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The touted benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) are vast. It’s promised to boost efficiency, create happier workers and drive innovation. Sounds great – but at what point do you see value for money? This is an issue that many businesses are continuing to grapple with, and the data paints a sobering picture.

Research reveals a mere 36% of organizations have successfully scaled their GenAI solutions, with just 13% achieving a significant, enterprise-level impact. The gap between pilot and profit is becoming a chasm, with Gartner predicting 30% of GenAI projects will be abandoned after the proof-of-concept stage this year alone.

So why the disconnect? The problem isn't a failure of the technology itself, but of foresight. In the race for AI dominance, many leaders are focused on the promise of the technology itself and not calculating the true cost of the journey it will take to extract its value.

They often underestimate the long-term financial commitment, the necessary infrastructure overhaul and the critical change management needed to turn a promising algorithm into a pillar of the business. To move from AI ambition to AI achievement, it’s time for leaders to confront these hidden economics head-on, starting with the risks you can't yet see.

Planning for tomorrow’s AI

UK businesses are spending an average of £321,000 on AI, but 44% report seeing only minor gains. This disconnect between investment and impact is often rooted in a failure to plan for the hidden, long-term risks that emerge after deployment.

These risks fall into two main categories: the shifting landscape of future regulation and the unforeseen realities of implementation costs. Without a clear global rulebook, businesses operate in a regulatory fog. And having a patchwork of national policies means a system deemed compliant today could be rendered a liability by new rules tomorrow, creating a ticking economic clock on the investment.

This lack of foresight also applies to tangible costs, where on-premise expenses escalate with energy-intensive hardware, and cloud deployments trigger punishing "bill shock" from data charges not factored into initial plans.

A comprehensive solution to these uncertainties is to build with a flexible mindset from day one. A viable strategy requires designing systems that can be easily modified and implementing clear, strong policies for how data is managed. However, a flexible system is only as good as the team that manages it.

This is where addressing the skills gap becomes a necessity. Investing in upskilling and cultivating a culture of continuous learning is not just another cost; it is the core capability that allows an organization to adapt to whatever challenges – technical or legal – the future holds.

This means looking beyond a small pool of perfect-fit AI experts and instead hiring for adaptability, and seeking out individuals with strong foundational skills and capacity to constantly learn new technologies.

The sustainable AI equation

As AI's computational needs intensify, sustainability has shifted from a corporate ideal to a core economic imperative. The sheer power of the processors driving modern AI generates immense heat, and data centers are at the epicenter of this challenge.

With cooling already accounting for nearly 40% of a data center's energy consumption, traditional air-cooling methods are proving to be a bottleneck. Capable of capturing only 30% of the heat generated by servers, these legacy systems are not just inefficient, but a direct threat to the scalability and financial viability of the high-performance AI applications of tomorrow.

This is where advanced solutions like direct-to-chip and immersion liquid cooling become necessary. By using fluids to dissipate heat with far greater efficiency, these technologies address the problem at its source. Immersion cooling, for example, can capture 100% of the heat produced by servers, a capability that translates directly into lower carbon emissions and significant operational cost savings.

In addition, liquid cooling's superior thermal management allows data centers to handle much higher server densities, maximizing the value of existing infrastructure and reducing the need for costly physical expansions. This is a crucial advantage for scaling AI efficiently and responsibly. It transforms sustainability from a cost center into a powerful competitive edge.

Building the foundation for lasting AI value

The path forward is about approaching AI’s potential with a new strategic maturity. Success in this next chapter means looking at AI as a business transformation build on a sound economic foundation, where the hidden costs of regulation, implementation and sustainability are interconnected pillars.

The true return on investment will not be found in simple cost savings, but in the ability to make smarter decisions faster, adapt to a changing market and build a lasting edge over the competition. No matter what industry you are in, it’s time to stop asking what the tool can do, and start asking if their organization is truly ready to wield its power.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Sensitive files held by US courts are being targeted
• The US Judiciary is strengthening its IT infrastructure following incidents
• The DOJ, DHS, and others, were called to help

The US Judiciary system has confirmed suffering a cyberattack, and says it is now working on reinforcing its systems to prevent further incursions.

In a press release published on the US Courts website, the body said said it recently experienced, “escalated cyberattacks of a sophisticated and persistent nature.”

Without detailing the attacks, or the perpetrators, the announcement said that the crooks were targeting its case management system, targeting sensitive files hosted there.

Courts in the crosshairs

“The vast majority of documents filed with the Judiciary’s electronic case management system are not confidential and indeed are readily available to the public, which is fundamental to an open and transparent judicial system.

However, some filings contain confidential or proprietary information that are sealed from public view,” the announcement reads.

“These sensitive documents can be targets of interest to a range of threat actors. To better protect them, courts have been implementing more rigorous procedures to restrict access to sensitive documents under carefully controlled and monitored circumstances.”

The announcement does not go into detail about the reinforcement efforts. It says that the Administrative Office of the United States Courts is working with Congress, the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other agencies.

US courts, both local and federal, have often been the targets of different cybercriminals.

Back in 2020, a cyberattack against the US federal court system ended up being far more damaging than initially thought, and in 2024, unnamed hackers attacked court systems across the US state of Washington, forcing the judicial organization to shut down parts of its infrastructure to prevent further damage.

In summer 2024, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, the largest in the United States, suffered a ransomware attack which forced it to close down its entire operation for a day.

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Fraud remains a persistent threat for businesses of all sizes, with the trade association UK Finance estimating that over £1.1bn was lost to fraud in the UK alone in 2024. Financial services firms are a particularly attractive target, given the opportunity for significant monetary gain.

To put this into context, Q1 of 2024 saw 8,374 consumers lodge complaints about fraud and scams, of which over half were in relation to customer approved online bank transfers. These types of scams that often involve convincing social engineering and AI-generated content, which manipulate people into sharing confidential information, are becoming harder to spot- even for experienced professionals.

For financial services providers, the consequences of fraud reach far beyond lost revenue. Companies can suffer reputational damage, operational disruption and costly legal fallout, all of which can undermine long-term business resilience. Unsurprisingly, these firms take a proactive approach to fraud prevention.

But with fraudsters becoming more sophisticated and technologically advanced, especially with the help of AI, it can often feel like a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with defenders constantly reacting to ever-evolving tactics.

Fraud is not disappearing anytime soon

The National Crime Agency ranks fraud as the most common crime in the UK, accounting for 41% of all crime in England and Wales. For financial services firms, the challenge is even more acute. In 2024 there were 3.13 million confirmed cases of fraud, a 14% rise compared to 2023. This sharp increase highlights a two-fold problem, whereby fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, whilst the overall volume of attacks is climbing.

There are various reasons behind the rising levels of fraud, not least the ongoing cost of living crisis. As operating costs soar and cashflow becomes tighter, financially vulnerable businesses are more likely to take risks, overlook red flags, or fall for offers that seem too good to be true.

This makes them an easier target for scammers. On top of this, AI is transforming how fraud is carried out. Specifically, it enables criminals to move faster and more easily deploy advanced tactics, from deepfakes and synthetic identities, to highly convincing phishing campaigns.

Optimizing automation is the remedy for success

One of the main reasons financial services providers remain prime targets for fraudsters is the sheer number of customer interactions across mobile apps and online banking platforms, creating multiple potential entry points that are difficult to monitor and secure simultaneously.

This challenge is often compounded by a lack of alignment between key teams, such as fraud prevention, customer authentication and customer service, leading to gaps in visibility across the customer journey. With high transaction volumes, countless access points, and siloed teams, it can be difficult for firms to keep false positives to a minimum and contextualize and action suspicious activity or alerts.

Financial services companies often turn to AI to help reduce false positives which, in principle, is the correct way to go. However, many AI tools still rely heavily on manual rule creation and editing, leaving fraud teams to handle the hardest tasks, such as deciding what patterns to target and making sense of ambiguous data.

Instead, firms must go beyond rule-tweaking and help uncover the ‘why’ behind fraud, not just the ‘what’. To get the best value from AI, financial services providers should turn their attention to models that can enhance the decision engine, by replacing legacy rulesets in favor of a new auto-generated suite of optimized rulesets.

In practice, this approach starts by analyzing historical transaction data and fraud model scores to identify patterns in both legitimate and fraudulent activity. It then determines the right balance between detecting fraud and avoiding false positives.

From there, a fresh set of optimized rules is automatically generated and can be refreshed daily. This keeps the fraud decision engine sharp and responsive, reducing manual effort while ensuring it stays aligned with the latest threat patterns.

The benefits must be balanced with human input

Optimizing fraud detection leads to a more efficient and accurate program, enabling fraud teams to focus their attention on genuine scam activity without being distracted by false positives. More broadly, it allows firms to respond quickly and effectively to shifts in risk appetite, tightening or relaxing controls as circumstances change.

While these benefits of AI and automation are undeniable, financial services firms must not become over reliant on these technologies. Human expertise remains essential, especially in scenarios that demand emotional intelligence, nuanced behavioral analysis or complex judgement.

AI is a powerful tool, but it’s the insight and oversight of skilled fraud professionals that ensures investigations are handled with the necessary sensitivity and rigor. Crucially, it’s also down to fraud teams and data scientists to train and fine-tune AI models using real-world insights, ensuring they evolve in line with the shifting threat landscape.

Plan for long-term fraud resilience

Blending human expertise with AI isn’t just a technical enhancement, it’s critical for any financial services provider that is serious about safeguarding customers and staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud. As threats evolve, particularly with the rise of agentic AI, relying solely on reactive measures won’t be enough. Proactive, adaptive fraud prevention, which combines the precision of AI with the intuition of human judgement, will be key to preserving trust and resilience in the long term.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

During my time at TechRadar I’ve been lucky enough to review some of the best Bluetooth speakers around, but I hadn’t seen many that had truly blown me away in 2025… that was until I tested the Marshall Kilburn III.

This thing is an absolute machine, boasting great features, impeccable audio, and of course, a drop-dead gorgeous design. If you’re on the lookout for a new Bluetooth speaker, this is my top recommendation.

And there’s some strong competition out there. The likes of JBL, Sonos, and Sony offer some top-tier audio companions packed full of battery life, audio talents, and smart design choices. So, I’m going to set out my three top reasons for picking the Marshall Kilburn III over its competitors – let’s get straight into things.

1. A whole lotta battery life

(Image credit: Future)

From the first moment I heard the battery life of the Marshall Kilburn III, I was blown away. In fact, I can still barely believe just how meaty it is. Yep, you get 50 hours of playtime from this Bluetooth speaker.

Put simply, that’s an astonishingly long battery life for a speaker in this weight class. 50 hours is the best battery life Marshall has ever offered on a Bluetooth speaker, and more than double as good as that of its predecessor, the Marshall Kilburn II, which could go for up to 20 hours.

In fact, the Kilburn III outclasses just about every rival I’ve tested. Even the excellent JBL Xtreme 4 has a battery life of ‘only’ 30 hours with PlayTime Boost active. Combine that with the Kilburn III’s battery preservation options – like a setting that lowers charging speed if temperature is outside the ideal range – and you’re looking at a true powerhouse.

2. Stellar 360-degree audio

(Image credit: Future)

Although I was lucky enough to get an early hands-on with the Kilburn III, I didn’t appreciate just how good the speaker sounded until getting some alone time with it at our music testing space. This really is one of the best-sounding options in its price and size class, boasting phenomenally clear, energetic, and disciplined audio.

What’s especially valuable is the Kilburn III’s 'true' 360-degree stereophonic audio. After placing the speaker in the center of our testing room, I tried listening from all angles, and it was genuinely clear and full-sounding at all times. That’s pretty impressive given it doesn’t have the traditional wraparound design that many 360-degree rivals possess, such as the Ultimate Ears Epicboom, for example.

There’s some smart technology packed into the Kilburn III that ensures not only omni-directional, but also high-calibre audio output. Dynamic loudness tech, for example, automatically adjusts bass, mids, and treble when you adjust the speaker’s volume, helping it to deliver the most detailed, natural-sounding performance possible.

And just generally, this model is capable of handling any genre expertly – it’s not just a rock‘n’roll connoisseur. In fact, one of the first things that struck me about the Kilburn III was its awesome bass, with the pumping low-end of Vitess’s Keep That Groove coming through with incredible impact without any noticeable distortion.

Meanwhile, higher-pitched vocals in ballads, expressive sax in jazz numbers, and wailing electric guitars in heavy rock tracks were all handled with ease during testing, so you can count on the Kilburn III to hit all the right notes.

3. Gorgeous amp-inspired looks

(Image credit: Future)

Something that Marshall is brilliant at is ingraining its amp-making history in its consumer-grade audio gear. The Kilburn III is a glowing example of that, combining a beautiful metal speaker grille, tactile control knobs, and a golden Marshall logo.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the white logo and black control panel on the Kilburn II – but this new and improved model feels far more high-end. On top of the aforementioned inclusions, the Kilburn III’s luxurious faux-leather outer casing and sleek handle with a red velvet underside really make it feel premium.

Ultimately, the Marshall Kilburn III is meant to feel like a statement piece in your living space. Sure, it doesn’t have the rugged IP67 and above waterproof rating of rivals like the Bose SoundLink Max, for instance, but it's perfect for use around the home and for outdoor use during nicer weather.

So, have you managed to try out the Marshall Kilburn III yet? Perhaps you're considering picking it up? I'd love to hear any thoughts or answer your questions, so make sure to get chatting in the comments!

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Modernizing apps isn’t always easy, but it’s fast becoming one of the smartest moves a business can make. This shift away from legacy systems is about more than just technology. It’s about staying competitive, delivering a better experience, and keeping pace with customer expectations that are changing by the day.

The reality is, legacy complexity is now the number one obstacle for leaders trying to improve the customer experience, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. The costs add up. Deloitte reports that over half of a typical IT budget goes on simply maintaining outdated systems, with just a fraction left for innovation.

Making the move to modern app architecture isn’t just a cost decision, rather a growth decision. It frees up teams to focus on creating faster, smarter experiences that drive real value for the business and the people using the app.

Why app modernization matters

When companies modernize their apps, they can see immediate wins for both their teams and their users. By shifting to a cloud-native architecture, organizations reduce downtime, strengthen security and release updates faster.

Speed and scalability also come into play. With cloud-based systems, businesses can easily adjust resources in real time depending on app usage or data demands. This flexibility means teams can launch features quicker and respond to changing needs without being held back by legacy infrastructure.

Modern architectures also streamline the development process itself. Developers can build, test and deploy in environments that mirror production, helping them deliver high-quality code faster and with fewer bugs. By adopting a microservices approach, teams can update or improve parts of an app independently, without disrupting the whole system, boosting both agility and performance.

There’s also a cultural shift that happens. With the right platforms in place, collaboration becomes faster and easier. Teams across different departments can work together in real time, unlocking new ideas and accelerating innovation.

So where do we begin?

Starting small

As organizations scale, one challenge tends to surface again and again: how to maintain performance and keep latency low without driving up infrastructure costs. Growth brings complexity, and with it, pressure to deliver consistently smooth user experiences, especially as demand increases.

While a full overhaul of your architecture might seem like the only path forward, it doesn’t have to be. A simple but effective step many teams are taking is to add an in-memory caching layer to their systems.

In-memory caching works by storing frequently accessed data closer to the application, allowing it to be retrieved in milliseconds rather than repeatedly pulling from slower, more resource-intensive databases. This leads to quicker load times, lower latency, and more responsive applications, without putting additional strain on backend systems.

While often associated with gaming, the benefits of in-memory caching apply across industries. It boosts system performance, reduces the load on core infrastructure, and make scaling much more manageable. It also helps businesses better allocate resources by easing the pressure on databases and APIs, supporting smoother operations at lower cost.

Keeping it simple

A common trap in app modernizations is relying on too many specialized tools. This often leads to data sprawl, increased complexity and slower development.

Instead, organizations should focus on flexible, multi-use technologies that can handle a variety of data types and use cases. Platforms with built-in query engines and real-time data integration simplify operations, reduce manual work and help teams move faster.

Planning your cloud migration strategy

Cloud migration is a key step in modernizing applications, but it requires a thoughtful approach. Not all systems need to shift immediately and a well-sequenced migration plan can prevent unnecessary disruption. A cloud readiness assessment helps identify which workloads to move first; it’s not just about starting with the least critical ones.

Effective migration also relies on having the right expertise. Cloud projects typically need input from architects, engineers, and developers with a deep understanding of infrastructure, data, and modern tooling.

Prioritize user experience

Modernization isn’t just about systems, it’s about delivering seamless user experiences. Key areas like session management and personalization directly influence how users perceive performance and responsiveness.

Apps need to handle increasing data volumes without sacrificing speed. Modern solutions enable intelligent memory management and caching strategies that maintain performance under pressure. Personalization, meanwhile, relies on fast, real-time data access to tailor recommendations and interfaces.

Modernize or miss out

Modernizing applications is as much about the surrounding environment as it is about the strategy itself. Without the right foundation, even the most forward-looking approaches can fall short. Customers won’t wait around for apps that feel clunky or slow. Stick with outdated tech and you risk being left behind.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, August 11 (game #792).

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 #793) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BOWLING BALL
• CITY HALL
• SUPERMARKET 
• BOWLING PINS
• GOLF COURSE
• BOWLING ALLEY
• SPONGE
• BOWLING GREEN
• DECADE
• HIGHWAY
• WALL STREET
• FINGERS
• BROOKLYN BRIDGE
• COLANDER
• SWIMMING POOL
• COMMANDMENTS

NYT Connections today (game #793) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: 2x5=
• GREEN: Change a vowel in “lines”
• BLUE: The Big Apple
• PURPLE: Hollow parts

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 #793) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: GROUPS OF TEN 
• GREEN: PLACES WITH LANES 
• BLUE: LANDMARKS IN DOWNTOWN NYC 
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH HOLES 

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

NYT Connections today (game #793) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #793, are…

• YELLOW: GROUPS OF TEN BOWLING PINS, COMMANDMENTS, DECADE, FINGERS
• GREEN: PLACES WITH LANES BOWLING ALLEY, HIGHWAY, SUPERMARKET, SWIMMING POOL
• BLUE: LANDMARKS IN DOWNTOWN NYC BOWLING GREEN, BROOKLYN BRIDGE, CITY HALL, WALL STREET
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH HOLES BOWLING BALL, COLANDER, GOLF COURSE, SPONGE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

I’ll be honest, I was pretty impressed with myself when I got GROUPS OF TEN and then seconds later crushed when it revealed itself to be the yellow group.

The first of my mistakes came when assembling THINGS WITH HOLES. I saw the link, but put BROOKLYN BRIDGE instead of SPONGE. Which seems ridiculous in hindsight – but I was thinking of cleaning sponges rather than the real thing, plus the Brooklyn Bridge does have a few holes in it.

For LANDMARKS IN DOWNTOWN NYC I fudged a group together incorrectly, thinking we were searching for locations of Bob Dylan album covers.

There are several shot in New York (The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan and Highway 61 Revisited) but I was way off with BROOKLYN BRIDGE, WALL STREET, HIGHWAY and CITY HALL but it did get me "one away" and help me rethink.

I’d not heard of BOWLING GREEN before (New York’s oldest public park), but it seemed the most logical place name from the options I had left.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, August 11, game #792)

• YELLOW: ORDINARY NORMAL, PLAIN, STANDARD, VANILLA
• GREEN: ABANDON DESERT, DUMP, MAROON, STRAND
• BLUE: SPECS ON CONSUMER PACKAGING COUNT, MEASURE, VOLUME, WEIGHT
• PURPLE: DARK ____ AGES, CHOCOLATE, HORSE, MATTER

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, August 11 (game #1295).

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 #1296) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* 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 #1296) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1296) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1296) - 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 #1296) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• T

• J

• O

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

Quordle today (game #1296) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1296, are…

• SPOOL
• TITLE
• JAUNT
• OVINE

Today's Quordle was notable for two rarities – the first was that the words used all five vowels, the second was an appearance by the shy letter J.

Neither of these two occurrences were the cause of my wrong guess today. Instead it was my nemesis, the letter V in OVINE, a word I had never previously heard of (it means to resemble a sheep) before getting it by putting in random guesses until one was deemed an actual word. 

Daily Sequence today (game #1296) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1296, are…

• COMFY
• BOOST
• MOURN
• HATCH

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1295, Monday, 11 August: ADULT, BROOM, PURER, CRUEL
• Quordle #1294, Sunday, 10 August: SCRUM, PIPER, TROLL, SPORE
• Quordle #1293, Saturday, 9 August: NOOSE, INLET, ELEGY, VIRUS
• Quordle #1292, Friday, 8 August: KNEEL, KINKY, RALPH, BOOZY
• Quordle #1291, Thursday, 7 August: PLUNK, PROXY, CURVY, PEARL
• Quordle #1290, Wednesday, 6 August: RISKY, APART, FAUNA, HANDY
• Quordle #1289, Tuesday, 5 August: ROAST, SLICK, AUDIT, BILLY
• Quordle #1288, Monday, 4 August: MACAW, SINCE, COLON, CHIRP
• Quordle #1287, Sunday, 3 August: MOTIF, LEERY, LOFTY, BURST
• Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
• Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
• Quordle #1284, Thursday, 31 July: STYLE, VALET, AGONY, ALLOY
• Quordle #1283, Wednesday, 30 July: DEBAR, ADMIN, FOLIO, USAGE
• Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
• Quordle #1281, Monday, 28 July: CANDY, TRYST, SHIRT, FORGO
• Quordle #1280, Sunday, 27 July: TRAWL, BALER, PIANO, MINCE
• Quordle #1279, Saturday, 26 July: MUDDY, SAINT, KINKY, POLAR
• Quordle #1278, Friday, 25 July: BONUS, RESIN, CEDAR, MADAM
• Quordle #1277, Thursday, 24 July: AGONY, VERVE, GLEAN, MINUS

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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, August 11 (game #526).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Spitting image

NYT Strands today (game #527) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• PORE
• LIKE
• FELT
• SCALE
• DITCH
• PLACES

NYT Strands today (game #527) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #527) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 6th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #527) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #527, are…

• DOUBLE
• DUPLICATE
• LOOKALIKE
• REPLICA
• FACSIMILE
• SPANGRAM: COPY THAT

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

Today’s Strands was fiendishly tricky, in part because of the length of the words.

The theme gave me a big clue towards what we were searching for, but I still needed a hint to get started.

After being gifted DOUBLE I spotted COPY and THAT separately as non-game words before splicing them together to make up the Spangram.

I love the idea of doppelgangers roaming the world, unaware of a REPLICA version living their lives thousands of miles away. When I was a kid, my dad bought back a holiday brochure that had what I thought was a photo of my mother and sister on the front cover – except it wasn’t.

That brochure was shown to anyone who visited for years and they were all aghast at the similarity. Recently, on a visit home I found it in a drawer and was shocked how unlike them the photo was – I’d just been seduced by the idea of it. 

I wonder if my doppelganger is playing Strands right now…

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, August 11, game #526)

• DREGS
• SOUVENIR
• TRACE
• RESIDUE
• VESTIGE
• REMNANT
• SPANGRAM: LEFTOVERS

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.

• Apple's affordable MacBook has again been rumored
• This time we're told the price could be as cheap as $599
• The apparent idea is for Apple to 'shake up the notebook market' and also offset any price increase for the MacBook Air (caused by inflation)

Apple's affordable MacBook, which was recently rumored to be in the pipeline, is again the subject of chatter on the grapevine - and this time we've heard it could be priced as cheaply as $599.

Wccftech flagged a post from leaker Jukan on X (see below), which airs a report from DigiTimes that taps sources in the supply chain over in Asia, spilling some fresh info on said MacBook.

Report: Exclusive: Apple reportedly preparing US$599 MacBook to capture more laptop market shareApple is preparing to shake up the notebook market with an all-new ultra-low-cost MacBook, according to supply chain sources. Some components are expected to enter mass production by… pic.twitter.com/UTIC94KjsbAugust 11, 2025

We're told that the MacBook is set to be priced between $599 and $699 in the US, and some components will be made in Q3 of this year - potentially more or less right away - ahead of notebooks being put together towards the end of 2025.

This is ahead of a rumored launch in (early) 2026, although this new report even mentions the chance of a commercial launch late in 2025 - but that doesn't seem likely to me (unless it's referring to an initial reveal, perhaps).

As we've previously been told, one of the main ways in which Apple will keep the price of this purported MacBook down is by using an iPhone chip as the processor. DigiTimes reminds us that the CPU will supposedly be the A18 Pro, and the laptop will be a compact affair, smaller than the MacBook Air, in fact, with a 12.9-inch screen.

Analysis: Laptop quake

(Image credit: Future)

The report makes it clear that Apple intends to "shake up the notebook market" with this "ultra-low-cost MacBook," and if the price does land as low as $599, that'll certainly be a seismic shift in terms of the laptop landscape.

Obviously, bear in mind that this is just a rumor, and further consider that the pricing we have is a range ($599 to $699), indicating Apple hasn't decided itself yet, which is doubtless the case. If this affordable MacBook is even happening in the first place, although given that we're hearing about it once again, that seems a fair bit more likely. If the rumors around Q3 production of components are correct, there will likely be a good deal more supply chain-based spillage in the near future to back all this up.

DigiTimes makes it clear that the education sector - and Chromebooks - are not the target of this theoretical MacBook, and rather, it's the broader market, with Apple looking to offset the MacBook Air potentially going up in price (due to inflation) with this cheaper offering.

With Mac sales suffering notable wobbles last year, Apple is surely looking to ensure that trend doesn't reemerge, and instead, the company will want to keep the tide turning. (Apple's fiscal Q3 saw a turnaround with Mac sales, although that was compared to weak sales in the same quarter of 2024).

Whatever the reason for Apple producing this low-cost MacBook, if it is indeed priced at $599, it's going to be a seriously tempting product. Indeed, such a laptop might just tempt me to finally buy a macOS device - something I've mulled in recent times, despite a lifetime of buying Windows PCs and laptops.

It's either that, or an entry-level Mac mini, but until now, the cost of MacBooks has put me off, frankly - although maybe next year, that will change. I'm keen to give Apple's computing world a spin, if the price is right, bearing in mind that an MSRP of $599 is going to lead to some highly enticing discounts in sales (or with refurbs, even).

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In November last year, I wrote that the Google Pixel 9 Pro was the best-looking phone of 2024 and the only Android device that could tempt me away from my beloved iPhone. Ultimately, I still sided with the iPhone 16 Pro (the call of convenience was too hard to resist), but Google seems determined to win me over in 2025 with the Pixel 10 Pro.

Google’s next flagship is set to debut at this year’s Made by Google showcase on August 20, but it’s already been semi-unveiled in an official teaser video. The footage in question shows the back and one side of what’s purported to be the Pixel 10 Pro in a brand new ‘Moonstone’ color, and it’s heightened my excitement for the phone’s full-blown reveal.

Now, I’m not usually one to lose my head over colors, but this silverish-blue shade seemingly complements Google’s new (or rather, unchanged) flagship Pixel design perfectly. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the Google Pixel 10 Pro in Moonstone is already the best-looking phone of 2025 – and yes, I’ve seen the rumored iPhone 17 Pro design.

To be clear: the Pixel 10 Pro looks almost identical to the Pixel 9 Pro. Leaked renders suggest that the phone’s metal frame will more closely resemble its rear panel glass (rather than being polished, as on the Pixel 9 Pro). But beyond that, it’s safe to expect a like-for-like handset; I don’t think this is a bad thing.

An official image of a phone believed to be the Pixel 10 Pro in Moonstone (Image credit: Google)

Google hit a home run with the design of the Pixel 9 Pro, which, in my opinion, is the Android phone that’s come closest to replicating the iPhone’s unique synergy of simplicity and style. It remixed the Pixel formula with flat aluminum sides, a frosted glass rear panel, and a perfectly sized pill-shaped module, all of which made the Pixel line feel more grown-up.

Google is right to stick by this cleaner, more industrial aesthetic with the Pixel 10 Pro, and the addition of a new ‘Moonstone’ color (as opposed to something more outlandish) suggests Google wants its next flagship phone to be perceived as just that: a grown-up flagship.

Of course, design is subjective. I’m sure many people continue to prefer the uniquely Pixel aesthetic of the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, and so on. I can understand why.

But I genuinely believe that Google is one of the few – perhaps the only – smartphone manufacturers to have successfully designed a better-looking phone with each new generation. And if the below X post is anything to go by, Google thinks so too:

10 generations in the making. Look for #Pixel10 in 10 days at #MadeByGoogle: https://t.co/VxzWRaYodH pic.twitter.com/ER8qtFcDv5August 10, 2025

Will I finally switch sides and buy the Pixel 10 Pro is year? Probably not. But that’s only because a decade of investing in Apple hardware has made ditching the iPhone more trouble than it's worth. The Pixel 9 Pro was the best-looking phone of last year, and, for me, the Pixel 10 Pro has already repeated the feat in 2025.

For more on Google's next flagship, check out our roundup of the five upgrades to expect from the Google Pixel 10 Pro.

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• President Trump set to meet with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan
• The President recently called for the CEO's immediate resignation
• Trump accused Tan of major "conflicts of interest" because of his investments in Chinese companies

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is set to meet with President Trump to discuss the former's professional and personal history, and explore ways in which the US government and Intel can work together, sources have told the Wall Street Journal.

Tan has recently faced a series of attacks from President Trump, who has demanded his resignation over alleged investments and dealing with Chinese businesses.

Trump has accused Tan of being “highly conflicted” and demanded his “immediate resignation,” stating that there is “no other solution to this problem.”

Rocky history

Intel has been steadily trimming its global workforce in recent months, leading to a 20% reduction in headcount that has seen thousands of employees lose their jobs in US factories

Tan has also recently butted heads with Intel board members over the direction of Intel’s investments in the US.

For example, the new CEO has reduced the pace of construction of a new factory in Ohio in order to meet perceived customer demands, causing issues with Republican Ohio senator Bernie Moreno.

Both the job cuts and slowed construction directly contradict President Trump’s desire to increase domestic investment from companies that have typically manufactured goods outside of the US.

What’s more, Tan’s previous position as CEO of Cadence Design Systems appears to have ruffled a few feathers in the Trump administration due to the company recently handing over $140 million in penalties after pleading guilty to unlawfully exporting chip design tools to restricted Chinese military organizations.

Tan himself also holds numerous investments in Chinese businesses, including buying $200 million worth of stakes in Chinese manufacturing and chip companies between 2012 and 2024 according to a Reuters report.

However, Tan has not only been on the board of numerous enterprises involved in chip manufacturing, but founded a venture capital firm named Walden International that focused heavily on tech startups in the Asian market.

Tan’s holdings in Chinese companies could therefore simply be a smart investment based on decades of experience, rather than the shady under-the-table dealings Trump has alleged in his Red Scare tirades on Truth Social.

Trump appears to be deaf to his own accusations of Tan’s “conflicts of interest,” with the President frequently using his position to market his own goods from the Trump Store, as well as launching the $TRUMP cryptocurrency of which the President controls 80% of the coin's supply.

(Image credit: Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

In a recent letter to employees, Tan said the US had been his home for more than 40 years, and the company was communicating with the White House to make sure the President has “the facts.”

Trump has recently levied significant tariffs on countries that he perceives to have an unfair trade balance, causing the price of some goods to increase as the cost of imports are passed on to the consumer - a fact that many within the Trump administration and his MAGA base are struggling to come to terms with.

Trump’s pursuit of an America First policy has drawn significant investment from many major companies, including Nvidia, Intel, and Apple, to build factories in the US to produce goods domestically. However there is a reason that these companies have historically manufactured their goods outside of the US. It’s cheaper.

Recent studies into the costs of a US manufactured iPhone for example have theorized that the price tag could rise by between 25-100%.

In an added contradiction, Trump’s own branded handsets from Trump Mobile likely won’t be manufactured in the US, with Eric Trump claiming that “Eventually, all the phones can be built in the United States of America.”

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• Columbia University files form with the Maine Attorney General's Office
• It confirmed the number of victims, and the type of data stolen
• Victims are being offered free credit and identity theft monitoring services

A massive cyberincident affecting almost 870,000 Columbia University students, employees, and other individuals occured in May 2025, the university has confirmed.

In a new filing with the Office of the Maine Attorney General, the university said in late June 2025 it experienced an outage in its IT systems, prompting an investigation with the support of third-party cybersecurity and forensics experts.

The investigation confirmed the outage was the result of a cyberattack, in which yet unidentified perpetrators stole sensitive data on exactly 868,969 people, including employees, applicants, students (both current and former), and various family members.

460 GB of data taken

"Our investigation determined that, on or about May 16, 2025, an unauthorized third-party gained access to Columbia's network and subsequently took certain files from our system," Columbia University said.

"To date, we have no evidence that any Columbia University Irving Medical Center patient records were affected."

The university recently started notifying affected individuals via letters which detailed the type of information stolen in the breach:

"The affected data included your name, date of birth, and Social Security number, as well as any personal information that you provided in connection with your application to Columbia, or that we collected during your studies if you enrolled," the university apparently said.

"This included your contact details, demographic information, academic history, financial aid-related information, and any insurance-related information and health information that you shared with us."

Some attackers confirmed the breach, and claimed to have stolen 460 GB of data. So far, there is no evidence that the data was abused in the wild, but Columbia University will provide victims with two years of free credit monitoring, fraud consultation, and identity theft protection services, through Kroll, regardless.

How to stay safe

While victims directly cannot do much about the stolen data, they can make sure the attackers don’t use it against them. The best course of action is to remain vigilant with incoming communications, especially those claiming to come from Columbia University.

Unsolicited emails, instant messages, or phone calls, particularly those “threatening” to terminate accounts or otherwise prevent services, are most likely bogus.

If you suspect you’re being targeted, the best course of action is to stop all communication, and then reach out to Columbia University directly, through proven channels.

Via BleepingComputer

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Alien: Earth is finally close to hatching on TV screens across the globe. The highly-anticipated project and first-ever show set in the Alien franchise will burst forth later this week, so you'll want to know when and where you can stream it.

Below, I've provided more details on its various release dates and launch times. I'll also fill you in on which streaming platforms it'll be available on and provide you with a full release schedule, so you can block out time in your busy schedule to watch new episodes when they drop.

What is the release date and launch time for Alien: Earth episodes 1 and 2?

Alien fans heading over to their streamer of choice to watch the franchise's maiden TV show like... (Image credit: FX Network/Hulu/Disney+)

That depends on where you live. Those of you in North and South America can tune in to watch its two-episode premiere on Tuesday, August 12. Meanwhile, viewers in the UK, Europe, Africa, and Asia can catch them on Wednesday, August 13.

As for those all-important launch times, here's when Alien: Earth will debut on Hulu (US only) and Disney+ (everywhere else). NB: if your nation isn't listed below, use the 5pm PT option to work out when you should load up Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services.

• US – Tuesday, August 12 at 5pm PT / 8pm PT
• Canada – Tuesday, August 12 at 5pm PT / 8pm PT
• UK – Wednesday, August 13 at 1am BST
• India – Wednesday, August 13 at 5:30am IST
• Singapore – Wednesday, August 13 at 8am SGT
• Australia – Wednesday, August 13 at 10am AEST
• New Zealand – Wednesday, August 13 at 12pm NZST

When will new episodes of Alien: Earth air on Hulu and Disney+?

Yep, the Alien property's famous Xenomorphs are part of proceedings (Image credit: FX Networks/Hulu)

You can catch new entries every Tuesday in North and South America, and Wednesdays everywhere else. For more information, check out the list below:

• Alien: Earth episode 1 – Tuesday, August 12 / Wednesday, August 13
• Alien: Earth episode 2 – Tuesday, August 12 / Wednesday, August 13
• Alien: Earth episode 3 – Tuesday, August 19 / Wednesday, August 20
• Alien: Earth episode 4 – Tuesday, August 26 / Wednesday, August 27
• Alien: Earth episode 5 – Tuesday, September 2 / Wednesday, September 3
• Alien: Earth episode 6 – Tuesday, September 9 / Wednesday, September 10
• Alien: Earth episode 7 – Tuesday, September 16 / Wednesday, September 17
• Alien: Earth episode 8 – Tuesday, September 23 / Wednesday, September 24

Before its first two chapters arrive, read my Alien: Earth review and our dedicated Alien: Earth guide. Then, check out the section below for more exclusive coverage on the forthcoming sci-fi horror TV Original from FX Networks.

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• Four Polk speaker models, all with improved audio and weatherproofing
• Easier to install, even in hard-to-reach spaces
• From $225 per pair

Polk Audio has updated its Atrium series of outdoor speakers, which start at a very affordable $225 (so around £169 or AU$345, give or take).

Polk has been making speakers for the great outdoors for ages – the Atrium first launched way back in 1991 – and the latest models come with improved weather resistance, more versatile mounting options and "enhanced sonic performance", which from Polk should not be taken lightly.

(Image credit: Polk Audio)Polk Audio Atrium speakers 2025: models and pricing

There are four models in the range: the Atrium 4, the Atrium 5, the Atrium 6 and the Atrium 8SDI. Prices range from $225 per pair for the Atrium 5 to $550 for the Atrium 8SDI.

The mid-range drivers are now injection-molded mineral filled or aerated polypropylene, the same materials used in Polk's LSi Series, and the tweeters are anodized aluminum. The Atrium 6, 7 and 8SDI also get water-resistant PowerPort bass venting, which ups the low end by around 3dB.

Both tweeters and woofers have rubber surrounds, and the speakers have a new broad coverage baffle design that Polk says offers better sound dispersion than previous models. The grilles and brackets are aluminum to eliminate rusts issues and make the speakers last longer outdoors.

Another key update is the new Speed-Lock mounting system, which Polk says makes installation much easier – so much so that you can install the speakers one-handed "even in hard-to-reach locations".

As before the Atrium speakers come with a wide range of standards compliance including ASTM D5894-UV Salt Fog, Mil Standard 810 Immersion, and Mil-Std 883 Method 1009.8 for salt and corrosion.

The new Atrium speakers are available now in black or white, and Polk says they're also paintable so you can customize them to fit any outdoor décor.

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• President Trump allows chip sales to China to resume - with one major caveat
• AMD and Nvidia will have to hand over 15% of the sales revenue
• No additional measures have been made to address national security threats

The US government has reversed a ban on the sale of Nvidia's H20 chip and AMD’s MI308 chip to China under the condition that 15% of the revenue is paid to the US government.

The Trump administration expanded efforts to curb China’s ability to obtain powerful chips used to develop AI models by expanding Biden-era sanctions to an outright ban on the sale of the processors.

Many security experts, including those working under the Trump administration, have warned the government the sale of powerful processors to China will help it to expand both its consumer and military AI efforts to surpass the US.

What happened to national security?

The Nvidia H20 and AMD MI308 processors were developed to comply with Biden administration restrictions on AI processing chips that could be sold in China. Restrictions were imposed on the sale of powerful AI chips to China due to national security concerns surrounding the development of AI models for the People’s Liberation Army.

Trump banned the sale of these chips to China following a trade spat in April 2025, and then reversed the ban in July. Now, seeing the apparent worth of the sales and hoping to cash in, the Trump administration is issuing a 15% revenue cut for itself.

Speaking to the BBC, Nvidia said, “We follow rules the US government sets for our participation in worldwide markets. While we haven't shipped H20 to China for months, we hope export control rules will let America compete in China and worldwide.”

Whether this 15% revenue cut will be passed on to the Chinese market by Nvidia and AMD remains to be seen. But the elephant in the room still remains. What happened to the national security problem?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation, said “You either have a national security problem or you don't. If you have a 15% payment, it doesn't somehow eliminate the national security issue."

Despite sanctions and trade bans, China has still managed to import powerful AI processing chips through loopholes and third-parties, and is likely using the chips to train AI systems to be used for military purposes.

20 security experts wrote a letter to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick advising against the sales of the chips to the Chinese market, adding that even though the majority of the buyers would be civilian companies, the chips would still be used by China’s military.

“Chips optimized for AI inference will not simply power consumer products or factory logistics; they will enable autonomous weapons systems, intelligence surveillance platforms and rapid advances in battlefield decision-making,” the letter said.

Charlie Dai, vice president and principal analyst at global research firm Forrester called the deal “unprecedented,” further stating that, “The arrangement underscores the high cost of market access amid escalating tech trade tensions, creating substantial financial pressure and strategic uncertainty for tech vendors.”

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• Buds 2a are predicted to launch on 20th August 2025
• Leaks suggest ANC and Spatial Audio, but no head tracking
• Reports also suggest a 50% price hike in Europe

It's been a few days since the last Google Pixel Buds 2a leak, so we're due another big one – and well-known leaker Evan Blass is happy to oblige. Posting on X, Blass has published a leaked spec sheet that fills in some of the blanks from previous leaks.

The spec sheet also does something useful: it shows how the more affordable buds compare to the current Google Pixel Buds Pro 2.

(Image credit: Evan Blass / X)Google Pixel Buds 2a: key features and pricing

Like the Buds Pro 2, the Google Pixel Buds 2a should have active noise cancellation, but they don't appear to have the Pros' Silent Seal, which adapts the ANC further based on the shape of your ears.

There are three other key differences here: the Buds 2a get spatial audio, but they aren't getting head tracking; the Buds 2a don't have wireless charging; and they don't have conversation detection. The only other spec on the sheet is battery life, which is a promised 7 hours – and 20 with the charging case. By comparison the Buds Pro 2 get 8 hours and 30 hours respectively.

This isn't the only Google Pixel Buds 2a leak. According to the German tech site WinFuture, which has also posted new renders of the earbuds, there's going to be a price hike in Europe: where the Pixel Buds A were €99, the Buds 2a will reportedly be €149. That's a huge price increase and if it's reflected in other markets would mean $149 / £149 / AU$195).

On a related note: if you're already a Google Pixel Buds Pro user and don't want to buy new buds any time soon, there's a little bit of good news for you: Google is rolling out a nifty visual upgrade to Android's headphone and earbud status notifications to make it easier to check battery levels. Thanks to Android Police for that one.

Of course, the Pixel Buds 2a leaks above are unofficial and should be treated as such – speculation and possible feature sets, rather than stone cold reported fact. But when we know more about the unreleased Pixel Buds 2a, so shall you.

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• M&S has finally restored its in-store click and collect service
• The cyber incident was disclosed in April 2025
• Online orders for delivery were restored in June

Marks and Spencer (M&S) has finally restarted click and collect orders for clothing, home and beauty products after a nearly four-month suspension following an apparent major cyberattack.

Although the company had resumed online orders for delivery on June 10 after it disclosed details of a cyber incident on April 22 (and stopped deliveries and collections from April 25), M&S took a further 15 weeks to switch back on its click and collect services.

The cyber incident was previously expected to cost the company around £300 million in lost operating profit for this fiscal year, but M&S hopes to halve the impact via insurance and cost controls.

M&S click and collect back online

However, although the restoration of click and collect signals a 'back to normal' for customers, analysts aren't expecting a sudden resurgence as M&S continues to battle with reputational damages.

Although the British retail giant took a major hit, the industry didn't, and rivals like Sainsburys and Next were able to scoop up some of the lost business.

M&S CEO Stuart Machin had previously stated the effects of the incident could continue into June and July, signalling a restoration in August, and the company has been able to adhere to that.

Detailing its learnings in Parliament, M&S has urged stronger cyber-incident disclosure norms. The counsel also noted that companies should be able to operate manually during outages.

The UK's National Crime Agency arrested four people in a probe tied to attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods, however the true cause of the incident still remains uncertain.

The attacks against Marks and Spencer (M&S) and the Co-op supermarket were combined into a single incident by the same attacker by the Cyber Monitoring Centre (CMC), an independent, non-profit body established to categorize major cyber events by the insurance industry.

It had been reported the group known as Scattered Spider was behind the ordeal, but TCS, which has been servicing M&S for more than a decade, is also investigating whether it was the stepping stone to the attack.

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There's a calculation that every AI executive should know by heart, but most have never done: an on-premises GPU server costs roughly the same as six to nine months of renting equivalent cloud capacity.

Given that hardware typically runs for three to five years, the mathematics are stark, yet somehow this isn't common knowledge in boardrooms making million-pound infrastructure decisions.

The issue stems from a fundamental mismatch between how we think about AI costs and how they actually accumulate. The operational expenditure over capital expenditure model feels intuitive when you pay as you go, scale as needed, and avoid big upfront commitments.

But AI workloads break these assumptions in ways that make traditional cloud economics misleading.

What the cloud isn't telling you

For example, renting a single NVIDIA H100 GPU instance from a hyperscaler cloud provider can cost around $8/hour, or over $5500 per month. Over 12 months, that's upwards of $65,000.

By contrast, purchasing equivalent hardware outright might cost around $30,000 to $35,000, with three to five years of usable life. Add power, cooling, and maintenance and you still come out ahead after just 6 to 9 months of usage. Plus, you own the hardware so you don’t have to return it after 12 months.

But the pricing hierarchy is more complex than it appears. While neocloud providers like Fluidstack offer H100s at that $2/hour rate, hyperscalers charge closer to $8/hour, making the on-premises case even stronger.

The real-world comparison gets harder to ignore when you consider actual deployments: 8xH100 systems from Dell or Supermicro cost around $250,000, versus $825,000 for three years of equivalent hyperscaler capacity (even with reserved pricing). NVIDIA's own DGX systems carry a punishing 50-100% markup over these already substantial prices.

The missing numbers in most AI budgeting conversations represent real savings, not theoretical ones. The problem compounds when you examine specific use cases.

Consider training runs. Most cloud providers only guarantee access to large GPU clusters if you reserve capacity for a year or more. If your training only needs two weeks, you're still paying for the other 50.

Meanwhile, inference demands create their own mathematical puzzle. Token-based pricing for large language models means costs fluctuate with the unpredictability of the models themselves, making budget forecasting feel more like weather prediction than financial planning.

Elasticity, but with fine print

The cloud’s promise of elastic scale feels tailor-made for AI – until you realize that scale is constrained by quota limits, GPU availability, and cost unpredictability. What’s elastic in theory often requires pre-booking in practice and cash upfront to make costs acceptable.

And once your usage grows, discounts come with multi-year commitments that mirror the CapEx models cloud was meant to replace.

It's not that the cloud isn't scalable. It's that the version of scale AI teams need (cost-efficient, high-throughput, burstable compute) isn’t always what’s on offer.

The irony runs deeper than pricing. Cloud providers market flexibility as their core value proposition, yet AI workloads, which are the most computationally demanding applications of our time, often require the least flexible arrangements.

Long-term reservations, capacity planning, and predictable baseline loads start to look suspiciously like the traditional IT procurement cycles cloud computing was supposed to eliminate. The revolution becomes circular.

Hidden costs, visible friction

The hidden complexity emerges in the details. Teams preparing for usage spikes often reserve more capacity than they use, paying for idle compute "just in case."

Data migration between providers can consume non-trivial amounts of engineering time, representing an opportunity cost that rarely appears on infrastructure budgets but significantly impacts small, time-constrained teams.

These opportunity costs compound over time. When teams switch between cloud providers – driven by pricing changes, performance issues or compliance needs, they often face weeks of rewrites, re-optimizations, and revalidations.

It’s not just the IT infrastructure that changes, but all the code that manages it, internal expertise in that provider disappears and deployment pipeline needs to be rewritten. For lean teams, this can mean delayed product updates or missed go-to-market windows, which rarely get factored into the headline GPU bill.

Perhaps most surprisingly, the operational burden of managing on-premises infrastructure has been systematically overstated. Unless you're operating at extreme scale, the complexity is entirely manageable through in-house expertise or through managed service providers.

The difference is that this complexity is visible and planned for, rather than hidden in monthly bills that fluctuate unpredictably.

From budgeting to strategy

Smart companies are increasingly adopting hybrid approaches that play to each infrastructure model's strengths. They use owned hardware for predictable baseline loads like the steady-state inference that forms the backbone of their service.

Cloud resources handle the spikes: time-of-day variations, customer campaign surges, or experimental workloads where spot pricing can soften the blow.

Companies taking this approach have moved beyond anti-cloud thinking toward financially literate engineering.

The cloud remains invaluable for rapid experimentation, geographic scaling, and genuinely unpredictable workloads. But treating it as the default choice for all AI infrastructure ignores the mathematical reality of how these systems actually get used.

Companies getting this calculation right are doing more than saving money. They're building more sustainable, predictable foundations for long-term innovation.

These conversations aren’t just technical, they’re strategic. CFOs may favor cloud for its clean OpEx line, while engineers feel the pain of FinOps teams desperately chasing them to delete resources as month-end cost spikes and poor support hit.

That disconnect can lead to infrastructure decisions driven more by accounting conventions than real performance or user experience. Organizations getting this right are the ones where finance and engineering sit at the same table, reviewing not just cost, but throughput, reliability, and long-term flexibility. In AI, aligning financial and technical truths is the real unlock.

Understanding these hidden mathematics won’t just help you budget better, it’ll make sure you’re building infrastructure that works the way AI actually does, freeing up headspace to focus on what matters most: building better, faster, and more resilient AI products.

We list the best IT management tool.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Hostinger Horizons integrates ecommerce directly, removing reliance on plugins or third-party connections.
• The update uses a tested ecommerce engine from Hostinger’s existing website builder system.
• Users can add up to 600 products with no extra transaction fees charged.

Hostinger has introduced built-in ecommerce platform functionality to its Horizons vibe coding platform, making it the first such tool in its category to offer a complete online store setup without relying on third-party integrations.

The website builder company claims this update removes the need for plugins, lengthy configuration, or technical expertise, which allows users to establish an online retail presence in minutes.

Users can list up to 600 products, configure over 100 payment gateway options, set up shipping methods, and apply taxes or discounts as needed.

Reducing time and effort for digital storefronts

“We’re building Horizons for people who don’t want to worry about technical setup or to have to figure out how ecommerce works," said Dainius Kavoliūnas, Head of Hostinger Horizons.

"Creating an online store was technically possible before, but it took too much time and effort - fortunately, a tested solution was right next door – our Hostinger Website Builder team already had a powerful ecommerce engine. We just needed to integrate it."

Vibe coding is a relatively new approach to web development that replaces manual coding with conversational AI prompts - all users need to do is describe their desired website or application in natural language, and the platform generates a ready-to-publish version.

Additionally, the Horizons update integrates an ecommerce platform directly into the interface, enabling seamless store management without needing to leave the system.

Hostinger states there are no additional transaction fees, and inventory management can be done manually without consuming paid AI prompts.

While this eliminates recurring costs for simple updates like price changes or stock adjustments, scaling beyond the provided capacity or customizing complex workflows may still require additional resources.

The inclusion of Hostinger’s existing e-commerce engine, previously part of its standalone website builder, suggests the company is repurposing proven infrastructure rather than introducing an untested solution.

This could offer some reliability, but whether it meets the expectations of experienced merchants remains to be seen.

Although AI can be used for storefront customization, such as rearranging products or altering visual elements, the long-term success of any online shop will still rely heavily on marketing, product quality, and customer service

These factors are not automatically solved by a fast setup process.

Hostinger launched Horizons in March 2025 to enable non-technical users to build and publish websites or applications through simple text prompts.

Earlier updates included generative engine optimization, manual editing tools, free automatic error correction, and database integration.

“After analyzing 200,000 prompts, we learned that business websites are the most popular use case among Hostinger Horizons clients, representing around a third of all projects built with the AI tool.”

“Understanding that our clients want to sell online, we delivered an easy, intuitive ecommerce feature,” Kavoliūnas added.

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Fifty years ago, it was heists like the one that hit the Baker Street Bank that had the power to shock the nation. Now, in the digital world, heists look starkly different and cybersecurity threats are constant, with banks like NatWest facing a “continuous arms race” with around 100 million cyber-attacks every month. What used to be gangs of robbers digging tunnels and smuggling deposit boxes full of cash are now groups of hackers sending phishing emails and holding some of the most notable companies to ransom for hundreds of millions of dollars.

This transition from physical to digital theft is evident. No longer confined to vaults and getaway cars, today's high-stake heists are executed remotely, by online threat actors. These modern-day criminals operate across borders, targeting vulnerabilities in systems and human behavior to extract data and money. The sheer volume and relentless nature of these digital assaults, as exemplified by financial institutions battling millions of cyber-attacks monthly, highlight a new era of crime.

The growing problem of cyber-attacks

Cyber-attacks are a growing problem, amongst a growing number of sectors, and confronting this escalating issue is vital. It’s not just banks that are facing the constant threat of cyber-attacks; cyber threats are growing at an exponential rate, while becoming increasingly sophisticated and targeted.

Data breaches have hit a myriad of industries: from luxury brands like Dior and supermarkets like M&S, to cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and UK government organization Legal Aid.

The dangers to personal data are being felt across all sectors, at all digital touchpoints. Amid this battleground of immediate cyber threats comes a growing demand for robust security solutions that address company concerns.

From advanced antivirus technologies to endpoint backup software, AI-powered security is evolving rapidly to stay ahead of such attacks - and it’s essential that companies invest in these defenses in order to stay more than one step ahead.

Evolution of technology

As technology evolves at a rapid pace, companies must keep up with advancements made by cyber-attackers. As businesses of all sizes continue to embrace digital transformation, the need to strengthen their cybersecurity grows increasingly critical.

The UK Government’s recently published Cyber Governance Code of Practice highlights that management of cyber risks is vital for modern businesses to function, and effective management requires collective input from across an organization. This Code of Practice and governance framework package guides boards and directors in managing digital risks and safeguarding their businesses and organizations from cyberattacks.

The framework encourages companies to take four employee-focused actions: foster a cybersecurity culture; ensure clear policies support a positive cybersecurity culture; improve their own cyber literacy through training; and use suitable metrics to verify the organization has an effective cybersecurity training, education, and awareness program.

The report is a clear reminder that the human firewall, that is, the employees who encounter an attack and respond, is just as important as technological defenses.

More than a simple fix, a culture shift is needed

It’s not enough to roll out generic training. The reality is that in today’s world, one wrong click can bring a business to a complete halt. According to the latest insights, the approximate amount of ransoms paid globally in 2024 reached $813.55 million.

When requested to pay a ransom, companies know that refusing to do so runs the risk of their customers’ personal information being leaked publicly, which would additionally require them to pay the associated financial penalties and legal payouts, not to mention reputational damage.

Addressing the threat of cyber-attacks must be embedded in a company’s culture, given the fact that if threat actors are successful, the impact of their actions would be felt not only company-wide but also by the ecosystem within which the organization operates.

Leadership and security

Organizations can bolster their security by cultivating strong leadership, providing tailored training, and building a proactive security culture to create a ‘human firewall’ of colleagues armed with know-how.

Employees of all skillsets and seniorities should undergo comprehensive and ongoing cyber awareness training, whatever their role and seniority, to drive the defenses forward and cultivate a mindful culture.

When employees are provided with the knowledge and tools to maintain awareness of the dangers their company is facing, they can be the most effective method to keep the business secure.

Building a mindful culture

Building a mindful culture can be complemented by a Zero Trust approach, which creates a robust defense against evolving cyber threats. This strategic approach mandates rigorous verification for all access requests, irrespective of their origin or the user's location within the network, thereby yielding exceptionally strong results that effectively eliminate a significant portion of potential threats.

For example, when an employee receives an email requesting sensitive information or a link to a suspicious website, they should be trained to recognize it as a potential phishing attempt right away, verify the sender's identity, and report the email to the IT department for further investigation.

This proactive stance, ingrained through a Zero Trust philosophy and continuous education, significantly reduces the likelihood of successful breaches. It’s better safe than sorry, and in the realm of cybersecurity, this means being diligent about taking the extra steps to fortify an organization's digital defenses.

Don't stop at basic protections

Don't stop at basic protections, make ongoing training a priority.
Defenses can’t stop at antivirus technology and endpoint protection, and training isn’t a one-time solution. While these are the necessities, they are simply not enough for the twenty-first century heist as businesses continue to battle millions of cyber-attacks each month.

As threats advance or teams become complacent, ongoing phishing simulations, tests and education are key in maintaining a robust human firewall. Companies must invest in technology and ongoing training to equip employees across all roles and levels with the skills and awareness to stay alert. A company’s greatest weapon can be its workforce, if leveraged.

Cybersecurity needs tech, but it's nothing without people who are well trained to understand the latest attack methods and protect against the digital transition's inherent risks.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro