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NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, July 2 (game #486)

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 09:00
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 1 (game #485).

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

Today's NYT Strands theme is… ... This is for the birds

NYT Strands today (game #486) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • WING
  • MEAT
  • STARS
  • FINAL
  • MASS
  • GREAT
NYT Strands today (game #486) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

Spangram has 15 letters

NYT Strands today (game #486) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: right, 3rd row

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #486) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #486, are…

  • FEATHER
  • TWIG
  • WOOL
  • GRASS
  • LEAF
  • FLUFF
  • MOSS
  • SPANGRAM: NESTING MATERIAL
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

After immediately seeing the word “wing” in the grid, I thought that we were searching for bird parts. And despite it being wrong the first word I found – FEATHER – still had me believing that was the case, not that I could think of anything beyond beak.

After getting TWIG I realized what we were really looking for, but I didn’t get the spangram until the end, even though the word “nest” was hiding in plain sight.

I didn’t realize that you could buy NESTING MATERIAL until I googled it, but some people put balls of wool in their bird feeders in the spring to give our feathered friends a helping hand. With bird population under threat from habitat loss, it seems like the least we can do.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, July 1, game #485)
  • SLIDE
  • CAROUSEL
  • TRAIN
  • FUNHOUSE
  • SCRAMBLER
  • SPANGRAM: AMUSEMENT PARK
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.

Categories: Technology

Grammarly Adds Superhuman Email App to Build an AI Suite for Users, Report Says

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:44
The app that tells you how to reword that awkward phrase could be eyeing a bigger claim on your workspace.
Categories: Technology

The Best Laptops I've Tested and Reviewed (July 2025)

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:35
These are the best laptops that my colleagues and I have gotten our hands on in the past year, spanning all types, sizes and prices.
Categories: Technology

Amazon CEO says AI will mean ‘fewer people doing some of the jobs’ - but will make other jobs more interesting

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:32
  • Amazon CEO Andy Jassy again says AI could replace some workers
  • The company will continue to reduce headcount, but hire in some areas
  • Many businesses are replacing human workers with AI

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has once again repeated that AI could soon replace some workers at Amazon.

AI could soon have “fewer people doing some of the jobs”, Jassy said.

Luckily, according to Jassy, “there’s going to be other jobs” and AI will help free people from “rote work” which will “make all our jobs more interesting.”

AI will replace some workers

“Like with every technical transformation, there will be fewer people doing some of the jobs that the technology actually starts to automate,” the Amazon CEO told CNBC’s Jim Cramer in an interview.

Jassy added Amazon will continue to hire in areas such as AI and robotics, despite the company steadily reducing its headcount for the past few years, with just over 27,000 jobs cut since 2022. Jassy confirmed in June 2025 that this trend will likely continue for the next few years.

Improving internet efficiency while cutting headcounts isn’t a unique trend, with many top companies following suit. Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff claimed that AI was now doing 30% to 50% of the work at the company.

Many workers are still not wholly convinced of the benefits of AI, especially if those benefits can only be reaped if their job is replaced. The latest arrivals into the workforce are particularly concerned about how bosses are implementing AI into their jobs.

A recent survey also found some workers are seeing the benefits of the technology, but are suffering from workplace stress over the fear that they could be replaced.

There have also been calls for the work week to be cut from 5 days to 4 if the productivity increases that many companies are boasting are to be believed, but that will be a difficult one to swing with boards looking to cut costs, improve productivity, and boost efficiency.

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Categories: Technology

Upcoming PS5 exclusives - release schedule for confirmed games

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:30
What's the next PS5 exclusive planned for 2025?

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

The next PS5 exclusive planned for a 2025 release is Lost Soul Aside, which launches August 29, 2025. Then there's Ghost of Yotei, the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. Those are the two big exclusives for this year, with Saros, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and Marvel's Wolverine still not having release windows.

Upcoming PS5 exclusives include AAA first-party games, as well as Sony's future slate of multiplayer titles, something slightly newer that the publisher seems to be pushing quite hard. Regardless of what kind of games you like to play, there are plenty of exclusives coming to PS5, many of which already have release dates or broad release windows.

In terms of upcoming games, the next year or so of PS5 exclusives look set to be an extremely strong lineup. That's before you consider the juggernaut that is Ghost of Yōtei, as well as unannounced games that's sure to follow towards the end of the year. Many of these will be further enhanced on Sony's newest console too, so be sure to check out our best PS5 Pro games list to see what's worth playing.

Here are the upcoming PS5 exclusives to look forward to in 2025 and beyond. We'll only be covering games that have been officially confirmed for release, many of which already have solid release dates locked in. In terms of what games we've chosen to include here, these are either only coming to PS5, or are console exclusives, meaning they are also set to launch on PC. We'll indicate where each game sits with regard to these release platforms as we go.

Upcoming PS5 exclusives

(Image credit: Housemarque / PlayStation Studios)

There are currently quite a few major PS5 exclusives planned and confirmed for future release on the PlayStation 5 console. We've listed them below, alongside their release dates where available.

In terms of what games we've chosen to include here, these are either only coming to PS5, or are console exclusives; the latter meaning they are also set to launch on PC. We'll make that clear with each entry below too so you have a clear picture of what's what.

  • Lost Soul Aside - August 29, 2025
  • Ghost of Yotei - October 2, 2025
  • Ballad of Antara - TBC 2025
  • Where Winds Meet - TBC 2025
  • Phantom Blade 0 - TBC
  • Saros - 2026
  • Marvel's Wolverine - TBC
  • Sword of the Sea - TBC
  • Fairgame$ - TBC
  • Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet - TBC
Lost Soul Aside

(Image credit: Sony)

Lost Soul Aside is a brand new action RPG that'lll launch on PS5 and PC. You’ll traverse landscapes that feel alive: sunlit plains, mysterious ancient ruins, and alternate dimensions that buzz with energy. This world is filled with secrets, monsters, and unpredictable events that keep you interested. Beneath the flashy moves, there’s depth for players who love to experiment. You can customize loadouts, chain synergistic combos, and strategize with Arena, Kaser’s dragon-like companion.

Lost Soul Aside launches August 29, 2025 for PS5 and PC, following a delay.

Ghost of Yotei

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

Ghost of Yōtei is the latest game from Sucker Punch, and follows Ghost of Tsushima. Protagonist Atsu’s journey takes place in 1603, more than 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima. While we don't know how the two are connected, if at all, expect the same mix of stealth and sword-fighting as you make your way across a gorgeous Feudal Japan setting. So far, we've received two trailers, and it's looking very pretty indeed.

Ghost of Yōtei will launch October 2, 2025, exclusively for PS5.

Saros

(Image credit: Housemarque)

Saros was revealed during a State of Play event that aired in February 2025. It's the latest from Housemarque, and is being described as a game that builds upon the third-person action systems showcased in Returnal. A key gameplay distinction between Saros and Returnal is permanent resources and progression making every death valuable. After every death you will face a changed world, but in Saros you will be able to choose and permanently upgrade your loadout from an evolving set of weapons and suit upgrades to “come back stronger” to overcome the challenges you face on Carcosa.

Saros will launch on PS5 in 2026.

Ballad of Antara

(Image credit: Infoldgames)

Ballad of Antara is an action-RPG with multiple playable characters. These characters possess the power to traverse the two worlds of normalcy and unimaginable. The devs are calling them “Emissaries”. Each Emissary has their own unique class, gameplay capabilities, and their own enticing, mysterious stories. So far, we have seen a lengthy trailer, which you can check out as part of this blog post.

Ballad of Antara is currently slated for release sometime in 2025. At present, it's only confirmed for PS5.

Where Winds Meet

(Image credit: Everstone Studio)

Where Winds Meet is an epic Wuxia open-world action-adventure RPG game, that was recently confirmed to be launching on PS5. At first, we only knew about a PC release, but after a State of Play event last May, we know it's coming to PlayStation. For now, it's only got a release window of 2025, so stay tuned for more info on a specific release date. If you'd like to read more about the game, check out the PlayStation blog.

Marvel's Wolverine

(Image credit: Sony)

Marvel's Wolverine is coming from the folks over at Insomniac, the team responsible for the Spider-Man PS4 and PS5 games. As such, expectations are very high indeed, and because we've not seen much on it so far, things are still very much up in the air. Only a brief cinematic trailer has been revealed so far, showing Logan sitting at a bar after what looks to have been a very bloody brawl.

At present, Wolverine is only slated for a PS5 release.

Fairgame$

Fairgame$ is a competitive heist game where you join an underground movement to rob the ultra-rich and rebalance the scales. We've not seen any gameplay yet, nor do we have a release window or release date.

What we do know is that it'll launch on PS5 and PC.

Phantom Blade Zero

(Image credit: S-Game)

Phantom Blade Zero was revealed during a PlayStation Showcase event in 2023. It looks set to blend fast-paced action with cinematic quick-time gameplay. There are epic boss battles, and plenty of parrying as you make your way across a fractured land, looking to seek revenge on those that have mortally wounded you.

Phantom Blade Zero has been confirmed to be in development for PS5 and PC, and it currently has no release date. You can check out our hands-on Phantom Blade Zero preview to read what we thought of the upcoming game.

Sword of the Sea

(Image credit: Giant Squid)

Sword of the Sea takes place in an abandoned realm where the terrain flows in waves. You'll make use of a traversal vehicle called the Hoversword. The Hoversword controls like a snowboard, skateboard, and hoverboard all in one. Build momentum to achieve great speeds and catch big air as you explore skatepark-like ruins, uncovering an ancient mystery as you go.

At present, Sword of the Sea is announced for PS5 and PC.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

(Image credit: Naughty Dog/Sony)

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was a surprise reveal that closed out The Game Awards 2024. It's the new game from Naughty Dog, and looks to be a sci-fi epic, with a retro-futuristic vibe. We don't know too much about the game yet, except that it's being developed exclusively for PS5 consoles. From the official announcement blog post:

"Intergalactic stars our newest protagonist, Jordan A. Mun, a dangerous bounty hunter who ends up stranded on Sempiria – a distant planet whose communication with the outside universe went dark hundreds of years ago. In fact, anyone who’s flown to it hoping to unravel its mysterious past was never heard from again. Jordan will have to use all her skills and wits if she hopes to be the first person in over 600 years to leave its orbit."

At present, we have no release window for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, so we'll mark it down as TBC.

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Categories: Technology

Sean Combs trial update: The jury is deliberating over a complex set of charges

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:18

The hip-hop mogul faces an overlapping set of charges that include sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The jury resumes deliberations on Tuesday.

(Image credit: Jane Rosenberg)

Categories: News

Marvel confirms Thunderbolts* Blu-ray release date – here are the bonus features I’m most excited about

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:15

While we wait for the streaming release of Marvel's Thunderbolts* movie on Disney+, there's some good news for fans of buying or renting movies: the digital release comes with a bunch of bonus extras that enable you to spend "a bit of quality time with the cast and crew".

If you haven't already seen the movie, we'd really recommend it. In our Thunderbolts* review we said that "its incredibly touching tale, relatable characters, and likable cast – all of whom are firing on all cylinders – set it apart from its MCU brethren... [it] is an expectation-defying, incredibly moving MCU entry that unashamedly wears its heart on its sleeve".

What to expect from Thunderbolts* for home viewing

In the US, there will be a Walmart-exclusive pop-up edition of the Thunderbolts* Blu-ray (Image credit: Disney)

There's an extensive list of bonus features as part of Thunderbolts* digital release (with the disclaimer that the features may vary by product and retailer), including deleted scenes that didn't make the final cut: 'Door Is Unliftable' and 'Gary Announcement', the latter of which features Congressman Gary from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier making an announcement about Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, aka Contessa.

There's also 'Assembling a Team to Remember', which delivers the promised quality time as the cast and crew divulge how the film's team of misfits and mavericks was assembled; 'Around the World and Back Again', which focuses on the eclectic locations and "astounding" production design, including a visit to the sprawling sets in Kuala Lumpur where Florence Pugh performs stunts on some of Earth's tallest buildings; and 'All About Bob, Sentry & The Void', which is a deep dive into the making of Lewis Pullman's trio of characters.

In addition to these features there's also a director's commentary by Jake Schrier, and a gag reel of outtakes.

The digital release hits Prime Video, the Sky Store, Apple TV and Google TV today, July 1, and the 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD releases come out on July 29 in the US and a week later in the UK. There will also be a collectors' edition SteelBook release of the 4K UHD edition and a Walmart exclusive pop-up Blu-ray too.

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Categories: Technology

Swiss government warns data stolen in third-party ransomware attack

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:04
  • Ransomware operators Sarcoma recently breached Radix
  • As a result, Swiss government files were posted on the dark web
  • Radix claims it retained intact backups

Multiple agencies of the Swiss federal government were affected by a supply chain attack that trickled down from Radix, a non-profit organization in the health promotion sector.

A short announcement published on the Swiss government website noted, “various administrative units of the Federal Administration” were among Radix’s customers.

It was further explained the company fell prey to a ransomware cyberattack in which attackers stole and encrypted data before publishing it on the dark web. After the fallout, Radix notified the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which kicked off an investigation to determine exactly what type of data was affected, and who the victims were.

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Sarcoma diagnosis

“As Radix has no direct access to Federal Administration systems, the attackers did not gain entry to these systems at any time,” the government explained.

Radix also issued a statement on its own website, detailing what had happened.

“Unfortunately, we must confirm that despite high security standards and professional support, we have become the victim of a cyberattack,” the machine-translated notification reads. “On June 29, 2025, the hacker group Sarcoma published the stolen data on a leak site.”

Radix further explained the affected people were already notified, and stressed that the data from partner organizations were not compromised.

“Access to the affected data was immediately revoked after the attack was discovered. There was a confirmed data leak, and various data were encrypted. However, RADIX retains all data in an intact state on backups. The exact method of the attack is currently under investigation.”

Claiming all of the data was left intact on backups suggests the company is not interested in paying the ransom demand. This would make sense, since the attackers allegedly already leaked the spoils on the dark web.

Via BleepingComputer

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Categories: Technology

Mark Zuckerberg goes all-in on AI and might even beat Sam Altman and OpenAI to superintelligence

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:01
  • Zuckerberg has created a new group called Meta Superintelligence Labs
  • The goal of the group is to create AI superintelligence
  • New hires from OpenAI will form the team headed up by Alexandr Wang from Scale AI

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has heated up the race towards AI superintelligence by restructuring the company’s artificial intelligence division with the main aim being to develop artificial superintelligence, that is, intelligence that is far beyond what humans are capable of.

Superintelligence could mean exponential leaps in medicine, science, and technology that dramatically change the course of humanity, but it doesn't come without risks.

In an memo to employees, Zuckerberg said he is creating a new group called Meta Superintelligence Labs, lead by Alexandr Wang, former CEO of data-labeling startup Scale AI, which Meta has recently acquired for $14.3 billion.

A new era for humanity

As reported by Bloomberg, the memo sent by Zuckerberg reads: “As the pace of AI progress accelerates, developing superintelligence is coming into sight. I believe this will be the beginning of a new era for humanity, and I am fully committed to doing what it takes for Meta to lead the way.”

The memo goes on to list 11 recent hires to the new division, which include ex-employees of OpenAI who worked on the last 12 months of OpenAI products, along with employees from Anthropic and Google.

The list includes Trapit Bansal, who pioneered RL on chain of thought and co-creator of o-series models at OpenAI, Shuchao Bi, co-creator of GPT-4o voice mode and o4-mini, and Huiwen Chang, co-creator of GPT-4o's image generation, who previously invented MaskIT and Muse text-to-image architectures at Google Research.

(Image credit: OpenAI & Meta)OpenAI vs Meta

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT, has repeatedly posted about achieving superintelligence being the goal for his company on his blog.

As recently as June, he wrote, “We are past the event horizon; the takeoff has started. Humanity is close to building digital superintelligence, and at least so far it’s much less weird than it seems like it should be.”

However, it appears that Zuckerberg wants Meta to be the company that first claims to have achieved superintelligence, and he is certainly throwing an awful lot of money at this project, which has led some to question whether this is really the right approach and if achieving superintelligence is even possible.

Mark Zuckerberg paid $14.3 billion for Scale AI just to hire Alexandr Wang, and has even been offering OpenAI employees $100 million to join Meta, according to a report in the New York Times.

Zuckerberg’s new push towards superintelligence comes after Meta’s own Chief AI Scientist, Yann Le Cun, talking about superintelligence said publicly last month that “It’s not going to happen within the next two years, there is no way in hell”, and cast doubt upon the whole idea of scaling up existing LLM models, like Meta AI or ChatGPT, to achieve superintelligence, which is the approach that companies like OpenAI seem to be following.

Meta AI is currently available inside all the Meta social media apps, like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, and can also be used within the new Meta AI app.

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Categories: Technology

This Animatronic Toothless From 'How to Train Your Dragon' Is One Hangry Toy

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:00
Exclusive: When this Tame and Train Interactive Toothless wakes up from its box, it will only unveil its wings when it comes to like you.
Categories: Technology

I Played Donkey Kong Bananza. It's the Switch 2's Killer Ape

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:00
If you're looking for a reason to get a Nintendo Switch 2, this game has a peel.
Categories: Technology

Nintendo reveals that Donkey Kong Bananza is developed by the Super Mario Odyssey team – then confirms grass is still green

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 08:00
  • Nintendo has revealed that Donkey Kong Bananza is developed by the team behind Super Mario Odyssey
  • This was confirmed by a representative at a hands-on preview event
  • The representative would not confirm the game's director, or any other details

To no one's surprise, Nintendo has finally officially confirmed that the upcoming action platformer Donkey Kong Bananza is developed by the same team as Super Mario Odyssey.

The information comes from a recent hands-on preview event at Nintendo's UK office, where a representative explained that this is the case.

Interestingly, the representative would not indicate whether Odyssey director Kenta Motokura was also taking on a similar role this time around, or provide any other information about the team.

Many online commentators have speculated on the Donkey Kong Bananza development team since the game was first revealed, with many predicting that it is the same team responsible for Odyssey, given the apparent similarities between the two.

Having now spent a few hours with the game, I can confirm that there is a lot of Odyssey DNA apparent in what I've tried of Donkey Kong Bananza so far. Structurally, the two games seem almost identical - with the same focus on free-form exploration and collectible hunting within open-ended levels.

Many features, like the ability to buy outfits in shops using currency that is specific to each region, return, albeit augmented via new additions such as a skill tree and unique buffs associated with each item of clothing.

Donkey Kong Bananza is set to launch on July 17, 2025, and will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. For an in-depth look at the game, be sure to read our new Donkey Kong Bananza preview.

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Categories: Technology

Nintendo is raising the prices of some of its products in Canada, but oddly not the Switch 2 – and what could this mean for other regions?

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 07:47
  • Nintendo is raising the price of the original Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite in Canada
  • Accessories, physical and digital games, and Switch Online memberships will also be affected, but the cost of the Switch 2 will remain the same
  • Nintendo explains that the pricing update is "based on market conditions"

Nintendo has announced that it will be increasing the prices of some of its products in Canada.

As reported by IGN, the company said that a "pricing update" will be implemented soon in Canada for certain Nintendo products, namely the original Switch, the Switch OLED, and the Switch Lite.

Notably, the cost of the new Nintendo Switch 2, which launched early last month, will not be impacted, and pricing will remain the same.

It also confirmed that physical and digital games will be affected, which will likely impact Switch 2 owners since most games are backwards compatible, as well as accessories, and Nintendo Switch Online memberships.

As for the reason for the sudden price hike, Nintendo explained that the pricing adjustments are "based on market conditions", but didn't offer any further details.

Nintendo of Canada issued an advisory warning that stated that the full details of adjusted prices will be revealed later today (July 1), which will be reflected on the official Nintendo Canada store.

We can't say for certain how much each product will increase by, but we'll keep you updated.

Switch 2 pre-orders were delayed in Canada in April, following the delays in the US, which were made so Nintendo could assess the impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration.

If you're hoping to get your hands on the new console, you can check out our live coverage of Nintendo Switch 2 restocks for the US and UK.

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Categories: Technology

Trump plans to visit Florida's new migrant detention center, 'Alligator Alcatraz'

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 07:47

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the facility should be "ready for business" by the time Trump visits on Tuesday — despite the protests of pro-immigration, Indigenous and environmental groups.

(Image credit: D.A. Varela)

Categories: News

Watch out – this fake UPS text scam is trying to trick you into handing over your personal data

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 07:14
  • A new scam text is impersonating UPS and warning people of missed deliveries
  • If you reply, you’re sent to a fake website that steals your personal data
  • You can stay safe by deleting the message if you’re at all suspicious

If you’ve recently received a text message from UPS, be careful: it could be a scam. You need to be especially wary if the message has come out of the blue or if you’re not expecting a parcel, as phishers and scammers are on the hunt for your private info. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep yourself safe.

Specifically, the UPS text message warns that you’ve missed a supposed parcel delivery and that if you don’t respond, the package will be returned to the sender. In reality, there is no parcel – something given away by the lack of delivery number in the message. In other words, the scammers are sending out blanket texts without any specifics in an attempt to trick any users they possibly can.

The deception becomes more suspicious the closer you look. The messages in question contain a link that goes to a fraudulent website, but because the texts come from an unknown sender, many of the best phones will disable the link. In iOS, for example, links are not tappable if they come from new senders.

However, as soon as you reply to a message, the link is re-enabled. To prompt this, the scammers sending the UPS messages encourage you to reply with the letter Y – when done, this activates the link. The messages also tell you to copy and paste the link into a web browser, just in case. Replying not only re-enables the link – it also tells the scammer that your number is active, potentially opening you up to further targeting.

What the scammers are really after is your personal information, as they urge you to enter your details into their website. This can then be used for identity theft and other criminal activity. Needless to say, if you receive this message or are suspicious about its intentions, you shouldn’t reply or follow its embedded links. Instead, just delete it and report it as spam.

How to stay safe

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Regardless of whether you’re expecting a UPS parcel, you should not respond to messages like this. Instead, go to the official UPS website and check the status of your parcel there using your provided tracking number.

Telltale signs of a scam message are the lack of any identifying information (such as a parcel number or your name and address), and a disabled link to a website with a suspicious address, such as one that contains an unusual domain extension (like .pro or .xyz), misspelled words, or extra characters like hyphens that are not found in the official web address. If any of these elements are present, delete the message and report it as spam. You can also report it at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center by going to ic3.gov.

Scam messages will often try to rush you into a decision by applying pressure and including threats. They might tell you that you will be fined or will lose the supposed package if you don’t respond. This is intended to get you to act too quickly and not think your decision through. If a message contains anything like this, take a moment to read it again and think clearly about whether it is likely to be genuine.

Both iOS and Android have tools to help you combat scam messages. Aside from reporting them as spam, both Apple’s Messages app and Google Messages now come with built-in spam detection, which can automatically banish fraudulent texts so that they never reach you. The latest iOS 26 update also has a Call Screening feature that requires unknown callers to identify themselves before they can ring you, and this is something that also exists in Android.

Vigilance is key to avoiding text scams, as despite the best efforts of companies like Apple and Google, there are bound to be some messages that slip through the net. If you get a suspicious text, check your gut feeling – does the text ask you to activate a weird-looking link? Is it overly vague with no identifying details like tracking numbers? Don’t panic if it threatens you – instead, take a breath and ask yourself if it feels off. If it does, exile it to the spam folder.

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I Found the Best Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Rumors for the Fold 7, Flip 7 and Watch 8

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 07:00
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 could bring major changes, alongside two Z Flip phones and new watches. Here's everything I expect from Samsung's July Galaxy Unpacked.
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Stop Buying Expensive Phones. I Tested This $400 Samsung Galaxy That Nails the Basics

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 07:00
The midrange Galaxy A36 checks all the main boxes, from cameras to battery life to durability. But it cuts some subtle corners.
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Best Portable Solar Panels of 2025

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 06:54
Fulfill all your on-the-go power needs with the best portable solar panels of the year.
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Amazon Busted Down My Gate and Refused to Pay. The Device Would Have Saved Me $500

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 06:38
Damage to your home by bad actors and accidents can cause real financial pain. Here's how I'm protecting myself.
Categories: Technology

Google issues official internal guidance on using AI for coding - and its devs might not be best pleased

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 06:26
  • Google issues engineer-developed guidance on using AI for coding
  • Around one-third of the company's code is now AI-generated
  • Other companies are also using AI more to code

Google has issued new usage guidance and best practices for its internal developers using generative AI to help them code, and it may not come as a surprise the tech giant is pushing the security agenda.

Following a period of experimenting with AI and determining its use cases, the document was actually created by engineers (via 9To5Google) before getting approved and disseminated.

The guidance broadly encourages developers to adopt AI to boost productivity, enable faster iteration and enhance product development, however the importance of humans in maintaining security is stressed.

Google shares AI coding guidelines with workers

The guidance reportedly covers using AI for coding assistance, its limitations and building AI-based systems. However, Google also noted it wants to see workers adopt AI in other regions of their work to help boost productivity further.

Nevertheless, humans clearly remain an integral part of the development process, with code review, security and maintenance all areas that require further work.

"Our engineering teams are already regularly using our AI tools for coding, fixing bugs, and much more," the company confirmed.

"These recommendations and best practices, developed by a group of software engineers at Google, are designed to help all SWEs across the company get the most out of AI in their day-to-day work."

The push comes amid growing industry-wide adoption of GenAI in software engineering. Earlier in 2025, Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that around one-third of the company's code is now AI-generated.

Other companies, including Microsoft and Meta, are also increasing the amount of AI-generated code they use, and a recent study found that 30.1% of US Python code on GitHub was AI-generated.

Google's most formal guidance on AI in coding to date could also go on to inform policies for other companies. It also highlights the company's growing reliance on generative AI tools.

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