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NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, April 2 (game #395)

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 09:00
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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, April 1 (game #394).

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

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Shine on

NYT Strands today (game #395) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • DART
  • KITE
  • MARS
  • RATES
  • DATA
  • SHIP
NYT Strands today (game #395) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #395) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 4th 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 #395) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #395, are…

  • DAZZLE
  • TWINKLE
  • SHIMMER
  • SPARKLE
  • GLEAM
  • RADIATE
  • SPANGRAM: STAR POWER
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: 1 hint

The double-Z of DAZZLE set me on my way today as I ticked off these shine synonyms.

To anyone who is or was a parent the word TWINKLE will have added meaning as a key component of a nursery rhyme intended to lull tiny tots to sleep and also one of the first things learned during music lessons — for these reasons it’s equally nostalgic and irksome.

I’ve always struggled with fact that light from our nearest star system takes over four years to reach us, but then if you knew me this wouldn’t really surprise you, as when the clocks go forward or back I’m in a state of confusion for the rest of the week and constantly ask myself “yes, but what time is it really?”

The fact that the SPARKLE I’m seeing in the night sky is from 2021 hurts my brain almost as much as yesterday’s Connections.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, 1 April, game #394)
  • SHOWERS
  • BUDS
  • ROBINS
  • POLLEN
  • PUDDLES
  • BLOSSOMS
  • SPANGRAM: SPRINGTIME
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.

Categories: Technology

ChatGPT's Image Generation Tool Is Now Free for Everybody

CNET News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 08:53
OpenAI has opened up the formerly paywalled feature, allowing anyone to create images using ChatGPT 4o technology.
Categories: Technology

The Last of Us is reportedly getting a mysterious physical PS5 special edition soon and I think it could be a bundle containing both games

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 08:50
  • One of The Last of Us games is reportedly getting a PS5 special edition release soon
  • It'll cost $109.99 or €119.99 and be available as a physical edition
  • The special edition could be a bundle containing both The Last of Us Part 1 and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

A new physical edition of The Last of Us is reportedly being released for the PlayStation 5.

That's according to reliable leaker 'Billbil-kun' at Dealabs, who reports that a "PS5 special edition" will be announced soon, but there's no indication as to what game it will be (via Eurogamer).

It's said that the special edition will cost $109.99 or €119.99 and will be "available in physical form on PS5 very soon".

There are no more details other than pricing, and Billbil-kun asks, "Could it be for Part 1, Part 2, or something entirely new?"

Following the release of The Last of Us Part 1 and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on the PS5 - the latter of which is getting a PC launch this week - it would make sense for this new special edition to be a bundle containing both games, especially considering the pricing - especially given season 2 of the HBO series is starting this month too.

"Everything seems to indicate that the officialisation of this edition, as well as the opening of pre-orders, would take place very soon, in a time window that we estimate within two months," said Billbil-kun.

We can cast any ideas about a Last of Us Part 3 aside for now since Naughty Dog is currently developing its new game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Described as a new sci-fi franchise, the game was announced last year and is set to launch on PS5. There's no release date just yet, but according to a recent report, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet won't launch until after 2026.

It could release in 2027 at the earliest, which means that a cross-gen launch for the PS5 and PS6 is a possibility.

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Categories: Technology

What kind of support is the U.S. offering in the wake of the Myanmar quake?

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 08:20

The White House and former USAID staff have differing views on the nature of the U.S. response to the earthquake that struck Myanmar and neighboring countries.

(Image credit: Lillian Suwanrumpha)

Categories: News

New Intel CEO says company will spin off non-Core units, tells customers to "be brutally honest with us"

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 08:04
  • Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan discusses the company’s future at its Vision conference
  • Spinning off non-core assets and adding more engineers are a priority
  • Tan wants to listen to customers, but “it won’t happen overnight”

Intel's new CEO and successor to Pat Gelsinger, Lip-Bu Tan, has announced plans to spin off non-core units to address the company’s recent struggles.

Tan emphasized there would be no quick fix, adding that his first week as CEO meeting with customers uncovered that Intel had fallen short of their expectations.

“Please be brutally honest with us,” he said at the chipmaker’s Vision event in Las Vegas.

Lip-Bu Tan announces long-term plans for Intel

Tan also revealed how Intel could become leaner, with more direct involvement from engineers after it lost its once dominant market position to rivals like Nvidia and AMD.

On the AI chip front, the company severely lags behind Nvidia, which has spent some time as the world’s most valuable company with a market cap of more than $3 trillion.

“We lost quite a bit of talent,” Tan said as he discussed plans to recruit more engineers and give them the “freedom to innovate from within” (via Reuters).

The CEO also wants to be more responsive to customer needs – creating custom semiconductors tailored to client specifications will be one such way.

At the event, Tan also indicated plans to spin off Intel’s non-core assets to focus on core operational strategies – there are no current plans to split Intel’s product and manufacturing units.

Intel stock rose in the days between the announcement and Tan’s appointment but has gradually faded again. Shares also fell 1.2% after he made these remarks at this week’s Vision conference, spelling out further uncertainty and a potential drop in confidence.

“It won't happen overnight, but I know we can get there,” he added.

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Categories: Technology

Best VPNs for Mac for 2025 That We Have Tested and Reviewed

CNET News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 08:00
Whether you want to boost your privacy while browsing the web, stream foreign Netflix libraries or bypass throttling restrictions, a VPN can help. Here are the best VPNs for Mac to keep your online activity private.
Categories: Technology

One Step GPS review

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:35

One Step GPS aims to simplify fleet management for businesses of various sizes by providing reliable and accessible GPS tracking technology. It focuses on providing a user-friendly and cost-effective fleet tracking solution. It emphasizes real-time data, driver behavior monitoring, and comprehensive reporting to help businesses improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

A core strength of One Step GPS lies in its diverse feature set, designed to cater to the specific needs of fleet operators. One Step GPS primarily targets small to medium-sized businesses, fleet managers, construction and transportation companies, and service-based businesses. Its key selling points revolve around its affordability, ease of installation, and user-friendly web-based software.

OneStepGPS: Pricing

One Step GPS provides businesses with an affordable and flexible GPS fleet tracking solution. Their pricing structure is centered around a monthly fee of $13.95 per device, offering a cost-effective way to monitor and manage their fleet.

One of the key advantages of One Step GPS is the absence of long-term contracts. This allows businesses to scale their usage up or down as needed without being tied to a lengthy commitment. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for businesses with seasonal fluctuations or those that are just starting up and may not have predictable long-term needs.

While the company advertises "no equipment costs," it's important to understand that the GPS devices themselves are not purchased outright. Instead, they are provided as part of the subscription service and must be returned to One Step GPS upon termination of the service. This model allows businesses to avoid upfront hardware costs but also means that they do not own the devices.

(Image credit: One Step GPS)

The core of One Step GPS's offering is its subscription-based model. The $13.95 per device monthly fee is consistently advertised as the base price. However, it is recommended that businesses contact One Step GPS directly to obtain the most up-to-date and specific pricing details. There may be additional fees or variations in pricing based on specific business needs, fleet size, or additional features required.

Overall, One Step GPS presents itself as a budget-friendly and adaptable GPS tracking solution for businesses. Their focus on affordability, flexibility, and a straightforward pricing structure makes them an attractive option for businesses seeking to implement or enhance their fleet management capabilities.

OneStepGPS: Features

OneStepGPS offers a comprehensive suite of fleet management and vehicle tracking solutions designed to optimize fleet operations and enhance driver safety.

Its core functionality revolves around real-time GPS tracking, providing continuous visibility into vehicle locations with frequent updates. This real-time data is accessible through an intuitive web-based platform seamlessly integrated with Google Maps, allowing for easy visualization and analysis. Users can delve into historical data, accessing up to three years' worth of information on routes, stops, and addresses, facilitating in-depth analysis and trend identification.

(Image credit: One Step GPS)

The system goes beyond basic tracking by actively monitoring driving behavior. It tracks instances of speeding, harsh braking, rapid acceleration, excessive idling, and prolonged stops, providing valuable insights into driver performance and enabling proactive intervention to promote safer driving practices. The platform's alerting and notification capabilities are designed to keep fleet managers informed in real-time.

Geofencing alerts notify users when vehicles enter or exit predefined zones, while after-hours driving alerts flag unauthorized vehicle use outside of designated operating hours.

Additionally, the system can send text and email notifications to alert managers of unsafe driving behaviors or unauthorized vehicle use, allowing for immediate action to be taken. Vehicle service reminders are also incorporated, promoting preventative maintenance to minimize downtime. OneStepGPS is built with scalability and customization in mind, allowing for granular control over user access and permissions.

OneStepGPS extends its capabilities beyond basic tracking with a range of advanced features tailored to specific fleet requirements. For trucking operations, the system offers DOT-compliant Electronic Logging Device (ELD) solutions, automating the logging of Hours of Service (HOS), International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), and Driver-Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) data, streamlining compliance and reducing administrative overhead.

(Image credit: One Step GPS)

Asset tracking capabilities provide real-time location data for valuable assets, aiding in theft prevention and recovery. The integration of an AI dashcam adds an extra layer of safety and accountability. The dashcam captures HD video footage both road- and driver-facing, providing valuable evidence in the event of accidents or disputes. AI-powered alerts for risky driving behaviors, such as distracted driving or drowsiness, enable real-time intervention to prevent accidents. Live and historic video recording allows for comprehensive review and analysis of driving events.

(Image credit: One Step GPS)

Furthermore, vehicle diagnostics capabilities, available on select vehicles, enable remote monitoring of critical vehicle health metrics, such as fuel level, engine temperature, and battery voltage. This information allows for proactive maintenance and early detection of potential issues, reducing breakdowns and optimizing vehicle performance. The comprehensive suite of features offered by OneStepGPS works together to provide businesses with a powerful and versatile tool for efficient and effective fleet management.

OneStepGPS: Support

OneStepGPS has made customer support a top priority by offering multiple channels for customers to access help, ensuring that assistance is readily available whenever it is needed. The company emphasizes its US-based support team, highlighting the benefit of direct and efficient communication with agents who are knowledgeable about the product and can provide effective solutions.

Customers can reach OneStepGPS representatives by phone, with separate numbers dedicated to general inquiries and technical or billing support. This ensures that customer inquiries are directed to the appropriate department for prompt and specialized assistance.

For those who prefer quick and convenient support, online chat is available for immediate solutions to simple issues. Email support provides an alternative for customers with more detailed inquiries or those who prefer to have a written record of their communication. This diverse contact system allows customers to choose the support method that best suits their individual preferences and needs.

In addition to its multi-channel support system, OneStepGPS further demonstrates its commitment to customer satisfaction by offering a lifetime warranty on its devices. This warranty covers manufacturing and software defects, as well as equipment failures that are not caused by customer misuse or neglect. This comprehensive warranty provides customers with peace of mind and reinforces the company's confidence in the durability and reliability of its products.

OneStepGPS also recognizes the value of self-service support and provides a range of online resources to assist customers. These resources include a frequently asked questions section that addresses common inquiries, as well as detailed information about the company's warranty and terms and conditions.

By offering both human support and comprehensive online resources, OneStepGPS aims to deliver a well-rounded and reliable customer experience that fosters trust and loyalty.

OneStepGPS: Final verdict

OneStepGPS offers a comprehensive suite of fleet management tools designed to optimize operations, enhance safety, and improve efficiency. The real-time tracking is complemented by detailed historical data, allowing for in-depth analysis of past routes, stops, and driving behaviors. Asset tracking capabilities extend beyond vehicles, allowing businesses to monitor the location and status of valuable equipment. AI dashcams enhance safety by recording incidents and providing driver coaching.

Furthermore, OneStepGPS enables robust monitoring of driver behavior, including metrics such as speed, acceleration, and braking. This information can be leveraged to identify areas for improvement, encourage safer driving practices, and reduce the risk of accidents.

OneStepGPS is committed to providing a reliable and supportive experience for its customers. They offer US-based customer support, ensuring prompt and knowledgeable assistance.

Categories: Reviews

Thyme for some healing soup recipes from around the world

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:34
sopa de farigola, a traditional soup in Catalonia, Spain.'/>

Every culture has its own special soup. The belief is that a bowl will make you feel better if you're feeling under the weather, hung over or just in need of a pick-me-up.

(Image credit: Matilde Gattoni for NPR)

Categories: News

Cory Booker's anti-Trump speech on the Senate floor has lasted 15 hours and counting

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:34

The New Jersey Democrat has been criticizing the Trump administration's policies on immigration, education, the economy and more since 7 p.m. Monday. Here's what to know about his marathon speech.

(Image credit: Mark Schiefelbein)

Categories: News

Microsoft has its AI-powered Security Copilot discover a whole host of previously unknown vulnerabilities

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:32
  • Microsoft used Security Copilot to scan open source bootloaders for vulnerabilities
  • It discovered 20 new flaws in just a short time
  • Microsoft says the AI tool saved the company at least a week of work

Microsoft has revealed more on how its latest AI tools are proving useful spotting code vulnerabilities and more.

The company has published a new blog post detailing how it used Security Copilot (its AI-powered cybersecurity tool) to find almost two dozen vulnerabilities in different open-source bootloaders.

In total, Microsoft found 11 flaws in GRUB2, and nine more in U-Boot and Barebox.

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Remote code execution risks

GRUB2 (GRand Unified Bootloader version 2) is a bootloader used in Linux and other Unix-like operating systems to manage the boot process and load the operating system.

U-Boot (Das U-Boot) and Barebox, on the other hand, are bootloaders primarily used in embedded systems. U-Boot is a widely adopted bootloader supporting various architectures, while Barebox is an alternative designed for faster boot times and easier maintenance.

The vulnerabilities span from integer and buffer overflows, to side-channel attacks and out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities.

Some of the flaws could be used to execute arbitrary code, Microsoft said, whereas others would need physical access to the vulnerable device, or would need the device to be infected with malware beforehand.

"While threat actors would likely require physical device access to exploit the U-boot or Barebox vulnerabilities, in the case of GRUB2, the vulnerabilities could further be exploited to bypass Secure Boot and install stealthy bootkits or potentially bypass other security mechanisms, such as BitLocker," Microsoft said.

"The implications of installing such bootkits are significant, as this can grant threat actors complete control over the device, allowing them to control the boot process and operating system, compromise additional devices on the network, and pursue other malicious activities."

"Furthermore, it could result in persistent malware that remains intact even after an operating system reinstallation or a hard drive replacement."

All of the flaws now have a CVE assigned, and their severity is mostly “medium”, with one being rated “high” - 7.8/10.

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Categories: Technology

Time to upgrade? These iPhones and iPads could be left behind by iOS 19, according to new rumors

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:08
  • Apple may not bring iOS 19 to the iPhone XR, XS or XS Max
  • This leak contradicts previous reports on the software update
  • The 7th-gen iPad apparently also isn't getting iPadOS 19

Back in December, a leak promised that owners of the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max would be getting iOS 19 alongside the rest of the iPhone range. But a new leak from a pretty reliable source now says that isn't true.

This leak comes via 9to5Mac, whose source – an anonymous, private account on X with a good track record in breaking Apple software stories – says that the XR, XS and XS Max won't be invited to the iOS 19 party.

The new leak also appears to confirm that the seventh-generation iPad, launched in 2019, won't be able to get an iPadOS 19 upgrade either.

What iPhones are getting the iOS 19 upgrade?

The iPhone XS Max may be left behind by the iOS 19 update (Image credit: TechRadar)

Nothing's official until Apple announces it at WWDC 2025, which we now know will start on June 9. But if the latest leak is correct, then the oldest iPhone that iOS 19 will support is the iPhone 11. Of the iPhone SE phones, both the second and generation versions will get the upgrade.

If Apple sticks to its usual timeframe we should see a developer beta of iOS 19 in June, with various public betas before a final release alongside the iPhone 17 in September 2025.

Details of the iOS 19 upgrades haven't been released yet, but of course the leaks have already started. We're expecting to see a visual redesign that allies iOS and iPadOS more closely with visionOS, a new camera app, and maybe even a version of Siri that works more reliably.

It's an important update for Apple: iOS 18 was launched with heavy emphasis on Apple Intelligence, and some of the most talked-about features have been delayed significantly. That means iOS 19 needs to do more than make promises of future fun; it needs to actually deliver.

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Categories: Technology

AirPods Max’s USB-C lossless update arrives today – here’s how to check you’ve got the update

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:03
  • AirPods Max USB-C's lossless update is available now
  • You'll need iOS 18.4 to get the update to your Max
  • Instructions for checking the update are below

Apple has announced that the lossless audio update to AirPods Max with USB-C launches today, alongside the release of iOS 18.4 for iPhone.

Apple revealed that the AirPods Max update with lossless and latency-free Personalized Spatial Audio was coming previously, but without an exact date – and here it is.

This is the first totally lossless audio support ever for a pair of AirPods, and it provides 24-bit 48 kHz lossless support over USB-C, with a promise that this also brings the latency down to effectively zero, making it great for audio production or gaming.

(The original AirPods Max were lossless-ish, with support for cabled connections, but via an active cable that took analog signal, converted it to digital, then converted it back to analog in the headphones, so too much conversion to be truly lossless.)

Apple says you can connect to a Mac, iPhone or iPad to get lossless audio, but we'll check whether it works with all other USB-C sources too.

Apple has also finally launched its own 3.5mm to USB-C cable, too, to enable the AirPods Max with USB-C to work with analogue audio output (making them work with airplane entertainment systems at last).

(Image credit: Future) How to make sure you've got the update

AirPods updates should be automatic, though Apple recently explained for the first time how to kick AirPods updates into gear if you need to.

You'll need iOS 18.4 on your iPhone, and then follow these steps:

  • Put your AirPods Max in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad or Mac, which must be connected to Wi-Fi
  • Put your AirPods Max on to charge
  • Wait 30 minutes
  • Check if you have the new update

To check if you have the update, put your AirPods on, open the Settings app, tap on your AirPods Max, then scroll to the bottom and check to see if Version reads '7E99'.

AirPods Max with USB-C still rank among the best wireless headphones despite their age, thanks to strong sound quality (even at their high price) and tons of unique features for Apple users, including Personalized Spatial Audio, auto-switching between Apple devices, and Find My support.

We actually had to remove them from our list of the best travel headphones since the USB-C version arrived, though, due to their lack of wired input for airplane journeys. This update means we might finally add them back in.

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Categories: Technology

I Want to See These Forgotten Nintendo Games on the Switch 2

CNET News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:00
With Nintendo's next-gen console on the horizon, it's a perfect time to revive some classic game titles with fresh graphics and features.
Categories: Technology

10 New Movies on Netflix We Can't Wait to Watch in April

CNET News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:00
April's biggest titles include Tom Hardy in Havoc, Michael Mann's Heat and more.
Categories: Technology

Want to Keep Your Money Safe From Fraudsters? Stop Making These Mistakes

CNET News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:00
Your online information isn't as safe as you think. Here are the most common ways fraudsters steal it, along with your money.
Categories: Technology

70% of Gen Z and Millennial Gamers Are Ready to Purchase a Switch 2, CNET Survey Finds

CNET News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 07:00
Gen Z gamers spend nearly $700 a year on new games and subscriptions. And they're looking forward to the new Switch model the most.
Categories: Technology

Garmin Vivoactive 6 officially revealed, as Garmin attempts to regain its stride after heavy Connect+ criticism

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 06:56
  • The Garmin Vivoactive 6 has been officially revealed
  • It looks very similar to the Vivoactive 5, but some spec upgrades offer improvements
  • It comes after heavy criticism from Garmin users over the new Conenct+ premium tier

Garmin has revealed the Garmin Vivoactive 6, an affordable smartwatch with a new smart-wake alarm functionality and access to features from more premium Garmin watches, such as Running Dynamics. It's priced at £279.99 (around $360 / AU$580; exact US and AU pricing are TBC).

Garmin’s Vivoactive line is full of sporty, value-orientated watches pitched at the Apple Watch crowd, and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 sits pretty as our current ‘best-value’ pick on our list of the best Garmin watches.

The Vivoactive 6 watch looks very similar to the Garmin Vivoactive 5, with a plastic casing, aluminum bezel, two buttons instead of the usual five-button configuration found on more premium Garmins, an AMOLED screen and a silicone strap.

Just like the Vivoactive 5, the Vivoactive 6 sports up to 11 days of battery life. It shares the dimensions and 1.2-inch screen with the Vivoactive 5, although Garmin has made some changes.

Among the upgrade highlights is a ‘smart alarm’ feature that can wake you at the optimum time during a sleep phase – a features that's new to Garmin, and one we've wanted on Garmins for years – along with daily suggested walking workouts along the lines of its running ones.

As mentioned above, the Vivoactive 6 also has access to Garmin’s advanced Running Dynamics metrics, which the Vivoactive 5 didn't have.

According to a Garmin press release, users "can also download a robust selection of step-by-step workouts for strength, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, mobility and more through Garmin Connect.

"They can also access Garmin Coach running and strength training plans – several of which adapt daily based on performance, recovery and health metrics to help users prepare for their next race, train for a milestone or improve overall fitness."

A wheelchair mode that tracks pushes, and which was one of the best modes introduced on the Vivoactive 5, is also included.

The Vivoactive 6 is available in four snappy-looking color combos: Black/Slate, Bone/Lunar Gold, Jasper Green and Pink Dawn.

Analysis: Garmin is moving the news cycle on

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 (Image credit: Future)

The Garmin Vivoactive 6 seems like a great watch, especially given that it's cheaper than many of its contemporaries from Apple and Samsung. After all, we loved the Vivoactive 5, and there's no indication that this is anything other than an improvement, albeit an iterative one.

However, I can't help feeling that the timeline for this launch may have been pushed up. In the last few days the news cycle has been dominated by the backlash against Garmin for releasing Garmin Connect+, a new paid-for premium tier with AI features that's available separately to the free Garmin Connect app.

Users have taken to social media to complain about paying for a very expensive watch only to then have new features locked behind an additional subscription. Justifiably or not, they fear new features being introduced to Connect+ at the expense of the app’s free version, until the subscription effectively becomes essential in order to get the most out of your watch.

A well-received new budget device from Garmin would help to move the news cycle on, although user ire is unlikely to be easily assuaged in the short term.

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Categories: Technology

ChatGPT 4o’s image generation is now free for everyone – 3 ways to use the new AI tool without following the Studio Ghibli herd

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 06:49
  • ChatGPT 4o's impressive image generation is now available for free
  • It's fantastic for editing images as well as generating new ones
  • There's a daily limit for free users which can be quite infuriating

ChatGPT's viral 4o image generation features are now available to everyone for free, albeit with some limits that can make the new AI tool a little infuriating.

Announced by OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, on X, the new native image generation has taken the world by storm thanks to its impressive ability to create images far better than Dall-E (the previous model used by ChatGPT) ever could.

You might've seen the controversy surrounding the image generation tool's blatant copy of Studio Ghibli-style anime over the last week, but if not we've covered the drama at length here.

In this article, I'm going to show you three ways to use ChatGPT 4o's image generation that aren't following the anime recreation trend.

Why only three you might ask? Well, unfortunately, the daily limit for free users is only three image generations, so it only felt fitting to limit the ideas just like OpenAI has limited the use of the tool.

chatgpt image gen now rolled out to all free users!April 1, 2025

1. Change the background Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)

ChatGPT's image generation is very impressive when it comes to replacing the background of your images. In the first example above, I uploaded an image of my French Bulldog, Kermit, and asked 4o to "change the background to the beach."

Like magic, Kermit was now on the beach, although you can tell there have been slight modifications to his likeness. For example, in the original photo, he had a pimple under his mouth, which is now completely removed.

ChatGPT 4o's image generation is very good at determining the outline of a subject and creating a realistic background to match. While I've not yet tried Galaxy AI's version of background editing, from my testing with ChatGPT I can't imagine a better AI background editor is available for free on the market.

After taking Kermit to the beach, I thought I'd try recreating his namesake's iconic opening scene of the 1979 Muppet Movie. In the movie, Kermit the Frog sits on a log in a swamp playing the banjo.

While Kermit the Dog can't play the banjo, ChatGPT managed to take the source material and edit the background so Kermit was indeed on a log in a swamp. Pretty cool!

2. Use a reference to generate a new image

(Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)

ChatGPT 4o's image generation is also very good at using a source image to create anything you can imagine.

After feeding the AI tool multiple images of my dog, I asked "Can you imagine a french bulldog riding a skateboard while dressed as a frog?"

After waiting about 20 seconds, yes the image generation can be pretty slow, I had an excellent image of a French Bulldog that looks like my boy Kermit, in a frog costume riding a skateboard.

Eagle-eyed readers will notice his back paws only have three digits, but I guess ChatGPT thought the dog costume should mimic an amphibian rather than have enough space to be comfortable for the mammal inside.

Unfortunately for ChatGPT, a frog has 18 toes altogether... 10 at the back and eight at the front.

3. Change the mood

(Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)

Last but not least, I decided to upload an image of Kermit in a cow costume. Why is he wearing a cow costume? You might ask. Well, for the purpose of this article I needed an image where he's clearly a bit miffed.

You see I live in Scotland so Kermit needs a fleece to keep himself warm in the winter. Unfortunately for him, he hates wearing a fleece. That said, ChatGPT's new image generation tools can help with that, so I asked AI to "Make this dog happy."

The result here is bizarre because it takes everything from the previous image and recreates it perfectly, just with a smiling dog with its tongue out.

I would argue a French Bulldog always looks miserable, and a tongue sticking out like this would actually imply it's thirsty. But AI deems this a happy dog, and to be fair, it has doesn't a very good job a recreating the image with the mood tweaks I asked for.

Try ChatGPT image generation yourself

So there you have it, ChatGPT's image generation is now free for everyone to try and it's capable of some fantastic photo editing.

The image limitations are pretty annoying, however, as I was only able to generate three images without loading up my paid ChatGPT Plus work account.

I also experienced upload limitations, where ChatGPT stopped allowing me to add source material to edit after providing two images.

So it's worth noting ChatGPT image generation is very powerful, but on the free tier you'll need to be patient as you'll quickly reach a daily limit.

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Categories: Technology

GameStop's Nintendo Switch 2 trade-in deals have seemingly leaked ahead of pre-orders going live, with big savings when upgrading from an original Switch

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 06:33
  • A Nintendo Switch 2 trade-in deal at GameStop has seemingly leaked
  • The deal is offering buyers up to $175 toward the new console
  • Buyers can trade in the original Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED for money off

GameStop's Nintendo Switch 2 trade-in deal has seemingly leaked, offering big discounts for buyers who already own a Switch.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Showcase airs tomorrow on April 2 and is expected to finally unveil a new in-depth look at the console, along with the long-awaited release date, pricing, and pre-orders details.

However, it seems that another leak has broken ahead of the event, and this time, it's a big money-saving offer at GameStop.

As spotted by X / Twitter user MikeOdysseyYT (via 9meters) GameStop's trade-in deal reveals that it will be offering three different discounts when buyers exchange their original Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED for the Switch 2.

Trading in the OLED will get you $175 toward your Switch 2 reservation, the original Switch (V1 or V2) $125, and the Switch Lite $100.

Here is @gamestop's Switch 2 trade in deal. What you get as credit when you trade in your console. Let's say Switch 2 is $399.00, plus 6.5% tax(FL) Comes out to $424.93. If you trade in an OLED, you would pay $249.93 for your new Switch 2. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/hUIXNc94BXMarch 31, 2025

We don't know how much the Switch 2 will cost just yet, but these offers are brilliant if you're looking to save money on the upcoming console.

According to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, the company is aware of rising inflation but has said the console will be in line with the "affordable prices customers expect".

TechRadar Gaming predicts that the Switch 2 will cost around $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$699.95, which is more expensive than the original Switch that launched in 2017 and started at $259.99 / £259.99 / AUD$435.

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Samsung Galaxy S25's best AI feature could be coming to your older Galaxy phone soon

TechRadar News - Tue, 04/01/2025 - 06:25
  • Now Brief has been found on the latest One UI 7 beta
  • There's no user interface so the fetaure can't be used properly
  • Its presence suggetss it may come to older phones with One UI 7

For many, the best new Samsung Galaxy S25 feature is Now Brief, but for a while it appeared the feature would remain exclusive to only Samsung’s latest phone release even as One UI 1 rolls out to other phones. Thankfully, it seems like a few older phones will get Now Brief after all.

Now Brief is a handy AI tool that gets you prepped for the day ahead with useful info like what events you have today, what journey times are like so you can avoid being late, how well rested you are based on data from your smartwatch, and if coupons in your digital wallet are close to expiring.

It’ll even give you different briefings based on when you check (with morning, afternoon and evening briefings focusing on different information), and our own Senior Writer AI John-Anthony Disotto calling Now Brief “precisely the kind of first-party functionality that I think will make a real difference to users’ lives and, in turn, showcase the true power of AI.”

Unfortunately the feature has been absent from the One UI 7 software betas currently available for older devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 phones.

This has led many to believe it wouldn’t be unlocked for these phones, but it turns out Now Brief is hidden in the One UI beta after all.

That’s according to @MEMETCAN88 who managed to access the hidden function on an S24 running the latest One UI 7 beta (via SamMobile, who confirmed it’s also available on other devices).

Breaking. Now brief feature is available in s24 series. Oneui 7 beta 6 is also hidden but I've uncovered with activity launcher.@tarunvats33 @SamMobiles @theonecid @UniverseIce pic.twitter.com/uvLoHZOJAuMarch 31, 2025

It didn’t work completely however, with the hidden Now Brief lacking the necessary user interface to function properly.

So, what does this mean? Well the optimistic amongst us are hoping it means that Now Brief will make it to older devices. However, given the full release is set to begin on April 7, it may be a feature that isn’t released for a few update cycles.

The more pessimistic look is that Samsung has hidden this feature because it may have thought about releasing Now Brief but ultimately decided to keep it exclusive to its new phones – and it was easier to hide Now Brief than completely remove it from One UI 7.

We’ll have to wait and see what’s announced as One UI 7 arrives on older phones and in following updates, but there’s still a chance the best Samsung Galaxy S25 feature will make its way to older phones – and we're seriously hoping it does.

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