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Andrew Roth survived the Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald. Jack Moran helped liberate the camp while serving in the U.S. Army. Decades after liberation, the two met and shared their stories.

(Image credit: Grace Widyatmadja)

When it comes to backups, IT leaders often only focus on data recovery, but in today’s cyber threat landscape, simply having a backup isn’t enough. It is also critical to ensure that backups go along with proactive planning, with protection strategies to ensure the organization can quickly respond to issues and restore data in the event of an incident.

Ransomware attacks, insider threats, and platform over-utilization can cripple IT environments before a backup is even needed. Often, the damage is already done by the time data loss or system failures are detected.

That’s why modern enterprises need more than just data backup. They need cyber-resilient storage, meaning their data security is proactive and self-defending, thanks to AI analysis taking place in the background.

AI-powered backup & storage: The new standard for cyber-resilience

A backup and storage solution that works in conjunction with AI doesn’t just protect data - it predicts, alerts, and responds to threats before they escalate. Instead of simply reacting after an attack or failure, an AI-powered system can detect anomalies in real time and spot suspicious activity before ransomware encrypts files.

Additionally, it lets you monitor platform utilization, preventing performance slowdowns due to storage overuse, high user activity, or degraded hardware. You get proactive security alerts, identifying vulnerabilities (such as CVEs, misconfigurations and unauthorized access attempts) before they are exploited.

And lastly, it ensures compliance and audit readiness, tracking backup integrity, storage trends, and policy violations with automated reporting.

The end result is faster threat response, minimized downtime, and a smarter, more resilient backup strategy.

Anomaly detection: Catching threats before they strike

Ransomware doesn’t strike instantly, but instead, it moves silently, encrypting files over time. In these situations, traditional backup solutions only help after an attack.

However, with AI-powered anomaly detection, you can monitor for unusual storage access patterns or anomalous actions (such as the sudden encryption of multiple files). You can detect repeated, unauthorized or irregular access attempts before data exfiltration occurs.

So following this new intelligence, you can alert IT teams to irregular user behaviors that indicate insider threats. With AI-powered alerting, you can stop ransomware before it spreads, ensuring backup systems aren’t just recovery tools, but active defense layers.

How intelligent storage utilization prevents performance bottlenecks

Data storage isn’t infinite, yet many enterprises don’t have any real-time visibility into utilization issues. AI-driven monitoring can detect a number of critical performance bottlenecks. This includes when storage is nearing capacity before it impacts applications.

It highlights performance tiers that slow critical workloads. And it will notify you of sudden spikes in storage consumption that might indicate runaway processes or security breaches.

With storage analytics, IT teams can optimize resources proactively, avoiding downtime caused by storage exhaustion or performance degradation.

Security alerting: closing the gap on vulnerabilities

Backup data is a prime target for attackers - yet many storage environments lack real-time security intelligence. AI-powered storage protection can identify misconfigurations that expose backup data to unauthorized access, as well as alerting about known security vulnerabilities (CVEs) before they can be exploited. It will also flag suspicious user behavior, such as unusual restore requests or mass deletions.

AI-powered security alerting closes gaps in backup security, ensuring storage remains resilient against both external and internal threats.

Automated compliance & policy enforcement

Data compliance isn’t just about having backups - it’s about ensuring they meet retention, encryption, and audit requirements. AI-driven policy enforcement ensures that data retention policies align with GDPR, HIPAA, and industry regulations.

Additionally, it ensures backup integrity is continuously verified to prevent silent corruption, and that automated reporting can provide auditors with real-time insights into storage security and compliance.

It means enterprises can avoid costly fines and compliance violations by ensuring their backups meet regulatory mandates without manual intervention.

Cyber-resilience in action: AI and backup mean a smarter future

A truly cyber-resilient storage solution doesn’t just store data - it monitors, protects, and alerts IT teams to potential issues before they become disasters.

With AI-powered backup and storage intelligence, enterprises can detect ransomware before encryption spreads. It helps them optimize storage performance before over utilization slows systems. It means they can identify security risks before backups are compromised, as well as compliance reporting before auditors come knocking.

This is the future of cyber-resilient storage—and it’s the backup strategy that enterprises need to prioritize. AI-powered cyber-resilience is a way to level up, not merely back up your data storage.

While traditional backup is reactive, AI-powered backup is proactive. Enterprises need storage that doesn’t just save data but instead, defends it. The best backup is the one that stops disasters before they happen. AI-powered analytics means your backup strategy is built for resilience rather than just recovery.

We list the best malware removal .

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

We are living through one of the most significant shifts in retail point-of-sale (POS) technology since the introduction of the chip-and-PIN terminal.

After years of relying on rubber-buttoned, specialist PEDs (PIN Entry Devices) from manufacturers like Ingenico and Verifone, the retail sector is now embracing generic Android devices that accept payments using downloadable software.

This shift is more than a change in hardware—it’s a full-blown operating system revolution. But as Android becomes increasingly embedded in our in-store shopping experiences, a bigger question looms: are we handing over control of this multi-billion-dollar ecosystem to a single platform? Is Android now the new kingmaker in retail POS?

From Proprietary Hardware to Programmable Platforms

Until recently, the POS hardware market was tightly controlled. Devices ran customized versions of Linux, and software applications were typically monolithic, expensive to build, and hard to update. Developing or modifying software on these systems required specialist engineering skills, long certification cycles, and intimate knowledge of closed systems.

Innovation under this model was stifled. Only the boldest players attempted to build their own apps for PEDs—and many failed. As a result, the pace of progress in in-store payment gateways lagged behind online and mobile commerce, where new features and updates could be deployed instantly.

That legacy model is now crumbling. Android, originally developed for smartphones, is increasingly used to power POS devices that are more flexible, easier to develop for, and significantly cheaper to deploy. This has paved the way for a new era of programmable retail terminals that run on open platforms and offer the same agility as app-based ecosystems.

The Rise of Android POS

Over the past 18 months, we’ve seen a surge in software-only payment services from major fintech players. Stripe introduced its Stripe Reader S700, which not only processes payments but also runs custom business apps, giving merchants the ability to fully customize the checkout experience. Revolut has also launched its own Android-based retail POS terminal designed for high-speed environments.

This shift is being driven by Android’s flexibility. The OS runs on everything from ruggedized tablets used in queue-busting or pay-at-table scenarios to consumer-grade phones used by mobile merchants. Android has already displaced Windows-based till systems in many cafes, bars, and restaurants due to its lower cost and broader developer base.

This transformation isn’t limited to startups or small merchants. Large-scale retailers and payment providers are building their own custom apps using Android, allowing them to tailor checkout flows to their exact operational needs. At the same time, the smallest merchants—like plumbers or stallholders—can now download a basic Android app to accept payments on their personal phones, with no extra hardware required.

Projections suggest this is only the beginning. The global Android POS market was valued at $7 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 29.4%, reaching over $71 billion by 2033. The low licensing costs, massive developer pool, and ability to create customized hardware configurations all make Android the preferred choice over Apple or Windows alternatives in the retail world.

Specialist SaaS providers like Toast are already bundling Android devices with vertical-specific software tailored to restaurants, and other niche segments. As Android continues to expand its footprint, its influence on the hardware ecosystem is undeniable.

But Who Really Holds the Power?

Despite Android’s rapid ascent, the notion that it is becoming the “kingmaker” in POS is flawed. In reality, merchants aren’t choosing operating systems—they’re choosing the SaaS platforms that best meet their business needs. These platforms, not the OS, will ultimately determine which hardware gets deployed, how app stores are curated, and how secure the payment environment is.

Android simply enables more flexibility. It gives SaaS providers the tools to innovate—whether by enabling tap-to-pay on a handheld device or deploying self-checkout kiosks in fast food restaurants. The OS is the enabler, but the strategic control lies with the platform operators.

What we are witnessing is the fragmentation of the POS landscape into a marketplace of thousands of SaaS providers, each making their own decisions about hardware, app design, and consumer experience. These platforms vary not just by country or language, but by sector. A fast-fashion retailer and a sports store may both sell clothes, but the software they use to manage inventory, payments, and loyalty programs can be vastly different.

This market diversity means that no single OS—Android included—can dictate how the retail world functions. The analogy to Nokia’s decline is striking. Just as Android and Apple reshaped the smartphone industry by empowering app developers and creating open ecosystems, they are now unlocking similar creativity and value in physical retail.

What follows could be a renaissance in the in-store experience. With open systems and software-based interfaces, retailers are no longer tied to generic, inflexible terminals. They can experiment, personalize, and streamline—making checkout faster, more intuitive, and more aligned to their brand.

Android Is the Platform, Not the Power

Android is clearly becoming the operating system of choice for the next generation of POS devices. Its versatility, affordability, and openness make it a natural successor to the locked-down Linux boxes of the past. But that doesn’t mean Android is the new kingmaker.

The real power will lie with the SaaS platforms that orchestrate the entire merchant experience—from inventory and customer engagement to payments and reporting. These platforms are the new center of gravity in retail, and they will continue to shape how we shop in-store.

So yes, Android may well be the plumbing of the new POS world—but it’s the platforms that will design the taps.

We list the best POS system for restaurants and bars. We've also listed the best pizza restaurant POS system.

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

Many companies, including some of the UK’s largest banks, major retailers, and government departments, are still grappling with the fallout from legacy software. Compatibility issues and security risks tied to aging platforms remain widespread. This familiar pattern means migration projects are often postponed until the last minute, increasing the risk of costly disruptions and avoidable security vulnerabilities.

Microsoft’s decision to end support for Microsoft Teams Classic on 1st July is more than just a routine update deadline; it represents a critical juncture for enterprise IT teams. For many organizations, this is a firm cutoff with serious operational and security implications.

Stopgap measures bring their own challenges

The impact of these delays is already evident. Many enterprises are paying for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) to buy extra time, while others are accelerating hardware refresh cycles, replacing laptops and desktops earlier than planned just to keep pace. Yet these stopgap measures bring their own challenges. Rushed rollouts often trigger user frustration, operational hiccups, and technical setbacks, complicating what should be a straightforward upgrade.

Security concerns are particularly acute. Recent breaches at major UK retailers such as Marks & Spencer and the Co-op were directly linked to weaknesses in legacy systems. These incidents underline a stark reality that running unsupported software is a liability that can have serious consequences for both security and reputation.

Windows 10 complications

The October deadline for Windows 10 support compounds the challenge. While Microsoft will continue offering paid ESUs for Windows 10, these only provide a temporary patch rather than a long-term solution. Organizations relying on extended support risk developing a false sense of security. Without a full platform upgrade, vulnerabilities pile up, documentation becomes obsolete, and the loss of staff familiar with legacy systems makes future migrations more complex and expensive.

For IT teams facing the double challenge of migrating both Teams and Windows 10 within months, the situation is stressful. Budgets are tight, resources limited, and the window to complete a compliant and smooth transition is rapidly closing.

Often, delaying migration comes down to competing priorities, constrained budgets, and a lack of clear understanding about how legacy systems interact with current business processes. Legacy environments are typically poorly documented, and over time, institutional knowledge is lost as experienced staff leave. This makes migration projects time-consuming and costly, not only in terms of software upgrades but also in mapping the impact on security and compliance.

Postponing these migrations carries hidden costs too. Every month that passes increases the risk of security breaches, operational failures, and regulatory penalties. Delaying upgrades becomes an increasingly risky gamble.

Successfully navigating this challenge

Successfully navigating this challenge demands urgent action and careful planning. One lesson from past migrations is clear in that scheduling rollouts thoughtfully and having robust rollback alternatives in place are crucial to minimize disruption. The old adage “plan for success but prepare for failure” rings especially true here. Working closely with users throughout the process helps manage expectations and surface issues early on.

Another key priority is capturing institutional knowledge before critical staff move on. Documenting legacy configurations, workflows, and vendor agreements is vital to maintain continuity and enable effective troubleshooting during migration. Testing compatibility thoroughly in controlled environments is also crucial to spot potential problems before they affect users. Planning phased rollouts with clear fallback procedures helps manage risk and keeps disruptions to a minimum.

At the same time, clear communication and user training can’t be overlooked. Engaging with end users early reduces resistance and confusion, helping teams adapt smoothly to the new platform without unnecessary setbacks.

End of support

The end of Teams Classic support should serve as a clear warning that last-minute fixes and reliance on extended support aren’t sustainable. In an era where digital transformation and cyber threats are accelerating, organizations need to take control of their technology lifecycles. Early, comprehensive planning combined with cross-team collaboration is the only way to ensure timely migration while maintaining security and operational stability.

Those organizations that act now will not only meet critical deadlines but will also reduce risks and build resilience for the future. For those that continue to delay, the risks of costly disruptions, breaches, and compliance failures will only grow.

With time running out on both Teams Classic and Windows 10 support, the path forward requires decisive, well-coordinated action to safeguard security and prepare organizations for the challenges ahead.

We've compiled a list of the best patch management software.

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

President Trump said Friday that he was suspending trade talks with Canada over its plans to continue with its tax on technology firms, which he called "a direct and blatant attack on our country."

(Image credit: Sean Kilpatrick)

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 30.

Authorities said a fire was reported Sunday afternoon in Coeur d'Alene and that firefighters began taking gunfire shortly after. It's unclear how many suspects were involved. No one is in custody.

(Image credit: Kathy Plonka/The Spokesman Review)

In New York City, large throngs of people celebrated as the parade went down Fifth Avenue to downtown. Many of them also demonstrated against President Trump's policies targeting transgender people.

(Image credit: Adam Gray)

Here are hints -- and the answer -- for today's Wordle for June 30, No. 1,472.

Here are hints -- and answers -- for the NYT Strands puzzle for June 30, No. 484.

Here are some hints -- and the answers -- for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 30, #750.

Here are hints -- and the answers -- for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 30, No. 280.

Health secretary RFK Jr. has said seed oils, like canola, soybean and sunflower oil are 'poisoning Americans.' But many researchers say the evidence doesn't back up the claims.

Tillis was one of only two Senate Republicans, along with Rand Paul, Ky., who voted against a motion to start debate on Republicans' massive tax and spending bill.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

I wouldn't call myself a flashy person, but when it comes to smart lighting, I'm prepared to go all-out. In my home, I'm using everything from standing lamps like Philips Hue's Signe gradient lamp and TV backlight to the Govee Table Lamp 2 to give my home lighting some pizzazz.

Until recently, my setup included my beloved Nanoleaf black hexagon wall panels, which served both as traditional and immersive smart lighting when hooked up to my PC via the Nanoleaf Desktop app, in addition to the remote controls afforded by the mobile app. Unfortunately, my new digs don't afford me the wallspace for these, so I was excited to see if Nanoleaf's latest gaming release, the Pegboard Desk Dock, would suitably fill the RGB-shaped void in my life.

Would that it were so simple.

I didn't peg you as a quitter

I'm in the throes of reviewing Nanoleaf's Pegboard Desk Dock, so this is far from a final verdict, but my early impressions tell a cautionary tale for all immersive lighting enthusiasts. This 3-in-1 smart light and desktop combo is an awesome concept; smartly designed, arriving with four hooks each, which can be arranged on the Pegboard to hold your gaming controllers, handheld PCs, and headsets. If you'd rather just have the Pegboard as a display piece, you can easily pull it out of the base and turn it around to show the rear light panel.

For me, this was a dream product. I'm always looking for ways to optimize my desk space, especially since I downsized when moving home, and I love Nanoleaf's wider range of smart lights.

So, after eagerly unboxing and setting up my new lights, I was eager to see my new setup in all its glory. Just watching the lights cycle through the colors of the rainbow before I'd even paired them with Nanoleaf's software was exciting enough.

Unlike many of Nanoleaf's other products, however, the Pegboard can't be added to the Nanoleaf mobile app; it works exclusively within the Nanoleaf Desktop app, and that's where my first problem came in.

While the lights' basic settings worked just fine when unpaired, as soon as I connected them to the app and tried to change their color output, they ceased to function, flashing on and off sporadically, rejecting any peripherals I plugged into the base and intermittently appearing as "Unreachable" within the Nanoleaf app.

I'd thought it was perhaps because they needed more power, so I plugged in my power supply; no joy. The software also offers little troubleshooting for the problem, and with everything running smoothly until the point I tried to pair them, I've come up short trying to fix them myself. I've yet to contact Nanoleaf about the issue, which I'll surely do before I give my final verdict, and I'm more than certain that a resolution exists; however, my experience paints a broader picture of immersive smart home lighting challenges.

(Image credit: Future)Bigger fish to fry

I don't relish bemoaning the woeful state of smart home interoperability once again. The simple fact is, it's everyone's biggest problem, and that's not exclusive to smart lighting for the home; any smart home brand taking the walled garden approach, of which there are many, earns my ire in the age of Matter compatibility.

Gaming lights, in particular, suffer. On my gaming laptop, I've got a plethora of RGB and smart light controlling apps; Logitech G Hub, HyperX NGENUITY, Corsair iCUE, Razer Chroma, and Nanoleaf being the ones I used for this setup.

Now, some of these play nice with each other; namely, Nanoleaf links up to both Corsair iCUE and Razer Chroma, but that still leaves half of my peripherals setup disconnected. You're also at the mercy of software updates, which, especially if you use a hub app with multiple platforms connected to it, can make or break your setup.

There's also the non-small issue of the software itself. Running these background apps, especially if you aren't able to whittle them down by integrating different platforms, can use a fair bit of CPU and RAM. Especially if you're playing on a more lightweight machine, that can end up being pretty detrimental for high-stakes gaming.

Not all hope is lost when it comes to immersive smart lighting, though. Software like SignalRGB and OpenRGB goes a long way to mitigate compatibility problems, even if these are far from perfect. Still, things are heading in the right direction, just at a glacial pace – and if smart light makers want to light up the lives of gamers the world over, that will need to change to keep up with the sophisticated interfaces and experiences we're used to from our tech.

Even when it comes to immersive lighting for the TV, you can bet things are never simple. Screen extending lighting is increasingly popular, yet your options these days are limited; splurge on a pricey Philips Ambilight TV, opt for the still-pricey Hue light strip and sync box (which requires HDMI input and thus won't work with cable TV or built-in Smart TV software) or opt for a product like Nanoleaf 4D or Govee Ambient TV backlight, which points a camera at your screen to detect the action, will invariably have some small input lag.

My best advice? Stick with as many products from one light maker as possible, and for PC gaming, that will, in all likelihood, be a peripherals manufacturer with more focus on the RGB than the smart lighting of it all.

Want to start your own smart lighting setup? Shop my favorites below!

You might also like...

• I tested the wireless Nanoleaf Solar Garden Lights, and they're a fun way to light up your yard all night long
• 3 cool things you didn't realize your Philips Hue lights could do
• I've been a tech journalist for over 10 years, and this window-cleaning robot is the most satisfying gadget I've ever tested

Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told CBS that Iran had a "a very vast ambitious" nuclear program.

(Image credit: Christian Bruna)

• More Nothing Headphone 1 details emerge
• The headphones could offer extended battery life
• We may see the product launch during July

We know that a new Nothing Headphone 1 audio product is on the way, because Nothing has told us so, but as yet we don't have too much official information about these over-ear headphones – though a fresh leak may have just plugged that particular knowledge gap.

According to tipster Yogesh Brar and Android Headlines, the Nothing Headphone 1 (yes, headphone in the singular) is going to weigh in at 329 grams. That compares to 254 grams for the Sony WH-1000XM6, and 385 grams for the Apple AirPods Max.

The headphones are tipped to come with 40 mm dynamic drivers, manufactured in partnership with high-end British audio company KEF (a detail previously teased by Nothing itself). Adaptive bass enhancement and spatial audio are apparently included.

These leaked details suggest the Nothing Headphone 1 will come with adaptive noise cancelling (ANC) technology, challenging our best noise cancelling headphones list with up to 42 dB in volume and with a 2000 Hz frequency range.

Battery boost

Nothing Headphone 1 looks and feels premium..Plenty of buttons, plush cushioning, & nifty carry case...like the color matching as well.Can be a hit if they manage to price it under Rs 20k..Want to see a quick hands-on??June 28, 2025

There are also a lot of battery details here. The headphones are said to pack a battery with a 1,040 mAh capacity – that's difficult to compare with other products, because most devices in this category list battery life rather than battery capacity.

Using the AAC codec, the Nothing Headphone 1 will apparently be good for 80 hours of playback with ANC off, and 35 hours with ANC on, both of which are impressive figures compared to the competition. We'll have to see if they hold up in testing.

A 5-minute charge is going to be enough for 5 hours of playback with ANC off and 2.4 hours of playback with ANC on, according to the leak – so even if you can only charge them for a little while before you head out, they should last.

All of which makes us more excited to actually see and try out these headphones. It seems very likely they'll launch alongside the Nothing Phone 3, which is definitely arriving sometime in July, and may indeed show up on the first day of the month.

You might also like

• Nothing confirms its first over-ear headphones
• The best over-ear headphones for all budgets
• Leak shows off the Nothing Phone 3 design in full

• Colorful Smart 900 mini PC delivers AI-driven performance with 16-core Ryzen processor
• Another Strix Halo device from a smaller brand while Dell, Asus, MSI remain absent
• It's built for creators needing fast graphics, SD card access, and a good range of ports

The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is AMD’s flagship AI APU, offering strong performance for creative tasks, AI workloads, and gaming. A number of PC makers have already built mobile workstations around it, and the lesser-known Colorful is the latest to join the list with its new Smart 900.

This mini PC combines high-end specs with a bold, industrial design that wouldn’t seem out of place in Alienware’s lineup, and makes you wonder why Dell (and Asus and MSI for that matter) still haven’t yet released anything built around AMD's powerful new chip.

Developed on Zen 5 architecture, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 ‘Strix Halo’ APU is a 16-core chip with 32 threads and a turbo clock up to 5.1GHz. It features a 50 TOPS NPU for AI tasks and Radeon 8060S graphics with RDNA 3.5 architecture.

It even has a SD 4.0 card slot

The GPU includes 40 compute units, offering competitive power for creative tasks, 3D workloads, and machine learning.

The Smart 900 supports LPDDR5 memory at 8000MHz (we’d imagine up to 128GB, but nothing has been confirmed) and includes two PCIe 4.0 SSD slots. That combination means fast read-write speeds and strong multitasking, making it a solid choice for editing, modeling, and running local inference.

For creators and media professionals, it includes a rare bonus - an SD 4.0 card slot on the front panel, allowing for quick media transfers without needing an adapter.

On the front, users get two USB 3.2 ports, one USB 4.0 Type-C, and the SD slot. On the rear are additional USB 2.0 and 3.2 ports, another USB 4.0 Type-C, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 1.4.

Bluetooth support covers versions 4.2 through 5.2, and networking includes Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5Gbps Ethernet.

The case itself uses anodized aluminum and has a 4-liter footprint. It should fit nicely in professional or home environments without appearing basic or bulky, and the design makes it look like a massive exclamation point - and what's not to love about that?

There's no word on pricing or even a concrete release date yet, but we do know it will be available globally upon launch - so stay tuned for more details hopefully coming soon.

You may also like

• Check out our list of the best workstations for any budget
• And these are the best business laptops you can buy right now
• Minisforum's NAS packs a Ryzen AI HX 370, up to 96GB RAM and 154TB storage

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, June 29 (game #1252).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

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

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

Quordle today (game #1253) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* 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 #1253) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1253) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo 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 #1253) - 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 #1253) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• I

• I

• T

• C

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

Quordle today (game #1253) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1253, are…

• INGOT
• INFER
• TAPIR
• CLUED

A rare outing for all five vowels on a day on which I was gifted a couple of words – CLUED and INGOT – after my starter words came up trumps.

However, I made the wrong decision with INFER, thinking that there would be a double letter and guessing INNER instead.

Despite missing out on a clean run, I'm pretty pleased that I remembered TAPIR – the wonderful pig-like creature with a prehensile snout.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1253) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1253, are…

• DEMON
• CLICK
• AUGUR
• RUPEE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1252, Sunday, 29 June: MIRTH, APTLY, SCRUB, SMACK
• Quordle #1251, Saturday, 28 June: AWOKE, SMOKY, DEVIL, SWING
• Quordle #1250, Friday, 27 June: SPEAK, EAGLE, AVERT, SUING
• Quordle #1249, Thursday, 26 June: SLUMP, REBUS, GUAVA, MONEY
• Quordle #1248, Wednesday, 25 June: SOGGY, CLASH, MODEM, SQUAD
• Quordle #1247, Tuesday, 24 June: QUALM, SQUIB, AXIAL, FLACK
• Quordle #1246, Monday, 23 June: PIXEL, FJORD, STEAL, EXIST
• Quordle #1245, Sunday, 22 June: WREST, CRAZE, PAPAL, SCION
• Quordle #1244, Saturday, 21 June: BUDDY, GROUT, BEGIN, MADAM
• Quordle #1243, Friday, 20 June: BRAID, DULLY, HASTE, LURID
• Quordle #1242, Thursday, 19 June: BRUSH, ISLET, FRUIT, PRIVY
• Quordle #1241, Wednesday, 18 June: MEDIA, SHARK, GUPPY, MOURN
• Quordle #1240, Tuesday, 17 June: LEAPT, PRISM, ADMIN, WHINE
• Quordle #1239, Monday, 16 June: RETRY, SCALD, DINGO, FEIGN
• Quordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVEN
• Quordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONIC
• Quordle #1236, Friday, 13 June: REPEL, LARGE, SNIDE, CARRY
• Quordle #1235, Thursday, 12 June: SCANT, BATCH, UNDER, PARSE
• Quordle #1234, Wednesday, 11 June: CRAVE, ROOST, ANGLE, FLOOD
• Quordle #1233, Tuesday, 10 June: DECRY, CHEEK, FILET, EASEL

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, June 29 (game #749).

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 #750) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• AIRPLANE
• HIGHWAY
• ROLLER COASTER
• BRIDGE
• VELVET
• CROWN
• NFL PLAYER
• CIRCUS
• WHIRLWIND
• DRIVE
• HOT TUB NOZZLE
• FILLING
• BLACK
• VENEER
• SOAP OPERA
• PEAKS

NYT Connections today (game #750) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Orthodontics
• GREEN: Life is a cabaret
• BLUE: Partial film names
• PURPLE: Also a gang member in West Side Story

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 #750) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: DENTAL ADDITIONS 
• GREEN: METAPHORS FOR A DRAMATIC AND CHAOTIC EVENT 
• BLUE: SECOND WORDS IN DAVID LYNCH TITLES 
• PURPLE: WHAT "JET" MIGHT REFER TO 

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

NYT Connections today (game #750) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #750, are…

• YELLOW: DENTAL ADDITIONS BRIDGE, CROWN, FILLING, VENEER
• GREEN: METAPHORS FOR A DRAMATIC AND CHAOTIC EVENT CIRCUS, ROLLER COASTER, SOAP OPERA, WHIRLWIND
• BLUE: SECOND WORDS IN DAVID LYNCH TITLES DRIVE, HIGHWAY, PEAKS, VELVET
• PURPLE: WHAT "JET" MIGHT REFER TO AIRPLANE, BLACK, HOT TUB NOZZLE, NFL PLAYER

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Having spent a small fortune on all the DENTAL ADDITIONS here I really should have got the yellow group more quickly.

Instead, my eyes were drawn to the words PEAKS and VELVET – which will always be associated with Twin [Peaks] and Blue [Velvet], two of the works by the late and very great David Lynch.

For the record, the other films included in SECOND WORDS IN DAVID LYNCH TITLES are Mullholland DRIVE and Lost HIGHWAY. 

METAPHORS FOR A DRAMATIC AND CHAOTIC EVENT was an equally easy spot. Just as well, as I would have struggled for hours to find the link between an NFL PLAYER and a HOT TUB NOZZLE. Congratulations if you did.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, June 29, game #749)

• YELLOW: ICE CREAM TREATS FLOAT, SHAKE, SPLIT, SUNDAE
• GREEN: FLINCH BOLT, JERK, JUMP, STARTLE
• BLUE: DANCE MOVES CABBAGE PATCH, FLOSS, MOONWALK, ROBOT
• PURPLE: SEEN IN THE AFTERMATH OF A RAINSTORM EARTHWORM, MUD, MUSHROOM, PUDDLE

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.