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Beginning today, Google is offering Chromebook owners a free, three-month subscription to Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming service.
For those who may be unfamiliar, GeForce Now gives people access to a powerful gaming rig on Nvidia’s servers. That way, you can play popular titles with high definition graphics even if your computer doesn’t have the greatest hardware. This new deal is specifically for a subscription to GeForce Now Priority which is the mid-range tier of the service. It gives access to games running up to 1080p resolution at 60FPS, six-hour session lengths, and enables RTX ON for optimal graphic fidelity.
Also, if you own a specific Cloud Gaming Chromebook model, that free subscription gets upgraded to GeForce Now Ultimate – the highest tier. The third plan offers games running up to 4K resolution at 120FPS, eight-hour sessions, plus “exclusive access to RTX 4080 Servers.” A full list of supporting models can be found on Google’s website. They include the Acer Chromebook 516 GE and ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip.
(Image credit: Google/NVIDIA)
How to get the membership
To get this promotion, you first have to head over to the Chromebook Perks page. Scroll down until you find the GeForce Now entry then click the Get Perk button. Once redeemed, Google states you’ll have to “create a GeForce Now account and download the [official] app from the Google Play Store.” Sync any pre-existing gaming accounts from digital stores like Steam to the new one. After that, you can play whatever’s in your library.
(Image credit: Future)
There is one restriction. A Google spokesperson told TheVerge users must own a “Chromebook from 2017 or newer” to get the perk. Apart from needing a modern Chromebook, you’re good to go. You don’t need to “enter any credit card information” or commit to anything.
On the Nvidia side of things, the hardware giant announced it’s going to be adding 24 new games to its service next month such as Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. What’s more is the company very recently entered a partnership with Microsoft bringing Xbox Game Pass to GeForce Now, introducing hundreds of the best PC games to another audience.
Positive influence
It is good to see something positive come out of Google’s gaming efforts. Of course, there was the death of Google Stadia in late 2022, but there was one more incident.
Not too long ago, it was discovered Google had canceled multiple projects for Chromebook powered by Nvidia graphics cards. These devices were supposed to be its big push into PC gaming, however it just didn’t pan out. To this day, no one knows exactly why these laptops were scrapped although speculation suggests developmental difficulties.
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Google is integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) into a couple of its security products, to give the tools a boost and make them easier to use.
At its recent Google Cloud Next 23 event, the company announced its Duet AI will make its way to Mandiant Threat Intelligence, Chronicle Security Operations, and Security Command Center.
Google’s head of UX for cloud security, Steph Hay, explained that the goal was to lower the burden on IT teams, minimize threats, and lower the barrier to entry into the cybersecurity space.
Improving security posture
“We’re really trying to supercharge security with generative AI to mitigate threats, and in particular prevent downstream impacts that our practitioners face today, to reduce the toil that the security teams deal with having to manage a growing attack surface, and really bridge the cyber talent gap,” Hay said.
“AI is enabling security teams to improve their security posture by generating AI summaries to describe threats, by searching for patterns in security data to identify if teams have been targeted or companies have been targeted, and finally, by recommending actions to take both in response to active threats and also to proactively improve security posture,” she added.
That being said, Google’s Duet AI will be integrated into Mandiant Threat Intelligence (a company Google bought last year), to help IT teams make sense of mountains of data more easily. Then, it will be added to Chronicle Security Operations, where it expects the tool to be used by teams to learn more about specific threats and how they can be mitigated.
Finally, Google is adding Duet AI into its Security Command Center, allowing security analysts with less experience to understand security findings and to learn more about potential attacks and means of mitigation.
The new additions are currently in preview and should be released before the end of the year.
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Apple is hosting a ‘Wonderlust’ event at its Apple Park compound on September 12 at 10am PST / 1pm EST / 6pm BST. Nothing has been officially confirmed although there are a variety of clues.
For instance, the iPhone 15. Notable Apple insider Mark Gurman claimed on X this will be the official reveal of the tech giant’s upcoming flagship phone. Plus, it follows the company’s MO of announcing mobile devices in mid-September.
Story: Apple announces September 12 iPhone 15, new Apple Watch, and AirPods event — https://t.co/Debtfo2rlO https://t.co/NUiTne6JQyAugust 29, 2023
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Gurman states in a new Bloomberg report the company will introduce “two entry-level models and two high-end models” for the iPhone series. The lower-end devices, as he refers to them, will most likely be called the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. He doesn’t mention the names of the higher-end phones, but they could be dubbed the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max – assuming Apple continues with the same naming convention it established with the iPhone 14 line.
The report goes on to detail some of the expected changes. All four will sport a USB-C charging port in order to comply with European Union legislation. Moreover, the higher-end models will utilize a titanium frame instead of a stainless steel one and have thinner bezels and a “new camera with deeper optical zoom.”
Most of what is in the Bloomberg piece does line up with previously established rumors. He doesn’t detail what colors the iPhone 15 will come in. However, images posted on X by leaker Majin Bu suggest the device will be available in a light pastel green.
We believe this shade will actually be referred to as cyan by Apple if we go by other rumors. Additionally, we’ve heard talk about options for Pink, Midnight black, and a vibrant hue of red.
The iPhone 15 series could receive the green color. A mockup of this color was also made. It looks like it will be very similar to the green already seen on the iPhone 12 series. pic.twitter.com/8MI8kJciw6August 28, 2023
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Gurman goes on to say we could also see the introduction of the new Apple Watch 9 as well as the next generation AirPods. There hasn't been a lot of leaked information for the wearable, though it has been said the future smartwatch will run watchOS 10 on a “much more powerful chipset than the Apple Watch 8”.
The next gen AirPods are said to sport a USB-C input on (presumably) the charging case. Back in May, we heard through the grapevine that the AirPods Pro 2 will support USB-C connectivity. Gurman could be referring to those or the AirPods 4.
Analysis: What we might see
It's hard to say for sure what exactly will be at Wonderlust 2023. Compared to previous events, the clues this time are way more obtuse. To get any idea of what the event will bring, we’ll have to look at the logo.
The swirl of silver and blue metallic sand could refer to the titanium frame of the higher-end devices as well as their color since light blue and silver are two of the rumored shades for the line. But that’s pretty much all we can extrapolate. "Wonderlust' as a name could mean anything. Apple is playing its cards close to its chest.
Stay tuned for TechRadar’s coverage of the Wonderlust event where we’ll break down every bit of detail as the information comes out.
Even though Intel’s 5th Gen Xeon (Emerald Rapids) chips won’t be launching until the final three months of this year, we already know what to expect in 2024.
The company has lifted the wraps off its up-and-coming Sierra Forest and Granite Rapids products, and yet again, there’s a clear emphasis on artificial intelligence while tackling some of the industry’s biggest issues.
Adding to the existing Performance-core (P-core) architecture will be a new Efficient-core (E-core) architecture to help data centers in their ongoing (and frankly colossal) battle with energy efficiency.
Intel’s 2024 lineup will be even better for the environment
According to the company’s announcement, it is the provider of the best AI performance on any CPU, and the processors with P-cores (Granite Rapids) promise to give a significant boost to those looking to carry out intensive AI workloads.
Compared with the 4th Gen Xeon chips that we know today as Sapphire Rapids, Granite Rapids looks to be able to deliver 2-3x better performance for mixed AI workloads.
It’s the processors with E-cores, codenamed Sierra Forest, which are most worthy of the spotlight, though. Compared with 4th Gen hardware, Sierra Forest chips promise up to 2.4x better performance per watt. Despite each CPU being able to accommodate up to 144 cores, the vastly improved efficiency should help data centers to significantly reduce their power consumption where applicable in 1S and 2S servers.
Data centers in particular have come under scrutiny recently over their intensive consumption of numerous resources, particularly energy and water. While the solution clearly lies in a multifaceted approach, including reducing our own digital footprint, being able to carry out the same work with fewer resources is clearly an important piece of the puzzle.
Key Windows 11 features may soon be customizable as Microsoft further integrates its Windows Copilot AI assistant into the operating system.
This tidbit comes from tech news site Windows Latest, which claims to have discovered new .json (JavaScript Object Notation) files within recent preview builds of Windows 11. These files apparently hint at future upgrades for the desktop AI assistant. For example, a “TaskManagerService-ai-plugin.json” was found which is supposedly a “plugin for Task Manager integration”. If this ever comes out, it could give users the ability to “monitor or close running apps using” Copilot.
In total, six are currently tested and they affect various aspects of Windows 11.
Next, there is an “AccessbilityTools-ai-plugin.json” that gives Copilot a way to “control accessibility [tools]. This would make it "easier for those with [a] disability to navigate through the system.” Third is “ai-plugin-WindowsSettings.json” for controlling important Windows 11 settings. Which ones exactly are not stated within the report.
Fourth is “ClockService-ai-plugin.json” to help people manage their computer’s alarm settings. Rounding out the pack are “LaunchApplication-ai-plugin.json and SmartFileActions-ai-plugin.json” for opening apps through AI commands.
Modular control hub
Windows Copilot was in limited release when it first came out back in late June 2023, and it was pretty barebones. Since then, Microsoft has been repeatedly upgrading the AI function to be more comprehensive. Earlier reports state Copilot may be able search for specific files as well as offer “store suggestions”, presumably for apps to download at the Microsoft Store.
You may read all this and think that the AI assistant may become a bloated mess, but on the contrary, it might not. Due to the fact all the .json files mentioned are plugins, Windows Copilot will most likely be a modular tool, meaning you can pick and choose particular Windows 11 features it can control. This effectively turns the AI into your personal control hub for the OS.
Upgraded AI assistants
Of course, that’s assuming the final version will release exactly as we just described. Nothing in the news story has been officially confirmed by Microsoft. Be aware there’s a chance, if small, that the company could terminate certain plugins at any time.
So far, the updates have been first-party only. Windows Latest claims the tech giant could begin offering third-party plugin support within the coming weeks. Partnered third-party companies or developers remain unknown at the time of this writing.
Generative AI models have opened a lot of possibilities for personal assistants. Gone are the days of asking simple questions to Siri or Cortana. Technological improvements have made it possible for AIs to help in our day-to-day tasks. Google, for example, is working on an AI writing tool for upcoming Chromebooks.
Google has previously confirmed that texting via satellite link will be an option in Android 14, and a new leak based on hidden snippets of code suggests that Garmin is going to be helping to make this a reality.
Developer Neil Rahmouni (via SamMobile) spotted the as-yet-unused code snippets in question, which mention a "Garmin Response" option for users wanting to get some support with their satellite texting inside Google Messages.
Rahmouni previously reported that satellite connectivity was coming to Google Messages, which is the default SMS application for Android. However, the developer himself warns that "everything is subject to change" at this point.
Garmin already has several products with satellite communication capabilities on the market. The company uses the Iridium satellite network, so it would appear that Android is going to tap into the same system for its own features.
Looks like Google Messages may use Garmin Response for the Satellite Emergency SOSIf true it could mean that Emergency Satellite messages would be available in 150+ countries👀https://ift.tt/N1LxpW8 screen is a mockup, 2nd are the translations found in Google Messages) pic.twitter.com/Rza9BUxJwJAugust 28, 2023
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Stay connected
As we've already seen from the iPhone 14, satellite connectivity on a smartphone isn't designed for streaming 4K video – at least not yet. It's there for sending emergency messages if you can't connect to a standard cellular network.
Almost a year ago, senior vice president of Android Hiroshi Lockheimer said that the feature would be available in Android this year. It's not turned up in any of the early beta releases, but it looks almost ready to go.
Garmin's existing network covers more than 150 countries, so presumably Android 14 would do the same. You are going to need a phone with a satellite modem inside it though – something not many have right now, as the feature hasn't gone live yet.
Handsets such as the Google Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 should arrive on the market with both the necessary hardware and the necessary software for satellite communications – which may well be delivered courtesy of Garmin.
Last month we got new foldables, tablets, and smartwatches from Samsung, but we'll have to wait until early 2024 for the Samsung Galaxy S24 flagship phones – and the Ultra model is rumored to be getting a significant display upgrade.
According to prolific tipster @UniverseIce, the screen on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra screen will measure 6.78 inches in size, have a 3120 x 1440 pixel resolution and 19.5:5 aspect ratio, and offer an incredible 2500 nits of peak brightness.
It's that brightness spec that really stands out, considering the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra topped out at 1750 nits. It's a boost of more than 40% from the previous generation, and would make the Galaxy S24 Ultra as bright as the Oppo Find X6 Pro and just behind the Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
SamMobile speculates that the new panel could be the rumored M13 screen from Samsung Display, though we'll have to wait until launch day (most likely in January or February) to be sure about the specs for the Galaxy S24 series.
As has been the case in recent times, there's been more buzz around the Ultra model than the other two models in the upcoming Galaxy flagship series – even before we heard it was going to get the brightest screen yet on a Samsung handset.
It's rumored that the frame of the Ultra model will be made from titanium, for example – tougher and lighter than the aluminum used in the current models. As it happens, the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max are expected to switch to titanium too.
The camera system on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is in line for a substantial upgrade too, with the 10MP telephoto lens on the S23 Ultra becoming a 50MP telephoto lens on the new model. We're also hearing about a flatter display for the S24 Ultra phone as well.
There's some debate over the processor that the Galaxy S24 phones are going to be using, but it seems Qualcomm will produce a special edition Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for Samsung to use. Expect more leaks and rumors in the months ahead.
Hackers have attacked the makers of a widepsread mobile spyware tool, destroying all of the data the company gathered on its victims while exposing the malicious actors who were paying for the spyware service.
A report by TechCrunch, tipped off by DDoSecrets, a nonprofit transparency group that documents data leaks, examined a large database - 1.5GB in size - it received from an unnamed hacking group, claiming the database came from WebDetetive, a mobile spyware app built for the Portuguese-speaking community.
The majority of the victims were located in Brazil, it was said.
Flipping the script
The hackers told DDoSecrets that they found multiple vulnerabilities in WebDetetive’s infrastructure and endpoints which allowed them to access the database. While inside, they uncovered that some 76,000 Android devices were victims of the spyware, which was harvesting all sorts of private and sensitive information.
However, instead of stealing the victim data and posting it online, the group deleted their devices from the spyware’s network, rendering it useless. The infected devices were no longer able to send new data to the spyware’s server. The group said it did this “because we could.” They also generated a different database (the one shared with DDoSecrets) and filled it with information on the people who were using WebDetetive’s services.
The data included customer IP addresses and their purchase history. It also included all of the devices each customer infected, which version of the spyware was installed, and the type of data that was being stolen.
Spyware, or stalkerware apps, are not available on official app stores, such as the Play Store or the App Store. They can be installed from third-party stores and other places on the internet, and allow the buyers to install an almost invisible app on the victim’s device and gather information on calls, text messages, photos and videos, GPS data, and more.
Unsurprisingly therefore, there have been loads of leaks and rumors about these phones, including about the likely iPhone 15 battery sizes and charging speeds. So while nothing is confirmed just yet, we have a good idea of what to expect on that front.
With this all in mind you’ll find full details of the likely battery sizes and charging speeds for each iPhone 15 model below, along with how they compare to their iPhone 14 predecessors.
iPhone 15 battery
The iPhone 15 will likely have USB-C rather than a Lightning port(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The most detailed iPhone 15 battery leak so far suggests this phone will have a 3,877mAh battery, which is 18% bigger than the 3,279mAh battery in the iPhone 14. So that’s a big upgrade, and this claim reportedly comes from a Foxconn worker, which is someone who would likely know, as Foxconn builds iPhones.
That said, this is the only battery capacity leak we’ve heard about the iPhone 15 so far, so we’d still take this with a pinch of salt.
Still, if this leak does pan out then – coupled with a likely more efficient chipset than the iPhone 14 – we could see serious battery life gains from the iPhone 15. For reference, Apple claims the iPhone 14 can last for up to 20 hours of local video playback, 16 hours of streamed video, or 80 hours of audio playback, so expect higher figures than that from the iPhone 15.
Going just by the capacity increase without factoring in the chipset change, that could translate to around 24 hours of local video, 19 hours of streamed video, and 94 hours of audio.
We could also see upgrades to charging. At the very least, the iPhone 15 will almost certainly charge via USB-C from what we’ve heard (and this is a change Apple needs to make before too long, at least for EU models).
But beyond that, the iPhone 15 might charge faster than the iPhone 14. The latter tops out at 20W, but according to “people familiar with the matter” speaking to 9to5Mac, at least some iPhone 15 models with support 35W charging. However, they’re not sure whether this will apply to every model or just the Pro and Pro Max.
Finally, there’s a chance that the iPhone 15 will support reverse wireless charging. This would let you use it as a wireless charging mat to juice up other devices, such as an Apple Watch or AirPods. However, we’ve only heard this claim from one source, and they only say Apple is working on the feature – not that it will definitely be included on any iPhone 15 models, so we wouldn’t count on this.
iPhone 15 Plus battery
The iPhone 15 Plus could have a much bigger battery than the 14 Plus(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The iPhone 15 Plus might have a 4,912mAh battery according to the detailed iPhone 15 battery leak mentioned above. That would be a 14% increase on the 4,323mAh battery of the iPhone 14 Plus, and using the same back-of-an-envelope calculations, could translate to around 30 hours of local video playback, 23 hours of streamed video, or 114 hours of audio playback, up from 26 hours, 20 hours, and 100 hours respectively with the iPhone 14 Plus.
That though, once again, doesn’t factor in the new chipset we’re expecting (an A16 Bionic rather than an A15 Bionic), which could add additional longevity to the battery.
As with the iPhone 15, we might also see the iPhone 15 Plus get 35W charging (up from 20W with the iPhone 14 Plus), and support for reverse wireless charging – though we wouldn’t count on either of those things. What it will almost certainly have, though, is a USB-C charging port, in place of Lightning.
iPhone 15 Pro battery
The iPhone 14 Pro(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
According to the main iPhone 15 battery leak so far, the iPhone 15 Pro will have a 3,650mAh battery, which is up from 3,200mAh in the iPhone 14 Pro – a 14% increase.
For reference, the iPhone 14 Pro is rated to last through 23 hours of local video playback, 20 hours of streamed video, or 75 hours of audio playback. Assuming a straight 14% increase to those figures, we’d be looking at around 26 hours of local video, 23 hours of streamed video, and 85 hours of audio playback from the iPhone 15 Pro.
Of course, it won’t be that simple, but if anything, the figures might be even higher, since the iPhone 15 Pro is expected to have a more efficient A17 Bionic chipset.
As with the other iPhone 15 models, we’re expecting a USB-C port here, and there’s a high chance that the iPhone 15 Pro will charge at 35W (up from around 20W with the iPhone 14 Pro) if the charging speed leak discussed above is accurate. There’s also a small chance that it will support reverse wireless charging.
iPhone 15 Pro Max battery
You'll probably be able to charge the 15 Pro Max faster than the 14 Pro Max(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The iPhone 15 Pro Max – or iPhone 15 Ultra as it might be called – will reportedly have a 4,852mAh, according to the same source as the other iPhone 15 line battery capacity leaks. That’s a 12% increase on the 4,323mAh battery in the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
So that’s the smallest percentage increase of any of these phones, and would leave the iPhone 15 Pro Max with a slightly smaller battery than the iPhone 15 Plus.
Still, a boost is a boost, and this could make the iPhone 15 Pro Max capable of lasting through 32 hours of video playback, 28 hours of streamed video, and 106 hours of audio playback, with those figures being a 12% increase on the 29 hours, 25 hours, and 95 hours respectively that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is rated for.
For most use cases that would make the iPhone 15 Pro Max the longest lasting of the new models – despite not quite having the biggest battery – though there’s the usual caveat that these are basic estimates, so are unlikely to be totally accurate; especially as the change in chipset will likely affect the life of all four models.
As with the iPhone 15 Pro, there’s a significant chance the iPhone 15 Pro Max will also charge at 35W, which would be an improvement on the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s charging speeds; that phone is officially listed as charging at 20W, but independent tests suggest the reality is more like 27W.
It will also almost certainly have a USB-C port, and may support reverse wireless charging – though we’re skeptical of that.
Hackers may be able to launch two novel types of attack by exploiting weaknesses in programmable metasurfaces – a technology that will become key in the rollout of 6G networks.
Programmable metasurfaces are electromagnetic surfaces designed to integrate into everyday objects like wallpaper or window glass and aim to optimize communication channels.
This technology could become key to maximizing the potential of 6G in the future. Speeds are expected to be orders of magnitude faster than even some of the best 5G home broadband and wireless networks.
Metasurface attacks
But metasurfaces can also be exploited to launch attacks on wireless networks, according to researchers with Peking University, University of Sannio and Southeast University. Their paper, published in Nature Electronics, demonstrates two kinds of attacks – active and passive – with metasurfaces at the heart of both.
"The open nature of wireless communication means that data and signals are essentially out in the open, making the risk of physical level attacks a major concern,” researchers Lianlin Li, Vincenzo Galdi, and Tie Jun Cui told Tech Xplore.
“Our project focuses on identifying some potential risks associated with programmable metasurfaces—a key enabling technology in the envisioned 6G landscape."
In one scenario, a user can passively use a metasurface to spy on wireless interactions between two devices and interfere with the signal. By rapidly shifting the properties of a metasurface, they could disrupt the communication between a router and its user too, grinding down data transfer speeds.
An active attack, meanwhile, could see an attacker generate and send fake data to a user while eavesdropping on a connection. Exploiting metasurfaces, in this scenario, can ramp up the rate at which fake data is transmitted, while winding down the efficacy of the legitimate connection. This can all happen while the attacker remains hard to detect.
The researchers hope their work can inform the industry to incorporate protective cybersecurity measures into metasurfaces as they’re developed over the coming years, ahead of a likely 2030 launch date for 6G.
"Continuing our research, we are dedicated to shaping secure 6G networks, taking into account both the benefits and challenges associated with programmable metasurfaces," Li, Galdi, and Cui said. "Currently, we are focused on developing targeted defenses against physical-layer attacks, by exploiting strategies such as beamforming, cooperative jamming with artificial noise, index modulation, and adaptive modulation."
It would seem the iPad Pro models are going to get quite the revamp in 2024, with new screens and new chipsets – a revamp which is probably overdue for these premium tablets, which have had rather minor updates since 2018.
As per the usually reliable Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter at Bloomberg, Apple is hoping that the upgrades it introduces will "shake up" a stagnant tablet market and spark some fresh interest in the most expensive iPads.
There will be two new models in the first half of next year, Gurman says, both with OLED displays – a switch that's long been rumored. Right now the 11-inch iPad Pro uses standard LED and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro uses mini-LED.
The 11-inch screen size will be retained, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will become a 13-inch model. The iPad Pro screens are already very good, but the introduction of OLED should mean that they get crisper and brighter, and even better at color reproduction.
New chips and accessories
On the inside, these tablets are predicted to run the as-yet-unannounced M3 chips from Apple. That makes sense, considering that the current models run the M2 chip, so expect even faster performance and an even broader range of features.
Gurman also says that a new Magic Keyboard is in the works, an accessory that hasn't been updated since its 2020 debut. The 2024 edition will apparently have a larger trackpad, and make the iPad Pro "look even more like a laptop".
Like most manufacturers, Apple is seeing declines in tablet sales, according to Gurman – declines that haven't been helped by minor iPad updates, a confusing overall lineup (see the iPad Air 5 vs the iPad Pro 2022), and underwhelming iPadOS updates.
We'll have to wait and see if these new OLED iPad Pros can make a difference when they appear next year. In the meantime, all eyes are on Apple's expected September event, when we should see the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch 9.
It's time for your daily dose of Quordle hints, plus the answers for both the main game and the Daily Sequence spin off.
Quordle is the only one of the many Wordle clones that I'm still playing now, around 18 months after the daily-word-game craze hit the internet, and with good reason: it's good fun, but also difficult.
What's more, its makers (now the online dictionary Merriam-Webster) are also keeping it fresh in the form of a new variant called the Daily Sequence, which sees you complete four puzzles consecutively, rather than concurrently.
But Quordle is tough, so if you already find yourself searching for Wordle hints, you'll probably need some for this game too.
I'm a Quordle and Wordle fanatic who's been playing since December 2021, so I can definitely help you solve Quordle today and improve your game for tomorrow. Read on for my Quordle hints to game #581 and the answers to the main game and Daily Sequence.
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 #581) - 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 #581) - hint #2 - total vowels
What is the total number of vowels in Quordle today?
• The total number of vowels across today's Quordle answers is 7.
Quordle today (game #581) - hint #3 - repeated letters
Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?
• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.
Quordle today (game #581) - hint #4 - total letters
How many different letters are used in Quordle today?
• The total number of different letters used in Quordle today is 12.
Quordle today (game #581) - hint #5 - 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.
Where Wordle challenges you to guess a new five-letter word each day, Quordle presents you with four puzzles to solve. And rather than complete them in turn, you do so simultaneously. You get nine guesses, rather than the six for Wordle, but the rules are otherwise very similar.
As with Wordle, the answers are the same for every player each day, meaning that you're competing against the rest of the world. And also as with Wordle, the puzzle resets at midnight so you have a fresh challenge each day.
The website also includes a practice mode - which I definitely recommend using before attempting the game proper! - and there are daily stats including a streak count. You also get Quordle Achievements - specific badges for winning a game in a certain number of turns, playing lots of times, or guessing particularly hard words.
Oh, and it's difficult. Really difficult.
What are the Quordle rules?
The rules of Quordle are almost identical to those of Wordle.
1. Letters that are in the answer and in the right place turn green.
2. Letters that are in the answer but in the wrong place turn yellow.
3. Letters that are not in the answer turn gray…
4. …BUT the word you guess appears in all quadrants of the puzzle at the same time, so an A could turn green in one square, yellow in another and gray in the final two.
5. Answers are never plural.
6. Letters can appear more than once. So if your guess includes two of one letter, they may both turn yellow, both turn green, or one could be yellow and the other green.
7. Each guess must be a valid word in Quordle's dictionary. You can't guess ABCDE, for instance.
8. You do not have to include correct letters in subsequent guesses and there is no equivalent of Wordle's Hard mode.
9. You have nine guesses to find the Quordle answers.
10. You must complete the daily Quordle before midnight in your timezone.
What is a good Quordle strategy?
Quordle needs to be approached in a different way to Wordle. With four puzzles to solve in nine guesses, you can't blindly throw letters at it and expect to win - you'll stand a far better chance if you think strategically.
That's the case in Wordle too, of course, but it's even more important in Quordle.
There are two key things to remember.
1. Use several starting words
Firstly, you won't want just a single starting word, but almost certainly two or three starting words.
The first of these should probably be one of the best Wordle starting words, because the same things that make them work well will apply here too. But after that, you should select another word or possibly two that use up lots more of the most common consonants and that include any remaining vowels.
For instance, I currently use STARE > DOILY > PUNCH. Between them, these three words use 15 of the 26 letters in the alphabet including all five vowels, Y, and nine of the most common consonants (S, T, R, D, L, P, N, C and H). There are plenty of other options - you might want to get an M, B, F or G in there instead of the H, maybe - but something like that should do the trick.
If all goes well, that will give you a good lead on what one or sometimes two of the answers might be. If not, well good luck!
2. Narrow things down
Secondly, if you're faced with a word where the answer might easily be one of several options - for instance -ATCH, where it could be MATCH, BATCH, LATCH, CATCH, WATCH, HATCH or PATCH - you'll definitely want to guess a word that would narrow down those options.
In Wordle, you can instead try several of those in succession and hope one is right, assuming you have enough guesses left. It's risky, but will sometimes work. Plus, it's the only option in Hard mode. But in Quordle, this will almost certainly result in a failure - you simply don't have enough guesses.
In the scenario above, CLAMP would be a great guess, as it could point the way to four of the seven words in one go.
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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the best foldable phones money can buy, and the best clamshell foldable phone Samsung has yet made, so we have high hopes for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
That said, Samsung might have to make some major changes to fully meet our hopes for the phone, and to find out what those are, head to the second half of this article where you’ll find a wish list for the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Before that though, we’ve taken a look at when the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 might launch, what it might cost, and what the early leaks and rumors say about it. We’ll be adding leaks to this article whenever they emerge, so make sure to check back here soon if you want to stay up to date.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The next clamshell foldable from Samsung
When is it out? Probably July or August 2024
How much will it cost? Likely at least $999.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,649,
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: release date and price
The Z Flip 6 will likely cost at least as much as the Z Flip 5(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 will probably launch around a year after the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which itself was announced in late July and shipped in mid-august.
So the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 will probably be announced in July or August of 2024, and given that the last few models have all actually gone on sale in August, we’d expect the same again from the Z Flip 6.
We also expect it will cost at least as much as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, which would mean a starting price of at least $999.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,649, but that’s all just speculation for now.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: news and leaks
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Beyond that, leaker @Tech_Reve (who has accurately leaked things in the past), claims that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will have a 50MP camera. They don’t specify which camera will get this upgrade, but since then GalaxyClub has echoed the claim of a 50MP camera on the Z Flip 6, saying that it will be the main camera, and that a 50MP sensor is currently being tested for it.
For reference, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP selfie snapper, while launch parter the Z Fold 5 leads with a 50MP sensor of its own, so switching out any of those on the Flip for a 50MP sensor could make for a sizable upgrade.
Current Upcoming RoadmapMaintain form factor through Fold 5Form factor changes starting with Fold6Flip6 adopt 50MPFoldable Lite model in developmentExpected to launch next yearApril 16, 2023
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: what we want to see
Our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review awarded the phone 4.5 stars, so it’s a superb handset, but that doesn’t mean the next model can’t be significantly better. We want to see the following five things from the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, to make it the best clamshell foldable possible.
1. Dust resistance
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 lacks dust resistance(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Given how expensive foldable phones are you’d hope they’d be able to withstand a little dust, but most actually have no official dust resistance, and that includes all of Samsung’s foldables. So we’d really like to see this added to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Thankfully, there’s hope, as Samsung itself has said it’s working on bringing dust resistance to future foldable phones, but it hasn’t named the Z Flip 6, specifically.
2. Better battery life
We noted in our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review that while its battery life was usable, and better than before, it still wasn’t as good as we’d like; no doubt because the phone relies on a fairly small 3,700mAh battery. So for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 we’d like better battery life, whether that’s through a larger battery or optimizations.
We’d also like it to charge faster, as the 25W of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is fairly slow by 2023 standards.
3. A telephoto camera
There's no telephoto camera on the Z Flip 5(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 isn’t the phone to buy if photography is your priority, and especially not if you’re into telephoto photography, because it doesn’t have a zoom lens.
So we’d love to see one added to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, to go alongside the main and ultra-wide lenses. We’re not even going to insist on a 10x zoom like the one we raved about in our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review – a standard 3x would be absolutely fine.
4. A lower price
The price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 in the US is actually quite attractive, coming in at just under $1,000, and being the same price as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 was at launch – despite coming with double the storage. But the picture isn’t quite so bright elsewhere.
In the UK, the starting price is £50 higher (albeit still marginally cheaper for an equivalent amount of storage, as you’re getting 256GB, rather than 128GB), and in Australia the starting price is substantially higher (with a 256GB version of both the Z Flip 4 and the Z Flip 5 having the same price, but there not being a cheaper 128GB option available in the latter’s case).
This is a trend that we definitely don’t want to see continue, so at the very least we hope prices remain the same for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, but ideally we’d like them to drop in regions outside the US.
5. A bigger cover screen
The Z Flip 5's cover screen could stand to be bigger(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
With the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung massively increased the size of the cover screen, to 3.4 inches, up from 1.9 inches on the previous model. That makes it far more usable, but it’s still quite cramped, and there’s space to make it at least a little bigger.
Samsung could even follow Motorola’s lead and put big camera cut-outs in the cover screen like on the Motorola Razr Plus / Razr 40 Ultra; thereby allowing it to take up the whole top half of the phone. But one way or another, we’d like it to be a little bit bigger on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Armored Core 6: Fire of Rubicon is off to a mechtastic start, racking up over 156,000 concurrent players in its debut weekend, making it the fifth biggest launch of 2023 and FromSoftware's best launch weekend ever, second only to the mighty Elden Ring.
According to SteamDB (via GameRant), Armored Core 6 was Steam's ninth-most-played game of the last 24 hours, meaning it attracted more players this weekend than blockbuster titles like FIFA 23, Rainbow Six Siege, and Team Fortress 2.
Exclude Capcom Arcade, this one should be 5th. It may surpass and become 4th tomorrow, just not today. 1. Hogwarts Legacy 879k2. Baldur’s Gate 3 875k3. Sons of the Forest 414k4. Resident Evil 4 168k5. Armored Core VI 150kAugust 25, 2023
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Of all the games released in 2023 thus far, only Resident Evil 4, Sons of the Forest, Baldur's Gate 3, and Hogwarts Legacy sport higher concurrent launch peaks and, of course, that number doesn't account for the thousands of players getting stuck in on console, too.
As for how it compares with other FromSoft titles? According to Okami Games and SteamDB, Armored Core 6 goes straight into silver place with 150K simultaneous players, with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Dark Souls 3 racking up 125K and 129K respectively.
Wondering if it lives up to the hype? We gave the mechtastic Armored Core 6 three out of five stars, praising its responsive and satisfying combat, deep mech customization, and exciting and varied missions. However, the our Armored Core 6review says the mech game falls short with unsatisfying set piece boss encounters and the "jarring inclusion of soulsborne mechanics".
"Armored Core 6: Fire of Rubicon offers slick and well-polished mech battling fundamentals, diluted by the inclusion of ill-fitting soulsborne mechanics that don’t compliment the mech pilot fantasy," we wrote in the review.
"Though there’s much to enjoy for fans of the series, newcomers will be met with a lopsided experience that doesn’t quite capture the full potential of the Armored Core series."
It's time for your daily dose of Quordle hints, plus the answers for both the main game and the Daily Sequence spin off.
Quordle is the only one of the many Wordle clones that I'm still playing now, around 18 months after the daily-word-game craze hit the internet, and with good reason: it's good fun, but also difficult.
What's more, its makers (now the online dictionary Merriam-Webster) are also keeping it fresh in the form of a new variant called the Daily Sequence, which sees you complete four puzzles consecutively, rather than concurrently.
But Quordle is tough, so if you already find yourself searching for Wordle hints, you'll probably need some for this game too.
I'm a Quordle and Wordle fanatic who's been playing since December 2021, so I can definitely help you solve Quordle today and improve your game for tomorrow. Read on for my Quordle hints to game #580 and the answers to the main game and Daily Sequence.
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 #580) - 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 #580) - hint #2 - total vowels
What is the total number of vowels in Quordle today?
• The total number of vowels across today's Quordle answers is 6.
Quordle today (game #580) - hint #3 - 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 #580) - hint #4 - total letters
How many different letters are used in Quordle today?
• The total number of different letters used in Quordle today is 15.
Quordle today (game #580) - hint #5 - 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.
Where Wordle challenges you to guess a new five-letter word each day, Quordle presents you with four puzzles to solve. And rather than complete them in turn, you do so simultaneously. You get nine guesses, rather than the six for Wordle, but the rules are otherwise very similar.
As with Wordle, the answers are the same for every player each day, meaning that you're competing against the rest of the world. And also as with Wordle, the puzzle resets at midnight so you have a fresh challenge each day.
The website also includes a practice mode - which I definitely recommend using before attempting the game proper! - and there are daily stats including a streak count. You also get Quordle Achievements - specific badges for winning a game in a certain number of turns, playing lots of times, or guessing particularly hard words.
Oh, and it's difficult. Really difficult.
What are the Quordle rules?
The rules of Quordle are almost identical to those of Wordle.
1. Letters that are in the answer and in the right place turn green.
2. Letters that are in the answer but in the wrong place turn yellow.
3. Letters that are not in the answer turn gray…
4. …BUT the word you guess appears in all quadrants of the puzzle at the same time, so an A could turn green in one square, yellow in another and gray in the final two.
5. Answers are never plural.
6. Letters can appear more than once. So if your guess includes two of one letter, they may both turn yellow, both turn green, or one could be yellow and the other green.
7. Each guess must be a valid word in Quordle's dictionary. You can't guess ABCDE, for instance.
8. You do not have to include correct letters in subsequent guesses and there is no equivalent of Wordle's Hard mode.
9. You have nine guesses to find the Quordle answers.
10. You must complete the daily Quordle before midnight in your timezone.
What is a good Quordle strategy?
Quordle needs to be approached in a different way to Wordle. With four puzzles to solve in nine guesses, you can't blindly throw letters at it and expect to win - you'll stand a far better chance if you think strategically.
That's the case in Wordle too, of course, but it's even more important in Quordle.
There are two key things to remember.
1. Use several starting words
Firstly, you won't want just a single starting word, but almost certainly two or three starting words.
The first of these should probably be one of the best Wordle starting words, because the same things that make them work well will apply here too. But after that, you should select another word or possibly two that use up lots more of the most common consonants and that include any remaining vowels.
For instance, I currently use STARE > DOILY > PUNCH. Between them, these three words use 15 of the 26 letters in the alphabet including all five vowels, Y, and nine of the most common consonants (S, T, R, D, L, P, N, C and H). There are plenty of other options - you might want to get an M, B, F or G in there instead of the H, maybe - but something like that should do the trick.
If all goes well, that will give you a good lead on what one or sometimes two of the answers might be. If not, well good luck!
2. Narrow things down
Secondly, if you're faced with a word where the answer might easily be one of several options - for instance -ATCH, where it could be MATCH, BATCH, LATCH, CATCH, WATCH, HATCH or PATCH - you'll definitely want to guess a word that would narrow down those options.
In Wordle, you can instead try several of those in succession and hope one is right, assuming you have enough guesses left. It's risky, but will sometimes work. Plus, it's the only option in Hard mode. But in Quordle, this will almost certainly result in a failure - you simply don't have enough guesses.
In the scenario above, CLAMP would be a great guess, as it could point the way to four of the seven words in one go.
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