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'Save The Wheel of Time' fan campaign is about to hit some key milestonesOrganizers are planning to fly a plane and banner over Sony Pictures' head officesThe Prime Video show was canceled after three seasons in late MayFan pressure is continuing to amount on Amazon and Sony Pictures after The Wheel of Time was axed in late May.Before the high fantasy show was canceled after three seasons, its devoted fanbase had called on the series' production studios to not only renew The Wheel of Time for a fourth season, but also ensure its full story was told. Those calls came hot on the heels of The Wheel of Time's cast telling me they were "confident" over its season 4 renewal. Unfortunately for all involved, the Amazon TV Original was canned soon after.The Prime Video show's loyal audience has refused to throw in the towel, though. In the weeks since its cancelation, a 'Save The Wheel of Time' fan campaign was organized after viewers decided to channel their frustration into something more positive. That being, unrelenting fan pressure to force a U-turn over the show's premature end.The campaign's first three weeks have been productive, too. At the time of publication, an online petition has been signed by over 174, 600 people. Almost $33,000 has been raised via the campaign's GoFundMe page as well – donations that have allowed organizers to purchase a billboard in Times Square, New York in early June to promote the fan-led movement.A post shared by Wheel of Time Series News ❤️📖📺🤞 (@wot.series)A photo posted by on Things aren't stopping there, either. Over the next few days (June 18 to 20), digital and static billboards in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Sao Paulo will display messages from the fan-led initiative. A plane will fly a SaveWoT banner over the head offices of Sony Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios in Culver City, California between 12pm and 2:30pm PT tomorrow (Tuesday, June 17), too.In a statement accompanying the campaign's latest press release, a spokesperson said: "We’re truly blown away by the global legion of fans that donated to our fundraiser! Because of their generosity, we can take our message to the next level with billboards and a flyover. We believe our continued pressure on Sony Pictures will turn into positive action to find the show a new home."Opinion: a valiant effort, but will it conjure up the U-turn that Wheel of Time fans crave?The Wheel of Time fans were devastated by the Amazon TV Original's cancelation (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios/Sony Pictures)There's no denying that The Wheel of Time's legion of fans are doing everything they can to convince studio executives that it was scrapped before its time.Few other fan campaigns have been this persistent in their quest to achieve their goal. In fact, there are only two that immediately spring to mind. The first is the online campaign that led to the eventual release of Zack Snyder's Justice League, aka the director's original cut of his final superhero movie, on Max in mid-2022. The other is the forthcoming continuation of Warrior Nun's story – albeit by a Warrior Nun film trilogy that hasn't arrived yet – following the Netflix show's cancelation after two seasons in August 2023. There's a precedent, then, for long-running fan campaigns to achieve their objectives.The problem that 'Save The Wheel of Time' faces, though, is two-fold: one, will organizers have the patience, resources, and energy to maintain this level of concerted pressure? And, two, will Amazon and Sony actually listen?If one of the best Prime Video shows is to come back from the dead, it'll need the answers to both of these questions to be a resounding "yes". Otherwise, the series' third season, which, as I noted in my The Wheel of Time season 3 review, is the series' best entry by far, will mark the end of the road for this magical fan campaign.You might also likeHere's our ultimate guide on everything you need to know about Gen V season 2Or get the lowdown on The Rings of Power season 3Alternatively, learn more about Invincible season 4

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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, June 16 (game #1239).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 #1240) - 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 #1240) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.Quordle today (game #1240) - 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 #1240) - 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 #1240) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• L• P• A• WRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.Quordle today (game #1240) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle, game #1240, are…LEAPTPRISMADMINWHINELife ADMIN is something that becomes increasingly time consuming as you get older.When you’re a kid, no admin is required at all, then when you get a job or go to college the admin starts increasing until you reach a point where you have to take time off to deal with all the admin.However, if you are a super organised person and you do your admin meticulously as you go along, rather than putting it off or forgetting about it, then you don’t have to take days off just to deal with all your admin. Or if you’re really rich you can get someone else to do your admin and you can go back to being a kid.Anyway, I digress, WHINE aside this felt quite an easy Quordle, with just 15 unique letters. Right now for some admin…How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Daily Sequence today (game #1240) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1240, are…MASONGAVELWOVENALLOYQuordle answers: The past 20Quordle #1239, Monday, 16 June: RETRY, SCALD, DINGO, FEIGNQuordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVENQuordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONICQuordle #1236, Friday, 13 June: REPEL, LARGE, SNIDE, CARRYQuordle #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, PURER

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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, June 16 (game #736).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 #737) - today's words(Image credit: New York Times)Today's NYT Connections words are…FIGHTQUITRESOLVEFLIGHTTOURFREEZEMARIONETTESPIRITFAWNHOTELGRITMOUSETIMEOUTELEPHANTGLITCHCARNYT Connections today (game #737) - hint #1 - group hintsWhat are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?YELLOW: Holiday plansGREEN: DeterminationBLUE: Online issuesPURPLE: Walt’s worldNeed 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 #737) - hint #2 - group answersWhat are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?YELLOW: THINGS TO BOOK FOR A VACATION GREEN: METTLE BLUE: BAD THINGS FOR A WEBSITE TO DO PURPLE: FIGURES IN CLASSIC DISNEY ANIMATED FILMS Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Connections today (game #737) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Connections, game #737, are…YELLOW: THINGS TO BOOK FOR A VACATION CAR, FLIGHT, HOTEL, TOURGREEN: METTLE FIGHT, GRIT, RESOLVE, SPIRITBLUE: BAD THINGS FOR A WEBSITE TO DO FREEZE, GLITCH, QUIT, TIMEOUTPURPLE: FIGURES IN CLASSIC DISNEY ANIMATED FILMS ELEPHANT, FAWN, MARIONETTE, MOUSEMy rating: HardMy score: FailI wasted two mistakes trying to create a group that was about fleeing or opting out of a situation (TIME OUT, QUIT, FLIGHT...) and after getting “one away” twice convinced myself I was on the right track – only to get the “groups of four” notification indicating I was far from it.Refocusing, I got THINGS TO BOOK FOR A VACATION, but then lost another thinking I was putting together a computer-based group including MOUSE along with QUIT and FREEZE. Subsequently, I’m annoyed that I didn’t see BAD THINGS FOR A WEBSITE TO DO, as these are curses that I constantly have to deal with in my role as head of the family IT department (a position no one else wanted and that I would like to resign from).How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, June 16, game #736)YELLOW: EXPRESSIONLESS BLANK, FLAT, INANIMATE, WOODENGREEN: DRAPERY HANGING ITEMS BRACKET, CURTAIN, HOOK, RODBLUE: WHAT A DRINK IS SERVED WITH COASTER, GARNISH, GLASS, STRAWPURPLE: STARTING WITH METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION BUSBOY, CARBON, SHIPSHAPE, TRAINEEWhat 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 Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, June 16 (game #470).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 #471) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Make it workNYT Strands today (game #471) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.CUTEFIREANGELCOVEN TREECOURTNYT Strands today (game #471) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 9 lettersNYT Strands today (game #471) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 4th rowLast side: right, 5th rowRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Strands today (game #471) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #471, are…FINAGLEFINESSECONTRIVEENGINEERNEGOTIATESPANGRAM: FIGURE OUTMy rating: HardMy score: 2 hintsThis felt like a really tricky Strands, but also a hugely enjoyable one to unravel.Unable to work out the kinds of words we were looking for, I found a handful of incorrect words as I searched for professions and ended up taking two hints. The words I was given, FINAGLE and FINESSE, seemed to be about changing and refining things, so I went in search of similar.After weedling out CONTRIVE and the Spangram I was just about able to whittle my way to the end of the search and the satisfying emotion of completion.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, June 16, game #470)ETUDESUITEMINUETNOCTURNESONATAPRELUDESPANGRAM: PIANO PIECESWhat 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.

In the high-stakes world of modern retail, businesses no longer trade solely in products - they trade in trust. And like a fine crystal vase balanced precariously on a shop shelf, that trust can shatter in an instant. Recently, we saw three retail giants, Harrods, Marks & Spencer, and the Co-op, fall victim to cyberattacks, shaking consumer confidence and underlining a hard truth: cybersecurity is no longer just a matter for technical teams. It is a business imperative.These attacks were not just digital pranks or minor technical hiccups. They were serious, calculated incursions - ransomware incidents attributed to the Scattered Spider group - designed to manipulate human behavior and exploit systemic vulnerabilities. Social engineering was reportedly at the heart of the breaches, where help desk workers were tricked into handing over the keys to the kingdom. It’s the modern equivalent of a burglar sweet-talking their way past a doorman.This is the retail sector’s wake-up call. While e-commerce giants have long championed robust digital defenses, many traditional brick-and-mortar retailers have lagged in their cyber maturity. As digital transformation accelerates - with AI-driven shopping experiences, omnichannel platforms, and data-rich personalization - retailers must recognize that every point of innovation is also a potential point of intrusion.So, what can retail leaders do to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals?1. Treat cybersecurity as a strategic advantage, not just a safety netRetailers need to move away from reactive firefighting and begin treating cybersecurity as a proactive, strategic function. This means going beyond patching vulnerabilities and installing antivirus software. It means integrating cybersecurity into the very fabric of business operations. Aligning security strategies with business goals to protect revenue, reputation, and customer loyalty.Unified security platforms are a powerful way to achieve this. By converging identity governance, AI-powered analytics, and automated remediation tools, retailers can monitor, detect, and respond to threats before they metastasize. Like a well-drilled emergency response team, smart security architecture acts swiftly and decisively when something goes wrong.2. Harden the human firewallLet’s not forget that even the most advanced systems are still vulnerable to their weakest link: people. The recent attacks at M&S and Co-op illustrate this painfully well. Social engineering remains one of the most effective tools in a hacker’s arsenal, because it bypasses technology entirely by exploiting human behavior.Retailers must prioritize cybersecurity awareness across all levels of their workforce. This includes regular training, red-team exercises, and simulated phishing campaigns that help employees recognize threats in real-world scenarios. Password reset processes, especially in IT help desks, must be re-evaluated to include stronger identity verification and limited privilege escalation.3. Patch, update, repeatIt sounds simple, but too many breaches occur because of outdated systems and unpatched vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals count on organizations putting off software updates or neglecting legacy systems. Regular patch management and vulnerability scanning should be as routine as stocktaking in retail. Systems, applications, and devices must be continuously monitored to close doors before attackers can exploit them.4. Segment your network like you would your shop floorWhen a ransomware strain finds its way into a network, it spreads like a chain reaction that cracks the system wide open. That’s why network segmentation is critical. By dividing the IT infrastructure into isolated zones - much like separating back-of-house operations from customer areas - retailers can contain breaches, limit lateral movement, and buy precious time for incident response teams.Moreover, robust incident response planning is a must. Security audits, breach simulations, and recovery drills should be a regular part of operations. Just as every store manager knows what to do during a fire drill, IT teams must be trained and ready to act at the first sign of a breach.5. Rethink IT service managementRetail IT ecosystems are increasingly complex, spanning in-store POS systems, online portals, handheld devices, and backend logistics software. When something goes down, whether it’s a barcode scanner or an online checkout, the business feels it instantly. A modern, unified IT service desk is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s essential.Efficient IT service management (ITSM) tools enable retail organizations to manage their tech assets, resolve incidents swiftly, and coordinate across departments like HR, finance, and logistics. Without such tools, IT teams are left firefighting, unable to see the bigger picture or plan effectively. And in the context of a cyberattack, that lack of visibility and coordination can prove fatal.The new cost of doing businessRetailers are not just being asked to digitize their operations, they are being asked to secure them. Failing to do so doesn’t just mean downtime or inconvenience; it can mean financial loss, regulatory fines, and a broken bond with customers. M&S, for example, saw its valuation drop by hundreds of millions following its cyber incident. The price of inaction is high - and rising.The truth is that cybercrime is now a cost of doing business. But like insurance or rent, it can be managed. The crystal vase of customer trust may be fragile - but with the right defenses, retailers can keep it safely on the shelf, even in the face of chaos.We've featured the best CRM platform.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

There's no denying that getting a high-quality computer is going to set your finances back a bit. So, when one of them gets discounted we want to scream it from the rooftops. Such is the case today with a solid sale on Apple's 2024 Mac mini (M4).

Right now, the newest Mac mini is available for $499, down from $599 — a 17 percent discount. The deal, which is only $10 more than it's all-time low price, gets you 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage, but no AppleCare+. You can also opt for the 16GB version with 512GB SSD storage for $719, down from $799. Then there's the top storage option, which has a 10 percent discount. The Mac mini with 24GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage has dropped to $849 from $999.

We gave the newest Apple Mac mini a 90 in our review thanks to perks like the impressive speed of its chip (though we did test the M4 Pro). It also offers front USB-C and headphone ports for easy use, along with an overall smaller design. Plus, it's great that even the base version starts at 16GB of RAM.

Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-mac-mini-m4-is-back-on-sale-for-499-141523040.html?src=rss

WestJet says it is experiencing a cyber-incidentAirline confirms it is addressing the issue, but disruptions are possibleNo one assumed responsibility yetWestJet has apparently suffered a cyberattack which has disrupted some of its services, including impacting the airline’s website and mobile app.The company confirmed the news in a security advisory posted on its website, noting, "WestJet is aware of a cybersecurity incident involving internal systems and the WestJet app, which has restricted access for several users.""We have activated specialized internal teams in cooperation with law enforcement and Transport Canada to investigate the matter and limit impacts."Reader offer: Get 60% off RoboForm password managerNew users can take advantage of RoboForm’s exclusive deal and get 60% off the Premium Plan. With this deal, you can get unlimited password storage, one-click login & autofill, password sharing, two-factor authentication for added protection, cloud backup, and emergency access for trusted contacts. To claim this deal, visit this link and sign up for the Premium Plan to lock in this huge discount.View DealOperations stableThe company did not share any other additional details - so we don’t know who the threat actors are, when the breach actually took place, how it happened, or what its goal was.No one has assumed responsibility for the attack as of press time.In an update published on June 15, the airline said some guests may “temporarily encounter intermittent interruptions or errors while using the WestJet app and/or WestJet.com,” adding that it is working on resolving the issues.“Our operations remain safe and stable and are not impacted by the situation. WestJet is grateful to our guests, our people and our partners for their support and patience. Regular updates will continue to be provided as more details can be shared.”Although not specifically stated, when cyberattacks disrupt networks in this way, and render some services unusable, it usually ends up being a ransomware attack. These attacks encrypt data on key systems, making them inaccessible. At the same time, the attackers exfiltrate key information to use as leverage during the negotiation process.Companies shut down their systems to prevent further damage, additional encryptions, or file transfer.WestJet is one of Canada’s biggest airlines, operating around 180 aircraft and serving around 100 destinations in almost 30 countries.Via BleepingComputerYou might also likeJapan Airlines cyberattack disrupts flights, but systems now seem to be back to normalTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

Over the past year, my company – a fast-scaling startup – put ourselves on a “software diet” and we saw transformative results for our bottom line, employee engagement, and our business culture. Here’s the paradox: in tech, growth often means more software and tooling, but for us, it means less.As our team grew, so did the number of tools, platforms, and subscriptions we used. Most SaaS tools start as a fast fix, solving a specific need quickly when time or resources are tight. But over time, they stick around, collecting more seats and budget – even if their original value fades. That’s exactly what we saw happening. And while our software costs grew, we had a hunch that our productivity wasn’t meaningfully changing alongside it.Our software diet wasn’t about cutting corners or making our teams work harder. It was about spending intentionally and empowering teams to root out waste. That mindset became the foundation of our internal initiative. The program encouraged employees to think critically about which tools added the most value in their day-to-day work, and to eliminate the rest.What happened? To start, we saved $1.3 million (and counting), but we are also creating a more efficient and aligned tech stack that supports our growth, instead of hindering it with unnecessary technology. Here’s how we did it, what we learned, and why I believe every company should consider a software diet.Launching a Software DietWe tied the initiative to a clear incentive: any employee who helped cancel a contract or switch to a significantly cheaper tool got a $1,000 bonus. To be eligible, the contract had to bea) Active for at least six monthsb) Worth $10,000 or more annuallyc) Either cancelled outright, replaced with something $20,000+ cheaper, or rebuilt in-houseCrucially, employees had to meaningfully contribute to identifying alternatives, supporting the switch, and helping with adoption. This wasn’t about surface-level suggestions, but true ownership and collaboration.The engine: Our “Spend Money Wisely” teamWhile this is a grassroots effort that every part of the business touches, we needed a team to drive our software diet forward. We brought together a dedicated group from our finance and IT teams to create a new organization called “Spend Money Wisely”.The way we see it, the Spend Money Wisely (SMW) team acts as internal consultants for responsible tech and services investment across the company. They’re a small–but–mighty team that has been key to creating a new culture around software consumption.The results: What $1.3 million (and growing) looks like Since launching the initiative in late 2024, we have been able to shed 12 tools entirely and replace four tools with more cost-effective alternatives. This has resulted in $1.3M in savings to date, and we have paid $36,000 in cash bonuses to the employees who drove this efficiency.But beyond the numbers, streamlining our providers allows us to save time on vendor management, improve employee experience, and build a more effective technology and services portfolio.For example, we consolidated our employee engagement survey tool with our performance review platform. This streamlined the employee experience so our people can share feedback in one place. This also gave us a clearer picture of feedback spanning both the employee experience and professional development.Lessons learnedSaaS bloat is real, but fixable. Start by auditing everything you pay for with a zero-based mindset and try not to let inertia dictate contract renewals. Justify every tool as if starting from scratch.Incentives work. The incentive captured attention — and spurred action. The cash bonus motivated people to take a fresh look at what they really needed.Clear rules matter. Clear criteria and structured eligibility prevented any cherry-picking, ensuring that the program inspired sustainable, lasting change – the ideal outcome of any diet.Migrations are hard. Change management was key. Some tools had heavy adoption or long-term lock-in, which meant patience and planning. Cross-functional dependencies made some migrations more challenging, requiring a longer transition plan.Centralize oversight but decentralize action. The SMW team was essential. A dedicated team drives action and process, but employees drive real change in their own corners of the business.Spending wisely doesn’t necessarily mean spending less. It’s important to not just cut costs, but instead to optimize spending. Maybe a software platform that seemed expensive at the outset could serve more than one team? Ultimately, the goal is to spend with intention. “Less software” shouldn’t mean fewer capabilities.Consider building in-house. In-house solutions, while requiring investment, can be tailored and cost-effective for teams building exactly what they need. We've also seen first-hand that building bespoke tools internally often sparks greater passion and engagement compared to relying on third-party platforms. That said, companies need to consider long-term support and overall maintenance and replacement costs.Make cost accountability everyone’s job. Foster a culture where questioning spending (or broader solutions) is celebrated, not penalized. Regularly evaluating these tools builds the muscle for teams to be disciplined about consumption in the long term.Diets are hard – but this one worksDiets require discipline, support, incentives, and a goal for sustainable, lasting change. Our software diet sparked a cultural shift across our business around software spending that’s required in the age of easy SaaS adoption, and the results demonstrated a significant impact on our overall financial health, cross-functional collaboration, and operational clarity.What would your company save if everyone were paid to cancel software they don’t really need?We've featured the best small business software.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

OnePlus just announced the Nord 5 smartphone, a refresh of its popular mid-range handset line. This one includes a flagship Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 chipset by Qualcomm, which should provide plenty of raw power for gaming, multitasking and general use.

There's an upgraded cooling system here, along with support for LPDDR5X RAM. It features a dual rear camera system and will be available in a pale blue finish that's officially called "Dry Ice."

The company says the upgraded specs allow the Nord 5 to really shine when gaming, touting "unparalleled performance in its class" with "robust support for leading mobile games." It mentioned that the device can run Call of Duty: Mobile natively at 144FPS, with real-time ray tracing.

OnePlus is also releasing a companion phone called the Nord CE5. We don't know much about this one, other than it's likely to be a slightly cheaper version of the standard headset.

OnePlus

Both of these phones will feature the company's newly-announced Plus Key, which replaced the Alert Slider. Users can customize this button to perform a number of tasks, but it's better known as an instantaneous way to pull up AI tools. The cute lil AI button first appeared with the OnePlus 13s, which launched in Asia earlier this month.

In addition to the Nord 5, the company also announced the OnePlus Buds 4. These high-end earbuds offer ultra-low latency audio for gamers, with dual drivers, support for Hi-Res audio and other bells and whistles. They will be available in both green and dark gray. It also revealed a new smartwatch and a tablet.

OnePlus

We don't have pricing or availability information for any of this stuff just yet. The company has a launch event planned for July 8, which should provide us with all of those relevant details.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-oneplus-nord-5-features-a-powerful-snapdragon-8-chip-143206053.html?src=rss