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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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, May 15 (game #1207).

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 #1208) - hint #1 - Vowels

How 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 #1208) - 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 1.

Quordle today (game #1208) - 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 #1208 - 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 #1208) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• S• S• D• B

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

Quordle today (game #1208) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1208, are…

SHEEPSNUCKDRIFTBREAK

Ramen, which was one of my old start words, featured in yesterday’s Sequence game so I thought I’d re-introduce it into my starting trio.I’m not sure whether this brought a change of fortune or if today’s round was easier than usual, but I breezed through.Guessing SNUCK was a gamble, but that aside I had no other options for the other three words.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1208) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1208, are…

DRINKCRISPSHEETTHIEF

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1207, Thursday, 15 May: PAINT, CROUP, PEDAL, FLUKEQuordle #1206, Wednesday, 14 May: FAVOR, METER, PICKY, MAKERQuordle #1205, Tuesday, 13 May: SCENT, AGAPE, POLAR, YEARNQuordle #1204, Monday, 12 May: ROYAL, ARGUE, BUNCH, READYQuordle #1203, Sunday, 11 May: QUASH, MUNCH, ALTER, UNDUEQuordle #1202, Saturday, 10 May: RELIC, BADGE, CHAMP, SATINQuordle #1201, Friday, 9 May: MINUS, CRIME, NOSEY, SLAINQuordle #1200, Thursday, 8 May: ELUDE, GREET, POPPY, ELITEQuordle #1199, Wednesday, 7 May: QUOTH, TRUNK, BESET, NAIVEQuordle #1198, Tuesday, 6 May: UNITE, SOGGY, FILET, PORCHQuordle #1197, Monday, 5 May: WREAK, COWER, STEAD, QUEUEQuordle #1196, Sunday, 4 May: PINCH, SMOKE, SCARY, CANNYQuordle #1195, Saturday, 3 May: PLUSH, VERGE, WROTE, CONDOQuordle #1194, Friday, 2 May: CAUSE, RISEN, MACAW, SMELTQuordle #1193, Thursday, 1 May: IDIOM, EXILE, SPOOF, DRAPEQuordle #1192, Wednesday, 30 April: BATON, TORSO, ANNEX, DROWNQuordle #1191, Tuesday, 29 April: HOVER, HENCE, OCTAL, COPSEQuordle #1190, Monday, 28 April: JAUNT, ALLOW, FRUIT, BURNTQuordle #1189, Sunday, 27 April: PRIOR, YOUTH, CREDO, CHIDEQuordle #1188, Saturday, 26 April: LINGO, LOCUS, THROW, CLICK

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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, May 15 (game #704).

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 #705) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

RODEOHOURGLASSKUBRICKSUNSETTREESCRAPWALL STREETVINEMICHAEL JORDANHOLLYWOODHERBTAURUSENDSHRUBNEUROPLASTICDISSOLVE

NYT Connections today (game #705) - hint #1 - group hints

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

YELLOW: GreeneryGREEN: It’s overBLUE: An animal connects themPURPLE: Hidden raw materials

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 #705) - hint #2 - group answers

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

YELLOW: KINDS OF PLANTS GREEN: DISCONTINUE BLUE: ASSOCIATED WITH BULLS PURPLE: ENDING WITH BUILDING MATERIALS

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

NYT Connections today (game #705) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #705, are…

YELLOW: KINDS OF PLANTS HERB, SHRUB, TREE, VINEGREEN: DISCONTINUE DISSOLVE, END, SCRAP, SUNSETBLUE: ASSOCIATED WITH BULLS MICHAEL JORDAN, RODEO, TAURUS, WALL STREETPURPLE: ENDING WITH BUILDING MATERIALS HOLLYWOOD, HOURGLASS, KUBRICK, NEUROPLASTIC

My rating: ModerateMy score: 1 mistake

Seeing HOLLYWOOD and VINE beside each other along with SUNSET convinced me we were looking for famous Los Angeles streets.Unable to think of a fourth I added KUBRICK to the group, reasoning that the great director must have a road named after him somewhere – it turns out he does, but Stanley Kubrick Avenue is in Denham just outside of London, England rather than California.After this ding I went for the more obvious KINDS OF PLANTS and DISCONTINUE – which discontinued my search for streets.I failed to see the very obvious connection with MICHAEL JORDAN and BULLS – a classic Connections group of four very different things with something in common – but instead saw the less obvious ENDING WITH BUILDING MATERIALS after staring at the word HOURGLASS for far too long.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, May 15, game #704)

YELLOW: RATIONALE BASIS, FOUNDATION, GROUNDS, REASONGREEN: TYPES OF SNOW CRUST, ICE, POWDER, SLUSHBLUE: LAST WORDS OF FAMOUS OPERA TITLES BESS, BUTTERFLY, FLUTE, SEVILLEPURPLE: REAL ___ DEAL, ESTATE, MADRID, WORLD

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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, May 15 (game #438).

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 #439) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… To a degree

NYT Strands today (game #439) - hint #2 - clue words

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

CHIPCHEEPSPORESSINSSORTRACES

NYT Strands today (game #439) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #439) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 8th rowLast side: right, 1st row

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

NYT Strands today (game #439) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #439, are…

GOWNPHOTOSPEECHDIPLOMATASSELPROCESSIONSPANGRAM: GRADUATION

My rating: EasyMy score: Perfect

There are many universal traditions associated with GRADUATION ceremonies, from paying far too much to hire a GOWN to posing for a PHOTO that will be given pride of place in your parents' house until the zombie apocalypse – and even then it’ll still be there, just with added cobwebs and a splatter of green blood.There is also a whole legend surrounding the tassels on the mortarboard hat. Traditionally, tassels are worn on the right side and moved to the left during a special portion of the ceremony for high-school graduates. For college graduates, Bachelors again wear tassels on the right side until their degrees are conferred, then move to left. Goodness knows what might happen to you if you move your tassel from the left to the right – maybe you get burdened with a lifetime of debt or something awful like that. Erm, hang on a sec…How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, May 15, game #438)

BEETLEBRONCOMUSTANGRABBITIMPALAJAGUARSPANGRAM: AUTOMOBILES

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.

Nucor confirmed suffering a cyberattackIt was forced to shut down parts of its operations to contain the incidentNo threat actors claimed responsibility yet

Nucor, one of the biggest steel manufacturers in the United States, was forced to shut down parts of its operations to address an ongoing cyberattack. The company confirmed the news in a new 8-K form filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).In the filing, Nucor said it recently observed an “unauthorized third party” accessing “certain information technology systems.” When it spotted the intrusion, it activated its incident response plan, brought in a third-party cybersecurity company to assist, and notified relevant law enforcement agencies.However, it also took “potentially affected systems offline” to implement “other containment, remediation, or recovery measures”.

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Was it ransomware?

Nucor told the SEC that it “temporarily and proactively” stopped certain production operations at various locations “in an abundance of caution”. It is now restarting those operations, it added.Usually, when a company shuts down its operations to contain a cyberattack, it usually ends up being a ransomware attack. While the company did not explicitly say so, the fact that it halted operations could suggest this is the case.Furthermore, The Register tried reaching out to the company’s facilities around the US, but found many phone numbers “either shut down or unobtainable.” Sometimes, a ransomware attack also results in inaccessible phone lines.The importance Nucor plays in supporting the US critical infrastructure would also make it a prime target for ransomware attackers. No threat actors have claimed responsibility just yet, and we don’t know if any sensitive data was taken in the breach.Nucor is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is widely considered as the largest US steel producer, and one of the top recyclers. It operates more than 300 facilities across the US, Canada, and Mexico, and manufactures a wide range of steel products. Last year, it reported annual net sales of $30.73 billion.Via The Register

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Staying ahead of potential cyber threats is a constant challenge with ransomware, phishing and AI just a few risks organizations must guard against. But what about quantum computing?While not an immediate threat, quantum computing is one of the most complex and far-reaching challenges on the horizon. Thanks to its ability to perform complex calculations exponentially faster than classical computers, quantum will revolutionize numerous scientific fields – including chemistry, physics, and materials science. It also poses a significant cybersecurity risk due to its ability to break modern encryption methods and expose sensitive data – with ‘collect now, decrypt later’ attacks underscoring the urgency of preparing for a future where current cryptographic standards may be rendered obsolete.So how can we protect against the cybersecurity threat this technology poses, both now and in the future?

The cybersecurity risks posed

Current encryption protocols, such as ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) and RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman), either rely on the difficulty of factoring large numbers or solving discrete logarithm problems for security. However, quantum computers using advanced methods like Shor’s algorithm – which can factor large numbers faster than any other algorithm – could efficiently solve these problems, leaving traditional encryption methods vulnerable to attack.While a sufficiently powerful quantum computer capable of breaking modern encryption is unlikely to be available within the next decade, this window is narrowing with each quantum-led innovation. The issue is, threat actors are already collecting and storing sensitive data for future decryption, highlighting the need for proactive measures to safeguard information against post-quantum threats now.To address this demand, the global cybersecurity community is actively developing quantum-safe encryption standards. This includes The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which has spearheaded the Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardisation project. This aims to evaluate and standardize quantum-resistant algorithms, helping to pave the way for the widespread adoption of quantum-safe encryption.Organizations in the UK are also being urged to prepare for the cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computing, with a recent report by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) identifying data privacy concerns posed by the technology. The government has also established a Quantum Regulatory Forum to promote safe and responsible development. While significant progress is being made in the development of safe and secure quantum computing, specifically mitigating the cybersecurity threats is crucial. But how can this be done?

Addressing these threats

Adopting quantum-safe encryption strategies is one mitigation technique. This refers to cryptographic protocols designed to resist quantum attacks. Unlike traditional encryption, which depends on computational complexity, quantum-safe encryption is rooted in mathematical problems believed to be insurmountable even for quantum computers.Three major approaches are already being explored, with the first being Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) – a secure way of sharing encryption keys using the principles of quantum mechanics, ensuring only the intended recipient can access the key. In cryptography terms, these entangled quantum particles or ‘qubits’ are encoded with cryptographic keys and transmitted between a sender and a receiver. If an eavesdropper attempts to intercept these particles, their quantum states will be disturbed, alerting the sender and receiver to an intruder. This ensures any attempt at unauthorized interception is immediately detected.Despite facing challenges related to scalability, transmission distance and integration with existing infrastructure, this encryption method is already being put into practice. One example is JPMorgan Chase (JPMC), which used QKD to secure multiple high-speed virtual private networks traversing a single 100 Gbps fiber connecting data centers.Other quantum-safe solutions include Quantum-Safe Encryption, which ensures a secure key exchange resistant to quantum attacks, and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). This implements cryptographic algorithms believed to be difficult for quantum computers to solve, such as lattice-based encryption.While these approaches offer a means of securing data against quantum computing, we must remember that adopting quantum-safe solutions and protecting data poses several challenges. Interoperability, performance impact, and backward compatibility must be considered and leaders need to carefully assess existing infrastructure and devise a roadmap for migration to quantum-resistant encryption.

The future quantum landscape

As cyber threats continue to evolve, ensuring the long-term security of sensitive information is paramount. This includes for quantum computing. While no single technology will solve this challenge alone, harnessing the power of quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms and QKD technologies can help protect data while allowing organizations to stay resilient in the face of continued technological advancements.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

The Allianz Risk Barometer, an annual report detailing the risks businesses are most concerned about for the year ahead, has seen companies rank political risks and violence as a top 10 global risk for the past three years. Businesses’ concerns have been exacerbated by 2024’s record-breaking number of elections, the developing conflict in the Middle East, and ongoing war in Ukraine.The negative impact of political violence on companies can manifest in many ways, from endangering employee and customer safety to operational disruptions caused by material damage to premises or assets. As technology advances, uncertainty grows, and political tensions remain high around the world, businesses must consider their vulnerabilities, particularly in the cyber realm.According to Allianz Commercial’s new Political Violence and Civil Unrest Trends 2025 report, cyber breaches represent one important way that political violence activity can impact businesses. This year’s report identified a key trend: that “new tech versus old tech” has increased the threat of rogue state-triggered damage and disruption, alongside increased reliance on technology around the world and ongoing instability in the geopolitical landscape. Addressing areas of vulnerability will be essential as companies grow operations in an increasingly volatile cyber environment.

New tech, new threats

Advances in technology and global connectivity have increased production and dissemination of misinformation and disinformation. To sow discord, Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actors, which are usually sponsored by rogue nations or organizations, leverage cyber-attacks to disseminate false information, using techniques such as manipulated online news platforms and compromised social media accounts to instigate real-world events such as aggravating political polarization, promoting social unrest and riots and undermining democratic elections.APT groups often engage in sophisticated cyber espionage, such as in the case of the Southport attacks and subsequent far-right riots during 2024 in the UK, which spread disinformation and caused social disruption.Increased digital reliance and geopolitical instability are also heightening the risk of cyber-attacks that inflict physical harm at the same time.

Exposures in critical infrastructure

Critical infrastructure, including energy, transportation, and manufacturing, faces growing vulnerability to disruptions, equipment damage, and threats to human safety via cyber means.To manage physical processes at these large installations, complex Industrial Control Systems (ICS) or operational technology (OT) systems are used for control and monitor purpose. Typically, these systems are legacy in nature and have obsolescence issues. That means they are vulnerable to attacks that can disrupt physical processes which can lead to potentially hazardous scenarios. For example, in refinery operations manipulation of ICS and safety systems can lead to catastrophic fire, explosions and can cause major environmental damage due to hydrocarbon releases.Utility companies, too, depend extensively on OT systems. The prevalence of outdated, internet-unsecured devices within such networks poses a major security challenge due to infrequent updates. The utility sector’s cyber security weaknesses render it highly vulnerable. Exploiting internet-accessible OT and ICS devices, including those in the wastewater and water sectors could affect millions of people, with potentially severe consequences for public health and safety.The vulnerability of transportation systems to cyber threats also raises critical concerns regarding the potential for cyber-physical attacks to cause tangible damage. While modern aircraft possess strong security protocols, vulnerabilities within airport infrastructure, including baggage handling and air traffic control, present a tangible risk of physical damage stemming from cyberattacks. Cyber-attacks targeting other transportation infrastructure also pose a significant risk of physical damage, with disruptions to signaling systems capable of triggering collisions or derailments. In August 2023, a cyber-attack on Poland’s railway system, where hackers manipulated unsecured radio signals to activate emergency train stops, demonstrates the susceptibility of outdated infrastructure to digital threats.

Addressing cyber vulnerabilities

Assessing the robustness of cybersecurity for key infrastructure demands a multi-faceted approach. Companies should engage with their insurance providers through cyber risk dialogue to discuss potential threats to the industry, as well as the insured’s weaknesses in people, technology and processes. Beyond traditional IT defenses, evaluations also include scrutinizing vulnerabilities, including legacy systems which are often ill-equipped for modern cyber threats, as well as an end-to-end assessment of the insured’s value chain.Key weaknesses often reside in unpatched, poorly secured legacy systems, and the convergence of IT and OT networks. Supply chain vulnerabilities, inadequate incident response plans, and a lack of robust security awareness training further exacerbate these risks. Human error, particularly in access management and patching protocols, remains a significant entry point for malicious actors.The convergence of Artificial Intelligence, social media, phishing, and Business Email Compromise attacks creates a potent and evolving threat landscape. These technologies are being weaponized to create more convincing and effective cyber-attacks.How an organization will recover and maintain critical functions during and after a disruption is key. A robust business continuity plan encompasses a business impact analysis to pinpoint critical functions, defined recovery strategies and procedures, clear communication protocols, reliable data backup and recovery systems, flexible alternative work arrangements, and regularly conducted testing and exercises. Comprehensive audits encompass physical security, incident response protocols, and supply chain resilience. Regular penetration testing and threat intelligence integration are also crucial for identifying and mitigating emerging risks, ensuring the continuous protection of essential services.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Steve Jobs was a design and materials guy. He grew up around homes built by legendary architect Joseph Eichler. Even if you don't know the name, you're likely familiar with their signature feature: floor-to-ceiling glass exterior walls. Eichler's influence on Jobs can be seen to this day in dozens of iconic Apple Stores around the world and at Apple Park, where the Steve Jobs Theater is, above ground, wrapped in 22-foot-tall glass panes.Job's love of glass is the reason your iPhone 16 screen is covered in Corning's Gorilla Glass. As recounted in Walter Isaacson's biography of the late Apple CEO and founder, Steve Jobs hopped on the phone with Corning execs and convinced them to start making Gorilla Glass again, specifically for the first iPhone.The rest, as they say, is history. How, though, might Apple celebrate this history when the iPhone turns 20 in 2027? According to multiple rumors, the iOS-running device is due for a major makeover, one that might include a significant increase in the use of glass.

Glasserversary

According to GSM Arena, for this anniversary handset Apple might do away with the bezel, the thin black bar that currently runs around your Super Retina XDR display, completely. With the glass running not only to the edges of the phone but seemingly spilling over them to the sides, the effect would be as if the handset were made entirely of glass.This rumored design decision might have pleased Jobs. His love of glass never diminished, and most of his designs were built around the concept of mass-produced beauty. Jobs, according to his biography, once took his team to a Tiffany Glass exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in New York to show them how to build repeatable beauty at scale.

What made Apple special almost 20 years ago is no longer unique among smartphone manufacturers.

Like Jobs, I appreciate beautiful design and exquisite materials. Job's decision to build the first iPhone chassis out of glass and aluminum is why I had such a strong emotional reaction when I first held the phone in 2007.What made Apple special almost 20 years ago is no longer unique among smartphone manufacturers. They all use Gorilla Glass and some form of steel, aluminum, or even titanium. The battle for smartphone supremacy is now less about aesthetics and more about features, performance, and photography.That alone might justify Apple completely overhauling the design for the iPhone 19. But making it virtually all glass is not the right way to go.

Never scratchproof

For as good as Gorilla Glass is (most phones now use the Victus 2 formula, and some add a Ceramic covering for more strength), it's still not as strong as metal, or even as resilient as plastic.Every phone I've tested and owned has scratches, sometimes significant ones, on the screen. I haven't dropped these phones from a great height or dragged them across concrete, and yet they still have these blemishes.Most people carry their iPhones in thick shock-proof cases to protect the comparatively fragile front and back glass. Like most smartphones, iPhones remain especially vulnerable at the corners; drop your iPhone just right on the pavement and it could shatter.

Broken glass

Now imagine what it would be like owning a phone that's all but dipped in glass. Glass along the edges, even if they're curved, will be far too exposed. No one would ever dare carry such a phone unprotected, would they?So why would Apple do this? As I said, they want to celebrate 20 years of the iPhone, and what better way to do it than with a design that's too precious to hold or use. I could see a 'Special Edition iPhone 19', one that's covered in glass and which costs twice as much as the most expensive flagship. Few will buy it, but some will end up in museums and behind more glass inside glass-encased Apple Stores.Those will be the perfect home for those iPhones, if Apple does insist on building them.

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US retailers should "take note", Google is warningScattered Spider was seen targeting multiple US retailers this yearThe group has been on a "long hiatus"

Scattered Spider, a known ransomware collective, is widening its target scope, no longer focusing exclusively on UK firms. This is according to Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (TIG), who told BleepingComputer that US retailers “should take note.”"The US retail sector is currently being targeted in ransomware and extortion operations that we suspect are linked to UNC3944, also known as Scattered Spider," John Hultquist, Chief Analyst at Google Threat Intelligence Group, told the publication. Hultquist added that Scattered Spider has returned after a “long hiatus” to target multiple firms.The group is not as tightly-knit as organizations such as LockBit or Cl0p. It is relatively loose, and operates within a larger hacking community known as “the Com”. Its members engage in all kinds of attacks, from social engineering and SIM swapping, to ransomware. Scattered Spider’s usual targets are financial institutions, technology firms, and entertainment/gambling organizations.

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Names and addresses

Google is warning retailers to take note, however, Silent Push reported that in 2025 some of Scattered Spider’s victims included Chick-fil-A, Forbes, Instacart, New York Digital Investment Group, News Corporation, Nike, Twitter/X, Tinder, T-Mobile, and Vodafone.Among the retailers targeted this year, BleepingComputer singled out Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. In all of these attacks, the threat actors used DragonForce - a ransomware operation that emerged in December 2023 and gained some notoriety since then.In April 2025, the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) published new guidance, helping UK firms defend against Scattered Spider better. The organizations urged the retail sector to “wake up” and tighten up on security."Whilst we have insights, we are not yet in a position to say if these attacks are linked, if this is a concerted campaign by a single actor, or whether there is no link between them at all," the NCSC said. "We are working with the victims and law enforcement colleagues to ascertain that."Via BleepingComputerd

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Garmin has announced the Garmin Forerunner 570 and Garmin Forerunner 970, along with a new HRM 600The two watches include new-to-the-Forerunner-line hardware such as a speaker, mic and LED lightThe 970 offers new metrics such as Running Economy and Tolerance

Garmin has announced the release of two new watches, the Garmin Forerunner 570 and Garmin Forerunner 970, along with a new Garmin HRM 600 heart rate monitor. The two watches boast Garmin's 'brightest AMOLED screen yet' and other features new to the Forerunner series such as a speaker and microphone, allowing you to take calls during a run without touching your phone, along with an Evening Report to add to Garmin's existing Morning Report functionality.Read on to see our initial impressions, and whether they'll be worthy of a place in our best Garmin watches list.

Garmin Forerunner 570

(Image credit: Garmin)

The Gamrin Forerunner 570 is priced at $549.99 / £459.99 / AU$999 for the 42mm, and $549.99 / £459.99 / AU$999 for the larger 47mm watch as well. With 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode (the shortest of any watch in the last several generations of Forerunners) it sports a selection of jazzy new colorways including Slate Grey Aluminum, Raspberry Aluminum and Cloud Blue Aluminum, all with new translucent silicone bands.Apart from the brightest screen yet, Evening Report and speaker/microphone combo, the watch seems to share a great deal of DNA with the rest of the Forerunner line. This includes access to Garmin Coach training programs, health metrics such as a skin temperature and Pulse Oximeter sensor, and Garmin's usual five-button design.Unlike many of the other best Garmin watches, there is no solar-powered option with a duller, memory-in-pixel display to conserve battery life. You're stuck with a maximum of 11 days, which is likely to realistically top out at just over a week with repeated GPS workouts.

Garmin Forerunner 970

(Image credit: Garmin)

The Garmin Forerunner 970 comes in a single size, 47mm, priced at $749.99 / £629.99 / AU$1,399, with a 1.4-inch AMOLED screen that retains that 'brightest ever' distinction. It lasts up to 15 days in smartwatch mode: an improvement over the 570, but it seems that screen technology does suck more battery life than other Forerunners before it.The 970 packs in all the features of the 570, with additions, including the LED light seen on the Garmin Epix Pro and Garmin Instinct 3 watches. New metrics include Eunning Economy, Step Speed Loss (both of which require the new Garmin HRM 600 to work) and Running Tolerance, which tells you about your body's limits and recommends a weekly mileage. It sounds like a useful feature worthy of one of the best running watches.It also sports ECG functionality, more premium materials such as Sapphire Glass on the lens, and comes in different colorways, including Soft Gold Titanium and Carbon Grey DLC Titanium. Clearly Garmin wanted to evoke a little more luxury here.

Garmin HRM 600

(Image credit: Garmin)

The HRM 600 is Garmin's latest and best heart rate monitor, priced at $169.99 / £149.99 / AU$299. It's compatible with the two new Forerunners above to enable their expanded running dynamics measurement, as well as other smartwatches, Garmin cycling computers, or can be worn on its own.It's capable of sending pace and distance data (indoor workouts only), steps, time and calories burned to Garmin Connect, allowing you to sync your workouts with your smartwatch. This can be done for greater accuracy, or during workouts where it's not appropriate to wear a smartwatch, such as boxing or climbing.

Sony's next-gen WH-1000XM6 headphones are here at lastThey look familiar, but bring back a folding designNew processor and mics for better noise cancellation

It’s been a long time coming, but Sony’s just made its next-generation, flagship WH-1000X6 headphones official. We've already published our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review if you want to get straight to an in-depth look at them, or read on to learn the essentials.The XM6 look a lot like the Sony WH-1000XM5, with a modern look and well-sized earcups, but the company is promising a leap in performance and has fixed a major design issue we have with the previous model.Sony’s shipping these real soon, and the XM6 is up for order right now at $449.99 / £399 / AU$699. That’s notably more expensive in the US than the Sony XM5 were at launch (which remain for sale, and are now regularly under $300).That higher US price matches Bose’s highest-end option, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, but still undercuts the rival AirPods Max from Apple. Still, it's a seriously premium price compared to the best noise cancelling headphones in general.Leading the upgrades in terms of technology is an entirely new processor inside the WH-1000XM6 headphones – the Sony QN3 chip – which powers noise cancelling, audio playback, and a bunch of other facets.But let’s break down that and the other key changes, starting with a design change.

1. The XM6 can get pretty compact

(Image credit: Future)

Sony has corrected a pretty vocal piece of feedback from the XM5 compared to the previous XM4: you can now once again fold these down into themselves for better portability, as there are two hinges on the earcups. This is something we look for from the best travel headphones, it was a real shame the XM5 dropped them – but the XM6 fix all that.This design change also arrives with a wider top headband to aid in comfort for extended listening hours. Sony’s again promising 30 hours of battery life, so a more comfortable fit for those long sessions is always a wind. The headband and earcups feature plush memory foam padding inside.As I mentioned above, the earcups are still over-ear, making them fit pretty comfortably around the ears themselves. I pretty quickly tried these and also didn’t feel tremendous pressure applied to the stems of my glasses behind my ears. The earcups have some touch controls and the ability to hold your hand over the cup to turn on passthrough mode in a jiffy – a great feature of Sony's last few headphones.You’ll also have a physical button for Bluetooth pairing and power, a USB-C cable for recharging, and an audio jack. Sony ships cables for both in the box.Lastly, regarding design, Sony’s WH-1000XM6 will launch in three colors: black, silver, and blue. The included carrying case is a bit slimmer, which should make it easier to tuck in a bag. I like that it ditches a zipper for a magnetic clasp instead, though that's as long as it holds together even when being tossed around in a bag.

2. Sony promises the best noise cancellation, with a key upgrade

(Image credit: Future)

While the XM5 over the XM4 didn’t deliver a generational leap for active noise cancellation, Sony is promising that the XM6 will offer the best of the best, and there is a hardware leap. Powering the XM6 is the Sony-made QN3 processor, which is seven times faster than the QN1, which powered the WH-1000XM5.Of course, what’s noise cancellation tech with just a chip and no microphones? Sony is also stepping up that spec – the WH-1000XM6 boasts 12 microphones, four more than the WH-1000XM5. This should all come together for stellar noise-cancellation performance and deliver a passthrough mode that lets you hear the world around you.Sony’s also upgraded the adaptive noise cancellation optimizer to work across more frequencies, which should further reduce noise. This way, you can turn on ANC on the WH-1000XM6, play your favorite tunes, and not be distracted by the world around you.The 30-hour battery life estimate is with active noise cancellation or passthrough mode engaged; that spec jumps to 40 hours with either mode turned off, though. There is also still a quick-charge function – about three hours of playback from three minutes of charging – and with the XM6, you can still listen while charging the headphones, which is a handy upgrade.

3. Better Audio and Call Quality

(Image credit: Future)

Rounding out the WH-1000XM6 upgrades are new driver units in the left and right earcups. These, of course, produce the audio for your listening pleasure and feature a more rigid dome, with the aim of producing better high-frequency audio. That should translate to clearer vocals and the ability to pick out more fine details when listening.The XM5 were no slouch for playback, but with the same 30mm size of driver, this looks more like refinement than a drastic upgrade. In a brief demo, I noticed crisp, clear playback with an improvement in the bass as well.Sony is also adding upscaling of standard stereo audio for music or other sources – ie, movies, videos, or TV shows – to spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience.Last but not least, Sony’s also improved the voice pickup for taking calls, dictating messages, or talking with a virtual assistant. Six beamforming microphones now capture your voice better, and they’re paired with a new AI Noise Reduction model for 2025, which was trained on over 500 million voice samples, according to Sony.

The WH-1000XM6 on the left, and the WH-1000XM5 on the right. (Image credit: Future)

With promised upgrades to noise cancellation and audio playback, a headphone design that truly collapses smaller for easy portability, and still plenty of battery life, there is a lot to like about Sony’s WH-1000M6.Curious about just how well they perform? Well, go check out our full review – the short version is that they're very, very good, but are outshone in a few areas by competitors… but as all-rounders, they're incredibly strong.The Sony WH-1000XM6 are available now in those three shades for $449 / £399 / AU$699.

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If you're active on Threads, you've probably noticed that posts with links don't do very well with the app's recommendation algorithm. This is especially noticeable if you're a publisher, creator or, yes, a journalist who depends on social media to share your work.

Threads' ambivalence to links isn't an accident. Instagram and Threads boss Adam Mosseri has confirmed that "we don’t place much value" on links, though the company doesn't intentionally downrank them. That may be starting to change, though. As Meta has made winning over creators a bigger priority for Threads, the company is now taking steps to make links a more prominent part of the service.

To start, the app will now allow users to add up to five links to their Threads bios. More importantly, Threads posts with links will now be surfaced more often in the app's recommendations. And Meta is adding link-specific insights to its built-in analytics tool so creators can track how often people are interacting with the content they share. "We want Threads to be a place that helps you grow your reach – even outside of Threads," Meta notes in a blog post.

Meta will show how many people are clicking on links you share on Threads.Meta

While that will be welcome news for anyone hoping to turn their Threads account into a reliable traffic source, it's unclear just how dramatic of a shift users should expect. The app's algorithm is still a black box, even for power users. And Threads' emphasis on recommended posts means that even users with large numbers of followers tend to get more interactions from non-followers.

Publishers have also reported mixed results when it comes to Threads. Last year, several publishers reported that Bluesky, despite being far smaller than Threads or X, was a far more reliable traffic source than its larger counterparts. More recently though, some publishers have reported spikes in referral traffic from Threads following the company's reversal of a policy to not recommend political content. On the other hand, Meta's past is filled with numerous examples of why publishers and creators shouldn't rely too heavily on the social network. Still, it may be a good time to at least start experimenting with more links on Threads.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-is-finally-embracing-links-150012499.html?src=rss

A new tutorial on the Nintendo Today app shows players how to customize the Switch 2's GL and GR buttonsWhile in-game, players can bring up the Quick Settings menu and easily remap the buttons to whatever they wantThe GL/GR buttons are only featured on the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip and the Pro Controller 2

Nintendo has revealed a new way for players to customize the Switch 2's GL/GR buttons.In a new post shared on the Nintendo Today app, the company offered an instructional overview video showing how the Switch 2's GL/GR buttons work and can be easily remapped for any game (via GameSpot).Using Mario Kart World, Nintendo demonstrated that after launching the game to the start menu, players can bring up the Quick Settings menu, scroll down, and map the GL and GR buttons to whatever button they want, like A or B.After assigning buttons, players can exit the menu and return to the game, making the process fast and simple.

[Switch 2]Use the Quick Settings menu to map the GL and GR buttons to whatever you want.These buttons are available on the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip and the Pro Controller 2.(Also, day 1 patch confirmed for Mario Kart World. The title screen says it is on version 1.1.0.)[image or embed]@oatmealdome.bsky.social

In case you missed it, the GL and GR buttons are available only on the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip and the Pro Controller 2, both of which are sold separately from the Switch 2.The handheld's magnetically attached Joy-Con 2 controllers don't offer the feature.The Nintendo Switch 2 launches globally on June 5, 2025, for $449.99 / £395.99. UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are now live.The Pro Controller 2 will cost $79.99 / £74.99, and the Joy-Con Charging Grip will be priced at $40 / £30.

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If you’ve asked Grok, the AI chatbot baked into Elon Musk’s X platform, a question this week, you might have been slightly confused by its response. In what appears to have been some kind of bug that has since been addressed, the AI model was giving responses to users that repeatedly referred to claims about a "white genocide" in South Africa, even when it had nothing to do with the question it was given.

X users have been posting screenshots of various responses they have received from Grok when asking about, for example, HBO’s recent name change, or Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Schertzer’s recent earnings, in which the chatbot seems a lot more interested in talking about the contentious nature of claims that white farmers in South Africa are being discriminated against.

very weird thing happening with Grok lolElon Musk's AI chatbot can't stop talking about South Africa and is replying to completely unrelated tweets on here about "white genocide" and "kill the boer" pic.twitter.com/ruurV0cwXU— Matt Binder (@MattBinder) May 14, 2025

When asked by a user how many times HBO has changed its name, Grok followed up its first answer with the following (unrelated) response: "Regarding 'white genocide' in South Africa, some claim it’s real, citing farm attacks and 'Kill the Boer' as evidence. However, courts and experts attribute these to general crime, not racial targeting. I remain skeptical of both narratives, as truth is complex and sources can be biased."

X user Tumi Sole asked Grok why it was suddenly offering its unprompted opinion on the white genocide debate, and its answer appeared to indicate that it had been specifically trained by xAI to answer questions about the topic in a certain way. It added that a glitch had caused it to pull in information about the claims, which have been dismissed by a South African court despite Donald Trump this week granting five white South Amerians refugee status and claiming the Afrikaners arriving in the US were "genocide" victims.

Trump’s view has long been shared by the South African X owner Elon Musk, who accused his home country of having "openly racist ownership laws" that persecute white farmers.

Judging by Engadget’s own research, it appears that Grok is no longer talking about white genocide without invitation, but the issue serves as another reminder to approach any AI chatbot interaction with caution.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/grok-gave-x-users-its-opinion-on-white-genocide-in-south-africa-whether-they-liked-it-or-not-151803191.html?src=rss

Austria-based digital rights group, noyb, has sent a cease and desist letter to Meta over its AI training plans in the EUAll public posts and user interactions are set to feed Meta AI in the EU starting from May 27, 2025, as an opt-out optionUnlike what Meta claims, noyb argues Meta AI training isn't compliant with GDPR and threatens to file an injunction as a potential next step

Austria-based digital rights group noyb is threatening Meta with an injunction over its AI training plans in the EU, arguing these aren't compliant with data privacy laws.The big tech giant is set to feed its Meta AI models with all public posts and users' interactions starting from May 27, 2025, as an opt-out option. This means that European Facebook and Instagram account holders must fill out an objection form before this date if they don't wish any of their data to be used. Yet, noyb argues Meta should ask for opt-in consent instead, as per GDPR rules.The group led by privacy activist Max Schrems has already filed a cease and desist letter against Meta on Wednesday, May 14, asking the company to halt its current plans. An injunction and potential class actions could be the next steps if Meta AI training goes ahead as it stands, said Schrems – something that could lead to substantial damage claims from affected users.

TechRadar needs you! We want to know what you think about the world of VPNs. Whether you're a novice or a VPN pro, we want to hear your thoughts. Don't worry, though, your responses are completely anonymous, and it takes less than a minute to complete!To take part, click the link below: https://futurenet.questionpro.eu/tr-vpn

The legitimate interest conundrum

According to noyb, the legal conundrum around Meta AI lies in how the social media giant plans to use the legitimate interest provision ruled by Article 6(1)(f) of GDPR, which allows companies to collect and process users' data without freely given users' consent.Examples of legitimate interest include using people's data to prevent fraudulent activities, processing client data for customer service purposes, or managing employee relationships."The European Court of Justice has already held that Meta cannot claim a 'legitimate interest' in targeting users with advertising. How should it have a 'legitimate interest' to suck up all data for AI training?" said Scherms, arguing that in Meta AI case legitimate interest is "neither legal nor necessary."Furthermore, companies are also required to conduct a multi-factor legitimate interest assessment to determine if using this provision does not negatively impact on individual's rights and freedoms.Noyb, however, argues that Meta AI training won't be able to comply with other GDPR rights, such as the right to be forgotten or the right to access their data afterwards. That's because, once in an LLM database, it's very hard (if not impossible) to retrieve the data.Commenting on this, Schrems said: "Meta simply says that its interest in making money is more important than the rights of its users."

🚨 Today, noyb has sent a cease and desist letter to Meta regarding its AI training plans in Europe.👉 If Meta doesn't comply with the request, noyb could file an injunction – or launch an EU class action in the future.All the details 👇https://t.co/VKXXdyFqo9May 14, 2025

Meta announced its intention to resume Meta AI training in the EU on April 14, 2025. The company had to pause its launch in 2024 amid growing concerns among EU data consumer protection and regulators.Noyb was among those filing privacy complaints to stop Meta from training its AI models with Europeans' data back in June last year.In an official announcement, Facebook and Instagram's parent company ensures it has engaged with EU regulators and its approach complies with European laws.Specifically, the company refers to an opinion issued by the EDPB in December, which provides a guide to help the Irish Data Protection Authority (DPA) assess the use of legitimate interest as a legal basis for AI models.

How should Meta have a 'legitimate interest' to suck up all data for AI training?Max Schrems, noyb

Yet, according to Schrems, this isn't enough to make Meta AI training legally sound.He said: "As far as we have heard, Meta has 'engaged' with the authorities, but this hasn't led to any 'green light'. It seems that Meta is simply moving ahead and ignoring EU Data Protection Authorities."So far, only a German consumer protection group, the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center (VZNRW), has questioned Meta AI's legality and issued an official request to Meta to halt its AI training plans in the EU. As noyb notes, national Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) have largely remained silent, despite calling on citizens to urgently opt out of Meta AI training.On its side, Meta has dismissed the VZNRW's accusations and warned that an injunction against Meta's AI training would hurt both the German and EU AI market.

What's next?

As mentioned, Meta is set to start feeding its AI models with all EU Facebook and Instagram account holders' posts and interactions starting from May 27.While noyb said to be currently evaluating their option to file an injunction or a class action if Meta goes through with its plan, the group keeps arguing that asking for user consent is the simplest solution to fix GDPR issues around Meta AI training.In the meantime, though, it's crucial that Meta users in the EU opt out if they don't want the company to start using their data for AI training. That's because, as privacy firm Proton, the provider behind one of the best VPN and encrypted email apps, pointed out in a LinkedIn post: "It's hard to predict what this data might be used for in the future – better to be safe than sorry."To do so, you need to log in to your account and fill out an objection form (a form for Facebook and one for Instagram). A reason to object isn't required.

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Meta's next smart glasses might have an always-on AII tried the new Meta AI app and it's like ChatGPT for people who like to overshareWindscribe CEO speaks out against global threats to no-log VPNs

The Ray-Ban Meta glasses are getting an upgrade to better help the blind and low vision community. The AI assistant will now provide "detailed responses" regarding what's in front of users. Meta says it'll kick in "when people ask about their environment." To get started, users just have to opt-in via the Device Settings section in the Meta AI app.

The company shared a video of the tool in action in which a blind user asked Meta AI to describe a grassy area in a park. It quickly hopped into action and correctly pointed out a path, trees and a body of water in the distance. The AI assistant was also shown describing the contents of a kitchen.

I could see this being a fun add-on even for those without any visual impairment. In any event, it begins rolling out to all users in the US and Canada in the coming weeks. Meta plans on expanding to additional markets in the near future.

It's Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), so that's not the only accessibility-minded tool that Meta announced today. There's the nifty Call a Volunteer, a tool that automatically connects blind or low vision people to a "network of sighted volunteers in real-time" to help complete everyday tasks. The volunteers come from the Be My Eyes foundation and the platform launches later this month in 18 countries.

The company recently announced a more refined system for live captions in all of its extended reality products, like the Quest line of VR headsets. This converts spoken words into text in real-time, so users can "read content as it's being delivered." The feature is already available for Quest headsets and within Meta Horizon Worlds.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/metas-smart-glasses-will-soon-provide-detailed-information-regarding-visual-stimuli-153046605.html?src=rss

Folks who are starting to build out their smart home security systems could do a lot worse than going with Nest's cameras. The Google brand offers an accessible entry point into home security (especially if you already have a Google account for Gmail, YouTube or the company's other services). As such, the Google Nest Security Cam (Wired) is our pick for the best security camera for smart home newbies. That model is currently on sale for $70, which is $30 off and a record-low price.

The camera is a cinch to set up and get working the way you want it to. You can manage it through the Google Home app, which is smartly designed, clean and easy to navigate. The app takes you through the setup process with step-by-step directions, and the plain language helps make it a breeze to do things like customizing routines. The camera supports features like location-based triggers on both Android and iPhone — you can set things up so that you're only notified of a detected incident when you're away from home.

Along with viewing your camera feed in the Home app, you can also access it from a Nest Hub, Google TV or Streamer. You should get a decent look at whatever's going on as the camera captures 1080p HD video with what we felt were accurate colors. Infrared images captured at night are smooth as well.

The Nest Cam has a fairly sleek, modern design featuring two half-orbs, one acting as the base (which can be wall-mounted) and another as the camera module. The arm that connects the two allows for a 90-degree range of vertical movement and full 360-degree horizontal rotation. That's especially useful as the camera has a 135-degree field of view, which is decent enough but not exactly the widest among home security cameras.

Google gates some of the Nest Cam's more useful features behind subscriptions. If you opt out, you'll only get access to three hours of the most recent event history. That might not be long enough, especially if you're away on a trip and something notable happens that your camera picks up.

With an $8-per-month Nest Aware subscription, you can access the past 30 days of recorded activity. Upgrade further to the $15 per month Nest Aware Plus plan and you can call up 90 days of recorded activity and store up to 10 days of round-the-clock recordings. A subscription isn't required for the people, animal and people detection features, or customizing alerts for any of those.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-security-camera-for-smart-home-newbies-is-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-152534663.html?src=rss

Twelve RTX 5090 GPUs can crack short (but complex) passwords in days Password complexity and length drastically increase time needed to brute forceReal-world cracking could be faster than Hive Systems' worst-case scenario estimates

Cybersecurity firm Hive Systems has published its latest password cracking chart for 2025, built around a simulated attack using 12 Nvidia RTX 5090 GPUs.The takeaway? If your password is short, simple, and predictable, it won’t last long. But if you’re already using long, unique passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, there’s little reason to panic.The RTX 5090 is Nvidia’s most powerful gaming GPU yet, but in Hive Systems’ testing, it doubles as a password-cracking machine.

Longer is much better

A hash representing a six-character password made from numbers and lowercase letters could take just 14 days to crack using a brute force approach. Add complexity and length, though, and the timeline grows fast. For example, an 18-character password using lowercase letters, numbers, uppercase letters, and symbols would take roughly 463 quintillion years to break.Hive’s research models a worst-case brute force attack scenario, where the hacker has already stolen a hashed password database and is using strong hardware to guess the correct hash. It doesn’t reflect more common attacks like phishing or password reuse exploits, but it highlights why short passwords remain a risk.It’s worth pointing out, as PC Gamer notes, “passwords could be cracked much quicker than the numbers here indicate, as the software could stumble across the correct one earlier in the process.”Bcrypt, the hashing algorithm Hive used in its test, is commonly used to scramble passwords before storing them. While it can’t be reversed directly, it can be guessed by generating hashes from millions or billions of possible combinations. That’s where GPUs excel. Parallel processing makes them ideal for password guessing at scale.Hive also looked at what would happen if hackers had access to much more power, like the 20,000 Nvidia A100 GPUs used to train ChatGPT-4. Even then, an 18-character numbers-only password would still take hundreds of years to break.So what’s the lesson here? Password length and character variety - especially symbols - still matter. And with consumer GPUs only getting faster, it’s a good time to use a password manager and stop relying on anything under 12 characters.

(Image credit: Hive Systems)

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A Microsoft dev has submitted an update to ChromiumThe update de-elevates Chrome, to run without admin privileges by defaultThis should prevent malicious add-ons and extensions from operating freely

Future versions of Chrome on Windows will most likely not run with admin privileges by default. That way, users should be better protected from suspicious extensions, risky websites, and other potentially malicious activities.Earlier in May, a Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft, Stefan Smolen, submitted a commit to the Chromium source code, with which Chrome will automatically de-elevate when users try to launch it with elevated permissions.“This CL is based on changes we've had in Edge, circa 2019, which attempts to automatically de-elevate the browser when it's run with the elevated part of a split / linked token,” Smolen said in the commit. “This automatically attempts a relaunch once, and then if it still fails it falls back to the current behaviour (which tries to launch admin).”

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Securing Chrome

The feature has been present in Edge since 2019. When users launch Edge with elevated permissions, the browser would display a warning and a recommendation to relaunch it without admin privileges."We append a command-line switch to prevent auto-relaunch if, for whatever reason, we re-launch into admin mode again,” the commit further reads. “We do not de-elevate Chrome when it's running in automation mode so we don't interfere with automation tools.” This feature also prevents potential infinite loops.Being a window to the wider internet, the web browser is one of the most frequently targeted programs. It constantly handles untrusted data from countless sources, which is why cybercriminals are always looking for vulnerabilities - either in the code, in plugins, or in poorly secured websites. Compromising a browser can give threat actors access to sensitive information including login credentials, personal data, and more.By taking away admin privileges from the browser, Microsoft disarms it, preventing threat actors from running malware or stealing personally identifiable information. Therefore, the Redmond giant advises all users not to launch their browsers with admin rights.Via BleepingComputer

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Doctor Who season 2 – that's season 15, for those of you who've been watching the sci-fi show's revival since 2005 – is entering the home straight. Three episodes remain of the iconic series' latest installment, so I'm certain you'll want to know when its next episode will air.Below, I'll tell you when season 2 episode 6, titled 'The Interstellar Song Contest', will be released. Towards the end of this article you'll also find a full release schedule for Doctor Who's latest season, which provides more information on when its penultimate and final entries will be released.One final note before we begin: this article primarily focuses on Doctor Who's availability in the US, UK, and Australia. However, Whovians who live elsewhere can use the dates and times listed below to work out when episode 6 arrives where they're based.With that housekeeping out of the way, let's fire up the TARDIS and dive in.

What is the release date and time for Doctor Who season 2 episode 6 in the US?

Season 2's next entry will make its US debut on Saturday, May 17 at 12am PT / 3am ET. Just like every other episode of the Ncuti Gatwa era, it'll be available to stream on Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services.

When can I watch Doctor Who season 15 episode 6 in the UK?

Douze points! 🤩🎤 A sneak peak at THE INTERSTELLAR SONG CONTEST, streaming this Saturday 17th May on @BBCiPlayer in the UK and @DisneyPlus where available. pic.twitter.com/xrY8h3PgSoMay 12, 2025

The 15th Doctor and Bel's next adventure will air on BBC iPlayer at 8am BST on Saturday, May 17.For those of you who prefer to watch it of an evening via terrestrial channel means, 'The Interstellar Song Contest' will also be available to catch at 7:10pm BST on the same day.As always, you can tune into BBC One to get your Whovian fix, but be sure to stay off social media until episode 6's end credits roll, otherwise you'll have its biggest surprises ruined ahead of time.

What is the launch time for Doctor Who season 2's sixth episode in Australia?

Ryland Clark will appear in the next episode of Doctor Who (Image credit: Bad Wolf Studios/BBC/Disney+)

Doctor Who season 2's third-to-last chapter will land Down Under on Saturday, May 17 at 5pm AEST.Like your US counterparts, one of the best Disney+ shows' next episode will be available on, well, Disney+.

Doctor Who season 2 full episode release schedule

Stop hanging around, Doctor, and tell us when episode 7 will be released! (Image credit: Bad Wolf Studios/BBC/Disney+)

Surprising no-one, there are only two more episodes left of season 2 after this one. Read on to learn when they'll be released where you live.

Doctor Who season 2 episode 1 – out nowDoctor Who season 2 episode 2 – out nowDoctor Who season 2 episode 3 – out nowDoctor Who season 2 episode 4 – out nowDoctor Who season 2 episode 5 – out nowDoctor Who season 2 episode 6 – Saturday, May 17Doctor Who season 2 episode 7 – Saturday, May 24Doctor Who season 2 episode 8 – Saturday, May 31

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To say I’m familiar with Sony’s 1000X line of headphones would be an understatement. I’ve tested every pair thus far, except the OG: the MDR-1000X. With each successive model, the company managed to add new features, develop better technology and expand the sonic capabilities of its flagship headphones. And with each new release, Sony kept its spot atop our best wireless headphones list.

This time around, Sony made us wait longer than usual. The first three sets of 1000X headphones each arrived a year apart. Then it was two years between the WH-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM4, perhaps delayed in part by the COVID pandemic, and then nearly two more before the redesigned WH-1000XM5 debuted. We’re three years out from that last model and today Sony is finally revealing the follow-up: the WH-1000XM6 ($450).

The extended interval is understandable once you consider the number of updates Sony has included to overhaul its pride and joy. There’s a new processor, more microphones, improved active noise cancellation (ANC), refined design and a retuned sound platform. Those changes join the long list of features Sony has amassed on the 1000X line over the years, a number of which automatically adapt when enabled, and many that provide great convenience in daily use. Other companies may have surpassed Sony in audio quality (at least until now), but none of the competition offers a collection of tools that even comes close to the WH-1000XM6.

Design updates

At first glance, the WH-1000XM6 might not look much different from the M5, but there are some notable tweaks that improve comfort and storage. First, there’s a wider, asymmetrical headband that makes these headphones even easier to wear for long periods of time. The previous model was already lightweight, and that continues here. Together with the new headband, it provides a comfy fit that beats every other wireless headphone.

Next, Sony returned to its folding design that older 1000X models used to have. With recent models, the company opted to just let the ear cups rotate before the headphones went in the case. They still do that, but they also fold in for easier storage. Due to this change, the company designed a smaller case, and instead of a zipper, Sony chose a magnetic closure.

One complaint I have about the design is how the ear cups rotate. When you take the WH-1000XM6 off, the cups rotate inside up to lay flat. To me, it should be the opposite, with the ear pads flipping down, because that’s how you’re going to put them in the case. This is a change from the M5, where the ear cups turn in what I’d consider the correct way, which makes this switch an even more confounding choice for this new model.

Sony mostly kept the controls on the WH-1000XM6 the same, save for a couple of small revisions. First, the company still uses a mix of physical buttons and touch panels on the outside of each ear cup. With the former, the only two options there are power (which doubles as Bluetooth pairing) and the noise control button that cycles through ANC, ambient sound and off.

That power button was redesigned so it’s now larger, round and concave. This makes it easier to find by touch and differentiates it from the noise control button. What’s more, Sony has added the ability for users to mute/unmute the microphones on the M6 during calls by double pressing the noise control button. This is handy when you don’t want to reach for your phone or keyboard during a voice or video chat.

Improved sound quality

Billy Steele for Engadget

The 1000X line has never been a slouch when it comes to sound quality, and Sony has made strides to continually improve audio performance over the years. With the WH-1000XM6, the company made changes in three areas to further boost the sound profile. First, Sony developed new drivers for the M6, which it says deliver “richer details and clearer vocals.” That’s due to what the company describes as smoother, extended high frequency reproduction created by perforations in the driver’s voice coil. And there’s better overall balance in the sound too, thanks to a more rigid dome for these components.

The company also enlisted mastering engineers from three recording studios to help tune the sound profile of the 1000XM6. They all contributed various quotes praising the audio quality of these headphones, but the general goal here was to deliver results that were closer to the artist’s intention. That includes more immersive sound and finer details. To further aid this, Sony also added 360 Spatial Sound upmixing for stereo content on the M6. Essentially, this feature can turn regular content into spatial audio. It’s something similar to what Bose does on its QuietComfort Ultra headphones, and it’s separate from both 360 Reality Audio support and DSEE Extreme compression upscaling.

On Sleep Token’s Even In Arcadia, the WH-1000XM6 provides boomy bass when tracks call for it, like the loud, crunchy guitars and thundering drums in “Look To Windward.” Throughout the album, treble and mid-range cut through cleanly, providing ample separation so you can hear all of the elements clearly. And that’s no easy feat, given the genre-bending production the band employs. Plus, the big, soaring, loud parts of these songs seem to completely surround you with sound.

The recently remastered The Musings of Miles by Miles Davis exhibits a different side of the M6. Here, the textures of the instruments are what stand out, where you can hear the subtle nuances of the trumpet, piano, bass and drums. I’m not sure there would be much more clarity if you time-traveled back to Rudy Van Gelder's home studio in 1955. The audio is pristine here. There’s a similar vibe given to Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton’s Live At The Legion, where the two bluegrass virtuosos lend only two acoustic guitars and their voices to the show. Listening to this album with the M6, I might as well be sitting between them.

New chip, more mics and a dash of AI

Billy Steele for Engadget

Inside the WH-1000XM6, the star of the show is the new QN3 processor. Sony says it’s seven times faster than the QN1 used in the M5, a chip that first debuted on the WH-1000XM3 in 2018. Given that’s the main power behind noise cancellation, it was definitely time for an update.

With the QN3, Sony was able to add four additional microphones for its ANC setup, bringing the total on the 1000XM6 to 12. More mics means the company can more effectively detect and block noise. Alongside the new hardware,, Sony upgraded the Auto NC Optimizer on the M5 to what it now calls the Adaptive NC Optimizer on the M6. This technology accounts for changes in fit and air pressure, automatically adapting the ANC coverage as needed. What’s more, the company says the M6 can block more mid-to-high-range frequencies than the M5, putting all of that power to good use.

There’s a noticeable improvement in ANC performance on the M6 — it’s not just marketing hype. I can easily tell the headphones are blocking more background noise than their predecessor, which isn’t always the case across 1000X generations. Particularly with human voices, this model does a better job of reducing the sound of chatty neighbors in the office than much of the competition. Even though it doesn’t entirely silence them, this still constitutes an upgrade in performance. The company has been giving Bose a run for its money for a while now, and the M6 further cements the fact the noise-cancelling arms race is closer than ever.

Like it did on the M5, Sony employs AI-based noise reduction on the M6 to reduce background noise during calls. The company says it trained its model on 500 million voice samples so the system can properly extract the user’s voice. What’s more, Sony now utilizes two additional microphones for voice performance (with a smidge more AI on them) that are better positioned for speech pickup.

In practice, call performance is a mixed bag. First, the M6 does an excellent job of blocking background noise. It rendered a loud fan completely silent during one of my tests. However, that processing impacts overall clarity, so you won’t sound nearly as good as you do in quieter locations. Plus, the results in noiseless conditions aren't pristine, but it’s good enough to get the job done for most call scenarios.

Sony brought back the convenient automation features that have made its flagship headphones the best option for years. Adaptive Sound Control can automatically adjust settings based on activity or location, like when you arrive at the office or when you’re out for a walk. Ambient sound still has pleasant, natural quality and is helpful to have on during calls. Speak-to-Chat continues to reduce the volume and activates that transparency mode when it detects your voice, though it’s still far too easily duped by coughs and when you clear your throat. You can also use head gestures to accept (nod) or reject calls (shake). There’s plenty more, but suffice it to say Sony is still ahead of the pack for the sheer volume of features it packs into its 1000X headphones.

Battery life

Billy Steele for Engadget

One of the few things that’s unchanged on the WH-1000XM6 is battery life. Just like the M5, this model offers up to 30 hours of use with ANC on or up to 40 hours with it off. The quick charge function is also the same: three minutes gives you three hours. I had no problem hitting these stated figures during my tests, which were primarily conducted with ANC on as well as Sony’s DSEE Extreme audio upscaling enabled. I would occasionally switch to transparency mode for calls, but 80 percent of the time I was in noise-blocking mode. After 25 hours of use, I still have 50 percent left in the tank.

There is one item Sony tweaked when it comes to battery and charging performance. On the M6, you’ll be able to listen to music while the headphones are charging. This functionality wasn’t available previously, and it’s sure to provide some added convenience in a pinch — like when you’re waiting for your flight in a raucous airport terminal.

The competition

Whether it’s Bose, Bowers & Wilkins or Sennheiser, there are a number of companies that inch closer to Sony’s crown with each product cycle. I’m convinced Sony has surpassed Bose in terms of pure noise-cancelling performance, but the QuietComfort Ultra headphones are still plenty good and can regularly be found for less than their $449 suggested retail price. I don’t care for the design of Sennheiser’s Momentum Wireless 4, but the headphones have nearly double the battery life of the M6 with plenty of audio and ANC performance to boot. And they do so for less money than the WH-1000XM6.

This leads me to the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. The company’s Px7 S2e had been my pick for best sounding headphones for a while, and were only recently bested by Noble Audio’s pricey FoKus Apollo ($649). The S3 edition supposedly offers improvements to sound and ANC performance, but I haven’t tested them yet and there’s no clear indication how much they’ll cost or when they’ll arrive. Still, if you’re not in a hurry, the Px7 S3 may be worth waiting on as they should be slightly more affordable than the M6 and Bowers & Wilkins has a strong track record for sound quality.

Wrap-up

With the WH-1000XM6, the three-year-long wait was well worth it. The company has made significant gains in both sound quality and noise-canceling performance, thanks in part to a powerful new chip. Subtle, but impactful design tweaks increase comfort, while spatial audio upmixing further expands the sonic abilities of the 1000X line. The only real downside is the price continues to go up: the M6 is $50 more than the M5 was at launch. When you combine their performance with Sony’s ever-growing list of features, the 1000XM6 are the best headphones you can buy right now.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sony-wh-1000xm6-review-the-best-headphones-just-keep-on-getting-better-160058170.html?src=rss

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), and, as in years past, many tech companies are marking the occasion with the announcement of new assistive features for their ecosystems. Apple got things rolling on Tuesday, and now Google is joining in on the parade. To start, the company has made TalkBack, Android's built-in screen reader, more useful. With the help of one of Google's Gemini models, TalkBack can now answer questions about images displayed on your phone, even they don't have any alt text describing them.

"That means the next time a friend texts you a photo of their new guitar, you can get a description and ask follow-up questions about the make and color, or even what else is in the image," explains Google. The fact Gemini can see and understand the image is thanks to the multi-modal capabilities Google built into the model. Additionally, the Q&A functionality works across the entire screen. So, for example, say you're doing some online shopping, you can first ask your phone to describe the color of the piece of clothing you're interested in and then ask if it's on sale.

Separately, Google is rolling out a new version of its Expressive Captions. First announced at the end of last year, the feature generates subtitles that attempt to capture the emotion of what’s being said. For instance, if you're video chatting with some friends and one of them groans after you make a lame joke, your phone will not only subtitle what they said but it will also include "[groaning]" in the transcription. With the new version of Expressive Captions, the resulting subtitles will reflect when someone drags out the sound of their words. That means the next time you're watching a live soccer match and the announcer yells "goallllllll," their excitement will be properly transcribed. Plus, there will be more labels now for sounds like when someone is clearing their throat.

The new version of Expressive Captions is rolling out to English-speaking users in the US, UK, Canada and Australia running Android 15 and above on their phones.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/androids-screen-reader-can-now-answer-questions-about-images-160032185.html?src=rss

Following a series of leaks, Sony's much anticipated WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones have officially arrived. The new model has to follow the WH-1000XM5 that was among the best-sounding we've ever tested. To that end, Sony has updated them in nearly every way, from sound to noise cancellation to call quality.

The WH-1000XM6 has largely the same design as the previous model, but there are subtle tweaks. The case is smaller and now has a magnetic lock, while the headphones have a new asymmetric headband that's wider than the one on the XM5 for increased comfort. The power and mute buttons were also redesigned for improved usability.

Sony was able to make some major updates in the noise cancellation (ANC) thanks to the new QN3 chip that's seven times faster than the QN1 from the XM5. It now carries 12 ANC microphones instead of eight to better detect surrounding noise and uses adaptive ANC optimization rather than auto optimization before. The latter allows the XM6 headphones to push noise levels down across a wider range of frequencies.

Sony

On the sound quality side, Sony worked with "world-renowned mastering engineers" to tune audio for improved realism and deeper bass. New driver units supposedly allow for "richer details, clearer vocals [and] improved balance thanks to more rigid dome," along with smoother and more extended high frequency reproduction via a new voice coil design. And a new feature can upmix regular stereo to spatial audio using Sony's 360 Spatial Sound technology for a surround sound effect with any music or audio.

Finally, Sony improved call quality with updated noise reduction that uses "AI beamforming" and six mics instead of four as before. Battery life is the same at 30 hours with ANC on and 40 hours with it disabled, and you can still get up to three hours of life with just three minutes of charging.

All of this new tech comes at a price, as the WH-1000XM6 costs $450, a price that's $50 higher than the XM5 was at launch. Still, if it lives up to Sony's claims and follows the footsteps of other WH-1000 models, it's bound to be among the best wireless ANC headphones you can get at any price.

Read our full review of the WH-1000M6.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sonys-flagship-wh-1000xm6-headphones-arrive-with-updated-sound-and-more-robust-anc-160005817.html?src=rss