Tuesday, 31 December 2024

NYT Strands today — my hints, answers and spangram for Wednesday, January 1 (game #304)

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… What a workout

NYT Strands today (game #304) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • GIFT
  • LIST
  • PUNS
  • SPAN
  • FILE
  • LIFE

NYT Strands today (game #304) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

Witness the fitness

NYT Strands today (game #304) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: right, 4th row

Last side: left, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #304) - the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 304 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #304, are…

  • CRUNCH
  • SQUAT
  • LUNGE
  • PLANK
  • SITUP
  • DEADLIFT
  • BURPEE
  • SPANGRAM: EXERCISE

  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

It’s around this time of year that the “pets are not just for Christmas” message is commonplace, reminding people of the commitment and responsibility of keeping animals. But there’s another phrase that’s equally apposite – a gym is not just for January.

January is the gym owners' favorite time of year. The month when everyone’s New Year Resolutions compel them towards their local establishing like lemmings to a cliff as they finally commit to get fit. But then, after a couple of visits in the first few weeks of the year, the visits and enthusiasm fades and people forget that they have a payment committment for the rest of the year. It’s a magical formula that means gyms can have thousands more members than they could ever accommodate.

Not that you need a gym to start doing the EXERCISEs outlined in today’s puzzle – all of which can be completed in a living room – although I would advise avoiding the BURPEE, as that will put you off exercise for life and could result in tragedy if you have a ceiling fan. On second thoughts, join that gym.

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


Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, 31 December, game #303)

  • CODA
  • ENDING
  • CLOSURE
  • FINALE
  • EPILOGUE
  • CONCLUSION
  • SPANGRAM: ITS OVER

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

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Monday, 30 December 2024

Quordle today – my hints and answers for Tuesday, December 31 (game #1072)

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my 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 #1072) - 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 #1072) - 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 #1072) - 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 #1072) - 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 #1072) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• P

• T

• I

• I

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

Quordle today (game #1072) - the answers

Quordle answers for game 1072 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1072, are…

  • PLUMP
  • TUBER
  • IRATE
  • ICILY

Another late show for me today, although I put a mental pin in TUBER after my fourth go and decided to resist the temptation of filling in the word, in favor of going after the other words instead – then returned to it later.

I’ve still not hit on a winning technique for Quordle other than skin-of-the-teeth completions, but there was at least some strategy involved in my approach here – and that's a start, right?

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


Daily Sequence today (game #1072) - the answers

Quordle Daily Sequence answers for game 1072 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1072, are…

  • SANER
  • FUNKY
  • CLANG
  • SOOTY

Quordle answers: The past 20

  • Quordle #1071, Monday 30 December: TODDY, GROIN, GROWN, VERVE
  • Quordle #1070, Sunday 29 December: PURER, SPLAT, RABID, EMCEE
  • Quordle #1069, Saturday 28 December: BUNCH, LABOR, TRIPE, BUNNY
  • Quordle #1068, Friday 27 December: BRAWL, LYING, ORGAN, CRONY
  • Quordle #1067, Thursday 26 December: TATTY, OVERT, FLOUR, SWEPT
  • Quordle #1066, Wednesday 25 December: LIVER, CRIER, SHORE, MURKY
  • Quordle #1065, Tuesday 24 December: TIPSY, SCALE, FLYER, VALVE
  • Quordle #1064, Monday 23 December: SNAKE, SAVVY, ELBOW, TWEED
  • Quordle #1063, Sunday 22 December: DOUBT, SLURP, PAPER, CIVIL
  • Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF
  • Quordle #1061, Friday 20 December: PENAL, EAGLE, DILLY, QUITE
  • Quordle #1060, Thursday 19 December: JEWEL, GNOME, TRAMP, IDLER
  • Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
  • Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
  • Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
  • Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
  • Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
  • Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
  • Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
  • Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
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Apple honors Jimmy Carter with a rare homepage takeover

  • President Jimmy Carter passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2024.
  • He was the 39th President of the United States and known as a 'President for Peace.'
  • Apple CEO Tim Cook shared his remembrance on X on the 29th, and Apple has now updated its homepage with a takeover honoring the former President.

Yesterday, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100, and now Apple has updated its homepage for a rare takeover, paying tribute to the 39th President of the United States.

It comes a day after Apple CEO Tim Cook shared his respects on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Today, we honor President Carter’s lifetime of service and his commitment to leaving the world better than he found it. May he rest in peace.”

The homepage takeover is a bit more subtle and in line with previous home takeovers, though there have only been a few in recent history.

Apple’s homepage shows a photo of Jimmy Carter, the same one shared by Tim Cook on social, in front of a construction site. Likely speaking to the President’s impact during his time in the White House and the following years. Carter, who become president in 1977, soon after Apple was founded in 1976, would leave office in 1981 after serving a single term.

President Jimmy Carter's time in office is perhaps best remembered for the Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Israel and Egypt. After his time as President, Carter remained in the public eye, serving as a humanitarian for many causes, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He was known as a “President for Peace” and was friends with musicians including Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, hence the ‘Rock N’Roll’ President moniker.

Apple’s homepage takeovers have been few and far between, normally happening for product launches. Still, the most notable other remembrance post would be for former Apple CEO and founder Steve Jobs after his passing in 2011.

You can view the homepage takeover on Apple.com here and learn more about Jimmy Carter and his legacy here.

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Want to finally crack the gym in 2025? This app has changed my workouts forever


The gym is a scary place, at least at first. Everyone there is so focused that it can be awkward to walk through the doors, let alone pick up the weights.

When I started working out in 2012, I did so with a cursory induction session and was left to my own devices. I got more familiar as time went on, but without any real instruction (and no money for a personal trainer), I always felt like I had a ceiling for my progress.

I discovered Fitbod a couple of years ago, and in the time since I’ve racked up over 1000 workouts, meaning it was easy to include in our best fitness app roundup. Here’s why I like it, and why I think you should give it a spin in 2025.

A task-based workout

A phone on a pink and purple background showing the Fitbod app

(Image credit: Fitbod)

I’m a very task-oriented person, and if I wasn’t writing about workout apps right now there’s a good chance I’d be extolling the virtues of a task manager instead.

There’s something about ticking items off of a list that fills me with satisfaction, and Fitbod works so well for me because it essentially offers a sort of 'to-do list' when I’m working out.

Once a workout is generated (more on that in a moment), I know that I can get to the gym, open the app, and hit “Start Workout” to get going.

Fitbod is constantly learning and adjusting its algorithms, so I can look at a series of five or six exercises and tackle them as I see fit. Naturally there’s a feeling of dread when I see squats coming up (anyone who says they enjoy them is factually incorrect), but ticking each item off the list almost gamifies working out.

And, just as in a video game, you 'level up' in a way with Fitbod’s workout reports. These get more detailed year after year, and show you a handy line graph over a week, month, six months, or a year to show how you’ve improved.

That’s a fantastic motivator, as are the little “trophies” for hitting new personal bests. There’s even a Spotify Wrapped-style roundup at the end of the year, too.

Less guesswork, more leg work

A phone on a pink and purple background showing the Fitbod app

(Image credit: Fitbod)

One of the hardest parts about walking into a gym for the first time is not knowing where to start. Sure, you can narrow it down to cardio or strength training, but which exercises are best? Which equipment should you use?

Fitbod takes a lot of the guesswork out of working out. It has six categories ranging from general fitness to olympic weightlifting, and will recommend workouts based on time intervals of 15 - 90 minutes. It also targets your recovered muscles by default, so you can rest those you’ve most recently used.

Better yet, you can filter by equipment, including a setup with no equipment at all if you have 15 minutes and no weights, and if you do need guidance, it offers GIF walkthroughs on your phone or Apple Watch to show you how to do each exercise safely.

Any workout works

A phone on a pink and purple background showing the Fitbod app

(Image credit: Fitbod)

One of my favorite Fitbod features is how it pulls in data from other workout apps (if you let it). While it can track your runs, indoors our outdoors, it doesn’t have the metric tracking of something like Strava.

Thankfully, I have it set up to import Strava workouts into my activity feed, showing when I’ve run and factoring it into my muscle tiredness. It also lets you tie in with Apple’s own Fitness app, meaning my walk to and from the gym can be tracked, too – of the more than 1,000 workouts I’ve done, it’s fair to say a lot of them are long strolls.

You can also ask Fitbod to export data to Strava or Fitbit, as well as Apple Health.

Thanks to Fitbod, I’ve hit heights with strength training I didn’t think were possible even a few years ago – and I’m working out muscles I’d otherwise have neglected (looking at you, legs).

My overall fitness has really leveled up, and that’s why Fitbod’s iOS widget has a permanent spot on one of my home screens at all times.

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Sunday, 29 December 2024

Quordle today – my hints and answers for Monday, December 30 (game #1071)

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my 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 #1071) - 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 #1071) - 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 #1071) - 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 #1071) - 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 #1071) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• T

• G

• G

• V

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

Quordle today (game #1071) - the answers

Quordle answers for game 1071 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1071, are…

  • TODDY
  • GROIN
  • GROWN
  • VERVE

I guessed close to the edge today, completing the four words in my 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th goes – although I was helped considerably by GROIN and GROWN having just one letter difference. How kind of Quordle.

TODDY was today’s seasonal word, although I was interested in Merriam-Webster telling me that it isn’t just a hot drink consisting of liquor, water, sugar, and spices but also the fresh or fermented sap of various chiefly Asian palms.

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


Daily Sequence today (game #1071) - the answers

Quordle Daily Sequence answers for game 1071 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1071, are…

  • MOUND
  • ODDER
  • TOXIN
  • TWEET

Quordle answers: The past 20

  • Quordle #1070, Sunday 29 December: PURER, SPLAT, RABID, EMCEE
  • Quordle #1069, Saturday 28 December: BUNCH, LABOR, TRIPE, BUNNY
  • Quordle #1068, Friday 27 December: BRAWL, LYING, ORGAN, CRONY
  • Quordle #1067, Thursday 26 December: TATTY, OVERT, FLOUR, SWEPT
  • Quordle #1066, Wednesday 25 December: LIVER, CRIER, SHORE, MURKY
  • Quordle #1065, Tuesday 24 December: TIPSY, SCALE, FLYER, VALVE
  • Quordle #1064, Monday 23 December: SNAKE, SAVVY, ELBOW, TWEED
  • Quordle #1063, Sunday 22 December: DOUBT, SLURP, PAPER, CIVIL
  • Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF
  • Quordle #1061, Friday 20 December: PENAL, EAGLE, DILLY, QUITE
  • Quordle #1060, Thursday 19 December: JEWEL, GNOME, TRAMP, IDLER
  • Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
  • Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
  • Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
  • Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
  • Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
  • Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
  • Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
  • Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
  • Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
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NYT Strands today — my hints, answers and spangram for Monday, December 30 (game #302)

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Keep it classical

NYT Strands today (game #302) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • TOUR
  • COME
  • PRESS
  • NICE
  • CORE
  • LOSER

NYT Strands today (game #302) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

Musical pieces

NYT Strands today (game #302) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: left, 4th 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 #302) - the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 302 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #302, are…

  • SONATA
  • PRELUDE
  • CONCERTO
  • SYMPHONY
  • OVERTURE
  • SPANGRAM: COMPOSITION

  • My rating: Moderate
  • My score: 1 hint

I admit that I always thought a few of these descriptions for classical music pieces meant the same thing. That saying something was a CONCERTO was the same as saying something was a SYMPHONY and that a PRELUDE was just a shorter OVERTURE that came at the start of the aforementioned Concerto or Symphony.

Despite my deep research into the topic (hello, Wikipedia) I’m still a little unsure, but I am 100% certain they are all types of COMPOSITION.

Regardless of my terrible ignorance, today’s Strands was a relative breeze once I gave up on trying to make Composers the spangram. Twelve minutes when I would have been better off listening to the fourth movement of Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 in A minor.

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


Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 29 December, game #301)

  • KUGEL
  • LATKES
  • BRISKET
  • CHALLAH
  • APPLE SAUCE
  • SPANGRAM: HANNUKAH FOODS

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

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Saturday, 28 December 2024

NYT Strands today — my hints, answers and spangram for Sunday, December 29 (game #301)

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Festival of Lights delights

NYT Strands today (game #301) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • STOKE
  • DIAL
  • BROKEN
  • SLAG
  • CALL
  • LADS

NYT Strands today (game #301) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

Jewish feast

NYT Strands today (game #301) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: bottom, 2nd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #301) - the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 301 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #301, are…

  • KUGEL
  • LATKES
  • BRISKET
  • CHALLAH
  • APPLE SAUCE
  • SPANGRAM: HANNUKAH FOODS

  • My rating: Moderate
  • My score: 1 hint

Sufganiyot is the biggest item left off this list of HANUKKAH FOODS – or rather, HANNUKAH FOODS, because the NYT spelled the holiday name in a different way from how it's general listed elsewhere. That said, it is one of those words with multiple spellings in general use, so maybe this is just another one I've not seen before.

Anyway, back to Sufganiyot. For me, doughnuts are a year-round indulgence. I’ve even got a loyalty card for a bakery chain that rewards me with a free weekly doughnut – such is my, a-hem, loyalty that I’ve not missed my freebie yet.

We will have to wait until 2027 for Christmas and the eight-day Jewish festival to closely coincide again, when it starts on Christmas Eve.

Meanwhile, Festivus – the festival for the rest of us – continues to be celebrated on December 23, with the annual “airing of grievances”. I’m unsure if Festivus celebrants eat doughnuts, but they really should.

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


Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, 28 December, game #300)

  • LAVENDER
  • PATCHOULI
  • CEDARWOOD
  • EUCALYPTUS
  • SPANGRAM: AROMATHERAPY

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

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Friday, 27 December 2024

Quordle today – my hints and answers for Saturday, December 28 (game #1069)

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my 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 #1069) - 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 #1069) - 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 #1069) - 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 #1069) - 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 #1069) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• B

• L

• T

• B

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

Quordle today (game #1069) - the answers

Quordle answers for game 1069 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1069, are…

  • BUNCH
  • LABOR
  • TRIPE
  • BUNNY

This was close to being my best ever Quordle round, getting three correct in six goes. The final word TRIPE was the result of guesswork, but it was still nicely satisfying to complete the quartet with one line to spare.

The practice set me up nicely for the Daily Sequence, which I blitzed through in seven lines.

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


Daily Sequence today (game #1069) - the answers

Quordle Daily Sequence answers for game 1069 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1069, are…

  • TAPER
  • METAL
  • BISON
  • TANGY

Quordle answers: The past 20

  • Quordle #1068, Friday 27 December: BRAWL, LYING, ORGAN, CRONY
  • Quordle #1067, Thursday 26 December: TATTY, OVERT, FLOUR, SWEPT
  • Quordle #1066, Wednesday 25 December: LIVER, CRIER, SHORE, MURKY
  • Quordle #1065, Tuesday 24 December: TIPSY, SCALE, FLYER, VALVE
  • Quordle #1064, Monday 23 December: SNAKE, SAVVY, ELBOW, TWEED
  • Quordle #1063, Sunday 22 December: DOUBT, SLURP, PAPER, CIVIL
  • Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF
  • Quordle #1061, Friday 20 December: PENAL, EAGLE, DILLY, QUITE
  • Quordle #1060, Thursday 19 December: JEWEL, GNOME, TRAMP, IDLER
  • Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
  • Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
  • Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
  • Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
  • Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
  • Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
  • Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
  • Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
  • Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
  • Quordle #1050, Monday 9 December: TITAN, FORTE, SPEED, BRIAR
  • Quordle #1049, Sunday 8 December: BUNCH, SHINY, MOULT, INTRO
https://ift.tt/T7Y0Slx

Thursday, 26 December 2024

Quordle today – my hints and answers for Friday, December 27 (game #1068)

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my 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 #1068) - 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 #1068) - hint #2 - repeated letters

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

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

Quordle today (game #1068) - 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 #1068) - 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 #1068) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• B

• L

• O

• C

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

Quordle today (game #1068) - the answers

Quordle answers for game 1068 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1068, are…

  • BRAWL
  • LYING
  • ORGAN
  • CRONY

I could not have cut things finer today, getting the four words on the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th guesses – although I did come close to ruining my streak by initially typing in GROAN instead of ORGAN, then thought better of it.

It really does pay to stop and double-check for a second – Quordle is the kind of game where you really need to be alert at all times.

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


Daily Sequence today (game #1068) - the answers

Quordle Daily Sequence answers for game 1068 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1068, are…

  • THINK
  • LIVID
  • HEAVE
  • SNORE

Quordle answers: The past 20

  • Quordle #1067, Thursday 26 December: TATTY, OVERT, FLOUR, SWEPT
  • Quordle #1066, Wednesday 25 December: LIVER, CRIER, SHORE, MURKY
  • Quordle #1065, Tuesday 24 December: TIPSY, SCALE, FLYER, VALVE
  • Quordle #1064, Monday 23 December: SNAKE, SAVVY, ELBOW, TWEED
  • Quordle #1063, Sunday 22 December: DOUBT, SLURP, PAPER, CIVIL
  • Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF
  • Quordle #1061, Friday 20 December: PENAL, EAGLE, DILLY, QUITE
  • Quordle #1060, Thursday 19 December: JEWEL, GNOME, TRAMP, IDLER
  • Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
  • Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
  • Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
  • Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
  • Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
  • Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
  • Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
  • Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
  • Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
  • Quordle #1050, Monday 9 December: TITAN, FORTE, SPEED, BRIAR
  • Quordle #1049, Sunday 8 December: BUNCH, SHINY, MOULT, INTRO
  • Quordle #1048, Saturday 7 December: SHAKY, CROOK, GHOUL, VERSE
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Wednesday, 25 December 2024

NYT Strands today — my hints, answers and spangram for Thursday, December 26 (game #298)

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Relative conjunction

NYT Strands today (game #298) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • TOWN
  • WHEN
  • RENEW
  • TUNA
  • SWAN
  • CLUE

NYT Strands today (game #298) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

Get together

NYT Strands today (game #298) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: left, 3rd row

Last side: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #298) - the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 298 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #298, are…

  • AUNT
  • INLAW
  • GRANDCHILD
  • NIECE
  • COUSIN
  • UNCLE
  • NEPHEW
  • SPANGRAM: REUNION

  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

I’m sure I’m not the only one who started looking for nouns that introduce a relative clause in grammar (that, which, whom, etc), but that would have been a little too easy perhaps.

That said, today’s relative hunting wasn’t taxing – although even the thought of entertaining this many relations at a REUNION was enough to make me a little stressed.

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


Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, 25 December, game #297)

  • COAL
  • SOCKS
  • PENS
  • SCARF
  • TOYS
  • CANDY
  • ORANGE
  • PLUSHIE
  • SPANGRAM: STOCKING

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

https://ift.tt/sV0SdBr

Tuesday, 24 December 2024

NYT Strands today — my hints, answers and spangram for Wednesday, December 25 (game #297)

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… A visit from Santa

NYT Strands today (game #297) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • HULK
  • SCAN
  • LUCK
  • SKIN
  • CLUE
  • GRANT

NYT Strands today (game #297) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

Hang it up

NYT Strands today (game #297) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: bottom, 4th column

Last side: top, 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 #297) - the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 297 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #297, are…

  • COAL
  • SOCKS
  • PENS
  • SCARF
  • TOYS
  • CANDY
  • ORANGE
  • PLUSHIE
  • SPANGRAM: STOCKING

  • My rating: Moderate
  • My score: Perfect

My mother would always put a piece of COAL – neatly wrapped up of course – in our Christmas STOCKING, a tradition she continued into my adult life.

I always thought that it was intended as a reminder of the real meaning of Christmas amid the ramped-up consumerism, ridiculously raised expectations and over sentimentality. But then she told me the real reason – she thought it was funny.

I also liked my Grandfather’s tradition of re-gifting the present I’d bought him the previous year back to me. The first couple of times I thought it was an error – three Old Spice gift sets in and I knew it was deliberate.

Today’s Strands was surprisingly tricky and it took me ages to work out that the final letters I had left spelled out PLUSHIE.

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


Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, 24 December, game #296)

  • BROOK
  • HOLLY
  • RIVER
  • CLEMENTINE
  • LAUREL
  • WILLOW
  • SPANGERAM: NATURE NAMES

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

https://ift.tt/1ZXctWU

Monday, 23 December 2024

NYT Strands today — my hints, answers and spangram for Tuesday, December 24 (game #296)

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Who on earth ...?

NYT Strands today (game #296) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • INTERN
  • NINE
  • HEALER
  • CRIME
  • RARE
  • VINE

NYT Strands today (game #296) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

Earthy ID

NYT Strands today (game #296) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: top, 3rd column

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 #296) - the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 296 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #296, are…

  • BROOK
  • HOLLY
  • RIVER
  • CLEMENTINE
  • LAUREL
  • WILLOW
  • SPANGERAM: NATURE NAMES

  • My rating: Moderate
  • My score: Perfect

Even after completing today’s Strands it took me a while to understand what was meant by NATURE NAMES – then BROOK Shields, HOLLY Hunter, WILLOW Johnson, and RIVER Phoenix popped into my mind.

I was hard-pressed to think of anyone famous called CLEMENTINE or LAUREL, however.

Both are pretty rare names in general. According to the Social Security Administration in 2023 there were 543 babies named Clementine and just 391 called Laurel. For comparison, 15,270 girls in the US were named Olivia in 2023.

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


Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, 23 December, game #295)

  • COCOA
  • GINGERBREAD
  • CRANBERRY
  • PEPPERMINT
  • SPANGRAM: HOLIDAY FLAVOR

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

https://ift.tt/zPxp7Kt

Sunday, 22 December 2024

NYT Strands today — my hints, answers and spangram for Monday, December 23 (game #295)

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Pass the eggnog

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • BRING
  • BEAR
  • DRAY
  • PEEP
  • BARD
  • MAIN

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

Festive taste

NYT Strands today (game #295) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: top, 1st column

Last side: 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 #295) - the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 295 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #295, are…

  • COCOA
  • GINGERBREAD
  • CRANBERRY
  • PEPPERMINT
  • SPANGRAM: HOLIDAY FLAVOR

  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

Call me fussym but I’m not a great fan of raw eggs in drinks and just the idea of them makes me feel suddenly queasy – so, yes I will pass on the eggnog.

Every other Christmas/HOLIDAY FLAVOR then I am all in, although my favorite – cinnamon – hasn’t made today’s short and sweet Strands. Which is odd, as you’d surely rank it higher in the list than PEPPERMINT, which has 12 months of the year to star on people’s taste buds thanks to its domination of the gum and toothpaste markets. Mmmmm… the holiday flavor of toothpaste.

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


Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 22 December, game #294)

  • SNOW
  • BELLS
  • GLISTENING
  • WALKING
  • SLEIGH
  • SPANGRAM: WINTER WONDERLAND

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

https://ift.tt/kbBovCQ

Saturday, 21 December 2024

Quordle today – my hints and answers for Sunday, December 22 (game #1063)

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my 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 #1063) - 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 #1063) - 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 #1063) - 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 #1063) - 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 #1063) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• S

• P

• C

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

Quordle today (game #1063) - the answers

Quordle answers for game 1063 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1063, are…

  • DOUBT
  • SLURP
  • PAPER
  • CIVIL

A tricky one today. I was doing really well until I guessed PAGER and PAVER ahead of the far more obvious PAPER.

Still, sometimes getting things wrong can help you out and the rare letter V helped me correctly solve CIVIL in the bottom right.

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


Daily Sequence today (game #1063) - the answers

Quordle Daily Sequence answers for game 1063 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1063, are…

  • SHOVE
  • DANCE
  • GUSTO
  • STEEP

Quordle answers: The past 20

  • Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF
  • Quordle #1061, Friday 20 December: PENAL, EAGLE, DILLY, QUITE
  • Quordle #1060, Thursday 19 December: JEWEL, GNOME, TRAMP, IDLER
  • Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
  • Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
  • Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
  • Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
  • Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
  • Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
  • Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
  • Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
  • Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
  • Quordle #1050, Monday 9 December: TITAN, FORTE, SPEED, BRIAR
  • Quordle #1049, Sunday 8 December: BUNCH, SHINY, MOULT, INTRO
  • Quordle #1048, Saturday 7 December: SHAKY, CROOK, GHOUL, VERSE
  • Quordle #1047, Friday 6 December: BRAWL, UNTIL, DOWRY, STING
  • Quordle #1046, Thursday 5 December: AGING, BICEP, CLOVE, SPILL
  • Quordle #1045, Wednesday 4 December: JUDGE, GIVER, GNASH, CLOAK
  • Quordle #1044, Tuesday 3 December: FUDGE, THICK, CRANK, STASH
  • Quordle #1043, Monday 2 December: TROPE, HOVER, SAUNA, SHAPE
https://ift.tt/hUFvpVK

Friday, 20 December 2024

NYT Strands today — my hints, answers and spangram for Saturday, December 21 (game #293)

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

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Keeping the faith

NYT Strands today (game #293) - hint #2 - clue words

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

  • MELT
  • STEEP
  • MORE
  • SEEP
  • SEED
  • PREY

NYT Strands today (game #293) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

Places of worship

NYT Strands today (game #293) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

First side: right, 4th row

Last side: left, 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 #293) - the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 293 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #293, are…

  • ABBEY
  • TABERNACLE
  • MOSQUE
  • TEMPLE
  • MONASTERY
  • SPANGRAM: SACRED SPACES

  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

Today’s theme was an obvious one, but for one fleeting moment I thought Strands could be paying tribute to the Northern Soul musical movement of the 1970s, whose slogan was Keeping The Faith.

The scene is quite an anomaly in the history of British music and was centered around a handful of SACRED SPACES (night clubs) in northern English towns, which put on all-nighters playing rare soul records – and the rarer the better. Despite being relatively short lived it had a huge legacy, thanks to the music and the passion and fervour of its followers.

Right, Strands done, I’m off to listen to Tainted Love.

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


Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, 20 December, game #292)

  • LOOP
  • FLAKE
  • CHARM
  • SMACK
  • PEBBLE
  • CRUNCH
  • CHEERIO
  • SPANGRAM: CEREAL

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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

https://ift.tt/76QgSbP

Google Chrome is testing a new AI tool that scans for scams to help save you from online trickery


  • Google Chrome is testing a new AI-powered scam detection feature
  • It seemingly uses an on-device Large Language Model (LLM) to maintain user privacy
  • AI-driven safety tools, including scam detection, help to fight the rise of AI-powered threats online

The world’s most popular browser, Google Chrome, is experimenting with a new AI-powered tool designed to help you avoid online scams.

The feature is currently being tested and apparently uses AI tech, specifically a Large Language Model (LLM) on the device, to analyze web pages and determine if they seem suspicious or scam-related.

This development was spotted by Leopeva64 on X, who regularly highlights web browser features which are being tested. What they actually discovered was a flag that can be enabled called ‘Client Side Detection Brand and Intent for Scam Detection,’ which is present in the latest version of Chrome’s experimental browser, Canary.

The new flag leverages an on-device LLM to investigate the content of any given web page and figure out what it's trying to do, and whether that content falls in line with the website’s supposed purpose or brand.

This is explained in the flag’s description, which reads: “Enables on-device LLM (large language model) output on pages to inquire for brand and intent of the page.”

A scammer working on a laptop

(Image credit: Robinraj Premchand from Pixabay)

On device is key to privacy

One key detail about this process is that it uses an on-device LLM, which means that the analysis of web pages happens on your device (as opposed to in the cloud somewhere, which would involve sending your browsing data to a third-party). In short, this means your data will stay private.

To try this feature out, you would have to install the latest Google Chrome Canary release, which is not something I’d generally recommend, unless you’re really keen (if so, you can follow Neowin’s advice on how to enable the new flag).

This is the latest in a series of AI-powered tools coming to Chrome, which also includes a ‘Store reviews’ feature that’s currently in testing. This capability uses AI to summarize reviews from platforms like Trustpilot or ScamAdvisor, helping users quickly check if an online store is reliable.

As ever, we don’t know if features in testing will make it through to release, but it’s likely these will - Google is keen on building out AI powers for its browser, and I expect we’ll see this scam warning system rolled out before too long. Unless the Google Chrome team finds some good reasons to go back to the drawing board.

Even though Chrome is the dominant web browser by a long way, Google shouldn’t rest on its laurels, and I think it’s very savvy of the company to keep improving its browser to stay in pole position. And with scammers and hostile actors now having AI-powered tools at their disposal, it’s good to see Google (hopefully) bringing LLMs in to help defend Chrome users from the unwanted attention of these nefarious types.

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