Technology

CNET Lab exclusive: We've been testing charging speeds for years and now see that newer phones can get plenty of power in just 30 minutes.

Some long-time subscribers could see a price increase of around $4 a line.

After one round of air fryer bacon, the stovetop method feels like an unnecessarily messy way to get the same result.

Apple's got a treasure trove of must-watch shows.

• A new rumor about the DC Universe's (DCU) Batman is spreading online
• Various insiders claim an unlikely name has been cast as the Dark Knight
• Interestingly, said actor almost won the race to play Superman

James Gunn and Peter Safran have reportedly found the actor they want to play Batman in the DC Universe (DCU).

According to industry insider John Campea, an unlikely name has been tapped to portray the Dark Knight in Gunn and Safran's comic book franchise.

Campea wouldn't reveal the identity of said actor on the latest edition of his podcast, but says two different sources — one of whom is "well-positioned" to know these things, and neither of whom knows the other — linked the same star to the role.

So, who is this mystery individual? According to other leakers with less reputable track records, including MyTimetoShineHello, it's Tom Brittney.

Who is Tom Brittney and has he actually been cast as the DCU's Batman?

Tom Brittney's acting credits include Grantchester, Back in Action, and Greyhound (Image credit: Variety/GettyImages)

An English actor best known for playing the lead role in seasons 4 to 8 of British detective drama Granchester, Brittney won't be familiar to the vast majority of readers.

However, he's starting to make a name for himself in Hollywood circles. For a start, he was one of three individuals who made it to the final round of auditions to play Superman in the DCU. The others? David Corenswet, who won the race to play the Man of Steel, and Nicholas Hoult, who wound up being cast as Supes' archnemesis Lex Luthor.

Among other roles post-Granchester, Brittney had a small supporting role in hit Netflix movie Back in Action, which starred Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz. He'll next appear on the big screen in Lionsgate's Fall 2: Deadpoint, aka the follow-up to 2022 survivor thriller Fall, which is out in early September. If Brittney hasn't officially been announced as the DCU's Caped Crusader by then, expect him to field many, many, many questions about his potential casting during Fall 2's press tour.

"Great, Tom, but is there any truth to this rumor?", I hear you ask. At the time of publication, Gunn, who isn't shy about debunking hearsay — or, on the rarest of occasions, confirm a casting rumor — via social media, hasn't commented on the matter.

Admittedly, the DCU co-chief has his hands full with Man of Tomorrow, i.e. the sequel to 2025's Superman movie. Unless Gunn raises his head above the parapet to confirm or deny Brittney's involvement, we might not know until, well, tomorrow (June 30) when new scenes are expected to be filmed for Clayface, the next DCU Chapter One film.

Why new filming days for Clayface could confirm Brittney's casting as Batman

Well production for Clayface is back on the Wirral right now as teams are gearing up to film some pick up shots for the upcoming DC film releasing in October! Filming is taking place at the old Birkenhead Tunnel entrance from 30th June to 1st July!!!!#Clayface #DC #Movie pic.twitter.com/c0TddF20ELJune 28, 2026

According to X/Twitter use 4thdoctorstan74, Clayface's production crew will be back on Merseyside in the UK to shoot more material for the forthcoming body horror flick between June 30 and July 1.

Now, 4thdoctorstan74 has claimed that said crew will only be filming pick up shots. These are usually shot during the post-production process to, among other things, aid a movie's pacing and narrative flow. It's highly likely, then, that the film isn't underdoing any major reshoots ahead of its late October launch.

That said, I don't think we can completely rule out the possibility that one of these pick ups could involve Brittney if he has been hired to play Bruce Wayne and his vigilante alter-ego. After all, there have been countless rumors that Batman won't appear in Clayface, which feels like a huge misstep considering, you know, the titular villain is just one of the Gotham-based crimefighter's many foes. And, with Supergirl currently struggling to make an impact at the box office, it might be in Messrs Gunn and Safran's best interests to introduce the DCU's Batman as soon as possible to maintain interest in their nascent cinematic franchise.

If — and I honestly cannot keep stressing this enough — Brittney is set to portray the legendary hero in this DC comic book universe, it would make sense for his Batman to make his debut in Clayface, even if it's just a cameo, ahead of his standalone DCU film The Brave and the Bold. All eyes, then, are on Gunn's social media accounts and the north-west of England to see whether Brittney has been tapped to play the World's Greatest Detective.

In the meantime, find out everything we know so far about Clayface. Alternatively, find out how to watch the Batman movies in order or see if you agree with our ranking of the best Batman movies.

Professional-grade image editing powered by AI is now accessible without a subscription for content creators.

The post Luminar Neo’s AI Photo Editing Suite Is 75% Off For Life appeared first on TechRepublic.

For years, software subscriptions followed the same pattern.

Businesses signed up for new tools, teams tested them for a while, interest faded, budgets came under pressure, and subscriptions were cut.

Many companies ended up with overlapping platforms that few people fully used or even understood.

The result was fragmented systems, rising costs, and growing frustration.

SMEs continue to adopt AI.

Among UK small and midsize businesses that paid for AI tools in 2024, nearly eight in ten were still paying for them a year later.

That matters because businesses do not keep spending money on business software that does not prove its value.

What feels different this time is how naturally AI fits into the software businesses already use every day. For many people, it is simply becoming part of how work gets done.

Why SMEs adopt technology differently

Small businesses are usually the clearest test of whether technology genuinely works. SMEs operate with tighter margins, smaller teams, and far less room for wasted spending. If something does not help, it goes.

The businesses seeing the most value from AI are often using it in practical ways. They are reducing admin, speeding up repetitive tasks, organizing information faster, supporting customer service, and helping small teams get through more work in less time.

In the UK, businesses report using AI most heavily in admin, data processing, and customer service work. Those are areas where the work is structured, outcomes are clear, and oversight is straightforward.

AI is a productivity multiplier. It does not make businesses less busy, it removes friction, which means they progress faster than it previously thought possible.

That idea of removing friction may explain why this software cycle feels different from previous ones. Businesses are improving work that already exists instead of layering on more disconnected tools.

The most useful AI tools are often the least noticeable.

Relying on AI everyday

Many businesses are now using AI inside software they already rely on every day — not as a separate product to log into, but as a capability running quietly inside existing systems. For smaller businesses especially, that distinction matters. The value is not in adopting something new. It is in existing work becoming faster, more accurate, and less dependent on manual effort.

That shift changes the nature of the relationship between a business and its technology. When AI is a standalone tool, it remains optional. A business can trial it, decide it is not worth the cost, and remove it without consequence.

The calculation changes entirely when AI is integrated into the systems businesses already use to manage invoicing, customer records, financial reporting and daily communications. The tool is no longer separate from the work. It has become part of how the work happens.

That is why retention rates look the way they do. Businesses are not renewing AI subscriptions out of habit or inertia. They are renewing because the workflows they have built around these capabilities would have to be rebuilt without them.

AI allows a small team to operate with the maturity, governance, and delivery capability of a much larger organisation.

For SMBs that have spent years competing against larger businesses with bigger teams and deeper resources, that is not a small claim. It is the argument for AI in a single sentence.

Businesses still want people at the center of important decisions

Businesses remain cautious about where AI should be used — and that caution is well founded.

Research into how businesses use AI suggests hesitation is closely tied to trust. Businesses are comfortable using AI where the work is routine and easy to review. Areas involving legal judgments, people management, and financial decisions still depend heavily on human oversight.

The businesses getting the most from AI are usually clear about those boundaries. They use it to handle routine work more efficiently while keeping people closely involved in the decisions that carry real responsibility.

A few years ago, many companies were adding software faster than they could properly use it. Today, smaller businesses are becoming far more selective. Tools stay when they save time, reduce pressure, or help teams work more effectively. They disappear when they do not.

That may explain why AI is sticking. For a growing number of UK businesses, AI is no longer experimental. It is becoming part of the operational basics.

Checkout our list of the best IT automation software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

• BT and Verizon new joint venture could target $4 billion in annual revenue
• The companies are targeting 3,000 global enterprises across 180+ countries
• AI and cloud are the two primary selling points for this new joint venture

BT and Verizon have come together to form a 50:50 joint venture looking to serve around 3,000 multinational customers across more than 180 countries.

The official announcement details the creation of a new "scaled international connectivity platform" designed for a cloud-first, AI-first world.

Martijn Blanken has been appointed as CEO of the new joint venture, the name of which currently remains unconfirmed.

BT and Verizon target multinational enterprises in new JV

By combining their respective expertise, the two hope to provide enterprise customers more resilient global networking, more secure connectivity and infrastructure designed specifically for local laws, regulations and data sovereignty demands.

"Customers will benefit from new, secure and resilient connectivity platforms, which are designed for the age of AI and sovereign where it matters," BT CEO Allison Kirkby noted.

"Our international customers require secure, flexible connectivity that works seamlessly across borders and cloud environments," Verizon CEO Dan Schulman added.

The announcement also implies that, by spinning off a new JV for global enterprises, it would allow the two companies to improve focus on their domestic markets.

BT boasted about its "resilient communication and network services," and Verizon said it would bring secure connectivity via its enterprise wireline arm.

Though it's unclear which type of enterprises the JV will be targeting, it will likely bid on contracts for some of the biggest enterprises given the target of around 3,000 customers. Private enterprise networks, cloud connectivity, cybersecurity and cross-border connectivity will form the basis of the company.

According to the firms, the join venture could target around $4 billion in combined annual revenue.

24B exposed credentials pose a major security question for Australian firms. Learn why securing access is critical in our digital economy.

The post Why Australian Firms Should Care About 24B Exposed Credentials appeared first on TechRepublic.

Dell's EOFY laptop discounts can be a little less obvious than a normal retailer sale, because there’s no before price shown after a drop. Fortunately, I track Dell pricing, so I can spot when an easily missed price drop is actually worth paying attention to.

That's why the Dell 14 Plus caught my eye: it's a compact 14-inch Windows laptop with a pretty grunty Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, 16GB RAM and a roomy 1TB SSD. Just as importantly, there’s a TechRadar coupon code available that brings the price down to just AU$1,139.05.

Our review said the Dell 14 Plus "delivers pretty much exactly what you need to get the job done" for everyday use, school work and general productivity.

What more could you want?

The Dell 14 Plus specs are an excellent mix for the money, while the 14-inch 2K display and 1.52kg weight keep it pretty portable. Our Dell 14 Plus review found it well suited to general-use productivity, though not heavy gaming or serious video editing. It recently dropped to AU$1,199 from AU$1,498, and you can get an extra 5% off with the code FUTUREAU5%.View Deal

One of the reasons I like this little laptop is that for the price, it doesn’t shortchange you on memory or storage space. And it might not feel as important now, but that 1TB SSD means you can store loads of photos and files without worrying about running out of space.

Our review gave the Dell 14 Plus 4.1 stars, and the scorecard sums it up neatly: "a solid general-use and productivity notebook that's great for work or school". The value score is a top-notch 5 out of 5, while performance and battery life each score 4 out of 5.

There are some caveats, of course. The display is only 300 nits, so it's better suited to an office, home desk or lecture room than bright outdoor use. Our review also noted the keyboard, trackpad and speakers could be better, so I wouldn't buy this expecting a premium MacBook Air feel.

But considering the price, those trade-offs make perfect sense if you mainly need a portable Windows laptop that handles everyday work without any fuss.

There's also a related Dell deal that may suit some readers better: the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 with a Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD is AU$1,299.10 with the same FUTUREAU5% code, down from the early June price of AU$1,799.

The 2-in-1 makes more sense if you like using a touchscreen. Personally, I find that being able to fold the display back into tablet or tent mode is super handy for things like handwritten notes, reading on the couch, marking up documents or watching movies on a plane.

If you want to check out more laptop options before deciding, our main EOFY laptop deals hub is chock full of laptop deals. It covers everything from more Dell deals to MacBooks, Windows laptops, 2-in-1s and gaming laptops, so it has something for everyone.

For even more Dell discounts, check out our TechRadar Dell coupons page, or try one of the codes below.

• FUTURE13% — Save 13% off selected XPS and Alienware laptops and desktops
• FUTURE11% — Take 11% off select monitors and displays
• FUTUREAU5% — Enjoy 5% off a wide range of laptops and desktops

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 29.

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 29, No. 644.

With just days to go before Prime Day 2026 kicks off in Australia, it's no surprise that early deals have already started, with Amazon's own subscription services being the stars of the opening act.

You can now get three months of free Kindle Unlimited and Audible if you're a new or returning customer to either or both of the services, which is fantastic news for avid readers.

That's the best early Prime Day deal in my books (pardon the pun) because, as a voracious reader who has set herself a challenge to read upwards of 60 books in the calendar year (I usually average about 30), three months free of Kindle Unlimited is sure to help. Yes, I did sign up for Kindle Unlimited myself as a returning customer, hoping to discover some unknown gems in my preferred genres of history, fantasy and mythology.

So, instead of the usual 30-day free trial, you get an extended three months free trial, but keep in mind that this will not include an additional 30 days — the original trial period becomes null and void in these circumstances.

That's still a good deal, because you save two months of subscription cost at the very least, which is AU$27.98 (or AU$13.99p/m) for Kindle Unlimited and AU$17.98 (or AU$8.99p/m) for Audible.

Amazon Kindle Unlimited: three months free, then AU$13.99p/m
Kindle Unlimited is a great service if you read a lot of books or can't settle on just one genre. It provides access to a near never-ending supply of fiction and non-fiction, including biographies, self-help books, and foreign language novels. There are even audiobooks — though they're not as high quality as Audible. View Deal

Audible: three months free, then AU$8.99p/m
Prefer to listen to stories rather than read? Then you’ll prefer this deal over the Kindle Unlimited deal above. Audible gives you the chance to listen to thousands of Originals as well as plenty of other hot titles. You also get to keep any purchase you make if you decide to cancel your subscription.View Deal

Note that these early Prime Day deals — like all other Prime deals — require a Prime membership to be eligible. In fact, you won't even see those offers on Amazon if you aren't signed in with a Prime account. If you have a standard Amazon account, you will find Kindle Unlimited for half price (AU$6.99p/m) for three months instead.

Again, it looks like opting for this half-price deal voids the standard 30-day free trial as that's presented as a separate sign-up option for non-Prime members. So definitely take advantage of this excellent deal as a Prime subscriber.

The best early deal I can see for non-Prime members is four months free of Music Unlimited, and that's even better value, especially if you listen more than read. Not only does a Music Unlimited subscription get you ad-free HD streaming access to millions of songs, there are hundreds of thousands of podcasts and audiobooks too.

Music Unlimited: four months free, then AU$13.99p/m
No ad breaks, just music, podcasts and audiobooks. You can stream in high resolution and experience spatial audio for a full four months, and you can cancel any time if you don't want to pay the ongoing monthly subscription. You will need to be a new Music Unlimited subscriber, however, to take advantage of this offer.View Deal

If you've never had a Prime membership before, you can get a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime to get access to this year's Prime Day deals. You get the same benefits as paid members, including free delivery in thousands of eligible products, and access to other services such as Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Gaming and more. You can cancel at any time during the trial to avoid paying the regular fee of AU$9.99 per month. Just click on any of the buttons below to sign up now.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, June 28 (game #1113).

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 #1114) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• WOOFER
• RUFFIAN
• INHALE
• GROOT
• EMBARK
• MAGNET
• SNARF
• CONE
• ROGUE
• CRUSH
• CABINET
• STRUNK
• NUDIBRANCH
• MISCREANT
• GUZZLE
• SCOUNDREL

NYT Connections today (game #1114) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Hooligans of yesteryear
• GREEN: Eat quickly
• BLUE: Parts of a device for musical volume
• PURPLE: Don’t bark up the wrong one

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 #1114) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: OLD TIMEY TROUBLEMAKERS
• GREEN: CONSUME WITH GUSTO
• BLUE: PARTS OF A SPEAKER
• PURPLE: ENDING IN PARTS OF A TREE

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

NYT Connections today (game #1114) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1114, are…

• YELLOW: OLD TIMEY TROUBLEMAKERS MISCREANT, ROGUE, RUFFIAN, SCOUNDREL
• GREEN: CONSUME WITH GUSTO CRUSH, GUZZLE, INHALE, SNARF
• BLUE: PARTS OF A SPEAKER CABINET, CONE, MAGNET, WOOFER
• PURPLE: ENDING IN PARTS OF A TREE EMBARK, GROOT, NUDIBRANCH, STRUNK

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

I wasted some time looking at parts of words and convinced myself that there must be some canine-themed collection thanks to WOOFER and EMBARK, but ENDING IN PARTS OF A TREE passed me by.

My mistake was a stupid one. I knew that we were threading OLD TIMEY TROUBLEMAKERS, but I included GROOT instead of ROGUE based on some half-remembered slang rather than the Marvel character.

Meanwhile, did anyone else experience deja vu from the green group CONSUME WITH GUSTO? I’m sure we have had this quartet before.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, June 28, game #1113)

• YELLOW: HIGH-QUALITY CHOICE, FINE, PRIME, SELECT
• GREEN: SIGNALS TO COMMENCE BEGIN, GO, NOW, START
• BLUE: ACCESSORIES FOR A GUITARIST CAPO, PICK, SLIDE, STRAP
• PURPLE: THEY HAVE BOARDS CHESS, CORPORATION, DARTS, SURFER

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 Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, June 28 (game #1616).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,400 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 #1617) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* 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 #1617) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

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

Quordle today (game #1617) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1617) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1617) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• C

• C

• P

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

Quordle today (game #1617) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1617, are…

• SLURP
• CRACK
• CRANK
• PHONY

After a spell of very difficult games it feels as if we are being given an easy ride.

This is the first time in ages I can remember two words as similar as CRACK and CRANK.

After my bad run I am not complaining.

Daily Sequence today (game #1617) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1617, are…

• DANCE
• SPELT
• SPEAR
• GREET

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1616, Sunday, 28 June: RUPEE, TOPAZ, FULLY, BEING
• Quordle #1615, Saturday, 27 June: PRINT, MARRY, SADLY, BICEP
• Quordle #1614, Friday, 26 June: JUICE, ARRAY, BONEY, SKIFF
• Quordle #1613, Thursday, 25 June: SHELF, TAWNY, HYPER, SOLVE
• Quordle #1612, Wednesday, 24 June: SOBER, ECLAT, GOOSE, NINNY
• Quordle #1611, Tuesday, 23 June: ARDOR, DADDY, SERVE, SHEAR
• Quordle #1610, Monday, 22 June: WAXEN, APNEA, CHIME, WAVER
• Quordle #1609, Sunday, 21 June: ABBOT, NOTCH, DREAD, LURID
• Quordle #1608, Saturday, 20 June: SLAIN, TAMER, VIPER, FALSE
• Quordle #1607, Friday, 19 June: ALOUD, POINT, GLOBE, GROIN
• Quordle #1606, Thursday, 18 June: LATCH, BRAWL, STEEL, CRUSH
• Quordle #1605, Wednesday, 17 June: HOIST, PLUSH, GROUP, LEMUR
• Quordle #1604, Tuesday, 16 June: SLAIN, PLUCK, PINTO, SLICE
• Quordle #1603, Monday, 15 June: GAUNT, SNEAK, ROUTE, POKER
• Quordle #1602, Sunday, 14 June: WIMPY, WISPY, VIRAL, NYLON
• Quordle #1601, Saturday, 13 June: DEALT, STEED, BELIE, GULLY
• Quordle #1600, Friday, 12 June: TENTH, SHOAL, JELLY, UNIFY
• Quordle #1599, Thursday, 11 June: GAMMA, SPILL, SALVE, RURAL
• Quordle #1598, Wednesday, 10 June: BELIE, TEACH, GUEST, NOOSE

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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, June 28 (game #847).

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 #848) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… The mark of a good composer

NYT Strands today (game #848) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• CRAB
• TRAM
• BALD
• FELON
• ARABIC
• CRANK

NYT Strands today (game #848) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 12 letters

NYT Strands today (game #848) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 5th row

Last side: right, 6th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #848) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #848, are…

• CLEFT
• REST
• NOTE
• BRACKET
• MEASURE
• ACCIDENTAL
• SPANGRAM: MUSICALSTAFF

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

The theme was initially confusing — were we searching for composers like Mozart? — and even spotting the spangram MUSICSTAFF didn’t make any difference.

Musical staff? Is that a posh way to describe an orchestra? 

However, after a hint, I realized we were searching for words associated with the composer’s craft of writing music.

That said, ACCIDENTAL was a new one for me, as I did not know this was a musical term and it took me ages to connect — it is a symbol placed immediately before a note that alters its pitch, temporarily raising or lowering it.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, June 28, game #847)

• PARADE
• RAINBOW
• DRAG
• RALLY
• FLAGS
• CELEBRATION
• SPANGRAM: PRIDEMONTH

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.

Generative AI is capable of some astonishing feats, with image and video generators, in particular, capable of creating stunning visual scenes based on text-based instructions. Plenty of the images you can generate, however, steal the distinctive styles of iconic artists – and many of these artists aren't best pleased.

Imitation is the best form of flattery

Filmmaker Tim Burton, who created heavily stylistic films like Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas, was among several artists whose iconic styles were showcased in AI-generated images.

Quote of the day

This article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.

BuzzFeed used AI to show us what iconic Disney movies would look like if they were directed by various filmmakers, with a series of garish and creepy results.

Burton, responding to the feature, told the Independent that seeing his own artistry imitated was akin to some cultures believing that capturing your image with a camera takes something away from your soul.

These comments also tap into the debate as to whether media generated by AI can ever be considered 'original' or 'creative' – or if they're simply crude averages.

The rise of AI in the creative industries

Burton's viewpoint mimics the thoughts of the iconic Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, the mind behind Studio Ghibli hits such as My Neighbour Totoro.

"You can make horrible things if you want but I want nothing to do with it. It's an awful insult to life," Miyazaki said in response to learning an illustrator was using AI to aid with his work on Boro the Caterpillar.

But AI has increasingly infiltrated the creative industries, with several major studios finding ways to use AI in the production process, but also on-screen elements, such as in the case of Lionsgate's partnership with Runway AI.

Despite the warning from filmmakers, the trend continues, with the likes of studio A24 also partnering with Google to build AI-powered filmmaking tools.

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