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• New Microsoft Teams Rooms features transform meeting spaces into communication hubs
• Flexibility for hybrid meetings with third-party platform integration
• IntelliFrame technology optimizes remote attendee engagement and visibility

As the demand for hybrid work solutions grows, Microsoft Teams Rooms is adding digital signage and advanced AI tools aimed at fostering greater collaboration in the workplace.

The new features allow for displays to function in signage mode when not in active use for meetings. It also enables organizations to broadcast company information, announcements, or multimedia content, transforming meeting spaces into hubs for communication.

Furthermore, it integrates two content management systems (CMS), Appspace and XOGO, which allows for streamlined onboarding and management of Teams Rooms devices within these CMS platforms.

Microsoft Teams Rooms digital signage

In a blog post, Microsoft outlined how it released signage mode to boost communication. When a display is not in use, it can be set to signage mode which enables it to intermittently display specific information like upcoming events, company news, internal campaigns etc.

Also, through the Teams Rooms Pro Management portal, users can configure digital signage settings, select preferred CMS providers, and manage content from a central location. For organizations using different CMS systems, custom web URLs can be added as signage sources, providing flexibility beyond the pre-integrated solutions.

Additionally, the signage mode can be activated based on a timer, which specifies idle display time, automatically switching off before scheduled meetings to prepare for use.

Microsoft is also rolling out new AI-driven features designed to enhance online collaboration in Teams Rooms, using Copilot to will provide intelligent meeting recaps and action items, aiming to improve information retention and foster productivity for in-person, remote, and hybrid meetings alike.

Teams Rooms will use Microsoft’s speaker recognition technology to isolate individual voices, even in noisy environments, allowing participants in busy or shared workspaces to communicate more effectively. These Copilot capabilities will eventually even extend to impromptu meetings held in person, allowing users to activate the assistant even without a formal meeting set up.

To ensure an inclusive experience for remote attendees, Microsoft has implemented IntelliFrame, a feature that individually frames participants to improve engagement and visibility, including automatic camera switching, selecting the best view based on multiple in-room camera angles, promising a more immersive experience for remote attendees.

Recognizing the evolving nature of the workplace, Microsoft has introduced improvements for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) meeting rooms and bookable desks. New updates, like shared display mode, allow users to easily share content while preserving privacy for desktop items, and also add intelligent audio features including speaker recognition.

Furthermore, IT administrators can gain access to valuable data for inventory management and space planning through the Teams Rooms Pro Management portal. The portal’s new remote management features provide a centralized solution for overseeing Teams Rooms and Surface Hub devices, enabling IT staff to configure software, troubleshoot issues, and maintain system performance remotely.

For cross-platform collaboration, Microsoft is expanding SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) compatibility, enabling Teams Rooms to connect seamlessly with third-party conferencing services like Google Meet, Zoom, Cisco Webex, and others.

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• Google Agentspace wants to use AI to help you find out all the work information you need

Prime Minister Edi Rama said over the weekend that the government will shut down TikTok for one year, accusing the popular video service of inciting violence and bullying, especially among children.

(Image credit: Kiichiro Sato)

People who missed one of the COVID stimulus payments or had received less than the full amount were able to claim the credit.

(Image credit: J. David Ake)

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Dec. 23.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 561 for Monday, Dec. 23.

Here are some hints -- and the answers -- for the Dec. 23 Strands puzzle, No. 295.

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1,283 for Dec. 23.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections: Sports Edition No. 91 for Monday, Dec. 23.

This Is Us. In a legal complaint, the actor accuses co-star and director Justin Baldoni and his team of attacking her reputation after she spoke up about his and a producer's alleged "repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior" on set.'/>

In a legal complaint, the actor says co-star Justin Baldoni and his team launched a smear campaign as a way to silence Lively's narrative about his and a producer's alleged repeated sexual harassment.

(Image credit: Scott Garfitt)

We’re in the midst of the Apple Vision Pro’s first holiday season – I know, we all can’t wait to wish it season’s greetings – and there is a fantastic update in the form of VisionOS 2.2. And no, it’s not the arrival of Apple Intelligence.

First teased back in June 2024 at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference was a major upgrade to the Mac Virtual Display experience – new display sizes, including a behemoth ultrawide curved monitor view. It’s always been a popular feature of the $3,500 Spatial Computer, the fact that you can stream your Mac display – as long as it’s an M-series-powered unit – directly to your Vision Pro with almost no noticeable lag.

Whether you’re stuck in a middle seat on an airplane, yearning for a larger screen, or just working from home and wanting a bigger monitor that can be stretched to what feels like infinity, Mac Virtual Display on the Vision Pro simply got the job done. Still, it was a classic flat monitor digitized; it didn’t have a wrap-around effect.

That’s solved now, though. In a demo where I got to play Lies of Pi streamed from a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and do some daily business in macOS Sequoia from a Mac mini with M2 or a 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3, it was a lightbulb moment.

Wide or Ultrawide feels like a new dimension for the Vision Pro

(Image credit: Apple)

In the demo, I sat in a pretty cozy chair, selected Mac Virtual Display by simply staring at a 16-inch MacBook Pro in Space Black, and then was greeted by a sub-menu instead of just firing up the display. You can now choose from three sizes: standard, wide, or ultra-wide.

Standard is, as you might suspect, the standard experience we’ve had since day one on the Apple Vision Pro with two key differences – it’s now at a 5K resolution and is slightly curved to make it more natural to use.

Wide is cool at 21:9, but Ultrawide kicks it into well ultra-high-gear at 32:9, which is the equivalent of two displays side-by-side, as what Apple says is a 5K resolution.

It looks undeniably sharp and really gives the impression that it wraps around you. Much like any window within VisionOS, you can stretch it up by looking at the bottom corner and simply pulling with your pinched thumb and forefinger. I especially liked this, and unlike a conventional curved monitor – maybe one from TechRadar’s best gaming monitor list – you’re not locked into whatever size you select based on the monitor you can buy.

I was able to resize the monitor to a supersized curved screen that filled the room when I wanted to be in the action of Lies of P, but I could also shrink it down to see other folks in the space or even dim the lights to an evening on the Moon. It’s especially immersive for gaming, and I like that audio from the Mac can pass through the Spatial capable speakers on Vision Pro or AirPods Pro.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

It also makes the Vision Pro an even better fit for extending the power of the Mac – be it a Mac mini, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro. Many, if not all, of the M-powered Macs, can handle these AAA gaming titles and dozens of Apple Arcade titles, but there’s also something to be said about working within Vision Pro and just using your Mac. In fact, I wrote this piece on the ultra-wide screen.

Of course, you need to be comfortable wearing a headset and invest in the Vision Pro at $3,500 (starting). We’ve been wondering about a potential killer app or experience for the Vision Pro.

My colleague Lance Ulanoff wrote about one year of Apple’s Spatial Computer earlier this year. Still, this type of experience with the Mac is really spectacular. Rumors of a potential collaboration with Sony PlayStation for more supported controller types make the prospect of future games you could play on a Mac in UltraWide on the Vision Pro quite exciting.

It was a long road for visionOS 2.0 to release fully, and visionOS 2.2 finally delivers a better view of the Standard Mac Virtual Display and two new sizes; it makes the experience even better.

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

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my 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 #1064) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* 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 #1064) - 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 2.

Quordle today (game #1064) - 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 #1064) - 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 #1064) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• S

• E

• T

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

Quordle today (game #1064) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1064, are…

• SNAKE
• SAVVY
• ELBOW
• TWEED

I crashed out today, guessing the wrong double letters twice for SAVVY.

All was going so well as I landed on SNAKE and ELBOW fairly quickly, and had TWEED been my guess of TWEET I’m certain I would have completed the quartet.

Some days you just have to accept that you’ve been beaten.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1064) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1064, are…

• CRUSH
• ENSUE
• SCOUR
• BEGIN

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1063, Sunday 22 December: DOUBT, SLURP, PAPER, CIVIL
• Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF
• 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

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 #560) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BOAT
• U
• BOWL
• M
• THOU
• CREW
• V
• YOU
• 8
• EWE
• SCOOP
• GLUE
• TUESDAY
• K
• GRAND
• YEW

NYT Connections today (game #561) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Soundalikes
• GREEN: T-shirts
• BLUE: Money slang 
• PURPLE: “Man” would be another 

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 #561) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: HOMOPHONES
• GREEN: NECKLINES
• BLUE: WAYS TO EXPRESS 1,000 
• PURPLE: SUPER 

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

NYT Connections today (game #561) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #561, are…

• YELLOW: HOMOPHONES EWE, U, YEW, YOU
• GREEN: NECKLINES BOAT, CREW, SCOOP, V
• BLUE: WAYS TO EXPRESS 1,000 GRAND, K, M, THOU
• PURPLE: SUPER 8, BOWL, GLUE, TUESDAY

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

I knew today was going to be a tough one when I saw the M, U, 8, and K and so it proved, for me at least, as I struggled with a mind block after getting HOMOPHONES.

Had SUPER included Man instead of TUESDAY I would have got there. Living in the UK, our Tuesdays are just your regular Tuesdays and none have ever been described as Super. It’s probably the last day of the week that should be described as “Super”. Monday you have the hope of a fresh week and new possibilities, Wednesday you’re nearly over the midweek hump, Thursday is virtually Friday and Friday is almost Saturday – an actual Super day.

THOU also threw me, as I got stuck on the archaic pronunciation, rather than WAYS TO EXPRESS 1,000, and M confused me too, with my mind going to the James Bond character before the Roman numerals – something the Super BOWL uses to differentiate between years.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, 22 December, game #560)

• YELLOW: SLANG FOR HEAD COCONUT, CROWN, DOME, SKULL
• GREEN: PALINDROMES ABBA, KAYAK, NUN, STATS
• BLUE: POLICE PROCEDURALS BONES, ELEMENTARY, KOJAK, MONK
• PURPLE: FIRST IN A COMEDY DUO ABBOTT, FRY, KEY, LAUREL

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Pass the eggnog

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• BRING
• BEAR
• DRAY
• PEEP
• BARD
• MAIN

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Festive taste

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 1st column

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #295) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #295, are…

• COCOA
• GINGERBREAD
• CRANBERRY
• PEPPERMINT
• SPANGRAM: HOLIDAY FLAVOR

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Call me fussym but I’m not a great fan of raw eggs in drinks and just the idea of them makes me feel suddenly queasy – so, yes I will pass on the eggnog.

Every other Christmas/HOLIDAY FLAVOR then I am all in, although my favorite – cinnamon – hasn’t made today’s short and sweet Strands. Which is odd, as you’d surely rank it higher in the list than PEPPERMINT, which has 12 months of the year to star on people’s taste buds thanks to its domination of the gum and toothpaste markets. Mmmmm… the holiday flavor of toothpaste.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 22 December, game #294)

• SNOW
• BELLS
• GLISTENING
• WALKING
• SLEIGH
• SPANGRAM: WINTER WONDERLAND

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.

One Minute Review

The fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat blends a terrific redesign with the smart features that we've all come to expect from the company's devices. Google arguably set the bar very high back in 2011, with a control set that mirrored an iPod, and the ability to learn your cooling or heating schedule from the get-go.

Between the facelift that makes it look more like a piece of art on your wall and the 'AI' power infused into its already well-regarded learning features, the fourth-generation Learning Thermostat is a pretty easy recommendation for most folks. Even when accounting for the price increase of up to $280, the fourth-generation model is more than a bit smarter, and now includes a temperature sensor in the box as well.

I especially liked the smaller changes, including the ability to accept or decline suggested temperature changes to my schedule, but besides the design, the best functionality change is the adjustable and more helpful display. Displaying the active temperature and visual for the weather from afar, and showing highs and lows as I get close, the FarSight feature means the new Nest Learning Thermostat is useful even when I'm not using it to adjust temperatures.

Setup within the Google Home app was easy for me, but my colleagues weren't as lucky, and most of the experience with the app is pretty basic. It might be intentional, but something a bit more full-featured would have been nice. Even so, adding Matter will make the folks waiting to use a Nest natively in the Apple Home app pretty darn happy. Myself included.

As a whole, the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat evolves into the modern age of the smart home in a successful fashion, which I think will make folks upgrading from a previous model quite happy (even though it's not plug-and-play). People new to Nest will find it to be feature-filled. That makes the decision of only releasing the fourth generation in the United States and Canada a bit more baffling.

Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen: price and availability

The Nest Learning Thermostat Fourth-Generation is available in the United States and Canada. You get your pick of Polished Gold, Polished Silver, or Polished Obsidian for $279.99 in the United States, or $379.99 in Canada. A temperature sensor is included in the box, but you can buy a single additional unit for $29.99 or a three-pack for $99.99.

As of now, there is no timeframe for when the fourth generation might launch outside the United States or Canada.

Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen: design

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

• The new Nest Learning Thermostat looks stunning.
• It was a simple install, though it's not plug-and-play if you're upgrading from an existing Nest.
• The larger, upgraded display steals the show and navigation is still impressively simple.

While the fourth generation model still inherently operates like the original Nest Learning Thermostat that dropped way back in 2011, it’s by far the biggest redesign the device has ever received. When mounted on the wall, it looks more like a piece of art hanging than a thermostat – especially in the ‘Polished Gold’ that I’ve been testing, which gives major rosy vibes when the light hits it right.

It’s the best-looking smart thermostat around, neither screaming 'technology' nor resembling a classic plastic thermostat. It’s sort of a cross between the two, with a design that allows the true smarts of the Nest Thermostat to shine through. More on that later.

Rather than a small, thick circular thermostat that gets placed on a bracket and then a mounting plate if you so desire, the Nest Thermostat fourth-generation has a slightly larger footprint on the wall itself. That’s not a bad thing, because this circular piece is attached via the bracket to your wall, acting as the stand for the thermostat's slim and elegant main hull.

It’s kind of like a supersize Google Pixel Watch 3, with the 3.9-inch circular, almost bezel-free dome giving the impression that it’s floating. You’ll turn this whole piece to the right or left to raise or lower the temperature. Google’s design team is still adamantly against touchscreens here, so you’ll click and turn it to complete most other tasks too (including some parts of the setup process), but you'll mainly use it to adjust heating and cooling modes.

The installation was really a breeze; in my apartment in New Jersey, where I’ve been testing the fourth-generation Nest Thermostat for several months, it took me no more than about 15 to 20 minutes to install. I wasn’t upgrading from a previous Nest, but considering the plate here is a different size, you will need to swap those out if you are. That's kind of a bummer, as it’s not a super simple swap for the faithful already invested in the ecosystem.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Still, Google provides mostly everything in the box, including the main bracket and a helpful wiring guide. Essentially, you’ll install the main steel bracket and use the included screws to get that on the wall. Then you have the thermostat base, which you’ll guide the wires through. You also get the mounting plate, which I opted to use, but that's optional.

Google is continuously moving things into its main Google Home app, which my colleague Lance Ulanoff, TechRadar’s Editor-at-Large, found particularly troublesome when trying to install his fourth-gen Nest Learning Thermostat. In my case, since I was setting this up as new in my ‘Google Home,’ things went a bit more smoothly – though Google Home did take a few tries to successfully connect to the thermostat after proper installation with wiring in my HVAC system, and ultimately, it’s a very basic control app for this thermostat.

The idea is that if you're currently using the Nest app, it will push you to use the Google Home app instead, and if you’re new, you’ll need to start with Google Home. Even if you bought the Nest Learning Thermostat for its Matter capability so you can use it with Apple's Home app (which does work eventually), you need to start with Google Home. Luckily, the team brought the easy installation help to the Google app, which will perform some checks, including a test of heating and cooling modes.

Once it's set up in Google Home, you get to take advantage of the major benefit of the Nest Learning Thermostat, and that’s the Matter support. Oddly enough, there is no Thread connectivity here, which is a strange omission. If you select your Nest Learning Thermostat within the Google Home app and then navigate to Settings > Device information > Linked Matter apps & services, it will generate a code that you can scan or send to Apple’s Home app, for example. You can also select and review the Matter code on the Nest Learning Thermostat itself.

You’ll need to set it up with a Google account in the Google Home app first, but the nice thing about a Nest thermostat is that the app eventually fades away, and you can focus on controlling it from the device itself or let the smart scheduling take the wheel.

As far as the classic mechanic, it’s smooth as ever with just the right amount of resistance to maneuvering the dial I’ve had more than a few friends ask me what it is when spotting it on the wall in the front of my apartment – it’s simply an eye-catcher.

The 3.9-inch LCD screen almost appears like it’s hidden behind the finish – a cool effect – and the content can change based on where you are. For example, if it doesn’t detect you directly nearby, it will use larger graphics that can be seen from a distance. If you approach, the Soli sensor – read as radar – will detect you and adjust the content as you get nearer. It’s dubbed the ‘Farsight’ display, and you can adjust it to show high and low temperatures, air quality, and even weather. You’ll set these from the device itself, but the weather animations are really neat.

It’s also a point of difference with competing thermostats like those from Ecobee, which tosses a speaker and a microphone into select models. I think the Nest Thermostat packs features that make more sense. Seeing the weather quickly as you’re heading out the door or picking what coat to wear is neat.

The display feels inherently meshed with this new look – it won’t steer away the folks who have loved Nest from the beginning, and it really looks dynamite. There also isn’t a better control system than just turning to the left or right and pushing in. Apple had it first with the iPod, but considering multitouch, I think it’s the gold standard for thermostat control.

• Design Score: 4.5/5

Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen: Performance

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

• The Google Home app is pretty basic, and it has some connectivity issues.
• Yes, the Nest finally works with Apple Home.
• The AI-infused learning features impress and make cooling or heating a home easier.

I’ve been testing the Nest Thermostat Fourth-Generation for several months, which means I’ve used it for a few seasons, including summer, fall, and winter. That’s pretty important to see how the smart scheduling reasoning and, ultimately, the functionality of the Nest handle the swap from cooling to heating.

Much like any other gadget released in 2024, Google has tossed in some AI capabilities, mainly affecting how the Nest Thermostat adjusts the temperature. This makes the previous learning aspects of Nest – arguably, the main appeal – a bit smarter and quicker once you get in a rhythm, but also more actionable. For instance, with the new Smart Schedule feature, you can accept or decline the adjustments it suggests, whether that’s a degree or cooler at night or warmer in the morning.

Further, as it begins to notice the change from cooling or heating, it takes a few days to stop suggestions and focus on learning before updating and delivering a custom schedule that you can manage if you like.

These minute changes that the Nest Thermostat suggests could lower your energy bill (aka the cost of cooling or heating your home), but you may not see those impacts immediately. What you might be able to do here in the United States is to see if your utility provider offers any rebate for the cost, as the latest Nest isn’t the cheapest.

Beyond learning from your habits and adjustments – on the thermostat, via the app, or through a smart assistant – it will consider conditions around your home. For example, if it’s a warmer day in the winter, it might lower your heating temperature to save on energy and factor in that your home might stay warmer for longer on its own. It's the same thing for a cooler summer day, and it works quite well. Similarly, if your forecast predicts a frigid temperature turn, it might turn the heating on earlier to ensure you’re still at a comfortable temperature in your home.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

As with previous Nest thermostats, you can expect all of these to get better as you spend more time with the unit, and that’s exactly what I’ve found. I wouldn’t go into it expecting it to master your desired temperatures after just a few days, but you need to spend a week or two with it to see meaningful suggestions.

The thermostat also comes with a pebble-shaped sensor, which helps measure the temperature more accurately inside your home. The idea is to place this somewhere in your house away from the Nest Thermostat, which contains its own sensor, so it can get a proper read of the temperature and ensure the desired conditions are found throughout.

Including this in the box is pretty nice, and helps to make up for the price increase to $280. Unfortunately, although the Nest Thermostat works with Matter and therefore Apple Home the sensor doesn’t seem to move over. There were also several occasions when adjusting the temperature in the Apple Home app didn't work properly the first time, especially shortly after I first installed the unit. Thankfully that's now become far less frequent, and I’ve successfully controlled it from a range of Apple devices and through Siri. You can also integrate it through automation within Apple Home; the same goes for Google Home’s automation.

As far as the Google Home app goes, it’s pretty basic for controlling the Nest Learning Thermostat, but that might be intentional as the real appeal is these AI-infused learning features, which ultimately still impress. The fourth-generation Nest Thermostat shows an evolution in terms of features and revolution with design, but it’s still a compelling experience that lets you spend less time fiddling with a thermostat.

• Performance Score: 4/5

Scorecard Should I buy theNest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen? Buy it if...

You want an easy-to-use, good-looking thermostat

There's never been a better-looking thermostat than the fourth-generation Nest, and luckily, it keeps the impressive controls that made it a winner back in 2011.

You want a Nest Thermostat that works with Apple Home

Thanks to Matter support, after setup in the Google Home app, you can easily generate a code and add the Nest to your Apple Home.

You want a thermostat that factors in environmental conditions and does the heavy lifting for you...

Like every Nest thermostat before it, the learning features are the stand out feature here and it now factors in your local weather to see if it needs to adjust the temperature.

Don't buy it if...

You're not in the United States or Canada

Sadly, the fourth-generation Nest is only available in the US and Canada, so you'll need to consider a different model.

You don't want to use the Google Home app

You'll need to have a Google account and use the Google Home app to setup and get the most out of the Nest Learning Thermostat.View Deal

Also consider

Nest Thermostat E – Read our review here

With a much more affordable price tag, the Nest Thermostat E is an excellent model to consider if you can find it in stock as it utilizes the same easy controls that put Nest on the map.View Deal

• Memristors to bring brain-like computing to AI systems
• Atomically tunable devices offer energy-efficient AI processing
• Neuromorphic circuits open new possibilities for artificial intelligence

A new frontier in semiconductor technology could be closer than ever after the development of atomically tunable "memristors” which are cutting-edge memory resistors that emulate the human brain's neural network.

With funding from the National Science Foundation’s Future of Semiconductors program (FuSe2), this initiative aims to create devices that enable neuromorphic computing - a next-generation approach designed for high-speed, energy-efficient processing that mimics the brain’s ability to learn and adapt.

At the core of this innovation is the creation of ultrathin memory devices with atomic-scale control, potentially revolutionizing AI by allowing memristors to act as artificial synapses and neurons. These devices have the potential to significantly enhance computing power and efficiency, opening new possibilities for artificial intelligence applications, all while training a new generation of experts in semiconductor technology.

Neuromorphic computing challenges

The project focuses on solving one of the most fundamental challenges in modern computing: achieving the precision and scalability needed to bring brain-inspired AI systems to life.

To develop energy-efficient, high-speed networks that function like the human brain, memristors are the key components. They can store and process information simultaneously, making them particularly suited to neuromorphic circuits where they can facilitate the type of parallel data processing seen in biological brains, potentially overcoming limitations in traditional computing architectures.

The joint research effort between the University of Kansas (KU) and the University of Houston led by Judy Wu, a distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy at KU is supported by a $1.8 million grant from FuSe2.

Wu and her team have pioneered a method for achieving sub-2-nanometer thickness in memory devices, with film layers approaching an astonishing 0.1 nanometers — approximately 10 times thinner than the average nanometer scale.

These advancements are crucial for future semiconductor electronics, as they allow for the creation of devices that are both extremely thin and capable of precise functionality, with large-area uniformity. The research team will also use a co-design approach that integrates material design, fabrication, and testing.

In addition to its scientific aims, the project also has a strong focus on workforce development. Recognizing the growing need for skilled professionals in the semiconductor industry, the team has designed an educational outreach component led by experts from both universities.

“The overarching goal of our work is to develop atomically ‘tunable’ memristors that can act as neurons and synapses on a neuromorphic circuit. By developing this circuit, we aim to enable neuromorphic computing. This is the primary focus of our research," said Wu.

"We want to mimic how our brain thinks, computes, makes decisions and recognizes patterns — essentially, everything the brain does with high speed and high energy efficiency."

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• Androxgh0st’s integration with Mozi amplifies global risks
• IoT vulnerabilities are the new battleground for cyberattacks
• Proactive monitoring is essential to combat emerging botnet threats

Researchers have recently identified a major evolution in the Androxgh0st botnet, which has grown more dangerous with the integration of the Mozi botnet’s capabilities.

What began as a web server-targeted attack in early 2024 has now expanded, allowing Androxgh0st to exploit vulnerabilities in IoT devices, CloudSEK’s Threat Research team has said.

Its latest report claims the botnet is now equipped with Mozi’s advanced techniques for infecting and spreading across a wide range of networked devices.

The resurgence of Mozi: A unified botnet infrastructure

Mozi, previously known for infecting IoT devices like Netgear and D-Link routers, was believed to be inactive following a killswitch activation in 2023.

However, CloudSEK has revealed Androxgh0st has integrated Mozi’s propagation capabilities, significantly amplifying its potential to target IoT devices.

By deploying Mozi’s payloads, Androxgh0st now has a unified botnet infrastructure that leverages specialized tactics to infiltrate IoT networks. This fusion enables the botnet to spread more efficiently through vulnerable devices, including routers and other connected technology, making it a more formidable force.

Beyond its integration with Mozi, Androxgh0st has expanded its range of targeted vulnerabilities, exploiting weaknesses in critical systems. CloudSEK’s analysis shows Androxgh0st is now actively attacking major technologies, including Cisco ASA, Atlassian JIRA, and several PHP frameworks.

In Cisco ASA systems, the botnet exploits cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, injecting malicious scripts through unspecified parameters. It also targets Atlassian JIRA with a path traversal vulnerability (CVE-2021-26086), allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive files. In PHP frameworks, Androxgh0st exploits older vulnerabilities such as those in Laravel (CVE-2018-15133) and PHPUnit (CVE-2017-9841), facilitating backdoor access to compromised systems.

Androxgh0st’s threat landscape is not limited to older vulnerabilities. It is also capable of exploiting newly discovered vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2023-1389 in TP-Link Archer AX21 firmware, which allows for unauthenticated command execution, and CVE-2024-36401 in GeoServer, a vulnerability that can lead to remote code execution.

The botnet now also uses brute-force credential stuffing, command injection, and file inclusion techniques to compromise systems. By leveraging Mozi’s IoT-focused tactics, it has significantly widened its geographical impact, spreading its infections across regions in Asia, Europe, and beyond.

CloudSEK recommends that organizations strengthen their security posture to mitigate potential attacks. While immediate patching is essential, proactive monitoring of network traffic is also important. By tracking suspicious outbound connections and detecting anomalous login attempts, particularly from IoT devices, organizations can spot early signs of an Androxgh0st-Mozi collaboration.

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