Technology

Here are hints and the answer for today's extra-difficult Wordle No. 1,458 for June 16.

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 16, #736.

• Fake wallet apps ask for your 12-word phrase and quietly drain your crypto funds
• CRIL found over 20 Play Store apps built solely to steal users’ crypto credentials
• Malicious apps used WebView to fake real login pages from PancakeSwap and others

New research by Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs (CRIL) has uncovered a large-scale phishing campaign involving more than 20 Android applications listed on the Google Play Store.

These apps, which appeared to be legitimate cryptocurrency wallet tools, were created with a singular purpose: stealing users’ mnemonic phrases, the crucial 12-word keys that provide full access to crypto wallets.

Once compromised, victims risk losing their entire cryptocurrency holdings, with no possibility of recovery.

How the apps work and what makes them dangerous

Many of the malicious apps were built using the Median framework, which enables the rapid conversion of websites into Android applications.

Using this method, threat actors embedded phishing URLs directly into the app code or within privacy policy documents.

These links would then load deceptive login pages via a WebView, tricking users into entering their mnemonic phrases under the false belief they were interacting with trusted wallet services such as PancakeSwap, SushiSwap, Raydium, and Hyperliquid.

For example, a fraudulent PancakeSwap app used the URL hxxps://pancakefentfloyd[.]cz/api.php, which led to a phishing page mimicking the legitimate PancakeSwap interface.

Likewise, a fake Raydium app redirected users to hxxps://piwalletblog[.]blog to carry out a similar scam.

Despite variations in branding, these apps shared a common objective: extracting users’ private access keys.

CRIL's analysis revealed that the phishing infrastructure supporting these apps was extensive. The IP address 94.156.177[.]209, used to host these malicious pages, was linked to over 50 other phishing domains.

These domains imitate popular crypto platforms and are reused across multiple apps, indicating a centralized and well-resourced operation.

Some malicious apps were even published under developer accounts previously associated with legitimate software, such as gaming or streaming applications, further lowering user suspicion.

This tactic complicates detection, as even advanced mobile security tools may struggle to identify threats hidden behind familiar branding or developer profiles.

To protect against such attacks, CRIL advises users to download apps only from verified developers and avoid any that request sensitive information.

Using reputable Android antivirus or endpoint protection software, along with ensuring that Google Play Protect is enabled, adds an important, though not infallible, layer of defense.

Strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication should be standard practice, and biometric security features should be enabled when available.

Users should also avoid clicking on suspicious links received via SMS or email, and never enter sensitive information into mobile apps unless their legitimacy is certain.

Ultimately, no legitimate app should ever request a full mnemonic phrase through a login prompt. If that happens, it’s likely already too late.

Full list of the 22 fake apps to avoid

• 1. Pancake Swap
  Package: co.median.android.pkmxaj
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://pancakefentfloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 2. Suiet Wallet
  Package: co.median.android.ljqjry
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietsiz.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 3. Hyperliquid
  Package: co.median.android.jroylx
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 4. Raydium
  Package: co.median.android.yakmje
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://raydifloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 5. Hyperliquid
  Package: co.median.android.aaxblp
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 6. BullX Crypto
  Package: co.median.android.ozjwka
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://bullxni.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 7. OpenOcean Exchange
  Package: co.median.android.ozjjkx
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://openoceansi.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 8. Suiet Wallet
  Package: co.median.android.mpeaaw
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietsiz.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 9. Meteora Exchange
  Package: co.median.android.kbxqaj
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://meteorafloydoverdose.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 10. Raydium
  Package: co.median.android.epwzyq
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://raydifloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 11. SushiSwap
  Package: co.median.android.pkezyz
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://sushijames.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 12. Raydium
  Package: co.median.android.pkzylr
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://raydifloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 13. SushiSwap
  Package: co.median.android.brlljb
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://sushijames.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 14. Hyperliquid
  Package: co.median.android.djerqq
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 15. Suiet Wallet
  Package: co.median.android.epeall
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietwz.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 16. BullX Crypto
  Package: co.median.android.braqdy
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://bullxni.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 17. Harvest Finance blog
  Package: co.median.android.ljmeob
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://harvestfin.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 18. Pancake Swap
  Package: co.median.android.djrdyk
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://pancakefentfloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html
• 19. Hyperliquid
  Package: co.median.android.epbdbn
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 20. Suiet Wallet
  Package: co.median.android.noxmdz
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietwz.sbs/privatepolicy.html
• 21. Raydium
  Package: cryptoknowledge.rays
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://www.termsfeed.com/live/a4ec5c75-145c-47b3-8b10-d43164f83bfc
• 22. PancakeSwap
  Package: com.cryptoknowledge.quizzz
  Privacy Policy: hxxps://www.termsfeed.com/live/a4ec5c75-145c-47b3-8b10-d43164f83bfc

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• SoftBank and Intel plan low-power memory to rival South Korean HBM
• Saimemory aims for 2030 launch but faces major market delays
• Intel and SoftBank are already stretched across AI chips and tech investments

SoftBank and Intel are reportedly teaming up to develop a new type of AI-focused high-bandwidth memory that they hope will rival HBM products produced by South Korean tech giants Samsung and SK Hynix.

A report from Nikkei Asia, claims the pair are aiming to create stacked DRAM chips with a new wiring structure that cuts power consumption by half, compared to current HBM chips.

The initiative will be led by a new company called Saimemory, with a prototype expected within two years, and commercialization targeted before 2030.

Too little too late?

Despite the technical ambition, the timeline poses a serious challenge. Samsung and SK Hynix are already several product generations ahead and comfortably dominate the global HBM market. By the time Saimemory brings its alternative to market, the existing players are likely to have extended their lead further.

A SoftBank executive told Nikkei Asia that if the project is successful, “we want priority for the supply,” reflecting just how early-stage the effort remains.

The memory is intended for use in AI data centers, where energy consumption and high throughput are growing concerns. SoftBank hopes the new chips will support large-scale AI training more efficiently and at lower cost.

Stronger domestic supply chains could also reduce Japan’s reliance on Korean suppliers.

Nikkei Asia notes Japan once held over 70% of the global DRAM market but exited as South Korean and Taiwanese players rose. Elpida, Japan’s last DRAM manufacturer, went bankrupt in 2012 and was acquired by Micron, which itself is currently seeking a bigger slice of the $100 billion HBM pie.

SoftBank is the largest investor in Saimemory, with a 3 billion yen stake in the 10 billion yen project. Intel is contributing technology, while the University of Tokyo and other Japanese academic institutions are providing patents. Government support is also being considered.

Although this is a promising endeavor, both SoftBank and Intel have a lot on their plates right now. Intel is managing its foundry expansion, pushing AI chips, and trying to reclaim CPU market share. SoftBank is focused on growing Arm and expanding its AI investment portfolio.

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• Android 16 is causing problems for some Pixel devices
• Navigation buttons and gestures are freezing
• As yet Google hasn't said anything officially about the bugs

Android 16 was officially pushed out to Pixel owners last week, but reports are coming in of the software update causing some pretty major bugs on certain handsets, related to gestures and interface and navigation.

As noted by Android Headlines, the reports say certain navigation buttons and gestures don't respond as they should – meaning certain operations (like going back to the previous screen) take seconds to complete, or don't happen at all.

It's not difficult to find users having problems: on Reddit, we've got posts about unresponsive buttons on a Google Pixel 8, swiping up not doing anything on a Pixel 9 Pro XL, and multiple gestures not functioning on a Pixel 6.

Over on X (formerly Twitter), Artem Russakovskii from Android Police says the back gesture only works intermittently since updating to Android 16 – and there's a screen recording included so you can see what happens (or rather, doesn't happen).

Problems for some

Here's a demo of the back button randomly not working on Android 16.I grabbed a bug report and submitted it to Google engineering along with this reproduction screencast. Hopefully, they'll figure it out. pic.twitter.com/nEmifqQRvbJune 14, 2025

While there are numerous reports of issues online, these problems clearly aren't affecting everyone: since upgrading to Android 16 on my Google Pixel 9 phone, I haven't noticed any problems using the navigation gestures.

As yet, Google hasn't yet said anything officially about these problems. If you are affected, you can report the bug to Google. With so many users now complaining, no doubt this is going to get addressed sooner rather than later.

What makes these bugs particularly annoying is that they relate to a fundamental part of the user experience, and affect multiple apps and screens. Being able to get around your phone is a pretty fundamental part of using it.

Android 16 brings with it a number of useful upgrades, including a new Pixel VIPs feature for your favorite contacts, but we're still waiting for the big Material 3 Expressive revamp to arrive – which should be along later this year.

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Group B gets underway with an all-European clash.

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 15 (game #1238).

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 #1239) - hint #1 - VowelsHow 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 #1239) - 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 #1239) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #1239) - 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 #1239) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• R

• S

• D

• F

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

Quordle today (game #1239) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1239, are…

• RETRY
• SCALD
• DINGO
• FEIGN

There was one word that stopped me roaring home today and that was DINGO. Despite having all five letters I really struggled to find an actual word before finding the wild Australian dog.

RETRY took a little while too, until I accepted the possibility of a repeat letter – first E, then the correct choice of R. 

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1239) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1239, are…

• FIFTY
• ENNUI
• SIREN
• ROACH

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVEN
• Quordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONIC
• Quordle #1236, Friday, 13 June: REPEL, LARGE, SNIDE, CARRY
• Quordle #1235, Thursday, 12 June: SCANT, BATCH, UNDER, PARSE
• Quordle #1234, Wednesday, 11 June: CRAVE, ROOST, ANGLE, FLOOD
• Quordle #1233, Tuesday, 10 June: DECRY, CHEEK, FILET, EASEL
• Quordle #1232, Monday, 9 June: DERBY, LEMON, WRITE, HOVEL
• Quordle #1231, Sunday, 8 June: REBAR, ALERT, PAYEE, FLUME
• Quordle #1230, Saturday, 7 June: FLUNK, ESTER, SPITE, CHEAP
• Quordle #1229, Friday, 6 June: ELUDE, KHAKI, VISTA, SMOKY
• Quordle #1228, Thursday, 5 June: CHIDE, RABBI, GUSTY, LANCE
• Quordle #1227, Wednesday, 4 June: BANAL, STOUT, SEDAN, HIPPO
• Quordle #1226, Tuesday, 3 June: FUGUE, SYRUP, FLACK, WORST
• Quordle #1225, Monday, 2 June: THINK, BELLE, CRONE, BOULE
• Quordle #1224, Sunday, 1 June: POINT, MERIT, WHOOP, APHID
• Quordle #1223, Saturday, 31 May: CRUMB, ELFIN, DRIER, QUITE
• Quordle #1222, Friday, 30 May: RAJAH, CAUSE, BLACK, ETUDE
• Quordle #1221, Thursday, 29 May: CRIER, DRAPE, STRUT, NEIGH
• Quordle #1220, Wednesday, 28 May: HELLO, BEADY, VIGIL, PURER
• Quordle #1219, Tuesday, 27 May: TWEET, RANGE, POPPY, RADAR

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 15 (game #735).

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 #736) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SHIPSHAPE
• INANIMATE
• CARBON
• ROD
• GLASS
• WOODEN
• BRACKET
• GARNISH
• BUSBOY
• TRAINEE
• FLAT
• STRAW
• BLANK
• HOOK
• COASTER
• CURTAIN

NYT Connections today (game #736) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: No emotion
• GREEN: Hang on
• BLUE: Bartender accoutrements
• PURPLE: Needed to get from A to B

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 #736) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: EXPRESSIONLESS 
• GREEN: DRAPERY HANGING ITEMS 
• BLUE: WHAT A DRINK IS SERVED WITH 
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION 

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

NYT Connections today (game #736) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #736, are…

• YELLOW: EXPRESSIONLESS BLANK, FLAT, INANIMATE, WOODEN
• GREEN: DRAPERY HANGING ITEMS BRACKET, CURTAIN, HOOK, ROD
• BLUE: WHAT A DRINK IS SERVED WITH COASTER, GARNISH, GLASS, STRAW
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION BUSBOY, CARBON, SHIPSHAPE, TRAINEE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

EXPRESSIONLESS was easy enough to get, but from here my progress was purely down to lucky guesses.

DRAPERY HANGING ITEMS I only got because I thought we were looking for things linked to furniture, so I used up one guess by including COASTER.

Then, for the purple group I would like to have seen STARTING WITH METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION but I didn’t. I put four random words together from the eight that were left and got lucky with a ‘one away’, then managed to guess correctly.

I suppose I could have pretended I was clever enough to see all today’s links but the truth is I fudged it all the way.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, June 15, game #735)

• YELLOW: SLANG FOR COFFEE BREW, JAVA, MUD, ROCKET FUEL
• GREEN: "AW, HECK!" BLAST, CRUD, CURSES, FUDGE
• BLUE: CONSIDERATIONS FOR MOVIE RATINGS ACTION, LANGUAGE, NUDITY, SMOKING
• PURPLE: WHAT "POP" MIGHT MEAN BURST, FATHER, POPULAR, SODA

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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, June 15 (game #469).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Key notes

NYT Strands today (game #470) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• REPEAT
• NEEDS
• LICE 
• SAUCE
• PLATE
• CLUE

NYT Strands today (game #470) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #470) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 3rd column

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #470) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #470, are…

• ETUDE
• SUITE
• MINUET
• NOCTURNE
• SONATA
• PRELUDE
• SPANGRAM: PIANO PIECES

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 hint

I desperately needed a hint to start me off today and the word that I was given – ETUDE – is one that I’m only familiar with from playing Wordle spinoff Quordle, where it has appeared several times this year.

It’s a piece of music that’s used as practice for students and is intended to stretch and test their abilities. 

Once I had this prompt I managed to find the other words without any further assistance.

All of these words for PIANO PIECES are familiar, but I was uncertain what they all meant. MINUET, for example, I had assumed meant a very short piece but is actually a slow, stately dance in triple time. Everyday’s a school day with Strands.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, June 15, game #469)

• CHALUPA
• CRAWDAD
• POPCORN
• PAPARAZZI
• POPSICLE
• SPANGRAM: FATHERS DAY

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.

The German giant takes on Oceania's only representative in the tournament.

• Denmark wants out of Microsoft's grip, turning to Linux and LibreOffice for independence
• The Danish government is choosing open source over vendor lock-in and foreign tech control
• LibreOffice might be free, but can it match Microsoft Office’s compatibility?

Denmark is embarking on an ambitious effort to reduce its reliance on proprietary software from foreign tech giants by transitioning its government systems away from Microsoft offerings Windows and Office 365.

The Danish Ministry of Digitalization reportedly plans a phased migration to Linux operating systems and LibreOffice for office productivity.

The initiative is driven by concerns over digital sovereignty and the strategic risks of depending on foreign providers, particularly those based in the United States.

Open-source tools as a strategy for independence

Danish officials cite widely used open-source office suite LibreOffice as the best alternative to Microsoft Office for their needs.

The ministry aims to gain greater control over software updates, data storage, and security while avoiding vendor lock-in.

This effort is not solely about cutting costs, although reduced licensing fees are expected to yield financial benefits.

The core objective, according to Minister Caroline Stage, is strategic: to safeguard Denmark’s digital infrastructure from the uncertainties of geopolitical tensions and the risk of disrupted access to US-based services.

The move aligns with a broader trend across Europe, where governments are increasingly cautious about the long-term implications of depending on foreign tech companies.

Denmark’s initiative is not without precedent. More than a decade ago, Germany, most notably the city of Munich, attempted to replace Microsoft products with Linux and LibreOffice.

Despite initial enthusiasm, the project was eventually reversed due to compatibility issues, user dissatisfaction, and challenges in maintaining productivity.

Given this history, observers may question whether Denmark’s approach can yield different results.

The Danish government, however, appears to be proceeding with greater caution. The rollout will be gradual, and the ministry has stated that it will temporarily revert to Microsoft tools if serious disruptions arise.

This pragmatic stance indicates a willingness to prioritize operational continuity over strict adherence to the transition timeline.

While LibreOffice is often described as the leading alternative to Microsoft Word, its real-world performance in government settings remains a subject of debate.

Compatibility with Microsoft Office documents and user adaptation to a new interface may pose significant challenges.

Likewise, while Linux is frequently praised as a powerful and secure operating system, its stability and support can vary depending on the chosen distribution.

Ultimately, Denmark’s initiative represents a broader political and technological experiment, one that raises important questions about control, resilience, and the future of national digital infrastructure.

Whether it will succeed where others have stumbled remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the move is less about software preference and more about who holds the keys to government technology.

Via Guru3D

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• A well-known analyst predicts a 2026 launch for the AirPods Pro 3
• Some tipsters had previously suggested they'd appear this year
• New gesture-recognizing cameras are among the rumored upgrades

Apple launched the AirPods Pro 2 back in September 2022, and is still pushing out new features for them – but it seems we may have to wait until next year before the Apple AirPods Pro 3 see the light of day.

According to industry analyst Jeff Pu (via @Jukanlosreve), the AirPods Pro 3 are slated for a 2026 release. That would mean a full four years between launches, after a three year gap between the original AirPods Pro and the AirPods Pro 2.

We don't get much more information beyond that for this particular leak, but it means you may have a little more time to save up to get Apple's next pair of premium earbuds. The 4th-gen version of the standard AirPods were launched last September.

We had got our hopes up for a 2025 launch for the Apple AirPods Pro 3 after code mentioning the earbuds was spotted in iOS 26. Nothing is certain either way, but a launch this year is now looking less likely.

What we think we know so far

Apple Product Timeline by Jeff Pu, GF Securities Hong Kong pic.twitter.com/jEIGMi7TwvJune 15, 2025

There have certainly been plenty of leaks and rumors around the AirPods Pro 3 since 2022, so we've got a pretty good idea of what's coming – even if we have to wait a little longer for the grand unveiling of these upgraded earbuds.

One of the major changes rumored to be coming is the introduction of tiny infrared cameras on the AirPods Pro. The purpose of these cameras, apparently, would be to capture gestures for controlling the earbuds.

There will of course be some audio quality improvements – which we would certainly expect after a four year gap between models – and there's also been talk that we'll see a number of health tracking enhancements as well.

Let's hope the price is something that doesn't change: both previous models of the AirPods Pro had a starting price of $249 / £249 / AU$399, and we're hoping that Apple won't have to hike up that price next time around.

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• MonTitan SSD shows impressive specs but may have missed timing window
• Silicon Motion faces tough competition from vertically integrated NAND manufacturers
• Strong controller performance may not be enough in today’s AI market

Silicon Motion’s MonTitan SSD platform is finally getting a full performance breakdown after years of trade show previews, and while the results impress on paper, the question is whether it’s too late to matter.

A review from TweakTown claims the 7.68TB MonTitan SSD is “a masterpiece of enterprise storage design,” powered by Silicon Motion’s SM8366 PCIe Gen5 controller and built to compete in the highest tiers of data center performance.

The MonTitan platform targets both TLC and QLC configurations and is optimized for AI, edge computing, and HPC environments.

Delivers more than most

With support for NVMe 2.0b, OCP Data Center specs, and multiple standard form factors, 7.68TB MonTitan SSD is aimed at modern, high-demand workloads. The reviewed unit, a U.2 form factor TLC-based SSD, supports 3.4 million IOPS and sequential speeds up to 14.2GB/s.

It also boasts tight latency control, low idle power (under 5W), and a 1 DWPD endurance rating that allows the drive to be rewritten nearly 2000 times over its lifespan.

The SM8366 controller itself is the cornerstone of the platform, offering advanced features like PerformaShape, a firmware-based algorithm for shaping performance by user-defined quality of service (QoS) requirements.

Combined with hardware-level isolation, this design aims to deliver consistent, application-tuned throughput across workloads.

Summing it up, TweakTown said: “We like what Silicon Motion has developed in its SM8366 controller as delivered by its MonTitan platform. Our test subject demonstrated clearly that it can deliver more than most of its competitors. We especially appreciate its tight, consistent and predictable IO delivery along with its ability to dominate most, if not all, of those in its class or even above at low queue depths.”

Despite the technical strengths, Silicon Motion’s position is more complicated. It, like Phison and other controller vendors, is now competing against former partners.

NAND makers such as Samsung and SK Hynix are vertically integrated, building their own controllers and keeping more of the value chain in-house. In that landscape, offering a platform, however capable, is a much harder sell.

With AI workloads now pushing queue depths far beyond what was typical just a few years ago, controller quality matters more than ever. But with full commercialization of platforms like MonTitan coming years after the AI infrastructure race began, Silicon Motion may simply be too late to carve out meaningful space against entrenched competitors.

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Beef season 2: key information

- Filming reportedly wrapped in May
- Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Charles Melton and more to star
- No official trailer released yet
- An entirely new plot for season 2
- Lee Sung Jin continues as creator and showrunner
- No word yet on future seasons

Beef season 2 reportedly wrapped filming in May, which means we're one step closer to more chaotic comedy and unapologetic rage.

Though, this time, with a whole new cast and whole new plot. Beef season 1 followed Amy (Ali Wong) and Danny (Steven Yeun) as two strangers brought together by a road rage incident. And in light of its great success on one of the best streaming services, it won a multitude of awards and a season 2 renewal.

After Amy and Danny's feud consumes every fiber of their beings, it all concluded dramatically in the season 1 finale. This time round, new characters join the anthology series with their own serving of beef to address – and we're certainly hungry for more.

Here's everything we know so far about the Beef season 2 release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot and more.

Beef season 2: is there a release date?

Filming on Beef season 2 reportedly wrapped in May (Image credit: Netflix)

There's no Beef season 2 release date, just yet, but all the signs are pointing in the right direction.

After season 2 was confirmed by Netflix in October 2024, filming reportedly commenced in January before wrapping in early May, according to a post by the Film & Television Industry Alliance.

FTIA also posted on season 1's filming, which took place in January to April 2022, with the show eventually releasing on Netflix in April 2023. So, if I take a shot at predicting the Beef season 2 release date, I'd say early to mid 2026.

Beef season 2: has a trailer been released?

No Beef season 2 trailer just yet (Image credit: Netflix)

There's no official Beef season 2 trailer to share, but I'll be sure to update here when there is. Considering filming only reportedly wrapped in May, I'd say with confidence that there won't be a trailer anytime soon.

Beef season 2: confirmed and predicted cast

Song Kang-Ho will join Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Yuh-Jung Youn, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny as a guest star in the next installment of BEEF! pic.twitter.com/88QmAYurfYDecember 19, 2024

Potential spoilers follow for Beef season 2.

The Beef season 2 cast is entirely new, and as such, there will be no returning characters from season 1. Here's the actors we can expect to star this time round:

• Oscar Isaac as TBC
• Carey Mulligan as TBC
• Charles Melton as TBC
• Cailee Spaeny as TBC
• Song Kang-ho as TBC

While their roles haven't been officially confirmed, Beef season 2 follows a young couple and their boss and his wife. We would say then that those four characters make up Isaac, Mulligan, Melton and Spaeny's casting.

For Parasite's Song Kang-ho, it has been revealed that he will be a guest star in season 2 and the official logline (seen below) references a Korean billionaire of which Song will most likely be playing.

Beef season 2: story synopsis and rumors

Beef season 2 steps away from Danny and Amy's story (Image credit: Netflix)

Full spoilers follow for Beef season 1 and potential spoilers for Beef season 2.

While Beef season 1 followed two people brought together by a road rage incident, season 2 is going to be completely different.

And we know that thanks to Netflix Tudum's official logline: "This season's inciting incident? A young couple witnesses an alarming fight between their boss and his wife, triggering chess moves of favors and coercion in the elitist world of a country club and its Korean billionaire owner."

We also know that Beef season 2 will be a little shorter, running for eight 30-minute episodes, as opposed to season 1's ten. And if the FTIA production post is anything to go by, it's also been filmed in both Los Angeles and Korea.

But, while the tale of this season of the anthology series is not at all like the previous, creator and showrunner Lee Sung Jim is still the man behind it.

During the Beef SXSW panel in March 2023, Lee in fact revealed that season 1 was inspired by his own experience, though in a BMW, not a white SUV like Amy: "It honked at me, cursed at me and drove away. And for some reason on that day, I was like, "I'm going to follow you."

The similarities end there though as his personal road rage didn't end the same way as Beef does. But, he did also say it made him think how we "live in such subjective realities and we project so much onto people that we don't know all the time."

Aside from the logline then, it appears the Beef season 2 plot is being kept firmly under wraps. But, with Lee once again behind it, we can hope it's just as darkly comedic and full of rage as the first.

And speaking to Variety, Carey Mulligan said of season 2: "Almost everything [is different]. But it's still [creator Lee Sung Jin] being brilliant. It's a completely new story and if I say anything else then a laser beam will appear on my head. But it's very exciting."

Will there be more seasons of Beef?

Beef season 2 offers an entirely new path for the show (Image credit: Netflix)

There's been no word on Beef season 3, which is not surprising since season 2 hasn't launched on Netflix yet.

In 2023, creator Lee told Elle: "Cards on the table, we did pitch this show as a limited anthology, so there is sort of a close-ended-ness to the story [of Danny and Amy]. But, if given the opportunity, of course, I'd love to explore them further, because Danny and Amy, I love those characters. But yeah, by design, though, this is a close-ended narrative."

Lee said this before Beef season 2 was even confirmed and so, we know now, that in true anthology fashion, there's an entirely different story to tell this time round - away from Danny and Amy (for now).

But, we also know that a second season means it's no longer a limited series. So, the potential for more seasons to come is very possible.

For more Netflix-based coverage, read our guides on Nobody Wants This season 2, Stranger Things season 5, Wednesday season 2, and One Piece season 2.

• Manage VPS servers using natural language commands
• Works in over 50+ languages
• Supported across the entire Hostinger ecosystem

It always puzzled me why Hostinger, one of the best web hosting providers, didn't offer managed VPS hosting.

I rank Hostinger as a top web hosting provider across many categories including best VPS hosting, best WordPress hosting, and best cloud hosting - clearly, Hostinger knows how to put together excellent hosting packages.

So, why not offer managed VPS hosting to beginners stepping up from shared hosting into VPS?

Hostinger has been planning something better

Meet VPS Kodee, an AI assistant powered by the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

While this isn't a complete replacement of some requirements of managed servers it does bridge that gap between beginner shared hosting and more complex VPS hosting.

"Our vision is to make VPS self-management radically simpler for everyone," Valentinas Čirba, Head of VPS at Hostinger told TechRadar Pro in an exclusive comment.

"With Kodee powered by MCP, users no longer need to learn complex commands – just chat naturally, and the AI takes care of the rest.”

(Image credit: Hostinger)

Kodee can handle complex server tasks 24/7 in multiple languages, and can be using for over 200 operations including setting up firewalls, creating snapshots, troubleshooting SSH, and scanning for malware.

Kodee is integrated directed into hPanel, and throughout Hostinger's infrastructure by using MCP, an open source standard that provides context to AI.

No need to worry

There is a lot of fear over the integration of AI into workflows but Hostinger says Kodee cannot and will not execute risky actions like a complete reinstall, changing OS templates, or restoring templates. If you need to do something like that, Kodee will guide you through the steps.

While the biggest benefits can be seen with VPS hosting, Kodee can also also help with website building, managed hosting for WordPress, and support in general.

Before this upgrade to Kodee, I spent one hour with Hostinger and found Kodee really helpful - and Hostinger data claims the tool resolved over half of issues via live chat, with that amount expected to grow as it rolls out further.

AI is central to Hostinger’s business

Kodee is not the only AI tool recently launched by Hostinger - other new releases include Hostinger Reach, an AI marketing tool, and Hostinger Horizons a no-code AI web app builder.

Hostinger continue to develop the AI website builder that creates professional websites, writes content, creates images, and helps with SEO tasks. Plus, Hostinger's AI WordPress builder.

More product and service support will be released for Kodee in the coming months, so stay tuned for more updates as we see them.

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Garmin seems as though it's in the midst of a major course correction, and 2025 is a pivotal year. As someone who's been reviewing fitness technology, including the best Garmin watches, for many years, there's certainly been an increase in dramatic shifts in direction for the company in the past few months.

That's not to say 'change' means 'bad': the recently announced Garmin Venu X1 looks like a great watch, but it's a pivot from the way Garmin has been designing watches up until this point.

At two inches, the Venu X1 features Garmin's biggest screen. The Venu series has always represented Garmin's foray into lifestyle watch territory, with AMOLED screens replacing the duller, battery-saving memory-in-pixel (MIP) ones used in many of Garmin's other series and offering communication features, such as the ability to take calls on-wrist and interface with smart devices like the best video doorbells. Essentially, the Venu series was Garmin's answer to the best Apple Watches.

The Garmin Venu X1 is Garmin's Apple Watch Ultra in every way. A square shape instead of Garmin's usual round face and no longer chunky to incorporate bigger batteries, the Venu X1 is described as 'ultrathin', and packs a reduced maximum of eight days of battery life.

It's still leagues more life than you get out of your standard Apple Watch, but that powerful AMOLED screen, coupled with other features like an LED torch, means you'll get much less than the Garmin Venu 3, which used to offer up to 14 days.

(Image credit: Garmin)

Venu X1 eschews the way old watches used to be made for the company's truest smartwatch-esque design yet.

All other watches, such as Garmin's Forerunner, Instinct, and Fenix ranges, which used to be released with power-saving MIP screens, are now being released as power-sucking AMOLED ones. Where MIP options do exist, they're packing Garmin's Power Glass solar battery-extending technology, because this can't yet be implemented on a watch with an AMOLED screen. I have no doubt that once Garmin cracks Power Glass for AMOLED, we'll never see a MIP option again.

Battery lives are getting shorter, screens are getting brighter, and feature lists are getting longer, as Garmin positions itself further alongside Apple and Samsung and further away from its best running watch contemporaries, Polar and Coros. Apple is the biggest seller of smartwatches by a huge margin, so it's clear there's a market there, and one Garmin probably believes is worth pivoting to tap into.

On the fitness side, the introduction of a premium tier aligns more closely with Garmin's competitors, such as Fitbit and Google, and some of the best fitness apps like Strava and AllTrails.

Garmin has been one of the few holdouts for a long time as its competitors offered premium subscription services – even Apple has Apple Fitness Plus – and fans appreciated the company's stubbornness. However, it finally buckled in March, seeing the revenue streams it was leaving on the table and arriving with the controversial Garmin Connect Plus.

Garmin fans can feel it in the air: their brand of choice is undergoing a change of direction, a sort of metamorphosis. The next six months will tell us more about that change and what the next few years of Garmin will look like.

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