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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, March 13 (game #641).

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 #642) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• DIRT
• CANDY
• FINE
• SILK
• SHORT
• CHARGING CABLE
• ROCKY
• LEVY
• HIGH
• FILM SERIES
• MAGAZINE
• CHARGE
• EPIC
• CHAPSTICK
• ASSESS
• FEATURE

NYT Connections today (game #642) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Pay your dues
• GREEN: Grab and go
• BLUE: Types of film 
• PURPLE: Add a word that rhymes with “code”

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 #642) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: IMPOSE, AS A PENALTY 
• GREEN: CHECKOUT LINE IMPULSE BUYS 
• BLUE: MOVIES OF VARIOUS LENGTHS 
• PURPLE: ___ ROAD 

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

NYT Connections today (game #642) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #642, are…

• YELLOW: IMPOSE, AS A PENALTY ASSESS, CHARGE, FINE, LEVY
• GREEN: CHECKOUT LINE IMPULSE BUYS CANDY, CHAPSTICK, CHARGING CABLE, MAGAZINE
• BLUE: MOVIES OF VARIOUS LENGTHS EPIC, FEATURE, FILM SERIES, SHORT
• PURPLE: ___ ROAD DIRT, HIGH, ROCKY, SILK

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

I wouldn’t say I knew what I was doing with today’s Connections, but I muddled home somehow.

My mistake came when I put CHARGE, LEVY and FINE with SHORT, as I thought it was something to do with buying and selling stocks. Something I know nothing about, despite binge-watching three seasons of Industry.

I’m sure CHECKOUT LINE IMPULSE BUYS will be perplexing for many. I can’t remember ever seeing a CHARGING CABLE by the checkouts, but maybe I’m not going to the right stores. I got it by thinking they were all things you’d put in your bag on a day trip.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, 13 March, game #641)

• YELLOW: PARTIALITY ANGLE, BIAS, SLANT, SPIN
• GREEN: SIGNAL DOWN, AS A TAXI FLAG, HAIL, WAVE, WHISTLE
• BLUE: CARDS IN TEXAS HOLD 'EM FLOP, HOLE, RIVER, TURN
• PURPLE: SHAKESPEAREAN WORDS ANON, ART, THOU, WILT

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, March 13 (game #375).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Fillin' good!

NYT Strands today (game #376) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SNAP
• PREY
• CRISP
• RINSE
• PIPE
• MASS

NYT Strands today (game #376) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #376) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #376) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #376, are…

• APPLE
• PEACH
• PECAN
• CHERRY
• PUMPKIN
• BLUEBERRY
• SPANGRAM: CLASSIC PIES

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

If you asked a British person to name some CLASSIC PIES they’d probably say 'chicken and mushroom' or 'steak and kidney', both best eaten with mashed potato. It’s not that we don’t also love pastry covering fruit, it’s just more common.

Such was my obsession with Twin Peaks that I once traveled from Seattle to the town where it was filmed – Snoqualmie in Washington State – so I could go to the Double R Diner and eat a CHERRY pie just like Agent Cooper. Except I couldn’t find the diner (it was in the next town), so I left with my craving unsatisfied.

I did buy a mug, though.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, 13 March, game #375)

• BOOMERANG
• BOUNCE
• RETURN
• REBOUND
• RICOCHET
• SPANGRAM: NICE COMEBACK

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.

Copilot for Gaming wants be the Tails to your Sonic.

Keep your smart plugs safe during the changing weather of the spring season with these tips.

The Apple Milanese Loop can be considered a mid-range Apple Watch band offering, coming in at $99 / £99 / AU$149. It’s neither as cheap and cheerful as the $49 / £49 / AU$69 Sport Bands, nor as unabashedly expensive as the premium $349 / £299 / AU$549 Link Bracelet bands. It can also be picked up in a newer Titanium edition for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which retails for $199 / £199 / AU$299.

Its stainless steel mesh wraps smoothly around the wrist, free of any kinks or rigidity, feeling comfortable yet suitably premium. And for those who are sustainability conscious, it’s made of 65% recycled materials, while 100% of the energy used for manufacture is from renewable sources. Here we review the dark gray Slate color; but the Milanese Loop is available in a Gold and silvery Natural finish, too.

Putting it on and taking it off is a breeze. As is the case with all of the best Apple Watch bands, clicking it into place simply requires you to slide it into the connectors on either side of the Apple Watch, while to disconnect it, you simply press the release buttons on the Watch’s underside. Tightening and fastening the clasp is achieved via a magnetic clasp that affixes to the band itself, which feels delightfully innovative and typically Apple-esque. Unfortunately, it does have a slight tendency to snap to itself when you’re just trying to adjust the strap; this isn't a deal breaker, but it can make things more fiddly than they need to be.

We found during our Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap review that the lookalike band showed quite a bit of scuffing after just a few weeks of wear. Conversely, the Apple Milanese Loop looks as perfect now as the day I first clasped it round my wrist. While I didn’t risk wearing it during high-risk activities such as weightlifting, this band's superior build quality will shrug off damage like John Wick wearing a kevlar business suit.

Its mesh build also makes it far more breathable than many other Apple Watch bands. During my weekly bouldering session, the skin beneath my Milanese Loop strap didn’t become sweaty as it can with synthetic rubber straps, while flexing sufficiently to remain comfortable. I also found I rarely needed to take it off to shower; in contrast to Apple’s sports bands, which trapped water against my skin, the Milanese Loop allowed my skin to stay dry and protected, even when wearing it for days on end.

The weave of the Milanese Loop does periodically pick up fibers here and there. Unlike the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap, it doesn’t tend to leave your garments looking like a shorn spring lamb, although it does occasionally require you to undo it to pluck out rogue threads. All in all, I didn’t find this happened often enough to be a bother, however.

All in all, the Apple Milanese Loop is a fantastic Apple Watch band. It looks great, it’s relatively sustainable, and it's more hard-wearing than cheaper rivals. Ultimately, whether you decide it’s the right strap for you will come down to cost. If you’re happy parting with $99 / £99 / AU$149 for an accessory for your smartwatch, it’s an easy recommend. If not, a cheaper lookalike such as the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap might suit you better.

(Image credit: Future) Apple Milanese Loop review: Price & specs

Released alongside the original Apple Watch back on September 9, 2014, the Milanese Loop is available now direct from Apple for $99 / £99 / AU$149. It arrives in Natural, Gold and Slate finishes. Alternatively, if you own a Titanium watch such as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Apple Watch 10, you can pick up the Titanium edition of the strap to match, which will be as hard-wearing as your wearable.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Apple Milanese Loop? Buy it if…

You want a band that will always look its best
Not only is Apple’s Milanese Loop gorgeously premium in its design, it’s hardy too. After two weeks of solid testing, it looks as good as it did out of the box – which is more than we can say for some of its cheaper rivals.

You’re interested in sustainability
Given 65% of it is made from recycled sources, while 100% of the energy used to make it comes from renewables, this is a suitably green option for anyone wanting a strap that doesn’t deplete the earth’s resources.

Don’t buy it if…

You want an affordable Apple Watch band
At $99 / £99 / AU$149, the Milanese Loop is hardly the most inexpensive Apple Watch band on the market. While not an unreasonable price to pay, given its quality, if you don’t want a quarter of the cost of your Apple Watch to be its band, you’d be wise to look elsewhere.

You don’t want a lint trap on your wrist
It isn't quite as bad as options such as the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap, but the Milanese Loop still likes to accumulate errant fibers. It won’t depilate your favourite cardigan, but you will occasionally need to pluck the odd filament out of its mesh.

Apple Milanese Loop review: also consider

Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap
The Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap comes with a couple of compromises: it can be a bit stiff to slide in and out of your Apple Watch, and it scuffs more easily. On the flip side, however, it looks great, it’s breathable and, most importantly, it’s super affordable – it costs from as little as £8.99 to a max price of £15.99, making it an easy choice for someone who wants their Watch to look fancy but can’t quite stretch to the Milanese Loop’s asking price.

President Trump has derided aid the U.S. provides overseas as rife with fraud. His administration has moved aggressively to eliminate such funding including cancelling contracts already in progress. This is all being challenged in court but the effects are being felt acutely by those providing the aid on the ground in foreign countries. We hear from three providers in Africa.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle No. 1,364 for March 14.

Dover residents have limited options for home internet, but all three providers offer solid speeds and pricing.

• Verizon and AT&T are taking the hassle out of personal storage
• Upgrades for group storage are a game changer
• Perks like AI photo editing tools could come in handy

Taken one photograph too many and run out of cloud storage? It’s happened to us all at some point, and there’s nothing more frustrating.

Faced with the prospect of upgrading your plan and forking out for more capacity, it’s worth exploring all of the available options.

Luckily, there are a broad variety out there, but millions of Americans are still missing out regardless.

Verizon cloud storage deals

Verizon, for example, has little-known perks for customers in this regard, offering unlimited cloud storage at a relatively low monthly cost.

Verizon Cloud gives customers access to unlimited cloud storage for $13.99 per month. Better still, if you’re willing to pay $19.99 per month, this can be expanded to a group plan for up to five users, bringing friends or family into the fold.

Both the individual and group unlimited plans come with some handy perks, including automatic backup capabilities. This allows you to keep copies of photographs, documents, or videos and access them via your smartphone or computer.

The service also boasts a range of security features, including a PIN-protected private folder to safeguard sensitive content such as driver’s licenses, passports, or just your personal photos and videos.

One very handy aspect of the Verizon Cloud service is that your saved contacts, photographs, and videos can be easily transferred to your new mobile device when you upgrade.

AT&T's competitor service has added perks

Verizon isn’t alone on this front, either, as AT&T also offers unlimited cloud storage services for customers.

Similar to Verizon Cloud, the AT&T Personal Cloud service comes in at a slightly higher cost, but with additional benefits and features.

Users of this service can access unlimited storage for $19.99 per month, but this is for one individual.

AT&T Personal Cloud offers virtually the same services as the aforementioned Verizon Cloud, including automatic backup capabilities and PIN-protected private folders for sensitive materials.

Some features do differ, though, including in-built AI photo editing tools, which could come in handy for those looking to edit on the go.

The service can also be accessed anywhere, including via your phone, tablet, or desktop computer - and it works on iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows.

There are other options available out there for consumers, but it’s worth noting that a significant portion of these are capped, albeit with most offering several terabytes’ worth of capacity.

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Black Mirror season 7 has its first look trailer at Netflix, and it's as bonkers as ever, teasing what's to come across six episodes when they land on April 10. As ever, it's an anthology so each story will be different, and for the very first time, we've got a sequel episode, a follow-up to the outstanding USS Callister from season 4. While this was confirmed a while back, something else also caught my eye, and we could well be getting a second returning story if one star is anything to go by.

Outside of the expected spaceship shots, and clips of Cristin Milioti's game developer character Nanette, I also noticed Will Poulter looking eerily familiar. In 2018, Black Mirror launched their interactive movie Bandersnatch, where Poulter played the role of Colin, a computer engineer whose fate was left up to the player/viewer. We haven't heard anything else about Colin until now when he unexpectedly appears in the trailer!

Well, there is a reason this is one of our best Netflix shows, it continues to outdo itself. Take a look below to see it with your own eyes.

What do we know about Black Mirror season 7 so far?

(Image credit: Netflix)

As expected, Netflix isn't giving too much away when it comes to Black Mirror season 7 and they're continuing to tease us with bits of information. So far, we do know that there's a huge cast attached which is in line with some of the most recent instalments (we really have come a long way since its Channel 4 days).

The star-studded cast includes Awkwafina, Milanka Brooks, Peter Capaldi, Emma Corrin, Rashida Jones, Chris O’Dowd, and Issa Rae. We don't know which episodes everyone's appearing in yet, but I can't wait to learn more about this season's line-up.

Black Mirror, like many anthologies, is full of hits and misses but I'm definitely intrigued by season 7. What do you think of the new trailer?

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• I got a sneak peek of 3 great new AI features for Google Home devices and TVs, and one is straight out of a Black Mirror episode
• Black Mirror star looks unrecognizable in new images for gritty Hulu show A Thousand Blows

Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand review

The Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand has a list price of $23.99 on the Anker US website for the black model, and at the time of writing there's a $9 saving on offer, lowering the price to just $14.99. The Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand can also be purchased at Amazon at a list price of $19.99 / £19.99, but as I write this review it's been reduced to $14.99 / £13.99 thanks to a limited-time deal.

One thing to note is that the product name varies slightly depending on where you look. I've come to expect Anker's disjointed and mildly frustrating naming conventions after reviewing so many of their chargers. There's often a different product name on the box than the website, and the name tends to differ again on Amazon too. This charger is sold as the Anker 313 Wireless Charger (Stand) on the Anker website and at Amazon US but is referred to as the PowerWave in the contents, and on the packaging. It's sold under the name Anker PowerWave stand at Amazon UK. If you ever get confused by the names of Anker chargers, you can cross-reference the model numbers for confirmation.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

The design of the Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand couldn't get much simpler. The charging stand comes in one piece, with the backward-angled phone holder attached to the front edge of the stabilizing rear stand. The outer is made of a soft-sheen plastic that is nice to touch, but there is a slightly sharp edge to the join between the front and back panels of the charging pad. A small shelf extends at an angle from the bottom of the charging pad, which was easy to place my phone on, however, it didn't offer much stability as it lacks any lip or silicone for extra hold. On the front of this ledge is a small blue LED ring that illuminates when the charger is connected to power.

The Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand is available in Black on the Anker website and at Amazon, with the latter also offering a white model that costs an extra dollar or so. Curiously, Anker has used an outdated micro USB power port on the 313 Wireless Charger Stand, though fortunately it does provide a 3 ft / 900mm cable, saving me scrabbling through drawers in a vain attempt to hunt one down, although I would have preferred more length.

As this charger doesn't feature a MagSafe attachment, phone placement must be correct to ensure efficient charging. This lack of magnetic hold also means that anyone on the clumsy side, such as myself, must be careful not to knock it because there's nothing to hold the phone in place.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

When it came to charging an iPhone 13 Pro, the performance of the Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand was underwhelming, taking three hours and twenty minutes to fully recharge from 0% - 100%. This is especially disappointing considering the INIU I212 Adjustable 15W Fast Wireless Charger was able to perform the same task in just two hours and sixteen minutes. Granted, the INIU charger is a little more expensive, but it more than makes up for it with the adjustable viewing angle, and the aforementioned charging speed.

Personally, I wouldn't purchase an Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand due to its static design and slow charging speeds. However, when the price is discounted, it could prove a worthwhile purchase for someone who isn't fussed about speedy charging and wants to take their phone off the stand with ease, as there's no magnetic attachment to contend with. But even then, I'd suggest spending just a little more and buying the aforementioned INIU I212 Adjustable 15W Fast Wireless Charger; it's worth it. If you're looking for something faster or capable of charging more than one device, I recommend checking out our pick of the best wireless chargers.

Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand review: Price & specs Should I buy the Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand? Buy it if…

You're happy to wait
If you're someone who doesn't constantly have your phone in your hand, or you just want a cheap charging stand to pop your phone on when you go to bed, this charger will meet your needs.

You just want something cheap
When discounts are applied, the price is satisfyingly low for a brand-named wireless charging stand. You only need to spend a little more for a charging stand with an adjustable viewing angle, as shown in our also consider section below.

Don't buy it if…

You want a quick charger
This charging stand won't be winning any medals for its speed, taking nearly three and a half hours to charge an iPhone 13 Pro, which is an hour longer than it took a similar model.

You want some versatility
This charging stand is about as basic as you can get. It only charges one device at a time, and the viewing angle is fixed, meaning it's not the best choice for anyone who wants to use their phone as it charges.

Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand review: Also consider

INIU I212 Adjustable 15W Fast Wireless Charger
I'm a big fan of this adjustable Android and iPhone charging stand. Its angle adjustment range should suit most situations, and it charged an iPhone 13 Pro an hour quicker than the Anker 313 Stand. It is a smidge more expensive, but the benefits far outweigh the price difference in my opinion. Read our full INIU I212 Adjustable 15W Fast Wireless Charger review.

• The FCC is creating a security council
• This will focus on cyber development and defense
• A holistic approach to cybersecurity is coming to the US government

The new chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, has announced that he will be establishing a security council to protect against cyberattacks, with a specific focus on “persistent and constant threat from foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist party”, The Financial Times reports.

“These bad actors are always exploring ways to breach our networks, devices and technology ecosystem. It is more important than ever that the FCC remain vigilant and protect Americans and American companies from these threats,” Carr warned.

Chinese threat actors have been targeting US infrastructure, including the US Treasury, forcing the agency to declare a ‘major incident’. These attacks are looking to disrupt an already turbulent political climate in the US, and weaken critical services.

Strategic competition

The council will have a number of goals, including ensuring that the US “wins the strategic competition with China over critical technologies” like AI, satellites, 5G, and quantum computing - as well as mitigating US vulnerabilities to nation-state threat actors and cyber espionage, and reducing foreign supply chain dependence.

Bringing the communications regulator into the FCC is part of the US government’s effort to pull resources from a range of different agencies in order to tackle the growing threat from cyber adversaries.

Chinese hacking group Salt Typhoon is said to be part of the council’s focus early-on, and as the infamous group behind the Treasury hack, as well as targeting universities and telecoms networks (and more), this won’t come as much of a surprise.

This is juxtaposed by the recent news that the US is looking to pause cyber-offensive operations against Russia - despite CISA’s confirmation that defense against all cyber threats, ‘“including from Russia” will continue as normal.

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• Toyota's intriguing concept car measures just 8ft in length
• In some countries, those as young as 14 will be able to drive it
• Its solar roof generates around 20 miles of range per day

Toyota unveiled a selection of new models at an exclusive event in Brussels this week, covering everything from motorsport-inspired road cars to battery-powered SUVs. But look a little harder and you’ll spy the diminutive silhouette of the FT-Me micro mobility concept.

Measuring just 2.5m in length (around 8ft), it is marginally larger than the Citroen Ami, which has taken Europe by storm thanks to the low-cost, small footprint motoring that it offers for those living in busy urban areas.

Thanks to its tiny size, Toyota’s concept only occupies half a standard parking space and, in some cases, it can park “nose in” to the curb, taking up the same sort of space as a couple of motorcycles.

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(Image credit: Toyota)

According to the Japanese marque, the styling is inspired by a jet helmet and the interior has been packaged for maximum space. There’s room in there for two adults, but it can also swallow a wheelchair, with wheels removed, and longer pieces of flat pack furniture thanks to a folding passenger seat.

Perhaps more interesting is the solar panel roof, which Toyota says can add 20 to 30km (13 to 18 miles) of driving range per day, even in cloudy urban settings. This is enough to cover most common commutes, without the need to plug it in.

There is no technical specification on official range or battery size, but the fact its maker claims it can be driven by 14-year-olds in some markets suggest it would fall under the quadricycle category, which means it will be limited to 28mph, offer less than 6kW of power and weigh less than 450kg.

A youthful movement

(Image credit: Toyota)

Lacking any sort of flashy infotainment displays, the FT-Me is designed for the smartphone generation, seamlessly linking up with mobile devices and smartphone apps, which can also act as a digital key.

Beyond this, Toyota has designed the vehicle so that it can be driven solely with hand controls, not just the standard accelerator and brake pedals. This means it can be operated by wheelchair users without the need for any modification.

Alongside the fact that it doesn’t need a full license to drive, electrifying.com reports that it will have to compete with Netflix and mobile phone subscriptions in terms of monthly cost if it wants to be successful.

This suggests that it could cost as little as £30 / $40 /AU$60 a month to lease, offering a low-cost, hassle-free way of keeping the younger generation mobile.

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The podcasting app Pocket Casts is carving a new narrative for the future of podcasts in a way that’s almost hard to believe. As of Tuesday (March 1) Pocket Casts has eradicated its basic subscription tier for its web and desktop apps, meaning that you can listen to all of the best podcasts completely free of charge, marking a rather significant move towards making podcasts more accessible and, most importantly, more affordable.

Pocket Casts’ decision to revert to an open access platform reflects its long-standing principles of maintaining an open podcasting ecosystem that’s not overruled by paywalled services, all while eradicating algorithm-controlled discovery features. “By making our Web Player available to everyone, we’re reinforcing our belief that podcasts belong to the people, not corporations”, it stated in its announcement.

(Image credit: Future / Pocket Casts )

This is a rather reassuring statement to read, and one that I hope will spark further conversation about where we draw the line when it comes to paying for audio content like podcasts. And it’s hard for me to believe that Pocket Casts is pulling our legs here, as it promises to offer features that every podcast enthusiast should be entitled to, including multi-device playback syncing, seamless podcast queue management, and subscription savings and preferences - all just by signing up for free.

Even before it was acquired by Automatiic in 2021, Pocket Casts has existed as an open podcasting service (on its mobile version, at least), operating on open technology and allowing users to create, share, and download podcasts to their heart’s content. But since podcasts have migrated to paywalled platforms such as Spotify and YouTube, we've seen some culling of accessible podcasting. That's at least one reason why Pocket Casts has made this rare move.

Pocket Casts has no shame in shading Spotify

“The future of podcasting shouldn’t be locked behind walled gardens. It should be free, open, and available to everyone - on any device, without restrictions”. Pocket Casts shared this statement in their announcement, and I can smell the resentment for Spotify from a mile away.

It’s quite clear that Pocket Casts isn’t all too happy with the way that other audio platforms have taken advantage of the profitability of podcasts, especially when it comes to restricted podcasts within these apps that require an additional fee on top of your Spotify Premium or YouTube Premium monthly charge. Over the past year, there’s been a noticeable shift in the way that these other audio streaming services have been switching up their podcast strategies. It’s not a surprise that Pocket Casts is making such bold decisions.

Last summer, Apple opened the gates of its own walled garden making it easier for non-Apple users to stream Apple Podcasts from a web browser, and Spotify has been meticulous with the business side of its podcasts by launching ad-free video podcasts in January. It’ll take a lot for Pocket Casts to build up a popularity status that can match its competitors, but this rare move will not only open more doors for podcast access, but it may turn the heads of loyal subscribers of Spotify and other major audio platforms.

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President Trump has upended global markets by imposing tariffs on imports from several of America's top trading partners. Here's what to know.

(Image credit: Cole Burston)

Musk’s loyalists at DOGE have infiltrated dozens of federal agencies, pushed out tens of thousands of workers, and siphoned millions of people’s most sensitive data. The next step: Unleash the AI.

There's an S in Wednesday's puzzle, so make all the plurals you can find.

• Military-grade AI server wins iF Design Award for its rugged modular design
• Features include electromagnetic shielding, shock resistance, and moisture protection
• Operates in extreme conditions from -55°C to 70°C without performance loss

The iF Design Awards are an international competition recognizing excellence in design across categories such as product, communication, packaging, and user interface.

Organized by iF International Forum Design GmbH in Germany, past winners include products from the likes of Apple, Samsung, Sony, and Lenovo - in 2024, one of the winners included South Korea’s KT (Korea Telecom) with its gorgeous skinnable Wi-Fi router.

There are often unusual winners, and this year the list includes, of all things, a Chinese military AI server. If we’re honest, we can see why it won. It’s unquestionably a thing of beauty, with its olive-green and metallic finish, reinforced metal frame, eight vertical modules with LED indicators, locking mechanisms, connector ports, and a shock-absorbing base - but even so, it’s an unexpected inclusion.

Designed for on-the-go

Created by China’s Chaoyue Technology, the Global "Special Forces" server is described as a “fully environmentally compatible, electromagnetic interference-resistant, high-computing power, and 100% domestically produced server.”

Features include environmental adaptability, one-click control functions, and integrated computing, storage, switching, confidentiality, and display capabilities.

The Special Forces server is designed for use in airborne, ship-borne, and in-vehicle situations. It’s built for harsh environments (frankly it wouldn’t be much use if it wasn’t), and offers anti-electromagnetic interference protection from 10K–10GHz, resistance to strong vibrations and 50g impact, and IP66-rated moisture protection with 95% humidity tolerance.

It also reportedly delivers reliable performance in temperatures from -55°C to 70°C, and durability against salt spray exposure for up to 10 years without damage.

The product, which took up to a year to create and was launched in 2023, is the first domestically produced independent platform LRM server in China.

It features advanced DVI+USB matrix switching, something which Chaoyue Technology says is currently only achievable by two companies in China, alongside AI-assisted control, modular configuration, and energy-efficient design principles.

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This week on Uncanny Valley, we look ahead into a future where driverless cars are mainstream.