Feed aggregator

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, November 1 (game #1742).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,500 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 #1743) — hint #1 — VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1743) — hint #2 — repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

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

Quordle today (game #1743) — 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 #1743) — 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 2.

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 #1743) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• E

• A

• L

• E

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

Quordle today (game #1743) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1743, are…

• EXTRA
• AMITY
• LUPUS
• EAGLE

It didn’t take me very long to work out that my final word contained two letter Us, but I really struggled to stop thinking about humus and finally get to LUPUS.

This was also a game that featured the rare letter X, although deciding on EXTRA was fairly easy once the start and ending letters had been revealed.

Daily Sequence today (game #1743) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1743, are…

• THIRD
• GOING
• SNAIL
• SOOTH

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1742, Sunday, 1 November: DROVE, PRIED, SHELL, BEGIN
• Quordle #1741, Saturday, 31 October: ANIME, SWARM, CHALK, RAJAH
• Quordle #1740, Friday, 30 October: ULCER, DIMLY, BRAIN, BEGUN
• Quordle #1739, Thursday, 29 October: PRUDE, MINUS, SAVOY, USHER
• Quordle #1738, Wednesday, 28 October: DEALT, FLUME, SLEEK, RELIC
• Quordle #1737, Tuesday, 27 October: ANKLE, HAVOC, SULKY, WHITE
• Quordle #1736, Monday, 26 October: ASSAY, GLEAM, MUCUS, WRING
• Quordle #1735, Sunday, 25 October: RAINY, BUSED, PROXY, UNDID
• Quordle #1734, Saturday, 24 October: TOXIN, SMART, MOUSE, STYLE
• Quordle #1733, Friday, 23 October: BLIMP, HOIST, FRIED, LURID
• Quordle #1732, Thursday, 22 October: DECAL, WIDTH, WOKEN, LEVER
• Quordle #1731, Wednesday, 21 October: MOIST, VALVE, VERSE, NORTH
• Quordle #1730, Tuesday, 20 October: COYLY, SAUNA, TRIAL, RASPY
• Quordle #1729, Monday, 19 October: EXIST, DECOY, HITCH, FLUID
• Quordle #1728, Sunday, 18 October: FLINT, FUROR, WEDGE, RODEO
• Quordle #1727, Saturday, 17 October: QUARK, ENEMY, SPASM, BLOCK
• Quordle #1726, Friday, 16 October: SHORT, WORTH, JOIST, SLUNK
• Quordle #1725, Thursday, 15 October: STALE, EPOCH, PIANO, CORNY
• Quordle #1724, Wednesday, 14 October: TIMID, GROUP, GRILL, EVERY
• Quordle #1723, Tuesday, 13 October: FLUFF, DEBUT, TEETH, STEIN

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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, November 1 (game #973).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… High and mighty

NYT Strands today (game #974) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• MULE
• FILE
• SNARE
• RACE
• TIME
• DATE

NYT Strands today (game #974) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #974) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

• First side: bottom, 1st column

• Last side: top, 6th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #974) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #974, are…

• CLIFF
• SNOW
• GLACIER
• PEAK
• RIDGE
• SADDLE
• SUMMIT
• SPANGRAM: MOUNTAINTOP

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I love how today’s spangram jaggedly rises from one corner to the other.

However, despite my enjoyment of some top-level Strands craft I still managed to miss out on spotting it. Instead, I began with the game’s two most obvious words in CLIFF and PEAK.

The closest I’ve got to a MOUNTAINTOP is snowmobiling on a GLACIER in Iceland — an experience that was both exciting and terrifying, not least the moment when our guide pointed out a 120ft-deep crevasse we were inches away from falling into. I’m still having the nightmares.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, November 1, game #973)

• SNOOZE
• SLEEP
• CATNAP
• DOZE
• SLUMBER
• DROWSE
• SPANGRAM: ZZZZZZZZ

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, November 1 (game #1239).

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 #1240) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MEDICINE CABINET
• COMPASS
• FOG MACHINE
• INCENSE
• WATERFALL
• DISCO BALL
• NETTLE
• HIKING BOOTS
• DRESSING ROOM
• DRY ICE
• WATER BOTTLE
• WIND UP
• PIQUE
• KALEIDOSCOPE
• HUMIDIFIER
• BACKPACK

NYT Connections today (game #1240) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Equipment for a long walk
• GREEN: Raging
• BLUE: Wet not wet
• PURPLE: Watch your reflection

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 #1240) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: THINGS TO BRING ON A TREK
• GREEN: ANGER
• BLUE: MIST MAKERS
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH MIRRORS

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

NYT Connections today (game #1240) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1240, are…

• YELLOW: THINGS TO BRING ON A TREK: BACKPACK, COMPASS, HIKING BOOTS, WATER BOTTLE
• GREEN: ANGER: INCENSE, NETTLE, PIQUE, WIND UP
• BLUE: MIST MAKERS: DRY ICE, FOG MACHINE, HUMIDIFIER, WATERFALL
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH MIRRORS: DISCO BALL, DRESSING ROOM, KALEIDOSCOPE, MEDICINE CABINET

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

A straightforward Connections puzzle to begin the week, without any word games, traps, trickery or cultural gaps.

As is often the case with these types of Connections games I got each group in difficulty order and was able to experience that little tingle of perfection, but also disappointment that I wasn’t smart enough to spot a fairly easy purple group.

Games this easy also make me suspicious that the NYT puzzle setters are merely giving our brains a day off in order to soften us up before a difficult run. Bring it on!

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, November 1, 2026, game #1239)

• YELLOW: KINDS OF TEETH: BICUSPID, CANINE, INCISOR, MOLAR
• GREEN: KINDS OF LOVE: BROTHERLY, PUPPY, SELF, UNREQUITED
• BLUE: ENTHUSIAST: FIEND, HEAD, HOUND, LOVER
• PURPLE: SYNONYMS FOR "SOAKED" WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED: DOGGY, MATURATED, TRENCHED, TRIPPING

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.

DJI is a household name when it comes to some of the best drones available to buy today, so the last thing you expect is for it to venture into the home appliances category. And yet that's exactly what it did and DJI's debut robot vacuum nailed every element.

Our DJI Romo P review gives it a high score of 4.5 stars out of 5, calling it an "extremely impressive smart-home debut" and it's all thanks to the company's existing drone technology that gives the robot vacuum practically perfect navigation and obstacle avoidance. And it doesn't compromise on cleaning either.

This powerful combination is what earned it a coveted TechRadar Product of the Year Award this year, where the DJI Romo P made it to the top in the Home category.

It typically retails for well over the two-grand mark, but if you're keen on grabbing one of the best robot vacuums in Australia and save over a thousand dollars, JB Hi-Fi is offering a massive 44% discount on the DJI Romo P right now in an early Black Friday deal. Honestly, that's excellent value — take it from someone who's been testing vacuums of all kinds for a decade.

Romo P: was $2299 now $1296
Looking like it would happily belong inside the Millenium Falcon, this futuristic robovac is a debut model from DJI and yet it can clean just as well as established competitors in the same price bracket. We call it a "hugely impressive package all-round" and, the best part, you can have it for a lot less than its retail price — it's not even officially Black Friday sales time yet!View Deal

There's very good reason that the DJI Romo P won our coveted Home Device of the Year. Let's begin with the obvious, shall we? It's futuristic good looks. There's no robot vacuum like it on the market at the time of writing and it gives off Nothing design vibes where you can see the insides of the machine. I think it would look fabulous inside any modern home.

While its 25,000Pa of suction might not seem like a lot compared to other premium models that now boast upwards of 40,000Pa, you really don't need that much and, in real-world use, the high suction spec doesn't always translate well — just take a look at my Mova V70 Ultra Complete review to find evidence of that. The DJI Romo P, instead, harnesses its suction ability well and, as our tests proved, it vacuums well, aided by extendable brushes.

It's also an excellent mop, but uses dual spinning pads rather than the roller that I personally prefer.

The dock is surprisingly compact and takes care of ongoing maintenance very effectively, giving you as much of an hands-off cleaning experience as is possible for a robot vacuum.

The DJI Home app is one of the rare robovac controllers that we actually like here at TechRadar, with our reviewer saying it's "almost everything a robot app should be".

All in all, the DJI Romo P is a worthy winner of our Home Device of the Year award and definitely worth considering if you're planning on purchasing a new robot vacuum for your home during the Black Friday sales in Australia this month.

• The state of Delaware wishes to add businesses run by AI agents to the already lengthy list of generous regulations in operation
• Rep. James Comer is demanding safety assessments and warning of potential federal legislation if the results are not satisfactory
• Delaware’s bill specifies a 30-month regulatory sandbox for testing, and allows any lawful business to be operated by an Artificial Intelligence Company except banking

The US state of Delaware is planning to add to its generous business rules by allowing companies to be run by AI agents – but Congress lawmakers are not so sure, with one Republican representative writing to the state's governor expressing his concerns, with demands for safety assessments.

Businesses with a Delaware address operate under a range of advantageous regulations, including low (or zero, depending on where the businesses conducts its sales) tax rates and specialized courts.

The prospect of an Artificial Intelligence Company (AIC) being founded is not unlikely, but law experts believe that Delaware’s bill could be used to implement a liability shield for businesses with AI interests.

Harmful actions

Delaaware’s plans have come under the scrutiny of the House Oversight Committee, wish its chairman, Rep. James Comer, pushing back, with concerns over the ability to place an AI in charge of a business.

According to the Financial Times, Comer wrote to the Delaware governor Matt Meyer.“We are concerned," he wrote, "that Delaware’s AIC proposal could be used to protect powerful AI companies and their investors from responsibility for reckless harmful actions.”

In short, if things go wrong, the AI is to blame and the owner of the business has no responsibility.

The draft bill states a 30-month regulatory period in which the AI would be sandboxed. During this time, the concept can then be tested, with an AI agent making the business decisions rather than a human. Like any other business, the company could be sued, and take legal action itself if warranted.

Delaware’s plan could aid in the establishing of AI-centric corporate structures (such as autonomous commerce businesses), something that many believe could happen overseas if no US state acts quickly.

Legal certainty

Various names in business and AI have previously supported the idea of AI-run businesses. Most notable is Mark Cuban, the billionaire investor who suggested earlier this year that as “First to market makes a killing,” any “governor of a state looking to grow their revenues” should allow “anyone to incorporate using an AI agent and stablecoins.”

Andrew Baker, a professor of law at the University of California, indicated to the FT that the Delaware legislation could be an attempt to reach a midway point, perhaps to achieve “legal certainty” for Delaware-registered businesses using agentic AI.

“Ultimately the most likely outcome appears to be an overly generous liability shield which seems unwarranted without some underlying policy rationale that hasn’t been developed or justified well,” Baker said.

As corporations operate as a shield to personal liability, this would not seem beyond the reach of business legislation. However, those cases involve businesses run by humans who have to be accountable to themselves if not the law, and an AI agent has no such moral restrictions.

Sen. Chris Murphy is expected to fully recover from his stroke. The acronym BE FAST can help you remember the symptoms of stroke and what to do when it happens: Call 911 quickly.

(Image credit: Allison Robbert)

Qatar has been leading intense mediation efforts over the past 72 hours to prevent a new round of possible U.S. attacks on Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections. The uncertainty has the entire Gulf region on edge.

• Intel and AMD discuss cooperation without revealing the project's purpose
• Intel's existing x86 partnership with AMD already supports shared processor standards
• AMD's ZenDNN optimizations are entering Intel's oneDNN software library

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan has discussed potential cooperation with AMD CEO Lisa Su, but neither executive has disclosed what the two companies might develop together.

Intel is pursuing customized processors, new semiconductor technologies, and external manufacturing contracts, and Tan is looking to strengthen these businesses.

Both companies already cooperate on processor standards and AI software, although their latest discussions could involve different technologies or commercial arrangements.

Existing partnerships provide several possibilities

Intel and AMD established the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group in October 2024 alongside other technology companies to coordinate improvements to their shared processor architecture.

The initiative addresses compatibility across x86 processors, helping software developers support products from both manufacturers while the companies continue competing for customers.

Their cooperation has also extended into AI software, with AMD integrating its ZenDNN optimizations into Intel's open-source oneDNN library for CPU-based PyTorch inference.

They have also worked on Advanced Matrix Extensions and other x86 capabilities, providing established examples of cooperation between competing processor manufacturers.

During a chat with Chinese American Semiconductor Professional Association President Jimmy Cheng, Tan discussed his plans to strengthen Intel's processor business.

“We have to reclaim the leadership in CPU. That is something that I am very determined to do,” said Lip-Bu Tan, Intel CEO.

“I'm modifying it for customer needs, and so that, to me, is a fast-growing area, and I'm double, triple down on it.”

He also described a shift towards accommodating individual customer requirements rather than relying exclusively on Intel's existing processor designs.

Intel's foundry business offers another potential area

Intel's manufacturing operations provide another possible area for cooperation, although no announcement has confirmed that AMD intends to manufacture chips through Intel's foundry business.

Tan said Intel's 18A manufacturing process had entered volume production, while development of its next-generation 14A technology continued.

The company has released version 0.5 of its 14A process design kit, with version 0.9 expected before version 1.0 becomes available for volume production in early 2027.

In January, two prospective customers were evaluating 14A test chips, with firm supplier decisions expected during the second half of 2026 and first half of 2027.

Tan said several customers wanted to expand their businesses through Intel's manufacturing services, but he did not identify them or disclose potential order sizes.

His strategy also includes application-specific integrated circuits, co-packaged optics, advanced packaging, and physical AI, with two or three of these businesses expected to contribute approximately 10% of Intel's revenue individually.

Customer confidence remains important to Intel's manufacturing ambitions because chip designers depend on reliable production schedules and manufacturing quality when developing commercial products.

According to Tan, a customer waited for six to eight months for him to become CEO and then raised 15 areas where Intel had fallen short.

The company said all the complaints were tackled effectively, after which the customer agreed to expand its relationship with Intel.

Tan's account appears intended to reassure prospective foundry customers that Intel can resolve manufacturing problems and retain business, but it does not confirm that AMD will use Intel's manufacturing process.

Via Tom's Hardware

Rep. Haley Stevens was scheduled to attend a unity event today with Abdul El-Sayed, who beat her in the Democratic primary. Instead, she endorsed his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers.

(Image credit: Jose Juarez)

• Google and NASA are developing a robot to assist astronauts medically
• Deep-space communication delays could make onboard medical assistance essential during emergencies
• NASA's robotic assistant could retrieve ultrasound equipment for astronauts experiencing severe pain

Google is developing a robotic medical assistant with NASA to help astronauts handle health emergencies and routine duties during future deep-space expeditions.

The system is intended to support onboard medical personnel while also performing maintenance, moving equipment, and managing supplies when medical assistance is unnecessary.

The project remains experimental, with laboratory testing indicating progress in basic robotic tasks rather than readiness for autonomous medical procedures.

A robotic assistant for astronauts far from Earth

The project brings together Google Cloud, NASA's Human Research Program, Johnson Space Center's robotics team, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop robotic assistance for spaceflight.

The work builds on the Crew Medical Officer Digital Assistant, an AI medical support system that Google and NASA have been evaluating since 2025.

That earlier system is designed to help astronauts assess health problems when distance and communication delays make immediate consultation with Earth-based doctors difficult.

“An astronaut on a future deep space mission to Mars could face severe operational challenges, including round-trip communication latencies of up to 44 minutes,” said Jim Kelly, Google's public sector vice president.

Such delays could complicate medical decisions during emergencies, making onboard resources increasingly important when astronauts cannot receive immediate instructions from mission control.

Rather than replacing the crew's medical officer, the robot would assist with practical tasks, leaving diagnosis and treatment decisions under human supervision.

For example, an astronaut experiencing intense back pain possibly associated with kidney stones could request an ultrasound examination using equipment retrieved and prepared by the robot.

The machine could then help position the necessary equipment while the medical officer examines the resulting images and determines the appropriate response.

Early tests show progress, with major limitations remaining

Google is also adapting navigation technology developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to help the robot move through its surroundings and locate equipment.

The team has also used DeepMind's MuJoCo physics simulator to assess movement and object handling before attempting more demanding applications.

According to Kelly, during the initial laboratory trials, the robot achieved an 85% success rate when locating and moving a medical bag.

That result concerns a relatively basic retrieval task and does not establish whether the system can reliably perform medical examinations or assist with complicated emergencies.

“To maximize its utility for a lean crew, the robotic system is designed as a versatile 'payload' handler capable of managing cargo, logistics, and equipment,” Kelly explained.

“When not needed for routine maintenance like organizing tools or securing compartments, it can pivot to medical support.”

Google has described the work as a proof of concept, with early laboratory demonstrations completed but no confirmed fully integrated, space-ready robot.

The agency has declined to provide detailed information about the project, stating that it is examining several advanced AI initiatives with partners for possible future missions.

The robot is also expected to handle cargo, organize tools, secure compartments, and support routine maintenance, allowing a small crew to allocate its time more efficiently.

Google's proposed system therefore combines physical assistance with AI-enabled support, although its practical capabilities will depend on further testing and successful integration with spacecraft operations.

“The ultimate goal is to build a robotic system that can execute a variety of tasks via simple voice instructions, under the astronauts’ direct supervision and command,” Kelly said.

“For instance, the robot might be directed to assist with routine health monitoring—such as capturing basic vitals or simple ultrasounds—under the strict guidance of a human crew medical officer.”

Via The Register

Murphy's office says he was taken to the hospital this weekend after experiencing numbness in his arm. His chief of staff said he is responding well to treatment and expected to make a full recovery.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

Polls show Democrats with an advantage in the midterm election but there are potential limitations and results may take a while to roll in.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

A federal judge has dismissed a highly unusual lawsuit by the Trump administration that tried to block the certification of results from Alaska's U.S. Senate race if the Republican incumbent lost.

(Image credit: Alex Brandon)

At least some portion of the nation is likely to have its political confidence — and perhaps even its sense of security — tested in the days and weeks ahead. That test could also continue for some time to come.

(Image credit: Benjamin Fanjoy)

Andreas Almgren of Sweden won the men's race of the New York City Marathon in his debut in the event while Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won the women's race on Sunday for the second time.

(Image credit: Angelina Katsanis)

Back in 2000, Bandai Namco published the third game in the beloved Tales series, Tales of Eternia. It was received very well at launch, being praised for its high-octane action combat, charming cast, and humorous script — though the Western versions on the original PlayStation and PSP were held back by their omission of skits (character-driven dialogue scenes) and slightly subpar voice acting. But now, Tales of Eternia Remastered — developed by TOSE Co. — is here, aiming to remedy these issues and refine the game for a modern audience.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Release date: October 16, 2026

I’ve spent just north of 30 hours with Tales of Eternia Remastered, playing through the main story, completing side quests, and exploring the realms of Inferia and Celestia.

So, how effectively does this remaster bring a JRPG classic into the modern era? And is it truly worth playing? Here’s my verdict.

Gimme a Boost!

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

I’ll speak about the core Tales of Eternia experience in good time, but it only seems right to discuss the new stuff that this remaster brings to the table first.

Arguably the main thing is the inclusion of Boost Function. This enables you to tailor your experience to your specific wants and needs, with highlights including a random encounter toggle, difficulty options, an increased item capacity setting, and an EXP gain adjuster.

My personal favorite feature was the option to restore TP (which you consume when using skills) when camping, which made grinding feel a lot more fluid and easier to manage.

The Boost Function suite is filled to the brim, and really helps to make the title more approachable for newcomers. My only real complaint here is that I would’ve loved the option to map a function — such as disabling enemy encounters — to one of the buttons on my Nintendo Switch 2. Having to open the main menu, go into the Customize Section, and then the Boost Function felt a touch clunky.

Best bit

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

Defeating the Greater Craymel, Celsius, was by far one of the most rewarding moments for me. She was giving me a lot of trouble by evading my Artes and freezing my healers into submission, but after switching up my formation and strategy, I was able to best her in a true battle for the ages.

There’s a lot more to uncover, though. For instance, you can switch between remastered and original graphics and sound effects, which is sure to satisfy newcomers and long-time fans.

The visual enhancements are relatively light overall. This isn’t a transformative overhaul, and some environments still look a little rough around the edges. But still, the remaster does illuminate some previously obscured details. As you can see in the images below, detailing on the statues is far more intricate, and foliage looks sharper in the remastered graphics mode. And while some may prefer the original pixel sprites, I think the remaster does a good job of cleaning them up a bit while keeping them faithful to the original artwork.

Original graphics modeBandai NamcoRemastered graphics modeBandai Namco

While we’re on the topic of visuals, I unfortunately have a complaint to make: the cutscenes look pretty poor. They’ve been placed into widescreen, and it looks as if a filter has been applied; the results are underwhelming — characters and backgrounds lack clarity and definition, laying bare the limitations of the original material.

That’s a nitpick, of course, and most elements of this remaster still hit the spot. For example, the newly recorded English voice acting is great, and each character’s personality shines through perfectly. Skits are finally here in the West, too, providing plenty of humorous and emotional moments when camping or resting.

Objective icons are also introduced, which point you in the direction of the main story objective or side quests. I really appreciated this, especially as I didn’t want to miss out on side content, but if you want to figure everything out for yourself, you can swiftly switch it off in the Customize menu.

An underrated classic, reborn

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

So, while it’s not flawless, the remaster of this title is solid overall and successfully makes this classic more palatable for modern audiences. But just how fun is the core game in the big 2026?

I’ll lay my cards on the table: I had a spectacular time with Tales of Eternia Remastered. This was actually my first time playing the game — after all, I wasn’t even born when it was initially released. In spite of that, there was something so nostalgic about it, the warm, charming world and excellent cast totally captured my attention, and I found myself pouring countless hours into the game every single day.

Something that stood out for me was the writing. Yes, the main narrative is nothing special — the world is in danger, and a group of young heroes needs to defy the odds to save everybody. But it’s the characters that make this experience so special.

For the most part, you'll spend your time with four key heroes. Reid is a reluctant protagonist who seems to be dragged into the chaos at every turn, Farah is a contemplative, complex young woman learning herself as the story unfolds, Keele is a stuck-up academic type who delivers some hilarious moments, and Meredy is a caring and curious foreign stranger who the crew slowly begins to understand in their quest to prevent disaster.

The cast isn’t weighed down by the tired tropes and lazy writing that a lot of JRPGs faced at the time, and each party member is highly memorable.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

But how about the actual gameplay? Well, the combat is pretty unique. It manifests in the form of a fighter-RPG hybrid, with a large focus on reactive action-based commands. While the combat certainly takes some getting used to and the movement can feel a little janky at times, battling your foes feels incredibly addictive. Chaining Artes together to deliver devastating combos and tinkering with formations or skills to get past tough boss battles is highly rewarding, and even random encounters gave me huge satisfaction.

The game is undoubtedly challenging, but delivering a finishing blow makes your struggle feel worth it. And if you do fall to your foes, a retry battle option is at hand to dive right back into the action.

There’s not too much grinding required, either. I kept random encounters on for the vast majority of my playthrough, and that gave me plenty of experience for big boss fights. If you do want to grab some extra experience, though, you can switch Auto mode on and have your team fight for you, helping you avoid same-y skirmishes.

Outside of battle, things are decent too. You can explore the world for items and treasure to bolster your stats, venture into shops to grab stronger gear, and even take on a few minigames. Exploration is highly gratifying as well, and you’ll often find weapons that come in handy for specific areas or recipes that restore your HP or TP when you’re running low.

A small complaint I have, though, is that movement feels clunky in the overworld. You need to be very precise if you want to move diagonally, and dragging items like statues could feel a bit awkward at times. This is still a relatively minor issue overall, but in tighter areas, the old-school movement did cause me some minor frustration.

I also have to say that the minigames, in general, are pretty bad. They typically control fine, but don’t feel very fun to play at all. Luckily, you can skip these if you’d prefer, which I often did. It was cool to see mouse mode integration for minigames on Nintendo Switch 2, though, which worked a treat in my experience.

Speaking of my experience on Switch 2, let’s take a moment to talk about performance. Tales of Eternia Remastered runs in 4K when playing docked and 1080p in handheld, with smooth 60fps across both modes — perhaps to be expected for a less demanding title like this. I didn’t notice any technical hiccups or frame drops during my whole playthrough, so Switch 2 is certainly a top-tier destination for this remaster.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

So let’s address those questions I posed in the intro. Is Tales of Eternia Remastered a worthy modern take on this classic entry? For me, the answer is yes.

Some things could’ve been better: the visual enhancements are relatively light, cutscenes look a bit underwhelming, and I would’ve liked a shortcut button for disabling enemy encounters. But the Boost Function provides so much flexibility, the new English dub is great, and the ability to retry battles in an instant keeps the game's pace feeling fast and fluid.

And at a core level, this is a great game with a lot to offer, in spite of a few dated elements. The combat, while very much of its time, remains fun and surprisingly strategic; the cast is highly memorable, with skits adding some welcome depth, and exploration is rewarding too.

All in all, I had a blast with Tales of Eternia Remastered, and JRPG fanatics are sure to find a lot to love here.

Should you play Tales of Eternia Remastered?

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)Play it if...

You appreciate a challenge
Tales of Eternia is a fairly challenging game, with some daunting boss fights scattered throughout the experience. I had to retry a fair few times when battling against the mightiest foes, but there’s even a hard and extreme mode if you truly want to test yourself.

You want to play a JRPG that doesn’t overstay its welcome
As a huge JRPG fan, I know that this genre has a tendency to demand an awful lot of your time. But Tales of Eternia hits a real sweet spot. It takes around 25-30 hours to finish (unless you’re a true completionist), and is well-paced throughout, making it a far more approachable title than a lot of other games in this space.

Don't play it if...

You’re expecting a modern Tales experience
Tales of Eternia Remastered remains very faithful to the original, and you’re still getting that 2D action-based combat of yesteryear. It’s not as fluid and free-flowing as modern Tales combat systems, so if that’s what you’re after, it may be worth looking elsewhere.

You want top-tier visuals
Of course, this is a remaster rather than a remake, so this entry isn't aiming to supply a striking visual overhaul. Even still, the visuals are a bit of a mixed bag; the cutscenes aren’t handled very well, and the in-game graphical enhancements, while decent, aren’t exactly transformative.

Accessibility features

There are a number of ways to customize your experience in Tales of Eternia Remastered. You can turn subtitles on or off, choose to auto-advance text, remap buttons to suit your preferences, and alter difficulty. While there’s no colorblind mode, in-game elements that previously required color-based identification have been redesigned around visual elements unrelated to color.

How I reviewed Tales of Eternia Remastered

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

I spent just over 30 hours with Tales of Eternia Remastered, during which time I played through the main story, completed a handful of side quests, and tried out all of the various Boost Function features.

For the most part, I played the game in docked mode, with my Nintendo Switch 2 hooked up to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. However, I did dip into handheld mode from time to time, and used the Sennheiser CX 80U wired earbuds to enjoy in-game audio.

More generally, I’ve covered a huge array of games here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed a number of JRPGs, including Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter and Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, as well as Switch 2 exclusives such as Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort.

First reviewed October 2026

Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch review

In 2026, we experienced a record-hot summer in the UK, as did a lot of other countries around the world. As a result, people were rushing online to pick up a new fan to prevent themselves from struggling with the intense heat. But for many, their efforts were in vain: mass shortages shocked the nation, leaving many struggling to cool down.

As a result, it may be well worth grabbing a fan sooner rather than later, in order to avoid potential shortages that could hit consumers in 2027. And I’ve just tested a new fan that I consider to be a top option for dealing with scorching temperatures, the Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch.

Like a lot of the best fans, this Meaco model offers a wide variety of power modes that can suit any situation. There are 12 power levels to be exact, with the lowest providing a subtle yet satisfying breeze, and the highest delivering a mighty, ultra-cool blast. I found performance to be consistently strong across all power levels, with strong coverage from the top to the base of the model.

What’s more, this tower fan is a fairly quiet operator. While not quite silent at lower levels, you’ll only hear a very light whirring noise, which is ideal if you like to keep the fan on while falling asleep. It has to be said, though, that as you ascend into the upper tiers of power, the fan does make a fair bit of noise. There’s a slight hissing sound, and the gust of wind naturally comes through with considerable impact. This is understandable, however, at the top level, and the fan is otherwise softly spoken.

(Image credit: Future)

Something that I really liked about the Meaco Sefte Tower Fan is its wide coverage. It can oscillate 180 degrees horizontally, making it a great choice if you want to cool everyone on your couch, for instance. It doesn’t oscillate up and down, but as a tower fan it already offers plenty of vertical coverage.

One more thing that makes this fan a hit is its excellent ease-of-use. It comes with a remote, but also has built-in touch controls that were perfectly responsive for me when testing. You can use the touch controls to turn the fan on or off, adjust power levels, control oscillation, and set a timer. There’s also a button that enables you to switch modes between Standard, Night (which mutes interface audio and gradually brings the fan’s speed down), and Eco (which automatically adjusts fan speed depending on room temperature).

The only thing that potentially holds the user experience back is the lack of a companion app. This fan has no Wi-Fi capabilities or companion software, meaning that you’ll have to stick with the remote or touch controls. Given this model’s relatively modest price, this sacrifice is understandable, but I would’ve liked the option to control the fan from my phone.

You won’t have to make too many sacrifices with this fan overall, though. Yes, its plasticky build doesn’t exactly scream premium, but it’s slim, meaning it won’t take up too much space on your table or desk, and feels relatively durable too. It’s also easy to take apart for cleaning or maintenance, and I liked the display on the fan that shows room temperature.

So, is the Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch worth the money? At £69.99 (about $90 / AU$130), I think the answer is yes. You’re not getting premium features like misting and app support but, for the price, you get adaptable and impressive performance, strong coverage, and tight touch controls, which make it ideal for using on a hot summer’s day. If you need misting, or just want to check out some strong alternatives, though, make sure to head down to the ‘also consider’ section.

(Image credit: Future)Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch review: price & release date

• Priced at £69.99 (about $90 / AU$130)
• Released in August 2026

The Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch was released in August 2026 alongside the larger Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 36-inch. It can be purchased in the UK and select European markets, but is not directly solid in the US or Australia. This tower fan will set you back £69.99 (about $90 / AU$130), making it a relatively budget-friendly option for its size, coverage, and quality.

Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch review: specs

Speeds

12

Oscillation

180 degrees horizontal

Weight

5.5lbs / 2.5kg

Dimensions

19.3 x 6.5 x 7.1 inches / 490 x 165 x 180mm

Control

Touch

Timer

Yes

Modes

Normal, Night, Eco

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

12 speeds, a handful of modes, no app control or fancy features like misting.

3.5/5

Performance

Powerful performance, wide oscillation, generally quiet outside of top speed levels.

4/5

Design

A bit plasticky, but slim, great controls and ease of use.

4/5

Value

A good quality fan that’s available at a tempting, modest price-point.

4.5/5

Buy it if…

You’re looking for a quiet operator
When using a fan at night, the last thing you want to be subjected to is a loud whirring noise. But luckily, this Meaco fan is a quiet operator, and will keep you chilled without making a racket — so long as you’re not using it at the top power levels.

You need wide coverage
If you want to keep the whole family cool, this fan is a top option. It can oscillate 180 degrees horizontally, meaning everyone on the couch will get some of that sweet cold air.

Don’t buy it if…

You need misting
This model doesn’t have any misting capabilities, so you won’t get that extra chill when using it. If you want mess-free misting, be sure to check out some of my recommendations in the ‘also consider’ section.

You’d like app controls
As one of the more budget-friendly options in its size-class, the Meaco Sefte Tower Fan cuts back in a few areas here and there. One of those is the lack of Wi-Fi and app support, so if you’re looking for smart-home integrations, it may be better to look elsewhere.

Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch review: also consider

Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S
This is the fan I use at home and I absolutely love it. It produces fine, mess-free mist with ultra-cool winds, the water tank depletes fairly slowly, and it can be controlled via an easy-to-use app. It’s not quite as big as this Meaco fan, and doesn’t have quite as wide a range of horizontal oscillation, but it’s a great option for cooling yourself down in the warmer months. Read my full Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review.

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo
This one also has misting capabilities, but can be used cordless, and is satisfyingly lightweight, making it a spectacular all-round option. It doesn’t oscillate and there’s no remote control included, but we’re big… ahem... fans of this personal cooling solution. Read our full Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review.

How I tested the Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested across a two-week period
• Made use of all settings and features
• Used in a controlled environment at Future Labs

I spent two weeks with the Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch, using it in a controlled environment here at Future Labs.

Across this period, I tested all of the fan’s features, and made sure to try the fan in Night and Eco mode, as well as its standard setting. In addition, I tested all 12 of the power settings in order to assess noise levels and overall performance.

More generally, I’ve tested tons of gadgets here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve covered home and lifestyle products including fans like the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S, as well as audio gear, video games, and more.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: October 2026

High prices are straining budgets for both a small business owner and a single mom in a rural part of Va.'s 1st Congressional district. They explain how they're handling the economic stress of these times.

(Image credit: Melissa Gray)

Pennie, the ACA marketplace for Pennsylvania. She's pictured here in October 2025. ACA open enrollment runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15 in most states.'/>

The ACA health insurance marketplaces — find yours at HealthCare.gov — open Nov. 1 for 2027 coverage. Getting an early start may be especially important this year.

(Image credit: Tassanee Vejpongsa)

On the eve of what may prove to be a tough election for the GOP, young conservatives vying to be part of the first class of Gen Z Republicans in Congress want a role shaping the party's next chapter.

(Image credit: Scott Olson)