Mainstream handheld makers are on the verge of spoiling the appeal of portable gaming — the MSI Claw A8 is just over $1,000

• The MSI Claw A8 has been spotted on Newegg in the US for $1,149
• No stock suggests the price may have been a placeholder
• If legitimate, the MSI Claw A8 could join other mainstream handhelds that cost over $1,000

Mainstream handheld manufacturers have recently priced new devices within unaffordable price regions, well above the template Valve set with its Steam Deck – and unfortunately, it seems that trend isn't stopping any time soon.

As reported by VideoCardz, the MSI Claw A8 Ryzen Z2 Extreme handheld has been spotted on Newegg, listed for $1,149, without any sign of stock. The handheld has had a staggered launch in other regions, notably Asia, and it's currently available in the UK for £849, but it hasn't seen a launch in the US for months.

It's important to note that the $1,149 may be a placeholder, but we've seen cases of early listings before, and that's enough to suggest that this price tag may be legitimate once stock is available.

This could be the third mainstream handheld gaming PC to cost over $1,000 in the US if this current price tag sticks, making the MSI Claw A8 join the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and Asus ROG Xbox Ally X as arguably overpriced handhelds. The prices for these devices in particular are major points of contention, since the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor isn't a big leap from its Ryzen Z1 Extreme predecessor in power and performance.

(Image credit: Lenovo / MSI)

There's no doubt that both tariffs and RAM price hikes have played their part if this is the real price tag. However, similar pricing for handheld hardware was still present before the current crisis, and frankly, consumers likely won't be happy regardless of the reasons.

The Steam Deck's affordable price template is seemingly becoming a thing of the past, and while Valve's earnings from the Steam storefront made Steam Deck sales at a loss possible, handheld manufacturers should be looking to stick close to that template. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like that will be the case, even after this RAM price crisis eventually ends.

Analysis: The only thing that will change high handheld prices is a drop in sales

(Image credit: Siberian Art / Shutterstock)

Besides a fall in DRAM pricing via an eventual collapse of the current AI boom, the only way ludicrous pricing of handhelds will come to an end is if sales fall significantly, which means consumers need to stop paying unreasonable prices for handhelds.

I've argued that there are handheld gaming PCs that do warrant prices at or just over $1,000, but these aren't from mainstream manufacturers, and the devices are equipped with processors that quite literally challenge laptop GPUs, notably the AMD Ryzen AI Max + 395.

The Ryzen Z2 Extreme that powers both the Legion Go 2 and the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X doesn't warrant the high price tags they have, and the same applies to the MSI Claw A8, if the Newegg price remains.

As long as sales stay within a decent range for the likes of MSI, Asus, and Lenovo, we will continue to see cases of overpriced devices – and that's unfortunate, as I don't believe consumers feel strongly enough to resist purchasing new devices.

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Netflix dropped Google Cast — now Apple TV for Android just brought it back

• The Apple TV app on Android now supports Google Cast
• Netflix removed this functionality a few weeks back
• It's an easy way to send content to eligible big screens

With hits like Pluribus, Severance, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking, Apple TV is one of the best streaming services around, and it’s also rolling out some excellent news for its Android users in the midst of the holiday season.

Apple TV launched on Android in February 2025, and while it was missing Google Cast support at launch, the latest update – rolling out now – not only fixes that but also might encourage some Netflix users to join the platform. On Android, you can now easily send the show or film you’re watching to the big screen on Google Cast–enabled TVs.

It’s as simple as tapping the Google Cast icon on screen and selecting the TV or display you want to send it to. It then connects, and playback begins, but controls remain on your Android device within the Apple TV app.

(Image credit: Apple)

Pretty simple – and it’s not just a great way to easily get content on the big screen at home, but also for hotels with compatible TVs and for Airbnb rentals. You can easily watch something on TV without the hassle of signing into a service on a screen that isn’t permanently yours.

Apple’s decision to roll this out now not only adds a feature that has been missing since Apple TV debuted on Android, but it also comes just weeks after Netflix stripped much of the functionality from its app – a move that hasn’t been universally loved by consumers and subscribers.

I don’t know that we’ll ever see Netflix add the feature back, considering the removal was done quietly, but Apple TV gaining Cast support is a good mark in its favor. It’s included in version 2.2 of the Apple TV app, and after a quick update, you’ll see the Google Cast icon appear during playback.

Apple isn't adding Google Cast to the iOS app as of yet, but Apple TV on that platform has long supported AirPlay, which is another easy way to get content on the big screen with supported TVs or displays.

All in all, it’s a good – and luckily well-timed – update from Apple for the Apple TV app on Android. Let us know in the comments if you’re planning to give this feature a go this holiday season, and what you’ve been wanting to watch on Apple TV.

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The RAM crisis will be a disaster for gaming laptops — here’s why

• The RAM crisis may worsen beginning in 2026 based on new TrendForce estimate
• The report suggests we may see more 8GB configurations
• This will ultimately impact gaming laptop performance if system RAM and VRAM are 8GB

The PC market is in a shaky state due to rising RAM prices, and while rumors suggest SSDs are next to be affected, a new report hints that the RAM crisis will only worsen.

As reported by Wccftech, a new report from TrendForce estimates that a wider adoption of 8GB RAM specifications for Notebooks will make higher-end 16GB (or more) RAM configurations unaffordable, beginning in 2026.

While this appears to be an estimate solely on system RAM, it could very likely spell the same fate for VRAM in gaming laptop GPUs. Prices for RAM kits are already exceeding those of entry-level gaming PCs, ultimately leading to price hikes on the latter.

Prices for DRAM have increased for manufacturers, so aiming to provide the cheapest specification (8GB) will help in damage control by keeping consumer pricing as low as possible. It may explain exactly why Valve has decided to opt for 8GB of RAM for the upcoming Steam Machine, to ensure that consumers don't end up paying obscene prices.

(Image credit: Nvidia)

For gaming laptops, the move to more 8GB configurations will be a major issue for game performance. 8GB of VRAM is already a dealbreaker for most gamers, since it's not future-proof, and can struggle in modern games that are VRAM-hungry (which is a lot of them), but with a push down to 8GB of system RAM, gaming performance will be heavily bogged down.

It could feel like a huge step backwards if a move back down to less RAM for most systems does become a reality, especially since there's plenty of triple-A games launching with the system requirement of 32GB of RAM for higher graphics settings, and 16GB as a minimum for medium to low graphics settings.

RAM bottlenecks could easily become a bigger issue now; usually, GPU or CPU bottlenecks were more common, but the tables may be turning, especially for PC gaming newcomers.

Analysis: Whatever you do, don't let go of your RAM kits

(Image credit: GSkill)

At this rate, the AI boom isn't going to slow down, and that means RAM pricing is only going to get worse. To put it simply, if you still have any spare RAM kits lying around, whether 8GB or not, it would be in your best interest to keep hold of them, because this crisis may become a normality if it sticks around long enough.

It could be months or years before we see any stability return to this region of the PC market, and the last thing you'll want to deal with is paying more than you would for a new GPU, on a new set of RAM.

Gaming isn't getting any cheaper, and while RAM is the main PC component being impacted, the same could soon apply to SSDs and GPUs, and the latter has already seen a fair share of price hikes over the last year.

If you're unlucky not to have acquired a RAM kit before the crisis, it would be ideal to keep your eyes peeled for any potential winter discounts and strike fast before stock disappears.

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New DoomScroll website is an 'endless' library of Doom maps you can pick from and play in your browser

• The new DoomScroll website is now live
• It offers an 'endless' selection of custom Doom maps to play in a browser
• It's quite a trip through Doom history, and some of these maps were created by coders who went on to work for big game studios

Ever felt the urge for a nostalgic trip back to the shores of hell? It's now possible to dip in and grab a brief burst of Doom right in your browser, with no installation of anything necessary – and immediate access to thousands of custom-made levels for the shooter.

PC Gamer reports that the DoomScroll website is now live, containing the classic 90s shooter in all its gory glory, allowing you to enjoy a raft of levels crammed with pixellated monsters to kill with all those trusty old weapons, including the infamous (original) BFG.

This is the work of software engineer James Baicoianu and Internet archivist Jason Scott, and you can visit the site to check it out yourself. Scroll down the list of available levels – some of which are whole episodes of multiple levels – pick one you like the look of and click on it.

You can then see more details about the map – click the image bottom-left to get a proper look at it – and then click the 'Play' button to load it and get going. Hit the laptop power button (top-right) to go back to the long list of levels, which is, according to Baicoianu's post on Bluesky, 'endless' (well, very long anyway).

The creator tells us: "Introducing DoomScroll – an endless feed of thousands of user-made Doom WADs from the last 32 years, all playable right in your browser. Our goal was to make decades of work from one of the most creative communities in gaming history more accessible and visible to everyone."

Analysis: Cacodemon versus chainsaw

(Image credit: DoomScroll / James Baicoianu)

This is an impressive website showcasing the rich history of custom Doom levels, some of which were made by folks who went on to work at big game studios. If you played Doom back in 1993 when it arrived – as I did, one versus one deathmatch on two PCs connected by a serial cable – you'll surely appreciate it.

Baicoianu enthuses: "There's so much stuff here – everything from simplistic maps made by kids just learning how game development works, all the way up through full total conversions with all-new music, textures, and sprites, made by volunteer teams that went on to become full-fledged game studios."

Be warned, though, it's quite a time sink. It's also worth bearing in mind that some of these levels are, shall we say, a little on the tough side. You'll need to be comfortable taking on a Cacodemon with a chainsaw behind the first door you open in a level, and don't be surprised to be fleeing a horde of imps and shotgun guys, then suddenly running into a cyberdemon around a corner.

Another caveat here is that some maps don't appear to work, as PC Gamer points out, and I ran into one such failure – but everything else I tried was fine.

One final point to note is that the mouse is pretty sensitive – or at least it was for me – so you can adjust that in the game's options. Press Escape to get the main menu, and use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate to the options and tweak the mouse sensitivity down a bit in there, if needed.

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The EU prepares ground for wider data retention – and VPN providers are among the targets

• The EU Council shares preliminary views on new data retention framework
• VPN services, messaging apps, and cloud storage are among the targets
• A legislative proposal is expected at the end of the first half of 2026

EU governments are pushing to widen data retention obligations for apps that citizens use every day – and the best VPN apps are among those targeted.

A new internal document dated November 27 (first published by Netzpolitik) provides important insights into the current thinking of the Danish Presidency of the EU Council. It shows that member states largely agree on the need for a new framework on data retention, presenting an important overview of lawmakers main position on the matter.

The topic has been debated since April, when the EU Commission first unveiled "ProtectEU," a strategy aiming to create a roadmap for "lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement." The Commission then presented the Roadmap in June, which outlined an intent to decrypt citizens' private data by 2030.

Crucially, the document reveals that EU governments see metadata – specifically traffic and location history – as the most vital tool for law enforcement.

Most member states argue that simply knowing who owns an account isn't enough. Instead, they want a new legal baseline where companies are forced to log exactly when and where a user was online, as well as the IP addresses they used to connect.

The document notes that member states are aware of the legal hurdles of gathering this data and emphasize that any new system must include robust safeguards and strict proportionality to satisfy the courts.

However, privacy experts and technologists have long warned that such 'safeguards' are not enough, arguing that you cannot weaken encryption or retain this data without fundamentally compromising user security.

Besides virtual private network (VPN) companies, other online services targeted include messaging apps, hosting providers, file sharing services, cloud storage apps, and other over-the-top (OTT) services.

An impact assessment is due in early 2026. Lawmakers are waiting for the outcome before presenting a legislative proposal, which is expected around June next year.

What's next for EU citizens privacy?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Greater data retention obligations would clash directly with the core architecture of privacy-preserving technology.

Take no-log VPNs, for example. These services are designed specifically not to log user activity, and their security promise relies on the fact that the data simply does not exist.

That model appears to be incompatible with the retention requirements EU member states are now demanding. If the Council's vision becomes law, a "no-log" service could effectively be illegal in Europe.

As AdGuard VPN's Chief Product Officer, Denis Vyazovoy, told TechRadar back in April: "A legal framework that forces VPNs to retain user metadata – potentially for a prolonged period – could make such services untenable, leading to the withdrawal of VPN providers from the EU."

Similarly, NordVPN spokesperson told TechRadar that collecting more user data would threaten people's security.

We have approached other major providers for their reaction to the Council's latest document and will update this page when we hear back.

While the final legislation is still being drafted and ProtectEU's future is uncertain, European governments seem determined to grant law enforcement ever more access to our data, regardless of the technical or privacy contradictions.

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It’s a great time to buy an eGPU – and UGreen’s new Razer rival has two major tricks up its sleeve

• Razer has new competition, with UGreen launching the new Linkstation eGPU dock
• UGreen's Linkstation comes with an Oculink port and an 850W built-in power supply
• It costs $325 based on Chinese currency conversion

With portable experiences becoming an integral aspect of gaming thanks to the resurgence of handheld gaming PCs and more powerful laptops, eGPUs have become vital for better performance – and a reputable manufacturer has joined the market.

As reported by VideoCardz, UGreen has launched a new eGPU Linkstation dock in China for around $325 (based on a conversion from the China price), featuring Oculink and USB 4 ports, and, most importantly, a built-in 850W power supply.

This is a big move from UGreen, which is better known for manufacturing docks (non-eGPU), chargers, and USB hubs, but now it's diving into docks built for GPU connections on portable hardware like handheld gaming PCs, mini PCs, or laptops.

While there's no current indication of a launch in other regions, its price is within the ballpark of Razer's Core X V2 eGPU dock, which is $350 / £329 (around AU$530), so with taxes included, the UGreen Linkstation shouldn't be much more expensive.

The two biggest advantages of UGreen's Linkstation dock are the 850W power supply, alongside the USB 4 and Oculink connection options, with the latter providing 64Gbps connection speeds.

The Razer Core X V2 does not ship with a power supply or an Oculink port, which was a dealbreaker for many consumers when Razer unveiled the dock.

(Image credit: UGreen)

The chassis takes on a desktop PC-like design, with what appears to be a mid-tower case, but with the GPU mounted vertically. It supports graphics cards up to 370mm, and the 850W power supply should be enough to power a wide range of GPUs, especially because this is solely for a GPU, not an entire PC configuration.

Analysis: The UGreen Linkstation eGPU dock looks great, but I'd still choose the Razer dock

(Image credit: Razer)

There are plenty of eGPU docks available on the market, from popular manufacturers and smaller brands alike, that ship with built-in power supplies. However, the Razer Core X V2, despite not coming with one, still has one big advantage in terms of design.

I've mentioned this before, but I'd much rather not have my GPU exposed to any potential fall damage or accidents, and the Core X V2 (as well as the previous Razer Core X) is designed to prevent that. This is especially the case if you plan on using your eGPU dock setup with your handheld gaming PC or laptop in-hand, as any accidental wire pulls could lead to some serious damage.

While UGreen's design is better than other eGPU builds, the LinkStation dock is still somewhat exposed, and Razer is the only manufacturer I've seen so far to build a full chassis enclosure for the desktop GPUs, in the same manner that any desktop PC case would house a GPU.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not writing off the new UGreen option, but since I luckily have a few spare power supplies hanging around, the fact that Razer's Core X V2 dock doesn't have one isn't a big deal for me – I doubt that would be the case for most consumers though.

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Arc Raiders is getting a guitar this week and I can't wait to get betrayed by a rat playing Wonderwall

• Arc Raiders social accounts have posted a new video showing a guitar
• A Raider is seen walking through a snow-covered Buried City
• The new in-game item is expected for the Cold Snap update

Arc Raiders could be getting a guitar item. On Instagram and TikTok, the Arc Raiders official accounts posted a new video showing a Raider walking through a snow-covered Buried City holding and playing a guitar. This is expected to launch as part of the Arc Raiders Cold Snap update on Tuesday, December 16.

While there's been no follow-up confirming details on the guitar shown in the teasers, I expect it to work in the same way as the flute. In the first few weeks of launch, the flute was used by players to signal that they were friendly, with the hope of convincing enemies to hang out, lower their weapons, and let each other loot in peace.

A post shared by ARC Raiders (@arc_raiders)

A photo posted by on

I've noticed that the PvP element of Arc Raiders has become a bit less friendly over time, but hopefully the guitar will signal to players that there are more ways to interact and Team Up during a Raid.

The Arc Raiders Cold Snap update arrives Tuesday, December 16, and adds a snow map condition, blanketing maps like Buried City and Dam Battlegrounds in a winter covering of ice and snow. There are new quests and a new Raider Deck to work through as well.

Arc Raiders is now available for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. For a look at future updates, check out our Arc Raiders Roadmap guide.

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NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, December 15 (game #652)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, December 14 (game #651).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #652) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Palette episodes

NYT Strands today (game #652) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SLOT
• WIDE
• SLUR
• CRESS
• BLOT
• COLT

NYT Strands today (game #652) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 7 letters

NYT Strands today (game #652) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: left, 6th row

Last side: right, 5th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #652) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #652, are…

• WHITE
• GOLDEN
• GREEN
• BLUE
• LOTUS
• GIRLS
• ACRES
• BLOODS
• SPANGRAM: COLORTV

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

“Palette episodes” was a bit of a vague theme but it quickly became apparent that we were searching for colors.

The TV part came later for me, as I ended up splitting the game in half getting the colors first and then the second word of the relevant classic TV show – although I’m uncertain if BLUE BLOODS belongs in this esteemed company.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a Strands that mixes up the blue and yellow palette and it is always a strange pleasure. 

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, December 14, game #651)

• CRAB
• SHRIMP
• RIBEYE
• SIRLOIN
• LOBSTER
• SCALLOP
• SPANGRAM: SURFANDTURF

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

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NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, December 15 (game #918)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, December 14 (game #917).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #918) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SEE
• MONSTER
• QUARTER
• ONE HUNDRED
• SEMI
• CELSIUS
• BUMPER
• DUMP
• JOINT
• GIANT
• FINAL
• HOLE
• TITANIC
• QUALIFIER
• DIVE
• COLD

NYT Connections today (game #918) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: The route to glory
• GREEN: Massive 
• BLUE: Rough place 
• PURPLE: Multiple meaning of a letter

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 #918) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: TOURNAMENT ROUNDS
• GREEN: ENORMOUS 
• BLUE: DISREPUTABLE ESTABLISHMENT 
• PURPLE: WHAT "C" MIGHT MEAN 

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

NYT Connections today (game #918) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #918, are…

• YELLOW: TOURNAMENT ROUNDS FINAL, QUALIFIER, QUARTER, SEMI
• GREEN: ENORMOUS BUMPER, GIANT, MONSTER, TITANIC
• BLUE: DISREPUTABLE ESTABLISHMENT DIVE, DUMP, HOLE, JOINT
• PURPLE: WHAT "C" MIGHT MEAN CELSIUS, COLD, ONE HUNDRED, SEE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Aside from being annoyed at not getting the fairly easy purple group, I’m thrilled to have gone through a game in difficulty order.

With the fever dream horror of the World Cup draw still heavy on my mind, TOURNAMENT ROUNDS instantly popped up – as did ENORMOUS, with its reminder of the meaning of TITANIC.

Incidentally, there is a Thai restaurant near where I live in London that is called Thai Tanic – a truly disastrous name on many levels, but apparently they do a very nice Khao Soi.

Anyway, I digress. JOINT was a bit of an outlier in the DISREPUTABLE ESTABLISHMENT group, but maybe “hovel” would have been too down at heel.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, December 14, game #917)

• YELLOW: LAY IT ON THICK FAWN, FLATTER, GUSH, PRAISE
• GREEN: HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON FIGURES DUCKLING, EMPEROR, MERMAID, PRINCESS
• BLUE: SILENT "L" CALF, CHALK, COLONEL, WOULD
• PURPLE: FICTIONAL PIGS BABE, NAPOLEON, PIGLET, PORKY

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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NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, December 14 (game #917)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, December 13 (game #916).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #917) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• DUCKLING
• COLONEL
• NAPOLEON
• PRINCESS
• CALF
• PIGLET
• EMPEROR
• FAWN
• GUSH
• MERMAID
• CHALK
• PORKY
• PRAISE
• WOULD
• BABE
• FLATTER

NYT Connections today (game #917) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Wax lyrical about someone
• GREEN: Fairytale characters 
• BLUE: A missing sound
• PURPLE: Animal characters 

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 #917) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: LAY IT ON THICK
• GREEN: HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON FIGURES 
• BLUE: SILENT "L"
• PURPLE: FICTIONAL PIGS 

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

NYT Connections today (game #917) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #917, are…

• YELLOW: LAY IT ON THICK FAWN, FLATTER, GUSH, PRAISE
• GREEN: HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON FIGURES DUCKLING, EMPEROR, MERMAID, PRINCESS
• BLUE: SILENT "L" CALF, CHALK, COLONEL, WOULD
• PURPLE: FICTIONAL PIGS BABE, NAPOLEON, PIGLET, PORKY

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

Purple groups about Greek mythology, grammar or New York sports go completely over my head, but if the topic is FICTIONAL PIGS I will see it straight away. 

BABE and PIGLET were the obvious duo and PORKY is from Looney Tunes but NAPOLEON was a guess. Initially I thought it was one of the pigs in Angry Birds but Google has informed me he features in George Orwell's Animal Farm.

Getting the hardest group first helped me avoid the baby animals trap and bring the game to a quick ending with another silent letter group and LAY IT ON THICK.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, December 13, game #916)

• YELLOW: WIDE-LEGGED PANT STYLES CULOTTE, GAUCHO, HAREM, PALAZZO
• GREEN: SILENT "T" APOSTLE, DEPOT, MORTGAGE, POIROT
• BLUE: NEW YORK METS LEGENDS GOODEN, PIAZZA, SEAVER, STRAWBERRY
• PURPLE: GREEK MYTHOLOGICAL FIGURES MINUS A LETTER AJA, ARE, HER, HERCULE

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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Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, December 14 (game #1420)

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, December 13 (game #1419).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,400 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1420) - hint #1 - Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

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

Quordle today (game #1420) - 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 1.

Quordle today (game #1420) - 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 #1420) - 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 2.

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 #1420) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• H

• A

• T

• H

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

Quordle today (game #1420) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1420, are…

• HYENA
• ASSET
• TARDY
• HORSE

One slip up cost me a perfect round today and that was guessing “henna” instead of HYENA.

On reflection, henna is quite an obscure word, but I when you see a word in your mind’s eye it’s hard to stop yourself guessing it.

Daily Sequence today (game #1420) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1420, are…

• SOLVE
• PIANO
• FLEET
• CAUSE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1419, Saturday, 13 December: APPLE, BEGUN, TOXIC, MOGUL
• Quordle #1418, Friday, 12 December: KRILL, SIGHT, KHAKI, DUCHY
• Quordle #1417, Thursday, 11 December: CLANG, CRANK, JUMBO, GLASS
• Quordle #1416, Wednesday, 10 December: BULKY, TABBY, TRUST, SHELL
• Quordle #1415, Tuesday, 9 December: NUTTY, FELON, TOXIN, WORDY
• Quordle #1414, Monday, 8 December: REBUT, SLAIN, DOWNY, YEAST
• Quordle #1413, Sunday, 7 December: BRACE, AISLE, BAGEL, LINEN
• Quordle #1412, Saturday, 6 December: NURSE, DINGY, TRUCK, ACTOR
• Quordle #1411, Friday, 5 December: HAVEN, AMBER, HUMID, SALSA
• Quordle #1410, Thursday, 4 December: DOPEY, OCTAL, CRAFT, HUMAN
• Quordle #1409, Wednesday, 3 December: SHALE, VITAL, TOOTH, WAFER
• Quordle #1408, Tuesday, 2 December: GRILL, SIGHT, COMFY, STINK
• Quordle #1407, Monday, 1 December: DITCH, SKIFF, INBOX, MUCKY
• Quordle #1406, Sunday, 30 November: OPTIC, WRUNG, ERUPT, ROYAL
• Quordle #1405, Saturday, 29 November: HUMAN, BUTTE, MOGUL, SHEET
• Quordle #1404, Friday, 28 November: ROUGE, GLEAN, FERRY, EMPTY
• Quordle #1403, Thursday, 27 November: ELOPE, LIVID, LOATH, SPOOL
• Quordle #1402, Wednesday, 26 November: MOURN, PANEL, UNWED, UNCUT
• Quordle #1401, Tuesday, 25 November: AMEND, PINKY, DAUNT, BILGE
• Quordle #1400, Monday, 24 November: QUIET, PIANO, FUDGE, PRIED

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New US border checks could involve scanning your last five years of social media history– here's what you need to know

• The US government wants to check your social media posts at the border
• That could impact your data privacy and free speech rights
• Privacy advocates are opposing the move

Tourists visiting the US could soon be subjected to more intense checks than usual, with new proposed rules including in-depth social media screening and other similarly draconian measures.

The rule change has been proposed by the US’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. If the plans go ahead, every person visiting the country will have their social media posts from the last five years checked before entry.

As well as that, it will be “mandatory” to hand over your email addresses and phone numbers from the last five years, as well as the names, addresses, numbers and birth dates of your family members. You’ll also need to provide a photograph of yourself, plus biometric data including your fingerprints, iris scans and even DNA.

That could be a significant headache for travelers and could potentially result lengthy queues and delays when trying to enter the US, depending on how it's implemented. Tech privacy rights have become an increasing concern for users in recent years, with sales of the best VPN apps over the past 12 months hitting new heights as governments around the world seek to collect ever more information on citizens.

Instead of being a place to connect with friends and watch cat memes, many people will likely be concerned that social media is turning into a place of surveillance – and the CBP’s move isn’t doing anything to allay those fears.

A controversial idea

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Bloomicon)

Privacy advocates are naturally concerned about the new proposals, but President Donald Trump doesn't seem too worried about the potential impacts on tourists or on US tourism.

According to the BBC, Trump said: "We just want people to come over here, and safe. We want safety. We want security. We want to make sure we're not letting the wrong people come enter our country."

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group that works to protect digital privacy rights, naturally has other views, as reported by the New York Times. It said that the CBP’s proposal would “exacerbate civil liberties harms".

The group added that such a move “has not proven effective at finding terrorists and other bad guys. But it has chilled the free speech and invaded the privacy of innocent travelers, along with that of their American family, friends and colleagues.”

The proposed rules would also, in theory, be trivial to bypass. If a person is concerned about falling foul of the restrictions, they’d simply need to delete their social media posts from the last five years and clear their email inbox. There are even digital footprint services that can do this for you.

It also wouldn’t be surprising to see many people creating secondary social media profiles with no post history and then providing those to administration officials. The CBP says its proposal will be subject to 60 days of public consultation. Anyone concerned about what it might lead to can make their thoughts known by emailing 'CBP_PRA@cbp.dhs.gov'.

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New Windows 10 update is reportedly causing havoc for some, including breaking a popular customization tool

• Windows 10 has a new update as part of Microsoft's extended support
• It reportedly breaks StartIsBack, a popular customization app
• The December patch also apparently causes issues with multiple monitors and performance slowdown in some areas

Windows 10 has a new update as part of Microsoft's extended support scheme, but there are reports of this latest release causing trouble for some users.

A notable issue that's been raised in multiple reports about the December update for Windows 10 (patch KB5071546) is that it breaks a popular customization app that revamps the Start menu.

That app is StartIsBack, and according to said reports on Reddit and X (see below), it's failing to work completely, but only on some PCs, where users are facing a blank screen instead of the desktop.

The system is apparently still functioning behind the black screen, but obviously not being able to have the desktop rendered makes using Windows 10 very tricky (though you can still access interface elements via keyboard shortcuts).

The Windows 10 December 2025 ESU update seems to be incompatible with StartIsBack, at least on some machines. explorer crashes after startup with StartIsBack installed; starts only with those DLLs renamed. Mysteriously, explorer still works with StartIsBack on some machines.December 10, 2025

Another Reddit thread that contains a further complaint about StartIsBack highlights some other issues with this patch.

One Redditor observes that the December update meant their "wallpaper engine broke, wallpaper animations became choppy, task manager showed increased CPU spikes suddenly, [and] the UI started lagging." This was cured by reverting away from the update, and another Windows 10 user confirms they suffered a similar problem.

There could be some minor gaming issues here, too, as another Redditor claims the update causes frame rate drops in Overwatch, and a further disgruntled gamer says it broke the Xbox app.

There's another complaint on Reddit about the December update repeatedly trying to install itself, even though it's already installed.

Add to that an apparent bug with multiple monitors whereby a pair of displays hooked up to the PC stopped working after KB5071546 had been installed, with the Windows 10 desktop apparently failing to load (again). Disabling one monitor fixes the problem, we're told, as does removing the December update – and two other Redditors chime in to say they've experienced this exact same problem.

There are also scattered reports of the December update failing to install (for example, here's one on Microsoft's Tech Community hub).

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Analysis: StartWasBack but the December update took it out

At the moment, we need to be cautious around these initial reports of bugs, some of which may be far from widespread. Still, it seems like there is something amiss with a few aspects of the December update for Windows 10, and certainly there's a problem with StartIsBack (and potentially other similar Windows customization tools).

This isn't uncommon, to be fair, as these kinds of apps tinker with bits of the underlying Windows interface, and when updates make changes, they can clash with the customized parts of the UI, causing Microsoft's OS to throw a hissy fit.

There is an apparent solution for the StartIsBack woes raised by one Redditor, InterestingKale3483, and that's to simply install the latest version of the app (someone else verifies that this works). It could be tricky to resolve the situation seeing as those affected are facing a blank desktop, mind, but you can follow the advice in this post to remove the existing copy of StartIsBack, so you can get to a visible, working desktop – then install the latest version of the application.

What's odd about all this is that I assumed Microsoft would only be patching security vulnerabilities at this point, so it's not clear why stuff would get broken in this way. However, there is one change highlighted by Microsoft in the documentation for KB5071546, namely a tweak (security fix) for PowerShell 5.1, which could be the cause of the problems with StartIsBack (and other interface-related glitches, perhaps).

It's worth noting that without Windows 10's December update, you are missing some defenses against fresh possible exploits out there – so bear that in mind if you're mulling over rolling back the upgrade.

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