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A number of Sonos speakers are on sale right now at Sonos direct and Amazon. his includes the well-regarded Era 300 smart speaker, which is on sale for $359. This particular model is one of Sonos' newest, and it has rarely gone on sale in the past.

We enjoyed the Era 300 enough to give it a score of 80 in our review. It has excellent sound quality and offers a premium experience that far surpasses other products in the company's lineup, even the Era 100. This is also true when compared to rival speakers like Apple's HomePod.

It's simple to set up and offers the company's proprietary Trueplay tuning system. This feature optimizes the sound of the speaker to the unique acoustics of a room by leveraging an internal microphone. It measures how sound reflects off surfaces and adjusts the EQ to match. It's pretty nifty.

As for connectivity, it can pair with another Era 300 speaker for a true stereo experience. It also includes a Bluetooth receiver and line-in options. Of course, the speaker integrates with just about every streaming music service. The built-in mic also allows for voice assistant control, but only with Siri and Alexa. Google Assistant is left out of the party.

This speaker goes all-in on spatial audio, and the results are mixed. Sometimes it's sublime and sometimes it's kind of eh. This is more of a dig on the technology itself. It has serious potential but is still experiencing growing pains. The only real downside of this speaker is the exorbitant asking price, which has been slightly alleviated by this sale.

As previously mentioned, other Sonos products are available at a discount. This includes the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar, which is 26 percent off at $369, and the Era 100, which is down to $179. These deals are also available via Sonos itself. There's also an ongoing sale on portable speakers that includes the Move 2 and the Roam 2.

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-sonos-era-300-is-90-off-in-this-home-speaker-sale-150857352.html?src=rss

If you have ever looked at the X100VI said to yourself, "Man, I wish Fujifilm would just make an interchangeable lens version of this camera," consider your request answered. Four years after the release of the X-E4, the company has announced the X-E5, a compact, $1,699.95 camera that should appeal to the same crowd that loves X100VI.

Inside, the X-E5 has Fujifilm's latest X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor. That's the same sensor you'll find on the X100VI, X-T5 and X-T50. It's capable of capturing 40.2-megapixel stills, and video at up to 6.2K and 30 frames per second. Thanks to improvements Fujifilm has made to the sensor's pixel structure, the X-E5 offers a native 125 ISO, and there's AI-based autofocus to make it easier to capture moving subjects such as animals, birds, insects, motorcycles, planes and more.

Also new to the X-E5 is the inclusion of in-body image stabilization (IBIS). It offers up to seven stops of stabilization near the center of the frame and six stops toward the periphery.

Fujifilm has also once again tweaked the exterior of the camera. If the X-E4 was a bit too minimalistic for your taste, the good news is the X-E5 has a front grip where Fujifilm did away with that on the X-E4. The camera's top plate is machined from a single piece of aluminum, an addition that should make the X-E5 feel more premium than its predecessor. On the top, you'll find all the usual dials, including one for shutter speed and another for exposure compensation.

Fujifilm

There's also an entirely new dial dedicated to Fujifilm's film simulations. In addition to the usual presets like Classic Chrome and Velvia, you can save up to three of your own recipes for easy access. As before, the external LCD can flip up 180-degrees to make it easier to capture selfies and vlog.

Fujifilm has also redesigned the X-E5's viewfinder. It offers two new modes. First, there's a "Classic" mode, which simplifies the interface so it's more like what you would find on an old film camera. All your exposure settings are displayed along the bottom of the screen in a deep red color, with the light meter present on the side. Alternatively, the other new mode, "Surround View," displays a black, semi-transparent or outlined area outside of the aspect ratio you've set. In practice, that should make it easier to frame your shots.

Alongside the X-E5, Fujifilm announced a new pancake lens, the XF23mm f/2.8 R WR. It's a full stop slower than the fixed, 35mm equivalent you'll find on the X100VI, but it's about the same size and should be a lot faster to focus thanks to inclusion of a direct current motor.

Fujifilm will offer the X-E5 in black and silver. The camera will be available starting in August. At $1,699.95 for just the camera body, the X-E5 is twice as expensive as its predecessor. In fact, it's more expensive than the $1,599 X100VI, which features a leaf shutter and hybrid optical viewfinder. Personally, I'm sad about that since the X-E4 was my recommendation for a great starter camera. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/the-fujifilm-x-e5-is-basically-an-interchangeable-lens-x100vi-133931379.html?src=rss

Telegram has rejected allegations of potential ties with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB)According to a new investigation, Telegram's server network may be controlled by a man whose firms have links to Russian intelligence servicesTelegram is one of the few social platforms still available in RussiaTelegram has rejected recent allegations that the popular messaging app may have ties with Russian Intelligence services.This comes as an investigation carried out by the Russian independent investigative outlet Important Stories (IStories) claims to have found evidence suggesting Telegram's server infrastructure is under the control of a man whose firms have links to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).While Telegram hasn't issued any public responses at the time of writing, the company's spokesperson Remi Vaughn told TechRadar: "All Telegram servers are owned by Telegram and maintained by Telegram employees. Unauthorized access to any data is impossible."It's worth mentioning that Telegram is one of the few online platforms that isn't blocked in Russia, meaning that citizens can access it without using one of the best VPN services.What does the investigation say?According to the IStories investigation – which was supported by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) – over 10,000 IP addresses within Telegram's technical infrastructure are managed by a company registered in Antigua and Barbuda called Global Network Management (GNM).As per documents from a Florida court case accessed by IStories reporters, the owner of this company is a Russian network engineer named Vladimir Vedeneev, who allegedly told the court that he had been involved in the installation of Telegram Messenger and further technical support.Florida's court documents seem to reveal more details of the relationship between Vedeneev and Pavel Durov, Telegram's Founder and CEO. This includes Vedeneev telling the court, "he had the power of attorney to sign documents on behalf of Pavel Durov and on behalf of Telegram."Telegram also reportedly operates 5,000 IP addresses provided by another St. Petersburg-based company, Electrontelecom, which IStories said to have found evidence to be an FSB contractor.NEW: Messaging app Telegram has a reputation for security — but @istories_eng found that its technical infrastructure is run by a man whose companies closely collaborate with Russian intelligence services.Meet the little-known engineer at the center: https://t.co/zmaQ5Jpc1VJune 10, 2025Things get even more intricate as the IStories investigation claims that Vedeneev is also the founder of GlobalNet, a major Russian backbone telecom operator, which allegedly controlled Telegram's IP addresses, now managed by GNM, until 2020."But GlobalNet is not just any network provider. Among its clients is the Main Research Computing Center of the Presidential Property Management Department of Russia (GlavNIVTS). Officially, this organization provides technical support for President Putin’s public 'direct line' question-and-answer events, summits, and other high-level meetings," ISStories claims.In 2022, GlobalNet launched the first filter and traffic monitoring systems based on Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) at the request of Roskomnadzor, the Russian internet watchdog tasked with enforcing online restrictions.What does Telegram say?(Image credit: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)As mentioned earlier, Telegram rejects these accusations.In a written comment sent to TechRadar, Telegram's spokesperson Remi Vaughn said: "As a global company, Telegram has contracts with dozens of different service providers around the world. However, none of these service providers have access to Telegram data or sensitive infrastructure."All Telegram servers belong to Telegram and are maintained by Telegram employees. Unauthorized access to any data is impossible. Throughout its entire history, Telegram never disclosed any private messages to a third party – and its encryption has never been breached."A response that, according to IStories reporters, "contradicts facts established in a US court."Is Telegram safe to use?Launched in 2013, Telegram markets itself "as a messaging app with a focus on speed and security."Its Founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, is a Russian-born billionaire, popular among free speech fighters for refusing to give away Telegram's users' identities to law enforcement requests.Some countries have blocked access to Telegram over the years for this reason, with France issuing an arrest warrant against him for illicit activities that occurred on the platform. Yet, the company is one of the few mainstream online platforms still available in Russia at the time of writing.That said, Telegram doesn't offer the same level of security as the likes of Signal and WhatsApp, which encrypt all messages and calls by default. On the contrary, only Telegram's secret chats are end-to-end encrypted, and users have to actively turn on this extra protection themselves.(Image credit: Shutterstock / Michele Ursi)Talking to IStories, Michał "Rysiek" Woźniak, a security specialist who used to work for OCCRP as head of infrastructure and information security, warns that this system could leave users vulnerable to tracking, even if their messages remain inaccessible.He said: "If I know your device’s ‘auth_key_id,’ and I can listen in on the network that handles the data … I know it is your specific device communicating with Telegram servers. By looking at the network packets … I also get your IP address at a given time, which tells me your rough geographic location."According to Woźniak, this could become a real problem if Russian intelligence services actually have access to Telegram traffic. "A tool for global surveillance of messenger users, regardless of where they are and what server they connect to."Whether a link between Telegram and the Russian FSB is yet to be confirmed, the investigation still highlights that protecting the content of communications isn't enough, as metadata privacy matters, too. I invite anyone concerned about their privacy to use solutions that minimize metadata exposure, like Signal and Session.You might also likeTelegram is adding xAI's Grok chatbot to its appTelegram pledges to exit the market rather than "undermine encryption with backdoors"Experts warn against recent VPN disappearances in Russia

Telegram has rejected allegations of potential ties with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB)According to a new investigation, Telegram's server network may be controlled by a man whose firms have links to Russian intelligence servicesTelegram is one of the few social platforms still available in RussiaTelegram has rejected recent allegations that the popular messaging app may have ties with Russian Intelligence services.This comes as an investigation carried out by the Russian independent investigative outlet Important Stories (IStories) claims to have found evidence suggesting Telegram's server infrastructure is under the control of a man whose firms have links to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).While Telegram hasn't issued any public responses at the time of writing, the company's spokesperson Remi Vaughn told TechRadar: "All Telegram servers are owned by Telegram and maintained by Telegram employees. Unauthorized access to any data is impossible."It's worth mentioning that Telegram is one of the few online platforms that isn't blocked in Russia, meaning that citizens can access it without using one of the best VPN services.What does the investigation say?According to the IStories investigation – which was supported by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) – over 10,000 IP addresses within Telegram's technical infrastructure are managed by a company registered in Antigua and Barbuda called Global Network Management (GNM).As per documents from a Florida court case accessed by IStories reporters, the owner of this company is a Russian network engineer named Vladimir Vedeneev, who allegedly told the court that he had been involved in the installation of Telegram Messenger and further technical support.Florida's court documents seem to reveal more details of the relationship between Vedeneev and Pavel Durov, Telegram's Founder and CEO. This includes Vedeneev telling the court, "he had the power of attorney to sign documents on behalf of Pavel Durov and on behalf of Telegram."Telegram also reportedly operates 5,000 IP addresses provided by another St. Petersburg-based company, Electrontelecom, which IStories said to have found evidence to be an FSB contractor.NEW: Messaging app Telegram has a reputation for security — but @istories_eng found that its technical infrastructure is run by a man whose companies closely collaborate with Russian intelligence services.Meet the little-known engineer at the center: https://t.co/zmaQ5Jpc1VJune 10, 2025Things get even more intricate as the IStories investigation claims that Vedeneev is also the founder of GlobalNet, a major Russian backbone telecom operator, which allegedly controlled Telegram's IP addresses, now managed by GNM, until 2020."But GlobalNet is not just any network provider. Among its clients is the Main Research Computing Center of the Presidential Property Management Department of Russia (GlavNIVTS). Officially, this organization provides technical support for President Putin’s public 'direct line' question-and-answer events, summits, and other high-level meetings," ISStories claims.In 2022, GlobalNet launched the first filter and traffic monitoring systems based on Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) at the request of Roskomnadzor, the Russian internet watchdog tasked with enforcing online restrictions.What does Telegram say?(Image credit: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)As mentioned earlier, Telegram rejects these accusations.In a written comment sent to TechRadar, Telegram's spokesperson Remi Vaughn said: "As a global company, Telegram has contracts with dozens of different service providers around the world. However, none of these service providers have access to Telegram data or sensitive infrastructure."All Telegram servers belong to Telegram and are maintained by Telegram employees. Unauthorized access to any data is impossible. Throughout its entire history, Telegram never disclosed any private messages to a third party – and its encryption has never been breached."A response that, according to IStories reporters, "contradicts facts established in a US court."Is Telegram safe to use?Launched in 2013, Telegram markets itself "as a messaging app with a focus on speed and security."Its Founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, is a Russian-born billionaire, popular among free speech fighters for refusing to give away Telegram's users' identities to law enforcement requests.Some countries have blocked access to Telegram over the years for this reason, with France issuing an arrest warrant against him for illicit activities that occurred on the platform. Yet, the company is one of the few mainstream online platforms still available in Russia at the time of writing.That said, Telegram doesn't offer the same level of security as the likes of Signal and WhatsApp, which encrypt all messages and calls by default. On the contrary, only Telegram's secret chats are end-to-end encrypted, and users have to actively turn on this extra protection themselves.(Image credit: Shutterstock / Michele Ursi)Talking to IStories, Michał "Rysiek" Woźniak, a security specialist who used to work for OCCRP as head of infrastructure and information security, warns that this system could leave users vulnerable to tracking, even if their messages remain inaccessible.He said: "If I know your device’s ‘auth_key_id,’ and I can listen in on the network that handles the data … I know it is your specific device communicating with Telegram servers. By looking at the network packets … I also get your IP address at a given time, which tells me your rough geographic location."According to Woźniak, this could become a real problem if Russian intelligence services actually have access to Telegram traffic. "A tool for global surveillance of messenger users, regardless of where they are and what server they connect to."Whether a link between Telegram and the Russian FSB is yet to be confirmed, the investigation still highlights that protecting the content of communications isn't enough, as metadata privacy matters, too. I invite anyone concerned about their privacy to use solutions that minimize metadata exposure, like Signal and Session.You might also likeTelegram is adding xAI's Grok chatbot to its appTelegram pledges to exit the market rather than "undermine encryption with backdoors"Experts warn against recent VPN disappearances in Russia

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, June 12 (game #1235).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 #1236) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too). Quordle today (game #1236) - 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 #1236) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.Quordle today (game #1236) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:Quordle today (game #1236) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• R• L• S• CRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.Quordle today (game #1236) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle, game #1236, are…REPELLARGESNIDECARRYMy three-starter words uncovered a good crop of correct and in-the-wrong place letters today, handing me two straightforward anagrams to put together for LARGE and SNIDE.CARRY was my wildest guess today, taken without really considering the alternatives, while my final word was a choice between REVEL and REPEL and I got lucky.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Daily Sequence today (game #1236) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1236, are…FINALMEDIACROWDSWATHQuordle answers: The past 20Quordle #1235, Thursday, 12 June: SCANT, BATCH, UNDER, PARSEQuordle #1234, Wednesday, 11 June: CRAVE, ROOST, ANGLE, FLOODQuordle #1233, Tuesday, 10 June: DECRY, CHEEK, FILET, EASELQuordle #1232, Monday, 9 June: DERBY, LEMON, WRITE, HOVELQuordle #1231, Sunday, 8 June: REBAR, ALERT, PAYEE, FLUMEQuordle #1230, Saturday, 7 June: FLUNK, ESTER, SPITE, CHEAPQuordle #1229, Friday, 6 June: ELUDE, KHAKI, VISTA, SMOKYQuordle #1228, Thursday, 5 June: CHIDE, RABBI, GUSTY, LANCEQuordle #1227, Wednesday, 4 June: BANAL, STOUT, SEDAN, HIPPOQuordle #1226, Tuesday, 3 June: FUGUE, SYRUP, FLACK, WORSTQuordle #1225, Monday, 2 June: THINK, BELLE, CRONE, BOULEQuordle #1224, Sunday, 1 June: POINT, MERIT, WHOOP, APHIDQuordle #1223, Saturday, 31 May: CRUMB, ELFIN, DRIER, QUITEQuordle #1222, Friday, 30 May: RAJAH, CAUSE, BLACK, ETUDEQuordle #1221, Thursday, 29 May: CRIER, DRAPE, STRUT, NEIGHQuordle #1220, Wednesday, 28 May: HELLO, BEADY, VIGIL, PURERQuordle #1219, Tuesday, 27 May: TWEET, RANGE, POPPY, RADARQuordle #1218, Monday, 26 May: BLEAT, HOWDY, ASIDE, SCOOPQuordle #1217, Sunday, 25 May: OCEAN, AMBER, PIPER, GLEANQuordle #1216, Saturday, 24 May: HUSKY, HEIST, FOGGY, POLAR

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, June 12 (game #466).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 #467) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Scattering petalsNYT Strands today (game #467) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.LAZYGRAINDARNDAIRYVOLTEDAZENYT Strands today (game #467) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 11 lettersNYT Strands today (game #467) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: top, 5th columnLast side: bottom, 4th columnRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Strands today (game #467) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #467, are…ROSEDAISYVIOLETPOPPYLILYAZALEAPETUNIASPANGRAM: FLOWER GIRLSMy rating: EasyMy score: 1 hintI took a hint because I was feeling lazy today, and was given ROSE, which I quickly followed with the spangram FLOWER GIRLS. That got me hunting for the kind of flowers one would scatter down the aisle at a wedding ceremony.I was a page boy at a wedding when I was a toddler, the memory of which still haunts me thanks to the tartan kilt and beret I had to reluctantly wear – a feeling that gave me a lifelong loathing of fancy dress – but my duties didn’t include throwing petals.I digress. The relatively rare letters V and Z made VIOLET and AZALEA easy to spot, with the most tricky petal for me being PETUNIA.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, June 12, game #466)HOOKREELLURESWIVELSCALESINKERBOBBERSPANGRAM: TACKLE BOXWhat 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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, June 12 (game #732).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 #733) - today's words(Image credit: New York Times)Today's NYT Connections words are…DOGLITTLE SPOONIRISWATER BOTTLETOO CLOSELENSBENTRODCONEONE WEEKPOTATOPOINT OF VIEWANGLECUPCLOSING TIMESCOOPNYT Connections today (game #733) - hint #1 - group hintsWhat are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?YELLOW: Look at thingsGREEN: GelatoBLUE: Hits of the 90sPURPLE: Preceded by the opposite of “cold”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 #733) - hint #2 - group answersWhat are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?YELLOW: PERSPECTIVE GREEN: SEEN AT AN ICE CREAM SHOP BLUE: HIT SONGS OF 1998 PURPLE: HOT ___ Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Connections today (game #733) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Connections, game #733, are…YELLOW: PERSPECTIVE ANGLE, BENT, LENS, POINT OF VIEWGREEN: SEEN AT AN ICE CREAM SHOP CONE, CUP, LITTLE SPOON, SCOOPBLUE: HIT SONGS OF 1998 CLOSING TIME, IRIS, ONE WEEK, TOO CLOSEPURPLE: HOT ___ DOG, POTATO, ROD, WATER BOTTLEMy rating: ModerateMy score: PerfectI was questioning LITTLE SPOON as something SEEN AT AN ICE CREAM SHOP, but then I remembered that they do indeed keep long little spoons.They’re there for the consumption of ice cream sundaes, where long small spoons are required to get to the bottom of the glass. In some establishments they are als used to offer samples to dithering customers who can’t decide whether they want salted caramel or raspberry ripple-flavored scoops.After getting the first two groups fairly quickly I struggled to see any connections among the remaining eight words, before, after much turmoil, working out that the connection was HOT.I’m fortunate that I got the purple group, as I did not recognize any of the HIT SONGS OF 1998. This is most likely because I was too busy in a French melancholic haze listening to Air’s Moon Safari album 20 million times for the entirety of 1998 to pay any attention to Semisonic (CLOSING TIME) or the Goo Goo Dolls (IRIS).How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, June 12, game #732)YELLOW: GETTING COZY CUDDLING, HUGGING, SNUGGLING, SPOONINGGREEN: GOSSIPING BUZZING, DISHING, SPILLING, WHISPERINGBLUE: ENGAGING IN AN ACTIVITY WITH PINS OR NEEDLES ACUPUNCTURING, BOWLING, SEWING, WRESTLINGPURPLE: STARTING WITH TITLES DOCTORING, LORDING, MISSING, SIRINGWhat 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.

Samsung appears to be working on two new sets of earbudsOne model name spotted suggests Samsung is bypassing the Buds 2 FEBoth product names were spotted in the latest Buds Controller AppIt's been an odd month for naming in tech. Hot on the heels of Apple's WWDC event, at which the Cupertino giant launched iOS 26, rather than iOS 19 (which would've been too easy, since the vast majority of iPhone owners are currently using iOS 18.5), Samsung has apparently been working on something with a similarly head-scratchy monikerBut while Apple simply wants to align with the year (ie, 2026, when most of the features within iOS 26 will land) rather than its own operating system history, Samsung seems to have just… bypassed an iteration entirely?What's happened is that two sets of fresh Samsung Galaxy earbuds have been spotted in the latest Galaxy Buds Controller app (Wear OS version, v1.0.08.38) by Android Authority, and instead of name-dropping the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 FE (which would make sense, given that their only predecessors are the original Samsung Galaxy Buds FE), the company is apparently working on the 'Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE' and 'Samsung Galaxy Buds Core'.(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Buds Core (cor!) and Buds 3 FE: what's the deal? It's odd. OK, the inaugural 'Fan Edition' Galaxy Buds arrived in September 2023, and it's been nearly two years, so one plus two is three (ah-thank you), but I do feel like I'm clutching at straws here. However you look at it, we usually get a second-generation model before a third!And that 'Core' moniker is also surprising, because although we've reviewed 'Live', 'Plus' and two 'Pro' suffixed Buds since the original Galaxy Buds launched in 2019, we've never seen a 'Core' offering – unless you count the 2021 Galaxy Buds 2 and 2024 Galaxy Buds 3, which didn't have any special suffix and so could be considered a 'core' product.The decidedly AirPods-esque Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro arrived in July 2024 and are the company's latest earbuds alongside the Buds 3, following the game-changing Buds 2 Pro in 2022.Given that two-year gap, I wouldn't have expected to see a new Pro offering for 2025, but still, it leaves me wondering what a 'Core' offering means in 2025 – especially when you consider that it's been barely a year since the Buds 3 hit shelves. A return to actual 'buds' again, ie, a set without those rather thick stems? I hope so.With entry-level offerings from various heavy-hitters now featuring tech that might've been reserved for 'Pro' sets a year or so ago – think ChatGPT integration (hello, Nothing), ANC, personal sound profiles and more – it will also be interesting to see the types of features Samsung considers 'Core' and what it deems 'Pro'.Since these names were spotted in APK code, there's no concrete information on specs, design, release date, pricing, or even a guarantee that these are the official names. Still, I maintain that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro were some of the most talented buds of their time (sitting pretty in my best earbuds roundup for many months).If either set makes an appearance at the next Unpacked event, which is likely to be either July 2 or July 9, I'll be very eager to try them.You may also likeSee our pick of the best noise-cancelling earbudsMoney tight? Check our pick of the best budget earbudsRead up on the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 rumors

Infinite Machine made waves with its retro-futuristic P1 electric bike. That one was built for speed, but the company is back with something that's more for urbanites commuting to and from work. The Olto boasts 40 miles of range and a top speed of 33 MPH, with a 20 MPH limit while riding in the bike lane.

Just like the P1, the Olto e-bike looks both futuristic and retro, with a design that can only be described as "Cybertruck meets a scooter from Tron." This bike could be a boon for commuters, as it can accommodate two riders at the same time. The design is also fairly modular, so riders can add accessories like child carriers, rear racks and baskets, among other items.

The battery is easily removed with one hand, for nighttime charging, and can reach 50 percent in just an hour at the outlet. This removable battery also helps with security, as the battery is typically one of the most expensive components of an e-bike.

Infinite Machine

However, that's not the only security feature that Infinite Machine has implemented here. The company claims the Olto "virtually theft-proof." Each bike is connected to the internet and tracked in real time with precise GPS coordinates. There's an app to keep an eye on things and the vehicle features a dedicated slot for AirTags.

Once parked, the bike automatically locks the steering and wheels, making it difficult to move. If someone tampers with the vehicle, an alarm will sound and an alert gets sent to the owner's phone. The phone also doubles as the key.

Now for some bad news. All of these high-tech features come with a high-end price tag. The Olto costs $3,495. Preorders are available right now, with shipments going out later in the year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/the-olto-is-a-future-forward-e-bike-that-can-accommodate-two-passengers-140044468.html?src=rss

As climate change continues to impact global ecosystems and disrupt supply chains, the responsibility to build resilient and sustainable operations becomes a key priority—particularly for IT manufacturers.The growing adoption of AI and digital technologies demands ever-increasing infrastructure, yet this growth must be balanced with a commitment to environmental stewardship.The IT sector, known for its innovation, now has an opportunity—and an obligation—to lead by example in prioritizing eco-friendly networks over outdated hardware and tools to boost energy efficiency, reduce emissions and promote green sourcing and production practices.One of the most effective ways IT manufacturers can reduce their environmental impact is by working closely with their suppliers to decarbonise the supply chain, and the first step is transparency.A positive approach for manufacturers is to encourage and, where possible, require suppliers to disclose their environmental impact data, including emissions output, material sourcing practices, and energy usage, which must, by now, be standard practice.Collaborative data-sharing platforms and sustainability scorecards can help track progress and identify areas for improvement.Joint sustainability initiatives can incentivize meaningful progress. These may include co-investments in renewable energy projects, pilot programs for low-emission transportation, and workshops on circular design and sustainable packaging.By building shared goals for which lower emissions are the key target across the supply chain, manufacturers can extend their environmental impact beyond their own operations.Against the backdrop of uncertain climate events, however, contingency plans need to be implemented that allow for, and anticipate, disruptions. Diversifying sourcing strategies, using more local suppliers, and implementing adaptive logistics frameworks can help mitigate the risks of supply chain instability while also lowering carbon footprints from long-distance transportation.Embedding sustainability into sourcing practicesEco-friendly sourcing is more than just a checkbox—it’s a philosophy that can guide supplier selection and purchasing decisions. Industry best practices for IT manufacturers include prioritizing materials with lower environmental impacts, such as recycled metals, biodegradable plastics, and conflict-free minerals. Wherever possible, sustainable certifications—like ISO 14001 for environmental management—should be a prerequisite for supplier partnerships.Lifecycle thinking is fundamental to a sustainable approach. When sourcing components, manufacturers can think about not just the production impact but also the integration with systems, maintenance requirements and end-of-life recycling programs that will be needed throughout.By ensuring that the choice of materials and products follows a circular design, easy recycling and safe disposal without hazardous waste--which also incorporates transportation costs for disposal--is easily managed. There are multiple benefits to using lean inventory strategies which can reduce excess and waste, aligning resource use more closely to actual demand.Smarter tech, greener resultsIn addition to partner collaboration, IT manufacturers can also optimize their own production environments. One of the most effective ways to do this is through intelligent power management systems. These technologies allow for real-time monitoring and automated regulation of energy usage, significantly reducing waste during both active and idle production periods.Centralizing power management means that rather than relying on multiple isolated power supplies for various systems and devices, manufacturers can adopt a centralized infrastructure that provides scalable, efficient energy delivery. This approach consolidates equipment, decreases heat generation, and simplifies energy audits—all of which reduce energy consumption and support greener operations.Every segment of the network needs to keep pace with technical advancements. Wired and wireless technology, from multi-gig Ethernet to the new WiFi 7 standard, is changing rapidly and delivering transformation results, but there are also advantages to simplifying wiring architectures.By streamlining cable configurations, manufacturers reduce not only the material requirements but also the potential for human error during setup, which leads to less repairs and fewer component replacements. These savings compound across large production facilities avoiding the complexity that can breed inefficiency.Sustainability as a business imperativeIT companies that embrace sustainability as a core business principle stand to gain far more than just compliance with regulations. The environmental credibility that comes from green practices can significantly strengthen brand reputation, attract eco-conscious customers, and open doors to investment from sustainability-focused funds.But it is the bottom line that always matters most to the Board and key stakeholders, and it is a fact that if businesses invest in energy efficiency and eco-friendly designs, often they will also enjoy long-term cost savings.Reduced energy bills, fewer repairs, and lower maintenance requirements can quickly offset the initial investments in sustainable infrastructure, delivering a fast ROI, which coupled with reduced environmental risk exposure, create a compelling business case for change.Organizations today are always looking at how they can future-proof operations, and prioritizing sustainability can help them in this regard.Emissions standards for businesses are expected to tighten, with the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requiring larger companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions for the first time in 2025, and the UK ETS tightening limits on industrial, power, and aviation emissions, aiming for net-zero goals.At the same time customers are becoming increasingly more discerning, which means early adopters will be better positioned to comply with evolving expectations. They’ll also be more agile in responding to climate-related disruptions, having already embedded resilience into their supply chains and operations.Actionable activitiesBeing more sustainable can often start with the simplest activities. Here are a few suggestions:Ensure a good site survey to optimize predictability and prevent truck rolls, or a waste of time, energy, and resources.Turn devices completely off when not in use instead of sleep mode.Invest in quality equipment for scalability that is multipurpose and works efficiently so it can be controlled remotely and start up quickly.Use low voltage displays to save up to 70% of energy.Choose responsibly-sourced materials with reusable or recyclable options.Install PoE-based AV networks to reduce wiring and promote modular upgrades. Using PoE reduces the number of cables and outlets required, which can help to reduce clutter while improving the appearance of rooms/installations.Automate recording for ease in broadcasting and educational contexts.Promote cooperation over competition in finding complete manufacturing solutions to aid the end user.Provide carbon-reducing options for remote, in-person and hybrid working environments.Promote operations in buildings and with manufacturers who have sustainability certification schemes.Work in the digital world by bringing everything over the network for the possibility of having remote visibility for operations and management of physical spaces.Responsible innovationThe IT sector is uniquely equipped to lead the shift toward a sustainable future. With its foundation in cutting-edge technology and a culture of innovation, the industry can pioneer the development of low-emission solutions, intelligent networks, and scalable green practices that can be replicated across other sectors.This leadership must begin internally. IT manufacturers can adopt best practice by embedding environmental responsibility into corporate strategy, from R&D to customer support. Design choices—such as modularity, repairability, and energy efficiency—should reflect a commitment to sustainability at every level.To drive industry-wide change, manufacturers can advocate for policies that support green innovation and collaborate with peers to establish open sustainability standards. Through knowledge sharing and coordinated action, IT companies can raise the bar for environmental performance across the board.We've featured the best green web hosting.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

Academic researchers found a way to broadcast sensitive data from airgapped systemsIt involves having malware installed on the computer, and an accompanying smartwatchThe attack is rather difficult to pull offSecurity experts claim to have found a way to steal sensitive data from airgapped systems using smartwatches.Airgapped computers are physically isolated from the wider internet, and cannot be accessed remotely. They are usually used in high-security environments and critical infrastructure, to protect sensitive data and various operations.University researchers led by Mordechai Guri, a specialist in the field of covert attack channels, discovered a method that allows threat actors to exfiltrate login credentials, encryption keys, or keyboard strokes.Listening to secretsThe method, which they named ‘SmartAttack’, does come with quite a few caveats, but in theory, it sees a threat actor finding a way to either access the target computer physically, or have someone (an unsuspecting, or disgruntled employee) access and deploy a piece of malware.That malware will first act as an infostealer, gathering valuable information for exfiltration. Then, it will use the computer’s speakers to emit ultrasonic sounds, inaudible to the human ear, to the environment.The sounds would be played in two frequencies - 18.5 kHz, and 19.5 kHz. These two form the binary system, with the former being the zero, and the latter - the one.The final step is for the watch to pick the sounds up. It, too, needs to have a special app installed on it, so it either needs to be compromised itself, or it needs to be worn by the attacker.If that didn’t sound difficult enough, the watch needs to be facing the speakers, and should be placed in a range between 6-9 meters from the speakers. The data transmission rate also ranges between 5bps and 50bps, depending on the distance.There are different ways to prevent SmartAttacks on airgapped systems, from preventing people from wearing smartwatches, to removing speakers from the computers. Sound jammers could also work.Via BleepingComputerYou might also likeEuropean government systems hit by air-gap malware attackTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers