Feed aggregator

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 Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, July 26 (game #1279).

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 #1280) - 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 #1280) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

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

Quordle today (game #1280) - 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 #1280) - 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 #1280) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• T

• B

• P

• M

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

Quordle today (game #1280) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1280, are…

• TRAWL
• BALER
• PIANO
• MINCE

Today’s game was a bit of a bruiser for me, and I needed three guesses in order to eventually get BALER. A machine used to make hay bales is not the first thing that pops into the head, but then Quordle is fond of stretching us.

My struggles came after I’d taken an age to wrestle PIANO out of my brain, following some intensive head scratching. 

I hope it was all less of an ordeal for you.

Daily Sequence today (game #1280) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1280, are…

• BLEAK
• UNWED
• GREED
• KNEEL

Quordle answers: The past 20

• 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
• Quordle #1266, Sunday, 13 July: KAYAK, DECRY, RUDDY, HATER
• Quordle #1265, Saturday, 12 July: WREAK, NANNY, CLASP, STAIN
• Quordle #1264, Friday, 11 July: LAPEL, DRAIN, FROND, GROSS
• Quordle #1263, Thursday, 10 July: CROSS, WHEEL, UNDID, PENCE
• Quordle #1262, Wednesday, 9 July: SHIRE, SIXTH, SINGE, IMAGE
• Quordle #1261, Tuesday, 8 July: PLIED, PRANK, GAWKY, OXIDE

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 Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, July 26 (game #776).

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 #777) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• HALLOWEEN
• PICNIC
• EASY
• GRADE
• CHILD'S PLAY
• ELEMENTARY
• CON GAME
• TAILGATE
• GRAMMAR
• MAGIC SHOW
• BLOCK PARTY
• PIECE OF CAKE
• FESTIVAL
• NO SWEAT
• PRIMARY
• HEARTS

NYT Connections today (game #777) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Not a problem
• GREEN: Al fresco fun
• BLUE: Followed by a word that rhymes with “fool”
• PURPLE: Who’s fooling who?

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 #777) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: "NOTHING TO IT!" 
• GREEN: OUTDOOR EVENTS 
• BLUE: WORDS BEFORE "SCHOOL" 
• PURPLE: ASSOCIATED WITH TRICKS 

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

NYT Connections today (game #777) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #777, are…

• YELLOW: "NOTHING TO IT!" CHILD'S PLAY, EASY, NO SWEAT, PIECE OF CAKE
• GREEN: OUTDOOR EVENTS BLOCK PARTY, FESTIVAL, PICNIC, TAILGATE
• BLUE: WORDS BEFORE "SCHOOL" ELEMENTARY, GRADE, GRAMMAR, PRIMARY
• PURPLE: ASSOCIATED WITH TRICKS CON GAME, HALLOWEEN, HEARTS, MAGIC SHOW

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

My one mistake today was putting ELEMENTARY instead of EASY in the group that became “NOTHING TO IT!”, something that wouldn’t have happened if I’d have looked at the board longer, rather than rushing in.

I had the quote “elementary, my dear Watson” in my head, of course – although in this case it was far from, erm, elementary (and although it's actually a misquote anyway, and never appears in the original Sherlock Holmes stories).

Instead, Elementary was part of the WORDS BEFORE ”SCHOOL” group, together with the less common (depending on where you are) alternatives of PRIMARY, GRADE and GRAMMAR. All in all, no PICNIC.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, July 26, game #776)

• YELLOW: HERBS AND SPICES ANISE, DILL, MACE, SAGE
• GREEN: SHADES OF GREEN BOTTLE, HUNTER, KELLY, PEA
• BLUE: TRAVEL ON FOOT HIKE, MARCH, TRAMP, TREK
• PURPLE: STARTS OF EUROPEAN CAPITALS COPE, LUXE, SARA, WARS

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, July 26 (game #510).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… That's a good look

NYT Strands today (game #511) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• EXAM
• ZINE
• SNAIL
• TINY
• GREEN
• DINE

NYT Strands today (game #511) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #511) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 3rd column

Last side: top, 2nd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #511) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #511, are…

• STUDY
• EXAMINE
• SURVEY
• WEIGH
• INSPECT
• SCRUTINIZE
• SPANGRAM: ANALYSIS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

My first thought when I saw the theme was that we would be searching for something to do with fashion trends.

After finding STUDY in the grid I was initially puzzled, especially as it was sitting right next to what I initially tapped out as "exam" before adding the I-N-E for EXAMINE. The Spangram came next, which finally settled my befuddled mind.

I was initially thrown by the letter Z in SCRUTINIZE (I'm in the UK, where we use an 'S'), but not enough to trouble me for long. A satisfyingly tricky – but not too tricky – game.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, July 26, game #510)

• ASSEMBLE
• CONVENE
• GATHER
• MEET
• MUSTER
• CONGREGATE
• SPANGRAM: REUNION

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.

• Lucid’s Air model lacks the native NACS charge port of the newer Gravity
• As a result, Lucid now offers an adaptor to customers
• But it comes at a cost and throttles charging speeds

Californian EV manufacturer Lucid has announced that it will offer owners of older Air models the chance to purchase a DC NACS-to-CCS1 adapter that will allow the vehicles to charge from Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network.

The adaptor, which costs $220 excluding taxes, will work with any V3 Supercharger and above, with owners paying for the charge via the Lucid App, with a credit card saved to their Lucid Wallet.

However, due to the high-tech 924V electrical architecture touted by the Lucid Air, which allows it to charge at 300kW or higher for ultra rapid top-ups, the optional adaptor will see charging speeds throttled to just 50kW from Tesla’s 400V charging outlets.

Lucid says this will allow drivers to gain up to 200 miles of range per hour of charging, giving owners “additional peace of mind while on the road”.

While not offering the fastest charging speeds, Tesla owns and operates more than 70,000 Superchargers across the globe, with almost 40,000 ports found dotted around the US, connecting east to west and north to south.

The Lucid Air already offers an impressive amount of all-electric range, but its 2026 Air Touring model will receive a 6% increase, taking the total EPA-estimated range to 431 miles. The remainder of the line-up can tackle a mammoth 512 miles on a single charge.

Analysis: EVs are out-pacing the charging network

(Image credit: Tesla)

Lucid’s optional adaptor might get a handful of owners out of a bind on the longest journeys, but it feels like an additional outlay for not a huge amount of benefit – 50kW charging speeds feel like an antiquity now.

But the issue that many new EV manufacturers are facing boils down to an existing and arguably aging charging network that was designed for 400V electrical architecture.

Porsche got around this with the ability to effectively split the pack of its 800V Macan EV. Although this is an expensive solution that is ultimately passed on to the consumer with high sticker prices.

Similarly, there was uproar when Mercedes-Benz suggested its newest 800V CLA wouldn’t be able to charge at 400V outlets, potentially robbing owners of the ability to plug into the vast array of legacy outlets still in operation.

Mercedes explained at the recent launch that only early models would be affected, stating that it will fit an adaptor to 2026 models that will allow the CLA to effectively charge at lower speeds.

Unfortunately, the global electric vehicle charging infrastructure is struggling to play catch up with the pace of innovation, with vast discrepancies between charging speeds offered in various countries and regions.

Even Tesla, which arguably introduced electric vehicles to the masses, is struggling to roll out its long-promised, next generation 500kW V4 Supercharger network.

you might also like

• The Lucid Air just broke the world record for the longest EV journey on a single charge – across three countries without stopping
• Lucid's affordable new SUV shows it's planning to overtake Tesla as the new EV king
• Lucid says its incoming Air Pure is the most efficient EV ever made

As TechRadar’s Phones Editor, my desk is inundated with accessories from all manner of case makers. I’ve got colorful cases from Casetify, leather cases from Nomad, and sustainable cases from Moft. I’ve got MagSafe wallets, portable chargers, and at least one accessory for every phone in our best phones guide. But until recently, I’d never in my life received a phone case made of human skin.

Okay, the appropriately named Skincase isn’t actually made from human skin (that would be a little too Se7en), but it is clad in a synthetic material that’s designed to look, feel, and react to the elements like our birthday suits – which, quite frankly, is just as gross as the real thing.

This product is the brainchild of UK mobile network O2, researcher Marc Teyssier, and The British Skin Foundation, who have joined forces to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive sun exposure as temperatures soar in summer-hit regions across the globe.

In essence, the Skincase burns when exposed to UV rays, mirroring the damaging effects of the sun on our bodies. To make the case, Teyssier combined 3D printing techniques with flexible filament and silicone, and the surface is pigmented with specialised composites that react to UV light. This combination creates a lifelike simulation of sun exposure, making the effects of ultraviolet radiation shockingly obvious. Check it out in the video below:

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

O2 says the Skincase has been created to highlight the significant disconnect between awareness and behaviour when it comes to sun protection. The network notes that over half (56%) of Brits check their phones three times or more during peak sun hours (11am – 3pm), yet only one in five (20%) reapply sunscreen with the same frequency. More alarmingly, almost one in 10 (9%) do not wear sunscreen at all during these crucial hours when UV levels are at their strongest. I suspect the figures are equally damning for US citizens.

O2 says almost one in 10 Brits don't wear sunscreen during peak sun hours (Image credit: O2)

To be clear: you can’t actually buy the Skincase. It’s a limited-run product that’s intended to be a conversation starter – a visceral reminder that we should take as much notice of our skin as we do our phones – rather than something you can purchase and use.

That said, I do now have one on my desk, so if you want it, you’re welcome to it – though I will be reporting you to the police.

For other health-related gadgetry, check out our roundup of three high-tech home health gadgets that will boost your wellbeing – from home sauna hacks to ambient lights.

You might also like

• The best iPhone 16 cases 2024: every level of protection for your new iPhone
• iPhone content creator? The Moft Creator Kit should be your next purchase
• This case isn't just a rotting banana; it's a window into iconic music history

• Samsung could add more AI bots to the Galaxy S26
• The Ultra model is rumored to be getting a camera boost
• We should see these handsets appearing in January

Now that we've seen the official unveiling of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7, we can turn our attention to the next flagship phone series we're expecting to see from Samsung; namely the Galaxy S26 handsets.

There are a couple of bits of news to report: first up, Samsung mobile executive Choi Won-Joon has told Bloomberg (via SamMobile) that we could see more AI assistants on the Galaxy S26, in addition to Bixby and Google Gemini.

Apparently Samsung is interested in allowing chatbots such as Perplexity and ChatGPT to come preinstalled in the Galaxy S26 and future phones, though at this stage it seems no final decision has been taken about any integrations.

"We are talking to multiple vendors," says Choi. "As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there." Samsung might also be interested in investing in Perplexity, according to Bloomberg.

A major camera upgrade

BREAKING！Galaxy S26 Ultra :HP2+ large aperture ！will greatly increase the light input, improve the dim light quality, and improve all existing problems. The actual effect it brings will be the most obvious upgrade since Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.July 25, 2025

The second tidbit is less official and concerns the cameras on the Galaxy S26 Ultra model. According to well-known tipster @UniverseIce, the most expensive of the 2026 models is going to come with a significant camera quality boost.

Apparently the phone will get an improved version of the 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor fitted inside the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Crucially, the sensor will let more light in, which should mean better photos (especially in dark conditions).

The tipster goes on to say that this will be the most significant upgrade for the Ultra camera since the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra back in 2020, so we're looking forward to seeing how this camera actually performs in real world scenarios.

Leaks and rumors around the Galaxy S26 series are starting to mount up, and there has been talk that we could get a change in which models are offered. If Samsung sticks to its usual schedule, we'll see these handsets in January.

You might also like

• Samsung and Perplexity talks have previously been rumored
• How the Galaxy S26 Ultra could beat the iPhone 17 Pro Max
• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE configurations and colors have just leaked

Founded by George W. Bush, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief was taken out of the list of agencies that lost previously pledged funds. But its future is far from certain.

(Image credit: Ben de la Cruz/NPR)

Scientists are driving around in white Chevys, releasing thousands of specially engineered mosquitoes from tubes — part of a pioneering project to reduce the spread of dengue, a terrible disease.

(Image credit: Ian Cheibub for NPR)

Quersus ICOS.2: One-minute review

The Quersus ICOS.2 is a striking gaming chair with a few unique features that help it stand out even more in the homogeneous gaming chair space.

The slender frame and sharp angles certainly look different, but despite this, the ICOS.2 remains quite formal. True to the brand’s claim, it wouldn’t look out of place in an office.

Overall build quality is quite good. The velvet upholstery on my review unit was incredibly soft, eclipsing even the best gaming chair fabrics in terms of feel. The wheel base is a highlight, although some of the plastics in other areas are less impressive, and the arm rests are prone to wobbling.

There are a few unconventional features on the ICOS.2. For a start, there’s no head pillow, but rather an integrated, adjustable headrest. I personally found this very comfortable, but its lack of give and inability to lower it to neck-level might deter some users.

Another unique aspect of the ICOS.2 is the ability to slide the seat base back and forth – an adjustment usually absent from gaming chairs. Naturally, you can also adjust seat height, and the minimum setting is pleasingly low to the ground – but the maximum will likely prove disappointingly short for tall users.

There’s also no traditional recline function on the ICOS.2. What you get instead is a tilt function that allows the backrest to lean back to a large degree, with a generous amount of resistance adjustments. There’s also a dial to lock and unlock the tilt angle in position. In my view, this tilt function does a fine job of making up for the omission of a recline system.

Integrated lumbar support is featured in the ICOS.2, too, which can be adjusted for height and depth. The range for the latter is good, and the dial is very easy to use, even while seated. The height range is more limited, and you seem to sacrifice lumbar depth the lower down it goes, which isn’t ideal.

Overall comfort is good, with plenty of padding and space on both the seat and the backrest to remain comfortable for long periods.

Assembling the ICOS.2 was a straightforward process. It came in two boxes, both neatly packaged, and included a large handle with two magnetically attachable hex keys. I could attach the seat to the backrest while both laid on the floor, which made the process easier.

At over £600 (it's unfortunately only available in the UK and EU right now), the ICOS.2 is mighty expensive, eclipsing even the biggest names in the business. And despite its standout features, I don’t think it’s better value than the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, for instance, which is still the leading light in the gaming chair world.

(Image credit: Future)Quersus ICOS.2 review: Price and availability

• £649 (around $870 / AU$1340)
• Available in UK and EU only
• Expensive end of the market

The ICOS.2 costs £649 (around $870 / AU$1340) and is available now in the UK and EU, in one size only. Various colorways can be had if you opt for the fabric upholstery, but the faux leather finish is currently only available in black. You can also personalize the headrest for an additional £25. The chair comes with a five-year warranty, which is very competitive.

However, the ICOS.2 is on the more expensive end of the gaming chair spectrum, and considering the competition in this space, it's a big ask. It costs more than the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, which we think is the best gaming chair around, and I don’t think the ICOS.2 beats it on every front.

If you’re looking for a budget option, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is one of the best in this regard. It’s comfortable and well-designed, although some parts don’t exactly feel premium – but that’s to be expected at this price.

Quersus ICOS.2 review: Specs

Price

£649 (around $870 / AU$1340)

Dimensions

54.7 x 29.1 x 22.7in / 139 x 74 x 55cm

Max user weight

330lbs / 150kg

Min seat height

17.7in / 45cm

Seat width

20.9in / 53cm

Recline angle

140 degrees

Warranty

5 years

Material

Leatherette, fabric (velvet)

Quersus ICOS.2 review: Design and aesthetics

• Unique look and features
• Cheap in places
• Flimsy arms

The ICOS.2 sets itself apart from other gaming chairs with its streamlined figure. The seat and backrest are much thinner than you might expect, and the various sharp angles wouldn’t look out of place on a stealth jet.

At the same time, though, the ICOS.2 is also quite understated, especially in the monochromatic finishes. Quersus pitches this chair as being suitable for both gaming and working environments, and I think it’s struck this balance well in terms of design.

The velvet finish I had in my review unit felt super soft. It’s also water-repellent and seems fitted to a high standard. However, certain aspects of the ICOS.2 feel a little cheap by comparison. Many of the plastics don’t look or feel as expensive, and the sharp rim of the backrest frame where it meets the upholstery is an oversight.

Some of the adjustment levers are a little flimsy, although thankfully, this doesn’t affect their operation. The lateral wobble of armrests is a little more concerning, although this shouldn’t present a problem under normal usage. They feel more plush and forgiving than many other armrests, which is good since you’ll be in constant contact with them.

The wheel base also seems built to a high standard, with its metal construction feeling sturdy yet light, at least compared to others. I appreciated the rounded ends of the spokes, too, as these make it somewhat less painful if you stub your heels into them.

The casters complement the base well: their gloss finish and hollowed-out centers are nice touches, and they’re also conducive to smooth glides – although there’s more grip than you might expect on carpeted surfaces, which helps to keep the chair stable.

(Image credit: Future)Quersus ICOS.2 review: Comfort and Adjustability

• Seat base depth adjustments
• No recline, only tilt
• Shallow height adjustments

Despite the perceived lack of padding, the seat of the ICOS.2 provided me with enough cushioning to remain comfortable in it for extended periods. It’s also wide and there are no side bolsters, which means it should accommodate a variety of body shapes and seating styles with ease.

The backrest is just as soft and comfortable, and the bolsters here open out wide, so I didn’t feel hemmed in, and there was no danger of knocking them with elbows – a pet peeve of mine with gaming chairs.

One of the unique features of the ICOS.2 is its headrest. Rather than including a separate pillow, head support is integrated within the backrest and can be adjusted for height by sliding it up and down. There’s no lever or button to hold down while doing this, though, which means it requires a fair amount of force to make these adjustments.

Although it doesn’t protrude all that much compared to more traditional gaming chair head pillows, I still found it comfortable and supportive; in fact, I was thankful for the minimal protrusion, as I often find pillows too thick.

One of the drawbacks of this system, though, is the lack of versatility. With head pillows, you can place them lower down if you wish to give your neck more support. You can also remove them altogether if you find them uncomfortable. Neither of these options is available to you here.

What you think might be the recline lever on the left side is actually used to slide the seat forwards and backwards. This is rather unique in the world of gaming chairs, and a welcome addition for those who prize good seating ergonomics.

If you want to recline in the ICOS.2, then you’ll have to use its tilt function instead, unlocked via a dial on the left. The seat only tilts back slightly, whereas the backrest tilts all the way to 140 degrees.

You can then lock the backrest into your desired position with said left dial. In effect, then, this tilt function replaces the more traditional recline function of other gaming chairs, and it does a good job of doing so – although some rocking still remains after you’ve locked the tilt mechanism in your desired position, so it’s not the most robust of mechanisms.

On the right, you’ll find the dial for adjusting the resistance of the tilt. I found this stiff to turn and awkward to reach, owing to the lack of outward protrusion. However, it does at least provide a generous range of resistance levels.

(Image credit: Future)

The ICOS.2 also features integrated lumbar support, which can be adjusted for both height and protrusion, which I’m always thankful to see, since some systems only allow for depth alterations.

A single dial is used for both adjustments, which is located on the back right-hand side of the backrest. I found it easy enough to reach and use while seated, although I can imagine some may struggle.

The dial has an ergonomic shape that helps with twists, and the subtle rubberized finish makes it easy to grip. It turns much easier than the tilt resistance dial and other lumbar dials I’ve experienced. It feels more like loosening or tightening a screw, becoming less resistant the further inward the lumbar retracts.

The range of depth adjustments it offers is good, too. And unlike other integrated lumbar systems I’ve experienced, the one on the ICOS.2 doesn’t feel as sharp; it seems to offer more cushioning than is typical.

To adjust the height of the lumbar, you pull out the dial first before turning. As with the depth adjustments, these turns feel easy to make, although the range of positions is limited. Also, when the lumbar is at its lowest position, it feels as if the depth retracts somewhat, leading to a feeling of less support.

The seat of the ICOS.2 can go lower to the ground than many other gaming chairs I’ve tried, but it might not rise enough to meet the needs of taller folk. This is disappointing considering Quersus’ claim that the ICOS.2 has a universal fit, and suggests that a larger version won’t be coming.

The arms on the ICOS.2 can be adjusted across four dimensions. Their height range should be sufficient for most to get comfortable, but the width range is quite limited; personally, I would’ve liked them to be able to move inwards more.

There are no levers or buttons you have to hold when moving the arms inwards or outwards, back and forth, or when rotating their angle. This means adjusting them requires a fair amount of force, which causes rather loud clicks as various mechanisms ratchet through their notches. As a result, it feels quite clunky to make these adjustments.

One positive aspect of the arm rests, aside from their aforementioned padding, is that they can easily be removed and replaced with other designs, varying in their shape and material, which Quersus says it’s currently in the process of creating.

Quersus ICOS.2 review: Assembly

Assembling the ICOS.2 proved to be relatively easy. The unit came in two separate boxes that were very neatly packaged, and included is a large handle and two magnetically attached hex wrenches

I managed to build it solo without trouble. You can attach the seat base to the backrest while both are resting on the floor, which alleviates one of the most laborious aspects of putting together a gaming chair.

One of the hardest parts of the build was attaching the casters to the seat base, as I found the fit quite tight. But this is a minor grievance, all things considered. The chair isn’t too heavy, either, at least when compared to other gaming chairs.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Quersus ICOS.2?Buy it if...

You want an integrated headrest
I really liked the adjustable headrest, offering enough support and adjustability to get comfortable.

You want to adjust seat depth
Not many gaming chairs allow you to alter the seat depth, which ergonomists will tell you is an important aspect to consider.

Don't buy it if...

You want to save money
There’s no doubt that the ICOS.2 is expensive, even by gaming chair standards, and there are better value alternatives if you don’t need the niche features

You want a traditional recline
While the tilt function admirably makes up for the lack of a traditional recline, some might not like it.

Quersus ICOS.2: Also consider

If the ICOS.2 doesn't sound right for you, here are some alternatives to consider instead:

Quersus ICOS.2

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 (Regular)

Corsair TC100 Relaxed

Price

£649 (about $870 / AU$1340)

$549 / £469 / AU$799

$199 / £199 / AU$399

Dimensions

54.7 x 29.1 x 22.7in / 139 x 74 x 55cm

51.2 x 27.6 x 19.3in / 130 x 70 x 49cm

53.5 x 23.4 x 19.7 in / 136 x 59 x 50cm

Max user weight

330lbs / 150kg

285lbs / 130kg

264lbs / 120kg

Min seat height

17.7in / 45cm

17.7in / 45cm

17.7 inches / 45cm

Seat width

20.9in / 53cm

18.5in / 47cm

21.2in / 54cm (incl. bolsters), 14.2in / 36cm (excl. bolsters)

Recline angle

140 degrees

165 degrees

160 degrees

Warranty

5 years

3 years

2 years

Material

Leatherette, fabric (velvet)

Leatherette, fabric

Leatherette, fabric

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
Still the undisputed king of the gaming chair world, the Titan Evo 2022 does it all: it has the looks, build quality, and comfort levels to satisfy any gamer. It isn’t cheap, and certain editions carry astronomical price tags, but no gaming chair has yet been able to topple the Titan Evo 2022 from its perch.

Read our full Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review

Corsair TC100 Relaxed
If you want to spend considerably less on a gaming chair, the TC100 Relaxed is one of the best in the budget category. Its build quality might not be up to the standards of its peers, but for the money it’s an admirable chair that offers sufficient levels of comfort to enjoy gaming for long periods.

Read our full Corsair TC100 Relaxed review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Quersus ICOS.2

• Tested for two days
• Tried all available adjustments
• Extensive gaming chair experience

I tested the ICOS.2 for a few days. I made sure to make all of its available adjustments, and tried various seating positions and styles to comprehensively assess its performance across different scenarios.

I have been gaming for decades, and during that time, I’ve used a number of gaming and office chairs, ranging from budget affairs to premium offerings. I have also reviewed a number of gaming chairs, too, ranging in their designs and price points.

• First reviewed: July 2025
• Read more about how we test

Magdalena Frech on day 4 of the Mubadala Citi DC Open. Williams, 45, said she's been on COBRA health insurance.'/>

In the U.S., as nowhere else, health insurance and employment are deeply connected. And that means confusion can snare even elite athletes.

(Image credit: Scott Taetsch)

The independence-leaning ruling Democratic Progressive Party won the last presidential election, but the China-friendly Nationalists and the Taiwan People's Party have enough seats to form a majority bloc.

(Image credit: ChiangYing-ying/AP)

• Sam Altman says OpenAI will soon pass 1 million GPUs and aim for 100 million more
• Running 100 million GPUs could cost $3 trillion and break global power infrastructure limits
• OpenAI’s expansion into Oracle and TPU shows growing impatience with current cloud limits

OpenAI says it is on track to operate over one million GPUs by the end of 2025, a figure that already places it far ahead of rivals in terms of compute resources.

Yet for company CEO Sam Altman, that milestone is merely a beginning, “We will cross well over 1 million GPUs brought online by the end of this year,” he said.

The comment, delivered with apparent levity, has nonetheless sparked serious discussion about the feasibility of deploying 100 million GPUs in the foreseeable future.

A vision far beyond current scale

To put this figure in perspective, Elon Musk’s xAI runs Grok 4 on approximately 200,000 GPUs, which means OpenAI’s planned million-unit scale is already five times that number.

Scaling this to 100 million, however, would involve astronomical costs, estimated at around $3 trillion, and pose major challenges in manufacturing, power consumption, and physical deployment.

“Very proud of the team but now they better get to work figuring out how to 100x that lol,” Altman wrote.

While Microsoft’s Azure remains OpenAI’s primary cloud platform, it has also partnered with Oracle and is reportedly exploring Google’s TPU accelerators.

This diversification reflects an industry-wide trend, with Meta, Amazon, and Google also moving toward in-house chips and greater reliance on high-bandwidth memory.

SK Hynix is one of the companies likely to benefit from this expansion - as GPU demand rises, so does demand for HBM, a key component in AI training.

According to a data center industry insider, “In some cases, the specifications of GPUs and HBMs...are determined by customers (like OpenAI)...configured according to customer requests.”

SK Hynix’s performance has already seen strong growth, with forecasts suggesting a record-breaking operating profit in Q2 2025.

OpenAI’s collaboration with SK Group appears to be deepening. Chairman Chey Tae-won and CEO Kwak No-jung met with Altman recently, reportedly to strengthen their position in the AI infrastructure supply chain.

The relationship builds on past events such as SK Telecom’s AI competition with ChatGPT and participation in the MIT GenAI Impact Consortium.

That said, OpenAI’s rapid expansion has raised concerns about financial sustainability, with reports that SoftBank may be reconsidering its investment.

If OpenAI’s 100 million GPU goal materializes, it will require not just capital but major breakthroughs in compute efficiency, manufacturing capacity, and global energy infrastructure.

For now, the goal seems aspirational, an audacious signal of intent rather than a practical roadmap.

Via TomsHardware

You might also like

• These are the best AMD graphics cards you can buy now
• Take a look at the best mini PCs we've rounded up
• Your Gmail inbox could soon be filled with adverts as Google tests new shoppable ad formats

I've found the best picks for security cameras that work well with the Apple Home app, Siri and HomeKit.

John Michael Osbourne, a poor student from Birmingham, UK, exceeded expectations and helped invent heavy metal. A moment to remember the singular Ozzy Osbourne, who died this week at the age of 76.

(Image credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Arne Slot's Premier League Champions kick off their tour of Hong Kong and Japan with friendly clash against Italian giants.

I tested the best action cameras on the market so you can choose the right one to take epic photos and videos on any adventure.

The Asus ROG Pelta is a pair of fantastic gaming headphones at a great price.

Ever wondered what your ISP is doing behind the scenes before, after and during a big storm?

• BMW says it has no plans to integrate CarPlay Ultra in future cars
• Manufacturers are increasingly turning to in-house infotainment
• Aston Martin is currently the only brand offering Apple's tech

Apple CarPlay launched to much fanfare in late May, adorning the myriad screens in the stunning Aston Martin DBX 707 model.

But just weeks after its unveiling to the world, a number of big name automotive manufacturers – who were once slated to work with the tech – have started backing out. This time, it's BMW.

Recently, one Renault employee was even quoted as saying “don’t invade our systems” by the Financial Times when quizzed about future partnerships with the tech giant.

Now, a BMW AG spokesperson has stated that the company currently has “no plans to integrate Apple CarPlay Ultra”, according to a post from the independent BMW Blog spotted by 9to5Mac.

Instead, the German automotive powerhouse is backing its own reinvention of the popular iDrive system, which was first debuted at CES late last year.

The system – that will first be seen on the upcoming Neue Klasse iX – includes new haptic controls and a full-width display that spans the entire width of the windscreen. Handing this new and innovative digital real estate over to Apple feels counter intuitive.

As a result, the German automaker will still support traditional CarPlay and Android Auto, but its use will be limited to the main infotainment screen.

Analysis: CarPlay Ultra is a step too far

(Image credit: Aston Martin / Apple)

My early hands-on experience with Apple CarPlay Ultra proved that the system fixed many of the irritating issues that arose from traditional CarPlay use.

Chiefly, the ability to adjust important car settings or enjoy some DAB or satellite radio without leaving the CarPlay environment is a boon.

However, when activated in the beautiful surrounds of an Aston Martin, the system felt overly invasive and the fully digital, very Apple-y cockpit lost some of its unique charm.

This is the overriding issue facing many manufacturers, as most feel that allowing Apple to take control of the entire infotainment experience not only stifles brand differentiation but also sees Apple potentially handling reams of valuable data.

Instead, Porsche remains the only manufacturer I can think of that has worked with Apple’s Automotive Developer Toolkit to produce a sort of halfway house.

Plug an iPhone into a new Macan, Taycan or Panamera and you’ll still be able to adjust the temperature of the air con and fiddle with car settings, without leaving the CarPlay environment or giving up the unique Porsche digital driver’s display.

To me, it feels like Apple needs to pursue this avenue and improve the standard CarPlay experience, which should happen with iOS 26.

Otherwise future cars risk feeling homogenous both on the outside and the interior.

You might also like

• I’ve tried Apple CarPlay Ultra – it fixes everything that’s irritating about CarPlay, but there’s a catch
• Apple quietly reveals CarPlay's big video upgrade in iOS 26, but there's a catch
• Apple CarPlay just got 4 big free upgrades with iOS 26 – here's what you need to know

Another deadly overnight raid in central Nigeria left more than 100 villagers dead and hundreds displaced. Survivors in Benue State say it's part of a brutal campaign to drive Christian farming communities from their land. NPR reports from Yelwata, where residents are still counting the dead.

(Image credit: Marvellous Durowaiye)