NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, May 27 (game #1081)

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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, May 26 (game #1080).

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 #1081) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BANJO
• OTHELLO
• AYE
• NUTMEG
• HAMLET
• PIER
• OPERATION
• МАСВЕТН
• LEAR
• TROUBLE
• MONOGAMY
• COMMUNE
• TOWNSHIP
• BATTLESHIP
• VILLAGE
• STAIR

NYT Connections today (game #1081) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Tiny towns
• GREEN: 1980s toys
• BLUE: Look who’s gawking
• PURPLE: Appear in Louisa May Alcott classic

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 #1081) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: SMALL COMMUNITY 
• GREEN: CLASSIC BOARD GAMES
• BLUE: HOMOPHONES OF WAYS OF LOOKING
• PURPLE: ENDING IN THE "LITTLE WOMEN" MARCH SISTERS

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

NYT Connections today (game #1081) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1081, are…

• YELLOW: SMALL COMMUNITY COMMUNE, HAMLET, TOWNSHIP, VILLAGE
• GREEN: CLASSIC BOARD GAMES BATTLESHIP, OPERATION, OTHELLO, TROUBLE
• BLUE: HOMOPHONES OF WAYS OF LOOKING AYE, LEAR, PIER, STAIR
• PURPLE: ENDING IN THE "LITTLE WOMEN" MARCH SISTERS BANJO, MACBETH, MONOGAMY, NUTMEG

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

I’m classifying this game as hard, as there were several cunning traps that almost caught me out.

The rule to not falling into a Connections trap is to not be fooled by groups of three and I very nearly did that with the trio of Shakespeare plays. 

I thought the same when I saw the the link between the classic games OTHELLO, BATTLESHIP and OPERATION and was not seeing a fourth, but decided to take the leap with TROUBLE as it definitely sounded like it could be a game; thankfully, I was right.

I have good reason not to know it, though, as in the UK, where I am based, this game — with its pop o'matic dice device — was known as Frustration. Connections constantly bring up these odd cultural differences.

Kudos if you spotted the Little Women group.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, May 26, game #1080)

• YELLOW: CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS CUP, MEDAL, PENNANT, RING
• GREEN: MATTER AT HAND CONCERN, FOCUS, POINT, SUBJECT
• BLUE: '80S COMEDIES AIRPLANE, BIG, CLUE, TWINS
• PURPLE: ANAGRAMS ENLIST, LISTEN, SILENT, TINSEL

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.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Gaming News https://ift.tt/J0VcwXq
via TECHNICAL SAFEER

Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, May 27 (game #1584)

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 Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, May 26 (game #1583).

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 #1584) - 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 #1584) - 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 #1584) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

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

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1584) - 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 #1584) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• G

• R

• G

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1584) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1584, are…

• GAUZE
• REPAY
• GIANT
• STEEP

With an A and U in the wrong positions and knowing it ended in an E, I felt certain that I was looking for a word with the other two vowels second and third.

I could think of a few using letters I had already used (cause, pause, sauce), but ones from the letters I had left eluded me. It was therefore a bit annoying that when my brain did eventually get there, “mauve” was wrong. I got to GAUZE in the end, but it was all a bit too painful.

Daily Sequence today (game #1584) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1584, are…

• PRIVY
• FINCH
• PRANK
• CIVIL

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1583, Tuesday, 26 May: MODAL, MELON, PSALM, DRAWN
• Quordle #1582, Monday, 25 May: SLIME, ARISE, EAGER, SHEIK
• Quordle #1581, Sunday, 24 May: RIGHT, STALE, FLUKE, LINEN
• Quordle #1580, Saturday, 23 May: JUICY, DREAM, IDYLL, BRAID
• Quordle #1579, Friday, 22 May: GAILY, HITCH, DRUNK, COUNT
• Quordle #1578, Thursday, 21 May: RANCH, OTTER, WREST, ILIAC
• Quordle #1577, Wednesday, 20 May: TEDDY, MINUS, TRULY, STARK
• Quordle #1576, Tuesday, 19 May: HIPPY, FORTE, HORSE, QUELL
• Quordle #1575, Monday, 18 May: CLANK, SWINE, STEAM, DRAPE
• Quordle #1574, Sunday, 17 May: WHINE, TENET, KNAVE, GREED
• Quordle #1573, Satuday, 16 May: DEMUR, THREE, SLEEP, CRUDE
• Quordle #1572, Friday, 15 May: EPOCH, SPIKY, FAINT, PENNE
• Quordle #1571, Thursday, 14 May: SEVEN, DECRY, VILLA, MILKY
• Quordle #1570, Wednesday, 13 May: SKUNK, CHAFE, INTER, SOOTH
• Quordle #1569, Tuesday, 12 May: AGLOW, AVAIL, BADLY, STING
• Quordle #1568, Monday, 11 May: CLUMP, SALTY, BOAST, YIELD
• Quordle #1567, Sunday, 10 May: DONOR, FAITH, ROBOT, EXILE
• Quordle #1566, Saturday, 9 May: SHALL, ERUPT, WISER, DRIER
• Quordle #1565, Friday, 8 May: TOXIN, HELIX, FLOUT, ADULT
• Quordle #1564, Thursday, 7 May: DEALT, LOWLY, AHEAD, CHEEK

from Latest from TechRadar US in Computing News https://ift.tt/4aqS0EN
via

‘They choose not to buy because they want to develop their own’: China just refused to buy a single Nvidia AI chip as Trump’s plan backfires

• China has refused to buy any H200 AI chips from Nvidia
• The move might be due to costs or security concerns
• It comes after a personal intervention from Donald Trump failed to work

Right now, there are two main players in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) hardware: Nvidia, which makes some of the best-performing AI chips, and China, which has a surging domestic industry that isn’t as reliant on Nvidia. US President Donald Trump has been trying to change that situation and help Nvidia penetrate the Chinese market, but it looks like his latest efforts have backfired spectacularly — potentially ensuring Nvidia misses out on $30 billion worth of sales.

Last week, the US Commerce Department approved sales of Nvidia’s H200 AI chip to ten Chinese firms, including names like Alibaba and Tencent. That could have brought in $15-$20 billion for Nvidia at current prices, with financial analyst John Vinh saying Chinese demand sits at up to $30 billion, according to Moneywise.

Yet in a major blow to Trump and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the Chinese government has declined to approve purchases of the chips by its domestic industry. Trump and Huang had traveled for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in an attempt to persuade him to allow the H200 sales to proceed. Instead, they came away empty-handed, with Nvidia telling investors its official market share in China is now effectively non-existent.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said of China: “They have a much higher level than H200. China needs it and yeah, it came up. They choose not to buy because they want to develop their own. I think something could happen on that.”

In other words, China prefers to orient its AI industry around its own domestically made chips rather than paying to use American imports. And it looks like there are several reasons for that.

Ongoing computing chaos

(Image credit: Communications Today)

One reason Chinese firms might not want to use American AI chips, like those manufactured by Nvidia, is that they have to pay a sizeable fee for the privilege. Trump has managed to create an arrangement whereby the US government will levy a 25% tariff on every chip Nvidia sells to China, pushing the price up for these overseas buyers.

But Beijing could be worried about something else. Since US law prohibits direct export fees, the chips must be routed through US territory before heading to China. And that has stoked fears in China that the chips could be tampered with — perhaps to install spyware, for example — before being sent abroad. That has led the Chinese government to turn inwards and provide more support to its own domestic industry rather than foreign firms like Nvidia.

What does this mean for you? Well, we might see Chinese AI models like DeepSeek becoming increasingly optimized for Chinese hardware. That was already happening before the latest move — DeepSeek’s V4 update was optimized for Huawei’s Ascend chips rather than Nvidia's, for instance — but we could see more of this going forward. If you want to use those AI models, you might find yourself disadvantaged when using a device outfitted with a chip from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel.

Beyond that, it demonstrates that the ongoing computing chaos caused by the AI boom is still in full swing. With component prices through the roof and uncertainty over future sales for Nvidia — currently one of the world’s biggest tech firms — it’s anyone’s guess what will happen next.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Computing News https://ift.tt/N5QTBKf
via

'ChatGPT kind of sucked' — Former Assassin's Creed director says he used AI to help him learn to code, but it was 'brutal'

• Former Assassin's Creed Hexe director Clint Hocking says he used AI to learn to code
• Hocking says he used ChatGPT to mostly debug code, but found that it "sucked"
• He later switched to JavaScript and learned to code "despite ChatGPT"

Far Cry 2 and former Assassin's Creed Hexe director Clint Hocking has admitted to using AI in the past to help him learn to code, but found the process to be "brutal."

In the latest issue of Edge Magazine, which focused on how AI tools have been used in the gaming industry, Hocking revealed his own stance on the divisive technology and believes that its integration is inevitable.

The developer also said that he has used ChatGPT, one of the most popular AI tools, to help him learn how to code.

"It was brutal," Hocking said. "ChatGPT kind of sucked. It didn't really know how to code. Everything was broken. It was mostly me trying to debug code without knowing how to code myself."

However, after about a year and a half, Hocking abandoned the software in favor of JavaScript, acknowledging that "in some ways he learned to code despite ChatGPT" and likened the AI tool to a tutor rather than an alternative to learning.

Hocking was the original creative director for Assassin's Creed Hexe, but departed Ubisoft for the second time earlier this year after it appointed three experienced Assassin's Creed developers to lead the franchise at the company's newly formed Tencent-funded subsidiary Vantage Studios.

Now, Jean Guesdon, the creative director of Black Flag and Origins is leading Assassin's Creed Hexe. Guesdon was also one of the three veterans appointed to head the new studio.

In other news, Ubisoft has shared plans to release more Assassin's Creed games and new Far Cry and Ghost Recon titles by March 2029. In the company's latest financial report, it said it "expects a significantly bigger content pipeline over FY2027-28 and FY2028-29" across these three major brands.

While new Far Cry and Ghost Recon titles have yet to be announced, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launches on July 9, Hexe could launch in 2027, and there are also plans to release the multiplayer spin-off Codename Invictus and the mobile game Assassin's Creed Jade.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Gaming News https://ift.tt/klGKxOF
via TECHNICAL SAFEER

NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, May 26 (game #814)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, May 25 (game #813).

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 #814) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… On the nature trail

NYT Strands today (game #814) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SLED
• DUMP
• CRADLE
• WAFT
• RAVE
• HEAVEN

NYT Strands today (game #814) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 13 letters

NYT Strands today (game #814) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: left, 1st row

Last side: left, 8th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #814) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #814, are…

• MOSS
• ACORN
• DAISY
• PUDDLE
• FEATHER
• PAWPRINT
• SPANGRAM: SCAVENGERHUNT

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 hints

It’s been a while since we’ve had a 13-letter spangram, but even though it took up a huge chunk of the board I completely failed to see SCAVENGERHUNT.

However, if you were looking for non-game words to get hints the letters containing what became the spangram contained plenty so I got “revenge”, “avenge”, “avenger”, “cave” and “hunt” long before I began searching properly — this is possibly why I took two hints to get me started.

MOSS and ACORN were a confusing opening, as at this stage I thought our trail could be limited to a woodland setting, but DAISY finally helped me realize this was a far more random search — although if it was like the scavenger hunts I went on as a kid you’d need to throw a Mars bar in there as well just to keep me interested.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, May 25, game #813)

• SERVICE
• SACRIFICE
• HONOR
• VIRTUE
• PROTECTION
• SPANGRAM: MEMORIALDAY

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.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Computing News https://ift.tt/S7jpwLP
via

NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, May 26 (game #1080)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, May 25 (game #1079).

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 #1080) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BIG
• RING
• TINSEL
• FOCUS
• AIRPLANE
• CUP
• POINT
• SILENT
• LISTEN
• CLUE
• SUBJECT
• TWINS
• PENNANT
• ENLIST
• CONCERN
• MEDAL

NYT Connections today (game #1080) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: What winners get
• GREEN: The reason
• BLUE: Classic movies
• PURPLE: Letters in common

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 #1080) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS
• GREEN: MATTER AT HAND
• BLUE: '80S COMEDIES
• PURPLE: ANAGRAMS

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

NYT Connections today (game #1080) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1080, are…

• YELLOW: CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS CUP, MEDAL, PENNANT, RING
• GREEN: MATTER AT HAND CONCERN, FOCUS, POINT, SUBJECT
• BLUE: '80S COMEDIES AIRPLANE, BIG, CLUE, TWINS
• PURPLE: ANAGRAMS ENLIST, LISTEN, SILENT, TINSEL

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

It’s annoying when you don’t follow a hunch because you think it’s some kind of dastardly trick. 

I immediately thought that BIG and AIRPLANE must be about the films but I hesitated for two reasons — firstly, after including TWINS I couldn’t see a fourth comedy movie, and secondly because the film Airplane! features an exclamation mark. I guess I picked the wrong week to give up making wild Connections guesses.

The purple group was also within reach after I thought it odd that two tiles began L-I-S-T ; kudos to you if you managed to spot the four ANAGRAMS.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, May 25, game #1079)

• YELLOW: COMMON PROMO ITEMS CAP, PIN, SHIRT, STICKER
• GREEN: TINY BIT JOT, SCRAP, SHRED, WHIT
• BLUE: TEXTING ABBREVIATIONS ATM, CYA, LOL, TIA
• PURPLE: EYE____ BALL, BROW, LASH, LID

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.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Gaming News https://ift.tt/U2GtlST
via TECHNICAL SAFEER

NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, May 25 (game #1079)

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, May 24 (game #1078).

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 #1079) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BROW
• CAP
• LID
• CYA
• WHIT
• ATM
• PIN
• JOT
• LASH
• LOL
• SCRAP
• SHIRT
• STICKER
• BALL
• TIA
• SHRED

NYT Connections today (game #1079) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Free swag
• GREEN: Small amount
• BLUE: Text speak
• PURPLE: Look for a bodypart

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 #1079) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: COMMON PROMO ITEMS
• GREEN: TINY BIT
• BLUE: TEXTING ABBREVIATIONS
• PURPLE: EYE____

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

NYT Connections today (game #1079) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1079, are…

• YELLOW: COMMON PROMO ITEMS CAP, PIN, SHIRT, STICKER
• GREEN: TINY BIT JOT, SCRAP, SHRED, WHIT
• BLUE: TEXTING ABBREVIATIONS ATM, CYA, LOL, TIA
• PURPLE: EYE____ BALL, BROW, LASH, LID

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

My error today came because I thought I was being really clever and would get a “purple first” after connecting BROW, CYA, WHIT, PIN, thinking that they were all colors minus a letter — as in brown, cyan, white, and pink.

Crestfallen, I managed to link JOT, SCRAP and SHRED and took a lucky gamble with WHIT. 

ATM, LOL, and TIA I knew as TEXTING ABBREVIATIONS, but didn’t realize that CYA was an abbreviated way of saying 'See ya' — although when I googled it the AI search response was that it meant “cover your ass”. 

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, May 24, game #1078)

• YELLOW: FARM FIXTURES COOP, PEN, SHED, STABLE
• GREEN: LABOR PROTEST ACTIONS MARCH, PICKET, RALLY, STRIKE
• BLUE: OBJECTS USED IN RITUAL PERFORMANCES DRUM, MASK, RATTLE, STAFF
• PURPLE: POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES PLUS A LETTER HERB, HISS, ITSY, MYA

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.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Gaming News https://ift.tt/cBLleh5
via TECHNICAL SAFEER

NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, May 25 (game #813)

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, May 24 (game #812).

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 #803) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Thank you

NYT Strands today (game #803) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• SERVE
• MEMO
• TRIP
• TURN
• PROD
• RICE

NYT Strands today (game #803) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #803) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: left, 1st row

Last side: right, 6th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #803) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #803, are…

• SERVICE
• SACRIFICE
• HONOR
• VIRTUE
• PROTECTION
• SPANGRAM: MEMORIALDAY

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

No surprise about today's theme, given the date, but I did need a hint to get me started — and even finding non-game words proved tricky. I found myself fixated on the word "office," which I was convinced was on the board but had entirely hallucinated.

Today's words define the core principles of MEMORIALDAY and represent the oath and actions of US military personnel who died while serving their country. It's a rare Strands theme that genuinely gives you pause.

Among the game words, PROTECTION was the only one that caused me real difficulty. The others felt almost self-selecting once the theme was clear, but PROTECTION took a while longer to materialize on the board.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, May 24, game #812)

• COIL
• SPINDLE
• REEL
• SPOOL
• BOBBIN
• WINCH
• SCROLL
• SPANGRAM: TRYTOUNWIND

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.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Computing News https://ift.tt/ivUJSFs
via

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced creative director says his top three favorite elements of the remake are the fight system, the new missions, and the new end game chapters — 'We have received a lot of positive reactions to the story'

• Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced creative director Paul Fu shares his top three favorite elements of the remake
• Fu "loves" the fighting system, new quests, and endgame chapters
• He's also looking forward to the reactions to the new quest music

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced creative director Paul Fu has shared his favorite elements that Ubisoft has added to the upcoming remake.

Speaking in an interview with TechRadar Gaming at a recent Black Flag Resynced preview event in Paris, Fu revealed that there are three things that he's most looking forward to players experiencing. This includes the modernized combat system, which he also said was inspired by old fan-made Black Flag gameplay videos.

"Now we've already talked about the fight system. Yeah, I really love working with that system," Fu said, before going on to praise the brand new missions, which will be connected to side characters like Black Beard and Stede Bonnet.

"I love the new missions that we've added on for the existing characters that I can't spoil for you guys right now," he said. "Amazing. I love them. Kudos to the team who have done that and written that.

While Fu couldn't dive into any details, he also confirmed that he "loves" the new endgame chapters that the team added, suggesting the remake could be different to the 2013 original.

"Know we have received a lot of positive reactions to the story, and so we hope that players will like that," Fu said.

When asked what he thinks is the coolest thing the team has added to the game, Fu teased new music that can be discovered throughout the journey. Ubisoft has previously confirmed that new music, including sea shanties, has been created for Resynced, and Fu is looking forward to the player reactions.

"Watch out for the new songs in the game that you haven't yet heard today, they're going to be really good, specifically for some of the new quests," he said.

Players will be able to experience the new quests when Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced launches on July 9 for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Gaming News https://ift.tt/mebXgWZ
via TECHNICAL SAFEER

NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, May 24 (game #812)

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 Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, May 23 (game #811).

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 #812) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Turn, turn, turn

NYT Strands today (game #812) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• COBB
• SOIL
• WIND
• TOWN
• CHEERY
• SLEW
• WHEEL
• SLOB
• PITY

NYT Strands today (game #812) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #812) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: left, 6th row

Last side: bottom, 5th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #812) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #812, are…

• COIL
• SPINDLE
• REEL
• SPOOL
• BOBBIN
• WINCH
• SCROLL
• SPANGRAM: TRYTOUNWIND

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 hints

I found this game terrifically taxing and time consuming, despite there being little in the way of challenging words.

Part of my issue was that I was finding so many non-game words that ended up being part of the game words — inch, wind, roll — to which I was seemingly blind.

Perhaps I began this game in too tense of a state, and like today’s spangram I need to TRYTOUNWIND.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, May 23, game #811)

• TARP
• SHOVEL
• HATCHET
• MACHETE
• PARACORD
• FLINT
• SPANGRAM: SURVIVALIST

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.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Computing News https://ift.tt/CUWl7BZ
via

NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, May 24 (game #1078)

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, May 23 (game #1077).

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 #1078) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• RATTLE
• PEN
• STAFF
• HISS
• HERB
• SHED
• ITSY
• MASK
• STRIKE
• DRUM
• STABLE
• MARCH
• RALLY
• MYA
• PICKET
• COOP

NYT Connections today (game #1078) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Animal homes 
• GREEN: Work dispute reactions 
• BLUE: Ancient accessories
• PURPLE: Added belonging  

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 #1078) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: FARM FIXTURES 
• GREEN: LABOR PROTEST ACTIONS 
• BLUE: OBJECTS USED IN RITUAL PERFORMANCES 
• PURPLE: POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES PLUS A LETTER 

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

NYT Connections today (game #1078) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1078, are…

• YELLOW: FARM FIXTURES COOP, PEN, SHED, STABLE
• GREEN: LABOR PROTEST ACTIONS MARCH, PICKET, RALLY, STRIKE
• BLUE: OBJECTS USED IN RITUAL PERFORMANCES DRUM, MASK, RATTLE, STAFF
• PURPLE: POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES PLUS A LETTER HERB, HISS, ITSY, MYA

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

This was one of those easy days where I saw the four groups almost straight away.

My only moment of distraction was seeing the tiles for RATTLE and DRUM and momentarily thinking that there was some kind of percussion group or a category about U2 album titles.

The mistake I made was not to pause and figure out what would be the most likely purple group. I really should have guessed ITSY, HISS and the other POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES PLUS A LETTER, because there is a long track record of “possessive” wordplay being classed as hardest to get.

“Homophones of possessive adjectives” was a purple group last month, “starting with a possessive pronoun” was purple in December, and “starting with a possessive determiner” was purple in September. Oh well, there’s always next time.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, May 23, game #1077)

• YELLOW: HAIRDOS BEEHIVE, BOUFFANT, CHIGNON, POMPADOUR
• GREEN: MORE READILY FIRST, PREFERABLY, RATHER, SOONER
• BLUE: MARVEL CHARACTERS DAREDEVIL, HAWKEYE, NIGHTCRAWLER, WOLVERINE
  PURPLE: WORDS AFTER "THE" IN "STAR WARS" MOVIE TITLES EMPIRE, FORCE, LAST, PHANTOM

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.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Gaming News https://ift.tt/jdMfIEw
via TECHNICAL SAFEER

Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, May 23 (game #1580)

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 Friday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Friday, May 22 (game #1579).

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 #1580) - 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 #1580) - 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 #1580) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

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

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1580) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)

Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1580) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• J

• D

• I

• B

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

Quordle today (game #1580) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1580, are…

• JUICY
• DREAM
• IDYLL
• BRAID

A tricky, slow game today. My biggest leap in this game was deploying the least used of rare letters, but with U, I, C, and Y in play JUICY felt like the most likely of words.

For IDYLL, the letter Y in the center of the word gave me few options, although it did take me a while to get there.

Daily Sequence today (game #1580) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1580, are…

• MONTH
• SHIED
• NEIGH
• THROW

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1579, Friday, 22 May: GAILY, HITCH, DRUNK, COUNT
• Quordle #1578, Thursday, 21 May: RANCH, OTTER, WREST, ILIAC
• Quordle #1577, Wednesday, 20 May: TEDDY, MINUS, TRULY, STARK
• Quordle #1576, Tuesday, 19 May: HIPPY, FORTE, HORSE, QUELL
• Quordle #1575, Monday, 18 May: CLANK, SWINE, STEAM, DRAPE
• Quordle #1574, Sunday, 17 May: WHINE, TENET, KNAVE, GREED
• Quordle #1573, Satuday, 16 May: DEMUR, THREE, SLEEP, CRUDE
• Quordle #1572, Friday, 15 May: EPOCH, SPIKY, FAINT, PENNE
• Quordle #1571, Thursday, 14 May: SEVEN, DECRY, VILLA, MILKY
• Quordle #1570, Wednesday, 13 May: SKUNK, CHAFE, INTER, SOOTH
• Quordle #1569, Tuesday, 12 May: AGLOW, AVAIL, BADLY, STING
• Quordle #1568, Monday, 11 May: CLUMP, SALTY, BOAST, YIELD
• Quordle #1567, Sunday, 10 May: DONOR, FAITH, ROBOT, EXILE
• Quordle #1566, Saturday, 9 May: SHALL, ERUPT, WISER, DRIER
• Quordle #1565, Friday, 8 May: TOXIN, HELIX, FLOUT, ADULT
• Quordle #1564, Thursday, 7 May: DEALT, LOWLY, AHEAD, CHEEK
• Quordle #1563, Wednesday, 6 May: DRESS, SWIFT, HOARD, STEAD
• Quordle #1562, Tuesday, 5 May: SNEER, NEVER, RAMEN, TODDY
• Quordle #1561, Monday, 4 May: IMBUE, FIFTY, STEEP, PINTO
• Quordle #1560, Sunday, 3 May: HATER, FORCE, BASTE, TROUT

from Latest from TechRadar US in Computing News https://ift.tt/h30c26R
via

Corsair DDR5 stick spotted using Chinese memory chips — here's why that could mean the RAM crisis ends sooner than expected

• A stick of Corsair RAM has been spotted using CXMT memory chips
• If genuine, this leak suggests Corsair is trying to shore up its chip supply lines elsewhere, away from Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix
• It aligns nicely with a prediction from earlier this week which contends that Chinese memory chip makers are cranking up production in a big way

Corsair DDR5 RAM has been spotted, which has seemingly made use of Chinese memory chips, in what could be a sign that a major RAM vendor is adapting to the current crisis by using alternative suppliers.

VideoCardz reports that leaker Wxnod on X flagged up this development, and there's photographic evidence provided of a 16GB stick of Corsair Vengeance DDR5 memory.

The CPU-Z utility identifies the RAM as having chips made by CXMT, a major player in the Chinese market.

Obviously, we must take this leak with a good deal of seasoning, but assuming it's genuine, this indicates that Corsair is at least making samples of RAM using Chinese chips, rather than its usual sources (namely, the three major chip makers outside of China: Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix).

Analysis: a major change on the horizon?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

As VideoCardz observes, the serial number shown on the RAM stick ends in 'CN,' which could mean it's a sample for the Chinese market.

Whatever the case, if this leak is genuine, Corsair is seemingly experimenting with Chinese alternatives to keep its RAM production rolling and to make up for the lack of supply from Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix when it comes to consumer RAM (due to AI production being more heavily favored).

This is interesting timing, because we've heard from other sources that Chinese memory chip makers are ramping up their production to fill gaps in the market. Indeed, the ex-chief of Samsung's semiconductor business observed earlier this week how Chinese companies like CXMT are "aggressively expanding" their RAM production capacity, to the point where this could change the market as soon as the second half of 2027.

That ex-Samsung exec also forecast that the AI boom is set to cool, and with Chinese chip makers helping to boost supply to meet that falling demand more readily, he theorizes that RAMageddon may not last nearly as long as some predictions claim.

Obviously, it's way too early to jump to that conclusion, but this glimpse of Corsair DDR5 RAM certainly does nothing to dispel the notion. We'll need to keep our eyes peeled for further evidence of memory chips from China being used by major RAM vendors.

from Latest from TechRadar US in Computing News https://ift.tt/xSCnP4j
via