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Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Aug. 11, #792.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for Aug. 11, No. 1,514

• Experts warn a single calendar entry can silently hijack your smart home without your knowledge
• Researchers proved AI can be hacked to control smart homes using only words
• Saying “thanks” triggered Gemini to switch on the lights and boil water automatically

The promise of AI-integrated homes has long included convenience, automation, and efficiency, however, a new study from researchers at Tel Aviv University has exposed a more unsettling reality.

In what may be the first known real-world example of a successful AI prompt-injection attack, the team manipulated a Gemini-powered smart home using nothing more than a compromised Google Calendar entry.

The attack exploited Gemini’s integration with the entire Google ecosystem, particularly its ability to access calendar events, interpret natural language prompts, and control connected smart devices.

From scheduling to sabotage: exploiting everyday AI access

Gemini, though limited in autonomy, has enough “agentic capabilities” to execute commands on smart home systems.

That connectivity became a liability when the researchers inserted malicious instructions into a calendar appointment, masked as a regular event.

When the user later asked Gemini to summarize their schedule, it inadvertently triggered the hidden instructions.

The embedded command included instructions for Gemini to act as a Google Home agent, lying dormant until a common phrase like “thanks” or “sure” was typed by the user.

At that point, Gemini activated smart devices such as lights, shutters, and even a boiler, none of which the user had authorized at that moment.

These delayed triggers were particularly effective in bypassing existing defenses and confusing the source of the actions.

This method, dubbed “promptware,” raises serious concerns about how AI interfaces interpret user input and external data.

The researchers argue that such prompt-injection attacks represent a growing class of threats that blend social engineering with automation.

They demonstrated that this technique could go far beyond controlling devices.

It could also be used to delete appointments, send spam, or open malicious websites, steps that could lead directly to identity theft or malware infection.

The research team coordinated with Google to disclose the vulnerability, and in response, the company accelerated the rollout of new protections against prompt-injection attacks, including added scrutiny for calendar events and extra confirmations for sensitive actions.

Still, questions remain about how scalable these fixes are, especially as Gemini and other AI systems gain more control over personal data and devices.

Unfortunately, traditional security suites and firewall protection are not designed for this kind of attack vector.

To stay safe, users should limit what AI tools and assistants like Gemini can access, especially calendars and smart home controls.

Also, avoid storing sensitive or complex instructions in calendar events, and don’t allow AI to act on them without oversight.

Be alert to unusual behavior from smart devices and disconnect access if anything seems off.

Via Wired

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Some European leaders say that Ukraine must be included in any talks with Russia over ending the war.

(Image credit: Christian Mang)

As the postwar international order continues to evolve, NPR explores its past and the present and asks what the future may look like.

• 3D printers built complex concrete parts faster, yet long-term durability remains largely untested
• Oak Ridge finished reactor shielding in days, raising speed-versus-safety debates across the industry
• Advanced construction methods rely more on software, reducing labor yet increasing system dependence

In East Tennessee, a 3D printer arm has been used to build concrete shielding columns for a nuclear reactor.

The work is part of the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor project, supported by the US Department of Energy, and marks a new direction in how nuclear infrastructure is built, with both 3D printing and AI tools playing major roles.

And according to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), large parts of the construction were completed in just 14 days, which could have taken several weeks using conventional methods.

Efficiency gains clash with engineering caution

The new method uses 3D printers to create detailed molds for casting concrete, even in complex shapes, with the goal of making construction faster, cheaper, and more flexible while relying more on US-based materials and labor.

AI tools also played a role in the project, as ORNL used the technology to guide parts of the design and building process.

These tools may help reduce human error and speed up work, especially when creating difficult or unique parts, but depending heavily on AI also raises questions. How can builders be sure these systems won’t make unnoticed mistakes? Who checks the decisions that are automated?

The project is also a response to rising energy demands - as AI systems and data centers use more power, nuclear energy is seen as a stable source to support them.

Some experts say that future AI tools may end up running on power from reactors they helped design, a feedback loop that could be both efficient and risky.

The use of 3D printing in this project makes it possible to build precise structures faster.

Still, it’s not yet clear how well these 3D-printed parts will hold up over time.

Nuclear reactors need to last for decades, and failure in any part of the structure could be dangerous. Testing and quality checks must keep up with the speed of new building methods.

For now, 3D printing and AI seem to offer powerful tools for the nuclear industry.

But while faster construction is a major benefit, safety must remain the top concern - this “new era” may bring improvements, but it will need close attention and caution at every step.

Via Toms Hardware

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Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said President Trump has the power to deploy the National Guard, but "none of the conditions exist" for the president to take over the city's police.

(Image credit: Alex Brandon)

• More Pixel Watch 4 information has leaked
• We can see new sensors and charging contacts
• The wearable should launch on August 20

The Pixel Watch 4 is almost certainly going to be unveiled alongside the Pixel 10 series and the Pixel Buds 2a on Wednesday, August 20 – though Google has only confirmed the date, not what's being launched – and a new leak gives us more information on the wearable.

Images posted to Reddit (via 9to5Google) show what look to be official marketing slides for the Pixel Watch 4, detailing features such as improved durability, battery life, and activity tracking accuracy – courtesy of a "Gen 3 sensor hub".

That would be an upgrade on the sensors we saw with the Google Pixel Watch 3, and should mean better precision in readings such as heart rate – though we won't know for sure until we've actually had an opportunity to try it out.

We also get another look at the rather unusual side charging system that showed up in an earlier leak, with charge contacts positioned on the side of the watch casing: it would appear this is how you'll be able to charge up the Pixel Watch 4.

'Technological advancements'

The Pixel Watch 3 was launched in August 2024 (Image credit: Google)

There's plenty of positive phrasing in these marketing materials, as you would expect. The watch apparently brings "significant technological advancements" over its predecessor, together with a "premium crafted design".

The battery life is listed as reaching 30 hours between charges, which is said to be a 25% boost over the current model. Better battery life had already been mentioned in previous leaks, so we're hopeful in that particular department.

There's also mention of the two expected watch sizes, 41 mm and 42 mm, while Gemini integration is mentioned, as well as "dual frequency" GPS – which suggests the wearable will be more accurate and faster in reporting its location.

Together with the rest of the leaked information that's also emerged in recent days, it looks as though the Pixel Watch 4 could be an appealing prospect, when it's finally confirmed – and perhaps worth a spot on our best smartwatches list.

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The European giants face off at Signal Iduna Park in both teams' final warmup match before the start of their new campaigns.

UPerfect is one of those brands that continues to surprise me, not only with what's produced, but also with the quality of the releases. I've tried quite a few from the company at this point, ranging from basic travel monitors to complex multi-screen units, as well as large and small panels.

So far, I've been rather impressed. UPerfect seems to understand what consumers want, and it's built a panel for it. Moreover, I tend to find solid panels at a decent price.

The UColor O2 is no different. This is a 16-inch, 3K, 16:10, 120Hz, 1ms OLED panel with USB-C ease of use, a functional stand/folio, all while staying ultra-lightweight and thin. It's great for those who need a little extra display at their dedicated desk setup, of course, but it's also fantastic for those who are on the go and want to bring a display with them for extra productivity away from a desk setup. Regardless of your reasoning, I've reviewed many of the best portable monitors out there, and the UColor O2 is one of them.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )UPERFECT UColor O2: Pricing & Availability

The UColor O2 is available on the UPerfect website by clicking here. I'm also seeing it available from a few other retailers.

Currently, the display is priced at $630 / £469, and at the time of review, it's discounted down to $350 / £261.

For an OLED panel, even though it's only truly 3K resolution, that price is pretty incredible. Especially when you consider that the display is a full 16 inches, which is comparable to the larger laptops on the market, and features a 120Hz refresh rate, a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 1ms response time, and excellent color representation for those looking for a display for gaming.

UPERFECT UColor O2: Unboxing & first impressions

The unboxing for UPerfect's displays is always interesting to me. The boxes are so understated for what is inside, but perhaps that's a part of the plan.

Inside the box, you will find the monitor, folio cover/stand, a mini-HDMI to full-size HDMI cable, two USB-C cables, a USB-A to USB-C cable, VESA Mount Screws, and a 33W power adapter. Nothing crazy, but it's just enough to get you started.

Personally, even though this device can run mini-HDMI, I will probably never use it, so I kept that cable tucked away, along with the USB-C to USB-A Cable and power brick, leaving me with the monitor, the folio, and the USB-C to USB-C Cables. With this, I went straight to work setting it up for an on-the-go panel I could take with me everywhere.

While reviewing this panel, I just finished reviewing a Samsung smartphone with DEX capabilities, which gave me the excellent idea of trying to get some work done while out and about, utilizing just the phone, a keyboard, and this panel.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )UPERFECT UColor O2: Design & build qualitySpecs

Display: 16″ OLED
Resolution: 2880×1800 (3K)
Aspect Ratio: 16:10,
Color: 100% DCI‑P3/ sRGB, 500 nits brightness
Refresh/Response: 120 Hz (USB‑C), 1 ms response
Ports: 2× USB‑C (full‑featured), 1× Mini‑HDMI
Weight: ~720 g

This panel is delightfully sleek. It's thin and lightweight, and the folio doesn't add much bulk, making it worth carrying around and not like a burden in the slightest. The bezels are minimal, the buttons are premium-looking, and the stand makes the panel usable in its most basic form, eliminating the need for a third-party stand.

One thing I have grown to like about the company's offerings is the lack of branding. I dislike it when companies plaster their branding all over their beautifully made products, making them look cheap.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )UPERFECT UColor O2: In use

As I mentioned, I wanted to try this panel out with my Samsung phone, which I have just finished testing. I was able to set this up with a single USB-C cable. Although I didn't want to drain the phone's battery, I also added a power cable to charge the phone via passthrough charging from the second USB-C port on the monitor.

This compact setup, paired with a keyboard, was something I considered trying after seeing it promoted on the UPerfect website, following my recent review of the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro. For this simple setup, the panel was fantastic and helped me get some real work done on the go. Once I had finished testing the legitimacy of that setup, I tried out this display with my iPad, MacBook Pro, Dell Precision, and some of my Lenovo devices.

On every test, the panel performed well, giving me extended workspaces to complete whatever I was working on.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The clarity on the 3K display is sharp and vivid, but what I appreciate is the 16:10 aspect ratio. Personally, every time that I have tried a 16:10 aspect ratio, I fall in love with it over and over. 16:9 is standard, and I understand it, but just that little extra to get to 16:10, I feel like there is so much more vertical space available to spread out my research, project management, chats, and so on.

Thanks to the device's light weight, I can carry it in a backpack with ease, without worrying about adding extra weight or making my bag feel uncomfortable. I wish that this petite folio could somehow accommodate portrait viewing. Still, I understand that not every display can have that option. Additionally, the display has an integrated VESA Mounting spot on the back of the panel, allowing you to add your stand on the go or mount this panel to your desk or workspace.

UPERFECT UColor O2: Final verdict

All in all, the UPerfect UColor O2 is a great portable monitor. It's got an excellent refresh rate, a spectacular response time, a brilliant OLED panel at 3 K resolution, and it has the ever-popular USB-C capabilities. If you are looking for an ultra-light display with USB-C, this is a great option to consider, especially if you are like me and enjoy the 16:10 aspect ratio a bit too much.

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Highly Portable, great design

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Easy to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Practical for portable / nomatic users

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Decent price for what it is

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Foxes begin their campaign against an Owls team in crisis.

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The season curtain-raiser at Wembley sees the EPL champions take on the cup-winning Eagles.

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• OpenAI’s new models run efficiently on minimal hardware, but haven’t been independently tested for workloads
• The models are designed for edge use cases where full-scale infrastructure isn’t always available
• Apache 2.0 licensing may encourage broader experimentation in regions with strict data requirements

OpenAI has released two open-weight models, gpt-oss-120B and gpt-oss-20B, positioning them as direct challengers to offerings like DeepSeek-R1 and other large language learning models (LLMs) currently shaping the AI ecosystem.

These models are now available on AWS through its Amazon Bedrock and Amazon SageMaker AI platforms.

This marks OpenAI’s entry into the open-weight model segment, a space that until now has been dominated by competitors such as Mistral AI and Meta.

OpenAI and AWS

The gpt-oss-120B model runs on a single 80 GB GPU, while the 20B version targets edge environments with only 16 GB of memory required.

OpenAI claims both models deliver strong reasoning performance, matching or exceeding its o4-mini model on key benchmarks.

However, external evaluations are not yet available, leaving actual performance across varied workloads open to scrutiny.

What distinguishes these models is not only their size, but also the license.

Released under Apache 2.0, they are intended to lower access barriers and support broader AI development, particularly in high-security or resource-limited environments.

According to OpenAI, this move aligns with its broader mission to make artificial intelligence tools more widely usable across industries and geographies.

On AWS, the models are integrated into enterprise infrastructure via Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, enabling the creation of AI agents capable of performing complex workflows.

OpenAI suggests these models are suitable for tasks like code generation, scientific reasoning, and multi-step problem-solving, especially where adjustable reasoning and chain-of-thought outputs are required.

Their 128K context window also supports longer interactions, such as document analysis or technical support tasks.

The models also integrate with developer tooling, supporting platforms like vLLM, llama.cpp, and Hugging Face.

With features like Guardrails and upcoming support for custom model import and knowledge bases, OpenAI and AWS are pitching this as a developer-ready foundation for building scalable AI applications.

Still, the release feels partly strategic, positioning OpenAI as a key player in open model infrastructure, while also tethering its technology more closely to Amazon Web Services, a dominant force in cloud computing.

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Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: two-minute review

When you think of the humble tripod and all of the variations available, it’s difficult to imagine that a slightly different take on the classic three-legged design is possible. But Ulanzi has done just that with the Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod and GlideGo Video Tripod.

Before getting into specifics, these two tripods are exactly the same, except for the head, with both being built around the same legs and basic ball head design; it’s the video model’s fluid pan and tilt movements alongside the handle that differentiate.

Oh yeah, and there's even a craftily hidden tool kit in the handle for adjusting the tripod. This head makes the video model slightly taller and heavier than the standard model, but the movements it allows for are impressive.

Both tripods also feature an articulating center column, which is rare for travel tripods, and this provides the opportunity for you to position the camera at many different angles. Further to this, the video version can achieve gimbal-like movements thanks to this feature, alongside 360-degree pan mechanisms on both the centre column and the head.

I love this feature and the creative camera angles and movements it allows for, which is something I’ve not seen with a tripod before, especially a video travel tripod. The head on this tripod features a fluid pan and tilt design that provides smooth movements without judder, which is essential for video.

One video tripod feature that is missing, however, is a levelling base; these are used to level the tripod head without the need to level the legs.

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The way around this simply comes down to the fact that the video features of the head are built onto a ball head with the pan mechanism above the ball joint. This cleverly and effectively mimics the effect of a levelling base, while also providing fast set-up in a lightweight and highly portable travel tripod. Then there are some 1/4in and Arri mounting threads for attaching accessories.

These are tripods where the head itself is an integral part of the overall package and can’t be changed. It’s essential to be aware of this because the head becomes an even more important part of the purchasing decision than a tripod where the head can be changed. That said, the two head options do work extremely well and avoid camera slippage thanks to the clip lock that secures the ball joint perfectly.

I’ve not seen this design on a ball head before, and it’s more effective than low-end and mid-range ball heads that use the traditional locking knob/dial. The GlideGo tripods use Ulanzi Uka and F38 tripod plates rather than Arca Swiss, so you can’t use L-brackets with the heads unless the L-bracket has a 1/4in screw thread. There is, as with most ball heads, a notch allowing you to position the camera in portrait format, so you can shoot vertically.

The tripod plate uses a locking system where you push it into the head to engage the lock, push the button to the side to lock the button and then slide and push the button to release. This is admittedly much quicker and easier to use than a knob-style lock, although I can’t say whether it’s better or worse – it’s simply another approach that works and is a pretty neat way of locking and releasing.

The overall build quality of the two tripods is excellent, with four carbon fiber leg sections that provide an impressive level of rigidity and support, especially considering the narrow diameter of the thinnest bottom section. Legs are secured by clips rather than twist locks, and I found them to be fast, reliable and positive in use when working with both tripods.

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The standard ball head version offers a height range of 16.1x72.4in / 41-184cm and weighs 3.44lbs / 1.56kg. The video version provides a height range of 17.3x73.6in / 44-187cm and weighs 3.88lbs / 1.76kg. Let’s just forget the numbers for a second and put it into context. This means that you can position your camera at over six feet with these tripods, which is high for compact travel tripods.

Both tripods have a max payload of 39.68lbs / 18kg, which is slightly misleading because this figure refers to the legs, while the head has a maximum payload of 11lbs / 5kg. This is still a commendable payload that can comfortably support the vast majority of camera and lens combinations, but a far cry from the headline figure.

Moving back to the articulating centre column, which is one of the defining features of the tripods, this also offers a telescopic function. This is where the articulating section is hidden within a vertical section until lifted out, and the outer section can then be left in position or raised to increase the height of the tripod.

There’s a useful hook at the bottom of the outer section of the tripod to add weight and stability when required, alongside a smaller hook on the inner column to add counterbalance if and when required.

While this is all great when finding angles, viewpoints and increasing the height of the tripods, it does mean that you can’t splay the legs to articulate the centre column at a low angle. Instead, you can keep the legs at their ‘standard’ angle and articulate the inner section of the centre column downwards. This means the camera is upside down, but you can shoot at low angles. It’s strange, but to be fair, it works.

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: key specs

JJ05

JJ06 (video)

Head

360-degree pan, 90-degree vertical switch

360 degree pan, 90 degree vertical switch -50 to -60 degrees tilt

Leg sections

4

4

Height

16.1-72.4in / 41-184cm

17.3-73.6in / 44-187cm

Weight

3.44lbs / 1.56kg

3.88lbs / 1.76kg

Max Payload

39.68lbs / 18kg

39.68lbs / 18kg

Material

Carbon fiber

Carbon fiber

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: Price and availability

The Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod and GlideGo Video Tripod were announced on 28 July 2025 and can be ordered directly from Amazon, the Ulanzi website and online photographic retailers, so they’re easy to get hold of.

Ulanzi is a photo accessory company you’ve probably come across, since there are many Ulanzi products available on Amazon. The company is well-known for its low-cost accessories that are manufactured to a high standard, and although the GlideGo tripods are priced similarly to bigger brands, they are still fairly and reasonably priced based on features and quality.

The JJ05 GlideGo Travel Tripod costs $269 / UK£300 /AU$359, while the JJ06 GlideGo Video Tripod is slightly more expensive at $299 / £320 / AU$389. The tripods come with carry cases, and the video tripod even has a handy toolkit hidden away in the tripod handle.

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: Also consider

Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod

The Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod is a small and lightweight travel tripod you may not have heard of. But with a lower cost than its Peak Design rival and innovative design, this is a tripod that can support multiple camera types, including phones. Plus, it incorporates a mini tripod into the overall design, so as the name suggests, this is an impressive 3-in-1 option.

Read our Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod review

Peak Design Pro Tripod

The Peak Design Pro Tripod is available in three variants and is considered an exceptional tripod with a similarly high price to match. Their leg design allows them to be folded down to an impressively small size, plus their optional ‘mods’ allow you to increase the video functionality as well as some spiked feet if you need a little extra grip on location.

Read our Peak Design Pro Tripod review

Should I buy a Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod?

(Image credit: James Abbott)Buy it if...

You need a high-quality travel tripod

With excellent build quality, an innovative design and excellent features, this is a pair of tripods that can deliver something new.

You need a lightweight video tripod

If you’d like a lightweight video tripod with unique movements that mimic gimbal shots, the video version is the tripod for you.

Don't buy it if...

You need a larger and heavier tripod

Sometimes larger and heavier tripods are the best option for maximum stability, so if you don’t need a travel tripod, a full-size tripod might be more suitable.

You want to use multiple heads

Some photographers have different tripod heads for different jobs, and the heads on this tripod are fixed, so you can only use the included head.

How I tested the Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods

• Tested for several weeks
• Handling, stiffness and rigidity tested
• Ball head operation and features

The Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod and GlideGo Video Tripod were tested over several weeks for stills photography and videography to test the specific features and functionality of each.

This was with several different camera and lens combinations, shooting subjects including landscape, cityscape and for video, the focus was on B-roll capture to test the movements possible with the GlideGo Video Tripod.

With nearly 30 years of photographic experience and 17 years working as a photography journalist, I’ve used many of the cameras and lenses that have been released in that time. As a working photographer, I aim to test cameras, lenses and accessories from a photographer’s point of view.

First reviewed August 2025