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Lasers engravers offer you a new way to let your maker flag fly. Some can even make you money. Brands like xTool and Glowforge are leading us to a brighter, more creative future.

The 88-year-old pontiff is responding well to the treatment for double pneumonia and has shown a "gradual, slight improvement" in recent days, the Vatican said Saturday.

(Image credit: Andrew Medichini)

Over the past five years, Washington, D.C.'s iconic Black Lives Matter street painting has served as a powerful symbol of activism and a gathering place for joy and resistance.

(Image credit: Kevin Dietsch)

• IBM's FlashSystem C200 aims to replace HDDs with high-capacity flash storage
• It delivers 1.1PB raw capacity, 2.3PB effective, with 200,000 IOPS performance
• This flash option is optimized for archives, backups, and sequential workloads

Pure Storage has been predicting the end of spinning disks for some time, and now IBM is looking to accelerate this shift with the launch of the FlashSystem C200, a high-capacity flash-based storage system designed to replace traditional HDDs in enterprises while offering high density, endurance, and lower operational costs.

IBM positions the C200 as a lower-cost flash alternative ("Use it like TLC, pay for it like QLC," IBM boasts) for archive storage, backup repositories, and workloads that can tolerate higher latency.

The system integrates with IBM’s Storage Virtualize, allowing it to join a FlashSystem grid for non-disruptive migrations.

The writing is on the wall

Blocks & Files says, “The C200 uses IBM’s proprietary FlashCore Modules (FCMs) with a Gen 4 version providing 46TB raw capacity using a pseudo-SLC frontend to the QLC NAND. It has 32 Xeon cores and a 256GB cache providing 1-2ms latency, up to 200,000 IOPS, and 23GBps throughput. There is a fixed 24-slot configuration with 1.1PB raw capacity in a 2RU chassis. Because the system has always-on hardware-assisted compression, IBM says it has 2.3PB of effective capacity.”

Alongside FlashSystem grid scaling and a full suite of enterprise software functions, the C200 features eight onboard 10GbE ports and optional configurations of 16x 32Gb FC/NVMe-FC or 8x 25/10GbE NVMe-TCP ports. IBM says it delivers 10 times better performance than traditional HDD or hybrid solutions, making it optimized for sequential workloads.

"The writing really is on the wall for the last of the spinning rust…" IBM blogger Barry Whyte writes. "Over the next few years we will see the price point for Flash get closer and closer, and eventually even reduce lower than NL-SAS. With 300, 500 and even 1PB Flash drives being teased in the industry, it's almost impossible for even the most advanced magnetic platter technologies to keep up."

FlashSystem C200 has an indicative end-user price of $381,000, which Blocks & Files calls “respectable,” and it will be generally available worldwide on March 21.

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• And these are the largest HDDs and SSDs on the market at the moment
• Flash memory breakthrough could help supercharge NAND production for SSDs

• Disney is bringing its BDX Droids to more parks around the world
• Smugglers Run will get its Mandalorian themed overlay in 2026
• Fantastic 4 characters will make their Disneyland debut this summer

Disney Imagineering has made a lot of wonderful stuff, but the BDX droids – aka the trio of, at times, fast-moving, animated, and beeping droids – punch above the rest as the most adorable and fun. They’ve been staples at Disneyland’s Galaxy Edge – Galaxy’s Edge West for those in the know – and will soon be approved for intergalactic missions.

Announced at SXSW 2025 during the Disney Experiences’ “The Future of World-Building at Disney” panel, the BDX Droids are coming to other Disney Parks around the globe. Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Disneyland Paris will all get an extra dose of Star Wars fun courtesy of the BDX Droids.

I’m thrilled to see Disney World included there – specifically Hollywood Studios, as that’s where Galaxy’s Edge is located. I'm from New Jersey, and I’ve never been to Disneyland. Still, this will give countless folks in Florida, Tokyo, and Paris a chance to see the fun-loving droids in person.

When the BDX Droids first premiered at Disneyland, a Droid trainer introduced them as being built from other parts and that they were explorer droids. With the ability to take image scans, bob their heads, and even perform a little dance, they're simply adorable and much less dystopian than other robots we’ve seen.

Four actuators in the head and neck and five in each leg allow the robot to move and balance on one foot. Disney Imagineering also includes several computers, a swappable battery, LED displays behind the eyes, speakers, a flashlight, and antennas, among other tech.

Further, Disney Imagineering’s BDX Droids will also be featured in the forthcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu film, which hits theaters on May 22, 2026. You can see photos of them on the set of the film above, and in the gallery below.

We’ll have to see if they’re friends or foes to Grogu and the main character. Time will tell, but we have a long way to go.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney) One of Disneyland’ and Disney World’s best rides is about to look different Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Disney)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Disney)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Disney)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

While Rise of the Resistance at Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Disney World is likely the current showstopper attraction, Disney’s giving Smugglers Run, the original opening attraction for the land, a much-anticipated update.

Originally announced back at the 2024 D23 Expo alongside countless other Disney Parks announcements, including a Villains Land for Magic Kingdom and an expansion of Avengers Campus at Disneyland, we know when Smugglers Run will get a new overlay. Currently, you're either a pilot, gunner, or engineer aboard the Millennium Falcon – one of the fastest ships in the galaxy – and can take part in a smuggling mission with appearances by Hondo Ohnaka and Chewbacca.

The ride will be getting a new spin and an entirely new theme, though. Arriving on May 22, 2026, Smugglers Run will have a Mandalorian and Grogu theme. Exactly what that entails is to be confirmed, but Disney announced on stage that the mission will bring you, Mando, and Grogu to iconic locations in the Star Wars universe like Cloud City, Tatooine, and Endor. It’ll be an exciting upgrade and likely breathe new life into the attraction.

To get some ideas, you can stream The Mandalorian on one of the best streaming services around, Disney Plus.

And if you're at the park, you can join the Bounty Hunters Guild with your iOS or Android phone.

Fantastic Four’ Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and Thing will arrive in Disneyland

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

While the first half of the panel was focused on Star Wars, there is some good news for Marvel fans. We’re all counting down the days until The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters on July 25, 2025.

And if you’ve had meeting one of the Fantastics on your wishlist for some time, you’ll be able to do just that at Disneyland. Arriving in the Tomorrowland section of the park in the summer of 2025 (late May to early September), you’ll find new experiences and be able to meet the main characters – Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and Thing.

There will also be another robot, H.E.R.B.I.E, making its life-like debut during these experiences. The main characters will arrive first, while H.E.R.B.I.E is still being worked on with Marvel and Disney Imagineering.

(Image credit: Disney)

Additionally, Robert Downey Jr. appeared alongside Kevin Fiege to discuss the two new attractions arriving at the Avengers Campus at Disneyland. We already know Robert Downey Jr. was reprising his role as Tony Stark for a new Flight Lab attraction; now we know you'll sit in a special pod that gets attached to a robotic arm that will make 'several high-speed maneuvers' in the style of Avengers heroes.

You can see a full replay of The Future of World-Building at Disney” panel below, with commentary from Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman. Plus, you can see what else Disney Imagineering has been up to with our deep dive into the Haunted Mansion Parlor aboard the Disney Treasure.

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• One of iPhone’s best features is finally going to Disney World and Disneyland

House Republicans released the text of a continuing resolution that would fund the government through Sept. 30. Now, passing it in a narrowly divided chamber is the next hurdle.

(Image credit: Zayrha Rodriguez)

There are plenty of home internet options in Rhode Island, including speedy fiber plans. Here are our expert picks for the state's best ISPs.

The end of the Gemstone saga is finally at hand.

Outside of the invention of penicillin, noise-cancelling cans might be humanity’s greatest creation. I’m not just making that obviously wild statement as an audiophile. Oh no, I’m spouting those controversial words as someone who has suffered from severe insomnia for many moons.

A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to go on my ultimate dream vacation. Make no mistake: this was bucket list territory of the highest order. As a lifelong Jurassic Park fan, my best friend was gracious enough to join me on a trip to Honolulu in Hawaii.

In case you don't speak fluent 'Spielberg Dinosaur 101', Honolulu is the Hawaiian island where several key scenes from the dino masterpiece were filmed – the gorgeous Kualoa Ranch, to be exact. Such is the pull of the all-time great 1993 masterpiece, 22 years on, the stunning tourist-luring spot still runs several JP themed tours a day.

So what does my favourite film of all time have to do with my AirPods Max and an incredible holiday I’d been dreaming up since I was eight years-old? That would be Apple’s first class noise-cancellation features. With a press of their highly effective Noise Control button, you could silence even the mighty roar of Jurassic Park’s T-Rex.

Not that I was overly concerned with the greatest (very much extinct) predator that has ever walked the Earth disturbing my sleep while staying in Waikiki with my bestie in early 2023. At full blast, the roar of the Tyrant Lizard King could probably shift this planet’s tectonic plates. Yet even the dino to end all dinos can’t hold a prehistoric candle to the constant hum of a mobile food van’s energy generator when you’re trying to nod off. But I’ll get to that.

To the Max

(Image credit: Future)

This is where my Apple AirPods Max’s $399 / $399 credit card-crippling price tag justify that significant outlay. They saved my sleep on this incredible holiday.

Sure, we all know effective noise-cancelling features can put a set of the best over-ear headphones into an elite bracket. Yet without trying to sound hyperbolic, my AirPods Max’s headline noise-kiboshing features put them up there with some of the finest tech purchases to have dented my bank balance.

Recently, and far from the picturesque mountain ranges of Honolulu, I rediscovered the power of Apple’s noise-slaying tech. It is quite simply the best in class din-dampening wizardry. This is a tale about trying to work at a kitchen table beside an adorable doggo, whose snores could perforate your eardrums. Again, that’s another tale I’ll get to in a bit.

It’s no secret that in a busy office, background noise (constant chatter, someone dropping a big jug of milk behind you, the low-level thrum of the printer/scanner/microwave/AC unit above your head, the gurgle of the water cooler as another colleague takes a glass) can severely dampen your productivity. It's hardly a spoiler akin to discovering Darth Vader is Luke’s perpetually wheezing papa. Yet when it comes to craving peaceful moments on vacation, the AirPods Max’s noise-nixing features are nothing short of transformative.

When I had the privilege of staying in Kauai for a few days – one of the smaller Hawaiian islands that Jurassic Park was primarily filmed on – noise-cancelling saved my sleep. And the last lingering remains of my sanity. Despite being the primary filming location of what I’d argue is the greatest, most influential blockbuster of all time, Kauai also has one, far more annoying credit to its name… roosters that won’t stop crowing their guts out.

Cock-a-doodle-boo

(Image credit: Future)

The beautiful island is absolutely covered with them. And you know what? They really enjoy screaming for hours on end during the dead of night. As someone who suffers from crippling arachnophobia, it’s the audio equivalent of sharing your bed with a dozen tarantulas… all of which are into hardcore metal bangers.

Thankfully, my AirPods Max and their noise-kiboshing features helped to slay the rooster racket. I'm a poor sleeper generally, so I’ve never been more appreciative of a piece of technology, even if wearing Apple’s chunky cans in bed is pretty uncomfortable for a side sleeper like myself (although I'm told you can buy ANC sleep earbuds, too).

The best noise cancelling headphones can bring your lobes much welcome peace during what should be the most relaxing days of your life. You know what didn’t bring out my inner audio zen? Staying in an oh so cheap and cheerful two star ‘hotel’ in downtown Waikiki, one that just so happened to be situated above that aforementioned mobile food truck and the world’s noisiest generator. This is where noise-cancelling features really came into their own again.

While holidaying in Hawaii, my friend slept like a vampire… a vamp who’s been heavily sedated before taking that trip to the Land of Nod. I, on the other hand, could barely catch 40 winks during a tornado. Throw in relentless generators, cheeky chickens and the fact the residents of downtown Waikiki never seem to go to bed, and you’re left with an incredibly effective recipe for a terrible night’s sleep. My ears – nay, my very sanity! – owe my AirPods Max a lot.

Circling back to work issues, it’s hardly an eye-rubbing shocker that headphones able to nullify loud sounds can be tremendously effective when it comes to getting work done with minimal distraction. That brings me back to my recent issues with constant ear-pummelling pooch snoring.

A dog's din(ner)

Forget any of the toothy residents of John Hammond’s doomed theme park; I’ve been staying at my cousin’s house recently and the noise his French bulldog makes would drown out the wails of that poor cow as it's being crunched by Jurassic Park’s ruthless raptors.

Yes, Spielberg’s T-Rex could perforate your eardrums with a mild cough in certain movie theaters. But my cousin’s ageing Frenchie could easily ruin both your sleep and productivity from half a house away, due to its adorable squished nose and the resulting room-reverberating racket of her snores.

And hoo-boy, does that dog enjoy its sleep – just try writing a tech feature within 30 ft of that lovely little hound. Without my AirPods Max, I would never have gotten a single word written over the past few weeks. You’d think I was some sort of weird Frenchie whisperer, the way Pixie decides to plonk herself down for an epic nap the second she seemingly hears my digits tapping away on one of the best gaming laptops.

It’s no surprise that the finest headphones or best noise-cancelling earbuds can significantly improve your sleep and ability to work in peace. Whether dealing with a Hawaiian cockerel or a pooch who loves noisy napping more than I love oxygen, subduing ambient noise through headphone tech can genuinely have an uplifting effect on your general mood.

And when it comes to trying to catch some kip on a dream vacation, nullifying noise is an absolute soul-lifting game-changer. And my set of Max cans didn’t just save my trip to Hawaii – they were also lifesavers in both New York’s Times Square and Tokyo. Now those are two cities that really have a creative interpretation of what constitutes sleep.

When it comes to the AirPods Max’s best in class noise-cancelling, Apple is top of the tree in my book. Those premium cans have improved the three best holidays of my 39 years on the spinning rock, and for that, my eardrums will be forever thankful to them.

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• Alibaba's DAMO Academy has launched its first server-grade RISC-V processor
• The C930 is designed for high-performance computing, rivaling Intel and AMD's offerings
• RISC-V's open-source design avoids licensing fees and geopolitical restrictions

Alibaba has launched its first server-grade RISC-V processor, the C930, designed for high-performance computing and positioned as an alternative to Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC CPUs.

The new chip, developed by Alibaba’s research arm DAMO Academy (short for Discovery, Adventure, Momentum and Outlook), was announced at a conference in Beijing and is the latest addition to Alibaba’s XuanTie RISC-V processor series, which includes the C910 launched in 2019 and the C920 released in 2023.

In response to the ever-tightening US trade restrictions on advanced technology exports, Chinese firms such as Alibaba’s DAMO Academy, Huawei, and Tencent have been ramping up efforts to develop their own chips to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. RISC-V in particular is gaining traction in China due to its open source nature, which allows companies to design and customize processors without the licensing fees or geopolitical risks associated with proprietary architectures like x86 and Arm. The Chinese Academy of Sciences is set to introduce its own RISC-V-based XiangShan CPU this year.

An aggressive investment

At the Beijing conference, DAMO Academy also outlined future plans for the XuanTie processor series, which includes the development of new chips for use in AI accelerators, automotive computing, and high-speed interconnection.

A report from the South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba, states, “The launch of the new chips came days after the tech giant announced an aggressive investment plan of at least 380 billion yuan (US$52 billion) in AI and cloud infrastructure over the next three years. The company, which is China’s largest cloud provider, aims to meet surging demand for AI models fuelled by the recent popularity of the high-performance, low-cost models developed by Hangzhou-based start-up DeepSeek.”

The reports adds the planned outlay exceeds Alibaba’s total spending on AI infrastructure over the past decade and will lead to the construction of more data centers across China.

The new C930 server processor is expected to begin shipping to clients later in March 2025.

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Thailand's recent deportations of Uyghurs to China have eerie parallels with a large deportation in 2015, in which the country bowed to Beijing, writes historian Jeffrey Wasserstrom.

(Image credit: Chanakarn Laosarakham)

• Dummy units of three iPhone 17 models have appeared
• A hands-on video shows off the new designs
• We also have predicted thicknesses for each of the handsets

If Apple sticks to its usual schedule this year, then we're just six months away from the launch of the Apple iPhone 17, and a new hands-on video leak shows off dummy units for the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Air, and the iPhone 17 Pro.

Posted by iDeviceHelp (via @MajinBuOfficial), the video gives us a good look at the designs of the three handsets. These dummy units have apparently been created based on "internal documents" covering the designs and dimensions of the phones.

We can see the rather dramatic redesign that the iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to be getting this year, with a full camera bar across the top of the rear casing. It's an updated look that we've now seen in multiple leaks.

The iPhone 17 Air – apparently replacing the iPhone 16 Plus this year – is getting a similar camera bump on the back, but it'll be smaller. The iPhone 17, meanwhile, is sticking with a more traditional design that's not too far off from the iPhone 16.

Different dimensions

This leaked hands-on video doesn't really reveal too much about the phones besides the designs, but the thicknesses are stated as 0.3 inches (0.72 mm) for the iPhone 17, 0.22 inches (5.59 mm) for the iPhone 17 Air, and 0.34 inches (8.64 mm) for the iPhone 17 Pro.

That would make the iPhone 17 about the same thickness as the iPhone 16, and the iPhone 17 Pro a little thicker than the iPhone 16 Pro – perhaps to fit in a bigger capacity battery (or at least that's what we're hoping.

There's some speculation in the video that the iPhone 17 Air will be too thin to fit in the MagSafe magnets – though wireless charging will still be supported. The most recently launched iPhone, the iPhone 16e, doesn't support MagSafe.

No doubt there'll be a lot more in the way of leaks and rumors between now and September, when these phones are expected to make their debut. They'll be joined by the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which will basically be a larger iPhone 17 Pro.

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Those clicks and pops aren't supposed to be there! Give your music a bath with this handy guide.

The S Pen has been a feature of Samsung’s biggest and best flagship smartphones since the original Galaxy Note in 2011, but in 2025, you’d be forgiven for questioning its future.

Yes, the now-iconic smartphone accessory is still part of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, but there was no mention of the S Pen on stage Galaxy Unpacked in January – even Samsung’s official press release for the new phone relegates it to the small print – and the company actually removed Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tech from the latest S Pen model, meaning it’s no longer able to carry out Air action shortcuts and remote control features.

In isolation, these changes might seem inconsequential (Samsung told TechRadar’s Lance Ulanoff that it removed the S Pen’s Bluetooth features because so few people were using them). But the accessory is clearly not the high-priority marketing tool it once was for Samsung, which has prompted speculation about its potential discontinuation on social media platforms, Samsung’s own community forum, and indeed here on TechRadar.

So, what does Samsung have to say about the S Pen’s future? At MWC 2025, I put the question to the company’s Mobile Experience (MX) VP of Product and Marketing in the UK, Annika Bizon, and her response should allay the concerns of worried S Pen fans.

Post by @1louisclemmons View on Threads

“Multimodal is really important to us,” Bizon explained. “So [that’s] how people use their phone – whether they're speaking, whether they're writing, whether they’re in a meeting. People do use their S Pens in meetings to write notes. So, I don't see a space where the S Pen is not a key part of our portfolio.

“And honestly, when you look at the Ultra, it’s something people genuinely come back to us around. [They ask us] “Will it have an S Pen?” And it goes back to the Note days. [...] We see the S Pen as something that is key to the Ultra experience at this point.”

In a recent feature piece speculating on the S Pen’s future, we noted that “major advancements in AI mean that some of the unique functions of the S Pen are no longer quite so unique,” but Bizon is confident that the arrival of Galaxy AI on the best Samsung phones hasn’t harmed the S Pen’s appeal: “Creativity is one of our core values. If you’re creative, you want to be able to draw and sketch things. And with Sketch to Image being one of our AI features, you can sketch beautifully using the S Pen. It’s got quite a big design edge."

Bizon concluded: “The research says [consumers are using the S Pen], and it’s something that we’re proud of as being part of our portfolio.”

So there you have it. Unless Samsung has a change of heart between now and next year, you can expect the S Pen to be a feature of the as-yet-unconfirmed Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

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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, March 8 (game #1139).

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 #1140) - hint #1 - Vowels How 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 #1140) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

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

Quordle today (game #1140) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do 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 #1140) - 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 #1140) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• I

• W

• R

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

Quordle today (game #1140) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1140, are…

• SKILL
• IDEAL
• WHERE
• REHAB

My three start words today were completely random, but if I hadn't included a word with the letter K (Flack was the best I could summon with the letters I had left), allowing me to guess SKILL, then I doubt I would have checked out after seven turns – still my Quordle PB.

I realize I’m a bit slow on the uptake, but Quordle feels more like a wordsearch than a Wordle roguelike when you have a good start like this. It almost feels like cheating.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1140) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1140, are…

• DEVIL
• NEWER
• ALOOF
• FLAIL

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1139, Saturday 8 March: WATCH, LAPSE, WREST, HEFTY
• Quordle #1138, Friday 7 March: GLEAN, SHINY, DECRY, MANGA
• Quordle #1137, Thursday 6 March: TRICE, EIGHT, BELCH, RIPER
• Quordle #1136, Wednesday 5 March: PLEAD, TWANG, MAJOR, RISKY
• Quordle #1135, Tuesday 4 March: FLOWN, ETUDE, TOPAZ, JOKER
• Quordle #1134, Monday 3 March: FRILL, KAYAK, REBAR, WORDY
• Quordle #1133, Sunday 2 March: TUNIC, GLOSS, DEBUG, LARGE
• Quordle #1132, Saturday 1 March: DENSE, BONEY, KITTY, SMEAR
• Quordle #1131, Friday 28 February: PASTA, RAZOR, PLUMB, DROOL
• Quordle #1130, Thursday 27 February: THIEF, CHAIR, ETHER, GRIME
• Quordle #1129, Wednesday 26 February: LOVER, SPIED, VAPOR, METER
• Quordle #1128, Tuesday 25 February: TWIST, TWEAK, MEANT, CLEAR
• Quordle #1127, Monday 24 February: LEASH, LEVER, TOTEM, CREME
• Quordle #1126, Sunday 23 February: RABID, RELIC, SCRAM, BASIS
• Quordle #1125, Saturday 22 February: ETHER, SONIC, VAUNT, ROUSE
• Quordle #1124, Friday 21 February: STIFF, PRIZE, SCOWL, DONUT
• Quordle #1123, Thursday 20 February: HASTY, DRAPE, FICUS, CRAZE
• Quordle #1122, Wednesday 19 February: ABATE, TROVE, VENUE, DRAPE
• Quordle #1121, Tuesday 18 February: TAMER, SCRUB, BRICK, DRIFT
• Quordle #1120, Monday 17 February: SADLY, WAFER, LITHE, IDIOM

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, March 8 (game #636).

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 #637) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SOLID
• METAL
• MICKEY
• MOUSE
• CONCRETE
• PHYSICAL
• STONE
• TABLET
• ABRACADABRA
• MICROPHONE
• FAVOR
• KINDNESS
• BRICK
• SERVICE
• CENTERFOLD
• SCANNER

NYT Connections today (game #637) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: PC peripherals
• GREEN: Construction
• BLUE: It’s nice to be nice 
• PURPLE: Billboard hits 

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 #637) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: COMPUTER INPUT DEVICES 
• GREEN: BUILDING MATERIALS 
• BLUE: HELPFUL DEED 
• PURPLE: #1 SONGS FROM 1982 

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

NYT Connections today (game #637) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #637, are…

• YELLOW: COMPUTER INPUT DEVICES MICROPHONE, MOUSE, SCANNER, TABLET
• GREEN: BUILDING MATERIALS BRICK, CONCRETE, METAL, STONE
• BLUE: HELPFUL DEED FAVOR, KINDNESS, SERVICE, SOLID
• PURPLE: #1 SONGS FROM 1982 ABRACADABRA, CENTERFOLD, MICKEY, PHYSICAL

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: Perfect

METAL MICKEY popped out at me from today’s grid, both the title of an obscure 1980s children’s show directed by Mickey Dolenz and the brilliant second single by the wonderful Suede. It was of course just a diversion on our quest to find the true answers.

None of the #1 SONGS FROM 1982 have aged particularly well, although Steve Miller's ABRACADABRA (not to be confused with Lady Gaga’s fab new TikTok-friendly hit – which title aside nobody ever will) was sampled by Eminem and remains an utter earworm that I will now be singing to myself for the rest of the weekend.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, 8 March, game #636)

• YELLOW: FAUX ARTIFICIAL, FAKE, IMITATION, MOCK
• GREEN: WASHING MACHINE CYCLES/SETTINGS BULKY, COTTON, DELICATE, SPIN
• BLUE: WORDS SAID FREQUENTLY IN THE "BILL AND TED" MOVIES BOGUS, DUDE, EXCELLENT, TOTALLY
• PURPLE: __BOX CHATTER, JUKE, SHADOW, SOAP

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, March 8 (game #370).

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 #371) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Kitty corner

NYT Strands today (game #371) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• WASP 
• COPS
• SLAG
• WITH
• PURE
• VIBE

NYT Strands today (game #371) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Feline habits

NYT Strands today (game #371) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 3rd column

Last side: bottom, 4th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #371) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #371, are…

• PURR
• HISS
• SNUGGLE
• STRETCH
• SWAT
• BLINK
• POUNCE
• SPANGRAM: CAT BEHAVIOR

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 hint

This puzzle filled with CAT BEHAVIOR does not include the one thing our cats Ringo and Opal do the most: snooze. That said, they do PURR a lot, especially while eating or if there’s the imminent promise of eating.

Once they were always busy – hunting mice, bringing in frogs (we have no idea where from, as there is no water or ponds nearby) and working on month-long projects to entrap some poor baby birds.

The neighborhood explored and conquered, they are both now very much in retirement mode and spend most of their time curled up inside whatever is the latest cardboard box to enter the house, conked out after three minutes of playing with a catnip toy. I think they would have found today’s Strands far too taxing.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, 8 March, game #370)

• PLATOON
• PARASITE
• MOONLIGHT
• CODA
• SPOTLIGHT
• SPANGRAM: BEST PICTURE

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.

• Vast photo archives exist, yet most images remain unseen
• Cunard’s exhibition highlights the need for preserving physical memories
• Shared experiences create a lasting photographic record for history

Americans take an astonishing 230 billion photos each year, with the vast majority captured on business smartphones., but new research has claimed these could all be at risk of being lost without warning.

A report from luxury cruise line company Cunard says photo books, once a staple of family memory preservation, have become less common, as only 3% of Americans store images in printed form, with most preferring to keep them on phones or in cloud storage.

The decline raises concerns about whether digital images will remain accessible over time, with nearly three-quarters of Americans fearing that without physical copies, future generations may lose valuable memories.

Shrinking tradition of printed photos

Many people assume their digital photos will always be available, but this is naïve - as over half of Americans have had to delete images due to storage limitations, while others have lost pictures when changing or damaging their phones.

Despite these risks, only a third of Americans surveyed reported using cloud backups, leaving countless moments vulnerable to loss, while 54% believe their digital images will still be accessible in 50 years, discouraging their use.

While Americans take an average of 17.3 photos per week, this number jumps to over 60 when on vacation. The ease of capturing images has led to an ever-expanding digital archive, albeit one with a precarious future.

Similar trends are seen in the UK and Germany; Brits capture 35 billion images annually, while Germans take 38 billion, yet only 2% of Brits and 4% of Germans store them in printed albums.

Concerns about long-term accessibility are slightly more pressing here, with just 51% of Brits and 58% of Germans confident that their digital photos will still be accessible in half a century.

In response to the growing dependence on digital storage, Cunard is encouraging people to share their holiday memories as part of a special exhibition.

“As a unique resource that captures Cunard’s unrivalled 185-year history, the Cunard archive is an incredible collection that is accessible to all. It is exciting to see how today’s events will shape the Cunard archive of the future and capture the stories of those connected to the brand,” said Siân Wilks, Cunard Archivist at the University of Liverpool Library.

Curated by photographer Mary McCartney, this showcase aims to highlight the significance of preserving images beyond digital screens.

The exhibition, which will be displayed at Liverpool’s Liver Building, will feature both historic and newly submitted photographs, offering a visual timeline of nearly two centuries of transatlantic travel.

“For 185 years, our ships have been at the heart of unforgettable moments for millions of guests and crew,” said Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, stressing the importance of the initiative.

“This is a chance to celebrate those memories and the stories they tell. By sharing your experiences, you’ll help Mary McCartney create something truly unique—an exhibition that brings Cunard’s incredible history to life for everyone to enjoy.”

You may also like

• Check out our round-up of the best photo scanners for backing up your images
• And these are the best photo printers around today
• The decision-maker's playbook: integrating Generative AI for optimal results

Turtle Beach Victrix Pro KO: Two-minute review

The Turtle Beach Victrix Pro KO is the latest premium take on the leverless all-button controllers that have been transforming the fighting game community's meta in recent years, built for the current generation of consoles while still backwards compatible with last-gen consoles at the click of a switch (while the controllers are also compatible with PC, you will need to buy separate controllers for PlayStation and Xbox consoles).

It's a much sleeker build than Victrix's previous attempt at a leverless controller while retaining similar features, such as customizable LED lights, a three-meter braided USB-C cable, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a comfortable ergonomic 6.28-degree wrist slope on its surface to prevent fatigue. It also includes L3 and R3 buttons that the Pro FS models lacked, while naturally including a tournament lock switch to disable all the other buttons on the top bar.

Where the Pro KO really stands out from the other contenders vying to be one of the best fight sticks is just how customizable its buttons are, with the space for 16 mappable and movable buttons compared to the default 12 of other leverless controllers. With spare buttons provided within the shell of the controller, an easy-to-pop-open cover, and tweezers that make changing buttons accessible straight out of the box, it's an easily customizable controller where you can add and program new buttons that are most comfortable to reach for your play style. Being available at a better comparable price to similar options at launch makes it an excellent choice for players looking to convert to a leverless control style.

While fighting pros will praise leverless controllers as more precise and immediate compared to a traditional arcade stick, it's still not the superior option without retraining muscle memory and getting used to the layout, even if being able to add a different place for the up / jump button can help with the adjustment. But for those prepared to put in the work and make the transition, the Pro KO is the best leverless controller to make that move.

(Image credit: Future/Alan Wen) Turtle Beach Victrix Pro KO: Price and availability

• List price of $249.99 / £229.99 / AU$399.95
• Comparably priced to other leverless controllers
• Limited availability for PlayStation variant compared to Xbox

Launching in December 2024, the price point of the Victrix Pro KO is about right for other leverless controllers right now. It's much cheaper than the Victrix Pro FS-12 and better priced than its closest competitor the Razer Kitsune, which launched at $299, making it a relative bargain considering the wealth of additional customization offered out of the box.

For pad players looking to take their fighting game prowess to the next level, the Victrix Pro KO is definitely a better price choice than shelling out for its premium arcade stick equivalent the Victrix Pro FS, which is among the most expensive fight sticks at the moment (it is however still my stick of choice).

Stock is unfortunately in short supply for the PlayStation model currently, with Amazon taking orders but warning that shipping can take anywhere from three to six months. It's likely because PS5 consoles have largely been the preferred platform for tournaments, but if you're predominantly playing on PC then you might be better off going for the Xbox version, which is more widely available.

Turtle Beach Victrix Pro KO: Specs

(Image credit: Future/Alan Wen) Turtle Beach Victrix Pro KO: Design and features

• Easily customizable and movable buttons right out of the box
• Sleek design with ergonomic wrist slope
• Tactile Cherry switches and button rings with customizable RGB lighting

Compared to Victrix's previous attempt at a leverless controller with the Pro FS-12, which essentially kept the same bulk and weight of its Pro FS arcade stick, the Pro KO is a substantial improvement, leveraging the leverless controller's strength as a lighter and more compact option. While its dimensions are still larger than competitors like the Razer Kitsune, it's still a comfortable size for taking to tournaments, slipping neatly into my laptop bag, or the strap bars on the side give you the option to add shoulder straps.

The extra real estate is important for your hands though, as the surface incorporates a 6.28° wrist slope just like with Victrix's Pro FS models, which does wonders for preventing fatigue when playing for lengthy sessions. There are also more buttons on the top including dedicated L3 and R3 buttons while the PlayStation version includes the DualSense touchpad on the top left corner, all of which can be disabled with a tournament lock switch on the top-right corner to prevent accidentally pressing them during a heated tournament match.

The 24-millimeter buttons are smaller than typical arcade sticks but the same size as other leverless designs, along with the single 30-millimeter button for the up / jump button that's designed to be within reach of your thumb, similar to a space bar. It's not the only comparison to a keyboard as the buttons are also comprised of Cherry MX Speed Silver RGB switches used in mechanical keyboards, making these buttons just as tactile and responsive as Sanwa Denshi buttons favored by professional fighting game players.

(Image credit: Future/Alan Wen)

While the controller has 12 buttons by default, what you'll notice are four other indents (one to the left of the directional buttons, two below the usual command buttons, and one to the left of the up/jump button) where other buttons can be added. These aren't optional extras, for when you pop out the top cover, by flicking the four switches beneath the controller base, you'll find that it snugly fits four spare buttons and switches, as well as a pair of tweezers that make it easy to remove the round caps and then add new buttons, or even replace a faulty button.

Once added, you simply need to hold the function button on the top bar and then choose the button you want to map the new button to. It's just as easy to customize the color lighting for the button rings, while also adjusting the mode from static to breathing, prismatic, or you can simply turn them off if you prefer.

(Image credit: Future/Alan Wen) Turtle Beach Victrix Pro KO: Performance

• Tactile and responsive buttons, but will need acclimating to if new to leverless controls
• More comfortable advantage with customizable button layout
• Good for playing on your lap or on a desk

When it comes down to it, the reason to own the Victrix Pro KO is because of how much more responsive and reliable just tapping directional inputs is than with a stick. In Street Fighter 6, instead of fumbling two-quarter circles to perform a super, I just need to tap down, forward, down forward, while a charge attack is more immediate if you're just tapping the button instead of moving the stick and back and forth, which may all seem like tiny fractions of milliseconds of a difference, but in any competitive environment, those all count.

Arcade purists may sniff at these controllers, which had also caught controversy for being potentially too advantageous, leading to a few instances of leverless controllers being banned at some tournaments, not to mention that the Victrix Pro KO lacks Sanwa Denshi parts that the Pro FS-12 has. Yet in terms of tactility, the Cherry switches were every bit as clickable and responsive in my testing.

If you're very new to leverless controllers, however, you shouldn't take them as an immediately superior controller compared to other existing options. Using buttons for directions intrinsically requires different muscle memory from using a stick - it's about the placement of your fingers and thumb over all the directional inputs rather than your thumb on a pad or your whole arm when using a stick. Personally, I still find it difficult to adjust to having the up / jump button located at the bottom, even though it's actually where you would expect a space bar to be, and so I found myself less capable of utilizing aerial moves.

(Image credit: Future/Alan Wen)

While there is arguably more precision in button inputs, that's only without factoring in pressure during an actual match. It's one thing to flawlessly execute supers in training mode but against an online opponent, I would still find myself tapping the inputs too fast incorrectly in the same way I can fluff the same inputs with a joystick.

Nonetheless, as far as it goes to learning leverless controls, I found the Victrix Pro KO's button layout better than when I had previously tried the Razer Kitsune, which was a little more spread out and caused my left hand to cramp when trying to keep each digit over a respective directional button. The customizable button placements also greatly help with the adjustment. In my case, adding another jump button further to the left felt more reachable for my thumb, while adding another button just under the other attack buttons meant I could program a one-button parry that's far easier to reach.

Ultimately, while I see myself improving in leverless controls the more I'm using the Victrix Pro KO, I'm still not confident in having it replace my Victrix Pro FS stick as my controller of choice at the next local tournament. After swapping back to a stick, I was simply more comfortable with a mix of air-to-air follow-ups that my brain had been struggling to compute with buttons- alone. If you however don't already have decades of arcade fighting game experience lodged in your brain and are also used to playing games with a keyboard, then going leverless is likely going to feel like a natural progression.

Should I buy the Turtle Beach Victrix Pro KO? Buy it if...

You want one of the most customizable leverless controllers around
Leverless controllers are already touted for their more responsive performance you have an even greater advantage by being able to easily add and program more buttons right out of the box.

You want the same features as the Victrix sticks but with a lighter form factor
The Victrix Pro KO has a lighter and sleeker form factor comparable to other leverless controllers but still has the same great features as its fellow Victrix sticks such as the ergonomic wrist slope and the option to add a shoulder strap for carrying it around.

Don't buy it if...

You're expecting a superior controller overnight
Leverless controllers may offer more precise and responsive inputs in theory but it also requires a lot of practice and mental rewiring if you've been used to arcade sticks or gamepads for many years. But much like with fighting games, it's all about practice.

Also consider...

If you’re still not entirely sold on the Turtle Beach Victrix Pro KO then check out these two excellent similar products for comparison and consideration.

Victrix Pro FS
If you prefer to stick with traditional arcade sticks, this is easily the best one there is despite its very premium price. Not only does it use Sanwa parts, but its ergonomic wrist slope also makes it very comfortable to play for long sessions. It's also available in many different stylish designs based on some of the biggest fighting game series.

For more information, check out our full Victrix Pro FS review

Octopus Arcade Stick
If you want a fight stick that's compatible with generations of platforms with a rich history of arcade fighting games and beat-em-ups, then the Octopus Arcade stick is the one for you, even more so if you happen to be a Dreamcast owner. Just be warned of its weight, size, and the need to spend more on extra compatible cables.

For more information, check out our full Octopus Arcade Stick review

(Image credit: Future/Alan Wen) How I tested the Turtle Beach Victrix Pro KO

• Tested for a week on PS5 and PC
• Used for Street Fighter 6 and Virtua Fighter 5 REVO offline and online
• Compared to the Victrix Pro FS for reference

With Street Fighter 6 being my regular fighting game fixture on the PS5, I swapped out my dependable Victrix Pro FS for the Victrix Pro KO for a week, though occasionally swapping back to get a comparison on the different feel of each controller. Firstly practicing offline with the newly added character Mai I gradually took the courage to adapt to leverless controls against other online opponents, getting my fair share of wins but also plenty of defeats, and making note of where I felt an improvement in using this controller and what felt like new limitations. I also played some matches while using the controller's audio jack with my Corsair Virtuoso Pro wired headset.

On my gaming PC, I was able to test it out on the newly released Virtua Fighter 5 REVO, where I also started with some practice in arcade mode before attempting to take it online and making some progress in ranked matches. This was however an easier adjustment from Street Fighter 6 owing to fewer inputs while the up button is used less for jumping and more for side-stepping. Overall, I played around 8-10 hours with the Victrix Pro KO between both games, though arguably more so on Street Fighter 6 because it really is the best.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

If the game you want to play is only available for Windows, here are three things you can try to get it running on your Mac.