Month: July 2023
‘Quordle’ today: Here are the answers and hints for August 1
If Quordle is a little too challenging today, you’ve come to the right place for hints. There aren’t just hints here, but the whole Quordle solution. Scroll to the bottom of this page, and there it is. But are you sure you need all four answers? Maybe you just need a strategy guide. Either way, scroll down, and you’ll get what you need. What is Quordle?Quordle is a five-letter word guessing game similar to Wordle, except each guess applies letters to four words at the same time. You get nine guesses instead of six to correctly guess all four words. It looks like playing four Wordle games at the same time, and that is essentially what it is. But it’s not nearly as intimidating as it sounds.Is Quordle harder than Wordle?Yes, though not diabolically so.Where did Quordle come from?Amid the Wordle boom of late 2021 and early 2022, when everyone was learning to love free, in-browser, once-a-day word guessing games, creator Freddie Meyer says he took inspiration from one of the first big Wordle variations, Dordle — the one where you essentially play two Wordles at once. He took things up a notch, and released Quordle on January 30. Meyer’s creation was covered in The Guardian six days later, and now, according to Meyer, it attracts millions of daily users. Today, Meyer earns modest revenue from Patreon, where dedicated Quordle fans can donate to keep their favorite puzzle game running. How is Quordle pronounced?“Kwordle.” It should rhyme with “Wordle,” and definitely should not be pronounced exactly like “curdle.”Is Quordle strategy different from Wordle?Yes and no.Your starting strategy should be the same as with Wordle. In fact, if you have a favorite Wordle opening word, there’s no reason to change that here. We suggest something rich in vowels, featuring common letters like C, R, and N. But you do you.After your first guess, however, you’ll notice things getting out of control if you play Quordle exactly like Wordle.What should I do in Quordle that I don’t do in Wordle?Solving a Wordle puzzle can famously come down to a series of single letter-change variations. If you’ve narrowed it down to “-IGHT,” you could guess “MIGHT” “NIGHT” “LIGHT” and “SIGHT” and one of those will probably be the solution — though this is also a famous way to end up losing in Wordle, particularly if you play on “hard mode.” In Quordle, however, this sort of single-letter winnowing is a deadly trap, and it hints at the important strategic difference between Wordle and Quordle: In Quordle, you can’t afford to waste guesses unless you’re eliminating as many letters as possible at all times. Guessing a completely random word that you already know isn’t the solution, just to eliminate three or four possible letters you haven’t tried yet, is thought of as a desperate, latch-ditch move in Wordle. In Quordle, however, it’s a normal part of the player’s strategic toolset.Is there a way to get the answer faster?In my experience Quordle can be a slow game, sometimes dragging out longer than it would take to play Wordle four times. But a sort of blunt-force guessing approach can speed things up. The following strategy also works with Wordle if you only want the solution, and don’t care about having the fewest possible guesses:Try starting with a series of words that puts all the vowels (including Y) on the board, along with some other common letters. We’ve had good luck with the three words: “NOTES,” “ACRID,” and “LUMPY.” YouTuber DougMansLand suggests four words: “CANOE,” “SKIRT,” “PLUMB,” and “FUDGY.”Most of the alphabet is now eliminated, and you’ll only have the ability to make one or two wrong guesses if you use this strategy. But in most cases you’ll have all the information you need to guess the remaining words without any wrong guesses.If strategy isn’t helping, and you’re still stumped, here are some hints:Are there any double or triple letters in today’s Quordle words?One word has a double letter.Are any rare letters being used in today’s Quordle like Q or Z?No.What do today’s Quordle words start with?A, T, T, and H.What are the answers for today’s Quordle?Are you sure you want to know?There’s still time to turn back.OK, you asked for it. The answers are:ANNOYTAPERTRIALHOUSE
If Quordle is a little too challenging today, you’ve come to the right place for hints. There aren’t just hints here, but the whole Quordle solution. Scroll to the bottom of this page, and there it is. But are you sure you need all four answers? Maybe you just need a strategy guide. Either way, scroll down, and you’ll get what you need.
What is Quordle?
Quordle is a five-letter word guessing game similar to Wordle, except each guess applies letters to four words at the same time. You get nine guesses instead of six to correctly guess all four words. It looks like playing four Wordle games at the same time, and that is essentially what it is. But it’s not nearly as intimidating as it sounds.
Is Quordle harder than Wordle?
Yes, though not diabolically so.
Where did Quordle come from?
Amid the Wordle boom of late 2021 and early 2022, when everyone was learning to love free, in-browser, once-a-day word guessing games, creator Freddie Meyer says he took inspiration from one of the first big Wordle variations, Dordle — the one where you essentially play two Wordles at once. He took things up a notch, and released Quordle on January 30. Meyer’s creation was covered in The Guardian six days later, and now, according to Meyer, it attracts millions of daily users. Today, Meyer earns modest revenue from Patreon, where dedicated Quordle fans can donate to keep their favorite puzzle game running.
How is Quordle pronounced?
“Kwordle.” It should rhyme with “Wordle,” and definitely should not be pronounced exactly like “curdle.”
Is Quordle strategy different from Wordle?
Yes and no.
Your starting strategy should be the same as with Wordle. In fact, if you have a favorite Wordle opening word, there’s no reason to change that here. We suggest something rich in vowels, featuring common letters like C, R, and N. But you do you.
After your first guess, however, you’ll notice things getting out of control if you play Quordle exactly like Wordle.
What should I do in Quordle that I don’t do in Wordle?
Solving a Wordle puzzle can famously come down to a series of single letter-change variations. If you’ve narrowed it down to “-IGHT,” you could guess “MIGHT” “NIGHT” “LIGHT” and “SIGHT” and one of those will probably be the solution — though this is also a famous way to end up losing in Wordle, particularly if you play on “hard mode.” In Quordle, however, this sort of single-letter winnowing is a deadly trap, and it hints at the important strategic difference between Wordle and Quordle: In Quordle, you can’t afford to waste guesses unless you’re eliminating as many letters as possible at all times.
Guessing a completely random word that you already know isn’t the solution, just to eliminate three or four possible letters you haven’t tried yet, is thought of as a desperate, latch-ditch move in Wordle. In Quordle, however, it’s a normal part of the player’s strategic toolset.
Is there a way to get the answer faster?
In my experience Quordle can be a slow game, sometimes dragging out longer than it would take to play Wordle four times. But a sort of blunt-force guessing approach can speed things up. The following strategy also works with Wordle if you only want the solution, and don’t care about having the fewest possible guesses:
Try starting with a series of words that puts all the vowels (including Y) on the board, along with some other common letters. We’ve had good luck with the three words: “NOTES,” “ACRID,” and “LUMPY.” YouTuber DougMansLand suggests four words: “CANOE,” “SKIRT,” “PLUMB,” and “FUDGY.”
Most of the alphabet is now eliminated, and you’ll only have the ability to make one or two wrong guesses if you use this strategy. But in most cases you’ll have all the information you need to guess the remaining words without any wrong guesses.
If strategy isn’t helping, and you’re still stumped, here are some hints:
Are there any double or triple letters in today’s Quordle words?
One word has a double letter.
Are any rare letters being used in today’s Quordle like Q or Z?
No.
What do today’s Quordle words start with?
A, T, T, and H.
What are the answers for today’s Quordle?
Are you sure you want to know?
There’s still time to turn back.
OK, you asked for it. The answers are:
ANNOY
TAPER
TRIAL
HOUSE
Massachusetts Lawmakers Eye a ‘Netflix Tax’ To Fund Community TV Channels
A proposed state tax in Massachusetts on streaming video services could increase prices for popular platforms like Netflix and Hulu, as the 5 percent fee would support approximately 200 community access cable channels struggling due to declining cable subscriptions. The Boston Globe reports: In July, the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology held hearings on legislation filed by Democratic State Representative Joan Meschino and Republican Representative Mathew J. Muratore, both of Plymouth. Their bill would require streaming video companies to pay a 5 percent fee on the gross revenues generated in the state. The estimated $65 million a year raised by the fee would support roughly 200 community access channels, the most in any state. The community channels are run by nonprofit organizations or town governments, and funded by cable TV companies, which are assessed a fee by local governments for the right to run their cables through city property. The cable companies pass the cost on to subscribers.
But subscriptions are plummeting as US consumers abandon pay TV for streaming services. Cable and satellite subscribers now number about 70 million, down more than 25 percent from 95.5 million a decade ago, according to Leichtman Research Group, a New Hampshire research and analysis company specializing in media, entertainment, and broadband industries. “The next three to five years it’s really going to dry up even more so,” said Muratore. Meschino said citizens can’t afford to lose access to community media channels, because so many local newspapers have shut down. “There’s literally no other way to consume that sort of hyperlocal programming,” Meschino said.
About a dozen US states levy sales taxes on consumers’ streaming video bills. But Meschino said that sales tax money goes into each state’s general fund. Instead, she wants the streaming fee to be dedicated entirely to support for community media services, just like the fee paid by traditional cable TV companies. Some or all of the fees would likely be passed on to consumers. Gauthier estimates that a typical household’s costs could rise about $2.40 a month, spread among several streaming networks. “Maybe it’ll be 75 cents for your Amazon,” he said. “Maybe it’ll be 80 cents for your Disney.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
A proposed state tax in Massachusetts on streaming video services could increase prices for popular platforms like Netflix and Hulu, as the 5 percent fee would support approximately 200 community access cable channels struggling due to declining cable subscriptions. The Boston Globe reports: In July, the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology held hearings on legislation filed by Democratic State Representative Joan Meschino and Republican Representative Mathew J. Muratore, both of Plymouth. Their bill would require streaming video companies to pay a 5 percent fee on the gross revenues generated in the state. The estimated $65 million a year raised by the fee would support roughly 200 community access channels, the most in any state. The community channels are run by nonprofit organizations or town governments, and funded by cable TV companies, which are assessed a fee by local governments for the right to run their cables through city property. The cable companies pass the cost on to subscribers.
But subscriptions are plummeting as US consumers abandon pay TV for streaming services. Cable and satellite subscribers now number about 70 million, down more than 25 percent from 95.5 million a decade ago, according to Leichtman Research Group, a New Hampshire research and analysis company specializing in media, entertainment, and broadband industries. “The next three to five years it’s really going to dry up even more so,” said Muratore. Meschino said citizens can’t afford to lose access to community media channels, because so many local newspapers have shut down. “There’s literally no other way to consume that sort of hyperlocal programming,” Meschino said.
About a dozen US states levy sales taxes on consumers’ streaming video bills. But Meschino said that sales tax money goes into each state’s general fund. Instead, she wants the streaming fee to be dedicated entirely to support for community media services, just like the fee paid by traditional cable TV companies. Some or all of the fees would likely be passed on to consumers. Gauthier estimates that a typical household’s costs could rise about $2.40 a month, spread among several streaming networks. “Maybe it’ll be 75 cents for your Amazon,” he said. “Maybe it’ll be 80 cents for your Disney.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Google will ‘supercharge’ Assistant with AI that’s more like ChatGPT and Bard
Illustration: The Verge
Google is planning to update Assistant with features powered by generative AI, according to a report from Axios. In an email obtained by the outlet, Google tells staff members that it has already started exploring a “supercharged” Assistant powered by the newest large language models (LLM), similar to the technology behind ChatGPT and Google’s own Bard chatbot. According to the email, “A portion of the team has already started working on this, beginning with mobile.”
As part of this change, Google says it’s condensing the team that works on Assistant. The email obtained by Axios states that the company is “eliminating a small number of roles,” although it’s unclear how many employees are affected. According to Axios, Google laid off “dozens” of workers. The Verge reached out to Google to confirm this, and we’ll update this article if we get more information.
“We’re excited to explore how LLMs can help us supercharge Assistant and make it even better.”
“We remain deeply committed to Assistant and we are optimistic about its bright future ahead,” Peeyush Ranjan, the vice president of Google Assistant, and Duke Dukellis, the company’s product director, write in the email.
While Google doesn’t elaborate on what kinds of features it plans on bringing to Assistant, there are some pretty big possibilities. For example, Assistant could tap into the same technology that powers its AI chatbot, Bard, possibly allowing it to answer questions based on the information it gleans from across the web.
“Hundreds of millions of people use the Assistant every month and we’re committed to giving them high quality experiences,” Google spokesperson Jennifer Rodstrom says in a statement to The Verge. “We’re excited to explore how LLMs can help us supercharge Assistant and make it even better.”
It’s still not clear when Google plans on bringing this technology to its smart home products, though — and I don’t think a lot of people (myself included) would be entirely comfortable with that, given the potential privacy implications.
Illustration: The Verge
Google is planning to update Assistant with features powered by generative AI, according to a report from Axios. In an email obtained by the outlet, Google tells staff members that it has already started exploring a “supercharged” Assistant powered by the newest large language models (LLM), similar to the technology behind ChatGPT and Google’s own Bard chatbot. According to the email, “A portion of the team has already started working on this, beginning with mobile.”
As part of this change, Google says it’s condensing the team that works on Assistant. The email obtained by Axios states that the company is “eliminating a small number of roles,” although it’s unclear how many employees are affected. According to Axios, Google laid off “dozens” of workers. The Verge reached out to Google to confirm this, and we’ll update this article if we get more information.
“We remain deeply committed to Assistant and we are optimistic about its bright future ahead,” Peeyush Ranjan, the vice president of Google Assistant, and Duke Dukellis, the company’s product director, write in the email.
While Google doesn’t elaborate on what kinds of features it plans on bringing to Assistant, there are some pretty big possibilities. For example, Assistant could tap into the same technology that powers its AI chatbot, Bard, possibly allowing it to answer questions based on the information it gleans from across the web.
“Hundreds of millions of people use the Assistant every month and we’re committed to giving them high quality experiences,” Google spokesperson Jennifer Rodstrom says in a statement to The Verge. “We’re excited to explore how LLMs can help us supercharge Assistant and make it even better.”
It’s still not clear when Google plans on bringing this technology to its smart home products, though — and I don’t think a lot of people (myself included) would be entirely comfortable with that, given the potential privacy implications.
End of the line for Russia and Ukraine’s partnership in rocketry
Northrop Grumman just can’t seem to settle on a rocket for its Cygnus supply ships.
Enlarge / Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket rolls out of its hangar at Wallops Island, Virginia. Its two Russian engines are visible on the back of the first stage. (credit: NASA/Patrick Black)
A last gasp in a long-standing link between Russia and Ukraine in the field of rocketry could come this week in an unlikely place—the rural wetlands of eastern Virginia—halfway around the world from the battlefields where the nations’ military forces are locked in a deadly conflict.
A commercial Antares rocket owned by the US aerospace and defense contractor Northrop Grumman is set for launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, as soon as Tuesday evening hauling an automated Cygnus supply ship into orbit on a mission to the International Space Station. When it takes off, the Antares rocket will be powered by two Russian-made engines affixed to the bottom of a first-stage booster built in Ukraine.
This is how Northrop Grumman has launched most of its 19 resupply missions to the space station since 2013, but this week’s mission will be the last Antares flight to use Russian and Ukrainian components. Northrop Grumman has partnered with Firefly Aerospace, which has already built and launched a small satellite launcher of its own, to develop a new US-built first stage to replace the Ukrainian booster. Firefly will supply seven of its own engines, called the Miranda, to propel each of the new-generation Antares rockets into space.
AI-Powered War Machines: The Future of Warfare Is Here
The advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) has paved the way for a new era in warfare. Gone are
The post AI-Powered War Machines: The Future of Warfare Is Here appeared first on ReadWrite.
The advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) has paved the way for a new era in warfare. Gone are the days of manned ships and traditional naval operations. Instead, the US Navy’s Task Force 59 is at the forefront of integrating AI and robotics into naval operations. With a fleet of autonomous robot ships, the Navy aims to revolutionize the way wars are fought at sea.
The Persian Gulf serves as a testing ground for Task Force 59’s fleet of robot ships. These unmanned vessels, ranging from solar-powered kayaks to surfboard-style boats, are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Their purpose is to act as the eyes and ears of the Navy, collecting data through cameras, radar, and hydrophones. Pattern-matching algorithms help differentiate between oil tankers and potential threats like smugglers.
One particular vessel, the Triton, stands out with its ability to submerge for extended periods. This feature allows it to evade enemy detection and resurface when it is safe to do so. The Triton can stay submerged for up to five days, utilizing this time to recharge its batteries and transmit valuable information back to base.
AI plays a crucial role in the success of Task Force 59’s operations. By harnessing the power of algorithms and machine learning, the Navy can analyze vast amounts of data collected by the robot ships. This enables them to make informed decisions and respond quickly to emerging threats. AI image generators are also utilized, raising questions about the future of artists in a world driven by technology.
Despite its potential, AI is not without its limitations. The complexity of navigating the unpredictable seas and detecting unconventional threats poses challenges that require continuous improvement and development of AI systems. However, the Navy is committed to staying at the forefront of AI technology and integrating it seamlessly into naval operations.
The deployment of autonomous robot ships is just the beginning of a future dominated by AI-powered warfare. The Navy’s focus on robotics and AI reflects the broader trend towards autonomous systems in the military. The ability to operate without human intervention allows for increased efficiency, reduced risk to personnel, and the potential for more strategic decision-making.
The war in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the increasing role of drones and autonomous systems in modern conflicts. Ukrainian-built drone boats, armed with explosives, targeted a Russian-occupied naval base, sparking concerns about the potential for widespread use of autonomous weapons. However, the Fifth Fleet operating in the Gulf region remains relatively uninformed about these developments, highlighting the need for better cross-regional intelligence sharing.
As AI technology continues to advance, ethical considerations surrounding its use in warfare become increasingly important. The ability of autonomous systems to make life-or-death decisions raises questions of accountability and the potential for unintended consequences. Striking the right balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and ensuring human oversight and control is crucial to avoiding catastrophic outcomes.
The deployment of AI in warfare also has implications for civilian society. As AI becomes more prevalent, it has the potential to transform various aspects of everyday life. The development of conversational AI interfaces, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, illustrates the rapid progress being made. However, society must grapple with the implications of these advancements and ensure they are used responsibly and ethically.
In conclusion, the integration of AI and robotics into naval operations marks a significant shift in the future of warfare. Task Force 59’s fleet of autonomous robot ships showcases the Navy’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. With AI-driven algorithms, these vessels serve as distributed eyes and ears, collecting invaluable data and enabling swift decision-making.
However, the rise of AI in warfare also poses ethical challenges that must be addressed. The potential for autonomous systems to make life-or-death decisions necessitates careful consideration of accountability and human oversight. As society grapples with the implications of AI, it is essential to strike a balance between leveraging its capabilities and ensuring responsible and ethical use.
The AI-powered, totally autonomous future of war is here, and it is our responsibility to navigate its complexities with caution and foresight. By embracing the potential of AI while upholding our ethical principles, we can shape a future where technology serves humanity’s best interests.
First reported on Wired
Frequently Asked Questions
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash
The post AI-Powered War Machines: The Future of Warfare Is Here appeared first on ReadWrite.
Amazon Achieved Its ‘Fastest Prime Speeds Ever’ Last Quarter
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Amazon achieved its “fastest Prime speeds ever” last quarter, the online retail giant announced on Monday. The company says it has delivered more than 1.8 billion units to U.S. Prime members so far this year, nearly four times what it delivered at those speeds by this point in 2019. Across the top 60 largest U.S. metro areas, more than half of Prime member orders arrived the same or next day. Same-day delivery is currently available on millions of items for customers across more than 90 U.S. metro areas, and Amazon plans to double the number of delivery sites in the coming years.
Amazon notes that the average time from picking a customer’s items to positioning the customer’s package on the outbound dock is 11 minutes in same-day facilities, more than an hour faster than its traditional fulfillment centers. For context, same-day facilities are stocked with what customers in those areas are purchasing, while traditional facilities are larger and include a more vast assortment of items. “As we make these changes, we are seeing that they have the added benefit of reducing costs, too,” Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, wrote in a blog post. “Regionalizing our network reduces miles traveled and handoffs. Since the beginning of this year alone, the distance between our sites and the customer decreased by 15%, with 12% fewer touchpoints within our middle mile network. Improved product placement gets items even closer to customers, making our delivery system more efficient. And our Same-Day Delivery network is not only our fastest way to get products to customers, it is also one of our lowest cost ways.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Amazon achieved its “fastest Prime speeds ever” last quarter, the online retail giant announced on Monday. The company says it has delivered more than 1.8 billion units to U.S. Prime members so far this year, nearly four times what it delivered at those speeds by this point in 2019. Across the top 60 largest U.S. metro areas, more than half of Prime member orders arrived the same or next day. Same-day delivery is currently available on millions of items for customers across more than 90 U.S. metro areas, and Amazon plans to double the number of delivery sites in the coming years.
Amazon notes that the average time from picking a customer’s items to positioning the customer’s package on the outbound dock is 11 minutes in same-day facilities, more than an hour faster than its traditional fulfillment centers. For context, same-day facilities are stocked with what customers in those areas are purchasing, while traditional facilities are larger and include a more vast assortment of items. “As we make these changes, we are seeing that they have the added benefit of reducing costs, too,” Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, wrote in a blog post. “Regionalizing our network reduces miles traveled and handoffs. Since the beginning of this year alone, the distance between our sites and the customer decreased by 15%, with 12% fewer touchpoints within our middle mile network. Improved product placement gets items even closer to customers, making our delivery system more efficient. And our Same-Day Delivery network is not only our fastest way to get products to customers, it is also one of our lowest cost ways.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.