TechRadar News

• Allianz Life recently confirmed cyberattack
• Criminals stole data on around 1.4 million customers
• Among the stolen data are names, addresses, and SSNs

The information stolen in the recent cyberattack on insurance giant Allianz Life included people’s full names, postal addresses, dates of birth and, particularly worryingly - Social Security numbers (SSN), the company has confirmed.

Allianz Life has filed new forms with the Attorney General’s office in Texas and Massachusetts, in which it confirmed what kind of data was taken when a threat actor accessed a third-party cloud-based CRM system the company uses.

After finding out about the intrusion, the company took measures to contain it, and notified the FBI. So far, there is no evidence the company’s network or other systems were accessed, it was added.

Abusing SSNs

Speaking to TechCrunch, a spokesperson for Allianz Life said the company will begin notifying affected individuals on August 1.

“The letters will offer specific information relevant to impacted individuals including the type of data that may have been affected,” it said.

SSNs are a core piece of personal identity in the US and they unlock access to a wide range of services and records.

They allow cybercriminals to impersonate victims, potentially opening bank accounts in their name, apply for loans and credit cards, or rack up debt.

They can also commit fake tax returns, gain access to medical treatment or prescription drugs, and even get a job illegally, which might cause problems for the victims during background checks.

Finally, criminals might use SSNs to apply for various Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, or welfare.

Stay protected

The attack is particularly concerning as such records could contain more than enough of sensitive information for hackers to launch highly personalized, successful phishing campaigns, leading to identity theft, wire fraud, and even ransomware attacks.

If you're concerned you may have been caught up in the incident, don't worry - there are a number of methods to find out. HaveIBeenPwned? is probably the best resource only to check if your details have been affected, offering a run-down of every big cyber incident of the past few years.

And if you save passwords to a Google account, you can use Google's Password Checkup tool to see if any have been compromised, or sign up for one of the best password manager options we've rounded up to make sure your logins are protected.

Via TechCrunch

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• Microsoft has said Windows 11 SE will run out of support in October 2026
• This brings an end to this alternative spin on Windows 11
• However, Surface Laptop SE owners were previously promised a longer timeframe of support for their devices

Microsoft has announced that it's dropping support for Windows 11 SE in just over a year's time, leaving buyers of low-cost laptops running this spin on its OS in the lurch - and admitting defeat with this most recent initiative to take on Google's Chromebooks.

If you're unfamiliar with Windows 11 SE, it was designed as a (kind of) lightweight version of the desktop operating system. It was preinstalled on affordable laptops that were priced to do well in the education sector, trying to take a piece of the pie that Chromebooks dominate (SE seemingly stood for Student or School Edition).

Windows Central reports that Microsoft announced via its Learn portal that Windows 11 SE support is being shuttered in October 2026.

The company said: "Microsoft will not release a feature update after Windows 11 SE, version 24H2. Support for Windows 11 SE - including software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes - will end in October 2026. While your device will continue to work, we recommend transitioning to a device that supports another edition of Windows 11 to ensure continued support and security."

So, you won't be provided with Windows 11 25H2 later this year on your SE device, if you own one - version 24H2 is as far down the line as you'll get, and all updates will cease full-stop in just over a year.

(Image credit: Microsoft)Analysis: Silly Ending for a Student Edition?

Microsoft has been trying to take on Google's Chromebooks for a long time now, including efforts such as Windows 10X - which badly misfired and ended up being canned before it even arrived. Windows 11 SE was the most recent effort, emerging late in 2021, and it was showcased by Microsoft in its Surface Laptop SE. However, as we observed in our review of that machine, there was a problem here - the performance level of the notebook was rather poor.

The simple truth about Windows 11 SE is that while it was supposed to be a streamlined operating system for low-cost devices, this variant of the desktop OS was still too unwieldy. There just wasn't enough emphasis on trimming down Windows 11 so it performed better.

Indeed, much of the thrust of Windows 11 SE was about simplifying the computing experience for students - the interface, and locking the system to only admin-approved apps, plus cloud services - rather than actually streamlining the operating system so it ran well on lesser hardware. And let's be honest, the latter was the whole point, really, at least in terms of making affordable laptops to rival cheap Chromebooks (which run very slickly indeed, despite their low cost).

So, all in all, it's not surprising to see Microsoft shutter this effort in this manner. What is surprising, though, is how owners of Windows 11 SE machines, like the Surface Laptop SE, have now been left in the lurch by this announcement that support is being killed in a year.

As Neowin, which also picked up on this move, points out, the Surface Laptop SE has an end-of-service date (for firmware and drivers) of January 11, 2028. But with Microsoft now having revealed that Windows 11 SE won't be going on beyond October 2026, that's cutting this support window (pun not intended) short by over a year.

Those who own a Surface Laptop SE, who thought they were good for another couple of years, have effectively now been told they're going to be a year shorter on support. If Microsoft promised support for this showcase laptop through to 2028, then why not extend support for the dedicated OS it runs to that date, too? Strong-arming folks into moving early hardly seems fair here.

It seems an odd decision to make, and one that won't endear Microsoft to some people. Indeed, when it comes to Microsoft's next big shot at taking on Chromebooks - if there is one - those in the education sector might remember what's happened here, and be less trusting of new ideas from the software giant.

For those who do have a laptop running Windows 11 SE, and now need to plan on switching away sooner from that OS, maybe to a different flavor of Windows 11, this is possible, albeit somewhat problematic in some reported cases. Going by this Reddit thread, if you're running into trouble in this endeavor, you may want to try turning off Secure Boot in the laptop's BIOS to get a working installation of Windows 11 Home or Pro on an SE machine (you can switch the feature back on afterwards, apparently).

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• Foundation season 3 is digging deeper into Demerzel's backstory and current motivations
• The actor portraying her has discussed on the sudden existential crisis she's suffering from
• Demerzel has started unloading her thoughts, feelings, and history to a close confidante

Foundation actor Laura Birn has lifted the lid on the inner turmoil that's gripped Demerzel so far this season.

Speaking to TechRadar ahead of Foundation season 3's launch in early July, Birn explained how events in the Apple TV Original's fourth chapter, as well as what's happened in prior seasons, are causing a crisis of confidence for Empire's usually unflappable robot advisor.

Full spoilers immediately follow for Foundation's story so far, up to and including its most recent entry. turn back now if you're not caught up.

Demerzel will have to contend with this season's Cleons being scattered to the wind in Foundation's next episode (Image credit: Apple TV+)

As we've learned throughout the Apple TV+ sci-fi epic's run, Demerzel is the galaxy's last surviving robot. The rest of her race was wiped out after the failed Robot Uprising, which took place centuries before the show's main plot. That defeat also led to Demerzel being reprogrammed by Empire's first ruler Cleon I and forced to serve him, plus his many clones that would follow, as Empire's majordomo.

Foundation's third season has shed further light on one of its most complicated and duplicitous characters. Indeed, during her therapy session-style chats with Zephyr Vorellis (Rebecca Ineson), Demerzel has revealed more about her backstory and even confessed about having a hand in shocking events that we've born witness to in one of the best Apple TV+ shows. Among those revelations are the three rules that all robots originally lived by and Demerzel being the culprit behind the destruction of Trantor's Space Bridge – and the death of countless people – in season 1.

That's not all. After Demerzel came into possession of the Prime Radiant in Foundation's season 2 finale, she's spent the 152 years between seasons learning about psychohistory and how it could stave off Empire's predicted fall. As we learned in Foundation season 3's premiere, though, The Mule's arrival has thrown Hari Seldon's calculations into disarray. Long story short: not only is Empire's race about to be run but, unless The Mule can be stopped, humanity will cease to exist in just four months.

Demerzel refutes Vorellis' opinion that Empire's robot advisor more human than she believes (Image credit: Apple TV+)

For an android designed to protect the Cleonic Dynasty and ensure Empire's survival, it's easy to see why Demerzel has spent much of this season worrying about what the future holds for her if Empire is no more. After all, she's preconditioned to prevent its ruination. Couple the aforementioned life-threatening issues with the ones I outlined two paragraphs ago, and it's little wonder she's suffering an existential crisis and seeks out a sympathetic ear to gets things off her chest.

"It's a heavy season for," Birn told me. "Her programming has been very straightforward for her until now but, having possession of the Prime Radiant, which offers so much new information, it also makes her question what her programming means and what kind of decision she is able to make. Is there always only one right choice, or are there actually several [she can choose from]?

"She's also carrying all of that baggage by herself," Birn continued. "There's no one in the palace who sees or listens to her, or who's able to empathize with her. There's no one in the galaxy who could because she's the only one left of her species, so it's kind of like she's spiraling inwards. She's felt like she can only try and process this internally, which can be very restricting as an actor.

"That's why she needs to have someone," Birn added. "She needs Vorellis to be someone she can share some of this with and try to unravel the paradox twisting inside her. Will it eventually consume her? You'll have to see."

Foundation season 3's first four episodes are out now on Apple TV+. New chapters will air weekly on one of the world's best streaming services.

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• DoubleTrouble malware is now hosted on Discord
• The malware still poses as a European bank, so users beware
• It comes with screen recording, “advanced” keylogging, and new UI overlay capabilities

Infamous Android banking trojan DoubleTrouble is now being distributed through Discord-hosted APKs, researchers have said, warning users of a “disturbing trend” towards social media platforms being used as delivery channels for malware.

DoubleTrouble is a well-known banking trojan, named for its ability to hinder static analysis by assigning “nonsensical two-word combinations” to its methods and class names.

In its early days, the malware was distributed via spoofed websites of European banks, and contained basic functionalities such as overlays to steal banking credentials, the ability to capture lock screen information, and keylogging.

A growing mobile threat

However, new findings from Zimperium’s zLabs security team claim the malware evolved, not just in its infostealing capabilities, but also in how it is being distributed.

The recently observed variants also come with screen recording, “advanced” keylogging, and new UI overlay capabilities designed to steal credentials and manipulate infected devices.

As for delivery, DoubleTrouble still runs bogus websites, but the malware itself is hosted within Discord channels.

Once the app is installed, it deploys the actual malware in the form of an extension, or an add-on. It also uses the Google Play icon to hide in plain sight and appear trustworthy.

The final step is to ask for Accessibility Services permissions, which grants it the ability to steal all the necessary information. This is also the usual red flag for Android-borne malware and should always raise suspicion with users.

“As attackers shift to mobile-first strategies and use dynamic delivery methods like Discord to evade traditional defenses, organizations need real-time, on-device protection,” said Kern Smith, VP of Solutions Engineering at Zimperium.

“DoubleTrouble is a stark reminder that mobile threats are growing more evasive and more dangerous, targeting everything from banking credentials to cryptocurrency wallets.”

As usual, the best way to defend against this type of attacks is to only download apps from official repositories, and to keep the device protected with Play Protect and Android security solutions.

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3 Body Problem season 2: key information

- Renewed for season 2 and 3 in May 2024
- Filming began as of July 2025
- Season 2 and 3 will be shot back-to-back
- Predict the main cast members will return
- No trailer to share just yet
- No official plot details released, but follows Liu's trilogy
- Season 1 finale lays out potential story threads
- Season 3 will be the show's conclusion

3 Body Problem season 2 is on the way (and so is season 3), but there's not a release date just yet. After storming onto Netflix, one of the best streaming services, viewers are eager for more intense sci-fi adventure. And who can blame them? Fortunately, having been adapted from Cixin Liu's Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy, the show will follow suit with three seasons already confirmed.

Season 1 was a vast exploration of humanity, an impending alien invasion and a twisted alternate reality. For season 2, following the events of book two 'The Dark Forest', there's a whole lot more where that came from. As we await the return of one of the best Netflix shows, there's plenty to talk about from 3 Body Problem season 2 release date, cast, plot, rumors, news and more.

Full spoilers follow for 3 Body Problem season 1. Potential spoilers are also discussed for season 2.

3 Body Problem season 2 release date prediction

3 Body Problem has been renewed! Netflix will bring this epic story through its mind-blowing conclusion! pic.twitter.com/zw6txhOqGhMay 15, 2024

Yes, the San Ti may be 400 years away, but you won’t have to wait that long for 3 Body Problem season 2. In fact, in May 2024, 3 Body Problem was officially renewed. And not just for season 2. 3 Body Problem is set to be a trilogy, and during the official Television Academy panel in LA, showrunners and writers David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo, revealed that they’d be returning for season 2 and 3, culminating in the show’s conclusion.

As reported by Netflix Tudum, Weiss said: “We included a lot of what we loved from the [novels by Cixin Liu] in season 1, but the vast majority of reasons we wanted to make this show are in season 2. We always wanted to get to the final page of the third book, and it’s really, really thrilling for us that we will get to do just that.”

When it comes to a 3 Body Problem season 2 release date then, one of the show's stars Eiza González revealed during an interview with ScreenRant in March that production it set to begin: "Very, very soon. This year."

And, as per Collider, filming for seasons 2 and 3 will happen back-to-back. That news is thanks to a report filed with the Hungarian National Film Office confirming two things. One, that unlike season 1 which was shot in the UK, the final two seasons will be shot in Hungary. And two, that the production appears to be scheduled for July 8, 2025 to August 2, 2027.

3 Body Problem season 2 officially began filming in July 2025, so we’d predict that we won’t see season 2 until at least 2026 and season 3 potentially in 2028.

3 Body Problem season 2 confirmed cast

Members of the Oxford Five, Auggie and Jin, are sure to return (Image credit: Netflix)

Major spoilers follow for 3 Body Problem season 1.

There’s no official cast confirmation for those returning, but from how 3 Body Problem season 1 ended, we’d predict the following cast members are heading back:

• Jovan Adepo as Saul Durand
• John Bradley as Jack Rooney
• Liam Cunningham as Thomas Wade
• Eiza González as Auggie Salazar
• Jess Hong as Jin Cheng
• Marlo Kelly as Tatiana Haas
• Sea Shimooka as Sophon
• Zine Tseng as Young Ye Wenjie
• Saamer Usmani as Raj Varma
• Benedict Wong as Da Shi
• Jonathan Pryce as Mike Evans

As both space and time were impacted by the threat of the San-Ti’s arrival, there were a fair few deaths that fell mercy to it in 3 Body Problem season 1.

The two most poignant being Will Downing (Alex Sharp) and Ye Wenjie (Rosalind Chao & Zine Tseng). While viewers didn’t witness the deaths, they did both meet their demise.

So, unless they return in flashbacks, which the show has a penchant for especially when visiting the origins in China of the San-Ti’s first contact, then these two characters won’t be returning.

We've got some confirmed newbies along for the ride, though. They are:

• Claudia Doumit as Captain Van Rijn
• Ellie de Lange as Ayla
• Alfie Allen
• David Yip
• Jordan Sunshine

We've got no further details about any of their roles, so your guess is as good as ours.

3 Body Problem season 2 story speculation

Saul Durand becomes a Wallfacer, but he's yet to uncover why (Image credit: Netflix)

Full story spoilers follow for 3 Body Problem season 1.

As devotees to Liu’s trilogy, the creators are seemingly following the books as closely as they can. While there’s adaptations in terms of settings and revolving around the English language, as well as the inclusion of the Oxford Five, the plot is still in keeping with the books.

In conversation with Collider, Benioff said: “The first season roughly follows the arc of the first book. The second season would probably roughly follow the second book. The third book is massive. It’s twice as long, I think, as the other two books.

"So maybe that’s one season, maybe it’s two. But, you know, I think we’d need at least three, maybe four seasons to tell the whole story. And it’s a beautiful ending. I think all three of us thought that the last page of Liu Cixin's epic was maybe the best final image we’d encountered in a sci-fi saga like this. It’s just incredibly moving and mind-blowing.”

As the San-Ti approach, Earth must find a way to defend itself (Image credit: Netflix)

The second book in Liu’s trilogy, which will follow season 2, is The Dark Forest and the official synopsis is: "Imagine the universe as a forest, patrolled by numberless and nameless predators. In this forest, stealth is survival - any civilisation that reveals its location is prey. Earth has. Now the predators are coming.

"Crossing light years, the Trisolarians (known as the San-Ti in the show) will reach Earth in four centuries' time. But the sophons, their extra-dimensional agents and saboteurs, are already here. Only the individual human mind remains immune to their influence.

"This is the motivation for the Wallfacer Project, a last-ditch defence that grants four individuals almost absolute power to design secret strategies, hidden through deceit and misdirection from human and alien alike. Three of the Wallfacers are influential statesmen and scientists, but the fourth is a total unknown."

And speaking to Collider, Weiss has plans to make season 2 even more "bonkers". Teasing: "This kind of eases you into the world of the story, but the story gets really wild in the best possible way. With something that's that wild, there are a lot of choices to be made and lot of things to be figured out."

We're hoping for more of the VR alternate world and its guest stars (Image credit: Netflix)

We know that Project Staircase failed and that humanity has to continue to prepare for an alien invasion. We also watched in season 1 as Saul Durand was named as one of the three Wallfacers of the show with no idea why. So, the storyline has been set up to continue their plan against the San-Ti and that all hope is not lost.

When it comes to the length of 3 Body Problem season 1, Weiss told Vulture: “Eight episodes always felt right to us, at least for this season. It’s not a superfast burn. It takes some time for people to understand, for all the threads to come together, the video game and the countdown and the suicide-slash-murder investigations. Taking 10 or 20 episodes to answer that question didn’t feel viable for the kind of show we were making.” Perhaps season 2 will follow suit.

3 Body Problem season 2 trailer: is there one?

Considering the cast and crew have yet to begin filming 3 Body Problem season 2, there’s no trailer to share. As soon as there is, we’ll be sure to update here.

Where to watch 3 Body Problem season 1

If you're yet to catch up, now's the time (Image credit: Netflix)

All eight episodes of 3 Body Problem season 1 are available to stream on Netflix, one of the world’s best streaming services, right now. As Netflix are responsible for the renewal of season 2 and 3 and the creation of season 1, we’d fully expect the platform to remain the exclusive home for the epic sci-fi drama.

Will 3 Body Problem get a third season on Netflix?

You know Netflix are invested when they execute a double season renewal (Image credit: Netflix)

Yes, it absolutely will. As already mentioned, 3 Body Problem was renewed for season 3 alongside season 2. But, during the announcement, Weiss, Benioff, and Woo revealed that season 3 would be the show’s conclusion.

While there’s previously been conversation around wanting to run a season 4, it doesn't seem to be the case. Though as reported by Forbes, the show’s creators refer to the remainder of the show in years, rather than seasons. Benioff said: “By the time we finish with the show, it will be seven years we’ve devoted to it.”

He added: “We’re now at a place where we get to tell the rest of the story, and, yes, we have enough time to tell the rest of the story the way we want to and that’s immensely gratifying.” Either way, the creators say they’ll reach the final page of the trilogy and for any fans of the books or fans of the show, it’ll be an epic ride.

For more Netflix TV show-based coverage, read our guides on Stranger Things season 5, Wednesday season 2, One Piece season 2, and Squid Game season 3.

Over a year after season 1 aired, Netflix sci-fi series 3 Body Problem season 2 is now in production. A number of new faces, including The Boys’ Claudia Doumit and Ellie De Lange, are joining season 2 as series regulars, with Alfie Allen, David Yip and Jordan Sunshine appearing in recurring roles. John Bradley, Benedict Wong, Liam Cunningham and Jonathan Pryce led the cast the first time around, and almost all of them are set to return (you’ll know why we’ll be missing a few if you’ve seen the existing episodes).

Based on the hit book series by Liu Cixin, the Netflix series follows a group of scientists known as the ‘Oxford Five’ who each experience some kind of unexplained phenomena that lead them to discover an extraterrestrial threat against the world. On top of this, we also jump back in time to China in the 1960s, where a young astrophysicist figures out how to make contact with ‘out there’, starting the chain of events that plunges the world into unknown chaos. As you might have guessed, there are a lot of moving parts in this mystery series.

In fact, there are so many complicated and intricate parts that there’s not a hope on this earth of remembering them all by the time 3 Body Problem season 2 actually gets released. We still don’t know when that might be, and alongside being a disappointment, that’s an issue. You’d have thought Netflix would learn their lesson from the huge waiting gaps between other hits like Stranger Things season 5 and Wednesday season 2, but this instance might actually be even worse.

3 Body Problem season 2 is finally filming, but Netflix is taking too long once again

Back when I first covered 3 Body Problem in early 2024, I was sent to a screening event to watch the first three episodes before they were released. A few hours later, I emerged from the venue without the first clue what I’d actually sat through, and I feel the same way now over 18 months have passed. I cannot stress how complex the main storyline of the show is, and that’s before we get into the B and C plots (translated, they’re the small stories you see in addition to the big overarching one) that exist in the same universe.

Annoyingly, not even the books can help us here because so much has been changed for the Netflix adaptation. All of this means by the time 3 Body Problem season 2 is actually released, the only way to properly get back into the spirit of things is to rewatch all of season 1 in the weeks leading up to new episodes. This isn’t how I particularly want to spend my time, and I’m sure a lot of other subscribers would feel the same way. The cynic in me thinks that Netflix keeping such laboriously long times in between seasons of hit TV shows is designed to make you rebinge what you’ve already seen, but this doesn’t quite work here.

It’s bad enough that we’ve been waiting three years for something like Stranger Things season 5, but at least it has a cult fandom. We’ve had other things to keep us interested in the franchise in the meantime (such as the West End play The First Shadow) and we continually want to know what’s going on with the show’s cast in their real lives. 3 Body Problem has none of these same hooks, so who’s really going to make the effort to pick up where they left off?

In a best case scenario, we’ll be getting 3 Body Problem season 2 in 2026, but I think there will be some significant damage done that’s now unavoidable. By the time posters start appearing in train stations or ominous TikToks arrive, we’ll vaguely remember the show and once being interested in it, before our attention span moves onto something else. I wouldn’t be surprised if viewing figures take a dive because of it, so fingers crossed Netflix changes its ways well before the already-confirmed season 3.

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• Ransomware operators Everest adds Mailchimp to their data leak site
• They claimed to have stolen 767 MB of sensitive data
• The community mocked the size of the archive

Russian ransomware gang Everest says it recently broke into email marketing giant Mailchimp, left samples on its dark web site, and gave the company a few days to step up and pay, or face the consequences. But instead of causing a stir - the group became a laughing stock of the cybersecurity community.

Mailchimp is one of the most popular platforms in its industry, with more than 14 million active users, so when cybercriminals break in and steal data - the community expects a large database with plenty of juicy intel inside.

Everest, however, exfiltrated “only” 767MB of information, which includes 943,536 lines, and apparently include “Internal company documents”.

"Remarkably small"

“The leak of your internal company documents contains a huge variety of personal documents and information of clients,” Everest apparently said on its data leak site.

The news was picked up by the malware repository “vx-underground” which, on X, said the database seemed, “remarkably small for a vendor as large and widespread as MailChimp.”

Others quickly chimed in, sharing a similar sentiment: “Like one customer,” one person said. “That’s probably 300 milliseconds worth of mailchimp data. Likely a client of a client’s emails were leaked,” another one added.

Everest is not a state-sponsored group, but since its members speak Russian, security researchers believe the group is located there, as well.

It has been active since 2020, beginning as a data-extortion actor and later evolving into a full ransomware operation. Over time, it has shifted somewhat toward acting as an Initial Access Broker (IAB), too, selling access to compromised networks to other criminal gangs rather than executing ransomware themselves.

It has claimed hundreds of victims so far, including heavyweights such as AT&T, multiple South American governments, Coca‑Cola’s Middle East wing, Crumbl Cookies, Mediclinic hospitals, and Saudi conglomerate Rezayat Group.

Via Cybernews

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Let’s be honest: there are few things more frustrating than standing in a queue – whether you’re a customer or a business owner watching sales slip away. Those long lines are bad for morale, and they’re really bad for business. But a new technology – SoftPOS – is transforming the way retailers tackle this challenge.

SoftPOS, or software point of sale, turns any standard smartphone or tablet into a secure, fully functioning payment terminal. No extra hardware. No cables. Just an app.

As someone who’s spent years at the crossroads of payments and retail tech, I can say with confidence: this development is a huge leap forward.

Why we’re still shackled to clunky tech

It’s wild to think that the average Brit spends over a year of their life queuing. In the US, people spend a staggering 37 billion hours annually in line. That time adds up to serious financial leakage and sheer inconvenience for everyone involved.

Every minute a customer waits increases the likelihood of abandonment, complaints, or worse, defection to a more efficient competitor. It means more pressure on in-store teams, it causes unhappy customers to walk out of the door – with the merchant looking forlornly at yet another lost sale. Yet many businesses are still stuck with outdated POS terminals that slow down service.

Our recent research at Tribe revealed that 28% of merchants are using legacy POS systems that can’t even accept modern payment methods like digital wallets or QR codes. That means a huge number of businesses are quite literally turning away sales because their tech can’t keep up with how people want to pay.

And it’s not just about sales. Outdated payments systems contribute to:

• Lost upsell opportunities at the checkout (30% of merchants cite this as their top challenge)
• Costly maintenance and compliance headaches
• A lack of real-time analytics, leaving merchants flying blind when it comes to customer behavior

Built-in speed and security

With SoftPOS, businesses can deploy queue-busting strategies instantly. Think mobile staff roaming the floor, checking stock, cross-selling, and accepting payment on the spot and processed in seconds. Think outdoor venues, market stalls, food trucks, and tradespeople taking payments with a single tap at the point of service. It’s payment anywhere, anytime.

For mobile workers, gig economy sellers, and pop-up vendors, this flexibility is golden. Even in traditional retail environments, it’s a shift in how payments are handled. Instead of relying on one fixed terminal at the counter, you can equip your team to take payments from anywhere in the store.

One of the questions I get asked most often is: “But is it secure?” And the answer is a resounding yes. SoftPOS uses the same PCI DSS-compliant standards and encryption as traditional chip-and-PIN systems.

With tokenization, real-time fraud detection, and standards like PCI MPoC now in play, SoftPOS matches – and in many cases exceeds – the security provided by legacy systems, such as secure PIN-on-glass transactions, making higher-value purchases fully seamless.

Small businesses, big benefits; and data that drives loyalty

SoftPOS isn’t limited to large retailers. It’s arguably even more revolutionary for micro and small and medium business (SMB) owners, who until now faced barriers to entry with traditional POS tech:

• SoftPOS is cheaper. No hardware terminals, no costly software licenses, no hidden maintenance fees.
• It’s faster to deploy. Download the app and go live the same day.
• It’s modular and scalable. Use it standalone or integrate with existing systems without disruption.

Why spend thousands on bulky hardware when your phone can do the job just as well? There are no hardware costs, no installation delays, no lengthy onboarding. Download the app, and you’re ready to start taking payments.

We’re seeing huge take-up from independent traders, personal service providers, and mobile vendors. They love the simplicity, the low cost, and the ability to offer customers a smooth, modern experience.

Beyond cutting queues and costs, SoftPOS opens up a deeper value stream: data. We hear a lot about the desire and need for better customer insight, and SoftPOS delivers. Traditional POS terminals are notoriously bad at providing useful, real-time data. In contrast, SoftPOS integrates directly with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, loyalty platforms, and analytics dashboards.

That integration helps businesses track customer habits, tailor offers and create meaningful personalized experiences. In our research, 63% of merchants said hyper-personalization would help grow their business. SoftPOS puts those capabilities within easy reach.

Why payment providers should pay attention

SoftPOS is also a huge opportunity for acquiring banks (i.e., financial institutions that process payments on behalf of businesses) and payment service providers, or PSPs (i.e., third parties that help merchants accept payments more easily).

SoftPOS solutions like Tap on Phone offer a more agile, lower-cost path to meeting merchant needs for these players – particularly in emerging or underserved markets. As the payments landscape evolves, tools like these are forming the backbone of more responsive and connected merchant services.

For businesses still relying on old POS systems, now’s a good time to take stock

Ask yourself:

• How many customers am I losing to slow queues or poor checkout experiences?
• What payment methods am I missing out on?
• Could my team sell more if they weren’t tethered to the till?
• Would troves of new data help me upsell? (The answer here is pretty obvious)

Many of these issues can be addressed with just one app and a phone. That’s the real power of SoftPOS: low-friction payments that fit the way modern businesses operate. Whether it’s through a pilot or gradual rollout, it’s worth exploring how this technology could fit into your operation.

In a fast-moving, fiercely competitive retail landscape, success depends on improving efficiency, enabling flexible selling, and gaining real-time customer insight. Our research shows that early adopters of SoftPOS are already seeing results – from shorter queues to smoother, more engaging customer experiences.

Those who act now will be better equipped to adapt, grow, and lead in an increasingly digital market. It’s time to leave clunky terminals behind and embrace a simpler, smarter way to take payments.

We've featured the best mobile payment app.

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

• The first teaser for Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been released
• It celebrates the first day of filming on the Marvel-Sony superhero movie
• Tom Holland's new superhero suit is teased rather than being fully revealed

Marvel and Sony have released the first official teaser for Spider-Man: Brand New Day – but, calm down, everyone, it's not as great as it sounds.

With filming on Spider-Man: Brand New Day officially underway starting today (August 1), the two studios, who work together on Spider-Man films, celebrated day one of said shoot with a all-too-brief look at the new suit that Tom Holland's eponymous hero will wear. However, save for one particularly interesting detail, the eight-second video – hey, I said it was brief! – is nothing to write home about.

Yep, that's it. A dark albeit mysteriously brief glimpse at the wallcrawler's latest super-suit. It's not even accompanied by a "now in production" message that tells more casual Spider-Man fans that the cameras are rolling on his next big-screen adventure. Sigh.

Still, as I alluded to earlier, there is something quite striking about the suit Holland's Peter Parker will be wearing in the Marvel Phase 6 movie.

Until now, all of his suits – aside from his homemade one, which Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark made fun of when Spidey made his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Captain America: Civil War – have been sleek looking.

The webbing on Parker's new attire, though, appears to be slightly raised from the rest of the fabric. It's most notable at the 0:02 mark and suggests that Holland's Parker might have taken some costume inspiration from Tobey Maguire's webslinger. Remember, the pair met and worked together – along with Andrew Garfield's take on the iconic character – in the multiversal flick Spider-Man: No Way Home. Maybe Holland's iteration got some pointers from Maguire's Parker about suit designs and decided a nostalgia look was the best way to go?

Anybody else think that Tom Holland's new suit looks like Tober Maguire's Spider-Man outfit? (Image credit: Sony Pictures)

Of course, this raises questions about what happened to the suit we saw the titular character wearing in No Way Home's final scene? Well, if you believe recent online rumors about where Spider-Man: Brand New Day sits on the MCU timeline, three years may have passed between Holland's last outing as Spidey and the hero's fourth solo MCU film. It's possible, then, that he's simply updated the look of his suit in the years since we last saw him. Alternatively, maybe he's decided to give Daredevil a run for his money and have a whole wardrobe of different suits...

Anyway, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is due out in theaters on July 31, 2026, so it's high time principal photography began on the highly anticipated flick. Hopefully, we'll get some behind the scenes images and/or on-set leaks of Holland's new garb as filming progresses on Spider-Man 4. Until then, read the section below for even more of my coverage on it.

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During an Executive Briefing session for the board members of a luxury brand last year, one question kept popping up – when will we reach singularity? I designed Executive Briefing sessions to inspire and educate senior executives and board members on the latest disruptive trends and how exponential technologies create opportunities for business and revenue generation.

So, it was not a surprise when these questions arose, as it was the hype of the moment and congesting the media coverage of artificial intelligence (AI). However, this is not the right question to ask, particularly considering companies, and the board members taking part in the session, may not even be around when humanity has to reckon with artificial general intelligence (AGI) – systems with human-like cognitive capabilities to generalize knowledge, learn new things, and adapt to various situations.

What is intelligence, really?

Before delving into the possibilities of AGI, it would be prudent to first explore the meaning of intelligence in the human context. In my new book, Artificial Intelligence For Business, I delve into the depths of intelligence and its definition, a topic of debate even among experts . Whether we approach it from a psychological or physiological perspective, the understanding and definition of human intelligence remains challenging because of one fundamental variable – the human subject.

Intelligence goes beyond information processing, reasoning and problem-solving. It is the ability to reason, learn from experience, adapt to new situations, and make sense of abstract concepts. More importantly, human intelligence is also guided by our biases, experiences, cultural backgrounds, beliefs, creativity, emotional awareness, and our ability to navigate social dynamics.

These are not just mental capabilities, but are embodied and relational. Our decisions are impacted by goals, value, ethics and intuition formed through lived experiences, making intelligence a complex element that is difficult to define and replicate.

Replicating human intelligence

In its current form, artificial intelligence in the most advanced systems, such as large language models or computer vision tools, are common examples of Narrow AI. These are AI systems created to carry out tasks with a high degree of efficiency and operates within predefined rules. It lacks the understanding and adaptability that humans possess. Narrow AI are trained on vast datasets to recognize patterns and generate predictions, but in my view, these systems do not ‘’understand’’ the way humans do.

Intelligent systems do not form context, nor do they possess common sense or emotional insight. It operates based on statistical probabilities and optimizes outputs within boundaries set by the data it is trained on. It simulates intelligence, quickly enough to trick us into believing it is intelligent, but these systems do not experience intelligence. Even the most powerful systems that exist today are simply tools - albeit impressive tools - but are not fully aware of the outputs, goals and implications they create.

So, what is Artificial General Intelligence?

Also referred to as Strong AI, AGI represents the pinnacle of artificial intelligence research. AGI can understand and learn intellectual tasks much like a human being and enables machines to apply knowledge and skills across different contexts. This means solving unfamiliar problems without any prior training, transferring knowledge between domains, reasoning in abstract terms, and continuously adapting.

AGI would be able to write a novel, design a marketing campaign, solve an engineering problem, and give emotional advice, all with the nuance and adaptability of a human. It would be capable of reflection, strategy, and perhaps even self-directed learning. In theory, it could outperform humans at virtually any intellectual task. Although we may believe many of the existing systems today offer these capabilities, what we are experiencing is the incredible speed of processing vast data, uncovering patterns in the data, and producing commonly accepted outputs to respond to requests. True AGI would be able to perform any intellectual tasks that a human can, equipped with understanding and reasoning required to navigate a range of different challenges.

The value of AGI can be truly transformative for humanity, and it is no wonder technology leaders seem to be in constant pursuit of this next frontier. It holds a promise of exponential development across industries, and the potential return on investment so enormous, that every technology company wants to hold the key to AGI. But the uncertainty and risks that come with such systems can also be unimaginable.

Why race towards AGI?

At the center of AGI is a potent mix of fear, uncertainty, economic potential, ambition and ideology. The promise of AGI is not just another technological milestone, it could be considered a foundational shift that could unlock solutions to humanity’s most urgent challenges and the potential rewards are staggering. AGI supporters view it as a potential force multiplier, able to accelerate scientific discovery, optimise resource distribution, and address climate risks.

Commercial incentives are also compelling. The institution or organization controlling AGI would dominate not only other industries, but also redefine how value is created and destroy its competition in the global market. From a geopolitical dimension, AGI is viewed as a strategic asset and weapon of mass disruption that could set global standards, lead in defense innovation, and control critical infrastructure. Additionally, there is an ideological aspect to consider. Selected leaders in the global technology community genuinely believe AGI could elevate humanity for the better, while others are driven by personal gain and legacy.

The race towards AGI

From a psychological and societal perspective, AGI forces us to confront the fundamental question of what it means to be human. Can we create machines or systems that can rival our own mind? Can we replicate, and potentially even surpass, the very thing that makes us human? And if machines can learn, create and think like us, what would our role be in this new ecosystem? How could we aspire to govern such systems to ensure human dignity, purpose and autonomy are fully retained? This is a formidable challenge, and in my view, unrealistic in the near future.

For senior leaders and board members contemplating these questions, my advice is to focus on the more pressing question of how current and rapidly-developing AI solutions are impacting industries and businesses. This, in itself, is a reality that is transforming the world as we know it.

We've featured the best AI chatbot for business.

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

• Microsoft Edge has dropped a chunk of users in the past month
• This is according to Statcounter's figures, which show Chrome making some major gains at the top
• Microsoft may hope that Copilot in Edge will help turn things around, but there are other factors at work

Chrome has cemented its dominance in the web browser world in the past month to the detriment of Microsoft Edge, which has slipped back in its tall order quest to challenge Google's top dog.

Neowin flagged up the latest report from Statcounter showing how the world's best desktop browsers stack up to each other, and Chrome has accelerated ahead in July, gaining just over 3% to put it a whisker away from a 70% share of the entire market (69.98% to be precise).

Microsoft Edge is in second place, but after making a little headway through 2025 thus far – in between periods of stalling – the browser has again slipped, as it did in June. It's now down to 11.8% which represents a month-on-month drop of 1.26%.

If you're wondering about the rest of Chrome's rivals, there's Safari, which is in third place, but it barely has half of Edge's user base, with the Apple browser sitting on 6.51% (also down from last month; in fact, it's lost 0.85%).

Firefox is next and is close behind Safari on 5.32%, and again, that's a loss, this time of half a percentage point. All of those losses have, of course, provided fuel for Google's Chrome fire.

Analysis: Copilot isn't the answer - or at least not the only one

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Naturally, we need to take any single source that's measuring the popularity of any given set of products with some caution - it represents a sample of the market, not the entire picture. Although in Statcounter's case, it's a pretty beefy sample, and the company is regarded as one of the more accurate judges of how the browser world stands.

Microsoft isn't doing well, then, in its bid to get Edge noticed - and as I've said before, I think part of the problem the software giant has is that it's trying too hard to get the browser noticed. It does this mainly by shoving it in the faces of Windows 11 (and 10) users with too much gusto, recommending it as the default browser in certain circumstances, or having Edge pop up in various ways even though it isn't set as the default browser.

Notably, Microsoft has been changing this kind of behavior in Europe due to regulatory pressures, so, for example, the company just made it so that web links in Windows 11's widget board now don't open in Edge automatically, but use the selected default browser in the OS (as they should for a consistent experience).

I wish Microsoft would adopt this scheme of things in other regions outside of Europe, but sadly, it doesn't seem like this will happen, not when there's no legislation twisting the company's arm.

Microsoft has another tactic in mind to get traction for Edge, though, and that's AI. The introduction of Copilot in Edge has just happened (so won't have made an impact in July's figures from Statcounter), and while it may not seem like a massive carrot to many – who might think, 'Not more AI', complete with a yawn – as we've recently reported, this feature actually looks pretty nifty. It offers voice commands and some clever touches like being able to instruct the browser to skip to a certain section of a YouTube video, and with agentic AI abilities promised down the line (the ability for AI to book things for you within the browser, for example).

I accept that it could be a promising lure for new recruits to the Edge flock. However, I think Microsoft will struggle to make its browser more relevant unless it also reins in some of the excesses of its constant promotion of Edge within Windows. And of course, don't forget that Google has its own AI (Gemini) tricks in the pipeline for Chrome, too, so it's not like the dominant competition will be standing still on the AI front.

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It's time to settle down and enjoy one or more of the new movies and TV shows that have landed on the best streaming services over the past few days.

All but one of the world's leading streamers have got something to offer this weekend – step it up, Paramount+ – so, regardless of which platform(s) you're signed up, you're well and truly spoiled when it comes to new content to watch at home. Warm up your scrolling finger, then, and read on to see what you can enjoy before Monday comes back around. – Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

My Oxford Year (Netflix)

Remember how One Day suddenly arrived on Netflix and instantly made us bawl our eyes out? I've got a funny feeling that My Oxford Year is going to have exactly the same effect.

One of August's new Netflix movies tells the story of ambitious American student travels to Oxford in England to fulfil her dream, but encounters a charming local who changes both their lives. I wonder if that local just happens to be tall, dark, and handsome?

Given this is also an adaptation of Julia Whelan's novel, we can pretty much guarantee My Oxford Year is going to be a slam dunk for the streamer. Cue a lot of rose-tinted whimsy, an influx of Americans on social media who think all of England is like Notting Hill, and bundles of sweet nerdy chemistry. Frankly, it's cheaper than trying to study abroad. – Jasmine Valentine, entertainment writer

• Watch My Oxford Year on Netflix

Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+)

The latest Marvel project to have Ryan Coogler's award-winning creative fingerprints on it, Eyes of Wakanda has launched on Disney+ three weeks earlier than anyone expected.

A four-part anthology series that further explores the history of Wakanda, aka the technologically advanced African nation that exists in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this Black Panther spin-off series follows various Wakanda spy-cum-warriors across four time periods as they try to recover their nation's stolen artefacts and weaponry. Eyes of Wakanda is available in full now on Disney+, too, so you won't be made to wait a week between each 30-minute installment.

It remains to be seen if it'll earn a spot on our best Disney+ shows list. But, with Coogler attached, I'd be shocked if this gorgeous-looking animated series doesn't continue Marvel's recent hot-streak (in my opinion, anyway) on the big and small screens. – TP

• Watch Eyes of Wakanda on Disney+

Final Destination: Bloodlines (HBO Max)

I'm really enjoying these new horror installments with great reviews, aren't you? Saw X impressed the critics after years of flops and Final Destination Bloodlines, the franchise's sixth movie, did likewise earlier this year. So much so, it's now technically considered the best in the franchise.

Thankfully, the series' latest entry is now streaming on HBO Max. Get ready to be scared by, well, just about any everyday object as the franchise continues to kill its subjects in the most unexpected ways. If you want something to satisfy your bloodlust this weekend, look no further. – Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Final Destination: Bloodlines on HBO Max

Chief of War (Apple TV+)

I’ve always felt there aren’t nearly enough TV shows that dive into Hawaiian history, which is why I’m so glad Apple TV+ has finally stepped up.

Chief of War is a new historical drama that puts the spotlight on the Polynesian islands' powerful chiefdoms before colonization reshaped everything at the turn of the 18th century. Jason Momoa plays Ka‘iana, a warrior chief determined to unite the four Hawaiian kingdoms as Western forces loom. It's based on real events and as visually stunning as it is culturally rich.

The first two episodes are streaming now, with new episodes dropping every Friday until the finale on September 19. I’ve already got this lined up on my watchlist – and if you’re even a little curious, I’d recommend diving into this new Apple TV Original – Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor

• Watch Chief of War on Apple TV+

Twisted Metal season 2 (Peacock)

Twisted Metal is back Peacock so, if you're in the mood for plenty of laughs and action, it's the show to watch. With a stellar cast including Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Stephanie Beatriz and Captain America's Anthony Mackie leading the series, plus Will Arnett as a killer clown, there's so much to love about Twisted Metal.

If you haven't seen season 1, it's based on its video game namesake and follows a talkative milkman with amnesia who's tasked with delivering a mysterious package in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Things are quickly dialed up to 100, too. – LB

• Watch Twisted Metal season 2 on Peacock

Miley Cyrus: Something Beautiful (Hulu/Disney+)

First there was Taylor Swift's Eras Tour movie, then came Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Now, it's Miley's turn to shine, with her own music movie Something Beautiful being self-described as a "pop opera", and is now out on Hulu and Disney+. Think less Starlight Express and more chic visual movie, which is essentially a continuous music video for every track on the synonymous album.

Essentially, this one is great for singing along to the Bangerz (see what I did there?) you might have missed from Cyrus in the last year, who's been busy rebranding herself as the pop-rock icon we're learning to love all over again. Rumor has it that if you then stream the album on Spotify, you might allegedly be invited to a Hannah Montana-themed event (this isn't confirmed, but dare to dream). – JV

• Watch Miley Cyrus: Something Beautiful on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Built in Birmingham: Brady and the Blues (Prime Video)

I love a good underdog story – and Birmingham City FC’s 2024/25 season is exactly that. Like Wrexham, Birmingham has seen a huge surge in performance, popularity, and sponsorship since American-Hollywood investors came onboard – and now you can watch it all play out in Built In Birmingham: Brady & The Blues on Amazon's streaming platform..

The docuseries tracks the club’s transformation under NFL legend Tom Brady, who became a minority owner in 2023. From the heartbreak of relegation to a record-breaking season, and automatic promotion to the EFL Sky Bet Championship, it’s a rollercoaster worth streaming. All five episodes are now available on Prime Video. If you’re into comeback stories, this one’s a must-watch. – AS

• Watch Built in Birmingham: Brady and the Blues on Prime Video

For more streaming suggestions, read our guides on the best Netflix shows, best Prime Video movies, best Hulu shows, and best Paramount+ movies.

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 Friday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Friday, August 1 (game #1285).

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 #1286) - 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 #1286) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

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

Quordle today (game #1286) - 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 #1286) - 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 #1286) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• W

• P

• C

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1286) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1286, are…

• WARTY
• PUPAL
• CLEAR
• SLICE

Today was a struggle, but my winning streak continues.

Knowing that the top-left word ended A-R-T-Y and having eliminated the word beginning with a T or a P, I had two possibilities left – one starting with W the other with F. Being sensible I chose WARTY, but the alternative was very tempting. 

Daily Sequence today (game #1286) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1286, are…

• ANIME
• FRUIT
• START
• DECRY

Quordle answers: The past 20

• 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
• Quordle #1276, Wednesday, 23 July: OZONE, PENCE, ROOMY, WIDER
• Quordle #1275, Tuesday, 22 July: OPTIC, GIDDY, VOCAL, ADULT
• Quordle #1274, Monday, 21 July: KNEED, SNAIL, PINTO, FEAST
• Quordle #1273, Sunday, 20 July: GRACE, COUNT, EGRET, GIANT
• Quordle #1272, Saturday, 19 July: EARLY, CLICK, TRITE, SPREE
• Quordle #1271, Friday, 18 July: CINCH, FOYER, FUDGE, TAFFY
• Quordle #1270, Thursday, 17 July: CRESS, TABOO, POWER, HATER
• Quordle #1269, Wednesday, 16 July: UNCLE, NADIR, REMIT, BROOM
• Quordle #1268, Tuesday, 15 July: VILLA, FLECK, TIGER, CRANE
• Quordle #1267, Monday, 14 July: SURGE, PIZZA, PAPER, POPPY

• Chevrolet has teased the next generation of its popular Bolt EV model
• The vehicle isn’t expected to arrive until 2027
• Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are struggling with sales

Chevrolet has taken to social media to release a number of teaser images that give some hints of what the North American public can expect of its redesigned Bolt.

The much-loved Bolt was among the first mass-produced electric vehicles to take off in the States, with early models praised for their impressive electric range, ease of use, masses of practicality and comparatively low sticker price. As a used proposition, they also represent phenomenal value for money.

That said, the Bolt could only ever manage to charge at a maximum speed of 54kW, which made longer journeys difficult. Chevy seems to have addressed this in the upcoming, 2027 version, which will be among the first General Motors vehicles to sport a NACS charging port as standard.

A post shared by chevrolet (@chevrolet)

A photo posted by on

The teaser images also reveal a sportier front fascia, redesigned taillights (a topic that bothered former owners) and a striking new alloy wheel design, with the brand stating that more details will be revealed this fall.

Back in late 2016, the original Bolt could be picked up for just under $27,000 before federal and state electric vehicle incentives, which made it one of the cheapest ways to get behind the wheel on a new EV in the USA. It is predicted that General Motors will attempt to keep prices of the new model similarly low.

Analysis: The US needs more affordable EVs

(Image credit: Chevrolet)

The news comes at a time when several other big name automakers have publicly stated that sales have been slow in North America.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has reportedly started slashing prices of its EVs to boost customer demand and will even pause deliveries of some of its EQ range to prevent dealer inventory from piling up.

Porsche has also scaled back its financial forecasts due to its exposure to President Trump’s raft of recent trade tariffs, seeing as the company exclusively manufactures its cars in Germany and ships them overseas.


The upcoming Chevrolet Bolt comes at a time when the US market desperately needs more affordable EV options, seeing as Tesla could underwhelm with its much-rumored cut-price model and the cheaper Chinese competition is yet to gain a foothold in the region.

Nissan's Leaf remains among the cheapest, but that is also due an imminent refresh, while Hyundai's small Kona Electric has also proven popular thanks to its approachable price tag.

However, many of the closest rivals still cost around $40,000, which for many buyers, is still too much.

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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 Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, August 1 (game #516).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Pretty as a picture

NYT Strands today (game #517) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• MATTER
• FORT
• RULER
• JADE
• REST
• LIAR

NYT Strands today (game #517) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #517) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 6th 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 #517) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #517, are…

• FILTER
• CROP
• BLUR
• ADJUST
• ERASE
• MARKUP
• ROTATE
• SPANGRAM: PHOTO EDITOR

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

The very first thing I saw in today’s grid was the word PHOTO, but when it didn’t turn blue I thought we must be looking for some other art-based topic. Then I saw the word EDITOR and put the pair of words together and landed today’s spangram.

From here it was a matter of thinking of as many photo-editing words as I could and then finding them on the board. FILTER and CROP came first, as they are my two most-used tools.

All of this has reminded me that, being something of a fat-fingered snapper, the key thing I need to do with my photo library on my phone is to delete all the many shots I have of the floor, my hand or the inside of my pockets. No amount of photo editing can fix them.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, August 1, game #516)

• ADDER
• PYTHON
• COBRA
• MAMBA
• VIPER
• ANACONDA
• RATTLER
• SPANGRAM: SERPENT

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 Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Friday, August 1 (game #782).

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 #783) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• COMMERCE
• STRIKE
• CLEAVE
• FOUL
• ADHERE
• CONGRESS
• SPLIT
• STICK
• OVERSIGHT
• GLUE
• GARNISH
• RELATIONS
• SANCTION
• INTIMACY
• AFFIX
• SPARE

NYT Connections today (game #783) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Bind two things together 
• BLUE: Ten pin scoring
• GREEN: Birds and bees activity 
• PURPLE: Double meaning

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 #783) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: ATTACH WITH ADHESIVE 
• BLUE: BOWLING RESULTS
• GREEN: POLITE TERMS FOR SEX 
• PURPLE: CONTRONYMS (WORDS THAT CAN MEAN OPPOSITE THINGS)

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

NYT Connections today (game #783) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #783, are…

• YELLOW: ATTACH WITH ADHESIVE ADHERE, AFFIX, GLUE, STICK
• BLUE: BOWLING RESULTS FOUL, SPARE, SPLIT, STRIKE
• GREEN: POLITE TERMS FOR SEX COMMERCE, CONGRESS, INTIMACY, RELATIONS
• PURPLE: CONTRONYMS (WORDS THAT CAN MEAN OPPOSITE THINGS) CLEAVE, GARNISH, OVERSIGHT, SANCTION

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

The NYT didn’t use the most obvious CONTRONYMS (WORDS THAT CAN MEAN OPPOSITE THINGS) today, in my opinion at least.

Two good ones would have been “buckle” and “fast”, which would have certainly put me in doubts over whether they belonged in the group that was about attachments.

Anyway, all of this is to mask my embarrassment over taking three guesses to get POLITE TERMS FOR SEX.

I thought that this group had something to do with international trade, so I tried including SANCTION and OVERSIGHT before swapping them out for INTIMACY.

Please tell me I wasn’t the only person that didn’t see this group!

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, August 1, game #782)

• YELLOW: APTITUDE BENT, FACULTY, FLAIR, GIFT
• GREEN: SILENT "W" PLAYWRIGHT, SWORD, WRAP, WREATH
• BLUE: LEGENDS OF CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD DEAN, GABLE, GARLAND, TEMPLE
• PURPLE: HIT THE ____ HAY, JACKPOT, ROAD, ROOF

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.

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I like WordPress. I do! What's not to like? It's free, it's used by basically everyone so there's so much help available, and it's supported by all the best web hosting providers. There is just one thing about it that I, and others, find incredibly frustrating. The page builder.

Now, thanks to Hostinger, those pains will hopefully be over because Kodee, Hostinger's AI management tool, is going to be released with direct integration with your WordPress site.

Knock Knock. Who's that? It's Kodee helping you with WordPress

I've built WordPress sites before but I'm not a website building expert covering the best website builders like my colleague Owain Williams. My area is more website infrastructure (hosting, domains, that sort of stuff) but I do occasionally have a dabble in WordPress because I want to know more about it when recommending the best WordPress hosting.

In my most recent dives into WordPress for my one hour with series, covering what it's like to buy and set up a website with web hosting providers I encountered many beginner WordPress issues after I had purchased and set up a server.

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The issue I mostly encountered was working my way around the WordPress block editor Gutenberg. Any time I wanted to remove a button from a template, modify a title, or change how a page element appeared I found myself spending 15 minutes trying to locate a button and then another ten undoing all the mess that pressing that button achieved.

Kodee promises to relieve users of these frustrations as soon WordPress users should be able to modify and edit a page just by asking Kodee to do it for them.

Kodee is not quite ready yet

(Image credit: Future)

Earlier in the year Kodee was released to be used as an AI sysadmin tool for VPS servers helping users manage their environment with natural language. For WordPress management Kodee is expected to be released in August.

When it is released Kodee will be able to add pages and posts, edit the text and layout of a page including adding new sections, replace images and content, plus manage settings, plugins, and many other site tasks.

Available on Hostinger Business and Cloud hosting plans

Kodee won't be available on Hostingers lower-end plans such as the single site plan (not available in all regions) and the Premium hosting plan. This means that you'll need to pay at least an extra 0.78$/mo for the first 38 months and then and extra 3$ a month after to use the tool if you didn't intend on buying one of the more powerful plans.

In my opinion, that's a worthy investment if like me, you're not very page builder savvy.

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Amazon MGM Studios have announced who will pen the next Bond movie, and it’s a hugely exciting proposition.

With Denis Villeneuve already set to take the director’s chair, it’s been confirmed that the script will be written by Steven Knight, the man behind Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows, This Town and more.

A Knight-penned Bond adventure is massively exciting, although it's worth remembering that the film is still in the very early stages – in fact we’re still waiting on the announcement on who will be donning the tuxedo in the next Bond adventure following Daniel Craig’s retirement in No Time to Die.

Bond 26: The story so far

(Image credit: MGM)

Even so, it’s great to see the franchise making positive moves forward following a tumultuous decade for 007. While Craig’s era got off to a good start with new adventures landing every few years, the departure of director Danny Boyle from the film that would go on to become No Time to Die, followed by a pandemic-induced release delay meant it was almost six years before Craig’s final mission landed in cinemas. Since then, Amazon purchased Bond’s parent studio MGM and quickly produced Road to a Million, a gameshow inspired by 007’s globe-trotting adventures.

Talk of a new film was few and far between though, with rumors surrounding cinematic universes and TV spin-offs quickly dispelled by long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. However, all that changed when in January of this year Broccoli announced that her and Wilson were stepping away from the franchise and handing full creative control to Amazon. While there was speculation that the pair had been ousted due to Amazon’s frustration with them dragging their feet on a new project, the official statement from Broccoli read: "With the conclusion of No Time to Die and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects."

Following the pair’s departure, and after a few months of getting their Aston Martin in order, Amazon confirmed a 26th Bond film was starting pre-production, with Dune helmer Denis Villeneuve attached to direct and Amy Pascal set to produce alongside Harry Potter’s David Heyman.

What should we expect from Bond 26?

(Image credit: Amazon)

While we currently know nothing of what to expect from 007’s next mission, Knight’s appointment could potentially point toward a long-speculated return to the 1960s for the franchise, with the writer almost exclusively penning period pieces in recent years, with Knight’s rollicking WW2 action adventure SAS: Rogue Heroes of particular note to those wondering what his interpretation of Bond might look like.

"I’m hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that’s the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder," Knight told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast on August 1, according to The HollyWood Reporter.

Despite all the recent announcements however, we’re still waiting on the big one: who will be the next James Bond? While some fan favorite choices such as Idris Elba and Dan Stevens have essentially aged out of the role in the intervening years, speculation is still rife, with the likes of James Norton, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Regé-Jean Page frequently thrown into the mix. There’s even the possibility they surprise us all and deliver a Logan-type story with a grizzled Pierce Brosnan reprising the role.

Whatever the case, while it’s a shame Broccoli and Wilson won’t be part of it, it’s great to see a Bond film moving forward, and with such exciting names attached. Although with Villeneuve set to write and direct a third Dune movie before turning his attention to 007, we could yet be in for our longest wait ever. But one thing’s for sure – James Bond will return.

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Kicking off everything new on Netflix in August 2025 is My Oxford Year, which, luckily for us, is already available to stream. Based on the book of the same name by Julia Whelan, the new movie tells the story of Anna (Sofia Carson), an American student who travels to Oxford, England to fulfill her dreams. While there, she meets a local called Jamie (Corey Mylchreest) and a picture-perfect romance begins. Think dramatic kisses in the rain, beautiful scenery and everything else we’ve been missing since the Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill days.

This is all excellent news if you’ve been watching The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 over the last few weeks. The love triangle between Belly (Lola Tung), Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad (Christropher Briney) has reached ridiculous new heights, with Belly and Jeremiah set to get married, despite Jeremiah’s rancid behavior. Conrad has returned home to find this all out at his mom’s memorial ceremony, sticking by Belly while Jeremiah once again leaves her in the lurch.

While The Summer I Turned Pretty is exasperating to watch, I’m completely for switching over to My Oxford Year this month. Sure, it’s a movie rather than a TV series, but Netflix is hitting the nail on the romantic head where Prime Video is turning love into the most bizarre soap opera of the year.

Netflix’s My Oxford Year gives us the blistering romance that The Summer I Turned Pretty is missing

Listen, we know Conrad’s blind persistence and undying love for Belly is going to pay off by the end of season 3, and episode 5’s plan to shift to his perspective will likely be the turning point we’re waiting for. But boy, is it all a long and arduous slog to get there. Sometimes, we just want a romance with no hidden agenda, keeping things simple with two people meeting, falling in love and being torn apart before fate thrusts them back together again. And that’s where My Oxford Year comes in.

If you want romance, the new Netflix movie is just that in every single sense of the word. That doesn’t only extend to Anna and Jamie’s blossoming relationship – which has incredibly convincing chemistry, I must add – but also life itself. We’re looking out at the world with rose-tinted glasses, and there’s beauty everywhere we look. Subscribers can get wrapped up in all the intricate storylines and years-worth of lore that they like, but sometimes, we just need reminding of the basics.

Frankly, I’m all too happy to have a break from The Summer I Turned Pretty, even if it lasts until the final season is through. It’s summer (for those of us in the northern hemisphere at least), the nights are still light and I wanted to be whisked away in a whirlwind love affair that definitely won’t happen to me in real life. On that (and many other things), My Oxford Year wins out, and I just know my fellow Conrad-lovers will agree.

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• New Pixel Buds 2a leak shows what appears to be an updated design
• No spec details as yet, but three colors have been revealed
• Expect an official launch on August 20

We've been getting lots of leaks and rumors in the run up to the official unveiling of the Google Pixel 10 series, which is happening on Wednesday, August 20. And the latest one appears to spill key details of the latest cheap Pixel Buds that will launch alongside the phones.

The images, which appear to be renders for marketing materials, come via Android Headlines. AH says that while there's not a huge amount of detail just yet, the earbuds are called the Pixel Buds 2a and they're the successor to the Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds Google announced way back in 2021. That's a long time in headphone years, but Google tends to update its earbuds at a much more leisurely pace than its rivals.

We're hoping the new Buds 2a are more comfortable than the current A-Series. (Image credit: Android Headlines)Google Pixel Buds 2a: what we know so far

The leak says that there will be multiple color options including the Iris color shown in the renders, plus Strawberry and Fog Light. The expectation is that these new buds will deliver better sound and battery life than the existing version, which seems like a safe bet.

There were two key issues with the originals that hopefully the new Pixel Buds 2a will address: the A Series weren't the most comfortable buds for long wear, and we found the sound quality to be a bit fatiguing. Given how competitive and fast-moving the world Android-friendly entries among the best earbuds has become, I'm hoping we'll see significant improvements in both of those areas.

We're expecting to see these new earbuds alongside the other Pixel products on August 20, and they should be priced keenly: the original Pixel Buds A Series were $99 / £99 (about AU$140) when they launched, and while electronics prices have gone up significantly since then (and may go up further: I'm writing this just hours after dozens of new US import tariffs were introduced by the Trump administration) Google's going to want to keep them competitively priced.

By comparison, Apple's recently launched non-ANC AirPods (4th Gen) launched at $129 / £129 / AU$219, so if Google can match or undercut that, it seems like it's playing at the right level.

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