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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 8 (game #401).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… That's quite a (tasty) mouthful

NYT Strands today (game #402) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SAILOR
• WILL
• FART
• FLOUR
• DOLLS
• CODA

NYT Strands today (game #402) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 13 letters

NYT Strands today (game #402) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 3rd row

Last side: right, 1st row

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

NYT Strands today (game #402) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #402, are…

• WATERMELON
• ARUGULA
• AVOCADO
• CAULIFLOWER
• SPANGRAM: FOUR SYLLABLES

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

A lovely, easygoing edition of Strands with a mighty long Spangram snake eating up a good chunk of the puzzle.

The hardest find for me was ARUGULA, which I know in the UK as rocket.

Arugula is, along with two other plants with four syllables – pomegranate and radicchio – something I never finish. I like all three but I can also very easily live without them. AVOCADO, on the other hand, I can’t live without.

All of this reminds me of the brilliant sketch in Portlandia (look it up on YouTube if you’ve not seen it) starring Steve Buscemi as the poor marketing man in charge of making celery go viral.

In a 2025 sequel to Buscemi’s ill-fated hook-up with the creepy bacon guy, I can imagine him doing anything to get celery into a Strands puzzle, only to be thwarted by a suddenly imposed four-syllable rule.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, 8 April, game #401)

• GRAVITY
• ARRIVAL
• DUNE
• ALIEN
• MEGALOPOLIS
• SPANGRAM: SCIENCE FICTION

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.

• All Google TV device remotes will have a 'Free TV' button
• This will take users straight to hub with 150 free channels
• Already featured on devices such as the Onn 4K Pro

All new, future Google TV devices will feature a 'Free TV' button on included remotes, Google has confirmed.

Google TV, which is featured on some of the best TVs and best streaming devices, has access to over 150 free channels that require no subscription or app installation, a collection that Google calls Freeplay. These can be found in the 'Live' tab on Google TV devices.

As reported by Android Authority, Google has confirmed that going forward from April 2025, any Google TV device with a remote will include a 'Free TV' button that will take users directly to this live tab.

This is the same as current shortcut buttons you may find on some remotes for some of the best streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video.

The button is actually already included on some Google TV devices such as the Onn 4K Pro, a Google TV streaming device exclusive to Walmart.

Google did confirm that markets where Freeplay isn't offered (anywhere outside the US), this shortcut can be mapped to equivalent live TV guides instead.

A welcome idea, but design is important

The Onn 4K Pro's remote, and its big ol' Free TV button (Image credit: Onn)

Free Ad-Supported TV (FAST) channels have become increasingly popular over the last few years, with services such as LG Channels, featured on the best LG TVs giving users access to a wide range of free movies and shows.

By adding the 'Free TV' button to Google TV remotes, Google is giving users an easy way to access these FAST channels, which can only be a good thing.

Crucially however this means TVs that use Google TV, such as Sony, Hisense (in the US), TCL and Philips (in the UK and Europe), will need to include these buttons on their remotes. Google didn't confirm "required size, color or placement" to Android Authority, but it seems like the rest of the remote can still be customized to "meet customer's needs". So thankfully, manufacturers don't have to follow in the Onn 4K Pro's particularly prominent example.

Regardless of design, this is a welcome addition to Google TV remote, because it will be an easy way for users to access free, live channels in a time where subscription service prices continue to climb. And the best things in life are free, right?

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• Firmware 2.0 for Nikon's Zf full-frame mirrorless is now available for download
• Adds a raft of free improvements including bird subject detection for autofocus
• We called Zf a "retro delight" in our September 2023 review

Nikon has unleashed its first major firmware update for the Nikon Zf full-frame mirrorless camera, adding new functions inherited from other models like the Nikon Z9 flagship and Nikon Z6 III.

The 2.0 firmware update ushers in four major features. The first is a new dedicated bird subject recognition mode for autofocus. Previously, users attempting to shoot birds would have to rely on the Zf’s Animal or Auto modes, and the new mode should vastly improve accuracy and speed of autofocus and tracking performance compared to these.

While we don’t think many dedicated wildlife photographers would have bought the retro-styled Zf with bird shooting prominent in their plans (it’s more suited to travel or street photography, perhaps) it’s definitely a handy feature to have in its locker.

The second major upgrade is added support for Nikon’s Hi-Res Zoom video mode. Introduced with the Nikon Z9, this mode is available when shooting 1080p video, and allows users to zoom in by up to 2x on a subject digitally with no loss of resolution – because a full 1080p resolution section of the image sensor is still being used. It’s definitely an upgrade on standard, lossy digital zoom.

(Image credit: Future) A boost for manual focus users

Thirdly, there’s a treat for those who like using manual focus lenses with their Zf: an improvement of the focus magnification feature. Its maximum magnification has been increased to 400% from its previous 200% limit and users can now remove it from the display or viewfinder by half-pressing the shutter button, which will allow them to see the entire composition of their shot.

Those using manual shooting will now also be able to adjust ISO and exposure compensation using the command dials, and manually record the aperture setting when using a lens that won’t ordinarily communicate with the Zf.

Finally, there’s now support for Nikon Imaging Cloud, which means Zf users will now be able to automatically upload images directly from the camera to the company’s cloud storage via Wi-Fi. It’ll even work with third-party cloud services such as Lightroom or Google Drive, pushing uploads directly and automatically to your preferred platform. Additionally, Nikon Imaging Cloud can be used to keep firmware updated to the latest version and to access and download extra color profiles, including creator recipes.

The 2.0 firmware update all sounds like a potential game-changing set of features for users of the Zf, and it’s available to download for free right now from Nikon’s website. Have you tried it yet? If so, we’re eager to know your thoughts in the comments below.

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• Russia's Roskomnadzor issued 212 VPN blocking orders against Google Play between March and April 2025
• Out of these targeted VPNs, only 6 apps are unavailable on the country's app store
• In contrast, Apple was found to have killed at least 60 VPN apps in 2024 alone upon Roskomnadzor's request

Russia's censor body Roskomnadzor issued 212 VPN blocking orders against Google between March and April 2025. Among these, however, only 6 apps appeared to have been removed so far, bringing the total of unavailable VPN services on Russia's Google Play Store to 53.

Russian investigative journalist Maria Kolomychenko first discovered that Google received at least 47 VPN removal orders of some of the best VPN apps starting on March 12. After this revelation, researchers at GreatFire’s AppCensorship Project began to analyze the availability of 399 VPN apps, unveiling that Roskomnadzor actually targeted 212 VPN-like tools.

GreatFire's findings show an escalation in the Kremlin's war on VPNs. Unlike Apple, however, which killed at least 60 VPN apps upon Roskomnadzor's request in 2024 alone, Google appears to have resisted most Russian VPN blocking requests so far.

214 removal requests targeting 212 VPNs

Roskomnadzor's fight against VPN apps is certainly nothing new. Yet, as GreatFire’s Campaign and Advocacy Director, Benjamin Ismail, puts it: "The Russian government is waging an all-out war on VPNs and all other tools enabling Russian citizens to bypass censorship and surveillance."

Specifically, GreatFire recorded a total of 214 removal orders issued against Google between March 12 and April 1, 2025. Among these, 212 targeted virtual private network (VPN) and similar apps like VPN client and proxy tools.

Several of these requests were issued under a law enforced in March last year, which criminalizes the spread of information about ways to circumvent internet restrictions – VPNs included. Nonetheless, using a VPN isn't a crime in Russia.

As mentioned earlier, Google appears to have largely resisted Russia's censorship demands so far. GreatFire found, in fact, that only 6 of the VPNs targeted by the last wave of Roskomnadzor requests are currently unavailable in the Play Store. These include the popular service ExpressVPN.

A total of 53 VPN services were found to be unavailable on Russia's Google Play Store. These include the likes of NordVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access (PIA), and Astrill VPN.

Popular apps like Proton VPN, Mullvad, and Amnezia VPN remain accessible via the Google Play stores in the country at the time of writing.

As of September 16, 2024, GreatFire found a total of 98 VPN apps were unavailable from the Russia's App Store, showing Apple's higher compliance rate with removal requests. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Interestingly, though, researchers found some inconsistencies with Roskomnadzor’s own takedown requests, which in several cases targeted VPN apps that had already been removed.

ExpressVPN is an example of that, as it appears to have been unavailable on Russia's Google Play at least since sometime between March and September 2024.

Another challenge is to determine when an app got removed as well as the exact reason behind its unavailability. For instance, Avast VPN confirmed in a blog post the company's decision to cease its operation in Russia following the Ukraine war. More developers may have also been pressured by the government to leave the country's app stores.

Yet, according to Ismail, this doesn't mean censorship is absent.

He told TechRadar: "Self-censorship is still censorship: it’s just a more indirect, systemic form, rather than a formal takedown. And if, in the end, it was the developer’s sole decision to take down the app as part of a broader withdrawal from the Russian market, we regret such a choice."

AppCensorship is now calling for greater independent oversight and transparency from tech platforms.

You can check the full list of unavailable VPNs on Google Play here. If you're in Russia and struggling to download your desired VPN, we recommend changing your app store location or, on Android, finding alternative sideloading options.

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Fans of action horror series are having fun with The Bondsman, which is currently Prime Video's most popular show in the US at the time of writing.

It's the tale of a backwoods bounty hunter (Kevin Bacon) who unexpectedly finds himself dead – and then even more unexpectedly finds himself alive again. That means he's got a second chance at live and love, but the Devil himself has got other ideas.

If you like your shows with a bit of silliness amid the action, The Bondsman definitely delivers. And if you're looking for more quirky shows to stream on Prime Video, these three are well worth watching.

Ash vs Evil Dead

• RT rating: 99%
• Where to watch: Prime Video (US), Netflix (Australia)

Evil Dead 2 is one of my very favorite films, a gloriously gory, spooky and silly horror classic that’s delighted generations of film fans. The TV spin-off is true to the original movies, with Bruce Campbell reprising his role as the undead's worst enemy.

As the Sydney Morning Herald explained, "If you're a fan of the mixed-genre genre, this is a cracker, and aficionados of Sam Raimi​'s original films will love revisiting tropes, touchstones and Raimi's distinctive style. This also works perfectly well for newbies, though."

And the LA Times urged readers to "praise Bruce Campbell, the strong-chinned star". The show "splendidly, even triumphantly converts the comedy-horror movie franchise into a TV series."

Preacher

• RT rating: 92% (season 3)
• Where to watch: Prime Video (US)

I watched Preacher with my teen, and I think that makes me one of the world's worst parents: this live-action comic book caper is incredibly violent, deeply damaged and gratuitously horrible. And I mean all of that as a compliment.

It's a flawed show for sure, but it's wickedly funny and keeps turning a dial marked "too much?" ever higher; if you like the gross-out moments of The Boys, you'll love this.

As The Straits Times explains, "It is an eccentric blend of existentially charged science fiction, the supernatural, action, comedy and drama, and spiced up with some very graphic violence and grotesque special effects."

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

• RT rating: 100% (Season 2)
• Where to watch: Prime Video (US), Netflix (UK and AU)

From the mind of Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy author Douglas Adams, this quirky adventure "is a whirlwind of time traveling madness, beautiful friendships with a dash of a secret government conspiracy added in for good measure," says The Digital Fix.

"The series is Sherlock suffused with the DNA of Twin Peaks, Lost and Benny Hill," the Boston Herald raved. "This is a delightful, addictive show."

It's a very loose adaptation of the original novels, Den of Geek says, but it's "a freewheeling comedy-thriller, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency is agreeably daft entertainment". And the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said "It's dark and funny and appalling and sad and silly, and very much its own thing."

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One $100 billion technology company is probably looking at the current chaos caused by President Trump’s tariffs with a serene, detached view. Huawei.

The firm was blocked from the US market in 2019, during the first term of the current President, and has had to adjust, losing out on its biggest market outside of mainland China.

The Executive Order prevented Huawei from working with US companies, both in B2C and in B2B, forcing major US networks to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on replacing networking kit from the Chinese company.

The EO was not removed by the next incumbent US president, Joe Biden, effectively making it permanent.

Fast forward to 2025, and Huawei is in good shape. Necessity is the mother of all inventions, the saying goes, and Huawei has had to adapt fast or risk becoming a footnote, having to literally fight for its survival.

It acted rapidly and decisively. In 2020, it sold its smartphone unit, Honor, to a Chinese consortium and has invested massively in research and development (R&D).

It is supremely ironic that its latest annual report, issued on the 31st of March 2025, just days before the current market turmoil, shows that Huawei revenues are almost back to their 2020 peak.

Yes, net profit fell 28%, but that was because the company is doubling down on R&D, a sector to which it dedicated more than 20% of its revenue, or almost $25 billion. Altogether, since 2014, it has spent more than $170 billion on R&D.

“What doesn’t kill you make you stronger”

As of December 2023, Huawei had more than 140,000 active patents and had filed more than 3,000 patents in the US in 2024, a 44% growth compared to the year before, a bigger number and a faster rate of growth than Apple, IBM, or Alphabet, Google’s parent company.

Huawei focused on developing its homegrown ecosystem, like Microsoft, Google, and Apple. Its Ascend compute platform and HarmonyOS operating systems are now used on hundreds of millions of devices in China and, most importantly, around the world.

It has succeeded where even the mighty Microsoft failed, singlehandedly creating and maintaining a third OS outside of the current US-centric duopoly of iOS and Android.

Its Kunpeng server CPU range and Ascend AI chips are gradually lessening the US's hegemony on computer hardware in mainland China.

And that’s notwithstanding the role HiSilicon, another of its subsidiaries, is playing in the push to develop RISC-V as an alternative to both x86 and Arm (a move that’s not without controversy).

Given the current speculations that US President Trump may impose additional tariffs on China, essentially making it even more difficult to do business with the world’s second biggest market, Chinese companies may contemplate eliminating the US market from their business plans.

Using Huawei’s experience as a playbook wouldn’t be a bad place to start for whoever wants to take that perilous path.

A common proverb in China is if you endure the bitterest of bitterness, only then will you become a person above others (thanks Google Gemini).

Sometimes, short-term pains, however harsh they are, is the only viable gateway to long-term gain.

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• Wicresoft has stopped handling Microsoft-related work
• Previously, it served as an important JV for Microsoft in China
• An estimated 2,000 workers have lost their jobs as a result

Wicresoft, Microsoft’s joint venture that allows the firm to sell products and services in China, is reportedly halting projects and laying off workers, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

The decision was communicated via email to Wicresoft’s Shanghai-based workers, who were told that work related to Microsoft “will be terminated” owing to “geopolitical shifts and changes in the global business environment.”

It’s believed that around 2,000 workers will lose their jobs as a result of the changes in a big blow not just to workers but to Microsoft’s presence in the region.

Wicresoft is pulling out of certain Microsoft-related work

The SCMP said that Microsoft-related work comprises most of Wicresoft’s business, citing a worker affected by the change. The publication also noted that workers had been seen leaving the offices with their belongings.

Microsoft remains a major shareholder in the company, accounting for 22% of ownership. A Shanghai-listed firm and a state-owned venture capital firm both own 23% each of Wicresoft. The joint venture operates in around 20 cities across China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, but globally, it employs around 10,000 workers.

Microsoft said rumors that it was shutting down operations in China were inaccurate (via Reuters), however Redmond did recently shut down its IoT and AI Insider Lab in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. Moreover, the move reflects a broader trend of US-China tech decoupling, largely brought on by the escalating trade tensions and reciprocal tariffs.

Moreover, the scale down of operations raises questions on how Microsoft will service its Chinese customers going forward, with a fairly significant chunk of its footprint gone.

TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft for more information, but the company did not immediately respond.

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Motorola's latest Moto G Stylus for 2025 is getting the charging speeds we rarely see in more expensive phones.

Google loves to integrate its services and that’s more than evident when you start getting to grips with apps in Gemini. There are a good number of apps at your fingertips, a list of which will appear whenever you type @ and they extend the capabilities of the AI platform by offering targeted features – so long as you allow them to connect with your personal information and make use of content.

Apps can be used in Gemini for Android, iOS and iPadOS. You can also make use of them by going to the Gemini website in a browser. They mean you don’t need to keep hopping out of Gemini to make use of various services. Want to listen to songs? Connect YouTube Music. Want to control your smart home appliances? Google Home is there for you.

But we think there are even better apps than those, which is why we’ve decided to go into greater depth with our top five. I use them all the time now, and it may well change the way you use Gemini in the future.

Google Maps

I actually find it’s easier and more convenient to type "@googlemaps" and a request within Gemini than it is to use the Google Maps app itself.

With a simple prompt such as “give me directions to” or “what’s near [a location]”, I can get answers at lightning speed and then switch back to Gemini without missing a beat to ask for more information such as what’s in a specific art gallery or whether there are any roadworks on the way.

When I do use the Google Maps app itself, though, I’m still benefiting. By typing “things to do with kids during the day”, for example, the app is generating great ideas curated with Gemini and by asking questions of specific destinations, I’m getting relevant answers. It’s a great example of AI working well.

Google Flights

(Image credit: Future)

With Summer on the way and vacations very much on the agenda, Google Flights is coming into its own just now. Just type "@ Google Flights" to access it from within Gemini.

You can be quite specific, for example stating that you want to fly direct from New York to Orlando in a stated month, departing in the morning if possible and at the best possible prices.

It will then give you some direct morning flights and list the prices and times. A clickable window will also appear showing results from Google Flights with even more information. This will allow you to get even more information and select the most desirable flight.

Again, you can switch easily between Flights and Gemini, so you can get the AI to produce a seven-day itinerary if you wish and to suggest accommodation according to the type you’d like and the approximate budget per night. You can even create a Gemini Gem to work as a trip planner – try something like, “you’re an expert trip planner and you need to remember that I’m going to such a place in May at such a time” and so on. Future answers will be based around that.

Google Workspace

(Image credit: Pexels / Olia Danilevich)

Gemini features are available in the Google Workspace suite of office software and that includes Gmail. Docs, Sheets and Slides. It allows users to summarize, draft and search for information across the suite and make use of Gemini Advanced chat for more complex tasks.

To use it within Gemini, you can just type @gmail, @google calendar, @google docs, @google drive, @google keep, @google tasks or @workspace.

For example, type "@Google Calendar when am I free on Friday?"

If you encounter an error, it’ll be because you haven’t allowed Google Workspace to use your content and activity to personalize your experience but if you go to an app such as Gmail and select your Settings, you can rectify that if you select Manage Workspace smart feature settings and then turn on Smart features in Google Workspace. You’ll be prompted to connect your Workspace.

You can also do the same for smart features in other Google Products so you get a fuller experience with Gemini – as well as seeing events from Gmail in Calendar and personalized search, you’ll get suggested tickets in Wallet and takeaway orders in Maps.

OpenStax

Based at Rice University, OpenStax is the world’s largest nonprofit publisher of open educational resources and it allows users to dive into dozens of openly licensed, peer reviewed academic textbooks. You can just ask a question such as “@openstax describes the structure of a neuron” and it will find the relevant work and pull out the description.

The good thing is that you know the source of a respected one and that you’re going to be getting an accurate answer. Given how much misinformation is out there right now, this is really important and it’s a great app for Gemini to have.

YouTube

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Mamun_Sheikh)

The benefit of Google owning both Gemini and YouTube is that you can get much more out of the platform’s videos. You can, for example, search for videos, channels and playlists from a Gemini chat and play videos from within a Gemini chat.

Just type "@Youtube" followed by your query. So, "@YouTube Find me a video showing how to unblock a sink", for example.

But what’s even more magical is that you can ask questions about those videos.

If a video is instructional, try asking for a step-by-step breakdown of what’s being discussed. The Gemini app will effectively watch the video for you if you ask it to (just give it the URL) and provide an overview.

Being able to summarize videos like this is a real time-saver and it cuts out the hassle of working out if a video is going to be worth viewing.

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• A new 'unsubscribe' button has been spotted in Google Messages
• This gives you an easy way to unsubscribe from automated messages
• You can also use it to report spam

If you’re finding yourself inundated with unwanted messages from businesses or other spam, then a new Google Messages tool could come in handy.

Android Authority has spotted that a new option has started appearing at the bottom of some messages, saying “unsubscribe to stop receiving messages.” Tap this, and you’ll be presented with options asking why you want to unsubscribe, with the choices being “not signed up”, “too many messages”, “no longer interested”, “spam”, or “other”.

If you select any of the first three then the message “STOP” will automatically be sent, while if you select “other” there’s a box where you can fill in more details before sending the “STOP” message, and if you select “spam” then you’ll additionally have the option to report the sender.

(Image credit: Google / Android Authority)

Once you’ve completed the unsubscribe process, the text “unsubscribe request sent” will appear underneath the “STOP” message, and a “Start” button will be visible in the bottom right, which you can use to resubscribe to automated texts from that sender.

Simply send 'STOP'

So it’s a fairly comprehensive system, though since most of the time all it really does is send the word “STOP” it’s not necessarily any quicker than typing that out yourself. The main point seems to be to make it easier for people to unsubscribe when they don’t realize they can do that though.

This feature is in the process of rolling out, so if you don’t have it yet, keep an eye out, because you probably will do soon – though currently it’s only being rolled out to users in the US, UK, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Mexico, and Spain.

Note also that this feature only works with Google Messages, so if you’re using a different messaging app you’ll have to keep on unsubscribing the old-fashioned way.

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Apple fans are still discovering the new upgrades found in the latest iOS 18.4 software update since it came out last week – and now we’ve had more time to experiment with it, we think it’s safe to say that Apple’s mid-year update is bigger than you might think.

We’ve already drawn your attention to the more obvious iOS 18.4 changes such as the new Apple Intelligence Priority Notifications feature, and are patiently waiting for bigger upgrades like the delayed next-gen Siri. But iOS 18.4 is still a glimmer of hope that hints at better things to come from Apple Intelligence, and the update contains five other handy little features that'll help tide us over for now.

While these new tricks haven’t gone unnoticed, they’re still small enough to easily fly under-the-radar. So in case you missed them, here are five other new features in iOS 18.4 that could help change the way you use your iPhone...

1. New Shortcuts actions

(Image credit: Future)

The new upgrades to Shortcuts are small but effective, pointing to the possibility that changes to Siri could be next on Apple’s agenda, since Shortcuts could serve as the foundation for Siri’s upcoming upgrades.

When you go to the Shortcuts app, there’s a new action that allows you to change settings for a number of different Apple apps, including Safari, Apple Maps and Apple News, with each one packing another layer of actions you can perform.

2. Lots of new emojis

(Image credit: Unicode / Emojipedia)

Everyone uses Apple’s extensive keyboard of emojis and iOS 18.4 introduces eight new emojis to brighten up your texts and social media captions. It’s a very minor upgrade, but new emojis are always exciting.

Out of all of the newest additions to Apple’s emoji gallery, which includes a new fingerprint, harp, and funky splatter emoji, one has already proven itself to be the next most-used emoji - the new smiley with sinking, under-eye bags. Relatable? I think so.

3. Ambient Music

(Image credit: Future)

One of the more well-known, but easily missed, additions to iOS 18.4 is the expansion of Apple’s existing Background Sounds function.

The Ambient Sounds feature packs four different playlists – Chill, Sleep, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Perfect if you rely on instrumental music for studying, working, or relaxing.

To use it, just add the Ambient Music icon to your Control Center during customization, then choose your relaxing playlist.

4. Apple Photos improvements

(Image credit: Future)

iOS 18.4 is doubling down on organizational tools, bringing a shed load of new improvements to the Photos app.

For starters, you’ll have the freedom to enable and disable your ‘Recently Viewed’ and ‘Recently Shared’ galleries, as well as two new filtering options, ‘Shared With You’ and ‘Not in an Album’, saving you having to scroll for ages trying to find a specific photo.

The new Photos functions also include a new album-sorting category ‘Sort by Date Modified’ and the ability to delete or recover photos all at once. It’s a helpful software improvement for iPhone photographers everywhere.

5. Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro

(Image credit: Apple)

The new Apple Intelligence Priority Notifications are one of iOS 18.4’s most handy new features, but you may have missed that Apple has also added a new Action Button that opens Visual Intelligence. Also, while this feature was previously exclusive to the iPhone 16 range, Apple has now brought it to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max model, too.

In a nutshell, it’s an Apple Intelligence feature that's similar to Google Lens and allows you to take a photo of something in front of you, before finding out more about it. You can get more information using ChatGPT, Google Search or by highlighting any text within the snap.

Although the iPhone 15 Pro doesn’t pack the same Camera Control button like its superior iPhone 16, Visual Intelligence can be accessed through the Control Center or Action Button.

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• New model is an evolution of 2022's Instax Mini 40, adding new features
• Updated design steps away from full retro for a more modern look
• Available from 17 April for £94.99 in the UK, with US pricing TBC

Fujifilm has launched the latest model in its Instax instant camera range. The Instax Mini 41 is a successor to the 2022-released Instax Mini 40, with a similar price, shape and size – but Fujifilm has lavished a number of notable improvements upon this new addition to the series that make it a very tempting buy in the run-up to summer.

The first improvement is with the overall styling and aesthetics. That’s a subjective one, I know, but I find the Mini 41’s sleek modern looks to be a lot more interesting than the strictly retro design of the Mini 40. There are hints of vintage cameras in the Mini 41’s proportions and colors, but the gunmetal grey finish, curved body, finely textured grip material and orange accents feel fresh and fully contemporary.

Despite the looks, the body is made of lightweight plastic. It’s just 12.2oz / 345g in weight (without batteries or film) and 104.5 x 122.5 x 67.5mm in size, making it ideal for taking on day trips and nights out.

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(Image credit: Fujifilm) An end to blown-out highlights?

The other improvements are perhaps more interesting for photography fans, as they should result in better quality shots compared to the Mini 40. First and foremost, the Instax Mini 41’s new automatic exposure function optimizes shutter speed and flash output to compensate for ambient light. I’ve often found that the cheaper Instax cameras like this tend to under- or overexpose images, with the flash often blowing out highlights in close-ups. This should fix that.

And speaking of close-ups, the other major improvement is parallax correction, which helps center subjects shot in close proximity to the lens – a position where centering them in the viewfinder would ordinarily result in an off-center photo.

So, with better design and better photos that are easier to compose, the Mini 41 looks like a major glow-up on its predecessor, and all for the reasonably low price of £94.99 in the UK. A US price has yet to be announced, perhaps due to Fujifilm assessing the ongoing situation with US tariffs before committing to a price. A protective case is also available for £20.99.

You will, of course, need to buy Instax Mini film to use with the camera. These come in a variety of types including monochrome and with different frame styles, and cost around $16 / £14.99 for a pack of 20 exposures.

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If you live somewhere that has poor broadband connectivity, Amazon could soon have the answer: the company is launching a constellation of satellites with the goal of making low-cost internet available worldwide. The initiative is called Project Kuiper and it’s coming sooner than you think – with the first batch of satellites being blasted into space tomorrow on Wednesday April 9.

A competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink, the aim of Project Kuiper is to bring the world online, by offering high-speed connectivity in remote regions. Amazon says it plans to make the service accessible by offering affordable plans and outdoor antennae.

With the first full-scale satellite deployment taking off this week (weather permitting), Amazon is planning to make the service available to customers "later this year". As the race for satellite internet supremacy heats up, here’s everything you need to know about Project Kuiper.

What is Project Kuiper?

• Project Kuiper is a planned satellite internet service from Amazon
• It will use a constellation of thousands of low Earth orbit satellites
• It aims to provide data coverage in remote regions

Project Kuiper is the name for Amazon’s planned satellite internet service. The company intends to offer fast, affordable broadband by launching its own network of thousands of low Earth orbit satellites.

One of the aims of Project Kuiper is to provide internet service in areas of the world which are beyond the reach of “traditional, ground-based fiber and wireless connectivity solutions”. Amazon plans to address these “coverage gaps” by investing heavily in satellite technology.

Amazon began working on Project Kuiper in 2018. It received a license from the FCC in July 2020 to launch and operate satellites. In 2023, two major developments were announced: a processing facility at Kennedy Space Center and a dedicated satellite production facility in Washington (where Project Kuiper is based).

(Image credit: Amazon) How does Project Kuiper work?

• Amazon will initially launch a constellation of 3,232 satellites
• These will orbit lower than traditional geostationary satellites
• Customers connect using terminals installed at home

Project Kuper will use a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet to users on the ground. Like SpaceX’s rival Starlink system, customers will need to install a small outdoor antenna to connect to the service and communicate with the satellites passing overhead.

Amazon initially plans to launch 3,232 satellites. At around 375 miles above the ground, these orbit much closer to the Earth than traditional geostationary satellites. This results in lower latency and faster data transmission. The constellation is designed to provide global coverage by seamlessly handing off connections between satellites as they orbit.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Both the satellites and antennae rely on a single custom chip developed by Amazon, codenamed “Prometheus”, which handles processing, traffic and point-to-point connectivity.

Amazon will also operate a network of stations on the ground to manage data coverage and traffic, communicate with the satellites and keep them operating correctly.

When will Project Kuiper be available?

• Two prototype satellites launched in 2023
• First full-scale deployment planned for April 2025
• Service rollout scheduled for later in the year

To get its satellites into space, Amazon is working with commercial launch providers such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. It has already secured more than 80 heavy-lift launches, enough to put most of its constellation into orbit.

Amazon launched a pair of prototype satellites in 2023. It’s now ready to begin full deployment of its constellation, with the first batch of 27 satellites set to launch from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday 9 April, aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket.

Amazon hasn’t confirmed when the service will roll out commercially, but confirmed on April 2 that it expects it to be available “later this year”.

How fast will Project Kuiper be?

• Standard antenna will support 400Mbps connectivity
• Low-cost, compact terminal will offer speeds up to 100Mbps
• Largest antenna gives enterprise users 1Gbps speeds

To begin with, Amazon has developed three “customer terminals”, each of which offers different connectivity speeds.

The standard antenna measures less than 11 inches square and is designed for domestic roof-mounting. Amazon claims it will deliver speeds of up to 400Mbps and cost less than $400 (around £320 / AU$633) to produce.

Amazon has also engineered a cheaper, more compact antenna which measures 7 inches square and weighs just 1lb. Designed as a low-cost, portable option, this will be the most affordable way for customers to access the service. It will offer internet speeds of up to 100Mbps.

For enterprise and power users, as well as telecoms and government use, Amazon has created a larger antenna that can deliver connectivity at up to 1Gbps.

(Image credit: Amazon) How much will Project Kuiper cost?

• There's no confirmed pricing yet
• Amazon says it's targeting “affordability”
• Production cost of standard terminal is less than $400

Amazon hasn’t confirmed pricing for Project Kuiper yet. However, the company has made clear that “affordability is a key principle”. The company is taking a similar approach to satellite internet as it did with “low-cost devices like Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick”, with the aim of connecting as many customers as possible around the world.

That’s why it has developed a compact, low-cost antenna, as well as keeping the production cost of its standard terminal below $400.

It’s likely that the service will be accessible as part of a monthly subscription. Amazon has confirmed that the offering and its pricing “may vary from country to country”, just as its Prime membership does currently.

To give you an idea, Starlink's residential plan (with unlimited data) currently starts at $120 / £75 / AU$139 per month, with its on-the-go Roam plan (capped at 50GB data) setting you back $50 / £50 / AU$80 per month, with the unlimited Roam plan costing $165 / £96 / AU$195 per month.

Project Kuiper vs Starlink: how do they compare?

• Both services use low Earth orbit satellites
• Starlink is already operational with more than 7,000 satellites
• Project Kuiper is likely to be more affordable once it’s launched

Both Project Kuiper and Starlink, operated by SpaceX, aim to use satellites to provide high-speed internet connectivity to remote corners of the world. Each system relies on low Earth orbit satellites to achieve low-latency data transmission, with users able to connect the services using a range of terminals.

One key difference is that Starlink is several steps ahead of Project Kuiper. It already has more than 7,000 functioning satellites in orbit. Customers can access its services in countless locations right now by purchasing a Starlink antenna and paying for a subscription. Starlink is also trialling smartphone to satellite connectivity with T-Mobile (below).

(Image credit: Starlink / T-Mobile)

Because it owns its own rockets, SpaceX has more flexibility to deploy Starlink satellites. Amazon has to rely on third-party launch partners, including SpaceX. On the other hand, Amazon is able to rely on its established cloud service network, AWS, to support the backend infrastructure of its satellite network.

While Project Kuiper is still several months away from offering comparable coverage to consumers, it’s likely to be the less expensive option once it’s up and running. Amazon has made clear that it wants its satellite internet service to be affordable, including both antenna hardware and connectivity packages.

We’ll only know how the performance and value of each service compares once we’ve carried out an in-depth review of Project Kuiper. But competition is certainly no bad thing, even if it is between companies run by two of the world's richest men.

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• The data breach that Oracle first denied has now been confirmed
• The company is reaching out to affected customers
• Oracle is facing an alleged lawsuit

Oracle has started notifying customers about the recent data breach at its cloud services.

In early April, a threat actor with the alias “rose87168” opened a new thread on an underground forum to advertise the sale of a database stolen from the company. The database allegedly contained six million records, including private security keys, encrypted credentials, and LDAP entries, all belonging to Oracle customers.

To confirm the authenticity of the information, the hacker even uploaded a new document to the cloud, containing their own email address.

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Lawsuit incoming?

At first, Oracle denied the claims, but later confirmed them. However, it also tried to downplay the importance of the hack, claiming the data was taken from an old, unused server, and that the information found there was eight years old and thus obsolete. However, there might be more to this story.

According to The Register, the data belonging to one of the victims was created in 2024. Another victim (we’re not sure if it’s the same company, or a different one) is preparing to sue Oracle over the incident. The Register also notes that Oracle has reached out to at least two organizations so far.

The investigation is currently ongoing and the details won’t be known until it’s concluded. So far, it seems that the attacker exploited a vulnerability in Oracle Access Manager to breach Oracle-hosted servers. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2021-35587, and was assigned a critical severity score 9.8/10. It was patched in mid-January, 2022, raising questions over whether Oracle kept its own servers vulnerable to a flaw it fixed more than three years ago.

Cybersecurity experts CrowdStrike are currently analyzing the incident. The FBI was also notified about the attack, Oracle has confirmed.

Via The Register

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