless tower fan and an air purifier, the TP09 offers a solution to a niggle I had with the cheaper Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 model, which was that I couldn’t make use of the higher purifier settings without being blasted with air from the fan. This solution comes in the form of Diffused mode, which diverts the airflow out of the back of the loop amplifier, so I no longer feel like I’m making it face the corner in shame when I want to make the most of its purifying capabilities.

(Image credit: Future)

The setup process was fairly easy, though at a weight of 10.7 lb / 4.85kg and with no carry handles, I’d definitely recommend pulling the side of the box down before sliding the TP09 out, rather than trying to lift it out as stated in the online manual. Curiously, Dyson included a leaflet that’s only printed on one side to communicate that they’ve moved the setup process online to save paper.

I’d also really like to see brands like Dyson doing more product and transit testing to see whether they can cut back on their use of plastic wrap, as individually wrapping both halves of the air filter, the entire tower fan and the outer cardboard box in plastic feels somewhat excessive.

(Image credit: Future)

The TP09 uses the same H13 HEPA filter that’s used in most of their newer models, including the cheaper ones, but adds a permanent catalytic filter, which continuously traps and converts formaldehyde (HCHO) into water and CO2. Another big difference between the TP09 and cheaper models is its ability to detect and react to more than just PM2.5 and PM10 – which are particles up to ten microns in size, including smoke, bacteria, and dust – as it can also detect and react to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen dioxide, too.

The large and well-lit LCD screen on the front of the purifying unit made it easy to keep an eye on the overall air quality or the level of individual pollutants. I could cycle through the different readings using the satisfyingly color-matched remote, which also allowed me to enable diffused mode, auto mode, and night mode, as well as adjust oscillation angle, and airflow speed.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 review: app

• Shows a week's worth of air quality data in 15-minute intervals
• App remote control is responsive
• Provides extra options for timer and oscillation

It’s quick and easy to get an insight into the air quality in the room on the MyDyson app, thanks to the helpful graph that shows the overall air quality in fifteen-minute intervals over the last week. It specifies the most dominant pollutant at the time, which is useful for working out exactly what’s causing any drops in air quality. There are also graphs available to show the level of each pollutant, as well as for ambient temperature and humidity.

The app offers lots of detail on what various terms mean; for example, it lists the different air quality ratings, explains what each one means, what action should be taken, and gives details on each contaminant type it detects. It also provides the ranges of the pollutant readings, such as a reading of 0-35 micrograms per cubic meter being considered Good, and 151-250 being Extremely Poor.

One thing that anyone purchasing the TP09 (or any of Dyson’s air purifiers, really) needs to do in the first instance is to make sure that continuous monitoring is turned on, as it is switched off by default. Without doing this, your air purifier won’t consistently collect data. It’s simple enough to enable, either in the machine settings within the MyDyson app, or by holding the Auto button on the remote for roughly five seconds, until the LCD screen on the device confirms the setting has changed.

(Image credit: Dyson / Future)

Along with providing plenty of data on the air quality inside my home, I was also able to keep up to date with what was going on outside. After entering my location into the MyDyson app, I had access to a simple-to-read dashboard detailing the external temperature, humidity, grass pollen level, plus PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 readings.

The level of controls on offer was fantastic. There are basic settings for power, auto mode, oscillation, and fan speed available on the main TP09 dashboard, but further controls became available after pressing the remote icon. This gave me access to all of the controls I had on the remote, but with far more flexibility. For instance, there's a timer that’s separate from Night mode and offers a wider duration variety. There's also an option to choose which position the TP09 begins its oscillation from – this is a fabulous feature to have, as it saves having to go and manhandle the fan if it’s not quite in the right position.

• App score: 4.5 out of 5

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 review: performance

• Easy and straightforward to operate
• Detects and reacts to a wide range of contaminants
• Fast detection and reaction speeds

The Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 purifying fan was satisfyingly easy to operate throughout my weeks of testing it. Controlling it was simple and stress-free, as both the remote control and the controls on the app were straightforward and very responsive.

I didn’t have much luck when setting up voice control, but I can’t say if this is a fault with the appliance or the third-party apps I was using. I could voice record Siri shortcuts, and they would appear in the Shortcuts app on my iPhone, but my voice commands failed to work.

I had a bit more success when using my Alexa Echo Dot (5th Gen); it was easy to add the Dyson skill on my Alexa app, and I could turn the purifier on and off, and ask to increase or decrease the fan speed. However, I couldn’t get it to switch to Auto mode or oscillate; instead, it would state the action request was not supported on the Dyson machine, which is disappointing at this price point.

(Image credit: Future)

From a fan perspective, the airflow was nice and smooth, and the strength was as I’d expect from one of Dyson’s bladeless tower fans. I found I could feel a noticeable breeze from around 3ft / 1m away on the lowest setting, 8ft / 2.4m on setting five, and 13ft / 4m on top setting ten.

The TP09 was speedy to react when I sprayed dry shampoo towards it from roughly 2 feet away, raising the PM2.5 reading to Severe almost instantly and upping the fan speed in response, swiftly returning the air quality reading within a minute of the contamination being detected.

The TP09 was quick to notice whenever I sprayed myself with perfume in the mornings, too, even though I was on the other side of the room. After promptly bumping the airflow up to setting five, it gradually lowered fan speed over the course of an hour. It didn’t have an impact on the fragrance in the air, which I was happy with in this instance, as my bedroom smelled pretty. But considering this alongside the performance of the TP10, which has the same filter, it looks likely that it’d struggle to make any noticeable effect on cooking smells without manually running it on a higher fan speed for a longer period of time.

(Image credit: Future)

I found it easy to sleep with the TP09 placed on the other side of my small nightstand, both in Night mode – which lowered the fan speed if I was running it higher and turned off the display – and when in standard Auto mode.

The decibel readings I got from the TP09 were, unsurprisingly, very similar to those of the TP10; with readings of 33dB on fan speed one, 43dB on speed five, and 52dB on speed ten. This means that its volume levels were similar to that of soft music at its quietest, and moderate rainfall at its loudest. The key difference between the two models is that the TP09 was not as quiet when in auto mode, as its superior detection skills meant that it didn’t relax and sit idling like the TP10.

Overall, I was very happy with the performance of the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 purifying fan, thanks to its prompt contamination detection and great level of detail and fine-tuning available in the fantastic companion app.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09?

Section

Notes

Score

Value for money

This isn’t a bad price for a Dyson tower fan combined with a good spec and well-performing air purifier. It offers more value for money than some of the slightly cheaper models that don’t have the skills to detect more than just PM2.5 or PM10.

4/5

Design & Features

I love the premium-looking aesthetic and colorway of the TP09, and I’m pleased with its features, too. It can detect and react to a wide range of contaminants, and has a useful Diffused mode so it won’t blast me with cold air when purifying in the winter months.

4.5/5

App

The MyDyson app offers a good level of insight into ambient and local air quality readings, both inside and outside the home. It also worked well as a responsive remote control, which offered useful additional settings.

4.5/5

Performance

The TP09 delivered an impressive performance overall. It proved easy to operate, the controls were responsive, and it was quick to react whenever contaminants were introduced.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want a purifier that can react to a wider range of contaminants
If you can afford one, it’s always better to opt for an air purifier that can detect more than just PM2.5 and PM10, as reduced air quality is often caused by other contaminants like VOCs, so having a purifier that’s reactive to these changes makes it easier to improve the air quality in your home.

You want to keep an eye on your air quality levels
With an overall air quality graph and others dedicated to each contaminant, it’s easy to get an overview of your home's air quality throughout the day and pinpoint potential sources of contamination.

You want settings you can fine-tune
The MyDyson app gives you access to a wider range of timer durations, allows you to choose exactly where the TP09 starts oscillating from, and offers scheduling too, so you can set it this Dyson up just as you’d like it.

Don't buy it if...

You want something cheap and simple
This is a pricey purifying fan, and you could buy a cheaper tower fan and air purifier separately if you’re happy with a more basic air purifier that requires more manual intervention.

You want a desktop-sized air purifier
The TP09 is tall and heavy, and would likely be overkill if you just want to freshen the air in a small home office.

You don’t want a tower fan
If you’re only really interested in a high-tech air purifier, then you’d be better off looking at something like the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde instead.

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 review: Also consider

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i

Type

Purifying tower fan

Purifying tower fan

Air purifier

Price

$749.99 / £549.99 / AU$999.99

$429.99 / £449.99 / AU$799

$169.99 / £169

Fan speeds

10

10

3

Additional modes

Auto, Night mode, Diffused mode

Auto, sleep mode

Auto, night mode

Oscillation

Up to 350 degrees

Up to 350 degrees

N/A

Filter

HEPA H13 and activated carbon

HEPA H13 and activated carbon

HEPASilent and activated carbon

App support

Yes

No

Yes

Dimensions

8.7 x 8.7 x 41 inches / 22 x 22 x 105cm

8.7 x 8.7 x 41.3 inches / 22 x 22 x 105cm

18.9 x 10.6 x 10.6 inches / 48 x 27 x 27cm

Weight

10.7 lbs / 4.85kg

10.4 lbs / 4.7kg

7.5 lbs / 3.4kg

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10
If you’re looking for a cheaper Dyson model, the TP10 is a very similar size and weight to the TP09, and uses the same HEPA 13 filter, but is only able to detect and react to the presence of PM2.5 and PM10 contamination. While it isn’t compatible with the MyDyson app, the large integrated display makes it easy to check the status of the air quality in the room. For more details, head over to my full review of the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10.

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i
If you’re looking for a stand-alone air purifier that’s more cost-friendly, but still smart, then this lightweight air purifier from Blueair is worth your consideration. It’s ideal for smaller rooms like bedrooms or offices, and offers an insight into the ambient air quality and remote control via the companion app. If you’d like to learn more, take a look at my full Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review.

How I tested the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09

• I used the Dyson TP09 purifying fan in my living room and bedroom
• I observed its detection and purification skills
• I evaluated the strength of the airflow and the sound levels

I used the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 purifying fan in our photo studio, my living room, and my bedroom over the course of a few weeks. I evaluated how easy it was to operate, along with the build quality and aesthetics, and explored the available functions and features.

I tested the strength of the airflow by determining at what distance I could still feel a cooling breeze. I also observed the TP09 Purifying Fan’s detection and purification skills during standardized testing, which included spraying dry shampoo towards it from around two feet away to test how quickly it would react and clear the contamination, and to see how it tackles odors. I also used it passively in my bedroom and my living room over a couple of weeks to see how it performed and how well it would report readings over time.

I used a decibel meter app on my iPhone to record the noise levels, taking readings from around two feet away and ensuring the fan wasn’t blowing directly into the microphone.

I checked the timer worked as expected, and tested out the sleep mode to see whether the TP09 was quiet enough for me to be able to sleep well with it running overnight.

• First reviewed: August 2025
• Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee

• Reports claim DJI’s first 360 drone will weigh under 250g
• It's allegedly based on similar 8K camera tech to the Osmo 360
• The launch is tipped before the end of 2025

DJI is widely expected to release one new ultra-lightweight drone this year, with the hotly-anticipated DJI Mini 5 Pro seemingly gearing up for a 2025 launch. But if recent online rumblings are to be believed, though, the company might actually be announcing two models by the end of the year – with one being an entirely new type of drone based around a 360 camera.

We’ve already had official confirmation that Antigravity is prepping its own lightweight 360 drone powered by Insta360 camera technology – although just via a teaser, with specifics remaining unknown for now. And, if a report at Notebookcheck is accurate, it’ll have a competitor right off the bat.

The report details rumors coming out of China that claim DJI is working on a similarly lightweight drone (under 250g, to ensure it stays in the regulation-dodging sweet spot) that will also offer 8K 360 video recording, using a mechanical three-axis gimbal to hold its camera.

The camera, apparently, will built on similar foundations to the hardware inside the recently-released DJI Osmo 360, the company’s first 360 action camera.

A flying Osmo 360?

The DJI Osmo 360 proves that DJI knows how to make a superb 360-degree camera (Image credit: DJI)

The Osmo 360 is an excellent 360 camera (I know because I’ve tested it for our DJI Osmo 360 review), using two 1/1.1-inch sensors married to two ultra-wide fisheye lenses and a gaggle of clever software tricks to create panoramic 8K videos with a minimum of effort.

These videos can then be reframed in DJI’s companion apps (either the DJI Mimo mobile app or the DJI Studio desktop app) before being exported for sharing or use in other editing programs.

A flying version of the Osmo 360 that manages to remain under 250g sounds almost too good to be true, particularly if it’s going to have two large sensors on board. I suspect we may see smaller sensors on the drone, in order to keep weight below that key 250g mark.

If the reports are correct, DJI seems to have a busy few months ahead. The company is also tipped to be releasing the DJI Mic 3, a new model in its popular wireless microphone range, as well as the DJI Osmo Nano, a small modular action camera, and the DJI Romo, the company’s first ever robotic vacuum cleaner.

You might also like

• I test drones for a living – here's why Insta360's Antigravity debut is the most exciting one for years
• DJI Osmo 360 vs Insta360 X5: the premium 360 cameras battle it out in a hands-on test
• Will DJI drones be banned in the US? DJI says the clock is ticking – and it urgently needs its fans to help

The latest Nintendo Indie World Showcase has been and gone. August 7's Indie World Showcase, as confirmed by Nintendo's socials, lasted roughly 15 minutes and featured game announcements for both Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch.

Sadly, Hollow Knight: Silksong didn't appear, but its absence certainly didn't invalidate all the other excellent-looking titles we saw, and after all, Silksong is likely launching soon, so there was no reason to lose heart when it didn't show up in this stream.

We covered the event live, and you can see exactly how at the bottom of this page. Directly beneath this chat, however, is a list of everything announced, just in case you were after a quick list for convenience.

August Nintendo Indie World Showcase: everything announced and shown

Mina The Hollower

• New game from Shovel Knight studio
• Launches 10/31/2025 for Switch and Switch 2
• Demo available today

Well Dweller

• Metroidvania-style game with side scrolling mechanics
• Boss fights
• Coming to Switch in 2026

Nerverway

• Coldblood studio
• Same pixel artist as Celeste
• Pixel action game
• Meet a variety of characters with stories to follow
• Unlockable combat abilities
• Fast-paced combat
• Available 2026
• Nintendo Switch release

Heardling

• From the publisher of Firewatch
• Escort a herd of mysterious creatures
• Puzzle solving
• Nintendo Switch release
• August 21, 2025, release
• Pre-orders open now

Is This Seat Taken?

• Play seating matchmaking with characters in social situations
• Puzzle solving and scenarios to be figured out
• Available today on Switch

Little Kitty, Big City

• Free update
• Cat customizer to give your cat a new look
• Explore new areas and visit familiar friends
• Additional photo mode features with stickers
• Available this year on Switch

Content Warning

• The PC online co-op hit is coming to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in 2026

Ball x Pit

• Low-poly pixel art style
• From Devolver Digital
• Over 60 randomized balls to equip
• Collect resources to rebuild your city
• Each level has challenges and boss fights
• Other treasure hunters to meet along the way
• Use their abilities in your own kit
• Coming to Switch and Switch 2 on October 15, 2025

Ultimate Sheep Racoon

• 8-player co-op
• Switch and Switch 2 release
• Winter 2025

Glaciered

• JRPG-action style
• Set 65 million years in the future
• Explore the underwater world as an evolved dinosaur (????)
• Timed console Switch exclusive
• Coming Winter 2025

Ending montage featuring...

• Winter Burrow - Switch, Winter 2025 release
• Undusted: Letters of the Past - Switch, October 2025
• Tiny Bookshop - Available today Switch
• Caves of Qud - Winter 2025 on Switch
• Strange Antiquities - Switch release, September 17. Pre-order now
• Opus: Prism Peak - Fall 2025 for Switch and Switch 2
• Go-Go Town! - Spring 2026 on Switch
• UFO 50 - Switch release later today

August Nintendo Indie World Showcase start time

This Nintendo Indie World Showcase went live on August 7 at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST.

August Nintendo Indie World Showcase: how to watch

Nintendo's 15-minute August 2025 Indie World Showcase was broadcast live on its regional YouTube channels. You could also catch it over at Nintendo's official Twitch page.

Well met travellers!

Greetings and welcome to our live coverage of today's Nintendo Indie World Showcase! We're going to be giving you all the pertinent and crucial information regarding how to catch the stream, while also sharing some of our thoughts, hopes, and predictions along the way!

Strap in, and let's hope we see some absolute bangers!

Indie World start time

Let's start off with the really simple, but really crucial stuff: when the showcase will start.

Nintendo confirmed that the Indie World Showcase will begin at the usual time of 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm BST.

It's going to run for only about 15 minutes, so you won't have to block off loads of time to catch this stream.

How to watch the Nintendo Indie World Showcase

Next, here's how to watch it, and the best stream to use.

Below is the Nintendo of America placeholder YouTube link, which will go live with the show at start time. You'll also be able to watch it on Twitch if you prefer.

The Silksong question...

(Image credit: Nintendo)

This probably won't be the last time we speak about Silksong, but the big question today is: will we see Silksong in the Indie World Showcase?

Here at TechRadar Gaming, we're split on it. Some of us think that it's just too close to Gamescom now, where it's been confirmed that the game will be playable - and likely shown off during a showcase of some sort.

While others on our team think a snippet or brief look will be enough to keep that hype train going at full speed.

I don't think we'll see a huge amount of the game if it is present today, but something would be excellent.

What else might we see?

Away from the potential Silksong-shaped-elephant in the room, what else could we see? Well, we've done some brainstorming here and have a few ideas about what might appear, but also what we hope to appear...

Hope: Blue Prince to Switch?

(Image credit: Dogubomb)

One indie-shaped announcement we're hoping for is to see Blue Prince make the jump over to Switch and/or Switch 2.

The puzzle adventure game took the world by storm earlier this year and is one of the highlights of 2025 so far. It's a perfect game for the handheld nature of the Switch consoles, and we can't imagine it being a drain on even the older console's hardware either.

What an absolutely welcome addition to the Switch library this would be.

45 minutes to go!

We've got less than 45 minutes to wait now! This is your 45 (ish) minute warning klaxon!

25 minute warning!

Less than half an hour to go now! Only 25 minutes

Hope: Maybe a Hades 2 full release date for Switch 2

Another thing we've been wondering about is whether we might get a full release Hades 2 release date...

it's not a bad shout, and the Hades games absolutely bang on Switch console.

I've been joined by my Nintendo-fan pal Josie who's an expert in the field of all things Nintendo, so she will likely guide you through the show itself, while myself (Rob) and another colleague watch along, grab some snaps, and fill out this live blog with other information.

10 minutes to go!

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening, wherever you are! Josie here, ready to give you the downlow on all things Indie World. I'm excited to see what's in store, with just 10 minutes to go!

It's go-time!

(Image credit: Nintendo UK (YouTube))

And we're about to go live! Let's see what Nintendo has in store for us...

Mina the Hollower

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Starting us strong, we have Mina the Hollower.

Featuring an adorable mousey main character, Mina the Hollower comes from the creators of Hollow Knight. It looks fun, but we've not got much to go off here!

Neverway is made by the pixel artist of Celeste

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Neverway, made by the pixel artist from Celeste, looks like a darker, slightly post-apocalyptic Stardew Valley.

There's even a mention of "paying off debt", so I hope Tom Nook knows he's got some competition there.

Herdling

Ever dreamed of herding yak-like creatures? Well, Calicorns fit the bill, and in Herdling your job is to ascend to the summit of a mountain range. It looks gorgeous, and I can't wait to see how it runs on the Switch 2!

Little Kitty, Big City

(Image credit: Nintendo)

This is one I've been waiting for for quite some time; Little Kitty, Big City is like a cozier, more uplifting version of Stray, where you adventure around a suitably big city as, you guessed it, a little kitty. Now with a free update, there's some fun-looking customization features and a new camera mode I can't wait to try out!

Ball x PIT

(Image credit: Nintendo)

This arcarde-style rogue-like block breaker sees you restore New Ball-bylon, but to me looks more like sensory overload waiting to happen. With tonnes of unlockability, hopefully the mechanics won't age too quickly.

Glaciered

Play as an evolved alien species evolved from dinosaurs in Glaciered, an underwater adventure with real-time combat mechanics and ample explorability around Everwinters oceans.

Release date: This year's holiday season

It's montage time!

Here's all the games we just saw in the whistle-stop montage tour:

Winter Burrow
Undusted: Letters from the past
Cozy bookshop
Caves of Qud
Strange antiquities
OPUS: Prism Peak
Go-Go town
UFO 50

And it's over already!

Short and sweet, as promised, that's all we get this time round! As we feared, there's no Silksong nor Hades II, but there's a good amount to be excited for in there nonetheless. We'll be going over some of those games anounced in more detail shortly!

Is this seat taken?

This simple and sweet puzzler sees you matching seats in various environments to the needs of cute little shape-people. It's not overly complex, but it's a fun addition to your library if you like portable play!

Content warning

The PC online co-op hit will be coming to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in 2026. In this horror-comedy hit, you'll dive head-first into spooky scenarios all for the love of clout, filming the scares you experience all in a desperate plea to go viral.

We've updated this page to feature a list of everything announced and shown in the Indie World Showcase, by the way, if you're looking for a one-stop shop of information.

There were some solid announcements today, though perhaps not the crowdpleasers we'd hoped for, but my top picks are definitely Little Kitty, Big City, Herdling and Neverway.

Let's start with Little Kitty, Big City. As I mentioned earlier, this is one I've had my eyes on since the earliest teasers appeared on X (back in the days of yore when it was still Twitter). I adored Stray, and I've always found it puzzling how the fascinating, mysterious lives of our feline friends aren't more often documented in games. I reckon I'll love the more light-hearted alternative Little Kitty, Big City offers.

My top 3: Herdling

(Image credit: Okomotive)

Next up on my personal hit-list is Herdling, which gives me the vibe of Shadow of the Colossus meets Journey in its tone and art style.

While the post-apocalyptic setting can be a little samey, I love the concept of the game, and from what we've seen in this trailer, there's a lot more to it than just walking around a barren world.

My top 3: Neverway

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Lastly, I've got to touch on Neverway from Coldblood studio. My first non-first-party Switch game was Celeste, which made a profound impact on me at the time, due in large part to its gorgeous art style.

This pixel action game-come-farming sim looks gorgeous, even with the slightly bleak art style. It's packed with a variety of richly detailed characters, unlockable combat abilities and punchy fight sequences, making for an excellent title that'll feel right at home on my Switch 2.

Ultimate Sheep Racoon

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Here's one I missed earlier: Ultimate Sheep Racoon. Probably because I just assumed it was a random collection of words, but can you blame me?

Offering up to 8-player co-op, this whacky racer looks like Happy Wheels-come-Party Animals, coming to Switch and Switch 2 in Winter 2025.

What did you think?

We thought it was a pretty good Indie World Showcase; neither ground breaking, nor really underwhelming.

The lack of Silksong might disappoint some folks, but in reality I'm not that surprised.

We're wrapping up our coverage shortly but we'll keep this page up for posterity and so that you can use it as a resource.

That's all from us!

Now that the dust has settled, we're going to be leaving our live coverage here. Shortly this page will revert to showing our live coverage as it happened from start to finish so you can revisit what was shown in the stream, and we'll keep all the pertinent details at the top of this page so you can get all the info at a glance.

Thanks for joining us, and see you soon!

• Audioengine's new HD3 speakers are out now for $359 (about £267 / AU$550)
• Bookshelf / desktop speakers with Bluetooth and USB-C for Hi-Res Audio
• 60W Class AB amplification and a high-output headphone amp

Audioengine's highly rated HD3 desktop speakers have been out for a while now: the first generation launched in 2016, and both speaker technology and audio formats have evolved a bit since then. Last year, Audioengine upgraded its bigger HD4 models to take advantage of some of the most recent developments, and now it's done the same with the more compact HD3.

Like the previous model, the new Audioengine HD3 Next Gen (2025) speakers are once again designed to sit on a desk or bookshelf, and they're particularly well suited to near-field listening with laptop and desktop computers.

But now they have built-in Bluetooth with aptX HD, as well as a powerful headphone amp. And they've been given an important Hi-Res Audio upgrade too.

(Image credit: Audioengine)Audioengine HD3 Next Gen (2025): key features and pricing

The new Audioengine HD3 Next Gen (2025) speakers have an upgraded DAC, which is 24-bit rather than 16-bit, and they also have USB-C input lossless audio – so they can connect straight to the USB-C port of your machine and pull in the highest-quality sound that the best music streaming services have to offer.

The headphone amp is a high-output OPA2134 amplifier outputting up to 380mW into 32 ohms.

Frequency response is 65Hz to 22kHz (the larger HD4s go lower in the bass) which should be fine for close listening without requiring extra low-end thump, and near-field listening is of course what these speakers have been designed for. If you do want a sub, Audioengine's S6 six-inch subwoofer goes down to a more subterranean 33Hz.

The integrated amplifier is an analog Class AB amp with 30W peak per channel, rather than the more traditional Class D amplification you expect here – this has the potential to make them more dynamic and sharper in details.

The speakers are a 2.75-inch woofer and a 0.75-inch tweeter per speaker. The cabinets are real wood, not MDF, and there are improved finishes in high-gloss Piano White, Real Walnut Veneer and Satin Black.

Given their small size and some great spec decisions, these look like interesting potential candidates for our list of the best stereo speakers when it comes to something compact and active. We look forward to giving them a test.

The Audioengine HD3 Next Gen is available in the US for $359 and the S6 sub is $299. UK and other pricing and availability haven't been announced just yet but the HD3 price works out pre-tax as £267 / AU$550.

You might also like

• Best stereo speakers 2025: stereo systems for all budgets
• The best wireless speaker, all tested by us, from Apple, JBL, Sonus and more
• Best Bluetooth speakers 2025: tried and tested for every budget

For many businesses, 2020 was a fundamental year, marking the shift to a cloud-first mentality as companies around the globe embraced public cloud solutions. At the time, the cloud appeared to be an obvious choice, offering reduced infrastructure costs, scalability, and unmatched flexibility.

However, as is often the case with rapidly evolving technologies, the wider implications of such a significant shift only became apparent over time. Many companies weren’t fully prepared for the long-term consequences of migrating their data, especially regarding how vital that data truly was. In recent years, as regulations have tightened and the value of data has become more apparent, organizations are reassessing their strategies.

Today, businesses are facing a mix of pressures that are forcing them to reconsider their reliance on public cloud infrastructure. Surging cloud costs, mounting regulatory demands (both local and international), issues around data sovereignty, and geopolitical concerns regarding dependency on a few U.S.-based cloud providers are all prompting organizations to explore alternatives. As a result, the idea of "cloud repatriation", or more broadly, "data repatriation" is gaining traction.

The movement towards repatriation: it's already happening

There’s clear evidence that the trend of moving data back from the cloud is well underway. A 2024 CIO survey from Barclays revealed that 83% of enterprises are planning to move workloads from public cloud to private or on-premises solutions, up from just 43% in 2021. Additionally, 94% of IT leaders have already engaged in some form of cloud repatriation project, and 25% of organizations in the UK have migrated at least half of their workloads back on-premises. Within our own client base, we've seen a growing number of cloud-native companies realize that remaining in the cloud is no longer economically sustainable for their long-term success.

Shifting back to private cloud, on-premises, or colocation solutions offers several advantages: more predictable pricing compared to fluctuating cloud bills, lower latency from being closer to end-users, and greater business resilience due to a more diversified set of infrastructure providers.

Additionally, with some large cloud providers admitting they can’t guarantee data stays within a specific jurisdiction during transfer, these alternative infrastructure options help businesses stay compliant with data protection laws, such as those in the UK and EU, while avoiding financial penalties and reputational harm.

Maximizing the potential of private data

There’s also a growing realization that many organizations have underutilized the value of their private data. Studies show that private data vastly outnumbers public data, with a ratio of 9 to 1. This is especially concerning as AI and digital business processes continue to expand. By reclaiming ownership of their data through repatriation, businesses can have greater control, unlock more cost-effective opportunities, and customize how they use that data, ultimately extracting more value from it.

For example, while public cloud tools like Co-Pilot and ChatGPT are not private, companies using colocation and private infrastructure to build their own AI models can retain ownership of intellectual property, benefiting from cutting-edge technologies while protecting their sensitive data.

The threat of data tariffs: a changing economic landscape?

While the benefits of data repatriation are clear, there are potential hurdles ahead. As more companies consider moving their data, cloud economics could face a shift toward data tariffs. The recent introduction of tariffs, like those imposed during the Trump administration, has highlighted the global implications of trade policy. While industries like manufacturing have felt the immediate effects, the service-based economies of the UK, where data plays a central role, may be next in line.

If tariffs are applied to data transfers from U.S. cloud providers to the UK, the cost of data repatriation could rise significantly. This makes it all the more critical for companies to weigh the financial and operational risks of continuing to rely on foreign cloud providers. Beyond the direct financial impact, businesses also need to consider the potential political leverage these providers could have over their operations.

In today’s world, where data is increasingly viewed as an economic asset, companies need to carefully consider the implications of allowing foreign entities to manage their most sensitive information. The rapid shifts in global politics over the past few years show just how quickly international relations can change, and the potential economic consequences of those changes. Ensuring control over their own data will help businesses better shield themselves from external disruptions.

2025: a turning point for IT strategy

All signs point to 2025 being a crucial year for businesses reevaluating their cloud strategies. However, companies looking to move away from public cloud solutions need to be fully informed about the viable alternatives. UK-based cloud providers, for instance, may offer clear advantages, such as data sovereignty, compliance with regulations, and reduced latency, making them a compelling option for businesses.

Public cloud services, while still important, are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The future of enterprise IT will rely on making strategic decisions that account for more than just cost, embracing a mix of cloud solutions, private infrastructure, and on-premises resources that are tailored to a company’s specific needs and workloads.

Rather than a wholesale departure from public cloud, businesses are likely to adopt a hybrid model that blends public, private, and on-prem infrastructure. This approach will enable organizations to optimize performance and costs while building long-term resilience in an ever-evolving digital world.

We've featured the best cloud database.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• GSA is partnering with OpenAI to provide federal agencies with ChatGPT
• These will cost each agency just $1 for the year
• AI models present serious environmental, security, and 'hallucination' concerns

OpenAI has announced it has partnered with the US General Services Administration (GSA) to offer ChatGPT Enterprise for the entire federal executive branch workforce at ‘essentially no cost’ meaning just $1 per agency for the next 12 months.

“Helping government work better – making services faster, easier, and more reliable—is a key way to bring the benefits of AI to everyone," the company said.

"At OpenAI, we believe public servants should help shape how AI is used. The best way to do that is to put best-in-class AI tools in their hands—with strong guardrails, high transparency, and deep respect for their public mission."

Tools and training

OpenAI was also awarded a $200 million US defence contract to provide AI data collection, admin, and ‘proactive cyber defense’ tools. This contract aims to bring AI to the forefront of defense, looking to ‘improve both the day-to-day experience of public service and to help government employees feel more empowered, more efficient, and more supported in their critical missions.’

Given the vital and sensitive work of federal agencies, it should be noted that recent studies by OpenAI itself have identified that new ChatGPT models are hallucinating more than previous models, with GPT 03 hallucinated 33% of the time during the firm’s PersonaQA benchmark, a test involving questions about public figures.

Worryingly, this figure rose to 51% in the SimpleQA benchmark - a general knowledge based test, and the 04-mini (a smaller new model) performed even worse, with a 79% hallucination rate.

OpenAI have assured that research is ongoing regarding AI hallucinations, and that there's a consistent effort to address the reliability of models. Hallucinations are tracked by the company, and there are guides available for developers to help improve the model's accuracy.

Artificial intelligence is permeating through all different industries, with wide scale adoption across both professional and personal environments.

AI companies, like ChatGPT’s OpenAI, have significant influence in the US administration, and are leveraging this influence to presumably create a dependency, or at least a level of reliance, within government agencies.

You might also like

• Take a look at our picks for the best firewall software around
• Check out our choice for best endpoint protection software to keep you safe
• 70% of people are sick of talking to AI – where did all the humans go?

In June, the UK government announced landmark legislation for cyber and digital defense.

The proposal, forming part of the Strategic Defence Review, signals a pivotal shift in national priorities, especially for industrial organizations operating within sectors defined as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI, such as energy, water, healthcare, transport and digital infrastructure).

As these sectors accelerate digital transformation to meet decarbonization and efficiency goals, they’re simultaneously becoming more vulnerable to cyber threats in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable world.

In this environment, it’s strategically vital for operators of critical infrastructure to partner with the right organizations that bring the expertise needed to safeguard essential systems. The risks of navigating this landscape alone, without the right support, can lead to serious and far-reaching consequences.

As Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Department for Science, Innovation and Technology notes in his forward to the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill policy statement, last year, a cyber attack against a supplier to NHS hospitals in London caused more than 11,000 appointments and procedures to be postponed. In some cases, the patients had to wait months before they could be seen.

Meanwhile, it’s reported that in 2024, almost two thirds of water and energy providers were affected by cyber attacks. While there are no known cases of the attacks disrupting everyday services – in many of these cases, even those involving ransomware, the key target for the attackers is data, not infrastructure – it’s not difficult to imagine the potential consequences of one which did.

Just think about what would happen if a water company couldn’t provide water for drinking or bathing to people’s homes. Or if an energy provider found itself in a position where a disruptive cyber attack against its operational technology resulted in power outages across a region, or whole country.

These may only be theoretical examples of cyber attacks against critical infrastructure and the operational technology (OT) that controls it – but it isn’t a far-fetched idea at all. Indeed, a 2016 cyber attack against a power station in Ukraine plunged a whole region of the country into darkness during the middle of winter.

It wouldn’t take much for an attacker who breached IT systems to move laterally to OT systems. The threat of cyber attacks against critical infrastructure represents a national security risk, because the consequences aren’t just restricted to computer systems or data, they can impact people’s everyday lives and their basic needs.

Obsolete operational technology

With so much of the critical infrastructure we rely on increasingly connected to cloud services, the sensors and devices on the Internet of Things (IoT) and now, even AI systems, we’re truly in the digital age. Or so it seems.

However, the reality is that much CNI we rely on is still based on legacy operational technology, software and operating systems. These systems continue to be used because they’re bespoke, designed specifically for the tasks at hand.

Much of this legacy infrastructure was designed and built without internet connected systems in mind, meaning that all these years later, much of this hardware and software is outdated, bordering on obsolete, and difficult to secure against cyber threats.

The reason for this is simple: if the hardware or software is no longer supported by the manufacturer, it’s also no longer receiving security updates.

Even if security patches are available, it’s extremely difficult to take critical infrastructure offline to apply them. All of this means that OT, be it potentially patchable, or running on legacy systems which might even be decades old are extremely vulnerable to evolving cyber threats – especially if the equipment being used hasn’t been properly certified.

Securing critical national infrastructure

The government has warned how the unprecedented threat to CNI poses a risk to UK citizens, which is why it announced its plans to invest over £1 billion to enhance the UK’s digital and cyber capabilities.

Key to securing CNI is ensuring that appropriate processes are in place for assessment and prevention of threats, vulnerabilities and other issues. And when necessary, that rapid support is available to respond to suspected breaches, attacks or other incidents.

While the government’s plans on securing CNI are welcomed, it’s also important for the organizations responsible for running and maintaining operational technology to ensure they have the plans in place to react while also ensuring that the most vital operations remain active.

Therefore, the government’s budget should continue to prioritize spending on securing CNI, both around securing legacy systems and ensuring the assessment and prevention of issues, as well as ensuring that digital transformation programs to modernize the IT behind infrastructure adheres to the concept of Secure By Design at the development stage.

It’s also important to follow secure deployment guidelines and configurations when integrating the technology into real-world operating environments. And moving to Secure By Operations approach for the ongoing maintenance and oversight of assets.

Secure by Operations becomes critical when technology is evolving at such a rapid pace, and even ‘simple’ system misconfigurations can lead to cyber incidents. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has increased the potential and speed for both positive and negative consequences. A cyberattack on a single stakeholder in the value chain can cause significant operational, financial, or reputational damage to other organizations reliant on the affected operator or their technology.

Indeed, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned how AI “the growing incorporation of AI models and systems across the UK’s technology base, and particularly within critical national infrastructure, almost certainly presents an increased attack surface for adversaries to exploit.”

But industrial AI can also be used to bolster cybersecurity security, not just with automated cyber defenses, but for predictive maintenance of operational technology. Much like how AI can be used to assess the ongoing condition of cyber-physical systems, the predictive capabilities of industrial AI can be used to anticipate potential cyber threats before they become a problem.

For example, with the right information and instructions – especially when provided by the right partner – AI could anticipate what the vulnerabilities or even threat groups are the biggest risk to the infrastructure at that time, providing the human defenders with vital information to help ensure systems remain protected from malicious threats.

Human cyber defenders

The human cyber defenders are key here. While AI can help boost cybersecurity, humans are still a vital part of the loop. It’s people who are responsible for securing systems and it’s vital for people to work together towards this goal.

Cybersecurity professionals may be working for competing organizations, but in order to properly ensure that CNI is defended against cyber threats, collaboration is key; industry support groups should implement knowledge sharing, best practices such as Secure By Design and Secure By Operations, as well as proactive threat mitigation for critical assets and partnerships.

As the threat landscape evolves, it’s also important for the industry to work together. If one provider successfully defends against a cyber attack, that information could help others to do the same. By working together, we can ensure the resilience and security of our critical infrastructure for the future.

We've featured the best internet security suite.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Avengers: Doomsday – key information

- Set to arrive in December 2026
- Filming began in May
- No trailer released yet
- 27-strong cast confirmed so far
- Story synopsis yet to be unveiled
- Two big comic book series offer clues about its story
- Plenty of rumors circulating online
- Will set up Avengers: Secret Wars

Avengers: Doomsday feels like it's a long way away – and I say that in spite of its revised launch date, which means it won't land in theaters until December 18, 2026.

Indeed, even though filming is well underway on Avengers 5, there's lots of work to be done on the highly anticipated Marvel movie before it's ready to be released.

Luckily, there's been plenty of news and rumors about the superhero film in recent months, and you can learn all about them in this guide. So, whether you want more details on its cast, plot, or something else entirely, this hub is your one-stop shop to the next film starring Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Possible Doomsday spoilers follow, so proceed with caution.

Avengers: Doomsday release date

A post shared by The Russo Brothers (@therussobrothers)

A photo posted by on

Avengers: Doomsday will launch worldwide on December 18, 2026. Originally, it was due to arrive next May, but Marvel delayed Doomsday and its sequel in late May.

As both movies' directors Joe and Anthony Russo confirmed on Instagram (see above), filming began on the Marvel Phase 6 film in early May. More recently, Anthony Mackie told ScreenRant that the cast and crew were "in the midst" of its shooting schedule, but that he was "nowhere close" to wrapping on the project yet. Expect the cameras to roll for many more months, then.

Avengers: Doomsday trailer – is there one?

275 million views. 50+ trending topics. 27 chairs. 5+ hours.One massive thank you to the greatest fans in the universe. pic.twitter.com/uS6hrX8ZypMarch 28, 2025

No. There won't be a full trailer for a long time, either.

Marvel could release a brief teaser at D23 Expo 2025 (August 29 to 31), but I'd be shocked if we see or hear anything until sometime in 2026, especially in light of the movie's recent release date delay. I'll update this section once a trailer is released.

Avengers: Doomsday confirmed cast

#AvengersDoomsday. Now in production. pic.twitter.com/G84UVU8HOcMarch 26, 2025

Here's the 27-strong cast for Avengers: Doomsday that's been announced so far:

• Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Victor von Doom
• Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic
• Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman
• Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing
• Chris Hemsworth as Thor
• Tom Hiddleston as Loki
• Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America
• Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/Falcon
• Sebastian Stan as James 'Bucky' Barnes/The Winter Soldier
• Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
• David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian
• Wyatt Russell as John Walker/US Agent
• Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost
• Lewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds/Sentry
• Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man
• Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
• Letitia Wright as Shuri/Black Panther
• Winston Duke as M'Baku
• Tenoch Huerta Meija as Namor
• Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier/Professor X
• Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
• James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops
• Kelsey Grammar as Henry 'Hank' McCoy/Beast
• Rebecca Romijn as Raven Darkholme/Mystique
• Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler
• Channing Tatum as Remy LeBeau/Gambit

The headline news is that Downey Jr, who played Tony Stark and his superhero alias Iron Man between 2008 and 2019, is back in the MCU. With Stark sacrificing himself in Avengers: Endgame, it seemed that the actor responsible for kickstarting Marvel Studios' shared universe had run out of comic book movie road. However, following a crowd-cheering reveal (or a desperate Hail Mary move, depending on who you ask) at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Downey Jr announced his MCU return as Doctor Victor von Doom.

One of Marvel's most iconic villains and long-time adversary of The Fantastic Four in Marvel Comics, Doom will be the primary antagonist of Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars. Fan confidence in Downey Jr's portrayal of Doom has grown since last year, too, especially after some behind-the-scenes photos showed how dedicated Downey Jr was being to bring the fan-favorite villain to life.

Is that the only character he'll play, though? Some fans think not. Indeed, Downey Jr sparked a new Doomsday theory over a possible dual role in July, so place your bets now on whether we'll see a different universe's Iron Man appearing in this film.

A post shared by Robert Downey Jr. (@robertdowneyjr)

A photo posted by on

There has been lots – and I mean lots – of other casting news and speculation in the months since filming began, too.

For starters, Chris Hemsworth is rumored to be Doomsday's second lead. That's in spite of comments made by The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman, which were misinterpreted by numerous outlets who thought he was suggesting Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards would lead the Avengers in Doomsday – and, by proxy, be the second name on the call sheet. Pascal (via Entertainment Weekly (EW)) and Shakman (per IGN) have since clarified that isn't the case.

As for the rest of the confirmed cast, 23 other actors members (alongside Downey Jr, Hemsworth, and Pascal) were confirmed via a lengthy livestream event in late March. Some inclusions spoiled what happened in Thunderbolts* and First Steps. Meanwhile, others were surprise additions to the roster, such as numerous legacy X-Men characters from 20th Century Fox's defunct mutant-centric comic book movie universe.

Tom Holland wasn't part of Doomsday's initial 27-strong cast reveal in March (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

There were many notable absentees from the initial cast list, but Marvel insists "there's always room for more" announcements.

That could include former Captain America star Chris Evans, who was rumored to have signed on. He's since played down those claims via ScreenRant. Tom Holland, who'll reprise his role as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day is another curious no-show – for now, anyway – as is Hugh Jackman, who wouldn't be drawn on whether he's appear as Wolverine (per The View).

On the potential appearances front, Joe Locke's Billy Maximoff/Wiccan could feature, with the actor's mentor Steven Sater suggesting as much on TikTok (per the DailyJLocke X/Twitter fan account). The Hollywood Reporter (THR) has also claimed Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter is going to have a role to play. Lastly, Wong, the MCU's current Sorcerer Supreme, was apparently seen in leaked Avengers: Doomsday set images in mid-April.

Don't get your hopes up over Daredevil showing up in Avengers 5 (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

Four actors have seemingly ruled themselves out of appearing, though.

Benedict Cumberbatch has claimed Doctor Strange will only show up in Secret Wars. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Olsen seemingly denied that Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch is in either of the next Avengers movies. Halle Berry (per the Black Girl Nerds podcast) says she won't be reprising Ororo Monroe/Storm, either, and Charlie Cox has denied Matt Murdock/Daredevil will join the film's ensemble (via THR).

Until more cast additions are revealed, read my article on 17 Marvel heroes I want to see added to Doomsday's cast. Then, see what the Russo brothers told me about whether we'll see other Marvel heroes from Disney+ shows appear in Avengers 5.

Avengers: Doomsday story speculation

Marvel is keeping a very tight lid on Doomsday's story (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Potential spoilers follow for Avengers: Doomsday's plot.

Avengers: Doomsday's story brief hasn't been revealed yet but, thanks to the last three MCU film releases, some puzzle pieces have fallen into place. For more on what they tell us, read my Captain America 4 ending explained, Thunderbolts* ending explained and First Steps ending explained articles.

Next, the Russos told me the next two Avengers flicks will take inspiration from both 'Secret Wars' comic book series. The MCU hasn't directly adapted many comics storylines, so it's interesting to hear them confirm as much. Regardless, I won't spoil anything about either comic book run here in case you haven't read them. That said, Marvel detectives think they've solved Avengers: Doomsday's story – or, at the very least, part of it, so I'm curious to see if their theory is proved correct once the film is released.

In March, it appeared other story elements and cast announcements had been ruined by apparent concept art for Doomsday and Secret Wars leaked online. However, the Russos said this artwork doesn't spoil anything significant, so read into that what you will.

The Fantastic Four are expected to play a key role in Avengers: Doomsday (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Even if that leak gave us some idea about Doomsday and Secret Wars's plots, it doesn't mean their narratives won't have changed during production. Speaking to THR, Rebecca Romijn said the script was still being adjusted in late July, so what's shown in the aforementioned art may not be used anyway.

Moving away from spoilers, Anthony Mackie has opined (per IGN) that Avengers: Doomsday will recapture "that old Marvel feeling", whatever that means. He also told Deadline he'd like to see Cap 2.0 team up with the Fox-Verse's first iteration of the X-Men – and, if he gets his wish, it could see the mutants and Sam Wilson face off against The Fantastic Four. Indeed, speaking to Buzzfeed, Alan Cummings let slip that he'll fight Pascal's Mister Fantastic in Avengers 5, so a hero on hero battle could be part of proceedings.

It seems like everyone will make up at some stage, though. Behind-the-scenes images (thanks to the MCU News and Rumors X/Twitter fan account for the screenshots) show Ramirez's Falcon, Moss-Bachrach's The Thing, and Russell's US Agent standing in the same room together, so teamwork will eventually be the order of the day to tackle Doom.

A post shared by Robert Downey Jr. (@robertdowneyjr)

A photo posted by on

A voyage to Earth-828 will be on the cards, too. Marvel President Kevin Feige confirmed (via ComicBook.com and Marvel.com) that scenes had been shot in the Baxter Building, so expect some MCU heroes to go on a multiversal road trip to The Fantastic Four's home universe. Another set leak indicates we'll revisit the Time Variance Authority (TVA), which isn't a huge surprise considering Loki's involvement in this flick.

Given the two-part nature of Doomsday and Secret Wars, it's likely we'll see the pair take a leaf out of Infinity War and Endgame's book, with Avengers 5 ending on a potentially lethal cliffhanger. Anthony Mackie has already suggested this'll be the case (via Collider). Meanwhile, Hemsworth gave Marvel fans a shock when he posted a 'thank you' video on YouTube that had people wondering if Thor was going to die in Avengers: Doomsday.

Hemsworth has since said (per THR) that said video was taken out of context, but I wouldn't be stunned if the next Avengers film kills off a bunch of current and legacy Marvel characters to make its ending hit as hard as possible.

How will Avengers: Doomsday set up Secret Wars and the MCU 2.0?

Avengers: Secret Wars will arrive in December 2027 (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The short answer is: I don't know. Nobody outside of Avengers: Doomsday's cast and crew, plus Marvel executives, know how it'll specifically impact Secret Wars.

Nevertheless, the Russos and Feige have confirmed that the MCU will undergo a soft reboot post-Secret Wars. The former have said they're actually telling "a beginning story" with the next two Avengers movies, while Feige has insinuated (via Variety) that Secret Wars will act as a "reset" for Marvel's cinematic juggernaut.

Outside of this "reset" setting the stage for an exciting future that'll be all about the X-Men, it's unclear what form it'll take or which heroes will populate it. Considering Avengers 6 won't be out for another two and a half year (at the time of this article's latest update), it'll be a while before we find out, too.

For more Marvel coverage, find out how to watch the Marvel movies in order. Alternatively, see if you agree with my ranking of the best Marvel movies, which MCU films made it onto my best superhero movies list, and/or get the lowdown on Daredevil: Born Again season 2.

Industry 4.0 is reshaping the manufacturing industry and one of the key catalysts to its success is AI. But, given its productivity and quality benefits, why do over 60% of UK manufacturers not have AI implemented into their operations? It’s not as simple as other plug-and-play add-ons, AI needs to be fed on quality data and that’s lacking in today's manufacturing industry.

AI systems are only as good as the data they are fed on. Here, Nicholas highlights the roadmap data needs to follow before it can be fed into AI systems to gain actionable insights – from data cleaning and storage to the hybrid pathway to smart factories.

AI success hinges on AI-ready data. So much so that Gartner predicts 60% of AI projects unsupported by AI-ready data will be abandoned by the end of 2026. There is no shortage of data in the manufacturing industry. Data comes from machine sensors, IoT devices, and control systems but this raw data is not AI-ready straight away. First, it must be cleaned, contextualized, structured, and processed.

AI can easily miss signals or raise false alarms when it’s fed on uncontextualized data. For manufacturers to ensure this is the case, a data platform with secure governance and quality control is required. This foundation can ensure AI is fed accurate and reliable data. Here are the steps manufacturers need to take to make AI-ready data a reality:

1: Data hygiene – simplifying data ensures a smooth AI journey

The multiple sources of data in the manufacturing industry can cause headaches for AI when trying to interpret and understand the data. Ensuring data is accurate, consistent, and complete is crucial.

Contextual metadata such as machine ID, timestamps, digital product passports, and batch numbers can help manufacturers fix errors, handle missing values, validate sensor outputs, remove duplicates, and flag anomalies before data is fed into AI platforms.

2: Management & Security – clear data ownership is key in the most cyberattacked industry

For three years running, manufacturing has been the most cyberattacked industry and with data coming from multiple sources, the threat of cyberattacks is vast. Manufacturers need to ensure sensitive data is securely managed by utilizing role-based access control and encryption.

First, clear ownership of data needs to be established with access rights and compliance rules, then a data catalogue can be developed so stakeholders know where data is, when it’s available, and how to access it.

3: Make data silos a thing of the past – centralize and contextualize data

One of the biggest barriers to effective data use in manufacturing is the siloing of Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT). To overcome this, data must be brought into a central platform. But consolidation alone isn’t enough – standardized definitions are needed to align data from the top floor to the factory floor.

Using a unified namespace or knowledge base helps connect equipment, processes, and sensor streams, reducing confusion and enabling consistency across the business.

With these foundations in place, manufacturers can transform raw industrial data into a structured digital twin. The next step? Feeding that data into advanced analytics and machine learning.

4: Old legacy and batch processes won’t cut it – time to upgrade your system

Once raw manufacturing data has been cleaned and contextualized, the next challenge facing manufacturers is where the data can be stored and processed. Many manufacturers still operate with outdated legacy databases and nightly batch processes which are unable to operate at the speed of Industry 4.0. In fact, over one-quarter of UK organizations have stated legacy technology as a key barrier to AI growth.

Enter, modern data architectures. These systems are flexible, scalable, and capable of handling large datasets and enable high-stake manufacturing environments such as supply chains, production lines, and maintenance schedules to operate with real-time insights.

5: Unify your business with a data lakehouse

In enabling real-time data insights, data can no longer be stored in data lakes, a traditional centralized system that can store large quantities of raw data in its native format. These are great for encapsulating sensor readings or machine logs for deeper analysis but without governance or structure they can quickly turn into ‘data swamps’. To move to the next level manufacturers, need to adopt a data lakehouse.

A data architect that combines the scale and flexibility of data lakes with the governance and schema management of a data warehouse allows for all areas of the business to work from one unified platform. This means everyone from data scientists who are interested in the raw, unstructured data, to business analysts who want well-structured data tables can work and collaborate using the same system.

But that’s not all. Through enabling machine learning, business intelligence and predictive analysis, data lakehouses can store data cheaply while enforcing structure to foster collaboration and speed up analysis.

6: Speed is everything on the factory to reduce maintenance downtime

Given the fast-paced nature of the manufacturing industry, data loses value if it arrives late. Take a factory setting for example. If a crucial machine overheats or malfunctions, it needs to be reported and flagged instantly for maintenance to be actioned.

Real-time streaming technologies process sensor data the moment it’s generated, enabling immediate action when issues arise. But the benefits go further – automated fault detection can spot anomalies in machine temperature or vibration, while live dashboards give operators instant visibility into throughput and quality.

The result? Faster response times, fewer disruptions, and smarter process adjustments reduce downtime, minimize waste, and boost efficiency.

7: Unlock smart factories with a hybrid edge-to-cloud model

In today’s modern manufacturing industry, many data architectures process all data following an edge-to-cloud model. Edge computing devices in the factory handle the here-and-now tasks such as local inference for anomaly detection or filtering sensor noise and cloud computing devices store large-scale analytics, historical data analysis, and advanced AI model training. This hybrid model gives manufacturers low latency at the edge and the ability to tap into the vast quantities of data in the cloud systems.

The predictive maintenance aspect of the manufacturing digital transformation journey will benefit greatly from this approach as the edge devices do the real-time monitoring and the cloud utilizes aggregated data from multiple locations to refine AI models. This is crucial for manufacturers as a recent McKinsey report stated that predictive maintenance can reduce maintenance costs by 10 to 40% and downtime by 50% and increase asset lifetime by 20 to 40%.

Manufacturers must handle data with care to unlock AI’s true potential

The manufacturing industry is almost there in unlocking the true potential of AI. Manufacturers already have the data they need to make some strategic shifts and benefit from the powers of Industry 4.0 and AI. It’s not a simple process turning raw industrial data into AI-ready data, but the efficiency, quality, and profitability benefits make the process worth it!

We've featured the best IT Automation software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Trend Micro warns its customers about a critical-severity flaw in its endpoint protection solution
• It released a mitigation as it works on a patch
• Users are advised to apply the mitigations as soon as possible

Trend Micro is warning customers of an ongoing attack which abuses a critical severity vulnerability in one of its products.

The company said it recently discovered a command injection vulnerability in its on-prem version of the Apex One Management Console - an advanced endpoint security solution designed to protect enterprise networks from a wide range of threats.

The vulnerability is tracked as either CVE-2025-54948, or CVE-2025-54987, depending on the CPU architecture, and was assigned a severity score of 9.4/10 (critical). It allows threat actors to remotely run arbitrary code, including malware.

Working on a patch

Trend Micro said it aims to release a patch in mid-August 2025, which should also restore this function.

"For this particular vulnerability, an attacker must have access to the Trend Micro Apex One Management Console, so customers that have their console's IP address exposed externally should consider mitigating factors such as source restrictions if not already applied," the company said.

"However, even though an exploit may require several specific conditions to be met, Trend Micro strongly encourages customers to update to the latest builds as soon as possible."

So far, the company has seen at least one attack taking place in the wild, although it did not detail where, against whom, if it was effective, or who the threat actors are.

Since Apex One is mostly used in enterprise environments, and the bug allows remote code execution, it is safe to assume miscreants are using it to drop infostealers and ransomware encryptors, while stealing sensitive files for extortion.

With the flaws now being being abused in the wild, Trend Micro released a mitigation measure to help defend its customers as it works on a patch. The mitigation, according to the Japanese CERT, disables admins from using the Remote Install Agent function to deploy agents from the console.

Via BleepingComputer

You might also like

• Trend Micro users told to update and patch now - here's why
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

The Narwal Flow is the newest robot vacuum and mop in the company's lineup and its loaded with features for improved mopping and navigation. Here's what's new.

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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, August 7 (game #1291).

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 #1292) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

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

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

Quordle today (game #1292) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 3.

Quordle today (game #1292) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1292) - 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 #1292) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• K

• K

• R

• B

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

Quordle today (game #1292) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1292, are…

• KNEEL
• KINKY
• RALPH
• BOOZY

Another very difficult round and a close shave for me that came down to one last Hail Mary guess.

KINKY took me ages to get after failing with “windy” but it’s one I should have thought of as a regular player, as this word has come up a couple of times this year.

Daily Sequence today (game #1292) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1292, are…

• MINCE
• MISER
• FLUME
• TIMID

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1291, Thursday, 7 August: PLUNK, PROXY, CURVY, PEARL
• Quordle #1290, Wednesday, 6 August: RISKY, APART, FAUNA, HANDY
• Quordle #1289, Tuesday, 5 August: ROAST, SLICK, AUDIT, BILLY
• Quordle #1288, Monday, 4 August: MACAW, SINCE, COLON, CHIRP
• Quordle #1287, Sunday, 3 August: MOTIF, LEERY, LOFTY, BURST
• Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
• Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
• Quordle #1284, Thursday, 31 July: STYLE, VALET, AGONY, ALLOY
• Quordle #1283, Wednesday, 30 July: DEBAR, ADMIN, FOLIO, USAGE
• Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
• Quordle #1281, Monday, 28 July: CANDY, TRYST, SHIRT, FORGO
• Quordle #1280, Sunday, 27 July: TRAWL, BALER, PIANO, MINCE
• Quordle #1279, Saturday, 26 July: MUDDY, SAINT, KINKY, POLAR
• Quordle #1278, Friday, 25 July: BONUS, RESIN, CEDAR, MADAM
• Quordle #1277, Thursday, 24 July: AGONY, VERVE, GLEAN, MINUS
• Quordle #1276, Wednesday, 23 July: OZONE, PENCE, ROOMY, WIDER
• Quordle #1275, Tuesday, 22 July: OPTIC, GIDDY, VOCAL, ADULT
• Quordle #1274, Monday, 21 July: KNEED, SNAIL, PINTO, FEAST
• Quordle #1273, Sunday, 20 July: GRACE, COUNT, EGRET, GIANT

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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, August 7 (game #788).

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 #789) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• DEGREE
• DRAW
• PAC-MAN
• VEST
• PAINT
• PRESENT
• TIE
• DOODLE
• MARVEL
• SQUARE
• SPACE
• EVEN
• DOZE
• GRANT
• CONFER
• PASS NOTES

NYT Connections today (game #789) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Words that describe a 1-1 scoreline 
• GREEN: To give
• BLUE: Drifting off
• PURPLE: Two consonants with several meanings

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 #789) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: MAKE EQUAL, AS A SCORE 
• GREEN: BESTOW 
• BLUE: THINGS YOU MIGHT DO DURING A BORING CLASS/ MEETING 
• PURPLE: WORDS AFTER THE LETTERS "MS" 

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

NYT Connections today (game #789) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #789, are…

• YELLOW: MAKE EQUAL, AS A SCORE DRAW, EVEN, SQUARE, TIE
• GREEN: BESTOW CONFER, GRANT, PRESENT, VEST
• BLUE: THINGS YOU MIGHT DO DURING A BORING CLASS/ MEETING DOODLE, DOZE, PASS NOTES, SPACE
• PURPLE: WORDS AFTER THE LETTERS "MS" DEGREE, MARVEL, PAC-MAN, PAINT

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Fail

Today’s Connections flew way over my head. I’d already used up two mistakes on the easiest group, so the odds were stacked against me.

And yes I did think DRAW, PAINT and DOODLE should be in a group together and in search of a last one picked PRESENT for no logical reason whatsoever – this was not my greatest day.

If you found this edition straightforward and the word SPACE didn’t send you into a tailspin of confusion (surely it should have said “space out”) then kudos. 

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, August 7, game #788)

• YELLOW: MOUSE ACTIONS CLICK, DRAG, HOVER, SCROLL
• GREEN: PERFORATE BORE, PIERCE, POKE, PUNCH
• BLUE: ONES WITH POINTY EARS BATMAN, DEVIL, ELF, VULCAN
• PURPLE: WIMBLEDON WINNERS BORG, GRAF, KING, SINNER

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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, August 7 (game #522).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Kings of swing and bebop

NYT Strands today (game #523) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• HARD
• DUETS
• STAIR
• WARD
• FATE
• SAFE

NYT Strands today (game #523) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #523) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 3rd column

Last side: top, 4th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #523) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #523, are…

• DUKE
• COUNT
• HAWK
• DIZZY
• CANNONBALL
• YARDBIRD
• FATS
• SPANGRAM: JAZZ CATS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

Thanks to my father’s love of old-time jazz I was pretty familiar with most of the “cats” we were searching for today, but I had to google YARDBIRD and HAWK.

For the record, today's words referred to pianists DUKE Ellington, FATS Domino and COUNT Basie, saxophonist CANNONBALL Adderley, and trumpeter DIZZY Gillespie.

The last two words were nicknames for two legendary saxophonists – Yardbird for Charlie Parker and Hawk for Coleman Hawkins.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, August 7, game #522)

• STEADY
• SOUND
• DEVOTED
• FIRM
• CONSTANT
• UNWAVERING
• SPANGRAM: HOLD FAST

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.

Americans get about 55% of our calories from tasty, cheap — and unhealthy — manufactured foods, the latest data from CDC says. For kids, the percentage is even higher.

(Image credit: Dan Kitwood)

Harry Kane faces his old club in a preseason friendly at the Allianz Arena.

• Gemini CLI gets Github Actions version with full integration into your repo
• It's an autonomous agent and collaborator all in one
• There are free tiers with plenty of requests

Just weeks after Google launched Gemini CLI, its open source AI agent to integrate Gemini into a user's terminal, the company has partnered up with Microsoft-owned GitHub to launch Gemini CLI GitHub Actions.

The company described Gemini CLI GitHub Actions as a free, beta-stage AI teammate that lives within a GitHub repo, capable of acting as an autonomous agent and an on-demand collaborator.

Gemini CLI GitHub Actions can auto-label, prioritze and filter new issues, provide instant feedback on quality, style and correctness, and collaborate on-demand with the @gemini-cli command to write tests, implement fixes, brainstorm and more.

GitHub teams up with Google to bring Gemini CLI to users

Speaking about how the tool was built, Senior Software Engineer Jerop Kipruto and Senior Director Ryan J. Salva explained: "When community members noticed our new workflows, they asked us to share what we’ve built."

"Triggered by events like new issues or pull requests, it works asynchronously in the background, using the full context of your project to automatically handle tasks," the software workers explained in a blog post.

Google also noted its commitment to enterprise-grade security, noting that Vertex AI and Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise users can use Google Cloud's Workload Identity Federation (WIF) to eliminate the need for long-lived API keys, tightening security by reducing the risk of compromise.

The GitHub Actions version of Gemini CLI is available to try in beta today – Gemini Code Assist Free Tier users get 60 requests per minute and 1000 requests per day, but other account types have different quotas.

In a separate post before GitHub's involvement, Google boasted the Gemini command line interface (CLI) tool gives developers the "most direct path from your prompt to [its] model."

You might also like

• We've listed the best AI tools and best AI writers
• Are you a developer? Consider adopting one of the best IDEs for Python
• Google has a new AI coding agent - and it's now free for everyone to use