The first teaser for One Piece season 2 has landed, and it pretty much confirms the story the season is going to tell and which characters are going to appear in it.
The tease was a video uploaded to TikTok, in which Iñaki Godoy celebrated Monkey D. Luffy’s birthday with a cake that looks like a big ol’ candle. That cake had a candle on top, which was shaped like the number three – and that is almost certainly a very big hint about which story arc we’re going to see this time around.
Where Netflix‘s One Piece season one went with the East Blue story from the manga, the teaser suggests that we’re going to follow the Arabasta story arc. That focused on the Baroque Works criminal syndicate, which features an array of villains named after numbers and holidays – including a certain Mr 3, who – as IGN notes – can create and control candle wax.
Netflix’s teaser all but confirms the fans’ speculation
One Piece fans were already pretty sure that the next season would follow the Arabasta story arc, not least because there was a reference to it early in the first season. A red-haired Baroque Works character called Mr 7 featured in one of the opening scenes of season one, and was promptly killed off by Zoro.
That raises the tantalizing possibility that we’re going to see a whole bunch of the Baroque Works baddies this time around. And there are lots of them, with the male agents given numbers and the female ones given holidays – so in addition to mastermind Mr 0, there are agents Mr 1, Mr 2, Mr 3, Mr 4 and Mr 5 plus Miss All Sunday, Miss Doublefinger, Miss Goldenweek, Miss Merry Christmas and Miss Valentine, among others.
With each character having their own odd abilities, there’s scope for a lot of fun here. And there could be more: fans are hoping that Tony Tony Chopper, a shape-shifting reindeer absent from the first season, could also make an appearance.
Other details are still under wraps, but we’re expecting the second season to begin filming this summer for a streaming release in 2025 – it’s a long wait for the return of one of the best Netflix shows of the last couple of years, but it’ll be worth it, we hope.
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CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: Up to 64GB Dual-channel DDR4-3200MHz Storage: Up to 2TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD and up to 1TB M.2 2242 SSD SATA Rear Ports: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x USB 4 Gen 3 Type-C (supports Power Delivery), 1x RJ45, 1x DC in Front Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x 3.5mm front stereo headset jack Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 Audio: 3.5mm front stereo headset jack Camera: N/A Size: 117 x 111 x 38.5 mm OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro Accessories: VESA mount included
Geekom is one of the big players in the mini PC field, and the XT12 highlights exactly why. Firstly, the small machine features an understated design with a high-quality metal surround topped with a matte white plate. It’s all incredibly small and neat and will suit any stylish office or home.
However, the internals are less discreet. They boast a powerful Intel Core 12th Gen Alder Lake i9-12900H CPU. Our review sample packs in 32GB of RAM and a 1TB ultra-fast SSD, with the option to boost this to a maximum of 64GB of RAM and 2TB of ultra-fast M.2 SSD storage. That’s not all; there’s also the option to install an additional M.2 2242 SSD SATA up to 1TB, which can be further complemented by external network or USB 4 storage options.
Out of the box, this compact machine can handle office software, multimedia, and creative apps without breaking a sweat, but where this small machine differs from some of the best mini PCs we’ve tested is the inclusion of USB 4 ports. This lets you expand on storage capacity as well as giving you the ability to link into a powerful eGPU. This means that if you are fully accessorized, you’ll essentially have a very compact and powerful machine that is a fraction of the size of most desktop machines. However, that optional eGPU will challenge desktop space.
eGPU and expansion options aside, the base unit’s overall performance is superb, even over extended periods of use when editing standard 4K video from the Sony A7 IV. The cooling system kicks in to keep things ticking over and running smoothly.
While as a standard mini PC, this machine is impressive, enabling Office, creative use, and moderate gaming, it’s when it’s plugged into an eGPU that you can really unlock its potential and extend its use.
As it stands, the XT12 Pro is without accessories and packs a great deal of power for its size and will suffice for all office applications, photo editing, and even running some of the best video editing software. If video editing gets more advanced, then the addition of an eGPU along with the ability to upgrade the RAM, main SSD, and a small additional 1TB M.2 2242 SSD SATA slot along with USB 4 expanded storage means that this Mini PC has serious potential and options for expansion.
Geekom XT Series XT12 Pro: Price & availability
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The Geekom ST Series XT12 Pro is widely available in the standard configuration, which consists of a Mini PC with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB HD. The machine is available for $699 directly from the Geekom website, most electronics stores, and Amazon.com.
Geekom XT Series XT12 Pro: Design & build
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Despite the small size, you can instantly tell that the Geekom XT Series XT12 Pro sits in the mid to premium range of Mini PCs. Firstly, the look of the machine is understated, with a metal surround featuring honeycomb cut-outs to enable plenty of air to flow through the system. Then, the plastic top is finished in a high-quality matte white but moulded into the ergonomic design of the casing.
That casing, with the venting and high-quality detail, all helps to ensure that the inner workings remain as cool as possible during operation and keep on top of the power of the Intel Core i9-12900H. Thankfully, unlike some other high-powered Mini PCs, Geekom has opted to go for the Intel CPU coupled with the Intel Iris Xe Graphics, which offers decent but not outstanding performance, enough for moderate gaming but definitely not to be pushed.
On the front are two Type-A USB ports, a 3.5mm headphone socket, and a power button. Around the back are the main HDMI, USB 4, USB Type-A, and DC power socket. While the layout is neat, it is quite cramped due to this Mini PC’s compact nature.
One of the big features of this small PC is the upgradability, and access to the inside is made by removing the four screws on the base of the machine. Once loosened, the bottom of the machine can be removed, and the top flipped over to reveal the RAM and SSD slots, adding a small M.2 2242 SSD up to 1TB in capacity.
The design of the XT12 Pro makes it a very powerful PC in its own right. Still, with the addition of the USB 4 ports, this also gives you the ability to make a lot more of this machine than many other Mini PCs as it firstly enables you to plug in high-speed and high-capacity external storage such as the OWC Thunderblade X8 or attach an eGPU to boost the graphics processing performance.
As a Mini PC, this is one of the smallest, but the build quality and weight highlight that this is something a little more than the usual compact computing solution.
Geekom XT Series XT12 Pro: Features
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The Geekom XT12 Pro Mini PC features a powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H processor, with 14 cores and 20 threads, making it a great choice for heavy-duty tasks such as 4K video editing and 3D modeling software. The XT12 Pro comes with 32GB of RAM as standard and supports up to 64GB of dual-channel DDR4-3200MHz RAM. Although this is the older DDR4 rather than DDR5, it should still ensure decent performance for multitasking and handling large files and applications. The XT12 Pro offers several storage expansion options beyond the 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD that comes pre-installed. This slot can be upgraded to a 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD and an additional 1TB M.2 SATA SSD slot for extra storage.
Display capabilities support office and creative work, with the possibility of attaching up to four 4K displays simultaneously or a single 8K display. Connectivity options include USB 4 Gen3 ports that support power delivery and external GPU connections, enhancing its use in gaming and professional video and modelling applications. The XT12 Pro also includes dual HDMI 2.0 ports and 2.5G Ethernet for high-speed networking.
The compact unibody aluminum chassis helps ensure that the XT12 Pro is not only aesthetic but also durable and resistant to scratches and fingerprints. Although it is heavier than many mini PCs at 546g, it’s still a viable comp[act alternative to the best business computers (or even the best business laptops). To ensure that everything stays cool, the XT12 Pro features the innovative IceBlast 1.0 cooling system, which employs copper pipes and a large silent fan to ensure the unit operates coolly and quietly under load.
Geekom XT Series XT12 Pro: Performance
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks
Crystal Disk Read: 5095.80MB/s Crystal Disk Write: 4406.81MB/s GeekBench CPU Single: 9925 GeekBench CPU Multi: 2300 GeekBench Compute: 14235 PC Mark: 5692 CineBench CPU Multi: 10132 CineBench CPU Single: 1714 Fire Strike Overall: 5031 Fire Strike Graphics: 5513 Fire Strike Physics: 21822 Fire Strike Combined: 1791 Time Spy Overall: 1793 Time Spy Graphics: 1573 Time Spy CPU: 8732 Wild Life: N/A Windows Experience: 8.3
The Geekom XT12 Pro mini PC delivers impressive performance through real-world tests with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, multimedia, and some moderate gaming. From the outset, the fast boot into Windows 11 Pro sets a precedent for the use of this machine. Benchmark tests show strong results, with a PC Mark score of 5692, reflecting how the XT12 Pro handles tasks from the outset.
Checking a few easy tasks to start, streaming 4K content through Netflix, Apple, and Amazon Prime is seamless and showcases the strength of its Wi-Fi connection. Checking the disk speed, the Crystal Disk Read and Write scores are 5095.80MB/s and 4406.81MB/s, respectively, more than enough for simple multimedia playback tasks. What this transfer rate highlights is the machine’s ability to handle large files for creative applications. However, while the XT12 Pro handles Photoshop and Lightroom Classic with ease, Adobe Bridge strains under high-resolution image scrolling, revealing the limitations of the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, reinforced by the GeekBench Compute score of 14235.
Video editing in DaVinci Resolve is manageable for 1080p and basic 4K projects. For more complex tasks involving RAW video, the system reaches its limits, corroborated by the Fire Strike Graphics score of 5513 and a Time Spy Overall score of 1793, indicating moderate graphical processing power. Gaming is feasible at 1080p for Red Dead Redemption II and Cyberpunk 2077, albeit with reduced settings necessary for smooth gameplay. For both video editing and gaming, connecting an eGPU can significantly enhance performance in both disciplines.
Overall, the XT12 Pro is versatile, handling a range of tasks from office work to creative projects and light to moderate gaming at lower resolutions. Its array of benchmark scores from GeekBench, CineBench, and 3D Mark highlights its capacity to balance performance across various uses, making it a suitable choice for professionals and creatives who require a compact computing solution.
Should you buy the Geekom XT Series XT12 Pro?
The Geekom XT12 Pro Mini PC offers robust performance, versatile connectivity, and strong upgrade potential, making it a great choice for professionals and creatives. Its Intel Core i9-12900H processor and dual storage options cater to demanding tasks, while its compact design does not compromise on power. With USB 4 ports for expansion and eGPU compatibility, it delivers excellent value for its price and is a scalable solution.
A prominent hardware leaker has alleged that while Thunderbolt 4 will come as standard for Intel Core Ultra 200 CPUs on Z890, that the upcoming CPU generation will miss out on Thunderbolt 5.
As a frame of reference, both Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 are capped at 40 Gbps which means there’s no great increase in the two technologies despite their seven-year age gap. In contrast, Thunderbolt 5 can achieve double this at 80 Gbps which can be increased to 120 Gbps through Bandwidth Boost.
Also alleged by Golden Pig Upgrade is that Ultra Core 200 CPUs will feature just four Xe cores baked onto the chip which is half of what’s currently available through Meteor Lake for laptops. This is unlikely to be too big a deal considering most (if not all) users will pair the processor with one of the best graphics cards, but it’s worth noting.
We can take the alleged specs for the Arrow Lake flagship as a point of comparison. It’s believed that the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K will feature 24 cores and 24 threads with a maximum boost clock of up to 5.5 GHz and a 125W TDP. In contrast, the current-generation Intel Core i9-14900K features 24 cores and 32 threads up to 6 GHz. It’s certainly a different approach moving to Disaggregated architecture from Hybrid.
Not the best impression for Arrow Lake
Should Intel Arrow Lake miss out on Thunderbolt 5, that would mean that we would likely have to wait until Lunar Lake in laptops and Panther Lake in desktops to get ahead.
The new connectivity standard would mean not only increased bandwidth for external GPUs and SSDs but also boosting higher resolutions and framerates of up to 540Hz and enhanced multi-monitor in 4K and 8K(via Intel).
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There’s a good chance Apple will unveil a new stylus during its Let Loose event, but recently discovered clues suggest we might see an Apple Pencil Pro. User rsuOvO on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) reportedly found multiple references to the Pro model in the code of the company’s Japanese website.
At the time of this writing, you can still find the name by heading over to the web page, and then pressing the Ctrl and U keys at the same time. Scroll to about 60 percent of the way down and you’ll find the name “Apple Pencil Pro” littered throughout.
The surrounding text is in Japanese. Since we can’t read the language, we ran the wording through Google Translate to get an idea of what it’s saying so take the following with a grain of salt. According to the machine translation, it just describes the accompanying GIF animation in detail. The text talks about how the event logo is drawn with shades of green and white before ending with a glossier version of the Apple icon. No other information about the Pencil Pro, what it might look like, or any of its features could be found.
(Image credit: Future)
What’s interesting about the code is it cannot be found on the American, European, or UK versions of Apple’s website. We did find strings of text mentioning the Apple Pencil and a description of the same GIF animation, but nothing on a Pro model of any kind. As far as we know, the name doesn’t appear anywhere else.
Analysis: A possible rebranding
Does this mean that Japan is going to receive an exclusive Apple Pencil model or was its appearance on the website just a mistake? It’s probably the latter. As MacRumors points out in their coverage, this could all be a “translation error” or someone somewhere slipped up; both are equally likely.
However, the existence of an Apple Pencil Pro is an interesting concept; one that we can’t ignore as leaks from the past six months have painted the stylus as a very capable device. Back in September 2023, there was a leak claiming the Apple Pencil 3 would have “interchangeable magnetic tips” to help artists tackle different tasks. Then this April, we saw more clues. Recent reports point to the possible inclusion of haptic response in the next stylus. It’s a type of tech that might make it feel like you’re drawing on paper instead of glass. And a report from early last month stated staple features such as pressure sensitivity would be present on the upcoming stylus. This lets you alter the “thickness of your strokes depending on how hard you press down”.
Going back even further, there was another leak claiming the Apple Pencil 3 would have “interchangeable magnetic tips” to help artists tackle different tasks. Features like these better fit a Pro-level model in our opinion. It’s for this reason we believe the Apple Pencil 3, assuming it’s announced at the event, will be rebranded as the Apple Pencil Pro. It’ll exist alongside the original Pencil stylus and Pencil 2 as the high-end option with all the bells and whistles while the other two will be the cheaper options.
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That seems to be the most likely scenario. Whoever helps run the Japanese website may have accidentally spilled the beans on the substantial upgrade. If we don’t see the Pencil Pro at the event, it may appear at WWDC 2024. It’s hard to say for sure right now.
We expect Apple’s Let Loose event to be a big one where the world will see several tablets such as two iPad Pro models. If you’re in the market for a new tablet, check out TechRadar’s list of the best iPad for 2024.
Multiple hacking collectives are been actively using Microsoft Graph API to hide their communications with command & control (C2) infrastructure hosted on Microsoft cloud services, cybersecurity researchers from Symantec Threat Hunter Team have revealed.
The researchers claim that for two and a half years now, groups such as APT28, REF2924, Red Stinger, Flea, APT29, and Oilrig, have been using this technique to remain out of sight. Among the targets is an unnamed organization from Ukraine, which was infected by a previously unknown malware variant dubbed BirdyClient.
The method of using Microsoft Graph APIs to hide malware communications was first seen in June 2021, but only picked up speed a year later.
Trusted and cheap
Symantec’s researchers believe hacking groups are opting for Microsoft cloud services to host malware, due to the company’s good standing. This kind of traffic isn’t going to raise any alarms, they argue:
“Attacker communications with C&C servers can often raise red flags in targeted organizations,” Symantec said. “The Graph API’s popularity among attackers may be driven by the belief that traffic to known entities, such as widely used cloud services, is less likely to raise suspicions.”
There’s also the question of costs: “In addition to appearing inconspicuous, it is also a cheap and secure source of infrastructure for attackers since basic accounts for services like OneDrive are free.”
APT28 is an infamous Russian state-sponsored threat actor that’s been observed abusing Microsoft solutions in the past. In mid-March this year, a report from IBM’s X-Force claimed the group was abusing the “search-ms” URI protocol handler to deploy malware to phishing victims. While its victims may vary from campaign to campaign, it always aligns with the interests of the Russian federation. Hence, the victims are often located in Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Poland, Armenia, the U.S., and others.
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Intel Arrow Lake appears to be on the horizon according to new insider information which claims a total of 21 CPUs will be available in the upcoming lineup.
As spotted by Wccftech, Intel Arrow Lake-S Core Ultra-200 processors are rumored to be announced at Computex next month with a full suite of processors headed for store shelves this year. According to Benchlife, this is set to include the Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265K, and the Core Ultra 5 245K.
Interestingly, it’s believed that there will be no Core Ultra 3 or Core i3 equivalent included in the slew of Ultra 200 processors so the mainstream lineups are now considered to be Ultra 5 models. That’s not entirely a surprise given that even the best processors for gamers on a budget omit the underpowered i3.
It is believed that as well as the three aforementioned K models at 12W5, there will be a total of five non-K SKUs at 65W and a total of 13 processors set to release later which will run at just 35W. That’s a wide net and should give options to the vast majority of users; while gamers will want a K model, budget builds could benefit from a lower power, and cheaper chip.
Hyperthreading appears to be a thing of the past with the leading Intel Arrow Lake-S models. That’s because the Core Ultra 9 is speculated to run 24 cores and 24 threads with the Core Ultra 7 to feature 20 cores and 20 threads, and the Core Ultra 5 at 10 cores and 10 threads; all of which utilize a mixture of E-cores and P-cores.
All chipsets will run on the LGA 1851 socket with its longevity planned until 2026 which, much like AMD‘s AM5 socket, will just be using DDR5. That means it could be time to upgrade to some of the best RAM alongside a new motherboard so that you aren’t left behind.
It’s still a little confusing
We’ve previously reported on the Intel Arrow Lake-S naming conventions being confusing and the advent of so many Ultra 9, Ultra 7, and Ultra 5 models isn’t helping matters. While enthusiasts are going to want to stick to the 285K, 265K, and 245K, there are a lot of things to unlearn after nearly 16 years of being used to Intel Core branding.
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It remains to be seen exactly how disaggregated architecture will work when on desktops, especially with the transition over to AI computing and what that will mean for gamers. We’re hoping that Computex will clear things up with an official announcement going over the full flagship models and the other 65W variants.
Consider this your warning: today’s Strands puzzle from the NYT is really, really difficult. Well, that was my experience at least; maybe you’re a lot smarter than me. But if you do struggle with it, I’ve got some helpful hints below.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
Your Strands expert
Your Strands expert
Marc McLaren
NYT Strands today (game #65) – hint #1 – today’s theme
What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?
• Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Can you dig it?
NYT Strands today (game #65) – hint #2 – clue words
What are some good clue words today?
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
• HOLD
• BEGAN
• MUST
• SLOPE
• CLAP
• EDGE
NYT Strands today (game #65) – hint #3 – spangram
What is a hint for today’s spangram?
• All that glitters
NYT Strands today (game #65) – hint #4 – spangram position
What two sides of the board does today’s spangram touch?
• First: top, 1st column
• Second: bottom, 3rd column
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #65) – the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today’s Strands, game #65, are…
GOLD
SILVER
COPPER
ANTIMONY
ARSENIC
BISMUTH
SPANGRAM: HEAVYMETAL
My rating: Very hard
My score: Two hints
This might be arrogance on my part, but I’ve come to feel that I should always get a perfect score on the Strands. After all, it is possible to solve it by brute force if necessary, simply playing words until something turns blue (or yellow), and never using a hint. However, there’s always a time-versus-reward algorithm playing in my head, and today I decided after about 30 minutes of fruitlessly searching that I had had enough.
The clue phrase – ‘Can you dig it?’ – implied ‘beneath the ground’, but I found the likes of HOLE and EARTH without either of them changing color. So in the end I used a hint and got GOLD. Great – I should be able to solve it now with no more hassle. Except… this got harder from there. SILVER and COPPER were easy enough, and ANTIMONY (which I’ve never even heard of) was revealed by simple virtue of the fact that there was now nothing else that would fit in that space. Likewise, HEAVYMETAL (nice pun, NYT) was easy to find. But the final two… wow! Eventually, I had to use a second hint to reveal ARSENIC, which I didn’t even know was a metal, before solving BISMUTH (never heard of it) by default.
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Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Monday 6 May, game #64)
LETTER
BILL
MAGAZINE
POSTCARD
INVITE
PACKAGE
SPANGRAM: SNAILMAIL
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s currently in Beta and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day.
One thing we never put in the reviews that make up our best earbuds or best noise cancelling earbuds guides is a mark specific to the case. Usually, we like said charging nest to be pocketable, for the magnets in the lid to keep their precious music-giving cargo safe and if there’s a nice powerful onboard battery for extra stamina, so much the better. But when JBL put a smartwatch-style screen on an earbuds case in December 2022, it initially felt like the game was about to change. This was something we never thought possible!
Although that inaugural screen was pretty, it made the case it was attached to rather big – and our JBL Tour 2 Pro review was something of a mixed bag because it made the earbuds a pricey proposition within a crowded market. Also, the promised message notifications, call history and any social media access via the Tour Pro 2 case never arrived.
The Smart Charging Case settings within the app – neat! (Image credit: JBL)
Well, those extra things still haven’t arrived, but JBL’s screen-adorned case is now quite a bit smaller, slicker and cheaper – the JBL Live Beam 3 are just $200 / £150 (around AU$296), which is $50 or a whopping £70 cheaper than the 2022 Tour Pro 2.
For me, everything is relative and that price drop alone makes this little case much more viable and fun. This is not a review reader (no, that is coming, I promise), it’s merely a brief experiential feature on how I enjoy this little case.
My favorite thing about it? No, it’s not my TechRadar screensaver, it’s the way it notifies you when you’ve got an incoming phone call and offers a friendly on-screen button to accept it, meaning you don’t have to a) dig out your phone or b) try to do it by pressing your earbuds – which I tend to fail at and hang up before I’ve said a word.
What you tellin’ me, JBL Live Beam 3?
Keep talking, or hang up? Do it on the case (and say it was a tunnel) (Image credit: Future)
The screen lets you scroll through playback (play, pause and skip functions); volume; noise cancelling; ambient aware and talk-thru profiles (although to tweak the levels between ‘on’ and ‘off’ you’ll still need your phone and the JBL Headphones app); spatial sound (music, movies and gaming profiles); EQ presets; a cute timer; screen brightness tweaks; lock screen wallpaper changes; voiceaware (to amp up or turn down your own voice during calls); auto-play and pause; Find My Buds; a ‘Notification’ and ‘Message preview’ screen (I’m still working out what these do – a tantalising envelope icon remains, in the top left corner of this tiny screen, but I’m unsure if one can access anything beyond this); a flashlight feature (a bright screen to help you locate an errant bud, perhaps) and language tweaks.
These screens can also be subbed and edited in the companion app, so you only see what you use as you scroll through – and for me, this scrolling is a lot smoother and quicker than in the Tour Pro 2.
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Again, this isn’t a fully star-rated review, but for the money, I still like it a lot.
As we said when reporting the JBL Live Beam 3, Live Flex 3 and Live Buds 3’s release in January 2024, the 10mm dynamic driver, up to 48 hours of battery life and Best Fit test add up to a compelling proposition, but a lovely additional feature in the app is something called Personal Sound Amplification. This (not to be confused with Ambient Aware) has a Gain slider to amplify situational sound around you and can be tweaked to favour one ear more, should you wish.
I haven’t tested it extensively yet (again, it’s not a review – yet) but initially, I like it as a perk. In fact, there’s an awful lot to like here, in a much smaller, more affordable JBL package. Watch this space for more…
It’s time for your daily hit of Quordle hints, guaranteed to help you solve today’s game and keep your streak alive. Scroll down for the hints, the answers, and my commentary on today’s game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
Your Quordle expert
Your Quordle expert
Marc McLaren
Quordle today (game #834) – hint #1 – Vowels
How many different vowels are in Quordle today?
• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.
* 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 #834) – 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 2.
Quordle today (game #834) – 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.
What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with?
• D
• B
• M
• M
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #834) – the answers
(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)
The answers to today’s Quordle, game #834, are…
Phew! Once again this Quordle went to wire for me, thanks to a poor showing from my three set start words, which today only uncovered one yellow in the fourth quadrant, and only three or four letters in the others.
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I needed some guesswork to get home in time, and my task wasn’t helped by the repeated letters in DEFER and MAGMA (two of them!), or by the fact that WISER has several similarly spelled words, such as WISER and RISER. OK, so maybe playing MISER before RISER would have made sense, but I’m allowed one mistake, right?
The Daily Sequence, meanwhile, was just as tough thanks to the presence of TIBIA and KINKY. Maybe tomorrow will be a little easier.
The Asus ROG Ally is an excellent PC gaming handheld in its own right: a gorgeous full HD screen and great performance, all in a lightweight and stylish form factor. However, a modder sought to improve upon its design and added an extra screen.
You can find the full project on GitHub, courtesy of modder Kira Patel (YesItsKira), as they describe the process of picking out the 7-inch screen as well as attaching it to the system. The modder had to remove the extra HDMI port and headphone jack, use a USB Type-C compatible dock to connect the monitor to the system, and 3D print various parts to connect and attach the screen to the ROG ally properly.
The display itself is a WIMAXIT M728, which is a 7-inch 1024 x 600 resolution IPS LCD touchscreen display. The Type-C dock was used as a replacement for this project due to the screen normally needing HDMI and USB cables to connect. As for the 3D-printed parts, you’ll need a new back cover for the system, a shell to house the display, and a 360-degree hinge support to fold the display against the screen.
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: YesItsKira)
(Image credit: YesItsKira)
(Image credit: YesItsKira)
Modding is always a fascinating and fun endeavor
This extra display would be handy for multitasking, as in playing games with one screen while taking care of any productivity work, streaming movies, or web browsing with the other. If you emulate, this would be especially useful for playing DS or even Wii U titles that take advantage of dual touchscreens.
Besides that, it’s interesting to see hobbyists take on projects like these and modify systems. PC gaming handhelds are quite malleable in that regard, since they’re essentially mini-PCs, making them much easier to augment this way. As user YesItsKira demonstrates, you can purchase cheap parts online and 3D print the rest.
Hopefully, this sort of tinkering will become more popular as we see the best PC gaming handhelds grow in popularity and increase the market demand. Not only dual displays but CPU and GPU upgrades, as well as upgrades to RAM and storage.
Not only to surpass the inherent limitations of these systems but to allow buyers to purchase the lower-end versions and then upgrade them without paying an arm and a leg for minimal spec increases. Also simply to see just how far these mods can go in general, which is always entertaining in its own right.
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