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Another leak points to an imminent Garmin Instinct 3.

The Garmin Instinct 3 has been spotted in a major leakGarmin’s own website has revealed that there will be a solar option againAlso confirmed are a 45mm size option and black color

One of the best Garmin watches for the great outdoors looks set to get an imminent upgrade after a listing for a new Instinct 3 was spotted on Garmin’s own website.

The Garmin Instinct 2 is one of our favorite Garmins, a five-star pick rocking a choice of sizes, tough exterior, great training tools, GPS, and very good battery life – which is why we’re so hyped for the seemingly-imminent launch of the next generation.

Now, it looks like Garmin itself is also gearing up for the release, having accidentally listed the repair costs for a Garmin Instinct 3, and revealing some key new details in the process.

As spotted by Fitness Tracker Test, Garmin Spain’s website leaked a repair code for a new ‘Instinct 3, SOLAR,45mm,NEGRO’. As such, it seems that the Instinct 3 will be available in at least one of its popular sizes, a solar-powered version, and a black color option.

Garmin Instinct 3 details leaked

(Image credit: Future)

This latest leak is the first concrete information we’ve seen regarding a new Garmin Instinct, and it looks like the company is sticking to at least some of the formula that made its last version so great.

It’s no surprise that a solar option will be available, and as the report notes a 45mm size listing doesn’t preclude other options. It does, however, suggest that the company may be sticking to the current configurations of 40mm, 45mm, and 50mm.

The news follows a brief nod to the Instinct 3 in a recent Garmin leak suggesting some Garmin watches will add support for rucking, with leaker @Jw speculating that the feature could arrive alongside a new Instinct 3 before the end of the year.

The Instinct 2 turned two in November, indicating that a release of the third iteration could be very close at hand.

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As NIST’s guidelines change, it’s imperative that organizations understand password rotation, but how and why?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently updated its guidelines on password rotation, advising against the once-standard practice of requiring users to change their passwords every 30, 60 or 90 days – unless an organization has experienced a data breach. This marks a significant shift from traditional cybersecurity policies that aimed to prevent breaches through frequent password changes. However, NIST’s new stance may seem at odds with the real-world needs of organizations focused on reducing security risks.

Understanding password rotation

Password rotation refers to the practice of regularly changing passwords to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information. There are two primary types of password rotation: manual and automatic.

Manual password rotation requires users to update their passwords at set intervals, while automatic password rotation relies on technology to generate passwords and replace them without user intervention.

While manual password rotation has been common practice, it often has the unintended effect of leading to weak passwords and user frustration. In contrast, automated password rotation enhances security by regularly generating strong and unique passwords without the user burden of having to generate or remember them.

NIST’s shift away from frequent manual rotation

NIST’s latest guidance discourages enforcing mandatory password changes every 30, 60 or 90 days unless there is evidence of a breach. This change stems from the realization that frequent mandatory password updates can lead to poor user behavior, such as creating weak or easily guessed passwords for convenience.

For example, when required to change passwords frequently, users may make only minor adjustments to an old password – like changing “Password1” to “Password2” – which weakens security and makes it easier for attackers to guess credentials using techniques like credential stuffing or brute force attacks. Those passwords are also frequently reused across multiple accounts.

NIST’s updated guidance recognizes that the effectiveness of frequent password changes is limited unless there is specific evidence of compromised credentials. Rather than focusing on how often passwords should change, NIST now emphasizes the use of strong passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as more effective means of enhancing security.

Why password rotation still matters

Despite NIST’s recommendation to reduce mandatory password rotation, it remains relevant in certain contexts – particularly for privileged accounts that hold access to sensitive systems and data. Rotating passwords can effectively limit exposure if credentials are compromised. Automated password rotation is essential because it:

Prevents unauthorized access: Using the same password for extended periods increases the risk of a cybercriminal cracking it. Regularly changing passwords for sensitive accounts limits the time attackers have to exploit compromised credentials.Limits exposure time: Frequent password rotation reduces how long a stolen or compromised password can be used to damage, alter or steal data. For example, if an HR employee’s password is compromised, regular updates can minimize risk.Reduces the risk of password reuse: Manual password rotation often leads to users recycling or reusing variations of the same password. Automated systems mitigate this by generating strong, unique passwords, preventing users from adopting poor habits.

Additionally, password rotation is a critical measure for organizations that have shared accounts or use contractors, and for securing accounts when offboarding employees.

The challenge of manual password rotation

While password rotation is still relevant, not all methods are created equal. Manual password rotation presents challenges, such as user fatigue, weak password creation and reduced productivity. Users may struggle to generate and remember new, strong passwords, opting instead for easily memorable patterns or predictable variations of old passwords, which makes accounts vulnerable to attacks.

Additionally, enforcing manual password rotation disrupts workflows. Employees may waste time trying to recall or reset forgotten passwords, detracting from their primary work duties. Frequent changes without automated systems can lead to more frustration than security.

Balancing security and usability with automated password rotation

Automated password rotation addresses the shortcomings of manual password changes while maintaining high levels of security. Organizations can benefit from:

Reduced user burden: Automated systems eliminate the need for users to remember or create new passwords. By generating and replacing passwords automatically, employees can focus on their work without interruptions.Stronger password practices: Automated systems ensure that new passwords meet complexity requirements, reducing the chances of successful brute force or credential stuffing attacks.Enhanced security for privileged accounts: Privileged accounts benefit the most from automated password rotation, as regular updates limit exposure time and ensure even insiders cannot exploit static credentials. Minimal disruption: Automated password rotation happens behind the scenes, allowing users to continue their work without needing frequent password resets.

Implementing automated password rotation securely

To implement automated password rotation, organizations should consider using a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution that automates the generation, rotation and secure storage of passwords. This ensures strong passwords are regularly updated and stored in an encrypted vault, accessible only to authorized accounts based on the principle of least privilege to limit exposure.

Embracing a modern approach to password security

NIST’s updated guidelines reflect a more nuanced approach to password security, emphasizing the importance of strong, unique passwords while de-emphasising frequent manual rotation. However, password rotation remains critical for privileged accounts.

Automated password rotation is key to balancing security and usability in today’s complex threat landscape. Organisations should adopt modern PAM solutions to implement strong password practices without burdening users, ensuring sensitive data remains protected while maintaining productivity. By embracing automated password rotation, businesses can stay ahead of cyber threats and protect their most critical systems and information.

We’ve featured the best business password manager.

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

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Arcane’s showrunners haven’t ruled out the possibility of some Black Rose members making physical appearances in season 2’s last three episodes.

Arcane‘s showrunners haven’t ruled out physical appearances from the Black Rose’s members in season 2Fans have long suspected that one or more of them will show up in the animated showEven if they don’t, the Netflix series’ creators were excited to introduce them to a wider audience

Full spoilers follow for Arcane seasons 1 and 2.

There are only three episodes left of Arcane‘s second and final season and, as the clock ticks down to its finale, fans are still waiting for an answer to an absolutely huge question.

No, not the “what’s going on with Jayce?” one, which I already examined in this article about Jayce walking a very dark path in Arcane season 2’s later entries. I’m talking about the hit Netflix show’s main villain, who’s yet to be revealed as Arcane approaches its endgame.

There have been plenty of candidates for the series’ antagonist-in-chief. Silco fulfilled that role last season but, following his demise in the season 1 finale, we’re none the wiser about who’s succeeding him as Arcane‘s Big Bad. Is it Ambessa, who’s been an increasingly antagonistic figure since her season 1 episode 7 debut? How about Jayce following his unexpected heel turn in Arcane season 2 act 2? What if, in the end, it actually ends up being Jinx?

The Black Rose are an incredibly powerful, menacing, and secretive Noxus-based faction (Image credit: Netflix)

In many viewers’ minds, mine included, it won’t be any of them. Indeed, fans have had a magical theory about Arcane‘s main villain for a long time, with some proposing that the Black Rose, a secret and dark magic-wielding organization, will be the show’s actual evildoers. It’s a hypothesis that predates Arcane season 2’s official trailer being released in mid-September, too, with that two-minute-long teaser hinting at the Black Rose’s introduction.

Well, as I covered in my Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained piece, the Black Rose is officially part of the proceedings. What’s still unclear after the arrival of season 2 episodes 4 through 6, though, is whether the Noxus-based sect is one of the best Netflix shows‘ chief bad guys. Or, rather, bad girls, because three of their four most famous members are females. That includes their infamous leader LeBlanc, the millennia-old sorceress who’s essentially Noxus’ shadow ruler and pulls the strings of whoever sits on the expansionist empire’s physical throne.

What does the Black Rose want with Mel? (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche Production)

With the Black Rose playing an increasingly larger role as Arcane season 2‘s story progresses, will we see LeBlanc and/or any other Black Rose members appear before Arcane‘s final credits roll? I had the opportunity to speak to the animated League of Legends (LoL) show’s creators Christian Linke and Alex Yee ahead of its initial debut on November 9, so I felt obliged to ask the pair if this would be the case. Interestingly, they didn’t actually deny it.

“Hmm… you really want to know, don’t you?” Linke replied with a wry smile and a not-so-coy laugh. Before I had a chance to respond, Yee jumped in to cleverly add: “Are you asking ‘will they be there’ or ‘will you see them?'”

The coolest version of the Black Rose is when they’re invisible

Christian Linke, Arcane co-creator

You’ve played this game before, haven’t you, gentlemen? Considering the pair didn’t outright deny that LeBlanc and/or her fellow ancient magic wielders would appear, I’m led to believe that, at the very least, one of them will. I’ve got the evidence to back that up, too. The cast list of season 2 episode 5’s end credits sequence mentions a character named ‘illusionary sorceress’ who’s not only the individual who speaks to Mel in this chapter but also voiced by Minnie Driver. Don’t be shocked if Driver is the voice for Arcane‘s animated take on LeBlanc, and, providing I’m right, if Driver and LeBlanc are subsequently added to my Arcane season 2 cast and character guide.

But I digress. Even if I’m completely wrong in my assumptions about members of the Black Rose appearing before season 2 ends, it doesn’t sound like this is the last we’ll see of them. With many more LoL movie and TV adaptations in development, Linke suggested they may crop up, or at least be mentioned, in future projects.

I’m convinced that we’ll see LeBlanc appear in Arcane before it ends (Image credit: League of Legends universe website)

“When we’ve talked about them internally, the coolest version of the Black Rose is when they’re invisible,” Linke said. “But what’s also really cool is they’re one of the first glimpses of this larger world, and the characters that have an association with the arcane and magic that comes from another realm. It’s a good thing that fans have opinions on what’s happening with Hextech, magic, and all of these things, and we’re really excited about those things, too. But, you know, the Black Rose is an integral part of season 2, and that’s all you’ll get for now.”

For more coverage ahead of season 2 act 3’s release, check out more articles from my exclusive chat with Linke and Yee below.

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As the load balancer landscape continues to evolve, a versatile, secure and efficient solution is essential.

In today’s dynamic application landscape, delivering IT infrastructure that’s highly available, performant and secure is paramount for organizations of all sizes. Load balancers help achieve this by distributing client network traffic across multiple servers. They also distribute traffic across geographic locations to minimize downtime and enhance the application experience.

Since 65% of organizations say their cloud environment is multi-cloud, enterprise IT teams and decision-makers are re-evaluating their load-balancing choices more frequently. They need a versatile, secure and cost-efficient solution that aligns with modern deployment needs—one that optimises workflows and minimises downtime to enhance application performance. Understanding the essential role of load balancers, the state of load balancing in modern tech ecosystems and where application delivery sits today gives professionals a holistic perspective from which to make informed choices.

The changing load balancer landscape

Numerous industry trends and application influences shape how load balancers are used today. Enterprise IT teams and decision-makers are increasingly open to exploring and starting to use load-balancing vendors and solutions. A survey conducted by EMA revealed that 80% of enterprise organizations indicated a willingness to consider switching load-balancing vendors in the next two years.

There are numerous reasons behind the changing demands for applications. The rise of cloud-based applications, micro-service architectures and hybrid cloud deployments have increased the complexity of load-balancing requirements. Many organizations struggle to support this evolving application landscape with their current load balancers, highlighting their need for a solution that offers advanced security, robust analytics and other features that simplify management.

Ongoing support costs for their existing load balancers and additional deployments can be significant, as can adding additional nodes for new applications. This drives organizations to seek out more cost-effective alternatives that will enable them to flexibly scale their load-balancing architecture without considerable spikes in their operational costs.

Benefits of load balancing

Load balancers drive business value in various ways—far beyond enhancing the performance, availability, reliability and redundancy of IT infrastructure to maintain continuous service.

In addition to these critical roles, load balancers can also optimize resource utilization, significantly reducing costs and improving system performance. They facilitate the efficient use of server resources, reducing the risk of underutilization or overloading.

Perhaps a lesser-known but critical benefit—load balancers can enhance security by controlling traffic in a way that mitigates the risk of DDoS attacks. They can detect and block malicious traffic, helping to protect the network from potential threats. They can also play a crucial part in disaster recovery strategies by redirecting traffic to backup servers in case of a failure. This capability maintains business continuity and minimizes downtime.

Load balancing also allows organizations to easily add or remove servers based on traffic demands. This flexibility supports seamless scalability, accommodating growing user bases without service disruptions.

Considerations for choosing a load-balancing platform

When evaluating load-balancing platforms, it’s vital to find one that can flex as organizational needs change in scale and complexity. A platform offering customer-focused support and rich online resources will help an organization of any size get the maximum benefit from deployments.

It’s also worth checking out the vendor’s development history. For instance, research how the vendor has been investing back in product R&D and how quickly they address bugs. Some vendors can even provide an estimate on ROI. Finally, it’s critical that licensing isn’t only Perpetual and offers flexibility that can scale to the business’s needs.

Some fundamental features to look for in a solution include:

Core load balancing: Core load-balancing functionality that’s table stakes for modern organizations includes on-premises, cloud and hybrid application deployments. It’s better still to find one that offers a Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB) feature that can be used across multiple data centers, cloud providers and regions.

Cybersecurity functionality: Layered cybersecurity functionality can provide an additional security boost to an organization’s existing cybersecurity practices. These include a Web Application Firewall (WAF), Edge Security Pack (ESP) including Reverse Proxy, End Point Authentication, Active Directory integration, RADIUS authentication, Single Sign On (SSO) across virtual services, RSA SecurID dual factor authentication and Persistent Logging and Reporting.

Adaptable deployment options: Load balancers can be deployed in different infrastructure setups, including dedicated hardware, virtual machines or cloud platforms, like Azure and AWS.

Flexible and competitive pricing: Specifiers should be able to choose the licensing model that fits their business needs. These include Perpetual, Subscription, Pay-as-You-Go (PAYG) and Pooled. With the right choice, organisations can achieve significant cost savings for deployment and reduce ongoing support costs.

Prioritizing security and efficiency

The load balancer landscape continues to evolve in anticipation of upcoming industry trends and influences. Therefore, a versatile, secure and efficient load-balancing solution is essential for enterprise businesses.

For organizations to optimize their current load-balancing capabilities for the best application experience, there must be in alignment with modern deployment needs, improved functionality, flexible licensing and lower cost of ownership, plus industry-leading support and online resources.

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

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Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here’s all you need to know to solve today’s game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.

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 clues.

What should you do once you’ve finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I’ve also got daily Wordle hints and answers, Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too.

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 #526) – today’s words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today’s NYT Connections words are…

DOMINODRYERFIDDLERLADYBUGINTERNETHORSESHOESPIDERRENTHAIRSPRAYGASDALMATIANCOMBPHONEHERMITROLLERSDIE

NYT Connections today (game #526) – hint #1 – group hints

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

Yellow: You might find them in a hair salonGreen: Payday expensesBlue: They’re dottyPurple: Sideways movers

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 #526) – hint #2 – group answers

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

YELLOW: USED IN HAIR CAREGREEN: MONTHLY EXPENSESBLUE: THINGS WITH SPOTSPURPLE: ___ CRAB

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

NYT Connections today (game #526) – the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today’s Connections, game #526, are…

YELLOW: USED IN HAIR CARE COMB, DRYER, HAIRSPRAY, ROLLERSGREEN: MONTHLY EXPENSES GAS, INTERNET, PHONE, RENTBLUE: THINGS WITH SPOTS DALMATIAN, DIE, DOMINO, LADYBUGPURPLE: ___ CRAB FIDDLER, HERMIT, HORSESHOE, SPIDER

My rating: ModerateMy score: Perfect

I nearly scored a reverse rainbow today, which I’ve only done once before. This is the NYT’s term for when you solve the four Connections groups in reverse difficulty order – so purple, then blue, then green, then the easiest yellow.

Unfortunately (sort of – it really doesn’t matter in reality!) I got blue first, so that dream died there. But it was strange that my brain spotted the two hardest ones initially and had to work a bit harder to solve green and yellow.

Blue was a good one: THINGS WITH SPOTS, with DALMATIAN, DIE, DOMINO and LADYBUG. I always find it helpful to not just look at the words, but also think visually about them. Doing that here gave me the image of a spotty dalmatian and domino, at which point I went in search of others and found them both.

Purple, meanwhile, was one that required a little general knowledge. I haven’t actually heard of a FIDDLER CRAB, but I knew HERMIT, SPIDER and HORSESHOE, and FIDDLER fit better than any of the other remaining words (INTERNET CRAB? HAIRSPRAY CRAB? Obviously not!) so I played that and guessed correctly. Green and yellow were pretty simple by that stage, so I completed today’s without any mistakes – a rarity for me.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday’s NYT Connections answers (Sunday, 17 November, game #525)

YELLOW: ALLIANCE ASSOCIATION, GUILD, LEAGUE, UNIONGREEN: CLOSE-FITTING CLINGY, SLEEK, SLINKY, SNUGBLUE: OCCASIONS WHEN ONE MIGHT KNEEL APOLOGY, DUBBING, PRAYER, PROPOSALPURPLE: WHAT AN APOSTROPHE MIGHT INDICATE CONTRACTION, FOOT, POSSESSIVE, QUOTATION

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don’t technically need to solve the final one, as you’ll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What’s more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It’s a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It’s playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here’s all you need to know to solve today’s game, including the spangram.

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 Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.

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 #260) – hint #1 – today’s theme

What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?

• Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Coming up for air

NYT Strands today (game #260) – hint #2 – clue words

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

SLAMCRAMAMMOWARNSHINPEAS

NYT Strands today (game #260) – hint #3 – spangram

What is a hint for today’s spangram?

• Water beasts

NYT Strands today (game #260) – hint #4 – spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches?

First: bottom, 6th column

Last: top, 1st column

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

NYT Strands today (game #260) – the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today’s Strands, game #260, are…

ORCADOLPHINSEALMANATEEWALRUSNARWHALSPANGRAM: MARINEMAMMALS

My rating: ModerateMy score: 1 hint

These MARINEMAMMALS are among my favorite of all animals. There’s something about DOLPHINs, WALRUSes and SEALS that are just so appealing, and as for the slightly spooky but fascinating NARWHAL and MANATEE… they’re just great, aren’t they? I was surprised that WHALE was not among them, but otherwise all of the big stars of the marine mammal world were here.

This Strands was a tricky one to complete, though, because several of the words are unusually spelled. In fact, I used a hint for the first word, and when it gave me C, O, R and A it took me several minutes to assemble that into ORCA! I got there in the end, as I suspect most people will, because there are only so many possible answers here; getting started was tough, but there’s not a huge amount of specialist knowledge required, at least.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 17 November, game #259)

TOWERCASTLEBRIDGEFORTPALACEMONUMENTARCHSPANGRAM: LANDMARKS

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable and 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.

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Looking for Quordle clues? We can help. Plus get the answers to Quordle today and past solutions.

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 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 Wordle today, NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles.

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 #1029) – hint #1 – Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

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

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

Quordle today (game #1029) – hint #2 – repeated letters

Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1029) – hint #3 – uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today’s Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1029) – 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 #1029) – hint #5 – starting letters (2)

What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with?

• A

• B

• W

• H

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

Quordle today (game #1029) – the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today’s Quordle, game #1029, are…

ASCOTBRINKWEIRDHOMER

Arrggghhh! What a disaster. Yes, I lost my streak today, courtesy of some really slapdash play by me when I was in a rush. A couple of the words were tricky, admittedly, but I still should have done better.

Three of the four words gave me problems; ASCOT is a common word in Quordle, even if not in general life, and I should have guessed that before TACOS, which is a plural and therefore won’t be an answer. D’oh! I guess my stomach got the better of me there.

HOMER, meanwhile, was a word that gave me all kinds of trouble in Wordle when it appeared early on in the game’s run, and here I needed two stabs at it, going for HOVER first. That left me a 50/50 between BRING and BRINK, with no way for me to know which it was. And here my luck ran out – I went for BRING, but the answer was BRINK and I lost for the first time in a couple of months.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #1029) – the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1029, are…

VILLATESTYAMISSODDER

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1028, Sunday 17 November: STATE, BRAWN, SWORE, URBANQuordle #1027, Saturday 16 November: NOTCH, BENCH, BUSED, FOUNDQuordle #1026, Friday 15 November: PURER, TRUSS, TORCH, FORUMQuordle #1025, Thursday 14 November: EXALT, TASTE, CRONY, CLOUTQuordle #1024, Wednesday 13 November: YEARN, ELBOW, SURGE, PINEYQuordle #1023, Tuesday 12 November: CHORD, ATTIC, OLIVE, EIGHTQuordle #1022, Monday 11 November: COPSE, REGAL, GRUNT, GOODYQuordle #1021, Sunday 10 November: GROIN, FAULT, FERRY, SUITEQuordle #1020, Saturday 9 November: FLUME, THERE, ATOLL, SANERQuordle #1019, Friday 8 November: DELAY, NAVAL, MOLAR, SWARMQuordle #1018, Thursday 7 November: REPAY, SYNOD, LOATH, PITHYQuordle #1017, Wednesday 6 November: SASSY, DRUID, THREW, SLOSHQuordle #1016, Tuesday 5 November: BEGET, AMUSE, STONY, LOUSYQuordle #1015, Monday 4 November: CHILL, TACKY, GRAPH, PLAZAQuordle #1014, Sunday 3 November: QUIRK, HEART, ELBOW, KNOWNQuordle #1013, Saturday 2 November: SWUNG, FLOOR, PARER, CRUSTQuordle #1012, Friday 1 November: FIFTY, GULCH, RECUT, TWEETQuordle #1011, Thursday 31 October: TWINE, RIGID, BELCH, AMENDQuordle #1010, Wednesday 30 October: SLOOP, BRINE, BROOD, FLUIDQuordle #1009, Tuesday 29 October: CLIFF, BURNT, SNAKY, POLYP

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Toshiba’s Jimucon SJ-9500 office computer combines a whole load of random features into a Frankenstein PC.

Toshiba’s Jimucon SJ-9500 combines a mix of retro hardwareFeatures include dot matrix printing, DVD drive, touchscreen, SSDsCustomizable for industries, offers broad connectivity and energy efficiency

Toshiba has rolled out the Jimucon SJ-9500, an office computer that looks like it emerged from a retro-futuristic design lab.

This all-in-one device, the successor to the SJ-9100, throws together an eclectic mix of hardware: a dot matrix printer, a DVD drive, a touchscreen, and dual SSDs, all running on Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021.

Billed as a tool for boosting business efficiency, it’s a curious blend of legacy and modern tech that feels like something straight out of the ’80s with a 2024 twist.

An eccentric addition to any workspace

It’s probably no surprise that, according to PC Watch, Toshiba has been manufacturing its “Jimucon” series since 1982.

This office “workhorse” incorporates a 24-pin dot matrix printer, allowing it to churn out forms at a standard rate of 180 characters per second, with speeds hitting 240 characters per second if you’re in a hurry.

The printer can handle wide-format paper (up to 304.8mm) and tackle multi-copy tasks, producing an original plus up to seven carbon copies, all with a reliable smack of impact printing that would make any old-school office proud.

The machine’s 15-inch color touchscreen (1024×768 resolution) and touch pen support offer a touch of modern convenience. The device is loaded with 8GB of memory and dual 240GB SSDs (one for active tasks and one for storage), and the design even has a slot to stash the keyboard on the main unit to save space.

Functionality-wise, the SJ-9500 is designed with business continuity in mind. Toshiba has included a three-minute battery backup, so even if the power cuts out, you can wrap up whatever task you’re working on.

There’s also a generation management feature that lets users trace data from a few days back, and an optional online backup service acts as a safety net for any crucial data you want to preserve.

The SJ-9500 can be customized to handle industry-specific tasks, making it adaptable for everything from industrial waste management to order processing. And thanks to its range of connectivity options – six USB ports, serial ports, DisplayPort, and Gigabit Ethernet – this machine can link up with everything from barcode scanners to external monitors, making it a versatile, if eccentric, addition to any workspace.

Measuring 538×658×418 mm and weighing in at a hefty 23 kg, the SJ-9500 is no sleek desktop, but Toshiba’s Frankenstein creation manages to cram a full business setup into one unit, and with a power consumption reduced by 7% compared to previous models, it’s designed with some energy efficiency in mind.

For businesses looking for something both functional and unforgettable, the Jimucon SJ-9500 is available to buy across Japan now, although there’s no word on pricing. Toshiba says it plans to sell 1,000 units a year.

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Apple “courting” Foxconn to build AI servers based on its M-series CPU to accelerate Apple Intelligence potential.

Apple reportedly seeking Foxconn support for AI servers in TaiwanFoxconn is already the primary manufacturer of Nvidia AI serversLimited Foxconn capacity prompts partnerships with other suppliers

Apple has reporterdly approached long-term Foxconn about building artificial intelligence servers in Taiwan as part of its efforts to boost its AI computing capabilities.

A report from Nikkei Asia claims Apple is reportedly keen on using its in-house Apple M-series silicon chips for these servers, which will power Apple Intelligence features on its latest generation of devices, including iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks.

Although Foxconn has been a long-time supplier for Apple’s iPhones, sources familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia that Foxconn’s capacity to accommodate Apple’s request may be limited due to existing commitments. Foxconn is a primary manufacturer of Nvidia’s AI servers.

Engaging other partners

“One of the reasons Apple wants Foxconn to make servers in Taiwan is in the hope to tap the engineering talent and R&D resources that work for the Nvidia projects,” a source told the news site. Because Apple intends to produce these servers for its own needs, the volume required would be relatively low compared to the large-scale demand for Nvidia’s powerful GB200 AI servers.

Apple’s limited experience in server design, particularly for data centers, means it would likely require additional engineering and design support from its suppliers. In light of this, the firm is reportedly talking to other partners, including Lenovo’s subsidiary LCFC, to assist with certain server designs.

Nikkei Asia reports that these negotiations include exploring new production capacities outside China, specifically in Southeast Asia, and collaborating with smaller suppliers like Universal Scientific Industrial for production services.

While companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are ramping up investments in AI data centers, Apple is working to catch up as its Apple Intelligence features roll out to new devices. This push to boost its AI capabilities underscores the company’s increasing need for expanded data center infrastructure.

Nikkei Asia notes that Foxconn and Universal Scientific Industrial declined to comment on the story, while Apple and Lenovo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Google Assistant is continuing its work on Nest devices, but Gemini is going to be lending a helping hand.

Gemini is being added to older devices with Google AssistantHidden code reveals the upgrade is coming soonThe “improved Assistant” will offer more comprehensive answers

Rather confusingly, Google has two smart assistants in play at the moment: Gemini and Google Assistant. For now at least, Google Assistant is sticking around on smart displays and speakers, but we’ve now got some clues as to how Gemini will be helping out.

The team at 9to5Google spotted code hidden in the latest Google app for Android that referenced “an improved Assistant” with richer responses, a better understanding of your instructions, and a new set of voices to pick from.

At the same time as the launches for the Google TV Streamer and the 4th-gen Google Nest Thermostat, we heard that Gemini would be front and center on new products – but that Google Assistant would still be doing a job on older hardware.

Based on the code found by 9to5Google – which isn’t yet enabled, and may be changed before its released to the wider world – it would appear that the extra smarts available in Gemini will soon be added to Google Assistant on Nest speakers and displays.

Switching over

Gemini is now available for both Android and iOS (Image credit: Google)

Google clearly sees Gemini as the future when it comes to smart AI-powered assistants. It’s preloaded on the new Pixel 9 phones – see our Google Pixel 9 Pro review for details, for example – and is being pushed into multiple Google apps.

There are an awful lot of devices out in the wild with Google Assistant on them though – including third-party hardware that’s not made by Google – which means support for the older AI bot is going to have to continue for the foreseeable future.

Hopefully, as far as the user experience goes, this continuing transition will be pretty smooth: you’ll just speak out or type your requests, and the AI will respond accordingly, no matter which assistant you’re actually using behind the scenes.

Gemini is slowly but surely adding support for all the tasks that Google Assistant is capable of, while also providing a more intelligent and deeper set of responses when needed, thanks to generative AI – and it seems it’s about to arrive on more smart devices soon.

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