TechRadar News

• Exposed ElasticSearch cluster at Nextcloud contained ~367k records (8GB), including employee data, client contracts, and scripts
• Sensitive information such as staff emails and client company details was left unencrypted; Nextcloud secured the archive within two days after notification
• Company attributed the incident to hosting misconfiguration, stressing customer servers were unaffected, though researchers warn attackers may have accessed the data

European cloud provider Nextcloud kept an unprotected database on the public internet, exposing sensitive internal and client data to anyone who knew where to look, experts have revealed.

Nextcloud is a free, open source platform that lets users create their own private cloud. It is often described as an alternative to Google Drive, or Microsoft 365, which allows users to control where their data sits.

In mid-May 2026, security researchers from Cybernews discovered a publicly exposed ElasticSearch cluster and, after a deeper investigation, determined it contained around 367,000 records (8GB of data in total). The archive was a mix of Nextcloud employee data, client company data, contracts, and scripts built for the company’s clients.

Nextcloud reacts

The majority of files were in .PDF format (71k), followed by .PNG (53k) and .MD (23k). All of the exposed records were found in a single index, with some revealing client company information, as well as data on Nextcloud staff. Some of the information was unencrypted, as well, exposing employee email addresses, client company names and addresses, and emails of individuals who sent invoices to Nextcloud.

Cybernews reached out to Nextcloud and the company locked the archive down within two days, and notified relevant authorities. It says it found no evidence of unauthorized access, but without a deep forensic analysis, it is impossible to say if that really is the case.

“If our team managed to discover the exposed dataset, threat actors may have too,” the Cybernews team wrote. “Malicious attackers operate numerous bots on the web that scour the net looking for exactly that: misconfigured databases with data to steal.”

The company also said this was a misconfiguration issue and that its services are secure: “The issue was caused by a misconfiguration of our hosting infrastructure and is not related to the Nextcloud solution. No other Nextcloud servers belonging to our customers, partners or other users have been affected by this issue,” the company’s spokesperson told the researchers.

• Russia’s Digital Development Ministry confirmed it has completely dropped its plan to charge users for international internet traffic.
• The proposal initially aimed to charge users roughly 150 rubles per extra gigabyte after a 15GB monthly allowance.
• Demand for censorship circumvention tools remains at an all-time high as the Kremlin continues its broader crackdown on digital privacy.

Internet users in Russia can breathe a sigh of relief as the government has abandoned its controversial plan to tax international mobile traffic.

The proposal, which heavily targeted those using the best VPN services to bypass state censorship, would have forced residents to pay steep premiums to access a free and open internet.

The policy reversal was confirmed during a recent State Duma session by Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Ivan Lebedev.

Responding to parliamentary questions about the initiative from Communist Party lawmaker Oleg Smolin, Lebedev categorically stated: “Fees for foreign traffic are not being considered”, according to reports from Meduza.io.

First introduced during a late March meeting between Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev and domestic telecom operators, the plan aimed to hit privacy-conscious users' wallets.

Because Russian carriers inherently classify VPN data routing as international traffic, the government intended to implement a strict 15-gigabyte monthly cap. According to initial reports from the BBC’s Russian service, authorities intended to charge users roughly 150 rubles for every additional gigabyte consumed beyond that limit.

The sudden U-turn comes after months of ongoing logistical hurdles and industry pushback. The tax was initially scheduled to take effect on May 1, but was subsequently postponed to June 1 after the Russian business daily Vedomosti reported that carriers were not ready to configure their billing systems.

The deadline was later pushed again to "closer to fall" or after the September elections, before finally being scrapped altogether.

As previously reported by TechRadar, an inside source confirmed that Russia's internet regulator, Roskomnadzor, lacks the technical abilities to effectively prevent residents from using VPNs at scale.

A temporary victory in a wider digital crackdown

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

While the scrapped tax is a definitive win for privacy advocates, it remains just one battle in an increasingly hostile digital war.

Russian demand for circumvention tools has surged dramatically following the state-ordered blocking of major global platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

Without a VPN, everyday citizens are largely cut off from independent news sources and international social networks.

Rather than relying purely on financial deterrents, the Kremlin has steadily escalated its technical and legislative attacks to plug the gaps.

By mid-April, authorities successfully pressured major domestic internet platforms to comply with new regulations, actively restricting users from accessing their sites and apps while a VPN was enabled.

Cybersecurity experts have also repeatedly warned of more drastic state-led interventions aimed at entirely isolating the country's internet infrastructure from the rest of the world.

For now, millions of citizens continue to rely on robust privacy tools to navigate the web safely and maintain digital contact with the outside world. If you find yourself dealing with this restrictive landscape, learning exactly how to survive Russia's VPN crackdown is more crucial than ever.

Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan 765S: two-minute review

The Dreo Smart TurboPoly 765S is one versatile fan. It can be tall or short pedestal fan, or you can swap out the base and turn it into a desktop model. You can choose from a generous 11 speed modes, as well as six 'special modes', and horizontal or vertical oscillation (or both at once, turning it into a very effective air circulator).

You're spoiled for choice when it comes to control options, too — you can use the remote, touchscreen buttons on the top of the fan head, or adjust settings on your phone using the Dreo companion app.

In that app you'll find an absolute ton of customization options: I've tested some of the best fans on the market, and it's rare to see a fan that offers such precise control over when, where and how it blows. While Dreo does a good job of laying out the app so it's nice and useable, I do wonder how many people really need quite so many options.

So what about that basics? The Dreo Smart TurboPoly 765S delivers an even, effective flow of air, with a great range of settings. The lowest speed is whisper-quiet and gentle yet still perceptible, and the highest is impressively punchy. The Turbo setting — separated out as a special mode — is a miniature tornado. At higher settings, it's not the quietest fan I've used, but neither is it excessively loud.

You're paying a premium for the versatile form factor, as well as the extensive customization options and smart functionality. If you don't need all those things, there are cheaper, equally effective fans that'll fit the bill better. However, if flexibility and precise control is what you're after, the Dreo Smart TurboPoly 765S is a standout choice.

(Image credit: Future)Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan 765S review: price & availability

• List price: $159.99 / £169.99
• Available: US, UK

At list price, the Dreo Smart TurboPoly fan 765S costs $159.99 in the US and £169.99 in the UK (which equates to about AU$230, though at the time of writing it's not available in Australia). That puts in in the premium price bracket for fans, but it goes some way to justifying the cost with its versatile desktop-or-pedestal design and smart features.

That's especially true when you compare the wider market alternatives. For example, the original Shark FlexBreeze costs $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$249.99 at list price. The Shark option lacks smart features, but it can be used cordless (whereas the Dreo can't). Another alternative is the Meaco 1056P, at $189.99 / £149.99 (about AU$270). This is the model I have at home, and it's less versatile than the Dreo TurboPoly 765S, but quieter at higher speeds.

If you don't need app control and are happy to commit to either a desktop or a pedestal model, there are cheaper options available to you.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan 765S specs

Type:

Pedestal / tabletop

Speeds:

12

Oscillation:

150° horizontal, 100° vertical

Dimensions (W x H, floor mode):

11 x 39–44 inches / 27.9 x 99-111.8cm

Dimensions (W x H, desktop mode):

16.7 x 19.3 inches / 42.4 x 49cm

Control:

Buttons, remote, app

Cordless:

No

Special modes:

Auto, Turbo, Natural, Sleep, Custom

Max reach:

121.4ft / 37m

Timer:

Yes (12 hours)

Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan 765S review: design

• Versatile design can be a desktop or pedestal fan or air circulator
• App control is excellent; buttons / remote best for basic functions
• Wide speed range, precise oscillation control and multiple special modes

As fans go, the Dreo Smart TurboPoly 765S is one versatile performer. You can choose from a generous 11 speed modes, as well as six 'special modes', horizontal and vertical oscillation, and a timer option. You can direct the fan head at a specific target, or unleash the full range of oscillation to use it as an air circulator.

It can be used as pedestal fan, and in this mode it's possible to adjust the height to a taller or shorter floor-standing option. Alternatively, you can remove the base altogether and swap on a different one to turn it into a desktop fan. I especially like the design of the tabletop base — its opening mechanism protrudes so when you press it down on a flat surface the legs extend outwards to form a stable base.

(Image credit: Future)

The fan feels well-built and sturdy, and the pedestal base is reassuringly heavy, so I was never concerned about knocking it over. I also appreciated the inclusion of a moulded handle on the fan head, which makes it easy to carry it from the top.

Some competitors offer magnetic remotes that snap onto the fan itself when not in use, but that's not the case here. Instead there's a remote control holder that snaps onto the pole. It could feel more intentional but does the job perfectly fine.

(Image credit: Future)

There are a couple more advanced features the Smart TurboPoly 765S lacks. It can't be used cordless, so you'll have to commit to staying near a power outlet. There's also no misting capability — this is a newly popular concept in the fan world, and appears on a handful of modern fans including the Dreo 516S. It can be a bit of a game-changer if it's really hot.

App and controls

That 'S' in the product code tells me there's an app I can use to control this fan. I can't overstate how jam-packed with options this app is. You can use it to turn the fan on and off, switch modes or adjust fan speed, and change the angle of the fan head. You can also precisely set the oscillation angles, including an option for asymmetrical oscillation.

There's a scheduling area where you can either choose when the fan will go on or turn off, and you can also set it to come on at a certain time (and speed / mode) on certain days. One minor missed opportunity is that you can't then schedule when it turns off — I wanted to set it to run for a couple of hours each evening as I go to sleep, but that doesn't seem to be possible.

Dreo / FutureDreo / Future

The app is well laid-out and easy to use, although the fact there are so many precise customization options means it can feel fiddly at times. If you don't want to get your phone out, you can also control the fan using the remote control, or via touchscreen buttons on the top of the head.

These are responsive, and, to a point, straightforward. Changing the speed, swapping modes or adjusting the angle the head is pointing in is easy. However, for fine-tuning I found it far easier to use the app. (In fact, I had such trouble working out some of the functions that I emailed Dreo's general customer services address to help — and they get major brownie points for replying quickly, with a clear answer.)

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan 765S review: performance

• A little noisy on higher settings
• Great range of settings, including an ultra powerful Turbo mode
• Easy to direct the air exactly where you want it

Overall, I was very impressed with the Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan. The speed settings cover a good range, with level 1 delivering a gentle but perceptible flow of air, while level 11 is pleasingly powerful, and Turbo mode all-but blew me away. I can't imagine many situations where you'd need such strong airflow, but it's nice to have the option.

One small but welcome detail is the fact that the windspeed settings cycle from 11 straight to 1. That meant if I knew I wanted a higher setting, I could work backwards and save some button presses.

Also in its favor is how precisely you can adjust where the airflow is directed. In static mode, arrow controls enable you to easily change where the fan head is pointing. It's also possible to finely adjust the vertical and horizontal oscillation; even making it asymmetrical if you want. And of course, you can extend / retract the pole or swap from pedestal to desktop mode if you want to alter the height more dramatically.

(Image credit: Future)

I used it to keep me cool in my home office during two UK heatwaves, and adjusted it to a very narrow range of oscillation where it was essentially just blowing from side-to-side on my back. The effect was absolutely dreamy.

I also used it as an air circulator (in its full vertical and horizontal range of oscillation) to amplify the effects of our newly-purchased portable air con unit. It did an excellent job of rapidly distributing the cool air as it was being pumped in, filling the bedroom much quicker than the AC could manage on its own.

In terms of noisiness, I'd give the Dreo middling marks. On setting 1 it's whisper-quiet, but as I moved up the settings the sound ramped up, and on level 11 it was noticeably louder than my usual fan (a Meaco air circulator). It's certainly not the noisiest fan I've come across, though.

Moving on to the special modes. They are as follows:

• Normal: runs at fixed speed
• Auto: speed increases or decreases depending on room temperature
• Turbo: runs at maximum speed
• Natural: speed fluctuates to mimic a natural breeze
• Sleep: decreases speed after 30 mins, up to two times
• Custom (via Dreo app): speed changes at specified times or temperatures

I was pleased to see there's a Sleep mode included, and the setup for this one is pretty standard, allowing you an hour to drop off. It's worth pointing out that the lights on the Dreo Smart TurboPoly 765S switch off automatically as standard a few seconds after you've finished adjusting them — something I appreciated as I hate to have a glowing LED illuminating my room as I'm trying to sleep. (You can change this setting if you prefer the display to stay on.)

Auto mode is useful, too, if you're using the fan throughout the day. The ambient temperature measurement seems accurate, and matched that of my other fan.

(Image credit: Future)

I wasn't so enamored with the Breeze mode. I've seen this mode listed on a few different fan models recently, and have always been curious about it. On test, though, I found the fluctuations in speed and accompanying shifts in noise distracting more than anything. That said, it did feel somewhat like a natural breeze, and I can imagine some people enjoying this effect.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan 765S?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Premium pricing, somewhat justified by its versatility and smart functionality.

4 / 5

Design

Versatile design — can be used at a range of heights, controlled in a number of ways, and with plenty of setting options to explore.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Great range of airflow settings, including an ultra-powerful Turbo mode. A little noisy on higher settings, and controls can feel fiddly.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You need a tabletop and a pedestal fan

The Dreo Smart TurboPoly 765S can be used as a pedestal fan with a telescopic pole, or the base can be switched to turn it into a tabletop model.

You want lots of precise control

This fan is not lacking in customization options — there are plenty of ways to change exactly how, when, and where the Dreo TurboPoly 765S unleashes its airflow.

You'd like to be able to control the fan remotely

Smart functionality means you can operate this fan via a companion app on your phone.

Don't buy it if...

You just want a tabletop OR pedestal fan

There are cheaper, as effective options if you don't need the 2-in-1 functionality.

You like to keep things simple

Some people won't want all the various control options, in which case there are cheaper and more straightforward fans that would fit the bill better.

How I tested the Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan 765S

I tested the Dreo Smart TurboPoly 765S over three weeks in June/July, which happened to encompass two UK heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 37C or higher (around 98F). I used it extensively during the day while working from home, as well as at night, and tested all the special modes. I also tried out all the control methods, including digging into the app. I compared my findings with other fans I've used, but predominantly my trusty Meaco air circulator.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed July 2026

• Analysts suggest Sony won't reverse its decision to end physical disc production
• Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, says Sony will wait for the backlash to pass
• Toto adds that "Digital is just too lucrative" for the PlayStation company

Sony plans to end physical disc production in 2028, but despite pushback from fans, analysts suggest the PlayStation maker won't reverse its decision.

The announcement has caused a bit of an uproar within the community, and while fans online continue to urge the company to backtrack on its decision, including creating a petition that has amassed over 247,400 signatures as of writing, Sony remains silent on the matter.

Others are also PS5 users protesting the plan by cancelling their PlayStation Plus subscriptions, with many fans encouraging others to do the same.

However, according to Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Japanese game industry consultancy firm Kantan Games, the boycott won't change Sony's mind on the matter.

"I sympathize with physical media fans, but Sony will not reverse this decision," Toto said in an interview with IGN. "They of course knew what the online reaction would look like, and they now wait for this storm to pass."

Toto put it down to digital being more profitable, and the number of players cancelling their PS Plus subscriptions wouldn't be enough to persuade the gaming giant.

"Sony has over 120 million active PlayStation users," he said. "Around 50 million people subscribe to PlayStation Plus. As a thought experiment, let's say 500,000 cancel in protest, that would be just 1% of that business gone — of course not enough to Sony to start rethinking. Digital is just too lucrative."

The profit margins between physical and digital games is significant, especially when you consider digital sales for first-party PlayStation games.

As IGN calculated, a game like The Last of Us would offer Sony 65% of the profit from a physical copy, 30% to the retailer, and 5% to production costs. For digital sales made from the PlayStation Store, Sony would retain 100% of the revenue, but for third-party titles like Call of Duty, the company would keep a 30% cut of the asking price.

"Their current profit margin has been too weak for years now, so they feel like they must act," Toto added. "From an economic perspective, digital sales just make too much sense especially for platform holders."

If you're upgrading a desktop or compatible laptop, this is a fantastic opportunity to add next-generation storage without maxing out your credit card.

Samsung's 9100 Pro 2TB SSD has crashed to $400 (was $680) at Amazon, knocking a massive $280 off one of the fastest consumer PCIe 5.0 drives around. For UK readers, the 9100 Pro is discounted to £364 (was £529) at Amazon, too.

Sequential read speeds reach up to 14,700MB/s, while write speeds climb to 13,400MB/s, delivering exceptional performance for demanding workloads. Everything you'll want to install and run will benefit from the extra bandwidth available through PCIe 5.0.

Today's best Samsung SSD deal

Offering up to 14,700MB/s read speeds, this PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD pairs 2TB of storage with hardware encryption, advanced thermal control, Magician Software support, and excellent performance for creative workloads, AI applications, and demanding multitasking.

In the UK: now £366 (was £529)View Deal

In our review of the 9100 Pro we said: "Samsung's first true PCIe 5.0 drive is the best there is." In the summary we went on to add: "This is a very professional-specific drive in ways that previous Samsung Pro SSDs were not. If you're not a professional user, there are better PCIe 5.0 drives out there, but for pros, there's none better than the 9100 Pro."

Random performance reaches up to 1,850K read IOPS and 2,600K write IOPS, helping applications launch quickly and keeping multitasking smooth.

Samsung also focuses on efficiency, using a 5nm controller that improves power efficiency over the previous generation while advanced thermal controls help maintain consistent speeds.

Hardware encryption adds another layer of protection, and Samsung's Magician Software provides firmware updates, health monitoring, and extra management tools.

The M.2 2280 form factor fits a wide range of modern desktops and laptops that support PCIe 5.0 NVMe storage. With 2TB of capacity, there's plenty of room for creative projects, large software libraries without you needing to consistently manage free space.

Compatibility is straightforward for systems with an available M.2 PCIe 5.0 slot, and installation only takes a few minutes for most desktop builds.

If you've been waiting to benefit from PCIe 5.0 speeds, this deal delivers huge savings alongside outstanding performance, generous capacity, and useful software features that continue adding value long after installation.

The 9100 Pro SSD is also available in 1TB, 4TB and 8TB capacities at reduced prices.

Also consider: Alternative Samsung SSD deal

The Samsung 990 Pro is one of the best SSDs around, especially at an unbeatable price like this. In our review, we hailed it as "an absolutely stellar M.2 SSD for both professional users and gamers."

In the UK: now £292 (was £503)View Deal

• US: Shop all internal SSDs at Amazon
• UK: See all internal SSDs at Amazon.co.uk

• China's National Vulnerability Database warns Claude Code contains spyware
• Alibaba recently banned Claude use internally over user tracking fears
• Anthropic says it's designed to prevent model distillation and illegal use

China has accused Anthropic's Claude Code of containing what it describes as "security backdoor vulnerabilities" after the country's National Vulnerability Database (CNVDB) found mechanisms capable of transmitting user information to Anthropic servers without explicit user permission.

Researchers accuse the software vendor of collecting information like user identity, geographic location, system environment information and other machine metadata.

The alleged "backdoor" presents risks of data leakage, IP exposure and other enterprise risks, hence Alibaba's recent decision to ban Claude Code internally.

China backs Alibaba's accusations regarding Claude Code, Anthropic

Alibaba engineers reverse engineered Claude Code to reveal checks for Chinese system time zones, proxy servers, AI lab infrastructure and network characteristics.

Chinese authorities are now advising users to uninstall vulnerable releases to upgrade to newer versions that remove or alter this behavior. CNVDB claims versions 2.1.91 to 2.1.196 are affected,

While Anthropic has rejected claims that Claude Code contains malicious spyware or an intentional espionage backdoor, it has admitted that those functionalities do admit, framing the purpose as an anti-abuse experiment. Anthropic has been worried about unauthorized resale and model distillation, which it has already accused Alibaba of doing.

VPNs, proxies, cloud workarounds and international subsidiaries have also sprung up to give developers access to the otherwise restricted tools, hence Anthropic's work to block access where it's restricted.

With a price hike and frequent stock issues, it's been harder to justify picking up the Steam Deck in recent months. But if you're still on the hunt for a handheld gaming PC, then there are some solid alternatives more readily available — and at much lower prices. That includes this Lenovo Legion Go S at Amazon for a record-low price of £404.10 (was £549.99).

This exact same offer was available just a few months ago and it proved popular. With prices for PC components increasing and stock problems still lingering, I only expect that demand has increased since then.

That's why I think the Lenovo Legion Go S is a strong option right now. With an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, it's capable of running less demanding games, indies, and lots of modern favourites with ease. It also runs on SteamOS, which is designed specifically for the handheld form factor, making it easier and smoother to browse your library and play games compared to Windows 11 devices.

Today's best handheld gaming PC deal

Put off by the price increase to the Steam Deck or tired of waiting for your desired model to come back in stock? I'd consider this Lenovo Legion Go S instead while it's back to a record-low price on Amazon. It offers solid power and performance thanks to the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an eight-inch WUXGA display. You also get a device that runs on SteamOS, which is better designed for a smoother and more efficient handheld gaming experience compared to Windows 11.View Deal

I guess one of the only drawbacks to going for the Lenovo Legion Go S is the lack of an OLED display. Its eight-inch WUXGA display with a 120Hz refresh rate still offers smooth and vibrant visuals, though, all for around £250 less than the Steam Deck. I don't think it's worth paying that much more just for an OLED screen.

Yes, you may also have to make some compromises when playing the latest and most demanding games to get good performance, and battery life can be underwhelming, as with most handheld gaming PCs, but the Lenovo Legion Go S is a strong option right now as there are so few alternatives available at this price point.

We also rated it well in our Lenovo Legion Go S review, saying that it is "a compact beauty" and "a good choice for SteamOS diehards." Anyone with a large library of Steam games will find it a great device to play your favourite titles while on the sofa or on the go.

If you're short on desk space but still need plenty of performance for creative work or everyday productivity, I've found a great offer for you. And it's perfect whether you're looking for a powerful business machine or a back-to-school computer that actually performs under pressure.

The Geekom A8 mini PC has dropped to $586 (was $689) at Amazon, saving you more than $100 on a compact desktop packed with impressive hardware. In the UK, the A8 is discounted to £599 (was £636) at Amazon, as well.

It's powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor with eight cores, 16 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.9GHz. Paired with AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics, it has the power you need for photo editing, video production, software development, and demanding multitasking.

Today's top Geekom mini PC deal

Powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor, it combines 16GB of DDR5 memory, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, Radeon 780M graphics, dual USB4, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11 Pro in a compact 0.5-liter chassis.

In the UK: now £599 (was £636)View Deal

In our rave review we said the A8 was "remarkably powerful and can handle applications that use multi-threading to reduce processing times. It also offers AI-specific processing features. With AMD-powered machines, this is as good as it gets."

The system includes 16GB of DDR5 memory alongside a fast 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, providing quick boot times and application loading.

Memory is upgradeable to 128GB, while storage can be expanded up to 4TB, giving the system plenty of room to grow alongside your workload.

Despite its tiny 0.5-liter chassis, it comes with dual USB4 ports, dual HDMI outputs, an SD card slot, 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2.

It also supports up to four 4K displays or a single 8K display, making it a good choice for creators, professionals, and anyone running multiple screens.

The compact enclosure includes an advanced cooling system with dual heat pipes, an efficient fan, and optimized airflow to maintain consistent performance during longer workloads.

A VESA mount is included, allowing the system to sit neatly behind a monitor for an even cleaner desk setup.

Windows 11 Pro (not Home) comes preinstalled, and the system also supports Linux and Ubuntu for anyone who prefers to use a non-Microsoft OS.

Geekom backs A8 Mini PC with a three-year warranty, adding extra peace of mind for long-term use.

For more top picks like this, these are the best mini PCs we've tested and reviewed.

Also consider: More Geekom mini PC deals

The Geekom A6 mini PC packs an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor, Radeon 680M graphics, and fast DDR5 into a compact aluminum chassis, delivering high performance without taking over your desk. It's $100 off at Amazon, and also at Geekom where it comes with a free $69 case.

In the UK: now £484 (was £569)View Deal

This Windows 11 Pro mini PC is well-suited for general home and office use, which is where it excelled when we tested it out. Specs-wise, it features an efficient AMD Ryzen 5 7430U processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.

In the UK: now £408 (was £479)View Deal

• Shop all mini PCs at Amazon

Businesses are racing to adopt and operationalize AI, but many are deploying the technology faster than they can govern it. This gap is quietly becoming one of the biggest security risks facing enterprises today.

AI agents are being embedded into everyday workflows as teams chase efficiency gains, and organizations are under increasing pressure from boards and senior leadership to automate processes faster.

However, beneath this perceived momentum sits a more uncomfortable reality: businesses still have limited visibility into how these systems behave once deployed.

Security teams need to take a step back and rethink what proper governance looks like in a world where AI systems operate with autonomous access, inherited permissions and limited visibility.

Confidence is outpacing verification

Understandably, many businesses view successful AI deployment as evidence that they are ready to scale AI across their business.

Recent research found that 87% of organizations believe their identity management posture is prepared to support AI-driven automation. Yet, at the same time 46% admit that their identity governance falls short.

This contradiction sits at the core of the AI security paradox.

The core problem is that organizations are granting AI systems increasing levels of access and autonomy before they have established clear ways to monitor or verify how these systems behave.

If nobody can explain why an AI agent took an action, the permissions it inherited, the systems it accessed and whether or not that behavior was actually intended, governance quickly becomes reactive rather than preventative.

AI agents undermine traditional identity governance foundations

Unfortunately, securing these new AI identities won’t happen overnight, as legacy governance models simply aren’t cut out for the challenges facing security teams today.

Traditional identity management was built around four key assumptions: predictable behavior, human intent and bounded permissions. Agentic AI changes all four. Security teams already understand the risks of AI agents and non-human identities. The problem is that operational realities are forcing many organizations to accept those risks regardless.

Research shows that 73% of organizations believe standing access for AI agents increases security risk. In other words, leaders recognize the dangers associated with giving AI systems privileged access, but feel under pressure to prioritize speed and operational efficiency anyways.

Crucially, the governance issue extends beyond risk. The fact that 80% of organizations said they cannot always determine why an AI agent took a privileged action suggests a fundamental issue.

That creates an entirely different governance challenge from one that ever existed in traditional identity management. Humans can typically justify intent, context or decision-making -autonomous systems can’t.

Shadow AI is becoming operational infrastructure

AI usage in the workforce has long moved on from a select few employees experimenting with ChatGPT. Now, the technology is deeply woven into production systems, workflows and enterprise data.

The scale of the problem is significant - 53% of organizations say they regularly encounter unsanctioned AI tools or agents accessing company systems or data, but only 28% can detect shadow AI in real time.

In reality, businesses are effectively allowing unknown contractors to roam freely through their corridors, with limited insight into where they’re going, what they’re doing and what they have access to.

This shift is forcing organizations to rethink traditional security priorities and focus on continuous monitoring and validation.

As a result, businesses need to begin focusing on how effectively they can monitor and verify what their AI systems are accessing, and whether that access is still appropriate.

Solving the governance contradiction

We know that organizations can’t afford to slow down on AI adoption given the competitive and operational incentives. But they also can’t afford to expand AI access and permissions faster than they can secure them.

This means bringing identity security to the forefront of AI governance strategies. Much of the discussion around AI risk still focuses on models, regulation and data privacy and those issues are important. But the true operational challenge increasingly sits between inherited permissions and unmanaged trust between systems.

For business leaders, the first priority should be improving visibility rather than adding more controls. They need to understand which AI identities exist within their organisation, what systems they can access, how permissions are inherited and where standing privileges have accumulated over time.

Organizations will also need to move away from persistent privilege models towards more dynamic models that provide temporary access only when required.

Ultimately, the organizations that will reap the greatest rewards from AI will be the ones that can understand, govern and validate the systems they use.

Deploying automation as fast as possible may lead to some quick wins, but doing so without the right governance measures in place could come back to haunt you.

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Peaky Blinders sequel series: key information

- No title has been announced for the sequel series
- No confirmed release date
- No trailer yet
- We know that it will be split into two new six-episode seasons
- Jamie Bell, Conleth Hill, and Charlie Heaton are among the confirmed cast members

The following guide may contain spoilers for the main Peaky Blinders series and the movie The Immortal Man.

Peaky Blinders will return to Netflix for a new sequel series, but so far little is known about the next installment.

That doesn't mean there's nothing to be excited about, though. In June 2026, Tudum confirmed that some huge names were joining the cast, so I'm sure it will be just as impressive as the original Peaky Blinders series and its follow-up movie, The Immortal Man, the latter of which received a 90% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, our entertainment writer Jasmine Valentine noted that The Immortal Man's ending might pose some problems when it comes to the new sequel series. We'll get into that later on.

Here's everything we know about the Peaky Blinders sequel series so far.

Peaky Blinders sequel: release date

We don't have a release date for the Peaky Blinders sequel series just yet, but we do know it will consist of two new six-episode seasons.

The Peaky Blinders sequel will follow the original series and the feature-length film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, that’s streaming now on Netflix. So you can watch these while you wait for the new episodes, if you like.

Speaking of the show's return, creator Steven Knight told Tudum: “Once again it will be rooted in Birmingham and will tell the story of a city rising from the ashes of the Birmingham blitz. The new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel, and it will be a hell of a ride.”

Peaky Blinders sequel trailer: is there one?

Currently, there is no trailer available for the Peaky Blinders sequel series as it is still in development. Once one becomes available, I'll add it here.

Peaky Blinders sequel: cast

Charlie Heaton joins the cast as one of Tommy Shelby's sons. (Image credit: Netflix)

Much of the excitement around the Peaky Blinders sequel so far has come from the recent casting announcements. Despite not having a release date, trailer, or name, we do know that some major stars are joining the line-up.

Half Man's Jamie Bell and Stranger Things' Charlie Heaton will star as Duke and Charles Shelby, two half-brothers and the sons of the now deceased Tommy Shelby. Charles severed all ties to the Peaky Blinders gang, but something tells me he won't be able to get out completely.

Elsewhere, Conleth Hill joins as Clemmy Keeler, the fierce patriarch of the rival Keeler family. Cal O’Driscoll plays Clemmy’s son, Aidan Keeler, and Daniel Monks plays Detective Inspector Bell.

This great selection of stars joins previously announced cast members Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and Lucy Karczewski.

Peaky Blinders sequel: plot details

Thomas Shelby met his demise in The Immortal Man. (Image credit: Netflix)

Peaky Blinders' sequel series is set a decade after World War II, and follows the race to rebuild Birmingham. Duke Shelby is at the heart of what has been described as "a brutal contest of mythical dimensions."

We can expect new opportunities, jeopardy, and ambitions when Peaky Blinders returns, even though we won't be focusing on the series' icon, Tommy Shelby, anymore. I'm excited already.

The Samsung S95F was our pick for the best OLED TV for bright rooms in 2025, thanks to its anti-glare matte screen that eliminates reflections, and its high brightness. These combined to make even dark movies viewable in really bright rooms on it: something most other OLED TVs just couldn’t achieve — even the S95F’s rival, the LG G5.

It remained the king until the LG G6 arrived this year. While the G6 still shows some mirror-like reflections when the screen is turned off, the brightness of these reflections is toned so far back that they don't really distract any more when you're viewing something.

You can now watch movies — even the super-dark The Batman — in Filmmaker Mode in bright conditions without distraction, but with the deep black tones OLED is famed for retained. When I compared the G6 with the S95F, I actually picked the G6 as the new king of bright-room OLEDs.

Fast forward a few months and the Samsung S99H (known as the S95H in the US — it's the same TV with a different name) has arrived in our testing lab. It has the latest version of Samsung's anti-reflection matte layer, so can it reclaim the crown as the best option for bright-room viewing? I've already compared the S95H/S99H with the G6 where I focused on other picture quality elements such as dark-room viewing and colors, and they came out basically even. So let's see how they compare in bright conditions.

Out-and-out reflections

While the G6 (right) does a great job of reducing reflections, the S95H/S99H (left) is best at completely eliminating their shapes thanks to its anti-glare screen. You're seeing a square overhead light reflected in both panels here (Image credit: Future)

The first area I decided to test was both TVs' reflection handling capabilities. This meant which TV was the outright most effective at eliminating mirror-like reflections caused by lights and objects.

Using the overhead lights in our testing lab, after getting the right angle, it was pretty clear the S95H/S99H was the superior model. Looking at the screen, the light from the overhead light is reduced to haze and the actual shape of the light is illegible: perfect if you’ve got pesky lights or windows in your bright room that you can’t hide, and that your eye is drawn to involuntarily focus on.

On the G6, the shape of the light, and the light itself, was still legible. It was certainly an improvement over its predecessor, the LG G5, as the latter had a pretty reflective screen — but there was no doubt that the overhead light was still visible.

Even looking at the shut-off, blank screen, you could see objects, such as other TVs we store in the same room, on the screen of the G6. The S95H/S99H on the other hand had absolutely nothing on screen, other than the haze of light from overhead. So for pure reflection-killing, the S95H/S99H is best.

Black level performance

In Filmmaker Mode, the G6 (right) does a better job showing shadow detail with a clearer picture overall in a bright room compared to the S95H/S99H (left) (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

Watching a movie is a more complicated story, however. With both TVs set to Filmmaker Mode, and watching the dark-tone torture test that is The Batman, the G6 did a better job maintaining black levels and delivering more impactful contrast than the S95H/S99H.

In a scene where Batman stands in a dark subway platform, having just defeated a gang of thugs, the first thing that was apparent was the S95H/S99H’s Filmmaker Mode was very dim compared to the G6. Due to the low perceived brightness and the raised black tones of the mate screen, large parts of the scene were illegible, with Batman himself partly obscured in black and the detail in the walls at the back of the platform not as clear as they were on the G6. The G6 also has better shadow detail, with more of Batman’s suit and the creases in the thug’s black jackets more legible too.

Switching to Alien: Romulus, it was the same story. As the crew approached the Nostromo, the blackness of space was much inkier and deeper on the G6. The S95H/S99H had a hazy gray sheen over it from the matte screen, which affected the integrity of the black tones. It also meant the rings around the moon didn’t have quite as much punch as the G6.

With both TVs set to Filmmaker Mode, the G6 (right) shows much deeper black tones in this shot of Alien: Romulus (Image credit: 20th Century Studios / Future )

I found it odd that there was such a perceived brightness difference between the two as when I measured their brightness, the gap wasn’t as big as the real-world viewing suggested. The S95H/S99H clocked in at 2,739 nits of peak HDR brightness (10% window) in Filmmaker Mode, while the G6 clocked in at 3,004 nits. While 250 nits is nothing to sniff at, the pictures on screen suggested a bigger gap.

In fact, fullscreen HDR brightness was about as close as it gets. In the same HDR Filmmaker Mode, the S95H/S99H hit a measured fullscreen brightness of 449 nits, while the G6 hit 451. The human eye can’t perceive that little difference, yet in person, the G6 had the more complete picture.

In a darker room, the S99H/S95H's (left) overall picture is more satisfying, though it does exhibit some black crush (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

In fact, watching in a darker room, the S95H/S99H delivers a richer, stronger picture. The same subway scene from The Batman shows deeper blacks and looks more accurate to the movie’s gloomy tone. On the G6, I found that its brightness hampered it slightly. While it did demonstrate good shadow detail, its brightness affected the quality of the darker tones on screen, and the image just wasn’t as satisfying as on the S95H/S99H.

Switching to Movie mode in a bright room, the S99H/S95H's (left) picture becomes much clearer, with stronger contrast (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

In fairness to both TVs, some settings tweaks can solve some of the issues above. On the G6, dropping contrast from 50 to 49 takes away some of that over-brightness, while switching Tone Mapping from the default Static to Active on the S95H/S99H in Filmmaker Mode adds some brightness, although the image doesn’t feel as accurate then. But for these tests, I kept both TVs in their default settings.

The better TV for bright rooms

(Image credit: Future)

Honestly, both these TVs are fantastic for bright-room viewing. They both do a great job of eliminating reflections and delivering excellent picture quality despite being in a bright room. OLED’s nemesis has always been bright rooms and reflections, and it’s great to have two TVs that can handle the light. You can’t go wrong with either of these TVs for bright rooms and they’re both excellent OLED TVs.

If you have a bright room, either of these TVs would work. Your choice may depend on your circumstances. If you know you'll be watching a lot with light flooding in during the day, the S95H/S99H is the better option for keeping reflections to an absolute minimum. If you can control the light in your room more, the G6 is probably the better option.

For me, if I had to pick one TV for bright-room viewing, I’d go for the G6. While the S95H/S99H is seriously good at dealing with pesky reflections, and is an improvement over the superb S95F, I favored the G6’s richer black tones in brighter rooms.

Although the G6 isn’t as complete at removing mirror-like reflections, so there are some present in darker scenes, it’s effective enough to make watching darker movies in a bright room feel less like a chore than it did on its predecessor, the G5 — but with the contrasty feeling you want from an OLED TV.

There's always a trade-off with choosing a bright-room TV of reflection reduction versus preserving the image accuracy. Last year, the balance fell in favor of Samsung's matte display. This year, the G6’s better black level performance combined with drastically lowering the impact of mirror-like reflections is enough to make it my pick for bright rooms — but the Samsung S95H/S99H is a brilliant TV for light rooms still.

• 25 million viewers watch the first-ever 4K livestream beamed from the Moon
• 260Mbps transfer speeds send video more than 250,000 miles
• AWS GovCloud has an important role in NASA simulations

Amazon Web Services – the biggest cloud hyperscaler with a market share equaling the combined share of both Microsoft and Google – just helped to enable the first-ever like 4K video stream from the Moon.

The company transmitted video footage from the Orion spacecraft by laser, with an estimated 25 million people watching the coverage across NASA+, YouTube and Amazon’s own Prime Video platform.

Not only is this the first time 4K video has ever been transmitted from the Moon to Earth, but it’s also major news for video transmission by laser optics instead of conventional radio.

AWS enabled 260Mbps transfer speeds via laser

Key to supporting the video transmission was NASA’s Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O) – a laser-based terminal more than 20 years in the making that supports up to 260Mbps transfer speeds. In other words, fast enough for real-time 4K video and other crucial mission data.

Generally, streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video would recommend having internet speeds of 15-20Mbps to stream 4K video. With NASA and AWS opening up 260Mbps, more than enough buffer was available to continue transmitting other key telemetry, voice communications, mission data and other files.

Unlike traditional radio systems, optical communications promise much higher bandwidth and are better suited to transmitting much larger datasets, thus they are expected to become increasingly important as space exploration pushes new boundaries.

In this case, laser transmissions were received by Mount Stromlo Observatory near Canberra, Australia, and NASA’s White Sands Complex in New Mexico was responsible for processing and distributing signals. “AWS, NASA, and ANU partnered and stood up the connection in a matter of weeks, for the cost of a laptop,” the company declared.

All in, the video was transmitted an estimated quarter of a million miles, “connecting viewers to the farthest humans ever to travel from Earth.”

But Amazon’s partnership with NASA runs even deeper than this, with the company hosting the official NASA+ streaming platform using AWS Elemental services.

Amazon plays a crucial role in NASA’s trajectory

Besides video, Amazon’s cloud infrastructure also proves instrumental to other core NASA operations. Its flight sciences team at the Johnson Space Center runs tens of thousands of trajectory simulations for every launch opportunity, producing as much as 2-5TB of data per launch window.

Amazon proudly proclaimed that these simulations run on AWS GovCloud (US), enabling maximum security for sensitive data. Using a technique known as cloud bursting, NASA is able to “scale into hundreds of additional Intel-based cloud instances on demand,” allowing it to retarget and optimize trajectory in near real-time.

Mission control aside, Amazon’s huge video streaming success lays out the framework for future space missions, including the upcoming Artemis IV lunar landing which NASA hopes to get into the hands of 250 million live viewers.

Right on cue, Amazon Prime Day in Australia has delivered a much better price on the Apple AirPods Pro 3, dropping Apple’s latest noise-cancelling earbuds to just AU$299.

That’s a mighty AU$130 saving on their AU$429 RRP, and more importantly, it’s the lowest price we’ve seen for the AirPods Pro 3 on Amazon.

Considering they launched at a higher price than their predecessor, this Prime Day deal makes them a far more tempting option for iPhone users who have been waiting for a deeper discount.

I’ve been using the Pro 3 since they launched in September and, while I was initially unsure how much better they could really be than the Pro 2, I’ve had to concede that Apple’s updated earbuds are something special.

The noise cancellation, fit and overall sound quality all make them easy to recommend, and this AU$299 price makes that recommendation even easier.

If you use an iPhone and want excellent noise cancellation, a secure fit and seamless Apple device switching, the AirPods Pro 3 are for you. This Prime Day deal is the lowest Amazon price we’ve seen, so it’s well worth considering before the sale ends.View Deal

If you’re a devoted iPhone user, there’s a good chance the AirPods Pro 3 are already on your radar.

If you want a deeper breakdown before buying, our Apple AirPods Pro 3 review covers their features, sound quality and noise-cancelling performance in detail.

My audio-loving colleague Becky Scarrott described them as the earbuds for “iPhone owners who value great, shut-out-the-world noise cancellation”, and that lines up with my own experience.

As soon as you put the Pro 3s in your ears and turn on ANC, they do a remarkable job of cutting out the world around you.

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve worn them while walking along busy roads and even while vacuuming at home, and in both cases, the AirPods Pro 3 have made it far easier to focus on whatever I’m listening to.

They’re not the cheapest earbuds around, even with this Prime Day discount, but at AU$299 they become a much more compelling pick among the best wireless earbuds, especially if you’re already deep in Apple’s ecosystem.

I don’t expect this price to stick around once Amazon Prime Day wraps up, so if you’ve been waiting for a proper AirPods Pro 3 discount, this is the deal to jump on.

Quick links to the best Apple deals on Amazon

• Amazon Prime Day: shop the main Prime Day sale
• Apple at Amazon: browse everything Apple in one place
• AirPods deals: check the best AirPods prices
• iPad deals: shop iPad offers at Amazon
• Apple Watch deals: see the best Apple Watch prices
• iPhone deals: check current iPhone deals
• Apple accessories: browse AirTags, chargers, cables and more
• MacBook price checks: find MacBook restocks and price drops

Even more AirPod deals

The AirPods 4 are a tempting buy if you want Apple’s latest open-fit earbuds without stepping up to the ANC model. Our AirPods 4 review found they sounded good and offered a secure, comfortable fit despite the lack of in-ear tips.View Deal

This is a solid drop on the AirPods 4 model to buy if you want noise cancellation without silicone ear tips. Our AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation review found their sound quality impressively close to the AirPods Pro 2, though the open fit still won’t isolate noise as fully as in-ear buds with a proper seal.View Deal

It's hard to find Apple's over-ear cans with much of a discount, so this is worth checking if you're keen on a new set of premium AirPods. The AirPods Max remain expensive, but our Apple AirPods Max review praised their excellent ANC and superb audio performance.View Deal

• Buffalo reverses Blu-ray exit decision after securing more components
• Customers face 33-51% price hikes for remaining portable drive stock
• Manufacturing will eventually cease once current component supply runs out

Japanese firm Buffalo has reversed its decision to stop selling Blu-ray drives (via PC Watch), announcing it will continue selling several portable models after securing additional supply of components that were previously unavailable.

This comes after an earlier February 2026 announcement that it would suspend the sale of Blu-ray drives in July 2026 due to component shortages – not a lack of demand.

However, customers are set to pay a premium for Buffalo’s renewed sales due to ongoing global semiconductor shortages, rising material costs and higher overall manufacturing costs.

Limited supply leads to hefty price hikes

For example, the BRXL-PTV6U3 model bundled with writing software sees the biggest increase of 51%, from ¥16,940 ($104) to ¥25,630 ($158). Buffalo’s BRXL-PT6U3 model also sees a 44% price hike, and the BRXL-PTWOU3 increases in cost by 33%.

Additionally, even though the company continues to sell Blu-ray drives at a higher cost to maintain supply for customer demand, production will only continue while newly sourced components last, implying that Buffalo itself is facing major supply struggles.

No final end date has been shared due to the unpredictability of production volumes, shipping volumes and retail inventory levels, but once the parts are no longer available, manufacturing will stop and sales will likely end permanently.

More broadly, it marks ongoing challenges in the industry, with Pioneer confirming it would be withdrawing from the optical disc drive business in 2025. LG also stopped manufacturing new drives, and Sony shipped its final consumer Blu-ray recorders in Japan implying a relatively strong market as other regions dwindled.

Some manufacturers are still clinging on

However, earlier this year Verbatim Japan and I-O Data publicly committed to continuing Blu-ray drive development (via Tom’s Hardware) even after major players exited, arguing that demand remains strong for customers who need long-term offline storage, like photographers and videographers, governments, businesses and archives.

“We have once again recognized that the need to ‘record data I want to keep onto a disc I have on hand [sic]’ continues to genuinely exist,” the two companies said in a joint statement.

However, optical storage does face competition from the generally pricier, but far more convenient rival that is cloud storage. Local storage via SSDs and HDDs is also often favored by many.

Ultimately, despite continued demand for some markets in Japan, likely driven by anime consumption and a relatively strong but declining movie rental business, the Blu-ray market is no longer big enough to guarantee a stable supply of components. With news that Buffalo, too, could soon exit the market after a second wind, it could mark the end of the Blu-ray era.

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, July 8 (game #1626).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,500 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 #1627) — 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 #1627) — hint #2 — repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1627) — 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 #1627) — 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 #1627) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• C

• P

• S

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1627) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1627, are…

• CRUMP
• PHONE
• SHINY
• STONY

It does feel like Quordle has been going easy on us recently.

This game, for example, featured two words that began with the same letter and ended with the same two letters. I cannot remember a gift like that in months.

Daily Sequence today (game #1627) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1627, are…

• SNAKY
• GRIEF
• DRAWL
• CHIRP

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1626, Wednesday, 8 July: GHOST, TREND, EXALT, ALONG
• Quordle #1625, Tuesday, 7 July: ARRAY, SUITE, KIOSK, BOULE
• Quordle #1624, Monday, 6 July: TRAWL, SPICE, PIANO, SHARK
• Quordle #1623, Sunday, 5 July: PINEY, SWOON, TITLE, PINTO
• Quordle #1622, Saturday, 4 July: ARGUE, MOTEL, OPERA, TRUCE
• Quordle #1621, Friday, 3 July: AVERT, MOTOR, MANIC, WORDY
• Quordle #1620, Thursday, 2 July: BULKY, PARSE, BELOW, MOVIE
• Quordle #1619, Wednesday, 1 July: EASEL, OTTER, LYRIC, SHACK
• Quordle #1618, Tuesday, 30 June: HALVE, DRYER, THERE, MINTY
• Quordle #1617, Monday, 29 June: SLURP, CRACK, CRANK, PHONY
• 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

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, July 8 (game #857).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… On the lips

NYT Strands today (game #858) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• ALONG
• TIERS
• LUMP
• MUSE
• BLISS
• PLUME
• MAKER

NYT Strands today (game #858) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 13 letters

NYT Strands today (game #858) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

• First side: left, 5th row

• Last side: right, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #858) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #858, are…

• STICK
• GLOSS
• STAIN
• LINER
• TINT
• BALM
• PLUM
• SPANGRAM: KISSANDMAKEUP

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

The first sight of this theme made me think of the old weight-loss mantra “a moment on the lip, a lifetime on the hips” intended to warn dieters off the brief pleasure of a potato chip, as opposed to the lifelong delight of a slender physique.

I digress, as we weren’t looking for dieting advice but instead things that could be applied to lips — of which there are many possibilities.

Fortunately, despite the high number of words in the search they were all short and easy to spot, with the biggest challenge provided by the 13-letter-long spangram.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, July 8, game #857)

• SCAMP
• HELLION
• RAPSCALLION
• WHIPPERSNAPPER
• SPANGRAM: LITTLEDEVIL

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 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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, July 8 (game #1123).

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 #1124) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• THROW
• VIRGIN
• SPIN
• PRAYER
• NA
• ROLLING STONE
• PERSIAN
• FIREBIRD
• G6
• SHAG
• ZERO-PROOF
• GRAND PRIX
• BILLBOARD
• TRANS AM
• PITCHFORK
• SPIRIT-FREE

NYT Connections today (game #1124) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Boozeless booze
• GREEN: Rock mags
• BLUE: Carpet options
• PURPLE: Fast cars

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 #1124) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS
• GREEN: MUSIC PUBLICATIONS
• BLUE: KINDS OF RUGS
• PURPLE: PONTIAC MODELS

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

NYT Connections today (game #1124) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1124, are…

• YELLOW: NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS: NA, SPIRIT-FREE, VIRGIN, ZERO-PROOF
• GREEN: MUSIC PUBLICATIONS: BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE, SPIN
• BLUE: KINDS OF RUGS: PERSIAN, PRAYER, SHAG, THROW
• PURPLE: PONTIAC MODELS: FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, TRANS AM

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

A charmed game without mistakes.

As a former music journalist I was duty bound to connect the four MUSIC PUBLICATIONS in BILLBOARD, ROLLING STONE, SPIN and PITCHFORK, and was rewarded with a green.

Fortunately, I also resisted the temptation of linking VIRGIN and PRAYER in a cobbled together Madonna grouping, deciding instead that PRAYER and SHAG must have something to do with carpeting.

With eight tiles left I took a risk collecting the four tiles I thought sounded vaguely like sporty cars and got lucky.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, July 8, 2026, game #1123)

• YELLOW: CUT INTO THIN PIECES: GRATE, PLANE, SHAVE, SLIVER
• GREEN: MOTIF: DRIFT, PLOT, THEME, THREAD
• BLUE: GUITAR-PLAYING TECHNIQUES: PICK, PLUCK, STRUM, TAP
• PURPLE: HOUSE OF ____: CARDS, LORDS, WAX, WORSHIP

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.

• YouTuber bitluni has unveiled a RISC-V DIY Graphics Processing Unit
• Builder has a library of insane DIY projects on his YouTube channel
• RISC-V microcontrollers were sourced from AliExpress

YouTuber bitluni has unveiled his latest project, which might put any concerns you have over GPU pricing into context. The German DIYer, who has built up a strong following with his selection of intriguing and off-the-wall projects, has assembled a GPU using a large collection of affordable RISC-V microcontrollers (MCUs).

While the results are impressive for a DIY build, the GPU is unfortunately quite modest, and would probably have been abandoned long before now had a PCB design firm not got in touch to explore a partnership over the build.

Demonstrating the project on his channel, bitluni – real name Matthias Balwierz – expressed how difficult the build was, and how it almost drove him mad.

8000+ RISC-V MCUs output at 320x200 resolution

In his latest video, bitluni recalls a previous attempt at building a GPU in late 2025 which lead to PCB designers Altium getting involved, explaining, “The clusters I made before were already challenging my sanity. I thought I was done with the topic, but the budget and these tools would allow for a cluster of a different magnitude, and the magnitude I had in mind was just insane.”

Pushing things to the next level is a hallmark of bitluni’s videos, and the finished build has an incredible 8,192 RISC-V CH570 microcontrollers, each running at 100 MHz, with 12KB of SRAM. These are mounted on blades, which went through several revisions as the PCB company declared them “too complicated.”

Each CH570 has an array of LEDs mounted, and these correspond to each MCU, and the equivalent QVGA pixel. With 8,192 MCUs, the resulting 320x200 might seem modest, but bitluni already has plans for a more power version with 32,000 MCUs.

Graphics or hashing?

The spike in GPU prices before the AI boom was thanks to industrial-scale cryptocurrency hashing, which graphics cards a particularly suited to. It is this relationship between hashing and graphics that gives bitluni’s project some hope beyond displaying images and video.

Identifying the serial port as the bottleneck to the project’s success as a working (if unwieldy) GPU, bitluni has appealed for help from his community of viewers to find a workaround, but that didn’t bring the project to a close.

Changing tack, he used the microcontrollers for hashing and found it outperformed his PC’s 8 core CPU, with a low 4 watt power draw, so perhaps there is a use for this approach after all.

On a recent visit to head-fi brand Audeze's headquarters in California, I had the chance to talk to the brand about the recent ReSkin feature it launched for its Maxwell 2 gaming headset.

This new feature for its excellent planar magnetic driver-powered gaming headset allows owners to customize their set by swapping in funky earcup designs to inject some colour, flair, and personality into their gaming accessory.

The earcups have been so popular that a bunch of the first designs have sold out, with marketing director, Peter James, telling me that "the one that's sold the most is the all-seeing eye. That one actually sold out of its first run."

Indeed, of the six designs or sets that Audeze launched in May, only one of them is available to buy as of right now on the brand's website, and two — the all-seeing eye and the very limited edition Dia De Los Muertos set — are not even listed at all.

However, there could be big things on the horizon with the PlayStation-owned Audeze having "some potential game studio collaborations" on the way in the future, according to James.

This could be an opportunity for a collaboration with a huge PlayStation series or two in the future, given Audeze is under Sony Interactive Entertainment's (SIE) roof now.

Could we see a spectacular God of War Laufey ReSkin featuring Faye? Could we, Maxwell 2 owners, be wearing some Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet artwork in the future? How about a profile shot of Wolverine adorning each earcup?

There are some truly exciting potential collaborations to consider given the relationship between Audeze and PlayStation.

(Image credit: Audeze)

And Audeze doesn't intend for the ReSkin designs to stop there: "We're really just getting started at this point.", James tells me.

"We're not intending this reskin program to be limited to Maxwell 2; that's just where it's starting."

I asked whether there might be a possibility of fans submitting their own designs in the future. "I don't think we're going to do 'design your own,' but we'll almost certainly be doing some things where people can submit designs and maybe run an online poll or competition to see what people vote on to select."

He went on to add that, as well as the exciting prospect of gaming collaborations, there are "more in-house designs that we'll be releasing on a monthly cadence."

Audeze has previous form with working with external collaborators from studio artists and musicians in relation to some headphones — when it comes to those super slick wooden rings that you can see on the likes of the LCD-2 and LCD-3 sets, for example — and it seems that the ReSkin program has the potential to unlock some big-hitting collaborations further down the line to continue that trend.

The way that consumers buy video games is changing, with Sony recently announcing that it would cease the production of new PlayStation game discs in January 2028 in a bid to push consumers towards more profitable digital purchases.

It's a big shift for the $500+ billion dollar video game industry, which once had a significant retail presence in the US, but one that has been predicted for some time.

A matter of time

Speaking in an investor Q&A session all the way back in 2009, then Nintendo president and Satoru Iwata correctly stated that it would take "20 years or so" for digital distribution to render physical copies in stores obsolete.

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He dismissed notions that it could happen sooner as "radical" and argued that it would take a significant number of years for consumer behaviour to change.

His belief has been proven correct by empirical data as Nintendo's latest financial report revealed that the proportion of digital sales have just surpassed physical ones for the first time in the company's 137 year history.

While it seems safe assume that Sony's next console will not feature disc reader, and credible reports suggest Microsoft-owned competitor Xbox headed the same way, Nintendo is ironically the last major industry player that seems fully committed to physical releases — at least for the time being.

Part of a wider trend

Digital game sales are even more dominant on other platforms, hence the Sony decision to ditch physical formats entirely.

According to data from market research firm Ampere Analysis, when the PlayStation 4 originally launched in 2013 just 13% of games sold for Sony platforms were digital.

12 years later in 2025, and the share of digital game sales had steadily grown to almost 80%. Unless plans change, this will presumably be 100% come 2028 — almost exactly two decades since Iwata's 20 year prediction.