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• Foundation season 3 will feature a Cleonic trio who are more familial than past groups
• This season's iterations of Dawn, Day, and Dusk respect and love each other
• The triumvirate will still fall out over what to do amid the Empire's diminishing influence on the galaxy

Foundation season 3 will show you a side of the Empire's three rulers that you haven't seen before.

That's the verdict of Lee Pace, Cassian Bilton, and Terrance Mann, who portray the aforementioned trio, i.e. Brother Day, Brother Dawn, and Brother Dusk, in Apple's space opera.

In Foundation's first two seasons, the three characters, who are all clones of the Imperium's first autocrat Cleon I, never saw eye-to-eye. Indeed, despite the fact they jointly lauded it over vast swathes of the galaxy, each clone was as self-serving as their fellow rulers were.

The Apple TV+ show's third installment, though, will depict a wildly different perspective on the weird granddad-father-son yet brotherly dynamic (hey, I did say it was weird!) that exists between this season's Cleonic trio. With each clone's genetic makeup becoming more unique with every generation that passes – read more about that in my Foundation season 1 episode 9 recap – there's a tenderness to their familial bond that wasn't there in prior seasons.

Dawn (left), Day (center), and Dusk (right) have got a lot to think about in season 3 (Image credit: Apple TV+)

"It's entirely universal in that you have a shorthand with your family," Bilton told me of the trio's collective dynamic. "They understand you in a way that you're not otherwise understood.

"With the Cleons, they're going through something no one else understands. Maybe Demerzel [played by Laura Birn] understands it in a way that she sees it from a distance, but she's not going through the experience of being a clone. So, I think they have a deep love, more so than before, for each other.

"There's this gorgeous scene that we shot where the three of us sit together for the first time in season 3," Bilton continued. "I won't say why, but we convene to have a drink and a laugh. When it comes to the ease of that, we're very lucky as cast members that we get on so well off-camera. We just do it on camera this time."

The Cleonic trio's major domo Demerzel will continue attempting to maintain the peace between them (Image credit: Apple TV+)

"There's a rare sense of humanity," Mann added. "We're emperors but we're also clones, so we're constantly trying to grab and hold onto what we believe to be human to try and make us feel important [to someone] and more alive than just existing as the kings of this faltering empire."

That's not to say that Dawn, Day, and Dusk won't butt heads throughout one of the best Apple TV+ shows' third installment. Whether it's Brother Day's The Big Lebowski-inspired indifference to actually ruling the galaxy or another issue, this season's Cleons are still prone to making decisions for selfish means, even if it's to the detriment of their fellow clones.

"As different as they are persona-wise, they're still the same, which is the key to understanding them," Pace mused. "They don't have the intelligence of Hari Seldon or Gaal Dornick. They don't possess the cerebral capacity of Demerzel. What they have is a gut instinct that tells them 'this is how we or I survive', so they're very wily in that regard."

How do you think the Cleons' individual and collective stories will play out this season? Let me know in the comments. Ahead of its July 11 debut on one of the world's best streaming services, see what I thought of its first five episodes by reading my Foundation season 3 review, too.

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• 'We're the last to find out': Foundation stars don't know if it'll return for season 4

The way we work has changed. But despite flexible working now being offered by the majority of UK employers, many businesses are burdened by fragmented tools. Employees are forced to juggle multiple apps and platforms to manage calls, messages, and meetings. This inefficiency stalls productivity and results in poor user experience, leaving 75% of businesses actively seeking to reduce the number of applications they use.

In today's fast-paced, hybrid work environment, businesses need collaboration tools that are secure, scalable, and able to work across any device and location. Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is about making this a reality. Consolidating voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools into a single, cloud-driven platform, it streamlines operations and creates a more efficient workflow. It has become a driver of the digital workforce, and the market is set to reach over 131 million global users by 2028, according to Cavell.

Mobility at the heart

Mobility is rapidly shaping the future of communications Today, 57% of workers say smartphones are essential to their jobs and 71% of Microsoft Teams users rely on mobile apps – with over 17 million users depending on the platform’s ‘phone’ feature every month.

In short, mobile integration is no longer a ‘nice to have’. For organizations looking to remain competitive and connected, UCaaS solutions that prioritize mobility are key. These platforms enable users to switch effortlessly between devices, whether they are at a desktop in the office or working remotely.

This is especially vital for industries with mobile workforces - such as healthcare, logistics, or retail - where seamless switching between mobile and desktop isn’t just convenient, it’s critical. Whether it’s a nurse updating electronic health records on the go or a delivery driver needing quick access to customer details, teams need to stay connected and productive, wherever their work takes them.

UCaaS success isn’t just about the software- it’s about the network. A strong, secure, and resilient connectivity foundation is essential. Whether it’s for high-quality voice calls or real-time messaging, everything depends on reliable infrastructure. Businesses need to partner with UCaaS providers who can deliver the robust network support required to enable a mobile, cloud-first workforce.

Keeping it simple

In the age of flexible working, it’s more important than ever that people have access to a simple and accessible communications platform. One which doesn’t require arduous dial-in processes and tenuous connections between multiple parties, or which only supports voice calling – so when you want to send an instant message, you’re back to square one.

UCaaS allows businesses to break down silos between teams and locations. Whether working on a presentation or responding to a customer query, it ensures all communications are accessible from one centralized platform. Being cloud-based means cloud documents are accessible across locations too. Employees with the right expertise can be involved at the right time, overcoming the challenges of disjointed communication channels.

While adopting a new IT or communications system can feel daunting for business leaders, UCaaS is much simpler. Many shy away from new systems because of the perceived complexity involved, but it is often designed with the user in mind, avoiding the friction that comes with traditional communication platforms.

For IT teams, ease of deployment and maintenance is just as important. With digital communication solutions, updates are often handled centrally in the cloud, reducing the need for costly on-site support or downtime. Employees don’t need hours of training to get up to speed either - most platforms mirror the simplicity of consumer apps, allowing teams to focus on their work, not the tools. This simplicity also shortens the time to value for organizations, helping them realize ROI faster and with fewer barriers. At a time when digital transformation fatigue is real, this simplicity can make all the difference.

Work smarter, not harder

Beyond video calls and file sharing, there are advanced features that bring big business benefits. Fraud prevention tools significantly improve security and customer interactions. AI-driven call analytics provide insights that allow businesses to improve decision-making, and capabilities like streamlined call management unlock seamless customer experience for businesses, too.

For example, call queues and interactive voice response services direct inbound calls efficiently, in turn reducing wait times and ensuring no customer inquiry goes unanswered. This efficiency can have a direct impact on a company’s bottom line. Customers who experience quick, responsive service are more likely to return – and to spend more. It’s a win-win.

Amidst rising economic pressures and the analogue switch-off, businesses need to increase their margins. UCaaS enables this by streamlining operations, cutting complexity, eliminating the need for redundant lines and multiple devices, and importantly, reducing costs.

As organizations race through periods of transition, seamless, integrated communication enables them to thrive. Ultimately, time is a business leader’s most valuable asset. The ability to adapt quickly, innovate continuously, and communicate seamlessly offers a competitive advantage – one that UCaaS provides.

We list the best business phone systems.

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 State Department is warning U.S. diplomats of attempts to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and possibly other officials using technology driven by artificial intelligence.

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Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 9.

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The search for missing people in central Texas continues. Volunteers from the United Cajun Navy have traveled from the state of Louisiana to help.

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Our live coverage kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET just ahead of Samsung Unpacked.

Why clean your pool yourself when you can have a robot do it?

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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, July 8 (game #492).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Party time!

NYT Strands today (game #493) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• FINAL
• SONNET
• CLOSE 
• POET
• TOOL
• BURNT

NYT Strands today (game #493) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #493) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 6th column

Last side: bottom, 1st column

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

NYT Strands today (game #493) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #493, are…

• BALLOON
• BUNTING
• PENNANT
• CONFETTI
• STREAMER
• SPANGRAM: DECORATIONS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

Like many families, mine has a box in a cupboard filled with DECORATIONS that only see the light of day a few times a year, including BUNTING and banners.

It’s odd how a birthday doesn’t feel like a birthday if we don’t put these out the night before the special day, regardless of whether anyone is having a party or not – if they are, then the BALLOONs come out, too.

Unlike Christmas with its 12th night deadline, there is no official time when you must take down birthday cards and decorations. For some families it may be the day after, others may leave them up to keep the spirit alive.

I think this may be why in our house people have birthdays but there’s also a loose agreement that they have a birthday week too. It’s a lovely thing, why not let it last a bit?

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, July 8, game #492)

• TIME
• CHANGE
• KEYS
• MOMENT
• BEDROOM
• HANDS
• PARTS
• TIRES
• SPANGRAM: SPARES

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 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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, July 8 (game #1261).

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 #1262) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* 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 #1262) - 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 #1262) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #1262) - 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 3.

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 #1262) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• P

• P

• G

• O

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

Quordle today (game #1262) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1262, are…

• SHIRE
• SIXTH
• SINGE
• IMAGE

Having a starter word that begins S-I was hugely beneficial today as it meant that two words were already on their way: SIXTH and SINGE. 

The in the wrong place H and T convinced me that the word had to end TH and after getting that far there really was just one option. X marks the spot.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1262) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1262, are…

• DRAPE
• DIMLY
• DINGY
• NAVAL

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1261, Tuesday, 8 July: PLIED, PRANK, GAWKY, OXIDE
• Quordle #1260, Monday, 7 July: DROLL, TRUCE, TWIRL, SINCE
• Quordle #1259, Sunday, 6 July: AMPLY, SPAWN, EXTOL, RIDGE
• Quordle #1258, Saturday, 5 July: HAVEN, SNAKE, DREAM, TORUS
• Quordle #1257, Friday, 4 July: FAVOR, SKUNK, GAWKY, FLUFF
• Quordle #1256, Thursday, 3 July: DANCE, EYING, GLAZE, EGRET
• Quordle #1255, Wednesday, 2 July: INANE, SCOUR, ELITE, ULCER
• Quordle #1254, Tuesday, 1 July: REBAR, YEARN, FORTH, CROWD
• Quordle #1253, Monday, 30 June: INGOT, INFER, TAPIR, CLUED
• Quordle #1252, Sunday, 29 June: MIRTH, APTLY, SCRUB, SMACK
• Quordle #1251, Saturday, 28 June: AWOKE, SMOKY, DEVIL, SWING
• Quordle #1250, Friday, 27 June: SPEAK, EAGLE, AVERT, SUING
• Quordle #1249, Thursday, 26 June: SLUMP, REBUS, GUAVA, MONEY
• Quordle #1248, Wednesday, 25 June: SOGGY, CLASH, MODEM, SQUAD
• Quordle #1247, Tuesday, 24 June: QUALM, SQUIB, AXIAL, FLACK
• Quordle #1246, Monday, 23 June: PIXEL, FJORD, STEAL, EXIST
• Quordle #1245, Sunday, 22 June: WREST, CRAZE, PAPAL, SCION
• Quordle #1244, Saturday, 21 June: BUDDY, GROUT, BEGIN, MADAM
• Quordle #1243, Friday, 20 June: BRAID, DULLY, HASTE, LURID

The Marshall Major V quickly have become my go-to headphones for all situations, and they're a steal for Prime Day at only $100.

The versatile Chefman Everything Maker can make grilled cheese, pizza, pancakes and more, and it's marked down to $45.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was appointed to the court by President Biden, dissented.

(Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images and Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 9, No. 289.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for July 9, No. 1,481.

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for July 9, No. 759.

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for July 9, No. 493.

Commentary: Don't put baby in the Squid Game.