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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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, May 1 (game #690).

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 #691) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• DOG
• STATUE
• GOOSE
• PROP
• TURTLE
• BOTTLE
• WING
• BUST
• SUPPORT
• RELIEF
• BREAK
• LINK
• POST
• RIB
• TORSO
• BRACE

NYT Connections today (game #691) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Artistic chiselling 
• GREEN: Sturdy uprights
• BLUE: Grill baby, grill
• PURPLE: A pain in the… ?

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 #691) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: KINDS OF CARVINGS 
• GREEN: PILLAR 
• BLUE: BBQ OFFERING 
• PURPLE: __NECK 

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

NYT Connections today (game #691) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #691, are…

• YELLOW: KINDS OF CARVINGS BUST, RELIEF, STATUE, TORSO
• GREEN: PILLAR BRACE, POST, PROP, SUPPORT
• BLUE: BBQ OFFERING DOG, LINK, RIB, WING
• PURPLE: __NECK BOTTLE, BREAK, GOOSE, TURTLE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

I only just made it today after suffering a bad case of “one away”.

I had BUST, STATUE, and RELIEF and knew it had something to do with art but had no idea what the fourth could be. It was the same story with TURTLE, BOTTLE, and BREAK.

The only group I had the slightest confidence in was PILLAR, but even then I thought the link between BRACE, SUPPORT and PROP was medical aids.

And as for BBQ OFFERING? I am going to have to put not understanding that down to cultural differences. I knew that BBQ DOG was an album (and also something Jeremy ate in the best episode of Peep Show) but I didn’t see the link with, erm LINK.

Despite these difficulties, a pleasing Connections to complete.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, May 1, game #690)

• YELLOW: WINNINGS POT, PRIZE, PURSE, REWARD
• GREEN: STOP, AS A HABIT BREAK, DROP, KICK, SHAKE
• BLUE: MOVIE CAMERA VERBS DOLLY, PAN, TILT, ZOOM
• PURPLE: WORDS THAT PRECEDE "-SIZE" TO MEAN SMALL BITE, FUN, POCKET, TRAVEL

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, May 1 (game #424).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… What a trill!

NYT Strands today (game #425) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SEEK
• CROWS
• BIND
• LAID
• GLAD
• SOCK

NYT Strands today (game #425) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #425) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 3rd row

Last side: right, 3rd row

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

NYT Strands today (game #425) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #425, are…

• WARBLER
• LARK
• SPARROW
• WREN
• CARDINAL
• CHICKADEE
• SPANGRAM: SONGBIRDS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I’ve just spent a very happy few minutes listening to all of these SONGBIRDS on YouTube.

Living in the city, I don’t really hear that many birds – apart from pigeons coo-ing and the crazy people on our street with a rooster (fortunately, he’s a bit lazy and doesn’t start his roostering until about 11am).

Of all the birds in the search, my favorite is the CARDINAL, which not only looks fantastic but also has quite the repertoire of repeated songs. I’m also a fan of the CHICKADEE, which really should be called the chickadee-dee seeing as they’re so keen on repeated whistles.

All in all, a very straightforward Strands with little in the way of confusing words or patterns. Not exactly a trill-er, but very calming.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, May 1, game #424)

• SKATEBOARD
• BICYCLE
• ROLLERBLADES
• SCOOTER
• WAGON
• SPANGRAM: WHEELIE

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.

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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, May 1 (game #1193).

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 #1194) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* 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 #1194) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1194) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do 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 #1194) - 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 0.

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 #1194) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• C

• R

• M

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1194) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1194, are…

• CAUSE
• RISEN
• MACAW
• SMELT

It took me a little while to get MACAW, but this small drawback aside I didn’t suffer from experimenting with my start words.

RISEN was my only gamble today – it could have been RISER – with the other two words gifted to me almost complete after my 15-letter opening.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1194) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1194, are…

• CRUDE
• MOLAR
• KNEAD
• CURVY

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1193, Thursday, 1 May: IDIOM, EXILE, SPOOF, DRAPE
• Quordle #1192, Wednesday, 30 April: BATON, TORSO, ANNEX, DROWN
• Quordle #1191, Tuesday, 29 April: HOVER, HENCE, OCTAL, COPSE
• Quordle #1190, Monday, 28 April: JAUNT, ALLOW, FRUIT, BURNT
• Quordle #1189, Sunday, 27 April: PRIOR, YOUTH, CREDO, CHIDE
• Quordle #1188, Saturday, 26 April: LINGO, LOCUS, THROW, CLICK
• Quordle #1187, Friday, 25 April: SHALT, WRATH, MAMBO, HUMPH
• Quordle #1186, Thursday, 24 April: CHOKE, COLOR, FRAME, CAIRN
• Quordle #1185, Wednesday, 23 April: VALET, PUPAL, CREEP, DRIFT
• Quordle #1184, Tuesday, 22 April: POUTY, CHEST, BROOM, TEPEE
• Quordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACH
• Quordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUE
• Quordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULT
• Quordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTO
• Quordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURT
• Quordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUT
• Quordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAY
• Quordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCE
• Quordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOP
• Quordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THING

• Google Messages is bringing new design upgrades to its UI
• These include a PDF preview feature and an improved landscape mode
• We might also get an 'Unsubscribe' function for spam messages

It seems like Google has been working on improving the UI of its platforms. It’s just given its YouTube smart TV app a big upgrade, and now it looks like its Google Messages service is getting some much-needed attention too. Though the future of Gemini’s integration with Google Messages remains a mystery, Google has added even more non-AI related upgrades to its messaging app.

Following a series of tests for useful upgrades, Google has introduced four more UI changes, which have been spotted by Android Authority. Three of these have appeared in an APK teardown and the fourth is already available in the latest beta version.

These changes in Google Messages don't just offer an aesthetic boost, but they also provide long-awaited answers to questions that users have been asking for a while, and could improve your visual navigation of the Google Messages app.

1. A more balanced landscape mode

(Image credit: Android Authority )

The first of the four upgrades is a small adjustment to landscape mode in Google Messages. For a long time, users have found that Google Messages can look a little off when tilted and used in landscape mode, with the width of the chat screen being much larger than the width of the messages list.

This is one of the changes that Android Authority spotted in its teardown. It reveals that Google could possibly fix this in the near future, by making both sides of the screen even in size.

2. Previews for PDF files in RCS messages

When it comes to viewing media in RCS chats, videos and shared URL links come with a visual preview showing the reader a brief snippet of the shared content without opening the file. But many users have noticed that this doesn’t apply to PDF files shared in Google Messages.

An additional code has been found by Android Authority showing that this is another improvement that Google could be bringing to its Messages service, following in the footsteps of competitor messaging apps such as WhatsApp, which already offers PDF previews. However, Android Authority states that PDF files that require an access password will not have a preview.

3. An ‘Unsubscribe’ button to prevent SMS and RCS spam

Less a design feature and more a new managing tool, 9to5Google has spotted that Google could be implementing a new ‘Unsubscribe’ feature aimed at stopping unwanted SMS texts or RCS chats from business senders. This upgrade appears in the most recent release of Google Messages, and 9to5Google notes that it applies to:

• RCS for Business messages in the United States, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
• SMS or MMS messages in the United States from short codes (phone numbers with 5-6 digits) and alphanumeric senders.

The new button has been spotted above the text field at the bottom of chats, and in the conversation’s overflow menu.

This is how the new Unsubscribe feature looks when unsubscribing from RCS messages (Image credit: 9to5Google) 4. Changes to main action buttons

The final upgrade is a very minor change to Google Messages and is already available in the latest beta version: Google has added text to its main call, video, contact info, and search action buttons. We’re assuming this new addition is to provide a visual aid for users, making it easier to distinguish between these different functions.

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• Microsoft announced legally binding European Digital Resilience Commitment
• 200 data centres will be operated by Microsoft across the EU by 2027
• A new Deputy CISO for Europe has also been appointed

Microsoft has come out and opposed to any US government orders to suspend European cloud operations, viewing such a move as highly unlikely but a real and relevant concern.

In a blog post, Microsoft President Brad Smith confirmed the company would sue if ordered to halt services in Europe amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade disputes.

"We are committing that Microsoft will promptly and vigorously contest such a measure using all legal avenues available," Smith declared.

Microsoft is committed to serving Europe amid trade wars

In the article, Smith laid out five key commitments Microsoft is making to European customers, promising "digital stability" and "to uphold Europe’s digital resilience."

Noting the "mutual economic growth and prosperity" that trans-Atlantic ties enable, Smith explained the company is "pleased" both President Trump and the European Union have reached an agreement to suspend further tariff escalation.

Microsoft's first commitment is that it will continue to expand cloud and AI infrastructure in Europe, increasing data center capacity by 40% in the next two years and expanding to 16 European countries.

By 2027, the company wants to be running over 200 data centers across the continent, all while respecting European laws and sovereignty demands.

Secondly, Microsoft will "uphold Europe’s digital resilience" throughout the ongoing volatility by including a new legally binding European Digital Resilience Commitment in all contracts with European national governments and the European Commission.

This includes storing back-up copies of its code in a secure repository in Switzerland, a country with strong data privacy and security laws.

The company has also committed to ensuring the privacy of European data by enabling local data storage and processing within the EU and the European Free Trade Association, as well as protecting the continent's cybersecurity with a newly appointed Deputy CISO for Europe.

Finally, Smith commented on Microsoft's plans to support competition in the region – possible a dig at the frequent investigations it faces from the European Commission as well as other antitrust regulators around the world.

Smith concluded: "Our support for Europe has always been – and always will be – steadfast."

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A new bill from a top Democrat seeks to close a loophole that federal judges have used to collect pension benefits despite facing credible accusations of wrongdoing by employees.

(Image credit: Tom Williams)

• A large healthcare organization has disclosed a data breach
• Ascension was also hit by two significant breaches in 2024
• The latest incident could be linked to the Cl0p ransomware attack

One of the biggest private healthcare systems in the US, Ascension, has notified patients that personally identifiable information (PII) including health data, was stolen in a previously unannounced attack affecting a former business partner in December 2024.

The incident follows a previous ransomware attack in May 2024, in which the sensitive data of six million patients, forcing the company to take systems offline, divert ambulances, and pause elective care in some places.

“On December 5, 2024, we learned that Ascension patient information may have been involved in a potential security incident. We immediately initiated an investigation to determine whether and how a security incident occurred,” Ascension confirmed in its breach notification.

Sensitive data exposed

Attackers reportedly gained access to sensitive information including the name, address, phone number(s), email address, date of birth, race, gender, and Social Security number (SSN), and even clinical and healthcare related information of some patients, depending on the individual.

“Our investigation determined on January 21, 2025, that Ascension inadvertently disclosed information to a former business partner, and some of this information was likely stolen from them due to a vulnerability in third-party software used by the former business partner. We have since reviewed our processes and are working to implement enhanced measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future," the company confirmed.

This leaves anyone exposed at serious risk of social engineering attacks or identity theft, especially given that SSNs are involved. To assist anyone affected, Ascension is offering two years of free identity monitoring services including credit monitoring, fraud consultation, and identity theft restoration.

Although nothing is confirmed about the details of the incident, the timing and description of the incident suggest this could be linked to the Cl0p ransomware attack that abused a flaw in Cleo File Transfer software.

The group claimed 59 organizations were affected in the incident, so it’s certainly possible that Ascension is part of that list.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Fujifilm expected to launch a half-frame digital camera called the X-Half
• Online leaks suggest a 1-inch sensor, 10mm f/2.8 lens and vertical LCD
• Teaser trailer hints at upcoming release, with ‘See you soon’ line

Fujifilm is working on something peculiar. If rumors are right, it's set to release a half-frame digital camera that puts a contemporary twist on the classic film photography format. It’s expected to be called the X-Half – and it could be Fujifilm’s most unusual camera in years.

Fujifilm recently teased the new model’s release in an official clip, with the tagline ‘Half the Size, Twice the Story’. That caption adds weight to online speculation that the camera will shoot half-frame stills using a digital sensor. A shadowy silhouette shown in that video also suggests the X-Half will adopt the retro analog styling of recent Fujifilm cameras, including the X100VI.

What else can we expect from the X-Half? Fujifilm has teased at an imminent release with the line ‘See you soon’, but we don’t know exactly when the camera will be revealed. What we do have is a list of leaked specs, shared by reliable online sources. Taken together, these suggest that the X-Half will be a fun camera with potentially viral retro appeal, designed to tempt smartphone photographers into camera ownership.

Here are five features we’re expecting to see on the weirdest camera of 2025.

1. Half-frame photography

The headline feature of the X-Half is expected to be half-frame photography. Traditionally, this technique allowed analog cameras to capture two portrait exposures on a single frame of 35mm film, giving photographers twice the number of stills from a roll. The resulting composite images became known as ‘diptychs’, with two vertical scenes combined side-by-side.

Exactly how Fujifilm will execute this effect in a digital camera isn’t clear, but it’s expected to be the key selling point of the X-Half. Based on information from unnamed sources, Fuji Rumors has suggested that the new camera will allow you to press the shutter once to capture the first half of the image, then again to shoot the second.

2. 1-inch sensor

Fuji Rumors has also reported that the X-Half will feature a 1-inch sensor. This fits with its positioning as a premium point-and-shoot: that sensor size would be smaller than APS-C, allowing Fujifilm to package the X-Half with compact proportions, yet still capture more light and detail than the best camera phones.

There’s been a lot of talk around the orientation of the sensor. Several sources have suggested that it could be positioned vertically, allowing the X-Half to natively shoot portrait stills which are then digitally composited into diptychs. This setup would also lend itself to content creation: assuming the camera has a standard mode, vertical images are ideal for sharing on social medial.

3. Fixed 10mm f/2.8 lens

Recent șpec leaks have suggested that Fujiiflm’s half-frame camera will feature a fixed 10mm lens with an aperture of f/2.8. Combined with a 1-inch sensor, that would give it a full-frame equivalent of 28mm – a focal length we’ve seen put to good use in other premium compacts, including the Ricoh GR III. It’s a natural fit for street photography and one familiar to smartphone users.

The f/2.8 aperture is fairly slow for a fixed lens, especially paired with a 1-inch sensor. That combination will limit both low-light performance and the shallow depth of field effect. If accurate, that probably reflects the positioning of the X-Half as a fun, entry-level point and shoot rather than a serious photography tool.

4. Vertical LCD display

Another rumor circulating online relates to the LCD display. According to Fuji Rumors, the X-Half will have at least one screen oriented vertically. Based on the teaser trailer, we think we know why. In that clip, a Provia film logo is visible on the rear of the camera. We think this suggests the X-Half will have a digital film preview window to show the selected film mode, emulating the physical equivalent found on some analog cameras.

It’s a feature we’ve seen before: on the X-Pro 3, a mini display showed the chosen Film Simulation recipe. Given the X-Half’s core focus on analog emulation, including a rumored ‘film roll mode’ that locks in settings for 36 exposures, we wouldn’t be surprised to see an LCD dedicated to displaying the logo of the selected film. This might sound gimmicky, but it leans heavily into the hybrid analog aesthetic.

5. Optical viewfinder

So, too, does the suggestion that the X-Half will feature an optical viewfinder rather than an EVF. This would be another nod to analog half-frame cameras, especially if oriented vertically (as it is on the Pentax 17, a recent revival of the half-frame film format and one of the best film cameras you can buy in 2025).

Together with a physical exposure compensation dial, an optical viewfinder could give users the impression that they are shooting on film with an analog camera, despite the digital sensor inside. The question is how effectively Fuji is able to execute and pitch this proposition, without the X-Half feeling like a novelty camera – which some purists are already calling it.

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• The latest version of Windhawk, a popular customization tool, supports Arm
• That means those with Snapdragon PCs can use it to put their own stamp on Windows 11
• There are some catches here, though, including that not every Windhawk mod will work on Arm PCs right out of the gate

Those with a Copilot+ PC that has a Snapdragon (Arm) processor now have more customization options for Windows 11 at their fingertips, because a popular third-party app now has a version that works on these devices.

Yes, anyone with an Arm-based PC who’s been enviously eyeing Windhawk, and the powers this tool boasts in terms of changing the Windows 11 desktop, can now enjoy the app – whereas previously only those with AMD and Intel CPUs could.

Windows Central picked up on the launch of a new version of Windhawk (v1.6) which is optimized for Snapdragon chips.

The release notes for Windhawk v1.6 inform us that: “Windhawk can now be installed on Arm64 versions of Windows, and customization of native Arm64 programs is fully supported. Customization of x86 and x64 programs on Arm64 Windows has some limitations, which might be improved in the future. Some mods may need to be adjusted by their authors to work correctly on Arm64 Windows.”

Windhawk is a base platform that allows you to browse an array of mods and apply any of them to Windows 11, letting you pick and choose the customizations that you want.

So, you can change the taskbar for example, or go to town on overhauling the Start menu, or apply an entire theme. A recent example of the latter is a Windows Vista-inspired theme for Windhawk, giving Windows 11 a retro vibe while still keeping its modern lines.

(Image credit: Ramen Software) Analysis: A powerful utility with a couple of caveats

It can’t be a bad thing that a popular piece of software which is truly bristling with options to make Windows 11 look different is now available more widely. After all, it isn’t just folks with AMD or Intel-powered PCs who might want to tweak and polish Windows 11 (or maybe even change it entirely).

That said, there are a couple of slight catches here. Firstly, as the release notes indicate, some mods might need tinkering with to work on an Arm-based PC with Windhawk 1.6 – and the authors may, or may not, get around to doing that. Your choices may still be more limited with a Snapdragon PC given that, especially in these early days for the Arm-friendly take on the utility.

Furthermore, I have to issue the usual warning here which is that Windhawk is a piece of third-party software, and you must always be cautious when installing such apps on your PC.

In this case, Windhawk has been around for some time and has a reputation as a secure enough prospect as far as third-party efforts go. But still, it must be said that you install anything on your system at your own risk – even if it’s an apparently low level of risk.

Aside from potential security concerns, there are also times when third-party apps that customize the Windows 11 interface considerably can throw spanners in the works when it comes to Microsoft’s monthly patches (or yearly upgrades for that matter).

Windhawk is particularly prized for its ability to refine the Start menu, and accomplish tricks like removing the Recommended panel from that part of the Windows 11 interface, a piece of the jigsaw that many feel gets in the way. (Although that ability may be provided by Microsoft, finally, based on clues hidden away in test builds of Windows 11 – but for now, you’ll need a workaround to do this, such as Windhawk).

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• Businesses can claim full refunds if Acer devices’ hardware fail under warranty in the first year
• Claims follow tight rules - hardware faults, warranty repair, and proper business registration
• Vero and SpatialLabs devices are covered - this isn’t just for budget business gear anymore

Acer has revealed a new offer that could reshape customer expectations across the business laptop and computing space.

Under the Acer Reliability Promise, customers in the EMEA region who purchase qualifying professional devices by the end of 2025 can receive a full refund of the original purchase price if the device experiences a hardware fault within the first year and is repaired under warranty.

Eligible categories include Chrome and Windows Pro devices, as well as select business monitors and projectors. Notably, products featuring Acer’s Vero sustainability technology and SpatialLabs 3D capabilities are also included, indicating that the offer isn’t limited to entry-level business models.

How does this new policy work?

The invoice date counts as Day 1, and buyers have 30 days to register their purchase. Up to 20 products per business are eligible, and the purchase must be for a new product made within the 2025 calendar year.

Any claim must be filed within 30 days of the product being repaired under warranty. The fault must be hardware-related and resolved by an Acer-authorized repair center. Software issues, external component failures, misuse, or accidental damage are excluded.

This offer is not available to individual consumers and is aimed exclusively at VAT-registered professionals and companies. To make a claim, customers must provide matching business credentials and bank details. The refund applies only once per product and is based on the net purchase price, excluding VAT and accessories.

By offering what is essentially a one-year satisfaction guarantee, Acer is challenging industry norms and prompting competitors to reassess their own warranty policies.

If widely adopted, this model could raise quality standards and build greater trust across the business tech sector.

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• Philips promises the new i9000 is its 'most intelligent shaver' yet
• Claims it can lift and cut hair -0.08mm below the skin’s surface
• Also offers real-time customization and pressure-activated lighting

If you’ve been wondering what’s next for premium electric shavers, Philips has an answer for you: the Norelco Shaver i9000 Prestige Ultra, the brand's most intelligent and powerful yet. It builds on the design and ergonomics that impressed us on previous models – this is the brand behind some of the best beard trimmers and electric razors on the market – as well as introducing a number of innovative new features.

I got a chance to check it out at a preview event, and I was intrigued. (Unfortunately, I was also clean-shaven, so while I did get a chance to see it in action, you'll have to wait for my upcoming review for my official verdict.) Here are three reasons why the Norelco i9000 stands out from the crowd...

1. It can shave below the skin

The most significant change between the i9000 and previous Norelco shavers is that Philips promises a root-level shave with the new model. Using what Philips has dubbed ‘Triple Action Lift & Cut Technology', it'll lift hair directly from the root, cutting up to -0.08mm below the skin’s surface, for the cleanest, smoothest shave of your life. It sounds painful, but I saw it in action and can confirm there was only hair being shaven, no one ended up taking their top layer of skin off.

With only a little stubble on my face, it easily took care of more short, fine hairs with ease. I look forward to putting this to the test when it's bit more grown out and see if it can solve for the tug-of-war feeling that some other shavers afford when getting their bearings around longer, more grown-out hair.

2. Real-time AI shaving feedback

Like the previous model (which impressed us when we tested it for our Philips Shaver S9000 review), there are five modes: sensitive, foam, intense, regular, and custom. New with the i9000 is SenseIQ Pro – an upgraded version of the tech used in previous models, which uses AI to customize the shaving experience in real time, offering feedback and aiming to deliver a better shaving experience.

That combines with a new 360-degree 'Precision Flexing System' designed to offer 20 per cent more precision in use, thanks to three flexible heads that hide 72 blades and can perform 165,000 cutting actions in a minute.

(Image credit: Philips)

I got to try the i9000 on hair growing in various directions and of various lengths on boards that Philips had set up. There was no tug, even when the surface wasn't smooth. The i9000's flexible heads certainly let it navigate any area skin a bit easier, and the blades work quickly enough to let you move the shaver as you see fit.

3. Disco lighting and a bright, color screen

You’ll control and monitor all of this via a new, color screen on the front. I could see at the preview event it's considerably brighter than the one found on previous models. That screen will also greet you with a Good Morning or Good Evening, depending on when you pick the shaver up off the stand (and like most other devices, the i9000 also works with a connected app for Android or iOS).

Even cooler, though, is a ring of LEDs under three floating shaving heads that glow green or red depending on how hard you're pressing the shaver.

The LEDs get nice and bright, so they're easy to see in the mirror or in your peripheral vision, and they really do adjust on the fly based on how much pressure I apply. It's a really useful guiding tool, and even if you don't care to connect up the companion app, can provide that feedback right on the shaver.

The general gist here is that more intelligent features plus plenty of power help the Philips Norelco i9000 deliver the shave you need, in any environment at any time. The extra tech flair being thrown in is neat, and the use of AI for real-time personalization has already proven successful in earlier generations.

I’ve just unboxed the Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra and am excited to fully put it through its paces over the next few weeks. It’s out now with a starting price of $329.99, depending on the exact model – as of this publishing, I see the i9000 Prestige Ultra for $329.99 on Amazon with a charging stand, a carrying case, and an extra attachment. It will get as pricey as $499.99, though. We’re waiting for Philips to confirm pricing for the UK and Australia.

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Doctor Who has been on a roll – relatively speaking, anyway – over the last couple of weeks.

After a pretty generic start with its season 2 premiere, aka 'The Robot Revolution', the popular sci-fi show has delivered great back-to-back episodes in 'Lux' and 'The Well'. To keep its hot streak going, Doctor Who season 2's next episode will need to be just as good, if not better than that duo.

So, when will 'Lucky Day', which will reunite us with Ruby Sunday, be released? Below, I'll tell you when and where you can watch it. You'll also find a full release schedule at the end of this article to find out when the remaining three chapters will arrive, too.

When will Doctor Who season 2 episode 4 come out in the US?

Nucti Gatwa's iconic Time Lord will return to our screens with Varada Sethu's Bel (and Millie Gibson's Ruby!) on on Disney+ on Saturday, May 3 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

Where can I watch Doctor Who season 2 episode 4 in the UK?

Season 2's Ruby-centric episode arrives this Saturday (Image credit: BBC/Disney+)

The next installment of Doctor Who season 2 (or, for those who've been watching since its 2005 reboot, season 15) will make its UK debut on BBC iPlayer on Saturday, May 3 at 8am BST.

For those who prefer to watch Nu-Who via a terrestrial TV channel, episode 4 will also be available to watch on BBC One later on the same day at 7:10pm BST.

What time can I stream Doctor Who season 2's fourth episode in Australia?

What mystery will Ruby have to solve with UNIT's help? (Image credit: BBC/Disney+)

The legendary Gallifreyan's next adventure will arrive in Australia on Saturday, May 3 at 5pm AEST. One of the best Disney+ shows will be available to watch at home on, well, Disney+ (aka one of the world's best streaming services) Down Under.

When do new episodes of Doctor Who get released?

A post shared by Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho)

A photo posted by on

If you've frequented these parts over the last three weeks, you'll know that new episodes of Doctor Who arrive every Saturday. For a full rundown of this season's release schedule, read on.

• Doctor Who season 2 episode 1 – out now
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 2 – out now
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 3 – out now
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 4 – Saturday, May 3
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 5 – Saturday, May 10
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 6 – Saturday, May 17
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 7 – Saturday, May 24
• Doctor Who season 2 episode 8 – Saturday, May 31

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• Amazon is spending $4 billion to improve its US rural delivery network
• 200 additional delivery stations will open up in rural areas
• Over 13,000 zip codes will be covered by the end of 2026

Amazon has announced plans to spend $4 billion by the end of 2026 to expand its delivery network across rural areas of the US.

As part of the package, the world's fourth-most valuable company will add over 200 additional delivery stations to its network, claiming to support more than 100,000 full- and part-time jobs both on the road and in warehouses.

"By having these programs and operating our own delivery network, we’ve been able to provide deliveries seven days a week and get packages to customers even faster," Amazon Worldwide Operations SVP Udit Madan proclaimed.

Amazon Prime rural deliveries

The multibillion-dollar investment will focus on the ecommerce giant's last-mile network, adding further delivery stations closer to customers.

This will include Amazon's own network as well as schemes like its Delivery Service Partner program, Amazon Flex, and Hub Delivery, which enables small businesses and members of the community to offer their support.

"Once this expansion is complete, our network will be able to deliver over a billion more packages each year to customers living in over 13,000 zip codes spanning 1,200,000 square miles," Madan added.

With the expansion, Amazon hopes to improve delivery speeds by up to 50% in rural areas.

Apart from the obvious – giving customers access to "over 300 million items" at an affordable price with quick delivery – Amazon also stressed that the company plays an important role in communities across the US. Each new facility is expected to create an average of 170 roles.

Madan cited research showing that Amazon's investments in its delivery network have "already led to $500 million in economic growth in small towns and rural communities." Hub Delivery partners are also said to be able to earn up to $27,000 in incremental income a year.

According to the company's most recent earnings report, it delivered its "fastest speeds ever for Prime members in 2024," delivering "over 65% more items to US Prime members the same day or overnight" compared with the year before.

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A shadow library might sound like something from a fantasy novel – but it’s real, and far more troubling.

It’s an online archive of pirated books, academic papers, and other people’s work, taken without permission. These libraries have always been controversial. But in the AI world, they’re an open secret – rich sources of high-quality writing used to train large language models.

The books in them are goldmines because they're long-form, emotional, diverse and generally well-written. Using them to ‘train’ AI is a shortcut to teaching these tools how humans think, feel, and express themselves. But licensing them properly would be expensive and messy. So tech companies just didn’t bother.

This quiet exploitation exploded into public view in March 2025 when The Atlantic released a tool that lets anyone search for their books in LibGen (Library Genesis), one of the biggest shadow libraries.

And there it was, my book Screen Time, along with millions of others.

It's been revealed in legal documents that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, used LibGen to train its large language models, including LLaMA 3. Not every title was necessarily used, but the possibility alone is enough to leave authors reeling.

As a tech journalist, I’ve always tried to stay level-headed about AI – curious but critical. But when it’s your book that’s been ‘stolen’ to train AI, it hits differently. You think about the hours, the edits, the emotion. The despair and euphoria of creating something from nothing.

It feels as if all of that has been swallowed whole by a system that mimics creativity while erasing the creator. The outrage from authors is real – the lack of consent, the lack of compensation. But what haunts me is something deeper, a grief for creativity itself, and the sense it's slipping away.

Fair use or foul play?

Meta has been under legal scrutiny about this for some time. In 2023, authors including Richard Kadrey, Sarah Silverman, Andrew Sean Greer, and Junot Díaz took legal action against the company, alleging it used their books without consent to train its large language models.

Meta's defence has been that training its AI models on copyrighted material constitutes what's known as fair use. One of the company's arguments is that the process is transformative, as the AI doesn't reproduce the original works but instead learns patterns from them to generate new content.

Laws in the UK and US differ. In the UK, this is generally considered unlawful unless it falls under specific exceptions like "fair dealing," which has a narrower scope than the US's "fair use." In the US, the legality will hinge on how "fair use" is interpreted, which is currently being tested in ongoing legal disputes. The outcomes will likely set significant precedents for future AI copyright law.

Meta and other AI advocates insist these systems will bring us enormous benefits. Can't the means justify the ends? Personally, I can appreciate that argument. But let's not kid ourselves – Meta's primary motivation is profit. The company is leveraging creative works as raw material to scale its AI capabilities.

Writer and author Lauren Bravo, whose books Probably Nothing, Preloved and What Would the Spice Girls Do? were scraped into LibGen, told me: “I feel furious about my books being on there, for myriad reasons. It's hard enough to make a decent living from writing books these days – the average author's income is £7k! – so to know that a company worth over a trillion dollars felt it was reasonable to use our work without throwing us a few quid is so enraging there aren't even words for it.”

Historian, broadcaster and author Dr Fern Riddell, whose books Death in Ten Minutes, Sex: Lessons From History and The Victorian Guide to Sex were also in the LibGen database, said: “It’s absolutely devastating to see yours – and many others’ – life’s work stolen by a billion-dollar company. This is not the proliferation of ideas. It’s straightforward theft to make Meta money. The scale of it is almost incomprehensible – all my books have been stolen, along with my right to protect my work.”

Like Bravo and Riddell, other authors are understandably angry and confused what this means for the future. The Society of Authors and several other organizations are considering adding to the mounting legal action against Meta. Maybe change will come – new licensing rules, more transparency, opt-in models. But it feels too little, too late.

“Writing a book is a long and deeply personal process for any author. But because mine talks about losing both my parents at a young age – from coping with grief as a teenager to caring for my mum through cancer – it feels extra personal,” writer and corporate content consultant Rochelle Bugg tells me, whose book Handle With Care is also in the dataset. “I poured my heart and soul into my book, so the fact it has been taken, without my knowledge or consent, and used to train AI models that will generate profit for someone else seems totally unjust and completely indefensible.”

There's something uniquely painful about deeply personal work being scraped and repurposed, especially without permission.

The art of being human

These latest incidents have raised all sorts of questions not just about copyright, but about creativity – and how little we seem to value it.

"I fear it's symptomatic of something much larger that's been going on for decades," Lauren Bravo tells me. "The way creative work has been dramatically devalued by the internet."

"We've all participated in it," she adds. "In some ways, the democratization of content has been brilliant. But the sinister flipside is that we now expect to consume creative work for free – writing, music, art, even porn."

Generative AI tools take that mindset and dial it up to eleven. Why pay for anything when with a quick prompt you can make it instantly?

Take the viral AI-generated Studio Ghibli trend. It looks charming until you remember that Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki has publicly condemned it. Yes, AI can gobble up his art and copy its style anyway. But is that kind of mimicry creativity? Is it still art if it's made without permission, or without the human experience that shaped it?

Some of us obsess over these questions. But honestly? It's starting to look like few others care. Tech companies mine data. Users get the dopamine hit of jumping on a new trend. Everyone keeps scrolling.

Author Philip Ellis, whose books We Could Be Heroes and Love & Other Scams were scraped into LibGen, told me: "I see artists online trying to educate their followers about AI's environmental impact. But as the action figure trend has shown, your average person is still ignorant – maybe wilfully – of how bad generative AI is proving to be. Not just for the climate, but for culture."

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (the company behind ChatGPT), takes an unsurprisingly optimistic view. In a recent TED 2025 interview, he claimed generative AI can democratize creativity.

He acknowledges the ethical complexities – copying styles, lack of consent – and has floated ideas like opt-in revenue sharing. But even he admits that attribution, consent, and fair pay are still "big questions."

OpenAI blocks users from mimicking living artists directly, but broader genre imitation is still allowed. Altman insists that every leap in creative tech has led to "better output." But who decides what's "better"? And who benefits?

The danger next is that young creators might see this landscape and wonder if creating is still worth it.

"I'm scared that we'll lose a future generation of painters, authors, musicians," Ellis tells me. "That they won't feel the thrill of discovery. The joy of putting hours into a creative pursuit for its own sake. Because companies like Meta have told them a machine can do the hard part – as if the hard part isn't the whole point."

What we lose when we turn to AI to "create" for us isn’t just jobs or royalties. We also lose the messy, magical process that gives art its meaning. Creators aren’t prompt-fed machines. They're emotional, chaotic and alive. Every poem, novel, song or sketch is shaped by memory, trauma, boredom, desire. That’s what we connect to isn't it? Not polish, but meaning and soul.

As Ellis told me: "Even if I'm never published again, I'll still carry on writing. Because the act itself – of crafting characters and worlds that seem to exist almost independently of me – is what makes me happy."

AI can certainly produce something that resembles art. Sometimes it's clever. Sometimes it's even beautiful. But the AI tool you use doesn’t feel or care or know why it exists. Instead, we know it works by interpreting a prompt then borrowing, blending, remixing and regurgitating. So we have to ask whether what AI creates is still creativity in the absence of a human creator?

It’s the kind of question that keeps me up at night. And maybe ultimately it no longer matters. Maybe the very idea of creativity is being rewritten. Tech giants certainly promise us bold new forms of expression through AI. And many people are clearly excited by that prospect. But let’s at least be honest, these systems weren’t built to nurture our creativity. They were built to monetize it.

This isn’t just about my book, or even the 7.5 million others in LibGen. It’s about what we choose to value, like art, culture and the wild and weird richness of human experience. Because the truth is, we're not just training machines. We’re training ourselves to accept a world where our most meaningful expressions become raw material for someone else’s profit. And if we’re not careful, we’ll forget what it ever felt like to make something real.

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